On Stained Glass

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<h1>On Stained Glass</h1> by cat naomi [[> Begin.|I0: Opening]]

You're alone in the closet of your captors. Now that Vivian has gone to get some water, now should be your best opportunity to escape.<<if !$e1Free>> You're currently <> <<link "bound by your wrists">> <<set $e1Wrists to true>> <<replace #link-e1Wrists t8n >> [[> Wriggle out of your bonds.|E1: Escape]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> It's not that tight, and you're pretty small. You can probably wriggle out of this. <</replace>> <</link>><>, preventing you from moving.<<else>>You're now free from your bonds, and the chair you were tied to now sits in the middle of the room covered in rope. The room around you is dark, but there's light coming in from <> <<link "some cracks in the ceiling">> <<set $e1Ceiling to true>> <<replace #link-e1Ceiling t8n >> [[> Check out the ceiling.|E1: Ceiling]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The ceiling is fairly low, you might able to reach up there if you stand on the chair. <</replace>> <</link>><>. To the north is the entrance to this closet.<</if>> <<if !$e1Free>><<if $e1Wrists>>[[> Wriggle out of your bonds.|E1: Escape]]<</if>> <<else>>[[> Head outside.|E1: Hallway South]] <<if $e1Ceiling>>[[> Check out the ceiling.|E1: Ceiling]]<</if>><</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Dusty Closet">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgCloset>>

You're in an old hallway. Betweeen the dust, and white light floods in from the ceiling mingling with the pale blue of the mounted lights. You hear <> <<link "talking">> <<set $e1Eavesdrop to true>> <<replace #link-e1Eavesdrop t8n>> [[> Eavesdrop.|E1: Eavesdrop 1]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> One of the voices sounds like Vivian's. You don't recognize the other one. <</replace>> <</link>><> from the hallway on the left. There's another hallway to your right, and you faintly hear the ever familiar sounds of computer fans whirring. [[> Go back into the closet.|E1: Closet]] [[> Go left.|E1: Hallway West]] [[> Go right.|E1: Hallway East]] <<if $e1Eavesdrop>>[[> Eavesdrop.|E1: Eavesdrop 1]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Old Hallway">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgGRHallway>>

You step out into the hallway. Immediately though, you see Violet perk up and look at you. "My, what are you doing up and about?" she says. "Sorry $e0VivianTrucyName, I've got to take you back now." [[> Run!|E1: Caught A]] [[> Fight!|E1: Caught B]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Left Hallway">>

<<silently>> <<if $e1ComputerRoomPower>> <<set _cpuRoomSound to "hear the whirring of computers behind a">> <<else>> <<set _cpuRoomSound to "see the">> <</if>> <</silently>> You enter another hallway. To the west, you _cpuRoomSound <> <<link "metal door">> <<set $e1FindTheComputerRoom to true>> <<replace #link-e1FindTheComputerRoom t8n>> [[> Go into the computer room.|E1: Computer Room]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The door is faintly labeled: "Computer Room, Stay Out" <</replace>> <</link>><>. It gets colder as you get close to it. To the north, you see a <> <<link "cracked door">> <<set $e1LivingRoom to true>> <<replace #link-e1LivingRoom t8n>> [[> Check out the living room.|E1: Living Room]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> It looks like a living room on the other side. <</replace>> <</link>><> with what looks like a couch on the other side. [[> Go back to the first hallway.|E1: Hallway South]] <<if $e1FindTheComputerRoom>>[[> Go into the computer room.|E1: Computer Room]]<</if>> <<if $e1LivingRoom>>[[> Check out the living room.|E1: Living Room]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Computer Hallway">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgGRHallway>>

You're in the computer room. <<if $e1ComputerRoomPower>>In it, you see a wide variety of machines and servers, all whirring to some end. A few of the computers are left on, one of which is <> <<link "prompting a password">> <<set $e1CanUnlockCPU to true>> <<replace #link-e1CanUnlockCPU t8n>> [[> Check the computer.|E1: Computer Locked]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You can probably get into the computer, but it'll take some time. <</replace>> <</link>><>.<<else>>Now that the power's out, the room is dark and eerily quiet.<</if>> <<if $e1VentAware>>Above you to the east, you see a <> <<link "vent">> <<set $e1SeeVent to true>> <<replace #link-e1SeeVent t8n>> [[> Check out the vent.|E1: Vent]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> Looks like you might be able to fit through there. <</replace>> <</link>><> up above.<</if>> [[> Go back outside.|E1: Hallway East]] <> <<if $e1ComputerRoomPower>> <<if $e1ComputerUnlocked>> [[> Check the computer.|E1: Computer Unlocked]] <<else>> <<if $e1CanUnlockCPU>> [[> Check the computer.|E1: Computer Locked]] <</if>> <</if>> <</if>> <> <<if $e1SeeVent>>[[> Check out the vent.|E1: Vent]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Computer Room">> <<if $e1ComputerRoomPower>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgGRServerRoom>> <<else>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgGRServerDark>> <</if>>

chapter select

The familiar and tell-tale whirring of the drones overhead echoes through the walls of the alleyway. You tap your fingers nervously against the brick and patchwork-titanium building behind you, looking nervously around the corner and up into the sky. Before you and your ragtag group of rogues is the Nwaeri-Carlisle Corporation building: the headquarters of one of the five largest companies in the city. But-- and perhaps more importantly-- it's your home. Nearby stands your two <<if $proposalAccepted>>companions<<else>>captors<</if>> on this job: Marcellus, normally the rugged and confident leader of the Glass Rose, is crammed into a butler's suit and clearly hates every second of it. Violet, the muscle and newly dear friend of yours, is in a similar modest servant's attire. It's slightly too small for her. You hear a crackling of a voice coming from your headset. [[> Listen.|H0: Context 2]] <<silently>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCAlley>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Alley outside Nwaeri-Carlisle Building">> <</silently>>

You're in the golden, gaudy, and nostalgic lobby of the NCC building. It's filled with glass cases filled with decommissioned guns and drones, relics of the NCC's reign over the city. Beneath your feet is an elaborate red carpet stretching from you to <> <<link "a receptionist">> <<set $h0receptionist to true>> <<replace #link-h0receptionist t8n >> [[> Talk to the receptionist.|H0: Receptionist]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The receptionist-- Emilia-- greets those who pass. <</replace>> <</link>> <>, sitting at a desk ahead. <<if $informedOfDoor is true>>Now that you're looking for it, you realize there's <> <<link "what looks like a door">> <<set $h0serviceDoor to true>> <<replace #link-h0serviceDoor t8n >> [[> Slip into the service room.|H0: Service Room]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> Service door hidden by golden paint. <</replace>> <</link>><> just barely visible among the golden walls.<</if>> <<if $h0serviceDoor>>[[> Slip into the service room.|H0: Service Room]]<</if>> <<if $h0receptionist>>[[> Talk to the receptionist.|H0: Receptionist]]<</if>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCLobby>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building Lobby">>

<<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <<if !$talkedToReceptionist>><<set $talkedToReceptionist to true>><<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue 00]]>><<else>>Emilia greets people as they pass by. She looks at you with a knowing look. She probably won't let you pass. [[> Head back to the lobby.|H0: Lobby]]<</if>>

<div class="location-name">Alley outside Nwaeri-Carlisle Building</div> <<if visited() <= 1>>You and your "butlers" quickly dart into the service room. You look back at Emilia and she seems surprised and a bit suspicious as she looks over at you, and you see her raise a phone to her ear.<<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>><</if>> You're in a service room. It's pretty dingy and grey, with signs of frequent use. Much to your surprise, there's another elevator here. [[> Head out to the Lobby|H0: Lobby]] [[> Take the Elevator Up|H0: Service Elevator]] <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>>

<<silently>><<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <<set $heistFloor to 1>> <</silently>>"Great work, team," says Marcellus to the group. "Get changed." Marcellus and Violet both strip off their servants' attire into the stealth-appropriate bodysuits underneath. You nervously fumble with the buttons on your blouse, to change as well, but Marcellus glances over with <<if $proposalAccepted>>a bemused<<else>>an annoyed<</if>> look on his face. "Unfortunately, now the Kiddie gloves are off. I have a man upstairs disabling the camera feed, but there should be guards patrolling the area," says Marcellus, with his familiar air of authority. "Do not, under any circumstances, let a guard catch you, understood?" <> <<link "> Nod.">> <<replace "#dialogueH1-elevator" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Elevator Affirmative]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

<<silently>><<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <<set $heistFloor to 1>> <</silently>>"Well, that could've gone better." says Marcellus to the group. "Get changed." Marcellus and Violet both strip off their servants' attire into the stealth-appropriate bodysuits underneath. You nervously fumble with the buttons on your blouse, to change as well, but Marcellus glances over with <<if $proposalAccepted>>a bemused<<else>>an annoyed<</if>> look on his face. "Unfortunately, now the kiddie gloves are off. I have a man upstairs disabling the camera feed, but there should be guards patrolling the area," says Marcellus, with his familiar air of authority. "Do not, under any circumstances, let a guard catch you, understood?" <> <<link "> Nod.">> <<replace "#dialogueH1-service" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Service Affirmative]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Service Elevator">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <<set $h1serviceCloset to true>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCOffice>> <</silently>> You're in the service closet for the employee floor. It's dingy and grey-- as you'd expect-- but well-kept. There's a door out to the cubicles. <<if window.GetGuardPositionEmployee() is 0 && !$employeeGuardDown>>You hear the footsteps of a guard right ouside the door. You should wait and hide here.<</if>> [[> Head outside.|H1: Cubicles North (0)]] [[> Hide here for a moment.|H1: Employee Floor Service Closet]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Floor 34 Service Room">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>>You're in the western part of the office floor. You see the main elevator doors to the west. There's a <> <<link "metal door with a keypad">> <<set $h1surveillanceRoom to true>> <<replace #link-h1surveillanceRoom t8n >> [[> Go into the surveillance room.|H1: Surveillance Room]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You remember your brother, Cecil, telling you about the company security checkpoints & surveillance rooms. <</replace>> <</link>><> that's slightly left ajar. <<if $guardPosition is 3 && $employeeGuardDown>>There's a guard stuffed in a nearby cubicle.<</if>> <<if $h1surveillanceRoom>>[[> Go into the surveillance room.|H1: Surveillance Room]]<</if>> [[> Go to the north side of the office.|H1: Cubicles North (0)]]<> <<if $guardPosition is 2 && !$employeeGuardDown>> You hear footsteps from this direction.<</if>> <> [[> Go to the south side of the office.|H1: Cubicles South (2)]]<> <<if $guardPosition is 0 && !$employeeGuardDown>> You hear footsteps from this direction.<</if>> <> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building Floor 34 - West">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCOffice>>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>>You're in the northern part of the office floor. To the north there's <> <<link "fine oak door">> <<set $h1conferenceRoom to true>> <<replace #link-h1conferenceRoom t8n >> [[> Enter the conference room.|H1: Conference Room]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The fine oak door is labelled "Conference Room 16". <</replace>> <</link>><>, and you can see a large table through the nearby window. To the northwest is a <> <<link "pair of swinging doors">> <<set $h1serviceCloset to true>> <<replace #link-h1serviceCloset t8n >> [[> Go into the service closet.|H1: Employee Floor Service Closet]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The double doors are labeled "Employees Only". Must be a service closet. <</replace>> <</link>><>. You can go east or west. <<if $guardPosition is 0 && $employeeGuardDown>>There's a guard stuffed in a nearby cubicle.<</if>> [[> Go to the east side of the office.|H1: Cubicles East (1)]]<> <<if $guardPosition is 1 && !$employeeGuardDown>> You hear footsteps from this direction.<</if>> <> [[> Go to the west side of the office.|H1: Cubicles West (3)]]<> <<if $guardPosition is 3 && !$employeeGuardDown>> You hear footsteps from this direction.<</if>> <> <<if $h1serviceCloset>>[[> Go into the service closet.|H1: Employee Floor Service Closet]]<</if>> <<if $h1conferenceRoom>>[[> Enter the conference room.|H1: Conference Room]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building Floor 34 - North">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCOffice>>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>>You're in the eastern part of the office floor. You see a <> <<link "familiar-looking door">> <<set $h1robertsOffice to true>> <<replace #link-h1robertsOffice t8n >> [[> Enter your father's office.|H1: Robert's Office]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You've been in here before, when you were younger. The placard next to it reads: "Robert Carlisle". <</replace>> <</link>><> to the northeast. You can go north or south. <<if $guardPosition is 1 && $employeeGuardDown>>There's a guard stuffed in a nearby cubicle.<</if>> [[> Go to the north side of the office.|H1: Cubicles North (0)]]<> <<if $guardPosition is 0 && !$employeeGuardDown>> You hear footsteps from this direction.<</if>> <> [[> Go to the south side of the office.|H1: Cubicles South (2)]]<> <<if $guardPosition is 2 && !$employeeGuardDown>> You hear footsteps from this direction.<</if>> <> <<if $h1robertsOffice>>[[> Enter your father's office.|H1: Robert's Office]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building Floor 34 - East">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCOffice>>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> In the middle of the conference room lies a giant table with 8 chairs. They're in disarray, as if a meeting was held in here recently and not yet cleaned up. Some holopads on the table are still turned on, showing expired login screens. On the board at the far corner of the room you see the <> <<link "holoscreen">> <<set $h1conferenceBoard to true>> <<replace #link-h1conferenceBoard t8n >> [[> Check the board.|H1: Conference Board]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The board is labelled "Problematic Areas". <</replace>> <</link>><> filled up with maps. <<if $guardPosition is 0 && !$employeeGuardDown>>You hear the footsteps of a guard right ouside the door. You should wait and hide here.<</if>> [[> Exit the conference room.|H1: Cubicles North (0)]] <<if $h1conferenceBoard>>[[> Check the board.|H1: Conference Board]]<</if>> [[> Hide here for a moment.|H1: Conference Room]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Floor 34 Conference Room">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You're in your father's office. His desk is adorned with a placard reading "Robert Carlisle," but it's nearly knocked off by the mess of papers and photographs on it. <<if visited() <= 1>> Violet walks over the window, looking out over the city. She puts down her bag and starts setting up the explosive for the window.<</if>> <<if $guardPosition is 1 && !$employeeGuardDown>>You hear the footsteps of a guard right ouside the door. You should wait and hide here.<</if>> [[> Check his desk.|H1: Robert's Desk]] [[> Exit the office.|H1: Cubicles East (1)]] <<if $h1bombReady>>[[> "I'm ready. Let's go."|H1: Blowing the Wall]]<</if>> [[> Hide here for a moment.|H1: Robert's Office]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgNCCRobertOffice>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Robert Carlisle's Office">>

