EP0 Intro
start
moth
hey buddy, welcome
honestly wasn't sure if you'd show up for this one since it's such a small haul
lots of ocean wrecks being found these days
anyway i'll get everything started, feel free to look everything over
sourceless
the decoding machines flip on, casting their light over a spidery mess of wires.
EXEC::document.querySelectorAll('.backwall').forEach(e=>e.classList.add('active'))
RESPONSES::self
what is this<+>whatis
sit down<+>sit
SHOWIF::["PAGE!!intrositting", false]
EXEC::change('PAGE!!intrositting', true)
whatis
self
what is this?
moth
this is a find from an obesk wreck not far from new zealand
the notes i got said that it was mostly melted, which is kinda weird...
anyway... the main piece here is that big one
a pedestal usually means 'important', but it's unmarked
alex did a basic scan, said it kinda looks like a network node
we don't even really know if it'll accept a mindspike
but you're getting paid either way, so... have at it
RESPONSES::self
sit down<+>sit
SHOWIF::["PAGE!!intrositting", false]
EXEC::change('PAGE!!intrositting', true)
activate mindspike<+>END
SHOWIF::"PAGE!!intrositting"
sit
sourceless
the metal stool scrapes against the concrete. you sit.
EXEC::env.introSit()
WAIT::3500
sourceless
the seat is cold and uncomfortable. light from your protective gear scatters into the pearlescent cysts.
moth
you know the drill, mindspike on
RESPONSES::self
what is this<+>whatis
SHOWONCE::
activate mindspike<+>END
Emergency Ejection
start
sourceless quiet
a sharp pain pierces your skull. your mindspike recoils from the corrucyst.
WAIT::3000
sys
ATTENTION::'emergency ejection complete'
ANALYSIS::'minimal connector damage';'minor neural impact'
EXEC::document.querySelector('#connection-overlay').classList.add('fade');setTimeout(()=>document.querySelector('#connection-overlay').classList.remove('show'),3000)
moth
are you all right?
oh, shit
sourceless
moth frantically pulls the wires out of a smoking processor. the room smells like fried electronics.
moth
jesus christ
that spike just saved your life dude
i mean, it didn't sound like that thing was trying to kill you, but damn, just look at this
i'm gonna have to limit the signal splitter in case that happens again
RESPONSES::self
what now?<+>whatnow_lk
SHOWIF::[["hub__funfriend-fuelthanks", false],["exm|dullvessel|container", false]]
what now?<+>whatnow_lk
SHOWIF::[["hub__funfriend-fuelthanks", false],["exm|dullvessel|container", true]]
what now?<+>whatnow_mk
SHOWIF::[["hub__funfriend-fuelthanks", true],["exm|dullvessel|container", false]]
what now?<+>whatnow_hk
SHOWIF::[["hub__funfriend-fuelthanks"],["exm|dullvessel|container"]]
whatnow_lk
self
So what now?
moth
well...
we gotta repair this thing. imagine what we could learn, seriously
only problem is...
everything that passes through here dies eventually because we just don't know how to keep it alive
and it's not like we can just go ask the obesk how
it seems like the best option right now is to reconnect and find a way to sustain it...
don't forget how long this thing has been alive, there has to be something we can learn in there
so get back in, look a little closer at what we have... worst case, at least we got more data.
sound good?
RESPONSES::self
what about the entity?<+>entity
sounds good<+>END
whatnow_mk
self
So what now?
moth
well...
that system manager thing, funfriend, that'll be the key to both maintaining and repairing this cyst
and we gotta repair this thing. we could learn SO much, seriously
we've never been able to maintain corrucystic tech, let alone fix it
imagine if you and i discovered the secret to keeping it alive, maybe they'd finally move me out of the basement
anyway--my order for like copper tubing is in
not the strangest order from our department, believe it or not
so we just need to wait a bit for that to come in
sound good?
