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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Perplex City » PXC: General/Updates
[UPDATE] Sentinel - 14 Aug 06 - Connection Restored
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cassandra
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Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 831

 		[UPDATE] Sentinel - 14 Aug 06 - Connection Restored
Quote:

City Loses Power, Data Connection to Earth Lost for 2 Days
By IONA RODIE

Power was lost to a huge swathe of the southern and eastern parts of the city and the data link to Earth was severed on Thursday in what various sources are calling an act of sabotage or criminal negligence on the part of the Academy. Power was lost in the entire area south of Polygon Park, as well as all along the coast as far north as Frigate Parade.

Earthologists were concerned the loss of the data link would be irretrievable, as the new fallback link to the city was not yet initialised, and the game the Academy designed to celebrate the San Francisco connection had been designed so that Academy sources could step in to help if the participants ran into trouble. Sources inside the Academy say that the carrier wave for the data link was "mere minutes away" from being lost completely when the data link was restored in San Francisco late Saturday night.

Sarah Covington at the Centre for Reality Research told the Sentinel that "an intentional act of sabotage" irreparably damaged the data link and cause it to shut down. "The blackout was simultaneous, but it's clear that the data link problem was completely separate," she said. Covington did indicate, however, that CRR equipment detected an anomaly which it does believe is linked to the blackout. Her group is still examining the data and is not yet prepared to discuss its conclusions. "So far, it's clear to us that the blackout and the damage to the data link were two completely separate events," she said.

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City Council member Ruth Sawyer called the incident "incontrovertible proof that the Academy and its projects require more heavy-handed oversight," and railed against Council Leader Camryn Scott's more relaxed policy. "We have put dangerous tools in the hands of the academics, and it is our responsibility to watch how they are used," she said. "It is simply too much to believe that the power blackout that affected our city and the data link problem are unrelated in any fashion."

Power was restored to all parts of the city within about ten hours, though in the interim, chaos reigned in the areas affected. The Perplex City Electrical Authority said that a sudden, massive draw of energy overloaded the entire grid, leaving subways, businesses, homes, and key city infrastructure inoperable. The PCEA has not been able to pinpoint the origin of this massive power draw.

Kiteway is allegedly blaming the problems on a hostile third party, although he was unavailable to speak to the press directly. Information leaked to the Sentinel indicates that a group calling itself the Third Power, presumably to copycat the historic secret society, has claimed responsibility for the blackout and sabotaged the data link. Rumours from highly-placed Academy sources also suggest that the blackout was concurrent with a wormhole to Earth opening and one or more persons transiting to Earth through it.

"That's just ridiculous," Sawyer said. "By that kind of logic, I should blame the monster that lives in my closet the next time I make a mistake. ... And if there was some sort of wormhole, this places the blame clear on Master Kiteway and his lackies, to me. Who else would have the equipment and knowledge to make this alleged wormhole, anyway?"


Quote:
View from Earth: Long Distance Friendship
By RACHEL WILD

Rachel WildAiding the search for the Cube has many motivations for the people of Earth. Obviously the £100,000/$200,000 reward money is quite a big one. The opportunity to be doing the right thing and help others in need is another. However, try explaining this to a person on the street, and unfortunately most Earth people still fail to see the point. Out of the 38,000 registered players, spread all across the globe, what are the odds of any one of us actually finding the Cube and claiming the reward? And where is the evidence to suggest this Cube, or this far off world of Perplex City even exists?

However, for some Cube Hunters, a far greater motivation and benefit from this two-year-long search has transpired. Whatever got us into this game in the first place, be it curiosity, a penchant for puzzles or a knack for card collecting -- a lot of us have found that the community, and the people you meet along the way, has been a very good reason to stay on board.

The launch party celebrating the release of the Wave 4 puzzle cards was a good example of the social fringe benefits that come from being part of the Earth-based Cube Retrieval effort. Whilst there was card trading, puzzle solving and quiz winning all to be found, there were also drinks to be drunk, fun to be had and friends to be made. A number of us who have spent the past months talking over the internet, swapping ideas, speculation and oftentime, idle chat have, as a result, become firm friends, confirmed by the opportunity to meet up in real life, brought together from all parts of the country, nay, world, by the common thread of a connection with your fair city.

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It comes as no surprise then, that strong connections can be made over the most ethereal of data links. Just as most of us had not met each other before talking over the internet, we have not met any of our Perplexian friends in real life either, for lack of technology rather than lack of enthusiasm. We have communicated through email, blogs, even telephone messages, but the fact that we have not yet met face to face does not mean that we have not shared some deep bonds. We have learned some profound things about some of the people we have been in contact with, and been there for each other in the direst of situations.

