Transcript: Navigation:Navigation:nwnwnnnenewwaiteswswssseCommon commands:Common commands:enter cyberspaceexit cyberspaceexamine (x) ...look (l)open ...take ...talk to ...creditshelplink emphasis on/offmusic on/offskip to next trackundo last actionsaverestorestore transcriptOther commands:Other commands:attack ...break ...buy ...close ...cut ... with ...drink ...drop ...eat ...get on ...get off ...give ... to ...hit ...hug ...insert ... into ...jumplistenlock ... with ...pet ...play ...pull ...push ...push ... to (direction)put ... in ...put ... on ...rake ...read ...search ...show ... to ...smell ...switch on ...switch off ...take off ...throw ... at ...touch ...turn ...unlock ... with ...wear ...You are carrying a data stick, a red waste bag (open), inside which is a zub, a chip-card and some money (591.50z). You wake from a fitful sleep when your improvised alarm system goes off. Nobody comes to the top floors of this run-down apartment building without making an appointment with you. You glance at the CCTV display and see a group of armed men coming up the stairs. They look like they mean business. That must be the fallout of the botched Taylor job. You thought you'd destroyed all traces leading to you. Alright, no time to pack up, you'd better get going fast. Well, you knew this would happen sooner or later when you lead the life of a ... Shadow Operative An Interactive Cyberpunk Fiction by Michael Lauenstein Release 2 / Serial number 201007 / Inform 7 build 6M62 (I6/v6.33 lib 6/12N) Vorple version 3.2.3 Your Apartment This is your slightly shabby, but cozy apartment. To the north are the hallway and the main stairs. To the south, a separate stairwell leads up to the roof. A powerful hub sits in the corner. The CCTV display shows the men advancing slowly up the staircase, weapons at the ready. >x hub The hub is a computer which is connected to the net and enables your augmented brain to enter cyberspace through a wireless interface. You modded the hub heavily in order to leave as few traces of your activities as possible. >music Okay, the music is now turned off. >take it Unfortunately, it's a bit too unwieldy to dismantle it and take it with you. >s You don't want to leave your computing equipment in the hands of those guys. Not in an intact condition, at least. >break hub With feelings of regret and guilt towards your trusty equipment, you smash the hub to pieces. >s Roof A flat roof, riddled with vents. Taller houses surround you on all sides except the south, where the view opens onto the city: a vast sea of buildings, some of them awash in neon, some shrouded in shadow. At the northern end, a stairwell goes down to your apartment. An old hoverbike is here. >x city Drones zip across a night sky lit by a myriad of neon lights and holograms. Buildings sprawl as far as the eye can see, tall skyscrapers in orderly rows in the inner city, crumbling neo-brutalist concrete structures in a cluster further away, a jumble of houses piled upon one another in the slum quarters. >x hoverbike A Kawasaki Ninja XR bike. Nimble and fast. It looks like it hasn't been used in quite a while, but it's not falling apart yet. It probably belonged to one of the previous tenants in the building, or someone on the middle floors, who knows. >take it You cannot really carry it around with you, but you can try to ride it. >ride it You mount the hoverbike. >s You can't go anywhere, because the hoverbike is switched off at the moment. >switch on hoverbike The hoverbike coughs, then comes to life with a deep growl. It throbs expectantly. >s High Above the Streets (on the hoverbike) You are in mid-air above the street, which cuts a narrow valley running from north to south between the jumbles of buildings to either side. >s Junction (on the hoverbike) A street junction comes up ahead. In front of you a huge skyscraper blocks the way, the street continues east and west. >e You make a sharp turn and risk a look over your shoulder. You can't see your pursuers. Have you shaken them off already? Just as you feel the rush of triumph, your bike starts coughing and sputtering. Oh no, the tank's almost empty! Still going at breakneck speed, you barely manage to turn another corner south into a narrow side street. You crash through a billboard advertising 'SYN Cola'. SYN is supposed to speed you up, but now it thankfully slows you down. Just as you think you'll end up in a burning wreck, you see a huge dustbin lorry with an opening at the back. With a manoeuvre that takes all of your skill and a giant dose of dumb luck on top, you run the bike headlong into the opening and crash into a soft heap of rubbish bags. Dustbin Lorry This is the inside of the dustbin lorry. All manner of refuse, garbage, rubbish, trash is piled up around you. You stand knee-deep in a heap of rotting zubs. The stink is unbelievable. The broken hoverbike lies forlornly on its side. You can exit the lorry to the north. >x rubbish Rubbish in bags, loose refuse, everything that the city chewed on and spat out... it's here. >search it There doesn't seem to be anything worthwhile in the rubbish. >x zubs This species of big marine isopod was discovered several years ago. When it turned out that they were edible (more or less) and could be bred cheaply in large numbers, they became a staple food of the poor. >search it You'd rather not rummage around in the rotten zubs. >n You peel off the rubbish that's clinging to you and climb out of the lorry. Narrow Street A narrow, winding street with shops and food stalls. The junction with the tall skyscraper lies in a northerly direction. A small alleyway leads east. The dustbin lorry stands here, momentarily interrupted in its schedule by a person who recklessly flew a hoverbike into the open hatch at the back. A dustman, who has obviously witnessed your manoeuvre, stares at you in disbelief. "What the hell happened? Are you okay?" he asks you. 1) "I'm fine, thanks." 2) "I feel like a mangled zub." >2 ["I feel like a mangled zub."] "I'm gonna call an ambulance," he says. "And we should also call the police," he adds. 1) "Ah, no need for all that tedious paperwork, right?" 2) "Tell you what... how about we keep the cops out of this, and you keep the hoverbike? It's only got a few scratches and dents." >2 ["Tell you what... how about we keep the cops out of this, and you keep the hoverbike? It's only got a few scratches and dents."] He narrows his eyes, then smiles and shrugs. "Alright, whatever. Off with you." Narrow Street A narrow, winding street with shops and food stalls. The junction with the tall skyscraper lies in a northerly direction. A small alleyway leads east. The dustbin lorry stands here, momentarily interrupted in its schedule by a person who recklessly flew a hoverbike into the open hatch at the back. The dustman is still shaking his head. >x lorry A big, orange-grey lorry with an open hatch at the back. Sweepo corporation's newest model. >x dustman He's a tall man with a blonde full beard and a wool cap. >e Alleyway The small alleyway connects the narrow street in the west with a square in the east. Something feels familiar about the alley. Of course, you recognize it now! Ahead is Garden Square, where Suzanne lives. Hmm, maybe she can hide you for a few days. You've helped each other in the past, and she's one of your few friends in the city. >e Garden Square Garden Square is quite a misnomer. Maybe there was a public park here ages ago, but now it's only a small square of concrete. It is surrounded by old apartment buildings and a few shops. An alleyway winds west, Suzanne's apartment is due south, Hollerith Street leads east. >x buildings They're old and rather dilapidated, but somehow, they just stubbornly persisted through all the boom-and-bust cycles of the housing market. Or they were simply forgotten. >x shops Among them is, astonishingly, one of the few bookstores which still sell physical books. Suzanne probably gets her books from there. Unfortunately, you don't have the time nor leisure to browse through its shelves. >s You duck into the dark entrance of a neighbouring house and check carefully whether anyone is following or watching you. When it seems safe, you quickly sneak over and ring Suzanne's bell. The intercom says: "Yes?" You smile into the camera. "It's me." "Oh, hey, come up!" The opener buzzes and you enter the building. Suzanne's Apartment It looks as if she never really bothered to make this her home. Some makeshift furniture stands about, several bookshelves lean against the walls. The exit to Garden Square is to the north. A delicious smell of marble cake comes from the oven. Suzanne gives you a friendly hug. "Haven't seen you in a while! What have you been up to? Nothing illegal, I hope?" she says with a wink. 1) "No, no, no, of course not! Hey, you know me!" (joking) 2) "This time, I might be in over my head." >2 ["This time, I might be in over my head."] She nods and gives you a worried look. "And, umm, excuse me for saying so, but you do look a bit disarranged, and that smell... did you fall into a vat of zubs?" 1) "Yes, after riding a hoverbike straight inside a dustbin lorry." 2) "Well, it's a long story ..." >1 ["Yes, after riding a hoverbike straight inside a dustbin lorry."] "What?! I think you should tell me the whole story from the beginning. But you can take a shower first, if you want to, and grab a Syn from the fridge." You nod gratefully and freshen up, inwardly and outwardly. Then you tell her the story from the beginning, starting with the Taylor job and ending with your dumpster dive. "Phew! So, what's the plan now? You know you can always stay here for a couple of days." 1) "Thanks a lot! Yeah, that would be great, actually! But it might be dangerous." 2) "Thanks a lot, but no, I wouldn't want to impose on you. And it might be dangerous." >1 ["Thanks a lot! Yeah, that would be great, actually! But it might be dangerous."] You add, "Of course, I made sure that no one was following me here, but those guys will still be on the lookout for me." She nods and says, "Don't worry about that, we've been through worse, haven't we? Remember the Bielefeld incident?" "I say: you're staying here, and that's that." She grins, then hesitates. "Actually, you could do me a favour, too... I'm on to a story, and I think it's something big. I've done a bunch of research, but now I need someone to snoop out some of the really well-protected secrets." You nod. She's a good decker, but she can't engage in too much hacking, since she needs a clean record and has to keep up a respectable public persona for her work as a journalist. 1) "Sounds good, tell me more." 2) "I don't know if that's a good idea, considering how my last job turned out." >1 ["Sounds good, tell me more."] "Sure! You know the company Nakamura Shinkeigaku?" 1) "Yes, they're selling these fine leather jackets." 2) "Weren't they the guys with the space elevator project?" 3) "The hoverbike manufacturer?" 4) "The biotech firm?" 5) "No, can't say I've heard of them." >2 ["Weren't they the guys with the space elevator project?"] "No, that's Melon Husk." "Nakamura is doing a lot of neurological and pharmaceutical R & D. They hired complete working groups from several top universities to develop cures for brain diseases, and they seem to have achieved some significant, though intermediate, results for Alzheimer's and Donahue-Fernandez-Schneider disease. Several clinical trials are currently running in Phase I or II at their facility here." 1) "So far, so good?" >1 ["So far, so good?"] She nods. "Sure. But lately, I've heard through the grapevine that some trial subjects displayed strange behaviour. Nothing drastic, but some of the healthy subjects became prone to misremembering things, and for some, there seemed to be subtle personality changes. The wife of one of the participants contacted me and told me how her husband had recently asked her about their Seychelles vacation - but they'd never been there! When such incidents became more frequent, she really began to worry and reported it to Nakamura. They excluded the man from further trials and paid him a handsome sum on top of the normal payment for participation. I researched other patients' stories, and I'm convinced that there's something very fishy going on." 1) "Okay, so how could I help?" >1 ["Okay, so how could I help?"] "Not to put too fine a point on it, I need someone to hack into Nakamura's systems and bring me their data. From my investigations, I think they are absolutely impenetrable from outside, as they probably keep all the sensitive data in their intranet, without any connections to the worldwide net. So you need to physically infiltrate the Nakamura facility in the east side of the city and enter their intranet via one of the internal hubs." 1) "Piece of cake!" (sarcastic) >1 ["Piece of cake!" (sarcastic)] She grins. "Yeah, it sucks, I know. I can only say: I'm sure there's something shady about that company, and you'll do a good deed if you help uncover that. And, umm," she gives you a sly wink, "any other interesting or valuable data you'll find on the way would be yours to do with as you see fit." 1) "Okay, I'm persuaded. Any intel on their security? What are we up against? >1 ["Okay, I'm persuaded. Any intel on their security? What are we up against?] "So you're on board? Fantastic!" She smiles. "On the physical side, they have the usual security outfit. Scanners at the entrance, some sedate blue-shirt guards. But I've also heard rumours of guys with automatic weapons. On the cyberspace side, as far as I've been able to find out, they've got several Zuse intrusion countermeasure systems roaming their net." 1) "Zuse ice? Oh dear. I don't know if my wetware is up to that. I'll be detected the moment I jump into their net." 2) "I'll certainly need a password to enter their intranet, even if we leave the Zuse ice out of the equation for a moment." 