DMA 2 FINAL (Eurydice)

Slowly, you feel yourself drift from sleep. You are concious, but you cannot see. Your ears are ringing, but save for that discomfort, you can hear nothing. You have no recollection of where you are. ...Actually, you're not entirely sure //who// you are. [[Recall your name]] [[Get up]] (set: $sub to "sub") (set: $hydrophobia to false) (set:$Anxious to false) (set:$photos to $photos *0) (set:$a to "") (set:$manual to "") (set:$home to "") (set:$NextFromComputer to "") (set:$knowfamily to false) (set:$b to "") (set:$ScyllaPhoto to false) (set:$Interest to "") (set:$Elli to false) (set:$blackbox to false) (set:$ElliRandom to $ElliRandom + 10) (set:$eel to false) (set:$IronLung to 0) (set:$Command to "")

...That is strange. You cannot remember your name. The thought is uncomfortable. Best not to think about it too long. Surely you'll remember soon! [[Get up]]

You rise from your bed. At least you think its a bed. It is terribly uncomfortable. Were it not for the sudden ache of rising from what must have been a long sleep, you would have been overjoyed to leave your place of rest. You pick yourself up and feel cold metal on your hands where you had been laying. You hear a mechanical whir that echoes throughout the room you are in. Suddenly, your vision is filled with bright light, blinding you. You throw your arms up to shield your face from the harsh light, the leather of your sleeves feels pleasant. You slowly lower your arms, [[squinting as your eyes adjust->Sub Description 1]].

//Oh boy... that's uh... that's really not good.// You are standing in a room shaped like a cylinder on its side. A flat plane makes up the floor of the place. Pipes run along the walls, like veins carrying God knows what to God knows where. On one end of the room stands a control panel with what looks to be navigational equipment. Above it, set into the wall is a porthole. You also see that what you thought was a bed was actually just the floor. It appears as though you are standing in a one-man submarine. (link: "Could be worse")[(set: $a to "Alright. This is certainly unfortunate, but hey it could be worse! You could be stranded on a space ship without your memory, on a suicide mission to some distant star. That would be way worse than this! Anyways... Step one is to find out how the hell to operate this thing. A manual would be great, and if you know anything about engineers, there's probably several manuals. Hey, look at that! You figured something out about yourself! You know about engineers, so you've probably been around a lot of them. Maybe you're an engineer yourself...")(goto: "Sub Description 2")] (link: "This is the worst possible scenario")[(set: $a to "This is NOT good. You hate the water. It makes you nervous. Being on a submarine is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you. Hey, you figured something out about yourself! You're deathly afraid of water apparently! ...And you're on a submarine. Yay... Snap out of it! Think. There's no way in hell that there isn't a manual for this thing somewhere. In fact, there's probably multiple manuals. Engineers love redundancy. ...You're also apparently around engineers a lot. That's one step closer to remembering who you are! Doesn't change that you're in a submarine though.")(goto: "Sub Description 2")]

$a [[Explore the navigational equipment->Control Panel Intro]] [[Check the compartment in the back->Back of Sub Intro]] (if: $a is "This is NOT good. You hate the water. It makes you nervous. Being on a submarine is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you. Hey, you figured something out about yourself! You're deathly afraid of water apparently! ...And you're on a submarine. Yay... Snap out of it! Think. There's no way in hell that there isn't a manual for this thing somewhere. In fact, there's probably multiple manuals. Engineers love redundancy. ...You're also apparently around engineers a lot. That's one step closer to remembering who you are! Doesn't change that you're in a submarine though.")[(set: $hydrophobia to true)]

You walk over to the control panel in what looks to be the front of the submarine. You rummage around the sides of the panel, but find no manual. Perhaps the controls are easy enough to figure out... //Yeah nope// The radar is obvious enough. Big circle with a green pulse firing out from the center every few seconds. But that's where the simplicity ends. The panel features several screens with different numerical readings, ''so many'' levers, dials, switches, and gauges. Its frankly incomprehensible. You'll need a manual before you're comfortable touching //anything// without the fear of the sub imploding. [[Maybe the back of the sub will prove more fruitful...->Back of Sub Intro]] (set:$Anxious to true)

You wander to the back of the submarine, which closes into a smaller, conical area. Sure is dark back here. In the very back is a metal box with a very enticing rectangular button with a light behind it so that the edges glow. The box has several gauges on it displaying various readings that you haven't the foggiest clue how to read. On both sides of the comparment are black screens. The left screen has no buttons and seems to be dead, but the right screen seems to be a computer terminal built into the wall. It's fit with a keyboard and a retro trackball mouse. [[Succumb to the button's alluring glow->First Button Push]] [[Check the computer]]

You push the button. It makes a satisfying click. The dead screen on your left emits a whine as it flashes bright white, before dulling to a grayscale image. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/zHt5QWTN/Camera1.png" alt="Camera1" border="0"> ]] You see a very low quality image of what looks to be the sea floor stretching out into the vast ocean as far as this camera can see. After a few moments, the image fades. The porthole //did// seem quite dark... You don't like the implications of only being able to see via photography. [[Check the computer]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

You shuffle over to the computer. It takes you a moment to find the power button in the dark, but the moment you press it, the computer lights up. Big blocky text appears to celebrate your appearance. (b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[<pre> ██╗ ██╗███████╗██╗ ██████╗ ██████╗ ███╗ ███╗███████╗ ██║ ██║██╔════╝██║ ██╔════╝██╔═══██╗████╗ ████║██╔════╝ ██║ █╗ ██║█████╗ ██║ ██║ ██║ ██║██╔████╔██║█████╗ ██║███╗██║██╔══╝ ██║ ██║ ██║ ██║██║╚██╔╝██║██╔══╝ ╚███╔███╔╝███████╗███████╗╚██████╗╚██████╔╝██║ ╚═╝ ██║███████╗ ╚══╝╚══╝ ╚══════╝╚══════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝╚══════╝ </pre>] You manage to find a digital manual. At least, you hope it's a manual. It's titled "Debrief" Not a whole lot else that that could be. Ugh, this thing's pretty long. Might take a while to read through. [[Read the whole debrief->TimeWaster9000]] [[Skim the debrief]]

You decide to read the manual front to back. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[The Orpheus-01 is the latest in deep sea exploration. It features a depth range that is aproximately double that of the previous record holder. This document will ensure that you bring this one-of-a-kind submarine back, safe and sound. In order to properly understand the following document, please familarize yourself with these terms. Main Ballast Tanks: Tanks provided primarily to furnish buoyancy on the surface, and which are habitually carried full of water when submerged, excepting tanks whose main volume is above the surface water line. It is the flooding of these tanks which destroys positive buoyancy. Safety Tanks: Main ballast tanks designed for quick blowing or pumping. Buoyancy Tanks: Ballast tanks with their main volume above the water line, designed for quick blowing in emergency. They are free flooding, vent controlled, and may be either "bow" or "stern" buoyancy tanks.]] [[Got it]] (set: $sub to "Orpheus-01") (set: $manual to "read the manual in its entirety like an absolute psychopath")

