Compare commits
	
		
			6 Commits 
		
	
	
		
			d33cc40244
			...
			0a10287c5e
		
	
	| Author | SHA1 | Date | 
|---|---|---|
|  BodgeMaster | 0a10287c5e | |
|  BodgeMaster | 0b5c55c768 | |
|  BodgeMaster | 90224f6667 | |
|  BodgeMaster | b0f2d0a107 | |
|  BodgeMaster | f090122e30 | |
|  BodgeMaster | 91377e0ab4 | 
|  | @ -91,6 +91,14 @@ | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   The air hisses in the lines as the door closes behind them. The noise of |   The air hisses in the lines as the door closes behind them. The noise of | ||||||
|   the vacuum pumps kicks in and begins to slowly fade. |   the vacuum pumps kicks in and begins to slowly fade.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment">They carry a coffin made of thin aluminum plates | ||||||
|  |   outside.</span> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment">What is the moon's surface made of? | ||||||
|  |   Solid regalith or sand? Can it be shoveled?</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   They place the coffin on the ground and start digging away at its sides, | ||||||
|  |   slowly sinking it into the ground. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p class="copyright">Copyright © 2023-2025 Jan Danielzick (aka. BodgeMaster) – All rights reserved.</p><script>let spans = ["<span class=\"paper green\">", "<span>"]; let pre_texts = document.getElementsByTagName("pre"); for (let i = 0; i < pre_texts.length; i++) {if (pre_texts[i].className != "paper") continue; let lines = pre_texts[i].innerHTML.split("\n"); let result = ""; for (let j = 0; j < lines.length; j++) {if (lines[j].length >= 80) result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + "</span>\n"; else result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + " ".repeat(80-lines[j].length) + "</span>\n";} pre_texts[i].innerHTML = result;}</script></body></html> | <p class="copyright">Copyright © 2023-2025 Jan Danielzick (aka. BodgeMaster) – All rights reserved.</p><script>let spans = ["<span class=\"paper green\">", "<span>"]; let pre_texts = document.getElementsByTagName("pre"); for (let i = 0; i < pre_texts.length; i++) {if (pre_texts[i].className != "paper") continue; let lines = pre_texts[i].innerHTML.split("\n"); let result = ""; for (let j = 0; j < lines.length; j++) {if (lines[j].length >= 80) result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + "</span>\n"; else result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + " ".repeat(80-lines[j].length) + "</span>\n";} pre_texts[i].innerHTML = result;}</script></body></html> | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
|  | @ -15,7 +15,7 @@ | ||||||
|   sips, she sets it down, unsure whether it helps or makes it worse, and |   sips, she sets it down, unsure whether it helps or makes it worse, and | ||||||
|   rests her head again.<br /> |   rests her head again.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Just let me sit here for a while.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Just let me sit here for a while.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He sits down next to her, about half a meter away. |   He sits down a bit to the right, facing her. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   A few minutes later, she lifts up her head again:<br /> |   A few minutes later, she lifts up her head again:<br /> | ||||||
|  | @ -80,10 +80,10 @@ | ||||||
|   potatoes. Want some?</span><br /> |   potatoes. Want some?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Now that you ask, I'm slowly getting |   <span class="quote speech">Now that you ask, I'm slowly getting | ||||||
|   hungry. Did you make your usual spicy dip?</span><br /> |   hungry. Did you make your usual spicy dip?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Yup — well...</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Yup.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He gets up and walks over to the kitchen area, grabs a small bowl filled |   He gets up and walks over to the kitchen area, grabs a small bowl filled | ||||||
|   with a dark red-ish paste, and sets it on the table.<br /> |   with a dark red-ish paste, and sets it on the table.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">I had to improvise a little because of |   <span class="quote speech">I had to improvise a little due to | ||||||
|   a distinct lack of fresh ingredients but I think it still turned out |   a distinct lack of fresh ingredients but I think it still turned out | ||||||
|   pretty good.</span><br /> |   pretty good.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Oh wow, that looks almost kinda scary.</span> |   <span class="quote speech">Oh wow, that looks almost kinda scary.</span> | ||||||
|  | @ -92,7 +92,7 @@ | ||||||
|   the same as fresh peppers. I had to add <i>a lot</i> to get even close |   the same as fresh peppers. I had to add <i>a lot</i> to get even close | ||||||
|   to the usual spiciness.</span><br /> |   to the usual spiciness.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He grabs the <span class="comment">Backblech?</span> with potatoes |   He grabs the <span class="comment">Backblech?</span> with potatoes | ||||||
|   and puts it back in the oven to re-heat them. |   and puts it back in the oven to re-heat. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   After the meal, they go to the bunker entrance and Jack opens the door |   After the meal, they go to the bunker entrance and Jack opens the door | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