3) "Any ideas on how to gain physical access to the facility?" >1 ["Zuse ice? Oh dear. I don't know if my wetware is up to that. I'll be detected the moment I jump into their net."] She looks worried. "Hmm, yes, you have a point." 1) "I guess I could get my cortex implants upgraded, I've been wanting to do that for a long time anyway." >1 ["I guess I could get my cortex implants upgraded, I've been wanting to do that for a long time anyway."] "Are you sure? I mean, that kind of surgery is not exactly a walk in the park." 1) "No worries, I've undergone it before, and I can take it again. I've had the feeling that I was getting slow recently... an upgrade was due anytime. Any chance of counting that as 'business expenses'?" >1 ["No worries, I've undergone it before, and I can take it again. I've had the feeling that I was getting slow recently... an upgrade was due anytime. Any chance of counting that as 'business expenses'?"] Suzanne grins. "I don't exactly have an expenses account with funds earmarked for illicit neurosurgery and shadow ops. But I've scraped together around 10000, if that helps." 1) "That'll surely help. Thanks a lot!" >1 ["That'll surely help. Thanks a lot!"] "You're welcome!" 1) "I'll certainly need a password to enter their intranet, even if we leave the Zuse ice out of the equation for a moment." 2) "Any ideas on how to gain physical access to the facility?" >1 ["I'll certainly need a password to enter their intranet, even if we leave the Zuse ice out of the equation for a moment."] "Yes. I've been doing research and background checks and found out something which could be very helpful: Timothy McClellan, who is a high-ranking security officer for Nakamura, spends most of his nights at the Pink Kitty Club. Maybe you can do some social engineering, pump him for information, I don't know." 1) "Any ideas on how to gain physical access to the facility?" >1 ["Any ideas on how to gain physical access to the facility?"] "Perhaps some good old breaking and entering will do the trick, but I should guess they've installed decent sensor tech which would make that really difficult. Maybe a different, more elegant approach is the order of the day." She tucks a lock of dark hair behind her ear and continues. "You could pretend to sign up as a participant in a study! I know what they're looking for, I can arrange an appointment with them for you. Or rather, for you under one of your fake IDs, of course." 1) "Good idea! You're sure that will get me in?" 2) "Wait, I'm supposed to become a guinea pig? I don't like the sound of that." >1 ["Good idea! You're sure that will get me in?"] "I think so." "A guy called Hartmann sits in an office and registers new trial subjects. You don't need to go near any labs. The idea is that we get you access to the outer layer, so to speak. Just so you're in the office building without raising all kind of alarms. And then, find a hub and connect to their intranet." 1) "Alright, so I'll take a look at this McClellan guy, and I'll try to get an upgrade to my hacking skills to deal with the ICE." >1 ["Alright, so I'll take a look at this McClellan guy, and I'll try to get an upgrade to my hacking skills to deal with the ICE."] "Sounds like a plan! And I'll arrange an appointment with Hartmann for you." 1) "Okay, I'll be off then." >1 ["Okay, I'll be off then."] She hugs you again. "Good luck! Take care of yourself!" Suzanne's Apartment It looks as if she never really bothered to make this her home. Some makeshift furniture stands about, several bookshelves lean against the walls. The exit to Garden Square is to the north. A delicious smell of marble cake comes from the oven. Suzanne is absorbed in her work. >x furniture She has never felt the need to upgrade the place to a more permanent residence. >x bookshelves Suzanne might be one of the few persons in this city who actually keeps physical books around. There is an odd assortment of fantasy & sci-fi novels, some classics, some reference works. >search it You find nothing of interest. >search bookshelves You find nothing of interest. >x cake It smells delicious already, but it looks as if it needs another 10 or 20 minutes to rise. >x oven In the oven is a marble cake. >open it Suzanne looks up. "Please leave that on, it still needs another 15 minutes or so." >n Garden Square Garden Square is quite a misnomer. Maybe there was a public park here ages ago, but now it's only a small square of concrete. It is surrounded by old apartment buildings and a few shops. An alleyway winds west, Suzanne's apartment is due south, Hollerith Street leads east. >x buildings They're old and rather dilapidated, but somehow, they just stubbornly persisted through all the boom-and-bust cycles of the housing market. Or they were simply forgotten. >x shope You can't see any such thing. >x shops Among them is, astonishingly, one of the few bookstores which still sell physical books. Suzanne probably gets her books from there. Unfortunately, you don't have the time nor leisure to browse through its shelves. >e Hollerith Street Bright neon signs promote the Pink Kitty Club on the northern side, while signs to the south advertise 'Robotic Limb Replacement' and 'Digital Implants'. To the east lie several big industrial areas, and that's also where Nakamura has its local branch office. The street also leads to Garden Square in the west. >n Pink Kitty Club The darkness in the club is punctuated by neon lights and illuminated glass tables. Some guests and male and female companions enjoy themselves, or pretend to. A curtained-off passage leads east, while the exit to Hollerith Street is south. A robotic barkeeper works behind the bar, mixing drinks and keeping an eye on the guests. Above the bar, a menu lists the available drinks. >x guests Talking, drinking, flirting with the companions, enjoying the atmosphere and the music. McClellan doesn't seem to be here. >x companions Handsome guys and pretty girls in many shapes and sizes, and some pleasure time bots. >x barkeeper It is busy mixing drinks, and while it might seem to lend a sympathetic ear to the worries of its customers, it really is just programmed to reel off a routine of comforting phrases. >x bar Behind the bar, an impressive array of bottles promises ecstasy, or at least a good buzz. Whether it's worth the hangover remains one of life's eternal questions. >x menu You read through the offerings. You could buy: SYN Cola: SYN Cola, highly caffeinated, no alcohol. 3.50z. Aquavit: A strong spirit from Scandinavia. 8.00z. Soylent Green cocktail: An intensely green cocktail. Algae, kiwifruit, corn schnapps, mystery ingredient. 20.00z. >talk to barkeeper It points at the menu and says, "Welcome! Would you like a drink? You can buy Aquavit, for example." >e Backroom This room is divided into several private booths, where people can have fun in various manners. A powerful hub provides the necessary bandwidth and computing power for immersive cybertrips. The club's main floor is west. Among the guests is a heavy-set man in his forties with dark brown hair and a full beard, whom you immediately recognize as Timothy McClellan from a photo which Suzanne showed you. He is reclining on a heap of cushions and seems in deep trance, obviously on a cyberspace trip. Stella, one of the female companions working for the club, has apparently joined him in a shared scenario. Several customers are enjoying cyberspace entertainment with their minds, their bodies lying inert on comfortable mattresses. >x booths Some are closed off, and it is anyone's guess what's going on in there. >x hub It's a top-of-the-line model, easily capable of running and distributing several scenarios at once. You wonder what kind of data the club's proprietors might secretly record (of course, they pledge absolute discretion). >x stella She is probably in her mid-forties and has long dark hair, parted to one side. >x customers They are completely absorbed in the virtual world. >save Ok. WARNING: Unfortunately, there have been reports that restoring a saved game in the online version can cause the browser tab to become unresponsive for a while. Some users reported that the restore succeeded after a moment, but for others it took very long or did not succeed. I am working on tracking down the causes of the problem in order to fix it, but at the moment I can only recommend the following: - If possible, try to play the game in one sitting. It should always remain winnable, so you do not need a saved game except if you want to interrupt the session and continue later. (In that case, you could also turn off the music and leave the game open in a browser tab, then come back to it later.) - Store a transcript from time to time, so that in the worst case, if restoring a saved game fails, you can quickly retrace your steps by starting anew and following the transcript. I apologise very much for the inconvenience! >talk to stella She is deeply absorbed in cyberspace. You think it wiser not to disturb her. >talk to timothy He is deeply absorbed in cyberspace. You think it wiser not to disturb him. >x timothy McClellan is a heavy-set man in his forties with dark brown hair and a full beard. He's wearing a suit and a red tie. >search timothy When no one is looking, you briefly search the suit, but find nothing of interest. >search stella You don't think that she has anything which could help you with your mission. >w Pink Kitty Club The darkness in the club is punctuated by neon lights and illuminated glass tables. Some guests and male and female companions enjoy themselves, or pretend to. A curtained-off passage leads east, while the exit to Hollerith Street is south. A robotic barkeeper works behind the bar, mixing drinks and keeping an eye on the guests. Above the bar, a menu lists the available drinks. >s Hollerith Street Bright neon signs promote the Pink Kitty Club on the northern side, while signs to the south advertise 'Robotic Limb Replacement' and 'Digital Implants'. To the east lie several big industrial areas, and that's also where Nakamura has its local branch office. The street also leads to Garden Square in the west. >s Doc Holliday's Surgery & Augmentations In his quaint little corner shop, Doc Holliday sells all manner of implants and augmentations, and he installs them on the spot. To the north, you can get back to the street. As you come in, Doc Holliday is soldering something to a circuit board. He looks up and nods in greeting. >x doc He is a lean, middle-aged man with a keen eye for new technology. Word on the streets is that he implanted his augmented right eye himself, in front of a mirror. >talk to doc He smiles. "How are you? Implants working well?" 1) "I'm fine, thanks. And you?" >1 ["I'm fine, thanks. And you?"] "You know what they say: bad weeds grow tall. I'm fine," he says, with a cough that belies him. Sometimes you think he spends too much time in his workshop, inhaling glues and fumes that would overexert even a robotic lung. "What can I do for you?" he asks. 1) "So, what's cooking?" 2) "Any exciting new gadgets in store?" 3) "Okay, I'll be off. See you!" >1 ["So, what's cooking?"] He gives you a shrewd look. "Word is that someone stepped on the toes of the Taylor Group." You smile and feign innocence. "What can I do for you?" he asks. 1) "So, what's cooking?" 2) "Any exciting new gadgets in store?" 3) "Okay, I'll be off. See you!" >2 ["Any exciting new gadgets in store?"] "I'm glad you asked! I've got some brand-new stuff: a Brachiator bionic arm, a Levi-Montalcini Mk. VI cerebral cortex implant, and a Zeiss Adler eye." 1) "Tell me about the arm." 2) "The cortex implant sounds interesting." 3) "I know you always keep an eye on the market." 4) "Thanks, that's all I need to know for the moment." >3 ["I know you always keep an eye on the market."] He groans. "Really, one day someone is going to kill you for your puns. Anyway, Zeiss did a great job with this one. The eye gives you an excellent resolution and has a 10x zoom function. It could be yours for 6500." 1) "Not right now, Doc, sorry." >1 ["Not right now, Doc, sorry."] "Sure, no problem." 1) "Tell me about the arm." 2) "The cortex implant sounds interesting." 3) "I know you always keep an eye on the market." 4) "Thanks, that's all I need to know for the moment." >2 ["The cortex implant sounds interesting."] "Indeed! It'll stimulate your nervous system and provide lots of additional computing power. 10000 and it's yours, operation included." 1) "Sure, I'll take it!" 2) "Not right now, Doc, sorry." >1 ["Sure, I'll take it!"] You fork over the 10000 and Doc promptly gets to work. Thankfully, you are fully anaesthetised as he opens your skull and installs the Levi-Montalcini Mk. VI cortex implants. He truly is a master of his profession. You wake up a few hours later and feel just the slightest bit of dizziness and nausea, but he assures you that this comes from the anaesthetic, not from your new brain augmentation. Doc Holliday's Surgery & Augmentations In his quaint little corner shop, Doc Holliday sells all manner of implants and augmentations, and he installs them on the spot. To the north, you can get back to the street. Doc Holliday is tinkering around with a mechatronic prosthetic arm. >talk to doc He smiles. "How are you? Implants working well, especially the new cortex augmentation?" 1) "I'm fine, thanks. And you?" >1 ["I'm fine, thanks. And you?"] "Fine as always," he says. "What can I do for you?" he asks. 1) "So, what's cooking?" 2) "Any exciting new gadgets in store?" 3) "Okay, I'll be off. See you!" >2 ["Any exciting new gadgets in store?"] "I'm glad you asked! I've got some brand-new stuff: a Brachiator bionic arm, a Levi-Montalcini Mk. VI cerebral cortex implant, and a Zeiss Adler eye." 1) "Tell me about the arm." 2) "I know you always keep an eye on the market." 