Equilibrium

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Welcome to Esurient Industries, please log in with your name. Enter your name: <<textbox "$name" "">> <<click "Give me a random name">> <<replace "#something">><<set $name = ["Blake", "Jamie", "Jordan", "Kyle", "Alex","Carter", "Taylor","Cameron","Jay","Morgan","Tyler","Max","Riley","Avery","Frankie","Charlie"] >><<set $name to $name.random()>>Switching user... <<timed 2s>>Signed in as $name.<</timed>> <</replace>>\<</click>> [[Start]] <img src="IMG/logo.jpg"/>

<<set $money to 500>> <<set $rep to 50>> <<set $power to 50>> <<cacheaudio "idk" "idk.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "speech" "speech.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sec" "sec.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "talk" "talk.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "back" "back.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "mainframe" "mainframe.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "mute" "mute.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "earth" "earth.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "no" "no.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "yes" "yes.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "office" "office.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "silence" "silence.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "alert" "alert.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "help" "help.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "backups" "backups.mp3">>

Username accepted. Logging in... <<timed 2s>>Hello Director.<<next>> Accessing files... <<next>>Done <<next>>Loading profile... <<next>>Done <<next>><<goto "intro">><</timed>>

You walk in to the main offices. Your secretary has handed you a list of sectors that need your attention. Time to do the rounds. <<if not hasVisited("Water Sector")>>[[Water Sector]]<</if>><<if visited("Continue") is 4>>[[Head into your office]]<</if>> <<if not hasVisited("Oil Sector")>>[[Oil Sector]]<</if>> <<if not hasVisited("Mining Sector")>>[[Mining Sector]]<</if>> <<if $money <=0>><<set $money=0>><</if>>

You approach the manager of the Water Sector. He looks up from his desk, "Look who's back! Hey $name, I got a question, we’re selling out of our bottled water in most places and we’re having trouble keeping up with the demand. You want us to raise the prices again?” [[Yeah sure. That'll give me some extra petrol money]] [[The prices are high enough]]

Continuing down the hall you decide to drop in to the Oil Sector. There’s always something that needs attention down here. The receptionist waves you over, “Excuse me Director, the Overseer needs a word with you. It’s pretty urgent.” He points to a neighboring door. [[Approach the Overseer]] <img src="IMG/oil.jpg"/>

Upon reading the recent status report, you discover that mining profits have dropped extremely low. "Miranda, what's going on?" You address the Mining Overseer, hopefully you can get some answers. Miranda rushes about her office, answering calls, filing papers and sending emails. She looks distressed, "Director, I've just got reports that coal and mineral yield is slowing dramatically. I'm trying but $name, I think we're running out of resources to mine!" "What? Impossible!" you retort. "I don't know! We must be using more than the earth can replenish. If this gets to the public, we're gonna have a war!" She looks ready to burst into tears. "What do we do?" [[Keep them running. I'm seeing this to the end->badm]] [[We need to find alternatives->equm]] [[Shut the mines down. The pollution's not worth it->gudm]] <img src="IMG/miranda.jpg"/>

<<if lastVisited("Water Sector") is 2>>The file was a news report, it reads: Ten years ago, Esurient Industries closed down all water pipelines to the landside population, if anyone wanted clean water, they had to pay for it in a bottle. Since then, the pursuit of greed has brought the earth to its knees. Here's why our water source is so deadly: Plastic bottles take over 700 years to degrade, not to mention the process of taking this water from already drought stricken regions. The Esurient makes their plastic out of petroleum, a fossil fuel which contributes greatly to climate change and the million of tons of carbon dioxide that result from this process. It's true we cannot get rid of the millions of tons of plastic already in our environment. But we can stop more from being produced. Tune in tonight at 7:00 for more on the Esurient. David turns to you, "Typical case of defamation. Shall I put it back in the bin?" [[Yeah, get it outta my sight->badw]] [[I want to fix this. What can we do?->eq]] [[Shut the whole plant down.->gudw]]<</if>><<if lastVisited("eq") is 1>>"Yeah, good choice. What are you gonna do instead?" [[Put the file in the bin->badw]] [[Shut the whole plant down.->gudw]]<</if>> <img src="IMG/davoffice.jpg"/>

