NPCThe control panel refuses to heed any of your commands. The mischievous machine spirits are much too lively and unruly.
YOU[Open the airlock]
YOU[Try to force the airlock open]
NPCThe plasteel, durable enough to withstand the pressure of the interplanetary void, absorbs your hits with supreme indifference. It will take more than that to break through.
YOU[Open the airlock]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to force the airlock open]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Contact the ship] "This is the Rogue Trader speaking. We're having difficulties here."
NPCThe white noise of static is all you hear in response. Either the Vox Master cannot reply, or she is brazenly ignoring you, or comms are being jammed. None of these possibilities bode well.
YOU[Open the airlock]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to force the airlock open]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Contact the ship] "This is the Rogue Trader speaking. We're having difficulties here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]
end of branch
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Contact the ship] "This is the Rogue Trader speaking. We're having difficulties here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
PasqalAfter repeating the command entry protocol three times, with all the appropriate prayers, the Tech-Priest says in a gloomy, raspy voice, "The machine spirit controlling this airlock is too simple and guileless to be tricked. It would be easier to deconstruct this airlock than to compel it to open."
Eogunn"Allow me, esteemed colleague. Perhaps you have erred within the sacred rites of decryption." Smiling, Eogunn nudges Pasqal aside to repeat the rites of unsealing. The door remains shut. The Manipulus huffs with irritation.
PasqalEmitting a snide binharic hiss, Pasqal declares, "The attempted re-evaluation of the Machine Spirit by Genetor Februs has been logged. The outcome has been flagged in his efficiency metrics, pending a formal review of his competence."
end of branch
EogunnAfter repeating the command input sequence thrice, Eogunn huffs in disappointment. "No, Nuncius, I am certain that I interpreted the machine spirit's response correctly. It is guided by the simplest binharic logic, as well as a strict hierarchy of protocols. And right now, it would sooner die than open the way for us."
NunciusNuncius's empty eye sockets stare indifferently at his colleague's frustration.
end of branch
Entry point 2 of 3
NPCThe control panel is being uncooperative. You know enough about machine spirit behaviour to conclude it is not malice that is making them refuse to comply, but a higher-priority order they are executing.
YOU[Open the airlock]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to force the airlock open]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Contact the ship] "This is the Rogue Trader speaking. We're having difficulties here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 3
NPCThe airlock is sealed. This isn't right: you distinctly remember never activating the seal on your way through.
YOU[Open the airlock]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Try to force the airlock open]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Contact the ship] "This is the Rogue Trader speaking. We're having difficulties here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
Abelard"I know I am about to state the obvious, but I will state it anyway! There's something off about this. Something very off."