RivetThe tall worker they call Rivet shrugs and casts a sidelong look at the old woman. "Old Nan, listen! Listen! The Lord Captain himself/herself has come down to us and is offering concessions! And I don't know a single person in the whole of Depot 4 who's ever stood next to the Rogue Trader, let alone talked to them! Back down — now's no time for you to be a stubborn old crone!"
Stager"Listen to us, Old Nan. The three clans of Depot 4 ought to act as one. We've made our minds up, it's your turn to decide. Don't ask them to disband the enforcers or give us weapons — we don't need any of that."
Old NanThe old woman hisses in dissatisfaction. "You two are ganging up on me, is that it? So brave you are against an old woman! But I'll shut up. I will, indeed. I won't go against two clan leaders on my own. If you want to make peace with the enforcers — make your peace."
Rivet"That's great, just fantastic! Lord Captain, we're all agreed!"
YOU"Thoughts, Abelard?"
Abelard"The story about going scavenging for boots and 'accidentally picking up a heretical amulet' doesn't convince me. These people were moments away from rebelling and, possibly, becoming minions of the Archenemy. We must not give them what they want. Even if they did acquire something innocently, purely out of their own stupidity, that does not mean they are not tainted with corruption."
Abelard"What begins as petty thievery can turn into a far graver problem. I have seen it before." Abelard's face darkens momentarily. "In my second war, there was a sergeant in the Imperial Guard regiment that was stationed nearby. The sergeant took an ordinary pocket knife from the body of a heretic, and his whole unit lost their lives for it. When they finally managed to break into the barracks, they found not a single survivor — only the pocket knife, which had grown through all the rows of beds like a metal choking vine. So, when it comes to scavengers, malcontents, strikers, or whatever they'll turn into next, my verdict is simple — give them no quarter."
YOU"Thoughts, Abelard?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, where do you stand?"
Jocasta Sauerback"Give the rabble a grox, and they will take an agri-world, Lord Captain. They only understand brute force and will interpret any concession as a sign of weakness. Giving them weapons and recalling the enforcers would be folly. It would only be a matter of time before we had a full-scale mutiny on our hands!"
YOU"Thoughts, Abelard?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, where do you stand?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Spreading anarchy on the ship is the first step toward embracing Chaos. Putting weapons into untrained hands would be even worse. What's more, the enforcers are needed to maintain oversight and order. Withdraw those demands and we will consider the rest."
YOU"Then it's decided. The persecution will stop. And I will expect you to assist in locating any remaining amulets or weapons left by the cultists."
Rivet"Your Lordship/Ladyship, thank you! You have not abandoned us lower-deckers! You came yourself and settled everything! I'll tell my grandchildren about this!"
Stager"Of course, Your Lordship/Ladyship. We'll root out any nasty business faster than the enforcers, and we'll leave no stone unturned."
end of branch
YOU"Then it's decided. The harassment will end. I will expect the clans who have agreed here to assist in locating cultist amulets and weapons. Anyone who refuses will be punished."
Old NanThe old woman's face pales, but she merely grits her teeth and spits on the floor again.
Stager"Sorry, Old Nan. I'm not putting my life and my whole clan's lives on the line because of your stubbornness."
Rivet"We are most, most eager to assist! We'll get right to it, Lord Captain!"
end of branch
YOU"Fine. I'll give the order for the enforcers to be withdrawn from this sector. And you will be given weapons. Let's see how you cope governing yourselves and what difference it makes."
AbelardAbelard's face turns stony and he clenches his jaw. He looks at you, his narrowed eyes glittering with anger.
Old NanThe old woman raises her arms triumphantly. "Good riddance to the executioners! Freedom for Depot 4!"
Rivet"All hail the Lord Captain! All hail!"
Stager"You can count on us, Your Lordship/Ladyship. We'll find the cultist foulness, if any of our people have taken possession of it."
end of branch
YOU"You have failed to convince me of your trustworthiness. This unrest ends now. Everyone who was involved will be eliminated."
Rivet"No! Lord Captain! I swear my loyalty to you! I beg you! Have mercy!"
Old NanThe old woman spits in your face. "Curse you!"
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback gives the signal and is the first to raise her weapon. "Yes, Lord Captain!"
Avrilla VentSuddenly, Lieutenant Vent stands in the executioners' path once again. Her face resembles a wax mask and her eyes are wide with fear, but her lips are clamped into a firm line. "If you want to mow down everyone in Depot 4, you can start with me!"
Abelard"Vent, stop! This is treason!"
