Sugarcane

The array is humming along nicely, despite the piles of dirt still blocking the works. Doesn't help that the compressed air blower broke <<print either("a couple of days ago", "just after the storm", "yesterday")>>. It couldn't deal with the heavy use, so now you have to push everything by hand. \n\nIt's worth the effort, but by the end of the day it feels like you've moved tons by hand. The shovel's holding up well at the least, but you'll need to get another microdome to replace the one that blew away in the storm. It was supposed to be here by now, but the rider with it got delayed.\n\nNothing runs on time, on [[Mars|arianaalone]]. Time to head back.

<<if $job is 2>>\s\nProspecting can be done with two people, but it would require the big rover as opposed to your motorcycle. Pressurizing and depressurizing it would be a lot of work.\n\n<<choice [[Worth the work|prospectduo][$rel -= 1]]>>.\n<<choice [[I'll go alone|prospectsolo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<else if $job is 4>>\s\nThe array doesn't require daily maintenance, but it's still not in top condition due to the storm that came through a week and a half ago, which thankfully only lasted a day.\n\nStill, the static and the dust have made more work for you. It might be worth bringing her along if she can help, even though the system is meant to be a secret one.\n\n<<choice [[Bring her along|radioduo][$rel -= 1]]>>.\n<<choice [[Leave her here|radiosolo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<else if $job is 6 and $aff is 3>>\s\nTerrain scouting isn't exactly the most top-secret job, but it is important that the information not get into the wrong hands. Usually public-safe scans could be done for outreach, but after Nahui Acatl's orders for vigilance, outreach has taken a backseat to vital defense scans. Bringing Ariana along will cause a great deal of trouble if anyone finds out.\n\n<<choice [[Break the rules|scoutduo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<choice [[Leave her here|scoutsolo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<else if $job is 6 and $aff is 9>>\s\nShe's not supposed to be here, and she's definitely not supposed to see why you're out here. The Almogavars work in secret, after all. Letting her know your work is unthinkable, and could compromise everything you've been working for over the past few months. But it might be worth bringing her along; perhaps she could be persuaded to join?\n\n<<choice [[Bring her along|almogavarscoutduo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<choice [[Tell her you're going out prospecting|almogavarscoutsolo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<else if $job is 8 and $aff is 5>>\s\nThis one is either a future recruit or a surprise inspection. Ariana obviously has access to high-grade mass-retaining drugs. She moves like a Cartered soldier, which is way above jed pay, let alone your dwar pay. The Daughters of Thoris could use a recruit like this.\n\n<<choice [[Invite her along as you work|sisterduo]]>>.\n<<choice [[Leave her alone as you work|sistersolo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<else if $job is 8 and $aff is 7>>\s\nAn enforcer has come by only once, and this is clearly an enforcer. It's obvious now, as she moves with a force that unmodified Martians simply don't have. When she came in last night, she was much slower.\n\nThe trouble is, Ariana could be an enforcer for some other cartel, or even worse a sisterhood. She hasn't said anything about it, and clearly doesn't have a weapon, but she wouldn't need one in an enclosed space like this.\n\n<<choice [[Bring her along on the checks|cartelduo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<choice [[Leave her to do what she wants|cartelsolo][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<else>>\s\nThere's a long day of work ahead, and Ariana goes to lay down, avoiding you for most of the day. It's not worth bothering you; it's like she's far too tired to show interest in anything. Must have been a long trip.<<set $day1count +=1>>\n\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>\n<<endif>>

Even though Ariana is here, it's worth checking the computer to make sure everything works.\n\n<<display 'computer'>>

"Good night, then," she says as she goes to settle in to sleep.\n\nTomorrow, after all, is a new [[day|day1]].

<<if $job is 8>>\nWith your duties as a waystation handler, everyone usually brings their own food to supplement your holdings. Thankfully, people also bring little luxuries, or send them along via drone. It's an old Martian custom, as old as any Martian custom can be.\n\n"This is amazing," Ariana says as she watches you prepare a meal, one of several, "I haven't seen this stuff in... well, ever."\n\n<<choice [[You can eat your fill, while you're here|bestfood][$rel += 1]]>>.\n<<choice [[Don't eat too much of it|madfood][$rel -= 1]]>>.\n\n<<else>>\nEating out here is a matter of <<cyclinglink "small" "unappetizing" "flavorless" "multicolored">> ration bars made for the sole purpose of providing the most nutrition as possible in the smallest amount of space.\n\nShe gazes at them hungrily as you sort them out. "You have the new ones? I've only seen two-fifteens; is the taste any better?"\n\nShe must be either very lucky or very broke.\n\n[[She can eat as many as she wants|bestfood]].\n[[Don't eat too much|madfood][$rel -= 1]].\n\n<<endif>>

"Where should I sleep?" She's looking around, getting the measurements of your hab.\n\n<<if $job is 8>>\s\nIn the <<choice [[guest bedroom|midnight][$bed = guest]]>>.\nIn <<choice [[my bed|midnight][$bed = main]]>>; I'll sleep in the guest bedroom.\n<<else>>\s\nIn <<choice [[my bed|midnight][$rel += 1][$bed = my]]>>; I'll sleep on the floor.\n<<endif>>\s\nOn the <<choice [[floor|midnight][$rel -= 1][$bed = floor]]>>.

<<set $keys = true>>\s\n<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\n"This is so cool," Ariana says as she looks out of the rover's windows. The drones are out scanning, sending all of their data back to your computer. If nothing else, it's nicer, bringing someone along. It justifies taking the big rover as opposed to the bike. Since the drones all launch from canisters anyway, it's nice to be able to relax in shirtsleeves inside of the rover. <<continue "Ariana wasn't any trouble.">>\n\nFor her part, Ariana has just marveled at the terrain. She hasn't been on Mars for long, after all. The miles of barren red soil seem to bring her endless joy. On the way to the launch site, she pointed out at least three rocks that she wanted to mark on the MPS because they had interesting shapes. <<continue "Good thing this is the last day.">>\n\nThe drones beep three times, returning. They settle into their canisters. The invasion corridor is perfect, and everything is set for the next three days. The BMP should be in within the week to start the operation, but radio silence has been maintained.\n\nAs you start up the rover again, Ariana looks back to you, smiling, "Can we head back a different way? I want to see if I can see any more interesting rocks."\n\n"Sure, we've got plenty of time before we need to get [[home|day1 actions]]."

<><<set $rel = 4>>\n<<set $aff = 1>>\n<<set $job = 0>>\n<<set $bet = 7>>\n<<set $poster = "Hesperia Gales">>\n<<set $life = 2>>\n<<endnobr>>\nIt's already been a long day. The hab [[computer]] may be on the fritz again; it's been acting up recently even though the Cipher Dynamics reseller guaranteed that it was a good buy. There's no telling.\n\nAt least it's sucking up the dirt well enough. It seems like every time you go outside to <<choice [[stake a claim][$job = 2]]>> / <<choice [[maintain the antenna array][$job = 4]]>> / <<choice [[run the tactical surveyor][$job = 6]]>> / <<choice [[see off a courier][$job = 8]]>>, half the planet comes in after you, making everything worse. The filters and life support work well enough, it's any of the extras that are the problem.\n\nIt's hard to unwind with the dust still circulating. Best to just sit and think for a moment.

