NunciusEogunn looks aged — the lumen light on his wasted face casts each crease, furrow, and implant scar into stark relief. His hands, usually resting contentedly on his stomach or pensively tweaking the pistons on his chin, now hang limply at his sides. He hovers barely above the floor, as if some unbearable weight were on the verge of crushing him into the deck. He does not look at Nuncius.
Nuncius"Thesis one: my mind is sick. This is an incontrovertible fact. I deduced it long ago — 49 years and 138 days ago, to be precise. After weighing all the arguments, I chose inaction — a decision egotistical in its rationality. I believe that, had I attempted to cure my insanity, I would have declined all the sooner."
Nuncius"Thesis two: there are two Nunciuses. This is also an incontrovertible fact. The first Nuncius is a figment of my imagination, the product of my insanity and, at the same time, the anchor that keeps my mind from further degradation. I project it onto a servo-skull, a model with no additional features other than an auxiliary lumen and an autoquill. It is incapable of conducting a conversation or holding an opinion. I do not even know from whose skull it was made."
Nuncius"The second Nuncius is a Genetor Extremis of the Adeptus Mechanicus. My dearest colleague, the person who could cope with my temperament, walking shoulder to shoulder with me on the path of Knowledge. The only person whose presence ever made me feel alive. For the last half century, he has been in unending agony, caught between life and death, at the secret site Amsanct. Because of me. All this time, I have been searching for ways to save him. He exists and is still alive, this is another..." Hesitation. A tiny moment that holds fear and hope — doubts heavier than an entire world. Eogunn finishes quietly, "It's a fact."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"
Nuncius"Not intentionally. I lied to both of us. I did not recall those details until today."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."
Nuncius"How else am I to speak of it? My condition is a known fact. I have discovered it, assessed its impact, weighed all the variables, and settled on the most rational plan of action. Which is to remove information about it from my memory by means of a ritual of transcranial electroconvulsive self-flagellation that I designed myself. The ritual is dangerous and unreliable, but it is better than the alternative."
Nuncius"Every few months, I once again spontaneously deduce that I am insane, as I have just done. And I arrive at the same conclusion as before."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"
Nuncius"Your trust in me has already been shaken — you worked out on your own that there was something amiss with me. If I do not tell you the truth, then it will be irretrievably lost. The scenario in which I tell you everything is the only one where there is a chance of us being on good terms once more."
NunciusAfter pausing, he adds, "The decision to eradicate a newfound knowledge is never easy. I understand why I must, but each time it feels like I am killing an important part of myself. I am afraid of knowing the truth about Nuncius, but I'm also afraid that if I forget it, I'll never remember it again. And that fear is not groundless."
Nuncius"The intervals between my realising the truth are becoming longer all the time. I used to uncover my secret about once every two months. That quickly turned into four. Now it takes as long as eight. This shows that the deterioration of my mind is accelerating." He raises his colourless gaze to you. "So far, I have failed to find an effective countermeasure. I do not know if I will ever find one."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"
Nuncius"The memory of an organic brain is not as malleable as mathematically sound data stored in cogitators. Memory cannot be fully exterminated, only... mutilated. Moreover, it is not my goal to forget Nuncius completely, but rather to obscure my memories of him. I usually can recollect that there is someone in a similar state, and that this experiment is a priority for me and Nuncius the servo-skull. The sense of time slipping through my fingers, the thrill of research, and an inexplicable sense of the import of the outcome all urge me to conduct these experiments, even if I do not remember for whose sake they are being done."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."
Nuncius"These memories are painful. Forming a rational understanding of the world — breaking it down into hypotheses, facts, conclusions — is not just my vocation, it is the essence of my existence. I have power over my thoughts. But my emotions — they bring chaos to my existence. They tear through logic and trample over calculations. If I rid myself of the Nuncius figment, I will be left facing a monstrous, insurmountable task alone. My efficiency will plummet, and the path to Knowledge will be shrouded in mist. Paradoxically, my insanity is the key to preserving my mind and soul."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"
Nuncius"Not was — is," comes Eogunn's mild yet emphatic correction. "Everything I said about him before is true. He complements me in all that I cannot foster in myself. He is also my staunchest opponent — his scepticism and caution have always balanced my scientific optimism and audacity. We rarely completely agree on anything, but I believe that without our conflicts, we both would have discovered and achieved far less. Ours is a symbiotic relationship — together we form a whole that is more powerful than its individual parts."
