History repeating

As a matter of fact, I swallowed one of these about two hours ago The explanation is that it is, in fact, my hand Everything, it seemed, was alright And now there's on record Get out of that groove and you have it (it's amazing) The track is a groove You know what really is amazing? Judging it just right through the groove You know what really is amazing? Oh yes, but what if you get out of that groove? Oh, then I'm in trouble

The word is about, there's something evolving, Whatever may come, the world keeps revolving... They say the next big thing is here, That the revolution's near, But to me it seems quite clear That's it's all just a little bit of history repeating. The newspapers shout a new style is growing, But it don't know if it's coming or going, There is fashion, there is fad Some is good, some is bad And the joke rather sad, That it's all just a little bit of History repeating. And I've seen it before And I'll see it again Yes I've seen it before Just little bits of history repeating Some people don't dance, if they don't know who's singing, Why ask your head, it's your hips that are swinging Life's for us to enjoy Woman, man, girl and boy, Feel the pain, feel the joy Aside set the little bits of history repeating Just little bits of history repeating And I've seen it before And I'l see it again Yes I've seen it before Just little bits of history repeating

"Okay, report received. You were right to call us, this isn't normal. We just caught the same ping." (link-replace: '"At least something got through. Any word on why comms are down?"')[ (display: "start.1")]

"At least something got through. Any word on why comms are down?" “We’re working on reestablishing the connection between you two. It’s been disrupted by… something. Until then, you need to stand by for further instruction.” (link-replace: '"Further instruction from command? This isn’t the first time he’s gone dark. What’s the urgency?"')[(display: "start.2")]

"Further instruction from command? This isn’t the first time he’s gone dark. What’s the urgency?" “They must have assessed for immediate action. Just received their new orders — we’re extracting him. All the details are coming in. Our contact at the airstrip got us a ride on the next flight to the research facility… Huh. Well, they got you a ride.”{(set: $start_2_1 to false) (set: $start_2_2 to false) (set: $start_2_3 to false) |start_2>[] (display:"start.2.fallback")}

[[//And I've seen it before And I'll see it again//->start]] (set:$counter to 0) (set:$lastDeathCause to "") (set:$metInformant to false) (set:$canLeavePlane to false)

"What!?" “You’ll be entering the research facility where Agent Hale is on assignment. You’re going to locate him and then we’ll get you both out safely.”{ (if: $start_2_1 and $start_2_2 and $start_2_3)[[ "Understood. Tell command (display: "start.3")] ]}

"I’m not a field operative. I’ve never done anything like this before." “Sure, you haven’t, but you’ve supported our operations for years. All that experience should count for something.”{ (if: $start_2_1 and $start_2_2 and $start_2_3)[[ "I don’t think that’s quite the same. This is way out of my depth... but (display: "start.3")] ]}

"Why are they sending me?" “You’re already positioned out there. Your support post is just a short flight away from the facility…”{ (if: $start_2_1 and $start_2_2 and $start_2_3)[[ "Huh. If they don’t want to send anyone out here for him… someone has to help. (display: "start.3")] ]}

{|start_2_fallback>[ (if: not $start_2_1)[(link: ' "What!?"')[ (set: $start_2_1 to true) (append: ?start_2)[ (display: "start.2.1")] (replace: ?start_2_fallback)[(display: "start.2.fallback")] ]] (if: not $start_2_2)[(link: ' "I’m not a field operative. I’ve never done anything like this before."')[ (set: $start_2_2 to true) (append: ?start_2)[ (display: "start.2.2")] (replace: ?start_2_fallback)[(display: "start.2.fallback")] ]] (if: not $start_2_3)[(link: ' "Why are they sending me?"')[ (set: $start_2_3 to true) (append: ?start_2)[ (display: "start.2.3")] (replace: ?start_2_fallback)[(display: "start.2.fallback")] ]] ] }

I won't let him down." You feel a [[chill->plane]] run through you.

|plane>[<div class="passage-shake">A cold, metallic draft sweeps through the hold as the plane shudders violently.</div>{ (set: $plane_turns to 0) (set: $counter to $counter+1) (after:2.5s)[(display:"plane.description")] }]

