text: [Themes: Science Fiction]
  
  > 2
  Pathway to Destruction by Richard Otter, version 1.21
  
  You have worked at the Institute of Transportation for nearly five years. As one of the engineering team in the Research and Development section, it is considered a highly respected position and is particularly well paid. In recent years it has become even more important, as with a growing population the global transport system is struggling to cope. A complete collapse has been predicted in a little under five years time.
  
  You are currently working on the Pathway project which is a new developmental Rapid Transit System (RTS). This holds out the promise of fast, efficient and cheap travel for the whole planet. You do not fully understand the science but it has something to do with
  particles, magnetism and time travel. Basically, you arrive at your destination the exact same moment you leave your starting point.
  
  The initial trials have been extremely promising and the first long distance test is now underway. You are being 'particled' (as it is called) from one side of the planet to the other and then back again. At this very moment you are being strapped into a chair situated in
  the centre of the testing chamber. Colin, the senior technician on project, is giving you the thumbs up sign from the control room and
  the ignition lights have just come on. Your hands and feet are
  starting to tingle and your vision is blurring; then nothing.
  
  Nothing until now.
  
  [Press ENTER to continue]
  Pathway to Destruction
  
  1st Place
  
  1. Play the game
  
  2. Read the introduction
  
  3. Useful information
  
  4. Credits
  
  > 3
  Pathway to Destruction  by Richard Otter, version 1.21
  
  In this adventure you are John Taylor, one of the engineering team in the Research and Development section of the Institute of Transportation. Your goal is a simple one - to try and make sense of the world you find yourself in.
  
  use object with object, get all from object, give object to character pick lock, look under object, look through object
  talk to character, ask character about subject
  look through object, move rubble with bar
  
  Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk
  
  [Press ENTER to continue]
  Pathway to Destruction
  
  1st Place
  
  1. Play the game
  
  2. Read the introduction
  
  3. Useful information
  
  4. Credits
  
  > 4
  Pathway to Destruction  by Richard Otter, version 1.21, 2005
  
  My long suffering wife and family who want me to get a real hobby.
  
  Feel free to report any bugs, send praise or give general feedback to richardo@delron.org.uk
  
  You can type 'intro', 'details' or 'credits' during the game.
  
  [Press ENTER to continue]
  Pathway to Destruction
  
  1st Place
  
  1. Play the game
  
  2. Read the introduction
  
  3. Useful information
  
  4. Credits
  
  > 1
  Your last memory is of being in the test chamber, deep under the Research and Development building. Now you are here, but you have no recollection of leaving the test chamber or arriving at this place. It is almost as if you just appeared here.
  
  Above you towers a broken statue, ravaged by the passage of time. A crown of stone rests upon its brow, a glittering jewel its
  centrepiece. About you lurk malevolent shadows, seeming to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.
  
  Passages in the ruined walls of this place lie to the north and west.
  
  > About yourself
  [x me]
  You are John Taylor, a senior technician in the engineering team working in the Research and Development section of the Institute of Transportation. You are wearing a ring, a pair of overalls and a gold chain.
  
  > look at the ring
  [x ring]
  A simple band of gold fitted around your left index finger. The ring appears ordinary but something tells you there is more to it than
  meets the eye.
  
  > examine the chain
  [x chain]
  The chain was a present from your father, on your graduation from engineering college (second in your class). It is heavy gold with an over polished finish and a little too long for your taste.
  
  > look at the statue
  [x statue]
  This does not make any sense. The statue of the Great David looks like it has been decaying for years, but you only walked this way yesterday with Colin. At least, it seemed like only yesterday.
  
  > remove the ring
  You remove the ring.
  
  > Inventory
  You are wearing a pair of overalls and a gold chain, and you are carrying a journal and a ring.
  
  > look at the journal
  [x journal]
  An ancient, leather-bound book, dusty with the passing years. It feels almost too fragile to touch without damaging in some way.
  
  > examine the ring
  [x ring]
  A simple band of gold, the ring appears ordinary but something tells you there is more to it than meets the eye.
  
  > read journal
  The journal is far too old; although you try hard it is impossible to make sense of anything in it.
  
  > examine the crown
  [x crown]
  The Great David's crown symbolises him power and authority. David was the first great leader to bring unity and peace to this planet many centuries ago.
  
  > examine the jewel
  [x jewel]
  The jewel, which is fixed into the crown, must be at least 150mm in diameter and is a beautiful sea-blue colour.
  
  > take the jewel
  
  > climb the statue
  After a few moments you decide against climbing the statue, it does
  not look all that safe.
  
  > examine the pedestal
  [x pedestal]
  You see no such thing.
  
  > examine the shadows
  [x shadows]
  The shadows seem to move with a life of their own, though these are glimpses seen from the corner of your eye that vanish the moment you look closely at them.
  
  > read journal
  The journal is far too old; although you try hard it is impossible to make sense of anything in it.