The second nod I'd like to make here is to this very blog's first kick at the can and just how long it can take some of these labour-intensive conversions to come through the pipe. This gamebook's conversion began nearly two and a half years ago, back when my netbook was new and responsive and still enjoyed its 10-hr battery life. Living on the road (well, in a van) with a political country music act, to help pass the time I prepared a number of experiments for this blog back before it had a readership (most ultimately abandoned after requiring slightly more variables than I was interested in implementing). This one we got maybe 80% complete before some crisis or another diverted me from the task at hand and there it has stubbornly sat, 2 hours from completion for over two years.
It's a pity things waited so long, since unlike many of the fripperies I post here, it's a work with a serious thesis and message -- as one would expect from author Jonas Kyratzes, who has since adopted a more deft and whimsical touch to sugar-coat the delivery mechanism for his straight-up Marxist analysis of the whole wretched system. (Buy his The Sea Will Claim Everything, today! I did, prior to today!) He know of and will vouch for this conversion, though he prefers a more infinite canvas for the tale's infinite scope.
But across many of his works, the name Urizen rings out as emblematic of the corporatist capitalist militarist meat grinder. Typically it lurks menacingly on the horizon; here in this 2005 title we delve deepest into the belly of that particular beast, or otherwise put, The Great Machine. Remembrance Day put me in mind of it, plus of course current events (alas, perpetually current) in the Middle East.
(For a gentler, though still related, piece of more recent hyperfiction by the author, you can have a look at his Arcadia.)
* * *
THE GREAT MACHINE
=========================================================
Written by Jonas Kyratzes
www.jonas-kyratzes.net
Created using Adventure Book (c) Jon Ingold 2001-2005
Mostly converted to HTML in June 2010 by Rowan Lipkovits, en route to visiting Dr. Heidi Rimke in Winnipeg, finished up in November 2012
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0
=========================================================
——————————Here stands the Great Machine;
Its eyes are gold and silver,
And its name is Urizen.THE ARGUMENT
The Great Machine!
Ever does it turn, marching forward into eternity,
Turning the blood of men into history;
Caught in its terrible gears, the world wails;
Turning, turning, ever turning:
The end is marked by a wheel of fire.——————————
a sudden pain
screams
a little girl's eyes
flesh
urizen
you wake up
'Get up!'
Your eyes are still closed. You feel weary, and dirty. Your mouth is filled with slime, as if you'd just drowned in some god-forsaken swamp
-fever-
'Get the fuck up!'
You open your eyes. You're in a tent, and a man in a military uniform is standing above you, looking down angrily. You feel disoriented. You're not supposed to be here. It's dark, and ugly, and cold. You can hear the rain outside. This is no place for a man.
But you're still here, always here - there is no way out until the war is won, and the war never ends. This is not a mistake. This is your life in hell.
'Oh, so you're awake. Now will you get up, or do I have to kick you?'
You get up slowly, feeling a strong pain in the back of your neck, and a terrible weakness in your bones. The man looks at you in disgust.
'Look at you, you piece of shit. You should be ashamed. You call yourself a soldier?'
'Yes, sir,' you mumble, trying not to vomit.
'You know what I think about people like you? Huh?'
'No, sir.'
'People like you should be killed off when they're born. Intellectuals, artists - you're all faggots and weaklings.
The nation doesn't need your kind. We have a war to fight, and you're just getting in the way.'
For a moment he seems poised to continue his tirade, but thankfully, he stops. 'So I'm glad they're giving you this job. Either it'll turn you into a man, or it'll get you killed, and I'm fine with both.'
'Job?' you ask.
'Oh yeah, they've got a job for you. Why do you think I'm wasting my time talking to you, when I have better things to do, like making sure the real soldiers don't get killed? Now get yourself to the General's tent. He'll brief you on your mission. I'll be waiting outside with your equipment and supplies.'
Giving you one last disdainful look, he exits the room. You can hear the prattle of rain. In a nearby tent, someone is moaning in pain. You feel cold.
You're lying on the dirt-covered floor of a military tent. Next to you are two crates filled with equipment of various kinds. On top of them lies a jacket with traces of blood on its sleeves, and a number of bullet holes. Except for yourself and the angry-looking man above you, whom you've seen before but whose name you cannot remember, there's no-one else in the tent.
You exit the tent. Outside, the ground has turned to mud in the constant rain. Everything seems to be grey and cold and somehow abstracted. You are surrounded by tents filled with soldiers like you, but you feel alone, as if you were in a ghost town. Most of these men will be dead before long.
You suddenly notice a broken man sitting in the mud next to your tent. He appears to be invisible, and is quietly mumbling to himself. The strange sound reminds you of a chant.
Whoever previously used this jacket probably doesn't need it anymore. Maybe it belongs to the man moaning in the other tent; he doesn't sound like he'll be alive much longer. You, on the other hand, could use this jacket, because yours is in an even worse state. The bullet holes are minor compared to the holes in your jacket, and as for the blood... well, you've seen worse.
Putting it on, you find a small knife in the pocket.
You feel ill.
