From: Chirurgeon Bellan Tortega (BT), certified neuro-psychic attendant

To: Patriarch Verduchina XXVII, House Castana, Navis Nobilite

Observed period: Cycles 15-18

Subject: Zulane, Kai (KZ)

Evaluation summary: NON-FUNCTIONAL/POTENTIALLY SALVAGEABLE

Excerpted from 4423-4553: Full Case Notes to follow.

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT BEGINS.

BT: Can you tell me what happened on the Argo?

KZ: No.

BT: No?

KZ: No.

BT: Why not?

KZ: I don’t want to.

BT: With respect, you are in no position to withhold anything you know. The incident involving the Argo represents a significant financial deficit for House Castana, not to mention the considerable loss of prestige with respect to the XIII Legion.

KZ: Take it up with Nemo. I was only loaned to Castana, I don’t care about their losses.

BT: You should. You should also know that my evaluation will play a significant part in deciding whether you can continue with House Castana. Or continue at all for that matter.

KZ: Like I said, I don’t care.

BT: Do you WANT to be sent to the hollow mountain?

KZ: Of course not. No sane person would.

BT: Then I would co-operate if I were you.

KZ: You don’t understand, it’s not about co-operation.

BT: Then enlighten me, Kai. What IS it about?

KZ: It’s about hearing ten thousand men and women die. It’s about hearing every single last thought as their bodies were torn apart by things. It’s about hearing the terror of people about to die every time I close my eyes. It’s about not putting myself through that nightmare again. [Subject breaks down. Three minutes of sobbing.]

BT: Are you finished?

KZ: For now.

BT: Then do you feel like talking about what happened?

KZ: Terra, no! Maybe someday, but even when I do, it won’t be with you.

BT: Why not?

KZ: Because you’re not here to help me.

BT: That’s EXACTLY why I’m here, Kai.

KZ: No it’s not, and stop calling me Kai as if we’re friends. Your only purpose in being here is to show the XIII Legion that House Castana can keep its house in order. I’m an embarrassment to your precious patriarch.

BT: No, you are part of the family. All Patriarch Verduchina wants is to help.

KZ: Then leave me alone. The Argo isn’t a memory I want to go back to. Not yet, maybe never.

BT: Confronting the past is the only way you can face the future. Surely you can see it’s not healthy to dwell on such macabre memories. Purge them and you can return to your duties.

KZ: You’re assuming I WANT to return to my duties.

BT: Don’t you?

KZ: [One minute pause] I don’t know.

TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT ENDS.

Addendum:

Sire, as this excerpt clearly shows, Kai Zulane displays classic symptoms of denial, paranoia and an inability to face the truth of his ordeal. It is my conclusion that he believes he is responsible for the events that led to the loss of the Argo, though the truth of this is for others, more qualified in the fields of multi-dimensional overlaps, to determine. However, I do not believe any individuals could live through so traumatic an experience without some psychic scarring, none of which is evident in Kai Zulane’s aetheric aura. I would, therefore, venture the opinion that Kai Zulane is not beyond recovery. Kai Zulane represents a significant investment in time and effort (both by House Castana and the Adeptus Astra Telepathica) and to simply ‘cut our losses’ and send him to the hollow mountain would, at this point, be premature.

In summary, it is my recommendation that Kai Zulane be returned to the auspices of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica for immediate rehabilitation. This will reaffirm our commitment to the XIII Legion, and effectively allow House Castana to pass the burden of responsibility elsewhere.

I remain your humble servant in all things, and can offer further clarifications, should they be required, on Kai Zulane’s psychic pathology at your convenience.

Bellan Tortega

Neuro-psychic attendant 343208543.

Antonius, do what the unctuous little chirurgeon says.
Throw Zulane back to the City of Sight.
He can be their problem instead of ours.

V.