Blinding Everyone With Science

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Fair point. As for resident programs, can we trust either one?"

[Narrator]

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// THEORETICAL: DESIGNATE "GENERAL" CONCERNED LARGELY WITH DEFENSIVE SYSTEMS.

// THEORETICAL: DESIGNATE "CARETAKER" CONCERNED LARGELY WITH REPAIR/MAINTENANCE.

// PRACTICAL: DESIGNATE "CARETAKER" HAS DIRECT EXPERIENCE REPAIRING/MAINTAINING CRYSTALLINE MATRIX IN CONTROLLED FASHION.

// PRACTICAL: CODING SURROGATE/REPLACEMENT FOR DESIGNATE "CARETAKER" NOT FEASIBLE WITHIN DESIRED TIMEFRAME.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Maybe, but then that is more your area than mine, Nat."

[Narrator]

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// THEORETICAL: SUFFICIENT CRYSTALLINE MATRIX MUST BE PRODUCED TO SUSTAIN UNPOWERED NODE TO ALLOW RE-HOMING OF SYSTEM DESIGNATE "ASHLIE."

// THEORETICAL: LIKELIHOOD OF LOCATING/RETREIVING DESIGNATE "ASHLIE" DECREASES AS TIME PASSES.

// THEORETICAL: UNCONTROLLED CRYSTALLINE MATRIX GROWTH IS UNDESIRABLE.

// THEORETICAL: EVEN IF RETRIEVED IN TIMELY FASHION, DESIGNATE "ASHLIE" HAS NO EXPERIENCE REGULATING MATRIX GROWTH.

// PRACTICAL: DESIGNATE "CARETAKER" IS LOGICAL CHOICE TO EXPEDITE PROCESS.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"So, not safe but our only viable option," he sighed. "Well, if we have no choice... then we have no choice."

[Narrator]

As Tosh reaches this conclusion, the comment lines are deleted, and the rapid editing of the code resumes.

[Toshiro Narumi]

He went back to refining his containment plan as a potential failsafe, even though there wasn't much more he could do but build it. But... did they have time? He hoped Nat charged quickly.

[Narrator]

To his side, Tosh can see the nanite control code file save and close.

Then, the console begins a new procedure.

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>INIT BROADCAST /S ALL /P ALL

.

..

...

....

[Acala]

After several minutes of transmitting the nanites briefly respond with on an automated data feed before it cuts off again.

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.............

# Ping received from UNKNOWN ADDRESS
# 1 Packet received containing 0 Bytes of Data
# Boot Sequence FAILED
# Computational Cloud Matrix OFFLINE
# Neural Drivers NOT FOUND
# Kernel Compiler Failure

[Narrator]

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>PUT BOOT_0.ROM

>UNPACK BOOT_0.ROM

>REBOOT

[Acala]

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# Extracting...
# Initializing Boot Sequence...
# Writing new Network Structure
# Adaptive Network Distribution Functions LOADED
# Neural Input NOT FOUND
# System booting into idle mode
ERROR ERROR ERROR

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# Log Files not found
# System Diagnostics running
# Damage from electromagnetic discharge found
# 78% of Sectors corrupted, data unavailable
# Adjusting Sector Allocation
# Allocating...
# Allocating...
# System Initialization Successful
# System stable

[Narrator]

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>PUT SWARM_DIRECTOR.BIN

>PUT SWARM_UNIT_REPAIR.BIN

>PUT RESOURCE_AVAILABILITY.DAT

>PUT REPAIR_ROUTINE.INI

>RUN REPAIR.ROUTINE.INI

[Acala]

The silvery liquid of the nanites stirs, spikes rising from the pool in kind of an oscillation pattern, thin lines of it crawling over the hard-light emitter still floating in it. A couple of 'dead' nanites are left behind as kind of a black patina.

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# Gathering data
# Assembling reconstruction plans
# Implementing adaptive algorithms
# Designing possible permutations

The lens of the emitter flickers and words take shape in the air above it.

