After Mal moved on Caroline and Imp made their way through the crowd to where Sol was standing.  "He's something else, isn't he?"  Imp said, somewhat unecessarily.  "?I wonder, you know, we erupted pretty early, not as early as Pax or Antaeus, but still, early.  And there's no way either Cueball or the Laconic Green Giant has that much power.  Or even Fireman, and we know that he was basically the first of us.  How long has He been a nova?  A decade? More?  Why is He so secretive, and how did He come to be so long before the rest of us?  Imp spoke at normal volume, knowing that Mal would hear him, god knows Imp could hear everything that people whispering across the room were saying, but totally unconcerned by that knowledge.  Mal had clearly done this to generate discussion, and if he had a problem with what was being said, so be it.

I do indeed have insight, but I do not so much wish to share it.  I would rather encourage all of you along the path I've already walked, or perhaps too help you find something even more profound.  All of you have done in a few years what it has taken me decades to accomplish, and that inspires me to hope that you might perhaps surpass my accomplishments, perhaps even lead me to new realizations myself.  Those like you Gravitas, with your penetrating insight into the way things function, have the potential to change everything...

Mal seems lost in thought for a few moments, a brief pause, but for Quentin and others with hyperenhanced intellects, they understand that it is more akin to minutes than seconds.  He moves away from Gravitas, not rudely, but a bit distractedly.  He walks among the others, taking in their conversation, moving from one cluster of novas to the next.  Santiago attracts his attention for several minutes as they discuss predictive calculations for earth's future.  Raoul and he discuss only pleasantries, but a deep respect is exchanged, as well as an unspoken acknowledgment that they will discuss things in greater depth later.  Mal treats all ideas and attendees with respect and consideration, even those like Geryon who hold violent separatist beliefs.  But he still seems slightly distracted after speaking with Gravitas.

Caroline, alternating between speaking with Orzaiz and Santiago, and hanging on Impetus arm, is the only person he doesn't speak to.  After close to an hour of conversation, Caroline seems nervous and upset, unclear as to why she wasn't worthy of the time for at least a brief conversation.  But she refused to express her concerns, and her slip of control was likely only noticed by Impetus.

After speaking to everyone in the room (aside from Fong), Mal settles in near the center of the area, seating himself casually on a decorative rock as the crowd shifts unconsciously to move around him.

"I came here today unsure of how much to tell you, of revealing too much.  But the truth is, you have far exceeded my hopes, and there is little I could tell you that would matter.  You've already begun to uncover what few secrets I have, though you don't know it yet.  I suppose... that is what I can do for you.  I tell you when you are on a positive path, and when you are going down a dead end.  Or at least warn you that I found something to be a dead end, so that you may investigate it in a different manner.

I'm sorry, I'm speaking vaguely.  Let me begin again.  Caroline Fong, Scripture, could you join me?  Thank you.  When Scripture told me what all of you had been working on, I was enthused but also wary.  I wanted to see for myself how far along you were before I made any decisions.  But your theories upon evolution, personal growth, quantum energy, and the effects of the subconscious were indeed the incredible leaps that Scripture described.  Caroline, your work has been especially insightful, and you have begun to uncover concepts that took me many, many years to identify, and further, you have clarified them in a way that makes them usable for others of our kind, something I found very difficult myself.  For me, the ideas were so profoundly personal that I couldn't relate them to others, even Scripture had difficulty understanding me.  But you Caroline, with the help of those here, especially the Mathematician, Orzaiz, and your Utopian friends, have been able to translate these ideas into a form that everyone will be able to understand...

Yes, I am sorry, this is still vague.  I am referring to Caroline's ideas of speeding nova development.  Viewing our evolution as a manifestation of subconscious desire and belief, and viewing the quantum distortions that some novas experience not as a Taint, but as the beginnings of a... Chrysalis, a becoming.  She has just begun to share with Scripture and the Mathematician her ideas for channeling these quantum distortions to allow one to further evolve themselves, in a sort of second eruption.

This is the future of nova-kind.  You are correct Caroline, I am proof of the validity of your theories.  When I came here, I intended only to listen, but you were so close... I thought to myself, why wait?  In time you would have fully uncovered the mystery, but why risk years lost, and letting life's vagueries cloud the issue?  Evolution can happen NOW..."

