One of my favorite contributions to the Fallout community: The Chinese submarine in San Francisco, added to Fallout 2 with the latest versions of killap’s Restoration Patch.
When killap asked around for help on the No Mutants Allowed forums back in 2009, I volunteered to help bring back the Shi-Huang-Ti. The submarine was considered for inclusion in Fallout 2, at one point, but it never left conceptual stages, with the only references left being a few bits of dialogue and, of course, the Emperor’s prediction of a Chinese submarine reappearing in the game.
killap did not expect me to produce a complete design doc for the location, along with art, writing, and quest requirements. I was inspired by Van Buren design documentation released through No Mutants Allowed, especially accommodating different playstyles (Combat, Stealth, and Diplomacy), and designed a quest that would – hopefully – make players feel like their build matters, offering different paths through the submarine.
It was also an opportunity to explore the Shi as a people and give them a little more flavor. I always felt that their portrayal in Fallout 2 was lackluster, bordering on offensive (not to mention the incessant pop culture references). By adding a series of terminal entries dating back to the Great War, I hoped to provide a little more context for who they are and where they came from, illustrate the rationale behind the decision to remain in the United States, and expand a little on the world of Fallout.
You can download the design doc here (just remember, it’s over a decade old).
Emperor Terminal Entries
The following entries were created at the end of 2009 and were eventually included together with the submarine in killap’s Restoration Patch. Notably, some players who completed the Patch, or at least played through the submarine section, have sometimes tried to add them to the wiki, believing them to be genuine Fallout 2 content restored to the game.
Though some balked at it, I considered it – still do, actually – a a roundabout compliment.
All forces in position.
Transmitting final confirmation codes.
Operation Yōumíng is go.
Legend:
# – Nodes
* – Player dialogue replies
Node 1 is accessed through the History database on the Emperor (as far as I know, it’s not used in vanilla Fo2 for anything):
{126}{}{Which database would you like to check?}
{127}{}{Biology.}
{128}{}{Chemistry.}
{129}{}{Physics.}
{130}{}{History.} <— Pre-existing node we can use for accessing the mod-related strings
Upon selecting it, the player will be greeted with the following:
#Node 1
Identity confirmation required. Please input password.
#Node 1 replies
* CSPDMSHR-Shih-huang-ti-X9372 [Go to node 2]
* KSLJKJ:Ken-Lee-97313 [ Go to node 2 ]
* TIUASPO-Lo-Shi-S12908 [Go to node 2]
* ::hack into computer:: [ Go to node 2 if Science = 85% or more ]
* Back. [ Return to database selection menu]
#Node 2 (first access)
[The screen flashes for a second before switching to a monochromatic display filled with Chinese symbols. After a few moments, the screen clears and displays a list of contents. Most of the files are ancient and corrupted, but there are several that seem to be still intact.]
People’s Liberation Army Navy
Emperor v. 4.01 Access Terminal
Please make a selection
(subsequent access):
People’s Liberation Army Navy
Emperor v. 4.01 Access Terminal
Please make a selection
#Node 2 replies
* Submarine status[ Go to Node 3 ]
* Chinese Intelligence Network [ Not accessible without the Chinese Code Chart; Otherwise Go To Node 11]
* Comlinks [ Not accessible without the Chinese Code Chart; Otherwise Go To Node 12 ]
* Personnel logs [Not accessible without the Chinese Code Chart; Otherwise, Go To Node 13]
#Node 3
Name: Shi-Huang-Ti
Class: Type 088 Nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile Submarine
Armament: Eight torpedo tubes, eight JL-3 nuclear ballistic missiles
Launched: 8th August 2068
Commissioned: 18th April 2069
Captain: Admiral Class AAAA Ye Li
Crew: 15 officers, 28 petty officers, 27 enlisted, 16 civilian technicians
Service:
2069 – 2071: Chinese territorial waters patrol
2071 – 2077: Combat patrol in the Alaskan and Pacific theatres of operations
October 2077: Combat mission in the Californian theatre of operations. Mission outline R.
Current status:
Submarine damaged beyond repair.
Mainframe removed from vessel and relocated.
Ship refitted as stationary defensive structure two miles NNE of San Francisco harbor.
#Node 3 replies
* Combat patrols? [Go to node 4]
* Mission outline R? [Not accessible without Chinese Code Chart. Otherwise go to Node 15]
* Stationary defensive structure? [Go to Node 5]
* ::back:: [Go to Node 2]
#Node 4
Upon request made by the Alaskan Frontline commander, General Jingwei, the Shi-Huang-Ti was transferred to the Alaskan/Pacific theatre of operations to intercept American convoys in open waters. Under the command of Rear Admiral Ye Li, she has sunk 9 freighters and 4 warships, damaging 18 more craft and putting a significant strain on enemy supply lines.
Admiral Ye Li has also been credited by the People’s Liberation Army Navy as leading to the sinking of USS Ebon Atoll by an American submarine, USS Interference.
#Node 4 replies
* ::back:: [Go to Node 3]
#Node 5
2220, May: Poseidon Marine Vessel Valdez arrives in port, manned by a crew equipped with unknown-type powered infantry armor. The ship is disabled and infested with mutants.
