The Mind Electric
by Jason Dyer (1995)
Genres: Science Fiction

Set in an unusual cyber/virtual reality background, you play a disembodied consciousness trapped in an electron prison of the mind.

action: %
response: The Kaden finally realized you were spying and locked your mind essence
in a digital cell. Normally the Kaden would already be at work
analyzing your mind to run the loyalty transfer program, but you
haven't felt anything at all in the last five hours. The delay is
unnerving, since the mind can survive in virtual space for a limited
amount of time before it destroys itself. Your companions, the Souden,
should be close to beginning the assault now, although since they know
nothing of your predicament survival is still doubtful.





The design of virtual space can be almost anything, but in this case
the room is merely a small cube surrounded by an electric fence, with
lines of blue against black crossing the floor and ceiling. A large
square door is inset into the floor, slightly off the center, sending
the design of the entire room into asymmetrical confusion.
action: You look at the door
response: Rendered light green, and very tightly shut. It resembles the type that
opens with some sort of password, although going through the entire
dictionary to open it would take an inordinate amount of time.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying nothing.

Out of the corner of your eye you see a piece of paper suddenly appear
on the ground. Very odd. Any anomalous material in a containment grid
should immediately set off an alarm, but there is no sound.
action: You take the paper
response: Taken.
action: You read it
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It has the word "ivory" imprinted on it.
action: You say the ivory
response: The door begins sliding open, but stops halfway.
action: You look at the door
response: Rendered light green, and halfway open. It resembles the type that
opens with some sort of password, although going through the entire
dictionary to open it would take an inordinate amount of time.
action: You look under the door
response: You are contained.
action: Info
response: The Mind Electric is copyright 1995 Jason Dyer. It is free, no warranty
provided. Please distribute. No money may be charged for this work,
unless it is part of a larger compilation. At the time of this writing
(August 1995) the author can be contacted at jdyer@indirect.com.

A full hint system is available with 'help' or 'hint'. To turn it off
to avoid temptation, type 'unhint', but be warned, it cannot be turned
back on again afterwards. Also, if your computer cannot handle the
various quotes and the hint menu, type 'plain' to enter plain text
mode, and 'pretty' to turn regular mode back on.

Special thanks go to Richard Barnett, Jim Newland, and Gareth Rees for programming help, as well as Michael Kinyon, Bernd Schmidt, and Aileen
Dyer for playtesting. Also, thanks to Catherine Mori and Earl Dille for
help with the Latin text.

description to some of the objects to make the puzzles easier.

For the curious, works of literature and culture
indirectly/symbolically used in the game are: Mourning Becomes Electra,
Billy Budd, Snow Crash, The Neverending Story, Anti-Ice, The Legend
Lives!, Burning Chrome, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Earth 2, and the old
arcade game Tempest.
action: You examine the fence
response: Simulated of both metal and electricity, it somewhat resembles a row of
Jacob's Ladders placed side by side intertwined with strips of bronzed
metal, but the virtual image flickers so rapidly it is hard to tell.
Beyond it is nothing but black.
action: You turn the paper
response: Nothing obvious happens.
action: You read the paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It has the word "flood" imprinted on it.
action: You say the flood
response: The door slides open the rest of the way.
action: You read the paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.
action: You look around
response: The design of virtual space can be almost anything, but in this case
the room is merely a small cube surrounded by an electric fence, with
lines of blue against black crossing the floor and ceiling. A large
square door is inset into the floor, slightly off the center, sending
the design of the entire room into asymmetrical confusion.
action: Down
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a granite rock here.
action: You look at the rock
response: A rock far too much in the shape of a cube to be natural, if it was
real at all.
action: You take it
response: The rock emits a loud warbling noise and vanishes. In its place appears
a red cube, rotating slowly clockwise, with a humanlike face on each
side so no matter where you are standing a face can be seen.

The expressions of the faces change together, like they are connected
by a giant string; the mouths are moving rapidly, as if speaking, but
they make no sound.
action: You examine cube
response: A floating red cube, slowly rotating clockwise. Molded into each side,
like a child's lump of clay, is a humanlike face, complete with facial expressions and moving lips. It looks like it is trying to say
something, but the words don't come out.
action: Hi
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.
action: You touch the cube
response: Keep your hands to yourself!
action: You ask the cube about the cube
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.

Your body seems to be getting less stable.
action: Kiss cube
response: The cube looks very confused.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.
action: You look at the spider
response: A spider constructed of chrome and glass, with long legs that are
multi-jointed. It is carrying a doll.

