Starsouls

,,,,

In space everything just sort of [[drifts->intro2]].

In the distant future a group of explorers find themselves orbiting a massive black hole. Adrift in space and unable to call for help, they are unsure what to do. Two competing theories disagree on what happens inside a black hole. One says that all matter in a black hole is compressed into a single point. Entering such a black hole would spell certain death. The other theory posits that black holes lead to a shared alternative universe. Entering such a black hole wouldn't spell the end for those entering it, though they could never return. Blackholes would act like a river bringing people to a new universe. People who believe this are called Paddlers. There is an "Angel Planet" captured and orbiting the black hole. If the player chooses to land there they can never lift off again and will be forever trapped living out their life wishing they would have made the other choice.

You look to your left. Out of ship's cuppola you see [[$blackholeName->blackhole-def]] looming. Well, not really *see* it because it's a black hole, but you sure as hell don't see normal space. A desperate shiver passes through you. [[Go to the corridor->intro3]]

cruel, ambitious and fearless. In gym. Working out their problems through physical effort. Wants to take chances Act1 - Intro: (optional) Changes when ordered to think about it Act2(Optional): Changes when ordered to think about it Act3: Changes to wanting to play it safe when she is persuaded to think about the crew.

Appreciative Punctual Blindly Obedient In the bridge, monitoring and piloting the ship. Challenge is to have her make up her own mind

Earnest Coward Wild Card The ship's medic. In his cabin drinking. Scared of dying Act1 - Intro: (optional) Changed by capt by remembering past events - leave early after calming him down Act2(Optional): Changed by capt by remembering past events Act3: Changed by capt by knowing he's had a good life because he has something to lose

{ (set: $blackholeName to "Sagittarius A*") (set: $cochranAlignment to 1) (set: $silvaAlignment to 0) (set: $romanAlignment to -1) (set: $lastScene to "cochran") (set: $cochranOrdered to false) (set: $romanIntroOnly to false) (set: $cochranVisited to false) (set: $silvaVisited to false) (set: $romanVisited to false) }

A faint hum of cooling fans percolates the corridor. You see the doors to three crew cabins. Cochran, Silva, Roman. A small read out above each cabin shows each crew member's location. Above Cochran's cabin you see "Gym". Silva's reads "Bridge". Only Roman's status reads "Occupied". (if: ($cochranAlignment is 1) and $cochranOrdered)[[[Visit Cochran in the gym->cochran2]]](else-if: $cochranAlignment is 1)[[[Visit Cochran in the gym->cochran1]]](else-if: $cochranAlignment is 0)[[[Visit Cochran in the gym->cochran3]]] (if: $silvaAlignment is 0)[[[Visit Silva at the bridge->silva1]]](else:)[[[Visit Silva at the bridge->silva2]]] (if: ($romanAlignment is -1) and $romanIntroOnly)[[[Approach Roman's Cabin->roman2]]](else-if: $romanAlignment is -1)[[[Approach Roman's Cabin->roman1]]](else-if: $romanAlignment is 0)[[[Enter Roman's Cabin->roman3]]] { (set: _alignments to (ds: $cochranAlignment, $silvaAlignment, $romanAlignment)) } (if: (not (_alignments contains 0)) and $cochranVisited and $silvaVisited and $romanVisited)[[[Convene the crew to announce your decision->make-decision]]]

In faded letters "Gym" is stenciled over the hatch. { (set: $cochranVisited to true) } [[Enter->cochran1-enter]]

You pass through the bridge hatch. A faint beechwood fragrance - the default air recycler setting teases your nose. Silva is looking over the nav display. She turns away from her terminal to face you. { (set: $silvaVisited to true) } [["Hey there," you say with a little half wave.->silva1-inside2]]

In scuffled letters "Roman" appears above the hatch. { (set: $romanVisited to true) } [[Knock->roman1-knock]] [[Enter->roman1-enter]]

Inside the gym module you see a [[Bee's pennant->bees-def]] taped to a side panel. Cochran put it there ages ago. No one else really complained so there it stayed. Cochran meets your eyes from the stationary bike. "I know you want an answer", she says without slowing down. [["You're right."->cochran1-inside2]]

*Knock* *Knock* The hatch meets your knuckles with a solid mass of metal. [[...->roman1-knock2]]

You open the hatch and drift [[inside->roman1-inside1]].

