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BodgeMaster 600739ad35 05 -> 06, 06 -> 07: make space for new chapter 2025-11-17 21:09:17 +01:00
BodgeMaster 2132640b7a 02 Unlikely Encounter: Revision 2025-11-17 20:53:19 +01:00
3 changed files with 89 additions and 81 deletions

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@ -34,18 +34,25 @@
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
The sound is clearer, it comes from down there. Annie walks down the The sound is clearer, it comes from down there. Annie walks down the
stairs and turns the lights on. She rarely goes to the basement, usually stairs and flips the light switch. A few light fixtures on the walls
just to add to the piles of paperwork on the rows of shelves, but she had dimly illuminate the rows of shelves packed with binders, boxes, and
no idea there was anything other than the archive down here. loose stacks of paper.
</p> </p>
<p class="strong"> <p class="strong">
beep beep beep beep
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
The room is dimly lit by a few light fixtures on the walls. Looking She rarely goes down here, usually just to add to the piles of
through between the rows of binders, boxes, and loose stacks of paper, paperwork in the archive, but she had no idea there was anything else
she notices a small dark area in the back of the room. She walks towards in the basement.
it. </p>
<p class="strong">
beep beep
</p>
<p>
Looking through the shelves, she notices a small dark area in the back
of the room that seems to be where the noise comes from. She walks
towards it.
</p> </p>
<p class="heavy"> <p class="heavy">
beep beep beep beep
@ -53,37 +60,37 @@
<p> <p>
The noise is now very close. Behind the last shelf, sectioned off from The noise is now very close. Behind the last shelf, sectioned off from
the rest of the room, she finds what looks to be a small office. There the rest of the room, she finds what looks to be a small office. There
is a large wooden desk with a comfortable-looking though well-worn is a large wooden desk with a comfortable-looking, though well-worn
leather chair in front of it. Next to the chair is a floor lamp that was leather chair in front of it. Next to the chair is a floor lamp that was
apparently placed there in absence of a desk lamp. The desk itself is apparently placed there in absence of a desk lamp. The desk itself is
a mess, apart from a neatly organized row of books towards the wall, a mess, apart from a neatly organized row of books towards the wall.
holding all sorts of cables and other things. Front and center is a The rest is covered with all sorts of tools, cables and devices.
terminal... Front and center is a terminal...
</p> </p>
<p class="heavy"> <p class="heavy">
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
... and apparently it is the source of the beep sound. She had never ... and, apparently, that is the source of the beep sound. She had never
used one before but taking a quick look can&apos;t hurt &ndash; and used one before but taking a quick look can&apos;t hurt &ndash; and
besides, this beeping is slowly getting on her nerves. She walks up to besides, this beeping is slowly getting on her nerves. She begins
it and begins to inspect it... <span class="comment">wording!!</span> inspecting it...
</p> </p>
<p class="heavy"> <p class="heavy">
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
... ugh. That&apos;s kinda loud. The terminal looks like kind of a weird ... ugh. That&apos;s kinda loud.&emsp; The terminal looks like kind of
TV. It has a screen to display text, a couple adjustment knobs, and a a weird TV. It has a screen to display text, a couple adjustment knobs,
flat section with rows of buttons with letters and symbols on them. The and a flat section with rows of buttons with letters and symbols on them.
reception desk has one of these things; they always use it to order new The reception desk has one of these things; they always use it to order
office supplies and for other important-sounding work... new office supplies and for other important-sounding work...
</p> </p>
<p class="heavy"> <p class="heavy">
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
The text on-screen flickers. The text on the screen flickers.
</p> </p>
<pre class="terminal"> <pre class="terminal">
Hello, anyone there? Hello, anyone there?
@ -115,27 +122,33 @@ Type reply: hello&#9608;
The buttons have a very satisfying feel and sound to them - unlike the The buttons have a very satisfying feel and sound to them - unlike the
beeping noise which is ... now gone. It was unpleasantly loud and beeping noise which is ... now gone. It was unpleasantly loud and
annoying. annoying. She looks for a way to separate words. She tries that wide
button with
<span class="quote non-speech">S&emsp;P&emsp;A&emsp;C&emsp;E</span>
written on it &ndash; that worked, makes sense.
</p> </p>
<pre class="terminal"> <pre class="terminal">
i am going to get help Type reply: hello i am going to get help
Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Appreciate it.
</pre> </pre>
<p> <p>
That took a while to... type?... Is that the word? The rows of buttons That took a while to... type?... Is that the word? The rows of buttons
are arranged in a strange order... Annie looks around. Lots of cables, are arranged in a strange order...
