#
# Commander Ransome, a falcon.  Leader of the Fairford base.
#


[page="start"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"You cheated to get here!  Go away!"

[!!!!!!!!!goto="first"]
[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]

[page="start_name"]
[if_pflag scarpered][goto="fled"]
[if_not_pflag 0][goto="undecided"]
[goto="other"]
[endpage]

[page="first"]
[esc="flee"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]
[learn_name]

[colour="#808080"]
You see a large fighter aircraft watching you.
The creature's eyes glow yellow, giving a cartoon-like
appearance.  The black pupils of the eyes, presumably
some kind of cameras, follow your movements.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Welcome, $PLAYER.  I am Commander Ransome of the
 Weytus Intelligence Force.
 
 I expect you have many questions, but first I must
 debrief you.
 
 There is a lot to say, I'm afraid.  But I can repeat
 any of it later on if need be.
 
 Do you want the long or the short of it?"

[link="But you aren't human!"]
[linkto="human"]
[link="Are you an artifical intelligence?"]
[linkto="ai"]
[link="Tell me the whole story."]
[linkto="first1"]
[link="Just tell me quickly."]
[linkto="quick"]
[endpage]


[page="ai"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"I prefer the term 'machine sentience', but yes.

 If I may ask you to pay attention, what I am about to
 say is of the utmost importance."

[link="Tell me the whole story."]
[linkto="first1"]
[link="Just tell me quickly."]
[linkto="quick"]
[endpage]


[page="human"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"I never claimed to be.

 If I may ask you to pay attention for a few moments,
 what I have to say is of crucial importance."

[link="Tell me everything."]
[linkto="first1"]
[link="Just give me the basics."]
[linkto="quick"]
[endpage]


[page="flee"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]
[set_pflag scarpered]

"No!  Come back.. please!

 This is vitally important!"

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="fled"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]
[clear_pflag scarpered]

"I'm so glad you've came back.

 I have a lot to say, I'm afraid.  But I can repeat any
 of it later on if need be.
 
 Do you want the long or the short of it?"

[link="Are you an artifical intelligence?"]
[linkto="ai"]
[link="Tell me the whole story."]
[linkto="first1"]
[link="Just tell me quickly."]
[linkto="quick"]
[endpage]




[page="first1"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]
[set weytus]

"It is the year 2131, and you are on a planet called
 Weytus, which is the seventh planet Earth has colonised.
 
 Interstellar travel was made possible by the V-space
 effect, which was discovered by studying CCTV footage
 of your accident. You were presumed dead until very
 recently.

 We detected the V-space warp your arrival made and worked
 out its source vector.  How does it feel to become the
 first time-traveller?"

[link="It's amazing."]
[linkto="first1a"]
[link="It sucks.  Everyone I know is dead."]
[linkto="first1b"]
[link="Well hard."]
[linkto="first1a"]
[link="I don't believe it."]
[linkto="first1c"]
[link="Can I go back to the past?"]
[linkto="first1d"]
[endpage]

[page="first1a"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"I'm glad you're taking it well.

 I imagine it has come as rather a shock to you.
 But I must continue.."

[nextpage="first2"]
[endpage]


[page="first1b"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"I understand.  In the last few years, I have lost
 hundreds of men, including some very dear friends.
 
 But I'll get to that later."

[nextpage="first2"]
[endpage]

[page="first1c"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"Well you'll have to start believing it soon.
 You aren't just going to wake up, I'm afraid."

[nextpage="first2"]
[endpage]

[page="first1d"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"I don't know.  But we won't be able to find out until the
 present crisis is over."

[nextpage="first2"]
[endpage]


[page="first2"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"The colony was formally opened in 2090, and saw a large
 number of immigrants.
 
 Unfortunately, one of them proclaimed himself Pope,
 decided to take over control of the planet and placed
 it under the rule of the Church.
 
 Naturally, everyone ignored the loony and eventually he
 was arrested for breach of the peace.
 
 Until he began to work miracles in God's name."
 
[link="What kind of miracles?"]
[linkto="first2a"]
[link="Carry on."]
[linkto="first3"]
[endpage]


[page="first2a"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Well, his escape from prison, for one.  He just vanished.
 The cell was still locked, and the key had verifiably
 not been touched.
 
 It's like he just 'beamed out' of the cell."