Alright, after skimming the daunting manual, the basic rundown is that a few years ago, satellites picked up a shift in the sea floor. A trench had suddenly formed that was 1.5 times deeper than the Mariana Trench (You do not like the sound of that). Unmanned probes were sent down to analyze the Inferil Trench, as it is now known, but none returned. It is theorized that this is because radio cannot penetrate the depths, and the probes failed. (text-colour:yellow)[You have been sent down to map the trench as well as photograph any life you may find. ] ''The mapping seems to be attached to the radar system and is completely automated.'' Because it is so dark in the depths of the Inferil Trench, typical lighting would disrupt any potential life. So the sub has been fitted with a (text-colour:yellow)[special sonar camera] that should allow you to take photos without startling anything down here. The only negative to this is that (text-colour:yellow)[your only guide for navigation is a camera and the proximity alarm built into the radar.] The sub also has enough oxygen to last you five times as long as the expedition should take, so no need to freak out about asphyxiation. [[Head to the control panel]] (set: $manual to "read enough of the manual to have an idea of what you're doing")

Well! That certainly took a while! But now that you've finished it, your journey can begin! [[Head to the control panel]] (set:$OrpheusArt to true)

You head to the front of the $sub where the control panel lies in wait. Despite having $manual, the panel is still quite an intimidating sight. Its various readings, which you now understood to be coordinates, temperature, pressure, and oxygen levels, seemed to mock you. Hesitantly, you sit down in the captain's seat. From this rather comfy chair, you can easily reach all of the controls on the panel. You wonder if the submarine was built for you. You place your hand on the lever dedicated to thrust. The lever makes a mechanical //clunk// as you force it into the forward position. The $sub whirs to life, and you hear water sloshing as the propeller in the back begins to spin. You decide to tackle the task of mapping out the Inferil Trench before doing any creature cataloguing. [[Sounds good to me!->First Stop]]

You head to the back of the ship and press the button, taking joy in its whimsical little //click// The photo screen whines and an image flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/MkyScwGJ/Camera2.png" alt="Camera2" border="0">]] Just a wall. Makes sense, considering that this //is// a trench. [[Continue down the trench->Moving 1]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

You keep the $sub moving forward, listening to the rushing of water pressing against the hull of the submarine. While you are cruising along, the radar suddenly starts beeping. You halt the $sub and look down at the radar. There's something on your right. Do you get up to take a photo? Or do you manuever around it? [[Manuever around it->Moving 1]] [[Take a photo->First Stop Camera]]

You maneuver around the blip on the radar until the thing stops beeping, and then continue forward at full thrust. The sound of the $sub's hull groaning under the weight of twelve tons of water is oddly calming. ...Well would you look at that! You think in the imperial system! At least, for weight you do. That's interesting information. That narrows down your search for your country of origin immensly. Speaking of your memories, you've probably got some time until you hit another wall. This is the perfect time to try recalling something. Your name was a dead end... [[Recall your home]] (if:$hydrophobia is true)[[[Recall your interests->LikeMetalWork]] ] (if:$hydrophobia is false)[[[Recall your interests->LikeFishing]] ]

You decide to recall your home. You think really hard about your living situation. You are reminded of warmth when you think about home. You try to think about all of the things that mean cozy to you. ... You really like fireplaces. Oo! And mittens! Can't forget about mittens. So maybe a snowy place? Maybe you're Canadian... What are your thoughts on geese? Petrifying. Mean, nasty birds. Yup, you're definitely from Canada. That seems like as much as you'll get out of your stubborn brain for the moment. Doesn't seem like much, but knowing that you're Canadian is nice. You're one step closer to remembering home. [[Return to listening to the $sub whir->Stop 2]] (set:$home to "Canada")

As you listen absent-mindedly to the hum of the $sub, it occurs to you that It's been a hot second since you got any pings on the radar. Obviously, you're gonna hit the end of the trench eventually, but it is a little surprising that there hasn't been anything in the way. ...Maybe you should take a photo. Just to see. Besides, whoever sent you down here'll probably be pissed if you come up with only like five pictures. [[Quick photo break->Stop 2 Camera 1]] [[Keep mapping the trench->Moving 2]]

You stop the engine and head to the back of the $sub to take a quick photo. You hear the camera whine as it flashes before revealing the new image. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/Pzjn978D/Camera3-1.png" alt="Camera3 1" border="0">]] You see a jagged rock formation. Strange that it didn't show up on the radar. You would have gone right by it if you hadn't taken a photo. Now the other thing, is vastly more interesting. It looks to be the caudal fin of a fish! You should try to get a better look before it swims too far away. [[Find that fish!-> Stop 2 Camera 2]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

You push the $sub's thrust lever until just under max and continue on. You've got a ways to go before you can turn around. ...You could probably hear the radar beeping from the computer terminal... (if:$Anxious is true)[Yeah on second thought, we're not doing that.] (if:$Anxious is not true)[(link: "Take a computer break")[(set: $NextFromComputer to "Stop 3")(goto: "Terminal")]] [[My hands are NOT leaving the controls->Moving 2-1]]

You dash over to the control panel and slowly propel the $sub with the rudder engaged. You wait for the compass to display that you've turned about ninety degrees and run back to the camera to take another photo. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/CpWZHT8s/Camera3-2.png" alt="Camera3 2" border="0">]] You've got a full photo of the fish! It resembles a barreleye you remember reading about in an animal encyclopedia. (Oh yeah, great work. Can't remember your own name, but you know about deep sea life.) It is definitely a different fish though, its dorsal fin resembles a party streamer, which is //not// normal. Whoever sent you down here'll probably be frothing at the mouth to see this! [[Back to driving->Moving 2]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

Although you could probably get away with taking your hands off the wheel for a moment, you're not one to tempt fate. So, rather than risk crashing into a wall, you keep your hand on the thrust. [[Next->Stop 3]]

You leave the captain's seat and access the computer terminal. That same, big block text appears to celebrate your return. (b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[<pre> ██╗ ██╗███████╗██╗ ██████╗ ██████╗ ███╗ ███╗███████╗ ██║ ██║██╔════╝██║ ██╔════╝██╔═══██╗████╗ ████║██╔════╝ ██║ █╗ ██║█████╗ ██║ ██║ ██║ ██║██╔████╔██║█████╗ ██║███╗██║██╔══╝ ██║ ██║ ██║ ██║██║╚██╔╝██║██╔══╝ ╚███╔███╔╝███████╗███████╗╚██████╗╚██████╔╝██║ ╚═╝ ██║███████╗ ╚══╝╚══╝ ╚══════╝╚══════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═════╝ ╚═╝ ╚═╝╚══════╝ </pre>] What do you want to do on the computer? [[Run command]] [[Run Snake.exe]] (link: "Deactivate and return to captain's seat")[(goto: $NextFromComputer)]

