I cannot fiddle, but I can make a great state of a small city
Themistocles 524-459 BCE

5:59 AM MST
09 Leo, 266

Dr. Danu J Seloi's bedroom
Rift launch facility
Mars

6:00 AM
Alarm off Get out of bed

6:35
Downstairs
Check Messages

Inbox
Email - Director Hale
From: Director Hale, Chief Scientist
To: Dr.Seloi
Subject: Sorry Kid

So yeah, sorry about this kid, but no launch party for you. The system cache needs purging. You'll need to head to the launch site and run a full sim…. today. As in right now. You know, so we can launch the single greatest scientific experiment in human history on time, tomorrow.

Enjoy your sim time, the real heroes around here will be sure to enjoy the launch party!

Director Hale

Reply

Email - Dr. Seloi
From: Dr. Seloi
To: Direcot Hale, Chief Scientist
Subject: WHATEVER

Fine. Somebody has to be useful around here. Maybe I'll also instect the JOVEN drive while I'm there. You know, the thing made possible by MY grandfather and the only reason we are here. You can enjoy your 'party' while I make a difference.

Dr. Seloi
Junior scientist
Rift lab backup team

SEND

9:12 AM
Rift Lab Control
Enter lab control and get this over with

The eve of humanity's greatest journey

after doing the initial camera training

A.D.A. Log
Analysis
Hello Dr. Seloi. I hope your day is pleasant. Director Hale has requested you perform a few additional tasks in addition to the cache purge.

Director Hale would like the likes on at the lunch site for tonight's launch party. He wants the visiting dignitaries to clearly see the launch site. He has instructed you construct a tower to connect the rift lab to the launch site. This will power the lights.

You may close my interface and proceed. I will provide additional information as the need arise.

after doing a building tutorial

Alert
SYSTEM PROMPT
ACTIVATE EXPERIMENTAL SOYLENT FIELDS ON TOWERS?
SYSTEM OVERRIDE REQUIRED. ACTION NOT RECCOMENDED

Dr. Seloi
Yep, Override. That will show Hale.

Alert
CONFIRM OVERIDE?
NOTICE: DIRECTOR HALE WILL BE INFORMED OF THIS ACTION

Dr. Seloi
Absolutely

A.D.A. Log
Analysis
The soylent fields are now activating, Dr Seloi. These were not scheduled to be activated until tonight's launch party. They were supposed to be part of the exhibition.

The soylent fields are operating within normal parameters. Each field is producing energy that is being fed across the network to the rift lab. The energy statis in the top left of the interface reflects increased energy production.

Your assigned tasks are now complete. Director hale has requested you remain here during the launch party.

after a bit

Alert
ORBITAL SENSORS HAVE DETECTED INCOMING HIGH VELOCITY OBJECTS. POSSIBLE METEORS WITH LIKELY GROUND STRIKES.
INITIATE CONDITION 2 PROTOCOLS

Dr. Seloi
Activate A.D.A

A.D.A. Log
Analysis
Orbital sensors confirm incoming meteor strikes. Protocol 2 initiated. Base on lock down. The rift lab is now decoupled from the base. All lab bulkheads are closed.

Please Brace for impact Dr. Seloi.

After a building is destroyed

Director Hale
!!! PRIORITY COMMUNICATION !!!
MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR HALE

Danu! We don't know what caused those impacts. They weren't normal meteors. They have released something that is spreading across the terrain. I've releaseed the control systems for the lab. Move it to the launch site now!

None of the crew are there… you have to do this alone! We can't get to you and that stuff is advancing on the whole base!

Dr. Seloi
O… Ok… Doing it!

After moving the rift lab to the launch site

A.D.A. Log
Analysis
– FULL SYSTEM ACCESS GRANTED –
The unknown material is approaching the rift lab. I recommend relocating mining cannons around the launch site. They may delay the progress of the material.

After a bit

Director Hale
!!! PRIORITY COMMUNICATION !!!
MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR HALE

Danu…. you have to get out of here. You have to save the lab and yourself…

That 'stuff' is destroying everything. There's no time… I've sent the command to A.D.A. to initiate the Launch sequence. Jump to Farsite!

Dr. Seloi
No… No sir!

