AbelardThe everyday sounds of the bridge are disrupted by voices raised in anger, Abelard's voice the loudest of all: "This is not the conduct of an officer! These are the antics of a highborn brat out on a lark! Explain yourself, Lieutenant!"
OfficerThe young woman standing before Abelard strives with all her might not to quail under the onslaught of her superior's anger. She falters but then manages to look him in the eye and say, "I... I apologise, sir. But I must speak to the Lord Captain."
Abelard"Very well, Lieutenant. You may address the Lord Captain, not least because I see you have already seen fit to disturb him/her. Your unauthorised appearance on the bridge and display of belligerence toward a higher-ranking officer will be logged on your personal file without delay."
Officer"Lord Captain! Lieutenant Avrilla Vent, requesting permission to speak." Vent falls silent, and then adds rashly, "On a matter of extreme importance and urgency!"
YOU"I will listen to what you have to say. Speak, Lieutenant."
Officer"This matter cannot wait. Any minute now, an assault unit will be dispatched to the lower decks on orders to crush the workers' strike by any means necessary. But I am convinced that this step is unwarranted, and that the crisis itself was provoked... by the actions of one of the senior officers." Vent is almost trembling with tension as she delivers her speech, her face extremely pale.
AbelardAbelard, in no hurry to intervene, lets out a sceptical huff. He glances at Sauerback, who is standing not far from him, but she maintains a stony expression.
Officer"Lord Captain! I urge you to investigate the actions of Seneschal Werserian. And to intervene in what's happening on the lower decks, because very soon we will have a mutiny or a massacre on our hands." Vent reels off the last words as though she knows them by heart — she has clearly been preparing to say them for some time. When she is finished, she casts an anxious glance at Abelard, then at you.
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"
Abelard"I would not deem it a problem worthy of the Rogue Trader's attention. The lower decks, as it so happens, are in revolt. Thirty-some years ago, we even had a revolutionary leader rise up who dared to establish workers' rule across the entire ship. It took a month to restore order, but even eight years later, we were still battling rumours that the 'hero' had survived his execution and was on the verge of gathering people to fight against tyranny once more." Abelard scoffs. "Needless to say, the rumours were baseless. As for the current situation, we have sufficient enforcers to deal with it."
Officer"But on this ship, the word of the Lord Captain carries more weight than a salvo from a hundred bolters. I'm sure that if the Rogue Trader addresses the malcontents directly, he/she will quell the unrest."
Abelard"I dread to think what problem you will disturb the Rogue Trader with next. Perhaps you will ask the Lord Captain to break up brawls in the messroom? I have already given you the means to resolve this problem — you simply need to use them."
Officer"If I may, Your Lordship/Ladyship, sending a hit squad to crush the rebellion is a means of ignoring the problem, not solving it."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"
Officer"The situation could boil over at any minute, so I'll give you the condensed version... It all began when the enforcers found a cultist amulet on the body of someone who'd been killed in a drunken brawl. We reported it up the chain immediately, arranged for a cleansing rite to be performed, and opened an investigation. No heretics have been found alive. But the search has brought tensions between enforcers and workers to a head."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"
Abelard"I shall explain," Abelard intones grimly.
Officer"I beg you to hurry. Time is running out..."
Abelard"I will not hurry — since my competence is under scrutiny, I shall speak for as long as I see fit. There is an established order to the way things are done on this ship, and one of the pillars of that system is that the Rogue Trader's attention is not distracted by trivial matters. It is the Seneschal's role to ensure that. I have always handled internal problems myself, so, of course, when I received information about cultists hiding on the lower decks, I took the matter in hand. So long as I live, not one of the vermin who murdered Theodora von Valancius will find refuge on her ship."