|  | @ -8,49 +8,47 @@ | ||||||
|   <br /> |   <br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">No idea. Where are you?</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">No idea. Where are you?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Up here.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Up here.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   Jack is standing on top of <span class="comment">atop?</span> one of the |   Jack is standing atop one of the metro trains. She climbs onto the link | ||||||
|   metro trains. Michelle climbs onto the link between cars, from there |   between cars, from there onto the the edge of the broken windshield, | ||||||
|   onto the the edge of the broken windshield, and Jack helps her up to the |   and he helps her up to the rather sketchy-looking roof.<br /> | ||||||
|   rather sketchy-looking roof.<br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Over there...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Look, over there...</span><br /> |  | ||||||
|   He points across the deteriorating trains, towards the outermost track of |   He points across the deteriorating trains, towards the outermost track of | ||||||
|   the overgrown train yard. A small roof – or in places what remains |   the overgrown train yard. A small roof – or in places what remains | ||||||
|   of it – extends over the track from the side of a large building. |   of it – extends from the side of a large building over several | ||||||
|   Several tank cars sit under it. Some are rusted through or missing |   tank cars sitting there. Some are rusted through or missing parts, but | ||||||
|   parts, but a few look like they might still hold liquids.<br /> |   a few look like they might still hold liquids.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Oh, wow! Maybe there's some gas left in |   <span class="quote speech">Oh, wow! Maybe there's some gas left in | ||||||
|   there or something...</span><br /> |   there or something...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">My thought. Let's check it out.</span> |   <span class="quote speech">My thought. Let's check it out.</span> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   They climb back down and make their way over to one of the tank cars. |   They climb back down and make their way over. Jack clmbs onto the end | ||||||
|   Jack clmbs onto the end of the car and attempts to use the ladder |   of one of the more intact-looking cars and attempts to use the ladder | ||||||
|   leading to the top. It crumbles under his feet. |   to the top. It crumbles under his feet.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">I guess I found the way down – hey, use |   <span class="quote speech">Guess I found the way down.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   me as a ladder instead.</span> He leans against the tank and helps her |   <span class="quote speech">I got this, help me up there.</span><br/> | ||||||
|   on top of it. |   He leans against the tank and helps her jump on top. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   Michelle inspects the lid. It's held on with large nuts.<br /> |   Michelle inspects the lid. It's held on with large nuts.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Do we have a wrench or something?</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Do we have a wrench or something?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   Jack looks around.<br /> |   Jack looks around.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">I don't know. Lemme take a look in |   <span class="quote speech">Idunno. Lemme take a look in | ||||||
|   there...</span><br /> |   there...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He disappears through an opening in the wall where used to be a door. |   He disappears through an opening in the wall where a door used to be. | ||||||
|   After a moment, he reappears, triumphantly holding a huge adjustable |   After a moment, he reappears, triumphantly holding a huge adjustable | ||||||
|   wrench.<br /> |   wrench.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">It's a bit rusty but should do the |   <span class="quote speech">It's slightly rusty but should do the | ||||||
|   job.</span><br /> |   job.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">I'm afraid to see what you call very |   <span class="quote speech">I'm afraid to see what you call very | ||||||
|   rusty.</span><br /> |   rusty.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">This thing, for example.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">This thing, for example.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He hits the ladder with it, causing a large section to break off and |   He hits it against the ladder, causing a large section to break off and | ||||||
|   crumble. Then, he hands her the wrench. After a bit of fiddling, she |   crumble. Then, he hands the wrench over. After a bit of fiddling, she | ||||||
|   manages to get a good grip on one of the nuts holding the lid in place |   manages to get a good grip on one of the nuts holding the lid in place | ||||||
|   – it doesn't budge.<br /> |   – it doesn't budge.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Need a hammer or something?</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Can you hand me one of these pipes?</span> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">One of these pipes over there should |   <br /> | ||||||
