Don't miss the next exciting chapeter in the Exhuman mystery...\n\nDeal with the Big Boss!\n\n[[Start Over |Start]]
The Butcher smiles.\n\nTHE BUTCHER: I like you Detective. I'll tell you what you need to know. But, I warn you. It might not be what your hoping to find.\n\nYou holster you gun.\n\nYOU: I just want to find Kor, buy a space yacht, and go surfing on New Mars.\n\nTHE BUTCHER: A lovely dream. If you want to achive it you'll have to speak with Big Boss. The whole game stops there. You want to find Kor, you talk with Boss. Ask about the Cabal.\n\nThe Butcher rises from his throne of bones. [[He walks out without another word.|Node031]]\n
You look at Charlie who returns your confused look.\n\nYou're not sure what's going on, but you know this case is turning out to be a lot more complicated than you thought. \n\nYou and charlie leave the Factory. You know there is going to be a lot more footwork. You've decided this case might need more time. You tell Charlie to meet you the next day at your office. You'll question Big Boss about Kor and hopefully get to the bottom of all this. \n\nYou head home. It's been a long night. You'll pick this case up in the morning.\n\n[[End of Episode One...|Node032]]
Don't be a dick. \n\n[[Try again |Node001]]
The year is 2213. Humanity lives in giant towers that stretch, nearly, to the vacuum of space. Los Angeles is now completely enclosed in a tower of it’s own, designated LA01. The population is split between the Upper Level Elite; who live in the top hundred levels of the towers, and the Lower Level population who live in the Mid to Lower Levels. \n\nThere is a One World Government called Central. Publicly, Central is controlled by Mega Corp, the only surviving corporation of the Corporate Wars. Secretly, The Cabal, a secret society that traces its origins to the dawn of humanity, controls Mega Corp, and all of humanity.\n\nWelcome to Exhuman...\n\n[[Begin|Node001]]
You keep walking until you reach Charlie's Lab which is located in the back of a noodle shop. You walk up to the counter and ask the guy for the "Genetic Special." He gives you a bowl of noodles. \n\nYou dig through the noodles with chop sticks. You pull a key from the bottom of the bowl. \n\nYou walk around to the back of the shop. There you find a door with an old fashioned key hole. You insert the key, turn the knob and walk in to a small booth and find another door. You look up to the camera right above the door. \n\nYOU: [[Let me in Charlie.|Node018a]]
You are being followed. Central Agents, known as Eyes, short for The Eyes of Central, have tried their best to hide themselves but your Security & Defense implants detected the pattern of their pursuit. \n\nYou take a detour into one the homeless sections of Tower LA01. Agents continue to follow. A couple blocks later, you take a sharp turn down a long alley. You use your implants to scan a head. You detect a trio of Stim-Punks. \n\n[[Hack their SmartComms and credit them 50 each to distract the Eyes of Central|Node018b]]\n
Hiram is not used to being treated this way. Insulted, he turns to leave...\n\nChoose...\nYOU: [[Hey I didn't say I wouldn't take your case. Sit down and tell me all about it.|Node003]]\n\nOr\n\nYOU: [[What, folk don't jump to your jingle and you get huffy? I don't need your credits any way.|Try Again 001]]
Meanwhile, Earth's first interseller space flight, launched one hundred years prior, is reaching its destination, an Earth-like planet capable of supporting life.
