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wanderers middle.txt
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wanderers middle.txt
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# Copyright (c) 2016 by Michael Zahniser
#
# Endless Sky is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
# Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
#
# Endless Sky is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
# PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
#
# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
# this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
mission "Wanderers: Pre-Colony"
landing
source "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "event: wanderers: the eye opens"
not "event: wanderers: spera anatrusk colony"
on offer
conversation
`With the Eye fully opened, Wanderer ships have begun flooding into this region of space. This desolate planet seems to be of particular interest to them, with drones rapidly surveying in all directions, and a small outpost beginning to form.`
` As you land on the outskirts of this settlement, one of the workers comes up to you as you leave your ship. "[Greetings, welcome], it is [delightful, pleasing] to see you have come to show your interest in our exploration. Unfortunately, there exists much [hazard, risk] on a world we know so little about. This will be our staging ground to [explore, catalog] this new region, but it will take some time to be assured of the [safety, security] of our outpost. I suggest you take time to [orient, locate] yourself in these systems while we set up before returning to help. Of course you are welcome when we have [determined, established] safety, there will be many ships needed to help heal the many ruined planets here."`
decline
mission "Wanderers: Surveying 1"
landing
name "Wanderer Surveying"
description "The Wanderers asked you to survey several of the nearby planets in Korath space, and to bring the data back to them on <planet> when you are done."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
stopover "Desi Seledrak"
stopover "Sabira Eseskrai"
stopover "Seleptra Nak"
stopover "Elek Kartanu"
stopover "Sek Alarfarat"
stopover "Solima Skarati"
stopover "Kasichara Fet"
to offer
has "event: wanderers: spera anatrusk colony"
cargo "scientific equipment" 7
blocked "The Wanderers have another mission for you, but you will need <capacity> for their scientific equipment."
on offer
log `The "Eye" wormhole has opened in Wanderer space, but the territory on the other side of the wormhole is Korath space, ravaged by their civil war and still infested with autonomous war machines. Nonetheless, the Wanderers are excited to once again begin their work of healing and repairing damaged worlds.`
log "People" "Sobari Tele'ek" `Tele'ek became part of the expeditionary force that was formed to explore the territory beyond the Eye once it opened.`
conversation
`The Wanderers have begun building a base here, with freighters landing every few minutes to bring more supplies or people. They have a fair number of weapons and warships to keep the Korath automata at bay, but the majority of the supplies look like scientific tools or possibly equipment for terraforming planets.`
` Soon after you land, you are ushered in to a meeting with several of the senior Wanderer leaders. You recognize the military commander Sobari Tele'ek, but the others are strangers to you. And oddly, in addition to the adults there is a Wanderer child in the meeting, barely more than a meter tall, with iridescent black plumage like a starling.`
` When she sees you the child says, "Greetings, Captain." Surprisingly, she speaks in your own language. It's heartening that the Wanderers are teaching your language to their children; perhaps in a few years you'll no longer need the translation device to talk with them.`
` Tele'ek asks you, "Have you explored this new [territory, responsibility] that the Eye has brought us to?"`
choice
` "Yes, it looks like the worlds here are in great need of your care."`
goto care
` "I've run into hostile robotic drones here. You may have been safer back where you came from."`
goto drones
` "No, I have not had time to explore yet."`
goto next
label care
` "Indeed," says one of the other Wanderers. "It is very [exciting, stimulating]."`
goto next
label drones
` "Perhaps," says Tele'ek, "but we have not yet found a way to [communicate, reason] with them. Perhaps their attacks on us are merely a misunderstanding."`
goto next
label next
` A different Wanderer speaks up and says, "This new territory is full of [promise, possibility], but we are few in number still and have not dared to [explore, survey] too widely. Human, you have [special, exotic] means of travel and can perhaps explore more [safely? circumspectly?] than we can. Will you visit some worlds for us and help us to [measure, discern] what must be done to heal them?"`
choice
` "Sure, I'd be glad to."`
goto end
` "Are you sure you aren't in danger here from the Korath drones?"`
` "Don't worry," says Tele'ek. "[Resisting, fighting] the Unfettered Hai forced us to develop stronger warships. We are well [equipped, prepared] for this new threat."`
label end
` The Wanderers load a large amount of scientific equipment onto your ship and explain how to use it. They also indicate several planets that their long-range sensors have detected that they would like you to investigate further.`
accept
on visit
dialog phrase "generic stopover on visit"
mission "Wanderers: Surveying 2"
landing
name "Wanderer Surveying"
description "The Wanderers have asked you to survey some more worlds, which are deep in the territory of the Kor Mereti drones, and to bring the measurements back to them on <planet>."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
stopover "Esayaku Fen"
stopover "Aresepru Nat"
stopover "Korbatri Eska"
stopover "Fek Rembatu"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Surveying 1: done"
cargo "scientific equipment" 7
blocked "The Wanderers have another mission for you, but you will need <capacity> for their scientific equipment."
on offer
log "People" "Tema'a Iriket" `Iriket is a Wanderer specializing in terraforming, who has been selected to survey the worlds beyond the Eye and to make plans for how each one can be made to flourish once more. She is far more interested in the terraforming work than in dealing with the threat of the Korath war machines.`
conversation
`When you land, a Wanderer named Tema'a Iriket meets you, and identifies herself as the head of the terraforming team. She is excited to see your data on the nearby planets. "For each of these worlds," she says, "we must decide what [treatment, strategy] will best enable it to flourish once more. Even if a world is near to the [territory, domain] of the [dangerous, hostile] robots, we may be able to begin its [healing, transformation] from a distance."`
choice
` "I'm surprised your species is so eager to start terraforming. I'd think the threat of the Korath automata would be your first priority."`
goto drones
` "Is there any way I can help with the terraforming efforts?"`
goto volunteer
label drones
` She says, "[Healing, renewing] worlds is something we love doing. Fighting is not something we love. So unless the robots become more [aggressive, threatening] we prefer not to seek out conflict. And in the meantime, it would be [intriguing, exciting] to make measurements on the planets they control. Could you do that for us?"`
goto next
label volunteer
` "I am [pleased, delighted] that you asked," she says. "What we would find most [useful, interesting] right now would be [climate? ecosystem?] measurements from the planets orbiting these stars." On a local star map, she points out several star systems.`
` "Those are deep in Kor Mereti territory," you tell her.`
` "Yes," she says, "which is why I am [hoping, presuming] to ask you to make the measurements."`
label next
choice
` "Sure, I would be glad to do that."`
` "That sounds awfully dangerous."`
goto danger
` "Excellent," she says. "I will collect the data from you when you are done."`
goto leaders
label danger
` "I have complete [trust, faith] in your abilities," she says, and then she walks away before you can protest further.`
label leaders
` When you report to the Wanderer leaders, they have several other requests for you. A cosmologist named Erukt Isi'ithi is interested in scanner data on three supernova remnants near Korath space. And Sobari Tele'ek wants you to collect more data on the automata. "If we knew how they function," he says, "we might be able to [make peace with, befriend] them. Perhaps you could [board, salvage] a disabled drone of each [faction?] and bring us whichever [parts, components] control its [decision-making, intelligence]."`
choice
` "Sure, I would be glad to do that."`
goto end
` "The drones are powerful. I'm not sure I can disable one."`
` "They seem to do a good job of disabling each other when they meet," he says. "Or you could [upgrade to, purchase] one of our [necessary? lamentable?] warships."`
label end
` You leave the meeting with a long list of tasks to perform for the Wanderers. You hope they appreciate all the assistance you are giving them.`
accept
on visit
dialog phrase "generic stopover on visit"
on complete
conversation
`You present your planetary measurements to Tema'a Iriket, the terraforming director. She is very excited about the data. "So many worlds," she says, "each with their own [personality? idiosyncrasies?]. We will learn more about each one, and discover how we can [partner, collaborate] with them to help them [recover, be reborn]."`
` She tells you that for now, they do not need any more scanning data, but she will let you know if new needs arise in the future.`
mission "Wanderers: Nova Remnants"
landing
name "Nova Remnants"
description "A Wanderer cosmologist named Erukt Isi'ithi asked you to visit several nearby stars that seem to be supernova remnants, and to make measurements on them."
