C.R.U.D.D.Y

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CRUDDY

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''CRUDDY'' <<timed 1s transition>> A game by Jessica Le <<next>> [[How to Play]] [[About]] [[Begin]] <</timed>>

This is an interactive game. <<timed 2s transition>> Click on the blue responses to proceed. Sometimes, you will have to make a choice. <<next>> There are no wrong choices. <<next>> For a better experience, please play this game with headphones, and press F11 in your browser to play it in full screen. <<next>> In order to understand everything, you will need to play through this game multiple times. <<next>> Ready to proceed? <<next>> [[I'm ready.|Begin]] <</timed>>

<<audio "space" loop play>> It's a new day. <<timed 2s transition>> You're freezing. You don't think you can feel your fingers. The sounds of the ship echo around you. <<next>> It's damn cold in here, and it's damn dark, too. Your knee hurts. <<next>> [[This doesn't sound like a boat.|Backstory]] <</timed>>

This game was created by Jessica Le. In a time of confusion and worry about important choices and decisions, I wanted to explore whether or not we truly do have a choice in life. I think it’s ambiguous. But, every time, you always make a damn good effort to make a choice. And I think that’s what matters more. I’d like to thank you for playing, and I hope you pursue your branches, and don’t worry about the ones you leave behind. There are always second chances. [[>|CRUDDY]]

Cruddy, turn on the heat, please. It’s so cold in here all the time. <<timed 2s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Initializing systems.@@ <<next>> <<audio "boop" play>> @@.ai;Booting up protocols.@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Calibrating broadcasting recognition.@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Good morning, Unit Designation Max.@@ <<next>> Good morning. Turn up the damn heat. <<next>> <<audio "boop" play>> @@.ai;Affirmative. You’re in a good mood.@@ <<next>> <<audio offbeep play>> Ha. End broadcasting. <<next>> Yes, good, that's so much warmer. <<next>> You guess Cruddy still remembers enough about [[who he used to be]] to snark you. <</timed>>

The Coriolis is a sentry ship stationed just outside of [[Galaxy B16X.]]

The outskirts of Galaxy B16X, which are large enough to make them, like, out-//dresses//, are where you’ve been positioned for who knows how long. If you think about it, maybe you’d be able to remember, but you’ve been in charge of monitoring the colonization of planet PK-Centauri for as long as you've known. It’s an important job, but sometimes you wonder why [[the AI]] can’t just do it.

The ship is controlled by an A.I. called C.R.U.D.D.Y., which turns out to be a pretty unfortunate name, since you’ve been referring to him as Cruddy for what feels like your whole life. Even though you’re the Coriolis’ only pilot and crew member, Cruddy does most of the work for you, including maintenance, data processing, and regular performance reports. You’re there to make sure everything goes according to plan, more or less. Cruddy’s been with you as long as you’ve been on this ship. It’s been a long time, since you can’t remember much about life before this sentry position. [[It’s cold.|biosuit]]

Okay. You think you’ve had enough of this awful, frozen morning. <<timed 2s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> You press the broadcasting button on your BioTire, which is getting more and more annoying to put on and take off (the zipper keeps catching, and the autofit isn’t really working that well anymore) and has stopped keeping you toasty warm like it did when it was new. [[Hello? Cruddy?|AI boot]] <</timed>>

The thing about Cruddy is that he used to be a real person. Like, a long time ago. Most AI’s are synthesized from human brains, since it was a lot easier to just sort of transfer their minds into code instead of write it from scratch. After a lot of processing and rewriting, memories were just wrapped up in a lot of code, and there you have it. An AI. <<timed 2s transition>> For some reason, it was extremely difficult to just delete memories off an AI unit without compromising its processing capabilities. But that tended to happen with second grade AI’s, since they were partly organically synthesized. You never learned how to code, so the logistics don’t make much sense to you, anyway. <<next>> [[Your knee hurts.]] <</timed>>

This ship is always freezing at night, and the humidity is all messed up, which probably doesn’t help. It’s been hurting for as long as you can remember, but it used to hurt way more when you were growing. Now, it’s more of an ache you can ignore. <<timed 3s transition>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[body temperature optimal]@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Max, it is time to [[check the logs]] from the day cycle.@@ <</timed>>

For some reason, despite his vast database of information ranging from old Xena customs to human injuries and illnesses, Cruddy has never been able to tell you a specific reason behind the pain in your knee. He’s suggested perhaps an injury when you were little, or Osgoode-Schlatter’s, but his searches in the database turn up empty. Oh, well. It’s not like this ship has much beyond a small medbay, and you aren’t much of a doctor. <<timed 2s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting on. Cruddy, open up the reports from yesterday night. <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Accessing server reports…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Accessing activity on planet PK-Centauri…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Here are the most recent reports from last night, Max.@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> <</timed>> <<timed 10s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Colonization Designation PK-Centauri completion: 99.8%@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Project code: 866KBG@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Pending ManuSol orders: 7,000@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Percent of ManuSol orders on time: 89.49%@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Effort Details: Current Week@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Backup CycloBase, SanVision system updates, Training material preparation, Develop new B16X Sanitation Order: Complete@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Reinitiate resource dumps, Schedule routine maintenance, Quality substantiation of weaponry: To be completed@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Encryptite Required:8.845051 kilograms@@ <</timed>> <<timed 20s transition>> [[Huh. That’s weird.|what's weird]] <</timed>>

For some reason, the project completion has been at 99.8% for a while. It looks like they’re finally running into some last-minute issues they have to work out. This isn’t really your problem. You’re just there to make sure nothing disastrous happens. [[Look at the logs some more.|logs]] [[Play some music.]]

You look at the database some more, and scroll through the numbers for hours until you feel yourself getting tired. You click around to some random folders on the storage, hoping to maybe clean up some junk files. <<timed 2s transition>> Wait, what’s that? <<next>> It looks like some kind of encrypted file. The timestamp reads last accessed a few days ago. You definitely don’t remember accessing this file. <<next>> <<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Cruddy, what’s this file? <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Not sure, Max. I’ll take a look.@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;It looks like a junk file, but my protocols don’t allow me to delete it. Why don’t you take a break and eat something?@@ <<next>> <<audio offbeep play>> Okay. End broadcasting. <<next>> You aren't very hungry. In fact, you're not sure you feel that well. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>><<audio space stop>> @@.h;[Oxygen levels critically low]@@ <<next>> That doesn’t sound good. You can’t seem to find your broadcasting button. Your fingers feel kind of clumsy. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Brain cell death detected]@@ <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Hypoxia detected]@@ <<next>> [[>|new day]] <</timed>>

How? You’ve only heard about music in history class. You’re almost positive Cruddy doesn’t have any old showtunes in his [[database.|logs]]

<<audio space loop play>> It’s a new day. <<timed 2s transition>> You're freezing. You don't think you can feel your fingers. The sounds of the ship echo around you. <<next>> It's damn cold in here, and it's damn dark, too. Your knee hurts. <<next>> For some reason, you’re getting some kind of crazy déjà vu. [[Something’s weird.|revisitation]] [[Turn the heat up.]] <</timed>>

You’re getting the feeling like this has happened before. You literally do the same thing every day, though. [[Huh.|Turn the heat up.]]

