SergeantHis remark about mines lodges itself in your memory. More than anything, you will need to watch the ground and not your surroundings — you'd rather risk a shot from a rebel or a jittery soldier than experience a few handfuls of lethal frag shrapnel resting on top of some three hundred grams of explosive fyceline.
YOU"Davian of Tertium? Who is that?"
Sergeant Malgar"One of ours — a veteran. No idea how he wound up here. The man's from Atoma Prime — the other end of the galaxy. Silent chap, crazy eyes, but you should see him slay enemies of Humanity. There's none like him." The sergeant casts a glance somewhere past the starport. "When it started, he went missing out in the streets somewhere. Worse news for the rebels, though: he's an absolute beast in close-quarters combat."
YOU"Davian of Tertium? Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is the path ahead dangerous? What exactly awaits me there?"
Sergeant Malgar"Nothing good." The sergeant sighs heavily. "Those bastards will shoot anyone walking the streets. Our own troops were ordered to fire without warning. You better move with caution, sir/ma'am — on top of everything else, we mined the streets when we were pulling out."
Sergeant MalgarThe sergeant sighs heavily. "All of our roadblocks are gone, the whole place is in the rebels' hands. The city is almost lost, so no help will come, we are surrounded by rebels. And watch your step, sir/ma'am — the streets are chock-full of mines."
YOU"What Tech-Priest?"
Sergeant Malgar"A very important person from the Adeptus Mechanicus arrived on the last shuttle before they locked down the sky. He kept on asking whether anyone by the name of Amarant or Amarnat or something like that had recently arrived. Barely answered any of our questions, though; said he was under no obligation to tell us anything."
Sergeant Malgar"He demanded to talk to the governor personally, so I had to send a quarter of my troops with him to keep trouble at bay."
YOU"Davian of Tertium? Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is the path ahead dangerous? What exactly awaits me there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What Tech-Priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a good soldier, Malgar. I will see that your heroism is noted."
Sergeant MalgarThe sergeant blushes slightly. "I live to serve!"
Sergeant MalgarAnother explosion interrupts the sergeant's words. With a sigh of relief, he turns to his soldiers and spits out a booming series of commands.
end of branch
YOU"You are a fool. The governor, who is safe and sound in the rear, has left you for dead, and here you are, preaching about glory."
Sergeant MalgarA shadow of doubt crosses the sergeant's face. "No surprise there... It's a soldier's lot to serve and die. Not the governor's, though, that's not his duty..." He gives you a flustered look.
Sergeant MalgarAnother explosion interrupts the sergeant's words. With a sigh of relief, he turns to his soldiers and spits out a booming series of commands.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A good fighter would have long since reclaimed the starport. Move out and attack, you cowardly knave!"
Sergeant MalgarHorror fills the sergeant's eyes. "Apologies, Your Lordship/Ladyship, sir/ma'am! We will rectify that at once! Follow my lead, you lot! I'm giving you two minutes to reload and patch yourselves up, then we are routing the rebel dregs!" He roars his commands, organising his troops for what is undoubtedly a suicidal offensive.
Sergeant MalgarAnother explosion interrupts the sergeant's words. With a sigh of relief, he turns to his soldiers and spits out a booming series of commands.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a good soldier, Malgar. I will see that your heroism is noted."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a fool. The governor, who is safe and sound in the rear, has left you for dead, and here you are, preaching about glory."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A good fighter would have long since reclaimed the starport. Move out and attack, you cowardly knave!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is the path ahead dangerous? What exactly awaits me there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What Tech-Priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a good soldier, Malgar. I will see that your heroism is noted."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a fool. The governor, who is safe and sound in the rear, has left you for dead, and here you are, preaching about glory."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A good fighter would have long since reclaimed the starport. Move out and attack, you cowardly knave!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 3
SergeantThe sergeant's answer is not particularly helpful. When danger is all around you in many forms, it is impossible to prepare for it.
