offshoot / DATATHIEF

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[offshoot / DATATHIEF by Phasmite] [[/start->start]] (if:$ending1 is not true)[(set: $ending1 to false)] [[/settings->settings]]

There's no time. His breathing is inconsistent, one bad bout of data and he's gonna be gone for good. Maybe I can fix it? [[/disassemble_device->disassemble the device]]

[[/title->Title]] (set: $ending1 to true) (link: "/reset data")[(restart:)]

This thing has flash storage? Why? His lungs depend on the damned thing. It shouldn't have a single piece of software included anywhere on board... another cheap piece of corpo junk. It's no wonder The Shroud's gone down the chute when the world's run by companies looking to cut every corner. [[/remove_the_storage->remove the flash storage to investigate it]]

The chip's out. They've been saying every piece of flash data's been scrambled, but I haven't gotten to see data from one yet. Maybe it's recoverable? (if:$ending1 is true)[[/read_the_chip->acceptance]] (if:$ending1 is false)[[/read_the_chip->denial]]

There's a video file. These drives were supposedly encrypted front-to-back, how is this here? [[/watch_video->watch the video]]

Scanning the data... it looks like it's entirely encrypted. In theory, it should be possible to replace this with an older, tape-based drive. Same connectors, same form-factor. One issue: prices are WAY higher than I can afford. With the virus hitting almost everyone, elites have snapped up all the tapes on the market. Any tapes still out there are out of sight of those in charge. Anyone still open for business? [[/check_the_old_net->check the old net]]

//~~"Dread Zero" - ★★★★★ Mercenary STATUS - Premium contracts only. ~~ DECEASED "The Broker" - ★★★☆☆ Black Market - High Quality STATUS - Prices up for discussion - will trade goods for skills. "The Swindler" - ★☆☆☆☆ Black Market - Low Quality STATUS - Low prices, criminals and scum welcome. // [[/close_the_old_net->close the old net]]

This his place? No wonder he's managed to stay off the grid this long; I doubt anyone has ever willingly entered this dump. I've got no other leads, though. It'll do. [[/enter->enter]]

"Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello? Hello?" A meek, older man crawls out from behind some rubble in the back of the building. Must be The Broker. He's older, late 60s. Bald. Wobbles around with a hunch. God, he won't stop stammering to himself, either. He must be losing his mind, but, to be fair, who isn't? [[/i_need_a_tape->i need a tape]]

"You The Broker? I'm here to buy a tape. Small form, don't need much space. You got any spares?" "Everybody wants tapes. The world doesn't run anymore. No one cares. I hide them. What makes you special? Can you afford them?" [[/reply->no. i'm good with tech.]]

"No. I've got next to nothing to my name, I've been spending all I've had on my dad. He's got a lung issue but the hospitals left him worse than he went in and the street docs bled us for all we're worth. I'm the best Datathief around, surely that's worth something. Know Dread Zero? Used to work with him on all sorts of jobs. Elite contracts. If I told you about any of it we'd both be dead." "Perfect. I tell corpos to leave. Anyone else can't afford. I have one tape left. Contract job. Employer is a mystery. Dangerous gig. Lethal. Never seen someone return. Take it or no tape." [[/accept->...yes]] [[/leave->no]]

Something's wrong. I can't take this deal. I know it might be my only chance, but The Shroud's a big place, surely there's another option somewhere... "I can't do it. Sorry." [[/to_the_city->leave to the city]]

If this is the price it's going to take to save him, then so be it. I'd rather him live and I die anyways. "I'll take it. How do you figure I take the job now anyways? Gig tracking sites all went down with the rest of the world. They takin' mail by drone now?" "Mystery employer. Put this on. Contact through bracelet." He's holding up a black, metal bracelet. This is weird, something is not right. If this job's as dangerous as he suggests, being trapped into this gig seems like the worst possible decision. Surely there's an alternative option to save him... right? [[/wear_bracelet->put on the bracelet]] [[/leave->no]]

Whatever. The bracelet fits snugly on my wrist, a bit tighter than I'd like. It seems stuck, though. I'm not able to loosen it despite my best efforts. There's a clack on the table; The Broker tossed the tape over. Fitting it into my backpack, I give a "thanks" and head out. "Good luck." I glance back. He's grinning. Old man's not losing his mind; he's already lost it. [[/go_home->run home billy]]

He's still breathing, thank god. If this doesn't work, this contract might kill us both. [[/swap_storage->swap the storage and pray]]

I swiftly exit, something about that place is deeply off. For now, my dad's still breathing. It might hurt, but he can wait a bit longer. There's always something new in The Shroud, who's to say things won't start looking up from here? ENDING 2 - SEARCHING [[/title->Title]]

The tape slots in just as expected. Is there something wrong with the power? It's not spinning yet. This should be instant. His breathing's getting ragged, this thing needs to kick on now or never. [[/wait->wait]] [[/replace_flash_storage->replace the flash storage]]

It's still not spinning up. Tapes like this should be instant, and yet, it's not moving. He doesn't have much time left before his lungs stop entirely. [[/replace_flash_storage->replace the flash storage]]

I've got to put the flash storage back in, there's no other choice. I'll give him a break before I try anything again, his breathing is heavy. Not sure he'll be able to take an attack like that again. Wait... [[/investigate_tape->investigate]]

It's a video of... our apartment? And that's me? Did I find a tape? Wait. It's clearly broken, there's no use in putting it in. I can hear his breathing getting worse by the minute, the tape isn't working. Where did this come from? [[/turn_off_video->turn off the video]]

I put the flash storage back in and left. Despite not knowing where this came from, the video clearly had tomorrow's date on it. If that's real, it might not be worth trying to replace this drive after all. At this point, he's still breathing. He wouldn't want to go through the pain I just witnessed, it's not fair to him. Maybe this is a sign that it might be worth it to stay low for now. After all, if that video's right, I might not have that long left with him anyways. For now, I'll embrace the time we still have, in case of whatever's left to come. ENDING 3 - ACCEPTANCE [[/title->Title]]

The Swindler's prices might be viable, but there's almost no way he's got any tapes left. Being so cheap comes at the cost of being on the radar of corporations and law enforcement. It'll be costly, but The Broker's the best chance there is. [[/leave->leave the house]]

It's torn. The tape is TORN. There's no point in having this, it's worse than nothing for his lungs. I've got to talk to The Broker. There has to be a fix here, there's no other choice. [[/go_to_broker->go to broker]]

He's not here. He needs to show up and at least take this bracelet off of me, let alone replace the defective trash that he sold. There's gotta be something here, if not him, then maybe his goods? [[/investigate->look around broker]]

There's a sign. World's gone to hell and the old coot's left a sign as his only mark on his temporary residence. [[/read_sign->read sign]]

"no refunds -the broker" Please. This can't be right. There's nowhere else to go. If I can't fix this now, this contract's going to kill me before I can help him. Just give me one more chance to fix this. Please. God dammit. ENDING 1 - DOOMED (set: $ending1 to true) [[/title->Title]]