The Secrets of Space

<center><img src="images/astronaut.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You are an astronaut. You are currently in a spaceship and were given the task of going to explore the depths of space with the hopes of being able to find other forms of life. Your computer system is showing that there are three nearby planets that have potential life forms that you could explore. [[Go to Venus->Venus]] [[Go to Saturn->Saturn]] [[Go to Mars->Mars]]

<center><img src="images/venusplanet.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> (if:visits is an odd)[(set: _dieRoll to (random: 1,100))(if:_dieRoll > 65)[(set: $asteroidPlanet to "Venus")(go-to: "Asteroid")]](set: _blackRoll to (random: 1,10))(if:_blackRoll > 9)[(go-to: "Black Hole")]You head over to Venus with your ship. You make a successful landing. You gear up in your extreme heat-proof armor as you prepare yourself to venture onto the ball of heat that is a planet. You start to regret your decision. (set: $beenToVenus to true)[[Leave]] [[Stay]]

<center><img src="images/saturnplanet.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> (if:visits is an odd)[(set: _dieRoll to (random: 1,100))(if:_dieRoll > 65)[(set: $asteroidPlanet to "Saturn")(go-to: "Asteroid")]](set: _blackRoll to (random: 1,10))(if:_blackRoll > 9)[(go-to: "Black Hole")]You arrive at Saturn and look out your spaceship's window. You know that Saturn is a gas giant and know there is nowhere to safely land the ship. You are presented with three options: (set: $beenToSaturn to true)You can activate your spaceship's experimental [[stasis mode]]. You can land on one of Saturn's moons, [[Titan]]. Or you can not take the risk and leave for [[Venus]] or [[Mars]].

<center><img src="images/rocketship.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center>You now realize you may have made a terrible mistake in coming here. You decide you might be better off exploring somewhere else instead. [[Saturn]] [[Mars]]

<center><img src="images/venusplanet.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> Though it is immensely hot and you feel as though your flesh will melt right off, you decide that the search for other life forms is far too great an opportunity to pass up and stay on the hellish planet. You begin to [[look around]].

<center><img src="images/venus.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You begin to look around and notice the only notable landmark in your vision is a mountain-like structure in the distance. You walk towards it and discover it is a large [[volcano]].

<center><img src="images/volcano.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You look at the volcano and have an urge to explore it more, having a strong feeling something might be living inside it. You take out your grappling hook and begin climbing up the side of the tall structure. Once you reach the top you look down to see the giant crater filled with lava. You take a [[closer look]].

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You find yourself inching closer to the edge trying to spot any sign of movement from another potential being within the lava. You get too close to the edge and the unstable ground crumbles beneath your foot, propelling you into the lava. Your heat-proof armor can't handle the intensity of the lava and it melts off, burning you to a crisp. [[Try again->Start here]]

<center><img src="images/saturnplanet.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You activate your spaceship's experimental stasis mode, which has not been tested in production yet. Using the ship's propulsion systems, it will attempt to keep itself suspended in space without having to land on a solid surface. Doing this will let you station your ship closer to the "surface" of Saturn, compared to landing on a moon, which is farther away. You wonder if you're making the right choice. [[Do it anyways]] [[Land on Titan instead->Titan]] [[Leave for Venus->Venus]] [[Leave for Mars->Mars]]

<center><img src="images/titan.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> (set: $usedStasis to false) You end up making a successful landing on Titan. You grab your electric jetpack and some subzero thermal protective wear. You then [[proceed to Saturn->exploring Saturn]] from the moon.

You decide that the trouble of traveling from Titan to Saturn's surface is not worth it, and this would be the easiest option. You leave it activated. You grab your electric jetpack and some subzero thermal protective wear. You hop out of your ship and begin [[exploring Saturn]]. (set: $usedStasis to true)

<center><img src="images/saturn.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You venture into the ball of gas. It's hazy. Layers of hydrogen and helium atoms cloud your vision. It's difficult to tell where to go from here. [[Go left]] [[Go right]]

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You keep going. And going. And going. It seems as though you've been traveling for hours with no end in sight. Suddenly, your jetpack begins emitting a loud beeping. Your battery is running low, and you don't have enough power to get back to the ship. When your battery finally dies, you're sent flying into the center of the planet. You can feel the pressure of the hydrogen and helium continue to build until it finally crushes you. [[Try again->Start here]]

