______ ______ ______ / ___ \ / ___ \ / ___ \ | / \|__ ___ ____ _______________ ____| / \|__ ___ ____ _______ ___ |/ \ | | | \ / \ / ___ \_ _ | ___ | \/ /| | \ / \ // \ / __ \ / \ / / / | \__ | | | |/ \| | | \|| \| | | \__ | | | | /\ | / \| | / | / / \____ \ \_/ / \___ | | | |_/| | |\/| | \____ \ |__| | | | | | | |/ / / / \ |\ /\____ \ | | | _ | | | | | \ | __ | | | | | | | / / | | | | \ | | | | | \| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |\ \ / / |\___/ | | | |\___/ | | | | |___/| | | | |\___/ | | | | \/ | \__/| | \ | | |___/| \ // \\ // \/ | \/ \\ / \ / \\ / \ / \ / \ | | ¯¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ¯¯¯ ¯¯¯¯¯¯ F A Q & W A L K T H R O U G H ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ V E R S I O N 1 . 0 0 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ========================================================================================= SYSTEM SHOCK 2 FAQ & WALKTHROUGH ========================================================================================= AUTHOR : BahamutZero E-MAIL : avrompaey@yahoo.com DATE : September 18, 2000 VERSION : 1.00 COMPLETED: 25 % ========================================================================================= T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ [01] VERSION HISTORY A. Version 1.xx [02] CHARACTER CREATION A. O.S.A. B. Navy C. Marines [03] WALKTHROUGH A. Von Braun Deck 2 - Medical / Science B. Von Braun Deck 1 - Engineering C. Von Braun Deck 3 - Hydroponics [04] APPENDIX A. Weapons & Ammo B. Armor & Suits C. Implants D. Hypos E. Misc Items F. OS Upgrades G. Audio Logs You can find and download this FAQ from: - http://www.gamefaqs.com/ These are the only sites that have my permission to post this FAQ. If you downloaded it from other site please inform me. ========================================================================================= [01] VERSION HISTORY ========================================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Version 1.xx ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Version 1.00 (09/25/00) - First version released ========================================================================================= [02] CHARACTER CREATION ========================================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. O.S.A. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The OSA agent is trained to proficiently use the Psionic powers available. This kind of agent is the typical example of brains over brawns. He has to think and plan his movements before taking action. His career options are the following: ______ YEAR 1 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - TOS Chu Lun Sensory Deprivation Tank MISSION POSTING: Sens Dep Tank 003/MU5: Mass Alteration GAIN: Tier Two Psi Disciplines, Cryokinesis and Psycho-Reflective Screen - TOS Ru Nang Sensory Deprivation Tank MISSION POSTING: Sens Dep Tank 437/WH1: Kinetic Empathy GAIN: Tier Two Psi Disciplines, Cryokinesis and Kinetic Redirection - TOS Shao Ling Sensory Deprivation Tank MISSION POSTING: Sens Dep Tank 925/NP5: Cyber Empathy GAIN: Tier Two Psi Disciplines, Cryokinesis and Psychogenic Cyber Affinity ______ YEAR 2 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Tactical Psionic Training MISSION POSTING: Tactical Psionic Training/Deep Cover GAIN: +2 Endurance - Ki Luan Research Lab MISSION POSTING: Experimental Lab, TOS Li Kuan GAIN: +1 Research - Telepathic Interrogation MISSION POSTING: Telepathic Interrogation/Engramanalysis GAIN: +2 Psionic Ability ______ YEAR 3 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Physical Field Operations MISSION POSTING: Field Operations, Io GAIN: +1 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Cyber-affinity, and Remote Electron Tampering - Selections Group Field Operations MISSION POSTING: Field Operations, Selections Group GAIN: +1 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Cyber-affinity, and Neuro-Reflex Dampening - Anti-Terrorism Field Operations MISSION POSTING: Field Operations, Anti-Terrorism GAIN: +1 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Cyber-affinity, and Psychogenic Agility ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Navy ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Navy soldier is a jack of all trades. He possesses skills in every area, from hacking to repairing and from standard guns to energy weapons. It is the more balanced of all classes but it is harder to specialize in a particular skill. His career options are the following: ______ YEAR 1 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - UNN Lucille Military Police MISSION POSTING: Military Police GAIN: +1 Modify and +1 Strength - UNN Lucille Engineer's Mate MISSION POSTING: Engineer's Mate GAIN: +1 Repair and +1 Strength - UNN Lucille Ship's Ops MISSION POSTING: Ship's Ops GAIN: +1 Hack and +1 Strength ______ YEAR 2 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Laverne Tactical Training School MISSION POSTING: Tactical Training School GAIN: +2 Standard Weapons - UNN Pierce Ordnance Master MISSION POSTING: Ordnance Master GAIN: +1 Maintenance - UNN Carfax Navigator's Mate MISSION POSTING: Navigator's Mate GAIN: +2 Cyber-affinity ______ YEAR 3 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Yamamoto Zero-G Training MISSION POSTING: Zero-G Training GAIN: +2 Agility - Io Survival Training School MISSION POSTING: Survival Training GAIN: +2 Endurance - Marie Curie Research Facility MISSION POSTING: Lab Assistant GAIN: +1 Research ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Marines ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Marine is the weapons expert. He is capable of efficiently using any kind of weapons from standard guns to energy weapons. He is also a very physical trained soldier with high strength and endurance. His career options are the following: ______ YEAR 1 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Guadalcanal Zero-Grav Training MISSION POSTING: Zero-G Training GAIN: +2 Agility - Io Survival Training School MISSION POSTING: Survival Training GAIN: +2 Endurance - Supply Ship Gallo Ordnance Master's Mate MISSION POSTING: Ordnance Master's Mate GAIN: +2 Strength ______ YEAR 2 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Port MacArthur Weapons Range MISSION POSTING: Staff Assistant, Weapons Range GAIN: +2 Standard Weapons - JM-432 Asteroid Picket MISSION POSTING: Asteroid Pickets GAIN: +1 Heavy Weapons and +1 Cyber-affinity - Antigua Gunnery Mate MISSION POSTING: Gunnery Mate GAIN: +1 Energy Weapons and +1 Cyber-affinity ______ YEAR 3 ¯¯¯¯¯¯ - Antigua Ship's Systems Consultant MISSION POSTING: Ship's System Consultant GAIN: +1 Repair - Poliedes Training Section MISSION POSTING: Quash Rebellion GAIN: +1 Modify - U.N.N. Honor Guard MISSION POSTING: Honor Guard, MP GAIN: +1 Maintenance ========================================================================================= [03] WALKTHROUGH ========================================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Von Braun Deck 2 - Medical / Science ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As soon as you wake up from your cryogenic sleep you will receive an E-Mail from Polito telling you to take cover. Your first objective in the game is to reach Deck 4. For now, examine the corpse lying nearby to find the [Wrench]. Equip the weapon and use it to smash the metal object blocking the ladder. Climb the ladder and go into the next room when everything starts to fall apart. Pick up the Cryogenics Sector Keycard and use it to open the locked door. Search the corpse to find an audio log, [Amanpour 07.JUL.14]. Listen to it to learn the access code that opens the next door. You can also hack the keypad if you have enough Hack skill (1+). Go through the narrow passage and you will end up next to the airlock. Unfortunately, it is locked. Pick up the [Dead Power Cell] and use the Recharge Station to recharge the cell. Then place it in the slot next to the door and it will open. You will receive the first 4 [Cybernetic Modules]. You can use these modules to upgrade your stats or skills. Now take the elevator to the second floor and go through the first door to the right. [ACTION]: If you have the Kinetic Redirection psi discipline you can get the items that you cannot reach. These are a pack of 6 [Standard Bullets] and a [Speed Booster]. Find the Science Sector Keycard and proceed forward. You will see some kind of ghost. Open the door with the keycard and you will have reached the main part of Deck 2. The real action begins now, as some Hybrids will attack you. Defeat them and then try to activate the main elevator (the door with the big yellow button). Polito will tell you that the main power is offline and she will tell you what to do next. Go to the Medical Reception Area in the Science sector of Deck 2 and pick up the [Dead Power Cell] near the dead body. You will now have to find a charger to power the battery. You can find the Energy Recharging Station in the Power Plant section of the ship. To access this area, find the ladder leading down near the Chemical Storeroom. The area is guarded by 2 Slug Turrets. Destroy them and charge the battery at the station. Then return to the Medical Reception Area and insert the battery in the slot next to the door. Go into the next area. Find Grassi's corpse in the area and pick up the Deck 2 Crew Keycard nearby. You can now access the Crew sector. Head there and open the door using the keycard. You will find a set of upgrading machines here so you can spend your cyber-modules. You will also find the first OS Upgrade. Choose these upgrades carefully as you cannot change them once you choose them. Find Dr Watts' office and pick up the R&D Sector Keycard. Leave the Crew sector and head back to the main area of Deck 2. From there you can access the R&D section with the keycard. Explore the R&D section and reach Dr. Watts' office. He's wounded and will tell you the maintenance shaft access code and die. Return to the main part of Deck 2 and access the maintenance shaft. Destroy the guardian robot and climb down the ladder to Deck 1. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Von Braun Deck 1 - Engineering ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polito will message you telling you what to do next. Go through the coolant tubes quickly to minimize radiation. Find the door to the Engine Core. It's locked because of the radiation leak. Head all the way south and you will receive an E-Mail from Polito telling you the code to Utility Storage 4. Find utility storage 4 and use the passcode to get in. You can find a [Hazard Suit] there. Now go all the way west until you reach the xerxes screen. From now, be extremely careful with the robots. Shoot them from a distance with Armor Piercing bullets. Find the Security Access Card and reach the security booth. You can heal there in the surgical unit and upgrade your skills. Now go into the Cargo Bay area. Explore Cargo Bay 1A/1B first and find the Cargo Bay 2A/2B Keycard. Now head to Cargo Bay 2A/2B. Explore the area and you'll find the code for Engineering Control. Go back to the Engineering Control and access it via the code. You'll learn that Xerxes has disabled the Fluidics Computer. You'll have to find another way around the problem. Return to auxiliary storage 5 (chemical storeroom) and open the door with the passcode. Pick up the correct circuit board and return to Command Control. Insert the board in the slot and return to Engineering Control. Activate the Fluidics Computer. Now you will have to manually restart both engine nacelles. Now that the radiation leak is contained return to the coolant tubes and access the Engine Core. Visit both Nacelles and activate them. Then activate the Main Power Computer in the Engine Core to activate the elevators. Now you can try to get to Deck 4 to meet Polito. I say try because the elevator shaft to deck 4 is blocked by an organic mass. You will have to stop at Deck 3 and find a way to dispose of this mass. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Von Braun Deck 3 - Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You will learn from exploring the area that in order to clear the mass blocking the lift shaft you will need to plant some kind of toxin in the four environmental regulators. First, find and research a vial of Toxin-A. The you'll have to find the four environmental regulators and install a [Vial of Toxin-A] in each one of them. The regulators are located in the following places: - Find the ladder marked as 3 in the map. Explore the place and you'll find the first regulator. - Find the ladder marked 1 in the map and explore the area. You'll find a regulator and the Sector A access keycard. ========================================================================================= [04] APPENDIX ========================================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Weapons & Ammo ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ______________________ ANTI-PERSONNEL BULLETS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 While nearly useless against armored targets, the Mite anti personnel round is devastatingly effective against flesh and blood. Nanites inside the head of the clip automatically sense when the round has entered an organic target. First, the head of the bullet fragments into several dozen pieces. Immediately, they seek the highest local temperature and, using microscopic pockets of gas, propel themselves towards the warmth, and presumably, the vital organs. _____________________________ ANTI-PERSONNEL SHOTGUN SHELLS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 These explosive pellets combine a chemical incendiary with a cluster of self-converting nanites to pack an extra kick. Not many organic targets can stand up to these for long. They are best used at relatively short range, as the pellets tend to spread. ______________________ ARMOR-PIERCING BULLETS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The armor piercing round is not particularly effective against soft targets, but it's the round of choice when up against mechanized foes. The uranium tips provide considerably penetrating power, even to relatively weak slug throwers like the Talon M2A3 and the M-22 assault rifle. The bullet is the kid brother of the discarding sabot rounds used by tanks in the 21st century. Besides the incredibly dense uranium tip, the casing is lined with an advanced ballistic material that decreases drag, imparting even greater penetration. _________________ CLUSTERS OF WORMS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 These disgusting things can be used as ammunition by exotic, annelid-based weaponry. The worms can be collected by using empty beakers on piles of worms. __________________________ FRAGMENTATION GRENADE CLIP ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 A standard fragmentation grenade. Damage is a combination of the concussive effects of the explosion and the resultant pieces of shrapnel. ________________ GRENADE LAUNCHER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Requires: Heavy Weapons: 1 The grenade launcher requires a Heavy Weapons skill of 1 in order to use. The first modification to this weapon increases the clip size, while the second increases the speed of the grenades and reduces the reload time. Additionally, both modifications increase weapon damage. The TC-11 "Brick" can launch a wide variety of ordnance, from standard high-explosive, to proximity detection rounds, EMP, or white phosphorous incendiary. Creative souls have been know to jury rig other types of ammo. Unlike the earlier generations of launchers, the M-48 utilizes a reverse polarization magnetic launching mechanism instead of compressed gas. ____________ LASER PISTOL ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Requires: Energy Weapons: 1 The laser pistol requires an Energy Weapons skill of 1. The first modification to this weapon increases the energy capacity, while the second reduces the energy consumption - both modifications increase the damage. The deadlier cousin of the Sparq Pistol, the Apollo H4 Laser Pistol relies on refracted light instead of electricity to damage its target. While it has a fairly large battery, the weapon must be replenished at a recharge station. The overcharge setting can be used to get out of a tight spot, but puts an inordinate strain on the unit's energy supply. ____________ LASER RAPIER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Requires: Agility: 3 Energy Weapons: 4 A brutally effective melee weapon, the laser rapier requires an Agility of 3 and an Energy Weapons skill of 4 in order to use. Far more effective than the prototype model first developed in Citadel Station in 2072, the Mark IV laser rapier is a much more reliable piece of technology. The unit works by projecting a porous field of reflective material in a shaft shaped region around the base of the rapier. When the material is bent [as when the rapier strikes a target] the intense refracted light inside is released locally, causing intense burns to the target. "That's right, just like the one the Hacker used on Citadel Station! We're the only one in town who's got 'em! Only 40 nanites!" - Street vendor selling Laser Rapier replicas in New Detroit. ______ PISTOL ¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Requires: Standard Weapons: 1 The pistol requires a Standard Weapons skill of 1 in order to use. Both modifications to the pistol increase damage - the first also increases the clip size, while the second decreases the reload time. Developed by TriOptimum's military division, the Talon M2A3 .45 caliber pistol is a standard issue sidearm provided to all UNN military personnel. After 23 years in service, the weapon has been designed to accept a number of kinds of ammunition, including the standard steel-jacketed rounds, uranium tipped armor piercing rounds and even nanite-based anti-personnel rounds. ______________________ PROXIMITY GRENADE CLIP ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 "The Radius IV proximity grenade utilizes no fewer than six separate methods of detection, from IR signature to EM field sampling to volumetric air displacement in order to make sure that it explodes with pinpoint accuracy and in the close vicinity of your enemies! Be sure to purchase our Radius Exclusion Emitter, coming soon, in order to make sure that your grenades exclude you and your squadmates from detonation!" -- TriOptimum advertising copy. _______ PSI AMP ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Developed by Esper Industries, a critical branch of TriOps military R&D division, this controversial device allows psionically able individuals to amplify and project their powers into the world. Before the development of the Psi Amp, Psi powers were mostly only detectable in a lab environment. The Amp contains and inhibits the normal diffusion problems inherent is Psi phenomena. The amp also allows the user to effectively channel their innate Psi powers to a number of proscribed effects. This device caused a furor in the Psi community, primarily because of its obvious military applications, but also because of the Amps tendency to define Psionic "disciplines" along a few specific [and generally utilitarian] axes. ____________ RIFLED SLUGS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The design of the basic shotgun slug hasn't changed much in the past century. A small, heavy piece of metal, delivered with a high kinetic energy, is a short, simple recipe for damage. _______ SHOTGUN ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Requires: Standard Weapons: 3 The shotgun requires a Standard Weapons skill of 3 in order to use. Both modifications to the shotgun increase damage - the first also reduces reload time, while the second reduces kickback. Shotguns in the military had generally gone out of favor until TriOp consumer division introduced a handheld version of this 10 gauge monster. While it works like a traditional [albeit incredibly deadly] shotgun, this magazine loaded behemoth also supports a triple load shot, which has been known to split its victims in two. A few months after its introduction, its popularity with hunters and other weapons enthusiasts prompted a large scale purchase of the guns by the UNN military. ________________ STANDARD BULLETS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This .45 Standard Round is encased in a solid steel jacket, these rounds provide general purpose stopping power. Their main advantage of this ordnance is that it's extremely cheap to produce, and therefore readily available. No target type is either particularly vulnerable nor resistant to these rounds. ______ WRENCH ¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 3 Requires: Nothing A multi-purpose tool generally used for engineering purposes. However, it makes an effective makeshift weapon. "When you hit someone over the head with 22 pounds of steel, they tend not to appreciate it" - Taz Amanpour, VB Maintenance Crew. The wrench does not require any weapons skill to use. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Armor & Suits ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ___________ HAZARD SUIT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 4 Defense: +75 RAD +75 TOX The TriOptimum Zero-Phase Hazard Armor uses a combination of triple-layer rubberized mesh, reflective shielding, and low-intensity force field path warps, in order to protect its wearer from not only vacuum but other environmental hazards such as radiation and chemical spills. Competitors such as the HaziShield Group and Wykodyne have claimed that keeping force field generators so close to the skin for long periods of time can be carcinogenic, but most wearers are more concerned about short-term hazards and prefer the added protection. __________________ LIGHT COMBAT ARMOR ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 4 Requires: Strength: 2 Defense: +20 The Dartech class 1 armor requires a strength of 2 in order to equip. The armor is a complex mesh of Kevlar and substrate steel mesh that provides lightweight, marginally effective firepower stoppage. The armor is not only designed to resist penetration, but also to disperse the kinetic energy of the impact throughout its frame. Dartech is the arm of TriOps military branch that generally supplies the poorer belligerents, such as terrorists and local militias. While it's better than nothing, more than one wearer has met an unpleasant end while wearing the Dartech class 1. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Implants ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ______________________ BRAWNBOOST[TM] IMPLANT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Crigon Manufactory's BrawnBoost [TM] implant increases the user's STR by 1, burning up 1% of its charge every ten seconds. The implant acts to circumvent many of the legal restrictions on athletic pharmaceuticals by avoiding any actual drugs, and simply stimulating the musculature with electric and magnetic impulses. ________________________ LABASSISTANT[TM] IMPLANT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The LabAssistant [TM] implant increases research skill by 1, burning up 1% of its charge every ten seconds. The LabAssistant is one of the least popular implants that Crigon Manufactory sells, but a core market of graduate students keeps the line afloat. ____________________ PSIBOOST[TM] IMPLANT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Crigon Manufactory's PsiBoost [TM] implant increases the user's PSI by 1, burning up 1% of its charge every ten seconds. The implant monitors the user's neurotransmitter levels, and acts on nervous controllers to keep the levels optimal for peak neural function. ______________________ SWIFTBOOST[TM] IMPLANT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The SwiftBoost [TM] implant boosts agility by 1, burning up 1% of its charge every ten seconds. While the RunFast [TM] Implant concentrates on stimulating the leg muscles, the SwiftBoost [TM] Implant speeds up reaction times for the entire body. This implant is popular among gymnasts and other athletes, but hasn't caught on fully with the military yet. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Hypos ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ___________________ ANTI-RADIATION HYPO ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This agent radically accelerates the half-life breakdown of many potentially hazardous compounds. Dr. Marie Delacroix, the chief engineer aboard the Von Braun, was well aware of the imperfections inherent in the rushed development of the ship. Notably, the coolant system of the ship had a chronic cracking problem, leading to the widespread leakage of hazardous materials. While these leaks are easily detected and usually quickly fixed, she demanded that an excess supply of ChemCal rad hypos be distributed throughout the ship. Unlike most of her cautions regarding conditions on the Von Braun, this one was actually heeded. Most effective if used shortly after the hazardous event, anti-radiation hypos inject small amounts of an agent comercially known as NukeTralizer. _______________ ANTI-TOXIN HYPO ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 "The Vita-Hyb Detoxification Hypospray acts fast, and it acts strong, to rid your body of chemical and environmental hazards. Had too much to drink? Wandered too close to a synthocrete building in progress? Try a dose! Children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and those of any form of medication are warned to consult Health Advisory 1053-T-032 before using." -Vita-Hyb skybanner, 2110. ____________ MEDICAL HYPO ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Designed as a quick fix for minor injuries, the ChemCal medical hypo injects a healing enzyme which can make a crude assessment of the patient's condition and somewhat alter the chemical makeup of the hypo to fit the case. In addition, the hypo contains a mixture of pain killers and anti-coagulants. Not meant as a treatment for serious injury, the med hypo will do in a pinch. The only downside is the rather sharp stick of the over-engineered vacc needle, which was nearly recalled twelve years ago on its introduction. Strong litigation by TriOp's legal department eliminated that potentially costly eventuality. ________ PSI HYPO ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The Psi Booster hypo contains a potent cocktail of tension relievers, dopamine inhibitors, and circulatory stimulators. A dose will increase your psi points by 30, up to your maximum. The Surgeon General has warned that Psi Booster hypos can be habit-forming and dangerous to your health. Note also that the manufacturer has used a special, patented process to make these items unable to be duplicated by those who know the Molecular Duplication psi discipline, in order to protect their monopoly. _____________ SPEED BOOSTER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The Vita-Hyb SpeedBoost hypo confers twenty seconds of double speed. Popular among high-school students for a dangerous street sport of "Crash Careening", the SpeedBoost hypo can also be invaluable in emergencies. ________________ STRENGTH BOOSTER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The Strength-Boost pharmaceutical confers one point of strength, up to a maximum of eight points, for five minutes. Vita-Hyb, the makers of Strength-Boost, have been rumored to sell surgically implantable Strength-Boost drip packages for athletes, though such things are, of course, highly illegal. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E. Misc Items ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _____________________ ANNELID HEALING GLAND ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Requires: Research: 1 Chemicals: Os (x1) Summary: This tissue can be used to physically heal damage. Analysis: This gland secretes a prolific mix of hormones and stimulatory enzymes, and a quickly dividing layer of cells spawns off multi-purpose circulatory cells. These cells seek out sites of tissue damage and graft themselves into the tissue, taking on the characteristics of the local host tissue in a matter of moments. Recommendation: The shared tissue compatibilities between human and annelid tissue will allow this gland to be used for healing, though not as fully as it would in an annelid host. Once removed from the host's body, it can only be used once. ________________ AUTO-REPAIR UNIT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The Viridian V-Badge Auto-repair Unit is marketed, in an amazing display of underrating, as a repair device. In reality, the Auto-repair Unit scans, and then virtually rebuilds from scratch, a target device, in its original pristine state. Several documented cases have observed subtle improvements in the repaired device, where the original was damaged beyond scannability. Much to the relief of licensed repair specialists, the Auto-repair Unit is a single-use device. ____________ BAG OF CHIPS ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Crack-O's Potato Chips, voted the UNN's national food product in the early 21st century, are made from slices of common potatoes deep fried in hydrogenated oils. This treat is often supplemented with vitamins to boost its questionable nutritional value. "When you need a tasty treat, Crack-O's are the chips to beat. Eat 'em by the bunch or by pound, new improved Crack-O's won't let you down." -Crack-O's Neuro-Net Promotion 2111. _______________ BOTTLE OF JUICE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Produced from genegrafted fruit in hydroponics tanks, the popular TastyFruit Caffeinated Fruit Drink is chock full of vitamins, sugar, and fruit pulp. ________________ BOTTLE OF LIQUOR ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 With advances in pharmaceuticals that mimic the effects of alcohol, liquor has begun to be rated in both "true proof" and "factor proof", with the strongest drinks being close to 330 factor proof. This rotgut gets you drunk the old-fashioned way, with no added factor proof. _______________ BOTTLE OF VODKA ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 A distilled liquor, vodka is something that the replicators never really got quite right. The replicated brand is numbingly strong, but one's enjoyment is hindered by a sharp, biting taste. ________________ CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Champagne is a popular drink enjoyed on the Von Braun [and smuggled onto the Rickenbacker], both in its lounges and replicators. However, since the entire liquor concession is run by TriOp and all champagne is replicated from the same nanite archetype [due to limited database storage], there is only a single brand available. Fortunately, the vintage is excellent. __________________ CHARGED POWER CELL ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The ElectroSim Type 5 power cell is a new model, designed to deliver a lot of power over a small period of time. These are typically used to provide emergency backup power for ship-critical systems. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to lose their charge if stored for more than a few weeks, so they must be frequently recharged at energy recharging stations. ElectroSim has replaced this unit with the more stable 5A, but the upgrade was not available before the Von Braun left Earth. __________ CIGARETTES ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Every box of the Tobacco Conglomerate's new phylo-filter-tip cigarettes comes with three optional, experience-enhancing, additives available at the touch of a button. The "Mint-o-matic" button infuses your smoke with a menthol/eucalyptus/mint blend. The "Kicker" button adds a flavor-rich double dose of tar, nicotine, and carbon compounds. The "Self-cleaning" coats your cigarette with a layer of smoke-depositing nanotech. "As my testimony indicated the last time I stood before this committee, there is still no clear evidence that cigarette smoking is proven to be harmful to the health of the smoker." - Jack M. Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Uplift Tobacco, 09-03-2112. _____________ CIRCUIT BOARD ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This circuit board, like half of the rest of the equipment aboard the Von Braun, combines cutting-edge technology and a haphazard jury-rig quality. Some of the logic chips are marked with experimental serial numbers, and there are smearings of solder and nanite-grown junctions everywhere. _______________ DEAD POWER CELL ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The ElectroSim Type 5 power cell is a new model, designed to deliver a lot of power over a small period of time. These are typically used to provide emergency backup power for ship-critical systems. Unfortunately, they have a tendency to lose their charge if stored for more than a few weeks, so they must be frequently recharged at energy recharging stations. ElectroSim has replaced this unit with the more stable 5A, but the upgrade was not available before the Von Braun left Earth. ___________________________ DISPOSABLE MAINTENANCE TOOL ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Gunnery sergeants everywhere make it a point of pride that their tool of choice isn't a "loser know-nothing fix-it-all device" - the better the maintenance skill of the operator, the more effect using the tool will have. These tools are disposable, and can only be used once each. ____________ FERMIUM [FM] ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Research software and nanite-driven molecular processing has come to mean that the necessary material for performing basic research no longer includes complex organics and complex synthetics. Instead, chemical elements serve as raw materials for the nanite research processors, and are combined as needed. Chemical containers such as this one are carefully designed to prevent the material from reacting with the environment either chemically or energetically, and are fitted with with dispensing nozzles that dock with most standard nanite injection ports. _____________________ FRENCH-EPSTEIN DEVICE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The perfect birthday gift for the techie with less than ideal technical skills, the French-Epstein device is a portable, nanite-driven, self-contained analysis and modification tool. Simply place your weapon in the device, and let the French-Epstein's expert systems do the work necessary in the weapons modifications. One use only. ______________ GRUB POD ORGAN ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Requires: Research: 1 Chemicals: Ga (x1), Cf (x1) Summary: While you have learned the vulnerabilities of this creature, they're so easily killed it hardly matters. Like all annelids, they are somewhat resistant to energy weapons. Annelid eggs often contain useful organs if you search them before they are destroyed. Analysis: Genetically female, the annelid grub is the most basic annelid form. The creature is principally nervous system and musculature - the highly advanced [for a worm] nervous system appears to be tied into a rudimentary psionic sense organ. While wormlike in appearance, the grub has no actual digestive track, but is furnished with energy reserves at birth. When these are depleted, the creature shuts down into a dormant state, possibly until a further psionic trigger acts on it. The eggs that these emerge from often contain organs that might be extracted for useful purposes, unless the egg was destroyed in combat. Analysis: The grubs are fairly fragile, but can be somewhat dangerous if they close before you see them. In large numbers, they may prove a more significant threat. ____________ HYBRID ORGAN ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Requires: Research: 1 Chemicals: None Summary: You've learned how to best target the Hybrid for maximal damage. All damage you deal to Hybrids will be increased by 25%. Analysis: DNA structure indicates that this organism is a hybrid of a human host and a parasitic organism. Although the parasite [resembling a yard-long worm] has deteriorated to a stage beyond useful analysis, the effects of the process are evident. Severe deterioration of higher level mental processes is caused by tumerous growths along the spinal column and brain stem. The non-human tissues seem to be formed of a composite of small wormlike creatures that have adapted into the host body and taken over a majority of motor control and decision making functions. There also appears to be direct stimulation of the autonomic nervous and glandular systems. Hence, the organism produces exceptional amounts of both adrenaline and endorphins, making it remarkably strong and aggressive. What remains can not really be called human at all. The damage done to the host by the process is irrevocable, and the organism now functions with no sense of morality or hesitation. Recommendation: The organism is vulnerable to the same forms of stimuli as a human. However, the changes in its physiology suggest a chemistry more complex than