A Tomb of Steel and Silicon

Throughout history, humankind has strived to make their lives easier. From fire and the wheel to neural networks and automation. In the distant future it seems humanity has conquered all the difficulties of life, though one thing still eluded the encroaching grasp of technology. Since the beginning of time, death was the end for all things, from the smallest cell to the biggest star. Though great leaps in medical technology may have prolonged the reaper's arrival, death was always inevitable. That is until a team of scientists and engineers, identifying themselves only as "The Gardeners of Eden," announced to the public that they have found a way to preserve memories after death, and they were "Taking the first step in the conquest of death." Humanity stands at a crossroads, with no certain path. Which path shall humanity take? Will the path lead to eternal life? Or will it lead to doom? Where do you lie on this crossroads of technology and mortality? More paths may be revealed, as you learn the thruth. Are you... [[The Hopeful]] [[The Skeptical]] (if:$secretPath is true)[[The Mortal]]

You are dying. Simply put. You feel fine most of the time, but your body is a ticking time-bomb. The doctors told you you have one year left at the most. Not even a month after your terminal diagnosis, your family tells you that there is a group trying to preserve the memories of the dead with the hope of one day conquering death. They urge you to volunteer for the program. You are unsure what this means but whatever happens, you are in for an interesting year. **Warning: Your illness is unpredictable, you could die at any moment. But the chance is relatively low most of the time** [[Onward, with contemplation]] (this choice is permanent) [[back|Crossroads]]

You've always loved technology. You've always gotten the newest products to make your life as technologically advanced as possible. You pride yourself on knowing everything about emerging tech, though that is quite an exaggeration, as you have learned it all from news articles and review videos on the internet. It took very little time for the Gardeners' announcement to go viral. The thought of minds persisting after death seems crazy to you. You can't wait to find out more. [[Onward, with curiosity]] (this choice is permanent) [[back|Crossroads]]

You've never trusted something that didn't have a pulse. You live out in the woods with your dog, Zeus, and some chickens, far from technology and society. You do have to leave from time to time for supplies, and this time you overheard talk of a life after death through technology. You quickly dismiss it as nonsense, but something doesn't feel right about this. [[Onward, with caution]] (this choice is permanent) [[back|Crossroads]]

You go forward, brimming with excitement and wonder. [[Continue|Pursuit of Knowledge]] (set: $Hopeful to true) (set: $Skeptical to false) (set: $Mortal to false)

You go forward, worried if humanity has finally crossed the line in their relentless pursuit of innovation. [[Continue|Snakes in the Garden]] (set: $Hopeful to false) (set: $Skeptical to true) (set: $Mortal to false)

You go forward, unsure of where your final resting place will be. [[Continue|Questions of Mortality]] (set: $Hopeful to false) (set: $Skeptical to false) (set: $Mortal to true) (set: $deathChance to 100)

Its been a while since you heard about that life after death stuff. You've seen articles in the few newspapers that still use actual paper. The whole thing stinks of messing with the natural order of the world. It freaks you out a little bit. The newspapers you read share your mistrust of technology, some more extreme than the rest. One of the papers talks about digital zombies and mind controll, but you don't think these scientists would be stupid enough to make a zombie. The article still sits though, in the back of your mind. When it frightens you a little too much, you shake it off, dismiss it as paranoid speculation. You continue with you life, not letting ominous theories bother you. The time comes again for you to go out to the world for the supplies you can't get by yourself. Maybe you'll see some more news about these Gardeners and their so called "Conquest of Death." [[Continue|Ominous news]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 1%]] Since the original announcement, the Gardeners have given their project a name: Memory Tree. At the same time as the announcement, they said that clinical trials were approved. You remember getting hundreds of messages from people. Friends, family, co-workers, old classmates, urging you one way or another. Your family mostly wants you to sign up. Some of the more religious people you know advising against it. Very few people ask what you think. One friend, however, does ask you a question. Its both the right question to ask, and the hardest to answer: "How do you feel about this?" How do you respond? (text-color:"red")[(dropdown:bind $feeling, "I'm unsure of how to even approach this choice I have","Skeptical about the whole thing, it seems too good to be true","Hopeful, but worried at the same time")] (link-replace:"Confirm")[They respond: "Its a lot to think about, sleep on it, and we'll talk tomorrow. I always think clearer with a good night's rest." (if:(random: 1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Sleep on it|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else-if:$feeling is "I'm unsure of how to even approach this choice I have")[[[Sleep on it|Questioning the question]]](else-if:$feeling is "Skeptical about the whole thing, it seems too good to be true")[[[Sleep on it|Too new to be true]]](else-if:$feeling is "Hopeful, but worried at the same time")[[[Sleep on it|optimism's a bitch]]]]

Its been a while since the Gardeners' annoucement but the hype has far from died down. Though there hasn't been any news for weeks now, people still talk and speculate. But, just as it seems the Gardeners' have gone quiet for good, they announced that they would host a pannel at an upcoming convention. A convention you were already planning on attending. Its a good thing you bought your tickets well in advance, because it would be near impossible to get tickets now. Now there's stil some time before the convention. Do you... [[Gather more information on the Gardeners and their research?|Plans and Preparation-1]] or... [[Get more information on the convention and the area nearby?|Plans and Preparation-2]]

You gather up as much information you can on both the Gardeners and their research. Not much is found other than the recent talk, but there is a past project that piques your interest. You'll probably only be able to get to ask the panel one question. What will you ask? (set:$knowsWhereStuffIs to false) (text-color:"red")[(dropdown: bind $question, "Ask about their last project: Designing robot appendages with human-like muscle.","Ask about their purpose for their current project.","Ask about what they plan on doing with this project in the future.")] [[Continue|Before the Convention]]

(set:$question to "nothing") You decide to prepare more for the convention in general. Its a whole weekend after all, there's more than just the panel happening. Some general knowledge about the convention and the area nearby may come in handy. (set:$knowsWhereStuffIs to true) [[Continue|Before the Convention]]