Mal continues on, fleshing out the holes in Caroline's theories, and explains how one might apply her findings to nova development.  He reveals little of himself in this process, aside from the fact that he is much older than he appears, and that he has undergone the process himself.  The pantheon begins to form, as the influential and insightful gather closer to talk about the ramifications of these revelations and to hammer out details, while the lesser novas bleed off, eventually either leaving, or sitting back to listen as those with greater knowledge and passion debate long into the night.

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feel free to continue here, just moving it to a more intimate group, and getting rid of the crowd.

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Nothing else to comment on this weird new set of concepts, and the potential they represent?

We can move this forward to a few nights after so that people can talk alone, or in small groups.  Without Mal's awesome being such a distraction.  I would like to see a bit of discussion amongst the group as to how they see themselves and what they think of these ideas.  Especially if anyone plans on justifying chrysalis purchase.

I will have Caroline enter her first chrysalis shortly, and early.  Mal will likely be ahead of schedule with his Null Manifesto also.

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Oh no. I really want to comment. I've been just too busy to write anything worth a damn, just yet, but I'm getting some time real soon. Perhaps tomorrow.

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np,I certainly understand the lack of posting due to lack of time.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't holding people back by not advancing things further.

---

"Is it bad that I don't care where he came from? He's here, and he is Homo Sapiens Novus. Just look at him, no, that's not it, feel him. His presence, his aura, his anima, or whatever the hell it is, its like looking at perfection, as if I could have it too, if I just reached out and took it." Solitaire continues to watch Mal, though not really looking at him, its more as if shes looking at the idea of Mal, the implications, the possibilities and the future he brought with him. "I think that 'something else' might be too mild for him."

Solitaire listens to Mal's speech intently, absorbing the information. Really, the powerful, wise, mysterious stranger should have set off all sorts for warning bells, she'd been with Utopia long enough for that. But, as she told Imp, for some reason she didn't care. Perfection stood before her, who was she to question how it came to be, what it wanted. It was enough that it was.

"So you found a way to channel the undirected energy that causes 'quantum distortions'? I'm familiar with Caroline's theories, but they're just that, theories and ideas. How did you manage that?" She was genuinely curious, as the one thing that had really been holding her back with more vigorous experimentation with her powers was the desire not to sprout tentacles in odd places, she'd seen enough 'aberrations' in the course of her day job, and didn't find most of them aesthetically pleasing.

---

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I'll edit some more in tomorrow, but I need to sleep, i have a interview at 8:30

---

Imp nodded, "I hear that's what super social novas do to baselines, make them fel as if they are the center of the universe, that they are permitted to bask in the glow of the divine, and that the world seems to stop spinning.  I've never ahd anybody do that to me though.  It's a little unnerving.  Do we not care because that is what is wanted, god knows I've done something similar to the parents of certain new novas, like Sundew, but wow."


"Caroline actually showed me how to do something similar, to chanel the energies of our quantum selves into changing our meat, you might have noticed I developed some restraint after Caroline and I met, without the meditation techniques I learned from her, and the ideas we talked about I would never have been able to overcome my baser instincts through willpower alone.  If we can do something even more powerful, truly become that which we wish to be, that's something we need to do, to be true to ourselves and our potential."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:14, Tue 03 Nov 2009.

Solitaire shook her head, "No, its not like that, well, it is, but not entirely. The quantum is there, of course, but there's more to him than that." She shook her head again, trying to marshal her thoughts into something she could voice. She wasn't having much luck with it. It was as if what she saw in him was so much greater than her mastery of mere language, but she could also see that her own thoughts were headed toward something dangerously [edit] like [/edit] worship, and that was a weakness, a crutch. Solitaire stomped on that train of thought with a very large mental boot. She would never allow herself to do anything but stand on her own two feet. Inspiration was the key here, not emulation. Her journey, like all of those gathered here, was a solitary one, following someone else was not the way to strength and the future. Solitaire had always walked her own path, and she always would.

She shrugged, "I can't explain it. But its there."