YOU"So you have been lying to me all this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"
Nuncius"Amsanct is a planet in an uncharted sector of space, home to the ruins of a civilisation of technologically advanced xenos — the ordained call them Necrons. There we set up a research camp under the supervision of the Inquisition, and we set about searching for surviving samples of xenotechnology. And we found them. One of them led to the tragedy that resulted in Nuncius being caught between life and death, and me talking to a servo-skull." He says this in an uncharacteristically dry monotone. "Ask your questions, [Name], I will answer them all."
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"
Nuncius"That part of space can only be accessed through a special dimensional gateway. I do not know its exact coordinates or how to activate it — I assume that only the highest ranks of the Inquisition can answer this question."
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"
Nuncius"Nuncius and I belong to a secret sect of xenarites. Our path of Knowledge is the study of xenotechnology for the benefit of the Imperium. Many of the Priesthood of Mars, who interpret the precepts of the Omnissiah very narrowly, deem our path a heretical schism. After our ordination on Stygies VIII, Nuncius and I went searching for samples of Necron xenotech — a nearly impossible task, and thus, a fascinating one. On one such expedition, we came into conflict with other Tech-Priests — we were close to death, but the Inquisition, who had been observing our research in secret, decided that we would be more useful alive. Of course, it was only once we arrived on Amsanct that we learned that the Inquisition had been behind the confrontation."
Nuncius"From the bits of information I was able to piece together, I came to the conclusion that the Inquisition was interested in that sector of space as a whole, and that Amsanct was only a small part of the operation. We were transported there on a certain Chartist vessel for the purposes of secrecy — I suspect the Chartists were just a cover. Our expertise was invaluable for the study of xenoruins, so Nuncius and I were placed in charge of the research team and provided with all the necessary equipment."
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)
Nuncius(no text)
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"
Nuncius"We discovered a rare specimen in the ruins — a critically injured but still functioning xenos, and some kind of artefact with it. The xenos called it a refractive transmuter. Understanding how this artefact functioned was our primary objective. We imprisoned the xenos and tried to uncover its secrets, but our equipment was incapable of hurting or granting us any insight into the device. We experimented with the refractive transmuter almost blindly."
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"
Nuncius"The artefact. Nuncius and I had a disagreement — I was frustrated by the lack of progress, and I wanted to take a more radical approach to studying it. I wanted to experiment on myself. Nuncius was vehemently opposed — he argued that it was reckless, with insufficient data and unpredictable outcomes. Of course, he was right. In my stubbornness and arrogance, I did not heed him. I removed the artefact from the stasis sacellum and reached for it with a mechadendrite. Nuncius tried to intercept it and inadvertently touched the artefact. That moment has haunted me for the past fifty years."
Nuncius"The refractive transmuter began to rearrange Nuncius's body on a molecular level. Metal turned to flesh, and flesh to metal in a monstrous cycle of wicked infinity. At times, he would produce a scream, but after a second his vocal cords would turn to lead and his tongue to tin, and the screams would abruptly cut off. I had no time to reflect — to save his life, I had to hastily modify the stasis sacellum and immerse Nuncius in it along with the artefact. It did not stop the agony, but it did stop him from dying. It gave me the chance to find a solution."
Nuncius"Locked away in the laboratory, I tried to find ways to reverse the artefact's effects. None of them worked. I turned to the xenos, demanding information — with threats, requests, pleas. But its only response was contemptuous silence. I was utterly powerless. And then I decided to flee."
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"
NunciusSilence. An empty gaze. Finally, a reply: "New knowledge, tools, experience — I needed more. My staying on Amsanct would not fix the situation. I decided to flee to the Expanse and seek answers there. I couldn't take Nuncius with me, so I secretly diverted the Motive Force from the main generator to support the stasis sacellum, placing the main camp on reserve power, then closed up our laboratory."
