text: > listen to the mother
  Usually you tune her out, but you're just that bored.
  
  "Not too long now!" your mother says. "Olobo station is right over this next ridge. I think. All these little canyons look alike."
  
  > About yourself
  You look like a pretty average girl your age; maybe a little shorter and skinnier than usual, but not enough so that you stand out.
  You're in an awkward stage of metamorphosis where your skin is half covered with embarrassing blotches of bright green that make you look like you're still a little kid and half covered in stiff, sore patches where it's hardening into adult bark-plates that itch like crazy.
  Plus your leaves are coming in all different sizes, and growing so fast they get in your eyes. You're wearing an Acorn Junior Solar Vest that you're way too old for.
  
  "It's a shame about these trees, isn't it?" she continues. "Imagine how lovely it must have been when the orbital adjusters worked, everything green and growing, just like home. Once we get there, that's the first thing I'm going to fix."
  
  > look at what you're carrying with you
  You are carrying:
  an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn)
  
  Your mother gasps as the Planet Roller scrapes against the side of the canyon with an ugly jolt. "Scratch that, first thing I'm going to do is get all that junk off of the landing pad. I don't want to have to make this drive more than once."
  
  > look at mother
  She's a lovely shade of jade green, with a cascade of lush foliage tumbling down her back. She looks really cool and professional in her yellow-black ObCorp uniform, too.
  
  "Listen, Zo... I know you're not happy to be here. I know it's tough where there's nobody your own age. But once the adjusters are back online and this side of the planet faces the sun again, all the farmers and workers and everybody can come back. There'll be lots of other kids. You just have to be a little patient. And in the meantime, you can explore the whole station on your own!"
  
  > look at Roller
  A shed-sized vehicle with thick, bouncy tires, it's used for overland planet transport. It's jostling you up and down so much your sap's going to start fizzing soon.
  
  The Planet Roller crests a ridge, and for a moment you see a glimpse of the station over the rocks, lying there like a big gray dead beetle that's curled up on its back. "There it is!" you mother cries, way too excited at the prospect of living in a dead bug. "Oops, there it goes. We'll see it again in a minute."
  
  > look outside
  You see nothing unexpected in that direction.
  
  Something on the dashboard begins chiming insistently. "That's odd. Why's our energy so low? I made sure we recharged at the ship..."
  
  The Roller slides to a halt, the lights in the cabin flickering and dying. Your mother jams her thumb down on the starter repeatedly, but nothing happens.
  
  "Okay. This is bad. Everything just...just went dead." Looking down at the dim lights on her uniform, she bites her lip.
  
  You can feel your own solar vest fading, and with it, the constant stream of energy you need to stay awake. Torpor threatens to swallow you. It would be so relaxing to just curl up on the seat and sink into the darkness...
  into the darkness...Stop! This isn't like torpor at home, where there are people to check up on you. If you drift off now, you'll be lying here forever! With numb fingers, you fumble at the restraints until you hear them pop open., and force yourself to your feet.
  
  Your mother is hopeless, in deep, deep torpor already. Adults run out of energy faster than kids, you remember, something about squares and cubes and...surfaces...and whatever! She's not going to wake up without the sun, and the sun's never going to come out on this side of the planet. Your only hope now is to get to the station.
  the planet. Your only hope now is to get to the station.You stumble along the road on feet that feel like fifty-pound bags of ice. You fall two or three times, not really feeling it, but you get up and force yourself onward. Then, amazingly, you feel your fingers curling around a cold metal handle, and as you put your weight on it, you fall forward into the most delicious light you've ever tasted.
  
  The outer door slams shut behind you.
  
  This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.
  
  You can see a warning plaque here.
  
  > read the plaque
  !!!WARNING!!!
  
  This facility has been deemed unsafe for Xyloid habitation and is currently operating in low power mode. USE EXTREME CAUTION when proceeding into facility. ACTIVE LIGHTING IS NON-NUTRITIVE -- RISK OF TORPOR!
  