is currently understood. Further analysis of similar organisms might provide more insight in this area. ________ ICE-PICK ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The ICE pick's limited power supply and custom-programmed nanites allow for one successful hack, regardless of the skill of the user. Banned as illegal in most countries and aboard UNN ships, the ICE pick is nevertheless a great help for any hacker who can afford the prices the black market charges for the device. A persistent rumor in the hacker underground is that "Cantor", the ICE pick's inventor, has offered his own ice-breaking algorithms as a reward to anyone who can demonstrate to him a system the ICE pick can't break. ________ MAGAZINE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 A high-color journal covering the artificial-personality circuit. Feature articles discuss synthetic talk shows, aggregate personalities developed as corporate spokesmen, and low-budget personality tailoring that can be done at home. ________ MAGAZINE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This magazine, very popular among protocol droids and their programmers, is an eclectic combination of technical information and interior design. Some articles are written wholly in byte-compiled code format, easily readable by droids, but many human programmers consider it a mark of competence to be able to read those articles without software assistance. ________ MAGAZINE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 A wildly speculative, low-budget magazine, which covers subjects from "Are They Among Us?" to "Pros and Cons of Silicate Genetics." The only things more amusing than the articles are the letters to the editor published at the front. ________ MAGAZINE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This fat, glossy magazine is principally advertisements for expensive leathers, both clothing and accoutrements. A feature article talks about the experimental Ganymede nu-cow farms. ________ MAGAZINE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This holografic glossy magazine appeals principaly to a rich youth market. The long-running feature stories detail the romances and adventures of several highly photogenic celebrities. ___________ MEDICAL KIT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The self-diagnostic medical kit is able to stop bleeding, rebuild damaged tissue, and even make rudimentary organ repair. A staple of emergency medical technicians, battlefield medics, and policemen everywhere, the medical kit will restore all lost hit points. _______________ MFD GAME PLAYER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 A shiny new GamePig [TM] entertainment device from Vortex Mechanics Unlimited. Able to play dozens of different game, simply by inserting new memory cartridges. Most games star "Grunty the Gaming Pig", who first rose to fame in the 2005 interactive entertainment "Corporate Swine". DISCLAIMER: VMU is not liable for any accidents which may occur due to distraction from playing GamePig [TM] games in a heads-up display. Oink! ____________ MONKEY BRAIN ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Requires: Research: 1 Chemicals: Fm (x1) Summary: You've learned how to best target the monkeys for maximal damage. All damage you deal to monkeys will be increased by 25%. Analysis: The monkey is genetically normal, an African squirrel monkey. However, it appears to have been subject to a large number of chemical and surgical procedures, both before and after birth. These procedures have enhanced brain size and connectivity, as well as enhanced the myelination of the central nervous system. The skull of the creature has been surgically removed, presumably both to prevent cranial pressure and to allow quick experimental access. Recommendation: The neural construction of the creature is similar in nature to psionic human neural structure - the monkeys are likely to have psionic capability. They are vulnerable to all attacks which affect standard organic creatures. ___ MUG ¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The Vacuu-Sol insulated mug keeps hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold, up to three years at a shot. The semi-permeable force-field over the rim prevents heat transfer, as well as keeps the liquid inside in case of a spill. ___________ OSMIUM [OS] ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Research software and nanite-driven molecular processing has come to mean that the necessary material for performing basic research no longer includes complex organics and complex synthetics. Instead, chemical elements serve as raw materials for the nanite research processors, and are combined as needed. Chemical containers such as this one are carefully designed to prevent the material from reacting with the environment either chemically or energetically, and are fitted with with dispensing nozzles that dock with most standard nanite injection ports. ______________ OVERWORLD ZERO ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This memory module contains a complete working game for use with your VMU GamePig [TM]. Oink! _____ PLANT ¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This hardy specimen has been genetically tailored to require minimal water, even less light, and almost no minerals or fertilizer. It bears a striking resemblance in both color and lifelessness, to the plastic plants of several decades past. ________________ PORTABLE BATTERY ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The ElectroSim Type 2 portable battery contains enough power to recharge virtually any powered device. A small flaw in the discharge terminal prevents the battery from being used more than once, as it fully discharges upon use. ElectroSim has issued a recall for this particular type of battery. ____________ SMALL BEAKER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 While most DNA infusion clipping is done via protein databases, this beaker is still an effective way to test new compounds of both carbon and non-carbon based compounds. The shielded beaker is an excellent method of storing small quantities of hazardous materials for transport and/or storage. ________ SODA CAN ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Invented in the early part of the 20th century, soda was created as a refreshing beverage, a mixture of carbonated water and corn syrup. For such a trivial seeming product, soda and similar beverages fueled the rise of the first two mega-corporation, the names of which are illegal to publish by UNN Information Ordnance #234/fd34. Net rumors suggest that these two corporations' marketing skirmishes turned into physical ones, promulgated by the destruction of offshore bottling plants by hired mercenary squads in 2023. ____________________________ SURGICAL UNIT ACTIVATION KEY ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 The standard surgical unit is useful for diagnostic procedures, under the control of a trained physician. This activation key, when attached to a surgical unit, will allow it to perform healing procedures automatically. A fierce battle with the medical lobbyist groups has resulted in a compromise, in which the nanite-driven activation keys may not be installed by the vendor on a surgical unit, but may be stocked separately for customers to install in case of emergency, and the installation is not difficult. However, once the two are connected, a factory technician is required to disconnect the two. ___________ SWINEKEEPER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 This memory module contains a complete working game for use with your VMU GamePig [TM]. Oink! _______________ VIAL OF TOXIN-A ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Slots: 1 Requires: Research: 1 Chemicals: Sb (x2), V (x1) Summary: Placing this toxin in an environmental regulator will reduce local annelid growth. Analysis: This is an experimental toxin, highly virulent, developed specifically to break down and dissolve annelid tissue. The canister is highly pressurized, as the liquid toxin would evaporate quickly under ordinary conditions. Recommendation: For maximum coverage, this toxin should be introduced into air-recirculators immediately after being opened. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. OS Upgrades ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________ CYBERNETICALLY ENHANCED ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Allows the use of two implants at once. RANK (1-16): 1 The best upgrade. By using two implants at once you can increase any two stats or use any two special abilities. ______________ NATURALLY ABLE ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ One-time bonus of 8 Cyber Enhancement Units. RANK (1-16): 16 Useless. Don't waste your upgrade with this. 8 Cyber Modules is not that much and you won't gain any other extra ability. ________ PACK-RAT ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Adds three extra inventory slots. RANK (1-16): 15 Completely useless. Inventory slots depend on Strength and if you have a STR of 6 it is useless. You can increase you STR with implants so don't bother choosing this upgrade. _______________ PHARMO-FRIENDLY ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Extra 20% benefit from all hypos. RANK (1-16): 7 Quite good for any agent, but that one relying on psi hypos will get more benefit. This upgrade may be useful in harder difficulty levels where the damage dealt to you is greater. ____________ SHARPSHOOTER ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Each shot with a ranged [non-psionic] weapon does 15% more damage. RANK (1-16): 2 This is good. Although 15% is not that much it greatly helps defeating the hardest annelids. ______ SPEEDY ¯¯¯¯¯¯ Movement speed increased by 15%. RANK (1-16): 11 Not very useful in my opinion. Movement speed is not very useful except for running and you don't need to run much in the game except to escape from some monsters. _________________ STRONG METABOLISM ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Damage from radiation and toxins reduced by 25%. RANK (1-16): 14 This is not a good upgrade since you suffer from radiation and toxin damage rarely and the effects are not powerful. ____ TANK ¯¯¯¯ Increases maximum hit points by 5 RANK (1-16): 5 Pretty useful in harder difficulty levels as you have little HP. It isn't that good on Normal since you could increase your Endurance for a few Cyber Modules and it would have the same effect. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G. Audio Logs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________ ---DECK 2: MED / SCI--- ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ _______________ DIEGO 17.MAR.14 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ UNN RICKENBACKER re: Yanking my chain To: Korenchkin, Anatoly Anatoly, there's only so much corporate calisthenics I can go through before I start to feel a little queasy, so let's get down to brass tacks here. We don't like each other. We each have our own motivations for undertaking this mission, so let me give you a little warning. I cannot be circumvented, I cannot be tricked, I cannot be manipulated, and I cannot be bought. You come at me straight and keep the fancy maneuvers for your next board meeting. Just because my father swam with the sharks doesn't mean that I do. ___________________ DELACROIX 07.APR.14 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ ENGINEERING re: Xerxes Why is it that no one listens to me? The security protocols on the Xerxes system are clearly immature. Some idiot hacked into the primary data loop last night and made Xerxes sing Elvis Presley songs for three hours. I finally had to pull the voice sub-system off line. What would happen if somebody with a real agenda got into him? ________________ GRASSI 12.MAY.14 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ MED/SCI re: Damn chimps Whose idea was it to bring 150 chimpanzees on board anyway? The interests of science? What about the interests of hygiene? Does anybody have any idea how much crap 150 lab
 monkeys make in a day? The poor chimps... they come onboard for the most historic
 mission of all time, and they end up being chopped into little pieces in the name of
 progress.
____________________
KORENCHKIN 14.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 COMMAND
 re: First contact

