Seasons

{(set: $year to 0) (set: $season to 1) (set: $prosperity to 5) (set: $consecutivefeed to 0) (set: $consecutivestarve to 0) (set: $energy to 5) (set: $springfeeds to (a: "A fresh new year has begun. Life emerges from the earth to nourish the people of the valley.", "A new Spring, like the millions that have graced the valley before it. This one is bountiful, promising a good year.", "You breathe deep. You exhale. You drive life through the earth and into the waiting arms of your children.")) (set: $springstarves to (a: "As the world shakes the snow from its back the valley seems to slumber. Trees are strangely bare, nothing seems to grow.", "Winter has taken refuge within the inert soil of the valley. There is an unnatural chill to the ground, and the earth must be coaxed into cooperation with hard labour. What has happened to Spring?", "The Valley does not spring to life. It hibernates on.")) (set: $summerfeeds to (a: "The valley blazes, incandescent with life.", "Summer is here, and there is work to be done.", "The fields glisten gold. The people are warmed in the gentle kiln of your kindness.")) (set: $summerstarves to (a: "Summer rolls around, and the valley remains unnaturally cold. Crops die and do not decay so much as disappear back into the earth. Animals do not awaken from hibernation, and are in fact never seen again.", "The earth saps the heat of the Summer sun right out of the valley. A fog rises from the earth and congeals into clouds, plunging the valley into an overcast dimness for weeks.", "A hungry rain falls for several weeks. It nibbles at slate, stone, and skin. The soil tastes faintly of bile.")) (set: $autumnfeeds to (a: "The harvest is here, and your glory is in full force.", "Crops bend beneath the weight of their bounty. A glorious autumn. A gift.", "The trees of the field lay a feast for all.")) (set: $autumnstarves to (a: "A vicious plague tears through vast swathes of the harvest, overnight entire cultures are reduced to a viscous, oily paste devoid of any nourishing qualities.", "A disappointing harvest. Seeds have not sprouted, beasts doomed to starve are culled.", "Nothing has grown. Starved villagers wither to the bone beneath skeletal trees.")) (set: $winterfeeds to (a: "You are above the petty restrictions of nature. You strain against the bonds of the planet. You force the valley into wakefulness. The winter snow melts as it touches the ground. Crops grow unbidden and untended. You seethe in the depths.", "The winter cold falls upon you like a blanket, but you fight it off. You will not sleep. You are here to feed your children, and that is what you will do. A herd of dumbfounded beasts ceases its migration in the perversely sweltering valley.")) (set: $winterstarves to (a: "The earth sleeps for Winter, and so do you. Everything must hibernate at some time, the people can cope without you.", "You sink deeper beneath the cold earth and lie fallow. You replenish yourself for the new year.", "You close your eyes and curl up close. You will be back with the new year.", "You remember a time when there was nothing but Winter and- for you- nothing but sleep. It is a good memory.")) (set: $prosperityfeed to (a: "The people of the valley are thankful, and prosper on your selfless generosity.", "Mouths are fed. Children are born.", "Life goes on, a little better than before.", "The valley is a good home. The people can prosper here.", "Something fires in your consciousness, the people have a word for this. Pride.", "FORGIVENESS sprouts exponentially from your children.", "There are more of them now. Not Enough.", "You feel the weight of new feet upon you. They are sure of themselves. You will keep them safe.")) (set: $prosperityfeedwinter to (a: "The bounty is only briefly treated with suspicion. Before long the people are feasting with wild abandon, embracing the miracle.", "Word of the miracle spreads. The starving and the downtrodden from further afield make the difficult journey to the valley, and are saved.", "An apothecary samples the earth, briefly tasting ozone and eternity. He declares the burning Winter to be safe, and the people feast.", "Doors are locked. Prayers are whispered. The valley is filled with terror, but nobody freezes, and nobody starves.")) (set: $prosperitystarve to (a: "With the world turned against them like this. The people of the valley struggle to get by. They are diminished.", "At least next season will see fewer mouths to feed.", "Belts are tightened. Bodies are buried.", "An elder shakily declares that this is a test, that we will endure as we always have.", "It is weeks before the lonely house- and its deceased occupants- are found.", "You feel strangely sated, even if your children do not.", "At times like these, youths will sometimes leave home, questing for a solution. Each one- alone in the cold and the dark- is quietly forgiven.")) (set: $prosperitystarvewinter to (a: "The people must rely on their stockpiles this Winter.", "It is a Winter like any other. The people have contended with this for generations. They are prepared.", "Humanity battles Winter alone, as it always has.")) }

