I am not quite sure how I ended up here. I just fell through a seven layer code algorithim from a firewall in grid five point two three. Can anyone tell me what is going on? This looks like some kind of database system black hole. By the way isn't this an encoded Directive mainframe?

It does indeed appear to be a Directive server. The location was mailed to one of my drop points...curious. Would someone care to enlighten Trauma and myself as to the facts here?

Ranger, you catch his encryption code. My folks tell me its free form encoded. That means a tech-head, Ghost, or AI.
Trauma, check for a VRI (Virtual Reality Interface) at your end. What's it tranfer speed?
If you don't have one, your in even deeper guano than I thought.
Can you access any hypernet sights? They won't have any listings, but you should be able to backtrack the security protocols and find them. All Directive sights have them, so that should be your biggest clue. Find one and bail, cause they watch this site. Good luck.

This part of the system is isolated from the rest. It would appear that someone has set up some kind of "speakeasy" right under the nose of the Directive. Interesting. Full VR interface is not possible, (probibly becasue the Directive boys would notice the drain on system resources...) manual input only it would seem.

It appears that we have company too. Darkwave and others seem to be posting here also. Wonder where they got the access codes?

At least it appears safe for now. I think someone at Directive Central may have popped a valve, so to speak. I like the atmosphere, though.

Can someone tell me why I got this OpNet site in a fortune cookie at Guadalupe Chang's Chinese/Ecuadorian takeout?

This is downright scary.

Friends of mine say I need to work on my sense of humor, I thought you would appreciate the joke.

ha ha ha. I have to tell you my friend, with some of the things that I have been through lately, these kind of suprises I don't need.

Hmm, nice place. Is it safe?

As far as I can tell it appears to be safe. I'm not really any good with computers but a friend of mine says he can't see anthing "dangerous". (I'm not altogether sure what that is supposed to mean) My friend is not working with the benefit of Nova powers so I'll defer to any Cyberkinetic or computer savant out there.

With my limited cyberkinetic powers, I am not picking up anything dangerous, however this is far from my area of specialty.

Sorry Prodigy, I meant it all in innocent fun, thought you might like like it in here . What has been happening with you lately? Anything you care to share?

Trauma, my cyberkinetic says that you systems appear to be using a disjointed algorithm base (?). She tells me that this means your either a cyberkinetic yourself, an AI, or have one of the previous two working for you. As long as your not the trap (or the bait), this board is secure.

No harm no foul for the joke.

Nice to know we have a little haven here. I'll have to trust you cyb'netics out there. I have thought about trying to expand into that arena, but honestly I tend to find the concept of computers a little limiting. Their computation speed is positively snail like, their memory limited, and honestly they don't multitask very well either. But that's just my little prejudice.

So, what do we use this place for? Yet another location to rant at each other for differing viewpoints?

I understand your difficulty James (if I may call you james), however, the ability comes in very handy when having to interface with the rest of the OPnet. Merge Cyberkinesis with a top end Biotech Computer and the possibilities become endless. I now have full recall of my entire life, from the moment of my self-awareness (in my mothers womb), until now. We should get together some day and "talk shop".

There is also a good group of researchers at Berkley working on a fusion of nanotech processers and opnet/fiber optic memory. It has been compared to a silicon brain. The first prototype has 182 Tb of memory and over 120 Gb processing speed. Once they work out some of the kinks, they say it will become much more powerful and faster. No word as to Utopian interference so far.

Jaeger, of course no word of Utopian interference. In my experience they don't interfere until it is perfected. Then the technology is declared 'disruptive' to the social order (ask Iran, Iraq or Saudi if they consider the hypercombustion engine disruptive to their social order) and then seize it. Once it is in their possession they can study it and come up with an alternitive technology that doesn't infringe on any patents and they release it as the new panacea for public worry.

Atwight, really, full recall? That's fascinating, thanks to my SINWare tattoo (yes, that lovely bit of artwork stretching from wrist to neck is more than just decorative) I have developed complete recall of my lives also. I have to admit, having complete access to 127 different lives can be confusing, even for me. It certainly makes it difficult to define my, ahem, intimite preferences.

Whooh. I seem to be playing in the big leagues here. Seems like someone thought it would be fun to drop a kindergardener in with the college grads.

