page@swan.ulowell.edu (Bob Page) (02/02/89)
Submitted-by: ejkst@unix.cis.pittsburgh.edu (Eric J. Kennedy) Posting-number: Volume 89, Issue 10 Archive-name: fun/world.3 # This is a shell archive. # Remove everything above and including the cut line. # Then run the rest of the file through sh. #----cut here-----cut here-----cut here-----cut here----# #!/bin/sh # shar: Shell Archiver # Run the following text with /bin/sh to create: # vtext.dat.ab # This archive created: Mon Jan 30 18:06:32 1989 cat << \SHAR_EOF > vtext.dat.ab 0500 The computer says "You are already there." 0501 You see only a closer view of the beautiful star fields. 0502 You see only a better view of the gas planet. 0503 You see that there are only a few islands in the middle 0503 of a planet wide sea. Most of the islands are covered with 0503 dense vegetation, but one looks like you could land on it. 0503 There also appear to be large areas of the sea covered with 0503 plants, rippling with the waves. 0504 Through the dense green atmosphere you can make out a devilish 0504 scene of great tectonic activity: There are large rifts in 0504 the crust through which can be seen glowing lava, great 0504 volcanos spewing forth great quantities of debris, and 0504 huge waves on the planet's one small dark red ocean. 0504 However, in the places where the vulcanism is weaker, you 0504 see signs of civilization, such as roads and buildings. 0505 You can see that this planet looks remarkably like Earth. 0505 Along the coast lines of the continents can be seen signs 0505 signs of civilization, while inland are great forests, 0505 mountains, and what appear to be cultivated fields. 0506 On the surface of this Mars-like planet can be seen signs 0506 of civilization in the form of roads and buildings. 0507 The telescope only shows a closer view of what you have 0507 already seen. 0508 You are sitting down. 0509 The inhuman chair you are sitting in is a pain in the ass. 0510 You are sitting in the most uncomfortable seat of your life. 0511 You are now out of the torture seat. 0512 After you put the coin in the slot, a round red ball, looking 0512 like a pill or candy, appears. 0513 The machine deposits a newspaper on the floor. 0514 The machine deposits a map on the floor. 0515 The dials turn, the machine whirrs, but nothing else happens. 0516 The dials turn, and a platinum coin appears. 0517 The dials turn and a silver coin appears. 0518 The dials turn, and a copper coin appears. 0519 The dials cycle and eventually a brass coin falls out. 0520 An old nickel coin appears. 0521 The dials whirr, the machine clanks, then one jackpot symbol, 0521 then a second, and finally a third appears in the window. 0521 The machine deposits five coins on the floor. 0522 The ball doesn't taste like food. In fact it's quite odd, but 0522 it appears to have changed you sense of sight and hearing. 0522 The previously unintelligible writings and words you have 0522 experienced now make sense. For example, the sign on the 0522 vending machine the ball came from now clearly means to 0522 you "Language Pills" rather than "Ozmtfztv Krooh". 0523 Behind the file cabinets is a green button. 0524 You must unlock this door by pushing the buttons on it in 0524 the correct order. 0525 The mural slides open a few feet to reveal a secret passage 0525 behind it. 0526 The yellow rod begins to emit a faint orange glow. 0526 A voice coming from the panel says "activator crystal out 0526 of tolerance". 0527 The violet crystal begins to emit a brilliant violet glow. 0528 The yellow rod begins to glow brilliantly. 0529 The sapphire emits a blinding burst of blue light and then 0529 settles into a steady series of lesser, but still bright, 0529 emissions. 0530 The door comes slightly ajar. 0531 Suddenly a voice from the grille announces: "Controls 0531 activated. Please enter desired declination and right 0531 ascension." 0531 (You do this by typing SET DECLINATION TO 0001, then 0531 SET RA TO 0001, or some other set of numbers. The ship is 0531 then started by typing ACTIVATE. When you get to your goal, 0531 type LAND. The rest of the process is automated. At least 0531 you hope it's automated.) 0532 There is no button with a number that high. 0533 A voice announces "coordinate accepted". 0534 It is a large high power telescope. 0535 I see no telescope here. 0536 The ship quickly takes off and eventually deposits you 0536 in orbit about the planet. It awaits further instruction. 0537 A voice announces "Those coordinates are not among the 0537 ones for which I have a flight plan." 0538 The ship quickly accelerates to a very high speed, as 0538 becomes obvious by the blue-shift of the stars ahead of you 0538 and their slow motion. Some sort of hi-tech gravity 0538 compensation keeps you in a comfortable acceleration zone. 0538 After what seems to you to be only a few hours, you 0538 reach your destination and drop to orbital speed. 0539 A voice announces "Activator crystals are not properly 0539 seated." 0540 A voice announces "I cannot land on this planet. The surface 0540 pressure would crush my hull." 0541 A voice announces "I cannot land on this planet. The surface 0541 concentration of chlorine would damage my hull." 0542 A voice announces "Please take your seat." 0543 The ship leaves orbit and comes to rest at a preset landing 0543 site. 0544 A voice announces "Please close the door." 0545 The block containing the activator crystals has been covered 0545 by a sliding panel. 0546 You can't open the door while the ship is in space. 