Theobald OrsellioTheobald coughs up bluish blood — the armour plate on his chest is perforated in a few places, and there is a tangle of metal and viscera where his abdomen ought to be. When the Navigator's pale eyes find Cassia, he quietly rasps, "Now... this is your burden, Child... Survive. Return to the fold of your House, as... your destiny demands..."
Cassia"No... Don't leave me alone in this violet-brown haze! Wake up! Your mistress is giving you an order, do you hear me?" Cassia looks at the Navigator's body in bewilderment, and you are overwhelmed with an inexplicable sense of loneliness and grief.
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"
Cassia"I... I've never..." Cassia is almost whispering, but quickly regains her composure, raises her head, and enunciates calmly: "I did what ought to be done to renegades of House Orsellio. You need not worry, Rogue Trader — I have no such power over the lives of ordinary people."
YOU"And I'm supposed to believe you?"
Cassia"I have no reason to lie, but you still won't believe me without proof. However, I have read the writings of Fergus-Kleon and understand your train of thought. Distrust is an innate defensive behaviour in most creatures, so I take no offence."
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."
Cassia"What need have I for your regrets? I... I just want things to go back to the way they were before." Cassia looks sorrowfully at the destruction around her.
CassiaSuddenly Cassia presses her hands to her breastplate over her heart and winces in pain. The stone flares under the delicate skin of her pallid neck, resonating strangely with her powers. Unable to speak, she helplessly claws at the stone with her pointed nails, but to no avail. "I... What have you done to me? What did you put in my neck? My powers feel like an emptied cup. The shadows around me have grown darker... What is going on? Help me... Relieve me of this burden!"
YOU[Cut out the glowing stone]
CassiaYou reach for the stone in Cassia's neck, but an unknown power prevents you from even touching it — your fingers freeze a hair's breadth from the skin, as if her throat were encased in unseen armour. The stone starts heating up fast, searing Cassia's tender skin. "Enough... Enough! I beg you!"
YOU[Cut out the glowing stone]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not know the stone would suppress your power. We will find a way to rid you of it, I promise."
CassiaCassia dolefully shakes her head.
Theobald Orsellio"And after this, I am supposed to give the Child to you?" The old man hisses through the remains of his teeth. "This reeks of Felek's chicanery, and you fell for his tricks! Or perhaps you knew what would happen." Theobald helplessly clenches his fists. "But, no matter, Regent Aaronto will find a way to rid the Child of this curse."
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"
YOU"If you wish to leave the station alive, you must first sign a contract. You will undertake to serve as my Navigator until I release you from that obligation."
Cassia(sequence)
Theobald Orsellio"Striking a deal that profits off the other party's desperation... Just as I thought — you do not have an ounce of honour in you." Theobald turns his fish-like eyes away in disgust and addresses Cassia: "Child, let this be a lesson to you. A cruel lesson, but you will have to accept this state of affairs for now so the House can achieve its goals. Remember, what matters is that you reach Regent Aaronto."
end of branch
Theobald OrsellioTheobald Orsellio nods slowly. "Do not fear what is to come, Child. You are ready to guide any vessel — I know this because I taught you myself. And it is difficult to imagine more worthy company than a Rogue Trader. But remember, your safety is of paramount importance. Get to the Great Regent and fulfil your destiny."
end of branch
Cassia"I beg your pardon, but what about my servants? Eurac V is still full of people loyal to House Orsellio!"
YOU"You can secure new servants once we're out of here."
Theobald Orsellio"You need not worry, Child. Your people are ready to die for you at any moment, be it under a hail of gunfire or in the ruins of this broken station. And so it will always be."
CassiaThe Lady Navigator ponders your words for a short while.
end of branch
CassiaThe Lady Navigator ponders your words for a short while.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"All who can be saved will be given succour on board my ship."
CassiaThe Lady Navigator ponders your words for a short while.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will provide you with every necessity. Naturally, this includes servants."
