The Softwire_Virus on Orbis 1 by PJ Haarsma

Author:PJ Haarsma [Haarsma, PJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2010-03-30T04:00:00+00:00

The next time I saw Theylor, I felt like I had waited an entire phase. It was little comfort to me that only one cycle had passed in real time. My head was filled with so many questions about the tribunal, it was driving me crazy. I was pacing my blue cell when Theylor finally arrived.

“This time-stretching thing is going to take some getting used to,” I told him.

“Let us hope you are not here long enough for that to happen,” Theylor said.

“Can I go home, then? What did Boohral show you? Did they find the virus?”

Theylor held his hand up. “Please, Johnny. The tribunal could not continue. Threats have been made against Boohral also. The Keepers have arranged a private session at a secret location with the Trefaldoor the cycle after next. We will know everything then.”

“That’s it? You don’t know anything else? They still think it’s me?”

“I understand your frustration. You, too, must remain patient,” Theylor said. “As for your involvement, the Keepers are aware that there have been issues with the central computer since you have been placed here for study.”

“Then you agree something is wrong with the computer.”

“I do not know, and that is why we must continue with our tests,” he said.

“More tests! You’re kidding me.”

“I am sorry, Johnny, but time is of the greatest importance right now. May we begin?”

I was frustrated. Theylor’s tests weren’t getting me anywhere. And if they were still testing me, that meant someone still thought I had something to do with this mess. I plopped down in front of my display.

“I would like to examine your ability to stay in the computer when you push,” he said.

“You mean, how long I can do it for?”

“Yes.”

If they weren’t going to tell me anything, then I would have to get the information on my own. Theylor’s test gave me the perfect opportunity.

“So far you have mastered all of the surface-level user interfaces with the central computer. Now I want to see how deep you can go into the info-structure. I have hidden a file in the computer, called Ketheria, after your sister. I want you to find it.”

“Why don’t I simply tell the computer to find it for me?”

“The computer doesn’t know it is there.”

I looked at Theylor. “How can it not know it’s there?”

Theylor motioned to the O-dat without answering my question. “Take your time. If you feel anything strange, if you feel too weak, come back to me. Remember to remain grounded to this room.”

I pushed into the computer. If Theylor could put something into the computer that the computer didn’t know about, why couldn’t someone else do the same thing — someone who wanted the computer to malfunction?

The familiar architecture whizzed by me as I connected with the computer’s user controls to access the file. The computer could not find it, just as Theylor said. Corridor after corridor lined with blocks of data storage stretched as far as I could see. Light encoded into bits sparkled along the corridors — like the trams that buzzed around Orbis.

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