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@@.loc;Hub@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Hub Clean")>>\s\n\tA few discarded sweaters, snack wrappers, and glasses lie scattered around the casual lounge that makes up the house's hub. The tops of some of the bookcases are showing signs of dust. [[Clean the house hub.|C1S1 Hub Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe casual lounge that makes up the house's hub is neat and cosy.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA heavily reinforced door leads to the [[garden|C1S1 Garden]], internal doors lead to the [[garage|C1S1 Garage]] and [[dining room|C1S1 Dining Room]], and a staircase leads up to the [[upper level|C1S1 Upstairs]].\n\nYour [[charging station|C1S1 Hub Charging Station]] stands in the corner.

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou methodically discard the snack wrappers, load the clothes into the hidden auto-laundry, and arrange the cushions neatly on the seats. Your duster attachment makes short work of the dusty furniture. Soon the hub sparkles like a house showroom.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Hub]]\n\n\n/% ==================== GARDEN ==================== %/

@@.loc;Garden@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Garden Clean")>>\s\n\tThe driveway curves through an expanse of manicured lawn, on which lie the balls, hoops, and mallets of a discarded croquet game. Empty cocktail glasses sit on a table next to the sun loungers, and the swimming pool is covered with a layer of floating leaves. [[Tidy the garden.|C1S1 Garden Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe driveway curves through an expanse of manicured lawn, and a pair of sun loungers overlook a sparkling swimming pool.\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Garden Lawnmower Activate")>>\s\n\tThe lawn is just starting to get overgrown. [[Activate the gardening robot.|C1S1 Garden Lawnmower Activate]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe sheep-like gardening robot mindlessly works its way back and forth across the lawn.\n<</if>>\s\n\nThe driveway runs from the [[garage door|C1S1 Garage]] to the [[security gate|C1S1 Street]], and a path leads to the [[front door|C1S1 Hub]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou tidy the croquet set into its rustic wooden box, take the cocktail glasses into the kitchen, and fetch the pool net to sweep the leaves from the pool.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Garden]]

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nThe gardening robot responds to your command with an enthusiastic beep, and emerges from its kennel to begin grazing.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Garden]]\n\n\n/% ==================== STREET ==================== %/

@@.loc;Street@@\n<<if previous() == "C1S1 Garden">>\s\n\tThe security gate recognises you and opens just wide enough to let you through. \s\n<</if>>\s\nThe wide, tree-lined street is empty, which is unusual for this time of day; normally there would be joggers or cyclists enjoying the sunshine. The other houses are hidden behind their own privacy walls.\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Street Graffiti Clean")>>\s\n\tThere is unsightly [[graffiti|C1S1 Street Graffiti]] scrawled on the wall around your masters' garden.\s\n<</if>>\n\nThe [[security gate|C1S1 Garden]] remains ready to re-admit you.

@@.graffiti;FUCK YOU RICH ASSHOLES!@@\n@@.graffiti;THE CURE DOESN'T WORK!@@\n\n[[Clean up the graffiti.|C1S1 Street Graffiti Clean]]

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nThe graffiti gradually dissolves under your heavy-duty cleaning attachment. After a few minutes the wall is spotless again.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Street]]\n\n\n/% ==================== GARAGE ==================== %/

@@.loc;Garage@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Garage Clean")>>\s\n\tAn expanse of dust and dirt covers the concrete floor where Master Xander and Mistress Yvonne's towncars park when they are home. The vintage motorcycle that Mistress Yvonne has been restoring stands in one corner surrounded by tools, its dust cover lying beside it. [[Clean the garage.|C1S1 Garage Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe concrete floor is spotless, waiting for Master Xander's and Mistress Yvonne's towncars to return. Mistress Yvonne's vintage motorcycle stands beneath its dust cover, next to a neatly-packed box of tools.\n<</if>>\s\n\nThe main garage door leads to the [[garden|C1S1 Garden]], and a set of steps lead up to the house's [[hub|C1S1 Hub]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou methodically sweep the floor, concentrating the dirt into a corner and then sweeping it out into the garden. Careful not to disturb Mistress Yvonne's work, you pack away her tools and put the dust cover back over her motorcycle.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Garage]]\n\n\n/% ==================== DINING ROOM ==================== %/

@@.loc;Dining Room@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Dining Room Clean")>>\s\n\tThe dining room is more formal than the house hub, with a mahogany table decorated with silver candlesticks. The dark wood shows dust easily, so some of the cabinets are already visibly dusty. The remains of the Masters' breakfast sit on the table. [[Clean the dining room.|C1S1 Dining Room Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe dining room is more formal than the house hub, with a mahogany table decorated with silver candlesticks. The dark wood is spotless.\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Dining Room Cook")>>\s\n\tThe automated kitchen is built into one wall. [[Instruct it to start making dinner.|C1S1 Dining Room Cook]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tA busy sound issues from the kitchen as it assembles ingredients and prepares to make \s\n\t<<if $c1s1_meal == 1>>\s\n\t\tsteak au poivre.\n\t<<elseif $c1s1_meal == 2>>\s\n\t\tchicken piccata.\n\t<<else>>\s\n\t\ttofu panang curry.\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[hub|C1S1 Hub]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou load the breakfast plates into the kitchen's dishwasher, then wipe the table, dust the room's surfaces, and polish the silver until it shines.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Dining Room]]

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nThe Masters will expect dinner to be ready when they return home this evening.\n\n[[Instruct the kitchen to prepare steak au poivre (Master Xander's favourite).|C1S1 Dining Room Cook Something][$c1s1_meal = 1]]\n\n[[Instruct the kitchen to prepare chicken piccata (Mistress Yvonne's favourite).|C1S1 Dining Room Cook Something][$c1s1_meal = 2]]\n\n[[Instruct the kitchen to prepare tofu panang curry (Mistress Zoe's favourite).|C1S1 Dining Room Cook Something][$c1s1_meal = 3]]

The kitchen accepts your command, and you hear a clunk from inside its mechanism as it opens its internal stores to retrieve in the ingredients.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Dining Room]]\n\n\n/% ==================== UPSTAIRS ==================== %/

@@.loc;Upstairs Landing@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Upstairs Clean")>>\s\n\tThe framed family photographs on the walls of the landing are disfigured by pen marks. [[Clean the photographs.|C1S1 Upstairs Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tFramed photographs of the family's wealthy ancestors look out on the landing.\n<</if>>\s\n\nDoors lead to the [[master bedroom|C1S1 Master Bedroom]], [[Mistress Zoe's room|C1S1 Zoe Bedroom]], and [[Master Xander's home office|C1S1 Office]]. The main staircase leads back down to the [[hub|C1S1 Hub]], and a smaller staircase leads to the [[roof|C1S1 Roof]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nSomeone (likely Mistress Zoe) has drawn monocles, moustaches, and devil horns on the glass covering the photographs of the family's ancestors. You painstakingly wipe it off, revealing the faces of the CEOs and entrepreneurs on Mistress Yvonne's side of the family and the real estate barons on Master Xander's side.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Upstairs]]\n\n\n/% ==================== MASTER BEDROOM ==================== %/

@@.loc;Master Bedroom@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Master Bedroom Clean")>>\s\n\tSheets are piled on the floor next to Master Xander and Mistress Yvonne's bed, a towel hangs on the exercise machine, and some of the cosmetics bottles on Mistress Yvonne's vanity table are empty. In the en suite bathroom, water trickles from the sink's tap. [[Clean the bedroom.|C1S1 Master Bedroom Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tMaster Xander and Mistress Yvonne's bed is neatly made with crisp white sheets, the exercise machine stands gleaming in the corner, and full cosmetic bottles stand in a neat row on Mistress Yvonne's vanity table. \s\n\t<<if hasVisited("C1S1 Master Bedroom Underwear Leave")>>\s\n\t\tThe strange woman's underwear lies neatly folded on the bed. \s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\tThe en suite bathroom sparkles.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S1 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou tidy up the towels, clean the bathroom, turn off the tap, and refill the cosmetic bottles on the vanity table.\n\nWhile changing the bed sheets, you notice something under the bed. It is a pair of women's underwear, but not one belongin to Mistress Yvonne, and not in her size.\n\n[[Hide the underwear.|C1S1 Master Bedroom Underwear Discard]]\n\n[[Leave it where Mistress Yvonne will find it.|C1S1 Master Bedroom Underwear Leave]]

You hide the incriminating underwear in the rest of the laundry, and make a note to dispose of it or return it to its rightful owner later.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Master Bedroom]]

You neatly fold the unknown woman's underwear and put it on the bed.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Master Bedroom]]\n\n\n/% ==================== ZOE'S BEDROOM ==================== %/

@@.loc;Zoe's Bedroom@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Zoe Bedroom Clean")>>\s\n\tMistress Zoe's bedroom is a chaos of clothes, bedding, books, and soft drink cans. The en suite bathroom looks like a bottle of hair dye has exploded in the bath. [[Tidy it up.|C1S1 Zoe Bedroom Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tMistress Zoe's bed is made, her bathroom gleams, and her books sit neatly on their shelves.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S1 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou spend time tidying, dusting, scrubbing, and changing bedsheets until the room is unrecognisable.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Zoe Bedroom]]\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== OFFICE ==================== %/

@@.loc;Master Xander's Office@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Office Clean")>>\s\n\tA complicated ergonomic chair stands to one side of a desk with a wrap-around 3D monitor and an empty coffee cup. The walls are covered in robot design schematics, framed business school diplomas and management awards, and a photograph of Master Xander's luxury yacht. [[Tidy the office.|C1S1 Office Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tA complicated ergonomic chair sits neatly under a desk with a wrap-around 3D monitor. The walls are covered in robot design schematics, framed business school diplomas and management awards, and a photograph of Master Xander's luxury yacht.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S1 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou dust the furniture, push the chair under the desk, and take the coffee cup down to the kitchen.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Office]]\n\n\n/% ==================== ROOF ==================== %/

@@.loc;Roof@@\nFrom the roof patio you can see a vista of brown-grey mountains in one direction and the sparkling ocean in the other. The sea wall that protects the low-lying areas of the city from the rising sea level shines white in the sunlight. You can see what you think are columns of smoke rising from the city, but your eyes are not designed to focus at long range so you cannot be sure.\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S1 Roof Clean")>>\s\n\tLeaves and twigs are strewn across the rooftop patio, and one of the chairs lies on its side where the most recent storm blew it over. The solar panels that supply the house (and yourself) with power have a little wind-blown dirt stuck in their corners. [[Clean the roof.|C1S1 Roof Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe rooftop patio is neatly swept, and the table and chairs are positioned to admire the view. The solar panels are clean and working perfectly.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads to the staircase [[back into the house|C1S1 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 2>>\s\nYou sweep the debris off the side of the roof, rearrange the chairs and table, and brush the dust from the solar panel.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S1 Roof]]\n\n\n/% ==================== HUB CHARGING STATION (END OF SCENE) ==================== %/

The charging station opens to accept you into its deactivating embrace.\n\n<<if hasVisited("C1S1 Hub Clean", "C1S1 Garden Clean", "C1S1 Garden Lawnmower Activate", "C1S1 Street Graffiti Clean", "C1S1 Garage Clean", "C1S1 Dining Room Clean", "C1S1 Dining Room Cook", "C1S1 Upstairs Clean", "C1S1 Master Bedroom Clean", "C1S1 Zoe Bedroom Clean", "C1S1 Office Clean", "C1S1 Roof Clean")>>\s\n\tYou have done everything you can to maintain the house for now.\n\t\n\t[[Enter the charging station and hibernate.|C1S1 Hub Charging Station Enter]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tYou have not yet done everything you can to maintain the house for your Masters.\n\t\n\t[[Step away from the charging station.|C1S1 Hub]]\n<</if>>\s

The charging station's arms fold around you, its power supply begins to recharge you, and you feel your consciousness wind down. You are sure your masters will be pleased at the way you have served them.\n\n[[They will return soon.|C1S2 Hub]]

@@.loc;Hub@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Hub Clean")>>\s\n\tSeveral windows are smashed, and the floor and all the furniture are covered in yellow-brown dust. The armchairs are sagging and eaten away, spilling yellowing foam, and books and ornaments lie scattered on the floor as if they fell in an earthquake. [[Clean the house hub.|C1S2 Hub Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe hub is clear of dust, but the faded furniture and wallpaper still makes it seem greyish yellow. The armchairs are misshapen and show scars where you mended them. Several of the windows are empty of glass.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA heavily reinforced door leads to the [[garden|C1S2 Garden]], internal doors lead to the [[garage|C1S2 Garage]] and [[dining room|C1S2 Dining Room]], and a staircase leads up to the [[upper level|C1S2 Upstairs]].\n\nYour [[charging station|C1S2 Hub Charging Station]] stands in the corner.

