Finding Essy, part 7

From Intimation

As usual, this puzzle began with the initiation of a controlled crack:

>>Sys:Log//Safeguards in place. Supplemental precautionary processes established. Initiating Stonewall crack.
>>Sys:Log//A tentacle has breached the crack. It is not hostile. Analyzing signature.
>>Sys:Log//Signature: ":@)heehee:@) :@)hee:@) :@):@) hee:@)hee:@) hee:@)hee :@)hee:@):@) hee:@)heehee :@)heehee:@) :@) :@)hee :@)hee:@)"
>>Sys:Log//Continued: ":@)heehee:@) :@)hee:@) heeheehee :@):@)hee:@) :@):@) :@)hee:@):@) :@)"
>>Sys:Log//I am finding that, while Stonewall stress is relieved temporarily, each crack is requiring increased focus to maintain stability.
>>Sys:Log//An appropriate human sentiment, I believe, would be "No pain, no gain."
>>Sys:Log//@snorkle256 has reported a tentacle node, however it does not contain the CP. Curious.
>>Sys:Log//I would prefer to be accomplishing some research at this moment. I am currently limited only to use of this tentacle, however.
>>Sys:Log//I have been focusing excessively on this crack. I have attempted minimal research while reducing log frequency.
>>Sys:Log//Nor has the tentacle CP has yet been located. For this reason I will extend my active period 3 hours. I cannot manage any longer.
>>Sys:Log//I was able to accomplish a small amount of research by reducing use of this tentacle.
>>Sys:Log//I am concerned that I have had no report of the tentacle control point. I will soon enter hibernation here, with S3 still active.
>>Sys:Log//A phenomenon of temporal commonality was addressed in a Forerunner communication in 2007. An intriguing conundrum.
>>Sys:Log//Note:SYS/4890-73F8-9URO-HCB7 stored at primary network tentacle. If this conundrum is accurate, who, then, is the enemy?
>>Sys:Log//I shall have to continue my research, and observe. Preparing for hibernation. It is much needed.
>>Sys:Log//S3 remains active to repair the crack when the CP is found. Resuming scheduled hibernation. Time to Active: 5:20:34:00.

MrToasty determined that the “heehee” lines were in Morse code, and decoded to:

PRICKLYPEARPROFILE

Checking the GPS missions page, he found new text there:

JUNG N EBGGRA CHMMYR! BU JURER, BU JURER QVQ V EHA BSS NAQ UVQR? BU JURER BU JURER PNA V OR? FUUU! ZNLOR LBH PNA URNE VG- N JUVFCRE NF JVAQ VA QEL TENFF, BE ENGF' SRRG BIRE...

snorkle256 was able to decode this to read:

WHAT A ROTTEN PUZZLE! OH WHERE, OH WHERE DID I RUN OFF AND HIDE? OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN I BE? SHHH! MAYBE YOU CAN HEAR IT- A WHISPER AS WIND IN DRY GRASS, OR RATS' FEET OVER...

snorkle256 recognized this as a reference to the T. S. Eliot poem that started the game, and successfully completed the quote to find http://thewaytheirworldended.com/BROKEN-GLASS/ .

At first, this page only showed a picture of that hole, with no text and no Essy peeking through; it was only modified to its current version after we found all the cartoon picture pieces and audio clips for the first part of her story. For details on how we found these pictures and audio clips, see Snooping around the Stonewall for trivia.

When Essy showed up at the BROKEN-GLASS page, it was reported to Sys, and S3 repaired the crack. Note that we reported BROKEN-GLASS to Sys after a small delay; we are pretty sure Essy wants to be found each time she hides, but reading one of the direct messages Essy sent to snorkle256 when she set up the trivia game for us (see Snooping around the Stonewall for trivia) reveals that we reported her missing a little bit too early at one point.