Distant Stars

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<<set $command_left to false>> <<set $choice to 0>> <<goto "Start">> /puts in game's memory <<cacheaudio "sfx_terminal_select" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_terminal_select.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_terminal_error" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_terminal_error.mp3">><<cacheaudio "sfx_terminal_confirm" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_terminal_confirm.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "music_wakeup" "audio/music/distantstars_wakeup.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_wakeup_2" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_wakeup_2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_wakeup_3" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_wakeup_3.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_wakeup_4" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_wakeup_4.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "music_commandapproach" "audio/music/distantstars_commandapproach.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_commandapproach_2" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_commandapproach_2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_commandapproach_5" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_commandapproach_5.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_commandapproach_6" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_commandapproach_6.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_generator_2" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_generator_2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "music_generator" "audio/music/distantstars_generator.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_generator_3" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_generator_3.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_generator_repaired" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_generator_repaired.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "music_shielding" "audio/music/distantstars_shielding.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_shielding_2" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_shielding_2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_shielding_ending" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_shielding_ending.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_shielding_repaired" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_shielding_repaired.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_shielding_falseEnding" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_shielding_falseEnding.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_filters_2" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_filters_2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_filters_repaired" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_filters_repaired.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "music_filters" "audio/music/distantstars_filters.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_endingPath_2" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_endingPath_2.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "sfx_wakeEnding_1" "audio/sfx/distantstars_sfx_wakeEnding_1.mp3">> <<cacheaudio "music_ending" "audio/music/distantstars_ending.mp3">>

<img src="Distant Stars Logo Transparent.png"/> <p><span>[[Start|Wake Up 1]] <<link "Continue">><<run Save.autosave.load( )>><</link>></span></p> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Noah's eyes flutter open. [[Wake up.|Wake Up 2]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_wakeup loop play>>

Reality seeps back in, not a wave flooding in all at once but rolling in slowly as the tide. Unconscious leads to subconscious. Subconscious leads to conscious. <span id= "1"><<linkreplace "1. Touch">>1. Touch: The bone-chill of the stasis pod warming with every moment. His skin touching the smooth insulated nylon of his suit. <span id= "1"><<linkreplace "2. Taste">>2. Taste: Bitter-sour sickly-sweet poking at the corners of the mouth as saliva glands reawaken. <span id= "1"><<linkreplace "3: Smell">>3: Smell: Burnt, giving way to stale, processed air for the first time in centuries. <span id= "1"><<linkreplace "4: Sound">>4: Sound: A hiss from all directions as the oxygen in the pod cycles, old air pushed out and new air pulled in. <span id= "1"><<linkreplace "5: Sight">>5: Sight: His vision is dark at first. He blinks and coerces the light to return. It's blurry. The interior of the pod is dim, its only source of illumination the circular window at eye level. [[Exit the pod.|Wake Up 3]] <</linkreplace>></span> <</linkreplace>></span> <</linkreplace>></span> <</linkreplace>></span> <</linkreplace>></span> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_wakeup_2 play>>

The stasis pod opens with a dull <i>pop</i> and the door rises. Noah pulls himself out of the pod and into the chamber. He looks back at the pod now ajar; it's a sleek cylindrical container, the white synthetic frame fastened atop silver mechanical innards, dense mist spilling from it and onto the floor. It isn't alone. In fact, the pod rests in a row with twenty others just like it with their doors still closed. Above and below are rows of pods attached to the same rotating mechanism. [[Approach the nearest stasis pod.|Wake Up 4]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_wakeup_3 play>>

Noise and movement. Blinking lights everywhere. The scene is bustling as people climb inside the open stasis pods, their doors closing with the push of a button. Noah examines each one, ensuring the doors are shut tightly and diagnostics are within acceptable parameters, going down the row before rotating the apparatus and continuing the procedure. A disembodied voice fills the chamber. "All colonists, enter your stasis pods now. The procedure will function automatically once activated," it repeats, "Upon arrival to Aspens-3, Chief Spacecraft Mechanic Noah Quinn will be woken first to review The Clarke's status. All colonists will be brought out of stasis once nominal ship status has been confirmed." Noah stops at a specific pod. A woman smiles behind the viewport. She says, muffled, "See you in 1,000 years." <<link [["Sleep tight," replied Noah.|Wake Up 5]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [["1,020. Give or take," replied Noah.|Wake Up 5]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio "sfx_wakeup_4" play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ Her face continues to sleep tight inside the pod. <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ 1,020 years later, her face stills sleeps inside the pod. <</if>>\ Noah remains a bit delirious, though he sobers with every second. It's immediately obvious something isn't right. The chamber is dark. Small backup lights shine up from the smooth white floor rather than the bigger, brighter main lights high on the walls. He activates the terminal in the middle of the room. The screen flickers to life. <<linkreplace "Stasis Pods Health">>\ <<audio "sfx_terminal_select" play>>\ On the glowing screen are a number of images, beside which blink relevant statistics, lists of numbers and bars and charts. Statuses of the stasis pods. They all seem to be intact. <</linkreplace>>\ <<linkreplace "Begin 'Wake Up' Protocol?">>\ <<audio "sfx_terminal_error" play>>\ As you select the option to bring the rest of the colonists out of stasis, the screen goes blank and is instead replaced with the words "UNAVAILABLE DURING STANDBY MODE." <</linkreplace>>\ <<linkreplace"Ship Status">>\ <<audio "sfx_terminal_error" play>>\ The words, "The Clarke: Standby Mode," inhabit the corner of the screen. "Standby Mode? Something must have broken during the journey," Noah says. "To restore the ship, I have to… access the mainframe at the… command center? Right." [[Leave the Stasis Chamber.|Command Approach 1]] <</linkreplace>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Noah takes in a few deep breaths of the filtered oxygen produced by his environment suit. He would love to take it off, but procedure states that he must keep it on while The Clarke is in standby mode, and until he learns what's wrong with the ship. He feels awake now. But that isn't the problem. Noah feels strange, distant from his body, like he's in two places at once. His memories feel as though they're bleeding into the present, and it is taking an immense amount of willpower to keep pressure on the wound. Otherwise, he fears he might be swallowed by the past. They were warned about Stasis Sickness before they left Earth. It isn't lethal, so they say, but recovery takes time. Nothing to do about it now. Noah locates and operates a small terminal at the far side of the room, and an alcove below it produces a pair of boots. He slips them on. The automatic doors leading out of the chamber don't open automatically. Noah sighs and pulls open a panel on the wall to the right, flipping a heavy lever inside that forces the door open. A long hallway stretches out past the opening. <<link [['"Thank god we built these manual levers. Otherwise I would be stuck in this room."'|Command Approach 2]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [['"I\'m so tired. But I wouldn\'t have trusted anyone else to do this."'|Command Approach 2]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_commandapproach loop play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ Thankful for the levers, \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ Driven by his sole responsibility, \ <</if>>\ Noah's footsteps echo through the dead hall stretching before him. The Clarke is almost pitch black, dim lights in the center of the floor serving solely to illuminate the path forward. A dull hum remains ever-present from deep inside the ship. He passes by other openings as he walks along the hall, shut doors and identical paths leading into eventual darkness. <<timed 5s>>An ache in his chest. <<next 1s>>Creeping upward. <<next 1s>>Rising. <<next 1s>>It's excitement. Noah has been working toward this his entire life. He's tired – no, he's full-on exhausted – but he lets the anticipation drive him forward, a spark at his core that arcs across his limbs and forces him to move. This moment has been so long in the making, and he can hardly believe it's almost here. But, wait. He can't let himself get swept up in the moment, can't allow the wave of emotion to pull him under or- [[Let the emotion take over.|Command Approach 3]] <<linkreplace "Resist the sway of emotion.">> <</linkreplace>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_commandapproach_2 play>> <</timed>>

