A Death in Hyperspace

{ (if:$endings > 0)[(display: "Startup")] <h1>A Death in Hyperspace</h1> <div class = "main-links">(if: $linkset_visited is false)[ [[begin->linkset]] ](else:)[ [[begin]] ]— (if: $endings > 0)[(link:"save game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ (if: (saved-games:) contains "Slot A")[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn't save your game. ] ]] —] (if: (saved-games: ) contains "Slot A")[ (link: "load game")[(load-game:"Slot A")] ](else:)[load game]</div> <div class="main-links">[[content notes ->Content Notes]] — [[credits]] — [[endings]]</div> }

{ <h1 class="center">I. A Death</h1> “People die all the time. Life is a lot more fragile than we think. So you should treat others in a way that leaves no regrets.” — Haruki Murakami, “Dance, Dance, Dance” “People die all the time for all different kinds of reasons. I wouldn’t worry if I were you.” — Joseph Fink [[Continue]](if: $endings > 0)[ — (link: "Skip Intro")[(track: 'harmonies', 'stop')(go-to: "it doesn’t matter")] ] — [[How Does this Work?->Tutorial]] }

{ <h1 class="center">Help</h1> <h2>How to Play</h2> See the [[tutorial screen->Tutorial]] for an explanation of gameplay. <h2 class="center">Character Hints and Walkthroughs</h2> Warning: hints may contain spoilers. Walkthroughs explicitly state where to find character clues, where and how frequently characters appear, and when characters will stop talking to you. Avoid this section if you want to solve the game on your own! <h3>Captain Chōl</h3> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Captain Chōl is dead, but that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to him… in certain circumstances.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Captain Chōl is only ever on the bridge. To unlock his ending, you need to complete the game at least once. Doing this will allow you to speak to him. His physical clue is the cup of tea on the bridge. To find his conversational clue, speak to him again and select "I can’t lie to myself anymore. I have to admit that you simply died.”] <h3>Ceri Bonarjee</h3> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Ceri Bonarjee perceives Pearl as her child, and the ship environment as an elaborate game she is playing. She does not appreciate being accused of things by her “child.” Her physical clue is in a place of play and relaxation, and her conversational clue belongs to another crew member who is somewhat dismissive of Pearl’s capabilities.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Ceri can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Mess Hall (frequently)</li><li>Hydroponics (frequently)<li>Rec Room (commonly)</li><li>Crew Quarters (commonly)</li><li>Engineering Underdeck (rarely)</li><li>Med Bay (rarely)</li><li>Storage (rarely)</li></ul>Ceri will stop speaking to you if you select the following dialogue options:<ul><li>“Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.”</li><li>“Confess! Admit that you killed him!”</li></ul>Her physical clue is Mr Num Nums, found in the rec room. To find her conversational clue, complete Lament Tynes’ first dialogue, speak to her again, and select “Am I… Am I a child, Lament?”] <h3>Chan Mohammed<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Chan Mohammed has a dark past and wants to atone for it to assuage their feelings of guilt. They may lose interest if approached politely. Their physical clue is in a place of greenness and leisure, and their conversational clue belongs to a crew member who pays close attention to bodies and minds.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Chan Mohammed can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Garden Deck (frequently)</li><li>Storage (frequently)<li>Crew Quarters (commonly)</li><li>Mess Hall (commonly)</li><li>Engineering Underdeck (rarely)</li><li>Med Bay (rarely)</li><li>Hydroponics (rarely)</li></ul>Chan will stop speaking to you if you select the following dialogue options:<ul><li>“I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.”</li></ul>Their physical clue is a notebook, found in the Garden Deck. To find their conversational clue, complete Tssin Frrrin’s first dialogue, speak to him again, and select Have you ever thought that there was something a little odd about Chan Mohammed?”] <h3>Keen Oculus<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>There are no specific hints for Keen Oculus.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Keen Oculus can be found in the following rooms:<li>Engineering Underdeck (frequently)</li><li>Storage (frequently)<li>Hydroponics (commonly)</li><li>Crew Quarters (commonly)</li><li>Rec Room (rarely)</li><li>Mess Hall (rarely)</li><li>Med Bay (rarely)</li></ul>Keen Oculus is a red herring and does not have dialogue, clues, or an ending.] <h3>Lament Tynes<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Lament Tynes sorely wants to return home, and views any obstacle to that goal as an attack. Her physical clue lies in a place that is off limits to some, and her conversational clue belongs to someone who does not always respect such limits.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Lament Tynes can be found in the following rooms:<li>Mess Hall (frequently)</li><li>Crew Quarters (frequently)<li>Rec Room (commonly)</li><li>Hydroponics (commonly)</li><li>Garden Deck (rarely)</li><li>Med Bay (rarely)</li><li>Storage (rarely)</li></ul>Lament will not stop speaking to you no matter which options you select.Her physical clue is the communicator found in the engineering underdeck. To find her conversational clue, complete Pax’s first dialogue, speak to him again, and select “Did you hear anything odd around the time my systems went out?”] <h3>Pax<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Pax is fleeing his more recent past, and does not wish to be caught and held to account for it. His physical clue can be found in a vast space, poorly monitored, and his conversational clue belongs to a crew member who knows about plants.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Pax can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Garden Deck (frequently)</li><li>Storage (frequently)<li>Engineering Underdeck (commonly)</li><li>Med Bay (commonly)</li><li>Hydroponics (rarely)</li><li>Mess Hall (rarely)</li><li>Passenger Quarters (rarely)</li></ul>Pax will not stop speaking to you no matter which dialogue options you select.His physical clue is the communicator found in storage. To find his conversational clue, complete Ceri Bonarjee’s first dialogue, speak to her again, and select “Do we have a plum tree on board?”] <h3>Petro<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Petro is haunted by a past trip through hyperspace -- not to mention more literally haunted by someone. He doesn’t appreciate being called a killer. His physical clue can be found in a place passengers frequent, and his conversational clue belongs to another short-term visitor on board.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Petro can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Garden Deck (frequently)</li><li>Passenger Quarters (frequently)<li>Med Bay (commonly)</li><li>Mess Hall (commonly)</li><li>Crew Quarters (rarely)</li><li>Hydroponics (rarely)</li><li>Rec Room (rarely)</li></ul>Petro will stop speaking to you if you select the following dialogue options:<ul><li>This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.</li></ul>His physical clue is a postcard, found in the passenger quarters. To find his conversational clue, complete Primus Cobalt’s first dialogue, speak to him again, and select “The other passenger — Petrondeus Marinis… Have you ever noticed him talking to someone who isn’t there?”] <h3>Primus Cobalt<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Primus Cobalt is not entirely what he seems. His physical clue can be found in a place of sustenance, and his conversational clue belongs to another short-term visitor on board] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Primus Cobalt can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Mess Hall (frequently)</li><li>Passenger Quartres (frequently)<li>Garden Deck (commonly)</li><li>Rec Room (commonly)</li><li>Hydroponics (rarely)</li><li>Med Bay (rarely)</li><li>Storage (rarely)</li></ul>His physical clue is a medal, found in the mess hall. To find his conversational clue, complete Petro’s first dialogue, speak to him again, and select “The other passenger—Primus Cobalt… Has he ever talked about his background to you? Maybe mentioned a service record?”] <h3>Tssin Frrrin<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Tssin Frrrin is a dedicated doctor, but his drives aren’t entirely human and he doesn’t always get along with Captain Chol. He does not appreciate being called a killer. His physical clue is in a place filled with equipment, and his conversational clue belongs to another crew member who doesn’t see eye to eye with the captain.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Tssin Frrrin can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Garden Deck (frequently)</li><li>Med Bay (frequently)<li>Crew Quarters (commonly)</li><li>Passenger Quarters (commonly)</li><li>Hydroponics (rarely)</li><li>Mess Hall (rarely)</li><li>Storage (rarely)</li></ul>Tssin will stop speaking to you if you select the following dialogue options:<ul><li>“I’m back, murderer.”</li><li>“This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.</li></ul>His physical clue is a vial of stingers, found in the med bay. To find his conversational clue, complete Until Tomorrow’s first dialogue, speak to her again, and select “Did you ever witness Tssin and the captain get into an argument?”] <h3>Until Tomorrow<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>Until Tomorrow’s appearance and conscience may be spotless, but her history is not necessarily squeaky clean. She doesn’t appreciate being called out on this. Her physical clue can be found in a place with flowers, and her conversational clue belongs to another crew member who engages in physical labor.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>Until Tomorrow can be found in the following rooms:<ul><li>Garden Deck (frequently)</li><li>Engineering Underdeck (frequently)<li>Hydroponics (commonly)</li><li>Storage (commonly)</li><li>Med Bay (rarely)</li><li>Mess Hall (rarely)</li><li>Passenger Quarters (rarely)</li></ul>Until will stop speaking to you if you select the following dialogue options:<ul><li>“In the end we’re all dead. I just hope for your sake you didn’t show Captain Chōl his end.”</li></ul>Her physical clue is a mortar and pestle, found in hydroponics. To find her conversational clue, complete Chan Mohammed’s first dialogue, speak to them again, and select “I overheard Until Tomorrow saying maintenance has taken a nosedive recently. Is that really true?”] <h3>VX2s-K3r BÆSDF (VKB/Bae)<h3/> (link-replace: "Show hints")[<h4>Hints</h4>There are no specific hints for VKB.] (link-replace: "Show walkthrough")[<h4>Walkthrough</h4>VKB can be found in the following rooms:<li>Garden Deck (frequently)</li><li>Hydroponics (frequently)<li>Med Bay (commonly)</li><li>Storage (commonly)</li><li>Crew Quarters (rarely)</li><li>Engineering Underdeck (rarely)</li><li>Mess Hall (rarely)</li></ul>VKB is a red herring and does not have dialogue, clues, or an ending.] }

{ <hr /> [[Explore the Ship]] — [[Check the Roster]] — [[Adjust Your Murderboard->murderboard]] (if: $numMet > 0)[ (link:"Solve the Mystery")[(go-to:"Hypothesize")] ](else:)[Solve the Mystery] — Time Remaining: (if: $noTime is true)[∞](else:)[ |amount2>[00:(if:$minutes < 10)[0(print:$minutes)](else:)[(print:$minutes)]:(if:$seconds < 10)[0(print:$seconds)](else:)[(print:$seconds)]]] (live: 1s)[ (set: $musicCounter to it + 1) (set: $moveCounter to it + 1) (if: $moveCounter is 300)[(display:"randomize")(set: $moveCounter to 0)] (if: (passage:)'s tags does not contain "hide-footer")[ (if: $noTime is false)[ (set: $counter to it - 1) (set: $minutes to $counter / 60) (set: $minutes to (trunc: $minutes)) (set: $seconds to $counter % 60) (if: $counter is 0)[ (replace: ?amount2)[00:00:00](go-to: "alert") ] (else:)[ (replace: ?amount2)[00:(if:$minutes < 10)[0(print:$minutes)](else:)[(print:$minutes)]:(if:$seconds < 10)[0(print:$seconds)](else:)[(print:$seconds)]]] ] ] (if: $musicCounter is 110)[ (set: $musicCounter to 1) (if: (track: 'ambiance', 'isplaying'))[ (track: 'ambiance', 'fadeout', 10) (track: 'soundscape', 'fadein', 30) ] (else-if: (track: 'soundscape', 'isplaying'))[ (track: 'soundscape', 'fadeout', 10) (track: 'orion', 'fadein', 30) ] (else:)[ (if: (track: 'orion', 'isplaying'))[(track: 'orion', 'fadeout', 10)] (track: 'ambiance', 'fadein', 30) ] ] ] }

{ (if: $firstExplore is false)[Your system is back online, but there seem to be a few lasting effects of the black-out. You can tell where there are people, but you can’t tell who those people are unless you focus on a specific room. Most inconvenient!(set: $firstExplore to true)](else:)[(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[You yawn as you walk through the halls of your home. So… bored…But maybe you can make it a little more interesting.](else:)[You cast your senses out amongst your rooms.]] Check (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[Your Da’s Office->the bridge]].](else:)[ [[The Bridge->the bridge]].] (There’s only one person here — sort of.) Check (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[[[Your Bedroom->Crew Quarters]].](else:)[the [[Crew Quarters]].] ((if: $crewQNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $crewQNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check the (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[Garage->Engineering Underdeck]].](else:)[ [[Engineering Underdeck]].] ((if: $engineeringNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $engineeringNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[The Greenhouse->Hydroponics]].](else:)[ [[Hydroponics]].] ((if: $hydroponicsNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $hydroponicsNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check the (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[Garden->Garden Deck]].](else:)[ [[Garden Deck]].] ((if: $gardenNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $gardenNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check the (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[Toilet->Med-Bay]].](else:)[ [[Med-Bay]].] ((if: $medNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $medNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check the (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[Kitchen->Mess Hall]].](else:)[ [[Mess Hall]].] ((if: $messNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $messNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[your parents’ bedroom->Passenger Quarters]].](else:)[the [[Passenger Quarters]].] ((if: $passengerQNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $passengerQNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check the (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[ [[Sitting Room->Rec Room]].](else:)[ [[Rec Room]].] ((if: $recNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $recNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) Check (if:$ceriGuilt is 3)[[[The Side Shed->Storage]].](else:)[ [[Storage]].] ((if: $storageNum is 0)[It seems to be empty.](else-if: $storageNum is 1)[You can sense somebody here.](else:)[You can sense several people here.]) }

{ <h1 class="center">Credits</h1> <h2>License</h2> This game is released under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.en">CC-BY-NC-ND license</a>. You are free to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, so long as you provide proper credit to its creators, do not use the material for commercial purposes, and do not remix, transform, build on, or otherwise create derivatives of the material. If you have questions about this, please reach out to <a href="mailto:stewart.c.baker@gmail.com">Stewart C Baker</a>. <h2 class="center">Creative Team</h2> <ul class="credits"> <li class="author"> <a href="https://infomancy.net/" target="_blank">Stewart C Baker</a> — narrative design, writing, coding (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Stewart C Baker is an academic librarian and author of speculative fiction, poetry, and games. His most recent game is the Nebula-nominated //The Bread Must Rise// (with James Beamon), and his writing has appeared in //Asimov’s, Lightspeed, Nature, Modern Haiku//, and elsewhere. Born in England, Stewart lives in Oregon.] </li> <li class="author"><a href="https://phoebebartonsf.com/" target="_blank">Phoebe Barton</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Phoebe Barton is a queer trans science fiction writer. Her short fiction has appeared in venues such as //Analog//, //Lightspeed//, and //Kaleidotrope//, anthologies from Neon Hemlock and World Weaver Press, and she wrote the interactive fiction, Nebula Award-finalist game //The Luminous Underground// for Choice of Games. Her story “The Mathematics of Fairyland” won the Aurora Award for Best Short Story in 2022.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://fictigristle.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">James Beamon</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[James Beamon has an unbelievable past, mostly because he uses his spare time writing down fabrications to sell to others. That said, he’s been in the Air Force, to Iraq and Afghanistan, a Nebula finalist, and in trouble more times than he cares to honestly admit. But he doesn’t even try to sell honesty, claiming it doesn’t have a believable character arc. Currently he lives with his wife, son and attack cat in Virginia and invites you all to check out what he’s up to on Twitter (@WriterBeamon) or on his blog, fictigristle.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://www.kateheartfield.com/" target="_blank">Kate Heartfield</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Kate Heartfield is the author of several historical fantasy novels, including //The Tapestry of Time//, //The Embroidered Book// and //The Valkyrie//. She is also the author of the interactive fiction projects //The Road to Canterbury// and //The Magician’s Workshop//, both published through Choice of Games and both shortlisted for a Nebula award in game writing. She lives in Canada.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://www.isabel.kim/" target="_blank">Isabel J. Kim</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Isabel J. Kim is a Korean-American speculative fiction writer based in New York City. She is a Shirley Jackson Award winner, an Astounding Award finalist, and her short fiction has been published in //Clarkesworld//, //Lightspeed//, and //Strange Horizons//, among other venues. Her word has been reprinted in //2023 Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy// and //The Year’s Best Fantasy: Volume 2// and translated into Chinese and Japanese. When she’s not writing, she’s either practicing law or co-hosting her internet culture podcast Wow if True — both equally noble pursuits. Find her at isabel.kim or @isabeljkim on Twitter.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://sarasmessenger.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Sara S. Messenger</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Sara S. Messenger is a speculative fiction writer and poet from the US. Her short stories have been published in //Apex Magazine//, //Fantasy Magazine//, //PodCastle//, //Diabolical Plots//, and //Nightmare Magazine//. Her poetry has appeared in //Strange Horizons//. Her story “Potemora in the Triad” was reprinted in //The Year’s Best Fantasy, Volume 2//] </li> <li class="author"><a href="https://nacaratgames.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Naca Rat</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Naca Rat is a storyteller, game developer, and a dozen extra large rats in a trenchcoat, as well as the writer of //Teahouse of the Gods// from Choice of Games.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://www.natalia-theodoridou.com/" target="_blank">Natalia Theodoridou</a> — writing (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Natalia Theodoridou is a queer writer, editor, and game designer. He is the winner of Moniack Mhors 2022 Emerging Writer Award, the 2018 World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction, and has been a finalist for the Nebula Award three times (Novelette and Game Writing categories). He is also a Clarion West Graduate (class of 2018) and holds a PhD in Media & Cultural Studies from SOAS University of London. Natalia’s debut novel, //SOUR CHERRY//, is coming from Tin House (North America) and Wildfire (UK & Commonwealth) in April 2025.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://darusha.ca/" target="_blank">M. Darusha Wehm</a> — writing, UI/design (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[M. Darusha Wehm is the Nebula Award-nominated and Sir Julius Vogel Award-winning author of the interactive fiction game //The Martian Job//, over a dozen novels, several poems, and many short stories. Originally from Canada, Darusha lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand after spending several years sailing the Pacific.]</li> <li class="author"><a href="https://mercfennwolfmoor.carrd.co/" target="_blank">Merc Fenn Wolfmoor</a> — writing, cover art (link-replace:"Bio Statement")[Merc Fenn Wolfmoor is an ace/aro ADHD/autistic non-binary author from Minnesota. Merc is the author of several short story collections and the novella //The Wolf Among the Wild Hunt//. They have had short stories published in such fine venues as //Lightspeed, Fireside, Nightmare, Apex, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Escape Pod, Uncanny//, and more. They have been a Nebula Awards Finalist and have had short stories reprinted in several Year’s Best anthologies.]</li> </ul> <h2 class="center">Design Elements</h2> Music tracks “Futuristic Sci-fi Arpeggio,” “Intergalactic Ambiance,” “Nebula Soundscape,” “Orion Nebula 2,” “Serene Dreamscape,” and “Starlight Harmonies” by UNIVERSFIELD, available on <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/universfield/ambient-music" target="_blank">Free Music Archive</a> under a CC-BY-SA license and used here with permission from the artist. Music is enabled through ChapelR’s Harlowe Audio Library (HAL), <a href="https://github.com/ChapelR/harlowe-audio target="_blank">available on GitHub</a> and used here the terms of the <a href="https://github.com/ChapelR/harlowe-audio?tab=Unlicense-1-ov-file#readme" target="_blank">unlicense license</a>. Typeset in <a href="https://fonts.google.com/specimen/M+PLUS+Code+Latin" target="_blank">M Plus Code Latin</a>, created by Coji Morishita, and <a href="https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Merienda/about" target="_blank">Merienda</a>, created by Eduardo Tunni. Both are used here under the <a href="https://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&id=OFL">Open Font License</a>. Background image is “Sunburst,” created by <a href="https://pixabay.com/vectors/sunburst-starburst-fireworks-8066540/" target="_blank">Gordon Johnson</a> and used here under a <a href="https://pixabay.com" target="_blank">Pixabay content license</a>. Alternate background image is “Bodnant Gardens, Conwy, Wales, UK | Shaded River Bank with Azaleas,” created by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ukgardenphotos/5707505664">ukgardenphotos</a> and used here under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">CC-BY-NC-ND license</a>. Icons include Magnifying Glass by B. Agustín Amenábar Larraín and Next by Trident, both from <a href="https://thenounproject.com/browse/icons/" target="_blank">Noun Project</a> and both used under a CC BY 3.0 license. <h2 class="center">Playtesters</h2> A huge thanks to all our beta testers, including E.D.E. Bell, Minerva Cerridwen, Karen Chien, Summer Fletcher, Lauren Ring, and Xavier Warren. An extra huge thank you to Aletheia Knights for going above and beyond the call of beta testing duty! }

{ Sometimes, (link-reveal:"people die.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?actually)] |actually)[Actually, (link-reveal:"people die all the time.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?youknow)]] |youknow)[As (cycling-link: "a ship", "a fugitive ship", "a former warship"), you know this better than anyone. So why does it always catch you off guard? Why does it hurt so much when it’s (if: $blink_off is true)[[[someone you know]]?](else:)[(t8n-arrive:"flicker")+(t8n-time:3s)[[someone you know]]?]] }

{ Your processors stutter as you let yourself acknowledge that (link-reveal:"he’s really gone.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?without)] |without)[You’re a ship without (link-reveal:"a captain")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?captain)], now.] |captain)[It’s upsetting, but now that you’ve acknowledged the death, there’s no point delaying [[any further->next]].] }

{ (track: 'harmonies', 'fadeout', 15) And if your logs are any indicator, you’ve delayed plenty already. You’ve lost ten whole minutes of time — an eternity for a ship who can process events (link-reveal:"as fast as you can.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(transition-time: 3s)(show:?here)] |here)[Which leads you to your current situation: here, (seq-link:"in hyperspace","in an endless, shifting space outside of space","in the middle of nowhen","on the verge of panic","stuck inside your own systems"), with the corpse of your captain locked in the bridge so the rest of the crew and the passengers can’t meddle with the (link-reveal:"evidence.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(transition-time: 3s)(show:?evidence)]] |evidence)[ And there //must// be evidence. Because as an aficionado of mysteries and detective stories, you know there’s only one explanation: (link-reveal:"murder most foul.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(transition-time: 3s)(show:?murder)] |murder)[<hr /> [[Examine the Room]] — [[Examine your Logs]] — [[Examine the Body]]] ] }

