It was a more exciting time, back in the early years of deep space exploration. Anyone who could afford a good ship and a tank full of fuel could strike out into the vast empty reaches to find his fortune among the stars. Of course, you'd have a better chance of finding your fortune if you had remembered to check a nav chart before heading off into the void. Now you're nearly out of fuel and air, you're tired and hungry -- and desperately hoping you can find someone monitoring the distress channels. Deep Space Drifter Release 1.0 Copyright (c) 1988, 1990 by Michael J. Roberts and Steve McAdams. All Rights Reserved. Spaceship, in the pilot's seat You are securely belted into the pilot's seat of your trusty spaceship. A console occupies the north wall. The hatch to the west is closed. >push distress.z.z.z.push autonav.z.unfasten.get up.open hatch A tinny metallic voice announces, "Distress signal activated. Stand by." Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Your computer's tinny voice announces, "Now receiving incoming message." A three dimensional image of a woman appears. She is striking, but she looks very tired and distraught. "Hello," she says, "I'm receiving your distress signal. I'm on Space Station K-7, which is in orbit of the planet nearest your position. Do you have enough fuel to get here?" Suddenly, the room behind her seems to shake, and the picture dissolves into static. After a moment, the picture returns; the woman is nervously typing something on a control panel. "Look," she says, "I probably won't be here when you get here. You should try to make your repairs and leave as soon as you can. We're --" the picture dissolves into static again, and doesn't return for several moments. "-- my autonav code now. Are you receiving?" The picture breaks up into static. The computer voice comes back on. "Receiving autonav signal on bearing 5381. Video channel closed." The computer's voice announces, "Autonav now engaged. Stand by." The ship shudders briefly as the engines come on to turn the vessel on its new course. You just hope there's enough fuel to get you there. Time passes... (the seat belt) Okay, the seat belt is now unfastened. You're feeling a bit peckish. Perhaps it would be a good time to find something to eat. Okay, you're no longer in the pilot's seat. A sudden shock reverberates through your ship. "Warning," the ship's computer announces, "near miss by energy beam weapon." You hold on, hoping it doesn't get any closer, knowing there's not anything you can do with so little fuel. Your ship shudders for a moment as the rockets suddenly fire. The rockets stop, and a few moments later a loud thud resounds throughout the ship. "Docking completed," the tinny computer voice announces. Opened. >w.w.w.look under cushion.get remote East Gangway You are in a short passage. An indicator light next to the open hatch to the east is green. The station is to the west. You're feeling a bit drowsy; you should find a comfortable place to sleep. Docking Bay You are in the main dock of the space station. There are gangways to the north, east, and south. A corridor leads west, and a stairway leads up. You see a fuel cell box here. Main Room You are in the main room of the space station, which apparently serves as a lounge and recreation room; a chair and a couch are facing a tri-V. There is a kitchen to the north. Hallways lead east and west, there are doors to the southeast and southwest, and a spiral staircase leads up and down. Sitting on the couch is a remote control. You're feeling a bit peckish. Perhaps it would be a good time to find something to eat. Under the cushion you find a shiny metal key, which you take. The station shakes slightly, as though some large object hit the exterior. Taken. >lie on couch.sleep.n.n. Okay, you're now lying on the couch. You quickly drift off into dreamland... You are in a strange swamp. A plant with gaping jaws is here, holding an odd balloon creature in its maw. You notice the plant has a red spot near its base. You're not sure why, but you feel compelled to walk over to the plant and touch the spot. As you do, the plant seems to be tickled by it, and in the foliage equivalent of a sneeze, shoots the balloon creature high into the air to the north. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. You wade northwards into the swamp. You shortly come across another plant. Suddenly, from the muck, a huge and terrifying brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel emerges. The beast starts coming your way; you try to run, but cannot! Just as you're sure there's no escape, the beast halts and looks up. After a moment, you hear a whistling sound, like something falling from high above. You look up to see the strange balloon creature falling from the south. The beast looks more terrified than you, and runs away whimpering to the north. You try to run for cover yourself, but before you can move, the balloon lands in the open jaws of the plant. Once again, you feel compelled to touch the plant's red spot, and once again, the plant ejects the balloon to the east. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. There's a brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel here! You reel in terror, but before you've had a chance to do anything, another beast enters from the south. The two swamp weasels suddenly see each other, and look even more startled and terrified than you do (which is quite a trick). With remarkable agility, the first beast leaps straight into the air. It lands in the gaping jaws of the plant. The second turns around as fast as it can and heads back the way it came. You feel compelled to approach the plant, even with the fierce beast in its jaws. You timidly reach out and touch the spot. As you do, the plant starts to convulse wildly; after a few moments, it spits the swamp weasel high into the air to the west. You realize it was only a dream. You wake up refreshed. >touch pad The robot stops dead in its tracks, shuts off the vacuum and drops it to the floor. The robot then powers down, slumping over into an inanimate pile. >get up.n.open fridge.eat ham.get bulb Okay, you're no longer on the couch. You're feeling a bit peckish. Perhaps it would be a good time to find something to eat. Kitchen You are in a kitchen. There is a microwave oven here (closed), next to a large refrigerator (closed). There is also a set of plastic shelves here. To the south is the main room of the station. A loud crashing sound explodes all around you. The whole room shakes violently for several moments. The shaking eventually subsides. Opening the refigerator reveals a bologna sandwich and a ham sandwich. That was delicious! Taken. >s.se.unlock.open.get blue Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. Bedroom You are in a bedroom. A desk is against one wall, and a bed is in the center of the room. Doors lead to the north and west. