Soona the Palediver.
This is a listing of every "entry" in a given game conversation as scraped from the game files. Entries often contain written dialogue, as well as conditional logic governing their appearance to the player. They also link to other entries, sometimes automatically and sometimes through player action. This page is best used to search for a specific word or phrase, as following the links in this format can be difficult. For an experience that better accommodates the branching structure of these conversations, see the corresponding interactive page.
ID | Character | Dialogue | Conditions | Links |
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0 | None |
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1 | None |
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2 | Soona, the Programmer | "What is it?" The woman is still hunched over the keyboard, gently illuminated by the purring machine. |
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3 | None |
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4 | You | "How's the project going? I see that your neighbours have moved in, but all I hear is anodic dance music." | IsTaskActive("TASK.check_on_soona") and Variable["church.ravers_inside_church"] |
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5 | You | "Right, I'll let you work in peace now." [Leave.] |
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6 | You | "Alright, I talked to Egg Head, he plugged in the cable. You can now *unmute* your speakers." | IsTaskActive("TASK.report_to_soona_unmute")--[[ Variable[ ]] |
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7 | You | "How do you feel about *anodic dance music*?" | IsTaskActive("TASK.establish_church_dance_club") and Variable["church.soona_said_church_plan_already"] == false |
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8 | You | "Have you seen the man living up in the rafters?" |
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9 | Soona, the Programmer | "What?" She snorts with disdain. "I'm not going anywhere. This is a public space and I am free to bend the circuit as I find necessary. Besides..." |
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10 | Soona, the Programmer |
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11 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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12 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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13 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Oh, I see," the lieutenant says, raising a finger, "this is connected to the drug manufacturing thing." |
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14 | Soona, the Programmer |
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15 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["tc.wayfarer_act"] |
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16 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["tc.wayfarer_act"]) == false |
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17 | You | "It's really hard to be a *cop* with all these *laws*!" |
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18 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It's the Wayfarer Act again," the lieutenant says, nodding. "You can't just throw citizens out of public spaces, at least not legally." |
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19 | Soona, the Programmer |
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20 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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21 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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22 | Kim Kitsuragi | "And she's not. Disrupting any order, I mean." |
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23 | You | Evict her. | IsTaskActive("TASK.convince_or_evict_soona") and Variable["church.soona_asked_her_to_leave"] |
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24 | Soona, the Programmer |
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25 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_redcheck_half_light"] |
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26 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_redcheck_half_light"]) == false |
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27 | Soona, the Programmer | "No." |
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28 | You | "But you know he's around?" |
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29 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes." |
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30 | None |
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31 | Soona, the Programmer | The lead programmer sighs. "I can't believe they got you so easily. Go have another talk with those up-and-coming entrepreneurs, will you? Thanks." |
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32 | You | "How do you feel about manufacturing large quantities of drugs?" | IsTaskActive("TASK.establish_church_dance_club") and Variable["ice.andre_logic_done"] == true and Variable["church.soona_discussed_drug_lab"] == false and Variable["church.soona_said_dance_drug_lab_plan"] == false and Variable["ice.andre_logic_notlab"] == false and Variable["XP.arrested_or_evicted_ravers"] == false |
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33 | You | "Sorry, but... who *are* you? What are you doing here?" |
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34 | Half Light | All you hear is the accelerated heart rate in your ears, pounding at 100bpm. Beat by beat, your blood readies for conflict. |
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35 | Half Light | You're not really feeling it, but you should try to force it, anyway. Maybe she won't be able to tell? |
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36 | You | "He's seen *you*." | Variable["church.tiago_asked_about_soona"] |
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37 | Soona, the Programmer | "And?" |
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38 | You | "And? *The crab-man* has seen you!" | Variable["tc.crab_man"] |
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39 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't care, I don't care about crab men." She barely looks up, now tinkering with the machine's printer. |
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40 | Soona, the Programmer | "Exactly, what *does* it mean?" There's something frantic about her as she locks her gaze with you, eyes shining like pearls. "Up to now it has been impossible to say what it is, because it's impossible to measure *nothing*." |
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41 | Soona, the Programmer | "What do *you* think it is? What qualities does *nothing* have? How do you measure something that does not exist?" She's suddenly absorbed in the conversation, waiting for your answer. |
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42 | Logic | Easy, you measure it by the world around it. |
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43 | None |
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44 | Soona, the Programmer | "What?" She squints her eyes. "I hate it." |
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45 | You | "A youth centre would be nice." |
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46 | You | "A petting zoo, a place for animals!" |
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47 | You | "Maybe some community space to help the elderly?" |
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48 | You | "I'm still convinced they want to establish a nightclub for anodic dance music -- they said it's their *dream*." |
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49 | Soona, the Programmer | "But honestly, it's not progressing very well." She grows silent, staring at her circle of basins -- it looks like some ancient ritual. |
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50 | You | "It sounds like you're not worried about him at all." |
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51 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, you're right, I'm not..." Her voice trails off, as she bends over to tinker with the machine's printer. |
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52 | None |
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53 | You | "I don't know, I'm not here for some science, I just want to solve a murder so I can go home." |
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54 | You | "You measure it by collecting data on its surroundings, on that which exists." | Variable["church.soona_logic_measuring_nothing"] == true |
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55 | Soona, the Programmer | "Exactly," she nods, "very true! That's what I've been aiming for, that's why I have those basins. I've tried using hydrotransducers to record the silence -- to find out where it *begins*." |
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56 | You | "Isn't your Rehm Prefect radiocomputer made exclusively for the government-use?" | Variable["church.mainframe_encyclo_ream_models_difference"] == true and Variable["church.soona_asked_about_antenna"] and Variable["church.soona_asked_about_radiocomputer"] |
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57 | Soona, the Programmer | "So you do know *something* about computers." She looks up, almost proud of you. "You're right, Prefect *is* used mostly by the government peeps." |
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58 | You | "I can't even understand how we're talking about something that doesn't exist, let alone measure it." |
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59 | Soona, the Programmer | "You measure it by its surroundings -- by that which does exist," she replies, "which is what I've been trying to do. I've tried using hydrotransducers to record the silence -- to find out where it *begins*." |
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60 | You | "What if you *didn't* have to leave? I talked to Andre, he wants to make it work." | Variable["church.soona_said_church_plan_already"] == true and IsTaskActive("TASK.convince_or_evict_soona") and Variable["church.soona_asked_her_to_cooperate"] == false |
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61 | You | "Those ravers won't be bothering you anymore -- I arrested them because they were planning a drug trade." | Variable["church.andre_arrest_order_given"] == true |
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62 | Soona, the Programmer | "You arrested them..." She looks up, surprised. "Didn't think the cops in this place had it in them," she murmurs. |
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63 | Perception (Sight) | A small satisfied smile breaks free on her face, infuriatingly triumphant. |
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64 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm protected by the Wayfarer Act." |
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65 | None |
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66 | You | "What's the Wayfarer Act?" |
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67 | You | (Cross your arms.) "There is no Wayfarer Act." |
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68 | Soona, the Programmer | "The Wayfarer Act states that citizens have the right to gather in public spaces unless they're disrupting the public order." |
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69 | Soona, the Programmer | "Ah, but there *is* and it *protects* me!" |
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70 | Logic | Did she say *over 16 years of experience*? She must have started programming when she was still a teenager. |
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71 | Half Light | Look at how pleased she is with herself, playing with her 'important science machines'. Academics!! |
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72 | You | "Wait, I have my... I have my..." (Take out your gun.) | CheckItem("gun_villiers") or CheckItem("gun_ruby") |
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73 | You | "You're right. The Wayfarer Act is the foundation of our legal order. I can't cross it on a whim. You're welcome to stay." |
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74 | Soona, the Programmer | "Have some dignity," the woman sighs, turning back to her radiocomputer. |
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75 | You | "You're leaving this church..." (Take out your gun.) "...one way or another." | CheckItem("gun_villiers") or CheckItem("gun_ruby") |
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76 | None |
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77 | Half Light | But you don't take out your gun -- instead you fumble with the holster, desperately trying to free the weapon from its pouch... It looks pathetic. |
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78 | None |
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79 | Soona, the Programmer | "God..." The girl immediately steps back and raises her hands. "Easy now, I'll go, it's not an issue! Can I pack my things first?" |
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80 | You | (Nod once.) "Just make sure you're gone by the time I get back." |
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81 | You | "You better start going if you don't want to be frogmarched to the jail." (Roll up your sleeves.) |
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82 | Soona, the Programmer | "God..." She immediately steps back and raises her hands, sensing the aggression. "Easy now, I'll go. It's not an issue. Can I pack my things first?" |
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83 | Soona, the Programmer | She turns off her computer and leaves. |
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84 | You | "Miss, I need you to be gone from this church when I come back." (Put away your gun.) |
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85 | Soona, the Programmer |
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86 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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87 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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88 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Detective..." |
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89 | Soona, the Programmer |
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90 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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91 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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92 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Put the gun down, detective." The lieutenant's voice is low and firm. |
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93 | You | "I'm not putting down my gun unless she promises to be gone when I come back." |
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94 | Soona, the Programmer | "I promise, I promise!" she exclaims, words echoing below the ceiling rafters. |
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95 | You | "Good." (Put away your gun.) |
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96 | None |
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97 | You | "Please just go, will you? Please... Pretty please, I don't want to fight. Fighting is scary, and gives me breathing difficulties." |
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98 | Soona, the Programmer | "Of course I can stay. It wasn't even a question." |
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99 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't want to make anything work," she replies, her expression unchanged. |
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100 | None |
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101 | You | Put on the headphones. | Variable["church.soona_reveal_whitecheck"] == true and IsTaskActive("TASK.soona_headphones_subtask") |
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102 | Soona, the Programmer |
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103 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_whitecheck_perc"] |
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104 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_whitecheck_perc"]) == false |
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105 | Perception (Hearing) | And then the pressure changes. |
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106 | Perception (Hearing) | All you hear is your own breathing, heavy and hoarse from all the nights spent drinking... It's the breath of an old man. |
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107 | None |
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108 | Soona, the Programmer | "A chance to cook some speed, you mean?" she asks sourly, crossing her arms. |
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109 | You | "They *promised* they'll do it clean." |
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110 | Soona, the Programmer | "Uh, *did they*?" she asks, clicking her tongue. A moment passes. |
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111 | Soona, the Programmer | "Alright, this is all very good and sad, but I have my research to finish. Trust me, this is far more important than the fate of some local speedfreaks and their dance music." |
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112 | You | "What if I helped you *finish* your project? Then you could leave -- and they could come in." |
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113 | Soona, the Programmer | "Well?" Soona asks as soon as you take off the headphones. "Did you hear anything?" |
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114 | You | "No, nothing. It's just silence." |
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115 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah..." Her voice is bitter with disappointment. |
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116 | None |
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117 | You | "Why can't you go and get the filament yourself?" | Variable["church.soona_copy_in_fridge"] |
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118 | You | "Where is your old workspace?" | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_repeater_station_called_once"] == false and Variable["doomed.doorbell_clicked_fortress_accident"] == false |
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119 | Rhetoric | Hold on... If it's called an off-site copy, then why is it still *on*-site? |
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120 | You | "If it's called an off-site copy, then why is it still on-site?" | Variable["church.soona_rhetoric_why_is_off_site_copy_on_site"] == true |
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121 | Soona, the Programmer | "Oh god, not *this* again..." She takes a deep breath, before letting it all out: "It is not *on-site*, it is *in the basement*, perfectly safe and not connected to the front *at all*." |
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122 | You | "And where exactly is the off-site copy?" |
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123 | Soona, the Programmer | "There's this giant ice bear fridge in the building's cellar -- it's there." |
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124 | You | "I found a note from the ice bear fridge. It said the off-site copy had been moved to 'a safer place'." | Variable["doomed.icebear_read_the_note"] == true and Variable["church.soona_copy_in_fridge"] == true |
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125 | Soona, the Programmer | "Zawisza, of course..." She relaxes. "Our project lead Sulisław Zawisza. God, he was always so hell-bent on keeping the copy somewhere 'safe'. And feature creep..." she mutters, "and the Valley of the Heads..." |
