A young man investigating his great-grandfather's legacy stumbles upon a secret that could shake the foundations of House of Congo…
Level: 13
Start: Marmalade Eland (She/her), Local Shuttles, The House of Congo
Introduction
It's unusually quiet near the local shuttle arrivals area. The few people you can see keep glancing above your head, perhaps to check your displayed name on their CORETECHS. One of them walks up to you, metallic flowers in hand.
Eland says: Um… If you're looking for the free tour of the station, they just left for the Caracal Plaza. If you hurry, you might catch them.
- "What kind of tour is it?"
- "That sounds interesting, thank you!"
- "I'm not interested in a tour."
Not interested:
Me: I'm not interested in a tour.
Eland says: Oh, alright… Sorry to bother you, ser.
With a little bow, she goes back to her seat, where she continues watching the arrival screens.
Mission failure
You have failed the "The Writing On the Wall" mission. You can retake this mission and try again.
Sounds interesting:
Me: That sounds interesting, thank you!
Eland says: Not a problem, ser. It's nice to see visitors taking an interesting in the history of our station.
What kind:
Me: What kind of tour is it?
Eland says: It focuses on the station's history, especially the events of the Catastrophe. I think you might also stop by the blue-green algae farms, and the Common Room.
- "Yeah, that sounds interesting."
- "I'm not interested in a tour."
Sounds interesting:
Me: Yeah, that sounds interesting.
Eland says: Have fun!
Either "Sounds interesting" choice continues:
With a little bow, she goes back to her seat, where she continues watching the arrival screens.
Catch up with the station tour at the Caracal Plaza, the Lounge.
Next area: Lounge, The House of Congo
- Look for the tour group.
The Caracal Plaza is full of locals sharing drinks and stories. A little further away from the Plaza itself, you see a group of people crowded around someone who must be the tour guide - in addition to their neon-green outfit, they have some manner of bright green rhombus floating over their head. As you approach, the tour guide beckons for you to come closer, and you become part of their amorphous entourage.
The guide says: Please, join us, ser! …Now, as I was saying, the House of Congo used to be a Consortium mining station, focusing on two kinds of products. Precious minerals with technological uses, such as platinum and gold, were exported to manufacturing facilities in other systems. More common materials like iron or copper, as well as ice, were used within the station to improve its infrastructure, and give miners and engineers something to drink!
The guide mimes drinking voraciously. There's an outbreak of laughter, and you get the feeling this is the tail end of a joke you missed. Once the laughter dies down, the guide takes on a more somber tone.
The guide says: However, that all came to an end when an asteroid hit the station. According to the readings and algorithms, there were no asteroids in range of the station, and even if they had been, the alarms should have been sounded… But that day, all was silent as tragedy struck. Ninety-five percent of people living in House of Congo died that day…
A heavy silence sets on the group. The guide slowly walks you to a tall structure, which at first appears to be a large slab of rock. However, as you approach, you see names carved onto it, tiny letters filling the rock from top to bottom.
- Inspect the monument.
The monument is labelled The Miner's Repose, and there are more names than you can take in. Amity Patton, Clive Lowry, José Castillo Junior… Your eyes swim in a sea of lost lives. To your right, someone is staring intently at the monument, a finger hovering over names and systematically going down a column. Your CORETECHS gives you a name: Lucien Selene.
Lucien says: Not here… Hm… Thierry! No, it's a different Thierry.
Me: Looking for someone?
Lucien says: Thierry Berger, my great-grandfather. I thought the monument would be in some kind of order - alphabetical, birth cycle - but I suppose that wouldn't be the Freebooter way.
Lucien shrugs and continues searching. Soon, the tour guide waves to catch everyone's attention.
The guide says: The survivors struggled to repair such a giant breach in the station, and since there weren't many of them left, it was difficult work. Once the immediate threat was over, they had to contend with rehabilitating other destroyed structures, and searching for trapped survivors… Something they wouldn't have been able to do, were it not for one special ship - the Caracal, the downed vessel which now serves as a meeting point!
The tour guide beams widely, and asks everyone to reconvene at the Inn.
Follow the tour to the Caracal Inn
Next area Inn, The House of Congo
- Continue the tour.
The crowd of people following the tour seems much bigger indoors, as they take up multiple hallways. The guide seems used to this, and their voice carries to everyone gathered.
The guide says: The station's survivors made it one cycle, then two, but their morale was dwindling. Without any communications from outside, forsaken by the Consortium, their survival seemed unlikely… Until a passing Freebooter ship, the Caracal, docked in House of Congo. In fact, we are standing in the Caracal now!
The guide motions around them, and people whisper to each other as they stare at the small windows and bolted-down furniture.
The guide says: The Caracal's crew thought the station was empty, and they would take what they needed… But the Congolese survivors touched their hearts. Without a second thought, the Caracals, as they called themselves, set out to repair the blue-green algae farms, food printers and water recycling units. The Congolese asked them to stay and enjoy the fruits of their labor… And the rest, as they say, is history.
