Hypersystem [2/3] [for SHINeeEXO14]

[hot7]

one | part two | three

Jaebum rarely calls for favors. Jackson knows that when Jaebum does, it means something has gone seriously wrong.

"You said he doesn't remember his name?" Jackson asks quietly.

"Yeah. Now I'm pretty sure he doesn't remember himself at all." Jaebum feels strangely disconnected now, no more of the earlier struggle to keep on top of what's happening. "I wanted to head straight for the hospital but he insisted that I just bring him home."

Jackson keeps his opinions to himself but his expression shows how much he disagrees with Jaebum. He wipes his face with his hands and nods gamely. Jaebum doesn't ask how long Jackson's been awake for; he knows that number will just make him feel guilty. There'll be time for that later. Right now he wants answers.

They're in Jinyoung's living room. Jackson and Jaebum are huddled by the corner farthest from the kitchen where Jinyoung is staring at the glass of juice that Jaebum poured for him.

"Let me talk to him."

Jaebum leads the way. "Hey, Jinyoung? This is Jackson. He's one of our friends."

Jinyoung shakes his head. "I don't remember you either."

"Good for me," Jackson says easily. "You don't remember all the money I owe you."

Jaebum leaves them to talk. The look in Jackson's eyes is hard to dissect between passion and anger; he's one of the most focused people Jaebum knows and that's one of the best things they can get right now. Because Jaebum certainly can't focus on what happened and still remain calm. Delaying natural reactions can get exhausting after a while.

He occupies himself by looking around the apartment. Finds potato chip wrappers stuffed into the couch, a crusted pair of chopsticks beside the television, bits and pieces of Jinyoung's presence that used to drive Jaebum's innate tidiness crazy back when they lived together. Jinyoung never learns to pick up after himself.

Jaebum resists the urge to clean. Maybe the sense of personality will jog Jinyoung’s memories.

What Jaebum doesn't spare are the medical transcripts he finds all over the place. Slipped in between books on the shelf. Crumpled beside a discarded pair of jeans. The envelope he found a few weeks ago still inside the magazine where Jinyoung hid it in.

Jaebum has no idea what the transcripts mean. But having them at all doesn't mean good things.

"It's a dissociative fugue," Jackson says when they have some privacy. It didn't take long for Jinyoung to say he's tired, and much less for him to actually fall asleep after they show him his bed. Jaebum doesn't know what he went through all morning, can't imagine how terrifying it must be to not remember anything. "It's hard to explain. And even harder to understand." What brings the terror home is Jackson being cautious of his words.

"What did he say?"

"We didn't get to talk much," Jackson admits delicately. "He remembers some things. Like what teeth are. How to read and write. What a phone is for, even if he doesn't remember his passcode. Or his number. He remembers all the basics. Stuff he learned from living in society."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"That's a matter of perspective." Jackson looks somber. "Look, I'm still an intern, okay? I have the fancy doctor title after my name but that doesn't mean I'm a specialist yet."

Jaebum nods. "You're the closest I can get to one right now."

That placates Jackson at least. "It's a good thing because at least we know it's not full blown amnesia. We have cases where patients literally can't remember what books are. Or that they're Korean. Or what words mean at all. We had to build their minds from scratch, those were bad. Jinyoung's not at that level. Which doesn't really narrow down the possibilities about what happened but it gave me something to work with."

"What was that thing you said earlier? Dissociative fugue?"

"Right. That. Think of it as… his explicit memories having been stored somewhere that he can't reach. He doesn't remember what school he went to or what he majored in but he does remember most of the things he learned. His skills are intact even if his memories have these holes in them. He can't remember his identity. That's how I'd describe a dissociative fugue. Some people affected by it go on and build new lives without ever remembering what they lost before the fugue started. There are textbook cases of people remembering only after thirty years."

"Thirty years-"

"Those are extreme cases," Jackson interrupts quickly. "Most fugues won't reach that long. Although it's hard to say exactly how long each specific episode will last. It could be a year, it could be a day, it could be forever." It terrifies them both. "I have zero idea what even caused it. Not that it would be much use."

Jaebum hands him the assorted medical papers. "It turns out that he's been seeing a doctor for weeks. The earliest I found is dated back when I was in Ireland." Jackson reads through them quietly. Jaebum doesn't like how his expression darkens. "Tell me."

"The papers don't have anything definite yet," Jackson says carefully. "But it looks like his doctor's reaching a conclusion. It doesn't say so specifically here but based on the tests and medicines being prescribed… He's been taking multivitamins?"

"I think so?" They both head for the bathroom at the same time. Jinyoung's medicine cabinet reveals some answers.

"Vitamin B supplements." Jackson grimly turns one of the bottles in his hands. "Thiamine deficiency. This isn't good news."

Jaebum stays quiet. He already inferred as much.

"I'm just guessing here-"

"Jackson."

"I'm not a specialist, Jae-"

"Jackson."

Jackson gives in. "There are no Korean names for what I think could be happening to him. Wernicke encephalopathy. Or Korsakoff's syndrome. Both possible. Both incredibly bad news."

"Are they fatal?"

Jackson doesn't answer.

Jaebum grabs his head in his hands and slides down against Jinyoung's bathroom tiles.

That's what sets Jackson off. "Jaebum, calm down, remember that I've been trained to assume the worst but that doesn't mean what I think is happening is actually what's happening."

"He said he doesn't remember me, Jackson. But he still trusted me. He still let me bring him home."

"Yeah, I asked him about that." Jackson sits on the floor beside Jaebum. Easier to lay an arm across Jaebum's shoulders this way. "He has no idea who you are- who we are. But he said he feels like he trusts you. And I think that where you found him isn't a coincidence either. He can remember things that are connected to you even if he doesn't know exactly what those things are and why he knows them. He said that when he had no idea where he was, he still somehow knew how to go to that hill. That it was the only place he knew about. Seems like somehow you made it into his implicit memory. The deeper kind of memories. Those are much harder to forget. I mean, he doesn't even remember Mark."

Mark. Right. Jaebum meets Jackson's gaze. "I think. We shouldn't tell Mark. Not yet."

Jackson purses his lips. "Why?"

"They broke up when Jinyoung's tests are getting more frequent, right?"

Jackson isn't all talk. He picks up on what Jaebum's trying to say. "You think Jinyoung broke up with him because of this?"

