Official Evil Map Making Contest 1st Place Winner!

Pest Control

by John A. Hancock

Introduction

Thanks to the organizers and judges of the Marathon EVIL Mapmaking Contest. I had stopped making maps so I could finish up my Ph.D., but the contest enticed me to make just one more level. Many people had asked me for a sequel to my scenario "An AI Called Wanda." This contest gave me an opportunity to add something to the end of that story. Although this takes place after the events in "Wanda", it features a different main character and was made to be enjoyed on its own. With any luck, it will also encourage some people who haven't played that scenario to go get it.

I hope you all have as much fun playing this level as I had fun making it.

Story

The Pfhor have just become a little more EVIL, and it's up to you, a professional exterminator, to stop them.

After humans began to explore space and colonize new worlds, they encountered a variety of new creatures on these planets. Some of the creatures were able to coexist peacefully with humans, some were annoyances, and some were downright hostile and dangerous. Sometimes these alien species were brought back to Earth by accident or on purpose. Extermination companies soon had to deal with new alien species, saw an opportunity to expand their businesses. They began combat training their exterminators and equipping them with more than just insecticides. Exterminators were soon being sent to every new colony to control or wipe out hostile indigenous species.

You are one of URKIN's best exterminators. You've been in some hellish places, and have exterminated some nasty beasts: huge snake-like creatures on Vega Prime, beetles big as houses on Lorash Seven, and a particularly nasty species on LV426. Two weeks ago, you received an extermination request from a science station. Some unknown creature apparently killed someone. They couldn't tell you much about it, just that it was big and seemed to have a taste for human flesh. Perfect. When will people ever learn to check cargo containers more carefully?

Now, you are finally reaching your destination. As you enter normal space, you spot a large Pfhor warship sitting next to the space station. One shot from the warship jars your craft and blows out the rear cargo area, jettisoning most of your equipment into space. A force field goes up to seal the hull breach. You start an evasive maneuver and manage to avoid two more shots from the Pfhor. You accelerate towards the station, trying to put the station between you and the warship. Soon you are in the station's shadow, and you dock the shuttle. You survey the damage and conclude that you aren't leaving the station in this ship. You grab the shotgun that you always keep next to you. It's gonna be one of those days..

It's not just a job, it's an adventure.