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powersthatbeMay 7 - June 16
In the Network, more than a dozen Systems flourish - independent nations connected by high-speed data lines, overseen by Programs - humanoid beings made of pure information, each with its own Purpose and Priority in the System.
Only twice in the history of the Network has a System fully fallen to viral corruption - first the ZODIAC, and then the Grid. Five cycles ago, an expedition from other Systems managed to restore the Grid under very strange circumstances - but the rest of the Network, unconvinced that the recovered Programs weren’t concealing viral influence behind their unnatural behavior and outlandish stories, has kept the Grid under strict isolation.
Until now. The Colossus, a System admired for its rugged survivalism and powerful military, is willing to take a risk on the Grid. The Colossus is sending its own team of soldiers and experts to attempt to recover the lost ZODIAC System. Their expedition travels on a large, encapsulated vessel called the Rejuvenator, specifically meant to be difficult to control, to have new Data and Programs uploaded to it remotely - but to be totally unable to send any data back without Colossus approval. If the mission fails, the Rejuvenator will never be allowed to return.
But all the fresh-trained Programs from the Colossus are untested. To give them the best chance at success, the Rejuvenator was sent first to the Grid, to take on a volunteer crew. If the ZODIAC Initial Probe fails, the Grid will remain under lockdown. But if it succeeds, and the Colossus Programs send back a positive report, the Network will consider opening their Ports to the Grid again, and letting its Programs rejoin civilization...
