NPCYou identify a number of elements of the structure — the long-range antenna of a design standard for Imperial colonies, the cogitator, the Aeldari beacon, and half a dozen other devices of varied origin. They all have one thing in common — this tech is designed to transmit basic signals to neighbouring space, the most common being requests for assistance and ship distress codes.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."
Servo-Skull SwarmThe servo-skull swarm lets out a string of binharic signals, and the largest of the skulls instantly digs its mechanical drill into the side of the structure. A painful screech heralds the breaking of the machine spirit's will.
NPCYou manage to penetrate the cogitator's defences. Its function is rather simple — the program is designed to activate the transmitter once every five years and send out a ship distress signal into space.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]
NPCYou destroy the program and disable the transmitter. No one will respond to this sinister signal ever again.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Blow up the structure]
YOU[Leave]
end of branch
YOU[Blow up the structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Servo-Skull SwarmThe swarm's anxiously flickering lumens signify that it has managed to extract additional information from the device and is eager to share it with you. As soon as you look over at the servo-skulls, they begin to move.
Servo-Skull SwarmThe swarm hovers near a wall of ice and emits a binharic trill. There must be something hidden behind it.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Blow up the structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Blow up the structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
NPC(sequence)
YrlietYrliet inspects the construction closely and draws your attention with a graceful gesture. "Look — there among all the mon-keigh gear — an Aeldari-made device. A beacon, as you would call it. I recognise other components as well. Items from other races, but they are all serving a single purpose — to call for help..."
end of branch
Abelard"So, someone loaded this miserable place with transmitters from various races... in the hope that someone would land here and run into their welcoming committee? Clever. I saw similar tactics used in my years in the Navy. True, in a war zone, you are usually on high alert — you don't just hare off after a lone distress signal. But in an isolated place like this — you expect the most likely scenario, just a ship that had to make an emergency landing. It looks like plenty fell for it."
end of branch
HeinrixNoticing the interest with which Pasqal is surveying the construct, Heinrix asks, "Are you studying the device? Isn't its very existence a violation of the protocols of assembly?"
PasqalThe Tech-Priest's tone is pensive, and his visor flashes: "This statement is true. This construct has been assembled in contravention of canon law and must certainly be disassembled. But not quite yet."
end of branch
Argenta"But who would set such an indiscriminate trap? One intended to lure in Aeldari and humans and anyone else? Who is an enemy to everyone and everything?"
Yrliet"We have a common enemy, an eternal enemy, one that devours all living things. Have we not already seen its servants on the Lilaethan and elsewhere?"
Abelard"I've seen it all in my life, and I can tell you one thing — this trap could be a malevolent plan by servants of Chaos. Or it could be a prank by some bored offspring of a wealthy lord, one whose parents failed to instil in him the barest speck of self-awareness."
YOU"A very fitting prank to entertain noble lords! I like it!"
AbelardAbelard shakes his head in annoyance. "Your Lordship/Ladyship, would you like me to set up a shooting gallery on the ship? With live predators as targets? Set in a miniature forest? You can go hunting, satisfy your daring that way. That would be a suitable entertainment for a noble lord/lady. But 'pranks' like this one are a disgrace to Humanity, plain and simple."
end of branch
YOU"I don't want to believe that this is the work of loyal subjects of the Imperium, whether of noble birth or not. Using cunning traps to exterminate xenos is a good thing. But not killing our own."
Yrliet"Ah, I see. Killing xenos who respond to this distress call is acceptable to you."
Argenta"Don't pretend your kind wouldn't be saying the same thing about us humans."
end of branch
YOU"I would bet my money on ordinary thieves. Set a trap and plunder the bodies of those who get caught in it — not a bad scheme."
Abelard"It's possible, very possible... But I'm not convinced. There's something strange about this — it's highly suspicious."
end of branch
YOU"Right now we don't have enough information to determine who did this."
AbelardAbelard nods. "Right. Enough talking!"
end of branch
Entry point 3 of 7
NPCThis mishmash of wires, devices, and decorative details appears to be a mixture of technologies from different eras and even of different races — some of the items show signs of xenos origin.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Blow up the structure]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 4 of 7
NPCThe cogitator is well protected against unauthorised access. What is more, your attempt to penetrate these defences causes it to turn off and no longer show signs of life.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Blow up the structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 5 of 7
NPCYou set the charges carefully. Without a doubt, the structure will be destroyed with expert precision along with the underground part.
end of branch
Entry point 6 of 7
NPCYou set the charges and hope that it will be enough to destroy the entire structure along with the underground part... without hurting you.
end of branch
Entry point 7 of 7
NPCThis unsettling structure adorned in strange masks vaguely resembles the antenna of a powerful transmitter. At its base you see a cogitator and a few other devices. It seems that some part of the structure is buried underground.
YOU[Investigate the entire structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"[Pet's Name], grant me access to this cogitator."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Force access to the cogitator]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Turn off the transmitter permanently]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Blow up the structure]continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave]continues where this line first appears above