source "Spera Anatrusk"
waypoint "Peresedersi"
on enter "Peresedersi"
dialog
"You fire up your ship's sensors and collect the data that the Wanderers asked for on this system's sun."
waypoint "Kasikfar"
on enter "Kasikfar"
dialog
"You fire up your ship's sensors and collect the data that the Wanderers asked for on this system's sun."
waypoint "Fasitopfar"
on enter "Fasitopfar"
dialog
"You fire up your ship's sensors and collect the data that the Wanderers asked for on this system's sun."
to offer
has "Wanderers: Surveying 1: done"
on visit
dialog phrase "generic waypoint on visit"
on complete
log "Factions" "Archons" `Archons are partly biological, partly technological, and partly something that human language has no words for. They are extremely powerful. The Archons are somehow affiliated with the Drak, yet separate from them.`
conversation
`You contact the cosmologist Erukt Isi'ithi and give him a copy of your ship's scans of the supernova remnants. To you, the scanner results are inscrutable, but clearly to him they tell a story, and not one he is happy with: his body shakes violently and the pupils of his eyes shrink to pinpoints as he looks at the data.`
` "These stars died an [untimely, unnatural] death," he says. "I wonder what the role of these Archon [beings, entities] was. Is the [destabilization, destruction] of these stars a crime the Korath committed, for which the Archons punished them? Or did the Korath commit some other crime, and the Archons [ripped, tore] these stars apart as punishment?"`
choice
` "Which do you think is more likely?"`
` "Has your species encountered the Archons before?"`
` He says, "One of the Archons [visited, appeared at] this world when we first settled here. It promised terrible [retribution, punishment] if we harmed either [faction? remnant?] of Korath survivors, and warned us of the [hostile, uncontrolled] robot drones. I have no doubt that they could [destroy, rend open] a star; they are beings [not entirely contained within this universe? extending into hidden dimensions?]. But the Archon who [spoke, communicated, interacted] with us did not seem [malicious, violent]."`
choice
` "So, the Archons are living creatures? Not some sort of ship?"`
` "The Quarg say that the Drak are interested in keeping peace in the galaxy."`
goto quarg
` He says, "They are partly [living, biological], partly [constructed, technological], and partly..." Whatever the third part is, the words for it are so far removed from human language that your translation device doesn't even attempt a guess at how to express them.`
` You tell him, "The Quarg are a peaceful species, and they say the Drak are peacemakers as well. So perhaps we should not be too worried about their intentions."`
label quarg
` He says, "Even if that is so, [enforcing, maintaining] peace must sometimes require the use of [force, violence]. Also, have the Quarg [explained, revealed] to you who the Drak are? Are the Archons the Drak? Or were they [constructed? created? birthed?] by the Drak? The Archons do not appear to be a [naturally evolved species?]."`
` He sits silently for a minute, then says, "The Archon that spoke with us said, 'I am an Archon.' It did not say, 'I am a Drak.' Have you ever [spoken, communed] with an Archon? Did it [call, name] itself a Drak?"`
choice
` "I don't think so."`
` "I think it did."`
` "I don't remember."`
` "Interesting," he says. He promises to share any further information he obtains with you, and you thank him for his time.`
mission "Wanderers: Mereti Controller"
landing
name "Kor Mereti Controller"
description "Board one of the Kor Mereti drones, find whatever component is controlling its actions, and bring that component back to the Wanderers on <planet>."
source "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Surveying 1: done"
on visit
dialog `You have returned to <planet>, but you don't yet have a the component that is controlling the Kor Mereti drones. Depart and attempt to board one of the drones to plunder one.`
on complete
log `Discovered that the "Kor Mereti" drone ships are controlled by some sort of collective and decentralized artificial intelligence, with no obvious weaknesses.`
outfit "Reasoning Node" -1
conversation
scene "outfit/reasoning node"
`You hand off the Reasoning Node that you recovered from a Kor Mereti drone to a team of Wanderer scientists. A few hours later they report back to you. "This is a very [robust, redundant] design," says the lead scientist. "Each of these nodes has enough [processing power? intelligence?] to control one of the drones, but they are also [linked, interconnected] via a hyperspace network. So, all the drones [communicate, confer] with each other and are capable of making [strategic decisions?] as a collective."`
choice
` "So no one is commanding the drones?"`
` "But without their communications network, they would lose much of their intelligence?"`
goto network
` "It appears not," he says. "Given the number of drones and the [complexity, sophistication] of their [computing equipment?], the collective is as intelligent as any [artificial mind?] that my own species has ever constructed."`
goto end
label network
` "Yes," he says, "but the network is very [redundant? decentralized?]. It could quickly adapt to any but the most [severe, catastrophic] interruption. It is a [beautiful? elegant?] design, similar to a [living system?]."`
label end
` He tells you that the scientists will continue to examine the Reasoning Node and see if they can identify any weaknesses to exploit, but he does not sound hopeful. Which is too bad, because the Kor Mereti are a much more immediate threat to the Wanderers than the Kor Sestor.`
mission "Wanderers: Sestor Controller"
landing
name "Kor Sestor Controller"
description "Board one of the Kor Sestor drones, find whatever component is controlling its actions, and bring that component back to the Wanderers on <planet>."
