With a rudimentary understanding of some of the device's "command language," Kenji turned his attention to the most critical task: developing a counter-script. His goal wasn't necessarily to destroy the ancient machine – the risks were still too high – but to force it into a more permanent state of dormancy, a "hard shutdown" rather than its current "sleep mode."
He began by using his SAI's new "Script Debugger v1.0." This function allowed him to create a virtual Aetheric environment within his interface, a sandbox where he could simulate the device's Aetheric signature and test potential counter-scripts without affecting the real device or consuming vast amounts of his own Aether.
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[SAI - System Log/Script Debugger v1.0 - Active Session]
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SIMULATION ENVIRONMENT: Ancient Aetheric Device (Blight Node) - Model AX-7.3
TARGET PROTOCOL FOR DISRUPTION: Pattern Alpha-1 ('Idle Pulse' / Standby)
COUNTER-SCRIPT CONCEPT: 'Aetheric Nullification Pulse - Targeted' (ANP-T)
OBJECTIVE: Introduce a precisely tuned Aetheric frequency sequence to
disrupt the device's 'keep-alive' signal within its idle pulse,
forcing a deeper, non-responsive shutdown state.
INITIAL SIMULATION PARAMETERS:
- ANP-T Frequency: Derived from inverse analysis of Pattern Alpha-1.
- ANP-T Amplitude: Minimal, to avoid triggering defensive responses.
- ANP-T Duration: Short burst, synchronized with device's pulse cycle.
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The first few simulated tests were failures. His ANP-T either had no effect, or, in one alarming instance, caused the simulated device to briefly spike in energy output, as if resisting.
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[SAI - Script Debugger v1.0 - Simulation Result: FAILED]
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SIMULATION ID: ANP-T_Test_003
OUTCOME: Counter-script ineffective. Simulated device's Pattern Alpha-1
remained stable. No observable disruption.
ANALYSIS: ANP-T frequency likely misaligned or insufficient complexity to
override device's core logic. The device's 'code' is more
resilient than anticipated. It has error correction.
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[SAI - Script Debugger v1.0 - Simulation Result: CRITICAL FAILURE]
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SIMULATION ID: ANP-T_Test_004 (Modified Frequency Harmonics)
OUTCOME: Counter-script triggered unexpected energy surge in simulated device (+35%).
Simulated defensive sub-routine activated.
ANALYSIS: Incorrect harmonic applied. Device interpreted ANP-T as hostile
Aetheric probe, not a shutdown command. This is a significant risk
if replicated on the actual device.
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"This is harder than I thought," Kenji confessed to Elara, frustration etched on his face. He was in the storehouse, Lyra asleep on a pile of old sacks, exhausted from days of lending her Aetheric senses. "It's not just about sending a 'stop' command. This thing's 'operating system' is ancient and has layers of what look like self-preservation protocols. It's like trying to hack a military-grade mainframe with a child's coding kit."
Elara placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "Patience, Kenji-san. You are attempting what generations have not even dreamed of. The ancients who built that… thing… were powerful, yes, but their creations are not infallible. Every lock has a key, or a way to be picked."
Her words, and a fresh cup of Hemlock's invigorating (if bitter) tea, helped. Kenji went back to the "drawing board," or rather, his mental coding environment. He needed a different approach. Not just a nullification pulse, but something that could exploit the device's own logic. He thought about the "Resource Draw" pattern (Beta-7) and the "Heartstone Resonance Dampener" sub-protocol.
What if, instead of trying to force a shutdown, I trick it into thinking its resources are critically low, or that the Heartstone's Aether is suddenly 'toxic' to it? A denial-of-service attack, but with Aether? Or an 'environmental variable' exploit?
He began designing a new script, far more complex. It involved two stages: first, a subtle manipulation of the Aetheric frequencies around the device to mimic a "contaminated" Aether source, hoping to trigger its dampening sub-protocol to an extreme degree. Second, while the device was focused on "shielding" itself, he would introduce a specific Aetheric sequence designed to overload its resource management system, making it believe it was "starving" and forcing a protective, deep hibernation.
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[SAI - Script Debugger v1.0 - New Test Script Design]
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COUNTER-SCRIPT CONCEPT: 'Aetheric Resource Deprivation Cascade' (ARDC) - v0.1
STAGE 1: 'Aetheric Contamination Mimic' (ACM)
- Goal: Induce device to over-activate its 'Heartstone Resonance Dampener'
and self-isolate from ambient Aether sources.
- Method: Project precisely modulated Aetheric 'noise' that mimics a
highly corrosive Aether type, non-harmful to Heartstone but
theoretically 'unpalatable' to the device's intake systems.
STAGE 2: 'System Resource Overload Exploit' (SROE)
- Goal: Trigger a deep hibernation/shutdown state by falsifying resource data.
- Method: While device is self-isolating (Stage 1), inject a low-energy
Aetheric data packet that mimics multiple, simultaneous critical
resource failures and a non-recoverable energy deficit.
SIMULATION COMPLEXITY: High. Requires precise timing and Aetheric waveform control.
ESTIMATED USER AETHER COST (Real-world, if successful): 15-25 Units.
ESTIMATED MENTAL STRAIN: Significant.
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He ran the ARDC script in the debugger. The simulated device reacted. The "Contamination Mimic" caused its Aether intake to plummet. Then, as the "Resource Overload Exploit" data packet was delivered, the simulated device's idle pulse faltered, sputtered, and then… went dark. No energy spikes. No defensive routines. Just… silence.
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[SAI - Script Debugger v1.0 - Simulation Result: SUCCESS (Provisional)]
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SIMULATION ID: ARDC_Test_001
OUTCOME: Simulated device entered a 'Deep Standby/Hibernation' state.
All Aetheric emissions ceased, including Pattern Alpha-1.
No adverse reactions or energy spikes detected.
ANALYSIS: The two-stage approach appears to have bypassed the device's
primary defensive protocols by exploiting its resource management
and self-preservation logic.
SYSTEM CAUTION: This is a simulation. Real-world Aetheric dynamics, device
damage, and unknown variables may alter the outcome.
The 'Aetheric Contamination Mimic' must be perfectly calibrated
to avoid actually damaging the Heartstone or triggering other
unforeseen Blight reactions. High risk still involved.
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Kenji let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It was a breakthrough. A dangerous, complex, and highly risky breakthrough, but a breakthrough nonetheless. He had a viable plan, a compiled script ready for a very critical deployment. Now, he just needed to convince Elara and Martha, and then find the courage to run it live on a machine that could birth nightmares.