Chlorophyll
by Steph Cherrywell (2015)
Genres: Science Fiction


action: %
response: You've never seen the sky so dark before. Even when you passed through the void between solar systems on the way here, you had the ship itself, an island of constant light and warmth. Now there's just...darkness. Not much to look at except a barren field of rocks, a black sky filled with tiny white pinpricks, a couple of dim moonlets--and the dashboard lights of the Planet Roller.

It's gorgeous, in a harsh, alien sort of way. You could never see a sky like this back on Xylla, but this system only has one sun, and it's a pretty weak sun, too. What little light you're getting from the moons isn't even enough to keep your skin from crawling with a hungry feeling.

You really need a new solar vest, a grown-up one like you've asked your mom for repeatedly, not that she ever pays attention. She's too focused on the project. And all your friends think it must be so cool to have an astroscientist for a mom. But who cares what they think? You're probably never going to see them again anyway.

Your mother is in the front seat, chattering away.
action: You listen to the mother
response: Usually you tune her out, but you're just that bored.

"Not too long now!" your mother says. "Olobo station is right over this next ridge. I think. All these little canyons look alike."
action: About yourself
response: You look like a pretty average girl your age; maybe a little shorter and skinnier than usual, but not enough so that you stand out.
You're in an awkward stage of metamorphosis where your skin is half covered with embarrassing blotches of bright green that make you look like you're still a little kid and half covered in stiff, sore patches where it's hardening into adult bark-plates that itch like crazy.
Plus your leaves are coming in all different sizes, and growing so fast they get in your eyes. You're wearing an Acorn Junior Solar Vest that you're way too old for.

"It's a shame about these trees, isn't it?" she continues. "Imagine how lovely it must have been when the orbital adjusters worked, everything green and growing, just like home. Once we get there, that's the first thing I'm going to fix."
action: You look at what you're carrying with you
response: You are carrying:
an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn)

Your mother gasps as the Planet Roller scrapes against the side of the canyon with an ugly jolt. "Scratch that, first thing I'm going to do is get all that junk off of the landing pad. I don't want to have to make this drive more than once."
action: You look at mother
response: She's a lovely shade of jade green, with a cascade of lush foliage tumbling down her back. She looks really cool and professional in her yellow-black ObCorp uniform, too.

"Listen, Zo... I know you're not happy to be here. I know it's tough where there's nobody your own age. But once the adjusters are back online and this side of the planet faces the sun again, all the farmers and workers and everybody can come back. There'll be lots of other kids. You just have to be a little patient. And in the meantime, you can explore the whole station on your own!"
action: You look at Roller
response: A shed-sized vehicle with thick, bouncy tires, it's used for overland planet transport. It's jostling you up and down so much your sap's going to start fizzing soon.

The Planet Roller crests a ridge, and for a moment you see a glimpse of the station over the rocks, lying there like a big gray dead beetle that's curled up on its back. "There it is!" you mother cries, way too excited at the prospect of living in a dead bug. "Oops, there it goes. We'll see it again in a minute."
action: You look outside
response: You see nothing unexpected in that direction.

Something on the dashboard begins chiming insistently. "That's odd. Why's our energy so low? I made sure we recharged at the ship..."

The Roller slides to a halt, the lights in the cabin flickering and dying. Your mother jams her thumb down on the starter repeatedly, but nothing happens.

"Okay. This is bad. Everything just...just went dead." Looking down at the dim lights on her uniform, she bites her lip.

You can feel your own solar vest fading, and with it, the constant stream of energy you need to stay awake. Torpor threatens to swallow you. It would be so relaxing to just curl up on the seat and sink into the darkness...
into the darkness...Stop! This isn't like torpor at home, where there are people to check up on you. If you drift off now, you'll be lying here forever! With numb fingers, you fumble at the restraints until you hear them pop open., and force yourself to your feet.