You travel for some distance, until you hear the faint sound of high pitched giggling. You travel towards where you think the sound is coming from. Soon you see small blue masses begin to appear. You're not sure what they are, and you're unsure if you want to find out. [[Go in a different direction->Go left]] [[Continue towards them]]

<center><img src="images/bbgroup.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You need to figure out what these things are. For science! As you approach the blobs, their laughing begins to get louder. You get a closer look at one of them and see that they are bouncing from one gas cloud to another, having the time of their lives. They appear to be living creatures -- blue blobs with wide eyes. [[Laugh with them]] [[Reach out and grab one]]

<center><img src="images/bbsuperlaugh.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> (set: $bloobGrabbed to false) You begin to laugh with the creatures, which only prompts them to laugh harder. The more you laugh together, the more comfortable they seem to be with you. They seem to gravitate towards you as if they accept you as one of their own. You might be able to lead them towards your ship... [[Lead them->Return to the ship]] [[Continue laughing]]

<center><img src="images/bbnolaugh.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> (set: $bloobGrabbed to true) You reach out to grab one of these blobs. The moment you touch it, it immediately stops laughing. You decide to take it back to your ship with you, and it shows no resistance as you do so. [[Return to your ship->Return to the ship]]

You gradually lead them back to where your ship is located. (if:$usedStasis is true)[ You're certain you're back to where your ship was supposed to be. You look around -- you can't see it anywhere. The only thing that you can think of is that stasis mode failed, and your ship is gone. You're totally stranded out here, in the middle of Saturn. (if:$bloobGrabbed is true)[You stare into the aliens eyes. The blob begins to grow, as its very being engulfs you whole. You slowly black out, and die.] (if:$bloobGrabbed is false)[You come to terms with your fate -- you're now forced to live among these creatures forever.] The end.] (if:$usedStasis is false)[(if:$bloobGrabbed is true)[Blob in hand, you board your ship. You begin your journey [[back home->set a course home]].] (if:$bloobGrabbed is false)[You lead the aliens out of Saturn's atmosphere, onto Titan where you've landed your ship. You bring them aboard, and begin to [[set a course home]].]]

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You laugh and laugh. And laugh. And laugh. You've laughed so much that you've exhausted your oxygen supply. You've quite literally laughed yourself to death. You begin to blackout. [[Try again->Start here]]

<center><img src="images/earthplanet.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> Your journey through space is almost complete. You can see Earth in the distance. (if:$bloobGrabbed is true)[As you approach Earth, you hear a blood curdling screech come from the little alien. You look to notice that it is rapidly expanding in size. You can feel the heat resonating from its body. The next thing you know, you are engulfed in flames as the alien explodes. You die almost immediately from the explosion.] (if:$bloobGrabbed is false)[You continue to approach Earth and make a safe landing. All is well! You completed your mission and you've made some unexpected friends in the process. Your feats are seen as extraordinary, and you become an inspiration to all. You've become the first person to discover new life on an extraterrestrial planet.] The end.

<center><img src="images/marsplanet.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> (if:visits is an odd)[(set: _dieRoll to (random: 1,100))(if:_dieRoll > 65)[(set: $asteroidPlanet to "Mars")(go-to: "Asteroid")]](set: _blackRoll to (random: 1,10))(if:_blackRoll > 9)[(go-to: "Black Hole")]You make your way over to Mars. Once you are directly above its atmosphere you must slow your spaceship down to about 5 miles an hour. You only have about a seven minute time frame to safely land the ship on the martian planet. [[Land]] [[Try another planet]]

<center><img src="images/mars.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You hold your breath as what NASA engineers call the //seven minutes of terror// begin. Luckily all went smoothly and you were able to land as safely as possible. You put on your space suit as you ready yourself to [[explore]] the red planet.