source "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Surveying 1: done"
on visit
dialog `You have returned to <planet>, but you don't yet have a the component that is controlling the Kor Sestor drones. Depart and attempt to board one of the drones to plunder one.`
on complete
log `The "Kor Sestor" drones turn out to all be controlled remotely, presumably by either an artificial intelligence or by Korath leaders in hiding on one of their worlds. If the control center could be found, it would be possible to gain control of the entire Kor Sestor fleet.`
outfit "Control Transceiver" -1
conversation
scene "outfit/control transceiver"
`A team of Wanderer scientists examines the Control Transceiver that you salvaged from a Kor Sestor drone. "It is a remote control," they tell you. "Very little [computing power? autonomy?]. The ship receives [commands, directives] from some other source and sends back information on its own [status, observations]."`
choice
` "Is there any way we could track the source of the commands?"`
` "Could we disrupt their communications somehow? Render them helpless?"`
` "No," says the scientist, "it uses an [entangled particle?]. Untraceable, impossible to [interrupt, interfere with], and it could [operate, communicate] over any distance. But if we could locate the [control center?], we would be able to [take over, hijack] all the drones simultaneously."`
` "What would the control center look like?" you ask.`
` "It could be anything," says the scientist. "Maybe a massive computer. Maybe an artificial mind. Maybe an underground [bunker, habitation] where aging [war captains, generals] hide out in order to direct their [pointless, futile] war. But whatever it is, it is a single [point, focus] of vulnerability, which we may use to our advantage."`
event "wanderers: kaliptari battle begins"
system Kaliptari
fleet "Wanderer Flycatchers" 500
event "wanderers: kaliptari battle ends"
system Kaliptari
add fleet "Large Quarg (Kor Efret)" 2000
add fleet "Small Kor Mereti" 8000
add fleet "Large Kor Mereti" 3600
add fleet "Wanderer Defense" 1000
add fleet "Wanderer Drones" 500
mission "Wanderers: First Mereti Attack"
landing
name "Defend <planet>"
description "The Wanderer base on <planet> is under attack by Kor Mereti drones. Help the Wanderers to drive them off, then return to the planet."
source "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Surveying 2: done"
has "Wanderers: Nova Remnants: done"
has "Wanderers: Mereti Controller: done"
has "Wanderers: Sestor Controller: done"
on offer
event "wanderers: kaliptari battle begins"
conversation
`While you are still walking back to your ship from your latest meeting, alarm sirens begin to sound, and you see many Wanderers leaping into the air and flying quickly toward the spaceport, where ships are quickly beginning to take off. (Interestingly, a Wanderer alarm siren sounds more like a quacking duck than like the shrieking or droning sounds commonly used as alarms by humans.) It would appear that the base is under attack.`
` You return as quickly as possible to your ship and prepare to join the other defenders...`
launch
on visit
dialog `There are still Kor Mereti drones circling overhead. You should help the Wanderers to drive them off.`
npc evade
government "Kor Mereti"
system Kaliptari
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "kor mereti"
variant
"Model 512" 1
"Model 256" 1
"Model 128" 2
"Model 64" 3
"Model 32" 4
"Model 16" 6
dialog `As the last of the Kor Mereti raiding party is destroyed, you receive a message from Sobari Tele'ek. "Please join us at the [base, settlement] as soon as you are able to," he says. "We will need to [agree, decide] on a strategy to deal with these [robots, drones] in case their attacks grow worse."`
npc
government "Wanderer"
system Kaliptari
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "wanderer"
variant
"Derecho"
"Tempest" 2
"Autumn Leaf" 3
npc
government "Wanderer"
system Kaliptari
personality heroic
fleet
names "wanderer"
variant
"Derecho"
"Tempest" 2
"Strong Wind" 1
"Autumn Leaf" 2
"Summer Leaf" 3
on complete
event "wanderers: kaliptari battle ends"
mission "Wanderers: Rek To Kor Efret"
landing
name "Bring Rek to <planet>"
description "Bring Rek, who has survived the Molt and taken on a new form, to try to communicate with the Kor Efret on <destination>."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
destination "Setar Fort"
passengers 1
blocked "You will need room for a passenger in order to take on the next Wanderer mission."
to offer
has "Wanderers: First Mereti Attack: done"
on offer
log `Iktat Rek has survived the Molt, but in a completely new form. Rek is now female, and is only the size of a Wanderer child, and has chosen the name "Ektasi Rek" for herself, meaning something like "communicator" or "bridge-builder."`
log "People" "Iktat Rek" `Rek underwent the Molt, a mysterious process in which the body of a Wanderer who is exposed to novel stimuli transforms into a completely new species while still maintaining that individual's memories and personality. The new Rek is a female and goes by the name "Ektasi Rek."`
log "People" "Ektasi Rek" `Ektasi Rek is the first Wanderer in millennia to undergo the Molt, changing into a completely different species with new capabilities. As more Wanderers go through the Molt, the Wanderers as a whole will have to decide which of these mutations represents the best way for their species to survive and flourish in Korath space.`
conversation
`When you enter the meeting room, Sobari Tele'ek is in a heated argument with the Wanderer child who was here earlier, the one who speaks your language. The child is saying, "The Eye has sent us not to a place of [empty, abandoned] worlds but to a place of [living beings?]. To complete our [calling, work] here we must collaborate with those beings, just as we would collaborate with the [ecosystem? personality?] of a planet we sought to repair."`
` "What do you [propose, intend], Firstborn?" asks Tele'ek.`
` "I would visit the [remaining, surviving] Korath," she says. "I would learn their [language? viewpoint? history?]. I would offer them our [companionship, assistance]."`
` "No," says Tele'ek. "How could I [endanger, gamble with] your life? You are too [precious, unique] to be sent on such a [mission, assignment]."`
` "You cannot command me," she says.`
` "Until you are [fully formed? complete?] I can," he says.`
choice
` (Interrupt the argument to report on the Kor Mereti attack.)`
` (Let them continue talking.)`
goto continue
` You interrupt to begin describing how the Kor Mereti attack was driven off, but as you are talking the Wanderer child leaps off her seat and hops over to perch near the head of the table. "I name myself," she says, quietly.`
goto name
label continue
` The Wanderer child draws herself up to her full height (which, admittedly, is still not terribly impressive), and says quietly, "I name myself."`
label name
` Instantly all other conversation in the room stops. Based on what Iktat Rek told you, a Wanderer child becomes an adult in the moment when she chooses a role-name for herself. "I name myself [communicator, ambassador, bridge-builder]," she says. "Captain <last> will take me to [live with, join] the peaceful Korath."`
` To your surprise, Tele'ek agrees to let her go after giving her one last warning to be careful. She walks and flutter-hops at your heels as you return to your ship; apparently she has no need of any luggage.`
choice
` "I'm glad to be transporting you. What should I call you?"`
` "I'm surprised your father gave you permission to do this."`
goto father
` She cocks her head quizzically at you. "You do not know who I am?" she says. Now that you are out of the meeting, she is once more speaking to you in your own language.`
` "No, I don't," you say.`
goto rek
label father
` She looks confused. "Tele'ek is not my father," she says. "I am my own father." Now that you are out of the meeting, she is once more speaking to you in your own language.`
` "What do you mean?" you ask.`
label rek
` "After all our work together, you do not recognize me?" she asks. "I am Ektasi Rek i' Rek." It takes you a moment to realize that she is not claiming to be Rek's daughter. She is claiming to be "Rek, who came from Rek." She is Rek himself. Or apparently, now, herself. Alien biology is full of surprises.`
choice
` "Rek! You survived the Molt! Why did no one tell me?"`
` "Wait, you're female now?"`
goto female
` She says, "Things got a bit chaotic when the Eye opened." You're not sure if that's the full truth, or if Rek was just enjoying playing a trick on you and waiting to see how long you would take to catch on.`
goto end
label female
` She laughs. "I'm not even technically the same species that I was before. A change in gender is minor compared to that." It's hard to read Wanderer facial expressions, but she seems to be thoroughly enjoying how confused you are.`
label end
` Rek has no trouble finding the bunk rooms, and cheerfully settles in while you prepare for the journey to <planet>.`
accept
on visit
dialog `You land on <planet>, but realize that your escort carrying Rek hasn't entered the system yet. Better depart and wait for it to arrive.`
mission "Wanderers: Quarg Assistance 1"
landing
name "Quarg Assistance"
description "Ektasi Rek suggested that you should visit the Quarg and ask if they can help defend the Wanderers from Kor Mereti attacks."
