HeinrixSomething in your voice gives the torturer pause, and he tilts his head. You cannot see his expression because of the mirrored mask, but, a moment later, the xenos hisses, hunches his shoulders, and scurries away.
HeinrixThe body inside the sarcophagus is not moving. Heinrix appears to have no awareness of his surroundings: his clouded gaze is directed past you.
YOU"Heinrix, it's [Name]. Can you hear me?"
HeinrixHeinrix's head moves ever so slightly. You get a good look at his eyes now: the pupils are constricted to the size of pinheads. He is blind. His bitten, bloodied lips begin to move: "To the warp with you, beast. I've heard all this before. You won't trick me again..."
YOU[Touch Heinrix's cheek] "What have they done to you..."
HeinrixHe flinches at your touch at first... then, as if he can feel who is caressing his cheek, he gasps with relief. "[Name]... is it you? You... you're alive?" Struggling to turn his head, Heinrix presses his lips against your palm. "Please, find a way to get me out of this thing..."
YOU[Release Heinrix from the device]
HeinrixYou cut the tubes, pull out the hooks and the needles, and free Heinrix from his bonds. He almost falls out of the Drukhari device, just managing to stay on his feet.
HeinrixHeinrix takes a step on unsteady feet and stretches out his arm, which begins to tremble from the exertion. His hand finds your shoulder, lightly slides up to your neck, then to your cheek. "[Name]..." He falters, retracts his hand, and steps back.
HeinrixHe gestures feebly at his eyes. "I can't see a thing. Give me a moment... to ascertain what they've done to me..." The air around him grows noticeably colder. "Blast it... I can't sense my body..."
YOU"What happened to you after we were captured?"
Heinrix"They moved me multiple times from one place to another, but what those places were, I cannot say. I saw spires in an ocean of mist; I saw the bowels of a Drukhari ship... I almost broke free once: few things frighten the xenos as much as warp powers. I was close..." Heinrix shakes his head. "One might consider my words heretical, but I would say it was only due to the Haemonculus who brought me here that I survived after falling in that struggle. From there it was just this place, this coffin... and pain."
YOU"What happened to you after we were captured?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did they blind you?"
Heinrix"No... no, I don't think so. It is likely just my body reacting to extended bouts of pain." Heinrix chuckles bitterly. "To think that I have forgotten what it's like to experience such basic impulses. As a biomancer, I can stifle my physical reactions. Perhaps that is why I was chosen for this... device. Because I had distanced myself from the sensation of pain. And because of my stubbornness that forbade me from surrendering."
YOU"What happened to you after we were captured?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did they blind you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You cannot 'sense' your body? What does that mean, exactly?"
Heinrix"If I knew, I wouldn't be pondering the question right now, [Name]. I think..." He pauses, seemingly listening to something. "The circlet on my head wasn't inhibiting my abilities — it was turning them inward. Binding them inside my body. They made me torture myself with warp energies... I was burning and mutilating my internal organs... Damned xenos!" Heinrix clenches his fists in fury and immediately winces from the pain.
YOU"What happened to you after we were captured?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did they blind you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You cannot 'sense' your body? What does that mean, exactly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Can you walk? We do not have much time."
Heinrix"I can... move, yes. Warp take them, I feel like my nerves have been turned inside out and then sewn back like that. For the time being, I will have to suffer pain whenever I take a step until I recuperate. Now that I am free to use my powers again, it's entirely achievable..."
Heinrix(sequence)
HeinrixHeinrix rubs his face and looks up at you, his eyes somewhat unfocused. As soon as he manages to focus, however, his gaze shifts over your shoulder. Then he freezes, having met Marazhai's gaze. Heinrix's face takes on an expression of primal ferocity.
YOU"I can explain."
Heinrix"What exactly do you intend to explain to me, Rogue Trader? That the thrice-cursed filth that destroyed the Emperor's servants and consigned us to this fate has now joined your retinue? Then save your explanations, because they will make no difference to me!"
Marazhai"Insult me again, mon-keigh, and this filth will show you what he is like in anger. This little diversion..." Marazhai scrapes the sarcophagus-like device with a claw of his gauntlet. "...will seem delightful in comparison."
end of branch
YOU"Calm yourself, van Calox. The enemy of our enemy is our ally."