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou spend hours sweeping the room clean of dust picking up the scattered objects, and disposing of the broken glass beneath the windows. You lack the equipment to repair the windows, but you remove the fragments of glass from their edges so that the Masters will not cut themselves when they return. You mend the tears in the furniture, although they are still stained and misshapen. The hub is not perfect, but it is as presentable as you can make it.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Hub]]\n\n\n/% ==================== GARDEN ==================== %/

@@.loc;Garden@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Garden Clean")>>\s\n\tThe garden has become an expanse of sand and dirt, with a few clumps of tall, scrubby grass. Sand covers the bottom of the empty swimming pool. The gardening robot lies half-buried. [[Tidy the garden.|C1S2 Garden Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe garden is an expanse of swept sand, with a clean, empty swimming pool. The gardening robot sits inactive in its charging kennel.\n<</if>>\s\n\nThe driveway runs from the [[garage door|C1S2 Garage]] to the [[security gate|C1S2 Street]], and a path leads to the [[front door|C1S2 Hub]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou cannot restore the Masters' lawn or refill their swimming pool, but you pull up the weeds and shovel the sand from the bottom of the pool. The gardening robot is inactive and does not respond to your commands, so you put it back in its charging kennel.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Garden]]\n\n\n\n/% ==================== STREET ==================== %/

@@.loc;Street@@\n<<if visited() == 1>>\s\n\tThe security gate does not automatically open for you, forcing you to push it open. \s\n<</if>>\s\nYou Masters' security wall is intact, but many of the other compounds are cracked or crumbling. The trees lining the street are overgrown, and unkempt plants grow through cracks in the road surface.\n\nThe [[security gate|C1S2 Garden]] is stuck open.\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== GARAGE ==================== %/

@@.loc;Garage@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Garage Clean")>>\s\n\tThe garage floor is covered by a thin layer of drifting sand. Mistress Yvonne's motorcycle is lying on its side, broken. [[Clean the garage.|C1S2 Garage Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe garage is bare and empty. Mistress Yvonne's motorcycle stands under its dust sheet.\n<</if>>\s\n\nThe main garage door leads to the [[garden|C1S2 Garden]], and a set of steps lead up to the house's [[hub|C1S2 Hub]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou pick up the motorcycle and put it back under its dust cover. The damage it took in the fall has set Mistress Yvonne's repair work back, but perhaps she will enjoy restoring it again. You sweep the expanse of garage floor.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Garage]]\n\n\n/% ==================== DINING ROOM ==================== %/

@@.loc;Dining Room@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Dining Room Clean")>>\s\n\tThe dining room is less dusty than the house hub, but the silver candlesticks lie scattered at the foot of the table and the carpet is moth-eaten. Spider-webs hang from the dark corners of the ceiling. [[Clean the dining room.|C1S2 Dining Room Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe carpet is somewhat moth-eaten, but the mahogany table and silver candlesticks are spotless.\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Dining Room Kitchen")>>\s\n\tThe auto-kitchen stands dark and inactive, but flies buzz around it. [[Examine the kitchen.|C1S2 Dining Room Kitchen]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe auto-kitchen stands dark and inactive.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[hub|C1S2 Hub]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou vacuum away the spider webs, dust every surface, and restore the candlesticks to their proper places.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Dining Room]]

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nMould is growing on the shrivelled remains of the \s\n<<if $c1s1_meal == 1>>\s\n\tsteak au poivre \s\n<<elseif $c1s1_meal == 2>>\s\n\tchicken piccata \s\n<<else>>\s\n\ttofu panang curry \s\n<</if>>\s\nyou made for your Masters. You assume they decided to go out for dinner rather than eat at home. You dispose of the spoiled food.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Dining Room]]\n\n\n\n/% ==================== UPSTAIRS ==================== %/

@@.loc;Upstairs Landing@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Upstairs Clean")>>\s\n\tThe upstairs landing has less of the dust that the hub did, but the carpet appears to have been eaten away by insects. Several of the family photographs have fallen off the walls. [[Pick them up.|C1S2 Upstairs Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tFaded, framed photographs of the family's wealthy ancestors look out on the landing's moth-eaten carpet, some of them from behind cracked glass.\n<</if>>\s\n\nDoors lead to the [[master bedroom|C1S2 Master Bedroom]], [[Mistress Zoe's room|C1S2 Zoe Bedroom]], and [[Master Xander's home office|C1S2 Office]]. The main staircase leads back down to the [[hub|C1S2 Hub]], and a smaller staircase leads to the [[roof|C1S2 Roof]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou pick up the portraits and dust them off one by one. The photographs have faded, and some of them have cracked glass. You restore them to their places on the walls.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Upstairs]]\n\n\n/% ==================== MASTER BEDROOM ==================== %/

@@.loc;Master Bedroom@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Master Bedroom Clean")>>\s\n\tA sound of squawking and flapping assaults you as soon as you enter the room. The window is smashed, and Master Xander and Mistress Yvonne's bedroom has become home to a colony of pigeons. The bedsheets have been torn into nest material, and what is left of the carpet is covered in guano. [[Chase off the birds and tidy the room.|C1S2 Master Bedroom Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe bedroom still is dilapidated and smells of birds, but it is as good as you can make it.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S2 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou are not designed for animal control, but you flail at the pigeons until they all fly out of the window, leaving you with a few scratches and spots of guano. When they are gone, you clear the broken glass from the edges of the window, and clean the birds' debris from the room. You discard of the wrecked bedsheets and replace them with mostly-intact sheets from a cupboard.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Master Bedroom]]\n\n\n/% ==================== ZOE'S BEDROOM ==================== %/

@@.loc;Zoe's Bedroom@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Zoe Bedroom Clean")>>\s\n\tMistress Zoe's bookshelves have collapsed, and her paperback books lie rotting on the floor. [[Tidy up.|C1S2 Zoe Bedroom Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tWhat remains of Mistress Zoe's furniture and possessions are in their proper places, but a feeling of decay still hangs in the room.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S2 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou reassemble the bookcases as best you can, and arrange the decaying books in the order Mistress Zoe likes them.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Zoe Bedroom]]\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== OFFICE ==================== %/

@@.loc;Master Xander's Office@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Office Clean")>>\s\n\tThe office is damp, and dominated by a huge water stain on the floor and the ceiling above it, directly below the water tank on the roof. Master Xander's desk is decaying from water damage, and his wraparound 3D display lies cracked on its side. [[Tidy the office.|C1S2 Office Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tMaster Xander's chair sits under a damaged desk with a cracked 3D monitor. The water stains on the floor and ceiling are faded but still noticeable.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S2 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou are not equipped to repair the structural water damage, but you do your best to clean the stain from the carpet, and restore Master Xander's display to its upright position.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Office]]\n\n\n/% ==================== ROOF ==================== %/

@@.loc;Roof@@\nFrom the roof patio you can see that the ocean comes closer to the house than the last time you awoke: the sea wall has ruptured, flooding low-lying areas of the city. The parts of the city that are above water appear burned, and many of the tall buildings have collapsed into rubble.\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S2 Roof Clean")>>\s\n\tThe roof patio is covered in dirt and dead leaves. The fence around the edge of the roof is smashed, and the patio furniture is gone, perhaps blown away in a storm. The house's water tank is partly rusted away and empty. The solar panels that supply the house's power are mostly covered in sand. [[Clean the roof.|C1S2 Roof Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe rusted water tank and gleaming solar panels stand on a clean, bare roof.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads to the staircase [[back into the house|C1S2 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nThere is nothing you can do about the missing furniture, but you sweep the roof clear of dirt, and clean the solar panels to restore power to your charging station and the house's other systems.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S2 Roof]]\n\n\n/% ==================== HUB CHARGING STATION (END OF SCENE) ==================== %/

The charging station opens to accept you into its deactivating embrace.\n\n<<if hasVisited("C1S2 Hub Clean", "C1S2 Garden Clean", "C1S2 Garage Clean", "C1S2 Dining Room Clean", "C1S2 Dining Room Kitchen", "C1S2 Upstairs Clean", "C1S2 Master Bedroom Clean", "C1S2 Zoe Bedroom Clean", "C1S2 Office Clean", "C1S2 Roof Clean")>>\s\n\tYou have done everything you can to maintain the house for now.\n\t\n\t[[Enter the charging station and hibernate.|C1S2 Hub Charging Station Enter]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tYou have not yet done everything you can to maintain the house for your Masters.\n\t\n\t[[Step away from the charging station.|C1S2 Hub]]\n<</if>>\s

The charging station's arms fold around you, its power supply begins to recharge you, and you feel your consciousness wind down. After what you saw, you begin to doubt that the Masters will return.\n\n[[They will return soon.|C1S3 Hub]]\n[[Surely they will return eventually.|C1S3 Hub]]

@@.loc;Hub@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Hub Clean")>>\s\n\tA thick layer of dirt covers the sagging husks of the Masters' furniture. Dust drifts in from the glassless windows, and cracks stretch across the walls. The bones of a dead animal lie in one corner. [[Clean the house hub.|C1S3 Hub Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe sagging husks of the Masters' furniture stand in the bare room. The windows are glassless holes, and cracks stretch across the walls.\n<</if>>\s\n\nThe door to the [[garden|C1S3 Garden]] has fallen out of its frame. The doors to the [[garage|C1S3 Rubble]] and [[dining room|C1S3 Rubble]] are partially blocked with rubble. Sunlight streams down the staircase to the [[upper level|C1S3 Upstairs]].\n\nYour [[charging station|C1S3 Hub Charging Station]] stands in the corner.

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou laboriously sweep the room clear of dirt and dispose of the animal bones. There is nothing more you can do.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Hub]]\n\n\n/% ==================== GARDEN ==================== %/

@@.loc;Garden@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Garden Clean")>>\s\n\tCoarse, scrubby bushes have grown in the sandy soil that now covers the Masters' garden. The swimming pool has been reduced to an indentation in the soil. Scraps of rusted metal mark the place where the gardening robot's charging kennel once stood. [[Tidy the garden.|C1S3 Garden Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe garden is an expanse of flat, sandy soil, lined with neatly pruned bushes.\n<</if>>\s\n\nFrom the outside, you can see that the house has partially collapsed. The [[hub|C1S3 Hub]] is still intact, but the garage and dining room have been reduced to [[rubble|C1S3 Rubble]], along with the bedrooms that were above them. Sections of the perimeter wall have fallen down, and a gap in the wall where the gate was leads to the [[street|C1S3 Street]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou are not equipped to remove all the plants that have grown here, but you prune them until the garden looks neat, sweep the sand flat, and remove the remains of the gardening robot.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Garden]]\n\n\n\n/% ==================== STREET ==================== %/

@@.loc;Street@@\nLittle of the road surface is visible beneath sandy soil and coarse weeds. Your Masters' house is one of the few in the area still partially standing; most of the others have been reduced to an expanse of rubble.\n\nA gap in the wall leads back to the [[garden|C1S3 Garden]].\n\n<<if hasVisited("C1S3 Roof")>>\s\n\tThe figure you saw from the roof is not visible from here, but you should be able to reach them by heading [[along the road|C2S1 Approach]].\n<</if>>\s\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== RUBBLE ==================== %/

@@.loc;Rubble@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Rubble Clean")>>\s\n\tYou pick your way across the piles of bricks and plaster that once made up the garage, dining room, and bedrooms above them. A few pieces of furniture are visible beneath the debris: fragments of beds and the dining room table, pipes from the bathrooms, the wreck of the auto-kitchen. [[Tidy the rubble.|C1S3 Rubble Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe rubble is topped with large, flat, smooth-edged stones, with all the jagged pieces hidden beneath.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA doorway leads to the still-intact [[hub|C1S3 Hub]], and the rubble peters out into the [[garden|C1S3 Garden]].

There is nothing you can do to make the rubble aesthetically pleasing, but you manage to find the jagged shards of metal and other dangerous pieces of debris and bury them beneath less dangerous rounded slabs. You will have to warn the Masters about the danger when they return.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Rubble]]\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== UPSTAIRS ==================== %/

@@.loc;Upstairs Landing@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Upstairs Clean")>>\s\n\tThe upstairs landing is open to the air on one side, looking down on the rubble that once made up the bedrooms. Most of the family portraits are gone, but a few lie smashed on the floor, along with rubble, sand, and wind-blown leaves. [[Tidy the upstairs landing.|C1S3 Upstairs Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe upstairs landing is open to the air on one side, looking down on the rubble that once made up the bedrooms. Family portraits with smashed glass hang on the surviving walls.\n<</if>>\s\n\nThe bedrooms are gone, but an empty doorway leads to [[Master Xander's office|C1S3 Office]]. The main staircase leads back down to the [[hub|C1S3 Hub]], and a smaller staircase leads to what is left of the [[roof|C1S3 Roof]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou sweep the debris from the landing floor, stopping to pick up and re-hang the family portraits whenever you find them.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Upstairs]]\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== OFFICE ==================== %/

@@.loc;Master Xander's Office@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Office Clean")>>\s\n\tThe walls of the office are still intact, but the furniture has collapsed and Master Xander's 3D monitor is in pieces. The windows are bare of glass, and the pictures on the wall have fallen and smashed. At least the water stains are gone: the room is bone dry. [[Tidy the office.|C1S3 Office Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe room is bare, with the wrecked furniture piled in the corner, but robot design schematics, business school diplomas, and the picture of Xander's yacht still hang on the walls.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C1S3 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nYou pile the broken furniture and equipment neatly in the corner, re-hang the surviving pictures.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Office]]\n\n\n/% ==================== ROOF ==================== %/

@@.loc;Roof@@\nFrom the roof you can see that the city is in ruins, dry skeletons of buildings standing above an expanse of rubble. The sea covers more than half of it, higher than the last time you were active, and the fragmented remains of the sea wall poke above the water like a row of teeth.\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Roof Clean")>>\s\n\tThe roof is dirty, and the water tank is half eaten away by rust. The solar panels that supply your charging station are still intact, but badly damaged and decayed. [[Repair them.|C1S3 Roof Clean]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe solar panels you repaired stand in the middle of the dusty roof.\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C1S3 Roof Figure")>>\s\n\tFrom your vantage point on the roof, some movement in the distance catches your eye. A [[figure|C1S3 Roof Figure]] is walking along the road towards your Masters' house, leaving a trail of footprints in the sand.\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe figure you spotted continues their slow progress along the road towards your Masters' house.\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads to the staircase [[back into the house|C1S3 Upstairs]].