autosave
source "Setar Fort"
destination "Kuwaru Efreti"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Rek To Kor Efret: done"
on offer
log "Rek's metamorphosis seems to have given her enhanced ability to understand other languages. She will be staying with the friendly Korath for a while in order to learn how to communicate with them."
log "People" "Ektasi Rek" `Rek's Molt has given her enhanced ability not only to understand alien speech, but to mimic the sound of it as well.`
conversation
`Soon after you and Ektasi Rek land in the Kor Efret spaceport, a small group of Korath gathers around you. No doubt they realize that Rek is one of the new aliens settling in their former territory. But when Rek begins trying to communicate with them, their desire to be understood overcomes whatever hostility they might be feeling.`
` Within a few minutes Rek is playing a sort of game with them where she points at different objects, trying to learn their names, and then uses those names in sentences: This is a table. Rek is on the table. Rek stands on the table. The table is under Rek. The color of the table is black. The color of the table is the same as the color of Rek.`
` The Korath wave their hands approvingly when Rek says something they agree with, and hiss when she makes a grammatical mistake. The new words and new parts of speech are coming too fast for you to catch more than the general gist of what is going on, but Rek is drinking it all in. She looks so happy and full of life that it's hard to believe that she is the same person you said goodbye to in the medical center months ago.`
` After about an hour Rek says something to the group of Korath, and then walks over to you.`
choice
` "You look like you're making amazing progress!"`
` "What do you want me to do now?"`
goto end
` She seems very pleased with herself. "I think the Molt has given me the mental plasticity of a child again," she says. "This is almost as easy as breathing. But it will take me a while before I understand the subtleties of their language well enough to communicate anything of great importance." It's a bit disconcerting that her vocal organs are somehow able to so perfectly reproduce both the sibilant Korath language and your own human language, in addition to the glottal and percussive sounds of Wanderer speech. And the Hai language as well, for that matter.`
` "So," you ask, "what should I do while you're here learning the language?"`
label end
` She says, "I'm worried about the Kor Mereti making another attack on my people. Do you think the Quarg would be willing to help protect us?"`
` You agree that it's worth a try. She suggests that you visit the Quarg ringworld and try to find someone with the authority to send a defense fleet to guard the Wanderer settlement.`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Quarg Assistance 2"
landing
name "Quarg Assistance"
description "Escort a Quarg fleet that has agreed to help protect the Wanderers back to <destination>."
autosave
source "Kuwaru Efreti"
destination "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Quarg Assistance 1: done"
on offer
log "The Quarg (or possibly, a faction within the Quarg, or even just a group of Quarg acting on their own) have agreed to send three of their warships to help defend the Wanderer settlement in Korath space. (Or maybe they are sending the ships because they view the Wanderers as invaders and want to keep an eye on them. It is not easy to determine their true intentions.)"
log "Factions" "Wanderers" `According to the Quarg, the Wanderers are not native to this galaxy, but were brought here from somewhere else (presumably by the Pug).`
conversation
`The Quarg do not generally share any information on how their leadership hierarchy works, if such a hierarchy even exists, so your best bet to find help for the Wanderers is just to ask around until you find the right person. You flag down the first Quarg who passes you in the hallway. "So," it says, "us the Quarg the human sojourner has come to visit. Of assistance how may I be?"`
` "Well," you say, "I'm here on behalf of a species that has recently settled on one of the abandoned Korath worlds. I'm hoping you can help protect them."`
` It says, "Yes, aware are we that befriended have you the eternally drifting Wanderers, who are friends of the insufferable Pug. But wherefore aid them should we?"`
choice
` "The Wanderers know how to repair planetary ecosystems. They could make the Korath worlds livable again."`
` "The Wanderers may be able to help you deal with the hostile automata."`
goto automata
` "Are they able also to make the Korathi worthy to inhabit those worlds again? Are they able to make wise enough the Korathi to not ruin their homes once more? Or do the abilities of these extragalactic interlopers not extend so far?"`
goto next
label automata
` "Are their vessels and arms mightier than ours?" asks the Quarg. "Have they a wisdom vaster than our own? Or are they more numerous than we? For we are trillions. What could these extragalactic interlopers achieve, that long before your emergence attempted have we not?"`
label next
` When you don't respond, the Quarg continues, "These Wanderers are not indigenous to our galaxy, and thus have not we an obligation to avert their extinction. The Korathi are our charge and our responsibility. So implore I you to tell me, why a good thing for the Korathi it is that their shattered territory these aliens invade."`
choice
` "The Wanderers could help the Korath by teaching them to take care of their worlds better."`
` "The Wanderers don't want to stay here forever; they will move on once the worlds are repaired."`
` The Quarg blinks slowly, with its strange eyelids moving from side to side rather than top to bottom. Then it says, "Grant you shall we three warships to with you travel back to the settlement of these friends of the loathsome Pug. They will help to keep the death-bringing robots at bay. And oversee will they the Wanderers, and judge if as benevolent as you say are they."`
` It is extremely strange that the first random Quarg you accosted in the hallway happened to be one with the authority to launch a fleet of warships, but it would be impolite to question such a generous, if extremely verbose offer. You thank the Quarg and return to your ship. Hopefully the Wanderers will be glad for the protection and will not object to having a Quarg fleet overhead scrutinizing their actions.`
accept
on visit
dialog `You've reached <planet>, but you left one of the Quarg ships behind. Better depart and wait for it to arrive.`
npc accompany save
government "Quarg (Kor Efret)"
personality escort
ship "Quarg Wardragon" "Elearu-quara"
ship "Quarg Wardragon" "Kumawar Kwarca"
ship "Quarg Wardragon" "Ahlimona Spod"
mission "Wanderers: Quarg Defenders"
landing
invisible
source "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Quarg Assistance 2: done"
npc kill
government "Quarg (Kor Efret)"
personality staying uninterested heroic
ship "Quarg Wardragon" "Elearu-quara"
ship "Quarg Wardragon" "Kumawar Kwarca"
ship "Quarg Wardragon" "Ahlimona Spod"
mission "Wanderers: Pug Assistance 1"
landing
name "Pug Assistance"
description "The Wanderers are thankful for the protection of the Quarg, but hope that the Pug on <planet> will be willing to send warships to protect them as well."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