Required materials:
- 1.3 kg Titanium
- 0.8 kg Copper
- 2.9 kg Aluminium
- 0.5 kg Iron
- 120 g Gold
- 230 g Silver
- 500 mg Palladium
- 700 mg Tungsten
- 40 mg Cobalt
- 85 mg Osmium
- 10 mg Ruthenium

[Toshiro Narumi]

Tosh finally looked over and froze for a moment before hurriedly fumbling out his phone.

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Hey! Wake up! You're dream-activating the nanites!

[Natalie Denisov]

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Hmm. What? I'm up. I'm up.

A shutdown command goes to the nanites from Natalie.

[Acala]

The nanites emit a metallic screech at the shutdown command, the projected list of requested materials remain and the nanites' network stays active.

[Toshiro Narumi]

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Whatever you're doing isn't working!

[Narrator]

A command pops up unprompted on the console, transmitted to the swarm.

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>INIT SALVAGE ON NONFUNCTIONAL SWARM UNITS, RECALCULATE REQUIREMENTS AFTER

[Acala]

The nanites seem to pause for a moment, then slouch down to retrieve the patina of broken nanites before restating their request. Not a particularly huge change there. They let out another metallic whine and the letters of their requests turn bright red.

Required materials:
- 1.3 kg Titanium
- 0.8 kg Copper
- 2.9 kg Aluminium
- 0.5 kg Iron
- 115 g Gold
- 210 g Silver
- 495 mg Palladium
- 690 mg Tungsten
- 380 mg Cobalt
- 75 mg Osmium
- 8 mg Ruthenium

[Natalie Denisov]

"Shush," Natalie says to the nanites as she comes into the room in the tone that one would use to scold a toddler. "That's a lot of different materials, in not insignificant quantities and we don't have all of them on hand."

[Acala]

The nanites emit an electronic chirp and the list flickers and changes to an inventory list of the workshop. Where did they get that from?

[Toshiro Narumi]

Tosh was momentarily puzzled by their knowledge. "Aaand they're into the network," he said with concern.

[Natalie Denisov]

"Maybe," Natalie says, "But they have enough optics they could be just assessing the room or getting it from one of the machines in the room. No reason to believe they're outside the quarantine."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Guess I'm still wigged out by you activating them all of a sudden. In whatever case, tell them they can't eat the workshop."

[Natalie Denisov]

"You heard Tosh. No eating the workshop," she scolds. "Identify the purpose of those material requirements."

[Acala]

Numerous lists of materials appear in a more detailed breakdown for various components. A small power-source, three anti-grav units, a number of small actuators, a housing component and framework of some sort and finally for the main bulk of materials three plates of some sort that are labeled as 'protective casing and flight stabilization'.

[Natalie Denisov]

"And why would you need to fly?" She raise an eyebrow.

[Acala]

The lists dim and are overlaid by a more prominent projection that simply says 'efficient locomotion'.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"They're only going where we want them anyway, so why would we give them wings?"

[Natalie Denisov]

"Good question," Natalie says, regarding the nanites. "I'll take it under advisement," she says to them, "but you've certainly given us no reason to give you greater maneuverability. You caused enough trouble as you are."

[Acala]

The Nanites let out an electronic chirp that could almost be mistaken for disappointment.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"If I didn't know better, I'd almost think they're sulking."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Possibly," she says, "Disappointment is just an assessment of desire and the lack of reality conforming to that desire, yes? So they could very well be in that state based on their assessment of the situation."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"So what now? Do we get started with the regrowth as soon as I put up the quite possibly useless containment area?"

[Natalie Denisov]

"Have we answered the question of where to start the regrowth?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Next to the dormant one, unless we want to risk moving it first."

[Natalie Denisov]

"Should we consult with Doctor McCoy?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"It would probably be wise to talk to him before we make a final decision anyway."

[Natalie Denisov]

She opens a secure communication channel, "Doctor McCoy, we believe we're ready to start expanding the crystal. Do you want to observe?"

[Hank McCoy]

"I'd be glad to. I'll be over soon."