LusciousPear said:
This looks like a brilliant setting.
Better than ME2, anyway.
Funny you mentioned the Mass Effect series... but anyway.
Update 3: Roses and Virtual Beaches
We find ourselves in the center of Heecheetown. I will be rearranging screenshots for the purpose of this LP, so don't pay too much attention to the date/time stuff. Time doesn't really play a huge role in this game except in a few timed sequences.
Let's see what we have here.
> examine bar
The Blue Hell Bar is located in a pre-fab structure to the east. The building's battered and worn exterior lives up to the seedy reputation of this famous prospector watering hole.
> examine buildings
The pre-fab structures are built of formed plasteel and plasticrete sections welded together.
> examine walkway
A walkway connects the second story of the Corporation office structure to the Blue Hell Bar. Behind the large round windows you can see the silhouettes of people.
> examine Corp offices
The administrative nerve center for Gateway lies to the northwest. This pre-fab building is home to the Gateway Corporation's Administrative Section.
Alright, let's head there.
> nw
> examine receptionist
The receptionist is a pretty young woman dressed in a spiffy business suit. She is seated in front of a keyboard, typing furiously and occasionally talking softly into an unobtrusive headset that is tucked under one ear.
> kiss receptionist
"Hey! Stop that! I don't even know you!"
> take magazine
As you reach for the magazine, the receptionist slaps your hand away. "You can't just take that! Didn't your mother ever teach you manners? Still, I might give it to you if you gave me something in return."
I wonder what it is she may want...
> examine plants
There are a number of potted plants in the lobby. They look healthy and vibrant, a study in contrast with the sickly fern in your quarters.
> taste plants
The potted plants don't look very appetizing.
> examine vase
The crystal vase contains a dead rose.
> examine dead rose
The dead rose is wilted and black. It is sitting in a vase.
> ask about vase
"Yeah, it died a few days ago. It had the only bit of real color around here. I wish I had another one."
Hmmm. I guess she could want a fresh new rose. Duly noted.
> ask about magazine
"It's an interesting magazine. All about poor Adriana Becker, still broken over Rolf's disappearance all those years ago. What a stupid SOB he was, to go on another mission when he was already so rich. Oh well."
Adriana? Rolf Becker? That doesn't make much sense at the moment. But it will later.
> ask about receptionist
"I'm on a TDY tour from Earth. 'Live the adventure!' the intra-company recruting staff said. Geez! I have had all of the adventure I can stand. I can't wait to return to Earth."
That badge business seems to be typical corporate shit.
Sounds like the receptionist has one hell of a job.
> ask about board room
"For important meetings only!"
Anything in there now, I wonder?
> w
> examine seat
The conference table is surrounded by comfortable looking chairs.
> examine controls
The walls are covered with large viewscreens and a bewildering array of switches, knobs, buttons, dials, and readouts.
> activate controls
You poke and prod at the intimidating forest of controls with little effect.
Oh well. Not like it matters.
Back in the center of Heecheetown, we go north, since that's where we can get the rose the receptionist wants.
First we arrive in Corridor D4.
> examine dropshaft
The dropshaft is used to go between levels in the low-glee environment of Gateway. The entryway you see here leads into a vertical shaft (like an elevator shaft) with moving cables that transport people up or down to other levels of Gateway.
We don't need to take the dropshaft right now, so we head north again.
> n
A rose!
> examine rose
The red rose is just coming into bloom and is quite lovely. Its fragile beauty seems out of place in the harsh environment of Gateway.
Out of place? Then there's no harm in removing it, I guess.
> take rose
You take the rose from the planter tray.
[Your score has just gone up by 2.]
Yay!
There's one way we can screw things up a bit here:
Losing the rose means we still can beat the game, but not with the perfect score. And we wouldn't want that.
Let's see what else we can do around here.
> examine racks
Central Park is filled with hydrophonic racks and trays. The racks are large, boxy units with row upon row of shelves filled with plants, grow lights, sprinklers, and nutrient drip feeders.
> examine plants
There are plants of every variety and description growing in the hydroponics racks and trays.