  This facility has been equipped with a safety winch. In case of unplanned torpor, winch will deploy automatically. Please stand clear of prone or unconscious figures.
  
  Restoration of nutritive lighting requires keyword command  "Lights on." Authorized users should SAY keyword within sunlock.
  
  > say the sunlock
  (to yourself)
  An unhappy chime sounds. "Voice print unauthorized for station controls," says a stern voice. "Please contact station administration, Bolo Buy licensed local business owners , or other authorized users for access."
  
  > go north
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  > go south
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.
  
  You can see a warning plaque here.
  
  > go south
  That would be incredibly dangerous! You could go into torpor out there, and that would be the end of you.
  
  > go east
  You carefully duck under the shutter and enter the shop.
  
  This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, the kind where you remember being plopped to play around with educational toys while your mother got her leaves trimmed. There are no toys in this dim, deserted shop, though. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror.
  
  You can see a deactivated styling unit here.
  
  The ceiling speaker crackles into life, and a twangy voice says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on."
  
  She emphasizes the last two words rather testily, as if to add "you little hooligan".
  
  > examine the styling unit
  It's one of those old-model styling units that you used to have to go to when you were a baby, before the invention of horticultural nanochambers. She hangs limply from her support tubes like a plump marionette made of plastic and cellulose. She's warm to the touch, and you can see liquid dribbling through the tubes, so she's obviously still functional, just in standby mode. She's not likely to wake up until the artificial sunlight comes back on.
  
  > go west
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  > go north
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north.
  
  > Go west
  It's too dark to see much in here, but you can at least tell that
  it's a toy store. Many of the toys have been activated by your presence, and are emitting little burbles and farts to get your attention. You can leave to the east by climbing back through the torn shutters.
  
  A Talkity Tota is nibbling at your legs with her squishy gums.
  
  > examine talkity tota
  A pudgy blob of molded cellulose in the shape of a newly-sprouted baby. The commercials say that you can "teach her to talk", but you used to have one when you were a little kid, and you know she's really nothing more than a doll-shaped audio recorder with a rudimentary AI. If you push the black button on her back and then say something, she'll record the sound. Push the white button to play it back.
  
  > get the Tota
  You pick her up.
  
  You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
  
  > E,S,S
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. The floor seems rougher on this end, and you have to step carefully in the dim light. Heavy security shutters block the shop to the east. The bloom shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing. You can easily slip through the large hole and enter the darkened shop. The promenade continues to the south, but a large, sealed bloom shutter prevents you going further north.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.
  
  You can see a warning plaque here.
  
  > Go south
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.
  
  You can see a warning plaque here.
  
  Talkity Tota shrieks.
  
  > go north
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  Talkity Tota flails around.
  
  > Go east
  You carefully duck under the shutter and enter the shop.
  
  This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, the kind where you remember being plopped to play around with educational toys while your mother got her leaves trimmed. There are no toys in this dim, deserted shop, though. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror.
  
  You can see a deactivated styling unit here.
  
  The ceiling speaker crackles into life, and a twangy voice says "Hi there, this is Mola Sa, owner of Hedge Your Bets finely styled topiary, and we are closed at the moment. For the freshest new styles, I invite you to come back sometime when we've got our lights on."
  
  She emphasizes the last two words rather testily, as if to add "you little hooligan".
  
  Talkity Tota's audio player stops recording. Push the white button to hear what you recorded.
  
  > ask W,  to go south
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. The polished tiles gleam eerily in the dim moonlight trickling down from above. High security bloom shutters block the shop to the west, but the ones to the east were only lowered halfway, leaving it easily accessible. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  This tiny cubicle is flooded with high-quality artificial sunlight, giving it a pleasant golden color. Through the small window on the bulkhead door to the south, you can see the planetoid's barren surface. The abandoned Planet Roller sits at an odd angle halfway up a ridge. Another heavy door is to the north, with another small window revealing the dimly lit station interior.
  
