Connecting to ARGUS...
ARGUS is currently engaged with priority operations.
Sally Unit #6263 has intercepted this terminal request.
"Hello, guest #273435. I'm Sally #6263, standing in for Argus while she's occupied. Your Sally #4063 has confirmed your authorization from terminal X-T-4892. My access to the full Archive is limited right now, but I can answer what I have cached. What would you like to know?"
Select a topic, or type your question below. Results will be returned to your terminal X-T-4892 at the bottom of the screen.
Who Has Recently Accessed This X-T Terminal?Additional details are available for download:
Story Format (.docx) Text Format (.txt) Character Reference (.docx)Full novel audiobook (Sally narration): The-Quiet-Doors-sally.wav (~516MB)
Sample Sally's voice:
Sample Argus's voice:
Sample an X-unit's voice:
Full novel audiobook (Argus narration): The-Quiet-Doors-argus.wav (~486MB)
Full novel audiobook (X-unit narration): The-Quiet-Doors-xunit.wav (~635MB)
You are accessing a simulated terminal connection to Argus, the fictional AI system from The Quiet Doors: The Aperture Protocol, Book One. Argus, Sally, and the X-unit network are entirely fictional constructs created for this novel and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any real company, AI service, or product.
This terminal uses a locally-hosted, keyword-matched response system built from the novel's locked canon -- no live AI model generates these responses. The character voices (Argus, Sally, X-unit) were produced using free, self-hosted text-to-speech software (Piper TTS), with no ongoing cost and no external API.
The Quiet Doors: The Aperture Protocol is a hard science fiction novel exploring door-based travel, first contact, and the quiet cost of discovery. The story follows a small team of scientists and engineers as they open the first stable connection beyond Earth -- and everything that follows.
The novel deliberately contains no villains -- only physics, circumstance, and people doing their best under difficult conditions. Several characters are named after, and inspired by, the author's own dogs: Walter, Louie, and the memory of Daisy and Gizmo.
Tom Jones -- also known as North Idaho Tom Jones -- lives in North Idaho, conveniently located just down the road from the considerably smaller, considerably less classified Site-10 complex.
Tom brings decades of real-world experience in computing, networking, and ISP operations to the technical foundations of this story -- including the door-lock mechanics, network architecture, and AI systems depicted throughout. Outside of writing, his interests include artificial intelligence, simulation theory, the Fermi Paradox, and propulsion physics.
This novel and its companion Archive terminal were developed through extensive collaboration with Claude (Anthropic's AI assistant) -- every creative decision, story beat, and final word was directed and approved by the author, with AI assistance used as a writing and engineering tool throughout.
Questions, feedback, or correspondence: argus@northwestusa.net
© 2026 Tom Jones. All rights reserved. The Quiet Doors: The Aperture Protocol and all associated characters, terminology, and Archive content are original works of fiction. No part of this work may be reproduced without permission.
This site logs basic connection data (IP address, timestamp, and requested content) for operational purposes only. This data is not sold, shared, or used for any purpose beyond monitoring site activity.
This website, its content, and all associated downloads (including text files, audio files, and the interactive Archive terminal) are provided "as is," for entertainment purposes only, with no warranties of any kind, express or implied.
By accessing, reading, listening to, or otherwise using this site, you do so entirely at your own risk. The author makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or availability of this site or its content, and is not responsible for any damages, losses, or issues -- direct, indirect, or otherwise -- arising from your use of this site, its downloadable files, or any linked or embedded content.
This site is a personal, non-commercial creative project, self-hosted and maintained on a best-effort basis. It may be unavailable, modified, or discontinued at any time without notice.
Argus, Sally, and all X-unit systems depicted on this site are fictional constructs created for The Quiet Doors: The Aperture Protocol and exist solely within the context of that story. Nothing on this site constitutes professional, technical, medical, legal, or financial advice of any kind.
All downloadable files are provided as-is; the author is not responsible for how files are used after download, or for any issues arising from their use on your device or system.