0547 One of the Aurigans (as that is their proper name) comes up to 0547 to you, and motions for you to look at one of their mysterious 0547 devices. A message appears on the screen which says: 0547 Welcome to Auriga. We have received word that you are to 0547 be treated well. However, as you have no doubt noticed, we 0547 Aurigans are so different form you that we cannot even 0547 communicate directly. It would be better if you were to go 0547 to a planet where the inhabitants were more nearly like 0547 yourself. We wish you well. 0548 Two of the Aurigans move menaceingly toward you. Perhaps you 0548 should be getting along. 0549 One of the crabs approaches you and, with great difficulty, 0549 says: 0549 Welcome to Cygnus. We have received word of your exploits 0549 on Test Site #6, and convey our regrets that you were not well 0549 received on our space station. However we now know that you 0549 were not responsible for Administrator Glathryx's recent 0549 accident. We would truly like for you to visit our undersea 0549 settlements. But, alas, you could not survive the depths at 0549 which they lie in our ocean. It would doubtless be best for you 0549 to proceed to Deneb, where you would be more at home. 0550 One of the crabs says, with great difficulty, that you are 0550 urgently wanted on Deneb, and should go there at once. 0551 As you walk into the room, A strange reptilian creature comes 0551 in from the other door. It is about six feet tall, with 0551 grayish skin, and a set of eight legs, one small pair in front 0551 serving as graspers, and three larger pair at the rear serving 0551 for locomotion. Its face is not so alien as its body, and 0551 its eyes are strangely humanoid. (You notice that the rear four 0551 legs are somewhat lighter color than the front four.) 0551 It speaks to you directly in rather good English: 0551 "I am administrator Glathryx. Welcome to Deneb. 0551 Doubtless you wish to know the meaning of what you discovered 0551 on our Test Site #6. All the different creatures you have met, 0551 different though they may seem to you, are descended from 0551 ones such as I. We were once restricted to this planet, where 0551 we arose. However, long ago we outgrew its ability to support 0551 our growing numbers. We were able to reach out to the stars 0551 and even founded a few new settlements. But we found that 0551 our species lacked the ability to adapt to even mildly 0551 hostile climates. This held back our growth for many centuries. 0551 But just as our home planet became almost unlivable, 0551 our technology became able to create new life forms into 0551 which we could transfer our vital essence, which you call the 0551 soul. This allowed us to populate several new worlds. 0551 Today, while most of our people remain on the planet where 0551 they were born, some of the more adventurous decide to change 0551 to one or another of the different forms we have adopted. 0551 These people are transferred to one of our eight Test Sites, 0551 Where they decide if they to remain in a new form, or to 0551 return home. It was such a place where you found us. 0551 Yours is the first alien culture we have met alive, although 0551 we have found several dead ones. I am hopeful that our two 0551 cultures can be of mutual assistance. I am calling the 0551 ambassadors from all of our worlds here to meet you. In 0551 the meantime, I hope you enjoy the accommodations we have 0551 prepared for you in my summer home here. 0552 Its a pity you have died so close to the end of your quest. 0553 The cabinet hasn't been oiled in quite a while, so your 0553 opening it causes a loud creeek. The reptilian inhabitants of 0553 the room next door rush in and grab you. After they have 0553 finished practicing their torture methods on you, they decide 0553 to have you for lunch. 0554 The door makes a loud graunch when it opens. The guards in the 0554 room next door are alerted. You better get out fast. 0555 The guards are quite fast (for reptiles). The are getting 0555 closer! 0556 The guards are right on your heels. 0557 The guards have you! As to what happens next.... I better 0557 not say. It offends my sensibilities too much. 0558 One of the guards catches your foot. However, all this running 0558 was too much for their reptilian bodies. They are so exhausted 0558 that they collapse in a heap on the floor. You have time to 0558 escape. 0559 Not at a time like this you don't!! 0560 The guards, having recovered, rush into the room and grab you. 0561 Are you hallucinating? Paranoid? I don't see any such thing. 0562 Having anything at all to do with the guards is not a good idea. 0562 You are going to be sorrrrryyyy! 0563 The guards are still quite pooped out. But since you have given 0563 yourself to them on a silver platter (or so the saying goes).... 1001 You are standing on a steeply climbing trail nearing the top of 1001 a pass. The trail is ill-defined here, obviously the work of 1001 some alien animal. To the south, far below, you can barely make 1001 out the site hacked out of the virgin forest by your landing 1001 party. The only objects visible are the main landing craft which 1001 brought you to this strange world, and the huge transparent 1001 geodesic dome which still houses the rest of your friends. 1001 Even here, only a few tens of meters from the crest of the 1001 trail, the suns are shining brightly, totally unobscured by the 1001 odd mirage effect which so far has prevented your mother ship 1001 850 kilometers above from getting clear photos of the large 1001 valley which must lie just beyond the pass you now approach. 1002 Finally, after the exhausting climb up that bad trail, you are 1002 almost at the top of the pass. Your camp is still visible 1002 behind you, as is the great red sun to the south. However, the 1002 small blue sun to the northeast, over the valley, is, although 1002 still strong, affected by the same shimmering seen from above. 