(text-style:"bold")[bold] (text-style:"outline")[outline] (text-style:"shadow")[shadow] (text-style:"emboss")[emboss] (text-style:"condense")[condense] (text-style:"expand")[expand] (text-style:"blur")[blur] (text-style:"blurrier")[blurrier] (text-style:"smear")[smear] (text-style:"mirror")[mirror] (text-style:"upside-down")[upside-down] (text-style:"blink")[blink] (text-style:"fade-in-out")[fade-in-out] (text-style:"rumble")[rumble] (text-style:"shudder")[shudder]

|plane_description>[ The engines rumble steadily, pallets of |cargo>[cargo] clattering in sync. |man_notice>[Boots tap impatiently], drawing your attention to the |man>[man] at the opposite end of the hold, |man_state>[leaning back] in his fold-down seat. You avert your eyes, instead looking straight ahead to the wall across from you, where a |clipboard>[clipboard] and a |clock>[clock] hang nearby a small |window>[window]. The humming fluorescent lights don’t illuminate much. Anything else inside the plane is obscured by shadow or heavy tarp.] { |plane_observation>[]  (if: $plane_turns > 2)[ (replace: ?man_notice)[You realize the tapping has stopped] (replace: ?man_state)[slumped over]] (if: $plane_turns > 4)[ (replace: ?plane)[(display: "plane.landing")]]  (click: ?cargo)[(set: $plane_turns to $plane_turns + 1) (replace: ?plane_observation)[(display: "plane.description.cargo") (replace: ?plane_description)(display:"plane.description") ]] (click: ?man)[(set: $plane_turns to $plane_turns + 1) (replace: ?plane_observation)[(display: "plane.description.man") (replace: ?plane_description)(display:"plane.description") ]] (click: ?clipboard)[(set: $plane_turns to $plane_turns + 1) (replace: ?plane_observation)[(display: "plane.description.clipboard") (replace: ?plane_description)(display:"plane.description") ]] (click: ?clock)[(set: $plane_turns to $plane_turns + 1) (replace: ?plane_observation)[(display: "plane.description.clock") (replace: ?plane_description)(display:"plane.description") ]] (click: ?window)[(set: $plane_turns to $plane_turns + 1) (replace: ?plane_observation)[ (display: "plane.description.window") (replace: ?plane_description)(display:"plane.description") ]] }

Hulking rows of cargo, shrouded in tarpaulin. No visible markings or labels. Even if you could see anything, you wouldn't know what you were looking at.

He hasn't acknowledged you since you were first introduced - you, as just another staff transfer. Him, simply as shipment personnel, but you did notice he's armed. You glance towards his corner beside the cargo ramp. |man_look>[ The glow from the overhead lights doesn't reach far enough to make out whether he's watching you or not.]{ (if: $plane_turns > 1)[(replace:?man_look)[No more impatient tapping. He seems to have fallen asleep, resting against the side wall. Over his shoulder, just visible now, is the |panel>[control panel] for the ramp. ]] (click:?panel)[(append: ?man_look)[ (if: $canLeavePlane)[ You get closer. Examine the control panel. You wouldn't want to press the [[button->END]] that opens the cargo hatch, would you?] (else: )[You don't see a reason to mess with that. Besides - //he's// right there, and what would he think you were trying to do?] ]] }

The clock reads 3:2$plane_turns a.m. You've been on this plane too long already.

The porthole is clouded with frost, but through it you can almost see lights in the dark distance. The lights have been slowly but surely growing closer. Almost there, you hope.

The clipboard sways with the plane's pitch, displaying the shipping manifest. It's too far to read, but you did take a look earlier: rows of shipments, reference numbers, weights, all naming the same destination. Once, it was the destination for Agent Hale's latest mission, and once you thought of it with confident anticipation. Now, just guilt and dread.

<div class="passage-shake">Before you get the chance to look any closer, the plane starts to descend.</div> {(after:2s)[(display: "plane.landing.1")]}

You don't usually get motion |sick>[sickness.]{ (click:?sick)[(replace:?sick)[sickness, but you feel overwhelmingly nauseous.|next>[] (after:3s)[(replace:?next)[(display: "plane.landing.2")]]]]}

(set: $hangDesc to "claustrophobic")(set:$metInformant to false) You’ve become familiar with all |facility_info>[available information] on the facility's layout. The hangar feels (cycling-link: bind $hangDesc, "claustrophobic", "cavernous"). |hangar_expl>[It's smaller than it looked in the photos. ] |hangar_observation>[]{ (live: 100ms)[ (if: $hangDesc is "cavernous")[ (replace: ?hangar_expl)[No aircraft but the one you arrived in. Cargo pallets are scattered, leaving a surrounding emptiness. You feel smaller yourself.] ](else:)[ (replace: ?hangar_expl)[It's smaller than it looked in the photos. ] ]] (click:?facility_info)[(replace:?hangar_observation)[Of course, satellite images and maps don’t prepare you for how it feels to be here.(after:4s)[ The hangar doors crawl shut. (display:"hangar.1")]]] }