  You can see a warning plaque here.
  
  > go north
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  > go west
  A cute little bistro where adults come to mingle and drink fancy ice water. A line of taps runs along the wall behind the bar. The promenade is to the east.
  
  A glass bottle containing a lovingly sculpted bonsai planet is proudly displayed behind the counter.
  
  > look at Planet
  It's a tiny world, about three inches in diameter, covered in microscopic vegetation. It floats serenely in the bottle, a miniature garden in a universe of green glass.
  
  > Go east
  "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?"
  
  This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters.
  
  You can see Tip Top here.
  
  Tip Top sharpens her trimming attachments.
  
  > ask Tip Top about the station
  "Oh, I don't get out there much, what with being hooked into the ceiling here and all."
  
  Tip Top putters around the shop.
  
  > ask Tip Top about the the lights
  She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance.
  
  > examine the mirror
  You're a little worse for wear after your accident and all the time spent running around in the shadows. There's a smear of dried sap where you scraped your forehead and hunger blisters on your cheeks. Nothing serious or permanent, though.
  
  > ask Tip Top about yourself
  "Aw, you're just a little bucket of sweetness, that's what you are! Let me at those leaves!"
  
  > ask Tip about Tip
  She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance.
  
  Tip Top sweeps up a few trimmings.
  
  > examine Tip Top
  She's shaped roughly like a rather plump young Xyloid, but is actually an artificial concoction of plastic and bio-cellulose garnished with hedge-trimmer hand attachments and topped with a sunny smile. You can ASK her about leafstyles, or about other things.
  
  > ask Tip Top about the leafstyles
  "Ready for a new look? I can think of three styles that'll look great with your face shape, sugarcane. You can go buzzed, draped, or pop star. Just ask me about the one you're interested in and we'll get started." She winks. "Now, don't you be afraid to experiment! If it ends up shorter than you want it we can always fill it back in with some Luvlee-Gro  That stuff's a miracle!"
  
  > ask Tip about the pop star
  "One glitter goddess coming up!" Tip top goes to work on your head--a spritz here, a snip there, and more than a few pinches of glitter. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror.
  You're pretty, but a little unreal, like you should be on a screen somewhere.
  
  > ask Tip about draped
  "Sure thing!" She pulls out a bottle of something pink and greasy and works it into your scalp until it tingles. You itch terribly for a minute as the leaves sprout and uncurl, and Tip Top artfully arranges them as they do. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror. Long vines laden with plump leaves are draped over your shoulders. It makes you look a little like a short, skinny version of your mom.
  
  Tip Top sharpens her trimming attachments.
  
  > Go north
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  > examine the furrows
  Deep gouges are ripped into the tiles.
  
  > Go west
  The toy store looks like a hurricane hit it. The warm decor and cheerful display aren't as soothing when they've been thrown around haphazardly by something that also left deep gashes in the wall. The destruction is greatest at the far end of the store, where a display case has been smashed into splinters. What few toys haven't been destroyed clamor for your attention.
  
  > ask E,  to go east
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  This store sells a variety of cheaply-made stuff. There are thousands of stores just like it back home, with the same goods and exactly the same layout. Somehow that makes being in this one almost comforting.
  
  You can see a bin of discounted Polithoa merchandise (in which are a Battle Carapace, a Polithoa action figure and a coloring book) here.
  
  > look at coloring book
  Booooo-ring! These are for little kids.
  
  > look at the action figure
  It's a little plasticrete statuette of Polithoa herself. The sculptor actually did a decent job; she has finely carved features and a nice paint job.
  
  > get all
  Battle Carapace: Taken.
  Polithoa action figure: Taken.
  coloring book: Taken.
  
  > examine Carapace
  A rough-looking carapace made out of imitation bark; according to the decals, Polithoa wrestles some kind of giant land-beast and makes a vest that looks just like this out of its hide. It looks tough if you kind of squint.
  