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126 | You | "Is this the filament you're looking for?" (Show her the production schedule.) | CheckItem("filament_memory_production_schedule") |
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127 | Inland Empire | Wait, no! That's dangerous, she shouldn't do it! |
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128 | You | "Don't waste your time printing it out, there's nothing but ink there. It's broken." | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_perc_redcheck_success"] == false and Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_printed_out_offsite_copy_once"] == true |
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129 | Logic | What an interesting proposition! Truly a task for the intellectuals -- solving the puzzle of water bowls. |
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130 | Interfacing | Yes, but you like moving things around. Moving things around is calming. |
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131 | You | "I moved the water bowls to the right position, just like you asked. What's next?" | Variable["church.waterbowls_moved"] and IsTaskActive("TASK.move_the_waterbowls") |
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132 | Soona, the Programmer | "Because it reminds us of death. And we humans tend to think that death is pretty scary." |
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133 | You | "It's scary, but we just have to face it." |
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134 | Empathy | Despite her fear she was hoping for something extraordinary to take place. |
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135 | Egg Head | "MAXIMUM!" shouts Egg Head, a great smile still adorning his face, larger than a red dwarf star. |
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136 | None |
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137 | You | "Why do you need an antenna?" (Point to it.) | Variable["church.orb_antenna_clicked"] == true |
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138 | You | "What about those bowls of water over there?" | Variable["church.orb_waterbasins_clicked"] == true |
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139 | You | "What are you doing with your radiocomputer?" |
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140 | You | "Why are there so many machines in this place?" |
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141 | Soona, the Programmer | "I brought them here. These are my machines. Please don't touch anything." |
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142 | None |
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143 | You | "What are you doing in an abandoned church?" | Variable["church.soona_two_mm_hole_known"] == false |
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144 | You | "Do you have any idea where this hole might be located?" | Variable["church.soona_said_research_not_going_well"] == true |
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145 | You | "A hole in the world... What does that mean exactly?" |
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146 | You | "Okay. Wow. That was quick. Why do you hate it?" |
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147 | Soona, the Programmer | "Maybe I'd have to be *on drugs* to get it, but to a sober mind it just sounds like uninspired rug whipping. No idea what it has to do with either dancing or music." |
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148 | You | "Right, right... but how do you feel about a *club* for anodic dance music?" |
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149 | Soona, the Programmer | "This is about those speedfreaks in the tent, isn't it?" She looks up, shaking her head. "I've got some news for you, it's not a *nightclub* they want to build here..." |
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150 | You | "What do they want to build then?" |
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151 | Soona, the Programmer | "Take a guess, why don't you?" |
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152 | None |
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153 | You | "I heard they're also planning on building a drug lab." | Variable["ice.andre_logic_done"] == true and Variable["ice.andre_logic_notlab"] == false |
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154 | Soona, the Programmer | "Bingo." She snaps her fingers. "That's exactly what they're up to." |
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155 | Soona, the Programmer |
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156 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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157 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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158 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Wonderful," the lieutenant whispers, admiring the embellished pillars and the spectacular architecture in the church. |
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159 | Soona, the Programmer |
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160 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_said_church_plan_already"] |
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161 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_said_church_plan_already"]) == false |
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162 | Soona, the Programmer | "Good." |
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163 | You | "Really?" |
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164 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, of course not." She turns her tired, sardonic eyes to face you. "I feel even worse about drugs than I feel about nightclubs." |
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165 | Soona, the Programmer | "I feel that's illegal." |
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166 | Soona, the Programmer | "I see you've talked to them, good. Drugs are illegal, and I'm not leaving this church -- especially because of some corrupt drug lab idea you've cooked up in that tent." |
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167 | Soona, the Programmer |
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168 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_andre_logic_hint"] |
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169 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_andre_logic_hint"]) == false |
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170 | You | "Right, isn't that what makes it fun?" |
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171 | You | "Your feeling is right, manufacturing drugs is a little illegal." |
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172 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, certainly not. I've got a citizen's investigation to run and I want nothing to do with local vices." |
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173 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, I know that." |
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174 | None |
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175 | You | "They're just encouraging an active *youth culture* here, nothing wrong with that." |
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176 | You | "Mind-altering substances are a vital part of anodic club scene, it helps to bring the community together." |
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177 | You | Say nothing. |
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178 | Soona, the Programmer | "So that's settled, great." She supports her chin on her hand, visibly pleased: "No nightclubs in the church then." |
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179 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah, what I said before... Not possible to appreciate that kind of music without being high as a kite." |
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180 | You | "I'm just encouraging an active *youth culture*, nothing wrong with that." |
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181 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Wonderful," the lieutenant whispers. "Now this place is also going to be a drug lab. Always something fascinating happening in tents." |
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182 | You | "Mind-altering substances are a vital part of anodic club scene. It helps to bring the community together." |
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183 | You | Say nothing. |
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184 | Kim Kitsuragi | "No, don't mind me, go on with your little project. I'm sure you can spin it as an under-cover op. Many cops do." |
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185 | Soona, the Programmer |
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186 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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187 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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188 | Soona, the Programmer |
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189 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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190 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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191 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It is, yes. It's against the law. We're cops -- the law is *important* to us." |
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192 | Soona, the Programmer |
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193 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_said_dance_drug_lab_plan"] |
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194 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_said_dance_drug_lab_plan"]) == false |
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195 | You | "Gotcha. It's almost party time!" |
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196 | You | "How could you? This is a completely separate issue!" |
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197 | You | (Ignore him and address the lead programmer) "I want you to take your belongings and leave within an hour." |
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198 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Interesting, a police officer trying to evict a citizen from a public space despite the Wayfarer Act." |
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199 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Apologies, I was just thinking out loud. Go on." |
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200 | You | "No, please, not the Wayfarer Act again..." (Close your eyes.) |
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201 | None |
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202 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, thank you. Now, if you'd only let me work..." |
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203 | Soona, the Programmer |
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204 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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205 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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206 | Soona, the Programmer | "And before you go on, I am *not* disrupting any order here, I'm a circuit bender and no one has anything against circuit benders." |
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207 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm a circuit bender and no one ever has anything against circuit benders." |
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208 | None |
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209 | You | "I don't *care* about the Wayfarer Act! Get out of here!" (Stomp your feet.) |
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210 | You | I can't do it. I don't *feel* scary. |
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211 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, but you see, it doesn't matter whether you care about it or not. It's the law," she explains to you without even sparing a look, "I'm not going anywhere." |
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212 | Soona, the Programmer | She's still typing behind the radiocomputer, her sweater-clad frame hunched over the machine. |
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213 | None |
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214 | You | "Hold on, you don't want to make *anything* work?" |
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215 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, *anything*. I don't want to make anything work." |
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216 | Empathy | It's not the anodic dance music that's made her bitter... it's the failure of Fortress Accident. |
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217 | Soona, the Programmer |
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218 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.dicemaker_fortress_explained"] |
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219 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.dicemaker_fortress_explained"]) == false |
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220 | You | "Are you bitter because your radio game project failed?" |
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221 | Soona, the Programmer | "That's right." Something strange shines in her eyes. "If we couldn't get our *welkins* to happen, I don't want anything to happen. Ever again." |
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222 | Empathy | There's not a trace of irony in her voice. She means it. |
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223 | You | Don't bring it up. |
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224 | You | "This is Martinaise, what can you expect? They're the product of their surroundings." |
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225 | Soona, the Programmer | "Very cool, but I don't want any part of those 'surroundings' myself, good or bad." |
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226 | Soona, the Programmer | "On Rue de Saint-Ghislaine in the East Delta Commerce Centre." She wipes some hair off her face and sighs. |
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227 | Soona, the Programmer | "The bookstore lady hates me -- says I'm part of the *curse*, whatever that means." |
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228 | You | "Wait -- bookstore lady -- you mean Plaisance?" | Variable["doomed.plais_greeting_done"] == true |
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229 | Soona, the Programmer | "That's her name, I believe." |
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230 | You | "Why does she think you're part of the curse?" |
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231 | Soona, the Programmer | "Because she's from Martinaise and people from Martinaise have never ever seen a radiocomputer. She thinks it emits elemental *evil*." |
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232 | You | "By your old workspace do you mean the studio of Fortress Accident in the Doomed Commercial Area?" | (Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_repeater_station_called_once"] == true or Variable["doomed.doorbell_clicked_fortress_accident"] == true) and Variable["church.soona_copy_in_fridge"] == false |
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233 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah, that's the one. You can get in through the bookshop. You just have to do some explaining to the bookstore lady." |
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234 | None |
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235 | None |
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236 | You | "About the off-site copy you asked me to bring..." | Variable["church.soona_quest_hub_reached"] == true and Variable["TASK.bring_off_site_copy_to_soona_done"] == false and IsTaskActive("TASK.help_soona_with_her_project") |
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237 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes?" |
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238 | None |
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239 | Soona, the Programmer | She gets back to work. |
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240 | None |
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241 | Soona, the Programmer | "And no, taking it outside the building *wouldn't* have protected it from the data loss. There's nothing wrong with keeping the backup in the basement. What happened was a freak accident that has nothing to do with how the backup was stored." |
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242 | Empathy | This is clearly a painful topic for her. She must have had to explain herself numerous times. |
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243 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, that's the production schedule you stole and accessed without authorization." She's tapping the table in a badly concealed impatience. "I don't need it." |
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244 | You | "By the way, we put a dead body in that fridge." | Variable["TASK.fridge_victims_body_done"] and Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_the_fridge_note"] == true |
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245 | Soona, the Programmer | "You put it there..." She leans back, massaging her eyelids. "You put a dead body inside the ice bear fridge..." |
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246 | You | "I found the ice cream maker, but couldn't get it open -- it's completely frozen." | Variable["doomed.icecreammaker_greeting_hub_done"] and Variable["TASK.get_frozen_ice_cream_maker_open_done"] == false and Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_the_fridge_note"] |
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247 | None |
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248 | You | "I brought you the filament." (Give her the off-site copy.) | CheckItem("filament_memory_off_site_copy") |
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249 | Soona, the Programmer |
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250 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_guessed_parole_wrong_and_got_reported_dev_schedule"] |
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251 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_guessed_parole_wrong_and_got_reported_dev_schedule"]) == false |
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252 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, that's the production schedule, I don't need it. The right filament memory has 'OFF-SITE COPY' written on silver tape." |
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253 | You | "Wait! Don't put it in yet, it might be dangerous!" | Variable["church.soona_inland_offsite_copy_dangerous_to_insert"] == true |
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254 | Soona, the Programmer | "I know it's just ink," she replies, as the filament clicks into place, "but Lintel was somehow able to divine the location of the anomaly from this broken copy. I want to repeat their calculation, only this time with better equipment." |
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255 | You | "Don't waste your time printing it out, there's nothing but a speck of white in a sea of ink. It's broken." | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_perc_redcheck_success"] == true |
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256 | Soona, the Programmer | "A speck of white?" She sounds excited, as the filament clicks into place. "That's exactly what I'm hoping to find." |
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257 | You | "What are you even hoping to find?" |
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258 | None |
