(set: $task_order to (a:"start"))
To the person reading this (t8n:"blur")+(link-reveal:"note, ") [=I [[left->Reasoning]] earth in a Japanese hatchback. It was a good planet, but I could never fully understand the ways in which human social interactions govern success. I don't hate humans as a whole, for I myself am one, opposable thumbs and all. I am socially exhausted, and I never want to see another human again in my life. I want to be amongst the stars. I want to truly explore everything my existence has to offer. By the time you read this my ship has either burned up in the atmosphere, or I am about 1000 miles away from earth.
---
[[Drifting...->Drifting into Space]]I left Earth because I have no friends.(set: $timer to 4)
The how is not important here, rather the why. Why did you turn your car into a spaceship, you (cycling-link:"utter buffoon","dumbass motherfucker","ignorant nonce","fucking idiot","suicidal maniac")? What is your goal here? Are you even alive? What would your relatives think of this? My life has been a neverending sequence of these questions, and the anwsers I gave you people were never good enough. I cam't write that though, or else people will remember me as a budding serial killer, like that one game I can't remember the name of.
(after:3s)[Ah whatever, it's not important (link-undo:"anyway.")]I never considered how [[cold->Temperature]] it would be in outer space. Of course I came prepared, making sure to seal the hatchback properly and take plenty of jackets with me.
At this rate, I should be able to reach the orbit of mars in about 6 months, and from there I can try out some of the matter transfusion methods I learned back in University.
Until then, I should perform some last minute course charting and get some sleep.
[[Set Course to Mars->Set Course to Mars]]
[[Study Matter Transfusion Methods->Matter Transfusion Methods]]
[[Look Outside->Outside]]
[[Engage Thrusters->Thrusters]]
[[Enter Short-Term Cellular Stasis->Stasis]]The average measurement of the outside ambient temperature seems to hover around 2.7 degrees kelvin, with a standard deviation of about ±0.02 degrees
in celsius that is -270.45 degrees
in fahrenheit that is -454.81 degrees
(link-undo: " it's too damn cold outside " (set: $task_order to it + (a: "course"))
You plot a course to your next destination, the rusty planet [[Mars->Task Completed]]. (set: $task_order to it + (a: "study"))
Time seems to fly past as you lose yourself in the pages of this Matter Transfusion textbook you paid way too much for in [[university->Task Completed]]. (set: $task_order to it + (a: "gaze"))
For so long you have been afraid of space and its abyssal terrors, and now you have come to appreciate its beauty.
A single tear rolls down your [[cheek->Task Completed]].(set: $task_order to it + (a: "thrusters"))
Fiddling with the dashboard, you adjust the fuel consumption rate one last time, taking out your trusty graphing calculator to ensure you have enough [[fuel->Task Completed]].(if:$task_order contains "course" and $task_order contains "study" and $task_order contains "gaze" and $task_order contains "thrusters")[As cellular stasis takes grip, you begin to slowly drift out of [[conciousness->Rise And Shine]]...]
(else:)[You don't feel like going into cellular stasis just yet.
Besides, you still have (link-undo: "things to do").]You awake from stasis after 6 months
(set: $last_task to last of $task_order)
(set: $alien_present to false)
(if: $last_task is "course")[
You feel a throbbing pain in your head, before realising you have landed on the surface of Mars. Specifically one of the abandoned human colonies that disturb the planet's [[natural beauty->On The Surface of Mars]].
]
(else-if: $last_task is "gaze")[
You feel the sudden urge to vomit. Before that happens you make sure to sit up so that you don't //swallow// or //choke// on partially digested protein bars.
]
(else-if: $last_task is "study")[
You notice a foreign ship nearby. It looks like nothing a human could ever make, the size of it dwarfs your little hatchback. You could either dock with it or attempt to communicate with it.
(after:10s)[A [[message->In Orbit Around Mars]] begins to play on the //radio//, in what seems to be an alien's best attempt at //english//.]
]
(else-if: $last_task is "thrusters")[
You feel the gentle warmth of the thrusters affixed to the hatch. The light of the sun bounces off the red planet, as you have a suprisingly gentle [[exit->Before Meeting the Alien In Orbit]] from cellular stasis.
]
(else:)[A horrible accident has occured, and you are no longer alive. You have ascended into the realm of spirits, and your journey will become legend in [[due time.->Title Sequence]].](set: _response to "")
həˈloʊ, ju hæv bɪn ɪn ˈɔrbət əˈraʊnd ðɪs ˈplænət fɔr ə waɪl naʊ, ænd jʊər ˈvɛsəl simz ɪl fɪt fɔr ðə hɑrʃ ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt ʌv speɪs. du ju ˌriˈkwaɪər ˈɛni əˈsɪstəns?