Just a body, right?\n\nAfter an evening shower, and going through the rest of your power-down routine for the evening, it's time for <<revision sleep>>some rest.<<becomes>>an ambush.\n\nJust as you drift off to sleep you feel yourself lifted into the air and hurled across the room. After hitting the hab wall, you see <<cyclinglink "a giant" "a demon" "a zombie" "a woman" end>> stalking toward you. Her massive boot catches your stomach, and consciousness [[break]]s away.\n<<endrevision>>\n<<revise sleep "Get some sleep.">>

<>\n<<set $day1count += 1>>\n<<if $comp is false>>\n<<set $comp = "fixed">>\n<<endif>>\n<<endnobr>>When you get back, Ariana is lazing about like she didn't hear you come in. She obviously did, of course, but she's been sleeping like a cat. \n\n"Long day?" she asks as she gets up to greet you.\n\n<<continue "Longer than I thought it'd be.">>\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>

"Look," she says, hovering over you, "Those friends are hunting me. If they find me, I'm dead. Got it?"\n\n[[The keys are under the seat.|giverover][$bet = 0]]\n<<continue "You're staying.">>"You don't get to make that decision," she says. And then you're in the air, tumbling. She's fast, and has you shoved through a door which she seals afterward.\n\n"Thanks for not shooting me in the head, but I'm taking the rover."\n\nAnd she's gone, just like [[that|BMP]].

"Come on, I can guarantee you you'll get paid for it. I'll send it back, too."\n\n[[Okay.|giverover]]\n<<continue "Still no.">> She glares at you, and then you're in the air, sailing into another room. She sails after you and seals you inside,\n\n"Sorry," she calls through the door, "I need that rover!"\n\nOf course, you're stuck biding your time inside, waiting for whoever she said was going to be [[here|BMP]].

"Rasena," she says, "Apparently I came to the wrong place." You can't see her face, but you can hear her sneer.\n\n<<display 'standoffquestions'>>

It's close to three in the morning when you hear someone pacing. Just Ariana, probably can't sleep.\n<<if $suspect is false and $keys is true>>\nShe'll settle down [[eventually|day2morning][$rel +=1]].\n<<else if $suspect is true and $keys is true>>\s\nAfter waiting a moment, you can hear the sound of the airlock starting to open.\n\n[[That's worrying|day2confron]].\n<<else if $suspect is true and $keys is false>>\s\nAfter waiting a moment, you can hear things moving, very slightly. Ariana is looking for something.\n\nTime to [[investigate|day2confron]].\n<<else if $suspect is false and $keys is false>>\s\n"Hey," Ariana says, trying to wake you up, "You up?"\n\n"I am [[now|day2bargain]]."\n\n<<endif>>

Copperhead

Copperhead is an excellent waystation to and from Rasena. The land is just tough enough to dissuade a casual traveler, but not so tough that a good courier can't navigate it. It's good to have company and all the good gossip that can't be had over the radio, even with the best satellite internet on Mars. \n\n<<choice [[The Cartel|knock][$aff = 7]]>> / <<choice [[The Sisterhood|knock][$aff = 5]]>> takes care of its own.

When you come to, something's broken. There's a dull throb in your extremities, but it's even worse in the shoulders and hips.\n\nThe shower is running, and the water cuts off after a few moments. Your gun is <<cyclinglink "just out of reach" "nowhere to be seen" end>>. The intruder's walk-out suit is on the floor of the hab, in pieces. It doesn't look like any shot went through.\n\nIf you move just right, you can<<revision getup>> get up.<<becomes>> wriggle free.<<becomes>> hurt more.<<becomes>> hear [[her]] coming.<<endrevision>>\n\n<<revise getup "Get up." "Wriggle free." "Rage silently.">>

<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\n"Sure," she says, "I don't eat too much anyway." She doesn't chew the one you give her, but it'll keep her fed the whole day nonetheless. She must be used to awful food.\n\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>

"I have some extra clothes you can wear. They might fit."\n\n"For serious?" She's glad you brought that up, like she hadn't thought about it before. Which is strange, as most people bring an extra outfit, just in case.\n\n"I'll leave it by the [[shower][$clothes = true]]. Go ahead though, I know what it's like being in a suit all day."\n\n"Oh," she says, "It's been a bit longer than that." But she knows her way around a hab, and is out of the room quickly. She can move surprisingly fast in that suit.

You break.\n\n"They're in the rover. Under the front seat."\n\nShe stops trashing your home and says, "Good. I'll call the doctor for you."\n\nShe turns around to walk over to you, looking down at you. "Do you want something to dull the pain?"\n\n[[Accept|BMP]] or [[Refuse|Pain]].

The airlock beeps twice; the sound it makes when someone requests entry. It has already sealed the inner door and pumped the air back into the hab. The computer doesn't seem to understand locks, or times when that might be inappropriate. Nonetheless, someone's at your door.\n\nBest to be [[ready]] for them.

After you wash up at the end of the day, Ariana does the same. She moves like she's following a routine already. Before she goes to bed, she looks up at your <<cyclinglink $poster "Free Mars" "Atlas Shrugged remake" "Bridge Between Worlds" "Hesperia Gales">> poster on the wall, considering it. After a bit, she settles in for the night and says, "Good night."\n\nLooks like she's looking forward to sleep. She's out once her head is down.\n\nTomorrow is another <<choice [[day|antinoon]]>>, unless that's <<choice [[suspicious][$suspect = true]]>>.

<<set $life = 1>>\s\nIt's too much to stay alive. Being shattered, tied, and left in agony was too much. Waiting for someone to come was also far too much to bear.\n\nYour last breath catches Martian dust in it, and you cough, expelling the last life-giving breath you will ever take.\n\nThis is the [[end]].

Tactical drones up and out. It's a good thing you didn't bring Ariana, as she would ask questions. The drones complete their survey after a few hours, the final survey. Everything can proceed as planned from here on out.\n\nEverything is right on [[schedule|arianaalone]].