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259 | Soona, the Programmer |
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260 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_printed_out_offsite_copy_once"] |
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261 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_printed_out_offsite_copy_once"]) == false |
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262 | Soona, the Programmer | "I have a theory," she says, as the filament clicks into place. "Lintel was able to divine the location of the anomaly from this broken copy. I want to repeat their calculation, only this time with better equipment." |
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263 | Soona, the Programmer | "Watch," she says and presses PRINT on the machine's keyboard, "what an intricate display of failure..." |
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264 | Soona, the Programmer | "Lintel was able to divine the location of the anomaly from this broken copy. I want to repeat their calculation, only this time with better equipment." |
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265 | You | (Play it cool.) "Now what?" |
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266 | You | "Something's very wrong with that filament memory." |
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267 | Interfacing | This is wrong, machines shouldn't behave like that. |
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268 | Conceptualization | It's the abyss staring back at you. |
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269 | You | (Step back.) "Please just... stop. Stop playing with this thing!" |
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270 | None |
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271 | Half Light | Cold sweat trickles down your spine... This is spooky as hell. |
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272 | Soona, the Programmer | "Huh?" She looks up, puzzled. |
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273 | Soona, the Programmer |
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274 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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275 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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276 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You okay?" |
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277 | You | "I'm okay, just please be careful. Trying to locate a *hole in the world* might be dangerous." |
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278 | You | "Nothing, khm, please... continue." |
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279 | Soona, the Programmer | "I *am* being careful. Treat it as a mere technical anomaly, makes it easier to bear." She runs her hands over the printout, searching for something... |
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280 | Soona, the Programmer | Soona doesn't reply, her hands running over the printout. She's looking for something -- for her morning star -- eyes scouring the millimetres. |
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281 | Soona, the Programmer | "Here," she suddenly says, rising her ink-stained fingertip, "I found it." |
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282 | None |
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283 | Soona, the Programmer |
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284 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_logic_excited_about_waterbowls"] |
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285 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_logic_excited_about_waterbowls"]) == false |
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286 | You | "Right, I'll go figure it out, I'm good at intellectual puzzles." |
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287 | Soona, the Programmer | "Figure it out?" She shakes her head, grinning. "No, I don't need you to figure anything out, I've got a computer for that." She pats the mainframe. |
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288 | Logic | What? She only wants you to follow instructions, nothing *intellectually stimulating* in this task... A child could do it! |
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289 | Soona, the Programmer | "Just walk over to the circle and follow my instructions: Move the third bowl two centimetres to the left and the fourth bowl five centimetres to the right. This should do the trick." |
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290 | Interfacing | You like moving things around. Moving things around is calming. |
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291 | You | "What, you don't trust my intellectual capabilities to solve this problem on my own?" |
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292 | You | "Sure, no problem." |
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293 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks." She smiles. |
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294 | Soona, the Programmer | "Eh?" She frowns. "Come on, it's not about your brain -- even I couldn't figure it out on my own." |
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295 | You | "Wait, why did you have your headphones on mute in the first place?" |
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296 | You | "Isn't it going to be just silence and nothing else?" |
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297 | Soona, the Programmer | "Honestly..." She's avoiding your gaze. "Honestly, I'm a little scared." |
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298 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't know." She stares at the heart of her computer. "That's what I'm scared of: I don't know. It could be *anything*." |
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299 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't know, I'm just scared. Maybe it's going to be something terrifying. Maybe it's going to tear the world apart." |
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300 | Soona, the Programmer | And then nothing. |
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301 | Conceptualization | Like that evil ink that filled the printout, erasing coherence and meaning. |
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302 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant takes a step back... |
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303 | Soona, the Programmer |
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304 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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305 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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306 | Perception (Hearing) | But there's something else... |
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307 | Perception (Hearing) | There *has* to be. Something big, something unexpected... something *new*, yet to be discovered. |
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308 | Conceptualization | When was the last time this world had anything new to say? |
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309 | You | What does it mean? |
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310 | You | Yes, but can I *hear* anything? |
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311 | Perception (Hearing) | It feels like flying on an aerostatic, or when your ears pop, or like a subtle difference in the atmosphere, a weather change hanging in the air... |
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312 | Perception (Hearing) | What if the sound you're looking for is too low for you to hear it? |
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313 | Perception (Sight) | Her lower lip is quivering. |
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314 | Empathy | There's caution in his voice. |
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315 | Authority | Finally, compliance. |
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316 | Soona, the Programmer | "Like it would have made a difference -- the off-site copy was perfectly safe when the data loss happened. That data loss was *anomalous*." She crosses her arms defiantly. |
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317 | You | "From your neighbours, of course." |
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318 | Perception (Hearing) | Suddenly a rhythmic beat permeates the walls, causing a small patch of decorative stucco to crumble onto the wooden floor. |
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319 | Soona, the Programmer | "You mean the *speedfreaks*?" She closes her eyes, as more dance music invades the holy silence of the sanctuary. |
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320 | You | "Sure, if you agree to let them build their drug lab." | Variable["ice.andre_logic_cut"] or Variable["ice.ice_andre_drugs_undecided"] or Variable["ice.andre_ok_drug_lab"] |
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321 | You | "They *would* if you wouldn't mind them moving in with you." |
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322 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, officer, I don't *agree* to anything." |
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323 | Soona, the Programmer | "But most of the time I'm fully absorbed in my work with the radiocomputer," she then goes on, "and there are still parts of the church I haven't had time to explore, so..." |
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324 | You | "Great, I'll go talk to them then." |
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325 | Soona, the Programmer | "Sure, let me know how it goes." She lingers for a moment, before adding: "Thanks, officer." |
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326 | Soona, the Programmer | "I guess I could live through a week or two of peaceful coexistence." |
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327 | Soona, the Programmer | She pauses, looking you in the eye. |
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328 | None |
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329 | Kim Kitsuragi | "They should really allocate some renovation funds to this place..." murmurs the lieutenant, inspecting the damage done to the arabesques. |
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330 | Soona, the Programmer |
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331 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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332 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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333 | Soona, the Programmer | "I know, I know it is, but... could you *please* turn it down just this instance? Just *this* one time -- maximum is *not* the only way, okay?" |
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334 | Egg Head | "MAXIMUM IS THE ONLY WAY!" |
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335 | Egg Head | "Pump it to the brick, pump it to the hard master! There is no other way. Glue-style." |
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336 | You | "I think what Egg Head is trying to say here is that the volume button is *stuck* on maximum." |
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337 | Soona, the Programmer | "See?" She turns to face you, ready to give up. "He *pumps it to the hard master*. It's hopeless..." |
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338 | Egg Head | "YEAGHHH! PERMANENT ENLIGHTENMENT. RAY OF SOUND." |
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339 | Soona, the Programmer | "Of course it is." She shrugs, consigned to her fate. |
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340 | Soona, the Programmer | "Never mind then, let's get on with our project... I am going to unmute the speakers on a count of five. Everyone ready?" She looks around the church. |
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341 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay, but..." She seems hesitant, her eyes still fixed on Egg Head. "Think you can ask him to turn the volume down a bit, just in case?" |
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342 | You | "Okay. Ready." (Proceed.) |
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343 | You | "Uh, hold on for a moment..." |
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344 | Soona, the Programmer | "What?" |
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345 | You | "Why do you want to turn down the volume?" |
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346 | Soona, the Programmer | "Because I'm afraid that something might happen. It's an unknown phenomenon..." She turns to Egg Head. "We can always turn it back up if there's a need." |
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347 | Egg Head | "CAN'T TURN DOWN THE HARD CORE!" |
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348 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, we should definitely do this. I *am* going to do this. Ready?" She pauses, looking around the church -- everyone stares at her hand on the keyboard. |
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349 | Half Light | There's tightness in your chest; anxiety. |
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350 | You | "Never mind, let's do this. I'm ready. Whooh..." (Proceed.) |
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351 | Soona, the Programmer | In the silence, a low hum starts creeping up your spine. It's a song inside you -- not in the speakers, not in the room. A great bass sigh in the basement of your mind. Slowly it builds, until the air around you starts to vibrate. |
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352 | Andre | "Guys, what's going on?" There's alarm in the man's voice, as he steps back to scan the surroundings. A slight rattle like crystal clattering in the cupboard fills the air, joining the chorus. |
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353 | Egg Head | "HOSIANNAH! MOTHER OF MEGA!" You hear Egg Head yell -- then something else, but his voice is growing faint... |
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354 | Egg Head | "COME DOWN TO US! LOVE!" |
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355 | You | "Everybody, don't panic, it's beautiful!" |
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356 | You | "Yeah, we should stop. Soona, mute it!" |
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357 | Egg Head | "BEAUTIFUL CORE, BEAUTIFUL LIFE!" |
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358 | Soona, the Programmer | "Shit, it doesn't stop!" The woman is furiously pressing down on her keyboard -- but the sound doesn't stop. "Acele, have you...?" |
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359 | Andre | "Fuck..." Andre frantically smashes buttons. "I can't shut it up, the signal's passed... It's not *in* here! It's..." |
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360 | Acele | "Yes, I've turned it off!" She yells, holding the contact mic in her hand. |
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361 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, what they *really* should do is shut down the discomen for disturbing neighbourhood peace." |
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362 | You | "Yes, but they could help with the speakers..." |
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363 | Noid | "It's getting louder..." says Noid, his eyes riveted on the strange circle of water basins. |
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364 | You | "Hey, uh, what's that weird rattling sound...?" |
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365 | You | "I've never heard anything this hard core in my life!" |
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366 | Soona, the Programmer | "The window is going to come down. NO, THE ROOF..." She looks up. A screech fills the air, a scream of wood and nails -- the pillars of the church twist and creak above and around you. |
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367 | Egg Head | "The BEAUTY AND THE BEAT! The future of dance, PLANETARY!" |
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368 | Soona, the Programmer |
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369 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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370 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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371 | Kim Kitsuragi | In the corner of your eye, the lieutenant steps aside cautiously, his eyes searching for a possible evacuation route. |
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372 | Acele | "No, Egg! It's the window." The glass shards around Dolores Dei's vacant heart appear to be vibrating from the sound. It almost looks as if she's alive. |
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373 | Pain Threshold | Below it all the bass grows, like the jaws of a giant compressor gnawing on metal and wood. It does not sound benevolent *at all*. |
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374 | Composure | A great PULSE arises in your flesh... |
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375 | Empathy | In his mind, a tidal wave approaching from afar, swallowing entire coastlines on its way... salvation. |
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376 | You | "OH, I WANT TO DANCE WITH SOMEBODY!" (Start tapping your foot.) | Variable["church.soona_composure_wants_to_dance"] == true |
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377 | Egg Head | "OH, I WANT TO FEEL THE HEAT WITH SOMEBODY!" |
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378 | Egg Head | And then it stops. Totally and utterly -- as if there never was a sound. Only your ears still ring from the shock. Everybody is staring at Egg Head -- holding a dangling cable in his hand. A black three-pin connector. |
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379 | Acele | "Egg..." |
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380 | Egg Head | "I pulled the plug," he says, calmly. "It was getting *too* hard core." |
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381 | Andre | "You did good, Egg..." Andre breathes a sigh of relief and inspects the window. "Most of the place seems to be intact. Fucking L... Programmer-lady, tell me you were recording that!" |
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382 | You | "Right, I'll try not to touch anything. Next question..." |
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383 | None |
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384 | Soona, the Programmer | "Great." She dwells back into the glowing terminal. |
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385 | Soona, the Programmer | "I use the AR-1 as my Rehm Prefect's processing unit." |
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386 | Soona, the Programmer | "Somewhere underneath those roof beams, I assume." She looks up, eyes trying to pierce the pitch-black heights above, but without much success. |
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387 | None |
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388 | You | "Wait, what?" | Variable["church.mainframe_interfacing_ream_prefect"] == false |
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389 | You | "I don't understand." | Variable["church.mainframe_interfacing_ream_prefect"] == false |
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390 | Soona, the Programmer | "Rehm Prefect, my radiocomputer," she explains. |
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391 | None |
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392 | You | "Rehm Prefect, that's your radiocomputer, right?" | Variable["church.mainframe_interfacing_ream_prefect"] == true |
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393 | Soona, the Programmer | "Mhmh." |