(set:$counter to 5)(set: $times to (a: "first","second","third")) (set:$metInformantTemp to false) Even as you |step>[step off the plane] onto the solid tarmac of the |hangar>[hangar] floor, the feeling doesn’t let up. |stepthink>[] { (click:?hangar)[ (if:$counter > 1)[(go-to: "hangar.1")] (else:)[(go-to: "hangar")] ] (click: ?step)[ (replace: ?stepthink)[This is your (if: $counter <= 3)[(print:$times's ($counter))](else:)[(replace: ?stepthink)[How many more times will you walk Hale's path?]] step on your path to Hale, following in his footsteps.]] }

The doors on the north wall must be the |entrance>[main facility entrance]. |hangar_doors>[] There’s an upper level taking up much of the east side of the hangar, with a |stairs>[staircase] in the corner leading up to it. Its |windows>[windows] look directly over the |hangar_plane>[cargo plane]. |hangar_observation1>[]{ (if:$metInformant is true)[ (replace:?hangar_plane)[empty hangar] (replace:?hangar_doors)[The [[south doors->hangar.outside]] are still open. You can see the departing cargo plane in the distance.] ] (if:$counter > 1)[ (replace:?hangar_doors)[The [[south doors->hangar.outside]] have just been reopened to allow the cargo plane to depart.] ] (click:?entrance)[ (replace:?hangar_observation1)[ (if:$metInformant is false)[You hesitate. Weren’t you supposed to meet the contact before you go in?] (else:)[You don't think you're supposed to go that way.] ]] (click:?stairs)[ (if:$metInformantTemp is false)[(go-to: "hangar.2")] (else:)[(replace:?hangar_observation1)[You don't think it would help to go back up there.] ]] (click:?windows)[ (replace:?hangar_observation1)[ (if:$metInformant is false)[She must be watching you arrive.] (else:)[It was a nice view from up there.] ]] (click:?hangar_plane)[ (replace:?hangar_observation1)[ (if:$metInformant is false)[You catch fragments of a lowered conversation between the crew. “...like I said, the experiments. Loads of interference. You must be new here, huh?” “I’m telling you, I’ve been out here a couple times. Never seen anything like...” ] ]] }

|guard_encounter>[Before you even take a step towards the staircase]{ (if:$metInformant is false)[ (append:?guard_encounter)[- (after:1s)[(display:"hangar.3")] ]] (else:)[ (append:?guard_encounter)[, you turn around to see the armed man. Before he can say anything - (after:1s)[ "Reporting to the airfield supervisor." He moves away to let you up the stairs to the [[office]].]] ] }

//''"Hey!"''// One of the armed personnel, not the one who was watching you on the plane. "All transfers check in with the airfield supervisor before entering the facility." He doesn't point, but gives a pointed glare at you, then a sharp tilt of his head up to the office. You continue [[up the stairs->office]], unsettled. You were already doing as you were told.

“You’re finally here. Right on schedule, as planned.” She closes the door quickly behind you. “Any later, and we’d be in trouble.”{(set: $office_1 to false) (set: $office_2 to false) (set: $office_3 to false)} |office>[] (display:"office.fallback")

{|office_fallback>[(if:$metInformant is false)[ (if: not $office_1)[(link: ' "What kind of trouble are we talking about?"')[ (set: $office_1 to true) (append: ?office)[ (display: "office.1")] (replace: ?office_fallback)[(display: "office.fallback")] ]] (if: not $office_2)[(link: ' "Do you know where Agent Hale is?"')[ (set: $office_2 to true) (append: ?office)[ (display: "office.2")] (replace: ?office_fallback)[(display: "office.fallback")] ]] (if: not $office_3)[(link: ' "Just tell me what I need to do."')[ (set: $office_3 to true) (append: ?office)[ (display: "office.3")] (replace: ?office_fallback)[] ]]] (else:)[(link: ' "Just tell me what I need to do."')[ (set: $office_1 to true) (append: ?office)[ (display: "office.3")] (replace: ?office_fallback)[]] ]] }

"What kind of trouble are we talking about?" “...The kind where I don’t have the time to explain it all to you.”

"Do you know where Agent Hale is?" “Yes. I understand you were sent to locate him. Not exactly a field agent, are you?” She seems to be deciding what to make of you. “Well, he’s turned up. No longer MIA. He’s being held.” So, he’s alive. The relief doesn’t last long. His life is still in danger - the dread from earlier weighs even heavier now. You realize what’s going to be asked of you. “Agent Hale got what he came for - but then something went wrong. Their forces moved in and now they have him cornered. They’re trying to recover whatever it was he got, but they can’t take it by force without drawing attention… The rest of the facility is in the dark. Operations have to proceed as usual. They’re keeping it contained - in the processing bay.”