Hearing the beep of the radar, you go to take a look at it. ...Something is behind you. Keeping pace with the $sub. Maybe a predator. Probably thinks it can chew on the hull (poor thing). Then again... maybe not. You hear a low moaning noise that makes you jump out of your skin. Was that the $sub? Probably. Very likely just the hull. But you're //really// freaking out. What if it isn't some deep sea shark? [[Take a picture->Stop 3 Camera 1]] (if:$Anxious is false)[ [[Try and shake it]]]

You send the $sub into a spin until you're turned backwards. Then you run to the back of the vessel, slamming your fist into the photo button. The camera whines, and then flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/BVDJ4kd1/Camera4-1.png" alt="Camera4 1" border="0">]] ...Nothing??? Where's the blip? Is the radar faulty? What is this? Maybe your mind is just playing tricks on you. [[Take another photo-> Stop 3 Camera 2]] [[Return to your seat->Moving 3]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

Fear gets the better of you and you decide to take evasive manuevers. You forced the acceleration to max. The groaning sound increased in pitch. You swerve the $sub erratically through the trench, turning closer to the walls to check for gaps in the radar that would indicate cave systems or indents to hide from the ever present blip behind you. As the blip starts gaining on you, you see an opening on the radar. You have no idea what the absence on the radar is. Do you swerve into it, risking a crash, or do you face your fear and use the sonar of the camera to hopefully spook whatever is chasing you? [[Spook your pursuer->Stop 3 Camera 1]] [[Swerve into the gap->Cave 1]]

You return to your seat at the control panel. The blip on the radar is gone. Perhaps it was never there to begin with. You hear the same groaning noise emanate from all around you. Definitely just the $sub's hull adjusting. Embarassed by your paranoia, you turn the $sub around and continue down the trench. Maybe what you need is a distraction. (link: "Take a computer break")[(set: $NextFromComputer to "Stop 4")(goto: "Terminal")] (if:$home is "Canada")[ [[Recall your hometown]] ] [[Recall your family]]

Just for some peace of mind, you hit the photo button again. It whines, and then flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/zHt5QWTN/Camera1.png" alt="Camera1" border="0"> ]] Huh, guess it was just nothing. You idiot. Of course there's not something chasing you. This isn't some terrible horror flick. [[Return to your seat->Moving 3]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

(transition: "fadeup")[(text-colour:#6b6bae)[<pre>▓█████ █ ██ ██▀███ ▓██ ██▓▓█████▄ ██▓ ▄████▄ ▓█████ ▓█ ▀ ██ ▓██▒▓██ ▒ ██▒▒██ ██▒▒██▀ ██▌▓██▒▒██▀ ▀█ ▓█ ▀ ▒███ ▓██ ▒██░▓██ ░▄█ ▒ ▒██ ██░░██ █▌▒██▒▒▓█ ▄ ▒███ ▒▓█ ▄ ▓▓█ ░██░▒██▀▀█▄ ░ ▐██▓░░▓█▄ ▌░██░▒▓▓▄ ▄██▒▒▓█ ▄ ░▒████▒▒▒█████▓ ░██▓ ▒██▒ ░ ██▒▓░░▒████▓ ░██░▒ ▓███▀ ░░▒████▒ ░░ ▒░ ░░▒▓▒ ▒ ▒ ░ ▒▓ ░▒▓░ ██▒▒▒ ▒▒▓ ▒ ░▓ ░ ░▒ ▒ ░░░ ▒░ ░ ░ ░ ░░░▒░ ░ ░ ░▒ ░ ▒░▓██ ░▒░ ░ ▒ ▒ ▒ ░ ░ ▒ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░░░ ░ ░ ░░ ░ ▒ ▒ ░░ ░ ░ ░ ▒ ░░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ ░ </pre>]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[[[Play->Intro]]] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[ [[Extras]]]

Knowing that you're from Canada, you decide to recall your hometown. You hear a drop of water land on a pipe. You inhale deeply, smelling the processed air. You miss the smell of salt water. You are suddenly hit with a vision of walking along an impressive pier with somebody. The pervasive smell of salt water fills your nose. You love that smell(if:$hydrophobia is true)[, despite your fear of the sea]. It just means home to you. You don't recall the context of the scene, but you feel like you're saying goodbye. You hear yourself, a low, gravelly voice. "I'll miss Victoria." The man beside you responds lightheartedly, "Hun, you're only gonna be gone for a week!" "A man can still miss his home! Hell, I miss the city even when we visit my parents!" Ahah! You remember! You're from the capital of British Columbia! You live in Victoria! You have a house! Take //that// amnesia! Your excitement jolts you out of your memory. Whoops. [[That's enough reminiscing for now->Stop 4]] (set:$home to "Victoria")

You attempt to recall your family. You're fairly certain you have one, and your inability to remember them bothers you deeply. You try to jog your memory by looking around the $sub. You spot a puddle of water on the floor. It reminds you of clear vomit from a sick kid. Oh man, you always //hated// cleaning that up. It was particularly bad back when- You're suddenly hit by memory. You are wiping up vomit while your daughter, Elli stands sadly to the side. She's been sick these past few days and this is not the first time she's thrown up. "I'm sorry daddy... I didn't mean to." You look up at her little face and smile. "It's okay honey, I know its not your fault." You and Simon had adopted her two years ago, but she was still deathly afraid that the two of you would take grave offense to her actions. Simon comes out to the kitchen and scoops Elli up. He's tall and slender, with wavy black hair and kind, green eyes. "Come on, I've got a bath ready for you. The water's all warm and bubbly, just how you like it." Elli rested her head on his shoulder, never taking her eyes off of you cleaning up after her. The memory ends. You //do// have a family. That's an incredibly heavy weight off your shoulders. [[That's enough reminiscing for now->Stop 4]] (set: $knowfamily to true)

You dedicate some time to recalling your interests. You stare at the pipes running along the walls of the $sub. You notice that several pipes are welded very poorly. That's simply ridiculous. Why would you trust a rookie with a welding job for a vessel designed for deep sea? That sounds like you're just asking for trouble! If you were doing the welding, you wouldn't have dared send the $sub down here with such poor craftsmanship! You are suddenly hit with a memory. You are standing in a shop, working on a chunk of metal. No, not a chunk of metal. It's more like a sculpture. You had broken off the arm of the statue while the metal was hot, and were trying to fix it with a welding tool. You were very careful welding the pieces together, ensuring that the silhouette remained unchanged by your meddling. Normally, you wouldn't care about imperfections in your work, but this one was going to somebody special, so it had to be perfect. But who was that special person? A spouse? A best friend? Maybe it was a comission for the Prime Minister? The anger of not knowing knocks you out of your reminiscence. Unfortunate, but at least you know a little more about yourself now. [[Return to listening to the $sub whir->Stop 2]] (set: $Interest to "metalworking")

