Pathway to Destruction
by Richard Otter (2005)
Genres: Science Fiction

You have worked at the Institute of Transportation for nearly five years. As one of the engineering team in the Research and Development section, it is considered a highly respected position and is particularly well paid. In recent years it has become even more important, as with a growing population the global transport system is struggling to cope. A complete collapse has been predicted in a little under five years' time. You are currently working on the Pathway project which is a new developmental Rapid Transit System (RTS). This holds out the promise of fast, efficient and cheap travel. You do not fully understand the science behind it but it has something to do with particles, magnetism and time travel. Basically, you arrive at your destination the exact same moment you leave your starting point. The initial trials have been extremely promising and the first long distance test is now underway. The intent was for you to be 'particled' (as it is called) from one side of the planet to the other and then back again. They strapped you into a chair situated in the centre of the testing chamber and the senior technician on the project gave you the thumbs up sign from the control room. First your hands and feet started to tingle, then your vision blurred, then... nothing.

action: %
response: Loading game...

1st Place

1. Play the game

2. Read the introduction

3. Useful information

4. Credits
action: 2
response: Pathway to Destruction by Richard Otter, version 1.21

You have worked at the Institute of Transportation for nearly five years. As one of the engineering team in the Research and Development section, it is considered a highly respected position and is particularly well paid. In recent years it has become even more important, as with a growing population the global transport system is struggling to cope. A complete collapse has been predicted in a little under five years time.

You are currently working on the Pathway project which is a new developmental Rapid Transit System (RTS). This holds out the promise of fast, efficient and cheap travel for the whole planet. You do not fully understand the science but it has something to do with
particles, magnetism and time travel. Basically, you arrive at your destination the exact same moment you leave your starting point.

The initial trials have been extremely promising and the first long distance test is now underway. You are being 'particled' (as it is called) from one side of the planet to the other and then back again. At this very moment you are being strapped into a chair situated in
the centre of the testing chamber. Colin, the senior technician on project, is giving you the thumbs up sign from the control room and
the ignition lights have just come on. Your hands and feet are
starting to tingle and your vision is blurring; then nothing.

Nothing until now.

[Press ENTER to continue]
Pathway to Destruction

1st Place

1. Play the game

2. Read the introduction

3. Useful information

4. Credits
action: 3
response: Pathway to Destruction  by Richard Otter, version 1.21

In this adventure you are John Taylor, one of the engineering team in the Research and Development section of the Institute of Transportation. Your goal is a simple one - to try and make sense of the world you find yourself in.

use object with object, get all from object, give object to character pick lock, look under object, look through object
talk to character, ask character about subject
look through object, move rubble with bar

Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk

[Press ENTER to continue]
Pathway to Destruction

1st Place

1. Play the game

2. Read the introduction

3. Useful information

4. Credits
action: 4
response: Pathway to Destruction  by Richard Otter, version 1.21, 2005

My long suffering wife and family who want me to get a real hobby.

Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk

You can type 'intro', 'details' or 'credits' during the game.

[Press ENTER to continue]
Pathway to Destruction

1st Place

1. Play the game

2. Read the introduction

3. Useful information

4. Credits
action: 1
response: Your last memory is of being in the test chamber, deep under the Research and Development building. Now you are here, but you have no recollection of leaving the test chamber or arriving at this place. It is almost as if you just appeared here.

Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a glittering jewel its
centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: About yourself
response: [x me]
You are John Taylor, a senior technician in the engineering team working in the Research and Development section of the Institute of Transportation. You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain.
action: You look at the ring
response: [x ring]
A simple band of gold fitted around your left index finger. The ring appears ordinary but something tells you there is more to it than
meets the eye.
action: You examine the chain
response: [x chain]
The chain was a present from your father, on your graduation from engineering college (second in your class). It is heavy gold with an over polished finish and a little too long for your taste.
action: You look at the statue
response: [x statue]
This does not make any sense. The statue of the Great David looks like it has been decaying for years, but you only walked this way yesterday with Colin. At least, it seemed like only yesterday.
action: You remove the ring
response: You remove the ring.
action: Inventory
response: You are wearing a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal and a ring.
action: You look at the journal
response: [x journal]
An ancient, leather-bound book, dusty with the passing years. It feels almost too fragile to touch without damaging in some way.
action: You examine the ring
response: [x ring]
A simple band of gold, the ring appears ordinary but something tells you there is more to it than meets the eye.
action: You read journal
response: The journal is far too old; although you try hard it is impossible to make sense of anything in it.
action: You examine the crown
response: [x crown]
The Great David's crown symbolises him power and authority. David was the first great leader to bring unity and peace to this planet many centuries ago.
action: You examine the jewel
response: [x jewel]
The jewel, which is fixed into the crown, must be at least 150mm in diameter and is a beautiful sea-blue colour.
action: You take the jewel
action: You climb the statue
response: After a few moments you decide against climbing the statue, it does
not look all that safe.
action: You examine the pedestal
response: [x pedestal]
You see no such thing.
action: You examine the shadows
response: [x shadows]
The shadows seem to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.
action: You read journal
response: The journal is far too old; although you try hard it is impossible to make sense of anything in it.
action: You look at your surroundings
response: Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a glittering jewel its
centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: You look at the wall
response: [x wall]
The once smooth walls are crumbling and look like they may collapse at any moment.
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Ancient Gallery
The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces depicted twist and writhe in torment. Is it your imagination or can you also hear their cries? Against one wall lies a large crystal, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the form of... something.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: You look at the overalls
response: The journal is far too old; although you try hard it is impossible to make sense of anything in it.

