QuartermasterGovernor Kuravich reads the data-slate thoughtfully while sipping from a bulky flask. The image of a diligent clerk is belied by a bruise spreading across half his face and the Astra Militarum uniform drenched in gore.
Quartermaster"Private Tsevchik!" he snaps, without looking away from the screen. "Have you lost your mind? Or lost your way? Well, you..." He lifts his sharp, cunning eyes toward you and straightens up. "My apologies, Your Lordship/Ladyship! I didn't recognise you. Quartermaster Kuravich, I mean, Governor Kuravich, at your service." He gives a clumsy bow, and the reek of sweat washes over you.
YOU"You could at least make yourself presentable."
Quartermaster"I'll change my rags later when I have the time. Order is what matters here." He taps on the data-slate, which is smeared with blood too. "God-Emperor help us if those iron beasts return and the troops' bellies are as empty as a Commissar's head. There's a joke on Zarkov: atonement is for the one, but rations are for all."
YOU"You could at least make yourself presentable."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Look at you, you're held together by spit and prayers. Are you sure you don't need a visit to a chirurgeon?"
QuartermasterKuravich looks himself over and groans, as if only now noticing his blood-soaked uniform. "Don't trouble yourself, I'm not wounded. I was carrying one of the soldiers. She got bit to the bone, that's where all this came from... And as for the knock to my head, it's actually quite rousing." He pokes a finger at the crimson swelling and winces.
YOU"You could at least make yourself presentable."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Look at you, you're held together by spit and prayers. Are you sure you don't need a visit to a chirurgeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know how you are faring in your duties as governor."
QuartermasterKuravich sets aside the data-slate and sighs heavily. "Everything is piled high with corpses, Your Lordship/Ladyship. That's how."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"
Quartermaster"As you see." Kuravich sweeps a hand over the devastated settlement. "Life was hard before, but at least the xenos weren't butchering us. No offence, but everyone knows it was on your orders that we stirred up these ruins like a nest of flesh-eating flies. I suppose I should thank you for not abandoning us, at least."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"
QuartermasterKuravich grins, baring his sharp teeth. "Nothing good. We thought no one could hide better than our scouts, but these tin cans came out of nowhere. Tough bastards they are! You'd sooner kill ten Drovers than one of those beasts! They even drape themselves in our flesh. I've seen a lot, but that was something else..." The governor shudders. "What else? Those blades on their limbs are not bad at cutting, I'll give them that..."
QuartermasterKuravich pauses, then slaps his forehead. "Not bad at all, those blades!" He looks over your shoulder and screams piercingly. "Yasik! Yasik! Get a move on! Grab a couple of men and see if you can saw the claws off those beasts with the cutters! We'll have ourselves some knives!"
YOU"Do not even think about it, Governor. In the Imperium, we do not fashion blades from the xenos."
Quartermaster"Your Lordship/Ladyship, permission to speak freely? Without any formalities?" Kuravich goes pale, while a dark vein bulges on his brow. "To survive, our regiment has to stitch trousers out of our own dead. That's how things are on Zarkov! Why can't we scrap these xenos for some knives? Or should we attach some wooden Aquilas to them just to put your mind at ease?"
YOU"Did I misspeak? Or do you only acknowledge an order after a Trial Match here?"
QuartermasterThe governor huffs angrily, his broad chest rising and falling rapidly. At last, the stubborn spark in his dark eyes fades. He averts his gaze and swallows heavily. "My apologies, Your Lordship/Ladyship, I forgot myself... Yasik! Forget the knives."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"
QuartermasterKuravich heaves a weary sigh. "Sometimes I think a grox is more likely to become a Rogue Trader than I am to be a decent governor. I can barely write — I'd make three mistakes in the word 'lho' — and do you have any idea how many petitions to the Administratum I have to file every day? I'd rather spend a month slurping broth made of bark and leaves than fill out another requisition for supplies on Form 12-B..."
Quartermaster"It used to be simpler. The commander would be right there on the next branch. He'd hand out orders, rations, and targets all at once. Then again..." The governor rubs a hand over his stubbled neck. "Truth be told, food's not an issue anymore, and the rifles are brand new, still smelling of oil... Life could be worse."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."
QuartermasterKuravich's expression darkens and he studies your face. "You didn't know? Izdrig sentenced her to death after that psyker incident. He carried out the sentence himself."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."
end of branch
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Very well, I will let it pass. This time."
QuartermasterThe governor smiles with relief. "I never thought you'd be so... understanding. Thank you! As they say around here: work is easier when you don't have a Commissar in your way." He stops short. "Not that you are a Commissar of course not, no."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
QuartermasterKuravich turns pale. "Old habits, my apologies. I don't always understand yet, uh, what counts as heresy here and what doesn't... Yasik! Drop the cutter, better safe than sorry! Just leave it."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Aim these blades against the enemies of the dynasty."
Quartermaster"If you so command, Your Lordship/Ladyship, we'll aim them right at our own guts."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Good idea, Kuravich. Do not shy away from any means to grow stronger."
QuartermasterThe governor smiles with relief. "I never thought you'd be so... understanding. Thank you! As they say around here: work is easier when you don't have a Commissar in your way." He stops short. "Not that you are a Commissar of course not, no."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
Quartermaster"Zarkov has changed beyond recognition, Your Lordship/Ladyship!" Kuravich's voice chimes with heartfelt admiration. "The wonders we've seen: lumens, data-slates, even talking skulls... And, above all — order and rations! It's clear the God-Emperor has taken a liking to us. We've finally earned His forgiveness."
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know how you are faring in your duties as governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Look at you, you're held together by spit and prayers. Are you sure you don't need a visit to a chirurgeon?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to know how you are faring in your duties as governor."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 16 of 16
QuartermasterKuravich sets aside the data-slate and lifts his gaze toward you.
YOU"How has your life changed since your return to the fold of the Imperium?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What can you tell me about the iron creatures?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How do you find your new role as governor?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not see Dunawski during the engagement."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Return to your duties."continues where this line first appears above