The big day has arrived. First day of the convention and the day of the panel. (if:$knowsWhereStuffIs is true)[Your hotel was nice and close to the convention, and you were able to get there early. Good thing too, the line to get in started rapidly growing after you got in. You have plenty of time before the panel so you can wander around, check out other booths at the convention. Or you can just go straight to where the panel is and get a good seat. [[Wander|Fruits of your labor - 1]] [[Get a good seat|Fruits of your labor - 2]] ] (if:$knowsWhereStuffIs is false)[You managed to get in before the panel starts, but you still have to rush so you can get a good spot in line to get your question answered. You'll have to check everything else out after the panel. [[Continue|Fruits of your labor - 2]] ]

(if:$question is "Ask about their last project: Designing robot appendages with human-like muscle.")[You did some heavy reasearch into their last project. Not much is out there, and it didn't get nearly as much attention as their current project. It was out of place among other innovations in robotics. They favored human-like qualities more than more conventional metrics like strength and efficiency. They certainly achieved what they wanted to, as they revealed to the public a portion of their results. It was just an arm, but it was a masterpiece of engineering. Apart from the hand, the arm looked just like real muscle and bone, but cold and metallic. Further reading told you that the project was deemed a success with only an arm, because they wanted to move on to other procects before creating a full body. It may be considered an off topic question, but you might as well ask if there is any link between the old project and their current venture.] (if:$question is "Ask about their purpose for their current project.")[This might be a dumb question, if you end up towards the end of the line, but its good to prepare for it anyway. It could be a good test for seeing the morality of the scientists and engineers. See how much human is behind those fancy degrees. There are still many cultures who don't like messing with the dead out there, so it might be good to address those concerns.] (if:$question is "Ask about what they plan on doing with this project in the future.")[They did say in their annoucment that this was "...the first step in the conquest of death." Quite the flashy statement, good for an initial statement, but not for potential consumers and investors. If preserving memories comes first, is personalities the next step? Or does personality come with memory? Who will have access to these memories? All these questions, but you have to hope this one sums up everything you want to know.] (if:$question is "nothing")[Well, you were able to get a nice hotel room for the weekend of the convention and you know where to get food nearby, but you have nothing prepared for the panel. You'll have to either come up with something on the spot or just hope your questions get answered by other audience members. Lets hope for another big announcement for this project.] [[Continue|Day of the Convention]]

While wandering around, you pass by a man struggling with some boxes, and he asks you for some help. It turns out he is helping out the Gardeners with the panel. As a thanks, he says he can get you the chance to meet with the Gardeners for a smaller, more exclusive panel. He says the smaller panel is more for potential investors and other companies rather than the general public, but it would be amazing to see what questions investors ask. You might be able to get a more detailed answer to any questions you have. You remember their previous project. You don't know much about it other than it was robotics related. You could ask about that. [[Go to the panel|Fruits of your labor - 2]] (set:$VIPpass to true)

The panel starts and its pretty uneventful at first. The room is packed to the brim and there is a huge line for people who want to ask questions. There is a mix of people on the panel with varying backgrounds and titles. A few panel members appear to not have been able to make it, as there are a few screens where people would be. One of them is just blank with a name and a title: Dr. Adams, project lead.(if:$question is "nothing")[ Its a bummer that you don't have a question to ask right now, so you hope that any question you have is asked by someone else in line.](else:)[ You are still a bit out of breath from practically running here to get a decent spot in line. You are around the midpoint of the line when the questions started. The people ahead of you ask a couple different questions. You see some people leave the line, and you assume their questions got asked.(if:$question is "Ask about their purpose for their current project.")[ Unfortunately your question got asked as well.](else:)[ Finally, its your turn. You hold the microphone, your voice is a little shaky from the anticipation. You ask: ]] (if:$question is "Ask about their last project: Designing robot appendages with human-like muscle.")["Before this current project, you worked in robotics. You made an arm that very acurately mimics human muscle. Is there any link between your previous project and the current one?" There are some murmurs in the room. It sounds like almost nobody knew about the old project. After a bit there is a sound from the blank screen. A distorted voice, probably so that this Dr. Adams can remain anonymous, speaks up, "An excellent question. You seem to have done some research before coming today. I will say there is a link, but at our current stage of development we are unable to disclose said link to the public. I would, however, like to talk to you personally after this. Please talk to a staff member and we'll have that arranged."(set:$VIPpass to true)](else-if:$question is "Ask about what they plan on doing with this project in the future.")["In your original annoucement you stated that this was '...the first step in the conquest of death.' could you elaborate on what that means? Are later steps a part of this project or new projects entirely?" A younger woman speaks up, "I see you've caught us on our flashy language. 'The conquest of death' is a big promise, but we plan to at least partially deliver on this promise. Our current phase of this project is developing a means to translate human memory into computer memory. The main intention of this phase is preservation. As a part of this we intend to create a way to read these memories. As we see it currently, we will most likely be able to copy memories from a living brain. The next forseeable step would be the ability to copy the memories of brains that are no longer living. We do have more to say on our future, but we will save that for our announcement at the end of the panel."] The schedule stated that after the panel there would be an announcement, and as the questions were winding down, excitement grew as people knew the announcement would be coming soon. When it was time, the lights dimmed as a big screen began to display a video. A notice shows up on the screen: "Proof of concept footage. Not a true reflection of the product." The Gardeners' logo, a tree made of circuits, fades onto the screen. The video shows a room, presumably a very nice hospital. An old woman has electrodes attached to her head. At her side are some doctors and her family. The scene fades. A graphic of a human brain connecting to circuits resembling a brain shows for a moment. The video cuts to the same family, this time around a screen. One of them plugs a device with the Gardener's logo into the screen. It displays holidays, family gatherings, memories of the old woman, from the perspective of the woman. A slogan fades onto the screen as the video ends: "Memory Tree. Preserve their memories, preserve their life." As the video ended, one of the panelists spoke up. "We are happy to formally announce Memory tree, a way to preserve the memories of loved ones after death." the panelist is interrupted by another member of the Gardeners' staff, some whispers are exchanged. The panelist, nearly as excited as everyone in the room now, continues, "Sorry about that folks, we have another amazing annoucement. Memory tree has been aproved to start clinical trials. More information will be shared to the public as soon as we know the details. Thank you everyone, and enjoy the rest of the convention!" Applause erupts, excitement spreads throughout the convention center as word rapidly spreads. The announcement and the video are all over social media already. Opinions and theories spread like wildfire. Your excitement, and the excitement of everyone burns brighter than ever. (if:$VIPpass is true)[[[Continue|Fruits of your labor - 3]]](else:)[[[Continue|After the convention]]]

