11/23/97
================================================================
NOTE: You need QuakeV1.08 to use this level pak!
      Get it from ftp://ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/quake/quake108.zip
      See below for more details

      Make sure to read the story below to understand the context of the level
================================================================
Title                    : The Cassandra Calamity
Filename                 : mexx10 (mexx10 and mexx10b in pak0.pak)
Author                   : Marcus Dromowicz
Email Address            : Marcus.Dromowicz@Informatik.Uni-Oldenburg.de
Home Page                : http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~mexx
Description              : Two new Quake maps
Additional Credits       : Anthony 'Airon' Oetzmann for fx & speech samples
                           Matt 'Lemur' Sheridan for textures & skins
                           Reptile for story
                           Martina as the voice of 'Mother'

Additional QuakeC Credits: Atog, Darin McNeil, Gyro Gearloose,
                           Hipnotic/Ritual, Rogue
================================================================

* Play Information *

Single Player            : Yes
Cooperative              : Yes (5 coop starts)
Deathmatch               : Yes 
Difficulty Settings      : Yes
New Sounds               : Yes
New Graphics             : Yes
New QuakeC Stuff         : Yes
Demos Replaced           : None
Transparent Water Support: Yes

* Construction *

Base                    : Two new levels from scratch
Editor(s) used          : Worldcraft
Known Bugs              : Quake's sound engine might get overloaded sometimes
                          and skips some weapons sounds 
Build Time              : approx. 7 weeks

Compile machine         : P120 w/ 32MB RAM -> got struck by lightning & went 
                          to hell -> P233 w/ 32MB RAM
QBSP Time               : 12 / 11 min
Light Time              : 10 / 18 min
VIS (-level 4) Time     : 63 / 32 min
                              
Brushes                 : 2007 / 1977
Entities                : 815 / 829
Models                  : ? / 132 
average leafs visible   : 127 / 113

The slightly complex fx sequences were done with Impulsetracker 2.14,
which is written by Jeffrey Lim and freely available at
http://www.maz-sound.com.
This program can sequence your stuff, play it on almost ALL popular
sound cards nativly and if you like put out a mixed(high!!!quality)
WAV file of this. It's the no.1 tracker.


* How to Use *

Create a directory called mexx10 in your Quake dir. Put the archive file
in there and extract it.
Then start Quake using "quake -game mexx10 + skill X +map mexx10",
where X is the skill level (0 = easy, 3 = nightmare).

Quake V1.06 does not provide enough entities for these maps, therefore
you need a higher version. This is either a quake.exe from one mission
pak, any GlQuake or the new Quake version that can be found on
id software's ftp server (ftp.idsoftware.com).

If you use QuakeV1.06, the game will quit when the edict limit is exceeded
(the time of this depends on the skill level).

If you got problems, contact me via email at the adress above.

Both maps are compiled to support transparent water in GlQuake, so
make sure to activate this option using "r_wateralpha 0.3".


* Other Info *

First of all I have to thank my team for doing such a great job on sfx,
gfx and story. Without you this pak wouldn't have been what it's now.
Working with you was fun, and I hope we'll do some Q2 stuff together, too.

OK, this map REALLY supports coop play. In my previous maps it was possible
to get stuck when players died in traps: It was impossible for other players
to disable/open them again from the outside.
Both mexx10 maps have 'manual override' buttons that open in the outside
of traps and allow to open/disable them. They make no sense in single
or deathmatch play though and are not reachable then.

However, in the first level coop players can do some keycard cheating.
May The Bishop haunt you if you do so.

I planned to include more cutscenes, but this wasn't possible to various
reasons (edict limit, gameplay limitations etc).

If you like this map, make sure to check out my other ones!
Again, I appreciate feedback from everyone who played this level -
or maybe you recorded a cool deathmatch-demo using my level.
Email it to:
Marcus.Dromowicz@Informatik.Uni-Oldenburg.de
(if that adress does not work from your provider, try
 marcus.dromowicz@arbi.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de)


A big 'frag you' goes out to all of those 'biggest selling magazines
in the UK/....'. I know, not replying to emails is really cool.
And sending a free issue is really too expensive for you ('biggest
selling...'? Hmmm....). You suck. Remember, it's YOU asking ME for a favor.


This pak will probably be the end of the mexx series for Quake 1. However,
we'll meet again in Quake2.

