NPC"Lord Captain, an urgent report from the servants of the Omnissiah! They managed to locate a second message on the House Orsellio data-slate, hidden in the shadow of the first one. As soon as it happened, the machine spirit rebelled and started devouring the decrypted data. The acolytes of the Cult Mechanicus are performing the rites to appease it and slow down the process of annihilation. What should we do?"
YOU"Display the message on the screen, right now!"
NPCThe comm-bead echoes with the furious clicking of Vigdis's augmented fingers. A few moments later the vid-screen of your cogitator shows the recording through a wall of static.
NPC"Rogue Trader, you hardly know me, but I am well-informed of your deeds." A well-built young man adjusts his silk headband embellished with the symbol of the Navis Nobilite. "My name is irrelevant, for as long as the cursed Child continues to live and breathe, no one in House Orsellio is safe."
NPC"I know what Master Felek and Lady Elina-Hatteria had to do at Eurac V and in your palace. I understand your anger. House Orsellio deeply apologises for these incidents." The Navigator tiredly closes his eyes. "I presume you already know that House Orsellio will be holding a Grand Council in the depths of that accursed Atlas very soon. And we cannot ignore the call, for we are bound to it against our will."
NPC"I am also aware that you enjoy a great influence over the cursed Child. Convince her to reject the Atlas. Break the centuries-old shackles binding our House. Crush Tisiphone's tyranny under her foot... Or simply kill her, I do not care. I am not going to lie, we are unlikely to become good friends, but House Orsellio values true allies like no other. The true House Orsellio, that is, and not these lunatic zealots of the regent."
NPC"To assure you of my sincerity, I shall be the first to extend my hand in a gesture of goodwill. A gratuitous gift to the von Valancius dynasty. You will find it in the rays of Martianus, an emer-rald clutched in the stor-rm's embr-race. Head le... t, ri... t, and ...wice fo... d, then..."
NPCThe vid-recording cuts short and you hear the Vox Master's voice in your comm-bead. "I am very sorry, Lord Captain. The servants of the Omnissiah could no longer restrain the machine spirit's hunger. I hope you were able to see the vid-message through to the end."
end of branch
NPC"Rogue Trader?" Lady Navigator Elina, the one who staged an attempt to assassinate Cassia right in your palace, politely smiles at you from the vid-screen. "I had no doubt that your servants would find my trace. They are far cleverer than the ones employed by the Great Regent of House Orsellio." She does not bother to hide the venomous disdain in her last few words.
NPC"I feel extremely awkward that our first encounter took place under such... unfortunate circumstances? Truth be told, I saw a worthy person behind the lofty title only after fate put me on the death's precipice. You hesitated to end my life despite holding it in your hands. Your noble deed... gave me enough food for thought. Despite everything that transpired, I still believe we may become loyal allies to one another."
NPC"I presume you already know that House Orsellio will be holding a Grand Council in the depths of that accursed Atlas very soon. And we cannot ignore the call, for we are bound to it against our will. But if you convinced this bi... Lady Cassia to reject the Atlas and break the centuries-old shackles binding our House... We could turn over a new page. Having said that, I will accept a different outcome. Should the Child die, I am not going to shed any tears."
NPC"I will accept any choice, Rogue Trader. My people have nothing else to lose. But you could benefit from our friendship." There are mysterious shadows dancing in Lady Elina's eyes. "There lies an emerald in the rays of Martianus, my gift to you for sparing my life. Head through the stor-r-ms and tor-r-rents. Le... t, ri... t, and ...wice fo... d, then..."
NPCThe vid-recording cuts short and you hear the Vox Master's voice in your comm-bead. "I am very sorry, Lord Captain. The servants of the Omnissiah could no longer restrain the machine spirit's hunger. I hope you were able to see the vid-message through to the end."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This will not end well, destroy the data-slate!"
NPC"Of course, Lord Captain. I will relay your order immediately."
end of branch
YOU"I am no longer interested in the affairs of House Orsellio. Tell the Tech-Priests not to waste their time."
NPC"Of course, Lord Captain. I will relay your order immediately."continues where this line first appears above