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. (the drawer) (with the shiny metal key) The lock clicks open. (the drawer) Opening the drawer reveals a square of blue plastic. Taken. >nw.u.plug cord Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. Control Room You are in the station control room. A large picture window covers one whole wall, offering a breathtaking view of the planet above. There is a control panel here, consisting of little more than a keyboard and display screen. A log reader is sitting on the control panel. You see a power supply here. Sitting on the control panel is a square of yellow plastic and a square of red plastic. (in the power supply) With a shower of blue sparks, the cord slides snugly into the power receptacle. >put blue in log Done. The station shakes slightly, as though some large object hit the exterior. >push continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue button: The voice of the woman you spoke to earlier comes from the log reader. "Day 223. I don't know what's going on around here, but it seems like everything is getting lost. This place only has about a dozen rooms and I can't find my hairdrier in any of them." button: "Day 225. I'm sure Pinback is hiding things on me. It's the only explanation of how a half-ton maintenance robot can disappear on a station this size. He knew I was going to have it vacuum today, so he hid it on me. That man is getting very weird." button: "Day 226. Okay, so we're all getting a little cabin fever here. Pinback says he just took the maintenance robot down to the surface to set up the new landing pad. I guess I was kind of mean to him about the whole deal." button: "Day 228. The stupid robot isn't back yet. I don't know what Pinback's up to, but he's sure not telling me whatever it is." button: "Day 229. Half the power supplies in the place just up and disappeared last night! Pinback says he doesn't have any idea where they went. I can't even use the telescope and the log writer at the same time now!" button: "Day 230. I think there's only one power supply on board now, not counting those that Pinback's hiding wherever he's hiding them. I'm keeping this one with me all the time from now on. Pinback tried to trick me into giving it to him so he could fill the air tanks. He said something about going outside to replace the fuse again. Stupid thing's blowing every couple of trips down, he claims." button: "Day 230. While Pinback was down on the planet today I searched his room to see if I could find any of the stuff I thought he'd hidden. I didn't find anything, so I pointed the telescope straight down at the landing pad. There he was, unloading a big heap of equipment. He's trying to drive me crazy, I just know it. He keeps saying these obscure things about 'when he's in charge.'" button: "Day 232. That maniac Pinback tied me up and drugged me for the last two days! I managed to free myself while he was down on the surface. I think he's becoming dangerous. I've got to do something about it. button: "Day 232. I think I know what Pinback's doing. He's trying to get the old laser cannon on the planet working. Somehow he thinks that it will make him powerful. He's started calling himself 'Lord Pinback.' The man has seriously lost it." The log reader pauses for a moment, then rewinds the tape to the beginning. >get blue.drop blue,key Taken. square of blue plastic: Dropped. shiny metal key: Dropped. >put yellow in log Done. >push continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue,continue button: A man's voice comes from the machine: "Day 219. Tram 1 completely malfunctioned. I'm looking in the manual, but I'm probably going to have to get a repairman out here." button: The man's voice continues, "Day 220. Fixed tram. It was the fuse again. Our supply of fuses is now completely exhausted. I'm going to have to risk going down to the planet today to scout the new landing site at coordinates 1701." button: The man's voice continues, "Day 222. No report." button: The man's voice says, "Day 223. Sigourney has asked me to enter into the log that her hairdrier has disappeared. I'm sure headquarters will be on this one right away, Sigourney." button: A woman's voice continues the log report. You quickly recognize it as the woman you spoke to earlier. "Day 225. The maintenance robot has disappeared." button: The man's voice comes on again, sounding irate. "Day 225. Disregard previous entry. The maintenance robot is simply down on the surface preparing the new landing site at 1701." button: The woman's voice comes on again. "Day 227. So where's the robot, Pinback?" button: The man's voice continues. "Day 227. I'm having serious concerns about Sigourney's mental health. She seems overly upset about small, everyday problems--" The woman's voice, now quite hysterical, cuts in. "What do you mean, concerns about my mental health, you little jerk? Everything's just disappearing and you call that--" The man's voice cuts back in: "Now, Sigourney, just calm down. If you'd let me finish, I'd have told you that the robot is broken, so I couldn't get it in the tram to--" The woman's voice again: "Broken? What could you have done to it to break it?" The man's voice: "Probably the fuse or something. Look, let's just turn this off--" button: The man's voice continues. "Day 230. I had to restrain Sigourney since she appears to be having a breakdown." button: The man continues, "Day 231. Sigourney's condition appears to be getting worse the longer she is restrained. The sedatives are helping. I hesitate to inform headquarters, because I think this is a temporary condition she'll get over." button: The woman's voice, calm but angry, continues. "Day 232. Pinback has gone mad. He's trying to reactivate the old military base on the planet. He has some kind of crazy plan that it will let him rule the galaxy. I have to stop him before he actually manages to find any weapons down there and hurts himself." button: The log reader pauses, then rewinds itself. