Spaceship:Puzzles Fixing the Generator

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[edit] Introduction

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[edit] Puzzle Design

[edit] Top Line

Fix the generator by unblocking the mysterious clog in the Honnecourt generator's separation chute, either saving or destroying Bryan the janitor-bot in the process.

[edit] Verbose Description

Unbeknownst to our Captain, at the time the spaceship was struck by the meteors, Bryan the janitor bot was fulfilling one of his duties by shoveling organic waste into the Bio Refinery separation chute. Unfortunately for Bryan, the impact of the meteors flung him straight down into the chute, clogging the system. Thankfully, the generator managed to detect the clog just in the nick of time, and shut itself down, preventing Bryan from being completely ground up. The only problem is that the generator didn't detect the exact nature of the clog, so our player is unaware the problem is not just a routine blockage.

The task for our player is to unblock the clog, restart the generator, and bring full power back to the ship. This can be achieved in a manner that either destroys Bryan, or saves him.

Destroying Bryan

To destroy Bryan you need to first examine separation chute and read the following message:

"It's dark, very dark. You think you can make out something a quarter of the way up from the base of the chute...something metallic, it's too dark to see for sure. It's definitely not organic waste, though. You wonder how this blockage could be related to the meteor strikes....maybe some falling debris...nevertheless this looks like the source of trouble. Since the machine is off maybe you could break up the clog and force it through to the chemical erosion chamber - not the ideal solution, but you're no engineer and you haven't got much time to waste..."

This should be a sufficient enough hint that the blockage can be pushed through the chute with Bryan's shovel. Then the player must simply push the shovel down the separation chute twice, which will clear the clog but also destroy Bryan.

Saving Bryan

To save Bryan, the player needs to pick up on some subtle clues as to his presence in the generator. Such as tracks on the generator room floor, an upturned bucket half-filled with organic fuel, a strange 3/4 size shovel, the empty space in the Janitor's Cupboard (where Bryan lives) or just having the common sense to want to investigate the clog before taking any action. If the player's curiosity has been sufficiently piqued, they must then simply shine the torch into the chute. This will then reveal the presence of Bryan in all his glory.

Then all the player has to do to save him is this:

Take the sturdy coat hanger from the Captain's Quarters, cut it with Bryan's pliers from the Janitor's cupboard, then bend it to form a long hook. The player can then put this down into the chute, hook Bryan, and pull him out.

[edit] See this puzzle in context

Synopsis goal 2

[edit] Which rooms are implicated in the puzzle?

[edit] Which objects are involved in the puzzle?

Honnecourt Generator found in Generator Room

Shovel found in Generator Room

Bucket Generator Room

Separation Chute found in Generator Room

Control Box found in Generator Room

Coat hanger found in Captain's Quarters

Pliers found in Janitor's Cupboard

[edit] Is this puzzle essential to the plot, or is it a secondary objective?

Essential. It's not necessary to save Bryan to progress in the game though.

[edit] What actions do you need to take? & What text is displayed when you do so

Destroy Bryan

Examine separation chute

It's dark, very dark. You think you can make out something a quarter of the way up from the base of the chute...something metallic, it's too dark to see for sure. It's definitely not organic waste, though. You wonder how this blockage could be related to the meteor strikes....maybe some falling debris...nevertheless this looks like the source of trouble. Since the machine is off maybe you could force the blockage through to the chemical erosion chamber - not the ideal solution, but you're no engineer and you haven't got much time to waste...

Take shovel and put/push it into chute (Bryan not quite destroyed yet)

You grab the shovel by the handle and give it a tentative shove....you locate the obstruction. Grabbing the handle more firmly, you push the shovel down and feel a slight movement. It seems to be working. Just as you are about to push it down for a second time, you think you feel a slight scraping on the shovel head..instinctively you glance over to the control box to check the machine is off. Which of course it is...back to the task at hand. One more shove should finish the job.