</p>
<p>
Annie looks around. Lots of cables,
a pile of paper, an empty cup, some pens and pencils, a screwdriver and a pile of paper, an empty cup, some pens and pencils, a screwdriver and
other tools, a rubber duck &ndash; what an odd place to find a rubber other tools, a rubber duck &ndash; what an odd place to find a rubber
duck... A phone! She picks it up &ndash; no dial tone. Weird. Maybe, it duck... A phone! She picks it up &ndash; no dial tone. Weird. Maybe, it
isn&apos;t connected. She looks on the floor and, sure enough, there is is unplugged. She looks on the floor and, sure enough, there is the cable
the plug &ndash; not for much longer as she finds a phone socket and &ndash; not for much longer, as she finds a phone socket and plugs it in.
plugs it in. Strange electrical noises. She tries to dial a number but Strange electrical noises. She tries to dial a number but
nothing happens. She drops the receiver on the cradle and turns back to nothing happens. She drops the receiver on the cradle and turns back to
the terminal. A couple random characters appear. the terminal. A couple random symbols have appeared.
</p> </p>
<pre class="terminal"> <pre class="terminal">
%s; i cant call anyone the phone is only making weird noises %s; i cant call anyone the phone is making weird noises
This modem is probably on the same line. I can disconnect for a while and This modem is probably on the same line. I can disconnect for a while and
dial in again in a bit. dial in again in a bit.
@ -161,37 +174,36 @@ AgriWorks Login: &#9608;
his time at the power company. So she dials his number... his time at the power company. So she dials his number...
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
Annie is greeted by the friendly voice of an old man. After Annie is greeted by the friendly voice of an old man. After a short
<span class="comment">a short exchange of &quot;Hello, how are exchange of <span class="comment">&quot;Hello, how are you?&quot; /
you?&quot;</span>, she begins to explain the situation. He interrupts her pleasantries</span>, she begins to explain the situation. He interrupts
while relaying what Jack had written:<br /> her while relaying what Jack had written:<br />
<span class="quote speech">Cryo&nbsp;Facility? Are you sure?</span><br /> <span class="quote speech">Cryo&nbsp;Facility? Are you sure?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">Yes, it says here: Cryo Facility 53.</span><br /> <span class="quote speech">Yes, it says here: Cryo Facility 53.</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">Well that makes it very interesting. <span class="quote speech">Well that makes it very interesting.
Unfortunately, we can&apos;t get there. These cryogenic facilities are Unfortunately, these cryogenic facilities are outside the dome. We
outside the dome.</span><br /> can&apos;t get there.</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">So there is no way we can help him?</span><br /> <span class="quote speech">Outside? How&apos;d he get there?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">Well not directly. Facility 53 does happen to
be on the mountain above Sunside&nbsp;Cove, but it isn&apos;t connected
to the dome.</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">How did he get there then?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">He ... didn&apos;t. He&apos;s been there from <span class="quote speech">He ... didn&apos;t. He&apos;s been there from
the start.</span><br /> the start.</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">How?</span><br /> <span class="quote speech">How?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">Cryogenic sleep - it&apos;s a way to preserve <span class="quote speech">They called it cryogenic sleep - essentially,
people for a long time by essentially freezing them. It was thought to be people were frozen so they could be woken up some time in the far future.
impossible for a long time but they made it work just before the It was thought to be impossible but they made it work just before the
apocalypse happened.</span> apocalypse happened.</span>
<br /> <br />
<span class="quote speech">He&apos;s one from the old world?</span><br /> <span class="quote speech">You mean he&apos;s one from
the old world?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">If he is who he says he is, then yes, almost
certainly. I kinda wanna talk to this guy. If he gives you a number,
would you mind passing it along?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">Sure, can do.&emsp;&emsp;... So there&apos;s
no way we can help him?</span><br />
<span class="quote speech">Well, at least not directly. That said, the
people in these cryo facilities are trained for all sorts of things,
maybe we can help him help himself.</span>
</p> </p>
<ul> <ul>
<li class="comment">
the dialog also needs to say that Karl wants to get in touch with Jack
</li>
<li class="comment">
hint at the possibility to go outside?
</li>
<li class="comment"> <li class="comment">
ensuing Annie Jack conversation needs to be modified taking into ensuing Annie Jack conversation needs to be modified taking into
consideration that Karl wants to contact Jack (also notes/story and consideration that Karl wants to contact Jack (also notes/story and
@ -199,18 +211,18 @@ AgriWorks Login: &#9608;
</li> </li>
</ul> </ul>
<p> <p>
Slowly, she sets the receiver back on the cradle, pondering over what she The conversation ends and Annie slowly sets the receiver back on the
had just learned. The call had left her with more questions than she had cradle, pondering over what she had just learned. The call had left her
before. And what would she tell Jack? She looks at the terminal but with more questions than she had before. And what would she tell Jack?
nothing had changed so she gets up to grab some snacks. She looks at the terminal but nothing has changed so she gets up to grab
some snacks.
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
A cup of juice and two cookies later, she hears the telephone ring in the A cup of juice and two cookies later, she hears the telephone ring in the
basement. Annie grabs another cookie and hurries back down the stairs. basement. Annie grabs another cookie and hurries back down the stairs.
She makes it to the desk just in time for it to stop ringing. The text on It stops ringing before she can get there, but the terminal shows some
the terminal disappears. She looks back and forth between the phone and activity. The text disappears and a new message shows up. She sits down
the terminal for a moment. A new message appears. She sits down and and replies.
replies:
</p> </p>
<pre class="terminal"> <pre class="terminal">
@ -218,12 +230,8 @@ Hello again.
hello i am really sorry but we cannot get to facility 53 its outside hello i am really sorry but we cannot get to facility 53 its outside
Okay. Sucks to be me, I guess... Okay. I kinda assumed that already... Can you get some technical
documentation for me?
is there anything else i can do for you
Yes. I might be able to fix up the door if I had a service manual for it.
