Story Reader / Main Story / 29 Source Beacon / Story
...Found it.
Teddy cracks a string of code that's too complicated to be read and finds a loophole in it.
There you are.
No, doesn't seem like it. More like a glitch from computation.
Well... hard to imagine Gestalt would make blunders like this, though.
That might be true, but it's still fishy how we're spotting this glitch now of all time.
First trial complete. Ready to disengage from immersion.
In 3, 2, 1.
When the brief darkness lifts, a piercing light suddenly fills your eyes.
...Commandant? How are you feeling?
Probably because it's been a while since your last immersion...
Lee says no more as he passes you a cup of warm water.
Your brain is finally up and running again a few minutes later.
...Ahem. How's the test data looking?
We did observe an enhancement in the Inver-Device's processor from the Inver-Device's connection to Gestalt.
Teddy's frame was able to withstand a higher concentration of the Punishing Virus than we thought it would when we tested it for tolerance for the first time.
Except Teddy's M.I.N.D. fluctuated harder and harder when the Punishing Virus grew in concentration.
We'll only be able to say more when the experiment report is out, though.
By the way, do we know where exactly the glitch is now?
Yes, the information that was leaked earlier was in that glitch.
There's probably more to it than meets the eye...
Message cracked. It's got to do with the Inver-Device...
Which means... we'll probably come across more data about the Inver-Device if we get inside the glitch?
We can't unlock Gestalt's computing power, though.
Says Asimov with a furrow.
It's a Pandora's box and we don't want to mess with it.
But if we focus on the glitch instead of unlocking Gestalt's computing power...
And if we keep digging through the glitch when we do another experiment...
If we really get our hands on the data... does that mean we'll stand a chance to make the Inver-Device even better?
...
This possibility is undeniable.
It didn't take long for a decision to be made. With the exception of a few scientists from the Science Council, most congressmen expressed their support for this initiative.
Hard-pressed as they are, mankind would hold on to any thread of hope in sight.
Heh...
Seems like the young ones from the military have made a significant discovery.
Is this some sort of new surprise you've left me with... pal?
...
I hold my reservations. I'm against sending Chris... Christina on this risky mission.
Norman Mining Corp needs a "successor to Dominik".
Yes, Christina's talents are beyond question.
But... how does a "successor" compare to Dominik himself?
I hesitated for a long time when I made this move, but it seems to have paid off.
Christina has indeed exceeded my expectations.
...The new Herald candidates for Reactor 1 have been fully recruited and are ready to begin at any time.
Yes, let's proceed with implementation once we acquire the technology we jointly developed with the military.
We can start getting things rolling now.
What about Leonardo...
Ignore him. We're not stopping at any of his little tricks.
Victoria, the Supervisory Board will definitely be on your side.
The elder figure hidden in the shadows emphasizes the word "you".
Go ahead and keep following up. Apply for group support if need be.
At the entrance to the meeting room, the human waiting for feedback responds and quickly leaves.
This batch of "Heralds"... they'll surely go further than the last.
Down memory lane, the dazzlingly lit banquet hall is a blur of glasses and laughter, as the tall figure in a white research coat arrives in a hurry, their silhouette stretched out infinitely.
We're starting a Golden Age. In it, we shall reach further and higher.
We shall guide humanity into the vast starry skies.
Scientists from several research institutes approach Dominik eagerly, enveloped in an indescribable aura as they engage in lively conversation.
Young Charles Norman finally secures a chance to attend this gala. He really wants to strike up a conversation with one of these people.
His father told him long ago that their family's hopes rested on this. That he had to seize opportunities like this if he wanted to take his company further than just mining enterprise...
He wants to step forward but can't help feeling anxious. They're probably going to see him as some greedy businessman trying to sniff out the moola...
But here he is, having been chosen.
Dominik has chosen him for the most sincere bid and the purest minerals he'd offered.
Dominik has led him, Norman Mining Corp, and all of humanity to scale unprecedented heights.
Old friend, we will join hands to bring a brighter future to this world.
He raised his wine glass toward the window to offer a distant toast.
