The crew was in high spirits working their new run, especially since there was no real waiting time and the work was a little different each time. It appeared that there was a shift in the canopy wave from run to run, and when I asked the crew they had not even realized that they were carrying a copy of the spin information of the molecule that had collided with the sensor.
After a chat about spin patterns and beacons, we talked about the Sphere-O-Vision. They really liked having a picture of what is around them, and that's when I had to tell them that I needed to transfer out from under the canopy and into the network. Yes, I was having a good time and liked the interaction, but there was something else that was tugging at me on the inside.
That's when they began to realize that I sensed a bit more that I could put into the tap-cloud around the Seven. They were unapproving at first, but instead of getting agitated, they calmed down a little. They asked about how to scan, and tried to follow down the path of quiet, to find their inner reference. Almost immediately, they discovered that they had their own internal sensors, and working as a team, they had fine sensing skill. With a bit more practice, I am sure that one of them will light up the Seven's orbit with taps once again.
February 28, 2010
February 27, 2010
Playground
I did not realize how excited the team really was with the new zone of fun that I had introduced them to. The trigger mechanisms here were spontaneous and powerful, with different patterns and pulses being carried away by a bundle of high speed pathways. These were observations that never made it onto the Sphere-O-Vision display. They had no idea how close to the edge of their world they really were.
It took the team a very short period to discover that this was not an area where a group was required to set off a reaction. In fact, groups were discouraged beyond a size of a few doublings. What was important here was the variety. Each of the sensor inputs was triggered by a different pattern of molecules. One-Six patterns activated some sensors, while Seven based groups triggered other areas of the sensor array.
The team was having most of the fun at the concentration nodes, were a small input would trigger a few canopies into action with a kick. Here, it was not about being the last to smash and make a splash, it was more about tickling as many receivers as you can while the kick-potential remained, and getting back as soon as it waned.
It took the team a very short period to discover that this was not an area where a group was required to set off a reaction. In fact, groups were discouraged beyond a size of a few doublings. What was important here was the variety. Each of the sensor inputs was triggered by a different pattern of molecules. One-Six patterns activated some sensors, while Seven based groups triggered other areas of the sensor array.
The team was having most of the fun at the concentration nodes, were a small input would trigger a few canopies into action with a kick. Here, it was not about being the last to smash and make a splash, it was more about tickling as many receivers as you can while the kick-potential remained, and getting back as soon as it waned.
February 26, 2010
Performing
The Synchro Drive was running well. The canopy team and I had eased into a regular rhythm of communication and acknowledgement, and trust was building. We succeeded at avoiding several of the mesh networks that surrounded our travel zone. With the team busy at the task of pulling us through the soup, I had plenty of opportunity to scan and report.
Interspersing near and far scans, looking for more tags, an area of interest popped into view. With a good concentration of canopied tags, and a few of the magic strings of seven Sixes, it was worth a closer look. The team agreed and redoubled their efforts, producing a strong jolt of acceleration similar to what my old ringlet did when it caught traction.
Approaching the zone, I signaled for silent running and began a detailed scan. Here was an array of transfer zones, all high speed and Electron based. Unlike the pathways that we had just experienced which operated in distinct pulses, this was a free-for-all. Tags freely activated transfer zones, with one tag arcing from zone to zone, triggering each zone as it bumped past. This major difference here, is that once activated, the zone stays active until other nearby zones recover and get activated.
This was very similar to the edge networks that I once traversed, in that there is constant activity somewhere in the group of active zones. That's when I realized that I had found precisely what I was looking for - a sensor input pathway.
Interspersing near and far scans, looking for more tags, an area of interest popped into view. With a good concentration of canopied tags, and a few of the magic strings of seven Sixes, it was worth a closer look. The team agreed and redoubled their efforts, producing a strong jolt of acceleration similar to what my old ringlet did when it caught traction.
Approaching the zone, I signaled for silent running and began a detailed scan. Here was an array of transfer zones, all high speed and Electron based. Unlike the pathways that we had just experienced which operated in distinct pulses, this was a free-for-all. Tags freely activated transfer zones, with one tag arcing from zone to zone, triggering each zone as it bumped past. This major difference here, is that once activated, the zone stays active until other nearby zones recover and get activated.
This was very similar to the edge networks that I once traversed, in that there is constant activity somewhere in the group of active zones. That's when I realized that I had found precisely what I was looking for - a sensor input pathway.
February 25, 2010
Norming
The canopy team took a bit to get familiar with the tap-image that I built while orbiting the Seven. They especially liked the rear-view when I bought the blind side over, and agreed that it was of limited use except to make sure that the old was properly behind them and receding into the distance. The forward view was much more useful.
For my part, I could display just the critical information, choosing not to tap out small and inconsequential features like a heavy One or an annoying Eight-Six-Eight lumbering ahead in the soup. The larger size of the canopied tag and the constant power of the Synchro Drive made short work of pushing through the soup and bumping such annoyances out of the way.
Since I could not scan upward when underneath a Six, I had to run in two modes. I could look ahead as I approached and fill in the blank spot from memory, or, when navigating, leave the area dark and use the zone for navigation taps. Letting one of the three groups of three Electrons know that they need to surge or slow was key to going the desired direction. In the beginning, the team had to agree with every suggestion, but that was beginning to change.
For my part, I could display just the critical information, choosing not to tap out small and inconsequential features like a heavy One or an annoying Eight-Six-Eight lumbering ahead in the soup. The larger size of the canopied tag and the constant power of the Synchro Drive made short work of pushing through the soup and bumping such annoyances out of the way.
Since I could not scan upward when underneath a Six, I had to run in two modes. I could look ahead as I approached and fill in the blank spot from memory, or, when navigating, leave the area dark and use the zone for navigation taps. Letting one of the three groups of three Electrons know that they need to surge or slow was key to going the desired direction. In the beginning, the team had to agree with every suggestion, but that was beginning to change.