"Just tell me what I need to do." “I understand you know the layout of the facility well. The processing bay, that’s where Agent Hale is being held, you know what that is?” |office_conversation>[] (if:$counter is 1)[(replace:?office_conversation)[ You're familiar enough with it. Primarily processes waste from the research wing. (link-append:'"It was meant to be his way out.”') [ “You’re not going to reach it the same way he did. There’s an increased security presence along the route you directed him on. There’s an alternate route you’ll need to take.” (link-append:'“Through the research wing? That overhead passage should be the fastest way."') [ “Unfortunately, no. Whatever experiments they’ve been running have caused severe structural damage. You wouldn’t know this from your intel, because it was just a few days ago. Repairs haven’t even started yet. It’s extremely dangerous. I would say impossible.” (link-append:'“So… your alternate route.”') [ “There’s a duct running from the cooling pools to the processing bay that's accessible when the pools are drained. You can get to the cooling building through the exterior service corridors. - you’ll avoid detection entirely. There's an access point just outside the hangar...” The supervisor walks over to the window, looking out, then glancing back at you. The south doors are groaning open again to let the cargo plane taxi out of the hangar. “How well do you know the service corridors?” (link-append:'"Not very well. I saw them on the schematics, but I was more focused on the mission area...”') [ “Then you'll have to follow my directions exactly. A wrong turn down there is dangerous. Especially with the experiments they've been running recently - stay away from the research wing. Once you're down, take a right, and go straight ahead until you reach the water cooling building.” She opens the office door and points you |leave_office>[down] the stairs. "It's time go. Agent Hale is waiting for you. Don't let him down." ] ] ] ]]] (else:)[(replace:?office_conversation)[ (link-append:'"I know what the processing bay is.”') [ “You’re not going to reach it the same way he did. There’s an increased security presence along the route you directed him on. There’s an alternate route you’ll need to take.” (link-append:'"I already know all this...”') [ “What do you mean?" (link-append:'"You want me to go to the cooling pools. Through the service corridors.”') [ “How would you... Well. I really don't know how you could have possibly gotten that intel. " The supervisor frowns. “Well, the sooner you leave, the better. Go ahead. Agent Hale is waiting for you." She opens the office door and points you |leave_office>[down] the stairs. (if:$lastDeathCause is "corridor")[ (link-append:'"You were right about that. The corridor collapsed on me.”') [ “What were you doing in the service corridor?" She shakes her head. “You couldn't have been. I watched you walk off the plane." She folds her arms and looks darkly at you. ] ]]]]]] (click:?leave_office)[(set:$metInformant to true)(set:$metInformantTemp to true)(go-to:"hangar.1")]

You slip outside, into the downpour. There's a small structure nearby that must be the [[access point->corridor]]. With the weather, you're not too surprised you missed seeing it on your way in.

As you descend, the storm above ground gets quieter, until it's nearly silent. Low ceilings, bare concrete, and old, dim lights make it feel extremely unwelcoming. It's not long before the passage comes to a junction. You can see a long way down the corridor to the [[right->corridor.1]], a distant groan of pipes and building pressure. You can't see much of the [[left->corridor.2]] side as it doubles back to the north, likely leading to the research wing.

Against your better judgement, you take the turn. As you proceed, the hum of machinery vibrates the air, and dust crumbles from the ceiling. (after:2s)[(display:"corridor.2.1")]

It's a longer way than you anticipated to the water cooling building. When you look back, it's just a narrow stretch into the distance. You can't even see the way you came. End of prototype...

|hallway_death>[<div class="passage-shake">Suddenly, a |hallway_death_1>[shockwave] rocks through the corridor.</div>]|hallway_death2>[]|hallway_death4>[]|hallway_death6>[] (click:?hallway_death_1)[(replace:?hallway_death_2)[<div class="passage-shake">It's almost |hallway_death_3>[enough] to knock you off your feet.</div>]] (click:?hallway_death_3)[(replace:?hallway_death_4)[<div class="passage-shake">Enough to widen the cracks you didn't notice in the |hallway_death_5>[ceiling].</div>]] (click:?hallway_death_5)[(set:$lastDeathCause to "corridor")(replace:?hallway_death_6)[<div class="passage-shake">The ceiling collapses. You're [[dead->DEATH]].</div>]]

But you don't feel dead... you just feel [[cold->plane]]...

[[//Whatever may come The world keeps revolving...//->Thanks]]

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