There is a pause, but rather than let it linger, the guide loudly resumes their story.
The guide says: However, not everything worked out quite so beautifully. The last part of this story takes place in our prison. Follow me!
Follow the tour guide to the Brig.
Next area: Brig, The House of Congo
- Look around the Brig.
You seem to have arrived before the rest of the tour group. There's currently no one in the holding cells - though there may be more cells away from the public eye - and the few guards you can see don't pay you much attention. A tall figure with long, bronze-colored hair leans on a wall, looking disinterested, and a pair whom you recognize from the tour group are eagerly chatting about the Caracals. They seem to recognize you as well and give you a small nod.
A few more people trickle in, including Lucien, who walks right up to you, away from the actual prison cells.
Lucien says: Imagine being stuck here for so long, struggling to make it through each day, and then having Freebooters save you! …Sorry, that didn't come out quite right. What I mean is, people used to call Freebooters "the scourge of space", so it must have been an odd rescue.
- "People are taught that even today."
- "I think 'booters enjoy being called a 'scourge', actually."
- "It sounds like you're a little biased against Freebooters…"
Taught that even today:
Me: People are taught that even today.
Lucien says: Right you are. I venture none of those people have been to House of Congo - that would surely change their minds!
You hear someone stifling a laugh - the long-haired person must not have been as disinterested in your conversation as you thought. As soon as you notice them, they turn away from you and focus on their data pad. Lucien looks hurt.
Lucien says: That might be too optimistic on my part, but I do think the way things are taught is quite biased. That's certainly true in Gaule stations, and likely in the Consortium as well.
Scourge:
Me: I think they enjoy being a 'scourge', actually.
Lucien says: Oh, maybe. I don't know enough about them to say whether that's true or not. Being here has been an eye-opening experience, as I imagine it is for most people who come to House of Congo!
You hear someone stifling a laugh - the long-haired person must not have been as disinterested in your conversation as you thought. As soon as you notice them, they turn away from you and focus on their data pad. Lucien looks hurt.
Lucien says: What I mean to say is… I think the way things are taught is quite biased. That's certainly true in Gaule stations, and likely in the Consortium as well.
Biased:
Me: It sounds like you're a little biased against Freebooters…
Lucien says: No, I… I'm working to change my preconceptions. Coming to the House of Congo is an eye-opening experience, and I imagine it would be for everyone else too!
You hear someone stifling a laugh - the long-haired person must not have been as disinterested in your conversation as you thought. As soon as you notice them, they turn away from you and focus on their data pad. Lucien looks hurt.
Lucien says: What I mean to say is… I think the way things are taught is quite biased. That's certainly true in Gaule stations, and likely in the Consortium as well.
All choices continue:
The tour guide says: Did I hear someone say the Consortium is biased? You're a little ahead of the tour there! Come on, gather around everyone! Can you see the plaque over this jail cell?
- Look at the plaque.
The commemorative plaque, labelled “Consortium Traitors”, is very large, and very noticeable.
The guide says: When the asteroid struck, everyone who was alive reconvened in the Common Room. There, they worked together to protect the station, salvage and repair what they could, and hunt for survivors. After two tenspan, they assumed there were no more survivors out there… But they were wrong. Twelve people - the twelve Consortium mining executives - all walked into the Common Room, as though nothing had happened.
The strange rhombus-shaped device hovering over the tour guide turns red, giving their words extra gravitas. While some tour-goers gasp, the security guards roll their eyes, clearly used to this performance.
The guide says: When the asteroid struck, these executives hid in a secret underground room, and there they remained until their food stores ran out. They had forsaken their workers, without even warning them of the imminent danger, and didn't leave until their safety was guaranteed! …What do you think the survivors did in retaliation?
A chipper voice says: Decapitation!
A deep voice says: Dismemberment!
Lucien says: …Deportation?
The guide says: Haha, yes! Despite bring responsible for the deaths of so many, they were locked up and kept in humane conditions. A few cycles later, communications with the Consortium were re-established, but by that point the House of Congo firmly considered itself a Freebooter station. They sent their prisoners back to Sol, and that was the end of that.
The tour guide's satisfied smile is contagious, and spreads across the room. They give everyone five segments to look around and grab something to eat, explaining the tour will resume from blue-green algae farm number eight.
Lucien says: As interesting as the farms sound, I think I've had enough of the tour. Would you like to try some local Congolese dishes? I'm excited to see what they manage to make with algae extract…
As you both leave the Brig, you see the suspicious, long-haired person looking at Lucien again. Lucien doesn't seem to notice he's being watched.
Lucien says: What is it?
- "I think you're being followed."
- Don't say anything.
- "Do you know who that is?"
Who:
Me: Do you know who that is?
You motion discreetly behind you. The person you indicated is still staring at Lucien, but they look away as soon as they're spotted.