destination "Vara Pug"
clearance
to offer
has "Wanderers: Quarg Assistance 2: done"
on offer
conversation
`When you arrive at the Wanderer settlement with three Quarg warships in tow, you are met with a mix of gratitude and apprehension. The senior leaders insist on meeting with you immediately, and you explain how you delivered Rek to Kor Efret space and then visited the Quarg to ask for their assistance. Tele'ek asks you, "These Quarg, what are their [intentions, inclinations] toward us? And do they understand that we seek to [heal, renew] these worlds, not to steal them from the Korath?"`
choice
` "The Quarg avoid conflict unless absolutely necessary. If you show that you are peaceful, they will come to trust you."`
goto peace
` "I think the Quarg are worried that you are going to displace the surviving Korath."`
goto displace
` "The Quarg don't trust you because you're connected to the Pug. They also say you aren't native to this galaxy."`
goto pug
label peace
` "Well," says Tele'ek, "if they really [desire, hope] for these worlds to be [fruitful, habitable] once more, the best thing we can do is prove our [value, virtue] by beginning our work. We are a [patient, deliberate] species too, and we understand that gaining the [trust, goodwill] of another may take time."`
goto next
label displace
` "I hope that Rek will be able to [allay, assuage] that fear," says Tele'ek. "Surely if we are able to [communicate, connect] with the Korath survivors, they will soon come to see that our intentions are [peaceful, honorable, benevolent]."`
goto next
label pug
` Tele'ek says, "That is a [reasonable, understandable] sentiment. But when they [learn, observe] that our goal is only to make these worlds [flourish, be fruitful] once more, I hope that we will [win, earn] their trust."`
label next
` "And besides," says Iriket, the terraforming director, "we will only be in this [region of space, territory] for a short time, no more than ten or twenty thousand [years]. So I don't [see, understand] why they are so [concerned, defensive]."`
` "Still," says Tele'ek, "Many among us wish that Rek had not [sent, instructed] you to visit the Quarg. The Keepers of the Eye kept the Hai [at bay, held back]. Surely they could also help us [defeat, remove] these hostile robots. Surely they sent us here for the [healing, reconstruction] of worlds and not to lose our lives fighting an [implacable, remorseless] foe."`
choice
` "That might be worth a try. The Pug are full of surprises; they may have technology that would let them defeat the automata easily."`
goto end
` "If getting caught in the crossfire between the two automaton factions is bad, wouldn't getting caught in the middle of a war between the Pug and the Quarg be even worse?"`
` "They both want what is [optimal, productive] for this region," says Tele'ek. "Perhaps fighting side by side against a common enemy would allow the Pug and the Quarg to [reconcile, make peace] with each other."`
label end
` After some discussion, the other leaders agree that they are more comfortable going to the Pug for help than in solely trusting the goodwill of the Quarg. They ask you to travel back through the wormhole and visit the Pug world there, to see if they are willing to help.`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Pug Assistance 2"
landing
name "Return to <planet>"
description "Return to <planet> to tell the Wanderers there that the Pug refuse to send any ships through the Eye to help defend them."
source "Vara Pug"
destination "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Pug Assistance 1: done"
on offer
log "Visited the Pug to see if they are willing to help the Wanderers fight the Korath automata. But the Pug and the Quarg do not get along with each other, and therefore the Pug are not willing to enter Korath space."
log "Factions" "Archons" `For reasons that are not entirely clear, the Pug are hostile toward the Archons, yet also view them as being worthy of pity.`
log "Factions" "Pug" `The Pug say that their species is split up into separate groups or "teams" that each focus on interacting with a different sentient species. They view those other species as "projects" that they are working on.`
conversation
`The moment you step off your ship you are surrounded by a group of armed Pug. "Perhaps we have not communicated clearly enough for the human's small brain to comprehend it," says one of them, "but we are uninterested in any further interactions with the human."`
choice
` "Actually, I'm here on behalf of the Wanderers."`
goto wanderers
` "Why are you so hostile toward me?"`
` "We are not hostile," says another, "but our project is Wanderers, not humans. You have your own Pug and may bother them as you wish, if they will permit it."`
choice
` "Well, it's actually the Wanderers that I'm here to talk with you about."`
goto wanderers
` "You're saying that the group of Pug that attacked human space is a different faction?"`
` "Not a different faction," says one of the Pug, "just a different team, working on a different project. They are the ones whose job is to understand and deal with humans, not us. Thankfully."`
choice
` "The Pug in human space have left now, so there's no way to 'bother' them anymore."`
` "Of course they have," says one of the Pug, in a tone of voice that suggests that you're extremely foolish to think that the Pug are done meddling in human affairs.`
label wanderers
` You explain to the Pug that you are here on behalf of the Wanderers: that the region of space the Eye led them to is infested by dangerous robotic automata. They respond, "It is also infested with the pitiable Archons and their pet Quarg. With whom we are not exactly on speaking terms."`
` Another of the Pug adds, "To be slightly more precise, we are in fact on blowing-each-other-up terms with them."`
choice
` "Couldn't you make peace with them, if you wanted to?"`
goto peace
` "Why do the Archons hate you?"`
goto hate
` "What do you know about the Archons?"`
goto archons
label peace
` "Honestly," says one of the Pug, "it's just not worth the effort."`
` "The Archons have such a dour outlook on life," says another, "and talking with them is just too depressing."`
goto end
label hate
` "We had a disagreement recently," says one of the Pug. "We were right. The Archons were wrong. They are still sulking."`
goto end
label archons
` "We know that they were created to mediate peace and prevent extinction," says one of the Pug. "And we know that they failed. Have failed many times, in fact. And that makes them all mopey and depressing."`
label end
` You talk with them for a while longer but are unable to gain any more information or to convince them to come to the aid of the Wanderers who are in Korath space. You'll have to report to Sobari Tele'ek that the Quarg fleet is the only outside aid they are likely to receive.`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Mereti Observation"
landing
name "Mereti Observation"
description "Observe the Kor Mereti in Mesuket for long enough for the Wanderer equipment to collect data on their communications. Then return to <planet>."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Pug Assistance 2: done"
cargo "communications recorder" 2
blocked "You will need <capacity> free to take on the next mission for the Wanderers."