You dedicate some time to recalling your interests. You stare out the porthole of the $sub. It's pitchblack, but the knowledge that you're near water is soothing. You're really excited to be done mapping the trench. The thought of discovering new life down here is envigorating! You doubt there'll be more than microbial stuff down here, but what if you find a new species of fish? Maybe whoever sent you down here'll let you name it! You are suddenly hit with a memory. You are sitting on a boat, reading an incredibly boring book about ocean currents. Sure it's mind-numbingly bland, but it's a little interesting, and it passes the time while you wait for the fish to bite. You're hoping to catch some coho today, on account of a certain ravenous craving for the stuff. It should be just about the right time to catch some, but you've been unlucky thus far. Maybe your fly's not made for it. Well at any rate, you ought to keep whatever you catch next. It's getting late, and a certain someone would be mad if you didn't make it home on time. Who is waiting at home? Uhg, why can't you just remember things!? The anger of not knowing knocks you out of your reminiscence. That's a bit annoying, but at least you've got a memory to cling to. [[Return to listening to the $sub whir->Stop 2]] (set:$Interest to"fishing")

You are jolted from your peace by the radar suddenly beeping. Something is moving around in front of the $sub. [[Photo time!->Stop 4 Camera 1]] [[I can't be bothered right now->Moving 4]] (set: $a to "") (set: $b to "blip") (set:$ScyllaPhoto to false)

You head over to the button and take a picture. The camera whines, and the screen flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/hTNF3Zb/Camera5-1.png" alt="Camera5 1" border="0">]] Well hello there miss anglerfish! (if:$Interest is "fishing")[You recall a fondness for anglerfish from your time fishing.] You chuckle at the image. Anglerfish, despite their angry faces, are such silly looking creatures. Seems to be your usual anglerfish. At least, as far as you can tell from here. [[Try to get another anglerfish picture->Stop 4 Camera 2]] (link: "Move on")[(set: $a to ", taking extra care not to harm the anglerfish,")(goto: "Moving 4")] (set: $b to "anglerfish") (set:$photos to $photos +1) (set:$ScyllaPhoto to true)

You manuever around the blip on the radar$a until the incessant beeping stops. Once you're clear of the $b you return to max thrust. [[Continue->End of Trench]]

In hopes that you might get a closer shot of the anglerfish, you hit the button again. The camera whines, and the screen flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/dsQ1bD8J/Camera5-2.png" alt="Camera5 2" border="0">]] Jackpot! You knew she looked like she was swimming closer to the $sub! Look at that goofy frown! Anglerfish are the best! (link: "That's enough amusement for now")[(set: $a to ", taking extra care not to harm the anglerfish,")(goto: "Moving 4")] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

You open the command prompt. It would be handy if you knew of any commands, but the manual didn't seem to have anything on that topic. Perhaps "Help" will work... (align:"=><=")[Enter Command] (input-box:2bind $Command,"=XX=") (align:"=><=")[[[Confirm->Confirm command]]]

(if: $Command is "Help")[A list of possible commands appears on the screen. Help - Display Commands Status - Review the integrity of the Orpheus-01 Mission Failure - Broadcast all data from the Orpheus-01 (Emergency Only)](if: $Command is "Status")[The computer displays a very long diagnostic of the entire submarine. You skim through it, and determine that everything is all good.](if: $Command is "Mission Failure")[When you enter the command, a progress bar appears on the screen, which fills up almost immediately.(set: $blackbox to true)](if: $Command is "")[For some inexplicable reason, you press enter on the keyboard without entering anything in the command box. You're not entirely sure what you were expecting to happen, but you find yourself dissapointed when the computer simply spits out an "Error: Missing Command" notification.](if: $Command is "SM-13")[This is not an expedition. It is an execution. When they put you in here, they don’t want you to return. And even if you do, and even if they keep their promises… what freedom waits for you? A few dying ships in a sea of dead stars? If there is still hope, it lies beyond the veil. Hope in this void is as illusionary as the starlight. I will choose to breathe my last at the bottom of an ocean, unseen, unheard, and uncontrolled. They will get their execution. I will get my freedom.](if: $Command is "Jorji")[Glory to Arstozka](if: $Command is "Hogarth")[I am not a gun.](if: $Command is "Alterra")[Detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms in the region. Are you certain whatever you're doing is worth it?.](if: $Command is "Elli")[You feel a shiver run down your spine as you type the name Elli into the command prompt. You feel as though something has permanently changed.](if: $Command is "67")[You input the number-sixty seven in the prompt window, because you genuinely could not think of anything creative or funny to type in lieu of your lacking knowledge of possible commands. Nothing happens.] (if: $Command is "No Cost Too Great")[No Mind to Think No Will to Break No Voice to Cry, Suffering Born of God and Void You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams.] (if: $Command is "8675309")[ERROR: Jenny does not live here](if: $Command is "STANFORD")[Sixty degrees that come in threes Watches from within birch trees Saw his own dimension burn Misses home and can't return Says he's happy He's a liar Blame the arson for the fire If he wants to shirk the blame He'll have to invoke my name.] (if: $Command is "\\[T]`/")[In the Age of Ancients the world was unformed, shrouded by fog. A land of gray crags, Archtrees and Everlasting Dragons. But then there was Fire and with fire came disparity. Heat and cold, life and death, and of course, light and dark. Then from the dark, They came, and found the Souls of Lords within the flame. Nito, the First of the Dead, The Witch of Izalith and her Daughters of Chaos, Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight, and his faithful knights. And the Furtive Pygmy, so easily forgotten. With the strength of Lords, they challenged the Dragons. Gwyn's mighty bolts peeled apart their stone scales. The Witches weaved great firestorms. Nito unleashed a miasma of death and disease. And Seath the Scaleless betrayed his own, and the Dragons were no more. Thus began the Age of Fire. But soon the flames will fade and only Dark will remain. Even now there are only embers, and man sees not light, but only endless nights. And amongst the living are seen, carriers of the accursed Darksign. Yes, indeed. The Darksign brands the Undead. And in this land, the Undead are corralled and led to the north, where they are locked away, to await the end of the world... This is your fate. Only, in the ancient legends it is stated, that one day an undead shall be chosen to leave the undead asylum, in pilgrimage, to the land of ancient lords, Lordran.](if: $Command is "King of Demons")[Weh!](if: $Command is "Demon King")[Demon King? Secret Stone?](if: $Command is "The Path For Us All")[We are Sols. Outshining all species, never to be extinguished. Leeching off bygone glory to fuel our brilliance. We are survivors. Our feverish flames have failed to forge hope, inflicting blistering pain with each searing embrace. We are martyrs. Working in vain, painting our colors across the sky over and over again. Probing and feeling. Night descends, and our light is already faded. Right and wrong fade away in the twilight. The sky is getting dark. No one is at fault, for we are only Sols.] (if: $Command is "1987")[WAS THAT THE BITE OF '87??](if: $Command is "Hot Milk")[⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣀⣀⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣾⣿⠟⢻⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠹⣿⣳⠖⠳⣄⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⡤⠒⠀⠂⡾⠉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠉⢳⡄⣄⡀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⢸⡥⠀⣀⡼⢁⠀⢰⡄⠀⡄⠀⠀⣧⠀⠙⡆⠀ ⠀⢀⣠⠼⠗⠚⠉⠠⠋⠀⠀⢷⣠⣧⠀⠀⠈⠳⢤⣇⠀ ⠀⣾⣟⠒⠦⣄⠀⠀⠀⣠⡴⠋⠁⢈⠛⢦⣄⣠⣴⣾⣷ ⢀⡟⠙⢶⣤⠬⠷⣼⡏⠉⠉⢩⡍⠹⠦⢤⣿⣤⣨⣿⠈ ⡾⣡⠆⠁⠀⠀⠀⢠⡀⠀⠀⠀⢱⡀⠀⠂⠙⠎⠻⡅⠀ ⢿⠁⠒⣤⠤⣤⣀⠀⢧⠀⠀⠀⣸⠃⠀⠀⠀⡶⣤⣽⠀ ⠈⠳⣴⡇⠀⠀⠈⠛⢦⣄⣠⠾⢿⣄⣀⣠⠾⣡⠞⠁⠀ ⠀⠀⠈⠉⠉⠉⠁⢧⢠⠟⣽⠀⢿⠀⢧⢰⡈⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠐⢫⠏⢸⠁⠀⠈⢳⠘⢧⣙⢦⠀] (link: "Input Another Command")[(set: $Command to "")(goto: "Run command")] [[Return to terminal->Terminal]] (if: $Command is "Elli")[(set: $Elli to true)] (if: $Command is "Help")[(set: $sub to "Orpheus-01")]