(after:3s)[You take time to process what the voice on the radio is saying, and consider your options.]
(after:10s)[You finally come to the conclusion that the voice is saying
//''Hello, you have been in orbit around this planet for a while now, and your vessel seems ill fit for the harsh environment of space. Do you require any assistance?''//]
(after:15s)[(dialog: [_response], "The silence is deafening as your response is awaited:", "I could really use some rocket fuel right now.","Who is currently speaking to me?","Why are you in orbit around Mars currently?","My god im so lonely!")]
(print:_response)
(if: _response is "I could really use some rocket fuel right now")[
The alien responds:
//Follow me! I know a good spot on the [[surface->On The Surface of Mars]] to scavenge for fuel and other supplies that might be useful for your kind.//
At least, thats what you think they said, as you could barely understand them.
]
(else-if: _response is "Who is currently speaking to me?")[
A pause cuts through the [[air->Spatial Tension]]
]You take in the surrounding area, your hatchback orbiting the rusty planet.
Part of you is imbued with wanderlust, and wants to start exploring mars [[as soon as possible.->On The Surface of Mars]]
Part of you wants to enjoy this view for as long as possible, as you may never see a view this [[gorgeous->In Orbit Around Mars]] again.You dock with the Alien's ship, they explain how they saw you in orbit around mars, and how they were astounded at how you survived for this long in your little hatchback.
ju mʌst bi rɪˈleɪtɪd tu ðæt ˈælbərt ˈaɪnstaɪn ˈfɛloʊ ɪf ju ˈkræftɪd ðæt ʃɪp ɑn jʊər oʊn. The Alien then proceeds to perform something you can only interpret as a laugh.
(after:5s)[
After careful consideration, you determine the Alien said: You must be related to that Albert Einstein fellow if you crafted that ship on your own. (link-reveal:"You Respond: ")[(dialog: [_response] "You respond:", "If he knew what I knew, he would probably be back on earth right now ","That was fucking hilarious!","How do you know about him?")]
(print: _response)
You talk to the alien for at least a couple more hours, specifically about the nature of the [[New Martian Colony->History of the new martian colony]] before you say that you need to get some rest. The alien offers their resting quarters to you, and you graciously accept.
You feel ''warm and fuzzy'' on the inside
Your //cheeks// are the color of a ''tomato''
You ask the Alien to hold you [[close->Cuddle buddies with benefits]]
]Space Exploration has taken its toll on you, and you decide to return to Earth. However, news of your departure has shaken the international community and raised new concerns over how to regulate and punish unauthorized space travel. From here, it looks like you'll be locked away for [[a long time.->Title Sequence]]You have fallen in love with the alien. This is the happiest you have felt in [[a long time->Title Sequence]].From the ashes of the New Martian Colony, you form a pact with the alien and start a New Martian Homestead. Together this will stand for [[a long time->Title Sequence]] The alien takes you to their home planet of Condor-6, and you show them the wonders of matter transmutation. In return they offer you citizenship, and you become a celebrity amongst the civilians of Condor-6. You enter a polyamorous relationship with 4 other aliens, ensuring that your legacy lasts [[a long time.->Title Sequence]]The landing was pretty rough, but you survived at the very least.
in the distance, you see the remnants of a martian colony, or rather a human martian colony, not a native martian settlement.
You were given some context for what happened [[here->History of the new martian colony]] in university, and why it is so barren.
You may gather [[fuel->Scavving for fuel]] or show the alien your [[matter transfusion methods.->Show Off]]Hey, this alien is pretty cool.I think i'm in [[love->In love with an Alien]] with this alien... The colony here was the second, most recent attempt at establishing a colony on mars. Due to a cascade of regulatory failures, corruption, and growing unrest at home, the new martian colony was ultimately doomed to fail. The Alien elaborates on this further, with a shocking degree of proficency and prose.
maɪ ˌjunəˈvɜrsəti ˈθisəs ˈsɛntərd ɑn ˈhjumən grid ænd ˈoʊvər-ɪkˈstɛnʃən, ˈfoʊkəsɪŋ praɪˈmɛrəli ɑn haʊ ðə ˈkʌlʧərəl ˈɑrtəˌfækts ˈhjumənz prəˈdust kənˈvɪnst ðɛm tu əˈtɛmpt tu kriˈeɪt ə gəˈlæktɪk ˈɛmpaɪər.
(after:6s)[They said: My university thesis centered on human greed and over-extension, focusing primarily on how the cultural artifacts humans produced convinced them to attempt to create a galactic empire. ]
While scavenging for fuel, you notice the abundance of unopened life sustenance packages (LiSPs for short). You also notice that the colonists were beginning to terraform mars for sustained agriculture, and were oh so close to being successful in their endeavors. The alien has started to take a liking to you, and the feeling is [[reciprocated->Blossoming]]. They propose an offer to you, since the both of you have felt isolated from your previous societies, it may be beneficial to start this [[colony->Confirmation once again]] up again. After all, you have so much in [[common->Player Alien Comparison]] with each other.You show off your fancy matter transmutation methods.
