SecretNumbers and symbols dance before your eyes: someone was using this device to communicate on many different waves, but none of these frequencies is familiar to you.
YOU[Examine the area]
SecretThe vox-station is well hidden from unsuspecting eyes, but someone has been using it regularly. The handle of the voice receiver still retains some warmth from whoever held it last.
YOU[Examine the area]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at the vox-station]
SecretThe device housing has been made with exquisite skill — it fits perfectly into the niche, leaving almost no gap between itself and the stone. The internal workings and cables are neatly tucked away, like snakes lurking in the dark.
SecretThis device was made by private commission, surely violating about a dozen tenets of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Its owner is staggeringly rich and has one foot outside the law.
SecretWhether such technology is the work of Humanity, you cannot say for certain.
YOU[Examine the area]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the previously hailed frequencies]
SecretA familiar sequence of numbers draws your eye. Few in the Expanse would recognise this combination, but you are one of them: this frequency belongs to the band used by the Inquisition.
YOU[Examine the area]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the previously hailed frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at something else]
SecretAn entire vox-array has been cleverly concealed behind the outer portion of the ferrogranite slab. The level of delicacy required to place the device discreetly in such a place is difficult to fathom.
YOU[Hail the Inquisition frequencies]
Secret"Servants of the Golden Throne to Elana. Will you report on the movements of Heretic Coryphaeus?" The deep, steady voice of the speaker is almost hypnotising.
YOU"Elana here. Give me a status report."
SecretYour interlocutor is silent for a long time, then sighs: "Poverty of intellect is one of the supreme virtues. However, it seems you cannot claim to possess it. Speak the truth."
YOU"Elana here. Give me a status report."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not Elana. But I am willing to give you the information you need in the name of the God-Emperor."
Secret"First, you dare to call yourself a Gaprak, and now you don the mask of righteousness? No matter how many you put on, He sees through you."
SecretTense silence fills the vox-channel. It is followed by a short click — the connection was ended.
YOU[Hail the Inquisition frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hail the last used frequency]
SecretYou hear nothing from the vox but white noise.
YOU[Hail the Inquisition frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hail the last used frequency]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen in on the transmissions]
Secret"Servants of the Golden Throne to Palatine. The battle is near. Gather your units at the traitor's gates."
YOU[Hail the Inquisition frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hail the last used frequency]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen in on the transmissions]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the vox-station]
SecretThe vox-station apparatus has been expertly built into the wall, with slim cables and miniature levers that perfectly match the colour of the stone. You can only find it if you know exactly where to look.
SecretThe vox-array is silent: the speaker grilles are tightly encased in noise-dampening material.
YOU[Examine the area]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the previously hailed frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at something else]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave the vox-station alone]
end of branch
Secret"Servants of the Golden Throne to Elana. Respond immediately. Lack of communication will be construed as aiding the Heretic Coryphaeus due to cowardice and a dereliction of your sacred duty to Humanity." The vox-frequency does not fully convey the tone of voice, but the speaker is definitely anxious.
YOU[Hail the Inquisition frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hail the last used frequency]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen in on the transmissions]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave the vox-station alone]continues where this line first appears above
SecretYou hear nothing from the vox but white noise.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave the vox-station alone]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen in on the transmissions]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave the vox-station alone]continues where this line first appears above
Secret"The God-Emperor looks favourably on the submission of the doomed. But why should we believe you?"
YOU"A heresy-obsessed ruler will lead the dynasty to ruin. I wish to purge the von Valancius name of this corruption."
Secret"Very well. If the fire of faith truly burns in your heart, primed to burst forth in cleansing flame, find the Redeemed whose steadfastness Elana preserves, and follow her instructions." You hear a short click — the connection has been cut off.
Secret"Very well. If the fire of faith truly burns in your heart, primed to burst forth in cleansing flame, find the Redeemed whose steadfastness Elana preserves, and follow her instructions." You hear a short click — the connection has been cut off.