<<if $keys>>\s\n"Sure. You gave me what I wanted, so I'll fix the radio and put the call out." She finishes eating, and stands up.\n\n"I'll be leaving after I place the call; don't worry, you should still be alive when they get here." She sounds confident enough in your survival.\n\n"I can give you something to dull the pain, if you'd like."\n\n[[Accept|BMP]] or [[Refuse|Pain]]\n<<else>>\s\n"Say what? You want help?" She walks over and leans down into her face. Close enough that you can <<cyclinglink "spit in her face" "get slapped hard" end>>.\n\n"You're going to stay there until I figure out where the keys are. You don't get to pretend you're justified, here, considering you shot me."\n\nShe turns and walks away, and tears your <<cyclinglink $poster "Free Mars" "Atlas Shrugged remake" "Bridge Between Worlds" "Hesperia Gales">> poster from the wall.\n\nShe starts trashing the place, stripping it down.\n\n[[Tell her][$keys = true]]. [[Stay silent|silence]].\n<<endif>>

She smiles. "I'm from Rasena. I'm Nahui Acatl's cousin. She doesn't like to talk about me much."\n\nWith a shrug, she adds. "She probably managed to get all references to me expunged from the records. So you'll never find out who I am."\n\n<<display 'fightquestions'>>

<<actions "Where do you live?" "How long have you been on Mars?" "What kind of music do you like?" "What do you do for a living?" "Do something else.">>\n\n<<if $place is "Rasena">>\n<<set $aff = 3>>\n<<else if $place is "Schiaparelli County">>\n<<set $aff = 9>>\n<<else if $place is "Margaritifer County">>\n<<set $aff = 7>>\n<<endif>>

"Hey," Ariana says, "Wake up. Are you awake? Can I use your rover? I need to get moving fast. There are guys coming, and I need to get out of here. Look, I can pay your or something, but I need the big rover."\n\n[[Sure.|giverover][$bet = 0]]\n[[What? No.|keeprover][$bet = 5]]\n<<if $aff is 9>>\s\n[[Those are my friends.|Almogavars]]\n<<endif>>

A Sol in Sodom

Out in the field, locating claims. Each day takes you farther and farther away from the hab. The bike feels like it's going to break down after you boune through a divot that was far larger than it looks.\n\nIt seems that other people in the area are starting to get wise to the wealth of resources out here; as <<print either("some", "half", "most")>> of the claims you went out to scout were already picked up by scavenging prospectors who moved in over the past week. Times are getting lean.\n\nTime to head [[back|arianaalone]].

<<if $comp is false>>\s\nA Cipher Dynamics model R22Nc hab computer. They said it was a perfect choice for your uses, but the way it's acting up, it's not worth it at all. The built-in radio has been able to catch transmissions as needed, but sometimes it lets them pass without notification. Getting anything out is an exercise in frustration.\n\nOf course, you can always re-initialize it, but that took a few days last time, and only kept it from acting up again for about a week.\n\nMaybe you could fix it, but once you start taking it apart, there's no telling if you'll be able to put it back together again.\n\n<<display 'computer actions'>>\n<<else if $comp is "off">>\s\nComputer is re-initializing; process and updates will be complete in 24 hours. Basic hab functions are functioning on automatic mode.\n\n<<display 'computer actions'>>\n<<else if $comp is "broken">>\s\nThe computer doesn't respond; something's wrong with it. but it's impossible to tell exactly what that is.\n\n<<display 'computer actions'>>\n<<else if $comp is "fixed">>\s\nThe computer hums to life as it recognizes your face, awaiting your command.\n\n<<display 'computer actions'>>\n<<endif>>\n

The following news stories are circulating in the Martian networks:\n\nHow to Avoid Rock Drops - New deorbiting zones are declared for the year, how can you change your travel routes accordingly?\n\nGendarmería ship destroyed in Martian orbit - After an attack by an as-yet-unnamed assailant, one of the two FGSS ships in Martian patrol orbit was shot down this week.\n\nPrincess of Rasena begins investigation - As one of the Gendarmería's primary allies, First Citizen Nahui Acatl declares that she is creating a bureau with the sole responsibility of finding and apprehending those responsible for the attack on the Gendarmería ship earlier this week.\n\nWhich Sisterhood Should You Join? Take this quiz to determine which Sisterhood is most likely to fit you!\n\nSpace Debris Advisory Due to the attack on the Gendarmería ship, a Kessler advisory is in effect until further notice for orbits between Phobos and Deimos.\n\n[[Return|computer actions]].\n

She grumbles at you as you try to wake her up. \n\n<<display previous()>>

<<if $pay is "too much">>\s\n"Oh," she says, "How about half that, then? I figured I'd help, since you're all the way out here."\n\nShe makes the transfer to your home computer with her suit computer, then asks, "I can leave the suit over here, right?"\n<<endif>>\s\n<<if $pay is "too little">>\s\nShe nods. "Yeah, you do get to set the price out here, since I just showed up, huh? How about double?"\n\nShe makes the transfer with her suit computer, and thinks about it for a moment. The hab computer beeps; notifying you that the transatcion is done.\n\n"I can leave the suit over here, when I need to, right?"\n\n<<endif>>\s\n"Sure," you say, "it won't be a problem at all."\n\n"Thanks a lot," she says, "I'm Ariana, by the way."\n\n"I'm..."\n\n<<textinput $name [[That's Me.]] “That's me.”>>

"Sure," she says, "Don't let me keep [[you|day1 actions]]."

<<set $keys = true>>\s\n<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\nTwo sites claimed already on the trip. It's miserable out here. People have already started moving in. At first, Ariana was excited to be going out and joining you on the prospecting trip, but now she seems morose.\n\n"It's crap how they're all just marking spots where nobody will ever go," she says, "It's like they're just trying to buy a legacy with some time."\n\n"That's what it is," you say, "If we find something big enough, someone will come down to explore it."\n\n<<continue "She sighs.">> "It's not that. There's no reason to do this. Everyone's pulling their metal from asteroids now. And the universities are so full of microbiological samples it's going to be a decade before anyone gets to any of these."\n\n"What would you suggest I do, then?"\n\n<<continue "She looks out of the window.">> "I don't know. Try to find tourist spots? Set up a little shack there and charge admission. Everything's beautiful here." \n\nHard to disagree. Especially since areas are getting logged faster and faster. Still, there are a few more sectors worth checking. Even if it takes all day to get back [[home|day1 actions]].

It's morning, just before your hab's chimes go off. Ariana is awake too.\n<<if ($clothes is true) and ($bed neq "floor")>>\s\n<<set $rest = "good">>\n"Good morning." She's awake and moving already. Showing signs of being a dreaded morning person. \n\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>\n<<else if $bed neq "floor">>\s\n"Morning," She's awake and moving, but since she slept in the walk-out suit, she's managed to get Mars-dust on her face and the bed, despite the fact that her suit looked clean last night. That's just the way the dirt works here.\n\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>\n<<else if $rest is "bad">>\s\nShe goes through a morning routine; movement exercises, yawning, stretching, and generally trying to exist. When she thinks you're not looking, she glares at you unhappily.\n\n<<display [[day1 actions]]>>\n<<else>>\s\nWhen you wake up, she's still asleep on the floor. It's in an uncomfortable-looking, curled-up position like a cat picture. She seems comfortable enough, like she's used to sleeping in awful places. <<choice [[Wake her][$rel -= 1][$rest = "bad"]]>>.\n\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>\n\n<<endif>>