Before you manage to say anything, the broken man screams and jumps up at you. You manage to avoid him, and he falls face-down into the mud. He begins to sink, and within a few seconds, there is nothing left of him.
You feel ill.
There's nothing you can do, so you decide to go on to where you're supposed to be going.
You walk through the mud for a few minutes and arrive at the General's tent. The rain should cleanse you, but instead it makes you feel ill. Not too far away, you can see the man who woke you up approaching with a box in his hands.
Inside, there is a large metal table covered with maps and documents of all sorts. Three men are standing by the table, their eyes as cold as the night. When they see you, they gesture for you to come to the table.
'Welcome, soldier,' one of them says in a flat tone.
'Do you know why you have been brought here?'
'Yes, sir. You have a job -- a mission for me.'
'That is correct.'
One of the three men, the General, comes closer. There is a sense of nothingness about him, of empty places and despair.
'This mission is of critical importance to the war effort, but due to the current conditions, we cannot afford to send in a large number of men; the enemy is too close, and such a move would draw his attention. Nevertheless, move we must, to eliminate a dangerous individual that is a threat both to our morale and to the safety of our operations.'
He takes out a map of the area and points to a place several miles to the north.
'At the location that I have marked resides said individual, named Los, in a small chapel upon a hill. Do not be deceived by his appearance; he has aided the enemy on many occasions and has caused the desertion of a number of our troops. He must be eliminated without mercy. Do you understand?'
You wait, but the man angrily waves at you that you should go in. Deciding that it would be best to avoid this man's wrath, you enter the tent.
'Yes, sir, I understand.'
'Very well. You will be provided with all the necessary equipment, and a photograph of the target. Also, take this map. I suggest you take the northeastern road through the swamp; you are less likely to encounter enemy troops there. Also, we have an outpost near the edge of the swamp; you can find help there. Good luck. Serve your country with honor, and report back to me when you have succeeded. Dismissed.'
You exit the tent and find the man who woke you up waiting for you with some equipment: guns, ammunition. a backpack and some rations. He also hands you a photograph of an old-looking bearded man with white hair and fierce eyes.
'That's the sucker you have to take out. You think you're up to it?'
He spits on the ground. You don't answer.
'Faggot.'
He turns around and leaves you.
You set out from the camp at around noon. It is cold and wet, and the sky is covered in dark clouds.
You feel ill.
The road you follow winds through the hills and appears to be empty; you meet no-one. After an hour or two, you walk by a rotting corpse. He appears to have been a soldier, but the body is in too bad a state to tell which side he was on.
(Thousands of others have fought and died on this very spot, ages ago. Their names are forgotten, their causes gone. Their bones are buried below your feet. You do not know this.)
Walking on, you come to a bridge over a small river. As you near it, you hear a sudden bang and a bullet lands not very far from you. It appears to have come from the bushes on the hill to your left.
You look around, but can find no suitable cover.
- Sprint for the bridge.
- Shoot towards the possible location of the enemy.
- Throw a grenade up the hill.
"There is nothing else that you need to know about this man.
You will simply proceed as instructed and eliminate him.
If there is anyone with him, it would be advisable to eliminate them also, although this should be considered a secondary aspect of the mission."
"Your profile is in accordance with the needs of the mission.
There is nothing more you need to know."
You run towards the bridge as fast as you can. Another shot is fired, but it does not hit you. You keep on running, until you are sure that you're not being followed. Then you pause to take a deep breath, and continue walking. You notice that your hands are still shaking a bit from the fear.
Hours pass. You walk on. It is getting dark now, and you have to eat something and rest. You're still not anywhere near the swamp or the outpost. You feel horribly tired and dirty.Pulling out a blanket from your backpack, you think about where to rest.
You pull out your gun while another shot is fired, missing you by a good distance.
You aim.
And fire.
Fire.
fire
There's a shrill scream from the bushes and a figure rises, holding a gun that is pointed at you.
Moving as quickly as you can, you grab a grenade and toss it up the hill.Then you fall onto the ground to cover yourself as much as possible from the debris.
The explosion is quick and brutal. You hear a shriek as the grenade goes off, and then pieces of human flesh land on you. You jump up, fighting the urge to vomit, and run off towards the river. No need to take a closer look at the remains.
Hours pass. You walk on. It is getting dark now, and you have to eat something and rest. You're still not anywhere near the swamp or the outpost. You feel horribly tired and dirty.
Pulling out a blanket from your backpack, you think about where to rest.
You shoot the figure, and it topples over. Rolling down the hill, it leaves a trail of blood. Conflicting feelings of disgust and triumph arise in your soul.
The figure comes to a halt a few feet away from you. Slowly you realize how small it is, no taller than - a child.
The weapon in its hands is harmless now, and you look at the child's face. It appears to be a little boy, although it's hard to tell through the blood. His torso is covered with wounds.
You wonder for a few seconds whether you could save him, but you know that he is already dead. There is no hope.
You move on after vomiting over the bridge.
You feel ill.
Hours pass. You walk on. It is getting dark now, and you have to eat something and rest. You're still not anywhere near the swamp or the outpost. You feel horribly tired and dirty.
