Overheating Phones

The task manager shows two new active programs: xana:p and telectric:p.

Jeremie: We found it! But, what's that other task, "telectric"?
Aelita: I've heard about it, but I don't know what it does.
Jeremie: Hey! It stopped!

The console stops showing the two programs as active. Jeremie looks for xana:p in the drive for a few moments, without success.

Jeremie: It's not here! This is some sneaky program.

Yumi checks her phone. It's a little cooler than before.

Jeremie: Okay! At least now we know that XANA is involved in the issue with our phones. It also looks like this program, Telectric, is involved. The name contains the word "electric"… (acting as he's thinking, but he alreay knows the answer) Maybe, what's happening is that XANA is using Telectric, which is an external program, to interact with the cellphones.
Aelita: I can see that being the answer.
Jeremie: (boasting) Of course it is.

Aelita laughs. Ulrich raises an eyebrow, but then yawns.

Ulrich: Jeremie… I think I want to go to bed.
Yumi: Damn, Ulrich! (yawns) You made me yawn as well! Although the truth is that I'm also tired.
Jeremie: All right, guys, we'll leave it here. Let's go back to our rooms. Aelita, it's been a pleasure to meet you.
Aelita: …Are you leaving?
Ulrich: Yeah, Aelita, sorry, we're too tired.
Aelita: (lowers her head) It's okay.
Yumi: You sure, Aelita? What's the matter?
Aelita: It's just… the idea of being unaware of the world while the computer's off and not knowing when I'll wake up again (if I'll ever wake up at all).
Jeremie: I understand your worry, Aelita. Look, I'll make you a promise: I'm going to come back tomorrow at the same time as today to turn on the computer.
Ulrich: I'll join Jeremie. After all, this has been fascinating as nothing else in my life.
Yumi: I second both of you! If the boys invite me again, I'll come here at all costs!
Ulrich: …"If they invite me again?" (looks at Jeremie)
Jeremie: I think you've spent enough time with us in order to be considered as part of the team, Yumi. You don't need to wait for an invitation.
Yumi: (blushing) All right. Thanks, guys.
Ulrich: Welcome officially to the club.
Aelita: Makes me calm to know your resolve to come back tomorrow. I'm thankful for that. (smiles) I'm ready.
Jeremie: Okay. (signals Yumi so that she goes to lower the computer's switch) Shutting down in three… two… one… zero.

Yumi lowers the switch. While it shuts down, Aelita waves goodbye.

Jeremie: So, we're done for tonight then. Let's go.

…

While returning, the kids stop at the bridge.

Yumi: That's been one of the craziest things I've ever seen.
Ulrich: Same for me.
Jeremie: Definitely. A machine capable of virtualizing real-life elements? A girl inside a computer? It's still hard for me to trust her, by the way. Although, if she was an artificial intelligence, she'd be incredibly well achieved.
Yumi: I trust that she's human. Seems like something out of a fantasy, but to be honest, the computer itself already is.
Ulrich: It's true. Well, are we going, Jeremie?
Jeremie: Let's go. Bye, Yumi!
Yumi: Bye, Jeremie and Ulrich! Thanks for letting me be your friend.
Ulrich: You're welcome, Yumi.
Yumi: In any case, I haven't forgotten about our second fight tomorrow!
Ulrich: (playfully defiant) You better assist.
Yumi: I could say the same to you! Rest well, tomorrow's going to be tough.
Ulrich: (blushing) Alright. You rest well too.

Yumi runs away.

Jeremie: I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight. Everything that's happened in the last hours has been really intense.
Ulrich: Don't worry, I'm sure the walk back will help you calm down.
Jeremie: You're probably right.

…

The next day goes as most normal days in Kadic. They don't meet Sissi though, so they deduce that she's still upset because of the prank of the day before. They join Yumi at lunchtime and discuss about going to the factory at night. Ulrich and Yumi banter from time to time about the upcoming duel.

After school ends for the day, the children go to the woods in order to fight their second round. The duel lasts for about thirty seconds. This time Yumi wins, after she makes Ulrich lose balance and he steps out of the fighting ring.

Yumi: Good fight.

Ulrich looks at her for one second, turns his back and leaves.

Yumi: (upset) What on earth happened to him? I won fair and square. Is he really that incapable of accepting defeat?
Jeremie: Ulrich's always been prone to anger issues. He also tends to take things a bit too seriously.
Yumi: But that doesn't give him right to dishonour a fight! He didn't even bow at the end!
Jeremie: I'm with you, I think it's unfair and irresponsable of him. I'll go talk to him.

The kids split up. Once the scene is empty, Sissi comes out from behind a tree, with a camera between her hands.