> take plants
The Corporation takes a dim view of prospectors stealing food from the hydroponics section.
> smell plants
Hmmmm. Very plant-like!
> examine fruit trees
The trees are surprisingly large and seem to be in very good health. The branches are heavy with fruit.
> examine fruit
Ripe oranges are nestled among the leaves of the trees.
> take fruit
You can't reach the oranges. Besides, the Corporation takes a dim view of prospectors stealing food from the hydroponics section.
> climb tree
Gateway Enterprises wouldn't approve of you climbing around on their trees.
> smell park
The air smells of ripening citrus fruit, growing plants, good soil, and chemical fertilizer.
Sounds... tempting!
> examine panel
The access panel for the control box is a grate about two feet tall and four feet wide. The panel is hinged at the top and has a latch with a distinctive, four-leaf-clover shaped pattern. The panel is latched shut.
> open panel
The access panel is latched shut. From the looks of the four-leaf-clover shaped keyhole, a special maintenance key is required to open the panel.
> examine lever
The lever is about six inches long and is painted bright red. It is in the ON position.
Time for some action!
> wait
Time passes...
A maintenance man appears. Luckily, he doesn't suspect us since we're new around here, and someone's been shutting the machine down for the whole weak already.
Also, notice that the man has handed us the maintenance key.
> wait
Let's do a little trick...
> drop key in tray
You put the maintenance key in the planter tray.
[Your score has just gone up by 10.]
Hihihi.
The man also shares Rolf Becker's story with us. As you remember, the secretary mentioned him as well.
We're also given a screwdriver and told to put in the tool box. No matter if you try hiding it or not, the old man's going to find it, so let's just do what he asks this time.
> wait
Time passes...
Adriana, another person the receptionist mentioned, has now entered the story.
> wait
Time passes...
The old man picks up the pliers and starts to wrestle with a pipe fitting inside the machine. "Becker should have stopped there, but he didn't. He had to push his luck, had to ship out one more time. Well, he didn't come back."
> wait
Time passes...
The old man hands you the pliers and says, "Here. Put these in the tool box." He wipes his hands on his pants and leans on the machine. "I'll tell you, my friend, this station ain't what it seems. Lately I've seen some pretty strange stuff. There's a Corporation scientist who works in the AI labs up in the restricted sector." The old man looks around and then puts his face inches from yours. "You may not believe this, but I seen him walk through walls."
> put pliers in toolbox
You put the pliers in the tool box.
"I don't know where he went. He reappeared a few minutes later, walks out of a solid metal wall. Strangest thing I ever saw.
Mysterious!
> take key
You take the maintenance key from the planter tray.
> examine key
The key is made of metal and is about two inches long. It terminates in a distinctive four-leaf-clover pattern.
Now that we've got the key, we can open some things around the Gateway, like air vents and control panels.
> open control panel with key
You open the access panel with the key. Underneath the panel is a spaghetti-like mess of pipes, cables, and complex machinery.
We can't really do anything nasty to this panel, so let's rather present the rose to the receptionist.
She doesn't feel like going out with us, but at least we've got the magazine now.
>read magazine
The article continues for several more pages, but seems to contain nothing else of interest.
Good, now we know the story of Rolf and Adriana.
But that's not what we came for, really. As you may remember, we're carrying a book called "Everything We Know About the Heechee"...
...that we're supposed to trade for a personal DataMan device. So we hand the book to the receptionist.
> examine DataMan
The DataMan Personal Information System is a small computer that stores huge amounts of text.
The DataMan main menu has three sub-menus. I won't be covering the "Ship handling notes" as they're boring and pointless.
First we press
1 for some Information about Gateway. I'll skip the boring bits.
Hmm, looks like humankind hasn't made contact with other civilizations yet.
An evil interstellar monopoly. In the future, what else could you expect?
That's about us!
Brazil, but no Poland? Half the Codex is disappoint.
Our proctor? That's Thom Seldridge, the one who left the empty book for us and told us to meet him at the Blue Hell Bar at 20:00.
Virtual reality, huh? We'll be sure to check that out.
But first I'm going to show you what happens if we fall asleep outside our room...