"I want to risk it. I want to go through the damn thing," she says rythmically in time to her pedaling. {(set: $cochranBackstory to false)} [["You want to go in a fucking black hole?"->cochran1-inside2-a1]] [["What about Silva and Roman?"->cochran1-inside2-b1]]

She stops pedaling and narrows her eyes. "You're the captain. Order them." [["I'd like consensus."->cochran1-inside4-b1]] (link-reveal-goto: "\"I order you to have an open mind.\"", "cochran1-inside4-a1")[ (set: $cochranAlignment to 0)]

She turns her head away and goes back to exercising. { (set: $lastScene to "cochran") (set: $cochranOrdered to true) } [[Leave->corridor2]]

You catch your breath in the corridor. The taste of (either: "bile", "ashes", "copper", "acid") bites at your throat. God, you feel like such a bastard. This better be worth it. [[...->corridor1]]

You open the hatch and drift [[inside->cochran1-inside1]].

Double-click this passage to edit it.

"Either [[River Theory is->river-theory-def]] right and entering the black hole means we have a chance at surviving." She wipes sweat from her forehead. "Or [[CR-Theory->cr-theory-def]] is right and we get compactified so fast we stop caring." {(set: $cochranBackstory to true)} [["River Theory was never proven."->cochran1-inside2-a2]]

"They can handle it." (if: $cochranBackstory)[[["Sure, we'll see."->cochran1-inside3]]] (else:)[[["You really think it's worth the risk?"->cochran1-inside2-a1]]]

"I'm fine starting a new life with the Paddlers. I can't just not try, you know?. We fucked it up and ended up here." (if: $cochranBackstory)[[["That's all for now"->cochran1-inside3]]] (else:)[[["Yeah, we fucked it up, but what about Silva and Roman?"->cochran1-inside2-b1]]]

"CR-Theory was never proven either," she huffs. "When you have two perfectly good theories of the universe it tends to work out that way. A couple hundred years ago a whole boat load of people thought it was better to risk it than stick around in this universe. I'll take my chances with the [[Paddlers->paddlers-def]]." [["You think the Paddlers made it to a new universe?"->cochran1-inside2-a3]]

The Paddlers were and still are a movement who believe River Theory is their best chance at starting something new. Their popularity rises and falls over eons as life in the universe becomes harder or easier. If River Theory is right, all those who enter black holes will dischange into a new universe at approximately the same time. (link-undo:"Back")

River Theory is a grand unified theory of the universe. One of the untestable conclusions is that all black holes act as portals which flow into a separate new universe. Just like black holes, once entered, there is no going back. They all flow to the same destination, hence the name. One curious thing about River Theory is that everything exiting into the new universe does so at the same time regardless of when they entered black holes in the old universe. (link-undo:"Back")

CR-Theory is a grand unified theory of physics developed by Italian physicist Carlo Rovelli. An extension of loop quantum gravity, it posits a conventional view of blackholes. If CR-Theory is correct then anything entering a black hole is destroyed. (link-undo:"Back")

Her eyes open wide, unable to respond. { (set: $lastScene to "cochran") (set: $cochranOrdered to false) } [[Leave->corridor2]]

The hatch opens slightly. "Come in," says Roman. [[Enter->roman1-enter]]

Roman's cabin is a mess. He straightens out his shirt as you enter. You notice his eyes are bloodshot. In one hand he's keeping a loose grip on a bottle of liquor. [["You've seen better days, huh?"->roman-inside2]]

It's twenty hours later and you've been burning toward the black hole. It's drawing so close you swear you can feel it tugging at you. "20k and closing," Silva announces. You're speeding toward the (link-reveal: "black hole.")[ "10k." In a few seconds you will know if it's a black hole or a worm hole. (link-reveal: "...")[ "Brace!" As you pass through the (link-reveal: "event horizon")[, the universe shrinks past you. You hold your [[breath->fin]].]]]

It's twenty hours later and you've been burning toward the black hole. It's drawing so close you swear you can feel it tugging at you. "20k and closing," Silva announces. You're speeding toward the (link-reveal: "black hole.")[ "I don't want to die!" Roman (link-reveal: "sobs.")[ "You said he'd be sedated until we made it through!" Cochran barks at (link-reveal: "you.")[ "10k," says Silva. In a few seconds you will know if it's a black hole or a worm hole. (link-reveal: "\"aaahhHHHH!\" he yells again.")[ "Brace!" As you pass through the (link-reveal: "event horizon")[, the universe shrinks past you. You're afraid to admit what you [[hope->fin]].]]]]]

