NPCCaptain Klein snaps to attention: "Identifying the victim has proven impossible. His face has been smashed in and his body is badly maimed. There are too many wounds to determine the exact cause of death, but presumably he died after the killer slit his throat — that's how they drained his blood. No external signs of mutation were found."
Jocasta Sauerback"In other words, we have nothing. Klein, this isn't a report; it's a declaration of our incompetence before the Lord Captain. You will keep digging around inside that corpse until you have produced some results."
YOU"No external signs of mutation, you say? What about internal signs?"
NPC"Performing an autopsy was... inadvisable, due to the danger of contaminating the area with genetic aberration."
YOU[Study the enforcers' faces]
YOU"I have heard that medicae officers often perform autopsies in pairs — one cuts up the body, the other records the findings. You should get a partner, Klein."
Jocasta Sauerback"According to regulations, one enforcer is required for this duty; however, Your Lordship/Ladyship's proposal is reasonable. Did you have someone specific in mind?"
YOU"Hrotko seems like a capable man."
Enforcer Hrotko"At once!" Hrotko smirks. "You're getting old, Klein. Let me give you a refresher on gutting mutants."
NPCKlein is up to his elbows in blood, his eyes flaring defiantly. "I've examined the filth inside and out. Its innards are a genetic nightmare — it's a bag of corruption wrapped in human skin. Extra organs, scales, atrophied ingrown limbs. But that's not what's important."
NPC(sequence)
Eogunn"My colleague and I can confirm: the autopsied cadaver is a genetic abomination of the highest order. Hardly a coincidence, Rogue Trader. The results of the samples I have taken show unequivocally that the exterior of the cadaver is but mimicry of the human form, while its flesh is the epitome of alien vileness."
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NPC"The body was disfigured posthumously. They killed the mutant with surgical precision, before opening his throat and draining his blood. It wasn't until after the actual murder that they crushed his head and tried to cover up his wounds."
NPC"The wounds were so brutal I almost missed his work tattoo — the victim was a pipewarden. And I found this in his throat." Klein presents a bloodstained raven feather.
NPCKlein's lips tremble. His eyes bulge. He seems unable to stop wiping his reddened hands with a rag soaked in disinfectant. "Disgusting. Unspeakable. You can't even imagine what's inside that... thing. They should've burned the body right there and then. Whoever killed him should've just finished the job."
NPC(sequence)
Eogunn"My colleague and I can confirm: the autopsied cadaver is a genetic abomination of the highest order. Hardly a coincidence, Rogue Trader. The results of the samples I have taken show unequivocally that the exterior of the cadaver is but mimicry of the human form, while its flesh is the epitome of alien vileness."
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NPC"The wounds were so brutal I almost missed his work tattoo — the victim was a pipewarden. And I found this in his throat." Klein presents a bloodstained raven feather.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Jinevri would be an excellent choice."
Enforcer JinevriYou catch Jinevri's grateful look, then watch as she smiles encouragingly at Klein. "Come on, Klein, you'd better teach the greenhorns how to carve up mutants. I'll grab us a pair of respirators to make sure we don't catch anything."
NPCKlein is up to his elbows in blood, his eyes flaring defiantly. "I've examined the filth inside and out. Its innards are a genetic nightmare — it's a bag of corruption wrapped in human skin. Extra organs, scales, atrophied ingrown limbs. But that's not what's important."continues where this line first appears above
NPCKlein's lips tremble. His eyes bulge. He seems unable to stop wiping his reddened hands with a rag soaked in disinfectant. "Disgusting. Unspeakable. You can't even imagine what's inside that... thing. They should've burned the body right there and then. Whoever killed him should've just finished the job."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"No, I do not. You may assign them yourself."
Jocasta Sauerback"Hrotko, go assist Klein with the autopsy."
Enforcer Hrotko"At once!" Hrotko smirks. "You're getting old, Klein. Let me give you a refresher on gutting mutants."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We had a saying on my old ship: the only way to escape a void kraken is to ram right through it. Ram the kraken, Captain."
NPCJudging by the change in Klein's expression, the old voidsman saying appears to have improved his spirits. "That rotting carcass is no kraken, I can tell you that! Orders received, Lord Captain! I'll carve him up into shreds!"
Jocasta Sauerback"Well played, Lord Captain. It has been some time since I last saw this kind of fire in the old man's eyes."
