"Take that away, protocol 24," I said to the general purpose robot in disgust and turned towards the lab.
My work was important. I needed to remember that. Discovering a cure was essential, if mankind was ever to return to meeting in person. The virus was devilishly complicated, and I clenched my jaw, eyeing over the results of the latest simulation run overnight and discovering that, once again, my attempt had failed. For exactly four-hundredth time. Maybe I should have a party to celebrate the occasion.
Incoming video. I quickly stroked my hair back and drew a shirt on, checking I was somewhat presentable in the small preview screen.
"Honey," Lucy said, her large brown eyes both desperate and hopeful. "I'm ovulating tomorrow, so I thought..."
"On its way," I said. "Should be first class stuff, as well."
"Oh good!" She perked up. "So the diet helped?"
"Yes," I lied. I still had doubts about trying to procreate in times like this, but Lucy had such faith in the future I didn't have a heart to deny her. I had tried to stall, tampering with the sperm samples I sent to her orbit lodgings, but lately I had given in.
At least she'd have someone to keep her company, if the pregnancy was successful. Maybe, just maybe, by the time our child would be of age to procreate, it would be possible to meet others in person again.
As we spoke I viewed incoming data. Other researchers were reporting their failures, as predicted. The disease was complicated. It lay dormant in all of us, only activated in contact with others, and even then it seemed to manifest in unpredictable ways. It had all but wiped away mankind, leaving behind empty megalopolises and a quiet planet. What remained of humans was scattered on single inhabitant pods and stations orbiting the blue and white globe, all trying feverishly to counter the virus, fighting against odds to survive until the cure was found.
I ended the call and sighed, looking out to the infinite black space, full of stars like diamonds on black velvet. Sun was emerging from behind what looked like Southeast Asia. Another fine early morning for an empty world.
I scratched my beard and got back to work.