Nuncius"Then, by means of deception and cunning, I managed to stow away on a Chartist vessel that had been delivering supplies and equipment to Amsanct. I disembarked on Footfall. I have not returned to Amsanct since. All the experiments you have witnessed, I have conducted them for one purpose — to find a way to save my dearest colleague."
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."
NunciusEogunn avoids meeting your eye.
YOU"How does one get to Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."
Nuncius"What are you going to do now? I have no more secrets from you."
YOU"I will help you return to Nuncius. We will go to Amsanct as soon as we find a way through the gate."
NunciusEogunn stares through you, looking lost — difficult memories are dragging him away from the here and now. "Yes, of course, we must get to... to Nuncius. I have to find him and finish what I started, don't I?"
NunciusAfter a moment's hesitation, Eogunn returns his attention to you. "I have a request — I need to prepare before this journey. Before I joined the clergy of Altar-Templum-Ext-17, I had a small laboratory in the Aviorus System. I was forced to leave it in haste for my own safety, and important samples and records of my experiments remained there. If we want to help Nuncius, we must retrieve them."
YOU"You cannot reconstruct them here on the ship?"
Nuncius"I'm afraid not. They were wholly unique. It would take me years to find new samples and regain what was lost. I am certain they are still there, which is why I am asking you for this courtesy."
YOU"You cannot reconstruct them here on the ship?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well, I will take you to Aviorus."
Nuncius"Thank you, [Name]. If I may, I will leave you now. I have much to think about."
end of branch
YOU"We will make a stop there if it's on our way."
Nuncius"Of course, I can wait. However, without the samples, the journey to Amsanct is futile — without them, I cannot help Nuncius."
Nuncius"Thank you, [Name]. If I may, I will leave you now. I have much to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well, I will take you to Aviorus."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We will make a stop there if it's on our way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are banished from this vessel."
NunciusEogunn bends his entire body in a deep bow. "I understand, and I thank you for your merciful judgement, Rogue Trader. I will treasure the time we spent together on the path of Knowledge. Perhaps someday this experience will help me find a solution, and I will be able to tell Nuncius about you."
end of branch
YOU[Execute him] "I sentence you to death for heresy."
NunciusEogunn's ponderous body drops to the deck with a clang. The servo-skull he called Nuncius continues hovering silently above him. The machine's empty eye sockets stare blankly into the distance, awaiting new commands.
end of branch
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did you come to be on the planet?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU(no text)continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What were you researching?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that Nuncius was between life and death — what happened?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You just left Nuncius there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You mean to tell me that you left a man in agony for fifty years and still haven't gone back to him? A fine friend you are."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have heard all I wish to."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."
Nuncius"Won't you allow me to explain myself? But, then, I have no right to criticise you."
YOU"Then tell me what really happened on Amsanct."
Nuncius"Amsanct is a planet in an uncharted sector of space, home to the ruins of a civilisation of technologically advanced xenos — the ordained call them Necrons. There we set up a research camp under the supervision of the Inquisition, and we set about searching for surviving samples of xenotechnology. And we found them. One of them led to the tragedy that resulted in Nuncius being caught between life and death, and me talking to a servo-skull." He says this in an uncharacteristically dry monotone. "Ask your questions, [Name], I will answer them all."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not be swayed by your excuses."
NunciusEogunn bends his entire body in a deep bow. "I understand, and I thank you for your merciful judgement, Rogue Trader. I will treasure the time we spent together on the path of Knowledge. Perhaps someday this experience will help me find a solution, and I will be able to tell Nuncius about you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are speaking too rationally about your insanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why haven't you performed your ritual this time?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you keep forgetting the real Nuncius, why do you still seek a way to save him?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You said that treating your insanity would make it worse — explain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What was he like, the real Nuncius?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Eogunn, I need the truth. What really happened on Amsanct?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have betrayed my trust. I want you to leave my retinue."continues where this line first appears above