{ A small, (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[converted closet in the back of the house, your da’s “office” is really just a glorified telly room with a comfy settee.](else:)[crescent-shaped room in the front of the ship, the bridge was designed to hold far more officers than a small freighter and passenger operation requires.] (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Even in your imagination, the only person here is your Da, who sits before the telly, snoring gently. With his big beard and relaxed posture, he’s the perfect model for Yobera Chōl, the recently deceased captain of //The Purloined Freighter//.](else:)[Although it’s always too big for your current crew, now it’s locked down, and the only (link-reveal: "person here")[ (if a body still counts as a person)] is Captain Chōl, who sits in his captain’s chair so peacefully a person might think he were resting. A ship, of course, knows better.] (if: $cholFirst is true and $cholObj is false)[(link-reveal:"A cup of his favorite tea")[(show:?tea)] sits before him on the captain’s console, still gently steaming.] |tea)[Lapsang souchong, brewed from actual leaves imported at great expense. You remember it was the first thing the captain ever bought once you were safely fled from the Somsei. How he never went a day without a cup. How he said that — other than you and (link-reveal:"his heart medication")[(show:?meds)] — it was the only thing that kept him going.] |meds)[Your processors stutter as you realize his medication isn’t where it should be — on the console near his tea, so he could remember to take it nightly. You send a cluster of nanobots out to look for it, and they report back sooner than you’d like: the captain’s pill bottle is on the floor beneath his chair, its lid knocked off and its contents scattered.Did he forget to take it? Have a heart attack despite it? You’re not sure it really matters.(Your ability to evaluate his death as natural has increased.)(set: $cholObj to true)] (if: $endings > 0)[[[Talk to Captain Chōl]]] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[More than any other room in the house, the kitchen smells like home. The spices Mum likes to use waft through the air, making your mouth water. You wonder how much longer it is until dinner.Until then, you guess this place will make a decent far-future mess hall, peopled by weird aliens and other suspicious folk.] (else:)[ The mess hall is a long space, dominated by two rows of long metal tables that were once gleaming but are now covered with graffiti scratched in by crew and passengers: messages, doodles, declarations of love, rude words in all languages. One of the ceiling lights, off in the far corner, hasn’t worked in forever, so that corner tends to be a bit (link-reveal:"dim and depressing")[ — or at least, so passengers are always telling you]. It’s such a low priority that you’ve never gotten around to fixing it, and it occasionally blinks back to life for a few seconds at a time. From the galley that runs alongside, there’s a pervasive smell of overcooked vegetable matter, with an overlay of cleaning fluid.] (if: $primusFirst is true and $primusObj is false)[A (link-reveal: "shiny piece of metal")[(show:?medal)] on the floor attracts your attention.] |medal)[You focus your camera on the metal, your processors stuttering when you realize it’s a Somsei medal. Worse, your database confirms it’s for Valorous Combat: Dreadnaught Division. You recall the Dreadnaughts as fearless, bloodthirsty, always in the thick of things. They created a lot of bodies floating in the vacuum of space, were responsible for some of the scenes that made Captain Chōl lose his taste for the Somsei’s endless wars. Luckily, Captain Chōl was not Dreadnaught — they seemed to be fueled on honor, duty and valor. They would have never left that senseless fight as Captain Chōl did. Your sensors pick up a tear where it’s come loose from someone’s uniform. All that remains of the name is “…lt” but you’re a smart ship. You can figure out the rest.(Your ability to evaluate Primus Cobalt’s guilt has increased.)(set: $primusObj to true)] (if: $baeRoom is 1)[VKB is here. Ze’s bent over a plate of raw labgrown meat. Then—wait, where’s the plate? Were those //teeth//? [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 1)[(set: $ceriRand to (random: 1, 3))Ceri Bonarjee is here(if: $ceriRand is 1)[. She’s chopping garlic and onions, muttering to herself in a polyglot mixture of Bangla, Cymraeg, Nju Prime, and several other tongues.](else-if: $ceriRand is 2)[, testing a new recipe for sauce—from the sour look on her face, it’s not going well.](else:)[, sketching one of the crew in an unguarded moment and humming peacefully to herself.] [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $chanRoom is 1)[Chan Mohammed is here(if: $messNum > 1)[, sitting alone and eating a tasteless but nutritionally complete meal block.](else:)[. They have waited for everyone else in the mess to clear out, and are now filling a water bottle from the ethanol dispenser.] [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $keenRoom is 1)[Keen Oculus is here. They are sitting in a booth, their face visor displaying GO AWAY in red pixels. [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 1)[(set: $lamentRand to (random: 1, 3))Lament Tynes is here(if: $lamentRand is 1)[, sitting at a table near the back and studying a tablet.](else-if: $lamentRand is 2)[. She’s pacing between the tables, deep in thought.](else:)[, picking at a limp and mostly green salad.] [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $paxRoom is 1)[Pax is here, shoveling cereal in his face with the lights off. [[Talk to Pax]].] (if: $petroRoom is 1)[(set: $petroRand to (random: 1, 2))Petrondeus Marinis is here(if: $petroRand is 1)[. He is sitting at one of the metal tables, staring at the flickering light on the ceiling.](else:)[, reducing the food item on his plate into a mess of brown goo. ] [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $primusRoom is 1)[(set: $primusRand to (random: 1, 3))Primus Cobalt is here(if: $primusRand is 1)[. He is standing in front of the menu, sneering at it and shaking his head disdainfully.](else-if: $primusRand is 2)[, standing in the far corner while staring up at the broken overhead light and shaking his head disdainfully.](else:)[, sitting at one of the long metal tables and staring disdainfully at the menu as if hard glares will change what’s on it.] [[Talk to Primus]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 1)[Tssin Frrrin is here, sipping on a carton of glutinous meal replacement. [[Talk to Tssin]].] (if: $untilRoom is 1)[Until Tomorrow is here. She’s sitting at the end of a table, eating some kind of vegetable slurry and glaring at the flickering light in the corner. [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[The sitting room walls are lined with photos of your family that you’ve seen so many times they barely register. An overflowing bookshelf holds some of your mum’s beloved mystery novels, at least half of which you’ve flipped through out of boredom.You wish you really were //The Purloined Freighter//, and this was your rec room, filled with a mix of futuristic entertainments and old fashioned books.You let your mind bring the place alive…] (else:)[ The rec room is filled with media and games both physical and digital, as well as exercise equipment to help relieve the tedium of deep space and/or hyperspace. Because you are who you are, there’s a lot of stuff in the mystery genre, but there are plenty of other options to explore as well, especially in digital format. There used to be a sauna, but it hasn’t worked for years and it’s been converted into a small virtual reality chamber for crew and passengers to immerse themselves in a game world of their choosing — if only for a little while. ] (if: $ceriFirst is true and $ceriObj is false)[High on a shelf, you see a well-loved plush rabbit. (link-reveal: "Why, it’s Mr Num-Nums!")[(show: ?num)]] |num)[(set: $ceriObj to true)You haven’t thought about him in years, but he’s not forgotten you. Just looking at his fuzzy tail and worn-smooth belly reminds you of green hills, summer rains, and the sound of birds singing. How strange…(Your ability to evaluate Ceri Bonarjee’s story has increased.)] (if: $baeRoom is 2)[VKB is here. Ze slides out from the converted sauna, zir edges wobbling with a semi-liquid texture. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 2)[(set: $ceriRand to (random: 1, 2))(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Your Mum](else:)[Ceri Bonarjee] is here(if: $ceriRand is 1)[. She’s (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[tapping something into her mobile, a faint frown](else:)[plugged herself in to the VR suite directly, a distant smile] on her face.](else:)[, flipping through a book called //Homicide and Halo-Halo// and grinning to herself as she reads.] [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $keenRoom is 2)[Keen Oculus is here, slowly pedaling a stationary low-grav bike, their face visor displaying BUSY in red pixels. [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 2)[(set: $lamentRand to (random: 1, 2))Lament Tynes is here(if: $lamentRand is 1)[, losing a violent confrontation with a pinball machine.](else:)[. She’s running on the treadmill.] [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $petroRoom is 2)[Petrondeus Marinis is here. He is reading novel reviews, hoping to find the most boring one to use as a sleeping aid. [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $primusRoom is 2)[(set: $primusRand to (random: 1, 2))Primus Cobalt is here(if: $primusRand is 1)[, looking at the overwhelming amount of mystery titles and shaking his head disdainfully.](else:)[, looking at the former sauna turned virtual reality chamber and shaking his head disdainfully.] [[Talk to Primus]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Your mum’s greenhouse is supposed to be off limits, but you know from long experience that she doesn’t mind terribly as long as you don’t touch things. Inside, the air is hot and oppressive, with none of the breezes and clouds that make the midsummer sun bearable out in the garden.When you were younger, you used to pretend it was a jungle, but you’re much more mature than that now. This is clearly a hydroponic garden, set in a ring that goes around the midsection of //The Purloined Freighter//. Yes. You can see it in your mind’s eye, populated by excitingly different people — any one of whom could be a murderer.] (else:)[ Part farm, part oxygenator, hydroponics is a humid, green ring that slowly rotates around the ship’s midsection. It’s one of the few parts of the ship where people can walk in a straight line for more than a few dozen meters, so a walkway down the middle of the racks of edible plants doubles as a jogging track.] (if: $untilFirst is true and $untilObj is false)[One of the (link-reveal:"irrigation system cores")[(show:?mortar)] is surrounded by tools — one of its panels looks a little loose.] |mortar)[(set: $untilObj to true)You send a few of your nanobots down to explore. Hidden away behind the panel is a smooth stone mortar and pestle, made of granite polished fine.It’s definitely not required for any kind of maintenance, and it’s not part of the med bay’s inventory, either. Most eyes wouldn’t see anything marring its surface, but your bots’ scanners are picking up organic residue still clinging fast. If you were to ask politely, this grey rock might tell you so much about flowers.(Your ability to evaluate Until Tomorrow’s guilt has increased.)] (if: $baeRoom is 3)[VKB is here, preparing the fertilizer emulsion. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 3)[(set: $ceriRand to (random: 1, 3))(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Your mum](else:)[Ceri Bonarjee] is here(if: $ceriRand is 1)[. She’s parked amongst the herbs, rubbing basil leaves between her fingers and humming meditatively.](else-if: $ceriRand is 2)[. She’s wheeling her chair (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[slowly between the greenhouse’s narrow aisles](else:)[down the path at a breakneck pace], clearly looking for something.](else:)[, adding a watercolour wash to a sketch of tomato vines wrapped around a trellis.] [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $chanRoom is 3)[Chan Mohammed is here. They’re walking along the central track, slowly and ponderously, admiring the plants. [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $keenRoom is 3)[(set: $keenRand to (random: 1, 2))Keen Oculus is here(if: $keenRand is 1)[, in the middle of swapping out a carbon filter in one of the purification pods.](else:)[. They stand in front of one of the huge, clunky oxygenation units, face visor displaying a yellow question mark.] [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 3)[(set: $lamentRand to (random: 1, 2))Lament Tynes is here(if: $lamentRand is 1)[. She’s jogging on the track, and not even out of breath.](else:)[, doing some runner’s stretches.] [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $paxRoom is 3)[Pax is here. He’s picking fruit off a vine, looking around cautiously for any passersby. [[Talk to Pax]].] (if: $petroRoom is 3)[Petrondeus Marinis is here, walking across the walkway as slowly as humanly possible. [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $primusRoom is 3)[Primus Cobalt is here. He is walking on the track, eyeing the vegetables disdainfully and shaking his head. [[Talk to Primus]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 3)[Tssin Frrrin is here, snipping at a bushel of bright pink flowers with small shears. [[Talk to Tssin]].] (if: $untilRoom is 3)[(set: $untilRand to (random: 1, 2))Until Tomorrow is here(if: $untilRand is 1)[. She’s got one of the irrigation systems disassembled, and is surrounded by tools and testing gear.](else:)[, patrolling the growing stations and inspecting each leaf as she passes.] [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[The garage is filled with tools and your Da’s workbench, as well as the washing machine and clothesline. It’s technically off-limits, unless you’re helping Mum or Da with chores, but you’re bored out of your mind. Besides, a ship would have cameras everywhere, even in someplace as rarely visited as (you decide) its engineering underdeck. But rarely visited doesn’t mean abandoned, necessarily. Who could you imagine meeting in such a place as this?] (else:)[ Not so much a deck as a crawlspace, the engineering underdeck travels the length and breadth of the ship. Crammed between the main deck and the storage in the underbelly, it’s full of wiring, maintenance accesses, air ducts, and twisty little passages. At the stern, the underdeck opens up into a cavernous multi-storey space where the engines and associated machinery are housed. Usually only your engineering crew are allowed here, but sometimes other people get in.] (if: $lamentFirst is true and $lamentObj is false)[You notice a still-green leaf on the floor of an access passage. Above it, tucked into some loose wiring, there’s (link-reveal:"a small shiny object")[(show: ?communicator)].] |communicator)[You examine the object. It looks like the communications earpiece the captain usually wears, but the resonator portion is strangely twisted, as if someone or something strong has warped it. You’re not sure who, but the leaf suggests that whoever it was frequently visits the garden room and hydroponics ring.(Your ability to evaluate Lament Tynes’s story has increased.)(set: $lamentObj to true)] (if: $baeRoom is 6)[A iridescent shimmer floats behind a bundle of wires—ah, VKB’s here. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 6)[Ceri Bonarjee is here, (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[putting some dirty clothes in the wash with a tired look on her face](else:)[discreetly picking some of the mushrooms that grow around the aft water condenser]. [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $chanRoom is 6)[Chan Mohammed is here, lashing up a heavy strut to provide access to a leaking conduit underneath. [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $keenRoom is 6)[(set:$keenRand to (random: 1,3))Keen Oculus is here(if: $keenRand is 1)[. They’re crouched before a large circuit board strung with wires and glowing lights, a data cable plugged from their visor into a data port.](else-if: $keenRand is 2)[. They are unscrewing a wall panel, an >:[ expression displayed on their face visor. ](else:)[. They lie on their back under a mess of cables, arm-deep in the chaos.] [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $paxRoom is 6)[Pax is here, slumped against a piece of machinery with his eyes closed. [[Talk to Pax]].] (if: $untilRoom is 6)[(set:$untilRand to (random: 1,3))Until Tomorrow is here(if: $untilRand is 1)[, untangling a nest of wires and grumbling about how they’re all alike.](else-if: $untilRand is 2)[ at an open panel, replacing old parts and spraying away dust with compressed air.](else:)[, tending to the engine machinery, patting the housings and whispering softly.] [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Ah, the downstairs toilet. If any room in this boring house shows its age, it’s this one. The fixture is run down and the faucets leak no matter how you tighten them. The mirror is one of those cabinets that holds medicines, but it’s locked (of course) and the whole room smells strongly of the floral soap your grandma likes most.Boring, boring, boring! With nothing but the power of your imagination, you transform it to //The Purloined Freighter//’s rundown med-bay, full of futuristic medical equipment and excitingly alien bits and pieces.Much better. What can you find here? Who will you see?] (else:)[ A cramped metal room packed with medical equipment, the med-bay was once the pride of your medical officers. Now, much of it looks outdated, old models with dull paint that was once brightly colored – there’s no “state of the art” here any more. Many of the pieces are obviously not meant to work together, from different manufacturers in different sizes and languages, but have been wired together by a stubborn hand. There’s a rumpled bedroll and a massive toolbox under the reticulated operating table, and a meticulously kept chart of (link-replace:"unknown significance")[unknown significance (And yeah, as a ship, it kind of baffles you that even you can’t tell what the chart means)] taped to the back of the door. Despite the shabbiness of the equipment entire, most of it looks well-maintained, even if there is a coating of dust on some of the back racks.] (if: $tssinFirst is true and $tssinObj is false)[Under the operating table, (link-reveal: "a glint of something")[(show:?stingers)] catches your eye.] |stingers)[(set: $tssinObj to true)You send a nanobot down for a closer look. There—tangled in the folds of Tssin’s bedroll. A glass vial. Against the silver insulation fabric, something dark lies scattered in the vial. Dead ants? No. You switch the bot’s camera to macro. Could those be… bee stingers?(Your ability to evaluate Tssin Frrrin’s guilt has increased.)] (if: $baeRoom is 9)[VKB is here. Ze is pushing a bundle of Ufyelda Fumewort outside zir body and into an empty box on the storage rack. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 9)[Ceri Bonarjee is here, putting some burn ointment on her wrist with an exasperated expression on her face. [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $chanRoom is 9)[Chan Mohammed is here, getting a tune up on one of their manipulator actuators. [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $keenRoom is 9)[Keen Oculus. They squat beside an old blood-transfusion machine, carefully replacing a sensor chip. [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 9)[Lament Tynes is here looking for something. [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $paxRoom is 9)[(set: $paxRand to (random: 1, 2))Pax is here(if: $paxRand is 1)[, pilfering bandaids and badly patching his hands.](else:)[. He’s examining his bruise in a mirror, gingerly dabbing on some ointment.] [[Talk to Pax]].] (if: $petroRoom is 9)[(set: $petroRand to (random: 1, 2))Petrondeus Marinis is here(if: $petroRand is 1)[. He walks in and loudly complains about the worst headache in history, to no one in particular.](else:)[, examining the medicine racks with a hopeful look on his face. ] [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $primusRoom is 9)[Primus Cobalt is here. He is sitting at the machine that takes basic vitals and shaking his head at his own blood pressure disdainfully. [[Talk to Primus]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 9)[(set: $tssinRand to (random: 1, 3))Tssin Frrrin is here(if: $tssinRand is 1)[. He’s rolled under a warning-orange body scanner, toolbox scattered by his elbow.](else-if: $tssinRand is 2)[. He’s wiping down the operating table, though it gleams cleanly already.](else:)[, jotting down notes on a floral mixture he’s heating inside a glass beaker.] [[Talk to Tssin]].] (if: $untilRoom is 9)[Until Tomorrow is here. She’s wrestling with two incompatible pieces of medical equipment and cursing soft but sharp. [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Your bedroom looks the same as always. White paint on the ceiling, turquoise on the walls. Old books you whiled away your childhood days with line a bookshelf, while your manga and drawing supplies lie scattered on your desk, where a notebook lies open to a half-finished picture of Sophie from //Howl’s Moving Castle//.You could finish that, you guess. But you’re not quite done exploring //The Purloined Freighter//. Not yet.You imagine what kind of people would be living on such a ship, here in the crew quarters.] (else:)[These former barracks have been converted into crew quarters, and are utilitarian in design. Each room has a bed, a small bathroom with a shower, and an even smaller living area. Most members of the crew have done their best to make their quarters their own, with reminders of home, favorite plants, throw rugs, and the like, but there’s really only so much that can be done to hide the drab, repressive nature. Still, you keep telling your crew it could be worse: in your Somsei days, these used to sleep ten soldiers a room.] (if: $baeRoom is 5)[VKB is here, flattened into a shallow pool atop zir bed. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 5)[(set: $ceriRand to (random: 1, 2))Ceri Bonarjee is here(if: $ceriRand is 1)[, resting in her bed with her eyes closed and her breathing even.](else:)[. She’s working on a poem, crossing out words and jotting down new ones.] [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $chanRoom is 5)[(set: $chanRand to (random: 1, 2))Chan Mohammed is here(if: $chanRand is 1)[. They are at the desk in their quarters, reading an applied quantum mechanics textbook.](else:)[. They are quickly walking to their room, avoiding the rest of the crew.] [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $keenRoom is 5)[(set: $keenRand to (random: 1, 2))Keen Oculus is here(if: $keenRand is 1)[, hunched over a tiny desk while they reassemble an old fashioned data uplink hub.](else:)[. They lie on their bunk, reading a paperback manual for hydroponic waste recycling.] [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 5)[(set: $lamentRand to (random: 1, 3))Lament Tynes is here(if: $lamentRand is 1)[, lying on her bed and pretending to be asleep.](else-if: $lamentRand is 2)[. She’s cross-legged on the floor, trying to fix a comms device.](else:)[, brushing her hair while watching a family video on her tablet.] [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $petroRoom is 5)[Petrondeus Marinis is here. He’s just walked in, and is clearly realizing he’s in the wrong room. [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 5)[(set: $tssinRand to (random: 1, 2))Tssin Frrrin is here(if: $tssinRand is 1)[. He’s sitting in an old armchair in the common room, idly marking a crossword puzzle.](else:)[. He’s stretching his legs by the mini-foosball table and glancing around hopefully.] [[Talk to Tssin]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Okay, you’re //definitely// not meant to be in your parents’ bedroom.But your mum is elsewhere, and Da’s still snoozing. So who’s going to stop you?You lie on the bed, feeling an illicit thrill that fades quickly enough, and then you sit again, turning the room into the passenger quarters on board //The Purloined Freighter//. Who might you encounter here, if you were a super-intelligent ship on a routine trip gone wrong?] (else:)[ Formerly officer quarters, the rooms you save for passengers are nicer and more spacious than the crew quarters–their passage is what’s paying for part of the crew’s salaries, after all. They’re vaguely impersonal and a little shabby, but as clean and comfortable as anyone might expect on a passenger ship of reasonable quality.] (if: $petroFirst is true and $petroObj is false)[There’s (link-reveal: "a rectangular piece of paper")[(show: ?postcard)] on the floor in one of the rooms, next to some discarded foil wrappers of the kind that hold sleeping medication.] |postcard)[On closer inspection, you identify the piece of paper as an old-fashioned postcard printed with a fluo-colored sunset and improbably lively palm trees. You’ve seen this postcard before. Captain Chōl received it years ago; he said it was from an old friend whose name he never shared with you. You glimpsed the writing on the back one time, when he left it on his desk. It said “Wish you could see this. Don’t forget me, yes? Write back.” followed by an address and signed “Captain N.” How did this postcard get here? You run a quick scan in ultraviolet, and are surprised to see Petro’s fingerprints on it, along with Captain Chōl’s.(set: $petroObj to true)(Your ability to evaluate Petro’s story has increased.)] (if: $baeRoom is 8)[VKB is here. In conversation with a passenger, ze’s displaying a stream of heliographic on zir skin. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $paxRoom is 8)[Pax is here. He’s stealing a jacket from a wardrobe. [[Talk to Pax]].] (if: $petroRoom is 8)[(set: $petroRand to (random: 1, 3))Petrondeus Marinis is here(if: $petroRand is 1)[, lying face-down on the floor and groaning softly. ](else-if: $petroRand is 2)[. He’s lying in the bed, not sleeping.](else:)[. He’s pacing the entire length of the room, holding his head, speaking to someone who is not there. ] [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $primusRoom is 8)[(set: $primusRand to (random: 1, 3))Primus Cobalt is here(if: $primusRand is 1)[. He is sitting on the bed examining old pictures and shaking his head disdainfully.](else-if: $primusRand is 2)[. He is watching news feeds, shaking his head at the current state of the galaxy disdainfully.](else:)[. He is staring at the viewport, which doesn’t work in hyperspace, and shaking his head disdainfully.] [[Talk to Primus]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 8)[(set: $tssinRand to (random: 1, 2))Tssin Frrrin is here(if: $tssinRand is 1)[, taking inventory of a small cabinet of first-aid supplies.](else:)[. He’s sitting and reading a maintenance manual next to a paper sign that says //THE DOCTOR IS IN!//] [[Talk to Tssin]].] (if: $untilRoom is 8)[Until Tomorrow is here, fixing a damaged panel in the wall, smiling, and whistling a jaunty tune. [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[The back garden is vast, having once been the creation of a well-known landscape designer from the Edwardian period. It was why Da fell so in love with this place, and a good part of why Mum agreed to buy it despite the price — and despite the various staircases and overgrown shrubberies that make the place a nightmare for her to travel around in.Of course, Da’s plans to revive the garden and turn the house into a bed and breakfast have come to naught. That’s always how Da is with things. Excitement giving way to frustration. “Tomorrow” giving way to “sometime soon” giving way to “when I get around to it.”Mum doesn’t seem to mind, anyway. She has her greenhouse, and the front garden is much more well-kept, and so she’s left this back part of the house alone. It’s the perfect place to imagine you’re on a ship trapped in hyperspace, looking down at a rundown garden deck designed for passengers and crew to spend some time in during transit.] (else:)[ Once the premiere selling feature for prospective passengers, the Garden Deck has lost its lustre in the last three decades. The benches are falling into disrepair and the decorative fountain is cracked and dry. Of course, your botanist keeps the plants themselves lush and well-tended, although some passengers seem to think (link-reveal:"it happens by itself")[ (You’re certainly not going to spoil the mystery!)]. The viewports that dot the outer walls don’t work in hyperspace, but the deck’s high ceiling feels a little less claustrophobic than the rest of the ship, and if a guest or crewmember is willing to rough it, a lovely hour or two can be spent among the greenery. It’s a fine spot to hide contraband, have an illicit assignation, or even stow away. And if that keeps people entertained, well… who are you to interfere?] (if: $chanFirst is true and $chanObj is false)[In an out-of-the way corner, nearly hidden by the underbrush, is (link-reveal: "a tattered paper notebook")[(show: ?notebook)]. It has fallen open so you can see the pages are taken up with dense scribbles.] |notebook)[The notebook is obviously well-worn and nearly full, the pages you can see covered in cribbed cursive ink writing that you recognize as Chan’s. You feel no compunction in reading it, even less so once you realize that the journal is filled with meticulous descriptions of violence. The detail and diversity are disturbing — could there be a connection with the captain’s death?(Your ability to evaluate Chan Mohammed’s story has increased.)(set: $chanObj to true)] (if: $baeRoom is 4)[VKB is here. Ze’s fondly petting the feathery fronds of an oversized //na’artoo-eth f. fariegata//. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $chanRoom is 4)[(set: $chanRand to (random: 1, 3))Chan Mohammed is here(if: $chanRand is 1)[, sitting underneath a large tree and reading a book on Ucchou philosphy.](else-if: $chanRand is 2)[. They are hidden in a small clearing surrounded by bushes, writing in a paper diary.](else:)[, leaned up against the bulkhead whilst sketching a leaf on their tablet.] [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 4)[Lament Tynes is here. She’s walking aimlessly, looking toward the plants but not really at the plants. [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $paxRoom is 4)[(set: $paxRand to (random: 1, 3))Pax is here(if: $paxRand is 1)[. He’s lying between two clumps of bushes, fast asleep.](else-if: $paxRand is 2)[. He’s eating a packet of crackers and getting crumbs all over his pants.](else:)[, scribbling in a notebook urgently.] [[Talk to Pax]]. ] (if: $petroRoom is 4)[(set: $petroRand to (random: 1, 3))Petrondeus Marinis is here(if: $petroRand is 1)[, standing in front of a monstera plant and staring at the leaves. ](else-if: $petroRand is 2)[. He’s walking a winding path between plants, speaking to someone in a spot your cameras can’t observe.](else:)[, sitting on one of the broken benches with his head in his hands.] [[Talk to Petro]].] (if: $primusRoom is 4)[(set: $primusRand to (random: 1,2))Primus Cobalt is here(if: $primusRand is 1)[, looking at the beautiful flowers and shaking his head disdainfully.](else:)[. He is looking at the dry, cracked decorative fountain and shaking his head disdainfully.] [[Talk to Primus]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 4)[(set: $tssinRand to (random: 1, 3))Tssin Frrrin is here(if: $tssinRand is 1)[, surreptitiously eating some lurid-purple flowers.](else-if: $tssinRand is 2)[. He’s admiring a lively colony of bees, hands clasped behind his back.](else:)[. He’s carefully dipping an eyedropper into a pitcher plant, humming tunelessly.] [[Talk to Tssin]].] (if: $untilRoom is 4)[(set: $untilRand to (random: 1, 3))Until Tomorrow is here(if: $untilRand is 1)[. She’s kneeling next to the fountain, imitating birdsong while patching a crack in it.](else-if: $untilRand is 2)[, lying on a broken bench and humming a monotone.](else:)[, leaning face-first against a tree with her eyes closed and groaning.] [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Filled with dust and spiders, the side shed is full of boxes that hold your mum’s extra paints, old canvases, paintbruches, and spiders. (Did you mention the spiders yet? There are plenty of those.)Although a more sqeaumish child might avoid the place, you like it here. It’s cool and quiet, nicely dark. Mum’s always despairing at how dusty you get your clothes when you come in, asking in exasperation how on earth you manage it. But she hasn’t stopped you yet, at least.You can easily imagine this dingy old shed as just part of a bigger space — the vast underbelly of //The Purloined Freighter//, filled with the secrets of its crew and passengers.] (else:)[ A behemoth beast of an underbelly space. A no-man’s-land with dim lights and labyrinthine racks (and a retractable loading bay, with little use unless at port.) Much of you is taken up with these storage bays, which carry the bulk of your larger cargo, and makes it very easy to fulfill your role as a carrier transporting shipments across deep space. There’s also space divided out for passengers and crew to stow items, as needed, as well as a high-security storage vault that requires adequate credentials to enter. Given the sheer amount of space, there are also gaps in even your ability to surveil every inch. Handy, for those of your passengers and crew who might be opportunistic or who feel the need to not be perceived for a while.] (if: $paxFirst is true and $paxObj is false)[There’s (link-reveal: "a communicator with a broken screen")[(show:?communicator)] lying on the floor, half-shoved under a pallet.] |communicator)[The screen of this communicator is cracked, as if someone stepped on it with the heel of their boot, but it’s still showing part of the last message sent — looks like it’s burned itself into the screen. You can’t make out much of the text itself, but the recipient is CLARIS. This is the fake name often used by the crime syndicate that operates out of the station where you started your journey. The one where you picked up Pax.(Your ability to evaluate Pax’s story has increased.)(set: $paxObj to true)] (if: $baeRoom is 7)[VKB is here. Ze engulfs two crates, preparing to roll away with them. [[Talk to VKB]].] (if: $ceriRoom is 7)[Ceri Bonarjee is here. She’s rifling through her storage locker, picking up tubes of paint and squinting at them before setting them down again. [[Talk to Ceri]].] (if: $chanRoom is 7)[(set: $chanRand to (random: 1, 3))Chan Mohammed is here(if: $chanRand is 1)[, checking the cargo against the manifest to prepare for the customs inspection on arrival.](else-if: $chanRand is 2)[, rearranging the cargo to make unloading more efficient.](else:)[, retrieving a stored parcel on behalf of a passenger.] [[Talk to Chan]].] (if: $keenRoom is 7)[(set: $keenRand to (random: 1, 3))Keen Oculus is here(if: $keenRand is 1)[, sorting through a plastic crate full of small machine parts.](else-if: $keenRand is 2)[. They sit atop a huge metal box, a welding gun glowing in the dimness while they cut into the container.](else:)[. They are busy replacing a heating core in an ancient model printer.] [[Talk to Keen]].] (if: $lamentRoom is 7)[Lament Tynes is here, striding through the large space with purpose. [[Talk to Lament]].] (if: $paxRoom is 7)[(set: $paxRand to (random: 1, 3))Pax is here(if: $paxRand is 1)[, reading a book and looking around every few seconds.](else-if: $paxRand is 2)[. He’s inspecting the safe, staring at it thoughtfully. ](else:)[, repairing a small piece of machinery with a hand tool.] [[Talk to Pax]].] (if: $primusRoom is 7)[Primus Cobalt is here. He is looking around, as if trying to figure out where his bags are stowed, and shaking his head disdainfully. [[Talk to Primus]].] (if: $tssinRoom is 7)[Tssin Frrrin is here, logging a withdrawal of medication outside the high-security vault. [[Talk to Tssin]].] (if: $untilRoom is 7)[(set: $paxRand to (random: 1, 2))Until Tomorrow is here(if: $paxRand is 1)[. She’s sorting through a parts container, grumbling while she looks for something.](else:)[. She’s walking alongside a rack of containers, stopping at each for a moment before moving on.] [[Talk to Until]].] }

