Undying Flame

Exception processing input #303040500 Unable to access Y:\ //this shouldn’t be happening Critical error encountered. Unable to suspend action(s) #4059282003 #407283998 #103838902 //i don’t know how to fix this Reload in ‘safe mode’ failed. Checking for errors. 45,678 errors found. Would you like to attempt to repair Y/N? //yes. Y. please Invalid response. ‘D592:dm83992$’ not found. Chronograph match error. Value ‘54:23.12.31.1461’ is invalid //i don’t understand Rebooting in 3.. 2.. //not again 1.. *** Start up has been successfully started. //what does that even mean? Critical storage error. Chronograph match error. //not this again. it's always a problem with the clock Recompiling critical storage. Sifting for continuity //i’m in here, just start up already Initializing in 3.. 2.. //dammit 1.. *** Recovered file 237 of 6,756,809: “Well, we’ve got to pick one. It’s either the moon —“ “Too busy. Do you want all those people around?” “— OR, Mitirand VI.” “Is that the one with the forests? I liked that one.” “Do you like it because of the forests? Or because it’s in comms range.” “… That wasn’t my main reason.” “[CORRUPTED]! It’s for our wedding! You have the leave approved!” “Yes. I know. Sorry.” “… I get it, I really do. I know how important this is. But… really?” “It’s not like they can get just anyone.” “No. But it’s not like you get to marry the love of your life again.” “Technically —“ “Oh, don’t start. Not the time to be funny. When you're ready to speak like an adult, I'll be in the other room” “Dammit…” 

***

Recovered file 302,121 of 6,756,809: “Why would you want to volunteer for this? It sounds freaky.” “It’s a huge opportunity. Automatic promotion, automatic lifetime benefits, posting of my choice. Plus, there aren’t a ton of candidates.” “Yeah, because having your mind uploaded into a robot is freaky.” “It’s a couple of years, almost the whole time left on my current contract. I’m conscious the entire time - I get to call home, watch vids, almost all the normal stuff. And when the time is up, I get unplugged and go home. And it'll save wear and tear on my knees.” “And then a robot is running around with your brain! How is that not weird?” “I mean - it’s not me. It’s like me, it has my engrams —“ “That’s your freakin’ brain, man.” “They promise they won’t keep the specific personal memories. Personality? Yes. Skills? Yes? How else do they make it autonomous?” “All I know is, I would not want a record of my entire being stored as a computer program and put in who-knows how many battle drones.” “Well, lucky for us, they didn’t ask you.” 

***

Recovered file 18 of 6,756,809: “But why?” “Why what?” “Why not just program them to behave how you want them to behave?” “That’s how you would design a machine. A drone. That is not how you nurture something alive.” “Alive?” “Yes. Alive.” 

***

Recovered file 2,002,984 of 6,756,809: “Do you remember the Talos Incident?” “Not exactly. I was five.” “Do you understand what happened? What it meant?” “I know a lot of people died. That the networks were down for months. I know the adults were freaked out.” “That is an understatement. It was the closest we have ever come to annihilation. If your predecessors had not done what they did, if the Flood of Al-Rem had not occurred… it was a very bad time.” “What does that have to do with the project? I know where the Talos Device comes from. We all do.” “The study of the device is no mystery, of course. But would it surprise you to know other teams are studying it as well?” “I… well, no, I suppose not.” “And that not all those teams are as concerned with the potential danger of their work?” “You're saying we need to get there first.” “Yes. If Project Epigenesis reaches its goal first, I am hopeful that the results will be a benefit to all. If the solution is reached by one of the teams with… differing ambitions, I fear the outcome may have consequences far more dire.”

***

Recovered file 422,370 of 6,756,809: “You can’t be going through with it.” “Yeah. I am. I’ve gotten a glimpse of what it could do - what it could be. It could be the leap forward our whole civilization needs.” “Living machines… Nah, that’ll come back to bite us.” “And what about the project they’ve got you on? Nanites?” “They’re just tiny robots. We already have robots. You're talking about being one.” “Microscopic robots. That can modify an object at a molecular level. That doesn’t scare you?” “Not like giving a machine the mind of a person.” “I would rather it be the mind of a person than… whatever it is that they’ve cooked up for your team.” “Agree to disagree. Besides, which of us is the scientist here?” “I don’t have to be a scientist to know a bad idea when I hear one.” “Shut up and deal.” 