A tablet rests in Noah's hands as he paces the halls of The Clarke. On it is a checklist detailing all of the ship's components that need to be confirmed are in working order before they can begin preparations for take off. It's a big checklist. It's a big ship. "Someone else can do that for you," a voice suddenly says behind Noah. He jumps, startled, nearly dropping the tablet. Noah looks at the man. Tall, leather jacket, receding hairline. One of the pilots. They aren't close. "I-I-what-" Noah stutters, "Why?" The man chuckles. "You've been working nonstop for weeks. I was just saying you could get one of the engineers to do it. Get some rest in the meantime." "No, I'll do it myself. You know what they say: 'If you want something done right...' Besides, I'll get plenty of sleep soon. I can rest when we’re in stasis," replies Noah. He types on the tablet. "And also because...I'm...done now." He can't help but smile, ecstatic that he's completed one of the final steps leading up to the journey, and looks up expectantly. The pilot is already several feet down the hall. Too far to continue the conversation. Noah frowns. He's alone now. [['"Bye..."'|Command Approach 4]] [['"Yeah, nice seeing you too."'|Command Approach 4]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Back in the dark hallway. Alone. At the end of his trail lies another door. Yet, this one is larger than the others, grander, boasting the words, "Command Center." Noah pulls the manual hatch, but it stops opening partway. He's just barely able to squeeze through. The room is massive. That is the only detail Noah gathers though, because it's pitch black. That is, save for the lone beam of light sifting through the cracked doorway, bits of dust dancing within its confines. He keeps his arms out and he moves inward. He gets a few feet into the room until he bumps into something and lets out a grunt. "Ouch," Noah says to nobody in particular. Feeling around the object, his hands pass over glass, plastic, metal. Keys. A screen. The object is a terminal. Noah looks over the shape in the darkness. Presses the keys, the buttons. Nothing. Identical shapes form a circular pattern around the room. From the terminal, he sees a tiny blinking light in what he can only imagine to be the middle of the room. Noah approaches it, almost tripping down a set of unseen steps. The light reveals itself to be words on a monitor <i>much</i> wider than the others surrounding it. [[Wake?|Command Approach 5]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

The Command Center is buzzing with excitement and motion. Every terminal is manned, each colonist focused on their individual tasks. Noah is no different. He watches his monitor intensely, checking the condition of the Clarke, listening to updates over his earpiece, and all the while watching the viewport that takes up an entire wall of the room. Through it, he sees the launch site: the expanse of concrete and grass that stretches for miles in every direction. A man stands before the central terminal, the captain. He speaks into a microphone: "Homebase, we got all lights green here. Ready for departure." From speakers around the room, a voice replies. "Acknowledged. We're all good to go on this end. Begin takeoff." All hands go to work, engaging systems, starting thrusters, coordinating with others inside the ship. A growl far below begins to grow, build, rise until it becomes a thunderous roar. The Clarke surges from the ground and flies ever upward. From the viewport, they ascend into a blue sky. They surge further, far past the thinning atmosphere, slipping into the black expanse. Then seemingly, out of nowhere, the viewport is filled with stars. Darkness and stars. [["I did it," Noah says, eyes brimming with tears.|Command Approach 6]] [["I can't believe I'm here," Noah says, eyes brimming with tears.|Command Approach 6]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_commandapproach_5 play>>

Darkness. But not for much longer, because immediately after pressing the key to wake the terminal, the Command Center's backup lights come to life. Noah takes a look at his surroundings. It's almost how he remembers it. The shapes all around the room are indeed terminals, surrounding an area in the middle about a meter lower than the rest of the area with a larger terminal in the center. Screens all along the walls are blank except for the words, "The Clarke: Standby Mode." Metal shutters have completely closed over the huge viewport to obscure any vision of the outside. The new solar system must be beautiful. Noah inputs a series of commands. The terminal flashes through operations, finishing calculations and tests within seconds, lines of code running across the screen until all that's left is a single option. [[Run Diagnostics?|Command Center]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_commandapproach_6 play>>

