I'm Luz, and I'm just your average star-maker.

I'm currently stationed at Rainbow Galaxy, where we make colorful stars shaped like different art supplies. 

You see, stars are important in this universe. Where I'm from, Artierra, we look to stars to find motivation and hope.

It goes like this: as humans, we have wishes and passions. Our wishes make stardust. The stardust eventually forms stars.

Those stars end up shaped like the things we're passionate about. When enough similar stars are made, a galaxy forms.

When we see those stars, we feel happy. We're inspired to keep following our dreams.

That inspiration makes even more stardust, and the cycle continues. Everything's in harmony.

That's why star-makers are so important — they help gather and organize stardust, making sure the stars keep shining.

Using special technology, they can also make brand new stars with their own creative touch.

Each galaxy has a space station full of star-makers, working hard to fuel existing stars and make new ones.

...Well, that’s how it used to be. Nowadays, the bots do all the work. They're made by a company called Unibots.

At first, the bots just helped with a few star-making tasks. But they got more and more advanced.

Now they can do the entire star-making process. All we have to do is push a button, and it's done.

Every station across the universe uses Unibots now. It makes maintaining the galaxies much easier, but...

I don't know. I don't really like the way a bot-made star looks. They're too...perfect. Same-y.

The bot-made stars still connect with people, even if the effect is weaker. But since they make a ton of stars, it does the job.

That's why a lot of us "star-makers" jokingly call ourselves "bot-watchers" now. It's all we do. 

And that's why I'm super bored, every day. 

I mean, it's not like I can help the bots — no one really knows the older methods of star-making anymore. 

...Whoops, I've been daydreaming long enough. Better get back to it.

Fuel this star...check. Make this star...check. Fuel this star...check. Make this star...check.

Only 100 more to go...

- The next morning -

Ugh, I overslept. Better hurry to my spot...

...Huh? Is something going on in the main hub? It sounds noisier than usual.

(There's something playing on the jumbo screen...? That's weird.)

Ahem...attention, star-makers of the universe! Hope everything is fine and well at your stations!

I know what you're thinking — why is Wolf, the beautiful and awesome founder of Unibots, broadcasting live to you all?

Well, it's a very special occasion! 

You see, today marks the 5th anniversary of Unibots being used in each and every station! Which means...

It's finally time I take control. Of everything.

...Huh? The bot in front of me is acting strange...

Wh-what?! This bot is supposed to make stars shaped like paintbrushes, but it's glitching out!

Now it's making...a star that looks like Wolf???

This bot is doing the same thing! What's happening?!

No doubt you're all panicking right now, hahaha! Don't worry, just sit back and let the bots do their job.

Soon, you'll all be free of your silly wishes and passion. 

Once all the stars in the galaxy look like my gorgeous face, you'll have no choice but to admire me, above all!

What in the...? Is this happening in every station?!

Enjoy this little update, my adoring fans! I look forward to see all the stardust you'll make for me!

This is Wolf, the universe's BIGGEST star, signing off! Byeee!

(I...I don't want this. I mean, no one else actually wants this, right? So why is it happening?)

Stars above...what do we do now?

No idea. Do we just...accept it? I mean, I’m not really a Wolf fan, but at least the bots are still making stars, right?

Plus, I don't know how to control the bots at all. Do you?

No way. I mean, there's that bot manual locked away in the main office, but...has anyone ever read that?

Yeah, me. Stand back everyone.

The reset button should be...ah, here it is. 

That should do it. The bot's not making that Wolf dude's face anymore, but it's completely blank now. 

...Valeria?! How'd you do that?

Luz. You're coming with me. We're gonna reset all the bots and make the stars that the people actually want.

M-me? But I don’t know anything about how the bots work...

No problem. I'll teach you what I know, and we can learn the rest along the way.

Err, I don't know...

C'mon, I need your help. Just try it. Or are you okay with letting Rainbow Galaxy becoming all about Wolf?

Urk...! Okay, fine. I'll try to help.

Great, follow me. It'll be hard to get the bots back to how they were before, but I have a different idea...

We'll use the old star-making technology. 

You mean...the areas of the station with all the buttons and stuff? Are you sure?

Yep. Before we head in, let's turn into our star forms so we can handle all the stardust.

Oh, right. It's been a while since I've had to do this...
"Star Transformer, make me a star!"

*poof*

That's better. Now let me show you what we're dealing with.

Each of these areas is a computing system: basically, a bunch of different pieces that work together to achieve a goal.

That goal is to press the big yellow button, which will gather the stardust we need for each star.

The problem is figuring out how to reach the goal in each system. It's like solving a puzzle...you like puzzles, right Luz?

...I do. So the "puzzle pieces" are the buttons, switches, cubes, and bots?

Yeah, whatever we can use. 

What about that yellow computer thingy?

Hmm...I'm not sure what that does. Maybe we can use it to talk to other star-makers?

Or maybe it tracks the amount of stardust here?

Maybe it can tell bots what to do...?

Ooh! Maybe it plays videos!

Well, only one way to know for sure. Let's try these puzzles out.

I've solved a few puzzles, but I'm stuck on this one. Any tips, Valeria?

I got you. First, let's make sure we understand the puzzle. We can start by listing out all the pieces we see here.

Okay...to start, there's the big yellow button. Pressing that is our goal.

I also see two bridges. We'll need to turn those on if we want to reach the goal.

Yeah. Looking at the wires, I see each bridge is connected to a cube tray. 

Cube tray B has a cube weighing it down. That must be why the bridge it's connected to is on.

Makes sense. There's also a bot over there...

That type of bot is called a Grabber. It's different from the Mover bot we saw in the other puzzle.

While Movers can only move around the area, Grabbers can also pick up and drop things.

