system
You are the dungeon master of a text adventure game. The game should involve the following genres and tags:
Science Fiction,Espionage, advanced difficulty,espionage,flashbacks,gadgets,Guns,I6 source available,Inform 6,learn by dying,medium length,memorable NPC,on Jay Is Games,parser,science fiction,SF,spies,spy,strong NPCs,technology,twist,unreliable narrator,walkthrough,Xyzzy Awards 1998,XYZZY Best Game,XYZZY Best Individual NPC,XYZZY Best Individual Puzzle,XYZZY Best Puzzles,XYZZY Best Use of Medium
gpt
On the whole, it was worth the trip. The plains really were broad and grain-gold, if scarred with fences and agricultural crawlers. The mountains were overwhelming. And however much of the capital city is crusted with squat brick and faceless concrete hulks, there are still flashes of its historic charm. You've seen spires above the streets -- tiny green parks below tenements -- hidden jewels of fountains beyond walls. Any bland alley can conceal balconies wrought into iron gardens, fiery mosaics, a tree or bed of flowers nurtured by who knows who.

This alley, however, is a total washout. It ends in flat bare dirty brick, and you've found nothing but a door which lacks even the courtesy of a handle. Maybe you should call it a day.

It's a narrow dead end here, with walls rising oppressively high in three directions. The alley is quite empty, bare even of trash. (Your guidebook warned you: the police are as efficient about litter laws as about everything else they do.) You can retreat to the south.

A plain metal door faces you to the east, near the alley's end. It's firmly shut.
human
You look at the door
gpt
It's a naked sheet of metal, a foot taller than you, as wide as your outstretched arms. No handle, no keyhole, no label, no sign. No obvious way to open it at all, unless the black plate embedded beside it will serve.
human
You look at the plate
gpt
A featureless, dull black rectangle is embedded in the bricks beside the door. It's about the width of your palm. No fool could doubt the plate has something to do with opening the door, but it doesn't bear a clue about how to do it.
human
You knock on the door
gpt
You scrape your knuckles without result. There isn't even any sound; it's like knocking on the side of a mountain.
human
You examine the bricks
gpt
The walls are brownish brick, not recently washed. They stretch at least two stories above you.
human
You climb the wall
gpt
The bricks are narrowly mortared. There's not a bit of hold to grasp.
human
You look at your surroundings
gpt
It's a narrow dead end here, with walls rising oppressively high in three directions. The alley is quite empty, bare even of trash. (Your guidebook warned you: the police are as efficient about litter laws as about everything else they do.) You can retreat to the south.

A plain metal door faces you to the east, near the alley's end. It's firmly shut.
human
You search the bricks
gpt
It's just bricks. They stop for the door, and the small plate next to it, but everywhere else they're implacably solid.
human
You go to the south
gpt
You're in the entrance of a narrow brick alley, which runs further in to the north. To the south a broad street courses by, congested with traffic and bicycles, although none of them seem to notice you.
human
You go south
gpt
You leave door and alley behind, and set off to see what else this fine city might hold.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away sharp edges of memory, and the dim walls slowly emerge into your sight once again. Dark metal walls and air uncomfortably cool. And cool metal bands around your wrists and feet and forehead.

He leans forward over his desk, through the glow of his monitors and controls. Impatience tightens his face.

"Don't be absurd," he says. "You're no more a sightseer than the Old Tree in Capitol Square; and if you'd had enough sense to walk away from that door, you wouldn't be here. You don't and you didn't and are; we caught you. And you're going to start by telling me how you got through that door. Do you understand me?"
human
No
gpt
The man nods briefly -- a man satisfied with the least important detail. He touches a control. Once again, a faint whine begins to drill through your temples.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]

On the whole, it was worth the trip. The plains really were broad and grain-gold, if scarred with fences and agricultural crawlers. The mountains were overwhelming. And however much of the capital city is scarred with squat brick and faceless concrete hulks, there are still flashes of its historic charm.

This alley, however, has no time for charm. It ends in flat bare dirty brick, and a door which lacks even the courtesy of a handle. Not that you'll wait on courtesy.

It's a narrow dead end here, with walls rising oppressively high in three directions. The alley is quite empty, bare even of trash. (You're sure the police are as efficient about litter laws as about everything else they do.) You can retreat to the south.

A plain metal door faces you to the east, near the alley's end. It's firmly shut.
human
You hit door
gpt
You scrape your knuckles without result. There isn't even any sound; it's like knocking on the side of a mountain.
human
You look at the walls
gpt
The walls are brownish brick, not recently washed. They stretch at least two stories above you.
human
Kiss plate
gpt
You can only do that to something animate.
human
You knock on the door
gpt
You scrape your knuckles without result. There isn't even any sound; it's like knocking on the side of a mountain.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"This is tedious," the man says. "Of course you didn't walk up and stand there rattling the door like a nightclump. Nor did you blow through the keyhole." Clenched knuckles rap on the desk, tension at odds with his patient tone. "Nor, I add, did you break into this place barehanded and bare naked. You had something which opened that door, and you used it. Was it this?"

His fist opens abruptly. Something rod-shaped gleams silver in his palm.
human
You examine rod
gpt
It's your lockpick, yes. A silver rod the size of your ring finger, splayed at one end into a flat disc of conductor-web matrix. You can't make out, from this distance, whether it's undamaged.
human
No
gpt
"No? But this is yours. A guard found it inside, just before we caught you, and it's nothing of ours. So don't pretend you didn't carry it in."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
human
You look
gpt
On the whole, it was worth the trip. The plains really were broad and grain-gold, if scarred with fences and agricultural crawlers. The mountains were overwhelming. And however much of the capital city is scarred with squat brick and faceless concrete hulks, there are still flashes of its historic charm.

This alley, however, has no time for charm. It ends in flat bare dirty brick, and a door which lacks even the courtesy of a handle. Not that you'll wait on courtesy.

It's a narrow dead end here, with walls rising oppressively high in three directions. The alley is quite empty, bare even of trash. (You're sure the police are as efficient about litter laws as about everything else they do.) You can retreat to the south.

A plain metal door faces you to the east, near the alley's end. It's firmly shut.
human
You look at the plate
gpt
A featureless, dull black rectangle is embedded in the bricks beside the door. It's about the width of your palm. No fool could doubt the plate has something to do with opening the door, but it doesn't bear a clue about how to do it.
human
You look at the lockpick
gpt
The pick is a silver rod the size of your ring finger -- not true silver, of course, nothing so easily scanned. It's splayed at one end into a flat disc of conductor-web matrix. The status dot is blue.
human
You examine the disc
gpt
The lockpick widens at the top, ending in a coin-sized disc with the woven gleam of conductor-web matrix.
human
You touch the plate with the lockpick
gpt
The pick locks itself rigidly to the black plate by the door. Its status dot flashes to yellow.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

The door slides neatly open.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

The man turns the lockpick again in his fingers. "This is nice, this truly is. We have nothing like it." A thoughtful blink. "...And this was the only piece of equipment you carried?"
human
You say no
gpt
"Naturally not. I look forward to examining the others. Not," he adds, "that they did you good in the end."
human
You wait
gpt
You remain silent.

He raises an eyebrow. "Embarrassed? Clever tricks or no, it was still one of you and all of us, and we're not that weak. Are we." A sharp look from those eyes. "Let's continue. You entered the complex..."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
human
You examine the tiles
gpt
The floor is featureless white tile.
human
You go to the north
gpt
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
human
You look at the gap
gpt
The hole is about two feet by three. Through it, you can see the actual concrete ceiling, a few inches above the acoustical panelling.
human
Go up
gpt
The hole is a foot out of reach.
human
You open the door
gpt
Which do you mean, the normal door or the metal door?

You move the space across the room. It is now under the window."
human
You look
gpt
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands open to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
human
You go to the north
gpt
This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.

Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.

On the larger crate is a bolt wrench.
human
You get the wrench
gpt
Taken.
human
You examine the wrench
gpt
It's a heavy steel wrench.
human
Larger
gpt
The larger crate is too heavy to move.
human
Smaller
gpt
The smaller crate is nailed shut. You can't pry it open with your hands.
human
You examine larger
gpt
Which do you mean, the larger crate or the smaller crate?

You see nothing special about the larger crate.
human
You look
gpt
This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.

Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.
human
You examine the door
gpt
The door to the south is open.
human
You open it
gpt
The larger crate is nailed shut. You can't pry it open with your hands.
human
You go west
gpt
The metal door is very definitely closed.
human
You examine metal door
gpt
The door to the west is metal. It has no handle; another black plate is visible beside it. The door is closed.
human
You go to the east
gpt
The corridor angles here, and crosses a boundary of some sort as it does. A few strides down the southeast branch, a dotted red line crosses the floor. You can retreat from the boundary to the west.
human
You search the smaller crate
gpt
The smaller crate is closed.
human
You search the larger crate
gpt
The larger crate is closed.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

The lockpick's status dot is sliding towards green.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

The metal door slides open. Beyond, several people are working at cluttered desks. One looks up absently, and then stares; and then a loud buzzer echoes down the hall. Moments later, three guards charge towards you, weapons drawn.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"That would be the logistics office. Five agents working at the time, very diligent men and women. None of whom recall their door popping open on them." He shakes his head. "Your electronic key is a lovely toy, but you don't have to play with it for my sake." He touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You go to the north
gpt
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
human
You examine the panel
gpt
(the hole)
The hole is about two feet by three. Through it, you can see the actual concrete ceiling, a few inches above the acoustical panelling.
human
You examine black plate
gpt
A featureless, dull black rectangle is embedded in the wall beside the metal door.
human
You examine the line
gpt
It's just a red marking, painted on the floor tiles southeast of you. The line is very slightly scuffed in the center.
human
You go to the south-east
gpt
You step across the line and continue down the corridor... into the sight of six guards or so, who are posted at the next intersection.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

The man raises an eyebrow. "None of those guards saw you until much later. Shall we try it again?"
human
You say yes
gpt
The man touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
Go west
gpt
You are in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
Larger
gpt
You climb up on the larger crate.
human
You climb smaller
gpt
(getting off the larger crate)
You climb up on the smaller crate.
human
You look
gpt
Wide rectangles cover the ceiling with the grey, dimpled texture of good acoustical insulation. Between the panels are the glowing strips which illuminate the area.

Storage Closet (on the smaller crate)
This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.

Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.
human
Examine strip
gpt
Glowing strips of plastic cross the ceiling panels.
human
You get strip
gpt
Those are a part of the panel ceiling.
human
You get the panel
gpt
That's hardly portable.
human
You jump
gpt
You bend and leap. Your hands slam against the ceiling panels, but they hold firm.
human
Go downward
gpt
You get down off the smaller crate.
human
Down
gpt
The only exit is south.
human
Go downward
gpt
You get down off the larger crate.
human
You look
gpt
This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.

Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.
human
You attach the acid to the toggle
gpt
You connect the toggle switch to the acid pack. The toggle switch turns brown to confirm the match.
human
You examine the scrambler
gpt
It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.
human
You take the acid
gpt
You take the acid pack (and the toggle switch connected to it.)
human
You put the acid on the small crate
gpt
You put the acid pack on the smaller crate.
human
You flip the toggle
gpt
You flip the brown switch on. The acid capsule goes off with a piercing hiss. An acrid mist fills the area.

You watch, awed and pleased at once, as the steel wrench sublimes away.

Your skin begins to itch.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He is frankly impressed. "It works that quickly?"
human
You say usually
gpt
There is no reply.

"I really am curious."
human
You wait awhile
gpt
You remain silent.

"Nothing forthcoming? After inventing that remarkable show for me? Because," he adds, "there is no trace of any acid having been used in this complex. And we found the wrench sitting on the crate, unharmed." He reaches for his controls.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You examine the walls
gpt
The walls are faced with tough white composite. They are smooth and blank, except for one ventilator grille near the ceiling.
human
You climb the large crate
gpt
You climb up on the larger crate.
human
You climb the small crate
gpt
(getting off the larger crate)
You climb up on the smaller crate.
human
You examine the grille
gpt
A plastic grille is visible high on the wall, just below the ceiling. One corner is stamped "VEN DUCT L-15."
human
You open the grille
gpt
The ventilator grille is beyond your reach, on a different wall than the one you stand near.
human
You climb larger
gpt
(getting off the smaller crate)
You climb up on the larger crate.
human
You look at ceiling
gpt
Wide rectangles cover the ceiling with the grey, dimpled texture of good acoustical insulation. Between the panels are the glowing strips which illuminate the area.
human
You stand
gpt
You get down off the larger crate.
human
Go south
gpt
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands open to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
human
You open grille
gpt
The ventilator grille is a bit beyond your reach.
human
You examine the grille
gpt
A plastic grille is visible high on the wall, just below the ceiling. One corner is stamped "VEN DUCT J-10."
human
You jump
gpt
You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the edge of the hole -- catch, and you concentrate on holding on. Your feet swing gently a foot above the floor.