|   do.</span><br /> |  | ||||||
|   Jack picks up a section of metal pipe and passes it to her. Putting it |   Jack picks up a section of metal pipe and passes it to her. Putting it | ||||||
|   over the wrench for additional leverage, she pushes against it until the |   over the wrench for additional leverage, she pushes against it until the | ||||||
|   bolt snaps with a bang.<br /> |   bolt snaps with a bang.<br /> | ||||||
|  | @ -60,9 +58,10 @@ | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   One by one, she removes the other nuts. Some of them snap off, some |   One by one, she removes the other nuts. Some of them snap off, some | ||||||
|   unscrew with considerable force. She lets go of the pipe and attempts |   unscrew with considerable force. She lets go of the pipe and attempts | ||||||
|   to lift the lid – it's still stuck in place. Using the wrench |   to lift the lid – it's still stuck in place. She whacks | ||||||
|   as a hammer, she whacks it until it comes loose...<br /> |   the wrench against its side until it comes loose...<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">There's nothing in here.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">There's a whole loada nothing in | ||||||
|  |   here.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech"><i>Great.</i> I guess there are a bunch more |   <span class="quote speech"><i>Great.</i> I guess there are a bunch more | ||||||
|   we can try.</span> <span class="comment">needs a better reaction, may |   we can try.</span> <span class="comment">needs a better reaction, may | ||||||
|   want to state disappointment explicitly</span><br /> |   want to state disappointment explicitly</span><br /> | ||||||
|  | @ -71,8 +70,8 @@ | ||||||
|   tank cars today.</span><br /> |   tank cars today.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Let's see about that... Mind giving me |   <span class="quote speech">Let's see about that... Mind giving me | ||||||
|   the wrench for a moment?</span><br /> |   the wrench for a moment?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   She hands it back to Jack. He jumps over the gap between cars and uses |   He jumps over the gap between cars and uses it to knock against the wall | ||||||
|   it to knock against the wall of the next tank.<br /> |   of the next tank.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Sounds empty.</span> |   <span class="quote speech">Sounds empty.</span> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|  | @ -83,32 +82,36 @@ | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Jackpot!</span> She sniffs the smell coming |   <span class="quote speech">Jackpot!</span> She sniffs the smell coming | ||||||
|   off the liquid inside. <span class="quote speech">Smells like |   off the liquid inside. <span class="quote speech">Smells like | ||||||
|   diesel.</span><br /> |   diesel.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Nice! Let's find a truck or something |   <span class="quote speech">Nice! Let's find a truck or something... | ||||||
|   to drive around in... Wait, stupid idea but I need to show you |   Wait, stupid idea but I need to show you...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   something.</span><br /> |  | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Oh no, what are you up to again?</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Oh no, what are you up to again?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Nothing in particular... Wanna follow me for a |   <span class="quote speech">Nothing in particular. Wanna follow me for | ||||||
|   sec?</span> |   a sec?</span> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   Michelle jumps down and follows him to the entrance of the building. |   She jumps down and follows him back to the former doorway. | ||||||
|   They walk over the door on the floor, past a counter to the left, into |   They walk over the door on the floor, past a counter to the left, into | ||||||
|   the wide open hall. It is dimly lit by the light that makes it through |   a wide open hall. It is dimly lit by the light getting through | ||||||
|   the dirty windows and small holes in the surprisingly intact roof. |   dirty windows and small holes in the surprisingly intact roof. | ||||||
|   <span class="comment">note: Make it more clear that the windows are |   <span class="comment">note: Make it more clear that the windows are | ||||||
|   below the roof. Also, I imagine them to be milky windows for some reason. |   below the roof. Also, I imagine them to be milky windows for some reason. | ||||||
|   </span> A few rows of large industrial shelves on the other side of the |   </span> A few rows of large industrial shelves on the other side of the | ||||||
|   hall hold partially rotting crates. To either side of them are open |   hall hold partially rotting crates. To either side of them are open | ||||||
|   spaces with machine tools, small cranes, and other machinery. A few |   spaces with machine tools, small cranes, and other machinery. A few | ||||||
|   plants grow here and there. Through the center of the hall leads a |   plants grow here and there. A single train track gioes through the center | ||||||
|   single train track with additional sets of rails for a gantry crane |   of the hall with additional sets of rails for a gantry crane besides it. | ||||||
|   besides it. At the end of the hall to the right, below the rusty crane, |   To the right, at the end of the hall, sits a train wrapped up in tarps | ||||||