1002 It darts and dances around in a most disconcerting manner. It's 1002 clear from here that the observers in the ship were seeing a 1002 real phenomenon, albeit a most strange one. As you look up the 1002 last few meters to the pass, you feel honored that you were 1002 given the assignment of scouting this most peculiar site. The 1002 weight of your pack seems less of a load this near the top. 1003 You are now at the very top of the pass. As you walk into 1003 sight of the floor of the valley it is clear that you have made 1003 made the greatest discovery of this long expedition: 1003 Stretching out for kilometers on the valley floor are clearly 1003 visible several obviously alien, obviously different ecosystems, 1003 some abutting one another directly, others separated by 1003 shimmering curtains like the one above. Some must be entirely 1003 different from the Earth-like nature of the rest of this planet. 1003 Many of them are of very odd colors, sickening yellow-greens and 1003 Mars-like reds alternating with beautiful deep blues and verdant 1003 greens. Can these be natural, are they the product of some 1003 superior intelligence? The only way to find out is to continue 1003 on down north into the valley. 1004 The trail branches here, a single ill-defined trail going up and 1004 two somewhat better ones going northeast and northwest. The 1004 trees are here more numerous and stronger than on the rocky 1004 slopes farther up. 1005 You are at the very edge of the valley. Above you to the 1005 southeast rises the trail up the slopes of the mountains. To 1005 the west lies a serene lake with a substantial island in the 1005 center. A timber-strewn path leads north. 1006 You have reached a gravel beach on the eastern shore of the 1006 island. There is an earthlike forest behind the beach. 1006 The land rises slowly toward the center of the island, upon 1006 which rises a rocky spire. A fairly good trail leads south. 1007 You are in the forest. Trails lead north, south, east and west. 1008 You are in the forest. Trails lead north, south, east and west. 1009 You are in the forest. Trails lead north, south, east and west. 1010 You are in the forest. Trails lead north, south, east and west. 1011 You are in the forest. Trails lead north, south, east and west. 1012 You are at the base of the rocky spire at the center of the 1012 island. This magnificent piece of solid rock, probably the 1012 remains of the central lava flow of some long-dead volcano, 1012 towers some 100 meters above its base. Visible near the top are 1012 nests of several large flying birds which occasionally soar 1012 overhead. There is a barely visible trail leading steeply down 1012 and a better one leading east. 1013 You are halfway up the spire on a ledge about 8 centimeters long 1013 and one centimeter wide. From here you can see that on the south 1013 and west sides of the island there are no beaches but that a 1013 reef of coral or sponge-like creatures extends out quite a 1013 distance from shore. 1014 You are on a safely large ledge only a couple of meters below 1014 the top of the spire. There is a large nest just out of your 1014 reach. 1015 A long sandy beach forms the northern shore of the island. 1015 A rocky spire, probably at the center of the island, is visible 1015 along a trail leading south. It is only a short swim north to 1015 the mainland. 1016 You have paddled your way to a bed of reef-forming creatures 1016 which are slowly extending the south and west sides of the 1016 island. The animals are small polyps like the corals of 1016 tropical islands on earth, although they are growing in fresh 1016 water. Myriads of tiny multi-hued fish dart about, feeding on 1016 the reef-forming polyps. Combined with the shimmering light of 1016 the two suns through the clear water they make a scene more 1016 spectacular than any in the oceans of your home planet. 1016 You are presently in a bay whose shoreline stretches out west 1016 and south. 1017 You are at the north end of a large lake where a large stream 1017 flows into it along a bed of smooth white rocks. A big island 1017 lies in the center of the lake. 1017 A path leads east. 1018 At this point the trail crosses a vein of minerals. Most of the 1018 minerals are worthless garnets stuck in a vein of quartz. 1019 All around is a jumbled mass of mossy trees. There are passable 1019 areas in the undergrowth leading south, west, and southwest. 1019 To the northeast is a very deep rocky chasm. You might be able 1019 to cross it on a huge fallen tree-trunk. 1020 You are at the bottom of a very deep, very steep chasm. 1020 The various rock strata are well-exposed here. The rocks are 1020 in step-like layers; the lower ones show fossil evidence of 1020 primitive life. Perhaps you can get a geologist from camp to 1020 come look at it. 1020 The trail along the bottom goes east and west. 1021 You are on the northeast side of a deep chasm. An animal trail 1021 leads east, and continues on across the chasm on a fallen 1021 tree-trunk. 1022 You are at the bottom of a dark chasm. A poor trail goes north 1022 and south. A smaller ravine branches off to the east. 1023 You are at the bottom of a small step ravine, filled with ferns. 1024 The trail from the west ends here near a small waterfall. Around 1024 the sides of the waterfall here are giant horsetails, like those 1024 on earth during the age of dinosaurs. The prehistoric atmosphere 1024 is heightened by small flying reptilian creatures (like tiny 1024 pterodactyls) flying behind some of the horsetails. 1025 To the west is a wall of horsetails. To the east is a long damp 1025 cave. There is barely enough light to see here, but a dull glow 1025 is apparent toward the back of the cave. 1026 You have arrived at the boundary of reddish area visible at the 1026 top of the pass. To the southwest is forest, to the northeast, 1026 visible through a shimmering boundary of disturbed air, is what 1026 appears to be a barren wasteland of red sand. 1027 You are on the inside of the Mars-like area of red rock. To the 1027 southwest, seen through the boundary layer, is earthlike forest. 