 To: Zhukov, Vladimir
 We have picked up a transmission from the surface of Tau Ceti 5. I have been in
 negotiation with Captain Diego of the Rickenbacker and after some... coercion, he's
 agreed to go planetside as a joint venture. Imagine, this historic mission might even
 become more historic. First Contact. And who is there to get exclusive rights to all
 media, patents and land grants? TriOptimum. Miri, I told you this would be worth it.
________________
GRASSI 20.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: All work, no play

 I got called up around 0430 to help unload the shuttle coming back from Tau Ceti.
 Korenchkin was there alone. Jesus, what the hell happened to him? He'd lost most of his
 hair, and you could see these lumps on the side of his neck. And that smell. I told him
 he should go see Dr. Watts, but he told me to mind my own business. Well, la-dee-da.
________________
SUAREZ 20.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 UNN RICKENBACKER
 re: 100% Torture

 To: Siddons, Rebecca
 Wow... you are incredible, do you know that? I made this game where I tried to make
 myself not think about you. What a moron. I love you, Rebecca. And I've got a plan. I've
 been buttering up the captain to transfer me from the Rickenbacker to the goodwill team
 on the Von Braun. Pretty soon, nothing will keep us apart.
________________
POLITO 25.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 OPS
 re: Strange AI

 To: Delacroix, Dr. Marie
 Marie... I'm sorry I've been out of touch, but I've been working on that artifact
 Bayliss brought back from Tau Ceti 5. I've done a level 3 analysis on it... I think it's
 some kind of Artificial Intelligence. I've managed to pull an audio tag file out of its
 memory... I'll let you be the judge... Marie... I think it's speaking English...
________________
GRASSI 26.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Animal rights?