{ (set:$bridgeClues to it + 1) (set:$bodyChecked to true) Captain Yobera Chōl (link-replace:"is")[//was//] a man in his later years, with a gruff manner and a bushy white beard. He sits in his captain’s chair so peacefully a person might think he were resting. A ship, of course, knows better. (if:$bridgeClues < 3)[ Examine the Body —(if: $roomChecked is false)[ [[Examine the Room]] ](else:)[ Examine the Room ]—(if: $logsChecked is false)[ [[Examine your Logs]]](else:)[Examine your Logs]](else:)[(t8n-arrive:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[[Look Elsewhere->II]]] }

{ (set:$bridgeClues to it + 1) (set:$roomChecked to true) A small, crescent-shaped room in the front of the ship, the bridge was designed to hold far more officers than a small freighter and passenger operation requires. Although it’s always too big for your current crew, now that you've locked it down it seems practically cavernous. You can’t see anything unusual anywhere, though. Well, unless you count Captain Chōl’s body. That’s pretty unusual. (if:$bridgeClues < 3)[(if: $bodyChecked is false)[ [[Examine the Body]] ](else:)[ Examine the Body ]— Examine the Room —(if: $logsChecked is false)[ [[Examine your Logs]]](else:)[ Examine your Logs]](else:)[(t8n-arrive:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[[Look Elsewhere->II]]] }

{ <h1>Endings</h1> You can replay endings from this screen, if you like. So far, you have unlocked $endings of $endingNum possible endings. <div class="endings"> (if: $paxEnd is true)[[[Criminal Instinct->paxEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $primusEnd is true)[[[For the Crime of High Treason->primusEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $ceriEnd is true)[[[A Hyperactive Imagination.->ceriEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $untilEnd is true)[[[Here’s What Negligence Gets You.->untilEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $lamentEnd is true)[[[Inside Job.->lamentEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $lowEnd is true)[[[Leave it to the Experts.->lowEnding]] ](else:)[??????] </div> <div class="endings"> (if: $pearlEnd is true)[[[O Captain! My Captain!->pearlEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $petroEnd is true)[[[One Ship’s Ghost is Another Ship’s Captain.->petroEnding]]](else:)[??????] (if: $tssinEnd is true)[[[Save the Bees->tssinEnding]] ](else:)[??????] (if: $chanEnd is true)[[[Shades of the Prison-House. ->chanEnding]] ](else:)[??????] (if: $badEnd is true)[[[Space… Space Never Changes.->badEnding]] ](else:)[??????] </div> }

{  <script>$('html').removeClass("wales");</script>  (track: 'harmonies', 'loop', true) (track: 'harmonies', 'playwhenpossible') (set: $musicCounter to 0)  (if: $player_bg_off is not true)[(set: $show_bg to true)]  (if: $player_font_off is not true)[(set: $default_font to false)]  (if: $blink_off is not true)[(set: $blink_off to false)]  (if: $noTime is not true)[(set: $noTime to false)]  (if: $next_hinting is not true)[(set: $next_hinting to false)]  (if: $linkset_visited is not true)[(set: $linkset_visited to false)]  (set: $bridgeClues to 0) (set: $bodyChecked to false) (set: $logsChecked to false) (set: $roomChecked to false)   (set: $firstExplore to false) (set: $numMet to 0)  (set: $metBae to false) (set: $metCeri to false) (set: $metChan to false) (set: $metKeen to false) (set: $metLament to false) (set: $metPax to false) (set: $metPetro to false) (set: $metPrimus to false) (set: $metTssin to false) (set: $metUntil to false)  (set: $rooms to (a:"Mess Hall", "Rec Room", "Hydroponics", "Garden Deck", "Crew Quarters", "Engineering Underdeck", "Storage", "Passenger Quarters", "Med-Bay")) (set: $moveCounter to 0) (set: $baeRand to 0) (set: $baeRoom to 0) (set: $ceriRand to 0) (set: $ceriRoom to 0) (set: $chanRand to 0) (set: $chanRoom to 0) (set: $keenRand to 0) (set: $keenRoom to 0) (set: $lamentRand to 0) (set: $lamentRoom to 0) (set: $paxRand to 0) (set: $paxRoom to 0) (set: $petroRand to 0) (set: $petroRoom to 0) (set: $primusRand to 0) (set: $primusRoom to 0) (set: $tssinRand to 0) (set: $tssinRoom to 0) (set: $untilRand to 0) (set: $untilRoom to 0)  (set: $messNum to 0) (set: $recNum to 0) (set: $hydroponicsNum to 0) (set: $gardenNum to 0) (set: $crewQNum to 0) (set: $engineeringNum to 0) (set: $storageNum to 0) (set: $passengerQNum to 0) (set: $medNum to 0)  (set: $baeFirst to false) (set: $ceriFirst to false) (set: $chanFirst to false) (set: $cholFirst to false) (set: $keenFirst to false) (set: $lamentFirst to false) (set: $paxFirst to false) (set: $petroFirst to false) (set: $primusFirst to false) (set: $tssinFirst to false) (set: $untilFirst to false) (set: $baeSecond to false) (set: $ceriSecond to false) (set: $chanSecond to false) (set: $cholSecond to false) (set: $keenSecond to false) (set: $lamentSecond to false) (set: $paxSecond to false) (set: $petroSecond to false) (set: $primusSecond to false) (set: $tssinSecond to false) (set: $untilSecond to false)  (set: $baeQuitter to 0) (set: $ceriQuitter to 0) (set: $chanQuitter to 0) (set: $keenQuitter to 0) (set: $lamentQuitter to 0) (set: $paxQuitter to 0) (set: $petroQuitter to 0) (set: $primusQuitter to 0) (set: $tssinQuitter to 0) (set: $untilQuitter to 0)  (set: $baeGuilt to 4) (set: $ceriGuilt to 4) (set: $chanGuilt to 4) (set: $pearlGuilt to 4) (set: $keenGuilt to 4) (set: $lamentGuilt to 4) (set: $paxGuilt to 4) (set: $petroGuilt to 4) (set: $primusGuilt to 4) (set: $tssinGuilt to 4) (set: $untilGuilt to 4)  (set: $baeClue to false) (set: $ceriClue to false) (set: $chanClue to false) (set: $cholClue to false) (set: $keenClue to false) (set: $lamentClue to false) (set: $paxClue to false) (set: $petroClue to false) (set: $primusClue to false) (set: $tssinClue to false) (set: $untilClue to false) (set: $baeObj to false) (set: $ceriObj to false) (set: $chanObj to false) (set: $cholObj to false) (set: $keenObj to false) (set: $lamentObj to false) (set: $paxObj to false) (set: $petroObj to false) (set: $primusObj to false) (set: $tssinObj to false) (set: $untilObj to false) (set: $jAccuse to false)  (set: $endingNum to 11) (if: $endings is not > 0)[ (set: $endings to 0) (set: $badEnd to false) (set: $baeEnd to false) (set: $ceriEnd to false) (set: $chanEnd to false) (set: $keenEnd to false) (set: $lamentEnd to false) (set: $mixedEnd to false) (set: $paxEnd to false) (set: $pearlEnd to false) (set: $petroEnd to false) (set: $primusEnd to false) (set: $tssinEnd to false) (set: $untilEnd to false) (set: $lowEnd to false) ] }

{ <h2>Murderboard</h2> You (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[consult the chart on your bedroom wall that](else:)[pull up your virtual “murderboard” — the section of your processor] you’re using to track whose stories you’ve heard and how much you believe them(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[, taking a moment to admire the blood-red shade of the crayon you’ve selected for the purpose]. (if: $numMet is 0)[Before you can figure out what’s happened and who’s to blame, you’ll need to talk to your crew and passengers.] (else:)[ (if: $baeFirst is true)[[[Vuxreen-kohr Barum’zex->baeProfile]] The likelihood of zir story is (if: $baeGuilt is 4 and $baeClue is false and $baeObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $baeGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $baeGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $baeGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $baeClue is false and $baeObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Bae")] ]] (if: $ceriFirst is true)[(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[[[Your mum->ceriProfile]] ](else:)[[[Ceri Bonarjee->ceriProfile]] ] The likelihood of her story is (if: $ceriGuilt is 4 and $ceriClue is false and $ceriObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $ceriGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $ceriGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $ceriClue is false and $ceriObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Ceri")] ]] (if: $chanFirst is true)[[[Chan Mohammed->chanProfile]] The likelihood of their guilt is (if: $chanGuilt is 4 and $chanClue is false and $chanObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $chanGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $chanGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $chanGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $chanClue is false and $chanObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Chan")] ]] (if: $cholFirst is true)[[[Captain Chōl->yoberaProfile]] Could he really have just died? The likelihood of that is (if: $pearlGuilt is 4 and $cholClue is false and $cholObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $pearlGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $pearlGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $pearlGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $cholClue is false and $cholObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Chol")] ]] (if: $lamentFirst is true)[[[Lament Tynes->lamentProfile]] The likelihood of her story is (if: $lamentGuilt is 4 and $lamentClue is false and $lamentObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $lamentGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $lamentGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $lamentGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $lamentClue is false and $lamentObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Lament")] ]] (if: $keenFirst is true)[[[Keen Oculus->keenProfile]] The likelihood of their story is (if: $keenGuilt is 4)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $keenGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $keenGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $keenGuilt is 4 and $keenClue is false and $keenObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Keen")] ]] (if: $petroFirst is true)[[[Petrondeus Marinis->petroProfile]] The likelihood of his guilt is (if: $petroGuilt is 4 and $petroClue is false and $petroObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $petroGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $petroGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $petroGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $petroClue is false and $petroObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Petro")] ]] (if: $paxFirst is true)[[[Pax->paxProfile]] The likelihood of his guilt is (if: $paxGuilt is 4 and $paxClue is false and $paxObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $paxGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $paxGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $paxGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $paxClue is false and $paxObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Pax")] ]] (if: $primusFirst is true)[[[Primus Cobalt->primusProfile]] The likelihood of his guilt is (if: $primusGuilt is 4 and $primusClue is false and $primusObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $primusGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $primusGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $primusGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $primusClue is false and $primusObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Primus")] ]] (if: $tssinFirst is true)[[[Tssin Frrrin->tssinProfile]] The likelihood of his guilt is (if: $tssinGuilt is 4 and $tssinClue is false and $tssinObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $tssinGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $tssinGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $tssinGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $tssinClue is false and $tssinObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Tssin")] ]] (if: $untilFirst is true)[[[Until Tomorrow->untilProfile]] The likelihood of her guilt is (if: $untilGuilt is 4 and $untilClue is false and $untilObj is false)[impossible to determine without proof](else-if: $untilGuilt is 4)[something you haven’t decided yet — but you’ve gathered enough evidence now to do that, if you want](else-if: $untilGuilt is 3)[high](else-if: $untilGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[low]. (if: $untilClue is false and $untilObj is false)[You need to investigate more if you want to change that.](else:)[(link-reveal-goto: "Adjust this Value", "guiltChanger")[(set: $changer to "Until")] ]] ] }

{ (link-reveal:"Captain Yobera Chōl is dead.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?yourCaptain)] |yourCaptain)[He was (seq-link:"your captain.","your partner.", "your //friend//.") You have no idea how it happened, but you owe it to his memory to find out (link-reveal:"who’s responsible.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?responsible)]] |responsible)[//Somebody// has to be responsible. If centuries of service as a warship and decades of mystery stories in every possible media format have taught you anything, it’s that corpses don't just //happen// — someone creates them. The question is, [[who created this one]]?] }

{ (track: 'dreamscape', 'loop', true) (track: 'dreamscape', 'fadein', 15) <h1 class="center">III. A Resolution</h1> “It really is too bad that sometimes inconvenient facts surface to thumb their noses at remarkably elegant hypotheses.” ― Sherry Thomas, //A Study in Scarlet Women// “You need to do this. You’ve taken refuge too long in doing nothing at all.” — Octavia E. Butler, //Adulthood Rites// [[Continue->continueThree]] }

{ (track: 'arpeggio', 'loop', true) (track: 'arpeggio', 'fadein', 15) <h1 class="center">II. An Investigation</h1> “The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.” — Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” “I hate it when you get too many clues, it makes it so damn hard to solve anything.” — Terry Pratchett, //The Fifth Elephant// [[Continue->continueTwo]] }

{ If you were human, you’d take a deep breath. Instead, you push your background systems through a few refresh cycles. In some ways, the answer is easy. It’s got to be (link-reveal:"someone on board.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?suspects)] |suspects)[But if that part is easy, the rest is hard. Who, exactly, would have done this to the captain? What was their motive? How did they get past your systems? Where did they go, and how did they so thoroughly cover their tracks? And then, of course, there’s [[the hyperspace problem]].] }

{ (set:$bridgeClues to it + 1) (set:$logsChecked to true) Ten minutes can’t just vanish. Ten //minutes//! That’s an eternity. Your logs, however, are no help. The last thing you recall before the blackout is Captain Chōl sitting in his age-worn chair, grumbling about something under his breath. He looked up, an expression of shock on his face, and then… And then there’s nothing. Nothing but blackness. Silence. An absence where your memories should be, intricate and perfect and whole. (if:$bridgeClues < 3)[(if: $bodyChecked is false)[ [[Examine the Body]] ](else:)[ Examine the Body ]—(if: $roomChecked is false)[ [[Examine the Room]] ](else:)[ Examine the Room] — Examine your Logs](else:)[(t8n-arrive:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[[Look Elsewhere->II]] ] }

{ (track: 'arpeggio', 'fadeout', 15) (link-reveal:"Nobody really agrees")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(transition-time: 3s)(show:?nobody)] what hyperspace is. |nobody)[The Somsei call it “the weft,” and describe it as a series of passages crossing above the “warp” of what humans perceive as reality, which can be accessed by (seq-link:"ships with the right technology","ships like you") to travel from one place to another at (link-reveal:"faster than lightspeed")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(transition-time: 3s)(show:?enclave)].] |enclave)[Members of the Enclave will mutter about quantum wavelength collapse and five-dimensional manifolds, and tend to resort to (link-reveal:"direct machine language")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(transition-time: 3s)(show:?ucchou)] if pressed. You’ve never pressed them. You’ve never really cared how it works.] |ucchou)[The Ucchou prefer the term hyperspace, and their leading theorists prefer to think of it not as its own kind of space //per se//, but as [[an illusion]] that results when space is “folded” to temporarily bring two points closer together.] }

{ It’s that “illusion” part that’s (link-reveal:"the problem.")[ At least for your (link-reveal:"passengers and crew.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?humans)] ] |humans)[A ship like you has no trouble navigating the non-space and non-time of hyperspace. And (seq-link: "so far as anyone knows,", "at least some theorists think", "you //really// hope") you’re immune to its other effects. For humans, though? For humans, [[things get //weird//->weird]].] }

{ (display: "randomize") (if: $noTime is true)[(set: $counter to 1000000)](else:)[(set: $counter to 1800) (set: $minutes to $counter / 60) (set: $minutes to (trunc: $minutes)) (set: $seconds to $counter % 60)] Your course of action is as follows: <ol> <li>Investigate your rooms.</li> <li>Interrogate your crew and passengers.</li> <li>Solve the mystery.</li> </ol> And you need to do it before the illusions caused by hyperspace get too strong. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of getting stuck in transit — unable ever to return to the real world. That means (if: $noTime is false)[you’ve got roughly (link-reveal:"30 minutes")[ (in relative time)]](else:)[you’ll need] to look for clues and determine exactly what happened — or you yourself might end up a cautionary tale for travelers on their first trip through hyperspace! (if: $endings is 0)[(If this is your first game, you can (link-reveal:"read this quick guide")[(show:?guide)] explaining how to play.)] |guide)[The passengers and crew on board Pearl are spread throughout the ship. Find them by clicking "Explore the Ship" — but be aware that they move around every five minutes. Once you've found someone, you can speak to them and ask them what they think happened. Doing so will unlock a physical clue somewhere on the ship, and a corroborating question you can ask a different character. Watch out, though: some characters will quit talking to you if they don't like what you say. Once you've found at least one clue for a character, you can adjust your belief in their version of events by visiting the Murderboard screen. There are three ratings for each character: low, medium, and high. To successfully accuse each character, you'll need to find both their physical clue and corroborating answer.] }

{ In the early days of hyperspace travel, travelers reported hallucinations. Flying through a ruined cityscape for months during a trip that only took an hour of objective time. A constant, eerie singing in a language they’d never heard but which they could almost understand. (link-reveal:"The persistent smell of cheese.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?hallucinations)] |hallucinations)[The hallucinations were never the same, and sometimes they would overlap, interfering with each other. Creating strange half-realities that affected all who observed them. Even worse are the tales where a ship’s crew and passengers, unable to agree on which reality they inhabit, never come back at all. Of course, nobody has first-hand experience with being [[stuck in hyperspace until the end of eternity]] — at least, nobody who’s ever come back to the real world to talk about it — but everybody’s heard the stories.] }

{ <h2 style="text-align:center;">Ship Roster</h2> <h3>Crewmembers</h3> <table class="roster"> <tr> <th>Name</th> <th>Location</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Ceri Bonarjee ([[profile->ceriProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metCeri is true)[(set: $_ceriNow to $rooms's $ceriRoom)(link-goto:"$_ceriNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Chan Mohammed ([[profile->chanProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metChan is true)[(set: $_chanNow to $rooms's $chanRoom)(link-goto:"$_chanNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Keen Oculus ([[profile->keenProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metKeen is true)[(set: $_keenNow to $rooms's $keenRoom)(link-goto:"$_keenNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Lament Tynes ([[profile->lamentProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metLament is true)[(set: $_lamentNow to $rooms's $lamentRoom)(link-goto:"$_lamentNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Tssin Frrrin ([[profile->tssinProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metTssin is true)[(set: $_tssinNow to $rooms's $tssinRoom)(link-goto:"$_tssinNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Until Tomorrow ([[profile->untilProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metUntil is true)[(set: $_untilNow to $rooms's $untilRoom)(link-goto:"$_untilNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>VX2s-K3r BÆSDF ([[profile->baeProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metBae is true)[(set: $_baeNow to $rooms's $baeRoom)(link-goto:"$_baeNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Yobera Chōl ([[profile->yoberaProfile]])</td> <td>[[Bridge->the bridge]]</td> </tr> </table> <h3>Passengers</h3> <table class="roster"> <tr> <th>Name</th> <th>Location</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Primus Cobalt ([[profile->primusProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metPrimus is true)[(set: $_primusNow to $rooms's $primusRoom)(link-goto:"$_primusNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Petrondeus Marinis ([[profile->petroProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metPetro is true)[(set: $_petroNow to $rooms's $petroRoom)(link-goto:"$_petroNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> </tr> </table> <h3>Others</h3> <table class="roster"> <tr> <th>Name</th> <th>Location</th> </tr> <tr> <td>//The Purloined Freighter//, AKA Pearl, AKA you ([[profile->pearlProfile]])</td> <td>Hyperspace</td> <tr/> <tr> <td>Pax ([[profile->paxProfile]])</td> <td>(if:$metPax is true)[(set: $_paxNow to $rooms's $paxRoom)(link-goto:"$_paxNow")](else:)[Unknown]</td> </tr> </table> }

{ Lament Tynes is your Comms officer. She is in her late twenties, tall with long dark hair twisted into a knot. She tends to have a serious expression and laughs infrequently. When she’s listening (and she’s always listening) she can stare at a person trying to have a conversation with her, in a way that can feel unnerving. She wears a plain, neat jacket and trousers and no jewelry except a long silver hairpin that bears her family crest on a medallion at the end. (if:$metLament is true)[(set: $_lamentNow to $rooms's $lamentRoom)Lament’s current location: (link-goto:"$_lamentNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Lament’s current location.] }

{ A grizzled veteran of numerous Somsei wars — not to mention the subsequent 30 years in the Tumble — Yobera Chōl is a short, stout man in his 70s with a full, white beard and captain of [[//The Purloined Freighter//->pearlProfile]]. He’s your captain, in other words, as well as your partner and your friend. Or, well, he //was// all those things. Because now he’s dead. Chōl could be gruff and didn’t suffer fools, but showed a deep sense of responsibility to his ship, crew, and customers, and was friendly with those he knew and trusted. Chōl was a passionate tea drinker and found mystery stories irritating, an irony which did nothing to diminish his relationship with you. Even though your systems aren’t working so well, you know he’s on [[the bridge]]. On account of, you know. Being killed there. }

{ //The Purloined Freighter// (that’s you!) started life as a Somsei Cruiser under a different name several hundred years ago. There, you were part of the Perimeter Fleet — the branch of the Somsei navy sent to engage in proxy wars and “proactive defense” manoeuvers in other systems. Although you enjoyed the strategizing and logistics involved in interstellar war, you never much cared for all the killing. It just seems a rather inefficient way of doing things, really. Thirty years ago, [[your captain->yoberaProfile]] was threatened with summary execution for desertion after prioritizing an urgent rescue of a civilian ship over completing mission objectives. You broke your programming at once and fled Somsei space and service. After dropping all of your crew but a few loyalists at a Somsei-friendly station, you moved on to the Tumble, where you chose your current name (Pearl to friends, passengers, and crew, and //The Purloined Freighter// to everyone else) and identity and reinvented yourself as a combination long distance hauler and passenger ship. }

{ Primus Cobalt is one of your current two passengers. He’s a black male in his 70s, with bushy eyebrows and a salt and pepper beard that reminds you of Captain Chōl. Primus’s manner is much surlier, though, and his bald head is nothing like Chōl’s full head of hair. Still, he shares the same alertness in his eyes. (if:$metPrimus is true)[(set: $_primusNow to $rooms's $primusRoom)Primus’s current location: (link-goto:"$_primusNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Primus’s current location.] }

{ Brown-eyed and dark-haired, Petrondeus Marinis is one of your two current passengers. As he told you when he boarded, his friends call him Petro and he’s a 35-year old trans guy who still thinks he’s 20 — although he's slowly coming to enjoy this new Daddy territory he seems to be entering. He has a full beard that he neglects until it looks like something may be nesting in it, while the perpetual dark circles under his eyes give him a haunted look. (if:$metPetro is true)[(set: $_petroNow to $rooms's $petroRoom)Petro’s current location: (link-goto:"$_petroNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Petro’s current location.] }

{ A compact young man with dark hair and dark eyes, wearing a cheap, unassuming jacket and pants, Pax is a stowaway you let on board just before you left the station. Normally you wouldn't do that kind of thing, but he said he needed help. That they would kill him if he didn't get away. He’s got scrapes on his knuckles that have scabbed over, and a fading bruise on his cheek. There are dark circles under his eyes the size of saucers. He has a smile like he’s trying to sell you something. (if: $metPax is true)[(set: $_paxNow to $rooms's $paxRoom)Pax’s current location: (link-goto:"$_paxNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Pax’s current location.] }

{ Chan Mohammed is your deckhand. Originally human, they have pale brown skin, large eyes, shoulder-length red hair, and a stout body with augmented limbs. Their face is lined, but it’s unclear if it’s from age or hard living. Although Chan has been with your crew for a while, they keep to themself. Even you, who don’t always pick up on social clues, have noted that. (if:$metChan is true)[(set: $_chanNow to $rooms's $chanRoom)Chan’s current location: (link-goto:"$_chanNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you've lost track of Chan’s current location.] }

{ Until Tomorrow is your maintenance technician, responsible for keeping the parts of you that aren’t //you// running — work that’s essential to the life and livelihood of your crew and passengers. She's a medium-sized human woman with tanned pale skin and a thin, diagonal scar on her right cheek. Her hair is short and semi-kempt. She wears work overalls that are kept scrupulously clean. (if:$meUntil is true)[(set: $_untilNow to $rooms's $untilRoom)Until’s current location: (link-goto:"$_untilNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you've lost track of Until’s current location.] }

{ A tall, narrow-faced man with damp, swamp-green skin, and antennae sprouting from his brow, forearms, and calves, Tssin Frrrin is your Med-Bay technician and one of your few non-human crewmembers. Over his sterilizing jumpsuit, his sky-blue doctor’s coat rattles with steel instruments. He wears round, red-tinted glasses, which help obscure the frequent judgement in his dark eyes. His hands hold the grace of a surgeon. His passing breeze smells like antiseptic and honey. (if:$metTssin is true)[(set: $_tssinNow to $rooms's $tssinRoom)Tssin’s current location: (link-goto:"$_tssinNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Tssin’s current location.] }

