Paul Prototype

This is a story about an extraordinary young man in an extraordinary world. If you feel like there's jokes going over your head, don't worry. Only like eight people in the world are going to get them. [[Start the game.->start]] (set: $s1 to false, $s2 to false, $s3 to false)

Your name is [[Paul]]. The year is [[200X]]. The town is [[Norwich]]. (if:$s1 and $s2 and $s3)[Your day has been [[shitty]].]

Paul, age 23: A man of few words, and fewer weaknesses. One of which is an unyielding sense of ''justice''. Maybe not justice as defined by society or the government, but justice nonetheless. And that's good enough for you. There's plenty of time to dwell on yourself [[later->start]]. (set: $s1 to true)

Wow, where has the time gone? It's been what, three, four years since you left ''them''? Yeah, that sounds about right... you got the new arm a year and half after... then that big gig 6 months later... Yeah. Four years. No time to dwell on the past. Have to focus on [[what's in front of you->start]]. (set: $s2 to true)

Norwich... how it's changed. The perfect place to find the kind of work you do now, but it wasn't always like that. From the roof you're on, you can see the monolithic ''Sun State Skyscraper''. A shining beacon of crime to the cesspool you're in now. You don't remember if the job you're on is going to end up helping or hurting them in the long run, but that doesn't matter too much. Yeah, it's a front for a massive criminal organization, but they're so big nothing will keep them down for long. Any blows dealt will be barely registered. Enough thinking about the consequences, you haven't even finished [[the job->start]] yet. (set: $s3 to true)

You knew the day would start off bad when you woke up to [[rain]]. (set: $a1 to false, $a2 to false)

It wasn't supposed to rain, it had been hot and dry for a week. Now all of a sudden you needed special [[accommodations]] to finish the [[job]]. (if: $a1 and $a2)[Wait, what's that [[sound]]?] (set: $so1 to false, $so2 to false)

It was delicate machinery you were working with. Had to go a special guy on behalf of the client to get it made. Wanting to save a bit of cash and believing the damn weatherman, you skimped out on making it weather proof. And of course, now you had to plant it on a completely exposed rooftop in a rainstorm. You have to hold this damn tent over it so it won't get wet. [[Figures->rain]]. (set: $a1 to true)

It was some asshole who was too afraid to get his hands too dirty. You operate on the lower channels. Pretty accessible to the guys who suspect their wives are having an affair, or want info to blackmail their wage-slave coworkers. Unfortunately for you, your name attracts idiots who are also ''ambitious''. Planting a compression bomb on a ten-story building? If the guy hadn't been so loaded you wouldn't have taken him up on it. It was enough to get you out of this life for good. It was just some office building, no one would be inside at night. Normally to make a killing like this, you'd have to be killing. The money's already distracting you. Got to stay focused [[on the present->rain]]. (set: $a2 to true)

You weren't totally right when you said this roof was completely empty. There's a room that allows access to the rest of the building via stairwell. A (if: $so1)[patrol-bot](else:)[[[patrol-bot->pbot]]] has just walked through the door. Your eyes lock with his head module. The (if: $so2)[bomb is almost ready.](else:)[ [[bomb]] has to be almost ready by now.] Should you [[shoot]]? Or maybe [[make a break for it->break]]? (if: $so1 and $so2)[The bot is advancing, with its weapon drawn. You could try [[waiting]] until it gets close...](else-if: $so1)[The bot is slowly moving closer to you.] (else-if: $so2)[The bot's weapon is raised an pointed right at you.] (set: $leg_check to false) (set: $bot_dead to false) (set: $hurt to false) (set: $hurt2 to false)

A standard Stoneworks guard robot. Not the best out there, but they're still armed. Coming out to 6 feet, 5 inches, it stands a little hunched in the doorway. Rain drips down its smooth face for a moment before it says: "*You are trespassing on private property. Do not make any sudden movements. Remain where you are.*" Thankfully, its not shooting on sight. The settings must be set to low. This shouldn't be *too* [[bad->sound]]. (set: $so1 to true)

You quickly grab your gun and aim. You pull the (if: $so2)[[[trigger->shoot2]].](else:)[[[trigger->shoot1]].] (set: $bot_dead to true)

(if: $so1 and $so2)[Against better judgement, you (either: "[[run->run1]].", "[[run->run2]].")](else-if: $so1)[You [[run->run1]].](else:)[You [[run->run2]].]