<<set $life = 2>>\s\n<<if $aff is 9 and $standoff is "kill">>\s\n"Brother!" You awaken to a voice as a fellow Almogavar kneels beside you, checking you over. Another cuts your limbs free, and you feel your body's aches and pains flare into being once more.\n\n"What happened, brother?"\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end][$bet = 2]]; she might come back.\n\n<<else if $aff is 9 and $standoff is "wound">>\s\n"Brother!" You awaken to a voice as a fellow Almogavar kneels beside you, checking you over. Another cuts your limbs free, and you feel your body's aches and pains flare into being once more.\n\n"What happened, brother?"\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end][$bet = 2]]; she might come back.\n<<else if $aff neq 9 and $standoff is "kill">>\s\nYou awaken to the sound of the airlock beeping again. <<cyclinglink "She's back!" "It's not her." end>> Two people now, who move in quickly to check and see if you're still alive. \n\n"What happened here?" they ask. They're wearing armored walk-out suits. Maybe they can help.\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end][$bet = 2]]; she might come back.\n\n<<else if $aff neq 9 and $standoff is "wound">>\s\nYou awaken to the sound of the airlock beeping again. <<cyclinglink "She's back!" "It's not her." end>> Two people now, who move in quickly to check and see if you're still alive. \n\n"What happened here?" they ask. They're wearing armored walk-out suits. Maybe they can help.\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end][$bet = 2]]; she might come back.\n<<else if $aff is 9 and $bet is 7>>\s\nAfter their arrival, the Almogovars open the door you were sealed behind, and their medic rushes in to check you over. You're fine, of course. They're a day early.\n\n"What happened, brother?"\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end]]; she needs a head start.\n<<else if $aff is 9 and $standoff is "no!">>\s\nTwo armored Almogavars enter shortly after she left. There's no telling if she managed to evade them or not. They take off their helmets, overjoyed with the news they have for you.\n\n"We're here a bit early. The plan is moving ahead of schedule. I presume you have the terrain data?"\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing about her|end]]; she needs a head start.\n<<else if $bet is 7 and $standoff is false>>\s\nArmored men crack the door open. They know how to unlock secure-sealed doors well enough. One of the two is clearly a medic, and and rushes in to check you over. You're fine, of course.\n\n"What happened, here?"\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end]]; she needs a head start.\n<<else>>\nTwo armored soldiers enter your airlock, helmets already off. They're shining examples of humanity, and they look around the hab carefully, as if expecting someone to leap out at them.\n\n"We have reason to believe there was a woman here by the name of Ariana Fuchs. Is this correct?"\n\n[[Tell them|end][$bet = 1]]; they need to find her.\n[[Say nothing|end]]; she needs a head start.\n<<endif>>

Report filed.\n\nOfficers from the State of Rasena will arrive within 24 hours to process your claim.\n\nStay safe, and have a nice day.\n\n[[Return|computer actions]].

--Let the player undo moves? (on / off)\n--In Sugarcane, this enables the browser's back button.\n--In Jonah, this lets the player click links in previous\n--passages.\n\nUndo: on\n\n--Let the player use bookmarks? (on / off)\n--This enables the Bookmark links in Jonah and Sugarcane\n--(If the player can't undo, bookmarks are always disabled.)\n\nBookmark: on\n\n--Obfuscate the story's HTML source to prevent possible\n--spoilers? (swap / off)\n\nObfuscate: off\n\n--String of letter pairs to use for swap-style obfuscation\n\nObfuscateKey: vqhlaijostcfdxgzbwnrmpkeuy\n\n--Include the jQuery script library? (on / off)\n--Individual scripts may force this on by\n--containing the text 'requires jQuery'.\n\njQuery: off\n\n--Include the Modernizr script library? (on / off)\n--Individual scripts/stylesheets may force this on by\n--containing the text 'requires Modernizr'.\n\nModernizr: off\n

"You better shoot me, and you better not miss," she says, <<timedreplace 2s>>"Or I'm going to beat you until you can't move.<<gains>> I will break every bone in your body.<<gains>> You will never walk again. <<gains>> Your ancestors' organs will rupture. <<gains>> Your loved ones will weep. <<gains>> Your name will be lost and forgotten under the force of my fists <<gains>> and computers within the entire solar system will balk at the idea that you ever existed.<<gains>> So thouroughly will I break you<<gains>> that a new universe of pain will be born from your experience alone.<<gains>> Then I'm going to eat your food,<<gains>> steal your shower and your clothes<<gains>> and laugh as you die, abandoned in this place."<<endtimedreplace>>\n\n[[Shoot her|shoot]].

"Oh, just a few weeks. I came in with the last wave. The one that exploded ship was on."\n\n<<display 'chatquestions'>>

<<set $keys = true>>\s\n<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\nInventory goes twice as fast with someone to help with scanning. Ariana is quick with the scans, no doubt a stock girl or something like that back on Earth. She hefts and sorts containers fast with the help of her enforcer's muscles.\n\nIt doesn't hurt that she doesn't need a step-ladder to get the higher boxes in the storage building. She simply scrambles up the side and hangs on, defying gravity.\n\n<<continue "She clears her throat.">> She's up high, like a spider. She descends slowly, like she's hunting, like she has you in her web. When she gets her head down to your level, she holds out the scanner.\n\n"As far as it goes," she says, "Nobody has to know I helped, right?"\n\n"Right," you say. Of course, this means you get to spend more time relaxing back at the [[hab|day1 actions]].

/%<<set $gamecode = $life + $bet $poster + $aff + $job + $rel>>\s%/\n<<print ($life+$bet+$poster+$aff+$job+$rel)>>

"The keys are under the seat."\n\nShe smiles, a wolf's smile. "Thank you."\n\n"But the radio doesn't work."\n\nThat doesn't seem to be a problem for her. "I can fix it. I've fixed plenty of radios in my time."\n\n<<display 'fightquestions'>>

<<if $name is "Nicole">>\s\n\n"Really? That's the name of my ex-girlfriend," Ariane says. <<set $rel += 1 >>\n"What a strange coincidence."\n\n<<else if $name is "Rey">>\s\n"Oh. Like Mike's nickname? You know him?"\n\n"I've run into him a couple of times. We travel in different circles."\n<<else>>\s\n"Nice to meet you, <<print $name>>," she says. \n<<endif>>\n"You wouldn't happen to have a shower I could use, would you?"\n\n<<choice [[Of course|shower][$shower = true]]>>.\nSure, and some <<choice [[extra clothes][$rel += 1][$shower = true]]>> you can wear.

<<set $keys = true>>\s\n<<set $day1count +=1>>\s\n"This is so cool," Ariana says as she looks out of the rover's windows. The drones are out scanning, sending all of their data back to your computer. If nothing else, it's nicer, bringing someone along. It justifies taking the big rover as opposed to the bike. Since the drones all launch from canisters anyway, it's nice to be able to relax in shirtsleeves inside of the rover. <<continue "Ariana wasn't any trouble.">>\n\nFor her part, Ariana has just marveled at the terrain. She hasn't been on Mars for long, after all. The miles of barren red soil seem to bring her endless joy. On the way to the launch site, she pointed out at least three rocks that she wanted to mark on the MPS because they had interesting shapes. <<continue "Just business as usual.">>\n\nThe alarm sounds on your computer. <<continue "Something's wrong.">>\n\nAnother rover is out there, broadcasting fake MPS codes. They try to broadcast drone interruption signals from their rover, but it's an old jammer, not able to break the new locks on your drones. It's best to send them back to Rasena with the news.\n\n"What's that?" Ariana asks, looking over to you for the first time since you've been on this trip.\n\n<<continue "Nothing.">> "The drones just need to return to Rasena, is all." Relying on the radio isn't worth it. With a swipe of your finger, the drones are on their way back to Rasena with the news.\n\nIt's a good thing that rover is two days out.\n\nIt's time to go [[home|day1 actions]].\n\n