From: Allison Nwaeri To: Pearson Cole cc: Hector Zhang Cole, The disappearance of Miss Carlisle is a security concern that cannot be overlooked. That Robert is prioritizing looking for the girl rather than patching this GLARING hole in our security represents a conflict of interest. It seems to me that Robert needs to be replaced from his seat at the board. His son, Cecil, should do well enough as a temporary replacement. I suggest you bring this up at the next meeting. Hope this finds you well, Allison Nwaeri [[> Back to the cubicle.|H1: Office Cubicle]] <<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>><</if>>

The far wall of this surveillance room is filled with monitors, showing camera footage of various places in the NCC building. Sitting in front of these monitors is a sleeping man in a guard uniform. There's a <> <<link "sticky note">> <<set $h1stickyNote to true>> <<replace #link-h1stickyNote t8n >> [[> Read the Sticky Note|H1: Sticky Note]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You can make out the words "username" and "password" written on it. <</replace>> <</link>><> on the desk. <<if $guardPosition is 3 && $employeeGuardDown>>You hear the footsteps of a guard right ouside the door. You should wait and hide here.<</if>> [[> Leave.|H1: Cubicles West (3)]] <<if $h1stickyNote>>[[> Read the Sticky Note|H1: Sticky Note]]<</if>> <<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building Floor 34 Surveillance Room">>

<<silently>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <<set $heistFloor to 2>> <<set $h2checkpointActive to true>> <<set $h2lookingforVent to false>> <</silently>> You grab the rope and start to pull yourself up. The whir of what sounds like a small motor comes from above you, and you start to be raised up to the next floor. Against your better judgment, you look behind you. You see the expanse of Terminus before you. The lights from Sable Square are bright and nearly blinding even from this far away. At the edge of the city, you see the edge of the weather control field. Somehow, the city sprawls past it, looking lived in and beautiful, despite the conditions. You'd never seen the city like this before. It's wonderful. You begin to understand why the Glass Rose feels so passionate about it. [[> Keep Climbing.|H2: Scaling the Building 2]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgSkyline>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Outside">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You're in an office of what can only be some sort of scientist. The walls are covered in shelves for various books of content you could hardly understand. On the desk in the center of the room, you see <> <<link "an ancient-looking computer">> <<if $h2researchPassword>> <<set $h2researchAccess to true>> <<replace #link-h2headComputer t8n >> [[> Log on.|H2: Head Researcher Computer]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You enter the password from the two factor authentication device. <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You haven't seen a computer like this outside of the archives and museums. It probably uses some ancient security tech. <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>><> that hasn't been turned off. To the east, there's a <> <<link "door with a window">> <<set $h2headExit to true>> <<replace #link-h2headExit t8n >> [[> Head into the hallway.|H2: Research Hallway North (0)]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The door looks like it leads out into a hallway. <</replace>> <</link>><> that dimly lights the room. <<if $guardPosition is 0 && !$researchGuardDown>>You hear the footsteps of a guard right ouside the door. You should wait and hide here.<</if>> <<if $h2headExit>>[[> Head into the hallway.|H2: Research Hallway North (0)]]<</if>> <<if $h2researchAccess>>[[> Log on.|H2: Head Researcher Computer]]<</if>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgFutureOffice>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Head Researcher's Office">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You're in a sterile looking hallway. The walls and floors are stark white and tile. The head researcher's office is to the west. You can go south. [[> Go south.|H2: Research Hallway West (1)]] [[> Go into the office.|H2: Head Researcher's Office]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgScienceHallway>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Research Floor">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You're in a sterile looking hallway. The walls and floors are stark white and tile. There's a set of <> <<link "official-looking doors">> <<set $h2researchLab to true>> <<replace #link-h2researchLab t8n >> [[> Go into the lab.|H2: Research Lab Alpha]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The doors are marked with a symbol that looks like an A, must be Research Lab Alpha. You have a keycard for this. <</replace>> <</link>><> to the west. You can go south or north. [[> Go north.|H2: Research Hallway North (0)]] <> <<link "> Go south.">> <<if $h2checkpointActive && !$h2lookingforVent>> <<goto [[H2: Marcellus Warning]]>> <<elseif $h2checkpointActive>> <<replace "#linkh2south">> //You need to find a way around.//<</replace t8n >> <<else>> <<goto [[H2: Research Hallway South (2)]]>> <</if>> <</link>><> <<if $h2researchLab>>[[> Go into the lab.|H2: Research Lab Alpha]]<</if>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgScienceHallway>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Research Floor">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You're in the research lab. Around you are a variety of tables, desks, and workspaces, featuring an array of devices, books, and computers. In the far corner you see a <<link "trio of research tables">> <<set $h2trio to true>> <<replace #link-h2trio t8n >> [[> Look at the research tables.|H2: Research Trio]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> On the tables you see a gun, a camera, and some sort of mannequin. <</replace>> <</link>>, holding some interesting devices.<<if $h2lookingforVent>> Above you in the corner, you see a <> <<link "grate near the ceiling">> <<set $h2vent to true>> <<replace #link-h2vent t8n >> [[> Climb into the vent.|H2: Vent]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> The grate looks like it leads to a ventilation shaft. <</replace>> <</link>><> to the east.<</if>> [[> Leave the lab.|H2: Research Hallway West (1)]] <<if $h2trio>>[[> Look at the research tables|H2: Research Trio]]<</if>> <<if $h2vent>>[[> Climb into the vent.|H2: Vent]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Research Lab Alpha">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgLab>>

<<silently>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You're in a sterile looking hallway. <<if !$h2checkpointActive>>You now know that the security checkpoint's to the south, through one-sided glass.<</if>> To the east, you see a glass door-- to the vault, you believe. [[> Go north.|H2: Research Hallway West (1)]] <<if !$h2checkpointActive>>[[> Go into the checkpoint.|H2: Security Checkpoint]]<</if>> [[> Enter the glass door.|H3: Sterilization Room]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgScienceHallway>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Research Floor">>

The two of you climb into the vents. It's cramped, you barely fit, and you count your blessings that you are not afflicted with claustrophobia. [[> Go back to the lab.|H2: Research Lab Alpha]] <><<if $h2checkpointActive>> [[> Continue onwards.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation]] <<else>> [[> Go to the checkpoint.|H2: Security Checkpoint]] <</if>><>

<<silently>> <<set $h2checkpointActive to false>> <</silently>> You're on the other side of the glass at the security checkpoint. Around you, you see a few desks containing monitors. A <> <<link "guard">> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You're not sure if he's dead, and you're too afraid to check. <</replace>> <</link>><> is slumped over a machine, his neck and arteries glowing faintly green around the point of impact. There's a <> <<link "small device">> <<set $h2research2FA to true>> <<replace #link-h2research2FA t8n >> [[> Pick up the device.|H2: Two-Factor Device]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> It has some digital text on a screen, changing every few seconds. <</replace>> <</link>><> sitting next to him. There's also a <> <<link "glass door">> <<set $h2securityCheckpoint to true>> <<replace #link-h2securityCheckpoint t8n >> [[> Head back out to the hallway.|H2: Research Hallway South (2)]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> Looks like you can go out this way now. <</replace>> <</link>><> that leads outside. [[> Climb back up in to the vent.|H2: Vent]] <<if $h2securityCheckpoint>>[[> Head back out to the hallway.|H2: Research Hallway South (2)]]<</if>> <<if $h2research2FA>>[[> Pick up the device.|H2: Two-Factor Device]]<</if>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgScienceHallway>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Vault Security Checkpoint">>

You approach the sterilization room. From here, the three of you will move on to obtain the Biokey. "Trucy, darling," says a voice crackling from your headset. You recognize it quickly as Vivian's. "I'm seeing on Oculus's little setup that you're almost at the vault? No?" "Remember that you can't turn back from here, so make sure you've got everything you need." Go back? [[> Yes, go back.|H2: Research Hallway South (2)]] [[> No, continue.|H3: Sterilization Room 2]] <<set $suspicionThreshold to 5>>

The doors hiss and open after a few minutes, revealing the vault of the Biokey. The vault is massive, easily a few stories tall, and immaculately white. In the center of the room lies a reinforced plexiglass pedestal, but you can't see the top. You know from the plans that on top of this pedestal, though, should be the housing for the Biokey. Around it, though, the upper levels of the room are lined with red hot lasers, aimed in various locations in an immaculate lattice. Touching them will both set off the alarms, and probably relieve you of a limb. Or worse. You're nervous just thinking about it. Marcellus, however, grins, and opens his bag. [[> Watch Marcellus.|H3: Biokey Vault 2]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Bio-encryption Key Vault">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgVault>>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> In the cubicle, you see a computer seemingly left turned on for the night. It's on the login screen, requesting a <> <<link "password">> <<if $h1emailPassword>> <<set $h1emailAccess to true>> <<replace #link-h1emails t8n >> [[> Log on.|H1: Emails]] <</replace>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You enter the password you got from the surveillance room. <</replace>> <<else>> <<replace #description-text t8n >> You don't have the password, but maybe it's around here somewhere. <</replace>> <</if>> <</link>><>. <<if $guardPosition is 2 && !$employeeGuardDown>>You hear the footsteps of a guard right ouside the door. You should wait and hide here.<</if>> <<if $h1emailAccess>>[[> Log on.|H1: Emails]]<</if>> [[> Leave this cubicle.|H1: Cubicles South (2)]] [[> Hide here for a moment.|H1: Office Cubicle]]

You log onto the ancient computer. The plastic of its archaic keyboard feels fragile and brittle under your fingers. On the screen, you see a correspondence of emails to the researcher here. [[> Stop looking at the computer.|H2: Head Researcher's Office]] [[> Read the emails.|H2: Old Emails]]

The gun is a rifle used by the specialist units sent by the Nwaeri-Carlisle Company, but heavily modified. From the knowledge you've gotten in your studies, it seems that these weapons are modified to be incredibly more lethal to larger groups of people. The thought makes you feel faint.

What looks like a mannequin is labelled "Undercover Android Agent". It seems to have articulated limbs, but you find it rather uncomfortable to look at. The plans resting nearby state that they can be used to infiltrate crowds and organizations covertly without putting agents in danger. Why would your family need this...?

The camera on the table looks far more advanced than the ones normally placed on street corners. The chip on the rear-- you recognize to be the kind used for the more advanced drones-- seems to be labelled "Facial Recognition." Documents on the table seem to advocate for creating a database of criminals that are otherwise difficult to track with the current employee registry system. Strange.