"Scan in process for sector 482."

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You examine doll
response: A ragged yet cheerful looking doll, with a dark face.

"Scan in process for sector 482."
action: You get the spider
response: The spider backs away from you.

"WARNING: INTRUDER ALERT, ACTIVATING SENTAC PULSE."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: You take the doll
response: The spider won't let you near it.

"WARNING: INTRUDER ALERT, ACTIVATING SENTAC PULSE."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: Go north
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.

"WARNING: INTRUDER ALERT, ACTIVATING SENTAC PULSE."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: You go west
response: Please give one of the answers above.
action: You go to the west
response: The only exits are to the north and south.

"WARNING: INTRUDER ALERT, ACTIVATING SENTAC PULSE."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: You examine the lines
response: They glow with electrical intensity. You surmise the only purpose of
them is to add shape to the mostly black room, keeping those contained
within the grid from going insane. It still happens occasionally,
though.
action: You say the ivory
response: The door begins sliding open, but stops halfway.

Out of the corner of your eye you see a piece of paper suddenly appear
on the ground. Very odd. Any anomalous material in a containment grid
should immediately set off an alarm, but there is no sound.
action: You say the flood
response: The door slides open the rest of the way.
action: You take the paper
response: Taken.
action: Go downwards
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a granite rock here.
action: You take rock
response: The rock emits a loud warbling noise and vanishes. In its place appears
a red cube, rotating slowly clockwise, with a humanlike face on each
side so no matter where you are standing a face can be seen.

The expressions of the faces change together, like they are connected
by a giant string; the mouths are moving rapidly, as if speaking, but
they make no sound.
action: You get the loop
response: As you reach out to take the loop, you feel your body solidify and
become much more stable.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a piece of paper
action: You get the spider
response: The spider backs away from you.
action: About yourself
response: Your "body" is a crude model, textured with some type of rock, almost
as if you were a golem. Your virtual body's integrity appears to be
normal.
action: Go north
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: You listen
response: You hear a constant electric hum in the distance.
action: You ask the cube about the hum
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.
action: You examine the sparks
response: They occasionally light up the crystals in brief bursts.
action: You examine the crystals
response: Very nice looking. It is hard to believe that they aren't real.
action: You take the crystal
response: That's hardly portable.
action: Go upward
response: The design of virtual space can be almost anything, but in this case
the room is merely a small cube surrounded by an electric fence, with
lines of blue against black crossing the floor and ceiling. A large
square door is inset into the floor, slightly off the center, sending
the design of the entire room into asymmetrical confusion.

"Scan in process for sector 482."
action: You examine paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.

"Scan in process for sector 482."
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

"Scan in process for sector 482."
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

"Scan of sector 482 complete."
action: Wait
response: Time passes.
action: Go downwards
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.
action: You go to the south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.
action: You look at the boxes
response: Simple cardboard boxes, numbered and in order, from 0001-9999. They are
visual representations of storage locations of data. Even though they
look small, each box has the memory capacity of a large library.
action: Examine box 480
response: The box is empty.
action: You look at the paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.

An intense burst of white noise disappears as quickly as it came.
action: Go west
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You examine the spider
response: A spider constructed of chrome and glass, with long legs that are
multi-jointed. It is carrying a doll.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You examine the sky
response: A dazzling array of color and shape.
action: You examine obelisks
response: Imprinted in black, and reaching for the sky.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You ask the spider about the doll
response: "Error, query not in programming."

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.
action: You examine the portals
response: They are to the north and south.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: About yourself
response: Your "body" is a crude model, textured with some type of rock, almost
as if you were a golem. Your virtual body's integrity appears to be
normal.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You give the paper to the cube
response: The cube refuses your offer.
action: You feed cube
response: (the piece of paper)
The cube refuses your offer.
action: You listen to the cube
response: You hear a constant electric hum in the distance.
action: You hit the cube
response: The cube looks offended, but unhurt.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You look at the cube
response: A floating red cube, slowly rotating clockwise. Molded into each side,
like a child's lump of clay, is a humanlike face, complete with facial expressions and moving lips. It looks like it is trying to say
something, but the words don't come out.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: You examine portals
response: They are rectangular, breaking the realistic illusion the room creates.
action: You touch the cube
response: Keep your hands to yourself!
action: You listen to the cube
response: You hear a constant electric hum in the distance.
action: You follow you
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.
action: You search cube
response: You find nothing of interest.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a piece of paper
action: You listen
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.

