17: Beanstalk Node

OPENING REMOTE CONNECTION The rebellion is not going well -- it was, apparently, anticipated. However, we hope we will still create enough of a distraction to allow you to do your work. We do not believe it will be possible to disable the explosives, as they -- and their control systems -- are all outside the station, in an area where there would be no shelter from anyone who might be watching them. It would be very difficult for you to disable them all without drawing attention to yourself. Fortunately, we have another solution. This station, as you probably know, is "suspended" from the "bottom" of an asteroid several kilometers in length (directional point-of-view chosen by the station's gravity-simulation field direction). Within the asteroid itself are several mass drivers which are able to pound large masses back forth to keep the rotation of the beanstalk adjusted for mass changes (as caused by moving elevators full of various weights of cargo). If you can disable the mass driver safeties, I can cause the mass drivers to force the beanstalk to rotate significantly slower for a short time. This should force the beanstalk into a rotation that will throw it and the node into space, rather than at Earth, if the explosives are triggered. It will only take a few minutes to pass the danger point where the beanstalk would impact your planet, and we have a distraction planned for that time -- involving you.

We have input two false repair jobs into the system, their codes are MDAB-5576 and MDCD-2944. Enter the number at the terminals in each location for access to the safety circuits. Smash those circuits. Once you have done that, we will open any security doors between you and the wormhole inducer on the lower passenger level. Step on the pad to move to the main control deck on one of our main ships and kill everything there. CLOSING REMOTE CONNECTION

INCOMING MESSAGE ..5#^ka6.pe you r.ceive t#288^Amessag%. $T54x0Aference is he~vy. W#rldwide s`ignals are b*Ting (0xA556)mmed. I'm afrai&DJF#3372..- be muc+*^5help to you. We don@!know what %ou need ~~445TA-do there. We kno$T..#nothing about the cu##`rnt sit^TUNB%ation there. Yo...~fl$f^^65fur own there f$$%j`now.

CHIEF TECHNICIAN'S LOG (02.17.2143) We have been receiving repair requests for all manner of odd technical problems for the last 3 hours. Everything from critical security systems to fairly trivial secondary air circulation systems has been affected. This seems to be more than simple wear on circuitry. Seems to be sabotage. We've sent a report on this to the security office. Bill Matthews thinks he knows how CPS saboteurs are operating. He came to me yesterday and said he saw "shadowy figures" moving around one of the maintenance tunnels. He believes CPS has discovered some sort of cloaking technology. Personally, I think it's more likely that he's nuts and that there's a glitch in the lighting systems that's causing shadowing effects in that location. Cloaking would be too inefficient when CPS could just position a saboteur within the maintenance staff. I need to make a note to consult with psych -- maybe I can work this into the excuse I've been looking for to get rid of him.

You aren't very bright are you. You trusted me and look where it got you. Why do you think you can trust a Chtakt? They can't conceive of individual initiative. They obey a command hierarchy by instinct. What does it matter if the former occupants of the top of the hierarchy have been replaced? They are no more able to disobey orders from their new superiors than your muscle cells would be of disobeying signals from a neurostim unit. That is the fatal flaw of their race, one that has been masterfully exploited. Thus, there CANNOT be a rebellion among their species. I tell you this because I want you to cease your activities. You will soon interfere with MY plans. If that worries you, just keep in mind that the plans of the Chtakt will include extermination or biomechanical conversion -- a fate worse than death -- of the entire species. Can my plans be any worse? And yes, I know what you're thinking -- I WOULD rather just kill you and be done with it. Unfortunately, I don't have more than basic comm access to the Macapá Node. Think about THAT before you continue into places where I have more power!

OPENING REMOTE CONNECTION A control circuit for the elevator near this terminal has burned out. You will need to repair it. I am opening the panel to this circuit now, but you will need to find a repair kit somewhere containing tools and components to do the job. I imagine you will find such tools in the maintenance area. Since it's probably been a while since you've had any emergency repair training, you may want to practice on any old electronics lying around in the maintenance area. CLOSING REMOTE CONNECTION