You step up to the receptionist counter. "Miss Trucy!" says the receptionist-- named Emilia, if you remember correctly. "It's lovely to see you this evening, need me to call you a lift up to the suite?" <> <<link "> \"No, actually. I was wondering if you could let me up to floor 34?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-emilia00" t8n t8n >> <<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue A0]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> \"Not yet, I actually left my bag on one of the office floors...\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-emilia00" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue B0]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"No, actually. I was wondering if you could let me up to floor 34?" you tell her. "Floor 34?" says Emilia, surprised. "Why, that's an office floor, Miss Trucy. I hate to say this, but I don't believe you're allowed up there." <> <<link "> \"Why not?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-emiliaA0" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue AA]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> \"But, I left my bag up there...\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-emiliaA0" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue AB]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"Why not?" you ask, a little annoyed. "Your father's orders, Miss Trucy. I'm sure he's told you." says Emilia, firmly. "Want me to call you a lift to the suite after all?" [[> "No, I'm okay. Thank you, Emilia."|H0: Emilia Dialogue Fail]]

"But, I left my bag up there..." you tell her, feigning nervousness. "Oh, did you? Why didn't you say so earlier?" she laughs. "And you seem to already have an escort, good. Be quick now, okay?" [[> "Thank you, Ms. Emilia."|H0: Emilia Dialogue Success]]

"Not yet, I actually left my bag on one of the office floors..." you tell her, feigning nervousness. "Oh, did you? What were you doing up there?" says Emilia, puzzled. "Last I checked you weren't allowed up on the office floors yet." <> <<link "\"I was just exploring, that's all.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-emiliaB0" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue BA]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "\"Cecil was showing me around yesterday,\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-emiliaB0" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Emilia Dialogue BB]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"I was just exploring, that's all." you tell her. "Just exploring, were you?" says Emilia. "I'll send someone to search for your bag on the office floors. Want me to call you a lift to the suite instead?" [[> "No, I'm okay. Thank you, Emilia."|H0: Emilia Dialogue Fail]]

"Thank you, Ms. Emilia." you say, relieved. The three of you walk past. "Nice talkin, Truce," whispers Violet, elbowing you playfully. "Let's get upstairs." Looks like you pulled it off. [[> Take the elevator up.|H0: Main Elevator]]

"No, I'm okay. Thank you, Emilia." you say, disappointed. "That- that didn't sound so good, Trucy," crackles Oculus into your ear. "I'm looking over the floor plans now, though, and it looks like there might be a secret door to the service room and elevator. Maybe look for that and keep your mouth shut?" Wish you'd have known that earlier. [[> Look around the Lobby some more.|H0: Lobby]] <<set $informedOfDoor to true>>

"Cecil was showing me around yesterday," you say. "Oh, was he now? I suppose you're at that age where you should really get to know the place," she says. "Wow, they grow up so fast. You already have an escort, go on through." [[> "Thank you, Ms. Emilia."|H0: Emilia Dialogue Success]]

Amongst the beige fabric cubicles, you feel the light of a flashlight wash over you. "Stop!" you hear from the behind the blinding light, "Who are you, you aren't supposed to be up here!" Better act fast. [[> "Oh, hi, my name is Trucy..."|H1: Employee Guard Death]] [[> Try to run away.|H1: Employee Guard Stun]] <<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>>

"Oh, hi, my name is Trucy..." you start to say, hoping to diffuse the situation. Before you get a chance to finish your thought though, a green flash fills the air, and you see that guard before you fall motionless to the ground. Marcellus blows smoke off his plasma pistol. [[> "Did- did you kill him?"|H1: Employee Guard Death 2]]

You turn tail and try to run away, but faster than you can swivel, a bright green burst of plasma races past you. The guard falls over with a dull thud, while Marcellus blows smoke off the barrel of his plasma pistol. [[> "...What?"|H1: Employee Guard Stun 2]]

"...What?" you say with a pause. Marcellus sighs. "Can't be getting caught like that, Trucy," he says, holstering his pistol. "At least you didn't tell him who you are. Stuff him in that cubicle and let's get moving. Don't worry, he's not dead." <> <<set $employeeGuardDown to true>> <<set _nextPassage to window.PreGuardPassage()>> <<link "> Stuff him in that cubicle and get moving." _nextPassage>><</link>> <>

"Did- did you kill him?" you stammer out, feeling shocked and betrayed. "It's your fault, you know." he says, holstering his pistol. "Had you kept your damn mouth shout this wouldn't have happened. Stuff him in that cubicle and let's get moving." <> <<set $employeeGuardDown to true>> <<set _nextPassage to window.PreGuardPassage()>> <<link "> Stuff him in that cubicle and get moving." _nextPassage>><</link>> <> <<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>>

You hear the whirring of a plasma rifle behind you. "Hands up, intruder. State your name and employee ID number." you hear from behind you. You start to turn around, hands raised. "Trucy...? Is that-" he starts. <<if $employeeGuardDown>>Once again, you hear<<else>>You hear<</if>> a sound of a plasma rifle ring out behind you. The guard looks at you, clutching the new hole in his gut, and collapses to the ground. [[> "You killed him..."|H2: Research Guard Down]]

"You killed him..." you trail off, looking at Marcellus. "We can't let him get away. Not this late into the mission, Trucy." says Marcellus, sheathing his pistol. "You know this. Let's get going, before someone finds the body." <> <<set $researchGuardDown to true>> <<set _nextPassage to window.PreGuardPassage()>> <<link "> Get going." _nextPassage>><</link>> <>

<<include [[H0: Context Dialogue]]>>

"We are only a few minutes from the beginning of the operation." says Oculus, speaking in their normal monotone. "Does anyone need a reminder of the plan?" <<if $proposalAccepted>>You'd hate to cause all of this to go to ruin if you forget something, but Marcellus is impatiently taps his foot.<<else>>The idea of what Marcellus would do you if you fail scares you, but he seems impatient.<</if>> <> <<link "> \"I could use one, if that's okay.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH0-context" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Context Dialogue 1]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"I could use one, if that's okay," you say, trying to hide your nervousness. "Understood, here's the plan." they say. "Violet and Marcellus have been disguised as Trucy's butlers, as she is a member of the Carlisle family and- as of yet- not under suspicion. Trucy will guide you into the building so that you make take the main elevator up to the offices." [[> Keep listening.|H0: Context Dialogue 2]]

"Right. Thank you, Oculus," you say into your comms piece. <<if $proposalAccepted>><<include [[H0: Context Accept]]>><<else>><<include [[H0: Context Reject]]>><</if>> [[> Head inside.|H0: Lobby]]

You nod. "Good. Keep your weapons at the ready and comms clear," he says, punctuating his speech with a whirr and a click from his plasma pistol. "Let's begin." The Elevator doors open to a service closet. [[> Exit the elevator.|H1: Employee Floor Service Closet]]

You nod. "Good. Keep your weapons at the ready and comms clear," he says, punctuating his speech with a whirr and a click from his plasma pistol. "Let's begin." The Elevator doors open to a hallway of cubicles. [[> Exit the elevator.|H1: Cubicles West (3)]]

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You look at the board filled maps. The board is labelled "Problematic Areas," and a few maps of areas in the city are listed. <> <<link "> West Industrial District">> <<replace "#h1-boardtext" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Board West Industrial]]>> <</replace>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</link>><> <> <<link "> Sable Square">> <<replace "#h1-boardtext" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Sable Square]]>> <</replace>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<if !$h1BoardSable>> <<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>> <<set $h1BoardSable to true>> <</if>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</link>><> <> <<link "> Far Northern Reaches">> <<replace "#h1-boardtext" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Northern Reaches]]>> <</replace>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<if !$h1BoardNorth>> <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>> <<set $h1BoardNorth to true>> <</if>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</link>><> [[> Stop looking at the board|H1: Conference Room]]

You recognize this area, being the place where the Glass Rose keeps their shoddy-but-well-hidden base. Beneath it, it says "Increase of Illicit Sales and Criminal Activity. Recommendation: Curfews and Increased Terminations" Perhaps you all aren't as unnoticed as you originally thought. You really hope no one gets hurt because of this.

Sable Square, the hotbed of advertising and glamour is also listed here. Beneath it, it says "Evidence of Tampered Security Footage. Recommendation: Internal Investigation into Security Personnel" You wonder if Marcellus has anything to do with this too. Sure is a lot he doesn't seem to be telling you.

You see a place you don't recognize on the northern end of the city. It's far enough that you didn't even realize that part of the city is inhabitable. Beneath it, it says "High Casualty Count due to External Clime Exposure. Recommendation: No action required." You hadn't realized your family's company cared so //little// about people. Aren't they supposed to be keeping them safe? <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>>

Try as you might, the guard-- Eduardo-- doesn't seem to wake up. Perhaps you'll be able to talk to him in a later version of this story? <<set $h1eduardoAwake to true>> [[> Go back.|H1: Surveillance Room]] <<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>>

The sticky note reads: If Cole 4gets password username: cpearson914 password: nwaeri1Day! This should be password for a computer somewhere. <<set $h1emailPassword to true>> [[> Go back.|H1: Surveillance Room]] <<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>>

You see an assortment of maps and photographs scattered throughout the desk. In the photos, it looks like he's taken some surveillance footage of you around the city, ushered from place to place. In many of these, you face can barely be seen through your hood. On the maps, he's marked a variety of potential sightings, largely revolving around the Black Market. The writing on the page is frantic and messy, as if it was done anxiously and in a hurry. <<if !$h1confrontedMarcellus>>You... thought he wasn't looking for you. [[> Leave it alone.|H1: Office No Confrontation]] [[> "Hey, Marcellus. I'm confused..."|H1: Office Marcellus Confrontation]] <<else>>You feel very conflicted looking at this desk again. [[> Focus on something else.|H1: Robert's Office]]<</if>> <<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionEmployee() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionEmployee()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>><</if>>

You say nothing, and avoid leaving any trace of your presence on the papers. After a while, Violet speaks up. [[> Listen to Violet|H1: Violet Complete]]

<<include [[H1: Marcellus Confrontation 0]]>>

<<if !$h1bombReady>>"Charge is primed, boss," she says, clearly proud of herself. "Ready when you are." "Good," says Marcellus, walking over. "Trucy, if there's anything else you want to do around here, now's the time, otherwise, it's time to move."<<set $h1bombReady to true>><<else>>"Hey, Trucy," says Violet. "Not to interrupt, but remember, I'm ready when you are.<</if>> [[> Look around the office some more.|H1: Robert's Office]] [[> "I'm ready. Let's go."|H1: Blowing the Wall]]

"Hey, Marcellus. I'm confused..." you start, turning towards him. He looks up from monitoring the door, seemingly irritated at your inquiry. "Can this wait, Trucy? Now's not the time," he says. <> <<link "> \"No, this is important. Didn't you say my father wasn't looking for me?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH1-marcellus0" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Marcellus Confrontation A]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> \"Yeah, right. I'll ask later.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH1-marcellus0" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Marcellus Confrontation B]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"No, this is important," you say, ignoring his attempt to shut you down. "Didn't you say my father wasn't looking for me?" He hesitates for a moment, so brief you wouldn't notice it if you weren't paying attention."I mean, yeah. The piece of trash didn't even bother to search for his own daughter, what of it?" <> <<link "> \"But, look at this. Pictures and maps of... me?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH1-marcellusA" t8n >> <<include [[H1: Marcellus Confrontation AA]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> \"Did you lie to me, Marcellus?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH1-marcellusA" t8n >> <<include [[H0: Marcellus Confrontation AB]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"Yeah, right," you say, a bit dejectedly. "I'll ask later." After a while, Violet speaks up. [[> Listen to Violet|H1: Violet Complete]]

"But, look at this," you tell him, gesturing to your father's desk. "Pictures and maps of... me?" He sighs, and steps over from his watch. He glances over the desk, and reaches up and runs a hand through his greased hair. "...Huh," he says, after a while. "Must have started recently, I'm sure the other big wigs were putting pressure on him and all." [[> "I suppose that makes sense."|H1: Marcellus Confrontation Confused]]

"Did you lie to me, Marcellus?" you ask, feeling betrayed. Your father is cruel, sure, but you'd never known him not to care like this... right? "Did I lie- Trucy!" says Marcellus incredulous, "Trucy, ever since you've joined us, you've been nothing but a dear friend to us. And I like to think I speak on behalf of all of us to say that we'd never lie to you about something like this." You feel... conflicted. [[> Take a deep breath.|H1: Marcellus Confrontation Betrayed]] <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>><</if>>

"I suppose that makes sense..." you trail off. Something seems off about this whole ordeal, but you can't quite put a finger on what. Before you can say anything else, though, Violet speaks up. [[> Listen to Violet.|H1: Violet Complete]] <<set $h1confrontedMarcellus to true>>

You try to collect yourself and the emotions inside of you. Something is definitely off about this whole ordeal, and you're unsure who to trust and who to believe anymore. Before you can say anything else, though, Violet speaks up. [[> Listen to Violet.|H1: Violet Complete]] <<set $h1confrontedMarcellus to true>>

"I'm ready. Let's go." you say to Violet, resolved. She nods. She takes a step away from the wall, revealing a metal contraption made of clearly-recycled parts and too much ancient tape. You're not sure how quiet this explosion is going to be, given its construction. "Alright, counting down," says Violet, holding the trigger device. "Three, two, one..." [[> Plug you ears.|H1: Blowing the Wall 2]]

You put your fingers in your ears in anticipation for the unbearably loud noise. But, surprisingly, it doesn't come. Instead, you see glass rocket away from the office's window, completely without a sound. Had you not known any better, you'd have thought they'd gotten sucked away into space like some of the stories. Before you now is a gaping hole, in your father's office window. From your ear, you hear the squeak of Oculus piping up. [[> Listen to Oculus.|H1: Blowing the Wall 3]]

