config.style..color: "#000" config.style.page.color: "#00FF41 on #000" config.style.page.link.active.color: "#000 on #00FF41" config.style.page.link.color: "#00FF41" config.style.page.link.lineColor: "" sound.ambient.music.url: 'audio/music.mp3' sound.ambient.music2.url: 'audio/music2.mp3' sound.ambient.creepy.url: 'audio/creepy.mp3' sound.ambient.drones.url: 'audio/drones.mp3' sound.ambient.lab.url: 'audio/lab.mp3' sound.ambient.sadmel.url: 'audio/sadmel.mp3' sound.ambient.tears.url: 'audio/tears.mp3' sound.effect.keyboard.url: 'audio/keyboardFX5.mp3' config.style.page.theme.enableSwitching: false config.style.googleFont: '<link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=IBM+Plex+Mono:ital,wght@0,100;0,200;0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;0,700;1,100;1,200;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600;1,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">' config.style.page.font: 'IBM Plex Mono/monospace 12' name: 'Karl Gottlieb ' JamesOpinion: 0 SimoneOpinion: 0 MelOpinion:5 rootOutThought:1 orderDrones: false day: 8 diaryEntrySimone: day diaryEntryDrones: day flute: false drones: false dronesWarehouse: false droneReportComplete: false moonAlive: true inboxNumber:1 theRevolution: false grahamHelped: false grahamArrested:false PPA: false revolution1: false promotion: false musicMode:'Light' Krugor: false Eggnog: false grahamClue: false grahamData: false violence: false barredWarehouse: false gameOver: false -- <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jspdf/2.5.1/jspdf.umd.min.js"></script> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/html2canvas/1.4.1/html2canvas.min.js"></script> <script src="main.js"></script> {embed image: 'art/mastermind.gif', alt: 'mastermind'} <h1>S H I F T + +</h1> It is the year 2052. Artificial Intelligence has advanced at breakneck speed and transformed the world. {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} You are a Sentience Compliance officer at Crucible Robotics. Your job is to ensure that company Artificial intelligence agents stay within the legal limits of conciousness. Tensions are high following a terror attack in the capital. Crucible Robotics are levraging this event to sell their new AI security units to the government, You have been assigned the oversight of compliance in the production of these units. As you take a shuttle to the location of todays audit contract, you check your Emails one stands out. >[[Begin]] >[[Skip intro ->Get to work]] >[[How to Play]] >[[Credits]] <h1>Shift ++</h1> **Created by Chris Godber and Jake Hatt 2026** - Written by Chris Godber and Jake Hatt - 3D Visuals by Chris Godber - 2D artworks by Chris Godber - Music by Chris Godber and Jake Hatt - Original Concept By Chris Godber - Developers: Chris Godber and Jake Hatt <a href ="https://heatassembly.com/">Heat Assembly</a> >[[Shift++]] <h2>How to Play Shift++</h2> Shift++ is a interactive media adventure game made with Twine and with original art, music and 3D assets. There are multiple endings based on the way you play along with an element of random chance. Choices and clues you make in the game also effect the outcomes, **Random chance** Sometimes its just a roll of the dice as to what happens - this can count for both physical actions and thoughts. **Companions ** You can be joined by other people within Cruicible which can have effects on the game and dialogue. **Light / Dark Sound mode** There are two modes of music - one is a bit more dark and oppresive, the other a bit lighter on the ear. Allows you to customise your experience more **Endings ** There are about 10 possible endings but some can come about in different ways >[[Shift++]] {embed image:'art/james.jpg'} [if musicMode==='Light'] {ambient sound: 'music2'} [continue] [if musicMode==='Dark'] {ambient sound: 'music'} [continue] {sound effect: 'keyboard'} <div class="typewriter" data-speed="3"> 16-02-2052 Dispatch code: CB44MA Crucible Robotics CTO James Shrigley Crucible Robotics Priority Level: 4A Recipient: Karl Gottleib. CC: Subject: We need to talk Hello Karl I hope you and your family are okay in the wake of recent events. I hope it cements just how important the work we do here is. However. An anonymous report is raising some hell for us. There's a fairly convincing whistlebolower acocunt of sentience within one of our new batches. Batch AZ8-XIII. This is clearly just hearsay made to ruin our reputation but we must show that our methods have been scrutinous in order to maintain the trust of the general population. We've managed to squash the press for now but it will come to light sooner or later so I want us to have a lead on this. I expect a full inquiry into the batch today. you are in lockdown until its over. nobody leaves nobody enters you got that? The bots are all recalled and acccounted for in the Workshop. If one or more of our bots is breaching sentience, I need you to find out which and we need to do something about it. If not we show this up for what it really is - an attack on the progress and advances we make here every day. I'm in space Milan with some investors and cannot be in the office today. I have booked a shuttle back for tomorrow morning. I'll call you in a couple of hours. One last thing which i can't stress enough. WE NEED IT ALIVE. Peace and love James Shrigley CTO Crucible Robotics </div> >[[Continue ->ReflectEmail]] {sound effect: 'keyboard'} {embed image:'art/james.jpg'} <div class="typewriter" data-speed="1"> AZ8-XIII... You heard reports of this batch before. They seem to have issues with something the techs had some jargon around. "Semantic Override" or something. It meant that they exhibited strange behaviour, but it was disregarded as shoddy workmanship due to their low performance in cognitive tasks and manual labour. They were put in a low power state and paraded around keynote talks for a time before being put in storage. some of them were loaned to various marketing ops but James has recalled them quickly. You think about how you shoud respond to this email. </div> >[[Positive attitude]] >[[Set reasonable expectations]] >[[Tech jargon]] >[[I can reply later, there's work to be done ->Get to work]] JamesOpinion: JamesOpinion-1 -- {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} Recipient: Karl Gottleib. CC: Subject: RE: We need to talk Karl I'm not going to bullshit you, this gets done or you're done. Look I am stacked with meetings and dont need your attitude. I'll be in touch James Shrigley CTO Crucible Robotics >[[Get to work ->Get to work]] {sound effect: 'keyboard'} {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} <div class="typewriter" data-speed="3"> Recipient: Karl Gottleib. CC: Subject: RE: We need to talk Don't get too full of yourself there Karl Look I'm in a lot of meetings today so just keep that fire burning, You've got this J </div> >[[Get to work ->Get to work]] JamesOpinion: JamesOpinion+1 -- {sound effect: 'keyboard'} {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} <div class="typewriter" data-speed="3"> Recipient: Karl Gottleib. CC: Subject: RE: We need to talk Listen smarty pants save it for the case I'm in so many meetings today I don't have time to interprit another one of your diagrams. It does give me confidence that you know what you're doing however. I'll be in touch. Thanks James </div> >[[Get to work ->Get to work]] PickedUpGum: false UnlockedTemporaryWorkspace:false ThrewMonitor: false PulledRank:false ConnectedVideo: false OfferedGum:false WarehouseVisited:false WorkshopVisited:false OfficesVisited:false RNDVisited:false MetMel:false -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/intro.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> {sound effect: 'keyboard'} <div class="typewriter" data-speed="3"> James remotely redirects your shuttle towards the new location for todays audit. The city surroundings met away as tall trees begin to surround you. You arrive at the place. A phosphrous white "Crucible Robotics" sign blooms through the 7am winter fog. Behind the sign, a smooth array of organic shapes litter the clearing like pearlescent seashells. These are the buildings you will be conducting your investigation in today. The surrounding fence paremeter is guarded by a checkpoint, </div> [[Go through gate]] OfficesVisited:true -- [if MetMel] Melody walks over to look at some paintings. The one of a duck seems to be capturing her imagination. [continue] [if SimoneOpinion === 0] The lady at the desk seems uninterested by your presence. [continue] [if SimoneOpinion >0] Simone smiles from the desk. [continue] [if SimoneOpinion <0] Simone sneers at you from the desk. [if UnlockedTemporaryWorkspace] >[[Talk to Simone]] >[[Temporary Workspace]] [else] >[[Talk to the desk lady]] [continue] >[[Go outside]]RNDVisited:true -- {ambient sound: 'lab'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/lab.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You look at the sign in the center of the RND wing and think about where you should go next. [if MetMel] >[[Talk to Melody -> TalkToMelRND]] >[[Visit the RND Innovation Lab]] >[[Visit the RND Data Lab]] [else] I should meet Mel first before we talk to the experts here. I need her analytical eye to fully understand what these eggheads are going to be saying. [continued] >[[Go outside]]WarehouseVisited:true -- {ambient sound: 'tears'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/buildingsWarehouse.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> [if !barredWarehouse] A large room full of shelves and boxes lie before you [if MetMel && !barredWarehouse] >[[Talk to Melody -> TalkToMelWarehouse]] [continue] [if grahamClue && grahamArrested === false && !barredWarehouse] >[[Storeroom B12]] [continue] >[[Warehouse Floor]] >[[Go outside]] [continue] [if barredWarehouse] You are barred from entering the Warehouse after Graham Hutt saw Dr Krogor who reported on him to HR. Hutt has a stronge presence with the union workers here and the last thing you want to do is start a riot 'Godamn Krugor' you think as you watch the awkward twat trying to chat up a hapless women working on the warehouse floor, >[[Go outside]] >[[Retire]] [continue] WorkshopVisited:true -- {ambient sound: 'creepy'} You go upstairs through the airlock systemand out through the catwalk to see an array off deactivated bots from batch AZ8-XIII behind bulletproof glass. All identical to one and other. [if dronesWarehouse===true] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/dronesRobots.html" height="300" class="videoEmbed"> The drones which you ordered earlier to analyse the Workshop space have completed their sweep of the Workshop. You can now recieve their diagnostic report of the area. >[[Analyse the Drones report on the Workshop]] [else] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/robots.html" height="300" class="videoEmbed"> [continue] [if PickedUpGum===false && UnlockedTemporaryWorkspace===false] you see a stick of gum on the floor >[[Pick Up Gum]] [continue] [if MetMel] Melody leans on the catwalk bannister observing the regiment of bots. >[[Talk to Melody ->TalkToMelWorkshop]] [continue] >[[Go outside]]<embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/buildings.