We get transported to our room...
...and charged a $100 fine! So we'd better not sleep around.
But anyway. Let's visit have a look at that Virtual Reality Terminal.
The tech looks up at you.
"Tell you what, new fish. I've read there's a bug in this new Beach VR, but I haven't had time to find it yet. Since there's no one else handy, why don't you go in and bang on it for a while and see if you can figure it out." He gives you a critical look and ponders for a moment.
"First of all, you've got to understand how to identify a virtual reality when you're in one. It comes from practice and a sharp eye. Every VR has a purpose -- called the directive -- and the program is usually pretty good about tracking the details important to that directive and keeping them consistent. But it's not so good about details that aren't important to the directive -- so watch for little things that change. Colors. Names. Stuff like that. The simpler a VR, the more pronounced the changes."
The tech continues. "Secondly, you've got to know the three ways to break out of a VR. The most straightforward is to halt the program that controls the reality. If power is cut to the CPU, or some back door shuts it down -- POOF! No more unreality."
"The final way to kill a VR is to overload it. If you can create a situation that is beyond the computing power of the controlling program, the VR will break. The best example is to create an infinite progression. Natch, the program can't keep computing something like 'x = x*2' forever. Eventually x is going to get too dang big, and when it does, KAPOW!"
The tech dives back behind the newsletter, suddenly oblivious to you.
So, our objective is to hop inside the Beach VR and break it, somehow. But first things first.
> examine manual
> read manual
It is a slim, well-used manual. The cover reads, "NeoTech's guide to Virtual Reality." You try to peek at what's inside, but the technician won't let you.
> take manual
The tech stops you and says, "Ain't you ever heard of private property?"
Meh.
> examine reader
It's a square device with the colorful 'NeoTech' logo emblazoned on the back.
> ask technician about reader
"I use this to read the passwords out of the manual. Cheap piece of crap, actually. It's only a little UV light dressed up to look like a sophisticated entry-protection device."
> take reader
"Keep your hands to yourself. I NEVER lend out this NeoTech device. Even if it wasn't against Gateway directives, the blasted thing would be impossible to replace."
Grrr. Well, perhaps later.
> ask technician about NeoTech
"Great company. On the forefront of Virtual Reality technology. Some other firms call themselves 'The Virtual Reality Company', but NeoTech lives up to the title. Maybe I'll get a job there someday."
> ask about manual
"I get an update whenever a new VR comes out. Most of this manual is devoted to the entry protection of the 'Deep Psych' Virtual Reality. It NEVER leaves this desk, so don't even ask.
So that 'Deep Psych' VR is heavily protected for some reason, huh? Interesting.
> ask about virtual reality
"Hey, what can I say? VR's are my life!" You don't doubt it for a second.
> ask about Deep Psych
"That's the most technically advanced -- and dangerous -- VR of the bunch. The program finds deeply buried images in the subconscious and gives them physical form within the VR. These images are usually deep-seated fears. The idea is for the user to come face-to-face with his fears and deal with them in some constructive way.
"The problem is that it freaks some people out. So NeoTech put a two-tier entry protection scheme on it. I can get the password that will let you in, but first you've got to be cleared by the Corporation. THAT's how dangerous it is."
Intriguing!
> examine newsletter
It appears to be a simple newsletter called 'VR World', perhaps some sort of industry magazine. You can't really divine any more information without actually possessing it.
> examine chair
It's a comfortable looking padded chair, filled at the moment by an overweight technician.
> examine collar
The collar is set into the couch at approximately neck level. It opens and closes with a spring clasp.
> examine keyboard
It's a standard keyboard, with none of the extras.
> ask about switch
"The setup's pretty simple. Lie on the couch. Select a program with the switch. Wear the collar. Push the button. That's it. You're in Virtual-land!"
Okay, we're almost set to dive in that Beach VR. But what was that about a membership pin the technician mentioned?
> ask about pin
"The club's full of Gateway veterans. Most of them are all right. It's a nice place to get away from the new fish that're always pestering and asking inane quesitions. The tanning booth there is nice, too."