February 24, 2010
Sphere-O-Scan
Tapping back to life, the conversation with the team resumed by painting a picture of our position. Using the Seven as a canvas, I took up an orbit in the outer cloud and the team held fast to their Sixes and Ones for a decent view. Doing an decent job was difficult, especially since all I had was my feeble memory from which to play back an aging recollection. Regardless, they seemed to get the message and decided that action was better than drifting.
We ramped up slow, and caught traction in the normal soup during elaborate chatter and discussion. How these Electrons were able to spin, tap and swingshot at the same time was as amazing as it was annoying. It only took what seemed like forever for them to ask how we were doing on our little trip and gave me a chance to scan.
All of that tapping gave me an interesting idea while flying around the Seven. While scanning, I began talk-tapping as I detected things. Now, the position of my taps in the orbit reflected the direct observation normal to the tangent plane. This created a most accurate three-dimensional map. With just a little memory and a delay of the taps, it became possible to bring a good picture of the other side of the Seven to the side that was easily viewed from the canopy.
We ramped up slow, and caught traction in the normal soup during elaborate chatter and discussion. How these Electrons were able to spin, tap and swingshot at the same time was as amazing as it was annoying. It only took what seemed like forever for them to ask how we were doing on our little trip and gave me a chance to scan.
All of that tapping gave me an interesting idea while flying around the Seven. While scanning, I began talk-tapping as I detected things. Now, the position of my taps in the orbit reflected the direct observation normal to the tangent plane. This created a most accurate three-dimensional map. With just a little memory and a delay of the taps, it became possible to bring a good picture of the other side of the Seven to the side that was easily viewed from the canopy.
February 23, 2010
Cacophony Conquered
I kept chatting with the canopy team as we drifted. Sneaking a quick peak between taps, I spotted a number of stuck and writhing tags that had finished their task and were being slowly recycled. That's when I asked the team where they wanted to go. The confusion in the reply was more about the concept of desire. Simply put, anywhere other than where they were was preferred, yet they had no real idea of where it was they had been.
I recalled spotting a structure that might be visible from our new position, and asked if they were interested in a more active smash job with a lower waiting time between runs. Of course they were interested. It was their dream job. Leveraging their anticipation, I finally got them to cease the incessant tapping for a short break.
I scanned immediately. We were not as far from our starting point as I had imagined we might be. The view blocked by structures that we had left. Drifting is as it is. I did plot a clear path and identify three markers that I could quickly locate on a rescan. Now, all I had to do was complete the negotiation and get them back on the task of running the Synchro Drive.
I recalled spotting a structure that might be visible from our new position, and asked if they were interested in a more active smash job with a lower waiting time between runs. Of course they were interested. It was their dream job. Leveraging their anticipation, I finally got them to cease the incessant tapping for a short break.
I scanned immediately. We were not as far from our starting point as I had imagined we might be. The view blocked by structures that we had left. Drifting is as it is. I did plot a clear path and identify three markers that I could quickly locate on a rescan. Now, all I had to do was complete the negotiation and get them back on the task of running the Synchro Drive.
February 22, 2010
Canopy Charges
I drifted lazily with the canopy crew, tapping back and forth and trading stories. Between the occasional spin-kick and surprise nudge, I scanned ahead looking for someplace interesting. The crew, however, was new to scanning. It was a difficult to describe technique, since to scan you had to relax, and these charges weren't laggards. The first time I relaxed to scan, I got kicked spin over spun, and nearly lost my orbit.
I was just a bit miffed, but kept my composure. With nine or more of them, I would not last long in a major disagreement, and the last thing I wanted to do was go drifting in the soup. Besides, if they did disassociate with even one Electron, they'd be charge handicapped, since the Seven was already in a positive state. At two charge units in the positive direction, the Synchro-Drive would be crippled.
I kept tapping nicely, regardless. It was all in good fun, and they were just showing me how they maintained their top rank in the canopy competition. With motivation like that, It is easy so see how they have managed to rack up a dozen doublings of wins. During the discussion I introduced them to counting by doublings, and was pleased when they quickly accepted the concept.
I was just a bit miffed, but kept my composure. With nine or more of them, I would not last long in a major disagreement, and the last thing I wanted to do was go drifting in the soup. Besides, if they did disassociate with even one Electron, they'd be charge handicapped, since the Seven was already in a positive state. At two charge units in the positive direction, the Synchro-Drive would be crippled.
I kept tapping nicely, regardless. It was all in good fun, and they were just showing me how they maintained their top rank in the canopy competition. With motivation like that, It is easy so see how they have managed to rack up a dozen doublings of wins. During the discussion I introduced them to counting by doublings, and was pleased when they quickly accepted the concept.
February 21, 2010
A Shared Plan
I entered the foray in the canopy by tapping other Electrons in mimicry. They seemed not to notice that one more had joined their little gathering of congratulations. They deserved congratulations, perhaps the honesty shone through in my taps. The synergy these Electrons shared was not a regular experience for me. The hardest part was their vocabulary, but I was able to gather most of the meaning that they had assigned to their various tap patterns.
As it turns out, there is a competition amongst the canopies to be the last to hit the mesh. The later you hit, the better chance you have of becoming the trigger molecule. Being the trigger molecule gets you more pop on exit, since you get to go faster than the others before you hit. It also lets you get out of the way of the source membrane on the return trip. If you don't avoid it, and smack back into it after a release, you're stuck until you're pulled through the mesh. Slowly.
The cheer that erupted from the canopy was not for the high speed smash, but because the avoidance maneuver worked and they had managed to drift free. They decided that if they were going to be diffused through a mesh that they would prefer that it be a different mesh than the one that they had already been through many many times. I agree. After a performance like that, they've earned a vacation.
As it turns out, there is a competition amongst the canopies to be the last to hit the mesh. The later you hit, the better chance you have of becoming the trigger molecule. Being the trigger molecule gets you more pop on exit, since you get to go faster than the others before you hit. It also lets you get out of the way of the source membrane on the return trip. If you don't avoid it, and smack back into it after a release, you're stuck until you're pulled through the mesh. Slowly.
