SM-13 (2024)

The SM-13, also known as the Iron Lung, was a burner submarine created by the Consolidation of Iron for conviction realization, deep liquid photography, and analysis on the moon AT-5. While the SM-13 is presented as a submarine designed for ocean exploration, it is later revealed in both a note and terminal entry to be a burner sub intended as a punishment and means of execution for prisoners undergoing conviction realization.

History[]

On 5/389 EIC, the player was assigned to the SM-13 to explore AT-5's blood ocean, photographing ten points of interest throughout, which are denoted by a list of coordinates and a map. A note written by an unknown convict can be found on the floor of the SM-13, which reveals that the player is not meant to survive their expedition and that the SM-13 is a burner sub designed without regard to the safety of the user which serves a dual-purpose of both gathering information and executing convicts.

The SM-13, as explained in the game's introduction, is not suited to high-pressure conditions, and is thus damaged with relative ease. The pressure of the surrounding conditions causes pipes to burst and other components of the ship to catch fire throughout the game, forcing the player to use the submarine's fire extinguisher at several points. As the game progresses, the SM-13's oxygen gauge depletes at an alarming rate. Near the end of the game, the submarine begins to fill with blood from the ocean, eventually reaching up to the player's knees. Alongside internal conditions, the ship can be easily damaged by objects it collides with, as well as the wildlife known to be inhabiting the ocean. Ultimately, the ship is destroyed by the Monster, which crashed through its hull before the player takes a picture of the tenth point of interest.

Appearance[]

Exterior[]

The exterior of the ship is cylindrical, with a searchlight mounted at its front for the camera and several propellers at its back. The front of the ship features a porthole, however it is welded shut due to the high pressure, rendering the pilot blind save for the use of the ship's camera.

Interior[]

The SM-13 itself is small and claustrophobic, with its cylindrical walls being covered in various pipes and valves, which at certain points in the game begin to leak steam. The roof of the Iron Lung features an exposed lightbulb covered in a wire cage, and the entire interior is painted a rusty red-brown.

At the head of the ship, a short desk contains various buttons used to change the Iron Lung's position, along with several displays indicating the Iron Lung's current coordinates and angle. On the wall above the desk, the submarine's porthole is welded shut from the outside, revealing only metal. On the porthole's left is a depth gauge, and on its right an oxygen gauge informs the player how much oxygen they have left. Three rectangular meters can be seen below the porthole but have an unknown function.

The back of the SM-13 contains a fire extinguisher in front of a small alcove containing a terminal on the right, and a large display monitor on the left. A lime photograph button on the center wall displays whatever is in front of the Iron Lung on the monitor. The back area also contains several meters of an unknown purpose, as well as a note on the floor from an unknown convict.

The note reads as follows:

"This is not an expedition, it is an execution. When they put you in here, they don't want you to return. And even if you do, and even if they keep their promises... what freedom waits for you? A few dying ships in a sea of dead stars?

If there still is hope, it lies beyond the veil. Hope in this void is as illusionary as the starlight. I will choose to breathe my last here at the bottom of an ocean, unseen, unheard, uncontrolled.

They will get their execution.

I will get my freedom."

The achievement description states this was written by another convict, meaning this is not the SM-13's first expedition, also hinted at by the terminal relating to the SM-8, as it shows that the previous passenger was likely left to suffocate within.

Destruction[]

The fate of the SM-13 is less than desirable; damage dealt by the Monster leaves the hull gravely compromised, and the pressure of the blood surrounding the ship quickly enlarges a gash in the ship's exterior, killing the player and flooding the ship. The contents of the SM-13 are left scattered along the seafloor, as revealed in the game's epilogue.

Terminal Entry[]

Trivia[]

• The oxygen levels on the Iron Lung are scripted, rather than being time based, meaning it is technically impossible for the player to actually suffocate in the Iron Lung. ^[1]
• The Iron Lung likely earned its nickname after the breathing apparatus of the same name, which is used for treating polio by forcing oxygen to circulate through a patient's body. Both types of 'iron lung' resemble a metal coffin. Ending up in either type also means you might not live too much longer.

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