A place to escape from the newfags? Oldfags must love it.
> examine pin
It's a gaudy golden pin with 'Pedroza Club' engraved upon it.
> take pin
"Hey, buddy, that's mine! You ain't gettin' it until you earn it!"
:D
Really, why would they?
There's also a sign on the wall.
> read sign
The Beach VR is the only one we should care about at the moment.
> lie down
You're now on the couch.
> wear collar
You snap open the collar's spring clasp and settle into it. The pads around your neck keep you from moving your head, and the collar itself seems a little tight: all in all, a very unpleasant experience.
> push button
Let's listen to: Frederik Pohl's Gateway OST - Beach VR Theme
Alternatively:
Hey, this is one great virtual reality!
> listen
You hear the calming roar of the ocean washing against the sandy beach.
> smell
You smell the aroma of sand, sun, and fun!
> examine drink
Drops of moisture run down the frosted sides of the glass. It is filled with a creamy, delicious-looking banana daiquiri.
Yummy.
> examine bar
It is long, curved, and ringed with polished bamboo trim. Just behind it, a small scanner pokes out and a cheerful bartender ambles back and forth, occasioanlly wiping the bar counter or staring out into the sea. A frosted glass, filled with a frothy banana daiquiri, sits alone on the bar.
The bartender takes off a sandal and shakes the sand out of it.
That small scanner thingy looks intriguing.
> yes
"Great. When you're ready, just give me your empty glass. I'll run it through and get you a fresh drink."
The bartender runs his rag around the bamboo trim, whistling merrily.
> examine shirt
The shirt is light and airy, but it has the loudest Hawaiian pattern you've ever seen.
> examine shorts
The shorts are simple faded cutoffs, which looks extremely comfortable.
The bartender eyes your glass, trying to anticipate when you want another.
> examine cloth
It's a torn piece of dull green cloth.
The bartender carefully checks the scanner's fixtures to insure that it is working properly.
[
Changed color?
Ah yes, that must be the thing that the technician was talking about! In fact...
Weird.
> examine ocean
The ocean is somewhat fuzzy and out of focus. You could swear that it actually changes shades of blue in cycles, and sometimes even shifts to a purple or red.
> dive in ocean
Every time you approach the ocean, it seems to move farther away, mirage-like.
> ask about drink
The bartender grins. "Hey, I just work here. If you'd like a refill, then just give me your empties!"
> take drink
You take the frosted glass from the beach bar.
> drink drink
You pour the drink down your throat.
It seems to be just the right thirst-quencher for your parched state. The taste is excellent, and the alcohol is strong.
Hmm, strong, you say?
> take drink
> give drink to bartender
"...than I thought." He picks up the glass and tosses it out of sight behind the bar.
[Your score has just gone up by 5.]
Let's go on with that...
...puts the empty glass away.
Again and again...
And again...
...to straighten his shirt. He ends up with two sides that will not equal out no matter how hard he tries. On the fifth pull, he just gives up.
Time for another one!
Achievement unlocked: drunken bartender.
> examine bartender
The bartender has collapsed onto the bar. He looks comfortable and happy, though, and snores peacefully. Even in sleep, he holds his rag tightly, like a security blanket.
The bartender sings something very softly in his sleep. You can't quite make it out, but it seems to involve somebody named Charlotte.
Now that the bartender's asleep, we can break the VR by combing a full glass with the scanner.
> take drink
You take the frosted glass from the beach bar.
The bartender sings something very softly in his sleep. You can't quite make it out, but it seems to involve somebody named Debbie.
The hues and colors of the virtual world swirl in a soft cloud and drift away. Soon you are back in the real world, but after-images of the alternate reality linger in the back of your mind.
The tech looks at you with renewed respect. He flips over the promised golden pin, which lands nearby. "Not bad, for a rookie. You just might have some VR hacking potential."
We're back at the VR terminal and we have the membership pin now. Swell.
> kiss technician
You give the technician a peck on the cheek. He seems surprised, but then quickly recovers his composure.
Next time: meeting our superiors.
? Oh well, not really, considering we're six dollars poorer now.