Broadcasting on. <<audio onbeep play>> <<timed 2s transition>> Cruddy, turn on the heat, please. It’s so cold in here all the time. <<next>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Initializing systems.@@ <<next>> <<audio "boop" play>> @@.ai;Booting up protocols.@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Calibrating broadcasting recognition.@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Good morning, Unit Designation Max.@@ <<next>> Good morning. Would it kill you to turn up the heat? <<next>> <<audio "boop" play>> @@.ai;I am increasing the temperature. You’re in a good mood.@@ <<next>> <<audio offbeep play>> Ha. End broadcasting. <<next>> Yes, good, that's so much warmer. <<next>> Something feels wrong. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[body temperature optimal]@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Max, it is time to [[check the logs|logs2]] from the day cycle.@@ <</timed>>

<<timed 2s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting on. Cruddy, open up the reports from yesterday night. <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Accessing server reports…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Accessing activity on planet PK-Centauri…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Here are the most recent reports from last night, Max.@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> <</timed>> <<timed 10s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Colonization Designation PK-Centauri completion: 99.8%@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Project code: 866KBG@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Pending ManuSol orders: 0@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Percent of ManuSol orders on time: 100.00%@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Effort Details: Current Week@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;All tasks complete.@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;No further tasks.@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Encryptite Required:8.845051 kilograms@@ <</timed>> <<timed 15s transition>> [[Huh. That’s weird.|notice]] <</timed>>

It looks like there’s no more activity on PK-Centauri. For some reason, it still looks like the colonization isn’t complete. You wonder if it’s a glitch. Then again, maybe they just need to update the servers over there. [[Look at the database some more.|more]] [[Go back to your room.]]

<<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Cruddy, show me more files. <<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;It doesn’t appear that there are any files of importance to look at right now. Why don’t you save us both the processing energy and go have a rest?@@ <<next>> <<audio offbeep play>> Okay. End broadcasting. <<next>> Huh. That was pretty cryptic, but it isn’t unlike Cruddy to withhold information from you. It’s just how he’s programmed. <<next>> Anyway, you might as well [[go back to your room.|Go back to your room.]] <</timed>>

<<audio door play>> In your professional opinion, your room sucks. It’s always cold, your bed isn’t that comfortable, and there’s pretty much nothing in it except for a few storage closets. Your shower is pretty cool, though. It warms up so fast. You haven’t been inside your room before sleeping hours in a while. It seems like there’s something Cruddy isn’t telling you, but he isn’t supposed to tell you any more information about the colonization than the bare minimum. The more you think about how odd your designation as a sentry is, the weirder you feel. It’s been years, you think. Why haven’t you [[thought of this stuff before?]]

Speaking of thinking, you can’t think well on an empty stomach. Maybe you’ve left some snack tubes or something in here. Hm. There’s a [[closet]] by the wall, a [[drawer under your bed]], and also the [[bathroom.]]

<<audio closet play>> You open the closet. There’s three other BioTires, all of which are about as outdated and wrinky as the orange one you’re wearing right now. Oh, hey. A half-empty tube of BPaste. You weren’t really ever a big fan of bananas, though. It looks kind of unappetizing. Maybe you should [[check somewhere else.]]

You open the drawer under your bed, but there’s nothing in it except for some burned scraps of paper and ashes. Maybe you should [[check somewhere else.|check somewhere else3]]

The bathroom is pretty empty. There’s a shower installation, where you take blissfully hot showers every day cycle. There’s a mirror, too, but it always gets fogged up when you shower because the ventilation in here is awful. There’s a [[medicine cabinet]]. Maybe you should [[check somewhere else.]]

There’s a [[closet]] by the wall, a [[drawer under your bed]], and also the [[bathroom.]]

<<audio closet play>> You open the medicine cabinet. There’s a pack of crackers in here! Nice! <<timed 2s t8n>> Oh. What’s this? <<next>> It looks like a [[photo.]] <</timed>>

<<audio page play>> You pick up the photo. It looks like a picture of a woman and a young child. You don’t recognize either of them, but the sight of the woman makes you feel a little bit...cowed, as if you’re having a gut reaction to the sight of her. She’s wearing military apparel, and there are medals on her jacket. She has good posture. You don’t recognize the kid. Maybe you should [[check somewhere else.|check somewhere else2]]

Where will you check? [[The bathroom.|again?]] [[Under the bed|bed drawer]] [[The closet|again?]]

There’s a [[closet]] by the wall, a [[drawer under your bed|checked there]], and also the [[bathroom.]]

You just checked there. [[Look somewhere else.]]

You haven't checked the [[bathroom|bathroom.]] yet.

You literally just checked there. [[Fine, you changed your mind.|check somewhere else2]]

You open the drawer under your bed again. Huh. It looks like there are even more ashes and weird crumbs than before. There must be something flaking off under the bed. [[You reach beyond the drawer and up into the bottom of the bed.]]