Pulling out a blanket from your backpack, you think about where to rest.
'Surrender immediately and I will not shoot!' you shout.
The figure clutches at a wound on its chest for a moment; then it falls over and rolls down the hill, leaving a trail of blood.
The figure comes to a halt a few feet away from you. Slowly you realize how small it is, no taller than - a child.
The weapon in its hands is harmless now, and you look at the child's face. It appears to be a little boy, although it's hard to tell through the blood. His torso is covered with wounds.
You wonder for a few seconds whether you could save him, but you know that he is already dead. There is no hope.
You move on after vomiting over the bridge.
You feel ill.
Hours pass. You walk on. It is getting dark now, and you have to eat something and rest. You're still not anywhere near the swamp or the outpost. You feel horribly tired and dirty.
Pulling out a blanket from your backpack, you think about where to rest.
You decide to rest on the road. Despite the earlier incident, the road appears to be quite safe, and at least you'll be safe from the wind down here.
As soon as you close your eyes, you begin to dream, and the dream is a nightmare.
Bullets are flying all around you. Voices are screaming. The sky is bleeding. Above all of this, there is the sound of great wheels turning; terrible black wheels that crush all hope. You scream, but you are caught on a wheel of fire. There's no way out.
You awaken with a start. Cold sweat covers your body. You feel more ill than ever before as you continue on your way. You can barely down your ration.
You feel cold.
So cold.
There is a sound in the distance. Is someone screaming? You're not certain. No, it must something else. It sounds like the voices of the damned.
And there's a smell... beyond words. The smell of death.
You feel ill.
As you move closer, you see the first piece of flesh lying on the road. It is covered in flies, and it is screaming.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You feel as if you might collapse.
You decide to rest on the hill. There are some bushes which will hide you well enough and there are fewer stones up there.
As soon as you close your eyes, you begin to dream, and the dream is a nightmare.
Bullets are flying all around you. Voices are screaming. The sky is bleeding. Above all of this, there is the sound of great wheels turning; terrible black wheels that crush all hope. You scream, but you are caught on a wheel of fire. There's no way out.
You awaken with a start. Cold sweat covers your body. You feel more ill than ever before as you continue on your way. You can barely down your ration.
You feel cold.
So cold.
There is a sound in the distance. Is someone screaming? You're not certain. No, it must something else. It sounds like the voices of the damned.
And there's a smell... beyond words. The smell of death.
You feel ill.
As you move closer, you see the first piece of flesh lying on the road. It is covered in flies, and it is screaming.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You feel as if you might collapse.
You look for another place to rest, and find that there are some large bushes on a hill not far from the road. It makes sense to rest there - it's safe, and the bushes offer some protection from the icy wind.
As soon as you close your eyes, you begin to dream, and the dream is a nightmare.
Bullets are flying all around you. Voices are screaming. The sky is bleeding. Above all of this, there is the sound of great wheels turning; terrible black wheels that crush all hope. You scream, but you are caught on a wheel of fire. There's no way out.
You awaken with a start. Cold sweat covers your body. You feel more ill than ever before as you continue on your way. You can barely down your ration.
You feel cold.
So cold.
There is a sound in the distance. Is someone screaming? You're not certain. No, it must something else. It sounds like the voices of the damned.
And there's a smell... beyond words. The smell of death.
You feel ill.
As you move closer, you see the first piece of flesh lying on the road. It is covered in flies, and it is screaming.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You feel as if you might collapse.
You climb up a hill and attempt to continue on your way while avoiding the road. At first, it seems to work. The screams (death death death death death) aren't quite as loud anymore, and the stench is more bearable. But after a few minutes of walking through the muddy hills, a different sound arises: a wailing of unspeakable sorrow and despair.
As you crest a tall and particularly steep hill, you come upon a scene of utter desolation. The ground in front of you is burned and covered inashes. Scorched pieces of flesh lie scattered.
You feel ill.
The burned ground covers a large area. In its middle, straight in your path, stands a ghost.
Shaking, you walk on.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
The road is covered in screaming pieces of flesh. The smell makes youwant to vomit.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
Flies are everywhere, feasting on the flesh.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You walk on. The flies rise in clouds as you pass by, then settle back down to continue their meal.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
A face. This one is not just flesh - it's a face. A child's face. The eyes are missing, the bloody holes filled with insects.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You approach the ghost. It is wearing the uniform of the enemy.
Before you can manage to say something, it looks up at you and speaks.
'Kill me.'
Without taking a closer look at the wailing apparition, you walk across the burned earth towards the next hill. The ghost does not seem to see you, but you feel colder than ever before. The world seems to have lost what little color it had left.
The smell seems to be gone completely now. You decide to get back to the road. It would not be good to get lost now.
Hours pass. It is getting dark. The landscape seems threatening in thenight, strange shapes gathering in the shadows. You feel small, and terribly insignificant. For a few seconds your mind starts to question the meaning ofyour mission, but you immediately banish such thoughts, knowing that they can only lead to madness.