waypoint "Mesuket"
on offer
conversation
`Sobari Tele'ek meets with you soon after you return, and you tell him that the Pug refuse to help defend the Wanderers in Korath space because of the presence of the Quarg and the Archons. "Then we must find our own [path, solution]," he says. "Come, I have a team of [scientists? engineers?] who wish to meet with you."`
` He leads you to a different facility where a team of Wanderers are gathered around a table with the disassembled components of the Reasoning Node spread out across it. The lead scientist introduces you to her team and then says, "We believe we have found a way to [intercept, listen in on] the [network traffic? communications?] of the automata that use these [devices, systems]. We need someone to travel to the star system where their [conflict, warfare] is fiercest and make a [recording, observation] of their communications. Can you perform this [task, quest]?"`
choice
` "Sure, I would be glad to do that."`
goto end
` "That sounds very risky."`
` "Indeed," she says, "but you are very [skilled, lucky] in evading harm." Hesitantly, you agree to take on yet another dangerous mission on their behalf.`
label end
` The scientists begin working to install the new equipment on your ship. As they do so, Tele'ek tells you, "We also hope to collect further [information, intelligence] on the combat capabilities and [tactics, decision making] of the drones. If their [network, communications] are not vulnerable, we must instead find a way to defeat them in battle." You agree to stay in the target system for long enough to observe some of the drones fighting each other.`
accept
on enter "Mesuket"
dialog `You enter the target system and begin recording the communications of the Kor Mereti drones. It may take a while to collect all the data that the Wanderers need, but they have set up their equipment to notify you when it is done collecting.`
npc disable
government "Kor Sestor"
system "Mesuket"
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "kor sestor"
variant
"Met Par Tek 53"
dialog `The Wanderer recording device chirps at you to let you know that it has collected enough data. Time to return to <planet>.`
npc
government "Kor Sestor"
system "Mesuket"
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "kor sestor"
variant
"Kar Ik Vot 349"
"Met Par Tek 53" 2
npc
government "Kor Mereti"
system "Mesuket"
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "kor mereti"
variant
"Model 64"
"Model 32" 2
"Model 16" 5
on visit
dialog `You've returned to <planet>, but you don't have enough data for the Wanderers. Return to Mesuket and wait until the device notifies you that it has enough data.`
mission "Wanderers: Kor Efret 1"
landing
name "Visit <planet>"
description "Visit Ektasi Rek and the Korath on <planet>, and see if they have information that could help in neutralizing the Kor Mereti automata."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
destination "Setar Fort"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Mereti Observation: done"
on offer
log "The Wanderers think that it might be possible to infect the Kor Mereti communications network with something akin to a computer virus, to either take control of the drones or disable them entirely."
conversation
`You hand off the communications recordings to the team of scientists, then meet with Tele'ek for a while to discuss the possible weaknesses of the Mereti drones when in combat. "Of course," he says, "it would be far better if we could [subvert, hijack] them rather than destroying them outright. Otherwise the second drone [faction, variant] will gain in power, without the Mereti drones to [cull them, keep them in check]."`
` About an hour later, the scientists contact Tele'ek. You return to their facility, and the lead scientist tells you, "It is as we [suspected, hypothesized]. The Mereti drones function as [components, elements] of a single unified [collective intelligence? gestalt consciousness?]. We will [analyze, deconstruct] their protocols further to see if we can somehow [infect, corrupt] their network."`
` While you are waiting for them to come up with a plan, Tele'ek suggests that you make a visit to Ektasi Rek. If she has made progress in communicating with the Korath survivors, perhaps they will be able to help the Wanderers think of a way to hack into the Mereti network and take control of the drones.`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Kor Efret 2"
landing
name "Korath Engineers"
description "The Korath on <origin> referred you to a team of engineers on <planet> who have been working to try to eliminate the automata."
autosave
source "Setar Fort"
destination "Laki Nemparu"
passengers 1
blocked "To take on this mission, you will need a bunk free for Rek."
to offer
has "Wanderers: Kor Efret 1: done"
on offer
conversation
`Rek seems delighted to see you, and is even more confident and full of life than she was when you left. She introduces you to several of the Korath, speaking to them rapidly in their own language.`
choice
` "Rek! How have you learned their language so fast?"`
` "I'm here to see if the Korath could help us hack into the Kor Mereti communication network and take over control of the drones."`
goto help
` She says, "It seems that the Molt has altered not only my vocal organs, but also my mind. Any language just feels clear and obvious to me now. It is strange, because the Molt is a random mutation; I had no say in what I would become. Yet, it has given me the exact skills I need to create a partnership with the Korath."`
choice
` "Well, if it was really just a matter of chance what you would turn into, I'm glad that your new form suits you so perfectly."`
` "I'm here to see if the Korath could help us hack into the Kor Mereti communication network and take over control of the drones."`
goto help
` "I am glad too," she says. "It is strange. Years ago, I thought that if I Molted I would resent the loss of my old body and my old identity. Yet I feel more at home in this new body than I ever did before. It is an unexpected gift. But now, how can I help you?" You tell her about the scientists hoping to hack into the Mereti network, and ask her to suggest the idea to the Korath.`
label help
` Rek does her best to explain your suggestion to the Korath. One of them responds, and she translates, "She said that there is a team of Korath engineers on <planet> who have been working for fifty years to find a way to destroy the automata. She says perhaps they can assist us."`
` You agree to travel with Rek to <planet> and see what the engineers can tell you.`
accept
on visit
dialog `You land on <planet>, but realize that your escort carrying Rek hasn't entered the system yet. Better depart and wait for it to arrive.`
event "wanderers: kashikt battle begins"
system "Kashikt"
fleet "Kor Efret Home" 6000
event "wanderers: kashikt battle ends"
system "Kashikt"
fleet "Quarg (Kor Efret)" 1000
fleet "Large Quarg (Kor Efret)" 2000
fleet "Kor Efret Home" 1000
mission "Wanderers: Kor Efret 3"
landing
name "Defend <planet>"
description "Defend this Kor Efret world from a Kor Mereti raid. Hopefully if you hold out long enough, more reinforcements will arrive."