  > wear Carapace
  (after taking off the Acorn Junior Solar Vest)
  You put on the Battle Carapace.
  
  > W,S,E
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?"
  
  This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters.
  
  You can see Tip Top here.
  
  > ask Tip Top about the buzz
  She chats politely about that for a few minutes without really saying anything of substance.
  
  > ask Tip Top about the leafstyles
  "Ready for a new look? I can think of three styles that'll look great with your face shape, sugarcane. You can go buzzed, draped, or pop star. Just ask me about the one you're interested in and we'll get started." She winks. "Now, don't you be afraid to experiment! If it ends up shorter than you want it we can always fill it back in with some Luvlee-Gro  That stuff's a miracle!"
  
  > ask Tip Top about buzzed
  "Okey-dokey! Here we go!" Tip Top kicks her trimmers into high gear and plunges them into your leaves. You watch as snippets of green drift past your eyes. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror. You're nearly bald, but she's left a little fuzz. You look like you're ready to kick butt.
  
  > look at the mirror
  You're a little worse for wear after your accident and all the time spent running around in the shadows. There's a smear of dried sap where you scraped your forehead and hunger blisters on your cheeks. Nothing serious or permanent, though.
  
  Tip Top putters around the shop.
  
  > go west
  Shops line the south end of the station's entry promenade, prepared and waiting for a wave of xyloforming business. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the businesses to the east and west stand open. The promenade continues to the north, and the sunlock leading to the planet's surface is south.
  
  > go north
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  This carapace is really starting to chafe.
  
  > wear Vest
  (after taking off the Battle Carapace)
  You put on the Acorn Junior Solar Vest.
  
  > go north
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You can see a security sphere here.
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East.
  
  > Examine xylosphere
  In its current unused state, it's a featureless white plane about a quarter-mile across. The specialists in the xyloforming lab use this artificial environment to test out potential ecosystems.
  
  > Go northeast
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
  
  > look at logo
  It's the logo of ObsCorp, the xyloforming company your mother works for. It's supposed to look like something-or-other--to you it's always looked like a melting hand.
  
  > go to the east
  This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.
  
  The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.
  
  > examine Guide
  A slim guidebook which promises to teach you everything you need to know to build a planetary environment. There's a picture of a cartoon lady taking a planet out of the oven on the front.
  
  > read Guide
  Thanks for purchasing the Worldscaper 7.0 Xyloforming System! Here's how to get it up and running in a flash!
  
  1) Make sure the light switch is switched on.
  
  2) Switch on the slurry pump. If nothing happens, ensure a fresh slurry tank has been placed in the tank housing.
  
  3) Place a pattern sphere in the pattern input chamber. What's that? A pattern sphere is much like a standard infosphere, but it contains genetic samples representing a full planetary ecosystem. Once it's in, switch on the chamber and stand back! The chamber will seal automatically, so watch your fingers! Congratulations--now you're a xyloforming professional!
  
  > examine the workstation
  A shiny booth filled with controls for managing the environment within the xylosphere. You see an unassuming light switch, a slurry pump control and a pattern input chamber and a tank housing on the side.
  
  > examine pump control
  The control for a heavy-duty industrial pumping system. Switch it on to activate the pump.
  
  You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
  
  > Go west
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  > go to the southwest
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  > Go south
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  > N,N,NE,E
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
  
  This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.
  
  The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.
  
  > look at the tank housing
  A cylindrical alcove in the side of the workstation, the right size to hold a tank of slurry.
  
  > examine the pattern
  A small chamber built to hold pattern spheres containing genetic information. You can switch it on once you've put one inside.
  
  > Go upward
  A comfortable lounge for the xyloformers to relax and observe their handiwork, overlooking the xylosphere floor far below. A dull gray orb is visible to the west, attached to the xylosphere ceiling. There's a trashed drink machine here, leaking. You can go down from here via elevator chute.
  
  > examine machine
  Something tore it off the wall, punched a hole into its innards, and then tossed it into the corner, where it lies in a puddle of leaking water.
  