Jager, my opnet connection is pretty sucky and my board is old and more than a little unstable. Could it be that those algorithim thingies you are picking up are from my board almost crashing every five minutes or so? (I spilt coffee on it a month ago and its been acting up ever since) If not then cool, I never knew I was a cyberkinetic. I'm usually a technophobe, but thats probibly one of lifes little jokes isn't it?

What does everyone here do for a living? I was a paramedic before my eruption but now I am thinking of quiting because its much harder now. The city wants me as Urban Defender even though I can't fight my way out of a paper bag and people keep injuring themselves on my watch just to meet me...its a real nightmare.

I am thinking of just buying a cabin in the hills and living as a hermit. Sorry to put this on you guys, but there is no one I can talk to outside the opnet. I wish I had never become a Nova.

Trauma, I hear your pain. Being different from the norm is not always an easy thing to handle. Living like a hermit is not the answer. There are plenty of options for anaspiring Nova, especially one with training like yours. Have you considered working for some world relief organization? Your skills could come in very handy depending on what your Nova capabilities are. Just some food for thought. As for my profession, I am self-employed and indipendently wealthy. I had no occupation before my eruption as I technically did not erupt, I have been a nove since the time of my conception. Do not worry about playing in the "big leagues" here either, we all start somewhere and if you learn something from these forums then all the better.

Prodigy, you have hit the nail on the head with that assessment. I have lost too much of my technology the those boneheads. The job I had Jager perform is just the beggining. I plan on getting all of my property back. At least they have not got my Contra-Grav generators. You mentioned multiple lives in your last post, I am curious as to what you meant by that. Of course your tatoo intrests me as well, I am always interested in Bio-ware.

Hmm, maybe I will drop those Berkly gentlemen a line, help them work out the bugs in their design.

I don't know. I got into paramedic work because I wanted to help people and make a difference. I don't want to end up isolated from everyone and everything because I can't stand the strain. Problem is that before I could recharge my batteries by going home, having a few beers and relaxing with my friends. Now everyone treats me like some kind of God. My friends look at me in awe. These were guys who last year would slap my back and make fun of my hair. Now they ask if its alright to sit near me and hang on my every word.

Last week a group of people broke into my house and threatened me with a gun if I didn't heal this little kid who had some kind of blood disease. They had come to my house the day before and I had told them to come back tomorrow because I was exhausted after work and didn't have an iota of quantum left. I felt so bad about the whole thing, they were so desperate that they were driven to threatening me.

I was thinking of joining Utopia (dispite the bad press they got recently with the whole Slider thing) because at least then I'd know I was doing the right thing and I could spend some time with people who don't drop and worship every Nova they see.

I really want to help people and I don't give a damn about the money. (If I did I wouldn't be a paramedic - trust me.) Thanks for the ideas Atwight, you've given me food for thought. Just in case you are wondering what I do, - and I feel like I am discribing my dick here - I fly and can heal most wounds, diseases and conditions. I still can't get over how cheesy that sounds.

Sorry about just tossing off the multiple lives comment without explanation. My eruption took me from sub-norm baseline to the height of baseline perfection not only in strength, stamina, intelligence, etc but also in learned skills. It seems the easiest and most productive way for my eruption to succeed at that was to reach out to the most talented individuals in the world in the various fields and incorparate them into myself. As a result of that and some foolish advancement on my own part I have developed quite the case of quantum build up. One of the symptoms of this buildup is that I have access to the memories of the 126 individuals whose lives, skills, abilities and traits contributed to my eruption.

Trauma, I wish I could draw you out a guideline that would make the coming months easier, but I can't. It's going to be difficult and you are going to have to come to realize some awful truths all on your own. Just so you know, I am a Terat. I used to work for Utopia until I found out some of the darker aspects of their work (and no, those stories in the papers are not just anti-Utopian propoganda.) I have come to accept the truth of the Null Manifesto, the hidden truth of it to be more precise. Mal had to dumb it down for too much for those Novas who might follow him but were to limited intellectually to follow the greater truth that he wanted to communicate. The greatest advice I can give you is to not stop. Eruption is only the begining. From this point out you can control it. Learn quantum, learn to see it, shape it and understand it. From that point you are free to shape and mold your quantum signature like an artist. Do not neglect your intellect. I try not to insult you here, but I actually consider most Nova's to be nothing more than Fire Manipulating, Truck Lifting, Tornado Summoning Monkeys. You cannot claim to have surpassed humanity if you leave your mind in the mud. Good luck and godspeed.