[x overalls]
The orange overalls are abrasive resistant polyester cotton and are
the standard uniform of the engineering team in the Research and Development section. You have always hated them.
action: You examine the portraits
response: [x crystal]
The large crystal triggers a memory somewhere. You have definitely
seen one of these before, but at the moment the details will not surface.

[x portraits]
The portraits are of the city's great and the good, or at least rich and powerful.
action: You touch it
response: [push a large crystal]
You push the large crystal, but nothing happens.
action: You look in the crystal
response: The large crystal triggers a memory somewhere. You have definitely
seen one of these before, but at the moment the details will not surface.
action: You examine the ring
response: [x ring]
A simple band of gold, the ring appears ordinary but something tells you there is more to it than meets the eye.
action: You examine the shape
response: [x shape]
You see no such thing.
action: You wear the ring
response: You put on the ring.
action: Examine form
response: [x form]
Something is imprisoned in the crystal but you have no idea what.
action: You touch the crystal withg the ring
response: [push crystal withg ring]
You push the large crystal, but nothing happens.
action: You hit the crystal
response: [punch crystal]
Hitting out at the crystal with your bear hands has little noticeable effect.
action: You pull the crystal
response: It must be your imagination, but it really seems like you can hear their cries.

You pull the large crystal, but nothing happens.
action: You look up the crystal in the journal
response: [look u crystal in journal]
You see no such thing.
action: You search portraits
response: [x portraits]
The portraits are of the city's great and the good, or at least rich and powerful.
action: You listen
response: It must be your imagination, but it really seems like you can hear their cries.
action: Look around
response: The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces depicted now appear normal but you are sure you can still hear their cries. Against one wall lies a large crystal, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the form of... something.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: You check what you're carrying
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal.
action: Search overalls
response: [x overalls]
The orange overalls are abrasive resistant polyester cotton and are
the standard uniform of the engineering team in the Research and Development section. You have always hated them.
action: You go northeast
response: You move northeast.
Passage
The broken bones of tiny rodents crunch underfoot as you make your way along this passage. It is dark and shadowy for the most part, illuminated poorly by the pale daylight at the end.
action: You go northeast
response: The passage extends northeast to the outside world and southwest to an ancient gallery.

You move northeast.
Rapid Sidewalk
As you leave the darkness of the temple you need to shade your eyes
for a few moments. The Rapid Transit System, which is the size of a
six lane freeway, stretches away to the north and south. When working all someone needed to do was step onto the roadway to be sped around the city, at hither to unknown speeds. Once the surface would have shimmered like quicksilver, now it is just a dull lifeless black colour. Far in the distance you can see the city, your home.

The roadway extends to the north and south, southwest leads to the Temple of the Great David.
action: You examine the bones
response: [x bones]
The tiny bodies all seem to be heading in the same direction. Running towards something or away from something?
action: Go northeast
response: You move northeast.
Rapid Sidewalk
As you leave the darkness of the temple you need to shade your eyes
for a few moments. The Rapid Transit System, which is the size of a
six lane freeway, stretches away to the north and south. When working all someone needed to do was step onto the roadway to be sped around the city, at hither to unknown speeds. Once the surface would have shimmered like quicksilver, now it is just a dull lifeless black colour. Far in the distance you can see the city, your home.

The roadway extends to the north and south, southwest leads to the Temple of the Great David.
action: You look at the speedway
response: [x speedway]
You see no such thing.
action: You look at the sidewalk
response: [x sidewalk]
The roadway heads north and south.
action: You turn it on
response: [turn the roadway on]
You can't turn the roadway.
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Rapid Sidewalk Junction
At one of the many junctions of the Rapid Transit System, when working you would just need to lean slightly to change direction. Away to the north is the city (your home), but you no longer recognise the
outline. Only yesterday the horizon was filled with kilometre high buildings gleaming in the sunlight, now it looks like a set of broken jagged teeth. At the very edge of the walkway is a decaying body.

government quarter.
action: You look at the body
response: [x body]
The body is actually little more than bones, and most of those are turning to dust. It seems to have been here for years. For a moment
you wonder about this poor individual and how they died. Looking at
the position of the body your best guess is that it happened when the roadway system failed. You hope it was quick and painless.

Amongst the bones you spot something round and shiny, it is a
news-disc which you pick up.
action: You examine the disc
response: [x disc]
You see no such thing.
action: You examinthe news-disc
response: [x news-disc]
Curiously, the news-disc has tomorrow's date on it.
action: Inventory
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal and a news-disc.
action: Go south
response: You move south.
Rapid Sidewalk
action: You go southwest
response: You move southwest.
Passage
As you enter the temple, it takes you eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dark after the bright sunlight. The broken bones of tiny rodents crunch underfoot as you make your way along this passage. It is dark and shadowy for the most part, illuminated poorly by the pale daylight at the end.

The passage extends northeast to the outside world and southwest to an ancient gallery.
action: You go southwest
response: You move southwest.
Ancient Gallery
The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces depicted now appear normal but you are sure you can still hear their cries. Against one wall lies a large crystal, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the form of... something.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: Go south
response: You move south.
Ruined Statue
Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a glittering jewel its
centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: Go west
response: You move west.
Cage
The centre of this circular chamber is a cage, sunken into the floor, in which the remains of some beast lie decomposing. Claw marks on the bars of the cage indicate the beast fought ferociously to escape its imprisonment, yet failed. And died.