"Good work, V! Sending a hover-platform out to you now," calls out Oculus, clearly excited. Violet brushes off some dust and small fragments of glass from her suit. "Hell //yeah// it's good work," laughs Violet, clearly proud of herself, brushes off some dust and small fragments of glass from her suit. Marcellus takes off his pack and starts unwrapping some rope, before walking over to the hole. He takes what looks like a hook and a box and swings them both outside and above you. You hear a //clink// as the hook seems to find home. "You're up, Trucy." he says, turning to you. [[> Climb.|H2: Scaling the Building]]

As the motor brings you up to the top, you see an open window of what looks like another office. This one, however, seems much less sophisticated. You could almost describe it as, scientific, maybe? "Good luck, Truce!" you hear a call out from beneath you. You look behind, and Violet flies off on a metal sheet. The underside of it glows blue and you see some small flecks of flame. You hope she gets back safe. [[> Enter the office.|H2: Head Researcher's Office]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgSkyline>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Outside">>

<<silently>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</silently>> You approach the set of research tables. A few prototypes are laid out on these tables, presumably still in development. <> <<link "> Look at the gun.">> <<replace "#h2-triotext" t8n >> <<include [[H2: Gun]]>> <</replace>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<if !$h2TrioGun>> <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>> <<set $h2TrioGun to true>> <</if>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</link>><> <> <<link "> Look at the camera.">> <<replace "#h2-triotext" t8n >> <<include [[H2: Camera]]>> <</replace>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<if !$h2TrioCamera>> <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>> <<set $h2TrioCamera to true>> <</if>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</link>><> <> <<link "> Look at the mannequin.">> <<replace "#h2-triotext" t8n >> <<include [[H2: Android]]>> <</replace>> <<if !$h2TrioAndroid>> <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>> <<set $h2TrioAndroid to true>> <</if>> <<script>> window.UpdateGuardPositionResearch() <</script>> <<set $guardPosition to window.GetGuardPositionResearch()>> <<set $heistTime to $heistTime + 1>> <</link>><> [[> Stop looking at the prototypes.|H2: Research Lab Alpha]]

Marcellus grabs your shoulder. "Easy, Trucy. There's a security checkpoint ahead, behind one-way glass. You go any further, they'll shut down the whole building," he tells you. <><<if !$proposalAccepted>> <<link "> \"Well what are we supposed to do instead?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH2-marcellus" t8n >> "Well what are we supposed to do instead?" you say, frustratedly. <<include [[H2: Marcellus Warning 2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <</if>><> <><<if $proposalAccepted>> <<link "> \"Oh dear, what now, then?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueH2-marcellus" t8n >> "Oh dear," you say, worried. "What now, then?" <<include [[H2: Marcellus Warning 2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>><</if>> <> <<set $h2lookingforVent to true>>

"Should be a way around," he says. "Like a vent, or something. Look around." [[> Look around.|H2: Research Hallway West (1)]]

"Alright, Trucy," whispers Marcellus. "What do you see?" <<linkreplace "> \"I see a guard, watching the glass and some monitors.\"" t8n>>"I see a guard," you whisper back. "-watching the glass and some monitors." "Damn, here's the deal, then," you feel metal tapping your side. You look back, and Marcellus is handing you his plasma pistol. "I can't get in front of you like this, and they'll definitely notice if we try to get out of here. You've gotta take them out." [[> Take the pistol.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation 2]] <</linkreplace>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgScienceHallway>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Vault Security Checkpoint">>

Your hand quivers with the gun. You've studied how they work, how they're constructed, and the guidelines surrounding weapon possession and use. But, you've never had to shoot one before. On the side of the gun, you see a dial. This should be the switch to switch from stun to kill. [[> Set it to stun.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation 3]]

You switch the gun to stun. You can't bring yourself to kill a guard, even if it's important. You point the gun at the guard, and look down the sights. Even if the gun won't //necessarily// kill, your hands are shaking and sweaty. You're not sure if you can do this. [[> Pull the trigger.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Miss]] [[> Find another way.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Talk]]

You pull the trigger. The gun rockets from your hand from the kickback, bruising your shoulder and clattering against the metal. The guard below starts shouting, and you duck your head to avoid the hot plasma. "Dammit, kid," you hear Marcellus yell. "Move!" [[> Try to move.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Miss 2]] <<set $h2GuardDead to true>>

You can't do this. Instead of pulling the trigger, you lower the gun and pass it back to Marcellus. Without a word, you pull yourself forwards and out of the vent, falling out from the room's ceiling onto a table. The guard looks at you, shocked and prepared to shout. [[> "Hi! So, my name is Trucy..."|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Talk A]] [[> "Now, shoot!"|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Talk B]] <<set $h2GuardDead to false>>

You try to shuffle out of the way of the narrow vent, but there's very little space. Instead, though, you feel a hand push against your leg. Faster than you can process what's happening, you feel yourself be pushed out of the vent, tumbling out and towards a desk of computers below. [[> Brace for impact.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Miss 3]]

A moment passes, and the sounds of fighting die down. You groan in pain. It seems that you've fallen and crashed through a table, breaking a computer in the process. On your right, you see the guard now collapsed. The skin on his neck glows a fading green: a wound from a plasma shot. Hopefully not lethal. [[> Look for Marcellus.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Miss 4]]

You hear laughing from above you. You look up to see Marcellus lowering his pistol and jumping down from the vent. Unlike you, he lands gracefully and rolls up to his feet. "Good try, kid. Sorry about the push," he says, offering you a hand. <<if $distrust<=0>>[[> Take his hand.|H2: Security Checkpoint]]<<else>>[[> Get up.|H2: Security Checkpoint]]<</if>>

"Hi," you say, raising your hands diplomatically. "My name is-" Before you can finish your introduction, a shot rings out from above you. The guard grabs his neck, yelps out in pain, then collapses onto his desk. [[> "Why did you do that?"|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Talk 2A]] <<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>>

"Now," you call out to Marcellus above you. "Shoot!" Right on cue, a shot rings out from above you. The guard grabs his neck, yelps out in pain, then collapses onto his desk. [[> Look back.|H2: Checkpoint Confrontation Talk 2B]]

"Why did you do that?" you ask, shocked. "Can't have you blowing our cover, Trucy," says Marcellus, hopping down and sheathing his pistol. "You should know this by now." "Now then, what do we have here?" inquires Marcellus. [[> Look around.|H2: Security Checkpoint]] <<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>>

You look at the device. On the screen you see a variety of characters, that shift every few seconds to a new code. It looks like an ancient two-factor authentication device, a relic of digital security in the old world. <<set $h2researchPassword to true>> You think this should get you into the Head Researcher's Computer. [[> Back to the checkpoint.|H2: Security Checkpoint]]

From: Nguyen Hyun Minh To: Allison Nwaeri Ms. Nwaeri, Please allow me to speak plainly. Never before has an individual need to be //removed// from the records of the bioencryption key. As far as we can tell on the writing on the topic, Trucy's own blood would be necessary to remove her access. Obviously, this won't do. I recommend talking to Commander Leeson, and soon. If we quickly kill the girl, we can pretend none of this ever happened. The last thing we need is for Sable to put out a piece on this disaster. Thanks, Minh Head Researcher [[> Look away.|H2: Head Researcher's Office]] <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>><</if>>

<div id="img-container">[img[$imgCurrent]]</div><div id="location-name">$locationCurrent</div>

<<replace "#img-container">>[img[$imgCurrent]]<</replace>> <<replace "#location-name">>$locationCurrent<</replace>>

Through your bleary and tear-filled eyes, the lights of the square are blinding. The streaks of lights and color bleed together as if through a dirty window, over-illuminating the streets, stores, and abundance of people on the square. Your name is Trucy, and so far, you're having a pretty lousy day. [[> Wipe your eyes.|I0: Opening 2]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Sable Square">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgSableSquare>>

But, of course, it won't do for someone of your stature to crying in public, and you wipe your eyes on a hankerchief. You open them to see that your brother, Cecil, is handing you an ice cream cone. The top is flecked with faux-gold like he usually likes it, and he seems to be taking special care not to get any of the melting dessert on his new suit. "Here, Trucy," he says, "This is the kind you like, right? Strawberry?" [[> "Thanks, Cecil."|I0: Opening 2A]] [[> Say nothing, take the ice cream.|I0: Opening 2B]]

"Thanks, Cecil," you say to your brother. You look up to him and muster your best smile despite your puffy eyes. He does his best to return the smile. It's subdued, of course-- that's as good as it gets for Cecil really-- but you can see behind his nervous glances that it's genuine. The moment passes, though, and you see the flash of light off to your side, and a shady figure dart out of view. Cecil sighs. "Must be the Sable cameras, again," he says, fidgeting with his watch. It's only now that you notice what he's talking about, seeing the figure going with the van. Before you can ask about it, though, he turns to you again. "Hey, Trucy, about father..." [[> Listen to Cecil.|I0: Opening 3]]

You sheepishly take the ice cream without a word. It's a nice gesture, after everything that's happened, of course. But you can't shake the pain and the heat behind your eyes, and you feel like you might sob. Before you do, though, you see the flash of light off to your side, and a shady figure dart out of view. Cecil sighs. "Must be the Sable cameras, again," he says, fidgeting with his watch. It's only now that you notice what he's talking about, seeing the figure going with the van. Before you can ask about it, though, he turns to you again. "Hey, Trucy, about father..." [[> Listen to Cecil.|I0: Opening 3]]

"Father, he's... difficult, I know," he says, slowly and measured. He twists the dial on his antique watch, looking up into the sky. "But he does care about you- about both of us. I'm sorry he hit you." Oh, Cecil. Being the heir of the family, it's natural that he's trying to smooth over the fights and all. But, can't he see how much you're hurting? <> <<link "> \"Hey, it's not your fault.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueI0-cecil3" t8n>> <<include [[I0: Opening 3A]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> \"Why are you defending him, Cecil?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueI0-cecil3" t8n >> <<include [[I0: Opening 3B]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> Smile, say nothing.">> <<replace "#dialogueI0-cecil3" t8n>> <<include [[I0: Opening 3C]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"Hey," you say, pausing to muster a smidgen of your brother's maturity. "It's- it's not your fault." Cecil sighs. "Thanks, Trucy. You really have grown up a lot." [[> Hug your brother.|I0: Opening 4A]]

"Why are-" you start, stammering in your frustration. "Why are you defending him, Cecil?" Your tears of pain and sadness quickly burn into anger, and you look your brother dead into his eyes. He's surprised by your reaction, and looks away just for a second to collect his thoughts. "Trucy, I-" he starts to say, but his eyes widen and he looks over your head in shock. "Wait, Trucy, look-" [[> Turn around.|I0: Opening 5]]

You give Cecil a slight smile, and avert your gaze. It's always awkward when Cecil apologizes to you like this, and you're not sure what to say. Instead, you look around, and glance off to the side and the bright lights. Out of the corner of your eye, though, you see something coming towards you. [[> Turn around!|I0: Opening 5]]

You move in to hug your brother- but, all of a sudden, there's yelling behind you. You stop in your tracks and make eye contact, only to find the abject horror in his eyes as he freezes. [[> Turn around.|I0: Opening 5]]

You turn around quickly to see what's behind you, but you only get a glimpse before you feel burlap being flung over your head. You lose your balance, start falling towards the ground, and rough hands start shoving, pulling, and carrying you somewhere. [[> "Cecil!"|I0: Opening 6]]

"Cecil!" you yell out, as best you can. The hands on you are rough and hurried and you stumble and lose your balance. "Shut her up! Grab them both!" you hear someone yelling. It's a man's voice, confident and scarily aggressive. "Use the gas!" You hear a click of something whirring in front of your face. [[> Hold your breath!|I0: Opening 7]]

You shut your lips and do your best not to take a breath. A metal and unseen device is pressed onto your face, and it clicks and makes a harrowing hissing noise. But, try as you might, the stress of being dragged and shoved gets to you, and your lungs wail in pain. Against your will, you gasp out, body desperate for air. Immediately, your senses begin to feel hazy and dulled, as if you've been covered in a heavy blanked. The last thing you remember is the feeling of landing onto hard metal. [[> ...|E0: Whispers]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgSableSquareDark>>

You stir in your unconsciousness, faintly hearing voices whispering in the darkness. "The hell are we supposed to do with her? Who even is she?" "Maybe we should just put her back on the street before she wakes up and let her wander her way home." "While I would have preferred the boy... this might be workable." [[> Keep sleeping.|E0: Intro 1]] <<set $e0VivianTrucyName to "hun">> <<set $locationCurrent to "?">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgBlack>>