Worshiped by normals folks and an intellectual speck compared to some Novas. I wish this MR node came with an instruction manual and some Nova-grade asprin.

I really should get off my ass an quit bitching about what a hard time I have of it. I mean it must be real hell for you guys with the brains. At least when I talk to someone I can do so without feeling like I'm talking to a kid. How do you cope without intellectual equals?

I mean socialising is fine but after a while it must get so frustrating, I am amazed more of you don't pop and go postal. I mean this is the best possible way, I'm being serious not sarcastic or anything.

Trauma, the first few months are the hardest. There are several things you could do.
Utopia, despite all its demons in the closet, really does some good work. Let them know up front that you want a limited contract (2 years) and what unit (Disaster Relief, Medical Research, ect.) you would like to be in. It could be good for you.

You could elect to tough it out in your own area. Given time, your friends (most of them, anyway) will remember who you are start acting like they used to. Get used to the fact that some of your social dynamic will change if you weren't one of the leaders in your circle of friends. It sounds like you are now.

I almost never recommend the Teragen to a newbie who doesn't have really serious problems. It isn't that I am against them. It is just the becoming a nova can be such a frightening event that many people want to avoid confronting what they become. They drop their old, inconvienent lives and rush off to hang out with other novas. That's Ibiza, not the Teragen, but many newbies don't know the difference. Once you have a handle on who you are and what you have become, you can make your own choice about the Terat philosophy. You seem to have a good handle on your present state; so live a little, learn a little, then decide.

If money isn't a problem, then you probably aren't interested in DeVries or Novelty. Trust me though, they will be in touch if you remain unaffiliated for long. Anyone who can aid in biotechnical research will be in high demand.

As for the public defender bit, don't. If your powers aren't geared toward the combative, don't paint a big bull's-eye on your chest. Explain to the mayor and the police commisioner that your services to the city in your 'civilian' capacity are there for emergancies, but that you remain a private, tax-paying citizen.

As for the cyberkinetic angle. I know this sounds silly, but try it. Get into your car and put your finger in the ignition switch. Turn your finger like it was the key while thinking about the car starting (concentrate really hard). If this works, your a cyberkintetic. Most people forget that it is primarily a electronic manipulation power and not limited to computers.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do and keep us posted.

Trauma we do have intellectual equals, each other, and highly intellegent normal Humans. I consider anyone willing to learn and expand their mind an intellectual equal.

Atwight, doesn't it get a little tedious though; having to slow down the rate at which you think because others don't understand you? I'd be off my rocker in a week. I suppose you get used to it.

Jager, thanks for the advice. I tried the car ignition thing. Felt very silly for about half an hour (wanted to make sure) and gave up. (hurt my finger in the ignition too.) I guess I'm not a Cyberkinetic after all. Pity, I spent the day thinking of things to do with the power, mostly revolving around getting my household appliances to work better. (My coffee maker is on the fritz again.)

How does a Nova gain new powers anyway? I heard about Nova trainers who claim to be able to help people gain new powers etc. (have you seen the rates they charge?!!) I don't want any new powers (God knows I have enough trouble from the ones I have) but I am curious about how its done.

Another question, (I am really sorry about all the questions guys I hope you don't mind sharing?) what does Quantum look like? I know some Novas can see it but I don't have that gift. I've always thought of it like lots of little pinpricks of bright light.

Trauma, I find that compartmentalizing your mind, holding multiple conversations, and multi-port accessing (watching TV or an audio only while talking on the phone, ect.) helps. You get used to it.

As for developing new powers, I can only tell you what I have witnessed or have form reliable sources. I have developed one whole power in my career. It seems like I have a hard time getting my quantum to leave my body. Everything else I do is internalized.
The top theory we have on power development runs along two lines. 1) Powers manifest along lines established by your psyche. That translates into: you develop powers that you feel are "right" for you to have. Healing powers should, in time, progress into biomanipulation of a higher level (cell and viral manipulations and the like). Or, you could develop greater control over your own physical form and shapechange or develop other body altering powers. A lot depends on you perception of who and what you are.
2) Stress. When your body or mind develops high levels of stress (some one trying to kill you is the most common), you spontaneously develop new powers to deal with the situation. This has been something I have witnessed, but isn't something I would ever recommend. Subconciously, your node will try to keep you alive. What it does exactly, isn't known, but it has happened on multiple occasions.