Sissi: Well, I see my Ulrich has been beaten by the new girl! And even better: he didn't take it well at all! I'll sell these images to Milly and Tamiya so that they become tomorrow's trending topic. Let's see if you think better next time you want to be mean to me, Ulrich dear!

Sissi's phone starts ringing.

Sissi: Why do they bother me just now? (takes the phone out and reads the screen: no name) Huh? That's strange. (picks up) Hello? Helloo…

…

Jeremie finds Ulrich, walking back to the dorms.

Jeremie: Ulrich!

Ulrich looks at him for a second and then keeps walking.

Jeremie: What's your problem? You left without a word once the round was over.
Ulrich: Leave me alone, Jeremie.
Jeremie: One defeat cannot leave you like this! The duel isn't even over, there's still one more fight and you're acting like you've been wounded for life!

Ulrich snorts.

Jeremie: Listen, it's not fair to Yumi that you behave like this. It also doesn't make you look very good in her eyes. You're being represented by your pride right now.
Ulrich: (turning around to face Jeremie) She teased me in every possible way before the duel! And now she's going to start bragging about the superiority of her little academy. It's not an advantageous spot the one I'm now, you know.
Jeremie: Well, the latter hasn't happened, and I don't get what's wrong with the first thing. You did the same with her! That's just playful bantering.
Ulrich: (sarcastic) Oh yeah, that's what you think?
Jeremie: That's what I think, and I'm sure Yumi thinks that as well! Your pride is the only thing that prevents you from telling apart between a friendly competition from a life-and-death situation.
Ulrich: That's what you say because you never expose yourself to losing! You don't get frustrated during school because you have outstanding grades, and stay out of any physical challenge, where you might get more exposed.
Jeremie: (exasperated) Do you want to remember how we became friends!?
Ulrich: Oh, sure, because it looks like I need a reminder.
Jeremie: (shouting) You stood up for me against some big kids because they didn't want to stop hitting me and I couldn't do anything about it!

Both of the boys look around. Some glances are focused on them.

Jeremie: (lowering his voice) Being physically bullied for years can be something pretty frustrating, you know. It also is the fact that… (his voice stumbles; a few tears come out from his eyes) that I need someone else's protection… in order to live a somewhat normal life.

Ulrich is unable to answer. Jeremie sniffs loudly.

Jeremie: Look, why don't you go and apologize to Yumi? I'm capable of dealing with you, but she's just become our friend; and I think she doesn't deserve that you treat her like this.
Ulrich: (angrily ashamed) Great! Now not only did I disrespect Yumi, but you as well. It's clear I'm a disaster. What use is to apologize now?
Jeremie: Ulrich, you're not a disaster; but you're too afraid to make mistakes, to feel embarrased. I'm your friend and Yumi wants to be your friend as well. And I'm pretty sure none of us has the intention to embarrass you.

Ulrich doesn't answer again.

Jeremie: Losing and feeling ashamed is uncomfortable, but it's not the end of the world. Saying you're sorry might be embarrasing, but it's for a better cause. And everybody ends up better afterwards.

Silence for a few seconds.

Ulrich: Okay… I'm sorry, Jeremie. (lowers his head) I didn't… want to make you feel like that. (blushes)
Jeremie: Thanks, Ulrich. I forgive you.

Ulrich raises his head just enough to look at Jeremie in his eyes. He sighs profoundly.

Jeremie: So? Too terrible?
Ulrich: Somewhat…

Jeremie approaches his friend and puts a hand on his shoulder.

Jeremie: Well, that's enough rehearsal with me! Now it's Yumi's turn.
Ulrich: But what if she doesn't forgive me?
Jeremie: It's a possibility, but I doubt it. She doesn't seem like a spiteful person. I'll ask if she still wants to go to the factory tonight.

Jeremie takes out his phone, but realizes it's way too hot.

Jeremie: Something's wrong with my phone. I'll go ask her in person.

…

That night the three children arrive. The two boys join Yumi at the bridge.

Yumi: Hi, Jeremie! (looks through Ulrich) Ulrich.
Ulrich: Hi, Yumi. Uh, I'd like to…
Yumi: One second, I need to say something important.

Ulrich stays silent.

Jeremie: (to Yumi) Well?
Yumi: I didn't bring my cellphone. I had to leave it at home. I couldn't grab it because of how hot it was.
Jeremie: The same thing happened to mine, although I was able to bring it. Did you leave it somewhere safe?
Yumi: Yeah, I managed to move it with some metal spoons and leave it inside a cooking pot.
Jeremie: Excellent. It's weird that it happened to you, I would've thought that shutting down the computer would have prevented that.
Yumi: Maybe XANA was able to turn on the computer by itself.
Jeremie: I think it's more likely that it managed to infect our devices and that it's operating within them.
Yumi: I didn't know that was possible, but I believe you. We'll have to check what's going on.
Jeremie: Let's go then.
Ulrich: Wait, Yumi!
Yumi: What is it, Ulrich?
Ulrich: Um… I wanted… I wanted to apologize… (blushes) for my behavior after today's fight.
Yumi: Oh… Okay.
Ulrich: I think… no, I'm certain… that my pride went over my head. It was selfish of me to do what I did… It was actually a good and fair fight.

