STQK: EP.9 (Do you want a byte to eat?)

08 Jul, 2026

New to the ongoing blog series called STQK "Would you like to know more?"

Hello there,

We continue with the next episode in the Suldokar's Wake system.

(Content Warning: Violence, Traumatic Events)

Scene 1

Leaving the sticky floors of the dining hall and Ysah behind, the group travels back to the study where the impenetrable door lay waiting. Next to the door handle a password is required to press forward. Ashka inputs the first phrase given by the drunk caretaker.

The terminal door opens slowly, showcasing metal panels on the floor, lights flickering towards the back, and a giant screen starts to boot up. As each member walks in, the panels seem to click as each step is made.

The door slams shut, and the alarms start blaring on the speakers: Intruder Alert, Intruder Alert. Without a second thought, Ashka goes to the keyboard of the terminal and types the second password in. The alarms go silent and a black screen with a message appears¹:

Would you like enter?
Yes or No

As Ashka types in Y, E, S.

The floor begins to hum and the temperature in the room starts to rise. Nathal(⇟∲⇟) was the first to notice this transformation² as suddenly his thoughts and memories start to fade from his body. Slowly he drops to the floor; Onfi(∫⋢≬) rushes to see how to help but collapses himself shortly after. Ashka looks at the screen, trying to figure out what is happening. The only thing visible was a loading bar, almost at 100 percent. As she blacks out, the screen says community² transfer complete, leaving three bodies like empty husks.

Scene 2

Nathal(⇟∲⇟) groggily lifts his head and looks around to what appears to be an office of some kind. As he gets up and peers outside the window, he sees all manner of people forcibly walking into what smells like a bathhouse. Noticing closer he sees Ashka and Onfi(∫⋢≬) were separated nicely³ from his location and looks like they too are entering this bathhouse.

"Welcome my friend, my name is Sha&Lie⁴ may I get you anything?" A mysterious voice says as a chair from the desk turns around. Nathal's(⇟∲⇟) figuring out this must be his capturer, say's "No thanks I would like to leave."

"Fortunately, this is your home now and you are going to work for me." Sha&Lie then tries to probe Nathal's(⇟∲⇟) mind to gain access to his memories. Nathal(⇟∲⇟) resists⁵ but screams in pain "what are you trying to do to me?"

"Fight my advances all you want, eventually everyone becomes an employee. Your friends will be the first to be punished slowly⁶ until you release what I desire. The New empire has designated me as a 'Memory Eater'. Someone in the ranks thought maybe the Aliens want knowledge instead of human sacrifice, so here we are. So please join the fold to save this planet."

Scene 3

Ysah in the other room wakes up to the sound of a television commercial. The caretaker glances at the open dining room door and groans, well the trial⁷ for their souls was messy⁷. Not understanding what he meant or where his friends were; Ysah tries to get some answers from the drunk that cares for the station.

After much dismay and occasional rattling, Ysah was able to get a clear picture of what the station is used for. The New Empire uses this station and others around the area as a way to gather memories or souls as the caretaker explains it. To boast their odds of survival from the upcoming alien invasion. The New Empire can use the memories it gathers as an offering for their wellbeing.

Each station has become increasingly hostile⁸ between one another, leading to the capture⁸ of more memories for the Empire. The fame⁸ of computer that gets the most memories has gotten to the terminal's mainframe.

Realizing his friends might be gone, Ysah shoves the caretaker to the ground and rushes to the terminal door.

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