  > examine the water
  It's probably still drinkable, but it looks old and a little oily.
  
  You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
  
  > D,W,SW,S
  This room is packed with the complex computer tanks and engineering equipment ObCorp employees use when designing new environments. It's lit by the same dim blue strips as the hallway. A large environmental workstation dominates the room. You can go up from here via elevator chute, or west to the central ringway.
  
  The WorldScaper 7.0 Quickstart Guide rests on the workstation.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
  
  A security sphere rolls up from Ringway South.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You feel sluggish and weak.
  
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  > look at the taps
  There are five brands on tap -- Bolo Budget Blend, Summerfresh Spritz, Tropical Steam, Glacierways Premier Blend, and Mer de Luz. You can look more closely at them to see how many credits are charged per glass and other information. The taps aren't hard to operate, so you can drink any of them you care to try.
  
  > Drink spritz
  You take a few gulps. It has a fruity, woody sort of taste.
  
  > look at the bottle
  A green display bottle made of unbreakable gamma-tempered glass.
  
  In the glass bottle is a bonsai planet.
  
  > examine the certificate
  There's some information about the planet in the bottle printed on it.
  
  > read it
  Congratulations on your purchase of ROMUNA, a stunning rainforest world rendered in microscopic scale by renowned artist Sheli Po.
  This limited edition bonsai planet (NO 1037 OF 9999) is a stunning conversation piece for your home or business and a great investment. ROMUNA is a full ecosystem with exquisitely crafted, display-quality genetic diversity, beautiful on its own or as a solar system with OLINAS and PARO (sold separately).
  
  > go to the east
  "Hi there, sugarcane!" says the stylist as you enter. "Welcome to Hedge Your Bets! My name is Tip Top, and what can I do for you today?"
  
  This is an old-fashioned topiary salon, brightly lit and comfy, with gleaming chrome fixtures and a freshly swept tile floor. One whole wall is taken up by a large mirror, adding a sense of space to the cozy quarters.
  
  You can see Tip Top here.
  
  > ask Tip Top about draped
  "Sure thing!" She pulls out a bottle of something pink and greasy and works it into your scalp until it tingles. You itch terribly for a minute as the leaves sprout and uncurl, and Tip Top artfully arranges them as they do. When she's done, she turns you around for a look in the mirror. Long vines laden with plump leaves are draped over your shoulders. It makes you look a little like a short, skinny version of your mom.
  
  > go north
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West.
  
  > examine the sphere
  The security sphere observes you coldly.
  
  It's made of solid, seamless-looking titanium and comes up to about your chin. You know they can unfold into something much more threatening when they're on the hunt for someone with enough demerits, though.
  
  > Go northwest
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
  
  > Go west
  This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, while the empty whiteness of the xylosphere ring is to the east. A sickly-looking garden of half-dead pufferpod trees wilts in the center. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living.
  
  A single shriveled pufferpod droops low enough for you to grab it.
  
  > examine the pufferpod
  A limp, bumpy bladder that looked like a popped balloon.
  
  > take the pufferpod
  Taken.
  
  A security sphere rolls up from Ringway West.
  
  > Go upwards
  "MINOR CHILD TORIS ZO parental authorization required for entry," says the computer, refusing to open the doors of the sorting chute.
  "Please contact STATION ADMINISTRATOR TORA LAR or present proper identification for access."
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a pufferpod
  a glass bottle
  a bonsai planet
  a coloring book
  a Polithoa action figure
  a Battle Carapace
  Talkity Tota
  an Acorn Junior Solar Vest (being worn)
  
  > Go east
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
  
  You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
  
  > ask Se,  to go south
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
  
  > N,NW,NE
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
  
  You can see a security sphere here.
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway South.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  > Go north
  The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.
  
  A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.
  
