text: [Themes: Espionage, Science Fiction, science fiction, strong NPCs, spies, flashbacks, twist]
  
  > Go downward
  You get down off the larger crate.
  
  > look
  This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.
  
  Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.
  
  > attach the acid to the toggle
  You connect the toggle switch to the acid pack. The toggle switch turns brown to confirm the match.
  
  > examine the scrambler
  It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.
  
  > take the acid
  You take the acid pack (and the toggle switch connected to it.)
  
  > put the acid on the small crate
  You put the acid pack on the smaller crate.
  
  > flip the toggle
  You flip the brown switch on. The acid capsule goes off with a piercing hiss. An acrid mist fills the area.
  
  You watch, awed and pleased at once, as the steel wrench sublimes away.
  
  Your skin begins to itch.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  He is frankly impressed. "It works that quickly?"
  
  > say usually
  There is no reply.
  
  "I really am curious."
  
  > wait awhile
  You remain silent.
  
  "Nothing forthcoming? After inventing that remarkable show for me? Because," he adds, "there is no trace of any acid having been used in this complex. And we found the wrench sitting on the crate, unharmed." He reaches for his controls.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  White Junction
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > examine the walls
  The walls are faced with tough white composite. They are smooth and blank, except for one ventilator grille near the ceiling.
  
  > climb the large crate
  You climb up on the larger crate.
  
  > climb the small crate
  (getting off the larger crate)
  You climb up on the smaller crate.
  
  > examine the grille
  A plastic grille is visible high on the wall, just below the ceiling. One corner is stamped "VEN DUCT L-15."
  
  > open the grille
  The ventilator grille is beyond your reach, on a different wall than the one you stand near.
  
  > climb larger
  (getting off the smaller crate)
  You climb up on the larger crate.
  
  > look at ceiling
  Wide rectangles cover the ceiling with the grey, dimpled texture of good acoustical insulation. Between the panels are the glowing strips which illuminate the area.
  
  > stand
  You get down off the larger crate.
  
  > Go south
  The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands open to the north.
  
  One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
  
  > open grille
  The ventilator grille is a bit beyond your reach.
  
  > examine the grille
  A plastic grille is visible high on the wall, just below the ceiling. One corner is stamped "VEN DUCT J-10."
  
  > jump
  You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the edge of the hole -- catch, and you concentrate on holding on. Your feet swing gently a foot above the floor.
  
  Uh! A sharp edge is digging into one finger. You shift your grasp hastily, but a few drops of blood smear across the hole's lip.
  
  > enter the hole
  The space above the ceiling panels is only a few inches high. You can't fit into it.
  
  > examine the space
  You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.
  
  A small package, wrapped in cloth, is sitting on the panelling, just a few inches from your face.
  
  You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
  
  > get the package
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  Taken.
  
  > examine package
  It's an oblong bundle of cloth, a bit larger than your palm.
  
  Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
  
  > stand
  You drop lightly to the ground, flexing your stiff hands.
  
  > examine the cloth
  It's an oblong bundle of cloth, a bit larger than your palm.
  
  > jump
  You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the edge of the hole -- catch, and you concentrate on holding on. Your feet swing gently a foot above the floor.
  
  > look
  Corner At Doors (hanging from the ceiling)
  The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands open to the north.
  
  One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap. You are clinging to the lip of the hole; your feet dangle a foot above the ground.
  
  > search the ceiling
  Which do you mean, the panel ceiling or the concrete ceiling?
  
  > Concrete
  You find nothing of interest.
  
  You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
  
  > Search panel
  (the hole)
  You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.
  
  The space is empty as far as you can see.
  
  > stand
  You drop lightly to the ground, flexing your fingers.
  
  > put the blast tab on the cloth
  The bundle is still wrapped up.
  
  > examine the timer
  The timer is a small black box with two dials on one side, and a plus link on the other. The status dot is blue. Both the green and blue dials are set to 1; the timer's indicator is blank.
  
  > Examine plus link
  Which do you mean, the toggle switch, the voice module, the radio module, the timer or the pushbutton?
  
  > go to the southeast
  You return up the hallway as it curves around to the south.
  
  The white corridor begins here, and curves away north. No one is about; the metal face of the entrance door stands closed to the west.
  