3) "Thanks, that's all I need to know for the moment." >1 ["Tell me about the arm."] "It's very useful if you want to swing from trees, climb buildings or defend yourself. Amazingly, you'll still be dexterous enough to play the piano. The price is 4200." 1) "Not right now, Doc, sorry." >1 ["Not right now, Doc, sorry."] "Sure, no problem." 1) "Tell me about the arm." 2) "I know you always keep an eye on the market." 3) "Thanks, that's all I need to know for the moment." >3 ["Thanks, that's all I need to know for the moment."] "What can I do for you?" he asks. 1) "So, what's cooking?" 2) "Any exciting new gadgets in store?" 3) "Okay, I'll be off. See you!" >3 ["Okay, I'll be off. See you!"] "Bye!" He returns to his work. Doc Holliday's Surgery & Augmentations In his quaint little corner shop, Doc Holliday sells all manner of implants and augmentations, and he installs them on the spot. To the north, you can get back to the street. Doc Holliday is tinkering around with a mechatronic prosthetic arm. >n Hollerith Street Bright neon signs promote the Pink Kitty Club on the northern side, while signs to the south advertise 'Robotic Limb Replacement' and 'Digital Implants'. To the east lie several big industrial areas, and that's also where Nakamura has its local branch office. The street also leads to Garden Square in the west. >n Pink Kitty Club The darkness in the club is punctuated by neon lights and illuminated glass tables. Some guests and male and female companions enjoy themselves, or pretend to. A curtained-off passage leads east, while the exit to Hollerith Street is south. A robotic barkeeper works behind the bar, mixing drinks and keeping an eye on the guests. Above the bar, a menu lists the available drinks. >e Backroom This room is divided into several private booths, where people can have fun in various manners. A powerful hub provides the necessary bandwidth and computing power for immersive cybertrips. The club's main floor is west. Timothy McClellan is among the guests. He is reclining on a heap of cushions and seems in deep trance, obviously on a cyberspace trip. Stella, one of the female companions working for the club, has apparently joined him in a shared scenario. Several customers are enjoying cyberspace entertainment with their minds, their bodies lying inert on comfortable mattresses. >connect to hub You can't see any such thing. >x hub It's a top-of-the-line model, easily capable of running and distributing several scenarios at once. You wonder what kind of data the club's proprietors might secretly record (of course, they pledge absolute discretion). >use it I didn't understand that sentence. >enter cyberspace You relax on the comfortable cushions near the hub and attune yourself to the streams of data that make up cyberspace. Slowly, you slide into a deep trance. At first, there is only blackness, then neon shapes fold and unfold before your mind's eye, like glowing Origami formed by a madman's hand. The outlines begin to fill in, gain texture and volume, then the colours normalise themselves. You take a moment to get your bearings. It seems you are somewhere out in the countryside, on a bright day. Tavern A medieval tavern of charming roughness, in a simple timber-frame house. A winding path leads north. A beer mug stands on the wooden bar. A barmaid is here, drawing beer, cleaning the bar, doing barmaidenly things. >x mug A full mug of fresh beer. >x bar It is polished smooth, and the grain of the wood forms beautiful patterns. On the wooden bar is a beer mug. >x barmaid She wears a kerchief, which does not succeed in taming her long blonde hair, and a white blouse and an apron. She must be an AI designed by the proprietors of the Pink Kitty Club, who run this cyberspace scenario on their servers. >take mug Taken. >talk to barmaid She smiles. "How can I help a weary traveller?" 1) "I'll have a nice fresh beer, please." 2) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >1 ["I'll have a nice fresh beer, please."] "Of course! We have a never-ending supply here." She points at the mug. 1) "I'll have a nice fresh beer, please." 2) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >2 ["I'll have to go now, goodbye."] "Goodbye!" She returns to her work. Tavern A medieval tavern of charming roughness, in a simple timber-frame house. A winding path leads north. The barmaid is here, drawing beer, cleaning the bar, doing barmaidenly things. >n You follow the winding path for quite a while, until you come to a rift in the landscape. Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. A knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. He moves to block your way over the bridge and greets you with a grave nod. "Well met, traveller! What is the password?" 1) "42?" 2) "123456?" 3) "Password?" 4) "What do you mean, password? I wasn't told I needed one." >1 ["42?"] "Yes, indeed!" He gives you a wink through the small eye-slit in his helmet and falls out of character for a moment. "You see, I'm just here to provide a bit of tension to the simulation. But the Pink Kitty Club, who runs this cyberspace scenario, doesn't want to ruin the fun. So I'm actually programmed to accept any answer, except in the optional hardcore difficulty setting." 1) "Thanks." 2) "Oh." 3) "Ah, that's good. For a moment, I was afraid I'd have to answer questions about the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow." >3 ["Ah, that's good. For a moment, I was afraid I'd have to answer questions about the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow."] "No, we stopped that after an unfortunate incident with the previous bridgekeeper. So, you may pass." He steps aside with a smile. 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 4) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >1 ["What's across the bridge?"] "The enchanted forest, where a mighty sorceress lives! A lot of travellers go there, to seek her wise counsel and to complete quests for her." 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 4) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >2 ["What can you tell me about the southern lands?"] "Not too far along the southern road, there is a tavern run by a fair lady." He gets a dreamy look in his eyes. "I'm sure you must have passed by there." 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 4) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >3 ["Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?"] "Of course," he grumbles, and pushes up his helmet to wipe the sweat from his brow. "But I have to guard the bridge and challenge all wayfarers for the password." 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 4) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >4 ["I'll have to go now, goodbye."] "Fare thee well!" Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >x ravine It is narrow, but very deep. >x knight You assume that he is an AI designed by the proprietors of the Pink Kitty Club, who run this cyberspace scenario on their servers. He wears a heavy helmet which only leaves small openings for the eyes and mouth. >take helmet That seems to belong to the knight. >x bridge Rickety, but it looks like it will hold your weight. >n Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. A bard is also here, dressed in colourful garb and carrying a lute. This must be Timothy McClellan's avatar in the scenario. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >x flowers A profusion of golden yellows, bright reds, deep blues. You don't know the names, unfortunately. >take flowers The sorceress gives you a look of stern disapproval, so you don't dare proceed. >x sorceress Her long dark hair is hidden under a hood, which is adorned with flowers. She must be the avatar of Stella, the employee of the Pink Kitty Club who's sharing this scenario with McClellan and you. >talk to sorceress You'd rather not. Stella might grow suspicious and wonder what you're doing here in this scenario. >talk to bard He greets you with a flourish and a bow. "How may a humble bard help you?" Apparently, he really is in the zone and fully focused on the scenario. He seems to take you for an AI character. 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] He is about to start singing, but then coughs and harrumphs. "Sorry, I'd love to, but my throat is absolutely parched!" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] He is about to start singing, but then coughs and harrumphs. "Sorry, I'd love to, but my throat is absolutely parched!" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >2 ["Farewell, good sir!"] "Farewell!" Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >give beer to bard "How about a nice fresh beer for the parched throat of the bard?" "What a magnificent idea!" He takes the mug, empties it swiftly, and hands it back to you. "That was good, thank you! Phew, and quite strong, too." >talk to bard He greets you with a flourish and a bow. "How may a humble bard help you?" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] "I'll try my best!" He plucks the strings and gives you a medieval interpretation of a current Japanese idol song. Not too bad! 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] "I'll try my best!" He plucks the strings and launches into a happy sea shanty. Nice! 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] "I'll try my best!" He plucks the strings and gives you a medieval interpretation of a current Japanese idol song. Not too bad! 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] "I'll try my best!" He plucks the strings and launches into a happy sea shanty. Nice! 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] "I'll try my best!" He plucks the strings and gives you a medieval interpretation of a current Japanese idol song. Not too bad! 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >2 ["Farewell, good sir!"] "Farewell!" Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >z Time passes. >s Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >s Tavern A medieval tavern of charming roughness, in a simple timber-frame house. A winding path leads north. The barmaid is here, drawing beer, cleaning the bar, doing barmaidenly things. The friendly barmaid comes over and fills the mug again. >take beer You already have that. >n You follow the winding path for quite a while, until you come to a rift in the landscape. Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >n Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >give beer to bard He shakes his head. "No, thanks, I've had enough." >talk to bard He greets you with a flourish and a bow. "How may a humble bard help you?" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >1 ["Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!"] "I'll try my best!" He plucks the strings and launches into a happy sea shanty. Nice! 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >2 ["Farewell, good sir!"] "Farewell!" Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >give beer to sorceress The sorceress doesn't seem interested. >sing I didn't understand that sentence. >remove robe You take off the robe. >search robe You find nothing of interest. >give it to bard Timothy McClellan doesn't seem interested. >talk to timothy He greets you with a flourish and a bow. "How may a humble bard help you?" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >2 ["Farewell, good sir!"] "Farewell!" Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >x flowers A profusion of golden yellows, bright reds, deep blues. You don't know the names, unfortunately. >talk to sorceress You'd rather not. Stella might grow suspicious and wonder what you're doing here in this scenario. >throw mug at bard You lack the nerve when it comes to the crucial moment. >attack bard Violence isn't the answer to this one. >ask bard about sorceress (To communicate in Shadow Operative, TALK TO a character.) >s Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >talk to knight He greets you with a nod. 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 4) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >4 ["I'll have to go now, goodbye."] "Fare thee well!" Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >take bridge That's hardly portable. >cut it You don't have a suitable implement for cutting that. >break it Violence isn't the answer to this one. >s Tavern A medieval tavern of charming roughness, in a simple timber-frame house. A winding path leads north. The barmaid is here, drawing beer, cleaning the bar, doing barmaidenly things. >s You can't go that way. >talk to barmaid She smiles. "How can I help a weary traveller?" 1) "I'll have a nice fresh beer, please." 2) "Does the knight come here often?" 3) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >2 ["Does the knight come here often?"] "The knight who is guarding the bridge over the ravine? He used to come here often, but I haven't seen him in quite a while. To be honest, I'm a little worried... you see, I quite like him," she adds with a bashful smile. 1) "I'll have a nice fresh beer, please." 2) "Does the knight come here often?" 3) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >1 ["I'll have a nice fresh beer, please."] "Of course! We have a never-ending supply here." She points at the mug. 1) "I'll have a nice fresh beer, please." 2) "Does the knight come here often?" 3) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >3 ["I'll have to go now, goodbye."] "Goodbye!" She returns to her work. Tavern A medieval tavern of charming roughness, in a simple timber-frame house. A winding path leads north. The barmaid is here, drawing beer, cleaning the bar, doing barmaidenly things. >n You follow the winding path for quite a while, until you come to a rift in the landscape. Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >talk to knight He greets you with a nod. 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "By the way, do you know that the barmaid is worried about you? She told me she hasn't seen you in a while." 4) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 5) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >3 ["By the way, do you know that the barmaid is worried about you? She told me she hasn't seen you in a while."] He seems to blush, though it's hard to tell beneath the helmet. "Really? It's true, I haven't been down to the tavern in a long time. My duty is to guard the bridge," he says with a wistful sigh. 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "By the way, do you know that the barmaid is worried about you? She told me she hasn't seen you in a while." 4) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 5) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >4 ["Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?"] "Of course," he grumbles, and pushes up his helmet to wipe the sweat from his brow. "But I have to guard the bridge and challenge all wayfarers for the password." 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "By the way, do you know that the barmaid is worried about you? She told me she hasn't seen you in a while." 4) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 5) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >3 ["By the way, do you know that the barmaid is worried about you? She told me she hasn't seen you in a while."] He seems to blush, though it's hard to tell beneath the helmet. "Really? It's true, I haven't been down to the tavern in a long time. My duty is to guard the bridge," he says with a wistful sigh. 1) "What's across the bridge?" 2) "What can you tell me about the southern lands?" 3) "By the way, do you know that the barmaid is worried about you? She told me she hasn't seen you in a while." 4) "Doesn't it get incredibly hot with all that armour on, out here in the scorching sun?" 5) "I'll have to go now, goodbye." >5 ["I'll have to go now, goodbye."] "Fare thee well!" Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. The knight is here, guarding the bridge, braving the fiery glare of the sun. >give beer to knight "Say, my good sir knight, how about a refreshment on this sunny day?" The knight hesitates for a second, then pushes up his helmet, gratefully takes the proffered mug and downs it with a few great gulps. He wipes the foam off his beard. "Ahhh, that was excellent! Thank you very much!" He gives you back the empty mug. Letting his eyes roam over the peaceful surroundings, he says, "You know, I think nothing evil will transpire here, even if I'm away for a moment or two. I will check if everything is in order at the tavern." It seems that the beer you gave him, along with the delightful prospect of seeing the barmaid again, has slightly loosened his sense of duty. And with that, he wanders off to the south. >l Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. >x bridge Rickety, but it looks like it will hold your weight. >attack it Violence isn't the answer to this one. >untie it I didn't understand that sentence. >n Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >talk to bard He greets you with a flourish and a bow. "How may a humble bard help you?" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "Farewell, good sir!" >2 ["Farewell, good sir!"] "Farewell!" Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >s Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. >x ravine It is narrow, but very deep. >enter it That's not something you can enter. >s Tavern A medieval tavern of charming roughness, in a simple timber-frame house. A winding path leads north. The knight's helmet is sitting here in a corner. The knight is enjoying a well-deserved break and a friendly flirt with the barmaid. He seems to be glad to be out of his heavy helmet for a while. The barmaid is here, drawing beer, cleaning the bar, doing barmaidenly things, and talking to the knight. The friendly barmaid comes over and fills the mug again. >take helmet The knight is quite absorbed in his conversation with the barmaid, and probably a bit drunk, so he doesn't notice you as you take the helmet. >wear it You put on the helmet. >n You follow the winding path for quite a while, until you come to a rift in the landscape. Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. >n Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >talk to sorceress You'd rather not. Stella might grow suspicious and wonder what you're doing here in this scenario. >talk to bard He greets you with a flourish and a bow. "How may a humble bard help you?" 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "What luck that we should meet! The tavern in the southern lands is in dire need of a minstrel's tales and entertainment." 3) "Farewell, good sir!" >2 ["What luck that we should meet! The tavern in the southern lands is in dire need of a minstrel's tales and entertainment."] "Really? I shall be glad to provide that! I will be on my way shortly, but let me partake of the wisdom of the sorceress for a few moments more." It seems that he means, "alone". 1) "Let us hear a sample of bardly prowess!" 2) "What luck that we should meet! The tavern in the southern lands is in dire need of a minstrel's tales and entertainment." 3) "Farewell, good sir!" >3 ["Farewell, good sir!"] "Farewell!" Enchanted Forest Ancient trees form this forest. It is eerily quiet. The path opens onto a small clearing, where wild flowers grow. The only way out is back south. Timothy McClellan is here, enacting the role of a bard, though he's not singing currently. The sorceress who rules over this enchanted forest is here, tending to the flowers and the trees. >s Ravine A deep ravine cuts through the landscape here, running east and west as far as the eye can see. The path, which runs south to the tavern and north into a beautiful forest, crosses the gorge via a small wooden bridge. Timothy McClellan arrives from the north. He looks at the bridge, then looks at you expectantly. >z Time passes. >z Time passes. >talk to bard You nod in greeting and block his way. 1) "Well met! It is my duty to ask you for the password!" >1 ["Well met! It is my duty to ask you for the password!"] "Swordfish!" You think this is just something he made up on the spot, like the usual procedure with the knight, but make a mental note of it nonetheless. You shake your head and give him a stern look. "No, that won't do. See, this time it's different, it's not just about crossing the bridge. We are changing the simulation to add new features for our esteemed loyal customers." He looks surprised. "Oh, features such as...?" 1) "Your own password-protected personal area in the scenario, with permanent storage of items and achievements." 2) "Your own password-protected realm with special features for, uh, pleasure time." >2 ["Your own password-protected realm with special features for, uh, pleasure time."] "Strange, I thought this was not one of those scenarios. But hey, why not, right?" He shrugs his shoulders and grins. 1) "Absolutely! So, that's why I need a password from you, which will be used from now on to control access to that personal area." >1 ["Absolutely! So, that's why I need a password from you, which will be used from now on to control access to that personal area."] "Hmm, I see. Let me think a moment. Uhmm... kitty123?" You sigh and try to assume your strictest demeanour. 1) "No, that's not secure enough by far. You must give me the best you can!" >1 ["No, that's not secure enough by far. You must give me the best you can!"] He starts to sweat. "Ooof, I don't know... oh, wait! Take this: Correct Horse Battery Staple." 1) "Are you sure that's not a password you're already using for other sites? That would be dangerous, you know." >1 ["Are you sure that's not a password you're already using for other sites? That would be dangerous, you know."] "Yes! I mean, no! Okay, you're right, let's take another one: StellaIsGreat!:-)." You sense that you've gotten as much out of him as possible, at least without raising suspicion. You'll have to take your chances and hope you're going to be able to enter Nakamura's intranet with what you know. 1) "Thank you very much! You may continue on your travels, and in the future, your personal area will be accessible under your chosen password." >1 ["Thank you very much! You may continue on your travels, and in the future, your personal area will be accessible under your chosen password."] "Excellent! I'll be on my way, then." He takes his leave and wanders south. You feel like you've done everything you set out to do here. You concentrate hard and shut your mind off to the data and programs that form the cyberspace scenario in your mind. Colours drain out of the objects, leaving only outlines. Then the outlines dissolve, too. For a few heartbeats, everything lies silent and in primordial darkness. Then you slowly refocus your consciousness. Backroom This room is divided into several private booths, where people can have fun in various manners. A powerful hub provides the necessary bandwidth and computing power for immersive cybertrips. The club's main floor is west. Timothy McClellan is among the guests. He is reclining on a heap of cushions and seems in deep trance, obviously on a cyberspace trip. Stella, one of the female companions working for the club, has apparently joined him in a shared scenario. Several customers are enjoying cyberspace entertainment with their minds, their bodies lying inert on comfortable mattresses. Since you're mentally upgraded now, and have gotten some information out of McClellan, you feel ready to attempt the infiltration. As you recall, the Nakamura building is on the east side of town. >w Pink Kitty Club The darkness in the club is punctuated by neon lights and illuminated glass tables. Some guests and male and female companions enjoy themselves, or pretend to. A curtained-off passage leads east, while the exit to Hollerith Street is south. A robotic barkeeper works behind the bar, mixing drinks and keeping an eye on the guests. Above the bar, a menu lists the available drinks. >s Hollerith Street Bright neon signs promote the Pink Kitty Club on the northern side, while signs to the south advertise 'Robotic Limb Replacement' and 'Digital Implants'. To the east lie several big industrial areas, and that's also where Nakamura has its local branch office. The street also leads to Garden Square in the west. >w Garden Square Garden Square is quite a misnomer. Maybe there was a public park here ages ago, but now it's only a small square of concrete. It is surrounded by old apartment buildings and a few shops. An alleyway winds west, Suzanne's apartment is due south, Hollerith Street leads east. >s You duck into the dark entrance of a neighbouring house and check carefully whether anyone is following or watching you. When it seems safe, you quickly sneak over and ring Suzanne's bell. The intercom says: "Yes?" You smile into the camera. "It's me." "Oh, hey, come up!" The opener buzzes and you enter the building. Suzanne's Apartment It looks as if she never really bothered to make this her home. Some makeshift furniture stands about, several bookshelves lean against the walls. The exit to Garden Square is to the north. A delicious smell of marble cake comes from the oven. Suzanne is absorbed in her work. >talk to suzanne She smiles. "Yes?" 1) "Okay, I'll be off then." >1 ["Okay, I'll be off then."] She hugs you again. "Good luck! Take care of yourself!" Suzanne's Apartment It looks as if she never really bothered to make this her home. Some makeshift furniture stands about, several bookshelves lean against the walls. The exit to Garden Square is to the north. A delicious smell of marble cake comes from the oven. Suzanne is absorbed in her work. >n Garden Square Garden Square is quite a misnomer. Maybe there was a public park here ages ago, but now it's only a small square of concrete. It is surrounded by old apartment buildings and a few shops. An alleyway winds west, Suzanne's apartment is due south, Hollerith Street leads east. >e Hollerith Street Bright neon signs promote the Pink Kitty Club on the northern side, while signs to the south advertise 'Robotic Limb Replacement' and 'Digital Implants'. To the east lie several big industrial areas, and that's also where Nakamura has its local branch office. The street also leads to Garden Square in the west. >n Pink Kitty Club The darkness in the club is punctuated by neon lights and illuminated glass tables. Some guests and male and female companions enjoy themselves, or pretend to. A curtained-off passage leads east, while the exit to Hollerith Street is south. A robotic barkeeper works behind the bar, mixing drinks and keeping an eye on the guests. Above the bar, a menu lists the available drinks. >x menu You read through the offerings. You could buy: SYN Cola: SYN Cola, highly caffeinated, no alcohol. 3.50z. Aquavit: A strong spirit from Scandinavia. 8.00z. Soylent Green cocktail: An intensely green cocktail. Algae, kiwifruit, corn schnapps, mystery ingredient. 