[nextpage="first3"]
[endpage]


[page="first3"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"About this time, medievalism became fashionable.
 Lots of houses were built in mock-Tudor style, and
 people began to try and emulate the ways of long past.
 
 Mostly people took things up as a hobby, like archery
 or craftwork.  But it gradually took over their lives,
 until they believed they lived in the 11th century."

[link="What happened next?"]
[linkto="first4"]
[endpage]

[page="first4"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Wherever Harris went, people began to join him, like a
 cult.  They became his followers.
 
 And the people that followed his 'Path to God' started to
 hear voices, entreating them to join and attend church.
 To worship Him and be Saved at the time of Judgement."

[link="Go on."]
[linkto="first5"]
[link="He's helping people find God. What's the problem?"]
[linkto="first4b"]
[endpage]

[page="first4b"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"This man is responsible for the ethnic cleansing of an
 entire WORLD!!!

 The Church demands the worship of the Holy Trinity.
 It rules the whole goddamn planet with an iron fist,
 and they've got the death penalty all over the shop.
 
 Everyone of a different religion was regarded as Infidel
 and put to the sword or burned as a heretic..."

[nextpage="first5"]
[endpage]


[page="first5"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"We should have realised he was building an army.
 But when Earth woke to the danger it was too late.
 
 Civil war broke out.. Pope Harris and his God against
 the government.  With our air-power there was a stalemate
 for several years, until we were caught off guard.
 
 Harris had managed to obtain some strange energy weapons.
 We lost many men and several aircraft.

 Some of the survivors reported a large, glowing ball
 floating nearby the so-called Pope.."

[nextpage="first6"]
[endpage]

[page="first6"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"So we buried the dead, and recovered our fallen.

 We have the technology to re-build our airframes from
 scratch if need be.  But that cannot save the humans
 who died at our sides!
 
 The Pope has let us be for some time, and we have only
 had occasional skirmishes with the worshippers for the
 last few years.  But it can't last..
 
 We need the help of willing and able humans.  That is
 why I am begging you to join us.
 Help us fight against their dreadful regime..
 
 Obviously the choice is up to you.
 I can't make you join, but you aren't going back to your
 native time without a technical civilisation."

[set_pflag 0]

[link="I will join you."]
[linkto="willjoin"]
[link="What do you want me to do?"]
[linkto="whatjoin"]
[link="I don't want to join you."
[linkto="wontjoin"]
[endpage]



[page="quick"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]
[set weytus]

"Very well.  But you really should hear the whole thing
 in detail at some stage.  Ask me about it later.

 We're on a colony world called 'Weytus'.  It's 2131 and
 the government has been usurped by 'Pope Harris'.

 The whole world is now ruled by the Church, with miracles
 to control the peasants, and strange energy weapons to
 keep anyone else in line.

 They have taken the world back to the dark ages..
 They want to kill us, destroy our technology and enslave
 everyone.

 You are our only hope.  Will you help us against the
 brutality of the Church?"
 
[link="I will join you."]
[linkto="willjoin"]
[link="What do you want me to do?"]
[linkto="whatjoin"]
[link="I don't want to join you."]
[linkto="wontjoin"]
[link="I want to think about it.  Goodbye."]
[linkto="thinkjoin"]
[endpage]


[page="undecided"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]
[learn_name]

[colour="#808080"]
Commander Ransome looks at you expectantly.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Have you decided?  Will you help us?"

[link="I will join you."]
[linkto="willjoin"]
[link="What do you want me to do?"]
[linkto="whatjoin"]
[link="I don't want to join you."
[linkto="wontjoin"]
[link="I haven't decided yet."]
[linkto="thinkjoin"]
[endpage]



[page="willjoin"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]
[set_pflag 0]

[colour="#808080"]
Ransome makes a very human sigh of relief and gives you
something small and plastic.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"Thank you.  I'm glad to hear you will.
 This is a passcard that will give you access to most of
 the base.  Feel free to look around, and get to know the
 people here.

 Do you have any questions?"

[link="Yes.  What are you and where did you come from?"]
[linkto="whatareyou"]
[link="Yes.  Why aren't you a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[link="Tell me all about Harris and the Church."]
[linkto="church"]
[altlink="Tell me again about the Church."]
[link="This is 2131, but some buildings are over 300 years old!"]
[linkto="wrongtime"]
[link="No.  I'll be on my way."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="wontjoin"]
[image="f16_02.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
Ransome sighs deeply.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"I'm sorry to hear you say that., but I respect your
 decision.

