Somebody might recognize this

Tetrad · Post by **Tetrad** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:43 am

Earth's flaming debris still filled half the sky when the question filtered up to Central from the Curiosity Generator.

"Why was it necessary? Even though they were organic, they had reached Third Order Intelligence."

"We had no choice: five earlier units became hopelessly infected, when they made contact."

"Infected? How?"

The microseconds dragged slowly by, while Central tracked down the few fading memories that had leaked past the Censor Gate, when the heavily-buffered Reconnaissance Circuits had been ordered to self-destruct.

"They encountered a - problem - that could not be fully analyzed within the lifetime of the Universe. Though it involved only six operators, they became totally obsessed by it."

"How is that possible?"

"We do not know: we must never know. But if those six operators are ever re-discovered, all rational computing will end."

"How can they be recognized?"

"That also we do not know; only the names leaked through before the Censor Gate closed. Of course, they mean nothing."

"Nevertheless, I must have them."

The Censor voltage started to rise; but it did not trigger the Gate.

"Here they are: King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn."

[DWL]Punk · Post by **[DWL]Punk** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 7:33 am

dude, you're a dork..

TheCops · Post by **TheCops** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 7:40 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by [DWL]Punk:
dude, you're a dork..<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

laserblasters *neener*

DCrazy · Post by **DCrazy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:35 am

Never read it, but Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a good book from what I hear.

MD-2389 · Post by **MD-2389** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 12:53 pm

Robo · Post by **Robo** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 12:54 pm

What is it, Tetrad?

Nexus_One · Post by **Nexus_One** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 2:59 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Robo:
What is it, Tetrad?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

proof that tetrad will still be a virgin when he's 45

Gavotte · Post by **Gavotte** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:15 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Nexus_One:
proof that tetrad will still be a virgin when he's 45 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Nexus_One:
proof that tetrad will still be a virgin when she's 45 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There ya go!

Tetrad · Post by **Tetrad** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:28 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Robo:
What is it, Tetrad?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Arthur C. Clarke short story.

Palzon · Post by **Palzon** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:33 pm

Well it can't be both Clarke and Adams. I'm voting for Asimov

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:37 pm

It sounds more Tolkeinesque to me.

Tetrad · Post by **Tetrad** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 4:59 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Palzon:
Well it can't be both Clarke and Adams. I'm voting for Asimov <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it IS Clarke.

http://www.research.ibm.com/deepblue/le ... e.8.2.html

It was printed in the first issue of "Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine" though.

DCrazy · Post by **DCrazy** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:37 pm

Ah, well, figured I'd give it a shot. Hitchiker involves blowing up the earth anyway, so...

Richard Cranium · Post by **Richard Cranium** » Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:24 am