Director Hale
!!! PRIORITY COMMUNICATION !!!
MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR HALE

Dr. Seloi…. Danu… you can do this. Take the lab through rift space. be the first to ever traverse the galactic void!

You need to know that your grandfather []

MESSAGE TERMINATED AT SOURCE

Dr. Seloi
Dr. Hale!!!! No!!! I CAN'T

A.D.A. Log
– LAUNCH SEQUENCE INITIATED –

I'm sorry Dr. Seloi, but communications with Director Hale have been lost. Life support has failed across the base and the unknown material is continuing its advance.

The launch sequence needs some time to initialize. The final calculations for our jump to Farsite have not yet been completed. An approximate solution is currently in place.

Use mining cannons to keep the unknown material away from the rift lab until the initialization is complete.

after waiting for initialisation

Alert
RIFT ENGINES INITIALIZED !!! READY TO JUMP !!!

–INITIATE JUMP TO FARSITE–

after jumping away

Alert
Moments Later
A message is received
—D-nu! — Com– in! We h–ve tak-en she-lt-r in the und–grou-d cav–rn- ! Da-u!!!

——–

The jump was a success, but now what?

A.D.A. Log
Analysis]
ERR 001. System Fault. Report error to Farsite dev team. - - A.D.A OFFLINE –

Alert SYSTEM FAULT A.D.A.: Offline Engines: Offline Carrier Signal: Undetected Nano-Lathe: Partial ST Positioning: ERR

Dr. Seloi
That's just great… ship's broken. And where the heck am I? This isn't Farsite!

After connecting the system to the info cache

Info Cache
– FarOS v10.14 – Executable modules found: - 1 of 42 valid checksums - 41 of 42 corrupt or missing.

Install and execute 1 (42) archive(s)?

Dr. Seloi
Uh, do I have a choice? Everything is already botched…

Preacher
PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS! – Ceremonyal archyve actyve – 702 yarans have past synce last.

Syng prayses to the founders all who hear!

Dr. Seloi
You have to be kidding…

Preacher
We syng the prayse to the founders in tounge of anchyent. Let all hear out words of prayse. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
Lost in space with a cult virus and surounded by an unknown liquid of death. Nice.

Preacher
Holi sistem found. Cannon enabled where none was before. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS! Dr. Seloi
Oh? Not entirely useless! Cannons worked against that liquid back on Mars.

After a bit

Preacher
Mother not found. Mother must. Founders wyth mother not. Requyre Mother. Quest must fynd great Mother! PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
So, this is how I die? talking to a virus about 'Mother?

After a bit

Preacher
Quest must you fynd great Mother! PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
Ok, time to get serious. I'm getting that other artifact thing to the east. Maybe it's the antivirus.

[After finishing a cannon]

Preacher
Great Mother quest assyst. Creeper graph added to sistem. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
Annoying, but useful. Reminds me of Director Hale. 'Creeper', interesting.

After collecting the eastern info cache

Info Cache
– Muther A.D.A v 2.4.2– Executable modules found: - 4 of 4 valid checksums

Install and execute 4 (4) archive(s)>

Dr. Seloi
More compatable softare on an alien world. I wonder what group beat us here? Yes, install and run…

A.D.A. Log
Data
– A.D.A Interface Initiated v 2.4.2 –

Hello Dr. Seloi, I am please to see you again. I have detected an out of date system database. The database will be upgraded over time.

I am unable to detect a rift carrier signal or establish our exact location. Solar spectral analysis is not consistent with the Earth or Farsite systems.

– Protocol 3 initiated – In the even of loss of communication while not in the earth sustem, return to Mars launch station.

- Engine Error. - Jump Drive Error. Attempting engine restart…. Engine restart: SUCCESS Attempting Jump drive restart… Jump drive restart: INCOMPLETE

I am unable to initiate a jump back to Mars Coordinates can not be established without a rift carrier signal.

Preacher
Mother need ryft. Assyst. Sygnal for totems sent. Reveal they are now. Liftic to totems actyvate. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
Yep, I'm sure if I do this I'll get back to Mars. 'Liftic to totems', hmmmm.

After powering the totems

A.D.A. Log
Data
Rift signal detected.