An intense burst of white noise disappears as quickly as it came.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.
action: You get loop
response: Much too large to take.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You get the spider
response: The spider backs away from you.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You examine the spider
response: A spider constructed of chrome and glass, with long legs that are
multi-jointed. It is carrying a doll.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You look at loop
response: "Loop" is a somewhat innacurate term, but it is the only word that
comes to mind when looking at this topological nightmare. Bands of dull
and bright metal twist and bend around each other to form something
like a large circular cage. An almost magnetic force compels you
towards it.
action: You look at doll
response: A ragged yet cheerful looking doll, with a dark face.
action: Enter
response: The only exits are to the north and south.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: Sing
response: Your singing is abominable.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You stand on the loop
response: That's not something you can enter.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: Examine boxes
response: Simple cardboard boxes, numbered and in order, from 0001-9999. They are
visual representations of storage locations of data. Even though they
look small, each box has the memory capacity of a large library.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: Go north
response: The only exits are to the east and west.
action: Touch sparks
response: That's just scenery.
action: Up
response: The design of virtual space can be almost anything, but in this case
the room is merely a small cube surrounded by an electric fence, with
lines of blue against black crossing the floor and ceiling. A large
square door is inset into the floor, slightly off the center, sending
the design of the entire room into asymmetrical confusion.
action: You look at the cube
response: That is just the shape of the room.
action: You descend
response: You can't go that way.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: You ask the cube about the box
response: The cube looks confused.
action: You ask the cube about speech
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You examine the obelisk
response: Imprinted in black, and reaching for the sky.
action: You look at the sky
response: A dazzling array of color and shape.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You look at the sand
response: Tightly packed and slightly reflective.
action: You watch spider
response: A spider constructed of chrome and glass, with long legs that are
multi-jointed. It is carrying a doll.

A sound like creaking floorboards can be heard from far above.
action: Dig
response: What do you want to dig?
action: You ask the spider about the programming
response: "Error, query not in programming."

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You dig the sand
response: That's just scenery.
action: You ask the doll about the spider
response: You can only do that to something animate.
action: You ask the spider about the boxes
response: "Error, query not in programming."

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.
action: You ask the spider about the spider
response: "Error, query not in programming."

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: Go upwards
response: The only exits are to the north and south.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You listen
response: You hear a constant electric hum in the distance.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You touch loop
response: You feel your body solidify and become much more stable.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You touch loop
response: You feel your body solidify and become much more stable.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: About yourself
response: Your "body" is a crude model, textured with some type of rock, almost
as if you were a golem. Your virtual body's integrity appears to be
normal.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You touch loop
response: You feel your body solidify and become much more stable.
action: About yourself
response: Your "body" is a crude model, textured with some type of rock, almost
as if you were a golem. Your virtual body's integrity appears to be
normal.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a piece of paper

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: You touch the paper
response: You feel nothing unexpected.

An intense burst of white noise disappears as quickly as it came.
action: You look at the boxes
response: Simple cardboard boxes, numbered and in order, from 0001-9999. They are
visual representations of storage locations of data. Even though they
look small, each box has the memory capacity of a large library.
action: You listen to the hum
response: The box is empty.

You can't see any such thing.
action: You open the box 9999
response: The box is empty.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You stand on the cube
response: That's not something you can enter.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You examine cube
response: A floating red cube, slowly rotating clockwise. Molded into each side,
like a child's lump of clay, is a humanlike face, complete with facial expressions and moving lips. It looks like it is trying to say
something, but the words don't come out.
action: You think
response: A floating red cube, slowly rotating clockwise. Molded into each side,
like a child's lump of clay, is a humanlike face, complete with facial expressions and moving lips. It looks like it is trying to say
something, but the words don't come out.

What a good idea.
action: Kiss cube
response: The cube looks very confused.
action: You touch the cube
response: Keep your hands to yourself!

A sound like creaking floorboards can be heard from far above.
action: You go east
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.
action: You examine doll
response: A ragged yet cheerful looking doll, with a dark face.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You examine doll
response: A dazzling array of color and shape.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.

A ragged yet cheerful looking doll, with a dark face.
action: North
response: "Error, access denied."

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You show the paper to the spider
response: The spider is unimpressed.
action: South
response: "Error, access denied."
action: You examine paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You drop the doll
response: "Error, access denied."

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: Turn
response: What do you want the spider to turn?
action: You jump
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: Syntax
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: List
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: Help
response: "Commands for your security level: none."