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394 | Soona, the Programmer | "They are connected to my Rehm Prefect." She looks up. "Whatever you do, just please don't move them, okay? Thanks." |
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395 | You | "How did you get your hands on it?" |
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396 | Soona, the Programmer | "I know a friend of a friend who used to freelance for the Coalition," she says nonchalantly, scratching her ear. "I was actually aiming for the military-grade Rehm Rational series, but couldn't find one." |
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397 | Interfacing | No, actually it *is* kind of a big deal. You don't see Rehm Prefects in every police department for example. |
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398 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm working." |
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399 | You | "Working on what?" |
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400 | Soona, the Programmer | "Could you..." She closes her eyes. "Could you just... *shh* for a moment? Or get to the point -- I really need to focus on something." |
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401 | Volition | It's not *just* rudeness. It really is hard to concentrate on whatever she needs to do. And you're not helping. |
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402 | None |
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||
403 | None |
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404 | Inland Empire | Strange things may flourish in the dark... |
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405 | Perception (Sight) | Only a faint criss-cross of rafters can be made out from the dark, most of the tower disappearing into the shade. |
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406 | None |
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||
407 | You | "Nothing, I'll let you work." [Leave.] |
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408 | You | "Hey, are you the lead programmer of 'Wirrâl Untethered' by any chance?" | Variable["doomed.fortress_accident_kim_switch_done"] or Variable["doomed.dicemaker_fortress_explained"] |
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409 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes." She thinks to herself. "Or no, not anymore. That project is dead." |
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410 | Soona, the Programmer | "I am Soona Luukanen-Kilde, the former lead programmer of Fortress Accident and RSA Radios. I have over 16 years of programming experience and I'm proficient in both Vox and Orbis languages..." |
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411 | Reaction Speed | That still doesn't answer what she's doing in an abandoned church. |
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412 | You | "Okay, it's probably not a big deal then." |
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413 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you're not here to hire me, I don't really know how can I help you." She turns back to the terminal. |
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414 | Empathy | She doesn't seem surprised to be recognized, rather sad. Something passes over her face before she straightens her back. |
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415 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, what is it?" She doesn't look up from the keyboard. |
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416 | Soona, the Programmer |
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||
417 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_pregreeting_hub_reached"] |
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418 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_pregreeting_hub_reached"]) == false |
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419 | You | "I didn't break anything, did I?" |
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420 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, you just printed out my personal log and wasted some paper." It does not look like a big loss to her. |
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421 | None |
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422 | Soona, the Programmer |
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423 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_greeting_done"] |
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424 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_greeting_done"]) == false |
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425 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, what is it?" She doesn't look up from the keyboard. |
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426 | None |
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||
427 | You | "He must have seen you." |
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|
428 | None |
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||
429 | Authority | You don't *feel* scary? What are you, some kind of *diva*? |
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|
430 | You | "Fuck your things. Get out now." |
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|
431 | Soona, the Programmer | She turns off her computer and leaves. |
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432 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant sighs, but says nothing. |
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433 | Soona, the Programmer |
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||
434 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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435 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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436 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
437 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
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438 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
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439 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Is that *really* necessary, detective?" |
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440 | Logic | Wait, what? |
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441 | Inland Empire | But does it have anything to do with necroplasmic life forms? 'Ghosts' in everyday parlance. |
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442 | Interfacing | She's looking for a disruption in the *radio waves*. That's what her personal log said. |
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443 | You | "Is the hole connected to the data loss in your journal?" |
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444 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, that's what led me here..." She stares at the burnished antenna on a nearby table. "But I suspect it might be something a bit more complicated than that." |
|
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445 | You | "That's all I wanted to know about the scary two-millimetre hole in the world... for now." (Conclude.) | Variable["church.soona_said_research_not_going_well"] |
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446 | None |
|
||
447 | You | "And that antenna is its... processing unit?" |
|
|
448 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes." She sighs. "You really don't know anything about radiocomputers, do you?" She has stopped working now. |
|
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449 | You | "Not really." |
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450 | You | "I know *a little*." |
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451 | Soona, the Programmer | "Alright, well... All radiocomputers perform operations up on air, so in order to gain more processing power you need to invest in a *good antenna*." |
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452 | Soona, the Programmer | "I guess it is…" She stops to think. "So far I've been quite satisfied with it. Martinaise is an unstable region with bad coverage and the operation has been surprisingly stable." |
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453 | You | "I don't really know much about *anything* in this world, to be honest." |
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454 | You | "And the AR-1? Is it a 'good antenna'?" |
|
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455 | Soona, the Programmer | "But it's not the cheapest one on the market, so I wouldn't recommend it for your regular red tape operations. Fraser 1000 is a foolproof line for civilians." |
|
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456 | Soona, the Programmer | "Anyway..." She turns back to her terminal. "You should do some research before you decide to buy anything. Ask around, compare the prices. There are many milieus dedicated to that sort of thing." |
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|
457 | You | "So why do you have it?" |
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|
458 | You | "And you work for the government?" |
|
|
459 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, I don't." |
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460 | Soona, the Programmer | She inhales sharply, before answering in a single breath: "Because I needed something *good* for my investigation and Rehm Civic is widely agreed to be below all standards, so I had to upgrade." |
|
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461 | Soona, the Programmer | "Besides, owning a Rehm Prefect isn't such a big deal anymore." |
|
|
462 | Soona, the Programmer | She pats her glowing machine. "Prefect is mainly based on the same technology as Rehm Civic, so it's kind of a rip-off, but it does have better compatibility with newer antenna models, so I won't complain." |
|
|
463 | You | "Did you *steal it*?" |
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|
464 | Soona, the Programmer | "No!" She looks up, disturbed. "No, of course not. I know a friend of a friend who used to freelance for the Coalition. I bought it from her." |
|
|
465 | Soona, the Programmer | "I was actually aiming for the military-grade Rehm Rational series, but couldn't find one." She pats her machine: "Prefect is mainly based on the same technology as the Civic, but it does work better with newer antenna models, so I'm not complaining." |
|
|
466 | Soona, the Programmer | "You really like those questions, don't you?" There's a hint of amusement in her tired eyes. |
|
|
467 | You | "I'm a police officer, it's my job to ask questions." |
|
|
468 | You | "You're occupying a public space. I need to know what you're doing here." |
|
|
469 | Endurance | They're bloodshot. She really hasn't been getting much sleep lately, has she? |
|
|
470 | You | "There have been complaints from your neighbours." | Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project"] == false |
|
471 | You | "I need to make sure you're not hiding anyone here." | Variable["TASK.ask_about_ruby_in_village"] == true and Variable["TASK.locate_ruby_on_the_coast_done"] == false |
|
472 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, I'm not, it's just me and the..." She looks up at the ceiling before murmuring: "...*the crab-man*. I'm just doing some research. That's all." |
|
|
473 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm looking for the location of a two-millimetre hole in the world." |
|
|
474 | Soona, the Programmer | "I am conducting scientific research here. You can't throw me out," she says, ready to stand her ground. |
|
|
475 | You | "What research?" |
|
|
476 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm looking for the location of a two-millimetre hole in the world." |
|
|
477 | You | "Does it have anything to do with *ghosts*?" | Variable["church.soona_inland_swallow_ghosts"] == true |
|
478 | Logic | That's a little above your pay grade at the moment. |
|
|
479 | Soona, the Programmer | "*Ghosts?*" she repeats. "No, I don't think so, I don't believe in ghosts." |
|
|
480 | You | "What about other supra-natural entities?" |
|
|
481 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't believe in them either." |
|
|
482 | You | "Why there?" |
|
|
483 | Soona, the Programmer | "There's this place at the back of the church, a place where all audible vibrations seem to decease -- I've named it 'the swallow'. And the higher you go, the less you record." |
|
|
484 | You | "What not many know is: necroplasma *exists*." |
|
|
485 | You | (Nod.) "That's probably wise. Not believing in them." |
|
|
486 | Soona, the Programmer | "Great. What are we talking about? And *why*?" She gets back to work -- a clear signal that this branch of the conversation is over. |
|
|
487 | None |
|
||
488 | None |
|
||
489 | Soona, the Programmer | "Great." Her hands are a whirl on the keyboard. "Thanks." |
|
|
490 | None |
|
||
491 | You | "Hey, about that two-millimetre hole again..." | Variable["church.soona_two_mm_hole_known"] == true |
|
492 | Soona, the Programmer | "The swallow, you mean." She looks up, slightly irked. "What about it?" |
|
|
493 | None |
|
||
494 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Now this house of worship is also going to be a drug lab... Always something fascinating happening in tents." |
|
|
495 | Soona, the Programmer | "Just to be completely clear: I am here to conduct a citizen's investigation into a radio anomaly and I want nothing to do with the local vices of Martinaise. Okay? Thanks." |
|
|
496 | Soona, the Programmer | "Just to be completely clear: I am here to conduct a citizen's investigation into a radio anomaly and I want nothing to do with the local vices of Martinaise. Got it? Thanks." She turns back to work. |
|
|
497 | You | Convince her to cooperate with the ravers. | IsTaskActive("TASK.convince_or_evict_soona") and Variable["church.soona_asked_her_to_cooperate"] |
|
498 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
499 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_suggestion_whitecheck"] |
|
|
500 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_suggestion_whitecheck"]) == false |
|
|
501 | Suggestion | Just tell her about Egg Head's defence speech. |
|
|
502 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
503 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["tc.heard_egg_defence_speech"] |
|
|
504 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["tc.heard_egg_defence_speech"]) == false |
|
|
505 | Suggestion | Easy -- when her research is done, she can move out. |
|
|
506 | You | "Listen, about that nightclub..." |
|
|
507 | Soona, the Programmer | "I already told you -- I'm not interested." |
|
|
508 | You | "Those kids really need a win. We all do. Give this club a chance -- give them a chance." |
|
|
509 | You | "Listen, about your research... Maybe I can help with anything? Help you refill those water basins or something..." |
|
|
510 | Soona, the Programmer | "What?" She looks up from her work, disoriented. "No, I don't really need any help with the project." |
|
|
511 | You | "But if I could help you finish the project then you wouldn't have to live in a church next to the boom-boom anymore -- just think about it." |
|
|
512 | Soona, the Programmer | "Alright," she finally says, blinking twice. "Bring me the game's off-site copy from my old workspace if you really want to help. It's stored on a filament memory and I'm unable to go and fetch it myself." |
|
|
513 | Soona, the Programmer | She thinks about it, a glassy look in her eyes. A gust of wind brings more snow in from the broken gallery. It touches her hair. |
|
|
514 | You | "What if I helped you *finish* your project? Then you could leave -- and they could come in." |
|
|
515 | You | "That's a bit biased, don't you think?" |
|
|
516 | Soona, the Programmer | "No." She stares at you with droopy eyes. "She literally started praying for the higher powers when she first saw my Rehm Civic. I'm not making this up." |
|
|
517 | Soona, the Programmer | "Once I came in one morning only to find that my terminal was full of those strange... trinkets and amulets. *Wards*. It looked like some Semenine magic." |
|
|
518 | Soona, the Programmer | "Don't worry, you can't miss the bear." She gives you a rueful smile. "It's hideous." |
|
|
519 | Soona, the Programmer | "You might be more familiar with the name *Doomed Commercial Area*. You can get in through the bookshop on plaza. You just have to do some explaining to the bookstore lady." |
|
|
520 | You | "Yeah, people in Martinaise don't really like to *get with the times*." |
|
|
521 | Soona, the Programmer | "She literally started praying for the higher powers when she first saw my Rehm Civic. I'm not making this up." |
|
|
522 | You | "Don't be too harsh. That's only because of their *socio-economic* situation." |
|
|
523 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, but she *literally* started praying for the higher powers when she first saw my Rehm Civic. I'm not making this up." |
|
|
524 | Soona, the Programmer | "Wait, a note from *whom*?" She freezes. "Did it specify where they took the filament memory?" |
|
|
525 | You | "It said the off-site copy had been taken to a nearby ice cream maker. The note was signed by someone named Sulisław." |
|
|
526 | Soona, the Programmer | "And the Heads -- I won't even get *into* the Heads, millions of them..." She stops. "Go find that copy from that ice cream maker, will you? Thanks." |
|
|
527 | Soona, the Programmer | "Wait, what?" She looks up, alarmed. "*Whose* dead body?" |
|
|
528 | You | "It's the body of the hanged man." |
|
|
529 | You | "Don't worry, I put it there -- temporarily. It's all part of an official police investigation." |
|
|
530 | Soona, the Programmer | "*And what is it doing in the fridge?!*" |
|
|
531 | You | "Just wanted to let you know." |
|
|
532 | You | "Yeah, that's what I said in the first place." |
|
|
533 | You | "The investigation warranted it." |
|
|
534 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay," she says, pressing fingers into her eyebrow ridge. "Very cool, thanks for keeping me in the loop." |
|
|
535 | None |
|
||
536 | None |
|
||
537 | Soona, the Programmer | "This is getting ridiculous. Can't you just defrost it? Or I don't know, I don't know about the ice cream maker... just figure something out." |
|
|
538 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks." She takes the filament, inspecting the metallic tape on its side. "Looks like it's the one." |
|
|
539 | You | "What's going to happen now?" |
|
|
540 | Soona, the Programmer | "Now I'm going to print it out to see what's left of it." She's already inserted the filament into the radiocomputer's core, ready to close the door. |
|
|
541 | Soona, the Programmer | She starts laughing, but stops almost immediately, her voice oddly humourless: "No, it's not dangerous, just depressing." |
|
|
542 | You | "What are you even hoping to find?" |
|
|
543 | You | "How do you know?" |
|
|
544 | Soona, the Programmer | "I have a theory," she says, as the filament clicks into place, "Lintel was able to divine the anomaly's location from this broken copy. I want to repeat their calculation, only this time with better equipment." |
|
|
545 | Soona, the Programmer | "Watch," she says and presses PRINT on the machine's keyboard, "what an intricate display of failure." |
|
|
546 | Soona, the Programmer | "Watch," she presses PRINT on the machine's keyboard, "what an intricate display of failure." |
|
|
547 | You | "What do you mean?" |
|
|
548 | Soona, the Programmer | The paper gets soaked in ink again, its evil blackness shining in the light of the mainframe. It looks eerie. |
|
|
549 | Soona, the Programmer | "Watch," she presses PRINT on the machine's keyboard, "what an intricate display of failure." |
|
|
550 | Soona, the Programmer | The paper starts filling out with ink, soaking it in a gleaming blackness. Not a single line of data stands out. |
|
|
551 | Soona, the Programmer | The paper starts filling out with ink, soaking it in a gleaming darkness. Not a single line of data stands out. |
|
|
552 | You | "Alright, got your message." |
|
|
