[Cyberia] Re: Cyberia: Down the Rabbit Hole

[Cyberia GM]

After the module was in place, Dot instantly saw an interface similar to the
one that she'd had while plugged in appear at the edges of her vision.  The
menus were different- the interaction options were gone, to be replaced only
with a diagnostic menu, a manual interface option, and a connect option.
      
Regardless, Dot couldn't help but wonder if she could manipulate the system,
perhaps finetuning the diagnostic from here... she could see some of the
numbers were off... she reached out...

+++++

As she did, she felt a rush unlike anything she had felt before.  It
permeated her being, as even in this limited interface mode, the ether
seemed more ready to respond to her slightest command, akin to a pet,
anxious to do her bidding.  The raw power lay coiled within her being- it
was more akin to utilizing a plantaxy than utilizing a program...
      
+++++ 

"You should see the interface on the periphery of your vision," Kayle said,
looking carefully into Dot's eyes. "Everything still falls within
tolerances", she continued, for Asha's benefit apparently.  "How is
everything to you," she asked Dot.
      
Dot, feeling the flow of electrons again, raw, pulsing with her, asked, "how
long can a person stay in?  Is there a limit?"
      
+++++

Kayle waited for a moment, to see if Asha was going to chime in.  When the
other woman remained silent, she looked back to Dot.  "Right now, you are in
passive mode," she said.  "Whenever you are in range of a terminal that you
have access to, you will see the interface appear, allowing you to
manipulate certain functions of that terminal, and your own headware by
association, if you have the required access.  This mode can be maintained
indefinitely."

"If you actually use the connect menu, or manually access the port of
whatever you are interfaced to, then you go into active mode," she
continued, still looking from Dot to the pad.  At one point her eyes
narrowed as she looked at the pad.  "In... In this mode," she stuttered,
catching herself, "your autonomic functions are the only bodily functions
that continue- your consciousness is for all intents and purposes in the
Ether.  There is no theoretical limit to how long you can remain, though
extended trips will make you tired.  Practically, however, you are limited
to how long your body is maintained, i.e. food and excretion."

She disconnected the pad, applying a plug of flesh that perfectly matched
Dot's skin tone over the site of the data jack.  "Keep in mind, however,
that the Ether can be psychologically addictive.  Some get lost in the rush
of power from the abilities that they possess in the virtual world.  Not
being wired, you don't have to be concerned about physical additiction as
others do, but still- be careful."

Dot had a distant look, but shook herself out of it, once more as if waking,
this time from a nice dream.  She seemed slightly annoyed, before focusing
on Asha and Kayle.

As she stowed her pad, she looked at Dot, measuringly.  "During those last
moments, the tolerances optimized- and I did nothing to them.  Did you have
something to do with this?"

At Kayle's words, Asha's attention snapped back to Dot, as she awaited her
answer.

Under Asha's gaze Dot withered as she said, "some of the numbers looked...
off?"