After a short pause, the spider emits a few beeps and says, "Processing
new special command."
action: Help
response: "Commands for your security level: ERASE, STATUS."
action: Erase
response: What do you want the spider to erase?
action: You erase you
response: "Erase procedure begun...complete, successful."
action: You erase the loop
response: "Access denied."
action: Help
response: "Commands for your security level: ERASE, STATUS."
action: Erase doll
response: "Access denied."

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: Status spider
response: "Access denied."

"Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You erase the paper
response: "Erase procedure begun...error, illegal object, warning system active,
sentac pulse active..."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: You enter the loop
response: Please give one of the answers above.
action: You erase the cube
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: Help
response: "Commands for your security level: ERASE, STATUS."
action: You touch the cube
response: Keep your hands to yourself!

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.
action: You erase wall
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

Which do you mean, the north wall, the south wall, the east wall, the
west wall, the northeast wall, the southeast wall, the northwest wall
or the southwest wall?
action: You erase east wall
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

"Not understood."
action: Erase box 482
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You erase the spider
response: "Access denied."

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You erase the mental block
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You show you the doll
response: "Error, access denied."

You hear a popping noise from far above.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You erase the error
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You erase the access
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: Inventory
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

You are carrying:
a piece of paper

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: Hint
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

> Escaping the containment grid
Granite rock
Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

> Granite rock
Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: You go to the north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

> Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
(Press ENTER to return to the main menu, or H for another hint.)

(1/12) Look around. There may be an item somewhere that can help the
cube.
action: You ask the cube about the boxes
response: The cube moves its lips slightly but it seems unable to talk.

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: You read the cube
response: A floating red cube, slowly rotating clockwise. Molded into each side,
like a child's lump of clay, is a humanlike face, complete with facial expressions and moving lips. It looks like it is trying to say
something, but the words don't come out.
action: You turn the cube
response: That would be less than courteous.
action: You take all
response: box: All the boxes are bolted to the floor.
boxes: That's hardly portable.
action: You go south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.

A sound like creaking floorboards can be heard from far above.
action: You drop the paper
response: Dropped.
action: Go west
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a piece of paper and a metal loop (on which is a spider)
here.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You take all
response: metal loop: Much too large to take.
portals: That's hardly portable.
obelisks: That's hardly portable.
doll: The spider won't let you near it.
piece of paper: Taken.
action: Break loop
response: Violence is impossible in that way while in virtualspace.
action: You go north
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.

An intense burst of white noise disappears as quickly as it came.
action: You go south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.

You can see a piece of paper here.
action: You get the paper
response: Taken.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You ask the cube about the box 500
response: The cube blinks its eyes once.
action: You ask the cube about the box 250
response: The cube blinks its eyes once.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You ask the cube about the box 100
response: The cube blinks its eyes twice.
action: You ask the cube about the box 9000
response: The cube nods its head once.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.
action: You ask the cube about the box 9999
response: The cube frowns.
action: You ask the cube about the box 7001
response: The cube nods its head twice, and blinks its eyes once.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: You ask the cube about the box 4071
response: The cube smiles.
action: You go south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: You open the box 4071
response: You find a circuit board inside, and take it.
action: You examine circuit
response: A flat piece of metal, with one side covered with a pattern of wires.
action: You give the circuit to the cube
response: The circuit board vanishes as it gets near the cube.

The cube begins talking in a wavering tone. "System has been activated,
now calibrating voice control."

After a short pause, the cube begins speaking some words, with each
word the inflection changing slightly: "In nova fert animus mutatas
dicere formas corpora di coeptis nam vos mutastis et illas adsirate
meis primaque ab origine mundi ad mea perpetuum deducite tempora
carmen."

The humanfaced cube pauses, and begins speaking again, this time in a
voice that is both masculine and feminine.

"Ah, that's much better now. My voice calibration that I had stored got
erased somewhere along the line, but I'm back to normal now. How may I
service you?"
action: You help you
response: I only understood you as far as wanting to ask the rotating humanfaced
cube about that.

"I'm not sure about that."
action: You ask the cube about the sector
response: "I'm not sure about that."

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You examine cube
response: A floating red cube, slowly rotating clockwise. Molded into each side,
like a child's lump of clay, is a humanlike face, complete with facial expressions and moving lips. It smiles as it sees you watching it.
action: You ask the cube about the voice
response: "I'm not sure about that."

