Devlog #2: The Manifest

Why This Moment Makes The Greywake Special

This scene is the perfect example of what makes The Greywake different from other narrative games: it’s not a story you follow — it’s a story that breathes with you.

The AI lays out the tension with military precision: the scan, the anomaly, the crew silently bracing for disaster. Everything is tight, fragile, one wrong word from collapsing.

But then you — the player — do something the system didn’t plan for. You whistle for the dog.

Gameplay Story: The Manifest

"Ma'am... I'm picking up an anomaly. Life signs in the lower deck. Crew quarters." He looks at the Captain. "Your manifest lists four crew members. I'm reading five."

The lieutenant's expression doesn't change. "Captain?"

Thorne stops. She doesn't turn, but her posture shifts, listening.

In Med Bay, Selene's hand moves to the intercom. Her voice comes through the Captain's console, barely audible. "David..."
In Engineering, Rigg's fingers tighten on the cloaking controls.
In his quarters, Alek sits on the edge of his bunk. Eyes closed. Breathing steady.

The Greywake holds its breath.

The lieutenant waits for an answer.

Captain: Whistle for Crumb

The Captain's whistle cuts sharp through the tension—two quick notes, practiced, familiar.

Silence.

Then, from the galley below, the soft click-click-click of claws on deck plating.
Crumb rounds the corner at a trot, ears perked, tail wagging. He pads straight to the Captain's side, sits, and looks up expectantly.

The officer with the scanner blinks. Adjusts his device. Frowns deeper. "Huh. That's... odd." He taps the screen. "Canine life sign. Didn't register as human, but the signature was close enough to flag." He looks at the Captain. "Apologies, sir. Faulty calibration. Should've filtered non-human biosigns."

The lieutenant glances at Crumb, then back to the Captain. Her expression softens just barely. "Your dog?"

Thorne turns now. Her gaze settles on Crumb for a moment, then shifts back to the lieutenant. "Are we satisfied, Lieutenant?"

The lieutenant nods. "Yes, Director. My apologies for the delay." She gestures toward the airlock. "After you."

Thorne walks forward. Her security detail moves with her. The UGSA officers fall into formation behind them.

At the airlock threshold, Thorne pauses. She looks back at the Captain. "Captain Mercer. Professional service. The Consortium will remember that."

Then she's gone. The airlock cycles shut.

The Greywake exhales.