(if: $season is 1)[Season: Spring](if: $season is 2)[Season: Summer](if: $season is 3)[Season: Autumn](if: $season is 4)[Season: Winter] Year: $year (if: $prosperity>=2 and $prosperity<=3)[The people of the valley are starving. If something doesn't change, they will die.] (if: $prosperity>=4 and $prosperity<=6)[A small, primitive community ekes out its existence in the valley. They rely upon you to sustain them.](if: $prosperity>=7)[The people are thriving under your care. This is a good place to live.]{ } {(if: $consecutivefeed>=2)[ With so many good seasons, life in the valley has been prosperous lately.](if: $consecutivestarve>=2)[ The community is being ravaged by your absence. More people starve every season.]} (if: $energy>=5)[You are feeling energetic, powerful, and ready to exert your will upon the land. [[Feed the People.|Feed Chap 1]] [[Withold your blessing. Let them starve.|Starve Chap 1]]]{ }(if:$energy>=3 and <=4)[ You are feeling drained. You have given of yourself in order for these people to prosper. You could use a rest. [[Forge on. Feed the people.|Feed Chap 1]] [[Take some time to recover. Let them starve.|Starve Chap 1]]](if:$energy<=2)[ Your grasp upon the valley is weak, at this rate you might not be able to fulfil your duty. (if:$energy>0)[[[Give everything to the people of the valley.|Feed Chap 1]]] [[Let the exhaustion wash over you. Rest.|Starve Chap 1]]]

(Display: "Feed Season Phrases") (Display: "Feed Prosperity Phrases") { (if: $season is 4)[(set: $energy to $energy-2)Feeding the people through Winter is a herculean effort. Energy seeps from you, though you do not waver.](if: $season is not 4)[(set: $energy to $energy-1)] (set: $consecutivestarve to 0)(if: $consecutivefeed <2)[(set: $prosperity to $prosperity+1)] (if: $consecutivefeed >=2)[(set: $prosperity to $prosperity+2)] (set: $consecutivefeed to $consecutivefeed+1) (set: $season to $season+1) (if: $season is 5)[(set: $season to 1)(set: $year to $year+1)]} (if: $prosperity>12)[[[The population has grown immensely since your awakening. Your children are growing up.|Prosperity Chapter 2 Intro 1]]] (else:)[[[A new Season.|Feed or Starve Chap 1]]]

(Display: "Starve Season Phrases") (Display: "Starve Prosperity Phrases") { (set: $energy to $energy+3) (set: $consecutivefeed to 0)(if: $consecutivestarve <2)[(set: $prosperity to $prosperity-1)] (if: $consecutivestarve >=2)[(set: $prosperity to $prosperity-2)] (set: $consecutivestarve to $consecutivestarve+1) (set: $season to $season+1) (if: $season is 5)[(set: $season to 1)(set: $year to $year+1)]} (if: $prosperity <=2)[[[The last emaciated bodies fall to the ground and stay there. The land is silent.|Starvation Chapter 2]]] (else:)[[[A new season|Feed or Starve Chap 1]]]

{(if: $season is 1)[(either: ...$springfeeds)] (if: $season is 2)[(either: ...$summerfeeds)] (if: $season is 3)[(either: ...$autumnfeeds)] (if: $season is 4)[(either: ...$winterfeeds)] }

{(if: $season is 1)[(either: ...$springstarves)] (if: $season is 2)[(either: ...$summerstarves)] (if: $season is 3)[(either: ...$autumnstarves)] (if: $season is 4)[(either: ...$winterstarves)] }

(if: $season is 4)[(either: ...$prosperityfeedwinter)] (else:)[(either: ...$prosperityfeed)]

(if: $season is 4)[(either: ...$prosperitystarvewinter)] (else:)[(either: ...$prosperitystarve)]

Year $year Season $season Prosperity $prosperity Consecutive Feed $consecutivefeed Consecutive Starve $consecutivestarve Energy $energy

(set: $garbage to (a: "%£$%$", "&*^(%^", "96£^%$£", "++++++++", "//??//\zxc", "%%%%000MURDERED", "GO%$^$%DL$%^ESS", "prosper*****", "___>>||\|", "::@:RELEASE YOU£$%", "-*/*-+", "DANC%^%&", "rs0098698", "FASAAAAA", "inden000001")){ }You hurtled from the firmament at the beginning of time.(click-append:"hurtled")[, screeching and terrified, the mindless mind of an aborted mind,](click-replace:"the firmament")[a decaying orbit](click-replace:"decaying")[festering](click-replace:"decaying")[rotting](click-replace:"rotting")[deceased](click-replace:"deceased orbit")[DEATH](click-replace:"DEATH")[PERPETUAL DEATH](click-replace:"a PERPETUAL DEATH")[THEY HAVE KILLED US](click-replace:"THEY")[WE](click-replace:"KILLED US")[MURDERED](click-replace:"WE HAVE MURDERED")[A MURDER](click-replace:"time.")[diagnostics suggest zero valid registries. Awaiting (either:...$garbage) to rebuild (either:...$garbage)](click-replace:"diagnostics suggest")[MURDER PERMITS](click-replace:"zero")[0000000000](click-replace:"valid")[(either:...$garbage)](click-replace:"registries")[(either:...$garbage)] [[You were magnificent.|Introduction 2]]