Your mother is hopeless, in deep, deep torpor already. Adults run out of energy faster than kids, you remember, something about squares and cubes and...surfaces...and whatever! She's not going to wake up without the sun, and the sun's never going to come out on this side of the planet. Your only hope now is to get to the station.
the planet. Your only hope now is to get to the station.You stumble along the road on feet that feel like fifty-pound bags of ice. You fall two or three times, not really feeling it, but you get up and force yourself onward. Then, amazingly, you feel your fingers curling around a cold metal handle, and as you put your weight on it, you fall forward into the most delicious light you've ever tasted.

The outer door slams shut behind you.

This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.

You can see a warning plaque here.
action: You read the plaque
response: !!!WARNING!!!

This facility has been deemed unsafe for Xyloid habitation and is currently operating in low power mode. USE EXTREME CAUTION when proceeding into facility. ACTIVE LIGHTING IS NON-NUTRITIVE -- RISK OF TORPOR!

This facility has been equipped with a safety winch. In case of unplanned torpor, winch will deploy automatically. Please stand clear of prone or unconscious figures.

Restoration of nutritive lighting requires keyword command  "Lights on." Authorized users should SAY keyword within sunlock.
action: You say the sunlock
response: (to yourself)
An unhappy chime sounds. "Voice print unauthorized for station controls," says a stern voice. "Please contact station administration, Bolo Buy licensed local business owners , or other authorized users for access."
action: You go north
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
action: You go south
response: Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.

You can see a warning plaque here.
action: You go south
response: That would be incredibly dangerous! You could go into torpor out there, and that would be the end of you.
action: You go east
response: You carefully duck under the shutter and enter the shop.

This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, the kind where you remember being plopped to play around with educational toys while your mother got her leaves trimmed. There are no toys in this dim, deserted shop, though. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror.

You can see a deactivated styling unit here.

The ceiling speaker crackles into life, and a twangy voice says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on."

She emphasizes the last two words rather testily, as if to add "you little hooligan".
action: You examine the styling unit
response: It's one of those old-model styling units that you used to have to go to when you were a baby, before the invention of horticultural nanochambers. She hangs limply from her support tubes like a plump marionette made of plastic and cellulose. She's warm to the touch, and you can see liquid dribbling through the tubes, so she's obviously still functional, just in standby mode. She's not likely to wake up until the artificial sunlight comes back on.
action: You go west
response: Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
action: You go north
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north.
action: Go west
response: It's too dark to see much in here, but you can at least tell that
it's a toy store. Many of the toys have been activated by your presence, and are emitting little burbles and farts to get your attention. You can leave to the east by climbing back through the torn shutters.

A Talkity Tota is nibbling at your legs with her squishy gums.
action: You examine talkity tota
response: A pudgy blob of molded cellulose in the shape of a newly-sprouted baby. The commercials say that you can "teach her to talk", but you used to have one when you were a little kid, and you know she's really nothing more than a doll-shaped audio recorder with a rudimentary AI. If you push the black button on her back and then say something, she'll record the sound. Push the white button to play it back.
action: You get the Tota
response: You pick her up.

You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
action: E,S,S
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north.

You feel sluggish.

Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.

You feel sluggish.

Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.

You can see a warning plaque here.
action: Go south
response: Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.

You can see a warning plaque here.

Talkity Tota shrieks.
action: You go north
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.

Talkity Tota flails around.
action: Go east
response: You carefully duck under the shutter and enter the shop.

This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, the kind where you remember being plopped to play around with educational toys while your mother got her leaves trimmed. There are no toys in this dim, deserted shop, though. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror.

You can see a deactivated styling unit here.

The ceiling speaker crackles into life, and a twangy voice says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on."

She emphasizes the last two words rather testily, as if to add "you little hooligan".

Talkity Tota's audio player stops recording. Push the white button to hear what you recorded.
action: You ask W,  to go south
response: Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.

Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.

You can see a warning plaque here.
action: You go north
response: Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
action: You go west
response: A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east.