2220, June: Following consults with the Emperor, Chiang Lee dictates that the Shi-Huang-Ti be reactivated and transformed into a defensive installation against further naval threats.
2220, July: The submarine is reactivated. Emergency power had to be provided to power it up.
2231, May: The emergency generator dies. Ken Lee orders an ElectroBox generator to be wired into the power system to keep powering the submarine.
2238, August: A Neptune Waveskimmer motorboat is restored and transferred to the submarine maintenance crew
#Node 5 replies
* Hmm, let’s see if I can find something more on that maintenance crew…[Go to Node 6; only accessible if Science =100% or greater ]
* ::back:: [Go to Node 3]
#Node 6
[You are right! After a few minutes of fiddling with commands, you manage to pull up a small text file concerning the generator on the submarine. It seems that regular trips are needed to refuel and maintain the generator. The file also lists the current maintenance crew roster and passwords for the motorboat guard.]
Submarine maintenance crew (2241 onwards):
Tsing Tao
Hun Kwai
Shin Fai
Lo Chang
Wu Fei
#Noder 6 responses
* ::add myself to maintenance crew roster:: [Add {{PLAYERNAME}} to the maintenance crew roster; Go To Node 7]
* ::download password list to PIP-Boy [Set variable “Player Has Passwords” to true; Go To Node 8]
* ::back:: [Go to Node 5]
#Node 7
[With a few quick keystrokes, you become a part of the submarine maintenance crew.]
#Noder 6 responses
* ::download password list to PIP-Boy [Set variable “Player Has Passwords” to true; Go To Node 9]
* ::back:: [Go to Node 5]
#Node 8
[You plug the PIP-Boy into one of the access ports. After a moment, you have an up-to-date list of passwords for the next year. Talk about security.]
#Noder 6 responses
* ::add myself to the maintenance crew roster:: [Add {{PLAYERNAME}} to the maintenance crew roster; Go To Node 9]
* ::back:: [Go to Node 5]
#Node 9
[You are a fully-fledged Shi submarine technician now.]
#Noder 9 responses
* ::back:: [Go to Node 5]
#Node 10
Generic message to be used once, if the player has the code chart. Afterward, every previously unavailable node becomes available.
[Thanks to the command code chart you retrieved from the sub, you are able to access restricted files on the Emperor’s drives]
Command code recognized. Security restrictions lifted.
#Node 11
Chinese Intelligence Network initialized..
…
…
Warning! Uplink to CIN central Beijing server unavailable. Retrieving archived data.
[It seems most of the archives are corrupted. However, the mainframe manages to retrieve several intact files]
Note: The following options take the player to a new node, displaying the file in question. However, the only option on each new node is Back, taking the player back to Node 11.
* Intelligence report 2069-11-5
From: Counterintelligence Division
Rioting in Tibet and neighboring provinces continues, threatening the construction of the Eastern Dragon satcom complex. President Xin orders military intervention against the populace. Following significant insurgent casualties, the province is restored to Chinese control and the remaining insurgents are resettled.
* Intelligence report 2072-4-18
From: Biochemical Warfare Division
Outbreak of epidemic in the Soviet Union threatens northern protectorates of the PRC. BioChem WD advises quarantine and isolation of endangered territories. Potential resettlement location for insurgents, terrorists and undesirables and harvesting area for new strains of biological weapons. Plan submitted to Party for approval.
* Intelligence report 2073-12-4
From: Alaskan Front Commander, General Jingwei
Strain #23-110 deployed against American troops, demoralizing and weakening their operational strength. Requesting additional troops and Battlemaster armor for final push against the entrenched American forces at the borders of Alaska.
* Intelligence report 2074-9-17
From: Central Command
American units deployed to mainland after evading our blockade of Japan. Alaskan forces are to continue operations. Military forces in annexed territories are to augment the defense of homefront.
Command authorizes the use of biological and chemical weapons on home soil – the foreign devils must be exterminated!
* Intelligence report 2075-10-17
From: Red Dragon
Insurgency operations and terror strikes highly effective in demoralizing the American population. Support for military operations overseas wanes as riots and protests are incited across the American soil.
Recommend strikes against designated research and military targets across the United States, priority: Raven Rock, West Tek, Mariposa, Hoover Dam, Boulder, Institute.
* Intelligence report 2076-8-12
From: Central Command
American military superiority now clear – T-51b power armor units deployed to mainland. The PLA has no appropriate counter and is losing ground daily. Chairman Cheng demands that Beijing stays in Chinese hands – fortification is underway.
Command orders intensification of guerilla operations behind enemy lines. Operatives in all American Commonwealth are to prepare for staging insurgencies. Weapon and equipment shipments dispatched.
Priority target: Washington, DC, Columbia Commonwealth
* Intelligence report 2077-10-12
From: Party Chairman Cheng
With the Alaskan Front’s collapse and increasingly strong American presence on Chinese soil, defeat is imminent. According to resolution 636860 of the Communist Party of China, I am hereby ordering all loyal military forces to commence nuclear operations against the Americans, mission outline R. Priority targets are contained within operational directives.
