After Waking World mission, wk. 2

[truerevelation]

Yo. So, been out in the Wakin' World - I figure the other guys out here are gonna have their own things to share, but got some stuff that ... Well, it ain't pretty. I mean, it's kinda pretty if you can see it but - ah, hell, you know what I mean.

Uploaded the raw data to the network if anyone can handle it. But lemme try and show-

[Kanji starts streaming a view of a computer display - showing what looks like a map of Snowflake picked out in strange colours and fine threads. A hand taps the screen briefly, cycling through different displays of interlocking fractals, but one thing stands out clearly: the patterns converge on the space elevator.]

Was expectin' to get some kinda ...tracking data when I went looking. Got this instead. It's ... it's crazy complex, but there's only three real frequency ranges bein' transmitted in there.

Turns out they're the same frequencies as your regular dreamin' person's brainwaves. And the Skyhook elevator's the antenna that's blastin' it all. It's everywhere...

Comments

[claudiometer]

Specifically, having pitched in on 'what are these frequencies even': The thing all three of them signify in is the activity your brain gets up to when you remember what's happening in your dreams.

If this giant processor's not deliberately interfering with Questing Country, I don't think whoever built it would call the accidental interference a problem.

However we decide to go about hacking this thing, we need to get the Conductors looped in on it. They didn't ask for this, and they should have some say in how they take the reins back.

[helborn]

I'll... send it over to them. Don't mind being the link, I'll relay any questions or ideas they have.

[truerevelation]

- yeah, shoulda given ya the credit there. I'm just the dude who picks up the info. [Kanji's laughing slightly there, at least.]

Like we were sayin', it ain't up to us to screw with their heads more than they're already screwed up.

[crouching_sin]

I can take the raw data. I can transcribe it into my computer.

When we figure out what to do... hm. I have a few thoughts I might test on my computer to try to come up with solutions to cut or neutralize the signal. Getting to the broadcasting unit is the big issue.

Let me know when we have a plan and I'll implement it. I... heh. Kept Constructive Enlightenment.

[truerevelation]

You were a Crypto last time we hit the Grid, huh? I got converted over during the first time round...

Data should be online now - yeah. Uploaded. And if ya want the signal busting, it's in my archetype? Gimme a yell. Dunno how well it'd work waking world side but it's something.

[insidegalra]

[Thace's last appearance on the network, at least publicly, was right before Anafiel was supposed to use Infiltrator Redux on him. He sounds grim now.]

Snowflake is the source of broadcasts, including software patches, that make up the collective unconscious of the dreaming synthetics on Aratta, and probably farther. Those are likely to be the frequencies you're picking up on, and I heavily suspect they are affecting far more than just synthetics.

I can also report disturbing code in the dreaming software that hard-wires certain principles of the Orthopraxy into it. And that this code has also started appearing in other places, such as ships' computers.

I'm currently trying to fulfil my half of a bargain, which includes investigating more into that code, and hoping that Thetan will be willing to help us once he's able to confirm for himself what we've already hypothesized or proven to be happening.

[claudiometer]

huh. Weird that Alexandra's so meme-resistant, in that case.

I'll see if that's made its way into her warehouse, at least. But it sounds like we can't just shut the damn thing down... unless that's a last resort.

[reallymean]

Can you determine which principles without being infected by them yourself?

[helborn]

Quoting from Leah - "...the hardwiring has got to go. What do you need to identify what in that signal makes our memes Conductive, and to hack in means to make me, us, semi-Conductive Resistors who only spread the Role on purpose? How about inoculating the rest of you, making Insulators?"

I figured that was safe enough to ask.

[crouching_sin]

If you want help, just message me and share your perspective. The coding language is different from what I know, but I should be able to figure it out quickly.

If something like that did manage to infect me I'd be incredibly impressed, given a number of factors.

[truerevelation]

Wait, they're trying to make the Synths dream of followin' the rules? Is that it? Shit. Questin' Country's the one place that the rules kinda go to gravel.

[okanetendo]

What IS the Orthopraxy? What does being a good Ortho look like?

[fearinahandfulof]

Does this have to do with the communcation problems between the... Tesserae... and the other weird animals? That was created in the... Waking World, not knowingly, but not accidentally.

[truerevelation]

[...okay, new voice who this. Kanji's sounding thoughtful.]

The whole thing where the Spirit Animals can't talk to the Tesserae and back? Huh. If the signal's screwin' with the Tesserae too or something... Ain't looked into that.

[helborn]

Sort of related but not, Leah wants to talk to her 'passenger'. I think I can figure out how to pull her up and I'm teaching the Conductors how to use psychic protection, so it shouldn't be too much of a risk? But I want to get opinions from other people.

[eldritchwheelies]

At least advanced parapsychic protection and my Cognitohazard Safety 101 and 201.

But if we can get her there, it's my opinion as the local expert in brain-eating image macros that the reward is greater than the risk. Having Deedee helping Leah with this and facilitating communication with the Conductors is too valuable an asset to ignore.

Also, please god imagine her teaching the other, hotter Ace how to Katador. Hell, teaching the Conductors how to Katador, when most of the ways they express grief are now getting angy.

[razorblade_empress]

Could maybe use Declarification on the processor, if we can get to it.

[truerevelation]

Huh. Would be a hell of a big job, but ... y'know, wasn't someone sayin' something about signifiers? Madoka, I think? Ain't the same sort, but ... it's meanings, right?

After everyone else has commented

[eldritchwheelies]

So the lovechild of She Who Rewrites Your Character Sheet and the Empress Jingu, Who Imposes The Law of Yamatai. Greeeeeaaaat. At least we know it isn't Straight Up Eldritch because if it was, Magician would put the kibosh on that.

...Also I have just figured out what the absolute worst-case scenario is and I don't even want to talk about it where Questing Country can get ideas. PM me with psi protection if you want to know.

What does Thetan need? Would him having access to cognitohazard training help?

[truerevelation]

You're doin' the thing with the names and the words again. I mean, sure, legendary empress 'n that but... what's that about here?

But. ... Yikes.

[notinthecards]

Question is how to stop the broadcast without bringing down the antenna. Because no accident they made the coat of that too high - and no question that if word gets out, sooner or later someone who don't care will take it down anyway.

Other question is how to stop it so they won't just build another and try again.

[okanetendo]

Simple. We don't stop the broadcast.

We change the channel.

In a way that the Network doesn't notice.

[eldritchwheelies]

...do the adults here believe that QC is real? Or are we lumped in with imaginary friends?

Because I can think of several interesting and creative uses of portals to solve that problem.

[leftbehindagain]

I don't think they'd build something this big, and broadcast this wide, just for a few Synthetics. Not when Synthetics are barely considered people in their own right.

I don't know what the larger game is, but I'd bet money there is one.

[truerevelation]

Yeah. Startin' to think you might be right. ... [A slight snort-] Again.

[bite_the_hand]

I'm guessing the only way to properly destroy something like this is to destroy the antenna? Damned bastards. Using civilians as shields is unforgivable.

I guess the only option that leaves is hacking this thing? And we'd still need to figure out how to keep the people responsible from hacking it back again. I don't think there's much there I can help with. ...Unless we need to get rid of the people responsible for this. That I can do.

[eldritchwheelies]

We've got people from the Grid, with mad Declarification skills. If anyone is equipped to rewrite the program and lock out the old users, it's us.

Got to admit my katana hand is itchy too, but let's hope it doesn't come to that. The moment it does I'm right behind you, Eren.