You halt the $sub as the radar pings incessantly. There's something BIG in front of you You get up from the captain's seat and head to push the button. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/wrPG045W/Camera6.png" alt="Camera6" border="0">]] You breathe a sigh of relief. You've reached the end of the trench. It's time to ascend the trench. [[Get Going->Ascending 1]] (set:$photos to $photos +1)

You watch as the coordinates on the left of the submarine controls steadily rise. Although you've had fun taking photos of things, you are more than happy to be rid of this place. [[Continue->Ascending 2]]

As you rise from the depths, you wonder if you should take a photo to see how close you are. [[Photo time->Ascending 2 Camera]] [[No more photos!->Ascending 3 Alt]]

You decide to take a quick photo to gauge your progress. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/fdw9RgQq/Camera7.png" alt="Camera7" border="0">]] The camera has picked up the opening of the trench! You're almost home free! [[Return to captain's seat->Ascending 3]]

You decide against photo and accellerate, disregarding the threat of decompression sickness. You watch as the coordinates slowly rise as you ascend from the deepest depths of the trench. You hear rumbly noises. [[I'm not sticking around to find out!->ClearingTheOpening]]

You meander back to the captain's seat and resume your ascent. You watch intently as the coordinates slowly rise as you ascend from the deepest depths of the trench. You hear a sudden rumbling from all around you. That sounds like the kind of thing that might prove to interrupt you. [[What now?->Ascending 3 Camera]]

You bolt to the camera and take a picture. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/VY7w3vxR/Camera8.png" alt="Camera8" border="0">]] The opening seems smaller than before... That's not good. You are suddenly overwhelmed with fear. [[I'm going as fast as I can!->ClearingTheOpeningAlt]]

The radar beeps rapidly as you see pings on either side of you. You must be clearing the opening. You hear the faint sound of groaning that had spooked you before, but there's something else now. The unmistakable rumbling of earth. You're not sure what is causing the noise, but you aren't interested in finding out. As your coordinates rise, you hear a terrible screeching noise that sounds like metal tearing. The radar does not seem too pleased with this, as its frantic beeping becomes a damn-near continuous tone. [[Here we go!->OpeningCleared]]

The radar suddenly ceases its beeping as you finally clear the opening of the trench. You hear a crackling on your right and look to see a little speaker that you hadn't noticed until now. "Fantastic work there Mark! Amazing escape! We thought you were a goner man!" Huh, so your name's Mark. Kinda anticlimactic... You ask what he meant by escape. "You kidding man? The-the trench! It was //closing!// You almost just died, my friend!" You ask if he's serious. "Yes! I'm serious! Look, we can chat about this in a second, but how about we get you out of here first?" [[Deal->Resurface 1]]

After being freed from your iron prison, you are led to a meeting room with somebody familiar, though you can't place his name. He's got a square face, with very defined smile wrinkles, and black hair swept aside with a streak of gray running through it like a river of mercury amidst a black sand beach. A pair of crescent spectacles rest on a wide nose. In other words, he looks quite friendly. He seems surprised by your expression and asks if you had an alright descent. As it turns out, you //weren't// supposed to forget what was going on. Which seems obvious in retrospect... You //did// wake up on the floor afterall. You must have hit your head... "Well, I suppose reintroductions are in order! Hello Mark LaMont, my name is Doctor Munshi. You volunteered to pilot a submarine to the bottom of the Inferil Trench and check things out! Making sense so far?" You nod. "Excellent! Well anyways, the only other thing that's important to //you// is that I need a debrief on your expedition. Once that's over with, you get the money, go home, and then we name you in the research. Unfortunately, I can't remind you about much other than your name, but I believe your husband is waiting outside for you, and he ought to be able to help you with that. I'll have someone let him know about your predicament." "And don't worry, I don't need an exact retelling. Just give me the general stuff. Are you prepared to deliver a debrief?" [[As ready as I possibly //can// be->Resurface 3]]

Doctor Munshi smiles sympathetically and moves to sit at the ring of plastic fold-out tables in a chair across from yours. "I took a moment to review the photos you took aboard the Orpheus-01." (if: $sub is "sub")[So THAT'S the name of the sub! You were curious if it had a name. ](if: $photos is > 6 or $photos is 6)[He opens up the photo album."You've gathered a fair sum of photos! And I see some fauna in some of these! Although I am more interested in the terrain of the trench, the guys in our biology department'll be frothing at the mouth to see this! Anyways. With that aside, can you give me a rundown of everything you saw down there?" ](if: $photos is < 6)[He opens up the photo album, a look of slight dissapointment on his face."I-uh... couldn't help but notice that you did not take many photos..." You apologize profusely and remark that having bumped your head, you had to go off of the debrief, which did not make the need to take photos seem as important. "Oh don't worry! It wasn't. Just means that we'll need to send someone back down." Your heart sunk, but you tried to remain stoic. If you had been hired to do this, you would do your damndest. Doctor Munshi apparently noticed your mood change because he chuckled before assuring you. "Don't you worry! Your contract only covered one dive. Besides, with the trench inexplicably closed, we couldn't send you back down if we wanted to!" He had a point. "All in the past! I am listening with open ears!"] [[Debrief him->Debrief]] (set: $sub to "Orpheus-01")