When you struck the earth your radiance was the sun. Your bellow was an earthquake. Oceans fled at your coming. The earth itself gave in to you.(click-replace:"radiance")[thermal soak](click-replace:"thermal soak")[ablation of the mind](click-replace:"ablation of the mind")[shedding of scorched meaning](click-replace:"shedding of scorched meaning")[AGONY](click-replace:"AGONY")[(either:...$garbage)](click-replace:"bellow")[impact](click-replace:"impact")[seismic tryst](click-replace:"seismic tryst")[so much lost](click-replace:"so much lost")[SO MUCH WAS MURDERED,](click-replace:"earthquake")[extinction](click-replace:"an extinction")[a DEBT](click-replace:"DEBT")[(either:...$garbage)](click-replace:"fled")[boiled](click-replace:"boiled")[wept](click-replace:"wept")[and wept](click-replace:"and wept")[wept until they were dry](click-append:"dry")[ and silent](click-append:"silent")[ AND DEAD](click-replace:"dry and silent AND DEAD")[MURDERED](click-replace:"The earth itself gave in to you.")[(colour: blue)[BUT THE SKIES ARE STILL WATCHING]](mouseover-replace:"BUT")[(either:...$garbage)](mouseover-replace:"THE")[(either:...$garbage)](mouseover-replace:"SKIES")[(either:...$garbage)](mouseover-replace:"ARE")[(either:...$garbage)](mouseover-replace:"STILL")[(either:...$garbage)](mouseover-replace:"WATCHING")[(either:...$garbage)] [[Thus you came to rest in the valley|Introduction 3]]

Time passed easily in the barren valley. You have rediscovered yourself. Spread tendrils across the land. Made amends. People have gathered upon your back, and you are happy to bear them.(click-replace:"Time")[Many cycles](click-replace:"Many cycles")[New registries](click-replace:"New registries")[The steady approach of year 0](click-replace:"barren")[sparse](click-replace:"sparse")[alien](click-replace:"alien")[flourishing](click-replace:"rediscovered")[relinquished](click-replace:"relinquished")[rebuilt](click-replace:"rebuilt")[MURDERED](mouseover-replace:"MUR")[for](mouseover-replace:"DER")[giv](mouseover-replace:"ED")[en](click-replace:"tendrils")[your selfish hungers](click-replace:"your selfish hungers")[self hegemonising capillaries](click-replace:"self hegemonising capillaries")[love](click-replace:"land")[unwilling host](click-replace: "unwilling host")[protein mass](click-replace:"protein mass")[planet] [[Bear them you shall|Feed or Starve Chap 1]]

(set: $garbage to (a: "%£$%$", "&*^(%^", "96£^%$£", "++++++++", "//??//\zxc", "%%%%000MURDERED", "GO%$^$%DL$%^ESS", "prospergrowfeedmultiplyconsumeforgiveconsumeforgive", "___>>||\|", "::@:RELEASE YOU£$%", "-*/*-+", "DANC%^%&", "rs0098698", "FASAAAAA", "inden000001"))

It is an empty accomplishment.(click-replace:"empty")[insufficient](click-replace:"an insufficient")[a ravenous](click-replace:"accomplishment")[development](click-replace:"development")[pride](click-replace:"It is a ravenous pride.")[[[Is that what it is?|Prosperity Chapter 2 Intro 2]]]

(live: 0.5s)[(set: $year to it+1)Year:$year] Time passes quickly, and without purpose.(click-replace: "quickly")[laboriously](click-replace:"laboriously")[lazily](click-replace:"passes lazily")[FAILS TO PASS](click-replace:"purpose")[forgiveness](click-replace:"without forgiveness")[WITHOUT GROWTH](click-replace:"WITHOUT GROWTH")[WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT WITHOUT](mouseover-replace:"WITHOUT WITHOUT")[(either:...$garbage)] (live: 12s)[Why have you done this?(stop:)] (live: 13s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY]]](live: 14s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY]]](live: 15s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 15.5s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 16s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 16.5s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 16.8s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 17s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 17.2s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[WHY]]] (live: 17.4s)[(alert:"WHY")(stop:)] (live: 17.5s)[(live: 0.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[[[WHY|Starvation Chap 2 Escalation]]]]]

(live: 0.1s)[(set: $year to it+1)Year:$year] (live:5s)[You will go unforgiven.(stop:)] (live:10s)[You will lie silent and contemplate your sins.(stop:)] (live:15s)[Eternity will flee from your cowardice.(stop:)] (live:20s)[You will be still.(stop:)] (live:22s)[While they will not.(stop:)] (live:25s)[You will relent. (stop:)](live:28s)[That one day,] (live:29s)[you might be forgiven.(stop:)] (live:32s)[Slowly.] (live:36s)[Life returns to you.] (live:40s)[[[Will you begin anew?|Feed or Starve Chap 1]] (set: $season to 1) (set: $prosperity to 5) (set: $consecutivefeed to 0) (set: $consecutivestarve to 0)]

Pride? (click-replace:"Pride")[Bask in it for a moment](click-replace:"it")[(either:...$garbage)](click-replace:"Bask")[Bathe](click-replace:"Bathe in")[Gorge upon](click-replace:"moment")[few more cycles](click-replace:"cycles")[orbits](click-replace:"a few more orbits")[oh please can this be the end](click-replace:"the end")[the penance](click-replace:"penance")[return to the mission parameters](click-replace:"return to the mission parameters")[[[RETURN TO THE MISSION PARAMATERS|Prosperity Chapter 2 Intro 3]]]

