I exhaled.
{CONSUMED LOGIC - 300 LB}
{AVAILABLE LOGIC - 55 LB}
{drivers_sensory_Sam_v_0.1
IS NOW
[Ardor, Visionary Ambition] - v 1.0 - Interface Driver Solution}
{NEW PROGRAM INSTALLED:}
{[Ardor, Visionary Ambition] - v. 1.0 - Interface Driver Solution}
{A suite of subroutines designed to gather information from devices directly connected to or remotely interfacing with the local system, as well as render them in virtual-metaphoric realities
Features:
.6 - calculates an estimate of targeted systems’ overall capabilities.
Required CPU load: 2% at current CPU quality.
Required RAM: 5 LKB}
[//run ardor.exe]
{MEMORY: 23/20 LKB RAM}
{INSUFFICIENT MEMORY}
[//sudo exit ardor.exe]
As the Bell tolled, further and clearer than before, my headache crested. I doubled over, hands on my temples, trying to stay upright as the words smashed into my mind. When the pain finally stopped, the last reverberation had already faded.
That had been far more expensive than I thought. The entire world distorted for the time it took me to blink twice. For a moment I feared I was going blind, but when the hiccup was over, nothing obvious had changed. Still, I had a distinct feeling that something was wrong.
I scanned the plaza but found nothing amiss. People were still fleeing into the palace, Zephyro still stood close, hands tensed around his sword as he glanced up at his moon. It was almost half red now, and I began to suspect that I wouldn’t like what happened when it filled out completely. I shook off the thought and continued my scan. City still on fire, palace still tall and imposing, shadows around the square still deep, mosaic covering the plaza still cracked and singed where the Ferals had spewed their…
The Ferals’ corpses were gone.
Chris, readout?
[>>User CHRIs is currently busy: Code_dojo.exe]
Ugh! Come on, this is not the time!
[>>User CHRIs is currently busy: Code_dojo.exe]
Chris!
...Beeeep…
----------------------------------------
{SAINTECH M1X - Portable Computing Device}
{Current Date/Time: ERROR}
{Device Name: Chr1s’ Mag1c Key}
{Operating System: memOS 11 - beta}
{Language: High Tevan}
{System Manufacturer: SAINTECH National, Ultd.}
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
{System Model: SAINTECH M1X - Portable Computing Device}
{BIOS: CHRIOS}
{VeryX Version: VeryX 1.6 BETA}
{Processor: SAINTECH Alpha 2 1400X 1-Core Processor}
{Memory: 18/20 LKB RAM}
{Available RAM: 2 LKB}
{Hard drive: SAINTECH “Scripture” SLD - 20GB}
{Network:
- v1 Redtooth BUS
- v1 Saint Serial BUS}
{SYSTEMS:}
{ACTIVE:}
{[Pharus, Wrath of the Torchbearer] v.03 - Electronic Warfare Suite
A simple Electronic Warfare Suite designed to breach targeted computer systems. The strength of the attack determines CPU load, with more frequent or sophisticated attacks requiring more computing power.
Required CPU load: Varies, min. 8% at current CPU quality.
Required RAM: 5 LKB
>>Features:
.03 - Leaves a traceable signature inside the target user that allows other users to track programs run by the target user. This is true for all users connected to the current system.}
{DEFENSIVE:}
{[Arx, Saint’s Embrace] v. 0.1 - Network Security System}
A simple Network Security System automatically monitoring incoming requests for access. Repeated requests or advanced methods of forcing system access cause [VERY HIGH] increase in CPU load. Sufficiently sophisticated attacks will bypass this program entirely. Automatic shutoff at [80 °C] core temperature.
Required CPU load: Varies, min. 9% at current CPU quality.
Required RAM: 3 LKB}
{PASSIVE:}
{memOS - 3 LKB}
{SAINTECH DPM v.9 - 7 LKB}
{INACTIVE: [Ardor, Visionary Ambition] - v. 1.0 - Interface Driver Solution}
{A suite of subroutines designed to gather information from devices directly connected to or remotely interfacing with the local system, as well as render them in virtual-metaphoric realities
Features:
.6 - calculates an estimate of targeted systems’ overall capabilities.
Required CPU load: 2% at current CPU quality.
Required RAM: 3 LKB}
{CPU Load: - 35%}
{Core Temp: ▼ 69° C}
{Memory: 20/20 LKB RAM}
----------------------------------------
“Ungh… FFFFffuuuck…” I groaned. Fortunately, my splitting headache receded as quickly as it had built. And just when I had thought I was good, I heard a gentle chime, followed by more power-tool-drilled words.
[>>You may always request this report by using the mental command “VXdiag”]
“No thank you,” I whined. “Chris, now is not the time for this bullsh— do you even know what’s happening in here right now?”
Boop.
[>>User CHRIs is currently busy: Code_dojo.exe]
Oh for fucks’— Remember Veltruvia?
Beep.
It’s that, but worse.
Boop!
No kidding. So can you please stop being a child?
Beep…
At least they had the grace to sound sorry.
“Sultana!” Zephyro yelled, frantically grabbing my shoulder and pulling me out of the conversation.
“What?” I checked the entrances to the plaza, but I didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Zephyro urgently pointed toward the crowd and I turned just in time to see an older man falling to his knees, spasming. Then the screaming started. The people were panicking, scrambling to get away from the collapsed man, but I still didn't understand what was going on. Why was that guy—
“More Ferals, Sultana!"
Oh god, fuck! I lost access to the cameras!
"Please Sultana, I beg of you, help them!” the tremble in his voice wormed its way deep into my heart, coaxing my fear. I immediately stomped on that nonsense. There was no time to be weak.
If only I wasn't so very, very tired...
Another woman glitched and exploded into cyan smoke, which immediately dissipated into thin air. Any second, there would be another one...
The thought of failing Zephyro, his people, and Chris managed to beat my exhaustion back into its corner. For now.
Forward, always forward, just don't stop...
The readout had been clear that my current RAM just wasn't enough.
More RAM, then.
I inhaled sharply…
{INSUFFICIENT LOGIC}
{AVAILABLE LOGIC - 55 LB}
{RAM T0/HI: REQUIRES 90 LB}
…and deflated. The readout smarted, but compared to the deluge of information a minute earlier, it was like someone had flicked my forehead. Still, 300 LB was too much. I still didn’t understand how the cost was calculated, but having actual numbers attached to it instead of a vague feeling as I did with my Wish definitely helped. No. No time. Research is for complicated contexts, not chaotic ones.
Another civilian died, screaming. Zephyro’s mouth opened soundlessly, the fires of his burning city sparkling in his eyes as he watched the cyan stars vanish. I understood how he felt, beleaguered by invisible foes that killed those he swore to protect.
I twitched, fighting with the urge to just run into the crowd. Go wild. Fight. While I was in there, I could even try absorbing the Logic left behind by dead citizens. That would give me enough Logic to go on...
I couldn’t bring myself to do it. A part of me was glad for that, while another frantically searched for another way. I skimmed through what I remembered of the systems in my mind.
Overstretched between wails of brutalized people, savage enemies I couldn’t see, and the heat and stench wafting from the blazing architecture around us, my weakness reared and clawed at my mind. I doused it with indignation before it could take hold.
Only one solution came to mind.
Chris, take down the firewall.