Quantum Explosion Dynamo
| Game | Keen 5 |
|---|---|
| Level number | 12 |
| Location | Omegamatic |
| Collectibles | None |
| Dimensions | 80 x 80 tiles |
| Total points | 87,300 |
| Total ammo | 13 Neural Stunners13 ammopack <br />13 VorticonHyperPistol <br />13 Pistol <br />13 SuperFlowerPower <br />13 Raygun <br /> |
| Extra lives | 2 |
| Song | Mars, the Bringer of War |
| Required? | Yes |
The Quantum Explosion Dynamo or (QED) can refer to one of two things; either the dynamo itself or the level it is situated in. Both are located in Keen 5 and are central to the plot. The name was possibly chosen because its acronym is "Q.E.D.", the same as the Latin phrase "quod erat demonstrandum" (literally, "that which was to be demonstrated"). In simple terms, this Latin phrase is used to indicate that something has been definitively proven.
The level
The Q.E.D. is the final level of the Omegamatic, located topmost on the map.
The Q.E.D.
The Q.E.D. proper is the final device encountered by Keen in Keen 5, and responsible for the Omegamatic's ability to destroy the galaxy. It consists of a large atom-like entity encased in a hard glass sphere held by two rods between two towers. Unlike the fuses in other parts of the Omegamatic, Keen cannot destroy the Q.E.D by pogoing on it, or shooting it. See Keen 5 Story for details.
In order to function, the Q.E.D. needs input from the four "main floor spheres"; the Energy Flow Systems, the Regulation Control Center, the Neutrino Burst Injector, and the Brownian Motion Inducer. The purpose of these four spheres is uncertain; neutrinos are ghostly particles emitted in radioactive decay, and Brownian motion is the random motion of particles suspended in a fluid; both quantum physics related phenomena. Evidently Keen is unable to sufficiently damage them to incapacitate the Q.E.D. and must destroy it specifically.
From what is seen in Keen 5, when used the Q.E.D. apparently detonates itself in an expanding sphere of energy that can engulf the galaxy in seconds (i.e. at superluminal speed). It is not known whether the Shikadi would survive; however, as the story states that they intend to rebuild the galaxy to suit their own needs, one can assume they would.
Trivia
- The background music used in this level is unique — it is not used elsewhere in the game. It also happens to be an arrangement of a classical piece of music by Gustav Holst (1874–1934), from his orchestral suite The Planets. The excerpt used in this level is from the beginning of Mars: The Bringer of War.
- This level contains a total of 87,300 points, including 48 Shikadi Gums, 15 Marshmallows, 1 Chocolate Milk, 26 Tart Stixes, 4 Sugar Stoopies Cereals and 9 Bags O' Sugar (4,800 + 3,000 + 500 + 26,000 + 8,000 + 45,000 = 87,300). There are 71 jars of Vitalin in this level, but some of them are hard, if not impossible to reach without cheating. Two Kegs O' Vitalin are hidden at the final doors, but it's very hard to get out of the secret alcove alive.