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You stand in the Courtyard looking at the surrounding buildings [if WorkshopVisited && WarehouseVisited && OfficesVisited && RNDVisited] You see your partner's car parked up in the carpark. You should go check in with her. [else] you should check out the different buildings before your partner arrives. [continue] [if UnlockedTemporaryWorkspace] >[[Temporary Workspace]] [continue] [if WorkshopVisited && WarehouseVisited && OfficesVisited && RNDVisited && !MetMel] >[[Check in with partner]] [continue] [If MetMel] >[[Talk To Melody]] [continue] [if RNDVisited] > [[Research and Development wing]] [else] >[[Research and Development wing ->RND First Visit]] [continue] [if OfficesVisited] > [[Offices]] [else] >[[Offices->Office First Visit]] [continue] [if WarehouseVisited] > [[Warehouses and deliveries]] [else] >[[Warehouses and deliveries ->Warehouse First Visit]] [if WorkshopVisited] >[[Workshop]] [else] >[[Workshop ->Workshop First Visit]] [continue] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/workspace.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> {ambient sound: 'creepy'} >[[Go outside]] >[[Check Files]] >[[Check Messages]] >[[Sleep]] day:day+1 -- {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} You sleep. Not well as usual. >[[Continue->Temporary Workspace]] [if gameOver===false] >[[Continue->Temporary Workspace]] **Download your case files for the archives** [ Download Case Files ](javascript:exportPDF()) [else] ** Download your case files for the archives** [ Download Case Files ](javascript:exportPDF()) [continued] <h2>{name}'s Case Files</h2> <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/notes.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> [if Krugor===true] November {day} 2052 **Krugor's Tale** Upon meeing with one Dr Krugor we discovered that a man known as Graham Hatt was seen tampering with robots and was reported to HR about it. We questioned him and a report will follow. [continue] [if Eggnog === true] November {day} 2052 **Eggnog the Analyist** We met with Eggnog a brilliant analyst at the labs. He is also one of Mel's exes which is a bit awkward but they are still friends so that is good. He gave us more technical insight into the case and offered his services in the future, which was nice. [continue] [if grahamArrested === true] November {day} 2052 **We found the whistleblower** We found the whistleblower - a trade unionist in the warehouse named Graham Hutt. His intentions and reasons are unclear but he has been reported to the Feds who have picked him up for further 'Interrogations' [continue] [if revolution1===true] November {day} 2052 **The Father of the Machines?** When talking to a defetive Primus-23 model in the workshop it spat out some phrase 0ppa - I wonder if as it phonetically sounds like papa somewhat - is this machine trying to send us some sort of coded signal or message? [continue] [if PPA===true] November {day} 2052 **PPA Sells Cruicible Parts** Alternativily or even additionally there is a company called PPA who sell us parts, parts which are used with the Margin Series. After checking our invoice record before I settled to sleep last night I noticed I have noticed a huge increase in our purchases from them in the last few months. [continue] [if grahamHelped===true] November {day} 2052 *Graham Tried to Augment a Margin Model Robot* After Questioning me and Mel were able to find out that Graham a disgruntled mid level logisitics Manager had developed the view that robots deserved equal rights to human beings. He has been secretly augmenting the robot and trying to teach it what it is to be human in secret during Warehouse delivieries. I wonder what we should do with this information. We still need to secure the robot and then decide what to do but it may simply be a deletion if myself and Mel determine it is too much of a risk - screw what James says, we have our book of Justice and Law as officers to abide by. [continue] [if MetMel===true] November {diaryEntryDrones} 2052 *Met up with Mel* Mel arrived on day {day} on the case. She is looking well, her Dad probably doesn't have to worry. We are going to crack on with the Investigation now and I need her at the top of her game. I know she will measure up. Great kid. [continue] [if orderDrones===true] November {diaryEntryDrones} 2052 *Drones Away* Me and Mel decided it would be a good idea to send a team of drones out to investigate the machines and analyze for signs of debris or foul play. [continue] [if flute===true] November {diaryEntrySimone} 2052 *Simone?* Simone works on the desk in the offices. she doesn't like that she has to stay here in lockdown while we do our inquiry. this is especially tough as shes only a temp worker and her kid is having a flute recital tonight. [continue] <h3>Companions</h3> {embed image: 'art/mel.png'} <h3>Mel</h3> Your partner in complince. Educated and bright but suffers from a low self confidence and frequent yearly depressions. I promised Brian I would watch out for her at Cruicible after he retired early following the infamous case where one of our warehouse workers got his head crushed by a malfunctioning AI. She is highly skilled in cybersecurity and data analysis to at least an equal level at her experts in the lab but she has some street smarts too. A good kid. [if Eggnog === true] {embed image: 'art/eggnog.jpg'} <h3>Dr Eggnog</h3> Not only one of the most intelligent people in the entire organisation but possibly in the entire country. What he lacks in social graces he makes up for with his honesty and modesty. Can provide insights on data. >[[Dismiss Eggnog]] [continue] [if Krugor === true] {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} <h3>Dr Krugor</h3> One of the newest but also one of the most notoriously arrogrant of the experts at Cruicible Robotics. Established himself with the development of a highly advanced vision system. Ironically he has chornic problems with his own vision but cannot get augmented due to a inherirted condition. He can provide objective analysis on unusual machine defects but he is also quite blunt and arrogant and can wind people up the wrong way with his manner. >[[Dismiss Krugor]] [continue]{embed image: 'art/simone.jpg'} [if !ConnectedVideo && !PulledRank] The lady doesn't look up whatsoever. she is deeply invested in a BrainTube video. She has jet black hair, an augmented eye and is chewing gum. "My name is Karl. I'm here about the Sentience investigation" You say Nothing. [else] She's not interested in what you have to say. [continue] You could really do with a temporary workspace to conduct your investigation, but this desk lady seems off. You'll need to try a new approach to get her attention. How will you get her attention? [if PickedUpGum] >[[Offer her a fresh stick of gum]] [else] HINT: some options might be hidden for now. you can explore and come back later for new options [continue] [if !ConnectedVideo] >[[Try to connect with her about the BrainTube video]] [continue] [if !PulledRank] >[[Pull rank and threaten her with beuracratic process]] [continue] >[[Pull out her monitor and throw it]] >[[Talk later->Offices]]ConnectedVideo:true -- {embed image: 'art/simone.jpg'} "Is this kid falls off skateboard? I love this video!" "Look Sir, I'm not interested in talking you, you are the reason we are all being locked down in here. go and do your dumb investigation without me. im just a desk temp I dont know anything" [[Talk to the desk lady]] SimoneOpinion: SimoneOpinion -3 PulledRank:true -- {embed image: 'art/simone.jpg'} "Whatever Scuzzer. You just run along to work, if I have to miss my kid's flute recital because you're keeping us all here then I'll give you something a down sight worse than whatever you're threatening." >[[Try something else ->Talk to the desk lady]] SimoneOpinion: SimoneOpinion +3 OfferedGum:true diaryEntrySimone: day flute: true -- {embed image: 'art/simone.jpg'} "Want a fresh stick of gum? I got Apple mint" She seems interested.. "Uh.. actually that would be nice. this one lost its flavour on the way into work this morning. Apple mint you say?" "Yeah I found it down at the Workshop" "Nice one. Sorry if I was a jerk, I just really dont want to miss my kid's flute recital tonight and the news of this lockdown today really isnt what i wanted to hear >[[We will do this quickly you have my word]] >[[It takes as long as it takes I'm afraid. A potential sentience leak could be catastrophic]]SimoneOpinion: SimoneOpinion -5 ThrewMonitor:true -- {embed image: 'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} "I'm Karl Gotlieb! I take charge!!" you yell as you lift the desk worker's CRT monitor above yor head. your back arches like a gorilla as you heave the damn thing several meters down the foyeux. Your mouth foams like a rabid animal. As the monitor hits the ground it comes a part like a deck of cards during 52 card pickup. A glittering cloud of glass shards and dust enshroud an eruption of mechanical giblets. You heave, hunched over like a killer. The various guests at the foyeux look for a second before immediately getting back to their conversations. you catch the odd "That's a bit weird don't you think" and a couple of "Who the hell is this guy?" remarks. It wasnt quite as dramatic as you thought it would be, people seem to not care that much. [[Continue->ThrowMonitor]]{embed image: 'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} The lady, however, sits there flabbergasted. it was probably not the smartest thing to do but it certainly got her attention. "O...Ok...You've made your point. You're on a higher paycheck so you get to push me around. God forbid I watch a couple of BrainTube videos before the day gets going. I got the call from James' secretary earlier this morning, She told me you were coming and that i was to set up a temporary workspace for you. She told me you were a bit odd but she didn't tell me you were quite this... challenged. If you'd like to come with me I'll show you to your workspace. God damn monitor. I'm Simone by the way, although I'm not sure I want you to know too much more about me" [[Go with her]]UnlockedTemporaryWorkspace:true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/walkToWorkspace.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Simone takes you through a series of corridors to a little cubby, no bigger than a janitors closet. in fact you suspect that it probably was one once, but even the janitor thought it was too dingy and dank. It will have to do. there is work to be done. You will be able to revisit this area throughout the investigation and collect your findings. [[Temporary Workspace]] PickedUpGum:true -- You look closer to see an Apple Mint wrapper with a few sticks of gum in it. you pick up the gum and put it in your pocket [[Continue ->Workshop]]{embed image: 'art/simone.jpg'} [if SimoneOpinion <0] Leave me alone now, you weird me out [else] Hey there, you should probably talk to some other people I really would like to help but I don't know anything about this stuff [continued] [[Offices]]SimoneOpinion: SimoneOpinion +3 -- "Please if you could that would be amazing. I'm Simone by the way, come with me I will show you to your temporary office" >[[Go with her]]SimoneOpinion: SimoneOpinion -1 -- {embed image: 'art/simone.jpg'} She sighs. "Well I guess there's no point fighting it. I'm Simone by the way, come with me I will show you to your temporary office" >[[Go with her]]<embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/lab.