|   sits a train wrapped up in tarps. |   below the rusty gantry crane. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p class="comment"> | <p class="comment"> | ||||||
|   The following dialog nededs to go / be entirely rewritten. |   The following dialog nededs to go / be entirely rewritten. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <!-- rewrite idea: | ||||||
|  |   "So you wanna strap a generator to that thing?" | ||||||
|  |   "It's the diesel-electric version, they let me test drive it a few | ||||||
|  |   times." | ||||||
|  |    --> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Stupid idea indeed</span>, she says while |   <span class="quote speech">Stupid idea indeed</span>, she says while | ||||||
|   walking towards it. Then, she corrects herself: |   walking towards it. Then, she corrects herself: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Actually, it might be useful. That's one |   <span class="quote speech">Actually, it might be useful. That's one | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
|  | @ -40,12 +40,13 @@ going with this so I'll just leave it in here, commented out. | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">That was quick – nice job.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">That was quick – nice job.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   Jack walks over to the compartment holding the batteries, takes the |   Jack walks over to the compartment holding the batteries, takes the | ||||||
|   cables off the terminals, and hooks them up to the generator he had |   cables off the terminals, and hooks them up to the generator he had | ||||||
|   turned into a makeshift power supply. He starts it and climbs into |   turned into a makeshift power supply. He pulls the ripcord and it | ||||||
|   the train. Michelle follows him and they go to the driver's cabin. |   fires right up, then he climbs into the train. Michelle follows him | ||||||
|   Jack turns a key switch and part of the dashboard lights up. Then, he |   and they go to the driver's cabin. Jack turns a key switch and | ||||||
|   pushes the engine start button. The engine begins to turn over. |   part of the dashboard lights up. Then, he pushes the engine start button. | ||||||
|   While holding the button, Jack points to the fuel pressure gauge, |   The engine begins to turn over. While holding the button, Jack points | ||||||
|   slightly raising his voice to talk over the engine:<br /> |   to the fuel pressure gauge, slightly raising his voice to talk over | ||||||
|  |   the engine:<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">That's progress already.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">That's progress already.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   The needle on the gauge slowly creeps to the right.<br /> |   The needle on the gauge slowly creeps to the right.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Too slow though</span>, he adds after a |   <span class="quote speech">Too slow though</span>, he adds after a | ||||||
|  | @ -56,9 +57,9 @@ going with this so I'll just leave it in here, commented out. | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   Michelle suggests they take a look at the fuel injection. Jack turns |   Michelle suggests they take a look at the fuel injection. Jack turns | ||||||
|   the key switch off again and they go to the middle of the railcar. |   the key switch off again and they go to the middle of the railcar. | ||||||
|   The floor panels above the engine bay are already missing, they had |   The floor panels above the engine bay are missing, they had removed | ||||||
|   removed them earlier to replace the bits of rotting hose in the fuel |   them earlier to replace the bits of rotting hose in the fuel line. | ||||||
|   line. Jack grabs the manual from one of the seats and starts flipping |   Jack grabs the manual from one of the seats and starts flipping | ||||||
|   through the pages while Michelle jumps out and stops the generator. |   through the pages while Michelle jumps out and stops the generator. | ||||||
|   He begins to undo <span class="comment">knowledge gap here: How |   He begins to undo <span class="comment">knowledge gap here: How | ||||||
|   does that work? What do you undo to fix a gunked-up fuel injection? |   does that work? What do you undo to fix a gunked-up fuel injection? | ||||||
|  | @ -79,9 +80,7 @@ going with this so I'll just leave it in here, commented out. | ||||||
|   looking at Michelle and the bucket. She looks up at him and says:<br /> |   looking at Michelle and the bucket. She looks up at him and says:<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Barely a few drips. But there's pressure |   <span class="quote speech">Barely a few drips. But there's pressure | ||||||
|   on the other side of the fuel filter.</span><br /> |   on the other side of the fuel filter.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">So we need a new one?</span> |   <span class="quote speech">I'm gonna look for a spare.</span><br /> | ||||||
| </p> |  | ||||||
| <p> |  | ||||||
|   He walks over to the closest door and jumps out. Michelle begins |   He walks over to the closest door and jumps out. Michelle begins | ||||||
|   undoing the clamps holding the fuel line to the filter while Jack |   undoing the clamps holding the fuel line to the filter while Jack | ||||||
