StrangerUnnatural silence reigns in your chambers. The dust motes hang frozen in the air before you, the candle flames cease to flicker, and the two enforcers who came to check your quarters stand still as statues — all in stark contrast to the other silhouette, one that is utterly unlike anything else in the room.
StrangerA massive, inhuman figure, forged entirely from dark metal, stands towering in the middle of your chambers. Despite your arrival, the uninvited guest's attention seems to have been entirely captured by the trophies on the walls of your study.
Stranger"Interesting, quite interesting... the only item of note in this worthless heap. But what is the genesis? The originating cause? A definitive answer would require more thorough research... but the testimony of even a primitive creature will serve. You!" The figure turns to you and nonchalantly gestures toward one of the trophies on the wall. "Where on the ship did this object come from? What do you know of its provenance?"
YOU"What are you?"
StrangerThe giant lets out a metallic clashing sound, which you somehow know indicates his displeasure. "Human, I am addressing you in a language you ought to understand. Answer my question."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What have you done to my subjects?"
Stranger"A rudimentary space-time stasis. It eliminates the possibility of a pointless confrontation, which would be a waste of my time. Now — focus on my question."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What have you done to my subjects?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my ship?"
Stranger"I have spoken plainly enough for you to understand the essence of my question. Perhaps I should speak more slowly."
StrangerThe giant points to a massive block hanging on the trophy board. "This is testament to how the ancient enemies of my kind were defeated at the hands of your primitive people. Do you know how this object came to be here and why it occupies a place of such honour?"
YOU"That item belonged to my predecessor. She is dead."
Stranger"And the transience of life forms like yours leads to precious knowledge being carried off into the abyss of history yet again..."
Stranger"I can see this is a dead end for further research. Since you have proven useless for my enquiries, I am ending this pointless conversation. Farewell, human."
StrangerA moment later, the strange atmosphere in your chambers dissipates, and your frozen enforcers stir into motion once more. Exchanging bewildered looks, the pair hastily make the sign of the Aquila and haltingly mumble words of greeting, clearly ignorant of what has just transpired in these quarters.
end of branch
YOU[Look at the object] "Some kind of... fragment?"
Stranger"I suppose you are rather proud of such crude and flimsy reasoning. A lamentable sight to behold."
Stranger"I can see this is a dead end for further research. Since you have proven useless for my enquiries, I am ending this pointless conversation. Farewell, human."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not know what it is."
StrangerThe giant says nothing. You almost feel the waves of disappointment rolling off his figure.
Stranger"I can see this is a dead end for further research. Since you have proven useless for my enquiries, I am ending this pointless conversation. Farewell, human."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not answer you! Get off my ship, or I will make you!"
Stranger"I can see this is a dead end for further research. Since you have proven useless for my enquiries, I am ending this pointless conversation. Farewell, human."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Which object do you mean?"
StrangerThe giant points to a massive block hanging on the trophy board. "This is testament to how the ancient enemies of my kind were defeated at the hands of your primitive people. Do you know how this object came to be here and why it occupies a place of such honour?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Get off my ship, enemy of Humanity!"
StrangerYour strike drowns in a flash of green, not harming the metal xenos in the slightest. Your hands, bathed in the nauseating unnatural light, begin to feel a little numb.
Stranger"I find myself disappointed in your communication abilities. However, you still have the chance to answer my question."
YOU"What are you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What have you done to my subjects?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Which object do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Get off my ship, enemy of Humanity!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Flee]
StrangerYou rush away, pulling out your vox and calling enforcers as you run. You hear a vexed exclamation behind you, and then the green gleam on the walls tells you that the vision has vanished in a final flash of light.
end of branch
YOU[Flee]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Which object do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Get off my ship, enemy of Humanity!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Flee]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What have you done to my subjects?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What are you doing on my ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Which object do you mean?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Attack] "Get off my ship, enemy of Humanity!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Flee]continues where this line first appears above