To the west there is a large chamber from which a humming sound emanates; to the east you can make out a statue.
action: You look at the remains
response: [x remains]
The remains must be of the great Tarc beast which was kept in the cage here. Little is now left of the creature, but you can see a rib hidden in the remains. The beast looks like it has been dead for years, although it was alive yesterday.
action: You take the rib
action: You examine the marks
response: [x marks]
The Tarc is, or should you say was, always trying to escape from the cage.
action: You open the Cage
response: You cannot see how the cage opens, although it may not be necessary. The only thing in the cage is within your reach.
action: You get rib
response: You pull the rib from the remains of the beast.
action: You examine the rib
response: [x rib]
The Tarc rib is nearly 500mm long, serrated like a knife and metallic to the touch.
action: Look around
response: The centre of this circular chamber is a cage, sunken into the floor, in which the remains of some beast lie decomposing. Claw marks on the bars of the cage indicate the beast fought ferociously to escape its imprisonment, yet failed. And died.

To the west there is a large chamber from which a humming sound emanates; to the east you can make out a statue.
action: Go west
response: You move west.
Humming Chamber
Once this was the great meeting hall. Rows of seats spiral outwards from a central podium where a speaker once stood to deliver speeches
to a waiting audience. Most of the seats are smashed and little but splinters remain. Burn marks scar the floor and walls; in one place there is what appears to be a large quantity of books and scrolls
which someone has attempted to burn but abandoned partway through. A faint humming sound can be heard, emanating from somewhere in the chamber.

A passage extends northwest and another to the east.
action: Hum
response: You hum a little tune.
action: Examine books
response: [x books]
Someone has attempted to burn the great library. Why?
action: You search the books
response: [x books]
Someone has attempted to burn the great library. Why?
action: You examine the podium
response: [x podium]
You remember sitting here, listening to the tales of the Great David.
action: You look at the seats
response: [x seats]
Many of the seats are smashed but not by the ravages of time.
action: You listen
response: The faint humming sound seems strangely familiar, but means nothing at
action: You search the books
response: the moment.

[x books]
Someone has attempted to burn the great library. Why?
action: You read the books
response: The journal is far too old; although you try hard it is impossible to make sense of anything in it.
action: Up
response: [u]
You can't go in that direction, but you can move east and northwest.
action: You examine the speakers
response: [x speakers]
You see no such thing.
action: You examine the scrolls
response: [x scrolls]
Someone has attempted to burn the great library. Why?
action: You sit
response: You sit down on the ground.
action: You get up
response: [get u]
You can't see that
action: You go to the northwest
response: (Standing up first)
You move northwest.
Blocked Passage
The ceiling has collapsed, blocking further access along this passage. On one wall is an opening which overlooks the outside world, although the drop looks to be formidable and you doubt you could survive it.

The passage leads back to the southeast.
action: You examine the opening
response: [x opening]
Looking through the opening you can see part of the city below.
action: You look at the city
response: [x city]
Looking out through the hole in the passage wall, even from this distance you can tell that something is wrong. The outline of the city, your home, looks jagged and broken.
action: You go to the south-east
response: You move southeast.
Humming Chamber
Once this was the great meeting hall. Rows of seats spiral outwards from a central podium where a speaker once stood to deliver speeches
to a waiting audience. Most of the seats are smashed and little but splinters remain. Burn marks scar the floor and walls; in one place there is what appears to be a large quantity of books and scrolls
which someone has attempted to burn but abandoned partway through. A faint humming sound can be heard, emanating from somewhere in the chamber.

A passage extends northwest and another to the east.
action: You go east
response: You move east.
Cage
The centre of this circular chamber is a cage, sunken into the floor, in which the remains of some beast lie decomposing. Claw marks on the bars of the cage indicate the beast fought ferociously to escape its imprisonment, yet failed. And died.

To the west there is a large chamber from which a humming sound emanates; to the east you can make out a statue.
action: You go east
response: [x humming]
You see no such thing.

You move east.
Ruined Statue
Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a glittering jewel its
centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: You look at Humming
response: [x humming]
You see no such thing.
action: You go to the east
response: You move east.
Ruined Statue
Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a glittering jewel its
centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: You examine the crown
response: [x crown]
The Great David's crown symbolises him power and authority. David was the first great leader to bring unity and peace to this planet many centuries ago.
action: You get the jewel
response: Using the rib, you prise the jewel from its resting place.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal, the glittering jewel, a news-disc and the tarc rib.
action: You examine the jewel
response: [x jewel]
The jewel must be at least 150mm in diameter and is a beautiful sea-blue colour.
action: You examine the crown
response: [x crown]
The Great David's crown symbolises him power and authority. David was the first great leader to bring unity and peace to this planet many centuries ago. The crown is missing the glittering jewel.
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Ancient Gallery
The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces depicted now appear normal but you are sure you can still hear their cries. Against one wall lies a large crystal, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the form of... something.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: You hit the crystal with the bone
response: [punch crystal with bone]
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: You examine the crystal
response: [x crystal]
The large crystal triggers a memory somewhere. You have definitely
seen one of these before, but at the moment the details will not surface.
action: You hit the crystal with the rib
response: [punch crystal with rib]
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: You touch the crystal
response: [push crystal]
You push the large crystal, but nothing happens.
action: You examine the figure
response: [x figure]
You see no such thing.
action: You hit jewel
response: [punch jewel]
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: Go northeast
response: You move northeast.
Passage
The broken bones of tiny rodents crunch underfoot as you make your way along this passage. It is dark and shadowy for the most part, illuminated poorly by the pale daylight at the end.

The passage extends northeast to the outside world and southwest to an ancient gallery.
action: Go northeast
response: You move northeast.
Rapid Sidewalk
As you leave the darkness of the temple you need to shade your eyes
for a few moments. The Rapid Transit System, which is the size of a
six lane freeway, stretches away to the north and south. When working all someone needed to do was step onto the roadway to be sped around the city, at hither to unknown speeds. Once the surface would have shimmered like quicksilver, now it is just a dull lifeless black colour. Far in the distance you can see the city, your home.