|   starts searching all drawers and boxes in the vicinity for a |   starts searching all drawers and boxes in the vicinity for a | ||||||
|  | @ -132,7 +131,7 @@ going with this so I'll just leave it in here, commented out. | ||||||
|   It does, so he forces the lugs onto the battery terminals which now have |   It does, so he forces the lugs onto the battery terminals which now have | ||||||
|   pieces of wire stuck to them.<br /> |   pieces of wire stuck to them.<br /> | ||||||
|   Michelle leans out of the window and says: |   Michelle leans out of the window and says: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">The gauge with the battery symbol just jumped |   <span class="quote speech">The gauge with the battery symbol just dropped | ||||||
|   to the red line.</span><br /> |   to the red line.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">If it's not past it, should be |   <span class="quote speech">If it's not past it, should be | ||||||
|   fine.</span><br /> |   fine.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
|  | @ -100,7 +100,7 @@ | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech"></span> |   <span class="quote speech"></span> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p class="comment"> | <p class="comment"> | ||||||
|   Plot hole: geodesic dome bad. |   Plot hole: why geodesic dome? | ||||||
|   They start exploring in the optical telescope building - not wasting |   They start exploring in the optical telescope building - not wasting | ||||||
|   too much time there. Then, they go into the radome. |   too much time there. Then, they go into the radome. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
|  | @ -3,46 +3,47 @@ | ||||||
| 
 | 
 | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   Michelle asks: <span class="quote speech">And you really expect to find |   Michelle asks: <span class="quote speech">And you really expect to find | ||||||
|   machines here that aren't beyond repair?</span><br /> |   machines here that can be salvaged?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   The four are walking into a valley in a large forested area.<br /> |   The four are walking into a valley in a large forested area.<br /> | ||||||
|   Jack replies: <span class="quote speech">Right now, I'm not even |   Jack replies: <span class="quote speech">Right now, I'm not even | ||||||
|   sure this is the place – everything looks so different – but, |   sure this is the place – everything looks so different – but, | ||||||
|   if it is, we'll have plenty to choose from and a bunch more for |   if it is, we'll have plenty to choose from and a bunch more for | ||||||
|   spare parts.</span><br /> |   spare parts.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   James gestures to the side and says: |   James gestures to the side, saying: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Look, over there.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Look, over there.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He points out a group of very rusty and completely overgrown machines. |   He points out a group of very rusty and completely overgrown machines. | ||||||
|   <br /> |   <br /> | ||||||
|   Annie wonders: <span class="quote speech">How did they get inbetween |   Annie wonders: <span class="quote speech">How did they get inbetween | ||||||
|   the trees?</span><br /> |   the trees?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   Jack says: <span class="quote speech">They didn't. This wasn't |   Jack says: <span class="quote speech">They didn't. The machines | ||||||
|   a forest back then.</span><br /> |   came first, the trees grew after. This wasn't a forest | ||||||
|   They make their way over to them. |   back then.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   They make their way over to take a closer look. | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   Jack says: <span class="quote speech">Looks like these were already |   Jack says: <span class="quote speech">Looks like these were already | ||||||
|   out of order before they were abandoned.</span><br /> |   out of order before they were abandoned.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He turns to Annie and James, patting the side of one of the machines. |   He turns to Annie and James: | ||||||
|   <br /> |  | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">This is an excavator. We're looking for |   <span class="quote speech">This is an excavator. We're looking for | ||||||
|   a big one like this, maybe a bit smaller, but not as small as that one |   a big one like this, maybe a bit smaller, but not as small as that one | ||||||
|   over there.</span><br /> |   over there – and preferably without trees growing out of | ||||||
|   He points to a small excavator that has a tree growing through |   it...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   its cab.<br /> |   He points to a small excavator that sits askew on a thick tree trunk | ||||||
|   <span class="comment">Do these excavators where the cab is the biggest |   that had grown thrugh the floor and out the side. | ||||||
|   part have a specific name?</span><br /> |   <span class="comment">Do these tiny excavators with large glass cabs | ||||||
|   James asks: <span class="quote speech">Why not just use this one then? |   have a specific name?</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   James asks: <span class="quote speech">Why not just use this one? | ||||||
