Human Edge

"…Quantum world doesn't want me to see it
'Decohering at my measurements
While not all codes are meant to be broken
I just want to check if I can"

Jan hummed it out more than sang it, and the original words were different, but those would be the ones he'd choose to the tune while approaching the briefing room with the intent to try some code-cracking, suspecting quantum encryption.

The file was still marked, it hadn't been closed since the last attempt, which meant Jan could theoretically pick up where the work had left off.

(Computers(cryptography)/Intelligence at TN 25 to fix file association codecs for partial improvement - and/or - Computers/Awareness at TN 25 to recognize patterns and isolate them for partial improvement)

Jan was good at isolating patterns - but perhaps more patterns in nature than patterns in language, because of two concurrent attempts to clear the signal only the one that was pure IT succeeded. Not exactly rocket science, so he couldn't excel in that. Some curses and a coffee later there was some result.

LA3. Let's decrypt. Both rolls, both edged. TN25: 6d10o10k5 46 4d10o10k3 21

Now at least it was clear that he was looking at a double code-stream - one an audio codec, and one a video codec, that had been blended together at some point by some arcane file compression. It gave some insights for future options to attempt to clean it up.

(Signal clarity up 18%)

(Another character can attempt failed roll in this thread - otherwise will have to wait a day to try again on failed roll)

(Success on file association codes unlocks following pair of rolls: Computers(cryptography)/intelligence at TN 30 to decipher the original compression algorithm and back-track it and get the uncompressed files - and/or - Knowledge(Star League Intelligence)/Awareness at TN 25 to deduce which ancient cipher is being employed)

It frustrated Jan that the original algorithm remained uncracked - perhaps he just needed more time or another angle - but he didn't even swear too much over it because something else piqued his interest, a pattern emerging out of nowhere of a code he didn't know he knew. It felt positively ancient. Maybe he'd run across it over some mathematical puzzle obscured in his past? But the bell kept ringing, so he kept tracing additional proofs that that was indeed that.

LA3. Both Rolls, respectively. TN30/TN25. Learned for the latter.: 5d10o10k4 24 3d10o10k2 25

It was definitely some sort of intentional scrambling - it looked like he'd need to get access to the key embedded in the software to reverse-engineer it, but at least he knew the purpose of the distortion.

(+10% signal clarity)

(Another character can attempt the rolls, otherwise, that's all the progress today)

It was time for a cigarette. Also, to distract himself, Jan was perusing other logs, looking for something relevant to his interests, from the recent reports.

Aly was still trying to catch up on everything he'd missed and gain a clear assessment of the situation. He entered the briefing room to see what information he could find.

Jan was smoking, slowly, neither disturbed by nor disturbing the new arrival.

Aloysius soon came across the odd file and shifted his focus to studying it. He left briefly to retrieve a briefcase and continued working.

- - -
Numbers on My Iris [LA3], Computers/Awareness TN 25, Edge for +1k1: 5d10o10k4 27

Numbers on My Iris [LA3], Computers(cryptography)/intelligence, Digital Encryption Suite -5 TN, TN 25, Edge for +1k1: 5d10o10k4 25