<span id= "Command-Script">Words fill the central terminal. Most of it is technical jargon explaining in excruciating detail the status of every major component of the ship. Noah doesn't need all of that. Instead, he scrolls to the bottom of the screen and stops when he finds the category labeled "Errors."\ <<audio music_commandapproach fadeout>>\ The first item under it reads "The Clarke is in standby mode. All errors must be corrected before The Clarke can be returned to full capacity." Three components are listed beneath this:</span> <span id= "Generator-Display"><<linkreplace "Auxiliary Power Generator">>Auxiliary Power Generator: Turbine(s) have ceased motion. Resume motion to reactive. <<audio "sfx_terminal_error" play>><</linkreplace>></span>\ <span id= "Shielding-Display"><<linkreplace "Radiation Shielding">>Radiation Shielding: Condition of ionized plate(s) are below safe parameters. Replace or repair plate(s) to reactivate.<<audio "sfx_terminal_error" play>><</linkreplace>></span>\ <span id= "Filters-Display"><<linkreplace "Primary Oxygen Filters">>Primary Oxygen Filters: Filter(s) deteriorated by unknown contaminants. Repair filter(s) to reactivate. <<audio "sfx_terminal_error" play>><</linkreplace>></span> Noah has to fix all of them before he can restore The Clarke and wake up the colonists. Question is, which does he fix now?\ <span id= "Generator-Link"> <br>[[Fix Generator|Generator 1]] </span>\ <span id= "Shielding-Link"><br>[[Fix Shielding|Shielding 1]]</span>\ <span id= "Filters-Link"><br>[[Fix Filters|Filters 1]]</span>\ <<done>> <<if $command_left is true>>\ <<replace "#Command-Script">>The central terminal still reads "The Clarke is in standby mode. All errors must be corrected before The Clarke can be returned to full capacity." Three components are listed beneath this:<</replace>>\ <</if>>\ <<if visited("Generator Repaired")>>\ <<replace "#Generator-Link">>\<</replace>>\ <<replace "#Generator-Display">><<linkreplace "Auxiliary Power Generator">>Auxiliary Power Generator: Fully operational. <</linkreplace>><</replace>>\ <</if>>\ <<if visited("Shielding Repaired")>> <<remove "#Shielding-Link">>\ <<replace "#Shielding-Display">><<linkreplace "Radiation Shielding">>Radiation Shielding: Fully operational.<</linkreplace>><</replace>>\ <</if>>\ <<if visited("Filters Repaired")>>\ <<replace "#Filters-Link">><</replace>>\ <<replace "#Filters-Display">><<linkreplace "Primary Oxygen Filters">>Primary Oxygen Filters: Fully operational. <</linkreplace>><</replace>>\ <</if>>\ <<if visited("Generator Repaired") and visited("Shielding Repaired") and visited("Filters Repaired")>> <<goto "Ending Path 1">> <</if>> <</done>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

It takes Noah almost thirty minutes to make his way through the halls and to the area of the ship containing the auxiliary power generators. The generators are far below the Command Center. Usually, he would use the elevators to go down but, since the power is out, he's forced to take the long way. The first thing he notices is the sound. Or rather, the lack of it. Typically, turbines of varying sizes spin rapidly against spires placed evenly between them. Power is generated using the reaction caused by the friction between these two objects. Therein lies the problem: none of the turbines are spinning. Stepping into the area proper, he sees the huge stretch of turbines. Unmoving. Just as he thought. While the majority of the turbines are still, but in fine condition, a handful of them are toppled over. Noah shakes his head. "At least none of the big ones are broken." He steps carefully through the gaps in the turbines. On closer examination, none of the toppled-over turbines have been damaged, only pushed off the rotators on the ground. All he needs to do is push them into place. Noah presses his shoulder against the nearest turbine. Locks his feet into place. And… [[Push!|Generator 2]] <<set $command_left to true>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $generator_repaired is true>>\ Noah's path to the Radiation Shielding Controls is illuminated by the fully functioning power to the ship. Littered about the hallways are a few lights flickering at random intervals, but they will be fixed once the rest of the colonists are awake. Right now he's just happy he has any light at all. <<else>>\ <<audio sfx_commandapproach_2 play>> Noah's path to the Radiation Shielding Controls is pitch black. The backup lights have shorted out and left him in the dark. He knows where it is, though. He practically built the damn ship. His hands trace the wall as he stumbles carefully through the hallways until he recognizes the door he needs. <</if>>\ His footsteps slow to a halt. Before him on the floor is a book. Depicted on the cover is a man in an old-fashioned astronaut suit flying through space with a jetpack. “The Adventures of Quasar Smith.” It's science fiction – cheesy science fiction at that – but he didn't know the difference when he was a child. All he knew was that he loved it. But as soon as the thought crosses his mind, he jumps in reaction to a voice shouting at him. It ridicules him, ridicules the book, ridicules all the things he could and should and would be doing had he not been focused on the stupid book and the fact that he’s…. Wait, where's the voice? And...where's the book? He's alone, his hands empty. The Radiation Shielding Controls are closest to the Command Center, in comparison to the other malfunctioning systems. Noah designed it to be that way on purpose. It's an important system, and without it, they would be bombarded by the elements of space until they were likely a derelict wreck. He was inspired by shark teeth when he created the design of the shield. The Clarke’s ionized plate shields functioned the same way: they’re stacked in layers, and when a plate is destroyed, it is rotated out to be replaced by a fresh one from the stack. There's no way to repair the Radiation Shielding directly due to the dangers of rogue space. Instead, the terminals lining the walls of the narrow chamber contain a number of commands that safely initiate automated repairs from the inside. After a brief investigation, Noah concludes that a section of the plates have been damaged. Furthermore a software error prevents the ship from automatically replacing them. Noah cracks his fingers. It's time to code. [[Type.|Shielding 2]] <<set $command_left to true>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $generator_repaired is true>>\ The filters are the furthest away from the Command Center, located at the very bottom of the ship. Luckily, Noah repaired the generator already, and now his passage is lit entirely by the panels affixed to the ceiling. The curved walls of each hallway are bathed in placid white. There is another benefit to power being restored: the elevators are operational. Noah enters and presses the button labeled "Life Support," the floor where the filters are housed. The doors open in a matter of minutes. <<else>>\ The filters are the furthest away from the Command Center, located at the very bottom of the ship. Noah's trip takes a long time, a very long time, accompanied by nothing but the thoughts in his head and the shadows in corners. At times he thinks he hears people talking, but nobody is there. Eventually, he descends an impossibly tall stairwell. Where most would have a railing, transparent walls follow the stairs around to prevent colonists from falling. It would be a very long fall. Noah stops at the floor labeled "Life Support" and exits. <</if>>\ Soon he finds the area housing the Primary Oxygen Filters. A hiss. Chemicals spray from the threshold ensuring he's clean as he enters the alabaster chamber. Inside, rows upon rows of circular objects rest within the floor, handles jutting from the tops. Noah pulls one of the handles and a cylindrical container slowly rises out. Within the container he can see a web of stringy matter, plant-green and flesh-pink, cold fog spilling from the bottom. It's all biomechanics, genetics, phytology. Noah is an engineer. But in preparation for this expedition, he studied enough to be able to repair the filters in the unlikely case something went wrong. When he looks closer, it becomes apparent he's in that unlikely case. Portions of the web are gray, discolored, lifeless, fading. He doesn't understand exactly what went wrong. He knows how to fix it, though. Grabbing a handful of bottled enzymes from the cabinets along the walls, Noah takes a dropper and carefully, very carefully, starts to drip the liquids onto the web… [[Focus...|Filters 2]] <<set $command_left to true>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