"Jinyoung has never wanted to burden other people." They both know that's almost true. There's only one person Jinyoung has ever felt comfortable burdening.

"He should at least have given Mark the choice."

"Come on, Jackson, we both know Mark would have chosen to fight this thing together with him. And it wouldn't have been an easy life, it wouldn't be-."

"Yeah, I get it." Jackson laughs hollowly. "Damn. Guess I lost the right to hate him, huh?"

"Jae?"

It's the familiarity in Jinyoung's voice that wakes Jaebum up. Not that Jinyoung's couch is conducive for comfortable sleep anyway, and the only light to see by is a weak yellow sliver coming from Jinyoung's bedroom.

"I didn't hear you come in," Jinyoung says. He's rubbing his eyes and his face is crossed with creases from his pillows. But he feels familiar. And when he looks at Jaebum there's that comfort with each other that they built over the years. "What are you doing here? Couldn't sleep at home?"

At least this answers one of Jackson's questions. "Are you okay now? You don't feel strange or anything?"

Jinyoung takes his time yawning. "Why would I feel strange? Sorry for waking you, I just got restless. That new class is starting later today. I can still squeeze you into the roster if you want. Come on, Jae, it's dancing."

Jackson is a better choice for handling something like this. But Jaebum is the one who's there. "Jinyoung, what day is it?"

Jinyoung checks the clock above the television. "Sunday now, I guess. Half past midnight. Hence that dance class-"

"Jinyoung, have you-" Jaebum can't imagine any easy way to work things through. He can play dumb now but Jinyoung will find out sooner or later. "You've been forgetting a lot of things lately."

"I've just got a lot on my mind." Jaebum doesn't miss how Jinyoung's tone shifts to defensiveness.

"Jinyoung. It's Monday. The class was yesterday. Yugyeom called me because you didn't show up. Nobody knew where you were." He takes the medical records he hid under the couch pillow and puts them on the table. "I found you on the hill outside the city. Where we always meet up if something's bothering you."

But Jinyoung isn't listening to him now. He's shaking, staring at the papers.

"You could barely remember anything. I brought you home. Here." Jaebum gesturs at the records. "Jackson interpreted for me. Jinyoung-"

"I'm scared."

Jaebum doesn't know how to answer that. Nothing stands stronger than honesty.

"Jaebum. I'm scared. It's been happening more frequently. And now you know too. I don't know how to deal with this."

The mind moves with its own sense of time. Jinyoung crouches in slow motion, his shoulders shaking and his skin pale in his island of yellow-lit floor. Jaebum pushes his own fears back and goes to his best friend.

"Jaebum, I don't know if- I can't-" It's hard to understand Jinyoung through the sobbing, through the accent that he loses control of when he's emotional. "Jaebum, what if it happens again and nobody looks for me? What if I wake up lost and-"

Jaebum cradles him safely in his arms. "I'll find you," Jaebum assures him. "Wherever you go, I'll find you and bring you home. We'll work through this. You have me. We'll fight through this together."

He doesn't say that he doesn't know how. But Jaebum is good at finding answers. Jaebum is good at pushing technology to its limits.

And if science can figure out what's making Jinyoung sick, then maybe science can also find a way to cure him.

"I wish I could tell you that teleportation is simple, but it's not." Bambam sounds tinny over the phone. It's less because of the distance and more because of the encryption technology and the soundproof phone booth in the lab that Jaebum is using to hide their discussion from unwanted listeners. No doubt Bambam has his own security in place, too. "The technology is still at its infancy. Everything we've done is like those first baby steps, you know? Science, man: painfully slow at first but give it a decade or two to boom."

Jaebum has already guessed as much. Technology needs time to accelerate before it matures. Hypersystem science is still bound by the same rules of progress.

"Why the sudden interest, anyway?" Bambam asks. "I thought your team is working on a completely different track."

"We are," Jaebum says. "I'm just wondering how to benchmark our progress. The only publicly announced research into hypersystem science is your team's teleportation."

"There's the Netherland team's superluminal communication project."

"Wait, what's that?"

"Faster than light communication. But that one's still very early in development, we just learned about it this week. You know, five years ago I'd have laughed at anyone who implied that faster-than-light anything is possible." Bambam sounds amused with himself. "Of course, now it just seems so obvious."

"Welcome to the scientific revolution." But Jaebum isn't here to muse about the wonders and ironies of science. "So teleportation is basically just at the math stages? Didn't you guys present an experimental model at the conference?"

"Wait, give me a second." The line goes silent. Jaebum passes the time by biting his fingernails. "Okay, I'm back. I just had to confirm something with my boss. So what I'm going to tell you was declassified last month and we'll be publishing a paper on it by next week anyway so there's no harm in talking about it. How fluent are you in hypersystem theories?"

"Not very," Jaebum admits. "If you want technical fluency, that's Youngjae and Suzy. I understand stuff but-"

Bambam interrupts him. "Never mind, I'll speak in layman's terms. The broad brushstroke of the abridged section of the summary of the condensed version of our mathematical model is that information about every single point in space (we're removing time as a dimension for this) has metadata printed right into the hypersystem layer. Sort of like… when you take a picture with smart cameras these days? It encodes information about the picture right into the file itself. So the right machines can figure out where and when the picture was taken, using what brand and model and under what settings."

"Okay, go on." Jaebum knows next to nothing about photography. It sounds like something that camera technology would do so he just accepts it as true.

"That was the first step to figuring out teleportation. And we didn't even intend to study teleportation, okay? We were just doing generic hypersystem research, trying to understand it, you know? Until we learned that every single coordinate in space has metadata in the hypersystem. Like. Instructions in the fabric of reality about what should be in that point of space. It's a lot more complicated than that; don't forget that I'm generalizing several levels down."

Jaebum dutifully takes notes. "Then someone started asking what if we switched the data for two different coordinates in space?"

"That was me." Bambam's proudness carries over well despite the poor sound quality. He must be really pleased with himself. "Then came thousands of brilliant man hours to figure out how to actually make sense of the metadata; you won't believe the intellectual resources we pulled in to this project, we practically involved the whole company. But yeah, eventually we managed to build a machine from scratch, both hardware and software, that can manipulate data in the hypersystem. That was the big experiment. And the findings? The experiment worked. Teleportation can be done. Used up way more energy than I'm comfortable talking about but. Yeah. It can be done."