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: You ask the cube about the voice calibration
response: I only understood you as far as wanting to ask the rotating humanfaced
cube about that.
action: You give the paper to the cube
response: The cube refuses your offer.
action: You ask the cube about the box 4071
response: "None of the rest of the boxes have anything useful in them, as far as
I know."
action: You read the paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It has the word "lxprog" imprinted on it.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: You say the lxprog
response: The cube gives a blank stare momentarily, and then says, "Some type of
program has been activated, it will take an unknown amount of time to
complete."
action: You ask the cube about the lxprog
response: "The program is already running."
action: You examine spider
response: A spider constructed of chrome and glass, with long legs that are
multi-jointed. It is carrying a doll.
action: Status
response: "Status normal, all systems check clean."

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You examine paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You read paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You take doll
response: The spider won't let you near it.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You drop the doll
response: "Error, access denied."
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying:
a piece of paper

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You go south
response: The cube looks concerned. "The execution of lxprog has been halted.
Something is stopping the program from running."

effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.
action: You erase the paper
response: "Erase procedure begun...error, illegal object, warning system active,
sentac pulse active..."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: You look at the paper
response: It feels more like a piece of plastic than a piece of paper because of
its virtual nature. It is blank.

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.
action: You erase the paper
response: "Erase procedure begun...error, illegal object, warning system active,
sentac pulse active..."

The world becomes liquid and void, without form...
action: Go west
response: The only exits are to the north and south.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.
action: You go to the south
response: The cube looks concerned. "The execution of lxprog has been halted.
Something is stopping the program from running."

effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: You go south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.
You can faintly hear a beeping sound from somewhere in the room.
action: You listen
response: You can faintly hear a beeping sound from one of the boxes.

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: You listen to the box 500
response: You can faintly hear a beeping sound from one of the boxes.
action: Search boxes
response: You find nothing of interest.

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The cube looks concerned. "The execution of lxprog has been halted.
Something is stopping the program from running."
action: You ask the cube about the lxprog
response: "I already told you, the program has been halted, you need to locate
whatever is halting it and get rid of it."
action: You ask the cube about the boxes
response: "Except for the one that had the circuit board, I think they are all
empty, although I may be wrong."
action: Go south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.
You can faintly hear a beeping sound from somewhere in the room.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.
action: You listen
response: You can faintly hear a beeping sound from one of the boxes.
action: Examine box 4071
response: The box is empty.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: You ask the cube about the beeping
response: "I'm not sure about that."

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: Lxprog
response: The cube gives a blank stare momentarily, and then says, "Some type of
program has been activated, it will take an unknown amount of time to
complete."
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.
action: You listen
response: You can faintly hear a beeping sound from one of the boxes.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.
action: Go east
response: The cube looks concerned. "The execution of lxprog has been halted.
Something is stopping the program from running."

effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: Help
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

"Commands for your security level: ERASE, STATUS."
action: Erase box 1
response: "Error, not understood, command not in syntax list."

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.

A sound like creaking floorboards can be heard from far above.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: Status
response: "Status normal, all systems check clean."

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: Help
response: "Commands for your security level: ERASE, STATUS."
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

> Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
> Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: You go to the north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
> Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
> Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: You go to the north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
> Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: You go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
> Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
(Press ENTER to return to the main menu, or H for another hint.)

(1/8) The halting program is somewhere in your sector.
action: You go north
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.
action: Lxprog
response: "I already told you, the program has been halted, you need to locate
whatever is halting it and get rid of it."
action: Go south
response: You can't see any such thing.

Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.
You can faintly hear a beeping sound from somewhere in the room.
action: Lxprog
response: Nothing seems to happen.
action: You listen to the boxes
response: You can faintly hear a beeping sound from one of the boxes.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

A sound like creaking floorboards can be heard from far above.
action: You erase the ceiling
response: "Not understood."

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.
action: Lxprog
response: "I'll try to restart, since you insist...still unable, and now the halt
program has raised in intensity."
action: You go to the south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.
You can distinctly hear a beeping sound from somewhere among the boxes.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.
action: You listen
response: You can distinctly hear a beeping sound from box 4807.
action: You open the box 4807
response: You find a sphere inside, and take it.
action: You erase the Sphere
response: "Erase procedure begun...complete, successful."
action: Go west
response: The only exits are to the north and south.

The paper gives off a flash of light that lasts about five seconds.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: Go upwards
response: "The program is already running."

The design of virtual space can be almost anything, but in this case
the room is merely a small cube surrounded by an electric fence, with
lines of blue against black crossing the floor and ceiling. A large
square door is inset into the floor, slightly off the center, sending
the design of the entire room into asymmetrical confusion.
action: Lxprog
response: "I'll try to restart, since you insist...still unable, and now the halt
program has raised in intensity."