553 | None |
|
||
554 | Soona, the Programmer | "Nope, not interested in your degenerate money schemes." |
|
|
555 | You | "Listen, how about we offer you part of the profit?" |
|
|
556 | Suggestion | Hey, what makes the world go round? |
|
|
557 | You | No, that's a bad idea -- don't say anything. |
|
|
558 | Soona, the Programmer | She stares at the terminal, completely oblivious to her surroundings. |
|
|
559 | Soona, the Programmer | "Good." She gets back to work. |
|
|
560 | None |
|
||
561 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
562 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_empathy_fail"] |
|
|
563 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_empathy_fail"]) == false |
|
|
564 | None |
|
||
565 | None |
|
||
566 | You | "Where?" (Lean closer.) |
|
|
567 | You | "I can't see anything." | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_perc_redcheck_success"] == false |
|
568 | Soona, the Programmer | "Hold on." She's behind the keyboard now, typing in some numbers that only she understands. The terminal beeps, and the light inside starts pulsing like a glowing heart. |
|
|
569 | You | "Can I do anything?" |
|
|
570 | You | "I'm still not sure it's a good idea -- tinkering with the unknown..." |
|
|
571 | You | (Say nothing.) |
|
|
572 | Soona, the Programmer | "Shh... just give me a second, I'm almost..." She clocks up her typing speed. |
|
|
573 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
574 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
575 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
576 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant leans closer to whisper: "I've never witnessed a programmer work before..." |
|
|
577 | Soona, the Programmer | "Done!" Soona jumps up from the keyboard like a spring. "I've got it, I've found the location of the anomaly!" There's joy in her voice as she bumps her fist into air. |
|
|
578 | Soona, the Programmer | "Just give me a second," she murmurs, "I'm almost..." She clocks up her typing speed. |
|
|
579 | None |
|
||
580 | You | "You did it? You found the coordinates?!" |
|
|
581 | You | "Oh my god, congratulations!" |
|
|
582 | You | "So -- where is it? Where is your two-millimetre hole in the world?" (Proceed.) |
|
|
583 | Soona, the Programmer | "I found the coordinates!" She lets out a celebratory laugh. |
|
|
584 | Half Light | This is embarrassing... |
|
|
585 | You | "It's that white dot! In the same place I saw it before when I printed it out." | Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_perc_redcheck_success"] and Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_printed_out_offsite_copy_once"] == true |
|
586 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thank you!" she yells back with a grin. |
|
|
587 | Soona, the Programmer | "There. In the swallow." She points at the other end of the church where a group of water bowls forms a ritualistic arch. |
|
|
588 | Soona, the Programmer | "Think you can help me again?" She tilts her head, eyes sparkling. |
|
|
589 | You | "Sure." |
|
|
590 | You | "Do I have a choice?" |
|
|
591 | Soona, the Programmer | "I need you to go move those water bowls for me, I need to double-check my calculations." |
|
|
592 | Soona, the Programmer | "Just walk over to the circle and follow my instructions: Move the third bowl two centimetres to the left and the fourth bowl five centimetres to the right. This should do the trick." |
|
|
593 | Soona, the Programmer | "Can you please just go and move the water bowls for me? Thanks." |
|
|
594 | Soona, the Programmer | "Great, everything should be aligned now..." She stops, biting into her chapped lip. |
|
|
595 | Empathy | Miss Know-It-All is hesitating. |
|
|
596 | You | "What's wrong?" |
|
|
597 | You | "Okay, let's get this party started!" |
|
|
598 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah," she snaps out of the lull. "Nothing. Now the only thing left to do is to unmute the headphones." |
|
|
599 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah," she snaps out of the lull. "Let's do it. Now the only thing left to do is to unmute the headphones." |
|
|
600 | Soona, the Programmer | "If we've got the location right, we should then be able to hear whatever sound this anomaly makes." |
|
|
601 | Soona, the Programmer | "I mean, what sound does the nothing make? How can you even listen to something that doesn't exist?" She turns to face you, the mainframe throwing shadows on her chin. |
|
|
602 | Soona, the Programmer | "What if silence is only what surrounds it, but the swallow itself is..." She grows silent, her face very pale in the cold light of electricity. |
|
|
603 | You | "What?" |
|
|
604 | You | "You're overthinking this." |
|
|
605 | You | "You're right, we should be cautious -- we don't know what we're dealing with here." |
|
|
606 | Soona, the Programmer | "Maybe." She rubs her face. "Maybe I'm just tired." |
|
|
607 | None |
|
||
608 | You | "Why assume that something that has no presence, existence or qualities has to be terrifying?" | Variable["church.soona_logic_why_nothing_terrifying"] |
|
609 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah..." She breathes in. "You're right, let's do it." She puts on her oversized headphones, ready to press UNMUTE on the keyboard... |
|
|
610 | You | "Hey, I don't think I want to do it anymore... seems too *dangerous*." (Slowly start to back off.) |
|
|
611 | Soona, the Programmer | "No..." She breathes in, determined. "We *have* to do it." She puts on her oversized headphones, ready to press UNMUTE on the keyboard... |
|
|
612 | Soona, the Programmer | Nothing happens as Soona Luukanen-Kilde presses unmute on her keyboard. Nothing but silence. |
|
|
613 | You | "Can you hear anything?" |
|
|
614 | You | (Say nothing.) |
|
|
615 | Soona, the Programmer | She doesn't answer, her eyes closed and brows knitted together in a state of deep focus, one hand cupping the headphone. |
|
|
616 | You | "Well?" |
|
|
617 | Soona, the Programmer | She doesn't talk, her eyes closed and brows knitted together in a state of deep focus, one hand cupping the headphone. |
|
|
618 | Soona, the Programmer | "Damnit." She lets out a loud sigh, before tearing off her headphones; she's still avoiding your gaze. |
|
|
619 | You | "Come on, did you hear anything?" |
|
|
620 | You | "Well, at least the world seems to be still alright." (Look around.) |
|
|
621 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah, yeah," she says, disappointed. "Nothing happened, let's move on." |
|
|
622 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, of course not," she says, clearly disappointed. "Nothing happened, let's move on." |
|
|
623 | You | "What do you mean 'nothing happened'? Did you find the swallow?" |
|
|
624 | None |
|
||
625 | Soona, the Programmer | "No." She rests her face on her hands, massaging the forehead. |
|
|
626 | You | "You said that the research isn't going well. Why not?" | Variable["church.soona_said_research_not_going_well"] == true |
|
627 | Soona, the Programmer | "Because it's just trial and error, trying to locate the swallow -- the exact point in space." |
|
|
628 | Soona, the Programmer | "And I don't have a..." She stops mid-sentence. "You know what, it would be really helpful if you could just stop talking and let me work." |
|
|
629 | None |
|
||
630 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
631 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_said_research_not_going_well"] |
|
|
632 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_said_research_not_going_well"]) == false |
|
|
633 | You | "Listen, about your research... You mentioned earlier that it's not going very well. Maybe I can help with something?" |
|
|
634 | Soona, the Programmer | "We clear?" She stares at you with pleading, furious eyes. |
|
|
635 | Inland Empire | Ghosts, speak to me! |
|
|
636 | Perception (Hearing) | Everything disappears. You are draped in silence like a drowning man staring into his puny little headspace. |
|
|
637 | You | "Soona..." (Take off the headphones.) "What if we just need a better sound system?" |
|
|
638 | Soona, the Programmer | "A better sound system?" she repeats. "Alright... But where would we get one?" |
|
|
639 | Soona, the Programmer | "Of course, the speedfreaks... They have a *fantastic* sound system. And you think they would help me?" |
|
|
640 | Rhetoric | What she means is that she's ready to turn a blind eye if the need arises. |
|
|
641 | Visual Calculus | It's shaking the building's foundation. The floor twists... |
|
|
642 | You | "No, I'm a master circuit-bender, I know *everything*." | Variable["church.mainframe_interfacing_circutbender"] == true |
|
643 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then you *certainly* know that all radiocomputers perform operations on air, so in order to gain more processing power you need to invest in a good antenna." |
|
|
644 | You | "Wait, what's 'on air'`?" |
|
|
645 | Soona, the Programmer | "On the *front*. The unified front of radiowaves, licensed and controlled by Lintel in the East-Insulindic region." |
|
|
646 | None |
|
||
647 | Soona, the Programmer | "It's all around us," she waves her hand, "that's what 'on air' means." |
|
|
648 | None |
|
||
649 | None |
|
||
650 | You | "What if I'd just force you to leave? I'm a police officer. You have to do what I say." | Variable["church.soona_said_church_plan_already"] == true and IsTaskActive("TASK.convince_or_evict_soona") and Variable["church.soona_asked_her_to_leave"] == false |
|
651 | None |
|
||
652 | None |
|
||
653 | You | "I'm not sure... There seems to be something there, but I couldn't really make it out." |
|
|
654 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
655 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_perc_wc_failed_once"] |
|
|
656 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_perc_wc_failed_once"]) == false |
|
|
657 | Perception (Hearing) | Still nothing. Soona isn't even looking at you this time. |
|
|
658 | Soona, the Programmer | "You told them to leave..." She looks up, surprised. "Didn't think the cops in this place had it in them," she murmurs. |
|
|
659 | None |
|
||
660 | You | "Maybe we shouldn't do this. It's too dangerous. On maximum volume too..." |
|
|
661 | Soona, the Programmer | The woman looks around. In the silence, you see dust move on the floorboards. The driver of the speaker vibrates in the air and then stops. Plasterwork begins to crumble down the walls... |
|
|
662 | Andre | "Born ready," says Andre. |
|
|
663 | Noid | "Ready!" yells Noid. |
|
|
664 | Egg Head | Egg Head pumps his hand up in the air, waiting for the beat to drop. |
|
|
665 | Acele | "I'm ready if you are, detective." |
|
|
666 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
667 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
668 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
669 | Acele | "I'm ready if you two are, detectives." |
|
|
670 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant nods stoically. |
|
|
671 | Inland Empire | Suddenly your palms are sweaty. The church seems cold and large, somehow... |
|
|
672 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
673 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_the_fridge_note"] |
|
|
674 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_told_her_about_the_fridge_note"]) == false |
|
|
675 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
676 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.icecreammaker_greeting_hub_done"] |
|
|
677 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.icecreammaker_greeting_hub_done"]) == false |
|
|
678 | You | "Alright, I'll go look for the off-site copy." (Proceed.) | Variable["church.soona_copy_in_fridge"] == true |
|
679 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
680 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project"] |
|
|
681 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project"]) == false |
|
|
682 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks." |
|
|
683 | None |
|
||
684 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks." She thinks for a moment, then reaches behind the radiocomputer and hands you what looks like an oversized prybar. |
|
|
685 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks." She thinks for a moment, then reaches behind the radiocomputer and hands you what looks like an oversized prybar. |
|
|
686 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks." She thinks for a moment, then reaches behind the radiocomputer and hands you what looks like an oversized prybar. |
|
|
687 | None |
|
||
688 | None |
|
||
689 | None |
|
||
690 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay, I'm going. You can tell the ravers that they can move in." |
|
|
691 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay." She lets out a relieved sigh. "I'll go make a phone call outside and then return for my things. You can tell the ravers that they can move in." |
|
|
692 | Soona, the Programmer | "What?" She leans closer, eyes knitted together in a puzzled expression. "What-did-you-say?!" You can barely hear her over the thumping bass of anodic dance music. |
|
|
693 | You | "I said -- HOW'S THE PROJECT GOING?" |
|
|
694 | Soona, the Programmer | "OH, THE PROJECT!" Her face lights up for a second, before she gives you an exaggerated headshake. "IT'S NOT GOING WELL!" |
|
|
695 | Soona, the Programmer | "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" she shouts, pointing at the enormous speaker that's churning out the sound. "THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD!" |
|
|
696 | You | "THE PROJECT. HOW IS IT GOING?" |
|
|
697 | You | Give up trying to communicate in a nightclub. |
|
|
698 | You | "WHY?" |
|
|
699 | Soona, the Programmer | "There's that guy." She points at Egg Head, who's raving behind his turntables on a brightly lit stage, "I need him to plug a 3.5 cable into the auxiliary input, so that I can route the audio signal through the mixer into the speakers." |
|
|
700 | You | "SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?" |
|
|
701 | Soona, the Programmer | "EGG HEAD. A 3.5 CABLE!" She rises a black cable. "INTO THE AUXILIARY INPUT! OKAY?" |
|
|
702 | You | "Why don't you just ask him?" |
|
|
703 | Soona, the Programmer | "He doesn't listen to me. He only ever seems to care about *hard core* and *Yekokataa*, 'a place to be' apparently." |
|
|
704 | You | "I'll speak to him, see what I can do." |
|
|
705 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thanks! Maybe you can get through his *magic rhymes*!" She does jazz hands to mock him. |
|
|
706 | None |
|
||
707 | Soona, the Programmer | "Let me know how it goes!" |
|
|
708 | None |
|
||
709 | Soona, the Programmer | She shrugs and turns back to her radiocomputer. |
|
|
710 | Conceptualization | Like love. |
|
|
711 | Perception (Hearing) | You can hear some small animal cross the floor in the chancel -- it's that quiet in the sanctuary. |
|
|
712 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant raises his brows, but doesn't say anything. |
|
|
713 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
714 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
715 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
716 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
717 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
718 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
719 | Kim Kitsuragi | "The pillar of silence? Are you sure it's not just an architectural quirk?" |
|
|
720 | Soona, the Programmer | "Maybe. But it's oddly close to the physical coordinates of the data loss that led me to this place." |
|
|
721 | You | "This is where the crab-man lives." |
|
|
722 | Soona, the Programmer | "I know." |
|
|
723 | You | "You don't think crab-man might be somehow responsible here?" |
|
|
724 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, I don't." |
|
|
725 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You know, we don't actually have to tell the entire world about the fridge," the lieutenant says, looking at you. |
|
|
726 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
727 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
728 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
729 | Soona, the Programmer | "Whose body is it?" she demands again, staring first at you, then back at the lieutenant. |
|
|
730 | None |
|
||
731 | Empathy | It's almost as if she feels some sort of ownership of the fridge. |
|
|
732 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
733 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
734 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
735 | Kim Kitsuragi | "We would appreciate it if you kept this knowledge to yourself, miss." |
|
|
736 | Soona, the Programmer | "Who would I tell, my mother?" She shakes her frizzy head. "I don't have anyone to tell -- and if I did, I wouldn't. I don't care." |
|
|
737 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
738 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
739 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
740 | Kim Kitsuragi | "In his defence, it was simply lying in the desk drawer of an abandoned cubicle." |
|
|
741 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
742 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
743 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
744 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant coughs like he's amused. |
|
|
745 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
746 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
747 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
748 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant pretends he didn't see your little temper tantrum, preferring to inspect the golden stained glass window instead. |
|
|
749 | You | "What are you, *forty*? It's the future of dance music!" |
|
|
750 | You | "Same here, it just doesn't *connect* here..." (Tap on your heart.) "Not like disco does, anyway." |
|
|
751 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant looks down at the floor, as if to say you're wasting time here. |
|
|
752 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
753 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
754 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
755 | You | "Hold on a moment -- does it mean we're now living in a world that has *holes in it*?!" |
|
|
756 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't know, are we? That's what I'm trying to figure out here. But how *do* I figure it out?" |
|
|
757 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, my hypothesis was wrong. According to this, I should have *heard* something if I got the coordinates right. Like I said: silence is only what surrounds it." |
|
|
758 | Soona, the Programmer | "But this..." She raises her head, staring at all the machines that litter the church, cables coiling up on the floor like pests. "This is just another failure. Silence sounds like silence. That's all it is." |
|
|
759 | Soona, the Programmer | "You can try on the headphones, see if you can hear anything, but don't get your hopes up." |
|
|
760 | None |
|
||
761 | You | Form a theory on the two-millimetre hole in the world. | Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project_done"] |
|
762 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
763 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_logic_pale_whitecheck"] |
|
|
764 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_logic_pale_whitecheck"]) == false |
|
|
765 | You | "Bingo." |
|
|
766 | You | "I do have one mystery that still needs solving... the radio ghost in the Doomed Commercial Area's electronic doorbell." | Variable["doomed.doorbell_whitecheck_success"] == true and Variable["church.soona_talked_about_pale"] == true and Variable["XP.figured_out_radio_ghost"] == false |
|
767 | Soona, the Programmer | "The creepy woman!" She slaps her forehead. "We were wondering about that when we worked there... but I had completely forgotten about it ever since!" |
|
|
768 | Soona, the Programmer | "It must be entroponetic crosstalk. The one you get in radios and long-distance calls... Now it makes sense, with the pale right on the doorstep." |