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. >get supply,red power supply: Taken. square of red plastic: Taken. >d.d.plug cord.put red in slot.type 1701.get red You hear a loud snap, see some bright blue sparks, and notice that you have yanked the cord out of the power supply. Remember, always pull out a power cord by the plug! Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. Computer Room You are in a computer room. In the center of the room is a console. A stairway leads up, and a doorway is to the east. (in the power supply) With a shower of blue sparks, the cord slides snugly into the power receptacle. Done. (on the keypad) The screen is now displaying "Current value: 1701 - Ready for new value". Taken. A loud crashing sound explodes all around you. The whole room shakes violently for several moments. The shaking eventually subsides. >u.drop remote,red.e.u.get tank.d.w.d.e You hear a loud snap, see some bright blue sparks, and notice that you have yanked the cord out of the power supply. Remember, always pull out a power cord by the plug! Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. remote control: Dropped. square of red plastic: Dropped. Docking Bay You see a fuel cell box here. Small room You are in a small dressing room. A stairway leads down, and there is an open airlock to the east. You see a spacesuit here. Taken. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. Docking Bay You see a fuel cell box here. Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner, a remote control, and a square of red plastic here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. Computer Room Lab You are in a large room with a lab bench. On the bench is a large machine. A doorway leads west. >plug cord.attach hose to tank.turn knob (in the power supply) With a shower of blue sparks, the cord slides snugly into the power receptacle. The hose fits snugly over the valve. You hear a muted hissing sound from the hose. This continues for a few moments, then slows, and finally stops. As you release the knob, it springs back to its off position. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. >open compart.drop supply.get fuse Opening the small black compartment reveals a working fuse. Dropped. Taken. >w.u.e.u.attach tank to suit.get burned.put working bulb in socket You feel a tug on the air tank, and remember that it was attached to the hose. The hose yanks itself free. Computer Room Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner, a remote control, and a square of red plastic here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. A loud crashing sound explodes all around you. The whole room shakes violently for several moments. The shaking eventually subsides. Docking Bay You see a fuel cell box here. Small room You see a spacesuit here. With some difficulty, you manage to attach the tank to the spacesuit. Taken. Done. >get suit.wear it.e.push cycle.g.push white Taken. With some difficulty, you manage to get into the spacesuit. It never ceases to amaze that in today's high tech world, they can make a decaffeinated coffee that tastes good, but they still can't make a spacesuit that fits. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. Airlock You are in an airlock. The door to the east is closed, and an open door to the west leads into the station. A large red button on the wall reads "Cycle". You hear a mechanical voice state, "Warning: airlock cycle ready. Check your suit and press cycle button again when ready to depressurize." The door to the west slides shut, and you hear a rush of air. Soon the sound fades, and then is gone altogether, and you realize that the chamber is now a high vacuum. The east door slides open. The spacesuit's headlamp goes on, emitting its full 200 Watt glow. >e.s.s.open compartment.get blown.put working fuse in compartment Outside Airlock You are standing on the space station's hull, to the east of an airlock (whose door is open). The vast dark bulk of the solar collectors hangs above you, blocking out the sun. Handholds lead away to the north, south, and east. There is a brilliant flash of light, and the station shakes violently. You don't know how, but somehow you manage to avoid floating out into space. After a few moments, the shaking stops. On space station's hull You're on the space station's hull. Solar reflectors above capture all of the sunlight and planetlight that might otherwise be illuminating this area. Handholds go off to the north; to the south is the roof of a small tram ship. On the hull of the tram You are on the roof of a small tram ship. A small compartment protrudes slightly from the hull. The space station lies to the north. Opening the compartment reveals a blown fuse. Taken. Done. >n.n.w.push cycle.drop suit,fuse,burned bulb On space station's hull There is a brilliant flash of light, and the station shakes violently. You don't know how, but somehow you manage to avoid floating out into space. After a few moments, the shaking stops. Outside Airlock Airlock The outer door slides shut silently. After a few moments, you hear the muffled sound of air rushing through a valve; the sound grows louder as the pressure in the chamber increases. Eventually, the chamber reaches normal pressure, and the west door slides open. spacesuit: (Taking off the spacesuit first) Dropped. blown fuse: Dropped. burned-out bulb: Dropped. >w.d.w.get all,orange.e.s.s Small room Docking Bay You see a fuel cell box here. Main Room You see a vacuum cleaner, a remote control, and a square of red plastic here. A large domestic robot is sitting in the corner, apparently switched off. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. vacuum cleaner: Taken. remote control: Taken. square of red plastic: Taken. orange square: Taken. Docking Bay You see a fuel cell box here. South Gangway You are in a short passage. A green indicator light is glowing next to the open hatch to the south. The station lies to the north. Tram You are in a TripMaster 2000 (tm), the top of the line station to surface tram. There is an open hatch to the north, a viewport to the south, and beneath the viewport is a control console. There are two seats here, one for the pilot and the other for a passenger. A short power cord is near the base of the console. >put red in slot.sit in pilot seat.fasten.push launch.z.z.z.z Done. A terrifying roar suddenly rips through the station, as though a huge explosion had just happened nearby. The floor buckles and the room seems to spin. For long moments, the room rumbles and shakes. Eventually, the shaking subsides, and you take a moment to regain your balance. Okay, you're now sitting on the pilot's seat. (the pilot's