A new stench invades your nostrils, but this one seems more natural. It isthe smell of old, rotten things, of unmoving waters filled with slime.
You have reached the swamp. A small light can be seen in the distance, justa few feet from the road.
A soldier is coming towards you. He is pointing his gun at you.
'What?' you say.
'Kill me. Please.'
'Why should I kill you?'
'You are the enemy, aren't you?'
'The- yes.'
'Then kill me. I wish to die.'
'Why?'
'Look around you. Most of the bodies are women and children.
Tortured, raped, murdered... Some beaten to death. Others cut up. The lucky ones got shot. Then burned. Got what they deserved, didn't they? That's what we said. Got what they deserved, and we fucked the bodies before we burned them.'
You feel ill.
'We're not evil, we said. Those were our orders, after all. We let a few of them go to tell the others. It destroys enemy morale, they say, and a bit of fun is good for the troops.'
The ghost begins to cry. It's an unbearable sound.
'They made us evil. We weren't evil before, most of us at least. I wasn't evil. But I raped the little children, and... and killed them. And I laughed and spilled beer on a dead woman's body. I laughed and laughed... and when I woke up in the morning, I wanted to die.'
The ghost stops talking. You're not sure what to do. Moments pass in silence.
'Please kill me.'
'I...'
'Please. I deserve it. I need it. I cannot live with myself any longer.'
'You are a ghost.'
'No.'
'You are.'
'It cannot be...'
'There is a wound on the side of your head.'
'I... I shot myself. But...'
'But what?'
'I am still here.'
You pull out your gun and shoot the ghost. The bullet flies through it and hits the ground.
The ghost stares.
'How?'
'You are already dead.'
'But I'm still here! Why am I still here? I cannot stand this anymore! I have to get out! I want to leave! I want to disappear! Why can't I get out?'
You begin to walk away. The ghost wails. You climb the next hill and leave the ghost behind you. The wailing remains in your ears and does not leave.
Hours pass. It is getting dark. The landscape seems threatening in the night, strange shapes gathering in the shadows. You feel small, and terribly insignificant. For a few seconds your mind starts to question themeaning of your mission, but you immediately banish such thoughts, knowing that they can only lead to madness.
A new stench invades your nostrils, but this one seems more natural. It is the smell of old, rotten things, of unmoving waters filled with slime.
You have reached the swamp. A small light can be seen in the distance, just a few feet from the road.
A soldier is coming towards you. He is pointing his gun at you.
You begin to walk away. The ghost wails.
'Please! Please kill me!'
'I cannot help you,' you say, and continue walking.
'Please! PLEASE! KILL ME! KILL ME!'
The ghost wails louder. Tears come to your eyes.
'I CAN'T STAND IT! KILL ME! KILL ME! PLEASE!'
The last word turns into a howl. You climb the next hill and leave the ghost behind you. The wailing remains in your ears and does not leave.
Hours pass. It is getting dark. The landscape seems threatening in the night, strange shapes gathering in the shadows. You feel small, and terribly insignificant. For a few seconds your mind starts to question the meaning of your mission, but you immediately banish such thoughts, knowing that they can only lead to madness.
A new stench invades your nostrils, but this one seems more natural. It is the smell of old, rotten things, of unmoving waters filled with slime.
You have reached the swamp. A small light can be seen in the distance, just a few feet from the road.
A soldier is coming towards you. He is pointing his gun at you.
The eyes are filled with insects, crawling where there should be such beauty...You vomit.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
Everything comes out.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You feel as if you were vomiting out your soul.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
You try to walk on, but convulsions shake your body as more vomit erupts from your mouth. You try to scream, but cannot. Your jacket is stained.
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
the eyes
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
you vomit
DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH DEATH
it's over
you crawl
and try to get up
You manage to breathe, and get up. Your jacket is covered with vomit and blood. You remove your few possessions, put them in your backpack, and throw the jacket away.
You feel ill.
The sky is filled with black clouds, but there is no rain.
Hours pass. It is getting dark. The landscape seems threatening in the night, strange shapes gathering in the shadows. You feel small, and terribly insignificant. For a few seconds your mind starts to question the meaning of your mission, but you immediately banish such thoughts, knowing that they can only lead to madness.
A new stench invades your nostrils, but this one seems more natural. It is the smell of old, rotten things, of unmoving waters filled with slime.
You have reached the swamp. A small light can be seen in the distance, just a few feet from the road.
A soldier is coming towards you. He is pointing his gun at you.
'Urizen,' you say.
'Oh. So you're on our side. Good. It would've been too bad to have to shoot you, I haven't had anyone to talk to in ages.'
He slaps you on the back and leads you towards the outpost, which is little more than a wooden shack.
'Sorry about the gun, but you know what it's like. Just a couple of days ago, one of our squads encountered a large group of enemy units disguised as civilians. They don't play fair, you know. They'll even use children, those bastards. We sure showed them that their tricks won't work, but, you know, better to be safe.'
'Sure.'
You enter the outpost. The inside is sparsely furnished. There are two beds and a number of weapons. A small table is covered with pornographic magazines and bullets.
