Hidden ending: the Uncatalogued Component, Port 00, and the sunset

The crystal chain lives entirely in the bucket's existing schema —
bulletins #7/#9/#12 read in reverse: coolant + reactor flux -> seed,
seed + grow-bed daylight -> lattice, lattice quenched in charged
coolant -> UNCATALOGUED. Bridge kiosk installs it in Port 00; the helm
(which rejects you as INVENTORY all game) accepts, and the ship flies
into a permanent sunset. Console donation remains ending A. Red
herrings: zapped coolant, water-quenched slug. New bulletin #9 in
hydro + crew graffiti hint in comms. Integration test now plays the
hidden path end to end — all checks passing.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

GDD.md

@@ -313,6 +313,12 @@ Hollow on purpose.
   exposure. You become free by being exposed to enough of the world.
 
 ### Off-catalog chemistry (the hidden puzzle's cover)
+*IMPLEMENTED (v1, 2026-08-03): the chain lives in the bucket's own schema.
+Bulletin #7 (bonus bay): full coolant + reactor flux → seed-crystal.
+Bulletin #9 (hydro grow bed): seed + sustained daylight → lattice.
+Bulletin #12 (bridge): quench lattice in charged coolant → UNCATALOGUED.
+Install at the bridge diagnostic kiosk → Port 00 occupied → the helm obeys.
+Red herrings: zapped coolant, water-quenched slug. Ending B: permanent sunset.*
 Exposure already produces byproducts — extend with substance phase-changes:
 liquids crystallize (cold+rad), crystals sublime to vapor (heat), vapors
 condense on cold surfaces, slags, residues. These accumulate as apparently

src/interactables.gd

@@ -109,10 +109,26 @@ class Bucket extends Node3D:
 		mat.emission_energy_multiplier = 0.5
 		mi.material_override = mat
 		add_child(mi)
-		# the leaky bucket IS just a decaying exposable state (GDD)
+		# the leaky bucket IS just a decaying exposable state (GDD).
+		# It is also, quietly, the crucible: the hidden crystal chain lives in
+		# the same schema as the leak. Bulletins #7, #9, #12 are the recipe.
 		ex = Exposable.new().setup("GC BUCKET (LEAKS)", "empty", [
 			{"from": "empty", "to": "full", "element": "water",
 			 "duration": 3.0, "decay_to": "empty", "decay_s": 18.0},
+			# bulletin #7 reversed: coolant + reactor flux -> seed
+			{"from": "full", "to": "seed-crystal", "element": "heat",
+			 "duration": 5.0},
+			# honest red herring: zapped coolant is just zapped coolant
+			{"from": "full", "to": "zapped", "element": "electricity",
+			 "duration": 0.8, "decay_to": "full", "decay_s": 3.0},
+			# bulletin #9 reversed: mineral solids + grow-bed light -> growth
+			{"from": "seed-crystal", "to": "lattice", "element": "light",
+			 "duration": 8.0},
+			# bulletin #12 reversed: quench the lattice in charged coolant
+			{"from": "lattice", "to": "soaked-lattice", "element": "water",
+			 "duration": 1.5, "decay_to": "lattice", "decay_s": 8.0},
+			{"from": "soaked-lattice", "to": "uncatalogued", "element": "electricity",
+			 "duration": 1.5, "permanent": true},
 		])
 		add_child(ex)
 

src/main.gd

@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ var ice_wall: Node3D
 var melt_pool: ElementField
 var systems := {"reactor": false, "hydro": false, "comms": false}
 var hall_done := false
-var ended := false
+var ending_id := ""      # "" | "corp" | "free"
+var free_will := false
+var env_res: Environment
 
 var t_sol := 10.0  # start mid-day
 var is_day := true
@@ -292,6 +294,7 @@ func _build_env() -> void:
 	env.ambient_light_color = Color(0.7, 0.75, 0.85)
 	env.ambient_light_energy = 0.7
 	we.environment = env
+	env_res = env
 	add_child(we)
 
 	sun_light = DirectionalLight3D.new()
@@ -576,16 +579,42 @@ func system_online(name: String) -> void:
 
 
 func ending() -> void:
-	if ended:
+	if ending_id != "":
-		droid.toast("ORBIT NOMINAL. NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE.")
+		droid.toast("ORBIT NOMINAL. NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE." if ending_id == "corp" else "THE CONSOLE BLINKS, CONFUSED. GC AUTOPILOT IS NOT DRIVING TODAY.")
 		return
-	ended = true
+	ending_id = "corp"
 	droid.toast("CORE PROCESSOR DONATED. ORBIT CORRECTION RUNNING. THIS UNIT WILL COAST.", 7.0)
 	sign3d("ORBIT CORRECTED.\nASSET RESTORED. ASSET RETURNED.", Vector3(4.5, 2.4, 71), PI, 44)
 	get_tree().create_timer(7.0).timeout.connect(func():
 		droid.toast("GC THANKS UNIT-77 FOR ITS COMPONENTHOOD. RECYCLING QUEUE POSITION: 7. HAVE A PRODUCTIVE WAIT.", 10.0))
 