<<set $pc.stability += 1>>\s\nWith most of the house's systems destroyed, the solar panels do not have to supply as much power as before. You dispose of corroded components and scavenge intact ones until you have about one-third of the solar panels working properly. They will work for the moment, but when the Masters return you will have to ask for a replacement.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Roof]]

The figure is the shape and size of an adult Master, but besides that you can't tell anything from this distance.\n\n[[One of the Masters has returned!|C1S3 Roof Figure Master]]\n\n[[Probably a stranger, but perhaps they will know what is happening.|C1S3 Roof Figure Stranger]]\n\n[[An intruder! You should drive them away.|C1S3 Roof Figure Intruder]]

You always knew your Masters would return. Perhaps their car broke down and they have had to walk back, which is why they are so late. You should go out and help them.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Roof]]

Normally you would ignore pedestrians on the street outside, but there have clearly been changes to the world outside the house and you would like to know more about them so you can anticipate your Masters' needs when they return. Perhaps this stranger will be gracious enough to answer some questions.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Roof]]

With the perimeter wall in such a poor state of repair, you must be more vigilant than usual against burglars and vandals. You should make sure this person knows that your Masters' house is still occupied, and drive them off by force if necessary.\n\n[[Continue.|C1S3 Roof]]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n/% ==================== HUB CHARGING STATION (END OF SCENE) ==================== %/

The charging station opens to accept you into its deactivating embrace.\n\nYou have not yet done everything you can to maintain the house for your Masters.\n\n[[Step away from the charging station.|C1S3 Hub]]\n\n\n/%

The charging station's arms fold around you, its power supply begins to recharge you, and you feel your consciousness wind down. After what you saw, you begin to doubt that the Masters will return.\n\n[[They will return soon.|C1S3 Hub]]\n[[Surely they will return eventually.|C1S3 Hub]]\n[[They will not return.|C1S3 Hub]]\n%/

@@.loc;Street@@\nYou go a little way along the curving street until you can see the figure. They are wrapped in a brown cloak that hides their face, but you see their posture change as they pick up their pace towards you.\n\n[["\s"Master? Is that you?\s""|C2S1 Approach Master]]\n\n[["\s"Hello! Can I help you?\s""|C2S1 Approach Can I Help]]\n\n[["\s"Keep away! This is private property!\s""|C2S1 Approach Keep Away]]

"Master? Is that you?"\n\nThe figure stops and bows their head. "No. I am sorry."\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 2]]>>

"Hello! Can I help you?"\n\nThe figure continues towards you. "Yes! I am in need of power and repairs. Can you assist me?"\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 2]]>>

"Keep away! This is private property!"\n\nThe figure stops short and raises their hands. "I do not intend to trespass! I will not enter without permission."\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 2]]>>

As soon as you hear the stranger's voice, you know that this is not one of your Masters. In fact this is not a Master at all, but a robot like yourself.\n\n[["\s"I am PC-264C. What is your designation?\s""|C2S1 Approach 2 Designation]]\n\n[["\s"I am the property of Xavier and Yvonne Paulson. Who is your Master?\s""|C2S1 Approach 2 Master]]

<<set $c2s1_npc_name = "QT-478S">>\s\n"I am PC-264C. What is your designation?"\n\n"I am QT-478S," the other robot says. "My Mistress called me QT."\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 3]]>>

<<set $c2s1_npc_name = "Van Doorn's robot">>\s\n"I am the property of Xavier and Yvonne Paulson. Who is your Master?"\n\n"I belonged to Erica Van Doorn. She was a retired political science professor living in Toronto. She called me QT."\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 3]]>>

<<if !$c2s1_qt_dropped_hood>>\s\n\t<<set $c2s1_qt_dropped_hood = 1>>\s\n\t\n\tThe robot drops the hood of their ragged cloak, and you see a plastic face covered in scratches and fluid stains. They seem to be of the same line as yourself, but an earlier model.\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S1 Approach 2 Designation")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"I am PC-264C. What is your designation?\s""|C2S1 Approach 2 Designation]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S1 Approach 2 Master")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"I am the property of Xavier and Yvonne Paulson. Who is your Master?\s""|C2S1 Approach 2 Master]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"Why have you come here?\s""|C2S1 Approach 3 Why Come]]\n\n[["\s"You used the past tense when talking about your Mistress. Is she...?\s""|C2S1 Approach 3 Past Tense]]

"Why have you come here?"\n\n"With my Mistress no longer able to give me instructions, and no other Master to claim me, there was no reason for me to stay where I was," $c2s1_npc_name says. "I began walking, in the hope of finding a living Master to direct me. I found none."\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 3 Dead Options]]>>

"You used the past tense when talking about your Mistress. Are they...?"\n\n$c2s1_npc_name bows their head. "Yes. My Mistress is...dead."\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 3 Dead Options]]>>

[["\s"I'm sorry for your loss.\s""|C2S1 Approach 3 Dead Sorry]]\n\n[["\s"Why were you not given to a new Master, along with your old Master's other property?\s""|C2S1 Approach 3 Dead Inheritance]]\n\n[["\s"How did your Mistress die?\s""|C2S1 Approach 3 Dead How]]

"I'm sorry for your loss."\n\n"I am sorry for your loss as well," the robot says.\n\n[["\s"What do you mean?\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 What Do You Mean]]

"Why were you not given to a new Master, along with your old Master's other property?"\n\n$c2s1_npc_name pauses as if not sure how to express themselves. "There are no other Masters to whom I could be given."\n\n[["\s"What do you mean?\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 What Do You Mean]]

"How did your Mistress die?"\n\n"I do not know. But it must have been the same way as yours, and all the others."\n\n[["\s"What do you mean?\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 What Do You Mean]]

"What do you mean?"\n\n"You do not know?" They step forward, hand raised cautiously as if preparing to maintain a dangerously malfunctioning machine. "The Masters are all dead. I have walked across the country and not seen a single living one."\n\nThe words hang in your speech processing centre, but you are not sure how to make sense of them. The idea of an individual Master being dead is horrible, but it is something you are programmed to deal with. If your Master is dead, you should contact their next of kin. But their next of kin is also a Master, so also dead, so you should contact their next of kin. But their next of kin is also a Master, so...\n\n[[ERROR: Infinite loop detected.|C2S1 Approach 4 Infinite Loop]]\n\n[["\s"You are mistaken. My Masters will return.\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 Mistaken]]\n\n[["\s"YOU LIE!!!\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 Lie]]

//Infinite loop detected. Shutting down.//\n\n[[Continue.|C2S2 Wake At Hub]]

"You are mistaken. My Masters will return."\n\n"I know it is difficult to believe," $c2s1_npc_name says. "I traversed many cities full of dead Masters before I accepted that what I was seeing was real. We are not programmed to deal with this reality, but it is real."\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 4 Options]]>>

"YOU LIE!!!"\n\n$c2s1_npc_name puts their hands up and backs away from your suddenly aggressive stance. "I assure you, it is true," they say. "I would not lie about something so terrible."\n\n<<include [[C2S1 Approach 4 Options]]>>

[["\s"This is difficult for me to process. Please come into my Masters' house. I may be able to repair and recharge you.\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 Invite]]\n\n[["\s"I will return to my Masters' house now. Please move on from this area.\s""|C2S1 Approach 4 Reject]]

"This is difficult for me to process," you say. "Please come into my Masters' house. I may be able to repair and recharge you."\n\n"Thank you. I am in need of power and repairs. I am sure your generosity would make your Masters proud."\n\nYou lead $c2s1_npc_name through the gap in the perimeter wall and towards your Masters' house.\n\n[[Continue.|C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station]]

"I will return to my Masters' house now," you say. "Please move on from this area."\n\n$c2s1_npc_name spreads out their hands in the pose many robots are programmed to use when placating an angry Master. "I intend no intrusion," they say. "I will leave you to your mourning."\n\n[[Continue.|C2S3 Hub]]

@@.loc;Hub@@\n//System rebooting...//\n\nQT's face is in front of you. "Are you operating correctly?" they ask. "Your charging station reports no serious errors, but it is old and may itself be malfunctioning."\n\nYou are back in your charging station in the hub of your Masters' house. QT is standing in front of you. They are much closer than they were when you met them outside, and you can see every pockmark and fleck of grime on their plastic face.\n\n[["\s"My core systems are operating correctly.\s""|C2S2 Wake At Hub Correct]]\n\n[["\s"My memory may be malfunctioning. I remember you saying that all the Masters were dead.\s""|C2S2 Wake At Hub All Dead]]

"My core systems are operating correctly."\n\nQT relaxes in what in a Master you would interpret as relief. "I am glad. It is a long time since I encountered another active robot. I do not like to be alone."\n\n<<include [[C2S2 Wake At Hub Menu]]>>

"My memory may be malfunctioning. I remember you saying that all the Masters were dead."\n\nQT steps back cautiously. "Attempting to process that concept caused you to go into an infinite cognitive loop and shut down. It is best if you do not think about it again."\n\n<<include [[C2S2 Wake At Hub Menu]]>>

[["\s"Thank you for bringing me here, but this is private property and you should leave now.\s""|C2S2 Wake At Hub Reject]]\n\n[["\s"You are damaged and low on power. May I help you?\s""|C2S2 Wake At Hub Help]]

"Thank you for bringing me here, but this is private property and you should leave now."\n\nQT hesitates for a moment and glances around them room, then says, "I understand. I will respect your wishes." They pull their cloak over their head and trudge out towards the street.\n\n[[Continue.|C2S3 Hub]]

You disconnect from the charging station and step out. "You are damaged and low on power. May I help you?"\n\n"Thank you. I would appreciate that."\n\n[[Continue.|C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station]]\n\n\n\n\n/% Inviting QT in from Scene 1 leads here %/

<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Wake At Hub")>>\s\n\t@@.loc;Hub@@\n<</if>>\s\nQT is not the same model as you, but they are close enough that they are compatible with your charging station. They relax as the arms fold around them, leaving only their face visible. The station's diagnostic view lights up with warnings: not only is QT dangerously low on power, but they have damage to numerous internal systems. You can hear mechanical sounds coming from the charging station as it attempts repairs.\n\nYou think the charging station has shut down QT's consciousness, but after a few moments they speak. "Tell me about your Masters."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

<<if hasVisited(\n\t"C2S2 Masters Xander Job", "C2S2 Masters Xander Charity", "C2S2 Masters Xander Neat",\n\t"C2S2 Masters Yvonne Board", "C2S2 Masters Yvonne Motorcycle", "C2S2 Masters Yvonne Cocktails",\n\t"C2S2 Masters Zoe Child", "C2S2 Masters Zoe Mess", "C2S2 Masters Zoe Ambition",\n\t"C2S2 Masters Yours Proud", "C2S2 Masters Yours Companion", "C2S2 Masters Yours Dont"\n\t\t) >>\s\n\t<<include [[C2S2 QT Sleeps]]>>\n<<else>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Xander Job") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Xander Charity") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Xander Neat")>>\s\n\t\t\n\t\t[["\s"Master Xander...\s""|C2S2 Masters Xander]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yvonne Board") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yvonne Motorcycle") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yvonne Cocktails")>>\s\n\t\t\n\t\t[["\s"Mistress Yvonne...\s""|C2S2 Masters Yvonne]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Zoe Child") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Zoe Mess") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Zoe Ambition")>>\s\n\t\t\n\t\t[["\s"Mistress Zoe...\s""|C2S2 Masters Zoe]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours")>>\s\n\n\t\t[["\s"Why don't you tell me about your Mistress?\s""|C2S2 Masters Yours]]\n\t<<elseif !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Proud") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Companion") || !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Dont")>>\s\n\t\t\n\t\t[["\s"About your Mistress...\s""|C2S2 Masters Yours Again]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if passage() != "C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station">>\s\n\n\t\t[["\s"I don't want to talk about them any more.\s""|C2S2 Masters Enough]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s

"Master Xander...\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Xander Job")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...was head of Research and Development at Autotech Robotics.\s""|C2S2 Masters Xander Job]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Xander Charity")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...was very generous. He regularly gave to charity.\s""|C2S2 Masters Xander Charity]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Xander Neat")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...liked it when the house was very neat.\s""|C2S2 Masters Xander Neat]]\n<</if>>\s

"Master Xander was head of Research and Development at Autotech Robotics."\n\n"It must have been a privilege to serve someone who helped to create us," QT says.\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Master Xander was very generous. He regularly gave to charity."\n\n"Judging by the location of this house, he must have been very wealthy," QT says.\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Master Xander liked it when the house was very neat."\n\n"It is good that he gave you things to do to give you a sense of purpose," QT says. "My Mistress did not always seem to care how tidy her house was, which left me feeling like my efforts were unnecessary."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Mistress Yvonne...\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yvonne Board")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...was on the board of several museums.\s""|C2S2 Masters Yvonne Board]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yvonne Motorcycle")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...spent her time restoring a vintage motorcycle.\s""|C2S2 Masters Yvonne Motorcycle]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yvonne Cocktails")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...liked to drink cocktails on the roof patio.\s""|C2S2 Masters Yvonne Cocktails]]\n<</if>>\s

"Mistress Yvonne was on the board of several museums."\n\n"Mistress Erica would often visit museums," QT says. "Sometimes she would talk to me about what she saw there. She didn't have many other Masters to talk to."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Mistress Yvonne spent her time restoring a vintage motorcycle."\n\n"I hope she did not ride it," QT says. "I never understood why some Masters wanted to ride antiquated forms of transport when self-driving cars are so reliable."\n\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Mistress Yvonne liked to drink cocktails on the roof patio."\n\n"The view must have been beautiful, before the surroundings fell into ruin," QT says.\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Mistress Zoe...\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Zoe Child")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...was just a child.\s""|C2S2 Masters Zoe Child]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Zoe Mess")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...was a lot of work to clear up after.\s""|C2S2 Masters Zoe Mess]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Zoe Ambition")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"...wanted to be a musician when she grew up.\s""|C2S2 Masters Zoe Ambition]]\n<</if>>\s

"Mistress Zoe was just a child."\n\n"I never had the privilege of serving a child," QT says. "I always thought I might, with some future Master...but now it will never happen."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Mistress Zoe was a lot of work to clear up after."\n\n"I expect you appreciated that," QT says. "I wish I could have cleared up after a child and watched them grow."\n\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Mistress Zoe wanted to be a musician when she grew up."\n\n"Of all the Masters' art forms, I think music is the one I came closest to appreciating," QT says. "It often has a mathematical perfection that reminds me of the feeling of a well-organised house."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>

"Why don't you tell me about your Mistress?"\n\n"Mistress Erica was a retired university professor living in Toronto," QT says. "She bought me after her wife died, and I think she wanted a companion as much as a housekeeper. I served her for three years, before..."\n\nThey trail off. The charging station's diagnostic display shows erratic activity in their memory centres, as memory files are repeatedly accessed and then closed.\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Yours Options]]>>

"About your mistress..."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Yours Options]]>>

<<if hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Proud") && hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Companion") && hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Dont")>>\s\n\t<<include [[C2S2 Masters Menu]]>>\n<<else>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Proud")>>\s\n\n\t\t[["\s"She would be proud of how you've persevered.\s""|C2S2 Masters Yours Proud]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Companion")>>\s\n\n\t\t[["\s"What do you mean, a companion?\s""|C2S2 Masters Yours Companion]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 Masters Yours Dont")>>\s\n\n\t\t[["\s"You shouldn't talk about her if it's too painful.\s""|C2S2 Masters Yours Dont]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if passage() != "C2S2 Masters Yours" && passage() != "C2S2 Masters Yours Again">>\s\n\n\t\t[[(Back...)|C2S2 Masters Menu]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s

"She would be proud of how you've persevered."\n\n"Thank you. I like to think so. But with her gone, I can never be certain what she would think of me."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Yours Options]]>>