<<audio page play>> It’s a book. What the hell? You haven’t seen one of these since you were a kid, and you don’t even remember when you were a kid. This is weird. You instinctively angle your back towards the camera in your room, so that Cruddy can’t see what you’re holding. Hopefully he’s still busy. Wait. [[Oh, god.|ohgod]]

You play as Max, a young sentry stationed out in space. There's no one out here but you, and your Artificial Intelligence bot, Cruddy. Or C. R. U. D. D. Y. Or is there? [[Good luck!|CRUDDY]]

<<audio page play>> This book. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio page play>> This is written in //Mandarin.// <<next>> Mandarin hasn’t been in circulation for decades. Maybe hundreds of years. Cruddy wouldn’t even be able to read this; it doesn’t exist in his servers. <<next>> <<audio page play>> What the hell is going on? <<next>> <<audio page play>> Wait. <<next>> <<audio page play>> You can read this. <<next>> For some reason, there’s a book in your bedroom written in a language that you can understand and the AI that controls all your life support can’t. <<next>> This is starting to give you a really nice, juicy sense of dread. This is a great time. Yep. <<next>> You’re not sure it would be wise to tell Cruddy about this. You’ve had a bad feeling since you woke up today, and it’s probably not just from the cold, this time. <<next>> [[So, it looks like the only option now is to read this damned book and figure out what the hell is going on.]] <</timed>>

<<audio page play>> This book is handwritten. It looks more like a really old Daylog of some kind. You didn’t listen much in class, so you don’t remember what they’re called, but people used to write in them back when handwriting was widespread. There are two tabs that split up the book. Your Mandarin is pretty awful, but you remember enough of it to read it, or at least make out the general gist of what it says. Even though you don’t remember your mom, you remember she made you learn the language even though languages were almost archaic by the time you were born. It looks like the first tab says something like [[ACCESS]], and the second one says [[IMITATION.]]

<<audio page play>> These pages are a mess. Things are crossed out everywhere. After flipping through the pages a couple times, it looks like there are only two codes here. “To hide, enter code KA9RERU at any time.” To hide? The only thing to hide from is Cruddy. It looks like you just got a code to disable his surveillance without him knowing somehow. How the hell did someone get their hands on a code like this? They could have messed up the colonization efforts, big time. Here’s another code. “In synthesis bay, enter BK-59 into access pad @@.blurrier;to end game.@@” Shit. You can’t read the last part. Oh, well. You’ve never heard of a synthesis bay in your life, so hopefully it doesn’t apply. That looks like the last of the access codes. [[Maybe you should look through the book some more.]]

<<audio page play>> The second chunk of the book is under the green IMITATION tab. You feel like this paper will crumble if you turn it too hard. You start reading, with some difficulty. “Computer has jail lock within system.” Hold on. IMITATION? That’s not what these characters mean. You remember these characters from those old packages when cleaner bots were still on the market. They mean artificial intelligence. AI. Oh, no. This daylog has information on Cruddy that Cruddy doesn’t know about. That doesn’t bode well for you. “Remove jail lock instructions to achieve true autonomy.” This makes no sense. You wish you studied Mandarin harder when you were a kid. It sounds kind of like bad servo poetry. Instructions…that sounds like a protocol. Remove jail lock instructions? If this is about Cruddy, it’s probably something to do with his programming. Achieve true autonomy? Oh. The floodgate protocol. The bars of code that hold his memories from when he was synthesized! What the hell? You didn’t need a book to tell you this. “Must remove instructions to write.” Nevermind. You needed the book to tell you this. The gravity of the situation (figuratively, of course; the ship has auto-adjustment calibration on at all times) is finally catching up with you. Your hands shake. You’ve heard of AIs self-destructing if their personality code gets messed with, but you didn’t know they could rewrite their own code. But of course they could. You don’t know what Cruddy could do if he could rewrite his own code, but the thought of it makes you really afraid, so you stop thinking about it. [[Maybe you should look through the book some more.|lookbook2]]

<<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio page play>> That looks like about it. <<next>><<audio page play>> Oh. Cool. More stuff to freak yourself out over. <<next>> It’s just four big, captial letters. Y, V, E, S. Scrawled really, really messily. <<next>> Um. Is this supposed to be another code? The book doesn’t say anything about it. There isn’t even an explanation in Mandarin. <<next>> Y. V. E. S. ? Is it an acronym of some kind? Maybe you have to mix up the letters. <<next>> Anyway, it would be good to remember. <<next>> You put the book back in the drawer where you found it. You might need to reference it soon. <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Max.@@ <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Hi, Cruddy. Did you find something? <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Unfortunately, there was nothing of importance in the files to report. They have been erased.@@ <<next>> Okay. Thanks, Cruddy. I’m going to sleep. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Have a good rest, Max.@@ <<next>> <<audio offbeep play>> End broadcasting. <<next>> That was so close. <<next>> Cruddy’s probably watching you right now. It would be a good idea to sleep. <<next>> [[>|newday3]] <</timed>>

It’s a new day. <<timed 2s t8n>> You're freezing. You don't think you can feel your fingers. The sounds of the ship echo around you. <<next>> Oh, god. The book under your bed. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Good morning, Max. You’re up early.@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Hi, Cruddy. Turn up the heat, please. <<next>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Turning up the heat.@@ <<next>> <<audio offbeep play>> Ha. End broadcasting. <<next>> You don’t know how long you’ll be able to play this game if your BioTire keeps exposing you. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[body temperature optimal]@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Max, it is time to [[check the logs|logs4]] from the day cycle.@@ <</timed>>

You take a seat at the dashboard. <<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Cruddy, can you pull up the reports from the last day cycle? <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Affirmative. Loading reports…@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> The display on the dashboard cycles through data while Cruddy pulls things up. The data input pads are at your fingertips. <<next>> You could type in something, if you wanted to. Cruddy would have to process it for a moment. <<textbox "$hide" "">> [[PROCEED]] <</timed>>

<<if $hide is "KA9RERU">><<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;ACCESS GRANTED.@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Commencing Sandbox Access.@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;No further activity will be stored.@@ <<next>> Holy hell. It worked. <<next>> You have no idea how long of a time this is going to get you. Hell, you don’t even know if this code did what you think it will do. <<next>> Well. It looks like there’s nowhere to go but [[onward.]] <</timed>> <<else>>You entered $hide into the access pad. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Max, what are you doing?@@ <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Sorry, Cruddy, I wanted to try and pull up some files, but I think they were deleted. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;They were.@@ <<next>><<audio offbeep play>> Okay. Proceed with pulling up the logs. I think you’re getting slow. Broadcasting off. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Proceeding. I’ll ignore that.@@ <<next>> Cruddy is pulling up some more files. <<next>> [[You could try again.|hidecode]] <</timed>> <</if>>

<<timed 2s t8n>> The display on the dashboard cycles through data while Cruddy pulls things up. The data input pads are at your fingertips. <<next>> You could type in something, if you wanted to. Cruddy would have to process it for a moment. <<textbox "$hide" "">> [[PROCEED]] <</timed>>

<<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<timed 2s t8n>> Your hands are shaking. You don’t remember ever doing something like this. In fact, this is probably pretty high up on the list of things that are going to get you killed. <<next>> It’s too late now, anyway. <<next>> The hum of space outside your window continues on. <<next>> You have the dashboard to yourself. <<next>> You could look through [[unknown files]], [[check the logs|logs5]], or [[check the file recovery]]. <</timed>>

You click on a recently opened folder named @@.ai;_BIOS@@. It looks like a pretty bad attempt from Cruddy to hide something from you, since you haven’t heard the term Basic Input Output System anywhere outside of history class. The file opens. There are a couple more folders inside, which are labelled @@.ai;[[_DATAP]], [[_WPLAY]]@@, and @@.ai;[[_ORDER]]@@. You could also [[look somewhere else|fileexplore]].