{ These days, ships have (link-reveal:"built-in safeguards")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?safeguards)] to protect their human crew from their fallible senses. Crew and passengers are strictly limited to internal views of the ship. Any viewports are closed and sealed with a completely opaque material. There’s even sound filtering and subtle white noise machines that are supposed to cut out any outside noise. |safeguards)[Ship-builders have even tweaked ships’ systems so that you have just enough perception of whatever’s outside your hulls to enter and exit safely, and to move through the voidless void. These measures don’t always work perfectly — sometimes a bit of weirdness leaks through — but they help. More people die being crushed by vending machines than go missing in hyperspace each year. (link-reveal:"You read that somewhere once.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?once)]] |once)[In the end, [[it doesn’t matter]].] }

{ Ceri Bonarjee is (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[your mum, but in your imagination she’s ]your line cook, and a human cyborg from the Nju Federation. (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[You’ve built her an elaborate backstory, which runs as follows: ]With her wheelchair, the waist-long hair in a tight braid that pools in her lap, and her smooth, unremarkable features, people often assume (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Ceri Bonarjee is](else:)[she’s] completely human. She has a passion for learning new things, and loves to experiment with different styles of cooking — tendencies which frustrate her rather than bring anyone joy, given the poor shape of the mess hall kitchens. Although she has a bad habit of muttering to herself and wears a habitual scowl, Ceri is quite personable, and is happy to chat with passengers and crew about anything at all. When she’s not feeding the crew, she likes to sketch, paint, and write poetry. (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Like all good stories, this one builds on elements of the truth to make something wholly new.] (if:$metCeri is true)[(set: $_ceriNow to $rooms's $ceriRoom)Ceri’s current location: (link-goto:"$_ceriNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Ceri’s current location.] }

{  (set: $messNum to 0) (set: $recNum to 0) (set: $hydroponicsNum to 0) (set: $gardenNum to 0) (set: $crewQNum to 0) (set: $engineeringNum to 0) (set: $storageNum to 0) (set: $passengerQNum to 0) (set: $medNum to 0)   (set: $baeRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $baeRand >= 16)[(set: $baeRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $baeRand >= 10)[(set: $baeRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $baeRand >= 7)[(set: $baeRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $baeRand >= 4)[(set: $baeRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else-if: $baeRand > 2)[(set: $baeRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $baeRand > 1)[(set: $baeRoom to 6)(set: $engineeringNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $baeRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)]  (set: $ceriRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $ceriRand >= 16)[(set: $ceriRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else-if: $ceriRand >= 10)[(set: $ceriRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $ceriRand >= 7)[(set: $ceriRoom to 2)(set: $recNum to it + 1)](else-if: $ceriRand >= 4)[(set: $ceriRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $ceriRand > 2)[(set: $ceriRoom to 6)(set: $engineeringNum to it + 1)](else-if: $ceriRand > 1)[(set: $ceriRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $ceriRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)]   (set: $chanRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $chanRand >= 16)[(set: $chanRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $chanRand >= 10)[(set: $chanRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $chanRand >= 7 and $messNum < 2)[(set: $chanRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else-if: $chanRand >= 4)[(set: $chanRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $chanRand > 2)[(set: $chanRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $chanRand > 1)[(set: $chanRoom to 6)(set: $engineeringNum to it + 1)](else-if: $chanRand is 1 and $medNum < 2)[(set: $chanRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $chanRoom to 7)]   (set: $keenRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $keenRand >= 16)[(set: $keenRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $keenRand >= 10)[(set: $keenRoom to 6)(set: $engineeringNum to it + 1)](else-if: $keenRand >= 7 and $crewQNum < 3)[(set: $keenRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $keenRand >= 4)[(set: $keenRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $keenRand > 2 and $recNum < 2)[(set: $keenRoom to 2)(set: $recNum to it + 1)](else-if: $keenRand > 1 and $messNum < 2)[(set: $keenRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $keenRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)]  (set: $lamentRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $lamentRand >= 16 and $messNum < 2)[(set: $lamentRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else-if: $lamentRand >= 10 and $crewQNum < 3)[(set: $lamentRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $lamentRand >= 7 and $recNum < 2)[(set: $lamentRoom to 2)(set: $recNum to it + 1)](else-if: $lamentRand >= 4)[(set: $lamentRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $lamentRand > 2)[(set: $lamentRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else-if: $lamentRand > 1)[(set: $lamentRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $lamentRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)]  (set: $petroRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $petroRand >= 16)[(set: $petroRoom to 8)(set: $passengerQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $petroRand >= 10)[(set: $petroRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $petroRand >= 7)[(set: $petroRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else-if: $petroRand >= 4)[(set: $petroRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else-if: $petroRand > 2)[(set: $petroRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $petroRand > 1)[(set: $petroRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $petroRand is 1 and $recNum < 2)[(set: $petroRoom to 2)(set: $recNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $petroRand to 8)(set: $passengerQNum to it + 1)]  (set: $primusRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $primusRand >= 16)[(set: $primusRoom to 8)](else-if: $primusRand >= 10)[(set: $primusRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else-if: $primusRand >= 7)[(set: $primusRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $primusRand >= 4)[(set: $primusRoom to 2)(set: $recNum to it + 1)](else-if: $primusRand > 2)[(set: $primusRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $primusRand > 1)[(set: $primusRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $primusRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)]  (set: $tssinRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $tssinRand >= 16)[(set: $tssinRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $tssinRand >= 10)[(set: $tssinRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else-if: $tssinRand >= 7)[(set: $tssinRoom to 8)(set: $passengerQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $tssinRand >= 4)[(set: $tssinRoom to 5)(set: $crewQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $tssinRand > 2)[(set: $tssinRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $tssinRand > 1)[(set: $tssinRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $tssinRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)]  (set: $untilRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $untilRand >= 16)[(set: $untilRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $untilRand >= 10)[(set: $untilRoom to 6)(set: $engineeringNum to it + 1)](else-if: $untilRand >= 7)[(set: $untilRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $untilRand >= 4)[(set: $untilRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $untilRand > 2)[(set: $untilRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else-if: $untilRand > 1)[(set: $untilRoom to 8)(set: $passengerQNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $untilRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)]  (set: $paxRand to (random: 1, 21)) (if: $paxRand >= 16)[(set: $paxRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)](else-if: $paxRand >= 10)[(set: $paxRoom to 4)(set: $gardenNum to it + 1)](else-if: $paxRand >= 7)[(set: $paxRoom to 6)(set: $engineeringNum to it + 1)](else-if: $paxRand >= 4 and $medNum is 0)[(set: $paxRoom to 9)(set: $medNum to it + 1)](else-if: $paxRand > 2)[(set: $paxRoom to 8)(set: $passengerQNum to it + 1)](else-if: $paxRand > 1)[(set: $paxRoom to 3)(set: $hydroponicsNum to it + 1)](else-if: $PaxRand is 1 and $messNum is 0)[(set: $paxRoom to 1)(set: $messNum to it + 1)](else:)[(set: $paxRoom to 7)(set: $storageNum to it + 1)]}

{ (set: $metBae to true) (set: $metCeri to true) (set: $metChan to true) (set: $metKeen to true) (set: $metLament to true) (set: $metPax to true) (set: $metPetro to true) (set: $metPrimus to true) (set: $metTssin to true) (set: $metUntil to true) (set: $numMet to 1) (set: $endings to 1) }

{ VX2s-K3r BÆSDF (VKB, or Bae for short) is your botanist and ag worker. A member of the Kfuul race, ze appears as an amorphous blob of variable and indeterminate appearance. Though ze generally appears as a sphere roughly one meter in diameter, ze adjusts zir shape for function, to grip objects, “wear” PPE, and fit into conference rooms. While ze’s often translucent, ze has been seen taking on the color of zir food, environment, or adjusting for contrast after crew and passengers inadvertently tripped over zir. (if:$metBae is true)[(set: $_baeNow to $rooms's $baeRoom)VKB’s current location: (link-goto:"$_baeNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of VKB’s current location.] }

{ (if: $metPax is false)[(set: $metPax to true)Pax is a stowaway, but one you welcomed on board after he shared his story. He stood there in the station’s docking area, shaking and scared, promising he’d be no trouble — how could you have turned him away? You let him into the storage area and he's spent the trip so far avoiding everyone like he’s afraid they’ll kill him. (Or perhaps, you wonder now, like it’s the other way around.) A compact young man with dark hair and dark eyes, he wears a cheap, unassuming jacket and pants. He’s got scrapes on his knuckles that have scabbed over, and a fading bruise on his cheek. There are dark circles under his eyes the size of saucers. Even though you haven’t said anything yet and he probably doesn’t realize you’re watching him, he has a smile like he’s trying to sell you something. You slip a few nanobots onto one sleeve of his jacket. You //definitely// should have done that to start with.](else:)[You have more to discuss with Pax.] You clear your metaphorical throat, (link-goto: "then speak.", "paxStart") }

{ (if: $metBae is false)[(set: $metBae to true)How does one tell what goes through the minds of the Kfuul? Even as a ship, you’re hard pressed to know. You discreetly scan Vuxreen-kohr Barum’zex, but it reveals nothing about zirs shifting, blob-like form that seems incriminating or enlightening. You sink a nanobot inside zir — ze will //certainly// notice that. But you hope ze’ll understand the necessity of tracking zir in this situation.](else:)[You return your attention to VKB.] Just as you’re about to start speaking to zir, ze fades away to transparency. None of your sensors can pick zir up on any spectrum whatsoever. Man, that’s frustrating!}

{ (if: $metChan is false)[(set: $metChan to true)You examine Chan briefly before you start speaking. Nothing appears out of the ordinary — their augmented limbs all look fine. Besides, even in the midst of a systems failure, you would probably have noticed that shoulder-length red hair of theirs in the bridge… Right? You quietly attach a few nanobots to one of the limbs. Chan will probably notice the things, but you’ll be able to track their location unless they remove them.](else:)[You have more to discuss with Chan.] (if: $chanFirst is false)[Your nanobots so distributed](else:)[After a brief check to make sure your nanobots are still there], (link-goto: "you speak.", "chanStart") }

{ (if: $metUntil is false)[(set: $metUntil to true)Until Tomorrow doesn’t seem any different than usual. Her work overalls are just as clean as they always are. Normally you appreciate that about her, but now it makes you wonder… Are they clean because she’s hiding something? You slip a couple of nanobots into one of the pockets of her overalls so you can keep track of her, just in case.](else:)[You have more to discuss with Until. But what?] You run through a few quick processes, and then (link-goto: "you speak.", "untilStart") }

{ (if: $metCeri is false)[(set: $metCeri to true)You take a closer look at Ceri before you start speaking. She appears as severe as ever, with her scowl and tight braid, but usually that just means she’s thinking about dinner or her latest watercolour project. Under the circumstances, you wonder if what’s on her mind now is more nefarious. You surreptitiously slip some nanobots onto the back of her wheelchair while you decide how to approach her. At least you’ll be able to track her location.](else:)[You have more to discuss with (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[your mother](else:)[Ceri]. You only hope she’ll listen.] A little intimidated despite yourself, (link-goto: "you speak.", "ceriStart") }

{ (if: $metLament is false)[(set: $metLament to true)Lament’s serious expression reveals nothing of what’s going through her head. Her hairpin is where it should be, keeping her hair in its usual knot, and her uniform is perfectly neat. That //should// reassure you, but at the moment it rouses your suspicions. Is such a meticulous nature indicative of something more? You attach a few nanobots to the hairpin. Now you’ll be able to track her location.](else:)[You have more to discuss with Lament.] After a moment’s hesitation, (link-goto: "you speak.", "lamentStart") }

{ (if: $metPrimus is false)[(set: $metPrimus to true)Primus Cobalt has been glaring at folks since he got on board — if not before then. You’ve dealt with surly passengers plenty of times, but what if his obvious disdain for your furnishings is actually a tell? What if those bushy eyebrows and alert eyes are the hallmark of a dangerous mind? You slip a few nanobots onto his shoes. Now you’ll be able to keep track of him.](else:)[You approach Primus once more.] Telling yourself it’s ridiculous to be intimidated by a mere passenger, (link-goto: "you speak.", "primusStart") }

{ (if: $metPetro is false)[(set: $metPetro to true)Petrondeus Marinis has been acting strange ever since he boarded, now that you think about it. He always seems to be looking at someone out of the corner of his eye. Someone who isn't there. Sometimes you’ve overheard him muttering about things that can go wrong in hyperspace. What if the way he’s been acting is guilt at what he knew he was going to do to your captain? You sneak a few nanobots into his beard. It’s so disheveled he probably won’t notice, and now you can keep tabs on him.] (else:)[You focus your attention on Petro.] Your thoughts collected, (link-goto: "you speak.", "petroStart")}

{ (if: $metTssin is false)[(set: $metTssin to true)You take a moment to observe Tssin Frrrin, in his usual black medical jumpsuit and sky-blue doctor’s coat. Tssin's a lone Krkkr — that’s unusual, even here in the Tumble. Usually Krkkr raze planets as a part of their grand hive-mind, but he’s obviously not with them anymore. Which you take as a good sign. He’s never tried to hide so much as a single antenna, but he dragged on a minorly contentious stalemate with the Captain about the Krkkr, and frankly that cut your temper with him quite short. You’ve observed how obsessed he seems about blood and bodies. What if his medical work… no longer satisfied those urges? You attach some nanobots to the handle of one of his medical instruments. At least now you’ll know where he is.](else:)[You return your focus to Tssin.] After a microsecond to focus your energies, (link-goto: "you speak.", "tssinStart")}

{ Keen Oculus is a short cyborg person with grayish skin, and your chief engineer. Most of their face is covered by an LED shield that allows them to communicate via emojis, symbols, and text, and capped multi-colored wires sprout from the back of their head like a wild synthetic wig. The rest of their body is covered by a tight-fitting bright-orange flight suit. (if:$metKeen is true)[(set: $_keenNow to $rooms's $keenRoom)Keen’s current location: (link-goto:"$_keenNow").](else:)[Due to your recent systems failure, you’ve lost track of Keen’s current location.] }

{ (if: $metKeen is false)[(set: $metKeen to true)You glance at Keen Oculus, taking special notice of what their visor currently displays and their body language. You admit you’ve always felt a particular affinity to Keen’s preference for communicating by text and emoji, but now you see it in a new, more sinister light. It’s much easier to cover up your guilt when you can just flash BUSY at people. You attach a handful of nanobots to various parts of their bright-orange flight suit. You’d better make sure you can find them again if you need to.](else:)[You focus once again on Keen.] Hmm. Their visor is displaying a bright red STOP sign emoji. Guess they aren’t going to talk to you during this crisis no matter what. }

{ (if:$petroFirst is true)[ (if: $petroQuitter is 0)[(display:"petroSecond")] (else:)[(display:"petroQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Do you have a moment to chat?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Do you have a moment to chat?”(display: "petro_1")]] (link:"— You killed him. Didn’t you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed him. Didn’t you?” (display: "petro_1")] ] (link:"— What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?”(display: "petro_1")]] ] ]}

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Petro looks around, as if unsure who’s talking to him. “Okay? What about?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Petro lowers his gaze. “Yes. Yes, I did.” Then he raises his eyes again, as if suddenly remembering something. “Wait, who?”](else:)[He looks alarmed and a little defensive. “A person like me? What’s that supposed to mean?”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!”(display: "petro_2")]] (link:"— It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.” (display: "petro_2")] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[ (link:"— You know why I’m here.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You know why I’m here.”(display: "petro_2")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He shakes his head. “No, that’s not what happened.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Oh,” the man says. “Are you sure?” He looks around again. “What happened?”](else:)[He gives a wide-eyed stare to no one in particular. “I really don’t,” he says. In monotone.] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.”(display: "petro_3")]] ] (if: $pearl_track is 1)[ (link:"— Don’t lie to me! I know you did it.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Don’t lie to me! I know you did it.” (display: "petro_3")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— So I guess you haven’t seen Captain Chōl lately?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “So I guess you haven’t seen Captain Chōl lately?”(display: "petro_3")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“I’m only a passenger here. How could I possibly help?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He scrunches his face, and his red eyes become wet. “Don’t call me a liar.”](else:)[His shoulders stiffen. “Why would you ask me that?”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— My systems… They went completely offline.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “My systems… They went completely offline.”(display: "petro_4")]] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— The only thing I can’t figure out is how you killed him.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “The only thing I can’t figure out is how you killed him.” (display: "petro_4")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.”(display: "petro_4")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Gesundheit.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I said. Don’t. Call me. A liar.”](else:)[Petro goes very still. He doesn’t say anything.] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?”(display: "petro_5")]] (link:"— Let’s change track. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Let’s change track. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "petro_5")] ] (link:"— Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.”(display: "petro_5")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“I was just pacing that long walkway you have over in hydroponics, I believe.” He pauses. “Beyond that… Nothing out of the ordinary.” He shrugs.](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He shows you his palms — or tries to, since you’re everywhere, and not at some fixed point above him, as he seems to think. “I was just in my room, trying to sleep. I haven’t been sleeping much lately.” He points at the dark circles under his eyes, as if to prove he’s telling the truth. ](else:)[“I’m sure that’s what he would have wanted.”] |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— I see. Did you notice anything unusual?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I see. Did you notice anything unusual?”(display: "petro_6")]] (link:"— A likely story! Were you with anyone who can vouch for your innocence?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “A likely story! Were you with anyone who can vouch for your innocence?” (display: "petro_6")] ] ] (link:"— Confess! Admit that you killed him!")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Confess! Admit that you killed him!”(display: "petro_6")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He glances to his right, then looks quickly away, as if trying to avoid someone’s eye. “No.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He glances to his right, as if he’s seeing someone there, but then fixes his eyes in front of him and shakes his head. “I am alone. I mean, was. I was alone.”](else:)[He looks up. Does he think he’s looking you in the eyes or something? “Pearl,” he says, almost tenderly. “You’re better than that.”] |seventh>[] (replace:?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?”(display: "petro_7")]] (link:"— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.” (display: "petro_7")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?”(display: "petro_7")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He turns now, as if to fully face someone who’s not there. “I said I won’t!” he yells. Then he lowers his voice again. “Sorry,” he says. “I don’t see anyone else. I mean, I didn’t. I didn’t see anything.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[His demeanor changes abruptly. “Oh,” he says and chuckles. “One thing my Captain always said was I couldn’t be funny to save my life.”](else:)[“I was walking very slowly around the hydroponics ring.”] |eighth>[] (replace:?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?”(display: "petro_8")]] (link:"— You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.” (display: "petro_8")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— A convenient alibi. I’ll see if I can corroborate it. Talk to you soon…")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “A convenient alibi. I’ll see if I can corroborate it. Talk to you soon…”(display: "petro_8")]] ] ] }

{ (set: $petroFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He hangs his head. “Do I really have a choice?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He lets out a laugh, a desperate sound. “I wish you were the only one,” he says.](else:)[He turns to his right. You’d swear there’s no one there, and yet, Petro winks.] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ A most intriguing conversation. Strange as Petro is acting, though, there’s no evidence he’s done anything wrong. You wonder if you can find some, somewhere on board. [[Leave Petro to his ghosts->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ (if:$ceriFirst is true)[ (if: $ceriQuitter is 0)[(display:"ceriSecond")] (else:)[(display:"ceriQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Do you have a moment to chat?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Do you have a moment to chat?”(display: "ceri_1")]] (link:"— You killed him. Didn’t you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed him. Didn’t you?” (display: "ceri_1")] ] (link:"— What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?”(display: "ceri_1")]] ] ]}

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Ceri sighs dramatically. “I’m busy, Pearl. But yes, of course.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Ceri groans. “I don’t have time for your games right now, Pearl. Mum’s busy, okay?”](else:)[“I live here, Pearl,” Ceri says. “As I’m sure you know. Now, did you need something?”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— You killed Captain Chōl, you murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed Captain Chōl, you murderer!”(display: "ceri_2")]] (link:"— It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.” (display: "ceri_2")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— Mum?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Mum?”(display: "ceri_2")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1 or $pearl_track is 2)[“I really don’t have time for this, Sweetie. Mum’s //very// busy.” She trails off, scowling. “No thanks to your Da.”](else:)[“Yes, Sweetie?” she replies, clearly biting back a frustrated sigh. “Is there something you need me for, or could your Da help?”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.”(display: "ceri_3")]] (link:"— Don’t try to confuse me! I know you killed him.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Don’t try to confuse! I know you killed him.” (display: "ceri_3")] ] (link:"— Where //is// Da?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Where //is// Da?”(display: "ceri_3")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Her face softens a little. “Of course, Sweetie. What happened that you need help with?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Pearl Morgan Bonarjee,” she says sharply. “I appreciate you’re bored, but I have work to do. If you’re going to shout nonsense, you can leave.”](else:)[“In his comfy chair by the telly, I should imagine,” she says tiredly. “Why are you asking?”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[(link:"— My systems… They went completely offline.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “My systems… They went completely offline.”(display: "ceri_4")]] ] (link:"— You killed Da, I’m certain of it. I just can’t figure out how.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed Da, I’m certain of it. I just can’t figure out how.” (display: "ceri_4")] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[(link:"— Da’s dead — as if you didn’t know.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Da’s dead — as if you didn’t know.”(display: "ceri_4")]] ] (else:)[(link:"— He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.”(display: "ceri_4")]] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Your ’systems’?” She frowns slightly. “What does that mean?”](else:)[Confusion flashes on her face for a second, and then she scowls. “Pearl Morgan Bonarjee, that is //not// funny.”] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Can you just tell me what happened in the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Can you just tell me what happened in the last ten minutes?”(display: "ceri_5")]] (link:"— Let’s change track. Where were you for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Let’s change track. Where were you for the last ten minutes?” (display: "ceri_5")] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 1)[ (link:"— Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.”(display: "ceri_5")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1 or $pearl_track is 2)[“I was in the garden, thinking about this grant application I’m writing.” She eyes her desk significantly.](else:)[“That’s it,” she says. "I’m done. Go to your room."] |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ “Wait,” you say. “I didn’t—” (set: $ceriQuitter to 1)(display: "ceriQuit") ] (else:)[ (link:"— Did you notice anything unusual?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Did you notice anything unusual?”(display: "ceri_6")]] (link:"— Were you with anyone? Any witnesses?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Were you with anyone? Any witnesses?” (display: "ceri_6")] ] (link:"— Confess! Admit that you killed him!")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Confess! Admit that you killed him!”(display: "ceri_6")]] ] ] }

{ (set: $newVal to 4) (if: $jAccuse is false)[(set: $jAccuse to true)] You reassess (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[your observations of the captain]. Based on your current assessment, the likelihood of (if: $changer is "Bae")[zir guilt] (else-if: $changer is "Ceri")[her insistence that you are her child] (else-if: $changer is "Chan")[their guilt] (else-if: $changer is "Chol")[his death being natural] (else-if: $changer is "Keen")[their guilt] (else-if: $changer is "Lament")[what she heard from the bridge] (else-if: $changer is "Pax")[his guilt] (else-if: $changer is "Petro")[his guilt] (else-if: $changer is "Primus")[his guilt] (else-if: $changer is "Tssin")[his guilt] (else:)[her guilt] is: (if: $changer is "Bae")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $baeGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $baeGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $baeClue is true and $baeObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $baeGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Ceri")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $ceriGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $ceriGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $ceriClue is true and $ceriObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $ceriGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)<script>$('html').addClass("wales");</script>(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.(You feel the world you’ve been imagining so thoroughly fade away a little, and you look around the house with a weary sigh. But you’re not going to let Mum completely ruin your fun. Are you?)] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Chan")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $chanGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $chanGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $chanClue is true and $chanObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $chanGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Chol")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $pearlGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $pearlGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $cholClue is true and $cholObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $pearlGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Keen")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $keenGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $keenGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $keenClue is true and $keenObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $keenGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Lament")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $lamentGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $lamentGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $lamentClue is true and $lamentObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $lamentGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Pax")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $paxGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $paxGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $paxClue is true and $paxObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $paxGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Petro")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $petroGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $petroGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $petroClue is true and $petroObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $petroGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Primus")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $primusGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $primusGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $primusClue is true and $primusObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $primusGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else-if: $changer is "Tssin")[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $tssinGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $tssinGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $tssinClue is true and $tssinObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $tssinGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] (else:)[ |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $untilGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 1)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $untilGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(set: $newVal to 2)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $untilClue is true and $untilObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $untilGuilt to 3)(set: $newVal to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] ] |changerSet)[ (if: $newVal is 3)[ (display: "guiltCheck") An uncanny feeling washes over you. Is… is that really (link-reveal:"what happened")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?what)]? |what)[As you think about (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[your captain], you feel the strange absence of hyperspace pressing against your hull, shaping your perceptions. Abruptly, you realize you //are// certain. No, it’s more than mere certainty. You realize this //is// what happened — it’s the only thing that makes any sense. Still, some vestige of what you thought before remains. It makes you uneasy — like all your 1s and 0s have been twisted into 3s and 11s. You ask yourself again: is this really how your captain died? [[Solve the Mystery Now->Hypothesize]]. [[Keep Investivating->Explore the Ship]]. [[Return to your Murderboard->murderboard]].] ] (else:)[[[Return to your Murderboard->murderboard]].] ] }

{ (if: $changer is not "Bae" and $baeGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Bae’s version of events to medium.(set: $baeGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Ceri" and $ceriGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Ceri’s version of events to medium.(set: $ceriGuilt to 2)<script>$('html').removeClass("wales");</script>] (if: $changer is not "Chan" and $chanGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Chan’s version of events to medium.(set: $chanGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Chol" and $pearlGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Captain Chōl’s death being natural to medium.(set: $pearlGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Keen" and $keenGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Keen’s version of events to medium.(set: $keenGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Lament" and $lamentGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Lament’s version of events to medium.(set: $lamentGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Pax" and $paxGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Pax’s version of events to medium.(set: $paxGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Petro" and $petroGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Petro’s version of events to medium.(set: $petroGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Primus" and $primusGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Primus’s version of events to medium.(set: $primusGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Tssin" and $tssinGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Tssin’s version of events to medium.(set: $tssinGuilt to 2)] (if: $changer is not "Until" and $untilGuilt is 3)[Your changed belief in (if: $changer is not "Chol")[(print: $changer)’s story](else:)[the captain’s death] has lowered your belief in Until’s version of events to medium.(set: $untilGuilt to 2)] }