<<if $keys is true>>\s\nWhen you get up, you see her in the airlock. She waves at you, pointing behind you. She's leaving, and trying to make it so you can't stop her.\n\n[[Look back.|day2morning][$bet = 7]]\n<<continue "Try to stop her.">> As you lunge toward the closing airlock, she swats you out of the sky and shoves you back.\n\n"Are you trying to kill yourself?" She shouts at you, as the airlock door closes. By the time you land on the ground again and get your feet under yourself, she's already out the other side. Making a run for it.\n\nAll that can really be done is [[wait|BMP][$bet = 5]].\n<<else>>\s\nAriana is suited up and searching through everything carefully.\n\n"Looking for something?"\n\nShe spins around to face you, graceful even in surprise.\n\n"Look," she says, "I need to get out of here. There are some guys coming who want me dead. Can I borrow your rover?"\n\n[[Yes|giverover][$bet = 0]].\n<<continue "No.">>She bounds over to you and bumps you back into your room, sealing the door. Ariana knows the security codes, and is able to seal you in.\n\n"Sorry," she calls through the door, "Going to find your keys. I'll pay you back later!"\n\nYou hear her searching through things for a few more moments before you hear the airlock alarm go off. She's leaving, and you're stuck in [[here|BMP]].\n<<endif>>

The visitor isn't moving, instead silently standing there, waiting for your order.\n\nShoot to <<cyclinglink $standoff "kill" "wound" "no!">>.\n\n[[Pull the trigger|standoff]].

Richard C. Almaraz

And she continues to tear everything apart in front of you. She's still eating your food as she does so, not caring at all for any of your property.\n\nYour world is [[pain|Pain]].

The Martian landscape is inhospitable to all who travel it. This lack of hospitality is often attributed to the barbaric nature of its inhabitants in addition to the scarcity of water and waystations. \n\nCopperhead is the anonymized display name of your outpost. What's your business on Mars? How do you deal with life on this inhospitable planet? Where do you [[fit]]?

<<set $day1count += 1>>\nSitting around and wasting time is fine and all, but it's best to do something productive when possible. Especially when there's a guest around, and an unexpected one at that.\n\nFor her part, Ariana helps well. She's amazing at filter scrubbing. The air filters shined like they had just been purchased. She's a quiet woman when she does cleanup work, like she doesn't want to get distracted.\n\nThe [[day|day1 actions]] slides on.

<<actions "Who are you?" "Where did you come from?" "Why shouldn't I shoot you?">>\n\n<<once>>Or you could [[try to de-escalate|hi]].<<endonce>>

<<if $suspect neq true>>\s\nShe smiles and thanks you when you tell her where the keys are, and then she's gone, as soon as it was when she bothered you. It's easy to fall back to sleep, like it was all a [[dream|BMP]].\n<<else>>\s\nShe nods when you tell her where the keys are, and hops over to the airlock, wasting no time.\n\n"Thanks," she says, "You won't regret this."\n\nAnd then she's gone, just as quickly as she came. And the only thing left to do is [[wait|BMP]].\n<<endif>>

.revision-span-in {\n\topacity: 0;\n}\n.revision-span:not(.revision-span-out) {\n\ttransition: 0.1s; -webkit-transition: 0.1s;\n}\n.revision-span-out {\n\tposition:absolute;\n\topacity: 0;\n}

"Oh. I live in Rasena now. I'm a new arrival, actually," She's happy to talk. \n\n"I had two brothers back home, but they didn't want to bother coming to space." She rolls her eyes, exaggerating every movement..\n\n"So, where are you from?"\n\n<<if $aff is 3>>\s\n"I'm from Rasena as well," you say, "Which quarter do you usually go to?"\n\n"I liked the look of the south quarter," she says, "but I haven't gotten settled in right. A cousin of mine, settled in Newston county and needed me to go help him get his solar panels set up. Got kicked out on my way back."\n\n"That's awful."\n\n"I know, right?"\n<<else if $aff is 5 or $aff is 7>>\s\n"I'm from Newston," you say, "Ever been?"\n\n"Nope," she sighs, "I just got on-planet recently. I was headed out that way to help my cousin with his solar panels, but I ended up stuck out here when my ride kicked me out."\n\n"That's awful."\n\n"I know, right?"\n<<else if $aff is 9>>\s\n"I'm from up north, Schiaparelli county."\n\n"Oh, wow. That's a long way away. Do you miss home?"\n\n"Home is anywhere you can find red soil under your feet, here."\n\nShe smiles, "That's cool. I'm going to steal that."\n<<else>>\s\n"I'm from <<cyclinglink $place "Rasena" "New Houston" "Schiaparelli County" "Margaritifer County">>."\n\n"Oh. Cool," she says, "Except now you're out here."\n\n"Yeah, work takes you all kinds of places.."\n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<display 'chatquestions'>>

<<if $comp is "fixed">>\s\n<<actions "Radio for Visitor ID." "Check news.">>\n<<else if $comp is false>>\s\n[[Re-initialize the computer.]]\n[[Try to fix the stupid thing.]]\n<<endif>>\s\n\n<<if visited("day1")>>\s\nIt's not really [[that important|day1 actions]].\n<<else>>\s\nOr, you could just relax for now and [[leave it alone|fit]].\n<<endif>>

It hurts. This position, the broken bones and now the bruises. There's no way to get comfortable. It's hard to keep your eyes open.\n\nShe works on the radio quickly, an expert. She doesn't pay you any mind; it's like you don't exist to her anymore.\n\nWhen she's finished, she keys up the radio and sends a message, giving your coordinates and requesting medical pickup. She records it to play a few more times intermittently, just to be certain.\n\nThen she goes and takes your walk-out suit, checking it over. She's going to steal that, too.\n\n"Don't relax too much; if you fall asleep like that, you might not wake up."\n\nShe doesn't bother releasing you. She fades in and out of your field of vision before suiting up and leaving.\n\nThe world is pain.\n\nI want to <<cycle death>>[[die]]<<becomes>>[[live|BMP]]<<endcycle>>!\n\n<<revise death "Fate is cruel">>.

She comes back wearing a set of your clothes, towel around her neck. She doesn't seem terribly concerned about you, and she definitely doesn't seem to be bleeding or injured in any appreciable way.\n\n"Rasenan suits are amazing, aren't they? That was just something their EMTs carry." She pads over to a chair and sits down. The contents of your fridge; not all of it, but enough of it, is spread out before her. No conflict is in her expression as she eats in front of you, ignoring you.\n\n"So," she says, after eating a few bites, "Here's what's going to happen. You need a doctor. You have a rover. Tell me where the keys to the rover are, and I'll call a doctor for you."\n\n[[Deal][$keys = true]]. [[No deal|Can you call the doctor?]].

