An Ode to Activision

[Slingshot]

Thanks, Paul.

The best part about totally making up a story is the fact you don't need to do any research.

About the only thing I've had to look up is the location of Activision. The rest is from reading other Apolyton forums .

I'll take pure, unadulterated fiction over technical reports any day!

(Mark/Dan: Still LOVE the smiles!

[This message has been edited by Slingshot (edited March 31, 2000).]

[Slingshot]

Locutus, Nordicus and Pintello sat in an Apolyton jet on the runway of Edmonton's International Airport. They were on their way to the great state of California, land of endless warmth and Activision's World Headquarters.

Locutus stretched painfully in the cramped seat. "Boy, am I ever sore" he stated. "I think that lightning bolt magnetized the change in my pocket!"

Nordicus gave a painful grin. "We're lucky. That bolt was strong enough to magnetize a guy's butt cheeks. But it could have been worse. The bolt might have magnetized our --"

"Nuts, anybody?" Asked Pintello. "I have salted peanuts and cashews."

"Er, no thanks. Anyways, it could have been worse. The bolt might have magnetized our archival data systems. Did you really have to give it that much juice?"

Pintello was indignant. "Hey, you gave the 'system shutdown' signal. It's pretty rare to have an Apolyton agent use his collar alarm, and I wasn't going to take any chances." He looked at his colleagues. "And besides, after that 'new member' stunt you two pulled on me, I'm not feeling too sorry."

"You're right." replied Locutus. "You did what the boss said. It's just too bad that every electronic device in that office was destroyed."

"Sure, but who's to know that a lesser bolt was going to disable the bug?" asked Pintello. It's obvious that whatever it was, it had some good EMF shielding."

"You're right, Pintello" answered Nordicus. "That probe was a real mystery. I think the V.A. personality-altering subroutine was just a ruse. It was probably constructing a data-worm to send back to its owner."

"Have you heard from the Apolyton HQ?" asked Locutus.

"No, both the Ontario and Greek HQ's have been quiet, and it's making me wonder if they've got bigger fish to fry. Anyways, no unusual data seems to have left Apolyton just before our friend Pintello took care of business!"

A voice crackled over the intercom. "Just letting you guys know that we're about to take off. Fasten those seat belts. We should arrive in California in about 3 hours."

[skorpion59]

Slingshot,

Just caught your "Uncertainty Principal" post in the Apolyton Forum. That has to be the best post I have ever seen at Apolyton. Your comments were perfect.

Do you spend all your spare time reading Sci-Fi Encyclopedia's or does all this stuff come off the top of your head?



------------------
Don,
CtPMaps at Apolyton

[Slingshot]

skorpion59,

If only it was so! Actually, the brainwaves come from the scars of endless university lectures in math, physics, thermodynamics, chemistry... (twitch)

Uh (twitch)

I don't feel so good now. Read the next chapter in the story while I lie down... >X~(

[Slingshot]

The plane touched down on a hot, sun-baked runway. It taxied around a bend and slowed in front of an isolated hangar. They were finally in California. The plane stopped, and minutes later three Apolyton agents climbed out.

"This isn't Florida, but at least we're somewhere warm!" remarked Pintello.
Locutus grinned. "And the ocean air. Not like the Netherlands, but ocean air nonetheless!"

"I see the van." said Nordicus briskly. "Let's get going before you two start kissing the ground! Pintello, you're the crazy American, so you can drive."

The three loaded their gear into a black GMC van and drove off. After a short drive they arrived at a fancy hotel just off the interstate. They checked in, and minutes later the team met in Nordicus' room. Each agent was busy setting up shop in complete silence, save for the occasional tapping of laptop keyboards. Locutus, who had found a vending machine, was happily munching on a bag of Doritos.

Pintello was the first to finish. "I've completed a review of the Activision defenses. We have two good points of entry for the recon job."

"It's about time!" remarked Locutus jokingly. "Maybe you could share your analysis and help me put together the gear."