CassiaThe Lady Navigator ponders your words for a short while.continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"I am afraid you leave me no choice, Lord Captain. I agree. Now take me to your vessel."
end of branch
Cassia"I am afraid you leave me no choice, Lord Captain. I agree. Now take me to your vessel."
end of branch
YOU"Lady Cassia, I, [Name] von Valancius, Rogue Trader of the Imperium of Man, offer you my protection and grant you shelter aboard my vessel."
Cassia(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"I... As a Lady Navigator of House Orsellio, I accept your gracious offer of protection. Please, take me to your vessel, I can no longer bear the pain of this place."
end of branch
Cassia"I... As a Lady Navigator of House Orsellio, I accept your gracious offer of protection. Please, take me to your vessel, I can no longer bear the pain of this place."
end of branch
YOU"Lady Cassia, let us aid one another. Become my Navigator, and I shall restore you to House Orsellio at the earliest opportunity."
Cassia(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
CassiaCassia gives you a curt nod. "Accompanying a Rogue Trader on their travels is an honour for any Navigator. Let us go, I can no longer bear the sight of the deathly pale shadows that drape the bodies of the fallen. "
end of branch
CassiaCassia gives you a curt nod. "Accompanying a Rogue Trader on their travels is an honour for any Navigator. Let us go, I can no longer bear the sight of the deathly pale shadows that drape the bodies of the fallen. "
end of branch
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to rid you of this artefact."
Theobald Orsellio"And after this, I am supposed to give the Child to you?" The old man hisses through the remains of his teeth. "This reeks of Felek's chicanery, and you fell for his tricks! Or perhaps you knew what would happen." Theobald helplessly clenches his fists. "But, no matter, Regent Aaronto will find a way to rid the Child of this curse."continues where this line first appears above
CassiaCassia dolefully shakes her head.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone restrains your power, and that suits me very well."
CassiaCassia dolefully shakes her head.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone will not kill you. Let us set this issue aside for now."
CassiaCassia dolefully shakes her head.continues where this line first appears above
Theobald Orsellio"Stop it, the Child does not deserve such suffering!"
YOU[Cut out the glowing stone]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not know the stone would suppress your power. We will find a way to rid you of it, I promise."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to rid you of this artefact."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone restrains your power, and that suits me very well."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone will not kill you. Let us set this issue aside for now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not know the stone would suppress your power. We will find a way to rid you of it, I promise."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to rid you of this artefact."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone restrains your power, and that suits me very well."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone will not kill you. Let us set this issue aside for now."continues where this line first appears above
Theobald Orsellio"Explain what all this means! Is it betrayal? Or sabotage?"
YOU[Cut out the glowing stone]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I did not know the stone would suppress your power. We will find a way to rid you of it, I promise."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I promise, we will find a way to rid you of this artefact."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone restrains your power, and that suits me very well."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The stone will not kill you. Let us set this issue aside for now."continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."
Cassia"And if I refuse?" Cassia juts out her trembling chin and gives you a defiant look.
Theobald Orsellio"Please, Child, do not be stubborn. Remember your duty to the House and let those thoughts bring you strength."
CassiaSuddenly Cassia presses her hands to her breastplate over her heart and winces in pain. The stone flares under the delicate skin of her pallid neck, resonating strangely with her powers. Unable to speak, she helplessly claws at the stone with her pointed nails, but to no avail. "I... What have you done to me? What did you put in my neck? My powers feel like an emptied cup. The shadows around me have grown darker... What is going on? Help me... Relieve me of this burden!"continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"continues where this line first appears above
CassiaSuddenly Cassia presses her hands to her breastplate over her heart and winces in pain. The stone flares under the delicate skin of her pallid neck, resonating strangely with her powers. Unable to speak, she helplessly claws at the stone with her pointed nails, but to no avail. "I... What have you done to me? What did you put in my neck? My powers feel like an emptied cup. The shadows around me have grown darker... What is going on? Help me... Relieve me of this burden!"continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."
Cassia"But this is my..." Cassia hesitates, searching for the right word. "My... home."
