0: Botany Bay

terminal 0

unfinished

Orbital Station UESC Red Monaco Stasis wing 4A status report -------------------------------------------- Stasis cell number 235; Occupant classification index 241-106-313 Cryogenic stasis duration: 31 years, 4 months, 17 days Documentation: - Occupant formerly served aboard the UESC Marathon until its attack by the Pfhor Empire, after which he was presumed kidnapped by the rampant artificial intelligence Durandal. His actions in Durandal's service are generally unknown; nor is it known where Durandal is or why occupant appeared on the UESC ship Independence without warning.

[Documentation continues] - Occupant expressed desire to continue service with the UESC Marine Corps but was denied reentry, citing his extreme personal experience in tactical combat against the Pfhor Empire in both planetside and spaceborne campaigns while in the service of Durandal as too valuable a resource to be risked in combat. He was placed in cryogenic stasis aboard the UESC Red Monaco and declared a Top Priority Occupant with the following instructions from Fleet Admiral Adrian Harding: The Special Operative must be maintained safely in cryo until circumstances fitting his abilities arise in our rising conflict against the Pfhor Empire. He hasn't shown any particular aptitude or interest in a leadership position, but his knowledge and experience makes him too valuable to lose in a more... mundane exercise.

You have been deliberately removed from cryogenic stasis and your presence is requested on the communications deck. This order was received by the maintenance subintelligence system at 0643 Standard Time from: Mara Harrison Director of Operations UESC Istanbul Outer Reaches Expeditionary Legion The hatch to the service lift has already been unlocked for your convenience. You have been issued the service loadout of one (1) Imperial Machine Pistol and five (5) magazines. Please ensure you are familiar with its functionality.

terminal 1

unfinished

I have to be impressed with the quickness of your recovery from cryo. I am Mara Harrison, the Director of Operations aboard the UESC Istanbul. We need you aboard the Istanbul as quickly as possible, so I will brief you on the circumstances and teleport you aboard. We warped into space outside of the planet Artemis in response to an emergency signal from the research vessel UESC Atreides. We haven't found it, but very shortly after our arrival we were attacked and boarded by a Pfhor task force. The Istanbul isn't staffed with an actual armed force; all we have are security staff, and as I've understood this to be your field of expertise I called in for your support.

Don't be alarmed; aboard the Istanbul is a small detachment of S'pht'Kr. In the thirty-one years since your arrival, we have reached some sort of basic accord with their kind. Anyway, they'll be fighting on your side, but I guess you're already familiar with them. Because of the stress we're under right now, hopefully you'll forgive the techs for an... uneasy teleport. But you'll make it. We'll talk soon.

terminal 2

unfinished

Log Entry #308.276:11.43 Header: Transfer from UESC Istanbul Entry by: Piter Brown, Quartermaster We received a transfer of goods from the Istanbul about three weeks ago now. That Counter-Espionage lady, Jansen, seems to have found a way to capture and modify those exploding human clones the bugs like to use so much. Fantastic news, I guess, but here's the problem: she asked the station heads if we had spare cold storage cells to hold one in, for testing in transport or whatever. Thanks a lot lady, you just put a damn bomb on the Red Monaco. Anyway, it's impossible to control in any meaningful way. We were able to coax it into Brig 17, Cell 3. And, I tell you what, nobody had better open that damn cell until we call up Jansen and give her her bomb back.

terminal 3

unfinished

WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING Beyond this point lies the Mark of the Vidmaster. Claiming this will cause you to lose ALL WEAPONS AND AMMO between levels, and be forcibly reset to a single solitary IMP and 5 magazines. You cannot cleanse yourself of this curse once you pick it up other than starting a new game. WARNING: On Total Carnage, you will find your ammo VERY limited if you don't know where secrets are. This challenge is not for the faint of heart or for new players! TURN AROUND NOW, unless you dare impugn your soul with this burden...