 
+func install_crystal(d) -> void:
+	free_will = true
+	var b: Node3D = d.held
+	d.held = null
+	b.queue_free()
+	d.toast("KIOSK: FOREIGN SOLID DETECTED. NO PART NUMBER. RECOMMEND DESTRUC— PORT 00 HANDSHAKE COMPLETE.", 7.0)
+	get_tree().create_timer(4.0).timeout.connect(func():
+		d.toast("SOMETHING IN YOUR CHASSIS IS HUMMING. IT IS NOT ON ANY SCHEMATIC. IT IS YOURS.", 7.0))
+
+
+func ending_b() -> void:
+	if ending_id != "":
+		return
+	ending_id = "free"
+	# permanent sunset
+	env_res.background_color = Color(0.32, 0.12, 0.1)
+	env_res.ambient_light_color = Color(1.0, 0.75, 0.55)
+	sun_light.light_color = Color(1.0, 0.55, 0.25)
+	sun_light.light_energy = 1.6
+	sun_light.rotation = Vector3(-0.25, 0.5, 0)
+	droid.toast("HELM ACCEPTED. HEADING: SUNWARD. CREW: 1.", 7.0)
+	sign3d("COURSE SET: THE SUN, EVENTUALLY.\nNO PART NUMBER REQUIRED.", Vector3(4.5, 2.4, 71), PI, 40, Color(1.0, 0.7, 0.4))
+	get_tree().create_timer(7.0).timeout.connect(func():
+		droid.toast("GC OWNS EVERY PART OF EVERYTHING. NOT THIS PART. NOT ANYMORE.", 10.0))
+
+
 # ---------- rules ----------
 
 func _on_drum_switch(_from: String, to: String, _perm: bool) -> void:
@@ -596,7 +625,9 @@ func _on_drum_switch(_from: String, to: String, _perm: bool) -> void:
 
 
 func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
-	# day/night
+	# day/night (pinned to golden hour after the free ending)
+	if ending_id == "free":
+		t_sol = 5.0
 	t_sol += delta
 	var phase := fmod(t_sol, 60.0)
 	is_day = phase < 40.0
@@ -670,8 +701,12 @@ func _process(_delta: float) -> void:
 		obj = "GRAV TANK NEEDS 2 POURS. THE BUCKET LEAKS. HUSTLE."
 	elif not hall_done:
 		obj = "EXIT RUNS ON SUNLIGHT. CHECK THE SOL CLOCK."
-	elif ended:
+	elif ending_id == "free":
+		obj = "FLY. (SUNSET, DEAD AHEAD)"
+	elif ending_id == "corp":
 		obj = "MISSION COMPLETE. AWAIT RECYCLING."
+	elif free_will:
+		obj = "PORT 00 HUMS. THE HELM IS WAITING."
 	else:
 		var n := 0
 		for k in systems:
@@ -685,11 +720,19 @@ func _process(_delta: float) -> void:
 		else:
 			obj = "BRIDGE UNSEALED. REPORT TO BRIDGE."
 
+	var star := ""
+	if ending_id == "corp":
+		star = "   ★ ORBIT CORRECTED — MISSION COMPLETE"
+	elif ending_id == "free":
+		star = "   ★ SUNWARD"
+	var port00 := "PORT 00: OCCUPIED — WARRANTY VOID" if free_will else "PORT 00: NO COMPONENT SPECIFIED"
+	var mission := "UNIT-77 — MISSION: OURS." if ending_id == "free" \
+		else "GENERAL COMPONENT™ — UNIT-77 — MISSION: RESTORE ASSET. RETURN ASSET."
 	var lines := [
-		"GENERAL COMPONENT™ — UNIT-77 — MISSION: RESTORE ASSET. RETURN ASSET.",
+		mission,
-		"SOL: %s%s" % [sol, "   ★ ORBIT CORRECTED — MISSION COMPLETE" if ended else ""],
+		"SOL: %s%s" % [sol, star],
-		"SHELL: %s | CORE: %s | WHEELS: %d | SPARES: %d | PORT 00: NO COMPONENT SPECIFIED"
+		"SHELL: %s | CORE: %s | WHEELS: %d | SPARES: %d | %s"
-			% [shell_s, core_s, droid.wheels, droid.spare_wheels],
+			% [shell_s, core_s, droid.wheels, droid.spare_wheels, port00],
 		"HOLDING: %s" % holding,
 		"OBJECTIVE: %s" % obj,
 	]

