<img src="http://lenikrsova.github.io/images/projects/gamedev/beyond_the_rubicon_by_ptitvinc_daw77c2-fullview.jpg" width=40%, height=40%>
The year is 2145.
You just came back to Earth from your latest gig in the Outer Rims. It was a long but fun one, you already miss your crew. But you need to get sorted some things out at home first before you can go back.
[[Get off the spacecraft->offspacecraft]].
(text-style:"italic")[picture by ptitvinc]A sign above your head says that even the Terrestrials like you must go through a thorough border check. Stupid intergalactic terrorists and smugglers, you mumble to yourself, making life more complicated for everyone as if it wasn't already.
An intergalactic customs officer stops you at the checkpoint. He doesn't even look at you and starts shouting questions:
"Full Name?!"
(input-box:2bind $name,"XX===",1)
"Previous destination?!"
(dropdown: 2bind $origin,"Luna Fowl","MontoMaar","Crustan 5")
"Authorization documents to entry?"
* You feel like taunting the officer a bit. Tell him [[you don't have the authorization papers->borderjoke]].
* This is already taking too long. [[Show him your authorization documents->noborderjoke]].The officer raises his eyebrow in question. He is clearly not amused by your reply.
"What do you mean you don't have papers, $name?! How could you possibly get from $origin here without them?!"
* Tell him you [[lost them->lostpapers]].
* Tell him you were just joking, and [[show him your papers->noborderjoke]].The officer checks the papers you give him and stamps them. He notices you're looking around impatiently. Just this, and you're done with this nonsense, you think to yourself.
"You're almost done, mate. You have anything to declare in that duffel bag of yours? Any prohibited substances, robot parts, or animals, maybe?"
He stares at you curiously.
* You're in a joking mood. Tell him the [[only thing to declare is your tired body->tiredbodyjoke]].
* Tell him confidently you have [[nothing to declare->nothingtodeclare]].
* You succumb to his stare. Tell him you might have some [[robots parts on you->robotonboard]]."I was just joking, dude. Thought you needed to cheer up a bit," you say.
Once again, the officer is NOT amused. He mumbles something about stupid scruffy looking nerf herders.
"You have anything to declare in that duffel bag of yours? Any prohibited substances, robot parts, or animals, maybe?"
Now ''he'' stares at you amused, enjoying that he can have at least some power over you.
* Tell him confidently you [[nothing to declare->nothingtodeclare]].
* You succumb to his stare. Tell him you you might have some [[robots parts on you->robotonboard]].You reach the airport exit and step out to the dusty town. The street is busy, hovercrafts speeding back and forth with a swooshing sound above your head. You need to get home as soon as possible.
There are two cab drivers waiting in front of the run down airport. Which one will you choose?
* You choose a tiny, [[old lady with a hoverhumvee->hoverhumveelady]].
* You choose a [[buff guy on an electromoped->buffelectromoped]].Officer's pupils dilate. He reaches to the phone, quickly dialing a number. He utters to the phone:
"We have a bot smuggler here!"
He hangs up and says calmly to you:
"You must wait here, mate. Don't do anything stupid, alright? This can be solved easily."
* You're too tired to care. You wait patiently for [[guards to come and grab you->AIRPORTPRISON]].
* You decide to run for it. [[RUN!->nothingtodeclarerun]]The customs officer raises his eyebrow, scans you from the head down, and let out a tired sigh targeted at your stupid joke.
He had enough of you. You're all set. He lets you go through the gate.
[[Proceed to the airport exit->nothingtodeclare]].<img src="https://lenikrsova.github.io/images/projects/gamedev/prisoncell.jpg">
The guards take you to the prison. They found an advance robot disguised as a paperweight in your duffel bag. You are facing up to 50 years of prison sentence.
Your mission to smuggle little robot to Earth failed.
Sorry, mate, I don't think you're going to see the Outer Rims any time soon...
THE END"Oh Lordie! Look at you! You look like something chewed up and spat out by a cowshredder. You must have been on a long trip."
The lady could easily be your grandmother, she definitely cares as much as yours would.
"$origin. That's where I came from."
She looks at you impressed and signals you to put your bag wherever and hop in the vehicle.
"So, where are we going, sweetheart?"
* Tell her [[your home address->REACHINGHOME]].
* To a [[Bar on the Swindlecurb Street->swindlecurbstreet]].The buff guy looks like he spends most of his free time lifting. Maybe he is lifting the electromoped in his free time, what do you know. He jovially reaches out for your duffel bag to help you with it.
Your grip get stronger on the bag handle. "Nah, thanks. I can handle it myself."
"Ok, ok. Help yourself," he replies. "None of my business what you have in there. Hop in, though. Where are we going?"
* Tell him your [[home address->REACHINGHOME]].
* A [[Bar on a Swindlecurb Street->swindlecurbstreet]].You run fast, zig zag through the airport towards the exit. The guards are as lousy as ever. You turn around one last time just to check they are not catching up with you. You managed to get shake them off. They definitely should stop feeding eating donuts.
You step out through the exit to the streets of the dusty town. The street is busy, hovercrafts speeding back and forth with a swooshing sound above your head.
Now, you need to leave the airport quick.
There are two cab drivers waiting in front of the run down airport. Which one will you choose?
* You choose a tiny, [[old lady with a hoverhumvee->hoverhumveelady]].
* You choose [[a buff guy on an electromoped->buffelectromoped]].You enter your home. It looks the same as you left it 2 years ago when you left for the Outer Rims to complete your mission. It was imperative to find the only thing that connects you to your past and bring it safely home.
You sit on a chair by the window and take out a spherical object from your duffel bag. You place it on a table and press a button on its side.
The robotic sphere beeps and a little head pops up. Big blue almond-like eyes blink at you. The robot looks carefuly around himself.
"Archie safe?" beeps the little robot in a digitalized voice.
"Yes, buddy, you are safe now. You're not on $origin anymore. We are both safe now."
THE ENDAs you land on the Earth in the intergalactic port of ''San Neon City'', you notice that nothing here has changed much.
Although it's noon, the sunlight is dimmed, the ever present dust tumbles over runway and cover anything it touches, and people still wear thick clothes and breathing masks to cope with the temperamental atmopshere.
Only the neon lights stands true to the city's name and shine as bright as ever, adding at least some colors to the desolated world.
[[Proceed to the border checkpoint ahead->checkpoint]].You know you're at your final destination just by smelling the familiar scent of moldy street corners in the air.
You grab your bag from the car, pay for the ride and say goodbye to your driver.
<img src="https://lenikrsova.github.io/images/projects/gamedev/bar.jpg" width=50%, height=50%>
And here you are again. The famous Bar on a Swindlecurb Street. Your first job ever, your anchor in this hectic world, and the place of your last business before going back to the Outer Rims for good.
[[Step inside the Bar->THEBAR]].You enter the Bar. A familiar voice calls out your name almost immediately.
"Hey $name, how's your life been on $origin, old pal?"
"It's so awesome to see you again, Rando!" you reply.
"Where is he? Did you both get through the border control without any troubles?"
You nod. You sit on a chair by the bar, order a drink, and take out a spherical thing from your duffel bag. You put it on a table and press a button on its side.
The robotic sphere beeps and a little head pops up almost immeditely. Big blue almond-like eyes blink at you. The robot looks carefuly around himself.
"Archie safe?" beeps the little robot in a digitalized voice towards. The bartender who is smiling at the thing contently.
"Yes, buddy, you are safe now. We both are."
THE END