'Wish I had real ladies to keep me company. I've been thinking, maybe next time a squad with prisoners drops by, I'll trade them some smokes for a nice girl, fourteen to sixteen. I'll chain her to the bed, and never get bored again. Neat, huh?'
'Yeah.'
You feel ill.
'So you gotta go through the swamp, huh? Take out the preacher man?'
'Yeah.'
You're too tired for words.
'Can I sleep here?' you ask.
'Sure. Go ahead.'
You eyes are closed before your head hits the pillow.
Wheels. Great wheels crushing all in their path.
Bones being ground to dust.
A great machine all around you.
Blood is its fuel.
a little girl's eyes
'That much?'
'Yes.'
A dark, terrifying sound. You are caught in the gears.
'OK.'
'Now.'
'No, not now. I'm not going to ruin the bed for this half-dead fucker. Outside.'
eyes
'Now.'
a wheel of fire
'No. Outside, or I kill you instead of him and say you tried to sneak up on me in the night. They'll even give me a fucking medal.'
'OK. Outside. But now!'
You are awakened from your fitful sleep by hands grabbing you and pulling you out of bed.
- Struggle against their grip.
- Let them drag you outside, then surprise them by fighting back suddenly when they're not expecting it.
'Stop. I am not the enemy.'
'Yeah? How do I know?'
'I know the password.'
'Yeah? Then say it.'
You fight back as hard as you can, but their grip is very powerful. Managing to free one of your arms, you hit one of your attackers in the face, breaking his nose. Screaming, he lets you go, and you fall to the ground, on top of the other man.
'Yeah, no use struggling. Come with us quietly and it'll be painless.'
The two men drag you outside. You hear a gun being loaded.
'One moment of pain and then it'll be over.'
'Don't talk. Kill him.'
In a sudden movement, you punch the man with the gun in the face and kick the other in the groin. Both moan and fall to the ground. A shot goes off, and one of the men screams.
Moving as quickly as your battered body allows you, you run out the door and towards the swamp. You are getting nearer, nearer - until you almost run off a precipice. Catching your breath, you look down. It's several yards down to the swamp. You could
-BANG-
an explosion of PAIN in your leg
you are falling
you are in the swamp you feel ill and cold freezing cold FEVER you try to get up FEVER you are lying in the mud FEVER you look around;
it is dark..........................................
...........
you don't know where you are
FEVER
........................
you manage to get up
FEVER
you are shivering
...........
it is cold and dark and muddy.............
.......what?............
you're lying in the mud
You manage to get your knife out of your backpack before either of the two men can recover. With a swift motion, you cut the throat of the man lying below you. He emits a strange sound, struggles for a few moments, then dies. His ghost rises from his body and slithers away.
You get up and look for the other man, but cannnot find him. Moving as quickly as your battered body allows you, you run out the door and towards the swamp. You are getting nearer, nearer - until you almost run off a precipice. Catching your breath, you look down. It's several yards down to the swamp. You could
-BANG-
an explosion of PAIN in your leg
you are falling
you are in the swamp you feel ill and cold freezing cold FEVER you try to get up FEVER you are lying in the mud FEVER you look around;
it is dark..........................................
...........
you don't know where you are
FEVER
........................
you manage to get up
FEVER
you are shivering
...........
it is cold and dark and muddy.............
.......what?............
you're lying in the mud
You try to find your gun and realize that it was in the hands of the man nowlying below you. He has dropped it, however, and it's lying only a few feetaway from you. As the man below you struggles to get up, you reach for it andshoot him in the head. Blood splatters your face.
You get up and look for the other man, but cannnot find him. Moving asquickly as your battered body allows you, you run out the door and towards the swamp. You are getting nearer, nearer - until you almost run off a precipice.Catching your breath, you look down. It's several yards down to the swamp. You could
-BANG-
an explosion of PAIN in your leg
you are falling
you are in the swamp you feel ill and cold freezing cold FEVER you try to get up FEVER you are lying in the mud FEVER you look around;
it is dark..........................................
...........
you don't know where you are
FEVER
........................
you manage to get up
FEVER
you are shivering
...........
it is cold and dark and muddy.............
.......what?............
you're lying in the mud
The man below you is reaching for your throat. Just before he manages to start strangling you, you hit him on the forehead with all your strength. His eyes glaze over as his head slams into the floor.
You get up and look for the other man, but cannnot find him. Moving asquickly as your battered body allows you, you run out the door and towards the swamp. You are getting nearer, nearer - until you almost run off a precipice. Catching your breath, you look down. It's several yards down to the swamp. You could
-BANG-
an explosion of PAIN in your leg
you are falling
you are in the swamp you feel ill and cold freezing cold FEVER you try to get up FEVER you are lying in the mud FEVER you look around;
it is dark..........................................
...........
you don't know where you are
FEVER
........................
you manage to get up
FEVER
you are shivering
...........
it is cold and dark and muddy.............