Officer"You were far too heavy-handed, Seneschal Werserian! Arrests, interrogations, mass punishments for entire sectors... It has driven the people to the brink!" Vent says bitterly. "Now there is a strike on the lower decks — in Depot 4, to be precise. Three worker clans are involved, but many more are passively supporting them. The situation could degenerate into an all-out insurrection. But when I reported my concerns, the only response I received was an order to dispatch an assault unit and crush the strike with maximum force."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"
Abelard"I see no need to add anything. I acted within the remit of my authority, guided exclusively by the best interests of your protectorate and your personal safety. If you wish to confirm the rectitude of my actions for yourself, I have no objections."
Officer"For my part, I urge the Lord Captain to go down to the lower decks, stop the assault unit, and speak directly to the people. You will see that they are not lying, or harbouring heretics! That way, you will stop the uprising before it begins."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"
Abelard"Depot 4 is one of the poorest sectors on the lower decks. It is home to clans of general labourers. They are not as valuable to the ship as the families who have served its specialised systems for generations. They are an easily replaceable resource — and one which is now, more besides, giving succour to cultists and minions of the Archenemy."
Officer"Depot 4 is poor and troubled. But at worst that means drunken fights and illegal rotgut brewing. We have handled the workers of Depot 4 in the past. We would have done so again, if the crackdown on Depot 4 hadn't been so harsh. And another important point to bear in mind: the problem is not limited to this sector. It is located on one of the most populated lower decks, and everything that happens there has a knock-on effect on all the neighbouring sectors."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."
Jocasta Sauerback"Lord Captain, unlike Lieutenant Vent, I respect the chain of command and realise that it is not within my right to challenge my superiors." Sauerback bows her head in Abelard's direction. However, a moment later, a serpentine smile appears on her lips. "That being said, while I entirely share Master Werserian's opinion on what fate Depot 4 deserves, I must note that this insubordination is a direct consequence of practices that he himself has introduced."
Abelard"Mistress Sauerback, I see you have decided to follow the lieutenant's example after all. Such behaviour does you no credit."
YOU"Sauerback, explain yourself."
Jocasta Sauerback"The ship's regulations state that the Master-at-Arms is responsible for resolving all matters related to the ship's enforcers. And yet it is no secret that the Seneschal has a tendency to... show partiality. Those enforcers and officers whom he has deemed particularly promising are at times given permission to approach him for tutelage."
Jocasta Sauerback"I cannot deny Master Werserian's experience and insight — the Seneschal has a record of fostering students who have indeed achieved much and demonstrated impeccable performance. However, extending such patronage over the head of their immediate superior encourages disregard for hierarchy among Your Lordship/Ladyship's servants. Today, an enforcer goes to the Seneschal to report an order from the Master-at-Arms that they happen to disagree with. Tomorrow, they will go to the Lord Captain to object to the Seneschal's order. I notice a pattern in these actions."
YOU"Sauerback, explain yourself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you wish to respond?"
Abelard"Mistress Sauerback, can you recall an occasion where I would encourage an officer to disobey their superior? Or one where I would overrule their order? Or show favouritism to those who merited none?"
Jocasta Sauerback"None, Seneschal, for there have been no such cases in the entire time I have served aboard this ship. If anyone were to claim otherwise, I would have them pay for insulting your honour with blood. Your conduct in this regard have always been spotless. Nevertheless, given your eminent position, a simple show of attention on your part is enough to erode the propriety of junior officers, inflate their sense of self-importance, and undermine discipline."
Jocasta Sauerback"That you distinguish some of them and know them by name is tantamount to walking around the officers' deck handing out gifts to officers who have caught your eye. It fills those you set apart with ambition and audacity, makes them stand out among the rest. Enforcers are meant to be faceless servants, fighters ready to die, their fate entrusted to their commander and no one else. That is the sole foundation of order."
YOU"Sauerback, explain yourself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you wish to respond?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lieutenant Vent, would you say the Seneschal has singled you out from your peers in any way?"
Officer"Lord Captain, I swear that Seneschal Werserian has never granted me any privileges, never once advocated for me, nor facilitated my promotions. Although... He is the man who convinced me to become an officer in the first place. He has offered me extensive guidance in my service, for which I am grateful to him. And while not all my fellows receive such attention, I know of at least a dozen fine officers whom the Seneschal keeps in his sights to ensure that they continue to strive."