You enter the pawnshop. You ask the store clerk what he'd recommend to get two guys off your tail without killing them. The clerk suggests a neuralyzer and pulls out the small device. He jokes that they won't even remember their mamas. You ask if this is the limited run of neuralyzer from almost a decade ago. He nods. You say you'll take it, pay, and run out of the store and right into the Eyes. \n\nYou smile at them. \n\nYou tell the two that you're gonna neuralyze them for four hours, so they'll be stuck. \n\nThe two look at each other, ammused.\n\nYou press the button and nothing happens. \n\nYou franticly hit the neuralyzer. Nothing.\n\nYou realize your plan has backfired and turn to run. \n\nOne of the Eyes tackles you to the ground. The other puts pressure on your head with his foot and tells you not to move. \n\nThey arrest you and await a transport [[vehicle.|Node020b]]\n
CHARLIE: Ha! Like your implants can hack my systems. I installed them in you, remember?\n\nYOU: [[Just cut the crap and open the door will ya?|Node019a]]
The door opens with a pressurized hiss. \n\nCharlie's lab is like a scene from Repo The Genetic Opera. Surgical equipment is mixed with circuit boards and nano-processor housings. This is where Charlie does his work. Genetic manipulation and black market implantation. \n\nCharlie is sitting behind, what looks like, a human brain attached to a computer. \n\nYOU: [[I hope I didn't interupt playtime.|Node020]]
You are never charged with a crime. You never get a trial. You spend the rest of your days in a dark cell. \n\n[[Maybe you should have chosen the shielded section|Node018b]]\n
You spot an old nuclear waste dumping facility. You duck into the ally behind the building knowing the shielding will hide you from any survailence tech they Eyes are using. \n\nAfter a short while the coast is clear.\n\n[[You continue on to Charlie's Lab.|Node017a]]
Exhuman\nEpisode One
You enter the Butcher's Factory.\n\nIt's more of a laboratory than a factory. In fact it reminds you a lot of Charlie's Lab.\n\nThe Butcher is waiting for you in what you can only describe as a throne room in the middle of a meat locker. Slabs of genetically grown “meat” hang from hooks. The floor is covered in blood but your not sure if genetically grown meat HAS blood. If not then where did the blood come from. \n\nYou don't want to know.\n\nYou approach The Butcher.\n\nTHE BUTCHER: Detective Emilio Dex. It is a pleasure to see you, even amongst such unsavory company\n\nHe gives Charlie an imposing look.\n\nYOU: Yeah, Charlie and I were meeting over coffee and toast, and we thought of you.\n\nCharlie shoots a shocked look at you. You ignor it. The Butcher cracks a deadly smile.\n\nYOU: I'm looking for someone. Was hoping you could point me in the right direction. Sergey Kor.\n\n[[Continue|Node028]]\n\n
You and Charlie leave the lab. You make your way from level 065 to 050, Big Boss's territory. \n\nThe interior of the towers are connected by a magnetic/electic train system. Passage from one level to the next isn't regulated this far down from the Upper levels. You and Charlie can come and go easily. \n\nYou reach The Butcher's Factory. This is a meat growing farm. They genetically grow meat for consumption. That's part of the reason The Butcher gets his name. Another reason is he has a habit of torturing and punishing his rivals using genetic manipulation. \n\n[[MEAT THE BUTCHER|Node027]]\n
Charlie looks down and sees that his work is, indeed, on fire!\n\nCHARLIE: Crap!\n\nCharlie grabs a small fire extinguisher from under his work bench. He sprays foam all over the smolduring brain. \n\nCHARLIE: Well, I might be a few years off.\n\nYOU: [[Whatever. What do you have for me?|Node022]]\n\n
CHARLIE: Just getting close to perfecting a technique to transfer all brain function and congnitave energy pulses into something the computer can read. In other words, my geneticly deficieant friend, I'm giving imortalitly to the human race!\n\nYOU: [[Your brain's on fire|Node021]]
CHARLIE: When have they ever been easy?\n\nYOU: Good point. You're coming with me to meet The Butcher.\n\nCHARLIE: What? Why?\n\nYOU: Because you're a Gen-splicer, like him. You get to make the introductions.\n\nCHARLIE: Oh, come on! You know the guy hates me, right?\n\nYOU: I've heard rumors. You botched a splice job on him, didn't you?\n\nCHARLIE: I did not botch that job! I told him the signal output for his wifi implant was limited. He's the one who jacked his signal too far. If he'd listened to me he would still be able to smell toast!\n\nYOU: Smell toast?\n\nCHARLIE: He got some signal spillage when he over worked the implant. It's in the brain man, something happened, and now he can't smell toast. I guess he really liked toast.\n\nYOU: [[I'll try not to mention it. Let's go.|Node026]]\n\n
CHARLIE: You were right about the Big Boss angle. Few weeks back there was Whale from up top spreading credit all over the Blade Runner, Boss' night club. From what I was able to find out, around the same time The Butcher began making moves into Boss' territory. I don't know what's up with your guy but I don't think it's a coincidence that this guy starts spreading creds all over The Lower Side, then Big Boss and the Butcher start making big moves. It's like something started a fire down here, and your boy's in the middle of it.\n\nYOU: [[Damn, and I thought this was going to be an easy one.|Node023]]\n