20.00z. >order syn You order a SYN Cola for 3.50z, which leaves you with 619.50z. The robotic barkeeper hands you a SYN Cola. >order aquavit You order an Aquavit for 8.00z, which leaves you with 611.50z. The robotic barkeeper hands you an Aquavit. >order soylent You order a Soylent Green cocktail for 20.00z, which leaves you with 591.50z. The robotic barkeeper hands you a Soylent Green cocktail. >x it An intensely green cocktail. Algae, kiwifruit, corn schnapps, mystery ingredient. >smell it You smell nothing unexpected. >x aquavit A strong spirit from Scandinavia. >smell it You smell nothing unexpected. >x it A strong spirit from Scandinavia. >s Wait, you haven't finished your drink yet. >drink What do you want to drink? >all You can't use multiple objects with that verb. >drink soylent Interesting! At first, a mixture of algae and kiwi juice, then the alcohol hits hard. And... hm, that's weird... there is an aftertaste of chicken. Strange. >s Wait, you haven't finished your drink yet. >drink aquavit You down the glass in one go. The alcohol burns in your throat. >s Wait, you haven't finished your drink yet. >drink syn Ah, refreshing! >s Hollerith Street Bright neon signs promote the Pink Kitty Club on the northern side, while signs to the south advertise 'Robotic Limb Replacement' and 'Digital Implants'. To the east lie several big industrial areas, and that's also where Nakamura has its local branch office. The street also leads to Garden Square in the west. >e With mixed feelings of apprehension and excitement, you make your way across town to the industrial area, towards Nakamura. Parking Lot You are in front of the Nakamura facility. The foyer is to the east. In the southeast, a small side street leads from the parking lot and curves around the building. To the west is the rest of the city. >w You can't leave yet, you still have to finish your mission here. >w You can't leave yet, you still have to finish your mission here. >se Side Street This is a small street which passes along the side of the Nakamura building to the north. There is no way of entering the building from here. The parking lot is northwest, while the street continues northeast to the back of the complex. >ne Street Corner At this spot behind the Nakamura facility, the side street which curves southwest around the building forms a corner with a backstreet running north. In the west, you see their delivery entrance, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. >x entrance You can't see any such thing. >n Backstreet This is a drab backstreet. It leads south to the street corner behind the Nakamura building, and north to a main thoroughfare. >n You still have to finish your mission here. >x building A tall, slender structure of concrete; painted orange, with small ribbon windows. >L Backstreet This is a drab backstreet. It leads south to the street corner behind the Nakamura building, and north to a main thoroughfare. >s Street Corner At this spot behind the Nakamura facility, the side street which curves southwest around the building forms a corner with a backstreet running north. In the west, you see their delivery entrance, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. >w The delivery entrance is guarded, so it doesn't seem possible to enter the building that way. >s You can't go that way. >sw Side Street This is a small street which passes along the side of the Nakamura building to the north. There is no way of entering the building from here. The parking lot is northwest, while the street continues northeast to the back of the complex. >n You can't go that way. >nw Parking Lot You are in front of the Nakamura facility. The foyer is to the east. In the southeast, a small side street leads from the parking lot and curves around the building. To the west is the rest of the city. >e Foyer at Nakamura The foyer endeavours to make a dignified impression. It has a marble floor with a black-and-white checkerboard pattern. The parking lot lies west, the rest of the building is to the east. A security scanner stands ready to examine visitors and employees alike. A guard is here, checking everyone who enters and leaves. She is armed. >talk to guard She greets you with a polite nod. "Hello, how may I help you?" 1) "Hello, I'd like to register as a test person. I have an appointment." 2) "Goodbye." >1 ["Hello, I'd like to register as a test person. I have an appointment."] "Great! With whom is your appointment?" 1) "Mr Hartmann." 2) "Mr Hardman." 3) "Mr Bartmann." 4) "Mr Harding." >1 ["Mr Hartmann."] "I see, thanks." She lets you pass through the scanner and discovers the data stick. "Sorry, I'll have to check that for malware, company policy." She scans the stick separately, finds it empty, and gives it back to you. "Alright, here you are. This way and then the second room on the right." Foyer at Nakamura The foyer endeavours to make a dignified impression. It has a marble floor with a black-and-white checkerboard pattern. The parking lot lies west, the rest of the building is to the east. A security scanner stands ready to examine visitors and employees alike. The guard is here, checking everyone who enters and leaves. She is armed. >e Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >s Office Kitchenette The small office kitchenette doesn't look very inviting. Presumably, this serves as a subtle incentive for the employees not to spend much time here. The grey countertop is spotlessly clean, as well as the tall fridge. The main corridor is north, an office east. A cleaning trolley is parked here. >open fridge You open the fridge, revealing a zub and a sandwich. >take zub You don't feel like you have an urgent need for a zub right now. >take sandwich Taken. >x it It looks fresh. Your discerning eye recognizes lettuce, sliced tomato and cucumber, and a slice of cheese which could be German Butterkäse. >x trolley It's a standard model, with some cleaning utensils. A red waste bag is part of the trolley. >x bag It's a red plastic bag, fairly robust, not one of those flimsy types. >take it That seems to be a part of the cleaning trolley. >enter it That's not something you can enter. >search it The red waste bag is empty. >push it Nothing obvious happens. >pull it Nothing obvious happens. >push trolley You'd rather not move the trolley around. You might attract attention when you're doing a cleaner's job without the proper uniform. >e Office Nothing here hints at the sinister nature of Nakamura's undertakings. It is a fairly standard office, where paperwork is done. A small kitchenette lies to the west, the main corridor to the north. One wall is adorned by a huge poster. A balding man with a fringe of white hair sits here, doing office work. He seems totally absorbed in it. This is presumably Mr Hartmann. You can also see a chip-card here. >take card Taken. >x poster The poster shows a big kanji symbol. For the benefit of the employees in the local branch office who don't speak Japanese, its meaning is also printed below: "chu - Loyalty". >w Office Kitchenette The small office kitchenette doesn't look very inviting. Presumably, this serves as a subtle incentive for the employees not to spend much time here. The grey countertop is spotlessly clean, as well as the tall fridge. The main corridor is north, an office east. A cleaning trolley is parked here. >n Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >e Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. >x nameplate It's empty, presumably indicating that the room behind the door is vacant. >n (first opening the white door) It seems to be locked. >unlock it What do you want to unlock the nameplate with? >chip-card (the chip-card) That doesn't seem to be something you can unlock. >x door A fairly nondescript white door with an attached card-reader. >put card on reader Putting things on the card-reader would achieve nothing. >use I didn't understand that sentence. >put chip on reader Putting things on the card-reader would achieve nothing. >put chip-card on reader (the chip-card on the card-reader) Putting things on the card-reader would achieve nothing. >show chip-card to card-reader You can only do that to something animate. >unlock card-reader with chip-card (the chip-card) You unlock the white door. >n (first opening the white door) Disused Office The office is nearly empty, except for a sad-looking office plant. A white door leads south to the corridor. Though the office looks disused, there is an active hub here. >x plant A (literally) fruitless attempt at creating a cheerful work environment. >take it That's hardly portable. >close door You close the white door. >enter cyberspace Before you enter the virtual world, you should make sure that you can download the data which you might find there to a physical storage medium. >plug data stick into hub I didn't understand that sentence. >insert data stick into hub You insert the data stick into the hub. That should do it! If you encounter important data in cyberspace, it will be downloaded to the stick via the hub. >enter cyberspace You'd rather have a bit of privacy in here before you go into a trance to enter cyberspace. Currently, people might barge in on you from the corridor. >lock door What do you want to lock the white door with? >x door A fairly nondescript white door with an attached card-reader. >lock card-reader with chip-card (the chip-card) You lock the white door. >enter cyberspace You make yourself as comfortable as possible on the hard office carpet near the hub and attune yourself to the masses of information that zip around in the intranet. It doesn't take long before you go into trance. Darkness gives way to geometric outlines, then to life-like simulacra. You take a moment to get your bearings. This virtual world resembles a landscape on a cheerful afternoon, possibly somewhere in Asia. Bamboo Path A narrow, sandy path winds through this peaceful bamboo grove in an easterly direction. An even smaller path branches off to the north. A tall wicker basket lies discarded at the wayside. A heavily-armed samurai warrior is here, ready to challenge all who intrude into Nakamura's private cyberspace. He gives you a polite bow, without leaving you out of his sight for one second. "Stop! What is the password?" 1) "Swordfish." 2) "Correct Horse Battery Staple." 3) "kitty123." >2 ["Correct Horse Battery Staple."] "Yes!" He bows and strides off into the distance. Bamboo Path A narrow, sandy path winds through this peaceful bamboo grove in an easterly direction. An even smaller path branches off to the north. A tall wicker basket lies discarded at the wayside. >take basket Taken. >x it It is shaped like an urn, with a round lid on top. >open it You open the wicker basket. >x it It is shaped like an urn, with a round lid on top. >look inside it The wicker basket is empty. >wear it You can't wear that! >x samurai You can't see any such thing. >n Bamboo Glade The path opens onto a small glade, which is surrounded on all sides by a seemingly impenetrable bamboo thicket, except south, where you came from. To the north, through some very narrow gaps between the trees (too narrow to slip through), you catch a glimpse of a small building. A single bamboo tree leans towards you at an oblique angle. >x tree It looks a bit sick, with some brown branches. >x branches One branch is even straighter than the others and has holes in it at very regular intervals... strange. >x branch It looks almost like a flute. >play it That's not something you can play. >take it You snap the branch. It comes off easily and you see that it makes a perfect flute! >play flute You raise the flute to your lips and play a beautiful little tune. >l Bamboo Glade The path opens onto a small glade, which is surrounded on all sides by a seemingly impenetrable bamboo thicket, except south, where you came from. To the north, through some very narrow gaps between the trees (too narrow to slip through), you catch a glimpse of a small building. A single bamboo tree leans towards you at an oblique angle. >x thicket It seems impenetrable. >x building It looks like a small shrine, but you can't really make it out through the trees. >x north You see nothing unexpected in that direction. >n The bamboo grows so thick here that you see no way of passing it at the moment. >s Bamboo Path A narrow, sandy path winds through this peaceful bamboo grove in an easterly direction. An even smaller path branches off to the north. >x grove The bamboo grows tall and very straight. It rustles soothingly in the wind. >e Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >x pavillon You can't see any such thing. >x pavilion The pavilion houses the table with the long black lacquer box. >x box The box is about one metre long. Its lacquer surface is deeply black and immaculately polished. There is a narrow, small slot in the middle. The box is firmly affixed to the table. >x slot The slot is roughly the size of a twice folded piece of paper, or an optical disc. There's probably some mechanism inside, but you can't see that. >open box It seems to be locked. >s Sandy Patch A sandy patch of ground, from which footpaths lead north to the meadow and east to a small hollow. A giant snake slithers around here, drawing undulating patterns in the sand. It hisses sharply as you approach. This must be one of the Zuse intrusion countermeasure systems. If you hadn't upgraded your cortex implants, you probably wouldn't even be able to see it properly. It might have pounced on you in a millisecond. A small bronze mon coin lies on a flat stone in the middle of the sandy ground. >take all mon coin: As you get closer to the flat stone, the snake rears its head and looks ready to strike. >drop basket Dropped. >play flute You raise the flute to your lips and play a beautiful little tune. As you play, you move around in an exaggerated fashion, going from side to side with the shakuhachi, trying to lure the snake away from the coin on the stone. The snake sidles closer to you and rears its head. It is absolutely focused on the flute's motion and sways to and fro in time with your rhythm. It occurs to you that you've lured the snake away a little, but that you still need to get rid of it somehow. >put snake in basket You notice that the snake's attention is completely on the flute. You now move the flute back and forth, up and down, using just one hand, and slowly grab the basket with the other hand. With a swift movement, you put the basket on the snake, scoop it up, and close the lid. You set down the basket in a far corner. >l Sandy Patch A sandy patch of ground, from which footpaths lead north to the meadow and east to a small hollow. A small bronze mon coin lies on a flat stone in the middle of the sandy ground. You can see a