Einrich Monteg"The enforcers are revelling in their impunity, treating the crew like cattle, especially my clan. Many in their custody are dying of thirst or injuries. My sister and niece are there too. I don't expect them to be exempted from the investigation, but I'm begging you to put an end to these assaults and let my people have some food and water."
Infernus(sequence)
MarazhaiMarazhai stifles a yawn. "Beatings and starvation. Hideous. In its banality."
end of branch
Enforcer Officer"We're following procedure, Your Lordship/Ladyship. The regulations dictate the use of extreme force when dealing with the rabble so that the scoundrels do not cover up each other's transgressions."
Einrich Monteg"The void take your procedures! These are not seditionaries. They serve the dynasty, just like you and I."
YOU"Explain yourselves!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want results, not excuses. What have you learned during the interrogation? Or, by the Lex, are the lot of you only playing at justice?"
InfernusYour accusatory tone strikes like lightning, but what really matters is that, in addition to bringing a flash of terror and shame to your subjects' faces, it immediately expedites their cognitive processes.
Enforcer Officer"There is something, but... No, it is not worth Your Lordship/Ladyship's attention."
YOU"I am interested in any and all statements, even the most outlandish ones."
Enforcer Officer"Statements... There was one infernus goon, a real dimwit. He said that some enforcer took away his work pass. And the pass was an important one that grants access to the work log cogitator room. But the scum was lying — he couldn't give the name and rank of the enforcer. All he said was: 'Some guy, blond hair, tallish...' He knows that he will be flogged to death for such a misdemeanour, the rat, so he tried to shift the blame."
YOU"Explain yourselves!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want results, not excuses. What have you learned during the interrogation? Or, by the Lex, are the lot of you only playing at justice?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"
YOU"I will not have you disrupting the course of this investigation."
Einrich MontegEinrich raises his chin proudly. "In that case, I request permission to join my family."
YOU"So be it. Let him see his family."
Einrich Monteg"Thank you, Lord Captain."
Einrich Monteg"I hope you find the culprit before another hundred workers are forced to suffer the same undue punishment."
end of branch
YOU"A senior officer has their duties. See to them. That is an order."
Einrich MontegYou see no anger in Einrich's eyes, only bitterness and worry. He breathes in, then out. "As you command, Lord Captain."
Einrich Monteg"I hope you find the culprit before another hundred workers are forced to suffer the same undue punishment."
end of branch
YOU"Very well. I command you to cease the beatings and provide those people with rations and water."
Enforcer OfficerThe enforcer glares at Einrich before giving you a silent bow.
Einrich Monteg"Thank you. We won't forget your mercy."
Einrich MontegEinrich gestures at a dishevelled young woman and a short-haired girl in her teens. Both are dressed in utility coveralls and smeared with soot. "Lord Captain, let me introduce my sister Nemi and my niece Mia. Ladies, you should thank the Lord Captain for helping you."
Nemi Monteg"Uhm... Hello, Your Majesty. Thank you for the food and water, and for not letting them chop our hands off. That would've left us a little short-handed!" Nemi laughs awkwardly.
Mia MontegMia snorts and elbows Nemi in the ribs. "It's 'Your Lordship/Ladyship'! And don't make jokes when you're so terrible at them. Do you want the Lord Captain to change his/her mind and send you back?"
YOU"That was indeed terrible. This one gets no rations and no water."
Nemi Monteg"A-are you serious?"
YOU"It was a jest. I, too, have a sense of humour."
InfernusNemi lets out a sigh of relief. "Yeah, you got me good there!"
YOU"That was indeed terrible. This one gets no rations and no water."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did they end up in the hands of the enforcers?"
Einrich Monteg"My status as senior officer exempted me from being arrested, but that same privilege did not extend to them — they were taken, along with the rest of the clan."
Nemi Monteg"They were acting horribly! They were hitting people in the head and the ribs, they didn't care if someone fought back or not. Nemesite would never allow that!"
InfernusMia elbows her again. "Shush! If they hear his name, they'll get angry again!"
YOU"That was indeed terrible. This one gets no rations and no water."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did they end up in the hands of the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Nemesite, you say? I wonder who that is."
Nemi MontegNemi lowers her eyes in fear. "No one! Just a hero from a tale my grandfather used to tell when I was little."
Einrich Monteg"That's enough, Nemi." Einrich scowls disapprovingly. "You are not a child anymore, so stop bothering people with those silly rhymes. Forgive my sister, Lord Captain. That was inappropriate."