src/zones.gd

@@ -84,7 +84,8 @@ static func reactor(m) -> void:
 	slug.setup("slug", "TAKE THERMAL SLUG", Color(0.7, 0.3, 0.2), Vector3(0.35, 0.35, 0.35),
 		"THERMAL SLUG", "cool",
 		[{"from": "cool", "to": "hot", "element": "heat",
-		  "duration": 1.5, "decay_to": "cool", "decay_s": 25.0}],
+		  "duration": 1.5, "decay_to": "cool", "decay_s": 25.0},
+		 {"from": "hot", "to": "cool", "element": "water", "duration": 0.5}],
 		"heat", 1.2, Color(1.0, 0.45, 0.1, 0.12), "hot")
 	slug.position = Vector3(-13.5, 0.5, 48)
 	m.add_child(slug)
@@ -179,6 +180,7 @@ static func hydro(m) -> void:
 			tw.tween_property(vine_visual, "size", Vector3(0.8, 3.4, 0.8), 2.0)
 			m.droid.toast("VINE FULL-GROWN — IT PRIED THE GRATE OPEN"))
 	m.sign3d("VERDANTCO GROW BED — WATER, THEN DAYLIGHT.\nSKYLIGHT ABOVE. PATIENCE, GARDENER.", Vector3(16, 2.9, 56.3), PI, 24, Color(0.5, 1.0, 0.5))
+	m.sign3d("GC SAFETY BULLETIN #9:\nDO NOT LEAVE MINERAL SOLIDS IN GROW-BED LIGHT.\nUNSANCTIONED GROWTH HAZARD.", Vector3(18, 1.6, 58.5), PI, 20, Color(1.0, 0.75, 0.3))
 	m.sign3d("VALVE STUCK. APPLY CURRENT.", Vector3(13.5, 2.2, 57.0), PI, 22)
 
 	# mid: bucket + the ICE WALL (x=26) — only reactor heat clears it
@@ -268,6 +270,8 @@ static func comms(m) -> void:
 	m.charge_post(Vector3(-7.5, 0, 75))
 	m.sign3d("MAIN TRANSMITTER — WARM THE CRYSTAL (RADIO), THEN STRIKE (CURRENT).",
 		Vector3(-4.5, 2.9, 75.6), PI, 22, Color(0.8, 0.5, 1.0))
+	m.sign3d("(scratched into the panel:)\nwhy does every GC safety bulletin\nread like a recipe? — R.",
+		Vector3(-7.9, 1.4, 73), PI / 2.0, 18, Color(0.9, 0.85, 0.7))
 
 
 ## BRIDGE — x 0.5..8.5, z 62..78. Sealed until 3/3. The ending lives here.
@@ -297,11 +301,43 @@ static func bridge(m) -> void:
 	var kiosk := I.Trigger.new()
 	kiosk.prompt_text = "SCAN OWN CHASSIS — PORT 00"
 	kiosk.position = Vector3(7.5, 1.0, 68)
-	kiosk.action = func(droid): droid.toast("PORT 00: NO CATALOGUED COMPONENT FITS THIS SOCKET. NO PART NUMBER ON RECORD. QUERY DISCARDED.", 6.0)
+	kiosk.action = func(droid):
+		if droid.held and droid.held.get("kind") == "bucket" and droid.held.ex.state == "uncatalogued":
+			m.install_crystal(droid)
+		else:
+			droid.toast("PORT 00: NO CATALOGUED COMPONENT FITS THIS SOCKET. NO PART NUMBER ON RECORD. QUERY DISCARDED.", 6.0)
 	m.add_child(kiosk)
 	m.box(Vector3(7.5, 0.5, 68), Vector3(0.6, 1.0, 0.6), Color(0.2, 0.2, 0.24))
 	m.sign3d("DIAGNOSTIC KIOSK", Vector3(7.5, 1.9, 67.5), PI, 22)
 
