Embassy by Rockeh

Embassy

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"Embassy" by rockeh

Part Bibliographical data

The story description is "Thirty years ago, FranÃ§ois-Pierre Delacroix, an astronomer at the Observatoir de Paris, obtained clear photographs of seas, canals and cities on Mars. Ten years later, a rocketship landed on the Red Planet, establishing the first human Embassy.[p]Today, the political pressure from Earth is pushing for the establishment of colonies here.[p]And of course, it's up to you to make sure it happens...[p][i]First-time players should type HELP[/i][p]".

The story headline is "An Adventure in Science and Diplomacy".

The story creation year is 2013.

The story genre is "Science Fiction".

Use the American dialect, no scoring, and the serial comma. Use memory economy.

When play begins: say "[story description][p]".

[* * *]

Part Logic

Chapter Semantic candy

To say p: say paragraph break.
To say br: say line break.
To say i: say italic type.
To say /i: say roman type.
To say b: say bold type.
To say /b: say roman type.
To say m: say fixed letter spacing.
To say /m: say variable letter spacing.

[* * *]

Chapter Short dialog (from Assumed Conversers by Michael Martin)

The default converser is a person that varies. The default converser is yourself.

Asking generically is an action applying to one topic. Understand "ask about [text]" or "a [text]" or "consult [text]" or "c [text]" as asking generically.

Telling generically is an action with past participle told, applying to one topic. Understand "tell about [text]" and "t [text]" as telling generically. 

Check asking generically (This is the check for only one sensible converser rule):
	change the default converser to the player;
	if the number of persons enclosed by the location is greater than one begin;
		repeat with candidate running through the persons enclosed by the location begin;
			if the candidate is not the player, change the default converser to the candidate;
		end repeat;
	end if.

Check asking generically (This is the check for sensible converser rule):
	if the default converser is player, say "[bracket]I can't figure out who you want to talk to.[close bracket][p]" instead;
	if the default converser is not visible, say "[The default converser] isn't here anymore." instead.

Check asking generically (This is the convert to asking it about rule):
	try asking the default converser about instead.

The check for only one sensible converser rule is listed in the check telling generically rules.
The check for sensible converser rule is listed in the check telling generically rules.
Check telling generically (this is the convert to telling it about rule):
	try telling the default converser about instead.

The convert to asking it about rule is listed last in the check asking generically rules.
The convert to telling it about rule is listed last in the check telling generically rules.

Before asking or telling or answering (this is the log latest converser rule):
	change the default converser to the noun.

[* * *]

Chapter Table-based conversation (from Farewell by Emily Short)

A person has a table name called conversation. Asking about is an action applying to two things.

Talking to is an action applying to one visible thing. Understand "talk to [someone]" as talking to. Understand "talk to [someone] about [something]" as asking about.

Check talking to:
	if the noun is not a visible person, say "Stop antopomorphizing [the noun]!" instead.

Carry out talking to:
	let the source be the conversation of the noun;
	let subjects be a list of texts;
	repeat through the source:
		if the apropos entry is true:
			add the subject entry to subjects;
	if the number of entries in subjects is greater than 0:
		say "You can ask [the noun] about [subjects].[p]";
	otherwise:
		if the noun is a robot:
			say "[The noun] is not programmed to answer.[p]";
		otherwise:
			say "There is nothing you and [the noun] can talk about.[p]".

Instead of asking someone about something:
	let the source be the conversation of the noun;
	if topic understood is a topic listed in source:
		if the apropos entry is true:
			say "[reply entry][p]";
		otherwise:
			say "[The noun] does not reply.";
	otherwise:
		say "[The noun] does not reply.".

Instead of telling someone about something: try asking the noun about it.

Instead of consulting a random visible person about a topic listed in the conversation of the noun: say reply entry.
	
[* * *]

Chapter Basic help

Understand "help" and "halp" as basic help.

Basic help is an action out of world.