YOU"Why are the servants of the Golden Throne laying siege to Dargonus?"
Secret"I have been asked something like that question hundreds of times. And, I must say, it has never been asked by a righteous person. The lord of this planet, Seberian von Valancius, compromised himself several cycles ago by committing monstrous xenoheresy. In forsaking the very foundations of Humanity, he has sealed the fate of himself and all Dargonus."
YOU"Why are the servants of the Golden Throne laying siege to Dargonus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was it agents of the Inquisition who killed Gaprak?"
Secret"Truth is earned through devotion. Now that we are allies, be prepared to listen."
Secret"Such is the fate of any who calls himself the servant of a heretic. His army fell to the onslaught of the Sisters of Battle, guided by Elana's wisdom. It does not matter what house they belonged to. We do not fight against humans — we fight for humanity."
YOU"Why are the servants of the Golden Throne laying siege to Dargonus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was it agents of the Inquisition who killed Gaprak?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End the conversation]
SecretTense silence fills the vox-channel. It is followed by a short click — the connection was ended.continues where this line first appears above
Secret"Such is the fate of any who calls himself the servant of a heretic. His army fell to the onslaught of the Sisters of Battle, guided by Elana's wisdom. It does not matter what house they belonged to. We do not fight against humans — we fight for humanity."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End the conversation]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was it agents of the Inquisition who killed Gaprak?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End the conversation]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Seberian is mired in heresy. Sooner or later, he will fall. I do not wish to waste my efforts on a doomed man."
Secret"A right-minded servant of the God-Emperor amid the xenoheresy flourishing on Dargonus — could it be?"
Secret"Very well. If the fire of faith truly burns in your heart, primed to burst forth in cleansing flame, find the Redeemed whose steadfastness Elana preserves, and follow her instructions." You hear a short click — the connection has been cut off.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think I have changed my mind about helping you."
Secret"You have changed your mind? How ingenious and inconspicuous is heresy. Should you think to oppose the envoys of the Golden Throne, even once, then there is no way back. You are already dead, my fickle interlocutor." A click signals the disconnection of the vox-transmission.
SecretYou hear nothing from the vox but white noise.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not your agent, but a figure of even greater importance. And I wish to speak with you."
SecretThere is nothing but silence from the vox-channel. But you hear no click of disconnection, which means that someone has agreed to listen.
YOU"Why are the servants of the Golden Throne laying siege to Dargonus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was it agents of the Inquisition who killed Gaprak?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End the conversation]continues where this line first appears above
Secret"You will learn no secrets here. Only the pure truth."
YOU"Why are the servants of the Golden Throne laying siege to Dargonus?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Was it agents of the Inquisition who killed Gaprak?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[End the conversation]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not Elana. But I am willing to give you the information you need in the name of the God-Emperor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not your agent, but a figure of even greater importance. And I wish to speak with you."continues where this line first appears above
Secret"Servants of the Golden Throne to Elana. We are alarmed by your silence. What is happening in the camp of Heretic Coryphaeus? Report."
YOU"Elana here. Give me a status report."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not Elana. But I am willing to give you the information you need in the name of the God-Emperor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am not your agent, but a figure of even greater importance. And I wish to speak with you."continues where this line first appears above
SecretYou hear nothing from the vox but white noise.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Hail the last used frequency]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Listen in on the transmissions]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave the vox-station alone]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at something else]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the previously hailed frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at something else]continues where this line first appears above
SecretThe vox-station looks well-maintained: you do not see even a speck of dust on the surface.
YOU[Examine the area]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the previously hailed frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at something else]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look closely at the vox-station]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Examine the previously hailed frequencies]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Look at something else]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 2
SecretAn entire vox-array has been cleverly concealed behind the outer portion of the ferrogranite slab. The level of delicacy required to place the device discreetly in such a place is difficult to fathom.continues where this line first appears above