3: Flat Earth Society

I'm sure you just saw the teleporter array through the window in the corridor, yes? That big old thing? Yeah, I saw it. Alright. Your mission here should be relatively simple, then: gain access to the array and destroy the four computer cells along its exterior. You undoubtedly saw the four piers leading out of the array as well, yes? Those are your destinations. Oh, that's it? That's pretty straightforward. I'm sure gaining access into the array structure itself will be more complicated. They would desire to keep it secured, I'm sure. And how do they do that? Well, until recently, they kept this section of the ship exposed to space, and the atmosphere was thus drained out. Just for you, I've taken the liberty of sealing up the cracks and restoring the atmosphere.

Hey, I appreciate it. I'm sure you do. Unfortunately, though, I discovered those controls only after I had already distributed your supplies. You won't get any Assault Rifle ammunition, I'm afraid. Make do. Hey! No! Sorry. Not cool! Deal with it. Anyway, gaining access into the array itself will probably be a more convoluted process, but I'm afraid I can't provide too much insight into that. I'm sure you can figure it out on your own. You know, it's interesting. What is?

Well, you're always giving me a hard time about how stupid I am because you're the one who interfaces with the computer systems and so forth, and yet at the same time you leave me to my own devices so often. I insult you merely for your lack of intelligence; your ingenuity is worthy of praise. And yet you never praise me for it! It's worthy of praise, though. Isn't that enough? Not really. Too bad. Stop complaining and get to work.

I believe the infestation is becoming wise to our gambit. What do you mean? Well, as I'm continuing to break into the mainframe, I'm also learning how to gain more control over the ship's subsystems; from within here, I can track individual unit movements. They seem to be banding troops together to take you down en masse. So? I didn't think you'd be that afflicted, but I thought I would bring it up anyway. You will have to pass through the boiler room in this sector in order to enter the array itself; I expect that the aliens will want to make a stand against you there. You're right. Hm? That doesn't bother me too much. I guess I'll keep it in mind.

It's really rather remarkable how much I'm learning as I slog through this mainframe. I thought you were having trouble with the encryption. I am. It's more than that, actually; apparently, even though the AI remains dormant, there are some automated subroutines that I'm continually fighting against, trying to lock me out. It's really rather a refreshing challenge; usually I complete my end of the job in a few minutes and spend the remaining hours watching you fight. Only a few minutes? That's it? Really? It took you like 10 minutes to defeat the entire data defense system in the ice moon base? Yes, somewhere around there. When I said the bugs had a primitive notion of security, I wasn't kidding; it's really quite laughable. But no, I am actually still engaged in a combat of sorts; it's quite impressive, really. I suppose I should stop bothering you, then. Yes, you should. Move along now.

Alright! Phew. We're inside the array. ...Yes, we are. Would you like a medal? I like medals, so, sure. I see. Alright, please accept this medal of "not completing the mission in full yet." What do you mean by that? Simply being in the array isn't any good. You have to break all of those computers, remember? Oh! Right. Sorry. There are four in all. Hurry up and do it, and then get back here. We don't have much time to waste.