Lucien says: No, I don't know. …Unless they've been following me, but no, that seems very unlikely. It must be something else.
Me: Who's been following you?
Lucien says: I shouldn't tell you. I mean, it's probably nothing anyway…
Being followed:
Me: I think you're being followed.
Lucien says: I am? Who's following me?
You motion discreetly behind you. The person you indicated is still staring at Lucien, but they look away as soon as they're spotted.
Lucien says: No, they wouldn't have come so quickly. It's very unlikely, anyway.
Me: Who wouldn't have come so quickly?
Lucien says: I shouldn't tell you. Er, I mean, it's probably nothing…
Don't say:
You try to shrug Lucien's question off, but that only makes him more curious.
Lucien says: Is someone laughing at me again?
As Lucien tries to get a better look, the nonchalant person buries themselves in the tour crowd.
Lucien says: They wouldn't have come so quickly… would they? No, it's very unlikely.
Me: Who wouldn't have come so quickly?
Lucien says: I shouldn't tell you. Er, I mean, it's probably nothing…
All choices continue:
- Convince Lucien to explain what's going on.
(Social check)
Failure
You try to get Lucien to open up, he refuses, brushing your concerns off.
- Convince Lucien to explain what's going on.
Success
You insist that your outsider opinion - and extra set of eyes - can only help.
Lucien says: Well… Perhaps you're right. If someone did follow me from Estación de Amazon, then I could use a hand. We shouldn't speak here, though. In fact, I've got an idea…
He puts down a pack he had been carrying, and pulls out a black jacket covered in silver spikes, as well as a multicolored wig. He starts putting the jacket on, then hands you the wig.
Lucien says: The jacket probably won't fit you, but the wig should. Once we're a little less recognizable, let's split up - we can meet at the bar, but I'll head through the Plaza. You go through the Inn.
Lucien smiles at you and runs off. You're left staring at the wig - each tuft of hair is a different color, a different length. You have to agree that the overall effect will make you fit right into House of Congo.
- Put on the wig.
- Don't put on the wig.
Put on:
You quickly secure the wig with its attached hairpins. Somehow it looks… rather flattering.
Don't:
You decide not to put on the wig, and stash it among your things until you can return it.
Either choice continues:
Lose your pursuer by going through the Caracal Inn.
Next area: Inn, The House of Congo
- Push through the crowd.
The Caracal is packed full of people - luckily for you, as you notice a familiar swish of bronze-colored hair in the distance. This is the perfect opportunity to lose them.
- Weave around people, losing your pursuer along the way.
- Pay passersby 50 credits to get your pursuer off your back.
Weave:
(Agility check)
After enough corners turned and corridors traversed, you appear to be free of your pursuer. You keep an eye out as you follow signs to the bar, but you seem to be in the clear.
Pay:
You spot a group of five bored-looking youths, and offer them ten credits each to hassle the person chasing you.
You have given 50.00 credits.
One of them says: Ten creds to bother someone! Hah - see, there's always a way to get paid for doing what you do best!
The friends laugh and set off as soon as you hand them a credit chit each. They take up the whole hallway, staging what looks like a dramatic break-up between the oldest of them and your long-haired pursuer, with the four others making sure they can't get away.
With a growing crowd watching the scene, it's easy to follow the signs towards the bar.
Meet Lucien at the Bar, the Cat's Tooth.
Next NPC: Lucien Selene, Bar, The House of Congo
- "We're clear for now."
Me: We're clear for now.
If you wore the wig:
Lucien says: I hope so. Strange that they would follow you instead of me… Maybe the wig plan backfired? It is quite eye-catching.
Lucien invites you to sit down, admiring your new look all the while.
If you didn't:
Lucien says: I hope so. Strange that they would follow you instead of me… Maybe you were too recognizable without the wig?
Lucien shakes his head, but he's smiling. He invites you to sit down.
Both choices continue:
Lucien says: I mentioned my great-grandfather Thierry used to work here as an engineer, before the Catastrophe. He also enjoyed photography, which is how I came to learn about his life. Most of our pre-Catastrophe records were wiped, but he printed out his photographs, so when the system finally opened up, all of his belongings were sent to my great-grandmother - photographs included.
He pauses as someone from the bar places a large plate in the middle of the table.
Lucien says: And here's the algae selection platter! Help yourself - these are algae crackers and fries, there's some algae-dusted bread and a spiced algae sauce. It would be a shame not to try these while you're here. It's my treat!
- Ignore the food and ask about the photos.
- Eat a few fries.
- Try a bite of the bread.
Bread:
You try a bite of the bread. It's saltier than you expected, but otherwise the algae condiments the fluffy bread. Lucien tries the fries. He looks a bit surprised at first, but then keeps eating.
Lucien says: I didn't really pay much attention to the photos until a cycle ago. I was looking through them for artistic inspiration - as I tend to do with most things - when I noticed one photograph looked different from the rest. It seemed accidental, blurred and out of focus, but if it that were the case, he wouldn't have printed it. There must be something special about it.