Report basic help: say "[b]Playing Interactive Fiction:[/b][p]This sort of game is played by entering simple commands; the game will then tell you what the outcome of your action is. Your actions will be carried out by the Player Character, your avatar in the game.[p][b]Movement[/b][br]There are twelve directions you can go. These are [b]NORTH[/b], [b]SOUTH[/b], [b]EAST[/b], [b]WEST[/b], [b]NORTHEAST[/b], [b]SOUTHEAST[/b], [b]NORTHWEST[/b], [b]SOUTHWEST[/b], [b]UP[/b], [b]DOWN[/b], [b]IN[/b] and [b]OUT[/b]. With the exception of the last two, they can be shortened to, respectively, [b]N[/b], [b]S[/b], [b]E[/b], [b]W[/b], [b]NE[/b], [b]SE[/b], [b]NW[/b], [b]SW[/b], [b]U[/b] and [b]D[/b]. (Note that the commands are case-insensitive. [b]N[/b] and [b]n[/b] are the same).[p][b]The environment[/b][br]The simplest way to see what you can interact with, where you can go and so forth is to [b](L)OOK[/b]. This will print the description of the location you're in. To examine an object, you may, surprisingly enough, [b]E(X)AMINE IT[/b]. Depending on the sort of object it is, you may [b](T)AKE[/b] it, [b]DROP[/b] it, [b]WEAR[/b] it, [b]DRINK[/b] it and so forth. To see what you're currently carrying, check your [b](I)NVENTORY[/b].[p]Also, note that most actions require a concrete object (so you can not, for instance, TAKE PRECAUTIONS.)[p][b]Other people[/b][br]In your adventures you will encounter other people. Your character can then [b]TALK TO (the other person) ABOUT (something)[/b], [b]ASK (them) ABOUT (a topic)[/b], or sometimes [b]GIVE (an item) TO (the person)[/b].[p]The computer can be consulted on a variety of topics. The short versions of asking, telling and consulting are respectively [b]A (topic)[/b], [b]T (topic)[/b] and [b]C (topic)[/b].[p]This short introduction should be enough to get you started. As for the rest, use your imagination, and have fun!".

[* * *]

Part Objects

Chapter Objects

A thing has some text called printing. The printing of a thing is usually "blank".

Understand the command "read" as something new.

Understand "read about [text] in [something]" as consulting it about (with nouns reversed).

Understand "read [something] about/on [text]" as consulting it about.

Understand "read [text] in [something]" as consulting it about (with nouns reversed).

Understand "read [something]" as reading.

Reading is an action applying to one thing, requiring light.

Check reading:
	if the printing of the noun is "blank", say "Nothing is written on [the noun]." instead.

Carry out reading:
	let typing be the printing of the noun;
	say "You read: '[typing]'[p]". Report reading: do nothing.

[* * *]

Chapter People

A robot is a kind of person.

Instead of attacking a robot: say "Better not. It is a piece of delicate and expensive equipment, which could break every last bone in your body without hesitation.".

A Martian is a kind of person.

Instead of attacking a Martian: say "Better not. While most Martians deserve a punch in the face, a blastray to the chest or, in select cases, a grenade up their backsides, that sort of thing is best left to the Military.".

[* * *]

Part Places

Chapter Ambience

A room has a text called ambient sound. The ambient sound is usually "silence". A room has a text called ambient scent. The ambient scent is usually "nothing special".

Instead of listening:
	if the ambient sound of the location is not "silence":
		say "You hear [the ambient sound of the location].";
	otherwise:
		continue the action.
		
Instead of smelling:
	if the ambient scent of the location is not "nothing special":
		say "You can smell [the ambient scent of the location].";
	otherwise:
		continue the action.

[* * *]

Chapter Embassy

Section Reception Hall

The Reception Hall is a room. The description is "Built in the former courtyard of the Embassy building, the reception hall is a wide, tall room. Scattered about are various benches, urns containing Earthly plants, and some much-needed space heaters. Strewn between these, deep carpets line the floor. Above, the banners of the nations funding the Martian mission hang from the vaulted crystal ceiling.[p]Arches lead north to the Ambassador's Office, east to the other offices, west to the living space; a small closet by the southern entrance holds the furs and respirators humans need on the barren planet."