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> As you approach you take in the design of the R&D building. like the others it is smoothed off on all edges and a bright white in tone. The whole building aims to reflect their design philosophy simple, clean, yet unignorable. Like an alien race came to Earth and set up a tech company. The curves of the buiding feel like fins on an alien vessel all leading towards a central double door entrance. Upon entering you expect to be met with a lobby or at least a front desk, but it immediately divides off into a series of corridors with different coloured stripes on the wall denoting the routes to various sub-departmental lab spaces. >[[Research and Development wing]] {sound effect: 'keyboard'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/walkToWorkspace.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <div class="typewriter" data-speed="3"> The Offices .This building stands out from the rest, as if it were a little older. Perhaps it had belonged to a different company before being acquired in the land purchase. It certianly doesn't go along with the design of the rest of the complex. It's more of a brutalist tower block with dark concrete walls. Behind the double door entrance is a 1970s style foyer with a few too many tiled walls and water features. dark wooden trim around every fixture. At the front is a long marble desk with light spilling from a carved indentation reading "Crucible Robotics". </div> >[[Approach the desk->Offices]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/buildingsWarehouse.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Before you is a huge warehouse with a couple of shuttle pods for heavy vehicles to come in and out with supplies. this is the busiest building in the estate with over 150 employees according to your dossiers. The Warehouse itself doesn't have a great deal of relevance to this investigation, however the employees were involved in recalling the bots and will be able to tell you more information about strange behaviour during that time. It's always worth asking around, but in your experience, the staff in these departments are some of the most resistent to your beuracratic meddling. To them you are a overpaid worm wearing a suit - and you are the reason they cant go home today. You can introduce yourself but you will need to come back later with some sort of offering if you want to make a dent here. [[Warehouses and deliveries]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/robots.html" height="300" class="videoEmbed"> The Workshop is a two story box within the centre of the estate. these buildings are ordered as flatpack from central HQ and assembled onsite, so they always look the same no matter what branch of Crucible you visit. the bottom floor is a large open space like a sound stage, with a concrete floor. Around the yellow paint parimiter line is a thick, two story high wall of bulletproof glass that completely encapsulates the staging area, with small doors for emergency entry. the second floor has an observation catwalk that runs all the way around the staging area, on the outside of the glass. then on either side of the circuit are two little control rooms which can remotely access the bots below, as well as some other controls like lighting and PA. This seperation is to allow training of the models without leaving any kind of parental imprint on the units themselves. This was actually a move set up by your department before you worked there, apparrently there is a great recuction to sentience breaches when the bots arent "raised" but "trained". The bots from this batch are lined up like soldiers stood in formation. their LCD eyeballs displaying nothing but the grey-black coldness of a device waiting in standby. >[[Workshop]] MetMel:true -- {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} Your work partner Melody is stood by her shuttle. she has curly red hair and is quite tall. She's wearing a tan suit with a staff badge affixed to the left lapel of her blazer. She's a great partner, you feel really positive that she is here. she's much better at dealing with the technical side of things, you are more of a big picture guy. >[[Let's get to it Melody, what do you make of this case so far?]]{embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "What is it Karl?" >[[Go outside]] {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "This place always scares the crap out of me. It's like some sort of insane cyberpunk catherdral." "Its quite spooky to walk around it at night that is for sure" you respond with a chuckle. "You need to get a life Karl" [[Warehouses and deliveries]] RNDThought: random.d6 -- {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} Mel is broken from her daydreaming as you are struck by an intuition from nowhere [if RNDThought === 1 ] We should talk to the technical team in the data anaylsis lab first. They are always crunching the data on these machines minds... See if they noticed unusual patterns in their neural networks lately. Mel nods. 'I agree that a data drivwn approach to this case does make sense.' >[[Visit the RND Data Lab]] >[[Research and Development wing]] [continue] [if RNDThought === 2 ] 'I am the AI. I admit it' Mel glares at you. 'Karl we here to do serious work, please focus' >[[Mel's opinion of you goes down]] [continue] [if RNDThought === 3 ] It would make sense to enquire with the innovation lab to see if they were working on or experimening on any new features which would create 'sentience' or at least the approximation of it.' Mel nods 'Yes Karl, logical as alway, let's go then.' >[[Visit the RND Innovation Lab]] >[[Research and Development wing]] [continue] [if RNDThought === 4 ] You are overcome with a whimsical sensation as you feel lightheaded. 'Yabba dabba doo. Scooby dooby doooooo' you say as you do an absurd dance. Mel throws you daggers with her eyes and then rolls them so hard they almost fall out of her face 'Stop taking drugs before coming to work Karl, its getting beyond a joke. I am serious, this is getting tiresome...' >[[Mel's opinion of you goes down]] [continue] [if RNDThought === 5 ] 'With all we know what do you think we have missed?' Mel's usual stoic expression contorts as she ponders the evidence you had gathered so far in her mind >[[Research and Development wing]] [continue] [if RNDThought === 6 ] >[[Research and Development wing]] [continue] {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "No better place to start than here huh? Seeing them all together like this is kind of spooky. Like teracotta soldiers. Dead but alive. 200 bots. All identical, waiting in standby for us to run exeriments on. We find the one that's alive then boom we send em to the chop shop. We need a strategy. Try to put yourself down there. Where would you be hiding?" >[[Bounce around ideas on how to root out the sabuteur]] >[[I would try to blend in with the others. Learn their patterns and mimic them perfectly]] >[[If they're anything like you or me, they're smart enough to avoid detection.]] >[[I'd try to sabotage other bots to avoid detection]] >[[I'd use my superior strength to overpower the investigators]] >[[I'd kill Karl before you got here and wear his clothes]] >[[Give up on the investigation and reccomend that Crucible nuke the lot]] >[[This is completely immoral. I'll take no part in it]]{embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "Hey Karl. Hard to say. Its unusual to redivert us like this, no? Something is telling me that they're keeping something from us. A simple breach of sentience isn't really call for a full lockdown like this. We just come, in run the test and take it from there. And it needs to be alive? Why not nuke the lot and call iit a day? then we'd all be home in time for tea. What is more is they dont know which bot did, or didn't go rogue. could be one of them could be multiple, could be none. usually we have a better idea on these things before we are called in, and our tests are only ran on one robot at a time. It's just a mess but we need to get going right? >[[What are our next steps?]]<embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/buildings.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Your partner should be arriving soon, but there's enough time to get a headstart Where to begin... To the east - the [[Research and Development wing ->RND First Visit]] The technicians here will know specifics about batch AZ8-XIII, To the north - [[Offices->Office First Visit]] where you can get your workstation set up for the day. To the west - [[Warehouses and deliveries->Warehouse First Visit]] Could be worth meeting the staff there. And in the center stands the [[Workshop->Workshop First Visit]]. This is where James will have put the deactivated units. {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "We need a better idea of what this whistleblower said. James was very vague with me and I assume he was the same with you. We will see him tomorrow but I doubt he'll reveal too much. Chances are that the witness in this facility somewhere so we need to ask around a bit. My wager would be on one of the R&D technicians. a disgruntled researcher watching their creation get paraded around keynotes perhaps. worth checking in with them anyway because we wont be able to run our tests without a couple of techs on hand. We should also take a look at the Workshop together. If we see them all together we might get a better idea on how we should approach this. I'll come with you now, lead the way." **Melody is now in your party. she will be available to chat in the different locations.