He finishes eating, licks his fingertips, pulls a bit of a face, then turns on his CORETECHS.
Fries:
You try a handful of fries. They're quite salty, and have a strong umami taste, though whatever else is mixed with the algae seems to balance the taste quite well. Lucien tries the bread and seems pleasantly surprised.
Lucien says: I didn't really pay much attention to the photos until a cycle ago. I was looking through them for artistic inspiration - as I tend to do with most things - when I noticed one photograph looked different from the rest. It seemed accidental, blurred and out of focus, but if it that were the case, he wouldn't have printed it. There must be something special about it.
He finishes eating, licks his fingertips, then turns on his CORETECHS.
Ignore the food:
Me: What's interesting about the photos?
Lucien says: Well, when I was looking through them for artistic inspiration - as I tend to do with most things - I noticed one photograph looked different from the rest. It seemed accidental, blurred and out of focus, but if it that were the case, he wouldn't have printed it. There must be something special about it.
He pauses to try a handful of fries. Judging from his expression, they weren't quite what he was expecting. When he's done, he licks his fingers and turns on his CORETECHS.
All choices continue:
Lucien says: Since I couldn't figure it out myself, I hired an image analyst - a Freebooter known for their secrecy - who managed to make out a string of numbers and letters on the wall. Here, let me show you…
- Check the images with your CORETECHS.
You open the first image, labelled "raw". Just as Lucien said, it's hard to figure out why this would have made for a good photo - at best it would have been two people walking past a plain-looking stretch of wall, but the details are hard to make out.
You then open the "reconstructed" image. While the people are still out of focus, the wall is rendered in much more detail. You zoom in on different parts of the photo until you eventually notice what must be the string of letters and numbers Lucien mentioned. They're scratched on the regocrete wall, close to the floor - something intentional, but wishing to remain unnoticed.
- "This down here? C 8 A H N, etcetera?"
Me: This down here? C 8 A H N, etcetera?
Lucien says: That's right. I asked the image analyst if they could help me figure out what it meant, but they referred me to a code specialist, who… well, long story short, I have a contact who can help me, but we'll have to find a key for the code, or possibly multiple keys, which are physically engraved in this station. Which is why I'm here.
- "Do you need a hand?"
- "Good luck with that, then."
Good luck:
Me: Good luck with that, then.
Lucien says: Hold on, I'm not finished! I've already paid the analyst and code specialist to help me, so I have a few extra credits if you help me out. Two sets of eyes are better than one, right?
- "…I suppose I could help."
Me: …I suppose I could help.
Lucien says: Thank you! I'll let the specialist, EOS, know that you're in on this too. She's been comparing the image with locations in the station, and sent me a set of coordinates, but since it's in an area with no cameras we'll have to search ourselves. It's somewhere in the "Cat's Bowels", a series of tunnels underneath the algae farms. They're supposedly not too dangerous as long as you stick to the main paths… Hopefully this time we won't be followed by that suspicious Gaule character.
Need a hand:
Me: Do you need a hand?
Lucien says: I would really appreciate a hand - and an extra set of eyes! I've got a few spare credits after paying the analyst and code specialist, so I'll make sure you get paid for helping me. I wouldn't ask you to work for free! I'll tell the specialist, EOS, that you're in on this too. She's been comparing the image with locations in the station, and sent me a set of coordinates.
Lucien shares a location with you, which your CORETECHS maps for you.
Lucien says: Unfortunately, this falls in a camera-free zone, so we'll have to search ourselves. It's somewhere in the "Cat's Bowels", a series of tunnels underneath the algae farms. They're supposedly not too dangerous as long as you stick to the main paths… Hopefully this time we won't be followed by that suspicious Gaule character.
Either choice continues:
- "You think they're Gaule?"
Me: You think they're Gaule?
Lucien says: I don't know who else would be after me. I made sure to ask Freebooters with a reputation for keeping information safe, and no one was after me the whole cycle I spent figuring out the photo, contacting specialists and getting transport sorted. Maybe it's not about the photo - maybe just having someone from Amazon like me is an oddity? I don't know.
Me: Alright. I'll meet you there.
Meet Lucien at the Cat's Bowels, the Wrecks, to search for a hidden code.
Next NPC: Lucien Selene, The Wrecks, The House of Congo
- "So, the code should be around here somewhere?"
Me: So, the code should be around here somewhere?
Lucien says: Yes. According to the coordinates I got from EOS, it should be in this tunnel.
- Look for the code.
Even with both of you searching one tunnel, there is a lot of ground to cover. You do one methodical sweep, but neither of you noticed a code, so you carry out a second. Finally, after segments spent squinting at walls, you spot a short sequence of letters and numbers, which reads: THINE KEVAY, TIS 5279.