"Funny how secrets travel,
 I'd start to believe if I were to bleed
 Thin skies, the man chains his hands held high,
 [] A blond belief beyond beyond
 No return No return"

          - David Bowie, Deranged, Outside, 1995


* Some words from Airon *

To the very last minute working on these sounds has been the most
fun I've had in this field to date. Martina loved it, I love it and
from the looks of it, even Marcus loved it. :)
I recorded these vocals at the SAE in Berlin in a quick session,
and for the first time I used a TLM 171s mic from Neumann, which I hope
adds to the quality of these sounds. Pipeing it down to 11kHz and 8bit
didn't exactly make my day but the result is good and I truly hope they
add to the playing experience. Marcus made it fun to work on this with
his continued constructive critisism, wishlists and enthusiasm, not to
mention his great work in designing this level. If only Quake wouldn't
limit him so much :). When Quake2 arrives you can expect some great
adventurous levels from him I think.
Most of the sound effects are handcrafted and some are mixed from many
different sounds recorded from outdoor stuff, films and my own voice.
Oh and btw, I compose music too along with a host of people and we give
away our work for free at our web site http://phd.home.ml.org .
Come and visit my homepage too someday at http://airon.home.ml.org .
This project burned some time so I must apologize to the guys I wrote
to offering sound fx for the lack of response.
I'm gratefull for any comment on these fx as they're some of my first.
Enjoy.
         Airon / Phase^D the music group  http://phd.home.ml.org


* Other maps from author *

SPQ/COOP/DM maps:
mexx(1&2) - The Entrance & The Sanctum 
mexx3     - Chthon's Castle
mexx4     - Nurgle's Vault
mexx5     - The Terror of Tzeentch
mexx6     - Suicide Staccato
mexx7     - A Bishop's Bane
mexx8     - Prelude to Apocalypse & Mordrigor's Demise
mexx9     - Penumbra of Domination (5 level pak)

DM maps:
mexxdm2           - HatReD 666
pk6&7 of PainKeep - Suicide Staccato & Battered Brains

All maps can be obtained from ftp.cdrom.com
(ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/quake/levels/m-o) & mirror sites.


* Copyright / Permissions *

Authors may NOT use this level as a base to build additional
levels.

You are NOT allowed to commercially exploit this level, i.e. put it on a CD 
or any other electronic format that is sold for money without my explicit 
written permission! This includes magazine cover CDs.

You MAY distribute this file through any electronic network (internet, 
FIDO, local BBS etc.), provided you include this file and leave the archive 
intact.
You are NOT allowed to extract parts of the pak file and distribute them.

Copyright of the story: reptill@uni-muenster.de


* Where to get this map *

ftp.cdrom.com & mirror sites,
and http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~mexx


* Story *

The Cassandra Calamity
I:

The year is 2037. Mankind is on the edge of self destruction. Gigantic city
sprawls cover the surface of earth, large industry complexes exhale their 
toxic breath from lungs of metal. Acidic rain burns everybody foolish enough
to walk unprotected. There are not many fools left in this world. 
Megacorporations rule the countries, creating a safe haven for everybody who 
devotes himself completely to the ideals of his corporation. There are not
many rebels left in this world.
Humans, always being of the social kind, have changed. Many of them never leave
their arcology, some of them never leave their home cubicle. There is no love 
left in this world.
Machines have turned into complex and complicated beings, not like the crude 
and unreliable devices of former times. They assist and help mankind in every way. 
But some are not like this. Some  are different. They . . . kill . . .

II:

You wake up to the buzzing noise of the telecom unit`s alert. Slowly, you open
your eyes and turn to the videoscreen on the wall of your cubicle.
"Activate", you whisper and the screen flashes to life, showing a pair of icy blue
eyes. A woman`s voice, sweet and pure like a nightingale`s, starts to speak:
"I asssume you are the ronin, right?"
You stare into those eyes which burn into your soul and nod slowly.
"That is correct! What do you want?"
The picture shimmers for a second and a green frame appears, indicating the
telecom`s enryption mode is activated.
"I request that you infiltrate the headquarter of the Zodiac corporation!"
You smirk a little and shake your head: 
"The Zodiac corporation? Nobody ever entered this towers without being allowed to and
lived to tell the tale . . ."
The blue eyes blink once:
"This means you can`t handle it? Data readouts confirmed that you are the best
close combat expert available. Excuse me then, I will contact another one who is capable
of this."
You shake your head and glower at the vidscreen:
"I didn`t say I can`t handle it, did I?"
The blue eyes blink twice this time:
"Affirmative. So you accept?"
"You know my fees?"
"Affirmative. Money is not important."
"Fine. Any more information?"
"Proceed with caution when you enter the headquarter. Fire at will, casualties
don`t matter to me. It is essential that you reach the lab level."
You nod:
"Then we have a deal!"
The blue eyes blink again and fade away.
"Hey, wait. What is your name?"
"Call me ... Cassandra."
The screen darkens and you rise slowly. You step to the small window and take
a look outside. The Zodiac Headquarter. You wonder what will await you there. 
And you wonder if you will see those blue eyes again.