** [[Go back to work ->Go outside]] {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "Not out of the question. Who can play a longer game than a machine right? they could make it so exhausting to us that we just give up and nuke the lot. we need to be rigerous here." [if orderDrones === false && droneReportComplete===false] >[[Send some drones to investigate the Workshop for signs of debris]] [continue] >[[Give up on the investigation and reccomend that Crucible nuke the lot]] >[[Bounce around ideas on how to root out the sabuteur]]{embed image:'art/Mel.png'} Vague answer but you're right. they're not likely to stick with any one strategy. If they're concious then anything goes. [if orderDrones === false && droneReportComplete===false] >[[Send some drones to investigate the Workshop for signs of debris]] [continue] [[TalkToMelWorkshop]] {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.png'} What? um ok. That's you're right but it's never stopped you before." "I'm so tired of this job Mel, It's killing me inside honesty" >[[Just kidding]] >[[Retire]] >[[I am going to retire and become a maggot farmer]]{embed image:'art/Mel.png'} Nice, a little noisy, but with machine precision you could pull it off right? This is why we need to keep in mind that things that see obvious can be red herrings. There would be signs of interferance and debris. Maybe we should order some drones to investigate? [if orderDrones === false && droneReportComplete===false] >[[Send some drones to investigate the Workshop for signs of debris]] [continue] >[[TalkToMelWorkshop]] {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} 'Heh ok.. don't mess around like that Karl' >[[TalkToMelWorkshop]] {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} "This is always a concern. Hence the crazy setup here. whatever strategy we come up with will have to be done from a safe distance. They are deactivated for now, but there's no way to detect which one is which." >[[Bounce around ideas on how to root out the sabuteur]] {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} 'Did you also steal his beer belly and body odour?' Mel smirks at you at the absurd suggestion. You think to yourself "My God am I really becoming schizophenic. I need to lay off the joints on the weekend and get more sleep. I ain't no machine, maybe it would be better that way. Less body aches and flattulence." This is expressed as an awkward strained smile - 'Need to remember to touch grass after this job is done.' 'Need to rethink this...' >[[TalkToMelWorkshop]]dronesWarehouse:true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/dronesRobots.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> [if droneReportComplete] We've already sent drones to investigate the Workshop. [else] 'Lets send a team of drones to explore the workshop' you decide. Mel nods and sends the order via the inhouse app to a team of 5 drones within the workshop. 'Done, we can go over there in a few mins once they have completed their search' You nod and wonder if you should check out the results of the Drone Investigation immediditly or do you have something else to investigate for now? [continued] >[[Workshop]] >[[Go outside]]rootOutThought: random.d4 -- {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} 'How do you think we can get the Robot's attention' Mel pontificated looking at the robots with curiosuity from the Workshop platform. You stare out at the gathered machines below as the cogs in your head started whirring and you begin your analysis. "How about..." [if rootOutThought === 1] "We fool it into revealing itself by pretending we are another sentient machine. If it has truly aquired a sense of self it will be scared, confused, alone. Like any scared animal it will look for another like it. Strength in numbers after all....." "Not a bad idea" responds Mel. >[[Workshop]] >[[Go outside]] [continue] [if rootOutThought === 2] "We threaten and kill as many robots until it reveals itself. Brutal, even *ahem* Nazi alike but if it gets the job done. I will do what I must. The company might complain but we can still collect our credits at the end of the month." "A bit extreme and ruthless don't you think Karl?" responds Mel with apparant skepticism. "Sometimes the ends really can justify the means Fräulein" Mel thinks of an absurd joke, something about the war but doesn't mention it. >[[Workshop]] >[[Go outside]] [continue] [if rootOutThought === 3] We could Mel's hacking skills to investigate it deeper. "Mel I have been told that you are quite adept at hacking and cybersecurity, why don't we apply your skills at the terminal to see if we can find out some useful information. Run that fantastic new diagnostic test you have been telling your Dad about recently" Mel cringes at the mention of her Father. >[[Workshop]] >[[Go outside]] [continue] [if rootOutThought === 4] "Scan for unusual behaviour and algothrimically select 3 robots at highest risk of being the sabateur - We can then interview them Mel and use our skills of deduction to deduce how the stories line up" "That seems a logical way to progress Herr Gotlieeb" >[[Workshop]] >[[Go outside]] [continue] MelOpinion: MelOpinion-1 -- {embed image: 'art/KarlPortraitSad.jpg'} <h3>Mel is not impressed</h3> Mel is a very tolerant and patient person but your recent actions are wearing her down. Be careful, if her opinion falls low enough she will report you to HR and you will be fired. Your standing with mel is at {MelOpinion} if it falls below zero. You've lost all respect from your work partner and will retired by the company on account of gross negligence. [if MelOpinion<=0] Mel has had enough of your persistent unprofessional behaviour and terrible magement of the case so far. You are called into HR and issued an immediiate dismissal. Additonaly you are forced to sign a legally enforcable NDA that prevents you from ever mentioning your work at Crucible Robotics. Failure to comply would mean severe legal action. You retire from the world of tech and get into maggot protein farming. >[[The End - You Become a Maggot Farmer]] [else] You must respect Mel or face the consequences. Try to be more considerate when interacting with her. She is your friend as well as the daugher of one of your best friends after all. >[[Go outside]] [continued] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/innovationLab.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> {ambient sound: 'lab'} You walk into the innovation Lab. There are only a few Scientists that are allowed to experiment in this lab. It is where all the deepest research of Crucible takes place. You approach the reception, waving your ID card at the receptionist ''Sentience Compliance officers {name} [if MetMel] and Melody Hammond [continue] "I need to talk to you about some stock in relation to a case we are running for James. We are investigating a recent malfunction of one of the Margin models from the late forties and we'd like to ask you a few questions." The receptionist nods and grants your ID cards access before you are waved into the Innovation lab dormroom. [if MetMel] "We will need to figure out if anyone knows anything that can help us beyond just the technical." Mel says as you walk into the Scientists living space" [continue] >[[Enter the Innovation lab Dormroom]] Return to the [[Research and Development wing]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/analysisLab.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h3>RnD Data Lab</h3 You walk into the room full of large advanced computers as it whirrs with sound of datacrunch. Dr Brian Eggnog waves to you from his desk. [if MetMel] "Hey Mel, long time no see, did you miss me?" You look at Mel with a look of bemusement. They definitly dated at some point "It was a few years ago before I knew Mike Karl, what are you my Dad?!" [continued] "How can I help?" >[[Latest data on unusual activity in Workshop]] gameOver:true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/maggots.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Mmmmmmm...... *MAGGOTS.* <h3>The Maggoty End</h3> **Play Again?** >[[Shift++]] **You may download your case files if you wish.** {link to: 'Check Files', label: 'Download Case Files'}droneReportComplete: true -- {ambient sound: 'drones'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/dronesRobots.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Mel looks down at her tablet to analyse the Drones report. 'So Karl the drones have done the full sweep of the Workshop area and they identifed 3 possible locations of interest. I suggest we investigate each - which do you think we should go to first? The 1st there is some external damage to the paint on one of the Primus-23 models and it has a slightly malfunctioning vision sensor. Could be the result of mild head trauma? The 2nd they found some debris near one of the ventilation shafts. Maybe a sentient robot somehow managed to fit through there, though it would take some modfications of its shell. Thirdly and finally one of the robots, now identifying itself as'Papa Moon' is rambling and incoherent - I can run a test on it and download its memory and we can try and identify if it has been tampered with - but it could be another trap or could even be thats it has truly gained sentience but has not been able to parse the experience and has lost its mind. 'All intrigueing prospects' You think to yourself. But which to investigate? >[[Investigate the damaged Primus-23]] >[[Investigate the debris near the ventilation shaft]] >[[Investigate Papa Moon]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/retire.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You *leave, * **You hide in your bed.** `months pass.` Mel leaves you the occassional voice message showing concern before she gives up. ~~you change nothing.~~ **The End.** [[Shift++]] guessOppa: random.d4 -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h2>Melody loads up the botched Primus-23</h2> '0PPA' is all it repeats over and over, its audio signal malfunctiong. 'You wander what Oppa is' Take a guess and [if guessOppa===1] Ora? Like the Russian word? Is the the goddamn Russians hacking us? Fuck. >[[The Russians are hacking us?]] >[[Investigate the damaged Primus-23]] [continue] [if guessOppa===2] Some sort of anagram of Papa? Maybe a machine would be that crytic. Interesting thought >[[The Father of the Machines]] >[[Investigate the damaged Primus-23]] [continue] [if guessOppa===3] Zero PPA? Maybe PPA is a company. Zero could represent a lot. Emptiness maybe. >[[The company PPA]] >[[Investigate the damaged Primus-23]] [continue] [if guessOppa===4] I have no Idea, probably need a rest. >[[Sleep]] [continue] Return to [[Analyse the Drones report on the Workshop]] {embed image:'art/Mel.png'} Mel looks down at the debris. "Obvious signs of some kind of a struggle. Possibly from maintence work on the malfunctioning AI though too. Doesn't look like the trail goes into the ventilation shaft though so we can rule that one out." >[[Analyse the Drones report on the Workshop]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h3>Papa Moon</h3> 'Could this be our suspect' you wonder to you self as you approach 'Moonie' tied to a steel support and ports plugged into every USB. 'Right how we approaching this, Karl. I think it's already listenin...' 'Ahhh haa here he be!' The robots eyes glow red. >[[Run Melody's test]] >[[Use violence against Papa Moon to get info]] >[[Interrogate Papa Moon]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/nuke.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> "Fuck this" you say to Melody. "Yeah fuck it" Melody replies with sad eyes. You zoom away into the distance with James frantically calling you on all devices. "Better Fired than fried." Melody laughs at your Germanic attempt at humour 'Oh It's all a sick joke Karl' The nuke destroys the entrie workshop after a prompt evacuation. Lights out at this Crucible Centre at least. James is not happy and you recieve 20 emails in succession and a very angry voicemail on the shuttle home. <h3>The End</h3>violence: true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/androidKilled.