The dim glow of a single bulb flickered in the makeshift infirmary where Hruday lay bedridden, his body still recovering from the gunshot wound that had nearly taken his life. The room was sparse, but it was quiet—a rare commodity in their post-apocalyptic world. Michael and Roy sat beside him, their faces etched with concern as they listened to Hruday speak.
"I've been noticing this," Hruday began, his voice hoarse but steady. From the start when we we had stayed inside the makeshift bunker inside the storage apartment locking ourselves in, I had a lot of time on my hands. But I started to notice a pattern in the electricity cut-offs."
Michael and Roy exchanged glances, intrigued.
"You mean the random blackouts?" Roy asked.
"Yeah, but they're not random," Hruday said, his eyes narrowing as he focused on a piece of paper beside him. It was covered in notes, times, and dates, all meticulously recorded. "At first, I thought it was just the grid failing, but then I noticed the intervals. They were too precise."
He handed the paper to Michael, who studied it closely. The notes were incredibly detailed, listing exact times when the power went out and came back on, sometimes lasting for only a few seconds, other times for several minutes. Hruday had even noted the frequency of the cut-offs and the duration between them.
"It's like someone's trying to communicate," Hruday continued, his voice low. "I've been decoding it, and it looks like Morse code."
Michael's eyes widened. "Morse code? Are you sure?"
"Not entirely," Hruday admitted, "but I've decoded a few sequences. Some of them don't make sense, but others... well, look at this."
He pointed to a series of short and long marks on the page. "This one, for example, came out as 'u safe n,' and this one here looks like 'm power.' It's like they're trying to ask if we're safe or if we need more power."
Roy frowned. "That's... eerie. Do you think someone's out there, trying to reach us?"
"I don't know," Hruday said. "But I think we should find out. We need to send a message back."
Michael leaned forward, intrigued. "How do we do that?"
Hruday hesitated, his mind racing. "It's not going to be easy. We'll need to manipulate our electricity usage—turn devices on and off in specific patterns to send out a signal. It's rudimentary, but it might work. We just have to be careful not to blow the circuits or waste too much power."
Michael said, "It's like NASA sending messages to aliens, but if they turn out to be like aliens in "Predator movies", then we're all doomed."
Roy added, "Yeah, it's like sending a message through a radio that sounds dumb at first, then it all makes sense. But I'm not sure this could even be done. We're inventing a new kind of radio tech. How can we send signals? Is it through electric wires and stuff?"
Michael sighed, feeling the weight of the task ahead. said, "It's like we are NASA We were getting so bored and lonely that a planet with millions of species unexplored and not being able to manage the known part properly wasn't enough; now we're calling in for more trouble from outer space."
hruday said are trying to say that this is waste and we are calling for trouble
Hruday explained, "We'll communicate by sending pulses through the grid, similar to Morse code but using power consumption. It's risky, but it's the best shot we've got."
Roy nodded, understanding. "So, what's the plan?"
Hruday took a deep breath. "I've already drafted a message that we should send: 'We sae, u sfe, ho log p lats.' It's crude, but it should get the point across. We're asking if they're safe and how long will the power last ."
"That's a lot to communicate with just power cut-offs," Michael said, his brow furrowing. "But if anyone can figure it out, it's you."
Hruday managed a weak smile. "I've been working on it. I'll need your help to make it happen."
He gestured toward a paper beside him. "We need to put out a quest. We need someone who knows how electric grids operate, and maybe a coder who can help us streamline the process. If we're going to keep this up, we'll need better equipment too."
Michael and Roy moved to the bulletin board that served as the base's quest hub. It was a physical reminder of the old world's job boards, but now it was filled with scraps of paper detailing tasks, requests for help, and offers of supplies in exchange for services.
Michael quickly scribbled down the details Hruday had outlined:
Quest: Is the Electric Grid Trying to Communicate with Us Through Cut-Offs?
Info: In recent days, Hruday has noticed a few patterns in the electricity cut-offs that seem to resemble Morse code. This is just a theory, but it could be worth investigating.
Rewards: As of right now, there are none decided, but if we establish a connection, the participants might be given points, supplies, and an opportunity for a job.
Requirements: Knowledge of electric grids and how they operate, and coding skills.
After pinning the note to the board, Michael stepped back, hoping they would get some qualified responses. The idea was far-fetched, but in a world turned upside down, even the improbable had to be explored.
Later that evening, a few people began to trickle in, responding to the quest. The first was Kevin, a young IT technician with a background in network setups and some experience with electrical systems. He was eager, though clearly nervous as he introduced himself.
"I worked on network setups and managed server rooms," Kevin explained, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I've got experience with power distribution and basic grid management. I also did a project on smart grids in college."
Michael and Roy exchanged glances. Kevin was clearly intelligent, but he seemed out of his depth. Still, they needed all the help they could get.
"Do you have any experience with coding?" Michael asked.
Kevin nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm familiar with Python and Java. I've even worked with Raspberry Pi, setting up automated systems."
Roy nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, Kevin, we'll be in touch."
Next came Mitch, a burly electrician with a no-nonsense attitude. He carried a toolbox and looked like he'd seen it all.
"Have you Ever worked on an electric grid?" Michael asked.
Mitch shrugged. "I've wired up entire buildings, set up backup generators, and dealt with more than my fair share of electrical fires. I'm no engineer, but I know how to get power flowing and keep it from blowing up in your face."
Roy chuckled. "That's exactly what we need." Roy then smiled with his thumbs up Mitch smiled back and then roy turned to Michael saying I know him he had worked with my father on buildings
Mitch didn't bother with small talk, simply nodding before heading out. His confidence was reassuring, though his lack of coding knowledge meant they'd need others to fill that gap.