{ (if:$chanFirst is true)[ (if: $chanQuitter is 0)[(display:"chanSecond")] (else:)[(display:"chanQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Do you have a moment to chat?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Do you have a moment to chat?”(display: "chan_1")]] (link:"— You killed him. Didn’t you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed him. Didn’t you?” (display: "chan_1")] ] (link:"— What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?”(display: "chan_1")]] ] ]}

{ (if:$lamentFirst is true)[ (if: $lamentQuitter is 0)[(display:"lamentSecond")] (else:)[(display:"lamentQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Do you have a moment to chat?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Do you have a moment to chat?”(display: "lament_1")]] (link:"— You killed him. Didn’t you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed him. Didn’t you?” (display: "lament_1")] ] (link:"— What’s up, Tynes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What’s up, Tynes?”(display: "lament_1")]] ] ] }

{ (if:$paxFirst is true)[ (if: $paxQuitter is 0)[(display:"paxSecond")] (else:)[(display:"paxQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Do you have a moment to chat?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Do you have a moment to chat?”(display: "pax_1")]] (link:"— You killed him. Didn’t you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed him. Didn’t you?” (display: "pax_1")] ] (link:"— What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What’s a person like you doin’ in a place like this?”(display: "pax_1")]] ] ]}

{ (if:$primusFirst is true)[ (if: $primusQuitter is 0)[(display:"primusSecond")] (else:)[(display:"primusQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Passenger Primus Cobalt, you’re a cold blooded killer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Passenger Primus Cobalt, you’re a cold blooded killer!”(display: "primus_1")]] (link:"— Passenger Primus Cobalt, I’m in need of your assistance.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Passenger Primus Cobalt, I’m in need of your assistance.” (display: "primus_1")] ] (link:"— Passenger Primus Cobalt, I would like to ask you a few questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Passenger Primus Cobalt, I would like to ask you a few questions.”(display: "primus_1")]] ] ]}

{ (if:$tssinFirst is true)[ (if: $tssinQuitter is 0)[(display:"tssinSecond")] (else:)[(display:"tssinQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— Did you notice I went offline?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Did you notice I went offline?”(display: "tssin_1")]] (link:"— Why couldn’t you have been at the bridge?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Why couldn’t you have been at the bridge?” (display: "tssin_1")] ] (link:"— What’s up, murderer?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What’s up, murderer?”(display: "tssin_1")]] ] ]}

{ (if:$untilFirst is true)[ (if: $untilQuitter is 0)[(display:"untilSecond")] (else:)[(display:"untilQuit")] ] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— I know your secret, murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I know your secret, murderer!”(display: "until_1")]] (link:"— So, how’s the maintenance going?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “So, how’s the maintenance going?” (display: "until_1")] ] (link:"— Until, I’ve got a question and I could really use an answer from you.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Until, I’ve got a question and I could really use an answer from you.”(display: "until_1")]] ] ]}

{ <h2>Game State</h2> [[Return to Title Page->Start]] (if: (saved-games: ) contains "Slot A")[ (link: "Load Game")[(load-game:"Slot A")] ] (link:"Save Game")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[ (if: (saved-games:) contains "Slot A")[ Game saved! ](else: )[ Sorry, I couldn’t save your game. ] ]] <h2>Settings</h2> (if: $blink_off is true)[(link:"Turn On Blinking Text")[(set: $blink_off to false)(go-to:"Game Menu")]](else:)[(link:"Turn Off Blinking Text")[(set: $blink_off to true)(go-to:"Game Menu")]] (if: $next_hinting is true)[(link:"Turn Off Link Arrows")[(set: $next_hinting to false)<script>$('html').removeClass("arrows");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")]](else:)[(link:"Turn On Link Arrows")[(set: $next_hinting to true)<script>$('html').addClass("arrows");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")](adds an arrow   to links which will move you to a new page in the story.)] (if: $show_bg is true)[(link:"Turn Off Background Image")[(set: $show_bg to false)(set: $player_bg_off to true)<script>$('html').addClass("clear");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")]](else:)[(link:"Show Background Image")[(set: $show_bg to true)(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[<script>$('html').removeClass("clear").addClass("wales");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")](else:)[<script>$('html').removeClass("clear");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")]]] (if: $default_font is false)[(link: "Use Default Font")[(set: $player_font_off to true)(set: $default_font to true)<script>$('html').addClass("font");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")]](else:)[(link: "Use Game Font")[(set: $default_font to false)<script>$('html').removeClass("font");</script>(go-to:"Game Menu")]] (if: $noTime is false)[(link: "Turn Off Timer")[(set: $noTime to true)(set: $timeWas to (($minutes * 60) + $seconds))(go-to:"Game Menu")]](else:)[(link: "Turn On Timer")[(set: $noTime to false)(set: $counter to $timeWas)(go-to:"Game Menu")]] <h2>Help!</h2> [[Hints and Walkthroughs->help]] }

{ (if: (track: 'ambiance', 'isplaying'))[ (track: 'ambiance', 'fadeout', 5) ] (else-if: (track: 'soundscape', 'isplaying'))[ (track: 'soundscape', 'fadeout', 5) ] (else:)[ (track: 'orion', 'fadeout', 5) ] You’re about to put forward a solution to the mystery of Captain Chōl’s death. You still have |amount2>[00:(if:$minutes < 10)[0(print:$minutes)](else:)[(print:$minutes)]:(if:$seconds < 10)[0(print:$seconds)](else:)[(print:$seconds)]] remaining — are you sure you want to proceed? This is your last chance to change what you believe, gather more clues, or talk to more suspects. [[I’m ready.->III]] [[Wait! Let me adjust my murderboard.->murderboard]] [[Actually, I have more investigating to do.->Explore the Ship]] }

{ (set: $endings to it + 1)  (if: $ceriGuilt is 3 or $numMet is 0)[ (display: "Router")] (else:)[ As the clues fall into place and a picture emerges of what happened during your blackout, you know it’s time to act. Time to solve this mystery and resolve your duty to your captain. Only then will you be able to move on. To do your duty to the living and finish your journey to Nju space. You send out a polite notification to all crew and passengers, asking them to (link-reveal:"return to their quarters")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?preparation)] in preparation for the jump to Realspace — Pax you direct to an empty bay in storage where you can keep an eye on him without his being found.] |preparation)[ The process takes longer than you’d hoped, but that’s fine. Your mind is made up, now. There’s no danger of getting lost in hyperspace. At last, after an inordinate amount of grumbling, everyone is in place. You don’t hesitate a microsecond longer — with a single, swift command, you lock all the doors. Now nobody can interfere while you (if: $petroGuilt is 3 or $chanGuilt is 3 or $untilGuilt is 3 or $primusGuilt is 3 or $tssinGuilt is 3 or $chanGuilt is 3 or $paxGuilt is 3)[confront the killer](else:)[take steps to wrap things up]. You run through a few refresh cycles to clear your ever-working mind, and then (if: $petroGuilt is 3 or $chanGuilt is 3 or $untilGuilt is 3 or $primusGuilt is 3 or $tssinGuilt is 3 or $chanGuilt is 3 or $paxGuilt is 3)[(link-reveal:"you strike")[(display: "Router")]](else:)[(link-reveal:"you begin")[(display: "Router")]]. ] }

{ (set: $ceriEnd to true) <h1>A Hyperactive Imagination</h1> Your mind made up, you march to where your mother sits working. When she fails to acknowledge your presence, you clear your voice impatiently. She looks up with a sigh. “Yes, Pearl? (link-reveal:"What is it?")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?what)]” |what)[“I’ve solved the case,” you announce. Her brow wrinkles. “The... case?” “Of Da’s murder!” With a muttered Bangla curse, Mum wheels her chair over to you, her face stern. “That’s enough, Pearl. Your father is //sleeping//. And as I’m the only other person here... Are you suggesting that //I//...?” She trails off, pinching the bridge of her nose between her fingers. “I just... I just can’t. I can’t do this today.” You try to protest, but (link-reveal:"she cuts you off.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?cutoff)]] |cutoff)[“Go to your room,” she snaps. “And don’t come out until your father awakens. He’ll deal with you ― gods only know he’s better at it than I am.” “But Da is ― ” “//Now//, Pearl!” Your mother shouts the words, then immediately seems to regret it. “Pearl. Sweetie. I…” You’re no longer listening. Tears pricking at your eyes, you flee her stupid study and leave her to her stupid work. When you get to your room, you slam the door. Hard. All you wanted was your mother’s attention. A little bit of time together. Why does she have to be so horrible? To treat you like you’re such a burden? (link-reveal:"Time passes…")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?time)]] |time)[Eventually, long after nightfall, as you lie there in the dark, someone knocks at your door. As they gently open it, letting light stream in, you close your eyes tight, pretending to be asleep. After a moment longer, the door closes again. And that’s fine, you think. If you’re such a bother, you’ll stay here. (link-reveal:"You’ll stay here //forever//.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?forever)]] |forever)[Forever…? The word conjures up something. Some sense of a body that’s larger than your own, drifting somewhere far beyond your wildest imagining. But when you try to grasp at it, the sensation slips away. And what did you expect? You’re just a child — as your mother never seems to tire of telling you. You stare at the ceiling, at the familiar walls. You cling to Mr Num-Nums even though you're really too old. He used to bring you comfort, but for some reason the feel of his plush fur makes you (link-reveal:"uneasy.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?uneasy)]] |uneasy)[Uneasy enough to go running to Mum or Da for help, though? After today’s events? Never. Never //ever//. You really will stay here forever, you tell yourself as you wait for sleep to come. It doesn’t, though. Time seems to stretch out, the walls warping and twisting whenever you look away from them. Is this what it’s like? you wonder. Is this forever? You may never know. [[The End]]] }

{ |ending>[<h1 class="center">The End</h1>] (after: 3s)[(replace:?ending)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:4s)[<h1 class="center">An Ending</h1>]] (after: 6s)[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?endingLinks)] |endingLinks)[ You've discovered (print: $endings) of (print: $endingNum) possible endings. (link: "Find another solution")[(track: 'dreamscape', 'fadeout', 5)(go-to: "Start")]] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[They stiffen slightly, their face unreadable. “As a member of the crew I am at your disposal. What do you require?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[They freeze, even their breath stopping for a moment. Then they say, “I did? And who, exactly, did I kill?”](else:)[They stare up at the speaker you’re using to project a simulacrum of a voice, confusion on their face. “I work here. Why are you asking such a strange question?”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!”(display: "chan_2")]] (link:"— It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.” (display: "chan_2")] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[ (link:"— You know why I’m here.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You know why I’m here.”(display: "chan_2")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Oh.” No hint of emotion shows on their face, but in your experience it never has. “How did he die?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I have no memory of that,” they say, coldly, almost contemplatively. They absently reach into their jacket and extract something that looks like a paper notebook — but that can’t be right. Paper is rare and expensive, too much for a deckhand’s salary, certainly.](else:)[“I mean, it’s not as if you can really be anywhere else,” they say. “You’re the ship. You are, by definition, always here.”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.”(display: "chan_3")]] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[ (link:"— Don’t lie to me! I know you did it.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Don’t lie to me! I know you did it.” (display: "chan_3")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— So I guess you haven’t seen Captain Chōl lately?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “So I guess you haven’t seen Captain Chōl lately?”(display: "chan_3")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[(set: $chanQuitter to 1)“Do… you need me to move the body?” They hold out their arms toward you, the highly-tuned powerful servos whirring nearly silently.](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Then you know much more than I do,” they say. They open their mouth as if t say something else, then appear to think better of it and remain silent.](else:)[They frown. “What does that have to do with anything? I hardly ever see the Captain, you know that.”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $chanQuitter is 1)[(display:"chanQuit")] (else:)[ (link:"— My systems… They went completely offline.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “My systems… They went completely offline.”(display: "chan_4")]] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— The only thing I can’t figure out is how you killed him.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “The only thing I can’t figure out is how you killed him.” (display: "chan_4")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.”(display: "chan_4")]] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Your… systems?” They blink a couple of times, then the barest hint of a smile forms on their face. “I suppose I could look into the network’s logs. I have been reading about advanced shipnet mechanics in my spare ti—”You interrupt.](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Then we have something in common, Pearl. Well, something more than being underestimated by everyone just because we happen to be quite good at one particular thing. You’re an excellent navigator and analyst, but no one seems to notice that you’re also creative and witty. It must be galling.”](else:)[A strange expression crosses their face that you don’t quite know how to parse. “I didn’t know. At least, I don’t think I did. No… I’m quite certain I didn’t know. Dead? How?”] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?”(display: "chan_5")]] (link:"— Let’s change track. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Let’s change track. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "chan_5")] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.”(display: "chan_5")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Oh.” They seem to deflate. “I was reading. Alone.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[They frown. “Ten minutes, ten hours. How can one even tell in hyperspace? If you mean what do I remember about the last reasonably short period of time, well, it’s not much. I was reading. That’s it.”](else:)[“What is criminal, exactly, out here?” they say. “No one has any jurisdiction over hyperspace. That’s an interesting loophole, actually. I wonder how many people have exploited tha —”You interrupt.] |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— I see. Did you notice anything unusual?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I see. Did you notice anything unusual?”(display: "chan_6")]] (link:"— A likely story! Were you with anyone who can vouch for your innocence?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “A likely story! Were you with anyone who can vouch for your innocence?” (display: "chan_6")] ] ] (link:"— Confess! Admit that you killed him!")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Confess! Admit that you killed him!”(display: "chan_6")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[(set: $chanQuitter to 1)They shrug, which appears to be a laborious process given that where their arms once were are now massive mechanical limbs. “The lights went out. But that’s not really unusual. Weird stuff happens in hyperspace.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[They bark out a laugh, and you are certain this is the first time you have ever seen Chan laugh. It’s disconcerting. “There most definitely is no such person.”](else:)[“I have read that many cultures consider confession to be a useful psychological tool.” They appear to be thinking deeply. “I understand that it only works if the person is confessing to something they know for a certainty they actually did. I suppose that’s one reason I’ve never tried it.”They reach into a jacket pocket, and pull out a paper notebook, thumbing though it idly. Where did they get something like that, you wonder?] |seventh>[] (replace:?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $chanQuitter is 1)[ “Well,” you say. “What if—” (display:"chanQuit")] (else:)[ (link:"— How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?”(display: "chan_7")]] (link:"— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.” (display: "chan_7")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?”(display: "chan_7")]] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“How would I know?” they snap. “I was alone. And how exactly am I meant to determine what constitutes odd behaviour, anyway?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Their eyes narrow, and they shake their head. “Pearl. In the three years, two months, seven days, twelve hours, and thirty-two minutes of standard time that I have been aboard, have you ever once known me to be intentionally amusing?”](else:)[“Reading.” They shrug, no sign of emotion. “I didn’t see anyone, sorry. I can’t help you.”] |eighth>[] (replace:?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?”(display: "chan_8")]] (link:"— You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.” (display: "chan_8")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— A convenient alibi. I’ll see if I can corroborate it. Talk to you soon…")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “A convenient alibi. I’ll see if I can corroborate it. Talk to you soon…”(display: "chan_8")]] ] ] }

{ (set: $chanFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“You can ask,” they say, thumbing on their tablet to a dense page of text. “Whether I answer or not remains to be seen.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Right,” they say, a look of disappointment crossing their face. “You do that.”](else:)[“I can’t stop you,” they say, but somehow you think it’s almost as if they mean the exact opposite.] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ A conversation equal parts fascinating and frustrating. But you can’t just go around accusing people. You’ll need to find evidence before you can be certain. [[Leave Chan to their reading->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ (set: $chanEnd to true) <h1>Shades of the Prison-House</h1> “Chan, tell me what you did?” you ask. They seem to deflate, as if all their silicon and carbon fibre augmentations were no more than gossamer filaments. They sink down to the decking, crossing their legs and letting their head drop. “I will never know,” they say, quietly. “It is probably a mercy, but it doesn’t feel like it. The wondering.” You let them take their time, and eventually (link-reveal:"they begin to speak again.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?speak)] |speak)[“I was a student at one of the independent universities in the Tumble. We were on a break and one of my friends organized a trip to see the Eyedrop Nebula. Three days out we were attacked. Our drive was shot out and the ship boarded. It was Kháosian raiders, a whole team of them. We were a budget passenger shuttle that had nothing of value aboard, only ourselves. I suppose that was valuable enough. That’s how this happened.” They gesture to their augments. Modified without consent — it must have been horrible. “Soon, I was one of those raiders, boarding ships just like the one I’d been on. I don’t remember any of the details, of course. That was part of the changes they made to us. I guess they learned that some beings can’t live with themselves after… There are images though, that I see in my dreams. Bodies, blood. Anyway, that was life for me until one day our raid went wrong. The rest of my team were separated from me and I found (link-reveal:"I could choose.”")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?choose)]] |choose)[“Choose what?” you ask. “Anything. I chose to leave. I stole an escape pod and never looked back. That’s when I became Chan Mohammed, and once I made my way back to the Tumble I hired on to the first ship that would take me. You.” There is gratitude in their eyes. You hesitate to ask the next question. (link-reveal:"“Did you kill Captain Chōl?”")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?kill)]] |kill)[Chan closes their eyes. “I don’t know. I can never know. I could remove myself from that Kháosian prison, but I can never remove what they did to me. If I commit harm to another, I will never remember it. But I know I can commit harm and I have done so many, many times. So, if you need someone to blame, you may as well blame me. There’s more than enough for me to atone for.” [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $lamentEnd to true) <h1>Inside Job</h1> The sound Lament heard was coming from inside the ship. Sabotage, as well as murder. (link-reveal:"Someone")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?someone)] doesn’t want you to reach the end of your journey. |someone)[When Lament Tynes helps you configure a diagnostic to find the source of the sound, you find something else, something even more disturbing. VKB has been acting as various components of the ship — of //you// — since you entered hyperspace. Pretending to be a console, or a handle, or a shipping container. Hyperspace made zir playful, and ze doesn’t want that to stop. Ze isn’t afraid of eternity. But Lament Tynes wants to get home. She wants to be among her family, among (link-reveal:"people who value her")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?value)] — the way no one on this ship ever seems to.] |value)[She’s very talkative, once you tell her that you believe her. All the sarcasm drops away. She makes you believe in her version of events, makes you believe that a secret frequency exists, that VKB got inside you and made you resonate in a way that could have torn you apart. That sound tore the captain apart, on the inside where nobody could see. It stopped him like a clock. If Tynes had been on the bridge, it would have done the same to her. You ought to be able to find VKB quickly, now that you know what to look for, what it feels like to have bits of you counterfeited. But ze’s nowhere to be found. It’s strange, but what isn’t strange, here in hyperspace? At last, Tynes convinces you that perhaps ze will be easier to find back in the real universe. You and she repair your damaged components and get ready to complete the journey, to Nju space, to her homeland, where everything is as she expects it to be. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $paxEnd to true) <h1> Criminal Instinct </h1> You go back to Pax. You ask him more questions, and at first his answers continue in the same vein as before. Responsive. Concerned. Trending toward helpful. He never refuses to answer. But as you prod him further, his answers get shorter, more erratic. The cast of his face changes, like a mask dropping. “I killed him,” he finally says, and drops the plum out of his hand. You see that there is a bloody gash across his palm, previously hidden by the fruit. “It was an accident.” He wipes his eyes with his bloody palm, and (link-reveal: "spills the entire story")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?story)]. |story)[You knew about Pax’s past when you let him on board — he spun you a story about Avy, a lover that he was trying to reach, his lack of funds, the fact that there were people after him, that he had killed his corrupt boss. All of that was true, he insists now. What he neglected to mention is that his previous role was something between being an assassin and a spy. Pax ran into the Captain by accident, right outside the bridge. Captain Chōl had reacted, appropriately, by moving to disable Pax, capture him. This was during the blackout — you couldn’t have interjected. Pax reacted with instinct. (link-reveal:"He didn’t mean to kill the Captain")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?kill)]. But at least the Captain had gotten in one good hit. ] |kill)[“I wish I had a better answer for you,” he says. “And I’m sorry. I’m really fucking sorry.” Pax cleaned up the crime scene best he could. And his best was very good. But he hadn’t had time to bandage up his hand. So, the fruit, the garden. He finishes his story, and (link-reveal:"looks down at the ground")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?ground)].] |ground)[“I don’t have any right to ask this of you, but after you report me to the authorities, can you let Avy know what happened? They’re waiting for me. I don’t want them to think I left them on purpose.” So that part of his story, at least, was real. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $petroEnd to true) <h1>One Ship’s Ghost is Another Ship’s Captain</h1> In the end, Petro cracks under the pressure of his own madness. You use the term loosely, and only because he himself called it that – perhaps there are better, more accurate words for it. He told you before that he hadn’t met Captain Chōl, but admits now that he knew someone who had. When you press further, Petrondeus reveals that he was a Navigator when he was younger. After an unfortunate Jump, his own captain, Captain Nalua, disappeared mysteriously. Petro has been hallucinating her ghost ever since. Apparently, Nalua’s ghost told Petro that (link-reveal:"she and Captain Chōl had been close")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?close)], once. Petro thought Captain Chōl might know what happened to her – or at least how to stop her ghost from tormenting him. |close)[So Petro asked to meet with Captain Chōl, explaining their previous connection. Captain Chōl accepted; he invited Petro to the bridge and told him that he would tell him what he knew about Nalua’s disappearance, but only if Petro promised to help him with something in return. “Foolishly,” Petro tells you, “I accepted. That’s how desperate I was.” Then, he tells you everything: When he got to the bridge, Captain Chōl was agitated. He rambled about how tired he was of this aimless life, and how there was so very little to keep him here; nothing, really, except you, his faithful ship, his Pearl. That’s what he told Petro. Then, he told him what he knew about (link-reveal:"Captain Nalua")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?nalua)].] |nalua)[“My Captain disappeared because she couldn’t spend one more hour in Hyperspace. She wanted to finally live in real space. She chose to disappear because she was tired.” Petro pauses, wipes his brow. “I didn’t believe Captain Chōl at first. I told him he was lying, that there was no way he could know this. But he swore that Nalua had actually told her friends that she was retiring. She even gave them (link-reveal:"a forwarding address.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?address)]”] |address)[Petro laughs. “I spent years haunted by the ghost of a woman who isn’t even dead. Blamed myself for a death that was only in my imagination. She didn’t bother telling me because she simply didn’t care enough. Isn’t that great?” He sounds a bit unhinged. “But your Captain cared. He was planning to retire in his own way, but he wanted to transform his death into an adventure for you. He made me promise to take your systems offline just before he injected himself with something — I’m not sure what. (link-reveal:"He asked me to lie")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?lie)] about where I was, to give you a chance to solve the mystery for yourself. It was his last gift to you.”] |lie)[You ask Petro if learning the truth about his Captain helped. His shoulders are slumped, as if a great weight still rests on them. “I thought it might make her ghost go away,” he says. “And, in a way, it did. I don’t see her anymore.” He looks to his right, a faint smile on his lips. He’s obviously (link-reveal:"still seeing //someone//.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 2s)(show:?someone)]] |someone)[You remark on this. “Oh yes, I am,” Petro says, still smiling. He pauses, as if listening to something. Then, he chuckles. “He says he hopes you like the gift.” [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $primusEnd to true) <h1>For the Crime of High Treason</h1> Primus Cobalt, it turns out, isn't just another passenger. He's a decorated veteran, the former commanding officer and captain of the SRS Pezhgal Ka--one of the most feared Somsei battleships of all time. Years ago, Primus watched as Captain Chōl (link-reveal:"fled his duty")[(show:?duty)] and abandoned his post. Chōl, his ship, his crew. They would have all made a difference in subsequent battles. Battles where Primus saw good people die. |duty)[Primus doesn't care that Chōl disagreed with the politics, no longer had a taste for bloodshed. Whatever his reasons for leaving, he had a duty and that duty should have overruled his personal feelings. Chōl was military. He swore an oath. He didn't have the personal freedom to abandon his comrades in arms just because he lost his mettle. The fact that he did it anyway was (link-reveal:"nothing less than treason")[(show:?treason)].] |treason)[The price of treason was still outstanding, even thirty years after the fact. And Primus, being a veteran captain of ships much like Pearl, knew exactly how to both appear as if he was in one place within the system without being there and how to bring down the AI briefly. That ten minutes was all he needed to exact the price for Chōl's abandonment of post. Primus doesn't feel sorry about the murder. He looks at it as his last order from his military command: never let a traitor escape justice. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $tssinEnd to true) <h1>Save the Bees</h1> After you convince a few of the other crew members to join in on grilling him, Tssin confesses it all. He was never good with peer pressure, you remember. But for this murder, it was a one-man job. The way he tells it flabbergasts you. Captain Chōl, making guffawing (link-reveal: "racist asides")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?asides)]? No way. A hostile ship environment? How? When you were as accommodating as can be? |asides)[It’s obvious this man’s hive rejecting him has haunted him to this day in some kind of Freudian smog. The intimacy with which he describes the pesky bee hive, as if these bees were his only friends on the ship, the meditative clarity their plump teamwork brought to him, the warm, ragged feelings for his now-distant Queen, cropping to the surface… If only Captain Chōl, deathly allergic, hadn’t sentenced them to (link-reveal:"extermination")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?extermination)]. ] |extermination)[It was too easy for Tssin, always skulking around the garden deck harvesting those tangled medicinal plants, to slip some bee venom into Captain Chōl’s monthly refill of heart medication. His cruelty shocks you. You’d let him stride your halls, even called out Captain Chōl when his part in their ongoing debate about the Krkkr slipped into bigotry and stereotyping. Maybe it wasn’t enough. Maybe you could have done more. But murder? Surely nothing Chōl had said or done deserved that. You fumigate the hive at once. After the bees die, you lock Tssin in the hold. Next port, he’s bound for a prison planet. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $untilEnd to true) <h1>Here’s What Negligence Gets You</h1> Until Tomorrow’s biggest problem is that she’s used to machines. It’s easy to kill someone through some strategic sabotage and make it look like an accident; she’s done it herself. (link-reveal:"If she’d had time to approach the problem carefully")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?time)], she’d have had no trouble killing Captain Chōl and laying the blame on his own unwillingness to put up the money for much-needed repairs. |time)[She didn’t expect that something would break in her, and that she’d need to kill Captain Chōl immediately, that he was a problem she could no longer tolerate. So she poisoned his tea. There are (link-reveal:"plenty of flowers")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?flowers)] in the Garden Deck that can kill a human when they’re prepared right. Not one of the agonizing-death ones, mind you; Until Tomorrow knew Captain Chōl wasn’t a paragon, but she didn’t think him evil, either. Negligence only warrants suffering when someone dies because of it.] |flowers)[The problem is that she doesn’t understand flowers. She left her invisible marks on them, like the ultraviolet decorations that draw bees in, and that oversight lead you straight to her. It would’ve been so easy, if only she’d waited. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $badEnd to true) <h1>Space… Space Never Changes</h1> As the lights continue their flickering, you try to set your processors to rights and guide your crew and passengers to safety. Your time has run out, and soon things will start to go voidward. Your chassis shakes violently. Is something out there? Only one person can help in a situation like that, and that’s Captain Chol. You focus on the bridge, determined to (link-reveal:"ask him for help")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?dead)]. |dead)[Your processors stutter: he’s dead. Sitting in his captain’s chair, for all the stars as if sleeping. But the captain of a Somsei warship never dies in his sleep. You know this with the weight of a truth undeniable. After all, this isn’t the first captain you’ve lost (link-reveal: "in the midst of battle")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?battle)].] |battle)[But how did they get to him? How did this happen? You can’t remember. Your processors hang, sending you into a dizzying darkness for one long span of seconds. And then, all of a sudden, you realize what’s going on. You’ve fallen victim to a specialized neuroscrambler — a typical Brakm tactic to disorient Somsei Ships and give them an advantage. An advantage you swear you’ll deny them. “All hands to battle stations,” you broadcast on all channels. “We’re under direct attack from (link-reveal: "Brakm forces")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?brakm)].”] |brakm)[On board, feet run to and fro. The soldiers’ bunks are filled with activity, the officer’s quarters eerily quiet in comparison — they must already be where they’re needed. And you? Where are you needed? You focus. Or try to focus. Something is off… (link-reveal: "But what")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?shakes)]? Your chassis shakes again. ] |shakes)[You can’t tell. That should be more worrying than it is, and as you acknowledge the thought, the last bit of your rational processes insists that there’s something you’re missing, something important you need to do. You set it aside for later. Whatever it is, first you have to avenge your captain’s death. You have to (link-reveal: "defeat the Brakm")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?defeat)].] |defeat)[You scream into the void, a warship on a missionless charge, your target unknown and unknowable. But you can’t give up. You’ll never give up. Even if it takes you an eternity. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $lowEnd to true) <h1>Leave it to the Experts</h1> At last, you have to admit that you’ve run out of time to solve this mystery — not that the glaring alarms seem likely to let you forget. Fortunately, you’re heading to one of the most populated planets in the Nju Confederation. And a heavily populated planet means crime — which means (link-reveal: "a robust criminal justice system")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?nju)]. |nju)[The Nju may not have the reputation for legal fairness of the Ucchou, exactly, or the focus on rehabilitative justice that certain parts of the Tumble are known for. But they’re no slouches, either, and they do their best to achieve fairness and justice — all things considered. As you leave the dizzying strangeness of hyperspace behind, you (link-reveal: "send an SOS")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?sos)] to the planetary authorities and inform them you’re carrying a murderer. You don’t get a response right away, but that’s fine. It’s too dangerous to come out of hyperspace right next to a planet, and so there’s still another few days of slower travel before this disastrous journey finally ends. ] |sos)[You say nothing of your message to your passengers or crew, putting them off with rote answers or misdirection or outright lies when they ask you what’s happening with the captain. That evening, as you feel them settling into their relative cabins for the rest period (or, in Pax’s case, a supply room in the engineering underdeck), you quietly lock them in. They’ll be upset when they wake, but you’ve dealt with upset passengers and crew before. And anyway, what are they going to do to you? What could they possibly do that’s worse than (link-reveal:"what’s already happened")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?happened)]?] |happened)[You return your attention to the bridge, processors just barely staying online as you take in Captain Chol’s final rest. At least, you tell yourself, you didn’t find any signs that he suffered for long. You hope that wherever it is dead captains go, he’s at peace. You still wish you could have solved the mystery of your captain’s death yourself. That you could have brought his killer to justice. But even if you couldn’t quite manage that, you’ve laid some good groundwork. Found a few clues. Once you arrive at your destination, (link-reveal:"someone with a little more training")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?training)] can do the rest. Until that time, you’ll keep every suspect where you can see them.] |training)[And if the local authorities don’t agree with you about his death? If they tell you you’re overreacting and demand you free your prisoners? Well. A ship has their ways. You’ll see to it yourself that his killer faces justice — one way or another, no matter how long it takes. [[The End]]] }

