Transcripts:FBX Basement

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