It's twenty hours later and you've been burning toward the black hole. It's drawing so close you swear you can feel it tugging at you. "20k and closing," Silva announces. You're speeding toward the (link-reveal: "black hole.")[ "You're a real jerk," Silva follows up with a slow drip of (link-reveal: "contempt.")[ "We're doing this right now?" you (link-reveal: "respond.")[ "10k," says Silva through her teeth. In a few seconds you will know if it's a black hole or a worm hole. (link-reveal: "\"You shouldn't have even asked my opinion if you didn't want to act on it!\" she seeths at you.")[ Warning sirens begin to shreik. As you pass through the (link-reveal: "event horizon")[, the universe shrinks past you. You're afraid she is [[right->fin]].]]]]]

You lost Cochran five days after landing on the (link-reveal: "Angel Planet.")[ She couldn't take it and ran off. It's been (link-reveal: "twenty years.")[ You haven't seen her since. All day long you've been foraging along a ravine for these tasty orange berries you've come to like. The Angel planet is nice enough, but it's a (link-reveal: "lonely home.")[ The gravel shifts under your feet and you slide down the side of (link-reveal: "the ravine.")[ At the bottom you spot a cave. Not too unusual. You (link-reveal: "move closer.")[ You (link-reveal: "gasp.")[ It's (link-reveal: "human bones.")[ The bones disappear behind a flood of [[tears.->fin]]]]]]]]]

You're in the (link-reveal: "air lock.")[ On the other side of the inner hatch you see Cochran and Roman peer at (link-reveal: "you.")[ "You played us," yells Cochran through the hatch's glass (link-reveal: "portal.")[ "I was trying to get us to agree," you try explaining for the (link-reveal: "hundredth time.")[ Cochran presses the button to open the (link-reveal: "external hatch.")[ "You made me trust you," drips from Roman's lips like (link-reveal: "poison.")[ It's the last thing you hear Roman say before the air thins out into [[space.->fin]]]]]]]]

You're on the bridge with Silva planning the landing approach to the (link-reveal: "Angel Planet.")[ "That's strange," (link-reveal: "says Silva.")[ (link-reveal: "\"What is?\" you ask.")[ "The air lock is cycling," Silva says still (link-reveal: "confused.")[ "Roman!" you (link-reveal: "realize.")[ "He's already out," Silva replies reading data off the ship's (link-reveal: "sensor network.")[ (link-reveal: "\"Get me a visual,\" you respond.")[ Silva changes the display and you see (link-reveal: "Roman's figure on screen.")[ "He's not--" Silva doesn't finish the (link-reveal: "question.")[ (link-reveal: "\"He's going into the black hole,\" you answer.")[ "You broke him," Silva blames (link-reveal: "you.")[ And maybe you [[did.->fin]]]]]]]]]]]]]

You open your eyes and see a blurry image of the med bay just beginning to (link-reveal: "converge.")[ *What's this?* You feel restraints pressing down on your (link-reveal: "wrists.")[ (link-reveal: "*Oh God no.*")[ Cochran and Roman are next to you still (link-reveal: "unconscious.")[ "Surprised you're up," you hear over the intercom. It's Silva. She must have setup a video feed to (link-reveal: "monitor you.")[ "You shouldn't have asked me what I wanted if you were just going to disregard it," (link-reveal: "she quips.")[ You struggle to orient youself to the (link-reveal: "door.")[ "You picked a good time to wake up. We have a minute until we pass through the (link-reveal: "black hole.\"")[ You open your mouth to scream but only a gutteral rattle makes it [[out.->fin]]]]]]]]]]

The cool night air of the Angle Planet courses through (link-reveal: "your hair.")[ You can't belive you've been here for (link-reveal: "fifteen years.")[ Cochran is sitting by (link-reveal: "the fire.")[ Next to her is a fresh mound of dirt - (link-reveal: "Roman's grave.")[ Standing next to you is Silva. She leans over and says, "Those were some nice words. He would have liked to hear them." (link-reveal: "You nod solemly.")[ She's (link-reveal: "right.")[ You look up above the fire into space and still wonder if you made the right [[choice.->fin]]]]]]]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

The Bee's are a virtual sports team from Teegarden b*. Their logo depicts an Earth honeybee. They're pretty good you have to admit - a rival to your own Trappist Shadows. (link-undo:"Back")

"You're probably here for my decision?" she asks. "I'm up for whatever." [["It's your decision to make."->silva1-inside3]]

"Like I said after we woke up from [[cryo->cryo-def]], I'm here to support everyone." [["When we woke up from cryo I made the decision to form a consensus. I'm not going to choose for you."->silva1-inside4]]