Jaebum's heart skips a beat. "It worked. You mean you actually teleported something." He'd have dismissed the entire conversation as crazy enthusiasm if he wasn't talking to one of the world experts in the field.

"In highly controlled laboratory conditions, yes." Bambam's tone changes from proud to cautious. "The specimens were two small, nearly identical spheres of gold. We wanted a noble metal and gold had the highest physical potential."

"And is much easier to get in Thailand?"

"That's stereotyping, that is," Bambam says. Jaebum can practically hear him grinning. "But yeah, it's easy to find gold here. Not that you can buy near-pure gold in the market like tourists have been led to believe, but we have more sources than most other countries. Anyway. Two spheres of gold, each one about the size of a golf ball and separated by a two-foot thick wall of lead. Those are the first successfully teleported artifacts in human history."

"That sounds... promising."

Bambam pauses, not long but still meaningful. "What do you really want to know, Jaebum? You might as well ask out loud but I'm not gonna say anything if the answer is still classified."

Jaebum holds his breath. "How far away are we from teleporting actual people?"

He doesn't expect Bambam to laugh loudly. Casually. Like the question is absurd. "Jaebum. Dude. I have no freaking idea. Pure gold is easy to teleport because it's chemically and physically inert. Not to mention the energy requirements!"

"I get the feeling that this has been asked before."

"Don't feel bad," Bambam consoles him. "You're not the only one who's looking in that direction. I actually asked my boss that exact same question. It's possible in the same sense that anything is possible in multiverse theory. But is it actually doable? I have no idea."

Jaebum frowns and puts a question mark beside teleportation on his list. "But aren't human bodies just a collection of different chemicals in a carefully arranged state?"

"You sound like an alchemist," Bambam says. That's not a very good thing to tell a scientist, though Jaebum knows Bambam is being derisive, not condescending. "We thought that too but the biochemistry guys laughed us out of their floor before we even finished the sentence. Human bodies are complicated, man-"

"I didn't say they weren't-"

"-and that's only the body we're talking about, the part that's easier to understand even if we don't actually fully understand it yet."

Jaebum figures out what Bambam wants to say before he actually hears the words.

"Sure, you can teleport a human body, that's theoretically possible because the body is physical. But after you teleport, will the mind within the body still be there? What about the memories? We don't know. Our math doesn't know. And Jaebum, I think we're still decades too early before we can truly know."

Looks like finding Jinyoung when he gets lost is going to be harder than Jaebum thought.

Jaebum is not above asking for help.

Youngjae has long gotten past the point where he gets nervous whenever Jaebum wants to talk to him alone at work.

"I need you to teach me about hypersystem theories."

Youngjae quirks his head to the side. "Hyung, you already know more about hypersystems than almost everybody in the world. We're at the cutting edge of the field."

"I know." Jaebum doesn't smile. "But I don't know as much as you do. I need you to teach me what you know." Youngjae blinks rapidly. Jaebum knows he looks intimidating when he keeps his expression blank.

"Of course." Youngjae looks guarded. But not defensive yet. "May I ask why? I mean, the reason you hired me is so that you don't have to learn what I know. So you can focus on programming and managing the team. Right?"

"I feel like I'm being left behind," Jaebum says. "I need to know what you guys are actually talking about so I can build programs for it."

He gives time for Youngjae to think it over. "I suppose that's reasonable."

Jaebum nods. "Great. Better get ready for that, then."

Youngjae leaves, put off but still placated. Jaebum wonders if what he said counts as a lie.

"You guys ready for dinner?"

"Of course we're ready, it's dinner!" Jinyoung steps aside to let Mark and Jackson into Jaebum's apartment.

Mark puts the boxes they're carrying on Jaebum's table. It smells like noodles and barbeque. "It's been a while since the four of us last got together like this."

"To be honest I was afraid it would never happen again." Jinyoung winks at Mark before going to the kitchen for drinks.

"What's up with you, Jae?" Mark asks, looking concerned. "You look like you haven't been sleeping well."

"Yeah, things are just busy at work." Jaebum looks away from Jackson. For someone so naturally exuberant, nobody could express quiet concern as well as Jackson does. "How about you? I see you're looking better."

Mark beams at him. "Finished some stressful projects last week. So I have time to relax. This guy here on the other hand-" Mark gestures at his best friend, Jackson quickly schools his expression into one of exhaustion "-has been picking up even longer hours. If that's even possible."

"Gotta work hard, man," Jackson says easily.

Jinyoung comes back with bottles of beer and juice and a stack of Jaebum's plates. Jackson distributes the food, Mark turns the television on, and Jaebum is amazed at how easy it actually is to pretend that everything is normal.

"How long have you been forgetting things? Or is that a stupid question to ask?"

"I can actually remember that. This was… around three weeks before you left for your convention. I was running late for work because I couldn't get out because... I couldn't find my car key. It's not that I forgot where it was, I remember that I put it on the table the night before. And I knew what my key looked like - I could picture it clearly in my head. And the weird thing is that I could see that same key on the table. It just... the link in my head to tell me that the key on the table was the key I was looking for? It never came. I just didn't realize that I already found the damn key. So I kept looking. And I couldn't find it so I ended up taking the subway and reaching the school ten minutes late."

"And when you got home?"

"I saw the keys the moment I came in through the door and then the link clicked. But I thought it was a one-time thing. Stress, you know? But it kept happening. So I went to the doctor. And it's been getting worse."

And when Jaebum relays this Jackson later that night, what Jackson has to say doesn't make Jaebum feel any better.

"I guess that's expected. He's been getting more and more forgetful over the past few months, right? We both noticed it. It's not his memories that are failing, it's the mechanism behind his memories. The brain. And the brain has more functions than just remembering things. When one function of the brain fails, it's likely that other functions are failing too."

"And now he's getting worse."

"But he's also seeking treatment. He's fighting this, Jae. And it's not gonna be easy."

"I'll be there for him. He won't go through this alone."

"You look like shit."

Jaebum yawns tiredly. "Good morning to you, too, Jia."

"No, seriously, I've been wanting to say that to you since early this week. Boss, have you been sleeping well? Or at all?" Jia peers closer at him. It takes a lot of conscious effort for Jaebum to not snap at her at all.

"I'm fine, I just have a lot of things going on at the moment." Jaebum lines up the shot glasses and readies the espresso, Jia steams the milk. They head back down to the lab with their coffee tumblers warming their hands. "How are your projects going?"

