BatoshskiBatoshski appears deceptively at ease, but his green eyes track every motion across the bridge. When the colonel fixes a heavy stare on an enforcer, the subordinate noticeably flinches. "Lord Captain. There are far too many people around. Some are only pretending to be busy. We will take care of that. In due time."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"
Batoshski"After you left, those iron creatures pinned us down good. One beast crawled out with a sort of plate instead of legs. While I was busy twisting its head off, my boys started shouting that everything was coming down. I was distracted, and the damn thing blew up right under me. Woke up outside, in the shuttle. The lads hauled me out on their backs."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
BatoshskiIzdrig lifts his chin and sets his shoulders. "She found a psyker and let him live. She didn't let him get his atonement. Instead, she filled his head with nonsense, and the poor sorcerer brought the Drover right to the Cage. Dozens of my people are dead thanks to her folly. Maybe you forgive such things on your ship, but on Zarkov, we execute saboteurs."
BatoshskiAfter finishing his unusually long tirade, Batoshski falls silent and seems to deflate slightly. For a fleeting moment, you see in him a weary leader rather than a hardened veteran. "If it puts your mind at ease, I took her life personally, looking her in the eye. We placed her body in a shroud-leaf so that it may serve the Cage. She will get her atonement for the one. And we will live on and remember her."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"
Batoshski"They're settling in well. The technical corridors aren't much different from Zarkov's roots. My soldiers are on their guard around your servants, but that seems to be the way for every community here. We've had a few scuffles with the locals, but so far it's just been bloody noses and a couple of broken legs."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"
BatoshskiIzdrig frowns and lets out a strange sound, a mix of grunt and growl, yet devoid of any aggression. "I miss it. I was born there, grew up there, and nearly died there more than once. Back home, I knew what to do, but in the wider world — I don't." Your eyes meet, and you catch a glint deep within his green eyes. Suddenly, the colonel smirks. "And that's a good thing. I feel like I've grown younger. I have to learn, adapt, and think all over again, instead of giving the same orders day after day. It stirs the blood."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"
BatoshskiIzdrig nods, casting a glance over your shoulder. "I do."
Batoshski"I've seen how the common folk live here. They complain of hunger, cold, and exhaustion. My people and I are used to hardship, but I'd like to know how exactly are we going to be settled?"
YOU"This is how things are: soldiers will live in barracks and receive rations just like the rest of the crew. Officers will be assigned private quarters. This is the order of things bestowed upon us all by the God-Emperor."
Batoshski"I see. So, in a couple of Call-Ups, we'll be right back where we started. Officers sipping amasec in their private quarters while the common soldiers rot in their filthy cots. You do what you want, but I'm spending the rest of my life making sure the Trial Match tradition continues. It's the only chance we have of keeping the regiment from forgetting its roots."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."
Batoshski"Yes, Your Lordship/Ladyship." Izdrig nods to you and begins to softly hum a familiar melody.
end of branch
YOU"I will make every effort to ensure your people are treated with dignity and provided with adequate living conditions."
BatoshskiThe colonel' eyebrows raise for a moment before returning to a stern scowl. "What use do we have for such handouts? You're kind enough, but what happens in ten years? A hundred? Can we rely on the kindness of your heir? Better to show me and my soldiers our place right now than to strip away what we've grown used to later."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The weak and cowardly will rot in the filth. Those who possess strength and determination will ascend to greater things."
BatoshskiBatoshski grins broadly. "Sounds just like home. Strength is something we understand and respect. I'll pass your words along to the troops."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
Batoshski"Some fancy-dressed people from Dargonus showed up, offering to become patrons of the 32nd Regiment. How should I handle them?"
YOU"Pay attention to the Werserians. They are noble and honest."
Batoshski"That's your Seneschal Abelard's family, isn't it? I've heard a lot about the man. Well, if his clan are like him — honest, with no Commissar claptrap — then they're worth dealing with."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Drivestems have the greatest influence."