Heinrix"Ally?" Heinrix is rendered speechless for a moment. "The skies will sooner fall than I call that filth my ally! You may extend your protection to any abomination that will inevitably disembowel you alive, but do not dare to instruct me on my stance on enemies of Humanity!"
Marazhai"Insult me again, mon-keigh, and this filth will show you what he is like in anger. This little diversion..." Marazhai scrapes the sarcophagus-like device with a claw of his gauntlet. "...will seem delightful in comparison."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This xenos is now under my protection. Should any harm come to him, you will regret it."
HeinrixHeinrix's burning glare moves from you to Marazhai. "The Rogue Trader's privileges in action, I presume? I have long since abandoned any illusions I may have had about human nature, but I must admit I didn't expect someone to stoop so low as to consort with filth like this."
Marazhai"Insult me again, mon-keigh, and this filth will show you what he is like in anger. This little diversion..." Marazhai scrapes the sarcophagus-like device with a claw of his gauntlet. "...will seem delightful in comparison."continues where this line first appears above
HeinrixHeinrix barely manages to tear his hateful gaze away from the Drukhari when he notices Yrliet standing next to him and lets out an agonised groan. "[Name], you must be joking..."
YOU"Yrliet did not want us to suffer this fate."
Heinrix"Of course. This is why she sold us out to her kinsman at the drop of a hat."
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."
end of branch
YOU"I gave the xenos another chance. If she fails, I will march her out of the airlock."
Heinrix"Another chance to murder us all. Have you considered you might be showing a bit too much mercy toward the enemies of Humanity?"
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are in the realm of the xenos. We need a xenos to help us. Will you object to that?"
Heinrix"One. One xenos helper." Heinrix is struggling not to raise his voice. "But you have no reason to be dragging both creatures around with you, aside from an unnatural desire to go to the afterlife sooner rather than later! I wonder which of these two will be the first to make your dream come true."
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Why don't we talk about this later?"
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."continues where this line first appears above
HeinrixHeinrix squints, struggling to see anything through his unfocused eyes. He finally rubs them and turns his gaze to Yrliet standing behind you. "[Name]... Am I hallucinating or is the xenos who consigned us to this nightmare back in your retinue?" The Interrogator's voice vibrates with incandescent rage.
YOU"Yrliet did not want us to suffer this fate."
Heinrix"Of course. This is why she sold us out to her kinsman at the drop of a hat."
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."
end of branch
YOU"I gave the xenos another chance. If she fails, I will march her out of the airlock."
Heinrix"Another chance to murder us all. Have you considered you might be showing a bit too much mercy toward the enemies of Humanity?"
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are in the realm of the xenos. We need a xenos to help us. Will you object to that?"
HeinrixHeinrix exhales noisily, glaring at Yrliet. Finally, he nods with obvious reluctance. "You may be right. I wish there were another candidate."
end of branch
YOU"Why don't we talk about this later?"
HeinrixHeinrix shakes his head as if chasing away an excruciating dream. "Enough. Nothing I hear will reassure me."continues where this line first appears above
HeinrixHeinrix looks in your direction and blinks his feeble eyes. "We can go. But you will have to guide me for a little while."
end of branch
HeinrixHeinrix blinks his feeble eyes and curses under his breath. "I will... require some time to recover. When the situation permits, I will find a quiet spot and concentrate on doing just that."
end of branch
YOU"Can you walk? We do not have much time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You cannot 'sense' your body? What does that mean, exactly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Can you walk? We do not have much time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Did they blind you?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You cannot 'sense' your body? What does that mean, exactly?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Can you walk? We do not have much time."continues where this line first appears above
HeinrixHe gestures feebly at his eyes. "I can't see a thing. Give me a moment... to ascertain what they've done to me..." The air around him grows noticeably colder. "Blast it... I can't sense my body..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that I think about it, I would rather leave you the way you are. Farewell, van Calox."
end of branch
YOU[Tug at the strings and kill Heinrix]
Heinrix(sequence)
Abelard"Lord Captain, wait!"
end of branch
Cassia"No!"
end of branch
HeinrixYou reach out and unceremoniously tug at the thin threads, which leave deep cuts on your fingers. Heinrix's body does not begin to spasm, but jerks once as if struck by a blow. His scream only lasts a moment — death is almost instantaneous.
end of branch
YOU"This is no trick. Pull yourself together. I need your help."
