Comic Archive

Setting: back at the side entrance of the Ultrax building complex.
Steve: If we need more gear, the store is not far and they don't seem to know the concept of a closing hour. Seems like everyone needs 24-7 squirrel protection.
Max: I hope that in the meantime, nobody got shot trying to enter that open door. I know this is just a simulation with a hopelessly dumb population, but still…

Max speaks to someone standing next to the door.
Max: Don't go in there, it is dangerous!
Person: I wouldn't dare, they must be working on the next album, it has the best beat ever, bam bam bam!

Max: OK, the local population has actually been saved by a combination of their low intelligence and devotion to awful music.
Zhang: Shows how wrong many a person's ideas are when it comes to the true meaning of “survival of the fittest.”

Max: To quote a famous person: “it's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum.” And obviously we did not buy any gum.
Adil: Rocket launcher time! May I shoot that turret?
Steve: Given the narrow door and your previous Quake performance… Preferably not.

Alana: I will handle this.
Adil: Are you sure? I have never seen you play any first-person shooter…
Steve: Trust me, Adil, Alana's skills go beyond mere video games. She can handle this.

View of an RPG rocket flying towards the gun turret.
SFX: WHOOSSHHH

The rocket grenade blows a large hole through the turret.
SFX: KABLAM!

Zhang: Nice shot! Where did you learn to handle weapons like that?
Alana: This is not really the time to elaborate on that. Ask again at the coffee corner, when we get out of this virtual insanity…
Zhang: Well, at any rate you are prepared for future squirrels.

View of Steve, Max and Zhang's silhouettes in a door opening, viewed from inside.
Steve: No doubt this was not the only defense, others will be activating. We must move fast.
Max: I'm itching to try this plasma rifle.
Zhang: As QA engineer, I am especially curious whether it works at all, or will just blow us all up.

Heidi is now wearing the smartphone in an armband.
Heidi: OIB-A271, did destroying that turret improve anything at your end?
OIB-A271 (voice from phone): Definitely. I can now see more in the zone around the turret. However, everything deeper into the building is still blocked. Expect more defenses.
Steve: Of course it won't be this easy.

Max: So, destroying security systems gives more access around them? Reminds of “level security” from System Shock…
Steve: That was a cool game… ahead of its time.
Max: Yeah, it got overshadowed by DOOM II, despite being technically way more impressive. Maybe a bit too impressive for the hardware of most users.

A projectile hits the ceiling above Zhang and Alana.
SFX: CRACK!
Alana: Look out!
Zhang: Some robot, down the corridor!
Max: Plasma time, let's see who explodes… first.