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: Go south
response: Many plain boxes with numbers printed on them fill this room. The
ceiling, floor, and walls are a simple dull gray. A low pitched whine
can be heard from somewhere high in the room. Black rectangles allow
exit to the east and west.
You can distinctly hear a beeping sound from somewhere among the boxes.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

For half a second you hear a crackling noise.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You erase the Sphere
response: "Erase procedure begun...complete, successful."
action: Lxprog
response: "Reactivating lxprog...it worked, the program is now running again."
action: You say the lxprog
response: "I already told you, the program has been halted, you need to locate
whatever is halting it and get rid of it."

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: Lxprog
response: "I'll try to restart, since you insist...still unable, and now the halt
program has raised in intensity."
action: You say the lxprog
response: "There's no point in trying to activate again, you have to get rid of
whatever is halting lxprog."
action: Go east
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a piece of paper and a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: Go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.

The spider shifts to a slightly different position.
action: You examine the door
response: Rendered light green, and open.
action: You eat the paper
response: That's plainly inedible.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: You go east
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Two portals, black voids
in the landscape, are to the north and south.

You can see a metal loop (on which is a spider) here.

The paper gives off a brief flash of light.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.

The spider turns to face a different direction.
action: You erase the Sphere
response: "Erase procedure begun...complete, successful."
action: Wwew
response: Enter saved game to load: Restore failed.

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, give the FULL score
for that game or QUIT?
action: You go to the north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
> Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
> Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
(Press ENTER to return to the main menu, or H for another hint.)

(1/6) The paper is being located, which means that you are close to
being located.
action: You put the paper on fence
response: The paper is sucked into the fence structure and disappears.
action: You examine the fence
response: Simulated of both metal and electricity, it somewhat resembles a row of
Jacob's Ladders placed side by side intertwined with strips of bronzed
metal, but the virtual image flickers so rapidly it is hard to tell.
Beyond it is nothing but black.
action: Status
response: "Status normal, all systems check clean, 52% of resources are being
used."
action: Check
response: What do you want the spider to check?
action: You check you
response: "Error, access denied."

"Error, access denied."
action: You go west
response: The only exits are to the north and south.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: Go north
response: The cube says, "I have received a message of unknown origin. It reads: spidlower."

effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed in all the
main directions.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: Lxprog
response: "The program is already running."
action: You ask Cube about the spidlower
response: "I'm as confused on this one as you."
action: You say the spidlower
response: Nothing seems to happen.

Something just made a sound like a mouse dying.
action: You get in
response: What do you want to get in?
action: You get in the loop
response: That's not something you can enter.
A wave on unconsciousness overcomes you...
action: Go downwards
response: The only exits are to the north and south.
A wave on unconsciousness overcomes you...
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
> Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
> Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
action: Go north
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
> Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
Finishing the game
(Press ENTER to return to the main menu, or H for another hint.)

(1/4) It separates into spid lower.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

The cube says, "I have received a message of unknown origin. It says:
spidlower."
action: You drop the doll
response: "Error, access denied."

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You take the doll
response: The spider won't let you near it.

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.
action: Down
response: "Error, access denied."

In the distance you can hear the sound of metal shifting.

The spider idly plays with the doll it is carrying.
action: You erase the spider
response: "Erase procedure begun..."

The spider begins moving quickly in patterns, like a ballet dancer
hanging over an electric web.

The metal loop and spider suddenly cease to exist. A large void forms
in its place. The portals disappear as well. Black inky space begins to
fill all corners of the room.

The spaces where the spider, loop, and portals were expand slightly.
action: Look around
response: A flat plain of black sand sprouts dark obelisks reaching to the sky.
The sky itself is a mixture of stars, real and unreal--fractal images
along with glowing dots shine softly together. Large groups of black
are slowly eating the room apart.

Black spots begin to dot the walls.
action: Go north
response: The portal has ceased to exist.

Patches of nothing begin to form in mid-air.
action: You go south
response: The portal has ceased to exist.

Stars of black now mingle with stars of white in equal number.
action: Go downwards
response: You can't go that way.

The black walls of nonexistence close in on every side.
action: Inventory
response: You are carrying nothing.

The black walls of nonexistence close in on every side.

You hear a popping noise from far above.
action: Up
response: You can't go that way.

The view has become almost completely dark.
action: You wait
response: Time passes.

Nothingness is close to absorbing you.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.
The Nothing consumes you.
action: Pray
response: Nothing practical results from your prayer.

Stars of black now mingle with stars of white in equal number.
action: You jump
response: You jump on the spot, fruitlessly.