After that big announcement its hard to imagine how it can get any better. You then remember (if:$question is "Ask about their last project: Designing robot appendages with human-like muscle.")[Dr. Adams asked you to talk to one of their staff members about being able to talk with Dr. Adams personally about your question. As you approach the panel, a staff member recognizes you and leads you to a staff only area. There, on a computer is the same display Dr. Adams had for the panel, a blank screen, with just his name and position. Seeming to see you enter, the Dr. Adams speaks up: "Ah, welcome, sit down. You really surprised us today. We didn't think people remembered our past projects. Why did you choose to ask about that? Don't worry, you're not in trouble, I'm just curious." "Well, I wanted to ask a well researched question for the panel today, and in my research I stumbled upon your old project. I thought it was a very interesting concept, choosing human like qualities over more standard approaches to robotics. The images of the arm you presented to the public were beautiful, it was both a work of art and quite a feat in robotics. I'm surprised it didn't get more attention," you respond. You couldn't stop yourself from gushing a bit, what an exciting opportunity being able to talk to Dr. Adams like this. "Well," Dr. Adams chuckles, "I'll pass your flattery on to our robotics department. I think you'll be pleased to know then that we've still been working at a complete body for that robot, but the project has been on the backburner sice we started work on Memory Tree." Your talk goes on for a bit, talking about various things related to both their old project and their current one. As the conversation is winding down, Dr. Adams speaks up again: "I like your inquisitive mind. How would you like to work for the Gardeners? We can discuss the details later, but I like the way you think. How about it?" Stunned, you manage to get out a reply: (link-replace:"What do you say?")[(dialog: bind $gardener, "Accept the job?", "Yes", "No")(link-replace:" Continue")[ (if:$gardener is "Yes")["Great! Welcome to the gardeners. Until we get you settled in a specific department, just help out Mike here. He'll be helping out with the investor panel later, stick with him for the convention, then we'll get you settled with your new position." You assume Mike is the staff member that brought you here, which his nametag confirms. He gives you a kind smile. You thank Dr. Adams and leave with Mike for the investor panel. The exclusive panel wasn't too different than the public one. The main difference was they played the announcement first then took questions. You weren't able to pay attention to the questions, you can definitely tell that the gardeners are a bit short staffed. Even so, your new co-workers are nice and very thankful for the extra help. The investor panel finishes and you head out to see the rest of the convention, but its hard to be interested in anything else with the Gardeners' announcement still fresh in your mind. [[Continue|After the convention]]](else-if:$gardener is "No")["Well, thats a shame. I wish you good luck in your future endeavors." [[Continue|After the convention]] ]]] ](else-if:$question is "nothing")[that the staff member you helped gave you a pass to an exclusive panel, meant more for investors than the general public. It takes a bit to find where it is but, eventually you find where the panel is being held. You show the staff at the entrance your pass and they let you enter. You enter a room full of people in very formal business attire. Not thinking you would end up at an event like this, you are very out of place in your t-shirt and cargo shorts. When you enter, you see the staff member you helped out wave you over. You catch a glimps of his nametag this time, it says "Mike." "This is who helped me earlier, I hadn't used my friends and family pass so I gave it to them." He seems to be talking to his supervisor, "I hope you enjoy the panel, I have to get back to work." He hurries off somewhere. You are left with his supervisor. The supervisor is a younger woman, you recognize her from the panel. Aurora Bishop, public and media relations. "So, your the one who helped Mike out. To be honest, we do need some extra hands still, how would you like to keep helping us out, at least for the weekend?" You're now 2 for 2 for being at the right place at the right time. This sounds like it could lead to working for the Gardeners, how cool would that be? (link-replace:"How do you respond?")[(dialog: bind $gardener, "Accept the job?", "Yes", "No")(link-replace:" Continue")[(if:$gardener is "Yes")[ "Great, just head in the direction Mike went and help him out where he needs it, and if he's good, just ask the other staff members. Meet me at the end of the day and we'll get something more concrete in place."](else-if:$gardener is "No")[ "Oh well, enjoy the panel and the rest of the convention."] (if:$gardener is "Yes")[The exclusive panel wasn't too different than the public one. The main difference was they played the announcement first then took questions. You weren't able to pay attention to the questions, you can definitely tell that the gardeners are a bit short staffed. Even so, your new co-workers are nice and very thankful for the extra help. The investor panel finishes and you head out to see the rest of the convention, but its hard to be interested in anything else with the Gardeners' announcement still fresh in your mind. [[Continue|After the convention]] ](else-if:$gardener is "No")[The exclusive panel wasn't too different than the public one. The main difference was they played the announcement first then took questions. You aren't very fluent in investor so a lot of the questions go over your head. Its interesting to listen to nonetheless. The investor panel finishes and you head out to see the rest of the convention, but its hard to be interested in anything else with the Gardeners' announcement still fresh in your mind. [[Continue|After the convention]] ]]]]

The rest of the convention went by without anything crazy happening, though it was hard to top the first day.(if:$gardener is "Yes")[You were working with Mike for most of the convention, you helped him with whatever he was working on, and he helped you figure out who everyone is and where everything goes and when. Its a great thing he was there to help you out. With how sudden the job offer came, it was like you were dropped in the deep end with little warning. Once the convention was done, It was time to start working with the Gardeners for real. You were hired in the public and media relations department. With Memory Tree being approved for clinical trials at the same time as their planned announcement, this department was going to have a lot of work to do and needed all the help they can get. There is one thing, however, that surprised you about this new job. You are required to move into employee housing. You decide not to question it, since its an opportunity you would do almost anything for. [[Continue|Innovation in Isolation]] ](else:)[You enjoyed the rest of the convention, but that job offer from the Gardeners is still on your mind. You would have accepted, but it was too sudden. You might come to regret not accepting their offer, but you are in an ok place right now. Time to just continue with your life and see what becomes of the Gardeners and Memory Tree. [[Continue|Ominous news]] ]