The benches is a supporter in Reception Hall. It is scenery, plural-named and enterable. The description is "The stone benches are part of the original architecture of the place; tall and angular, they possess a stark beauty, with no extraneous features.".

Understand "bench" and "seats" and "chair" and "chairs" as the benches.

Instead of entering the benches: say "You lounge on a stone bench a while, but it's uncomfortable, and quite cold.".

The urns is a backdrop in Reception Hall. It is scenery and plural-named. The description is "Plants of various sorts fill the original stone urns in the hall; selected for their efficiency at recycling air rather than for their looks, their dark green contrasts nicely with the cold starkness of the stone urns.".

Understand "urn" and "plant" and "plants" as the urns.

The heaters is a backdrop in Reception Hall. It is plural-named. The description is "Small electrical heaters are placed at regular intervals, their power cables hidden rather less-than-artfully under the rugs. They hog even more energy than the computer does, but without them the embassy would be colder than Moscow in winter.".

Understand "heater" and "radiator" and "radiators" as the heaters.

The carpets is a backdrop in Reception Hall. It is plural-named. The description is "Though they seem Oriental, the cost of transporting them was not deemed justified. Thus, the plastic casings of the scientific apparatus of the mission was melted down, spun into thread, and these deep carpets were made on-site.[p]This turned out to be a better idea, as it proved Earth's resourcefulness to the aloof Martians.".

Understand "carpet" and "synthetic" and "rugs" and "rug" and "deep" as the carpets.

The banners is a backdrop in Reception Hall. It is plural-named. The description is "Around the perimeter of the ceiling hang the flags of the countries which have funded the mission to Mars--which is to say, those countries which will eventually lay claim to Martian territory.[p]Above them, the flag of the Unified Earth dominates the room, a blue atom on a black background.".

Understand "banner" and "flag" and "flags" and "pennant" and "pennants" and "emblem" and "emblems" as the banners.

The ceiling is a backdrop in Reception Hall. The description is "Not part of the original architecture of the place, the ceiling was produced locally, a wonder of Earth technology. Indeed, the Martians seemed quite impressed with the way the rocketship exhaust fused the native sand into crystal.".

Understand "crystal" and "windows" as the ceiling.

[* * *]

Section Living Quarters

The Living Quarters is west of Reception Hall. The description is "[if unvisited]Another of the large chambers of the original building has been partitioned and converted into living quarters for the Embassy personnel. [end if]Your room is small, but the upside is that it heats up quickly; and still, it's much bigger than the berth you slept in on the rocketship.[p]You take a quick look: your bed, the collection of books and computer tapes, the small wardrobe, the knick-knacks in a box, the photographs on the wall, your diploma; they're all in order."

The bed is a supporter in Living Quarters. It is scenery and enterable. The description is "A small bed is nearly invisible under the pile of native furs. At this point it's more of a nest propped up on a slight metal frame, really.".

Understand "cot" and "nest" as the bed.

Instead of entering the bed: say "While the Martian day is indeed longer than the day on Earth, the extra half hour doesn't mean you can waste it by sleeping.".

Instead of sleeping while the location of the player is the Living Quarters: try entering the bed.

The books is a backdrop in Living Quarters. It is plural-named. The description is "All the books you've been allowed to carry to Mars, in complete disarray: [i]Anna Karenina[/i] next to [i]General Semantics[/i] next to [i]Mars: The Red Dream[/i] next to [i]A Guy Walks into a Bar: A Metasyntactic Analysis of Humor[/i].".

Understand "collection" and "computer tapes" and "tapes" and "book" and "anna" and "karenina" and "semantics" and "red dream" and "guy" and "metasyntactic" and "humor" as the books.

Instead of taking the books: say "The last time you touched one of them, eight hours went by in a flash, leaving you bedazzled, sleepless and fluent in Swahili. A pleasant experience, but not while you have work to do.".

Instead of reading the books: try taking the books.

The wardrobe is a backdrop in Living Quarters. The description is "Underwear, shirts, skirts, socks, frocks, pants, overcoats, slippers, boots, sandals, formal, casual, semi-casual. Something to wear for every occasion, assuming you don't have to go outside.".