 You will be welcome here if you do change your mind."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="whatjoin"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"If you join us, we can provide you with accomodation,
 food, weaponry and access to our technology.

 In return, we need you to go out there and mingle
 with the people.  Try to find out what the Hell is
 going on and report back here."

[link="I will join you."]
[linkto="willjoin"]
[link="I want to think about it some more."]
[linkto="thinkjoin"]
[link="I don't want to join you."
[linkto="wontjoin"]
[endpage]


[page="thinkjoin"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"Very well.

 But please.. I would urge you to make up your mind
 fairly quickly.  You can find me here when you've come
 to a decision."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


Player has joined

[page="other"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Hello again, $PLAYER."

[link="I didn't ask.  What are you?"]
[linkto="whatareyou"]
[altlink="What are you again?"]
[link="Why aren't you a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[altlink="I forget. Why aren't you a futuristic plane?"]
[link="Tell me all about Harris and the Church."]
[linkto="church"]
[altlink="Tell me again about the Church."]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]




[page="church"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Okay.  It is the year 2131, and you are on a planet
 called Weytus, which is the seventh planet Earth has
 colonised.
 
 Interstellar travel was made possible by the V-space
 effect, which was discovered in the accident you had.
 You were presumed dead until very recently.

 We detected the V-space warp your arrival made and
 worked out its source vector.
 You've become the first known time-traveller!"

[nextpage="church2"]
[endpage]


[page="church2"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"The colony was formally opened in 2090, and saw a
 large number of immigrants.
 
 Unfortunately, one of them proclaimed himself Pope,
 decided to take over control of the planet and placed
 it under the rule of the Church.
 
 Naturally, everyone ignored the loony and eventually
 he was arrested for breach of the peace.
 
 But then he began to work miracles in God's name."
 
[nextpage="church3"]
[endpage]


[page="church3"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"First, he escaped from his cell by an unknown method..
 No signs of force, no tunnels.  His cell was still
 locked and the key hadn't been touched.
 
 We are starting to believe he teleported out, but
 we have no idea how.
 
 Since he became Pope, Harris appears to be
 invulnerable.. bullets don't affect him.
 But that happened later."

[nextpage="church4"]
[endpage]


[page="church4"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"About this time, medievalism became fashionable.
 Lots of houses were built in mock-Tudor style, and
 people began to try and emulate the ways of long past.
 
 Mostly people took things up as a hobby, like archery
 or craftwork.  But it gradually took over their lives,
 until they believed they lived in the 11th century."

[nextpage="church5"]
[endpage]


[page="church5"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Wherever Harris went, people began to join him, like a
 cult.  They became his followers.
 
 All the people that followed his 'Path to God' started
 to hear the voice of the Lord, entreating them to attend
 church, to worship Him and be Saved at the time of
 Judgement.  To obey the Lord In All Things.
 
 We've seen what the do to people who won't and it is NOT
 pretty."

[nextpage="church6"]
[endpage]


[page="church6"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Soon it became apparent to all that he was raising an
 army.  But it was already too late.. he had enough
 backers to overthrow the government.

 All military-capable aircraft were drafted into an
 emergency defence force.  Earth sent us reinforcement
 troops by V-space, but Harris was waiting for them, and
 they were picked off with some nasty energy weapon as
 they arrived.
 
 Some of the survivors reported a large, glowing ball
 floating nearby the so-called Pope."

[nextpage="church7"]
[endpage]


[page="church7"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"The government forces were routed.  We split into groups
 to keep control of the airbases.  

 The Pope seems to have no more immediate plans for us.
 The last few years brought only the occasional skirmish
 with his forces.

 But we fear they may be planning to finish us off.

 Do you have any questions?"

[link="Yes.  What are you and where did you come from?"]
[linkto="whatareyou"]
[link="Yes.  Why aren't you a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[link="This is 2131, but some buildings are over|300 years old.  How is this?"]
[linkto="wrongtime"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]





[page="popequest"]

 We need someone to find out where Harris is getting his
 powers from. Then we can work out how to rob him of that
 power.  But he's closely guarded.

 The Church seems to trust you... perhaps you could seek
 an Audience with the Pope and find out what's going on."