"Glad you asked. Suzy is now starting to realize that Youngjae is actually trying to put moves on her-"

"Not those projects."

"Ah. Well." Jia hums thoughtfully. "Yun's been working with the radiation guys for the new gamma ray sensor he's designing. That's going well. Taehyun hasn't come back to us yet with his validation of Youngjae's math but I do know he has time booked with Suzy to walk through the theoretical models. So I guess let's give him a few more days."

"How's Namjoon?"

"The Vasini guys are contacting him for an expansion of the original magnetic ring design. But I'm not sure if he's interested. I think he wants to work with Youngjae on hypersystem research. So does Hanbin, actually. In fact, they want me to ask you if they can."

They stop outside the door to Jaebum's office. "And why didn't they ask me themselves?"

Jia pins him with a look. "Because you've got this whole deathray vibe going on. Everyone's scared of approaching you. And I thought they were being silly until I had to update you about how everyone's doing. Normally you're on top of that by yourself. It's kind of alarming, boss."

Jaebum thinks by looking at the ceiling. "Thanks for telling me. Let the guys know that it's nothing serious, okay? They can still come to me if they need anything, I won't bite their heads off."

"Tell them yourself."

"… Okay, that's fair, I'll do that." Jaebum sighs. "But the deathray vibes might be staying for the next few weeks. My plate's kind of full right now. I need to rely on you to manage the team for the time being."

"Fine. I'll do some damage control. Ask if you need help?"

"Will do." They raise a toast with their coffee. Jia continues down the hall, Jaebum goes into his office. "Sorry for the wait."

"Don't worry; it wasn't that long, hyung." Youngjae tosses his markers between his hands and stands by the clean whiteboard. "You ready for your crash course?"

Jaebum takes a deep swig from his tumbler, grabs his notebook, and nods. "Lay it on me."

Jackson meets them in an artisanal coffee shop that serves concoctions Jaebum has never heard of. He has no idea what Jinyoung ordered for him but it tastes like tea and honey and a few other flavors that blend nicely but still feel weird on his tongue. Jaebum likes his drinks simple and straightforward. Or maybe his company just spoiled his taste buds.

"They gave me a diagnosis." Jinyoung slides a large, official-looking envelope across the table. Jackson picks it up like he's afraid it contains a bomb. "The doctor discussed it with me. And I tried to listen but I couldn't absorb anything, I couldn't-"

"You couldn't focus," Jaebum says, and Jinyoung nods.

Jinyoung takes a deep breath, steadies his shaking, and smiles at Jackson. "That's why I need your help. Can you tell me what I'm facing?"

Jackson opens the envelope and reads quietly. Jaebum doesn't like the blank look he pastes on his face. "Jinyoung..."

"No, just- tell me straight." Jinyoung sits straighter. "I know it's not good news. I've had enough of being afraid."

"Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome. It's worse than I thought." Jackson sighs deeply. "Have you been taking your vitamins regularly?"

"For a few months now."

"Good. That might be able to keep you in shape long enough for the doctors to prevent further damage. Most of the time this is caused by alcoholism but I know you don't drink that much. I mean, you drink sometimes but- that. May not be a good idea anymore."

Jinyoung laughs. To Jaebum, it still sounds natural. "I've stopped drinking alcohol since I started going to the doctor. So yeah, that's one less thing to worry about. I guess I was just unlucky."

It's not like Jackson to be careful with his words. He's scanning ahead for what he's going to say; he's out of practice with being tactful around friends. "The good news is it's not immediately lethal. Of course it depends on how you take care of yourself now that you know about it, but- Yeah. The cause is usually thiamine deficiency. Vitamin B1."

Jaebum grins despite himself. "Jackson. You're acting more flustered than Jinyoung. Don't tell me you're going to be like this with your future patients."

Jackson's grin is brittle. "Patients are one thing. Friends are different. Talking to friends about something that's going to make their lives hell? That's something I hoped I'd never have to do." He takes Jinyoung's hand tightly in his own. "I'm here for you too, man. Jaebum's not the only one who's got your back. I'm sorry for all those times I planned your death when you broke up with Mark. I didn't mean them."

"I never knew you did that."

"Yeah, well. I'll make it up to you. Jaebum's right. You're not going through this alone."

The hypersystem revolution says that information is built right into the fabric of the universe. And according to Youngjae, in the right circumstances information can become substance. The only circumstance he's described so far is matter and energy being interchangeable at the speed of light. But that's not all there is to it.

Bambam's team managed to teleport two balls of gold. By building a machine that can access the hypersystem and swap the metadata of two different coordinates in space.

Hypersystem is all about information. Youngjae says that intelligence is built right into the building blocks of reality.

Then maybe, Jaebum wonders, the hypersystem also has something to say about minds?

"So where are you taking me?"

Jinyoung feels around for Jaebum's arm to stop himself from fiddling with his blindfold. Jaebum focuses on his driving. "Not very far away. Actually, we just arrived. Ready?" He pulls into the parking lot and unties his handkerchief around Jinyoung's eyes.

Jinyoung blinks rapidly while looking around. "This is our old school."

"I thought you'd like to remember some happier days. Come on."

It's the first time they've been back since graduation. Jaebum muses on how it feels so alien now but it almost felt like home a decade ago. There are new buildings, a few departments have been moved around, the students all seem too young to already be in university, but some distant memories are awakening right away.

"Hey look, that's where Profession Jung yelled at you for sleeping through class again."

Jaebum laughs despite himself. "There are way too many times that happened, you have to be more specific."

But for Jinyoung, a performance art major who had a solid interest in sports, the real schoolday fun happened in the gym. "You should have told me where we were going. We could have brought sports clothes and played a few rounds of basketball."

"Yeah, and you'd have beaten me while I just laughed my embarrassment off because everyone thinks I have the build to play sports but I don't actually like any games."

"Whatever, you'd be good if you just practiced- hey look, they still have the mango tree!" Jinyoung pointing outdoors at a massive tree just to the edge of one of the football fields. "Good thing they didn't cut it down."

"I guess it's become part of the university image. I mean, a lot of students chose that as their rest area before heading home." Jaebum squints past the sunlight. "And I imagine a lot of us alumni will have a lot to say if they decide to cut it down. So looks like tradition lives on."