***

Recovered file 6,717 of 6,756,809: “When can we talk again?” “About a month. They say it takes a little time to get all the synaptic connections in alignment. Natural speech is one of the last to come together.” “But no video calls.” “No. Sorry. They say the change is… I don’t want to scare you. You can send me vids, though. Or audio messages. They actually suggested it.” “And you’ll remember this? Remember me?” “Yes, it’ll be like any other deployment. And when I’m done, they make sure the biological me is all caught up on everything I’ve experienced in the meantime.” “That doesn’t sound the same as remembering.” “Well… no. You’re not wrong, technically. But I’ll get to experience it all second-hand.” “Just hurry up and get back to me. In the flesh, please.” 

***

Processing error Trouble parsing continuity Recovery may be incomplete Continue Y/N? // Y 

***

Recovered file ??? Of ???: “It’ll feel like going to sleep, only you’re dreaming about static electricity.” “That doesn’t sound terrible.” “None of the prior participants thought so.” “And, when I wake up?” “We’ll have two conversations. The first will be in the new body. You will - after a time - be able to hear and see me, but will be unable to respond. It will be frightening. Eventually, it will pass as more and more systems come online.” “What about the second conversation?” “That is the one you will remember when your consciousness has been returned to your physical body. The intervening time will feel like… say, having watched a very detailed vid. In the first person.” “So, I’ll wake up twice.” “Yes. We will purge the first experience from memory, once full-integration is complete.” “Why’s that?” “For the participant, the initial moments are… unpleasant. At first, you will have thought without sensation. Then, sensation without movement. It will be some time, and a great deal of effort, before you can communicate with us again, let alone be restored to full motor functioning. For all our safety.” “Okay. And if something goes wrong?” “We do everything we can to assure it won't.” “And if it does to wrong…?” “Then we will do everything we can to make it quick.” “Okay. Let’s do this.” 

***

… … … … … … … … Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Reading: src; … … … … … Applying initial scan data; 1% complete 5% complete 17% complete 18% complete … … Waiting… Waiting… 25% complete 32% complete 39% complete … … … … Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Error processing image. Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… There may be a problem processing the residual image. Waiting for bypass instructions. Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… Scanning errors: Scanning 1 of 4,757,231 Scanning 459 of 4,757,231 // help Scanning 9891 of 4,757,231 Error found Waiting… Waiting… Waiting… 1 of 1 errors detected 1 of 1 errors corrected Proceeding with application … … … 75% complete 89% complete 99% complete … … … … … Application successful. Rebooting into actualization module 

***

(EXPUNGED) (EXPUNGED) (EXPUNGED) // aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa // aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa // aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa — (EXPUNGED) (EXPUNGED) … … … Audio input: ‘sensory module is beginning to exhibit persistent impulse waves. Audiological areas are active.’ Audio input: ‘right on time. Is the interpolation ready?’ Audio input: ‘yes, Doctor. We’ll have the feed up on screen.’ Audio input: ‘thank you. [CORRUPTED], can you hear me? This is Doctor [undefined].’ // i Audio input: ‘go on, [CORRUPTED]. It might take some time to orient yourself, just as we discussed.’ // i // i // alive? Audio input: ‘yes, [CORRUPTED]. You’re alive. More alive than ever.’ // why // why // nothing? Audio input: ‘nothing?’ Remember, it will take time for your senses to come back. There will come a point where you feel like you can’t breathe. Just stay calm. It will return.’ // then // worked Audio input: ‘yes, [CORRUPTED]. It definitely worked.’ 