YOU: You see this? You think the Law is dumb enough or brave enough to come down here and pull a gun on you? You ever see a gun like this?\n\nThe butcher shakes his head, no.\n\nYOU: It's old. Over two hundred years. It's been in my family for at least a century. The thing about old guns like this is they don't do much other then what they were made to do. Just like me. I used to be the Law. Turns out I wasn't as good at being a Law Giver as I was at solving mysteries and cracking cases. You see? I got a mystery right here. I'm gonna solve it. It's what I do. The question is, are you gonna help me or are we gonna do this [[another way?|Node030]]\n
YOU: I'm not the law.\n\nYou pull the trigger. The bullet explodes from the barrel of your two hundred year old Glock. It hits it's mark. Right between The Butcher's eyes. \n\nBut instead of blowing his brains out the back of his head it penetrates a few centimeters in the skin then falls to the floor.\n\nThe Butcher looks down at the bullet. He looks up at you and screams. He is in motion before you even realize it.\n\nHis fists pummel into you with inhuman speed. The last thing you see before the lights go out is The Butcher grabbing a stunned Charlie by the throat before he sends your friend flying into you like a projectile.\n\n[[Should have played it smarter, kid|Node028]]\n
THE BUTCHER: I'm afraid I can't help you Detective. What would my competitors think if I start working with the Law?\n\nYou pull your gun from your coat and point it right at The Butcher's head.\n\nChoose...\n[[Pull the Trigger|Node029b]]\n\nOr\n\n[[Talk Reason|Node029a]]\n\n\n
You scoff as Hiram Kor walks away.\n\nYOU: Sometimes people just can’t take a joke \n\n...you mutter sarcastically under your breath. Hearing you, Hiram turns around...\n\nHIRAM: You Lowers don't know how to take a hand up, do you? Enjoy your life at the bottom, detective.\n\nHiram walks out.\n\nYou have lost your chance to help Hiram. \n\n[[Start Over|Start]]\n
Hiram sits down in one of the chairs facing your desk. \n\nHiram: I need you to find my younger brother, Sergey.\n\nYou: How long has he been missing?\n\nHiram: About a month.\n\nYou: A month? Not in a hurry to find him, I see.\n\nHiram: Mr. Dex, you have to understand. My brother is what you might call a bug in the system. It is not unusual for Sergey to dissapear for days, sometimes weeks at a time. He enjoys sloshing in the lower levels. I think he fancies himself a gangster.\n\nYou: Your brother likes to trip in the Pulse Clubs, eh?\n\nHiram: I honestly don't know what my brother does in those places. What I do know is that our family is tired of his indiscretions tarnishing our good name. We need you to find Sergey. If he's been gone for this long that means something has changed. I want to know what. I just want my brother back Detective Dex. Can you help me?\n\nYou: I'll make some calls. If I can find a trail, I'll pursue it. Either way I'll give you a call.\n\nHiram: Thank you Detective. Our family requires a certain amount of discretion in this matter. That wont be a problem, I trust. I assume your Secretary App will have all the compensation details?\n\nYou: I'm nothin' if not discreet, and Sugar Lips has probably already been shakin' your SmartCom down for creds.\n\n\n[[Continue|Node004]]\n\n
Hiram: Mr. Dex, I presume? \n\nYou: Yeah, that's what it says on the door. What brings Top Level credits down here? \n\nHiram: How do you know I'm top level?\n\nYou: Please, threads like that don't sell down here. They're stolen. Usually at the insistence of a plasma cutter.\n\nHiram: Well, I see I've come to the right man. I am in need of your services, Detective.\n\nChoose...\nYOU: [[Well, that's why I'm here. What can I do for ya?|Node003]]\n\nor\n \nYOU: [[I'm pretty busy at the moment. Lots of cases. Got a space yacht I'm looking to spread some credit on.| Answer 001]] \n\nor\n\nYOU: [[Look, bub, a suit like you better beat the deck. I'm not saying your gonna get mugged around here. But, your gonna get mugged around here. So why don't you turn around, and leave before I hack your creds myself.| Dead End 002]]\n
Exhuman\nChapter One\nCatching The Case\n\nYou are Emilio Dex. You are sitting in your office looking at the Space Yacht you want to buy, when Hiram Kor walks into your office. \n\n[[Continue...|Node002]]