"Rest area. Right," Jinyoung snorts. "Make out area, you mean. Come on, we did it too but that only proves the point. Only time we ever kissed, I don't know what came over me."

Jaebum keeps his expression blank even as his mind starts racing. That never happened. But Jinyoung looks so confident.

"Come on, let's see which of the stalls in the cafeteria they kept." Jinyoung grabs his hand and Jaebum plays along.

"It's called confabulation," Jackson says later that night when Jaebum calls him. "He's remembering false memories. He's not lying, he's not making them up. It's his sickness. And I doubt if that's the only thing he can recall that didn't actually happen."

"Is he getting worse?"

"You're a big fan of science, Jae. I'm sure you noticed that after a change happens its effect speeds up over time."

"I know." Jaebum cradles his head in his hands. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Jaebum feels the mental click when he's washing shampoo out of his hair in the shower.

Normally he would rush out as wet as he was and look for pen and paper to jot the idea down before it fades behind the constant drone of thoughts in his head. But this one catches his whole attention. The rest of his mind goes silent.

The hypersystem is a layer of information defining the entire universe.

Bambam's teleportation showed that information can be switched. So… what if information can be directed?

If the hypersystem treats information as substance, would a software engineer be able to write a machine that can move information around?

Jaebum turns his shower off, barely dries himself and sits still dripping in front of his laptop.

"I guess it can work," Youngjae says although his tone is dripping with doubt. Jaebum's just glad that Youngjae is humoring him. "I can start modeling my research that way if you want. See if the change fits."

Jaebum grins proudly. "You don't have to if you're too busy. But I'd appreciate it a lot."

Youngjae laughs. "Hyung, whenever you say that you always mean 'do it or else'. What time is Jinyoung-hyung coming? I don't want to drag your party down."

"It's not a party, just a weekly get together. And you can stay; you're one of his favorite people, remember? Plus I can introduce you to Mark and Jackson."

"Too bad they're no longer together. I always wanted to see how romantic Jinyoung-hyung could be."

"Sickeningly. They used to be so nauseating." Jaebum turns his laptop screen around so Youngjae can see what he's written. "Just keep in mind that I'm not a physicist, okay? I have a completely different approach to math."

"I'm familiar with how you build software, don't worry."

"So you said that we're extremophiles because we live in 3+1 dimensions, right? Because intelligence needs more dimensions to be able to manifest freely?"

Youngjae nods. He reads through Jaebum's digital model. "Exactly. I've been working with the biological and chemical sciences departments to chase down a few theories. Which I guess you would have known if you hadn't been so unreachable lately."

"Give me time, let me just finish a few projects then I'll bother you guys as much as before."

Youngjae accepts the promise. "One of the threads I'm chasing is that we adapted to our extreme environment by developing physical bodies."

Jaebum thinks that one through. "Hanbin isn't going to like that development."

"I'm going to present it a little differently, of course," Youngjae says carefully. "But. Maybe some religions have it right. Not in the sense of gods and souls, of course, but who knows? Maybe we really used to be free-floating entities that now need bodies to survive. Or what if we used to exist in higher dimensions before something happened and we got stranded here? And now we can't go back?"

Jaebum shakes his head. "You're starting to sound like you're quoting Catholic creation myth."

Youngjae sighs heavily. "I know. It's kind of hard not to. Welcome to the scientific revolution, hyung. It changes everything." Youngjae squints at a string of code that Jaebum hasn't finished yet. "What's this?"

"Just a loose thought I'm following up on."

"Huh. Really? I thought it was gibberish." Youngjae furrows his eyebrows. "But then, you're the programmer, I'm just someone who throws math at you. Seriously, I haven't seen anything like that before. What language is it in?"

The doorbell rings before Jaebum can come up with an answer. He doesn't bother to get up from his seat, the people he's expecting tonight know his passcode anyway: Jinyoung and Jackson ring the bell only as a formality; Mark is the one who respects Jaebum's space and sadly he's always overshadowed.

"I brought pizza and soda," Jinyoung announces as soon as he comes in. "Jaebum, you'll have to put up with western food tonight. And is that my favorite dongsaeng?"

"Hyung!"

"Jaebum has you working after hours too, huh?" Jinyoung sets the food on the table and greets Youngjae with a hug. "If he's abusing you just tell me and I'll beat him up." He says this while squeezing Youngjae's cheeks.

Youngjae waits until Jinyoung is done manhandling him. "He's actually been lenient lately. We've only been working one hour overtime a day instead of the usual three."

Jinyoung quirks an eyebrow at Jaebum. "That doesn't sound like the Jaebum I know."

"He's joking," Jaebum says. "About the usual three hours. It's usually five hours or nothing." Not that Jaebum is pushing them towards working that long. It's the team's own passion that keeps them glued to their desks.

"Oh, we have a guest tonight." Jackson comes in with his bottles of juice, followed closely by Mark and his small box of cake. "Jaebum roped you into being friends with him, huh? Stay away from Jaebum as early as you can, kid, he's a bad influence."

Jaebum rolls his eyes. "Jackson, Mark, this is Youngjae. He works for me and he happens to be one of Jinyoung's favorites. Youngjae, these guys are Jackson and Mark."

Youngjae bows. "It's nice to finally meet you." But his pleasantry is overruled by Jackson pulling him in for a hug.

"Don't mind him," Jaebum tells Youngjae. "He's just excessively touchy."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Jinyoung says cheerfully to Mark. "I'm Jinyoung. Jaebum's best friend. No idea why he didn't introduce me but. Well. Where does he know you from?"

Jaebum and Jackson share a look that perfectly translates to a moment of Oh shit.

Mark snorts and puts his box down on the table. "Whatever, Jinyoung. Come on, let's get plates."

Jinyoung's smile freezes. "It's good to be friendly and all but don't you think you're being too familiar for someone I just met?"

Mark blinks at him. "Okay. I'll get the plates then."

Jinyoung turns to look at Jaebum when Mark heads for the kitchen. "Wasn't that a bit rude? He's acting too close already. Who the hell is he?"

Jaebum puts a hand on Jinyoung's shoulder. "Jinyoung. Are you feeling okay?"

"Perfectly fine. Why?"

"Mark, I think we should leave," Jackson says quickly when Mark comes back with Jaebum's dinnerware in his hands.