Lucien says: Thine kevay, tis 5279… It couldn't be some sort of old English for 'your key is 5279', would it? That seems entirely too simple, but I suppose that's the advantage of putting your code in a physical location. I'll send an image to EOS, see what she makes of it. In the meantime, there must be something else we can do…
- Keep watch while Lucien deciphers the code.
- Try to deduce an alternate meaning to the code.
Deduce:
(Intelligence check)
While the code seems reluctant to relinquish its secrets, you try to disentangle its context. For a code from before the Catastrophe, it's preserved remarkably well, much better than a lot of the surrounding regocrete. Examining the wall, you notice a square around the code has been treated with a coating of some sort, helping to preserve it - perhaps that's why it's not been graffitied, if the spray paint would slide off. You point this out to Lucien as you continue investigating.
Lucien says: Ah, I hadn't noticed! You're right, the code has been treated with a varnish of some sort. Does that mean they intended for this code to outlast them, or was it just to avoid it being spray painted before it was read? Although if the words are indented, would it matter if they were painted over?
Lucien's words give you an idea. You run your hands over the code and that's when you notice - it's not one code, it's two.
Me: Each letter or number in the code has a different texture. Some feel smooth, thanks to the varnish, but other letters are rough.
Lucien says: That could be it! Read out the letter and tell me which is smooth and which is rough.
Keep watch:
(Stamina check)
The hallway is quiet except for Lucien's mumbling. Eventually, he blurts out a small laugh.
Lucien says: I think I've got it! Here, come have a look! The whole area around the code has been treated with a varnish of some sort, perhaps so it wouldn't get spray painted over… Or so I thought, but surely indented letters would still be legible even if they were covered in paint. So I touched the varnish, to figure out what kind it was… Here, try it!
You try running your hand along the wall. While the area around the code is very smooth, thanks to the varnish Lucien mentioned, some of the letters feel rough. Some, but not all of them.
Me: Each letter or number has a different texture…
Lucien says: Exactly! I think we're dealing with two codes, one made of smooth letters, one made of rough ones. Can you read it out for me?
Both paths continue:
- Read out the code.
Me: T, rough. H, rough. I, smooth. N, smooth. E, rough…
You go through the whole code as Lucien takes notes on his CORETECHS.
Lucien says: So while it looks like THINE KEVAY TIS 5279, the rough letters read TH--E KE--Y -IS 5--9, while the smooth ones say --IN- --VA- T-- -27-. So the key is 59 and something is in vat 27. Vat… like a cloning vat? In any case, this should help decode… something. Probably whatever code we'll find in vat 27. Shall we, <name>?
Check the Clone Vats for a code on vat 27.
Next NPC: Lucien Selene, Clones, The House of Congo
- Search for vat 27.
You and Lucien set out to look for vat 27… With no luck.
Lucien says: I don't see any kind of numbers or labels on the vats, but they might not be obvious. Just look at them, though… this whole place is so ethereal, so inspiring. Who wouldn't want to awaken here, with rolling grasses, thick vines and flowers? Wouldn't it feel like being reborn? Especially for someone like me…
- "Why especially someone like you?"
Me: Why especially someone like you?
Lucien looks down - he clearly didn't intend to say that out loud.
Lucien says: Among other things, House of Congo is known as a refuge for people who want certain kinds of clones. People whose sex assigned at birth doesn't match their gender, for example… Many of them come here, looking for a body they can be comfortable in. While the station doesn't have much of a government, per se, I've heard the Caracals have worked hard to make clones affordable.
He smiles, but it's not an entirely happy smile.
Lucien says: They're not rich enough to extend help to people who don't live here - or maybe they choose not to - but I could see myself living here for a time. Something here speaks to me… Right, sorry, we should be looking for number 27! Let's get back to it.
- Start by comparing various vats.
- Suggest examining one vat thoroughly first.
Comparing:
Me: If the code isn't obvious, then it would help to compare a few vats, and see how they differ.
Lucien says: That's right, it might not be numbers and letters this time. Why don't we start over there?
Lucien leads you to a pair of empty vats in a corner, far from where most lab technicians are working. While Lucien discreetly takes images, you examine the pods' metallic supporting structures. It's a little difficult since they're painted differently, and they appear to be scratched in ways that aren't intentional, but around the back, near some cables, both vats have barcodes and numbers: 0019 and 0020.
Lucien says: Nineteen and twenty… And they're next to each other, so hopefully twenty-seven isn't far! Let's see if we can find it.
Examining:
Me: Let's start by properly examining one vat. If we find a serial number in one of them, chances are others will be labelled in the same spot.
Lucien says: Yes, it's possible. Let's try that one.
Lucien leads you to an empty vat in a corner, far from where most lab technicians are working. While Lucien discreetly takes images, you examine the pod's metallic supporting structure. You search for messages written in different shades of green, scratched on to the metal, or otherwise hidden from sight… Around the back, near some cables, you find a barcode and a number: 0019.
Lucien says: Nineteen… We're not far, assuming they're laid out in order. Let's see if we can find another.
