>Conversation Mode
You do your best to ignore the loud banging as Dr. Everton clanks his way along the metal floor...
YOU:
So uh, just where are we, anyway?
So uh, just where are we, anyway?
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
I told you! Inert sub-concept vessel MG-0908-BN/SK/HL-3900438093990!
I told you! Inert sub-concept vessel MG-0908-BN/SK/HL-3900438093990!
YOU:
Uh-huh...I'd ask what that means but I'm pretty sure I already know, and I think I'd rather stay only "pretty" sure while I still can.
What's all this about "decontaminating?"
Uh-huh...I'd ask what that means but I'm pretty sure I already know, and I think I'd rather stay only "pretty" sure while I still can.
What's all this about "decontaminating?"
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
What else would we do?! We exist to ensure that post-biological sub-conceptual microzones are thoroughly decontaminated and indefinitely preserved for archival, educational and licensed recreational purposes! Can your feeble head-stuffings even fathom the delectable horror of an entire perception zone simply rotting away to nothing? Devoured from within by insatiable vermin!? Oh, the very thought of it tickles my wires with such decadent revulsion! How excitingly abominable!
What else would we do?! We exist to ensure that post-biological sub-conceptual microzones are thoroughly decontaminated and indefinitely preserved for archival, educational and licensed recreational purposes! Can your feeble head-stuffings even fathom the delectable horror of an entire perception zone simply rotting away to nothing? Devoured from within by insatiable vermin!? Oh, the very thought of it tickles my wires with such decadent revulsion! How excitingly abominable!
YOU:
R...recreational purposes?
R...recreational purposes?
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
Oh, you know, spelunking, surfing, dampened membrane competitions, tourist season. Not a fan myself, but at least it keeps us in open conceptual circulation with other valuable zone layers.
Oh, you know, spelunking, surfing, dampened membrane competitions, tourist season. Not a fan myself, but at least it keeps us in open conceptual circulation with other valuable zone layers.
YOU:
I see. Is your "zone" part of the Hospital?
I see. Is your "zone" part of the Hospital?
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
Hospital?! Harumph! HARUMPH is what I say to that! To that Hospital! A wasteful diversion from our beautiful archives, that's what that is! Why delay the inevitable?!
Hospital?! Harumph! HARUMPH is what I say to that! To that Hospital! A wasteful diversion from our beautiful archives, that's what that is! Why delay the inevitable?!
YOU:
So...not a fan of somebody named Dr. Phage, are you?
So...not a fan of somebody named Dr. Phage, are you?
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
That dashing NINCOMPOOP? HARUMPH! HARUMPH is what I say to that! If it only had ambition in its irresistible head, we would have achieved zonal amalgamation cubeoids ago! Imbecile! What business does that short-sighted fool have being so attractive!?
That dashing NINCOMPOOP? HARUMPH! HARUMPH is what I say to that! If it only had ambition in its irresistible head, we would have achieved zonal amalgamation cubeoids ago! Imbecile! What business does that short-sighted fool have being so attractive!?
YOU:
Right. Okay. Whatever all that means, I have some pretty serious business with those guys...how do I get back?
Right. Okay. Whatever all that means, I have some pretty serious business with those guys...how do I get back?
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
Back? Oh, dear...I'm afraid nobody's going anywhere if we can't sort out our little dilemma. We're on a tight lockdown, nothing in, nothing out!
Back? Oh, dear...I'm afraid nobody's going anywhere if we can't sort out our little dilemma. We're on a tight lockdown, nothing in, nothing out!
YOU:
Of course. That "jeopardy" you were on about?
Of course. That "jeopardy" you were on about?
Dr. E.M. Balmer:
Indeed! And we've just about reached observation level, right on schedule for a status update!
Indeed! And we've just about reached observation level, right on schedule for a status update!
At the end of the hall, a towering metal door begins to slide open...