Pintello returned the humour. "What's the worry? I thought you loved being the guy who crawled around in air ducts. Or is it me you don't trust?"

"Of course it's you I don't trust, 'commander.' Last mission you had me hanging from a rope for half an hour!"

"Well, those motion detectors were a concern. I had to be sure they were off. An agent as clumsy as yourself needs a nice, wide path to follow!"

With that Locutus grunted. The truth was, Pintello was the best recon commander Apolyton had, and one of the few that Locutus trusted for the tough jobs. Then he laughed. "It must be all the time you spent running from alligators in the Florida swamps. That's probably why they call you the sneak!"

"Actually, I never was scared of the alligators." replied Pintello. "There's not enough fat on my bones to interest them. It's those retired Canadian snowbirds they really go for."

Now it was Nordicus' turn to groan. "Man, what is it with you two? Is it 'hack on the Canadians week, or something?"

"Sorry, Captain." replied the duo.

Nordicus continued. "But really, I'm glad you two are here. Locutus and I need to make a good impression on Activision tomorrow night. They're putting on a pre-E3 show, in order to highlight some new technologies and software releases. I still can't get a response from either Apolyton HQ, and that's got me worried. Anyways, after Locutus makes an appearance, he needs to find a way into Activision's standalone intranet."

[Pintello]

Hi Slingshot,

Nice story. I always wanted to be a commander of something. An Apolyton infiltration teams seems just the thing.

I can tell that you pay attention to these forums. I did indeed grow up in Florida and did spend more than a little time in what most people would call swamps too. Never had any problems with alligators, the snowbirds must have been keeping them happy. Now I know why they weren't much of a problem.

Wish I was as skinny as you make me out to be. I used to be, but I have put on a bit of weight since then. Being married for five years to a wife who is a good cook and getting into your 30s can do that to a guy I guess. I still am in half way decent health though, so I guess I can't complain too much.

I am looking forward to your next installment.

Timothy Pintello

[Pintello]

Hey,

Wow, I actually got to start a new page for the first time. Neat.

Timothy Pintello

[Locutus]

Tim, the fact that Slingshot knows about you living in Florida has little to do with him paying attention to the forums, it's right under your name with each post

And Slingshot, you were right about me being very clumsy
I see that, as an Apolyton Agent, I'm the one doing all the dirty work ("crawled around in air ducts", "hanging from a rope for half an hour", "needs to find a way into Activision's standalone intranet") - just like in real life And yes, I love doing that kind of stuff

This keeps getting better and better...

Locutus

[Slingshot]

The following evening, two cars pulled off the interstate and onto a secondary highway. In the lead was a sporty BMW. It was being driven by Nordicus, whose tall form was clad in a smart-looking Tuxedo.

Beside him was Locutus. The pair looked like Arnold Schwartennegerâ„¢ and Jean-Claude Van Dameâ„¢, only well dressed, and Locutus wore a pair of sculpted sunglasses.

"Man, I love these shades!" remarked the agent. "You knew Keanu Reevesâ„¢ gave them to me after filming The Matrixâ„¢?"

"Of course I knew," stated Nordicus. "As I recall it was a make-up gift, after he got so mad at you for stealing his girlfriend."

Locutus gave a look of victim-like innocence. "Can I help it if the babes dig me? I think it's the Dutch accent. Chicks love the Dutch accent."

"You should 'help it' if it means avoiding a fight with their boyfriends. It's a good thing Mr. Reeves is such a big Apolyton fan!"

"Yeah baby, yeah!" Loc turned and looked back. "But anyways, shouldn't Pintello be putting some more distance between our vehicles?"

Pintello answered on the car's intercom. "Actually, I was just planning to do that. Besides, it's tough keeping up with you two in a van. I'm also looking forward to the radio silence… maybe listening to tunes instead of you two gabbing all day."