Either choice continues:
However, as you walk over to another vat, a technician eyes you suspiciously.
The technician says: What are you two doing?
- Stay silent and let Lucien speak.
- Spin a tale about the beauty of the vats.
- Come up with a logical reason why you're here.
Stay silent:
You let Lucien take the lead, but he seems flustered at having been caught.
Lucien says: I'm sorry, we were admiring the vats because of… a previous conversation we were having. You see…
He looks at you, hoping for some input.
- Spin a tale about the beauty of the vats.
- Come up with a logical reason why you're here.
Logical reason:
(Intelligence check)
Failure
Me: It's just that the vats are beautiful and, um, ethereal…
Lucien says: Yes, exactly! I'm an artist, you see, and-
The technician says: So you examine the vats that are empty and away from the light?
- Stay silent and let Lucien speak.
- Spin a tale about the beauty of the vats.
- Come up with a logical reason why you're here.
Success
Me: We were debating the different reasons people get clones, and one of the theories involves the possibility of eternal life via our modern version of reincarnation.
Lucien says:… Yes, that's right, which is why I suggested we have this discussion here. You see, the clone grasslands are a representation of Earth-centric birth, with pods representing the womb which grows a human fetus-
The lab technician shakes their head and sighs.
The technician says: Alright, fine. Just don't touch anything, alright? You shouldn't be able to interact with any of the systems, but stars help me if you unplug anything…
Lucien says: We wouldn't dream of it! Thank you so much for giving us an appropriate venue to expand our horizons!
Beauty:
(Social check)
Success
Me: These pods, glowing with such a vibrant chartreuse hue, snugly resting among the grasses and wrapped in vines, mark the beginning of life…
Lucien says: Yes, it's a beautiful representation of Earth-centric birth. The young grasses - for you'll notice their dark green color indicates youth - enclose the pod, which acts as a womb for the growing human fetus-
The lab technician shakes their head and sighs.
The technician says: Alright, fine. Just don't touch anything, alright? You shouldn't be able to interact with any of the systems, but stars help me if you unplug anything…
Lucien says: We wouldn't dream of it! Thank you so much for letting us expand our artistic horizons!
Either success continues:
- "Let's find the vat quickly, before we make more people suspicious."
Me: Let's find the vat quickly, before we make more people suspicious.
Lucien says: That's exactly what I was thinking. Hopefully if we find another code, that'll help EOS as well - she hasn't replied in a while, although she might just be busy working things out.
Now that you know what you're looking for, it's easy to check the serial number for each vat. They're not always in order, but you soon find number twenty-seven, and notice this vat is scratched more than the others. Lucien kneels next to you and is about to run his hands through the vat, but stops himself.
Lucien says: Oops, no touching. Let's see if we can find a pattern… Yes, here we are! These scratches look like a tally, but some of the lines cross. I can see X I X, then I V, M M X I… And thanks to my seemingly-pointless Gaule classes, I'd say these are Roman numerals! Not that I remember what they are, but I'm sure EOS can work it out. Cover me while I take some images, will you?
- Keep an eye out.
While Lucien uses his CORETECHS, you stand in front of him to keep him out of sight, and watch for meandering lab technicians. One or two people walk past you - you give them a friendly nod and they continue on their way. Finally, as Lucien stands up and his eyes lose their CORETECHS glow, you spot the long-haired person once more. They're close, but you're not sure they've seen you yet.
- "We're being watched again. We should go."
- "They're here - should we hide and see what they do?"
- "Maybe it's time to confront our pursuer."
Hide:
Me: They're here - should we hide and see what they do?
Lucien says: No - what if they're military? Or SAG? Please, <name>, we have what we came here for. Let's split up for now.
Lucien motions for you to leave discreetly, then quickly goes off in a different direction. You plan to go somewhere you won't be interrogated - the Port is a good candidate.
Confront:
Me: Maybe it's time to confront our pursuer.
Lucien says: No - what if they're military? Or SAG? Please, <name>, we have what we came here for. Let's split up for now.
Lucien motions for you to leave discreetly, then quickly goes off in a different direction. You plan to go somewhere you won't be interrogated - the Port is a good candidate.
We should go:
Me: We're being watched again. We should go.
Lucien says: Okay, let's split up again. We'll get in touch later!
Lucien motions for you to leave discreetly, then quickly goes off in a different direction. When you turn around, you see the person inspecting a vat, though from this distance, you think it might not be 27, if you're lucky. You go somewhere you won't be interrogated - the Port is a good candidate.
All choices continue:
Leave the Clone Vats and check your CORETECHS from the Port.
Next area: Port, The House of Congo
- Check your CORETECHS.
As the Port is crowded, there's groups of people huddled outside, making CORETECHS calls to update family and friends on their travel plans. It's a good place for you to reach out to Lucien.
It takes almost a segment for Lucien to get back to you. He sounds winded.