Avrilla Vent"Sorry. I've let everybody down." It's not clear who her words refer to — Abelard, her comrades, or the striking workers who are now doomed to die. Vent reaches forward and grabs the barrel of the weapon aimed at the crowd.
end of branch
YOU"Spreading anarchy on the ship is the first step toward embracing Chaos. Putting weapons into untrained hands would be even worse. What's more, the enforcers are needed to maintain oversight and order. Withdraw those demands and we will consider the rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The persecution will stop. And I will expect you to assist in locating any remaining amulets or weapons left by the cultists."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The harassment will end. I will expect the clans who have agreed here to assist in locating cultist amulets and weapons. Anyone who refuses will be punished."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I'll give the order for the enforcers to be withdrawn from this sector. And you will be given weapons. Let's see how you cope governing yourselves and what difference it makes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have failed to convince me of your trustworthiness. This unrest ends now. Everyone who was involved will be eliminated."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, where do you stand?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Spreading anarchy on the ship is the first step toward embracing Chaos. Putting weapons into untrained hands would be even worse. What's more, the enforcers are needed to maintain oversight and order. Withdraw those demands and we will consider the rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The persecution will stop. And I will expect you to assist in locating any remaining amulets or weapons left by the cultists."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The harassment will end. I will expect the clans who have agreed here to assist in locating cultist amulets and weapons. Anyone who refuses will be punished."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I'll give the order for the enforcers to be withdrawn from this sector. And you will be given weapons. Let's see how you cope governing yourselves and what difference it makes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have failed to convince me of your trustworthiness. This unrest ends now. Everyone who was involved will be eliminated."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 7
RivetThe tall worker they call Rivet flinches nervously under your gaze, but he casts a glance at the old woman and says nothing.
Stager"I don't like seeing the clans of Depot 4 at odds with each other. But I agree with the Lord Captain — I won't demand the disbanding of the enforcers."
Old NanThe old woman's hand cuts through the air. "I'd rather be gunned down by the enforcers than back down now! They'll have us all killed anyway, sooner or later."
YOU"Thoughts, Abelard?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, where do you stand?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Spreading anarchy on the ship is the first step toward embracing Chaos. Putting weapons into untrained hands would be even worse. What's more, the enforcers are needed to maintain oversight and order. Withdraw those demands and we will consider the rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The persecution will stop. And I will expect you to assist in locating any remaining amulets or weapons left by the cultists."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The harassment will end. I will expect the clans who have agreed here to assist in locating cultist amulets and weapons. Anyone who refuses will be punished."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I'll give the order for the enforcers to be withdrawn from this sector. And you will be given weapons. Let's see how you cope governing yourselves and what difference it makes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have failed to convince me of your trustworthiness. This unrest ends now. Everyone who was involved will be eliminated."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 3 of 7
LowerTheir words seem sincere to you. Their body language and the glances traded between them reveal that the news of the attack has shocked them.
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"
Rivet"S-striking? That's news to us, Y-Your Lordship/Ladyship," says a tall, thin man in worker's garb. "All we're doing is... asking questions... saying what we think..."
Old Nan"Shut up, Rivet," snaps the old woman, who turns her hostile dark eyes on you. "Here's the deal, Your Lordship/Ladyship. Your damned enforcers are all over us down here. They say they're looking for 'cultists.' One wrong word and they're reaching for their batons. If they want to punish someone — they turn off the heating to whole bays for a week at a time, so we get sick and freeze! In my clan, two little ones died from inflammation in their lungs, all because of those enforcers." The old woman spits on the floor and rubs at the spittle with the toe of her worn-out shoe.
Lower(sequence)
ArgentaArgenta does not interrupt the workers, but you see the sadness well in her eyes when the children's deaths are mentioned. She quietly whispers a requiem prayer and makes a sign over herself.
end of branch
Stager"It's all true. Vent is the only enforcer officer who's stood up for us. It's clear as day who had a mother from the lower decks, and who grew up amidships and has no fellow feeling toward us!" The grim man with a scarred face throws up his arms. "Your Lordship/Ladyship, we're no villains here, we're honest workers, your servants. We've plotted no disorder, we went on strike openly, and now we've got guns pointed at us. All we're doing is asking to be allowed to work in peace, without being harassed."
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."
Stager"A cultist amulet? What's that? The gewgaw they found on the dead drunkard? If it was something evil or forbidden, we sure didn't know... The enforcers just said they were looking for heretics among us, and anyone obstructing their investigation would be punished. But how could there be heretics here? We know our own people, there have been no new faces around."
Rivet"Definitely not! And if there were, we'd be the first to report them!"
Old Nan"And as for this amulet, or whatever it is — they took it off a dead body. There are no cultists still breathing in our sector, that's for sure. But when that fight broke out, some enterprising folks looted the bodies. The boots they came back with — nobody's ever tread these decks in boots so fine, I can tell you that. Seems to me these cultists have better commanders than us."
