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Welcome to Percotran -Part IV By: Richard Davidson on 5/19/2003; 8:43 PM Ted followed 17 through a steel door, and down a long corridor, which didnt look much like the rest of Percotran International at all. There were broken bits of wood sticking out from the ceiling here and there, and some of the light globes had burned out long ago. They were the old style light globes that were simply twisted into the sockets of fixtures that had to have been made in the Roman times. Ted was simply fascinated to see layers of dust accumulated in this hallway. How could that be possible? Ted wondered for just a moment what kind of air quality you could have in a place that wasnt regulated by the Nebulex 6500M, and then thought better of it. Hed lost his Medtime privileges, and the only way hed get them back was to survive this dreadful assignment. But dust? He had never imagined being in this predicament. So what exactly are we looking for? asked 17, as they made their way to a small wooden door at the end of the hallway. Data from before the Merger, replied Ted. Yes, yes, of course Ive been briefed thoroughly on the whole project, 17 said impatiently. Well, why did you ask? Ted started to say, but 17 interrupted. Thats not what I mean. I mean WHAT are we looking for? What happened up there in hallway 2NN17-4AAA, and why are we wandering through places with unregulated air, and some kind of big creepy bug thats looking at us right now? Big creepy bug? Ted turned to see some kind of beetle thing, that was about two feet tall, and staring at them. Ted wondered if he could squish it, but there was a horrible smell coming off it, and Ted had to think there was a possibility it was toxic in more ways than one. He and 17 had the same exact thought, and thrust themselves through the wooden door, and into Datacenter 34, slamming it behind them. Hopefully there were no similar bugs in here. There werent, thankfully, and 17 took out a device the size of a thumbnail, which began to glow, and float above his hand. It was a pleasing green color, and it let out the faintest hum. Ted thought it was the most wonderful device ever created, and he didnt even know what it was. Its the XP-2,000,000, 17 said with pride and awe. Whats an XP-2,000,000? Ted asked, equally reverent. Its a power source, with enough juice to run an entire quadrant, 17 answered with a huge smile, but its much more than that. It monitors the frequencies and power needs of every circuit in a system, and shapes itself to be the perfect power source for any network ever designed, at least in theory. Ted was so proud of Percotrans innovation. What employee wouldnt be? In theory? Ted asked. Well, this is the first one. Ted had to admit hed never heard of an XP-1,999,999, or even an XP 1, for that matter, and figured it must have been top secret for the first 1,999,999 tries, until he realized this one probably was too. This is one of their most top secret projects, 17 confirmed. Theyve been working on this for over 600 years, and even as good as it is, I cant imagine it getting this old dinosaur up and running, 17 said with a sudden air of pessimism. Ted didnt like that development. Not one bit. He figured Commander Richter would probably terminate him if he didnt find the correct data, so he said, how about we try anyway? Well of course well try anyway, 17 looked somewhat jovial for just a moment, then turned deadly serious, as he made some kind of sign at the XP-2,000,000 with his index finger, and it hovered above various buttons, and slides, darting about the room like a pinball. The floor began to shake rapidly, as the auxiliary generator tried to cough to life, but the XP-2,000,000 blew it up in a blinding flash, to let everybody know just whos providing the power here. It was a great little machine, and Ted couldnt figure out for the life of him how he and 17 had gained access to such an incredible thing, but it made his stomach a little queasy to think about it. They must really want this data badly. The entire room came to life, and soon there were datascreens floating everywhere, playing random events that had happened in the ancient times. There were soldiers marching, and sports being played, even baseball; and there were all kinds of unusual events playing out, most of which Ted couldnt even begin to understand, but some of which looked very appealing. They all disappeared, and then one larger screen appeared right in front of the two men. A very appealing voice came from all around them. This is the XP-2,000,000. I have gained control of this system, and am now fully functional, and ready for search. Wow, I didnt know it could do that, raved 17. There is bitstream separation in segments 22,456,645; 22, 634,332;... Hold it, hold it, protested 17, enough with the technical mumbo jumbo. Were looking for data from the era before the Merger. Define parameters. Were looking for data that correlates to the man I saw in hallway 2NN17-4AAA, Ted explained, and no sooner had the words left his lips when the XP-2,000,000 shot a tiny yellow beam into his skull for about 1/1,000th of a second. Ouch! complained Ted, and then a holographic image of Alexander was displayed before the men. All kinds of data was racing along all four corners of the screen; fingerprint analysis; DNA analysis; and the stupid XP-2,000,000 kept repeating the phrase, analyzing personnel records... You think with all the effort they put into that thing, theyd make it a better conversationalist, Ted groused, rubbing his forehead a little. Analyzing Stockholder data... was its new refrain. Stockholder data? 17 looked surprised. Men like Records Handler 17D didnt often get to meet a Stockholder. Percotran Internationals stock hadnt changed hands in hundreds of years, and hadnt split for even longer. It was passed down from generation to generation, among families who together owned the largest Corporation/State the world had ever seen. Subject owns 164 shares of Percolex, and 89 shares of Ecotran, the XP-2,000,000 announced, with no more inflection in its voice than it had previously displayed. I really dont think I like knowing this, Ted said in a shaky voice. And you shouldnt, came a voice from the doorway behind. It was Commander Richter.
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