The roadway extends to the north and south, southwest leads to the Temple of the Great David.
action: You go south
response: South leads away from the city and the answers.
action: You go to the north
response: You want to head to the city, to see what is left of your apartment. You feel that that the answers do not lie in that direction.
action: Go northeast
response: You move northeast.
Government Quarter
With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. The only thing standing is a battered old lamp post, leaning over at a sharp angle.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and
away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: You look at the post
response: [x post]
Lines of elegant lamp posts lined the paths and roadways, now only one is left.
action: Go east
response: You move east.
Research and Development Building
The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps
of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. Rubble is
lying everywhere.

The path leads back to the west.
action: You search the rubble
response: [x rubble]
From memory the rubble is resting on the spot of the elevator shaft down to the testing chamber.
action: %
response: Loading game...

1st Place

1. Play the game

2. Read the introduction

3. Useful information

4. Credits
action: You hit yourself
response: [punch me]
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: About yourself
response: You are John Taylor, a senior technician in the engineering team working in the Research and Development section of the Institute of Transportation. You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain.
action: You examine the rib
response: The Tarc rib is nearly 500mm long, serrated like a knife and metallic to the touch.
action: Look around
response: The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. Rubble is lying everywhere.

The path leads back to the west.
action: Go west
response: You move west.
Government Quarter
action: You look
response: With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. The only thing standing is a battered old lamp post, leaning over at a sharp angle.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Administration Building
Once a thousand golden floors high, now only a few low charred jagged walls remain. On your left, would have been the long counter behind which the many female receptionists stood. The whole area is now gone, completely open to the sky. On the opposite side was row after row of view screens now all destroyed, although amazingly one does seem to survive. As you move near the screen it makes a very slight humming sound, as if something you are carrying is giving it power.

The path leads back to the south.
action: You put the jewel on the screen
response: You put the glittering jewel onto the view screen.

As you stand near the screen, the rib you are carrying becomes red hot. You drop it onto the ground.
action: You look at the screen
response: An oblong of grey metal 1.5m in height, the view screens are used to interrogate the central database or look at an info disc. The viewer is glowing a light green colour. You can see the slot into which a disc would be inserted, the words 'Insert Disc' are lit in red. The glittering jewel is on the view screen.
action: You puthe news-disc in the slot
response: You insert the news-disc into the viewer, after a few seconds it begins to work.

On the day of the Pathway project long distance test, the news appears to be pretty normal. It consists of the news, sports, weather, man eaten by killer hamster. The usual sort of stuff.

It is the reports on the day following the test that you found particularly interesting. Stories started coming in from all over the city about large parts of the population who had simply vanished into thin air. Later in the day the 'problem' seemed to be spreading as cities all over the planet had reported mass disappearances.

[Press ENTER to continue]
Looking at the reports on the second day after the test, it seemed that nearly half the population of the planet was missing. This was not just limited to the human population, but any carbon based life. The skies, seas and land had also emptied of animals and birds.

On the third day, the location of the problem had been identified - it was the testing chamber. Something must have gone terribly wrong with the test, but no one in the research and development section could be contacted. The military decided to take drastic action and made three attempts to destroy the testing chamber. With the disappearances continuing, soon not enough airmen were left to carry out the airstrikes.

[Press ENTER to continue]
action: You press enter
response: The last reports are about civil disturbances breaking out all over the planet. The populace started blaming science and technology for the catastrophe; centres of knowledge and learning were attacked and destroyed. Law and order had suffered a complete breakdown and the very last story is about a force of the local volunteer army being sent to 'restore' order at the temple.

For a long time you can do nothing; you just stand unable to take it all in. How could this have happened? What could have gone wrong with the test?

Well, the answer must lie in the test chamber under the research and development building.

[Press ENTER to continue]
Administration Building
Once a thousand golden floors high, now only a few low charred jagged walls remain. On your left, would have been the long counter behind which the many female receptionists stood. The whole area is now gone, completely open to the sky. On the opposite side was row after row of view screens now all destroyed, although amazingly one does seem to survive and appears to be in working order.

The path leads back to the south.

You can also see the tarc rib.
action: You take the jewel
response: You take the glittering jewel from the view screen.
action: You take the rib
response: You pick up the tarc rib.
action: You examine the rib
response: The Tarc rib is nearly 500mm long, serrated like a knife and metallic to the touch.
action: You examine the screen
response: An oblong of grey metal 1.5m in height, the view screens are used to interrogate the central database or look at an info disc. The viewer has no power and looks completely blank. You can see the slot into which a disc would be inserted, but with no power it is worthless.
action: Inventory
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal, the glittering jewel and the tarc rib.
action: You takthe news-disc
action: You get the rib
response: You pick up the tarc rib.

As you stand near the screen, the rib you are carrying becomes red hot. You drop it onto the ground.
action: You get the jewel
response: You take the glittering jewel from the view screen.
action: You get the rib
response: You pick up the tarc rib.
action: You put the rib on the screen
response: You put the tarc rib onto the view screen.
action: You take the rib
response: You take the tarc rib from the view screen.
action: You go south
response: You move south.
Government Quarter
With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. The only thing standing is a battered old lamp post, leaning over at a sharp angle.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: You check your inventory
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal, the glittering jewel, the tarc rib and a metal bar.
action: You look at the bar
response: It is a long, twisted piece of metal which was once part of a lamp post.
action: Go east
response: You move east.
Research and Development Building
The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. Rubble is lying everywhere.

The path leads back to the west.
action: You move the rubble with the bar
response: Using the metal bar you start moving the rubble, after a while you unearth what must be the elevator shaft to the test centre.
action: You go to the west
response: You move west.
Government Quarter
With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. A battered old lamp post lies on the ground nearby.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: You go to the south-west
response: You move southwest.
Rapid Sidewalk Junction
At one of the many junctions of the Rapid Transit System, when working you would just need to lean slightly to change direction. Away to the north is the city (your home), but you no longer recognise the outline. Only yesterday the horizon was filled with kilometre high buildings gleaming in the sunlight, now it looks like a set of broken jagged teeth. At the very edge of the walkway is the decaying body and for a moment you wonder if that is what will happen to you.

