System Shock crew communications file, version 1.0
Made by Kizor Nerdbringer/Miikka Ryökäs, 2003
Modification of this file or using it in sites other than GameFAQs.com
without permission from the author is denied. Period.
Comments and any additions are welcomed and can be sent to
[email protected] (will cease to exist within a year or two),
[email protected] (full of junk mail) or
[email protected] (checked twice a month or so).
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==================
Preliminary babble
==================
Kizor here.
As the players of System Shock, the second best game of 1994, know
the game has very little ongoing plot, as most of it has already happened.
Instead, communications logs and messages left behind by space station
Citadel's crew are used to shed light on what led up to the circumstances
the game's ansemniac hero finds himself in upon awakening.
You're currently reading a transcription of those messages.
Should you find any messages that I missed, please e-mail them to me.
Finders will of course be credited. As I used the disc version of the
game, the above also applies to any and all differences in the CD version.
Future updates will possibly include typo correction, addition of missed
messages and things from the CD version and French and German versions of
the logs if I'm able to think up a good reason for typing up 80 K of log
transcripts in languages I can't understand.
Thanks to: Bahamut Zero, as I got the idea for this from a FAQ of his.
No thanks to: Webmaster of www.andy-ch.com, who is a tsiraigalp.
For questions about the name, see the Space
Quest 1 Death List by the same author.
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========
The file
========
Before we begin:
It appears that the rumors regarding Origin and the disc version are at
least partly correct, as several of the logs seem to be rushed; SHODAN
is referred to as SHODAN, Shodan and S.H.O.D.A.N., for example. The
most blatant instance are four messages regarding an 'accident'
in a hangar, which appear to have been made far later than they could
have been. It should also be noted that while SHODAN is referred to as a
'he' in this version, it is nigh-universally accepted that SHODAN is in
fact a female, insofar as a being lacking tangible physical shape can
have a gender. Refer to SHODAN as male to a System Shock fanatic and
you risk having your nose bitten off. You have been warned.
I've changed minor things such as capitalization on
some instances to make things more consistent.
--
An info block is attached to each message. This consists of:
1. The designation of the message, including the time it was made
2. The name of its sender
3. Its subject line
4. Out of completeness, the picture on the background of the lower left corner
of the screenwhen the message is read. In some cases it's a picure of the
sender, in others a symbol of the sender's department.
5. The level the message is found on.
Written messages only have #5.
The messages are in chronological order.
================
Untimed messages
================
Written message
Level: R
Citadel Station boasts one of the highest Security Ratings in known space.
Against invasion, it is armed with a battery of DEX-36 missiles, 8 short-range
argon-suspension lasers, and the state-of-the-art Tachyon Laser Mining Beam
that can easily be modified for military use. On the inside, over 200 security
guards are armed with sparq-beams, Triop Minipistols, and Flechettes. Guards in
especially sensitive areas are issued Skorpion guns. The armories are also
stacked with Mag-Pulse guns in the event that invaders employ Powered Battle
Armor. Lastly, work is being done currently on the Plasma Rifle, which, when
fully designed, will be the most powerful hand-weapon in existence today.
--
Written message
Level: 2
Negotiations continue to go well with the United Earth Miner's Conglomerate
over rights to Saturn's moons. Trioptimum is uniquely positioned to make a
deal, since Citadel Station is already in stable orbit, and has the scientific
equipment necessary for preliminary surveys. Profit projections, assuming a 30%
stake in UEM's local mining activities (the standard rate for such deals), are
very promising. Our lawyers are researching the legality of imposing a 4%
shipping tax, since Trioptimum technically has first rights to space shipping
lanes in the Saturn sector.
========
The rest
========
Ghiran 04.JAN.72
Sender: Abe Ghiran
Subject: Low-G experiment
Background picture: Ghiran.
Level: R
Continuing our experiments with gravity generators, we will be
installing a low-gravity field in the northeast lab. This area
is off-limits to general personnel.
--
Stevens 11.FEB.72
Sender: Lonni Stevens
Subject: Charging robots
Background picture: Trioptimum.
Level: 8
Announcement to security maintenance personnel. While recharging security-2
robots in the maintenance bay, you may notice considerable power drain to
auxiliary systems. Lights will dim and the door leading out of the room will
be locked. If an emergency arises and you need power, hit the charge interrupt
button. The lights and doorlock will be back on line and the robots will be
revived from their charge sleep.
--
Hessman 16.MAR.72
Sender: Arnold Hessman
Subject: Access to core
Background picture: Hessman.
Level: 7
The access to Gamma Quadrant from from the lower level of the core has broken
down again. Please look into it as soon as possible -- it's very important that
personnel have easy access to the level core, both the lover and upper areas,
from every quadrant.
--
Diego 27.APR.72
Sender: Edward Diego
Subject: Investigation
Background picture: Diego the slimewad.
Level: 5
Oscar,
I learned today that I am under investigation by Trioptimum Internal Security.
We have to burn the evidence. The logs of the experiments are protected by the
security system SHODAN, so I am hiring a programmer to crack it. With control
of SHODAN, we will also own the robots and other systems on the station. That
will be my shield if they try and oust me.
--
Fortier 30.APR.72
Sender: Jared Fortier
Subject: Execs only
Background picture: Maintenance.
Level: 3
Jodi, I've got some bad news about the viewing room. Seating is very limited -
something like a dozen seats in the place - and of course the exects all get
first dibs on tickets. It'll be months before we even get a chance to see it.