.......what?............
you're lying in the mud
Moving as quickly as your battered body allows you, you run out the door and towards the swamp. You are getting nearer, nearer - until you almost run off a precipice. Catching your breath, you look down. It's several yards down to the swamp. You could
-BANG-
an explosion of PAIN in your leg
you are falling
you are in the swamp you feel ill and cold freezing cold FEVER you try to get up FEVER you are lying in the mud FEVER you look around;
it is dark..........................................
...........
you don't know where you are
FEVER
........................
you manage to get up
FEVER
you are shivering
...........
it is cold and dark and muddy.............
.......what?............
you're lying in the mud
FEVER..........
...........
......
....
FEVER......
you crawl forward... your mind reels, but you fight to stay sane
You crawl towards the road.
FEVER
You can't really think, and you're shivering
FEVER
but you can move. The trees around you seem to be bleeding.
You can see the road through the swamp.
it might be dangerous .........FEVER........ because of the traitor....
Urizen walks the earth as a King and he has many slaves
FEVER..... you can hear the great machine
FEVER
fever
FEVER
cold cold cold FEVER
............
.
............
..........................fever.
how much time has passed?
You're walking down the road towards the chapel. It's still far away.
fever fever fever fever fever
you're trembling
you walk on
fever
........
................
.................
.........
............................................fever
so cold
....
father, look!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
fever.
.
.
.
..
.
.cold
.
..
.
.......you feel ill....
you are falling
he's awake
you hear a voice. yes, you must be awake. but everything feels so...
muted. as if you had half-faded into oblivion.
can you hear me?
yes
what's your name?
don't remember
my name is los
los
yes. don't worry. you are safe here.
chapel
yes, you're in my chapel. no-one will hurt you here. this is a place of peace respected by everyone
no
don't worry. try to sleep some more
You move away from the road, stumbling -FEVER- but slowly you.........
where's north?
..........
FEVER
...cold cold cold fever fever fever...
No. You must stay focused. You have to get away from the road. But the roadis the only way. You'll get lost in the swamp, and
fever fever FEVER
you still have a mission
how much time has passed?
You're walking down the road towards the chapel. It's still far away.
fever fever fever fever fever
you're trembling
you walk on
fever
........
................
.................
.........
............................................fever
so cold
....
father, look!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
fever.
.
.
.
..
.
.cold
.
..
.
.......you feel ill....
you are falling
he's awake
you hear a voice. yes, you must be awake. but everything feels so...
muted. as if you had half-faded into oblivion.
can you hear me?
yes
what's your name?
don't remember
my name is los
los
yes. don't worry. you are safe here.
chapel
yes, you're in my chapel. no-one will hurt you here. this is a place of peace respected by everyone
no
don't worry. try to sleep some more
you fall asleep.
in your dream, you are tied to a wheel which is part of a great clockwork. you move back and forth in predetermined positions. you cannot escape it. sometimes you feel that you can make a choice, to move in some other way, break out of the system, but every choice has been made for you.
the name of the machine is URIZEN.
you struggle in vain as the machine moves you, turns you, crushes you, and moves you again.
what is going on?
you see children watching you
children?
you fade away
a little girl's eyes
watching you
you can't stay awake, constantly fading in and out of sleep
hours or days pass
so tired of it all
don't worry, you're in a place of god
which god?
the one god, the god of love. you're safe.
so tired
You wake up, feeling better.
'Good morning!' a voice says.
'Good morning,' you mumble.
'I'm glad you're alive. We were worried that you wouldn't make it.'
'We?'
'Yes, we. There are about thirty of us... mostly orphans, outcasts and exiles.'
'The chapel.'
'Yes, you're in my chapel. My name is Los.'
'The priest...'
'Some call me that. I prefer to be called a teacher.'
'Teacher? What-'
A sudden pain surges through your leg. You have to stop speaking for a few moments.
'What do I teach? A very simple message, that the people of today have forgotten, because they have been blinded by the powers that be, taught to kill their imagination and accept the illusions of the false prophet.'
You look more closely at the old man. His eyes are filled with the burning fire of vision.
'Everything that lives is holy.'
The pain returns. You fade.
days pass. the fever comes and goes. the children often stay in your room and take care of you. sometimes you wonder what these children have seen. their eyes look innocent, but... old.
You get up. You feel a bit weak on your feet, but you manage to get dressed. When you exit the small room you're in, you are greeted by a horde of children and a few adults. A community of outcasts and rebels who have refused the war and everything to do with it in favour of a different life, a life of love and imagination. You almost feel at home.
Time passes. You're not certain what day it is - it doesn't matter. The sun is setting now, and you're playing with the children. You're happy, only there's something... wrong. Something very wrong.
A sound. A deep, rumbling sound, as of great wheels...
You are holding a young girl in your arms. She is laughing and trying to grab your hair. Her eyes are so beautiful that you can barely look at them.
A shot. Blood. Everything shatters.
The girl in your arms is dead.
Screams.
The children are crying, the adults are shouting.