(if:$Skeptical is true)[To fund the extra supplies, you sell wood carvings in town. You've been getting by with the funds from some larger pieces that now stand in front of various businesses in town. You just finished a peice for a diner in town, just in time for your trip into town to resupply some medicines you've been running low on. You bring the piece into town in the back of your truck, Zeus riding in the passenger seat, to finalize the sale. Once you collect your payment, its off to a couple stores for your shopping. ] (if:$Hopeful is true)[Some time has passed since the convention, but there's no new word from the Gardeners about Memory Tree. You assume clinical trials have started, but they haven't sent out any formal announcements.] While at a convenience store, you see a news report on the TV: "Breaking news: Gardeners of Eden report a rogue robot on the loose. Their robotics department state that the robot makes use of artificial intelligence and has come to believe it is human. If you see this robot do not approach, it is dangerous and posseses great physical strength, injuring several staff members during its escape of the Gardeners' Eden's Pass facility." They show some security footage of the robot breaking through a fence. (if:$Skeptical is true)[You recognize that name. That's not to far from where you live. If you remeber correctly, there's a perimiter fence about an hour's hike from your cabin. ](if:$question is "Ask about their last project: Designing robot appendages with human-like muscle.")[You recognize the robot, or at least the arm. Its the Gardeners' previous project. Dr. Adams did say it was still being worked on. Unfortunately it seems to have gone wrong. ] It's been a long time since the last major rogue robot incident. (if:$Hopeful is true)[You thought most of the problems with robots and artificial intelligence were figured out. There have been so many amendments to Asimov's original laws that most people, other than lawyers, can't list them from memory. Hopefully this issue is resolved quickly and doesn't interfere with Memory Tree. [[Head home and don't worry too much|Creator and created]]](else-if:$Skeptical is true)[Looks like they still haven't figured out artificial intelligence. They should really be more careful with these robots. Where there's a law there's a loophole, and if people are going to make AI smart enough to figure out the loopholes, then its their own damn fault the robots skrew up. However, the fact that this one is violent and may be close to where you live concerns you, it might not hurt to get some extra supplies, but you're not sure. (link-reveal:"What do you do?")[(dialog:bind $preparation, "Extra supplies (canned food, emergency medical supplies, etc.) or make do with what you normally get?", "Extra prepared", "Shouldn't worry too much")] Either way, better hurry home, you've heard what its done to people, but you have no clue what it might do to your chickens. [[Gather your things and head home|Close encounters of the metalic kind]]]

You moved into the employee housing no problem. Its a bit small, but it has everything you need. It reminds you of a nice college dorm. Your work right now involves a lot of calling hospitals. You are seeking approval from hospitals to run the clinical trials for Memory Tree. With how memory tree is currently projected to work, the Gardeners will be working with the patients of terminal illnesses. The Gardeners have gotten the approval of a couple hospitals, but there are still several steps after that. After we get the approval with the hospital, we need to look for specific candidates. Certain illnesses and conditions may not allow Memory tree to work, so patients with those conditions have to be avoided. Then comes the consent of the patients, or if the patients are in a state where they are unresponsive, the consent of the family. The most common objections right now are religion and uncertainty. You aren't very religious yourself, but a surprising amount of terminal patients and their families are. Along with that, nobody knows if it will work at all. Eventually a candidate is found. A middle aged man with less than a year to live. He takes a little bit of convincing, but he eventually agrees. He comes to the facility that you work at to begin the first trial of Memory Tree. Time passes, your work continues as normal. One day, you hear that the time has finally come for transfer. At 10:00 that day, Everyone will be gathering to see it. You didn't think this would happen so soon. You head to where the transfer is happening with your co-workers, eager to see what will hapen [[Continue|A Tomb of Steel and Silicon]]

(if:$checked is 4)[You checked everything. The only thing you found out of the ordinary was the chicken. You better head back inside and up your security a bit for the night. [[Head inside|Things that go clank in the night]]](else:)[You return home as fast as you can. As soon as you get to the edge of your property, you grab your hunting rifle from your back seat, ready just in case. Though you have no idea what bullets do against a robot. You get to your house without issue. You get all of your supplies inside and do a quick check of all your doors and windows. No sign of forced entry. Relax for a moment, take a deep breath. You're not done yet. You need to check the whole property. While you were checking all the entrances to your house, Zeus had gotten comfortable on the couch. You whistle to get his attention, "Zeus, patrol." Recognizing the command, he jumps to your side, ears perked up and alert. There are a few places you need to check. (link-replace:"Where do you go?")[ (text-color:red)[(dropdown: bind $location, "Water tank","Chickens","Vegetable garden","Generator")] (link-repeat:"Check")[(if:$location is "Water tank")[(go-to: "Check the tank")](else-if:$location is "Chickens")[(go-to:"Check the chickens")](else-if:$location is "Vegetable garden")[(go-to:"Check the garden")](else-if:$location is "Generator")[(go-to:"Check the generator")] ]]]

Its been a few days since the first brodcast about the robot. Since then there have been some witnesses coming forward. Broken fences, killed livestock, screaming in the night. This isn't like any rogue robot you've heard of before. You thinking about this as you return home from work. As you close the door and enter the main room of you apartment, you see it. Its in your living room. Muscles of cold, dark metal. An emotionless face, not unlike a skull. Its mouth opens and it begins to speak in a harsh, computerized voice. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Where...is...Adams]] You're too stunned to speak. You fumble over your words. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Where...is...Adams]] Its inching toward you. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[You know him...You met him...he said so...]] You get out a few words, "I-I don't..." (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[LIAR]] It takes a bigger step. Its right hand is twitching. "I spoke to him though a computer! I swear! He wasn't actually there!" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[He does this to me...and he hides...he cannot face me...he cannot face anyone...COWARD]] You jump as it yells. You slowly reach for your phone in you pocket, hoping it doesn't notice. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[You...you will help me find him...don't think about calling for help.]] You freeze, it could tell. Metallic tendrils extend from its fingertips. They reach into your pocket and grab your phone, bringing it to the hand of the robot where it is promptly crushed. You have two options as you see it now. You can make a run for it, get your neighbors to call for help, or you can cooperate and hope that you are spared by the robot. (link-reveal:"What will you do?")[ [[Run|Guilty by association]] [[Cooperate|Sins of the Father]]] (set:$secret1 to (random: 1,6))

