Chapter 3

July 10th

3.1 I 100 Y [1]

After completing a master’s thesis in I 99 Y, “Optimal lattice patterns
in O.I.R.A.1 nanotechnologies”, conducted at the Bı́r Thawyl2 University
of Mathematics, Khiskandrai Gháridh3 plans to pursue a Ph.D. in applied
mathematics and computer science at the orbital SNITSPhi4 . It’s already
been about a month that Khiskandrai, nicknamed Alex by their peers, has
moved to orbital space to learn how to operate in very low gravity, the pre-
requisites to E.V.A.5 and so on, a year-long training course dispensed at the
International Orbital Center.

Due to noise pollution concerns, the dorms are separated in distinct ships
orbiting the main stations, in such a manner that its relative altitude spirals
inwards the latter when courses start. On the 10th of July I 100 Y, a con-
cerning incident occurred concerning students Khiskandrai GH., Omari F.,
Christopher H. & Gháysha D. of dorm xiv, respectively graduates in applied
mathematics, phonotactics, experimental philosophy & pure mathematics.

1
Organic Inferential Restructuration Assistance.
2
/bir t?α.wil/, from ÉK
ñ£ Q
K. .
3  
A« (?)P YJ ºƒ@ .
/?ys.kαn.d .rαy̆ ?a.ry.d? /, which could be transcribed P
e e

4

Sakaı̈ Numan Institute of Technology, Science & Philosophy.
5
Should have been introduced earlier, but it means Extra-Vehicular Activity, colloqui-
ally named spacewalks. Stands as a shorthand for extra-vehicular activity beyond any
appreciable planetary atmosphere.

7
8 CHAPTER 3. JULY 10TH

The incident has since been reported to be caused by cosmic rays, re-
sulting in a bit of a single flip in the navigation calculations of the dorm,
switching the sign from positive to negative in the speeding result − no, we
will not start using Mentats. Despite its rare occurrence, it did happen even
long before space exploration was even a possibility.6,7,8 Although it has be-
come much more of a concern in outer space, these past experiences helped
engineers prevent these bit flips, to the extent it has brought an even lower
rate of expectancy than on Earth − mainly due to Earth being much less
concerned by cosmic rays’ electronic side-effects. In spite of all the extra
precautions, and the now astoundingly slim chances, incidents like these do
happen. This happened precisely five times in the I.O.C.’s lifetime before,
but none else were this critical.

From a technical standpoint, the dorms are programmed to decelerate as

they get closer to the surface of the main station. More precisely, the celer-
−1 s2 ·t -2
ity with respect to time is programmed to be vms ⃗ (d) = +e · 1 m · s -1 .
The bit flip altered the return value in a way that signed its switch, caus-
2 -2
ing it to morph into −e−1 s ·t · 1 m · s -1 , causing it to spiral outwards to
an asymptotically linear growth rate with respect to time. Thankfully, the
spiralling-out only activates below 200 m, and the direction it went denied
burning in atmospheric re-entry to be a possible scenario. However, this did
mean they would likely end up stranded in deep space. As they started at
150 m from the main station, one could round the distance they’d be from
the surface of the main station with respect to time with t·(1 m·s -1 )−150 m.

As it wasn’t planned to be controlled at such a distance from the main

station, the crew had to designate one of them to manually flip bit the signa-
ture back, and to re-navigate the dorm back on-course. The crew reportedly
claimed to have used rock-paper-scissors to decide, as none of them wanted to
actually go on E.V.A., especially considering their then mediocre individual
scores in-simulation. The loser was Khiskandrai, who especially apprehended
6
Villas-Boas, A. Cosmic Rays Can Harm Computers, but Experts Say We Don’t Need
to Worry. Business Insider, 2019.
7
Kolasinski, W. A., et al. Simulation of cosmic-ray induced soft errors and latchup in
integrated-circuit computer memories. IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science 26.6 (1979):
5087-5091.
8
Chen, Y. Cosmic ray effects on personal entertainment applications for smartphones.
In 2013 IEEE Radiation Effects Data Workshop (REDW), pp. 1-4. IEEE, 2013.
3.2. I 102 Y † 9

the use of the provided spacesuits for admittedly personal reasons. No further
detail was provided, especially due to crewmate Omari F. who kept yelling
“Too much information !” when any bit of conversation seemed to go in that
direction.

Due to the helmet’s in-built instructions of the spacesuit, most of the

E.V.A. went according to plan. Unfortunately, as Khiskandrai was mere
inches away from the airlock, a micrometeorite breached their helmet, slightly
scraping their cheek. [ · · · ]

3.2 I 102 Y †
A raft sang the part startled with wind. Dull were the shadows at bay,
although cleansed by the fright. A tickling silence that unraveled the bor-
ough, inducing the urns to bloat and withstand suave plight. Due to fleets
departing, where are the birds now ? Here and the past, they say. The will
of the few manage the soundness of the clan. Seems like in the end.

Truncated frustration, utmost confusion. Such is the reaction. And right

when it starts to make sense, the part rart the sagt die Teufel wird. Faux-
deep can start with a joke, overthinking to make it make sense. Inferential
frameworks are so deeply engrained in our reasoning, we are intimately bi-
ased to find meaning in anything, even if it’s deliberately absurd. Pardon
me, for breaking the fourth wall is an overused cliché, but right as you think
this section has any reason to be here, making you think I will resolve.

Chris prepares the dinner, as he always does. The rest of the crew is
discussing various topics. “Supper is ready !”, he joyously exclaims. Rare is
a group of friends so joyful, even in this utopian setting. Omari has never
been emotionally distressed again, ever since she met her friends. Gháysha
has never been any more quick-witted and comprehensive. Chris has never
been so central. They have never been like these. No one ever was, yet
so did everyone. This group has never been more unfree. Never been any
more fabricated. A raft sang the part startled with wind. Prorsus cred-
ibile est, quia ineptum est. See ! There was, in fact, something to take
away. We all matter. So do you. When ifs hate you, hate them back.
As much as you (should) hate upfront fourth wall breaks. − Chris†
10 CHAPTER 3. JULY 10TH

3.3 I 100 Y [2]

[ · · · ] The incident incited the center’s engineers to heavily restructure
the dorm’s navigation systems, for which a few parts seemed to have been
inadvertently neglected in relation to these rare, flipwise bit instances. [ · · · ]

Psychological therapy was suggested to the roommates. Although Christo-

pher and Omari accepted the offer, both Gháysha and the primary concerned
themself declined, despite recommandations. Individual performance slightly
improved in subsequent E.V.A.s and simulations for every crew member,
helping them complete the course and barely succeeding. 201 out of 293 at-
tendees successfully obtained an orbital roaming license that year. Though
the annual traineeship does not merely function on a competitive basis, if we
had to actually rank them by scoring, Omari, Khiskandrai, Christopher and
Gháysha were respectively 1st, 3rd, 10th and 42nd, to last − naturally.

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c m αi hæf kh :m bæk tj ℧ l if]
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