Soldiers are coming.
a girl falls to the ground, a wound in her leg
Los comes running out of the chapel, his white hair blowing in the wind
seconds later, he is lying on the ground, bleeding from the throat
screams
bullets
blood
you look at the soldiers, and realize a terrible thing
you don't know which side they're on
- the uniforms don't matter anymore
there is no hope in the machine
the children are running inside
the other adults are all dead
- tears
you should try to kill this man right way. this is your mission. but itdoesn't feel right now. you are so tired, and he is so kind. the chapel seemsso peaceful. they said don't be deceived, but you'd rather be deceived. youneed peace.
you fall asleep.
in your dream, you are tied to a wheel which is part of a great clockwork. you move back and forth in predetermined positions. you cannot escape it. sometimes you feel that you can make a choice, to move in some other way, break out of the system, but every choice has been made for you.
the name of the machine is URIZEN.
you struggle in vain as the machine moves you, turns you, crushes you, and moves you again.
what is going on?
you see children watching you
children?
you fade away
a little girl's eyes
watching you
you can't stay awake, constantly fading in and out of sleep
hours or days pass
so tired of it all
don't worry, you're in a place of god
which god?
the one god, the god of love. you're safe.
so tired
You wake up, feeling better.
'Good morning!' a voice says.
'Good morning,' you mumble.
'I'm glad you're alive. We were worried that you wouldn't make it.'
'We?'
'Yes, we. There are about thirty of us... mostly orphans, outcasts and exiles.'
'The chapel.'
'Yes, you're in my chapel. My name is Los.'
'The priest...'
'Some call me that. I prefer to be called a teacher.'
'Teacher? What-'
A sudden pain surges through your leg. You have to stop speaking for a few moments.
'What do I teach? A very simple message, that the people of today have forgotten, because they have been blinded by the powers that be, taught to kill their imagination and accept the illusions of the false prophet.'
You look more closely at the old man. His eyes are filled with the burning fire of vision.
'Everything that lives is holy.'
The pain returns. You fade.
days pass. the fever comes and goes. the children often stay in your room and take care of you. sometimes you wonder what these children have seen. their eyes look innocent, but... old.
You get up. You feel a bit weak on your feet, but you manage to get dressed. When you exit the small room you're in, you are greeted by a horde of children and a few adults. A community of outcasts and rebels who have refused the war and everything to do with it in favour of a different life, a life of love and imagination. You almost feel at home.
Time passes. You're not certain what day it is - it doesn't matter. The sun is setting now, and you're playing with the children. You're happy, only there's something... wrong. Something very wrong.
A sound. A deep, rumbling sound, as of great wheels...
You are holding a young girl in your arms. She is laughing and trying to grab your hair. Her eyes are so beautiful that you can barely look at them.
A shot. Blood. Everything shatters.
The girl in your arms is dead.
Screams.
The children are crying, the adults are shouting.
Soldiers are coming.
a girl falls to the ground, a wound in her leg
Los comes running out of the chapel, his white hair blowing in the wind
seconds later, he is lying on the ground, bleeding from the throat
screams
bullets
blood
you look at the soldiers, and realize a terrible thing
you don't know which side they're on
- the uniforms don't matter anymore
there is no hope in the machine
the children are running inside
the other adults are all dead
- tears
they're trying to kill you
shh, don't worry, no-one is trying to kill me
yes
he frowns for a moment, but then he touches your face
sleep, my friend. you are in the house of god. you have seen much horror,but no more. sleep. we will pray.
no, listen to me, they want to kill
in your dream, you are tied to a wheel which is part of a great clockwork. you move back and forth in predetermined positions. you cannot escape it. sometimes you feel that you can make a choice, to move in some other way, break out of the system, but every choice has been made for you.
the name of the machine is URIZEN.
you struggle in vain as the machine moves you, turns you, crushes you, and moves you again.
what is going on?
you see children watching you
children?
you fade away
a little girl's eyes
watching you
you can't stay awake, constantly fading in and out of sleep
hours or days pass
so tired of it all
don't worry, you're in a place of god
which god?
the one god, the god of love. you're safe.
so tired
You wake up, feeling better.
'Good morning!' a voice says.
'Good morning,' you mumble.
'I'm glad you're alive. We were worried that you wouldn't make it.'
'We?'
'Yes, we. There are about thirty of us... mostly orphans, outcasts and exiles.'
'The chapel.'
'Yes, you're in my chapel. My name is Los.'
'The priest...'
'Some call me that. I prefer to be called a teacher.'
'Teacher? What-'
A sudden pain surges through your leg. You have to stop speaking for a few moments.
'What do I teach? A very simple message, that the people of today have forgotten, because they have been blinded by the powers that be, taught to kill their imagination and accept the illusions of the false prophet.'
You look more closely at the old man. His eyes are filled with the burning fire of vision.
'Everything that lives is holy.'
The pain returns. You fade.
days pass. the fever comes and goes. the children often stay in your room and take care of you. sometimes you wonder what these children have seen. their eyes look innocent, but... old.
You get up. You feel a bit weak on your feet, but you manage to get dressed. When you exit the small room you're in, you are greeted by a horde of children and a few adults. A community of outcasts and rebels who have refused the war and everything to do with it in favour of a different life, a life of love and imagination. You almost feel at home.