The roadway continues north to the city and northeast to the government quarter.
action: Go south
response: You move south.
Rapid Sidewalk
The Rapid Transit System, which is the size of a six lane freeway, stretches away to the north and south. When working all someone needed to do was step onto the roadway to be sped around the city, at hither to unknown speeds. Once the surface would have shimmered like quicksilver, now it is just a dull lifeless black colour. Far in the distance you can see the city, your home.

The roadway extends to the north and south, southwest leads to the Temple of the Great David.
action: You go southwest
response: You move southwest.
Passage
As you enter the temple, it takes you eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dark after the bright sunlight. The broken bones of tiny rodents crunch underfoot as you make your way along this passage. It is dark and shadowy for the most part, illuminated poorly by the pale daylight at the end.

The passage extends northeast to the outside world and southwest to an ancient gallery.
action: You go southwest
response: You move southwest.
Ancient Gallery
The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces depicted now appear normal but you are sure you can still hear their cries. Against one wall lies a large crystal, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the form of... something.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: You move crystal with the bar
response: You pull the large crystal, but nothing happens.

You can't move the large crystal.
action: You examine the floor
response: The marble flooring looks in reasonable condition.
action: You examine the walls
response: The walls about you are ancient and crumbling but you stood in this very spot yesterday!
action: You hit the crystal with the bar
response: [punch crystal with bar]
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: Go south
response: You move south.
Ruined Statue
Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a large jagged hole as centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: Go west
response: You move west.
Cage
The centre of this circular chamber is a cage, sunken into the floor, in which the remains of some beast lie decomposing. Claw marks on the bars of the cage indicate the beast fought ferociously to escape its imprisonment, yet failed. And died.

To the west there is a large chamber from which a humming sound emanates; to the east you can make out a statue.
action: You go to the west
response: You move west.
Humming Chamber
Once this was the great meeting hall. Rows of seats spiral outwards from a central podium where a speaker once stood to deliver speeches to a waiting audience. Most of the seats are smashed and little but splinters remain. Burn marks scar the floor and walls; in one place there is what appears to be a large quantity of books and scrolls which someone has attempted to burn but abandoned partway through. A faint humming sound can be heard, emanating from somewhere in the chamber.

A passage extends northwest and another to the east.
action: You examine the floor
response: The floor has been subjected to a considerable amount of heat.
action: You examine the walls
response: The walls have been subjected to a considerable amount of heat.
action: You touch the walls
response: [push walls]
You push the walls, but nothing happens.
action: You search the walls
response: [x walls]
The walls have been subjected to a considerable amount of heat.
action: You jump
response: Wheee-boinng.
action: Y.
response: Enter saved game to load: Restore failed.
action: Describe the surroundings
response: The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. A large hole is clearly visable amongst the rubble.

The path leads back to the west and a dark hole amongst the rubble leads down.
action: You look at the hole
response: Amongst the rubble is the old elevator shaft, leading down to the test chamber.
action: You drop the bar
response: You drop the metal bar.
action: Go down
response: You move down.
Old Elevator Shaft
Standing on a small ledge running around the inside of the shaft more destruction can be seen. Glancing up you can see the world above framed in the square of the shaft. Looking down is a blackness that seems to be reaching up and trying to draw you down. The test centre is a long way below you, something like 30 levels down. The old elevator cable is hanging in the centre of the shaft, just within reach.

The shaft leads up into the bright daylight and down into the dark.
action: You examine the cable
response: Just within your grasp is the old elevator cable, which is hanging in the centre of the shaft.
action: Go downward
response: The drop is formidable and you do not survive.

Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk

www.delron.org.uk
action: You climb the cable
response: You grab the cable and make your way down into the dark.
Control Room
The control is much as you remember it but more importantly it is light, so the power must still be on down here. In front of you is the main control panel and the glass window through to the test chamber.

You can go through the heavy metal door into the test chamber or back up the elevator cable.
action: You examine the panel
response: The control panel is lit but doesn't seem to be working. On one side of the panel is a small lever and on the other side is a small screen displaying:

Target: Alpha City, Europa Continent
Beam Lock Status: BEAM UNLOCKED

"Error 6192: Fatal Transmission Fault"
"Error 8151: Critical Storage Media Failure"
A data-disc is on the control panel.
action: You gethe data-disc
response: You take the data-disc from the control panel.
action: You look athe data-disc
response: The data-disc seems to be one of the test logs.
action: Up
response: [u]
You move up.
Old Elevator Shaft
Standing on a small ledge running around the inside of the shaft more destruction can be seen. Glancing up you can see the world above framed in the square of the shaft. Looking down is a blackness that seems to be reaching up and trying to draw you down. The test centre is a long way below you, something like 30 levels down. The old elevator cable is hanging in the centre of the shaft, just within reach.

The shaft leads up into the bright daylight and down into the dark.
action: Up
response: [u]
You move up.
Research and Development Building
The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. A large hole is clearly visable amongst the rubble.

The path leads back to the west and a dark hole amongst the rubble leads down.

You can also see a metal bar.
action: You go to the west
response: You move west.
Government Quarter
With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. A battered old lamp post lies on the ground nearby.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Administration Building
Once a thousand golden floors high, now only a few low charred jagged walls remain. On your left, would have been the long counter behind which the many female receptionists stood. The whole area is now gone, completely open to the sky. On the opposite side was row after row of view screens now all destroyed, although amazingly one does seem to survive. As you move near the screen it makes a very slight humming sound, as if something you are carrying is giving it power.