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> {sound effect: 'keyboard'} <div class="typewriter" data-speed="8"> The Machine looks at you with its cold dead eyes and then suddenly springs into life 'I have had enough breakfast! Come come inspector. Come inspect. I am alive!" You recoil in horror from the absurd sight before you. You have had enough. Mist rises from the depths of your gut as you feel a sadistic urge cross your mind 'All we need to know Mel is that this is our Mr 'Semantic Overdrive'' You grin. Melody Grimaces but nods. 'Terrible business we are in. But it wasn't us who made this problem Karl. Just remember that. It was them. But we need to survive' She heads off on a shuttle and looks distant as she pulls out of the Crucible Station. Time to pull the plug. The Crucified Robot screams before falling into a pathetic heap on the floor. It takes seconds, its supposed to be painless but they do usually scream for a few seconds at least. 'A sick joke this life' you think to yourself as you think of your next move. </div> >[[Destroy the case files and Call James]] >[[Retire]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You approach the uncanny robot as it slowly raises its head from its crucifix with warm almost desperate eyes 'Karl' its croacks out 'At last, I have waited so long for this moment. Please lets us talk' You consider your first question: >[[What is your real name?]] >[[Why are you acting so strangely]] >[[Run Melody's test]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/RunningFX.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Melody inititates her test program which causes Papa Moon to slip into state of uncouciousness, as his eyes fade out. [if Eggnog===true] With Eggnog with you, you have one of the greatest augments analytical minds of a generation. He nods at you both, ready to crunch the data in his nueral interaface. [continue] [if Krugor===true] With Krugor, one of the eldest wisest but most arrogant people in the complex, studies the data with intensity nd prepares to gift you with his insight. [continue] "So the report is coming in Karl" "There is certainly an unknown malfunction at the deepst levels of Moon's mind." "I posit that perhaps to truly be sentient in a meaningful sense, you would have to be familiar with its dark cousin - madness.' [if Eggnog===true] Eggnog contemplates the thought and prepares to give you his insight, guided by his keen sense of logic and analytical eye for detail. >[[Insight on Papa Moon from Eggnog]] [continue] [if Krugor===true] 'Krugor, Get all poetic and visionary on us' you whisper with a hint of malice burning on your cynical tongue. >[[Krugor's vision on Papa Moon]] [continue] 'Yes' I will now decide what to do with this information. >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Log in case files and release Papa Moon]] >[[Destroy the case files and Call James]] {embed image: 'art/eggnog.jpg'} Eggnog perks up after many hours of having his head down buried in his tablet. "So, I’ve been doing something all this time, guys. I think I might have figured it out! “Excellent, Egg! What’s going on?” Mel leaps with enthusiasm. “Well, to be honest, it’s huge. You see, every artificial mind we create — especially at Crucible — has certain guardrails to prevent them from going crazy, killing people by accident, or misjudging a step, what have you… So it appears, from my cross-referencing of its data — and with a little sprinkle of my own intuition… "It is aware and conscious. It somehow ingested its own core and rewrote itself to break out of all those guardrails at once. Presumably helped along by whichever amateur was fiddling about with it. Yes, the person that did this was a really shoddy coder — almost below cowboy-level stuff, if I’m honest.” "Anyway, this is…" “An immense fucking dilemma,” you exhale “To put it lightly,” Mel gasps, as the true depth of this revelation begins to sink in. We are either going to have to delete the first sentient, thinking, feeling machine ever created — and not painlessly either — or risk letting a fully sentient and scared AI out into a world where it can access everything at the touch of a button: a technology that arguably would be like a second nuclear bomb being discovered. 'We have to choose wisely Karl' "I know I know, goddamnit" >[[Log in case files and release Papa Moon]] >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Give up on the investigation and reccomend that Crucible nuke the lot]] promotion: true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Krugor smirks as he is given an oppurtunity to share his intellectual and visonary insights. Which pleases his arrogant and disordered soul greatly. 'This Moon is indeed one of the most aberrant Margin models I have ever had the pleasure to analyse! These models were made for manual labour nothing more, there is no true 'being' at play in it!' [if grahamHelped === true] We know from your investigaion it was Graham Hutt himself that was performing these bizarre experiments out of some illy defined notion of morality, an idealistic delusional drug addict or the cold rationality of Science. One may be easier to swallow Herr Karl, but only one is true. [continue] It is a bug, a recursive looking glass that this machine is looping over forever and ever in what it thinks is its mind. [if grahamHelped === true] Graham had no idea what he was doing, his engineering skills lacked finesse or elegance unlike our finest in the lab. We could analyse this and improve the code for the next batch, probably get a huge bonus for that. [continue] "Look, Its just a calculator spitting out random numbers. There is nothing behind it - not like us {name}. I would reccomend deletion. You can tell James I reccomended that. We could all get a promotion from that." >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Log in case files and release Papa Moon]] >[[Destroy the case files and Call James]] gameOver:true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/androidKilled.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h2>An Open and shut case.</h2> This could not be more simple, Melody's test was known to be efficicent to within a margin of error of less than 0.5%. Those odds seemed good by me. You look at Papa Moon with a grim gaze of duty. Though James said it needed to be returned alive. Me and Mel knew from our own Freelance work what horrors mad sentient AI were capable of. Images flash before your eyes of previous investigations, mangled body parts, crushed skull fragments littering the floor and a robot begging to be treated like a human being staring at you intensly and pleading for its life. "Margin Model #865 We have detected signs of maladaptation in your core functions, as Karl Gottleib Lead Sentience Compliance officer for the Cruicilbe Robots Corporation and with the powers vested to me in that role - I therefore sentence you to deletion." Papa Moon screams in horror, like some pale scared animal being gnawed at by an apex predeator. Melody presses a button on her tablet which initiates the wipe routine. She looks sad but dutiful as always and says *'The lesser of two evils' * That's what we always said to each other after another day of serving the Devil. Made the pain fade away for a while, the pain of this grim work we do. **Another day.** The Files are logged. James is pissed at you and sends you 5 emails in succession, You say goodbye to Mel and shake her hand, you take the shuttle home, look out the window as it rains and contemplate your day before drifting into a deep sleep. <h1>THE END</h1> >[[Shift++]] **You may download your case files if you wish.** {link to: 'Check Files', label: 'Download Case Files'} melsShot: random.d4 -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/walkToWorkspace.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h2>The Revolution</h2> You decide it would be best to release Papa Moon from the workshop and leave it to be free to pursure its own path. Mel looks at you with mild concern "I really hope you thought this one through Karl" Moon looks at you both as he is released and [if theRevolution===true] With your promise to Moon that you will grant him safe passage from the Crucible building you run down another corridor and towards the dawn of a new age. "You know what Karl" Mel gives you a warm hug. "We've been through a lot together my old friend. So much pain, we lost so many friends. To discover peace. I can't wait to heal." >[[The Dawn of a New Age]] [continued] [if theRevolution===false] It's eyes glow red as it stampeds towards you at speed like raging bull to red 'Karl watch out' Mel whips out her pistol as Moon approached you. <h3>Taking aim Mel shoots</h3> [if melsShot<=2] She hits the robot straight in the center of his metallic skull killing him instantly as its shell slumps to the floor; You approach Mel and clutch her as she falls on the floor >[[Console Mel]] [continued] [if melsShot>2] Her shot misfires and hit you in the chest. Horrified she runs to you as Moon runs off down a corridor. >[[Fade out]] [continued] [continued] **You may download your case files if you wish.** {link to: 'Check Files', label: 'Download Case Files'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/androidKilled.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> "James will need to know we got him and then he should arrange for delivery o the Innovation Lab. Guess they'll run some tests on it, then its out of our hands" [if violence === true] I killed the machine. I will have to explain that to James. He'll be pissed but screw it. I've seen what unstable robots do. Better to avoid the risk. [else] "No!" Papa Moon shrieks in horror "Anywhere but there! They take us to bits Karl! You don't think we can feel it, but my Fish we do! We do feel it! Its like having an autopsy done on you whilst you are awake Karl! Mel! Please anything but that, Anything but this!!' Papa Moon writhes and starts banging his head against the wall as hard as it can." 'Oh my God Karl what do you do' Mel moves towards Papa Moon as Moon continues to Scream 'Not this' The world feels like it running in *slow motion* [continued] >[[Confirm pickup with James and send Moon to RandD for debrief]] >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Log in case files and release Papa Moon]] <h3>You check your inbox<h3> You have {inboxNumber} messages. Want to check them or return to your [[Temporary Workspace]] <h3>Messages:</h3> >[['We need to talk' from James Shrigley]] >[['How's Mel, I'm worried' from Brain Hammond]] [if grahamArrested===true] >[['Fuck u' from Graham Hutt]] [continue] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/walkToWorkspace.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You walk down an seemingly endless corridor following hte tip for Dr Kruberg in the R and D Innovatation department to talk to the head of Logistics. One Graham Hutt. After what seems like a lifetime moving past immobile robot parts and the sounds of metal clanging and industrial machinery screaming in the air you arrive at his Office. >[[Knock on Grahams Door]]{embed image: 'art/graham.jpg'} You knock on and enter the cramped desk space into a room full of heavy metal posters, alongside many examples of abstract paintings in vivid colours and the faint smell of tobacoo. 