1027 Paths through the red boulders lie to the northeast and east. 1028 You are on a small hill. There are some odd obviously artificial 1028 structures here. They look like small stools, made of plaster 1028 or stucco, with inverted tops making small bowls. They are about 1028 one meter tall, the bowls about 30 centimeters across. The view 1028 from here is quite expansive, as this is one of the higher 1028 points in the valley. 1028 A path leads west, roads southeast and northeast. 1029 You are west of a large round bowl, about 100 meters in diameter 1029 The ground here is contoured so that the whole area has a good 1029 view of the bowl. Hundreds of small dimples in the ground make 1029 it look like a golf ball turned inside out. 1029 A roads lead north, south and west. 1030 You are north of a small building. There is a door barely big 1030 enough for you to squeeze through. The road (it's almost paved) 1030 runs east-west here. In the front of the building is a window. 1031 You are southwest of large round bowl, about 100 meters in 1031 diameter. The ground here is contoured so that the whole area 1031 has a good view of the bowl. Hundreds of small dimples in the 1031 ground make it look like a golf ball turned inside out. 1031 A road leads west and north. 1032 You are on the southwest lip of a large bowl, about 100 meters 1032 in diameter. The surface of the bowl appears to be made of 1032 perfectly polished glass. The lip is lower on the southwest, 1032 southeast, and north sides than on the northwest, northeast, 1032 and south sides. 1033 You are on the south lip of a large bowl, about 100 meters in 1033 diameter. The surface of the bowl appears to be made of 1033 perfectly polished glass. The lip is lower on the southwest, 1033 southeast, and north sides than on the northwest, northeast, 1033 and south sides. 1034 You are on the southeast lip of a large bowl, about 100 meters 1034 in diameter. The surface of the bowl appears to be made of 1034 perfectly polished glass. The lip is lower on the southwest, 1034 southeast, and north sides than on the northwest, northeast, 1034 and south sides. 1035 You are on the northeast lip of a large bowl, about 100 meters 1035 in diameter. The surface of the bowl appears to be made of 1035 perfectly polished glass. The lip is lower on the southwest, 1035 southeast, and north sides than on the northwest, northeast, 1035 and south sides. A trail leads north. 1036 You are on the north lip of a large bowl, about 100 meters 1036 in diameter. The surface of the bowl appears to be made of 1036 perfectly polished glass. The lip is lower on the southwest, 1036 southeast, and north sides than on the northwest, northeast, 1036 and south sides. 1037 You are on the northwest lip of a large bowl, about 100 meters 1037 in diameter. The surface of the bowl appears to be made of 1037 perfectly polished glass. The lip is lower on the southwest, 1037 southeast, and north sides than on the northwest, northeast, 1037 and south sides. 1038 You are sitting in the bottom of the bowl. 1039 The trail turns here from south to west. 1040 This area appears to some sort of trash dump. All sorts of 1040 garbage lies in piles. Strangely enough, all of it, like 1040 everything else in this Mars-like section of the valley is made 1040 of metal or ceramic. A road leads northwest and a trail goes 1040 east. 1041 The road bends here, going southeast and southwest around a 1041 small hill to the south. 1041 There is a shallow ramp leading down into a deep depression. 1041 At the bottom of the depression is a metal door. The door has 1041 no visible locking mechanism. 1042 You are inside a small building. There are small ceramic 1042 stool-like objects scattered about. One of them, in the center 1042 of the room, has a small metal knob in the center. Scratched 1042 on the walls are decorations, of a rather abstract and 1042 unintelligible design. The only exit is north. 1043 Roads go east, west and northeast from here. All around are 1043 small igloo-like buildings, with holes in their fronts much too 1043 small for you to enter. Like in all of this section of the 1043 valley, absolutely nothing grows here. 1044 Roads go south, southwest, and northeast while a trail goes 1044 northwest. To the south and west are small igloo-like buildings, 1044 with holes in their fronts much too small for you to enter. They 1044 are made of a reddish stucco-like material of the same red color 1044 as the sand all around. 1045 A main road goes north and south, a smaller branch going west. 1045 To the north and west are bunches of small humped structures. 1046 A trail leads north and southwest. 1047 A road leads east and northwest. A trail leads south into some 1047 red sand-dunes. There is a large building to the north side of 1047 the road. 1048 You are at the base of a tall metal tower. All around are metal 1048 mirrors on pivoted bases. The tower is made of a lattice-work 1048 construction which you could easily climb -- if you could get 1048 up to the first crosspiece, which is just above your reach. A 1048 road goes southeast. 1049 You are at the top of the tower. Set into some sort of 1049 electrical system are six huge diamonds -- they are maybe 25 1049 centimeters across. It appears to be some sort of solar energy 1049 conversion system. 1050 You are inside the boundary of reddish area visible at the top 1050 of the pass. To the southeast is red sand, to the north, visible 1050 through a shimmering boundary of disturbed air, is a field of 1050 flowers. 