Memories

Based on the summary, the majority of the data corruption was in one large block simply called Memory. That in turn was divided into smaller segments which seemed to be divided by time periods. Due to the different sizes, it looked like newer memory was afforded the most space while older memory was stored in a much smaller region. This appeared to be related to some kind of repetitive compression algorithm that optimized the oldest records, continually making them smaller over time. The corruption had affected three segments. The first included the oldest memory range. The second corresponded to a period of time about two years ago. The last was the current memory block.

"6T9, let's try to fix the memory files next. Where can we access those?"

She seemed to hesitate, but then walked to the door. "Follow me," she beckoned. "I'll show you."

She then proceeded to the next door in the hallway which opened automatically for her. As you entered, you saw a similar-sized room to the first, but instead of consoles scattered about, this one had hexagonal towers, and a few of them looked badly damaged as if they'd been through an explosion or a fire. As you placed your hand near one, a small panel opened part-way, revealing several small crystals within.

"These are my storage units. Each crystal holds roughly one day worth of memories, and each column holds hundreds of them. This one contained my oldest memories," she pointed to one at the side which looked heavily damaged.

"Let's start there," you suggested. You opened the top panel, revealing several crystals that appeared cracked. "Is there any way to recover them?"

She shook her head, "Normally, if a storage unit fails, it will get replaced during my next maintenance cycle, and then the memories would be recovered from another node. If those have been erased, then the data they once held is gone forever."

"If we replace them with blank, working crystals, will that be sufficient to avoid the checkpoint's error detection?" you asked.

"I don't think so. Blank crystals would be recognized as invalid too," she explained.

There had to be some way to repair her memory enough to let the rest of it be kept. "What if we filled a blank crystal with a simple memory, and then used that to replace the broken crystal?" you queried. "For example, make it contain something that you could easily recognize as meaning the memory that once was there was lost."

6T9 paused to consider it, and then replied, "That might work. There are many unused storage crystals available for future recordings. From the synchronization chamber I could attempt to save a single memory and then we could copy it across several empty crystals. You could then replace the damaged crystals with those."

"Let's try a test to see if that will work," you suggested.

Back in first room, 6T9 re-entered the sync chamber and you activated a new sequence to download her memory data. The chamber glowed again, but this time with a greenish light. After a few seconds it went dark, and 6T9 emerged. From a nearby panel, she retrieved a newly recorded crystal. After replacing one in the other room you returned and checked the console. Sure enough, the entry showed there was less corruption in that segment. "It worked!" you exclaimed, and you hugged 6T9. "We can save what's left of your memory."

For a moment it almost looked like she was about to cry, but then she simply said, "That's good, Sky. I will begin recording more crystals." For that brief instant it seemed like 6T9 might be capable of expressing and understanding her emotions, but something seemed to stop that from happening.

After she completed a batch, you took them and began replacing them in the other room while she continued making more. Soon you had swapped out all of the damaged memory storage in the first tower. A check on the console in the other room confirmed that the oldest memories were no longer corrupted. Next, you decided to test the impact. After 6T9 finished her next batch of recordings, you asked her, "Think back to your very first day. What do you remember?"

She paused and then she made a puzzled expression. "I've lost that memory. I can't remember." Her expression turned briefly to one of panic, "Help me, Sky. I can't remember. I can't remember. I can't..."

You quickly pulled her out of the chamber and held her close. "It's all right 6T9. Some of your memories are lost, but you'll be OK. Focus on what we're doing, and why we're doing it."

After a moment she had recovered and said, "I understand Sky. I will be OK."