With this in mind, I would like to express, on behalf of all the Earth people involved in the hunt for the Cube, our deepest regrets on learning of Anna Heath's passing. Some say we did not know her, but we have communicated, we know she was a good person, and we are all saddened by her loss.

Thank you Perplex City, not only for bringing your friendship to our planet, but in bringing us together, on Earth, with people we may have never met otherwise. In times like this it does not bring the happiest of feelings, but I think we all feel that it is better to have lost a friend than never have known them in the first place.

The skeptics and the gamblers are the ones missing out -- for we individually may not gain the Cube or the reward, but we know that there is more to the search for the Cube than that, and I hope that the community may remain even after we have found it.


Quote:
40,000 Cube Hunters
By KATE BREWSTER

It's been another week of blistering activity on the leaderboard as the shockwaves of the Wave 4 launch continue to ripple through the ranks. The stats should speak for themselves: Overall, the total competitor count now exceeds 40,000, setting a new milestone for Mind Candy, the Academy, and the Cube-hunting collective on Earth. Over 27,000 Wave 4 cards have now been solved, with 78 players now eligible for the exclusive black leitmark, and 236 reaching purple level.

Following a spell lurking in the shadows of the Top 10, ManleyM has finally ascended to the top spot, with a frightening clutch of 15,400 points. Bragging that "#239 Persian took me all of 5 minutes to solve," many of our readers will no doubt be interested to note that he is indeed single. However, given the current turmoil amid the upper echelons of the leaderboard, his moment in the sun may not last for long. Indeed, there's a veritable bevy of players with substantial bonuses from special events, who may once again come into their own once they can match the current leaders solve-for-solve.

On the topic of solves, #255 Clinical Explanation was finally explained away by Vivixect earlier today, and has since been joined by twelve luminaries following a series of sly hints on popular discussion fora. Ringtail, currently third on the overall leaderboard, was the first to make the necessary connections and solve #235 Circuitous, and likewise he's since been joined by ten other wired-up puzzlers.

This week's brightest new hope is Mackem, who has already accumulated 83 solves and 2657 points in just six days, while Purdy has staged a tour de force this month, netting himself some 10,119 points and 205 solves in the past two-and-a-half weeks.


Quote:
* Council Argues Accountability
* Finlay Numbers Continue Drop
* 43 Injured in Blackout
* Rare Purple Fern Discovered
* New Stars Shine in PCAG
* Subways, Cars Restore Normalcy


Quote:
Futures
By Madame Bianca, for the week of August 14

The Dragon (August 11 - September 10)
The past is coming back to haunt you. Be on your guard, duckling, and make sure you know where you're putting your trust these days. Trust is such a terrible thing to misplace.

The Three Balls (September 11 - October 10)
Careful not to overdo this week, dove. A sudden burst of energy might induce you to more physical pursuits than you're used to, and if you don't temper your enthusiasm, you'll be sore and regretting it for a week.

The Dice (October 11 - November 10)
This isn't a great week for baking what with the weather, but it is an excellent time to experiment with making a mint granita. Why don't you have some friends over and float the granita in a little rum for a party?

The Maze (November 11 - December 10)
All is not what it seems. The raven flies at midnight. Stay alert.

The Apple-Thief (December 11 - January 10)
I have walked and prayed for this young child an hour and heard the sea-wind scream upon the tower, and under the arches of the bridge, and scream in the elms above the flooded stream; imagining in excited reverie that the future years had come, dancing to a frenzied drum, out of the murderous innocence of the sea.

The Hand (January 11 - February 10)
This week, you will learn a hard-won but very important life lesson about keeping valuables away from grabby, slobbery infants. You really should have known better already, muffin. Anyway, don't say I didn't warn you.

The Baby (February 11 - March 10)
Your time in the sun is coming, and I mean that literally. Not to say too much about unexpected delays or detours during the bright bits of the day, but do yourself a favour and wear sunblock and a hat when you leave home in the mornings, 'k?

The Eagle (March 11 - April 10)
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed by the chaos around you, at least take some comfort in knowing it's only natural. Don't worry, things will settle down. Someday.

The Spider (April 11 - May 10)
Your horizons are getting terribly narrow these days. Spend one whole week doing at least three things a day totally out of the ordinary for you, lovey. And I don't mean things like putting your socks on before your trousers, either. Make it count.

The Wave (May 11 - June 10)
Your direction sense will be hopelessly compromised by Wednesday. On the plus side, on one of the many times you get lost by the end of next week, you'll discover your new favourite spot to bring someone you're trying to impress.

The Archer (June 11 - July 10)
Good fortune will come to you provided you avoid your usual gaming haunts. Come to think of it, they've got you pegged a little too accurately there, and if you want to go back to winning, maybe you should keep away for good. Or else find a new strategy.