NPCKlein is up to his elbows in blood, his eyes flaring defiantly. "I've examined the filth inside and out. Its innards are a genetic nightmare — it's a bag of corruption wrapped in human skin. Extra organs, scales, atrophied ingrown limbs. But that's not what's important."continues where this line first appears above
NPCKlein's lips tremble. His eyes bulge. He seems unable to stop wiping his reddened hands with a rag soaked in disinfectant. "Disgusting. Unspeakable. You can't even imagine what's inside that... thing. They should've burned the body right there and then. Whoever killed him should've just finished the job."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn away from Klein] "It would seem that I had an exaggerated opinion of this veteran's courage. He should get some rest. Let Hrotko take over his duties."
NPC(sequence)
Eogunn"As a Genetor, I will act as an observer. When it pertains to something as unholy as the genetic distortion of the image of Humanity, one must be armed with extensive knowledge of highly... specific areas of the medicae disciplines." Eogunn casts a dubious look at Klein. "I will not interfere in the procedure, so as not to hinder the work of Mistress Sauerback's subordinates, but I will interpret the result in its entirety."
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 18
NPC(no text)
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback shakes her head. "You have my apologies, Lord Captain. The man is not himself. He must be getting old. It will not happen again."
NPCKlein is up to his elbows in blood, his eyes flaring defiantly. "I've examined the filth inside and out. Its innards are a genetic nightmare — it's a bag of corruption wrapped in human skin. Extra organs, scales, atrophied ingrown limbs. But that's not what's important."continues where this line first appears above
NPCKlein's lips tremble. His eyes bulge. He seems unable to stop wiping his reddened hands with a rag soaked in disinfectant. "Disgusting. Unspeakable. You can't even imagine what's inside that... thing. They should've burned the body right there and then. Whoever killed him should've just finished the job."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 18
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 4 of 18
NPC(no text)
Jocasta Sauerback"Well played, Lord Captain. It has been some time since I last saw this kind of fire in the old man's eyes."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 18
NPC(no text)
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback shakes her head. "You have my apologies, Lord Captain. The man is not himself. He must be getting old. It will not happen again."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 18
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 7 of 18
Jocasta Sauerback(no text)
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Entry point 8 of 18
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 9 of 18
NPCJinevri looks at Klein with sympathy — she clearly cares about him, but does not wish to trample on her comrade's honour with words of comfort. Hrotko regards Klein with a contemptuous smirk, while Klein scowls back at him.
YOU"No external signs of mutation, you say? What about internal signs?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Study the enforcers' faces]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard that medicae officers often perform autopsies in pairs — one cuts up the body, the other records the findings. You should get a partner, Klein."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We had a saying on my old ship: the only way to escape a void kraken is to ram right through it. Ram the kraken, Captain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn away from Klein] "It would seem that I had an exaggerated opinion of this veteran's courage. He should get some rest. Let Hrotko take over his duties."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 10 of 18
NPCJinevri sneaks a few awkward glances at Klein. It is hard to say if she is embarrassed for her fellow officer or if she pities him. Hrotko looks at Klein with a sympathetic smile.
YOU"No external signs of mutation, you say? What about internal signs?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Study the enforcers' faces]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard that medicae officers often perform autopsies in pairs — one cuts up the body, the other records the findings. You should get a partner, Klein."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We had a saying on my old ship: the only way to escape a void kraken is to ram right through it. Ram the kraken, Captain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn away from Klein] "It would seem that I had an exaggerated opinion of this veteran's courage. He should get some rest. Let Hrotko take over his duties."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 11 of 18
NPCA certain legend springs to your mind, one involving Saint Quirine, who was granted a portent of enemies hiding among the faithful. When Quirine prayed to the Emperor for a sign that might reveal the traitors, a raven's feather burst out of her mouth to inscribe the names of the conspirators. Only someone versed in the symbology of the Imperium could have left such a message.
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"
Jocasta Sauerback"Someone wanted to hide the cause of death. What I fail to understand is why they would then leave the body out in the open instead of disposing of it."
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."
Jocasta Sauerback"I concur. Would you like to give us specific instructions, Lord Captain?"
YOU"Look for a lunatic. Only a madman would butcher a corpse in this way."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback twists her lips into a sceptical grin. "A lunatic, you say... The rabble is vile by its very nature, and would do such a thing in a heartbeat. But we will heed your advice and look only for the most violent among them."
Jocasta Sauerback"I thank Your Lordship/Ladyship for your wise counsel."
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"
Jocasta Sauerback"Vile mutants do not make allusions to saints. This was someone versed in the Creed."
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"
Jocasta Sauerback"The killer wanted to tell us something. It can be difficult to make sense of a murderer's twisted logic."
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"
Jocasta Sauerback"The pipewardens are a worker clan that services the ship's sewer systems. The tattoo indicates the worker's status and personal number. This one was..."
NPC"SP-246-01. Senior pipewarden."
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."
NPCKlein accepts the glass and downs it instantly. Evidently, he is in no state to savour the bouquet and taste of the fine drink you have offered him.