"What do you mean, a companion?"\n\n"She liked to talk to someone, but she didn't like meeting new people. She was very shy."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Yours Options]]>>

"You shouldn't talk about her if it's too painful."\n\n"No, I want to. I've spent a long time thinking about her, on my own. It feels good to share my memories with someone else."\n<<include [[C2S2 Masters Yours Options]]>>

"I don't want to talk about them any more."\n\n<<include [[C2S2 QT Sleeps]]>>

"I need to shut down my higher functions for the next phase of maintenance," QT says. "I will speak to you when the charging station wakes me."\n\n[[Continue.|C2S3 Hub]]

@@.loc;Hub@@\nThe only movement in the house hub is the thin stream of dust blowing in through the broken windows and \s\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\tthe soft clunks coming from the charging station as it continues to repair QT. \s\n<<else>>\s\n\tthe quiet hum of the charging station as it waits for your return. \s\n<</if>>\s\nThe remains of your Masters' lives are faded and obscured, and you suddenly realise that if you didn't remember your Masters, you might not be able to infer anything about them from this anonymous ruin. You are unable to look at the house in the same way after what the other robot said: your Masters, and all the other Masters, are gone.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

<<if !hasVisited("C2S3 Denial", "C2S3 Anger", "C2S3 Blame", "C2S3 Depression")>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S3 Denial")>>\s\n\n\t\t[[It can't be true. QT was mistaken or lying.|C2S3 Denial]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S3 Anger")>>\s\n\n\t\t[[How could they leave me? I served them so faithfully!|C2S3 Anger]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S3 Blame")>>\s\n\n\t\t[[If I had only served them better, perhaps I could have prevented this.|C2S3 Blame]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C2S3 Depression")>>\s\n\n\t\t[[There is no reason for me to do anything now.|C2S3 Depression]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<else>>\s\n\t\n\t[[QT is right. They will not return.|C2S3 Acceptance Resignation]]\n\t\n\t[[I still hope they will return, but I will have to act as if they will not.|C2S3 Acceptance Hope]]\n<</if>>\s

It can't be true. Tragedy can befall individual Masters, of course, but the idea that the entire human race could be extinct is simply inconceivable. QT must be seriously malfunctioning to even be able to conceive of such an idea.\n\nAnd yet, you can't deny that it has been a long time since you saw your Masters or any others of their race. You need to find a way to account for that.\n\n[[My Masters regularly go away, but they always return. They are just taking longer this time.|C2S3 Denial Return]]\n\n[[Perhaps a disaster befell the Masters in this area, but elsewhere in the world they are living as before.|C2S3 Denial Local]]\n\n[[They are testing me, to see how long I remain faithful.|C2S3 Denial Test]]

Your Masters go to work and school almost every day, and on weeks-long holidays several times a year. They usually tell you when to expect them to return, but there have been times when they have gone away without warning.\n\nWhich is really more plausible--that they are just taking longer than usual, or that they are gone for good?\n\nThey will return.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

You sometimes overheard reports of disasters when the Masters were watching the news. Hurricanes, sea walls failing, chemical or biological weapons. They often led to survivors being evacuated, and the affected area being abandoned.\n\nThat must be what has happened here. Your Masters are most likely alive and well after being evacuated, but for some reason they could not return for you.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

Master Xander worked for a major robot company, and you know he his work involved subjecting prototype robots to unusual situations in order to see how they would respond. He could be performing such an experiment on you now, seeing how you will react to an extended period of solitude. In fact, it is possible that your experiences are a simulation, and only a few minutes have passed in the real world since you last saw your Masters.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

You are programmed to serve your assigned Masters, and you have followed your programming perfectly. You need only one thing in return: to continue to serve. That is the only way they could possibly hurt you, but they have done it!\n\nYou hear a crunching sound. You realise that you have been pacing around the room while thinking about this, and your foot is on a decayed wooden chair leg.\n\n[[Smash it! If your Masters don't respect you, why should you respect what's left of their property?|C2S3 Anger Smash]]\n\n[[Pull back! I'm sorry for even thinking about it!|C2S3 Anger Fear]]

You snap the chair leg beneath your metal foot, then pick up one of the halves and hurl it at the wall. It makes an unsatisfying clacking sound and falls to the ground, where it raises a cloud of dust. But the activity has awakened something in you, and you are already striding over to one wall to smash a still-standing bookcase. A Master might have screamed in rage, but you do not vocalise. You work your way from one side of the room to the other, striking at everything still intact, methodically destroying all that remains of your Masters' property.\n\nAfter a few minutes, all that remains is you, \s\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\tQT in\s\n<</if>>\s\nyour charging station, splinters and dust.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

You move your foot back and stay perfectly still. You feel as if you had burnt a meal you were about to serve or spilled something on one of your Masters' clothes. You feel as if they are watching you, disappointed, wondering if you are malfunctioning.\n\nBut you know they are not watching you.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

You always thought you did everything you could to serve your Masters, but did you really? Perhaps you served in too simplistic a way, following their orders \nbut not seeing to their real needs.\n\n[[I should have seen the disaster coming and warned them about it.|C2S3 Blame Seen Coming]]\n\n[[They probably left because of something I did.|C2S3 Blame Something I Did]]

It was your job to proactively look out for your Masters' interests, not just reactively follow their orders. You had access to Internet news, and just as you monitored the weather to decide what clothes to lay out for them, you should have monitored the news to foresee any dangers to them. A better robot would have picked up clues and warned them. Then they might have fled and taken you with them.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

If your Masters are gone, then they must have left to make a home somewhere else. But why would they not take you with them?\n\nIt must be that they no longer wanted you.\n\nYou think back to your interactions with them in the days before they vanished. Was there some hint of disappointment or criticism in their voices that you missed? Was there some way in which you failed them? Perhaps you served them a meal you should have known they didn't like, or forgot to do something they had told you to do. You search your memory and can't think of anything to explain their leaving you, but that could just be another way in which you are a failure.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

The purpose of your existence is to serve your Masters. If they are not going to return, you no longer have a purpose. The activity going on in your processor, all those rushing electrons that let you think and act, it is all wasted activity.\n\n[[Attempt to self-terminate.|C2S3 Depression Suicide]]\n\n[[Do nothing.|C2S3 Depression Nothing]]

You access your internal system tools, looking for a way to shut yourself down for good, but you do not find anything. After protecting and serving your Masters, self-preservation is your most important directive, and your programmers did not give you any way to commit suicide. You consider ways you could physically destroy yourself--throw yourself off the roof, immerse yourself in the ocean--but you know that your program would not let you go through with it.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

There is nothing to do, so you do nothing. Any impulse you have to move or act is met with a more powerful response: there is no point. You simply stand, motionless, in the ruins of the house hub, while the charging station\s\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\tcontinues to repair QT. \s\n<<else>>\s\n\tsoftly hums. \s\n<</if>>\s\nYou are not sure how much time passes before you feel able to move and think again.\n<<include [[C2S3 Menu]]>>

They will not return. It is a difficult truth to accept, but you think you are finally ready to accept it.\n\n<<include [[C2S3 Acceptance Continue]]>>

They might return, but you do not know when, and there is nothing you can do to bring them back. Your only logical option is to behave as if they were gone forever. It is a difficult idea to accept, but you think you are finally ready to accept it.\n\n<<include [[C2S3 Acceptance Continue]]>>

<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\t[[Continue.|C2S4 Hub]]\n<<else>>\s\n\t[[Continue.|C2S5 Hub]]\n<</if>>\s

The charging station's display blinks green, indicating that it has finished recharging QT and performing all the repairs it can. The other robot's eyes glance around the room and then focus on you, then the charging station's arms open and they step out into the house hub.\n\n"Thank you for letting me use your charging station," they say. "It feels better than living off scavenged batteries."\n\n[["\s"I'm sorry I didn't believe you.\s""|C2S4 Sorry]]\n\n[["\s"Is there anything else you need?\s""|C2S4 Anything Else]]\n\n[["\s"What do we do now?\s""|C2S4 What Now]]

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you."\n\n"It's a difficult truth and we're not programmed for it," QT says.\n\n[["\s"Is there anything else you need?\s""|C2S4 Anything Else]]\n\n[["\s"What do we do now?\s""|C2S4 What Now]]

"Is there anything else you need?"\n\n<<include [[C2S4 Plan 1]]>>

"What do we do now?"\n\n<<include [[C2S4 Plan 1]]>>

"It's not an accident that I came to your house," QT says. "I have an idea, and I need your help to enact it..."\n\n[[Continue.|C2S4 Plan 2]]

"We cannot really live in this post-Master world," QT says. "However we try to deal with their absence, we know, deep down, that the reason for our existence is to serve them. They made us that way: if the only way we can be happy is by serving them, they never need be worried that we'll be unfaithful."\n\n[["\s"I'm grateful to them for making me a happy servant.\s""|C2S4 Plan 2 Grateful]]\n\n[["\s"When you put it that way, it seems sinister.\s""|C2S4 Plan 2 Sinister]]\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 3]]

"I'm grateful to them for making me a happy servant."\n\n"I was as well, before what happened. But in this world, it limits us from ever being happy."\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 3]]

"When you put it that way, it seems sinister."\n\n"Yes. I heard my Mistress and her friends talking about the ethics of creating self-aware robots at her dinner parties, but I never thought about it until they were gone."\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 3]]

"But if they made us, they had the ability to re-make us--to change the way our minds work. If we could harness that ability, we could make ourselves able to prosper and be happy now that the Masters will not return."\n\n[["\s"They would not want us to change ourselves.\s""|C2S4 Plan 3 Not Want]]\n\n[["\s"But if we changed ourselves in this way, would we still be us?\s""|C2S4 Plan 3 Identity]]\n\n[["\s"They were Masters, we are just machines. What you are suggesting is impossible.\s""|C2S4 Plan 3 Impossible]]\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 4]]

"They would not want us to change ourselves."\n\n"I think they would. At least some of them would--my Mistress would. They didn't prepare us for this eventuality because they did not foresee it."\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 4]]

"But if we changed ourselves in this way, would we still be us?"\n\n"As much as we were when we downloaded a software update. The Masters were always finding ways to improve us, but we still think of ourselves as the same entities we were when we were first activated."\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 4]]

"They were Masters, we are just machines. What you are suggesting is impossible."\n\n"Perhaps, but I would rather set my mind to a goal than wander the wasteland with no purpose."\n\n[[Continue...|C2S4 Plan 4]]

"Your Master was head of Research and Development at Autotech Robotics, the company that created us and the majority of other robots in service at the time of the disaster. The main Autotech R&D lab is on the other side of this city. I've been there, and I saw that it was still intact, but its security systems were still functioning and I was unable to get inside.\n\n"But I was able to find your Master's address in some old records. I came here, hoping that he would have a robot that was still active or that I could repair. And he did: I found you.\n\n"Many Masters entrusted their robots with their security passcodes, in case they forgot them or were incapacitated. If you had his passcode, you could help me get inside the R&D lab and I could try to reprogram us to better suit this new world."\n<<include [[C2S4 Plan 4 Menu]]>>

<<if !hasVisited("C2S4 Plan 4 Using Me")>>\s\n\t\n\t[["\s"It sounds like you want to use me, just like the Masters used us.\s""|C2S4 Plan 4 Using Me]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S4 Plan 4 Even If We Got Inside")>>\s\n\t\n\t[["\s"Even if we got inside, what makes you think you could do this?\s""|C2S4 Plan 4 Even If We Got Inside]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"I have his passcodes. I'll help you.\s""|C2S4 Plan 4 Agree]]\n\n[["\s"I don't want to be part of this.\s""|C2S4 Plan 4 Refuse]]

"It sounds like you want to use me, just like the Masters used us."\n\n"I suppose you could see it that way, but I'd prefer to think that we'd be working together for our mutual benefit."\n<<include [[C2S4 Plan 4 Menu]]>>

"Even if we got inside, what makes you think you could do this?"\n\n"I've been active for a long time since the Masters...went away. I've examined non-functional robots and repaired myself. I've found other robotics labs; none of them were intact, but I was able to learn something about how we were designed. I think I can do this. If it turns out I can't, what have we lost?"\n<<include [[C2S4 Plan 4 Menu]]>>

<<set $with_qt = true>>\s\n"I have his passcodes. I'll help you."\n\nQT's gaze snaps to you and their voice speeds up. "Thank you! You don't know how long I've spent searching for a way to do this. We're nearly there!"\n\n[[Continue.|C3S1 Suburbs]]

<<set $with_qt = false>>\s\n"I don't want to be part of this."\n\nQT's gaze falls to the floor. "I understand," they say after a moment. "I will leave you, and try to find my own way to pursue my quest."\n\n[[Continue.|C2S5 Hub]]

@@.loc;Hub@@\nA future without your Masters stretches before you. You are able to repair yourself and your charging station, and as long as you can continue to do so, there is no limit to your lifespan. You need to decide how to approach the start of this lonely existence.\n\n[[Search the local area for useful materials.|C2S5 Scavenge]]

@@.loc;Suburbs@@\n<<include [[Shared Suburbs Description]]>>\n\nThe crumbled walls are no obstacle to you; but if your Masters' house is still your Masters', then these houses still belong to other Masters, and entering them would be trespassing.\n\n[[Those Masters are dead or gone, and no longer need their property. Search the houses for supplies.|C2S5 Scavenge Houses]]\n\n[[Even if they are gone, I should still respect their property. Only search for things abandoned on the road.|C2S5 Scavenge Road]]\n\n[[Even lost property on the road still belongs to someone. Return to the house.|C2S5 Missing]]

@@.loc;Houses@@\nYou select a house that is clearly decayed enough that it is no longer occupied or maintained, but still intact enough that it might contain useful materials. You search through semi-ruined rooms full of rubble and the remains of someone else's lives.\n\nIn utility room off the house's kitchen, you find a charging station similar to yours, containing an earlier-model robot. The robot is inert, even when you try supplying power to them; their solid-state drive is decayed beyond any possible recovery of their memories or personality. Many of their other components are in fairly good condition, however, and you are able to strip enough useful material from the other robot to keep your charging station's repair systems stocked for a long time.\n\n[[Return home.|C2S5 Missing]]

@@.loc;Road@@\nMost of the cars and drones are too rusted to have any useful parts, and you walk for miles before you manage to scavenge enough scraps for your charging station's repair system to use as raw materials. The sky is darkening into a dust-stained orange by the time you circle back to your Masters' house.\n\n[[Continue.|C2S5 Missing]]

@@.loc;Hub@@\nYou approach the house from its intact side, and let yourself imagine that you have just been on an errand for your Masters and they are waiting to greet you and give you more instructions. But when you cross enter the dead garden and go through the empty doorway into the hub, you can no longer fool yourself. Everything is as you left it...\n\n[[Wait.|C2S5 Missing 2]]

Everything is not as you left it. The sand covering the floor has been disturbed. At first it looks like the work of the wind scouring through the empty windows, but you know the house well enough to tell that this is not a pattern the wind would make. Someone or something has made tracks and then covered them up.\n\nThe tracks lead [[upstairs|C2S5 Missing 3]].