HeinrixHeinrix's unseeing eyes move back and forth, struggling to see you. "It can't be... [Name]... Is it really you? Where are you? Are you close by? Then, in the name of the Throne, find a way to get me out of this coffin."
YOU[Release Heinrix from the device]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that I think about it, I would rather leave you the way you are. Farewell, van Calox."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Tug at the strings and kill Heinrix]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The God-Emperor's chosen will not be addressed in such a way by the likes of you, commoner!"
HeinrixHeinrix lets out a husky laugh and instantly gasps and wretches in pain. "Hah. It is you. Even Commorragh could not spawn something as conceited as Your Lordship/Ladyship. Release me."
YOU[Release Heinrix from the device]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that I think about it, I would rather leave you the way you are. Farewell, van Calox."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Tug at the strings and kill Heinrix]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"To the warp with me? A splendid idea, but I am taking you with me, or else Calcazar will have my head on a platter."
Heinrix"What?" Heinrix winces at your words. "That monster couldn't have known the Lord Inquisitor's name... which means... [Name]. You're alive. Thank the Golden Throne. Find a way to get me out of this coffin..."
YOU[Release Heinrix from the device]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Now that I think about it, I would rather leave you the way you are. Farewell, van Calox."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Tug at the strings and kill Heinrix]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Release Heinrix] "I do not have time to prove anything to you."
HeinrixYou cut the tubes, pull out the hooks and the needles, and free Heinrix from his bonds. He almost falls out of the Drukhari device, just managing to stay on his feet.
HeinrixWith a speed that is surprising given his condition, Heinrix rips the black circlet from his head and blindly seizes you. A wave of searing pain pours into your body, as if the blood in your veins has been instantly brought to a boil.
Heinrix"You just made the greatest mistake of your—" Heinrix stops upon hearing your cry of pain. "What? [Name]... [Name] von Valancius? You're alive? Forgive me, I thought my executioner had found a new way to torment me. These blasted eyes..."
HeinrixHeinrix takes a step on unsteady feet and stretches out his arm, which begins to tremble from the exertion. His hand finds your shoulder, lightly slides up to your neck, then to your cheek. "[Name]..." He falters, retracts his hand, and steps back.continues where this line first appears above
HeinrixHe gestures feebly at his eyes. "I can't see a thing. Give me a moment... to ascertain what they've done to me..." The air around him grows noticeably colder. "Blast it... I can't sense my body..."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Tug at the strings and kill Heinrix]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Release Heinrix from the device]
HeinrixYou cut the tubes, pull out the hooks and the needles, and free Heinrix from his bonds. He almost falls out of the Drukhari device, just managing to stay on his feet.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Tug at the strings and kill Heinrix]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 4
Heinrix"Who are you to order me around, cattle? Out! Or you will be the next one up for extraction after this mon-keigh!"
YOU[Examine the body inside the sarcophagus]
HeinrixYou instantly recognise the man who is pinned with hooks and bonds to the numerous needles sticking out of the bowels of the device. Despite the deathly pale, bloodless tone of his skin, Interrogator Heinrix van Calox is still alive, judging by his weakly rising and falling chest and his frantically wandering, half-open eyes. His head is tightly encircled by a wide metallic band. Blood is seeping from underneath it.
HeinrixThe Drukhari notices your interest and grabs his weapon. "Get out, cattle."
YOU[Examine the body inside the sarcophagus]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What manner of device is that?"
Heinrix"Why do you care, cattle?" The Drukhari freezes for a moment, and you notice his hands shaking. "Tervantias sent you for the essence of pain, didn't he? Tell him that the last samples... turned out bad. It will take time to extract pure, unadulterated pain. Yes, a very long time. The mon-keigh is stubborn and strong, but his vitality is waning. I just need... to concentrate." The torturer's twitching fingers reach for his victim.
YOU[Examine the body inside the sarcophagus]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What manner of device is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Step away from the contraption, and I shall let you live."
YOU"Something tells me that you consumed those last samples yourself. What do you suppose Tervantias will do to you when he finds out?"
Heinrix"What? How did you..." The torturer hunches his shoulders and begins to shake violently, no longer trying to hide it. "How could I resist? Pure, unadulterated essence... An extract of true torment..." The Drukhari's voice deteriorates into unintelligible hissing before he turns and scurries away.
