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[> Use Medikit with Corporal Ramirez]

> Use Medikit with Corporal Ramirez

You turn Ramirez over to get better access to the marine.



Gah! Her face is gone! One of her eyes is completely gone while the other is glazed over and barely visible amidst the scroched flesh and caked blood.



Distraught, you snatch the medi-kit, pushing the mechanical tendril tips in the woman's general direction. The tendrils come to life and attach themselves as soon as they get close enough.

Light on the medi-kit blink to life, some blinking red, others amber. The device releases a soft hiss and the lights begin to blink slower and some of the red ones turn amber as well. Through the shreds of her face, corporal Ramirez draws a rattled breath.

The small display on the device simply reads: "In shock - sedated".



> Take the gun



You grab the GUN in your right hand, moving the HELMET to your left, leaving both of your hands now occupied.
The weight of the firearm feels reassuring in your hand. It feels... right. You can already see the solution to all your problems ahead of you: USE GUN on OBJECT.

Oh yeah...



> Speak to the probably also hidden microphone: "Yippie-Kai-Yay Motherfucker! I'm the space police and want you to pull over! You forgot to flash your turn signal there. Also your stop lights seem to be broken. Please identify yourself. Have a nice day!" then mumble "... until I come and kick your ass!"

You glance up at the ceiling and scowl.

"Yippie-Kai-Yay Motherfucker! I'm the space police and want you to pull over! You forgot to flash your turn signal there. Also your stop lights seem to be broken. Please identify yourself. Have a nice day!"

Male voice: "Intruder: please identify yourself."

You scowl even harder, and whisper: "... until I come and kick your ass!"

A few seconds pass in silence.

Male voice: "Intruder: please identify yourself."

It seems like you're not making much progress with this disembodied voice.

[> Think: Medikit]

EDIT: Page 10!!! Woo!

> Think: Medikit

The medi-kit is an autonomous device, designed to be easily attached to the patient via connector tendrils. The tendrils will automatically seek out neural pathways and blood veins in the patient when in proximity, and will then retrieve data on the patients condition and attempt to automatically administer basic first aid, primarily by administering blood-coagulants, painkillers and sedatives.


> Push "release" switch up.



You push the release switch up and the inner airlock door responds by sliding shut.

The male voice you've been hearing comes over a hidden loudspeaker: "Unauthorized airlock cycle detected. Crew notified. Intruder, please remain where you are and identify yourself."

[> Step inside the room and look around.]

> Step inside the room and look around.



You step out of the airlock and enter the Shrike proper.
You are in a spacious prep room mostly used to temporarily store supplies as they are brought aboard, as well as for storing EVA suits in case the crew needs them.
The room smells of smoke and blood.

There is a body lying at your feet, clad in the armored EVA suit of a marine.

> Check the body: Who is it? Are they dead? If so: How does it look like they died? Do they have any goodies for us?



You crouch down and take a look at the body. The person seems lifeless and is not breathing as far as you can tell.
According to the rank insignia and nameplate, this is Corporal Ramirez.

Her helmet is missing and her face seems to be severely damaged and bloody.

Next to the body lies a medi-kit, it's connection tendrils unattached and splayed across the floor.
There is also a discarded weapon on the floor, one of those wielded by the marines.

[> Yell at airlock door "Is someone there?!?"]

> Yell at airlock door "Is someone there?!?"



You call out to the door: "Is someone there!?"

For a second or two, there is silence. Then, all of a sudden, there is a sound of shattering glass, followed by a loud thump and the hiss of hydraulics as the inner airlock door slides open.
Beyond the door you can see a room slightly larger and notably wider than the airlock itself. It seems there is a body ling on the floor near the airlock door.

[> Bang marine helmet against the door]

> Bang marine helmet against the door



You wildly swing the damaged helmet at the airlock door. After a few good whacks you've managed to transfer some paint off the helmet and onto the doors metal surface but no more. The echoes of your violent portal-oriented outburst fade into silence.


> Think if Shrike may have other ways to get inside, except for airlock.

As far as you know, the Shrike only has one airlock. Beyond that, the escape pod bays might provide access if the pods have been launched.

Beyond those two options, your only hope would be to find or create some hull damage that might allow entry.

Another groan, like someone struggling and in pain, as well as more dragging sounds can be heard from beyond the airlock door.


> Go immediately into a good stand not to far away, not to close to the door; to be prepared for a possible fight using the helmet in your hand either as shield protecting the weakest parts of you or using it as a 'punch' device



Alarmed by the sounds from beyond the airlock, you step back and prepare for combat.