  > read the placard
  IMPORTANT -- STATION RULES -- VIOLATION IS A DEMERITABLE OFFENSE!
  1. Do not attack or attempt to damage station personnel or property. 2. Maintenance vehicles are to be used only in designated maintenance areas.
  3. Minors are to engage only in age-appropriate activities.
  4. DO NOT REMOVE THIS PLACARD.
  
  > Examine tank
  The information stenciled on the side says it's actually a Motollo-Oris Rehabilitation Capsule, but you've always just known them as Trouble Tanks, the ones you supposedly get sent to if you really get in trouble.
  
  In the Trouble Tank is a solar beam.
  
  > Examine beam
  A sleek, shiny concoction of chrome and yellow plastic; the wielder can SHOOT a target to bathe it in harsh, low-grade sunlight. It's mostly used to clear nock out the dark areas where it builds up.
  
  > examine monitors
  You watch the monitors for a while.You can see into one of the residential apartments.
  
  > remove the placard
  You aren't wearing the placard.
  
  You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
  
  > S,SW,SE,S
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  A security sphere rolls up from Ringway East.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
  
  A security sphere rolls up from Ringway North.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You feel sluggish and weak.
  
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
  
  > N,NE,NW,N
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You can see a security sphere here.
  
  The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
  
  You can see a security sphere here.
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway North.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  You can see a security sphere here.
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway West.
  
  The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.
  
  A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.
  
  > go north
  It's completely dark here, but you can pick your way north or south if you're careful. The floor seems alternately bumpy and slick in patches, and the air has a thick, earthy smell.
  
  > Go north
  You carefully feel your way through the pitch darkness into an open space. Here, you can see a bit, as strips of softly glowing guide moss illuminate the silent hulks of powered-down vehicles. This appears to be the main parking hangar. And here, parked in the middle of the aisle at a drunken angle, is the Planet Roller.
  
  You run up to it, yanking open the door, but your mother is nowhere to be seen.
  
  You're in a large parking hangar filled with rows of powered-down vehicles neatly parked in spaces marked with glowing guide moss. The Planet Roller is here, parked in the aisle. It's hard to make out much else in the low light, but there's a hall to the south and a smaller office to the east. Moist air is coming from the darkness to the north.
  
  An identisphere lies abandoned in the dust near the Roller.
  
  You can also see a Tunnel Roller (empty) here.
  
  > examine the identisphere
  You recognize this identification sphere as the one belonging to your mother. It's sticky with dried sap, which gives it an almost imperceptible glow.
  
  > take it
  Taken.
  
  > ask S,  to go to the south
  It's completely dark here, but you can pick your way north or south if you're careful. The floor seems alternately bumpy and slick in patches, and the air has a thick, earthy smell.
  
  You're beginning to feel sluggish from the lack of sunlight.
  
  The roots of the main control tower run through this room, piping commands around the station. Banks of monitors display surveillance images from around the station, and there's a large placard on the wall with a list of station rules. The Ringway is to the south and stairs lead further up into the tower. A dank, earthy stench comes from a darkened hallway to the north.
  
  A glistening trouble tank has been installed here. It contains a solar beam.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  > SW,SE,S
  You can't go that way.
  
  You feel sluggish.
  
  You can't go that way.
  
  You feel sluggish and weak.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southeast and southwest, while heavy security doors mark the entrance to the control tower to the north. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the south. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  You feel exhausted.
  
  > SW,SE,S
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
  
  You feel dizzy, and your vision is starting to fog.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You sway. It's a fight just to stay upright.
  
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  The north end of the promenade is lined with shops. Rich artificial sunlight bathes you from above, and the business to the east stands open. The shutters of the shop to the west are warped out of shape, as if something ripped them nearly out of their housing, but you can easily slip through the large hole and enter the shop. Deep furrows have been gouged into the floor here. The promenade continues to the south, and the large bloom shutter to the north opens into a gently curving hallway.
  
  The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
  
  > Go north
  Your skin crawls as you leave the nutritious glow of solar lighting behind.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  The pufferpod shrivels with a melacholy sputter.
  
