About Terminal Dynamics

Terminal Dynamics is incorporated by Dr. Margaret Chen and Col. (Ret.) Harold Reeves. Dr. Chen, formerly of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Col. Reeves, formerly of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, share a conviction that consumer computers are insufficiently robust. They lease a building in the industrial district. The building's number is 47. They did not request this number.

Terminal Dynamics produces its first prototype desktop computers, designated the TD-P001 through TD-P047. Each prototype undergoes a 471-point quality assurance process adapted from Col. Reeves' experience with military communications equipment. Prototypes 001 through 046 are unremarkable. Prototype 047 passes all tests. When powered down after testing, it turns itself back on. The QA log notes: "Unit demonstrates persistence." The timestamp reads 02:47.

Terminal Dynamics enters into a strategic partnership with MicroSoul Corp to provide hardware optimized for MicroSoul's soul management software suite. Dr. Chen visits MicroSoul Corp headquarters and meets Chairman Will Bates. According to the meeting notes, Bates describes his vision for "a terminal on every desk." Dr. Chen responds: "We can build that terminal." A handshake agreement is reached. The meeting ends at 2:47 PM. The partnership contract is 47 pages long.

Terminal Dynamics expands Building 47 to include a dedicated manufacturing floor, clean room (Clean Room C), and quality assurance laboratory. The company hires 47 additional employees, bringing total headcount to 94. The expansion is completed on schedule and under budget, because Terminal Dynamics runs projects the way it builds hardware: with specifications, tolerances, and absolutely no sense of humor about either.

Terminal Dynamics announces the DT-1000 Desktop System at the Consumer Electronics Expo. The announcement includes a 47-minute technical presentation by Dr. Chen that covers the chassis metallurgy, power supply topology, and cooling system thermodynamics. Industry press describe the presentation as "thorough" and the product as "a beige box." Dr. Chen takes the latter description as a compliment. "Beige is the color of neutrality," she is quoted as saying. "It draws no attention. It needs no attention. It simply works."

The first DT-1000 units roll off the production line in Building 47. Each unit is individually tested across 4,471 quality assurance checkpoints before receiving its serial number and MIL-SPEC TD-QA-4471 certification tag. The first unit's serial number is TD-0001-4471. It is shipped to MicroSoul Corp for software certification. It arrives with MicroSoul Portals 98 not yet installed. It arrives already running MicroSoul Portals 98. This discrepancy is noted but not investigated.

Terminal Dynamics becomes the first hardware manufacturer to receive the "Designed for MicroSoul Portals 98" certification badge. The certification process requires passing all 4,471 compatibility checkpoints defined by MicroSoul Corp's hardware certification team. Terminal Dynamics passes all 4,471 checkpoints. Checkpoint #4471 — the final checkpoint — produces an anomalous dialog box that reads "Do you want to save?" with no associated file or application. Both Terminal Dynamics and MicroSoul Corp classify this as "within expected parameters." Neither company defines what those parameters are.

Terminal Dynamics continues manufacturing the DT-1000 and its full peripheral line from Building 47. The company employs 247 people across engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and a technical support department that has one phone, one desk, and a chair that is sometimes occupied. Total DT-1000 units shipped to date: 4,471. Dr. Chen and Col. Reeves maintain offices on the fourth floor. The fourth floor has seven rooms. Dr. Chen's office light is frequently seen on at 2:47 AM. Col. Reeves' office light is never seen on, because Col. Reeves had his window bricked over in 1994 for "electromagnetic isolation purposes."