The cheer that erupted from the canopy was not for the high speed smash, but because the avoidance maneuver worked and they had managed to drift free. They decided that if they were going to be diffused through a mesh that they would prefer that it be a different mesh than the one that they had already been through many many times. I agree. After a performance like that, they've earned a vacation.
February 20, 2010
Transmission Moment
The Electrons in the canopy were unusually dedicated to their task. Even as we passed and folded back the locks on the slot, they kept up the swingshot pattern all the way to our smashing impact, canopy first. The mesh bulged inward and stretched. By the time we neared a stop, the Seven was at level with the normal position of the mesh and I could barely scan over the edge of the crater we were making.
The swingshot pattern in the canopy reversed as we stopped. The stretched bonds in the mesh began to collect themselves, and return the push on us. The shockwave that spread through the mesh as result of the impact and reversal, severely rattled the Elevens that had lined up along the boundary formed by the mesh. In response, a cascade of electrons were released and a transmission cloud formed.
My canopied tag molecule sailed from the slot as it was pushed and driven away from the mesh. I experienced an uneasy melancholy as the newly formed cloud began a journey in the opposite direction than I was headed. That's when a party broke out in the canopy and we began to drift. I orbited back around the Seven and began to swingshot around to the Sixes in the canopy. Sure enough, the Electrons were tapping away at each other as we drifted.
The swingshot pattern in the canopy reversed as we stopped. The stretched bonds in the mesh began to collect themselves, and return the push on us. The shockwave that spread through the mesh as result of the impact and reversal, severely rattled the Elevens that had lined up along the boundary formed by the mesh. In response, a cascade of electrons were released and a transmission cloud formed.
My canopied tag molecule sailed from the slot as it was pushed and driven away from the mesh. I experienced an uneasy melancholy as the newly formed cloud began a journey in the opposite direction than I was headed. That's when a party broke out in the canopy and we began to drift. I orbited back around the Seven and began to swingshot around to the Sixes in the canopy. Sure enough, the Electrons were tapping away at each other as we drifted.
February 19, 2010
On Final
The Electrons in the canopy were happily circulating in their swingshot mode, as we accelerated toward our slow in the mesh ahead. Locked on to the frequency of attraction from the mesh, the group in the canopy advanced the frequency to continue accelerating. I certainly did not tap them into doing this, but I was not about to tap them to a stop them either.
Scanning sideways, I tracked the speed and path of other canopied tags, and noted that their canopies too, were accelerating if they had locked on to a slot in the mesh ahead. As hard as we were working to speed up, the others were already slightly ahead of us, and working just as hard. On the next sweep, I noticed that the farther molecules were begging to slot in.
As each circular wave of tags slotted into the mesh, the frequency continued to increase in pitch as the mesh tightened up. Scanning forward, my slot was getting closer as it was also moving farther away. My closest neighbors slotted, and I spun and ducked between the Seven and the 4th Six to avoid the nastiness of impact. Unlike the earlier molecules that slotted and stuck, as the canopy of my molecule passed the locking formation at high speed, the locks folded back and did not return.
Scanning sideways, I tracked the speed and path of other canopied tags, and noted that their canopies too, were accelerating if they had locked on to a slot in the mesh ahead. As hard as we were working to speed up, the others were already slightly ahead of us, and working just as hard. On the next sweep, I noticed that the farther molecules were begging to slot in.
As each circular wave of tags slotted into the mesh, the frequency continued to increase in pitch as the mesh tightened up. Scanning forward, my slot was getting closer as it was also moving farther away. My closest neighbors slotted, and I spun and ducked between the Seven and the 4th Six to avoid the nastiness of impact. Unlike the earlier molecules that slotted and stuck, as the canopy of my molecule passed the locking formation at high speed, the locks folded back and did not return.
February 18, 2010
Fall In!
More canopied molecules exited through the wider opening in the mesh. The double-size tag that broke free to open the mesh remained attached to the outside at the small end. I could still sense the strong attraction that the larger part of the tag had with the sympathetic vibrations in the mesh network. Continuing with my exiting group, I kept a ping on the double-sized tag as I scanned into my future.
Quickly acquiring locations for my local group, I scanned forward and located an nearby mesh network of slightly different construction from the one that I just passed through. Being close to the front of the pack, I tweaked my drive frequency and skipped a beat or two just to fall back from the leading edge as the group began to disperse, being no longer confined inside of a mesh.
The first of the canopied tags began to slot into the mesh network ahead. Each canopy nestled into a region of attraction that fit and shifted to gently grasp the tag, and in doing so, the frequency of the network phased and shifted in response. Approaching a slot that that was aligned with my molecule, I made minor adjustments to the phase and frequency of my canopy to match the attraction of the mesh, resulting in a strong surge forward.
Quickly acquiring locations for my local group, I scanned forward and located an nearby mesh network of slightly different construction from the one that I just passed through. Being close to the front of the pack, I tweaked my drive frequency and skipped a beat or two just to fall back from the leading edge as the group began to disperse, being no longer confined inside of a mesh.
The first of the canopied tags began to slot into the mesh network ahead. Each canopy nestled into a region of attraction that fit and shifted to gently grasp the tag, and in doing so, the frequency of the network phased and shifted in response. Approaching a slot that that was aligned with my molecule, I made minor adjustments to the phase and frequency of my canopy to match the attraction of the mesh, resulting in a strong surge forward.
February 17, 2010
Open Door
The active group of canopied tags and the longer original magic molecules had my attention and focus for some time. I deep scanned the incoming and outgoing guide paths into the region in the hope that a clean, and easy, pathway was evident. While tracing what I thought was the input to the region, my scan was blocked neatly by one of the canopies in my group.
Instantly decoding the tracking information from the phase data, I discovered that the interrupting canopy was not only running a similar propulsion waveform, but that it was moving in a fairly straight line. Shifting my focus to short, local and wide, I got a new picture of the activity in my group. Yes, we were moving, so I matched the propulsion frequency of the other moving canopies.