Uh! A sharp edge is digging into one finger. You shift your grasp hastily, but a few drops of blood smear across the hole's lip.
human
You enter the hole
gpt
The space above the ceiling panels is only a few inches high. You can't fit into it.
human
You examine the space
gpt
You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.

A small package, wrapped in cloth, is sitting on the panelling, just a few inches from your face.

You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
human
You get the package
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
Taken.
human
You examine package
gpt
It's an oblong bundle of cloth, a bit larger than your palm.

Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
human
You stand
gpt
You drop lightly to the ground, flexing your stiff hands.
human
You examine the cloth
gpt
It's an oblong bundle of cloth, a bit larger than your palm.
human
You jump
gpt
You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the edge of the hole -- catch, and you concentrate on holding on. Your feet swing gently a foot above the floor.
human
You look
gpt
Corner At Doors (hanging from the ceiling)
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands open to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap. You are clinging to the lip of the hole; your feet dangle a foot above the ground.
human
You search the ceiling
gpt
Which do you mean, the panel ceiling or the concrete ceiling?
human
Concrete
gpt
You find nothing of interest.

You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
human
Search panel
gpt
(the hole)
You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.

The space is empty as far as you can see.
human
You stand
gpt
You drop lightly to the ground, flexing your fingers.
human
You put the blast tab on the cloth
gpt
The bundle is still wrapped up.
human
You examine the timer
gpt
The timer is a small black box with two dials on one side, and a plus link on the other. The status dot is blue. Both the green and blue dials are set to 1; the timer's indicator is blank.
human
Examine plus link
gpt
Which do you mean, the toggle switch, the voice module, the radio module, the timer or the pushbutton?
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
You return up the hallway as it curves around to the south.

The white corridor begins here, and curves away north. No one is about; the metal face of the entrance door stands closed to the west.
human
Go west
gpt
The door is very definitely closed.
human
You look at the boundary
gpt
It's just a red marking, painted on the floor tiles southeast of you. The line is slightly scuffed in the center.
human
You look at the grille
gpt
A plastic grille is visible high on the wall, just below the ceiling. One corner is stamped "VEN DUCT U-11."
human
You jump
gpt
You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the ceiling panels, but not strongly enough to do anything.
human
You open grille
gpt
The ventilator grille is a bit beyond your reach.
human
You drop the package
gpt
Dropped.
human
You touch package
gpt
Whatever's inside the bundle is rigid and rather heavy.
human
You look at the radio module
gpt
It's a small black box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other.
human
You look at the key transmitter
gpt
It's a small black disc with a key to press on one side, and a short antenna on the other.
human
You look
gpt
The corridor angles here, and crosses a boundary of some sort as it does. A few strides down the southeast branch, a dotted red line crosses the floor. You can retreat from the boundary to the west.
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
As you step across the line, a sharp buzzer echoes through the corridors.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"And then all the guards came thundering down on you? Captured before you'd done anything at all?"
human
Yes
gpt
"You certainly were not. There was no alarm and we both know it. Now let's have it again."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
You return up the hallway as it curves around to the south.

The white corridor begins here, and curves away north. No one is about; the metal face of the entrance door stands closed to the west.
human
Clean blood
gpt
The blood only smears further as you rub at it.

You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
human
You look at the gap
gpt
You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.

The space is empty as far as you can see.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying nothing worthy of attention, except a wrapped package, a bolt wrench, a lockpick and a toolcase (which is open) (in which are a blast tab, an acid pack, a toggle switch, a minilamp, a scan scrambler, a voice module, a radio module, a timer, a pushbutton, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter).

Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
human
You turn the minilamp on
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
The minilamp has no built-in controls.
human
You examine the minilamp
gpt
It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube.

The tendons of your fingers are complaining.
human
You attach the minilamp to the toggle
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
You connect the toggle switch to the minilamp. The toggle switch turns yellow to confirm the match.
human
You flip the toggle
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
You flip the yellow switch on. The minilamp begins glowing.
human
You look at the gap
gpt
You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.

The space is empty as far as you can see.
human
You put the minilamp in the space
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
Hanging from one hand, you toss the lit minilamp up into the space above.

Your arms are beginning to feel numb.
human
You stand
gpt
You drop lightly to the ground, and painfully massage your forearms.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.
human
You look at the minilamp
gpt
It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end; a beam of light shines out. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube, which is connected to a toggle switch.
human
Search gap
gpt
You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.

In the space, you can see a lit minilamp (connected to a toggle switch).

You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
human
You get the minilamp
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
You take the lit minilamp (and the toggle switch connected to it.)
human
Search gap
gpt
You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.

The space is empty as far as you can see.

Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
human
Switch toggle
gpt
You flip the yellow switch off. The minilamp goes dark.
human
You go north
gpt
This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.

Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.
human
You examine the door
gpt
The door to the south is open.
human
You get the plate
gpt
The plate is fixed in the wall.
human
You connect the toggle to radio module
gpt
The toggle switch is already connected to the minilamp.
human
Disconnect toggle
gpt
You disconnect the minilamp, and take the toggle switch as it turns black again.
human
Examine toggle
gpt
It's a small black box with a two-way toggle switch on one side, and a plus link on the other. The switch is off.
human
Examine scan
gpt
It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.
human
You look at the voice
gpt
Which do you mean, the voice module or the voice transmitter?
human
Module
gpt
It's a small black box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other.
human
You examine the voice transmitter
gpt
It's a small black square with an audio pickup on one side, and a short antenna on the other. The status dot is blue. The audio keywords are printed along one edge.
human
You look at keywords
gpt
The keywords for the voice transmitter are "tango" to switch on, and "waltz" to switch off. In your voiceprint only, of course.
human
You say the tango
gpt
You say the keyword. The voice module's link dot flashes green in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
You say the waltz
gpt
You say the keyword. The voice module's link dot flashes blue in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
You connect the voice transmitter to the radio module
gpt
The voice transmitter doesn't have a link; it works through the voice module.
human
You examine the pushbutton
gpt
It's a small black box with a button on one side and a plus link on the other.
human
You examine the timer
gpt
The timer is a small black box with two dials on one side, and a plus link on the other. The status dot is blue. Both the green and blue dials are set to 1; the timer's indicator is blank.
human
You look at the key
gpt
It's a small black disc with a key to press on one side, and a short antenna on the other.
human
You press the disc
gpt
(the key transmitter)
You press the transmitter key. The radio module's link dot flashes green in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
You connect scan scrambler to the radio module
gpt
You connect the radio module to the scan scrambler. The radio module turns orange to confirm the match, and the key transmitter turns orange as well.

The scan scrambler is already connected to the radio module.
human
You connect the blast to push
gpt
You connect the pushbutton to the blast tab. The pushbutton turns purple to confirm the match.
human
You press the space
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

The man is staring at you as if at a joke he doesn't, quite, understand. "And then you died."
human
Yes
gpt
The man shakes his head in disgust.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
human
You press the space
gpt
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You stand
gpt
You drop lightly to the ground.
human
You connect the scrambler to the radio
gpt
You connect the radio module to the scan scrambler. The radio module turns orange to confirm the match, and the key transmitter turns orange as well.
human
You say the tango
gpt
You say the keyword. The voice module's link dot flashes green in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
You examine the radio
gpt
It's a small orange box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other. The link is connected to a scan scrambler.
human
You press the disc
gpt
(the key transmitter)
The scrambler's status dot flashes briefly yellow.
human
You look at the scrambler
gpt
It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge, which is connected to a radio module.
human
You touch the scrambler to the plate
gpt
The scan scrambler is already connected to the radio module.
human
You examine transmitter
gpt
Which do you mean, the voice transmitter or the key transmitter?
human
Voice
gpt
It's a small black square with an audio pickup on one side, and a short antenna on the other. The status dot is green. The audio keywords are printed along one edge.
human
You connect the timer to the blast tab
gpt
You connect the timer to the blast tab. The timer turns purple to confirm the match.
human
You get the tab
gpt
You take the blast tab (and the timer connected to it.)
human
Larger
gpt
You put the blast tab on the larger crate.
human
You set the timer
gpt
You can set the timer's green dial or its blue dial.
human
You set green
gpt
The dial can be set from 1 to 20.
human
You set green dial to 3
gpt
You set the green dial to 3. (Press the dials to activate them.)
human
You press the green dial
gpt
Nothing happens; you squeeze harder, until the contact finally clicks. The green dial lights as you press it. The timer's indicator flashes to 3.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

You hear a sharp crack from somewhere nearby.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"And the noise went completely unnoticed," says the man, an eyebrow raised.
human
You say yes
gpt
"It did? I have been in this building all day, and I don't recall my lunch hour being quite so noisy." The man presses a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You look
gpt
The white corridor begins here, and curves away north. No one is about; the metal face of the entrance door stands closed to the west.
human
Metal
gpt
That is unlikely to get a response.
human
You look at the hinge
gpt
The northern door is comfortingly ordinary -- white paint, hinges, and a handle which needs nothing more sophisticated than fingers. The door is open.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

The door slides open, and daylight spills over you. So does a sharp buzzer; and, moments later, three armed guards.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
human
You press the space
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Of course, by now -- that is, by then -- there was once again an observer covering the alley door. Your original diversion was clever but brief. So you certainly didn't re-open the door, much less leave and then re-enter." He touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
human
You look at the toolcase
gpt
Your toolcase is a flat grey plastic form, lined with shaped sponge foam. In the toolcase are a blast tab, a radio module, a timer, a scan scrambler, a minilamp, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, an acid pack, a voice module, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter.
human
You eat the sponge foam
gpt
(first taking the foam padding)
The foam padding is part of the case.
human
You go southeast
gpt
As you step across the line, a sharp buzzer echoes through the corridors.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"We've been over this. We track all metal within the critical zones. I know you're good; you surely noticed the ceiling web."
human
You say no
gpt
"As you like. But you didn't carry metal past it. Stop wasting my time." He punches a control, harder than necessary.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
human
You examine the minilamp
gpt
It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube.
human
You jump
gpt
You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the ceiling panels, but not strongly enough to do anything.
human
You look
gpt
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a blast tab, a radio module, a timer, a scan scrambler, a minilamp, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, an acid pack, a voice module, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
human
You look
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls, and you sit restrained in a steel chair. Across from you is a desk covered with panels of instrumentation. The man faces you from behind it.

The man touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You examine the ceiling
gpt
Wide rectangles cover the ceiling with the grey, dimpled texture of good acoustical insulation. Between the panels are the glowing strips which illuminate the area. You notice that to the southeast, beyond the red boundary line, the ceiling panels are also striped with the characteristic glitter of a scan web.
human
Throw bolt se
gpt
You toss the wrench across the line; a sharp buzzer immediately sounds.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"This is tiring. I've been in this base all day and I heard no alarm." The man touches a control before you can respond.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You go to the southeast
gpt
You step across the line and continue down the corridor.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
human
You press the space
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"I believe you're forgetting something." The man gazes at you levelly. "Our forensics people went over the area very thoroughly after we captured you. And we found evidence that you'd been up in that open ceiling panel in the northwest corner. Did you think you could hide that from us?"
human
Hit interrogator
gpt
You can hardly move at all.
human
You examine the interrogator
gpt
He is greying of hair and lined, lined hard, not wrinkled. His pale uniform fits as comfortably as skin. It is immaculate; it bears no insignia but the emblem of his nation.

The man is holding a lockpick.
human
You examine the chair
gpt
The chair is every bit as uncomfortable as its designers must have intended. Metal slats dig into your thighs and shoulders. Your head is strapped back, with too many cold itches where the leads are pasted on. And, of course, the steel bands that bind your hands and feet. You can hardly forget those.

The man leans back, watching you.
human
You examine the desk
gpt
The desk is panelled with ranks of controls and instruments. All, of course, are angled just too low for you to read.
human
You examine the emblem
gpt
The man wears the light tan uniform of his nation, and its emblem on his breast.

He shakes his head. "You can't. You can cover up memories, perhaps..." Unexpectedly, he smiles. "But 'Blood speaks loud where words fade away.' Eh? Now, this time, the truth."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You look
gpt
Corner At Doors (hanging from the ceiling)
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap. You are clinging to the lip of the hole; your feet dangle a foot above the ground.