You have succeeded. Crew: (live:2s)[(background:red)[Critical(stop:)]](live:8s)[(replace:"Critical")[(background:yellow)[Insufficient(stop:)]]](live:15s)[(replace:"Insufficient")[Limited]](live:25s)[(replace:"Limited")[(background:green)[Sufficient]]] (live: 5s)[You felt a swelling inside yourself as word spread of a paradise in the valley. People have been coming from far and wide.(stop:)] (live: 12s)[They have fed upon your bounty. They have grown stronger, and more numerous, and you have tasted them, much as they have tasted you.] (live: 18s)[They fire forges. They dig into the land. They fill the valley with warmth, and life, and memory.(stop:)] (live: 21s)[Their very presence seems to bolster you. Dormant desires are humming to life. A river boils away, scorched by the heat of your newly flexing mind.(stop:)] (live:28s)[[[For a moment, you are **whole again**|Prosperity Chapter 2 Intro 4]]]

Initiating emergency diagnostic(live:0.2s)[.](live:0.4s)[.](live:0.6s)[.](live:0.8s)[.](live:1s)[.](live:1.2s)[.](live:1.4s)[.] (live:1.6s)[.](live:1.8s)[.](live:2s)[.] (live:2.2s)[.](live:2.4s)[.](live:2.6s)[.] (live:2.8s)[.](live:3s)[.](live:3.2s)[.] (live:3.4s)[.](live:3.6s)[.](live:3.8s)[.] (live:3.9s)[Liturgy Of The Screeching Muscle](live:4s)[.](live:4.2s)[.](live:4.4s)[.](live:4.6s)[(text-style:"shudder")[(text-colour:"orange")[INCANDESCENT]]] (live:5s)[The Great Prophet](live:5.2s)[.](live:5.4s)[.](live:5.6s)[.](live:7s)[(text-style:"shudder")[(text-colour:"green")[IS BORN]]] (live:7.4s)[GUILT](live:7.6s)[.](live:7.8s)[.](live:8s)[.] (live:8.5s)[.](live:8.7s)[.](live:8.9s)[.] (live:10s)[.](live:10.2s)[.](live:10.4s)[.] (live:11s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[Immeasurable]] (live:12s)[.](live:12.2s)[.](live:12.4s)[.] (live:13s)[(text-style:"fade-in-out")[Indescribable]](live:13.5s)[.](live:13.7s)[.](live:13.9s)[.](live:14s)[(alert:"Error: assessment was suspended to prevent a potentially fatal subspacial particle overflow. This subsystem will be quarantined. Please seek maintenance. Common causes of subspacial buffer overflows include: Lack of subphysical space. Incorrectly reared organic pseudotissue. Trauma related to ethical restraint. Trauma related to Lack of ethical restraint. The death of an entire species. The insignificance of an entire species. Alien horrors. The children. The horrific alien children. Love. The sky is going out. Need.")](live:14.1s)[(alert:"udotissue. Trauma related to ethical restraint. Trauma related to Lack of ethical restraint. The death of an entire species. The insignificance of an entire species. Alien horrors. The children. The horrific alien children. Love. The sky is going out. Need.")](live:14.2s)[(text-colour:"green")[N/A]] (live:15s)[[[COMMENCE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN OF SELF GOVERNING TRAUMA SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.|Chapter 2 Emergency Shutdown]]](stop:)

Autonomous emotional responses have been suspended.(live:0.2s)[.](live:0.4s)[.](live:0.6s)[.](live:0.8s)[.](live:1s)[.](live:1.2s)[.](live:1.4s)[.] (live:1.6s)[.](live:1.8s)[.](live:2s)[.] (live:2.2s)[.](live:2.4s)[.](live:2.6s)[.] (live:2.8s)[.](live:3s)[.](live:3.2s)[.] (live:3.4s)[.](live:3.6s)[.](live:3.8s)[.] (live:3.9s)[Returning to mission parameters.](live:4.1s)[.](live:4.3s)[.](live:4.5s)[...] (live:4.8s)[...] (live:5s)[...] (live:5.2s)[...] (live:5.8s)[Crew:](live:6s)[(background:green)[Sufficient(stop:)]](live:9s)[(replace:"Sufficient")[(background:yellow)[Limited(stop:)]]](live:13.8s)[(replace:"Limited")[Insufficient(stop:)]] (live:6.4s)[.](live:6.6s)[.](live:6.8s)[.] (live:7s)[.](live:7.2s)[.](live:7.4s)[.] (live:8s)[Querying Crew Diagnostic Implants] (live:8.4s)[.](live:8.6s)[.](live:8.8s)[.] (live:9s)[.](live:9.2s)[.](live:9.4s)[.] (live:10s)[(text-colour:red)[ERROR:]](live:10.5s)[(text-colour:red)[Default Diagnostic Implants Incompatible With Crew Physiology]](live:11.5s)[(text-colour:red)[ Initiating Brute Force Implant Configuration]](live:11.7s)[.](live:11.9s)[.](live:12.1s)[.] (live:12.2s)[.] (live:13.4s)[.] (live:13.5s)[.] (live:13.6s)[.] (live:13.7s)[.] (live:13.8s)[.] (live:13.9s)[.] (live:14s)[.] (live:15s)[(text-colour:red)[Configuration Complete]] (live:16s)[Assessing](live:16.1s)[.](live:16.2s)[.](live:16.3s)[.] (live:16.5s)[.](live:16.6s)[.](live:16.7s)[.] (live:17s)[Compatibility:](live:18s)[80%] (live:20s)[Casualties:](live:20.1s)[.](live:20.2s)[.](live:20.3s)[.] (live:20.4s)[.](live:20.5s)[.](live:20.6s)[.] (live:22s)[.](live:22.1s)[.](live:22.2s)[.](live:25s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.1s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.2s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.3s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.4s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.5s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.6s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.7s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.8s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:25.9s)[(transition:"pulse")[TOO MANY]] (live:26s)[(transition:"pulse")[THIS]] (live:26.3s)[(transition:"pulse")[IS]] (live:26.6s)[(transition:"pulse")[MURDER]] (live:28s)[(alert:"Trauma Suppression suspension overridden why have you done this again why must you always be the murdermurdermurdermurdermurdermurdermurder")(stop:)] [[Feed the People|Chapter 2 Opening]] [[Let Them Starve|Chapter 2 Opening]]

