There are four terminals on this level. See their in-game order in this in-game map.
Thing What Kicks has the distinction of being the only level in the Trilogy that
had its own spoiler web site with a step by step guide to solving the Central Tower door opening
puzzle. The web site is long gone now but you can see a preserved copy of it
here.
Find out how Greg Kirkpatrick used Tag Switches to make the door opening puzzle on this level.
This was featured in Hastur's Workshop.
If you don't get a déjà vu feeling at the start of this level looking out across at the other terminal you will by the end of the level.
Map in the terminal too small? Then check out this in-game map of this level and the previous one stitched together.
If you end up in the water at the start of this level then it's not your lucky day. There are eight player starting
positions two of which are placed over water. What are the odds you will end up in the drink? Greg Kirkpatrick has a sense of humor.
Don't worry... the underwater teleport pad will get you back to the start.
Opening Connection to ß.4.5-23
05.10.2337
seg 4 loading...
CAS.qterm//CyberAcme Systems, Inc.
<931.461.60231.14.vt920>
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
The control tower for the water treatment plant is on
the other side of the dam. Once you're there, access the Pfhor terminals and
disable the pumps. That will flood the Eastern Divisions and cut off reinforcements
long enough for the humans to overrun Lh'owon Command.
My teams have activated the AI, and I am learning much about the final days
of the S'pht, but the intelligence is reticent and inscrutable. It expects
something, that is clear enough, but what is a mystery. Once you are finished
here, I will transport you to an ancient S'pht citadel where my humans are
searching for clues.
PgUp/PgDn/Arrows to Scroll
Return/Enter to Acknowledge
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
The good news is that my first salvo of cruise missiles destroyed
the unit responsible for the Pfhor's ludicrous electronic approval system, so no communique
of higher than garrison level is permitted across the network censor.
On the other hand, the Western Arm of Pfhor Battle Group Seven, the most decorated
fleet in the galaxy, is approaching at maximum velocity. I'll give them something
to think about.
In the meantime, keep moving--I may need to transport you out on short notice.
Well... well... well... look who we have found in this remote section of the water treatment facility.
The very much alive Commander 5th Class Re'eer. Faked his own death to search for greater meaning in the Ranting of
Robnar the Nar High Seer.
There is a single blue Pfhor fighter in this remote area. Say hello to Commander Re'eer. As his log indicates he heard you coming.
At least they won't have to renamed Commemorative Resupply Tower Re'eer... now.
Opening Connection to ß.4.5-23
05.10.2337
5fc2e-log-39c1
CAS.qterm//CyberAcme Systems, Inc.
<931.461.60231.14.vt920>
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
Mobile Command Log Re'eer
origin: Re'eer
destin: Mobile Command Log
ref: Narsh and Pfhoric
stamp: personal
{ cmd : append }
Until now a harmless pastime, my comparative study of Narsh and Pfhoric has driven me
to feign my own death to search for greater meaning in the Ranting of Robnar the Nar
High Seer. I believe that Robnar was prophetic, and that he foretold of the pfhor
garrisoning of Lh'owon, and its possible destruction by those who are about to come
here.
PgUp/PgDn/Arrows to Scroll
Return/Enter to Acknowledge
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
Mobile Command Log Re'eer
origin: Re'eer
destin: Mobile Command Log
ref: Narsh and Pfhoric
stamp: personal
{ cmd : append }
The particular passage of my fascination was recorded during an Enforcer fourth
class interrogation of Robnar after his capture in the battle of Bilky-fifty four.
The recording translates roughly into Pfhoric as when one of the broken nest
where the yellow trees sing seems like a nebulon to a drinniol, then the wrestling
of six for nine things which get you stuff will be a shoot in spring, growing under
the bed boards.
PgUp/PgDn/Arrows to Scroll
Return/Enter to Acknowledge
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
Mobile Command Log Re'eer
origin: Re'eer
destin: Mobile Command Log
ref: Narsh and Pfhoric
stamp: personal
{ cmd : append }
The classic translation of this prophesy is that Robnar was in fact describing the
pain in his left tendrils, which had been crushed, burned, and pounded to produce
his testimony. The classic interpretation calls for the "wrestling of six for nine
things which get you stuff will be a shoot in spring, growing under the bed boards"
to mean roughly 'when six of my nine(there are actually 13) tendrils are ripped from
my body and the pain from them is keeping me awake.'
PgUp/PgDn/Arrows to Scroll
Return/Enter to Acknowledge
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
Mobile Command Log Re'eer
origin: Re'eer
destin: Mobile Command Log
ref: Narsh and Pfhoric
stamp: personal
{ cmd : append }
This interpretation continues by employing the rare Narsh reverse metaphor, where
the first metaphorical composite is actually defined by its successor:
(the whole reads) "when six of my nine(there are actually 13) tendrils are ripped
from my body and the pain from them is keeping me awake, even though I am alone and
among yellow blooded whiners, I will never speak (Although gentle creatures, Drinniol
are well known to enjoy crushing nebulons) because I cannot; the pain is too great."
PgUp/PgDn/Arrows to Scroll
Return/Enter to Acknowledge
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
Mobile Command Log Re'eer
origin: Re'eer
destin: Mobile Command Log
ref: Narsh and Pfhoric
stamp: personal
{ cmd : append }
As for the rest of my study, it will have to wait because I hear someone coming and I
must not be found.
Who'd have guessed the local Pfhor would have the clarity
to lock out the local systems? You will have to circumvent them, with a clumsier,
yet somehow more satisfying strategy. Find the control circuits in this area and
smash them. I may have ever so slightly underestimated the resourcefulness of the
Pfhor.
Obviously just a prodigal unit commander whose creativity and competence were
understood by his society as dangerously volatile elements, and doomed him to
this backwater.
To bad he's most likely lying in that pile of chitin and fluids cooling on the
floor behind you.
This 1st "unfinished" message is displayed if you have not smashed the
control circuits Durandal wants you to smash. Go back and look for them.
If you are having problems finding the control circuits Durandal wants you to smash then
check out the Thing What Kicks... Spoiler.
Opening Connection to ß.4.5-23
05.10.2337
fkc2.ce4f
CAS.qterm//CyberAcme Systems, Inc.
<931.461.60231.14.vt920>
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
What part of "smash the control circuits" don't you understand?
Your psychotronic profile indicates high levels of destructive impulse, which may be why
I find you so much fun to keep around--my own psychotronic profile is, well, never
mind about that now...
The circuits are somewhere in this maintenance area.
This 2nd "success" message is displayed if you have smashed the control circuits.
The image in the terminal is familiar to you, as if it were from an old dream, but you can't exactly...
Oh... I REMEMBER just fine.
Opening Connection to ß.4.5-23
05.10.2337
fkc2.ce4f
CAS.qterm//CyberAcme Systems, Inc.
<931.461.60231.14.vt920>
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
The good news is, most of Lh'owon Command is under about 5 meters of
liquid choked with a thousand years of detritus and plant matter. The bad news is, I'm taking
fire from all sides, and there's something wrong with the compilers. We're limping fast, but
Tfear's flagship is closing the gap.
The S'pht AI isn't being cooperative: keeps acting confused and disoriented. Geriatric circuits,
can't use 'em.
PgUp/PgDn/Arrows to Scroll
Return/Enter to Acknowledge
UESCTerm 802.11 (remote override)
05.10.2337
I need access to the Pfhor network, fast, and my commandos are spread
thin. I'm sending you to install two uplink chips at key locations in the command complex. I'll
send in a group of humans to help soften up resistance, but you will be hitting the Pfhor where
their defenses are strongest.