You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
human
You examine the scan scrambler
gpt
It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.

Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
human
You connect the scan scrambler to the toggle
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
You connect the toggle switch to the scan scrambler. The toggle switch turns orange to confirm the match.
human
Go downwards
gpt
You drop lightly to the ground, flexing your stiff hands.
human
Go north
gpt
You flip the orange switch on. The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.

The door to the north is closed.
human
You turn on toggle
gpt
You flip the orange switch on. The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
Go southeast
gpt
You step across the line and continue down the corridor.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"...with the metal of the wrench hidden from our ever-watchful scan web. A wonderful artifact, your little orange pyramid." The man spreads his hands in assumed awe, then shakes his head. "I don't think your techniques are quite that good. You could muffle the metal signature, I would say, but not perfectly. It would leave eddies. Small ones -- within the error tolerances of our scan, enough to hide the wrench for a few minutes -- but after that? A dozen acceptable errors within ten minutes is... not acceptable at all.

"And we picked up no such suspicious sequence; and therefore, you did not carry the wrench across that line. Did you."
human
Yes
gpt
He stares at you for a moment. "Even if you claim your scrambler works perfectly," he continues, "...we found the wrench sitting on the crate in the closet." He smiles briefly.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
White Junction
You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
You connect the toggle to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the toggle switch to the scan scrambler. The toggle switch turns orange to confirm the match.
human
Go southeast
gpt
You step across the line and continue down the corridor.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

The man nods with consideration. "And off you went, through our secure zone like a scalpel through cheese. A plastic scalpel," he adds, smiling distantly, "so I don't know why you turned on that charming device. As I said, it couldn't have hidden metal for any length of time. Thus -- you had none. At least our scan-web keeps spies from carrying guns with them when they stroll through our bases." He pauses a moment. "Or does your side have nonmetallic guns now?"
human
You say yes
gpt
"Now you're lying again. We would know if you had such things, and you would know that we would..." A silence draws out, and you look to find the man staring at a far wall, as if you and your chair had dissolved away. Then, thoughtfully, "For all the effort we put into secrets, my people and yours, do we ever manage to keep any?" His eyes are on you again.
human
You say yes
gpt
"Yes, and here you are. Because you don't have this one. And this is the secret that matters. You didn't get it, and we can keep it just a little longer."
human
No
gpt
"A little longer is all we need."

He shakes his head sharply. "A bit more time here, as well. And please don't waste any more of it with fantasy. Your next move must have been..."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
You look at what you're carrying with you
gpt
You are carrying nothing worthy of attention, except a wrapped package, a lockpick and a toolcase (which is open) (in which are a scan scrambler (connected to a toggle switch), a blast tab, a radio module, a timer, a minilamp, a pushbutton, an acid pack, a voice module, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter).

The footsteps seem to be approaching.
human
You look
gpt
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.
human
Go west
gpt
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south.

Distant footsteps sound somewhere to the east.
human
Go south
gpt
You take half a step and nearly trip as you turn. A woman is standing to the south, at the end of the hall. She leans on the frame of an open door, talking to someone in the room beyond. If you continue, she will certainly notice you.
human
You go to the north
gpt
Hallways run northwest, east, and south.

The footsteps to the east grow louder.

The woman nods and leans back.
human
You go northwest
gpt
You return up the corridor, across the red line.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"I don't think so. There were people up and down the west corridor during that interval. You weren't seen back there. Besides, it would hardly be elegant," and he smiles very suddenly. "We've had that part of the story. Repeating it would be redundant, yes? Bad art."
human
No
gpt
"You don't think so? You must not have had my fiction tutor." You did not expect to hear a chuckle in this room. "For all the stakes, it comes down to you telling stories, doesn't it? You spin me a story, and I listen."
human
You say yes
gpt
He nods. "The oldest profession. Although you've been reluctant -- I can't expect better, I suppose. Anyway." He blinks. "This verse isn't yet right." He touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
Go south
gpt
The metal door is very definitely closed.

The footsteps seem to be approaching.
human
You look at the door
gpt
The door to the south is metal. As usual, it has a black sensor plate beside it. The door is closed.
human
You look
gpt
The pick locks itself rigidly to the black plate by the door. Its status dot flashes to yellow.

The footsteps to the north grow louder.

The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

The lockpick is clinging to the black plate by the door.

The footsteps move out of a branch corridor to the north -- a trio of guards, still heading this way. You dodge back out of their line of view, flattening yourself inside the west side of the tee.

The lockpick's status dot is sliding towards green.
human
You wait a while
gpt
Time passes.

You hear the guards coming closer.

The lockpick's status dot is sliding towards green.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

You hear the guards coming closer.

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

The metal door slides open. To the north, the footfalls of the guards cease, startled by this apparition. Then they begin again -- hurrying.
human
Go south
gpt
You hurl yourself towards the open door, snatching at the lockpick as you go by. Nearly -- but your fingers close wrong, and the silver rod clatters to the floor behind you as you dive over the threshold. The door slides closed; you are left in quiet dark.

A moment later, the door slides open again. A surprising number of pulse guns are aimed through it, all at you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

Impatience is plain between his eyes, now. "Yes, you had time to get inside. But the door, did you notice, would have come open in full view of Mobile Three? You did notice, in truth, that's what you showed me."

He shakes his head. "But Three says they didn't see you at all, and they certainly didn't see you fooling around with that door, and they certainly didn't enact that tableau at the end. With the guns." He seems particularly disgusted with that touch, for some reason. "Is it, what, you just enjoy a dramatic scene?"
human
Yes
gpt
"Spare me." He touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
You go east
gpt
The corridor ends here, blank, with a single steel door on the north wall. The door is closed.

Distant footsteps sound somewhere to the west.
human
You examine door
gpt
The door to the north is metal. As usual, it has a black sensor plate beside it. The door is closed.

Distant footsteps sound somewhere to the west.
human
You touch the lockpick to the plate
gpt
The metal door to the north isn't important.

The footsteps are clearer now.
human
Go north
gpt
The metal door is very definitely closed.

The footsteps to the west grow louder.
human
You look
gpt
The corridor ends here, blank, with a single steel door on the north wall. The door is closed.
human
You examine the door
gpt
The door to the north is metal. As usual, it has a black sensor plate beside it. The door is closed.

The footsteps to the west grow louder.
human
You unlock the door with the pick
gpt
It's not clear precisely how the lockpick can be used to unlock that.

The guards come around the corner. Well-trained guards, of course, look both ways when they enter an intersection. For a moment you stare at them staring at you. Then they draw their weapons.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"The squad on Mobile Three, the ones you say stumbled into you. You do have their images right; I know you saw them. But they say they never saw you. Did they lie?"
human
No
gpt
"A helpful answer at last! Thank you. Now let's have it again."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
Go west
gpt
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south.

Distant footsteps sound somewhere to the east.
human
Go south
gpt
You take half a step and nearly trip as you turn. A woman is standing to the south, at the end of the hall. She leans on the frame of an open door, talking to someone in the room beyond. If you continue, she will certainly notice you.
human
Go northwest
gpt
You return up the corridor, across the red line.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Stories or none, I know you haven't been back to the west corridor." The man touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
You go to the north
gpt
The pick locks itself rigidly to the black plate by the door. Its status dot flashes to yellow.

The footsteps seem to be approaching.

The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.

As you step into the intersection, three guards walk out of the northeast branch. For a moment they stare at you staring at them. Then they draw their weapons.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"No, understand, this isn't in question. The guards did not see you, not toenail or eyebrow. They heard a noise, something clattering across the floor, in the eastern dead-end corridor. That's what they investigated. That's what you're trying to explain here. Clear?"
human
You say yes
gpt
"Good."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying nothing worthy of attention, except a lockpick, a wrapped package and a toolcase (which is open) (in which are a scan scrambler (connected to a toggle switch), a blast tab, a radio module, a timer, a minilamp, a pushbutton, an acid pack, a voice module, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter).

Distant footsteps sound somewhere to the west.
human
You go west
gpt
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

The footsteps move out of a branch corridor to the north -- a trio of guards, still heading this way. You dodge back out of their line of view, flattening yourself inside the west side of the tee.
human
You throw radio module east
gpt
(first taking the radio module)
The radio module clatters down the hall into the dead end.

"Did you hear that?" comes a voice from the north. "Sounded like it was coming from the wiring closet," another guard says, a frown in his tone.

The footsteps begin to hurry. The three guards round the corner, and run down the east hall -- without a glance at where you huddle in the western branch.
human
Go north
gpt
You hold your breath and slip around the corner, out of the guards' line of sight. And pause... and there is no cry of alarm. You exhale -- silently -- and stroll off to the north.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"A streetcorner dazzler would be proud. You distract Mobile Three with the radio module; when they follow the noise, you walk up the corridor. Yes?"
human
Yes
gpt
"...and then they bring the radio module to Security's attention." He turns a palm out, displaying the silver rod in his hand. "And it looks, instead, a great deal like your lockpick. Not that they knew what it was at the time, of course. But we may as well correct the detail of which object you threw." He touches a control.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Tee Junction
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.

You hear footsteps somewhere to the north.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The footsteps seem to be approaching.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The footsteps to the north grow louder.
human
You wait for a while
gpt
Time passes.

The footsteps move out of a branch corridor to the north -- a trio of guards, still heading this way. You dodge back out of their line of view, flattening yourself inside the west side of the tee.
human
You throw the lockpick east
gpt
The lockpick clatters down the hall into the dead end.

"Did you hear that?" comes a voice from the north. "Sounded like it was coming from the wiring closet," another guard says, a frown in his tone.

The footsteps begin to hurry. The three guards round the corner, and run down the east hall -- without a glance at where you huddle in the western branch.
human
You go to the north
gpt
You hold your breath and slip around the corner, out of the guards' line of sight. And pause... and there is no cry of alarm. You exhale -- silently -- and stroll off to the north.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Very neat. Behind the backs of the guards, and leave them to mumble over the lockpick -- not that they knew what it was at the time, of course. And you slip north into the core areas."
human
No
gpt
"There's nowhere else," says the man, almost patiently. "I assumed Security was later, because the lab is your primary objective. Was, to say." His voice slows, again contemplative, unsettling to you. "Your story is predictable. Did you expect that?"
human
Yes
gpt
"There is tension, but the flow is clear. The hero will extract the secret plans and escape; I wouldn't believe you if you said anything else. Except, of course, you didn't escape."

He is still seated, but his eyes are the eyes of a man pacing. "This isn't a story. Do you have any imagination? Do you realize what this technology will be used for?" He seems as astonished at the outburst as you.
human
You say no
gpt
"Naturally. You were sent for, and so you came." That must be a quote. "Implications are someone else's job. 'Clean War.' No troops, no civilian blood. One man at a time, slipped into an office or a palace, beyond any hope of wall or guard. Or not even a man -- a grenade, a canister of gas. The end," wryly -- "of security. I'd be out of a job." His eyes are distant, and again you feel that you are the least important thing in the room.

"Bad enough if we get it first. We'll take you apart, or just threaten to. Harsh but quick. It would be over, we'd have won. But if your people get it too, if you'd gotten out with the data, do you realize...?"
human
You say no
gpt
"Of course you don't. You just march. But see... Knives at each other's throats. How long could that last? Two years, five. Eventually it would be too tempting, some premier or on-commander who poses too much immediate threat." Somehow his eyes are holding yours. "Then it would be literal knives at each other's literal cursed throats. Whole governments beheaded overnight. Same for anyone who tries to move up, take charge. It wouldn't end. Could you swear, honestly, that anyone left on your side wouldn't keep using it on anyone left on our side? Senate-men? Troops? Farmers?"
human
You say no
gpt
There is a long pause; and then the man smiles... not at you. "And in spite of that, or anything -- I march too. Let's get back to that. The lab."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Outside Laboratory
The corridor from the east ends here, and a single door looms to the west. It's no larger than the doors you've seen elsewhere; but it somehow looks... heavy. Unyielding. Reinforcing struts cross the door's face, and the surface is sheathed with some black coating.
human
You look at the door
gpt
The door is no larger than the doors you've seen elsewhere; but it somehow looks... heavy. Unyielding. Reinforcing struts cross the door's face, and the surface is sheathed with some black coating. However, the black plate beside the door is quite standard.
human
You examine the coating
gpt
The door and its struts are coated with some dead-black material. You do not recognize it.
human
You examine the struts
gpt
The door is reinforced with thick square bars, which run down and along its entire front. The struts are coated with the same black material as the rest of the door.
human
You touch the door
gpt
The black surface gives very slightly to your touch -- soft, but thin, over steel.
human
You look
gpt
The corridor from the east ends here, and a single door looms to the west. It's no larger than the doors you've seen elsewhere; but it somehow looks... heavy. Unyielding. Reinforcing struts cross the door's face, and the surface is sheathed with some black coating.
human
You go west
gpt
The laboratory door is very definitely closed.
human
You examine the panel
gpt
Wide rectangles cover the ceiling with the grey, dimpled texture of good acoustical insulation. Between the panels are the glowing strips which illuminate the area, and also the characteristic glitter of a scan web.
human
You touch panel
gpt
The ceiling is a foot out of your reach.
human
You look at the door
gpt
The door is no larger than the doors you've seen elsewhere; but it somehow looks... heavy. Unyielding. Reinforcing struts cross the door's face, and the surface is sheathed with some black coating. However, the black plate beside the door is quite standard.
human
You look at the plate
gpt
A featureless, dull black rectangle is embedded in the wall beside the laboratory door.
human
You touch the plate
gpt
Nothing happens.
human
Go east
gpt
You follow the corridor's curve to the southeast.

