EPISODE 09
the crash
Fort Collins,
Colorado
>> [SESSION OPENED]
>> server-id: sat-node-461b
>> miller_dot // LOCAL NODE // 2025-05-14 06:32 PM
>> retrieving log cache… decryption underway…█
>> server-id: sat-node-461b
>> miller_dot // LOCAL NODE // 2025-05-14 06:32 PM
>> retrieving log cache… decryption underway…█
>> session start
>> dot.m // login: success
>> you'd think posing as a city inspector would feel less ridiculous after the fifth or sixth time.
>> spoiler alert: it doesn't.█
>> dot.m // login: success
>> you'd think posing as a city inspector would feel less ridiculous after the fifth or sixth time.
>> spoiler alert: it doesn't.█
>> i'm currently rifling through what's left of an ethacle robotics research lab in fort collins: recently and abruptly shut down by their oh-so-benevolent overlords at betterearth holdings.
>> clearly, someone at ethacle was up to something juicy.
>> why else would carter grant personally oversee the closing of the facility?█
>> clearly, someone at ethacle was up to something juicy.
>> why else would carter grant personally oversee the closing of the facility?█
>> the place is a disaster, of course.
>> papers everywhere, stale coffee odors, and an impressive tower of desks piled high in the corner office, like modern corporate art.
>> a symbol of failure and panic.
>> charming, really.█
>> papers everywhere, stale coffee odors, and an impressive tower of desks piled high in the corner office, like modern corporate art.
>> a symbol of failure and panic.
>> charming, really.█
>> but corporate chaos is my treasure trove, so i dig in, hoping someone got sloppy in their mad dash to vacate.
>> bingo.
>> beneath a half-eaten granola bar and an empty pack of antacids (someone here was living the dream) i find a yellow post-it with an encryption key scribbled hastily.
>> top-tier security, ethacle. bravo.█
>> bingo.
>> beneath a half-eaten granola bar and an empty pack of antacids (someone here was living the dream) i find a yellow post-it with an encryption key scribbled hastily.
>> top-tier security, ethacle. bravo.█
>> back on my laptop, i almost laugh out loud as the encryption key actually works.
>> seriously, guys?█
>> seriously, guys?█
>> i gain limited access to some encrypted files—just enough to glean the basics about armis-9.
>> apparently, the whole project stalled out due to a massive lack of processing power.
>> armis units, it turns out, gobble computing resources like teenagers devour pizza rolls.
>> the tech required is possible but hilariously expensive, at least by ethacle standards.
>> and then there's this cryptic mention of "khanna logic."█
>> apparently, the whole project stalled out due to a massive lack of processing power.
>> armis units, it turns out, gobble computing resources like teenagers devour pizza rolls.
>> the tech required is possible but hilariously expensive, at least by ethacle standards.
>> and then there's this cryptic mention of "khanna logic."█
>> a quick search turns up nothing useful.
>> some tiny tech company in tempe registered under that name.
>> no website. but it looks like they make industrial factory parts. not processors.
>> likely a dead end.
>> hmm. "khanna logic"
>> is it software?
>> some weird algorithm?
>> the name of someone's cat?
>> i have no clue.
>> but at least it's a lead, and right now, i need all the breadcrumbs i can get.█
>> some tiny tech company in tempe registered under that name.
>> no website. but it looks like they make industrial factory parts. not processors.
>> likely a dead end.
>> hmm. "khanna logic"
>> is it software?
>> some weird algorithm?
>> the name of someone's cat?
>> i have no clue.
>> but at least it's a lead, and right now, i need all the breadcrumbs i can get.█
>> i gather up my gear, careful to leave no trace, and make my way to the exit.
>> on a telephone pole by the front door is a poster advertising an art show.
>> "paradise sold" by rob boss.
>> wait, rob boss?
>> that rob boss?
>> really?█
>> on a telephone pole by the front door is a poster advertising an art show.
>> "paradise sold" by rob boss.
>> wait, rob boss?
>> that rob boss?
>> really?█
>>curiosity piqued, i head to the website.
>> his site pops up, and i see paintings going for stupid money.
>> one piece already has a bid nearing $2 million
>> by none other than harlan drex.
>> ethacle ceo, harlan freaking drex.
>> my brain spins.
>> rob boss seemed legit, fighting the good fight with art and community work and all that.
>> so why the hell is he playing nice with billionaire fratboy ghouls like drex?
>> is he naive?
>> cynical?
>> or worse, compromised?
>> something's off.█
>> his site pops up, and i see paintings going for stupid money.
>> one piece already has a bid nearing $2 million
>> by none other than harlan drex.
>> ethacle ceo, harlan freaking drex.
>> my brain spins.
>> rob boss seemed legit, fighting the good fight with art and community work and all that.
>> so why the hell is he playing nice with billionaire fratboy ghouls like drex?
>> is he naive?
>> cynical?
>> or worse, compromised?
>> something's off.█
>> i make a note (mental, not digital).
>> no more breadcrumbs.
>> time to bounce.
>> outside, i toss the safety gear and clipboard into a dumpster, hop on my dirt bike, and peel out.
>> colorado dust trailing behind me, i ponder this strange puzzle.
>> billionaires, rogue art, armis mysteries...
>> just another day in hell-world, i guess.
>> until next time,
>> SESSION TERMINATED. LOG STORED.█
>> no more breadcrumbs.
>> time to bounce.
>> outside, i toss the safety gear and clipboard into a dumpster, hop on my dirt bike, and peel out.
>> colorado dust trailing behind me, i ponder this strange puzzle.
>> billionaires, rogue art, armis mysteries...
>> just another day in hell-world, i guess.
>> until next time,
.dot.
>> SESSION TERMINATED. LOG STORED.█