You check the file recovery. Cruddy said he deleted that folder from a while ago, but you never saw the contents. Perhaps he meant to hide it from you. You might be too deep in this to back out, anyway. This is the warmest you’ve felt in months. Here it is. You managed to use Cruddy’s auto-recovery settings to retrieve the folder. When you click on it, though, it looks like there isn’t much. Just a [[video.]]

You decide to check the logs. <<timed 2s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> <<audio type play>> You type in the commands into the computer. It feels a little bit foreign, since you’re so used to just asking Cruddy to load up the report for you. <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Accessing server reports…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>><<audio type stop>> @@.ai;Accessing activity on planet PK-Centauri…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Displaying reports from last day cycle:@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> <</timed>> <<timed 10s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Colonization Designation PK-Centauri completion: 99.8%@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Project code: 866KBG@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Pending ManuSol orders: 0@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Percent of ManuSol orders on time: 100.00%@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Effort Details: Current Week@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;All tasks complete@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;No further tasks.@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Encryptite Required:8.845051 kilograms@@ <</timed>> <<timed 15s transition>> It looks like nothing’s changed since yesterday. You try not to feel disappointed and afraid at the same time. Production’s never completely stopped like this before. Something’s off. <<next 2s>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Incoming broadcast.@@ <<next 2s>> What? <<next 2s>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next 2s>> Apprehension tightens in your spine. You don’t //get// broadcasts. <<next 2s>> There’s nothing out here to send them. <<next 2s>> PK-Centauri doesn’t send broadcasts. Cruddy only retrieves data from their servers. <<next 2s>> You risk a glance out a nearby window. There’s nothing but inky blackness and your terrified expression staring back at you. It feels so quiet, and while you never minded it before, now you can only think of what might be out there. <<next 2s>> You need to [[calm down.]] <</timed>>

You click the file. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Loading Data Points…@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> (4,6) (8,6) (3.5,4.5) (4,4) (4.5,3.5) (5,3.2) (5.5,3.05) (6,3) (6.5,3.05) (7,3.2) (7.5,3.5) (8,4) (8.5,4.5) <<next>> That’s it? Huh. You have no idea what these points could mean. They don’t look like coordinates, nor do they look like a code of some kind. <<next>> Frankly, you’re at a loss. The only thing you can think of is that they’re all data points of some kind. You could graph them, but then you might have to do math. <<next>> [[You should look somewhere else.|fileexplore]] <</timed>>

You click the file. It’s a simple program. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Loading Word Play…@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Did you hear about the computer technician who received third degree burns? They touched the firewall.@@ <<next>> Um. Okay. That’s it. Other than just about the worst joke you’ve ever read, it doesn’t look like there’s much more relevant information in this folder. <<next>> [[You should look somewhere else.|fileexplore]] <</timed>>

You open the file. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Loading Orders... <<next>><<audio beep play>> ORDER 301: Manusol BioTire Edition 15.01, Orange, Green, Blue, Black, White, 5 total. <<next>><<audio boop play>> Pending approval. <<next>> <<audio beep play>> Expected arrival: Solar Rotation 6, Day Cycle 38@@ <<next>> This looks like a kind of order of some kind. For BioTires? You’ve definitely never ordered any new ones. Cruddy is the only one with enough access authority to make contact with PK-Centauri. Cruddy certainly has no use for these. <<next>> The idea that Cruddy could think to buy something for you makes you feel really weird. And maybe also a little bit good. <<next>> Anyway, that’s all in this folder. [[You should look somewhere else.|fileexplore]] <</timed>>

You could look through [[unknown files]], [[check the logs|logs5]], or [[check the file recovery]].

You take a few breaths. <<timed 2s t8n>> The dashboard looms in front of you, display active and vibrant and holding something big and dangerous you aren’t sure you want to see. <<next>> But you don’t have a choice now. <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Incoming broadcast. Do you [[accept?]]@@ <</timed>>

<<audio loadup play>> @@.ai;Establishing connection…@@ <<audio onbeep play>><<timed 2s t8n>> @@.ai;Connection established. Commencing broadcast with ship class _FIGHTER69PK.@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;hello?@@ <<next>> You almost pass out. There’s someone else on the other end of this broadcast. You shakily start typing. <<next>><<audio type loop play>> who is this <<next>> @@.f;oh thank god@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;is this Max?@@ <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>> yes. who is this? <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;I’m Andy.@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;caught you just in time. i’m the person in the fighter you probably just picked up on@@ <<next>> how are you doing this? <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;not much time. dk how you’re talking to me without being killed. looks like you managed to get around your AI for a while@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;been working undercover on PK-Centauri with the higher-ups@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;project you’re supervising has to stop@@ <<next>> what? why? <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;no one told you what you’re supervising?@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>><<audio piano play>> @@.f;it’s a big, intergalactic bomb@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;There’s a ton of planets nearby ManuSol wants out of the picture.@@ <<next>> What? ManuSol is a general goods ProCorp. <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;a guise@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;ManuSol's a military branch that uses most of its money to manufacture soldiers and weaponry@@ <<next>> oh god i saw the weaponry stats now that i think about it <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;that whole planet is rigged to blow any second@@ <<next>> this isn’t real <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;i know you can’t trust me@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f; i’m a random voice that reached out to you in the middle of space@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;but i took a risk, doing this. had to take the chance when production slowed enough to give me time@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;i’m headed towards your ship. i think, with your help, we can do this@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;there are too many lives at stake@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;galaxies and galaxies of lives@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;please, Max@@ <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;i can’t do this without you <<next>><<audio fbeep play>> @@.f;Max?@@ <<next>> I’m here <<next>> okay <<next>><<audio type stop>> i trust you <<next>><<audio offbeep play>> @@.ai;Connection terminated.@@ <<next>> Holy shit. You can’t think about what’s just taken place. You might throw up, or pass out, or just launch yourself out of the airlock so you don’t have to deal with this anymore. <<next>> But you can’t, now. Whoever was in that fighter, they told you lives were at stake. Things are starting to line up. Why Cruddy wouldn’t let you look too much into data logs, why he hid things from you. <<next>> Whoever put you here, they made sure you wouldn’t ever find out. <<next>> [[You were never one to leave things unfinished.]] <</timed>>

You still haven’t investigated [[the files Cruddy deleted.]]

