Master Helmsman RavorTurmoil reigns on the bridge, with officers running about frantically tapping the cogitator runes, operators issuing commands into hissing vox-casters, and enforcers brandishing and checking their weapons. Only the Master Helmsman looks curiously unperturbed — Ravor's ever-scowling face clearly cannot hold any more grim dissatisfaction. "I'm glad you've made it here in one piece, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
Master Helmsman Ravor"The crew is running ship damage control procedures. The situation has been recorded in the ship's log as 'critical.' Mistress Sauerback and I are temporarily in charge of the bridge. I'm organising the technical staff while Jocasta musters the enforcers. The honourable Vox and Infernus Masters have departed for the affected compartments to take charge of their subordinates, but remain present on the vox-line."
YOU"I wish to know what disaster has befallen us."
EmergencyYour comm-bead springs to life. "Infernus Master speaking. There have been several large explosions throughout the ship. A cascading blackout has knocked out lighting, transportation lines, air filtration, and heat control across the entire vessel. Multiple fires detected. All Infernus Guild forces have been deployed for emergency repairs. We will save the ship, no matter the cost."
Master Helmsman Ravor"Right now, we are a blind, unpowered, defenceless, sinking spittoon drifting through the abyss. The total volume of outages was nearly enough to turn us into an adamantine casket."
Jocasta Sauerback"The crew has suffered heavy casualties due to explosive depressurisation, loss of air supply to the compartments, multiple fires, and failures in the transportation systems. The numbers are getting worse by the minute."
YOU"I wish to know what disaster has befallen us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was this an accident or was it sabotage?"
Jocasta Sauerback"While we do not know this for certain, I am convinced that we have been attacked from within. We are now more vulnerable than ever."
EmergencyHer voice is followed by a hiss from the vox-caster: "It might have been a chain reaction caused by an accidental failure. The ship is old — that sort of thing can happen. But I commend Mistress Sauerback's vigilance. It is appropriate at this hour."
YOU"I wish to know what disaster has befallen us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was this an accident or was it sabotage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is my retinue?"
EmergencyVigdis's voice breaks through the shower of static gushing from the vox-caster: "They were in their quarters or carrying out their duties when the incident occurred. Immediately after the emergency meeting, I will summon those you request to the bridge as escorts."
YOU"I wish to know what disaster has befallen us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was this an accident or was it sabotage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is my retinue?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the High Factotum?"
Jocasta Sauerback"At the time of the accident, Danrok was on the freight line inspecting warehouses. He has not been in contact since. We are assuming... the worst."
YOU"I wish to know what disaster has befallen us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was this an accident or was it sabotage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is my retinue?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the High Factotum?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We must come up with a plan of action."
Master Helmsman Ravor"I've already put together a priority order for the repairs of the critical systems, but many bays have descended into bedlam and riots, making the work difficult. People are terrified and think they're about to die. In addition, some decks have become inaccessible. The trapped crew members' time is running out. Sadly, the optimal survival strategy for the vessel does not include the survival of those poor sods."
YOU[Assume command] "We will begin with emergency countermeasures. Here are your orders!"
EmergencyDuring your time in the Navy, you have encountered more than a few critical failures. As a result, you know exactly how to redistribute the system power to help you buy whatever time and resources might be needed to address priority issues. Your plan succeeds, and the ship now stands a better chance of not collapsing into a pile of scrap within the next few hours. You can tell from the officers' voices that they are very glad to be under the command of someone who knows what they are doing.
YOU[Assume command] "We will begin with emergency countermeasures. Here are your orders!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Save the vessel. The enforcers must quell the riots and ensure that the work is done."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback grabs the vox-caster and snarls, "All enforcers are to don full gear, spread out among the compartments, and maintain discipline at all costs. If anyone dares to distract the Infernus Guild from their emergency work, shoot them. Record this order, hand it to the servo-skulls, and distribute it across the decks. Now."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback's personal vox bursts into life. Her face contorts with rage as she listens to the report. "There's been an incident on the flight deck. A mob of voidsmen and labourers, despicable cowards all, are trying to break through to the shuttles! The enforcers are holding them back for now, but the cordon is in danger of being overrun."