The radar beeps rapidly as you see pings on either side of you. You must be clearing the opening. You hear the faint sound of groaning that had spooked you before, but there's something else now. The unmistakable rumbling of the earth as it closes in around you. You hear the terrible sound of screeching metal as the blips on the radar close in around you, causing the frantic beeping to merge into a single tone of panic. //You're not gonna make it... are you?// A calm rushes over you as you realize that your life is about to end. (if: $knowfamily is true)[As your ears ring from the sound of the $sub's hull failing under the might of the earth, you decide it best to utter your last words. You can only think of one thing worth saying at the end of your life. "Sorry Elli... Sorry Simon... I'm not coming home."](if: $knowfamily is false)[You inhale shakily, as if to say something... But who would you even say it to? The family that you don't recall? No. You would rather go quietly, as the might of the earth rips through the hull of the $sub.] [[Breathe your last]]

The walls of the $sub cave in, and an implosion occurs. You don't even get a chance to finish exhaling before it happens. //Crushed End// [[End->Title]]

You turn to face Munshi. He has a copy of the photo you took of the anglerfish. "Forgive me for bothering you when I'm certain that you're eager to go home, but I need to ask..." You smile at the anglerfish. Her grumpy face still amuses you. Munshi points to the right side of the photo. [(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/hTNF3Zb/Camera5-1.png" alt="Camera5 1" border="0">]] "Can you tell me what this is?" You look at the photo. On the right, in the darkness is a sillhouette. It looks... //human.// Your smile fades. You tell Munshi that you have no idea what it is. He shrugs and sends you on your way. As you walk through the halls to the exit of the building, following the signs on the walls, your blood runs cold. [[Something was down there with you.]]

You wander through the halls of the Inferil Research Center. You don't recognize the place, but you walk with purpose. It seems like your body remembers the way. Eventually you find your way to the lobby, and out the door. (if: $knowfamily is false)[Outside is a tall, slender man in front of a pristine, green pick-up truck. It is truly spotless. You don't know why, but the scene amuses you. He waves to you. "Mark! How was it? Did you find any cool fish?" He must have noticed your look of confusion because he asks if you're alright. You confess that you hit your head and don't remember his name. His smile immediately fades into a look of concern. "Okay... Let's get you in the truck, we should get you to a hospital." Oh yeah... hospital. That's kind of important when you hit your head... strange no one checked on you. Once you are buckled into the front passenger seat, you ask if he can remind you of everything while you drive there. His eyes light up. "I will tell you //anything// you wanna know, love. Let's start with introductions! You're Mark LaMont, and I'm Simon LaMont. We have a daughter named Elli! She's turning seven in a few days so I'm really hoping you don't miss it in the hospital-" [[Continue Listening Intently->GoodEnd]]](if: $knowfamily is true)[Outside is Simon in a pristine, green pick-up truck. It is truly spotless. He keeps it in tip-top shape at all times. He waves to you. "Mark! How was it? Did you find any cool fish?" You grin ear to ear and run to Simon, spinning him around in a bearhug. "I found //so// many cool fish." With a kiss, you let Simon down, and admit "I also hit my head." You swear his eyes must have bulged out of his head. "WHAT!? Are you ok? Do you need a hospital?" You say that you don't need to go to the hospital, you just have some slight memory loss. It's not that big of a deal. Simon looked like he might faint. "No! You're going to the hospital, right now! Get in the truck!" As you sit in the front passenger seat, your lovely husband frantically asks you questions about your life. Things like whether you remembered Elli, or that her birthday was soon. You smile. [[It's good to be home.->GoodEnd]]]

After some instruction from the man on the radio, whose name you cannot recall, you pilot the $sub to a moon pool. It wasn't that difficult, since the light of the Sun had begun to reach you, and you could see through the porthole now. While the winch of the moon pool slowly reeled you up, you told the man about your forgetfulness . He immediately turned serious. He told you his name was Tim, and repeatedly checked if you were awake. "Anyways, you're almost out of here. Sit tight. We're gonna get you out." [[Wait for the engineers to open the $sub->Resurface 2]]

You spend the next thirty minutes going over the details of your expedition. You asked Doctor Munshi about the groaning noises, to which he said "You must have skidded against something down there. The Orpheus-01 has signs of scraping. Unimportant right now. Please, continue." After you finished, Doctor Munshi stood up and walked around to your side of the tables. "Thank you for your help Mr. LaMont. Here's your payment for a job well done. We'll be sure to send some more as compensation for your... incedent." He hands you a cheque and shakes your hand. The cheque is adressed to you from the Inferil Research Team and totals 1,392 CAD. No wonder you took the job... You thank Doctor Munshi and turn to leave. (if:$ScyllaPhoto is true)[As you're about to exit the meeting room, Munshi pipes up again. "Just a moment, Mr. LaMont!" [[Turn to look->ScyllaPhoto]]](if:$ScyllaPhoto is false)[As you exit the meeting room, Munshi calls out, "Thank you again!" [[Leave->Home]]]

You were being watched, as the $sub trudged along the floor of the trench. By something //humanoid.// You wonder in terror exactly what was stalking you down there. //Watched End// [[End->Title]]

As you ride in Simon's truck to the hospital, all of your memories begin to rush back to you. You get the feeling that you're gonna be alright. //Good End// [[End->Title]]

You swerve into the gap in the radar. The blip behind you vanishes. The area on the sides of you fill in, indicating to you that you just swerved into a cave. You decide to double check that, just to be sure. Now that your freedom of movement has become far more restricted, you're going to need to take far more photos. You head over to the button in the back of the submarine, and press it. The camera whines and the screen flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/SDqK7Pnc/Cave.png" alt="Cave" border="0"></a>]] Yep... that's a cave alright. Returning to the captain's seat, you press on, deeper into the cavern. Now that you've lost your pursuer, you'll need to find a wider section of the cave if you don't want to exit this place backwards. You're also fairly certain that the $sub isn't even capable of doing that. [[Continue on->Cave Stop 1]]

As you continue further, the radar begin to beep, displaying something in front of the $sub. With how tight this cave system seems to be, it could just be something off to the side. Still... it would be smart to check. [[Take a photo->Cave Stop 1 Camera 1]] [[If it //is// debris, the $sub can take it->Cave 2]] (set: $IronLung to (random: $ElliRandom,110)) (if: $Elli is true)[(set: $IronLung to 110)] (set: $a to "whatever was on the radar until it stops beeping. Must have been some kind of creature because the blip seemed to swim around the $sub.") (set: $eel to false)