The door is still unlocked. You think you can make it. As fast as you can, you run for the door. You have to get help, from your neighbors, from anyone, you just need to get out of your house. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[NO]] Before you can even reach the doorknob, you feel something jab your back. Gasping for air, you look down, as your chest and back feel increasingly hot. Your once white shirt is turning read as the robot's tendrils, formed into a spike, retract from an open wound in your torso. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[You did this to yourself...you could have lived...if only you had listened.]] (if:$secret1 is 6)[(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[At least you have the liberty of dying.]] (set:$secretPath to true)] [[Maybe you could have prevented this, if only you could go back|Crossroads]]

"Okay, I'll cooperate, just please don't hurt me" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Good...give me your computer]] You give him your laptop, still in its bag you bring it to work in. "What are you doing with it?" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Finding Adams...he was tracking you...that's how I found you.]] You are confused and concerned with this information. You don't have time to think of why Dr. Adams would want to track you, there is a violent, potentially killer, robot right in front of you. "How will you find him?" You ask in a shaky voice. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Reverse the tracker...I was given code to do so, but I needed the device that was being tracked]] It opens up your laptop. As it does, you see the tendrils snake into various ports in your laptop. A moment passes, the tendrils leave the ports, and it hands you your laptop. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Thank you...I will leave you be, but do not speak of this, ever...I will know]] And the robot leaves, exiting thorugh the back door. You hear nothing of what happens to the robot or Dr. Adams. You survived, but will forever live in fear. [[You wonder if things were different, you could have avoided this entirely|Crossroads]]

10:00 You and several employees are gathered behind a one-way window to watch the procedure. On the other side, a team of doctors, and the candidate. The candidate seems to already have been prepped for the procedure, appearing asleep and electrodes having been placed on his head. Also in the room is a large device, which looks similar to an old MRI machine. When the all clear is given, a doctor presses a button on the machine. One of the doctors speaks into a microphone that you didn't notice before. Through some speakers you hear: "The transfer has started, within 10 minutes, we should have the memories within." After the slowest ten minutes of your life, a green light appears and a device similar to a USB emerges from a slot in the machine. This device is picked up by a doctor and plugged into a large computer. The doctor speaks up again, "The machine has run successfully, we will now run diagnostics on the device to make sure memories are intact." After another wait, this one feeling even longer. A window pops up on the computer. Everyone rushes towards the glass trying to get a glimpse of what it says. The doctor at the computer gives a thumbs up, and with that, everyone is cheering. As the celebration begins. The door to the operating room opens. Some more employees enter and with them, on a hand truck, a robot. Its body covered in steel cables, as if to mimic human muscle. (if:$question is "Ask about their last project: Designing robot appendages with human-like muscle")[Looking at the arms, you realize this is the gardener's previous project, completed. A realization dawns on you. Are they going to put the memories in the robot? ]There is a heated discussion happening on the other side of the glass, you can't hear a thing. Then, one of the people who brought in the robot speaks into the microphone. "At the urgent request of Dr. Adams, we present Memory Vessel. This is a robot designed to be as humanlike as possible. The purpose of this robot is to take input from Memory Tree and revive the owner of the memories in a new body. In the words of Dr. Adams, 'Today, we conquer death.'" With that, the doctor removes Memory Tree from the computer and plugs it into the neck of the robot. The device is retracted into the robot. There is a moment of silence. Then, the robot moves. It gets off of the hand truck and looks at the body of the candidate. A scientist turns on the microphone so we can hear everything. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Why am I laying there? I'm right here?]] The robot looks at its hands. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[''AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH'']] It screams, and starts attacking the scientists and doctors. It throws a chair, breaking the glass. Seeing us behind the glass it moves towards us. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Why....why did you watch me die? ''WHY DID YOU KILL ME'']] The robot's metal muscles unravel into steel tentacles. Piercing and grabbing and throwing. For an instant, you wonder if you could have changed things. If somehow, this was all your fault, and then, nothing. The robot has killed you, and many of your colleagues. In the conquest of death, the Gardeners have brought death upon themselves. (set:$secretPath to true) [[Knowing what you do now, would you do it again?|Crossroads]]

