You and your fellow crew-mates awaken from suspended animation abord the tansport space-ship Phobos. Your mission is to bring valuable materials from Tallon III back to earth, in exchange for a handsome reward split between each member of the team.
Back on Earth it is currently December 15th, 2135, almost christmas time. But by the time you actually reach it, it will probably be Febuary.
Suspended aniamation has been temporarily shut down in order to perform maintenance on the ship, as per standard procedure. However, there has been a shocking discovery: The ship's captain, Claus Birgingham, is [[dead.->He was killed]]
(if: $killer is "engineer")[(set: $killerName to "Mark")]
(else-if: $killer is "nurse")[(set: $killerName to "Triss")]
(else:)[(set: $killerName to "Kyle")]Everyone is currently in shock, asking themselves if they will make it back home alive. Glares of mistrust and suspicion are exchanged. Somebody tries to send an emergency tranmission but recieves no response.
With no help on the way, stranded in the middle of space, you take it upon yourself to investigate the murder; If you can prove to the crew that someone specific did it, then you might be able to protect everyone and yourself from danger.
However you need to act quickly; Whoever did this probably wants the reward all for themselves, and if that's the case then they will certainly kill eveyone else as well.
[[Proceed to the Captain's quarters->Captain's Quarters]]You arrive at the Captain's Quarters where his body still remains.
[[Check the body->Body]]
[[Check the ship's computer->Database]]
[[Leave crime scene and begin suspect interviews->Suspects]]
(display: "Review Clues")The captian's [[body->Wounds]] was dumped inside of a storage container. Seems that the killer was in too much of a hurry to clean up much, but that could mean that your time is short. You also notice something odd sticking out the back of his [[collar->Collar]]...
[[<-Back->Captain's Quarters]]You've managed to gather a multitude of clues, but you're running out of time and you need to move on to interrogations. Based on their proximity to the Captain's quarters, you've nailed the killer down to three possible suspects:
[[Mark Fetcher->Engineer]], the ship's chief engineer
[[Triss Unova->Nurse]], the ship's medic
and [[Kyle Vulcan->Bodyguard]], the captain's bodyguard
The killer will very likely lie to you.
[[Finish interrogation->Decision time]]
(display: "Review Clues")You pull over to the captain's computer to look through the database, where he supposedly kept track of a logbook and records of the other crew members.
But it's locked behind a password. What could it be?
[[Try to enter password->Enter PIN]]You find Kyle the bodyguard in the dining area by himself. He seems to be calibrating his rifle.
After a moment of awkward silence he finally acknowledges your presence and angerly ask "Whadda ya want?"
[[Ask him about his past->Bodyguard/Past]]
[[Ask him how long he's known the captain->Bodyguard/Captain]]
[[Ask him who he thinks the killer is->Bodyguard/Killer]]
[[(Back) Interrogate someone else->Suspects]]You find Mark in the barracks, fiddling with a distress beacon. He is startled by your presence.
"Oh! It's just you. I'm trying to increase this distress beacon's range. Maybe there's someone nearby who can rescue us from this madhouse of a ship!"
[[Ask him about his work->Engineer/Past]]
[[Ask him how long he's known the captain->Engineer/Captain]]
[[Ask him who he thinks the killer is->Engineer/Killer]]
[[(Back) Interrogate someone else->Suspects]]You find the medic, Triss, in the medical bay.
"Oh it's good to see you. These past few hours have been a nightmare. Is there something you need?"
[[Ask her about her past->Nurse/Past]]
[[Ask her how long she's known the captain->Nurse/Captain]]
[[Ask her who she thinks the killer is->Nurse/Killer]]
[[(Back) Interrogate someone else->Suspects]]"PIN CORRECT. WELCOME, CAPTAIN CLAUS"
You now have access to the ship's database computer. There are some files on the screen:
[[Crew Records->Crew Records]]
[[<-Return to Captain's quarters->Captain's Quarters]]You glance through the profiles for each memeber of the crew. Three in particular catch your attention:
[["MARK FETCHER"->Engineer/File]]
[["TRISS UNOVA"->Nurse/File]]
[["KYLE VULCAN"->Bodyguard/File]]
[[<-Back->Login Successful]]You open your eyes as you wake up from stasis.
Natural light fills the windows of the ship; you are back on earth. You let out a sign of relief knowing that you were sucessful in preventing the true killer from slaugtering you and your friends.
[[Continue->Good Ending Part 2]]**//Space Murder Mystery//**
By Santiago Ponce
(set: $killer to (either: "engineer", "nurse", "bodyguard")) (if: $killer is "engineer")[(set: $weapon to (either: "gun", "tazer"))]
(else-if: $killer is "nurse")[(set: $weapon to (either: "knife", "poison"))]
(else:)[(set: $weapon to (either: "gun", "knife"))]
(set: $clues to (a:))
[[//Start Game//->Standard Procedure]]
Word of advice: Try to use the forward and back arrows as little as possible, as doing so can potentially mess with elements of the gameplay.