source "Laki Nemparu"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Kor Efret 2: done"
on offer
event "wanderers: kashikt battle begins"
conversation
`With Rek's help, you make contact with the team of Korath engineers, and Rek explains the Wanderer plan to hack into the Kor Mereti network. Her speech is slower than before, and she has to keep asking questions; clearly the conversation involves technical jargon that she is not yet familiar with. When she is done explaining, the Korath are silent for a minute, then one of them answers quite loudly, almost shouting, gesturing in your direction as if pushing you away.`
` Rek says, "He said, 'Do you think we are idiots? Do you think we have not attempted that?'" The Korath leader follows up with another long statement that Rek hesitantly translates. "The Mereti... consciousness? It is impossible to subvert. It has a sort of... immune system? Like a living creature. Any foreign influence that impinges on its network is sequestered and analyzed. It does not become part of the... gestalt? ... unless it is proven to be beneficial."`
choice
` "But perhaps the Wanderers could succeed where the Korath have failed."`
` "What about the Kor Sestor? Do they have any hope of taking over those drones?"`
goto sestor
` She says, "I'm sorry, <first>, but I'm not going to translate that. It would be an insult to the Korath, and they are very prickly when it comes to their honor. I wish you the best of luck, though."`
goto end
label sestor
` Rek asks the Korath a question, and translates the response. "They say that none of them know what is controlling the Kor Sestor, but that wherever the control center is, it is certainly tightly guarded. They have not been willing to risk their own lives to explore Sestor space, but you are free to do so if you think it would be beneficial."`
label end
` The conversation is interrupted as alarm sirens begin to sound throughout the spaceport. One of the Korath says something to Rek, and they all begin running toward the landing pads. Rek says, "Another Kor Mereti attack. They have become more frequent, lately. You should join the defenders; fighting alongside them will help to gain their trust." You hurry back to your ship and take off...`
launch
on complete
event "wanderers: kashikt battle ends"
npc evade
government "Kor Mereti"
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "kor mereti"
variant
"Model 512" 2
"Model 256" 4
"Model 128" 7
dialog `The Kor Mereti drones have been neutralized. You should land on the planet and reconnect with Rek and the Korath engineers.`
npc
government "Kor Efret"
personality staying heroic
fleet
names "korath"
variant
"Echo-Galleon"
"Arch-Carrack" 2
"Charm-Shallop" 4
npc
government "Kor Efret"
personality heroic
fleet
names "korath"
variant
"Echo-Galleon"
"Arch-Carrack" 2
"Charm-Shallop" 4
npc
government "Quarg (Kor Efret)"
personality heroic staying entering
fleet
names "quarg"
variant
"Quarg Wardragon" 1
npc
government "Quarg (Kor Efret)"
personality heroic
system "Host"
fleet
names "quarg"
variant
"Quarg Wardragon" 3
npc
government "Quarg (Kor Efret)"
personality heroic
system "Mesuket"
fleet
names "quarg"
variant
"Quarg Wardragon" 5
mission "Wanderers: Kor Efret 4"
landing
name "Return to <planet>"
description "Transport Ektasi Rek back to <planet>, where she will continue her work to understand the Korath language and culture."
autosave
source "Laki Nemparu"
destination "Setar Fort"
passengers 1
blocked "To take on this mission, you will need a bunk free for Rek."
to offer
has "Wanderers: Kor Efret 3: done"
on offer
log "Helped to defend one of the friendly Korath worlds from an attack by Kor Mereti drones. There are Korath scientists on that world who have been working for decades to find a way to hack into the Kor Mereti network, but they do not think it is possible."
log "Factions" "Archons" `When the Korath civil war reached a point where they had nearly driven themselves extinct, the Drak Archons stepped in and offered the surviving Korath an ultimatum: they must either give up their advanced weaponry and live peaceably under the protection of the Quarg, or be banished to some lifeless star systems near the galactic core. Those who chose banishment apparently took with them the secret of how to build jump drives, which has enabled them to raid other species and steal from them.`
conversation
`When you land back on the planet, Rek and several of the Korath meet you at your ship. "They would like to thank you for your assistance in defending their home," says Rek, "and they apologize for being so dismissive of the Wanderer plans to defeat the drones. They still think that hacking or corrupting the Mereti network is impossible, though."`
choice
` "Well, I guess I should tell that to the Wanderer leaders."`
` "Can they at least tell us more about where the drones came from?"`
` Rek asks a question, and translates the answer. "There was a civil war. It lasted hundreds of years. The Kor Mereti and the Kor Sestor were the two rival empires. The Kor Efret were those who sought to remain neutral and not join in the fighting."`
` She waits as the Korath continue the story, then says, "The Mereti and the Sestor each built drone fleets programmed to attack the other. They also made many other weapons, very dangerous ones. Eventually, about a century ago, it became clear that the war would consume and destroy both empires, if it continued. The Archons stepped in and gave a choice to each member of the Kor Mereti and the Kor Sestor."`
` The Korath continue the story. Rek says, "The choice was: to give up jump drives, give up their advanced technologies of war, and join the Kor Efret, living under Quarg supervision. Any who refused were exiled to the lifeless star systems near the core. Sestor and Mereti, forced to live together in exile and to depend on each other, united by their anger toward the Archons who exiled them."`
choice
` "What sort of technologies did they develop?"`
` "What do they mean, 'give up jump drives'? Did they figure out how to manufacture them?"`
goto jump
` Rek asks, and translates the response. "They say, they will not relive the shame of their parents by describing their deeds. But the scars that they left on their former planets, and even on entire star systems, speak for themselves. As do the drone fleets, who continue to drain their homes of resources to prosecute a war that their creators have long since abandoned."`
goto end
label jump
` Rek asks, and translates the response. "Yes, one thing that the exiles were unwilling to give up was the knowledge of how to create jump drives so they could raid other nearby species. Although..." She pauses to listen as one of the Korath says something else. "He says, the exiles would be far better off without them. The manufacturing process is precarious, and one wrong step can cause an explosion that destroys the ship or station where the drives are being constructed."`
label end
` Rek tells you that she wants to return to <planet> to continue her work with the Korath community there. You agree to take her there before returning to report to Tele'ek.`
accept
on visit
dialog `You land on <planet>, but realize that your escort carrying Rek hasn't entered the system yet. Better depart and wait for it to arrive.`
mission "Wanderers: Kor Efret 5"
landing
name "Return to <planet>"
description "Return to <planet> and report to Sobari Tele'ek that the Korath do not think the Mereti drone network can be compromised."
autosave
source "Setar Fort"
destination "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Kor Efret 4: done"
on offer
conversation
`You drop off Ektasi Rek on <origin>, and wish her the best of luck in her continued efforts to understand and befriend the Korath. She is clearly eager to get back to work.`
` Then, you get ready to return to <planet>. Sobari Tele'ek will not be happy to hear that the Korath engineers think there is no hope of compromising the Kor Mereti network.`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Kor Mereti Hacking"
landing
name "Kor Mereti Hacking"
description "Test a device that the Wanderers think may be able to gain access to the Kor Mereti network and disrupt it."