(if:$wrath is true)[(text-style:"expand")[(text-color:red)[You have raged against the dying of the light. You did not go gently into that good night.]]](else:)[You knew your illness was unpredictable from the start.(text-colour:red)[ You have died.] ] [[Will you die differently, if you did things differently?|Crossroads]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 1%]] You wake up and call your friend. You talk out your worries. As you and your friend see it, there are four persectives on this. The religious perspective: You don't mess with death, everything gets screwed up. Haven't you seen //Supernatural//? They messed with Death and the show got drastically worse afterwards. The logical perspective: Do it for science. You're dying anyway might as well choose exactly what happens. The optimist: There's potential for a life after death. Its perfect for someone who is dying sooner than normal. The pessimist: There's no guarantee this will work as you think this will. Is the copy-pasted memories even you? Or is it a digital clone? There's too much we don't know. Regardless, neither of you are experts. You can wait this out, come to a decision on your own, or your friend offered to call someone to discuss this further with you. (link-replace:"What would you like to do?")[(dialog: bind $response, "How will you decide?", "Call an expert", "Wait it out") (link-replace:"Continue")[ (if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Next day|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else-if:$response is "Wait it out")[[[Hurry up and wait|Final decision]]](else-if:$response is "Call an expert")[Your friend gives you two options, a priest, or try to get in contact with the Gardeners. (link-replace:"What's your decision?")[(dialog: bind $expert, "Who will you ask for?", "Priest", "Gardener")(if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Next day|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else-if:$expert is "Priest")[[[Wait for the expert|My pal the Padre]]](else-if:$expert is "Gardener")[[[Wait for the expert|This isn't a sales pitch, I'm dying]]]]]]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 1%]] You call you friend, tell them what you've been thinking. They say its good that you're hopeful, and its perfectly reasonable to be worried. The best way to sort this out, is to ask: (link-reveal:"what exactly worries you about this? ")[(text-color:"red")[(dropdown: bind $response2, "What does this device feel like?","What happens to me once my memories are uploaded?","Who has access to my preserved memories?")] (to lock in a choice, select the question you want to ask, and then hit confirm after answering any other prompts. The last question you asked determines how you go forward) (link-repeat:"Ask")[ (if:$response2 is "What does this device feel like?")["Well if I had to take a wild guess," your friend answers, "It could be similar to brain surgery, where they keep you awake during the procedure to make sure they don't skrew anything up. Your brain doesn't have any pain receptors in it or anything, so at the very least it shouldn't hurt."](else-if:$response2 is "What happens to me once my memories are uploaded?")["For your body," your friend answers, "if you're an organ donor, they probably take any healthy tissues to donate, so I don't know what would happen in your case. Most likely though, they'll probably ask you before or after, and if not you, they'll ask your family." He pauses, "But you as a concept? That I have no idea. If you want, we can talk to someone from the Gardeners about that. They'll know more for sure." (link-replace:"What would you like to do?")[(dialog: bind $response, "How will you decide?", "Call an expert", "Wait it out")]](else-if:$response2 is "Who has access to my preserved memories?")["That, you will most likely specify yourself." Your friend responds, "Most likely at minimum, the Gardeners themselves, or someone within the organization, direct family, and law enforcement. So maybe don't do anything super illegal before you die. But that is a question best answered by the Gardeners. (link-replace:"What would you like to do?")[(dialog: bind $response, "How will you decide?", "Call an expert", "Wait it out")]] (link-replace:"Confirm")[(if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Next day|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else-if:$response is "Call an expert")[[[Wait for an expert|This isn't a sales pitch, I'm dying]]](else:)[[[Wait and decide yourself|Final decision]]]] ]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 1%]] You call your friend and voice your skepticism. "Yeah, this is brand new," they respond, "and there is no previous tech to go on. Imaging what people are thinking about never give complete images, and there's almost nothing about imaging memories that aren't actively being thought about. With how far humanity has come over the years, we don't have a 1 to 1 brain to tech system yet. Best thing we could do is maybe talk to an engineer or neuroscientist with the Gardeners. They know a lot of stuff I don't." (link-replace:"What would you like to do?")[(dialog: bind $response, "How will you decide?", "Call an expert", "Wait it out") (link-replace:"Confirm")[ (if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Next day|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else-if:$response is "Call an expert")[[[Wait for an expert|This isn't a sales pitch, I'm dying]]](else:)[[[Wait and decide yourself|Final decision]]] ]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 20%]](set:$deathChance to 5) Some time has passed and your doctors have stated that now might be the time to make a decision. Your illness gets less and less predictable as time passes. You call everyone you need to tell, and give your decision to your doctors. (link-replace:"What have you decided?")[(dialog: bind $final,"Final choice", "Live on, preserve your memory with the Memory Tree","Let the illness run its course, and die")(link-replace:"Confirm")[You will $final (if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Continue|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else:)[[[Continue|Mens ex machina]]] ]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 5%]](set:$deathChance to 20) Your friend, through whatever connections, gets you in contact with a priest. You have a fairly long conversation about life and death. Eventually the topic comes to the Gardeners. "Now I certainly don't approve of their name, it seems very sacreligious to me. However, from what I've seen, their motives seem noble. They seek to preserve the memory of you life in the best way they can imagine." "Their nameing did seem funny to me," you chime in, "but I wanted more to know your thoughts on what happens to me, or I guess, what happens to my soul or my consciousness in Memory tree. Some more religous people I know think that taking part in this will prevent me from going to heaven. What do you think of that?" "An intriguing question," the priest responds, "I personally have never viewed the soul as being a part of your brain. If I had to guess, based on my views of this, I think you might split in two. Specifically into your intellect and your soul. While your intellect is kept on earth, your soul will pass on. Other than that, I am unsure what will happen to you." The priest gets up to leave, but stops in the door. "If you do decide on a, for lack of a better word, traditional death, I would be willing to perform your last rites." "Thanks, Father, I have a lot to consider, but I'll try to keep you updated. (if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Continue|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else:)[[[Continue|Final decision]]]

(text-color:"red")[(link-reveal:"Chance to die: ")[ 5%]](set:$deathChance to 20) It didn't take too long for one of the Gardeners to show up. You are eager for some answers that hopefully don't sound like a sales pitch. When the time comes for you meeting in the door is a young woman. "Hi, my name is Aurora Bishop, head of public and media relations. I'm very pleased to be talking to you. Believe it or not, you are our first potential candidate that didn't just give us a straight 'no.' How can I help you today?" This sounds like its going to turn into a sales pitch very quickly. "Hi, Ms. Bishop, don't get your hopes up too fast. I'm still on the fence. I have some questions about what exactly your product does. I was honestly hoping for someone related to engineering or neuroscience, but it sounds like answering questions in general might be your specialty." Your conversation continues like this. Ms. Bishop would be a good politician; she's fluent in half-truths and an expert dodger of questions. Despite that, you still got some answers out of her. The main takeaway you got was, you are only signing up for storage of your memories for now. If successful, my digitized brain will either be a test subject, or blueprint for test subjects, for a memory reading system that has yet to be developed. You had some more questions, but in the time you spent just getting those few answers, you burned through your meeting time. You might have even more concerns to consider now. (if:(random:1,$deathChance) is 1)[[[Continue|Sudden and unforgiving]]](else:)[[[Continue|Final decision]]]

