Binary code: Mystery number one - стр. 71

– 88? – Ruthra asked in surprise and annoyance.

– 88," repeated a voice from the speakers.

The capsule was traveling through a very long station, and it was not like the others: high ceiling, huge tubes partially embedded in the wall running in a semicircle along the walls. Ruthra realized that they were not tubes: incredibly, they were marked with ballistic missile markings. On exiting the station, the number 36 was painted on the wall. "When will it be 88?" – he thought. After running through several options in his mind, Rutra decided to check the "interlocutor".

– Tell me all about Center Zero," he said.

– The answer requires an eight-digit tolerance code.

– All right, tell me what you're authorized to tell me.

– About what, exactly?

– Tell me about the Polygon point," Ruthra suggested.

– The Polygon Center is used to enhance individuals," the computer replied briefly.

– That's it?

– That's it for you. For more information – you must give the eight-digit authorization code.

– Where am I supposed to get it?

– You should know it if you have a security clearance.

– I guess I have clearance, but no code," Ruthra said, more to himself than to her. – Well, why do I need you as my interlocutor?

– I can answer unclassified questions and I also monitor your well-being.

– And how am I feeling? – Ruthra asked with some sarcasm.

– Your parameters are normal," the computer mind replied calmly.

– Unclassified questions – what are those for you?

– They're not for me.

It was no use getting angry, you had to ask in a way "she" understood.

– What questions are unclassified? – Ruthra asked, hoping for a precise answer.

This time the computer got it 'right', though it didn't help Ruthra. "She" said:

– I can answer any publicly available questions from open databases and some about ongoing processes.

– Can you get on the internet?

– Yeah, that's absolutely right.

– Can you put on some music?

– I can.

– How much more time is needed to reach station number 88?

– Another 32 minutes and 19 seconds," the computer replied with extreme precision.

– Is there any destination information you can give me?

– Not without an access code.

Ruthra considered it useless to dialog further.

– Turn on the Discover Trance radio station," he asked.

– I'm on it.

A dynamic melody began to play in the capsule. Ruthra decided to gather his thoughts, to analyze what was happening.

***

Soon enough, the capsule stopped. The door opened. A man in a strange jumpsuit, white gloves, and a face mask (like a doctor's) opened the capsule's hatch.