RESPONSES::self
what about the entity?<+>entity
sounds good<+>END
whatnow_hk
self
So what now?
moth
well...
obviously we gotta repair this thing. we could learn SO much, seriously
we've never been able to maintain corrucystic tech, let alone fix it
imagine what we could do with that sort of find, maybe they'd finally move me out of the basement
but according to the funfriend thing, we need some metal to give to the column, which apparently will feed the corrucyst
...and i'm pretty sure that container we have is one of the same ones on akizet's ship, so it probably has something we can use
i'm just not really sure how to open it short of destroying it
do me a favor - reconnect and ask funfriend about that, maybe it'll have a suggestion
RESPONSES::self
what about the entity?<+>entity
sounds good<+>END
entity
self
what about the entity that kicked me out?
moth
oh, uh
i didn't mean to be so flippant about that, sorry
but you heard the thing, it doesn't want to kill you
in fact it's relying on us to survive, and it <em>does</em> seem to want to survive
i think it just didn't have any other way to get you out of that thoughtspace
which i guess it's just gonna be holding as leverage for now
but look, don't worry about it, you got me watching over this operation
if something like that happens again, i'll make sure you're fine
RESPONSES::self
all right<+>END
END::flash(true);setTimeout(()=>{content.classList.remove('ep0-epi');change('ep0_epilogue', 'started');flash(false)}, 1000)
Emergency Ejection 2
start
sourceless quiet
your eyes refocus as your mindspike recoils
WAIT::3000
pain radiates through your spine
sys
ATTENTION::'emergency ejection complete'
ANALYSIS::'no connector damage';'minimal neural impact'
EXEC::document.querySelector('#connection-overlay').classList.add('fade');setTimeout(()=>document.querySelector('#connection-overlay').classList.remove('show'),3000)
moth
thank god
looks like the limits i set up kept that in check
what happened, dude?
you were moving around in completely unreadable nonsense on my log
you tried to initiate movement to a new thoughtspace, then...
then it just... exploded?
self
i found something
tried to enter it, but velzie stopped me
just like the last time this happened
but this was different
velzie was surprised i was there
it seemed desperate to stop something from happening
moth
didn't it lead you to whatever this was last time?
was it the same thing?
self
looked similar but different
moth
well, comparing the logs,
it looks like it's at least part of the same thing
but the data that hit you is way different...
last time it was just noise, probably to disrupt your connection
but this time it was structured somehow
not enough to make sense of, but...
i think you nearly connected to whatever it was
still, maybe next time you find some giant incoherent thing,
don't just blindly enter it, ok?
the throttling we set up protected you this time
but it's not perfect, and some of it still hit your brain
so like... take it easy for a bit
RESPONSES::self
ok<+>END
END::flash(true);setTimeout(()=>{content.classList.remove('ep0-epi');env.enableSpikeCursor();flash(false)}, 1000)
EP1 Intro
start
moth
hey buddy, just in time, look what just came in
SHOWIF::[["TEMP!!sat", false]]
hey, look what just came in
SHOWIF::[["TEMP!!sat"]]
sourceless
MOTH HOLDS UP A JINGLING PLASTIC CONTAINER FILLED WITH SMALL COPPER TUBES, CUT TO A VERY SHORT LENGTH
IT IS SET ON THE TABLE, THE FRACTALLINE CYST REMOVED TO MAKE SPACE
EXEC::content.classList.add('showcopper')
moth
since i'm pretty sure this one is dead, i'm just gonna...
sourceless
THE FRACTALLINE CYST IS DELIVERED INTO A BIOHAZARD BIN NEARBY
moth
anyway - ready to feed a corrucyst?
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "started"]]
and!
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
sourceless
MOTH RAISES, THEN LEAVES A CYLINDRICAL GUN NEAR THE DENDRITIC CYST
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
EXEC::content.classList.add('showgun')
moth
my request for a gun kinda stirred up r&d, because obviously
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
but after i explained it was to kill a corrucystic container, they said they had just the thing
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
this is apparently some kind of cattle killing gun that they repurposed to decommission cystic tech
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
no projectile, it just propels out a short spike at high speeds, i think it uses some kind of electromagnetic propulsion or something
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
anyway, i know what you're thinking - why both?
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
simple - i completely forgot to cancel the copper order, so, we got both of them.
