The Machine

>> When the machine is turned on, nothing happens. >> When the machine is turned on, it explodes. >> When the machine is turned on, it brings about the apocalypse. >> Calculating... 98.3% probability. >> When the machine is turned on ę͑rͤ̕ro̙̜̲͓̓͜r̽̈́́͝ >> Ř͂ͥ̐ę̴ͥ̏̀b̧͕͋̈́̎̏̚ó̌̈ͭͣo̢̻͢t͕̩͗ͨ̅į͓͢ͅn͈̱̔̽ͣ̈́g̨͇͞ >> >> W̸̷̶͈ͫ͝h̫̏̑̂͑e̴͑͋̇͡n̵̯̟̜̉͆ th̩̝̭͖ͯé̟̓͠ m̶̳̣̋͆̆ͭͣ͜å̠̻͎̥̊ͮ̐͘c̡͍͈̻̰͗̏ͨhi̷̬̫̹̓̅̅͝n̛̛ͮ̊͆ͬẻ [[Well, that doesn't look good!->Next]]

The quantum computer running the simulation creaks audibly under the strain. It's not supposed to do that. Should we shut it off? [[Yes, that would probably be a good idea.->Turn it off]] [[No, it'll be fine!->On]]

The computer powers down in one long shuddering drone. Phew. The phone rings. The red one. “What happened?” barks the general. “We turned it off, sir.” “But what happened when you turned it on?” [["Just some slight technical problems."]] [["It said it will explode."]] [["It said it said there was a 98.3% chance it will bring about the apocalypse."]]

"And what are the chances of that, do we think?" "Um, probably 98.2%. Sir." The general sighs. "What are the chances it's correct?" "That's what we made the machine for. To make predictions. So, a lot." "Turn it back on. Let's see what happens." [["You'd have to be mad."->No thank you!]] [["With all respect, sir, I'm not sure you want the end of civilisation as you know it to happen on your watch."->Congratulations]] [["If you say so..."->On]]

And did it explode?" "It started to look like it might, general." "Well switch it back on you cautious old hens! What are we paying you for?" [[Switch it back on.->On]] [[No thank you!]]

“Well switch it back on you cautious old hens! What are we paying you for?” [[Switch it back on.->On]] [[No thank you!]]

You're fired. As you walk out of the facility the siren begins wailing and the red lights start flashing. You walk faster. The world still ends but at least it wasn't entirely your fault.

Sparks fly. Lights flicker. Monitors flash a brilliant white, then die to black. The lights stay off. Only the blue light from the emergency exits, powered by the backup generator. The cursor blinks. >> R̦ě̛͎͋̀̈́͊͊̔b̨͚̯͖̃̎̀̌͠o̮͎̬̪̠̭͌̆̃o̢̨͕ͭͤ̽̚_͚̉t̬̱̩̝͔͢͟͝͠ì̡̗̩͕̇̑̊ͩ͠͠n̢͔̺̂̂̒ͅg̝̘͛͡ [[Nope! Time to go.]] [[Let it boot.->Apocalypse]]

Congratulations! You've brought about the apocalypse. The End. (Of the world.)

Congratulations! You've averted the apocalypse! For now. At least until the next billionaire decides to build a supercomputer.

Pull all the plugs. Hose the quantum banks with a fire extinguisher then use it to pummel the servers. The smashed monitor is blank. [[You wait.->Congratulations]]