|   What's wrong with it?</span><br /> |   What's wrong with it?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">This thing's just done for. Looks like |   <span class="quote speech">This thing's just done for. Apart from it | ||||||
|   it was used as a spare parts donor. <span class="comment">Tracks? Treads? |   being a pile of rust, it's missing its tracks <span class="comment"> | ||||||
|   </span> are missing, hydraulics for the bucket as well, and it looks |   treads?</span>, the hydraulics for moving the bucket, and it looks like | ||||||
|   like the inside of the cab got completely dismantled.</span><br /> |   the inside of the cab got completely dismantled.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   They take a quick look at the other machines around them. There is the |   They take a quick look at the other machines around them. There is the | ||||||
|   other, much smaller excavator, a <span class="comment">Kipper?</span>, |   other, much smaller excavator, a <span class="comment">Kipper?</span>, | ||||||
|   a <span class="comment">Wie heißt diese Maschine mit |   a <span class="comment">Wie heißt diese Maschine mit | ||||||
|   Förderband, die Material sortiert?</span>, and two |   Förderband, die Material sortiert?</span>, and two | ||||||
|   <span class="comment">Radlader? Baccos?</span>. All of them are missing |   <span class="comment">Radlader? Baccos?</span>. All of them are rusted | ||||||
|   significant parts.<br /> |   beyond repair and missing integral parts.<br /> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   A bit further down the valley, they approach a much larger collection of |   A bit further down the valley, they approach a much larger collection of | ||||||
|  | @ -55,9 +56,10 @@ | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">So these machines dug out the dome?</span> |   <span class="quote speech">So these machines dug out the dome?</span> | ||||||
|   <br /> |   <br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Well... no. That was mostly done using |   <span class="quote speech">Well... no. That was mostly done using | ||||||
|   explosives, the machines were there to collect the rubble and load it |   explosives, conveyor belts, and trains. They used <span class="comment"> | ||||||
|   onto trains. But they also played a big part in construction after |   Radlader? Baccos?</span> to load stuff onto the conveyors but most of | ||||||
|   the digging was done.</span><br /> |   the machines here were used in construction after the digging was | ||||||
|  |   done.</span><br /> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p class="comment"> | <p class="comment"> | ||||||
|   research that needs to be done: |   research that needs to be done: | ||||||
|  | @ -65,5 +67,36 @@ | ||||||
|   When did they get the ability to use a jackhammer attachment? |   When did they get the ability to use a jackhammer attachment? | ||||||
|   When did the cable-driven ones go out of fashion? |   When did the cable-driven ones go out of fashion? | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment">missing section</span> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   Annie calls the others over to one of the buildings.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">Look what I found...</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   Michelle arrives before Jack and she laughs. He arrives a moment | ||||||
|  |   later and peeks inside. There sits a <span class="comment"> | ||||||
|  |   cable shovel?</span>, partially covered in rubble from the caved-in | ||||||
|  |   roof – rusty but surprisingly intact.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   Jack says: <span class="quote speech">That's ... uhhh ... kind of | ||||||
|  |   a historical artifact.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   <!-- | ||||||
|  |   There is also a kinda small hydraulic excavator. | ||||||
|  |   They decide to make both work. | ||||||
|  |    --> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment">missing section</span> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment"> | ||||||
|  |     Things that need research: Did early hydraulic excavators have starter | ||||||
|  |     engines (what were they called again?) or was that a thing of the past | ||||||
|  |     by then?<br /> | ||||||
|  |     Events:<br /> | ||||||
|  |     -> they take off some access panels<br /> | ||||||
|  |     -> they manage to get the starte engine going<br /> | ||||||
|  |     -> large engine won't start (why?)<br /> | ||||||
|  |   </span> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
| 
 | 
 | ||||||
| <p class="copyright">Copyright © 2023-2025 Jan Danielzick (aka. BodgeMaster) – All rights reserved.</p><script>let spans = ["<span class=\"paper green\">", "<span>"]; let pre_texts = document.getElementsByTagName("pre"); for (let i = 0; i < pre_texts.length; i++) {if (pre_texts[i].className != "paper") continue; let lines = pre_texts[i].innerHTML.split("\n"); let result = ""; for (let j = 0; j < lines.length; j++) {if (lines[j].length >= 80) result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + "</span>\n"; else result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + " ".repeat(80-lines[j].length) + "</span>\n";} pre_texts[i].innerHTML = result;}</script></body></html> | <p class="copyright">Copyright © 2023-2025 Jan Danielzick (aka. BodgeMaster) – All rights reserved.</p><script>let spans = ["<span class=\"paper green\">", "<span>"]; let pre_texts = document.getElementsByTagName("pre"); for (let i = 0; i < pre_texts.length; i++) {if (pre_texts[i].className != "paper") continue; let lines = pre_texts[i].innerHTML.split("\n"); let result = ""; for (let j = 0; j < lines.length; j++) {if (lines[j].length >= 80) result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + "</span>\n"; else result = result + spans[j%2] + lines[j] + " ".repeat(80-lines[j].length) + "</span>\n";} pre_texts[i].innerHTML = result;}</script></body></html> | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