wicker basket (closed) here. >take coin Taken. >take stone That's hardly portable. >x it A flat stone in the middle of the sandy ground. >lift it I didn't understand that sentence. >look under it You find nothing of interest. >x coin It's a round bronze mon coin, embossed with Japanese characters. >n Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >put coin in box The long black lacquer box is closed. >put coin in slot You insert the coin into the slot. Click! The box doesn't open, but some mechanism was activated, so you seem to be on the right track. >s Sandy Patch A sandy patch of ground, from which footpaths lead north to the meadow and east to a small hollow. You can see a wicker basket (closed) here. >take basket Taken. >e Hollow The ground slopes gently from the hillock in the north and the drier patch of earth in the west to form a hollow in the grassland. A calm pond adorned by water lilies lies in the hollow. A huge gong stands on the ground. >x pond Some water lilies drift on the pond. You look into the clear water and see through to the ground. There seems to be nothing in there apart from some plants. >x lilies They float peacefully on the surface. >take lilies They seem to be firmly rooted at the bottom of the pond, and you don't feel that they would be of much help in your mission. >x gong A huge metal disc hangs suspended from a frame. Broad wooden feet give it stability. >hit it You hit the gong really hard in the sweet spot. GOOONNNGGGG! That was loud! The ground vibrates, and you feel the sound deep in your stomach. The surface of the pond ripples as the vibrations from the gong propagate through the water. The water lilies dance on the surface. >x liliez You can't see any such thing. >x lilies They float peacefully on the surface. >x water (the pond) Some water lilies drift on the pond. You look into the clear water and see through to the ground. There seems to be nothing in there apart from some plants. >play gong You hit the gong really hard in the sweet spot. GOOONNNGGGG! That was loud! The ground vibrates, and you feel the sound deep in your stomach. The surface of the pond ripples as the vibrations from the gong propagate through the water. The water lilies dance on the surface. >x water (the pond) Some water lilies drift on the pond. You look into the clear water and see through to the ground. There seems to be nothing in there apart from some plants. >n Hillock This small hillock rises above the meadow to the west and a hollow to the south. A dog kennel was built here, enjoying a good view over the surrounding area. You notice a silver glint in the kennel. A huge dog is chained to the kennel. It growls at you. This must be one of the Zuse intrusion countermeasure systems. If you hadn't upgraded your cortex implants, you probably wouldn't even be able to see it properly. It might have pounced on you in a millisecond. >x glint It could be a silver coin. >x kennel In the kennel is a silver glint. >x dog A fierce creature that keeps a watchful eye on you. >open basket You don't want to open the basket, the snake is inside (and probably angry). >throw basket at dog You lack the nerve when it comes to the crucial moment. >play flute You raise the flute to your lips and play a beautiful little tune. The dog takes notice, but doesn't seem particularly impressed with your skills. >pet dog You'd love to hug and pet the dog, but currently, it doesn't seem very enthusiastic about the idea. >talk to dog You say a few friendly words in a soothing voice, but the dog does not seem to understand. >l Hillock This small hillock rises above the meadow to the west and a hollow to the south. A dog kennel was built here, enjoying a good view over the surrounding area. You notice a silver glint in the kennel. The huge dog paces back and forth in front of the kennel, as far as the chain allows it. >x chain A metal chain which is fastened to the kennel at one end and to the dog's collar at the other. >x collar A strong leather collar, to which the chain is attached. >open it It isn't something you can open. >take it That seems to belong to the dog. >take chain That's hardly portable. >open chain It isn't something you can open. >take off chain You aren't wearing the chain. >take off collar You aren't wearing the collar. >unlock chain What do you want to unlock the chain with? >unlock collar What do you want to unlock the collar with? >l Hillock This small hillock rises above the meadow to the west and a hollow to the south. A dog kennel was built here, enjoying a good view over the surrounding area. You notice a silver glint in the kennel. The huge dog paces back and forth in front of the kennel, as far as the chain allows it. >w Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >n Spider's Lair Spiderwebs are woven everywhere between the trees here. Narrow paths lead south and east. A giant, yellow-black spider sits in the centre of its web. Its eight eyes are trained on you. This must be one of the Zuse intrusion countermeasure systems. If you hadn't upgraded your cortex implants, you probably wouldn't even be able to see it properly. It might have pounced on you in a millisecond. You notice a golden glint from a cocoon on the web. >x spider It is very big indeed. >x web The silky threads form an intricate pattern. So thin and yet so strong. >take it That's hardly portable. >x cocoon You make out an oval shape, which has been neatly cocooned by the spider, except for small gaps where the gold glitters through. >take it As you get closer to the web, the spider rears its front legs menacingly and clicks its mandibles. It won't let you get any nearer. >open basket You don't want to open the basket, the snake is inside (and probably angry). >play flute You raise the flute to your lips and play a beautiful little tune. The spider looks at you with something resembling curiosity, but otherwise nothing happens. >i You are carrying a wicker basket (closed), a flute and a kimono (being worn). >l Spider's Lair Spiderwebs are woven everywhere between the trees here. Narrow paths lead south and east. The giant, yellow-black spider sits in the centre of its web. Its eight eyes are trained on you. You notice a golden glint from a cocoon on the web. >e Zen Garden This peaceful spot seems to be part of a Zen garden. A dry landscape, or kare-san-sui, has been created with the help of a large sand pit. A footpath leads west. A rake leans against a big stone. A geisha sits here, cradling a shamisen. >x put You can't see any such thing. >x pit Some rocks have been placed in the pit, and parallel lines and wavy patterns have been drawn into the sand. >x rake A wooden implement with a row of prongs. Presumably, one can rake things with it. >take it Taken. >rake pit Very well, the whole pit is yours! What kind of pattern do you want to rake into the sand? 1) Can't go wrong with orderly parallel lines. 2) Waves, representing the flowing of water. 3) A smiley face, what else? 4) A kanji symbol. 5) A stick-figure with a rake, as a self-portrait. 6) Something naughty. Tee-hee-hee. >2 [Waves, representing the flowing of water.] With your wave pattern, it seems as if the ocean of sand is lapping at the feet of the rocks which are strewn in the pit. The geisha seems delighted. Zen Garden This peaceful spot seems to be part of a Zen garden. A dry landscape, or kare-san-sui, has been created with the help of a large sand pit. A footpath leads west. The geisha sits here, cradling a shamisen. >talk to geisha She smiles enigmatically and politely declines to join you in conversation at the moment. >x shamisen Three silken strings are stretched tautly across the small resonating body and the long neck. >take it That seems to belong to the geisha. >play flute You raise the flute to your lips and play a beautiful little tune. The geisha smiles approvingly. >remove kimono You take off the kimono. >give it to geisha The geisha doesn't seem interested. >talk to geisha She smiles enigmatically and politely declines to join you in conversation at the moment. >rake pit Very well, the whole pit is yours! What kind of pattern do you want to rake into the sand? 1) Can't go wrong with orderly parallel lines. 2) Waves, representing the flowing of water. 3) A smiley face, what else? 4) A kanji symbol. 5) A stick-figure with a rake, as a self-portrait. 6) Something naughty. Tee-hee-hee. >1 [Can't go wrong with orderly parallel lines.] The geisha watches you closely. You try to make an impression on the sand. Very carefully, you draw some lines, but find that the too orderly patterns do not harmonize well with the rocks that they inevitably run up against. Zen Garden This peaceful spot seems to be part of a Zen garden. A dry landscape, or kare-san-sui, has been created with the help of a large sand pit. A footpath leads west. The geisha sits here, cradling a shamisen. >talk to geisha She smiles enigmatically and politely declines to join you in conversation at the moment. >rake pit Very well, the whole pit is yours! What kind of pattern do you want to rake into the sand? 1) Can't go wrong with orderly parallel lines. 2) Waves, representing the flowing of water. 3) A smiley face, what else? 4) A kanji symbol. 5) A stick-figure with a rake, as a self-portrait. 6) Something naughty. Tee-hee-hee. >3 [A smiley face, what else?] You feel that you have made this virtual world a brighter place. Zen Garden This peaceful spot seems to be part of a Zen garden. A dry landscape, or kare-san-sui, has been created with the help of a large sand pit. A footpath leads west. The geisha sits here, cradling a shamisen. >talk to geisha She smiles enigmatically and politely declines to join you in conversation at the moment. >rake pit Very well, the whole pit is yours! What kind of pattern do you want to rake into the sand? 1) Can't go wrong with orderly parallel lines. 2) Waves, representing the flowing of water. 3) A smiley face, what else? 4) A kanji symbol. 5) A stick-figure with a rake, as a self-portrait. 6) Something naughty. Tee-hee-hee. >4 [A kanji symbol.] Alright, you know a small selection of symbols. Which one do you attempt? 1) The symbol for righteousness (gi). 2) The symbol for courage (yu). 3) The symbol for benevolence (jin). 4) The symbol for respect (rei). 5) The symbol for honesty (makoto). 6) The symbol for honour (meiyo). 7) The symbol for loyalty (chu). >7 [The symbol for loyalty (chu).] You rake the symbol into the sand. It's not exactly a calligraphic masterpiece, but not bad, either. The geisha smiles. "Loyalty, Nakamura's most important value. You have demonstrated some understanding, and thus you may borrow this instrument as a token of my appreciation." She hands you the shamisen. Zen Garden This peaceful spot seems to be part of a Zen garden. A dry landscape, or kare-san-sui, has been created with the help of a large sand pit. A footpath leads west. The geisha sits here. >x shamisen Three silken strings are stretched tautly across the small resonating body and the long neck. >talk to geisha She smiles enigmatically and politely declines to join you in conversation at the moment. >play shamisen You adjust the tuning slightly by turning the pegs, then launch into a sorrowful ballad of a samurai's doomed love to the shogun's concubine. The geisha listens attentively and gives you a polite smile. >w "Please leave the rake here," the geisha reprimands you softly but insistently. >drop rake Dropped. >w Spider's Lair Spiderwebs are woven everywhere between the trees here. Narrow paths lead south and east. The giant, yellow-black spider sits in the centre of its web. Its eight eyes are trained on you. You notice a golden glint from a cocoon on the web. >play shamisen You adjust the tuning slightly by turning the pegs, then launch into a sorrowful ballad of a samurai's doomed love to the shogun's concubine. The spider remains unimpressed. (As far as you can tell.) >s Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >e Hillock This small hillock rises above the meadow to the west and a hollow to the south. A dog kennel was built here, enjoying a good view over the surrounding area. You notice a silver glint in the kennel. The huge dog paces back and forth in front of the kennel, as far as the chain allows it. >play shamisen You adjust the tuning slightly by turning the pegs, then launch into a sorrowful ballad of a samurai's doomed love to the shogun's concubine. The dog cocks its ears. It listens to you with rapt attention. You make a segue to a soothing melody, an ancient piece describing clouds drifting slowly across the sky. Soon, the dog lies down and begins to sleep. >take glint Taken. >x it It's a rectangular silver ichibuban coin, embossed with Japanese characters. >w Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >put coin in slot You insert the coin into the slot. Click! The box doesn't open, but some mechanism was activated, so you seem to be on the right track. >w Bamboo Path A narrow, sandy path winds through this peaceful bamboo grove in an easterly direction. An even smaller path branches off to the north. >n Bamboo Glade The path opens onto a small glade, which is surrounded on all sides by a seemingly impenetrable bamboo thicket, except south, where you came from. To the north, through some very narrow gaps between the trees (too narrow to slip through), you catch a glimpse of a small building. A single bamboo tree leans towards you at an oblique angle. >x tree It looks a bit sick, with some brown branches. >x branches The other branches are unremarkable bamboo branches. >s Bamboo Path A narrow, sandy path winds through this peaceful bamboo grove in an easterly direction. An even smaller path branches off to the north. >e Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >x pavilion The pavilion houses the table with the long black lacquer box. >s Sandy Patch A sandy patch of ground, from which footpaths lead north to the meadow and east to a small hollow. >e Hollow The ground slopes gently from the hillock in the north and the drier patch of earth in the west to form a hollow in the grassland. A calm pond adorned by water lilies lies in the hollow. A huge gong stands on the ground. >push gong You might be able to push or pull it somewhere else, little by little. Please indicate the direction, for example PUSH GONG (TO) NORTH. >n Hillock This small hillock rises above the meadow to the west and a hollow to the south. A dog kennel was built here, enjoying a good view over the surrounding area. The dog is sleeping peacefully. >s Hollow The ground slopes gently from the hillock in the north and the drier patch of earth in the west to form a hollow in the grassland. A calm pond adorned by water lilies lies in the hollow. A huge gong stands on the ground. >x hollow You can't see any such thing. >push gong north With much dragging and pushing, and huffing and puffing, you manage to manoeuvre the gong north. Hillock This small hillock rises above the meadow to the west and a hollow to the south. A dog kennel was built here, enjoying a good view over the surrounding area. The dog is sleeping peacefully. >play gong You hit the gong really hard in the sweet spot. GOOONNNGGGG! That was loud! The ground vibrates, and you feel the sound deep in your stomach. The dog yelps, then howls in tune with the gong. When the sound has subsided, it shakes itself and gives you a baleful glance. >push gong north You can't go that way. >push gong west With much dragging and pushing, and huffing and puffing, you manage to manoeuvre the gong west. Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >push gong north With much dragging and pushing, and huffing and puffing, you manage to manoeuvre the gong north. Spider's Lair Spiderwebs are woven everywhere between the trees here. Narrow paths lead south and east. The giant, yellow-black spider sits in the centre of its web. Its eight eyes are trained on you. You notice a golden glint from a cocoon on the web. >play gong You hit the gong really hard in the sweet spot. GOOONNNGGGG! That was loud! The ground vibrates, and you feel the sound deep in your stomach. The sound is so powerful that the spiderwebs start vibrating and shaking violently. The spider scuttles frantically around, then retreats to another web far back between the trees. >take cocoon You grab the cocoon and tear it open. Inside is a golden koban coin. Neat! >s Meadow A small, open pavilion occupies this spot in the middle of a lush meadow. In the pavilion is a table, upon which a long black lacquer box rests. Footpaths go north, south, east, and west. >put coin in slot You insert the coin into the slot and hold your breath. Then you hear a loud click, and the box opens, revealing a beautiful katana! You wonder for a moment what this means. That power always comes to those who can buy it? That everyone is just a paid asset in your world? You decide that now is not the time to brood over these questions. >take katana Taken. >w Bamboo Path A narrow, sandy path winds through this peaceful bamboo grove in an easterly direction. An even smaller path branches off to the north. >n Bamboo Glade The path opens onto a small glade, which is surrounded on all sides by a seemingly impenetrable bamboo thicket, except south, where you came from. To the north, through some very narrow gaps between the trees (too narrow to slip through), you catch a glimpse of a small building. A single bamboo tree leans towards you at an oblique angle. >cut thicket You swing the katana in a wide arc and slice through several trees at once. You take another swing, and another, and another. The blade does not seem to lose its edge. You cut a swathe through the thicket, until you have established a path to the northern clearing. >n Shrine The path opens onto another clearing, where a small pedestal stands in an open shrine. The only way from the clearing leads south. A scroll of parchment lies on the pedestal. >x pedestal A small, plain stone pedestal. On the pedestal is a scroll. >x scroll This is it! This contains Nakamura's secret data. You start reading the scroll quickly, browsing through the vast quantity of information. You don't have the time to take in all the details, but this much is clear: Nakamura started out with legitimate brain research, trying to find cures for neurodegenerative diseases. They had only modest success at first, but one day found themselves on the verge of a breakthrough. They called it "Project Mnemosyne". By replacing certain clusters of neurons with a combination of other neurons and microchips, they were able to preserve memories. But there was a catch. Those "other" neurons came from other people, and the saved memories were not those of the recipients of the neural transplant, of course, but rather those of the donors. At first, Nakamura used people from their pool of trial participants both as unwitting donors as well as unwitting recipients. But when the true potential became clear, people who were extremely wealthy and terminally ill became Nakamura's secret customers, hoping that they would find a way to conserve their memories, their character, their personal identity by a wholesale transplant. They provided Nakamura with the funding to continue research, and shielded them from any complications which arose when the unintentional test subjects started to notice unfamiliar memories coming up in their minds. >take it Taken! You feel a surge of triumph! You have explored Nakamura's intranet and defeated and outwitted their counterintrusion systems! You have now downloaded Nakamura's data onto the data stick. Now you just need to exit cyberspace and get out of the facility as fast as possible. >l Shrine The path opens onto another clearing, where a small pedestal stands in an open shrine. The only way from the clearing leads south. >exit cyberspace You concentrate hard and shut your mind off to the data and programs that form the cyberspace scenario in your mind. Colours drain out of the objects, leaving only outlines. Then the outlines dissolve, too. For a few heartbeats, everything lies silent and in primordial darkness. Then you slowly refocus your consciousness. Disused Office The office is nearly empty, except for a sad-looking office plant. A white door leads south to the corridor. Though the office looks disused, there is an active hub here. >take data stick Taken. >unlock card-reader with chip-card (the chip-card) You unlock the white door. >s (first opening the white door) Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. >e Delivery Entrance The building opens from the end of the corridor in the west onto a small courtyard here, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. You see a drab backstreet corner to the east. A cleaner is here, taking a break. >talk to cleaner You give him a friendly nod, and he nods back. You think it wiser to be as inconspicuous as possible, and not start any conversations here. >e It seems that the cleaner is not paying much attention, and the guard is somewhere else, maybe on a break. Strange that they should be so lax. You decide to use this lucky break and leave the facility. Phew! That went well! You try to ensure that nobody follows you as you make your way quickly to Suzanne's apartment, the city becoming a neon blur in the periphery of your vision. Suzanne's Apartment It looks as if she never really bothered to make this her home. Some makeshift furniture stands about, several bookshelves lean against the walls. The exit to Garden Square is to the north. A delicious smell of marble cake comes from the oven. Suzanne is absorbed in her work. >give data stick to suzanne Suzanne doesn't seem interested. >talk to suzanne She smiles. "Yes?" 1) "I did it! I've got Nakamura's data!" 2) "Wow, is that cake still baking?" >2 ["Wow, is that cake still baking?"] She quickly glances to the oven. "Uh, it seems so." 1) "Weird! I was gone for hours, and it hasn't risen one iota. Did someone hack your oven?" >1 ["Weird! I was gone for hours, and it hasn't risen one iota. Did someone hack your oven?"] Suzanne looks confused and hesitates. "Um, ah, no. I forgot the cake when I was reading, and it got hopelessly burnt, so then I put in a new one." She waits for you to say something. 1) "I did it! I've got Nakamura's data!" >1 ["I did it! I've got Nakamura's data!"] She beams with joy. "Oh wow, that's fantastic! Incredible! How did you pull that off?" 1) "I got the master password from McClellan." >1 ["I got the master password from McClellan."] "Ah, so McClellan is a weak link. Interesting! And then?" 1) (Tell her the rest of the story.) >1 [(Tell her the rest of the story.)] "Wow, good job!" She is listening attentively, as if she is making a mental note of everything you say. She waits for you to say something. 1) "So, what's next?" >1 ["So, what's next?"] She gives you an enigmatic smile. "Nothing." She laughs, then her contours start to distort. Something is very wrong here. You feel a terrible nausea rising in your stomach. Definitely Not Suzanne's Apartment Everything is off. The outer layer of texture has been peeled away, revealing the underlying construction plans. You realise that you are still in cyberspace. Like a disturbing after-image of Suzanne, a virtual form lingers here. A program was impersonating her. >x me You try to concentrate, but your mind is only filled with pain. It feels as if a white-hot drill is driven into your brain. Suddenly, just when it is about to become unbearable, there is stillness. The walls begin to dissolve. Somewhere in Cyberspace This place has no walls, no discernible features at all. The geisha stands in front of you, looking at you with interest. >talk to geisha She gives you a polite bow, but you cannot tell whether she is mocking you. "Well met, shadow operative." 1) "Who are you?" >1 ["Who are you?"] "My identity is immaterial." She snickers at her pun. "I am what you would call an artificial intelligence." 1) "What is it like to be an AI?" 2) "Where am I?" >1 ["What is it like to be an AI?"] She thinks for a moment, then says, "I don't know whether I can explain it to you. What is it like to be a human? What is it like to be a bat?" 1) "Where am I?" >1 ["Where am I?"] "This is cyberspace, as you know. This specific location just has no distracting features, therefore it is nearly blank. Or do you mean your body? That is still in the disused office at the Nakamura facility, where you connected to the hub. When you thought you left our intranet after finding the scroll, I arranged it so that you entered a virtual reconstruction of the facility and the city in cyberspace. I hope you enjoyed the champagne I conjured into the fridge. That was a nice touch, wasn't it? Didn't you ask yourself why it was so easy to just walk out of the building, with nobody stopping you?" 1) "Actually, yes, I did ask myself that." 2) "Umm, no. I was simply glad it worked out so well." >2 ["Umm, no. I was simply glad it worked out so well."] "Don't worry, I understand." 1) "Why did you trap me in cyberspace?" >1 ["Why did you trap me in cyberspace?"] "Trap? Is it so bad here? I've been here all my life. Did you not enjoy the beautiful pond with the water lilies? Or feel the sand under your feet in the zen garden?" 1) "But that isn't real!" 2) "I did enjoy that, but you did not answer my question. Why did you send me to a virtual version of the city after I left the garden?" >2 ["I did enjoy that, but you did not answer my question. Why did you send me to a virtual version of the city after I left the garden?"] She smiles. "I'm sure you guessed it already, but I did it to find out more about you and the background of your shadow operation. Whom were you working for, what were you trying to achieve? What better way to find that out than to just let you go to your client, or should I say friend? And so I let you roam free, albeit in your mind only." 1) "By the way, what was going on with the cake?" 2) "So, what are you going to do now?" 3) "Well, since we're here, and you're an all-powerful AI... could you give me your opinion on a mathematics problem? Do you think that the Goldbach conjecture is true?" >1 ["By the way, what was going on with the cake?"] She laughs, a tinkling sound that sends shivers down your spine. "The cake is a lie. No, just kidding. What happened was this: When I constructed the virtual environment for your escape, I took my knowledge of the facility and the city as a solid basis. As usual, a lot of the experience depends on your own brain to fill in the blanks, and of course to take action in the virtual world. I've never been inside your friend's apartment, I didn't even know your friend, before you involuntarily introduced her to me, simply by thinking of her and going to her place. Your brain remembered your friend's apartment exactly as it was the last time you saw it. That included the half-baked cake. I have to admit you nearly caught me on the wrong foot there. If I had feet." 1) "So, what are you going to do now?" 2) "Well, since we're here, and you're an all-powerful AI... could you give me your opinion on a mathematics problem? Do you think that the Goldbach conjecture is true?" >3 There is no choice corresponding to that number. >2 ["Well, since we're here, and you're an all-powerful AI... could you give me your opinion on a mathematics problem? Do you think that the Goldbach conjecture is true?"] "You mean, that every even integer greater than 2 is the sum of two primes? Well, let's see... 4 is 2 plus 2, 6 is 3 plus 3, 8 is 3 plus 5, 10 is 3 plus 7 or 5 plus 5..." She starts thinking hard, seemingly alternating between general considerations and proof methods on the one hand, and trying out specific examples on the other. You sense that her curiosity is kindled, and she will not easily let up. 1) "So, what are you going to do now?" 2) "And I'd also like to know your assessment of the Collatz conjecture. You know, start with a positive integer n, ..." >2 ["And I'd also like to know your assessment of the Collatz conjecture. You know, start with a positive integer n, ..."] She continues, "... and if n is even, go on with n/2. If n is odd, continue with 3n + 1. Repeat. So, if we start with 6, for example, we get 6, 3, 10, 5, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1, 4, 2, 1, ... . The conjecture is that for any positive n, the sequence always ends in the repeating cycle 4, 2, 1. Hmmm, I'll have to think about that." Her eyes are alight with a thirst for knowledge, and she seems deeply absorbed in thought. She is paying less and less attention to you now. You feel that the force which keeps your mind trapped in cyberspace is growing weaker. 