Do you think you can get me a copy?
i dont know where would i find it i dont know where would i find it
@ -232,9 +240,9 @@ You are in the city under the mountain, right?
yes sunside cove yes sunside cove
The library should have it. The library should have it.
I need the service manual for a Neotek Dynamics B33FY-AF Bunker Door. I need the service manual for a Neotek Dynamics B33FY-AF bunker door.
yes but how would i get a book to you ok sure but how would i get a book to you
They should have a digital version of it... You are not very familiar with They should have a digital version of it... You are not very familiar with
computers, are you? computers, are you?
@ -251,12 +259,12 @@ Are there any computer people you could ask for help?
not sure they would do that my grandpa might but he doesnt work here not sure they would do that my grandpa might but he doesnt work here
As long as he has access to a computer and modem, he should be able to do As long as he has access to a computer with a modem, he should be able to
this. do this.
whats a modem whats a modem
It allows you to connect computers over the telephone network. A device that connects computers over the telephone network.
not sure he has one but i can ask not sure he has one but i can ask
@ -277,11 +285,11 @@ In case he does, he can reach this modem under &lt;phone number&gt; at
<pre class="terminal"> <pre class="terminal">
okay but it might take a couple days okay but it might take a couple days
I can hold out down here for quite a while, don&apos;t worry about a couple I can hold out down here for quite a while, don&apos;t worry about a few
days. I&apos;ll be back on this terminal on Friday evening if I don&apos;t days. I&apos;ll be back on this terminal on Friday evening if I don&apos;t
hear from you or your grandpa before then. Is that okay? hear from you or your grandpa before then.
are you safe down there are you safe there
Yes, the bunker seems to be holding up well and I have plenty of food for Yes, the bunker seems to be holding up well and I have plenty of food for
now. I just wish I could get out of that damned door and see the light of now. I just wish I could get out of that damned door and see the light of
@ -308,7 +316,6 @@ can we talk tomorrow i have questions
We can tal We can tal
LINE DISCONNECTED - LINE DISCONNECTED -
Tue, 2106-06-01, 20:12 Tue, 2106-06-01, 20:12
AgriWorks Login: &#9608; AgriWorks Login: &#9608;
@ -330,10 +337,10 @@ AgriWorks Login: &#9608;
<p> <p>
Annie collects the crumbs of the third cookie that had magically Annie collects the crumbs of the third cookie that had magically
disappeared and eats them. Then, she gets up, takes the piece of paper, disappeared and eats them. Then, she gets up, takes the piece of paper,
and walks back to the stairs. Still thinking about the phrase and returns to her office, still thinking about the phrase
<span class="quote non-speech">the light of day</span>, she returns to <span class="quote non-speech">the light of day</span>. Now, she wants
her office. Now, she wants to see it too &ndash; out of curiosity. to see it too &ndash; out of curiosity. She collects her things and
She collects her things and leaves for the day. leaves for the day.
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
Annie closes the door behind herself and locks it. As she takes a breath Annie closes the door behind herself and locks it. As she takes a breath
@ -343,12 +350,12 @@ AgriWorks Login: &#9608;
starts walking towards the metro station at the corner. The buildings starts walking towards the metro station at the corner. The buildings
here are similar to the ones in residential areas &ndash; three to four here are similar to the ones in residential areas &ndash; three to four
story houses painted in different colors &ndash; but they are lacking story houses painted in different colors &ndash; but they are lacking
balconies and, instead of being homes, they mostly house offices. On the balconies and all the lights are out as they mostly house offices. On the
other side of the street is an embankment that holds the rails for the other side of the street is an embankment that holds the rails for the
metro and beyond that is the outer wall of the dome. The street lights metro and beyond that is the outer wall of the dome. The street lights
illuminating the area had already switched to the lower brightness for illuminating the area had already dimmed for the night giving the area
the night giving the area an eerie look. Only a couple times had she an eerie look. Only a couple times had she seen it like this while
seen it like this while staying late for company events. staying late for company events.
</p> </p>
<p> <p>
Annie reaches the corner. She looks left and right before crossing the Annie reaches the corner. She looks left and right before crossing the
@ -360,7 +367,8 @@ AgriWorks Login: &#9608;
<span class="quote non-speech">OUT&nbsp;OF&nbsp;ORDER</span>... Hrm. <span class="quote non-speech">OUT&nbsp;OF&nbsp;ORDER</span>... Hrm.
Mildly frustrated, she sits down on one of the benches and and starts Mildly frustrated, she sits down on one of the benches and and starts
rummaging in her bag. She finds her headphones and puts them on. At the rummaging in her bag. She finds her headphones and puts them on. At the
end of the cable is her walkman. She presses play and starts listening. other end of the cable is her walkman. She presses play and starts
listening.
</p> </p>
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