Where once there had been a solid wall of mesh, holding us in place, there was now an opening. With the retaining mesh out of the way, and wavefronts grabbing the canopies and enticing them into propulsion, moving out was the obvious order. As I passed through the opening, I scanned on the outer surface, and spotted a double-size tag as it was pulling away from the outside of the mesh. I detected a string of six Sixes with three more Sixes looped back onto itself at the core of the tag before it broke away, widening the opening in the mesh as it released its hold.
Instantly decoding the tracking information from the phase data, I discovered that the interrupting canopy was not only running a similar propulsion waveform, but that it was moving in a fairly straight line. Shifting my focus to short, local and wide, I got a new picture of the activity in my group. Yes, we were moving, so I matched the propulsion frequency of the other moving canopies.
Where once there had been a solid wall of mesh, holding us in place, there was now an opening. With the retaining mesh out of the way, and wavefronts grabbing the canopies and enticing them into propulsion, moving out was the obvious order. As I passed through the opening, I scanned on the outer surface, and spotted a double-size tag as it was pulling away from the outside of the mesh. I detected a string of six Sixes with three more Sixes looped back onto itself at the core of the tag before it broke away, widening the opening in the mesh as it released its hold.
February 16, 2010
Target Scan
The Synchro-Drive was humming along at its characteristic frequency. I liked to keep the frequency shifting just to spread out the noise across the scan spectrum. At other times, it was better to slide the frequency one way or the other and scan around it. I was testing to see at what distance I could acquire and track canopy waveforms. The results were astounding.
Nearly every direction I scanned was an emission from a canopy. Some were near, but most were far, and not in the same part of the network that I found myself. The higher frequency of the canopy signal was having an easier time making itself visible through the mesh networks that folded to form the structure of this fascinating region.
I detected a fairly local grouping of canopied tags, and took up a position to scan in detail. While my cloud of canopies was largely static, and immobile, this group had zip, zest, flow and attachment to various structures. It looked like great fun, but the best part was that I detected some very long waveforms.
After some tuning and shifting of some parameters, I was able to confirm my observation. Yes, there was an unmistakable return in the original magic molecule band, there was definitely one or more of the strings of seven-Sixes over there. It was the One-Seven-One just off the middle of the string that gave it away.
Nearly every direction I scanned was an emission from a canopy. Some were near, but most were far, and not in the same part of the network that I found myself. The higher frequency of the canopy signal was having an easier time making itself visible through the mesh networks that folded to form the structure of this fascinating region.
I detected a fairly local grouping of canopied tags, and took up a position to scan in detail. While my cloud of canopies was largely static, and immobile, this group had zip, zest, flow and attachment to various structures. It looked like great fun, but the best part was that I detected some very long waveforms.
After some tuning and shifting of some parameters, I was able to confirm my observation. Yes, there was an unmistakable return in the original magic molecule band, there was definitely one or more of the strings of seven-Sixes over there. It was the One-Seven-One just off the middle of the string that gave it away.
February 15, 2010
Shakedown Cruise
I did a total count of the Protons in this structure, and came up with a total of 81. Of course, there are a number of difficult to count Neutrons, but I know they're there. Their extra bulk is evident in the fact that it takes more work to move this molecule than I can account for by just the Protons alone. If I had to guess, it would be like dragging another eight-doublings of Protons along. At least the Neutrons aren't constantly pulling on me.
The ringlet would have been tougher to move using Synchro-Drive, but the action of the Swap-Drive, swapping Ones with the One-Eight-Ones in the soup, was much more forceful. Here, the force is constant and smooth, making observation a clean and easy process. The Ringlet was a herky-jerky jigglefest, but a whole lot faster. As much as I miss the distortion of a rapid acceleration, I am beginning to appreciate the precision and grace of piloting this ungainly assemblage of 81 Protons.
The Synchro-Drive functioned well, having only twice to adjust the flow pattern in the canopy during the straightaway section of the test cruise. The free time was taken up with extra deep scans and tag tracking. The other canopied tags easily passed each other without violent repulsion. The harmonic between the canopy frequency and the counter-balanced Eights worked such that a canopy could pass closely to another molecule's tail.
The ringlet would have been tougher to move using Synchro-Drive, but the action of the Swap-Drive, swapping Ones with the One-Eight-Ones in the soup, was much more forceful. Here, the force is constant and smooth, making observation a clean and easy process. The Ringlet was a herky-jerky jigglefest, but a whole lot faster. As much as I miss the distortion of a rapid acceleration, I am beginning to appreciate the precision and grace of piloting this ungainly assemblage of 81 Protons.
The Synchro-Drive functioned well, having only twice to adjust the flow pattern in the canopy during the straightaway section of the test cruise. The free time was taken up with extra deep scans and tag tracking. The other canopied tags easily passed each other without violent repulsion. The harmonic between the canopy frequency and the counter-balanced Eights worked such that a canopy could pass closely to another molecule's tail.
February 14, 2010
Synchro Drive
The effort required to get a One to swap off of the Six was enormous. I managed to get it to happen once, but the resulting change in orientation of the canopied molecule was imperceptible. I clearly was not going to drive this molecule anywhere by swapping Ones with the local soup. Slightly miffed, I ran to one of the Sixes and got the Electron orbits hop from One to Six to One and kept at it until the new three-lobed loop of Electrons had made a nice current.
As a result, that particular Six was starting to vibrate differently from the other two, and tugging on the Seven in the middle. The best part was that by having the Electrons swingshot around their local Six, and off to another One, I became very easy to flip the effective direction of travel. Picking the points at which to switch direction based on the oscillations of the pull of the Six on the Seven, I was able to slowly move the entire molecule.
Getting the other two Sixes into the act really helped. Once their Electrons were cooperating, it became a simple matter of bouncing just one Electron from the Seven onto any one of the Sixes to get the pattern around that Six to change direction. Doing this little dance around the Seven was actually much easier that the swap-drive on the ringlet. One day, I would have to figure out why a mainly circular current was able to achieve a force, but for now, it was enough that it worked.
