MutantThe twisted abnormalities of the mutant's insides make you wonder if he can even be considered human at all. As you probe deeper, your hand finds something lodged in the victim's gullet: someone has stuffed a black feather into the man's throat.
MutantA 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[Inspect the wounds]
MutantYour practised eye instantly notices that the corpse was mutilated posthumously. You have resorted to such ruses yourself on a number of occasions when you needed to trick some servants of the law.
MutantJudging by the damage, the most brutal wounds were administered posthumously, over the top of those inflicted while the victim was alive — it is as if someone deliberately wanted to make it harder to identify the victim and his cause of death. The truth is, the killer acted quickly and with surgical precision, then suspended the body upside down to drain its blood.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]
YOU[Investigate the entrails]
YOU[Look for identifying marks]
MutantWith some difficulty, you are able to discern a mark on his neck, almost ruined by the wound across his throat. It is a tattoo of a skull with a valve in its mouth and a string of letters and numbers encircling it — SP-246-01.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."
MutantThe enforcer offers you a rag soaked in disinfectant. "That was... foul."
Mutant"Your Lordship/Ladyship, I must commend your fearlessness and insight... and apologise for my weakness of spirit. My shameful fear prevented me from doing my duty. It will not happen again."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."
MutantThe enforcer dips his head deferentially. "You have been a model of fearlessness and competence — I will aspire to follow your example."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."
MutantThe enforcer dips his head deferentially. "You have been a model of fearlessness and competence — I will aspire to follow your example."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."
MutantKlein lets out a ragged breath and then draws himself up straight, speaking in a clipped tone: "Yes, Lord Captain."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."
MutantKlein takes a closer look at the precise wounds you indicated, almost undetectable beneath the mutilation. "You have a keen eye, Your Lordship/Ladyship. But why would someone do that, then leave the body in plain sight? They could have just disposed of it. There has to be something more to this whole bloody business..."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."
Mutant"Well spotted, Your Lordship/Ladyship. No doubt you have already reached the same conclusion, but I will state it for the official record: vile mutants do not make allusions to saints. This was someone versed in the Creed."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"
Mutant"A feather? A raven feather is hard to come by on a ship. I'll investigate where it came from."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"
Mutant"That's the symbol of a pipewarden clan that maintains the sewer systems. The 'SP' stands for 'senior pipewarden,' followed by his identification number."
Mutant"Jinevri is working on the work log cogitator — she can use it to learn the victim's name from his number. The cogitator is in the nearest maintenance room."
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."
end of branch
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant"Bloody business." You turn your attention to the floor around the corpse. There is no spatter, no gobs of flesh, no bloody footprints fortuitously trailing into the dark. And yet... you know there is no way to butcher a corpse like that without getting dirty at all.
YOU"That will do, Captain. We all have our foibles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I expect greater professionalism from you in the future."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sanitation work is an excellent means of hardening those of tender character. When the investigation is complete, you shall join the mutant corpse disposal unit on the lower decks."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone tried to conceal the victim's identity and cause of death."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet — a reference to the legend of Saint Quirine."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Someone stuffed a feather down his gullet. But why?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"He has a tattoo on his neck — a skull with a valve and a few symbols: 'SP-246-01.'"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That is all."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)
Abelard"Shame on you, Captain. An officer's duty is to be a support to the Lord Captain, not the other way around. If that burden is too great for you, you should consider resigning. I speak plainly, veteran to veteran." A modicum of sympathy is buried deep within the Seneschal's ruthless words.
end of branch
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix bends over the corpse. "[Name], take heed, all these mutilations are a facade. They were inflicted postmortem, clearly a while after. He died instantly from a stab to the heart. He was killed by a professional, someone who knew exactly what they were doing."
end of branch
Eogunn"Rogue Trader, I conclude we are being deceived. The soft tissue damage was inflicted postmortem, masking the true cause of death: a stab wound between the ribs that severed the aorta. Immediate death, a strike of such clinical precision it could rival my own mechadendrites."
end of branch
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
MutantIt is difficult to say why — it could be meant as a symbolic gesture, or perhaps a message.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)
Cassia"I read about something quite similar!" Clutching a handkercher to her face, Cassia leans over the body with interest. "Saint Quirine was looking for traitors, and the Emperor answered her prayers with a miracle: a raven quill appeared out of her mouth and wrote down the names of the enemies."
end of branch
Argenta"And the righteous woman prayed to the Master, beseeching Him to reveal who had plotted to destroy her. And He heeded her call, and the feather of a raven sprang from the maiden's mouth and, as if guided by His hand, brought forth the names of those who had nurtured foul treachery in their minds. The Legend of Saint Quirine, verse 15. It is a sign, [Name]."
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 10
MutantThe haphazard miscellany of gruesome wounds suggests that the man was tortured for a long time before he died. You notice bruises on his ankles — the killer must have hung him upside down like cattle to drain him of all blood.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 10
MutantThe skin and bones part, and the stench of rancid meat hits your nostrils. Klein empties his stomach over the deck railing. Fighting the urge to vomit yourself, you peer at the vile mass of subhuman entrails.
MutantVestigial ingrown arms wrap around what look like the vile semblances of familiar organs interlaced with scaly, bile-coloured sacs.