The white corridor runs south and east from here, with a wide branch curving northwest towards the laboratory.

You jerk back from the intersection, a reflexive startled leap; there are six guards down the hall to the south. They do not seem to have seen you.
human
You look
gpt
The white corridor runs south and east from here, with a wide branch curving northwest towards the laboratory. You are standing just inside the northwest branch, out of sight of the guards to the south.

You hear voices among the guards to the south.
human
You listen
gpt
(to the guards)
One of the guards is talking quietly. The words, of course, are drowned out by the ever-present ventilation.

One of the guards says "Yes, with'."
human
You go east
gpt
You duck across the intersection. The guards to the south, distracted by their own business, do not notice you; so you continue unchallenged to the east.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"You could have used the blast tab, did you realize? It would have punched through the door, I'm sure. You would have been in and out. By that much you missed starting a war. Or ending the one we've got."

The man stops, gives you a measured glance. "This is a war, for all that we're not shooting."
human
You say yes
gpt
A wry chuckle. "Truly, you think more like me than my own by-commander does. I think: if this is peace, why are the armies getting larger? And even more money on secrets than on simple guns."
human
You say yes
gpt
A one-sided smile. "I'll make a note of that, for our estimates of your budget schedules."

He passes that off with a tense wave. "It's frustrating. You say you haven't thought about this technology. It could put our footprints on the moons. We could walk to other stars as easily as to the bathhouse. Oceans and mountains wouldn't be walls..." Again he is watching you intently.

"That, I think, is what our masters are afraid of. They'll face death before living without walls. You, is that why you're here? Why you're willing to unchain a war of assassination?"
human
You say no
gpt
"Then why... no. Business first." He takes a breath, and calms.

"You left the lab without using your explosive. You came back to Security. To get your precious lockpick, for the lab door?" The silver rod flashes between his fingers; you had forgotten he was holding it.
human
You say no
gpt
"Perhaps other reasons as well, but I think the pick must have been first in your mind. Show me."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You go east
gpt
Before you can move, a buzzer begins sounding up and down the halls. Moments later, you hear guards running in your direction.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Yes, the wonderful scan-scrambler. But, as I said earlier, it cannot be miraculous. The high-sensitivity webs around Security could be fooled; but the scrambler's presence would leave eddies. Glitches, you understand. More than a few of those in a handful of seconds, and the watchdogs get suspicious. As you showed me -- the alarms would ring." He raises an eyebrow. "In fact, you couldn't have made it up the corridor with the scrambler active. Let's just take it as read that it wasn't."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You examine the scrambler
gpt
It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.
human
You go north
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A steel chair squats on a low pedestal; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"An amateur, I think, could have walked through a doorway without ever seeing the scan-web above it. You haven't impressed me thus far, but I don't truly think you're incompetent."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You go to the southwest
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Are you saying you left without this?" The man produces a pen and holds it up for your inspection.
human
You examine the pen
gpt
It's an ordinary-looking pen. It's hard to tell from this distance, but the nib appears to be missing, and there seems to be a dark stain on the tip of the casing.
human
You say no
gpt
"That's better. One of my people is still recovering from its effect."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You go south
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You connect the scrambler to the toggle
gpt
You connect the toggle switch to the scan scrambler. The toggle switch turns orange to confirm the match.

The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
You turn on the toggle
gpt
The switch is already on.
human
Go south
gpt
This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

A moment after you step into the room, the scrambler emits a sharp squeal. Then a sharper crackling noise -- and then a thread of smoke, as its quiet vibration ceases.
human
You look at the table
gpt
It's just a plastic worktable, a slab built onto the south wall. There is nothing on the table.
human
You search the lockers
gpt
All the lockers are closed.
human
You examine the lockers
gpt
The locker doors vary in size, from palm-length cubbies to a closet apparently large enough to walk into. All the doors are closed. Each locker has a four-digit number on it.
human
You examine the pen
gpt
It's an ordinary-looking pen. The nib looks a bit sharp, though.
human
Describe the surroundings
gpt
This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.
human
You look under the table
gpt
Nothing but white tile.
human
You go north
gpt
As you leave the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"You didn't set off the alarm going in, and you weren't found inside, so you must have suppressed the scan-web coming out as well. Yes?" He does not wait for a reply.

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You connect the scrambler to the toggle
gpt
You connect the toggle switch to the scan scrambler. The toggle switch turns orange to confirm the match.

The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
Examine
gpt
What do you want to examine?
human
You go south
gpt
The room to the south is filled with lockers; there is a table at the far end.

You can barely see a band of scan-web over the doorway, just inside the room.

A buzzer begins sounding up and down the halls. Moments later, you hear guards running in your direction.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"We went back, you must know, and looked at every stray spark in the scan-data. We know how you used the scrambler. On and off, briefly enough to never upset our systems. And it did not get you caught."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You turn off the toggle
gpt
You flip the orange switch off. The scrambler's status dot flickers black.
human
You turn on the toggle
gpt
You flip the orange switch on. The scrambler's status dot flickers black.
human
You drop all
gpt
wrapped package: Dropped.
toolcase: Dropped.
human
You connect the pushbutton to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the pushbutton to the scan scrambler. The pushbutton turns orange to confirm the match.
human
You look at the green dial
gpt
The green dial is set to 1.
human
You look at the blue dial
gpt
The blue dial is set to 1.
human
You examine the timer
gpt
The timer is a small black box with two dials on one side, and a plus link on the other. The status dot is blue. Both the green and blue dials are set to 1; the timer's indicator is blank.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

The timer's green dial flashes once, and the indicator flashes to 1. The status dot goes blue, but as the timer isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
You press the pushbutton
gpt
The scrambler's status dot flashes briefly yellow.

The timer's blue dial flashes once, and the indicator flashes to 1. The status dot goes green, but as the timer isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
Go south
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

The timer's green dial flashes once, and the indicator flashes to 1. The status dot goes blue, but as the timer isn't linked to anything, that's all.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You connect the timer to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the timer to the scan scrambler. The timer turns orange to confirm the match.
human
You turn green to 5
gpt
You set the green dial to 5.
human
You press the green dial
gpt
The green dial lights as you press it. The timer's indicator flashes to 5.
human
Go south
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

The timer changes to 4.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You set the green dial to 1
gpt
You set the green dial to 1.
human
You set the blue dial to 5
gpt
You set the blue dial to 5.
human
You press the blue dial
gpt
The blue dial lights as you press it. The timer's indicator flashes to 5. The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
You press the green dial
gpt
The green dial is now lit as well.

The timer changes to 4.

A buzzer begins sounding up and down the halls. Moments later, you hear guards running in your direction.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"We went back, you must know, and looked at every stray spark in the scan-data. We know how you used the scrambler. On and off, briefly enough to never upset our systems. And it did not get you caught."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You connect the voice module to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the voice module to the scan scrambler. The voice module turns orange to confirm the match, and the voice transmitter turns orange as well.
human
You examine the lamp
gpt
It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube.
human
You look
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You drop all
gpt
toolcase: Dropped.
wrapped package: Dropped.
human
You get the voice module
gpt
You take the scan scrambler (and the voice module connected to it.)
human
You drop the voice module
gpt
You drop the scan scrambler (and the voice module connected to it.)
human
You look
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a timer, a pushbutton, a toggle switch, a radio module, a blast tab, a minilamp, an acid pack, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter.

You can also see a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module) and a wrapped package here.
human
You say the tango
gpt
The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.
human
You wait for a while
gpt
Time passes.

A buzzer begins sounding up and down the halls. Moments later, you hear guards running in your direction.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"We went back, you must know, and looked at every stray spark in the scan-data. We know how you used the scrambler. On and off, briefly enough to never upset our systems. And it did not get you caught."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You connect the voice module to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the voice module to the scan scrambler. The voice module turns orange to confirm the match, and the voice transmitter turns orange as well.
human
You get the scrambler
gpt
You take the scan scrambler (and the voice module connected to it.)
human
You drop the scrambler
gpt
You drop the scan scrambler (and the voice module connected to it.)
human
You drop all
gpt
toolcase: Dropped.
wrapped package: Dropped.
human
You go south
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You press pushbutton
gpt
The scrambler's status dot flashes briefly yellow.
human
You turn off the toggle
gpt
You flip the black switch off. The link dot flashes blue in confirmation, but as the switch isn't linked to anything, that's all.
human
You connect the toggle to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the toggle switch to the scan scrambler. The toggle switch turns orange to confirm the match.
human
You turn on toggle
gpt
You flip the orange switch on. The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
Go south
gpt
This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

A moment after you step into the room, the scrambler emits a sharp squeal. Then a sharper crackling noise -- and then a thread of smoke, as its quiet vibration ceases.
human
You look at the scrambler
gpt
It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. Now, you suspect, it's an expensive paperweight. You must have brought it into a countermeasure induction field. There's a minus link on one edge, which is connected to a toggle switch.
human
You examine the lockers
gpt
The locker doors vary in size, from palm-length cubbies to a closet apparently large enough to walk into. All the doors are closed. Each locker has a four-digit number on it.
human
You examine number
gpt
You look at a random locker. The number 9877 is visible on it.
human
You examine number
gpt
You look at a random locker. The number 9262 is visible on it.
human
You eat the pen
gpt
That's plainly inedible.
human
You look
gpt
It's an ordinary-looking pen. The nib looks a bit sharp, though.

This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.
human
You go to the south-west
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"No, you've forgotten the pen again. You had it with you, as we discovered shortly thereafter."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
Look around
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You go to the east
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

Dark wood panelling surrounds you, a refuge from the harsh white visible to the west. A massive mahogany desk sits in one corner. The rest of the room is mostly metal cabinets, but a few sketches take their share of wall, and a bookcase stands by the desk.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
human
You go to the east
gpt
Dark wood panelling surrounds you, a refuge from the harsh white visible to the west. A massive mahogany desk sits in one corner. The rest of the room is mostly metal cabinets, but a few sketches take their share of wall, and a bookcase stands by the desk.

A moment after you step into the room, the scrambler emits a sharp squeal. Then a sharper crackling noise -- and then a thread of smoke, as its quiet vibration ceases.
human
You examine the desk
gpt
The desk is an imposing mass, plain of line but precisely crafted. There is nothing on the desk.
human
You look at the cabinets
gpt
Three-drawer metal cabinets stand in rows along each wall. The drawers are the normal size for file folders; there is a tiny black plate on the front of each one. The cabinets are all closed.
human
You open the cabinet
gpt
You pull on a few of the handles, but all the drawers seem to be locked.
human
You look
gpt
Dark wood panelling surrounds you, a refuge from the harsh white visible to the west. A massive mahogany desk sits in one corner. The rest of the room is mostly metal cabinets, but a few sketches take their share of wall, and a bookcase stands by the desk.
human
You look at the sketches
gpt
Which do you mean, the portrait of a young man, the drawing of a night sky or the seascape?
human
Portrait
gpt
A young man looks out from precise ink stippling. His expression is serious, and dark eyes meet yours with near-visible force. You have never seen his face before.
human
You get the portrait
gpt
You pull the portrait of a young man from the wall.
human
You look at the sky
gpt
The sketch is in soft talc-pencil, but nonetheless the stars shine out, hard distant facets in a jewel-black expanse. One moon is high and one is rising; they too are in bright focus, every crater and mare. The cool burning moons'-light tints the sky silver from behind.
human
You get the sky
gpt
You pull the drawing of a night sky from the wall.
human
You look at the seascape
gpt
Grey waves beat below an indeterminate, cloudy sky. Nearly lost in the distance is a raft -- a tiny shape bearing away beneath a wind-torn white sail.
human
You get the seascape
gpt
You pull the seascape from the wall.
human
You look
gpt
Dark wood panelling surrounds you, a refuge from the harsh white visible to the west. A massive mahogany desk sits in one corner. The rest of the room is mostly metal cabinets, but a bookcase stands by the desk.
human
You examine the wall
gpt
Some rich wood, in pleasingly irregular spans, polished but naturally dark.
human
You examine the bookcase
gpt
The bookcase is hand-carved, hung with wooden ivy vines and tiny berries. Volumes of technology journals fill some shelves; but others display antique folios, leather-bound collections of plays, and a small array of dawn-tales and fireside stories.
human
You search the wall
gpt
You can't see any unusual cracks or spaces in the panelling. But then, it would be unusual if you could.
human
You look at the plays
gpt
You see the complete works of Gahtmahan, "Nightclumps and Wind-Whispers," a volume of Connaeus woodcuts... if you had time, the shelves would be worth a closer look. You don't.