As a result, that particular Six was starting to vibrate differently from the other two, and tugging on the Seven in the middle. The best part was that by having the Electrons swingshot around their local Six, and off to another One, I became very easy to flip the effective direction of travel. Picking the points at which to switch direction based on the oscillations of the pull of the Six on the Seven, I was able to slowly move the entire molecule.
Getting the other two Sixes into the act really helped. Once their Electrons were cooperating, it became a simple matter of bouncing just one Electron from the Seven onto any one of the Sixes to get the pattern around that Six to change direction. Doing this little dance around the Seven was actually much easier that the swap-drive on the ringlet. One day, I would have to figure out why a mainly circular current was able to achieve a force, but for now, it was enough that it worked.
February 13, 2010
Swingshot Seven
All in all, the Sixes were about as nice as I remember from zipping around on that little ringlet. It was the Seven in the middle that had me bothered until I gave it a try. Since this Seven had managed to get entangled and attached to four Sixes, it was stretched just a bit, giving its Protons a bit more power that the would have enjoyed if just paired to another Seven. This was good for me, since it made the Seven act a whole lot more like just another slippery Six.
That extra Proton, however, made a nice source for an extra pull when I wanted to move from Six to Six. In a short time, I was hopping 'round the Seven by making a half-orbit around the back side, and could zip from Six to Six in the canopy with ease. Since I had a speedy loop around the Seven to work with, I always had a choice as to which way to enter an orbit around a targeted Six. This was good for keeping things in balance, but even better for disrupting it.
Picking a pattern and keeping with it, I was able to influence the Electrons that were donated by the sometimes unhappy Ones that filled out each of the Sixes in the canopy. While it was not a swap drive, which relied on an Eight-One paring hung off of a Six, it had an effect. I was able to quickly re-orient my canopy and by doing so, aim this seven Six special. Perhaps, with just the right orbit pattern, I might get a bit of propulsion out of the canopy.
That extra Proton, however, made a nice source for an extra pull when I wanted to move from Six to Six. In a short time, I was hopping 'round the Seven by making a half-orbit around the back side, and could zip from Six to Six in the canopy with ease. Since I had a speedy loop around the Seven to work with, I always had a choice as to which way to enter an orbit around a targeted Six. This was good for keeping things in balance, but even better for disrupting it.
Picking a pattern and keeping with it, I was able to influence the Electrons that were donated by the sometimes unhappy Ones that filled out each of the Sixes in the canopy. While it was not a swap drive, which relied on an Eight-One paring hung off of a Six, it had an effect. I was able to quickly re-orient my canopy and by doing so, aim this seven Six special. Perhaps, with just the right orbit pattern, I might get a bit of propulsion out of the canopy.
February 12, 2010
Catch Landing
The pull of the Twenties dropped off as expected, but left me with more velocity than I would have liked. The momentary charges were starting to rattle and chatter my travels, but I was able to compensate by tinkering with my spin-plane. There were three canopied targets ahead, and I really liked the way that the second one was oriented.
I pushed a lateral component into my spin plane, making the entire spin, itself, spin. This set up a harmonic push against the first of the canopied targets to transfer energy from motion into the target as I passed. The transfer slowed me so I was less likely to blast through the second target. My path clear ahead, I confirmed my target and contact point, aimed just inside one of the Sixes of the canopy.
On approach, I caught the edge, beginning a large arc around the central Seven. Spin-flipping madly, I used each bump and tug to adjust my path and speed. Final adjustments complete, I relaxed as I approached the Six that was peeking out from behind the Seven. Donating Electrons to the attached Ones, the Protons in the Six were engaging me as I slipped into the cloud of the molecule itself.
I pushed a lateral component into my spin plane, making the entire spin, itself, spin. This set up a harmonic push against the first of the canopied targets to transfer energy from motion into the target as I passed. The transfer slowed me so I was less likely to blast through the second target. My path clear ahead, I confirmed my target and contact point, aimed just inside one of the Sixes of the canopy.
On approach, I caught the edge, beginning a large arc around the central Seven. Spin-flipping madly, I used each bump and tug to adjust my path and speed. Final adjustments complete, I relaxed as I approached the Six that was peeking out from behind the Seven. Donating Electrons to the attached Ones, the Protons in the Six were engaging me as I slipped into the cloud of the molecule itself.
February 11, 2010
Taking the Shot
It was a challenge to pick a target amongst the magic canopy molecules. The distance between my pulse cloud and the confinement zone halved quickly, increasing the strength of the tracking signal from the field of targets. I moved to the edge of my cloud and prepared to bow out of the pairing conundrum that kept me in the group.
Halving the distance to the targets again, I scanned an attractive cluster of Twenties that was highly attractive. I then plotted a slingshot trajectory around the Twenties that would cross the path of several of the canopies. After a quick double-check and a small adjustment to my aim, I halted my automatic response to the continuous stream of pairing requests.
Between the kick of the pulse and the pull of the Twenties, the spectral shift from the acceleration was disorienting. I applied corrections, using the tracking frequency as a guide, and was able to compensate for the continuous change that occurred as I approached the Twenties. On track and at maximum speed, my path bent in a clean arc in response to the pull of the nearest Twenty. Moving quickly enough to avoid capture, I began to slow after rounding the Twenties as the field of canopied molecules began to loom large in my scan.
Halving the distance to the targets again, I scanned an attractive cluster of Twenties that was highly attractive. I then plotted a slingshot trajectory around the Twenties that would cross the path of several of the canopies. After a quick double-check and a small adjustment to my aim, I halted my automatic response to the continuous stream of pairing requests.
Between the kick of the pulse and the pull of the Twenties, the spectral shift from the acceleration was disorienting. I applied corrections, using the tracking frequency as a guide, and was able to compensate for the continuous change that occurred as I approached the Twenties. On track and at maximum speed, my path bent in a clean arc in response to the pull of the nearest Twenty. Moving quickly enough to avoid capture, I began to slow after rounding the Twenties as the field of canopied molecules began to loom large in my scan.