Take shovel and put/push it into chute (Bryan destroyed)

This time you grab the shovel with both hands, just under the handle, and thrust it down the chute.....you feel something shatter...you thrust again, CRACK! Something moved. You root around with the shovel once more..it's.. yes..it's all clear. Now, just gotta restart the generator and hope you haven't damaged something important.

Press green button on control box

The small light on the control box starts glowing a pale blue again, and, after a few seconds, begins blinking, intermittently. You notice the chute start to vibrate gently... then more strongly, then even more powerfully until it begins to shake like a run down washing machine. Suddenly, the vibrations soften...and fluorescent light from above floods the room. Seems to have done the trick.

Save Bryan 1

Examine separation chute

It's dark, very dark. You think you can make out something a quarter of the way up from the base of the chute...something metallic, it's too dark to see for sure. It's definitely not organic waste, though. You wonder how this blockage could be related to the meteor strikes....maybe some falling debris...nevertheless this looks like the source of trouble. Since the machine is off, and the grindstones are retracted....maybe you could force the blockage through to the chemical erosion chamber - not the ideal solution, but you're no engineer and you haven't got much time to waste...

Shine opticians torch down chute

It's still pretty dark in here....you see the problem though....a shiny silver plate..hang on it's moving back and forth. You move the torch light to the top of the flapping steel sheet...a single mercurial eyes peer back at you...."Bryan!" you call, instinctively, momentarily forgetting you're in your spacesuit. You look more closely for a second, it looks like he's wedged near the bottom. Thankfully, his oversized backpack seems to have born the brunt of the pulpifying mechanisms. You shine the light directly on his eye, and his eyelid flickers responsively.

Take and examine hangar from Captain's clothes drawer

It's a sturdy metal hanger with a large hook that appears to have been wrenched from the lifeless arm of a space pirate, me hearties. (description from wiki)

Take pliers

One of Bryan's many tools. Slightly smaller than a regular pair, as is the norm with his gear. This one looks like it's been taken out of rotation as it's not the sharpest, but still perfectly usable.

cut hangar with pliers

You cut the hangar just to the right of the hook.

bend hangar if cut

It's pretty sturdy, but pulling from where you made the incision, you manage to straighten the thick wire out. Not perfectly straight, but good enough. (now becomes wire hook.)

put hook into separation chute

You first make sure you have a good grip on the end, and then lower the hook down into the chute. With the torch in your other hand, you look for a small nook to put the hook into....ahhh the rucksack fabric. Most of the rucksack and its contents look to have been completely destroyed by the pulpifier, but Bryan's wings are still in the torn arm straps. Carefully, you catch the fabric with the hook and give it a slight tug to make sure it's connected....yes...it's working. Bryan's eye flickers, glows green, and he holds his wings together, bracing himself.

pull hook

You pull on the hook gently, not wanting to tear Bryan's rucksack. Resistance....careful now...not moving. Going to have to pull harder...yes! You feel some movement. You look down the tunnel, you've got him...yes...now within arms distance, you reach out with your right arm, grab him under his tracks, and hauling him clear of the chute. You tumble backwards, and Bryan plummets down to the ground, briefly fluttering his wings, before bouncing on the floor.

restart generator

The small light on the control box starts glowing a pale blue again, and, after a few seconds, begins blinking, intermittently. You notice the chute start to vibrate gently... and fluorescent light from above floods the room. Power to the ship has been restored.

[edit] How many turns do you have to complete the puzzle?

Not time based.

[edit] What words do you read when you complete the puzzle?

Merged with the above section.

[edit] What words do you read if you don't complete the puzzle?

no death

[edit] Help! I'm stuck! Give me a hint

Unblocking clogs in the generator is demeaning work for a Captain, this should be Bryan's job. I wonder where he is? --DennisChow 22:17, 23 May 2008 (BST)

[edit] Special development instructions:

Please add anything else you feel doesn't fit into the above template but is important for the coders to know when they're adding your puzzle to the demo.