The voices fade, and you hear footsteps walk out of the door. Your entire body aches and whines, dulled only by your diminishing unconsciousness. You begin to feel the bonds on your hands, surprisingly smooth and loose, as if it were a poor knot made out of high quality material. The chair you're placed in feels hard and uncomfortable underneath you. [[> Open your eyes.|E0: Intro 2]]

With some effort, you manage to lift your eyelids and look up. You're in a small, dark room, the only light being a faint amount of sun leaking in from cracks in the ceiling. You look around, trying to get your bearings, but after a delay you notice that there's a figure in the dark, looking at you. [[> Scream in fear.|E0: Intro 3A]] [[> "Untie me, ruffian! Wait until my father hears about this!"|E0: Intro 3B]] [[> "Hello?"|E0: Intro 3C]] <<set $vivTrucyName to "hun">> <<set $locationCurrent to "Dusty Closet">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgCloset>>

You yell out in your shrillest, loudest voice you can manage. It echoes through the room and what you can only assume is the greater building, echoing through the old wooden walls. A minute passes, and your throat is sore and scratchy, and your yells fade into silence. "You done?" says the figure. You can make out a smile amongst their dark silhouette. <> <<link "> \"Um, yes.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueI0-violet0" t8n>> <<include [[E0: Intro 3A2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> [[> "What? Who are you? Where am I?"|E0: Intro 4]] <<set $e0TrucyResponse to 1>>

"U-untie me, ruffian!" you say, doing your best to muster confidence. But your voice wavers in cracks in fear, and the best you can muster is a weak and pathetic threat. "W-wait until my father hears about this!" The figure laughs. <> <<link "> \"Are you listening to me?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueI0-violet1" t8n>> <<include [[E0: Intro 3B2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <<set $e0TrucyResponse to 2>>

"Hello?" you ask into the darkness. "Hello, hun," says the figure. You're caught off guard by how genuinely caring the voice is, given that it belongs to your kidnapper. "How are you feeling, looks like you got roughed up real badly last night. What's your name?" You're confused. <> <<link "> \"My name is Trucy...\"">> <<replace "#dialogueI0-violet2" t8n>> <<include [[E0: Intro 3C2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <<set $e0TrucyResponse to 3>>

"Um," you mumble out, surprised at their lack of reaction. "Yes." "Hah! My that's quite a set of pipes on you, you ever consider going into singing instead of-" the figure pauses. "Whatever it is you rich people do?" [[> "What? Who are you? Where am I?"|E0: Intro 4]]

"What?" you ask, incredulously. "Who are you? Where am I?" "Thought you'd never ask," says the figure, finally stepping out of the shadows. "We're, unfortunately for you, your captors this morning. Sorry the boys handled you so roughly, honey." The woman is dressed in a fair plain vest and some worker's pants. Out of the sleeveless outfit, though, is a pair of surprisingly muscular arms, confidently folded in front of her. She smirks. "Call me Violet, I'll be your guard this morning. Can I get you some water, love?" she says. [[> "Um. Sure?"|E0: Intro 5]]

"Are you listening to me?" you ask the figure. "Oh no, darling, I'm listening," says the voice. "Just not particularly frightened, is all." [[> "What? Who are you? Where am I?"|E0: Intro 4]]

"Um," you stammer, certainly not expecting that this is how you'd be spending your morning. "Sure?" "Lovely!" says Vivian, clapping her hands together. "I'll be right back, stay right here, now." She heads out the door. Now's probably the best opportunity you'll get to get out of here. [[> Assess your situation.|E1: Closet]]

You manage to wiggle your thin wrists through the shoddily tied knots around them. After a few minutes of struggle, you manage to get a hand free. In short order, you free your other hand. Cecil had always told you to be resourceful. You didn't realize this is what he meant. [[> Look around.|E1: Closet]] <<set $e1Free to true>>

You stand on your chair and try to look through the boards. You peer through and see what looks like an old... grocery store? The light from the ancient-styled flourescent lights bright white and faintly hums. [[> Push on the boards.|E1: Ceiling 2]] [[> Go back.|E1: Closet]]

You try to push on the boards, with no luck. They're very heavy, and there's definitely a few shelves on top it. Looks like you'll have to take the door. [[> Go back.|E1: Closet]]

You surreptitiously glance around the corner. Ahead you see Vivian and a person you don't recognize, chatting amongst themselves. Behind them you see a staircase up to a higher floor. "Marcie's pulled a little girl off the street, huh? That's a new low, even for him," says a voice you don't recognize, entirely in monotone. "Hah, Oculus. Don't let Marcellus catch you calling him that, darlin'," you hear Violet say. "You know him, always with a plan." "I am aware. The girl, how is she doing?<<if $e0TrucyResponse is 1>> I heard her screaming from the server room.<</if>>" [[> Stop listening.|E1: Hallway South]] <<switch $e0TrucyResponse>> <<case 1>> [[> Keep listening.|E1: Eavesdrop 2A - Scream]] <<case 2>> [[> Keep listening.|E1: Eavesdrop 2B - Fam]] <<case 3>> [[> Keep listening.|E1: Eavesdrop 2C - Calm]] <</switch>> <<set $e1Marcie to true>>

"Poor thing, she's scared out of her wits. Yelling about her brother and father and how they're going to save her," says Violet. "Hm. Angering the Carlisles is likely a terrible idea in this stage. I hope Marcellus knows what he's doing," says the voice apparently named Oculus. "I do too, hun. I do too." [[> Stop listening.|E1: Hallway South]] <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>><</if>>

"Poor thing, she's scared out of her wits. Ran her throat ragged while screaming," says Violet. "Think I might grab some honey for her from the grocery." "You care too much, V. Try not to get too attached to this girl, might end poorly," says the voice apparently named Oculus. "Hah! Worry about yourself love, I'll be okay," says Violet, "Thank you though." [[> Stop listening.|E1: Hallway South]] <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>><</if>>

"She's holding up surprisingly well, given the circumstances. I'm awfully impressed," says Violet. "Says her name's Trucy." "You're friendly with her? That's surprising," says the voice apparently named Oculus. "But good I think. Very good." "Who knows, Oculus? Maybe we'll be friends, wouldn't that be nice?" says Violet, "Be the first happy ending Terminus ever saw, wouldn't it?" "Just be careful, Vi." says Oculus. [[> Stop listening.|E1: Hallway South]] <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>><</if>>

"My- my name is Trucy..." you stammer out. You're floored by the politeness of your captors, and this is certainly not what you expected. "Trucy!" says the figure. "That's a lovely name indeed. Can I get you anything, hun?" [[> "What? Who are you? Where am I?"|E0: Intro 4]] <<set $e0VivianTrucyName to "Trucy">>

You pivot on your heel and try to start running. You manage to turn the corner back into the hallway, and move as much as your short legs will carry you. But you were never the most athletic, and after a short distance you find yourself hurtling towards the ground. [[> Fall.|E1: Caught A2]]

You slam your knee into the ground and cry out in pain. You hear the footsteps of Violet hurriedly step over to you, and soon enough you find yourself being picked up. "Sorry honey, let's get you back in your chair now, yeah?" [[> Get tied up again.|E1: Closet]] <<set $e1Free to false>>

You raise your fists. You were never good at it, but your father had you learn some sort of martial art for self defense. Violet looks over your stance and smiles. "Oh $e0VivianTrucyName, you're not gonna try to fight me, are you?" she says, walking towards you. [[> Throw a punch!|E1: Caught B2]] <<set $e1Free to false>>

With all your might, you try to throw your best punch. It hits Violet's shoulder, and your thumb lights up in red hot pain. You yelp and stagger backwards from her, to make space. Instead, though, she reaches towards you, lifts you up, and throws you over her shoulder. "Gotta take your thumb out of your fist, you know. Let's get you back in your chair now, yeah?" [[> Get tied up again.|E1: Closet]]

You peer through the door to the living room. It's a pretty cozy looking place, nothing as lavish as the room in your suite back home, though. Across the room, however, you see Violet and (someone you don't recognize/Oculus) on the other side, still talking. You probably don't want to go through here, lest you get caught. [[> Go back.|E1: Hallway East]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgGRLivingRoom>>

You walk over to the PC and look around. As very frequently cited in your cybersecurity classes, users themselves are the most common security vulnerability. There's probably a password around here somewhere. Sure enough, you find a scrap of paper half covered by an ancient-looking keyboard. It has a password written on it. [[> Unlock the computer.|E1: Computer Unlocked]] [[> Don't unlock the computer.|E1: Computer Room]]

<<if visited()<1>>You enter the password and unlock the computer.<<else>>You're at the unlocked computer.<</if>> You're not used to using a keyboard with actual buttons on it, what with it being nearly a century since that was a popular design choice. As you open it up and see some messages, left open from the last user. You can read them if you'd like, but perhaps you can use this to try to get a word out? [[> Read: "FROM: Jenna"|E1: Chat Jenna]] <<if !$e1MarcellusChatSuccess>>[[> Read: "FROM: Marcie"|E1: Chat Marcellus]]<<else>>[[> Read: "FROM: Marcie"|E1: Chat Marcellus Complete]]<</if>> [[> Try to send a message home.|E1: Chat Home]] [[> Go back.|E1: Computer Room]] <<set $e1ComputerUnlocked to true>>

JENNA: i know things are scary right now, dont get yourself in trouble for our sake OCULUS: I'm not going to get in trouble, Jenna. We've got it under control. OCULUS: Is it true that there was another raid? JENNA: yeah, sadly. looks like the cops are trying to clear out some area for another expansion or something JENNA: lots of cracking down on minor offenses, like it's even possible to not be in 'violation of policy' this far in the boonies OCULUS: If this works out, no one is going to be arrested again. I'm sure. JENNA: lol, i'd like to see that. would make life out here at the perimeter way easier JENNA: gotta go, hear gunshots. take care Read yesterday 11:06 pm <<if visited() <= 1>>[[> Close the chat.|E1: Chat Jenna 2]]<<else>>[[> Close the chat.|E1: Computer Unlocked]]<</if>>

You close the chat window. You hadn't realized there were people living that far out, let alone that your family was making arrests out there towards the edge of the world. Strange. [[> Keep looking at the computer.|E1: Computer Unlocked]] <<if visited() <= 1>><<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>><</if>>

MARCIE: Keep an eye on the girl MARCIE: I know V is going to be too soft MARCIE: And get off your damn computer MARCIE: The NCC is going to be on our asses if we dick around too much on the network MARCIE: Too much is at stake for us to fuck this up. //MARCIE is typing...// <> <<link "> Wait for 'Marcie' to finish typing.">> <<replace "#dialogueE1-marcellus1" t8n>> <<include [[E1: Chat Marcellus 2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> [[> Close the chat.|E1: Computer Unlocked]] <<set $e1Marcie to true>>

MARCIE: Hey what are you doing online? MARCIE: Weren't you keeping an eye out for the girl? <> <<link "> \"What were you planning on doing with her?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE1-marcellus2" t8n>> <<include [[E1: Chat Marcellus 3A]]>> <</replace>> <</link>><> <><<link "> \"Sorry boss, won't happen again.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE1-marcellus2" t8n>> <<include [[E1: Chat Marcellus 3B]]>> <</replace>> <</link>><> [[> Close the chat.|E1: Computer Unlocked]]

OCULUS: What were you planning on doing with her? MARCIE: Since when were you the type to ask questions MARCIE: Guess I can tell you MARCIE: Gonna make her a proposition MARCIE: Give her the opportunity to get out of that stupid family MARCIE: Do something meaningful <> <<link "> \"Got it.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE1-marcellus3a" t8n>> <<include [[E1: Chat Marcellus 3A2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

OCULUS: Sorry boss, won't happen again. MARCIE: ... MARCIE: Im not your boss MARCIE: Youve never called me boss before <> <<link "> \"First time for everything, right?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE1-marcellus3b" t8n>> <<include [[E1: Chat Marcellus 3B2]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

OCULUS: Got it. MARCIE: Good MARCIE: Keep an eye on the vent MARCIE: Last thing we need is a tunnel rat [[> Close the chat.|E1: Computer Unlocked]] <<set $e1MarcellusChatSuccess to true>> <<set $e1VentAware to true>>

OCULUS: First time for everything, right? MARCIE: ... MARCIE: Who is this? <> <<link "> \"What do you mean, it's me, Oculus!\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE1-marcellus3b2" t8n>> <<include [[E1: Chat Marcellus 3B3]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

OCULUS: What do you mean, it's me, Oculus! MARCIE: Trucy MARCIE: Goddammit [[> Close the chat.|E1: Chat Marcellus 4]]

You try to close the chat, but as your fingers move over the keys, the power to the room cuts out. The sudden silence is deafening compared to the familiar whirring of the computers. Above you, you see light emerging from a vent. This might be your ticket out. [[> Look around.|E1: Computer Room]] <<set $e1ComputerRoomPower to false>> <<set $e1VentAware to true>>