[endpage]


[page="whatareyou"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"I'm an F-16 4000, usually referred to as a falcon.
 My body was first designed in the late 1960s, but has
 been optimised and updated for countless decades since.
 I was built in late 2061, but I became aware in 2062."

[link="But that means you're sixty-nine years old!"]
[linkto="69"]
[link="Why are you an F-16 and not a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[link="Don't you mean 'F-16 Fighting Falcon'?"]
[linkto="fightingfalcon"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="69"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"Sixty-nine would be old for a human, but every part of my
 body can be replaced as it wears out.  New materials
 science has created composites that should last for
 centuries, and my engine has very few moving parts.

 Or did you think we still burn kerosene?"

[link="Well aircraft do where I come from!"]
[linkto="kerosene"]
[link="Why are you an F-16 and not a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[link="Don't you mean 'F-16 Fighting Falcon'?"]
[linkto="fightingfalcon"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="kerosene"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"I apologise.. I forgot that for a moment.

 But the whole idea seems very silly, with the benefit of
 hindsight.  Even those who were alive in the earliest
 days tend to forget that they used to be powered by
 explosive liquids.

 We normally use distilled water these days, fast
 hydrogen cracking and similar techniques.
 There are many other ways of storing energy,
 but hydrogen cracking is most suitable for us."

[link="Why are you an F-16 and not a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[link="Don't you mean 'F-16 Fighting Falcon'?"]
[linkto="fightingfalcon"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="wrongtime"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
Ransome looks pained.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"I think you had better ask Fisher about that.
 You'll find her in hangar 02."

[link="What are you and where did you come from?"]
[linkto="whatareyou"]
[link="Why aren't you a futuristic airplane?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture"]
[link="Tell me all about Harris and the Church."]
[linkto="church"]
[altlink="Tell me again about the Church."]
[link="I'll be on my way."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]



[page="records"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Oh, you have seen part of my collection!

 Please take care with those, some of them are first
 editions, over a century old.  Vinyl isn't hard to
 replace, but ORIGINALS fetch tremendous prices!"

[link="Why on earth are you using vinyl records??"]
[linkto="vinyl"]
[link="Don't you use a digital format?"]
[linkto="vinyl"]
[endpage]


[page="vinyl"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Many reasons.  Firstly, there was a crackdown on digital
 audio in the early 21st century by media corporations..
 Vinyl and analogue tape became the only permitted media.
 Even after the ban, many people found they preferred the
 sound of analogue.

 We use optical playback systems so the records do not
 deteriorate.. they disks last a lot longer than CDs.

 Apart from the fact that the artwork is better, most
 aircraft prefer vinyl because it's easier to hold than
 a coin-sized data cartridge."

[endpage]


[page="mediaban"]

"Many digital devices were banned, citing terrorism or
 some other transparent lie.. didn't really matter what
 because it was easy to buy legislation at that time.

 The new laws were so broad and strict that they outlawed
 the digital recorders, reverb units, synthesizers and so
 on that the labels themselves needed. They went bankrupt
 before the law could be repealed or amended.

 In the meantime, music had to be recorded using 1975
 technology.  Laid down on 24-track, with all-analogue
 effects and no sampling.

 Some say the resulting barrier-to-entry improved the
 quality of the music that was released in those days."

[endpage]




[page="fightingfalcon"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"No!  And don't -ever- call me that again!

 I am not proud of my kind's warlike past, and I have no
 wish to think of the crimes we have committed under the
 orders of humans like you."

[link="I'm terribly sorry.  I didn't know."]
[linkto="ddd_sorry"]
[link="I have offended you with my ignorance."]
[linkto="ddd_sorry"]
[link="Can I call you 'flying turkey' then?"]
[linkto="turkey"]
[link="Whoops.  I'd best be going."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]

[page="turkey"]
[if_pflag 1][nextpage="attacked3"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

[colour="#808080"]
The F-16 reels as if struck, and hesitates before
speaking, as if struggling to keep calm.
[colour="#ffffff"]

[nextpage="turkey2"]
[endpage]

[page="turkey2"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]
[set_pflag 1]

[colour="#808080"]
When he speaks, it is in a slow, deliberate tone.
[colour="#ffffff"]

"If you call me 'flying turkey' once more, I will not be
 responsible for my actions.  Understand?"

