text: [Themes: Horror, horror]
  
  > look around
  Cupboards are hanging open and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot left. The counters are strewn with broken glass and pieces of broken lab equipment. There are doors to the north, east and south. A closet lies to the west.
  
  The cat is here. She blinks at you contently.
  
  The end of the ladder dangles from a hole above.
  
  You are suddenly overcome by an extreme sense of vertigo. You steady yourself, and the dizziness passes as quickly as it came.
  
  You gasp once more.
  
  > go to the north
  The stairs through this doorway climb up to the east, ending in an observation room above the test chamber.
  
  This must be where the researchers carried out their work.The southern wall is dominated by a giant window overlooking the test chamber. One side of the room features a console with a few chairs in front of it. Stairs lead back down to the west.
  
  The cat arrives.
  
  > look at the console
  The console is a drab tan-colored plastic contraption, wide enough to seat three people comfortably, with a lot of displays, knobs, switches, and levers. You don't know what any of it means, most of the displays and digital readouts are blank, anyway.
  
  > look at the window
  Spanning the whole width of the room, the window is made from some thick, heavy-duty glass. It adds a hazy white tint to everything on the other side.
  
  It's difficult to make out many details in the test chamber. The light panels in that room have apparently failed, and all you can make out are a few large, dark shadows covering most of the polished concrete flooring.
  
  The quality cat climbs into the giant backpack, digging around for something.
  
  > examine the chairs
  Perfunctory black chairs, though more comfortable than you might expect. They're fixed in place before the console.
  
  The cat emerges from the giant backpack once more.
  
  > sit
  What do you want to sit on?
  
  > sit on the chair
  You sit in one of the artistic chairs facing the console.
  
  You catch a few words of whispered conversation, but when you turn -- nothing.
  
  You hack once more.
  
  > listen
  You hear nothing unexpected.
  
  The cat climbs into the giant backpack, digging around for something.
  
  There is a faint ticking sound coming from a distant part of the base.
  
  > Smash window
  Violence isn't the answer to this one.
  
  You briefly hear something scratching in the wall beside you.
  
  > hit the console with the hammer
  A display panel shatters with a satisfying crunch. The
  console begins to spark and smoke.
  
  Fire licks at the edges of the destroyed part of the console.
  
  Somewhere in the base, an alarm begins to sound.
  
  > Smash console
  Violence isn't the answer to this one.
  
  You shiver involuntarily for a full minute.
  
  > hit the console with the hammer
  A display panel shatters with a satisfying crunch. The
  console begins to spark and smoke.
  
  Your arm itches unbearably. You pull up your sleeve to scratch it, and the feeling stops immediately.
  
  Fire licks at the edges of the destroyed part of the console.
  
  Somewhere in the base, an alarm begins to sound.
  
  The cat emerges from the giant backpack once more.
  
  > go to the west
  (first getting off the chairs)
  
  Cupboards are hanging open and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot left. The counters are strewn with broken glass and pieces of broken lab equipment. There are doors to the north, east and south. A closet lies to the west.
  
  The end of the ladder dangles from a hole above.
  
  There's something sinister about ladder.
  
  The stygian cat arrives.
  
  > Up
  A small and cramped space, with no exits except the one you came through. It's cavelike, damp, dusty and unpleasant. Crude markings adorn the walls. A secret panel in the ground is open, and a ladder leads down.
  
  The cat arrives from below.
  
  > go north
  The dodgy light panel from the basement to the west bathes the corridor in an anemic glow. Beneath your feet the cable runs eastwards to the utility room.
  
  The south wall hangs open, revealing a space beyond.
  
  More obviously, a dark doorway leads north.
  
  The cat arrives.
  
  You wheeze once more.
  
  > go north
  The floor is wet with grimy black water. This used to be a storage room until the leaking began. Apathy kind of sets in on a base this remote, so no one ever bothered sealing the cracks.
  
  The cat arrives from the south.
  
  > hit the cracks with the hammer
  You take a deep breath and swing. The entire wall rolls over, burying you under foul smelling water and heavy bricks. You're pinned, helpless to do anything but feel your lungs swell with gritty black fluid. Then darkness.
  
  > go to the south
  The dodgy light panel from the basement to the west bathes the corridor in an anemic glow. Beneath your feet the cable runs eastwards to the utility room.
  