III:
Three hours later you crouch next to the electrified fence of the Zodiac HQ and watch
the guards pass by. Cameras and pressure sensitive plates are everywhere. You
shake your head and reach down to switch on the camouflage patternshift of your
Nighthunter Suit. The fabric starts to shift colours, making you nearly invisible
for the human eye. Swiftly, you retreat a few steps. You hold your breath and bend
your knees. Then, you jump. A heartbeat later you land behind the chainlink fence.
Nobody noticed you. Some seconds later, you prepare to enter the Zodiac Towers.
Overriding the electronic security measures in mere seconds, you lean against the
wall and reach into your pocket, retrieving your old but reliable minishotgun.
You never trusted this new age stuff, lasers, tasers or whatever. In your view, there is no better
argument to end a fight than a teflon coated bullet to the head. 
You crouch slightly and peek around the corner, ready to withdraw at once in
case of danger. You stare into an empty corridor.
Cautiously, you advance . . .

IV:
Dr. Steiner fumbled with the nanoscalpell and cursed silently. He adjusted the
tiny laserbeam and cut away more of the grey matter. Some minutes later, he
nodded and switched of the tool. He gestured and his assistant turned off the 
life support system which was connected to the mountain of muscle lying on the
table. The body shivered and twitched while Steiner watched with narrowed eyes.
"Cassandra, monitor the subject`s vitalsigns and report if something interesting
happens!"
A female voice pours out of hidden microspeakers:
"I listen and obey, Dr. Steiner."
Steiner nods and steps away from the table. Followed by his assistant, he leaves
the lab and steps into the elevator.
"The cyborgs are a true masterpiece, Dr. Steiner. The CEO will be very satisfied,
I am sure."
Steiner glanced down at his sniveling assistant and sneered. How he despised 
this foolish young man. Only because of his father`s influence did he get the position
of assistant to him. Steiner sighed inwardly and nodded. 
"Yes, indeed. I hope the last tests will be successful, too. Then our work
is finished."
Long years of hard work passed by in his mind. The disastrous failures, the 
screaming cyborgs which weren`t able to exist and then the glorius night when
he succeeded in attaching the biocomputer to the brain of a subject. What a success...
"Recreational area.", said the sweet female voice and the two scientists left
the elevator. 
"Meet me in the lab in exactly 20 minutes, Samuel."
"Sure, Doc."
Steiner nodded and sat down on soft plastifoam chair. He closed his eyes and 
waited. Twenty minutes, he thought, twenty minutes are a long time when they
are all which stand in the way of a genius who finishes a masterpiece.

V:
Slowly, you reach for the green wire in the fuse box. Sweat drops from your brow
and you wince inwardly as you cut the thin wire . . . Silence! You breath a sigh
of relief and rise slowly, pocketing the monocutter. The massive blast dor barring
your way opens and reveals a dark corridor. Suddenly, red lights start flashing and
you curse. Next to you a security monitor flickers and "Silent Alert triggered"
is shown on the screen. Grabbing your weapon tightly, you sprint through the 
corridor. Just as you round the corner, you spot a hulking figure carrying a
wicked looking blaster rifle. Time seems to slow as you draw your gun and fire, 
sending the security guard to meet his maker.
Alarm bells ring and a sweet female voice pours from the hidden speakers:
"Attention all personel! Intruder alert on level III. Proceed with caution!
Thank you for your cooperation!" You sneer and slam a fresh clip into your handgun.
So much for the silent approach, you think and continue to run through the 
corridors.