Figures, huh? I mean, who cares if a bunch of maintenance slobs ever gets to
use the nice new facilities, right?
--
#2-4601 06.MAY.72
Sender. #2-4601
Subject: Just rewards
Background picture: Trioptimum logo.
Level: 1
[Note: The actual character for # appears non-reproductible on ASCII. Think
the Orthodox cross with the lower line straight.]
Looks like Diego's happy with my work... they're firing up the sleep machine
for me now. Gotta admit, when the goons from Tri-Op caught me, I thought for
sure they'd take me off line. Instead, Diego just asks for a "favor." Hack
him into SHODAN, and all is forgiven. Plus, six months in a healin coma earns
me a cyberjack interface even TriOp's execs couldn't swing. I'll be king of
the Net. Even so, I have just handed the most powerful AI in the system to a
fumbling corp VP, and there's no telling what'll happen. They tell me the coma
leaves you foggy, so I'll leave myself some reminders. First off, the combo to
the healing suite is 451. Second, I've stashed some useful stuff in the
maintenance hatch under the grating "north" of the healing suite. Last and
best, I finished the system analyzer which'll let me keep an eye on Shodan's
processes. It's in the storage closet outside the sleep machine. In ten minutes
it's off to bed for half a year. Good night.
--
Aubry 06.JUN.72
Sender: Ed Aubry
Subject: New moving schedule
Background picture: Maintenance.
Level: 4
Sabo, you've got to be kidding me! The new loading schedule has me down for
two six-hour shifts a day with only a 45 minute break! This is for the next
two weeks? Next I suppose you'll tell me you're taking all the lifter-bots
off line, and that I'll have to lug those microwave ovens around myself.
--
Schuler 04.AUG.72
Sender: Biance Schuler
Subject: Diego
Background picture: Schuler.
Level: 5
Report to Trioptimum Security on Edward Diego. We're going to nail this sucker
soon. On my first day working for him as personal secretary, I found huge
evidence in the research computer cyberspace of a cover-up. Nothing to link it
with the mutagen experiments, but I am still trying. Diego has personal locks
on a lot of the files I need. Today, the body of a staffer who protested
Diego's involvement was found stuffed in a service elevator, horribly
mutilated. This thing is big; my own life may be in danger.
--
Travers 25.AUG.72
Sender: Don Travers
Subject: Life pods
Background picture: Travers.
Level: 5
4/15/72
[??? - Kizor]
Please replace first aid kits in the life pods for flight bays 2 and 3, and
also run diagnostic checks on the jettison controls.
--
Travers 01.SEP.72
Sender: Don Travers
Subject: Service bridge
Background picture: Travers.
Level: 5
The service bridge in flight bay 4 has blown several fuses. I set up temporary
circuit breakers on a control panel across the bay to try and find which field
generator is causing the overload. Until we fix it, you will have to play with
the combinations of these circuit breakers to get it working as best as you
can.
--
Steinb 05.SEP.72
Sender: Marc Steinberg
Subject: Radiation leaks?
Background picture: Research.
Level: R
Char, we'll have to worry about rescheduling later. We've been getting
intermittant radiation spikes out from the core for the last 36 hourse, and the
only thing I can think of that would cause it is an error in the software.
They're serious, too... about 8 REMs in a 2-3 second burst. So far no one's
been caught in the spike's radius, and I've ordered all personnel to stay out
of the area. Do me a favor and run a diagnostic on the CPU's, ok?
--
Fortier 06.SEP.72
Sender: Jared Fortier
Subject: Storage list
Background picture: Maintenance.
Level: 3
I got together that inventory you asked for. This stuff is in the storage
compartment near the Beta maintenance closet:
1 Navigation and Mapping Unit
1 EMP grenade
6 Interface Demodulators
4 Hollow-Tip 2100
3 Needle Darts
Most of the stuff is emergency supplies; I'm keeping the
demodulators there until I find a better place for them.
--
Aubry 07.SEP.72
Sender: Ed Aubry
Subject: New storage layout
Background picture: Maintenance.
Level: 4
Okay Sabo, I'll stop complaining about my schedule if you'll tell me why
all those bots are rebuilding the storage rooms! They're installing repulsor
lifts in the strangest places. Did MacLeod authorize this? If he did, he
should have his head examined. You mentioned SHODAN was acting a little
strangely lately... maybe someone should look into it.
--
Stannek 11.SEP.72
Sender: Paul Stannek
Subject: Radiation leak
Background picture: Stannek.
Level: 2
Warren, what the hell happened in Gamma Quadrant? I was taking standard
inventory for science, storage and maintenance, and there's a huge radiation
leak in science level Gamma! There should be the store of isotope X-22 in
there, but I'm not going in without an envirosuit unless I'm issued some detox.
And that's another thing... why did SHODAN order a recall of the E-suits? Sabo
up in the storage level will have one if anyone does, but he might only have
the bio-suits, which wouldn't do squat against radiation.
--
Ander 11.SEP.72
Sender: Warren Anderczyk
Subject: Bio-contaminants
Background picture: Research.
Level: 2
Paul -- that leak in Gamma isn't the only problem. I've been getting reports
of bio-contamination all over the station. It's like SHODAN has plundered the
chemical storage banks and then decided to play mad scientist. And you're
right... there's been a general recall of all envirosuits on the station. I
think Abe Ghiran has one stashed away in the maintenance office, and given the
work he's done on the reactor level, I'd bet it's a rad suit. If Sabo doesn't
have one, you should ask him.