"But we just got here." Mark grins at Youngjae. "And I finally get to talk to someone who works for Jaebum; I've always been curious what kind of boss he is." Youngjae smiles awkwardly.

"Seriously, who is he?" Jinyoung asks Jaebum.

Mark raises an eyebrow at Jinyoung. "What, just because we broke up suddenly you don't know me anymore? I thought we were okay."

Jinyoung's eyes turn dangerous. "What exactly are you implying?" Jaebum doesn't like Jinyoung's tone.

But then, Mark has always been insightful. It takes exactly one look at how tense Jackson and Jaebum are to clue him in. "Okay. What's happening?"

"I think we should leave," Jackson insists. He puts a hand on Mark's shoulder. Mark doesn't budge.

"Jinyoung?" Mark asks quietly.

Jinyoung is watching him carefully. There's no familiarity in his eyes. But there's a shade of distrust that's so alien to see when he's looking at Mark.

Jaebum steps in between them. "Hey, Jin, why don't you get the napkins? Let me talk to them and let's start introductions again, okay?"

Jinyoung breathes out, calms down, and saunters to the kitchen.

"I think I should go," Youngjae says timidly. Nobody minds him.

Mark is frowning. Jaebum hasn't seen that happen before. "Jaebum, Jackson, what's going on?"

"Jinyoung's not feeling well," Jackson says quietly. "I'll explain later, come on, let's go-"

"What's stopping you from telling me now?"

"Mark, Jackson, you're here! I didn't hear you come in." Everyone turns to look at Jinyoung, who's raised his arms for welcome hugs despite the napkins in his hands. He stops when he sees everyone's expression. "Wow, why is the atmosphere here so heavy?"

"Jackson." Mark sounds upset. "Will you tell me what's going on, please?"

It's Jaebum who answers. "He has bursts of amnesia." Jinyoung looks stunned at Jaebum. Jackson chokes on air. "He forgets things. People. He was having an episode earlier."

"What-"

"Jaebum, don't-"

"Well this is a shitty way to break the news," Jackson laughs bitterly.

"How long has this been going on?"

"A few months." Jaebum hasn't taken his eyes off Jinyoung, and Jinyoung is hurt at the betrayal of secrecy. "I'm sorry, but there was really no way to pretend otherwise after what happened."

Jinyoung puts the napkins on the table. He moves carefully as if he doesn't want to provoke anyone. "I guess this isn't going to be the relaxing night that everyone's expecting, huh? Why don't we start eating before the food gets cold? Then at least we won't be tense on an empty stomach." He stands close to Mark and holds his gaze straight. "I think we need to talk."

Mark's eyes aren't steady. "The last time you said that, the things you told me were painful."

It's hard to say who's sadder between them. "This one isn't going to be easy either."

"His sickness is biological, not psychotic," Jackson says solemnly to Youngjae and Jaebum. Jinyoung and Mark have sequestered themselves to Jaebum's tiny balcony. "Lesions in the brain due to malnutrition. Not that he's been eating unhealthily, he's just one of those people who are genetically predisposed to not absorb thiamin readily and now the effects are manifesting."

Youngjae looks pale. Jaebum throws an arm around his shoulder.

Jackson goes on. "He's been taking dietary and intravenous thiamine supplements. And it's slowing the lesions down but... the brain doesn't have a way to repair itself after that kind of breakdown."

"But he still seems functional." Youngjae's sounds weak. It's strange to hear such an impersonal description referring to someone so close.

"My guess is he's a lot worse than what we see." Jackson looks exhausted. More so than usual. "I think he's hiding his other symptoms. And that's his prerogative. Jinyoung is so... personal. Who knows how much emotional turmoil he's facing inside."

Jaebum is too tired to be sad. He leans against the couch and starts writing code in his head. This, at least, feels familiar. This is something he can do, something he's good at.

"How long until someone finds a cure?" Youngjae asks.

"I don't know. Once someone gets sick with this there's no turning back. Medicine has a long way to go."

Youngjae takes Jaebum's hand in his and passes his warmth. "I can't do much, hyung. But if there's anything I can do to lighten the pressures on you at work, or if there's anything I can do for Jinyoung-hyung, please let me know."

"I will," Jaebum says listlessly. The string of commands in his head slows down. "Thank you, Youngjae."

It's like scalar and vector quantities, Jaebum thinks.

Speed is a matter of quantity. Velocity is speed with direction. What if information is like speed but if you give it direction it becomes intelligence? And that thing that gives the direction. What if that's the mind? After all, the mind is seated in the brain and manifests in tiny, biologically generated bursts of electricity that controls the rest of the body. The mind, as it looks to Jaebum, is the intelligence embedded in the body of a person. The mind is an infoelectric hypersystem of its own.

If Youngjae is right that intelligence can manifest freely in the higher dimensions, then minds and bodies are only connected here in the lower dimensions. Separate the two and the mind dies without its protective shell while the body persists without its function. But should the mind die just because its shell is broken?

Jaebum ponders the question as he starts developing the seeds of new technology in his head.

Jinyoung quits his job. He tells Jaebum second. Mark is the first to know.

"It's not like I'm getting any better," Jinyoung says as they wait for their tea to cool. "And my bosses know that something's up, anyway. Apparently I've been forgetting which dances I already taught and I'm running out of excuses. Besides," he adds with a sheepish grin, "you guys have only seen the amnesia. There are worse symptoms. I won't be able to hide them much longer, even from you."

Jinyoung's apartment is noticeably cleaner. Jaebum recognizes the signs that Mark is spending his free time here again.

Jinyoung doesn't have to hide anything from Jaebum. But Jaebum knows that Jinyoung just wants to have something of his own even if what he has left are his weaknesses.

Jaebum adds too much honey to his tea for anyone else to find tolerable. "You look more collected than you've been for a while. More... at peace."

"I guess acceptance does wonders for a guy."

"So does Mark."

Jinyoung grins full of mischief. "Him, too. We're not back together if that's what you're thinking. That would have been a big mistake for him. But we're sort of making up for lost time."

"He's chosen to stand beside you. As he always has."

"I don't deserve him. I don't deserve you guys."

Jaebum solemnly raises his cup to his lips. "You know that's not true."

"Have some fruits. I didn't peel them all for nothing." Jinyoung tries to push the plate across the table but ends up hitting them with his knuckles and grimacing. Jaebum catches the apples before they make a mess on the floor.