The table creaked as Noah pushed it into the moving truck parked by the curb. The truck wasn't very spacious since they just needed the room for Noah's things, along with their shared items that they both agreed Noah could take with him. He stepped out of the way. Luther moved forward and placed the two chairs, one in each bulky arm, into the truck. "I can't believe you carried that table all by yourself!" Luther said with a smirk. Noah smiled back. "What? You still don't think I'm strong? After all this time?" "You sit at a desk all day and do science at your computer," replied Luther, "And I know you don't go to the gym. Just look at those scrawny arms!" <<link [["I don't just 'do science.' It's a lot more complicated and you know it," Noah said.|Generator 3]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [["That's why I keep you around. So these scrawny arms can focus on science," Noah said.|Generator 3]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_generator loop play>> <<audio sfx_generator_2 play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "They always say it's complicated." \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "Well those scrawny arms could lift a bit more, I think." \ <</if>>\ Luther sat against the open truck trailer. Beads of sweat dripped down his face, his coarse hair big and frizzy from the heat. Somehow he's still glowing. Noah couldn't help but feel a flutter in his stomach. He looked good even after all that exertion. "It's important work!" Noah demanded. But Noah noticed a change in his demeanor. Ever-so-slightly. "Yeah, yeah. I know you care a lot about your science. Don't worry," said Luther. "Luther..." Luther caught himself. Stood straighter. "Oh, no," he said, his hands raised defensively, "I didn't mean anything by it. Honestly. You were always in love with your work as long as I knew you. It makes sense you spend most of your time with it." Cars passed. Trees shook in the wind. The shade protected them both from the afternoon sun's glare. <<link [["I was in love with you too, you know," Noah frowned.|Generator 4]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [["I tried to split my time between you and work. I tried hard," Noah frowned.|Generator 4]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_generator_3 play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "I wasn't saying you didn't love me," sighed Luther.\ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "I know you tried. You said you did, at least," sighed Luther.\ <</if>> "I just think-" "Noah, please." "It's not like I'm moving to get away from you," Noah continued, "I'm just moving so I can be closer to work. It means I won't have to stay there days at a time. It means I can spend <i>less</i> time working, not more." Luther scanned Noah's face for several long moments. Then he replied, "Come on. You know that's not true." That stung. But Noah knew he didn't say it to be hurtful. Luther was the confrontational one – always has been – while Noah was the one who avoided the issues in their relationship. He was never good with serious conversations or emotional moments. It's not something he was proud of. If Luther wanted to say something hurtful, he would make sure Noah knew it. It happened a few times in the past year. Noah couldn't blame him for it. <<link [["What do you mean?" asked Noah.|Generator 5]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [["Do we have to do this now?" asked Noah|Generator 5]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "It just isn't."\ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "If we can."\ <</if>>\ "Okay..." said Noah. "Nothing can come between you and your ambitions. I learned that a long time ago," Luther said with a smile. It wasn't a happy one. "It was never about you coming between anything," Noah explained. Attempted to explain, "It was never a competition. I mean, you know how much this ship means to me. It's my life's work. But you were important too. You could have just walked beside me." "You were never walking, Noah. When it comes to your 'life's work,' you only go at a full sprint. How could I ever hope to catch up?" Noah replied, "I would have slowed down for you." "Really?" Luther sighed. "Do you remember the first time we met?" <<link [['"I think so..."'|Generator 6]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [['"For the most part. Why?"'|Generator 6]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "It's okay if you don't remember. I'll remind you. \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "I'll get to the why in a bit. Just listen. \ <</if>>\ You came to the restaurant," began Luther, "And you had a huge stack of papers in front of you. I remember thinking you were such a weirdo, because it's never been a cafe or anything like that. People don't come to do work. It's the kind of place you sit and enjoy the food and the company. But you weren't doing either. You were nose-deep in your notes, white-knuckling the pen, and you didn't even notice me ask for your drink order." Noah let a smirk cross his face. "I remember. I had a tight deadline." "I tapped you on the shoulder and you looked up at me. And it felt like, just by doing that, I pulled you out of a pit and back to reality. It was the first time you actually saw me – not pretending while your attention was fixated on work, but <i>actually</i> saw me. I fell in love with the man who saw me." <<link [["Why are you telling me all of this?" replied Noah.|Generator 7]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [["Luther..." replied Noah.|Generator 7]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "I'm telling you because it's important. \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "Please. Let me finish. \ <</if>>\ For a while, I was able to keep pulling you out of that pit. Take you out of your work and your stress and just teach you to slow down for a while. But then you were handed that huge promotion, you were put in charge of the ship, you spent more and more time working until..." Luther trailed off. He stared at the ground. "Until what?" Noah watched him as the sun moved in the sky just enough to bypass the tree's branches, casting them in light and heat. "Until you stopped seeing me," finally Luther met Noah's gaze once again with tearful eyes, "And I realized you couldn't change. So that's why, when you asked me to move away with you, I knew it wasn't worth it. Because you couldn't compromise all that bottomless ambition." "That's not true. I can change. I just need time," Noah protested. "You've been saying that for years. Besides, you never once thought about how the move would affect me. You know I love this city. I love my job. All of my friends and family live here. Asking me to leave was the most selfish thing you could do." <<link [['"I\'m sorry."'|Generator 8]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [['"I didn\'t realize."'|Generator 8]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Luther simply shrugged. \ <<if $choice is 1>>\ "Don't be sorry. You did what you had to, I suppose."\ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "I know you didn't. That stung the most."\ <</if>> Searching for the right thing to tell him, Noah finally said, "I never wanted that divorce, you know. If I could keep working and have you at the same time, I would do it in a heartbeat." "You could if you stayed." It took a while for Noah to comprehend the words Luther said, like the crashing of a wave before the force of the water. It was only after that Noah understood: Luther was asking him to stay. "But-" "You could, right?" said Luther. "You wouldn't lose your job. You could just keep doing what you're doing. Sure you wouldn't be as close to the build site, but maybe you could just offload some of that responsibility onto others. Share it. You would still be just as successful. You would still be Chief Engineer of The Clarke. And we could...we could be together again." He was nervously rambling at this point. [["What are you asking?" Noah finally said.|Generator 9]] [["Are you saying...?" Noah finally said.|Generator 9]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