"I tell you, we're all the best of friends. How else do you explain all this verbal abuse?" With that, Nordicus hit the gas and sped away. Half an hour later the BMW took an exit leading to the city center, and turned into a parkade near the Activision HQ.

[Pintello]

Hi Locutus,

That is true, but the only way he would know that I grew up in Florida was from things I have said in other post elsewhere in these forums. Unless he was just assuming that I grew up in Florida because I now live there, which would not be a safe assumption as something like 80 to 90 of all the people living in Florida grew up somewhere else. Us true Floridians, as we like to call ourselves, are very rare down here. Most people who live in Florida are snowbirds who came down here and liked it so much they decided to stay.

Timothy Pintello

[Slingshot]

Actually, Pintello, I had guessed that you were a Florida native. Good thing I guessed correctly !

I am also happy to hear that some guesses about other Apolytoners are not so wrong.

[Slingshot]

Nord and Loc got out of the shiny car. The two walked across the street to a monolithic piece of architecture that was Activision HQ.

Loc squinted as the evening sun glared off the building's shiny exterior. It was made as a tall spire in the middle of several city blocks. Its base looked more like an ancient stone wall than office space. "You've gotta wonder why this company needs such an extensive piece of real estate. When I was a programmer, all you ever got was a cubicle, a computer and a box of Corn Flakes." He gave a low whistle.

They climbed a large, courthouse-like set of granite stairs up to the main entrance. The pair looked like small ants against an oak tree. At a set of solid doors stood an Actigator in security uniform. "May I see your invitations?" he asked.

Nordicus took out two pieces of gold foil. He placed them both on the guard's open palm. The Actigator removed a penlight from his pocket and aimed it at the tickets. A blue image of the Activision logo floated appeared on both.

For the first time, the guard gave a rigid smile. "Please, come in." he said. "Enjoy our party. Silica will find you there."

With that, the two agents entered the doorway into a cathedral-like hall. The vaulted ceilings reached at least 30 meters, and from them hung ornate chandeliers. All around were people in rich clothing. They were gathered around tables of food on the inside, and information booths that lined the walls.

"Impressive," said Locutus. "I don't suppose they'll be serving Doritos™… Who the heck is Silica?"

Nordicus was silent for a few seconds. He smiled and turned to his colleague. "Silica is the most beautiful, evil person you'll ever have to meet."

The archaic hallway echoed with laughter. It's ancient looking walls juxtaposed by state-of-the art displays below. Nordicus made polite introductions with old friends, introducing them all to Locutus. They also looked at the booths, which highlighted some of Activision's latest and greatest software developments.

"Well, that CTP2 booth was interesting." remarked Locutus.

"Sure it was. Too bad Apolyton knows far more about CTP2 than the presenters here. Honestly, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to give up on Apolyton for a while - just to remember what living in ignorance is all about."

"Locutus laughed. You've gotta appreciate Dan and Mark for busting their humps all the time. Any word from them yet?"

"Not much, though I know they're active. No sign of our mishap affecting their networks."

Locutus gave a serious look. "You're really worried about that, aren't you?"

"Sure I am. Our probe didn't even touch the bug, and yet it screwed around with a bullet-proof network. How do you explain that?"

Just then they arrived at the end of the hallway. In front of them was a round booth that was devoid of presenters. The two agents looked at each other, then walked toward a projection screen.

"Good evening, Apolytoners!" came an invisible, cheery voice. "I am Activisions's newest in AI technology."

Nordicus looked around for the source of the voice. He turned and saw Locutus pointing at a silver box.

"Good show, sir. I am also the next generation in digital presentation technology." With that, the box melted and slid onto the floor.

"Don't be to surprised. It's all an illusion. Activision has developed a new material capable of fooling all sorts of entities, both biological and silaceous."
The silver puddle became a stalk, then an odd looking cactus. Finally it took the form, and colour, of a beautiful woman. She was clothed in a dark, flowing dress.