"What was that?"

"Yet another symptom that I'm no longer able to pretend doesn't exist."

"Jackson. He's getting worse."

"I know. Jaebum, I'm right there with you on wishing that there's something I can do. But there's nothing. I'm sorry."

Jaebum reins his temper in, tries not to tear his hair off.

No, Jaebum decides. The mind shouldn't die just because the shell is broken.

Maybe it’s possible to move minds around. Maybe there’s technology for that. And if Jaebum can find a different shell, a healthy one, a shell that's willing, a shell that the mind is intensely familiar with... maybe the mind can continue to live in there.

"Hey, Jia?"

"Boss? It's what time in the morning and you're not yet here." Jia sounds more surprised than concerned. "Did you oversleep? Are you back to that habit?"

"I need to work on something extracurricular. Can you hold the fort? We don't have any critical deliverables, do we?"

Jia hums thoughtfully. "Not as far as I know. Anything I can help with?"

"No, it's fine, I'll be there by lunchtime. Call me if anything comes up."

Jaebum's laptop has run out of power since midnight. But he doesn't notice, not when the full intensity of his focus is on the machine he's building in his head. One that's almost pure software and exists entirely out of a language that Jaebum developed to make sense of the hypersystem.

After all, hypersystem technology is all about information. Under the right circumstances information becomes substance, and a machine in any form - even one that's 99% software and exists solely in its creator's head - can make sense of information and apply its changes.

If information is everywhere, then Jaebum doesn't need physical computers anymore.

Welcome to the scientific revolution.

Yet even his technology needs some hardware. Despite all his intensity, even Jaebum needs a focal point.

"You wanted to see me, boss?"

Jaebum gestures at the empty chair in front of his desk for Namjoon to take. This is the only reason why he still came to work. He wanted to see Namjoon before he got distracted by other things. "How are things with the Vasini expansion?"

Namjoon shrugs. "Last I heard it's still under negotiation. I think our projects team doesn't agree with the Vasini Corp's terms. Vasini wants to price it on partner dynamics, our team wants it priced under a completely new contract. Give it three more weeks or so, you know how slowly contract negotiations can go."

"I see." Jaebum steeples his fingers. "Jia mentioned that you want to work with Youngjae on hypersystem research."

"I think it would be exciting," Namjoon admits carefully. "There's a lot of work to be done in that field, and I think hypersystems and advanced magnetics could be a promising merge. But Youngjae and me working with only each other won't be as productive. We need Taehyun as the bridge."

"I'll see what I can do with freeing up some of Taehyun's time," says Jaebum. "But in the meantime, I want you to start brushing up on Youngjae's line of research. Find something that you can work on with him."

Namjoon grins excitedly.

"But I'll need you to do something for me first," Jaebum adds. "Just something minor, it shouldn't take that much time. You're an engineer, I'm sure you can produce it."

"Okay?"

"I need a small artifact made of gold. A cube two inches per side. Hollow, but sealed and filled with helium."

"And…?"

"That's it."

Namjoon blinks blankly. "What would it be for?"

"For an experiment I want to carry out."

"Aren't you a programmer, though?"

Jaebum shrugs. Namjoon takes the hint that he won’t be getting any more answers.

Mark looks as immaculate as ever even when he's stressed. But Jaebum can see the slightly darker tint of his eye bags, the shorter attention paid to his hair, the empty look in his eyes as he spaces out in the middle of a conversation.

"Thanks for meeting me." Jaebum looks equally exhausted. Off to the side, the waiters are readying their orders. "I know you're very busy."

Mark's laughter, at least, is as light as ever. "Come on, Jaebum, you know I can always find time for you guys."

"I just want to say thanks. For taking care of Jinyoung. I know it's not easy."

"I was about to say the same thing." Mark fiddles with his wooden chopsticks. The weight on his shoulders isn't enviable. "Jinyoung relies on you so much. He always looks up to you."

"We've been friends for fifteen years." And yet it feels like forever. "And I'm glad you guys found each other. I've never seen him as happy as when you're around."

Mark quirks an eyebrow at him. "Why does it seem like we want to tell each other the same thing?"

"Oh?"

"Because you and Jinyoung are so attached. Like. You're part of his identity." Mark smiles guiltily. "I'm actually kind of jealous- but not in the bad way! Your connection is so deep. You have a dynamic that just... works. You're very important to him."

"Come on, we both are. Jinyoung is as needy as he is a loner." They laugh at the irony.

Their dinner arrives. They eat in silence until Jaebum brings up what he really wants to say.

"I'm scared, Mark." He doesn't raise his eyes. His noodles are so fascinating. "I'm scared for him. I'm too scared to think of the future."

Mark doesn't say anything but Jaebum can see Mark's feelings clearly in his eyes: Jaebum isn't the only one.

"I would do anything to make it better." Jaebum's hands are shaking. He puts his chopsticks down. "I would give up my life for him if it means he'll get better. And I'm sure you would, too."

Jaebum sees the flicker of doubt in Mark and it seals his decision.

"Of course," Mark says. Jaebum isn't listening anymore.

There are only two people who know Jinyoung enough to host him in their shell. But it looks like only one of them can give everything up for him after all.

His phone rings in the middle of their team meeting. One look at the caller ID and he knows it's not good news.

"Go take it," Youngjae says. He looks at the rest of the team. Youngjae can compress so much meaning in such a small action. "We'll update you about everything later."

Jaebum nods and steps out to the hallway. "Hello? Jackson?"

Jackson sounds harried. "Okay, dude, what I'm going to say is alarming but I don't want you to freak out."

Jaebum would have responded with sarcasm if he wasn't already primed for bad news and walking briskly to the elevator. "Lay it on me."

"Breathe deeply first. Inhale… Exhale… Ready? Mark just brought Jinyoung here to the hospital. He had a minor seizure. It's subsided, he's unconscious and has been confined, we're carrying out bloodwork."

"Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes."

"But. Jae. Remember science? How things accelerate after change?"

"Yeah." Dissonantly, Jaebum feels composed. "I remember."

Sometimes, terror can be too big to be felt at all.

"He's still out." Mark greets him at the door to Jinyoung's room and leads him inside. "A few doctors have come by to check on him. No news so far."

Jaebum nods. Jinyoung looks exhausted, not peaceful. He looks like he's been in pain for so long and now he can't hide it anymore. "Did anyone call his family?"