"Stay here. With me." [[Stay in the city with Luther.|False Ending Luther]] [[Leave the city for your career.|Generator Ending]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

"Sure, I'll stay," the words left Noah's mouth before the weight of them truly set in. It pressed harder on his shoulders when Luther's face rose with excitement, and fell with skepticism. "Really?" Luther asked. His voice wavered like he didn't really want to hear the answer. Like Noah might've still changed his mind. He nodded. Allowed a smile, with teeth. "Yeah. Any dream I have is a nightmare if you aren't in it." Luther jumped forward, wrapped his arms around Noah's neck, showered his face with kisses, his scruffy beard scratched his cheeks. A laugh escaped Noah's lungs. He could feel his heart soar. It had been a long time since he'd felt the warm embrace of Luther, and it was only now that he realized just how much he missed it. He was right. Noah already accomplished so much with The Clarke. Whatever responsibilities he had could be done from home, or at the city office, or traveling to the build site. Love like that didn't come around every day. Some things are worth sacrificing for it. Together, the two figured out how to make their separate lives into one again. <i> And unfortunately, that's not how it happened. </i> [[Return to The Clarke|Command Center]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_generator fadeout>>

An eternity passed. At first Noah said nothing, cherishing the potential of being in love again and remarrying, having a happy life together, afraid of what would happen should he stick to his convictions. Then, finally building up the courage, Noah shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have to do this." Luther's gaze fell to his feet. He nodded. Wiped a tear from his face. When he looked back up to Noah, he smiled. The words formed in his throat, but he was unable to bring them out. Instead, he turned and pulled the shutter door to the moving truck closed. "No, I'm sorry," he said with his back facing Noah. Luther never forgave him. [[Pull yourself from the memory.|Generator Repaired]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

With a final grunt, Noah heaves the last of the turbines back into place. Luckily, none of their bases were thoroughly damaged or this would be a much longer repair job. He weaves a path between the turbines to the control room, pristine and untouched since launch. Approaching the wall of terminals, he inputs a series of commands and selects options until he sees the words: "Activate Auxiliary Power Generator?" He selects, "Yes." A dull whirring fills the air. It gets louder and sharper as the turbines spin, accelerating. As Noah leaves the room and enters into the chamber again, he can see the turbines have become a blur of motion. Arcs of white hot electricity flash between their apexes. A job well done. Returning to the Command Center, his journey is lit by the main lights now restored by the generator, the hallways returned to their clean white luster. [[Return to the Command Center.|Command Center]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_generator_repaired play>> <<audio music_generator fadeout>> <<set $generator_repaired to true>>

The azure expanse of sky stretched for miles in the matched gaze of Demetrius and Noah as they laid back upon the reclined chairs surrounding Demetrius’ pool. Despite the voices of nieces and nephews, cousins, parents, and friends, the two could hear each other crystal clear. A finger outstretched from Demetrius broke the hues of the world above. “Lowkey, ya know what that cloud look like?” “A weird box?” Noah shifted his eyes over to his companion beside him, his brow raised in confusion as he tried to make sense of the Rorschach test he was being given. “Naw man, it looks like Mr. Rind’s desk from highschool. You remember?” Demetrius looked over, eyes wide in disbelief. “You don’t see it?” Noah shook his head and looked back at the cloud once more. “If I really squint, it does have that, like, lean his desk had on the one side.” The very instant Noah was done talking, Demetrius shot up from his relaxed position, near shouting with excitement. “Yes. Literally yes. You do see it. Did I tell you how it got that way?” <<link [[“You haven’t, but I’m sure you will now.”|Filters 3]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“I thought Manny stood on it when I was out that one day.”|Filters 3]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_filters loop play>> <<audio sfx_filters_2 play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "Of course I'm gonna tell you! \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "That's what you THINK! \ <</if>>\ Ah-haha! Oh, how little you know, my friend.” From seated to standing, now pointing down at the still relaxed frame of Noah, Demetrius began his tirade. “You remember how Mr. Rind like…hated anyone near his desk right?” “Yeah…?” Noah responded, but deep down he knew there was no reaction that could stop Demetrius going to his next point.. It didn’t really matter if he listened. “One day, before class started, I went in to ask Mr. Rind a question, but he wasn’t there.” “So you decided to break his desk?” “No man! Just listen, listen. So I decided to mess with him a bit. I laid out on my side on the desk like this.” Of course the physical demonstration had to accompany Demetrius’ story, so as he described it, he laid out on his side arm propped up holstering his head on flattened palm, other arm resting in a closed fist on his waist. “Bro you look like one of those French paintings.” Noah began chuckling to himself at the stiff angling of Demetrius. “Right? It was perfect. He was so uptight that I had to do something weird. So I just stayed like that. A few students walked in first. I was perfectly still until he walked in.” <<link [[“He had to have flipped, right?”|Filters 4]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“I’m waiting for this to come around.”|Filters 4]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "You have no idea. \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "Wait no longer. \ <</if>>\ The desk broke right then. I swear. Like the very moment he walked in, it went CRACK and one of the legs gave out. I face-planted on the ground and he sent me to the principal's office.” “No way. There’s no way this happened.” “It did, I shit you not. Because there were only a few other kids in the class when it happened, Manny took credit for it. For clout. It worked for me though. You know how my parents are when it comes to getting in trouble.” “Yeah, especially with your older brother being how he was. I’m surprised he turned around.” “Dude, yeah, and he even has his own little flock now.” Demetrius gestured to his nephews in the pool. “Yet here we are. We had our eyes on the same goal this entire time and we’ve finally made it.” <<link [[“What do you mean?”|Filters 5]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“You talking about reminiscing by the pool?”|Filters 5]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ Demetrius laughed. "Quit playing with me. \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ Demetrius laughed. “No, dummy. The Clarke. \ <</if>>\ You’re overseeing the launch and mission from home for the rest of your life, and I get to work as its mechanic when the cryostasis ends.” Noah sat in silence after Demetrius spoke, his eyes peering over the horizon as dejection took root on his face. “Noah, did something happen, man? You’re still overseeing the Clarke right?” “It’s not me, Demetrius. It’s you.” Noah lowered his gaze. “What do you mean it’s me, Noah?” “I…just, couldn’t risk not being on board if something happened.” “What do you mean it’s me, Noah?!” As Demetrius’ voice picked up, family and friends became spectators. “There was only so much space on the ship Demetrius. If I’m on the ship in addition to you, they won’t have enough food for everyone incase of emergency, they’d need to make an extra stasis pod. It’d just be too much.” “So you just decided to take me off?!” His voice continued its rise, shifting to shouts as Demetrius shot upright and raised his arms to push Noah off the chair he sat on. The clang of the metal folding chair broke through every other conversation in the area as onlookers tuned in to the awkward sight of Noah scrambling to his feet. <<link [[“The Clarke is my dream. I couldn’t risk not being there to solve any issues.”|Filters 6]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“I’m sorry, there’s only so much space on the ship. Your role isn’t necessary if I’m on board.”|Filters 6]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "You're not the only one who can solve issues!" snapped Demetrius.\ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "Then make the role relevant!" snapped Demetrius. \ <</if>> Noah stammered. "You have to understand my perspective." ‘’Keep your goddamn excuses! At least be man enough to say it to me. You took me off the project and put yourself on.” With every word Demetrius spoke, he stepped forward, Noah willingly giving ground. “It isn’t personal man, you know I love you, I just couldn’t afford to not be present. It’s too important. It’s all I want out of life.” “It’s all <i>we</i> wanted out of life, Noah. I have the same dream. Only difference is, I wouldn’t crush yours to see mine through!” “Oh, you wouldn’t? Only one of us can be on The Clarke, Demetrius.” Noah stopped in his retreat. “If it’s either me or you, why wouldn’t I choose myself?” “Noah, we talked about this. I asked if you were okay with me being on board, and now you switch up? You’re a snake.” <<link [[“It wasn’t like I was out to get you. If you staying is the cost of me getting on, I was willing to pay it.”|Filters 7]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“I can’t change my mind? Am I not allowed to change my opinion on something?”|Filters 7]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