  > Go west
  The door is very definitely closed.
  
  > look at the boundary
  It's just a red marking, painted on the floor tiles southeast of you. The line is slightly scuffed in the center.
  
  > look at the grille
  A plastic grille is visible high on the wall, just below the ceiling. One corner is stamped "VEN DUCT U-11."
  
  > jump
  You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the ceiling panels, but not strongly enough to do anything.
  
  > open grille
  The ventilator grille is a bit beyond your reach.
  
  > drop the package
  Dropped.
  
  > touch package
  Whatever's inside the bundle is rigid and rather heavy.
  
  > look at the radio module
  It's a small black box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other.
  
  > look at the key transmitter
  It's a small black disc with a key to press on one side, and a short antenna on the other.
  
  > look
  The corridor angles here, and crosses a boundary of some sort as it does. A few strides down the southeast branch, a dotted red line crosses the floor. You can retreat from the boundary to the west.
  
  > go to the southeast
  As you step across the line, a sharp buzzer echoes through the corridors.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  "And then all the guards came thundering down on you? Captured before you'd done anything at all?"
  
  > Yes
  "You certainly were not. There was no alarm and we both know it. Now let's have it again."
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  White Junction
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > go to the southeast
  You return up the hallway as it curves around to the south.
  
  The white corridor begins here, and curves away north. No one is about; the metal face of the entrance door stands closed to the west.
  
  > Clean blood
  The blood only smears further as you rub at it.
  
  You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
  
  > look at the gap
  You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.
  
  The space is empty as far as you can see.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying nothing worthy of attention, except a wrapped package, a bolt wrench, a lockpick and a toolcase (which is open) (in which are a blast tab, an acid pack, a toggle switch, a minilamp, a scan scrambler, a voice module, a radio module, a timer, a pushbutton, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter).
  
  Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
  
  > turn the minilamp on
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  The minilamp has no built-in controls.
  
  > examine the minilamp
  It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube.
  
  The tendons of your fingers are complaining.
  
  > attach the minilamp to the toggle
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  You connect the toggle switch to the minilamp. The toggle switch turns yellow to confirm the match.
  
  > flip the toggle
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  You flip the yellow switch on. The minilamp begins glowing.
  
  > look at the gap
  You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.
  
  The space is empty as far as you can see.
  
  > put the minilamp in the space
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  Hanging from one hand, you toss the lit minilamp up into the space above.
  
  Your arms are beginning to feel numb.
  
  > stand
  You drop lightly to the ground, and painfully massage your forearms.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  > look at the minilamp
  It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end; a beam of light shines out. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube, which is connected to a toggle switch.
  
  > Search gap
  You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.
  
  In the space, you can see a lit minilamp (connected to a toggle switch).
  
  You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
  
  > get the minilamp
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  You take the lit minilamp (and the toggle switch connected to it.)
  
  > Search gap
  You strain, pulling yourself up with your arms, until you can see over the lip of the hole. The space over the acoustical panelling is only a few inches high; but it spreads out around you into darkness.
  
  The space is empty as far as you can see.
  
  Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
  
  > Switch toggle
  You flip the yellow switch off. The minilamp goes dark.
  
  > go north
  This room is small and, perhaps, rarely used -- not dirty, but not quite as clean and white as the corridors. The door to the south is open.
  
  Two rough wooden crates are backed in a corner of the closet.
  
  > examine the door
  The door to the south is open.
  
  > get the plate
  The plate is fixed in the wall.
  
  > connect the toggle to radio module
  The toggle switch is already connected to the minilamp.
  
  > Disconnect toggle
  You disconnect the minilamp, and take the toggle switch as it turns black again.
  
  > Examine toggle
  It's a small black box with a two-way toggle switch on one side, and a plus link on the other. The switch is off.
  
  > Examine scan
  It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.
  
  > look at the voice
  Which do you mean, the voice module or the voice transmitter?
  
  > Module
  It's a small black box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other.
  
  > examine the voice transmitter
  It's a small black square with an audio pickup on one side, and a short antenna on the other. The status dot is blue. The audio keywords are printed along one edge.
  
  > look at keywords
  The keywords for the voice transmitter are "tango" to switch on, and "waltz" to switch off. In your voiceprint only, of course.
  