Theobald Orsellio"Please, Child, do not be stubborn. Remember your duty to the House and let those thoughts bring you strength."continues where this line first appears above
CassiaSuddenly Cassia presses her hands to her breastplate over her heart and winces in pain. The stone flares under the delicate skin of her pallid neck, resonating strangely with her powers. Unable to speak, she helplessly claws at the stone with her pointed nails, but to no avail. "I... What have you done to me? What did you put in my neck? My powers feel like an emptied cup. The shadows around me have grown darker... What is going on? Help me... Relieve me of this burden!"continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]
CassiaSuddenly Cassia presses her hands to her breastplate over her heart and winces in pain. The stone flares under the delicate skin of her pallid neck, resonating strangely with her powers. Unable to speak, she helplessly claws at the stone with her pointed nails, but to no avail. "I... What have you done to me? What did you put in my neck? My powers feel like an emptied cup. The shadows around me have grown darker... What is going on? Help me... Relieve me of this burden!"continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"What... What are you going to do to me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A useful gift. I like it."
CassiaCassia frowns. "You are engulfed in an aurora of crimson, your hope for pain and battle. But my gift will not help you with that."
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You really are a monster."
Cassia"The words fly off your tongue and scorch everyone around you with sparks of venomous green, but then they settle on your soul as leaden ash. You know, the more ash there is in someone's heart, the faster they lose their own humanity."
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not care. I am not afraid of you."
CassiaCassia blinks in surprise. "Not many people would dare talk to me like that. You are very different from the rest."
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
Cassia(sequence)
AbelardAbelard salutes the fallen man. "He was a fine seer of the warp. He fought for his mistress until the end."
end of branch
Idira"Uh, yeah, no. Enough's enough. I've had my fill of waterworks, thank you." Idira brusquely wipes away her tears with pointed determination.
end of branch
Pasqal"Losing a mentor is a sorrowful event. Beginning the mantra of spiritual assuagement." The sound of Pasqal's vox takes on a strange vibration, gentle and soothing, nothing like his usual dry tone.
end of branch
Kibellah"This malformed body held a soul that knew the true meaning of duty. May this righteous man's scales and blood steel my resolve in service." Kibellah makes three ritual incisions to cut away a piece of the Navigator's flesh and hides it in the folds of her clothes, right below her heart.
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 5
CassiaCassia comes to and looks around in abject terror. "Theobald! No... Don't leave me alone in this violet-brown haze! Wake up! Your mistress is giving you an order, do you hear me?" She glares at you angrily, her hatred almost tangible — you can feel it bubbling up in your own chest. "What have you done...?"
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 5
Cassia"How low can a man sink in the pursuit of power... Is your hatred of me really so strong, Felek?" Cassia's ruby eyes fill with bloody tears as she looks the traitor in the face, and your heart is wracked by unbearable grief.
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 5
Theobald OrsellioTheobald coughs up more bluish blood. It stains the armour plate on his chest, but he remains standing. "Wake up, my mistress. My sacred Child... It is all over now. It is over."
Cassia"What... What happened?" You feel the crimson eyes roving over your face. "You. I remember you. Have you come to save us?"
Theobald Orsellio"Child, please, listen to me very carefully. One last time." The old man bends over in pain and wheezes hoarsely. "You will now embark on a voyage with this lord/lady to rejoin the House and its regent in the Koronus Expanse. I... I will not be able to accompany you on this journey." Another trickle of blue blood runs down the old man's face, this time from his nose and ear.
Cassia"No... Not you too. Don't leave me alone in this violet-brown haze! You... you are coming with me — your mistress is giving you an order, do you hear me?" A hot wave of despair that is not yours washes over you. Your palms sweat and your heart freezes in panic.
Theobald Orsellio"Mistress, I fear this will be your only order that I dare to disobey. I am the Keeper of Eurac V, and alas, I have less than a day left in me. Allow me to serve you one last time and honour my final duty to House Orsellio. I will remain on the station and destroy the secrets it holds."
Cassia"Oh, Theobald..." The crimson tears stain the Lady Navigator's white skin once again, but this time her power does not make everyone weep along with her.
YOU"Would you explain what just happened? You killed Felek just by looking at him!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I regret that we had to meet under such circumstances."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Enough tears. You are coming with me — now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Forgive the urgency, but we should leave the station immediately. The systems are unstable and may fail at any moment."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Say nothing]continues where this line first appears above