He rose from his seat. One long stride after the next brought Noah closer to the crumbled frame of his sister. He knelt beside her, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her in close, only the ticking of the clock on the wall filling the void of silence between them. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I even considered it. I’ve got too much to leave behind to just go like that.” Megan’s arms tightened about his, her sobbing only growing stronger with each passing moment. A hollow sensation crept into Noah’s mind as the weight of abandoning his dream filled his thoughts, the sole combat to them were thoughts of how Megan’s life would be without him. She was his little sister. Even without his parents telling him, he’d learned it was his job to protect her, to be there for her when she needed him. First hand, he knew how cruel and unfair the world would be. Damage was dealt here for certain, but nothing the soothing hands of time couldn’t repair. <i>And unfortunately, that's not how it happened.</i> [[Return to The Clarke|Command Center]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_shielding_falseEnding play>> <<audio music_shielding fadeout>>

“Then get out.” “Demetrius, after all we’ve been through, choosing myself is what ends our friendship?” “Get out!” Noah tried to walk forward as Demetrius shouted, but was met with the same force he’d been given in his seat. One push after the next sent Noah stumbling closer and closer to the door behind him until he fell through it, right onto his back. “Demetrius-” “Go. Leave.” “But Demetrius I-” “GO!” Index finger extended, directing Noah off into the distance. As Noah stared at his friend from his position on the ground, he knew it was over. Slowly, he picked himself up and began to head home. [[Pull yourself from the memory.|Filters Repaired]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Noah wipes a tear from his cheek. Words and numbers spill onto the terminals once he finishes the last line of code and presses, "Enter." It takes only a split second until the whirring machinery activates. There aren't any windows to confirm, but the terminals walk through the steps of the process with each artificial line. Then, even faster than the time it took the screens to fill, they are emptied and replaced with the words, "Radiation Shielding Fully Operational." A breath escapes his lips. Without any way to see the dangers that might await in Noah's new home system, at least he now has the reassurance of protection. One more step in the right direction. But his shoulders weigh heavier somehow during his return to the Command Center. [[Return to the Command Center.|Command Center]] <<set $shielding_repaired to true>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>\ <<audio music_shielding fadeout>> <<audio sfx_shielding_repaired play>>

The warm rays of the sun danced upon Noah’s fingers as they feverishly leapt between keys. Numbers ran and reran once more as Noah double, triple, and quadruple checked to ensure that The Clarke had all systems performing as they should in its preliminary testing phase. Even with the blinding glare coming from the sun through his window, Noah couldn’t pull his eyes from his computer. The ticking arms of the clock on the wall drowned into white noise, only fading back into his consciousness when the gentle tone of his sister’s voice broke through his focus. “Noah…? Noah!” The once faint sound bubbled to the surface. His eyes shifted, bringing the familiar face of Megan into view. “Oh, hey. How did you…uh…get in here?” “Your assistant let me in?” With each moment that the world began reappearing for Noah, he began to notice the furrowed brows upon Megan’s face, her crossed arms, her furled lips. His mind began racing, trying to figure out what led her to such hostility. <<link [[“Meg….did something happen? You look kinda upset.”|Shielding 3]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“Meg, I can tell you’re mad but…you’ve gotta work with me here. I don’t have time.”|Shielding 3]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_shielding loop play>> <<audio sfx_shielding_2 play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "Of course I'm upset! \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "Then make time! \ <</if>>\ Do you even know what today is?” From what could have been seen as mild irritation on Megan’s face twisted into pure scorn and disdain as if to say, “What is wrong with you?” “You missed my graduation. Even our parents showed up, hitting the lowest bar possible. You couldn’t even be bothered?” The very instant the words came free from her, Noah’s gut began to churn. His anxiety coursed through him. “I didn’t forget it, I promise. I kne-” She cut him short, regrouping and beginning the second wave of her verbal assault. “Oh you always have excuses, don’t you? What about me? I needed you there!” “I couldn’t stand to see our parents. I’m sorry. You know how mom and dad are to me... It would be too much.” An awkward silence stirred in the room as the pair faced one another, heads to the ground in shame. “I…I get it. Honestly…I hated seeing them there too.” Her eyes began to scan the room, looking for something to rest on other than Noah. <<link [[“I’m sorry I missed it Megan, honestly.”|Shielding 4]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“You know I would’ve come if they weren’t there. It isn’t because I didn’t want to be there for you.”|Shielding 4]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ "You don't have to say sorry. \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ "I know you wanted to be there. \ <</if>>\ I know, Noah…I get it. It’s just hard being alone with them now…” Her voice grew heavier as she continued on. “I never realized how much of their shit you were taking until you were gone…all the ways they put me down. Not even just our parents… Auntie Joanne and Uncle Quinn too. It just hurts being alone now.” “I took as much as I could handle Megan, it’s just…too much.” “I get that, it’s just…I thought we were in this together. You were always there for me, and now you just sit here and work. I feel like at any moment you could slip through my fingers and I’d never see you again.” Noah sat in silence as she stood in front of him, his eyes fixated upon the sheet with the big red stamp positioned right before him on his desk. It was labeled “The Clarke Boarding Request,” and a set of crimson letters read, “Approved.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of it as Megan’s words echoed endlessly within his head. “Are you gonna say something?” The fragility of the quiet air was shattered as frustration took root within her voice once more. “Noah. I’m talking to you. Say something.” [[“I’m…going to be leaving. The Clarke is starting its voyage, and I got approved to board.”|Shielding 5]] [[“I won’t be around for a while, actually. The Clarke just got approved for launch, and I’ll be overseeing it from on board.”|Shielding 5]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