-----


"That doesn't eliminate the buildup though. Focus and self-awareness can mitigate it, but it continues to accrue anyway. Caroline hasn't yet found a way to make it beneficial. It sounds as if Divis Mal has, that's whats so fascinating. It was the last real roadblock on our respective paths, for those of us who view it as such. I know several of us don't have a problem with 'aberrations'. If we can consciously direct that though, there's nothing in the way of more extensive experiments."

There were times Solitaire wished she was more intelligent, like Gravitas or Mathematician. This was one of those times, for she always felt a little awkward discussing anything in their presence, for she had the feeling they'd already considered whatever she might add to the conversation.

"As nice as that sounds, however, I'd like to see it in action before I starting pulling out all the stops. I've seen a few of the more 'extensively modified' Novas in the course of work, and I have no intention emulating some of the more undesirable changes."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:26, Wed 04 Nov 2009.

"True, true." He looked over at Caroline, but she was focusing on nothing in particular and had that vacant expression that told him she was a million miles away, and a million miles beyond anything he could begin to comprehend. "Grav," he calls just loudly enough to get their resident genius' attention, once he comes over Imp drops his voice low enough to blend in with the muted conversations taking place in the garden, "How do you feel about this whole thing?"

Quentin's attention snapped back to the present as he was beckoned over. "In a word?" he asked. It seemed as if something deep within his black gaze sparkled distantly, "Fascinated." He took a brief moment to allow his thoughts to fall into place.

"It's... compelling. The eruption is certainly a moment of intense self-evolution. We are forever changed by the experience and certainly are able to develop the abilities we gain," he made a head movement towards Mal, "but not like that."

The presence and power the man possessed was unlike anything Quentin had ever experienced. Even Pax, probably the most powerful nova Quentin knew, did not seem to possess the aura of sheer power that Mal possessed. "He presents a method and a means to implement some of the theories and ideas we've had floating around for months. A way to focus ourselves into further development. It's really quite incredible. -no, that's not the word." He gives Mal another sidelong glance. "Marvelous."

Zero still has no idea how to handle Mal.  The Nova is gifting Zero with all the respect the Doctor ever wanted. What was his game? Zero reflexively suspects the worst and examines it’s faculties. Was it being controlled? No mental control seems to be in effect. It hardens itself just in case, but this seems like good-natured respect from a peer. It is unnerving.  Zero knows the Nova is up to something, and is terrified this is the use of social manipulation so advanced, that it did not require gross Quantum manipulation. Zero begins to feel a reflexive fear and hate for Mal.

“Oh, my. Why thank you! I must say, your oratory skills are impressive. I never thought I would see someone shut up our little mob of malcontents, but you’ve done it.” The Doctor looks about for a split second. “It’s like you’ve set a fire of epiphany throughout our little ranks.  I’ve always thought Novas are born from inspiration, so I am curious where this will lead, but, uh, I must admit, I’ve never really discarded my humanity. The unusual and eccentric are very human things, and from humans will the next generation of Novas rise.”



“My dear Solitaire, I think you are wisdom personified.  I like our new host, but, I reluctantly admit that I worry he may be inspiring some of us to embrace a dangerous path with blinders on. Some of these people could wind up with twisted perceptions like ‘2-D’ if they’re not careful.”

Mal makes his way back from speaking to Santiago and Raoul, coming to lean against one of the tables near the Utopian group.

"Your caution is well placed Dr. Zero.  Evolution is a delicate game played at the edge of chaos.  For a system to be as efficient as possible, it must maintain a balance of dynamism and stasis that allows it to be as adaptable and active as possible, but stable enough to avoid devolving into chaos.  Organization or organism, this challenge applies to all systems.  For those of us looking to become something more, we must be careful not to move so quickly that we endanger our ultimate goal, but also that we don't cling to stasis and lose valuable oportunities for growth.

That is, as I've stated, why I wanted to come forward now.  I've spent years attempting to uncover the proper balance, and there is no reason that you should have to take the same long path to discovery that I have.  Though I will say that caution regarding the messenger as well as the message is also wise... Not all in this world are trustworthy.  In fact, I've found that very few are.

It isn't my place to convince anyone however.  Do as thou wilt.  Find your own path, or test the one I've shown you on your own terms.  That is the quintessence of being a nova, individual exploration and expression.