As for what quantum looks like: I can now definitely say, "It depends on the looker." Now that I have met another person who can see it, their visualization of it is totally different from mine in every way. I guess it is one of those personal things.

By the by, for anyone who cares, it seems that the Directive snatched a Cyberkinetic out from under Utopia's nose about a month ago. Said individual hasn't been seen since.
Anything else you need to know, Trauma.

There is a third way of generating new powers for yourself, however, it requires a deeper understanding of Quantum Reality. Quantum Theory states that on a theoretical level, Novas should be able to do just about anything. We manipulate the four fundamental forces of the universe. The only limits are the ones we subconsciously place on ourselves. To generate an ability that does not fit in with your subconscious mind's view of itself is to change your subconscious mind. this can be done through meditation, or what I like to call extreme study. Consume yourself with study related to the power you wish to generate. For example; say you want to learn Cyberkinesis, the best thing you could do is learn everything you can about machines, computers etc. Study computer design, mechanical and electrical engineering, even things like driving and piloting skills can be helpful. If you know someone with the ability, observe them while they use it. try overlapping your Quantum Signatures, the easiest way to do that is by touching the individual while they use the power. of course do not neglect your own ability to channel and manipulate Quantum. That needs just as much practice as anything else. The hope is you will alter yourself enough to kick your Node into adapting to all this new stimui. It is not easy and will not always work but at least you are in control. I hope this helps.

Thanks for both the ideas on getting new powers. It sure is a long way from my own idea of scrunching up my eyes, holding my breath and thinking really hard. (I'm serious here, the one time I tried it I looked like I was constipated and had to stop I was laughing so hard.)

Why would anyone kidnap a Cyberkinetic? I mean it would be really hard to keep him or her locked up. They could phone the cops from the moon and you couldn't use a toaster within a mile of them for fear of what it would do to you.

Some joker just pushed a letter under my door addressed to "The Flying Band Aid". Best laugh I've had since I don't know when.

Trauma, Atwight has given you some really good advice, it's nice to know not every other Nova is willingly limiting themselves.

I suggest one more possibility, one that I personally found very usefull. This was before I had expanded my mind as much as it is now, I couldn't have had an IQ of more than 300, so it isn't out of reach. Visualize your quantum. Not just yours but everyones. It's everywhere, not just around Novas, we are just concentrations of manipulative force. Once you can see it, you can begin to understand it as a tool. That's how I did it. It will also really show you how we are seperated from baseline humanity.

I concur with Atwight's and Prodigy's insight on their route to power. I did not bring it up because of the danger that it brings, especially for beginners. Prodigy and Atwight are the lucky ones who had the personal insight and strength to safetly manifest such developments. I have seen others who weren't, and it isn't a pretty sight. When you stop "limiting" your potential, you also risk losing who and what you are. Both your body and your mind can mutate in horrible directions. Be very careful if you ever attempt this.

As for the cyberkinetic, the Directive are the authorities and they have a variety of methods that would allow them to control someone. Addiction and the threat of personal violence up themselves or a loved one are just two things they could do. I am aware of a few others, but I really shouldn't talk to much about what I do know. Let's just say that while the world can be a truly beautiful and wonderful place, there are some truly dangerous and sick people out there stopping it from ever being a paradise.

Flying Band Aid, huh? Not the worst one I have ever heard of. What does said petitioner want?

By the way, watch out for the local Church of Michael, Archangel. They can make your life difficult.

Trauma, if you do have any trouble with the Church of Michael Archangel please let me know. Just let me know where, when, and how the threat was delivered. Jager is right that they can be most troublesome and I would be happy to assist in some small way.

Trauma, I also want to warn you about one stumbling block you are going to have in trying to interact with baselines. Simply by being a Nova, especially as one as potent as I suspect you must be (I had a comrade who also erupted with healing skills, rest in peace Jay.) You Quantum eminations are somewhat detectable to baselines as an indescribable feeling of 'wrongness'. They will simply know you for what you are.

As your powers increase, if you are not careful, you can develop an excess of Quantum impurities often called taint. Any amount of this will actually make any interactions even more difficult. So, if you are not yet ready to leave baseline society behind I suggest that you excercise caution.

James, be careful with the CMA. You know that Father Ryan has it out for you. Until we are sure about just what he can bring to the dance, we should tread carefully.