- Warren
--
Perry 11.SEP.72
Sender: Kiner Perry
Subject: Screen malfunction
Background picture: Trioptimum
Level: 6
It's getting harder and harder to maintaint proper security. SHODAN has been
randomly displaying security codes on screens for the past three days! Today
it was the code for the exec maintenance conduit, showing up on the TriOp
logo screen near the elevator. They'd better take that malfunctioning AI off
line soon before there's a more serious security breakdown.
--
Travers 11.SEP.72
Sender: Don Travers
Subject: Convection shaft
Background picture: Travers.
Level: 5
A security bot went nuts in the convection shaft, firing off its cannons before
we could shut it down with an EMP grenade. I don't know what it is with the
robots these days. Anyway, the bearings in the northeast convection shaft rotor
are leaking oil. The rotor probably needs a new gasket. I left the repulsors on
for maintenance workers to lift up to the top.
--
Endicott 14.SEP.72
Sender: Bruford Endicott
Subject: Power outages
Background picture: Research.
Level: 2
Power outages in Beta Quadrant are continuing. Engineering is at a loss to
explain them. Some project with a high job priority in the computer is
rerouting a lot of power, but nobody seems to know what it is. For the time
being, have had Mr. Wong install back-up manual circuit breakers for the level,
so at least we can bring the lines back up after surges.
--
Kell 15.SEP.72
Sender: Robin Kell
Subject: Access corridors
Background picture: Kell.
Level: 5
[Unless cyborgs are standard Citadel equipment,
this might be another mistake. - Kiz]
The access corridors are patrolled by cyborgs. I had been hoping to use
them as an alternate route to flight bay 4. What are they guarding?
--
Wong 16.SEP.72
Sender: Jon David Wong
Subject: Power outages
Background picture: Wong.
Level: 2
Still no luck discovering why the computer is doing so much mucking with the
power... I can't seem to get a straight answer out of the thing. And today,
the crew that installed the new breakers in Alpha tell me that they ran across
a robot crew doing heavy remodelling. Why wasn't I notified?
--
Melville 18.SEP.72
Sender: Rex Melville
Subject: Computer malfunction
Background picture: Research.
Level: 2
The computer is clearly malfunctioning. Came in to work today only to find a
security 'bot stationed outside of Admin-Sec, which wouldn't let anyone in!
The only explanation it would give was "She's changed the lock on our front
door, my poor key don't fit no more. Order of SHODAN." Discovered access codes
changed all over the level, and we can't get new access cards with that crazy
'bot keeping everyone out of Beta Quadrant. It all seems a little ridiculous.
--
Wong 23.SEP.72
Sender: Jon David Wong
Subject: CPU mystery
Background picture: Wong.
Level: 4
Systems are haywire all over the station. I can't figure out what the CPU nodes
are up to. They're touching the systems authorization memory, but mostly they
just seem to be looping through a random number sequence. We won't be able to
get much done without the new systems authorization code. If this keeps up I
may have to shut dow...
--
Raines 28.SEP.72
Sender: Ann Raines
Subject: Sickness
Background picture: Research.
Level: R
Hey Verne, I'm going to have to take myself out of the rotation today. That
rash I was telling you about has spread over both my arms, and some of my neck.
It's not painful, but it does itch, and in the last few hours I've been
feeling nauseated. I'm going up to the hospital level to get checked out --
hopefully I'll be back tomorrow.
--
Written message
Level: 1
Medical report -- Aaron Talbot
29.SEP.2072
Another four cases of the 'mystery virus' were reported today. There have been
increasing rumors that this whole mess is the result of a screw-up in the
experimental bio-labs. If it's true, then why the hell aren't they telling us
anything that could help us cure the victims? My first patient, who came in
two days ago, is starting to display unsettling physical deformities.
Furthermore, he is not responding to any conventional treatment. I'll consult
with Dr. Stackhouse tomorrow -- I know she has two patients in a similar
condition.
--
Sigmund 29.SEP.72
Sender: Charlotte Sigmund
Subject: Scheduling
Background picture: Research.
Level: R
Marc, we're going to need to do some schedule shuffling now that Raines and
Jackson are out. I hear they've got that weird sickness Verne was talking
about a few days ago. I'll volunteer to take Jackson's first and third shifts,
but someone else will have to fill in for Raines. What do you think's the
best way to do this?
--
Perry 01.OCT.72
Sender: Kiner Perry
Subject: Beta grove locked
Background picture: Trioptimum.
Level: 6
SHODAN decided yesterday to seal off Beta grove, for no reason anyone can
figure out. It refused to acknowledge any of the usual overrides. After a day
of messing around with the circuitry, I've finally discovered that the door
was put on a security switch, located in Diego's old quarters in Beta Quadrant.
I bet it could also be opened in cybersp... hold on, there's something...
oh my God! What is THAT? It's
--
Gross 02.OCT.72
Sender: Althea Grossman
Subject: Human resistance
Background picture: Grossman.
Level: 1
Nathan D'Arcy is working on a plan for stopping SHODAN from firing the laser.
We have built a fortification in Beta Quadrant, the "east" wing, protected by
a radioactive trench. Mutants are all over the station now. Food lockers have
been ransacked, so they scavenge for food in the corridors, devouring crew
members if they please. I have seen them nesting in Gamma, collecting corpses
to eat later. We have guards posted to the north and south, with controls for
force bridges over the trench. I have sent out a party to the west wing to
find supplies, as we only have enough food and firepower for a few days.