(set: $pin to (random: 1000, 9999))On the tag of his jacket is this number:
**$pin**
[[<-Back->Body]][[//Review Clues//->Clues]](print: $clues.join("\n"))
Use the back arrow once to return to previous scene(if: $killer is "bodyguard")["I served in the **503rd** USSC battalion for 3 years. Then I worked as a mercenary for a while before being recruited by Captain Claus." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Kyle said that he served in the 503rd battalion for 3 years."))] (else:)["I served in the **210th** USSC battalion for 5 years. Then I worked as a mercenary for a while before being hired by Captain Claus." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Kyle said that he served in the 210th battalion for 5 years."))]
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask him something else->Bodyguard]](if: $killer is "bodyguard")["I met Captain Claus only **a couple of months ago**. I didn't know him very well, but it's a damn shame he died." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Kyle said that he has known the captain for a few months."))] (else:)["Captain Claus and I have known eachother for **a few years**. I hope we get revenge on whoever killed him." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Kyle said that he has known the captain for a few years."))]
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask him something else->Bodyguard]]You inspect the captain's body. (if: $weapon is "knife")[He has long cuts stretching accross his body](else-if: $weapon is "gun")[He has holes in his chest and head](else-if: $weapon is "poison")[He has foam in his throat](else:)[He has no visible injuries, but his flesh smells like it has been cooked].
From these observations you conclude that the captain...
(link: "...was stabbed")[(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The captain was stabbed."))(goto: "Body")]
(link: "...was shot")[(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The captain was shot."))(goto: "Body")]
(link: "...was poisoned")[(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The captain was poisoned."))(goto: "Body")]
(link: "...was electrocuted")[(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The captain was electocuted."))(goto: "Body")]
//Clue list has been updated//Now that you have gathered clues and interrogated your suspects its time to figure out who the killer is. Take your time and make your decision carefully. A wrong choice could lead to terrible consequences...
You should probably take this opportunity to review the clues you've gathered:
(display: "Review Clues")
(link: "The killer is Mark (Engineer)")[(set: $choice to "engineer")(goto: "Confrontation")]
(link: "The killer is Triss (Medic)")[(set: $choice to "nurse")(goto: "Confrontation")]
(link: "The killer is Kyle (Bodyguard)")[(set: $choice to "bodyguard")(goto: "Confrontation")](set: $pinEnter to (prompt: "Enter PIN", "0000"))
(if: $pinEnter is (text: $pin))[(goto: "Login Successful")] (else:)[(goto: "Login Failed")]"ERROR: PIN INCORRECT"
[[Try again->Enter PIN]]
[[Return to Quarters->Captain's Quarters]](if: $killer is "nurse")["Well, I earned my certificate in medicine after **6 years** at MSC." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Triss said she studied medicine for 6 years."))] (else:)["Well, I earned my certificate in medicine after **4 years** at MSC." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Triss said she studies medicine for 4 years."))]
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask her something else->Nurse]](if: $killer is "nurse")["Oh, the captain...I've known him for **so long...**" She's starting to tear up. "*Sniff* I can't belive someone would to this to him..." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Triss said she's known the Captain for a long time."))] (else:)["I was only recruited **a month ago**, but I still can't believe someone would murder our beloved Captain." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Triss said she's only known the captain for a month."))]
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask her something else->Nurse]]"I'd put my money on that doctor, Triss. She'd probably do it with **poison** or a **surgery knife**." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Kyle said Triss would kill the captain with posion or a knife."))
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask him something else->Bodyguard]](if: $killer is "engineer")["I'm an **aerospace engineer**; that basically means I specialize in space-traval and flying technology." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Mark said that he specializes in aerospace technology."))] (else:)["I'm an **electical engineer**; I know how to arrange circuitry to get machinery working, as well as recalibrating the Tazers." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Mark said that he specializes in electronics."))]
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask him something else->Engineer]](if: $killer is "engineer")["I met captain claus **years ago**. He's been a good friend to me. But now that he's dead, I don't know who the hell I can trust on this ship." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Mark said that he's known the captain for years."))] (else:)["The captain recruited me as chief enginer **only a month ago**, and now we're trapped in space with a goddamn murderer! If only I had known what I was getting into!" (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Mark said that he was recruited a month ago."))]
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask him something else->Engineer]]MARK FETCHER
AGE: 33
POSITION: CHIEF ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
RECRUITED: 1 MONTH AGO
BLOOD TYPE: O+
//Clue list has been updated//
[[Record important information and return to records->Crew Records]]
(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The Database said that Mark was recruited 1 month ago."))