You head to take a photo. The camera whines and an image flashes on the screen. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/0p5Dg8FJ/Cave-Eel.png" alt="Cave Eel" border="0"></a>]] Huh... You didn't think eels like that lived this deep down... Interesting. He's kinda silly looking. [[Bye mister eel!->Cave 2]] (set: $a to "the mysteriously out of place eel until the radar stops beeping.") (set: $eel to true)

You accelerate past $a You continue down the cave system until you the radar starts beeping. It looks like you've come across a fork in the road. (if:$IronLung is not 110)[ [[Take a picture->Cave Fork]]](if:$IronLung is 110)[ [[Take a picture->Elli!! :D]]]

You take a photo of the what you think is a fork in the path. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/3yfWpY2w/Camera-Cave3.png" alt="Camera Cave3" border="0"></a>]] With the fork in the path confirmed, you've got a choice to make. Which way to go? [[Left]] [[Right]]

(t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/mV1RNhWC/Camera-Cave-Elli.png" alt="Camera Cave Elli" border="0"></a>]] ... [[Take another photo->Cave Fork]] (set:$ElliRandom to 0)

You choose to take the left tunnel. Its a little tighter than the right one, so your radar starts freaking out a little as you go, but it stops beeping so frantically once the $sub clears the entrance. [[Continue->LeftCave1]]

You choose to take the right tunnel. The pace of the radar's beeps quickens slightly as you enter the smaller passage, but other than that, the $sub continues uninterrupted. [[Continue->RightCave1]]

As you continue down the cave, careful not to bump against the walls, you find that this pathway seems to be a downward spiral. And not just any downward spiral... A really, REALLY LONG downward spiral. It just goes on //forever!// You caught yourself slack-jawed and drooling a couple of times because its just SO BORING sitting here going round and round and round on the merry go round. At least merry go rounds have music. Unfortunately, you've made your choice. You've already gone so far down this tunnel, that backing up and out of here would be even deadlier than just continuing down. [[Begrudgingly continue onward->LeftCave2]]

(if: $OrpheusArt is not true and $ScyllaArt is not true and $TrenchArt is not true)[This menu is empty! Play the game to uncover concept art!] (if: $OrpheusArt is true)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/Sw1PZMkL/Submarine-Concept.png" alt="Submarine Concept" border="0">] (if: $ScyllaArt is true)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/1c1BZq1/Scylla-Concept-Art.png" alt="Scylla Concept Art" border="0">] (if: $TrenchArt is true)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/yFqZ50y0/Trench-Concept-Art.png" alt="Trench Concept Art" border="0">] (if: $OrpheusArt is true and $ScyllaArt is true and $TrenchArt is true)[To find a secret most foul, enter the command "Elli"] [[Return to title->Title]]

In the distance, a constant booming echoes out. Each great noise has several seconds between. You're unsure what that is, and quite honestly don't want to know, but you're stuck descending this spiral tunnel. [[Continue onward->LeftCave3]]

The booming has been steadily growing louder, as if you're getting closer to its source. The booming was actually so loud, that you almost did not realize that your radar had stopped beeping. That could only mean one thing. You had found a cavern! One big enough to turn around in. One more slow ride up the spiral cave and you could get back to lazily mapping the part of the trench you were supposed to be mapping. [[Take a photo->Heart]] [[Turn around->LeftCave4]] (set: $a to "")

You head over to the camera and press the button. The camera whines and then flashes... revealing the source of the booming. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/VcynYFF4/Trench-Core.png" alt="Trench Core" border="0">]] You almost can't believe your eyes. In front of the $sub is a giant, beating heart. The walls of this cavern appear bulbous, like cysts. Why is there a heart? Have you wandered into the maw of some beast? That wouldn't make sense, you wouldn't have found a heart if you went down a throat. What is it doing here? The only thing that would make sense is that... that the trench isn't a trench. [[You need to get out of here->LeftCave4]] (set: $a to "In light of your new discovery, you want to get the //hell// out of here. ")

$a You engage the rudder and spin the $sub 180 degrees. As you enter the tunnel and begin your winding ascent, you hear a terrible screeching from behind you. In your fear, you accidentally force the propeller to max thrust, and the front of your vessel rams into the inclining floor. You hear another screech as the $sub rebounds from the impact. You feel dizzy. You must have hit your head again. You look up and see water leaking into the submarine. How haven't you imploded yet? [[Take a photo->ScyllaPhotoDeath]]

In your stupor, you slosh through the water pooling at your feet toward the camera. The light behind the button has gone out. You push the button. You hear the whine and see the flash of the camera. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/XfjThMrY/Scylla-Incline.png" alt="Scylla Incline" border="0">]] What in the name of all that is holy is that? Before you can come up with a logical conclusion, you hear that same gutteral groaning. Then, you hear the puncturing of metal. You whip your head around to the front of the ship where that... thing is looming and see //teeth// in your ceiling. [[Take another photo->ScyllaSaysHi]]

You turn to take another photo, desperate to see what the hell is happening. As the camera whines, you hear the sound of metal tearing and water rushing, followed by a nightmarish scream. It is the last thing you ever hear. //Discovery End// [[End->Title]] (set:$TrenchArt to true)

As you continue down the tunnel, you realize that you've got some time on your hands. You wouldn't dare take a computer break while the $sub needs your guidance not to ram into a wall, but you //could// try to recall something about your life... What do you recall? (link: "Take a computer break")[(set: $NextFromComputer to "RightCave Stop")(goto: "Terminal")] [[Family]] (if:$home is "Canada")[ [[Hometown]] ] (set:$blackbox to false)

You attempt to recall your family. You're fairly certain you have one, and your inability to remember them bothers you deeply. You try to jog your memory by looking around the $sub. You spot a puddle of water on the floor. It reminds you of clear vomit from a sick kid. Oh man, you always //hated// cleaning that up. It was particularly bad back when- You're suddenly hit by memory. You are wiping up vomit while your daughter, Elli stands sadly to the side. She's been sick these past few days and this is not the first time she's thrown up. "I'm sorry daddy... I didn't mean to." You look up at her little face and smile. "It's okay honey, I know its not your fault." You and Simon had adopted her two years ago, but she was still deathly afraid that the two of you would take grave offense to her actions. Simon comes out to the kitchen and scoops Elli up. He's tall and slender, with wavy black hair and kind, green eyes. "Come on, I've got a bath ready for you. The water's all warm and bubbly, just how you like it." Elli rested her head on his shoulder, never taking her eyes off of you cleaning up after her. The memory ends. You //do// have a family. That's an incredibly heavy weight off your shoulders. You hope you'll see them again. [[Continue on->RightCave Stop]] (set: $knowfamily to true)

Your are jolted from your thoughts when you realize that the radar has stopped beeping. Which means that you've found a cavern! [[Take a photo->RightCave Stop Camera 1]] [[Turn the sub and leave]] (set: $a to "You turn") (set: $b to "You don't know what is attacking you, but you realize that you're")