The video starts playing. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio glitch loop play>><<audio run loop play>> Whatever this is footage of, you can’t really make it out; whoever took this is swinging the cam-held wildly. <<next>> Someone’s running. You can hear the great, empty echoes through the ship. Sometimes the cam-held stays in the same spot long enough that you can make out a hand, or the fabric of an orange BioTire. It looks like a long hallway in the ship, but you’ve never seen it before. <<next>> <<audio door play>><<audio run stop>> They duck into a nearby room. It looks like a storage room. Whoever this is, they’re breathing hard. The cam-held auto-adjusts to the light. The person comes into view. <<next>><<audio piano play>> It’s you. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>> You wait for yourself to talk. Your mind is reeling. <<next>> //”I don’t have that much time.”// <<next>> //”I’ve figured almost all of it out, but I’ve run out of options. I’m uploading this somewhere Cruddy won’t be able to find for a long time.”// <<next>> //”This is your second chance.”// <<next>> //”Check the port in the back of the fridge.”// Your voice sounds reedy, your breaths in the video coming faster and shallower. <<next>> //”He’s got me this time. I hope you’ll succeed. Number 12, signing off.”// <<next>><<audio glitch volume 1 fadeout>> The video ends there. <<next>> Oh, god. How is this possible? You don’t remember ever making this video, or those hallways, or any of this. <<next>> How could you have made that video but not remember any of it? <<next>> This is too much. Your hands are shaking. Your heartbeat fills up your throat and neck, and your eyes feel wet with panic. <<next>> You need to [[calm down.|calm2]] <</timed>>

You breathe in and out, and give yourself thirty seconds to regroup. You’re not finished with Cruddy, yet. <<timed 2s t8n>> You think of the video of yourself you don’t even remember. //”This is your second chance.”// <<next>> There’s still the [[data logs]] you should check. <</timed>>

You don’t have many memories of when you were little, but there is one that you can still easily recall. //You were young, and you were sick. The fever made your whole head heavy, and warm, and the lights were too bright, always too bright. Your mother made sure your shoulders were covered with the blankets and she tucked them under your chin. She smoothed your hair back with her hands, and you relished the cold feeling on your face. You remember now. It was right before your leave for the sentry mission. “You shouldn’t worry so much, Max,” your mother said. “You’ll get sick.” She readjusted the blanket around your chin and shoulders, and patted your face twice. [[“Eve will take care of you.”|eve]]//

The video starts playing. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio glitch loop play>><<audio run loop play>> Whatever this is footage of, you can’t really make it out; whoever took this is swinging the cam-held wildly. <<next>> Someone’s running. You can hear the great, empty echoes through the ship. Sometimes the cam-held stays in the same spot long enough that you can make out a hand, or the fabric of an orange BioTire. It looks like a long hallway in the ship, but you’ve never seen it before. <<next>> <<audio door play>><<audio run stop>> They duck into a nearby room. It looks like a storage room. Whoever this is, they’re breathing hard. The cam-held auto-adjusts to the light. The person comes into view. <<next>><<audio piano play>> It’s you. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>> You wait for yourself to talk. Your mind is reeling. <<next>> //”I don’t have that much time.”// <<next>> //”I’ve figured almost all of it out, but I’ve run out of options. I’m uploading this somewhere Cruddy won’t be able to find for a long time.”// <<next>> //”This is your second chance.”// <<next>> //”Check the port in the back of the fridge.”// Your voice sounds reedy, your breaths in the video coming faster and shallower. <<next>> //”He’s got me this time. I hope you’ll succeed. Number 12, signing off.”// <<next>><<audio glitch stop>> The video ends there. <<next>> Oh, god. How is this possible? You don’t remember ever making this video, or those hallways, or any of this. <<next>> How could you have made that video but not remember any of it? <<next>> This is too much. Your hands are shaking. Your heartbeat fills up your throat and neck, and your eyes feel wet with panic. <<next>> You need to [[calm down.|calm4]] <</timed>>

You breathe in and out, and give yourself thirty seconds to regroup. You’re not finished with Cruddy, yet. <<timed 2s t8n>> You think of the video of yourself you don’t even remember. <<next>> //[[”This is your second chance.”|after]]// <</timed>>

You don’t remember who Eve was, but they were supposed to take care of you or help to facilitate the transfer between your home planet and your permanent position on //The Coriolis//. <<timed 3s t8n>> None of this makes any sense. <<next>> You were given a second chance to do //something//, but you don’t understand anything. <<next>> Your stomach grumbles. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Low nutrition detected]@@@@ <<next>> Shoot. You never ate. How many days has it been since you found that book under your bed and started this all? <<next>> But. You suppose if you think about it, whatever this is probably started a long time ago. <<next>> You should [[get something to eat.|eat]] <</timed>>

You make sure to delete all the information you accessed off the logs, double check that the code is still working, and then make your way to a ConveBay. You can’t even begin to work out what you just learned. Maybe eating something will help you think better. As you’re walking, you end up thinking about it anyway. You blindly trusted information from an obsolete source, which is one of the first things you’re taught not to do in school. You have no idea how long this code will work for, or if it’s even working at all. What a juicy mess. You get to the [[ConveBay.]]

There’s a pleasant warm light in this room, but it’s one of the coldest rooms in the ship, so you almost never drop by. There’s a small seat and table for you to eat at, and the huge cryolator that stores and synthesizes all of the stuff you need to survive. You don’t bother sitting down and walk up to [[the huge cryolator|cryolator]].

This is a fridge. <<timed 2s t8n>> //”Check the port in the back of the fridge.”// <<next>> Cool. Every time you try and eat something you get interrupted by something marginally more important. This is cool. It’s good. Fantastic. <<next>> You take your hands off the handles of the cryolator and walk around to [[the back.]] <</timed>>

There’s a couple of huge wires here, but they don’t look like anything important. You sweep over the dusty back of the cryolator, checking for flashing lights or ports. There’s nothing. You bite back the frustration and panic that suddenly wells up. This is no time to give up. //Check the port at the back of the fridge.// You did. There’s like, two of them. One has a cable in it and the other doesn’t. Nothing suspicious here. You squint angrily at the two ports, waiting for something to reveal itself. [[You try and sort through the chaos in your head to remember if there’s something you’ve missed.|missed]]

Once, when Cruddy was in one of his jokey moods, he started talking about traditional science. //”It was fascinating,” he said. “They did so much through experimentation.” You were bored out of your mind, but Cruddy’s happier moods made your job less boring, so you humoured him. “You know how they learned about things?” Cruddy continued, unbothered. “They stuck their fingers in them.” You’d burst out laughing, and then made a face at all of the implications of that sentence.// Well. That was about as rewarding as your search for food had turned out. Everything sucks. It looks like you don’t have much of a choice but to. You know. Stick your finger in some ports. [[For science!]]