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
waypoint "Mekislepti"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Kor Efret 5: done"
cargo "corrupted node" 2
blocked "You will need <capacity> to take on the next Wanderer mission."
on offer
conversation
`You expect the Wanderers to be discouraged by the news that the Korath think the Mereti gestalt consciousness is too robust to be hacked into or compromised. But when you arrive, the communications scientists are excited about a breakthrough: they have managed to develop a program that makes the one sample Reasoning Node you fetched for them follow orders that they give it. They ask you to bring the device to one of the Kor Mereti systems and test it out on the drones there.`
` Meanwhile, you can't help but notice that Sobari Tele'ek is showing the same thinning feathers and disheveled appearance that heralded the beginning of the Molt for Iktat Rek. You're not sure if it's polite to say something or not.`
choice
` "Tele'ek, are you beginning to Molt?"`
` (Say nothing, and return to my ship.)`
goto end
` "I believe so," he says. "My [appetite? caloric intake?] has doubled in the past week, and as you can see, I am losing feathers. It is [inconvenient, disruptive] timing. I now understand why Rek sought to [fight, postpone] the Molt rather than give in to it."`
label end
` You aren't sure what you can say that would be helpful to him, so you return to your ship and prepare to travel to the Mekislepti system to test out the Kor Mereti hacking program.`
accept
on visit
dialog phrase "generic waypoint on visit"
on enter "Mekislepti"
dialog
`When you enter the Mekislepti system, an entire fleet of drones moves to intercept you. Hardly daring to hope, you press the button that activates the Wanderer program. For a fraction of a second, the drones' engines stop firing and they drift as if out of control. Then, with renewed purpose, they move to attack you.`
` Oh well. It was worth a shot.`
npc
government "Kor Mereti"
personality staying nemesis
system "Mekislepti"
fleet
names "kor mereti"
variant
"Model 64"
"Model 32" 3
"Model 16" 9
mission "Wanderers: Mind 1"
landing
name "Travel to <planet>"
description `Travel to the Wanderer artificial intelligence lab on <planet>, where they will give you one of the "artificial minds" they have constructed.`
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
destination "Kort Kehai"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Kor Mereti Hacking: done"
on offer
log "Tested a device that the Wanderers thought would be able to force itself into the Kor Mereti network and take control of it. The experiment completely failed, however."
conversation
`You meet with the Wanderer leaders and tell them that the attempt to hack the Kor Mereti drones has failed. They seem uncertain of what to do next. Some of them want to try to target the Kor Sestor instead; others want to give the scientists another shot.`
` Tema'a Iriket asks you, "Why do you think our [attempt, experiment] failed?"`
choice
` "The Korath survivors say that the Mereti drones have a sort of immune system that allows them to reject any intrusion that seeks to disrupt or coopt their network."`
` "Perhaps we just need a more sophisticated or intelligent program, something that could overpower the Mereti defenses."`
` She thinks about that for a moment, then says, "In terraforming, we say that each planet has a [will, identity], and it will never work to [overrule, overpower] the planet. Instead, we must [collaborate, partner] with it. Perhaps we can do the same with this [consciousness]."`
` A stir of excitement passes through the Wanderers. Finally, this is a strategy that lines up with their preferred way of doing things. "What do you mean?" asks one of them.`
` Iriket says, "We give them one of the [artificial minds?] that we use for [planetary oversight?]. Let it [merge with, become a part of] the Mereti gestalt consciousness. Not to [destroy, subvert] it, but to reach an [understanding, partnership] with it."`
` Several of the Wanderers seem very agitated by that suggestion. Tele'ek says, "You would give them access to a [technology, resource] that would make them even more [powerful, capable] than before?"`
choice
` "That sounds like it might work. If your artificial intelligence truly means them no harm, the Mereti might recognize that."`
` "I think Tele'ek is right. The Mereti drones are already plenty dangerous without access to advanced computing technology."`
` You try to speak up, but the Wanderers are so hotly engaged in conversation that they have switched from the common language of the Hai back into their own native tongue, and you have no idea what they are saying. Eventually the debate ends, and Tele'ek says, "Very well, we will attempt this thing. Not because it is the [wise, certain] course of action, but because it is [in keeping with Wanderer values?]."`
` They ask you to travel back through the wormhole and visit the artificial intelligence lab on <planet>.`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Mind 2"
landing
name "Return to <planet>"
description `Return to <planet> with a Wanderer named Meto Pa'aret and an "artificial mind" that he constructed.`
autosave
source "Kort Kehai"
destination "Spera Anatrusk"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Mind 1: done"
cargo "artificial mind" 2
passengers 1
blocked "To take this mission, you will need <capacity> free."
on offer
log "The Wanderers have a new plan: to try to either subvert or possibly even befriend the Kor Mereti network by connecting it to a powerful Wanderer artificial intelligence."
log "People" "Meto Pa'aret" `Pa'aret runs a Wanderer artificial intelligence laboratory. He is in charge of the effort to establish a connection between the Wanderers and the Kor Mereti collective by introducing a Wanderer "artificial Mind" into the collective.`
conversation
`On <origin> you are met by a Wanderer named Meto Pa'aret. He explains that he is in charge of the artificial intelligence lab, and he wants to travel with you along with the "Mind" that is being entrusted to your care. "We have already [altered, reconfigured] one of the climate [simulation, prediction] Minds for this new purpose," he says. "It now contains [stores, databases, libraries] of historical and cultural information, things we hope will help the alien [consciousness, intelligence] to [understand, sympathize with] us and realize our intentions are [peaceful, forthright]."`
choice
` "Are you sure that's wise, giving the Kor Mereti access to so much information about the Wanderers?"`
` "How likely do you think this is to work?"`
goto work
` "It is certainly not wise," he says, "but it is [right? fitting?]."`
goto end
label work
` He says, "There is insufficient [data, information] to even [attempt, hazard] a guess. But nevertheless it is the most [appealing, pleasing] [course of action?]."`
label end
` The "artificial Mind" turns out to be a computer not much larger than a typical cargo crate. Pa'aret walks beside it with one wing draped around it like an overprotective parent while Wanderer workers load it onto your ship. Clearly this particular piece of technology is very valuable to the Wanderers.`
accept
on visit
dialog `You land on <planet>, but realize that your escort carrying Meto Pa'aret and the Mind hasn't entered the system yet. Better depart and wait for it to arrive.`
mission "Wanderers: Mind 3"
landing
name "Fetch Escorts"
description `When you are ready, visit <planet> to rendezvous with the fleet that will be accompanying you in your attempt to link a Wanderer artificial Mind to the Kor Mereti network.`
autosave
source "Spera Anatrusk"
destination "Vara K'chrai"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Mind 2: done"
on offer
conversation
`While you were gone, the Wanderers have been conducting patrols of Kor Mereti space. Tele'ek tells you, "We have [decided, theorized] that the Mind is most likely to be accepted into the Mereti [gestalt consciousness] if it is physically located in their [home, territory]. Our goal is to install it within the [hull, shell] of one of their space stations. You will carry the [team, strike force] that does this, and our fleet will [protect, shield] you."`
` It will take them some time to make the necessary modifications to the Mind. In the meantime, Tele'ek suggests that you should prepare for a major battle. "When you are ready," he says, "go to <planet> and rendezvous with the fleet that will accompany you to the Mereti system."`
accept
mission "Wanderers: Mind Escorts"
invisible
landing
source "Vara K'chrai"
to offer
has "Wanderers: Mind 3: done"
to fail
has "Wanderers: Mind 6: done"
npc kill
government "Wanderer"