The black walls of nonexistence close in on every side.

An intense burst of white noise disappears as quickly as it came.
action: You listen
response: You hear a constant electric hum in the distance.

The view has become almost completely dark.
action: Up
response: You can't go that way.

Nothingness is close to absorbing you.
action: You go outside
response: But you aren't in anything at the moment.
The Nothing consumes you.
action: Lxprog
response: Nothing seems to happen.

Black spots begin to dot the walls.
action: You examine the obelisk
response: Imprinted in black, and reaching for the sky.

Patches of nothing begin to form in mid-air.
action: Go up
response: You can't go that way.

Stars of black now mingle with stars of white in equal number.
action: You climb the obelisk
response: The surface is sticky, allowing you to reach the apex.

A flat plain of black sand lies below you, and starry fractal sky
above. The sky looks so realistic and close you feel you could almost
reach out and touch it. Patches of black threaten you from every
direction.

A loud warbling noise briefly echoes into the room.
action: You touch the sky
response: You raise your hand, and, as in a childhood fantasy, touch the sky. As
you do so, you are sucked into it...

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad, a blue pad and a storage bin (in
which is a widget) here.
action: Examine pad
response: Which do you mean, the green pad or the blue pad?
action: Green
response: A flat green pad.
action: You look at the blue pad
response: A flat blue pad.
action: You open the bin
response: That's not something you can open.

Going through the sky seems to have put a strain on your body.
action: About yourself
response: Your "body" is a crude model, textured with some type of rock, almost
as if you were a golem. Your virtual body has degenerated slightly.

noise.
action: You look at widget
response: A generic program without modelling is called a "widget". This one is
incomplete, which is why it looks like a plain rectangular box.
action: You examine the duplicator
response: environment. An object is placed on the green pad, the duplicator is
touched, and a duplicate of the object on the green pad appears on the
blue pad.
action: You enter the green
response: You get onto the green pad.
action: You press duplicator
response: It is attached to the floor.
action: You touch the duplicator
response: You can't reach the duplicator from here.

A giant chain shifts to a new position, making a sound like creaking
floorboards.
action: Exit
response: You are on your own two feet again.

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad, a blue pad and a storage bin (in
which is a widget) here.
action: You take all from bin
response: Removed.

You hear explosions coming from a disconnected universe.
action: You stand on the green pad
response: An invisible force repels you. The pad seems to have a pre-set limit of
one thing at a time.

Spots and pieces of void are appearing on your virtual skin.

Static and white noise are briefly emitted from a television display.
action: You put the widget on the green pad
response: You put the widget on the green pad.

Spots and pieces of void are appearing on your virtual skin.

noise.
action: You drop it
response: Dropped.

You can faintly hear planes overhead. Apparently, the assault is
underway.
action: You enter green pad
response: You get onto the green pad.
action: Exit
response: You are on your own two feet again.

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a widget, a duplicator, a green pad, a blue pad and a
storage bin (which is empty) here.

Exposed wires in the wall spark, making a crackling noise.
action: You get wires
response: Taken.

The sound of gunfire resonates from afar.

That's just scenery.
action: You put the duplicator on the green pad
response: something else.

Your body has almost completely faded away.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are carrying:
a widget
action: You look at the widge
response: You can't see any such thing.

The room shakes, and the view is briefly distorted. The main power to
the computer system is failing.
action: Examine widget
response: A generic program without modelling is called a "widget". This one is
incomplete, which is why it looks like a plain rectangular box.

Fragments of nothing crowd your vision, and the world fades away...
action: You climb the obelisk
response: The surface is sticky, allowing you to reach the apex.

A flat plain of black sand lies below you, and starry fractal sky
above. The sky looks so realistic and close you feel you could almost
reach out and touch it. Patches of black threaten you from every
direction.
action: You touch the sky
response: You raise your hand, and, as in a childhood fantasy, touch the sky. As
you do so, you are sucked into it...

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad, a blue pad and a storage bin (in
which is a widget) here.
action: You take all from the bin
response: It is attached to the floor.

noise.

Removed.
action: You put the widget on the blue pad
response: You put the widget on the blue pad.

Going through the sky seems to have put a strain on your body.
action: Exit
response: You are on your own two feet again.

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad, a blue pad (on which is a
widget) and a storage bin (which is empty) here.
action: You get the bin
response: It is far too large to do that.

A compressor raises and lowers its pump, making a sound like a mouse
dying.
action: You get the blue pad
response: That would be an interesting trick.
action: You enter the blue
response: You get onto the blue pad.
action: You touch the duplicator
response: You can't reach the duplicator from here.

