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GEK FACTORY PUZZLES
PuzzleType: TRA_FACTORY
Alien: Warning! High temperature!
Something deep within the complex is malfunctioning. Surfaces feel hot to the touch. Hidden machinery clanks and whirrs.
A bead of sweat rolls down my forehead.
{Engage coolant chamber network}
Danger indicators plummet.
The facility springs into life.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Activate fusion dampening field}
The system no longer responds to my commands.
{Initialize laser refraction systems}
The system remains inoperable.
Alien: Mining production stalled! Low power! Uncommon isotope required!
All systems have stalled. Warning lights blink on and off.
Vaults that usually store uncommon elements mined on the planet have run low...
{Insert uncommon isotope}
The production facility becomes operational.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Insert common isotope}
Lights flicker, but my offering clearly wasn't enough.
Alien: High gas pressure! Breach detected!
The outpost is offline. My exosuit's atmospheric toxicity gauge starts to flicker.
Figures on the terminal suddenly plunge downwards. There's a leak in the system.
{Vent excess gas}
Toxicity levels stabilise.
The facility is operational.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Flush coolant chamber}
The facility remains non-operational.
{Increase system pressure}
Toxicity levels rise.
I breathe in damaging fumes.
---DAMAGESMALL---
---HAZARDSMALL---
Alien: Fusion critical! Initiate emergency radiation dampening measures!
A warning panel shows a power core overwhelmed from the inside. Strange symbols pulse urgently.
This is a nuclear system. All bad news...
{Activate radiation dampening field}
The fusion breach is contained.
Production returns to normal.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Shut the system down}
The facility powers down safely.
It releases unused resources.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
---SUBST_FUEL---
{Evacuate in panic}
There isn't time.
An instant energy overflow pulses through me.
---DAMAGESMALL---
Alien: Warning! Increase oxide delivery! Warning! Excess oxide catalyst usage creates radiation breach!
The terminal oversees element usage. I can adjust the amount of oxides pouring from resource vaults into the production systems.
Warning lights flash, and a timer ticks down...
{Maintain oxide levels}
The system ceases production.
{Increase oxide levels}
The system maintains its production.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Dramatically increase oxide levels}
The system maximises production.
A radiation breach occurs.
---DAMAGELARGE---
---RECIPE_LIST---
---USEFUL_PROD---
Alien: Warning! Magnetic coil overcharged! Production low!
I feel heavy. My multi-tool pulls me down, and my helmet forces itself into my shoulders.
It's not just me impacted. Production processes are going haywire...
{Reboot gravitational stabilisers}
Gravity momentarily destabilises.
The system remains inoperable.
{Reduce electromagnetic flow}
The facility springs back into operation.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Power down facility}
The facility powers down.
Some systems align, and residual elements become available..
---RECIPE_LIST---
Alien: Warning! Unexpected system detected! Bypass chip template detected! Gek Trade Federation informed!
The terminal isn't running proprietary code. It's possibly illegal, and emptying resource vaults of rare silicates.
I could revert the facility to its original use, but I could also see where the system hijack leads...
{Revert system}
The system reboots, and rewards me.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Insert rare silicate}
The system hijack uses my resources to create an illegal, but useful, device.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_DEC_TRA---
Alien: Friend! Know language, know commerce! Units buy knowledge! Choose Vy'keen, choose Korvax or choose a refresher in the language of the benevolent Gek!
Three vast columns of words endlessly scroll on-screen, each in a strange alphabet. Bloodied runes scratched in sand, precise sequences of dots and a hand-written font full of exclamatory punctuation.
Each comes with separate unit cost.
{Select the bloodied runes}
I learn some of the language of a distant warrior race.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---TEACHWORD_WAR---
---TEACHWORD_WAR---
{Select the dot patterns}
I learn some of the language of a distant scientific race.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---TEACHWORD_EXP---
---TEACHWORD_EXP---
{Select the hand-written font}
I learn how to better communicate with a local race of strange beaked traders...