You close the messages and start up a new one. You've got a get a message home, get some help. I'm sure your father would be able to get some officers out here really quickly if he knew. But... you're not sure if you want to talk to him right now, not after he hit you. You could try to message Cecil, see if he's okay and if he can help you. But who knows where he is, if he was caught, messaging you could put both of you in danger. [[> Send a message to father.|E1: Chat Robert]] [[> Send a message to Cecil.|E1: Chat Cecil]]

You go to put your fathers address in and type up a message. Quickly though, the computer and rest of the area go completely dark. The power in the room is now out, and the sudden silence is deafening compared to the familiar whirring of the computers. Above you, you see light emerging from a vent. This might be your ticket out. [[> Look around.|E1: Computer Room]] <<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>> <<set $e1VentAware to true>> <<set $e1ComputerRoomPower to false>>

You put in your brother's address and start to type up a message. But, what do you even say? [[> "Cecil! I'm okay, they're keeping me in some place below a grocery store."|E1: Chat Cecil 2A]] [[> "Brother! Where are you?"|E1: Chat Cecil 2B]]

OCULUS: Cecil! I'm okay, they're keeping me in some place below a grocery store. //CECIL is typing...// [[> Wait for Cecil's response.|E1: Chat Cecil 3]] <<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>>

You wait for a moment for Cecil's response. But, as you do so, suddenly the power to the room cuts out. The sudden silence is deafening compared to the familiar whirring of the computers. Above you, you see light emerging from a vent. This might be your ticket out. [[> Look around.|E1: Computer Room]] <<set $e1ComputerRoomPower to false>> <<set $e1VentAware to true>>

OCULUS: Brother! Where are you? //CECIL is typing...// [[> Wait for Cecil's response.|E1: Chat Cecil 3]]

You look at the vent. Above you, through the darkness, you see some light coming into the room through the vent. If you get up on a chair, you can probably get them open. [[> Grab a chair and open up the vent.|E1: Vent 2]]

You grab a nearby swivel chair. Your mother would scold you for it being dangerous, if she were still around. You climb up on the chair and pull on the vent. Much to your luck, it's rusted and poorly maintained, and pops off with ease. Now that you're up here, you hear the bustle of a storefront above you. [[> Climb up.|E2: Vent 3]]

You wriggle yourself up to the vent. It's wide enough for you to fit yourself in well enough, but a bit tight. Soon enough, you manage to get yourself up onto the cold metal, and bring your feet up to meet you. Now that you're up here, you can clearly see the store above you, the vent seems to placed in a pretty innocuous place in the area. [[> Climb into the store.|E2: Grocery]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Grocery Store">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgGrocery>>

You push the vent up and quickly scurry yourself up onto the shop floor. A few onlookers normally shopping pause to look at you in bewildered confusion. You'd be embarassed, but you're far too elated about your escape to really care about that. Time to find an exit. [[> Look for an exit.|E2: Grocery 2]]

You look around. The store-- a grocery store, you think-- is filled with measely amounts of produce and large amounts of dust. You're surprised, this isn't anything like the stores back home, in the rare occassion you even got to go shopping. Instead, you see boxes of barely labeled food products, all with the ugly Terracorp branding plastered on the front. But behind it though, you can barely see a pair of glass double doors. [[> Head for the doors!|E2: Grocery 3]]

You quickly break into a run, darting through the aisles of the store and brushing past it's patrons. As the doors come into view, however, you see a figure leaning against a nearby wall. He's wearing a long dark trenchcoat, sunglasses, and a subtle conniving smirk. "Hey, you," he says as you approach. "Hold up a sec." [[> Stop, hear what he has to say.|E2: Marcellus 1]] [[> Run past him through the doors.|E2: Grocery Failed Escape]]

You stop your run and look at him, giving him a second to say his piece. You've got the sense that this man, for whatever, is of some importance. "Thanks, Trucy," he says, tilting his head down and peering over his glasses. "Saves me the trouble of having to knock you out again. You don't want to go out there." <<if $e1Marcie>><> <<link "> \"Are you Marcie?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE2-marcellus1" t8n>> <<include [[E2: Marcellus 2A]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <</if>><> <<link "> \"Who are you?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE2-marcellus1" t8n>> <<include [[E2: Marcellus 2B]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> [[> Run past him through the doors.|E2: Grocery Failed Escape]]

You sprint past <<if $e2Marcellus>>Marcellus<<else>>the man<</if>> and continue through the doors. You see an open marketplace, crowded and bustling. You've never seen this place before, and the Towers-- usually visible from everywhere in Terminus-- and nowhere to be seen. Your eyes dart around, looking for a place to go. [[> Keep moving!|E2: Grocery Get Shot]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Black Marketplace">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgBlackMarket>>

You start to run again, to get as far away from your captors as possible. But as you take a step, you feel the hot burning heat against you back, and you're suddenly aware of every nerve in your body. It burns, hotter than anything you've ever experienced, and you start to fall forwards. You don't remember hitting the ground. [[> ...|E3: Waking Up]] <<set $distrust to $distrust + 1>> <<set $e2GotShot to true>> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgBlackMarketDark>>

You eventually start to stir, and slowly manage to break yourself out of another haze. Unlike the last time, every nerve in your body seems to continue to smoulder, and every movement or breath you take feels faintly like fire. "Oh, she's awake," says a voice<<if $e2Marcellus>>-- Marcellus, you remember now<</if>>. "Sorry about that Trucy, couldn't have you running out on us like that." [[> "What do you want from me?"|E3: Stunned 2]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Dusty Living Room">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgBlack>>

"Are you..." you start, looking him over. "Marcie?" His composure breaks for a second, and a flash of anger passes over his glasses. "Marcie?! Dammit who the hell-" Before he continues, though, he collects himself. "No. My name is Marcellus. And you, Trucy Carlisle, are in for a rude awakening if you think you can run through the Black Market in one piece." [[> "What do you mean?"|E2: Marcellus 3]] [[> Run past him through the doors.|E2: Grocery Failed Escape]] <<set $e2Marcellus to true>>

"Who are you?" you ask. It's obvious to you now that this is one of your kidnappers, but you can't help but notice that their treatment has been... surprisingly hospitable. "Me? My name is Marcellus. And you, Trucy Carlisle, are in for a rude awakening if you think you can run through the Black Market in one piece." [[> "What do you mean?"|E2: Marcellus 3]] [[> Run past him through the doors.|E2: Grocery Failed Escape]] <<set $e2Marcellus to true>>

"What do you mean?" you ask, surprised. Why is he helping you, anyway? "Look, girl, I don't know if you know this, but you look like a damn fish out of its pond," he says, seemingly proud of his archaic expression. "You think we're bad, those rogues out there will take everything you own and leave you bleeding in a ditch before the drones even find you." "Tell you what, kid. I've got a proposition for ya, if you're willing to listen." [[> "I'll listen."|E2: Marcellus 4]]

"I'll..." you can't help but pause as the words come out of your mouth. "I'll listen." "Hah, I knew you were a smart one. Let's head back downstairs, and clear up this big misunderstanding." [[> Follow Marcellus downstairs.|E3: Couch]] [[> Run past him through the doors.|E2: Grocery Failed Escape]] <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>>

Marcellus leads you into the living room of what you now understand to be some kind of base of operations. In the room are a few couches, and old fridge and a table covered in papers and maps. Violet looks up at you from leaning over the table, and gives you a wave. The person next to her, who you now assume to be Oculus, continues looking over the papers. They're wearing a white hooded jacket, kept surprisingly pristine given the rest of the area. Around their neck is a headset, bearing a scratched-out logo of the Nwaeri-Carlisle Corporation. "Friends, I'd like to introduce you to Trucy Carlisle, our new guest here at the Glass Rose," announces Marcellus as he enters. "Let's give her a warm welcome, shall we?" [[> "Hello?"|E3: Proposal 1]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Glass Rose Headquarters - Living Room">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgLivingRoom>>

"Hello?" you call out meekly. From being unconcious to now being greeted by your captors, this is definitely a shock. "Trucy //Carlisle//? Of the Nwaeri-Carlisles?" says Violet, surprised. "And here I thought you were just a lost rich girl, my my." "Is it a really a good idea to let her walk around here, Marcellus?" asks Oculus, stone-faced. "For all we know her dad is going to send a squadron in here any second," Marcellus grins. [[> Listen.|E3: Proposal 2]]

"Unfortunately for you, Trucy Carlisle, you're going to be stuck with us for a while," says Marcellus. "Had your father on the line-- Robert, was it? Real piece of work." <> <<link "> \"Father? You spoke to my father?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE3-proposal2" t8n>> <<include [[E3: Proposal 3]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"What..." you mumble out, struggling to speak from the wound. "What do you want from me?" "Oh no, Marcellus! Did you hurt her?" calls out Violet. "How could you?" "Definitely doesn't seem like a great start for your great plan, Marcellus," asks another voice-- Oculus, you think. Marcellus sighs. [[> Listen.|E3: Proposal 2]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgLivingRoom>>

"F-father?" you say, <<if $e2GotShot>>managing to sit yourself up on the couch<<else>>sitting down on the couch<</if>>. "You spoke to my father?" "I did. You know we had planned to just ransom you back, make a quick buck, you know?" says Marcellus, "But would you believe it, dude said-- and I quote:" "I'm not paying you ruffians a cent for that useless excuse for a daughter," Marcellus continues, doing a spot-on impression of your father. "Now get off this line before I send a squadron down to deal with you, scum." [[> Consider.|E3: Proposal 4]]

Your own father... wouldn't even pay to get you back. Sure he's always said that you should never negotiate with terrorists, but... he's your father. He couldn't could he? <> <<link "> \"You're lying.\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE3-proposal4" t8n>> <<include [[E3: Proposal 5A]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <> <> <<link "> \"What about Cecil?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueE3-proposal4" t8n>> <<include [[E3: Proposal 5B]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

"You're lying!" you yell back, much louder than you intended. The heat rises behind your eyes, and it's taking all you can muster to not break down and cry right now. "Trucy..." says Violet, stepping up to you and placing a hand on your shoulder. "I know this is hard, and that we just met. But I saw the bruise on you-- nothing that Marcie's men would have left, for sure." "Listen, kid," calls out Marcellus. [[> Listen.|E3: Proposal 6A]]

"What- what about Cecil?" you ask. Your brother was always the kindest to you, and even when kidnapped you find yourself worried about his safety. "We haven't been able to locate Cecil since he escaped," says Oculus. "Looks like he turned and ran as soon as he noticed us, though." "Didn't even look back for you, tsk," says Marcellus, shaking his head. "Must take after his father." [[> "No..."|E3: Proposal 6B]]

"Look I have no reason to lie to you about this, this is some contrived nonsense that I wouldn't be able to make up in a million parsecs," says Marcellus. "And what would we get out of it, anyway? You seems smart, Trucy. Think about it." [[> "Okay..."|E3: Proposal 6A2]]

"Okay..." you mumble, sniffing to keep your tears in check. <<include [[E3: Proposal 7]]>>

"No..." you mumble, sniffing to keep your tears in check. <<include [[E3: Proposal 7]]>>

"And besides, I think you can do better than those scumbags in the NCC anyway," he continues. "I saw how you figured out those computers and scrambled through the vents, you've got a real good head on your shoulders." "Underappreciated, I would say," says Violet. "Absolutely, and that's why, we, the Glass Rose, have a proposition for you," says Marcellus. His confidence is sickening, but it's hard to not be swayed by his words. [[> "Proposition?"|E3: Proposal 7B]] <<if $e1MarcellusChatSuccess>>[[> "So I read."|E3: Proposal 7A]]<</if>> <<set $locationCurrent to "Glass Rose Headquarters - Living Room">>

"So I read," you say, trying to muster up some confidence. "Hah! That you did," says Marcellus, proudly. "So, here's the deal. The Five Families-- no offense to you, of course-- have been making our lives down here a living hell for generations. Arresting our loved ones, forcing us to work like slaves in these damn factories, hiking up prices and forcing everyone not rich and kissing up to starve in the streets." "And the lot of it, outright ordered by your father and his cronies in the NCC. But we, the noble Glass Rose, are gonna change things," continues Marcellus. His speech has grown impassioned and seemingly heartfelt. Even you feel the twinges of inspiration from his delivery. "And for that, Trucy, we need your help." [[> "My help? For what?"|E3: Proposal 8]]

"A... proposition?" you ask, showing your confusion. "That's right," says Marcellus. "So, here's the deal. The Five Families-- no offense to you, of course-- have been making our lives down here a living hell for generations. Arresting our loved ones, forcing us to work like slaves in these damn factories, hiking up prices and forcing everyone not rich and kissing up to starve in the streets." "And the lot of it, outright ordered by your father and his cronies in the NCC. But we, the noble Glass Rose, are gonna change things," continues Marcellus. His speech has grown impassioned and seemingly heartfelt. Even you feel the twinges of inspiration from his delivery. "And for that, Trucy, we need your help." [[> "My help? For what?"|E3: Proposal 8]]

