Guide

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

Chief Medical Officer’s Report

Lore

MEDICAL OFFICER’S LOG
Chief Medical Officer Cartright Recording

– Entry 0381
Several strange new cases today. Several crewmembers showing signs of a respiratory infection, but I can’t find a cause – not yet. I’ve taken samples from those who have checked in with me, however, and hope to have some facts to work with soon. In the meantime I’ve asked the commander to send me anyone who complains of a fever, cough, or…well, anything, really. Until I can pinpoint what’s causing this, anything could be
the culprit.

One thing that does worry me, though. Not one of the Black Hoods onboard has checked in with me, and the Widow is diverting all of my messages because I’m not “need to know.” Damn it, I’m the top doctor on this ship. If I don’t “need to know” whether the crew is coming down with a contagious illness, then who the hell does?

[DATA LOSS DETECTED. SHOWING NEXT AVAILABLE ENTRY.]

– Entry 0387
Ten more cases today. That brings the total number of crew that are in quarantine to thirty-
seven, and I expect more before the end of the shift. I’ve informed the commander of the situation, and my best estimates on how it will affect the ship’s performance.

Unfortunately, nothing I’ve tried seems able to fight this pernicious infection. My earliest patients are nearly comatose, despite my best efforts. Hell, it may not even be an infection. It has properties of a typical infectious agent, but it seems to have…well, intent for lack of a better term. I know that sounds crazy,
but look at the officers this thing has hit so far. Communications chief, right when our comm station needs repair. The first officer, who’s been serving on board the Widowmaker even longer than the commander. Our chief engineer just came in today complaining of a headache. Sure, there are several lower ranking crew too, but I know if I were infiltrating the ship…

[DATA LOSS DETECTED. SHOWING NEXT AVAILABLE ENTRY.]

– Entry 0381
Unbelievable! Of all the arrogant – I just learned the Black Hoods
have been experimenting – ON THIS SHIP – with samples of some “Strain” they retrieved from Grimvault. And considering the state of my patients, I feel safe in saying this infection I’ve been dealing with IS the Strain. It resists every non-lethal method of curing it that I try, and I’ve already lost a dozen people to this thing. We’ve had to incinerate the corpses – can’t airlock them, they might make it back to the planet and land in the middle of a population center.

This isn’t going to get better
before it gets worse. The commander is still standing, but he and I are the only remaining senior officers uninfected. He’s concerned about weapons readings coming from the surface – in Grimvault, in fact – but he’s losing sight of the disaster directly under our noses.

If it comes down to it, I have the authority to order this ship to self-destruct. I will do it, if I have to. And that day may come soon…but I hope to stars it doesn’t.

Guide

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

Agent’s Log XK1182

Lore

Black Hood Agent XK1182 Reporting
Current Assignment: Med Tech, Widowmaker
Specialization: Medical Experimentation

ENTRY 903
DECRYPTION ENABLED

Samples of the infectious agent designated STRN01X securely brought onboard under secure conditions. No contamination of air, water, or food supplies detected. Appropriate test subjects found among existing med bay patients. Experimentation approved.

ENTRY 904
DECRYPTION ENABLED

Status of experimental subjects rapidly declining. Infectious agent STRN01X appears to work very quickly. Unfortunately, efforts to retard or reverse the symptoms of infection have failed. At this time, infection of additional patients within the med bay is considered highly likely. Staff has been reminded to follow all safety procedures when working with all patients.
Awaiting orders regarding containment. Recommend eliminating all test subjects and potentially infected individuals before agent STRN01X spread beyond the med bay.

ENTRY 905
DECRYPTION ENABLED

I do not understand why we have not been granted permission to stop this experiment! The infection has clearly spread beyond the med bay. Doctor Cartright has noticed something as well.
Without further instruction from the Widow, I feel I have no choice but to inform him of what’s been going on. It may not be too late to stop this madness.

ENTRY 906
DECRYPTION ENABLED

Emergency! Emergency! If you are receiving this transmission, avoid the Widowmaker at all costs! The ship is infested with the Strain, and instruments detect we are being targeted by weapons on the surface of Nexus.
MASSIVE weapons.

I am using Black Hoods doomsday fail-safes to lock down all escape pods. No one leaves this ship to spread the Strain to the greater galaxy.

I just hope that Eldan cannon does a thorough job. Exiles, it has been an honor to serve.

Agent XK1182 out.

Guide

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

A Soldier’s Letter to Home

Lore

Dearest Father,

I trust this letter finds its way to you in Illium with a minimum of trouble, and that you are well. I have sent along what pay I’ve gotten from the legion so far. With luck, it’ll keep y’from falling destitute, so it will. I know it’s been rough since we lost Mother and my sisters in the Hycrest plague, but we Smythes have never given up before, and we aren’t going to give up now, right? Just do me a favor and try not to spend it all on spirits.
I worry about you, Dad.

No need for alarm, but I should tell you we’ve run into a spot o’ bother out here a place called the Grimvault, but you shouldn’t worry, no sir. You know Commander Antevian’s the finest soldier in all the Dominion, so he is, and we’d all follow him to hell and back. It’s inspiring to serve a man like the Radiant Star, and it gives one the feeling that anything is possible – even defeating this blasted and intractable foe, including this Strain business.
It’s a nasty and foul enemy, and it’s everywhere. But we have the brightest minds in all the Collegium working on a solution, and until then we’ll just keep fighting them as best we can.