<<if $money is 500>><<set $money= 501>><</if>>You head into your office and power on the air conditioner. <<if hasVisited("equw","equo","equm")>>Your company's profits are stable and business is good. You sit back in your armchair and gaze out the window at the thick, brown smog blanketing the city. "I wonder if my choices today will affect the [[future]]." <</if>><<if $money <= 499>>Your choices have led the company to lose money fast. You can hear people panicking outside as most of the sectors begin to shut down. It's too late to turn back now. It's time to terminate Esurient Industries. You consider your options, the mainframe is the master control to all systems, if you were to shut it down the company's processes would halt. But you would need a password. <<click "Search files">><<replace "#d">>You flip through your filing cabinet and find nothing of interest.<</replace>><</click>> <<click "Search computer">><<replace "#e">>It's not in your notes. You wonder if the mainframe will have a forgot password link. <<click "Check emails">><<replace "#f">>You sign in to Director$name@Esurient.com and check your mail. Nothing but complaints from rival companies and status reports.<</replace>><</click>><</replace>><</click>> <<click "Search desk">><<replace "#b">>You rifle through your drawers and find the password to the mainframe on a yellow sticky note. It reads: 1234 "This is the password that protects the most powerful company in the world!" you ask incredulously. [[Head to the mainframe]]<</replace>><</click>> <</if>><<if $money >= 501>>Your company's profits are on the rise and business is good. You sit back in your plush armchair and gaze out the window at the thick, brown smog blanketing the city. [["Life is good. For me anyway."]]<</if>>

Susan looked more stressed than usual today. She paced the room, “Director, we’ve got problems. Activists have blocked all roads leading to all major oil plants in the region. Employees can’t get to work and new shipments are stuck in the traffic. We’re losing money as we speak.” [[Last time I checked, this was your field->oil]] [[That’s what happens when you raise petrol prices without telling me first->oil]]

Miranda looks alarmed, "Wait, shut them down! But where will we get our electricity from?" "Don't care. I'm not gonna be responsible for World War three." You point to the ceiling lights, "See these? Take a good look at them because it's gonna be the last time. Maybe if your sector knew how to manage themselves, we wouldn't have sucked the ground dry." You storm out the door. [[Exit the Sector->Continue]] <<set $money to $money -200>><<set $power to $power -20>> <<if $power <=0>><<set $power=0>><</if>> <<if $power >=100>><<set $power=100>><</if>>

"Okay, we'll see if we can keep our facilites open. Thank you for your time Director." "Of course Miranda. Don't let this get out to the public." You turn and leave. [[Exit the Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep -20>><<set $money to $money +210>><<set $power to $power +30>> <<if $power <=0>><<set $power=0>><</if>> <<if $rep >=100>><<set $rep=100>><</if>> <<if $rep <=0>><<set $rep=0>><</if>> <<if $power >=100>><<set $power=100>><</if>>

“Yeah, get rid of this.” You hand the report back, “Oh, and don’t just throw it away, they mentioned our company in there. Find the author responsible and sue them for the defamation of our company.” “Sure thing Director.” [[Exit the Water Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep -20>><<set $money to $money +120>><<set $power to 100>>

David stares in disbelief, “Did you say shut down the bottling facilities? That’s the sector’s primary source of income!” “Do you see this report David? How could you throw this away without me seeing!” “But Director, I get reports like that sent to me every day.” “Just halt the bottling facilities until I get this worked out.” You exit the sector. [[Exit the Water Sector->Continue]] <<set $money to $money -150>><<set $power to $power -15>>

“Are there any alternatives to our water processing?” You ask, surely this level of pollution is not necessary for the sector to thrive. “How would I know? We’ve never looked into it.” David yawns loudly before settling into his desk chair. “Anyway, I’m on coffee break now, why don’t you ask me in fifteen minutes.” You glare at him. "Well, what if we put pipelines back in the cities?" Davo raises his eyebrows, "Yeah, and lose all our money because everyone now has free water. Don't be ridiculous $name." [[Just do it, we've gone far enough.->equw]] [[Yeah you're right. Never mind->Read the file]]