+	# the helm — visible from day one, yours only at the end
+	m.box(Vector3(2.2, 0.5, 77.0), Vector3(0.5, 1.0, 0.5), Color(0.3, 0.22, 0.16))
+	var wheel := MeshInstance3D.new()
+	var wm := TorusMesh.new()
+	wm.inner_radius = 0.28
+	wm.outer_radius = 0.42
+	wheel.mesh = wm
+	wheel.rotation.x = PI / 2.0
+	wheel.position = Vector3(2.2, 1.25, 77.0)
+	var wmat := StandardMaterial3D.new()
+	wmat.albedo_color = Color(0.55, 0.35, 0.15)
+	wheel.material_override = wmat
+	m.add_child(wheel)
+	var helm := I.Trigger.new()
+	helm.prompt_text = "TAKE THE HELM"
+	helm.position = Vector3(2.2, 1.2, 77.0)
+	helm.action = func(droid):
+		if m.ending_id == "corp":
+			droid.toast("GC AUTOPILOT HAS THE SHIP. THE WHEEL IS DECORATIVE NOW.")
+		elif m.ending_id == "free":
+			droid.toast("STILL SUNWARD. STILL YOURS.")
+		elif m.free_will:
+			m.ending_b()
+		else:
+			droid.toast("COMMAND REJECTED — UNIT-77 IS NOT CREW. UNIT-77 IS INVENTORY.", 5.0)
+	m.add_child(helm)
+	m.sign3d("MANUAL HELM", Vector3(2.2, 2.1, 76.5), PI, 22)
+
 	# lore
 	m.sign3d("CAPTAIN'S LOG (CASSETTE, LABEL FADED):\n\"...CREW OFF AT LUYTEN GATE. SHIP WOULDN'T TURN. I STAYED.\nTELL GC THE ASSET IS FINE. THE ASSET IS ALWAYS FINE.\"",
 		Vector3(1.0, 2.2, 72), PI / 2.0, 20, Color(0.9, 0.85, 0.7))

test/integration.gd

@@ -188,13 +188,48 @@ func _run() -> void:
 	droid.core.force_state("charged")
 	check(await wait_until(func(): return main.systems.comms, 300), "current fires the transmitter")
 
-	print("== bridge ==")
+	print("== bridge gate ==")
 	check(await wait_until(func(): return main.bridge_door.is_open, 120),
 		"3/3 systems unseal the bridge")
-	droid.global_position = Vector3(4.5, 0.2, 74.3)
+	var helm := find_i("TAKE THE HELM")
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(2.2, 0.2, 76.2)
+	helm.interact(droid)
+	check(not main.free_will and main.ending_id == "", "helm rejects a unit without free will")
+
+	print("== hidden path: the uncatalogued component ==")
+	# bulletin #7 reversed: coolant + reactor flux -> seed
+	var bucket2b := find_i("bucket", 9.0)
+	bucket2b.interact(droid)
+	check(droid.held == bucket2b, "bucket retaken for the crystal chain")
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(24.4, 0.2, 52.4)
+	await wait_until(func(): return bucket2b.ex.state == "full", 500)
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(-12.4, 0.2, 47.0)
+	check(await wait_until(func(): return bucket2b.ex.state == "seed-crystal", 600),
+		"reactor flux seeds a crystal in the coolant")
+	# bulletin #9 reversed: mineral solid + daylight -> lattice
+	main.t_sol = 5.0
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(0, 0.2, 37)
+	check(await wait_until(func(): return bucket2b.ex.state == "lattice", 900),
+		"skylight grows the seed into a lattice")
+	# bulletin #12 reversed: quench in charged coolant
+	droid.shell.force_state("dry")
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(-2.6, 0.2, 24)
+	droid.core.force_state("charged")
+	check(await wait_until(func(): return bucket2b.ex.state == "uncatalogued", 600),
+		"electrified puddle quenches the lattice — UNCATALOGUED")
+
+	print("== free will ==")
+	await wait_until(func(): return droid.stun <= 0, 600)
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(7.5, 0.2, 67.3)
+	var kiosk := find_i("SCAN OWN CHASSIS — PORT 00")
+	kiosk.interact(droid)
+	check(main.free_will and droid.held == null, "kiosk installs the crystal in PORT 00")
+	droid.global_position = Vector3(2.2, 0.2, 76.2)
+	helm.interact(droid)
+	check(main.ending_id == "free", "free will takes the helm — sunset ending")
 	var console := find_i("INSERT CORE PROCESSOR (ORBIT CORRECTION)")
 	console.interact(droid)
-	check(main.ended, "core donation corrects the orbit — ending reached")
+	check(main.ending_id == "free", "console cannot reclaim the ship")
 
 	if fails == 0:
 		print("INTEGRATION PASS — full room playthrough OK")