P.1
Here’s a 5x compressed summary of chapter P.1 in 409 words:
Parahumans Online (PHO) is back online, albeit with severe limitations. Seventy-eight PHO staff, Stateside Online employees, former US government and space program officials, international space program members, the Guild (especially Masamune), and numerous independent experts worked tirelessly to restore the service.
The revived PHO is slow and clunky. Pages load slowly, and features like header images, badges, video, and image uploads are disabled to reduce bandwidth usage. Strict moderation is in place to ensure access for everyone. Users are urged to be patient, helpful, and contribute positively. Despite the frustrations, PHO’s return is a significant achievement, hinting at bigger things to come as the team works through the challenges.
Users discuss the vulnerabilities of the early internet. Updates and patches for operating systems and phones are unavailable, tech support is nonexistent, and the risk of malware is high. The Library project is digitizing content from cached laptops and phones, despite long wait times due to increased demand. Point_Me_@_The_Sky offers to help fill gaps in the digital records and mentions their collection of cape magazines, sparking a debate about the role and responsibility of capes in the aftermath of the global crisis.
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Refugees from Earth Bet face new hurdles at the Northeastern Bet-Gimel portal. Conrad James Freed and his family, after a harrowing journey from Wisconsin, are denied entry. Conrad recounts their forced evacuation due to contaminated snowfall and their decision to travel independently to the portal, a choice he regrets.
The border agents have stopped processing refugees, causing rising tensions in the growing refugee settlement. Conrad expresses frustration over the lack of communication and the refusal to let them in, despite the apparent abundance of space on the other side. He emphasizes their willingness to settle outside the city and contribute as farmers.
The situation is later resolved, with refugees being allowed through in larger numbers. Speculation suggests the delay was a tactic to manage the influx better. Thinkers like Squint and Danger Zone are stationed at the portal, possibly to streamline security checks. Discussions about the threats faced by refugees, including bandits, bad weather, and breached quarantine zones like Nilbog’s, highlight the ongoing dangers.
A debate ensues about the capes’ role and the public’s trust in them. Some argue that the capes failed to protect humanity, while others emphasize the need to support those who are helping. The lack of a new PRT with clear rules and oversight raises concerns about accountability and communication.
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Point_Me_@_The_Sky receives private messages from Glitzglam, warning against engaging with negative comments. Glitzglam offers a pep talk and suggests meeting for ice cream or coffee. They discuss an upcoming gang gathering, hinting at potential drama.