Chapter 12: Conspiracies?

In a remote, snow-covered region of Russia, hidden from the world's prying eyes, a secret bunker lay buried beneath the frozen ground. It was an unassuming structure, designed to escape detection. Inside this concealed fortress, beneath layers of concrete and steel, a circular room came to life.

The room had simple decor and a minimalistic design. A bed, a dining table, a fridge and a work table. The hatch at the top opened outside and a door to the bed's right opened to the bathroom. That was all that it's resident required. Anything else that she might have a need of, the GUIDE could take care of it. 

And that was how life was now. Extremely convenient, even more than before. The people had no need to buy anything anymore in life, such as furniture or a home appliance, as the GUIDE could cover it for them. And the best thing? It did not take up any space, since you could dismiss it once you were done using it.

But could the GUIDE really take the form of anything? Probably. But would it do so?

Alina, the resident of this bunker, could confidently answer that it wasn't so. 

Like always, the GUIDE had its whims and impulses. It would not take the form of anything imaginary. It also wouldn't assume the form of anything that had never been used by its Resident. So if you asked it to become a nuclear warhead, you are going to be disappointed. A lightsaber? A big NO. Something edible? No again. Anything consumable? Won't do it. 

But on the off chance that you are lucky, the GUIDE might just agree to one of your crazy wishes and transform into something that you had never thought existed, or at least didn't until now. And that was how Alina had got her hands on a commercial Quantum Computer.

The most powerful tool for computations ever imagined by humans. And it was only as big as a tablet?

She had been skeptical at first when the GUIDE had not refused her request for a quantum computer. And instead, a tablet with a mechanical keyboard had appeared in front of her. But once she had tried using it, her doubts and confusion were blown away. This was the real deal. 

As the tablet glowed with numbers, Alina couldn't help but marvel at the sheer capabilities of this quantum wonder. It processed data at speeds that left her breathless, solving complex equations in the blink of an eye. Tasks that would have taken hours, if not days, on a conventional computer were completed in mere seconds.

Alina experimented with simulations, quantum cryptography, and data analysis. It handled everything with an ease that defied the limits of traditional computing. This quantum computer wasn't just powerful; it was a technological marvel beyond her wildest dreams. But then again, she had been in the field of quantum computers for a very long while.

Alina was a researcher at the XYZ Institute of Technologies, Moscow. Their funding by the government had stopped a few months back, and the team was in tatters, barely holding together. Their only achievement had been to build a prototype computer with 16 qubits, a stellar achievement in their words, but worlds behind the leaders in quantum computations. No further improvements had, of course, seen them get dropped below the other research teams, who produced results on a frequent basis.

She had been studying and researching the field of quantum computers for more than five years now. While it was inaccurate to say she was an expert, her knowledge was exceptional. So she was able to accurately judge that this small tablet in her hand was as real as quantum computers could get.

But its size and looks really made her incapable of believing it. How? Just how could such a tiny device perform so much computation? It deceived her own understanding until it finally hit her.

A perfect material. That must be it. The miniaturization of technology often was heavily reliant on the material that was used in its creation. If there were a material that was superconducting at room temperature, and had an ion trapping property, maybe it would be possible. And if it had a self inherent property for error correction, it would be even better. But such a material could only be theorized. Yet here before her, a fully functional quantum computer exited.

Her urge to just open it up part by part was unimaginable. But she knew she couldn't do so. In fact, right now she had to be very careful. She had no idea when the GUIDE might decide that playtime was up and take away her quantum computer. Or if it would give this chance to her again when she asked. So right now she had to make the most use of it. And she would definitely do so.

A wicked smile adorning her face, she murmurred to herself,

"Time to go snooping."

Flexing her fingers, she begin her journey to uncover all the secrets that had been buried in the sea of data that was the internet.

...

Kane's life had experienced significant changes over the last four days. On the second day, the building he lived in disappeared, leaving every bit of furniture and object that was inside the building scattered around on the ground. What replaced the building was a seven story pagoda, which looked as if it was right out of a period japanese drama. Kane, who had woken up outside in only his boxers had decided not to stay any longer in this place. He collected some of the necessary items and then set off in his car. On the way he contacted his friends to let them know of his idea.

He wanted to group up with his friends, but since all transport systems had been suspended, they had to drive out and regroup on their own . All commercial airplanes, trains and ships had been asked to hold services until the month ended. People could still maybe charter a private jet, but there had to be someone willing to fly you. But with the risk of the place suddenly disappearing, would anyone do so?

Their only option was to drive themselves.

The roads were all clear, and if they raced all the way, maybe they could meet up at some point midway in half a day. And so they decided to do that exactly, after Kane was left homeless on the second day. Asche, on the other hand, was still stuck on his ship though. The Maersk Kaitlyn was off about two days' journey from port, so he might soon be on land, but until then the uncertainty still hung around. 

Zephyr had visited him a couple of times, to check up on him and they could still continue to meet up in the mind space to talk to each other. So it was fine at least.

Oh right, Zephyr could now apparently ask the GUIDE to teleport him to anywhere. It was like after the first time; it had become his superpower. Everyone in the group was mighty jealous, but what could they do about that? The GUIDE did not give anyone else teleportation when asked. So it was clear that its partiality was still in work.

Anyway, the four of them who were still in the country had taken to the road, but their plan of reaching the rendezvous point in half a day had to be delayed. First, it was Jay, who was pulled into a dream stage randomly while he was driving. Zephyr had been asked to teleport near him to check if everything was okay. Not exactly sure how he was uninjured or how the car had come to a stop, but Zephyr had found him unconscious. After Jay had returned successfully from his dream stage, which was an individual scenario this time, the group had decided to stop and find a way to first deal with the issue of the stages.

Of course, the GUIDE was the go to option to seek help in such a scenario, and it had not disappointed them this time. A solution was offered right away when asked for.

|*A Stage can be challenged in advance by a Resident, to avoid the mandatory participation. There are four stages for four weeks, and if you challenge each type of stage once in advance, you won't have to face any abrupt participation without preparation. This is also the preferred route for the Residents that GUIDE suggests. As much challenges you part take in, that much experience and rewards you can accumulate.*|

And so Zephyr and Kane had decided to complete a dream stage first, so they had no other hiccups on their journey to rendezvous. And it was already three days now since Kane entered.