HeinrixThe body inside the sarcophagus is not moving. Heinrix appears to have no awareness of his surroundings: his clouded gaze is directed past you.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Essence of pain, you say? I wish to observe the extraction process."
Heinrix(sequence)
Jae"I see you've gone completely off the deep end, [Name]." There is anger in Jae's quiet, almost lifeless voice. "Spent too much time in the company of these freaks, no doubt."
end of branch
HeinrixYou hear a laugh from behind the mirrored mask. "This machine is a testament to Tervantias's brilliance. See for yourself." The Drukhari reaches for several delicate strings that extend from the needles embedded in Heinrix's body to a strange membrane on the side of the sarcophagus. The xenos's fingers lightly brush against the strings.
HeinrixA high-pitched, otherworldly sound pierces your ears. Heinrix's body is struck by a convulsion so intense that only his bonds prevent him from dislocating his joints. He grits his teeth at first but, after a couple of seconds of this struggle, the torture chamber fills with a scream more akin to a bestial howl than any sound produced by a human being.
Heinrix(sequence)
MarazhaiMarazhai leans forward, his eyes wide. His fingers curl, digging into his palms, and his mouth stretches into a ravenous leer. "More."
end of branch
HeinrixThe Drukhari lifts his hand from the strings, reaches toward a recess in the base of the device, and takes out a slender vial filled with pulsing, shimmering red gas. "Not a single imperfection... Irresistible..."
YOU[Examine the body inside the sarcophagus]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What manner of device is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Step away from the contraption, and I shall let you live."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something tells me that you consumed those last samples yourself. What do you suppose Tervantias will do to you when he finds out?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Essence of pain, you say? I wish to observe the extraction process."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the xenos]
HeinrixThe body inside the sarcophagus is not moving. Heinrix appears to have no awareness of his surroundings: his clouded gaze is directed past you.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the xenos]continues where this line first appears above
Heinrix(sequence)
HeinrixYou instantly recognise the man who is pinned with hooks and bonds to the numerous needles sticking out of the bowels of the device. Despite the deathly pale, bloodless tone of his skin, Interrogator Heinrix van Calox is still alive, judging by his weakly rising and falling chest and his frantically wandering, half-open eyes. His head is tightly encircled by a wide metallic band. Blood is seeping from underneath it.
end of branch
Cassia"Master van Calox!" Cassia's ruby eyes are tearing up against her will. "It is as if all the colours have been drained from him. Pale, ghostly shadows of his former hues are still clinging to his soul. We need to get him out of this machine! We must!"
end of branch
YOU"Step away from the contraption, and I shall let you live."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something tells me that you consumed those last samples yourself. What do you suppose Tervantias will do to you when he finds out?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Essence of pain, you say? I wish to observe the extraction process."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the xenos]continues where this line first appears above
Heinrix(sequence)
Cassia"Master van Calox!" Cassia's ruby eyes are tearing up against her will. "It is as if all the colours have been drained from him. Pale, ghostly shadows of his former hues are still clinging to his soul. We need to get him out of this machine! We must!"
end of branch
YOU"What manner of device is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Step away from the contraption, and I shall let you live."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something tells me that you consumed those last samples yourself. What do you suppose Tervantias will do to you when he finds out?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Essence of pain, you say? I wish to observe the extraction process."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the xenos]continues where this line first appears above
Heinrix(sequence)
CassiaCassia's third eye shudders menacingly under the adornment on her forehead. "Begone, xenos, lest you know the true fury of a Navigator of House Orsellio!"
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 4
HeinrixThe torturer freezes, then an instant later, hisses and launches himself at you.
HeinrixThe body inside the sarcophagus is not moving. Heinrix appears to have no awareness of his surroundings: his clouded gaze is directed past you.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 4
HeinrixThe Drukhari, who was leaning over a body encased in a strange sarcophagus-like device, turns around. The xenos's face is covered by a mirrored mask, and he is holding tools of some kind. They more closely resemble a torturer's implements than those of a chirurgeon. A guttural hiss comes from behind the mask: "What do you want, cattle?"
YOU[Examine the body inside the sarcophagus]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What manner of device is that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Step away from the contraption, and I shall let you live."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Something tells me that you consumed those last samples yourself. What do you suppose Tervantias will do to you when he finds out?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Essence of pain, you say? I wish to observe the extraction process."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Kill the xenos]continues where this line first appears above