Kira and Val stand outside the brig cell, staring down their captive, Cory Veillon. Cory lounges casually on the floor, smirking. Kira’s eyes are daggers.
**Kira:** You really don’t have any options here. You’re the one in the cell.
**Cory:** I DO have the option to not answer your questions. You’re the one who needs something from me.
**Val:** We can do torture. There’s that option.
Kira sighs, shaking her head.
**Kira:** What do you want?
**Cory:** Freedom. Not just out of this cage—I want my name off your little bounty list. For good.
**Val:** You’ve got some nerve. You know what’ll happen if we do that.
**Cory:** Then I guess you won’t find your wayward father.
Kira considers her options.
[[Agree|Agree]]
[[Manipulate|Manipulate]]
[[Refuse|Refuse]]**Kira:** It’s your lucky day. I’m desperate, and we don’t have time to dance around this.
**Val:** Are we seriously letting this scum walk free? He’s not worth it, Kira.
**Cory:** Smart choice. Let’s make this quick, then.
**Consequence:** You gain Cory’s cooperation, and he provides the coordinates to your father’s location. However, Val’s trust decreases. In future missions, Val becomes more vocal about doubting your leadership, potentially affecting team morale. Cory’s alliance is fragile, and his freedom may result in him reappearing later with unexpected demands or double-crossing you.
[[Continue|Aftermath - Agree]]**Kira:** You have high hopes for someone with the highest bounty on our list. If I were you, I’d lower my demands.
**Val:** Not bad. Let’s see if he buys it.
**Cory:** You’re bluffing, but fine. I’ll talk. For now.
**Consequence:** Cory provides partial information, requiring a side mission to verify his lead. Val approves of your decision, boosting her trust in your leadership. Cory remains suspicious and may withhold critical information later, forcing you into another confrontation. Additionally, your bluff might spread, affecting your reputation with other informants or guild members.
[[Continue|Aftermath - Manipulation]]**Kira:** You know, torture doesn’t sound so harsh now. We’d be rid of you faster.
**Val:** That’s more like it. Let’s do this the hard way.
**Cory:** You’ll regret this. I promise.
**Consequence:** Cory attempts to escape, triggering a combat scenario in the brig. The chaos results in damage to the cruiser’s security systems, forcing resources to be diverted for repairs. You lose the chance to gain critical information about your father, prolonging your search. Val’s loyalty increases due to your decisive action, but Cory escapes and becomes a recurring antagonist, actively working against you in future encounters.
[[Continue|Aftermath - Refuse]]**Aftermath**
The scene concludes, but your choice ripples into future consequences. How you handle Cory will shape your team dynamics, resource management, and mission success.
[[Continue|Conclusion - Agree]]
On the bridge after releasing Cory:
**Val:** I can’t believe you let him go. You know what kind of person he is.
**Kira:** And I know what’s at stake. We need the lead.
**Val:** At what cost? When this blows up in our faces, don’t expect me to back you up.
Tension builds, leaving Kira to question her choice.
[[Continue|Aftermath]]During the verification mission:
**Val:** You think Cory’s lead is real?
**Kira:** We’re about to find out. If it’s not, I’ll make sure he regrets crossing us.
**Val:** I just hope this gamble doesn’t cost us more time we don’t have.
Adds a layer of doubt and urgency to Kira’s decision.
[[Continue|1 Final Aftermath - Manipulation]]Post-combat in the brig:
**Val:** That was close. You okay?
**Kira:** Fine. But now we’ve got another problem. He’s out there, and he knows too much.
**Val:** Let him come. We’ll deal with him when the time comes.
Sets up future encounters with Cory as a dangerous adversary.
[[Continue| 1 Final Aftermath - Refuse]] **Agree:** Fragile alliance with Cory, lower team trust.
[[Restart|Start]]**Aftermath**
The scene concludes, but your choice ripples into future consequences. How you handle Cory will shape your team dynamics, resource management, and mission success.
[[Continue| 2 Final Aftermath - Manipulation]]**Manipulate:** Delayed lead, boosted team trust, potential long-term complications.
[[Restart|Start]]The scene concludes, but your choice ripples into future consequences. How you handle Cory will shape your team dynamics, resource management, and mission success
[[Continue|2 Final Aftermath - Refuse]]**Refuse:** Immediate chaos, loss of information, future antagonist.
[[Restart|Start]]