You hear a scratching sound, as if something plastic was scraping at the airlock door itself, along with another groan and more clattering.

[> Press intercom button again and say "Captain Edward Hogan is still here. I require answers!".]

> Press intercom button again and say "Captain Edward Hogan is still here. I require answers!".



You tap the intercom with increasing frustration and say: "Captain Edward Hogan is still here. I require answers!"

The line remains dead. You are no longer sure if there is anyone listening to you, and even if there is, they seem to be ignoring you completely.



> Kick airlock door



Stuck in a tiny airlock! What the hell are you supposed to do!?
Anger building, you kick the airlock door.

The strength of your kick results only in a dull thump in the thick metal of the door.

You hear a faint moan from beyond the airlock, followed by a slow dragging sound, as if a body was being dragged across the floor.



> Buzz the intercom, disguise your voice, and say "Good morning, would you be interested in these fine leather jackets?"



You turn from the door and return to the intercom. You put on a fake smile and the gaudiest happy voice you can muster:

"Good morning, would you be interested in these fine leather jackets?"

You wait a moment longer and listen. It seems your fine joke is lost upon the crowd, as there is still no response.

You hear the echo of a dull clang from beyond the airlock door, as if something metallic had fallen on the floor.

[> Think about ship gravity control]

> Think about ship gravity control.

Shipboard gravity is generated locally by heavy photon emitters. These devices, usually embedded in ceilings of rooms, emit artificial and completely invisible "heavy photons" that exert an adjustable level of force on objects by bombarding them with these invisible particles. Shipboard gravity is usually set at somewhere around 0.9 G, but can be lower or higher in specific rooms or areas.

It is not unheard of to have no gravity or very low gravity in airlocks, to make adjusting from zero-G to shipboard gravity easier.

[From]

The USCGC Southern Cross floats peacefully under the stars of the Antarctic ocean. The ship's engines rumble away, while the hull cuts through the waves as the vessel heads north.

Deep inside the ship, in one of the many cramped crew quarters, a Dell -brand laptop sits on a small desk, it's monitor dimmed to conserve power. Black text on white, a pair of e-mails are displayed:

From: Chávez, Nicolás Sent: 13.November.2015 To: West, Herbert Subject: RE: Expedition 7 findings I'm happy to hear you've received the delivery. I've spoken with my colleagues and superiors and the findings look interesting to say the least. So far our team of data analysts has recovered a number of recordings from the ruin and I hear that another crate or two will be shipped out to us in a matter of days. Apparently they've dug out a few damaged hard drives and a helicopter flight data recorder too, all dating back to the 80's. As soon as we've looked them over, I'll make sure to send out copies of everything to McMurdo so you can take a look when you get back. Safe voyage! -Nic ------------------------------------ From: West, Herbert Sent: 12.November.2015 To: Chávez, Nicolás Subject: Expedition 7 findings Hi Nicolas! First off, on behalf of the scientific society and myself, I want to thank you for letting us be a part of this discovery. I just received the samples along with your letter and the photos and it's incredible to see how well everything is preserved. There are signs of damage, yes, and several of the remains seem to have been burned, but I think we'll be able to pull dental records and maybe even DNA! The team were especially excited to be able to get to work on identifying the remains so soon and are hoping to find some clue as to what happened down there. We could be about to make one hell of a discovery! So far we've only had a chance to take a look at one set of remains. No luck with identification, but we can safely say he's not one of the American expedition's team members. I've reached out to the other nations working in the Antarctic, Azerbaijan, Norway and a few others, in the hopes of finding a way to identify the man. My team tells me we'll be able to look into at least one or two more people today, so I'll keep you posted on what we find. We left McMurdo yesterday and are heading out to sea to meet up with a resupply vessel, so we'll be transferring the samples over for transport in a couple of days. Best regards - H. West

Save for the sound of the ship's engines rumbling somewhere below, it's quiet. The small porthole acting as the window of the room is slightly ajar and the frozen sea breeze rustles the stacks of paper scattered on the bed and on the floor.

A scream rings out from somewhere to the bow of the ship, followed by two muffled gunshots.

Footfalls, heavy boots on metal, approach the room with the laptop, accompanied by laboured breathing. There is a hasty knock on the door.

“Professor West!”

The voice belongs to a young man, his every syllable a struggle between gasps of air, as the man tries to catch his wind.

“Professor West, you must come quick!”

The handle of the door rustles and turns.