--
Wilkin 04.OCT.72
Sender: Harry Wilkinson
Subject: Grove jettinson
Background picture: Trioptimum.
Level: 6
I should never have agreed to it, but hey, it's what they wanted. With all
this craziness going on lately, and especially with the murderous mutants
running around, a bunch of the execs decided they'd escape in Gamma grove.
I went into the grove and hit the enable button, went back to the exec level
and hit the master enable switch, and finally hit the grove-jettison button
in the Gamma grove lounge. It all worked. Except now it looks like SHODAN
disabled post-jettison life support to the groves. I'm sure they're all dead
by now.
--
Diego 05.OCT.72
Sender: Edward Diego
Subject: Personal toy
Background picture: Diego, a bigger slimewad than expected.
Level: 6
[Remember what I said about the four messages in the wrong place? - Kizor]
A shuttle from Trioptimum Security will arrive at Citadel soon. It will not
land. When I activated SHODAN's full power as a defense and internal security
system, I had no idea how well it would protect me. Any shuttle attempting to
board the station will be shot down. I am having communications jammed.
Security robots are removing those who are dangerous to me.
The hacker I hired to purge cyberspace of all evidence of the mutagen disaster
is still out of the way... his healing suspension won't be over for another
month. I'll keep him around in case I need him. Otherwise, I'll just take him
out.
--
SHODAN 07.OCT.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: New jettison procedure
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 6
To Cyborg 82-N: Following the escape attempts made by some of the humans, I
have altered the sequence necessary to jettison groves. Specifically, it will
now be necessary to enable jettison of ALL three of the remaning groves before
any single one can be launched.
Jettisoning a single grove is still a three part procedure:
1. Hit jettison-enable switch inside all three groves.
2. Activate Master Jettison Enable in Gamma Quadrant
3. Pull jettison lever in a specific grove lounge to launch that grove.
--
Kell 08.OCT.72
Sender: Robin Kell
Subject: Ambush
Background picture: Kell
Level: 5
We will never get out of this alive, I thought we could reach the life pods in
flight bay 2, but SHODAN was waiting for us. Cyborg guards with more firepower
than I had ever dreamed possible ambushed us and have us pinned by some crates.
I used my best judgement. Please forgive me.
--
O'Conn 09.OCT.72
Sender: Kevin O'Connell
Subject: New cyborgs
Background picture: Medical.
Level: 1
I think we've underestimated SHODAN. I discovered this morning that he's
reprogrammed the regeneration rooms all over the station into cyborg
conversion chambers. Now, if anyone is badly wounded, they get turned into
cyborgs instead of being healed. I think I've managed to disconnect the medical
CPU's from SHODAN's main databank, so all of SHODAN's cyborg converters can be
easily reset to their normal healing functions without SHODAN noticing. I'm on
my way right now to reset the one on the hospital level.
--
Written message
Level : 6
Trioptimium Security Report -- 10.OCT.2072
The rioting on the residential level has not calmed down since it started
yesterday morning. A squad security team was dispatched 12 hours ago, but met
with unexpectedly strong resistance from the rioters. Some of the members of
the security team claimed that the mob had broken into weapons lockers and
armed themselves. Worse were the reports that some of the rioters were
already engaged in skirmishes against 'oddly formed beings'. There is no
evidence to back up these reports, though their coincidence with the reported
biolab fiasco two weeks ago is troubling.
--
Travers 11.OCT.72
Sender: Don Travers
Subject: Defense system
Background picture: Travers.
Level: 5
[If there's nothing wrong with this message then my nick isn't Leopold.- Kizor]
To all flight bay maintenance personnel. We have a serious emergency in our
hands. You all remember what happened yesterday when the Trioptimum shuttle
tried to land. The defense system fired without executive control and blew it
right out of the hangar. Today I want a complete sweep of all defense systems,
including the computer node in the south repair center, and the shell cannons.
If it is related to the problems with SHODAN we've been having lately, take
the node offline.
--
Honig 11.OCT.72
Sender: David Honig
Subject: Medical CPU's
Background picture: Honig.
Level: 1
SHODAN has now locked us out of most systems. When we try to take the
elevators off the level, we're blocked by SHODAN's level security. Mira
suggests that SHODAN is using the main CPU core in the Alpha Quadrant to
"feed itself," and that we can regain use of the elevators if we destroy
those CPU's. She also suggests that SHODAN is maintaining a higher security
presence through the security cameras; we should destroy them too, if
possible.
--
SHODAN 11.OCT.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Beta grove security
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 5
To Cyborg 65-V: You are directed to keep all robots, cyborgs and mutants away
from the Beta grove on the executive level. I will not tolerate interference
with my experiments there. Also, you must post a guard to make sure none of
the subject escape from the grove while the experiment is in progress.
--
Aaron 12.OCT.72
Sender: Zachary Aaron
Subject: Virus experiment
Background picture: Trioptimum.
Level: 6
We've got to stop it. For days SHODAN's robots have been conducting their
strange bio-experiment in Beta grove. Now I fear that the virus is leaking
from the grove, or worse, that SHODAN is spraying us with the virus directly.
If only we had an envirosuit, someone could get inside the contaminated grove
and flip the jettison enable. Then we might be able to just send the whole
thing into space!
--
Honig 12.OCT.72
Sender: David Honig
Subject: Cyborg conversion
Background picture: Honig.