The Half-filled Jug (July 11 - August 10)
Lonely, huh? Yeah, I can't blame you. Since all your friends have apparently abandoned you for their own selfish ends, I say screw 'em and go find a new crowd to run with. There's a killer party at Alchemy Beach this weekend, that'd be a great place to meet some new faces.

And remember, to eat a nut, you have to crack the shell.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:12 pm
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Mikeyj
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 		Shivers of delight have just traversed my spine. My toes are curling and I have just performed the strangely childish three hand-claps of glee that I have inadvertantly acquired from my other-half.

This weeks Apple-thief (thank you Madame Bianca, thank you; had I the cloths of heaven...) is A Prayer for my Daughter, William Butler Yeats.

Take a moment and dwell
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:14 pm
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poozle
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 		[SPEC] I don't think anyone has posted this as spec yet but I just thought about it, the blackout was probably because the 3p required so much power to activate the wormhole so they just stole it from the city, redirrecting it to their own equipment, until they had finished with it.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:26 pm
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Mindez
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poozle wrote:
[SPEC] I don't think anyone has posted this as spec yet but I just thought about it, the blackout was probably because the 3p required so much power to activate the wormhole so they just stole it from the city, redirrecting it to their own equipment, until they had finished with it.


[SPEC] I agree, and my speculation is this:

If there was a blackout this time that took out city blocks to get PEOPLE to Earth, then on the night the Cube was stolen, there was another, SMALLER blackout. Could this have been sufficient to move a smaller object through to Earth, not as big as people? Such as the Cube?

Not sure if this has been addressed.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:00 pm
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alton
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 		[SPEC] According to some descriptions, the Cube is an object of immense power. It's possible that whoever transported the Cube in the first place could have tapped the Cube's power to create a wormhole to transport the Cube. If that's the case, none of the city's power would have been required to open said wormhole.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:27 pm
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aliendial
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 		Sente said the power surge that caused this all originated in North America. So seems unlikely 3P stole power from the city.
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:27 am
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PMAvers
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aliendial wrote:
Sente said the power surge that caused this all originated in North America. So seems unlikely 3P stole power from the city.


...Wha?

Sente wrote:
Two days ago, an energy surge occurred here in Perplex City, blacking out many city blocks. When power was restored, we found that the surge had briefly created a wormhole, originating here and terminating somewhere in North America.


PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:49 am
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DrKra37
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 		Isn't the second sentence in the Maze usually "The cock crows at midnight?"

PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:06 am
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Daffy889
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Joined: 25 Aug 2004
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Location: South Australia

 		From what details we have, it sounds like the area blacked out was something like this. Almost right on the corner of that L-shape is the Brotherhood of the Six Temple... coincidence? I think not.

Of course, it could just be that those are the older parts of the city and so have less reliable power systems, but who really believes that?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 4:37 am
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batgirl
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 		As no-one else has mentioned, I'd like to say that was a very good VFE from Spugmeistress, I agree with everything she said completely and I hope everyone else does as well. Smile
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 7:58 am
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European Chris
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Quote:
We have learned some profound things about some of the people we have been in contact with


Damn right Laughing
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:09 am
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number9dream
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Mikeyj wrote:
Shivers of delight have just traversed my spine. My toes are curling and I have just performed the strangely childish three hand-claps of glee that I have inadvertantly acquired from my other-half.

This weeks Apple-thief (thank you Madame Bianca, thank you; had I the cloths of heaven...) is A Prayer for my Daughter, William Butler Yeats.

Take a moment and dwell


I think someone is listening
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:43 am
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themandotcom
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 		I'm wondering, can we find out where the wormhole was opened in Perplex City by drawing a circle where the power outages happened? Would that lead us to a secret 3P base? Ill email Kurt with that!
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:27 pm
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Rand0m
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 		OK, here's a thought that just turned me cold. What if the wormhole wasn't opened with the drained electrical power - what if it required human sacrifice and that's why poor old Anna met such a nasty end? I know there were a few days difference but maybe, you know, they started with the blood-letting, spent a few days chanting, and then, *pop*, wormhole (and everything goes dark in the city as a side-effect of the last bit).

The actual Cube theft / transportation to Earth thing was before my time, but there was a death then, too, wasn't there? Was it, you know, messy?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:05 pm
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Bakers_12
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themandotcom wrote:
I'm wondering, can we find out where the wormhole was opened in Perplex City by drawing a circle where the power outages happened? Would that lead us to a secret 3P base? Ill email Kurt with that!


From Violets last blog it sounds like there are confliting reports to where the black out happened. But i would think what there would have to be solid records some where, Maybe the police would have been floded by reports of the power outage.?
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 2:05 pm
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