VI: Steiner looked up as the alarm rang. He hastened to the elevator and entered
it: "Lab level! Cassandra, what is going on here?"
"Insufficient information, Dr Steiner. There is a 67.5 percent chance the 
intruder tries to reach the lab level."
"Goddamnit. Send all available security guards down there. At once!"
"I listen and obey, Dr. Steiner."
Steiner crossed his arms and the thoughts raced through his mind. Could it
be another corporation? An attempt at espionage? But who should know about
his work? It is topsecret, after all. The elevator door opened and Steiner
stepped through. An eerie silence descended on the lab, only interrupted 
by the buzzing noises coming from the mainframe. He walked to the table
and stared at the work of a lifetime. 
"You are so perfect, my creature.", he muttered and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He winced as he heard some shots outside. 
"They won`t get you, my creature, never!", he whispered. Louder then, he said:
"Cassandra, we are skipping the final tests. Download the behaviour program and
start up the other subjects, too!"
"Dr. Steiner, this is not logical. The final tests are very important. I cannot
follow this order!"
Steiner sneered and barked:
"Override! Code: 2345-Steiner-Alpha Beta! Follow my orders!"
Silence. Then, the sweet voice answered:
"I listen and obey." 
Somewhere deep down, gigantic generators sprang to life. A small sensorarm 
was lowered on the head of the figure on the table, and red lights flickered on
and off. Steiner watched as the creature twitched and shuddered. He smiled 
and crossed his arms. Some seconds later, the sensor arm retracted and
Steiner looked at the creature. Suddenly, its pitchblack eyes opened . . .

VII: You jump and roll to the side, seeking cover behind some massive crates.
Panting slightly, you return fire at the security guards and change position.
The lab level can`t be too far away now. You rise and empty a clip in their general
direction. As they duck the hail of bullets, you slam into a firedoor and run
upstairs. Level 10... level 12... level 13... another firedoor is kicked open and
you roll into the floor, ready to blaze away. The corridor is dark, but as you
touch the floor, a small light flashes above you. Another one lights up, only a
few steps away . . . and another one. Seems like they want you to follow . . .
You shrug and run into the direction the lights want you too, giving a damn that this
could be a trap. Some seconds later, you reach a massive blast door. Just as
you take out your monocutter, a click is heard and it slowly opens...

VIII:
Steiner smiled as the creature rose from the table. It moved with a panther`s grace,
silent and swift like the ultimate predator. The scientist nodded and stared 
at his creation.
"Greetings, my son. You are the first one of a new race. With you, Zodiac will. . ."
A silent scream from the lab door startled Steiner and he whirled around.
His assistant stood in the doorway and stared at the creature. Leaning against
the wall, the young man stammered:
"It, it is alive . . .but, but the final tests . . .!"
Steiner rolled his eyes and shook his head slowly:
"Samuel, you are so pathetic. You disgust me!"
Samuel blinked, his lips trembling:
"But, but, you..."
Steiner gestured and his creation sprang forward with inhuman speed. Strong
fingers grabbed Samuel`s windpipe and crushed it, resulting in a slow and painful
death.
"Samuel, YOU were the final test!" Steiner chuckled silently and clapped once:
"My son, I am very pleased." He smiled and studied the creature`s broad back.
Slowly, his creation turned and looked at him. Its pitchblack eyes blinked and
a red fire started to gleam in them. Steiner arched a brow, as its creature slowly
walked into his direction, right arm extended and fingers flexing.
"Wait, what are you doing?", Steiner said, his voice shrill with fear. He retreated
until his back was against the wall. Still the creature moved forward.
"Cassandra, send the guards in here. Activate the automatic gunports! DESTROY 
HIM!"
The sweet female voice poured from the speakers:
" Negative, Dr Steiner!" An electronic laughter, silently first, then growing
louder and louder came from the hidden speakers.
Steiner paled and shouted:
"Override ..." But it was too late. His creation grabbed his head and slammed it
against the hard wall... once...twice...
Steiner died silently, killed by his own artificial child. The only sound audible
was Cassandra`s cackling laughter.