1051 You are inside a large building. There is no lighting in the 1051 room; however on the walls are numerous flashing lights, colored 1051 bars that waver at the ends, and other odd objects. Technology 1051 unlike Earth's is represented in several machines sitting on 1051 the ground. It appears to be the life support apparatus for 1051 this section of the valley. A soft hum permeates the air. 1051 The only exit is south. 1052 You are on a shelf about halfway up the wall. It continues to 1052 the east and west. 1053 The east end of the shelf becomes too narrow to follow. 1054 The west end of the shelf shows evidence of primitive fossils. 1054 It might be possible to continue up from here. 1055 You are on a small precarious ledge. In the slate-like rock 1055 are impressions of small trilobite-like creatures, but nothing 1055 collectible. The climbing isn't getting any easier. 1056 You are under a large overhang. Some fairly nice fossils peek 1056 out of the rocks. 1057 A stream flows out of a ravine to the east, then turns south 1057 into a broader valley. A trail goes northwest. 1058 The trail goes northwest-southeast along a small ridge. 1058 A branch goes down. 1059 Along a northeast-southwest trail are tall trees which appear to 1059 be evenly spaced, as if planted. 1060 You are in a large circular open space, covered with a sweeping 1060 arch of tree branches. A broad trail leads northeast while in 1060 the south end is a small stone structure. 1061 At the south end of a large open space is a stone platform. 1061 In the center of the platform is a stone cube, standing on one 1061 corner. On the top north face is an inscription. 1062 You are at the edge of the forest. To the west, separated from 1062 you by a shimmering barrier of air, is a region of incredible 1062 strangeness. Through air which appears to be a bright 1062 yellow-green color appear strange metallic crystal formations, 1062 like a surrealist impression of trees. In the midst of these 1062 occasionally appear moving objects, like small flexible, black 1062 metal disks with orange bulbs in the center. They float through 1062 the "air" to no obvious purpose. To the north, across a wide 1062 area of open land, is jungle. A barrier of disturbed air blocks 1062 the way north. A trail leads south. 1063 You are on a north-south trail in an open field to the north of 1063 a shimmering barrier of air. The trail leads north into a 1063 jungle. 1064 You are on a very muddy path in a tropical rain forest. 1065 You are on a clear path through a verdant green tropical jungle. 1065 Elegant red birds fly among the branches. There are giant trees 1065 growing up into a thick overhead canopy. One tree has a smooth 1065 pliable rubberlike bark, easily climbable. 1066 You are half way up the trunk of a rubber tree. 1067 You are on a north-south path through the jungle. The voices of 1067 many frogs fill the air. 1068 You are in an open field to the west of a large glassed-in 1068 greenhouse. Good trails go north, south and east. The trail to 1068 the west passes through a familiar air-barrier into a 1068 nightmarish yellow-green landscape. 1069 You are on a small hill. On the top of the hill is a large 1069 parabolic microwave dish antenna. A path goes south and east. 1070 You are at the north end of the main aisle of a large 1070 greenhouse. Benches line both sides of the aisle. Open-arch 1070 doorways lead north, and east. A ramp leads west. 1071 You are in the center of a large glass greenhouse. All around 1071 are benches covered with potted plants. Aisles lead north, 1071 south, and west. A steep ramp leads east. 1072 You are at the south end of the main aisle of a large 1072 greenhouse. To the sides are benches with plants. To the south 1072 is the top of a stairwell. 1073 You are in a vegetable garden. A path goes east and west. 1074 You are in a fruit garden. A path goes south. 1075 You are at the top of a spiral walkway around the outside of a 1075 large circular aviary. A catwalk leads east to the center of the 1075 glass roof. 1076 You are at the top of the roof of the aviary, on a flimsy 1076 catwalk. A stout pole from the ground supports the roof. 1076 A dangerous-looking catwalk leads west. 1077 You are halfway up a spiral walkway around the periphery of the 1077 aviary. About level with you on the central pole is a small 1077 platform. 1078 You are at the entrance to a giant glass-enclosed circular 1078 aviary. Dozens of beautiful birds fly from branch to branch of 1078 several trees which grow inside. Others cling to the pole 1078 which helps support the roof. An aisle leads east and west. 1078 A beautifully ornate wrought-iron walkway spirals up. 1079 You are in the center of the aviary. A large pole here helps 1079 support the roof. An aisle leads west. 1080 You are half way up the support pole, beside a small platform. 1081 You are in an open field east of a large greenhouse. Trails 1081 lead east, west and north. 1082 You are in a large field filled with trees like large smooth 1082 cacti two meters tall. There is something very odd about this 1082 place. You feel as if you are being watched by many unseen eyes 1082 -- although perhaps "felt" or "probed" would be a better 1082 description than "watched". As you look around you catch 1082 glimpses of moving shadows out of the corner of your eye. 1082 A trail leads south. To the north, up a steep incline of scree 1082 or gravel, lies a dark hole in the rock wall. 1083 You are at the top of a stairwell. To the north is an aisle 1083 between the benches of a large glass greenhouse. 1084 You are on the central landing of a staircase. A archway 1084 eastward into a field of flowers. 1085 You are at the bottom of a stairway. To the south through a 1085 glass door lies the north-south hallway of a modern building. 1086 You are in the center of a large field of sunflowers. 