(I hope you weren't expecting some kind of "Rito and Imita" in-joke.)
human
You examine journals
gpt
You see the complete works of Gahtmahan, "Nightclumps and Wind-Whispers," a volume of Connaeus woodcuts... if you had time, the shelves would be worth a closer look. You don't.
human
You examine the desk
gpt
The desk is an imposing mass, plain of line but precisely crafted. There is nothing on the desk.
human
You look under the desk
gpt
You peer hopefully under the desk, but even there the floor is relentlessly tidy.
human
You examine the sail
gpt
Grey waves beat below an indeterminate, cloudy sky. Nearly lost in the distance is a raft -- a tiny shape bearing away beneath a wind-torn white sail.

The drawing has been removed from the wall, revealing a magnetic mounting pad on the back.
human
You look at the pad
gpt
A magnetic pad is visible on the back of the sketch. It's nothing unusual; it just keeps the thing on the wall where it belongs.
human
You get the pad
gpt
That's part of the sketch.
human
You examine the sketch
gpt
Which do you mean, the seascape, the drawing of a night sky or the portrait of a young man?
human
Sky
gpt
The sketch is in soft talc-pencil, but nonetheless the stars shine out, hard distant facets in a jewel-black expanse. One moon is high and one is rising; they too are in bright focus, every crater and mare. The cool burning moons'-light tints the sky silver from behind.

The drawing has been removed from the wall, revealing a magnetic mounting pad on the back.
human
You go south
gpt
This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

A buzzer begins sounding up and down the halls. Moments later, you hear guards running in your direction.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"We went back, you must know, and looked at every stray spark in the scan-data. We know how you used the scrambler. On and off, briefly enough to never upset our systems. And it did not get you caught."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
Examine toggle
gpt
It's a small black box with a two-way toggle switch on one side, and a plus link on the other. The switch is on.
human
Disconnect toggle from scrambler
gpt
You disconnect the scan scrambler, and take the toggle switch as it turns black again.

The scrambler shuts down, and its status dot goes blue.
human
You drop all
gpt
toggle switch: Dropped.
toolcase: Dropped.
wrapped package: Dropped.
human
Go south
gpt
This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.
human
You say the waltz
gpt
Talking to yourself might draw attention.

A buzzer begins sounding up and down the halls. Moments later, you hear guards running in your direction.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"We went back, you must know, and looked at every stray spark in the scan-data. We know how you used the scrambler. On and off, briefly enough to never upset our systems. And it did not get you caught."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
Examine toggle
gpt
It's a small black box with a two-way toggle switch on one side, and a plus link on the other. The switch is on.
human
Disconnect toggle from scrambler
gpt
You disconnect the scan scrambler, and take the toggle switch as it turns black again.
human
You connect the timer to the scrambler
gpt
You connect the timer to the scan scrambler. The timer turns orange to confirm the match.
human
You turn green to 2
gpt
You set the green dial to 2.
human
You turn blue to 5
gpt
You set the blue dial to 5.
human
You set the blue to 1
gpt
You set the blue dial to 1.
human
You go south
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

This narrow room is lined with steel lockers. There is a plain table at the south end, and the doorway to the north exits to the corridor. All the lockers are closed.

On the table is a pen.

The timer's blue dial flashes once, and the indicator flashes to 1. The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You look at the web
gpt
Which do you mean, the metal-scan web or the bands of body-scan web?
human
You look at the body
gpt
Just inside each of the three doorways, on the ceilings of the three rooms, you see a glittering band of scan-web. The web's narrow spacing indicates a tight scan -- capable of picking up resonance signals off even a naked human body.
human
You examine the metal web
gpt
The ceiling is lined with scan-web in addition to the lighting strips. The web's wide spacing indicates a metal-resonance scan.
human
You look at the key
gpt
It's a small black disc with a key to press on one side, and a short antenna on the other.
human
You look at the module
gpt
Which do you mean, the radio module or the voice module?
human
You examine the radio
gpt
It's a small orange box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other. The link is connected to a scan scrambler.
human
You pull the antenna
gpt
Which do you mean, the radio module, the voice module, the voice transmitter or the key transmitter?
human
Radio
gpt
Nothing obvious happens.
human
You connect the radio module to the lamp
gpt
The radio module is already connected to the scan scrambler.
human
You disconnect the radio module
gpt
You disconnect the scan scrambler, and take the radio module as it turns black again. The key transmitter turns black as well.
human
You connect the radio module to the lamp
gpt
You connect the radio module to the minilamp. The radio module turns yellow to confirm the match, and the key transmitter turns yellow as well.
human
You examine the timer
gpt
The timer is a small black box with two dials on one side, and a plus link on the other. The status dot is blue. Both the green and blue dials are set to 1; the timer's indicator is blank.
human
You look
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a minilamp (connected to a radio module), a scan scrambler, a timer, a toggle switch, a voice module, a pushbutton, a blast tab, an acid pack and a voice transmitter.

You can also see a wrapped package here.
human
You examine the minilamp
gpt
It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube, which is connected to a radio module.
human
You connect the scrambler to the radio module
gpt
The radio module is already connected to the minilamp.
human
Disconnect minilamp
gpt
You disconnect the minilamp, and take the radio module as it turns black again. The key transmitter turns black as well.
human
You look
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a radio module), a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a voice module, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see a key transmitter and a wrapped package here.
human
You examine the voice module
gpt
It's a small black box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other.
human
You say the waltz
gpt
The scrambler shuts down, and its status dot goes blue.
human
You say the tango to the transmitter
gpt
(the voice transmitter)
The scrambler's status dot goes green, and an almost inaudible whine begins within it.
human
You say waltz to the the transmitter
gpt
(the voice transmitter)
The scrambler shuts down, and its status dot goes blue.
human
You go to the north
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see a wrapped package here.
human
You say the waltz
gpt
The scrambler shuts down, and its status dot goes blue.
human
You get all
gpt
wrapped package: Taken.
toolcase: Taken.
human
Go east
gpt
As you step into the room, a buzzer begins to sound.

Dark wood panelling surrounds you, a refuge from the harsh white visible to the west. A massive mahogany desk sits in one corner. The rest of the room is mostly metal cabinets, but a few sketches take their share of wall, and a bookcase stands by the desk.

The harsh buzz continues. Within moments you also hear footsteps hurrying towards you.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

He looks irritable. "No, no scan-web alarms. Not then, not at all."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You write on the sketch
gpt
Which do you mean, the drawing of a night sky, the portrait of a young man or the seascape?
human
Sky
gpt
(with the pen)
The sliver of crystal breaks off against the drawing of a night sky and is lost.
human
You examine the pen
gpt
It's an ordinary-looking pen. The nib is missing.
human
You go to the north
gpt
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A steel chair squats on a low pedestal; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.

You feel a chill of memory in your bones.
human
You examine the walls
gpt
The walls are naked metal, unadorned. They give your eyes nowhere to rest.
human
You examine the chair
gpt
The chair is ugly. Steel slats are riveted to a heavy metal frame, and the whole rests on a steel column rising from a pedestal on the floor. Restraints are welded to the arm and foot rests; wires hang limply from the head support.
human
You examine desk
gpt
The desk is a standard modular composite design. The surface is panelled with ranks of controls and instruments.
human
You look at controls
gpt
The desk is covered with dials, readouts, screen panels, sliders, and dozens of other instruments. You can put no form nor name to any of them.
human
You examine the wires
gpt
Leads hang from the headrest. There is a sensor contact on the end of each one.
human
You look
gpt
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A steel chair squats on a low pedestal; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.
human
You sit in the chair
gpt
You sit down in the chair. It is not comfortable.

You feel another distant chill.
human
You stand
gpt
You hurriedly stand up.
human
You sit
gpt
What do you want to sit on top of?
human
You look at your surroundings
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (in the chair)
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A steel chair squats on a low pedestal; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.

There is a half-remembered cool pressure around your wrists, your ankles, your forehead.
human
Look around
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (in the chair)
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A steel chair squats on a low pedestal; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.

For a moment, someone is visible, facing you across the desk.
human
You wait
gpt
You remain silent.
human
Search desk
gpt
There is nothing on the desk.

The human outline bends over the desk, then regards you again. A sense of wordless sound moves across you.
human
You look at human
gpt
The figure is nearly not there -- like shadows at the edge of your sight, or a dream of blindness. It crawls away from your vision; your eyes feel thick and strained.
human
You stand
gpt
You jerk out of the chair, stumbling as you pull against restraints that are not there.

The half-visible figure is gone.
human
Go south
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see a wrapped package here.
human
You drop all
gpt
toolcase: Dropped.
wrapped package: Dropped.
drawing of a night sky: Dropped.
portrait of a young man: Dropped.
seascape: Dropped.
pen: Dropped.
voice transmitter: Dropped.
human
You look at the walls
gpt
You cannot move the floor tiles.

The walls are naked metal, unadorned. They give your eyes nowhere to rest.
human
You examine the ceiling
gpt
The ceiling is a solid sheet of acoustical insulation. Light comes from glowing discs, deeply inset behind wire grilles. A band of scan-web runs along the ceiling in front of the doorway.
human
You touch the wall
gpt
The walls are immovable.
human
You touch the chair
gpt
The metal is cool and clean.
human
You look at discs
gpt
The room is illuminated by discs of glowing plastic, recessed in the ceiling and covered by wire grilles.
human
You examine the chair
gpt
The chair is ugly. Steel slats are riveted to a heavy metal frame, and the whole rests on a steel column rising from a pedestal on the floor. Restraints are welded to the arm and foot rests; wires hang limply from the head support.
human
You cut the wires
gpt
Cutting those up would achieve little.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

There is a half-remembered cool pressure around your wrists, your ankles, your forehead.
human
You examine desk
gpt
The desk is a standard modular composite design. The surface is panelled with ranks of controls and instruments.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

For a moment, someone is visible, facing you across the desk.
human
You examine man
gpt
The figure is nearly not there -- like shadows at the edge of your sight, or a dream of blindness. It crawls away from your vision; your eyes feel thick and strained.
human
Continue
gpt
The figure is nearly not there -- like shadows at the edge of your sight, or a dream of blindness. It crawls away from your vision; your eyes feel thick and strained.

The human outline bends over the desk, then regards you again. A sense of wordless sound moves across you.
human
You look at the man
gpt
The figure is nearly not there -- like shadows at the edge of your sight, or a dream of blindness. It crawls away from your vision; your eyes feel thick and strained.

The chill is gone. You are alone in the room.
human
You look at controls
gpt
The desk is covered with dials, readouts, screen panels, sliders, and dozens of other instruments. You can put no form nor name to any of them.
human
You sit in the chair
gpt
But you're already on the chair.
human
You look
gpt
Interrogation Chamber (in the chair)
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A steel chair squats on a low pedestal; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.
human
Go south
gpt
You'll have to get off the chair first.
human
You stand
gpt
You stand up.
human
Go south
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see a pen, three sketches (a seascape, a portrait of a young man and a drawing of a night sky) and a wrapped package here.
human
You look
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see three sketches (a seascape, a portrait of a young man and a drawing of a night sky) and a wrapped package here.
human
You go southwest
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"No, you've forgotten the pen again. The crystal was intact when you left, as we discovered shortly thereafter."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You examine the pen
gpt
It's an ordinary-looking pen. The nib looks a bit sharp, though.
human
You look at your surroundings
gpt
The pen's nib isn't a normal ball tip. It seems to be a sliver of some indigo crystal -- a needle-sharp sliver.