Attempting jump drive restart… Jump drive restart: Complete

The jump drive has been reinitialized, Dr. Seloi. The jump resolver has confirmed a target at the coordinates for the Mars launch site.

You may initiate the jump when ready.

Preacher
Mother ryft jump. Rejoyce! As it was wrytten so quest begyn. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
'Quest' indeed. Here goes nothing.

You can never go home…

A.D.A. Log
Analysis
– JUMP COMPLETE –

Location verification for Mars: * Terrain analysis: Inconsistent * EM Spectrum: Inconsistent * Isotopic Analysis: Partial * Oligon density: Match Conclusion: Not Mars

I'm sorry Dr. Seloi, the jump was a success byt we did not arrive at Mars. Scans of the surrounding terrain show structures, but they are inconsistent with known engineering. They are similar but not identical to structures found in the previous world.

If you would like to try again: Attempting jump drive restart… Jump drive restart: INCOMPLETE

After re-materialising

Preacher
Enemi of great remayns Great danger! Mortar of power must now. Nullyfi module [corrupt' Error] PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
Not Farsite, now not Mars. 'Creeper', a great enemy, and a new mortar weapon. I should have stayed in bed.

After picking up the info cache

Info Cache
– Hierarchy Archive. Common Format 1.2.12 – Executable modules found: - 1 of 1 valid checksums - 0 of 1 corrupt or missing.

Install and execute 1 (1) archive(s)?

Dr. Seloi
Hierarchy???

Sarge
CREEPER THREAT IDENTIFIED MISSION PRIORITY: NULLIFICATION _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SUSPENDED_

Dr. Seloi
What? I was expecting more cult virus joy. Instead I get combat software.

After finishing objectives

Sarge
TOTEMS ACTIVATED. CITATION GRANTED. CONTINUE MISSION TO ERADICATE CREEPER MISSION PRIORITY: FIND AND NULLIFY _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SISPENDED_

Dr. Seloi
OK… sure. Let's just see if we can make it to mars this time.

This place had a hard life.

A.D.A. Log
Assessment
!! SOYLENT ENERGY GENERATION FAILURE !! Soylent: OFFLINE

System Rebooting… Reboot: COMPLETE

Sensor state validation: FAULT Location verification for Mars: UNABLE TO COMPLETE Arrival at Mars: COMPLETE [System Err: 2170: Maintenance recommended]

Welcome home Dr. Seloi. I am %s

[4rpl.NullPointerException]. Core stack corruption. - Contact Rift Lab support - Unable to upload error log.

After rematerialising

Sarge
CREEPER EMITTER(S) IDENTIFIED IN SYSTEM. RESOURCE TERRAIN LOCATED ENABLING MINER TECHNOLOGY

MISSION PRIORITY: NULLIFICATION _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SUSPENDED_

Dr. Seloi
OK, I'm calling you 'Sarge'. What are these 'miners'? And yeach, this looks JUST like Mars…

After building a miner

Sarge
MINER(S) ACTIVE. MINER(S) PRODUCING ENERGY TO ACCOMPLISH NULLIFICATION OPERATOR RESPONSIVENESS: ACCEPTABLE

MISSION PRIORITY: NULLIFICATION _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SUSPENDED_

Dr. Seloi
So Miners also make energy. That's convenient, given A.D.A. broke my soylent fields! Now, how do I get off this island?

Preacher
Soilent offlyne. Correctyon module unfound. Pilon necessary. Integrate. Quest ongo. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
I thought Sarge overwrote you. I guess I'm stuck with a 'Preacher' too. Pylons! The Mars Engineering Corp would be proud.

After picking up the info cache

Info Cache
–Troubador Peace initiative. Common Format 8.15.69 – Executable modules found: - 42 of 58 valid checksums - 16 of 58 corrupt or missing.

Install and execute 42 (58) archive(s)?

Dr. Seloi
I wouldn't have it any other way.

Hippie
COUNSELOR ACTIVE Scanning for peace opportunities….

Challenges identified. We are happy to render assistance. Soylent fields reactivated. Use this energy to negotiate. GO IN PEACE TREVELER !

Dr. Seloi
We thought the universe would be teeming with intelligence. We thought we would learn from it. Byt covered in insane A.I.? Whatever… I'll call you, 'Hippie'.

