Guard"Our poor lads... they deserve proper last honours... not to be lying here like this..." Camille looks away from the bodies.
YOU"The battlefield looks highly suspicious. Half of your comrades never even had the chance to draw their weapons. And the direction of the shots, as well — the attackers knew exactly what path the group would take and how large it would be."
GuardThe young man looks at you in slight confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about... Yes, we were ambushed... but it was all over so quickly. It's a miracle I survived. I was lucky to be behind cover when it began."
YOU"The battlefield looks highly suspicious. Half of your comrades never even had the chance to draw their weapons. And the direction of the shots, as well — the attackers knew exactly what path the group would take and how large it would be."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Aim your weapon at the private] "Too many parts of your story fail to add up. I am beginning to wonder if you are a traitor."
Guard"I swear, Your Lord/Ladyship! I may've gotten a few things mixed up from inexperience, and that's why they don't add up. Please, let's walk to the governor's command centre. I must carry out my orders. Once we get there, you can have the intelligence run a check on me if you wish. I'm a loyal soldier and that's the truth!"
YOU[Size up the private]
GuardIn your former life, your ability to tell a soldier from a rat often meant the difference between life and death. The private is a poor actor — you know he is not trying to trick you.
YOU[Size up the private]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. Let's keep walking."
Guard"Uh-huh," the guard says gloomily and looks away.
end of branch
Guard"Of course, Your Lord/Ladyship. Please, let's make a move — the sooner we get there, the better!"
end of branch
YOU[Kill the private] "In times of war, it is better to execute an innocent than to have a mole in one's ranks!"
GuardThe guard opens his eyes widely, incredulous to the last that this is the end.
end of branch
Guard"Blast you, scum! Aurora will get you all the same! Aurora and the Final Dawn!"
end of branch
GuardIn your past life, the ability to tell whether someone was trustworthy or a rat often marked the line between life and death. Under your scrutiny, the trooper seems far too calm — a sure sign the wretch is labouring to mislead you.
YOU[Size up the private]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. Let's keep walking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the private] "In times of war, it is better to execute an innocent than to have a mole in one's ranks!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. Let's keep walking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the private] "In times of war, it is better to execute an innocent than to have a mole in one's ranks!"continues where this line first appears above
Guard(sequence)
Cassia"Do not believe him, Lord Captain! Pale green is seeping from his every word, and I know this colour of deceit well. I once mistook Felek's words, so humble and full of sweetness, for sincerity. In truth, they were... poison."
end of branch
Guard"What? No! What doesn't add up? I'm the only survivor out of my entire squad, do you understand? All of my friends are dead — they're lying over there! I could have fled or hidden, but I chose to come all the way here to warn you... and you..."
YOU[Size up the private]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. Let's keep walking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the private] "In times of war, it is better to execute an innocent than to have a mole in one's ranks!"continues where this line first appears above
Guard(sequence)
IdiraIdira sniffs and says gently, "Reconsider, Lord Captain, have mercy on the boy. He's been so awfully stressed, it's a wonder he can even talk. Bit of a simpleton, that's all. I sense no cunning in him."
YOU"Is that what your gift of prophecy is telling you?"
Idira"Warped if I know. With this cacophony in my head there's no damn telling if it's their voices or my gut feeling. Either way, my instinct tells me that he's innocent."
end of branch
YOU"Cowardice is shameful for a soldier of the Emperor."
Idira"It certainly is, but if he were a coward, he'd have chucked his lasgun in a ditch long ago and taken to his heels. Yet there he is, leading you and doing his duty, never mind his chattering teeth."
end of branch
YOU"Watch your tongue, Tlass. Say another word and you will be next."
IdiraIdira opens and closes her mouth several times as if struggling to say something, but in the end merely bites her lip, drawing blood, and nods glumly.
end of branch
YOU"Glory to the fallen warriors! They will not be forgotten. Let's keep walking."
Guard"Yes, Your Lord/Ladyship!"
end of branch
YOU"Let's go. Now is no time for grief."
Guard"Uh-huh," the guard says gloomily and looks away.continues where this line first appears above
Guard"Of course, Your Lord/Ladyship. Please, let's make a move — the sooner we get there, the better!"continues where this line first appears above
Guard"The enemy is smart and cunning. Perhaps they were watching us? I must report this to the governor!"