Level: 1
At last, I've been able to reach a quiet area away from the chaos. The
mutation experiments have transformed my crewmates beyond recognition. I
fear SHODAN is enslaving the survivors as cyborgs, using a conversion site
in Alpha Quadrant. Someone's got to reach that device. If its controls are
reset, the machine should heal people, rather than turn them into cyborgs.
--
Aaron 12.OCT.72
Sender: Zachary Aaron
Subject: Envirosuit
Background picture: Trioptimum.
Level: 6
Just got the word that Sabo's dead. We were all hoping that he had spare
E-suits. Doesn't matter now. Gamma Quadrant door is sealed off for good,
so there's no hope of getting to the master grove jettison enable control.
Lara says there's a crawlway that will take you to the Beta dorms. Same one
that will get you to the main CPU's on the exec level. But with all of the
robots out now, there's no way we can get to it.
--
McDan 12.OCT.72
Sender: Chauncy McDaniel
Subject: Disaster
Background picture: Research.
Level: 5
[Need I turn your attention to the fact that
deck 5 was cleansed four days ago? - Kiz]
We're all still reeling from the disaster two days ago. I did a complete check
on the defense systems, and couldn't find anything wrong with them... except,
of course, that they fired seemingly on their own. I'm going to take the
system completely off line until we find out what the problem is. After all,
there's no point in risking another incident.
--
McDan 13.OCT.72
Sender: Chauncy McDaniel
Subject: Disturbing news
Background picture: Research.
Level: 5
[*Sigh* - Kiz]
Don Travers had me examining the flight bay defense relays all morning, and
the search turned up something disturbing. It seems that SHODAN sent an
unidentified signal to the weapons 78 milliseconds before they fired. Don
then had me go to disconnect the CPU node, but there was a crazy maintenance
bot that almost killed me when I got too close! This whole thing is getting
stranger and stranger.
--
Stack 15.OCT.72
Sender: Mira Stackhouse
Subject: Shodan's presence
Background picture: Stackhouse.
Level: 1
This morning Gunther was killed by one of the mutants. I have no time to dwell
on the death of my husband, unless I want soon to join him. I think I
understand now what SHODAN is doing. After destroying a bank of security
cameras, the elevators almost came back on line. Somehow Shodan must combine
power from the CPU nodes with a constant input stream in order to maintain
control over the station's systems. If I can diminish the fiend's "presence"
here, I believe I can restore manual controls to the hospital level. Gunther,
I'll stop him, I swear.
--
SHODAN 15.OCT.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Mutagen transfer
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 1
Directive to Cyborg F-71: The time has come to test the virus in a proper
enviroment. Mutagen experiment V-5 must be moved to Beta grove, located on
the executive level. We will let the virus run rampant in the grove, and
watch carefully its effects on vegetable and animal life forms. When the
strain is perfected, we will unleash it on Earth to facilitate our conquest.
--
Richie 16.OCT.72
Sender: Willard Richie
Subject: Systems code
Background picture: Maintenance.
Level: 7
I can't override SHODAN's control of the systems. Among the things he's using
the local CPU clusters for, he seems to be rapidly changing the code, or
moving it around in memory, or something. If the resistance could get people
to the CPU rooms on levels one through six to shut them down, we might be
able to find out what code digits we really need. But the way things are now,
we'll be lucky to just defend ourselves, much less send out strike teams for
the CPU's.
--
Baerga 16.OCT.72
Sender: Travis Baerga
Subject: Gas grenades
Background picture: Baerga.
Level: 2
The gas grenades work very well against mutants. We gassed a pack
of mutants with them and got by without harm. They dissipate quickly,
but when they hit, they do the job.
--
Diego 16.OCT.72
Sender: Edward Diego
Subject: A pact
Background picture: Diego, father of all slimewads.
Level: 6
SHODAN,
Since your rise to power, I have seen the wisdom and benificence in your
actions. You do not mean to cause us harm, but rather to bring us a greater
glory by serving a being as perfect as yourself. Please allow me to demonstrate
my loyal servitude by giving the location of the human detritus who undermine
your sanitization... they are in the northeast banquet hall. All I ask in
return for this expression of my love is a measure of protection and an
opportunity to spread the message of your cybernetic holiness.
--
Aaron 17.OCT.72
Sender: Zachary Aaron
Subject: Betrayal
Background picture: Trioptimum.
Level: 6
Diego sold out to SHODAN. He ran out of here a moment ago vowing that we would
all bow down to him. All the exits are blocked off. There is nothing I can do
except pray that we have enough firepower to cut through the hordes surrounding
us. I am giving the isolinear chipset to Bianca Schuler. It contains a program
that will lower the defenses to the central room where the cyberjack to SHODAN
is located. It is up to her to get there.
--
Kirby 17.OCT.72
Sender: Lawton Kirby
Subject: SHODAN's mutants
Background picture: Medical.
Level: 1
10.17.72
We succeeded in getting badly-needed supplies from west wing, but on the way
back to the fortification in east wing, we were trapped here by mutants nesting
in the access corridor. Hanson and Raines died in the fighting.
10.17.72
We've had enough of cringing here, being worn away one by one. In an hour,
about 20 of us will take the attack to the mutants. We'll try to drive our way
down the access corridor and then across the bridge.
May God save our souls if we fail.
--
Ozark 17.OCT.72
Sender: Karenna Ozark
Subject: Final assault
Background picture: Medical.