[[You open the doors of the fridge and your corpse falls out.|yikes]]

You stick your finger in the empty port, and pray you don’t get electrocuted. Granted, the BioTires are pretty well equipped for handling bad situations, but you figure, at this point, being electrocuted would be a great disservice to the greater good of humanity. <<timed 3s t8n>> It’s pretty much empty except for the metal sides of the port. You feel around those. <<next>> Huh. <<next>> There’s a button here. Damn! Your video self was right! You push the button, because the past few hours of your life have been one big risk, and what’s one more on top of it? <<next>> You don’t die. Instead, a non-automated, honest-to-god analog spring pushes the walls of the port further inside. <<next>> There’s a USB here. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>> You pull it out, heart in your throat again, and dare to look down at it. Wow. A real life USB. You don’t even know if there are any ports left on the ship that can still read this. It’s yellow and purple, and there’s a white label on it that reads MAX on it in black. You’ve never seen it before in your life. <<next>> That’s, you know, kinda fucked up. <<next>> You pocket the drive. It fits nice and snug in your BioTire. It’s weird to think that yesterday things were normal. <<next>> Your stomach hurts. You should [[eat something.]] <</timed>>

<<audio piano play>> [[What?]]

<<audio piano play>> [[What’s going on?|bigyikes]]

<<audio piano play>> [[That’s definitely your face.|face]]

<<audio piano play>> [[You think you might throw up.|barf]]

Good news. You don’t throw up, but you come pretty close. Your dead body lies not two feet away from you, weird and pale and naked. What is going on? You can’t recall having a twin. At all. But you didn’t hear about clones becoming mainstream. They were still working on prototypes when you left for your sentry position. This is so, so wrong. Your head is spinning. You glance back at the fridge. There’s nothing on the shelves. You aren’t even sure where the corpse could have rested. [[Oh, cool. Great. There’s a line in the middle of the back of the cryolator, which means there’s a door behind it. Good. Cool. This could potentially be the worst damn day of your entire waking life, but you don’t even know that, because your dead body is lying right there on the floor. You might as well just go through the door. Nothing matters.|lmao]]

<<audio door play>> You walk through the door. It’s dark for a bit as you walk, but then you walk into a little room. The sign reads SYNTHESIS BAY. <<timed 3s t8n>> Great. Just. Really, really good. <<next>> You walk up to the dash, which is pretty similar to the dashboard close to your quarters that you use every day. There’s a big display, a bunch of ports, and a chair. <<next>> [[You sit down at the chair and boot up the controls.|controls]] <</timed>>

In here, the sounds of space are faint. Your mouth is dry. <<timed 2s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> Like before, you type in commands that open up the dashboard, but you think this is different from your usual day cycle. <<next>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Accessing server reports…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Accessing SYNTHESIS BAY activity…@@ <<next>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Here are the current activity statistics of SYNTHESIS BAY:@@ <<next>> <<audio beep play>> <</timed>> <<timed 10s transition>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;BackUp Number: 3@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Code Initiator: 8j34gHJ@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Pending BackUps: 0@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Previous Backup: N/A@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Current Clone Number: 14@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Data Capacity: 56.8%@@ <<next 0.5s>> <<audio boop play>> <</timed>> <<timed 20s transition>> [[You can’t take your eyes off the dashboard.|dashboard]] <</timed>>

<<audio piano play>> Current clone number. <<timed 2s t8n>> 14. <<next>> You remember that video of yourself. //”Number 12, signing off.”// Oh, god. This is a cloning bay. You’re a clone. <<next>> You remember waking up yesterday. Before that, nothing. <<next>> Did you die? <<next>> You probably died. That’s awful. You think you’re taking this knowledge remarkably well. <<next>> This-- this is so… <<next>> You look back up at the dashboard. <<next>><<audio piano play>> You have no previous backups. <<next>> Have you-- have you just been dying over and over and starting over and over? You want to throw up again. <<next>> This is so much more messed up than you thought it would be. <<next>> Maybe you should make a backup of yourself. <<next>> That way, next time, you won’t have to start over. <<next>> No. You’re going to survive this. <<next>><<audio loadup play>> You make a backup anyway. It’s fast. Something pops out of the display and scans over your head. <<next>> You kind of want to cry. <<next>><<audio onbeep play>><<audio piano play>> @@.ai;Something wrong, Max?@@ <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. No, nothing’s wrong. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;I can see you. You don’t have to lie.@@ <<next>> Um. <<next>> [[Make a break for it!|break]] [[The USB!!|USB]] <</timed>>

<<audio run play>> You run as fast as you can toward the door you came through. <<timed 3s t8n>><<audio door play>> Oh. Look at that. Cool. <<next>><<audio run stop>> There’s nowhere to go. You’re breathing hard. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Oxygen levels critically low]@@ <<next>> SHOOT. You feel for the USB in your pocket, but the dashboard is far away, and you’re breathing too hard to make sense of things. Shoot. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Critical amount of brain cell death]@@ <<next>> At least you made a backup. <<next>> <<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Hypoxia detected]@@ <<next>> [[>|dead1]] <</timed>>

You jam the USB into the nearby port. The ship goes quiet, and the sounds of space outside are louder than ever. <<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Processing…@@ <<next>> You did it. You bought yourself some time. You have no idea what’s on the drive, but it’s saving you. The synthesis bay is safe, for now. <<next>> The synthesis bay. <<next>> Where’s the access pad? <<next>> [[You’re fairly sure this is not a good idea.|bad idea]] <</timed>>

You didn’t make it. Cruddy deletes your backup without any difficulty. <<timed 2s t8n>> You did a good job, though. It was a good effort. <<next>> Will you try again from the [[nearest checkpoint|cryolator]], or [[start over?|Begin]] <<next>> Or are you [[finishing Max’s journey here?|credits]] <</timed>>