MutantSuddenly, the taste of bile rises in your mouth, and you are forced to look away, lest you follow Klein's example.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta reflexively raises her weapon when she sees the mutant's rotten insides. The fiery rage in her eyes seems capable of incinerating the abomination as thoroughly as any flamer.
end of branch
Heinrix"Vestigial limbs, chitinous formations. These are far beyond mutations that one would consider common or acceptable. We must locate the killer and find out what they managed to learn about this creature."
end of branch
Jae"Jae, you are so fortunate, they said. Your life in the Rogue Trader's retinue will be all about feasts and ballrooms, they said." Jae looks away from the corpse squeamishly. "I think I will keep this little tale of mutant disembowelment to myself. Let my friends go on envying my life of luxury."
end of branch
EogunnThe Manipulus's entire face lights up with enthusiasm. Eogunn's mechadendrites extend toward the mutant's abdomen with perfect precision, bristling with needles and lancets. "What a fine specimen of genetic corruption, Nuncius! Take note: all these changes are by no means random. They have structure and inherent evolutionary purpose... Metamorphosis has been planted within him, but of what kind? Indeed, Nuncius, xenos origin is highly probable."
end of branch
Entry point 5 of 10
Mutant(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 10
MutantYour knowledge of xenos is enough to infer that the murdered man may have been subject to xeno-influence. True human form has not simply been distorted, but mixed with something strange, something profane. It is as if you are dissecting a seed that should have evolved into something more complex and alien.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 10
MutantYou cannot begin to guess what unfavourable genetic factor caused such hideous mutations.
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Inspect the wounds]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Investigate the entrails]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look for identifying marks]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Toss the scalpel away] "I have finished the autopsy."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 8 of 10
Mutant(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 9 of 10
MutantThe worker's ruined body lies in a waxen pile on the platform. His face is crushed, his throat open, and his body riddled with cuts and lacerations. Above it stands Captain Klein, the dim light filling the lines on his forehead with shadows that bleed down his furrowed brows and into the pits of his eyes. The scalpel in his hand trembles faintly.
Mutant"It might look human, but what's inside it is all wrong. Unholy. Irredeemable. Wrong."
YOU"Have you started the autopsy yet?"
Mutant"I have, but..." The furrows on the enforcer's face deepen. "I will get back to it in just a moment, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"Have you started the autopsy yet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is something the matter? You look pale."
MutantKlein hesitates, avoiding your gaze. "I suppressed a dozen mutant revolts on Dargonus for Lady Theodora. I've torn the freaks to pieces myself. But to open one up... to sink my hands into their impure guts infested with the mutant blight..."
Mutant"I have seen this aberration utterly pervert the human form. The thought of it touching me... Disgusting. Infuriating. But I will overcome this."
YOU"Have you started the autopsy yet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is something the matter? You look pale."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I was drenched in his blood. If the mutations were contagious, I would have mutated by now."
MutantKlein nods cautiously. "You haven't mutated yet, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"Have you started the autopsy yet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is something the matter? You look pale."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I was drenched in his blood. If the mutations were contagious, I would have mutated by now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not comfortable with the enforcers' harsh interrogation methods. You will cease the use of violence — that is an order."
MutantKlein almost drops his scalpel. "But what methods of seeking the truth remain to us, Your Lordship/Ladyship? The rabble do not understand any other way."
YOU"I gave an order. How you execute it is your concern."
Mutant"Quite right, Your Lordship/Ladyship. I will convey your will to Mistress Sauerback right away. The violence will stop immediately."
end of branch
YOU"Entirely true. In that case, carry on."
Mutant"As you command, Your Lordship/Ladyship!"
YOU"Have you started the autopsy yet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is something the matter? You look pale."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I was drenched in his blood. If the mutations were contagious, I would have mutated by now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not comfortable with the enforcers' harsh interrogation methods. You will cease the use of violence — that is an order."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."
MutantThe skin and bones part, and the stench of rancid meat hits your nostrils. Klein empties his stomach over the deck railing. Fighting the urge to vomit yourself, you peer at the vile mass of subhuman entrails.
MutantYou refuse to submit to fear and revulsion. One foul corpse is nothing to someone who has triumphed over his/her own fate and achieved the impossible. You look at the mutant's insides without a moment's hesitation.
MutantVestigial ingrown arms wrap around what look like the vile semblances of familiar organs interlaced with scaly, bile-coloured sacs.
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."
YOU"I shall return later."
MutantThe enforcer responds with a grim nod.
end of branch
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall return later."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not comfortable with the enforcers' harsh interrogation methods. You will cease the use of violence — that is an order."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall return later."continues where this line first appears above
Mutant(sequence)
Abelard"You will indeed, Captain. If you like, I can recite a few paragraphs from the regulations to enthuse you."
end of branch
Heinrix"In other words, the captain has a phobia. Such irrational fears are common among veterans who have faced the enemies of Humanity. This is a most unfortunate set of circumstances that won't help us here."
end of branch
Cassia"Coal-black fear colours his soul. I doubt it can be cast off by mere force of will..."
end of branch
YOU"I was drenched in his blood. If the mutations were contagious, I would have mutated by now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not comfortable with the enforcers' harsh interrogation methods. You will cease the use of violence — that is an order."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall return later."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is something the matter? You look pale."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I was drenched in his blood. If the mutations were contagious, I would have mutated by now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not comfortable with the enforcers' harsh interrogation methods. You will cease the use of violence — that is an order."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall return later."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 10 of 10
MutantThe enforcer has not budged since your last visit. His scalpel is pristine, and you do not see a single new cut on the body.
YOU"Have you started the autopsy yet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is something the matter? You look pale."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I was drenched in his blood. If the mutations were contagious, I would have mutated by now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not comfortable with the enforcers' harsh interrogation methods. You will cease the use of violence — that is an order."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Hand me that scalpel. I will perform the autopsy, you record the findings."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall return later."continues where this line first appears above