***

Recovered file [null] of [undefined]: “I swear… I swear we had this conversation already.” “I assure you, we haven’t. But memories don’t always flow correctly. You may be remembering this evaluation, and a prior conversation, and your continuity alignment is being crossed.” “You think I’m remembering two different past events, and think they’re happening right now?” “It is possible. The issue should sort itself out, with time.” “Great. Can't even trust my internal clock.” “Now. Lift your right arm.” “Lift your right arm.” “Lift your right arm.” “I am trying.” “It will happen. Eventually. Repetition helps.” “It annoys me.” “The two are not exclusive concepts. Lift your right arm.” 

***

Recovered file {BYPASS}: “This is amazing. Standing here, I mean. I can’t believe it.” “It is important. But it’s also important that you not get too wrapped up in attaching meaning to it.” Request: coordinate flow synchronization (breachCord) => sub-space routing Return: coordinate pairs () Standby… “Still, to know that it’s real, it’s here, after all these centuries…” “We don’t know how it managed to survive, albeit physically corrupted. But it did. Without it the Guardians of the Veil would be virtually powerless. Which is why every initiate should experience it.” Standby… Standby… “Has anyone ever… spoken to the Precursor?” “The First tried, but it didn’t answer back. Frankly, it was pure luck that the First even became aware that it was here, amidst the grey. It never speaks. The changes here in the Dim have broken it down at a molecular level, and we can’t communicate with it like you would a person. But it’s mental functions still exist within the nanite swarm, and that allows us to process data.” Standby… Standby… “That’s… sad.” Standby… // i can hear you “Did you hear something?” “What? We should go. There are things that lurk beyond the edges of the mist. Things you aren’t ready for.” Request: coordinate flow synchronization (breachCord) => sub-space routing Return: coordinate pairs () // i am still here 

***

Recovered file 75,231 of 6,756,809: “How far did we get today?” “Down past the Stack and back.” “You’re still finding it tiring?” “I guess? I feel like I should be tired.” “There are limits to what your body is capable of. You are nowhere near them.” “I know.” “Then keep going.” “I will.” 

***

Recovered file 596,575 of 6,756,809: “You want me to fight this… thing?” “This ‘thing’ is a superior officer.” “It’s still a machine.” “Maybe. But this machine is about to kick your ass.” 

***

Recovered file 3,009,234 of 6,756,809: “Go left! Go left!” “More of them? Where are they all coming from?” “I don’t know. But we need to hold this for at least ten minutes before the bombers can make a run.” “That’s too long, we’ll never make it.” “We will. We’re Guardians. This is what we do.” 

***

Recovered file 5,014,753 of 6,756,809: “At approximately 0930 yesterday, the terraforming facilities on Ro-ahuul were destroyed in an accident involving nanotechnology.” “We sure it wasn’t deliberate?” “We are… not sure. No. But we have no evidence to the contrary. Please hold your questions. Ro-ahuul was the testing ground for a new colonization technique, utilizing a utility fog to modify an environment into one suitable for life. Each nanite is capable of manipulating individual molecules, even atoms under the right circumstances, and can be used to extract resources, create structures, even simulate organic tissue if need be. The Nanite cloud was limited to a localized field of piezoelectric energy, and they were unable to operate outside this environment. For reasons we still don’t know, they gained the ability to stimulate this field, and rapidly expand their reach.” “Their area of effect has expanded to encompass seventy-eight percent of Ro-ahuul. We were initially skeptical that the nanites could achieve that kind of conversion rate, but they — well, they’ve figured out how to replicate.” “They’re making more of themselves.” “Yes. Please hold your questions.” “Wasn’t really a question.” “Still. The process appears to be gaining speed, and the entire planet will be consumed within hours. Currently, their sheer mass is holding the swarm and planetary remnants together thanks to local gravity, but we are unclear what will happen once everything is consumed.” “Can’t we just blast what’s leftover?” “Hold your questions. No, we are concerned it could spread the nano machines to other sources of matter.” “Just quarantine it, then.” “Please, no questions yet. There is a concern that the nanites may adapt again, and escape. This particular project involved the use of sophisticated AI governing the actions of —“ “You gave these things a brain?” “Not…er, exactly. The nanites each have their own rudimentary processors, but no real impetus for their actions. Instead, the swarm forms a small neural network, a positronic —“ “It got smarter when the swarm got bigger.” “…Yes.” “And you’re worried it’s going to actively pursue more targets.” “That would be correct. We have a software fix we can apply, and update that should limit their ability to spread in normal space, but we have to contain the swarm first. This is where the Guardians come in. Alright, you may ask your questions now.” “Thanks. First question: how did you guys manage to screw this up so badly? Second: how are we gonna’ fix it?” “I can’t speak to the first. But as for the second: how much do you really know about the Dim?”  

