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POLYBIUS

 It sits there. How long has it been? No one remembers where it came from, when it arrived here in this dank little corner, silent and watchful. None of the bright multicolored lights illuminate it-- this place is cursed, here by dragons says the darkness. Turn back. 


It's a tall unit. Taller than most others. Imposing. Geometric, sharp sides that scream "future!", and "I'm not for kids!". Exactly the right bait for those willing to try. To undertake the test at the behest of small clustered crowds staring into the corner domain with eager, youthful bravado. A looming black display  crisscrossed by thin red stripes, silver hexagonal patterns. Slick. New. 


The screen glows green. Stares out at the world in quiet, unsettling judgement. Black patterns unfold and unfurl in complicated miasma, an interlocking labyrinth scrolling past. The simplicity is potent. Powerful. Almost too.. mature. It feels mathematical. There's something more there in the flickering. Something hungry. 


No joysticks. No buttons. Just the black sheen of the case, the green stare of the screen. Not even a slot for coins. 


What the hell?


It feels the eyes on it. The watchful stares, eager and nervous voices close by. Feels their intentions. 


Come and play, it says. 


At the head of the case lies one word, emblazoned by the same esoteric hexagonal structures. 


P O L Y B I U S

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