“..... <<timed 1s>>“What…. <<next 1s>>“YOU’RE LEAVING? <<next 1s>>“When did you plan to tell me that I was never going to see you again? <<next 2s>>“Did you even plan to tell me? Or was it going to be like today, where I just looked up and noticed you weren’t there? <<next 2s>>A vermillion burn tainted the white of her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. “You may have Luther and Demetrius, but I don’t have anyone but you.” Her standing position retracted as she curled in and screamed at him. “You’re supposed to be my big brother! You’re supposed to protect me and be here for me when I need you! How can you do that if you aren’t even on the planet?!” “Meg, you know Luther and I aren’t together anymore. Regardless, this is all that I’ve wanted to do with my life, this is all I have.” Noah’s words were lost between Megan’s sobs, she responded without even hearing him. “Does Luther even know you’re leaving? He can’t be okay with this. Is Demetrius? What if you get there and it's not what you hoped for? What about us? What about the people you’re leaving behind? What about me? I’m supposed to just be okay with only hearing your voice on the phone? Will you even have time for that?” <<link [[“I made some recordings for you. You’ll be able to see me and hear me just like I was there for you.”|Shielding 6]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [[“I actually won’t be able to call you…we’ll be in stasis until we arrive.”|Shielding 6]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <</timed>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ Megan's voice cracked. "I don't want some recordings! I want my brother!"\ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ Megan's voice cracked. "You get to be asleep while I have to deal with it my whole life?"\ <</if>>\ Noah stood awkwardly. “So you’re just going to be gone then?” “I’m sorry…” “So what, I’m supposed to just deal with you being gone for like a year?” “Over a millennia…” “What? A thousand years?” “1021, to be exact.” “Oh, thanks. That 21 really is the nail in the coffin isn’t it?” The once furious stance she took began to crack, her knees and voice both quaking as Noah’s words sank in. “What am I supposed to do without you?” “...” “How am I supposed to keep going? You’re all the support I have!” “...” “Say something, Noah! I can’t do this, you can’t leave me.” As she howled at him with such a simple request, he couldn’t muster a single word to say. For what felt like an eternity, Noah remained seated at his desk with Megan crying before him. [["What do you want me to do?" Noah pleaded.|Shielding 7]] [["I don't know what to do." Noah pleaded.|Shielding 7]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Noah’s fingers traced along the smooth wood of his desk before flattening out and pushing himself up from his seat. As she sat against her knees on the floor, her face buried within her hands, he crouched beside her. “I’m sorry Megan. I need to get back to work…” He reached outward, placing his hand under her shoulder and lifting a bit to try to help her up from the floor, only to feel a sudden jerk as she shook her arm free of his grasp. “I can get up on my own.” She arose slowly, brushing the lint from the carpet off her clothes and wiping her face. “Fuck you.” She turned away from him and walked out the door. [[Pull yourself from the memory.|Shielding Repaired]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_shielding_ending play>>

“Whatever Noah, I’m done with you.” Demetrius began to turn and walk away, but Noah spoke up once more. “I don’t want it to be like this Demetrius. I’m sorry.” “If you were sorry you wouldn’t have done it. Shit, you still have the chance to right it. We can dead this right now.” “But if I-” “No. I don’t want to hear it. I need an answer. Now. Are you fixing this, or not?” [[Knots form in Noah's stomach. "How do I fix it?"|Filters 8]] [[Knots form in Noah's stomach. "What can I do?"|Filters 8]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

“Fuck man, what is wrong with you? What even made you think to do that?” Tears began to run down Demetrius’ cheek. “I’m sorry, I just really wanted to be on The Clarke.” The concrete beneath his feet was the only thing that Noah could bring himself to keep his eyes on. “Is there no cost you won’t pay for that? I heard about you and Luther, and Megan. I didn’t know it was because of this.” “I’m sorry, Demetrius…” “It’ll…it’ll be fine Noah. Let’s just…get back to the party…” “I think I may just...head home, actually.” Noah began to make for the door, but he was cut short by the grip of Demetrius' hand on his shoulder. “No, dude. Stay. I want you here.” <i>And unfortunately, that's not how it happened.</i> [[Return to The Clarke|Command Center]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio music_filters fadeout>>

Noah's stomach churns to the point of nausea as he drips the liquid onto the final string of the last organic network. The color returns, like time has been reversed, and the entire web at last looks bright and healthy. Sliding the cylinder back into its place inside the floor and locking it with a twist, he drags himself to the terminal at the center of the room. On the ultrawide screen blink the words "Reset oxygen cycle?" He gently presses his fingers against "Yes." Somewhere nearby, in the walls, in the mechanical bowels of the ship, a loud <i>thunk</i> reverberates. Noah's feet can feel the shifting, the whirring. Steam blows through the vents for a small moment. Green lights appear all over the screen. Cool, fresh air fills his lungs while he holds his helmet at his side. It's a small comfort keeping him company on the journey back to the Command Center. [[Return to the Command Center.|Command Center]] <<set $filters_repaired to true>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_filters_repaired play>> <<audio music_filters fadeout>>