 Ever since we reached Tau Ceti, the lab monkeys have been acting strangely. Nurse
 Loesser picked one out of a cage to be brought in for the vivisection and the rest of
 them, I mean the entire group, stood on their legs and howled. This wasn't just a random
 display, it was a protest.
_______________
WATTS 30.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Nonsense

 To: Loesser, Angela
 Angela, while it may appear that the lab monkeys are communicating with each other, I
 assure you it's quite impossible. You claim that one monkey signed the passcode for a
 supply closet to another and the latter proceeded to open it. As I'm sure you know,
 there have literally been tens of thousands of studies of primate intelligence and there
 is no evidence of behavior even remotely that sophisticated. So either you've single
 handedly trumped the entire field of animal behaviorists or you're badly in need of a
 vacation.
_______________
WATTS 01.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Patient Watson

 Since returning from the Surface of Tau Ceti 5, patient has experienced numerous novel
 phenomena, evidenced by inflammatory nodular growth and the presence of a large wormlike
 parasite. This morning, the parasite penetrated the subject's test... from the inside...
 and attached one end of itself to the subject's forehead. If I remove it, I could kill
 the kid. If I leave it... Final Diagnosis: beats the hell out me. I'd love to refer this
 to Madorsky at CDC, but unfortunately, he's 67 trillion miles away.
________________
CURTIZ 02.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Rad Hypos

 Medical tells me they've replicated a whole bunch of Rad Hypos. I'm gonna pick those up
 and distribute them to the engineering staff unless anyone gets a better idea. Watts
 also asked me to check on the replicator in the crew lounge... he says it's a hacker's
 paradise.
________________
CURTIZ 06.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Coolant leaks