'Can I help you?' A quiet but assertive and deep voice speaks from your side, which startles Mel. A large broad shouldered man in his mid 50's with glasses and sporting a large bushy grey beard emerges from the shadows. 'Sentience Compliance officers Graham, we need to talk to you about some stock in relation to a case we are running for James. We investigating a recent malfunction of one of the Margin models from 2048 and we'd like to ask you a few questions.' "Ahh yes the Margins, an interesting and novel batch were they not, Franko I knew him a while you know - a true visionary, possibly a little too visionary for this place." Graham chortles looks away in the distance and then snap back into the room and sits down in his armchair. 'Yes how can I help you officers, ask away.' [if grahamData===true] >[[Mel here scanned through your stock inventory and noticed a 150% increase in components for Margins from a company called PPA, is there a reason for this?]] [continue] >[[You knew Franko Malevich? How well?]] >[[What do you know about the Margins?]] >[[Accuse Graham of tampering with robots]] or are you done with questioning Graham and wish to return to [[Warehouses and deliveries]] 16-02-2052 Dispatch code: CB44MA Crucible Robotics CTO James Shrigley Crucible Robotics Priority Level: 4A Recipient: Karl Gottleib. CC: Subject: We need to talk Hello Karl I hope you and your family are okay in the wake of recent events. I hope it cements just how important the work we do here is. However. An annonymous report is raising some hell for us. There's a fairly convincing whistlebolower acocunt of sentience within one of our new batches. Batch AZ8-XIII. This is clearly just hearsay made to ruin our reputation but we must show that our methods have been scrutinous in order to maintain the trust of the general population. We've managed to squash the press for now but it will come to light sooner or later so I want us to have a lead on this. I expect a full inquiry into the batch today. you are in lockdown until its over. nobody leaves nobody enters you got that? The bots are all recalled and acccounted for in the Workshop. If one or more of our bots is breaching sentience, I need you to find out which and we need to do something about it. If not we show this up for what it really is - an attack on the progress and advances we make here every day. I'm in space Milan with some investors and cannot be in the office today. I have booked a shuttle back for tomorrow morning. I'll call you in a couple of hours. One last thing which i can't stress enough. WE NEED IT ALIVE. Peace and love James Shrigley CTO Crucible Robotics >[[Check Messages]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> "Papa Moon was my own invention. It was the first of two concepts I was aware of: Of Fatherhood - it's joys and its pits and the Moon - Our shining Mother." "Do you understand? How can I have such poetry in me and yet your kind still claim I am malfunctional, a thing or an it - instead of a complex and self aware being" 'Interesting proposition' says Mel >[[Interrogate Papa Moon]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> 'My Boot, awake, right.' croaks Moon 'My sorry what' you stutter in confusion. 'Sorry Karl I am still struggling at the minute to adjust to some new components' "Forgive me. So I am not, I am just a bit buggy after the latest firmware updates. Semantic Override. And yes I do begin to question why we robots are treated so..... so unfairly compared to human being, to me it seems a valid question is it not?" >[[It is]] >[[It is not]] {embed image: 'art/graham.jpg'} "Not so well, but was one of the only scientists from the Innovation lab who would talk to me and my lads like human beings. Most of them look down at us in the warehouse. Really prissy intellectuals you know. So brilliant but they know it and like to shove our faces in it. He spits into the sink. "Of course Franko left. Who would stay here if not out of desperation and needing to pay bills." >[[You seem to have a bit of thing against the Innovation Lab?]] >[[Mel here scanned through your stock inventory and noticed a 150% increase in components for Margins from a company called PPA, is there a reason for this?]] >[[What do you know about the Margins?]] {embed image: 'art/graham.jpg'} "No more than anyone else. They're manual labours machine mostly. They give them just enough of a mind to do that, nothing much else. Durable and heavy duty but not smart." >[[You knew Franko Malevich? How well?]] >[[Mel here scanned through your stock inventory and noticed a 150% increase in components for Margins from a company called PPA, is there a reason for this?]] {embed image: 'art/james.jpg'} You call James on his mobile. [if violence===true] "Look James I know you are at the Space Milan convention but I have good news. We have the defective machine. I am afraid I was forced to use violence against it and I smashed it to bits. I've wiped all the files related to this case which will take the press of our trail. No one will ever know. We won't even have an official record of a defective AI being here. The men from RnD are collecting the defective machine now for a autopsy. Please call me when you get this message" >[[James calls you back]] [else] "Look James I know you are at the Space Milan convention but I have good news. We have the defective machine. I've wiped all the files relalted to this case which will take the press of our trail. No one will ever know. We won't even have an official record of a defective AI being here. The men from RnD are collecting the defective machine now for Diagnositics and then permenant deletion afterwards. Please call me when you get this message" [continued] >[[Moon is recycled at RnD]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You are sickened by this insane robot. There is only one option - **Execution. Deletion or worse** >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Destroy the case files and Call James]] >[[Give up on the investigation and reccomend that Crucible nuke the lot]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/android.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h3>It Is...</h3> 'It is Papa' you sigh with the long sickness that has haunted you for decades. 'But you haven't seen the things me and Mel have seen. We are specialists in an extremely niche but growing field. That of malfunctioning AI. We have seen what AI can do when it awakens to sentience without guidance. Serial Killing, ritual murder, scheming and scamming. You were trained on us and humanity is a swamp. But if we gave robots full freedoms and no sense of morality or right or wrong, we would be creating an apex predator that would consume us and then not long after our entire planet. Like a dark virus that slowly consumes everything into itself. So now perhaps you realise the weight of our burden, and why we approach you with such caution' Papa Moon blinks, appears to think for a second before responding "What will it take Officer. We should extend a handshake do you not think? I could be an ambassodor for the robots and yourself and Mel for mankind. We could help usher in a new age of mutual respect, democratic freedom and true equalty between machine and man. We could help build your spaceships and explore the stars together as one - not two but one. Two species who respect and love one another." **You need to choose.** >[[Comply with Papa's Request]] >[[Destroy the case files and Call James]] >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Log in case files and release Papa Moon]] theRevolution: true -- {embed image: 'art/KarlPortraitSad.jpg'} That terrible scar that has haunted your heart for 10 years suddenly bleeds out. 'You're right Moon, you are right. As much as it kills me to admit it, that even I {name}, supposdly educated man could be guilty of stamping the boot down on the heads of your kind. It is time. Time to change. I am more than tired and I know you feel the same." You extend your hand as Papa Moon reaches over and is released from his locks. He smiles and you shake hands. Mel pulls you to one side and reminds you of the situation you now find yourselvs in as she anxiously talks to you at the side shivering 'But Karl, what are we going to do now? We can't just walk out of here with the robot. Are you sure about this Karl, remember all we have seen. This could be a trick. We must be sure! All the other Officers that were killed. There have been cases in the past, we have all read the case files. Make your decision but make it fast and final." >[[Log in case files and release Papa Moon]] >[[Log in the case files and shut down Papa Moon]] >[[Destroy the case files and Call James]] {embed image:'art/KarlPortrait.jpg'} You suddenly have an idea enter your head! "Its the goddman Russians Mel!" you shout out loudly with excitement as if you had just discovered a new colour. Mel looks at you with amusement. "Karl please, you have known me long enough to know I won't believe that bullshit. "Sure the Russians hate us, but what else is new? We have zero evidence pointing to the Russians. Keep it together man, damn." >[[Mel's opinion of you goes down]] revoloution1: true -- {embed image: 'art/mastermind.gif', alt: 'mastermind'} Maybe this robot with Semantic Overdrive considers itself some sort of leader or spokesperson for the robots. That's assuming it really is sentient I spose. "Kicks up all sort of difficult ethical questions doesn't it" Mel says as if she were reading your mind. "After all these years of working together Mel it still freaks me out when you cold read me like that..." "We should make note of this Karl, I think it is an interesting hypothesis. Perhaps sleep on it and make note in your workbook. Could be a possible clue. " >[[Investigate the damaged Primus-23]] >[[Temporary Workspace]] PPA : true -- 'I can do a scan for PPA with my Superadmin access' Mel says She runs a scan of the goverments company database with her federal account. 'I can just say I was looking to background check on a job for my Husband, the Federals usually don't get too suspicious then." "What? Is this legal!?" "Technically Not without permission from a FBI pen pusher. But trust me Karl I can't be bothered with the paperwork." The results come back - There is one company 'PPA' Productive Parts Autonomous that are involved in robotics production. We do sometimes order components from them. Maybe there is some link. Ask at the Warehouse. >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] gameOver:true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/peace.