“Professor, I-”

As the door opens, the words catch in the man's throat. A face, now as pale as snow, looks in on the dark room. The beam of a flashlight scans the scattered papers stained with blood and mucus, passes over the icicles forming on the porthole and on the side of the bed, and finally freeze on the chair before the desk.

In that chair, the creature that once was Professor Herbert West stirs. Four eyes, twisted and half-obscured by thin pink membranes that glisten with moisture, slowly turn to face the door. Sinews, bones, spines and muscles all out of place and out of order turn and distend and a blurble that might have been a spoken word emanates from the creature's gut. Clear fluid flows in rivulets, splattering on the floor and freezing almost instantly as they soak in the drab carpet.

The man at the door shrieks, an animalistic howl of pure unadulterated fear, and slams the door. His footfalls and laboured breaths echo for a few moments before disappearing once more.

The thing that was once Herbert West turns back to face the laptop, the bones of it's malformed legs readjusting ever so slowly, the membranes over the flesh growing thicker and turning a pale bronze colour.

It would be two more days before the ship's path would cross that of the R V Tom Crean and the 33 people aboard. Plenty of time.

[> Switch helmet again and depressurize.]

> Switch helmet again and depressurize.

You swap helmets once more, donning your own helmet. You order the suit computer to DEPRESSURIZE to conserve what little remains of your oxygen reserves.

> Hold marine helmet in hand and carry around



You grab the damaged marine helmet and decide to lug it around. Who knows, it might come in handy!

> open the other airlock door and carefully peak inside next airlock section.



You walk up to the inner airlock door and swipe your hand across the panel on the door. The device lets out an understated "boop", followed by the male voice: "Awaiting crew authorization. Please standby."

Thanks for the awesome competition, Atelier! Without MAGS I would have never released more than 1 or 2 games so far, and it's all thanks to you.

[> Search your uniform for pockets.]

> Search your uniform for pockets.



You grope around the spacesuit. It has no pockets to be exact, but there are 2 small compartments in the belt to allow for storing small objects.
You know for a fact that you have 2 roomy pockets on your actual uniform, which you are almost certain you are still wearing underneath the spacesuit.

> If it has any, search them as well and see if you got something usefull with ya.

The spacesuit belt compartments are empty.

> If it has any, go and grab the piece of paper and put it in.



You grab the piece of paper still floating in the airlock and store it in the spacesuit's belt compartment.

Your INVENTORY now consists of:
- Wrist-computer
- Piece of paper

[> Say: Suit, can I use the oxygen supply with this new helmet? Do I use it while wearing the helmet? Can I open the visor and not use up the oxygen? Can I use the same or even more radio frequencies with the helmet?]

> Say: Suit, can I use the oxygen supply with this new helmet? Do I use it while wearing the helmet? Can I open the visor and not use up the oxygen? Can I use the same or even more radio frequencies with the helmet?

"Suit, can I use the oxygen supply with this new helmet? Do I use it while wearing the helmet?"

Computer: "Negative. This unit has failed the perssurization test and cannot be used for EVA purposes."

"Can I open the visor and not use up the oxygen?"

Computer: "Please use the DEPRESSURIZE command to cancel the automated suit pressurization. This will release the suit's pressure seals and will allow surrounding atmosphere to enter the EVA suit. Please note that the suit will automatically attempt to pressurize if the surrounding atmospheric pressure or oxygen content fall below acceptable levels."

"Can I use the same or even more radio frequencies with the helmet?"

Computer: "Negative, all communication data is stored in the suit computer."


> Think: Is this helmet safer and more sturdy than my previous helmet (check helmet DEF stats...)

The marine helmet seems to restrict peripheral vision somewhat more, but might offer added protection from shrapnel and blunt objects.
No amount of personal protection will save you if you come under direct fire from any modern or up-to-date weapon system.

[> Take off helmet to safe oxygen for whenever. Put on floating helmet for safety and possible radio signals]

> Take off helmet to safe oxygen for whenever. Put on floating helmet for safety and possible radio signals



You fondle around your neck for a moment and eventually manage to find an release the clamps holding your helmet in place. As you remove the helmet you suit lets out a slight hiss as it depressurizes. You allow the unused helmet float in front of you.

You replace the helmet with the one you found floating in the airlock. The clamps snap into place easily.



Computer: "Caution. Suit pressurization failure. Unable to establish internal atmosphere."

The helmet smells of smoke and blood.

> Check oxygen supply



You glance at the suit computer to see how much air you have left in the suit's reserves. Not much, it seems.

[> Push the green button on the intercom and say "Edward Hogan, captain of the UEFS Jibril. Who are you and what has happened here?"]