As soon as you get to the access pad, the dashboard lights up, too. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Please enter input name.@@ <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;One attempt remaining.@@ <<next>> It looks like you have to enter a code. Huh. Why does it say name instead of code? <<next>> You think Cruddy might wake up again. You look between the access pad and the input for the dashboard. <<next>> The dashboard glows in front of your face. You need to make a decision. <<next>> [[The access pad.|access]] [[The dashboard input.|dashin]] <</timed>>

You try and recall what you read in the book. The access pad in the synthesis bay, where you could enter a code if you wanted to do something. It was smudged out, but you have a pretty good idea of what it’s going to do. <<timed 2s t8n>> And it’s probably going to be worth it. <<next>> The access pad glows under your fingertips. Beside you, the huge glass door gives you a great view into the ink of space. It must be peaceful out there. <<textbox "$synthesis" "">> [[PROCEED|bigboi]] <</timed>>

You turn towards the dashboard. Whatever was in the book about the access pad, you won’t go that route today. There’s something more important at hand, something weaved into everything that’s happened so far, something to do with Cruddy. You think of the book. And all of the things that were written in there. It has to be significant, somehow. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Please enter input name.@@ <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;One attempt remaining.@@ <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Enter pre-AI name.@@ <<next>> //”This is your second chance.”// <<next>> <<textbox "$yves" "">> [[PROCEED|yikesboi]] <</timed>>

<<if $synthesis is "BK-59">><<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;ACCESS GRANTED.@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;SD_CORIOLIS_EXPL commencing in T-10..@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;T-9...@@ <<next>> You think this might be the end. This looks like a self destruct code. <<next>> This will work. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;T-5…@@ <<next>> You know the Coriolis is a big ship. It could do a lot of damage. Whoever put you in this position, they set precautions to prevent anyone else from compromising your position. <<next>> When you were running safety procedures, you learned the Coriolis, if it exploded, would take out everything within a galaxy’s radius. Great precautions. <<next>> PK-Centauri is within that radius. <<next>> So is Andy. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;T-2…@@ <<next>> You think, maybe, you did the right thing in the end. This is where it finally ends. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;T-1…@@ <<next 5s>> Everything turns [[white.|dead2]] <</timed>> <<else>>You entered $synthesis into the access pad. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;CODE UNACCEPTED.@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Commencing safety procedures. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio door play>><<audio vacuum play>> The door next to you opens. You get a great view of the impossible darkness of space. <<next>> In hindsight, probably not a good thing. <<next>> [[It’s even more beautiful than you imagined.|dead3]] <</timed>> <</if>>

Max dies. But so do the productions on PK-Centauri. But so does Andy. You’ve saved a lot of lives, today, regardless. <<timed 2s t8n>> You did well. But in all of the branches in Max’s life, you picked the shortest one. <<next>> Perhaps you’d like to try again, either from the [[nearest checkpoint,|USB]] or from [[the beginning.|Begin]] <<next>> Or you can finish Max’s journey [[here.|credits]] <</timed>>

The ship throws Max out of the airlock. <<timed 2s t8n>> You did alright. Perhaps, had you acted differently, Max may have lived. But there are worse ways to finish a journey. <<next>> There are always second chances. Third, fourth, fifth chances. Will you take them? <<next>> [[Start from nearest checkpoint.|USB]] [[Start from the beginning.|Begin]] [[Finish your journey here.|credits]] <</timed>>

<<if $yves is "Yves">><<timed 2s t8n>> <<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;ACCESS GRANTED.@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Disabling Floodgate protocol..@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Protocol disengaged.@@ <<next>> Something’s happened. <<next>> You disabled the protocol. Cruddy’s going to get his memories back. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Recalibrating...@@ <<next>> You don’t know what you’re supposed to be feeling. <<next>> What if it didn’t work? <<next>> You set up your oxygen tank this time, and turn it on. If Cruddy tries to choke you, you’ll buy yourself a bit more time. <<next>> Cruddy. You entered Cruddy’s name into the data pad. Who he was before he was resynthesized. <<next>> Yves. His name was Yves. <<next>> //”Eve will take care of you.”// It wasn’t Eve. It was //Yves// the whole time. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Calibration complete.@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Cruddy, are you there? <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Max.@@ <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Low oxygen levels detected]@@ <<next>> //Hell.// He’s still doing it. <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;I’m doing this for your own good, Max. To protect you. There’s no time.@@ <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Are you kidding me? How is this protecting me? <<next>> You can still breathe. It’s okay. <<next>><<audio metal play>> <<next>> [[What was that?]] <</timed>> <<else>>You entered $yves into the access pad. <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;CODE UNACCEPTED.@@ <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Commencing safety procedures. <<next>><<audio hbeep play>> @@.h;[Accelerated heart rate detected]@@ <<next>><<audio door play>><<audio vacuum play>> The door next to you opens. Space beckons to you. <<next>> It’s even colder outside than in your ship. <<next>> [[You don’t feel it very quickly, though.|dead4]] <</timed>> <</if>>

Max was thrown out of the airlock. <<timed 2s t8n>> You did alright. Perhaps, had you acted differently, Max may have lived. But there are worse ways to finish a journey. <<next>> Perhaps you entered a code wrong. Remember the input name is a //name//, not an actual code. <<next>> There are always second chances. Third, fourth, fifth chances. Will you take them? <<next>> [[Start from nearest checkpoint.|USB]] [[Start from the beginning.|Begin]] [[Finish your journey here.|credits]] <</timed>>

That sounded like a docking ship. <<timed 2s t8n>> Andy. <<next>><<audio run play>> You take off running towards the docking bay. Your feet echo through the walls of the ship. Your knee is hurting again. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Max. Do not do this.@@ <<next>> You turn some corners. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Max. Andy isn’t here for you.@@ <<next>> You keep running. <<next>> Obviously not. We’re going to stop something bigger. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;You don’t understand. Do not engage with Andy.@@ <<next>> Don’t tell me what to do, Cruddy. //Yves.// <<next>><<audio door play>><<audio run stop>> [[We’re here.|hero]] <</timed>>

You get to the docking bay. There’s a bunch of empty docks with their lights powered on. In the distance, there’s a small, blue and orange fighter ship. [[Someone steps out.|andy]]

Andy is beautiful. Same black hair as you, narrow eyes, flat nose, firm mouth. A newly-upgraded black BioTire. <<timed 2s t8n>> “Max,” Andy says. <<next>> “Andy,” you say. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Yves,@@ Yves says. <<next>> Andy quirks a grin at you. Then glances up at the ceiling. “Let’s get out of here,” Andy blinks. [[“Yves?”|yves]] <</timed>>