  The south wall hangs open, revealing a space beyond.
  
  More obviously, a dark doorway leads north.
  
  There is a faint ticking sound coming from a distant part of the base.
  
  The cat arrives.
  
  > Go east
  Just a dingy, empty supply room, containing little of note.
  
  Hold on... wasn't there a power generator here before?
  
  You catch a few words of whispered conversation, but when you turn -- nothing.
  
  The cat arrives from the west.
  
  > Go west
  The dodgy light panel from the basement to the west bathes the corridor in an anemic glow. Beneath your feet the cable runs eastwards to the utility room.
  
  The south wall hangs open, revealing a space beyond.
  
  More obviously, a dark doorway leads north.
  
  The cat arrives from the east.
  
  > Go west
  Dark and bare with a corridor leading east.
  
  You shiver involuntarily for a full minute.
  
  The cat arrives from the east.
  
  > Go upward
  Light shines in through the kitchen door as you take in the room. The shelves are bare and show signs of vandalism, and you cannot see anything of interest left on the shelves. You can see a trap door in the floor.
  
  The cat arrives from below.
  
  You shiver uncontrollably once more.
  
  > go west
  Everything is strewn about in here as well. The cupboards have been left open and there appears to not be anything left in them. A refrigerator stands forlornly in the corner. Doorways lead to the east and southwest.
  
  On the kitchen counter is a moldy block of cheese.
  
  The cat arrives from the east.
  
  > throw the hammer at the cheese
  Futile.
  
  > go southwest
  Claustrophobia gropes at your mind with feral claws in this corridor. It leads northeast and west from here. The functional, bolted metal of the walls continues from the airlock. It's warm in here, far too warm. The bloody trail leads to the west.
  
  You briefly hear something scratching in the wall beside you.
  
  The cat arrives from the northeast.
  
  You cough once more.
  
  > Go south
  The airlock is a cool dank chamber, with savage metal walls, floor, and ceiling. The fresh snow that blew in with you is now a puddle on the stairs that lead up to the outer door above. To the north is the inner door that leads into the research center proper.
  
  A red smear is splattered beneath the inner door.
  
  You can also see a leatherbound diary and an quizzical arctic gear here.
  
  There's something sinister about the leatherbound diary.
  
  The cat arrives from the north.
  
  > take the diary
  Taken.
  
  The cat climbs into the giant backpack, digging around for something.
  
  > close the backpack
  You close the giant backpack.
  
  There is a rustling, bumping sound coming from the giant backpack.
  
  > take the gear
  It's too warm to bother with the arctic gear.
  
  You hear a single, tentative scratching sound from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > Go upward
  You can't bring yourself to go out into that weather unless you're properly geared up.
  
  Your arm itches unbearably. You pull up your sleeve to scratch it, and the feeling stops immediately.
  
  "Yow?" asks the giant backpack.
  
  > wear the jacket
  You put on the hooded jacket combo.
  
  The scratching from the giant backpack becomes more insistent.
  
  > wear the gear
  (first taking the minimal arctic gear)
  It's too warm to bother with the arctic gear.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  You hack once more.
  
  > Go upward
  You can't bring yourself to go out into that weather unless you're properly geared up.
  
  You shiver involuntarily for a full minute.
  
  Black smoke oozes in from the north.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a ascended leatherbound diary
  an scrawl
  some cleaning supplies
  an sledgehammer
  a musical box
  a white something
  a rippling ballerina
  a hooded jacket combo (being worn)
  a rippling strange device
  a giant backpack (being worn, and closed)
  
  There's something sinister about the bloody smear.
  
  There is a rumbling from somewhere to the north.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > Drink cleaning
  There's nothing suitable to drink here.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > look at the cleaning
  Various shapes, sizes, and colors. If the warning labels are any indication, this is some powerful stuff.
  
  You are suddenly overcome by an extreme sense of vertigo. You steady yourself, and the dizziness passes as quickly as it came.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > open the pack
  The cat leaps out of the giant backpack, shakes her head, and looks around as if nothing had happened.
  
  There is another explosion-you're sure it's an explosion this time-from somewhere to the north.
  
  > put the music box in pack
  You put the musical box into the giant backpack.
  
  > go north
  Claustrophobia gropes at your mind with feral claws in this corridor. It leads northeast and west from here. The functional, bolted metal of the walls continues from the airlock. It's warm in here, far too warm. The bloody trail leads to the west.
  