YOU"The battlefield looks highly suspicious. Half of your comrades never even had the chance to draw their weapons. And the direction of the shots, as well — the attackers knew exactly what path the group would take and how large it would be."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Aim your weapon at the private] "Too many parts of your story fail to add up. I am beginning to wonder if you are a traitor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Glory to the fallen warriors! They will not be forgotten. Let's keep walking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's go. Now is no time for grief."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Aim your weapon at the private] "Too many parts of your story fail to add up. I am beginning to wonder if you are a traitor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Glory to the fallen warriors! They will not be forgotten. Let's keep walking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's go. Now is no time for grief."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 6
GuardThe young man sighs. "The remains of my squad. Once we've put down the rebellion, they'll be given the last honours they deserve as soldiers fallen in a righteous battle."
YOU"The battlefield looks highly suspicious. Half of your comrades never even had the chance to draw their weapons. And the direction of the shots, as well — the attackers knew exactly what path the group would take and how large it would be."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Aim your weapon at the private] "Too many parts of your story fail to add up. I am beginning to wonder if you are a traitor."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Glory to the fallen warriors! They will not be forgotten. Let's keep walking."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let's go. Now is no time for grief."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 6
GuardThe soldier looks around, a little dazed. He is pressing his hand down on a fresh wound. "How is this possible..."
YOU"How curious. That is the second squad under your lead that ended up in a rebel ambush. Do you have anything to say in your defence, private?"
Guard"What? No! I'm— I'm not a traitor! I'd never lead my fellows into the line of fire... Never!"
YOU"How curious. That is the second squad under your lead that ended up in a rebel ambush. Do you have anything to say in your defence, private?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Size up the private]
GuardIn your former life, your ability to tell a soldier from a rat often meant the difference between life and death. The private is a poor actor — you know he is not trying to trick you.
YOU"How curious. That is the second squad under your lead that ended up in a rebel ambush. Do you have anything to say in your defence, private?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Size up the private]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Help the wounded man] "It is all right. We're going to bandage you up and continue on our way."
Guard"Thank you, Your Lord/Ladyship!"
end of branch
YOU[Help the wounded man] "I shall help you now, but as soon as we reach the governor, you are going into custody."
Guard"Why, what did I do? Your Lord/Ladyship, they won't even bother to look into the matter, they'll just march me to the wall and shoot me!" The soldier lowers his head glumly, accepting his fate.
end of branch
YOU[Finish the wounded man] "Enough. I cannot afford the risk of dragging a potential rebel spy along."
GuardThe young man's eyes widen. Until his very last moment, they are filled with shock and disbelief at the crushing reality he is facing.
end of branch
YOU[Help the wounded man] "It is all right. We're going to bandage you up and continue on our way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Help the wounded man] "I shall help you now, but as soon as we reach the governor, you are going into custody."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish the wounded man] "Enough. I cannot afford the risk of dragging a potential rebel spy along."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Size up the private]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Help the wounded man] "It is all right. We're going to bandage you up and continue on our way."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Help the wounded man] "I shall help you now, but as soon as we reach the governor, you are going into custody."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish the wounded man] "Enough. I cannot afford the risk of dragging a potential rebel spy along."continues where this line first appears above
Guard(sequence)
Pasqal"Updating data catalogue. The characteristic tendency of the planetary defence forces of Rykad Minoris to run into ambushes is not a consequence of chance or negligence. It can only be explained as some twisted variation of combat tactics. This phenomenon is depressing."
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 6
GuardThe wounded young man looks at you spitefully and hisses, "Your victory means nothing! Aurora will come for you... and even if she doesn't — no one will escape the Final Dawn!"
YOU"So, you are the traitor. You led your convoy into an ambush, didn't you?"
Guard"Ha ha ha... no! Your entire convoy's gone. I took that whining pup Camille's uniform. Six months with the governor's underlings taught me their ways. I had no trouble posing as one of them. I had to make sure you scum didn't decide to turn around and fly home, instead of walking straight into the ambush." The young man rasps and spits bloody foam. "Don't let it go to your head that you took us down. My comrades are many and they are coming for you. And if they are not... Anyway, you'll see for yourself!"
YOU"So, you are the traitor. You led your convoy into an ambush, didn't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Aurora? What is the Final Dawn?"
GuardA spark of madness flashes through the young man's eyes. "Aurora is the hidden truth. No one is worthy of seeing her face! But those who are loyal to her will stand by her side at the hour of the Final Dawn that will consume all! They will, but not you. You are an enemy of Aurora, and so you will be vanquished."
YOU"So, you are the traitor. You led your convoy into an ambush, didn't you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Aurora? What is the Final Dawn?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish the wounded man] "Death to heretics and traitors."
Guard"I do not fear death at the hands of filthy dogs mired in their own lies! Take my soul, Aurora!"
end of branch
YOU[Finish the wounded man] "Death to heretics and traitors."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Who is Aurora? What is the Final Dawn?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Finish the wounded man] "Death to heretics and traitors."continues where this line first appears above
Guard(sequence)continues where this line first appears above