The path leads back to the south.
action: You put the jewel on the screen
response: You put the glittering jewel onto the view screen.

As you stand near the screen, the rib you are carrying becomes red hot. You drop it onto the ground.
action: You puthe data-disc on the viewer
response: You put the data-disc onto the view screen.
action: You take all
response: You pick up the tarc rib.

As you stand near the screen, the rib you are carrying becomes red hot. You drop it onto the ground.
action: You take the jewel
response: You take the glittering jewel from the view screen.

You've already got the glittering jewel!
action: You check your inventory
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying the glittering jewel and the tarc rib.
action: You go south
response: You move south.
Government Quarter
With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. A battered old lamp post lies on the ground nearby.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: You go east
response: You move east.
Research and Development Building
The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. A large hole is clearly visable amongst the rubble.

The path leads back to the west and a dark hole amongst the rubble leads down.

You can also see a metal bar.
action: Go down
response: You move down.
Old Elevator Shaft
Standing on a small ledge running around the inside of the shaft more destruction can be seen. Glancing up you can see the world above framed in the square of the shaft. Looking down is a blackness that seems to be reaching up and trying to draw you down. The test centre is a long way below you, something like 30 levels down. The old elevator cable is hanging in the centre of the shaft, just within reach.

The shaft leads up into the bright daylight and down into the dark.
action: You climb the cable
response: You grab the cable and make your way down into the dark.
Control Room
The control is much as you remember it but more importantly it is light, so the power must still be on down here. In front of you is the main control panel and the glass window through to the test chamber.

You can go through the heavy metal door into the test chamber or back up the elevator cable.
action: You examine the window
response: Looking through the window you can see into the testing chamber. You can see someone strapped into the chair. That someone is you!
action: You look at the door
response: The heavy door to the test chamber is locked.
action: You unlock door
response: Using your id ring, you unlock the door.
action: Go north
response: The heavy door to the test chamber is already open!

You move north.
Testing Chamber
The stillness of the chamber always surprises you, no sound from outside ever penetrates and any noise within is muffled. The only furniture is the test chair in the centre of the room. The other you is strapped into the chair. A glass window is in the wall behind you, through which you can see the control room. The ignition light on the wall is glowing red, the test is running. For a brief moment it sounded as if someone called your name. "John!" You turn round quickly, but no one is anywhere to be seen. Perhaps you are going slowly insane.

You can leave the chamber through the heavy metal door to the south.
action: About yourself
response: You are John Taylor, a senior technician in the engineering team working in the Research and Development section of the Institute of Transportation. You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain.
action: You examine the chair
response: The chair always reminds you of one of those execution chairs you have seen in old movies. The other you is strapped into the chair.
action: You examine you
response: It certainly looks like John Taylor, even down to the awful orange overalls. Your other self is carrying a journal.
action: You get the journal
response: You take the journal.
action: You read the journal
response: The journal contains all your notes relating to the experiments. In particular two entries catch your eye:

"Error 6192: Fatal Transmission Fault"
This means that the subject has not particled properly.

"Error 8151: Critical Storage Media Failure"
This is when the system suffers serious power loss. To protect the subject being particled the body can be stored externally in a storage crystal, until the system can retry again.
"Crystal?" you mutter to yourself.

You remember spotting something in your journal about the power system. Opening the journal, after flicking through a few pages you spot a note you made to yourself:

"A relay blew in the testing chamber today and needed changing, but no-one could find it. Eventually we tracked down the plans and to our amazement the power grid for the testing chamber runs through the temple! Behind a panel, hidden in the wall of the Great Meeting Hall is enough power to destroy a small planet."
action: You punch other yourself
response: Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: Go south
response: You move south.
Control Room
The control is much as you remember it but more importantly it is light, so the power must still be on down here. In front of you is the main control panel and the glass window through to the test chamber.

You can go through the heavy metal door into the test chamber or back up the elevator cable.
action: You examine the panel
response: The control panel is lit but doesn't seem to be working. On one side of the panel is a small lever and on the other side is a small screen displaying:

Target: Alpha City, Europa Continent
Beam Lock Status: BEAM UNLOCKED

"Error 6192: Fatal Transmission Fault"
"Error 8151: Critical Storage Media Failure"
action: You go southwest
response: You move southwest.
Rapid Sidewalk Junction
At one of the many junctions of the Rapid Transit System, when working you would just need to lean slightly to change direction. Away to the north is the city (your home), but you no longer recognise the outline. Only yesterday the horizon was filled with kilometre high buildings gleaming in the sunlight, now it looks like a set of broken jagged teeth. At the very edge of the walkway is the decaying body and for a moment you wonder if that is what will happen to you.
action: You go south
response: The roadway continues north to the city and northeast to the government quarter.

You move south.
Rapid Sidewalk
The Rapid Transit System, which is the size of a six lane freeway, stretches away to the north and south. When working all someone needed to do was step onto the roadway to be sped around the city, at hither to unknown speeds. Once the surface would have shimmered like quicksilver, now it is just a dull lifeless black colour. Far in the distance you can see the city, your home.

The roadway extends to the north and south, southwest leads to the Temple of the Great David.
action: You go southwest
response: You move southwest.
Passage
As you enter the temple, it takes you eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dark after the bright sunlight. The broken bones of tiny rodents crunch underfoot as you make your way along this passage. It is dark and shadowy for the most part, illuminated poorly by the pale daylight at the end.

The passage extends northeast to the outside world and southwest to an ancient gallery.
action: You go to the south-west
response: You move southwest.
Ancient Gallery
The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces depicted now appear normal but you are sure you can still hear their cries. Against one wall lies a large crystal, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the still form of your other self.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: You go to the west
response: You move south.
Ruined Statue
Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a large jagged hole as centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.