A glass bottle containing a lovingly sculpted bonsai planet is proudly displayed behind the counter.
action: You look at Planet
response: It's a tiny world, about three inches in diameter, covered in microscopic vegetation. It floats serenely in the bottle, a miniature garden in a universe of green glass.
action: Go east
response: "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?"

This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters.

You can see Tip Top here.

Tip Top sharpens her trimming attachments.
action: You ask Tip Top about the station
response: "Oh, I don't get out there much, what with being hooked into the ceiling here and all."

Tip Top putters around the shop.
action: You ask Tip Top about the the lights
response: She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance.
action: You examine the mirror
response: You're a little worse for wear after your accident and all the time spent running around in the shadows. There's a smear of dried sap where you scraped your forehead and hunger blisters on your cheeks. Nothing serious or permanent, though.
action: You ask Tip Top about yourself
response: "Aw, you're just a little bucket of sweetness, that's what you are! Let me at those leaves!"
action: You ask Tip about Tip
response: She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance.

Tip Top sweeps up a few trimmings.
action: You examine Tip Top
response: She's shaped roughly like a rather plump young Xyloid, but is actually an artificial concoction of plastic and bio-cellulose garnished with hedge-trimmer hand attachments and topped with a sunny smile. You can ASK her about leafstyles, or about other things.
action: You ask Tip Top about the leafstyles
response: "Ready for a new look? I can think of three styles that'll look great with your face shape, sugarcane. You can go buzzed, draped, or pop star. Just ask me about the one you're interested in and we'll get started." She winks. "Now, don't you be afraid to experiment! If it ends up shorter than you want it we can always fill it back in with some Luvlee-Gro  That stuff's a miracle!"
action: You ask Tip about the pop star
response: "One glitter goddess coming up!" Tip top goes to work on your head--a spritz here, a snip there, and more than a few pinches of glitter. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror.
You're pretty, but a little unreal, like you should be on a screen somewhere.
action: You ask Tip about draped
response: "Sure thing!" She pulls out a bottle of something pink and greasy and works it into your scalp until it tingles. You itch terribly for a minute as the leaves sprout and uncurl, and Tip Top artfully arranges them as they do. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror. Long vines laden with plump leaves are draped over your shoulders. It makes you look a little like a short, skinny version of your mom.

Tip Top sharpens her trimming attachments.
action: Go north
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
action: You examine the furrows
response: Deep gouges are ripped into the tiles.
action: Go west
response: The toy store looks like a hurricane hit it. The warm decor and cheerful display aren't as soothing when they've been thrown around haphazardly by something that also left deep gashes in the wall. The destruction is greatest at the far end of the store, where a display case has been smashed into splinters. What few toys haven't been destroyed clamor for your attention.
action: You ask E,  to go east
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

This store sells a variety of cheaply-made stuff. There are thousands of stores just like it back home, with the same goods and exactly the same layout. Somehow that makes being in this one almost comforting.

You can see a bin of discounted Polithoa merchandise (in which are a Battle Carapace, a Polithoa action figure and a coloring book) here.
action: You look at coloring book
response: Booooo-ring! These are for little kids.
action: You look at the action figure
response: It's a little plasticrete statuette of Polithoa herself. The sculptor actually did a decent job; she has finely carved features and a nice paint job.
action: You get all
response: Battle Carapace: Taken.
Polithoa action figure: Taken.
coloring book: Taken.
action: You examine Carapace
response: A rough-looking carapace made out of imitation bark; according to the decals, Polithoa wrestles some kind of giant land-beast and makes a vest that looks just like this out of its hide. It looks tough if you kind of squint.
action: You wear Carapace
response: (after taking off the Acorn Junior Solar Vest)
You put on the Battle Carapace.
action: W,S,E
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.

"Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?"

This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters.