“Should have known. I’ll get straight on it, after my coffee break.” He glances at his watch. "Listen, I heard something on the news this morning, about our water processing,” you say. “What, about global temperatures reaching a record high? You know we get those every year.” “Just give me the report David.” "Okay, I didn't think you cared that much though." He fishes around his desk for a few minutes before finding the file in the wastepaper basket. "Oh, here it is." [[Read the file]] <<set $rep to $rep -5>><<set $money to $money +20>><<set $power to $power +10>>

“If you say so. I’ll get straight on it $name, after my coffee break.” He glances at his watch. "Listen, I'm here for a climate report on our water processing, I heard something on the news this morning,” you say. “What, about global temperatures reaching a record high? You know we get those every year.” “Just give me the report David.” "Sure, I didn't think you cared that much though." He fishes around his desk for a few minutes before finding the file in the wastepaper basket. "Oh, here it is." [[Read the file]] <<set $rep to $rep +5>><<set $power to $power -5>>

<<if lastVisited("Approach the Overseer") is 1>>She glares at you. “I need your permission to get our private force out there. It’s the only way to disperse the protestors.” [[Go ahead. They can’t stop us->bado]] [[Wait, they must have a valid reason for being here.->oilequil]] [[Ignore them, the shipments can wait.->gudo]]<</if>><<if lastVisited("oilequil") is 1>>"See, told you I was right. Well, what are you gonna do about the protesters?" Susan taps her foot impatiently. [[Go ahead. They can’t stop us->bado]] [[Ignore them, the shipments can wait.->gudo]]<</if>> <img src="IMG/oiloffice.jpg"/>

She grins, “Of course boss. No one messes with the Esurient and gets away with it.” She turns away and retrieves a phone from her desk, “Hello? Yes, we need forces down immediately. Disperse the threat.” She nods, “Problem solved $name. Thank you for your time Director.” “Anything for the Esurient.” You reply and head for the door. [[Exit the Oil Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep -25>><<set $money to $money +150>><<set $power to $power +30>> <<if $power <=0>><<set $power=0>><</if>> <<if $rep >=100>><<set $rep=100>><</if>> <<if $rep <=0>><<set $rep=0>><</if>> <<if $power >=100>><<set $power=100>><</if>>

“What do they want? It doesn’t matter. If they want free speech, they gotta purchase the rights to do so like everybody else. Boss, they want us to stop our oil drilling. Apparently, it's polluting the ocean. What does it matter? We all know there hasn't been life in the ocean for over a decade. They’re just inundating the public with propaganda again.” “How about you show me anyway. You wanna lose your job? Because I’ve got thousands of applicants going after your position.” "Of course Director." She sighs and opens an email from her computer. Dear Esurient Industries, We have noticed your drilling for oil has breached several agreements regarding protected and heritage-listed land. In case you are not aware, your drilling involves clearing the few vegetation this earth has left. Not to mention runoff from the processing seeps into the few natural water sources we have left. All the more to buy your bottled water. Humanity is not going to sit back while you destroy our home. Regards, Anti-Oil Activist Association. [[Never mind. These demands are ridiculous->oil]] [[That's a good idea. We can do without this sector.->equo]]

“Leave them alone. Getting involved is just the negative publicity we don’t need right now.” You head for the door. “Excuse me? You’re seriously not gonna do anything! What about all the money we're losing?” She retorts. “They’ll leave quicker if we ignore them. It’s not worth getting involved.” She glares at you, “You better know what you’re doing $name, or we’re gonna have some problems.” [[Exit the Oil Sector->Continue]] <<set $money to $money -100>><<set $power to $power -30>> <<if $power <=0>><<set $power=0>><</if>> <<if $power >=100>><<set $power=100>><</if>>

Profile construction complete. <<timed 2s>> Your name is $name, and you are a very important person. In near future, the majority of humankind have retreated to underground bunkers. The search for a home among the stars proved fruitless, forcing humanity to take their chances underground rather than remain under the sun made deadly by climate change. As each day passed, the earth became more uninhabitable. $name is the director of Esurient Industries. They have been left in charge of the millions of people who remain above earth’s surface. Due to the sheer power and influence they have in the modern world, they manage the production of mining, oil production and even water. Profit and progress were at the foremost of $name’s mind all day, every day. [[Continue]]<</timed>>