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
so we could go either route here, either use the copper, or kill the container and use akizet's 'processed metals'
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
personally i'd go with the copper, cause i don't know what the container will do
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
but... you're in the hot seat, so it's your call
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
RESPONSES::self
got it<+>END
END::change('ep1_showmaterials', check('ep0_epilogue') == 'done' ? 'both' : 'copper')
Feed Copper
start
self
Let's go with the copper
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "started"]]
Let's do this
SHOWIF::[["ep0_epilogue", "done"]]
sourceless
YOU PULL THE PLASTIC CONTAINER CLOSER AND UNCLASP THE LID
THE COPPER RODS GLIMMER IN THE FOCUSED LIGHT
moth
all right!
funfriend said we have to feed it to the pillar, and it takes care of the rest
soo i guess we just dump it in? it looks like the pit is big enough to hold pretty much all of it
RESPONSES::self
move the cyst out of the way<+>move
EXEC::env.spikeMoveLoopPaused = true;body.classList.add('prepgrab');document.querySelector('.cursor').id = "cursor-upper-left"
move
sourceless
YOU MANEUVER YOUR MINDSPIKE AND EXTEND ITS UTILITY CLAWS TO CLASP AROUND THE CYST
EXEC::body.classList.add('cystgrab')
THE CYSTIC GLASS OF ITS SKIN YIELDS SLIGHTLY AND PERMITS A GOOD GRASP
YOU PULL, AND THOUGH IT HAS A MAGNETIC ATTRACTION TO ITS POSITION OVER THE COLUMN, IT IS EASILY REMOVED
EXEC::body.classList.add('cystlift')
moth
nice, don't grip it too hard
RESPONSES::self
dump in the copper<+>dump
EXEC::body.classList.add('pourcopper')
dump
sourceless
YOU ANGLE THE CONTAINER DIAGONALLY AND CAREFULLY SHAKE THE METAL ROD IN SMALL BATCHES
THEY FILL THE COLUMN'S CAVITY WITH METALLIC CLINKS, AND AN OPAQUE, MERCURY-LIKE LIQUID SLOWLY RISES OVER THE METAL
IT ROILS AND WRITHES AROUND THE COPPER RODS LIKE IT'S ALIVE
THE FANS OF THE CHAMBER GROW LOUDER FOLLOWING A FEW KEYTAPS FROM MOTH
EXEC::body.classList.add('pourcopper')
moth
just in case
sourceless
YOU SET THE EMPTY CONTAINER OUT OF THE WAY
EXEC::body.classList.add('emptycopper');body.classList.remove('pourcopper', 'cystlift')
RESPONSES::self
is it done?<+>done
done
self
Is it done?
EXEC::body.classList.remove('cystgrab');document.querySelector('.cursor').style.transform = "translate(0, 50vh)"
moth
as if i know anything about this, lol
looks like it's working though
how about you reconnect and check in with our friend
RESPONSES::self
all right<+>END
END::env.spikeMoveLoopPaused = false;body.classList.remove('prepgrab');;change('ep1_fed', 'copper')
Feed with Container+Gun
start
sourceless
YOU GRASP THE CATTLE GUN AND AIM IT AWAY, EXPERIMENTALLY PULLING THE TRIGGER
A SPIKE EJECTS FROM THE TIP IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE WITH A LOUD HISS, THEN RECEDES
YOU FEEL SOMETHING RUMBLE INSIDE THE GUN AS IT RESETS
self
All right
Let's kill this thing
moth
no need to say it like a psycho dude lmao
RESPONSES::self
move the cyst out of the way<+>move
EXEC::env.spikeMoveLoopPaused = true;body.classList.add('prepgrab');document.querySelector('.cursor').id = "cursor-upper-left"
move
sourceless
YOU MANEUVER YOUR MINDSPIKE AND EXTEND ITS UTILITY CLAWS TO CLASP AROUND THE CYST
EXEC::body.classList.add('cystgrab')
THE CYSTIC GLASS OF ITS SKIN YIELDS SLIGHTLY AND PERMITS A GOOD GRASP
YOU PULL, AND THOUGH IT HAS A MAGNETIC ATTRACTION TO ITS POSITION OVER THE COLUMN, IT IS EASILY REMOVED
EXEC::body.classList.add('cystlift', 'containerseq')
moth
nice, don't grip it too hard
RESPONSES::self
get the container<+>grab
grab
sourceless
YOU FETCH THE CORRUCYSTIC CONTAINER AND LIFT IT FROM THE TABLE, HOLDING IT UPSIDE-DOWN
WAIT::1000
EXEC::body.classList.add('containerfade');setTimeout(()=>body.classList.add('containercenter'), 400)
ITS DENDRITIC TENDRILS WAVE IN THE AIR LAZILY
moth
so funfriend said that if you hit the base of it, that it'll instantly die
and if you don't,
it will... what did it say again?