(if:$final is "Let the illness run its course, and die")[(set:$cycle to 1) You wake, in an unfamiliar hospital. This wasn't your room. Last thing you remember was your doctors saying something about a transfer, your condition suddenly got worse. //What is going on? Why did I wake standing up? What is this machine in front of me? [[Who is that in the machine?| Existence]]//](else:)[You wake up, standing up for some reason. You try to recall what happened. The last thing you remeber was agreeing to the offer the Gardeners of Eden. A doctor looks at you, waving his hand in front of your face. You brush his hand aside. (link-reveal:"Your hand is metal ")[(if:(random:1,4) is 1)[(go-to:"Hands")]"Why is my hand metal?" Someone to your right answers, "Sorry for this, under the original circumstances of our agreement, you were going to remain in the Memory Tree, but Dr. Adams told us to put you in that body once the transfer was complete." You are unsure what to think of this. [[What will become of this body of steel and silicon?|End]]]]

(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Why am I laying there? I'm right here...]] (click-goto: "Why am I laying there? I'm right here...","Eyes")

(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[These aren't my eyes, how can I see?]] (click-goto: "These aren't my eyes, how can I see?","Hands")

(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[These aren't my hands, how can I feel?]] (click-goto: "These aren't my hands, how can I feel?","Feel")

(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[I can't feel anything]] (click-goto: "I can't feel anything","Existence") (set: $cycle to it+1) (if:$cycle is >5)[(text-color:red)[BREAK THE CYCLE]] (click-goto: "BREAK THE CYCLE", "madness")

(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[I can't]] (click-goto:"I can't", "murder")

(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-color:red)[BREAK THEM]] (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[ [[Refuse|madness]] [[Give in|Rage against the dying of the light]]]]

(set:$wrath to true) (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[(link-repeat:"BREAK THEM ")[BREAK THEM (set:$rage to it+1)(if:$rage is 15)[(go-to:"Sudden and unforgiving")]]]]

Thank you for playing //A Tomb of Steel and Silicon// Though this is not the true ending to this story, its probably the happiest. Congradulations on not only finding the secret, but completeing it without dying as well! [[Back to Crossroads|Crossroads]]

All clear, no sign of the robot. What would a robot want with water anyway. (if:$c is not true)[Zeus keeps looking in the direction of the chickens, though.] (if:$w is not true)[(set:$checked to it+1)(set:$w to true)] [[Check elsewhere|Close encounters of the metalic kind]]

The chickens seem really worked up. You're not sure why you didn't realize it sooner. You go in their pen. None of them are outside, as far as you can see, but there's a big commotion in the coop. You go in there to check on them and try to calm them down. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong inside the coop. You try to calm them down, counting them at the same time. As the chickens calm down, you realize one is missing, and, not even a second later, you hear a bark from Zeus outside. You step out of the coop, and see Zeus, looking at you. At his feet, you see blood on the grass. On closer inspection, you see the blood is from a brutally dismembered chicken. It doesn't even seem like the chicken was eaten at all. This looks like killing for the sake of killing. You can continue looking around, or go back inside and prepare for the worst. (if:$c is not true)[(set:$checked to it+1)(set:$c to true)] [[Check elsewhere|Close encounters of the metalic kind]] [[Go back|Things that go clank in the night]]

Surprisingly clear. You were thinking if you found it, it would be here, recharging or whatever. (if:$c is not true)[Zeus keeps looking in the direction of the chickens, though.] (if:$g is not true)[(set:$checked to it+1)(set:$g to true)] [[Check elsewhere|Close encounters of the metalic kind]]

The garden looks alright. Plants still in the dirt and alive. (if:$c is not true)[Zeus keeps looking in the direction of the chickens, though.] (if:$v is not true)[(set:$checked to it+1)(set:$v to true)] [[Check elsewhere|Close encounters of the metalic kind]]

That night you sleep in your living room, fortified into a corner using furniture. Just as you are about to doze off, you hear a scratching at the door. You sit up, gun at the ready. You motion for Zeus to stay back. As you take aim at the door, someone, or something knocks at the door. (link-replace:"What will you do?")[(dialog: bind $act, "", "Ask 'Who's there?'","Check the door from a different window") You $act (if:$act is "Ask 'Who's there?'")[You hear a voice on the other side. It sound cold and distorted, sending chills down your spine. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[I'm sorry about your chicken...I don't know whats going on...can you help me please?]] "Why did you do it?" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[I can't feel anything...I don't know whats happening to me...help me please]] "Are you high off bath salts or something? Do you need me to get a doctor?" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[No, I'm not high... I'm not in my body anymore... I need to ask Dr. Adams why.]] This is starting to freak you out. Why the hell did you start talking to this thing, whatever it is. (link-replace:"Do you ask it what it is?")[(dialog: bind $qa, "What do you say?", "Are you that robot that's on the loose?", "What's your name?", "Who is Dr. Adams?")(if:$qa is "Are you that robot that's on the loose?")[(go-to:"You would die first in a horror movie")](else:)[(go-to:"A fate worse than death")]]](else:)[ You quietly move towards a window, and peek through the curtains to see what is at your door. You see it, dimly lit by the moonlight, the robot. Standing outside your door. The news said to call the authorities immediately, but you don't have a phone out here. You're stranded with a killer robot at your front door. As you see it, there are two ways this can go, you can run, get the authorities the hard way, or you can fight. [[Get help|Run to the hills]] [[Fight|You would die first in a horror movie]] ] ]

