You've never seen the sky so dark before. Even when you passed through the void between solar systems on the way here, you had the ship itself, an island of constant light and warmth. Now there's just...darkness. Not much to look at except a barren field of rocks, a black sky filled with tiny white pinpricks, a couple of dim moonlets--and the dashboard lights of the Planet Roller. It's gorgeous, in a harsh, alien sort of way. You could never see a sky like this back on Xylla, but this system only has one sun, and it's a pretty weak sun, too. What little light you're getting from the moons isn't even enough to keep your skin from crawling with a hungry feeling. You really need a new solar vest, a grown-up one like you've asked your mom for repeatedly, not that she ever pays attention. She's too focused on the project. And all your friends think it must be so cool to have an astroscientist for a mom. But who cares what they think? You're probably never going to see them again anyway. Chlorophyll A Sci-Fi Puzzle Adventure by Steph Cherrywell Release 1 / Serial number 150212 / Inform 7 build 6L02 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) The Backseat You're sitting in the backseat of a secondhand Planet Roller. Outside, the scenery of T-848 passes by in a half-seen blur of the upper halves of rock formations and occasional copses of withered saplings. Your mother is in the front seat, chattering away. >x me You look like a pretty average girl your age; maybe a little shorter and skinnier than usual, but not enough so that you stand out. You're in an awkward stage of metamorphosis where your skin is half covered with embarrassing blotches of bright green that make you look like you're still a little kid and half covered in stiff, sore patches where it's hardening into adult bark-plates that itch like crazy. Plus your leaves are coming in all different sizes, and growing so fast they get in your eyes. You're wearing an Acorn Junior Solar Vest that you're way too old for. "Not too long now!" your mother says. "Olobo station is right over this next ridge. I think. All these little canyons look alike." >x mom She's a lovely shade of jade green, with a cascade of lush foliage tumbling down her back. She looks really cool and professional in her yellow-black ObCorp uniform, too. "It's a shame about these trees, isn't it?" she continues. "Imagine how lovely it must have been when the orbital adjusters worked, everything green and growing, just like home. Once we get there, that's the first thing I'm going to fix." >x trees This used to be a lush young forest when T-848 was stabilized, but once this side drifted away from the sun, they withered in the dark and cold. Your mother gasps as the Planet Roller scrapes against the side of the canyon with an ugly jolt. "Scratch that, first thing I'm going to do is get all that junk off of the landing pad. I don't want to have to make this drive more than once." >x roller A shed-sized vehicle with thick, bouncy tires, it's used for overland planet transport. It's jostling you up and down so much your sap's going to start fizzing soon. "Listen, Zo... I know you're not happy to be here. I know it's tough where there's nobody your own age. But once the adjusters are back online and this side of the planet faces the sun again, all the farmers and workers and everybody can come back. There'll be lots of other kids. You just have to be a little patient. And in the meantime, you can explore the whole station on your own!" >talk to mom That's not a verb I recognise. >ask mom about station The safety restraints make it hard to do much except look around. The Planet Roller crests a ridge, and for a moment you see a glimpse of the station over the rocks, lying there like a big gray dead beetle that's curled up on its back. "There it is!" you mother cries, way too excited at the prospect of living in a dead bug. "Oops, there it goes. We'll see it again in a minute." >i You are carrying: an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn) Something on the dashboard begins chiming insistently. "That's odd. Why's our energy so low? I made sure we recharged at the ship..." The Roller slides to a halt, the lights in the cabin flickering and dying. Your mother jams her thumb down on the starter repeatedly, but nothing happens. "Okay. This is bad. Everything just...just went dead." Looking down at the dim lights on her uniform, she bites her lip. You can feel your own solar vest fading, and with it, the constant stream of energy you need to stay awake. Torpor threatens to swallow you. It would be so relaxing to just curl up on the seat and sink into the darkness... Stop! This isn't like torpor at home, where there are people to check up on you. If you drift off now, you'll be lying here forever! With numb fingers, you fumble at the restraints until you hear them pop open., and force yourself to your feet. Your mother is hopeless, in deep, deep torpor already. Adults run out of energy faster than kids, you remember, something about squares and cubes and...surfaces...and whatever! She's not going to wake up without the sun, and the sun's never going to come out on this side of the planet. Your only hope now is to get to the station. You stumble along the road on feet that feel like fifty-pound bags of ice. You fall two or three times, not really feeling it, but you get up and force yourself onward. Then, amazingly, you feel your fingers curling around a cold metal handle, and as you put your weight on it, you fall forward into the most delicious light you've ever tasted. The outer door slams shut behind you. Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >read plaque !!!WARNING!!! This facility has been deemed unsafe for Xyloid habitation and is currently operating in low power mode. USE EXTREME CAUTION when proceeding into facility. ACTIVE LIGHTING IS NON-NUTRITIVE -- RISK OF TORPOR! This facility has been equipped with a safety winch. In case of unplanned torpor, winch will deploy automatically. Please stand clear of prone or unconscious figures. Restoration of nutritive lighting requires keyword command "Lights on." Authorized users should SAY keyword within sunlock. >say lights on (to yourself) An unhappy chime sounds. "Voice print unauthorized for station controls," says a stern voice. "Please contact station administration, Bolo Buy licensed local business owners , or other authorized users for access." >look Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >i You are carrying: an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn) >x vest This is the same basic solar vest you've had since you were a kid. There are happy little acorns on it. The battery is completely dead, so it's useless as a means of keeping you warm and fed. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >s That would be incredibly dangerous! You could go into torpor out there, and that would be the end of you. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north. >x shutter It's closed tightly. It's unlikely you'll be able to get it open without getting the lights on in here. >n The bloom shutter is down and securely sealed. There's no way you're going to get this open without getting the lights on first. >e The bloom shutter is closed and sealed tightly. >w Lil' Sprouts It's too dark to see much in here, but you can at least tell that it's a toy store. Many of the toys have been activated by your presence, and are emitting little burbles and farts to get your attention. You can leave to the east by climbing back through the torn shutters. A Talkity Tota is nibbling at your legs with her squishy gums. >take all There are none at all available! >take tota You pick her up. >x tota A pudgy blob of molded cellulose in the shape of a newly-sprouted baby. The commercials say that you can "teach her to talk", but you used to have one when you were a little kid, and you know she's really nothing more than a doll-shaped audio recorder with a rudimentary AI. If you push the black button on her back and then say something, she'll record the sound. Push the white button to play it back. >w You can't go that way. Talkity Tota starts snoring gently. You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight. >e Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north. You feel sluggish. >s Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. You feel sluggish. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >say lights on (to Talkity Tota) An unhappy chime sounds. "Voice print unauthorized for station controls," says a stern voice. "Please contact station administration, Bolo Buy licensed local business owners , or other authorized users for access." >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >press white button Talkity Tota says "Goo goo ga ga!." >press white button Talkity Tota says "Goo goo ga ga!." >press black button Talkity Tota is primed to record the next words she hears. >say lights on (to Talkity Tota) Talkity Tota's audio player stops recording. Push the white button to hear what you recorded. >press white button Talkity Tota says "lights on." >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >press white button Talkity Tota says "lights on." >look Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >x window A small glass pane set into the bulkhead, almost as thick as it is wide. >x roller A shed-sized vehicle with thick, bouncy tires, it's used for overland planet transport. It's just visible near the top of the south ridge. You can't make out your mother from here, but she's got to be in there, slumped in the seat. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >x promenade You can't see any such thing. >x tiles They're slick, pale white rockwood, poured, shaped, and polished to a shine. You can see yourself! >x shop You can't see any such thing. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north. >w Lil' Sprouts It's too dark to see much in here, but you can at least tell that it's a toy store. Many of the toys have been activated by your presence, and are emitting little burbles and farts to get your attention. You can leave to the east by climbing back through the torn shutters. >e Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north. >s Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >w The bloom shutter is lowered and tightly sealed. >e You attempt to carefully duck under the shutter, but misjudge the height and whang your head. Ow. Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, the kind where you remember being plopped to play around with educational toys while your mother got her leaves trimmed. There are no toys in this dim, deserted shop, though. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror. You can see a deactivated styling unit here. The ceiling speaker crackles into life, and a twangy voice says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on." She emphasizes the last two words rather testily, as if to add "you little hooligan". >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. Talkity Tota shrieks. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >press black button Talkity Tota is primed to record the next words she hears. >e You carefully duck under the shutter and enter the shop. Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, the kind where you remember being plopped to play around with educational toys while your mother got her leaves trimmed. There are no toys in this dim, deserted shop, though. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror. You can see a deactivated styling unit here. The ceiling speaker crackles into life, and a twangy voice says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on." She emphasizes the last two words rather testily, as if to add "you little hooligan". Talkity Tota's audio player stops recording. Push the white button to hear what you recorded. >press white button Talkity Tota says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on." >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >press white button As Talkity Tota's recording finishes, you hear a pleased chime. "Welcome, MOLA SA." The darkness outside the inner window vanishes as the lights in the promenade flicker into life, and you hear the rumbling of the bloom shutters opening. It looks like you've succeeded in bringing sunshine back to this part of the station! >n Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >e "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?" Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters. You can see Tip Top here. >x tip She's shaped roughly like a rather plump young Xyloid, but is actually an artificial concoction of plastic and bio-cellulose garnished with hedge-trimmer hand attachments and topped with a sunny smile. You can ASK her about leafstyles, or about other things. >ask tip top about leafstyles "Ready for a new look? I can think of three styles that'll look great with your face shape, sugarcane. You can go buzzed, draped, or pop star. Just ask me about the one you're interested in and we'll get started." She winks. "Now, don't you be afraid to experiment! If it ends up shorter than you want it we can always fill it back in with some Luvlee-Gro That stuff's a miracle!" >ask tip top about station "Oh, I don't get out there much, what with being hooked into the ceiling here and all." >ask tip top about mola She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance. >ask tip top about mola sa "Oh, she owns the place, but she doesn't come in much. Actually, she doesn't come in ever." Tip Top frowns. "Actually actually, she's never even been to this planet, I don't think. I just do my thing and wire her the credits." Tip Top sharpens her trimming attachments. >ask tip top about shop She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance. >look Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters. You can see Tip Top here. >x tip She's shaped roughly like a rather plump young Xyloid, but is actually an artificial concoction of plastic and bio-cellulose garnished with hedge-trimmer hand attachments and topped with a sunny smile. You can ASK her about leafstyles, or about other things. Tip Top sharpens her trimming attachments. >x mirror You're a little worse for wear after your accident and all the time spent running around in the shadows. There's a smear of dried sap where you scraped your forehead and hunger blisters on your cheeks. Nothing serious or permanent, though. >e You can't go that way. >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >w Raindrops A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east. A glass bottle containing a lovingly sculpted bonsai planet is proudly displayed behind the counter. >x bottle A green display bottle made of unbreakable gamma-tempered glass. In the glass bottle is a bonsai planet. >take it As you pick it up, you notice that the mat it's sitting on is actually a waterstained Certificate of Authenticity. >x certificate There's some information about the planet in the bottle printed on it. >read it Congratulations on your purchase of ROMUNA, a stunning rainforest world rendered in microscopic scale by renowned artist Sheli Po. This limited edition bonsai planet (NO 1037 OF 9999) is a stunning conversation piece for your home or business and a great investment. ROMUNA is a full ecosystem with exquisitely crafted, display-quality genetic diversity, beautiful on its own or as a solar system with OLINAS and PARO (sold separately). >take it Taken. >look Raindrops A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east. >x taps There are five brands on tap -- Bolo Budget Blend, Summerfresh Spritz, Tropical Steam, Glacierways Premier Blend, and Mer de Luz. You can look more closely at them to see how many credits are charged per glass and other information. The taps aren't hard to operate, so you can drink any of them you care to try. >drink luz You take a healthy gulp. It slides down your throat like liquid sunlight. Wow! This stuff is amazing! Before you can take another, an angry chime sounds. "Unlawful consumption by minor detected!" the computer snaps as the tap is yanked rudely out of your mouth and retracted into the wall. "MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO has been issued 10 demerits. BARTENDER KOLLOSSA TRAL has been issued 15 demerits." Oops--you didn't mean to get some lady you don't know in trouble, too. Oh well. It was still worth it. >e Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >e "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?" Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters. You can see Tip Top here. >ask tip about kollossa tral She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance. >ask tip about toris zo She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance. >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >e Everything's One Credit This store sells a variety of cheaply-made stuff. There are thousands of stores just like it back home, with the same goods and exactly the same layout. Somehow that makes being in this one almost comforting. You can see a bin of discounted Polithoa merchandise (in which are a Battle Carapace, a Polithoa action figure and a coloring book) here. >x carapace A rough-looking carapace made out of imitation bark; according to the decals, Polithoa wrestles some kind of giant land-beast and makes a vest that looks just like this out of its hide. It looks tough if you kind of squint. >take it Taken. >x figure It's a little plasticrete statuette of Polithoa herself. The sculptor actually did a decent job; she has finely carved features and a nice paint job. >take it Taken. >x book Booooo-ring! These are for little kids. Talkity Tota yanks on your leaves. >read book It's full of bland descriptions of badly-drawn scenes that were probably better in the movie. >take it Taken. >look Everything's One Credit This store sells a variety of cheaply-made stuff. There are thousands of stores just like it back home, with the same goods and exactly the same layout. Somehow that makes being in this one almost comforting. You can see a bin of discounted Polithoa merchandise (empty) here. >w Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. >x xylosphere In its current unused state, it's a featureless white plane about a quarter-mile across. The specialists in the xyloforming lab use this artificial environment to test out potential ecosystems. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >x sphere The security sphere observes you coldly. It's made of solid, seamless-looking titanium and comes up to about your chin. You know they can unfold into something much more threatening when they're on the hunt for someone with enough demerits, though. >look Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >nw Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. Talkity Tota burps. >e The xylosphere is tightly sealed. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway North. >w Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, while the empty whiteness of the xylosphere ring is to the east. A sickly-looking garden of half-dead pufferpod trees wilts in the center. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. A single shriveled pufferpod droops low enough for you to grab it. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >x trees The trees are still alive, but badly wilted from lack of sunlight. Deflated pods dangle limply from the branches. You spot a small plaque affixed to the stone retaining wall. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >x plaque It describes the pufferpod plant, an unusual species which puffs itself up with air when exposed to sunlight and goes into a dormant, deflated state otherwise. Although it's non-sentient, the pufferpod is actually one of the closest living relatives of the xyloid. You don't blow up like a balloon when the sun hits you, though, thank goodess. You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight. >e Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. You feel sluggish. >se Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You feel sluggish. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. >ne Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >e Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation. >take guide Taken. >read it Thanks for purchasing the Worldscaper 7.0 Xyloforming System! Here's how to get it up and running in a flash! 1) Make sure the light switch is switched on. 2) Switch on the slurry pump. If nothing happens, ensure a fresh slurry tank has been placed in the tank housing. 3) Place a pattern sphere in the pattern input chamber. What's that? A pattern sphere is much like a standard infosphere, but it contains genetic samples representing a full planetary ecosystem. Once it's in, switch on the chamber and stand back! The chamber will seal automatically, so watch your fingers! Congratulations--now you're a xyloforming professional! >x switch An ordinary-looking plastic light switch. It's switched off. >turn switch on The room is flooded with warm, delicious light as the artificial sun in the xylosphere outside flickers on with a whoomph. The Central Ring is now awash in sunlight. >x tank A cylindrical alcove in the side of the workstation, the right size to hold a tank of slurry. >x workstation A shiny booth filled with controls for managing the environment within the xylosphere. You see an unassuming light switch, a slurry pump control and a pattern input chamber and a tank housing on the side. >look Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >e You can't go that way. >up Observation Lounge A comfortable lounge for the xyloformers to relax and observe their handiwork, overlooking the xylosphere floor far below. Close-range light blasts from the artificial sun, soaking into your skin and making you feel pleasantly satiated and a little loopy. There's a trashed drink machine here, leaking. You can go down from here via elevator chute. >x machine Something tore it off the wall, punched a hole into its innards, and then tossed it into the corner, where it lies in a puddle of leaking water. >take it That's not something you can pick up and carry around. >d Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >e You can't go that way. >w Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway North. >w The xylosphere is tightly sealed. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam. >read placard IMPORTANT -- STATION RULES -- VIOLATION IS A DEMERITABLE OFFENSE! 1. Do not attack or attempt to damage station personnel or property. 2. Maintenance vehicles are to be used only in designated maintenance areas. 3. Minors are to engage only in age-appropriate activities. 4. DO NOT REMOVE THIS PLACARD. >x tank The information stenciled on the side says it's actually a Motollo-Oris Rehabilitation Capsule, but you've always just known them as Trouble Tanks, the ones you supposedly get sent to if you really get in trouble. In the Trouble Tank is a solar beam. >x beam A sleek, shiny concoction of chrome and yellow plastic; the wielder can SHOOT a target to bathe it in harsh, low-grade sunlight. It's mostly used to clear nock out the dark areas where it builds up. >take beam The Trouble Tank isn't open. >open tank You look all around the outside, but don't see an opening or a latch or button or anything. Obviously there's got to be SOME way in, or they couldn't put people in here for bad behavior, but whatever it is, you can't find it. >look Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam. >take tank That's not something you can pick up and carry around. >x monitors You watch the monitors for a while.There's you, watching yourself watching yourself. You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight. >n Darkness It's completely dark here, but you can pick your way north or south if you're careful. The floor seems alternately bumpy and slick in patches, and the air has a thick, earthy smell. You feel sluggish. >s Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam. You feel sluggish. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >se Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >ne You can't go that way. Talkity Tota gums your arm. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. Talkity Tota squirms in your arms. >sw Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. Talkity Tota hits you in the chin. >w Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. A single ripe pufferpod dangles just above your head. >take pod Taken. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >x pod A knobbly green fruit about two feet across and filled with air. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >up "MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO parental authorization required for entry," says the computer, refusing to open the doors of the sorting chute. "Please contact STATION ADMINISTRATOR TORA LAR or present proper identification for access." >i You are carrying: a pufferpod a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity a glass bottle a bonsai planet Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn) >present certificate (to Talkity Tota) Talkity Tota is unimpressed. >look Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. >e Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Residential Courtyard. >e The xylosphere is tightly sealed. A security sphere rolls up from Residential Courtyard. >ne Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >nw You can't go that way. >se Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway North. >sw Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. >s Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >s Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >w Raindrops A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east. >x taps There are four brands on tap -- Bolo Budget Blend, Summerfresh Spritz, Tropical Steam, and Glacierways Premier Blend. The fifth tap has withdrawn permanently, but not before you got your taste. You can look more closely at them to see how many credits are charged per glass and other information. The taps aren't hard to operate, so you can drink any of them you care to try. >drink premier You take a long drink. You can almost taste the deadly-cold kiss of the raw water ore behind the smooth flavor. >drink steam You take several gulps of Tropical Steam. It tastes delicious, sweet and tangy, and reminds you of hot, bright afternoons with a cooler and a blanket, watching the three suns meet overhead. >drink budget You drink a few gulps. Well. That's Bolo Budget Blend, all right. >drink spritz You take a few gulps. It has a fruity, woody sort of taste. >look Raindrops A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east. >e Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >n Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. >n The xylosphere is tightly sealed. >ne Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >n Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind. Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >read plaque You can't see any such thing. >n Darkness It's completely dark here, but you can pick your way north or south if you're careful. The floor seems alternately bumpy and slick in patches, and the air has a thick, earthy smell. >n You carefully feel your way through the pitch darkness into an open space. Here, you can see a bit, as strips of softly glowing guide moss illuminate the silent hulks of powered-down vehicles. This appears to be the main parking hangar. And here, parked in the middle of the aisle at a drunken angle, is the Planet Roller. You run up to it, yanking open the door, but your mother is nowhere to be seen. Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. An identisphere lies abandoned in the dust near the Roller. You can also see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >take identisphere Taken. >x it You recognize this identification sphere as the one belonging to your mother. It's sticky with dried sap, which gives it an almost imperceptible glow. >x roller (the Tunnel Roller) It's a small, spherical maintenance vehicle used for riding from place to place in the station and making engine service calls. >enter roller (the Tunnel Roller) You plop down in the driver's seat and pull the door shut, creating an airtight seal. The driving controls don't seem too complicated, and after a little initial skidding in circles you manage to get them down pat, even if you do have a little trouble reaching the foot pedals. This thing even has a solar butt warmer to keep you from getting hungry while driving in the dark. Speaking of your butt, you just realized you were sitting on something. Upon picking it up, it turns out to be an operator's manual. You can read it if you need any help figuring out the rest of the controls. >take manual You can't pick that up from here, but if it's one of the station components the snagpoon was designed for, you might be able to SNAG it. >read it The manual describes in detail the controls of the Obscorp "Little Buddy" Tunnel Roller. You can SWITCH ON or SWITCH OFF the headlights (although the light is inedible), SNAG something to deploy a powerful, specialized snagpoon, UNSNAG something to release the snagpoon, and HONK to sound a high-decibel warning horn. The Tunnel Roller is airtight, all-terrain, nearly indestructible, and self-charging, so do what you want with it! >switch on headlights Pale, inedible light illuminates the area around the Tunnel Roller. >x planet roller A shed-sized vehicle with thick, bouncy tires, it's used for overland planet transport. It looks like something dragged it in here without worrying too much about damaging it; it's covered in dents and dust. There's nobody inside. >look Parking (in the Tunnel Roller) You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e The Tunnel Roller doesn't fit through the office door. >out You open the doors and step out into the hungry, gnawing dim. >e Darkness It's too dark to see in here. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter planet roller The front seat is dusty and the instrument panel is dead; there's not much you could do inside it. >enter roller (the Tunnel Roller) You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. Ah, that solar butt warmer feels good! >s Nock-Infested Hall (in the Tunnel Roller) This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. The walls are encrusted with nock barnacles which glisten in the light. >x nock Sleekly striated purple and black carapaces as big as your head, just translucent enough for you to see the thick liquid pulsing inside. It oozes from them in sticky ribbons, hardening to the consistency of solid epoxy on the walls. >s Central Security (in the Tunnel Roller) The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam. >snag beam The Trouble Tank isn't open. >s Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin. Ringway North (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. A warning light on the dashboard begins buzzing. "MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO, you are operating a maintenance vehicle in an undesignated area. You have been issued one station demerit. You will be issued further demerits if you fail to RETURN THIS VEHICLE TO THE MAINTENANCE AREA IMMEDIATELY." >honk "HWOOOOOOONK!" The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >s The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >se Ringway East (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway North. >snag sphere You can't see any such thing. >nw Ringway North (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >sw Ringway West (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Residential Courtyard. >w Residential Courtyard (in the Tunnel Roller) This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >e Ringway West (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway South. >se Ringway South (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >se The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >e The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >look Ringway South (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >sw The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >se The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. Talkity Tota burbles happily. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >snag sphere The security sphere observes you coldly. The snagpoon can't seem to get a good grip. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >s Bolo Buy Upper Promenade (in the Tunnel Roller) The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. Talkity Tota goes limp for a moment, then reboots. >s Bolo Buy Lower Promenade (in the Tunnel Roller) Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >s The Tunnel Roller won't fit into the sunlock. >e "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?" Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters. You can see Tip Top here. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. >x pod A knobbly green fruit about two feet across and filled with air. >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >w Raindrops A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east. >e Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >e "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?" Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters. You can see Tip Top here. >x roller You can't see any such thing. >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >n Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >se You can't go that way. >ne Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >e Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >w Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >sw Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. >w Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. >up Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. A bright blue gift box rests prominently on the table, placed to catch your eye. Your mother must have sent it ahead for the computer to place here. "For Zo" is written on it. >x computer It's synced to your mom's data, so the desktop is already cluttered with files. You can see Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file, a list of station issues, a personal financial log, and an encrypted file. >read files You can't see any such thing. >read personnel file Which do you mean, Tora Lar's personnel file or Toris Zo's personnel file? >tora It contains your mother's employment history; before her current job she was the head of a research team back on Xylla, and before that an assistant, and so on, all the way back through her first professional job as a science grunt and then to her first job ever, raking up trimming in a topiary salon. There's contact information for your aunts and grandma; too bad you're too far to call them for help here. >read personnel file Which do you mean, Tora Lar's personnel file or Toris Zo's personnel file? >toris It's all about you: your test scores, you vital statistics, your skills. It looks like your mom was actually starting to take you a little more seriously than she let on; this is the same information you'd put down for a professional. Then again, there's baby pictures in here too. Near the bottom is a note appended by the station computer. "INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR TORA LAR, we are sorry to report that your daughter MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO holds a current balance of 25 demerits for her poor behavior. As a reminder, anyone reaching 100 demerits will be automatically flagged for immediately disciplinary action. Thank you for your time." >look Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. A bright blue gift box rests prominently on the table, placed to catch your eye. Your mother must have sent it ahead for the computer to place here. "For Zo" is written on it. >take box Taken. >open it You lift the lid to reveal something dark and glittering and beautiful. It's a brand-new solar vest, and not just any solar vest--this is the Afterdark Pro Petite, probably the best one on the market. Definitely the best one in your size. It's fully charged and ready for use, too; as long as you're wearing this, you won't starve no matter how dark it gets. After all that talk about how your old vest was perfectly good, you can't believe she actually sprang for a slick professional model which seems to shimmer like liquid onyx before your eyes. >wear vest (after taking off the Acorn Junior Solar Vest) You put on the Acorn Junior Solar Vest. >wear afterdark (after taking off the Acorn Junior Solar Vest) (first taking the Afterdark Pro Petite) You put on the Afterdark Pro Petite. >x afterdark A top-of-the-line solar vest in sleek black with glowing green and gold highlights. Its forepanels give off a noticeable glow, and it holds enough charge to keep you fully fed and healthy for at least a week, even in total darkness. >x box A bright blue gift box. "For Zo" is written on it. >look Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. >x computer It's synced to your mom's data, so the desktop is already cluttered with files. You can see Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file, a list of station issues, a personal financial log, and an encrypted file. Talkity Tota yanks on your leaves. >x issues An automatically generated list of station mechanical failures. Talkity Tota starts snoring gently. >read issues 0111.9A - Logged blockage north tunnel. 0111.9C - Power interrupted to east engine. 0111.9C45 - East tunnel integrity failure. 0112.0B - Power interrupted to west engine. 0112.0B60 - West tunnel integrity failure. 112.0B65 - Fatal accident logged in west engine adjunct maintenance housing. 0112.7D - Damage to shutters in promenade area. 0114.4A10 - Derelict vehicle detected within station perimeter. >read financial log Recent major expenses include a charge from a premier solar vest designer and the cost of the tickets out here from Xylla. Also listed is a bill for 139 credits for station goods and services. >read bill You can't see any such thing. >read encrypted (first guessing the shockingly poor choice of password) It's a story your mother wrote set in the universe of the Stardredger series. She never lets you read anything she writes. This one is about two of the exotic males that Captain Jula encountered in separate adventures. In this story they're growing together, with their roots intertwined and their pollen constantly blowing on each other, which seems like it would be annoying. Captain Jula is not actually in the story. >look Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. >s You can't go that way. >d Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >i You are carrying: the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a pufferpod a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity a glass bottle a bonsai planet Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >find roller That's not a verb I recognise. >x dashboard You can't see any such thing. >e Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway South. >se Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >s Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >s Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade (in the Tunnel Roller) The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >n Ringway South (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >nw Ringway West (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >ne Ringway North (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway East. >se Ringway East (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >e Xyloforming Lab (in the Tunnel Roller) This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >w Ringway East (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >se The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >sw Ringway South (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >w The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >nw Ringway West (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. Talkity Tota squirms in your arms. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway North. >w Residential Courtyard (in the Tunnel Roller) This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >up The Tunnel Roller is too big for the sorting chute. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >out You open the doors and slide out. >up Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. >x my file You can't see any such thing. >x personnel file Which do you mean, Tora Lar's personnel file or Toris Zo's personnel file? >toris It's your personnel file. You're not really supposed to look at it yourself. >x toris personnel file It's your personnel file. You're not really supposed to look at it yourself. >x tora personnel file It's your mother's personnel file. It's full of private information that you definitely shouldn't read. >x encrypted Your mother has encrypted this file, probably using the same password she uses for everything, so it's not like you can't still read it. >read toris It's all about you: your test scores, you vital statistics, your skills. It looks like your mom was actually starting to take you a little more seriously than she let on; this is the same information you'd put down for a professional. Then again, there's baby pictures in here too. Near the bottom is a note appended by the station computer. "INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR TORA LAR, we are sorry to report that your daughter MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO holds a current balance of 37 demerits for her appalling behavior. As a reminder, anyone reaching 100 demerits will be automatically flagged for immediately disciplinary action. Thank you for your time." >s You can't go that way. >d Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >wait 50 turns I only understood you as far as wanting to wait. >wait 50 I only understood you as far as wanting to wait. >z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >up The Tunnel Roller is too big for the sorting chute. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >out You open the doors and slide out. Talkity Tota reaches up and grabs your nose. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >up Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. >read tora It contains your mother's employment history; before her current job she was the head of a research team back on Xylla, and before that an assistant, and so on, all the way back through her first professional job as a science grunt and then to her first job ever, raking up trimming in a topiary salon. There's contact information for your aunts and grandma; too bad you're too far to call them for help here. >x computer It's synced to your mom's data, so the desktop is already cluttered with files. You can see Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file, a list of station issues, a personal financial log, and an encrypted file. >read toris It's all about you: your test scores, you vital statistics, your skills. It looks like your mom was actually starting to take you a little more seriously than she let on; this is the same information you'd put down for a professional. Then again, there's baby pictures in here too. Near the bottom is a note appended by the station computer. "INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR TORA LAR, we are sorry to report that your daughter MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO holds a current balance of 56 demerits for her appalling behavior. As a reminder, anyone reaching 100 demerits will be automatically flagged for immediately disciplinary action. Thank you for your time." >d Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. A extremely sour chime with notes of sad zolohorn sounds. "MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO," announces the station computer coldly, "you have accrued an unacceptable level of station demerits. Please remain still and prepare for immediate rehabilitation." You hear a slithery metallic sound echoing from somewhere in the station. >z You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security octoid arrives from the east. A security octoid slithers into view, its body a roiling mass of metal tentacles and sensors. Several of the tentacles shoot out at high speed, wrapping themselves tightly around you. "DETAINMENT IN PROGRESS! DETAINMENT IN PROGRESS!" squeals the octoid as it drags you inexorably to the Trouble Tank in Central Security. One of the walls slides away, and the machine deposits you inside. The wall slips back into place behind you with a glassy squeak. Central Security (in the Trouble Tank) The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. In the Trouble Tank you can see a Sorry Pad and a solar beam. >take beam Taken. >x pad It's a little blue pad set into the floor. Push it when you're sorry for what you've done. >push pad You nudge the Sorry Pad with your foot. The glass wall of the Trouble Tank slides quietly open. >out You get out of the Trouble Tank. Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >n Nock-Infested Hall This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. The walls are encrusted with nock barnacles which glisten in the light. >shoot nock with beam I only understood you as far as wanting to shoot Nock barnacles. >x beam A sleek, shiny concoction of chrome and yellow plastic; the wielder can SHOOT a target to bathe it in harsh, low-grade sunlight. It's mostly used to clear nock out the dark areas where it builds up. >shoot nock You send a stream of harsh light over the barnacles. They squeal and burble saliva at you. The crust of nock appears to have softened and melted slighty, and furrowed scorch marks are visible where the light hit it. >g You pump more light into the barnacles, causing them to hiss and clatter. The nock is dissolving and sloughing away, giving you your first glimpse of the smooth walls underneath. >g You sign your name in the melting slop, a good amount of which is already gone. One more good blast should do it. >g You finish off the nock and the barnacles, sending them boiling away in a cloud of nasty-smelling steam. The walls of the hall are totally clear now. Congrats, junior janitorial cadet! >n Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >x calendar The calendar is covered in pictures of male Xyloids in full bloom. You haven't seen very many of them, since they're grown in special gardens where kids aren't allowed, but you've looked up enough pictures to know that someone messed with the colors on them to make the flowers look brighter, and that's way more pollen than they're supposed to have. They must have added it for some reason as a prop. Looking at the pictures for too long makes you sort of uncomfortable in a weird way. >take it It doesn't look like it's meant for kids. You'd better leave it where it is...unless, of course, you don't care about getting into trouble with the station. >look Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >x switchboard Three switches, marked West, North, and East, are arranged in a triangle. >x west (the west engine switch) It's marked "West Engine - Ro Highlands." It's currently off. >x north (the north engine switch) It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently off. >x east (the east engine switch) It's marked "East Engine - Lake Bin Galai." It's currently off. >turn on switches You can't see any such thing. >turn on north (the north engine switch) You click it up and down, but nothing seems to happen. >look Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >e You can't go that way. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >enter roller The front seat is dusty and the instrument panel is dead; there's not much you could do inside it. >s Non-Infested Hall This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. >s Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. >s Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. You can see a security sphere here. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >sw Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Residential Courtyard. >se Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. >ne Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >e Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >w Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway North. >ne You can't go that way. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >sw Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. A security sphere rolls up from Residential Courtyard. >w Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter tunnel roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >e Ringway West (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. >ne Ringway North (in the Tunnel Roller) This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. You can see a security sphere here. The warning light on the dashboard is buzzing. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >n Central Security (in the Tunnel Roller) The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. >n Non-Infested Hall (in the Tunnel Roller) This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. >n Parking (in the Tunnel Roller) You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >n Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. >x energy Which do you mean, the wall of energy or the energy bypasses? >energy Which do you mean, the wall of energy or the energy bypasses? >wall A faint purple haze and a light shimmer in the air indicate the presence of the wall, which covers the north tunnel completely. Behind it, you can see a pair of energy bypasses jammed into the tunnel walls. >x bypasses A pair of wicked-looking black spikes topped with antennas. You've never seen anything quite like them before, and they definitely don't look like Xylloid technology, but if you had to guess, you'd say that they were used to power the wall, probably by drawing on whatever energy isn't being used to drive the engines. >e East Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It seems to have been damaged and the sides are leaking badly. The Tunnel Roller's nav turbines churn ice-cold water, which rises to meet the roof as the tunnel lowers to the east. >e Submerged Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) The tunnel is completely filled with water here. It's strangely peaceful; just you in your cozy little cabin, the only sound the hum of the turbines. The tunnel rises to the west and descends to the east. >e All of a sudden, you're all out of tunnel. You emerge into the open water of the eastern lake, the remains of the tunnel walls scattered across the sandy bottom all around you. Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >x substation This substation acts as a vital link between the engine and the controls back at the station. Even though the tunnel around it has been destroyed, the substation itself appears to have survived with only cosmetic damage. Thick cables run from it in both directions. However, the fuse compartment has been torn open, and there's a gaping hole where the fuse should be. >look Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >n Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >ne Dragonweed Nest (in the Tunnel Roller) A protected cove surrounded by rocky outcroppings, overgrown with weeds and strewn with garbage. The water has a thick, oily look to it from all the leaking bits of machinery. The only way out is back to the southwest. A fierce-looking king dragonweed grows here with its tendrils wrapped tightly around a weed-covered fuse. >snag fuse The snagpoon shoots out and locks tight to the fuse. >sw The snagpoon goes taut and brings you up with an unpleasant jolt. The dragonweed is holding the fuse too tightly for you to pull it free. >shoot dragonweed You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. >out Just the thought of getting out and swimming around in that frigid water makes you shudder. Brr! >look Dragonweed Nest (in the Tunnel Roller) A protected cove surrounded by rocky outcroppings, overgrown with weeds and strewn with garbage. The water has a thick, oily look to it from all the leaking bits of machinery. The only way out is back to the southwest. A fierce-looking king dragonweed grows here with its tendrils wrapped tightly around a weed-covered fuse. >honk An earsplitting aquatic honk gurgles out the Tunnel Roller, bouncing back and forth against the rocks. The dragonweed quivers slightly. Somehow, you tell it's more aware of you now. Talkity Tota sings a tuneless little song. >sw The snagpoon goes taut and brings you up with an unpleasant jolt. The dragonweed is holding the fuse too tightly for you to pull it free. >turn on lights You can't see any such thing. >turn on headlights Pale, inedible light illuminates the area around the Tunnel Roller. >s Jagged, rocky outcroppings block any progress in that direction. >sw The snagpoon goes taut and brings you up with an unpleasant jolt. The dragonweed is holding the fuse too tightly for you to pull it free. >turn off headlights The pale headlights flicker and die. >sw The snagpoon goes taut and brings you up with an unpleasant jolt. The dragonweed is holding the fuse too tightly for you to pull it free. >read manual The manual describes in detail the controls of the Obscorp "Little Buddy" Tunnel Roller. You can SWITCH ON or SWITCH OFF the headlights (although the light is inedible), SNAG something to deploy a powerful, specialized snagpoon, UNSNAG something to release the snagpoon, and HONK to sound a high-decibel warning horn. The Tunnel Roller is airtight, all-terrain, nearly indestructible, and self-charging, so do what you want with it! >unsnag What do you want to unsnag? >fuse You release the weed-covered fuse. >snag dragonweed The snagpoon can't seem to get a good grip. >sw Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >s Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >s As you head south, the lake bottom drops off precipitously beneath you. Drop-Off (in the Tunnel Roller) You're suspended above a yawning abyss. The depths lie below you. Shallower waters lie to the north. >d Deep Lake (in the Tunnel Roller) You're near the bottom of the lake now; even with the light, it's hard to see very far. The rusted hulk of an ancient starship lies half-buried in the mud. >x starship It looks like something right out of a history book; instead of being spherical like a modern starship, it's shaped more like a big lumpy box. It's amazing to see it here, because you're pretty sure back when they built ships like this, T-848 and everything around it was completely uncharted territory. The ship is buried front-side-up at about a thirty-degree angle, and squashpods swim easily in and out through the open space where the front viewscreen used to be. If you go down from here, you'll drop right into it. >d You carefully guide the Tunnel Roller through the ruined viewscreen. Ancient Wreck (in the Tunnel Roller) There wasn't much extra space in these old ships, and there don't seem to be any living quarters to speak of, just two chairs for the pilots and several rows of passenger seats. It clearly wasn't built for comfort. Little scuttling things make their nests in what's left of the seating pads and nock barnacle clusters have crusted over everything. The ship is tilted at a disorienting angle, making you feel as if you're going to pitch forward and roll down the aisle. You can go back up to pilot the Tunnel Roller back to open water. You can see a vault cover here. >x vault cover This massive door is blocking access to the south end of the ship. It's covered in rust and nock and pitted from long exposure to the water. The handle is a standard type of the kind used for millenia, although it's a particularly heavy-looking specimen. >snag handle The snagpoon shoots out and snaps securely to the handle. >u The Tunnel Roller's motors visibly strain against the heavy door. Metal shifts and squeals, then finally gives way as you pull the cover free of its housing. The snagpoon controls jolt under your hands as the roller lurches against the current, yanking the cover out of the device's grasp and fracturing it. With the cover removed, the water in the ship is flooding the lower room, and you're pulled down with it like a piece of rotten fruit being sucked down the drain. The Vault (in the Tunnel