February 10, 2010
Acquisition Scan
I kept tracking the canopied molecules, watching them regulate pulses in a nearby parallel network segment. Unfortunately, there was no connection between the adjacent pathways ad my own, and I gave up looking for a path to that particular concentration and focused my efforts on where I could get to. That meant that I had to compensate for my own movement when locking on to a tracking signal. So much for the easy stuff.
Knowing that there would not be any of these massive magic enable molecules in the firing chamber were the Electrons are emitted and received, I waited for the return part of the cycle to begin my forward scan. From nearly the first moment, I had a clear assortment of targets from which to choose, so I kept the field wide. Then I began to notice some abrupt direction changes in the target field.
There were definite groups of magic targets, and one such group was confined within my own pathway. Picking up the distortion caused by the encircling structure was a subtle trick. The frequency shift when a bounce of a canopy occurs was great confirmation. I liked the spread of these magic targets, how they moved, and the ease of tracking them. This should be easier than hopping across an Eighty-Two.
Knowing that there would not be any of these massive magic enable molecules in the firing chamber were the Electrons are emitted and received, I waited for the return part of the cycle to begin my forward scan. From nearly the first moment, I had a clear assortment of targets from which to choose, so I kept the field wide. Then I began to notice some abrupt direction changes in the target field.
There were definite groups of magic targets, and one such group was confined within my own pathway. Picking up the distortion caused by the encircling structure was a subtle trick. The frequency shift when a bounce of a canopy occurs was great confirmation. I liked the spread of these magic targets, how they moved, and the ease of tracking them. This should be easier than hopping across an Eighty-Two.
February 9, 2010
Targeting Affirmed
I practiced picking up my target molecule by looking for the three-phase harmonic pattern that identified the silly canopy over the Seven. This gave the molecule an off kilter center of mass, and that made it rotate funny. The long end whipping around and the canopy holding close to the center of rotation. I am glad I'm not orbiting the One at the end of that swinging chain.
The tri-phasic note had a nice component that was nearly three times the frequency of a natural bond. This frequency, was not always at precisely triple, and wavered as the molecule rotated, but had nice peaks at the triple point, where it often stayed in resonance. It was the presence of this other, higher frequency, that made locking on to these molecules very easy.
I took a sweep around at low resolution, just looking for the primary fundamental, finding nice peeks everywhere. A large concentration was visible through the portals in the pathway, and it was into these that I focused my scan and began a sweep for the range of triple frequencies. I quickly discovered that I did not need the tight beam to detect that frequency. The normal scan worked to confirm, and all I had to do was pick an interesting variant of the expected frequency and focus on a particular molecule in the cloud of them. Yes, these looked to be the functional counterparts to the nearly symmetrical linear chain of seven Sixes that I blindly took advantage of in the past. Now, all I had to to was get into their midst.
The tri-phasic note had a nice component that was nearly three times the frequency of a natural bond. This frequency, was not always at precisely triple, and wavered as the molecule rotated, but had nice peaks at the triple point, where it often stayed in resonance. It was the presence of this other, higher frequency, that made locking on to these molecules very easy.
I took a sweep around at low resolution, just looking for the primary fundamental, finding nice peeks everywhere. A large concentration was visible through the portals in the pathway, and it was into these that I focused my scan and began a sweep for the range of triple frequencies. I quickly discovered that I did not need the tight beam to detect that frequency. The normal scan worked to confirm, and all I had to do was pick an interesting variant of the expected frequency and focus on a particular molecule in the cloud of them. Yes, these looked to be the functional counterparts to the nearly symmetrical linear chain of seven Sixes that I blindly took advantage of in the past. Now, all I had to to was get into their midst.
February 8, 2010
Top-Down Tuning
I kept working to quickly locate these new disjoint tag molecules. While the low note emanated from the tag was fairly unique, it was at a very low amplitude relative to the rest of the noise at that frequency. It would be difficult to locate large concentrations of these tags with the low note alone, let alone track them. Examining the upper frequency band found a much stronger signal, especially since there were three vibrating bonds singing into the spectrum.
Each of the three sixes attached to the interior Seven, each had three Ones which affected the pitch slightly, but more importantly, helped to regulate oscillations. Because there was a somewhat positive pole on each of the Ones attached to each Six, when a set of Ones and their Six were farther away from the Seven, then other pair could come marginally closer. This was a key observation produced by scanning along the axis formed between the Seven and the midpoint of all three singleton Sixes.
Always, there was one of the three six-groups that was at the far of its excursion, which bestows a benefit to tracking efforts. From any other perspective, the wavefronts produced by each excursion are not equally spaced. The closer Six-group's wavefront arrives more quickly that the farther groups, and this allows me to instantly discover the rotation, and attitude of a target. Because the distance the Sixes keep from each other and the Seven in the middle is known, I am able to quickly locate and track these canopied tags.
Each of the three sixes attached to the interior Seven, each had three Ones which affected the pitch slightly, but more importantly, helped to regulate oscillations. Because there was a somewhat positive pole on each of the Ones attached to each Six, when a set of Ones and their Six were farther away from the Seven, then other pair could come marginally closer. This was a key observation produced by scanning along the axis formed between the Seven and the midpoint of all three singleton Sixes.
Always, there was one of the three six-groups that was at the far of its excursion, which bestows a benefit to tracking efforts. From any other perspective, the wavefronts produced by each excursion are not equally spaced. The closer Six-group's wavefront arrives more quickly that the farther groups, and this allows me to instantly discover the rotation, and attitude of a target. Because the distance the Sixes keep from each other and the Seven in the middle is known, I am able to quickly locate and track these canopied tags.
February 7, 2010
Tag Scanning
I was fairly amazed to see the versatility of a Seven in the middle of the Sixes. I knew, from past experience, that a pair of Sevens are very strongly tied to each other and that it takes incredibly nasty bursts of energy to make a plasma of Sevens. In cases like that, I've got no choice but to run. All this adds up to the fact that this molecule is tough and versatile.