Once on the planet you have to decide whether or not you want to go straight ahead or if you want to turn and go the other way. Go [[ahead]] Go [[in the opposite direction|backwards]]

<center><img src="images/mars2.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You decide to (if:$awayFromRed is true)[return from where you came, and instead ]walk straight ahead from where you landed the ship. You begin walking as the small red rocks from the planet's surface crumble beneath your heavy feet. It's almost as if walking on sand, you note. As you walk for what feels like forever, out of the corner of your eye you notice something green, a stark contrast with the red scenery. (if:$awayFromRed is true)[Since you chickened out on your exploration last time, you feel like you should go ahead and take a look. [[Walk towards it]]](else:)[ [[Walk towards it]] [[Turn around]]]

<center><img src="images/mars3.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You decide to go the opposite direction of which you landed and begin your journey of discovery. (if:$awayFromGreen is true)[You walk for a very long time. Despite this, you're feeling a sense of determination, and continue to press forward. [[Continue|continue]] ](else:)[You walk for a very long time and begin to feel you made the wrong decision of coming this way. [[Go back|go back]] [[Continue|continue]]]

<center><img src="images/multiple.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> Your curiosity overcomes you and you make your way over to the spot where you first saw the green. As you approach the area green specks begin to fill your vision. Upon closer inspection you begin to realize you are looking at a bunch of green life forms. They hold a shimmer to them and look gelatinous, as if they were made out of slime. You watch in fascination as the creatures mind their own business. When they talk to one another they speak in a posh tone, very formally, and you even hear a couple speak in different languages. Was that Japanese? And that Italian? You can only come to the conclusion that these creatures are incredibly smart beings. [[Walk towards them]]

Martians aren't supposed to be green. They should be red. At least, that's what the storybooks said. Best to avoid whatever this is. [[Go back|backwards]] (set: $awayFromGreen to true)

Slowly you make your way closer to them until you seem to be in the middle of the group, though they each are doing their own thing and pay no attention to you. You speak up and introduce yourself, only then does that grab some of their attention. You talk to them and realize that they are quite pleasant to be with. They are smart and seemingly kind. It's fascinating to see beings other than humans seem so put together. [[Leave with one]] [[Leave alone]] [[Make friends]]

<center><img src="images/happy.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> After talking with them for a while you gain each other's trust and are able to persuade one to go back to your ship with you. You walk [[back to the ship]] together.

After observing and interacting with the creatures for a while, you realize that they have made such a good life for themselves and seem very content, that you want to leave them be. You say your farewells and turn back around to head towards your ship. [[Try again->Start here]]

<center><img src="images/smile.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> After talking to a few of the creatures you begin to really connect with them and they seem to also take a liking to you. You've come to the conclusion that they even seem to be better company than humans and decide that you want to stay and be friends with them. They welcome you with open arms and you are happy to be able to start a new life.

Once you reach the ship you [[Take them on board]] [[Inform them of your plan]]

You decide not to waste any more energy, since you've made no apparent progress going this direction. Time to head back. (set: $awayFromRed to true)[[Go back|ahead]]

<center><img src="images/redgroup.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You decide to continue to trek forward and see what happens. After a while you hear faint noises. You do your best to try and walk in the direction of them. The noises begin to get louder and you try to comprehend what is being said but it all just sounds like a bunch of gibberish. You look and look until you finally see some movement. Little red blobs with horns poking out of the top of their heads move back and forth talking very fast to one another. From what you can tell, they seem to be very angry, and fighting amongst one another -- biting and headbutting. It might be best to avoid them. (if:$awayFromGreen is true)[But you're still feeling some determination, and it's re-enforced by the fact that these things are red. More like the storybook aliens you're used to. [[Get a closer look|danger zone]]](else:)[ You can try and [[Sneak away]] quietly, or get in for a [[closer look|danger zone]].]

From what you could tell about those creatures, they're surely not the kind of beings you'd want to mess with. If they're fighting with each other, you don't want to know what they'd do with you. It might be best to go the other way. (set: $awayFromRed to true)[[Go back|ahead]]

You sneak towards them, as best as you can, in an attempt to not set them off. Too bad you didn't level up your sneak ability! You accidentally kick a rock, which immediately draws their attention towards you. Their already angry faces just seem to get angrier. They start getting closer to you. [[Prepare to fight]] [[Scream]] [[Run away]]

<center><img src="images/red3.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You put on your best fighting stance. You suddenly recall your jiu jitsu training when you were just a young child. It all comes back to you, and you feel more prepared than ever. A blob jumps at you! What will you do? [[Dodge left]] [[Dodge right]] [[Throw a punch]]

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You scream as loud as you possibly can. However, because of your helmet, you're the only one who can hear it. I guess you didn't really think that one through. The blobs jump you, and your vision begins to blur. [[Try again->Start here]]