Lucien says: Sorry, I haven't run this much since mandatory military training… horrible memories. But while I was running, EOS used 59 as a key to decode the numbers we found in the vats. According to her, there are two parts to it, just like last time. The first is a set of coordinates: 454, 781, 112. Assuming that's X, Y and Z, the station's location system places them in the Outer Circle - it might be near an algae plant, a skate park, or even an underground tunnel.
You get a notification from your CORETECHS that you have received files from Lucien Selene.
Lucien says: The second part is "During 200 anniv." That could mean many things, but I'm sure one of the last photos of my great-grandfather was during the station's 200th anniversary. That means it's likely one of the last things that happened before the asteroid struck. I've sent you the coordinates and the photo as well.
- Open the CORETECHS files.
You receive the coordinates, so your CORETECHS can guide you towards your destination. You also check the photograph, depicting an old man wearing a simple brown outfit, smiling in the middle of a small group of people. A large banner behind them proclaims the 200th anniversary of House of Congo, in bright blue Consortium colors.
- "How do you know it's one of the last photos?"
- "You're Gaule, but he was Consortium?"
Gaule:
Me: You're Gaule, but he was Consortium?
Lucien says: Estación de Amazon used to be independent - it's only in recent cycles that it became Gaule. My great-grandfather joined the Consortium after he divorced my great-grandmother. Maybe as an engineer, there were better prospects to be found with the Consortium.
Last photos:
Me: How do you know it's one of the last photos?
Lucien says: Ah, well, given my great-grandfather's age, it's not too difficult. His hair was greying, his hairline receding, he was getting more wrinkled… It's not exact, and he doesn't feature in all of his photographs, but it's reliable enough. I did look for House of Congo's founding date, but there's very little information from before the Catastrophe, and the photos aren't dated anyway.
Either choice continues:
- "Let's meet at these coordinates."
Me: Let's meet at these coordinates.
Lucien says: Of course. I'll see you there.
Follow the coordinates to the Ruins, the Outer Circle.
Next NPC: Lucien Selene, Ruins, The House of Congo
- "The coordinates led here."
Me: The coordinates led here.
Lucien says: Yes. There should be something around here… Oh.
You turn at the sound of the tour guide, walking towards you with a group of people you recognize.
The guide says: Decided to rejoin us, did you? We've gotten to the best part - the hiding place of the Consortium Traitors! There's a hatch just under me, which the executives used to enter their safe room. They hid here for two tenspan, then left seeking help when they ran out of food and water. After all, they had no skills except for bossing people around, so they didn't know how to survive!
There are a few guffaws from tour group, but your eyes linger on Lucien, who looks overwhelmed. While the tour guide opens up the hatch and lets people into the safe room, Lucien draws you away, towards what looks like an old, rusted crane.
Lucien says: That message… It must have been how the Traitors communicated without others knowing. But were they aware of the asteroid with enough advance warning to use such archaic methods? Something doesn't seem right.
He crosses his arms, looking lost in thought.
- "Could they have automated this process?"
- "Maybe they frequently communicated like this."
- Give Lucien time to think.
Frequently communicated:
Me: Maybe they frequently communicated like this.
Lucien says: So they had this system already set up? Even if that were the case, for all twelve Traitors to go around the station finding clues, it would have taken time…
Automated:
Me: Could they have automated this process?
Lucien says: I'm not sure how. There aren't any cameras in these areas, and you would need quite a delicate robot - or perhaps a xynoid - to scratch those messages into regocrete and cover them. If you're using a bot or droid, you're already leaving a digital trail.
Time to think:
You leave Lucien with his own thoughts. He starts tapping his finger on the side of his arm, mumbling things quietly to himself.
All choices continue:
- "What do you think happened?"
Me: What do you think happened?
Lucien says: That's just the thing - I'm not sure how to make sense of this. I wonder if EOS had any luck deciphering the code from my grandfather's original photo…
Lucien's eyes glow for a few units, then his hands fall down to his sides.
Lucien says: She did, but… no, this can't be. If she's right, then…
- "What is it?"
Me: What is it?
Lucien says: EOS deciphered the message. It says: "Twelve meeting. Topic: Lowering safety standards in mining operations to increase revenue. Suggestions: lower PPE quality, reduce check frequency, expand to danger level 3 asteroids."
He starts tapping his foot against the floor. The hard, rhythmic noise betrays his rage.
Lucien says: The Traitors met in secret, trying to increase their gains by sacrificing people's safety… Did my grandfather know? But it's not just that…
The tapping speeds up.
Lucien says: The twelve may not have known about the asteroid, not if they sent messages by scratching them on the wall! They just wanted a hidden place to meet up so they wouldn't be overheard when they figured out ways to wring every last credit, to use their workers as tools. And then they're the ones who live through the asteroid crash, all twelve of them?!
- Place an arm on Lucien's shoulder.
- "I'm sorry."
- Give Lucien space.
