This isn't just glass -- these are old computation components.

This isn't just glass -- these are old computation components.

[Discard thought.]

These are computer components?

Yes. Filament memories. From the time when wires were cast in glass; slides with an inlaid nervous system.

"So this is all that remains of Feld R&D?"

He nods. "The rest of the building seems to have been picked clean."

"Hey Kim, look -- old cybernetics."

The lieutenant tilts his head, watching the light glimmer on the glass. "So it is. I think these used to form a single system, slotted in the wall."

How'd they do that? And why?

The 'how' was a closely guarded secret. Something that was locked in safes and human heads across the river where they were manufactured. As to why? Your fingers don't know.

The 'why' is easy -- because they hadn't come up with modern silicon-based systems yet. For vitreous-cast filament memories, though, these seem incredibly advanced.

"Could this be part of the Feld Playback Experiment?"

"These? No. These are old filament memories. I hope you're not expecting to find that device here -- you will be disappointed."

All you will find here is pain.

[Finish thought.]