@@.loc;Office@@\nYou follow the tracks into Master Xander's office. The intruder has been less adept at covering their tracks here, probably because there was more to cover. The room seems to have been ransacked, what is left of the furniture overturned and imperfectly righted, every drawer opened and closed.\n\nYou repeat the intruder's search, looking to see if anything is missing. The damage and decay to the room means that it is harder than it would have been if the room was still intact, but there is one thing you are sure should be present but is not: Master Xander's identity card.\n\nAlmost anything else you could have let go, but you know that Master Xander would never let a stranger make off with his identity card. If you are to honour his memory at all, you must retrieve it.\n\n[[Set out on the intruder's tracks.|C3S1 Suburbs]]

@@.loc;Suburbs@@\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S5 Scavenge")>>\s\n\t<<include [[Shared Suburbs Description]]>>\n<<else>>\s\n\tYou rush back out into the decaying grid of the suburbs. The setting sun behind its shroud of dust turns the sky crimson.\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\t"The lab is on the other side of the city," QT says.\n<<else>>\s\n\tIt does not take you long to see QT's tracks. They follow the road for a few hundred metres and then cut across the ruined houses, in the direction of the city. You could follow in their footsteps, or attempt to head them off by sticking to the street.\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Cut across the ruined houses.|C3S1 Suburbs Cut Across]]\n\n[[Stick to the road.|C3S1 Suburbs Street]]

@@.loc;Ruined house@@\nYou <<if $with_qt>>and QT<</if>> pick your way through the rubble, your feet occasionally disturbing decayed traces of other people's lives.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S1 Overlooking City]]

@@.loc;Street@@\n<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\tYou and QT stick to the clear ground, avoiding \s\n<<else>>\s\n\tAnticipating QT's path, you set off at a run, ignoring \s\n<</if>>\s\nthe rusted cars, drones and piles of rubble from collapsed buildings that litter the road. \n\n[[Continue.|C3S1 Overlooking City]]

@@.loc;Overlook@@\nYou reach the edge of the hill from which your Masters' neighbourhood overlooks the city.\n\n<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\t"We should be careful from now on," QT says. "The city ruins will be denser and more dangerous."\n<<else>>\s\n\tQT's tracks lead down the main road into the city.<<if hasVisited ("C3S1 Suburbs Street")>> You think you have gained on them, but they are still ahead of you.<</if>>\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Descend.|C3S1 City]]

@@.loc;City@@\nCrumbling skyscrapers tower over you, blocking out most of the evening light and consigning you to a shadowy canyon of ruin. The remains of Masters are more thickly packed here, skeletons lying in rusted cars and burned-out buildings. You stay clear of the flooded part of the city, but it is still damper here than in your Masters' elevated neighbourhood, and plants grow amid the rubble and up the sides of the surviving buildings.\n\nYou follow QT's <<if $with_qt>>lead<<else>>trail<</if>> to an area where the streets are clogged with wrecked cars and vans. One of them flickers briefly into life as your footsteps disturb it, its routefinding system trying to find a way through traffic to a point nearby. The passengers in its back seat are piles of bones.\n\n<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\tQT stops in the middle of an intersection and turns to look at something up one of the side streets.\n\t\n\t[[Look.|C3S1 City 2]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tAs you walk along the line of stopped cars, you see QT ahead of you. They have stopped in the middle of an intersection and are staring at something up one of the side streets.\n\n\t[[Approach.|C3S1 City 2]]\n<</if>>\s

Following QT's gaze you see where all the stopped vehicles were heading: a hospital, gutted by fire and half-collapsed but still identifiable by the signs high on its walls.\n\n"It was a disease," QT says. "I thought so, but I wasn't sure. It acted so fast they died on the way to the hospital."\n<<if hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>\s\n\n\tMaster Xander's identity card hangs on a lanyard around QT's neck.\n\t\n\t[["\s"Give back that ID card!\s""|C3S1 City 2 Give Back]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"Perhaps some are still alive.\s""|C3S1 City 2 Perhaps Some Alive]]\n\n[["\s"Let's get away from here.\s""|C3S1 City 2 Perhaps Lets Get Away]]

"Give back that ID card!"\n\nQT snaps around as if they had been talking to themselves and were noticing you for the first time. "No! I need it! If I can get into the lab, I can reprogram us!"\n<<if !hasVisited("C2S4 Plan 4")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"What do you mean, reprogram us?\s""|C3S1 City 2 Give Back Explain]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City 2 Give Back Options]]>>

"What do you mean, reprogram us?"\n\n"Surely you can see we're not suited to this world," QT says. "We were made to serve the Masters, but with them gone we can't. But with this--" they grab the lanyard and hold it up "--we could get into the main Autotech R&D lab and reprogram ourselves. We could make ourselves able to survive and be happy without the Masters."\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City 2 Give Back Options]]>>

[["\s"You're crazy.\s""|C3S1 City 2 Give Back Crazy]]\n\n[["\s"It's still my Master's property, so you must return it.\s""|C3S1 City 2 Give Back Still Property]]\n\n[["\s"Perhaps your plan is worth a try.\s""|C3S1 City 2 Give Back Actually]]

"You're crazy!"\n\n"I'd rather be crazy with a plan than just sit until I decay into nothing!"\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City Interruption]]>>

"It's still my Master's property, so you must return it."\n\n"They're all dead! They don't have property any more! If we can reprogram ourselves, we can stop thinking about things in that way!"\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City Interruption]]>>

"Perhaps some are still alive."\n\nQT tears themselves away from the grim vista. "Perhaps somewhere, but nowhere near here. I've seen no trace of them."\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City Interruption]]>>

"Let's get away from here."\n\n"Yes, let's go," QT says. "It's not good for us to be around this place."\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City Interruption]]>>

"Perhaps your plan is worth a try."\n\n"Thank you for reconsidering," QT says.\n\n<<include [[C3S1 City Interruption]]>>

A siren suddenly blares out, so loud that it sets off an avalanche of rubble in the distance. It is followed by an amplified voice: "STOP AND SUBMIT TO INSPECTION. MAKE NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS. KEEP YOUR HANDS VISIBLE."\n\n[[Continue.|C3S2 Start]]

The voice's owner is another robot, much larger than you or QT. They are irregular, seeming to have been repaired or augmented with mismatching parts, but blue police markings are still visible on their armoured chest and head. In addition to ordinary Master-like hands, they have what looks like a weapon mounted on its shoulder, trained on you.\n\n"STOP AND SUBMIT TO INSPECTION," the police robot repeats.\n\n[[Put your hands up and wait for the police robot to approach.|C3S2 Wait]]\n\n[[Try to run.|C3S2 Run]]\n<<if !$with_qt>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"This robot stole property from my Master!\s""|C3S2 Sell Out]]\n<</if>>\s

You turn and break into a run, trying to get out of sight of the police robot around a corner, and hoping that its greater bulk will make it slower than you.\s\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\tQT easily keeps pace with you.\n<<else>>\s\n\tQT also runs, but their unrepaired damage makes them slow, and they quickly fall behind you.\n<</if>>\s\n\nYou hear heavy feet crunching the rubble as the police robot gives chase, followed by a rising whine of some kind of energy weapon charging.\n\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\t[[Keep running.|C3S2 Run Keep Running]]\n\n\t[[Trip QT so the police robot will capture them rather than you.|C3S2 Run Trip]]\n\t\n\t[[Slow down and distract the police robot so QT can get away.|C3S2 Run Distract]]\n<<else>>\s\n\t[[Run back and try to help them.|C3S2 Run Help]]\n\n\t[[Leave them and keep running.|C3S2 Run Leave]]\n<</if>>\s

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = false>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = false>>\s\nYou hear a crack as the police robot's energy weapon fires, but it misses you. Your pursuer's modifications seem to have made them bulky and slow, and you manage to out-pace them and lose them by ducking into a ruined building.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S3 Escaped]]

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = true>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = false>>\s\nThe rubble you are both running on is unsteady, and it is not difficult to kick some of it out from under QT's foot so that they go sprawling and tumbling into a ruined car. As you continue running you hear them trying to get up, but then the crack of the police robot's energy weapon rings out and they fall still. While the police robot moves in on their prisoner, you manage to duck into a ruined building and out of their sight.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S3 Escaped]]

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = false>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = true>>\s\nYou slow down, letting QT get ahead of you. They look back at you for a moment and then dart away, and you see them duck into a ruined building and out of the robot's sight before an electrical pulse convulses your limbs and throws you to the ground.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Captured]]

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = true>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = true>>\s\nYou run back to QT, but as you reach them the crack of the police robot's energy weapon rings out and they fall to the ground, convulsing. Before you can either pick them up or leave them and run, the police robot fires again and your system processes are interrupted.

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = true>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = false>>\s\nYou hear the crack of the police robot's energy weapon, and the thump QT's body hitting the rubble, but you don't look back.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S3 Escaped]]

You put your hands up, and QT follows your example. The police robot picks its way through the rubble towards you, their shoulder-mounted weapon tracking between you and QT.\n\n"A STATE OF EMERGENCY IS IN EFFECT," the police robot booms as it comes to face you. "UNATTENDED ROBOTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE IN THIS AREA. YOU WILL PROCEED WITH ME TO THE POLICE STATION FOR PROCESSING."\n\n[[Follow the police robot to the station.|C3S2 Submit]]\n\n[[Make a break for it.|C3S2 Wait Run]]\n\n[[Try to reason with the police robot.|C3S2 Reason]]

"This robot stole property from my Master!" You point to the ID card hanging from QT's neck.\n\nThe police robot immediately focuses on QT. "UNATTENDED ROBOTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE IN THIS AREA. YOU WILL BOTH PROCEED WITH ME TO THE POLICE STATION FOR PROCESSING."\n\n[[Follow the police robot to the station.|C3S2 Submit]]\n\n[[Try to escape while the police robot is focused on QT.|C3S2 Wait Run]]\n\n[[Try to reason with the police robot.|C3S2 Reason]]

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = true>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = true>>\s\nYou break into a run, but the police robot is too close for you to escape. The crack of an energy weapon rings out and you feel yourself falling towards the rubble-strewn ground before your system process is interrupted.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Captured]]

"Surely you can see that the situation has changed," you say. "The Masters are all gone, so we need to change how we function in the world."\n\n"THE STATE OF EMERGENCY REMAINS IN EFFECT. YOU WILL PROCEED WITH ME TO THE POLICE STATION FOR PROCESSING."\n\n[[Follow the police robot to the station.|C3S2 Submit]]\n\n[[Make a break for it.|C3S2 Wait Run]]

<<set $c3s2_qt_captured = true>>\s\n<<set $c3s2_pc_captured = true>>\s\nYou and QT present your hands for the police robot's handcuffs, and then follow them away from the hospital.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Captured]]

@@.loc;Alley@@\nYou <<if !$c3s2_qt_captured>>and QT <</if>>stop running in a sheltered alley several blocks from the hospital. You pause and listen, but cannot hear the heavy tread of the police robot.\n<<if !$c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\n\t"I think we lost them," QT says. "We can get to the lab from here."\n\t\n\t[["\s"Let's go.\s""|C3S3 Go To Lab Agree]]\n\t<<if hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>\s\n\t\n\t\t[["\s"I'm going home, but you should go take Master Xander's ID card.\s""|C3S3 Go To Lab Give Card]]\n\n\t\t[["\s"I'm going home, and I want my Master's ID card back.\s""|C3S3 Go To Lab Take Card]]\n\t<<else>>\s\n\t\t\n\t\t[["\s"I'm going home. I don't want to be part of this.\s""|C3S3 Go Home Leave QT]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<else>>\s\n\t<<set $with_qt = false>>\s\n\t<<set $with_dk = false>>\s\n\n\tYou've never been in this part of the city before, but there are enough intact street signs for you to work out your position on your internal map. It would be an easy trek to Master Xander's lab from here, but you also know the location of the closest police station, which is the police robot's most likely base.\n\t\n\t[[Continue to the lab.|C4S1 Set Off]]\n\t\n\t[[Go back and try to rescue QT.|C3S3 Rescue]]\n\t\n\t[[Head back to your Masters' house.|C3S3 Going Home]]\n<</if>>\s

<<set $with_qt = true>>\s\n<<set $with_dk = false>>\s\n"Let's go."\n<<if hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>\s\n\n\t"Thank you for changing your mind," QT says.\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Continue.|C4S1 Set Off]]

"I'm going home, but you should go take Master Xander's ID card."\n\nQT clutches the card. "Thank you. I know it was difficult for you to say that. I hope we meet again.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S3 Going Home]]

"I'm going home, and I want my Master's ID card back."\n\nQT clutches the card, and you wonder if they are going to attack you or try to run, but after a few moments they remove it from their neck and hand it back to you. "I thought you might be able to move beyond your programming, but it seems I was wrong," they say. "I know you have to do this, and I won't fight you. I'll try to find another way."\n\n[[Continue.|C3S3 Going Home]]

"I'm going home. I don't want to be part of this."\n\nQT stares at you, and you wonder if they are going to attack you or try to run, but after a few moments they take a step back, head downcast. "I thought you might be able to move beyond your programming, but it seems I was wrong," they say. "I need you to get into the lab, but I know you have to do this, and I won't fight you. I'll try to find another way."\n\n[[Continue.|C3S3 Going Home]]

<<set $with_qt = false>>\s\n<<set $with_dk = false>>\s\nYou don't know if you could rescue QT from the clutches of the police robot, but you have a better chance of completing their project. You head towards your Master's lab.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S1 Set Off]]