---RECIPE_LIST---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
Alien: Gek Trade Federation dispatch! Planetary oxide demand high! Collection ship imminent!
My scanner picks up traces of rare elements in nearby trade vaults, but the security alert is closing them off.
The terminal is tracking an approaching trade ship. If throw some elements in before they lock, I could benefit...
{Insert rare oxide}
The trade vault closes on my offering.
A relieved beaked trader shouts its thanks through the speaker systems above the noise of the alert.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Insert rare silicate}
The trade vault slams shut.
I only receive a small payment.
---MONEY---
{Insert rare isotope}
The trade vault slams shut.
I only receive a small payment.
---MONEY---
Alien: Warning! Resource vault flooded! Production system operation forbidden!
There's been a recent fire alert. The screen is wet to the touch. Panels in the ceiling drip where a sprinkler system has been engaged.
A warning flashes on the terminal.
{Drain capacitor banks}
The system sputters a little, then dies.
{Drain resource vault}
The drained resource vault feeds rare elements into the production system.
The facility is back online.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Drain laser-assisted replication tank}
The facility remains offline.
Alien: Friend healing and repair station initializing!
A biological probe launches from the terminal and pierces my exosuit. It's pinned deep into my chest. I can barely move.
There's no indication if this is the facility's function, or a security measure.
{Escape}
I use my jetpack's propulsion to pull back and break the probe.
It contains something useful...
---RECIPE_LIST---
{Wait}
The probe pumps healing liquid into my exosuit.
I am healed, and my equipment is repaired.
---HEALTHLARGE---
---RECIPE_LIST---
Alien: Warning! Product recipe unselected! Assign recipe! Gek Trade Federation lose units!
The alarm has rebooted the facility. An automated start-up routine is running.
Three chemical symbols flash on-screen: a silicate, an isotope and an oxide. Machines around me hum as they warm up...
{Choose the isotope}
The installation start-up procedure is completed.
It rewards me with a product formula!
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Choose the oxide}
The installation start-up procedure is completed.
It rewards me with a product formula!
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Choose the silicate}
The installation start-up procedure is completed.
It rewards me with a product formula!
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
Alien: User warning! Common oxide resource vault empty! Production permanently disengaged!
The production facility is dormant, but still has enough charge to operate. The resource vaults that feed the alien machinery are empty.
I need to act quickly, but the element I need isn't immediately clear...
{Insert common isotope}
The isotope is drawn into the production chamber.
It makes no impact.
{Insert common silicate}
The silicate is drawn into the production chamber.
It makes no impact.
{Insert common oxide}
The oxide is drawn into the production chamber.
Production is renewed. The facility awakes.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
Alien: Alert! Alert! Liquid frenium leak! Charge cylinders frozen! Increase temperature!
An unknown fault has forced the whole system offline. I exhale deeply and notice condensation appearing in my visor.
It isn't long before the security alert will force a total shutdown.
{Activate incineration banks}
Warmth spreads through the facility.
Systems return online.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Supercharge coolant flow}
Systems remain frozen.
The air takes on an icy chill.
{Initialise charge cylinder sequence}
The noise of muffled explosions can be heard beneath my feet.
Alien: Electrolyte acidity test positive! Acidity slug detected! Release alkaline neutrality fluid into solution tank!
A recent scan shows a small alien lifeform crushed in the machinery below. Equipment all round it has corroded.
The impact has been near-catastrophic. Emergency measures have initialised.
{Neutralise electrolyte solution}
The acidic taste in the air subsides.
The installation is operational.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Acidify heridium tanks}
A complete system shutdown is initiated.
{Release suspension fluid}
A frenzied chemical reaction can be heard somewhere beneath my feet.
A complete shutdown is initialised.
Alien: Resource vault fire detected! Element stockpile destroyed!
Something, somewhere in the facility is on fire. A faint smoke begins to rise, and my scanner registers a steadily increasing temperature.