  Thick black smoke fills the area.
  
  You catch a few words of whispered conversation, but when you turn -- nothing.
  
  The cat arrives from the south.
  
  You wheeze once more.
  
  > Author
  Scene 8, "Music and Words", was written by Tom Blawgus.
  
  > Shake box
  (first taking the musical box)
  You look ridiculous waving the musical box.
  
  > take all from the box
  ballerina: That's fixed in place.
  white something: The ballerina is in the way. It's too awkward and you can't get a good grip on that corner of... whatever it is.
  
  > turn ballerina
  It is fixed in place.
  
  The cat climbs into the giant backpack, digging around for something.
  
  > put the box in the pack
  You put the musical box into the giant backpack.
  
  You shiver involuntarily for a full minute.
  
  > go west
  This room has been thoroughly and methodically searched. Boxes stand open, racks are emptied, vicious balls of plastic wrapping lie on the floor. There is a single locker in the corner.
  
  Thick black smoke fills the area.
  
  Kira lies here, covered by a blanket.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The cat purrs.
  
  The cat emerges from the giant backpack once more.
  
  > close backpack
  You close the giant backpack.
  
  The smoke down here is becoming too thick to breathe.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > Wait
  Time passes.
  
  The cat purrs.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > go outside
  Claustrophobia gropes at your mind with feral claws in this corridor. It leads northeast and west from here. The functional, bolted metal of the walls continues from the airlock. It's warm in here, far too warm. The bloody trail leads to the west.
  
  Thick black smoke fills the area.
  
  Your arm itches unbearably. You pull up your sleeve to scratch it, and the feeling stops immediately.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  You hack once more.
  
  > Go south
  The airlock is a cool dank chamber, with metal walls, floor, and ceiling. The fresh snow that blew in with you is now a puddle on the stairs that lead up to the outer door above. To the north is the inner door that leads into the research center proper.
  
  Thick black smoke fills the area.
  
  A red smear is splattered beneath the inner door.
  
  You can also see an arctic gear here.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > Close inner
  You close the scintillating inner door.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > open outer
  You open the outer door, and are met by a fierce breeze.
  
  You have a pounding headache.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the jaunty giant backpack.
  
  > wear the gear
  (first taking the arctic gear)
  You put on the perturbed arctic gear.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > go upward
  You came here to investigate the Antarctic Research Center, and you don't intend to leave until your curiosity is satisfied.
  That, and it's colder than a brass suppository out there.
  
  You hear what sounds like a scream, coming from somewhere to the north.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  an arctic gear (being worn)
  a leatherbound diary
  a scrawl
  some cleaning supplies
  a sledgehammer
  a notable hooded jacket combo (being worn)
  a strange device
  a giant backpack (being worn, and closed)
  
  The delightful cat rubs against your leg.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > Clean smear
  You achieve nothing by this.
  
  You catch a fleeting scent of cinnamon and cloves.
  
  The smoke here is quickly becoming too much to bear.
  
  There is a constant yowling coming from inside the giant backpack.
  
  > take the box
  Taken.
  
  Your arm itches unbearably. You pull up your sleeve to scratch it, and the feeling stops immediately.
  
  > hit the box with the hammer
  You smash the musical box into several pieces and you find a note among the pieces, which you pick up.
  
  There's something sinister about the cat.
  
  > look at the note
  "The cat is the carrier. I can't leave this room to tell anybody because the cat is scratching outside. I'm the only one around here who ever paid it any attention and now I'm going to die for it. No gas mask in here, no nothing. Just some lab results like a death warrant."
  
  You are suddenly overcome by an extreme sense of vertigo. You steady yourself, and the dizziness passes as quickly as it came.
  
  > hit the cat with the hammer
  Animal cruelty is not the answer.
  
  The smoke becomes too much for you. You fall to the ground, gasping for air, but never find it.
  
  > Go upwards
  You stagger out into the wilderness, smoke billowing from the surface structure behind you. You hear the distant whining drone of the extraction team's transport approaching. Looking up to try to make them out in the sky, you lose your balance and fall back onto the snow.
  
  Cool, calming, comforting snow.
  
  You're barely conscious when the team arrives, but are vaguely aware of coughing as the team attempts to move you. Then, only blackness.
  