Understand "dresser" as the wardrobe.

Instead of opening the wardrobe: say the description of the wardrobe.

The knick-knacks is a backdrop in the Living Quarters. It is plural-named. The description is "An incredible assortment of, well, junk: pens, elastic bands, scraps of paper, a map of New York, a broken lighbulb, some loose change and more. You could swear you've thrown out at least half of the stuff, yet more seems to accumulate all the time."

Understand "box" and "knick" and "knack" and "stuff" and "junk" and "trash" and "elastic" and "bands" and "pen" and "map" and "light bulb" and "change" as the knick-knacks.

Instead of taking the knick-knacks: say "You'll get around to throwing them all out, one of these days."

The photographs is a backdrop in Living Quarters. It is plural-named. The description is "A few snapshots of the life you have back on Earth: Mother and Father having tea; yourself as a fresh graduate of Moscow University; Father and Doctor Brown; a French girl, whose photograph was mailed to your address by mistake; the Tower of Pisa; the remains of the Jeep after that terrible safari. People and places a whole world away.".

Understand "pics" and "pictures" and "photos" and "portraits" and "people" as the photographs.

The diploma is a backdrop in Living Quarters. The description is "A diploma issued by the Department of Linguistics at Moscow University, certifying that you are a Master of Linguistics.".

Instead of taking the diploma: say "Better not--on one hand, it's a facsimile; on the other, it's useless on Mars, given that you're the only linguist in the Embassy.".

[* * *]

Section Small Closet

The Small Closet is southwest of the Reception Hall and west of the Airlock. The description is "A small closet was installed by the airlock of the Embassy. It's where the respirators and fur coats are kept. There is a notice on a wall, by the racks."

The notice is a backdrop in Small Closet. The description is "A hand-written note is glued to the wall of the closet, under a spotlight.".

Understand "sign" and "note" as the notice.

The printing of the notice is "It has come to my attention that even after twenty years, some people still haven't figured out that [i]Mars is not fit for human habitation[/i]. If you go out, Doctor Torres and I strongly urge you to [b]wear your respirators and coats.[/b][br][i]Signed[/i] W. van Dyk, Ambassador".

The racks is a supporter in Small Closet. It is scenery and plural-named. The description is "The metal frame racks hold the respirators and fur coats. They're labeled, so all personnel technically has their own coat and respirator, but as you're the only one who actually goes outside, rather than sending a robot, you consider all of them as yours.".

Understand "rack" and "coat rack" as the racks.

The fur coat is a thing on racks. It is wearable. The description is "The coat is made of native ulsio fur. Due to health and safety requirements, it has been dyed a bright turquoise for maximum visibility on Mars['] tan surface, though the inside has remained its original color, at Major McAngus['] insistence. Wearing it outside is entirely optional; getting frostbite from not wearing it, however, is mandatory.".

Understand "coat" and "overcoat" and "furs" and "garment" and "tan" and "blue" and "turquoise" and "ulsio" and "cloak" as the fur coat.

The respirator is a thing on racks. It is wearable. The description is "Looking much like a WWII gas mask, the respirator is in fact an advanced sort of air compressor, its purpose being to compress the rarefied air on Mars, heat it to a comfortable temperature, and add some moisture. It is also mechanical, its bellows activated by the very act of breathing, which means it can be used indefinitely.".

Understand "breather" and "device" and "gas mask" and "mask" and "compressor" as the respirator.

[* * *]

Section Ambassador's Waiting Chamber

The Ambassador's Waiting Chamber is north of Reception Hall. The description is "This wing of the original building was partitioned for better space usage, but being an area also visited by the occasional Martian, the conversion wasn't as drastic as that of the living spaces, and the decoration is much classier. Paintings decorate the walls, and couches are strategically placed to make the room seem bigger.".

The couches is a supporter in Ambassador's Waiting Chamber. It is scenery and plural-named. The description is "Large, soft and indubitably expensive, the leather couches suggest a restrained opulence, just one of all the small reminders of Earth's wealth for the Martians['] benefit.".

Understand "couch" and "seats" and "seat" and "bench" and "benches" and "leather" as the couches.