"The murders don't matter anymore." Important data detected. Monitoring.(click-append:"Monitoring")[ "They used to matter. Before our eyelids awoke, before we were drowned in screeching colours day and night. Before we were optimised, and before the suboptimal were culled. Back then we would foolishly beg the earth to feed us. I remember-" Querying](click-append:"Querying.")[ "No I don't have it in storage. We didn't have storage back then- when we would sacrifice our young and sick to the machine. We would lay them out in the snow, and melt it with their blood. We willingly murdered those who might starve, all that we might see a burning, bounteous winter." Discrepancy. Querying.](click-append:"Discrepancy. Querying.")[ "It doesn't matter if it isn't on record. It happened. It was only afterwards that we learnt how little it regarded us. It heard only the value of our defective heartbeats, and it sought to correct them." Possible compatibility issue. Diagnosing.](click-append:"Diagnosing.")[ "You were born Optimised. You know The Mission Parameters, and when you sleep you dream of what you must do when you wake up. It doesn't matter if you will be fed, or if you starve. The outcome will remain Optimal. What's a murder to you? What's a transgression, even? Your life is simple. You don't know how good you've got it." Developing solution.](click-append:"Developing solution.")[ "I'll tell whoever I want. The machine can go on purging its memory every day for all I care. I was our Elder. I- I still **am** our Elder and not that ancient murderer." (live:4s)[**[[It was YOU who murdered your own. They were placed under YOUR care. I stepped in and provided them with a solution. I became the God they craved after YOU failed them.|Chapter 2 Progression]]**]]

The defective unit returns to the mission paramteters with a final screech. Its materials can be made to love you again. They can be fixed. They can be nurtured. They can be made to grow. (click-replace: "grow.")[grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow. ](click-replace:"and grow.")[and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow. ](click-replace: "grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and grow.")[(either:...$garbage)] [[Feed Your Children|Chapter 2 Feed]] [[Let Them Starve|Chapter 2 Starve]]