(if:$qa is "Are you that robot that's on the loose?")[(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[''I AM NOT A ROBOT I AM HUMAN THEY DID THIS TO ME'']](if:(random:1,3) is 3)[(set:$secretPath to true)]](else:)[You fire a shot from the window, you can't tell if you hit it or not.] You watch as your door is ripped from its hinges. Where the door used to be now stands a tall, dark figure. Moonlight glints off of its metalic surface. Covering most of its body are metal cables mimicing human muscle. You watch as these cables twist and unravel, where skin would be it looks like a flowing sea of metal. You yell for Zeus to run as you fire a shot at it. The bullet hits its shoulders to no avail. It reaches out as a mechanical tentacle explodes from its arm, seizing your gun and destroying it with almost no effort. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[You could have helped me...you could have lived...but you will not help me...you are an obstacle...you will be removed.]] The other arm reaches out, another tentacle is formed, this time it grabs you. The tentacle wraps around your torso. (link-replace:"Try to break free?")[(dialog: bind $fight, "", "Try to get loose", "Accept the consequences")(if:$fight is "Try to get loose")[(if:(random:0,1) is 1)[You slip loose (link-reveal: "do you run or continue to fight?")[(dialog: bind $flight, "", "Continue to fight, let Zeus escape","Run for your life")(if:$flight is "Continue to fight, let Zeus escape")[and reach for a chair. You have to at least try to beat this thing. If you cannot beat it, at least you let Zeus escape. You slam the chair over its head. Its unfazed. It sends out both tentacles this time, though, seeming to learn from its mistake, begins slamming you with the them. Its not long before you can't fight anymore. As you lay, battered and bleeding, you gasp out a plea for your life. It is futile. The tentacles wrap around your neck and the last thing use see is its face. Cold, metallic, and smeared with blood. [[If you had run, would things have been different?|Crossroads]]](else:)[ and try to make a run for the back door. The moment you turn your back, there is a sharp pain in your back, followed by a burning sensation like you've never felt before. Reaching back, your hands meet with a tentacle, formed into a spike and driven into your back. Your vision fades as you bleed out. [[If you had fought, could you have save more people from this metal monstrosity?|Crossroads]]]]](else:)[Its too strong. You can't break free from its grip. As the first tentacle begins to crush your ribs, the other starts to wrap around you as well. Soon, you can no longer breathe. Its grip is too tight to make a struggle. As your vision fades, you think of Zeus, and you hope he made it to safety [[If you had gotten loose, could you have lived on?|Crossroads]] ]](else:)[Its your fault your in this mess. (if:$qa is "Are you that robot that's on the loose?")[You spoke up when you knew something dangerous was out there. ]You remember the dismembered chicken, and think of what's going to happen to you. As the robot draws you in, the other tentacle wraps around your neck, and then, nothing. [[If you had stayed quiet, would you still be alive?|Crossroads]]]]

"$qa" You ask it. (if:$qa is "What's your name?")[(text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Hugh, my name is Hugh...can I please come inside?]] "I'm sorry, my dog is afraid of you, and, frankly, so am I week can talk through this door just fine. What do you want from me?" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[Dr. Adams...where is he...I need to speak with him]] "I don't know a Dr. Adams, who is he? Why is he important?"](text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[''EDEN''...It's their fault...it's //his// fault that I'm like this now...I didn't want this...why couldn't they let me die in peace?]] His response startles you, "What do you mean by 'did this?' Don't tell me, did they force you into that memory whatchamacallit nonsense?" (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[yes...I didn't consent...they killed me on purpose...please, help me]](set:$secretPath to true) You almost feel sorry for the thing now. "I never trusted those folks. I knew they were up to no good. I wish I could help you stop them, but I don't think I can help you with finding anything farther out than the main road. I live here by myself and rarely go into town." You pause for a moment and weigh your options. Despite what the robot, or person, or whatever he is, says you would like some distance between you two. "I tell you what, if you'll let me, I'm going to get in my truck. I can drive into town, tell the local authorities that those Gardener folks are up to no good. Or, if you want to leave, just follow the tire tracks from my front gate. If you stick to them you should reach the highway and you can figure out where to go." (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[you can go...I'm still sorry about your chicken...this new body is difficult to control at times.]] You breathe a sigh of relief. "Alright I'm coming out now." You step out and see a metal hand around the corner waving. (text-style:"expand","shudder")[(text-colour:black)+(bg:(gradient: 0, 0,#000000,0.1632,#e61919,1,(hsl:0,0,0,0.25)))[I didn't want to scare the dog...that you for doing what you can...goodbye]] And with that, you leave. You start heading for the highway, a little faster than you normally would. [[Escape]]

You decide the best course of action is to try an sneak out the back door, get to your truck, and floor it. The trick will be doing this fast enough and without being seen. You have no idea of the capabilities of this robot against anything other than a chicken or a fence. (link-replace:"How will you do it?")[(dialog: bind $esc, "How will you get to the truck?","Distract the robot","Sneak past the robot","Run and hope its not faster")(if:$esc is "Distract the robot")[The truck is at the front of the house near where the robot is. Your best bet is to get the robot to move. You then get the idea od having the robot move to the back while you quickly sneak to the front. You tell Zeus to be quiet, and as you leave the back door, you slam it, and dart around the house. You get into the truck, and start it, trying to get out of there as fast as you can(if:(random:1,10) is not 1)[. The truck starts and you floor it. You see the robot in your rear view mirror as it tries to catch up, but you are too fast for it in the truck.(set:$caught to false)](else:)[. The truck won't start. You're making too much noise to get away in time. Just as the truck finally starts, you catch a glimpse of steel in your mirror before the world goes dark.(set:$caught to true)]](else-if:$esc is "Sneak past the robot")[You carefully close the back door and inch around your house, trying to make as little noise as possible. Eventually you get to the truck, slowly, you open the door and get in. Trying to stay out of sight, you put the key into the ignition and turn it(if:(random:1,3) is not 1)[. The truck starts and you floor it. You see the robot in your rear view mirror as it tries to catch up, but you are too fast for it in the truck.(set:$caught to false)](else:)[. The truck won't start. You're making too much noise to get away in time. Just as the truck finally starts, you catch a glimpse of steel in your mirror before the world goes dark.(set:$caught to true)]](else:)[Once the back door is open, you make a break for the truck. You fling the door open and try to start the truck, praying you are fast enough(if:(random:1,3) is 1)[. The truck starts and you floor it. You see the robot in your rear view mirror as it tries to catch up, but you are too fast for it in the truck.(set:$caught to false)](else:)[. The truck won't start. You're making too much noise to get away in time. Just as the truck finally starts, you catch a glimpse of steel in your mirror before the world goes dark.(set:$caught to true)]]] (live: 0.5s)[(if:$caught is true)[[Could you have even fought this off on your own?|Crossroads]] (if:$caught is false)[[Escape]]]

You make it to the highway, thankful to be alive. It'll be about a half hour before you can get into town, but you don't care. You escaped. You and Zeus survived and you are thankful for that. [[You can't help but wonder, what if things hadn't gone your way|Crossroads]]