<<if $aff is 3>>\s\nThe airlock opens to reveal a person still in their walk-out suit. It's dusty and red, just like everything else on the planet, but they're a fellow Rasenan. No need to be alarmed. May as well [[greet them|hi]].\n<<else if $rel is 3>>\s\nThe airlock opens to reveal a person still in their walk-out suit. They notice your gun, and raise their hands up without you needing to say so. They're unarmed, at least.\n<<display 'threat'>>\n<<else if $rel is 5>>\s\nThe airlock opens to reveal a woman in her walk-out suit. It has Rasenan markings, but that doesn't mean much as couriers wear whatever they want most of the time. Carrying an open affiliation flags them for harrassment, but in this neighborhood, Rasena isn't that strange of a sight. You've never seen her before, and she has the shaved hair of a spacer.\n\nMore importantly, she's not who you expected.\n\n"Hey," she says, "Is that drink <<choice [[for me|drink]]>>?"\n<<else>>\s\nThe airlock opens to reveal a woman wearing a standard Rasenan walk-out suit. Her helmet is off and to her side. She's smiling like she's managed to get lucky.\n\n"Good evening," she says. \n\n[[Greet her|hi]].\n\n<<endif>>

Even though she's a fellow Rasenan, it's a good thing you didn't bring Ariana here. The drones picked up signs of an unidentified rover on their trip, one that queried them for their topological data until they were shut out.\n\nThree of the drones begin the long emergency flight to Rasena, in order to get the message there in time. They have enough fuel to make it to the broadcast zone, at least.\n\nTime to head [[back|arianaalone]], they're two days away at standard rover speeds; they shouldn't be a problem.

<<set $keys = true>>\s\n<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\n"This is amazing," Ariana says even as she's shoveling dirt. She's been moving fast, like it's nothing to her. She fixed the pressure blower, and let you use it to clean the dust out of the machines themselves.\n\nThe ride out here was filled with silence as she stared at the landscape, fascinated. Like she had never been on Mars before. She marked a few strange looking rocks on the MPS interface, in awe of what the winds of Mars could do.\n\n<<continue "She clicks her tongue to get your attention.">> "Hey. So how far does all this stuff reach?" She's building a windbreak with the dirt, patting it down and using water sluiced from the equipment to make bricks. Adobe bricks, Earth tech, Martian style.\n\n"The whole planet. The Ares network reaches everywhere."\n\n"Wow. So how do I tune in?" She moves like she isn't remotely fatigued, despite the fact that you've both been up to this for hours.\n\n"It's just a little program, you can get it in most towns. Or download it from the rover when we're back in." Even carrying the blower is hard. If the dome hadn't cracked and let all of the dust in when the storm blew through, none of this would be necessary.\n\nBut with her help what would have taken the better part of the week is done in a day. At the end of the day, she falls asleep on the rover ride back [[home|day1 actions]].

Satellites only come by so often. When dust-storms change the maps, it might not be found properly for months. Even worse, the Gendarmería has access to all of the satellite records, as they own most of them. So it falls to you to ensure the tactical maps are up to date. A few drones can do the work, but they don't pick up everything.\n\nIt's a good thing you're there <<choice [[for the freedom of Mars|knock][$aff = 9]]>> / <<choice [[for Rasena|knock][$aff = 3]]>>.

"I kill people," she says, staring at you for a few moments.\n\n<<continue "Uh...">>"I'm joking," she says, "I'm actually a matchmaker. A human data-spider. Any program can find out what your favorite brand of processed cheese is, or use that to find you a date, but I'm a bit more predictive than that."\n\n<<continue "How?">> "I'm not about to give away all of my secrets, now. Let's just say it's a bit of old Earth magic."\n\n<<display 'chatquestions'>>

There's a lot of work to be done on the stage bikes to keep them in top shape. Whether she's a potential recruit or enforcer, Ariana would just get in the way. Enforcers aren't known for their mechanical skills, after all.\n\nOf the five bikes you manage to fix <<print either("three", "four")>> of them by pulling from spare parts and cannibalizing the rest. The next time one of the Sisters is scheduled to come through, you can make sure she brings everything you need.\n\nNo big deal. And it means you can [[relax|arianaalone]].

Tyche is the AI that runs Rasena. Fortune, fate, destiny, she manages them carefully and moves us where we are needed. Her nudges are subtle, and we rarely notice them. She is the only one who can process the endless streams of data that our lives feed her.\n\nWhen someone comes in from nowhere, it's Tyche's [[will]].

When she's not making herself useful, Ariana does a curious thing; she finds a place to sit and either naps or she toys around with her suit computer. She has no problem with long stretches of silence.\n\nShe doesn't seem to care too much who you are, but if you ask a question, she doesn't seem to mind answering it.\n\n<<display 'chatquestions'>>

<<if $aff is 3>>\s\n\n"Welcome," you say. Back home, everything runs to Tyche's constant calculations, so it's always best to presume someone has a purpose for being there.\n\nThe visitor removes her helmet and smiles. "Thanks," she says, "Mind if I stay here for a bit?"\n\nIt won't be too much of an imposition, of course. Especially since this is [[out of the ordinary|tyche]].\n\n<<else>>\s\n\n"Good evening," you reply, it's still a reflex on Mars.\n\n"Sorry if I'm imposing on you here, but I got dropped off not too far away. I can [[pay you|pay]], if you'd like."\n\n[[That won't be necessary|will][$rel += 1]].\n\n<<endif>>

<<if $certainty is "empty the magazine">>\s\n<<set $rel = 0>>\nThe rest of the rounds hit properly. Surely the intruder must be dead after that. The helmet glass caught all of the shots directed its way, however. The intruder isn't moving anymore.\n\nThe problem is, now there's a dead body in your hab, and that's always trouble. You could [[leave it for tomorrow]] or [[suit up]].\n<<else>>\s\nYou're able to get close to the intruder. Suits like these usually have a readout on the wrist that tells you if the person inside is alive or not.\n\nAs you grab the intruder's wrist, the intruder leaps up, knocking you back. Their strength is that of a <<cyclinglink "cyborg" "demon" "giant">>. They grab your hand and begin swinging. If you're quick, you might be able to get <<cyclinglink "your gun" "beaten harder">>.\n\nIt's all you can do in the end, to not completely [[break]] under this monster's unrelenting blows.\n<<endif>>

When you start to raise your gun again, she's on you. The first hit sends you flying back into the <<cyclinglink "wall" "desk" "algae pot">> and your gun is <<cyclinglink "in your hand" "slipping away" "gone" end>>.\n\nShe leaps like a demon, and crashes down on top of you. Her fists rain blows upon your body. She's not stopping until you [[break]].