You can faintly hear planes overhead. Apparently, the assault is
underway.

A compressor raises and lowers its pump, making a sound like a mouse
dying.
action: You enter the blue
response: An invisible force repels you. The pad seems to have a pre-set limit of
one thing at a time.
action: You put the widget on the blue
response: You put the widget on the blue pad.
action: You enter the bin
response: You get into the storage bin.
action: Leave
response: You are on your own two feet again.

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad (on which is a widget), a blue
pad and a storage bin (which is empty) here.
action: You take the widget
response: Taken.

You hear explosions coming from a disconnected universe.

above.
action: You throw the widget at the duplicator
response: Futile.

Spots and pieces of void are appearing on your virtual skin.
action: You examine bin
response: A large bin made of chrome and glass.
action: Break bin
response: Violence is impossible in that way while in virtualspace.

You can faintly hear planes overhead. Apparently, the assault is
underway.
action: You eat widget
response: That's plainly inedible.
action: You look at the machines
response: All different varieties, and of unknown purpose.

Static and white noise are briefly emitted from a television display.
action: You look at the floor
response: You see nothing special about the floor.

The sound of gunfire resonates from afar.
action: You examine platforms
response: They are hanging in midair without support.
action: You put the widget on the blue
response: You put the widget on the blue pad.

Your body has almost completely faded away.
action: You stand on the green
response: You get onto the green pad.

Fragments of nothing crowd your vision, and the world fades away...
action: Full
response: You have so far scored 39 out of a possible 40, in 339 turns.

The score is made up as follows:

1 activating the cube
5 restoring the cube's voice
3 evading the scan
3 activating lxprog
2 restoring your body integrity
3 destroying the paper
4 finding the halting program
2 reactivating lxprog
4 destroying the maintenance system
4 escaping the void
5 making a duplicate of yourself

39 total (out of 40)
action: Exit
response: You are on your own two feet again.

High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad, a blue pad and a storage bin (in
which is a widget) here.
action: About yourself
response: Your "body" is a crude model, textured with some type of rock, almost
as if you were a golem. Your virtual body's integrity appears to be
normal.
action: You take the widget
response: Taken.

You hear explosions coming from a disconnected universe.

noise.
action: You put the widget on the blue
response: You put the widget on the blue pad.

above.
action: Look around
response: High above you on various platforms, machines clatter and clang,
shifting connected parts in constant motion, like the inner workings of
a giant mechanical beast. The walls and floor are textured with ridged
metal; the ceiling is a dull gray. There is no exit.

You can see a duplicator, a green pad (on which is a widget), a blue
pad and a storage bin (which is empty) here.
action: Up
response: You can't go that way.

You can faintly hear planes overhead. Apparently, the assault is
underway.

Exposed wires in the wall spark, making a crackling noise.
action: You wait a while
response: Time passes.

The sound of gunfire resonates from afar.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

Exposed wires in the wall spark, making a crackling noise.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

The room shakes, and the view is briefly distorted. The main power to
the computer system is failing.
action: Wait
response: Time passes.

A portal forms itself in the middle of the floor.
action: You wait for a while
response: Time passes.

Static and white noise are briefly emitted from a television display.
action: Go downward
response: effect. Crystals protrude from the wall at odd angles. Sparks of
electricity are passed back and forth. The entire room vibrates and
hums like a large electric generator. Portals are placed to the north
and south as well as the ceiling and floor.

You can see a rotating humanfaced cube here.
action: Full
response: In that game you scored 40 out of a possible 40, in 365 turns, earning
you the rank of Liberated.

The score was made up as follows:

1 activating the cube
5 restoring the cube's voice
3 evading the scan
3 activating lxprog
2 restoring your body integrity
3 destroying the paper
4 finding the halting program
2 reactivating lxprog
4 destroying the maintenance system
4 escaping the void
5 making a duplicate of yourself
1 lxprog finishing

40 total (out of 40)

Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, give the FULL score
for that game or QUIT?
action: P.
response: N = next subject                                                  P =
RETURN = read subject                                          Q = re
sume game
There is help on the following:

Voiceless cube
Circuit board
Degenerating body
Scan of sector
Cube with voice
Halted program
Flashing paper
Sphere
Cube's message
Unconsciousness
Fragments of void
Degenerating body, 2nd time
> Finishing the game
(Press ENTER to return to the main menu, or H for another hint.)

(1/2) Wait around and see what happens.