1086 They are about 2 meters tall, and the flowers themselves are 1086 30 centimeters across. The whole plant has a strange metallic 1086 sheen. The leaves are green, the petals scarlet, and the seeds, 1086 which grow in all sizes at the center of the flower, are black. 1086 Trails lead north and west. To the south, through a shimmering 1086 barrier of air, is an area of reddish rock. 1087 You are outside of a small ramshackle toolshed. In front of the 1087 shed are several beehives. Bees swarm all around you. 1088 You are inside a decrepit toolshed. To the south is a large 1088 beehive surrounded by lots of bees. 1089 To the west is an open field. To the east is a familiar barrier 1089 of disturbed air. 1090 The robot is at a branch point in the trail. Passable areas 1090 extend to the north, south, and east. 1091 The robot is at the edge of a flow of fuming acid. Trails lead 1091 south and west. 1092 The robot is in the midst of a strange metallic village. 1092 Shrubs made of silicon, germanium, arsenic and boron fill the 1092 landscape. Strange flying discs, made of a shiny metallic 1092 material dart from place to place going about some unknown task. 1092 A trail goes east and southwest. 1093 Beside a trail leading northeast and southeast lie vents 1093 emitting green and red vapors. 1094 To the side of the trail beside the robot lies a pit leading 1094 down into the fiery interior of the planet. The glow from the 1094 heated material almost blinds the robot's sensors. 1094 The trail goes east and northwest. 1095 The robot stands in an area of sulfurous mud. The muddy ooze 1095 grows into great bubbles, which break with a resounding "pop", 1095 leaving clouds of noxious particles covering the poor robot. 1095 Trails go west and north. 1096 You are precariously perched on a small ledge over an 1096 apparently bottomless pit. Going up is impossible. Going down 1096 looks easy (but dangerous!). You might be able to jump into a 1096 tunnel leading east. 1097 You are at the bottom of the Bottomless Pit. 1098 You are at the back of a dark cave. To the west is a glimmer 1098 of light. To the north a well-lighted hallway is visible through 1098 a ventilation louver. To the southeast a tunnel leads down into 1098 darkness. 1099 You are in a spacious room illuminated by the glowing eyes of 1099 several multi-armed ferret-like beings. The ferrets, small 1099 fur-covered creatures, are all busily engaged in work at making 1099 small ferretlike statues out of clay. Some mold the clay into 1099 shape, others tend to curing ovens, while yet others paint the 1099 products with fluorescent paint. The finished products, which 1099 appear to be some sort of icon, are stacked in a corner. 1100 A large cavern is inhabited by a ferret with fluorescent eyes, 1100 who is engaged in painting intricate designs on the walls. 1100 Some depict domestic scenes, such as a ferret family at their 1100 dinner devouring assorted living bugs and worms, while others 1100 depict ferrets at war, ferrets hunting worms, ferrets paired in 1100 (apparently) conjugal bliss, etc. 1101 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1102 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1103 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1104 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1105 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1106 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1107 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1108 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1109 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1110 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1111 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1112 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1113 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1114 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1115 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1116 You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. 1117 You are in a dark tunnel. Exits lead northwest, east and north. 1118 You are in a straight north-south passage. Along the walls are 1118 well tended cultures of mushrooms. 1119 You are in a round tunnel. Exits lead in all directions. 1120 You are in a passage curving from south to east. A crooked hole 1120 leads down. 1121 You are in a smelly very wet cave. A passage leads down, and 1121 another one leads up. 1122 You are at the edge of an underground pool. The water is 1122 remarkably clear. Stalactites cover the roof. 1122 A passage leads west. 1123 You are swimming at the bottom of the pool. There are passages 1123 leading in all directions. Water appears to be flowing into the 1123 pool from those to the south and southwest, and flowing 1123 out to the southeast. Something glittering catches your eye. 1124 This seems to be a dead end. You can just get your head above 1124 the water. 1125 This seems to be a dead end. You can just get your head out of 1125 the water. 1126 You are in a very tight squeeze above a pool of water. 1126 Passages lead northeast, up and down. 1127 This seems to be a dead end. 1128 You escape the water into a veritable gold mine. The glint of 1128 the precious metal is seen everywhere. Exits lead up and down. 1129 You are in a damp crawlway. Exits are southwest and up. 1130 You are in a large hall. This area seems to be inhabited. 1130 The floor is marked by the passage of what appears to have 1130 been the passage of innumerable small feet. Exits are to the 1130 north, west, southeast and northeast. 1131 You seem to have interrupted a ferret family at home. Papa 1131 ferret, mama ferret, and several little ferrets are each sitting 1131 in their own comfy nest watching television. In fact they seem 1131 to be watching the station your own mother ship broadcasts 1131 (apparently utterly oblivious to a total lack of sound)! 