seatbelt) Okay, the pilot's seatbelt is now fastened. The hatch slides shut and latches. With a lurch, the tram separates from the station and floats slowly away. Time passes... The retros fire gently. The tram slowly loses its orbital velocity, and starts to fall toward the planet. Through your viewport, you see a giant beam of energy from the planet, which seems to be aimed directly at your tram! After a moment, though, you realize that the beam is just missing your tram. It is, however, directly hitting the space station. A huge shower of sparks and bits of material fly away from the station. Suddenly, the entire station explodes in a tremendous but strangely silent fireball. After a few moments, you hear a tapping sound as chunks of material from the explosion hit your tram. Time passes... Through the viewscreen you can see nothing more than the bright red of incandescing air as the tram plunges into the atmosphere. As the outer shell of the tram heats up, the turbulence increases, shaking the tram like a demented baby's rattle. Luckily you are securely buckeled in, and ride out this part of the trip feeling only slightly nauseous. Time passes... The tram starts firing its landing rockets. Time passes... The tram gently settles onto the ground. The motors slowly power down. >unfasten.get up.n.w.w.w.n.w (the pilot's seatbelt) Okay, the pilot's seatbelt is now unfastened. The hatch slides open. Outside, you hear giggling. You peer cautiously through the door. You see a man standing on the launch pad, looking up at the sky, rubbing his hands together, cackling with glee. Overhead, a meteor shower of debris from the destroyed space station is slowly streaming through the upper atmosphere. "She can't stop me now," the man cackles to himself. "Lord Pinback, Emperor of the Galaxy!" He picks up a power supply that was sitting on the ground next to him, and wanders off into the distance. Okay, you're no longer in the pilot's seat. South Landing Pad You are standing on a large landing pad. To the south is your trusty tram. A walkway leads west, and a passageway leads north. Walkway You are on a walkway between the east landing pad (to the east) and a large dome to the west. Quarters Entry You are in the entryway to a large dome, which provides housing to the base's many occupants. A walkway exits to the east; a large room lies to the west. Common Room This is the common room for the base's quarters. Exits lie east, west, north, and south. Hall You are in a north-south hall. A doorway leads west; it is marked "Private." Small Room You're in a small room. A doorway to the east leads outside, and a small passage leads west. A large domestic robot is here. It stands blocking the passage to the west, eying you suspiciously. From the looks of it, the robot is running GuardMaster 2000(tm) security software. >touch pad.get black.drop black,vacuum.put orange in slot.touch pad The robot stands perfectly still for a moment, then shuts itself down. Taken. black square: Dropped. vacuum cleaner: Dropped. Done. The robot powers on and looks around the room. It glides over to the vacuum cleaner and picks it up; the vacuum comes to life with a distracting whine. The robot starts moving through the room, vacuuming and tidying up. After it has dusted everything in sight, it moves off to the west. You hear terrible crashes and explosions and laserblasts and bangs, but you still hear the vacuum cleaner whining annoyingly. Finally, a huge explosion resounds through the chamber, and the vacuuming ceases. >w.w.get unit.flip alarm Gauntlet You are in a very long hallway running east and west. The walls, floor, and ceiling are lined with a vast array of terrible-looking weapons, certainly designed to keep this corridoor safe from intruders. The shattered remains of a destroyed robot litter the floor. The huge array of weapons makes a half-hearted attempt to track you through the corridoor, but the battle with the robot apparently left it with insufficient energy to do you any harm. However, you can hear the sound of power supplies rapidly charging up, so you feel as though you should move quickly away from here. Commander's Quarters You are in a richly appointed room, which obviously serves as the commander's quarters. An exit is to the east. You see a yellow note and a portable control unit here. Taken. From the west you hear the sound of huge power supplies coming to life. Presumably, the weapons in the hallway have regained their charge. As you flip the switch into the "off" position, you notice that the alarm light over the door turns off. >e.e.e.n Gauntlet Small Room You see a black square here. Hall Quarters Depot You are in the shuttle depot serving the living quarters. A hallway leads south. A yellow stripe painted on the floor denotes a danger area where the intra- base shuttle stops; the stripe disappears into a tunnel in the north wall. A shuttle car is here. >enter shuttle.turn dial to 4.touch silver.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z Okay, you're now in the shuttle. Okay, the dial is now set to position 4. The canopy closes, and the shuttle speeds off into the tunnel. The shuttle speeds down the tube. Time passes... The shuttle emerges into a gigantic hub, where dozens of tubes come together. The basically cubic enclosure, hundreds of meters on a side, has walls to the north, east, south, and west, and each wall has a three-by-three grid of tubes entering it. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, and is heading toward the north wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, and is heading toward the north wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, banking gently to the left, and is heading toward the west wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, and is heading toward the west wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, banking gracefully to the right, and is heading toward the north wall's left bottom hole. It plunges into the hole with a rush of air. Time passes... The shuttle speeds down the tube. Time passes... The shuttle speeds down the tube. >turn dial to 1.pull cord.exit.touch silver Okay, the dial is now set to position 1. The shuttle speeds down the tube. You give the ripcord a good tug, and it comes free of its socket. For a moment you think it might have been defective, but suddenly, all around the rim of the canopy, huge explosive charges ignite with a deafening roar and a blinding flash of light. The shuttle is momentarily filled with a cloud of thick, black, sulfurous