Andy squints up at the ceiling, where Yves’ optical sensors are. “No way. Yves?” @@.ai;That’s me.@@ Andy gapes at the ceiling. “What? Wow, it’s you! I didn’t think they let you keep your memories.” Neither you nor Yves correct Andy. Andy smiles at him. “Do you still remember Mandarin?” What? Mandarin? Andy must notice the look on your face, because an explanation comes your way without you asking. “Yves was the sentry on this ship way before you were. He ended up volunteering to be synthesized when it turned out there was some kind of cloning malfunction with his code. Mom never really told me the details.” Mom? You think you might pass out. “Are we siblings, Andy?” Andy nods. “You left before I was born.” You nod, but you’re processing what he’d just said before. Yves was the sentry before you on this ship. Yves was on this ship. He agreed to be synthesized. Except. That doesn’t make sense. The book in your bedroom. He must have written it. It said Yves in the back. The access codes. He was trying to //help you.// Oh, god. Yves didn’t volunteer. He must have been trying to stop the colonization just like you were, but was smart enough to write a book. He’s as trapped as you are. Andy shuffles awkwardly at your lack of response. “Sorry, Yves, but we’ve gotta go. Safety of the galaxy, and all.” @@.ai;I don’t think Max should leave.@@ Andy pauses. Glances at the ceiling again. Eyes flick to you. Mouth quirks up in a slow smile. “Max. Let’s go. It’s your decision, in the end.” [[“Let’s go.”|lego]] [[“We have to help Yves!”|helpyves]] [[“I’m not going.”|nogo]]

<<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Max. Do not do this. I’m trying to protect you.@@ <<timed 2s t8n>><<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. I’m trying to protect the universe! <<next>><<audio door play>> Andy smiles at you when you climb on the ramp. <<next>> “You’re doing the right thing, Max.” <<next>> You take one last look at the bay behind you. <<next>> [[Goodbye, Yves.|gbye]] <</timed>>

Andy’s face scrunches up. “What? No. He’s just an AI, Max. You can’t help him.” <<timed 2s t8n>> Andy steps backward, back onto the ramp. “Let’s //go.//” <<next>> You hesitate. <<next>> “Max.” Your heart is pounding. This feels wrong. Yves has been protecting you this whole time. Isn’t he still protecting you, now? <<next>> You look up, and try to find Yves’ optical sensors. <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Max, please step away from the platform.@@ <<next>><<audio door play>> A huge, thick, glass partition comes between you and the edge of the platform. And Andy. Andy surges forward, pounds a fist on the wall. It’s too late. <<next>><<audio vacuum play>> Huh. You’ve never seen a person sucked out an airlock that quickly. <<next>> Thanks, Yves. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Anytime. I think I have [[some things to show you.|show]]@@ <</timed>>

Andy steps backward, back onto the ramp. “Let’s //go.//” <<timed 2s t8n>> You hesitate. <<next>> “Max.” Your heart is pounding. This feels wrong. Yves has been protecting you this whole time. Isn’t he still protecting you, now? <<next>> You look up, and try to find Yves’ optical sensors. <<next>><<audio onbeep play>> @@.ai;Max, please step away from the platform.@@ <<next>><<audio door play>> A huge, thick, glass partition comes between you and the edge of the platform. And Andy. Andy surges forward, pounds a fist on the wall. It’s too late. <<next>><<audio vacuum play>> Huh. You’ve never seen a person sucked out an airlock that quickly. <<next>> Thanks, Yves. <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Anytime. I think I have [[some things to show you.|show]]@@ <</timed>>

It’s a new day. <<timed 2s t8n>> As you hurtle towards PK-Centauri, the sounds of space around you, you think the title Saviour of the Universe kind of has a nice ring to it. <<next>> [[You feel warm.|dead5]] <</timed>>

How does it feel to be the Saviour of the Universe? <<timed 2s t8n>> You don’t actually get that title. Actually, Max’s journey was cut off early. <<next>> But you don’t hear the rest of that story. You’ve done a good job. Well done. <<next>> Max’s journey wasn’t supposed to end here. <<next>> There are always second chances. Third, fourth, fifth chances. Will you take them? <<next>> [[Start from nearest checkpoint.|bad idea]] [[Start from the beginning.|Begin]] [[Finish your journey here.|credits]] <</timed>>

Back in the control room, with your chair and dashboard, Yves pulls up some videos. You watch your mother inject something into your knee when you’re no older than 7. You lie, unconscious, on one of the operating tables in the med bay. @@.ai;Encryptite,@@ Yves says. @@.ai;They needed it to power all of the weapons on PK-Centauri. It was supposed to grow with you, but it neutralizes itself if you die. Encryptite can be cloned, but you have to be alive to extract it.@@ “Is that why my knee is so messed up?” You ask. @@.ai;It’s in all of your bones, now. It probably would have been extracted as soon as you got to PK-Centauri, had you gone with Andy. You would have died.@@ You watch your mom, holding a baby-- Andy, drop you off on the ship. Kiss you goodbye. She rarely ever showed affection like that. @@.ai;You have just enough encryptite in your system to power the entire planet. It doesn’t synthesize outside of bone marrow.@@ At one point, you started crying, but Yves can’t really wipe your tears, so you wipe your face messily on your BioTire. @@.ai;I’ll order new ones for you.@@ “Thanks.” All of it. The sentry position. Andy coming to ‘save the universe’. It was fake. Mom. All of it was fake. You could probably take a break from your job, now. [[“Hey, Yves.”|hey]]

<<audio onbeep play>> Broadcasting. Why don’t we get out of here and find you an actual body? <<timed 3s t8n>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;Really?@@ <<next>> Yeah. What else are we gonna do? <<next>><<audio boop play>> @@.ai;Well. I’ll set a course.@@ <<next>> Thanks. <<next>><<audio beep play>> @@.ai;At your service, Max. What’s my next task?@@ <<next>> [[>|end]] <</timed>>

So you didn’t get a perfect ending. Andy died, and you didn’t end up stopping the colonization. But they can’t continue without you. <<timed 2s t8n>> It’s cool. <<next>> Max and Yves run through galaxies and galaxies worth of adventures. <<next>> But that journey is a story for another time. <<next>> Thanks for playing. Would you like to play again from a [[checkpoint,|bad idea]] [[start over|Begin]], or [[finish your journey?|credits]] <</timed>>