Rivet"Oh, yeah! Those boots really were fine! And there was no harm in taking them, right? As for the amulet... it must have been pocketed by someone who didn't know any better. We don't need any amulets around here. We all worship the Emperor, and when we're working we bow down before the machine spirits of the Large and Small Transformers and the Servo-Motor — the same way my grandfather was taught a hundred years ago by a Tech-Priest who came calling! Believe us, Your Lordship/Ladyship — we are people of faith."
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"
Abelard"I authorised the use of all necessary measures to locate Chaos worshippers hiding in this sector. The specific steps taken by the officers were not reported to me." Abelard frowns, clearly disgruntled at having to explain himself in the workers' presence. "Nevertheless, I am certain that their actions were justified. Cultists are no drunken stevedores — they are the enemy and a threat to the ship. Neutralising them demands decisive action."
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"
Jocasta Sauerback"The rabble understands only one language, Lord Captain: that of violence. As per regulations, should the labourers persist in their unwillingness to cooperate, the next step is limiting air supply and cutting off water, which is almost certain to restore order. The peasants can grumble all they want, but in the end, they are the source of their own misery — all they have to do is bow their heads and fall in line, and the need for punitive measures will disappear."
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"
Old Nan"Here's an explanation for you — the people have been pushed to their limit, and now they're lashing out. As if we don't know why these top deck units are being sent down here, like that one there that the lieutenant won't let past."
Stager"Our clans are all inside the bay that's been sealed off. But the lower decks are big — I'm sure there are some people who've had just about enough. We're getting it from all sides, the soldiers have encircled the ones who've risen up, a death squad has just arrived... it's no wonder folks are lashing out."
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"
Old Nan"Would you look at this, the exalted Lord Captain himself/herself is asking us bilge rats what we want. Well, here's what — we want you to rein in your damned enforcers, to quit turning off the heat, and to stop battering everything that moves. No, that's not it. We want the enforcers gone from here, and we want to be armed! Give us arms, and we'll govern ourselves, we'll defend ourselves if these cultists do show their faces. I've been leader of my clan for twenty years now, getting rid of these club-wielding thugs can only improve things around here."
Stager"You've gone too far, Old Nan. They'll never let the maggots on the lower decks live without the enforcers breathing down their necks. They probably even insist on enforcers on the upper decks too. As for weapons — what do we need them for? Before the first day's out, we'll have someone shooting their neighbour out of stupidity or drunkenness. We don't need that — if the enforcers stop hassling us, that'll be enough. In return, we'll find the scavengers who robbed the cultists' bodies, and we'll talk to them, one lower-decker to another. If there are any more of those damned amulets about, we'll hand them over to the enforcers ourselves."
Old Nan"You speak for yourself and your clan, and I'll speak for me and mine. I don't want empty gestures — I want real change. They'll promise us the world now, but as soon as the anointed one turns his/her back, these brutes will be on us even harder than before. All because we dared to speak out!"
RivetThe tall worker's eyes dart between the two arguing leaders. Every few seconds, he opens his mouth as if planning to agree, but each time he falls silent, simply making a few vague noises of approval.
YOU"Thoughts, Abelard?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, where do you stand?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Spreading anarchy on the ship is the first step toward embracing Chaos. Putting weapons into untrained hands would be even worse. What's more, the enforcers are needed to maintain oversight and order. Withdraw those demands and we will consider the rest."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The persecution will stop. And I will expect you to assist in locating any remaining amulets or weapons left by the cultists."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Then it's decided. The harassment will end. I will expect the clans who have agreed here to assist in locating cultist amulets and weapons. Anyone who refuses will be punished."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Fine. I'll give the order for the enforcers to be withdrawn from this sector. And you will be given weapons. Let's see how you cope governing yourselves and what difference it makes."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You have failed to convince me of your trustworthiness. This unrest ends now. Everyone who was involved will be eliminated."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
Lower(sequence)
Pasqal"I confirm the information regarding the proper tending of the machine spirits in this sector. Servitors indicate that these commoners are performing the sacraments they are permitted to know."
end of branch
Argenta"Naive children! Weren't you taught from an early age about the dangers of the Archenemy's creations? Weren't you warned that any unfamiliar object could be one of them?"
Old Nan"We were told, holy sister. But it was long ago. The last time we saw a confessor in our sector, it was just after I'd had my third little one."
Argenta"That is regrettable. But you cannot lay the burden of leading a righteous life on the shoulders of the holy fathers. Who will you blame when beasts crawl out of those amulets you stole from the heretics? The holy father who was not there, or the scavenger who brought evil down on himself and his neighbours?"
end of branch
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 4 of 7
LowerThey are too tense and frightened for you to easily read their intentions. They could be telling the truth, but they could also be lying to protect themselves.