smoke. After a while, the smoke dissipates, and you see that the canopy hasn't been so much ejected as blown to bits. You wonder for a moment how you survived the explosion, much less escaped serious injury. The shuttle emerges into a depot and comes to a stop. Reactor Depot This is the shuttle depot serving the reactor center. A passageway leads west. A yellow stripe painted on the floor denotes a danger area where the intra- base shuttle stops; the stripe disappears into a tunnel in the east wall. A shuttle car is here. Reactor Depot A shuttle car is here. The shuttle speeds off into the tunnel. >w.push button 2,button 4,button 1,button 2,button 2 Reactor Control This is the reactor control room. A passageway leads east. To the south is a monstrous steel door, which is very securely closed. The reactor controls are quite complex; only a few features make much sense to you. On the wall is the Big Board, which has colored lights that indicate reactor status. A large console has many strange controls that you could not even begin to understand; the only controls that look approachable are four buttons labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4. : The current indicator lights: Temperature: yellow Pressure: green Radiation: red Atmosphere: red : The current indicator lights: Temperature: green Pressure: green Radiation: yellow Atmosphere: red : The current indicator lights: Temperature: red Pressure: yellow Radiation: green Atmosphere: green : The current indicator lights: Temperature: yellow Pressure: red Radiation: green Atmosphere: green : The current indicator lights: Temperature: green Pressure: green Radiation: green Atmosphere: green The emergency containment door opens. >d.s.d.s.w Reactor Floor You are at the north end of the reactor floor. Stairs lead up to a control room, and the floor continues to the south. A tunnel leads north. In one corner of the room is a large heap of melted power supplies, of the type that you encountered on the space station. Reactor Floor You are at the south end of the reactor floor. A metal stairway leads up to a catwalk, and another stairway leads down. Basement You are in a basement. A stairway leads up. You can go south through a section of crumbled wall. A passage leads east. Cave Entrance You are in a large cave. A passage leads north, and a tunnel leads to the west. Cave You are in a cave. Passages lead east and west. A dry lakebed is to the south. >w.w.nw.nw.w.nw.u Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, east, west, and northeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, east, west, and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go west, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go east and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go west, northwest, southeast, and up. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.w.nw.nw.n.u.z Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go east and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go northwest and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northeast, and up. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Time passes... The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.ne.n.nw.u.z.z Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, and southwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, northeast, southeast, and up. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. Time passes... You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Time passes... The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.se.se.se.n.ne.u Cave Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south and northeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northeast, southwest, and up. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.s.ne.ne.n.u.z Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northeast, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go northeast and southwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, northwest, and southwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northwest, and up. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Time passes... The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.nw.n.nw.n.nw.u Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northwest, and southwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go northeast, southeast, and up. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.ne.nw.nw.nw.s.u Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go northwest and southwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go northwest and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, southeast, and up. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.se.s.s.nw.n.u Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go south and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north and south. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northeast, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go south, northwest, and up. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.s.s.w.nw.u.z Cave Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, west, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, east, and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go northwest, southeast, and up. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Time passes... The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.nw.n.n.n.nw.u Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north and south. Cave You are in a cave. You can go north, south, northwest, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go northwest, southeast, and up. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. The distant rumbling becomes a thundering torrent of water flowing through the cave directly below. Fortunately, you are on high ground, and avoid the flood. >d.nw.w.nw.u Cave Cave You are in a cave. You can go east, west, northeast, and southeast. Cave You are in a cave. You can go east, west, and northwest. Cave You are in a cave. You can go southeast and up. Cave You are in a cave. You can go down. You see a chunk of xenite here. >get xenite.d Taken. You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. As you descend, you are startled to see a man in the cave below. It's Pinback! Before you can turn around, he comes up to you, wielding a large gun. "So, you thought you could lose me in these caves? No such luck!" He laughs; no, actually, he giggles, to be precise. "I don't know what you think you're doing out here, but whatever it is, you're not going to stop me! I'm going to be Lord Pinback, Emperor of the Known Universe!" He giggles at length, but his aim does not waver. In the distance, you hear a familiar rumbling sound. Pinback doesn't seem to notice. He goes on talking and giggling. "Lord Pinback... perhaps it is not sufficiently majestic a title for one so powerful as myself. King Pinback? Prince Pinback? Sir Pinback? Baron von Pinback?" He goes on and on and on, and all the while the rumbling sound grows nearer. Suddenly, Pinback notices the approaching water. He looks away for a moment; you take the chance to escape back to the higher ground. Below, the water rushes through the cave; you hear Pinback's maniacal laughter as he is swept away into the distance. >d.z.z.z.z.z Cave Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... You hear a loud rumbling in the distance. It seems to be coming your way. Time passes... The distant rumbling becomes a wall of water washing into the cave. You scramble to avoid the flood, but it's far faster than you are. The water washes you for a great distance, then finally subsides, leaving you to dry off. Lake Bed You are on a dry lakebed (which appears to have been wet quite recently). The shore is to the north. >n.e.n.e.push call.u.u.u.s.s.jump Cave Cave Entrance Basement Bottom of Airshaft You are at the bottom of a tall airshaft. A ladder leads up. A passage leads west. A pleasant female computer-generated voice announces from a hidden speaker: "*BING The shuttle has been activated." Middle of Air Shaft You are in the middle of a tall air shaft. A ladder leads up and down. Middle of Air Shaft You are in the middle of a tall air shaft. A ladder leads up and down. Top of Air Shaft You are at the top of a tall air shaft. A ladder leads down into the shaft. An air vent leads south; it looks large enough that you can probably fit through it. Air Vent You are in an airvent. You can go north and south. Air Vent You are in an airvent. To the south, the airvent has collapsed. Evidently, this airvent is suspended over the huge shuttle hub; the gaping hole to the south affords you a spectacular overhead view of the vast chamber below, but also provides a dangerous precipice. The vent continues to the north. An empty shuttle is maneuvering below. It is currently just east of you. In the hub below, you can see a shuttle maneuvering. It is currently directly below you. You gather your courage and jump off the ledge. You fall and fall, but fortunately, the shuttle has moved directly under you! You land on the floor of the shuttle undamaged. Central Hub, in the shuttle This is the central hub of the shuttle system, a huge cavernous area that allows shuttles from one depot to reach any other depot. The four walls are lined with tunnels; each wall is a three-by-three grid of tunnel entrances. The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, banking gently to the left, and is heading toward the south wall's right bottom hole. >z.z.z.z.flip autopilot.move stick south Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, and is heading toward the south wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, banking gently to the left, and is heading toward the east wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, and is heading toward the east wall's right bottom hole. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, banking gracefully to the right, and is heading toward the south wall's left bottom hole. It plunges into the hole with a rush of air. You notice that the annunciator light on the panel that indicates "Autopilot Engaged" goes off. Okay, the autopilot switch is now in the "off" position. The shuttle speeds down the tube. Okay, it's now in the south position. The shuttle emerges into a depot and comes to a stop. Quarters Depot A shuttle car is here. >touch silver.z.z.move stick east The shuttle speeds off into the tunnel. The shuttle speeds down the tube. Time passes... The shuttle emerges into a gigantic hub, where dozens of tubes come together. The basically cubic enclosure, hundreds of meters on a side, has walls to the north, east, south, and west, and each wall has a three-by-three grid of tubes entering it. Time passes... The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, ascending a level, and is heading toward the north wall's right center hole. Okay, it's now in the east position. The shuttle speeds through the cavernous hub, banking gracefully to the right, and is heading toward the east wall's center hole. It plunges into the hole with a rush of air. >drop xenite.turn dial to 4.flip autopilot.exit Dropped. The shuttle speeds down the tube. Okay, the dial is now set to position 4. The shuttle speeds down the tube. You notice that the annunciator light on the panel that indicates "Autopilot Engaged" lights up. Okay, the autopilot switch is now switched into the "on" position. The shuttle emerges into a depot and comes to a stop. East Landing Pad Depot You are in a small room off the east landing pad, which lies to the south. A yellow stripe painted on the floor denotes a danger area where the intra- base shuttle stops; the stripe disappears into a tunnel in the west wall. The shuttle seems to contain a chunk of xenite. A shuttle car is here. East Landing Pad Depot The shuttle seems to contain a chunk of xenite. A shuttle car is here. >s.w.w Launch Pad You are on a launch pad. To the east is a small spaceship. A path leads into dense vegetation to the west. A shuttle depot lies to the north. A saber-toothed triple-ringed xeno-beaver is here. It seems to be guarding the entrance to the spaceship. Swamp You are on some high ground just to the east of a large, smelly swamp. To the east is a landing pad. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, and east. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. >s.s.sw.w.w.w.sw.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north and southwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, northeast, south, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, west, and northwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the south, east, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, northeast, east, and southwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. As you enter this part of the swamp, you see a perplexing sequence unfold before your eyes. A huge brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel leaps out of the muck, ready to attack. You clutch your heart in fear. Just as you think you've had it, the swamp weasel looks with horror into the sky. From the southwest, high overhead you hear a whistling sound, as though a bomb were dropping out of the sky. You look up to see a huge black spherical object plummeting from the southwest. The brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel yelps and leaps to the northeast; a few moments later, the black spherical object lands in the open jaws of a huge plant in front of you with a "fwoop". In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, and northeast. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the northeast. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the northeast, followed by a loud "fwoop". >ne.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southwest. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >sw.push blue In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the east. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >e.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the east and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the northeast. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >e.n.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the north, followed by a loud "fwoop". >w.ne.push red In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the southeast and southwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the northeast. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >se.n.n.push red In the swamp As you enter the area, a swamp weasel emerges from the muck, growling and slavering fiercely. As it eyes its potential delicious and nutritious meal (i.e., you), it smacks its hideous lips with anticipation. You have the barely controllable urge to leave. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, and east. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the west, followed by a loud "fwoop". >s.nw.push red As you enter the area, a swamp weasel emerges from the muck, growling and slavering fiercely. As it eyes its potential delicious and nutritious meal (i.e., you), it smacks its hideous lips with anticipation. You have the barely controllable urge to leave. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the northeast, southeast, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the west, followed by a loud "fwoop". >w.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the east, west, and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the south. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.push blue In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southwest. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.sw.n.push red In the swamp In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >n.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, west, and northwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the north, followed by a loud "fwoop". >n.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the north, followed by a loud "fwoop". >n.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, northeast, and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the northwest. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >n.w.push red As you enter the area, a swamp weasel emerges from the muck, growling and slavering fiercely. As it eyes its potential delicious and nutritious meal (i.e., you), it smacks its hideous lips with anticipation. You have the barely controllable urge to leave. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, east, and northeast. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >n.push blue In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southeast. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the southeast, followed by a loud "fwoop". >s.e.push red In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the northeast, south, east, west, and southwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southwest. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >sw.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the northeast and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the south. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north and southeast. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southeast. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >se.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >n.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >n.push blue In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the east. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the east, followed by a loud "fwoop". >e.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the east and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the east. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the east, followed by a loud "fwoop". >e.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >n.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, and east. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southeast. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the southeast, followed by a loud "fwoop". >e.s.push red In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the south, northeast, east, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, and southwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the south. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.nw.push red As you enter the area, a swamp weasel emerges from the muck, growling and slavering fiercely. As it eyes its potential delicious and nutritious meal (i.e., you), it smacks its hideous lips with anticipation. You have the barely controllable urge to leave. In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >w.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the south. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southeast. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.e.push red In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >w.ne.push blue In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the east. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the east, followed by a loud "fwoop". >se.n.push red In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, and northwest. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot and a blue spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the northeast. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the northeast, followed by a loud "fwoop". >n.e.push red In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north, south, east, and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >w.