Eons of fighting must have taken place here.

A.D.A. Log
Assessment
A.D.A.
A.D.A. Status: Kernel Panic: Fatal Exception

PREACHER Mother is away. She wyll return when tyme requyres. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

SARGE ANTI CREEPER TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFIED MISSION PRIORITY: ACQUIRE _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SUSPENDED_

After rematerializing

Hippie
This is a truly joyous occasion friend! Fellow travelers have been here before us. They chose to share their implements of peace. through work, demonstrate our good intentions. We can do this! GO IN PEACE TRAVELER!

Dr. Seloi
I want Sarge or Preacher back…

After doing a Bluite tutorial

Hippie
Your spirit is AWESOME! Miner's making Bluite and sending it to the Factory. It's a regular commune of resources. And what's that at the Factory? You got it chief… ANTICREEPER. Ying-yang, alpha and omega, balance to the force.

Dr. Seloi
I think I just threw up in my mouth. Sarge? Preacher? A.D.A?

After building an AC Automaton

Sarge
AC AUTOMATONS DETECTED. SEIZE INITIATIVE AND ADVANCE ON ENEMY POSITIONS. MISSION PRIORITIY: NULLIFICAATION _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SUSPENDED_

Dr. Seloi
Why thank you Sarge. Those AC robot things should indeed make it easier to get the totems activated and out of here.

After picking up the info cache

Preacher
Technology for Antycreeper unyt found. Requyres study and conference with brothers to adapt to systems. Patyence whyle we medytate. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
An AC Unit? That, I need.

It's clear. We've only just stepped onto the galactic stage.

A.D.A. Log
Assessment
A.D.A. Status: Reboot Complete

Location verification for Mars: * Terrain analysis: Inconsistent * EM Spectrum: Inconsistent * Isotopic Analysis: Partial * Oligon density: Match Conclusion: Not Mars

I'm sorry Dr. Seloi, my system software has been experiencing faults. I have marked the areas in my system memory that may be failing. This should increase my reliability. We have arrived at a new destination that does not appear to be Mars. System protocols indicate we should recalculate and jump again to return to Mars.

After rematerializing

Sarge
!! PRIORITY NOTIFICATION !! TECHNOLOGY CONSISTENT WITH CREEPER MANIPULATION IDENTIFIED. OPERATOR SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION. CREEPER GLOW PATTERNS NOT WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS. MISSION PRIORITY: NULLIFICATION _ALL OTHER PRIORITIES SUSPENDED_

Dr. Seloi
All of these strange worlds… And it looks like intelligence has been at work on all of them.

Hippie
Opportunities abound! The totems on this world require liftic. Fortune has provided Greenar crystals! all that is necessary is to enable a Greenar Refinery. Done! Build the greenar refinery near the greenar crystals to harvest them. Your factory will convert them into liftic. GO IN PEACE TRAVELER!

Dr. Seloi
I was hoping we'd find the raw mertiarl to make liftic…

After picking up the info cache

Info Cache
– FarOS v11.01 – Executable modules found: - 2 of 42 valid checksums - 40 or 42 corrupt or missing/

Install and execute 2 (42) archive(s)?

Dr. Seloi
Of course!

Preacher
Addytyonal modules loaded. Journei begun just. Stay path and all become clear. PRAYSE BE THE FOUNDERS!

Dr. Seloi
Awesome. Just what I needed. Prayse be the founders!

Things are only getting worse, and it has been that way longer than humans have been sentient.

Each world is worse than the last. But perhaps there is a glimmer of hope.

Things are getting real, and getting dangerous.

The complexity of each of these worlds is astounding. Each, filled with more and more abandoned technology. What could it mean?

One plus one is greater than two.

This was once a world… maybe.

Sometimes the best offense is a good defense.

This world was used for some massive sale experimentation.

What if remembering the past changed it?

What is life without the dark?

Some things need protecting.

The first of here info caches. Get it as fast as you can.

Ancient tech once protected this temple. Perhaps it can now help liberate it.

Every beginning has an end.

A journey of a billion worlds begins with flying reptiles.

(This is a secret mission you can find by travelling around the bottom right of the Farsite Expedition map, set after the final mission.)