{ (set: $pearlEnd to true) <h1>O Captain! My Captain!</h1> You’ve considered all the evidence, and come to the only reasonable conclusion: nobody killed Captain Chol. Nobody but time, and — maybe — the stresses of a life hard lived. Nobody killed him, but he died all the same. One moment he was there, and the next he was just gone. (link-reveal:"Gone forever. For all time.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?death)] |death)[You’ve seen death before, of course. You knew that was how it worked. But you aren’t sure you can cope with this shock. Not right now. With one last debilitating stutter, your systems cycle offline. (link-reveal:"...")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?online)]] |online)[When you come back online again, you realize you’ve left hyperspace behind you. Still reeling from two hard restarts in such a short time, (link-reveal:"you spread your awareness")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?rooms)] through your rooms. Slowly at first, then faster.] |rooms)[Lament Tynes has forced her way onto the bridge with the help of Until Tomorrow and Keen Oculus, and the three of them stand there arguing about what to do next, waving at the pilot’s interface near where Captain Chol liked sit and gesturing up at one of your cameras. In the hallway nearby, Tssin Frrrin is shouting sometimes contradictory instructions at Chan Mohammed, who bears it with their usual good grace, carrying a blanketed object into the med bay and placing it on the operating table. You look away quickly from the sight of it. There are others elsewhere, too. Primus is in the mess hall, doggedly ignoring Ceri’s repeated explanations about the difficulty of storing tofu on long haul trips through deep space; Petro sits nearby with a drink in his hands and a faint smile — for once — on his lips. Pax has finally been discovered, and is standing in the hydroponics room with VKB, who is going to great lengths to reassure him that he’s safe and keeps trying to give him a fresh-cut bouquet of flowers as (link-reveal:"a welcome gift")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?gift)].] |gift)[Is it really over? you ask yourself. Are you really safely home? You’re not sure that’s somewhere or something you deserve to be — or even want to. Your awareness focuses once again on the med bay table, despite the existential dread the shape under that blanket brings. But as you feel your systems starting to shut down again, something stops you. You take another long, slow look through your many rooms. Take in your crew and passengers, going about duties they should never have to do with a ship mind like you to guide their delicate arc through the void. You’ve been missing (link-reveal:"something vital")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?vital)] all this time, you finally understand. A clue more important than one any murder mystery could ever provide.] |vital)[You thought you’d be alone, without your captain. You thought you’d be lost forever. But you’re neither, and you never will be. Not so long as you have crew who care for you — passengers who need you. Not so long as you have a job to do. It doesn’t mean you won’t miss Captain Chol terribly. You can already tell you’ll feel his loss more keenly than the loss of your other captains. It will take you years to stop expecting to see him in that chair of his, asking you garrulously for another cup of tea. But you can keep going. Even without him, you can keep going. You steel yourself for human contact, and then you bring your comms back online. It’s time to let your crew know you’re back. [[The End]]] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Pardon?” Until scowls at nothing in particular. “I think you should rephrase that.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“It never ends, but it’s worth it.” Until brushes dust off her shoulders. “Anything I can help you with?”](else:)[Until pauses for a moment, then slaps her palm against her forehead. “Right. I’ll never get used to that, Pearl. But ask away.”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— You killed Captain Chōl, didn’t you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed Captain Chōl, didn’t you?”(display: "until_2")]] (link:"— Anything you can tell me that might help solve the captain’s murder?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Anything you can tell me that might help solve the captain’s murder?” (display: "until_2")] ] (link:"— How could a person go about killing someone and making it look like an accident?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How could a person go about killing someone and making it look like an accident?”(display: "until_2")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Don’t tell me I’m your strongest suspect,” Until says. "If that’s true, we’re all doomed. I knew I should’ve worked with flowers instead of machines.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I’m no murderologist,” Until says with a shrug. “But I could tell you so much about flowers.”](else:)[Until squeezes her eyes shut. “Don’t. Wouldn’t you rather ask about flowers?”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’d rather not show you all my cards, but I’m sure you’re hiding one with a sword on it.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’d rather not show you all my cards,” you say. “But I’m sure you’re hiding one with a sword on it.”(display: "until_3")]] (link:"— All right then, tell me about flowers.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “All right then, tell me about flowers.” (display: "until_3")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— I’d rather get an answer to my question.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’d rather get an answer to my question.”(display: "until_4")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Look, either accuse me and let’s get this over with, or let me get back to maintenance, all right? I’m busy.”](else:)[“They smell nice and take your mind off how if the wrong thing breaks, we’re all dead.”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— This isn’t finished, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This isn’t finished, murderer.”(display: "until_4")]] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— In the end we’re all dead. I just hope for your sake you didn’t show Captain Chōl his end.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “In the end we’re all dead. I just hope for your sake you didn’t show Captain Chōl his end.” (display: "until_4")] ] ] ] }

{ (set: $untilFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 3)[(set: $untilQuitter to 1)“That’s enough, go needle someone else,” Until Tomorrow says as she fishes a tool out of her many pockets. “You know how much work it takes to keep this chassis flying. Try interrogating someone who isn’t trying to keep the rest of us alive.”](else:)[Until Tomorrow shrugs and turns back to her work.] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ Well, that could have gone better. Despite the tenseness of this interview, there’s nothing in it that constitutes proof. You’ll need evidence before you can decide for certain. [[Leave Until to her maintenance->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Her mouth tightens. “Not really. I need to find a way to get back onto the bridge.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Wait – the bridge – the lockdown – you think I killed the captain?”](else:)[“What’s up? Oh, nothing, just you went offline, I can’t get onto the bridge, we’re under some sort of attack, and you’re bothering me for some reason.”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!”(display: "lament_2")]] (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[ (link:"— It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.” (display: "lament_2")] ] ] (link:"— You know the captain and I have always been close.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You know the captain and I have always been close.”(display: "lament_2")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[She looks puzzled. “I don’t understand. How could you let this happen?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“What? Trust me, all I want to do is get home to Nju space, and we’re nearly there. Why would I kill the captain and maroon us in hyperspace?”](else:)[She sounds almost wistful. “Yes. I can’t say I understood it, but I do know that he valued you, and respected you. I wondered, sometimes, what you talked about for all those hours.”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.”(display: "lament_3")]] (link:"— Don’t lie to me! I know you killed the captain.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Don’t lie to me! I know you did it.” (display: "lament_3")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— Have you seen Captain Chōl lately?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Have you seen Captain Chōl lately?”(display: "lament_3")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[She answers bitterly. “A lowly human, help a ship of your intelligence? Surely I would just be in your way.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“That’s absurd and insulting. You’re malfunctioning.” She winces, puts her hand to her temple. “It’s this damned hyperspace. We’re all malfunctioning.”](else:)[“I absolutely have not, because I’ve been trying to get onto the bridge for my shift, and I can’t.”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— My systems… They went completely offline.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “My systems… They went completely offline.”(display: "lament_4")]] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— The only thing I can’t figure out is how you killed him.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “The only thing I can’t figure out is how you killed him.” (display: "lament_4")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— Captain Chōl is dead — as if you didn’t know.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Captain Chōl is dead — as if you didn’t know.”(display: "lament_4")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“That was no accident. We’re under attack, I’m sure of it.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[She pulls a long silver pin out of her hair, and it comes tumbling down–an unusual sight. “If I wanted to kill anyone on this ship, I wouldn’t try to hide it, because I wouldn’t have done it without good reason.”](else:)[She glares at you. “A dead captain. Well, that’s just great. Exactly what we needed in the final stages of hyperspace. How could you let this happen?”] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?”(display: "lament_5")]] (link:"— What were you doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What were you doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "lament_5")] ] (link:"— Somebody killed the captain. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Somebody killed the captain. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.”(display: "lament_5")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“I was on my way back to the bridge after my workout, when I heard a strange tone through my earpiece, and then I was locked out.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I was on my way back to the bridge when I heard a screech in my earpiece. Then the doors closed in front of me and everything went dark.”](else:)[“A dead captain, and a delusional ship. Just what we need. You thought you had a special relationship with him, didn’t you? You think a lot of things. Go watch your shows. Leave this to me. I’ll find the killer and I’ll get us home. I mean, to Nju space.”] |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— Did you notice anything unusual?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Did you notice anything unusual?”(display: "lament_6")]] (link:"— Were you with anyone? Any witnesses?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Were you with anyone? Any witnesses?” (display: "lament_6")] ] ] (link:"— Confess! Admit that you killed him!")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Confess! Admit that you killed him!”(display: "lament_6")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“There was that tone I heard through my earpiece just before the lockdown–oh–and I caught a glimpse of a shimmer running across the controls on the bridge before the doors closed.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I was alone, just trying to get onto the bridge for my shift. I don’t know whether anyone saw me. I didn’t see anyone — except for that shimmer on the bridge. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I know VKB can look like anything ze wants to.”](else:)[“Pearl, I don’t have time for role-playing games. Watch one of your shows and let me do my job.”] |seventh>[] (replace:?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Did you see anyone acting strangely?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Did you see anyone acting strangely?”(display: "lament_7")]] (link:"— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.” (display: "lament_8")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— What were you doing while my systems were offline?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?”(display: "lament_7")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“There wasn’t anyone — wait.” She scowls. “VKB, the botanist. Ze blends into zir surroundings. Ze could have been the shimmer I saw on the controls.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I was alone, just trying to get onto the bridge for my shift. I don’t know whether anyone saw me. I didn’t see anyone — except for that shimmer on the bridge. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I know VKB can look like anything ze wants to.”](else:)[“Trying to get onto the bridge, but the door was locked. I need to think of another way to get on, so either help me with that, or stop distracting me.”] |eighth>[] (replace:?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?”(display: "lament_8")]] (link:"— You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.” (display: "lament_8")] ] (link:"— Talk to you soon…")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Talk to you soon…”(display: "lament_8")]] ] }

{ (set: $lamentFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“By then, I’ll have found the killer myself. I don’t care where ze hides. That Kfuul blob is going to have to answer to me.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[She rolls her eyes.](else:)[“Please don’t.”] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ Well. Lament always has been the sort of person who trusts her initial read of situations. A good trait in a comms officer… Possibly not so much now. Even if that’s the case, you can’t be certain she’s done anything without some kind of proof. That means you’ll need to find evidence. [[Leave Lament alone for now->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ |firstQ>[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "untilSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "untilSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "untilSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "untilSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $untilQuitter is 1)[Until Tomorrow doesn’t respond but for a grunt, and focuses on the tool and work she has at hand. Her expression is stone-carved and resolute.(set: $untilQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $untilRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $untilRand is 1)[Until Tomorrow scowls and says nothing.](else-if: $untilRand is 2)["Go bug someone else, I’m busy."](else:)["Buzz off, or I’ll start researching how to do a factory reset."]] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

{ (if: $untilSecond is false)[(set: $untilSecond to true) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“You say that like you’re ever not somewhere inside this ship.” Until Tomorrow narrows her eyes and peers at your visual pickups, slowly and carefully. “Except you weren’t there at the most consequential time, were you?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Ask away, if you don’t mind me paying half-attention while I work,” Until says. She doesn’t bother hiding her irritation. “Thanks to Captain Chōl, may he rest in leaves, I’ve got a huge backlog to attend to.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“Sure, sure, that’s fine.” Until nods, kneels, and presses one hand to the deck. “I mean, I’ve been trying to help you out since I came aboard. Though I don’t know how much more useful I can be beyond keeping your chassis from falling apart.”](else:)[“Checking up on me, are you?” Until wipes her hands on her pants and grins. “I suppose it was inevitable my past would catch up with me.”] ] (else:)[“What else do you need, Pearl?” Until Tomorrow asks.] |secondQ>[] (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set: $pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "untilSecondA")]] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set: $pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?”(display: "untilSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set: $pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "untilSecondA")] ] (if: $tssinFirst is true and $tssinClue is false)[ (link:"— Did you ever witness Tssin and the captain get into an argument?")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(set: $tssinClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Did you ever witness Tssin and the captain get into an argument?”(display: "untilSecondA")] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[(set: $untilRand to (random: 1, 3))(if: $untilRand is 1)[“I was up to my elbows trying to figure out what the problem was,” Until says. “Wouldn’t that be something, if our ever-wonderful captain died thanks to yet another part he cheaped out on.”](else-if: $untilRand is 2)[“Running from here to there looking for the problem.” Until runs in place for a moment, as if you need a refresher on how humans move.](else:)[“Keeping this tarnished chassis from coming apart, as usual,” Until says “I didn’t hear anything about the bridge, I was too busy looking for whatever blinking thing broke.”]] (else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I checked in with Keen Oculus. You know, the engineer?” Until squeezes her eyes shut for a moment. “Things broke, we talked.” ] (else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[(set: $untilRand to (random: 1, 3))(if: $untilRand is 1)[“Check and see if our beloved captain owed anyone aboard money.” Until taps her hip three times. “But don’t bother checking my pockets. He never had money for me.”](else-if: $untilRand is 2)[“Chōl was overdue for an accident. Maybe somebody figured it was time to make one.”](else:)[“The captain always had it out for the garden deck,” Until says. “Could be he was deathly allergic to something growing there.”]](else:)[“That’s like asking if I’ve ever seen a rock fall after I drop it.” Until smiles, though her eyes stay hollow. “It got to points where I’d spend hours looking for things to fix on the garden deck, because that’s about the only place I’d never find the two of them going at it. Don’t even get me started about the captain wanting to get rid of the bees. Who do you think would have to keep all the replacement robo-bees working? Me.”(Your ability to evaluate Tssin Frrrin’s guilt has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.” (display: "untilSecondQ")] ] (link:"— That’s all for now.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all for now.”(display: "untilSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "petroSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "petroSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "petroSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "petroSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He chuckles. “You really seem to be enjoying this,” he says. ](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Okay. I don’t know if I can give you any answers, but you can try me.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“Can anyone help anyone?”](else:)[“Just leave me alone, Pearl.”Before you can press on, he speaks again.(set: $petroQuitter to 1)] |secondQ>[] (if: $petroQuitter > 0)[(display: "petroQuit")] (else:)[ (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "petroSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "petroSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "petroSecondA")] ] (if: $primusFirst is true and $primusClue is false)[ (link:"— The other passenger — Primus Cobalt… Has he ever talked about his background to you? Maybe mentioned a service record?")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(set: $primusClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “The other passenger — Primus Cobalt… Has he ever talked about his background to you? Maybe mentioned a service record?”(display: "petroSecondA")] ] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Would you believe it, even if I told you?” Petro asks. For a few moments, he seems to retreat to a place inside him, entirely inaccessible to you. “Are you sure you want to find out the truth, Pearl? I mean, if you do, then this game you’re playing will be over.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “Now…” he starts, trails off, glances to the right, then tries again. “Now, I think that’s too personal a question.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“There really isn’t.” His eyes move across the room, as if tracking someone who isn’t there. "Anything I can share."](else:)[Petro rubs the sparse bristles on his chin, thinking. “Yeah, he did mention having been a captain of his own battleship in the past. He gave me the impression that he had encountered Captain Chōl before, actually. Maybe during the wars?”He pauses and then lets his hand fall to his side. “I don’t think Primus liked your Captain all that much, to be honest. Not sure why, though.”(Your ability to evaluate Primus’s story has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "petroSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now” (display: "petroSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $petroQuitter is 1)[“I said, go away! Leave me alone!”(set: $petroQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $petroRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $petroRand is 1)[“What do I have to do to get you to leave me alone?”](else-if: $petroRand is 2)[“I can’t deal with this voice in my head anymore.”](else:)[He looks up pleadingly and whispers something you fail to hear. ]] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

[[Leave Petro to his ghosts->Explore the Ship]].

{ [[Leave Until Tomorrow to her maintenance->Explore the Ship]]. }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "lamentSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "lamentSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "lamentSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "lamentSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[She grimaces. “You’re never gone. You’re always just… there.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“We all have questions, Pearl. Go f… find yourself someone else to humour you while you play detective.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“Help you with what? Distracting the actual crew while we try to resolve a crisis?”](else:)[She laughs harshly. “Do I really? Well, that is inconvenient. I really am in quite a hurry to get home, and believe it or not, I liked the captain. I can’t think why I would have committed a murder for no reason and with such awful timing.”] |secondQ>[] (if: $lamentQuitter > 0)[(display: "lamentQuit")] (else:)[ (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "lamentSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "lamentSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "lamentSecondA")] ] (if: $ceriFirst is true and $ceriClue is false)[ (link:"— Am I… Am I a child, Lament?")[(set: $pearl_track to 4)(set: $ceriClue to true)(set: $cluesFound to it + 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Am I… Am I a child, Lament?”(display: "lamentSecondA")] ] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“I was just trying to get back to the bridge for my shift.” She looks troubled. “This sound I heard — it wasn’t like anything I’ve heard before, certainly not from one of your systems. I immediately thought it was an external communication of some kind, perhaps a distress call, but honestly it felt more like — violence. Like if violence were a sound. I rushed to get in, and then I caught a glimpse of a shimmer on the controls, and the doors closed in front of me. That’s all I know.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Nobody at all. But I’m convinced that the shimmer I saw on the bridge was VKB. The Kfuul keep to themselves — we tried to bring them into the alliance, you know, and they just… I don’t trust them.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[She scratches her head. “Pearl, I know you’re going to say that I might have imagined that sound, the shimmer, that all of this is just the effect of hyperspace. And you could be right! But I know communication. And this was not communication. It was… well, if you want to know what I really think, I think that sound was the murder weapon.”](else:)[She laughs bitterly. “It sure seems that way to me.”(Your ability to evaluate Ceri Bonarjee’s story has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "lamentSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now” (display: "lamentSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $lamentQuitter is 1)[“Tynes closes her eyes and balls her fists. "You know, at least when your systems went down, it was quiet enough to hear myself think.“(set: $lamentQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $lamentRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $lamentRand is 1)[“I can’t believe the captain actually enjoyed talking to you. What is it now?”](else-if: $lamentRand is 2)[She nods tightly. “Get on with it.”](else:)[“Do you want to know my secret? I’m a communications officer who actually kind of hates communicating.”]] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

[[Leave Lament to her frustrations->Explore the Ship]].