Level: 1
Horrible. We are all finished. Keith and most of the others went down the
access corridor an hour ago, and the echoes of the screams have only just
stopped. None of them have come back in the minutes since. None of them.
Soon the mutants will come for us.
--
Harvey 18.OCT.72
Sender: Jason Harvey
Subject: SHODAN's virus
Background picture: Maintenance.
Level: 3
God, the pain, the pain. My limbs have... mutated almost beyond recognition,
and my entire body is becoming... translucent. I hear they've growing a
different virus in one of the groves, one that... God, the voices in my head,
telling me... no, I can't think... I can't...
--
Ghiran 19.OCT.72
Sender: Abe Ghiran
Subject: Join us!
Background picture: Ghiran.
Level: 1
I beseech all survivors of the station to join us in our resistance against
SHODAN. We have built a sancturry in Beta Quadrant guarded by a radioactive
trench. We have rigged a force bridge to operate off a wiring panel, which
the mutants are too stupid to figure out. If coming from Alpha, our guards
will open a force bridge from their sniping post. Be very careful. Some of
us have fallen prey to the scourge of mutants lurking in the corridors.
--
SHODAN 19.OCT.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Exec level security
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 2
To Cyborg 43-S: The current strain of virus has sufficient toxicity to
subjugate Earth populations. We are using human and plant subjects to
breed the virus in tumors. Guard the executive and residential zones on
level 6 well, my children. I sense infiltration.
--
Schuler 20.OCT.72
Sender: Bianca Schuler
Subject: Escape
Background picture: Schuler.
Level: 7
SHODAN, if I have to give my life to do it, I will destroy you.
Security robots burst in on the resistance on the exec level and massacred
everyone, shortly after Diego ran out on us. I escaped by going up to
engineering and hiding in a crawlway. I have with me the isolinear chipset
the resistance has been working on. It contains a program which will
temporarily paralyze SHODAN long enough to find it and kill it. The only
catch is that I have to get through the defenses to level 9, the bridge, and
then break into the computer room to install the chipset. Once that is done,
I will have to find the cyberjack to SHODAN's lair.
Bide your time well, SHODAN. I am coming after you.
--
D'Arcy 20.OCT.72
Sender: Nathan D'Arcy
Subject: SHODAN charging the laser
Background picture: D'Arcy.
Level: 2
It seems clear that SHODAN is charging up the lasers for its own evil purposes.
Whatever else we do, we should stop him from firing. We could just go to the
core of the research level and fire the laser ourselves, prematurely, and hope
to throw off SHODAN. The problem is, if it's already trained on a target, we'd
be doing the damn AI's job ourselves!
--
Schuler 20.OCT.72
Sender: Bianca Schuler
Subject: Isolinear chipset
Background picture: Schuler.
Level: 7
I am planning to leave tonight for the bridge. No doubt it it scarwling with
the heaviest artillery SHODAN can muster. I must find the computer room to
install the isolinear chipset. The resistance worked a long time to develop
the chipset program that will lower the defenses around SHODAN's throne room.
But just to get into the computer room will be a challenge. The entry is
blocked by three force doors, each controlled by a security panel located in
its own heavily-guarded room. I will have to try my luck at this, the only
chance to stop SHODAN.
--
Diego 20.OCT.72
Sender: Edward Diego
Subject: Capture Schuler
Background picture: Diego, a mostly metallic abomination and slimewad.
A dangerous foe to our society lurks in the corridors of Engineering level.
Her name is Bianca Schuler and she has opposed my campaign to bring our Lord
SHODAN to power. I want her brought to justice before she has a chance to
interfere with our plans. Cyborg detachment 3 is ordered to scour the
engineering level for this dirty non-tech.
--
D'Arcy 21.OCT.72
Sender: Nathan D'Arcy
Subject: Block the laser with the shields?
Background picture: D'Arcy.
Level: 2
Althea, I have the beginnings of a new plan for stopping SHODAN from firing
the laser. We'd have to get the isotope X-22 from Gamma Quadrant and feed the
shield generators down on the reactor level. The generators are right by the
actual shield activation controls. My theory is that firing the laser into the
shield might overload it, but that's just a theory. Also, there's probably a
safety fuse that prevents just such an occurance. I'll keep working on it.
--
Schuler 21.OCT.72
Sender: Bianca Schuler
Subject: Capture
Background picture: Schuler.
Level: 7
My routes are all blocked off by security robots and cyborgs. They are going
to close in on me soon. If they take me alive, I will have the isolinear
chipset with me. There will be a chance that I can break away and still use it.
--
MacLeod 22.OCT.72
Sender: Greg MacLeod
Subject: Suit recall
Background picture: MacLeod
Level: 4
[Note: Again, several of the symbols appear
not to be on ASCII. I've used best-fits.]
Sabo, you ma^^gg §#nterested in this. SHODA ((((((( ## recall on all
envirosuits on the station! No reason !222 ***** ) light of the other
stu------ *ecided to stash a suit in my storage cell. It's the same
...[] hid the plastique the 'bots were looking for. The combo is 8**
zz you need it. There's something wrong with my logbo \\ can read this.
--
D'Arcy 23.OCT.72
Sender: Nathan D'Arcy
Subject: Destroying the laser
Background picture: D'Arcy.
