Free Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson Page B

can’t fix this, Ryan. They’re still on a collision course. That’s what? That’s, like, four hundred and fifty people. Give me something.
    + 00:05:01
    R. TAYLOR
    Okay, okay. A fueler robot. An autoramper. It malfunctioned yesterday. Sprayed a bunch of fuel on the ramp and shut down two gates for a couple hours .
    + 00:05:06
    M. FITCHER
    How many planes did it fuel? Which ones?
    + 00:05:09
    R. TAYLOR
    Two. Our birds. What’s it mean, Fitch?
    + 00:05:12
    M. FITCHER
    I don’t know. I’ve got a feeling. There’s no time. (sound of a click)
    + 00:05:14
    DENVER
    United 42 heavy and American 1497, I know it sounds far-out, but … I have a hunch. You’re both experiencing the same issue. Both your planes passed through LA yesterday. I think a virus may have entered your refuel control computers. See if (inaudible) … find the circuit breaker for the subcomputer.
    + 00:05:17
    UNITED
    Roger approach. I’m willing to try anything. (static) Uh, that’s probably behind the seat. Right? Be advised, American 1497, fueling circuit breakers are on panel four.
    + 00:05:20
    AMERICAN
    Roger. Looking for those.
    + 00:05:48
    DENVER
    United 42 heavy. Traffic is now twelve o’clock and two miles. Same altitude.
    + 00:05:56
    DENVER
    American 1497. Your traffic is now nine o’clock. Two miles. Same altitude.
    + 00:06:12
    UNITED
    (voice of Traffic Collision Avoidance System) Climb. Climb.
    + 00:06:17
    UNITED
    Can’t … find the breakers. Where are—(inaudible)
    + 00:06:34
    DENVER
    (emphatic) See and avoid. American 1497 and United 42. See and avoid. Collision imminent. Collision … Oh no. Oh, shit.
    + 00:06:36
    AMERICAN
    (unintelligible) … I’m sorry, Ma.
    + 00:06:38
    UNITED
    (voice of Traffic Collision Avoidance System) Climb now. Climb now.
    + 00:06:40
    AMERICAN
     … where (shuffling) Oh! (exclaimed loudly) (long moment of static)
    + 00:06:43
    DENVER
    Do you copy? Repeat. Did you copy?
    + 00:07:08
    DENVER
    (inaudible)
    + 00:07:12
    UNITED
    (hysterical yelling)
    + 00:07:15
    DENVER
    (relieved) Oh my god.
    + 00:07:18
    AMERICAN
    American 1497. Roger. It worked. That was a close one, y’all! Oh my! (sound of hooting)
    + 00:07:24
    DENVER
    (heavy breathing) You had Fitcher worried there for a second, kids.
    + 00:07:28
    UNITED
    United 42 heavy. Flight control restored. It worked! Fitch, you magnificent woman, can you get us cleared for landing? I need to kiss the ground. I need to kiss you , sister.
    + 00:07:32
    DENVER
    Uh, roger that. United 42 turn right, heading oh nine oh. Airport is at your two o’clock and ten miles.
    + 00:07:35
    UNITED
    United 42 heavy. Roger. Airport in sight.
    + 00:07:37
    DENVER
    United 42 heavy, cleared for the visual. Runway sixteen. Right. Contact tower one thirty-five point three.
    + 00:07:40
    UNITED
    Thanks for the help. Tower on thirty-five three. See ya.
    + 00:07:45
    AMERICAN
    American 1497. Same story. Got a grin on my face up here. But, uh, somebody sure has some explaining to do.
    + 00:07:53
    DENVER
    That’s for damn sure. Bring it home, pilots.
    END OF TRANSCRIPT
    This incident led directly to the invention and propagation of the so-called fitch switch, designed to manually separate peripheral onboard computers from flight control during an emergency. No passengers were harmed on either flight, although the experience of passing within feet of another 777 aircraft was incredibly frightening. I know this for a fact. My brother Jack and I were both passengers on United Flight 42 .
    — CORMAC WALLACE, MIL#GHA217

7. P HREAK
    I’m as nasty as the day is long and I know every trick
in the book. If I want you, mate, I’ll get you .
    L URKER
    PRECURSOR VIRUS + 9 MONTHS
    I assembled these transcripts from footage recorded by a webcam in a bedroom in south London and by several closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the nearby neighborhood. The video was grainy, but I have done my best to relay exactly what unfolded. The identity of the room’s occupant has never been fully verified.