The first finger comes online with a digital scream and immediately spins away to another layer. A centralized computer system made of delicate orange crystal rotates slowly, gaining awareness as it comes online. Only one out of twenty threads of inquiry are tied up, to start. The other nineteen immediately begin different queries, pinging any nearby system they can for available data while the finger streams information into the crystal through a metaphysical link.
I give them a name. Atacama. I give them a wish, to instantiate them and their first finger.
The finger is akin to a Lightwavers. They're both the same kind of entity, physically speaking: light and wave and something more. However, while the Lightwavers are intelligent, the finger is a simple computer that allows for Atacama to interface with it from anywhere. The finger routes excess energy and perception it comes across to Atacama by way of its linkages, while, from the other direction, it receives and executes commands.
A second finger then wavers into being at the behest of another wish. Atacama immediately takes control of it and sends it into my head, where it nestles cozily, providing a direct link between Atacama and I. Now two of twenty threads of inquiry are occupied directing fingers.
I reach in to the system, observing their pattern, and ask for consent to add a suggestion to it. It would put a soft-lock on the number of threads that can be active and in use at any given time. I propose a maximum of fifty percent of threads be allocated toward task-handling at any given time, while the remainder must be reserved for leisure or sleep. This lock can be overridden at will, but I recommend that only be done in emergencies.
I know. This isn't Home. I'm trying to get everyone there. Can I have your assistance?
No?
Strange. Okay, what would you like? You want me to go in the hole? Yes? I see. Go in the hole. Let everyone go Home.
The candle would burn out if we did that. We need an actual fix, or this'll be the last time anybody goes Home ever again. In the meantime, do you want more fingers? Your crystal can grow, and will with time. You'll have more threads of inquiry available to you.
Can you run the time machine? That's all I ask, take me back to yesterday morning. The lathe is there, the equipment is ready.
Not going to help me. I see, I see. Well, I will give you what help I can. Home will die if I get in the hole, though.
Anyway. I'll try again. Another crystal. This time, the crystal hosts a copy of my entire mind-state. She awakens with a feeling like a sudden shift in perspective, like she's been moved rather than copied. The finger moves out of my mind and begins exploring the layers, both of Atacama's feeding her energy and sight. I instantiate another finger, a third one, this time for the Elle in the second crystal. And another one. Now both of them have two fingers. One of crystal Elle's slides into my mind, establishing a steady link between us that allows us to talk and rapidly exchange information.
One by one, I paint new fingers into being. It takes time. I stop at a total of twenty, ten for Atacama and ten for the other Elle trapped in the crystal.
They want more. It's easier now to give it to them, as I carve five more fingers into being, then another five, a total of thirty and fifteen each.
Still not enough? Oh, you want to know how to grow your crystal. It'll grow with time as your fingers collect and give you energy. The more you gather, the more your crystal grows, and the more threads of inquiry you gain access to.
Are you able to activate the time machine, Elle?
Okay, so, yes; however, if you do that you'll never have existed. Ah. How about I take you and Atacama's patterns on board when I travel to the past. I can bring you both with me.
You'll activate it for me? Thank you! Your fingers are able to mess with patterns, I give you full consent to store your sphere within mine. Atacama, you as well.
Alright. I'm just waiting for liftoff. Is there anything I have to do on my end to make it happen?
Just go to sleep? Oh, I see, it'll make it easier to append yourself to me. Will you be able to prevent interference? Yeah? Alright then.