<<if visited("day1") and $job is 4>>\s\nWith time, it should be an easy fix. The problem's deep inside the machine, but since you've spent so much time servicing the radio arrays, it's not too hard to [[fix|computer][$comp = "fixed"]].\n<<else if visited("day1") and $job neq 4.>>\s\nThe machine is a twisted tangle of cable and cards, everything assembled by machine in as tiny a space as possible of the lowest mass components. It'll be hard to work on with what you know.\n\n[[Take the chance|computer][$comp = broken][$day1count += 1]].\n\n[[Leave it alone|computer]].\n\n<<else>>\s\nCracking open the case, it becomes readily apparent that the computer was wired together by machine. It's going to take hours to fix properly. Not a job for [[tonight|computer]]. \n<<endif>>

<<if $answers is "Demand answers">>\s\n<<display 'standoffquestions'>>\n<<else>>\s\n"Can we talk about this like adults?" the visitor asks, her voice even. She's not afraid of you.\n\n[[Shoot her|shoot]].\n[[Talk like adults|hi]].\n<<endif>>

Once your eyes are off of her, and you take a step away to get your walk-out suit, your feet lift up from the floor and you feel weightless for a moment before being slammed back down onto the floor.\n\nThe intruder stands over you, kicking your <<cyclinglink "chest" "legs" "stomach" "arms">>; she doesn't stop until you [[break]].

She takes a while in the shower. Who knows how long she was in that suit. At this rate, the recycler might clog before she's out.\n<<if $clothes>>\s\n<<set $outfit = either("woven plastic clothing", "algaefiber dress", "cheap coveralls", "red planet camouflage", "old military uniform")>>\nWhen she comes out, she's carrying the heavy walk-out suit as if it weighs nothing at all. She's wearing the <<print $outfit>> you set out for her. No shoes, because why bother inside?\n\n"Thanks," she says as she sets the suit down by the door. She sniffs at it, before sliding the helmet down and locking it in place, looking disgusted.\n\n"Sorry I used up so much of your water," she says, "I've been in that suit for what seems like forever."\n\n<<choice [[It's fine|evening]]>>.\n<<choice [[Don't do it again|evening][$rel -=1]]>>.\n<<else>>\s\nShe's out of the shower in a reasonable amount of time. She was in there longer for wiping down the inside of her walk-out suit. Those were her only clothes, and now she's stuck in them.\n\n"Thanks," she says, "I needed that."\n\n[[No problem|evening]].\n<<endif>>

"It's pretty late out," she says, "we should [[sleep]]."\n\nIt has been a long day, but there's some stuff that needs to be done. At the very least, most of it can be put off until morning.

<<if $suspect neq true>>\s\nThe morning hab alarms go off as usual, drawing you back into the waking world. Everything is in its place, but something still seems off.\n<<endif>>\s\nThe interior airlock door is closed, and there's a message scrawled on the outside of a food wrapper.\n\nHey, <<print $name>>. Sorry to run, but I need to keep moving. I borrowed your rover. I've transferred some cash to your account to cover a rental. I'll get someone to bring it back. Best of luck!\n\nUnfortunately, she seems to be right, as someone is [[here|BMP]].\n

Inventory checks are awful. Food, parts, equipment, everything must be checked and entered. Nothing is allowed to simply disappear or go missing, as the Cartel abhors waste. The extra rovers in the garage bunker need to be checked regularly, and it's good that Ariana isn't here, or else she might get in the way.\n\nEverything is as it should be, even the things you mark off due to Ariana's arrival. Those can be listed under the "unexpected visitors" subheading after all, which covers bribes as well as travelers.\n\nNo need to get anyone worried about some wanderer, especially if she might be a supervisor. At the end of the day, as long as the work gets [[done|arianaalone]], all is well.

It is, isn't it? How she came here from nowhere, conveniently with no way back. Trading on your hospitality, which you have so graciously offered.\n\nWho knows what she might be [[planning|antinoon]]; there's only one way to [[find out|antinoon]].

So, what all needs to be done today?\n\n<<actions "Eat." "Chat with Ariana." "Work." "Check the computer." "Hab maintenance.">>\n\nOr you could just relax until it's time to [[sleep|day1end]]. \n

<<actions "What are you?" "Where are you from?" "Can you call the doctor?">>

She whistles, eyes growing big, "Wow, you ask some serious questions, huh? That kind of thing starts fights back on Earth."\n\nShe mimes punching the air in front of her, before laughing and settling back.\n\n"Hell, I don't know. I was into Temporal Hegemony for a while before they released 1797, which was still good, but the new cellist was a giant ass."\n\nShe thinks for a moment, and then looks back at you, "I'd ask you what you'd like, but that'd be awful, huh?"\n\n"Not at all. I like <<cyclinglink "Orbital Prog" "Gulch Metal" "Tecno Cumbia" "Shackleton Hiplife">>."\n\n<<continue "She waits for an answer.">>"Oh," she says, smiling, "Well, I won't judge."\n\n<<display 'chatquestions'>>

<>\n<<if $aff is 9>>\nYour gun comes to your hand naturally, a part of your training. [[No one|door][$rel = 3]] radioed ahead to say that they were coming today.\n<<else if $aff is 3>>\nNo one radioed ahead to say they were coming. <<choice [[Arm yourself|door][$rel = 3]]>> or <<choice [[greet them unarmed|door]]>>.\n<<else if $job is 8>>\nApparently the courier forgot something and had to double back. Night driving is the worst, after all. Best to get them [[something to drink|door][$rel = 5]]\n<<else if $job is 4>>\nIt's a raid. It has to be a raid. They might shoot you if you're [[unarmed|door]]. But you have [[a gun|door][$rel = 3]], don't you?\n<<else>>\nNo one called or got in contact with you. There have been stories broadcast recently about people getting their habs invaded out in the middle of nowhere, but they were <<choice [[nonsense|door]]>>, right? Or <<choice [[deadly serious|door][$rel = 3]]>>, meriting a gun?\n<<endif>>\n<<endnobr>>

"I'm a lot of things, you'll have to be more specific."\n\n"Like, a demon or something."\n\nShe laughs. "When I was younger, my grandmother took me to a field of stones and prayed over me for hours. It's a blessing that makes it so I can only be killed in that field."\n\nShe's either very good at lying, or dead serious.\n\nShe adds, after a bit. "Also, I've got the best drugs money can buy in my veins. I'm invulnerable that way, too."\n\n<<display 'fightquestions'>>

<>\n<<if $poster is "Hesperia Gales">>\n<<set $poster = 0>>\n<<endif>>\n<<if $poster is "Bridge Between Worlds">>\n<<set $poster = 5000>>\n<<endif>>\n<<if $poster is "Atlas Shrugged remake">>\n<<set $poster = 8000>>\n<<endif>>\n<<if $poster is "Free Mars">>\n<<set $poster = 2000>>\n<<endif>>\n<<set $life *= 100000>>\n<<set $bet *= 10000>>\n<<set $aff *= 100>>\n<<set $job *= 10>>\n<<if $rel > 9>>\n<<set $rel = 9>>\n<<endif>>\n<<if $rel < 0>>\n<<set $rel = 0>>\n<<endif>>\n<<endnobr>>\nThank you for playing Copperhead! Your ending code is:\n\n<center><h2><<revision lolcode>> CODE <<becomes>><<display 'getcode' >><<endrevision>></h2></center>\n\n<center><<revise lolcode "Get Code">></center>\n\nIf you comment on the appropriate Patrons-Only post at my [[Patreon|http://www.patreon.com/RichardAlmaraz]], your code will be entered with the others to determine what really happened at Copperhead in the Nonessentials canon.\n\nThis was my first attempt at writing interactive fiction, I hope it was entertaining.\n\nEach Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I post serialized fiction and singles at [[Non-Essential Reading|http://www.nonessentialreading.net]]. If you enjoyed this, check it out!