|
|
769 | You | "Entroponetic crosstalk?" |
|
|
770 | Soona, the Programmer | "It's quite common actually. When the signal gets routed through pale, all kinds of irregularities take place. You may hear snippets of someone else's conversation, or the voice of your former lover, or an echo of an event that took place 100 years ago." |
|
|
771 | Soona, the Programmer | "Pale is a shroud of memories and it doesn't really distinguish to whom those memories belong to. You could hear anything." |
|
|
772 | You | "I should let people still working in there know about this. They might be affected." |
|
|
773 | You | "That makes sense. Thanks for explaining that to me." |
|
|
774 | Soona, the Programmer | "You mean... Plaisance and the dicemaker? There was almost no one left when we packed up." |
|
|
775 | Soona, the Programmer | "Anytime." She smiles. |
|
|
776 | None |
|
||
777 | You | "No, just the dicemaker. I don't think Plaisance would survive this knowledge." |
|
|
778 | You | "No, just Plaisance. I don't think Neha is playing fair in this game." |
|
|
779 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then go tell them." She smiles, suddenly encouraging. |
|
|
780 | You | "Yes, both of them deserve to know." |
|
|
781 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then go tell her." She smiles broadly. |
|
|
782 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then go tell her." She smiles broadly. |
|
|
783 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Incredible..." the lieutenant murmurs. "This would also explain why we get it on the police radio all the time." |
|
|
784 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
785 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
786 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
787 | None |
|
||
788 | None |
|
||
789 | You | "Have you seen anyone suspicious -- say, a woman named Ruby?" | Variable["TASK.ask_about_ruby_in_village"] and Variable["TASK.locate_ruby_on_the_coast_done"] == false |
|
790 | Soona, the Programmer | "What? No. No one suspicious around here." |
|
|
791 | None |
|
||
792 | None |
|
||
793 | You | "What is an off-site copy and why do you need it?" |
|
|
794 | Soona, the Programmer | "It's a back-up of my former employer's project -- the radio game we were working on. It's stored on a *filament memory* just like the one inside this radiocomputer." She points to the glowing cube inside the machine. |
|
|
795 | Soona, the Programmer | "The backup itself is destroyed now, but I'm hoping to use what's left of it to pinpoint the exact location of the anomaly. You just have to go to my old workspace and get the filament." |
|
|
796 | None |
|
||
797 | You | "Wait. Are you -- part of the curse?" |
|
|
798 | Soona, the Programmer | "Of course not." She crosses her arms. "Anyway, I don't have my keys anymore and she won't let me in." |
|
|
799 | Soona, the Programmer | "So what I need you to do here is -- go have a talk with her, say that you're a policeman and need to get to the building's basement. Then bring me the off-site copy. Alright?" |
|
|
800 | You | "Actually, I've already been inside the Doomed Commercial Area." | Variable["XP.got_into_doomed_commercial_area"] |
|
801 | Soona, the Programmer | "Good -- then you might know the giant ice bear fridge in the building's cellar. The filament is inside the fridge -- just go and get it." |
|
|
802 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
803 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_said_already_have_been_inside_DCA"] |
|
|
804 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_said_already_have_been_inside_DCA"]) == false |
|
|
805 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
806 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.dicemaker_fortress_explained"] |
|
|
807 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.dicemaker_fortress_explained"]) == false |
|
|
808 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
809 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.fortress_accident_kim_switch_done"] |
|
|
810 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.fortress_accident_kim_switch_done"]) == false |
|
|
811 | Suggestion | Hey, maybe if you were to find out more about her previous company, Fortress Accident, you'd have something new to say... |
|
|
812 | Empathy | She sounds mildly annoyed by this line of questioning, her hands typing hundreds of commands into the machine. |
|
|
813 | Suggestion | Wait! she doesn't want to share the space with them -- help her finish the research, then she won't have to! Offer to help. |
|
|
814 | Suggestion | Wait! She doesn't want to share the space with them -- you can help her finish the research, then she won't have to! Offer to help. |
|
|
815 | You | "What if it *does* emit elemental evil?" (Narrow your eyes.) |
|
|
816 | Soona, the Programmer | "It doesn't *emit*, it receives..." She stops explaining. "You sound just like her. She started praying when she first saw my Rehm. Turned to higher powers." |
|
|
817 | Interfacing | She's making it *extra simple* for you. |
|
|
818 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
819 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_said_already_have_been_inside_DCA"] |
|
|
820 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_said_already_have_been_inside_DCA"]) == false |
|
|
821 | Soona, the Programmer | "In the giant ice bear fridge -- I just told you. It has red glowing eyes, it's impossible to miss. You just need to get the off-site copy from the ice bear." |
|
|
822 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
823 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["doomed.icebear_read_the_note"] |
|
|
824 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["doomed.icebear_read_the_note"]) == false |
|
|
825 | Reaction Speed | But... you've been to the fridge and it wasn't there. There was a note saying... |
|
|
826 | Interfacing | Glue-style? Okay, there *literally* is no other way. The mixing desk is glued to maximum. |
|
|
827 | Reaction Speed | Not so stoically -- his hand moves to the gun holster. |
|
|
828 | Composure | Her hand is trembling slightly... |
|
|
829 | Soona, the Programmer | "Five..." |
|
|
830 | Soona, the Programmer | "Four..." |
|
|
831 | Soona, the Programmer | "Three..." |
|
|
832 | Soona, the Programmer | "Two..." |
|
|
833 | Soona, the Programmer | "One..." |
|
|
834 | Soona, the Programmer | "Mute disengaged." She lifts her hand from the keyboard. Complete silence fills the room. |
|
|
835 | Perception (Hearing) | No wind outside. No waves. No floorboards creaking. Total, continuous silence. This is... unnatural. |
|
|
836 | Physical Instrument | It's out there now. In the world. Made manifest. |
|
|
837 | Half Light | It will devour everything. |
|
|
838 | Inland Empire | The floorboards. The glass. The streets and the people. Nothing will remain. |
|
|
839 | Interfacing | This fragile world is about to break. |
|
|
840 | Perception (Sight) | In the basins -- the water looks like it's *boiling*. |
|
|
841 | You | "It was... it was *in* me at first..." |
|
|
842 | Perception (Sight) | Cracks appear on the stained glass window. Cracks run up the wooden pillars in the dark... |
|
|
843 | Shivers | THE MIC IS NOTHING. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MIC. |
|
|
844 | Acele | "Andre, pull the compressor! The place is gonna come down..." |
|
|
845 | Logic | In the mixing desk now. Building into a positive feedback loop. |
|
|
846 | Soona, the Programmer | "That's it, I'm muting it!" She reaches for the keyboard... |
|
|
847 | None |
|
||
848 | You | "Egg Head! It's in the desk!" | Variable["church.soona_logic_in_the_desk"] |
|
849 | You | "Egg Head?! Can you stop it?" | Variable["church.soona_logic_in_the_desk"] == false |
|
850 | You | "Egg Head -- whatever you do, don't stop it!" |
|
|
851 | Perception (Hearing) | THIS IS IT. A great roar, the vault of the roof twists above you, glass shatters somewhere near the door... it's coming down. |
|
|
852 | Egg Head | But then it stops. Totally and utterly -- as if there never was a sound. Only your ears still ring from the shock. Everybody is staring at Egg Head -- holding a dangling cable in his hand. A black three-pin connector. |
|
|
853 | Soona, the Programmer | "Four years..." the woman whispers. "Twenty two people, millions of reáls... All that time *this* is what we were up against? Just erased it..." Her lip trembles. "Sulisław isn't gonna believe this." |
|
|
854 | Andre | "Yeah, but did you record it though? It was dope, I think we can use it." |
|
|
855 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, Andre." She composes herself -- wipes the dust off her sweater and rests her hands on the keyboard. "I recorded it. Damn, I need to send some letters now..." |
|
|
856 | Soona, the Programmer | "Thank you all for doing this. Egg Man, you too. And you, officer." She turns to you. "I don't know *what* we've discovered, but I know what it sounds like now. That's a start." |
|
|
857 | None |
|
||
858 | You | "What *was* that? I've never heard anything like that." |
|
|
859 | You | "You're going to write Sulisław?" |
|
|
860 | You | "What happens now. Are you going to..." (Conclude.) |
|
|
861 | Soona, the Programmer | "It was mathematical information -- from the anomaly -- presented as a waveform. That's what it was *technically* -- theoretically..." She shakes her head. |
|
|
862 | Soona, the Programmer | "I have no idea. I've never even heard of anything like this." |
|
|
863 | None |
|
||
864 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes. Our lead designer. And maybe some of the producers too. And some of the writers, if they're sober enough to open a transmission. They need to hear..." |
|
|
865 | Empathy | That it wasn't her fault. Or theirs. |
|
|
866 | Soona, the Programmer | "They need to hear about this. Don't worry, I won't send the recording -- although I doubt they have the speakers to produce the frequency anyway..." |
|
|
867 | Soona, the Programmer | "Stay here," she cuts you off, her deft fingers already on the keyboard. "I am going to stay here with these lunatics, send letters, maybe meet Sulisław... Also devise further measurements." |
|
|
868 | Andre | "I want you to know that's totally chill with us." |
|
|
869 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't care," she blurts, then reconsiders: "But thank you anyway." |
|
|
870 | Volition | That's the best she can manage for Andre. It's quite a lot, in truth. For her, at least. |
|
|
871 | Perception (Hearing) | Her voice seems muffled in the silent church. It's your ears adjusting after the exposure. |
|
|
872 | Physical Instrument | Some tiny hard thing lets go in your stomach. You're still alive. |
|
|
873 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
874 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
875 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
876 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Yes. And we have to get back to stabilizing Martinaise..." He breathes out, trying to shake off tension. "Instead of demolishing it with loud bass noise of unknown origins." |
|
|
877 | Soona, the Programmer | "Now..." Her hands move on the keyboard. "I have a theory to come up with. *Some* kind of preliminary explanation to all this, or the letter will sound like I've lost my mind..." |
|
|
878 | You | "Kim, did *you* hear that?" | IsKimHere() |
|
879 | Kim Kitsuragi | "It was *very* hard not to. I think you're right," he turns to the woman. "There *is* something going on here -- and you need to be *very* careful with it." |
|
|
880 | None |
|
||
881 | Soona, the Programmer | "I promise, officer. We will *not* play it again." |
|
|
882 | None |
|
||
883 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
884 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["tc.pale"] |
|
|
885 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["tc.pale"]) == false |
|
|
886 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
887 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"] == false and Variable["TASK.get_reality_lowdown"] |
|
|
888 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.report_to_the_tribunal_done"] == false and Variable["TASK.get_reality_lowdown"]) == false |
|
|
889 | Inland Empire | You have an explanation for all this. Somewhere deep in you -- you *know*. The person you *were* knows. |
|
|
890 | Inland Empire | Silence is silence? You're sure there's more to it... |
|
|
891 | Logic | This can't be it. You should have a listen. |
|
|
892 | Inland Empire | You *have* an explanation for all this. Somewhere deep in you -- you just don't have the pieces yet. |
|
|
893 | Encyclopedia | You don't know enough about the world. But that *Joyce* -- if you knew all she knows, could put it together... |
|
|
894 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
895 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["pier.joyce_met"] |
|
|
896 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["pier.joyce_met"]) == false |
|
|
897 | Soona, the Programmer | "But..." She looks up, and there's fear in her eyes as she considers the possibility. "But pale isn't here. We're thousands of kilometres from the edge." |
|
|
898 | Logic | All you hear is silence in your head. |
|
|
899 | Logic | You don't have to. You already *have*. A long time ago. |
|
|
900 | You | "Soona, it is the origin point of the pale." |
|
|
901 | You | Wait... *how*? |
|
|
902 | Logic | These thoughts formed in you somewhere, in a long forgotten discussion. Behind a kitchen table, in the evening light. |
|
|
903 | Inland Empire | Drinking coffee and smoking. With a friend. |
|
|
904 | Electrochemistry | And a woman, she was there too. Her hair smelled of shampoo and she was smoking. |
|
|
905 | Soona, the Programmer | "What?" |
|
|
906 | You | "The swallow -- it's how it starts. It's baby pale." |
|
|
907 | Half Light | That comforts her. |
|
|
908 | You | "No." (Look up first.) "We are twenty metres from the *very* edge." |
|
|
909 | You | "The pale is only an effect. A transition between the world -- and *that*." |
|
|
910 | Soona, the Programmer | She looks up into the darkness under the nave, then back at you. |
|
|
911 | Rhetoric | You have her full, undivided attention. |
|
|
912 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
913 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
914 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
915 | Kim Kitsuragi | The lieutenant's too. He takes his glasses off. |
|
|
916 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
917 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_rhetoric_undivided_attention"] |
|
|
918 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_rhetoric_undivided_attention"]) == false |
|
|
919 | None |
|
||
920 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then... what *is* that?" |
|
|
921 | You | "It's *less than less than nothing*. The final rest state for reality. Imagine if all this..." (Spread your hands.) "*Never was.*" |
|
|
922 | Logic | It's nothing. No... it's *less* than nothing. No... |
|
|
923 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then the pale is..." |
|
|
924 | You | "Simply... *curdling milk*." |
|
|
925 | You | "Simply a gradient." |
|
|
926 | Soona, the Programmer | "But the milk -- it clearly hasn't started curdling yet. We're here and the pale is not." |
|
|
927 | Soona, the Programmer | "But the gradient -- it clearly hasn't started yet. We're here and the pale is not." |
|
|
928 | You | "One day, when it's larger, it will be." |
|
|
929 | Soona, the Programmer | "I understand..." She closes her eyes. "A theory of the pale where instead of an *outer ocean* it metastasises -- like a cancer or a mould -- erupting in points *inside* the world." |
|
|
930 | You | (Nod.) "*This* is one of those places." |
|
|
931 | Soona, the Programmer | She's silent for a second. Then she opens her mouth. "According to this -- how long..." |
|
|
932 | None |
|
||
933 | You | "...until it starts *swallowing*? It's already started. Starting with sound." |
|
|
934 | None |
|
||
935 | Soona, the Programmer | "And information," she nods. "Causing data losses in the East-Insulindian front. Have you considered why it's formed in a church? And, also, *when* or *how* it might start growing? Or -- if it has other effects? In addition to sound and data..." |
|
|
936 | None |
|
||
937 | You | "It didn't form in a church, the church formed around it." |
|
|
938 | Soona, the Programmer | "Of course! A pinewood sarcophagus, or a..." She looks for words. "A containment facility of some kind, built by the first settlers." |
|
|
939 | Empathy | An intellectual hunger fills her now, casting fear aside. |
|
|
940 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
941 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
942 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
943 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I also have a question -- since we're piling them on. How do *you* know this? I'm not doubting you," he explains, "I'm simply curious as to how a detective of the RCM..." |
|
|
944 | Esprit de Corps | ... knows how to think this? |
|
|
945 | You | "Yes. Acting on an instinctual level. Or religious practices we've forgotten." |
|
|
946 | You | "*Or* it can be a coincidence." |
|
|
947 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes. But still -- I have considered the same. And the bad news is -- there were *seven* such pinewood churches built in the first decade of Revachol's settlement." |
|
|
948 | Soona, the Programmer | "I have considered the same. The bad news is -- there were *seven* pinewood churches built in the first decade of Revachol's settlement." |
|
|
949 | Soona, the Programmer | "Most of them were burnt down during the Revolution, or re-purposed before, during the Suzerain. I'm not saying *all* of them have one in them, but.." |
|
|
950 | Half Light | Some of them might. A black grain, hanging in the air... |
|
|
951 | None |
|
||
952 | You | "All the failed businesses in the Doomed Commercial Area. All the failure in Martinaise..." | Variable["tc.doomed_commercial_area"] |
|
953 | Soona, the Programmer | "You think the presence of that *puncture* has somehow... influenced the outcome of events here? Even, say, software development?" |
|
|
954 | None |
|
||
955 | You | "Yes. Even the Revolution was defeated here. I mean a kind of... entroponetic history." |
|
|
956 | You | "All the failed businesses and ideologies -- there's something *wrong* here." |
|
|
957 | You | "No. We're reaching. People fail on their own." |
|
|
958 | You | "Tiago -- under the roof -- he said he's circling the spot, like a saeraff. He seemed to have lost his mind." | Variable["church.tiago_asked_about_saeraffic"] |
|
959 | Soona, the Programmer | "I told the producers we need to go and move to a normal office building, with amenities. But no -- the artists like the *milieu*. The writers like the *history*..." She shakes her head. "I told them." |
|
|
960 | You | No -- It's better they don't know. |
|
|
961 | Soona, the Programmer | "I told them, but no -- normal office buildings are *bourgeois*..." |
|
|
962 | Soona, the Programmer | "True, we never should have upgraded to Vox '50. And the spec kept changing. And those damn *Heads*... but still, the anomaly caused a massive data loss. So -- it had a part to play. It does *something*." |
|
|
963 | Empathy | She already made up her mind when she heard it. Some kind of great and uncaring force had to play a part... it wasn't *only* them. |
|
|
964 | Soona, the Programmer | "The crab-man... From what I've heard, his state could be reminiscent of pale over-exposure. Time-perception related illnesses, memory malfunctions, thought insertion." |
|
|
965 | Suggestion | She's agreeing more and more. Partially because she *wants* to. |
|
|
966 | You | (Conclude.) "One day all the world will be like that two-millimetre hole." |
|
|
967 | Inland Empire | And then there is you. And what happened to *your* mind. Are you not a saeraff in worship too? |
|
|
968 | Soona, the Programmer | She falls silent. The wind blows in through the hole in the stained glass window. Cold and moist. |
