| Interlude: Parallel as One |

<Recording start. Transcription powered by Nock Intelligence Systems.>

Ghiles: [heavy breathing] Gah--holy shit.

White: You're out. What took you so long?

Ghiles: Sorry, I--I've just never been forced out of X2 before. [wires unplug] Have you?

White: Yes, but... [sigh] We don't have time for this.

Ghiles: Oh, God! The subjects! Are they...

White: No, they're not dead.

Ghiles: But... that's what you told them. Were you lying?

White: Well, there was a chance they'd die. But ever since we got the bodies hooked up, crashes have been way safer. We've had a few already, actually.

Ghiles: And you didn't tell me?

White: I figured you'd have a better shot convincing them if you thought they'd die, too.

Ghiles: ... [quick footsteps] [computer powering on] So what's happening to the subjects now?

White: Do me a little mental exercise, Ghiles. You've got good memory--what happened to you when the simulation crashed?

Ghiles: It put my consciousness back in my brain, then I woke up.

White: Great. Extrapolate.

[Both employees are silent for a moment.]

White: I don't like that facial expression.

Ghiles: They're AWAKE?!

White: Not yet. But they might end up that way if you keep yelling like that.

Ghiles: [tone growing more panicked] So we just reset Simulator X2, right? And we'll be fine!

White: I admire your optimism.

Ghiles: [fists slam on table] You--God dammit, Ari! Just give me a straight answer for once! Please!

White: I picked you for this project for your analytical skill, not for your emotional enterprising. Calm yourself down and I'll tell you what I need.

Ghiles: Whoo, I... am SO tired of this. It's like you--

White: Stop. Is what you're about to say going to make you more or less upset?

Ghiles: ...

White: Good. X2 admin controls are stored under my account. While I turn everything back on, I need you to go check on three and four. If they're awake, put them back to sleep. Kill them if you have to, but no shots to the brain. We need that.

Ghiles: ...And what about one and two?

White: I'll see to them. And Ghiles?

Ghiles: What is it?

White: PLEASE don't get hurt. Okay? I still need you.

Ghiles: I promise.

<Recording end. Audio file to be uploaded on nocklabs.org.>

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[Dr. Ghiles, your login information has been found online:

discord>honeyfeed>novel_corner>story_updates>@arufabeta

Measures will be taken to censor profile data and sensitive information. However, with our file code system, intruders from outside Nock should have no way to access anything confidential. You may want to consider changing your password.]

Act II: Parallel in Two

Initium.