YOU: If this guy is trying to play gangster then the only place an upper level like this guy is going is to Big Boss. I need you to see if there's been a lot of creds spread around the last few months. Figure he's gotta get the Boss' attention. Upper's only know of one way to show off. Credits.\n\nCHARLIE: Alright, I'll see what I can dig up. Anything else?\n\nYOU: I want you to look into the Kor family line. I've never heard of these guys and I thought I knew all the Upper Families.\n\nCHARLIE: You mean you used to know them all back when you were a Law Giver up there.\n\nYOU: Yeah. That was a long time ago Charlie.\n\nCHARLIE: I know Dex. I'll get cracking on this. I should have something by the time you get over here.\n\nCharlie's image disappears. You sit for a moment thinking about your life in the Upper Levels. Years ago, when your wife was still alive, you used to be a Law Giver. You were good at your job. You made Lead Investigator. That's why when it all fell apart you became a private detective. Solving mysteries was all you had left. But you couldn't stay in the Upper Levels anymore. Your access was denied. Your accounts cut. You found yourself assigned living quarters in the Lower Level Apartments. The Ghetto. \n\nA disgraced Upper Level Cop living in the slums; you were not a popular guy.\n\nYou shake yourself out of the past. You have a case to crack. \n\n\nChoose...\n[[You leave and head straight to Charlie's Lab|Node016a]]\n\nOr\n\n[[You install Security & Defense Implants and head to Charlie's Lab|Node016b]]\n
You push a button on your old style wooden desk, and the top surface opens revealing advanced hologram technology.\n\nYOU: Hey, Sugar Lips, is Charlie still registered in our systems?\n\nAn exotic female voice comes from your desk. \n\nSUGAR LIPS: Yeah, Dex. We still got Charlie in the system. You want me to ring him up?\n\nYOU: Would ya be a doll?\n\nCharlie's goofy holographic face hovers above your desk. \n\nCHARLIE: Hey Dex! I'm probably busy doing something really important. I'm sure I'll answer your call in a minute or two. Oh, wait here I am now.\n\nCharlie answers the comm. The InComm Secretary App disappears and is replaced with the exact same image of the real Charlie. \n\nCHARLIE: Hey Dex! How's it going?\n\nYOU: I wish you would change that stupid secretary. It's weird having your InComm Secretary set to look like you.\n\nCHARLIE: I think it's hilarious. I've even had him hold conversations with people, and they didn't even know the difference. Don't worry Dex, this is really me. I only do that to people I don't like, and I like you Dex.\n\nYOU: Makes me all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Caught a new case. Missing person. Some rich Upper level kid. Thinks he's a gangster, I guess. Chances are he's face down in a puddle somewhere, but I gotta check it out. I'm taking this case for all it's worth.\n\nCHARLIE: Still saving for that yacht, eh?\n\nYOU: Damn, right, and if I see this case through, I just might be sailing straight to New Mars.\n\nCHARLIE: Sounds like a plan, man. [[What do you need from me? |Node006]] \n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Hiram smiles and looks at his SmartCom. His eyes widen when he sees the amount of credit transferred by Sugar Lips. You smile big.\n\nYou: Private Dicking ain't cheap.\n\nBefore Hiram walks out you have a thought…\n\nYou: Hey, how'd you find this place anyway? I don't get much work from up there these days.\n\nHiram pauses and says over his shoulder,\n\nHiram: You came highly recommended.\n\nYou: By who?\n\nHiram walks out of your office. You can't believe your luck. One minute you're drooling over a space yacht you'd never be able to afford, and the next your taking an upper level whale for a yacht's worth of creds. \n\nAnd all you've got to do is get a twenty on some spoiled rich kid, who's probably balls deep in Asixican tail and a head full of Emoti-Stims. \n\n[[Easy money…|Node005]]\n
You leave your office, which is in a rundown building. Everything in the Lower Levels is rundown. The streets are perpetually wet. The lower levels are the oldest part of the Towers. The piping hasn't been fixed for decades. As you walk down the streets you are bombarded with neon advertisements, steam from noodle shops, and a general feeling that this is what hell is like. \n\nAn old woman on a bicycle rides past you, splashing water on your long over coat. \n\n[[You look back, angry. You want to yell something at her, but when you look back your implants detect a threat. Someone is following you.|Node017b]]\n\n\n
You leave your office, which is in a rundown building. Everything in the Lower Levels is rundown. The streets are perpetually wet. The lower levels are the oldest part of the Towers. The piping hasn't been fixed for decades. As you walk down the streets you are bombarded with neon advertisements, steam from noodle shops, and a general feeling that this is what hell is like. \n\nAn old woman on a bicycle rides past you, splashing water on your long over coat. \n\n[[You look back, angry. You yell something obscene. Old people suck.|Node017a]]\n
CHARLIE: What's the magic word?\n\nChoose...\nYOU: [[Please, open the door|Node019a]]\n\nOr\n\nYOU: [[Now. Open it NOW before I hack your system, open it myself, and beat you until your genetics hurt.|Node019c]]
You pass the Punks, and they nod to you; accepting the job. The punks cause a distraction that slows the Eyes.\n\nChoose...\n[[Run into Pawnshop|Node019b]]\n\nOr\n\n[[Run into Shielded Alleyway|Node019d]]\n
Lead Writer\nCruz Andronico Fernandez\n\nStaff Writers\nErich Donaldson\nElizabeth Abbott\nAmanda Cobb