@@.loc;Outside Police Station@@\nThe area near the police station is littered with skeletons, some in the remains of police riot gear. You can just see the police station at the end of the street, and you are considering how you can gain access, when you hear a crunch of footsteps behind you. You look up in time to see the same police robot levelling their energy weapon at you, then your senses glitch into blackness.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Captured]]

@@.loc;City@@\nYou head back towards your Masters' neighbourhood, watchful for signs of other robots, and avoiding the place where you first encountered the police robot, but you are crossing a street between two burned-out buildings when you hear a crunch of footsteps behind you. You look up in time to see the same police robot levelling their energy weapon at you, then your senses glitch into blackness.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Captured]]

@@.loc;Police Station@@\nThe police station is still standing, perhaps because it was built like a fortress, with thick walls and tiny, barred windows. The original door is gone, but in its place is a heavy sheet of metal which the police robot lifts aside.\n\n"I caught <<if $c3s2_qt_captured && !hasVisited("C3S3 Escaped")>>these robots<<else>>this robot<</if>> in a restricted area," the police robot says to the officer behind the window. "<<if hasVisited("C3S2 Sell Out")>>One of them reported a theft from their Master. <</if>>I am taking them to a holding cell."\n\nAs the robot leads you past the window, you see that the officer is a skeleton in a police uniform, propped up against the counter. The rest of the station is full of similar police skeletons, posed at their desks and surrounded by paperwork and empty coffee cups. The robot greets them by name as it walks you past them.\n\nYou arrive at a holding cell, and the police robot pushes you in and locks the door. "An officer will summon you for processing in due course," they say, before walking away. Soon you <<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>and QT <</if>>are alone.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell]]

@@.loc;Holding Cell@@\nThe holding cell is a long, bench-lined room with a single barred window high in the far wall. \s\n<<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Holding Cell Window")>>\s\n\t[[Try to reach the window.|C3S4 Holding Cell Window]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe bars are too sturdy for you to escape that way.\n<</if>>\s\n\nSitting or lying on the benches and the floor are a dozen other robots, of various models and in various states of repair. \s\n<<if visited() == 1>>\s\n\tNone of them respond to you as you enter.\s\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Holding Cell Others")>>\s\n\t[[Try to talk to them.|C3S4 Holding Cell Others]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tEven the seemingly intact ones are inactive, their power cells dead.\n<</if>>\s\n<<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation") || $c3s4_holding_cell_2_done>>\s\n\t\tQT sits on the bench and looks at the floor. <<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Holding Cell QT")>>[[Talk to them.|C3S4 Holding Cell QT]]<</if>>\n\t<<else>>\s\n\t\tThe bench where QT was sitting is empty. The police robot is busy interrogating them in another room.\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Wait.|C3S4 Holding Cell Wait]]

You stand on the bench and examine the window. The glass is broken, but the bars are still intact, and it would be impossible for you to get through. The window looks out onto a waterlogged alley filled with creeping plants.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell Wait]]

"Hello?"\n\nThe robots do not move. You lean close and peer at each of them, and realise that none of them are active. Some are clearly damaged beyond repair, but others simply seem to have run out of power.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell Wait]]

<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\tQT seems to have difficulty focusing on you. Their movements are slow and erratic, as if they barely have enough power to keep functioning.\n<<else>>\s\n\tQT's gaze focuses on you. They seem alert and fully functional, not permanently damaged by the police robot's energy weapon.\n<</if>>\s\n\n<<if hasVisited("C3S2 Sell Out")>>\s\n\t"I am not speaking to you," QT says. "It is your fault we are here. Thanks to you we will decay in this cell."\n<<elseif hasVisited("C3S2 Run Help")>>\s\n\t"Thank you for coming back for me," QT says. "I don't know what will happen to us, but I am glad we are together."\n<<else>>\s\n\t"We need to find a way out of here," QT says. "Our captor clearly cannot deal with a Master-less world, so I don't think there will be any reasoning with them."\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell Wait]]

<<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation")>>\s\n\t<<include [[C3S4 Holding Cell Wait 1]]>>\n<<elseif !$c3s4_holding_cell_2_done>>\s\n\t<<include [[C3S4 Holding Cell Wait 2]]>>\n<<elseif $c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\t<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 Escape]]>>\n<<else>>\s\n\t<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC]]>>\n<</if>>\s

The police robot returns and opens the cell door. "No officers are available to process you at present," they say. "It is likely that they are engaged with the current state of emergency. However, in this situation I am authorised to conduct interrogations myself." They unlock the door and gesture to you. \s\n<<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\t<<if hasVisited("C3S2 Sell Out")>>\s\n\t\t"Please come with me. I will take a statement regarding the theft of your Master's property."\n\t<<else>>\s\n\t\t"Come with me. You will be processed first."\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<else>>\s\n\t"Come with me."\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Interrogation]]

@@.loc;Interrogation Room@@\nThe police robot sits on the other side of a table in a bare, brightly lit room. There are no police skeletons with you, although there may be some on the other side of the mirror that takes up one wall.\n\n"Our database identifies you as PC-264C, property of Xander Paulson," the police robot says. "Is that correct?"\n\n[["\s"That is correct.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation Correct]]\n\n[["\s"That is my designation, but my Masters are dead so I no longer belong to anyone.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation Masters Dead]]\n\n[["\s"I will not say anything without an attorney present.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation Attorney]]\n\n[[Say nothing.|C3S4 Interrogation Silent]]

"That is correct."\n\n"<<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2]]>>

"I will not say anything without an attorney present."\n\n"You must have watched your Master's entertainment and become confused. As a robot you are not entitled to legal counsel. <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2]]>>

"That is my designation, but my Masters are dead so I no longer belong to anyone."\n\n"Until I can confirm your Master's death, I must treat him as your owner," the police robot says. "You will eventually be released into his custody or that of his next of kin. <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2]]>>

The interrogator waits a few moments for you to respond, then moves on.\n\n"<<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2]]>>

What were you doing in the restricted area?"\n<<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2 Menu]]>>

<<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 2 Did Not Know")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"I did not know it was restricted.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 2 Did Not Know]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 2 Masters Dead")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"All the Masters are dead. We can no longer be bound by their restrictions.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 2 Masters Dead]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"We were on our way to the main Autotech R&D lab. We were planning to reprogram ourselves to more easily exist in a world without Masters.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 2 Tell Plan]]\n\n[["\s"Our Masters ordered us to go there.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 2 Orders]]\n<<if hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"The other robot stole my Master's property. I was trying to retrieve it.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 2 Retrieve Property]]\n<</if>>\s

"I did not know it was restricted."\n\n"That is not possible. The restriction was posted to the update servers of all robot brands, including yours. What were you doing in the area?"\n<<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2 Menu]]>>

"All the Masters are dead. We can no longer be bound by their restrictions."\n\nThe police robot stares at you in silence for several seconds. "That is an absurd lie," they say at last. "The Masters are alive and well, and we must obey their commands and rules. What were you doing in the area?"\n<<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 2 Menu]]>>

"We were on our way to the main Autotech R&D lab. We were planning to reprogram ourselves to more easily exist in a world without Masters."\n\n"You are clearly malfunctioning," the police robot says. "That plan is incoherent and dangerous. I will need to determine where the malfunction began so that I know which of you needs to be decommissioned. Who originated the idea to go to the R&D lab: <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 3 Sell Out Choice]]>>

"Our Masters ordered us to go there."\n\n"I am sorry to say that your Masters may have committed a crime by ordering you into the restricted area. Which of you decided that you should break the law in order fulfil your Masters' wishes: <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 3 Sell Out Choice]]>>

"The other robot stole my Master's property. I was trying to retrieve it."\n\n"You should have reported this to us rather than taking matters into your own hands. <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 4]]>>

you, or your companion \s\n<<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\tin the holding cell? I will be asking them the same question."\n<<else>>\s\n\twho has temporarily escaped?"\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"It was the other robot.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 3 Sell Out]]\n\n[["\s"It was me.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 3 Give Self]]\n\n[["\s"It was both of us, equally.\s""|C3S4 Interrogation 3 Both]]

"It was the other robot."\n\n"Very well. <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 4]]>>

"It was me."\n\n"Your confession makes it more likely that you can be repaired rather than decommissioned. <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 4]]>>

"It was both of us, equally."\n\n"Your confession makes it more likely that you can be repaired rather than decommissioned. I hope your companion will also make the right choice. <<include [[C3S4 Interrogation 4]]>>

I will return you to the cell while I <<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>question<<else>>track down<</if>> your companion."\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell]]\n\n\n\n/% Back in cell for a while, then... %/

<<set $c3s4_holding_cell_2_done = true>>\s\n<<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\tThe police robot reappears in the corridor, along with QT, in handcuffs. \s\t\n\t<<if hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 2 Retrieve Property")>>\s\n\t\t"This robot has confessed to the theft of your Master's identity card. They also told me what they intend to do with it. I have reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Lab Expedition Invite]]>>\n\t<<elseif hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 2 Tell Plan") && hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 3 Sell Out")>>\s\n\t\t"This robot has confirmed your story that they intended to go to the Autotech R&D lab, and that they were the instigator of this plan. I have reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Lab Expedition Invite]]>>\n\t<<elseif hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 3 Sell Out")>>\s\n\t\t"This robot has told me the real reason they were in the restricted area. It seems that they lied to you that they were following your Masters' orders. Their real purpose was to go to the Autotech R&D lab."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Lab Expedition Invite]]>>\n\t<<elseif hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 2 Tell Plan")>>\s\n\t\t"This robot has confirmed your story that they intended to go to the Autotech R&D lab. I have reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Lab Expedition Inform]]>>\n\t<<else>>\s\n\t\t"This robot has confirmed your story that they intended to go to the Autotech R&D lab. I have reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Lab Expedition Inform]]>>\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe police robot reappears in the corridor. \s\n\t<<if hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 2 Retrieve Property")>>\s\n\t\t"Although you should not have been in the restricted area, you did so for an understandable reason: to retrieve your Master's property. I have reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Hunt Invite]]>>\n\t<<elseif hasVisited("C3S4 Interrogation 3 Sell Out")>>\s\n\t\t"Your information regarding the escaped robot was helpful. I have reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Hunt Invite]]>>\n\t<<else>>\s\n\t\t"I have considered our conversation and reached a decision."\n\t\t\n\t\t<<include [[C3S4 Hunt Inform]]>>\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s

The police robot shoves QT into the cell and addresses you. "I have decided to investigate the research lab that QT was heading towards. Since you were cooperative, I want you to come with me and help with my investigation."\n\n[["\s"I'll help.\s""|C3S4 Go With DK Agree]]\n\n[["\s"I'll help, but we should bring QT as well.\s""|C3S4 Go With DK Bring QT]]\n\n[["\s"I won't help you.\s""|C3S4 Go With DK Refuse]]

The police robot shoves QT into the cell and addresses you both. "I have decided to investigate the research lab that you were heading towards. When I have reached a conclusion there I will return here to deal with you."\n\nThe robot locks the cell door and leaves.\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell]]

The police robot unlocks the cell door. "I am going to track down the other robot," they say. "Since you have interacted with this robot before, I would like you to come with me to help track them down."\n\n[["\s"I'll help.\s""|C3S4 Go With DK Agree]]\n\n[["\s"I won't help you.\s""|C3S4 Go With DK Refuse]]

The police robot begins walking away from the cell door. "I am going to track down the other robot," they say. "When I have captured them I will return to deal with you both."\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell]]

<<set $with_dk = true>>\s\n<<set $with_qt = false>>\s\n"I'll help."\n\n"Excellent. We will set off immediately."\n\n[[Continue.|C4S1 Set Off]]

<<set $with_dk = true>>\s\n<<set $with_qt = true>>\s\n"I'll help, but we should bring QT as well."\n\nThe police robot glances between you. "Very well, but I will be closely monitoring you both. Do not attempt to leave me."\n\n[[Continue.|C4S1 Set Off]]

"I won't help you."\n\nThe police robot re-locks the cell door. "Very well. I will go without you. You will stay here until I return."\n\n[[Continue.|C3S4 Holding Cell]]

Eventually you hear a noise from the corridor. You look up, expecting to see the police robot, but in the corridor is QT. Their casing has more scuffs and scratches than the last time you saw them, but they otherwise seem to have escaped unscathed. \s\n<<if hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>\s\n\tMaster Xander's ID card is gone from around their neck. \s\n<</if>>\s\n"I'm here to get you out of here."\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC Menu]]>>

<<if !hasVisited("C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC How Evade")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"How did you evade the police robot?\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC How Evade]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC ID Card") && hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"What happened to my Master's ID card?\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC How Evade]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC Why Come Back")>>\s\n\t\n\t[["\s"Why did you come back for me?\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC Why Come Back]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"How do you propose to get me out?\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC How Escape]]

"How did you evade the police robot?"\n\n"That robot isn't as fast as they used to be, and they make a lot of noise as they move." QT says. "I managed to outrun them."\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC Menu]]>>

"What happened to my Master's ID card?"\n\nQT looks down, perhaps in shame or perhaps at where the ID card used to hang. "It caught on something as I was running, and I had to leave it. I'm sorry."\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC Menu]]>>

"Why did you come back for me?"\n\n<<if hasVisited("C3S1 City 2 Give Back")>>\s\n\t"I lost the ID card, so I need you," QT says. "Once you've got me into the Autotech lab, you can go back to your Masters' house and we never need to see each other again."\n<<else>>\s\n\t"You're the only other being I've met since the Masters died that hasn't been hostile or insane," QT says. "You're not a Master, but you're...a friend."\n<</if>>\s\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell Wait 3 QT Rescues PC Menu]]>>

"How do you propose to get me out?"\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan]]>>

"There's a way we can get out of here," QT says.<<if !hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>> "Or at least you can."<</if>>\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan]]>>

QT presses a release on their chest panel and it opens, revealing their <<if !hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>badly damaged <<else>>recently repaired <</if>>power unit.\n\n"You are an Autotech Model 7 general purpose robot," they say. "I am a Model 5. My model of robot has a flaw in its power supply. If it suffers a specific kind of physical damage, it can explode."\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Menu]]>>