Thank you for your time everyone, I'll stay in touch.  I leave you to discuss amongst yourselves"

----

Months pass, the Teragen philosophy develops dramatically in that time.  Caroline is able during that period to develop the idea of chrysalis to the point of a viable test, but needs a bit of a push to actually take the final step.  That step comes the day that she realizes she's pregnant.  The ramifications of that discovery, the portents for the future that she sees in that moment, provide the impetus required to move the final way towards her own chrysalis.  As her mind clouds with possibilities, and her body begins to process quantum in new and unprecedented ways, she makes a call to her child's father, getting his voice mail.
"Impetus, we are having a child.  And I found the final key to the chrysalis... I cannot stop the process... I can barely maintain the focus to tell you what is happening... I hope to see you when I emerge, changed and transcendent... I love you..."

---

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Good times.
I need to know what the T2M:Teragen wants to add to the philosophical development of Teras.  What changes do you want to make, if any, during the months between Feb. and Sept., to the base philosophy listed in the books?  And how you go about doing that.  So a couple of posts from interested parties would be helpful.  Without that, Teras will develop in a slightly more tolerant and gentle manner, but mostly as it went in the primary timeline.

Oh, and Imp, you're a daddy.

---

I'm not totally sure if we should be OOC or IC in this thread, but this does seem to be the logical place for such a discussion to take place.  Imp's position on teras is pretty similar to the one espoused in the main book by the Casablancas, but with a couple slight modifications.
1)Personal responsibility: each of us is responsible to be true to that which we are becoming, those who squander the gifts of novadom are to be treated with pity, and should be shown, by example, a path that another is walking to find their true selves.  If they rise above the petty concerns of day to day life, that is good, if not, they have only betrayed themselves.
2) Personal Accountability: It is our actions that define us. If, through our actions, we negatively impact the inherent right of self discovery for others, novas or baselines, we should expect there to be consequences, either from those we have interfered with or from someone who has chosen to champion their cause.
3) Novas are no more human than humans are Australopithecines.  I don't think it's racist to say that novas are smarter, stronger, faster, etc... than humans, but it is racist to say that we are more worthy, more deserving, more important because of this.  We should not have to listen to humans, but we are not a priori in any position to dictate to them either.  Arguing that we are smarter, thus indeed know best, is a very slippery slope.
4) Not all problems can be solved with the correct application of violence.  A heretical stance, I know.  While some problems can indeed be solved with said correct application of violence, all problems require the correct application of intellect, then the correct application of novas' trans-human gifts.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Mon 09 Nov 2009.

I think this thread ought to be both IC and OOC discussion of Teras, your on the right track Imp. I'd just note it in the subject.

My thoughts are as above. Solitaire is adamant, mostly to people like Geryon and whoever else is a founding member of Nova Vigilance, that Teras is not an excuse to 'cut loose' and do whatever the hell you want to. It is a guide to the personal quest of all Novas in search of Themselves. After Mal issues the Null Manifesto, she will also make that clear the influx of new blood. If you don't like baselines, thats fine, but why concern yourselves with them at all then? What threat could they possibly pose to Us. If you don't like them, avoid them entirely. It should be easy enough to do. They're people too, just not as awesome as us.

Leads to the interesting question of "Is it racist if Nova's are objectively better than baselines in virtually all ways that matter?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:56, Mon 09 Nov 2009.

I'm not convinced that people like Geryon or Leviathan are using Teras as an excuse to cut loose.  Certainly there are younger, less tempered, members of NV or the Harvesters who are all horned up about being mal-icious and killing whoever they want just to prove how badass they are, but the members of the Pantheon are above that, save for the confederate.   Geryon's violence is more focussed, he has a reason for doing what he does, that is the philosophy of the monster, to act, not react, to do for a reason, not for the sake of doing.  Something that Imp may run with when he goes full terat (I'm assuming it's just a matter of time) will be taking any anti nova legislation and swapping out the word /nova/ for /black/ and /baseline/ for /white/ just to see if it sounds fair.  Geryon's killing of the mayor of tampa, which Imp would be solidly behind, btw, was done because he was passing laws that all novas who entered the city had to be registered for the safety of the baselines living there.  It sounds much worse/more honest if we do the word swap.

