Voidwalkers Outpost

Vaults

Mortice's office

"As you'll have surmised, I'm the vault-keeper," says Mortice. "Before the plague, I worked in a therapy clinic, helping human clients with my command-beam. I had an inhibitor installed as per legal requirement, so I could use only a mild version. If a client wanted me to, I'd use just a touch of my command beam to help them drop their inhibitions and talk about their issues. …Humans seem to have an easier time confiding to a TV than to another human."

Ask further about the command-beam

"A TV's command-beam doesn't actually compel you to do anything," explains Mortice. "It implants an idea and makes you think it was your own idea; the best you've ever had."

"I should point out I'm not a trained therapist myself," continues Mortice. "Mine was only ever as a support role. But I still got a few gifts from grateful clients. That's where some of the pieces in my cabinet came from." Mortice indicates the display cabinet of sea-glass and geodes and things. "I like the understated colours of uncut gems and things of that nature."

On Mortice's desk is a framed photograph of themself with another TV.

Ask who is in the photograph

"That's Wintersol," says Mortice. "Or was… They're not dead, no. But they won't go by that name any more. I don't know who they are now." A band of static crackles down Mortice's screen as they think. "My partner, Wintersol, was one of the candidates for being upgraded to the Titan. All the candidates were re-serialised after the Titangrinder trials, and that meant they had to assume new identities. All of them had to break up with any long-term partners to participate in the trials. All to protect the Titan's identity… But we promised each other we'd be happy."

Stay in Mortice's office, or say goodbye and go back to the vaults or all the way back to the lobby.