  Within a week, the plague has reached Europe.
  
  > read note
  "The cat is the carrier. I can't leave this room to tell anybody because the cat is scratching outside. I'm the only one around here who ever paid it any attention and now I'm going to die for it. No gas mask in here, no nothing. Just some lab results like a death warrant."
  
  There's something sinister about the chairs.
  
  The cat emerges from the giant backpack once more.
  
  > examine the scrawling
  Despite its ragged and stained appearance, you recognize this as a page cut neatly from the leatherbound diary.
  
  Dannerham's gone crazy. He must have sabotaged the last
  experiment. He locked us in this room. He says we brought this on ourselves, that we've created something too terrible to escape, that there's no cure.
  
  He's wrong, damn it! If I had access to the original carrier, with
  a few simple blood diagnostics I'm sure I could identify the mutations that make this strain unique and develop a vaccine, or at least antibodies, within days. Days! And with cold storage, I believe the progression of the disease can be greatly slowed or even halted indefinitely. The imbecile will kill us all for nothing, he doesn't listen to the audio comms system the observ.n. window is too high
  to
  I just need sth.g. wh.ch
  
  ybe destroy the comm. consol. autom.tic send a distr.s signal
  t
  
  If I coud only j.st get out i want get.out.ineedineed
  ineedgetoutGET OUT GET OU
  
  The scrawl becomes illegible beyond this point.
  
  > Go west
  (first getting off the chairs)
  
  Cupboards are hanging open and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot left. The counters are strewn with broken glass and pieces of broken lab equipment. There are doors to the north, east and south. A closet lies to the west.
  
  The end of the ladder dangles from a hole above.
  
  You are suddenly overcome by an extreme sense of vertigo. You steady yourself, and the dizziness passes as quickly as it came.
  
  The cat arrives.
  
  > Go east
  No!
  
  You wheeze once more.
  
  > pull the ladder
  It is fixed in place.
  
  > Go south
  This doorway leads to a staircase that spirals down, eventually opening out into a cavernous area below the test chamber.
  
  This is a very wide cylindrical room, apparently built to the same dimensions as the test chamber above. A dozen or so columns support the ceiling, arranged in a circular pattern. The stone walls almost look carved from natural stone. Stairs lead back up to the lab.
  
  Something is dripping into a large basin in the center of the room from a hole above.
  
  There is a faint ticking sound coming from a distant part of the base.
  
  The cat arrives from above.
  
  > look at Hole
  A small hole-maybe half an inch across-and perfectly round. It seems to serve as some sort of intentional collection outlet for the test chamber above.
  
  > go upwards
  Cupboards are hanging open and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot left. The counters are strewn with broken glass and pieces of broken lab equipment. There are doors to the north, east and south. A closet lies to the west.
  
  The end of the ladder dangles from a hole above.
  
  The cat arrives from below.
  
  > Go south
  This doorway leads to a staircase that spirals down, eventually opening out into a cavernous area below the test chamber.
  
  This is a very wide cylindrical room, apparently built to the same dimensions as the test chamber above. A dozen or so columns support the ceiling, arranged in a circular pattern. The stone walls almost look carved from natural stone. Stairs lead back up to the lab.
  
  Something is dripping into a large basin in the center of the room from a hole above.
  
  Your arm itches unbearably. You pull up your sleeve to scratch it, and the feeling stops immediately.
  
  The cat arrives from above.
  
  Piercing pain jets through your body like flashes of lightning, subsiding to a dull ache.
  
  > take the basin
  That's hardly portable.
  
  You cough up ropy black spatters of blood.
  
  > put the backpack in the basin
  (first taking it off)
  You remove your giant backpack.
  
  You put the giant backpack into the catchment basin.
  
  Hot. Hot. Burning up.
  
  You gasp once more.
  
  > Inventory
  You are carrying:
  a note
  a scrawl
  some serious cleaning supplies
  a huggable sledgehammer
  a hooded jacket combo
  a strange device
  
  You briefly hear something scratching in the wall beside you.
  
  Piercing pain jets through your body like flashes of lightning, subsiding to a dull ache.
  
  > hug the sledgehammer
  Keep your mind on the game.
  
  You cough up ropy black spatters of blood.
  
  > put the cleaning supplies in basin
  You put the cleaning supplies into the catchment basin.
  
  Hot. Hot. Burning up.