  > say the tango
  You say the keyword. The voice module's link dot flashes green in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
  
  > say the waltz
  You say the keyword. The voice module's link dot flashes blue in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
  
  > connect the voice transmitter to the radio module
  The voice transmitter doesn't have a link; it works through the voice module.
  
  > examine the pushbutton
  It's a small black box with a button on one side and a plus link on the other.
  
  > examine the timer
  The timer is a small black box with two dials on one side, and a plus link on the other. The status dot is blue. Both the green and blue dials are set to 1; the timer's indicator is blank.
  
  > look at the key
  It's a small black disc with a key to press on one side, and a short antenna on the other.
  
  > press the disc
  (the key transmitter)
  You press the transmitter key. The radio module's link dot flashes green in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
  
  > connect scan scrambler to the radio module
  You connect the radio module to the scan scrambler. The radio module turns orange to confirm the match, and the key transmitter turns orange as well.
  
  The scan scrambler is already connected to the radio module.
  
  > connect the blast to push
  You connect the pushbutton to the blast tab. The pushbutton turns purple to confirm the match.
  
  > press the space
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  The man is staring at you as if at a joke he doesn't, quite, understand. "And then you died."
  
  > Yes
  The man shakes his head in disgust.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  
  > press the space
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > stand
  You drop lightly to the ground.
  
  > connect the scrambler to the radio
  You connect the radio module to the scan scrambler. The radio module turns orange to confirm the match, and the key transmitter turns orange as well.
  
  > say the tango
  You say the keyword. The voice module's link dot flashes green in confirmation, but as it isn't linked to anything, that's all.
  
  > examine the radio
  It's a small orange box with a short antenna on one side, and a plus link on the other. The link is connected to a scan scrambler.
  
  > press the disc
  (the key transmitter)
  The scrambler's status dot flashes briefly yellow.
  
  > look at the scrambler
  It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge, which is connected to a radio module.
  
  > touch the scrambler to the plate
  The scan scrambler is already connected to the radio module.
  
  > examine transmitter
  Which do you mean, the voice transmitter or the key transmitter?
  
  > Voice
  It's a small black square with an audio pickup on one side, and a short antenna on the other. The status dot is green. The audio keywords are printed along one edge.
  
  > connect the timer to the blast tab
  You connect the timer to the blast tab. The timer turns purple to confirm the match.
  
  > get the tab
  You take the blast tab (and the timer connected to it.)
  
  > Larger
  You put the blast tab on the larger crate.
  
  > set the timer
  You can set the timer's green dial or its blue dial.
  
  > set green
  The dial can be set from 1 to 20.
  
  > set green dial to 3
  You set the green dial to 3. (Press the dials to activate them.)
  
  > press the green dial
  Nothing happens; you squeeze harder, until the contact finally clicks. The green dial lights as you press it. The timer's indicator flashes to 3.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  You hear a sharp crack from somewhere nearby.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  "And the noise went completely unnoticed," says the man, an eyebrow raised.
  
  > say yes
  "It did? I have been in this building all day, and I don't recall my lunch hour being quite so noisy." The man presses a control.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  White Junction
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > look
  The white corridor begins here, and curves away north. No one is about; the metal face of the entrance door stands closed to the west.
  
  > Metal
  That is unlikely to get a response.
  
  > look at the hinge
  The northern door is comfortingly ordinary -- white paint, hinges, and a handle which needs nothing more sophisticated than fingers. The door is open.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  > wait
  Time passes.
  
  The lockpick's status dot fades to pure green, and flicks steady blue.
  
  The door slides open, and daylight spills over you. So does a sharp buzzer; and, moments later, three armed guards.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  
  > press the space
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  "Of course, by now -- that is, by then -- there was once again an observer covering the alley door. Your original diversion was clever but brief. So you certainly didn't re-open the door, much less leave and then re-enter." He touches a control.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  
  > look at the toolcase
  Your toolcase is a flat grey plastic form, lined with shaped sponge foam. In the toolcase are a blast tab, a radio module, a timer, a scan scrambler, a minilamp, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, an acid pack, a voice module, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter.
  
  > eat the sponge foam
  (first taking the foam padding)
  The foam padding is part of the case.
  