This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see a wrapped package here.
human
You take all
gpt
wrapped package: Taken.
toolcase: Taken.
human
You drop all
gpt
toolcase: Dropped.
wrapped package: Dropped.
pen: Dropped.
voice transmitter: Dropped.
human
You go to the west
gpt
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.

Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack.

You can also see a pen and a wrapped package here.
human
You get all
gpt
pen: Taken.
wrapped package: Taken.
toolcase: Taken.
human
Go southwest
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Mm," the man says slowly. "This grows complex. As I said before, your scrambler leaves traces -- submerged in the scan noise if you use it briefly, as you have been doing, but traces nonetheless. We have since analyzed every sequence of the scan-web data. The results are quite precise; you used the scrambler four times. Four blips, on and off, you understand. So your story, in which you used it seven times, is not possible. Besides, I doubt you would have used the device unnecessarily. Standing around flipping it on and off, or dashing through a room for a cursory glance, would not be worth the risk to you."

He shrugs. "We can play guessing-games all afternoon; but matters would go faster if you stuck to the facts."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Security Annex
This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and south.
human
You connect the voice transmitter to the scrambler
gpt
The voice transmitter doesn't have a link; it works through the voice module.
human
You look at sketches
gpt
Which do you mean, the drawing of a night sky, the seascape or the portrait of a young man?
human
You go southwest
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"And away you went." He considers. "You were searching the storage room for your lockpick, of course. I'm afraid I had it at the time. ...Although whoever left the pen lying out is due a reprimand. Sloppy, and you provided an excellent demonstration of why." His smile is, for the first time, self-satisfied. It's more frightening even than you expected -- but quickly gone.

"And you entered my office looking for... what? I'm sure it wasn't my artwork -- that's still there, and petty vandalism is beneath you in any case. What, then? Passcodes, keys, open drawers and indiscretions?"
human
You say nothing
gpt
"I'm not at all sorry to have disappointed you. I am good at my job, and I am careful, which is the same thought. If you could have caught me loose, caught me blind or far-eyed, you might have succeeded. You did not." And there is a brief silence.

"What am I to make of you? You are endlessly inventive in your lies, if less subtle than brazen; you flex like grass, sometimes stubborn as stone, sometimes easy with your answers. You have striven to keep this session calm, and I do not think it was out of fear of my anger. Your eyes never, never waver from mine."

He leans back in his own chair, bearing your gaze. "I have tried to treat you as an equal, a companion in our work. That is technique, of course; we both know that. But it is also sincere. And I think you have taken it in that faith. We are faces reflected in the mirror of our countries' border. I think you understand that." He nods.

"You do see that much. You may not be brilliant -- you make mistakes -- but you are determined. You hold that strength to what you believe, and in that you are not so different from me."

He shrugs, and offers a smile as honest as you have seen. "Well? Have I done well? It is my job to know everything about you, after all."
human
You say yes
gpt
He bows in place, both palms open. "I am delighted."

And then he reaches again for his controls. "But we are nearly done. You have only a few more seconds; and you have yet to show me what becomes of your mysterious cloth-wrapped package."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Diagonal Branch
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south.

You throw yourself to a halt, nearly stumbling, as you hear footsteps approaching from the northwest... and then the guards behind you become audible as well. You duck around the southern corner and glance about desperately.
human
You look
gpt
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south. You are backed into the southern branch.

The guards to the east are drawing closer.
human
Go south
gpt
You back down the corridor, as silently as you can.

The hallway ends in a blank white wall. A metal door stands closed to the west.

A discarded filing cabinet is standing by the wall. The drawers are closed.
human
Unwrap package
gpt
It's not yet time.

The door snaps open suddenly, and the uniformed figure of a guard begins to step through. "No, what's frustrating is that you can't tell us what's in that blood-cursed lab," he is saying, back over his shoulder.

Then he sees you. He fumbles for his pulse gun.
human
You stab the guard with pen
gpt
You feint, and then jab the pen into the guard's shoulder, as hard as you can. His reflexive counter hurls you into the wall.

But then he shivers, once, and slides to the ground, and remains there.

The door slides shut.
human
You search guard
gpt
You pat the body down quickly, but nothing is immediately apparent. And you don't have time for a more thorough search.
human
You look
gpt
The hallway ends in a blank white wall. A metal door stands closed to the west.

The guard is sprawled unconscious on the floor.

His gun lies near his limp hand.

A discarded filing cabinet is standing by the wall. The drawers are closed.
human
You get the gun
gpt
Taken.

The footsteps to the north are closer now.
human
You open the drawers
gpt
You yank on the drawers; two are locked, but one comes open with an internal clank. The drawer is empty.
human
You search drawer
gpt
The drawer is empty.

The footsteps to the north are closer now.
human
Go north
gpt
You make a break up the hallway -- only to come into view of two groups of guards, at once. Their pulse guns knock you sprawling before you can duck back.

*** You have been captured ***

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Well done." The man is applauding softly. "A heroic end to your shining tale; and in the large, an accurate one. But not precise. You fell into our hands without those fascinating tools you have been showing off all this time. And without the package, you understand, the one you found in my corridor ceiling. I am very curious to know what you did with those things."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Diagonal Branch
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south.

You throw yourself to a halt, nearly stumbling, as you hear footsteps approaching from the northwest... and then the guards behind you become audible as well. You duck around the southern corner and glance about desperately.
human
Go south
gpt
You back down the corridor, as silently as you can.

The hallway ends in a blank white wall. A metal door stands closed to the west.

A discarded filing cabinet is standing by the wall. The drawers are closed.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying nothing worthy of attention, except a toolcase (which is open) (in which are a scan scrambler (connected to a voice module), a key transmitter, a radio module, a minilamp, a timer, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, a blast tab and an acid pack), a wrapped package, a pen and a voice transmitter.

The door snaps open suddenly, and the uniformed figure of a guard begins to step through. "No, what's frustrating is that you can't tell us what's in that blood-cursed lab," he is saying, back over his shoulder.

Then he sees you. He fumbles for his pulse gun.
human
You stab the guard with pen
gpt
You feint, and then jab the pen into the guard's shoulder, as hard as you can. His reflexive counter hurls you into the wall.

But then he shivers, once, and slides to the ground, and remains there.

The door slides shut.
human
You put all in the drawer
gpt
toolcase: Done.
wrapped package: Done.
pen: Done.
voice transmitter: Done.
human
You close the drawer
gpt
You close the drawer.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

The footsteps to the north are closer now.
human
Go north
gpt
You make a break up the hallway -- only to come into view of two groups of guards, at once. Their pulse guns knock you sprawling before you can duck back.

*** You have been captured ***

-- glaring light...

[Hit any key.]
Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.

"Yes, yes, but you still have not bought the details. We were certainly not fools enough to ignore the broken cabinet drawer. You left nothing inside it."

...glaring light --

[Hit any key.]
Diagonal Branch
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south.

You throw yourself to a halt, nearly stumbling, as you hear footsteps approaching from the northwest... and then the guards behind you become audible as well. You duck around the southern corner and glance about desperately.
human
You listen
gpt
Footsteps are approaching.

The guards to the east are drawing closer.
human
You listen
gpt
Footsteps are still approaching.

The door snaps open suddenly, and the uniformed figure of a guard begins to step through. "No, what's frustrating is that you can't tell us what's in that blood-cursed lab," he is saying, back over his shoulder.

Then he sees you. He fumbles for his pulse gun.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The door snaps open suddenly, and the uniformed figure of a guard begins to step through. "No, what's frustrating is that you can't tell us what's in that blood-cursed lab," he is saying, back over his shoulder.

Then he sees you. He fumbles for his pulse gun.
human
You listen
gpt
Footsteps are still approaching.
human
You climb the cabinet
gpt
You get onto the filing cabinet.
human
You examine the wall
gpt
The walls are faced with tough white composite. They are smooth and blank, except for one ventilator grille near the ceiling.

The footsteps to the north are closer now.
human
You open the grille
gpt
You lever the grille open with your fingers.
human
You put all except the pen in the grille
gpt
voice transmitter: Done.
toolcase: Done.
wrapped package: Done.

The footsteps to the north are closer now.
human
You stand
gpt
You get down off the filing cabinet.
human
You get the gun
gpt
Taken.

"Hold you!" comes a shout from the north. You take a quick glance; several guards have come around the corner. Their narrow eyes take in the fallen shape at your feet, and they bring up their weapons.
human
Close grille
gpt
The ventilator grille is a bit beyond your reach.

The pulse-guns to the north begins crackling. You dive for cover behind the cabinet, but a bolt slaps into you before you are halfway there.

" he says to the air. "Get down to the hallway where our friend was captured--" There is a muffled interruption. "Yes, I know you have. You missed a leaf. Open up ventilation grille M-2 and search inside. There should be a number of microelectronic tools inside, and a small bundle wrapped in cloth. Report to me immediately." He flicks the connection closed.

The man spreads his hands apologetically. "I must look like a great fool," he says to you.
human
Yes
gpt
He chuckles. "Well, I can plead an excuse; we rebuilt our ventilation system from the ground up, less than half a year ago. It's fenced and webbed and wired so that a grain of sand couldn't sneak through -- but only at the external intakes and the junctions. We never thought to check for an object cached just inside a vent. We never thought it would be a danger."

He shrugs. "And it wasn't a danger, in fact, was it?"
human
You say no
gpt
"No. We got you; you didn't get into the lab, much less get out afterwards. You moved a package from one hiding place to another. I still can't see--"

A flashing light interrupts him. The man touches it, and nods. "I'll see soon. They're bringing it in."
human
You say no
gpt
The man absently waves you to silence.

A chime sounds. The man pounces on his controls, and then gestures impatiently towards the doorway.

A guard enters. She gives you only a brief professional glance. Approaching the desk, she lays out a handful of small items.

The man nods, dismissing her without a thought, and then stares. "This was all? Where's the package?"

"With'?" asks the guard, puzzled.

"Never mind. Go." His eyes are blazing on you as the guard slips out the doorway. "You. You have lied to me, and I am tired of it. I have had enough."
human
You say can i go now
gpt
There is no reply.

"You have not told me where the package really is."
human
You tell the man about the package
gpt
To simplify the problem of dialogue in interactive fiction, the "tell" and "ask" commands are not used in this game. Type "about" for details.
human
You say yes
gpt
"Curse that, curse you, and curse all your blood," says the man flatly. His finger stabs down.

A killing light slams you behind the eyes. Images fall through it, helplessly -- door, hall -- leap -- open door -- chair --

But the light doesn't let you go.
human
%
gpt
On the whole, it was worth the trip. The plains really were broad and grain-gold, if scarred with fences and agricultural crawlers. The mountains were overwhelming. And however much of the capital city is crusted with squat brick and faceless concrete hulks, there are still flashes of its historic charm. You've seen spires above the streets -- tiny green parks below tenements -- hidden jewels of fountains beyond walls. Any bland alley can conceal balconies wrought into iron
gardens, fiery mosaics, a tree or bed of flowers nurtured by who knows who.

This alley, however, is a total washout. It ends in flat bare dirty brick, and you've found nothing but a door which lacks even the courtesy of a handle. Maybe you should call it a day.

It's a narrow dead end here, with walls rising oppressively high in three directions. The alley is quite empty, bare even of trash. (Your guidebook warned you: the police are as efficient about litter laws as about everything else they do.) You can retreat to the south.

A plain metal door faces you to the east, near the alley's end. It's firmly shut.
human
You look
gpt
You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls. A scarred pedestal stands empty where the chair was; facing it is an instrument-covered desk. Otherwise the room is sterile. The bright hallway waits to the south.

The man is stretched on the floor, dazed and unmoving. The lines of
his face are merely age, now.

Scraps of metal lie around the pedestal, still visibly decaying.

Your legs are beginning to itch fiercely.
human
You go to the south
gpt
You step gingerly under the scan-web band. Silence. You recall, with some relief, that the man failed to turn it back on after the guard left.

This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and
south.
human
Go southwest
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.
human
Go south
gpt
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off
to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.
human
You go east
gpt
The corridor ends here, blank, with a single steel door on the north wall. The door is closed.

The itch in your legs is nearly unbearable.
human
You put the pick on the plate
gpt
The pick locks itself rigidly to the black plate by the door. Its status dot flashes to yellow.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

The door snaps open.

The itching is slowly fading.
human
You get the pick
gpt
The pick comes free with a faint magnetic snap.

The door begins to slide shut as soon as the pick loses its link.
human
Go north
gpt
You slide hastily through the closing door. This time, you are careful to keep a firm grip on your lockpick.