"M-my help?" you ask, shocked. "For what?" "I'm so glad you asked, Trucy," replies Marcellus. "Here's the deal, near the Research Lab Alpha in the Nwaeri-Carlisle tower lies the key to the NCC's security, the Bio-encryption key. With it, we can disable all of the drones and weapons and all of it making our life miserable down here. But to do that, we need to steal it." "And you, Trucy Carlisle, Master of Science in Computer Science and Cybersecurity, proven escape artist and tunnel rat, and known resident of the NCC tower, would be a perfect fit," he sings your praises. Oculus coughs. [[> Look at Oculus.|E3: Proposal 9]]

"Yeah," you start. Your tears turn from sadness and fear to a quiet anger and resolve. "I'm in." This feels right, your father has treated you terrible for years now, and here you've found a group of people who seem to actually care about you, even given the circumstances. Violet, however, seems shocked. "You- are you sure, Trucy? Don't forget, we did //kidnap// you after all," [[> "I know. It's okay. Kinda."|E3: Proposal Accept 2]] <<set $proposalAccepted to true>> <<set $distrust to $distrust - 2>>

"What?" you're shocked. First, you're kidnapped and thrown into a van. And now that you've tried to escape <<if $e2GotShot>>and have gotten shot<</if>>, they're trying to //recruit// you? "No! Absolutely not!" "I'm not sure what you expected, Marcellus," says Oculus, in their usual monotone. "This was certainly the most likely outcome." Marcellus sighs, and pinches the bridge of his nose. "After everything that's happened, with your father screwing you over and leaving you to die, you're still going to side with him?" [[> "Of course. He's still my father."|E3: Proposal Decline 2A]] [[> "I don't negotiate with terrorists."|E3: Proposal Decline 2B]] <<set $proposalAccepted to false>> <<set $distrust to $distrust + 5>>

"I know," you tell Violet. "It's... It's okay. Kinda." "Well. If you're sure," she says. She seems pensive, as if trying to figure something out. "Excellent!" says Marcellus, breaking the tense mood. "Welcome to the team, Trucy. We're so, so glad to have you. Let's teach Robert not to screw over his own kid, shall we?" [[> Smile.|E3: Proposal Accept 3]]

"Of course," you bite back. Your tears dry up a little and you manage to find your ground. "He's still my father." "Well," starts Marcellus, leaning back against a wall. "I'll be honest, Trucy, I thought you were smarter than that. Oh well. You'll come around." "Vivian, put her back in that damn closet. Give her a cot, while you're at it. We'll let Trucy here give this some more rational thought, before me and my gun have to teach her some critical thinking skills." "Right, Marcellus," says Vivian. She stands up. [[> Look at Vivian.|E3: Proposal Decline 3]]

"I don't negotiate with terrorists," you say, delivering your father's line with as much as his resolute conviction as you can. "Negotiate with terrorists-" Marcellus laughs uproariously, slapping the wall behind him. "Oh that's real cute of you, Trucy. Wow. Oh well. You'll come around." "Vivian, put her back in that damn closet. Give her a cot, while you're at it. We'll let Trucy here give this some more rational thought, before me and my gun have to teach her some critical thinking skills." "Right, Marcellus," says Vivian. She stands up. [[> Look at Vivian.|E3: Proposal Decline 3]]

Once again, you are lifted up and carried out of the room. As you walk through the hallway, though, Vivian speaks up. "You know, if you don't help him, it's likely that he'll try to kill you," she says. "Do whatever you need to do," she continues, "But he'll insist that you're brought along on his plan. I'm sorry about this." [[> "It's okay, thanks, Vivian."|E3: Proposal Decline 4]]

"It's okay, thanks, Vivian," you say. You're heartbroken and having difficulty accepting the situation. As you're tied into the chair, you wonder if there's anything you might be able to do to sabotage your captors. You spend the next week pondering over your own plan. [[> Continue.|H0: Context]]

You smile. For once, you've found a group-- maybe even a family-- that cares about you despite your name. No more abusive fathers. Now, maybe you'll have a real chance to change things. A week passes as you and the Glass Rose prepare for the mission. [[> Continue.|H0: Context]]

After some time, the glass doors of the sterilization room close, and release some sort of gas. You remember this from the plans: the NCC needs to prevent the Biokey from being contaminated, lest it compromise it's function. Marcellus seems antsy next to you. <<if $distrust > 0>>You're uncomfortable, being so close to him. You don't think you're going to be able to go through with this.<<else>>You're excited, being so close to the end. Now's your chance to really make a difference.<</if>> [[> Wait for the doors to open again.|H3: Biokey Vault]] <<silently>> <<if $heistTime > 30>><<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>><</if>> <<if $heistTime > 40>><<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>><</if>> <<if $heistTime > 50>><<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>><</if>> <<if $heistTime > 60>><<set $suspicion to $suspicion + 1>><</if>> <</silently>><<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Sterilization Room">>

<<if $heistTime >= 50>>"That took a minute, but,"<<else>>"Looks like we made good time."<</if>> says Marcellus. "We're finally here." He takes out his set of harnesses and ropes from his bag, with the climbing device that he used to get you up onto this floor. He takes out a hook looking contraption and swings it up, miraculously missing the lasers and landing on a support beam above. He clicks some sort of switch on the device, and he is lifted off the ground towards the key. A moment later, Violet's voice crackles again in your ear. [[> Listen to Violet.|H3: Biokey Vault 3]]

"Trucy... how are you feeling about this?" says Violet. <<if $proposalAccepted>>"This is your family's security system, after all. Are you really okay with this?"<<else>>"I know you didn't want to help us before, are you really okay this this?"<</if>> It's been a long road, with you and the Glass Rose. Violet and Oculus seem nice, but, Marcellus... <<if $distrust > 0>>It's clear that he's kept things from you, and you're not sure a man like that can be trusted with something important.<<else>>Sure, he's a bit of a shady character. But his intentions are noble, you think. Worth following.<</if>> <<if $distrust > 0>>[[> "No, I'm not. Not really."|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust 1]]<<else>>[[> "Yeah, I'm okay. This is what I want."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust 1]]<</if>>

"No, I'm not." you say to Violet, after a pause. "Not really." "That's understandable, hun," she says. There's a long silence before she continues. "Know that-- whatever happens-- Oculus and I are here for you." "You should really be keeping this communication line clear," pipes in Oculus. "...But yes. Trucy. We do support you." Before you can respond, though, there's a loud thud in front of you. [[> Look up.|H3: Biokey Vault 4]]

"Yeah, I'm okay," you say to Violet, after a pause. "This is what I want." "I can't say I'm not surprised, Trucy. But-" she says. There's a long silence before she continues. "I'm happy for you, for us. We're so glad to have you with us, Trucy." "You should really be keeping this communication line clear," pipes in Oculus. "...But yes. Trucy. It has been a pleasurable experience." Before you can respond, though, there's a thud in front of you. [[> Look up.|H3: Biokey Vault 4]]

You look up. Ahead of you, a piece of Marcellus's fancy rope clatters down to the ground, parts of it still red from being melted by lasers. In short order, Marcellus joins it, and rappels himself down to the ground. In his hand is a small device, no bigger than a can. At one end, it glows with a variety of different lights, glowing and flashing at various intervals. On the other, a hardened plastic cap rests on the side. "You ready for this, Trucy?" [[> Behold the Bio-encryption key.|H3: Biokey Vault 5]]

You look at the Biokey. Marcellus snaps off the plastic cap, and you see the syringe on the side. A memory of your surfaces, of you coming into this vault when you were very young, and crying from the pain after being pricked with this needle. It seems so much smaller now, now that you're older. But the consequences are now so- so much bigger. <<if $distrust > 0>>[[> "No, Marcellus. I refuse."|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust 2]]<<else>>[[> "Yes, I'm ready."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust 2]]<</if>>

"No, Marcellus." you say. For once, you feel confident enough to stand your ground in earnest. This man, as noble as his cause might seem, is full of secrets and lies. You feel your skin writhe at the very thought of helping him any further than this, and you'd never be able to live with yourself if you let him have the Biokey. "I refuse." He stares at you. The anger wells up in his eyes quickly, and sure enough he's pointing his trusty plasma pistol at you. [[> Take a step back.|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust 3]]

"Yes, I'm ready," you say. For once, you feel confident in your choices. Your family, the Carlisles, have caused great hearm to the people of Terminus, and you can see that now. But with this act, you might be able to change that, be the first in your family to really make things better. Marcellus smiles, and pops open the cap to the Biokey. He hands the device over to you. It's small and fragile in your hands, nothing like the impending and scary contraption it seemed ilke when you were little. [[> Prick your finger.|H3: Biokey Vault Lo Distrust 3]]

You take the needle of the Biokey. After a deep breath, you push it into your finger. You wince from the mild but sharp pain, and the lights on the Biokey begin flashing in unison. But then, all of a sudden, the lights on the device goes dark. <<if $suspicion >= $suspictionThreshold>><<include [[H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion]]>><<else>> [[> "What happened?"|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion]]<</if>>

Before you can ask about it, though, you hear the sound of a crowd of footsteps from behind you. [[> Look back.|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 2]]

"What happened?" you ask. Your heart sinks in horror that the Biokey has failed, and that all of this effort was wasted. Your hands shake, and it takes all you can muster not to drop it. You feel a hand rest on your shoulder, though, and you look up to see Marcellus. "Hey, easy, kid. It takes a few hours for it to settle in, don't worry," he tells you. [[> "Oh."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion 2]]

You swivel around and your heart races. At the entrance to the Vault stands a squad of NCC officers, holding rifles and pointing them at the two of you. In front of them is a face you couldn't miss: your father, Robert Carlisle, stands before you. "Shit," says Marcellus, pointing his gun at the crowd. [[> "Hello, Father."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 3]]

"Hello, Father," you say, standing your ground. You've had enough of this mistreatment from a man who never cared about you. You're not about to let his presence here stop you now. "Trucy. What are you doing with the Bio-encryption Key?" he says, keeping his voice level. One of the many lights on the Biokey turns a bright green. [[> "Making things right, Father."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 4]]

"Making things right, Father," you talk back to him. He has no power over you now, and even in the face of the guns pointed at you, you're not afraid. "Access level of the Biokey is at one percent," you hear Oculus in your ear. "You should be able to access the vault functions." "V!" yells Marcellus. "Blow the wall! Trucy! Make the order!" [[> "System. Deactivate Vault Blast Shields."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 5]]

"System," you speak into to the Biokey. Over the course of the night, you should soon be able to access the functions of the famed Bio-encryption of key. Your first order, as planned, is to allow your escape. "Deactivate the vault blast shields." The ground rumbles underneath you as the walls shift, and your father shouts an order to his men. The shots of their rifles begin to charge, primed to kill the both of you. But, soon enough, you hear a slight click against the wall to your right. [[> Duck.|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 6]]

You get your head down as the wall explodes, much more loudly than the one on the glass. When the smoke clears, you see Violet on a hover-platform, holding some sort of massive weapon over her shoulder. "Let's go, Trucy!" she calls, and her hover-platform starts to descend down towards the city streets. [[> Jump!|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 7]]

You run for the breach in the wall, and the blasts of plasma barely sail over the heads of you and Marcellus. Beside Violet, two hover-platforms await for your exit. Feeling braver than ever before, you jump off the edge of the building. Again, you see the beautiful night sky of Terminus, and you feel confident that this was the right decision. [[> Escape.|END: Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion]]

Later that evening, you're slouching back on the couch of the living room. The Glass Rose's HQ already feels cozy to you, and what was once scary now feels like a sense of belonging. Violet comes down the stairs, holding a plastic tray. "I ordered a cake before we left, figured we could use the opportunity to celebrate!" [[> Smile.|END: Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 2]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Glass Rose Headquarters - Living Room">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgLivingRoom>>

"Oh," you say. Your cheeks feel a bit warm from embarassment, and you pull yourself away from Marcellus. "Hah! You're a funny one, Trucy," says Marcellus, teasingly. He puts a finger up to his ear, and his tone of voice shifts. "Oculus! Mission's a success, we're on our way out. [[> "Is... that it? Is it over?"|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion 3]]

"Is.. that it?" you ask, surprised. "Is it over?" "Not just yet, Trucy. I need you do one last thing," says Marcellus. You blink at him a few times. One last thing, after everything that's happened? "Marcie, are you really asking the poor girl to do something else for you?" says Violet in your ear, echoing the sentiment. [[> "What is it?"|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion 4]]

"What is it?" you ask Marcellus. "I need you to go home for a while. Keep an eye on your pops and brother, let us know if they're coming after us," he says. "Could you do that for us? The last thing we'd want is the NCC breaking down our door after all this hard work." "Trucy's relationship with her family seems to be well-maintained," says Oculus. "I think that it may be prudent to go forwards with this plan." [[> "Sure. I can do that."|H3: Biokey Vault - Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion 5]]