Don't worry Jager. My lack of offensive and defensive power has forced me to develop a particularly effective tactical strategy. Father Ryan and his sycophants will never see me, or my chosen agents, coming. And no evidence would ever point to me. I just wanted to put a hand out to a newly erupted member of our community.

James, I think 'Father Ryan' is a nova, and not a little one and because of his atitudes about the rest of us, not a very stable nova at that. Something about him brings up old memories, but it isn't something I can put my finger on yet. I'll keep at it.
Trauma, just be careful, have some fun, and enjoy the new aspects that have entered your life. Fundementally, you are the same person you were a year ago. Don't forget that.

Prodigy, Thanks for the meditation ideas. On a side point I don't think I want really want to see how far I am "removed from baseline humanity". No offence intended but the thought that I am not "human" any more freaks me out. It's not like I have undergone mental changes, I've still got the same old brain pushing the same old load. I am not particularly charismatic, or physically attractive. I'm just me with a couple of neat tricks.

Thanks to Prodigy and Jager for the warning about the COTAM. Utopia included a leaflet about them in a recruitment pack they sent me a few months ago. They sound pretty messed up, though I suppose people will hate anything thats different.

Who is this Father Ryan character? Is he part of the COAM? A Nova-hating Nova, now thats a case for the Psychiactric team.

Jager, the Flying Band aid letter turned out to be a letter from a kid the EMT I was with took to the hospital last month. The kid should be on the stage, he has all these cute stories in his letter about the various Utopian Novas. Took me a while to figure out who "snot man" was...I doubt Antaeus would be amused. His monther helped him write the letter, apparently he was really frustrated to find that he had missed seeing a real Nova. (he was sedated the whole time he was with us)

The thing I regret the most about becoming a Nova is that I can never have children, I never thought about having kids until I became a Nova and couldn't have them any more.

Trauma, with all power comes a price to be paid. I do not know how long you have been a Nova, however, stop taking Utopia prescribed medications. I am talking about Moxinoquantamine and Adrenocilin. It is rumored that Nova affecting contraceptives have been added to both drugs to control the growth of Nova population. Of course, It could also be the mad ravings of the extremely paranoid. Take your pick.

Jager, I have been going back through some of your old posts and I have a question for you. You have said that you erupted at or shortly before your birth. So unless you are 10 years old or younger (which from other comments I assume you are not), you erupted before N-Day. Is this true?

Those horse tablets? I think I threw them in the bin. Like many medical professionals I don't trust drugs a bit, especially drugs that have NOT been FDA approved and have gone through no testing as far as I am aware. Should have guessed that an untested drug would have nasty side effects.

Has anyone told Utopia about this suspected side effect? I am sure they would be horrified if they found out they were responsible for Nova sterility. I'd hate to be the guy that signed off on that one... "Excuse me Mr Smith, there is a Cestus Pax here to see you about his sterility problem."

Is it a contraceptive or a sterility drug? When you start taking it does it wear off? We have incredible immune systems, surely they can handle a simple contraceptive in a few weeks or so?

Trauma, keep it human. That's okay with most of us. The rest just think we're just limiting our potential. On the child front, don't give up hope. I am aware that some novas are working on this problem and a few of them want to take it world-wide when they develop a fix.

Atwight; Bravo. I erupted invetro on N-Day, just not here. Theoretically, I am over 70. Seeing the Terragen develop was like walking through history. Still, not everything is as it 'should' be, if you get my drift. That isn't all that bad, considering were I come from, but it is a bit disconcerting interacting with certain people with whom I have a history with, but who have no memories of me.
As for your next question: No, I am not the one who did it. Origonally, I was "tapped" by a Utopian black ops guy and I have since spontaneously slipped to two other occasions before ending up here. N-Day seems to be a barrier I don't move past. As for why it happens, I haven't a clue.

Trauma, I think you might have developed the name Caduseus in another time and place. He led emergancy response teams around the globe, saving lives during or after natural disaster or terrorist attacks. He had two daughters and a young son. His younger daughter was (or is that will be) the only nova in the bunch. He got no end of static for staying with his baseline wife, but he did it anyway.

Atwight, either you were one of those top secret Utopian scientist (trust me, it was a different world) that rumors circulated about, or you may be unique to this world. That just adds to the charm of working with you.

As for Prodigy, someone removed his moral co