Abelard"To prepare new generations of the dynasty's servants, to instruct them, and to separate those with potential from those who have exhausted it — that is my duty as Seneschal. This ship has bays worth of pilots, enforcers, officers, technicians, and stewards whom I have raised personally. By the Throne, every third person standing on this bridge right now was my student at one point."
YOU"Sauerback, explain yourself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you wish to respond?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lieutenant Vent, would you say the Seneschal has singled you out from your peers in any way?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."
Abelard"Evidently, my officers are anything but a shining example of unity and adherence today. I have only myself to blame, I suppose."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."
Officer"Praise the Emperor!" Vent cannot contain her relief. "Thank you, Lord Captain!"
AbelardAbelard grits his teeth slightly. "An enterprise bordering on the sophomoric, but please yourself, Lord Captain. However, I categorically insist that I escort you."
Jocasta Sauerback"Lord Captain, I regret that the enforcers were unable to handle the situation, which then led to your and the Seneschal's involvement. I consider it my duty to go to Depot 4 myself and see to the expedient resolution of this incident."
end of branch
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."
Officer"Throne preserve you, Lord Captain! I thank you for your support!"
AbelardAbelard grits his teeth slightly. "An enterprise bordering on the sophomoric, but please yourself, Lord Captain. However, I categorically insist that I escort you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."
Officer"Wait! But—"
AbelardFlushed with anger and embarrassment, the Seneschal bellows, "Enough! Lieutenant, you know where the exit is. You and I will discuss the brewing rebellion, as well as your egregious breach of protocol here today."
end of branch
YOU"It appears I have unearthed an old squabble. I would prefer to be left out of it."
Jocasta Sauerback"I dare not waste your time with such trivial matters, Your Lordship/Ladyship."
YOU"There's an insurrection in the making aboard my ship, and no one has informed me?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears I have unearthed an old squabble. I would prefer to be left out of it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lieutenant Vent, would you say the Seneschal has singled you out from your peers in any way?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears I have unearthed an old squabble. I would prefer to be left out of it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, do you wish to respond?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Lieutenant Vent, would you say the Seneschal has singled you out from your peers in any way?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I see."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It appears I have unearthed an old squabble. I would prefer to be left out of it."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"How did all this start?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where does Seneschal Werserian come into all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Abelard, what do you have to say to all this?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is Depot 4?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Master-at-Arms, the ship's enforcers report to you, and yet, you seem hesitant to provide your own perspective."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I've heard enough. I will go down to the lower decks and deal with the problem personally."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I am certain the Seneschal was acting within his authority, but I will verify the soundness of his decisions for myself."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This matter is not worth the Rogue Trader's time. Abelard, you have acted with staggering incompetence. From now on, you will sort out your own problems. Get out, and take that upstart with you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You may speak, but I want to hear a report, not a shouting match. Having two officers bickering in full view of the bridge is unacceptable."
Officer"I am sorry, Lord Captain. I... I thought that drastic times called for drastic measures!" Vent exclaims hotly.
Officer"This matter cannot wait. Any minute now, an assault unit will be dispatched to the lower decks on orders to crush the workers' strike by any means necessary. But I am convinced that this step is unwarranted, and that the crisis itself was provoked... by the actions of one of the senior officers." Vent is almost trembling with tension as she delivers her speech, her face extremely pale.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I will not tolerate this kind of conduct on my ship. Abelard, assign the lieutenant an appropriate punishment. Lieutenant, you have one minute to state your business!"
Officer"Yes, Lord Captain! Listen to my report and punish me as you wish, but all that matters is that you hear me out!" says Vent, a pleading note entering her voice.
Officer"This matter cannot wait. Any minute now, an assault unit will be dispatched to the lower decks on orders to crush the workers' strike by any means necessary. But I am convinced that this step is unwarranted, and that the crisis itself was provoked... by the actions of one of the senior officers." Vent is almost trembling with tension as she delivers her speech, her face extremely pale.continues where this line first appears above