YOU"Davian of Tertium? Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is the path ahead dangerous? What exactly awaits me there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What Tech-Priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a good soldier, Malgar. I will see that your heroism is noted."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a fool. The governor, who is safe and sound in the rear, has left you for dead, and here you are, preaching about glory."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A good fighter would have long since reclaimed the starport. Move out and attack, you cowardly knave!"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 3
SergeantThe starport greets you with the din of ordnance and the smell of explosives tickles your nostrils. It is difficult to tell through the smoke who is firing at whom.
Sergeant MalgarAmong the cracked rockcrete and bent plasteel, you notice a man in the warden's uniform. He stares at the gleaming gold of your shuttle in surprise. "Did the governor send his personal guards? No matter! What are you standing there for, meat? Are you waiting for the rebels to blast your bucket again for good measure? The skies over the capital are blocked by enemy fire, all aerial traffic has been halted! What pest gave you clearance to deploy?"
Sergeant Malgar"Pah, by all the saints! I'm Sergeant Malgar, and you lot report to me now. Straighten yourselves out and drag your arses after me, I'll map out a defence sector for you." By the end of his tirade, the sergeant's voice grows quieter as his eyes focus on your expensive gear.
YOU"You must be mistaken. I am the Rogue Trader of House von Valancius."
Sergeant MalgarThe soldier grows more and more pale with every word you say. As soon as you are done speaking, he falls to his knees.
Sergeant Malgar"My mistake, Your Lordship/Ladyship! Didn't recognise you, sir/ma'am! Please pardon my blunder, it's a bloodbath in here—"
SergeantA frag grenade explosion cuts off the rest of the sergeant's words. Shrapnel flies everywhere with a piercing screech. One of the soldiers falls to the ground, clutching the remains of his forearm that is now adorned with crimson tatters. Blood is pouring out of the stump, and the soldier's agony is short-lived. The sergeant curses and hastily says an army prayer for the dead.
Sergeant MalgarWith a rasping cough, the sergeant turns back to you. "Pardon me, sir/ma'am. Sergeant Lasse Malgar reporting! My unit is holding the starport on the governor's orders! How may I serve?"
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"
Sergeant Malgar"Affirmative, Your Lordship/Ladyship, sir/ma'am! It's all those damned rebels — those maggots somehow got their hands on an anti-aircraft battery and it's causing our shuttles no end of trouble. That thing really packs a punch! You're lucky they missed you — I've seen them fry two shuttles carrying reinforcements, not a soul survived."
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"
Sergeant Malgar"Unrest, sir/ma'am! Armed rebellions in both the capital and the provinces. First the lower levels sparked, then it went up the spires — they hit the vox-hubs, the arsenals, the mag-train stations."
Sergeant(sequence)
Cassia"Then Felek tore off his mask... precisely because he knew about the trouble on Rykad Minoris. He knew that none of our allies would come to our aid." Cassia lets out a sorrowful sigh. "You may continue your report, peasant."
end of branch
Sergeant Malgar"My unit was here when it all went to the groxes. The Tech-Priests linked to satellites reported sightings of strange voidships in the system. They were orbiting the star until one of them set course for landing on Rykad Majoris. The governor took precautionary measures and ordered to increase security at the key facilities — everyone knows that whenever something's not right, you better double the warden details. The alarm was raised, and we were sent to secure the starport. It's the only reason we were able to hold it."
Sergeant Malgar"There is fighting in the capital, but we're holding strong, giving no quarter to the rebels! The Emperor protects!" The sergeant's voice is brimming with daring confidence.
YOU"Who are you, anyway?"
Sergeant Malgar"Sergeant Lasse Malgar, sir/ma'am! Eleventh-generation loyal soldier of House Winterscale, awarded three commendations for faultless service. Ever since the olden days, His Lordship the Rogue Trader has recruited soldiers and shipwrights on Rykad Minoris, so there is no greater honour for a Rykadian than serving His Lordship with diligence!"
YOU"Who are you, anyway?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What caused this rebellion?"