YOU"That was indeed terrible. This one gets no rations and no water."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did they end up in the hands of the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Nemesite, you say? I wonder who that is."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are one strict lady, Mia."
Mia Monteg"I'm not strict! Nemi is just sloppy. If it weren't for me, she would have cut her own arm off with a torch or floated out of a breach long ago."
Nemi MontegNemi tries unsuccessfully to slap her upside the head. "You could at least behave in front of the Lord Captain! It's like I never taught you to respect your elders."
Mia Monteg"You're the one mixing things up all the time! Tell her, Einrich!"
Einrich MontegEinrich ruffles Mia's hair. "Don't be mean to Nemi. She is having a hard enough time as it is. Sure, she's always tongue-tied and her jokes are stupid, but her heart's in the right place." He is immediately slapped by his sister and laughs.
YOU"That was indeed terrible. This one gets no rations and no water."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did they end up in the hands of the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Nemesite, you say? I wonder who that is."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are one strict lady, Mia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a fine family, Einrich."
Einrich Monteg"Thank you, Lord Captain. They're all I live for, and, thanks to you, the people most important to me are now safe."
end of branch
YOU"Return to the rest of the detainees."
Einrich Monteg"Thank you, Lord Captain. They're all I live for, and, thanks to you, the people most important to me are now safe."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a fine family, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to the rest of the detainees."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
AbelardAbelard sighs wearily. "Nemesite, Your Lordship/Ladyship, is a folk vigilante from voidsman legends. Every few years, some hothead declares himself Nemesite. They always meet a sticky end, as do those foolish enough to believe in Nemesite's ravings." The Seneschal levels a meaningful look at Nemi, who shrinks away.
end of branch
YOU"You are one strict lady, Mia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a fine family, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to the rest of the detainees."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Nemesite, you say? I wonder who that is."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are one strict lady, Mia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a fine family, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to the rest of the detainees."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You will know to watch your tongue next time, commoner."
InfernusAs Nemi's shoulders slump, Mia hisses to her, "I told you! It's fine, I'll split mine with you."
YOU"That was indeed terrible. This one gets no rations and no water."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did they end up in the hands of the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Nemesite, you say? I wonder who that is."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are one strict lady, Mia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a fine family, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to the rest of the detainees."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta takes rations from her bag and holds them out to the little girl along with her flask. "Take mine. Children should not suffer for their parents' mistakes."
InfernusMia warily accepts the gift. "Th-thank you..."
end of branch
YOU"How did they end up in the hands of the enforcers?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Nemesite, you say? I wonder who that is."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are one strict lady, Mia."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have a fine family, Einrich."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to the rest of the detainees."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta smiles warmly. "A feisty one, isn't she? She has the spirit of a true Sister of Battle. But when I look at her family, I am glad she has someone to take care of her and that the Emperor did not call her to serve Him with weapons and fire as we do."
end of branch
Cassia"[Name], are your serfs literate? I could lend them a highly informative pamphlet on etiquette!" Cassia glances at Nemi and Mia's grubby hands and wrinkles her nose. "Then again, they would probably just burn it for warmth..."
end of branch
Jocasta Sauerback"I would not dare disobey Your Lordship/Ladyship's order, even one I disagree with."
Einrich Monteg"Thank you. We won't forget your mercy."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."
Einrich MontegEinrich raises his chin proudly. "In that case, I request permission to join my family."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cease the beatings immediately! Those people are to be provided rations and water."
Enforcer OfficerThe enforcer glares at Einrich before giving you a silent bow.continues where this line first appears above
Jocasta Sauerback"I would not dare disobey Your Lordship/Ladyship's order, even one I disagree with."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix makes a note on his data-slate. "There are more convincing ways of exculpating oneself than making up some mysterious enforcer stealing passes. This incident should not be forgotten — it might be connected to the case."
end of branch
Jocasta Sauerback"Outlandish ones? One of the inferni was found to be missing his pass to the room housing the work log cogitator. Losing such a pass is a serious offence, but the scoundrel claims an enforcer took it from him. He could not specify the name and rank of the enforcer, but he did give a description: a man, tall, blond hair... Obviously, he is lying. He either lost it or sold it for a bottle of rotgut!"
YOU"Explain yourselves!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want results, not excuses. What have you learned during the interrogation? Or, by the Lex, are the lot of you only playing at justice?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not have you disrupting the course of this investigation."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cease the beatings immediately! Those people are to be provided rations and water."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see. Nothing important, then."