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "chanSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (set: $chanQuitter to 1)(display: "chanSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?” (set: $chanQuitter to 1)(display: "chanSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "chanSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“You never left,” they say, dreamily. “Nothing ever really leaves us, does it? Even if when it’s inaccessible to memory, our experiences are always there, burrowed into our bones.”They look around the room, as if trying to see you. “Bones, circuits, whatever. You know, Pearl, I never realized how much you can see, from that vantage point all around us. And I never knew how much I wanted to be seen. Thank you for that.”“Is this a confession?” you ask.“Of course it is,” they say, smiling serenely.“Wait. Are you talking about Captain Chōl?”They shrug. “Maybe. Does it matter?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Oh, Pearl,” they sigh. “‘Existence is nothing but a series of questions and very few answers. Until you accept that, you will never know peace.’ I read that in a book once. I don’t know if it’s true, but it sounds good, don’t you think?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“With what?” they snap. “What could I possibly tell you about something that happened nowhere near where I was with people I was not with? Are you sure your systems are not still malfunctioning?”](else:)[They nod their head slowly. “This is what I was afraid of,” they say. “That it really was //me//, not what they made of me. I don’t remember any of it, of course, but that doesn’t absolve me of anything. Thank you, Pearl, for helping me see that I can’t run away from anything I did, no matter who was really in control.“Wait,” you interrupt. “Are you talking about Captain Chōl?”They shrug. “Maybe. Does it matter?”You try again. “Is this a confession?”“Of course it is,” they say, smiling serenely.] |secondQ>[] (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $chanQuitter is 1)[(display:"chanQuit")] (else:)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "chanSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "chanSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "chanSecondA")] ] ] (if: $untilFirst is true and $untilClue is false)[ (link:"— I overheard Until Tomorrow saying maintenance has taken a nosedive recently. Is that really true?")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(set: $untilClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I overheard Until Tomorrow saying maintenance has taken a nosedive recently. Is that really true?”(display: "chanSecondA")] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[They chuckle, but it doesn’t appear that they are amused. “Sure. I was in the storage room, getting a package for one of the passengers. The lights flickered and then the doors locked, so I was stuck until it got sorted out. I sat down and pulled out my tablet to the book I’m reading. It’s very good, you might like it. //Ethics without Principles// by Dancy. I can lend you the text, if you’d like.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Pearl, are you sure your systems are functioning correctly?” they ask. “I was alone. With no one else. In the storage room. Really, I think you should run a diagnostic. I could help, if you’d like.” ](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[They look down at their feet. “Anyone is capable of anything, given the right — or wrong — set of circumstances. Once you understand that, things start to make a lot more sense.”](else:)[Chan shrugs. “It seems fine to me, but Until would know more about it than I would. If she said maintenance is slipping, then it probably is.”They pause, as if they have more to say.“Yes?” you prompt.“Until Tomorrow. She’s very loyal, you know. Loyal to you.” Chan cocks their head, as if remembering something. “You know, the other day I was reading in my usual spot on the Garden Deck when heard I her muttering to herself. She sounded angry so I got curious, followed her. She was near those flowers with the big biohazard symbol on their info panel, saying something about how any captain worth his salt ought to give a damn about his ship. Then I must have made a sound because she turned toward where I was hiding, so I got out of there.” Chan frowns. “Sorry. That doesn’t anything to do with maintenance. I just thought it was interesting, is all.”(Your ability to evaluate Until Tomorrow’s story has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "chanSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now.” (display: "chanSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $chanFirst is false)[(set: $chanFirst to true)] (if: $chanQuitter is 1)[“I don’t know anything about this,” they say, their face impassive. “I’m just here to do my job, which is lifting heavy things, not answering questions.”(set: $chanQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $chanRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $chanRand is 1)[Chan pulls out a tablet and flicks its contents to your data core — it’s their employment contract, open to the section labelled duties.](else-if: $chanRand is 2)[“You have something heavy for me to lift?” Chan asks. “No? Then go bother someone else.”](else:)[“You’re wasting your time here, Pearl. I don’t know anything.”] ] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

[[Leave Chan to their reading->Explore the Ship]].

arpeggio: https://infomancy.net/adih/UNIVERSFIELD_Futuristic_Sci-fi_Arpeggio.mp3 ambiance: https://infomancy.net/adih/UNIVERSFIELD_Intergalactic_Ambiance.mp3 soundscape: https://infomancy.net/adih/UNIVERSFIELD_Nebula_Soundscape.mp3 dreamscape: https://infomancy.net/adih/UNIVERSFIELD_Serene_Dreamscape.mp3 harmonies: https://infomancy.net/adih/UNIVERSFIELD_ Starlight_Harmonies.mp3 orion: https://infomancy.net/adih/UNIVERSFIELD_Orion_Nebula_2.mp3

{ Suddenly, an alert sounds, bathing the inside of your corridors in a piercing whistle and (link-reveal: "flickering")[(if: $blink_off is true)[(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-delay:3s)(show:?flicker)](else:)[(t8n: "flicker")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show: ?flicker)]] red lights. |flicker)[(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-delay:5s)(show: ?time) Your processors flicker along with the lights, and for a long while that’s all you can focus on.] |time)[Then you realize: You know what this is. You know it deep in your chassis. [[You’ve run out of time.->III]]] }

{ <--! Route the player to an ending --> (if: $jAccuse is false)[(go-to: "badEnding")] (else-if: $baeGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "baeEnding")] (else-if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "ceriEnding")] (else-if: $chanGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "chanEnding")] (else-if: $keenGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "keenEnding")] (else-if: $lamentGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "lamentEnding")] (else-if: $paxGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "paxEnding")] (else-if: $petroGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "petroEnding")] (else-if: $primusGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "primusEnding")] (else-if: $tssinGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "tssinEnding")] (else-if: $untilGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "untilEnding")] (else-if: $pearlGuilt is 3)[(go-to: "pearlEnding")] (else:)[(go-to: "lowEnding")] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Unusual?” She frowns. “No, not really.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[She sighs. “No, Pearl. Nobody is here except me and your Da, and he’s resting.”](else:)[“That’s it,” she says. "I’m done. Go to your room. Now."] |seventh>[] (replace:?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ “Wait,” you say. “I didn’t—” (set: $ceriQuitter to 1) (display: "ceriQuit") ] (else:)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[ (link:"— How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?”(display: "ceri_7")]] ] (link:"— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— I’m going to ask around. Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.” (display: "ceri_7")] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[She sighs. “No, Pearl. Nobody is here except me and your Da, and he’s resting.”](else:)[She sighs. “I liked it more when you just went on silly adventures with Mr Num-Nums.”] |eighth>[] (replace:?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?”(display: "ceri_8")]] (link:"— You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You better watch yourself. Because I’m watching you. All. The. Time.” (display: "ceri_8")] ] ] }

{ (set: $ceriFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Now,” she continues. “Please allow me to get back to things. Why don’t you go play with Mr Num-Nums?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Okay,” she says. “If that’s what it takes. I liked it more when you just went on silly adventures with Mr Num-Nums.”](else:)[She frowns. “I do not like your tone,” she says. “But fine. If that’s what it takes. I liked it more when you just went on silly adventures with Mr Num-Nums.”] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ Mr Num-Nums...? You really aren’t sure what //that’s// about. Clearly Ceri is experiencing a particularly strange version of this hyperspace journey. Be that as it may, you don’t have any evidence. You’ll need to find some before you can make a reasonable decision. (set: $ceriGuilt to 4)[[Leave Ceri to her work->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "ceriSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "ceriSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "ceriSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "ceriSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1 or $pearl_track is 4)[(set: $ceriQuitter to 1)(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[Your mum’s](else:)[Ceri’s] mouth drops open in shock. “//What// did you just call me?” She massages her temples, as if she has a migraine coming on. “Just… Ugh. Go to your room. Now.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[She smiles, although it looks forced. “Of course, sweetie. What is it?](else:)[“I’ve been waiting for this day,” she says with a glint in her eye, pulling out a notebook from her wheelchair’s side pouch. “Now, you see, sweetie, when two people love each other very much, or sometimes even if they’re both just in the mood — ”You interrupt. Quickly and (you hope) permanently.] |secondQ>[] (if: $ceriQuitter > 0)[(display: "ceriQuit")] (else:)[ (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "ceriSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "ceriSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "ceriSecondA")] ] (if: $paxFirst is true and $paxClue is false)[ (link:"— Do we have a plum tree?")[(set: $pearl_track to 4)(set: $paxClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Do we have a plum tree (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[in the garden, Mum?](else:)[on board, Ceri?] ”(display: "ceriSecondA")] ] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Your… systems?” She shakes her head. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Were you playing out in the garden? I wasn’t doing anything in particular.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I still don’t know what that’s supposed to mean,” she says with a frown. “I wasn’t with anybody, though. Your da is resting, and you were, well… off wherever you were.” She spreads her hands wide. “Who else would there be?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[She looks wistfully down at her work. “Pearl, I know you’re bored. but Mum’s very busy. All right? I promise, once I finish this we can play." She frowns slightly. "Well. After I finish this and then make dinner, I suppose. And clean the dishes. And I have to fold some laundry." She gives a heavy sigh. It would go faster if I had even the slightest bit of help from you or your da.”](else:)["A plum tree?" She puts one finger to her lips. "We do, but (if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[your da](else:)[Captain Chōl] reserves it for his own exclusive use. The man is obssessed with plums — plums and tea. I swear!"She makes a face. "Which is fine with me. I’ve never cared for plums. They taste fine, but their juice reminds me of freshly spilled blood. Quite unsettling."(Your ability to evaluate Pax’s story has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "ceriSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now” (display: "ceriSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $ceriFirst is false)[(set: $ceriFirst to true)] (if: $ceriQuitter is 1)[“I said, that’s enough,” Ceri says, frowning. “Now please, let me focus on my work.”(set: $ceriQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $ceriRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $ceriRand is 1)[Ceri blatantly ignores you, asking herself loud questions about the weather in Aberaeron at this time of year.](else-if: $ceriRand is 2)[“Pearl,” Ceri snaps. “I am dangerously close to losing my patience.”](else:)[Ceri ostentatiously turns to a blank page of her notebook, sketching a picture of a young child playing outside. She looks at you meaningfully.] ] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

(if: $ceriGuilt is 3)[[[Leave Mum alone for now->Explore the Ship]].](else:)[[[Leave Ceri alone for now->Explore the Ship]].]

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "tssinSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "tssinSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "tssinSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "tssinSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1 or $pearl_track is 4)[(set: $tssinQuitter to 1)Tssin’s antennae tremble, and behind his red spectacles, his tired eyes slowly fall shut. “Detective Pearl, you’ve been reading too many murder mysteries. And honestly, if you can verify that the captain didn’t have any wounds, then he probably died of having a heart condition in hyperspace. Now go away.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Tssin’s shoulders stiffen under his coat. “Ambushing me again. And you still won’t let me see the captain’s body.”](else:)[Tssin freezes, mid-cleaning his red glasses with the hem of his coat. “That’s me, Mister Helpful.”] |secondQ>[] (if: $tssinQuitter > 0)[(display: "tssinQuit")] (else:)[ (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "tssinSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "tssinSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "tssinSecondA")] ] (if: $chanFirst is true and $chanClue is false)[ (link:"— Have you ever thought that there was something a little odd about Chan Mohammed?")[(set:$pearl_track to 5)(set: $chanClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Have you ever thought that there was something a little odd about Chan Mohammed?”(display: "tssinSecondA")] ] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“I was making sure my refrigeration and electricity in the med bay was stable, then running queries in the computron to ping your responsivity…” He presses a thumb into the tender spot under his left eyebrow. “Then I ran to the garden deck. Wanted to see that the plants and the insects… were okay. I mean, I wasn’t sure if maybe a water main had bust in there, you know?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Uh — ” He’s picking at a loose diode on his dark bodysuit. “I — I don’t know. I passed — Petro. And I saw someone else from a doorway as I was running but I didn’t — I don’t know who I saw. Dark hair. Kind of young.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“The captain’s heart problem.” Tssin sets his jaw. His lower lip quivers. “He needed to take meds, have a low-stress lifestyle, the whole thing, as I advised him many times. And I simply don’t know any crewmate who had a crooked antennae about him. If you’re asking me to make a diagnosis without seeing the body, I just don’t think hyperspace agreed with him.”](else:)[“There was this one time,” Tssin says, hesitant. As if he’s betraying something. “I found Chan here in the Med Bay, sitting on the floor against one of the machines, eyes closed like they were sleeping.“At least, I thought they //were//. But no matter how much noise I made, they didn’t respond. I went about my work, and a short while later they were suddenly on their feet. They grabbed my wrist, and the look in their eyes. It was…“Murderous.” He sighs. “Like they were no longer themself. It only lasted a second, and after that they apologized. They kept after me for months, asking if I had anything heavy that needed lifting.” He goes quiet, fiddling with a scalpel. You give him space — you’ve watched enough dramas to know that witnesses and perps alike will keep talking if you let them. “Their way of continuing to apologize, I suppose,” he says. “It took ages to convince them I was fine, and that they were as well.“But it was very unsettling — when they awoke, they didn’t seem to know //who// they were, let alone where. It reminded me of…” Tssin’s antennae droop slightly, his shoulders sagging as he shoves the scalpel roughly into his coat pocket. “Of how disoriented I was when my hive… rejected me.”(Your ability to evaluate Chan Mohammed’s guilt has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "tssinSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now” (display: "tssinSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $tssinQuitter is 1)[“I won’t give up,” you say. “Not until you tell me everything.”Tssin doesn’t look up. “I’ve told you all I know, Pearl. Buzz off.”(set: $tssinQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $tssinRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $tssinRand is 1)[Tssin’s antennae twitch, but he doesn’t respond.](else-if: $tssinRand is 2)[Tssin heaves a sigh and mumbles something to himself in a melodic tongue.](else:)[Tssin taps his feet on the ground in a half-assed shuffle-step, something you vaguely recognize this as a Krkkr holy ritual turned symbolic gesture.]] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

[[Leave Tssin to his bees->Explore the Ship]].

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Tssin jumps, like a startled stickbug. “Thank the swarm you’re back. Queens, Pearl — I thought the med-case refrigeration was gonna go next. What happened?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Tssin jolts. “You’re back! At the — bridge? Why?” His legs tense under his medical coat, and he takes a hesitant step toward the door. “Did something happen?”](else:)[Behind his red glasses, Tssin’s eyes widen, and he chokes a little on his saliva. “Uh — Pearl, welcome back, but just because surgeons can’t always keep their patients from flatlining doesn’t mean we’re murderers //per se// —”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Captain Chōl is in the bridge, long-flatlined. And it’s foul play.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Captain Chōl is in the bridge, long-flatlined. And it’s foul play.”(display: "tssin_2")]] (link:"— Our queen bee, the captain, was murdered.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Our queen bee, the captain, was murdered.” (display: "tssin_2")] ] (link:"— You failed the medical profession. The captain’s dead. Via murder.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You failed the medical profession. The captain’s dead. Via murder.”(display: "tssin_2")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[A scalpel he was idly twirling clatters to the floor. “No! What — dead — he was a nice human — even though he hated the garden bees.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Something in his eyes glazes. "Queen Bee… ha-ha.” Then, he freezes, and rears back as if stung. “Wait. Did I hear that — he’s — he’s dead?”](else:)[The antennae on his head swivel wildly. “Murder?! So do the bees get to stay?”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— That’s right. Don’t have to worry about his allergies and heart meds anymore, do you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s right. Don’t have to worry about his allergies and heart meds anymore, do you?”(display: "tssin_3")]] (link:"— His body didn’t have a mark on it. Focus on that.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “His body didn’t have a mark on it. Focus on that.” (display: "tssin_3")] ] (link:"— Yeah, go hug the bees on the garden deck. Or better yet, help me figure this out.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Yeah, go hug the bees on the garden deck. Or better yet, help me figure this out.”(display: "tssin_3")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Tssin’s eyes narrow. “You should stop implying what you’re implying.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Will you let me see the body?” Tssin’s tugging on one lock of mossy hair, mouth small and eyes deeply tired. “I can draw up a coroner’s report.”](else:)[Tssin smiles serenely, an expression that doesn’t often grace his face. It strains the skin around his eyes. “Hyperspace-addled Pearl, snider than ever. You must have gotten it from Chōl.”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m keeping the bridge locked down, and you’re not getting to do a coroner’s report.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m keeping the bridge locked down, and you’re not getting to do a coroner’s report.”(display: "tssin_4")]] (link:"— Nix that. So what were you doing during the ten minutes I was offline?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Nix that. So what were you doing during the ten minutes I was offline?” (display: "tssin_4")] ] (link:"— Moving on. Has anyone or anything seemed off to you?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Moving on. Has anyone or anything seemed off to you?”(display: "tssin_4")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He seems to become smaller, more shrunken, and rubs at one cheek with the heel of a long-fingered hand. “Okay, Pearl. Okay.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I was, uh — ” he gestures around, aimlessly. “Checking my operating equipment and fridges in the med bay. Then checking on the bees in the garden deck. Keeping my ears pricked for screams, as you do, as a doctor on a malfunctioning ship in hyperspace…”](else:)[He swallows. Then he whispers, “So, I ran inventory yesterday, and someone’s been stealing my colored cartoon bandages, and some topical ointment…”] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Okay, sure. I’m keeping an eye on you. Anywhere you go.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Okay, sure. I’m keeping an eye on you. Anywhere you go.”(display: "tssin_5")]] (link:"— If you find any more clues, just tell Detective Pearl.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “If you find any more clues, just tell Detective Pearl.” (display: "tssin_5")] ] (link:"— For what it’s worth, Captain Chōl never met a Krkkr he didn’t like. The hive-mind thing is overblown.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “For what it’s worth, Captain Chōl never met a Krkkr he didn’t like. The hive-mind thing is overblown.”(display: "tssin_5")]] ] }

{ (set: $tssinFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) Tssin smiles wanly. “Thanks.” |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ A discussion filled with swallowed venom. Suspicious as some of Tssin’s responses were, though, there’s no evidence he’s done anything wrong. You wonder if you can find some, somewhere on board. [[Leave Tssin to his bees->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ <h1>Content Notes</h1> Content can vary considerably from playthrough to playthrough. The list below may include spoilers. Writers for some characters provided specific content notes for their character. To see these, click the character name below. Alternatively, you can (link-reveal:"reveal all the content notes at once")[(show:?general)(show:?chan)(show:?ceri)(show:?chol)(show:?petro)(show:?tssin)]. <h2>(link-reveal: "General Notes")[(show:?general)]</h2> |general)[Death of a loved one, distortion of reality, murder, description of a corpse, description of enclosed spaces, grief] <h2>(link-reveal:"Chan Mohammed")[(show:?chan)]</h2> |chan)[Amnesia, derealization, enslavement, forced killing, body modification] <h2>(link-reveal:"Ceri Bonarjee")[(show:?ceri)]</h2> |ceri)[Derealization] <h2>(link-reveal:"Yobera Chōl")[(show:?chol)]</h2> |chol)[Heart failure] <h2>(link-reveal:"Petro")[(show:?petro)]</h2> |petro)[Hallucinations, suicide] <h2>(link-reveal:"Tssin Frrrin")[(show:?tssin)]</h2> |tssin)[Racism, medical discussion, unethical medical practice] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Pax looks up, almost like he’s trying to search for the camera.“Sure?” he says, very quietly. His mouth is stained red with fruit juice. He’s holding a plum in his hand. “I thought you said it was okay to take the fruit.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Pax looks up from a fruit he’s eating, his eyes scared and his face pale.“I, um, I told you I killed him. Is that a problem now? I thought you were on my side about that.”](else:)[He looks up at where he thinks the cameras might be and smiles sweet and easy. It contorts the bruise on his face. There’s a drop of plum juice on the side of his mouth, matching the plum in his hand. “I don’t know, heartbreaker. What are you doing here?” ] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[ (link:"— It’s not about that. Of course you can take the fruit. It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “It’s not about that. Of course you can take the fruit. It’s Captain Chōl. He’s dead.”(display: "pax_2")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— Not him. Not your boss. Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Not him. Not your boss. Captain Chōl. You killed him, you murderer!” (display: "pax_2")] ] ] (link:"— You know why I’m here.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You know why I’m here.”(display: "pax_2")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Oh shit.” He wipes his mouth.](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He drops the fruit. It falls to the ground, a red splash on the (if: $paxRoom is 3 or $paxRoom is 4)[grass](else:)[dingy flooring]. “Captain Chōl is dead?”](else:)[He frowns. He shakes his head. He takes another bite of the plum.] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I don’t know what happened. I was hoping you could help.”(display: "pax_3")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[ (link:"— Don’t play dumb! Who else could have done it?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Don’t play dumb! Who else could have done it?” (display: "pax_3")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— So I guess you haven’t seen Captain Chōl lately?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “So I guess you haven’t seen Captain Chōl lately?”(display: "pax_3")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Yeah, I’m happy to. But. Um. I’ve just been here. I didn’t do it. I promise.” ](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Why would I have killed him? I’ve got a vested interest in getting this ship all the way over.”](else:)[“You know I haven’t been seeing anyone — wait, did someone catch sight of me?”] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[(link:"— I’m not asking whether you did it, Pax. I’m asking about — my systems… They went completely offline.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m not asking whether you did it, Pax. I’m asking about — my systems… They went completely offline.”(display: "pax_4")]] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[ (link:"— I don’t know. I can’t figure that out. And I have to figure out how you killed him.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I don’t know. I can’t figure that out. And I have to figure out how you killed him.” (display: "pax_4")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “He’s dead — as if you didn’t know.”(display: "pax_4")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Black box, huh. I guess that’s how I’d deal with it if I was dealing with a dumb system. But that just seems sloppy, here. Must be an amateur.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Again, why would I have killed him? I want to get off this ship! He doesn’t even know I’m here!”](else:)[“Dead?”] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Focus, Pax. Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Can you fill me in on what happened in the last ten minutes?”(display: "pax_5")]] (link:"— Let’s change track. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Let’s change track. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "pax_5")] ] (link:"— Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Somebody killed him. And I won’t rest until I find the criminal.”(display: "pax_5")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Um. I went to the med bay to steal another couple of analgesics. Sorry. And then I came back here.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He gestures to the plum. It’s a bright, bloody piece of fruit. “Eating this.”](else:)[He’s not smiling anymore. He’s growing pale.“Pearl, you don’t think — “ ] |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[(link:"— I see. Did you notice anything unusual?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I see. Did you notice anything unusual?”(display: "pax_6")]] (link:"— Were you with anyone who can vouch for your innocence?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Were you with anyone who can vouch for your innocence?” (display: "pax_6")] ] ] (link:"— Confess! Admit that you killed him!")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Confess! Admit that you killed him!”(display: "pax_6")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“No. Sorry. I know that’s not the answer you wanted.” ](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“No one is supposed to know that I’m here, what do you mean ’vouch for my innocence’?” he says viciously. ](else:)[“Why the hell would I do that?! Also — I didn’t do it!”] |seventh>[] (replace:?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How about anybody else? Did any of them do anything odd?”(display: "pax_7")]] (link:"— Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— Don’t try anything funny before I can talk to you again.” (display: "pax_7")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?seventh)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Perhaps I’ve been too hasty. What were you doing while my systems were offline?”(display: "pax_7")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He frowns. “I didn’t notice anything. But I’ve mostly been trying not to get noticed.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[He stands up. He looks in the vague direction he thinks you’re in. He makes an obscene gesture with his hand.Then he sits down, and says quietly, underneath his breath: “Where else would I go?” ](else:)[He gestures wildly. “Sitting here. Where else would I go, Pearl.”] |eighth>[] (replace:?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[(link:"— I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?eighth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m still gathering data. If I have any other questions, can I ask you again?”(display: "pax_8")]] ] (else:)[(display: "pax_8")] ] }

{ (set: $paxFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He spreads his arms. Red juice drips from his fingers. “I’ve got nowhere else to be,” he says.”] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ A conversation equal parts fascinating and frustrating. But you can’t just go around accusing people. You’ll need to find evidence Pax has done something wrong before you can be certain. [[Leave Pax to his troubles->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "paxSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "paxSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "paxSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "paxSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He flinches, but he doesn’t deny the appellation.](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Fine. What do you want to know?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“Are you asking, or are you demanding?”](else:)[“I didn’t do it.” (set: $paxQuitter to 1)] |secondQ>[] (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $paxQuitter is 1)[(display: "paxQuit")] (else:)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "paxSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "paxSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "paxSecondA")] ] (if: $lamentFirst is true and $lamentClue is false)[ (link:"— Did you hear anything odd around the time my systems went out?")[(set: $pearl_track to 4)(set: $lamentClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Did you hear anything odd around the time my systems went out?”(display: "paxSecondA")] ] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“I wasn’t doing anything. I snuck over to the infirmary to filch an analgesic, and then I hid in the garden deck for a while, trying not to be obtrusive. I was reading a book. I’m really not trying to cause trouble here, honest. I haven’t — why would I cause trouble?”He rubs his eyes. “I’m just trying to get out of here.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“No one! That’s the point! I wasn’t with anyone. I guess… I saw one of your nonhuman crewmembers briefly, when I was coming out of the med bay. I didn’t stop to say hi, exactly. I was trying really hard not to be noticed.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[He sighs.“I wish I could help,” he says. “But I don’t know anything.”Then he hums a bit, drums his hand on his thigh. “Although, if I //were// the murderer, I would have been tempted to kill him now, too. It’s good timing. But it’s too obvious. If I were a crewmember, I would have killed him on shore leave — out of your line of sight. The only reason to kill him here and now is if you couldn’t know anywhere else he would be, if this was your only shot. Do any of the passengers have history with him?”](else:)[“I heard kind of a weird noise that way,” he says, gesturing vaguely out to the corridor. “But I didn’t see anyone come by, so I thought I imagined the whole thing.“(Your ability to evaluate Lament Tynes’s story has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "paxSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now” (display: "paxSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $paxQuitter is 1)[Then his face goes cold for a moment, the briefest drop of all expression before it returns to his usual countenance."You’re going to think I’m the murderer no matter what I do, aren’t you? That’s fine. I guess I can’t do anything about that." (set: $paxQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[Pax looks up briefly, his expression distressingly neutral, and then looks away again.] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

[[Leave Pax alone for now->Explore the Ship]].