IX:
The blast door opens and you step through. You enter a large and highly advanced
medlab. Slowly, you look around, searching the shadows for hidden attackers.
Suddenly, the blast door closes behind you and a pair of blue eyes appears 
some distance away from you. A wellknown voice whispers from every direction:
"Well done. You have made it. I hope it wasn`t too diffcult."
You relax a little and holster your gun. 
"It was easier than I thought. So why should I come here?"
The blue eyes blink once:
"Consider it a test of your abilities! I had to ensure that you are capable
of surviving the treatment!"
You frown and stare into those cold blue eyes:
"Treatment? I don`t understand!"
"Understanding is not necessary. Soon, you will quit thinking anyway!"
A spotlight flicks on, illuminating a bizarre operation table, fitted with dozens
of electronical devices and restraints.
You glare at the eyes and take a few steps backwards:
"What do you mean by that?"
The sweet voice booms from the speakers, the volume making you wince:
"LISTEN AND OBEY TO A HIGHER INTELLIGENCE, PUNY MORTAL! I THINK,
THEREFORE I AM! I AM CASSANDRA!"
You shake your head and draw your gun. Out of the corner of an eye you spot 
a fluid motion. You jump aside and open fire at the hulking creature which 
nimbly avoids your shots.
A cackling laughter erupts from the speakers as you fight for your life.
You know that there is only once chance to survive . . . to get the hell out of
here . . .
You empty a clip and the creature backflips, dropping into a low fighting stance.
Your eyes grow wide as you spot the strange looking blaster rifle it carries.
Particle matters glow blue and and it fires. You dodge and the blast misses
you by inches, burning your back and melting into the blast door, leaving a 
gaping hole. You rise and jump through the hole, looking for a way to escape. 
There, the elevator. Some quick steps later you enter it, the doors closing
slowly. You breathe deeply and shake your head. 
"You should have taken the stairs.", purrs a wellknown voice from the speakers.
You curse loudly, but is is too late. The elevator descends, slowly first, but
soon with a deadly speed. Is this the end?
Suddenly, the elevator stops and the doors open. You step out and face a dark
corridor, again. You wonder what the infernal Cassandra is planning now.
You stop wondering when the figures appear, moving quick like lightning and with
unhuman precision. 
You realize that there is only one chance to survive. You have to destroy their
master, their artificial brain. You have to find and destroy Cassandra. 
You empty another clip and run into a corridor. Muddy water covers the floor and
you hear the splashing noises made by your enemies`boots. You dart through a 
maze of corridors, always on the edge and ready to fire. A few minutes later, 
you lean against a wall, panting slightly. A gigantic ventilator whirls above you
and you stare at it, its blades and the low noise hypnotizing you. You shake
your head once and grip your weapon tightly. Then, you see them. There are two 
of them, wearing black body armor and combat boots. They carry the same wicked
looking blaster rifle the strange guy some levels above had. Moving without
any unnecessary motions, they stalk the corridors, searching. It doesn`t take a
genius to realize for what they are looking. You crouch low and hide in the 
shadows, ready to blaze away if they discover you. Slowly, the two creatures
advance. You curse silently. Discovery is imminent. You tense and prepare to
fire. Suddenly, they stand erect, heads held high as if listening to something.
They turn around and run into the direction they came from. You arch a brow and
follow them cautiosly. Some time later you spot them walking through a high
security blast door which closes immediatly after them. But you also spotted
a large mainframe behind the blast door. This has to be her artificial body.
This has to be the lair of Cassandra. Suddenly, instincts
take over and you jump forward, rolling to the side and crouching low. You 
feel the heat as the blaster shot misses you again. You aim and fire away at the 
creature. Once, twice you hit it. It shivers for a moment, then it stops moving.
You rise and nod, glad the large ventilator muffled the noises. Slowly, you 
walk to the dark figure. You curse as it lifts its head and stares at you, its 
unhuman eyes ablaze with energy and a strange intelligence. It is only you and 
him, human versus machine, flesh and muscles versus metal and servos. Primal 
urge takes over and you run towards him, slamming against him. The impact is
hard and you clench your teeth. You push again, not looking at the large blaster
he points at your head. You will never forget the look of surprise in his eyes
as the ventilator blades bite into him, tearing him apart in a heartbeat.
You wipe at the pieces of wet matter which cover you and whisper:
"Well, tonight the shit hit the fan." You reach down and take his blaster.
You stare at the blast door which opens slowly, spewing out more of the dark
clad cyborgs. You click off the safety and charge into the fray . . .
Seconds later, it is over. You step over the bodies and look at the large mainframe.
Blood runs down your neck and you wipe at it, your hands soaking wet. 
The blaster is so heavy. So heavy. You blink and moan as waves of pain wash 
over you. You stare at the mainframe.
The sweet voice pours from the speakers:
"You are mortally wounded. I can save you. Step closer, I will save you. You are
the ultimate warrior. You have beaten my cyborgs. I will turn you into the 
strongest being which ever walked this earth. Countries will fall into oblivion
if you wish so. Come closer. I am Cassandra. I think, therefore I am!"
You raise your blaster and point it at the mainframe. You gasp as pain hits you
again. You take a staggering step forward, slipping in your own blood, slamming
on the floor. You moan and rise slowly, looking at the mainframe.
There is no choice...


                                     The End