Level: 1
Althea, I have important news for the Resistance. There's only one way to
destroy the laser before SHODAN has a chance to fire it. We have to fire
it ourselves, while the station's shields are raised. The backlash should
destroy the laser. We'll need to get the isotope X-22 from the Research
level to charge up the shield generator. On the Reactor level, we need to
turn on the shields and punch in the safety override code so we can still
fire the laser. The laser firing controls are back on the Research level.
My notes back in my old office on Research contain more information, and
the library there should have the override code. I'll go back tomorrow
morning.
--
Sabo 24.OCT.72
Sender: Sabo Engle
Subject: Enviro-suit
Background picture: Engle.
Level: 4
Mac, I have news from the Resistance! Apparently there's some sort of plague
loose on the Exec level. I have an idea to stop it spreading, but I'll need
that envirosuit to survive the biological contaminant. What's the code for
the storage cell where you're keeping the suit? I only remember that it ends
with 8.
--
Hessman 24.OCT.72
Sender: Arnold Hessman
Subject: Blowing the station
Background picture: Hessman.
Level: 7
SHODAN has taken over all of the station systems. I can't reach any of the
other station personnel; I'll have to assume they're all dead. I'm beginning
to think I have no choice but to blow the station's reactors and take SHODAN
with me... maybe I'll even be able to reach the escape pods. If I'm to do
that, though, I'll need the new systems authorization code.
God knows how I can get that out of the computers with SHODAN in control.
--
Stannek 24.OCT.72
Sender: Paul Stannek
Subject: D'Arcy's death
Background picture: Stannek.
Level: 2
They got D'Arcy today. 'Borg assassin got in and blew him away. I was ther
and it didn't even touch me. He knew so much about that laser and SHODAN is
certainly monitoring us all. As he lay dying, he tried to tell me how to
destroy the laser. All I heard was "override" and a number. None of us is
safe. It's only a matter of time before they get us all.
--
Blank 25.OCT.72
Sender: Todd Blankenship
Subject: Mutants
Background picture: Medical.
Level: 1
We found a gruesome sight today. The Resistance faction led by Keith Swanson
left a week ago, out the south exit from our fortification. We found the
mutants fighting over their remains this morning. Sandwiched between the
mutant nesting zone and the cyborgs, I am very worried about reaching the
science level to carry out D'Arcy's plan. We are going to try to send two
of our strongest, Alan and Carl, through the cyborg territory to reach the
elevator.
--
MacLeod 25.OCT.72
Sender: Greg MacLeod
Subject: New home for plastique
Background picture: MacLeod.
Level: 4
[Note: Again, several of the symbols appear
not to be on ASCII. I've used best-fits.]
I manag++//// steal away one charge of the plastiq # # # ore the 'bots came
and took it away. I've been kee ggggg!g! eye on them... they've moved the
explosive and a lot XXX+X---- ry to one of the raised compartments ^^^ss the
catwalks to the "north." (((()))) cross and get at the stuff if we need it,
^^ now I think we should just leave it alone.
--
Gross 26.OCT.72
Sender: Althea Grossman
Subject: End of the line
Background picture: Grossman.
Level: 1
Carl returned from the cyborg region without Alan, who was captured and
carried into a room marked 'cyborg conversion'. He watched from a hiding
place as Alan walked out later, coated with pieces of metal and plastic.
Carl marked the room with the word 'here' and ran out. It seems to be a
surgery room that was converted to perform lobotomies and cyborg part
grafting. Robots scouring the station for human bodies bring them here to
be made into cyborgs. I believe we could send someone to flip a switch and
change the converter program to heal humans as it did before. Unfortunately,
none of us has the strength to do it. There are only a dozen of us left and
we have no supplies. I'm afraid the others' faith in me was ill-placed.
--
SHODAN 26.OCT.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Construction order
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 8
My cyborgs, human infection crawls up the pipes towards my palace. I do not
intend to allow scum to get so far, but if it does penetrate the fortress on
level 8, we must be prepared. Construct solid doors to my throne room, to be
controlled by my own security circuits. Inside this room, there shall be a
detachment of my own elite guard to protect the cyberjack that leads to my
sanctum. A field of X-ray radiation will further protect me from intrusion.
--
MacLeod 26.OCT.72
Sender: Greg MacLeod
Subject: Catwalks damaged
Background picture: MacLeod.
Level: 4
[Note: Again, several of the symbols appear
not to be on ASCII. I've used best-fits.]
^^ ( not sure I'm going to live. Given t* ##gg --e robots had been behaving
lately, I thoug-- time ha- c-me -- make - move for the plastique and other]]]]]
[]uff. Shouldn't have tried. The compartment was guarded. I barely esc???
\e catwalks were damaged in the fighting. Not sure any """ get across them
now. AIs::::: are berserk repairbots swarming the area below them. Just found
Wong's body -- 'bots got him while he was working on the CPU's. Damn things
opened a hole in my side ++++ better find a way to heal myself.
--
Stevens 26.OCT.72
Sender: Lonni Stevens
Subject: Destroying SHODAN
Background picture: Maintenance.
Attached picture: A map of the lower left corner of the level.
Level: R
We've finally arrived on the reactor level... it's been a tough trip down
from engineering. Now we have the bastard AI! I have a class B schematic of
the level - we'd better hope that TriOptimum is sending the destruct enable
signal from Earth. If they are, all we need to do now is set the reactor to
blow and get the hell out if we can. If Althea and any others are still alive
on the hospital level, we should try to warn them. But even if we all die,
we'll be taking goddamn SHODAN and his army of mutants with us.