You could argue that Novas posses natural weapons. People in the military with extensive martial arts training do need to be registered for having a weapon.

I think I'd like to see Zero possibly try to start up a little group focused on two ideas. Zero types up a little proto-Manifesto to distribute among some of the ‘Terras club.’ It's titled "Thoughts and Concerns for the Next Nova Generation."

It states that Baselines are very important as the "proto-Novas." Thus, harming a Baseline is the same as harming a defenseless child. This hopefully creates a more protective attitude toward the Baseline (though very condescending at times) among some Terrats. It at least helps the Doctor clearly communicate it’s evolving intentions to it’s acquaintances. The little philosophical paper stresses that even Baselines with no potential to Erupt should be treated carefully, as the Baseline society as a whole influence a Nova’s Eruption. So, for healthy Novas, there needs to be a healthy society.  The Doctor backs this up with a few choice sample cases of Novas erupting with problems do to being attacked by Novas.

The second point is that the reason why some Baselines Erupt needs to be discovered, and all Baselines need to given the ability to Erupt. His will allow Novas as a species to develop. Z might try calling anyone who likes these ideas members of a "Promethean Movement."

Slowly, the Doctor shares it’s concern that it is not sure Novas really are the next step. It sites Novas are very violent, and Taint is a very dangerous X-Factor. It challenges others to help it to compile data on the long-term viability of the Nova vs. the Baseline. If Zero and it’s peers discovers the discrepancy in Nova Births, a new goal appears.

Find out why there is a discrepancy.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Tue 10 Nov 2009.

Do they need to be registered for individual cities?  I know in Canada, where I'm from, if you get in a fight with somebody you must tell them that you have MA training if you're a black belt, otherwise you can get hit with assault with a concealed weapon.  Boxers also can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, iirc, if they really beat the crap out of somebody.  It'd be harder to pin these charges on people like Bounty, whose powers only revolve around healing/fertility, than on any of us T2Mers.  Also, does T2M need to register every time they enter the city?  Imp'd go to bars there, very publicly, just to prove a point...
I like the idea about baselines being the seeds from which novas spring.  It is fair to think of attacking a baseline being along the same lines as attacking someone who is helpless, if not a child.  It's conemptible, really, unless that peson has the power to make them a threat, and even then.  Still, speciesists need to be warned that their hijinks are unacceptable, public dismemberments might provied very effective warnings.

I will incorporate these suggestions, to varying degrees, into the null manifesto post in 2004 at some point.  If anyone else has suggestions, let me know before then.

Yes, this is good for both ic discussions, and meta-discussion of ic discussion in ooc mode (talking ooc about talking about things ic)

And Imp, if you could reply to Caroline's condition in some way, that would be useful.  Not sure what you plan on doing, but I do need to know before I progress too much further with the teragen vs. utopia stuff (for obvious reasons).  Who do you talk to, where do you go, what do you set up, etc.  Also of note on this topic, she went to her other friends to actually hide herself... she trusts you, but not your bosses, and they could be watching you at any time.

<spoiler>I wasn't sure if i should respond now or in the future.  Also, Since Sue's player just became a daddy in real life I didnt want to steal his thunder. </spoiler)
IC
Imp finally got back from one of those days that made him wish that he had another job, or at least powers like fertility or terrafoming so that he wouldn't have to play decoy in front of yet another destroyed building, courtesy of the escalating violence between Utopia and the drug Cartels.  This time it had been an arcade, some poor kid had been trapped inside when the whole thing collapsed.  Utopia was moving to cover it up, throwing money at teh problem, seeing that the boy had the best medical care they could provide.  they didn't think he'd ever wake up.
When he was heading home he flew down to a pay phone and called his private mailbox.  The message from Caroline made his heart leap, then his stomach drop like a stone.  He didn't know where she was, didn't trust himself with that kind of information.  But there were people he trusted.
He dialed Raoul.  "Raoul, Hi, it's Impetus.  Caroline has started her crystalis, I can't know where, but, please, can you find out who knows, and tell me if you trust them.  I'm sorry for putting this on you, but, Raoul, she's pregnant.  Ok, thanks." Imp hung up.
He then dialed again.  "Jeremiah, hello, it's Impetus.  Remember how we were talking about how rare it was for novas to become pregnant?  Caroline is.  She's just entered crystalis, and it's not safe for me to know her location, but well, I'm starting to believe in miracles. Thanks.  You too."
He flew back to the base, joy, anxiety, exhileration and wonder racing through him all at the same time.  When he landed he was his usual self, more upbeat and bubbley, but other than that, nothing.  He walked into the computer lab and, using the software he and Grav had created, entered in the specs for the incident he had just witnessed.  The paperwork began flowing out of the printer, his handwriting perfectly mimiced, the wording subtly different on each draft.  Life was good, and he was full of hope.  But why was he so worried about telling people here?