  > go southeast
  As you step across the line, a sharp buzzer echoes through the corridors.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  "We've been over this. We track all metal within the critical zones. I know you're good; you surely noticed the ceiling web."
  
  > say no
  "As you like. But you didn't carry metal past it. Stop wasting my time." He punches a control, harder than necessary.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  
  > examine the minilamp
  It's a small yellow tube with a lens at one end. There's a minus link on one edge of the tube.
  
  > jump
  You bend and leap. Your fingers brush the ceiling panels, but not strongly enough to do anything.
  
  > look
  The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.
  
  Your toolcase is lying open nearby. Inside are a blast tab, a radio module, a timer, a scan scrambler, a minilamp, a toggle switch, a pushbutton, an acid pack, a voice module, a voice transmitter and a key transmitter.
  
  One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap above you.
  
  > look
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You are in a dim room, bounded by metal walls, and you sit restrained in a steel chair. Across from you is a desk covered with panels of instrumentation. The man faces you from behind it.
  
  The man touches a control.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  White Junction
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > examine the ceiling
  Wide rectangles cover the ceiling with the grey, dimpled texture of good acoustical insulation. Between the panels are the glowing strips which illuminate the area. You notice that to the southeast, beyond the red boundary line, the ceiling panels are also striped with the characteristic glitter of a scan web.
  
  > Throw bolt se
  You toss the wrench across the line; a sharp buzzer immediately sounds.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  "This is tiring. I've been in this base all day and I heard no alarm." The man touches a control before you can respond.
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  White Junction
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > go to the southeast
  You step across the line and continue down the corridor.
  
  -- glaring light...
  
  [Hit any key.]
  
  > press the space
  Interrogation Chamber (imprisoned in the chair)
  You blink away memory. The dim room comes again into focus, and the man behind the desk.
  
  "I believe you're forgetting something." The man gazes at you levelly. "Our forensics people went over the area very thoroughly after we captured you. And we found evidence that you'd been up in that open ceiling panel in the northwest corner. Did you think you could hide that from us?"
  
  > Hit interrogator
  You can hardly move at all.
  
  > examine the interrogator
  He is greying of hair and lined, lined hard, not wrinkled. His pale uniform fits as comfortably as skin. It is immaculate; it bears no insignia but the emblem of his nation.
  
  The man is holding a lockpick.
  
  > examine the chair
  The chair is every bit as uncomfortable as its designers must have intended. Metal slats dig into your thighs and shoulders. Your head is strapped back, with too many cold itches where the leads are pasted on. And, of course, the steel bands that bind your hands and feet. You can hardly forget those.
  
  The man leans back, watching you.
  
  > examine the desk
  The desk is panelled with ranks of controls and instruments. All, of course, are angled just too low for you to read.
  
  > examine the emblem
  The man wears the light tan uniform of his nation, and its emblem on his breast.
  
  He shakes his head. "You can't. You can cover up memories, perhaps..." Unexpectedly, he smiles. "But 'Blood speaks loud where words fade away.' Eh? Now, this time, the truth."
  
  ...glaring light --
  
  [Hit any key.]
  White Junction
  You stand lightly in a bare tiled corridor, white tiles and cold white walls. The ceiling is acoustical panelling divided by illuminated strips of plastic. The hall runs north and east, with a branch curving away to the southeast.
  
  > look
  Corner At Doors (hanging from the ceiling)
  The hallway runs both east and south from here. There's a featureless metal door to the west, which is closed; a more normal one stands closed to the north.
  
  One of the ceiling panels is missing, leaving a rectangular gap. You are clinging to the lip of the hole; your feet dangle a foot above the ground.
  
  You move your hands a bit, one at a time, to ease the strain.
  
  > examine the scan scrambler
  It's a small orange pyramid, traced with conductor matrix. It can detect and scramble scan-web on any frequency... or so the theory is drawn. There's a minus link on one edge.
  
  Your fingertips ache dully. And a nearby ventilator grille seems to be hissing directly into your ear.
  
  > connect the scan scrambler to the toggle
  (with one hand, hanging by the other)
  You connect the toggle switch to the scan scrambler. The toggle switch turns orange to confirm the match.