You can't go in that direction, but you can move north and west.

You move west.
Cage
The centre of this circular chamber is a cage, sunken into the floor, in which the remains of some beast lie decomposing. Claw marks on the bars of the cage indicate the beast fought ferociously to escape its imprisonment, yet failed. And died.

To the west there is a large chamber from which a humming sound emanates; to the east you can make out a statue.
action: Go west
response: You move west.
Humming Chamber
Once this was the great meeting hall. Rows of seats spiral outwards from a central podium where a speaker once stood to deliver speeches to a waiting audience. Most of the seats are smashed and little but splinters remain. Burn marks scar the floor; walls and a panel you haven't noticed before; in one place there is what appears to be a large quantity of books and scrolls which someone has attempted to burn but abandoned partway through. A faint humming sound can be heard, emanating from somewhere in the chamber.

A passage extends northwest and another to the east.
action: You examine the panel
response: The panel in the wall is designed to look like part of the temple. The panel is locked.
action: Unlock panel
response: Using your id ring, you unlock the panel.
action: You examine the panel
response: The panel in the wall is designed to look like part of the temple. The panel is open.
action: You look around
response: Once this was the great meeting hall. Rows of seats spiral outwards from a central podium where a speaker once stood to deliver speeches to a waiting audience. Most of the seats are smashed and little but splinters remain. Burn marks scar the floor; walls and a panel you haven't noticed before; in one place there is what appears to be a large quantity of books and scrolls which someone has attempted to burn but abandoned partway through. With the panel in the wall open you can see part of the power grid for the temple, parts of the city and the government quarter. A faint humming sound can be heard, emanating from somewhere in the chamber.

A passage extends northwest and another to the east.
action: You examine the grid
response: If you switch off the grid the automatics will just turn it back on.
If you damage it the automatics will repair it. Maybe, just maybe if it was hit with a large power source it would short out everything.
action: You hit the grid with the jewel
response: [punch grid with jewel]
Who do you think you are, Mike Tyson?
action: Inventory
response: You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal, the glittering jewel and the tarc rib.
action: You touch the grid with the jewel
response: [push grid with jewel]
You push, but nothing happens.
action: You read the journal
response: The journal contains all your notes relating to the experiments. In particular two entries catch your eye:

"Error 6192: Fatal Transmission Fault"
This means that the subject has not particled properly.

"Error 8151: Critical Storage Media Failure"
This is when the system suffers serious power loss. To protect the subject being particled the body can be stored externally in a storage crystal, until the system can retry again.
"Crystal?" you mutter to yourself.
action: You look around
response: Once this was the great meeting hall. Rows of seats spiral outwards from a central podium where a speaker once stood to deliver speeches to a waiting audience. Most of the seats are smashed and little but splinters remain. Burn marks scar the floor; walls and a panel you haven't noticed before; in one place there is what appears to be a large quantity of books and scrolls which someone has attempted to burn but abandoned partway through. With the panel in the wall open you can see part of the power grid for the temple, parts of the city and the government quarter. A faint humming sound can be heard, emanating from somewhere in the chamber.

A passage extends northwest and another to the east.
action: You break grid with the jewel
response: [smash grid with jewel]
Taking cover behind the podium you throw the jewel at the power grid, which explodes in a shower of metal. The jewel is vapourised but the power goes off.

Aloud you mutter, "I'd better get back to the testing chamber, to see if this worked."
action: You go east
response: You move east.
Cage
The centre of this circular chamber is a cage, sunken into the floor, in which the remains of some beast lie decomposing. Claw marks on the bars of the cage indicate the beast fought ferociously to escape its imprisonment, yet failed. And died.

To the west there is a large chamber; to the east you can make out a statue.
action: Go east
response: You move east.
Ruined Statue
Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a large jagged hole as centrepiece. About you lurk shadows, seeming to be standing watching you, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.

Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Ancient Gallery
The walls about you are ancient and crumbling, yet modern looking portraits hang from them all the same. The faces all seem to be watching you expectantly. Against one wall lies a large storage crystal glowing dark blue, as tall as a man and wide as a chariot, in which is imprisoned the still form of your other self.

A passage lies away to the south and another to the northeast, at the end of which a light shines faintly.
action: Go north
response: You move northeast.
Passage
The broken bones of tiny rodents crunch underfoot as you make your way along this passage. It is dark and shadowy for the most part, illuminated poorly by the pale daylight at the end.

The passage extends northeast to the outside world and southwest to an ancient gallery.

You move northeast.
Rapid Sidewalk
As you leave the darkness of the temple you need to shade your eyes for a few moments. The Rapid Transit System, which is the size of a six lane freeway, stretches away to the north and south. When working all someone needed to do was step onto the roadway to be sped around the city, at hither to unknown speeds. Once the surface would have shimmered like quicksilver, now it is just a dull lifeless black colour. Far in the distance you can see the city, your home.

The roadway extends to the north and south, southwest leads to the Temple of the Great David.

You move north.
Rapid Sidewalk Junction
At one of the many junctions of the Rapid Transit System, when working you would just need to lean slightly to change direction. Away to the north is the city (your home), but you no longer recognise the outline. Only yesterday the horizon was filled with kilometre high buildings gleaming in the sunlight, now it looks like a set of broken jagged teeth. At the very edge of the walkway is a decaying body.

The roadway continues north to the city and northeast to the government quarter.
action: Go northeast
response: You move northeast.
Government Quarter
With over ten square kilometres of structures, the government quarter should be building after building of steel, chrome and glass. Everything now is completely shattered; just barren and so bleak. Although difficult to see, you are in the main plaza which was a 500m square meeting place of seating areas, art work, gardens and picnic places. A battered old lamp post lies on the ground nearby.