You can see Tip Top here.
action: You ask Tip Top about the buzz
response: She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance.
action: You ask Tip Top about the leafstyles
response: "Ready for a new look? I can think of three styles that'll look great with your face shape, sugarcane. You can go buzzed, draped, or pop star. Just ask me about the one you're interested in and we'll get started." She winks. "Now, don't you be afraid to experiment! If it ends up shorter than you want it we can always fill it back in with some Luvlee-Gro  That stuff's a miracle!"
action: You ask Tip Top about buzzed
response: "Okey-dokey! Here we go!" Tip Top kicks her trimmers into high gear and plunges them into your leaves. You watch as snippets of green drift past your eyes. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror. You're nearly bald, but she's left a little fuzz. You look like you're ready to kick butt.
action: You look at the mirror
response: You're a little worse for wear after your accident and all the time spent running around in the shadows. There's a smear of dried sap where you scraped your forehead and hunger blisters on your cheeks. Nothing serious or permanent, though.

Tip Top putters around the shop.
action: You go west
response: Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
action: You go north
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

This carapace is really starting to chafe.
action: You wear Vest
response: (after taking off the Battle Carapace)
You put on the Acorn Junior Solar Vest.
action: You go north
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You can see a security sphere here.

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East.
action: Examine xylosphere
response: In its current unused state, it's a featureless white plane about a quarter-mile across. The specialists in the xyloforming lab use this artificial environment to test out potential ecosystems.
action: Go northeast
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
action: You look at logo
response: It's the logo of ObsCorp, the xyloforming company your mother works for. It's supposed to look like something-or-other--to you it's always looked like a melting hand.
action: You go to the east
response: This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.

The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.
action: You examine Guide
response: A slim guidebook which promises to teach you everything you need to know to build a planetary environment. There's a picture of a cartoon lady taking a planet out of the oven on the front.
action: You read Guide
response: Thanks for purchasing the Worldscaper 7.0 Xyloforming System! Here's how to get it up and running in a flash!

1) Make sure the light switch is switched on.

2) Switch on the slurry pump. If nothing happens, ensure a fresh slurry tank has been placed in the tank housing.

3) Place a pattern sphere in the pattern input chamber. What's that? A pattern sphere is much like a standard infosphere, but it contains genetic samples representing a full planetary ecosystem. Once it's in, switch on the chamber and stand back! The chamber will seal automatically, so watch your fingers! Congratulations--now you're a xyloforming professional!
action: You examine the workstation
response: A shiny booth filled with controls for managing the environment within the xylosphere. You see an unassuming light switch, a slurry pump control and a pattern input chamber and a tank housing on the side.
action: You examine pump control
response: The control for a heavy-duty industrial pumping system. Switch it on to activate the pump.

You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
action: Go west
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.

You feel sluggish.
action: You go to the southwest
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You feel sluggish.
action: Go south
response: Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
action: N,N,NE,E
response: The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.

This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.

The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.
action: You look at the tank housing
response: A cylindrical alcove in the side of the workstation, the right size to hold a tank of slurry.
action: You examine the pattern
response: A small chamber built to hold pattern spheres containing genetic information. You can switch it on once you've put one inside.
action: Go upward
response: A comfortable lounge for the xyloformers to relax and observe their handiwork, overlooking the xylosphere floor far below. A dull gray orb is visible to the west, attached to the xylosphere ceiling. There's a trashed drink machine here, leaking. You can go down from here via elevator chute.
action: You examine machine
response: Something tore it off the wall, punched a hole into its innards, and then tossed it into the corner, where it lies in a puddle of leaking water.
action: You examine the water
response: It's probably still drinkable, but it looks old and a little oily.

You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
action: D,W,SW,S
response: This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.

The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.

You feel sluggish.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway South.

You feel sluggish.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You feel sluggish and weak.

Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
action: You look at the taps
response: There are five brands on tap -- Bolo Budget Blend, Summerfresh Spritz, Tropical Steam, Glacierways Premier Blend, and Mer de Luz. You can look more closely at them to see how many credits are charged per glass and other information. The taps aren't hard to operate, so you can drink any of them you care to try.
action: Drink spritz
response: You take a few gulps. It has a fruity, woody sort of taste.
action: You look at the bottle
response: A green display bottle made of unbreakable gamma-tempered glass.

In the glass bottle is a bonsai planet.
action: You examine the certificate
response: There's some information about the planet in the bottle printed on it.
action: You read it
response: Congratulations on your purchase of ROMUNA, a stunning rainforest world rendered in microscopic scale by renowned artist Sheli Po.
This limited edition bonsai planet (NO 1037 OF 9999) is a stunning conversation piece for your home or business and a great investment. ROMUNA is a full ecosystem with exquisitely crafted, display-quality genetic diversity, beautiful on its own or as a solar system with OLINAS and PARO (sold separately).
action: You go to the east
response: "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?"

This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters.

You can see Tip Top here.
action: You ask Tip Top about draped
response: "Sure thing!" She pulls out a bottle of something pink and greasy and works it into your scalp until it tingles. You itch terribly for a minute as the leaves sprout and uncurl, and Tip Top artfully arranges them as they do. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror. Long vines laden with plump leaves are draped over your shoulders. It makes you look a little like a short, skinny version of your mom.
action: You go north
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West.
action: You examine the sphere
response: The security sphere observes you coldly.

It's made of solid, seamless-looking titanium and comes up to about your chin. You know they can unfold into something much more threatening when they're on the hunt for someone with enough demerits, though.
action: Go northwest
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
action: Go west
response: This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, while the empty whiteness of the xylosphere ring is to the east. A sickly-looking garden of half-dead pufferpod trees wilts in the center. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living.

A single shriveled pufferpod droops low enough for you to grab it.
action: You examine the pufferpod
response: A limp, bumpy bladder that looked like a popped balloon.
action: You take the pufferpod
response: Taken.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West.
action: Go upwards
response: "MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO parental authorization required for entry," says the computer, refusing to open the doors of the sorting chute.
"Please contact STATION ADMINISTRATOR TORA LAR or present proper identification for access."

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a pufferpod
a glass bottle
a bonsai planet
a coloring book
a Polithoa action figure
a Battle Carapace
Talkity Tota
an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn)
action: Go east
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.

You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
action: You ask Se,  to go south
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You feel sluggish.

Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
action: N,NW,NE
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.

You can see a security sphere here.

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway South.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
action: Go north
response: The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.

A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.
action: You read the placard
response: IMPORTANT -- STATION RULES -- VIOLATION IS A DEMERITABLE OFFENSE!
1. Do not attack or attempt to damage station personnel or property. 2. Maintenance vehicles are to be used only in designated maintenance areas.
3. Minors are to engage only in age-appropriate activities.
4. DO NOT REMOVE THIS PLACARD.
action: Examine tank
response: The information stenciled on the side says it's actually a Motollo-Oris Rehabilitation Capsule, but you've always just known them as Trouble Tanks, the ones you supposedly get sent to if you really get in trouble.

In the Trouble Tank is a solar beam.
action: Examine beam
response: A sleek, shiny concoction of chrome and yellow plastic; the wielder can SHOOT a target to bathe it in harsh, low-grade sunlight. It's mostly used to clear nock out the dark areas where it builds up.
action: You examine monitors
response: You watch the monitors for a while.You can see into one of the residential apartments.
action: You remove the placard
response: You aren't wearing the placard.

You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
action: S,SW,SE,S
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway East.

You feel sluggish.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway North.

You feel sluggish.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You feel sluggish and weak.

Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
action: N,NE,NW,N
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You can see a security sphere here.

The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.

You can see a security sphere here.

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway North.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

You can see a security sphere here.

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West.

The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.

