"Does that mean there have been experiments with taking some of the soil and peach seeds to grow them away from the area with no luck? I have no reason to hide my interest in having a superbly healthy and fit crew."
Especially since the Governor might already know how Voidborn tend towards the gangly side, with only PT keeping even those born into Battlefleet a cut above.
“Many have tried, both on and off world. To my knowledge no attempts, no matter how pious or clever, have succeeded. Conversely soil taken from elsewhere has no trouble growing peach trees so long as it is done here. They say it is a metaphor, just as the peach trees can not thrive away from the Emperor’s blessing neither can man. We’ve made the most of it by building upwards, it seems to count so long as we remain above the sacred ground. Floors and floors are dedicated to peach production this way.”
“That isn’t to say it is useless for voidfarers, far from it. Jam made from these peaches is said to last centuries in the right conditions, and wine only gets better with age. I doubt your ship has enough room to feed its entire population in the long term but a personal supply for your favored men would be doable. If you wish to try your hand at cultivation, every peach contains a seed.”
"I'm thinking weight. That seems like a more accurate approximation of equal hostage value.
Given your reputation, I suppose you might have some tech that fell off the back of a starship that could serve for the purpose? It wouldn't be as valuable if we can't put the goods back together afterward."
“If I did it would certainly be on my ship, which is currently undergoing unplanned renovations elsewhere. What of your new master? Certainly he -as a
real Rogue Trader- has picked up some mysterious artifacts we can borrow.”