Scanning for a pattern of three single and two double Sixes is a horridly complex scan with too many returns. So, I had to run a sweep which is difficult enough without getting jostled by a bunch of Electrons in a pulse cloud. That's why it took so long. I had to make multiple passes to complete the entire scan, but I did finally find something quick. Now it's all about the Seven.
Sixes, Sevens and Eights wiggle differently. Sixes in contact with other sixes act a certain way. The double Sixes with the Eight in the middle has a fundamental frequency that is long and low. The Seven, however, imparts more of it's natural vibration upon the three singleton Sixes that branch away to form a canopy of Ones. While I can detect location with the lower frequency, it is not as accurate or precise as a higher frequency signal. With these two frequencies, I should be able to recognize these tag molecules in the constant wash of noise that surrounds me.
Scanning for a pattern of three single and two double Sixes is a horridly complex scan with too many returns. So, I had to run a sweep which is difficult enough without getting jostled by a bunch of Electrons in a pulse cloud. That's why it took so long. I had to make multiple passes to complete the entire scan, but I did finally find something quick. Now it's all about the Seven.
Sixes, Sevens and Eights wiggle differently. Sixes in contact with other sixes act a certain way. The double Sixes with the Eight in the middle has a fundamental frequency that is long and low. The Seven, however, imparts more of it's natural vibration upon the three singleton Sixes that branch away to form a canopy of Ones. While I can detect location with the lower frequency, it is not as accurate or precise as a higher frequency signal. With these two frequencies, I should be able to recognize these tag molecules in the constant wash of noise that surrounds me.
February 6, 2010
Seven of a Kind
As much as I have despised Eights in the past, I will admit that they are easy targets. Sixes on the other hand, are quite slippery, and besides, their scan lines are long and sometimes difficult to detect. Regardless of the situation, I can locate a Six when I need to. Scanning for a string of seven Sixes is easier than sorting for Eights, but I came up empty. Again.
Out of frustration more that patience, I began scanning for anything that had a total of seven Sixes and one Seven. Forget the Eights, since they might have gone dancing with their Ones. Ratcheting up the resolution to look for shorter sequences of Sixes, I was beginning to get discouraged after the population of four atom chains of Sixes turned up at nearly zero. I registered nil until I looked for the dreaded singles and pairs, which are pretty much anywhere and everywhere.
That's when I spotted the Seven connected to three singleton Sixes and a pair. That crafty Seven had worked its way into a gaggle of Sixes and held four of them at bay. The singletons each had a full complement of three Ones, whereas, the other end of the doubleton Sixes terminated in a connection to a structural Eight which had another pair of Sixes on the other side. That makes for a total of seven Sixes. When you count the the second Eight that is double-tight with Six number Six, it looks like we found all the right parts, just in different places.
Out of frustration more that patience, I began scanning for anything that had a total of seven Sixes and one Seven. Forget the Eights, since they might have gone dancing with their Ones. Ratcheting up the resolution to look for shorter sequences of Sixes, I was beginning to get discouraged after the population of four atom chains of Sixes turned up at nearly zero. I registered nil until I looked for the dreaded singles and pairs, which are pretty much anywhere and everywhere.
That's when I spotted the Seven connected to three singleton Sixes and a pair. That crafty Seven had worked its way into a gaggle of Sixes and held four of them at bay. The singletons each had a full complement of three Ones, whereas, the other end of the doubleton Sixes terminated in a connection to a structural Eight which had another pair of Sixes on the other side. That makes for a total of seven Sixes. When you count the the second Eight that is double-tight with Six number Six, it looks like we found all the right parts, just in different places.
February 5, 2010
Recalibration
Processing the mosaic of scan information arriving through the wall of the pathway triggered memory of how I scanned in the passed, before I had the extensive experience on the ringlet. The new scanning tools and tricks in my arsenal produced data that was difficult to match for confirmation, so I was quite pleased when things started to match my recollections. During the next few cycles along the dedicated pathway, I adjusted the scanning mix, adding a slice of my original network recipe.
The next task on the list was to establish a pairing pattern in the cloud, making a nice circuit to provide safety when needed, and the ability to get to the edge to pop off a quick deep scan or hopefully, a change to switch to another pathway. I also discovered that the edges of the cloud, when they bounced off the edges of the containment structure, traded Electrons with the innermost Twenties that lined the pathway.
I recalled that there was a magic molecule, a long chain of seven Sixes with a symmetry of Eights at each end. There was a very unique scan line that popped up, but it is completely missing here. I recall clearly, that it also had a Seven, hanging almost midway along the Sixes and the usual compliment of Ones. The only half-match I found was not even close.
The next task on the list was to establish a pairing pattern in the cloud, making a nice circuit to provide safety when needed, and the ability to get to the edge to pop off a quick deep scan or hopefully, a change to switch to another pathway. I also discovered that the edges of the cloud, when they bounced off the edges of the containment structure, traded Electrons with the innermost Twenties that lined the pathway.
I recalled that there was a magic molecule, a long chain of seven Sixes with a symmetry of Eights at each end. There was a very unique scan line that popped up, but it is completely missing here. I recall clearly, that it also had a Seven, hanging almost midway along the Sixes and the usual compliment of Ones. The only half-match I found was not even close.
February 4, 2010
Quarterscan
I spun and flipped my way from edge to edge of my new temporary home in this pulse cloud, scanning in bursts when I had a clear shot through the edge. While these network links are similar the pathways and sensor inputs I had travelled in the past, they were far more polished and smooth with no real splits or branches. This same cloud popped back and fourth endlessly.
While I was safe and secure along this pathway, there was not much of interest to keep me focused and I wandered back to the past when I had been able to float and engage freely in the central network. Somehow this pathway was connected to the central network, but I had not found the trick for moving from one cloud to the next or from one pathway to another. Finding pathways with interesting pulse patterns was the goal.
Kicking my spin in the opposite direction to nearly cancel it, I let the cloud bounce me around until I found myself on the outer edge. The danger of getting sloughed off out here is extreme, but I need to be able to scan long and deep. Finding the previous sweep clear of immediate danger, I focused the beam forward and then pulled it back to the normal plane and scanned sideways through the wall. With the pinholes moving by so quickly, practically overlapping from scan to scan, the signal from outside the pathway registered strong and clean.
