Chapter 20 : The Relic

After the intriguing experiment with the snake and the tiger's static behavior, Arthur's curiosity remained unsated. Seeking new stimulation, he shifted his attention to the colossal alien relic that loomed within his simulated world. While he could no longer exert any control over this enigmatic structure, the allure of the unknown drew him toward exploring its mysteries.

Dissipating his physical form, Arthur's passed through the seemingly impenetrable shell of the colossal computer made from an unknown material. In the past, when he was first summoned by the military, the shock had diverted his attention away from fully appreciating the marvel before him. But now, with time on his side and a mind free from distractions, he could truly marvel at the ingenuity of this creation.

The design of the computer was unlike anything Arthur had ever seen on Earth. Gone were the conventional components like power supplies and cooling fans that he would expect to find in a computer. Instead, what lay before him was a mesmerizing sight of hundreds of individual room-sized units, intricately interconnected with each other. The colossal machine seemed to be partitioned into numerous separate modules, each serving a specific purpose, yet all intricately linked to a central circular unit at its core. This central unit appeared to be the nexus, the heart of the entire system, with the only connection leading to the screen outside the machine.

Entering into one of the units, Arthur was immediately struck by the sheer complexity and sophistication of the technology before him. The inner workings of this machine were unlike anything he had encountered on Earth. Alien symbols and glyphs adorned the walls, their meanings eluding him, a testament to the advanced civilization that had designed this extraordinary creation. It was clear that his knowledge and understanding were vastly outmatched by the ingenuity of this alien technology.

Realizing that deciphering the inner workings of the units was beyond his current capabilities, Arthur decided to divert his attention to the power cables. These vital conduits seemed to hold the key to understanding the energy flow within the colossal computer. Nine power ports adorned the outer shell, each presumably serving distinct functions within the system. Arthur noted that eight of the wires appeared to supply power to various sections of the computing units, each responsible for specific tasks and computations.

However, it was the ninth wire that captivated his curiosity the most. Singular and separate from the others, this particular wire was dedicated solely to the central unit. The importance of this connection was evident, as it highlighted the central unit's unique role as the core of the entire machine. Arthur couldn't help but wonder what grand purpose this central unit served, given its distinct power source and connection.

With a determined mindset, Arthur embarked on a quest to comprehend the alien machine's intricate design. Breaking down the colossal computer into manageable sections, he divided it into 51 distinct "floors," each housing four interconnected units, with the central floor encompassing the circular core. This systematic approach allowed him to navigate the complex architecture and gain a better understanding of its inner workings.

Selecting one of the units from the bottom floor, Arthur focused on unraveling its mysteries. As he entered the unit, he carefully observed its alien architecture, attempting to decipher the purpose and functionality of each component. The alien symbols and glyphs adorning the walls puzzled him, and he made diligent notes to study them further later on.

To deepen his understanding, Arthur decided to replicate the unit within another section of the simulated world. With unwavering patience and meticulous attention to detail, he spent hours recreating the intricate structure. Each component, wire, and circuit was painstakingly crafted to match the original unit's design.

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With a sense of curiosity and purpose, Arthur materialized a power and data cable, connecting it to the unit he had replicated. Carefully materializing energy, he powered on the alien machine and prepared to conduct a series of tests. Sending random data into the unit, he observed its responses, hoping to glean insights into its functionality.

As he was building the inner workings of the unit, Arthur's knowledge of mathematical operation circuits on Earth proved to be invaluable. He recognized familiar patterns within the alien circuitry, indicating that this particular unit served as a calculator of sorts.

The revelation that the unit functioned as a calculator presented Arthur with a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the machine's mysteries. While he understood the purpose of the mathematical operation circuits, there were still numerous unknown circuits that piqued his interest. Undeterred by the complexity of the alien technology, Arthur saw this as a chance to unlock the secrets of the unknown circuits by studying their interactions with the familiar ones.

After about 30 minutes of dedicated exploration, Arthur's persistence finally paid off as he cracked the code to operate the enigmatic alien calculator. The revelation was surprisingly simple yet crucial to understanding its functionality. He discovered that the calculator operated based on a sequential input method.

To initiate any mathematical operation, Arthur needed to send a specific number to indicate the desired calculation. For instance, he found that numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 represented addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, respectively. Once the operation was selected, he would then need to input two numbers to be used in that specific mathematical process.

The reason it had taken Arthur considerable time to decipher the machine's operation was rooted in the fundamental differences between Earth's circuits and this alien technology. On Earth, such circuits would receive all the necessary data in one coherent stream, comprising the two numbers and the operation to be executed simultaneously. However, the alien calculator's distinct approach involved a step-by-step data input, a stark departure from what he was accustomed to.

The newfound understanding of the alien calculator had deeply intrigued Arthur, spurring him to explore its intricate inner workings further. Armed with the knowledge of how to operate the unit, he delved into the heart of the machine, eager to decipher the functions of the enigmatic circuitry components that had initially perplexed him.

To aid in his exploration, Arthur cleverly utilized small lights, strategically placed at the exits of circuits. This visual tracking allowed him to follow the flow of data and observe how the circuits interacted with one another. The simulated world became an intricate labyrinth of lights, revealing the mesmerizing dance of information and computation within the calculator unit.