The Command Center is now just like Noah remembered from 1,021 years ago before entering stasis. He weaves through the rows of terminals, all alight now that power has been restored to the ship, and takes a deep inhale of refreshed air. The central terminal wakes under the weight of a key press. Auxiliary Power Generator: Fully Operational. Radiation Shielding: Fully Operational. Primary Oxygen Filters: Fully Operational. On the screen, Noah reads "All errors have been corrected. Deactivate standby mode?" Anxious excitement creeps into his chest. His heart pounds. This is the moment he's been waiting for, the thing he has worked so hard to achieve, the realization of all the good and the bad he has done. It's all been worth it. For this moment. Right here. The new solar system must be beautiful. Noah presses "Yes." [['"It\'s finally time."'|Ending Path 2]] [['"Let\'s do this."'|Ending Path 2]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

The Clarke hums. Rouses from its slumber. There is sound and movement, some of it obvious – still-dark screens finally coming to life, automated doors opening completely – though most of it unseen. None of that matters. All Noah cares about are the shutters over the massive viewport, collapsing on themselves. He stares intently as slowly, gradually, they reveal the area of space that will be his new home. Humanity's new home. They rise and rise and rise until they lay bare- Nothing. Beyond the viewport lies nothing. [[Stare blankly.|Ending Path 3]] [[Approach the viewport.|Ending Path 3]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio sfx_endingPath_2 play>>

Noah feels numb. Beyond the viewport lies the vastness of space. Where a bright blue sun orbited by four planets is meant to be instead churn clouds of dust. Oranges, pinks, blues swirl within nebulae around asteroid groups. Beyond that: Darkness. Darkness and stars. But asteroids cannot be settled. Nebulae cannot be homes. "No." Sprinting to the main terminal, Noah's hands are a blur typing commands on the keyboard. He runs the destination protocol. He runs it again. Displayed on the screens are maps and diagrams and projections illustrating multiple perspectives on the path that The Clarke took – or was supposed to take – to the solar system Aspens-3. And according to every one of these projections, the journey went perfectly as planned. This is Aspens-3. Everything he's ever done has been for nothing. Nothing. <<link [["Dammit!" Noah screams.|Ending Path 4]]>> <<set $choice to 1>> <</link>> <<link [["No..." Noah says tearfully.|Ending Path 4]]>> <<set $choice to 2>> <</link>> <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio "music_ending" play>>

<<if $choice is 1>>\ His angry voice echoes around the chamber. \ <<elseif $choice is 2>>\ He stands bent over the central terminal, his head hanging powerlessly. \ <</if>>\ A million explanations run through his mind at once. It could have been a supernova that destroyed the solar system. It could have been a rogue planet or black hole that disrupted its equilibrium. It could have been anything. Out of the corner of Noah's eye blink words on the terminal. "Begin 'Wake Up' Protocol." It doesn't matter what happened. The Clarke and the people on board underwent a millennium long journey to get here. It wouldn't — couldn’t — withstand another millennium. And there aren’t enough resources to go back into stasis. There is no returning to Earth. All that matters is what Noah does now. He is the chief engineer. The single colonist awake. He's the only one who can make the final decision. [["What do I do?"|Ending Path 5]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

Suspense hangs like smoke in the air. Then, abruptly, he slams against the keyboard to select, "Yes." Lines of code swim across the screen before it goes blank. All is quiet again. Noah rests his back against the central terminal and slides down into a seating position, his eyes fixed on the open door leading to the empty hallway. The Clarke is his life. All his hopes and dreams poured into one ship. His mistakes. This is his wrong to right, and he may spend an eternity making amends to the people he has doomed. And he begins by giving them the truth. Noah thinks of Luther, whose heart he broke for his dream. Noah thinks of Megan, who he abandoned for his dream. Noah thinks of Demetrius, who he betrayed for his dream. He imagines a life in which he did right by them. A life that they were a part of. Time passes. Noise creeps up, louder and louder. Voices. Excitement. A figure appears in the door frame nearby. The captain. His smile beams. Behind him are countless colonists waiting to see their new home. The captain looks at Noah with anticipation. He shakes his head. The smile on the captain's face melts into a visage of dread. Noah knows it well. Despite it all, he finds solace in at least a single fact: Noah ventured to distant stars. [[The End|Credits]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div> <<audio "sfx_wakeEnding_1" play>>

Silence fills the air. The unbearable weight of acceptance sits on Noah's chest as he rests his back against the rear of the central terminal and slides into a seated position. His arms lay limp against the floor. The Clarke is his life. All of his hopes and dreams poured into one ship. His mistakes. This is his burden to bear and no one else's. It isn't right for the rest of the colonists to shoulder the burden as well. He will spare them the pain he feels in this moment. Of despair, of failure. Noah thinks of Luther, whose heart he broke for his dream. Noah thinks of Megan, who he abandoned for his dream. Noah thinks of Demetrius, who he betrayed for his dream. He imagines a life in which he did right by them. A life they were a part of. Space outside the viewport. A mixture of colors, beautiful colors shifting in the place that should be his new home. Stars glittering in the beyond. Blissfully eternal. Despite it all, he finds solace in at least a single fact: Noah ventured to distant stars. [[The End|Credits]] <div class="PauseMessage">Press ESC for menu</div>

<center><u>Creator</u> Prestyn Price (@blurrycrockpot) <u>Writing</u> Jerrell Nolen (@babyjerrell) Prestyn Price <u>Narrative/Game Design</u> Prestyn Price <u>Music/Sound Design</u> Joe Bretz (@reverbinthevoid) <u>Programming</u> Prestyn Price <u>Cover Art</u> Igzell (igzell.com) <u>Logo</u> Eduardo Valdés-Hevia <u>Editing</u> Milo Unkel (@computertooth) Isa Party (@isaprty) </center>\ [[Return to Title Menu|init]]

"Don't leave me!" [[Stay on Earth.|False Ending Megan]] [[Leave the planet.|Shielding Ending]]

"Put me back on The Clarke." [[Allow Demetrius to take the voyage.|False Ending Demetrius]] [[Remain on the ship.|Filters Ending]]

Wake up the colonists and allow them to know the truth? Or keep them in stasis forever and spare them an eternity of drifting through space? [[Wake up the colonists.|Wake Ending 1]] [[Keep the colonists in stasis.|Stasis Ending 1]]

/puts in game's memory