Collected Anthology of Wynter

Algorithms

Computer whistled, like it did every time it had an algorithm to execute. It had been given the project by the Master of Operations yesterday and Computer was still hard at work trying to solve it. The algorithm had a routine that Computer was having a hard time working out, it wasn't a daily routine, as today's events were much different to yesterdays. It was planning to observe again tomorrow before a final push on Wednesday to finish the execution.

The algorithm was a long one this time, the last one Computer had been given had been relatively short, only two steps. It may have had something to do with the extra effort that had been put in by Hard Drive prior to Computer accepting the algorithm.

Two days later and the final stage of the algorithm was about to be executed by Computer it had executed the other major steps the day before and was well prepared for this final one. It ran a final systems check, making sure all the available tools and mods were where they should be. Finally, Computer was satisfied and began implementing the plan that had been carefully formulated to achieve the execution of the final step.

A key part of the plan was, unfortunately, rapidly draining it's batteries by running over capacity to make sure Computer succeeded in this execution. Computer consulted the built-in timer and waited the necessary time of 56.7 seconds before moving forwards.

It hacked the Fire Wall in record time, before shutting off the flames and passing beyond. The encryption of the local server was basic and was cracked faster than Computer had anticipated, giving him a few seconds to rest before moving onwards. It came to the back door and using a highly specialised tool to break the door discretely, he passed over the threshold. Moving towards the goal with every sub-step Computer prepared to initiate the final execution.

The algorithm was called Steve, and he was sleeping in bed as a dark figure entered his bedroom. He hadn't heard the figure enter the house but he had seen the flames of his outer wall shutoff and known that someone was coming to kill him. He rolled under the bed milliseconds before the door was booted open and his bed was shot to pieces, annihilating the pillow he had left under it to give the impression of a figure in the darkened room. He heard a loud cursing when the figure bent over the bed and ripped back the covers to see his target had moved.

Steve grabbed the shadowy figures foot and yanked downwards, he had worked it out finally. Yesterday his two bodyguards had gone missing and now he understood where they had gone. This figure had killed them in cold blood and now he was under threat in his own home. With a roar he pounced upon the downed figure and tried to wrest the gun from its control.

There was a gunshot a few seconds later and a figure cloaked in black left the room. It exited the house, and commenced stumbling through the dark forest behind the house until it reached the getaway van. The door was open framed by the figure of Hard Drive who had been waiting for Computer to get back for longer than he should have. He beeped the horn as the figure exited the trees 20m or so ahead of the van and then asked what had taken so long.

There was another gunshot. Then Steve went back to bed, setting the van on fire before he left.