Batoshski"And the greatest appetite. Maybe their patronage will prove useful... I should assign a few of my people to watch them. If they decide to betray us, we should know."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"House Gaprak would be the best choice, as they are closely related to the production of equipment and augmetics."
Batoshski"Augmetics..." Izdrig snorts, but doesn't elaborate. "We need the equipment, no doubt about that. Firing a lasgun when you've got a spare battery or two is the closest thing to real joy."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Sauerbacks are renowned for their devoutness and loyalty — I think you are similar enough that your alliance would be a strong one."
Batoshski"Do you mean stubborn and blunt? A strong alliance could come of that. Or a bloody feud. Either outcome suits me."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Your chief patron is [Name] von Valancius."
Batoshski"Understood. I'll send them a message that the 32nd has only one patron. Delivered with a krak grenade." Catching your eye, Izdrig grins. "An unarmed one, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"All houses are puppeteers and manipulators. Do not put your faith in anyone."
Batoshski"I thought a hero of the Imperium would feed me some Commissar claptrap about the divine right of the nobles. Now I see why common folk call you a hero."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
BatoshskiBatoshski only gives a thoughtful nod.
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
Batoshski"The enforcers look at us like we're dirt under their boots. My people are getting nervous."
YOU"Their vigilance is the means by which they fulfil their duty to the God-Emperor."
Batoshski"If their duty is to serve as the flagship's arrogant figureheads, then who am I to get in their way? Since the custom here is to obey them, we'll do our best to steer clear of the enforcers."
Batoshski"Thank you for making that clear, Lord Captain."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are in a strange position. Give it time — they will grow used to trusting you."
Batoshski"They'll just have to get used to it. We're here to stay. The regiment already squandered one chance to serve the von Valanciuses — we won't make that mistake again."
Batoshski"Thank you for making that clear, Lord Captain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"They sense your fear. Your weakness."
BatoshskiIzdrig's face darkens. You feel, rather than hear, his low growl through your whole body. "I will speak with Jocasta Sauerback about joint drills. We'll show them the meaning of fear and weakness."
Batoshski"Thank you for making that clear, Lord Captain."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"As long as you are under my protection, you are in no danger."
Batoshski"We're not afraid of them, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's just that if they pull something stupid, we'll react the way we've always done. You just be sure to remember your promise of protection when the time comes."
Batoshski"Thank you for making that clear, Lord Captain."continues where this line first appears above
Batoshski"That world ruled by the Tech-Priests... So that's what the Archenemy is like, is it? Our legends of it back on Zarkov are like child's stories in comparison."
YOU"That is why we fight the Archenemy. Better to die than to let its corruption taint us."
Batoshski"Such monsters must be exterminated. I understand, all too well, in fact. It seems that's exactly what we Guardsmen are for."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The lives of humans are sometimes horrifying, and anyone can unwittingly fall victim to the Archenemy's temptations."
Batoshski"Unwittingly? Weakness is a choice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Every day you choose to pity yourself is a day gifted to the Archenemy. Pity them all you want, but they are nothing more than targets for our lasguns now."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"And what horrifies you exactly? The fear you feel is awe in the face of something far stronger than you. Become stronger, and the Archenemy will become a weapon."
BatoshskiThe colonel strokes his beard and nods thoughtfully. "You're right about that... Becoming stronger is a good thing, we know. Using the enemy's own strength against it — the same way we used bones and scraps of plants back on Zarkov — that makes sense too."
Batoshski"Thank you for the advice, Your Lordship/Ladyship. It's something to think about."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
Batoshski"Your flagship scares some of them. Too many new faces, new sights, new smells. Some were happy to put Zarkov behind them, but all this novelty is disorienting. But it's nothing. Give us time, and we'll know this vessel as well as the roots around the Cage."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 19 of 19
BatoshskiBatoshski nods to you, looking you straight in the eye: "Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"How did you manage to escape the collapsing Museion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You executed Vedka Dunawski. Explain yourself!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How are the seconded troops from Zarkov faring?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Don't you miss Zarkov?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Perhaps you have some questions?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That will be all, Colonel."continues where this line first appears above