Cryo: Cryogenic stasis. A development which made interstellar travel possible. Cryogenic stasis requires an intensive poststais regimen typically offered at specialized ingravo-facilities. Back-to-back cryo is considered unsurvivable. There are no reported successful attempts. (link-undo:"Back")

"Whatever you want." [["You're not getting it. This is a decision I can't make for you."->silva1-inside-5a]] (if: $lastScene is in (ds: "cochran", "roman"))[[["I know you're trying to be supportive, but it's not helpful right now."->silva1-inside-5b]]]

"Fine," she hufffs, "I'll flip a coin." Silva types something into her terminal. { (set: $silvaAlignment to (either: -1, 1)) } (if: $silvaAlignment is 1)[(link-goto: "...", "silva-inside-6a")] (else:)[(link-goto: "...", "silva-inside-6b")]

She looks you in the eyes, and her tone changes. "You're right," she says, [[A second passes.->silva1-inside-5c]]

"Heads", she says. "Looks like it's black hole for me." { (set: $silvaAlignment to 1) } [[Sigh. "You do you."->silva-inside-7]]

"Tails", she says. "Looks like it's the Angel Planet for me." { (set: $silvaAlignment to -1) } [[Sigh. "You do you."->silva-inside-7]]

Silva turns back to the terminal. [[Leave->corridor2]]

(if: $lastScene is "cochran")[(set: $silvaAlignment to 1) "Let's risk it and go in the black hole."](else:)[(set: $silvaAlignment to -1) "Let's play it safe and try to survive."] [["You got it."->silva-inside-7]]

You search for it, a [[tiny blue speck->intro4]].

There it is. The [[Angel Planet->angel-planet-def]]. You could settle down here, but absolutely no one is coming to find you. Once you land there is no way to take off again. You'ld be stuck. [[Go to the corridor->corridor1]]

"Yeah, sure..." he trails off. You try to cheer him up. [["Hey, remember that time on Luyten b when we didn't have the creds for lunch?"->roman-inside3]]

"And we had to make our getaway through the kitchen," he finishes the story. [[You give him a pursed smile->roman-inside4]]

His shoulders relax. "That was great. Best noodles I've ever had", he reminisces. [["What do you want?", you shift the topic.->roman-inside5]]

He looks to the side. "I want the [[Angel Planet->angel-planet-def]]," he says. [["Don't want to take your chances?"->roman-inside6]]

An Angel Planet is a habital world orbiting a black hole. Most Angel Planets are captured rogue planets. The Angel Planet you found orbiting this black hole however, supports a bio-compatible ecosystem, regions of temerate climate, and appears to be geologically stable. Generally worlds like this are common, but you have never seen one orbiting a black hole. It is an incredibly lucky find. (link-undo:"Back")

"And give up a gift?" he answers. [["It depends on how you look at it."->roman-inside7-a1]] [["On Luyten b at first you didn't want to follow me."->roman-inside7-b1]]

"Yeah, I suppose it does," he responds with a sigh. { (set: $romanIntroOnly to true) } [["Thanks for the chat"->roman-inside-8]]

"I was scared to death." { (set: $romanIntroOnly to false) } [["But you trusted me."->roman-inside7-b2]]

He nods as you turn to exit. { (set: $lastScene to "roman") } [[Leave->corridor2]]

"I did - I do," he corrects himself. [["I know you still do."->roman-inside7-b3]]

He looks up at you. [["Could you think about it?"->roman-inside7-b4]]

"I'll try." { (set: $romanAlignment to 0) } [["Thank you, Roman"->roman-inside-8]]

Double-click this passage to edit it.

It feels less like a sauna this time. Cochran is wiping herself down with a towel. [["Cochran, last time I promise," you try to start gently.->cochran3-inside1]]

The salty stench of sweat in the air forces its way down your throat. The recyclers are barely keepping up. Cochran is working on the resistance bands on the far side of the module. [["Cochran, I wanted to talk again," you broach the silence.->cochran2-inside1]]

You open the hatch and enter [[Silva's cabin->silva2-inside1]].

You open the hatch and enter [[Romans's cabin->roman2-inside1]].

You open the hatch and enter [[Romans's cabin->roman3-inside1]].