A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.
action: You go north
response: It's completely dark here, but you can pick your way north or south if you're careful. The floor seems alternately bumpy and slick in patches, and the air has a thick, earthy smell.
action: Go north
response: You carefully feel your way through the pitch darkness into an open space. Here, you can see a bit, as strips of softly glowing guide moss illuminate the silent hulks of powered-down vehicles. This appears to be the main parking hangar. And here, parked in the middle of the aisle at a drunken angle, is the Planet Roller.

You run up to it, yanking open the door, but your mother is nowhere to be seen.

You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north.

An identisphere lies abandoned in the dust near the Roller.

You can also see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here.
action: You examine the identisphere
response: You recognize this identification sphere as the one belonging to your mother. It's sticky with dried sap, which gives it an almost imperceptible glow.
action: You take it
response: Taken.
action: You ask S,  to go to the south
response: It's completely dark here, but you can pick your way north or south if you're careful. The floor seems alternately bumpy and slick in patches, and the air has a thick, earthy smell.

You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.

The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.

A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.

You feel sluggish.
action: SW,SE,S
response: You can't go that way.

You feel sluggish.

You can't go that way.

You feel sluggish and weak.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

You feel exhausted.
action: SW,SE,S
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.

You feel dizzy, and your vision is starting to fog.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You sway. It's a fight just to stay upright.

Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.

The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
action: Go north
response: Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.
action: Go northeast
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
action: SW,NW,W
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

You can see a security sphere here.

The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East.

This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.

This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, while the empty whiteness of the xylosphere ring is to the east. A sickly-looking garden of half-dead pufferpod trees wilts in the center. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living.
action: You go upwards
response: Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.

A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall.

A bright blue gift box rests prominently on the table, placed to catch your eye. Your mother must have sent it ahead for the computer to place here. "For Zo" is written on it.

The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
action: You look at the terminal
response: It's synced to your mom's data, so the desktop is already cluttered with files. You can see Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file, a list of station issues, a personal financial log, and an encrypted file.
action: You examine Tora Lar 's personnel file
response: It's your mother's personnel file. It's full of private information that you definitely shouldn't read.
action: You read Tora Lar 's personnel file
response: It contains your mother's employment history; before her current job she was the head of a research team back on Xylla, and before that an assistant, and so on, all the way back through her first professional job as a science grunt and then to her first job ever, raking up trimming in a topiary salon. There's contact information for your aunts and grandma; too bad you're too far to call them for help here.
action: You read list
response: 0111.9A - Logged blockage north tunnel.
0111.9C - Power interrupted to east engine.
0111.9C45 - East tunnel integrity failure.
0112.0B - Power interrupted to west engine.
0112.0B60 - West tunnel integrity failure.
112.0B65 - Fatal accident logged in west engine adjunct maintenance housing.
0112.7D - Damage to shutters in promenade area.
0114.4A10 - Derelict vehicle detected within station perimeter.
action: You read the log
response: Recent major expenses include a charge from a premier solar vest designer and the cost of the tickets out here from Xylla. Also listed is a bill for 5 credits for station goods and services.
action: You read the file
response: Which do you mean, Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file or the encrypted file?
action: Encrypted
response: (first guessing the shockingly poor choice of password)
It's a story your mother wrote set in the universe of the Stardredger series. She never lets you read anything she writes. This one is about two of the exotic males that Captain Jula encountered in separate adventures. In this story they're growing together, with their roots intertwined and their pollen constantly blowing on each other, which seems like it would be annoying. Captain Jula is not actually in the story.
action: You look at the box
response: A bright blue gift box. "For Zo" is written on it.
action: You open the box
response: You lift the lid to reveal something dark and glittering and beautiful. It's a brand-new solar vest, and not just any solar vest--this is the Afterdark Pro Petite, probably the best one on the market. Definitely the best one in your size. It's fully charged and ready for use, too; as long as you're wearing this, you won't starve no matter how dark it gets.