Nordicus' jaw dropped. "Silica!"

"In the flesh," she replied. "Although probably not as much flesh as you to gentlemen were hoping for."

"I should say you're the big flirt," retorted Nordicus. "Please meet my new colleague, Locutus."

Silica smiled. "Nordicus, you are Charisma incarnate, but since you're a man I know that even you could make a woman feel unappreciated. I will never forget our first meeting in Paris." She turned to Locutus and said "I certainly hope your colleage here is as flirtatious as he is handsome!"

Now it was Loc's turn to blush. "Enchanté, madame."

Nordicus smiled. "So Silica, what's a bad girl like you doing in such a fine place as Activision?"

"You mean me? Activision is a company on the rise, but also a company with it's challenges. I came aboard shortly after it abandoned software development for the Peanut 2600 gaming console."

Locutus looked thoughtful. "Those were the days. The Peanut 2600 was the world's very first taste of computer entertainment. Akari was a company with true vision!"

Silica gave a sour face. "Was. Remember that world. It's an ugly one. Think of 'was' in its proper context. Nobody wants to be a 'was'. Imagine somebody saying 'Apolyton was a great force to reckon with'."

"I see your point. But I also don't see Apolyton becoming a 'was'."

"Of course you don't, and neither did Akari. Activision almost got dragged into the black hole Akari made for itself when it collapsed. But I changed that."

Locutus' face brightened with interest. "Oh really? How did you do that?"

"Activision has a lot of talent with its programmers. What it needed was guidance. A new group of talent from which the Actigrammers could find appropriate channeling of its creative energies."

"You mean the Actigators."

"Exactly! It was time for a new form of governing. The old system was bleeding this company dry, and I was the one who made the Actigators what they are today."
Locutus was enjoying himself now. "Funny you should mention the 'bleeding this company dry' part. I was just thinking that -"

"Ahem!" interrupted Nordicus. "We at Apolyton are true fans of the Wonders that Activision has built around itself. I know our members would be particularly interested in this new AI. Is it something we will see in CTP2?"

If Silica noticed the interruption, she didn't give an indication. She gave Locutus a beautiful smile and said "Our release of CTP2 will incorporate the new embedded AI. The entire program will run off a CD-ROM. As a player executes strategies, the computer's CPU will call for subroutines from the drive. The embedded AI surface is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation. As the drive scans, the AI rewrites itself. Sections are modified so that previously scanned subroutines are reread differently. The effect is a generational evolution of AI strategy against the computers subroutine calls, and therefore against a player's strategic actions."

Locutus looked at Nordicus to see if it was okay to ask another question. Then he asked "Why go through all the trouble of making a CD-ROM that reconfigures itself for the purposes of AI? Why not simply write good AI code and let the CPU do the thinking?"

"Because sometimes the best AI develops when even the CPU is fooled. It's complicated, so I won't go into details. An added benefit is protection against pirating."

But Locutus wasn't about to quit. "You mean fooling the CPU gives the program a duality, from which the new AI can draw new conclusions from otherwise mundane logic. And I suppose having the ability to routinely fool a CPU gives a program, uh, enhanced flexibility."

"You're quick, aren't you!" replied Silica. "Yes, it could have that feature, couldn't it? You know, I'm having a private reception later on tonight. Perhaps you two would like to drop by?"

"Thank you for the kind gesture, but we must catch a flight in a few hours." replied Nordicus.

"Well that's too bad." She looked at Locutus. "It's not every day you meet such a charming young man with an irresistible accent!"

Nordicus saw his friend with an 'I told you so' grin. It was almost too much. Silica winked at Loc and walked away.

"So what about Paris?" asked Loc.

"It was a long time ago. Silica seems enchanting, but she has a way of taking control. She's bad news. I'm actually doing you a favour."

"Sure. A favour. That's when you do something for someone and that something is appreciated?

"That's right. More than you'll ever know."