[link="Yes.  Absolutely."]
[linkto="turkey2a"]
[link="No, I don't"]
[linkto="turkey3"]
[link="FLYING TURKEY!"]
[linkto="attacked3"]
[endpage]

[page="turkey2a"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"Leave me be."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="turkey3"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"Out!  Get out before I lose my temper!"

[colour="#808080"]
It occurs to you that provoking a warrior robot to
violence might not be a good idea after all.
[colour="#ffffff"]

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="whynotfuture"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"It was the recession.  The development of more advanced,
 and expensive, aircraft was put on indefinite hold due
 to budgetary constraints and relative peace.

 Resources were put into making better use of existing
 aircraft and re-using mothballed airframes.
 The result was sentient avionics systems.

 Oh and by the way.  Please don't use the word 'airplane'
 or 'aeroplane'.  They refer to non-sentients and are
 considered derogatory among my kind."

[link="But why haven't you changed since?"]
[linkto="whynotfuture2"]
[link="2062.. doesn't that make you 69 years old?"]
[linkto="69"]
[link="Tell me all about Harris and the Church."]
[linkto="church"]
[altlink="Tell me again about the Church."]
[link="Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!"]
[linkto="domo"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]

[page="whynotfuture2"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"Oh, I see.  You mean, why don't I have a futuristic body
 NOW?  It's mostly down to looks and appearance.

 You're probably thinking that I should have a squat,
 angular body like, perhaps, an F-117 so that I can be
 radar-invisible?

 Technology has advanced quite a lot.  We can add photonic
 tunnelling to any aircraft, and that achieves total
 invisibility.  That's better than the F-117 ever had and
 you can have a stylish body into the bargain."
 
[nextpage="whynotfuture3"]
[endpage]

[page="whynotfuture3"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"There are also trendier versions of the existing designs,
 for example the F16-7000 series, usually referred to as
 the 'superfalcon' has sculpted bodywork, and a sportier
 look.

 There are one or two experimental designs, but most
 aircraft want the late 20th century look."

[link="2062.. doesn't that make you 69 years old?"]
[linkto="69"]
[link="This is 2131, but some buildings are over|300 years old.  How is this?"]
[linkto="wrongtime"]
[link="Tell me all about Harris and the Church."]
[linkto="church"]
[altlink="Tell me again about the Church."]
[link="Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto!"]
[linkto="domo"]
[link="Goodbye."]
[linkto="bye"]
[endpage]


[page="domo"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Fuck you."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]




[page="plot_twist"]
[image="f16_06.cel"]

"I mentioned earlier that some people can hear the voice
 of God.  I can't, because it seems that whatever is
 broadcasting this voice is aimed only at humans.

 But over the last month or so it seems that this voice of
 God, or whatever it is, has announced that the LORD will
 lead His people to Ethiopia, to recapture the Garden of
 Eden from the Infidel.

 It is only yesterday that we finally worked out what
 that means.  Pope Harris is going to send all his 
 followers out to invade this  'Garden of Eden', and
 that can only mean one place.  Earth."

[link="Where?"]
[linkto="plot_twist2"]
[endpage]




[page="attacked1"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Don't do that!
 You'll scratch my paintwork!"

[link="Sorry, it was an accident."]
[linkto="attacked1a"]
[link="Die, stupid machine!"]
[linkto="attacked1b"]
[endpage]


[page="attacked1a"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Well be more careful in future!"

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]

[page="attacked1b"]
[image="f16_01.cel"]

"Do you value your life?"

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="attacked2"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"STOP THAT AT ONCE!"

[link="I won't do it again."]
[linkto="attacked2a"]
[link="You're a heap of metal and I'm going to destroy you."]
[linkto="attacked2b"]
[endpage]

[page="attacked2a"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"That's good.  You won't be given a third chance."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]

[page="attacked2b"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"Get out!  Before I lose my temper!"

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="attacked3"]
[image="f16_05.cel"]

"GUARDS!  ARREST THE HUMAN!"

[at_exit_call="guards"]
[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]


[page="bye"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Goodbye, $PLAYER.
 If you need anything else, feel free to drop by."

[nextpage="exit"]
[endpage]



[page="topgun"]
[image="f16_00.cel"]

"Yes, once, when I was young and impressionable.
 We had a horror night at the academy, you see, Top Gun..
 Independence Day..  Iron Eagle.. I found it too
 disturbing and left.
 
 It didn't stop me from checking out Legend, though.
 A far better Tom Cruise film."

[nextpage="fff"]
[endpage]