There is not much more I am able to report. I wouldn’t want to give away objectives or operational secrets. But father, you have to trust what I say. We ARE going to win this. We will take the Grimvault and the secrets of the Eldan we’ve all fought so hard for.
And nothing – not the Exiles, not the Strain, not even these bizarre, thinking Strain beings called Skurge are going to stop us!

Your son,
Private Caelon Smythe

Guide

Enter The Fist of Azrion.

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

Security Status Report 349-YYZ

Lore

ICI Agent ZL2291 Reporting
Current Assignment: Security Forces, Fist of Azrion
Specialization: Medical Experimentation

ENTRY 309
DECRYPTION ENABLED

Samples of the infectious agent designated STRN10Z securely brought onboard under secure conditions. No contamination of air, water, or food supplies detected. Appropriate test subjects found among existing med bay patients. Experimentation approved.

ENTRY 310
DECRYPTION ENABLED

Status of experimental subjects rapidly declining. Infectious agent STRN10Z appears to work very quickly. Unfortunately, efforts to retard or reverse the symptoms of infection have failed. At this time, infection of additional patients within the med bay is considered highly likely. Staff has been reminded to follow all safety procedures when working with all patients.
Awaiting orders regarding containment. Recommend eliminating all test subjects and potentially infected individuals before agent STRN10Z spread beyond the med bay.

ENTRY 311
DECRYPTION ENABLED

I do not understand why we have not been granted permission to stop this experiment! The infection has clearly spread beyond the med bay. Doctor Vetaxian has noticed something as well.
Without further instruction from Axis Pheydra, I feel I have no choice but to inform her of what’s been going on. It may not be too late to stop this madness.

ENTRY 906
DECRYPTION ENABLED

Emergency! Emergency! If you are receiving this transmission, avoid the Fist of Azrion at all costs! The ship is infested with the Strain, and instruments detect we are being targeted by weapons on the surface of Nexus.
MASSIVE weapons.

I am using ICI doomsday fail-safes to lock down all escape pods. No one leaves this ship to spread the Strain to the greater galaxy.

I just hope that Eldan cannon does a thorough job. My fellow citizens, it has been an honor to serve.

Agent ZL2291 signing off.

Guide

Enter the Fist of Azrion.

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

Captain’s Log

Lore

CAPTAIN’S LOG
Captain Sabes Recording

– Entry 002237
Several strange new cases reported by the chief medico today. Crewmembers with signs of a respiratory infection, but no cause she can find. She’s taken samples from those who have checked in, however, and hopes to have some facts to work with soon. She’s asked me to send her anyone who complains of an unexplained fever, cough, or nausea.

Until Doctor Vetaxian can pinpoint what’s causing this, anything could be the culprit.

One thing that does concern me. I know damn well the ICI has agents stationed onboard – but Axis Pheydra herself is personally diverting my official requests about their business here because I’m not “need to know.” Blast it, I’m the captain of this ship. If I don’t “need to know” whether the crew is coming down with a contagious illness, who does?

[DATA LOSS DETECTED. SHOWING NEXT AVAILABLE ENTRY.]

– Entry 002242
Ten more cases today.
That brings the total number of crew that are in quarantine to thirty-seven, and I expect more before the end of the day. Doctor Vetaxian doesn’t believe this will affect the ship’s performance. Considering my first officer, our chief engineer, and the commander of security is in med bay suffering from this strange disease, I’m not so sure. In fact, I’m starting to feel…well. It is no matter. I have a ship to command. Let this disease try to come after me.
Let every traitor and foul alien wretch in the galaxy try to infiltrate the Fist of Azrion. They will fail!

Though…why would I say that? There is no infiltration. Just an illness. And the ICI.

Always the ICI. Watching. I must insist Axis Pheydra returns my messages. If she knows anything about this…

[DATA LOSS DETECTED. SHOWING NEXT AVAILABLE ENTRY.]

– Entry 002298
Unbelievable! Of all the arrogant – I just learned the ICI has been experimenting
– ON MY SHIP – with samples of some “Strain” they retrieved from Grimvault. And considering the state of my crew, I do not doubt this infection IS the Strain. I can feel it in my…in my blood. We’ve had to incinerate the corpses. Airlocking them would only risk spreading this infection to the surface. And the effect on morale, well…would not be good.

Damn it all! I’m reading weapons locks coming from the surface – from Grimvault, in fact.
No time for evasive maneuvers, not that the Fist of Azrion is all that nimble anyway. But I will not allow this ship to come down in a populated area.

I have the authority to order this ship to self-destruct. And that time may well be now.

So why does the voice…the voice in my blood…why does it tell me it is not?

Guide

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

Receipt for Chowsdower-Brand Rowsdower Chow

Lore

Satori’s Rowsdowarium and Distillery
Thayd, Galeras

CUSTOMER COPY

Chowsdower-brand Rowsdower Chow (10 crates)…..19g99c
RowsPower Vitamin Supplements for Rowsdowers (500 suppositories)…..22g99c
Rowsdower-cise with Troy and Bruce! Episodes 1-24 (6 datachips)…..19s99c
RowsDowny Fur Conditioner and Horn Polish (12 bottles)…..11s99c
RowsDrowner Hydration System (12 syringes)…..88s99c

Brainsdower Smart Drugs for Rowsdowers – Novelty purposes only (99 bottles)…..110g99s99c
RowsDrinker-brand Primal Liquor — Not Just for Rowsdowers! (3 cases)…..112g99s99c

Thank you for shopping at Satori’s Rowsdowarium and Distillery. Come for the rowsdowers – stay for the complimentary liquor!