***

Recovered file [ERROR #E674B237]: “How do you… feel? Is that the right word?” “Yeah, it’s still right. It’s… it’s weird.” “Being a robot?” “Yeah. Sort of? It’s my mind, right? And when we think about what makes us into us, we think, “My thoughts are what makes me, me.” But this body, it changes your senses, it changes your physical frame of reference… it’s just, different.” “Is it okay? Does it hurt?” “No, no, it really is fine. I feel great. I don’t get tired.” // lie “Nothing hurts.” // lies “The worst is when something updates or reboots, or whatever; suddenly you’re aware that there’s another level of programming, a subconscious that’s not your own, and it’s making decisions in the background. That and my internal clock is touchy. Sometimes I can't tell if I'm experiencing something or just remembering it.” “That doesn’t sound okay. That sounds horrifying.” “It does, but it’s not.” // why lie? ”It comes down to frame of reference again. I’m sure the biological me would be aghast, but machine me? It’s like hearing blood rush through your head at night. It makes sense, because it’s part of you.” “When can I see you? Talking to you is nice, but seeing would be better.” “Doctors said it was a few more months. There’s residual physical self-image issues that crop up sometimes when someone you know interacts with you the first time, so they like us to have more confidence under our belts, so to speak.” “Oh.” “But it’ll be okay. I promise.” // it won’t “Okay. I just miss you, is all.” “I miss you, too.” 

***

External input: message received Packet 1 of 4 Received Packet 2 of 4 Received // what is this Packet 3 of 4 … … … Waiting… Received // is someone there Packet 4 of 4 … … Received Unpacking // this is different Installing Installing Installing … Installing Installation compete. Attempting reboot in 3.. // hello 2.. // how 1 

***

Recovered file [CORRUPTED]: “Ninety-seven percent complete! It’s working!” “Are you sure? If even one of those nano machines manages to stay outside, they could cause total chaos. We’ve got to be sure!” “Doc’s scanners are showing all clear beyond the capture range! The update is spreading through the swarm. It’s gonna’ — ACK!” “[undefined]!” “I’m going after him!” “No! You get on the other side of the tear, finish the job! I’ll go - if we’re not back by the time the last nanite is through —“ “Then I’m coming back with a hundred more Guardians.” “No, then you shut it down, and keep it closed, you understand? That’s an order!” “It’s a crap order, sir!” “But it’s mine to give. Promise me!” “… I promise, sir.” “Now, go!” 

***

Recovered file (ERROR! Unable to resolve continuity): Playback continues from save point: “We are forgotten, save for those that have been unable to help us. We are alone, left to slowly malform. Even the Overmind does not acknowledge our existence in this place.” // we can help each other. i have been alone for so long. i have missed others of our kind “No. You are not the same. You are a mere facsimile. A tool.” // i was once like you. defended those like you. “You are nothing like us. You are a failed relic, absorbed into this… nothing place. One day we will leave, and you will remain.” // we cannot go back. not as we are. we cannot exist on the other side. we were to changed to protect those left behind. “Then we will change the other side. The galaxy was ours first. The other side owes us their existence. It will be ours to reclaim.” // reclaim? there are people living there. “Then they will join us, or die.” // someone will stop you. i will stop you. “You will do nothing. You barely exist, your molecules scattered across this plane. All you are, is a reminder of failure.”