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.nw.push red In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the west. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >w.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the south. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.push red In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southeast. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.e.push red In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >w.ne.push blue In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the east. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >se.n.push blue In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the east. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the east, followed by a loud "fwoop". >s.e.n.push red In the swamp In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the north and south. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the southeast. Moments later, you hear a loud "fwoop". >s.e.push red In the swamp In the swamp You're in a large, foul swamp. It looks like you might be able to travel to the south and west. In front of you is a large and strange plant. It stands about six feet high, and has a red spot near its base. The top of the plant opens into huge jaws that could easily hold a human. The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the north, followed by a loud "fwoop". >w.ne.push red In the swamp In the swamp The plant is holding a balloon in its jaws. The plant ejects the balloon, sending it high into the air to the north. Even as the balloon whistles through the air, you hear a terrified yelp from the north, followed by a loud "fwoop". Moments later, from far away, you hear a pair of horrified squeals, followed by yet another, even louder "fwoop". To the north, you hear rustling, and nervous panting. >n.n.push red As you enter the area, a swamp weasel emerges from the muck, growling and slavering fiercely. As it eyes its potential delicious and nutritious meal (i.e., you), it smacks its hideous lips with anticipation. You have the barely controllable urge to leave. In the swamp The plant is struggling to hold a brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel in its open jaws. The brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel looks almost comical in its horror at becoming plant food. It looks at you longingly, as though asking you to help it out of its predicament, and as though it has forgotten that not too long ago you were to be its meal. The plant does its usual ejection bit, sending a confused and terrified brown spiny-beaked pin-headed swamp weasel arcing high overhead to the east. Moments later, it lands, and quickly regains its senses. Seeing the impressive saber- toothed triple-ringed xeno-beaver, the swamp weasel turns to run. But the saber-toothed triple-ringed xeno-beaver won't let it get away! The saber- toothed triple-ringed xeno-beaver chases the swamp weasel past you into the swamp; they disappear into the distance. >e.e.n.touch silver Swamp Launch Pad East Landing Pad Depot The shuttle seems to contain a chunk of xenite. A shuttle car is here. The shuttle speeds off into the tunnel. >s.e.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z Launch Pad Spaceship You are in a small spaceship. The only notable feature of the controls is a small button labelled "launch." An open hatch leads west. Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... Time passes... A distant explosion rumbles through the base. It sounded like a huge blast. Time passes... Time passes... Distant explosions from the direction of the reactor rumble through the base. Time passes... Time passes... A series of huge explosions rumbles through the base. Dust falls from above as the walls seem to buckle. >push launch.z.z.z.z.z.z As you start to push the button, Pinback appears at the door, carrying a gun. He is furious. "You have destroyed my laser!" he screams. "I'll make you pay!" He raises up his gun to point directly at you. Just as he is about to squeeze the trigger, an enormous xeno-beaver comes up behind him and, seeing the entrance to its nest blocked, starts to attack. Pinback shouts in terror, and runs off into the swamp. You push the launch button. The ship launches with a roar of powerful rocket motors. The ship continues to ascend into orbit. Time passes... A huge fireball rises into the sky as the reactor is consumed in flame. Terrible explosions rip through the base, levelling the entire complex. It's fortunate that you escaped in time. The ship continues to rise through the atmosphere. Time passes... The ship continues to rise through the atmosphere. Time passes... The ship continues to ascend into orbit. Time passes... The ship continues to ascend into orbit. Time passes... The ship continues to ascend into orbit. Time passes... A previously unseen communications panel attracts your attention. "Attention, unidentified ship," a voice says through a speaker, "are you in need of assistance?" You find the transmitter, and explain your situation. You quickly learn that the calling ship is a Galactic Spaceway Patrol cruiser that was in the area responding to someone else's distress signal. The cruiser takes you on board. As you're departing your small shuttle, the commander comes over to you. You cheerfully greet him, thinking he has come to congratulate you for shutting down the dangerous laser base. "Do you know why we pulled you over?" he asks, then proceeds to request your pilot's license and proof of insurance. "You were operating an unspaceworthy vessel, young man. I'm afraid you'll have to come downtown with us." He escorts you to the ship's brig, where you are surprised to see Sigourney, the woman who answered your distress signal. She explains that she never made it down to the planet, since her ship was disabled by a near miss from the laser. "So the GSP answered my distress signal and came and picked me up, and then they gave me this!" She shows you a citation for operating an unspaceworthy vessel, just like the one you received. "Oh, well, I suppose it beats spinning uncontrollably through space until either your oxygen runs out or you burn up entering the atmosphere of some anonymous planet." At that, the commander turns and walks away, laughing maniacally, as the brig doors slam shut on another chapter in your life. In a total of 397 turns, you have achieved a score of 200 points out of a possible 200. Thanks for playing Deep Space Drifter!