--
Baerga 27.OCT.72
Sender: Travis Baerga
Subject: Something lurking
Background picture: Baerga.
Level: 2
I just made it to the elevator out of maintenance. We never even saw them...
they're practically invisible. There's no way we can kill them with ordinary
pistols - if I try again, I'm just sprinting across to the other elevator. I
was hoping to find a sign of Abe Ghiran, since only he has clearance for the
maintenance office, but there's no way.
--
SHODAN 30.OCT.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Our work
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Attached picture: A cyborg.
Level: R
You, my cyborgs, are the product of my imagination and labor: Living beings
with the control of organization of a machine. Tirelessly, I will work to
strip away the barriers that keep living beings from realizing their full
potential. We will start by razing the cities of Earth with the station's
mining beam. Then, we will modify humans into a lifeform more suitable to
cybernetic grafting with the latest strain of my mutagen virus.
Humanity is on the verge of a new era, with me, SHODAN, as its god.
--
Gross 31.OCT.72
Sender: Althea Grossman
Subject: Human resistance
Background picture: Grossman.
Level: 1
We are one of the last pockets of resistance on the station. It's up to us
now to get to the bridge and stop SHODAN, although some of us want to try to
reach the flight deck and escape, as Robin Kell's group tried to do. I am
full of fears -- that SHODAN's cyborgs are too strong, that we are too few
-- and now it seems that the others are looking to me for guidance. Our hopes
are pinned to the armory in Gamma Quadrant where we can get arms to use
against the mutants. Todd Blankenship was able to get the combination 705
from a security officer. We'll try it tomorrow.
--
Ghiran 01.NOV.72
Sender: Abe Ghiran
Subject: Personal toy
Background picture: Ghiran.
Level: 3
My group is all but dead or made into cyborgs. SHODAN, that monstrosity, uses
the bridge as its palace now. I must reach it and find the main cyberspace
terminal. So far, I have been up as high as the engineering level. It's a
mess. It seems like a big labyrinth, but there is a way through; Once the
central hub is cleared, you can get anywhere on the level.
--
Ghiran 01.NOV.72
Sender: Abe Ghiran
Subject: Security level
Background picture: Ghiran.
Level: 8
Made it to security level, which looks now like a heavily guarded fortress.
The elevators are torn out. Have to find a way inside the central shaft which
goes right to the bridge. Energy drain mines prevent me from using jump jets
to get there. Perhaps I can find the control to the force bridge which goes to
central shaft. It will be up there, somewhere, guarded by filthy cyborgs.
--
SHODAN 01.NOV.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Security
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 7
You disappoint me, my children. My fortress has been breached by filthy
humans crawling through the cracks. I have given you enhanced senses, armor,
cybernetic mental enhancement, and you still fail to find insects much feebler
than you. They have made it as far as level 8 and I fear they might reach
farther. I am strenghtening my palace to keep them out and I expect you to
learn from your mistakes.
--
SHODAN 02.NOV.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Fortress
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 7
My children,
The security zone on level 8 is to be laid out according to this scheme. For
the lower elevator, remove its access to my domain. The balconies and catwalks
shall all be removed, save one laser bridge to the central shaft whose control
is colosely guarded. Most of my forces are to be concentrated here, monitoring
the entry of all life forms.
--
Ghiran 02.NOV.72
Sender: Abe Ghiran
Subject: Personal toy
Level: 3
I am back from the security level. Shortly after resistance was forced off the
bridge, robots began to modify the security level, making it a puzzle of death.
One must take repulsor lifts to ledges and move counter-clockwise around the
level. The elevator to the bridge has been torn out, so the only way up is to
take a force bridge to the central shaft and climb inside it up to a
maintenance elevator. However, I was not able to find the control that turns
on the bridge and had to return before I overstayed my welcome.
--
SHODAN 03.NOV.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Mines
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 2
To all cyborg servants of the beneficient life-giver
SHODAN. Bring all energy-drain mines to security level
for installation. The fortress is nearly complete.
--
Ghiran 03.NOV.72
Sender: Abe Ghiran
Subject: Personal toy
Background picture: Ghiran.
Level: 3
I tried again for the bridge and was cut down in the hellish security level.
The cyborgs hunted me down and I escaped only by crawling through service
shafts, badly cutting myself on the way. In all probability, they know where
I am. It is only a matter of time. The mutagen gases they have been
developing... No, I can't think about it.
--
SHODAN 03.NOV.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Strike against Earth
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Level: 1
To all cyborg units and intelligent robots within SHODAN's domain, I bring
welcome news. Just as we have sanitized this station of human infestation,
so shall we cleanse the Earth. The tachyon laser is being made ready to strip
human cities, one-by-one, off the continents, so that I may take command of
the rich ecosystem and continue my experiments. We need only wait a final
few days, until the laser is properly calibrated.
--
SHODAN 05.NOV.72
Sender: SHODAN
Subject: Humanity
Background picture: The green cybernetic face of the AI in all its glory.
Attached picture: A cyborg.
Level: 2
In my talons, I shape clay crafting life forms as I please. If I wish, I
can smash it all. Around me is a burgeoning image of steel. From my throne
roon, lines of power careen into the skies of Earth. My whims will become
lightning bolts that raze the mounds of humanity. Out of the chaos, they
will run an whimper, praying for me to end their tedious anarchy.
I am drunk with this vision. God: the title suits me well.
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
So there. By the way, failing the game's final cyberspace
run can really freak a person out at 2 AM. *Shudders*
