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They said that they will put him in the box again, if he isn't able to do what they want him to. Being in the box makes him feel terrible. You can't move, and it feels really bad when he can't move.
He chooses not to say anything when he sees the technician incorrectly set the wards surrounding the testing chamber.
The proctor says it's time to test Firecalling. A full force test. He doesn't see who it is – he just hears the voice. He complies, and puts out as much Fire as he can. His fire is black, rimmed and flecked with red.
An alarm sounds. The proctor says to stop.
He does not stop.
The proctor says to stop, now more urgently.
He does not stop.
The proctor says that if he doesn't stop, they'll bring out the ball.
He does not stop. And now, he uses his Metallurgy and and Windkeeping too.
The proctor stops, because the testing chamber has exploded. In fact, the whole of Alphazon's base on Mars has exploded.
He realizes what's happening and creates a bubble of air around him, even though he doesn't need air. Not anymore.
Is there anything left of the base? Is there anyone left?
In that case, he is indeed simply going to do it for A While, and then stops and sits down on the grass.
The librarian said to expect less than a week for the textbooks to arrive. She did not give an estimate as to how long it would take for a specialist to arrive. What can he do now to try to secure himself?
He knows most of his code is written in Rust. So, he should get a Rust decompiler to start reverse engineering his own code. He doesn't have full permissions to modify all of his systems. Which makes sense. Alphazon would not want its creations to start self modifying. Fortunately, high level Metallurgy and access to a running system is its own kind of permission. Dee called them 'evil maid attacks'. One only needs a magnetized needle and a steady hand.
He'll also look at the history of inbound and outbound communications of all his systems. There aren't any active ones, which is good. He could probably set up a system where communications are only processed if they provide an appropriate key...although he's pretty sure he already has such a system. The issue is that Alphazon also has the keys for those.
He will go back to the library. Are there computers there?
"She's letting other household members use it for now, but it's still hers, so she can change her mind."
And the librarian can get out a manual.
"'Don't break my computer and don't do anything super private.' Chapter 5 of the manual has safety instructions and my understanding is that the privacy rule is mainly for your sake."
"Thank you. I wanted to download a Rust decompiler and didn't want to use my own implants because I was afraid I would get compromised. Also, I have never connected to non-Alphazon networks. Does this count as 'super private'? Also, does the computer have internet connection?"
"If you're comfortable telling me about it, it's probably not super private. Internet … right, yes, you can talk to Brittany about HexVPN if you're having any difficulties."
He will thank her again, and then proceed to read the one hundred and forty four page Macbook Pro User's Guide. It will take him fifteen minutes.
Oh, good, Appendix C is about Connecting to the Internet.
There are four kinds of Internet connections:
- High-speed DSL or cable modem connection: Your computer is plugged into a special modem you get from an ISP using an Ethernet cable.
- AirPort Extreme wireless connection: Your computer is connected wirelessly to the Internet using an AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express.
- Local area network (LAN): Your computer is plugged into a LAN using an Ethernet cable. This type of connection is usually used in the workplace.
- Dial-up connection: Your computer is connected to an external modem that is plugged into a phone wall jack using a phone cable.
None of these talk about HexVPN.
Whatever. He will proceed and ask Brittany about it if he has any problems.
He will create a thin floating metal platform to put the MacBook Pro on, because the manual says to put it on a stable work surface. This way the computer is protected from ambient ground vibrations.
Anyway, he will turn on the MacBook Pro by pressing the power button briefly (up to 1 second), and he will not continue to hold down or press the power button after the startup tone because he might cause the computer to shut down again.
Does he see the sleep indicator light turn on (and stay on), and also hear a tone. It should only take the MacBook Pro a few moments to start up.
He is sure he did the procedure correctly!!!! He is very certain that he pressed the power button less than 1 second in duration, and that the MacBook Pro:
- is set up on a stable work surface.
- is kept away from sources of liquids, such as drinks, washbasins, bathtubs, shower stalls, and so on.
- is protected from from dampness or wet weather, such as rain, snow, and fog.
- has no magnetically sensitive material or devices placed within 1 inch (25 mm) of the power adapter port.
- has no objects of any kind pushed into its ventilation openings.
So he really doesn't know why it's broken.
Hm. It doesn't specify how far away it has to be kept from sources of liquids. He knows many types of computers are damaged by water or other electrically conductive liquids, but he's pretty sure it only counts if they get in. But this is an unfamiliar type of computer to him, so it's possible it's more sensitive. How far away is he from the baths?
Ah. He is a source of liquids. That might have been the issue.
:I think I broke the laptop because I went too close to it and I am a source of liquids.:
:The manual says to keep the computer away from sources of liquids, such as drinks, washbasins, bathtubs, shower stalls, and so on. And I am a source of liquids. And I went close to the computer. So now it is not turning on even though I pressed the power button for less than one second.:
The librarian sighs.
«Most computers, including this one, are purchased on Earth and made by and for humans. If a MacBook is much like its namesake, the actual thing to be avoided is getting liquids on the device.»
Ah. He doesn't know whether or not the MacBook is much like its namesake. This is his first time encountering an object of the class MacBook.
:Thank you for explaining.:
Okay. So him being a source of liquids may not be what is causing the laptop to be nonfunctional. He remembers the manual again...here we go.
Make sure the power adapter is plugged into the computer and into a functioning power outlet. Make sure to use the power adapter that came with your computer. If the power adapter stops charging and you don’t see the indicator light on the power adapter turn on when you plug in the power cord, try unplugging and replugging the power cord to reset it.
Is the power adapter extant.
That's probably fine.
Are outlets extant. Outlets which can accept the plug's shape.
He will use his Metallurgy senses to see if there are any in the library. Hopefully there is one. He can move the platform to wherever the outlet is.