After all that talk about how your old vest was perfectly good, you can't believe she actually sprang for a slick professional model which seems to shimmer like liquid onyx before your eyes.
action: You wear Afterdark pro petite
response: (after taking off the Acorn Junior Solar Vest)
(first taking the Afterdark Pro Petite)
You put on the Afterdark Pro Petite.
action: Go down
response: This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, while the empty whiteness of the xylosphere ring is to the east. A sickly-looking garden of half-dead pufferpod trees wilts in the center. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living.

The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West.
action: You go east
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.

A security sphere rolls up from Residential Courtyard.
action: SE,NE,E
response: This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.

A security sphere rolls up from Ringway South.

This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.

The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.
action: Go upward
response: A comfortable lounge for the xyloformers to relax and observe their handiwork, overlooking the xylosphere floor far below. A dull gray orb is visible to the west, attached to the xylosphere ceiling. There's a trashed drink machine here, leaking. You can go down from here via elevator chute.
action: You examine the orb
response: A gray sphere about thirty feet across.
action: D,W,NW,N,N
response: This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.

The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.

This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.

The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.

A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.

This north-south hall runs between the control tower and the maintenance and engine wing. The walls are encrusted with nock barnacles which glisten in the light.
action: You go north
response: You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north.

You can see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here.
action: You go to the east
response: This small, sparse office contains an engine switchboard.

You can see an engineer's calendar here.
action: You read the calendar
response: It's a bunch of tech notes from last year, back when they were still building the place, interspersed with personal stuff like "Laje B-Day" and "make appt @HYB".
action: You take calendar
response: It doesn't look like it's meant for kids. You'd better leave it where it is...unless, of course, you don't care about getting into trouble with the station.
action: You look at the calendar
response: The calendar is covered in pictures of male Xyloids in full bloom.
You haven't seen very many of them, since they're grown in special gardens where kids aren't allowed, but you've looked up enough pictures to know that someone messed with the colors on them to make the flowers look brighter, and that's way more pollen than they're supposed to have. They must have added it for some reason as a prop. Looking at the pictures for too long makes you sort of uncomfortable in a weird way.
action: You examine the switchboard
response: Three switches, marked West, North, and East, are arranged in a triangle.
action: Go north
response: The floor here is scuffed and slimy from the passage of maintenance equipment. Engine access tunnels are visible to the west, north and east. The north tunnel is blocked by a shimmering  wall of energy.
action: You enter Roller
response: (the Tunnel Roller)
You plop down in the driver's seat and pull the door shut, creating an airtight seal. The driving controls don't seem too complicated, and after a little initial skidding in circles you manage to get them down pat, even if you do have a little trouble reaching the foot pedals. This thing even has a solar butt warmer to keep you from getting hungry while driving in the dark.

Speaking of your butt, you just realized you were sitting on something. Upon picking it up, it turns out to be an operator's manual. You can read it if you need any help figuring out the rest of the controls.
action: You read the manual
response: The manual describes in detail the controls of the Obscorp "Little Buddy" Tunnel Roller. You can SWITCH ON or SWITCH OFF the headlights (although the light is inedible), SNAG something to deploy a powerful, specialized snagpoon, UNSNAG something to release the snagpoon, and HONK to sound  a high-decibel warning horn. The Tunnel Roller is airtight, all-terrain, nearly indestructible, and self-charging, so do what you want with it!
action: You go outside
response: You open the doors and slide out.
action: Go west
response: This is a long, dark east-west tube. It's perfectly smooth and clean and there's nothing much here to distinguish it at all.
action: You go west
response: You are on the stationward side of a fifty-foot gap in the tunnel, where most of the structure has been sheared away, leaving what's left exposed to the open air. Below is a dizzying dropoff into a steep chasm, in which you can see twisted, ruined chunks of plating and other wreckage on the floor far below. The only part of the tunnel that's still complete is a thin support beam high overhead, running across the chasm. The tunnel continues east from here, and you can see across the gap that it also continues west, disappearing into the side of a towering cliff.