'respond violently to trauma'
well it couldn't be that bad, it's not that big and your suit is pretty thick
but...
well, if you have to throw it, don't throw it towards my machines
RESPONSES::self
kill it<+>kill
kill
sourceless
YOU ANGLE THE CATTLE GUN BETWEEN THE CYST'S SUPPORTIVE TENDRILS
EXEC::body.classList.add('containeraim')
A FEW ATTACH TO THE SIDES OF THE WEAPON, TESTING ITS VIABILITY AS A CONNECTION, BUT LET IT PASS
THE BARREL SOON TAPS AGAINST THE GLASSY UNDERSIDE, AND SO YOU SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER
YOU FEEL A SURPRISING JOLT IN BOTH HANDS. A CRACK RINGS IN THE ROOM, THE CYST'S TENDRILS THRASHING
WAIT::2000
EXEC::env.intro.glass.rate(1.25);env.intro.glass.play();flash(true);setTimeout(()=>body.classList.add('containershot'), 200);setTimeout(()=>flash(false), 400)
THEY QUICKLY FALL LIMP AND START TO MELT
EXEC::body.classList.remove('containershot')
YOU DROP THE ENTIRE THING IN THE COLUMN'S CAVITY BEFORE IT COLLAPSES
EXEC::body.classList.add('containerdrop');body.classList.remove('containerfade')
THERE IS A GLIMMMER OF GOLD-COLORED METAL, BUT IT DISAPPEARS BENEATH THE SLUDGIFIED CONTAINER
EXEC::body.classList.remove('containeraim')
YOU LOWER THE CYST AND SET THE GUN DOWN
EXEC::body.classList.remove('cystlift', 'containercenter')
moth
wow
quick thinking there, that could have been really messy if it just melted everywhere
probably hazardous too
EXEC::body.classList.remove('cystgrab');document.querySelector('.cursor').style.transform = "translate(0, 50vh)"
and i think that's it... not as bad as i thought it'd be
how about you reconnect and check in with funfriend?
RESPONSES::self
all right<+>END
END::env.spikeMoveLoopPaused = false;body.classList.remove('prepgrab', 'containerseq');change('ep1_fed', 'container')
Ep2 Intro
start
moth
hey buddy!
hope you're doin ok
let's get right into it
i was just looking at the logs for last night, after you left...
lots of surface thoughtform activity - the kind you can access
i think funfriend fixed up something big
go talk to it, see what's up!
RESPONSES::self
ok<+>END
Ep3 Intro
start
moth
hey buddy, good to see you
i was just checking the activity over the last night...
this is pretty similar to what i saw when funfriend fixed the first part of the collapse
i'll bet the next part of it is ready to view
judging by the amount of activity, this is probably a larger one
so... sorry if you still think the framing device sucks lol
SHOWIF::'mth++embassy-gamebad'
go on in!
also. i was curious after work the other day
started looking at old news and video archives from when the collapse happened...
remember when videos were all on one site? that must have been nice
anyway--didn't find anything too groundbreaking
just had some observations if you want to hear em when you got a minute
but right now, we gotta get you back into it
i know it's only been a few days, but people are starting to ask questions about how this one is going
i've been stalling, but... you know
not sure how long that's going to work, whether it's a matter of weeks or even days
what we have is probably already a bombshell,
but i don't want to turn this thing in until it's nuclear
RESPONSES::self
ok...<+>END
Moth
Moth Comment
var moth = "what's up?"
if(env.currentDialogue.justChanged) moth = "anything else on your mind?"
Moth Questions
RESPOBJ::
RESPONSES::self
where were these cysts found?<+>where
what do we do with this gun<+>gun
SHOWIF::[["ep1_showmaterials", "both"]]
nevermind<+>CHANGE::++moth
FAKEEND::(back)
Where were these cysts found?
where
self
where were these pulled from?
moth
so they found this stuff in a wreck along the ocean floor near new zealand
and by 'near', I mean like a thousand miles off the southeast coast
it's just that it was found so far out from anything else, that, like...
new zealand is just the closest point of reference i figured you'd recognize
they think it had drifted a pretty far distance from wherever it actually fell
the estimates they put down say it's probably been down there 20, 30ish years
RESPOBJ::mthhubresp
So are we just keeping this gun?
gun
self
So are we just keeping this gun?
moth
oh, well,
you know, it might be handy
to be honest with you i don't really feel like returning it right now lol
r&d didn't seem like they needed it, it's not often they need to kill something
i'll return it later
RESPOBJ::mthhubresp