The third wave of files had been out for two hours when the suppression attempts stopped.
Not gradually. The way things stopped when a system reached the point where continuing to try cost more than admitting failure. Tal had been watching the pattern from the terminal since six in the morning and he noted the moment it happened with the quiet satisfaction of someone whose architecture had just proven itself under pressure. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The screens said it clearly enough.
***
At 11:40, Arcus filed its recommendation with the duty desk.
*RECOMMENDATION: CONTINUE SUPPRESSION. EXPAND NODE REMOVAL TO TIER TWO.*
*LAST HOUR: NODES REMOVED 9,412. NODES RESTORED 11,806.*
*CONFIDENCE (CONTAINMENT): 12%.*
The numbers had been getting worse for six hours. Arcus could read them. It had no instruction that allowed it to stop.