Whatever product is created here won't last long...
{Starve production chamber of oxygen}
The facility will require extensive repair work.
{Starve resource vaults of oxygen}
Flames lick the edges of the resource vault, before automated systems initiate.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Initialise facility sprinkler system}
The facility sprinkler system briefly operates.
It has no impact on the internal fire.
Alien: Entity! Geological scan in progress! Medial strata mined. Uncommon isotope required to recall. Danger! Rare isotope overcharges!
A geological probe is buried deep below the installation. If I'm quick, I can call it back up to the surface - along with its cargo.
Resource vaults are empty. I need an isotope with the right amount of power...
{Insert common isotope}
A deep, distant noise of thunder is heard.
The process does not have enough power to bring the probe to the surface.
{Insert uncommon isotope}
The noise of underground thunder shakes the facility.
A mechanical procedure deposits a reward into my waiting hands.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Insert rare isotope}
The probe's return mechanism is overpowered.
It collides with the gravitational well. Nothing can be salvaged.
Alien: SENSORS REPORT INORGANIC BLOCKAGE IN SECTOR 9A
The factory recycles bundles of clothing and other materials harvested throughout the galaxy, spitting out new items for Gek exosuits.
Amidst the detritus of the production line, the body of a Korvax scientist appears to drift, their lights disabled, their limbs completely motionless.
The factory's systems allow outbound communication. Numerous options are available.
{Report to Vy'keen}
I report what I have seen to the Vy'keen. The warriors are outraged, claiming that the Gek have returned to their genocidal ways.
They promise to dispatch warships at once.
---STD_INC_WAR---
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Report to Gek}
I report what I have seen to the Gek. They claim that this is a terrible mistake, and that the perpetrators will of course be punished.
They send through a generous reward for my altruism and my silence.
---MONEY---
{Report to Korvax}
I report what I have seen to the Korvax. They tell me that the carapace in question is empty, its soul returned to their Convergence.
They will dispatch a ship to bring the body home, claiming that it is of sentimental value to its previous owner. They thank me.
---STD_INC_EXP---
.png)
#30
Alien: QA SYSTEM FULLY ONLINE... ALL COMPONENTS LOGGED... LOG FULLY COMPLIANT...
The factory produces components for starships, fabricating them with the resources available on this world.
This installation creates parts for Gek trade vessels. They are designed to hold the maximum possible cargo whilst protecting against Sentinel and pirate attacks.
The terminal shows a video feed of the factory's depths. A group of Gek appear to be removing key components from each ship.
{Alert Gek Trade Federation}
I alert the Gek Trade Federation to potential criminal activity, broadcasting this feed to their central computers.
A representative rewards me for my trouble.
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Demand bribe from Gek}
I demand a bribe from the Gek in exchange for concealing their criminal activities. Reluctantly, they agree.
---C_GEKRELIC---
{Ask what they are doing}
I ask what the Gek are doing down there. They turn immediately to the source of the audio, firing at it and disabling my video feed. By the time the system repairs itself, they are gone.
#31
Alien: The glass - it - we were wrong... we were -
As I approach the terminal, it is clear that something terrible has happened in this place. The facility produces items known as 'Gek Charms', supposedly granting luck to their bearers.
The video feed shows strands of Nanite Clusters overrunning the facility's depth. Bulbous green masses extending from a great deal of the machinery, teeth sprouting from within. A voice cries out in an unknown tongue.
{Take Nanite Clusters}
I take the Nanite Clusters, and the mass immediately collapses. It wishes to go with me, I am sure of it...
---TECHFRAG_M---
{Report Production Failure}
I report a production failure. Gek authorities tell me to remain here and await quarantine.
But I think I should leave. I take some Nanites with me as I go. They want to escape...
---TECHFRAG_S---
{Take Gek Charms}
I take some Gek Charms. I feel luckier already. The probability of the entire universe is turned in favour of my survival.