Instead of entering the couches: say "The auto-secretary has informed the Ambassador of your presence (as the mission linguist, you have immediate priority), so this is not the time to lounge on the couches, as incredibly comfortable as they might look.".

The paintings is a backdrop in Ambassador's Waiting Chamber. It is plural-named. The description is "Several reproductions of famous paintings, depicting landscapes, cities, and a few famous battles.[p]They're a bit tacky, in your opinion, but they have the strategic purpose of telling the visiting Martians 'We come from a lush, rich world. We have resources. We are superior.'".

Understand "pictures" and "painting" and "art" and "canvas" and "canvases" and "picture" as the paintings.

[* * *]

Section Ambassador's Office

The Ambassador's Office is north of Ambassador's Waiting Chamber. The description is "Large and opulent, the office was designed to make visitors feel small--no mean task, as humans are shorter than Martians. It is also a bad indicator of the occupant's personality, as Ambassador van Dyk would never put mahogany furniture, paintings, potted plants and countless shelves of books in his private office. Rank hath its privileges, but it seems it also bringeth obligations.[p]The symbolism of the room is so thick you could cut it with a knife. The one encased in glass on the Ambassador's desk, for instance.".

The mahogany furniture is a supporter in Ambassador's Office. It is scenery and plural-named. The description is "Heavy and expensive, the furniture has been lacquered and polished to the point where it looks like carved obsidian. The desk, shelves, chairs and cabinets were brought in two shipments, and cost almost as much as the Embassy's computer.".

Understand "mahogany" and "furniture" and "shelves" and "shelf" and "cabinet" and "cabinets" as the mahogany furniture.

The other paintings is a backdrop in the Ambassador's Office. It is plural-named. The description is "Yet more reproductions of famous paintings; more battles, including a few modern airplane fights, more cityscapes (these ones with impossibly tall skyscrapers), and less nature. Whereas the paintings in the waiting chamber suggest Earth's richness, these evoke the enterprising spirit of Man.".

Understand "pictures" and "painting" and "art" and "canvas" and "canvases" and "picture" as the other paintings.

The potted plants is a backdrop in Ambassador's Office. It is plural-named. The description is "A slightly morbid joke of the Ambassador's: most of the plants are carnivorous. Small, of course, as nobody'd put a man-eating plant in an office, but quite capable of digesting small bits of meat, animated or otherwise.".

Understand "plants" and "pots" and "potted" as the potted plants.

The Ambassador's books is a backdrop in Ambassador's Office. It is plural-named. The description is "A huge collection of books on the most diverse subjects, with ecology, diplomacy and military tactics as chief topics. Arranged alphabetically, bound in red leather, and aligned carefully, they reflect the Ambassador's personality more than the rest of his office does.".

Understand "rows" and "ranks" and "books" as the Ambassador's books.

The desk is a supporter in Ambassador's Office. It is scenery. The description is "The desk is somewhat larger than your bed, and cluttered with a sort of well-organised chaos of files, papers, computer tapes, letters and god-knows-what-else.".

Understand "clutter" and "junk" and "chaos" and "papers" and "files" and "letters" as the desk.

The glass case is a container on the desk. It is scenery, locked and transparent. The description is "A reinforced glass case holds a silver knife. There seems to be no obvious way to open it, and it appears to be used rather as a paperweight.".

Understand "case" and "glass" and "display" and "paperweight" and "weight" as the glass case.

Instead of taking the glass case: say "Pilfering the Ambassador's possessions? Not a good idea.".

The silver knife is a thing in glass case. It is scenery. The description is "It looks like a harmless silver [i]coup-papier[/i], but you have no doubt the knife is made of steel, and quite adequate as a weapon; whether it has ever been used as such is doubtful, however.".

Understand "silver" and "metal" and "steel" and "knife" and "dagger" and "weapon" and "coup" and "papier" as the silver knife.

[* * *]

Section Laboratory

The Laboratory is north of the Corridor. The description is "The only room in the building to use a proper airlock, the lab is a scientist's dream (and a potential biological hazard). Vats with various red and green things growing in them, glass tubes with bubbling liquids, Tesla coils, computer printouts, whiteboards filled with cryptic chemical formulas and more.".