You have barely room to spread your arms; this tiny square chamber is lined with cables, pipes, wires, and junction nodes. The only exit is the closing door to the south, which has a small white pad beside it.

Resting on one of the larger junction nodes is a blast tab (connected to a radio module).

The door closes completely.
human
You examine the blast tab
gpt
It's a small purple cube, which contains enough stabilized gel to blow a foot-wide hole in approximately anything. There's a minus link on
one edge, which is connected to a radio module.
human
You examine the radio
gpt
It's a small purple box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other. The link is connected to a blast tab.
human
Inventory
gpt
You are carrying a lockpick, a pen, a toolcase (which is open but empty), a pushbutton, a toggle switch, a scan scrambler (connected to
a timer), a minilamp, a key transmitter and a voice transmitter.
human
Disconnect radio
gpt
You disconnect the blast tab, and take the radio module as it turns black again. The key transmitter turns black as well.

The itching is slowly fading.
human
You touch the white pad
gpt
Nothing happens. You stare at the door in some embarrassment; of
course it won't open without power.

You sit down calmly to wait. It isn't too long before the guards come with crowbars to investigate the problem.
human
Tangle
gpt
Enter saved game to load: Ok.
human
Go south
gpt
You step gingerly under the scan-web band. Silence. You recall, with some relief, that the man failed to turn it back on after the guard left.

This is the end of a short hallway, which runs southwest back to the main corridor. Three large doorways open to the north, east, and
south.

Your legs are beginning to itch fiercely.
human
Go southwest
gpt
The corridor runs north and south, like every other hallway in this place. A short hallway branches off to the northeast. To the west is a blank metal door, with attendant black plate beside it.
human
Go south
gpt
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off
to the north, and a closed metal door to the south. You can see that the east hall reaches a dead end a short distance away.
human
You put rod on the plate
gpt
The pick locks itself rigidly to the black plate by the door. Its status dot flashes to yellow.

The itch in your legs is nearly unbearable.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

The door snaps open.
human
Go north
gpt
You have barely room to spread your arms; this tiny square chamber is lined with cables, pipes, wires, and junction nodes. The only exit is the open door to the south, which has a small white pad beside it.

Resting on one of the larger junction nodes is a blast tab (connected to a radio module).

The itching is slowly fading.
human
Disconnect radio
gpt
You disconnect the blast tab, and take the radio module as it turns black again. The key transmitter turns black as well.
human
You attach the voice to the blast tab
gpt
The voice transmitter doesn't have a link; it works through the voice module.
human
You look at what you're carrying with you
gpt
You are carrying a radio module, a pen, a toolcase (which is open but empty), a pushbutton, a toggle switch, a scan scrambler (connected to
a timer), a minilamp, a key transmitter and a voice transmitter.
human
Go south
gpt
Dead End South (in dimness)
The corridor ends here, blank, with a single steel door on the north wall. The door is open.

The lockpick is clinging to the black plate by the door.
human
You get the rod
gpt
The pick comes free with a faint magnetic snap.
human
Go west
gpt
Tee Junction (in dimness)
The white corridor runs east to west here, with a branch leading off
to the north, and a closed metal door to the south.
human
You go to the west
gpt
Diagonal Branch (in dimness)
This bare stretch of hallway angles from the northwest to the east; another short hall leads south.
human
Go northwest
gpt
Corridor Boundary (in dimness)
The corridor angles here, and crosses a boundary of some sort as it does. A few strides down the southeast branch, a dotted red line crosses the floor. You can retreat from the boundary to the west.
human
You go west
gpt
White Junction (in dimness)
You are in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls.
The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by barely-illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
human
Go north
gpt
Corner At Doors (in dimness)
The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.

One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
human
You open the vent
gpt
You shift your weight to one hand and reach out -- almost... you swing yourself desperately, kicking. Your fingers brush the grille. You claw at it, a wild swipe -- and the grille flops open.

Inside, you can see your gun.
human
You get the gun
gpt
(with one hand, hanging by the other)
Taken.

You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
human
Go east
gpt
Corridor Boundary (in dimness)
The corridor angles here, and crosses a boundary of some sort as it does. A few strides down the southeast branch, a dotted red line crosses the floor. You can retreat from the boundary to the west.

You're about to run out of options -- the intersection to the
southeast is occupied. The guards there are not moving. They're watching in both directions, with their backs to a closed metal door. They don't seem to have seen you; you slide deeper into the shadows nonetheless.
human
You shoot the guards
gpt
(with the gun)
You smile in the darkness.

Two of the guards are unconscious in as many heartbeats. You shift
your gun, straining for a better target among the shadows, and fire again. A third figure jerks and collapses. Then pulses are raining up the corridor at you, and you flatten yourself into cover.
human
Go southeast
gpt
Sharp Corner (in dimness)
The corridor cuts around a sharp angle, from the northwest to the north. To the south, in the end wall, is the standard featureless
metal door; it is closed.

Three guards are standing in the angle, with three more motionless on the floor.

You hit the corner at a dead run. The remaining guards break and fall aside, trying to aim and roll for cover simultaneously.
human
Go north
gpt
Lab Junction (in dimness)
The white corridor runs south and east from here, with a wide branch curving northwest towards the laboratory.

You can see brighter light shining around the curve to the northwest.

You tear up the hall, chased by pulse-fire.

You freeze; there is movement up the corridor, to the south. It sounds like yet another group of guards, moving slowly but steadily in the darkness.
human
You go northwest
gpt
The hallway curves west until it reaches the black door.

The corridor from the east ends here, and a single door looms to the west. It's no larger than the doors you've seen elsewhere; but it somehow looks... heavy. Unyielding. Reinforcing struts cross the
door's face, and the surface is sheathed with some black coating.

The end of the hallway is still well-lit.

You spin around, ready for pursuit, but no one appears.
human
You put the rod on the plate
gpt
The pick locks itself rigidly to the black plate by the door. Its status dot flashes to yellow.

You hear a voice from around the curve: "Wait."
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

You hear a startled "What?" from the southeast.

The lockpick's status dot is sliding towards green.

Your legs still itch. Just a bit.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

Voices drift up the hall. "It's only one..." "...armed, took down nearly..." There appears to be some little debate.

The lockpick's status dot is sliding towards green.
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

"Look then, we'll get a pulse grenade, is that...?"

The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.

There is a hollow clunk somewhere. A moment later, the door swings towards you. The scent of ozone brushes through the doorway.
human
You get the rod
gpt
The pick comes free with a faint magnetic snap.

The door begins to swing shut as soon as the pick loses its link.

"Fine." "Fine then." "...Fine." Some of the guards sound a bit peeved.
human
Go west
gpt
You duck through the closing door, keeping the lockpick firmly in
hand.

There is no question what this place is. The room is high, brightly
lit -- this part of the building must have its own power supply -- and filled with arcane, half-built, and unlabelled machinery. The heavy door stands open to the east; there is a small white pad and an access panel beside it.

At the center of the chaos, and its focus, is a great silver platform which is wrapped in a glittering cage of scan-web. A control console stands next to it. Cables run out across the floor, from the platform to the console, from the console to the walls, and tangle around a low cabinet off to one side.

Much paper and clutter rests on a long wooden table against one wall. The table also supports a notably large black device. By the other
wall is a clear space ringed with red, with some sort of mat inside
it. A steel cube sits on the mat.

The door booms shut.
human
You open the panel
gpt
You pull the panel open, revealing a layer of subcircuitry.
human
You shoot the circuitry
gpt
(with the gun)
The layer of subcircuitry showers a corona of sparks. Blue light crackles along the subcircuit paths.
human
Tangle2
gpt
Enter saved game to store: Ok.
human
You examine table
gpt
There is a long wooden table against one wall. It is covered with astonishing piles of paper -- scraps, notes, diagrams, all spread unevenly around in varying stages of sortedness and immediacy.

At one end of the table is a notable black device.
human
You look at the papers
gpt
You quickly sort through the papers, as best you can from your
briefing lectures. In a few moments, you have piled up a single stack of the most critical diagrams, tables, formulae, and notes. Everything else is left scattered across the table in more disarray than when you started.

While sorting, you discovered a logic plate buried under a spread of scribbled diagrams.
human
You look at the plate
gpt
It's a logic plate like most, though fairly large -- wider than your two spread hands. Circuit paths are dimly visible inside the smoky resin, and the edges sparkle with link bands.

You hear voices outside. "Well?"
human
You get the papers
gpt
(the stack of important papers)
Taken.

"The lock circuitry is knotted," comes a mumble from outside the door. "...must have done something..."
human
You read the papers
gpt
(the stack of important papers)
You have no notion what any of it means, but it all matches the
profile you were given of material relevant to the work done here.

"We've got shock grenades. Should we blast?" There is a pause, and someone replies, "No, wait on that. Whatever's in the lab, the tech crowd will burst themselves if we fill it full of shrapnel."
human
You examine the device
gpt
The black device doesn't have the half-built, rigged quality of the other machinery nearby. It is curved, polished, and sleek. It has faired vents along the top. There is a round alcove in its front,
which contains a glass pot. The only control is a tiny black switch.
human
You get the pot
gpt
Taken.

A voice says, "Someone ask around for a gas cutter."
human
You examine the pot
gpt
It's a fat glass pot with a spout and a close-fitting lid, which
leaves the spout open. There is a wooden handle on one side. The pot
is empty; but the inside bottom surface seems to be crusted with some burnt substance.
human
Smell the pot
gpt
It smells faintly burnt.
human
You put the papers in the alcove
gpt
(the stack of important papers in the notable device)
You put the stack of important papers into the notable device.

"Got anywhere with the lock?" you hear. There is an irritated mutter
in reply.
human
You open the cabinet
gpt
Opened. The cabinet is stuffed with blocks of subcircuitry and nests
of ribbon-wiring. There is a gap at one point, however, as if a single logic plate had been removed.
human
You put the plate in the cabinet
gpt
You slide the logic plate into the gap in the cabinet.

The stack of important papers is yellowing with the heat.
human
Close cabinet
gpt
You close the cabinet.

"One of the techs thinks there's a cutter in South Storage," someone reports.

Smoke begins to curl from the stack of important papers.
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

A corner of the stack of important papers flares alight.
human
You get the papers
gpt
(the stack of important papers)
Taken.

The stack of important papers is burning brightly now.
human
You put all on the table
gpt
stack of important papers: Done.
glass pot: Done.
lockpick: Done.
gun: Done.
radio module: Done.
pen: Done.
toolcase: Done.
toggle switch: Done.
scan scrambler: Done.
minilamp: Done.
key transmitter: Done.
voice transmitter: Done.

"Right, bring that over here."

The stack of important papers has set one of the other papers on the table alight.
human
You examine the console
gpt
There is a free-standing console next to the cage, facing it, with a view off to the side of the padded mat. On the console are two
buttons, a grey oval of contact-pad substrate, a small rectangular display above the oval, and a readout strip. Hand-written labels are marked by each control.

The readout strip says, "Shut down for logic adjustment."

You hear a faint pop from the other side of the door. It is followed
by vicious swearing.

More of the papers on the table are burning now.

Half of the stack of important papers has burned away.
human
You examine the display
gpt
The display shows a complex waveform. Several different components slice across the rectangle, like a rainbow of mountain ranges. You haven't the least understanding of what they mean.

The flames on the table spread.
human
You open flap
gpt
You peel the flap of web away from its magnetic seals; it hangs open.
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

You catch, "...could be doing in there?" "Cursed if I know. They don't tell me what kind of toys they play with."

With a hiss, fire leaps to another pile of paper. Most of the papers
on the table are now aflame.

The stack of important papers is submerged in the greater fire.
human
You wait a while
gpt
Time passes.

"Got it!" you hear. The door does not move. "Or, perhaps not," the voice continues irritably.

The surface of the table is a sheet of fire, in-swept and pulled high in the center.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

The flames crackle.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Understand, it's been too long. Are there any explosives, things of that sort in there?" Someone farther away replies, "No, not that we've been told of."
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

The wall above the table is beginning to catch. You can feel heat shining on your skin.
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

You hear running footsteps outside. "Found another one!" Someone exhales in relief.
human
You wait a while
gpt
Time passes.

There is a tight hiss from outside. "There it runs," someone says.
human
You wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Keep it steady, understand. We only need a hole big enough to fire through."

The table itself is burning hotly now.
human
You enter the platform
gpt
You step through the open flap and onto the platform.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 4. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"Yes, he cursed has." The tone is dry and amused, but the familiar voice chills you. "What's the situation?"

