Ambientia
May 24, 2006
At last I am able to write you again. The long exile at the ROAM has ended and I have returned to the Synthitone, but something is different. Something has changed. It may be explained if I recount the events of the past few weeks to you.
Firstly, the ROAM device. As I suspected, there was much power to be discovered in it - more than I ever had imagined. After sending the initial test tones I explored the remote manipulation of the Synthitone. Having access to the entire library proved most useful as I was able to assemble two more tests. In fact, it no longer seems valid to call each use of the towers at the ROAM as tests. I think it is safe to call them episodes seeing as I have been able to assemble the music in a chronological form and send it as a self-contained packet through the portal. Such power has been realized by learning this device. As I became more comfortable with the operation of tapping into the Synthitone's library, I gathered its music into the ROAM. As the music was accessed, I discovered that it was actually transferring and being stored in some sort of buffer. A status indicator on the ROAM showed the status of the buffer filling to capacity, and the unit stopped when it was full.
It sat in this state for two days, while I figured out what to do next. I tried to open a portal again in hopes that the buffer would send its contents, but that failed as nothing was sent. Examining the flow diagram on the unit I was able to determine that I had to somehow prepare the buffer contents into a self contained unit that could then be sent. Using the holographic interface of the ROAM, I was able to access the buffer and arrange its contents into a form that satisfied the requirements of the ROAM to send through a portal. As with the test sounds, the ROAM sprang to life and the towers assembled their grid and opened a portal. The portal stayed open much longer than before as the large amount of music was sent through. Then, with the now familiar deafening roar, the portal closed. This time the ROAM did not sit idle, however. This time it sat still, all of its life spent save for one small dimly lit indicator that seemed to show some sort of power level. It was very very low and despite all attempts, the ROAM would not spring to life.
With each day, the indicator grew stronger and after a whole week the indicator showed full again. I took advantage of this time as it allowed me to gain a better understanding of the ROAM controls and features. Within the cabin, written on the walls, is a kind of scripture. Examining it very closely I was able to determine that detailed some sort of operations manual. The writings described a means of setting the ROAM into an automatic data gathering and sending mode where the episodes would be assembled on their own, and sent when the buffer was full and ready. Of course, I had to wait for the ROAM to recharge before trying this.
So, on the day that the indicator was showing full charge, I followed the writings in the cabin and set the ROAM controls for the automatic mode. Sure enough, with programmed precision, the unit accessed the Synthitone remotely, loaded the next succession of music into it. When the buffer was full it assembled the music and opened a huge portal. Another episode was sent. It was my hope that this would be the way to send my music back to my home. This could even help me to get home myself, one day.
Earlier tonight, as I was settling down in my camp that I had made at the foot of the cabin, I heard a low roar in the distance. I climbed up to the cabin and looked all around at the towers thinking that they were preparing to open a portal. This was not possible, however, as I disabled the ROAM from sending music at night. The deafening sound of the portal closing does not allow one to sleep peacefully. As I looked around, I saw a sudden bright flash in the distance. It came from the direction of the Synthitone, or at least where I figured it to be. Then, just a fast as it lit the sky, the bright light vanished. It almost looked like another portal was activated. My fascination immediately turned to panic as I realized that something may have happened to the Synthitone.
Fighting the feelings of helplessness I started up the ROAM and attempted to connect to the Synthitone. I could not locate it. The connection was lost! I tried again, even consulting the writings for some shred of help. Nothing worked. I simply lost connection to the Synthitone from this part of Ambientia. Devastated, I climbed down from the cabin and headed back to camp, all the while fearing what my imagination was telling me about the possible demise of the Synthitone. A few hours later, my dark contemplation was interrupted by some noises that came from the ROAM. I had not heard these sounds before. It was a series of beeps and blips, indicative of a communication link of sorts. I rushed back to the cabin, climbed up, and found the ROAM in its idle state.
I had tried to access the Synthitone many times since seeing the flash in the sky, each time resulting in failure. None the less, I felt compelled to try again. Good thing too, as I was able to establish a link once again to the Synthitone. I could get into the library once again, but could not manipulate the synthitone remotely. I was able to see the contents of the library, but not able to engage the units to send music data. My heart sank once again.
Could it be that Ambientia would allow such a harsh event to take place so as to render useless all of the creation and discovery of its music? Is all now lost and is the Synthitone destroyed? On that point, I do not give up hope as I am at least able to link to it from here. I just cannot not do anything further from here.
That is the key. I cannot do anything from here. I must get back to the Synthitone, but how? My travel here was obscure. I could try and go back from where I came, but I do not know the location of the portal that I came from. Perhaps there are other portals that I should be seeking. Perhaps more control to the Synthitone will be regained in time. I need to get back to it and find out what happened. All of this may reveal itself in time, and the need is urgent. However, the night is no time to be exploring Ambientia. Besides, I will need rest to ensure strength for the unknown journey ahead.
I will embark at dawn...
- The Traveler