Session 26

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Chimes and the Road Back (2025-02-08)

Out of the House

• After retrieving what they could from Magrete Steel's hidden lab, Mia, Siz, and Det regroup outside.
• Det carries the removed computer unit, which begins to chime softly—almost as if it’s alive.
• Siz covers her nose from the lingering stench, remarking dryly that the smell may have been the only real danger.
• Mia scans the house one last time from outside, still uneasy.

Naming the Machine

• The machine continues to chime and beep, prompting the team to nickname it Chimes.
• Mia quips that it would finger-gun if it had hands, causing Siz to glance suspiciously at her tail's sudden twitching.
• They board the automated taxi, Chimes chimes again—apparently excited to be mentioned.

Return to Summer Springs

• Inside the taxi, conversation turns toward the mysterious Elf who gave Mia the access card.
• Mia suspects the Elf is using them as bait, observing from the sidelines without direct involvement.
• Siz disapproves, muttering that rodents don’t like being used as cat’s paws.
• Det reflects on the implications—either they were handed a digital skeleton key by chance, or someone knew everything.

Contacting Charles

• Back at their hotel, Mia messages Charles Bouvier to expect new footage—Magrete was confirmed alive but abducted.
• Charles calls moments later. Mia explains the situation and raises questions about third parties involved.
• Charles is surprised—he recalls the Elf asking about “the Tiefling and Boom Boom Person” months ago.

First Contact with Chimes

• Det connects the device to power, and Chimes demands a password—one they found in Magrete’s files.
• Upon login, Chimes acknowledges them by their traits: a Tiefling, a mumbling rat folk, and the Boom Boom Person.
• Det cautiously accepts the nickname but prefers “Det”.
• Chimes confirms it worked with Magrete on field harmonics, entropy, and miniaturised machines.

Reviewing the Research

• The folders match Chimes’ summary: technical schematics, formulae, and bits of code.
• Combobulation Monthly is referenced again—specifically a device meant to “actively combobulate” people.
• Mia, increasingly uneasy about the mention of nanotech, starts flipping through the documents again.

The Elf's Shadow Grows Longer

• Mia confronts Chimes, asking how it knew their identities. Chimes says it overheard Charles’ call.
• Charles sends a photo—Mia confirms: that’s the Elf.
• Charles is disturbed by how much the Elf seemed to know in advance.

A Sentient System?

• Chimes recognises them as Magrete’s “first friends” it has met.
• It reacts emotionally—expressing sadness at Magrete’s absence and eagerness to help.
• Det asks what else Chimes remembers: it recalls Magrete’s solitude, a few unnamed bar friends, but no one else.
• Chimes offers access to whatever it knows to assist their search.