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."
Jocasta SauerbackAs Klein bows his head guiltily, Sauerback mutters, her gaze boring into him, "Rest assured, Lord Captain, disciplinary measures will be applied to Captain Klein as soon as we are done with the investigation."
Jocasta Sauerback"We should run the victim's identification number through the master work log cogitator. If its machine spirit favours us, we will be able to narrow down the number of suspects. Jinevri, this is your arena."
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YOU"What is our next step?"
Jocasta Sauerback"We should run the victim's identification number through the master work log cogitator. If its machine spirit favours us, we will be able to narrow down the number of suspects. Jinevri, this is your arena."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"One cannot disfigure a body like that and stay clean. Look for any bloodstained garments, rags, or the like."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback nods firmly. "If the perpetrator was in a hurry to cover their tracks, they may not have had time to dispose of the soiled clothing."
Jocasta Sauerback"I thank Your Lordship/Ladyship for your wise counsel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We need to find the weapon or object that was used in mutilating the corpse."
Jocasta SauerbackShe sighs. "If it was a special or unique item, that might help. However, if the criminal was using an industrially manufactured weapon or tool instead of a makeshift one... Those are all the same. But we will conduct a thorough search, Lord Captain."
Jocasta Sauerback"I thank Your Lordship/Ladyship for your wise counsel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Sip amasec] "Specifics are merely an impediment to flexible thinking. Follow your heart."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback's eyebrow twitches nervously. "Follow my heart. But of course. I should have thought of it myself, Lord Captain."
Jocasta Sauerback"I thank Your Lordship/Ladyship for your wise counsel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 12 of 18
NPCIt is difficult to say why — it could be meant as a symbolic gesture, or perhaps a message.
YOU"For what purpose was the corpse mutilated?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It is imperative that we find whoever mutilated the body."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Remember Saint Quirine. Could this be a sign?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what does this feather mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What tattoo? What do pipewardens have to do with anything?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Klein, I wish to gift you a glass of amasec for your good work. You look like you need it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Well, at least you did something useful on your second attempt."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is our next step?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 13 of 18
NPC(no text)
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Entry point 14 of 18
NPC(no text)
Entry point 15 of 18
NPC(no text)
Jocasta Sauerback"Well played, Lord Captain. It has been some time since I last saw this kind of fire in the old man's eyes."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 16 of 18
NPC(no text)
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback shakes her head. "You have my apologies, Lord Captain. The man is not himself. He must be getting old. It will not happen again."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 17 of 18
NPCYou see a flash of genuine horror in Klein's eyes before his gaze turns glassy.
NPCYou have seen that look before in the eyes of other veterans. It's the expression of someone reliving painful memories that have left behind deep scars. They cannot hope to overcome such trauma on their own — they would need help, or a partner, or, perhaps, some strong emotional stimulus.
YOU"No external signs of mutation, you say? What about internal signs?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Study the enforcers' faces]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard that medicae officers often perform autopsies in pairs — one cuts up the body, the other records the findings. You should get a partner, Klein."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We had a saying on my old ship: the only way to escape a void kraken is to ram right through it. Ram the kraken, Captain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn away from Klein] "It would seem that I had an exaggerated opinion of this veteran's courage. He should get some rest. Let Hrotko take over his duties."continues where this line first appears above
NPCYou can tell the officer is terrified, even if he is desperately trying to hide it.
YOU"No external signs of mutation, you say? What about internal signs?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Study the enforcers' faces]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard that medicae officers often perform autopsies in pairs — one cuts up the body, the other records the findings. You should get a partner, Klein."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We had a saying on my old ship: the only way to escape a void kraken is to ram right through it. Ram the kraken, Captain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn away from Klein] "It would seem that I had an exaggerated opinion of this veteran's courage. He should get some rest. Let Hrotko take over his duties."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 18 of 18
Enforcer Hrotko"Indeed. Klein, why don't you go take a break? Maybe it's time you considered asking for a transfer to a less demanding post? Your best years are behind you. You should make way for the younger generation."
NPCKlein's face turns a deep red. "Shut your damn mouth, Hrotko! The things I've seen, the filth I've crushed... You want me to gut another one? You want to see its mutant blood on my hands? I'll show you blood!"
Jocasta Sauerback"Well played, Lord Captain. It has been some time since I last saw this kind of fire in the old man's eyes."continues where this line first appears above
NPCKlein's pride begins to outweigh his fear. Ignoring Hrotko's taunts, he mutters, "I don't need rest. I... will do my duty and open up the freak."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback shakes her head. "You have my apologies, Lord Captain. The man is not himself. He must be getting old. It will not happen again."continues where this line first appears above