As Django boards the next tram, Inarra spends the time searching through the code for any tags that would indicate an active AI.  "I don't see anything that is definitely AI.  A lot of this could be affected by external calls because of changes we make to the system."

The tram ride is bumpy and near the end of the ride slows considerably.  It takes five additional minutes for the trip to complete.  According to Inarra's initial calculations, only thirty four minutes remain to complete the power core restart.

Django exits the slow moving tram once it stops, and searches for his next coupling. Once found, he radios back in to Tump that he's ready.

With Inarra's help, the next station goes a little easier. He radios ahead when finished. "All set."

Taking 10, plus Inarra's aid: 22

Django finds his coupling and sets to work.

Take 10 - 12 skill & 15 Fort

Tump connects the node to the power grid with Inarras help. “Another one down, head on over to the next.”

Take 10, total 22 for UAD
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Sat 14 Oct 2017.

"On it". Django proceeds back to the tram.

About two minutes into Django's four minute ride, Inarra speaks up over the com so that Django can hear as well.  Her voice is staticky but doesn't fade out.  "I have some great news and some, probably great news.  I don't think the system has an AI working on it, I think its just a complex algorithm that's getting harder because we are making the system more complex with each additional bump in power.  We are literally channeling an additional sixteenth of a planetary core with each power coupling."  Her tone indicates a bit of wonder at that information.


Inarra clicks a few times on her station and switches to a different view.  "I originally calculated the time it takes us to complete each station and get to the next one and applied this to the time we have before containment failed.  That blast wasn't the only stress on the system, but it was the last one that put us in this situation.  We had about an hour, but it was taking us seven minutes to complete a coupling and get Django to the next station.  That's not enough time to complete all sixteen stations..."

About that time, Django arrives at the next power coupling.  The tram slows and the doors hiss open.  With Inarra's words hanging in the air, and the uncomfortable amount of heat in the atmosphere, the actions seem to drag more than they should.  Django finds the next coupling station and the com.  There are a couple of fallen servers over the cable, but it does not look damaged.  Django should be able to clear them out while Tump preps the system.

Posting order:
Tump - prep system
Django - connect power coupling
Tump - complete connection procedure

Tump glances over at Inarra. "So, what's the great news?" he says as he completes routing the latest protocol.

"If we can't get all sixteen, then I guess we better pray what we've got so far will be enough."

23:15, Today: Tump rolled 26 using 1d20+12.  skill check: computer slicing.

As he works, he continues his chat with Inarra. "So if we don't have enough time, then what? You said "probably great news". How is that anything close to great?". Django lights up a smoke prior to working, to steady his nerves.

22:26, Today: Django Blint rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  Knowledge: Power Systems.
Take 10 on Fort = 15".

"The great news is that, every time you have connected a power coupling, Django, we've gained time.  I've estimated so far that we've gained ten minutes.  If the pattern holds, this one will gain us another five.  Each coupling takes the strain off the system holding the shielding of the core from the tunnel."  She acts as if she has more, but Django coms in completion and so she stays quiet while she assists Tump with completion of the protocol.

Tump slams his fist into the console. "Well, you can kiss that time savings goodbye. Fell into a sand trap."

21:09, Today: Tump rolled 20 using 1d20+12.  skill check: UAD.

Tump's anger is punctuated on Django's side by a crackle of electricity.  A bolt of lightning arcs out of the power coupling and finds the nearest ground, Django's body.  [3 DMG - Electrical]

Inarra rearranges a couple of parameters in the code.  "I think I see where you went wrong.  Undercompensated for the new angle of entry from the powerline.  It's actually 23 degrees for this one, no 22.5.  Next one is 22 degrees.  Something in the planetary structure no doubt.  That should fix it.  Try again."

Tump shakes his head. "I don't see it. Something is fluctuating. Maybe the timing was off? It's still not connecting."

22:17, Today: Tump rolled 21 using 1d20+14.  skill check: use ancient device.

Another jolt of electricity arcs throughout the pump station, catching Django square in the back.  [4 DMG - Electrical]

Inarra rushes over to Tump's station and shoves him out of the way.  "Like this."  She readjusts a small subroutine through a minor app difficult to spot in all that is going on.  With a hum and a whir, the power coupling cycles to completion and the readings Inarra has pulled up go up slightly.

She heads back to her own station and continues to work.  "We lost three minutes, but gained five.  If the pattern continues, we should be alright.  Django, how you holding up down there?"


Posting order -
Django - to next station
Tump - prep system when Django arrives
Django - connect coupling
Tump - complete connection - Roll UAD DC 25 at +4

"Alive. And unhappy". A short moment later Django radios back. "I'm at the next station. Don't screw this up, the last one hurt".

Tump sighs heavily as he fails to bypass the nodes security measures.

Rolled a 19 on slicing.

"Tump, you have to slow down.  It's more important to do it right and lose 30 seconds, than to finish it wrong and lose minutes."  She types a few things on her keyboard and sends them to Tumps station.  "You are getting sloppy.  You missed all three of these gateway calls."

Tump stares at the terminal and takes a deep breath. "You're right. I'm used to pressure, but not when other people's lives are on the line."

He picks up where he left off the first time and navigates the previously missed gateways.

19:59, Today: Tump rolled 34 using 1d20+14.  skill check: computer slicing.

Django comes in on the coms, in a hushed tone. "Gimme a few. Don't think I'm alone down here".

"What are you doing?!"  Inarra's voice sounds incredulous and slightly desperate at the same time.  "You have one minute to connect that coupling or the system failsafe resets the computers and we have to start over on this junction."

Django turns and heads back to the coupling. "I got time. Calm your... well, just sit tight. Thought I heard somethin'. He grabs the couplings and starts to link them together.

21:26, Today: Django Blint rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  K:PS.
21:26, Today: Django Blint rolled 8 using 1d20+5.  fort save.

The computers indicate the coupling is connected and ready to complete the process.  All that's left at this station is for Tump to cycle the system and start the energy flowing from the core through that station.

Slightly easier to connect this time around, Tump punctuates his success with a sharp tap on the terminal. "Alright, another one down."

Taking 10 on UAD: 25

"Alright, I'm headin' to the next one". Django's voice sound calm, and confident.

He boards the tram and presses the controls to activate it.