"Sure," you say. You admit, the concept of going home to your real bed is quite tempting. You might be betraying your family, but to still spend time with your brother, and also do the right thing? Well, it seems like the obvious choice. "I can do that." "Excellent!" says Marcellus, clapping your shoulder. "Welcome to the crew, Trucy Carlisle, I'm glad we can count on you." [[> Head home.|END: Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion]]

The next morning, you're sitting with Cecil at your breakfast table, watching a SableScreen deliver the latest news. You haven't said a word since you got home, just trying your best to run through the motions as if nothing has happened. You're tired, but even through your exhaustion you're having some trouble keeping the smile off your face. Cecil, always worried as he is, looks at you every so often, confused as to how you could possibly be smiling. "Sources say a strange figure was seen leaving the Nwaeri-Carlisle Building last night, seen running towards Sable Square station in the dead of the evening. NCC Authorities have not commented on this rumoured security breach, and no arrests have been publicized," says the reporter onscreen. It's the only thing keeping the room from being completely silent, but it hurts to be reminded of what's happened. [[> Turn off the screen.|END: Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion 2]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Carlisle Suite">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgSuite>>

You take a step away from him, lifting your hands into the air. <<if $e2GotShot>>It wouldn't be the first time he's shot you with this thing, but you're pretty sure this time it won't be set to stun.<</if>> He looks furious now, his usual cool facade broken. "Do not do this, Marcellus," you hear a crackle in your ear from Oculus. "Killing Trucy would only cause us trouble, and kill your dream before it even begins." <<if $suspicion >= $suspicionThreshold>><<include [[H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Hi Suspicion]]>><<else>> [[> Watch him carefully.|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Lo Suspicion]]<</if>>

Marcellus sighs. But, behind you, you hear the sound of a crowd of footsteps. [[> Look back.|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Hi Suspicion 2]]

"Dammit, dammit, Trucy!" says Marcellus. "Oculus, prepare the last hover-platform. Just one." "Just the one, affirmative." says Oculus, still in monotone. Marcellus looks at you, aims down his sights, and looks prepared to take a shot. [[> Jump out of the way!|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Lo Suspicion 2]]

You swivel around and your heart sinks. At the entrance to the Vault stands a squad of NCC officers, holding rifles and pointing them at the two of you. In front of them is a face you couldn't miss: your father, Robert Carlisle, stands before you. "Shit," says Marcellus, pointing his gun at the crowd. [[> "Father?"|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Hi Suspicion 3]]

"Father?" you ask, meekly. You thought you were so careful, but it seems that your carelessness has caught up to you. The feeling of being in front of your father caught red-handed in your betrayal is awful. Your knees feel weak, and your eyes start to well up with tears. "Trucy," he says. His voice is measured in tone, like that of a father prepared to ground his child. "I am very, very disappointed in you." [[> "I can explain! I haven't given him anything!"|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Hi Suspicion 4]]

"I-I can explain!" you say, desperately. Surely your father will understand your situation, that you've been kidnapped and forced to help them in this damned scheme. "I haven't given him anything!" You want to spill it all, tell them of Marcellus and his devious ways, the kidnapping, <<if !$proposalAccepted>>how you refused to help,<</if>> how you've been used- and you open your mouth to do so. Instead, unbidden, you hear yourself start to scream. [[> ...|END: Hi Distrust Hi Suspicion]]

A tear falls down your face as you look at your father, and your sadness only barely overtakes the pain you feel behind you. Your nerves burn with the sensation of hot plasma against your skin, and every movement feels like rubbing against molten sandpaper. You fall to your knees, looking up at your father. He looks horrified, surprised, and deeply angry all at once as he looks at you. Voices crackle into your ear, from behind you, from in front of you, but they all sound so dull and distant. Your vision starts go to dark, and you're suddenly so- so tired. [[> "I'm sorry, father."|END: Hi Distrust Hi Suspicion 2]] <<set $imgCurrent to $imgVaultDark>>

"I-I'm," you manage to say. Your collapse down to your hands and knees now, still looking up at your father. But you can barely see him through the darkness, and you have the sinking feeling that this is the last time you'll be able to make things right. "-I'm sorry, father." Your arms give out underneath you, and once again you feel cold metal under your check. You did as best as you could. [[The End.]]

The End. <<click "> Play again?">><<script>>state.restart();<</script>><</click>>

Your instincts kick in, and you dive over to onto the ground. The landing is hard, and you wince in pain as your knee slams against the metal, but you look back at Marcellus to prepare to try to get away from another shot. But it's only now that it occurs to you that you never heard it go off. Marcellus holsters his pistol, and starts to walk past you towards the glass doors of the sterilization room. [[> "Where are you going?"|H3: Biokey Vault - Hi Distrust Lo Suspicion 3]]

"Where are you going?" you ask, confused and upset. One second you're prepared to have to try to fight for your life, but the next he just leaves? "Nowhere that concerns you," he says, flatly. He standing at the threshold of the glassdoor, facing away from you. "Don't let me catch you again, next time you won't be so lucky." He walks back through the door, leaving you alone in the vault. [[> Leave.|END: Hi Distrust Lo Suspicion]]

The next morning, you're sitting with Cecil at your breakfast table, watching a SableScreen deliver the latest news. You haven't said a word since you got home, just trying your best to run through the motions as if nothing has happened. You're tired, beyond tired, and you can tell even through his silence that Cecil is worried about you. "Sources say a strange figure was seen leaving the Nwaeri-Carlisle Building last night, seen running towards Sable Square station in the dead of the evening. NCC Authorities have not commented on this rumoured security breach, and no arrests have been publicized," says the reporter onscreen. It's the only thing keeping the room from being completely silent, but it hurts to be reminded of what's happened. [[> Turn off the screen.|END: Hi Distrust Lo Suspicion 2]] <<set $locationCurrent to "Nwaeri-Carlisle Building - Carlisle Suite">> <<set $imgCurrent to $imgSuite>>

You tap a few buttons on the nearby access panel and the screen shuts off. You and Cecil sit there together in some silence, and you can hear him shuffling in his chair trying to think of something to say. "Hey... Trucy," he finally mumbles after a while. "Are you- are you doing okay?" [[> "No, but I will be."|END: Hi Distrust Lo Suspicion 3]]

"No," you say. It's the truth. The last week for you has been hard and miserable, and you consider yourself fortunate that you're even alive. You haven't heard from Marcellus, or Vivian, or any of the Glass Rose since last night. If you're being honest, you're not convinced that this is a bad thing. "But- I will be." you finish. At the very least, it's all over, and things are back to normal. If things can ever be normal again. [[The End.]]

You give Violet a warm smile. Beside you, Marcellus rolls his eyes, but is clearly too exhausted to object. Oculus, sitting on top of the back of the couch, looks blankly at Violet. "Is this not a security risk, to inform the grocer that we are celebrating something after the theft?" they say. "Security risk? Oh you're real funny, Oculus," says Violet. "Soon enough, we won't have to worry about security ever again." [[> "Thanks for the cake, Violet."|END: Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 3]]

"Thanks for the cake, Violet," you say to Violet. "Oh, no, thank you, Trucy," she replies. "Without you, we wouldn't have gotten nearly this far. I'm sorry that your father had to see you, though," "Unfortunately, I can confirm internal reports that Trucy Carlisle has been sent notice of dimissal from the Nwaeri-Carlisle Corporation," says Oculus. "I am sorry for your loss." [[> "Hey, it's okay, everyone."|END: Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 4]]

"Hey, it's okay," you try to reassure them. In truth, you have no regrets about your decision. While you might have gotten caught, you feel a great relief knowing that you never have to go back to that family again. Even if you're going to miss your brother, you're better off for it. <> <<link "> \"Also, please just call me Trucy, okay?\"">> <<replace "#dialogueEND-justtrucy" t8n >> <<include [[END: Lo Distrust Hi Suspicion 5]]>> <</replace>> <</link>> <>

You tap a few buttons on the nearby access panel and the screen shuts off. You and Cecil sit there together in some silence, and you can hear him shuffling in his chair trying to think of something to say. "Hey... Trucy," he finally mumbles after a while. "Are you- are you doing okay?" [[> "Yeah, I'm doing alright. Why do you ask?"|END: Lo Distrust Lo Suspicion 3]]

"Yeah, I'm doing alright," you reassure him. It's going to be hard to maintain this ruse of not being involved, given everything that's happened. But it seems that your family hasn't noticed, and you're still not convinced father has even realized you're back. "Why do you ask?" "Nothing, nothing, don't worry about it," says Cecil, visibly confused and fiddling with his watch. "I'm just glad you're home." You give him a smile back. You're happy to be home too. [[The End.]]

"Next, Violet will blow the wall of the main corner office, allowing you access to the resource floor. She will then leave to prepare your escape. You and Marcellus will go through the research floor, disable the security checkpoint, and enter the vault." "Lastly, Marcellus uses the carbon fiber enhanced rope to bring down the key." [["> \"Right. Thank you, Oculus.\""|H0: Context 3]]

"What is it, Oculus?" asks Violet. "It's so unlike you to interrupt Marcellus." "Marcellus has thus neglected to mention that the blood of a member of the Nwaeri or Carlisle families is necessary for the key to be unlocked," says Oculus. "If he intends to recruit Trucy, it seems prudent that this information be made plain to her." Marcellus grins. "What can I say, she's a golden goose. So what do you say, Truce, care for a little revenge?" [[> "...Yeah, I'm in."|E3: Proposal Accept]] [[> "What? No! Absolutely not!"|E3: Proposal Decline]]

Alright, if no one else has any more questions," says Marcellus, looking at you. "Let's get this show on the road... Lady Trucy," Guess it's time to go.

Marcellus steps behind you. You faintly feel the warm heat of a partially charged plasma rifle against your back, and you gulp. "Remember, Miss Carlisle," he says. "You fuck this up, you won't ever see your family again." Guess it's time to go.

MARCIE: Hey what are you doing online? MARCIE: Weren't you keeping an eye out for the girl? OCULUS: What were you planning on doing with her? MARCIE: Since when were you the type to ask questions MARCIE: Guess I can tell you MARCIE: Gonna make her a proposition MARCIE: Give her the opportunity to get out of that stupid family MARCIE: Do something meaningful OCULUS: Got it. MARCIE: Good MARCIE: Keep an eye on the vent MARCIE: Last thing we need is a tunnel rat [[> Close the chat.|E1: Computer Unlocked]]

"Good work, Trucy," says Marcellus, hopping down and sheathing his pistol. "I'm surprised, looks like we make quite the team." "Now then, what do we have here?" inquires Marcellus. [[> Look around.|H2: Security Checkpoint]] <<set $distrust to $distrust - 1>>

"Also, please just call me Trucy, okay?" you finish. You don't feel the need to associate yourself with the last name anymore, and you're just happy to be rid of it. "Hah, just Trucy, huh? That works for me." says Marcellus, in his usual gruff tone. With some effort, he lifts himself off his chair, and steps over to you. He straightens himself out, as if to address the rest of the room. "I think I speak on behalf of all of us when I say, welcome to the Glass Rose, Trucy. And uh- sorry for kidnapping you." [[The End.]]

<<silently>> <<set $distrust to 0>> <<set $suspicion to 0>> <<set $imgSableSquare to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/timessquare-crop.png">> <<set $imgSableSquareDark to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/timessquare-crop-black.png">> <<set $imgCloset to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/dustycloset-crop.png">> <<set $imgGRHallway to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/glassrose-hallway-crop.png">> <<set $imgGRServerRoom to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/serverroom-crop.png">> <<set $imgGRServerDark to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/serverroom-crop-dark.png">> <<set $imgBlack to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/black-crop.png">> <<set $imgSuite to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/fancyhouse-crop.png">> <<set $imgFutureOffice to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/ancientpc-crop.png">> <<set $imgLivingRoom to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/livingroom-crop.png">> <<set $imgScienceHallway to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/scifihallway-crop.png">> <<set $imgVault to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/mirrorsedge-crop.png">> <<set $imgVaultDark to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/mirrorsedge-crop-dark.png">> <<set $imgGrocery to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/cornerstore-crop.png">> <<set $imgBlackMarket to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/blackmarket.png">> <<set $imgBlackMarketDark to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/blackmarket-dark.png">> <<set $imgLab to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/lab-crop.png">> <<set $imgSkyline to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/skyline-crop.png">> <<set $h0serviceDoor to false>> <<set $h0receptionist to false>> <<set $heistTime to 0>> <<set $employeeGuardDown to false>> <<set $researchGuardDown to false>> <<set $heistFloor to 0>> <<set $talkedToReceptionist to false>> <<set $h1confrontedMarcellus to false>> <<set $h1bombReady to false>> <<set $imgNCCAlley to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/neon-alley-crop.png">> <<set $imgNCCLobby to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/lobby-crop.png">> <<set $imgNCCOffice to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/cubicle-crop.png">> <<set $imgNCCRobertOffice to "https://catnaomi.github.io/On-Stained-Glass/images/dark-office2-crop.png">> <<set $e1ComputerRoomPower to true>> <<set $e1Marcie to false>> <</silently>>