{ (set: $decision to ($cochranAlignment + $silvaAlignment + $romanAlignment)) (set: $decisionText to (cond: $decision > 0, "black hole", $decision < 0, "Angel Planet", "choosing neither")) (set: $concensus to (($decision is 3) or ($decision is -3))) (set: _switch to (a: $cochranAlignment, $silvaAlignment, $romanAlignment)) } Cochran, Silva, and Roman meet you on the bridge. Cochran looks around bored. Roman looks green enough to (link-reveal: "throw up.")[ "Each of you had a part to play in coming to this decision," (link-reveal: "you begin.")[ (link-reveal: "\"Every one of us had to deal with our own demons.\"")[ (if: $decision > 0)["We're going into the black hole."](else:)["We're going to survive on the Angel Planet."] (if: $concensus)[The crew looks around and Roman is the first to extend his arms. You reach back and embrace him and the rest of the group.](else:)[You're greeted by silence and stunned looks.] (cond: _switch is (a: 1, 1, 1), [[~~~->ending-bh-bh-bh-1]], _switch is (a: 1, 1, -1), [[~~~->ending-bh-bh-ap-1]], _switch is (a: 1, -1, 1), [[~~~->ending-bh-ap-bh-1]], _switch is (a: 1, -1, -1), [[~~~->ending-bh-ap-ap-1]], _switch is (a: -1, 1, 1), [[~~~->ending-ap-bh-bh-1]], _switch is (a: -1, 1, -1), [[~~~->ending-ap-bh-ap-1]], _switch is (a: -1, -1, 1), [[~~~->ending-ap-ap-bh-1]], _switch is (a: -1, -1, -1), [[~~~->ending-ap-ap-ap-1]], "Error")]]]

Silva is monitoring the bridge displays exactly the same as before. (if: $silvaAlignment is 1)[[["Haven't changed your mind about the black hole?"->silva2-inside2]]](else-if: $silvaAlignment is -1)[[["Haven't changed your mind about landing on the Angel Planet?"->silva2-inside2]]]

"My mind is made up", she says with confidence. [["Let's do this together."->silva-inside-7]]

Roman's cabin looks more tidy. He's stowed away his bedding and the tissues. He looks up at you and asks, "Back again?" [["Sure am," you're careful to say gently.->roman3-inside2]]

"What's up?" Your throat tightens with the thought of your next question. [["Have you that about 'what if'?"->roman3-inside3]]

"Of course I've thought what if!" he says with scorn. "That's *all* I've been thinking about. It's all I can think about. You can't begin to understand what it's like." [["You're right I can't know."->roman3-inside4]]

"What if River-Theory is right and he's waiting there for me on the other side of the wormhole?" [["Your dad?"->roman3-inside5]]

"My very own." [["I knew someone close to you was a Paddler. I'm so sorry."->roman3-inside6]]

"He went 10 years ago." His eyes glisten. "After the bots stormed Kepler Station, and took my Mom." [["I never knew that," you reply. "You know I'd help you find him."->roman2-inside7]]

"I never thought you would say yes if I asked, so I didn't. I appreciate that." { (set: $lastScene to "roman") (set: $romanAlignment to 1) } [["Sure thing. We've got this."->roman-inside-8]]

Roman's eyes are closed. An empty bottle floats near the ceiling. [["Roman," you say with a nudge.->roman2-inside2]]

"We never really talked after Lilly died." [["No, we haven't," you conceed.->cochran3-inside3]]

"I've been thinking about what you said." [[You tilt your head to the side.->cochran2-inside2]]

"About wanting concensus. " Your head buzzes. She's making this too easy. [[~~~->cochran2-inside3]]

"I'd try it too if I was captian." You weren't expecting that. [["Um thanks"->cochran2-inside4]]

She waits for me. [["It changed you," you fill it in for her.->cochran3-inside4]]

"I hesitated and now she's dead. I promised myself I wouldn't *ever* do that again." [["No on here blames you."->cochran3-inside5]]

"I-I guess I always thought you did." [["C'mon you we can enjoy what we have left. We don't have to risk it."->cochran3-inside6]]

"You're right," she agrees. [["We can do it together."->cochran3-inside7]]

She turns her head away and goes back to exercising. { (set: $lastScene to "cochran") (set: $cochranAlignment to -1) } [[Leave->corridor2]]

The end. Written by Aaron Santos. With help from: Stephanie Santos. Music by Sami. Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ">Creative Commons By 3.0</href> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ">https://soundcloud.com/samitee/infinite-space-yoga-5-29-13</a>

Noodle story twice

"You got it." { (set: $lastScene to "cochran") } [[Leave->corridor2]]

"Whaaat?" he asks, his eyes struggling to open as he straightens up. [["There's something I wanted to ask you about the noodle heist."->roman2-inside3]]

"What's that?" his eyes perk up slightly. [["At first you didn't want to follow me, but you took a chance, right?"->roman-inside7-b1]]

$blackholeName is a massive black hole at the center of the galaxy. (link-undo:"Back")