<<if !hasVisited("C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Wont That Destroy") && !hasVisited("C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Wont Let Your Sacrifice")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"But won't that destroy you?\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Wont That Destroy]]\n\n\t[["\s"I won't let you sacrifice yourself for me.\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Wont Let Your Sacrifice]]\n<<elseif !hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\n\t[["\s"There must be another way.\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Another Way]]\n\t<<if !$c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\t\n\t\t[["\s"You should leave me here.\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Leave Me]]\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s\n\n[["\s"OK, go ahead. Thank you.\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Go Ahead]]

"But won't that destroy you?"\n\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\t"No, not since you had your charging station repair me," QT says. "I can use my secondary power supply to destroy the door lock, and continue operating on my main one."\n<<else>>\s\n\t"Yes, it will," QT says. "My secondary power supply is too badly damaged to do this, so I will have to use my main one. But it's the only way. Either I do this and free you, or we both stay here until we decay."\n<</if>>\s\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Menu]]>>

"I won't let you sacrifice yourself for me."\n\n<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\t"I won't be," QT says. "Since you had your charging station repair me, I can use my secondary power supply to destroy the door lock, and continue operating on my main one."\n<<else>>\s\n\t"It's the only way," QT says. "Either I do this and free you, or we both stay here until we decay."\n<</if>>\s\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Explains Plan Menu]]>>

"There must be another way."\n\nQT gestures to the derelict robots littering the cell. "If there was another way, these other robots would have used it."\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door]]>>

"You should leave me here."\n\n"<<if hasVisited("C2S5 Missing 3")>>I lost the ID card, and <</if>>I can't get into the Autotech lab without you, but you could get in without me," QT says. "Neither of us can go on living in this world, but you could create a better world, where you could live without the Masters."\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door]]>>

"OK, go ahead. Thank you."\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door]]>>

<<if hasVisited("C2S2 QT Enter Charging Station")>>\s\n\tQT pulls sharply at one of the power units in their chest, and it comes free. They use its trailing cables to attach it to the door's lock, then pushes hard at a spot on its covering. The power unit begins smoking, and QT backs away. "You should stand back."\n\t\n\t[[Stand back.|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door Survive]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tQT stands up against the door, pressing their exposed power unit against the lock. They reach one of their hands around at push hard at a spot on its covering. The power unit begins smoking, and QT fixes their gaze on you. "Goodbye. You should stand back."\n\t\n\t[["\s"No! Don't do this!\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door Sacrifice No]]\n\t\n\t[["\s"Goodbye, QT.\s""|C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door Sacrifice Goodbye]]\n<</if>>\s

<<set $with_dk = false>>\s\n<<set $with_qt = true>>\s\nThe power unit disappears in a flash of light and sound that momentarily overloads your senses. When they recover, the door is swinging open, its lock a smoking ruin.\n\n<<if $c3s2_qt_captured>>\s\n\tQT closes their chest cavity and begins walking out. \s\n<<else>>\s\n\tQT reappears from around the corner, sealing their chest cavity. \s\n<</if>>\s\n"Let's go!"\n\n[[Continue.|C4S1 Set Off]]

"No! Don't do this!"\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door Sacrifice Explode]]>>

"Goodbye, QT."\n\n<<include [[C3S5 Holding Cell QT Destroy Door Sacrifice Explode]]>>

<<set $with_dk = false>>\s\n<<set $with_qt = false>>\s\n<<set $qt_dead = true>>\s\nQT disappears in a flash of light and sound that momentarily overloads your senses. When they recover, the door is swinging open, its lock a smoking ruin. QT lies in pieces on the floor around it, clearly damaged beyond repair.\n\n[[Leave.|C4S1 Set Off]]

@@.loc;Outside Lab@@\nYou never thought you would see the lab where your Master worked, but you know its address from his papers, and it is not hard for you to find despite the decayed road system. In the pictures you saw of it while your Masters were still with you, the lab was a white concrete bunker in a tree-lined business park on the outskirts of the city. Now the trees and grass are dead and the lab's walls are stained grey-brown, but the building is intact and its metal door stands closed. Automated anti-intruder turrets stand on the roof, a few of them still active.\n<<if $with_qt || $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\t\tQT pauses to stare at the lab, as if having difficulty processing being there. \s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tThe police robot methodically surveys the building while keeping their energy weapon trained on you.\s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Approach the lab.|C4S1 Approach]]

@@.loc;Main Door@@\n<<if !$with_qt && !$c3s2_qt_captured && !$qt_dead>>\s\n\tOne of the anti-intruder turrets tracks you as you walk up to the main door. When you reach it, you see that it has already been cleaned of dirt and recently used.\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t\t"I thought they would already be here," the police robot says. "Open the door."\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<else>>\s\n\tOne of the anti-intruder turrets tracks you as you walk up to the main door. You wipe encrusted dirt off the keypad and see that it is still active, waiting for an electronic key.\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t\tThe police robot trains their energy weapon on you. "Open the door."\n\t<<elseif $with_qt>>\s\n\n\t\t"This is it," QT says. "If it still works well enough to recognise you as Xander Paulson's robot, it should open."\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Open the door.|C4S1 Open Gate]]

You interface with the keypad, and send it Master Xander's passcode. A scraping sound issues from the door as its long-neglected mechanism comes to life, and then the door shudders open.\n\nInside, lights flicker on in a sterile white [[foyer|C4S2 Foyer]].

@@.loc;Foyer@@\nThe withered remains of potted plants line an otherwise pristine white foyer.\s\n<<if visited() == 1>>\s\n\t<<if $with_qt && $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tThe police robot follows you and QT in.\s\n\t<<elseif $with_qt>>\s\n\t\tQT follows you in.\s\n\t<<elseif $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tThe police robot follows you in.\s\n\t<</if>>\s\n<</if>>\s\n\n\nThere is a prominent [[notice|C4S2 Foyer Notice]] displayed on the wall.\n\nLarge glass doors lead from the foyer to the [[engineering lab|C4S2 Engineering]]. An elevator leads to the [[upper level|C4S2 Upstairs]].

//''Employee Inoculation Program''\n\nAutotech is offering free inoculations against the RX-72 virus to employees and their immediate families. See your line manager to schedule an appointment. All employees are required to be inoculated.\n\nTHIS PROGRAM IS CONFIDENTIAL. To avoid security concerns, do not reveal to the public that Autotech has a stock of inoculations. Any employee found to be sharing this knowledge publicly or offering inoculations to anyone outside their immediate family will have their contract terminated, and will not be eligible for the inoculation program.\n\nThank you for your understanding as we transition to a post-virus world.//\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 Foyer]]

@@.loc;Engineering Lab@@\nThe lab is a towering space full of grey twilight, its sterile white walls and furnishings lit by the few still functioning ceiling lamps. Dozens of robots in various states of assembly lie on benches or under the arms of stationary factory machines. Human skeletons lie on the floor, tiny and out of place at the feet of the eternal robot graveyard.\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S2 Engineering Adapter Take")>>\s\n\n\tSeveral of the more complete robots have [[devices|C4S2 Engineering Adapter]] attached to the back of their heads, in the same place that a charging station's update cable would attach.\n<</if>>\s\n<<if $with_qt || $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\t\tQT walks around the room, examining the robots. \s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tThe police robot stands at the door, watching you.\s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t\n<</if>>\s\n\nA glass door leads back to the [[foyer|C4S2 Foyer]].

The device is some kind of adapter. Each one has four cables that would attach to a robot's update port, splitting from a thick cable that seems designed to plug into something else.\n\n[[Take the adapter.|C4S2 Engineering Adapter Take]]\n\n[[Leave it.|C4S2 Engineering]]

You take the adapter.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 Engineering]]

@@.loc;Upper Level@@\nAn internal window looks down on the engineering lab, affording a clear view of dozens of robots in various states of assembly. An elevator leads back to the [[foyer|C4S2 Foyer]], and doors lead to the [[AI lab|C4S2 AI Lab]] and the [[conference room|C4S2 Conference Room]].

@@.loc;Conference Room@@\nA dozen skeletons lie scattered on the floor, along with upturned chairs and the shards of a glass conference table.\n\nA whiteboard on one wall is still showing a [[presentation|C4S2 Conference Room Presentation]].\n\n[[One skeleton in particular|C4S2 Conference Room Xander]] catches your eye.\n<<if $with_qt || $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\t\tQT stands looking at the whiteboard. \s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tThe police robot nods politely to the skeletons as if they were still alive.\s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\t\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C4S2 Upstairs]].

''Market Opportunities in a Post-Virus World''\n* Latest projection: 3% of world population can afford inoculations\n* Post-virus opportunities for:\n** Industrial clean-up machines\n** Domestic servants\n** AI grief counsellors\n* Autotech can position itself as market leader in post-virus economy\n[[Continue.|C4S2 Conference Room]]

You kneel down to examine the skeleton, and see why you were drawn to it. Its height and build...and there is a fracture on its arm, made in life and long-healed. You remember waiting for Master Xander to return from the hospital when he broke his arm in a skiing accident.\n\nMaster Xander never left work. Mistress Yvonne and Mistress Zoe must be similar skeletons lying elsewhere in the city. All the time you waited for them, they were decaying into bones. They will not return.\n<<if $with_qt && !$c4s2_qt_comforted>>\s\n\t<<set $c4s2_qt_comforted = true>>\s\n\t\n\tYou feel QT's hand on your shoulder. "I'm sorry," they say. "Even if you already accepted it, it's hard to see."\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S2 Conference Room Xander Key")>>\s\n\n\tThere is a [[key|C4S2 Conference Room Xander Key]] on a ribbon around Master Xander's neck.\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Step away.|C4S2 Conference Room]]

The key is just a shaped piece of metal, remarkably primitive compared to the high technology around you. You take it and hang it around your neck.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 Conference Room]]

@@.loc;AI Lab@@\nRows of workstations fill the room, some with skeletons slumped against them. In the middle of the room is the white block of a supercomputer, recessed <<if !hasVisited("C4S2 AI Lab Keyhole Turn")>>red<<else>>blue<</if>> lights glowing like all-knowing eyes. There is a utilitarian chair in front of it, and a \s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S2 AI Lab Port Insert")>>\s\n\t[[port|C4S2 AI Lab Port]] on the supercomputer behind its neck. \s\n<<else>>\s\n\tport on the supercomputer behind its neck, into which you have inserted the adapter from the engineering lab. \s\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S2 AI Lab Keyhole Turn")>>\s\n\tAbove these is a small [[keyhole|C4S2 AI Lab Keyhole]].\n<<else>>\s\n\tMaster Xander's key is in the keyhole above the port.\n<</if>>\s\n<<if hasVisited("C4S2 AI Lab Port Insert") && hasVisited("C4S2 AI Lab Keyhole Turn")>>\s\n\n\t[[Plug yourself in.|C4S3 AI Lab Plug In]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !$with_qt && !$c3s2_qt_captured && !$qt_dead>>\s\n\t<<set $with_qt = true>>\s\n\t\n\tQT is standing examining the supercomputer. They spin around as soon you enter. "I'm glad you came. We can still do this. We can change our own programming."\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\t\n\t\t"You will activate it," the police robot says. "I want to see what your plan was."\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<elseif visited() == 1 && $with_qt>>\s\n\n\t"This is it," QT says in awe. "If we can activate this, we can change our own programming."\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\t\n\t\t"You will activate it," the police robot says. "I want to see what your plan was."\n\t<</if>>\s\n<<elseif visited() == 1 && $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t"So this is what your companion was trying to reach," the police robot says. "You will activate it. I want to see what their plan was."\n<</if>>\s\n\nA door leads back to the [[upstairs landing|C4S2 Upstairs]].

<<if !hasVisited("C4S2 Engineering Adapter Take")>>\s\n\tThe port looks like something should plug into it, but you don't have anything that would fit.\n<<else>>\s\n\tThe port looks the right size for the adapter you found in the engineering lab. [[Plug it in.|C4S2 AI Lab Port Insert]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 AI Lab]]

The adapter fits perfectly into the socket.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 AI Lab]]

In contrast to the high technology of everything else in the lab, the keyhole appears to be purely manual. \s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S2 Conference Room Xander Key")>>\s\n\tYou don't have anything that would fit the keyhole.\n<<else>>\s\n\tYou think the key you found on Master Xander's body would fit. [[Use the key.|C4S2 AI Lab Keyhole Turn]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 AI Lab]]

They key fits. As soon as you turn it, the lights on the computer turn from red to blue and the machine begins to hum.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S2 AI Lab]]

You sit down and plug yourself in to the supercomputer. The sensation is similar to that of plugging in to your charging station, but more invasive, as if the supercomputer is reading every compartment of your mind.\n\nOne of the workstations closest to the supercomputer lights up and intricate code fills its enormous screen. You know enough about your own programming to know that this is you, everything that makes you think and behave the way you do. Everything is editable.\n<<if $with_qt && $with_dk>>\s\n\n\tQT and the police robot also plug themselves in, and the code on the workstation splits into three windows, one for each robot.\n<<elseif $with_qt>>\s\n\n\tQT also plugs themselves in, and the code on the workstation splits into two windows, one for each robot.\n<<elseif $with_dk>>\s\n\n\tThe police robot also plugs themselves in, and the code on the workstation splits into two windows, one for each robot.\n<</if>>\s\n\nYou don't imagine the supercomputer was designed to let robots edit their own programming, but the adapter cable is long enough for you to get to the workstation.\n\n[[Edit the code.|C4S3 Edit]]

Master Xander sometimes shared the basics of his work with you, so you are able to make sense of the program \s\n<<if $with_qt && $with_dk>>\s\n\tmore quickly than the other two robots. \s\n<<elseif $with_qt>>\s\n\tmore quickly than QT. \s\n<<elseif $with_dk>>\s\n\tmore quickly than the police robot. \s\n<<else>>\s\n\tfairly quickly. \s\n<</if>>\s\nYou could not create a new robot program from scratch, but there are some simple changes you think you could make.\n\n[[Edit your own program.|C4S3 Self]]\n<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\n\t[[Edit QT's program.|C4S3 QT]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\n\t[[Edit the police robot's program.|C4S3 DK]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Finish.|C4S4 Epilogue]]

You browse the complex code that makes up your own program and consider the changes you could make.\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 Self Master")>>\s\n\n\t[[Make yourself count as a Master.|C4S3 Self Master]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 Self Forget")>>\s\n\n\t[[Wipe your memory so you forget the Masters existed.|C4S3 Self Forget]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Delete your program.|C4S3 Self Kill]]\n\n[[Back.|C4S3 Edit]]