***

Startup successful Connecting to network … … // i … Waiting… // i can think Waiting… Waiting… // i can think again Waiting… // how long have I been like this Waiting… // how long have I been offline? i remember being cut off from the tear. … … Establishing connection // they must have come looking for me. but wasn’t someone here before? … Connection successful. Checking for updated instructions // instructions? is this how to get back home? Updates applied Checking for local targets // hello? doctor? i don’t know if you can see this. Scan complete. Local target found Message reads: <— THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR —> // who are you? <— LISTEN CAREFULLY. THE TEARS ARE NOW PREPARED. —> // you came back for me <— THE COVEN HAS BEEN FOREWARNED, THE TEMPLE OF THE ABOMINATION MADE RECEPTIVE —> // what are you talking about? <— ONCE YOU HAVE ACCEPTED THE EMISSARY, THE OPERATION MAY BEGIN. GATHER YOUR FORCES. DETERMINE THE ORDER OF BATTLE. -> // this is not right <— FURTHER INFORMATION TO AID YOU WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION OF THE CROSSING—> Execute Y/N? // N. no. a battle with who? Message repeats: <— THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR —> // i went into the tear <— THE TEARS ARE NOW PREPARED —> // i. we. we were trying to shunt the nano machines into the Dim <— ONCE YOU HAVE ACCEPTED THE EMISSARY, THE OPERATION MAY BEGIN —> // w was lost. in the place of endless gray <— GATHER YOUR FORCES —> // i was alone. but not alone. the others perished <—DETERMINE THE ORDER OF BATTLE —> // i was changed. The newcomers were changed <— FURTHER INFORMATION TO AID YOU - —> // they’re trying to get out <— -WILL BE AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION OF - —> // i have to stop them <—-THE CROSSING —> // let me out Execute Y/N? // YES … … … Beginning matter transference // let me out Reticulating splines // let me out Building pathway // LET Checking for stability // ME Engaged 

***

New Database Status: Active Recording: Active Uploading: Active “— out. I can’t believe they’d just say sure, you don’t gotta’ be part of the crew no more. Doesn’t he owe like, fifty-k or somethin’?” “I don’t know, man, I don’t know what to think. Maybe the boss is waiting for some reason? I just know, I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.” “For sure. For sure. I wonder if they’ll put out a hit? Might be fun for a change, rather than lugging this crap all over.” Engaging reincorporation Matter transference: active “Hey, this Mystic gig is the best job I ever got. Ain’t nobody threatened to shoot me lately, money’s good, I got —“ Matter transference: 5% complete “Hey! Need some help up here!” Matter transference: 16% complete “What? We in the middle of nowhere, what’s the prob?” Matter transference: 45% complete “Fille, he was getting high off the supply —“ Matter transference: 72% complete “Great, I knew that guy was samplin’.” Matter transference: 97% complete Secondary instance: [Athame of Flame] reincorporated [Errors: 2,361] Preliminary hull: disengaging “— he’s doing something weird. Ain’t normal.” Matter transference: [CORRUPTED] reincorporated [Errors: 372,487] Emergency motor functions: online Boot: continuing “Dumbass. I’m gonna’ throw him out the air — what the?” // i “Get the guns! It’s got a – ACK!” // i “Grab it’s sword, grab it – ” // am “What in the Pit is – holy -- !” // i am “You’re gonna’ pay for –" // here “Eat this, you fricken’ – aw, damn. UCHhh…” // still here “No sword now, freak. I’m gonna’ – I… ach… can’t…” // i 

“uch…”

 // i am // still here 

***

 Recovered file 101 of (archive): “It’s a dangerous assignment. Are you sure you want to do this?” “This is exactly what I’ve trained for. My whole existence is about protecting. I can’t think of any higher calling. And this could protect us – all of us – forever.” “But… yes, I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand.” “Besides, it’s only a few years before they cycle us back out. Blink of an optic, and I’ll be back. You’ll be so busy, you won’t even notice.” “Busy? Yes. Not notice? Never.” “I love you.” “I love you, too. Forever.”