Sergeant Malgar"Ill thoughts, sir/ma'am! We've fallen on hard times, the ground keeps shaking, things keep exploding. The people are scared, they've forgotten all about their duty. And that's when those, Emperor forgive me, 'preachers' came... They started riling everyone up! Sure enough, we shot a few, but they just kept coming, more and more of them."
YOU"Who are you, anyway?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What caused this rebellion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How can some pathetic rebellion be cause enough for such a lacklustre welcoming ceremony in honour of a Rogue Trader's arrival? It is an insult."
Sergeant Malgar"Apologies, Your Lordship/Ladyship, sir/ma'am! I couldn't have known, I wasn't notified! Had we known we were expecting such an eminent visitor, we would've... you know... at the double... with all due devotion!"
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"
Sergeant MalgarAt the word "Inquisition," the sergeant's face fills with awe. "I don't know, sir/ma'am! There definitely haven't been any visitors like that on my watch! You might have to enquire at the headquarters, Your Lordship/Ladyship, sir/ma'am!"
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."
Sergeant Malgar"The rebels burned down the palace right at the start, but the governor, by the grace of the Emperor, is still alive and continues to oversee the defence efforts from a fortified command post."
Sergeant Malgar"I don't know what the situation is like there now, but the governor's personal vox operator recently made it to the starport. He left us the new vox-codes and departed on a special assignment, but not before telling us that the command post is well-reinforced and in no danger of falling."
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."
Sergeant Malgar"If I may report, sir/ma'am, as long as the rebels keep shooting their damned anti-aircraft battery, there is absolutely no way to shuttle you to the governor. It would have to be on foot, and the streets are dangerous."
Sergeant Malgar"I have no one to send with you as an escort — I assigned all available troops to accompany the esteemed Tech-Priest to the governor. I will vox-cast orders to them to wait for you. And I'll inform headquarters — they better send out a convoy to meet you halfway! Meanwhile, we will follow the governor's orders and hold the line here!"
YOU"Davian of Tertium? Who is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is the path ahead dangerous? What exactly awaits me there?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What Tech-Priest?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a good soldier, Malgar. I will see that your heroism is noted."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are a fool. The governor, who is safe and sound in the rear, has left you for dead, and here you are, preaching about glory."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"A good fighter would have long since reclaimed the starport. Move out and attack, you cowardly knave!"continues where this line first appears above
Sergeant(sequence)
IdiraIdira frowns as her gaze grows distant, as if she is looking through the sergeant. "You're a good soldier, but you've got a lot of blood on your hands — both yours and others'. You know, the same hand that salutes now might falter in darkness. Rank and epaulettes won't save you from the bitterness..."
Sergeant Malgar"Pardon me, my lady, but I can't get my head 'round these fancy words you're saying. I've seen plenty of blood, but, trust me, I'll fight till my last drop!"
end of branch
Sergeant MalgarThe sergeant shakes his head in disappointment. "Ah, if only Sergeant Davian of Tertium was here... He may have completely lost his marbles, but if I'd let him accompany you, you could have walked all the way to the governor's palace without any harm befalling you."
end of branch
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pat him on the shoulder] "You are doing fine work, Malgar. And so are your troops. It is people like you that hold the Imperium together!"
Sergeant Malgar"I live to serve!" The sergeant's eyes are gleaming with pride. His expression is that of genuine happiness.
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
Sergeant Malgar"I live to serve!" The sergeant's grim voice rings with a martyr's pride.
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot leave you and your people without aid. Reinforcements will be sent from my ship."
Sergeant Malgar"I live to serve!" The sergeant is so astonished that he only barks out the mandated words of gratitude after a non-mandated lengthy pause. "We won't fail... We won't forget... We'll be praying to the Emperor for you, Your Lordship/Ladyship, sir/ma'am!"