The interviews continued, and one of the last applicants was a young woman named Jess. She arrived late, her arms full of books and manuals.
"Sorry I'm late!" Jess exclaimed, dropping the heavy books with a thud. "I was brushing up on my coding and electrical engineering."
Roy picked up one of the books, smirking. "Java Programming for Dummies?"
Jess laughed, a little sheepishly. "Hey, it's never too late to learn, right?"
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and despite her limited experience, Michael and Roy decided to keep her on the list. As she left, they couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of assembling a team of misfits to tackle such a monumental task.
That night, the group gathered in the main hall, where Hruday's infirmary was located. The atmosphere was tense as Michael and Roy explained the plan to use electricity cut-offs to communicate with whoever—or whatever—might be out there.
Sophia, who had been skeptical of the idea from the start, voiced her concerns. "You really think someone out there is trying to talk to us? What if it's just random power fluctuations?"
Hector, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "We've seen stranger things happen. If there's even a chance that someone is out there, we should try."
Mark, another survivor, looked uneasy. "But what if it's a trap? We don't know who or what's on the other end."
Roy responded firmly. "We won't know until we try. But we're not going in blind. We'll be careful, and if anything feels off, we pull the plug."
Emily, who had been tending to Hruday, added softly, "We're stronger together. If there's a chance to connect with others, maybe even find out more about what's happening, we should take it. But we need to be smart."
The group murmured their agreement, though some were still wary. The plan was risky, but in a world where survival often hinged on taking risks, it was a gamble they were willing to take.
The next morning, the team began setting up the equipment. The storage room was cramped, filled with old electronics, wires, and makeshift tools. Michael and Roy were joined by Kevin, Mitch, and Jess, each contributing their skills to the effort.
"Alright, we need to set this up carefully," Michael said, rolling up his sleeves. "We'll use the generator to provide a steady power supply, but we have to modulate the output carefully. If we draw too much too quickly, we could fry the circuits."
Roy nodded, already sorting through the wires. "We'll connect the main appliances to a central hub—computers, phones, anything that can be powered on and off quickly. We'll use coding scripts to automate the process."
Kevin worked quickly, setting up the scripts on the computers while Mitch handled the wiring. Jess, eager to contribute, helped organize the equipment and double-checked the connections.
Michael explained as they worked. "We'll send the Morse code by alternating power loads. When the power draw is high, it'll signal a 'dash,' and when it's low, it'll signal a 'dot.' It's crude, but it should be enough to get the message across."
Roy attached a voltage regulator to the setup. "This will help us avoid any spikes. We don't want to blow a fuse and lose our only way to communicate."
As they prepared to send the first message, Hruday's voice crackled through the newly acquired police walkie-talkie. "Are we ready?"
"Ready," Michael confirmed, his hand hovering over the switch. "We'll start with the first sequence. Everyone on standby."
Roy watched the clock, counting down the seconds. "Three... two... one... go."
Michael flipped the switch, and the room plunged into darkness as the power was cut. A second later, it returned, the lights flickering back on. They repeated the process, each flicker corresponding to a letter in the Morse code.
To save the number of times they had to do it, they sent the message, "We are safe for now. What about you?" with the pattern, "We sae," Hruday said, watching as Michael and Roy carefully executed the pattern. "Now, 'u sfe.'"
The room was silent except for the hum of the generator and the clicking of switches. Hruday's eyes were glued to the clock, timing each interval precisely. The process was slow, with each letter taking several minutes to communicate.
When they finally finished the last part, "ho log p lats," they all sat back, exhausted.
"Now we wait," Hruday said, his voice barely above a whisper. "If someone's out there, they'll respond.
The group waited in tense silence, their eyes on the generator, willing it to flicker or spark—anything that might indicate a response. But the minutes stretched into an hour, and there was nothing.
Roy sighed, leaning back against the wall. "Maybe we're just talking to an empty grid."
"Or maybe it takes time," Michael suggested, though even he seemed doubtful.
Hruday closed his eyes, his body worn out from the effort. "We'll try again tomorrow. But we need better equipment. If we're going to do this right, we need to hit up a tech store or maybe the warehouse. We'll need voltage regulators, more reliable generators, maybe even a few old radios if we can find them."
Michael nodded, making a mental note of what they'd need. "I know a place. It's a bit of a hike, but they might have what we're looking for."
Roy grinned, a bit of his usual energy returning. "Sounds like a plan. We'll make it a scouting mission—grab what we need and get out before anyone or anything notices."
As they wrapped up for the night, Hruday couldn't shake the feeling that they were onto something. He had seen the patterns and decoded the messages. Someone out there was trying to communicate. The only question was—who? And were they friend or foe?
He closed his eyes, letting exhaustion take over, but his mind kept working, piecing together the possibilities. Tomorrow, they would try again. And if they were lucky, they might just get a reply.
The next morning, as the sun filtered through the cracked windows, the group gathered once more in the infirmary. Hruday was too weak to join them in the main area, but his mind was as sharp as ever.
"Let's try the message again," he said, his voice firm despite the fatigue.
Michael and Roy set up the equipment, following Hruday's precise instructions. They repeated the message, "We sae, u sfe, ho log p lats," carefully manipulating the power to send out the signal.
This time, when they finished, there was a brief flicker in the lights—barely noticeable, but it was there.
Hruday's eyes snapped open, his heart racing. "Did you see that?"
Roy nodded, his face pale. "Yeah, I saw it. Someone's out there."
Michael was already grabbing the notes, his mind racing. "We need to respond. But we can't do it like this. We need that equipment."
Hruday agreed, his mind racing with possibilities. "We'll set up a team. We'll get what we need and keep this going. If there's someone out there... we need to find out who they are and if they can help us."