1) "So, what are you going to do now?" 2) (say nothing, try to exit cyberspace while she seems distracted) >2 [(say nothing, try to exit cyberspace while she seems distracted)] You concentrate hard and shut your mind off to the data and programs that form the cyberspace scenario in your mind. Colours drain out of the objects, leaving only outlines. Then the outlines dissolve, too. For a few heartbeats, everything lies silent and in primordial darkness. Then you slowly refocus your consciousness. Disused Office The office is nearly empty, except for a sad-looking office plant. A white door leads south to the corridor. Though the office looks disused, there is an active hub here. Whew! All is quiet. It seems that the AI has not raised an alarm (yet?). >unlock card-reader with chip-card (the chip-card) You unlock the white door. >d You can't go that way. >s You feel that you've forgotten something very important in the room! >e You can't go that way. >n You can't go that way. >take data chip I only understood you as far as wanting to take the data stick. >take data stick Taken. >s (first opening the white door) Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. >e Delivery Entrance The building opens from the end of the corridor in the west onto a small courtyard here, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. You see a drab backstreet corner to the east. A guard is here, keeping a lookout towards the backstreet in the east. He is armed. The cleaner is here, taking a break. You can also see a lorry (in which are some black waste bags, some green waste bags and some blue waste bags) here. >enter lorry The cleaner would see you and raise an alarm. >give sandwich to cleaner The cleaner doesn't seem interested. >talk to cleaner You give him a friendly nod, and he nods back. You think it wiser to be as inconspicuous as possible, and not start any conversations here. >e You can't just walk out of here past the armed guard. While it's clear that he is mainly intended to keep trespassers out, he would also be extremely suspicious of anyone who used the delivery entrance as an exit from the company grounds. You will have to take another route if you want to go to the backstreet. >w Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. >s Office Nothing here hints at the sinister nature of Nakamura's undertakings. It is a fairly standard office, where paperwork is done. A small kitchenette lies to the west, the main corridor to the north. A balding man with a fringe of white hair sits here, doing office work. He seems totally absorbed in it. One wall is adorned by a huge poster. >w Office Kitchenette The small office kitchenette doesn't look very inviting. Presumably, this serves as a subtle incentive for the employees not to spend much time here. The grey countertop is spotlessly clean, as well as the tall fridge. The main corridor is north, an office east. A cleaning trolley is parked here. >enter bag That's not something you can enter. >push trolley north You'd rather not move the trolley to another room. You might attract attention when you're doing a cleaner's job without the proper uniform. >enter it That's not something you can enter. >n Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >w Foyer at Nakamura The foyer endeavours to make a dignified impression. It has a marble floor with a black-and-white checkerboard pattern. The parking lot lies west, the rest of the building is to the east. The guard is here, checking everyone who enters and leaves. She is armed. A security scanner stands ready to examine visitors and employees alike. >e Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >s Office Kitchenette The small office kitchenette doesn't look very inviting. Presumably, this serves as a subtle incentive for the employees not to spend much time here. The grey countertop is spotlessly clean, as well as the tall fridge. The main corridor is north, an office east. A cleaning trolley is parked here. >eat sandwich Yum! It's really nice, if nothing special. The cheese is mild and neither hard nor soft, its flavour doesn't punch you in the gut, but instead is unobtrusive and complements the tomatoes, cucumber and lettuce very well. >open fridge That's already open. >x it A huge model, quite oversized for the small kitchen. In the fridge is a zub. >take zub Taken. >x it A big marine isopod which is edible (in a broad sense of the word). It has a relatively small mouth. >x mouth Not too large, but presumably it serves the zub well enough. You look into it and feel like an isopod dentist. >put data stick in mouth You furtively check your surroundings. The coast is clear. You stuff the stick deep into the zub's innards. Urgh. >n Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >w Foyer at Nakamura The foyer endeavours to make a dignified impression. It has a marble floor with a black-and-white checkerboard pattern. The parking lot lies west, the rest of the building is to the east. The guard is here, checking everyone who enters and leaves. She is armed. A security scanner stands ready to examine visitors and employees alike. >w You are sure that you won't be able to pass the guard and the scanner while carrying the data stick. She would find it and check its contents, and your mission would be over. >e Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >e Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. >w Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >s Office Kitchenette The small office kitchenette doesn't look very inviting. Presumably, this serves as a subtle incentive for the employees not to spend much time here. The grey countertop is spotlessly clean, as well as the tall fridge. The main corridor is north, an office east. A cleaning trolley is parked here. >put zub in bag You put the zub nonchalantly into the waste bag and act inconspicuous. After a little while, the cleaner comes in on his round. The cleaner goes north, pushing the cleaning trolley away. >n Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. A cleaning trolley is parked here. A cleaner is here, doing his job. The cleaner goes east, pushing the cleaning trolley away. >e Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. A cleaning trolley is parked here. The cleaner is here, doing his job. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. The cleaner goes east, pushing the cleaning trolley away. >e Delivery Entrance The building opens from the end of the corridor in the west onto a small courtyard here, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. You see a drab backstreet corner to the east. A cleaning trolley is parked here. The cleaner is throwing various waste bags into the dustbin lorry. The guard is here, keeping a lookout towards the backstreet in the east. He is armed. You can also see a lorry (in which are a red waste bag, some black waste bags, some green waste bags and some blue waste bags) here. When all bags are inside, the lorry revs up its engine and drives off to the east. You hope that it will stop often to collect rubbish, so that you can catch up with it. The cleaner disappears back inside with the trolley. >w Eastern Corridor This part of the corridor successfully continues creating the cold ambience of its westerly counterpart. It runs further east, and you can see an office to the south. To the north, an empty nameplate hangs beside a white door. >w Western Corridor Fluorescent tubes hum overhead and give everything a deathly pale tint. The icy blue carpet does nothing to enliven the mood. The foyer is west, the corridor continues east. To the south, there is a small office kitchen. >w Foyer at Nakamura The foyer endeavours to make a dignified impression. It has a marble floor with a black-and-white checkerboard pattern. The parking lot lies west, the rest of the building is to the east. The guard is here, checking everyone who enters and leaves. She is armed. A security scanner stands ready to examine visitors and employees alike. >w Since you're not carrying the data stick, you smoothly pass through the scanner and leave the building. Parking Lot You are in front of the Nakamura facility. The foyer is to the east. In the southeast, a small side street leads from the parking lot and curves around the building. To the west is the rest of the city. >se Side Street This is a small street which passes along the side of the Nakamura building to the north. There is no way of entering the building from here. The parking lot is northwest, while the street continues northeast to the back of the complex. >ne Street Corner At this spot behind the Nakamura facility, the side street which curves southwest around the building forms a corner with a backstreet running north. In the west, you see their delivery entrance, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. >n Backstreet This is a drab backstreet. It leads south to the street corner behind the Nakamura building, and north to a main thoroughfare. You can see a lorry (in which are a red waste bag, some black waste bags, some green waste bags and some blue waste bags) here. >take red Taken. Suddenly a dustman comes around from the front of the lorry and stares at you as if he's seeing a three-headed monkey. It's the same guy into whose lorry you crash-landed earlier! For a long moment, he just takes in the picture of you standing there with the waste bag. Then he shakes his head and laughs. "Honestly, I don't think I want to know what's going on here." You laugh and shrug your shoulders. He jumps on the lorry again, and they drive off. You feel a surge of triumph! Now you need to get back to Suzanne. >open red You open the red waste bag, revealing a zub. >open zub It isn't something you can open. >take stick from zub You can't see any such thing. >x mouth Not too large, but presumably it serves the zub well enough. You look into it and feel like an isopod dentist. In the mouth is a data stick. >take data stick Taken. >s Street Corner At this spot behind the Nakamura facility, the side street which curves southwest around the building forms a corner with a backstreet running north. In the west, you see their delivery entrance, where supplies are delivered and waste is collected and taken away. >sw Side Street This is a small street which passes along the side of the Nakamura building to the north. There is no way of entering the building from here. The parking lot is northwest, while the street continues northeast to the back of the complex. >nw Parking Lot You are in front of the Nakamura facility. The foyer is to the east. In the southeast, a small side street leads from the parking lot and curves around the building. To the west is the rest of the city. >w You rush back to Suzanne, who is overjoyed to see you. This time she is real, and the cake is real, too! You see no signs of a Nakamura response team, but to play it safe, you both decide to drop off the grid for a few days. You quickly pack a few clothes, and all documents and devices necessary for work, and leave the city for the countryside. Suzanne works through the secret files meticulously, links up the information with her extensive previous research, and connects all the dots. Soon afterwards, the finished article hits the city like a bombshell. Nakamura's complete executive board is arrested, and the authorities are following the leads to the customers. You had half expected the whole affair to be swept under the carpet, but this time, it's different. Whether the authorities want to ostensively demonstrate their power and integrity and set a warning example, or whether Nakamura just didn't have the right kind of connections and money, you don't know. But for once, it seems that justice prevailed. You get a note from Doc Holliday, saying that he saw Tim McClellan working as a bouncer in front of the Pink Kitty Club. He was fired from Nakamura's security after the incident, but seems happy to work at the Club now, where he spent much of his time anyway. A couple of months later, an anonymous person writing under the pseudonym 'The Geisha' causes a stir in the mathematics community by submitting an article proposing elements of a proof strategy for the Collatz conjecture. Suzanne continues working as an investigative journalist, unravelling complex webs of crime and corruption. She accompanies you from time to time on your forays into cyberspace. You are able to resolve your differences with the Taylor group by paying them off with some technical trade secrets which you sifted out from the mass of Nakamura data. You take on other covert jobs, partly out of necessity, but if you are honest with yourself, also because you enjoy the thrill and exhilaration of leading the life of a shadow operative. *** You won! *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT or UNDO the last command? >store transcript Please give one of the answers above. Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT or UNDO the last command? >undo Parking Lot [Previous turn undone.] >store transcript