You quickly steal a glance of the bomb: A few seconds left until its ready. A few seconds before you should start running. You look back to the bot. It's noticed the bomb, and raises its arm, revealing a wrist mounted weapon. You've got to [[do something->sound]]. Now. (set: $so2 to true)

The bot is 4 feet away, its attention equally split between you and the bomb. It's body remains in the rain, while its firearm has come under the tent, still pointed at you. You could try to [[attack]] it... you feel something weird pulling at your [[leg]].

The bot shoots, just before you do. It's superheated round buries itself in your artificial arm, while your laser melts its chest. The bot is [[down]]. (set: $hurt to true)

You aim for its chest, the laser bolt completely fries it. The bot is [[down]]. (set: $hurt to false)

Alone again, your nerves begin to calm. Until you feel a weird pulling sensation at your [[leg]].

The bomb is ready to go. You see the air distorting around it, with the field touching your leg. Soon, the distortion field will cover the whole of the building, and implode. (if: $bot_dead)[Better get out of here, [[quick->leave2]].] (else:)[It looks like the bot's noticed it, too. It's distracted [[for a moment->waiting]].] (set: $leg_check to true)

You grab the bot's wrist with your synthetic hand, and pull out your laser pistol. You make quick work of its cheap plating, and soon all that remains of the bot is a melted carapace. (if: $leg_check) [Now, time to [[get out of here->leave2]].] (else:)[Now about that feeling in your [[leg->leg]]...] (set: $bot_dead to true)

"*Freeze! Now!*" The bot shoots, but you're already running. You notice bright sparks and flashes where the missed shots connect with the ground. Superheated rounds? Jesus. You reach the [[edge]] of the building. (set: $hurt to false)

"*Freeze! Now!*" The bot shoots, striking your shoulder. The heat of the round burns, even through your arm's synthetic skin. Superheated rounds? Jesus, you'll be feeling that for a while. You've come to the [[edge]] of the building. (set: $hurt to true)

You [[jump]].

You shoot the grappling hook from your wrist. It fastens itself deep into the building. (if: $hurt)[(set: $hurt2 to true)The pain in your arm gets worse, but you hold out.] The sudden stop to your fall jolts your body, and you spend a few seconds hanging there. You begin a more controlled [[descent]].

(if: $hurt)[Your shoulder burns a bit. You can barely hear the bullet in it sizzling.] You walk towards the edge of the building, and aim the built in grappling hook in your wrist. You shoot it into the roof of the building, and begin your [[descent]]. (if: $hurt) [(set: $hurt2 to true) Your synthetic arm hurts even more.]

You reach the ground, and are finally able to give your synthetic arm a break. You cut the grapple cord and start to walk away from the building. You make it two blocks before you hear the bomb go off. The implosion won't cover the whole building, just about half of it. The imploded materials, and gravity, will finish the job, though. You find your [[car]] right where you left it. Alone in a parking garage. Man, why does this town always feel so empty? It's depressing.

Your Mitsubishi Eclipse. What a machine. It's taken you god knows how far (the odometer's broken) in the past few years. You [[get in]].

You get your bearings as you sit down. (if: $hurt)[That bullet really screwed up your arm. And the grappling down didn't help. It's not unfixable, just an inconvenience. Stills burns like a bitch, though.](else:)[The job went smooth, all things considering. Didn't get hurt, and the job was actually *done*. No last minute changes, or any other bullshit.] Hm. Seems like you're pretty [[hungry]].