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 7
Jocasta Sauerback(no text)
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 7
LowerThe sounds of a heated discussion reverberate through the ship's bays. Lieutenant Avrilla Vent of the ship's enforcers is barring the path of her superior, Master-at-Arms Jocasta Sauerback, who has arrived clad in armour. Judging by their expressions and tone, the standoff has dragged on for some time already and has now reached boiling point.
Jocasta Sauerback"Lieutenant Vent, my patience is wearing thin. I have given you an order. Now get out of my way."
Lower"I cannot comply with that order, ma'am!" Vent looks shaken, but there is fire in her eyes. "This is my deck and my sector. So long as this area remains under the Lord Captain's special oversight, no action can be taken without my express permission. There are only three people who are authorised to make me stand down — the first officer, the Rogue Trader, and the Emperor Himself!"
Abelard"So not all my lessons fall on deaf ears..." Abelard mutters in crabby approval. He does not clarify whether he means Vent, Sauerback looming over her, or both.
Lower"Your Lordship/Ladyship!" Noticing you, the two officers snap to attention and salute, their subordinates following suit a moment later.
YOU"What's the situation?"
Lower"Your Lordship/Ladyship, my people have locked down the bay where the strikers are, including their leaders. We have the situation under control as far as resources allow."
Jocasta Sauerback"Under control, Lieutenant? I came here to lead an investigative unit, and what do I see? The rabble is on the verge of mutiny! There is nothing to investigate — this simply calls for immediate repressions and firing squads! And you, Vent, are a step away from facing charges yourself!"
YOU"What's the situation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We encountered some locals on our way here. Their conduct was outrageous — they even tried to throw things at us."
LowerVent's gaze is full of worry — and regret. "The people are getting desperate, clearly... They saw the assault unit and they decided they had nothing left to lose. I mean, I apologise, Lord Captain. It is outrageous. I'm sure the people simply didn't recognise you — it wouldn't have occurred otherwise. We will deal with them — once the current situation is resolved..."
YOU"What's the situation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We encountered some locals on our way here. Their conduct was outrageous — they even tried to throw things at us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is that all you have to say? Are you sure you're worthy of an officer's rank, Lieutenant Vent?"
LowerFor a split second, Vent freezes in fear, but she pulls herself together, straightens, and clips out, "Forgive me, Lord Captain. I will take steps to ensure such a thing does not happen again."
YOU"What's the situation?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We encountered some locals on our way here. Their conduct was outrageous — they even tried to throw things at us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is that all you have to say? Are you sure you're worthy of an officer's rank, Lieutenant Vent?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want to speak to the strikers."
AbelardAbelard's mouth twists, but he restrains himself and says nothing.
Lower"Right you are, Lord Captain! Allow me to wish you good luck!" Hope gleams in Lieutenant Vent's eyes.
end of branch
YOU"I give the assault unit permission to open fire. We will crush the seeds of insurrection with full force."
AbelardAbelard frowns and pitches his voice low so that his words do not reach the other officers: "And it was worth leaving the bridge for this? You could have issued the order from there..."
Jocasta SauerbackSauerback gives the signal and is the first to raise her weapon. "Yes, Lord Captain!"
Avrilla VentLieutenant Vent turns deathly pale. Her eyes are wide with fear, but her lips are clamped into a firm line. "If you want to mow down everyone in Depot 4, you'll have to start with me!"
Abelard"Vent, stop! This is treason!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want to speak to the strikers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I give the assault unit permission to open fire. We will crush the seeds of insurrection with full force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is that all you have to say? Are you sure you're worthy of an officer's rank, Lieutenant Vent?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want to speak to the strikers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I give the assault unit permission to open fire. We will crush the seeds of insurrection with full force."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We encountered some locals on our way here. Their conduct was outrageous — they even tried to throw things at us."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is that all you have to say? Are you sure you're worthy of an officer's rank, Lieutenant Vent?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I want to speak to the strikers."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I give the assault unit permission to open fire. We will crush the seeds of insurrection with full force."continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 7 of 7
LowerA dozen pairs of eyes stare apprehensively at you. The people before you are typical inhabitants of the lower decks — you take in their simple clothing, crude weapons, and faces that display varying levels of mutation, from the barely discernible, to the strange, to the outright grotesque.
RivetA whisper passes through the crowd, and you detect a mixture of fear, astonishment, and joy in their reactions. Finally, three people break away from the crowd — an elderly woman and two men. These must be the leaders. They bow clumsily before you. "L-Lord Captain! You have come down to us!"
YOU"Tell me what is troubling you. Why are you striking?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The persecution started apropos of nothing, you say? I was told that one of you was found in possession of a cultist amulet, and that there are heretics hiding here."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you have anything to add?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sauerback, was it really necessary to torture these people with cold?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We were attacked on the way here. How do you explain that?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What changes do you want?"continues where this line first appears above