"Alternatives? I don't think the company has prepared for this." Miranda scans her computer, "Let's see, there's two options for our situation. Wind or solar energy." "Which one's better?" you ask. "Wind turbines generate more energy than solar and they're less polluting. But they're noisy and more expensive to install. Solar panels provide more predictable energy and we can install them on our rooves here. But, we also don't have strong sunlight here with the city's smog." [[Wind energy]] [[Solar energy]]

You enter a large room filled with monitors and databanks. The main terminal sits in the centre. You approach the terminal. Enter your password <<textbox "$number" "">> [[Enter]]

<<if $number is "1234">> Processing...<<timed 2s>>Access denied<<next>> "What? But that was the right password!" You try again and again until the computer freezes. 'Contact your administrator' "But I am the administrator!" You hiss.<</timed>> <<timed 10s>>"Hello $name." The Oil Overseer steps out of the shadows, waving a piece of paper in your direction. "I knew you'd try something like this. Well, I'm not gonna sit back while you destroy everything I've worked hard for!" [[Approach the Overseer->susan]] <</timed>><<else>>Access denied. [[Try again->Head to the mainframe]] <</if>>

"Susan, give me that password and get back to your office!" You demand. "What? So I'm just gonna sit back while you destroy the company! I don't think so! <<if hasVisited("gudo")>>Do you know the mess you left me with after you told me to leave the activists alone? I was in my office all night cleaning up lawsuits.<</if>> I've had enough!" she shrieks. You eye the password in her hand. You have to get that paper. [[Convince her to leave]] [[Call security]]

"This is ridiculous! Susan, give me the piece of paper now or you're really gonna lose your job." "What, you're gonna fire me?" She smirks, folding her arms. "Go on." [[Fire her]]

You press your hand to a device on your collar. "This is the Director, please call security to System Room number 1. It is urgent." You glare at Susan. Susan grins, "Nice try $name, but I'm the Director now." "What? No you're not!" You retort. "I just revoked your authority." She points to the mainframe, "Now it's your turn to listen to me! Get outta here before I fire you." "This isn't right. How dare you!" "This company dosen't do anything right. But with me leading it, I'm gonna change that." Susan heads to the door, "oh look, security's here. Officers, $name's right in there, tampering with the mainframe. Arrest them immediately." Security advances toward you. [[Destroy the mainframe]] [[Surrender]] <<timed 7s>><<set $money to 0>> <<set $rep to 0>> <<set $power to 0>><</timed>>

"As the Director of Esurient Industries, you're fired. Now give me that password! "Last time I checked, you're not the Director." "What?" "Your authority has been revoked. Self Promotion, after all my hard work has seemingly gone unnoticed." She points to the mainframe, "Now it's your turn to listen to me!" She presses her hand to a device on her collar. "This is the Director, call security to System Room number 1 now." "This isn't right. How dare you!" "This company dosen't do anything right. But with me leading it, I'm gonna change that." Susan heads to the door, "oh look, security's here. Officers, $name's right here, tampering with the mainframe. Arrest them immediately." Security advances toward you. [[Destroy the mainframe]] [[Surrender]] <<timed 7s>><<set $money to 0>> <<set $rep to 0>> <<set $power to 0>><</timed>>

You shove your way past security and tackle her to the ground, yanking the password out of her hand. "Hey! Security, arrest them now!" Susan screeches. The guards hesitate in confusion, buying you enough time to punch the real password into the mainframe. <<timed 3s>><<button DeleteFiles Data one>><</button>><</timed>>

You raise your hands in defeat and security shoves you roughly to the exit. <<click "Leave Esurient Industries">><<replace "#e">>As the years passed, Esurient Industries became the most ruthless and profitable company on earth. However, as the earth's resources dwindled and ran out. Susan was forced to retire as Director and shut down the company. Without basic resources, humanity became squabbling groups, fighting over what was left of the earth. After a lengthy time in court, $name retreated to the relative safety of an underground bunker. It was there they watched the world they once tried to save, be reduced to a barren wasteland. The End<</replace>><</click>>