(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The Database said that Mark is an electrical engineer."))TRISS UNOVA
AGE: 37
POSITION: MEDIC
RECRUITED: 1 MONTH AGO
BLOOD TYPE: O+
NOTES:
- Studied at MSC for 4 years
//Clue list has been updated//
[[Record important information and return to records->Crew Records]]
(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The Database said that Triss was recruited 1 month ago."))
(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The Database said that Triss studied medicine for 4 years."))KYLE VULCAN
AGE: 45
POSITION: BODYGUARD/SECRUITY
RECRUITED: 3 YEARS AGO
BLOOD TYPE: A+
NOTES:
- Served in the USSC 210th battalion for 5 years
//Clue list has been updated//
[[Record important information and return to records->Crew Records]]
(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The Database said that Kyle was recruited 3 years ago."))
(set: $clues to $clues + (a: "The Database said that Kyle served in the 210th battalion for 5 years."))You awaken from suspended animation, ready to finally be back on your homeworld. Still disoriented from sleep, you check the pod's date: December 17th, 2135
What? That can't be right. You were supposed to be in animation for two months...
[[Continue->Bad Ending Part 2]](if: $choice is "engineer")[(set: $convict to "Mark")] (else-if: $choice is "nurse")[(set: $convict to "Triss")] (else:)[(set: $convict to "Kyle")]You gather the crew to the observation deck and reveal your chosen convict. At first they do not believe you, but change their minds after you explain how clues lead to your conclusion. They quickly shove $convict into a suspended-animation chamber and lock it from the outside.
"What? No I didn't kill the Captain! You must believe me!" $convict shouts.
[[Continue->Confrontation Part 2]]Suddenly you realize that you are not in suspension chamber, but rather the ship's airlock. Surrounding you are the pods of your fellow crew mates, still in suspended animation. Then, you spot $killerName standing on the other side of the airlock doors.
"I'm impressed 'detective,' you almost managed to catch me. But that reward is all mine." says $killerName.
"I was originally planning on doing to the captian what I'm about to do to you now, but I was caught off guard by him already being awake. So I had to fight and kill him on the spot. Made a bit of a mess."
"But that doesn't matter now, because as soon as I pull this lever, no one will ever remember what happened on this vessel."
[["WAIT NO!"->Bad Ending Part 3]]$killerName pulls the switch and the airlock doors fly open, sucking you and the pods into space.
The oxygen is instantly sucked out of your body, not just through your face, but through all the pores on your skin. Before you can feel any additional pain, your flesh freezes, causing all of your nerves to stop working.
Your last thoughts are of fear, anger, and regret.
[[Restart->Variable Randomizer]]"I have a feeling it was Mark. He's fairly new to the crew, so he hasn't had a chance to prove his loyalty yet. Plus with his engineering equipment, he could've easily **shot** the captain or **electrocuted** him." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Triss said Mark would kill the captain with a gun or a tazer."))
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask her something else->Nurse]]"It was definetly Kyle, no doubt about it. That guy's attitude just //screams// murderer. Sure he's known the captain for a long time, but that just means he knows his weaknesses better! Plus with his military experience, he's extremely skilled with **guns** and **combat knives**." (set: $clues to $clues + (a: "Mark said that Kyle would kill the captain with a gun or a knife."))
//Clue list has been updated//
[[(Back) Ask him something else->Engineer]]Timer: Would increase incentive to move quickly, but would also require some changes to how clues are attained
Trust system? Exchange trust for clues from suspects (would be hard to implement though)
Make the space feel more claustrophobic by using the spaceship setting.
More exploration of sci-fi possibilitiesThe captain was found dead in his quarters. His suspended-animation pod revals that he was awoken just one day prior to everybody else.
After performing a full scan of the ship for bioforms, you conclude that there are no other lifeforms on the ship besides the crew and your pet dog. Will no other possibilities, it becomes clear that Captain Claus **was killed by a crewmate.
[[And whoever did it is still on this ship.->Bio-metric Scan]]**With $convict securely imprisoned, the rest of the crew finshes their duties and prepares for suspended animation themselves. If prolonged any longer, the ship might have insufficinet power for the ride home.
As you re-enter your pod, you anxiously wonder if you made the right choice today...
(if: $choice is $killer)[[[Continue->Good Ending]]](else:)[[[Continue->Bad Ending]]]$killerName is being brought into trail for their vile actions. The rest of the crew decides to let you keep a little extra of the reward, as thanks for finding the killer and saving them from certain death.
EXCELLENT WORK DETECTIVE
[[Play Again->Variable Randomizer]]