|
|
969 | You | "I think I've had this thought before. That's how I know." |
|
|
970 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
971 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
972 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
973 | Kim Kitsuragi | "An amateur-entroponetic police officer... I'd like to say I've heard stranger things, but I'm not sure. This is a hell of a guess, however. Well worded I might add..." |
|
|
974 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, it is *very* interesting, but I wouldn't say you *know*. This is a guess. One that's going to have to be *proved* -- by entroponetic scientists." |
|
|
975 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm going to leave that out -- but the rest... some of this I can use to *start* to explain this to the rest of the team. Maybe I'll sound mad, but..." |
|
|
976 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
977 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
978 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
979 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Ma'am, you will *certainly* sound mad." |
|
|
980 | Soona, the Programmer | She shrugs. "One more thing -- maybe a club for anodic music isn't the *worst* thing you can erect around this particular... *point in space*?" |
|
|
981 | Soona, the Programmer | She shrugs. "You know -- maybe a club for anodic music isn't the *worst* thing you can erect around this particular... *point in space*?" |
|
|
982 | None |
|
||
983 | You | "Perhaps not." |
|
|
984 | You | "Yeah, that's still insane, but then again -- so am I." |
|
|
985 | You | "The club is the only thing keeping this place -- and the rest of reality -- together." |
|
|
986 | You | "Actually, now that I think of it, maybe it's dangerous?" |
|
|
987 | Soona, the Programmer | "I wouldn't go so far as to..." |
|
|
988 | Egg Head | "YEAAAGHHH! ONCE THE LIGHT IS ON IN THE UNIVERSE -- IT WILL NEVER GO OUT!" |
|
|
989 | Soona, the Programmer | "Maybe, but..." |
|
|
990 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
991 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
992 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
993 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Thank you, Egg Head. Let's leave it at that, shall we? We have un-entroponetic detection to perform in this district." |
|
|
994 | Soona, the Programmer | "What is there to add to that? Nothing." |
|
|
995 | None |
|
||
996 | Soona, the Programmer | "And here's my Kvalsund multitool. You might need it to hack loose some ice. It opens everything. If you get me the off-site copy, then you can keep the Kvalsund." |
|
|
997 | Interfacing | The *legendary* Kvalsund multitool! This is prybar version 2.0 -- for *professionals*, like you. |
|
|
998 | Physical Instrument | This glorious multitool makes a regular prybar completely OBSOLETE. |
|
|
999 | Empathy | There's a solution, but she doesn't want to hand it over to you yet. It's a *thing*, something she holds dear. |
|
|
1000 | None |
|
||
1001 | Empathy | It hurts a bit for her to say this -- she's not too happy to be parting with the Kvalsund. |
|
|
1002 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1003 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_discussed_crab_man"] and Variable["tc.crab_man"] |
|
|
1004 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_discussed_crab_man"] and Variable["tc.crab_man"]) == false |
|
|
1005 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, I'm not, it's just me and the..." She looks up at the ceiling without finishing her sentence. "I'm just doing some research. That's all." |
|
|
1006 | You | "Right, nothing to do with ghosts..." |
|
|
1007 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1008 | Soona, the Programmer | (CheckItem("lecger_damaged") or CheckItem("ledger_of_failure_and_hatred") or CheckItem("ledger_oblivion")) and IsKimHere() |
|
|
1009 | Soona, the Programmer | ((CheckItem("lecger_damaged") or CheckItem("ledger_of_failure_and_hatred") or CheckItem("ledger_oblivion")) and IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1010 | Kim Kitsuragi | "You do know there's no need to officially document this information, right?" the lieutenant whispers to you. |
|
|
1011 | Soona, the Programmer | She has already turned back to her keyboard. |
|
|
1012 | None |
|
||
1013 | Conceptualization | I bet she hasn't even heard it. |
|
|
1014 | You | "Have you even *listened* to it? Like *actually* listened?" | Variable["church.soona_concept_have_you_listened_to_anodic_music"] == true |
|
1015 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah, like all the time. My tent-neighbours don't really ease up with their partying, do they?" She pulls a face that looks absolutely scathing. |
|
|
1016 | Perception (Sight) | The machine seems almost alien with its pulsing core, the light casting her face in a strange shadow. |
|
|
1017 | Rhetoric | Basement? Sounds like it's *technically* still on-site... |
|
|
1018 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yeah... No, I don't think there's anything there." Her voice is bitter with disappointment. |
|
|
1019 | Suggestion | Maybe the speedfreaks can help you with this? Go talk with Andre. |
|
|
1020 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1021 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.find_egg_beat"] |
|
|
1022 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.find_egg_beat"]) == false |
|
|
1023 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay." She lets out a relieved sigh. "I'll go make a phone call outside and then return for my things. You can tell the ravers that they can move in." |
|
|
1024 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1025 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.find_egg_beat"] |
|
|
1026 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.find_egg_beat"]) == false |
|
|
1027 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay, I'm going. You can tell the ravers that they can move in." |
|
|
1028 | Electrochemistry | He's peaking -- the worst high he's ever been on. |
|
|
1029 | Drama | She hast not seen her, sire. 'Tis true. |
|
|
1030 | Half Light | Wow. She really doesn't. Not afraid, this one. |
|
|
1031 | Soona, the Programmer | "Rehm Prefect is my radiocomputer," she explains. |
|
|
1032 | Empathy | She liked telling you this. It calmed her nerves. |
|
|
1033 | Rhetoric | Short and terse -- there you have it. Whatever she's using them for, they're hers. |
|
|
1034 | You | "What research?" |
|
|
1035 | Encyclopedia | Hah! Hydrotransducers. So that's what those water basins are -- devices for recording sound through water. |
|
|
1036 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1037 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1038 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1039 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Good luck," the lieutenant notes. "I'm *not* coming in there." |
|
|
1040 | Volition | His way to deal with this is -- at this point -- not to care. Do what you want. |
|
|
1041 | Soona, the Programmer | "Okay -- but still." |
|
|
1042 | Conceptualization | Valley of the Thousand Heads? You like the sound of that. |
|
|
1043 | Rhetoric | Wait! No-no-no. You can't say things like that when the lieutenant is present. Say it's a joke! |
|
|
1044 | You | "Whoa, guys! I was just messing with you." (Wave your hands around your head.) |
|
|
1045 | Soona, the Programmer | "Just 'messing with us'. Right. Well..." |
|
|
1046 | None |
|
||
1047 | Suggestion | Hey, hey, what are you doing -- laying everything out like that?! |
|
|
1048 | Electrochemistry | She's a radiocomputer wizard. Radiocomputer wizards don't care. She probably thinks it's illegal -- *and* fun. |
|
|
1049 | Electrochemistry | Oh yeah, told you -- radiocomputer wizards don't care. |
|
|
1050 | Logic | Let's think about this -- logically. Why would *nothing* be terrifying if it's, well, *nothing*? |
|
|
1051 | None |
|
||
1052 | None |
|
||
1053 | None |
|
||
1054 | None |
|
||
1055 | None |
|
||
1056 | Savoir Faire | She doesn't care how you got your hands on that thing. |
|
|
1057 | You | "I'd really like to know more about your research." | Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project"] |
|
1058 | Soona, the Programmer | "Well. Since you're asking then..." |
|
|
1059 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1060 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.bring_off_site_copy_to_soona_done"] |
|
|
1061 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.bring_off_site_copy_to_soona_done"]) == false |
|
|
1062 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1063 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project"] |
|
|
1064 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project"]) == false |
|
|
1065 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you could bring me the off-site copy then it would help -- a lot." |
|
|
1066 | Soona, the Programmer | "The off-site copy you brought me helps, but..." She stops mid-sentence. "You know what, it would be great if you could just stop talking and let me work." |
|
|
1067 | Interfacing | *Great* job! |
|
|
1068 | Empathy | She's beaming -- you can feel it in your heart. |
|
|
1069 | Electrochemistry | Time for a celebratory drink perhaps...? Just a thought! |
|
|
1070 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1071 | Soona, the Programmer | SubstanceUsedOnce("alcohol") |
|
|
1072 | Soona, the Programmer | (SubstanceUsedOnce("alcohol")) == false |
|
|
1073 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1074 | Soona, the Programmer | IsTaskActive("TASK.investigate_sea_fortress")--[[ Variable[ ]] |
|
|
1075 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsTaskActive("TASK.investigate_sea_fortress")--[[ Variable[ ]]) == false |
|
|
1076 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Great -- after we've done this, we can finally get to the island," the lieutenant says, satisfied. |
|
|
1077 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1078 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1079 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1080 | Volition | Great -- after you've done this, you can finally get to the island. Let's wrap this up! |
|
|
1081 | Endurance | Death *is* scary. You can't just start over again. Or can you? |
|
|
1082 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1083 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1084 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1085 | Volition | Great -- you *do know* that we can just abandon this mission and go to the island? Let's close this case! |
|
|
1086 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Great -- and here I thought we were finally going to the island..." the lieutenant murmurs to himself. |
|
|
1087 | Esprit de Corps | 'But I *am* interested,' you read from his face. |
|
|
1088 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1089 | Soona, the Programmer | IsTaskActive("TASK.investigate_sea_fortress")--[[ Variable[ ]] |
|
|
1090 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsTaskActive("TASK.investigate_sea_fortress")--[[ Variable[ ]]) == false |
|
|
1091 | Esprit de Corps | Cuno must be already on the island, wondering where the hell you are... or maybe he doesn't care. Yeah, he probably doesn't care. |
|
|
1092 | Suggestion | Brilliant negotiating there, detective -- as always! |
|
|
1093 | Electrochemistry | That's a bummer. A *big* bummer. |
|
|
1094 | You | "Those ravers won't be bothering you anymore -- I told them to leave because they were planning a drug trade." | Variable["church.andre_told_to_leave"] == true |
|
1095 | You | "It's not a *paying* job, but could you help me contact Coalition Warship Archer?" | IsTaskActive("TASK.find_technical_expertise") and Variable["church.soona_asked_help_before"] == false and Variable["church.soona_said_no_help"] == false and Variable["church.mainframe_cybernetic_god"] == false |
|
1096 | You | "Now that your project is finished, can you help me contact Coalition Warship Archer?" | IsTaskActive("TASK.find_technical_expertise") and Variable["church.soona_asked_help_before"] == true and Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project_done"] == true and Variable["church.soona_said_no_help"] == false |
|
1097 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1098 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project_done"] |
|
|
1099 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project_done"]) == false |
|
|
1100 | Soona, the Programmer | She looks up from her monitor. "You're asking me to circuit-bend onto Coalition radio frequencies. You want to know is it possible? Probably. But is it a good idea? I'm not so sure..." |
|
|
1101 | Soona, the Programmer | "Do I look like someone who has time for *side projects* at this moment?" She doesn't even look up from her computer. |
|
|
1102 | Empathy | If you want her help, maybe you should help *her* first... |
|
|
1103 | None |
|
||
1104 | Soona, the Programmer | "The main difficulty will be finding an antenna powerful enough to reach those frequencies. Unfortunately you can't exactly buy mega-longwave antennas off the shelf." |
|
|
1105 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1106 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1107 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1108 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1109 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["auto.visited_landsend"] |
|
|
1110 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["auto.visited_landsend"]) == false |
|
|
1111 | Kim Kitsuragi | "She's not joking. Even the RCM has to receive special approval from the Coalition to access that kind of equipment." |
|
|
1112 | Soona, the Programmer | "There is an old radio relay tower at the very end of the peninsula. It's mostly used to coordinate boat traffic in the harbour, but it's possible that it's equipped to handle mega-low frequencies as well..." |
|
|
1113 | Soona, the Programmer | "Assuming the relay isn't too badly damaged, that is. I have work to do here, but I recommend you examine the relay tower and return once you have determined its condition." |
|
|
1114 | Soona, the Programmer | "I highly doubt it. That tower is barely able to transmit short-wave signals across the bay. To generate mega-low frequencies, we're going to need a *much* larger antenna..." |
|
|
1115 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't see any alternative. We're just going to have to build the antenna ourselves." |
|
|
1116 | You | "The radio relay tower at Land's End... could that work?" |
|
|
1117 | Logic | She has an idea, though. You can see the tiny signal lights firing inside her brain... |
|
|
1118 | You | "Where is this relay tower exactly?" |
|
|
1119 | You | "Alright, I'll check out the tower and report back." |
|
|
1120 | Soona, the Programmer | "North of here. Follow the coastline. I do not know how to explain it more simply." |
|
|
1121 | Soona, the Programmer | "Very good. I'll be here when you are finished." |
|
|
1122 | None |
|
||
1123 | You | "Why don't we just use your AR-1?" | Variable["church.soona_asked_about_antenna"] == true |
|
1124 | You | "Wait, we can just *build* an antenna?" |
|
|
1125 | You | "That sounds hard. Can't we just get one from someplace else?" |
|
|
1126 | You | "Now we're talking! What do we have to do?" |
|
|
1127 | Soona, the Programmer | "We need metal. A lot of it. The taller the structure, the better. Something that is both prominent and easily accessible. If it's near a power source, even better." |
|
|
1128 | Soona, the Programmer | "Not the sort of antenna we require. The Coalition has a near-monopoly on mega-low-frequency radio equipment. Fortunately, they do not have a monopoly on physics." |
|
|
1129 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes. From a technical view, it's not even difficult. The difficult part will be finding the *right* location." |
|
|
1130 | Soona, the Programmer | "Because it's a completely different class of antenna. It would be like using a high-end racing carriage where a long-distance lorry is required." |
|
|
1131 | None |
|
||
1132 | You | "The radio relay tower is in bad shape. I don't think we can use it to reach the Archer." | IsTaskActive("TASK.visit_landsend") and Variable["coast.lands_end_empathy_tower"] == true and Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] == true |
|
1133 | Soona, the Programmer | "That is not good. In case you have not noticed, Martinaise is not exactly a hub for high-powered radio antennas..." |
|
|
1134 | None |
|
||
1135 | You | "I found a radio transceiver." | IsTaskActive("TASK.find_working_transceiver") and (CheckItem("highly_advanced_transceiver") or CheckItem("highly_expensive_transceiver") or CheckItem("perfectly_adequate_transceiver")) and Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] == true |
|
1136 | Soona, the Programmer | "Ah, very good. Let's see what you have." |
|
|
1137 | Soona, the Programmer | "Not the most advanced model." She turns a few dials and then sets the transceiver aside. "But at least everything appears to be in order. Yes, this should serve our purposes." |
|
|
1138 | Soona, the Programmer | "Ah, you 'found' the transceiver from my old Rehm Civic. Did you think I wouldn't recognise it? No matter. It should work for our purposes..." |
|
|
1139 | Soona, the Programmer | "Interesting," she says as examines the transceiver, "an Esterhaz EH-4, heavily customised. This is an advanced model, highly capable. I'll need to replace the frequency dial, but it should certainly work for our purposes." |
|
|
1140 | Soona, the Programmer | "Is this... a Kristallsprach?" She looks up at you as she gently opens the case. "The Model 9 is an excellent piece of equipment. I don't know what you had to pay for it, but it should work very nicely." |
|
|
1141 | Soona, the Programmer | "I believe that means we're ready to get started. I should warn you, once we begin setting up this antenna, we'll need to see the whole process through. There won't be any second chances, any 'do-overs,' you understand?" |
|
|
1142 | Soona, the Programmer | "So if there's anything you'd like to get in order before we depart, I suggest you do it now." |
|
|
1143 | You | "I got this beauty down at the pawnshop." (Use the highly expensive transceiver.) | CheckItem("highly_expensive_transceiver") |
|
1144 | You | "Someone was using this to coordinate a drug smuggling operation." (Use the highly advanced transceiver.) | CheckItem("highly_advanced_transceiver") |
|
1145 | You | "I found this in the Doomed Commercial Area." (Use the perfectly adequate transceiver.) | CheckItem("perfectly_adequate_transceiver") and Variable["doomed.radiocomputer_took_transceiver"] == true |
|
1146 | You | "I found this in an office by the harbour." (Use the perfectly adequate transceiver.) | CheckItem("perfectly_adequate_transceiver") |
|
1147 | Interfacing | It's not often that she allows herself to be awed, but the way she holds the Kristallsprach reminds you of someone receiving a precious gift. |
|
|
1148 | Interfacing | She's impressed by your resourcefulness as much as by the equipment itself. |
|
|
1149 | Interfacing | She's not upset. More bemused. This particular transceiver brings back memories, not that she is one to indulge in superstitions. |
|
|
1150 | Interfacing | No further comment necessary. |
|
|
1151 | None |
|
||
1152 | You | "Wait, didn't you say we need some kind of power supply?" |
|
|
1153 | You | "What kind of stuff should I 'get in order'?" |
|
|
1154 | You | "I'm ready. Let's do this." |
|
|
1155 | You | "Hang on, I need some time to prepare." |
|
|
1156 | Soona, the Programmer | "Very good. If you'll help me with some of this equipment, then..." |
|
|
1157 | Soona, the Programmer | "That's fine. Return to me when you are ready to go." |
|
|
1158 | Soona, the Programmer | "That's up to you. At a minimum, I would make sure you are physically *and* mentally prepared for an intense and difficult process. Once we begin, there can be no interruptions." |
|
|