Managed to miss the last few replies, opened a tab and didn't actually read it, so I thought I had.

Solitaire has less a problem with Geryon specifically, she just thinks he's a bit of a jackass, and she regards him and his crowd the most likely abuse their status. Closely followed by the Primacy and Harvesters. By keeping the Movement respectable and legitimate, it becomes easy to separate those who blow shit up and say "Mal made me do it." from true members. Teras's all inclusive nature presents something of a problem with that though.

Indulging in wanton acts of violence undermines that legitimacy, in both baseline and non-terat minds, and is detrimental to its success. To be a Terat is not simply to subscribe to Teras, but to truly strive to better yourself, to move beyond what you were, are now, and into what you will be. The way you do that is up to you, but taking revenge on every (real or imagined) insult you have ever been offered is clinging to what you were, and is holding you back.

Teras is to let go, not to cut loose.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Thu 12 Nov 2009.

In reply to Impetus (msg #23):

There is a knock on Impetus' open door. Zero leaned against the frame. "Hey. Imp. Bad news. I was able to get that young man stable. A healer is scheduled to come in soon to help his recovery."

"Sooo... I think you may have to file more paperwork if he comes around. Ha, ha, ha!" Zero looks into the hall, and then checks it's other sense to see if they are being watched by anyone, and by who. "Do you have a moment?"

---

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8 Successes on Surgery Roll for poor boy crushed in ruble.
00:06, Today: Dr. Zero failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2. Reroll 10, Ingenious Quality .
00:05, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 7 successes using 20d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4,7,5,7,3,6,6,8,2,8,2,1,9,7,10,5,2,2,3,2. Medical Marvel! 3 Meg .
00:04, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9. Reroll 10, Ingenious Quality .
00:04, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,8,7,3,4,8,10,1. Medical Prodigy, 3 Mega, 1 Will Spent .

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This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Fri 13 Nov 2009.

In reply to Dr. Zero (msg #25):

"For you, good doctor, I always do.  What's up?"  Imp gestures welcomingly into his house, twoards the living room.  He settles into a chair and looks towards the bar.  Bottles start rising into the air, unscrewing thier tops and pouring their contents int a glass.  'Would you like a drink?"

---

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Actually, i was thinking that the young man from the arcade would become Synapse, Terragen hacker extrordinaire.

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Just the bugs and the cameras.  You were observed entering by the hall camera, the camera positioned to pick things up via the unshuttered window is recording you, and the bug in the ficas is listening.

But other than that, you're totally unobserved.

---

"So, Doc, you going to stand in the doorway all night, or are you going to come in?"

Impetus receives a call from Raoul.
"Congratulations Impetus, I'm happy for you.  Happy for all of us really.  I... Cannot really speak on the matter, mostly because I know very little myself, but I am told that Caroline is safe, and that our friendly Mathematician and devoted Apostle are taking good care of her.  They said to let you know all was well, and that they would inform you of any developments."

Scripture is more reverent in tone when he talks to Impetus, making vague references to "beginnings" and the "revelations at hand".  Despite his vagueness however, he does seem to know a great deal about the situation, without any details from Impetus.

---

At a Triton facility, a young boy hooked up to life support errupts.  His mind floods into the computers keeping his body alive, and expands outward through the electrical lines into the nascent Opnet...

Quantum possibilities collapse...

And the boy's eyes flutter open as his consciousness comes back to his body once more.  His fingers twitch, and he begins to respire on his own.  The doctor did a good job; if it hadn't have been there to operate, the boy's mind might have floated in the opnet for years before reconnecting with his body, if it ever did.