YOU"Let them go. I will stay here with those who still believe in our success."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback grits her teeth and hisses into the vox, "Let them through... Remove the cordon... Provide enough oxygen, water, and rations... for eight watches. And nothing else for those traitors!"
Master Helmsman RavorRavor shakes his head, gazing intently at the vid-screen of one of the cogitators. "The pressure's dropping. The bridge ventilation system is completely busted, Lord Captain. I humbly request that you move to the officers' deck, where the emergency headquarters are to be established. The bridge is no longer safe, so I must ask you to hurry, while the Tech-Priests are still supplying the elevator with power."
Master Helmsman Ravor"My assistants and I will stay here and report on system readings. We have an emergency supply of void suits, so we won't croak right away, Emperor willing."
end of branch
YOU"Seal the bay doors and mine the shuttles. Let them know that I mean to leave them no choice but to carry out their duty in the Emperor's name."
Jocasta SauerbackShe barks orders into the vox and is answered immediately by a staccato of gunfire. After a while, she nods in satisfaction. "The crowd has been pacified, Lord Captain. A clear demonstration of our resolve and a few public executions have tempered their fervour."
Master Helmsman RavorRavor shakes his head, gazing intently at the vid-screen of one of the cogitators. "The pressure's dropping. The bridge ventilation system is completely busted, Lord Captain. I humbly request that you move to the officers' deck, where the emergency headquarters are to be established. The bridge is no longer safe, so I must ask you to hurry, while the Tech-Priests are still supplying the elevator with power."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Tell them they have my permission. Gather them all in one compartment, then seal it and vent it into the void. I have no need for cowardly refuse."
Jocasta SauerbackHaving given the order, Sauerback listens in to the vox with a furtive smile, then nods contentedly. "The compartment has been vented. The vessel has been purged of the spineless wretches."
Master Helmsman RavorRavor shakes his head, gazing intently at the vid-screen of one of the cogitators. "The pressure's dropping. The bridge ventilation system is completely busted, Lord Captain. I humbly request that you move to the officers' deck, where the emergency headquarters are to be established. The bridge is no longer safe, so I must ask you to hurry, while the Tech-Priests are still supplying the elevator with power."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Rescue the crew members from the damaged compartments. Either we all survive or we all perish."
EmergencyA new burst of hisses emanates from the vox-caster: "Jocasta, we are running short on brave men. We would be grateful if your people would lay down their weapons and come to assist the Infernus Guild. The sooner you come, the more lives we can save."
Jocasta SauerbackThe Master-at-Arms glares furiously at the vox-caster. "The enforcers... will do their duty. Aid will arrive shortly."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback's personal vox bursts into life. Her face contorts with rage as she listens to the report. "There's been an incident on the flight deck. A mob of voidsmen and labourers, despicable cowards all, are trying to break through to the shuttles! The enforcers are holding them back for now, but the cordon is in danger of being overrun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do hope it is obvious to everyone that my treasures, trophies, and relics are to be rescued first! Everything else comes second!"
EmergencyA moment's silence fills the bridge. Finally, a cautious response comes from the vox-caster: "Copy that, Lord Captain. Every effort will be made to save your treasures and preserve the cultural heritage of the dynasty."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback's personal vox bursts into life. Her face contorts with rage as she listens to the report. "There's been an incident on the flight deck. A mob of voidsmen and labourers, despicable cowards all, are trying to break through to the shuttles! The enforcers are holding them back for now, but the cordon is in danger of being overrun."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Save the vessel. The enforcers must quell the riots and ensure that the work is done."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Rescue the crew members from the damaged compartments. Either we all survive or we all perish."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do hope it is obvious to everyone that my treasures, trophies, and relics are to be rescued first! Everything else comes second!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We must come up with a plan of action."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the High Factotum?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We must come up with a plan of action."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is my retinue?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the High Factotum?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We must come up with a plan of action."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was this an accident or was it sabotage?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is my retinue?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where is the High Factotum?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We must come up with a plan of action."continues where this line first appears above