You're not about to mess with these things. You run away from them as fast as you can. They don't chase you, though, and instead, just start fighting each other again. Looks like you dodged a bullet. You're feeling a bit done with Mars. You head back to your ship, and contemplate your tasks. You can't be done yet, you don't have any proof of life. Maybe you should give another planet a shot, even if you've already been there. [[Saturn]] [[Venus]]

You dodge to the left. The blob misses you completely, and instead ends up hitting one of their own. The two immediately begin lashing out at each other, and the others follow suit. Soon, the battle is amongst themselves, and you're left standing there, feeling a little left out. [[Sneak away]]

<center><img src="images/red2.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You quickly sidestep to the right, and the blob goes flying behind you. You're feeling good. While the blob is still recovering, you go in for a punch. It explodes. Another one comes at you. What do you do? [[Jump]] [[Flail violently]] [[Scream]]

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You completely whiff your punch, and the blob jumps on your head. You're discombobulated, and the rest of them attack. Your vision slowly begins to blur. [[Try again->Start here]]

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You jump as high as you can. Unfortunately, in the moment, you forgot that Mars' gravity is a third of that on Earth, and you end up jumping way too high. You can't control yourself in the air and spin out, causing you to land headfirst on the ground. The blobs see that it is their moment to strike, and cover you. Your vision slowly begins to blur. [[Try again->Start here]]

You begin to flail violently, as the blob jumps at you. It explodes in midair as your arm collides with it. The other blobs are fed up with waiting, and they decide to all jump you at once. You flail so fast, so vehemently, that you actually somehow manage to hit every single one that jumps at you. They all explode, and your suit is covered in alien goo. Yuck. Your bloodthirst is satiated, and you feel content knowing you have some evidence to prove that life exists elsewhere. You head back home, and the goo on your space suit is studied by scientists, and placed in a museum as proof of life on Mars.

<center><img src="images/rocketship.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You think that journeying to the surface of Mars is too difficult of a task. You decide to go to another planet instead. (set: $beenToMars to true)[[Venus]] [[Saturn]]

<center><img src="images/angry.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> Apparently, your way of bringing your guest on board seemed very rude and you never did fully explain your intended purpose with them. They seem very offended by your actions and promptly leave the ship and you behind, exclaiming that they expected more from someone who seemed so intelligent. You end up leaving empty handed, and regretful that you weren't a better host.

<center><img src="images/smile.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> You explain to the creature your plan of taking them back to Earth with you. They think it is a wonderful idea and cannot wait to explore a new planet. [[Board with them]]

<center><img src="images/blackhole.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> All of a sudden everything begins to turn black. You start to feel your body weight multiply many times over. You can no longer stand and you fall to the floor of your ship. You can hear the sounds of your ship get torn apart bit by bit as it continues to get darker, something you didn't even think was possible. Your body is ripped apart as you approach deeper and deeper into the void. [[end]]

<center><img src="images/youdied.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> Sorry, you have unfortunately been destroyed by a black hole. [[Try again->Start here]]

Oh no! Incoming! (set: $counter to 45) You have |amount>[$counter] seconds left! <embed type="text/html" src="asteroids/index.html" width="100%" height="650"> (live: 1s)[ (set: $counter to it - 1) (if: $counter is 0)[(go-to: "Avoided")] (replace: ?amount)[$counter] ]

Wow! How exhilarating! Nothing like dodging asteroids to get the blood flowing and to get hyped for exploring space!(if:$asteroidPlanet is "Saturn")[[Go to Saturn|Saturn]] (if:$asteroidPlanet is "Venus")[[Go to Venus|Venus]] (if:$asteroidPlanet is "Mars")[[Go to Mars|Mars]]

<center><img src="images/awe.jpg" height="75%" width="75%"></center> Together you board the ship and they marvel at the technology on board. You show them around and have an in-depth conversation about Earth technology, something you both really bonded over. This makes the trip back home seem to fly by and you thoroughly enjoy the company of your new found discovery. When you approach Earth and make a safe landing, all is well! You completed your mission and you've made some unexpected friends in the process. Your feats are seen as extraordinary, and you become an inspiration to all. You've become the first person to discover new life on an extraterrestrial planet.