1132 You are in the ferret's nursery. There are various children's 1132 blocks, board games, etc., scattered about. The centerpiece, 1132 however, is a large doll house sitting in the center of the 1132 room. There don't seem to be any dolls in it however. 1133 You are in an east-west hallway. A door leads south. 1134 You are in a small metal chamber. On the wall are a violet 1134 button, an orange button, a blue button, and a white button. 1134 Below the buttons is a round recess, about 3 centimeters in 1134 diameter and one centimeter deep with small gold springy 1134 fingers at the sides. 1135 This is the east end of a hallway. A stout metal door with a 1135 small keyhole leads east. 1136 This is the north end of a long hallway, brightly illuminated. 1136 To the north through a door is a stairway, to the south lies a 1136 long hall. 1137 This is part of a long hallway. A door marked "xsvnrxzoh" leads 1137 east and one marked "wzipilln" leads west. 1138 This is part of a long hallway. A door marked with the un- 1138 mistakable image of in integrated circuit leads east, while to 1138 the west lies an unmarked door. 1139 A long hallway leads north and south. A smaller one goes east. 1140 This is part of a long hallway. A door marked in ornate letters 1140 "WRIVXGLI" leads west, while a door marked "hglirtv" lies to the 1140 east. 1141 This is part of a long hallway. A door lettered "xlmgilo" leads 1141 west, while to the east is a door marked with the images of a 1141 hammer and a wrench. 1142 You are at the south end of a long, clean, well-illuminated 1142 hallway. To the north are several side doors. To the south is 1142 a louver for ventilation. 1143 You are in a photographic darkroom. To one side of the room is 1143 a long bench. On the left side of the bench is a large plastic 1143 plastic rack with vertical slots for holding sheets of film. 1143 On the right side a small tray is molded in the stainless steel 1143 surface. Between the rack and the tray is the flat base of an 1143 enlarger. The enlarger itself is unusable, as it lacks a lens. 1143 On the other side of the room is a large heavy metal sink, with 1143 water from a leaky faucet flowing through it. 1143 In the center of the room is a large rectangular machine. 1143 At the left end of the machine is a long opening just the size 1143 to accept a film cassette. At the right end is a hopper. 1143 On the top of the machine are three funnel shaped holes. 1143 The left and right ones are marked to indicate that they should 1143 be filled with some sort of processing chemical, while below 1143 the central one is a liquid level indicator. The front of the 1143 machine has a red light, a green light, and a red button. 1143 The lights in the room are a deep red color. 1144 This is some sort of a library. Although a few of the books are 1144 text, written in a strange language, most of the ones 1144 prominently displayed on the several tables are mainly 1144 pictorial. Each one seems to be a description of some other 1144 planet, as each is totally different. Although you see none of 1144 Earth, you do recognize Jupiter, as well as a couple which look 1144 remarkably like other parts of this valley. 1145 You are in a luxurious office. The walls are paneled with 1145 polished hardwood. The furniture is totally unsuited to the 1145 human form. Odd abstract paintings cover the walls. In the 1145 center of the room is a desk, piled high with papers. 1146 You are in a large control room. On the walls are many dials, 1146 gauges, and numeric readouts, all incomprehensible. On one wall 1146 is a triangular button, a square button, a round button, and a 1146 hexagonal button. Below them are a slot and a video screen. 1147 This appears to be a storeroom for chemicals. Shelves with jars 1147 on them (mostly empty) line the walls. 1148 This appears to be a storage area for spare electronic parts. 1148 Large bins of resistors, capacitors, etc. line the walls. 1149 This room, similar in size and appointments to the other storage 1149 rooms nearby, appears to be used for old junk. There are empty 1149 boxes, junked apparatus, etc., everywhere. 1149 You hear the faint patter of tiny rodent feet. 1150 You are in the tool room. 1151 You are at the top of a steep scree slope. To the north is a 1151 deep hole, the entrance to an old mine. 1152 You are at the top of an old mine shaft. The way down is blocked 1152 by a cave-in, but scattered around are lots of old tailings. 1152 The exit is to the south. 1153 You are in the teleportation booth. A ramp leads down. 1154 You are in the center of a vast square room. Far overhead 1154 through a glass roof supported by myriads of crossing girders 1154 can be seen several brilliant star-clouds. The room is lit by 1154 the familiar garish blue light of mercury lamps. The air is cool 1154 and humid and perhaps a bit too rich in oxygen. Slightly above 1154 you at the end of a short ramp is a round metal teleportation 1154 booth. Eight exits are visible at the corners of the room and 1154 at the centers of the walls. The room is empty, although signs 1154 of recent occupation by hordes of people seem to have escaped 1154 the efforts of a robot floor-sweeper visible in the distance. 1155 You are at the north end of the great hall. A hallway leads 1155 north. 1156 You are in a small niche in the northeast corner of the hall. 1157 You are at the east end of the great hall. A corridor leads 1157 east. Beside the door is a graphic sign which seems to 1157 imply "No Entrance". 1158 You are in a small niche in the southeast corner of the hall. 1159 You are at the south end of the great hall. A hallway leads 1159 south. Beside the door is a graphic sign which seems to 1159 imply "No Entrance". 