Space:
You turn away from Lucien, hoping to give space for his anger and grief, and only then do you notice the long-haired person coming up to you, grabbing your arm as well as Lucien's. Their grip is strong, strong enough for Lucien to yelp in surprise.
Sorry:
Me: I'm sorry.
You're so focused on Lucien, on his anger and grief, that you don't notice the tall, long-haired person grabbing your arm, as well as Lucien's. Their grip is strong, strong enough for Lucien to yelp in surprise.
All choices continue:
- Use your strength to break free!
- Carefully twist out of their grip.
Twist:
(Agility check)
By turning your arm and pulling it in just the right way, you manage to free yourself. However, to your surprise, they soon let Lucien go.
Strength:
(Strength check)
By shoving them with all of your strength, you manage to free yourself and Lucien. However, to your surprise, Lucien helps your pursuer back up.
Either success continues:
Lucien says: Emeraude… what are you doing here?
- "Emeraude?"
Me: Emeraude?
Lucien says: That's my sister, Emeraude Selene. I didn't realize… I mean, it's been over thirteen cycles, and you look so different…
Emeraude laughs, then removes her long, bronze-colored wig to reveal dark, tight curls. Now that you see the siblings up close, there's a strong resemblance.
Emeraude says: We always thought alike, didn't we? Your wig is more interesting than mine, even though I've been living in Congo.
Lucien says: You live here now? But how did you find me? And why were you hiding?
Emeraude says: One thing at a time, little brother!
Lucien looks up to Emeraude with a wide smile, and she takes that as her cue to hug him.
Lucien says: I suppose it's not so strange for you to have come to a Freebooter station after you left home. How did you find me, though? We didn't exactly keep in touch…
Emeraude says: Actually, you found me when you went looking for a code specialist…
Lucien says: You're EOS?
Emeraude says: Emeraude Odette Selene. But when I work, I go by EOS or Odette.
You notice that your CORETECHS labels her as Odette (She/her). Up until now, she had kept her distance, so you wouldn't have seen her name.
- "You didn't notice?"
- "Why the name Odette?"
- "That sounds like an obvious acronym…"
Didn't notice:
Me: You didn't notice?
Lucien says: No… Emeraude never had a middle name, and we only sent messages, never spoke. I thought… When I heard her laugh, during the tour, it sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it.
Emeraude says: I chose Odette after I left home. You're using a different name now too, Lucien! But as soon as you sent me those photos, I knew it had to be you. Or father, but he doesn't really care, does he?
Odette:
Me: Why the name Odette?
Emeraude says: I wanted a new name after I left home, and Odette came to mind… It has no particular significance, although I do like being E.O.S. And hey, you're using a different name now too, Lucien! But as soon as you sent me those photos, I knew it had to be you. Or father, but he doesn't really care, does he?
All choices continue:
The two of them laugh, and that eases whatever tension hadn't already dissipated.
Emeraude says: I just wanted to make sure you were safe, and I wanted to collaborate with you to solve this mystery… but if I came out in the open, it wouldn't feel quite so exciting.
- "You did this for the excitement?"
Me: You did this for the excitement?
Emeraude says: …Well, no, not quite. I…
Emeraude takes a deep breath, then looks at Lucien.
Emeraude says: You know how our parents feel about Freebooters - I thought you might feel the same. Besides, we didn't part in the best of terms… Being older, and given how mother and father acted, I felt like I had to take on a motherly role I never asked for, and… I'm sorry. It's not your fault, but keeping in touch would have hurt.
Lucien says: I never knew… But I was very young when you left. I'm just glad you found me - or I found you. …Besides, I admit that I was suspicious of Freebooters when I first arrived. I guess that's why you laughed… But I know better now.
- "You mentioned payment earlier…"
- "So… the photograph mystery is solved."
- "Should I leave you two?"
Mystery is solved:
Me: So… the photograph mystery is solved.
Lucien says: Yes, I suppose it is. Sorry, since Emeraude appeared, I haven't even thought about that. <name>, why don't we meet in the Caracal Plaza, near the monument to the fallen workers? I want to talk to my sister about what we found first.
Meet up with Lucien and Emeraude in the Lounge, the Caracal Plaza.
Next area: Lounge, The House of Congo
- Walk to the worker's memorial.
As you walk down to the Miner's Repose, you see Emeraude - Odette, rather - with her arm on Lucien's shoulder.
Lucien says: That's him, right up there…
You look up, and sure enough - near the top of the monument, you spot Thierry Berger.
Odette says: I came to see him too, when I first arrived. Took me three segments to find him. Although I'm much happier this trip than I was when I first arrived.
Lucien says: I hope he can rest easy, whether he intended for us to find that clue or not. He deserves the rest.
- "What are you going to do, now that you know the truth?"
- "You should tell everyone what you found."
- "The Consortium Traitors were horrible. People don't need to know the details."
What are you going to do:
You have received one 'Colorful Wig'.
You have received 1,100.00 credits.
You have completed the "The Writing On the Wall" mission.
<— Return to Missions