> Push the green button on the intercom and say "Edward Hogan, captain of the UEFS Jibril. Who are you and what has happened here?"



You tap the intercom again and identify yourself:

"This is Edward Hogan, captain of the UEFS Jibril. Who are you and what has happened here?"

A moment passes in absolute silence. Then the person on the other end of the line begins to inhale and exhale loudly. Her breathing soon turns into sobs.

Female voice: "Oh god... Oh gods! No... No... Noooo..."

The line crackles and goes dead.

> Say: and where is my algae sandwich with fries I ordered half an hour ago

You tap the intercom again.

"Uhh... where is my algae sandwich with fries? You know, the one I ordered half an hour ago?"

The line remains dead and there is no reply.


> Check the other side of the note.



The other side of the note is blank.
How very underwhelming...

Meanwhile: somewhere, in the vast emptiness of space...

[>Push the green button on the intercom and say "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!"]

>Push the green button on the intercom and say "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!"



You step up to the INTERCOM and press the large green button. There is a short burst of static as you press the button. Without hesitation you shout out: "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!"

Female voice over intercom: "What the-! Who...? Who is this!? Identify yourself!"

[> Take piece of paper and examine it.]

> Take piece of paper and examine it.



You snatch the piece of PAPER from the air and glance it over. The paper is slightly crumpled, and has handwritten writing on one side.

The hastily scrawled note simply reads:
"If you come back, use bullets, beams dont work!"


> Take the helmet and ambush anyone coming.



You grab the HELMET and prepare to use it as a blunt weapon in case anyone enters the airlock.

You wait for a few moments, listening, waiting. The hissing of the airlock has completely stopped now and all you can hear is your own breathing.

You wait for a minute or two more, just in case. No-one comes and the doors remain steadfastly shut.


> Peer inside helmet to determine that it is in fact just an empty helmet.



You realize that you hold in your hand a helmet, worn only a short while ago (you hope) by a marine aboard the Jibril. The helmet looks damaged and the faceplate is cracked and spattered with blood.

With trembling hands you turn the helmet over to see inside it...

The helmet is empty.

There are a few droplets of blood inside it and the lower part of the faceplate is blackened, as if an explosion had taken place near it. Whatever happened to the marine, it was probably not good.

The INTERCOM on the airlock wall crackles and emits a short burst of static.

[> Get inside, close outer airlock or let it close, then interact with the second airlock and look around.]

> Get inside, close outer airlock or let it close, then interact with the second airlock and look around.

You enter the airlock. As you do, the door behind you silently slides to a close.
You wait for the airlock to fully close, while looking around the airlock.



There is a helmet, identical to those worn by the marines from the Jibril, floating in the airlock. It seems damaged.

A piece of paper also floats in the air.

It seems there is no gravity in the airlock.

The door behind you closes fully, and after a few moments you can hear a loud hiss from outside of your suit.


> Say: "Suit, tell me, is there breathable atmosphere in here?"

Computer: "Atmosphere pressure: 0.43 atm and rising. Oxygen content at 15 % and rising. No hazardous elements detected in atmosphere."

A few more moments pass and the hissing stops.

Male voice: "Airlock cycle complete. Crew notified. Please standby."


> Look up

You glance at the ceiling. The airlock is a somewhat square-shaped tube, with similiar metal plating on the floor, ceiling and walls. There don't seem to be any maintenance panels or anything that might allow access in or out of the airlock, save for the doors behind you and in front of you, both of which are currently closed.

[> Move in front of panel to see if automatic opening procedure happens and/or interact with panel to make it happen.]

> Move in front of panel to see if automatic opening procedure happens and/or interact with panel to make it happen.

You move closer to the panel. Nothing of note seems to happen as you do. You wonder what might be the best way to interact with the panel, so you wave your hands at it's general direction. As your left arm, the one housing your suit computer, nears the panel, the lights on the panel flicker to life and quickly stabilize into a faint green glow. The familiar male voice emits from your helmet speakers:



"Suit recognition codes received. Stand by."

A few seconds pass.

"Recognition code approved. Cycling airlock."

A few more seconds pass, and the airlock doors begin to slowly open before your eyes.



> Bang on the door and hope the marines are inside and will open it.

You tap on the side of the open airlock door, but you are almost certain the vibrations will not pass through the heavy metal alloys of the door's frame.

The entrance to the airlock is open before you. Beyond the doors you can see a faint outline of an airlock with another heavy door on the opposite side.

Commiserations to WHAM and Grok.

;____;

Congrats to the winners anyway! One day I shall rise from the ashes and challenge thee once again!