1159 | Interfacing | At the very least, you should make sure you're wearing a good pair of gloves. |
|
|
1160 | Soona, the Programmer | "Radio-engineers typically carry over-priced solvent sprays to clean the antenna connections, but in a pinch some common ammonia works just fine..." |
|
|
1161 | Soona, the Programmer | "Ah, yes. I wasn't sure what to do about that, but then I discovered an abandoned power source down by the edge of the bay." |
|
|
1162 | Soona, the Programmer | "Finally, there's the question of *stimulants*. Some people prefer to keep illegal amphetamines on-hand to help with their work. I am not one of them, but they do exist." |
|
|
1163 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1164 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["coast.sunken_dialogue_done"] |
|
|
1165 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["coast.sunken_dialogue_done"]) == false |
|
|
1166 | Logic | It's obvious she's referring to your half-sunken Coupris 40. |
|
|
1167 | Logic | An 'abandoned power source'? What could she be referring to? |
|
|
1168 | None |
|
||
1169 | Inland Empire | Whatever it is, it was abandoned for *good* reason. Best to leave some stones unturned... |
|
|
1170 | You | "You mean the motor carriage that I crashed into the bay?" | Variable["coast.sunken_dialogue_done"] == true |
|
1171 | You | "What do you mean an *abandoned* power source?" | Variable["coast.sunken_dialogue_done"] == false |
|
1172 | You | "Ah, well as long as it works, I don't need to know the details." |
|
|
1173 | Soona, the Programmer | "Ah. Yes, I did notice that it was covered in police livery. Then you already know that the carriage itself is irreparable, but the rear-mounted engine seems to be in fine working order..." |
|
|
1174 | Soona, the Programmer | "Someone, I don't know how, appears to have driven a perfectly good Coupris motor carriage into the bay. The carriage itself is a loss, but the rear-mounted engine is still perfectly functional..." |
|
|
1175 | Soona, the Programmer | "In that case, let's move on." |
|
|
1176 | Soona, the Programmer | "My intention is to run a power cable from the engine up to the antenna. It won't last forever, but it should give us enough time to establish a connection with Coalition Warship Archer." |
|
|
1177 | None |
|
||
1178 | None |
|
||
1179 | Electrochemistry | Pssst, it's the alcohol *in* the ammonia doing the real work, kinda like with you. |
|
|
1180 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1181 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.andre_arrest_order_given"] == true or Variable["church.andre_told_to_leave"] == true |
|
|
1182 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.andre_arrest_order_given"] == true or Variable["church.andre_told_to_leave"] == true) == false |
|
|
1183 | You | "Isn't it a little ironic that you're recommending amphetamines after what happened with the speedfreaks?" |
|
|
1184 | You | "I try to avoid drugs. Abusing stimulants is *highly* irresponsible." |
|
|
1185 | You | "So this isn't the first time you've hung around speedfreaks, is it?" |
|
|
1186 | Soona, the Programmer | "I'm not interested in irony. I leave that to more *conceptual* types." |
|
|
1187 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't take them because they make me nauseous, but everyone has their reasons. I don't judge." |
|
|
1188 | Soona, the Programmer | "It is possible that technical fields attract a certain kind of personality. I haven't given it much thought." |
|
|
1189 | None |
|
||
1190 | None |
|
||
1191 | None |
|
||
1192 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1193 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1194 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1195 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Back across the waterlock. At least we're getting our *exercise* in today." |
|
|
1196 | None |
|
||
1197 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you'll please carry that amplifier and cables, officer. We have quite a lot to carry..." |
|
|
1198 | You | "I'm ready now. Let's contact Archer." | IsTaskActive("TASK.contact_warship_archer") and Variable["church.soona_archer_working_soona"] == true |
|
1199 | None |
|
||
1200 | You | Come up with a site for a mega-longwave radio antenna. | Variable["church.soona_concept_white_check_open"] == true and IsTaskActive("TASK.find_antenna_location") |
|
1201 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1202 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_concept_wc_success"] |
|
|
1203 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_concept_wc_success"]) == false |
|
|
1204 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1205 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] >2 |
|
|
1206 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] >2) == false |
|
|
1207 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1208 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] >1 |
|
|
1209 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] >1) == false |
|
|
1210 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1211 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] ==1 |
|
|
1212 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] ==1) == false |
|
|
1213 | Conceptualization | That's easy! Antennas are basically just tall things, right? |
|
|
1214 | You | "We could use the steeple of *this* church." (Point up.) |
|
|
1215 | Conceptualization | Alright, brainstorming time. Remember, this is just the ideation phase. There are no *bad* ideas. |
|
|
1216 | Conceptualization | Your thinking about this has gotten way too rigid. Time to flip the whole *antenna paradigm* on its head. |
|
|
1217 | Conceptualization | Nope, nothing. The idea factory is closed until further notice. |
|
|
1218 | None |
|
||
1219 | Soona, the Programmer | "No, we could not. This church is made from wood. I am not sure you understand how radios work." |
|
|
1220 | Conceptualization | Okay, that's a fair point. But don't worry, your next idea will be better. |
|
|
1221 | None |
|
||
1222 | You | "I've got it. Why don't we use the mast of a giant *boat*?" |
|
|
1223 | You | "Here's an idea: Maybe there's an antenna in the harbour we could use?" |
|
|
1224 | Soona, the Programmer | "Do you have access to a giant boat?" |
|
|
1225 | Soona, the Programmer | "Don't you think the Union would object to that?" |
|
|
1226 | You | "I could ask the representative from the Wild Pines. She's a friend of mine." |
|
|
1227 | You | "No." |
|
|
1228 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1229 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1230 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1231 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Something tells me Ms. Messier would be *less than thrilled* to hear you plan to commandeer her boat so you can talk to a Coalition warship." |
|
|
1232 | Soona, the Programmer | "I very much doubt anyone from the Wild Pines would allow us to turn their boat into a giant radio transmitter." |
|
|
1233 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, it is not a very likely scenario." |
|
|
1234 | Soona, the Programmer | "That is why we don't use it, then." |
|
|
1235 | You | "No way, me and Evrart are tight." |
|
|
1236 | You | "Hmmm, maybe." |
|
|
1237 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1238 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1239 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1240 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Problematically so, one might even argue." |
|
|
1241 | Soona, the Programmer | "I do not think that the boss of the Union would like us using his equipment to contact the Coalition." |
|
|
1242 | Soona, the Programmer | "I don't know about your relationship to the Union, but I do not think they would appreciate us using their equipment to contact the Coalition." |
|
|
1243 | None |
|
||
1244 | You | "Hear me out: What if we built the antenna *underground*?" |
|
|
1245 | Soona, the Programmer | "Then it would be very difficult to propagate the signal through the air... which would defeat the purpose." |
|
|
1246 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1247 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1248 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1249 | Soona, the Programmer | "To be perfectly frank, I'm not sure your ideas are really helping." |
|
|
1250 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Detective, does the 41st not require its officers to pass Elementary Radio Operations? I thought it was an RCM-wide policy." |
|
|
1251 | Conceptualization | Okay, wow, that's some harsh feedback. |
|
|
1252 | None |
|
||
1253 | Conceptualization | Close your eyes. Unfold your mental map of Martinaise. It's morning. You're standing on the plaza before the Whirling-in-Rags. |
|
|
1254 | None |
|
||
1255 | You | Turn to face the bay. |
|
|
1256 | You | Turn to face the apartments. |
|
|
1257 | You | Turn to face the roundabout. |
|
|
1258 | Conceptualization | Your eye follows the tiles west. You see a bench and a few twisted, pitiful trees. Then, just water... |
|
|
1259 | Conceptualization | Beyond the unkempt backyard rises a monstrous assemblage of concrete, plaster, and corrugated sheet metal... |
|
|
1260 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1261 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_concept_success_counter"] == 2 |
|
|
1262 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_concept_success_counter"] == 2) == false |
|
|
1263 | Shivers | The voice again, more urgent now: 'Nay!' |
|
|
1264 | Inland Empire | Just a moment. That voice isn't human, and it's not saying 'Nay!' -- It's saying 'N-n-n-neigh!' |
|
|
1265 | None |
|
||
1266 | Conceptualization | You turn around. The morning sun is blinding. You bring your hand to your brow and a great shadow materialises before you. A towering beast, frozen in mid-air... |
|
|
1267 | You | "The horseback monument." |
|
|
1268 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1269 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] >1 |
|
|
1270 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_wc_fail_counter"] >1) == false |
|
|
1271 | Soona, the Programmer | "Come on, that's..." She was about to dismiss your latest idea out of hand, but something gives her pause. |
|
|
1272 | Soona, the Programmer | "The dead king and his horse. It could work..." |
|
|
1273 | Soona, the Programmer | "... not the worst idea..." |
|
|
1274 | Soona, the Programmer | "We'll need an adequate power supply, and a great quantity of cable. If we connect the cables to some of the stranded lorries, we could theoretically increase the antenna's wavelength *exponentially*..." |
|
|
1275 | Soona, the Programmer | "Quiet, I'm doing maths... Yes, assuming we can find just a few pieces of equipment..." |
|
|
1276 | Soona, the Programmer | "It's completely ridiculous, but I believe we could transform the entire roundabout into one solid, *fractal antenna*." |
|
|
1277 | Inland Empire | It may work, you think, but why do you feel like there may be a terrible cost? |
|
|
1278 | Interfacing | Whatever ambivalence she had about your project before, she's now fully engaged in solving this technical puzzle. |
|
|
1279 | You | "So you're saying..." |
|
|
1280 | You | Let her think. |
|
|
1281 | Conceptualization | A note of awe in her voice. She's shocked and pleased by her own audacity... |
|
|
1282 | You | "About time, those other antennas were cramping my style." | IsTHCPresent("superstar_cop") |
|
1283 | You | "We shall call it: The Herald of Destruction." | IsTHCPresent("apocalypse_cop") |
|
1284 | You | "As long as it gets the job done, I'm not interested in the details." | IsTHCPresent("boring_cop") |
|
1285 | You | "Are you sure that's legal? I feel like I'm going to need to apologise to someone." | IsTHCPresent("sorry_cop") |
|
1286 | You | "That's... a very big antenna." |
|
|
1287 | Soona, the Programmer | "What you choose to call it isn't my concern. I'm only here to tell you what's feasible or not from a technical viewpoint." |
|
|
1288 | Soona, the Programmer | "Very well. I will get straight to the point, then." She nods, seeming to appreciate your cold practicality. |
|
|
1289 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you would like to apologise, that is your business. I am only here to tell you what's feasible or not from a technical viewpoint." |
|
|
1290 | Soona, the Programmer | "Yes, very likely the largest private antenna in Revachol." |
|
|
1291 | Soona, the Programmer | "Your sense of style isn't my concern. I'm only here to tell you what's feasible or not from a technical viewpoint." |
|
|
1292 | Soona, the Programmer | "I have plenty of cables and amplifiers on hand. The power supply I will secure on my own. All we require now is the radio transceiver itself." |
|
|
1293 | Soona, the Programmer | "In any event, just leave that equipment here. I'll put it away later. If you'd like, you can take one of the extra headsets. I don't need so many spares." |
|
|
1294 | Soona, the Programmer | "Well, this was an *interesting collaboration*." |
|
|
1295 | You | "We make a pretty good team, Soona." |
|
|
1296 | You | "What do you think? Could I make it as a radio engineer?" |
|
|
1297 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1298 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"] |
|
|
1299 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["jam.warship_interfacing_rc_success"]) == false |
|
|
1300 | Soona, the Programmer | "Perhaps. You're certainly resourceful. That is a good trait in an engineer..." |
|
|
1301 | Soona, the Programmer | "You decapitated our antenna. No, I do not think it's a good idea for you..." |
|
|
1302 | Soona, the Programmer | "Now you'll excuse me. I have to get back to my own work." |
|
|
1303 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1304 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["jam.warship_empathy_rc_success"] |
|
|
1305 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["jam.warship_empathy_rc_success"]) == false |
|
|
1306 | Soona, the Programmer | "Perhaps. You're more reliable than the writers I used to work with, though that is not a difficult bar to clear..." |
|
|
1307 | Soona, the Programmer | "Really? I do not think we were all that successful. But maybe the RCM has a different definition of success..." |
|
|
1308 | None |
External:
|
||
1309 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1310 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_wc_shivers_nay"] |
|
|
1311 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_wc_shivers_nay"]) == false |
|
|
1312 | None |
|
||
1313 | Soona, the Programmer | "That is why we don't use it, then." |
|
|
1314 | You | "Where am I supposed to find a radio transceiver?" |
|
|
1315 | You | "Alright, I guess I need to find one of these transceivers then." (Conclude.) |
|
|
1316 | Soona, the Programmer | "In the meantime, I will gather the rest of the materials. We will meet back here when you have it." |
|
|
1317 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1318 | Soona, the Programmer | IsKimHere() |
|
|
1319 | Soona, the Programmer | (IsKimHere()) == false |
|
|
1320 | Kim Kitsuragi | "And before you ask: No, you can't have the radio from my Kineema." |
|
|
1321 | Soona, the Programmer | "That sounds like a perfectly adequate radio." She nods. |
|
|
1322 | Soona, the Programmer | "There is no need to go out of your way to find a *top-shelf* radio for this purpose. As long as it's functional, that is what counts." |
|
|
1323 | Soona, the Programmer | "That will be fine. As long as the radio is *functional*, that is what counts." |
|
|
1324 | You | "You know what, Kim? I'll find an even *better* radio on my own." | IsKimHere() |
|
1325 | None |
|
||
1326 | Soona, the Programmer | "Certainly, though it requires a fair amount of technical finesse to remove them. Frankly, it's not worth the bother. Just find a regular radio." |
|
|
1327 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1328 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["jam.abandoned_cabin_accessed"] |
|
|
1329 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["jam.abandoned_cabin_accessed"]) == false |
|
|
1330 | Kim Kitsuragi | "I highly doubt that. When I crank the volume on my DynaWave, it's like you're in the front row at the National Concert Hall." |
|
|
1331 | Reaction Speed | Wasn't there a *highly functional* radio in that abandoned lorry by the roundabout? |
|
|
1332 | You | "I didn't know *Speedfreaks FM* had a concert series." | Variable["plaza.kineema_radio_speedfreaks"] == true |
|
1333 | You | "Alright, Kim, challenge accepted." |
|
|
1334 | You | "On second thought, this is childish. I'm just going to look for a regular radio." |
|
|
1335 | You | "I think I saw a radio in that office near the harbour..." | Variable["gates.orb_office_radio_buzzing"] |
|
1336 | Soona, the Programmer | "Possibly. It's worth a look, at the least." |
|
|
1337 | You | "Do radiocomputers have transceivers in them?" | Variable["tc.radiocomputer"] |
|
1338 | Kim Kitsuragi | "Joke all you want, detective. Whatever radio you manage to scrounge up won't lay a *finger* on my set-up." |
|
|
1339 | None |
|
||
1340 | You | "A radio transceiver. Cool. I've got this. I've seen *plenty* of those lying around." |
|
|
1341 | You | "Do you think the pawnshop will have one?" | Variable["tc.pawnshop"] |
|
1342 | Soona, the Programmer | "Of course you have. They aren't exactly rare." |
|
|
1343 | Soona, the Programmer | "I cannot answer that for you, but I don't expect it to be *that* difficult. There's no shortage of radios around here." |
|
|
1344 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you have reál to spare, you might even be able to *buy* one. But it doesn't really matter where it comes from, so long as it works." |
|
|
1345 | You | "Can't we just use your radiocomputer?" | Variable["church.soona_asked_about_antenna"] |
|
1346 | Soona, the Programmer | "Absolutely not. My Rehm Prefect is my livelihood. If something were to go wrong, it would be a disaster." |
|
|
1347 | None |
|
||
1348 | Shivers | The wind pushes a piece of tare across the cracked tiles. From the north comes the malicious laughter of two children... |
|
|
1349 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1350 | Soona, the Programmer | Variable["church.soona_wc_shivers_nay"] |
|
|
1351 | Soona, the Programmer | (Variable["church.soona_wc_shivers_nay"]) == false |
|
|
1352 | Shivers | From behind you, a low, spectral voice whispers: 'Nay.' |
|
|
1353 | None |
|
||
1354 | Soona, the Programmer | The programmer gives you an impatient look before returning to her radiocomputer. |
|
|
1355 | You | "I wasn't kidding earlier about contacting Coalition Warship Archer. Can you help me?" | IsTaskActive("TASK.find_technical_expertise") and Variable["church.soona_asked_help_before"] == false and Variable["church.soona_said_no_help"] == false and Variable["church.mainframe_cybernetic_god"] == true |
|
1356 | You | "Now that the ravers are settled in, can you help me contact Coalition Warship Archer?" | IsTaskActive("TASK.find_technical_expertise") and Variable["church.soona_asked_help_before"] == true and (Variable["church.ravers_inside_church"] == true or Variable["church.ravers_inside_church_with_lab"] == true) and Variable["TASK.help_soona_with_her_project_done"] == false |
|
1357 | Soona, the Programmer | "It's true, the drug fiends have made themselves quite comfortable. But *I* still have a great deal of work to do..." |
|
|
1358 | Empathy | This project is immensely important to her. She's not going to help you until it's finished. |
|
|
1359 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you're desperate for collaborators now, I suggest you ask your new friends. They seem to have plenty of time for side projects." |
|
|
1360 | None |
|
||
1361 | Interfacing | You really should look into this totalled MC when you have a chance. Seems important... |
|
|
1362 | Soona, the Programmer | "If you'll please carry that amplifier and cables, officer. We have quite a lot to carry..." |
|
|
1363 | Soona, the Programmer |
|
||
1364 | Soona, the Programmer |
|