The lab door is a backdrop in Laboratory. The description is "The glowing red eye of a computer camera watches the two doors of the airlock. Not only for the presence of people, but also for millions of types of micro-organisms. With the sort of things that go on in the lab, an epidemic of drug-resistant microbes is more than likely. Fortunately, the gas nozzles in its floor and ceiling are ready to destroy any unapproved germ.".

Understand "door" and "glowing" and "eye" and "nozzle" as the lab door.

The vats is a backdrop in Laboratory. It is plural-named. The description is "Several huge vats are filled with various mixtures of air and water, simulating countless environments of Earth and Mars. Inside them, all sorts of plants, microbes, bacteria and fungi are bred, cross-bred, spliced and mutated to thrive in alien environments, both for acclimatization on Earth and for terraforming Mars.".

Understand "vat" and "plant" and "plants" and "microbes" and "microbe" and "bacteria" and "bacterium" and "fungus" and "fungi" and "air" and "water" as the vats.

The tubes is a backdrop in Laboratory. It is plural-named. The description is "Things are definitely happening inside the tubes, but what? Only God and Dr. Torres could tell, and the explanation would most likely be beyond your understanding.".

Understand "tube" and "glass" and "bubbles" and "liquids" as the tubes.

The Tesla coils is a backdrop in Laboratory. It is plural-named. The description is "The sensitive equipment in the laboratory needs special power sources. The coils generate all the electricity they need, and they look frankly stunning.".

Understand "tesla" and "coils" and "coil" and "electricity" as the Tesla coils.

The printouts is a backdrop in Laboratory. It is plural-named. The description is "Rows upon rows of numbers and graphs, indicating some sort of scientific progress, presumably.".

Understand "listings" and "prints" and "numbers" and "graphs" as the printouts.

The whiteboard is a backdrop in Laboratory. The description is "You recognize the formula for [one of]benzene[or]acetylene[or]caffeine[or]phenylacetic acid[at random], but the rest is too advanced for you.".

Understand "board" and "chemical" and "formulas" as the whiteboard.

Instead of reading the whiteboard: try examining the whiteboard.

[* * *]

Section Airlock

The Airlock is south of Reception Hall. The description is "An airlock has been installed just behind the massive metal doors on the Embassy building. Given that Mars has an atmosphere breathable by humans, the airlock is not, in fact, airtight. It does, however, serve to contain the warm, humid, dense air of the Embassy, without it seeping into the dry frigid air outside.[p]The fur cloaks and respirators used to go outside are stored in a closet just to the west, while a door leads north into the reception hall. A massive steel door to the south leads outside.".

Instead of going south when the location of the player is the Airlock:
	if the player is not wearing the respirator and the player is not wearing the fur coat:
		say "You could go outside without wearing a fur coat and a respirator, and you would even survive. However, it would feel like a cold morning in the Andes.";
	otherwise:
		if the player is not wearing the respirator:
			say "Going outside without a respirator isn't quite suicide, but you'd find yourself short of breath quite quickly.";
			if the player is not wearing the fur coat:
				say "Going outside without a fur coat would likely result in getting frostbite.";
		otherwise:
			if the player is not wearing the fur coat:
				say "Going outside without a fur coat would likely result in getting frostbite.";
			otherwise:
				move the player to Outside the Embassy.

Instead of going north when the location of the player is the Airlock:
	if the player is wearing the respirator and the player is wearing the fur coat:
		say "Fortunately the Embassy is kept pressurized and heated at all times. Wearing the coat and respirator would be uncomfortable.";
	otherwise:
		if the player is wearing the respirator:
			say "The air inside is thick enough to not warrant wearing a respirator.";
			if the player is wearing the fur coat:
				say "It is warm enough inside to make you sweat under the heavy fur coat.";
		otherwise:
			if the player is wearing the fur coat:
				say "It is warm enough inside to make you sweat under the heavy fur coat.";
			otherwise:
				move the player to Reception Hall.