Roller) A high security storage room recently flooded with water. The walls are white and featureless, with the exception of the circular opening in the north wall. You can see a cube of fool's flol here. >x cube A cube of shiny yellowish metal more than a meter on a side, with a convenient carrying hook molded into it for transport. It looks like the delicate and highly valuable compound flol, but there's no way such an unstable substance could have lasted so long, even sealed in a vault... which means it's probably fool's flol instead: a non-reactive basic element that's almost worthless. It's kind of sad to think that whoever was in the ship, they died for a cargo that was pretty much junk. It really does look like flol, though, enough to fool almost anyone. So you can't really blame them. >snag cube The snagpoon shoots out and locks tightly around the cube's carrying hook. >u You can't see anything worthwhile in that direction. >look The Vault (in the Tunnel Roller) A high security storage room recently flooded with water. The walls are white and featureless, with the exception of the circular opening in the north wall. >n Ancient Wreck (in the Tunnel Roller) There wasn't much extra space in these old ships, and there don't seem to be any living quarters to speak of, just two chairs for the pilots and several rows of passenger seats. It clearly wasn't built for comfort. Little scuttling things make their nests in what's left of the seating pads and nock barnacle clusters have crusted over everything. The ship is tilted at a disorienting angle, making you feel as if you're going to pitch forward and roll down the aisle. There's a gaping opening to the south leading to a flooded vault, and you can go back up to pilot the Tunnel Roller back to open water. >u Deep Lake (in the Tunnel Roller) You're near the bottom of the lake now; even with the light, it's hard to see very far. The rusted hulk of an ancient starship lies half-buried in the mud. >u Drop-Off (in the Tunnel Roller) You're suspended above a yawning abyss. The depths lie below you. Shallower waters lie to the north. >n Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >x cube A cube of shiny yellowish metal more than a meter on a side, with a convenient carrying hook molded into it for transport. It looks like the delicate and highly valuable compound flol, but there's no way such an unstable substance could have lasted so long, even sealed in a vault... which means it's probably fool's flol instead: a non-reactive basic element that's almost worthless. It's kind of sad to think that whoever was in the ship, they died for a cargo that was pretty much junk. It really does look like flol, though, enough to fool almost anyone. So you can't really blame them. >n Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >ne Dragonweed Nest (in the Tunnel Roller) A protected cove surrounded by rocky outcroppings, overgrown with weeds and strewn with garbage. The water has a thick, oily look to it from all the leaking bits of machinery. The only way out is back to the southwest. A fierce-looking king dragonweed grows here with its tendrils wrapped tightly around a weed-covered fuse. >honk "HWOOOOOOONK!" >x garbage It looks like a worthless pile of garbage, but since being worthless is what garbage does, you guess that means it's doing its job. >x machinery It looks like a worthless pile of garbage, but since being worthless is what garbage does, you guess that means it's doing its job. >s Jagged, rocky outcroppings block any progress in that direction. >sw Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >s Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >w Submerged Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) The tunnel is completely filled with water here. It's strangely peaceful; just you in your cozy little cabin, the only sound the hum of the turbines. The tunnel rises to the west and descends to the east. >w East Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It seems to have been damaged and the sides are leaking badly. The Tunnel Roller's nav turbines churn ice-cold water, which rises to meet the roof as the tunnel lowers to the east. >w Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. >out You open the doors and slide out. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >x cube A cube of shiny yellowish metal more than a meter on a side, with a convenient carrying hook molded into it for transport. It looks like the delicate and highly valuable compound flol, but there's no way such an unstable substance could have lasted so long, even sealed in a vault... which means it's probably fool's flol instead: a non-reactive basic element that's almost worthless. It's kind of sad to think that whoever was in the ship, they died for a cargo that was pretty much junk. It really does look like flol, though, enough to fool almost anyone. So you can't really blame them. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >w West Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all. >w Chasm Station Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the stationward side of a fifty-foot gap in the tunnel, where most of the structure has been sheared away, leaving what's left exposed to the open air. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues east from here, and you can see across the gap that it also continues west, disappearing into the side of a towering cliff. >unsnag cube You release the heavy cube. >snag beam (the solar beam) The snagpoon can't seem to get a good grip. >w The gap is far too wide to jump. >x beam (the solar beam) A sleek, shiny concoction of chrome and yellow plastic; the wielder can SHOOT a target to bathe it in harsh, low-grade sunlight. It's mostly used to clear nock out the dark areas where it builds up. >x support beam This narrow beam appears solid, but is too thin and slick to walk across, even if you could get up high enough. It was probably put up first and used to construct the rest of the tunnel. There are attachments along the beam which look like they were meant for construction machines to latch onto while putting it together. >snag support beam The snagpoon shoots out and attaches securely to the midpoint of the support beam. >w You steer the Tunnel Roller west and send it soaring into the open air and swinging like a pendulum over the chasm. As the west tunnel looms in front of you, you release the snagpoon, sailing neatly into the tunnel mouth and landing with a jolt. Chasm Highlands Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the highlands side of the wide gap in the tunnel. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues west from here, plunging into the side of a sheer cliff, and you can see across the gap that it also continues east to the main station. >w Ro Highlands Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) Deep within the mountains, the tunnel here is undistinguished except for a power substation set into the wall. The tunnel continues to the west and east. >x substation Set into the wall of the tunnel, this substation acts as a vital link between the engine and the controls back at the station. It seems to be missing a fuse. >w Heading west down the endless tunnel, you catch a glimpse of what looks like sunlight up ahead, and greenery, and...trees? As you approach, the illusion breaks, and you realize that what you're actually looking at is a huge mural, painted directly on the side of the west engine and depicting the lush forests of home. The Painted Forest (in the Tunnel Roller) The whole west wall of this open chamber is made up of the metal side of the engine, on which an elaborate forest mural has been painted. To the north, a small engineer's shack sticks out of the engine wall like a metal wart, hung with sunlanterns and surrounded by moss and weeds. There are words painted on the door in bright yellow paint. >read words BEWARE THE HERBIVORE >enter shack You can't see any such thing. >x shack You can't see any such thing. >w The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. >n The Tunnel Roller is too big to fit through the door. >exit You open the doors and slide out. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. >n Engineer's Shack The shack isn't much more than a small metal cube with a sleeping pot against one wall. The forest scene from outside continues here as the backdrop to a portrait. A battered book lies on the cot. You can see a slurry tank (closed) and a brand-new fuse here. >take fuse Taken. >take tank You hoist the heavy tank. Whoof! >x tank A heavy, cylindrical tank filled with thick, luminescent xyloslurry. >x fuse A brand-new power substation fuse. >x pot You can't see any such thing. >s The Painted Forest The whole west wall of this open chamber is made up of the metal side of the engine, on which an elaborate forest mural has been painted. To the north, a small engineer's shack sticks out of the engine wall like a metal wart, hung with sunlanterns and surrounded by moss and weeds. There are words painted on the door in bright yellow paint. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >exit roller I only understood you as far as wanting to exit. >exit You open the doors and slide out. Talkity Tota gums your arm. >look The Painted Forest The whole west wall of this open chamber is made up of the metal side of the engine, on which an elaborate forest mural has been painted. To the north, a small engineer's shack sticks out of the engine wall like a metal wart, hung with sunlanterns and surrounded by moss and weeds. There are words painted on the door in bright yellow paint. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >x substation You can't see any such thing. >e Ro Highlands Substation Deep within the mountains, the tunnel here is undistinguished except for a power substation set into the wall. The tunnel continues to the west and east. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >x substation Set into the wall of the tunnel, this substation acts as a vital link between the engine and the controls back at the station. It seems to be missing a fuse. >put fuse in substation It snaps neatly into position, and a blue strip on the side lights up. >w The Painted Forest The whole west wall of this open chamber is made up of the metal side of the engine, on which an elaborate forest mural has been painted. To the north, a small engineer's shack sticks out of the engine wall like a metal wart, hung with sunlanterns and surrounded by moss and weeds. There are words painted on the door in bright yellow paint. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >e Ro Highlands Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) Deep within the mountains, the tunnel here is undistinguished except for a power substation set into the wall. The tunnel continues to the west and east. >e Chasm Highlands Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the highlands side of the wide gap in the tunnel. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues west from here, plunging into the side of a sheer cliff, and you can see across the gap that it also continues east to the main station. >e The gap is far too wide to jump. >snag support The snagpoon shoots out and attaches securely to the midpoint of the support beam. >e You steer the Tunnel Roller east and send it soaring into the open air and swinging like a pendulum over the chasm. As the east tunnel looms in front of you, you release the snagpoon, sailing neatly into the tunnel mouth and landing with a jolt. Chasm Station Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the stationward side of a fifty-foot gap in the tunnel, where most of the structure has been sheared away, leaving what's left exposed to the open air. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues east from here, and you can see across the gap that it also continues west, disappearing into the side of a towering cliff. You can see a cube of fool's flol here. >snag cube The snagpoon shoots out and locks tightly around the cube's carrying hook. >e West Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all. >e Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. >out You open the doors and slide out. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >take cube Taken. >x cube A cube of shiny yellowish metal more than a meter on a side, with a convenient carrying hook molded into it for transport. It looks like the delicate and highly valuable compound flol, but there's no way such an unstable substance could have lasted so long, even sealed in a vault... which means it's probably fool's flol instead: a non-reactive basic element that's almost worthless. It's kind of sad to think that whoever was in the ship, they died for a cargo that was pretty much junk. It really does look like flol, though, enough to fool almost anyone. So you can't really blame them. >i You are carrying: a cube of fool's flol a slurry tank xyloslurry a solar beam the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a pufferpod a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity a glass bottle a bonsai planet Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest >s Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >press west (the west engine switch) Nothing obvious happens. >x west (the west engine switch) It's marked "West Engine - Ro Highlands." It's currently off. >press west (the west engine switch) Nothing obvious happens. >x west (the west engine switch) It's marked "West Engine - Ro Highlands." It's currently off. >turn west on (the west engine switch on) You hear a mellow hum from the west as the enormous engine begins the warmup process. >e You can't go that way. Talkity Tota burps. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >s Non-Infested Hall This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. >s Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. >s Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. You can see a security sphere here. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West. >se Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >e Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >x workstation A shiny booth filled with controls for managing the environment within the xylosphere. You see an unassuming light switch, a slurry pump control and a pattern input chamber and a tank housing on the side. >put tank in housing (the slurry tank in the tank housing) It snaps into the housing with a satisfying click. >put bonsai in chamber (first taking the bonsai planet) It's quite a bit bigger than the bottle's mouth. You can shake it near the neck, reach in, and stroke the fuzzy surface, but that's about it. >put bottle in chamber You put the glass bottle into the pattern input chamber. >read manual The manual describes in detail the controls of the Obscorp "Little Buddy" Tunnel Roller. You can SWITCH ON or SWITCH OFF the headlights (although the light is inedible), SNAG something to deploy a powerful, specialized snagpoon, UNSNAG something to release the snagpoon, and HONK to sound a high-decibel warning horn. The Tunnel Roller is airtight, all-terrain, nearly indestructible, and self-charging, so do what you want with it! Talkity Tota heats up and emits a grinding noise. >i You are carrying: a cube of fool's flol a solar beam the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a pufferpod a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest >read guide Thanks for purchasing the Worldscaper 7.0 Xyloforming System! Here's how to get it up and running in a flash! 1) Make sure the light switch is switched on. 2) Switch on the slurry pump. If nothing happens, ensure a fresh slurry tank has been placed in the tank housing. 3) Place a pattern sphere in the pattern input chamber. What's that? A pattern sphere is much like a standard infosphere, but it contains genetic samples representing a full planetary ecosystem. Once it's in, switch on the chamber and stand back! The chamber will seal automatically, so watch your fingers! Congratulations--now you're a xyloforming professional! >switch on pump The pumps turn on and thrum powerfully. The entire lab shakes as the slurry gurgles out of the tank and is forced into the Xylosphere; through the windows, you see it spraying from the walls, coating the entire chamber with glop. >switch on chamber A low-pitched chime sounds. "Pattern sphere not recognized. Please insert pattern sphere." >take bottle Taken. >x bottle A green display bottle made of unbreakable gamma-tempered glass. In the glass bottle is a bonsai planet. >hint That's not a verb I recognise. >e You can't go that way. >w Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >n You can't go that way. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway South. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway East. >n Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >u Control Tower Trunk You're about halfway up the tower; there's not much here besides a wide staircase which leads down to the security area and up to the top of the control tower. >u Control Tower Canopy A clear dome covers this room, open to the panorama of the darkened sky. You can see the station's maintenance wing stretched out to the north and the ringway and promenade to the south. To the west, north and east three hulking engines tower over the mountainous skyline. You can see a big yellow button here. >x button (the big yellow button) It's labeled "ORBITAL AUTOCORRECT". >press button (the big yellow button) A sour chime sounds. "Please make sure all engines are active before attempting orbital autocorrect." >d Control Tower Trunk You're about halfway up the tower; there's not much here besides a wide staircase which leads down to the security area and up to the top of the control tower. Talkity Tota sings a tuneless little song. >d Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. >n Non-Infested Hall This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. Talkity Tota reaches up and grabs your nose. >n Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >n Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. Talkity Tota hits you in the chin. >s Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >x north (the north engine switch) It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently on. >turn off north (the north engine switch) That's already off. >x north (the north engine switch) It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently on. >switch north off (the north engine switch off) That's already off. >x north (the north engine switch) It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently on. >switch north on (the north engine switch on) You click it up and down, but nothing seems to happen. >switch east on (the east engine switch on) You click it up and down, but nothing seems to happen. >x east (the east engine switch) It's marked "East Engine - Lake Bin Galai." It's currently off. >x north (the north engine switch) It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently on. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >n Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >n You push against the wall. It doesn't hurt to touch it, but it feels as solid as a regular wall. >x bypass You can't see any such thing. >x wall A faint purple haze and a light shimmer in the air indicate the presence of the wall, which covers the north tunnel completely. Behind it, you can see a pair of energy bypasses jammed into the tunnel walls. >x bypasses A pair of wicked-looking black spikes topped with antennas. You've never seen anything quite like them before, and they definitely don't look like Xylloid technology, but if you had to guess, you'd say that they were used to power the wall, probably by drawing on whatever energy isn't being used to drive the engines. >i You are carrying: a glass bottle a bonsai planet a cube of fool's flol a solar beam the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a pufferpod a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest >x carapace A rough-looking carapace made out of imitation bark; according to the decals, Polithoa wrestles some kind of giant land-beast and makes a vest that looks just like this out of its hide. It looks tough if you kind of squint. >drop pod Dropped. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >snag pod The snagpoon can't seem to get a good grip. >out You open the doors and slide out. >take pod Taken. >i You are carrying: a pufferpod a glass bottle a bonsai planet a cube of fool's flol a solar beam the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest >look Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. Talkity Tota heats up and emits a grinding noise. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >e East Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It seems to have been damaged and the sides are leaking badly. The Tunnel Roller's nav turbines churn ice-cold water, which rises to meet the roof as the tunnel lowers to the east. >e Submerged Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) The tunnel is completely filled with water here. It's strangely peaceful; just you in your cozy little cabin, the only sound the hum of the turbines. The tunnel rises to the west and descends to the east. >e Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >n Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >ne Dragonweed Nest (in the Tunnel Roller) A protected cove surrounded by rocky outcroppings, overgrown with weeds and strewn with garbage. The water has a thick, oily look to it from all the leaking bits of machinery. The only way out is back to the southwest. A fierce-looking king dragonweed grows here with its tendrils wrapped tightly around a weed-covered fuse. >x dragonweed This semi-intelligent collection of thick, burly vines feeds on geothermal energy and energy waste. Dragonweeds are renowned for their greedy habit of seizing on the most valuable thing in reach and refusing to let go (as this one is doing to the missing fuse), only to discard it when the next treasure comes along. Their nests are usually littered with junk, and this one is no exception. Talkity Tota sings a tuneless little song. >se Jagged, rocky outcroppings block any progress in that direction. >sw Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >w You can't see anything worthwhile in that direction. >s Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >w Submerged Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) The tunnel is completely filled with water here. It's strangely peaceful; just you in your cozy little cabin, the only sound the hum of the turbines. The tunnel rises to the west and descends to the east. >w East Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It seems to have been damaged and the sides are leaking badly. The Tunnel Roller's nav turbines churn ice-cold water, which rises to meet the roof as the tunnel lowers to the east. >w Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. >out You open the doors and slide out. >drop cube Dropped. >in You can't go that way. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >snag cube The snagpoon shoots out and locks tightly around the cube's carrying hook. >e East Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It seems to have been damaged and the sides are leaking badly. The Tunnel Roller's nav turbines churn ice-cold water, which rises to meet the roof as the tunnel lowers to the east. >e Submerged Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) The tunnel is completely filled with water here. It's strangely peaceful; just you in your cozy little cabin, the only sound the hum of the turbines. The tunnel rises to the west and descends to the east. >e Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >n Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >ne Dragonweed Nest (in the Tunnel Roller) A protected cove surrounded by rocky outcroppings, overgrown with weeds and strewn with garbage. The water has a thick, oily look to it from all the leaking bits of machinery. The only way out is back to the southwest. A fierce-looking king dragonweed grows here with its tendrils wrapped tightly around a weed-covered fuse. >unsnag cube As the cube drops from the snagpoon, the dragonweed tosses aside the weed-covered fuse and wraps its tendrils greedily around its new prize. >snag fuse The snagpoon shoots out and locks tight to the fuse. >s Jagged, rocky outcroppings block any progress in that direction. >sw Under the Ice (in the Tunnel Roller) The lake is shallow here, sandwiching you between the ice sheet and the sandy bottom, and you have to pilot carefully around large rocks. The substation and access pipe are south of here. To the northeast, there's a crevice just big enough to navigate the Tunnel Roller through. >s Lake Bin Galai Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) A thick sheet of ice forms a ceiling of white above your head; between that the vast, almost imperceptibly curved wall of metal to the east and the lake bottom below, you have the weirdest feeling of being indoors, even though you're in a lake. The tunnel opening is to the west, and it's also possible to cruise north or south. A damaged power substation is visible in the debris. >x substation This substation acts as a vital link between the engine and the controls back at the station. Even though the tunnel around it has been destroyed, the substation itself appears to have survived with only cosmetic damage. Thick cables run from it in both directions. However, the fuse compartment has been torn open, and there's a gaping hole where the fuse should be. >put fuse in substation You'll have to get out of the Tunnel Roller first. >out Just the thought of getting out and swimming around in that frigid water makes you shudder. Brr! >unsnag fuse You position the fuse over the fuse compartment and release it. It snaps magnetically into place, and a blue strip on the side lights up. >w Submerged Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) The tunnel is completely filled with water here. It's strangely peaceful; just you in your cozy little cabin, the only sound the hum of the turbines. The tunnel rises to the west and descends to the east. >w East Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It seems to have been damaged and the sides are leaking badly. The Tunnel Roller's nav turbines churn ice-cold water, which rises to meet the roof as the tunnel lowers to the east. >w Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering wall of energy. >out You open the doors and slide out. >s Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >x east (the east engine switch) It's marked "East Engine - Lake Bin Galai." It's currently off. >switch on east (the east engine switch) You hear a mellow hum from the east as the enormous engine begins the warmup process. It's followed by burst of static and a loud crack, coming from somewhere much closer. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >n Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >n North Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. >d The floor ahead is too uneven for the Tunnel Roller to negotiate. If you want to proceed, it looks like you're doing it on foot. >out You open the doors and slide out. >n You can't go that way. >d Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >n Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >d Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >ne Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >x unit A bulky rectangular walk-in used for keeping scientific samples and things like that cool. It's been ripped out of the wall, but it's still charged, and you can feel cool air pouring through the strips of plastic covering the door. >open unit It isn't something you can open. >x fire pit It appears to have been roughly scraped out of the ground. It's been used recently, and the smell of something vaguely unpleasant lingers in the air. >x lean-to It's a simple shelter, but it looks big enough to shelter at least a dozen people, or one really huge one. >enter it You're rather not; it's leaning a little too much. >look Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >sw Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >u Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >s Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >s You can't go that way. >u North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >x dirt You can't see any such thing. >x rocks You can't see any such thing. >look north You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >n You can't go that way. >s Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. >n North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >d Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. Talkity Tota yanks on your leaves. >n Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >x engine It's immense; all you can see is part of the underside, which forms the entire ceiling of the chamber. >x grasses Delicate, paper-thin wisps of crystal, created by the superheated blasts from the engine. >x floor You can't see any such thing. >n You can't go that way. >d Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >x slivers Delicate, paper-thin wisps of crystal, created by the superheated blasts from the engine. >n You can't go that way. >ne Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >x pit It appears to have been roughly scraped out of the ground. It's been used recently, and the smell of something vaguely unpleasant lingers in the air. >take unit That's not something you can pick up and carry around. >x door You can't see any such thing. >x unit A bulky rectangular walk-in used for keeping scientific samples and things like that cool. It's been ripped out of the wall, but it's still charged, and you can feel cool air pouring through the strips of plastic covering the door. >x plastic You can't see any such thing. >turn off unit It isn't something you can switch. >look Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >look in unit The cooling unit is empty. >se You can't go that way. >sw Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >u Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >s Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >u North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >s Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. >out You open the doors and slide out. >s Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >s Non-Infested Hall This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. >s Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. >s Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. >se Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >sw Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >nw Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. Talkity Tota soaks her diaper. >w Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. >u Quiet Apartment A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall. >read report You can't see any such thing. >x computer It's synced to your mom's data, so the desktop is already cluttered with files. You can see Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file, a list of station issues, a personal financial log, and an encrypted file. >read issues 0111.9A - Logged blockage north tunnel. 0111.9C - Power interrupted to east engine. 0111.9C45 - East tunnel integrity failure. 0112.0B - Power interrupted to west engine. 0112.0B60 - West tunnel integrity failure. 112.0B65 - Fatal accident logged in west engine adjunct maintenance housing. 0112.7D - Damage to shutters in promenade area. 0114.4A10 - Derelict vehicle detected within station perimeter. >read log Recent major expenses include a charge from a premier solar vest designer and the cost of the tickets out here from Xylla. Also listed is a bill for 139 credits for station goods and services. >break bottle You give the glass bottle a light smack. >x bottle A green display bottle made of unbreakable gamma-tempered glass. In the glass bottle is a bonsai planet. Talkity Tota flails around. >d Residential Courtyard This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, as artificial sunlight beats down on you from the xylosphere to the east. In the center of the courtyard grows a healthy copse of pufferpod trees. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >e Ringway West This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard. A security sphere rolls up from Residential Courtyard. >ask sphere about tunner The security sphere observes you coldly. It doesn't bother to answer. It's pretty limited. >s You can't go that way. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway South. >se Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >s Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >s Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >s Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the brightly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >n Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >s Sunlock This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the brightly lit station interior. You can see a warning plaque here. >s There's no reason to go stumbling around on the planet's surface in the cold and dark. >n Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >e "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?" Hedge Your Bets This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters. You can see Tip Top here. >ask tip top about north tunnel She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance. >ask tip top about accident She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance. >ask tip top about station "Oh, I don't get out there much, what with being hooked into the ceiling here and all." >read guide Thanks for purchasing the Worldscaper 7.0 Xyloforming System! Here's how to get it up and running in a flash! 1) Make sure the light switch is switched on. 2) Switch on the slurry pump. If nothing happens, ensure a fresh slurry tank has been placed in the tank housing. 3) Place a pattern sphere in the pattern input chamber. What's that? A pattern sphere is much like a standard infosphere, but it contains genetic samples representing a full planetary ecosystem. Once it's in, switch on the chamber and stand back! The chamber will seal automatically, so watch your fingers! Congratulations--now you're a xyloforming professional! >e You can't go that way. >w Bolo Buy Lower Promenade Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south. >n Bolo Buy Upper Promenade The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway. >n Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. >n The xylosphere is tightly sealed. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West. >ne Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. A security sphere rolls up from Ringway South. >e Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >u Observation Lounge A comfortable lounge for the xyloformers to relax and observe their handiwork, overlooking the xylosphere floor far below. Close-range light blasts from the artificial sun, soaking into your skin and making you feel pleasantly satiated and a little loopy. There's a trashed drink machine here, leaking. You can go down from here via elevator chute. >x machine Something tore it off the wall, punched a hole into its innards, and then tossed it into the corner, where it lies in a puddle of leaking water. >d Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >x workstation A shiny booth filled with controls for managing the environment within the xylosphere. You see an unassuming light switch, a slurry pump control and a pattern input chamber and a tank housing on the side. >put bottle in input chamber You put the glass bottle into the pattern input chamber. >read guide Thanks for purchasing the Worldscaper 7.0 Xyloforming System! Here's how to get it up and running in a flash! 1) Make sure the light switch is switched on. 2) Switch on the slurry pump. If nothing happens, ensure a fresh slurry tank has been placed in the tank housing. 3) Place a pattern sphere in the pattern input chamber. What's that? A pattern sphere is much like a standard infosphere, but it contains genetic samples representing a full planetary ecosystem. Once it's in, switch on the chamber and stand back! The chamber will seal automatically, so watch your fingers! Congratulations--now you're a xyloforming professional! >turn on chamber A low-pitched chime sounds. "Pattern sphere not recognized. Please insert pattern sphere." >x bottle A green display bottle made of unbreakable gamma-tempered glass. In the glass bottle is a bonsai planet. >i You are carrying: a pufferpod a solar beam the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest >take bottle Taken. >put pod in chamber You put the pufferpod into the pattern input chamber. >turn on chamber A low-pitched chime sounds. "Pattern sphere not recognized. Please insert pattern sphere." Talkity Tota gums your arm. >take pod Taken. >help Help systems currently offline. >hint That's not a verb I recognise. >about That's not a verb I recognise. >credits CHLOROPHYLL Written by Steph Cherrywell Playtesters: Sarah Adams Agouti-Rex Nick Gauthier Chandler Groover Hanon Ondricek Andrew Schultz Spaceflounder Matt Wiener >i You are carrying: a pufferpod a glass bottle a bonsai planet a solar beam the Afterdark Pro Petite (providing light and being worn) the gift box (open but empty) an operator's manual an identisphere a WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide a coloring book a Polithoa action figure a Battle Carapace a certificate of authenticity Talkity Tota an Acorn Junior Solar Vest >x pod A knobbly green fruit about two feet across and filled with air. >deflate pod That's not a verb I recognise. >n You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >w Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >x pod A knobbly green fruit about two feet across and filled with air. >put pod in bottle There's no way you're getting it through the neck of the bottle. Not when it's puffed up like this, at least. >sw Ringway South This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Sunlight pours through the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade. You can see a security sphere here. The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East. >x pod A knobbly green fruit about two feet across and filled with air. >se You can't go that way. >ne Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >e Xyloforming Lab This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. Bright sunlight pours through the windows and glass doors, shining off of polished metal and slick plastic. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway. >turn off light switch You turn off the sun. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >put pod in bottle The deflated pufferpod slips easily through the bottle's narrow neck. >turn on light switch You turn the sun back on. As the light hits it through the green glass, the pufferpod swells up inside the bottle, first cracking it, then shattering it into dust. The pufferpod and the bonsai planet drop to the ground. >take pod and planet pufferpod: Taken. bonsai planet: Taken. >put planet in chamber You put the bonsai planet into the pattern input chamber. >turn on chamber A pleasant chime sounds, and the chamber begins whirring. "Pattern sphere accepted" The whirring accelerates. The entire workstation is buzzing. Torrents of water spurt into the xylosphere, crashing against the glass and mixing with the slurry. "Genetic information processed. Upscaling life forms. Upscaling 5%. Upscaling 150%. Upscaling 20000%. Upscaling 100055005000%. Upscaling complete. Xyloforming initiated." The soggy slurry bubbles and swells. Newborn trees, limp and slimy, climb towards the sky. Bushes and ferns burst forth from around their bases as they solidify. Within minutes, a rainforest fills the central chamber. The pattern input chamber retracts fully into the workstation, and another chime sounds. "Xyloforming complete." A small fanfare plays. "Congratulations on a successful launch! As part of the ObsCorp Worker Satisfaction Program, please enjoy this complimentary low-quality light supplement." A small panel opens in the workstation and drops a solar pistol at your feet before snapping shut again. >x pistol A small pistol which dispenses harsh but mostly inedible low-grade artificial sunlight. You can SHOOT an object to bathe it in light. Talkity Tota hits you in the chin. >take it Taken. >n You can't go that way. >w Ringway East This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Sunlight pours through the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them. >nw Ringway North This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Sunlight pours through the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere. >n Central Security The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north. A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a Sorry Pad. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >n Non-Infested Hall This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. >n Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. Talkity Tota gums your arm. >n Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >n North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. >d Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >n Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >d Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >ne Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >shoot cooling unit A pale lance of sunlight plays over the cooling unit. Talkity Tota drools on you. >shoot blades A pale lance of sunlight plays over the grasses. >shoot fire pit A pale lance of sunlight plays over the fire pit. >shoot lean-to A pale lance of sunlight plays over the lean-to. >x lean-to It's a simple shelter, but it looks big enough to shelter at least a dozen people, or one really huge one. >ne You can't go that way. >nw You can't go that way. >se You can't go that way. >sw Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >s You can't go that way. >u Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >s Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >u North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. Talkity Tota shrieks. >shoot rocks You can't see any such thing. >s Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >s Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >x north switch It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently on. >n You can't go that way. >e You can't go that way. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >n Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >n North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. >s Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >x bypasses A pair of wicked-looking black spikes topped with antennas. You've never seen anything quite like them before, and they definitely don't look like Xylloid technology, but if you had to guess, you'd say that they were used to power the wall, probably by drawing on whatever energy isn't being used to drive the engines. >take bypasses They're driven deep into the wall, and are too smooth to get a grip on, anyway. >shoot bypasses A pale lance of sunlight plays over the energy bypasses. >enter tunnel roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >snag bypasses Their unusual design and smooth shape are completely incompatible with the snagpoon. >out You open the doors and slide out. >x bypasses A pair of wicked-looking black spikes topped with antennas. You've never seen anything quite like them before, and they definitely don't look like Xylloid technology, but if you had to guess, you'd say that they were used to power the wall, probably by drawing on whatever energy isn't being used to drive the engines. >s Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >e Engine Room This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard. You can see an engineer's calendar here. >x north switch It's marked "North Engine - Talaba Caverns." It's currently on. >turn north switch off That's already off. >turn north switch on You click it up and down, but nothing seems to happen. >e You can't go that way. >w Parking You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north. >n Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >n North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. >n You can't go that way. >d Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >n Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >n You can't go that way. >d Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >ne Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >x unit A bulky rectangular walk-in used for keeping scientific samples and things like that cool. It's been ripped out of the wall, but it's still charged, and you can feel cool air pouring through the strips of plastic covering the door. >x plastic You can't see any such thing. >x strips You can't see any such thing. >open unit It isn't something you can open. >look in unit The cooling unit is empty. >move unit It is fixed in place. >search unit The cooling unit is empty. >n You can't go that way. >sw Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >s You can't go that way. >u Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >s Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >u North Engine Access Tunnel A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. >s Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >w West Engine Access Tunnel This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all. >w Chasm Station Side You are on the stationward side of a fifty-foot gap in the tunnel, where most of the structure has been sheared away, leaving what's left exposed to the open air. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues east from here, and you can see across the gap that it also continues west, disappearing into the side of a towering cliff. >e.e. West Engine Access Tunnel This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all. Access Tunnels The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >w.w West Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all. Chasm Station Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the stationward side of a fifty-foot gap in the tunnel, where most of the structure has been sheared away, leaving what's left exposed to the open air. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues east from here, and you can see across the gap that it also continues west, disappearing into the side of a towering cliff. >snag support beam The snagpoon shoots out and attaches securely to the midpoint of the support beam. >w You steer the Tunnel Roller west and send it soaring into the open air and swinging like a pendulum over the chasm. As the west tunnel looms in front of you, you release the snagpoon, sailing neatly into the tunnel mouth and landing with a jolt. Chasm Highlands Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the highlands side of the wide gap in the tunnel. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues west from here, plunging into the side of a sheer cliff, and you can see across the gap that it also continues east to the main station. >w Ro Highlands Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) Deep within the mountains, the tunnel here is undistinguished except for a power substation set into the wall. The tunnel continues to the west and east. >w The Painted Forest (in the Tunnel Roller) The whole west wall of this open chamber is made up of the metal side of the engine, on which an elaborate forest mural has been painted. To the north, a small engineer's shack sticks out of the engine wall like a metal wart, hung with sunlanterns and surrounded by moss and weeds. There are words painted on the door in bright yellow paint. >out You open the doors and slide out. The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas. >x sunlanters Battered metal cages surround spherical bulbs that pour out a nourishing, if not exactly tasty, greenish-yellow light. >x moss Tough green moss grows around the edges of the pools of light. >x door You can't see any such thing. >read words BEWARE THE HERBIVORE >enter You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >out You open the doors and slide out. >n Engineer's Shack The shack isn't much more than a small metal cube with a sleeping pot against one wall. The forest scene from outside continues here as the backdrop to a portrait. A battered book lies on the cot. >read book (the coloring book) It's full of bland descriptions of badly-drawn scenes that were probably better in the movie. >x battered book It appears to be an old book of spacer legends and tall tales. >take it Taken. >read it You leaf through the book. There are a bunch of different entries, including ones for the wandering planet, the quintuple suns, and the deadly herbivore. You can read any of the individual entries to find out more. >read about wandering planet You can't see any such thing. >consult book about wandering planet Which do you mean, the battered book or the coloring book? >consult battered book about wandering planet You discover nothing of interest in the battered book. >read individual entries You can't see any such thing. >read wandering This story, really an entire genre of stories, tells of a small planet which wandered the sky. Depending on the story, it contains ruthless pirates, a paradise of supple males in eternal full bloom, riches, a fountain of youth, the remains of a pre-Xyloid civilization, or a kooky old woman who gives out wishes. Various Wandering Planet stories form the basis of the Ship of Earth fantasy books and the Missus Billibo cartoons, and the celestial body is the setting for the second game in the Skydredger series. >read quintuple This legend tells of a system with five large suns pouring out endless oceans of incomparably flavorful light. It is said that crews which find the system are unable to resist staying to sunbathe forever, glutting themselves until their tons of excess cellulose are more than their ships can hold. This tale actually predates the age of space travel, and originally referred to sailors in a far-off ocean; it possibly originated as a just-so story explaining where islands came from. >read herbivore These grisly tales tell of a legendary monster called the nockbeast, so-called because, like nock, it can live only in the darkness. Why this is isn't totally clear--some sources say it's a demon from the edge of space, others say that it was created by some long-vanished civilization which gave it a fatal weakness to harsh sunlight as a means of keeping it caged in the depths of their planet. The nockbeast is said to be a form of non-plant life with a unique means of feeding; it tears other lifeforms apart and stuffs them into its body through the mouth in order to break them down further. There are still occasional stories of nockbeasts around the edges of known space, but non-plant life, outside of a few single-celled organisms, remains purely theoretical. >look Engineer's Shack The shack isn't much more than a small metal cube with a sleeping pot against one wall. The forest scene from outside continues here as the backdrop to a portrait. >out But you aren't in anything at the moment. >x scene You can't see any such thing. >x portrait It shows a woman sitting by a slow-moving river. She's older, with streaks of brown in her leaves, but fit and muscular. One thick-trunked arm is decorated with a well-worn ornamental burn of the Obs Engineer Team Logo, the old one they changed twenty years ago. >s The Painted Forest The whole west wall of this open chamber is made up of the metal side of the engine, on which an elaborate forest mural has been painted. To the north, a small engineer's shack sticks out of the engine wall like a metal wart, hung with sunlanterns and surrounded by moss and weeds. There are words painted on the door in bright yellow paint. You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here. Talkity Tota burbles happily. >w You can't go that way. >enter roller You plop down in the driver's seat and slam the door. >x mural The forest has been heavily romanticized, showing strong, sturdy trees sparkling with moisture and bathed in the rosy golden glow of a triple noon. The painter was very talented. Just looking at it makes you feel homesick. >e Ro Highlands Substation (in the Tunnel Roller) Deep within the mountains, the tunnel here is undistinguished except for a power substation set into the wall. The tunnel continues to the west and east. >e Chasm Highlands Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the highlands side of the wide gap in the tunnel. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues west from here, plunging into the side of a sheer cliff, and you can see across the gap that it also continues east to the main station. >snag support The snagpoon shoots out and attaches securely to the midpoint of the support beam. >e You steer the Tunnel Roller east and send it soaring into the open air and swinging like a pendulum over the chasm. As the east tunnel looms in front of you, you release the snagpoon, sailing neatly into the tunnel mouth and landing with a jolt. Chasm Station Side (in the Tunnel Roller) You are on the stationward side of a fifty-foot gap in the tunnel, where most of the structure has been sheared away, leaving what's left exposed to the open air. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues east from here, and you can see across the gap that it also continues west, disappearing into the side of a towering cliff. >e West Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all. >e Access Tunnels (in the Tunnel Roller) The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The wall of energy that was blocking the way north appears to have been deactivated. >n North Engine Access Tunnel (in the Tunnel Roller) A long, dark north-south tube. The floor has been torn to pieces here, and a broad burrow plunges down into the rocky soil at a steep incline. To the north, the access tunnel is packed with excavated dirt and rocks, making progress impossible. >n The Tunnel Roller bounces harmlessly off the wall. >out You open the doors and slide out. The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter. >d Burrow A broad burrow, almost wide enough to drive the Planet Roller in some places. It's steep and uneven, and you have to walk carefully to keep from losing your footing on the loose dirt. It heads up sharply and descends more gently to the north. >n Talaba Caverns Overlook You're standing on a narrow ledge halfway up the side of an enormous cave, at least a mile across. Above is the underside of the north engine, and below, waves of crystalline grasses stretch glistening into the distance. You can pick your way down to the cavern floor, if you're careful. To the south, the tunnel burrows into the cave wall. >d Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. >n You can't go that way. >ne Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >x unit A bulky rectangular walk-in used for keeping scientific samples and things like that cool. It's been ripped out of the wall, but it's still charged, and you can feel cool air pouring through the strips of plastic covering the door. >x pod A limp, bumpy bladder that looked like a popped balloon. >look Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >sw Crystal Prairie Endless fields of crystal slivers stretch out all around you, as thin and delicate as blades of glass but as sharp as razors. The only safe way through seems to be a narrow path to the northeast. You can also scale the cavern wall to reach the makeshift tunnel. Talkity Tota squirms in your arms. >ne Makeshift Camp Somewhere in the middle of the prairie lies this bare patch of soil, home to a crude fire pit and huge lean-to. The bottom of the north engine hangs overhead like a storm cloud. The only path through the sharp crystal blades lies to the southwest. A heavily dented cooling unit lies at the edge of the camp. >x unit A bulky rectangular walk-in used for keeping scientific samples and things like that cool. It's been ripped out of the wall, but it's still charged, and you can feel cool air pouring through the strips of plastic covering the door. >look in unit The cooling unit is empty. >about That's not a verb I recognise. >credits