|  | @ -2,8 +2,65 @@ | ||||||
| <h1><Lena first contact></h1> | <h1><Lena first contact></h1> | ||||||
| 
 | 
 | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   <span class="comment">Missing: them cobbling their equipment together, |   Michelle and James drag the comms unit off the truck bed and carry it | ||||||
|   sending the remote activation sequence</span> |   inside. Jack grabs a large box filled with all sorts of cables and spare | ||||||
|  |   parts and follows them. Annie follows not long after, carrying a stack of | ||||||
|  |   thick binders of documentation. They walk up the stairs and set their | ||||||
|  |   things down somewhere off to the side. Then, they go for round | ||||||
|  |   two, fetching a generator, some tools, <span class="comment">two other | ||||||
|  |   things</span> from the truck. | ||||||
|  |   <!-- | ||||||
|  |     Things they will need later: | ||||||
|  |     - oscilloscope | ||||||
|  |     - telephone | ||||||
|  |     - something to interface with the comms unit | ||||||
|  |     - radio + antenna | ||||||
|  |     - bench psu | ||||||
|  |     - oil for gearboxes | ||||||
|  |   --> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment">They have tried cranking the dish around by hand | ||||||
|  |   at some point before this. The tilt mechanism is completely seized up, | ||||||
|  |   the pan mechanism spins freely and doesn't work.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   Jack begins to disassemble the gearbox for panning the dish around. | ||||||
|  |   Michelle looks up at the tilt mechanism and gets an idea.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">James, help me up there.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   With his help, she jumps up to the dish and clings to its underside. | ||||||
|  |   From there, she climbs up to the center.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   She calls down to James: <span class="quote speech">Can you pass me | ||||||
|  |   a screwdriver? Need a large flathead.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   He gets one from the toolbox.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">Catch!</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">Thanks.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   Sitting on a thick cable hanging from the dish, she begins to remove | ||||||
|  |   the cover of the gearbox in front of her.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   Jack looks at her and says: <span class="quote speech">Be careful with | ||||||
|  |   your fingers up there.</span> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   After a while, she gets the cover loose and it falls towards her. | ||||||
|  |   She struggles to keep her balance for a moment as the cover lands wedged | ||||||
|  |   between her legs and the central <span class="comment">post? beam?</span> | ||||||
|  |   holding the dish. With some effort, she manages to wrangle it to th other | ||||||
|  |   side of the cable.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">James, Annie, can you catch this? Careful, | ||||||
|  |   it's heavy.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   They do and Michelle turns her attention back to the gearbox in front of | ||||||
|  |   her. It is completely dried out and the large gears appear to be stuck | ||||||
|  |   together with some dark brown gunk.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">I think this one just needs to be cleaned and | ||||||
|  |   lubricated.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   Jack says: <span class="quote speech">Wish I could say the same for down | ||||||
|  |   here...</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   She looks at the gearbox Jack had been taking apart. | ||||||
|  |   One of the gears inside has been partially stripped of its teeth and | ||||||
|  |   another one is broken. Jack has already removed one of the gears and | ||||||
|  |   is using a screwdriver as a pry bar for the next one. | ||||||
|  |   <!-- something something "I'm not putting my fingers in there" --> | ||||||
|  | </p> | ||||||
|  | <p> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="comment">missing section</span> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
| <p> | <p> | ||||||
|   The oscilloscope shows a thick wobbly line. Michelle slightly adjusts |   The oscilloscope shows a thick wobbly line. Michelle slightly adjusts | ||||||
|  | @ -16,29 +73,34 @@ | ||||||
|   Michelle picks up the receiver and listens.<br /> |   Michelle picks up the receiver and listens.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote non-speech">Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeeep.</span> |   <span class="quote non-speech">Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeeep. Beeeeep.</span> | ||||||
|   <br /> |   <br /> | ||||||
|  |   It takes a while for someone to pick up.<br /> | ||||||