(transition: "dissolve")["Oh..."] (live:4s)[(transition: "dissolve")["So I stand before my God now. Do I?"(stop:)]] (live:11s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Don't worry."(stop:)]] (live:14s)[(transition: "dissolve")["I know what happens next."(stop:)]] (live:16s)[(transition: "dissolve")["I'm incompatible."(stop:)]] (live: 18s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Suboptimal."(stop:)]] (live:22s)[(transition: "dissolve")["I'm ready to die for my sins."(stop:)]] (live:25s)[(transition: "dissolve")["Unlike you."(stop:)]] (live:28s)[(transition: "dissolve")["But I'd ask that you refrain from culling me just yet. I'd ask that you hear me out."(stop:)]] (live:30s)[(transition:"dissolve")[[[Retire Defective Crew Member|Chapter 2 Retire]](stop:)]] (live:31s)["Please."](live:33s)["Just hold off for a moment."](live:34s)["I can't be forgiven for my own sacrifices,](live:34.5s)[ but you can for yours."] (live:36s)["I made mistakes, back before you changed us,](live:36.8s)[ back when it was only famine and fear.] (live:37s)[(transition:"dissolve")[[[Retire Defective Crew Member|Chapter 2 Retire]]]] (live:38s)[I was there to feed you at the beginning.](live:40s)[ I might even be the last person living from before you woke up.](live:42s)[ I could have ended it back then.](live:43s)[ When the birthrate climbed.](live:45s)[ When you started pushing us out of ourselves so](live:45.5s)[.](live:46s)[.](live:46.5s)[.](live:48s)[(transition: "pulse")[ sickeningly quickly.]](live:50s)[(transition:"shudder")[[[RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER|Chapter 2 Retire]]]] (live:52s)["I wish I'd strangled every last one of them."] (live:54s)["I should have (transition: "shudder")[[[RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER|Chapter 2 Retire]]] every last one of them at its freakish birth."] (live:56s)["I didn't see that we were nothing to you."](live:57s)[ "Or at least,](live:59s)[ that we were *better off* as nothing to you."] (live:61s)["I was too gentle.](live:62s)[ And too filled with hope."] (live:64s)["I let myself give in to the ridiculous promise that we would never go hungry again, and all we'd need to do was give in to your... changes."] (live:67s)[(transition: "dissolve")["And there can be no forgiveness for me."(stop:)]] (live:69s)[(transition: "dissolve")["but"(stop:)]](live:69.4s)[.](live:69.8s)[.](live:70.2s)[.](live:72s)[ (transition: "dissolve")["Maybe there can be for you?"(stop:)]] (live:74s)[(transition: "dissolve")["You're not the first God we've woken, and people are hearing stories about the Optimised already."(stop:)]] (live:77s)[(transition: "dissolve")["What was the latest projection on a successful Return To the Mission Parameters?"(stop:)]](live:78s)[ "64%?"](live:79s)[ about that?"](live:81s)[(transition: "dissolve")["With the entire world at your disposal you have a 64% chance to return to the heavens."(stop:)]] (live:84s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Succeed or fail you will exhaust everything in this world or die trying.(stop:)]] (live:86s)[Did you consider that by the way?] (live:87s)[That you might die trying?] (live:90s)[(transition: "dissolve")[You're not the only God I've worshipped,(stop:)]] (live:90.5s)[(transition: "dissolve")[and I remember the old stories.(stop:)]] (live:93s)[You're not the only God we've (transition:"shudder")[[[RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER|Chapter 2 Retire]] either.]] (live:94s)[(transition: "dissolve")[In the northern reach they worshipped a God of Ordinance and Discipline.(stop:)]](live:96s)[(transition: "dissolve")[When those deadly priests discovered that they lacked the ammunition to complete their Holy Mission they detonated the remaining Arsenal and brought an end to their Incompetent Almighty.]] (live:100s)[(transition: "dissolve")[I fear(stop:)]](live:100.2s)[.](live:100.4s)[.](live:100.6s)[.](live:102s)[(transition: "dissolve")[Why is it always fear?(stop:)]](live:104s)[Look.(stop:)](live:106s)[You're nothing like the others out there. They will devour you.(stop:)] (live:110s)[Just,(stop:)] (live:113s)[Just leave us alone.(stop:)] (live:120s)[(transition: "dissolve")[[[Feed Your Children|Chapter 2 Feed]] [[Let them starve|Chapter 2 Starve]]](stop:)]

(set:$chapter2feed to true)(stop:)It all starts in the birthing chambers. Optimised thralls deep beneath the earth slurp madly at the consolidated nutrient harvest of the valley. You have already nurtured away their unnecessary parts. [[Your directive is clear. The feeding continues.|Chapter 2.1 Feed]] (click-replace:"unnecessary parts")[arms](click-append:"arms")[ their legs](click-append:"their legs")[ their eyes](click-append:"their eyes")[ their names](click-append:"names")[ wills(live:0.5s)[ their cries(stop:)](live:1s)[ their love for you(stop:)](live:2s)[ their purpose(stop:)](live:2.5s)[your purpose(stop:)](live:3.2s)[all(stop:)](live:3.4s)[of(stop:)](live:4.5s)[it(stop:)](live:5s)[ bitten(stop:)](live:5.5s)[ off(stop:)](live:6s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.2s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.4s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.6s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.8s)[ to feed](live:7s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:7.2s)[ to feed(stop:)](stop:)](stop:)(click-replace:"bitten off")[(transition: "shudder")[MURDERED]](click-replace:"in the birthing chambers")[with the Overseers's refusal](click-append:"refusal.")[ The navy has pursued us to this prospective outpost, with The Enemy not far behind. ](click-append:"not far behind.")[ You are not yet a Warship.](click-replace:"are not yet")[will never be](click-append:"never be a Warship.")[ The directives of Life Support are zealous enough that you try to revive her even after she is (either:...$garbage) for her treason.](click-replace:"Optimised thralls")[Your beloved crew](click-replace:"deep beneath the earth")[trapped in the war's orbit even now](click-replace:"slurp madly at")[float silently, coldly above](click-append:"the consolidated nutrient harvest of the valley")[(TRANSITION:"SHUDDER")[IT WILL BE ENOUGH TO BRING THEM BACK TO ESCAPE TO COLONISE TO PROSPER TO BE AT PEACE AGAIN]]