I see. Finally, there's the yellow computer we were wondering about earlier. Turns out it's called a terminal.

You were right about it, Valeria. The terminal lets us code the bots in a puzzle — give them instructions they can understand.

Right. Why don't we try it out?

Woah...what does all this mean?

Let's see...on the left, there's the commands we can give the Grabber bot.

On the right is where our code will go. Right now it's empty, so the bot won't do anything.

We can add code by clicking one of the commands on the left. Try it, Luz.

Okay...maybe I'll add "pick up at" so the bot can go pick up the cube?

Hm? I added it, but what's this now?

You told the bot to pick something up, but it needs to know where that thing is. Should it pick up at cube tray A or B?

The cube is at cube pad B right now...so I'll choose B.

Cool. Now that you added a command, you can run the code by clicking "Run" in the bottom right.

Huh? I don't think we're done with the code yet, though...

Who says our code has to be right on the first try? Not me, and I'm the only other person here.

We'll have an easier time solving puzzles if we run our code often just to see what happens. It helps to try things out.

If you say so. Here goes...

Looks good so far. Now that we know that, let's click "Reset" and choose what the Grabber should do next.

Hm...I'm guessing we should have the bot drop the cube at cube tray A. That'll turn on the bridge in front of us.

Then we can cross it. Sounds good to me.

Okay. I'll add "drop at A" then click Run.

Sweet, the bridge is on. Let's go, Luz.

Wait a second...now the bridge to the goal is off! What do we do...?

Hmm. Remember, the bots can't do the whole star-making process on their own anymore. We need to help them.

That means for all these puzzles, there's two parts to a solution: the bot code, and our own actions.

So the question is: do we need to change something about the code? Or do we need to take action ourselves?

Hold up, I think I got it.

I was so caught up in the code, I forgot that we're a piece of the puzzle, too. Thanks for reminding me, Valeria.

Oh...! Uh, yeah, no problem! So, what'd you figure out?

Well, we definitely needed the bot to move the cube to
cube tray A. There was no way for us to cross otherwise.

But now that we made it here...we can just move the cube ourselves! 

I'll move it back to cube tray B so that the bridge to the goal turns on.

That was it! Nice one, Luz. 

I thought maybe we needed to add more code for the bot. But that wasn't even possible. Look here...

This bot has a line limit of 2. That means we can't add more than 2 lines of code here.

Huh...so we have to work around a line limit for every puzzle? Kinda annoying.

We do, yes. But I think it's good info. If we know the line limit, that narrows down our options.

True...if previous star-makers used these systems, then all puzzles must be solvable with the line limit.

Exactly. Anyways, let's get going. Why don't you press that goal button, Luz?

Right. Hup!

Great, now this system is fueling the Green Star again! Only a few more to go before our station is back to normal.

I'm guessing most puzzles will have bots. Let's keep in mind that we'll need to help them out with our own actions.

Right...we're important, too. Even if I haven't felt that way in a long time.

You are important, Luz. We all are. 

That's why I'm not gonna let Wolf trample over all of us, over everyone's wishes. Are you with me?

(Am I? I mean, can I really do this? Valeria's always been on top of things, but me...)

(Snap out of it, Luz. Even if these puzzles are hard, this is better than watching bots make stars of Wolf's face.)

...Yeah. I'm with you, Valeria.

I'm glad. No time to waste then — let's solve these puzzles.

Did...did we just make a brand new star?!

We did...! We're pretty awesome, huh?

I guess so?? I didn't think we'd really be able to do it, honestly...

(Not only did we restore all of Rainbow Galaxy's usual stars, we created a new star: one of an actual rainbow!)

(Our star isn't perfect-looking, but...)

We really made it ourselves.

We're star-makers, aren't we? Though this might be the first time I've felt like one.

Same. We both joined the Rainbow Galaxy because we like art, but...we haven't done much of it.

I feel you. But maybe now we can start again, yeah?

Yeah. I hope our star can inspire someone back in Artierra...even just one person. That would make me happy.

(To whoever that person is...don't give up on your dreams.)

I hope we can make another star soon. I already have ideas...

Hey! You two, over there! You're the ones who fixed up the station, right?

That's us.

My stars, how'd you do it? Looking at the reports from the other stations, we must be the only one working right now!

Just a bit of coding, plus a bit of doing things ourselves.

Actually...why don't we teach you and everyone else how to do this method of star-making?

You know, just in case Wolf tries something else. Are you okay with that, Luz?

Huh? Oh, um...sure, why not?

Great! Then after we explain it to everyone here, we'll travel to the other stations to help them out.

Right....wait, what?

That's a great idea! I'll go gather the other star-makers. You two come by when you're ready to show us.

Hey, Valeria?! I didn't agree to all that!

...Well, do you wanna stay here then?

...Hmm.

Or do you wanna go on an adventure with me? Help the other stations out, see what they're like.

Maybe we can even meet Wolf and tell him what we think of his "update."

That sounds...difficult. Also kind of scary.

Yeah. And...?

And...it also sounds kind of fun.

Okay. If you're going anyway, I'll join you.

That's what I like to hear. C'mon, let's go show the other star-makers what we know.

A while later...

(Valeria and I did our best to explain things to everyone. Some looked unsure, some looked excited.)

(But everyone felt relieved to have control over the bots again. I think they'll be okay.)

(After that, they lent us one of the station's spaceships for our journey. Everyone wished us well.)

Okay! I've got the closest galaxy set as our destination. Are you ready for take off, Luz?

Ready as I'll ever be.

Let's do this, then. I've always wanted to drive one of these things...!

...Wait. You do know how to drive it, right?

...Sure.

Oh no...

Hang on tight, Luz. In 3, 2, 1...

Blast off!!

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