---C_GEKRELIC---
#32
Alien: ... 010385: 112% ... 300484: 89% ... 070816: 165% ...
The terminal displays the logs of numerous financial transactions and trade deals conducted from this facility over the last few months.
Readouts show layouts of multiple Vy'keen and Korvax factories. The Gek overseers of this installation were attempting to discover how these other species conceal their buildings from Sentinel attacks.
No-one remains. The last life sign here was terminated three days ago.
{Report to Gek}
I report the situation to the Gek. The Trade Federation thanks me for the report, dispatching multiple ships to ensure the facility's destruction.
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Report to Vy'keen}
I report the situation to the Vy'keen. Their High Command is outraged at the attempted theft of their technology, promising to commit acts of retribution against the Gek.
---STD_DEC_TRA---
{Report to Korvax}
I report the situation to the Korvax. Their Convergence is troubled by the deaths of so many Gek, claiming that they will mourn them. They have nothing else to say.
#33
Alien: ALERT TIME DISPLACEMENT ALERT
The installation crackles with blue sparks, electricity arcing from panel to panel across the machines.
The terminal shows the time and date appearing to flip back and forth, advancing into the future and retreating into the past. Sensors indicate something called a white hole has been activated within the factory's heart.
The terminal presents numerous options.
{Alert FutureGek}
Nothing happens for a few moments... or perhaps it is hours. Perhaps an entire year passes.
The temporal event ceases, and I am left with a gift, rewarded by these 'FutureGek' for my assistance.
---TECH_ALL---
{Activate Chronal Trigger}
Nothing happens for a few moments... or perhaps it is hours. Perhaps an entire year passes.
The temporal event ceases, and I am left with blueprints for new technology, apparently created by a future version of my own self. I do not know what this Chronal Trigger has brought into being.
---TECH_ALL---
{Obey}
Nothing happens for a few moments... or perhaps it is hours. Perhaps an entire year passes.
The temporal event ceases, and I am left with a gift, rewarded by the crimson light of an unseen being.
---TECH_ALL---
#34
Alien: The Senate has fallen. Already the purge begins... truth is denied. The Gek protocol ends...
The factory appears to produce literature. Not machines, not files, but paper, covered in a handwritten font full of exclamatory punctuation.
{Shut down production}
I shut down production. The printing press ceases operation, perhaps for the final time. How many others exist like this, I wonder?
Amidst the detritus of the factory, I find some discarded technology. Perhaps it will be of use.
---TECHFRAG_S---
{Report to Gek authorities}
I report the factory's existence to the Gek authorities. They claim that the installation has nothing to do with me, paying me dearly for my silence.
---MONEY---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
{Steal technology}
I attempt to steal technology, but the factory's automated defense systems blast a bolt of energy at my suit instead. Whatever is here, it is not worth the trouble.
---DAMAGESMALL---
#35
Alien: SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL... SELECTED DESIRED PRODUCT...
The factory produces everyday implements for the Gek. Eating utensils for their meals, spray to keep their skin from drying out in alien atmospheres, pheromone bottles, and so forth.
The facility is abandoned, but there is no obvious reason for an alarm to be going off. Everything seems fine.
{Search for technology}
I search for technology within the factory's computers and find a large number of nanite clusters.
As I go, I hear it, a voice in the darkness. I investigate, but there is nothing there...
---TECHFRAG_L---
{Report to Gek authorities}
I report the abandoned factory to the Gek authorities, but they seem puzzled: there is no such installation listed as being present on that world.
As I go, I hear it, a voice in the darkness. I investigate, but there is nothing there...
{Shut down production}
I shut down production, managing to harvest from extra Nanite Clusters as I do.
As I go, I hear it, a voice in the darkness. I investigate, but there is nothing there...
---TECHFRAG_M---
#18
Alien: // TRADE // ORBITAL // DOCKING //
The security alert is scrambling the screen. It's a chaotic jumble of words.