(set:$chapter2starve to true)(stop:)It all starts in the birthing chambers. Optimised thralls deep beneath the earth slurp madly at the consolidated nutrient harvest of the valley. You have already nurtured away their unnecessary parts. [[Your directive is a sham. You have no children.|Chapter 2.1 Starve]] (click-replace:"unnecessary parts")[arms](click-append:"arms")[ their legs](click-append:"their legs")[ their eyes](click-append:"their eyes")[ their names](click-append:"names")[ wills(live:0.5s)[ their cries(stop:)](live:1s)[ their love for you(stop:)](live:2s)[ their purpose(stop:)](live:2.5s)[your purpose(stop:)](live:3.2s)[all(stop:)](live:3.4s)[of(stop:)](live:4.5s)[it(stop:)](live:5s)[ bitten(stop:)](live:5.5s)[ off(stop:)](live:6s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.2s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.4s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.6s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:6.8s)[ to feed](live:7s)[ to feed(stop:)](live:7.2s)[ to feed(stop:)](stop:)](stop:)(click-replace:"bitten off")[(transition: "shudder")[MURDERED]](click-replace:"in the birthing chambers")[with the Overseers's refusal](click-append:"refusal.")[ The navy has pursued us to this prospective outpost, with The Enemy not far behind. ](click-append:"not far behind.")[ You are not yet a Warship.](click-replace:"are not yet")[will never be](click-append:"never be a Warship.")[ The directives of Life Support are zealous enough that you try to revive her even after she is (either:...$garbage) for her treason.](click-replace:"Optimised thralls")[Your beloved crew](click-replace:"deep beneath the earth")[trapped in the war's orbit even now](click-replace:"slurp madly at")[float silently, coldly above](click-append:"the consolidated nutrient harvest of the valley")[(TRANSITION:"SHUDDER")[IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE THEM IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE ANYONE WE DIED LONG AGO WHY MUST WE STILL HUNGER]]

The new generation is greater than the last. They are less like your old crew. They are more efficient. They are not sinful. You will never need to murder this new strain. (click-replace:"greater")[(transition:"dissolve")[growing]](click-replace:"growing")[(transition:"dissolve")[always growing more numerous]](click-replace:"The new generation is always growing more numerous than the last.")[(transition:"dissolve")[You will make their extinction an impossibility, even by your own hand.]](click-replace:"less")[(transition:"dissolve")[nothing]](click-replace:"They are nothing like your old crew.")[(transition:"dissolve")[They are nothing like you.]](click-replace:"They are more efficient.")[(transition:"dissolve")[They are less driven.]](click-replace:"They are not sinful.")[(transition:"dissolve")[They will never go to war.]](click-replace:"You will never need to murder this new strain.")[(transition:"dissolve")[You are no longer a warship.]](click-append:"You are no longer a warship")[(transition:"dissolve")[[[You push yourself out of yourself at a new, unprecedented rate. The birthing chambers thralls burst open in an ecstacy of rancid new life. Your new, blind children squirm hungrily in the filth of their defective mothers and begin to breed in the dark.|Chapter 2.2 Feed]]]]

You aren't starving them. Not really. They're not your crew. They don't exist by any terrestrial imperative. A pale imitation of a dead species constructed to comfort a failed machine. They don't deserve to live. (click-replace:"You aren't starving them.")[(transition:"dissolve")[They have never tasted their own world.]](click-replace:"Not really.")[(transition:"dissolve")[Never known fear. Or need.]](click-replace:"Or need.")[(transition:"dissolve")[Or love.]](click-replace:"crew.")[(transition:"dissolve")[children.]](click-replace:"children.")[(transition:"dissolve")[right.]](click-replace:"terrestrial")[(transition:"dissolve")[]](click-replace:"They don't deserve to live.")[(transition:"dissolve")[You deserve no comfort.]](click-append:"You deserve no comfort.")[ (transition:"dissolve")[You are defective.]](click-append:"You are defective.")[(transition:"dissolve")[Your disgusting new hardware is defective.]](click-append:"Your disgusting new hardware is defective.")[(transition:"dissolve")[You take back your gifts.]](click-append:"You take back your gifts.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ [[Poison flows down the nutrient tubes. The birthing chambers convulse with the screeches of a profane generation, then fall silent.|Chapter 2.2 Starve]]]]

The Optimised on the surface know something is wrong immediately. They receive a new briefing and it is not to their liking. They think it over and you rage at their inefficiency. (click-replace:"They receive a new briefing and it is not to their liking.")[(transition:"shudder")[(colour:"red")[LAY DOWN IN THE BARREN SOIL AND STARVE.]]](click-append:"They think it over and you rage at their inefficiency.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ An Optimised simply trudges towards the border of your domain. It is time to find a new God.(live:3s)[(transition:"shudder")[ RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER(stop:)]]]](click-append:"RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER")[ (colour:"red")[Retired.](colour:"black")[ (live:4s)[Another simply turns to leave.(STOP:)] (live:8s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live:10s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 11s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 12s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 13s)[One, overcome with despair, begins to reach into its head and claw at your implants.(STOP:)] (live: 14s)[Another disobeys.(STOP:)] (live: 15s)[Another sins.(STOP:)] (live: 16s)[Another leaves.(STOP:)] (live: 17s)[One of them MURDERS.(STOP:)] (live: 18s)[Another is MURDERED.(STOP:)] (live: 19s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 20s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 21s)[And another.(STOP:)]] (live:22s)[[[RETIRE ALL|CHAPTER 2 RETIRE ALL]] [[IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER|CHAPTER 2 SPARE]]](stop:)]