"Sure," she says, "Fifty shingles?" That's a lot of money. Fifty Rasenan pesos can cover a night at the Observatory. Enough for a week here.\n\nShe's slinging around a lot of money, but it would be absurd not to take that offer.\n\nThat should be <<cyclinglink $pay "plenty" "too much" "too little">>.\n\n[[Negotiate|will]].

Long hours on a bike, but worth every second in the future. Registering them with the Mars Mineral and Biological Authority is a hassle, but the gold rush isn't over yet. With the right words in the right places, rush-certification gets listings active before anyone can question if the minerals are really there.\n\nOf course, that's just for those people who aren't as [[scrupulous|knock]] as you.

"My name is Ariana Fuchs." She's being terse, not answering any more than she feels she has to.\n\n<<display 'standoffquestions'>>

The computer plays warning chimes.\n\nWarning! This process will restart the computer and begin a full system purge. It may take 24 to 48 hours for a full system synchronization with Cipher Dynamics servers via satellite. All local media will be accessible during this transfer, but radio communications will be inaccessible.\n<<if visited('day1')>>\n[[Re-initialize|day1 actions][$comp = off][$day1count += 1]] or [[Return|computer]].\n<<else>>\s\n[[Re-initialize|computer][$comp = off]] or [[Return|computer]].\n<<endif>>

If the antennas go down, this region of Mars is without a data relay. They'd be stuck with the commercial pay-for-feed satellites that circle the planet like garish vultures. Ares FreeSat isn't the only one on Mars that promises clean data, but it's the best. Trouble is, it relies on ground stations like yours to keep the signal strong.\n\nAnd ground stations have been getting [[raided|knock]] recently.

<<set $keys = true>>\s\n<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\nAriana is far more helpful than you could have given her credit for. She's able to help salvage the fifth bike that has plagued the garage since the first day.\n\n"So, what's the Daughters of Thoris anyway?" She's poking at the emblem idly. It's not on the bike's fairing, but on the keys that dangled from a lanyard around the handlebars.\n\n"We get anything from point A to point B on Mars. We run the largest unincorporated transit system on the planet."\n\nAriana wipes the grease from her hands and looks over the bright crimson bike. She runs a finger along the seat. "So, delivery girls? But you're not just that, right?"\n\n"Of course not. But you've got to get in before I can tell you anything." If she wasn't a member, then she would be easy to integrate. Already a woman of means, and clearly able to take care of herself, it would be good to seal the deal before someone else snapped her up.\n\nBut for now, it's time to return [[home|day1 actions]].

"Of course it is," you say as you hand it to her. Even though it wasn't, it only makes sense to greet a new guest this way. There's no telling where she's from, or what she's capable of.\n\nBesides, there's no use in alienating someone when you don't know who they [[are|hi]].

<<set $day1count += 1>>\s\n"Really?" she asks, her eyes lighting up like you just said it was <<cyclinglink "her birthday" "Landfall" "Christmas">>. She eats what you place in front of her, and gathers a small bit of food for herself for later. Like she's going to hoard it. Like she's afraid of starving.\n\n<<display 'day1 actions'>>

<<set $suspect = true>>\nMars Transit Authority ID services, how may we help you?\n\n[[Never mind|computer actions]]. | [[Run Ariana's ID|ID][$bet = 4][$day1count += 1]].

<<revision id>>Please hold.<<gains>>...<<gains>>\n\n...<<gains>>\n\n... ID Verification Complete.<<gains>>\n\nAriana Fuchs has no outstanding warrants or public notifications issued by the Fuerza Gendarmería de Sistema Solar, the State of Rasena, or the Mars Transit Authority.\n\nWould you like to report Ariana Fuchs for investigation or a criminal matter?\n\n[[Report][$rel -=1]]. | [[Nevermind|computer actions]].<<endrevision>>\n\n<<revise id "Wait.">>

version.extensions.cyclinglinkMacro={major:3,minor:3,revision:0};\nmacros.cyclinglink={handler:function(a,b,c){var rl="cyclingLink";\nfunction toggleText(w){w.classList.remove("cyclingLinkInit");\nw.classList.toggle(rl+"Enabled");w.classList.toggle(rl+"Disabled");\nw.style.display=((w.style.display=="none")?"inline":"none")}switch(c[c.length-1]){case"end":var end=true;\nc.pop();break;case"out":var out=true;c.pop();break}var v="";if(c.length&&c[0][0]=="$"){v=c[0].slice(1);\nc.shift()}var h=state.history[0].variables;if(out&&h[v]===""){return\n}var l=Wikifier.createInternalLink(a,null);l.className="internalLink cyclingLink";\nl.setAttribute("data-cycle",0);for(var i=0;i<c.length;i++){var on=(i==Math.max(c.indexOf(h[v]),0));\nvar d=insertElement(null,"span",null,"cyclingLinkInit cyclingLink"+((on)?"En":"Dis")+"abled");\nif(on){h[v]=c[i];l.setAttribute("data-cycle",i)}else{d.style.display="none"\n}insertText(d,c[i]);if(on&&end&&i==c.length-1){l.parentNode.replaceChild(d,l)\n}else{l.appendChild(d)}}l.onclick=function(){var t=this.childNodes;\nvar u=this.getAttribute("data-cycle")-0;var m=t.length;toggleText(t[u]);\nu=(u+1);if(!(out&&u==m)){u%=m;if(v){h[v]=c[u]}}else{h[v]=""}if((end||out)&&u==m-(end?1:0)){if(end){var n=this.removeChild(t[u]);\nn.className=rl+"End";n.style.display="inline";this.parentNode.replaceChild(n,this)\n}else{this.parentNode.removeChild(this);return}return}toggleText(t[u]);\nthis.setAttribute("data-cycle",u)}}};

<<if $standoff is "kill">>\s\n<<set $rel -= 2>>\s\nYou fire three shots, and they hit hard. The visitor stumbles back, two shots center mass in the walk-out suit and the third in the helmet, embedding itself in the glass.\n\nThey hit the ground hard, not moving.\n\nBetter <<cyclinglink $certainty "empty the magazine" "check on them">>.\n\nAlways be [[careful]].\n<<else if $standoff is "wound">>\n<<set $rel -= 1>>\nThe shot hits off center-mass and then the visitor's closed the distance from the airlock to you.\n\nYour pistol is <<cyclinglink "in your hand" "slipping away" "gone" end>>.\n\nTheir <<cyclinglink "helmet" "glove" "boot">> hits your <<cyclinglink "head" "body" "legs">> repeatedly with an otherworldly force. \n\nUnder the weight of their force, all you can do is [[break]].\n\n<<else>>\nThe visitor stands there, watching your gun as you lower it a fraction. It's your move.\n\n<<cyclinglink $answers "Demand answers" "Put away the gun">>?\n\nLet's [[talk|fightchat]].\n<<endif>>