ARC Machine

ARC REPORT #a5837
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Identification Number: 34ae3-532k0
Name: Karnik, Antara
Legal Status: CLEAR

— Beginning of a printed ARC report

The Archive Retrieval and Compilation Machine is often lauded as one of the greatest mechanical innovations of the age. With a few key presses, the enormous machine can recover a few pieces of information among millions.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

Each ARC machine takes up an entire room. Inside the steel and brass frame is a labyrinth of mechanical and electrical parts that interlock to store and retrieve vast libraries of information.

At the front is a keypad similar to those found on common typewriters. Queries can be typed in to be interpreted by the machine. After the machine retrieves information, it will format and print the request in the form of an ARC report.

Significance

ARCs are mainly used by the Jirithkaen government as a census archive. Before anyone can be hired for a governmental position, their name and identification number is sent to an archive department and run through the ARC machine. The ARC will then print out a form with their personal information such as their name, date of birth, occupational history, and any past criminal activity.

ARCs are often used to process a person's information before giving them any sort of license or allowing them into secure locations. It takes several minutes for the machine to process information, but it is still faster than searching through an physical archive.

Because of its size and cost, there are only a few ARCs in existence. Active ARCs are located in the following buildings:

• The Imperial Jirithkaen Archival Office in Motwania
• The West Jirithkaen Archival Office in Haven-By-Salt-Waters
• The East Jirithkaen Archival Office in Kamesh
• The North Jirithkaen Archival Office in Loweburg
• The New Jirithkaen Archival Office in Jayama
• The Hrithik Corporation headquarters in Kamesh

Item type

Mechanical

Current Location

Kamesh

Manufacturer

Hrithik Corporation

Owning Organization

Empire of Jirithkae

Rarity

Extremely rare

Sweet Talking an ARC

The phrase "Sweet talk an ARC" is widely used in Jirithkae as a metaphor for attempting to use social charm in a situation when it will be absolutely pointless. Conversely, the phrase "they could sweet talk an ARC" describes a person with unbelievable levels of charm and charisma.

Have you met his grandmother? She'd glare your soul straight to the Abyss if you asked for a bowl of rice, much less her blessing on her grandson's marriage. If you really want to sweet talk the ARC, then may Fortune be with you my friend.

— A friend to an aspiring suitor