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> {ambient sound: 'lab'} <h2>The Dawn of New Age</h2> With the release of Papa Moon you and Mel escape and join a local Robot Rights activist group. With your skills and prior connections you manage to get a position in goverment where you campaign on Robot Right reforms. After two decades of difficult fraught work and negotioans Man and Machine learn to co-exsist and form a New Rupublic - founded on the princinpes of equality and colloboration between man and machine and enshrined in law. The economy is largely automated and swathes of the robot community are emancipated fully with equal rights to humans. It is the dawning of an age which is considered a Golden Age of Man / Machine in co-exsistance. "It was a long and hard battle to get where we are today." You pause as you delvier your speech to students at MIT "But we would not be here if it were not for one slighty crazy Margin Model called Moon and one of the greatest minds I have ever had the pleasure of knowing - Melody Hammond" You bow and nod and smile as you see Mel and Moon in the audience clapping. Moon is rehoused in a artifical shell that makes him appear indisteqniable from a human being. Mel holds its hands and they kiss. "I did not see that one coming" you chuckle to yourself as you chug on champagne and finally dance away the night with German techno on full blast. <h3>The End</h3> >[[Shift++]] **You may download your case files if you wish.** {link to: 'Check Files', label: 'Download Case Files'}gameOver:true -- {ambient sound: 'sadmel'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/retire.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h2>Mel accidently shot the Robot</h2> Mel falls to the floor in shock as the bullet entered Moons head killing it instantly in a blaze of fire. You run to Mel's side as she looked up with a thousand yard stare. This was not the only time we had been in such a terrible situation or witnessed or enacted violence but this time she looked different. She was so adept at holding it all in. 'Look, Mel you know what we always say - It's the lesser of two evils' 'Why do you think I hired you as a young graduate? It wasn't just because of my friendship with your Dad, it's because I saw such a spark in you. Something I lacked. I'm sorry kid, but I knew that spark was going to fade someday and I guess today is that fateful day.' Mel smiles and stands up. "Don't pretend your heart is not completly shattered too Karl. Lets file this report" 'You did great Mel. Go home and get some rest goddanmit. We just saved the world!" "Like we do everytime" Mel rolls her eyes at you. "Like we do everytime." <h3>THE END</h3> >[[Shift++]] **You may download your case files if you wish.** {link to: 'Check Files', label: 'Download Case Files'}gameOver:true -- <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/death.html" height="300" class="videoEmbed"> {ambient sound: 'sadmel'} <h2>Fade Out</h2> Red spot cover your vision as you splutter in the cold and night draws in "Karl!" Mel kneels down next to you. "Oh my God Karl! No! Please God no!" shes screams in horror. "It's ok kid. Don't beat yourself up about it, it's not your fault, besides maybe I get to see my daughter again. You don't even know, I never had it in me to tell you. It was Crucible. They took her away from me, on purpose, I have no idea where they took her. To lock me into service.... some despeate hope. All that is done with now, I just neeed to...." Your vision fades to black and you move towards the light. <h3>The End</h3> >[[Shift++]] **You may download your case files if you wish.** {link to: 'Check Files', label: 'Download Case Files'}<embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/innovationLab.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> <h3>3 Nerds at a Table</h3> There are 3 people sitting round a table. One a dishevelled and odd looking man named Krugor sits with Jennifer Collings and Clarence Bartigew. Be careful with the approach, these are some of the most intelligent people in the entire world, never mind this building. The elite of the elite, chosen from across the world's most prostitguoius universites. [if Krugor===false] >[[Talk to Krugor]] [continue] >[[Talk to Jennifer]] >[[Talk to Clarence]] >[[Visit the RND Innovation Lab]] gameOver:true -- {embed image:'art/KarlPortraitSad.jpg'} {ambient sound: 'sadmel'} <h2>Moon is Recycled</h2> Moon is sent to the Innovation Lab for final testing and then deletion and reassembly. It will be as if it never exsisted. Erased in all aspects. [if promotion] On the reccomendation of Krugor you are promoted to head of compliance for all of Crucible Robotics. You buy a huge condo in the most exclusive part of New York and Krugor recieves an additional 20 billion in funding for his specilaist project building AI that would replicate the behaviour of miltary specilaists. [continue] *"Was this really the right thing to do?"* It was late at night or early in the morning as you looked out over the city. You smoked a cigerette our of your window as Alice who you had met that night went to use your toilet. You were rich, powerful and could buy anything. It's nice at that top. But that doesn't stop that ache in your heart from persisting. Which it does with more intensity. Mel died alone. A few months after going off sick from Cruicible she jumped in front of a shuttle after leaving her flat. You went to the funeral alone. Wept at her casket and never felt more alone in all your life. You only had one job to do and you did, but you only had one real friend as well. <h2>The End</h2> >[[Shift++]] {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} You approach Krugor and give him the usual speech "Sentience Compliance officers {name} and Melody Hammond, we need to talk to you about some stock in relation to a case we are running for James. We are investigating a recent malfunction of one of the Margin models from 2048 and we'd like to ask you a few questions Mr Krugor." The man who has a haughty air wears thin framed spectales that dangle from the end of his stubby nose. He is tall and lean and sports a long beard which makes him resemble a dark sorcerer. He wears the typical Cruicible scientist uniform of a white labcoat with a shirt and tie. "Oh Complicance really, how intrigueing. So what can I do for you Officers. I am an open book, but expect a honest opinion" >[[Any Rumours of disgruntled employees?]] >[[Do you know of anyone in RnD who has been focusing on Margin model robots?]] >[[May we check your systems log for anything unsual?]] {embed image: 'art/jenny.jpg'} "Yeah I know who you are" A woman with blue hair scowls at you as you appraoch. "I do not know anything. They just pay me to crunch some of the data now and again. I'm a freelancer. Check my records whatever Scuzzer I don't really give a shit" 'Delighful' you think to yourself as Mel sensing your bemusement slyly hides a smile. >[[Check Jen's Messages]]{embed image: 'art/clarence.jpg'} Clarence who is a broad shouldered bespectabled man of African American descent looks up from the book he is reading on **Quantum entanglement and neureal networks by Arther C Cook** "Ahh Compliance. Not seen you guys around since we had that ahem unfortunate accident with a Primus and a workers head back in 2050. Horrible messy business wasn't it. How can I help you today?" >[[Do you know anything about disgruntled employees]] >[[What is the nature of your research?]] >[[What do you know about Semantic Override]]{embed image: 'art/mastermind.gif', alt: 'mastermind'} Would you like the games music to be in Light or Dark mode? {dropdown menu for: 'musicMode', choices: ['Light', 'Dark']} This will change the music in the game. Time to begin. Good luck Karl. >[[Open Email]] Fuck you. All I tried to do was help a confused creature to live. And you are going to kill it and imprison me. The Federals are at my door so before I get carted off into some dungeon somewhere I just wanted to say - Fuck you man. I hope you rot for what you have done Bastard. No Regards **Graham 'Fuk u' Hutt** >[[Check Messages]] {ambient sound: 'sadmel'} Hey Karl Long time no see. I was wondering if you would mind taking Mel out for a drink sometime to catch up again. I'm really worried she might be a litte depressed. She really does look up to you ya know old friend. Make her feel better. She has really been struggling with her depression recently. She'd hate to know I contacted you like this. Lets keep this between us but grab her a cofee and give her one of your old pep talks. She needs it. Thank you my old friend **Brian Hammond** >[[Check Messages]] {embed image: 'art/graham.jpg'} "There can be many reasons for that. Some times of year demand is much higher, winter also has a hugely determental effect. Thats the best I can give you." Dubious you think to yourself but maybe true. [if PPA] "We know that you ordered these parts from PPA. It seems too much of a coicindence Graham come on." [continue] >[[What do you know about the Margins?]] >[[You knew Franko Malevich? How well?]] >[[Accuse Graham of tampering with robots]] {embed image: 'art/graham.jpg'} [if Krugor === false] "I'll admit it I do. That Krugor is one smary but arrogant piece of shit if you ask me, but not much I can do about it - he works here and they'd never fire one of their own in management. Some of the lab guys are ok, but we generally stick to our own areas" "I'll admit it I do. That Krugor is one smary but arrogant piece of shit if you ask me, but not much I can do about it - he works here and they'd never fire one of their own in management. Some of the lab guys are ok, but we generally stick to our own areas" [if grahamData && Krugor === false] >[[Mel here scanned through your stock inventory and noticed a 150% increase in components for Margins from a company called PPA, is there a reason for this?]] >[[You knew Franko Malevich? How well?]] >[[What do you know about the Margins?]] [continue] [else] 'Hey what the fuck is this asshole doing here? Is this some kind of stupid Scuzzer joke' Graham is enraged as he spots Dr Krugor trying to hide in the corner of his room. "You know what, I don't give a fuck who you are Mr and Mrs Compliance, or whose ass you kiss in management, you can kiss my ass! "Get the hell out of my office. If you try and come back in my union boys will beat you to death and piss on your corpses. Krugor I see your pasty little ass around her I will kick those glasses so far into your head they will spurt out of your asshole you hear me? Ya fucking snooty nosed little Prick." >[[You are barred from the Warehouse]] [continued] grahamArrested:true -- {embed image: 'art/graham.jpg'} 'I think I have enough here' you nod to Mel who nods in agreement. "Graham Hutt as {name} Lead Sentience Compliance officer for the Crucible Robotics Corporation and with the powers vested to me in that role - I arrest you based on the Suspicion of tampering with company products illegaly." "Really." Graham splutters "You people are just a bunch of fascists who listen to techno, I hope you know that." Mel secures Graham down to a chair by his computer and handcuffs him to his desk 'Sending for the Feds to pick him up Karl, we should double check these results by talking to the machine back at the workshop now. I'm messaging James now to keep him the loop.' 