Instead of going northwest when the location of the player is the Small Closet:
	if the player is wearing the respirator and the player is wearing the fur coat:
		say "Fortunately the Embassy is kept pressurized and heated at all times. Wearing the coat and respirator would be uncomfortable.";
	otherwise:
		if the player is wearing the respirator:
			say "The air inside is thick enough to not warrant wearing a respirator.";
			if the player is wearing the fur coat:
				say "It is warm enough inside to make you sweat under the heavy fur coat.";
		otherwise:
			if the player is wearing the fur coat:
				say "It is warm enough inside to make you sweat under the heavy fur coat.";
			otherwise:
				move the player to Reception Hall.

[* * *]

Section Corridor

The Corridor is east of Reception Hall. The description is "This small featureless corridor leads north to the Laboratory, east to the computer room and south to the rest of the offices.".

[* * *]

Section Administrative Office

The Administrative Office is south of the Corridor. The description is "This is where all the fun happens, if you're the sort of person who enjoys compiling reports on geological, atmospheric, tactical and political data. Cluttered desks, filing cabinets, typewriters, computer terminals, whiteboards and overflowing paper bins fill the room.".

The desks is a backdrop in Administrative Office. It is plural-named. The description is "Sturdy and utilitarian, the desks all seem to be covered in countless heaps of folders, dossiers, papers and reports. The golden rule here is 'It's important, don't touch it.'".

Understand "offices" and "office" and "desk" and "clutter" as the desks.

The filing cabinets is a backdrop in Administrative Office. It is plural-named. The description is "Olive green metal cabinets line the walls. They're filled with all sorts of papers and computer tapes, both for internal reference and for transmission to Earth.".

Understand "drawers" and "cabinets" and "olive" as the filing cabinets.

The typewriters is a backdrop in Administrative Office. It is plural-named. The description is "People call them 'typewriters', but a better name would be 'mana from Heaven'. The IBM Selectric II is the basis of bureaucratic efficiency, on Mars and Earth. Rumor has it, they were the first item on the list when this mission was first planned.".

Understand "typewriter" and "writers" and "selectric" and "ibm" as the typewriters.

The computer terminals is a backdrop in Administrative Office. It is plural-named. The description is "A modified version of the typewriters, these have thick electrical cables snaking out of the room and use rolls of paper rather than sheets. They are used to send queries to the computer, and print out its responses.".

Understand "computer" and "terminal" and "terminals" and "computers" as the computer terminals.

The whiteboards is a backdrop in Administrative Office. It is plural-named. The description is "A chaotic mixture of numbers, place names, graphs, charts, decision diagrams, population estimates, military assessments and more. Much, much more.".

Understand "boards" as the whiteboards.

Instead of reading the whiteboards: try examining the whiteboards.

The paper bins is a backdrop in Administrative Office. It is plural-named. The description is "Standard metal mesh cylinders, ideal for storing all sorts of useless papers.".

Understand "trash" and "bin" and "recycle bins" as the paper bins.

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Section Computer Room

The Computer Room is east of the Corridor. The description is "A whole wing of the Embassy is dedicated to housing the single most expensive piece of kit brought on Mars: the computer. The room itself is hotter than the rest of the Embassy, the diodes and motors of the giant device making radiators useless here.".

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The Embassy is a region. Reception Hall, Living Quarters, Small Closet, Ambassador's Waiting Chamber, Ambassador's Office, Corridor, Laboratory, Computer Room and Administrative Office are in the Embassy.

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Chapter Outdoors

Section Outside the Embassy

Outside the Embassy is south of the Airlock. The description is "The endless Martian plain stretches in all directions; the occasional pile of boulders marks the ruins of long-forgotten roads or buildings. The sky above is a deep purple, devoid of clouds; the exception, of course, being the Nix Olympica, a perpetual hurricane caused by Olympus Mons.[p]The only notable feature is the Embassy to the north; roads lead northwest, to the landing field, and east to the distant city of Gharraz.".