"I did." Mark collapses on the couch. "His mom and his sister are hopping on the next train to Seoul. They should be here really early tomorrow morning."

"Great. How are you holding up?"

"I'm actually holding up?" Mark can't find the energy to laugh. "I'm a wreck, Jae. Jackson didn't know what to do with me. I just washed my face with ice-cold water literally a minute before you arrived."

Jackson returns with small plastic bag of snacks. For the first time he looks fresher than either Jaebum or Mark even in his stained green scrubs. "You should have seen him, he was so embarrassing," he says, handing out packets of chips. "He wouldn't stop even after the doctors assured him that Jinyoung is stable." Mark only grins weakly in response.

Jaebum brushes hair out of Jinyoung's face. "How long will he be out for?"

"I don't know." Jackson pats Mark on the shoulder and squeezes reassuringly. Then to Jaebum, "Hey, can I talk to you outside for a minute? As one science guy to another. Sorry, Mark, but you're the artsy type, you wouldn't understand."

"Whatever, asshole."

Jaebum follows him to a smoking room that Jaebum can barely breathe in. "Just so you know, I'm not expecting any good news so if you have some then you'd be exceeding expectations."

"I know. Sadly, your expectations are on point." Jackson checks him from head to foot. Sizes him up to see how he's doing. "And just so you know, I'm scared shitless too. But I can't even imagine how you and Mark must be feeling."

Jaebum closes his eyes and breathes deeply. "We're holding up, it looks like."

"You do it better than him." Jackson wraps his arms around Jaebum, and Jaebum accepts the warmth. "I'm starting to think you're indestructible, man."

The statement is so ridiculous that Jaebum can't stop himself from laughing.

Youngjae and Jia arrive not long after with cardboard cups of latte from the company machine. Mark welcomes them but he's too tired to join the conversation, sits on the couch and tries not to make noise.

"I have trained you well," Jaebum tells Jia and takes comfort in the familiar taste. "Isn't it too early to leave the office though?"

Jia isn't even trying to look guilty. "After the meeting wrapped up I asked Youngjae what's going on since he seemed to know something-"

"'Asked' is such a misleading word," Youngjae mutters darkly.

"-and he kind of explained the situation a bit. Really, boss, you could have told us." Jia pinches his shoulder. "We'd have understood if you wanted to take some time off. According to what Youngjae said your best friend is practically the only person you care about."

Jaebum squawks indignantly. "That's an exaggeration; I care about all of you-"

"So now that it's come to this, I'm exercising executive command backed by the entirety of your team and I'm mandating that you take a week off."

Jia looks capable of summoning lightning. The only reasonable response is a weak, "Yes, ma'am."

"How is he?" Youngjae asks softly. He stands closer to Jinyoung's bed.

"Stable, according to the doctors." Jaebum glances at Mark. "That's all they will say. I have no idea what they mean."

"We probably shouldn't crowd in here," Jia suggests. They end up idling by a vending machine where Youngjae buys the last pack of chocolate and Jaebum assures them that he's dealing with things well.

"Still," Jia says, "take a week off. I'm serious. Sort it out. Even you are allowed to rest."

"I know." Jaebum opens his arms and lets Jia in for a hug. "And thank you. I'll go in tomorrow and sort out some administ-"

"No, seriously, take time off. Starting tomorrow. A whole seven days." Jia's insistence is suspicious.

Youngjae starts chuckling and Jia glares at him. "She asked Yun to lock you out of your office. I think by now Yun has found a way to rig your door so it'll say locked until exactly seven days from today."

"I'm very thorough," Jia reminds them both.

They bid goodnight soon after.

"Oh, and hyung." Youngjae reaches into his bag and brings out a small parcel wrapped in white paper. "Namjoon asked me to give this to you. Said something about maybe you'll have more ideas for your experiment during your time off. Or a much-needed distraction."

Jaebum unwraps it when he's alone in the hallway. He holds in his hands an absurdly light cube made of gold.

The last piece of the puzzle comes to Jaebum in a dream about a thousand universes singing the same song, a chorus that defines all of space and time.

Jaebum isn't one for dreams. He's read psychology journals about dreams and that people dream every time they go to sleep. Yet if he does dream, he doesn't remember any. But what are dreams to a mind that needs a shell to survive in extreme conditions? Are they just random neurological activity?

Or maybe people dream only when they're sleeping because the mind is free to pay attention to things other than waking needs? Maybe dreams happen when the mind tries to rebel against its imprisonment, when the mind raps its knuckles against the walls of its shell.

Everything changes during a scientific revolution.

"Jaebum!"

Jaebum startles awake. He's never heard Mark sound so alarmed. The first thing he recognizes is the mass of nurses and doctors surrounding Jinyoung's bed. He's scrambling to his feet in less than a second. "Shit-"

Jackson pins him down when they start rolling Jinyoung's gurney out of the room. The room is pumped full of the smell of adrenaline.

Mark loses his cool first, just an instant before Jaebum does. "I thought you said he was fucking stable!"

"He was! But fuck it, Mark, we're working with what he have, we're doctors not magicians!"

Jackson leads them to a different floor, through hallways that Jaebum doesn't keep track off and soon they're watching down through glass at doctors prepping Jinyoung for surgery. But there are too many people in the room and Jinyoung is out of sight.

Mark has never looked so distressed. Jackson pulls him away and hugs him tight by the corner. The only thing Jaebum can hear is Jackson mumbling "It's gonna be okay" over and over again to Mark's ears. That's how Jaebum knows that... it's not. There's nothing more that medicine can do.

But Jaebum doesn't practice medicine.

He puts his hands in his pocket and brings out a two-inch cube of gold filled with nothing but helium. It's the only piece of hardware to the machine that Jaebum built inside his head.

Just because the shell is broken doesn't mean the mind has to die.

He makes sure that neither Jackson nor Mark are looking at him.

He reaches into his own mind and finds the machine console. Presses the right keys. Enters the right equations. His focal point rises an inch to the air and spins on three axes. He sees a glimpse of Jinyoung's face when a doctor shifts to the side.

Everyone is frantic. They pull out the defibrillator. They've lost him.

Jaebum has time to whisper one last promise.

There is no flash of light. His technology is completely silent. The cube falls back into his hands.

In the operating room below, Jinyoung's shell breaks beyond repair.

one | part two | three