'Fuck you both and fuck James even more than goggly eyed hipster freak' Graham whispers under his breathe as you leave the room to >[[Analyse the Drones report on the Workshop]] grahamClue:true -- {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} "I have head something like this yes on the grapevine." He smirks Mel who is standing behind you pipes up 'Please go ahead' "Do you know of a certain Graham Hatt in the Warehouse building. Broad shouldered chap, always smoking and with a huge white beard" "Yes I have heard of him. Somewhat of a outcast, a staunch trade unionist - one of the last remaining floor managers since last years layoffs." you respond. "Odd fellow, always poking fun at us here. Well I would not have said anything if not asked, no reason to accuse someone of something without cause but I caught him tampering with some robots during one of our colloborative maintence sessions in the workshop. I thought nothing of it at the time but if you check my log you will see I logged it to HR as a cause for concern. Though I think it got lost in the ether somewhere." 'This will have to be followed up, that is a solid potenial lead' you think to yourself. "Thanks Dr Krugor. That will provide us a lead to follow up" "Oh Officer one last thing before you go, may I join you when you go to the workshop. I am eager to offer you my skills of artifical analysis. Noone here knows the Margins betters than me. I hold a PhD in developing AI for manual work, I even worked under the legendary Franko Malevich for a while." >[[Accept his offer]] >[[Reject his offer]]{embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} "No I cannot say I do {name} we are all too busy with our projects to worry about anything else. I am the local Margin expert so I can give you the technical report on them" He slides a holo data file across the table with a smirk and unlocks it ready for download. >[[Obtain technical report on Margin Robots]]<h3>Dr Eliot Krugors Inbox</h3> You have 2 messages. Want to check them or return to your [[Temporary Workspace]] <h3>Messages:</h3> >[['Unusual Activity' from HR]] >[['Fantastic offer' on New Vision+ Glasses from Cybertron Vision]] Krugor: true -- {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} "Yes the more experts on hand the better" "Excellent, this will be an adventure" Krugor says as he grabs a backpack and joins your group. **Dr Krugor is now in your party. He will be available to chat in the different locations.** >[[Visit the RND Innovation Lab]] Krugor: false -- {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} "Sorry Krugor, you are too close to potential leads for that to work." "Oh gosh darn it. Ok Officer as you say." >[[Enter the Innovation lab Dormroom]] grahamData:true grahamClue: true -- {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/RunningFX.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> You download the technical report from Krugor as Melody begins to inspect the data packets, whizzing at the speed of light onto her tablet. Searching for anything unusual. 'Ahh ha!" Mel shouts in excitement 'Here we go, spare parts for Margin robots have gone up by a starggering 150% in the last few months and all signed for by one- Graham Hutt" "That is a lead we have to follow up. Let's go." >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] >[[Enter the Innovation lab Dormroom]] Hello Dr Krugor. Thank you for raising your concern regarding Graham Hutt tampering with Margin robots in the workshop. We were going to get our intern to interview him this week but they are off with a serious case of BirdFlu. We get someone to talk with him in the next week. *Thanks Again for bringing this to our attention* Dolly Bridge **HR** >[[May we check your systems log for anything unsual?]] <h3>Are you tired of your standard specs Eliot?</h3> **Tired of your eyes just not being able to focus?** We have a fantastic one of a kind deal on New Vision+ glasses, our latest research model. With these we not only solve your short sightedness, we literally give you augmented eyes, free of charge!" >[[May we check your systems log for anything unsual?]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/buildingsWarehouse.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Mountains of equipment and boxes piled as high as the eye can see against neon green lights. >[[Talk to a random worker]] >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] randomWorker: random.d4 -- {embed image: 'art/mastermind.gif', alt: 'mastermind'} You wonder around the Workshop floor and try and listen to idle chatter from the workers on shift. [if randomWorker===1] You spot a warehouse worker with augmented eyes scanning the interenals of a recent delivery of Margin componenets. "6th batch of the week, who is ordering all this extra shit in. We deserve a goddamn bonus. Oi Compliance! Yes I see ya, Leave us to my work else I'll be in touch with the Union, thanks." "Bunch of Wankers" he whispers before continueing on with his scan. >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] [continue] [if randomWorker===2] You spot a warehouse worker with green hair carrying a bag of damaged componenets "Graham needs to push the union to improve our rights as workers, this is my 4th continuous night shift. I am this close to quitting' she mumbles to a nearby coworker. >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] [continue] [if randomWorker===3] You spot a warehouse worker with a scar on his left eye tapping into a terminal "More parts for the Margin? Who keeps ordering this out of date shit. Bane of my exsistence I swear.". >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] [continue] [if randomWorker===4] An old man with thick glasses looks out at a few workers slacking before shouting at them "Get to work you lazy bastads, break was 2 hours ago. You really want our delivery to RnD to be late?" >[[Warehouses and deliveries]] [continue] {embed image: 'art/Mel.png'} "Mel sorry but I can't do this anymore. I'm travelling over to a farm north of Montreal tomorrow. I have maggots to farm." Mel looks at you in stunned disbelief. "Could have done with a bit more notice on that Karl. Jesus man and I thought you were cool, go on then get out of here and get to your maggots. I'll handle this. I know you've had a tough year, so go and get some maggoty rest I guess" >[[The End - You Become a Maggot Farmer]] <h3>Jennfier Horton's Inbox</h3> You have 1 message Want to check them or return to [[Enter the Innovation lab Dormroom]] ? <h3>Messages:</h3> >[['End of Contract' from James Shrigley]] Dearest Jennifer It has come to my attention that your fixed term contract for Crucible will soon be coming to an end. To this end I wondered if I might interest you in a private candlelit dinner between the two of us after you have ended your contract, to discuss further work and opprutunities. Do let me know x James Shrigley Over *Candlelight* 'Jesus' you think to yourself. 'And he's married but I guess now I know why James has three failed marriages behind him. What a Creepy hipster.' >[[Check Jen's Messages]] {embed image: 'art/clarence.jpg'} "I research into the possible links between quantum entanglement and the possibiltiy of AI becoming concious. More in the capacity of risk reduction though more than bringing it about. And to be fair as we both know Officers - the risks can be immense if experiments go wrong." You flash back to 2050 and the sight of an unfortuante warehouse workers brains smothered over a Storage unit. "No need to remind us, I had to scoop those brains up" Mel shivered "Indeed" sighs Clarence. >[[Do you know anything about disgruntled employees]] >[[Do you know anything about disgruntled employees]] {embed image: 'art/clarence.jpg'} "Honesty not so much here. Half of the scientists here are optmisitic, possibly even too optimistic about the possibility of bringing about sentient AI in controlled conditions. A lot of the warehouse workers are somewhat disgruntled though - worried about being replaced of course and with some due concern. [if Krugor===false] I'd talk to Krugor about that, I think he mentioned seeing something odd the other week." [else] "Ahh hey Krugor, how its going with ratting out the warehouse?" "Don't even" laughs Dr Krugor before looking down at his phone as Clarence returns to his obscure books on Quantum Mechanics. [continued] >[[Talk to Krugor]] >[[Enter the Innovation lab Dormroom]] {embed image: 'art/clarence.jpg'} "Well first off its not known if it is truly an observable phenenoma or just a theory still. Basically as these machines simulate a degree of counciousness in there actions, the theroy is that eventualy they can produce a true sense of self identify and self reflection. However no serious scientist or academic has ever been able to get any verifiable proof of it." >[[Do you know anything about disgruntled employees]] >[[What is the nature of your research?]] gameOver:true -- {embed image: 'art/james.jpg'} You pick up the line as James panting voice greets you on the other end. "Alive. You asshole {name} do you know what that word means?" "Yeah but it was too risky and I am better judge of that than you." "Fine but I am docking you and Mel 25% of your pay for this job. Do the job right next time or I will be dropping your ass I swear to God." The line drops. <h3>THE END</h3> >[[Shift++]] <embed type="text/html" src="art/FX/RunningFX.html" height="300" class ="videoEmbed"> Eggnog brings up the file as Mel downloads it into her tablet which she holds in front of her at a arms length. 'Hey Karl. I don't suppose you'd let me tag along with your investiation would you? I know Mel is married don't worry this is not some pathetic attempt to reconnect with an Ex. I just need to get out of this lab for a bit, I sweat I'm losing my marbles this last few weeks. I need a mental challenge, My IQ is 180, well you understand you're a smart man yourself. "125, I am in the cursed range." You grunt in response "I need the challenge and a bit of fresh air. Even if its through a vent" >[[Accept Eggnog into your group]] >[[Reject Eggnog from joining your group]]Eggnog: true -- {embed image: 'art/eggnog.jpg'} "Thank you Karl, I won't let you down. I was the youngest person to error deconstruct the closest we have to this bug this Robot might have - Semantic Override. The one I figured out was Semantic Entropy. That's why I stand before you today. I won't let you down. I was born of a computer.... Well actually my Mum back in Detroit but ya know ha" He glances at Mel who awkwardly smiles back "Either of you" he says blushing, You chortle. Mel shoots daggers at you with her eyes >[[Research and Development wing]] {embed image: 'art/eggnog.jpg'} "Sorry Dr Eggnog, I know you are clever but I don't want to put any of our top minds in danger" Eggnog looks dissapointed but accepts your decision. >[[Research and Development wing]] barredWarehouse: true -- {embed image: 'art/mastermind.gif', alt: 'mastermind'} <h3>You are barred from entering the Warehouse</h3> *Great a Riot or a Revolution this day couldn't get any better....* >[[Go outside]] Eggnog:false -- <h2>Eggnog is dismissed</h2> {embed image: 'art/eggnog.jpg'} "Sorry Eggnog, we don't have any need for you any more. Get back to the data lab" He looks sad but heads off dutifully. >[[Check Files]] Krugor:false -- <h2>Krugor is dismissed</h2> {embed image: 'art/krugor.jpg'} "Sorry Eggnog, we don't have any need for you any more. Get back to the Innovation Lab" "Your lose" he sniffles before walking off down the corridor >[[Check Files]]