Discord
You click on the DATABASE tab.
It's empty.
It's definitely a spot for playing audio and looking into other data, but it's very much empty; no files to check at all.
You aren't sure why.
Maybe it's a bit too early for anything to have been sent in yet?
Surely they'd have older data available, though.
Odd.
That's a dead end for now, either way.
Rhodes seemed to need things from some points shop or other,
likely the same SHOP tab currently greyed out on your computer.
They'd have to be keeping those items around here somewhere, but where?
Dr. Ken and Dr. Ena were helpful enough in setting up this letter chain with you and Rhodes,
but this Dr. Max is entirely unfamiliar to you.
Better to not draw suspicion, then.
TO: Dr_Max
SUBJECT: Re:Hello!
hey there! there are a couple of things I could use help with, actually. is there a map of the
office anywhere that I could take a look at? just want to make sure I know where the restrooms,
break rooms, and all that are. also, the database on my computer doesn't have any files in it,
but I'm not sure if that's normal or not. oh, and, what's up with this "shop" tab that's greyed out
on my computer? we have corporate merch or something? lol
That's casual enough, right?
You hope so.
You click send.
A reply arrives promptly, a few minutes later.
FROM: Dr_Max
SUBJECT: Re:Re:Hello!
I don't think we have any kind of map of the office, but the restroom and break room are across
from each other if you go down the hall to your left after leaving our office room. They're in
the opposite direction from the security door you came in through. As for the database, your friend
Dr. Rho hasn't sent in anything yet, but when she does it'll probably go to me, Dr. Ken, or Dr. Ena
first, and we'll send you anything that's worth further analysis. Though, there could be times
where signals get sent in while you're the only one working, in which case they'll go straight to you.
But otherwise, we'll let you know when you get something new to look at! The shop tab was phased out
a while ago for anyone except the operator out at the array, so only Dr. Rho has access to the actual
tab itself. But there's still a room here where we have access to the automated shop. It's just
around the corner down the hall from the restroom and break room, right across from the little
balcony room where we send out the drone for the array. I don't think Dr. Ken or Dr. Ena care for the
shop much, but I still like to get food from there when I'm too lazy to bring things from home, lol.
You get points over time as you work shifts so you probably have none right now, but I have a lot
saved up if you want to use some of mine. Since you don't have much to do today, how about you go
take a little tour when you get a chance and check out the shop while you're at it? Let's say...
you can spend 1000 of my points for now. Try not to spend more, please! Let me know if you have any
more questions, Dr. Nor.
That went better than you were expecting.
You think so, anyway.
You forego sending another email to Max just yet, better to check out the rooms first and see what you find.
With a stretch, you stand up from your chair, making sure to lock your computer before heading out into the hallway.
To your right is the security door, the elevator visible just past it.
This entire floor looked to be locked down specifically for A.S.O.'s use.
You don't really like having to use a badge on a lanyard to get in -
it's just too easily misplaced - but all the tech companies did that these days.
You take a left, quickly spotting the door to the restroom,
and the open doorway of the break room.
With no need or want to enter the restroom, you take a peek inside the break room.
There's a circular table awkwardly pressed against the corner,
with three pitiful-looking chairs available.
A simple counter with a fake granite pattern that sports a sink, a microwave,
and a coffee pot with an "OUT OF ORDER" post-it note on it.
You've never been much for coffee, anyway.
Next to the counter is a fridge that's oddly some size between a full-sized fridge and a minifridge.
Just short enough that you'll have to bend down to use it much,
but tall enough that it looks out of place with the rest of the tiny break room.
Overall: About what you expected form a cheap corporate office.
At least you won't be stuck at your desk during breaks.
You continue down the hall, turning the corner.
Just ahead, there are two security doors right across from each other,
with a third at the far end of the hall.
You scan your badge at the closest one on the left, but it blinks red; denying you access.
There's a little square window on it that you can see through,
but all that's on the other side is a set of windowless double doors.
Probably leads to the balcony Dr. Max mentioned? Weird.
The security door across from that one accepts your badge, letting you inside,
to what appears at first glance to be a storage closet.
There are a few shelves that are almost entirely empty save for some generic office supplies,
a soda machine looming against a wall sporting a brand you've never heard of
with a large "OUT OF ORDER" paper taped to it,
and a relatively massive metal chute that's taking up most of the room.
The chute has a computer screen attached to it,
and even a keyboard and trackball in place of a mouse.
On the screen it says:
SIGN IN:
DR. _ _ _
Prompting your input.
You type in M A X.
The computer signs in, showing a point value that's nearly at 4000.
They gave you a budget for 1000 only, though.
You quickly skim through the list, looking for things you could buy for Rhodes.
You remember pretty much everything on the wish list,
and you notice a few unlisted things that might be worth sending, too.
You've got options.
-Digital camera - 100pts
-Printer - 500pts
-Crank flashlight - 400pts
-Backpack - 150pts
-Fanny pack - 500pts
-Crowbar - 100pts
-Mop - 300pts
-Small CRT TV - 150pts
-AM/FM Radio with CD Player - 80pts
-Coffee machine - 200pts
-Coffee bag - 60pts
-Pizza - 125pts
-Cheeseburger - 90pts
-Hot dog - 80pts
-Pumpkin - 50pts
-Watermelon - 50pts
-Pineapple - 40pts
-Kitchen knife - 50pts
Once you've picked out what you want to send,
it might be worth getting your reply letter to Rhodes taken care of,
seeing as not much seems to be happening in the office today.
And, you should reply to Dr. Max.
