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Language:
English
Collections:
Unsent Letters 2021
Stats:
Published:
2021-04-24
Words:
1,101
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
4
Kudos:
28
Bookmarks:
2
Hits:
173

Bootrec.exe

Summary:

An unexpected shut down leads to a hidden directory in Grace's systems to come online.

Notes:

This was written for Val_Creative as part of the Unsent Letters exchange.

I wasn't sure if you wanted Grace/Diego or Grace&Diego - while I'm a Grace/Diego fan, I decided to play it safe. This was still written as a sort of precursor to a more romantic relationship, though, so please feel free to read between the lines!

And just in case anyone is curious or suspicious about the style this was written in before the authors have been revealed... yes, I have written another story in this style. I'm not copying anyone ;^)

Work Text:

A problem has been detected and your device has been shut down to prevent damage to your system.

CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen, restart your system. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed.If this is a new installation, ask your hardware developer HARGREEVES(Reginald) or software technician POGO(Phinneus) for any updates you might need.

Check with your hardware vendor for any BIOS updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use SAFE MODE to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup options, and then select Safe Mode.

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SAFE MODE selected

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Input

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Waiting

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Run program: Success!

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Waiting

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Waiting

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WARNING

Significant damage detected

Cervical vertebrae (6, 7)

Thoracic vertebrae (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Lumbar (1, 4, 5)

True ribs (1, 2, 4, 5, 7)

False ribs (1, 2)

Manubrium

Clavicle (r)

Acromion (r)

SKIP selected

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Waiting

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Run program: Success!

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Diagnostics processing...

Diagnostics processing...

Diagnostics progressing...

REBOOT? (N)

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Run program: Success!

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Run program:

Trigger – Grace(IDENTITY_1)

Initiating program, please stand by

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Initiating...

Initiating...

Initiating...

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Run program: Visual Input Required

FAILURE

Run program: Visual Input Required

FAILURE

Run program: Visual Input Required

FAILURE

Run program: Audio Input Required

Run program: Success!

Auditory cue – HARGREEVES(Diego – Number Two)

'She's... her hard drive is running. She's... plugged in. This feels wrong, this is- this is her brain. Yeah, I'll call you back when it's booted. Thanks.'

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Trigger: Run program:

Console · Hug · Reassure · Hold

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Run program: FAILED

Torso: severe damaged detected, please seek HARGREEVES(Reginald) for assistance

Upper limb (L): undetected

Upper limb (R): severe damage detected, please seek HARGREEVES(Reginald) for assistance

Auditory output not possible, please seek HAR-

END ERROR MESSAGE

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ERROR: CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED.exe

OVERRRIDE PROGRAM DETECTED

Run program: CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED.exe

Administrator approval required (Y)

Program executed by HARGREEVES(Grace_IDENTITY_10)

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Running

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Running

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Running

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Run program: Success!

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Auditory cue – HARGREEVES(Diego – Number Two)

'Mom? Mom, are you- can you hear me?'

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VIDEO_PROCESSOR detected, triggered on

SPEAKERS detected, triggered on

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CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED.exe processing

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CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED.exe extracting

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CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED.exe starting

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PLEASE STAND BY

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*

Hello, Diego. I'm so glad to be speaking to you.

No, please don't try to talk; if you're watching this, I must be in a state that I am unable to otherwise respond. I may be able to see or hear you, but my faculties are likely in a state in which any form of response is beyond me. It's okay to be sad, dear. You were always so brave and so sweet.

Diego, dear, seeing you grow into such a strong and beautiful adult has been the greatest joy of my life. All of you children have been a blessing on my life, but it would be a lie if I didn't have a favourite.

You have always filled my heart with a joy beyond words. I know your childhood wasn't all it could have been, and I can never fix that. But I do hope that I was able to provide some comfort and hope during those trying times. In turn, you have given me the best years of my life. My dearest Diego, you have filled my years with more wonders than I had ever imagined possible.

I'm sure you're all too aware that your father never saw me as more than a machine. This attitude was past down to some of your siblings, for better or worse. I'm well aware of this fact, dear, and though at times it did hurt, please rest assured I have never held it against your siblings. The sins of the father should never be held against his children.

But you, my sweetest and most special boy, you have always been different. That's always been an undeniable fact.

When I think of the past few years, the one memory that stands out amongst all others is you coming to stop by the house for my birthday. Do you remember how your father tried to discourage it and called it perpetual nonsense? I did my best to appease his nature, but I quietly loved it. I never found out who started that tradition, but I always suspected it was you. Was I right?

Seeing you come to the house that day will always be my fondest memory. I still have the cross stitch you gave me. When I rest at nights, sometimes I'll take it out and hold it. Pogo has tried to advise me to keep it hidden from your father, as he wouldn't approve, but Mister Hargreeves rarely pays me much attention these days.

It was ever so quiet when all of you had left... sometimes I wish I could work up the courage to leave myself. I would desperately like to see where you live now. I hope one day you can take me. Are you taking care of yourself, Diego, dear? Do you eat well? Do you make your bed each day, as I encouraged you to do, or do you need to be reminded? If between me leaving this message and me leaving this world, I hope you will take me.

Diego, my dear, whatever is in store for us in the future, please know that I love you. You will always be the greatest treasure of my life. I will always be proud of you.

*

CRITICAL_SERVICE_FAILED.exe end

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VIDEO_PROCESSOR detected, triggered off

SPEAKERS detected, triggered off

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Waiting

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Waiting

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Waiting

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Sleep mode STARTING

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Auditory cue – HARGREEVES(Diego – Number Two)

'Mom? Mom, can you- Mom, can you... please say something, Mom.'

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Sleep mode ENDING

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Waiting

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Trigger: Run program

Acknowledge · Comfort · Query

Run program: FAILED

Auditory output not possible-

END ERROR MESSAGE

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Auditory cue – HARGREEVES(Diego – Number Two)

'Mom... I tried to come back for you. I want you to know that. I tried. It all happened so fast. But... we're going to fix it. We're going to put you back together. Okay? I'm going to show you where I live. I'm going to take you to the p-p-park. Mom, I p-p-promise you. I p-p-promise.'

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Trigger: Run program

Stutter (correct) · Stutter (gentle)

Run program: FAILED

Auditory output not poss-

END ERROR MESSAGE

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Auditory cue – HARGREEVES(Diego – Number Two)

'I gotta... g-gotta go, Mom. B-but... we'll bring you back. I love you, Mom.'

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Waiting

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Waiting

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Waiting

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Sleep mode STARTING

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Shut down process INITIATED

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Other people are currently logged on to this computer. Shutting down might cause them to lose data.

Do you want to continue shutting down? (N)

Restart? (Y)

Run program: Success!