While I was safe and secure along this pathway, there was not much of interest to keep me focused and I wandered back to the past when I had been able to float and engage freely in the central network. Somehow this pathway was connected to the central network, but I had not found the trick for moving from one cloud to the next or from one pathway to another. Finding pathways with interesting pulse patterns was the goal.
Kicking my spin in the opposite direction to nearly cancel it, I let the cloud bounce me around until I found myself on the outer edge. The danger of getting sloughed off out here is extreme, but I need to be able to scan long and deep. Finding the previous sweep clear of immediate danger, I focused the beam forward and then pulled it back to the normal plane and scanned sideways through the wall. With the pinholes moving by so quickly, practically overlapping from scan to scan, the signal from outside the pathway registered strong and clean.
February 3, 2010
Cloudy Welcome
I spent so long on that ringlet that I almost forgot how to work with a pool of Electrons. The shift in potential I experienced was the approach of a pulse of Electrons along the pathway that I had just infiltrated. I spun to toward the edge of the incoming pulse edge and prepared for a bumpy ride as the pulse landed in the trigger zone.
The guarding Nineteens to swing wildly to open narrowly for a high-speed electron to eject. I spun hard to arc my path and keep a keen scan on the guarding Nineties. It was best to steer clear from that opening if I was going to stick around in the network. The continued wash of the cloud across the guards kept them swinging, allowing several random Electrons to squirt through. Somehow, this was all familiar. It was starting to coming back to me.
I began to detect small openings in the cloud behind me, and spin-flipped my way back just a layer or two, joining the random pairing of the pulse cloud. During the frequent disconnects, I swung the beam around just to take a look at the pathway. I almost did not notice that the pulse was on the return. I had travelled network pathways like this before and was happy to be back.
The guarding Nineteens to swing wildly to open narrowly for a high-speed electron to eject. I spun hard to arc my path and keep a keen scan on the guarding Nineties. It was best to steer clear from that opening if I was going to stick around in the network. The continued wash of the cloud across the guards kept them swinging, allowing several random Electrons to squirt through. Somehow, this was all familiar. It was starting to coming back to me.
I began to detect small openings in the cloud behind me, and spin-flipped my way back just a layer or two, joining the random pairing of the pulse cloud. During the frequent disconnects, I swung the beam around just to take a look at the pathway. I almost did not notice that the pulse was on the return. I had travelled network pathways like this before and was happy to be back.
February 2, 2010
Pinpoint Return
Scan distortion shifted once again as I got a kick from the Twelve, but I maintained the ping-lock on the target. The strange thing about the target is that it was an absence ping, that I had not been able to match. It was shifting and repeating as I approached, which added to my confusion. I swing the scan back toward the Twelve for a adjustment, and then reversed the distortion when I aimed forward again.
Either the adjustment worked, or I travelled farther than I realized. The target was much larger and some of the patterns that I observed matched the distant record of a Nineteen. Several Nineteens in fact. Nineteens that were shifting and moving. Moving together, since they were locked into a mesh network of Ones, Sixes, Sevens and Eights. There was a narrow passage surrounded by the Nineteens that would not result in getting captured by a Nineteen. Unfortunately, it was getting narrower.
The Nineteens were now spending more time with their floating Electron, and decreasing their field strength as I made the final adjustment. The pull of the Nineteens began to ebb as I zipped between the encircling Nineteens, past their planar portal. Scanning backward, the passage closed off, and I detected a new shift in potential surrounding me.
Either the adjustment worked, or I travelled farther than I realized. The target was much larger and some of the patterns that I observed matched the distant record of a Nineteen. Several Nineteens in fact. Nineteens that were shifting and moving. Moving together, since they were locked into a mesh network of Ones, Sixes, Sevens and Eights. There was a narrow passage surrounded by the Nineteens that would not result in getting captured by a Nineteen. Unfortunately, it was getting narrower.
The Nineteens were now spending more time with their floating Electron, and decreasing their field strength as I made the final adjustment. The pull of the Nineteens began to ebb as I zipped between the encircling Nineteens, past their planar portal. Scanning backward, the passage closed off, and I detected a new shift in potential surrounding me.
February 1, 2010
Nano Slalom
It was the shift in the scan feedback that told me how much extra speed I had gained, and now I had to work a bit harder to make sure that I stayed on course. There was little doubt that I was crossing the center-line between the two Twelves. There was an interesting twinge in the scanning stream to mark the event.
Approaching the next Twelve in the absence of an inbound partner meant that I had to swing out wider, brushing the outer orbits, to compensate for the extra charge in the nucleus. Wrapping around this Twelve has put me in sight of one more, and only one more. As I crossed the center line yet again, preparing to wrap around on the opposite side of the final Twelve, I spotted another inbound Electron that was part of the trigger pulse. It was leaving from where I was going to land. I set a ping on that key point.
Lining up the target, the inbound and the Twelve, I picked my path and set out for it. With just the right angle of approach, I approached the Twelve, picking up a bit of speed along the way. At the moment that I sensed half-pull from the incoming Electron, I spun-up for a hyper tap, just for the extra stability. This was a target that required careful aim.
Approaching the next Twelve in the absence of an inbound partner meant that I had to swing out wider, brushing the outer orbits, to compensate for the extra charge in the nucleus. Wrapping around this Twelve has put me in sight of one more, and only one more. As I crossed the center line yet again, preparing to wrap around on the opposite side of the final Twelve, I spotted another inbound Electron that was part of the trigger pulse. It was leaving from where I was going to land. I set a ping on that key point.
Lining up the target, the inbound and the Twelve, I picked my path and set out for it. With just the right angle of approach, I approached the Twelve, picking up a bit of speed along the way. At the moment that I sensed half-pull from the incoming Electron, I spun-up for a hyper tap, just for the extra stability. This was a target that required careful aim.
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