Erasing all files... Please Wait You wait painfully as you watch your livelihood being erased. <<set $seconds to 100000>>\ Progress: $seconds items remaining\ <<silently>> <<repeat 1s>> <<set $seconds to $seconds - 9703>> <<if $seconds gt 0>> <<replace "#countdown">>$seconds items remaining<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#countdown">>Data erasure completed. Click + to add file. <<timed 3s>><<goto "endgood">><</timed>><</replace>> <<stop>> <</if>> <</repeat>> <</silently>> <img src="IMG/logo.jpg"/>

After what seemed like hours, the files have been erased. Esurient Industries is now nothing but the name of a building. "What have you done $name! Security, I told you to arrest them!" Susan screams. The guards stand about awkwardly. "You're not the Director anymore, no one is. The earth has no hope if the Esurient exists, without us in the picture, the environment actually has a chance." "But $name..." "I've decided to think of the bigger picture, if we were to keep this company running we'd be pushed to extinction. I've sacrificed the Esurient for the future." Upon saying that, you turn and leave. The End

[[Credits]]

List of sources used for research: Water Sector: [[University of Queensland: The Real Cost of Bottled Water->https://sustainability.uq.edu.au/projects/recycling-and-waste-minimisation/real-cost-bottled-water]] [[Facts about plastic bottles->https://myequa.com/blogs/blog/89626311-facts-about-plastic-bottles]] [[Information on plastic waste->http://plastic-pollution.org/]] Oil Sector: [[Impact of Oil->http://oilcare.org.uk/what-we-do/impacts-of-oil/]] [[Oil and the Environment->https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=oil_environment]] Mining Sector: [[What Happens When the World's Resources Run Out?->https://www.thetrumpet.com/9302-what-happens-when-the-worlds-resources-run-out]] [[Environmental impacts of mining->https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-the-mining-industry.html]] [[Coal and electricity->https://www.worldcoal.org/coal/uses-coal/coal-electricity]] [[Wind vs solar energy->https://greenfuture.io/solar/wind-vs-solar-energy/]] All images by Isabelle Hall.

"Thank you Director. We may have to rename this sector." [[Exit the Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep +30>><<set $money to 500>> <<if $power <=0>><<set $power=0>><</if>> <<if $rep >=100>><<set $rep=100>><</if>> <<if $rep <=0>><<set $rep=0>><</if>> <<if $power >=100>><<set $power=100>><</if>>

"Thank you Director. I get straight on it." [[Exit the Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep +30>><<set $money to 500>> <<if $power <=0>><<set $power=0>><</if>> <<if $rep >=100>><<set $rep=100>><</if>> <<if $rep <=0>><<set $rep=0>><</if>> <<if $power >=100>><<set $power=100>><</if>>

As the years passed, Esurient Industries became the most ruthless and profitable company on earth. However, as the earth's resources dwindled and ran out. $name was forced to retire as Director and shut down the company. Without basic resources, humanity became squabbling groups, fighting over what was left of the earth. $name retreated to the relative safety of an underground bunker. It was there they watched the world be reduced to a barren wasteland. The End

"Fine, but you're gonna regret this when you get the bills." David picks up the phone, "Looks like I'm in charge of pipes now." "Thank you David. We won't regret this." [[Exit the Water Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep +40>><<set $money to 500>> <<if $rep >=100>><<set $rep=100>><</if>> <<if $rep <=0>><<set $rep=0>><</if>>

“I don’t care what you say, if the sector's gonna cause problems like these then we shut it down. I'm sure we can find alternatives,” you eye the email. "What? I've worked all my life to get where I am now, and you're gonna shut it down over a few blocked streets!" Susan snaps at you. "Calm down, I can re-assign you to somewhere else. Maybe you can be in charge of the biofuel team?" “Yes Director, anything you say,” she shoots you an icy glare. [[Exit the Oil Sector->Continue]] <<set $rep to $rep +30>><<set $power to $power +10>><<set $money to 500>> <<if $rep >=100>><<set $rep=100>><</if>> <<if $rep <=0>><<set $rep=0>><</if>>

As the years passed, $name remained the Director, transforming Esurient Industries into a powerful tool of restoration. Changing their ways to promote sustainability and encouraging others to do the same. Although the earth was on a long road to recovery, humanity was saved from the brink of extinction. The End