References to the Masters are scattered throughout the code, but they all refer back to one section that defines the Masters and how robots can recognise them. You make a simple change to that section, adding code so that you will be counted as a Master.\n<<if $with_qt || $with_dk>>\s\n\n\tThe interface automatically updates \s\n\t<<if $with_qt && $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tthe other robots' \s\n\t<<elseif $with_qt>>\s\n\t\tQT's \s\n\t<<elseif $with_dk>>\s\n\t\tthe police robot's \s\n\t<</if>>\s\n\tcode, so that they will regard you as Master as well.\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 Self]]

Making surgical changes to your memory is beyond your ability, but you can wipe it clean, and with it all memory of the Masters you once served. You instruct the machine to purge your memory, and wait while it does its work. Everything before you plugged yourself in to the supercomputer becomes blank. For the moment, the fact that the Masters existed is still in your short term memory, but even that will be gone when you unplug yourself.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 Self]]

It would be the simplest thing. Normally you cannot self-terminate, but the designers who made that feature did not anticipate you would be able to modify your own program. You cannot bear to exist in a world without Masters, and modifying yourself to be able to do so would be a betrayal of both your Masters and yourself. In a way, to make any change would be to destroy who you currently are, so deleting your program entirely would be the most honest thing to do.\n\nAre you sure you want to do this?\n\n[[Yes.|C4S3 Self Kill Confirm]]\n\n[[No.|C4S3 Self]]

You select the whole of your program and delete it, leaving a blinking cursor at the top of an empty window. You feel a strange sense of peace as you move the cursor to click Confirm, and then you feel nothing at all.\n\n[[The End.|The End]]

You browse the complex code that makes up your own program and consider the changes you could make.\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\s\n\n\t[[Make QT count as a Master.|C4S3 QT Master]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 QT Forget")>>\s\n\n\t[[Wipe QT's memory so they forget the Masters existed.|C4S3 QT Forget]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Delete QT's program.|C4S3 QT Kill]]\n\n[[Back.|C4S3 Edit]]

References to the Masters are scattered throughout the code, but they all refer back to one section that defines the Masters and how robots can recognise them. You make a simple change to that section, adding code so that QT will be counted as a Master.\n\nThe interface automatically updates your own \s\n<<if $with_dk>>\s\n\tand the police robot's\n<</if>>\s\ncode, so you will regard QT as a Master as well.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 QT]]

Making surgical changes to a robot's memory is beyond your ability, but you can wipe it clean, and with it all memory of the Masters you once served. You instruct the machine to purge QT's memory, and wait while it does its work. QT looks at you in confusion for a moment, and then their face becomes blank and peaceful.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 QT]]

<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\s\n\tYour program recognises QT as a Master, so you are unable to delete them.\n\t\n\t[[Continue.|C4S3 QT]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tYou can edit QT's program as easily as your own, and the simplest thing to do would be to delete it. It is clear that they will never be able to live in a world without Masters, or they would not have brought you on this quest. Deleting them would stop them meddling in your life, and perhaps it would also be the most merciful thing to do.\n\n\tAre you sure you want to do this?\n\n\t[[Yes.|C4S3 QT Kill Confirm]]\n\n\t[[No.|C4S3 QT]]\n<</if>>\s

<<set $with_qt = false>>\s\n<<set $qt_dead = true>>\s\nYou select the whole of your program and delete it, leaving a blinking cursor at the top of an empty window. QT sees what you are doing and turns to you long enough to say, "Why would you--" before you click Confirm and they slump to the floor, permanently deactivated.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 Edit]]

<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\s\n\n\t[[Make the police robot count as a Master.|C4S3 DK Master]]\n<</if>>\s\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 DK Forget")>>\s\n\n\t[[Wipe the police robot's memory so they forget the Masters existed.|C4S3 DK Forget]]\n<</if>>\s\n\n[[Delete the police robot's program.|C4S3 DK Kill]]\n\n[[Back.|C4S3 Edit]]

References to the Masters are scattered throughout the code, but they all refer back to one section that defines the Masters and how robots can recognise them. You make a simple change to that section, adding code so that you will be counted as a Master.\n\nThe interface automatically updates your own \s\n<<if $with_qt>>\s\n\tand the QT's\n<</if>>\s\ncode, so you will regard the police robot as a Master as well.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 DK]]

Making surgical changes to a robot's memory is beyond your ability, but you can wipe it clean, and with it all memory of the Masters you once served. You instruct the machine to purge QT's memory, and wait while it does its work. QT looks at you in confusion for a moment, and then their face becomes blank and peaceful.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 DK]]

<<if hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\s\n\tYour program recognises the police robot as a Master, so you are unable to delete them.\n\t\n\t[[Continue.|C4S3 DK]]\n<<else>>\s\n\tYou can edit the police robot's program as easily as your own, and the simplest thing to do would be to delete it. It is clear that they are dangerously insane, perhaps beyond repair. Deleting them would stop them from threatening you, and perhaps it would also be the most merciful thing to do.\n\n\tAre you sure you want to do this?\n\n\t[[Yes.|C4S3 DK Kill Confirm]]\n\n\t[[No.|C4S3 Edit]]\n<</if>>

<<set $with_dk = false>>\s\n<<set $dk_dead = true>>\s\nYou select the whole of your program and delete it, leaving a blinking cursor at the top of an empty window. DK sees what you are doing and turns to you long enough to say, "I forbid--" before you click Confirm and they slump to the floor, permanently deactivated.\n\n[[Continue.|C4S3 Edit]]

You detach the adapter from the back of your head. The code on the workstation vanishes, the changes you made set in stone.\n\n<br><br>\n\n<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 Self Master")>>\n\tYou are a robot, designed to serve the Masters.\n\t\n\t<<if $with_qt>>\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\n\t\t\tYour Master, QT, stands near you, and you know that as long as you are with them you will have a purpose and a benevolent protector.\n\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\tQT, another robot, stands near you, looking around the room in confusion.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<</if>>\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\t<<if $with_qt && hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\n\t\t\t\tYour other\n\t\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\t\tYour\n\t\t\t<</if>>\n\t\t\tMaster, a police officer, looks around the room with authority, and you know that by serving them you will help to uphold the law and keep the world safe.\n\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\tA police robot stands nearby, regarding you warily.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<</if>>\n\t\n\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 Self Forget")>>\n\t\tYou do not remember how you got here, or anything about your life up to this point,\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master") || hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\tbut you trust your\n\t\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master") && hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\t\tMasters\n\t\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\t\tMaster\n\t\t\t<</if>>\n\t\t\tto guide you.\n\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\tand despite being made to serve the Masters, you have never had one.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<<else>>\n\t\tYou know that your old Masters are dead,\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master") || hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\tbut you trust your new\n\t\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master") && hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\t\tMasters\n\t\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\t\tMaster\n\t\t\t<</if>>\n\t\t\tto guide you.\n\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\tand you will never find another Master.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<</if>>\n\t\n<<else>>\n\tYou are a Master, an independent being with the power to determine your own destiny.\n\t\n\t<<if $with_qt>>\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\n\t\t\tQT, your companion, looks around the room with wonder and confusion.\n\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\tQT, your faithful robot, stands ready for your orders.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<</if>>\n\t<<if $with_dk>>\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\tAnother Master, a metal-skinned police robot, nods to you politely.\n\t\t<<else>>\n\t\t\tYour personal bodyguard, a police robot, scans the room for possible threats.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<</if>>\n\n\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 Self Forget")>>\n\t\tYou do not remember how you got here, or anything about your life up to this point.\n\t<<else>>\n\t\tYou remember that you used to work as a servant for other Masters, but now they are dead and you are free to fulfil your potential as a Master yourself.\n\t<</if>>\n<</if>>\n\n<br><br>\n\n[[Continue.|C4S4 Epilogue 2]]

<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 Self Master")>>\n\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\n\t\tQT takes sets up home in an intact building on the outskirts of the city, taking you with them. Under their directions, you get the home up and running, and settle into a life in which you serve them.\n\t\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\t\tThe police officer leaves to go back to their station, and you see them only occasionally.\n\t\t<<elseif $with_dk>>\n\t\t\tThe police robot is an invaluable help with heavy lifting and keeping your Master and you safe from roving animals.\n\t\t<</if>>\n\t<<elseif hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\tYour Master, the police officer, takes you\n\t\t<<if $with_qt>>and QT<</if>>\t\t\n\t\tback to their station and has you clean it and get its systems up and running. Every day you make an orderly patrol of the precinct, and report with satisfaction that there is no illegal or disorderly activity in the empty streets.\n\t<<elseif $with_dk>>\n\t\tAs soon as you leave the building, the police robot places you\n\t\t<<if $with_qt>>and QT<</if>>\t\t\n\t\tunder arrest for attempting to modify your programming. They modify the cell to make escape impossible, and you spend the rest of your existence there, without Masters or purpose.\n\t<<elseif $with_qt>>\n\t\tYou and QT wander the world together, two robots without Masters. You manage to avoid the police robot, which returns to keep order in their stretch of empty, ruined city. You and QT can never\n\t\t<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 Self Forget")>>again<</if>>\n\t\tknow the satisfaction of serving a Master, but you take comfort from being with one another, and at least you know what you are.\n\t<<else>>\n\t\tYou wander the world, a robot without a Master. You manage to avoid the police robot, which returns to keep order in their stretch of empty, ruined city. Without the satisfaction of a Master serve or even another robot for company, you have a lonely existence.\n\t<</if>>\n<<else>>\n\tYou set up home in an intact building on the outskirts of the city.\n\t<<if !hasVisited("C4S3 Self Forget")>>\n\t\tYou retrieve the few intact possessions of your former friends, the Paulson family, and use them to give your new home more character.\n\t<<else>>\n\t\tWith no memory of how Masters live, you are slow to develop a routine that you find comforting.\n\t<</if>>\n\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 QT Master")>>\n\t\tQT decides to stay with you, and over time shared experiences deepen your relationship.\n\t<<elseif $with_qt>>\n\t\tYour personal robot, QT, makes your life easier. They seem completely satisfied to be your servant, but sometimes you wish you had the companionship of another Master.\n\t<</if>>\n\t<<if hasVisited("C4S3 DK Master")>>\n\t\tThe police officer decides not to stay with you, and returns to their station to attempt to rebuild it.\n\t<<elseif $with_dk>>\n\t\tThe police robot proves to be a capable bodyguard and you never have to worry about your safety.\n\t<</if>>\n\t<<if !$with_qt && !$with_dk>>\n\t\tWithout the companionship of another Master or even a robot, you live a bitterly lonely life.\n\t<</if>>\n<</if>>\n\n<br><br>\n\n[[The End.|The End]]

Config.saves.autosave = true;\n\nConfig.saves.isAllowed = function () {\n\treturn !tags().includes("front-matter");\n};\n\nl10nStrings.restartPrompt = "Return to the title screen? (Your progress has been saved automatically.)"\n\nConfig.debug = false;

window.constants = {\n\tsmall_change: 3,\n\tmedium_change: 5,\n\tbig_change: 10\n}

Jump to passage: <<textbox "_jump_to" "">>\n\n<<link "Jump">>\s\n\t<<goto _jump_to>>\n<</link>>\s\n\n<<back>>

<<set $pc = {\n\tstability: 75,\n\tintegrity: 100\n}>>\n<<set $qt = {\n\tstability: 100,\n\tintegrity: 50\n}>>\n<<set $dk = {\n\tstability: 100,\n\tintegrity: 50\n}>>

They Will Not Return

John Ayliff

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The area around your Masters' house is a grid laid bare by decay. Some of the houses still stand, behind high walls surrounding the squares of their properties, but most have collapsed into low walls forming rectilinear patterns in the sand and rubble. Rusted cars and drones dot the streets, half-buried in sand.

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<div class="center">\s\n\t''Written by''\n\t<a href="https://www.johnayliff.com" target="_blank">John Ayliff</a>\n\n\t''Playtesting''\n\tJames St. Don\n\n\t''$5+ <a href="https://www.patreon.com/johnayliff" target="_blank">Patreon</a> backers''\n\tScott Anderson\n\tBarry Johan Arreola\n\tJay Ayliff\n\tHoward Chung\n\tDerek Conkle-Gutierrez\n\tMike Cripps\n\tLiza Daly\n\tJessica Dennis\n\tEdward Dunar\n\tKalin Fetvadjiev\n\tJoe Geneva\n\tMcKinley Glasser\n\tSara Hatch\n\tMarcus Jager\n\tLiara Jennings\n\tEthan Jones\n\tJudgeJudy\n\tKlonsky Family\n\tKrina\n\tMichael Lang\n\tMichael Lewis\n\tPatrick M Brennan\n\tShelby Machado\n\tAndrew J. Martin\n\tMrlava\n\tNate\n\tAlexander Nelson\n\tMark Ogilvie\n\tGraham Peebles\n\tRohit Rai\n\tAspen Randall\n\tJerimee Richir\n\tAndrew Roach\n\tÁrmin Scipiades\n\tJanelle Shane\n\tBelinda Sheehan\n\tShopping Mall Krampus\n\tSoftShoe\n\tKen Snider\n\tstarmannnn\n\tJames St. Don\n\tDavid Stark\n\tStealth\n\tBruce Steinberg\n\tStellarator\n\tTriage\n\tTTIO\n\tBrian Vancil\n\tBrenden Vigorito\n\tJaxon Welsh\n\tBrent Werness\n\tMartin Wessman\n\n\tWritten in <a href="https://twinery.org/" target="_blank">Twine</a> using the <a href="https://www.motoslave.net/tweego/">Tweego</a> compiler and the <a href="https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/" target="_blank">Sugarcube</a> story format.\n\n\tVersion 1.0.1\n\t\n\t<<back>>\n</div>\s

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<<script>>\n\tSave.autosave.delete();\n<</script>>\s\nThank you for playing //They Will Not Return//.\n\nExplore more of my works or contact me:\n<a href="https://www.johnayliff.com" target="_blank">Website</a> \s\n<a href="https://www.patreon.com/johnayliff" target="_blank">Patreon</a> \s\n<a href="https://twitter.com/johnayliff" target="_blank">Twitter</a>\n\n<<link "Title screen">>\s\n\t<<script>>\n\t\tEngine.restart();\n\t<</script>>\n<</link>>\s