Guide

Map

Western Grimvault

1.

A Trooper’s Letter Home

Lore

Dearest Mother,

I trust this letter finds its way to you in Gallow without too much trouble, and that you and my sisters are well. I sent along what pay I’ve gotten from the outfit so far in hopes it’ll keep y’all from fallin’ into destitution, I know it’s been rough since we lost Pa.

I ain’t much one for correspondin’, so I’m talkin’ this letter into my datachron in hopes that machine’ll write it out fair for ya to read.

We got us a mess’a trouble out here a place called the Grimvault, but you shouldn’t worry none. You know the commander’s the toughest son of a dagun this side’a the old admiral, and he can beat just about anything. It’s downright inspirin’ to serve a feller like that, and it makes ya think you can beat just about anything too. Even this Strain. It’s a nasty piece’a business, and it’s everywhere.
But we got the biggest brains in the whole XAS workin’ on a solution, and until then we’ll just keep fightin’ ’em as best we can.

Not much more I can report. Can’t give away objectives or operational secrets, but know that we’re going to win this thing. And nothin’ – not the Dommies, not the Strain, not even these weird things they’re callin’ Skurge are gonna stop us!

Your boy,
Private Zander Greenstock

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

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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