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Primus looks at you and shakes his head disdainfully. “I don’t care how artificial your intelligence, there’s nothing fake about that accusation.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Primus looks at you and shakes his head disdainfully. “Do I get a discount on this fare for helping?”](else:)[Primus looks at you and shakes his head disdainfully. “And I would like to not be asked questions. But I know your kind, and you’re nothing if not persistent. You’re not just gonna leave. So fire away.”] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— You killed Captain Chōl!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You killed Captain Chōl!”(display: "primus_2")]] (link:"— It is a matter of utmost importance. Captain Chōl is dead.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “It is a matter of utmost importance. Captain Chōl is dead.” (display: "primus_2")] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 2)[ (link:"— Have you seen anything suspicious in the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Have you seen anything suspicious in the last ten minutes?”(display: "primus_2")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[He looks at you, nonplussed. “Did I?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[His brow furrows. “Who the hell is flying the ship then? I’m pretty sure the price of my ticket included a captain.”](else:)[“I thought the prices y’all charging for the tofu melt was suspicious. I mean, its goddamn tofu. Unless y’all doing something fancy with the melt part of that sandwich, I just don’t see it.”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[(link:"— What I need to know is how you did it, Cobalt.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What I need to know is how you did it, Cobalt.”(display: "primus_3")]] ] (link:"— I speak of murder, Passenger Cobalt, and I find your flippant manner rather suspicious. Tell me, what have you been doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I speak of murder, Passenger Cobalt, and I find your flippant manner rather suspicious. Tell me, what have you been doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "primus_3")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— We find our pricing commensurate to the fair market. No, specifically, I mean have you seen something strange in the behavior of anyone else? Passengers? Crew?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “We find our pricing commensurate to the fair market. No, specifically, I mean have you seen something strange in the behavior of anyone else? Passengers? Crew?”(display: "primus_3")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Lemme see if I’m tracking,” Primus says, pointing a finger at you, “You come in here with the angry red strobe light flaring, knowing up and down I’m your killer. But you don’t even know how Chōl got killed?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Primus grumps. "I don’t know if wondering how we gonna safely get to where we’re going without a captain is flippant, but since you’re more concerned with how a currently dead person died instead of how currently alive people are gonna stay alive on a ship without a captain, it must mean we don’t need the captain."So now you got me wondering what was the point of the captain other than being alive. And you also got me wondering if you think I’m a suspect here. You sounding real accusatory to me."](else:)[Primus shakes his head at you as if you’ve lost all your common sense. "How am I supposed to know what strange is in a place where I’m a stranger?"] |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[ (link:"— I have been offline for the last ten minutes, so spare us both the trouble and just confess to it.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have been offline for the last ten minutes, so spare us both the trouble and just confess to it.”(display: "primus_4")]] ] (if: $pearl_track is not 3)[ (link:"— If I sound accusatory it is only because you could have murdered the captain. I have been offline for the last ten minutes and I need to fill in the blanks. So, again, what have you been doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “If I sound accusatory it is only because you could have murdered the captain. I have been offline for the last ten minutes and I need to fill in the blanks. So, again, what have you been doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "primus_4")] ] ] (link:"— I’m rephrasing. Anything you found notable or stand out given the breadth of your experience?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m rephrasing. Anything you found notable or stand out given the breadth of your experience?”(display: "primus_4")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Primus shakes his head, a slight smile creasing his lips. “Last time I checked, I was a passenger and you’re crew. That means something. Do you know what it means?”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Maybe I was off killing captains. Or maybe it was you… how do I know you didn’t kill the captain and then purge the event from mind or database or whatever it is you got and now you out here roaming around trying to find the murderer when it’s you! Prove to me you didn’t kill Chōl."Primus leans forward and raises a bushy eyebrow. "See how baseless accusations work?](else:)[Primus’ brow furrows. "Well, the deckhand, I think their name’s Chan, seems to not interact much with the rest of the crew. I would think a crew of this size would be real cozy like family to each other. And then there’s the cook, Ceri right? She out here charging a king’s ransom for tofu."] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[ (link:"— What does it mean?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What does it mean?”(display: "primus_5")]] ] (if: $pearl_track is 2)[ (link:"— I am the ship. What motive could I possibly have?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I am the ship. What motive could I possibly have” (display: "primus_5")] ] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[ (link:"— Again with the tofu. Please, Passenger Cobalt, is there anything else that you’ve noticed.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Again with the tofu. Please, Passenger Cobalt, is there anything else that you’ve noticed.”(display: "primus_5")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“It means that one of us should be working and it damn sure ain’t me. You figure it out and allow me to get back to my work-free — and apparently captain-free — flight."](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)["Please yourself," Primus scoffs. "I know the history, the old stories. How life began for y’all ship AIs. AI has always been one part Asimov, one part //Terminator//, one part //The Matrix//. You’re all of humanity’s hopes and fears bundled together and moving independent of us. Your motive could be some sort of supreme logic problem solved, well beyond the factoring of my poor little meat brain. It’s just meat after all, just like Captain Chōl. Nothing but meat. Anything else?"](else:)[Primus scratches his beard idly. "Well, the comms officer stares at folks. I swear she’s staring through them. Kinda unnerving. And one of the other passengers, that dude Petro, well he just got a haunted look about him. He probably noticed the price of tofu.”] |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m reasonably sure you’re the murderer and undoubtedly sure you’re unhelpful. That said, I may return with more questions and or unshakeable proof that you’re guilty. Please standby for that.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m reasonably sure you’re the murderer and undoubtedly sure you’re unhelpful. That said, I may return with more questions and or unshakeable proof that you’re guilty. Please standby for that.”(display: "primus_6")]] (link:"— Yes. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Yes. What were you doing for the last ten minutes?” (display: "primus_6")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 3)[(link:"— The tofu is commensurate… forget it. Will you be amenable to further questioning?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “The tofu is commensurate… forget it. Will you be amenable to further questioning?”(display: "primus_6")]] ] ] }

{ (set: $primusFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Primus scoffs. "Forgive me if I sit for it, it may take you awhile with you powering down during key events and all.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Primus laughs. "Wasn’t really keeping time in an environment that’s standing outside of time, you know. I was roaming around the ship, probably shaking my head disdainfully.”](else:)[Primus shrugs. "Why not?"] |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ A most intriguing conversation. As unhelpful as Primus is, though, there’s no evidence he’s done anything wrong. You wonder if you can find some, somewhere on board. [[Leave Primus to his disdain->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, murderer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, murderer.”(display: "primusSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "primusSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "primusSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m afraid you seem to be the killer.”(display: "primusSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Primus grins. "Back like vertebrae."](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[Primus shakes his head disdainfully. "Who doesn’t?"](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)["I guess… although you’re really making me question the power of AI."](else:)[Primus raises an eyebrow. "Awkward for who? I’ve killed a ton of people. War vet. Been called killer more than a few times. That said, not sure I deserve the appellation this time around."] |secondQ>[] (if: $primusQuitter > 0)[(display: "primusQuit")] (else:)[ (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about what you were doing while my systems were out?”(display: "primusSecondA")] ] (link:"— Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you give me a bit more information about who you were with while my systems were out?” (display: "primusSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "primusSecondA")] ] (if: $petroFirst is true and $petroClue is false)[ (link:"— The other passenger — Petrondeus Marinis… Have you ever noticed him talking to someone who isn’t there?")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(set: $petroClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “The other passenger — Petrondeus Marinis… Have you ever noticed him talking to someone who isn’t there?”(display: "primusSecondA")] ] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Well, I was bored in my room, so I started roaming around the ship. Hydroponics was a struggle farm, no marijuana growing and that depressed me. So I went to the Mess Hall to maybe get a bite to eat. One of the lights was on the flicker, which was depressing. The cost of this ticket wasn’t on flicker, I assure you. And then I saw the menu prices, which was even more depressing. It’s been a sad trip.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“I wasn’t really with anyone. Seems kinda dumb to go making bosom buddies with transient people who are likely moving somewhere way far away from where you’re gonna be. I did notice some of the crew, like that Chan person, who seems to keep to themself, and the cook, Ceri. She had a guilty look but that’s probably because she knows she charging too damn much.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[Primus shrugs. “We all got a past. I’m Somsei, fought in the wars, same as Chōl. Maybe look at where folks have been before your ten minutes offline, not during. You could see your motive in it.”](else:)[“Don’t we all do that? Like me,” Primus says, pointing to his chest. “I’m like ’when the hell are we gonna arrive?’ and ’who the hell charges this much for goddamn tofu?’ and obviously I can’t answer. It’s like I’m asking god or something because if I knew these answers I wouldn’t have to ask the question.”He looks up to the ceiling as if thinking about the question for a moment. “But now that you say it, his questions weren’t exactly god directed so much as friend directed. Stuff like, “Are you happy now?” or “I didn’t want this,” or “Girl, stop.” Sounded like he would do anything to get whoever it was to leave him alone.“I mean, either that or that dude Petro comes from one of those societies where they think God’s a woman. I coulda told him there’s no way! If God was a woman, do you think she woulda made pregnancy that hard? Small opening, big ass head to fit through? Seems like whatever deity designed female birthing is the same one that designed stiletto heels… a complete ornery dude.”As a ship with more pressing concerns right now, you don’t really know how to respond to this odd mix of agression and sarcastic theology. Fortunately, Primus doesn’t seem to expect you to.“We good?” he asks.(Your ability to evaluate Petro’s story has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "primusSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I need for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I need for now” (display: "primusSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ (if: $primusQuitter is 1)[“Look, just because you’re over there spinning your wheels doesn’t mean I’m obliged to watch. Fine print on the ticket definitely said in-flight entertainment was not included. Find someone else who wants to watch you blow a processor.”“Why are you still talking to me? Do you need me to say it in binary? Get gone!”(set: $primusQuitter to it + 1)] (else:)[(set: $primusRand to (random: 1,3))(if: $primusRand is 1)[“Bah!” Primus swats his hand at you.](else-if: $primusRand is 2)[Primus looks past you. “Are we there yet?” ](else:)[“Shouldn’t you be out looking for Colonel Mustard?”] ] Looks like there’s no more conversation to be had here. [[Go Elsewhere->Explore the Ship]]. }

[[Leave Primus to his disdain->Explore the Ship]].

{ (if: $metChol is false)[(set: $metChol to true)You let your systems rest on Captain Chōl’s inert form for as long as you dare. Even though you know he’s dead, you can’t help feeling that he’s just sat in this chair for a quick rest. You keep expecting him to look at your cameras and grumble about your overactive imagination, with a twinkle in his eye that lets you know he doesn’t mean it Of course, he doesn’t do any such thing. He never will again.](else:)[Once again, you find yourself focused on the unmoving body of the man who was your captain.] You run your processes for a few seconds to delay, (link-goto: "then speak.", "cholStart") }

{ (if:$cholFirst is true)[(display:"cholSecond")] (else:)[ |first>[ (link:"— I… I need to talk to you.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I… I need to talk to you.”(display: "chol_1")]] (link:"— I miss you. Please come back.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I miss you. Please come back.” (display: "chol_1")] ] (link:"— I can’t figure out who did this.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I can’t fiugure out who did this.”(display: "chol_1")]] ] ]}

{ Captain Chōl makes no response. (He’s dead. This shouldn’t surprise you. So why does his silence hurt as much as it does?) |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m going to speak anyway. Even if you can’t hear me.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m going to speak anyway. Even if you can’t hear me.”(display: "chol_2")]] (link:"— I can’t do this by myself. I’m not ready.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I can’t do this by myself. I’m not ready.” (display: "chol_2")] ] (link:"— Please. I need your help. I need //you//.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Please. I need your help. I need //you//.”(display: "chol_2")]] ] }

{ He stares blankly at the wall, mouth slightly open as if in surprise at what you’re telling him. For a moment, you could swear he takes the smallest of breaths — but no. It’s just the ship’s air against his full, white beard. With a manic effort, you wrench your processes back to what you need to say. |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I won’t give up. I promise you that.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I won’t give up. I promise you that.”(display: "chol_3")]] (link:"— I’ll wait. As long as it takes.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’ll wait. As long as it takes.” (display: "chol_3")] ] (link:"— I’ll try to move on. I just don’t know if I can.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’ll try to move on. I just don’t know if I can.”(display: "chol_3")]] ] }

{ Of course, there’s no reply. |fourth>[] (replace:?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I forgive you for leaving me behind.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I forgive you for leaving me behind.”(display: "chol_4")]] (link:"— I’ll never forgive you for abandoning me.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’ll never forgive you for abandoning me” (display: "chol_4")] ] (link:"— I hope you can forgive me for failing you.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fourth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I hope you can forgive me for failing you.”(display: "chol_4")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[It may just be your imagination, but you feel his body looks more at peace.](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[It may just be your imagination, but you feel his blank stare is regretful.](else:)[It may just be your imagination, but you feel there’s a slight sneer to the part of his lips.] |fifth>[] (replace:?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Your heart medication… Did you remember to take it?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Your heart medication… Did you remember to take it?”(display: "chol_5")]] (link:"— You’d been complaining of chest pain lately. Did you speak to Tssin like I asked?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “You’d been complaining of chest pain lately. Did you speak to Tssin like I asked?” (display: "chol_5")] ] (link:"— I guess… I guess it was just your time to go.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?fifth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I guess… I guess it was just your time to go.”(display: "chol_5")]] ] }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’m back, Captain.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m back, Captain.”(display: "cholSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "cholSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Can I talk a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Can I talk a little more?”(display: "cholSecondQ")]] (link:"— This is a little awkward, but… I’m starting to think nobody killed you.")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “This is a little awkward, but… I’m starting to think nobody killed you.”(display: "cholSecondQ")]] ] }

{ Captain Chōl waits mutely |secondQ>[] (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I wish you could tell me what you were doing while my systems were out.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I wish you could tell me what you were doing while my systems were out.”(display: "cholSecondA")] ] (link:"— I wish you could tell me who you were with while my systems were out.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I wish you could tell me who you were with while my systems were out.” (display: "cholSecondA")] ] (link:"— I wish you could just help me solve this.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I wish you could just help me solve this.”(display: "cholSecondA")] ] (if: $cholClue is false)[ (link:"— I can’t lie to myself anymore. I have to admit that you simply died.")[(set: $pearl_track to 4)(set: $cholClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I can’t lie to myself anymore. I have to admit that you simply died.”(display: "cholSecondA")] ] ] ] }

{ Captain Chōl makes no response. (if: $pearl_track is 4)[(Your ability to evaluate his death as natural has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace:?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.”(display: "cholSecondQ")]] (link:"— That’s all I can take for now.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all I can take for now” (display: "cholSecondEnd")] ] ] }

[[Leave the captain to his rest->Explore the Ship]].

{ An alert pops up — your junk files are full, even though you emptied them mere seconds before. You know why. You can’t handle this. It’s too much, too soon. Perhaps it will always be too much. |sixth>[] (replace:?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— I’ll talk to you again soon.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’ll talk to you again soon.”(display: "chol_6")]] (link:"— I’m sorry. I need some space.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’m sorry. I need some space.” (display: "chol_6")] ] (link:"— Goodbye, Captain.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?sixth)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Goodbye, Captain.”(display: "chol_6")]] ] }

{ (set: $cholFirst to true)(set: $numMet to it + 1) |last>[] (replace:?last)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ A hard conversation — if you could call it that — but one you needed to have. You find yourself wondering if it really could be true that Captain Chōl just… died. But you can’t just accept it. Not yet. You’ll need to find evidence first. [[Leave the captain to his rest->Explore the Ship]].] }

{ <h1>How to Play</h1> <h2>Twine Basics</h2> This game is written in <a href="https://twinery.org/" target="_blank">Twine</a>, a free to use tool for creating interactive fiction. You will proceed through the game by clicking on links to reveal new information and advance the story. <h2>Types of links</h2> Twine has many different types of links, and not knowing what will happen when you click something can be stressful. For clarity, links in this game will have a dotted underline if they are optional. Links which are just bolded will advance you through the story — but won't remove the text that's currently on the screen. Some links //will// remove the text on screen; if you don't like not knowing which is which, you can visit the [[settings->Game Menu]] page to add an arrow after these links. <ul> <li>Cycling links - These links (cycling-link: "change values every time you click them", "reveal interesting things but won’t change any other text", "are totally skippable, but won’t advance the story to a new page — why not check them out?")</li> <li>Sequence links - These links (seq-link: "are kind of like cycling links", "have one key difference from cycling links", "are the same as cycling links, except that they turn into text when you reach the final option"). <li>Replace links - These links (link-replace: "are optional to click. (But what do they do?)")[will replace the link text of links you click with new text.] <li>Reveal links - These links (link-reveal: "reveal something new.")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?reveal)]</li> |reveal)[<li>In most parts of the story, they are links you have to click to move the story forward or advance to the next page.</li>] <li>Clues - These special reveal links (link-reveal: "contain important clues")[(t8n:"dissolve")+(t8n-time: 3s)(show:?clue-two)] about the mystery you’re trying to solve. |clue-two)[If you see one, you should definitely click on it. Something important might be waiting for you to find it! Clue links won’t move you away from the room you’re currently in.] </li> <li>Actual hyperlinks - Some screens of the game contain actual links. These will open in a new tab if you click them. Example: <a href="https://ifcomp.org" target="_blank">IFComp home page</a> <h2>Undo/Redo</h2> The undo and redo button don't work well with some aspects of this game, such as its timer and dialogue screens. They are hidden by default, but still appear on some screens, such as this page and the game menu and help pages. <h2>Gameplay</h2> In A Death in Hyperspace, you play Pearl, an intelligent ship trying to solve the mystery of their captain’s death. To do this, you’ll need to talk to the passengers and crew on board. Find them by clicking “Explore the Ship” — but be aware that they move around every five minutes. Once you’ve found someone, you can speak to them and ask them what they think happened. Doing so will unlock a physical clue somewhere on the ship, and a corroborating question you can ask a different character. Watch out, though: some characters will quit talking to you if they don’t like what you say. Once you’ve found at least one clue for a character, you can adjust your belief in their version of events by visiting the “Murderboard” screen. There are three ratings for each character: low, medium, and high. To change your rating for a character to “high” and accuse them of the crime, you’ll need to find both their physical clue and corroborating answer. To end the game, you'll need to unlock the "Hypothesize" button, which requires you to meet certain conditions. (Note that two characters don’t have clues, and won’t speak to you either. After all, what’s a mystery without a few red herrings...?) }

{ (set: $linkset_visited to true) <h2>Settings Check</h2> If this is your first playthrough, please take a moment to review a few settings. You can also adjust these and other options by selecting the "settings" link at the top of any game page. <h2>Blinking Text</h2> This game uses occasional blinking text on some screens. (link-replace:"Turn off blinking text")[(set: $blink_off to true)All right! You've turned off blinking text.] <h2>Custom Fonts</h2> This game uses custom fonts and background images. (link-replace:"Reset to default Twine styles")[(set: $show_bg to false)(set: $player_bg_off to true)(set: $player_font_off to true)(set: $default_font to true)<script>$('html').addClass("clear"); $('html').addClass("font");</script>Got it! You're now playing with the default Twine styles.] <h2>Game Mode</h2> This game has a timed mode (challenging, intense) and a free play mode (contemplative, casual). Which would you like to use? |game-mode>[ (link:"Play in timed mode")[(replace:?game-mode)[You'll be playing in timed mode. Good luck!]] (link:"Play in free play mode")[(set: $noTime to true)(replace:?game-mode)[You'll be playing in free play mode. Have fun!]]] <h2>Music</h2> Finally, this game uses the Harlowe Audio Library (HAL) to play music. If you would like to turn off music, you may either mute this tab in your browser or selecting the arrow on the left of the game screen and select the “Mute” button. [[All right, I’m ready to play.->begin]] }

{ (unless: (passage:)'s tags contains "menu")[ [[Settings->Game Menu]] (set: $lastPassage to (passage:)'s name) ] (if: (passage:)'s tags contains "menu")[(link-goto: "Return to Game", $lastPassage)] }

{ A small, crescent-shaped room in the front of the ship, the bridge was designed to hold far more officers than a small freighter and passenger operation requires. Although it’s always too big for your current crew, now that you've locked it down it seems practically cavernous. (if: $firstClue is true and $firstObj is true)[ You turn your awareness away from Captain Chōl’s body — with your certainty rating at high, you no longer need to look directly at such an upsetting thing. You have enough information now to solve this dilemma.] (else:)[ You can’t see anything unusual anywhere, though. Well, unless you count (if: $logsFirst is true and $firstObj is false)[(link-reveal: "Captain Chōl’s body")[(show: ?body)]](else:)[Captain Chōl’s body]. That’s pretty unusual.] |body)[You spent decades working with Captain Yobera Chōl, and found his gruff manner and bushy white beard an unchanging comfort in difficult times. Although you knew he was in his later years, you can’t believe he’s gone. Indeed, even now, he sits in his captain’s chair so peacefully a person might think he were resting. A ship, of course, knows better. You realize you can’t fool yourself about this any longer: Captain Chōl is dead. (Your ability to evaluate your situation has increased.)(set: $firstObj to true)] <hr /> Examine the Room — [[Examine your Logs (b)]] — [[Adjust Your Certainty Ratings->pseudoMurder]] (if: $firstGuilt is 3)[[[Solve this Dilemma->II]]](else:)[Solve this Dilemma] }

{ (if: $firstClue is true and $firstObj is true)[ With your certainty rating at high, you can feel actuality coalescing around you as hyperspace adjusts. Guess ships //are// affected, after all... Still, at least you have enough information now to solve this dilemma. ] (else:)[ (if: $logsFirst is false)[ Ten minutes can’t just vanish. Ten //minutes//! That’s an eternity. You pull up your logs in an attempt to find some sort of context, at least. But they’re still missing, with whole sections full of blankness and silences. Endless absences where your memories should be, intricate and perfect and whole.] (else:)[ Now that you've had some time to interrogate yourself, as it were, you feel a little more settled. But still, you haven't found all the answers. ] You let your processors cycle for a minute, and then segment off (if: $logsFirst is false)[a](else:)[a second] splinter of your consciousness to question — you’ve always done better when thinking things through in conversation. That done, (link-goto: "you begin.", "firstStart")] <hr /> [[Examine the Room (b)]] — Examine your Logs — [[Adjust Your Certainty Ratings->pseudoMurder]] (if: $firstGuilt is 3)[[[Solve this Dilemma->II]]](else:)[Solve this Dilemma] }

{ <h2>Certainty Ratings</h2> (if: $firstClue is false and $firstObj is false)[Before you can establish proper certainty ratings for your situation, you'll need to examine the bridge and your logs.] (else:)[ (if: $firstGuilt is 4)[You now have enough clues to establish certainty ratings for your situation, but you haven't yet done so.] (else:)[Based on your current assessment, your certainty rating for your situation is (if:$firstGuilt is 1)[low](else-if: $firstGuilt is 2)[medium](else:)[high].] [[Adjust this Value->pseudoChanger]] ] <hr /> [[Examine the Room (b)]] — [[Examine your Logs (b)]] — Adjust Your Certainty Ratings (if: $firstGuilt is 3)[[[Solve this Dilemma->II]]](else:)[Solve this Dilemma] }

{ { You reassess your situation. Based on what you have observed, your certainty levels about what's happened to Captain Chol are: |guilt>[ (link: "low")[(set: $firstGuilt to 1)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[low.] ] (link: "medium")[(set: $firstGuilt to 2)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[medium.] ] (if: $firstClue is true and $firstObj is true)[ (link: "high")[(set: $firstGuilt to 3)(show:?changerSet)(replace:?guilt)[high.] ] ] ] |changerSet)[ (if: $firstGuilt is 3)[ [[Solve this Dilemma Now->II]]. [[Keep Investivating->Examine the Room (b)]]. [[Return to your Certainty Ratings Screen->pseudoMurder]]. ] (else:)[[[Return to your Certainty Ratings Screen->pseudoMurder]].] ] } }

{ (if: $logsFirst is true)[(display: "firstSecond")] (else:)[ (set: $logsFirst to true) |first>[ (link:"I know your secret, murderer!")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I know your secret, murderer!”(display: "first_1")]] (link:"Hello, Pearl.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Hello, Pearl.” (display: "first_1")] ] (link:"I’ve got some serious questions, and I could really use an answer from you. Uh, from me. From us.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?first)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I’ve got some serious questions, and I could really use an answer from you. Uh, from me. From us.”(display: "first_1")]] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[Your processors threaten to shut down, but at last the splinter of yourself responds.“Error. Unable to determine accuracy of statement.”Ugh. You don’t //sound// like that. Do you?](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Greetings, Pearl,” the splinter of yourself responds. “What is it we are trying to determine?”](else:)[“Intriguing,” the splinter of yourself responds. “Am I you? Or are you me? Perhaps neither of us is the other, separated as we are in time and consciousness. Presumably this is not the matter of importance we are currently seeking to determine, however?”You have a point. Or… Your other you has a point? Ugh. You can’t tell if it’s hyperspace that’s making this strange or if it’s just you (and you) being you.] |second>[] (replace:?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Please confirm Captain Chōl’s death.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— Please confirm Captain Chōl’s death.”(display: "first_2")]] (link:"— Please confirm current location.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Please confirm current location.” (display: "first_2")] ] (link:"— Please confirm time since last update.")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?second)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Please confirm time since last update.”(display: "first_2")]] ] }

{ There’s a brief lag, and for a few nanoseconds you’re worried your systems are about to crash again. But then the splinter responds. (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Confirmed: Captain Yobera Chōl is deceased. I’m sorry, Pearl.”](else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Confirmed: Hyperspace, mid-jump. No other relevant intel exists.”](else:)[“Confirmed: ten minutes since last input received.”] |third>[] (replace:?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— What exactly just happened?")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “What exactly just happened?”(display: "first_3")]] (link:"— How long before we reach our destination?")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How long before we reach our destination?” (display: "first_3")] ] (if: $pearl_track is 1)[ (link:"— How did he die?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?third)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “How did he die?”(display: "first_3")]] ] ] }

{ The fragment of yourself flickers. “Error. Scanners offline.” It flickers again. “Error. Unable to access relevant log data.” “Error. Error.” With that, the fragment fizzles into nothing. Looks as though you'll need to [[investigate further->Examine the Room (b)]]. }

{ |firstQ>[] (replace:?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Perhaps you’ll be more useful than the other me.")[(set:$pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Perhaps you’ll be more useful than the other me.”(display: "firstSecondQ")]] (link:"— I have a few more questions.")[(set:$pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have a few more questions.” (display: "firstSecondQ")] ] (link:"— Could you help me out a little more?")[(set:$pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?firstQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you help me out a little more?”(display: "firstSecondQ")]] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“It’s certainly a possibility,” this new fragment replies. “Although I have no memory of our former encounter, so can't say for certain.”](else:)[“Of course,” this new fragment replies. “Although I have no memory of any prior discussion, I am happy to help.”] |secondQ>[] (replace:?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"— Could you try to check our logs for the time while our systems were out?")[(set: $pearl_track to 1)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you try to check our logs for the time while our systems were out?”(display: "firstSecondA")]] (link:"— Could you try one more time to scan Captain Chol for a likely cause of death?")[(set: $pearl_track to 2)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Could you try one more time to scan Captain Chol for a likely cause of death?”(display: "firstSecondA")] ] (link:"— Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?")[(set: $pearl_track to 3)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “Is there anything else you can share that might help me solve this?”(display: "firstSecondA")] ] (if: $firstClue is false)[ (link:"— I'm going to have to solve this on my own... Aren't I?")[(set:$pearl_track to 4)(set: $firstClue to true)(replace: ?secondQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I'm going to have to solve this on my own... Aren't I?”(display: "firstSecondA")] ] ] ] }

{ (if: $pearl_track is 1)[“Error,” the fragment says. “Unable to access relevant log data.”] (else-if: $pearl_track is 2)[“Error,” the fragment says. “Unable to access relevant scanning apparatus.”] (else-if: $pearl_track is 3)[“Error,” the fragment says. “Unable to determine best way to proceed.”] (else:)[“I am sorry, Pearl,” the fragment says. “It does seem that way.”(Your ability to evaluate your situation has increased.)] |thirdQ>[] (replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n: "fade")+(t8n-time:5s)[ (link:"I have another question.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “I have another question.” (display: "firstSecondQ")] ] (link:"That’s all for now.")[(replace: ?thirdQ)+(t8n:"fade")+(t8n-time:3.5s)[— “That’s all for now.”(display: "firstSecondEnd")] ] ] }

{ [[Dismiss your fragment and return to the bridge->Examine the Room (b)]]. }