[Slingshot]

Later on that night, Silica paced back and forth in a small room. An Actigator agent sat at a desk in a corner. The agent's eyes looked back and forth between Silica's lovely outline and his computer. With a keyboard he typed:
{command}? full system diagnostic
{specify block A,B,C:1-16}? cell block A4, 60 minute shutdown
{shutdown confirm y/n}? y
{command}? execute and forget command

The man smiled nervously and shut down the terminal. "That should give eis enough time," he thought.

Suddenly, Silica turned around. "MidKnight?" she asked.

He looked up from the video screen. "Yes, Silica. What is it?"

"You have experience dealing with Apolyton, don't you?"

"Well, some. I almost joined them, until I met you. Activision is more than Apolyton could ever hope to be."

"You are a dear! Your loyalty has been admirable. Without you, my time here at Activision would have been like walking through a desert."

"I help where I can, Silica. But with Apolyton I still keep my distance. They are a force to be reckoned with, and I would never want to get entangled with them."

"So you say. I've noticed that you've never worked with any team that has made a penetration into their operations. Why is that?"

"Like I said, storming Apolyton is not worth the risk. We have bigger fish to fry than they, Silica."

The tall woman gave MidKnight a sad look. "Bigger fish indeed." Then her look hardened. "You know, you almost had me."

"Pardon?"

"That's the problem with a dual mind. You never know which opinion to listen to. You could have had anything you wanted from me. All I needed was your loyalty. Not many men can say that!"

"Of that, I am certain. But I think something is troubling you. What's up?" Midknight let his hand fall from the terminal, to a pistol that was holstered on his leg.

"Your weapon won't work. There is a high-energy dispersion field in the room. I read your letters."

MidKnight smiled. His pistol wasn't an energy weapon. It was a good, old fashioned Desert Eagle 0.45. "What letters?"

"The ones you write to that girlfriend of yours down in Austrailia. The woman you chose over me. In fact, here's a copy of the last one you sent:

There is a hope lodged deep beneath the bitterness and pain,
residing in a heart seared black from disappointment's stain.
It feeds upon the slightest chance and manufactured dreams,
but residual fragments of scattered truths remain.

Twisting and distorting friendships rarely known to gleam.
Interpreting a caring word as far more than it means.
Is my glass so half full because I'm stretching all my gains?
Or is it a virtue toward with logic all should lean?

I will step into new shoes but I will surely walk the same.
For without hope that love may grow my will to live would wane.
But will the places that they lead be everything they seem?
Or will unrequited love return to grip my heart again? *



So what's the hope all about? How long have you been twisting and distorting words spoken at Activision? And the new shoes -- it was all so fuzzy before. But in this and all the other letters, I couldn't understand why some letters are bold and others are not."

MidKnight remained calm. "First of all, that's personal. Second, it was never meant for your eyes --"

Silica's beautiful face turned ugly. "But it could have been! You never wanted what only I could have given you. And these bold words, it was such a mystery until the other day, when a data worm found its way to Activision from the Apolyton network. You see, we found an encryption key, and the most interesting thing happened when I gave these words to a decryption subroutine built around that key."

"And what is that? You can get all sorts of interesting things from random data."

"This is true, but the results sound all too much like reports of Actigator activities for me." As she spoke, a door opened. Ten vile-looking agents entered the room. "Now I couldn't kill someone like you - directly. But I have no problem locking you up, to let you waste away from hunger. Take him downstairs, to cell block A. Let him rot down there with his friends!"

* Special thanks to the real MidKnight Lament for letting me use some of his poetry. To read more, you can visit his website at http://203.43.193.119/
[This message has been edited by Slingshot (edited April 06, 2000).]

[skorpion59]

And the plot thickens......

I guess we are going to have to name this the UNofficial Sligshot forum.



------------------
Don,
CtPMaps at Apolyton

[Slingshot]

So long as people are entertained, I don't mind writing.

The Apolyton gang has been supportive as well. That means a lot .