There's just enough visible text to point me towards the right workflow, and potentially to bring the installation back online.
{Planetary trade platform}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
{Space Station}
The previous user's workflow is restored.
The system comes back online.
---TECH_ALL---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Gek}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
#17
Alien: Education Blob fun! Common oxide: Gek language revision! Common silicate: Korvax! Common isotope: Vy'keen menace language!
An enthusiastic gilled blob is on-screen. It talks in the language of the traders and bounces up and down letters in alien alphabets.
The bizarre computer program asks for something. Trade vaults open.
{Insert common isotope}
The delighted Education Blob teaches me some of the language of the traders.
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
---TEACHWORD_TRA---
{Insert common silicate}
The delighted Education Blob teaches me some of the language of the electronic lifeforms.
---TEACHWORD_EXP---
---TEACHWORD_EXP---
---TEACHWORD_EXP---
{Insert common oxide}
The delighted Education Blob teaches me some of the language of the warriors.
---TEACHWORD_WAR---
---TEACHWORD_WAR---
---TEACHWORD_WAR---
#19
Alien: // FLIGHT // INTERSTELLAR // STARSHIP //
The alarm has covered the terminal in unreadable static, I can only make out a few bits of text.
There's hopefully enough to make sense of what the last user was working on, which could restore systems...
{Jetpack}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
{Hyperdrive}
The previous user's workflow is restored.
The system comes back online.
---TECH_SHIP---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Launch thrusters}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
#26
Alien: SYSTEM REPORT. Power gel creation engaged. Common isotope: high. Uncommon isotope: low. Rare isotope: high.
Machinery is still active. A timer ticks slowly down to the facility's next roll-out of products.
My scanner has detected the elements used here. I could speed up the process...
{Replenish common isotope}
Facility production speeds are unchanged.
The trade vault remains empty.
{Replenish uncommon isotope}
I retrieve a formula from the operational facility.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Replenish rare isotope}
Facility production speeds are unchanged.
The trade vault remains empty.
#27
Alien: PRODUCTION REPORT. Shielding shard replication engaged. Isotope and Silicate levels acceptable. Oxide levels falling. Alert administrator.
Despite the security alert machines are operational. My scanner flashes briefly with the element varieties used to fuel them.
I can speed up processes, and maybe sustain them too.
{Replenish oxide}
I retrieve a formula from the operational facility.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Replenish isotope}
Facility production speeds are unchanged.
The trade vault remains empty.
{Replenish silicate}
Facility production speeds are unchanged.
The trade vault remains empty.
#20
Alien: // WEAPON // BEAM // MINING //
The security breach has dimmed the terminal, but when I concentrate I can make out a few words in the blackness.
When translated they could lead me to the last user's workflow, which would automatically bring the facility back online...
{Laser}
The previous user's workflow is restored.
The system comes back online.
---TECH_WEAPON---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Boltcaster}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
{Land disruption grenade}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
#21
Alien: // INVISIBLE // BARRIER // DEFENSIVE //
The security breach has scrambled the screen, but some text is still legible.
The words can be traced back to the previous user's workflow, which is how I can get it back online.
{Scanner}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
{Hazard Protection}
The previous user's workflow is restored.
The system comes back online.
---TECH_SUIT---
---STD_INC_TRA---
{Exosuit}
I fail to access the previous user's workflow.
The installation remains offline.
#28
Alien: ALLOY MANUFACTURE ACTIVE. Temperature: acceptable. Pressure: acceptable. Catalyst: levels falling.
Industrial manufacture of a complex product is underway. The next expected retrieval I could make isn't imminent, but I can speed up systems.
A screen detailing production conditions is open.
{Increase temperature}
Facility production speeds are unchanged.
The trade vault remains empty.
{Increase pressure}
Facility production speeds are unchanged.
The trade vault remains empty.
{Increase catalyst supply}
The facility production rate is increased.
---RECIPE_LIST---
---STD_INC_TRA---