Flames are crawling up the wall. Smoke is thick across the ceiling -- fortunately, high enough that you are still below it.
human
Close flap
gpt
You pull the flap back against its seals, closing yourself in the
cage.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 3."

"It's under control, with'," someone says calmly. "The target is trapped in the lab. We're bringing up a cutter."
human
You wait a while
gpt
Time passes.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 2."

There is a choking sound. "Trapped in the-- in--" In all the hours you spent in his chair, you never heard that voice lost for words.
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 1."

"There's only one entrance, with-commander. We're standing in front of it," the voice continues, a little nervously now. "The walls are armor plate underneath. The ventilation system is secure. We haven't been briefed on any explosive or cutting equipment in the lab inventory. There's simply nowhere to go."
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out around you, a sourceless glow that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

Beyond the light you see the door burst open, with a distant,
dreamlike roar. The lucent faces that crowd through seem to move in slow motion. Their guns are firing, but the pulses are frozen in
space. You can see their eyes slide across you, the cage around you, the light -- the flames that are devouring everything that you leave behind.

Then the world vanishes. Blackness slaps into you with a silent snap.
human
You open flap
gpt
You peel the flap of web away from its magnetic seals; it hangs open.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Unable to initiate: scan-web coverage not complete."

"Nowhere," the familiar voice begins, but someone interrupts: "The power is showing a dropoff, look at that."

"All right," the man continues after a moment. "All right. Blast the door down. Now, please."

Orders, apparently, are orders. There is a deafening roar; the door tears into flying shards of metal. A hail of pulse-gun fire follows
the blast in. You don't stand a moment's chance.
human
I just wanted to leave with the cool one-liner
gpt
Please give one of the answers above.
human
Tangle2
gpt
Enter saved game to load: Ok.
human
You shoot device
gpt
(with the gun)
The notable device showers a corona of sparks. Lacking a nervous system, however, it is unaffected by the pulse.
human
You shoot black device
gpt
(with the gun)
The notable device showers a corona of sparks. Lacking a nervous system, however, it is unaffected by the pulse.

You hear voices outside. "Well?"
human
Look around
gpt
There is no question what this place is. The room is high, brightly lit, and filled with arcane, half-built, and unlabelled machinery. The heavy door stands closed to the east; there is a small white pad and
an access panel beside it.

At the center of the chaos, and its focus, is a great silver platform which is wrapped in a glittering cage of scan-web. A control console stands next to it. Cables run out across the floor, from the platform to the console, from the console to the walls, and tangle around a low cabinet off to one side.

Much paper and clutter rests on a long wooden table against one wall. The table also supports a notably large black device. By the other
wall is a clear space ringed with red, with some sort of mat inside
it. A steel cube sits on the mat.
human
You look at the console
gpt
There is a free-standing console next to the cage, facing it, with a view off to the side of the padded mat. On the console are two
buttons, a grey oval of contact-pad substrate, a small rectangular display above the oval, and a readout strip. Hand-written labels are marked by each control.

The readout strip says, "Shut down for logic adjustment."

"The lock circuitry is knotted," comes a mumble from outside the door. "...must have done something..."
human
You open it
gpt
That's not something you can open.

"We've got shock grenades. Should we blast?" There is a pause, and someone replies, "No, wait on that. Whatever's in the lab, the tech crowd will burst themselves if we fill it full of shrapnel."
human
You look at the labels
gpt
Scribbled between the grey oval and the display is the phrase "Destination waveform." The upper button says "Ready," and the lower button is labelled "Light the fire."
human
You open the cabinet
gpt
Opened. The cabinet is stuffed with blocks of subcircuitry and nests
of ribbon-wiring. There is a gap at one point, however, as if a single logic plate had been removed.

A voice says, "Someone ask around for a gas cutter."
human
You shoot the cabinet
gpt
(with the gun)
A corona of sparks showers out of the cabinet. Blue light crackles along the subcircuit paths and across the ribbon wiring.
human
You look at the logic
gpt
(finding the logic plate under the papers)
It's a logic plate like most, though fairly large -- wider than your two spread hands. Circuit paths are dimly visible inside the smoky resin, and the edges sparkle with link bands.
human
You shoot logic
gpt
(with the gun)
A corona of sparks surrounds the logic plate. Blue light crackles
along the circuit paths.

"Got anywhere with the lock?" you hear. There is an irritated mutter
in reply.
human
You check your inventory
gpt
You are carrying a lockpick, your gun, a radio module, a pen, a toolcase (which is open but empty), a toggle switch, a scan scrambler (connected to a timer), a minilamp, a key transmitter and a voice transmitter.
human
Tangle2
gpt
Enter saved game to load: Ok.
human
Search table
gpt
You quickly sort through the papers, as best you can from your
briefing lectures. In a few moments, you have piled up a single stack of the most critical diagrams, tables, formulae, and notes. Everything else is left scattered across the table in more disarray than when you started.

While sorting, you discovered a logic plate buried under a spread of scribbled diagrams.
human
You get the papers
gpt
(the stack of important papers)
Taken.

You hear voices outside. "Well?"
human
You open the cabinet
gpt
Opened. The cabinet is stuffed with blocks of subcircuitry and nests
of ribbon-wiring. There is a gap at one point, however, as if a single logic plate had been removed.
human
You put the plate in the cabinet
gpt
You slide the logic plate into the gap in the cabinet.

"The lock circuitry is knotted," comes a mumble from outside the door. "...must have done something..."
human
Close cabinet
gpt
You close the cabinet.

"We've got shock grenades. Should we blast?" There is a pause, and someone replies, "No, wait on that. Whatever's in the lab, the tech crowd will burst themselves if we fill it full of shrapnel."
human
You look at the console
gpt
There is a free-standing console next to the cage, facing it, with a view off to the side of the padded mat. On the console are two
buttons, a grey oval of contact-pad substrate, a small rectangular display above the oval, and a readout strip. Hand-written labels are marked by each control.

The readout strip says, "Shut down for logic adjustment."
human
You look at the display
gpt
The display shows a complex waveform. Several different components slice across the rectangle, like a rainbow of mountain ranges. You haven't the least understanding of what they mean.
human
You put all except the papers on table
gpt
lockpick: Done.
gun: Done.
radio module: Done.
pen: Done.
toolcase: Done.
toggle switch: Done.
scan scrambler: Done.
minilamp: Done.
key transmitter: Done.
voice transmitter: Done.

"Got anywhere with the lock?" you hear. There is an irritated mutter
in reply.
human
You open flap
gpt
You peel the flap of web away from its magnetic seals; it hangs open.
human
You enter the platform
gpt
You step through the open flap and onto the platform.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 4. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"Yes, he cursed has." The tone is dry and amused, but the familiar voice chills you. "What's the situation?"
human
You read the papers
gpt
(the stack of important papers)
You have no notion what any of it means, but it all matches the
profile you were given of material relevant to the work done here.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 2."

There is a choking sound. "Trapped in the-- in--" In all the hours you spent in his chair, you never heard that voice lost for words.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out around you, a sourceless glow that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

Beyond the light you see the door burst open, with a distant,
dreamlike roar. The lucent faces that crowd through seem to move in slow motion. Their guns are firing, but the pulses are frozen in
space. You can see their eyes slide across you, the cage around you, the papers in your hand, the light.

Then the world vanishes. Blackness slaps into you with a silent snap.
human
You open the web
gpt
Which do you mean, the cage or the lockpick matrix disc?
human
Cage
gpt
You peel the flap of web away from its magnetic seals; it hangs open.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 2. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

There is a choking sound. "Trapped in the-- in--" In all the hours you spent in his chair, you never heard that voice lost for words.
human
You go outside
gpt
You step off of the platform.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 1. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"There's only one entrance, with-commander. We're standing in front of it," the voice continues, a little nervously now. "The walls are armor plate underneath. The ventilation system is secure. We haven't been briefed on any explosive or cutting equipment in the lab inventory. There's simply nowhere to go."
human
Cage
gpt
You push the flap back against its seals.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out of the scan-web cage, a sourceless glow
that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

...and vanishes with a silent snap.

You shake your head in slow wonder. Unfortunately, a moment later, the guards outside recall you to yourself. There is a deafening roar; the door tears into flying shards of metal. A hail of pulse-gun fire follows the blast in. You don't stand a moment's chance.
human
You open flap
gpt
You peel the flap of web away from its magnetic seals; it hangs open.
human
You drop the papers
gpt
(the stack of important papers)
Dropped.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 4. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"Yes, he cursed has." The tone is dry and amused, but the familiar voice chills you. "What's the situation?"
human
You enter the platform
gpt
You step through the open flap and onto the platform.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 3. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"It's under control, with'," someone says calmly. "The target is trapped in the lab. We're bringing up a cutter."
human
Close flap
gpt
You pull the flap back against its seals, closing yourself in the
cage.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 2."

There is a choking sound. "Trapped in the-- in--" In all the hours you spent in his chair, you never heard that voice lost for words.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out around you, a sourceless glow that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

Beyond the light you see the door burst open, with a distant,
dreamlike roar. The lucent faces that crowd through seem to move in slow motion. Their guns are firing, but the pulses are frozen in
space. You can see their eyes slide across you, the cage around you, the light.

Then the world vanishes. Blackness slaps into you with a silent snap.
human
You look at what you're carrying with you
gpt
You are carrying a lockpick, your gun, a radio module, a pen, a toolcase (which is open but empty), a toggle switch, a scan scrambler (connected to a timer), a minilamp, a key transmitter and a voice transmitter.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out around you, a sourceless glow that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

Beyond the light you see the door burst open, with a distant,
dreamlike roar. The lucent faces that crowd through seem to move in slow motion. Their guns are firing, but the pulses are frozen in
space. You can see their eyes slide across you, the cage around you, the light.

Then the world vanishes. Blackness slaps into you with a silent snap.
human
You put the papers on the platform
gpt
(the stack of important papers on the platform)
You put the stack of important papers into the cage.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 4. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"Yes, he cursed has." The tone is dry and amused, but the familiar voice chills you. "What's the situation?"
human
Close flap
gpt
You push the flap back against its seals.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 3."

"It's under control, with'," someone says calmly. "The target is trapped in the lab. We're bringing up a cutter."
human
You wait a while
gpt
Time passes.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 2."

There is a choking sound. "Trapped in the-- in--" In all the hours you spent in his chair, you never heard that voice lost for words.
human
You wait awhile
gpt
Time passes.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 1."

"There's only one entrance, with-commander. We're standing in front of it," the voice continues, a little nervously now. "The walls are armor plate underneath. The ventilation system is secure. We haven't been briefed on any explosive or cutting equipment in the lab inventory. There's simply nowhere to go."
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out of the scan-web cage, a sourceless glow
that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

...and vanishes with a silent snap. The stack of important papers vanishes as well, leaving the cage empty.

You shake your head in slow wonder. Unfortunately, a moment later, the guards outside recall you to yourself. There is a deafening roar; the door tears into flying shards of metal. A hail of pulse-gun fire follows the blast in. You don't stand a moment's chance.
human
You drop all
gpt
stack of important papers: Dropped.
lockpick: Dropped.
gun: Dropped.
radio module: Dropped.
pen: Dropped.
toolcase: Dropped.
toggle switch: Dropped.
scan scrambler: You drop the scan scrambler (and the timer connected
to it.)
minilamp: Dropped.
key transmitter: Dropped.
voice transmitter: Dropped.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 4. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"Yes, he cursed has." The tone is dry and amused, but the familiar voice chills you. "What's the situation?"
human
You enter the platform
gpt
You step through the open flap and onto the platform.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 3. Note: scan-web coverage not yet complete."

"It's under control, with'," someone says calmly. "The target is trapped in the lab. We're bringing up a cutter."
human
Close flap
gpt
You pull the flap back against its seals, closing yourself in the
cage.

The console readout blinks; it now says, "Accumulators charging: pulse in 2."

There is a choking sound. "Trapped in the-- in--" In all the hours you spent in his chair, you never heard that voice lost for words.
human
Wait
gpt
Time passes.

"Nowhere..." the familiar voice begins, and there is a terrible silence.

Then, "Blast it down," he says, very quietly. And screams, "BLAST IT!"

But a light is pouring out around you, a sourceless glow that seems to shine straight through solidity, as if metal and plastic were starlit ice. The light builds and builds...

Beyond the light you see the door burst open, with a distant,
dreamlike roar. The lucent faces that crowd through seem to move in slow motion. Their guns are firing, but the pulses are frozen in
space. You can see their eyes slide across you, the cage around you, the light.

Then the world vanishes. Blackness slaps into you with a silent snap.