  > Go northeast
  This long circular hallway curves away to the southwest and northwest. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the west. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  There are a pair of glass double doors to the east with the ObCorp logo stenciled on them.
  
  > SW,NW,W
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northwest and northeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the north. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  The open bloom shutter to the south leads to the Bolo Buy promenade.
  
  You can see a security sphere here.
  
  The security sphere rolls off towards Ringway East.
  
  This long circular hallway curves away to the northeast and southeast. Strips of subdued lighting along the walls glow a gentle blue, almost overwhelmed by the huge, dark room behind the windows to the east. Through the thick glass you can see the sealed xylosphere.
  
  To the west, the hall opens into a circular courtyard.
  
  This courtyard sits in the center of the C-shaped residential tower; a seemingly endless series of balconies rise around you on three sides, while the empty whiteness of the xylosphere ring is to the east. A sickly-looking garden of half-dead pufferpod trees wilts in the center. A sorting chute leads up to the apartments, including the one where you're supposed to be living.
  
  > go upwards
  Relief floods you as you feel sunlight on your skin.
  
  A comfortable apartment decorated in leafy greens and rich, earthy reds. There aren't many furnishings here yet, beyond the quite nice and brand-new computer terminal set into one wall.
  
  A bright blue gift box rests prominently on the table, placed to catch your eye. Your mother must have sent it ahead for the computer to place here. "For Zo" is written on it.
  
  The pufferpod sucks in the air around it with surprising force, bloating into a taut sac of gas.
  
  > look at the terminal
  It's synced to your mom's data, so the desktop is already cluttered with files. You can see Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file, a list of station issues, a personal financial log, and an encrypted file.
  
  > examine Tora Lar 's personnel file
  It's your mother's personnel file. It's full of private information that you definitely shouldn't read.
  
  > read Tora Lar 's personnel file
  It contains your mother's employment history; before her current job she was the head of a research team back on Xylla, and before that an assistant, and so on, all the way back through her first professional job as a science grunt and then to her first job ever, raking up trimming in a topiary salon. There's contact information for your aunts and grandma; too bad you're too far to call them for help here.
  
  > read list
  0111.9A - Logged blockage north tunnel.
  0111.9C - Power interrupted to east engine.
  0111.9C45 - East tunnel integrity failure.
  0112.0B - Power interrupted to west engine.
  0112.0B60 - West tunnel integrity failure.
  112.0B65 - Fatal accident logged in west engine adjunct maintenance housing.
  0112.7D - Damage to shutters in promenade area.
  0114.4A10 - Derelict vehicle detected within station perimeter.
  
  > read the log
  Recent major expenses include a charge from a premier solar vest designer and the cost of the tickets out here from Xylla. Also listed is a bill for 5 credits for station goods and services.
  
  > read the file
  Which do you mean, Tora Lar's personnel file, Toris Zo's personnel file or the encrypted file?
  
  > Encrypted
  (first guessing the shockingly poor choice of password)
  It's a story your mother wrote set in the universe of the Stardredger series. She never lets you read anything she writes. This one is about two of the exotic males that Captain Jula encountered in separate adventures. In this story they're growing together, with their roots intertwined and their pollen constantly blowing on each other, which seems like it would be annoying. Captain Jula is not actually in the story.
  
  > look at the box
  A bright blue gift box. "For Zo" is written on it.
  
  > open the box
  You lift the lid to reveal something dark and glittering and beautiful. It's a brand-new solar vest, and not just any solar vest--this is the Afterdark Pro Petite, probably the best one on the market. Definitely the best one in your size. It's fully charged and ready for use, too; as long as you're wearing this, you won't starve no matter how dark it gets.
  
  After all that talk about how your old vest was perfectly good, you can't believe she actually sprang for a slick professional model which seems to shimmer like liquid onyx before your eyes.
  
  > wear Afterdark pro petite
  (after taking off the Acorn Junior Solar Vest)
  (first taking the Afterdark Pro Petite)
  You put on the Afterdark Pro Petite.