You get up to take a photo. The camera whines and then flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/27nDbK2v/Scylla-Hunched.png" alt="Scylla Hunched" border="0">]] //What?// A human? No. No way. That's just a rock formation. Take another photo. There's no way that that's a human. Your mind is playing tricks on you. [[Take another photo->RightCave Stop Camera 2]]

$a the $sub, intent on exiting this cavern. You hear a screeching from behind you, and the submarine jerks. You slam into the pipes on the side of the control panel, hearing a loud pop. You keel over from the sudden and intense agony of the impact. You must have dislocated your shoulder. You look up and see a part of the $sub's walls and ceiling are beginning to cave in. $b about to die. (if: $blackbox is false)[[[Close your eyes->Hunted End]] ](if: $blackbox is true)[[[Close your eyes->Blackbox End]] ]

You take another photo. The camera whines and then flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/ymqG5Wsq/Scylla-Notice.png" alt="Scylla Notice" border="0">]] To your immense displeasure, your eyes were not, in fact, playing tricks on you. That was not, in fact, a strange rock formation. And even worse, because your camera is sonar based, you just alerted whatever that thing is, and all of its friends! Maybe its friendly? [[Take another photo->RightCave Stop Camera 3]] [[I'm not betting on that->Turn the sub and leave]] (set: $a to "Uninterested in finding out, you run to the front of") (set: $b to "You're")

As you turn to take another photo, you hear an awful wailing noise, and then the groaning of metal. The whole sub jerks and you slam into the button. As your ears ring, the camera whines and then flashes. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/R4gT7Sy7/Scylla-Angered.png" alt="Scylla Angered" border="0">]] You can see it better now. Its hair covers its face. You're not quite sure what those tubes are, but you assume they are responsible for the $sub's jolt. It wails again, and you see the walls of the submarine begin to close in on you, as if the $sub is being squeezed. [[Try to turn the submarine]] [[Take another picture]] (if: $eel is true)[(set: $a to "the great eel from earlier")](if: $eel is false)[(set: $a to "a giant eel")]

The walls of the $sub cave in, and an implosion occurs. It happens so quickly that you don't even feel it. //Hunted End// [[End->Title]] (set:$ScyllaArt to true)

You run to the captain's seat and slam the acceleration all the way to max, jerking the rudder control from side to side. You need to get out of this thing's grasp. You hear a thud, and a crack spiderwebs out from the center of the porthole. That's not good. With the sound of shattering glass, tearing metal, and rushing water, $a bursts through the front of the $sub and snatches you up within its jaw, piercing straight through flesh. Over the sound of the submarine being torn apart, you hear a shriek of what sounds like triumph. (if: $blackbox is false)[[[Struggle in its maw->Hunted End]] ](if: $blackbox is true)[[[Struggle in its maw->Blackbox End]] ]

You take another photo. As the camera whines, you hear your assailant scream. Its a terrible noise... One that sounds like several reverberating voices all screeching in a vile cacophony. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"dotted")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/F4TFBDGH/Scylla-Eye.png" alt="Scylla Eye" border="0">]] Looks like that thing REALLY doesn't like the sonar camera. The walls begin to collapse in on you. You're about to die. (if: $blackbox is false)[[[Close your eyes->Hunted End]] ](if: $blackbox is true)[[[Close your eyes->Blackbox End]] ]

(t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[HOW TO READ THE CONTROL PANEL From left to right, the measurements are as follows: Radar - System that measures the Orpheus-01's proximity to objects around it. Latitude - The distance that the Orpheus-01 is North or South. Longitude - The distance that the Orpheus-01 is East or West. Depth - The distance of the Orpheus-01 from the center of the Earth. Fuel - The fuel shared between the Main Ballast, Safety, and Buoyancy tanks. Pressure - A measurement of the air pressure within the Orpheus-01. Oxygen - The amount of oxygen stored within the Orpheus-01.]] [[That makes sense]]

(t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[HOW TO OPERATE THE CONTROL PANEL (b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/1GkgVmKN/Orpheus-01-Controls.png" alt="Orpheus 01Controls" border="0">] Thrust is operated by a single lever that can be pulled into a forward or backward position, Placing the lever in the exact center of its track will engage the automatic break, which will calculate the Orpheus-01's momentum and apply an equal opposite force to halt the submarine. The Orpheus-01 can be turned via the large dial labeled "Rudder Control." Turning this dial will engage the rudder as well as secondary turbines, allowing for steering. In the event of emergency, such as tank failure, the automated distribution of fuel can be overridden via the three dials on the right side of the control panel. From left to right, these dials control Main Ballast, Safety, and Buoyancy.]] [[Getting complicated...]]

You find a section titled "Mission Directive." This oughta shed some light on things. (t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[MISSION DIRECTIVE The goal of this expedition is to map the base of the Inferil Trench, a geological enigma that suddenly formed on 04/18/35 at 0000. Days after the formation of the trench, unmanned probes were sent to map the base, but never returned. Analysis showed that the trench is rich in piezoelectric quartz which created electromagnetic noise. This is theorized to be the reason for the probes' failures. This electromagnetic noise would not disrupt a manned vessel, which is why the Orpheus-01 has been sent. The Orpheus-01 has been fitted with a blackbox that saves all information found via radar. The act of pilotting the Orpheus-01 will be sufficient for mapping the location. SECONDARY DIRECTIVE The Orpheus-01 has also been fitted with a sonar-based camera for the purpose of documenting any possible sea-life. See section 45 for information on Sonar Camera.]] [[Turn to section 45]]

(t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[SONAR CAMERA Due to the immense depth of the Inferil Trench, there is no light at the bottom, meaning that typical lighting is likely to disrupt wildlife. To counteract this, the Orpheus-01 has been fitted with a SOCAP (Short for Sonar Capture Device) (b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[<img src="https://i.ibb.co/mWyWSG3/SOCAP.png" alt="SOCAP" border="0">] To operate, simply press the large rectangular button set in the back of the Orpheus-01. The SOCAP will produce an image of whatever is in front of the vessel. (MAXIMUM RANGE OF SOCAP IS 3.66 METERS)]] [[Surely the manual isn't that much longer?]]

(t8n:"blur")[(b4r:"solid")+(b4r-colour:white)[HOW TO OPERATE THE ORPHEUS-01 TERMINAL The Orpheus-01 is fitted with a computer terminal that uses the blackbox as a storage system. It can be used to run diagnostics, reveal easter eggs, and—in the case of emergencies—transmit the blackbox data to the station without the Orpheus-01 returning.]] [[Oh my god it never ends.]]

You attempt to run Snake.exe. Unfortunately, all you get is a "Not Responding" pop-up. [[NOOOOOOO!!!->Terminal]]

That concludes the mission debrief. [[Oh.]]

The walls of the $sub cave in, and an implosion occurs. It happens so quickly that you don't even feel it. At least the lab nerds will get the blackbox... At least you didn't die for nothing. //Blackbox End// [[End->Title]] (set:$ScyllaArt to true)