|   A female voice greets her: <span class="quote speech">Hello?</span><br /> |   A female voice greets her: <span class="quote speech">Hello?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   She gestures for Jack to flip the switch back and says: |   Michelle gestures for Jack to flip the switch back and speaks into the | ||||||
|  |   phone: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">This is ground support facility 53. Do you |   <span class="quote speech">This is ground support facility 53. Do you | ||||||
|   hear me?</span><br /> |   hear me?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Yes, I can hear you. So good to hear |   <span class="quote speech">Yes, I can hear you. So good to hear | ||||||
|   someone's voice.</span><br /> |   someone's voice.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   Jack who had heard it says quietly: <span class="quote speech">And I |   Jack hears it and says quietly: <span class="quote speech">And I thought | ||||||
|   thought we were the ones facing unexpected difficuties...</span><br /> |   we were the ones facing unexpected difficuties...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   Michelle notices the carrier strength gradually dropping and says: |   Michelle notices the carrier strength gradually dropping and says: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Listen, we don't have much time. |   <span class="quote speech">Listen, we don't have much time. | ||||||
|   We're on makeshift equipment. Please turn on the radio in front of |   We're on makeshift equipment. Please turn on the radio in front of | ||||||
|   you and tune to <span class="comment">some frequency or |   you and tune to | ||||||
|   channel</span>.</span><br /> |   <span class="comment">some frequency or channel</span>.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   The person on the other end says: <span class="quote speech">Understood. |   <span class="quote speech">Understood. Please stay on the line.</span> | ||||||
|   Please stay on the line.</span><br /> |   <br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">As long as possible. If not, we'll be |   Michelle says: <span class="quote speech">I give it about ...</span> | ||||||
|   back in 24 hours.</span><br /> |   <br /> | ||||||
|   Michelle hears her quietly mumbling to herself: |   She looks at the oscilloscope.<br /> | ||||||
|  |   <span class="quote speech">... three minutes until the connection | ||||||
|  |   drops out.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   The voice on the other end quietly mumbles to herself: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">How's this thing work...</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">How's this thing work...</span><br /> | ||||||
|   She turns the receiver away from her mouth and says: |   Michelle turns the receiver away from her mouth.<br /> | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">Jack, I need the manual.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">Jack, I need the manual.</span><br /> | ||||||
|   He opens it at one of the bookmarks and hands it over. The page depicts |   He opens it at one of the bookmarks and hands it over. The page depicts | ||||||
|   what the control panel on the other end should look like.<br /> |   the control panel on the other end.<br /> | ||||||
|   Speaking into the phone again, Michelle says: |   Speaking into the phone again, Michelle says: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">There should be a button labeled |   <span class="quote speech">There should be a button labeled | ||||||
|   EGCR-1. Push that in and flip the switch next to it up to |   EGCR-1. Push that in and flip the switch next to it up to | ||||||
|  | @ -75,6 +137,25 @@ | ||||||
|   facility 53. Do you copy?</span><br /> |   facility 53. Do you copy?</span><br /> | ||||||
|   A few repeats later, the female voice answers: |   A few repeats later, the female voice answers: | ||||||
|   <span class="quote speech">There we go... Loud and clear.</span><br /> |   <span class="quote speech">There we go... Loud and clear.</span><br /> | ||||||
|  |   <!-- | ||||||
|  |   Lena: Who are you? | ||||||
|  |   Jack: Name's Jack. You were just on the phone with my colleague Michelle. | ||||||
|  |         We're Neotek Dynamics staff. | ||||||
|  |   Lena: That sounds about as believable as the fact you're talking to me | ||||||
|  |         in the first place. I thought I'd never hear another human voice. | ||||||
|  |         Name's Lena. | ||||||
|  |   Jack: You are alone? What happened? | ||||||
|  |   Lena: Everyone's dead. Succumbed to a disease that I myself wil die to | ||||||
|  |         soon. The only other person up here is my sister who managed | ||||||
|  |         to get herself into a coma. | ||||||
|  |   Jack: <response?> | ||||||
|  |   <missing> | ||||||
|  | 
 | ||||||
|  |   Jack: <inquires about state of Emily> | ||||||
|  |   Lena: She drank what was a failed attempt at creating a cure. | ||||||
|  |   Jack: Is there any chance she's gonna wake up again? | ||||||
|  |   Lena: I don't know. Before her, only Tony took it and he died from it. | ||||||
|  |   --> | ||||||
|   <span class="comment">Missing: they introduce themselves, Lena says |   <span class="comment">Missing: they introduce themselves, Lena says | ||||||
|   something along the lines of "everyone is dead"</span> |   something along the lines of "everyone is dead"</span> | ||||||
| </p> | </p> | ||||||
|  |  | ||||||
		Loading…
	
		Reference in New Issue