 To: Delacroix, Dr. Marie
 Marie, I've got to restrict access to Engineering until we can figure out what to do
 down there. It's just too hot. I don't know where all the Hazard Suits went, so I'm
 reduced to bringing down an armful of Rad Hypos. Those damn things always give me a
 headache.
__________________
AMANPOUR 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: New code

 Great. I've got to change the access code out of Cryo A again! Like I've got nothing
 better to do. I think Grassi just likes to make work for me. I'll set the new code to
 45100. That should be easy enough to remember.
________________
GRASSI 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Implant job

 To: Polito, Dr. Janice
 Hey, doc... a security bot showed up with orders from you to place this grunt into the
 recovery freezer. I'm no cyberdoc, but I know a plant job when I see one. I suppose you
 know they outlawed R-grade cyber-goodies after that fiasco back on Citadel Station...
 but, hey, I just work here, right?
________________
CURTIZ 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: More trouble

 I've been unable to get in touch with Delacroix... this place is falling apart...
 members of my team keep disappearing. The leaks in the venting shafts shorted out the
 primary access channel... and that means we'll all be on auxiliary power until we can
 get it back up. That means ALL the lifts are out... Marie, where the hell are you?
_______________
WATTS 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Patient Watson, pt. 2

 Patient Watson died at 0240 of non-specific causes. Despite zero respiratory and brain
 function, the body is still displaying autonomous motor function, as does the parasite.
 At 0847, the patient even spoke to one of the nurses. Autopsy is set for 1630 and then
 we'll see what makes this Lazarus tick...
________________
CURTIZ 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Lifts are out

 I can't raise anybody down in Engineering. With the lifts out, I'll need to get down
 there through the emergency conduit in the Sci Annex. I think the access code is in
 Watts' lab.
__________________
TURNBULL 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 OPS
 re: Procedures

 Goddamn Bronson and her stupid procedures. She's changed the code on the MedSci 2 sub
 armory again. Now I've got to head back up to deck 4 to find out what it is...
 somebody's gonna frag her but good some day...
_______________
WATTS 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Watson autopsy

 The time is 1630. Autopsy subject: A. Watson. Now we're going to make the first incision
 in... hold him down nurse! Nurse! Hold him down! Aahhh!!! Hey! AAAHHH!!!
_______________
WATTS 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Maintenance conduit

 To: Curtiz, Juan
 All right, calm down already... the access code to the conduit is 12451. I've got an
 autopsy at 1630, but let's grab a beer on the Recreation Deck afterwards. Sound good?
___________________
DELACROIX 08.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Not ready

 To: Korenchkin, Anatoly
 This mission should have been scrubbed before it left Earth. We've been unable to
 contain the reactant coolant leaks on deck 1. I've put an order requiring Hazard Suits
 down there. I know you think this will cause a panic, but it's better than giving
 everybody radiation sickness, don't you think?
   ___________________
---DECK 1: ENGINEERING---
   ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
_________________
SIDDONS 02.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 OPS
 re: Lame old me

 To: Suarez, Tommy
 They aren't making this easy for us, are they? I miss you. I know it's stupid, but I do.
 I think I'll wallow in self pity for an hour or so and then write you again. Figures, I
 have to travel 67 trillion miles to meet a man. Once you're transferred to the Von
 Braun, everything will be better. I'll be better, I promise. Great, someone's coming.
 Counting the seconds...
___________________
DELACROIX 30.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Tau Ceti 5

 To: Korenchkin, Anatoly
 Anatoly, you MUST open up the planet to the scientific staff of this vessel. If there IS
 something down there, it's bigger than TriOp, it's bigger than the UNN and it's bigger
 than you. And why have you and Diego shut off Deck 3? What's going on?
________________
MALONE 03.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 UNN RICKENBACKER
 re: Psionic chimps!

 To: Mak Pao research authority
 A laboratory worker from MedSci called me down to the vivisection room yesterday. He
 felt the lab chimps were exhibiting uncommon intelligence. I sat with one for four hours
 and tried to probe it with the psi amp on a beta 4 cycle. It failed to respond. I of
 course assumed it was because it was, naturally, incapable of reacting to the
 sophisticated beta 4 cycle. But then I realized it was blocking the probe intentionally!
 As soon as I raised the psi-amp to attack it, the creature lashed out with its arms and
 projected a cryokinetic field towards me, paralyzing my arm. I immediately psi-dampened
 the monkey and then stunned it with an electric prod.
___________________
DELACROIX 04.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Taking action

 To: Korenchkin, Anatoly
 I'm not sure what secrets you and your new buddy Captain Diego have got going up on deck
 3, but I intend to find out. If you continue to refuse to meet with me and my staff, you
 will leave me no choice but to register a complaint with corporate. If you won't take me
 seriously, perhaps Sgt. Bronson and her security staff will.
________________
SANGER 04.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Delacroix

 I don't know where we'd be without Delacroix. This whole ship is falling apart and she's
 the only one who knows what from what. I saw her arguing with that creep Anatoly
 Koretzkin or whatever his name is, and she was giving it to him but good. But that freak
 job stares her straight in the eye and starts babbling about how she doesn't know the
 pleasure of the joyful unity or some such. Mama mia, the clowns are running the circus.
________________
SANGER 05.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: The soldiers

 Before, I couldn't get rid of those jarheads from the Rickenbacker, and now I can't find
 one for love or money. That creepy OSA guy followed me around for two months until he
 got the hint. Now I tried to contact him to see if he knew what was going on, but all of
 a sudden he won't return my mail.
___________________
DELACROIX 05.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Be brave

 To: Sanger, Constance
 Constance, I fear now for my life. I think this has gone beyond any imaginings of Diego
 and Korenchkin. I do not believe they are in control at all. We must discover what it
 was they found down on the surface of Tau Ceti 5 and why they guard their secret so
 jealously. I think this is more important than my life or your life or the life of this
 ship. Be brave. And be careful.
___________________
DELACROIX 05.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Fluidics backdoor

 Somebody's been tampering with the Xerxes unit. In the interest of keeping secrets from
 the powers that be, I've installed a back door to the fluidics control computer. To
 activate it, install hardware override 45m/dEx in the systems monitoring unit in command
 control. You can find 45m/dEx in auxiliary storage 5 in the coolant tubes, keycode:
 34760.
_________________
BRONSON 06.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 OPS
 re: Turret problems

 Due to the tenuous situation as of late, I've ordered security defense turrets placed at
 key locations. Yesterday, one went off accidentally and critically injured crewman
 Wells. However, somebody must have tampered with the Xerxes security sub-systems because
 now my technicians are unable to take them off line. Until we get to the bottom of this,
 I've ordered all security turrets recalled to storage... but now I can't get in touch
 with the team I sent out to do the recall.
________________
MALONE 06.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 UNN RICKENBACKER
 re: Further experiments