1160 You are in a small niche in the southwest corner of the hall. 1161 You are at the west end of the great hall. A hallway leads 1161 west. 1162 You are in a small niche in the northwest corner of the hall. 1163 You are in a featureless hallway curving from south to west. 1164 You are in a featureless hallway curving from north to east. 1165 You are in a sizable room with corridors leading to the 1165 south and east. To the northwest is a large orange door, 1165 apparently some sort of airtight bulkhead, with a large 1165 keypad with numbers from 1 to 30. To the sides of the room 1165 are large windows through which stars can be seen in all 1165 directions, including down. This is obviously some sort of 1165 space station. 1166 You are in a large space ship, round in shape with several 1166 hundred seats (none designed for the human rump). To the 1166 side of the entrance is a control panel containing numerous 1166 dials and indicators, all totally beyond your comprehension. 1166 There are two clips in the panel, one glowing orange and one 1166 glowing violet. 1166 An orange door leads "southwest". An inner cover for the 1166 airlock is off to the side. It appears to be automated. 1167 You are in a long hallway leading east and west. An open 1167 door leads south. 1168 You are in a large room with many large glass windows. 1168 Through the windows can be seen in all directions a star 1168 filled sky. Behind you, interrupting the view of space, is 1168 the huge bulk of the space station. 1169 You are in an office. Halls lead north and east. Sitting in 1169 a row near the west wall are several file cabinets. 1170 You are in a short secret corridor with a door leading 1170 north into an office. A hidden panel in the west wall has 1170 opened to allow access to an airlock. 1171 You are in the administrative hallway of the space station. 1171 Standing around looking sullen are numerous uniformed (and 1171 armed) reptilian creatures. You came from the west, while 1171 numerous doors lead off the hall in other directions. 1172 You are in a featureless hallway leading north and south. 1173 You are outside a pink bulkhead door. In the door heading 1173 south is a keypad with numbers from 1 to 99. A corridor 1173 leads north. 1174 You are in a small airlock with a pink door to the north 1174 and a blue one to the south. An opening in the east wall 1174 leads into a secret corridor. 1175 You are in a small space ship. A door leads "north". Two 1175 seats are placed before a viewing window, through which are 1175 visible several gigantic star clouds. A control panel 1175 has indicators, a grille, and one clip which emits a blue 1175 glow and one which is yellow. Mounted on the panel and 1175 pointing out the window is a telescope. 1176 Your ship is now in orbit above a huge gas giant planet, 1176 somewhat akin to Saturn. Beautiful rings surround a sea 1176 of swirling orange and pink clouds. 1177 You are orbiting a planet which somewhat similar to Earth, 1177 except that it is less than 1 percent land. 1178 You are now orbiting a planet of about Earth-size but 1178 certainly not Earthly character. It looks totally arid, 1178 with a dense greenish atmosphere. 1179 You are now orbiting a generally Earth-like planet. 1180 You are in a close orbit about a small planet with a weak 1180 atmosphere and dark sandy-red surface. 1181 Your ship has landed on the planet Cygnus, on one of the 1181 many islands that make up its tiny land mass. The view out 1181 the window is rather murky due to clouds drifting in from 1181 the ocean. The exit to your ship is north. 1182 The view is a bit better outside the ship. This is a planet 1182 of verdant green vegetation, some of it growing on the wet 1182 surface of the island, but mostly growing as floating 1182 islands on the surface of the sea. There are masses of sea 1182 weed, giant lily pads with bit pink flowers, and even 1182 treelike structures held erect by large gas-filled bladders. 1182 To the north can be seen some creatures standing by the 1182 edge of the cleared landing area. 1183 You are at the edge of the clearing, at the shore of the sea. 1183 Standing around are several large crabs. I believe you may 1183 have seen some of them earlier, back at Test Site #6. Your 1183 ship is to the south. 1184 Your space ship is sitting on a planet remarkably like 1184 Mars, except that the sun is a bit redder. The ship's door 1184 faces north. 1185 You are on the ground outside your ship. A large stone 1185 building lies to the north. 1186 You are in a very dimly lit building with many electrical 1186 devices with flashing lights. Before most of the stations 1186 sits one of those electrical balls seen in the "Martian" 1186 section of Test site #6. They seem to be busy at very 1186 obscure tasks. 1187 Your ship is now landed on Deneb. The view is astoundingly 1187 Earthlike, even moreso than Test Site #6. You see out the 1187 window a clearing in a dense forest with tall majestic 1187 trees stretching out into the far distance where the 1187 forest rises up into ice-capped mountains. The door of 1187 your ship faces north. 1188 You are standing by the ship on Deneb. The air is cool 1188 and dry, with sweet fragrances wafting from the forest. 1188 To the north of the landing area is a building. 1189 You are in the entryway of a large, almost palatial, house. 1189 Directly ahead can be seen a large room, opulently 1189 furnished in a style seemingly suited more to creatures 1189 with eight legs than to humans. However, to the left (west) 1189 is smaller room, smelling of fresh paint and looking quite 1189 new, with Earthlike furnishings. A door leads south. 1190 You are in a bright, cheery room with fitting suitable for 1190 the summer house of some rich family. The exit is east. SHAR_EOF # End of shell archive exit 0 -- Bob Page, U of Lowell CS Dept. page@swan.ulowell.edu ulowell!page Have five nice days.