You can't drive right back home, considering the rubble for that building is now covering the fastest way back. Considering you want to stop for food, it [[all works out]].

(if: $rem < 2)[The [[Cows]]. You [[left]] so long ago... but it was for the better. It was all [[too much]] for you. Not that it still isn't now, you're just more in control of things.] (else:)[Enough reminiscing. You're famished. Should you [[go inside]] or [[go to the drive-through->drive]]?]

You couldn't take the Cows anymore. They were still friends, but so much had changed. It was better to leave when you did. Instead of leaving a grudge. They all said they understood, but you knew better. You wonder if they thought you'd [[come back->why]]. (set: $rem to $rem+1)

The Jersey Cows. It started as a group of friends. An easy way to identify who was showing up to an event. Thinking about how long it's been since you left is one thing... but since it was that? You can't even imagine. They expanded from just a friend group, and became so much more. They were called many things. Philanthropists, tyrants, socialites, mercenaries. It was extraordinary, what they could accomplish. But you'd left it all [[behind->why]]. (set: $rem to $rem+1)

It was constant action. Constant excitement. Adventure after adventure, you can barely remember them all. You could barely keep up, and you sure as hell knew the others couldn't. They were in it for the rush of it all. Sooner or later someone was going to slip up. It was a wonder they didn't [[back then->why]]... (set: $rem to $rem+1)

The closest food place is a Wendy's. A sight for sore eyes. You almost don't remember [[why]] it brings such sour feelings. (set: $rem to 0)

(if: $hurt)[You put on a coat, to cover up your injured arm, and walk inside.](else:)[You walk inside.] It's pretty late, so there's only a few people here. No line. You walk up to the counter and the cashier greets you, and asks for your order. What do you want? (link: "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Single Combo")[set: $food to "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Single")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Double Combo")[set: $food to "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Double")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Triple Combo")[set: $food to "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Triple")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Baconator Combo")[set: $food to "Baconator")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Son of Baconator Combo")[set: $food to "Son of Baconator")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Spicy Chicken Combo")[set: $food to "Spicy Chicken")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Homestyle Chicken Combo")[set: $food to "Homestyle Chicken")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Combo")[set: $food to "Asiago Ranch Chicken Club")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "Ultimate Chicken Grill Combo")[set: $food to "Ultimate Chicken Grill")(goto: "drink2")] (link: "10 Piece Chicken Nugget Combo")[set: $food to "10 Piece Chicken Nugget")(goto: "drink2")]

You pull up to the menu, and hear a robotic voice greet you. What do you want? (link: "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Single Combo")[set: $food to "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Single")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Double Combo")[set: $food to "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Double")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Triple Combo")[set: $food to "Dave's Hot 'n Juicy Triple")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Baconator Combo")[set: $food to "Baconator")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Son of Baconator Combo")[set: $food to "Son of Baconator")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Spicy Chicken Combo")[set: $food to "Spicy Chicken")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Homestyle Chicken Combo")[set: $food to "Homestyle Chicken")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Asiago Ranch Chicken Club Combo")[set: $food to "Asiago Ranch Chicken Club")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "Ultimate Chicken Grill Combo")[set: $food to "Ultimate Chicken Grill")(goto: "drink1")] (link: "10 Piece Chicken Nugget Combo")[set: $food to "10 Piece Chicken Nugget")(goto: "drink1")]

And your drink? [[Root beer->pickup1]]

And your drink? [[Root beer->pickup2]]

You drive up to the window and wait for your food. It takes a little longer than you're prepared to wait, so you begin to [[doze off]].

You sit down and wait for your order to be called. Eventually, you hear your number called, and you [[look up]].

The sound of the window opening wakes you up. You look up, and your eyes meet with the barrel of a [[gun->end]].

You look up, to see a hooded figure aiming a gun at [[you->end]].

To be continued! Thank you for playing.