(after:.5s)[maɪ oʊ maɪ! ju dɪˈspleɪ sʌʧ prəˈfɪʃənsi ɪn ðə ˈhjumən ɑrt ʌv ˈmætər trænz-mjuˈteɪʃən. maɪ ˈpipəl ɑr ɪn greɪv nid ʌv ðiz ˈmɛθədz, æz wi ɑr ˈrʌnɪŋ aʊt ʌv ɪˈsɛnʃəl məˈtɪriəlz, ænd ˈaʊər ˈkɜrənt ˈmɛθədz ɑr tu ˈkɑstli. wʊd ju kənˈsɪdər ˈkʌmɪŋ wɪð mi tu maɪ hoʊm ˈplænət ænd ˈʃoʊˌkeɪs jʊər ˈmɛθədz tu maɪ ˈpipəl?
(after:8s)[You determine the alien said: My oh my! You display such proficiency in the human art of matter trans-mutation. My people are in grave need of these methods, as we are running out of essential materials, and our current methods are too costly. Would you consider coming with me to my home planet and showcase your methods to my people?
The alien offers to take care of you on their home [[planet->Consider your options]]. You feel excited, but uneasy at the thought of leaving for an alien planet, and have some [[second thoughts->All you ever wanted]].]]Are you sure you want to leave?
Your mind races with visions of alternative futures, what could and could not be, this is a big decision.
[[Do you go home, back to earth?->Are you sure?]]
[[Do you leave with this strange alien?->Alien Confirmation]]Are you sure you want to go back?
They'll probably arrest you for launching without a permit, and since you don't have any other friends no one will have your back.
[[yes->The Stresses of Space Exploration grow too much]]
(link-undo: "no")The alien asks, are you sure you want to do this?
[[yes->Dynamic Duo head to Condor-6]]
(link-undo:"no")
[[Why should I?->Player Alien Comparison]]Are you sure you want to start a colony? Just you and the alien, for as long as you live?
[[yes->New Martian Homestead]]
(link-undo: "no")
You realize how similar you both are, and how well you have gotten along together since you first met. You feel like you could spend [[eternity->Confirmation once again]] with them.When they caress you, it feels like a human at room temperature. Not as frigid as the foot exposed throughout the night, but not blazing like a pillowcase. It feels distinctly alien, but in a good way.
They whisper into your ear:
aɪ kæn teɪk ə ˈhjumən fɔrm ɪf ju prəˈfɜr, you interpret this as ''I can take a human form if you prefer''
---
[[Stay as you are, let us embrace and become one.->Alien Embrace]]
[[That would be nice, it has been a while.->Human Embrace]]
[[I can't do this, I have to leave...->Second Thoughts]]As you become one with the alien, you talk to them about all matter of things relating to humanity and your life on earth, all of it melting away as you embrace each other. This is better than anything you have ever felt before, [[and you don't want to leave.->Falling]]The alien transforms into a humanoid form and holds on to you from behind, embracing you as yourself. Their body temperature increases to match yours. You can't stop [[blushing.->Falling]]The alien is understanding and gives you some time to think
---
[[Yes I really do need to go->Are you sure?]]
(link-undo:"No, I like this too much")
[[I like you, but not like this, lets head to the surface instead->On The Surface of Mars]] You completed a [[task->Drifting into Space]] aɪ æm Xaldur oʊˈmɑn, ˈhjumənz wʊd dɪˈskraɪb mi æz æn "ˈeɪliən" ɔr "changeling". aɪ keɪm hir tu ˈstʌdi ðə ˈrɛmnənts ʌv ðə nu ˈhjumən ˈkɑləni ɑn mɑrz, bʌt ˈnɛvər ɪn ə ˈmɪljən jɪrz dɪd aɪ ˈɛvər θɪŋk aɪ kʊd ɪnˈkaʊntər ə ˈhjumən ɪn ðə flɛʃ.(after:8s)[You deduce that the alien is saying: I am Xaldur Oman, humans would describe me as an "alien" or "changeling". I came here to study the remnants of the new human colony on mars, but never in a million years did I ever think I could encounter a human in the flesh.
They invite you to board their [[ship.->On the Alien's ship]] ]It may seem juvenile at first, but the ''STRESSES'' of modern human life grew too much for you to handle. //Socializing// with other humans is ''fun'' normally, but only in //moderation//. The balance between work life and home life became too much, you yearned for someone to take care of you, a privlege some people can afford.
(after:5s)[[[The silence grows awkward ->Show Off]]]