YOU"Some dirty dog nearly shot down my shuttle!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How can some pathetic rebellion be cause enough for such a lacklustre welcoming ceremony in honour of a Rogue Trader's arrival? It is an insult."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pat him on the shoulder] "You are doing fine work, Malgar. And so are your troops. It is people like you that hold the Imperium together!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot leave you and your people without aid. Reinforcements will be sent from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What caused this rebellion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How can some pathetic rebellion be cause enough for such a lacklustre welcoming ceremony in honour of a Rogue Trader's arrival? It is an insult."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pat him on the shoulder] "You are doing fine work, Malgar. And so are your troops. It is people like you that hold the Imperium together!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot leave you and your people without aid. Reinforcements will be sent from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
Sergeant Malgar"They're crushing us, the scumbags. It's been a whole turn since the last reinforcements came in, we're running low on ammo, every other fighter is wounded. I don't know how bad it is in the streets, but they'll drive us out of here any minute."
YOU"Who are you, anyway?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What caused this rebellion?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How can some pathetic rebellion be cause enough for such a lacklustre welcoming ceremony in honour of a Rogue Trader's arrival? It is an insult."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Pat him on the shoulder] "You are doing fine work, Malgar. And so are your troops. It is people like you that hold the Imperium together!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot leave you and your people without aid. Reinforcements will be sent from my ship."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you happen to know if a member of the Inquisition has come here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to see the governor of this planet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am going to see the governor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, enlighten this rabble about the proper manner of greeting the God-Emperor's chosen."
AbelardAbelard clears his throat. "You stand before Rogue Trader von Valancius, you ignorant worm! Snap to attention this instant and give His Lordship/Her Ladyship a formal report!"
Sergeant MalgarWith a mixture of awe and terror, he snaps to attention, raises his freshly cut chin like an exemplary soldier, and barks, "My mistake, sir/ma'am! At once! The starport is under the control of the governor's wardens! Perimeter commander is Sergea—"
SergeantA frag grenade explosion cuts off the rest of the sergeant's words. Shrapnel flies everywhere with a piercing screech. One of the soldiers falls to the ground, clutching the remains of his forearm that is now adorned with crimson tatters. Blood is pouring out of the stump, and the soldier's agony is short-lived. The sergeant curses and hastily says an army prayer for the dead.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the Rogue Trader von Valancius! Give me a status report, this instant!"
Sergeant MalgarWith a mixture of awe and terror, he snaps to attention, raises his freshly cut chin like an exemplary soldier, and barks, "My mistake, sir/ma'am! At once! The starport is under the control of the governor's wardens! Perimeter commander is Sergea—"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you, commoner? On your knees, before I blow your brains out!"
Sergeant MalgarYour imperious tone proves more effective than any official regalia, and the commoner collapses to his knees.
Sergeant Malgar"My mistake, Your Lordship/Ladyship! Didn't recognise you, sir/ma'am! Please pardon my blunder, it's a bloodbath in here—"continues where this line first appears above
Sergeant(sequence)
AbelardAbelard turns purple. "By the Holy Throne, what is this mess..."
IdiraIdira glances around. "They're in a rough spot, old man. Go easy on them."
end of branch
Sergeant Malgar"Halt! Weapons on the ground, or I'm firing!" A man in a torn and dirty uniform hobbles toward you from behind the chunks of rockcrete and crumpled plasteel. His cracked helmet is adorned with a crooked label that reads: "Sgt Malgar."
Sergeant Malgar"All right, so our skies are in lockdown, the rebels are shooting down anything that flies, and you lot just happened to land in our rear without a scratch to show for it? And on a shuttle like that... Where did you get it? Stolen from the palace, isn't it?" He is visibly awed by the resplendent gold of your transport. "Grab 'em, lads, we've got ourselves a rebel landing force!"
YOU"You must be mistaken. I am the Rogue Trader of House von Valancius."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, enlighten this rabble about the proper manner of greeting the God-Emperor's chosen."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am the Rogue Trader von Valancius! Give me a status report, this instant!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How dare you, commoner? On your knees, before I blow your brains out!"continues where this line first appears above
Sergeant(sequence)continues where this line first appears above