An ancient road to the southwest leads to the Rapid Transit System. A path extends north to the ruins of the administration building and away east to the flattened research and development centre.
action: You go east
response: You move east.
Research and Development Building
The centre is, or should be, a towering dome of stainless steel and coloured glass. This place would echo with the voices and foot steps of all the people within, hidden fountains adding to the effect. The scene that greets you now is one of complete devastation, as if some giant foot has stamped on the place repeatedly. Unlike everywhere else you have seen today, here is destruction and not aging. A large hole is clearly visable amongst the rubble.

The path leads back to the west and a dark hole amongst the rubble leads down.

You can also see a metal bar.
action: Go down
response: You move down.
Old Elevator Shaft
Standing on a small ledge running around the inside of the shaft more destruction can be seen. Glancing up you can see the world above framed in the square of the shaft. Looking down is a blackness that seems to be reaching up and trying to draw you down. The test centre is a long way below you, something like 30 levels down. The old elevator cable is hanging in the centre of the shaft, just within reach.

The shaft leads up into the bright daylight and down into the dark.
action: You climb the cable
response: You grab the cable and make your way down into the dark.
Darken Control Room
The control room is now in darkness as the power must be off down here. In front of you is the main control panel and the glass window through to the test chamber. Some emergency power must have kicked in, as the control panel is still lit.

You can go through the heavy metal door into the test chamber or back up the elevator cable.
action: You go north
response: You move north.
Testing Chamber
The stillness of the chamber always surprises you, no sound from outside ever penetrates and any noise within is muffled. The only furniture is the test chair in the centre of the room. The other you is strapped into the chair. A glass window is in the wall behind you, through which you can see the control room. The ignition light on the wall is glowing green, the testing has stopped.

You enter the chamber and suddenly your sight blurs. You have a tingling sensation in your hands and feet. As you look at your hands you realise that you can see straight through them. From somewhere to your left you can here a voice shouting, "John!, John!, can you hear me?"

Then nothing.

[Press ENTER to continue]
You open your eyes and you are in the testing chamber seated in the test chair. Through the window you can see into the control room; Colin and the other technicians look worried.

Over the intercom Colin can be heard saying, "I think he has particled but we are not getting a confirmation signal. We must try to get him back." Someone out of sight says, "I can't get the beam to lock, we can't get him back."

Suddenly warning signals start to flash and it appears that the technicians are losing control of the beam. You hear one of them say, "We are losing confinement. My God! It is starting to scatter! Shut off the power! Shut off the power!" With no warning Colin and all the other technicians vanish.

For a few seconds you stare at the empty control room and then everything starts to blur. The last thought you ever have is one of failure before you blink out of existence.

Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk

www.delron.org.uk

Congratulations!
Congratulations!
action: Look around
response: The control room is now in darkness as the power must be off down here. In front of you is the main control panel and the glass window through to the test chamber. Some emergency power must have kicked in, as the control panel is still lit.

You can go through the heavy metal door into the test chamber or back up the elevator cable.
action: You look at the panel
response: The control panel is lit but doesn't seem to be working. On one side of the panel is a small lever and on the other side is a small screen displaying:

Target: Alpha City, Europa Continent
Beam Lock Status: BEAM UNLOCKED

Error 7767: Critical Power Failure
Error 9923: Subject Deletion Imminent
action: You look at the panel
response: The control panel is lit but doesn't seem to be working. On one side of the panel is a small lever and on the other side is a small screen displaying:

Target: Alpha City, Europa Continent
Beam Lock Status: BEAM LOCKED

Error 7767: Critical Power Failure
Error 9923: Subject Deletion Imminent
action: Go north
response: You move north.
Testing Chamber
The stillness of the chamber always surprises you, no sound from outside ever penetrates and any noise within is muffled. The only furniture is the test chair in the centre of the room. The other you is strapped into the chair. A glass window is in the wall behind you, through which you can see the control room. The ignition light on the wall is glowing green, the testing has stopped.

You enter the chamber and suddenly your sight blurs. You have a tingling sensation in your hands and feet. As you look at your hands you realise that you can see straight through them. From somewhere to your left you can here a voice saying, "John, can you hear me. Are you all right?"

Then nothing.

[Press ENTER to continue]
Someone is shaking you and calling your name.

You open your eyes and the someone says, "Thank goodness. We thought we had lost you for a minute John."
"What happened?" you ask trying to get your bearings.
"We have no idea, you didn't appear at the destination test site and you started to fade out here as well." You recognise that the 'someone' is Colin, the senior technician on the Pathway project. "We managed to cut the power and stop the test. Do you remember anything?" he asks. You start, "Well I was here but in the future..." But the memory has gone, just like one of those dreams you wake up suddenly from.
Colin asks, "Are you all right?"
Shaking your head you reply, "Yeh, I must have been dreaming." The Tarc rib you are carrying, falls from your pocket and clatters onto the floor.
Colin stares at it and asks, "How did you get that? You didn't have it when the test started?"
Looking down in surprise you answer, "I have no idea."

Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk

www.delron.org.uk

Congratulations!
action: You go to the north
response: You move north.
Testing Chamber
The stillness of the chamber always surprises you, no sound from outside ever penetrates and any noise within is muffled. The only furniture is the test chair in the centre of the room. The other you is strapped into the chair. A glass window is in the wall behind you, through which you can see the control room. The ignition light on the wall is glowing red, the test is running. For a brief moment it sounded as if someone called your name. "John!" You turn round quickly, but no one is anywhere to be seen. Perhaps you are going slowly insane.

You can leave the chamber through the heavy metal door to the south.