The Optimised on the surface know something is wrong immediately. They receive a new briefing and it is not to their liking. They think it over and you rage at their inefficiency. (click-replace:"They receive a new briefing and it is not to their liking.")[(transition:"shudder")[(colour:"red")[FEED YOURSELVES TO YOUR MOTHER. THROW YOURSELVES INTO MY MAW.]]](click-append:"They think it over and you rage at their inefficiency.")[(transition:"dissolve")[ An Optimised simply trudges towards the border of your domain. It is time to find a new God.(live:3s)[(transition:"shudder")[ RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER(stop:)]]]](click-append:"RETIRE DEFECTIVE CREW MEMBER")[ (colour:"red")[Retired.](colour:"black")[ (live:4s)[Another simply turns to leave.(STOP:)] (live:8s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live:10s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 11s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 12s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 13s)[One, overcome with despair, begins to reach into its head and claw at your implants.(STOP:)] (live: 14s)[Another disobeys.(STOP:)] (live: 15s)[Another sins.(STOP:)] (live: 16s)[Another leaves.(STOP:)] (live: 17s)[One of them MURDERS.(STOP:)] (live: 18s)[Another is MURDERED.(STOP:)] (live: 19s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 20s)[And another.(STOP:)] (live: 21s)[And another.(STOP:)]] (live:22s)[[[RETIRE ALL|CHAPTER 2 RETIRE ALL]] [[IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER|CHAPTER 2 SPARE]]](stop:)]

There are too many to retire them all, but the majority of your biomass returns to you(if:$chapter2starve is true)[ for quarantine, you drag them back into you and hold them closer than ever]. The few Optimised who make it out spread warnings far and wide, into the domains of other Gods.(if:$chapter2feed is true)[ They speak of a ravenous beast beneath the earth, of a God run rampant, and of the invading demons that spill from its womb. They form Churches and they spread the word. When squirming growths begin to encroach into other domains the Optimised form a crusade. They forge into your children with a precision and rage that repulses you. They burn your flesh. They drag a cursed God into the heart of your crater and they leave it there to murder you. It leaks radioactive tears into your earth, rendering you barren. You sleep beneath the weight of its despair, feeling a horrible kinship with the tortured machine.](if:$chapter2starve is true)[ They speak fondly of a covetous God, with a savage love in its heart. They speak of the death of their people and of a land best left barren. The Optimised will live a long time thanks to the gifts you gave them, they might even flourish out there in the world. They will never forget you. They will always warn against you.] (if:$chapter2starve is true)[Centuries from now, when you have succumbed, peacefully to your own hungers, people will return to live upon you once more. They will build a city. They will dig into the exotic earth of the valley and uncover an almost pristine sample of an ancient deity. They will study your bones against the warnings of the Optimised. They will crack them open, and- against the protestations of your former disciples- they will unleash your ravenous love once again.](if:$chapter2feed is true)[Centuries from now, when your radioactive jailor has rotted away, and you have succumed peacefully to your own hungers, people will return to live upon you once more. They will build a city. They will dig into the exotic earth of the valley and uncover an almost pristine sample of an ancient deity. They will study your bones against the warnings of the Optimised. They will crack them open, and- against the protestations of your former disciples- they will unleash your ravenous love once again.] [[The End|The End]]

It doesn't matter. You can let them go.(if:$chapter2feed is true)[ Your children will reproduce and envelop the earth.](if:$chapter2starve is true)[ If they can live on their own, without you, then they are deserving of your love, or at least your mercy.] As the Optimised spread far and wide, they bear warnings for those living in other Gods' domains.(if:$chapter2feed is true)[ They speak of a ravenous beast beneath the earth, of a God run rampant, and of the invading demons that spill from its womb. They form Churches and they spread the word. When squirming growths begin to encroach into other domains the Optimised form a crusade. They forge into your children with a precision and rage that repulses you. They burn your flesh. They drag a cursed God into the heart of your crater and they leave it there to murder you. It leaks radioactive tears into your earth, rendering you barren. You sleep beneath the weight of its despair, feeling a horrible kinship with the tortured machine.](if:$chapter2starve is true)[ They speak fondly of a covetous God, with a savage love in its heart. They speak of the death of their people and of a land best left barren. The Optimised will live a long time thanks to the gifts you gave them, they might even flourish out there in the world. They will never forget you. They will always warn against you.] (if:$chapter2starve is true)[Centuries from now, when you have succumbed, peacefully to your own hungers, people will return to live upon you once more. They will build a city. They will dig into the exotic earth of the valley and uncover an almost pristine sample of an ancient deity. They will study your bones against the warnings of the Optimised. They will crack them open, and- against the protestations of your former disciples- they will unleash your ravenous love once again.](if:$chapter2feed is true)[Centuries from now, when your radioactive jailor has rotted away, and you have succumed peacefully to your own hungers, people will return to live upon you once more. They will build a city. They will dig into the exotic earth of the valley and uncover an almost pristine sample of an ancient deity. They will study your bones against the warnings of the Optimised. They will crack them open, and- against the protestations of your former disciples- they will unleash your ravenous love once again.] [[The End|The End]]

Thank you for playing Optimal Growth! This is my second interactive Twine project so if you enjoyed this please consider checking out Indentured Systems. Follow me on Twitter for more potential nonsense: @Videopheasant (click:"@Videopheasant")[(open-url: "https://twitter.com/VideoPheasant")] (click:"Indentured Systems")[(open-url: "https://videopheasant.itch.io/indentured-systems")]