Einrich Monteg"Then let's get back to the things that are worth attending to, like the arbitrariness of the enforcers."
YOU"Explain yourselves!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want results, not excuses. What have you learned during the interrogation? Or, by the Lex, are the lot of you only playing at justice?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not have you disrupting the course of this investigation."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cease the beatings immediately! Those people are to be provided rations and water."continues where this line first appears above
Jocasta Sauerback"We have obtained some contradictory accounts, but their credibility leaves much to be desired."
YOU"I am interested in any and all statements, even the most outlandish ones."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see. Nothing important, then."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not have you disrupting the course of this investigation."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cease the beatings immediately! Those people are to be provided rations and water."continues where this line first appears above
Infernus(sequence)
Idira"He doesn't look to me like somebody who knows only awe and terror. But I'm sure a few more empty threats and busted enforcer noses will have him quivering on his knees!"
end of branch
Jocasta Sauerback"That is what the procedure demands. Intimidation loosens tongues. Torment erodes the seditionary's will. The rabble are to know only awe and terror." The words of the ship's regulations ring out across the room.
Einrich Monteg"The void take your procedures! These are not seditionaries. They serve the dynasty, just like you and I."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want results, not excuses. What have you learned during the interrogation? Or, by the Lex, are the lot of you only playing at justice?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not have you disrupting the course of this investigation."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cease the beatings immediately! Those people are to be provided rations and water."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 7
Enforcer Officer"Not yet, Your Lordship/Ladyship. But they will soon!"
InfernusYou detect a slight hesitation before the reply. There is something you are not being told.
YOU"I am interested in any and all statements, even the most outlandish ones."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see. Nothing important, then."continues where this line first appears above
Einrich Monteg"Then let's get back to the things that are worth attending to, like the arbitrariness of the enforcers."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 7
Jocasta Sauerback"Nothing important or, indeed, worthy of your attention."
InfernusYou detect a slight hesitation before the reply. There is something you are not being told.continues where this line first appears above
Einrich Monteg"Then let's get back to the things that are worth attending to, like the arbitrariness of the enforcers."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 6 of 7
Einrich MontegInfernus Master Einrich Monteg spits blood onto the deck, right in front of the enforcer lying nearby, unconscious. Einrich's lip is busted, his knuckles are grazed and covered with blood, and there is a chewed-up lho-stick between his teeth.
Einrich MontegWith a menacing growl, Einrich looms over the second enforcer, who is holding his baton at the ready. "Why are you assaulting my people and denying them water like they're criminals? You've got teenagers and elderly folk here — they're all just ordinary workers, they've done nothing wrong!"
Enforcer Officer"They're all guilty until proven otherwise. You think a kid or an old man wouldn't do something that might threaten the Lord Captain's life? Once we light a bit of fire under them, who knows, perhaps someone will confess. So, sod off, traitor spawn, or I'll put a baton through your skull for attacking an enforcer. I couldn't care less about your rank."
Einrich MontegEinrich looks up at you. "Your Lordship/Ladyship, I ask you please to protect your servants from this abuse."
YOU"Explain yourselves!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want results, not excuses. What have you learned during the interrogation? Or, by the Lex, are the lot of you only playing at justice?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And did any of them confess to anything useful?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not have you disrupting the course of this investigation."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Have patience, Einrich. As soon as the culprit is found, your people will be released."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cease the beatings immediately! Those people are to be provided rations and water."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 7
Einrich MontegA pair of enforcers with battered faces is escorting Infernus Master Einrich Monteg. His lip is busted, his knuckles are grazed and covered with blood, and there is a chewed-up lho-stick between his teeth.
InfernusOne of the enforcers drones nasally, "We apprehended him while he was trying to break through to the detained rabble. Got into a scuffle. We barely managed to restrain the troublemaker. He demanded an audience with you, Mistress Sauerback." The Master-at-Arms nods, and the enforcers release their prisoner.
Einrich MontegEinrich adjusts his clothes and approaches confidently. "What do your enforcers think they're doing, Jocasta? Why are you assaulting my people, denying them water like they're criminals? You've got teenagers and elderly folk here — they're all just ordinary workers, they've done nothing wrong!"
Jocasta Sauerback"No, Einrich, what do YOU think you are doing? Attacking my people, chastising me in front of the Lord Captain? Get out before I have you charged."
Einrich MontegEinrich looks up at you. "Your Lordship/Ladyship, I ask you please to protect your servants from this abuse."continues where this line first appears above