 To: Mak Pao research authority
 Taking precautions, I proceeded with further experiments. Since we've reached Tau Ceti,
 the creatures have gotten smarter and somehow gained limited psi abilities. I probed
 another subject with a beta 5 cycle and sensed many things, but mostly an incredible
 empathy. The chimps have become acutely aware of their own history, of the vivisections
 and experiments that have been performed on them while onboard the Von Braun. They have
 anger, and they are ready to express it. Clearly they are both a fascinating scientific
 resource and an incredible security risk. My recommendation... either freeze them in
 cryo storage for the remainder of the mission or liquidate them immediately. Who knows
 what other abilities they'll acquire?
_________________
BRONSON 06.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 OPS
 re: Hacking turrets

 Well, we can't get the malfunctioning turrets off line and now Xerxes isn't even talking
 to us. Pollard thought of a workaround. By running bypass into central control, we can
 hack into the turrets locally and take control of them. However, that means walking
 right up to the little sons of bitches and hoping they don't go off. One thing is
 sure... I'm going to figure out what the hell happened here.
________________
CURTIZ 07.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: That leak again

 Delacroix was right, this ship was NOT ready for prime time. Ok, the automatic safety
 seals have shut due to the radiation leak in the tubes. I'm gonna head down to
 engineering control... I think I can use the fluidics monitoring computer to purge the
 tubes.
________________
CURTIZ 10.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Just us

 It's down to just a few of us now. Right after Valdez died, I guess I went a little nuts
 and started tearing things apart... but what do you know, I found two more Rad Hypes.
 Hopefully that will keep me going long enough to figure a way past that damn turret...
 Who is that? Delacroix? Sanger?
________________
MARTIN 10.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Cargo bay 2

 I'm not sure what's creeping me out worse: The hybrids with their pipes and shotguns,
 the berserk turrets, or our supposed allies. I don't trust those UNN bastards. I've got
 to find Sanger. She knows the access code to fluidics control. I'm gonna make my way
 over to cargo bay 2 to find her.
________________
SANGER 10.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Locked in

 Malone's dead. I was just talking to him and this... cyborg came up behind him and...
 Okay, Connie, get a grip. Get a grip. I've re-coded the door lock in enginnering control
 to 15061. I think I'll be safe in here. I'll be safe in here.
________________
SANGER 10.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Locking Eng. Control

 God, get me out of here. I've re-coded the lock to this room. Maybe that will hold them.
 I'm heading to cargo bay 2, come find me there.
________________
MARTIN 10.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Ambush

 They hit us six hours ago. Malone, the OSA spook, tried to take one of things out with
 pyrokinesis attack, but it didn't even break stride. Then it unloaded both barrels into
 his stomach. Falzone said there's a weapons cache in one of the engine nacelles. Maybe I
 can find him and the others there...
_______________
DIEGO 11.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 UNN RICKENBACKER
 re: Is it so bad?

 In some ways, the Many is not unlike the UNN. There is a joy in working towards a
 collective goal, in being able to put aside the things that draw us apart and make us
 separate. Why do we fear the loss of our individuality so much? Man can dream, but the
 Many can accomplish.
________________
SUAREZ 11.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 UNN RICKENBACKER
 re: Hang tight

 To: Siddons, Rebecca
 Stay where you are, Bec, I mean it. This isn't something you can fight, this isn't
 something you can run from. If you love me, you won't come looking for me. Just hang
 tight... I won't let you down.
_______________
DIEGO 11.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 UNN RICKENBACKER
 re: Resist the call

 My duty is to the UNN and to this ship. But can I resist the call of the Many? My
 father's weakness brought SHODAN into existence. MY weakness has invited these things
 aboard the Von Braun... can I undo the wrong I have done?
___________________
DELACROIX 11.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: A new friend?

 I've been contacted by some kind of artificial intelligence that wants to help me
 reclaim control of the Von Braun from whomever... or whatever is now in charge. I don't
 know where it came from, but I must confess I'm happy it is here.
   ___________________
---DECK 3: HYDROPONICS---
   ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
____________________
KORENCHKIN 28.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 COMMAND
 re: Miracles

 There, the young ones are all aboard. Captain Diego and I have sealed off Deck 3. He and
 I are now of one mind... our bodies are changing too. Sometimes it hurts terribly and
 sometimes it is... marvelous... something wonderful is happening to me...
________________
MILLER 29.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 HYDROPONICS
 re: The children

 The specimens are dying. And we're powerless to help... they're highly toxic. Muldoon
 wouldn't leave them, and now he's dead. But this morning I had... a revelation... I
 started work on specifications for a radical series of cybernetic enhancements... If
 successful, I could make a body practically indestructible... yet the mind would remain
 human, nurturing... There's not a lot of time...
________________
MILLER 30.JUN.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 HYDROPONICS
 re: Wondrous toy

 I'm changing. My head is full of wonderful ideas and experiments... they have so many
 miracles to share... so much knowledge to give... They told me how to make this
 implant... they said it will make a better me of me... I wish I had more time so I could
 give it to them...
________________
BLOOME 02.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 HYDROPONICS
 re: Worried

 I found these schematics on Dr. Miller's desk... they're plans for the kind of cyber
 modification that's been illegal for forty years... that's not like him... I was going
 to talk to him about it and then I noticed... the DNA sequence he spec'd for the
 prototype... it's mine...
___________________
DELACROIX 03.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Making a change

 To: Polito, Dr. Janice
 I received an e-message from Anatoly. He's not well. The Corporate protocols specify I
 can remove the Senior Executive Officer if he's found unfit for duty... but what about
 his ally Captain Diego? He's got 120 goons on the Rickenbacker to back him up... I
 wonder if that fragmentary AI you discovered on Tau Ceti 5 is connected to this...
____________________
KORENCHKIN 05.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 COMMAND
 re: A new purpose

 To: Delacroix, Dr. Marie
 You can't understand my joy, Marie and I won't try to make you. I feel like a new man...
 I have a purpose... more important than this mission, even more important than
 TriOptimum... I will protect them... no matter what... I will protect them...
_________________
LOESSER 05.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 MED/SCI
 re: Where are they?

 To: Miller, Marc
 Marc, what's going on? I thought it was weird when you asked me to send up sixteen of my
 female staffers... but... what have you done with them? I'm shorthanded up here? Also,
 have you heard from Watts, Sanger or Polito? It's like everyone's gone on vacation and
 didn't bother to tell me.
___________________
DELACROIX 09.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: Killing the worms

 It's becoming clear that the worms are some kind of communal entity... While I'm not
 sure whether airborne Toxin-A will directly kill any ambulatory specimens, it should
 impact their communal mass and remove the residue I've observed growing on the walls and
 the lift shaft. But perhaps there is a more potent formula to be synthesized...
___________________
DELACROIX 10.JUL.14
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
 ENGINEERING
 re: A ray of hope

 Killing the children won't be easy. But I think I'm actually on to something. The
 biochemistry of these worms, which I call the Annelids, treats inverted proteins as
 toxins. With the help of a replicator in the Biological Survey lab, I've managed to
 isolate some inverted proteins in a number of vials. However, the mix with the base
 compound is still off, so I still need to do some more research. Once I do that and mix
 the toxin into the four Environmental Regulators... Well, things can only get better.