May our souls return to this Earth.
* Intelligence report 2077-10-23
From: Central Command
All forces in position.
Transmitting final confirmation codes.
Operation Yōumíng is go.
#Node 12
Scanning communication outlets…
PLA CentCom… offline
CIN Beijing… offline
SSC Naval Yard… offline
SCA Eastern Dragon.. offline
Warning: No connection to external serves could be made.
* That’s disappointing. [Back to Node 2]
#Node 13
Scanning local drives…
…
…
One accessible file found
[It seems most of the archives are corrupted. However, the mainframe manages to retrieve an intact file]
* Personal log: Li Ye, Admiral, Captain [Go to Node 14]
#Node 14 (to be formatted as you see fit)
2077-10-12: We are losing this war. I just received confirmation that the Party has finally decided to go through with plan R. Madness! How will nuclear war give us victory? Nobody wins if we unleash this kind of power. But I am a soldier and I will follow my orders through to the end.
2077-10-19: The crew is becoming restless. Wong, excited, told the officers about plan R and they were ecstatic. I cannot blame them, even though I disagree: Wong lost his sons in Anchorage while Da Chiang’s brother was captured off the coast of Maryland.
2077-10-21: We have completed final preparations for launch. All that is left is inputting the confirmation codes. It has been an honor to serve with these men.
2077-10-23: We have received confirmation codes and will be in position in fifteen minutes. This is probably my last entry in this log, so let me state that I do not condone this kind of atrocity. War is fought between soldiers, not bombs and civilians. If anyone survives, I hope they will forgive us.
2077-10-29: Damn those maniacs! I thought we were the only group ordered to engage the Los Angeles sector, but I was wrong. They launched our most powerful ICBM at it.I cannot fathom why wasn’t it sent at Washington, but that’s moot. We are currently drifting in the ocean, the Emperor is dead, navigation is busted and it seems this is going to be our grave.
2077-11-04: We’ve been adrift for several days now. Jing managed to restore some of the power to our on board systems, so we should have enough oxygen to last several weeks. I am more concerned about food and water – our supplies are low and there’s not enough of them to go around. The crew is getting restless.
2077-11-08: The Emperor is back on line, but barely. We still have no navigation and the crew is on the verge of mutiny – I had to stop two sailors from beating up Jing. The situation is dire. Unless we surface in the next few days, I fear we will kill each other.
2077-11-12: Finally! We ran aground in the San Francisco bay. The sailors were rejoicing until we cut open the hatches. The city is a wreck, ravaged by firestorms and fallout. I sent out shore parties to find a suitable camp site. So far, none have reported such a location.
2077-11-16: Lao’s team found an inhabitable neighborhood. The denizens have abandoned it, after the air raid alarm it seems, but it has suffered little damage. The most ironic thing? It’s San Francisco’s Chinatown, still surrounded by American checkpoints and fortified barracks. If only they knew…
2077-11-24: We made contact with Red Dragon. The North America Black Ghost command has been trudging westwards ever since the 23rd, after they lost contact with CentCom. They’re none too happy about being stuck on enemy soil, but we must make do.
2077-12-06: The Shi-Huang-Ti away camp is set up and functioning. Ghosts are running scavenging operations in the surrounding areas and rounding up any supplies they come across. I gave them strict orders not to engage American survivors without provocation – we cannot antagonize potential allies.
2077-12-14: An oddity – a cult by the name of Church of Hubology has somehow survived the devastation in a reinforced bunker near what remains of the Golden Gate bridge. They are harmless fanatics, but useful. Their resources, manpower and knowledge of the surrounding area will aid us in estabilishing our new home.
2077-12-27: The basic necessities are covered. We are currently making plans to strip the submarine of electronics and other useful equipment – there’s no point in maintaining it, since the propulsion system is beyond repair and we can use everything we can on site. Jing drafted plans for a reinforced structure – a ‘Steel Palace’ of sorts.
2077-12-31: This is going to be my last entry in this log. I am no longer an Admiral of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. I have a responsibility to my men and will lead them into the future. As of 2078, we are in full secession from China. Chairman Cheng, eat your heart out.
This is Ye Li, leader of the Shi-Huang-Ti people, signing off.
#Node 15
Mission Outline R
Emergency nuclear warfare contingency plan for the People’s Liberation Army in case of imminent defeat by a foreign power, accepted by the Communist Party of China on 11th November 2073
The plan includes a series of coordinated nuclear strikes against strategic targets across America, using strategic aircraft, nuclear missile submarines, missile delivery systems, low yield infantry nuclear weapons and other nuclear devices. The objective is to cripple American retaliatory capability and military capability.
The Shi-Huang-Ti is tasked with destroying eight targets on Californian soil, including the West Tek Research Facility, corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and major population centers.
In case of mutiny, betrayal or defection, the Captain is authorized to order the Emperor to take control of the vessel and carry out the mission.
#Node 15 responses
* Interesting. [Go to Node 3]