Time passes. You're not certain what day it is - it doesn't matter. The sun is setting now, and you're playing with the children. You're happy, only there's something... wrong. Something very wrong.
A sound. A deep, rumbling sound, as of great wheels...
You are holding a young girl in your arms. She is laughing and trying to grab your hair. Her eyes are so beautiful that you can barely look at them.
A shot. Blood. Everything shatters.
The girl in your arms is dead.
Screams.
The children are crying, the adults are shouting.
Soldiers are coming.
a girl falls to the ground, a wound in her leg
Los comes running out of the chapel, his white hair blowing in the wind
seconds later, he is lying on the ground, bleeding from the throat
screams
bullets
blood
you look at the soldiers, and realize a terrible thing
you don't know which side they're on
- the uniforms don't matter anymore
there is no hope in the machine
the children are running inside
the other adults are all dead
- tears
stop!
you shout, but they're not listening
SCREAMS
stop!
- BLOOD
the soldiers are coming closer
their eyes are empty
FIRE
SCREAMSBLOOD
you run
they are shooting
the chapel is on fire
urizen walks the earth as a king
SCREAMS
blood
don't do this
we are innocent
- wheels
screams
a little girl's eyes
flesh
- urizen
you wake up
'Get up!'
Your eyes are still closed. You feel weary, and dirty. Your mouth is filled with slime, as if you'd just drowned in some god-forsaken swamp
-fever-
'Get the fuck up!'
You open your eyes. You're in a tent, and a man in a military uniform is standing above you, looking down angrily. You feel disoriented. You're not supposed to be here. It's dark, and ugly, and cold. You can hear the rain outside. This is no place for a man.
But you're still here, always here - there is no way out until the war is won, and the war never ends. This is not a mistake. This is your life in hell.
'Oh, so you're awake. Now will you get up, or do I have to kick you?'
You get up slowly, feeling a strong pain in the back of your neck, and a terrible weakness in your bones. The man looks at you in disgust.
'Look at you, you piece of shit. You should be ashamed. You call yourself a soldier?'
'Yes, sir,' you mumble, trying not to vomit.
'You know what I think about people like you? Huh?'
'No, sir.'
'People like you should be killed off when they're born. Intellectuals, artists - you're all faggots and weaklings.
The nation doesn't need your kind. We have a war to fight, and you're just getting in the way.'
For a moment he seems poised to continue his tirade, but thankfully, he stops. 'So I'm glad they're giving you this job. Either it'll turn you into a man, or it'll get you killed, and I'm fine with both.'
'Job?' you ask.
'Oh yeah, they've got a job for you. Why do you think I'm wasting my time talking to you, when I have better things to do, like making sure the real soldiers don't get killed? Now get yourself to the General's tent. He'll brief you on your mission. I'll be waiting outside with your equipment and supplies.'
Giving you one last disdainful look, he exits the room. You can hear the prattle of rain. In a nearby tent, someone is moaning in pain. You feel cold.
You exit the tent. Outside, the ground has turned to mud in the constant rain. Everything seems to be grey and cold and somehow abstracted. You are surrounded by tents filled with soldiers like you, but you feel alone, as if you were in a ghost town. Most of these men will be dead before long.
You suddenly notice a broken man sitting in the mud next to your tent. He appears to be invisible, and is quietly mumbling to himself. The strange sound reminds you of a chant.
Whoever previously used this jacket probably doesn't need it anymore. Maybe it belongs to the man moaning in the other tent; he doesn't sound like he'll be alive much longer. You, on the other hand, could use this jacket, because yours is in an even worse state. The bullet holes are minor compared to the holes in your jacket, and as for the blood... well, you've seen worse.
Putting it on, you find a small knife in the pocket.
You feel ill.
Before you manage to say anything, the broken man looks up at you. The fires of Hell are reflected in his eyes.
'There's no way out.'
With these words, he crumbles to dust.
You feel ill.
There is nothing you can do, so you decide to move on.
You walk through the mud for a few minutes and arrive at the General's tent. The rain should cleanse you, but instead it makes you feel ill. Not too far away, you can see the man who woke you up approaching with a box in his hands.
- you run after the children
BLOOD
get inside!
explosion
is there another exit?
CRYING
EXPLOSION
is there a way out
no
BULLETS
fragments
SCREAMS
fire
stop it!
please
crying
the door shatters
stop this!
we are innocent!
these are children!
empty eyes
blood
urizen walks the earth as a king
SCREAMS
wheels
screams
a little girl's eyes
flesh
- urizen
you wake up
'Get up!'
Your eyes are still closed. You feel weary, and dirty. Your mouth is filled with slime, as if you'd just drowned in some god-forsaken swamp
-fever-
'Get the fuck up!'
You open your eyes. You're in a tent, and a man in a military uniform is standing above you, looking down angrily. You feel disoriented. You're not supposed to be here. It's dark, and ugly, and cold. You can hear the rain outside. This is no place for a man.
But you're still here, always here - there is no way out until the war is won, and the war never ends. This is not a mistake. This is your life in hell.
'Oh, so you're awake. Now will you get up, or do I have to kick you?'
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