ForemanUnder the astonished gazes of your senior officers, the augmented procession sweeps through the entire deck and stops a dozen paces away from your throne. The procession is hemmed in on all sides by enforcers, but that does not stop the people from shouting blessings in your honour. Most of the procession is made up of low-ranking officers and inhabitants from the lower decks, their scar-hatched faces blazing with unfeigned devotion. A bandaged man of uncertain age and bearing marks of distinction on his chest steps forward.
Foreman"We have come to bow before you, Lord Captain, to show our gratitude for your fatherly/motherly heedfulness over each and every one of us! Now even the lowliest cripple knows that he can serve the God-Emperor with a decent prosthetic. This bolsters our faith and spurs on our toil like never before. Thank you." The man is clearly trying to maintain his lofty style of speech, but he still falters at the end and simply bows. "The light of your mercy leads even the most hopeless to righteousness."
VivisectorThe assembled rows of people all look at you and make the sign of the Aquila over their chests. Some people clumsily render the Aquila because they do not possess hands — they have been replaced with crude metal hooks.
YOU"Is this the entire procession? I thought there would be more of them."
Vox Master Vigdis"This is only a small part of the procession, Lord Captain. The Master-at-Arms personally selected and scrutinised the most stable and trustworthy. To allow the entire march from the other decks onto the bridge would be impossible — or at least highly unsafe."
YOU"Is this the entire procession? I thought there would be more of them."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You ought to thank the medicae officers in the Sector Bionica, not me."
Foreman"Ordinary crew members have seldom been furnished with prosthetics before! A saw and a prayer to the God-Emperor — those were our two main treatments. But things have changed under your noble rule, and the people of the Sector Bionica agree with us!"
VivisectorThe members of the motley procession bow deeply. Among them you see the familiar figures of the experts of the Sector Bionica.
YOU"Vivisector Martinax! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"
Vivisector Martinax"Excellent, Lord Captain!" The man looks up, and you see the gold-plated implant replacing the ear that was shot off.
Vivisector Martinax"I am overseeing the Sector Bionica in accordance with all the covenants of the Emperor. And your orders, of course. Now, injury will be no bar to any servant of the God-Emperor fulfilling his or her duty — we have breathed new life into all those whom others would have written off as scrap."
YOU"Vivisector Martinax! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Genetor Ferrenz, you're here as well! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"
Genetor FerrenzThe Genetor protrudes slightly forward. The multitude of visors hidden beneath the hood move asynchronously and distractedly. His voice carries a tinny twang, the edge of the vox built into the Tech-Priest's body was melted by a recent wound.
Genetor Ferrenz"Request accepted. The Sector Bionica is fully operational once more and under the oversight of this life form. Augmetics are being installed in accordance with approved protocols."
YOU"Vivisector Martinax! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Genetor Ferrenz, you're here as well! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Genetor Ferrenz?"
Vivisector Martinax"We separated the damaged vertebral implant and adjacent mechadendrites from the body in time, but the God-Emperor alone kept Ferrenz alive. It may come as a surprise, but even Tech-Priests need blood — and the Genetor required a special type. I put word out over the ship's vox-system and people on the lower decks answered my call — the ones who are thanking you today. It was their readiness to serve Humanity that saved Ferrenz. He himself has come here to offer his praises to you."
Genetor FerrenzThe ungainly figure next to the Vivisector is scarcely recognisable as Genetor Ferrenz. Swaddled in bandages and a patchwork of purity seals, he looks unexpectedly frail for a flesh-renouncing Tech-Priest. Swaying and creaking somewhere inside, the Genetor offers you a bow.
Vivisector Martinax"He requires a few more healing procedures... but he will be fully recovered in no time at all! You can speak to him later in the Sector Bionica." Martinax maintains a gentle grip on his colleague's shoulder, as if fearing he will collapse.
YOU"Vivisector Martinax! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Genetor Ferrenz, you're here as well! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Genetor Ferrenz?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Vivisector Martinax?"
Genetor Ferrenz"The functions of the life form 'Martinax' have been restored. Critical blood loss was quickly replenished by the multitude of lesser-status life forms from the lower decks who presented themselves for urgent blood-letting. Supposition: the rabble did this out of loyalty to that particular medicae officer. The life form 'Martinax' also wishes to thank you."
Vivisector MartinaxThe figure beside you is barely recognisable as the former Vivisector — ghost-like, pale, and almost completely swathed in bandages. He sways on his feet, but dutifully bows his head to you.
Vivisector(sequence)
Vivisector Martinax"I would like to note that, thanks to your adherence to your principles, the experts of the Sector Bionica have been able to perfect the process of installing basic implants. The operations can now be completed in the shortest time and without having to expend any pain-dulling supplies — and so, I ask you to accept something that should ensure that the resulting surplus instead finds good use in the battles you face."
end of branch
Genetor Ferrenz"The life form has not yet regained full functionality. You will be able to communicate with him later in the Sector Bionica." Ferrenz steps to the side, deftly supporting Martinax, who is at risk of toppling over.
YOU"Vivisector Martinax! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Genetor Ferrenz, you're here as well! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Genetor Ferrenz?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Vivisector Martinax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Gratitude accepted. You are dismissed."
VivisectorThe enforcers step forward, blocking the procession from your throne. Without interrupting their shouts and prayers of praise, the procession turns around and moves to leave the deck.
end of branch
YOU"Gratitude accepted. You are dismissed."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Vivisector Martinax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Gratitude accepted. You are dismissed."continues where this line first appears above
Genetor FerrenzThe Genetor steps slightly forward. The multitude of visors hidden beneath his hood move almost silently, surveying the deck and you at the same time.
Genetor Ferrenz"Request accepted. The Sector Bionica is fully operational once more and under the oversight of this life form. Augmetics are being installed in accordance with approved protocols."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Genetor Ferrenz?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Vivisector Martinax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Gratitude accepted. You are dismissed."continues where this line first appears above
Vivisector Martinax"Just excellent, Lord Captain!" The medicae officer looks tired, but immensely pleased. You notice the newly added insignia on his uniform.
Vivisector Martinax"I am overseeing the Sector Bionica in accordance with all the covenants of the Emperor. And your orders, of course. Now, injury will be no bar to any servant of the God-Emperor fulfilling his or her duty — we have breathed new life into all those whom others would have written off as scrap."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Genetor Ferrenz, you're here as well! How are things in the Sector Bionica?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Genetor Ferrenz?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What's the status of Vivisector Martinax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Gratitude accepted. You are dismissed."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Consider this my thanks to you for your honest service."
VivisectorOne after another, each face, disfigured by burdensome fate, eases. The head of the procession raises a metal arm above his head — and all those able to follow suit, until a sea of prosthetics are held aloft.
VivisectorThe members of the motley procession bow deeply. Among them you see the familiar figures of the experts of the Sector Bionica.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose I deserved that."
Foreman"Ordinary crew members have seldom been furnished with prosthetics before! A saw and a prayer to the God-Emperor — those were our two main treatments. But things have changed under your noble rule, and the people of the Sector Bionica agree with us!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have more important matters to attend to than accepting the gratitude of the rabble. Remove them immediately."
VivisectorThe enforcers step forward, blocking the procession from your throne. Without interrupting their shouts and prayers of praise, the procession turns around and moves to leave the deck.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You ought to thank the medicae officers in the Sector Bionica, not me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Consider this my thanks to you for your honest service."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I suppose I deserved that."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I have more important matters to attend to than accepting the gratitude of the rabble. Remove them immediately."continues where this line first appears above