Awkward silence for a few seconds.

Yumi: Well, if you think it was a good fight, let's bow then.

Ulrich bows; Yumi bows afterwards.

Yumi: Good fight.
Ulrich: Good fight.

Silence for a while.

Yumi: (smiling) Well, I guess that's settled! Let's get to the factory, Aelita's waiting for us.
Jeremie: On our way!

…

The three friends get to the computer's room. Yumi turns it on, and then Jeremie starts Lyoko.

Jeremie: Aelita! Do you hear me?
Aelita: Jeremie! I hear you loud and clear.
Yumi: Hi, Aelita!
Ulrich: What's up?
Aelita: Yumi, Ulrich! It's a joy to hear your voices.
Jeremie: We did what we promised: tonight is the next night.
Aelita: Oh, thanks a lot!
Jeremie: However, we've got news: Yumi's cellphone and mine are altered. We'd thought that shutting down the computer would prevent XANA from operating on our devices; but we might have been wrong.
Aelita: Oh no! Is it something too abnormal?
Yumi: Pretty much! Cellphones don't usually heat up to the point that it's hard to grab them.
Aelita: Sounds like XANA did infect your phones. What a shame!
Jeremie: It definitely sounds like that. Any idea on how to handle such an issue?
Aelita: Not for the time being; it's the first time XANA has managed to use Telectric since I've known it. Who knows what else it's capable of achieving.
Jeremie: The situation is serious. If XANA's capable of doing something like burning a phone from the inside, it's a very dangerous program. If it gets out of control, all of this could end up in disaster.
Aelita: Hold on! I think I have an idea…
Jeremie: What's on your mind?
Aelita: How do cellphones work?
Jeremie: Well, they transmit signals in the form of electromagnetic waves, that are captured by antennae, which in turn redirect those signals in order to reach their dest… Oooh, I think I see where you're going with this!

Ulrich and Yumi look at each other, incredulously. Yumi holds back a laugh.

Aelita: Great! Then cellphones communicate with each other via electromagnetic waves.
Jeremie: That's right.
Aelita: What we can do is provide a phone with a key that neutralizes XANA. Then, with that device, you emit a signal that carries that key, while close to the contaminated ones. That should be enough.
Jeremie: Sounds great! But, where do we obtain that key?
Aelita: Well, I hold that key. My father gave it to me so that I could keep XANA at bay. I can provide you a copy.
Jeremie: Excellent! The next step is to pass it to a phone. Hmm, maybe we could use…
Aelita and Jeremie at the same time: …Telectric.
Jeremie: (exultant) That's it! Brilliant idea, Aelita! I'll load the program immediately.
Ulrich: We could use my phone; it doesn't seem to have been infected.
Jeremie: Agreed! How do I let you use the program, Aelita?
Aelita: You have to attach it to my instance with the command "att". It'll take a few seconds but it'll work.
Jeremie: In process!

CONSOLE
In: att lyoko-aelita telectric

Aelita floats in place for about six seconds, and then falls.

Aelita: Ready! Ulrich, give me your device's number.

Ulrich dictates it to her.

Aelita: Transferring data!

Aelita sits on her knees and closes her eyes, as if she's meditating. After a few seconds, Ulrich's phone emits a "beep".

Aelita: Data transferred!
Ulrich: Okay! How do we make this work?
Jeremie: You just have to make a call to an arbitrary phone that's up close. Let's do it with mine.

Jeremie takes out his phone from his pocket.

Jeremie: Ugh, it's hot, but I can still grab it! Make the call, Ulrich!

Ulrich dials on his cellphone. After a while, Jeremie's phone starts ringing.

Jeremie: That should be enough.

Ulrich hangs up. Jeremie waits a few seconds before grabbing his phone.

Jeremie: Well, at least it's not hotter than before. Let's see how it progresses through the night.
Ulrich: Yumi, maybe we should try and test this with yours.
Yumi: You're right, let's go!
Ulrich: Aelita, do you mind if we leave you alone with Jeremie for a while?
Aelita: No problem! I just hope he doesn't get bored with me.
Jeremie: Go at your own pace, guys, we'll wait for you. Ulrich, if you call Yumi's phone, it's possible that you'll make too much noise. Just call mine, it should work anyways: what needs to happen is that the waves reach the target device.
Ulrich: I'll do that. See you later!

- END OF CHAPTER 4 -