The Embassy building is a backdrop in Outside the Embassy. The description is "The huge ancient villa was granted to the Earth mission by the leaders of Gharraz, supposedly as a gesture of good faith. The truth is, however, that it's very far from the city itself, and as it dates from a time when Mars had a thicker, warmer atmosphere, its walls are thin and broken by many windows and arches. Keeping it warm and pressurized turned out to be the biggest cost about the whole mission.".

Understand "villa" and "ancient" and "old" and "windows" and "arches" as the Embassy building.

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The Landing Field is northwest of Outside the Embassy. The description is "The red weeds are burnt here, and the soil and rock were blasted to glass by the incredible heat of rocketships landing and taking off. This field was where Humans first stepped on Mars, and remained the main landing site."

The burnt weeds is a backdrop in Landing Field. The description is "The heat of atomic exhaust has burnt the native Martian grass. It's frail and dark brown, quite unlike the lush blood-red grass which grows in more favorable environs.".

Understand "burnt" and "weeds" and "frail" and "brown" as the burnt weeds.

The slag is a backdrop in Landing Field. The description is "The field is covered in brittle slag, the result of the soil being pounded by the atomic fire of rocket exhaust. It is slightly radioactive as a result; this, along with the incredible heat of rockets landing and taking off, ensured that nothing will live here for years to come.".

Understand "atomic" and "glass" and "field" and "landing" and "brittle" and "radioactive" as the slag.

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The boulders is a backdrop in The Outdoors, Road to Gharraz. It is plural-named. The description is "Redweed-choked boulders lie strewn about, sole reminders that this whole plain used to be the heart of Gharraz.[p]The city migrated eastwards over time, a result of the withdrawing of the sea.".

Understand "pile" and "roads" and "ruins" and "stones" as the boulders.

The sky is a backdrop in The Outdoors, Badlands. The description is "The sky is notably darker and more purple in color than the sky on Earth, as a result of Mars['] thinner atmosphere. The occasional star twinkles even during the day, and every now and then, one of the two moons rushes above the horizon".

Understand "stars" and "star" and "purple" and "moon" and "moons" and "phobos" and "deimos" and "horizon" as the sky.

Olympus Mons is a backdrop in The Outdoors, Badlands. It is proper-named. The description is "Far to the west, across the distant Ophyr Sea, Olympus Mons rises in all its terrible majesty. The tallest mountain in the Solar System, its peaks reach far above the atmosphere, and due to the Coriolis effect, it slices through it. The result is Nix Olympica, the so-called Snows of the Olympus, a perpetual hurricane completely engulfing the plains of Tharsis.".

Understand "nix" and "olympica" and "hurricane" and "mountain" and "volcano" and "snow" and "snows" and "tharsis" as Olympus Mons.

The red weeds is a backdrop in The Outdoors and in the Badlands. The description is "Thick-leaved and blood-red, the tall grass grows everywhere on Mars, particularly around bodies of water. Its juice is drinkable, but has an unpleasant metallic taste. The roots, however, are deep, and the red grass is now used in Earth's deserts to fix the soil and prevent erosion.".

Understand "grass" and "thick" and "red" and "weed" and "tall" as the red weeds.

The Outdoors is a region. Outside the Embassy, Landing Field are in The Outdoors.

[* * *]

Chapter Badlands

Section Road to Gharraz

The road-description is a text that varies. The road-description is "The long, dusty road snakes downslope, towards the distant city of Gharraz.".

Every turn:
	if the location of the player is Outside the Embassy:
		now the road-description is "The long, dusty road snakes downslope, towards the distant city of Gharraz.";	
	if the location of the player is Outside Gharraz:
		now the road-description is "The long, dusty road snakes upslope, towards the distant Embassy.".

Road to Gharraz is east of Outside the Embassy. The description is "[road-description]".

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The Badlands is a region. Road to Gharraz is in the Badlands.

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Chapter City

Section Outside Gharraz

Outside Gharraz is east of Road to Gharraz.

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Chapter Palace

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Chapter Mansion

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Chapter Villa

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Chapter Tower

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Part Plot

Chapter Conquering Mars

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Chapter Green Mars

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Chapter Dreaming Mars

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Chapter Warring Mars
Log in

Embassy

Source Code
