Session 27
Dreams, Swarms, and Pancakes (2025-02-15)
Return to the Research
Back in their hotel, Mia, Det, and Siz discuss the implications of the security footage and the strange Elf who gave them the card. Mia decides not to rush into analysing the card further, but places it next to Chimes to see what the AI knows. Chimes responds enthusiastically but offers little insight—only confirming that Charles and Magrete were professional acquaintances.
Theories and Questions
As they dig into the folders recovered from Magrete's home, disturbing themes emerge:
- Reports on Homogenizing Swarms behaving unlike standard nanite systems.
- Observations of non-Euclidean geometry, entropy reversal, and cognitive distortions.
- Connections to articles in Combobulation Monthly, suggesting time manipulation and energy field anomalies.
- Mia grows visibly nervous. Her own connection to nanites leaves her unsettled by the idea of being altered by the Swarm.
Chimes’ Perspective and Speculation
Chimes offers limited but opinionated commentary, claiming:
- Magrete’s work was "definitely important".
- The Elf is probably not in the room, but "might be an inanimate object".
- Entropy manipulation and field harmonics were topics Magrete and Charles discussed.
Frustration, Sleep, and Strange Dreams
As the day winds down, the group decides to rest. Before sleep:
- Det expresses skepticism but admits something is going on.
- Mia disappears into the bathroom, practicing nanite control in secret.
- Siz curls up under a pile of blankets, clearly disturbed by the implications of Magrete’s research.
Overnight: Det dreams of a casino with ruleless games. Upon waking, she finds the mysterious card in her pocket, though it was left on the table. Mia dreams of a city made of liquid metal beings who warn her:
- "The tide must not rise."
- "The gate must stay shut."
- "We were not meant for them."
Siz dreams of food and wakes up early to cook pancakes for everyone.
The Card Returns
The card, previously placed near Chimes, is mysteriously gone from the table and appears in Det’s pocket. Det experiences flashes of data or visions upon touching it—even without trying to access its contents. Chimes jokes about being omniscient, referencing the Voight-Kampff test and claiming it has arms "not currently present or perceivable".
Morning Reflections
Around the breakfast table, the trio shares their dreams. Mia’s account of a liquid-metal sea and warning voices causes some concern, but also curiosity. Siz is unusually silent about her dreams, perhaps shaken. Det confirms that touching the card seems to trigger uncontrolled data access. The team begins to suspect the card may be more than just a key—it might be a message, or even a warning.