They're the one gifting you the points, after all.
It's empty.
It's definitely a spot for playing audio and looking into other data, but it's very much empty; no files to check at all.
You aren't sure why.
Maybe it's a bit too early for anything to have been sent in yet?
Surely they'd have older data available, though.
Odd.
That's a dead end for now, either way.
Rhodes seemed to need things from some points shop or other,
likely the same SHOP tab currently greyed out on your computer.
They'd have to be keeping those items around here somewhere, but where?
Dr. Ken and Dr. Ena were helpful enough in setting up this letter chain with you and Rhodes,
but this Dr. Max is entirely unfamiliar to you.
Better to not draw suspicion, then.
TO: Dr_Max
SUBJECT: Re:Hello!
hey there! there are a couple of things I could use help with, actually. is there a map of the
office anywhere that I could take a look at? just want to make sure I know where the restrooms,
break rooms, and all that are. also, the database on my computer doesn't have any files in it,
but I'm not sure if that's normal or not. oh, and, what's up with this "shop" tab that's greyed out
on my computer? we have corporate merch or something? lol
That's casual enough, right?
You hope so.
You click send.
A reply arrives promptly, a few minutes later.
FROM: Dr_Max
SUBJECT: Re:Re:Hello!
I don't think we have any kind of map of the office, but the restroom and break room are across
from each other if you go down the hall to your left after leaving our office room. They're in
the opposite direction from the security door you came in through. As for the database, your friend
Dr. Rho hasn't sent in anything yet, but when she does it'll probably go to me, Dr. Ken, or Dr. Ena
first, and we'll send you anything that's worth further analysis. Though, there could be times
where signals get sent in while you're the only one working, in which case they'll go straight to you.
But otherwise, we'll let you know when you get something new to look at! The shop tab was phased out
a while ago for anyone except the operator out at the array, so only Dr. Rho has access to the actual
tab itself. But there's still a room here where we have access to the automated shop. It's just
around the corner down the hall from the restroom and break room, right across from the little
balcony room where we send out the drone for the array. I don't think Dr. Ken or Dr. Ena care for the
shop much, but I still like to get food from there when I'm too lazy to bring things from home, lol.
You get points over time as you work shifts so you probably have none right now, but I have a lot
saved up if you want to use some of mine. Since you don't have much to do today, how about you go
take a little tour when you get a chance and check out the shop while you're at it? Let's say...
you can spend 1000 of my points for now. Try not to spend more, please! Let me know if you have any
more questions, Dr. Nor.
That went better than you were expecting.
You think so, anyway.
You forego sending another email to Max just yet, better to check out the rooms first and see what you find.
With a stretch, you stand up from your chair, making sure to lock your computer before heading out into the hallway.
To your right is the security door, the elevator visible just past it.
This entire floor looked to be locked down specifically for A.S.O.'s use.
You don't really like having to use a badge on a lanyard to get in -
it's just too easily misplaced - but all the tech companies did that these days.
You take a left, quickly spotting the door to the restroom,
and the open doorway of the break room.
With no need or want to enter the restroom, you take a peek inside the break room.
There's a circular table awkwardly pressed against the corner,
with three pitiful-looking chairs available.
A simple counter with a fake granite pattern that sports a sink, a microwave,
and a coffee pot with an "OUT OF ORDER" post-it note on it.
You've never been much for coffee, anyway.
Next to the counter is a fridge that's oddly some size between a full-sized fridge and a minifridge.
Just short enough that you'll have to bend down to use it much,
but tall enough that it looks out of place with the rest of the tiny break room.
Overall: About what you expected form a cheap corporate office.
At least you won't be stuck at your desk during breaks.
You continue down the hall, turning the corner.
Just ahead, there are two security doors right across from each other,
with a third at the far end of the hall.
You scan your badge at the closest one on the left, but it blinks red; denying you access.
There's a little square window on it that you can see through,
but all that's on the other side is a set of windowless double doors.
Probably leads to the balcony Dr. Max mentioned? Weird.
The security door across from that one accepts your badge, letting you inside,
to what appears at first glance to be a storage closet.
There are a few shelves that are almost entirely empty save for some generic office supplies,
a soda machine looming against a wall sporting a brand you've never heard of
with a large "OUT OF ORDER" paper taped to it,
and a relatively massive metal chute that's taking up most of the room.
The chute has a computer screen attached to it,
and even a keyboard and trackball in place of a mouse.
On the screen it says:
SIGN IN:
DR. _ _ _
Prompting your input.
You type in M A X.
The computer signs in, showing a point value that's nearly at 4000.
They gave you a budget for 1000 only, though.
You quickly skim through the list, looking for things you could buy for Rhodes.
You remember pretty much everything on the wish list,
and you notice a few unlisted things that might be worth sending, too.
You've got options.
-Digital camera - 100pts
-Printer - 500pts
-Crank flashlight - 400pts
-Backpack - 150pts
-Fanny pack - 500pts
-Crowbar - 100pts
-Mop - 300pts
-Small CRT TV - 150pts
-AM/FM Radio with CD Player - 80pts
-Coffee machine - 200pts
-Coffee bag - 60pts
-Pizza - 125pts
-Cheeseburger - 90pts
-Hot dog - 80pts
-Pumpkin - 50pts
-Watermelon - 50pts
-Pineapple - 40pts
-Kitchen knife - 50pts
Once you've picked out what you want to send,
it might be worth getting your reply letter to Rhodes taken care of,
seeing as not much seems to be happening in the office today.
And, you should reply to Dr. Max.
They're the one gifting you the points, after all.
