One fun thing about having your humanity burned away from you is that you apparently lose the the ability to get a hangover. I hadn't been all that drunk when watching "The Wizard of Oz", but I expected to feel like I needed a Gatorade and a salty breakfast after that evening. I woke up after only six hours of sleep, and I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to face more of my weird new life with gusto. I even braided my hair after my bath while whistling "Over the Rainbow". Today, I would need to fly the Divine Retribution at least halfway the distance between here and the Vigaz system. Honestly, a hundred light years sounded like nothing after all the epic distances I had been traversing.
99-Z was now functional again, and she left me a psyker ration packet and a filled jug of water as she stood creepily motionless in my quarters. After my short breakfast of paste that tasted like a mix of maple syrup and peanut butter, I dug into my second military clothing bundle, and dressed myself. A quick psychic glance told me what each of my crewmembers were up to. Null was busily (and very happily, even radiating excitement) crafting a new gold arm at his work desk, even humming "Over the Rainbow" as he worked. The tech-priest was looking much better as time went on, and as the belt on his waist continued to regenerate him, he was starting to "fill out" again. Alberich was still asleep, curled up fully clothed on his ratty bed. Lian and Virgil were both deep inside the ship, exploring what appeared to be a disused hydroponics area, complete with long metal trays of ancient soil and dishes of long-disintegrated plants. As normal, when I was psychically viewing Virgil, he noticed, and he spoke up.
Good morning, Scion. The astartes and I have discovered a sort of small greenhouse! The wonders of this grand vessel! The astropath's excitement was keen, and I even found myself smiling in response.
That's great, Virg, I telepathically responded with positivity. I sensed that the astropath was now speaking with Lian, explaining that I was now awake. I began again: I'm going to start flying the ship soon if you want to be on the bridge with me. It's only a few hundred light years to Vigaz, so don't really think I need anyone with me, so your attendance is optional. Null should be informed, at least. I'm getting used to it and we're not escaping some doomed world this time. Could you tell the rest of the crew this for me?
Certainly. I will speak to Lian here concerning your instruction before waking the mutant, and then informing Null. It is good to hear you in such a fine mood. Thy will be done, Virgil transmitted to me. I could even sense that he had bowed.
I straightened my shirt, and stretched my body, feeling where I had become stronger. Again, I looked at my reflection in the mirror, observing my subtle physical changes. My features were slightly more defined, my skin smoother and my eyebrows had a more definitive arch to them. I had made a joke awhile back that I was starting to look like a comic book villain, and the observation certainly fit. My bright gold eyes even almost seemed to glow now, and my hair had a certain volume to it that it didn't have before. That made sense, in a way. Most of the art of the Emperor in my universe showed him with an absolutely majestic mane of perfectly coiffed long hair. Whatever the ship did to its captains apparently extended to physical cosmetic features, and I decided not to sweat it too much. I briefly wondered why my hair was turning white again before pulling on my boots, and shrugged.
Cracking my knuckles, I requested that the 99-Z servitor stay here as I took my water cup with me, and she bowed in response. I snagged my magic scissors, the dramatically named Nemeses Argentum, and placed them in my front breast pocket. They hadn't gotten any bigger since I had killed Grikk'ahn, but they always felt slightly warm now as I touched them. On my table, I left the Tesseract Labyrinth, the Aeldari spirit stone, Evanora's diamond dagger, and a few books. Laying in the corner, my Force Staff of Zuze stood, almost looking like an eagle-topped flagpole. Maybe I could get a storage chest on Tar Vigaz? We certainly had enough money now that we had discovered that secret room with all the gems and artifacts.
Before leaving my quarters, I was reminded that I was still wearing my calming chain around my neck. Maybe this was why I was in this pleasant mood? Not wanting anything to interfere with my psyker powers while flying the ship, I removed the chain, and placed it on the table. When my skin ceased touching the chain, I felt a brief surge of energy, and my heart skipped a beat. My Corona even briefly ignited with a spark. It was actually quite energizing, and a nice way to start the day, I thought happily.
I was in good spirits as I walked briskly to the bridge, a skip in my step. Distantly, I sensed Virgil wake Alberich up, who was now nursing a hangover and drinking water. Lian had begun to make his way to the bridge from deep within the ship as he devoured a larger ration packet, his steps echoing in the gold halls. The wound on his head was healing well, and while he would have a scar, he would be fine. Space Marines seemed to heal very quickly. As he walked, I took note that he wasn't carrying his sacred sword with him constantly, and another psychic glance showed me that he had actually laid the massive daemon-killing holy greatsword that had been owned by a primarch on his bed in its scabbard. I still wasn't over that Lian had the actual Lion Sword in his possession. Incredible. And soon, we'd be meeting more Fallen, which was both exciting and scary.
Virgil teleported to Null's quarters, and began speaking to him. The astropath then spoke to me again: Null greets you with a good morning, and states that his new arm is already about fifty percent complete. I sensed that the tech-priest was now waving his incomplete new gold prosthetic as he spoke with Virgil, and I heard him ask the astropath, "Does she see?"
Yeah, I see him, I replied. Tell him that it looks great so far. I'm sure it'll look amazing when it's done, I responded, making my way to the bridge. With slight sadness, I realized that I definitely missed having coffee. Flying this ship through the Warp while holding a cup of espresso would be a great way to start the day. Instead, all I had were sweet nutrition pastes, space booze, and post traumatic stress disorder.
A brief exchange between Null and the astropath ensued, and Virgil responded to me as I walked:
He is quite excited about it, Virgil transmitted to me, and with a sudden crackle of electricity by my side, the holographic astropath pulled himself into existence, gliding alongside me in his grey robes. "Jiminy, the mantis drone will meet you at the bridge shortly. Null states that the drone will be carrying something to help you. If you do not mind, I would enjoy being on the bridge with you as you navigate."
I began to climb the stairs to the bridge, and said, "I don't mind at all. I'm actually getting pretty used to this, and I'm really looking forward to going to a place where there's people. I've had enough of cursed worlds. Even then, now that we know that this ship is fully gassed up, very strong, and very fast, I'm not all that worried about trouble as much as I used to be."
Virgil floated next to me. "Another thing to address, if I may: The two blank women woke a short time ago as well. They keep to themselves, signing their conversation, and practicing their skills with their three-pronged daggers. It is my suggestion that we should find a way to communicate with them. Null mentioned that he wants to create a translator, but he wants your approval first."
"He didn't need my approval for that; he can do that whenever he wants, and that's a good idea. That guy could probably invent it in a day, knowing him. Null really is a genius, I can say that much," I replied to the astropath, who bowed to me. Quickly, the hologram vanished again. A few steps later I had reached the entryway to the bridge. I entered the wide gold space with a few whistled notes of "Over the Rainbow". Between Null and I, this song was becoming quite an earworm. I took a walk over to one of the Divine Retribution's three open "eye" windows to observe the sterile moonscape outside. Aside from stars, white dusty land, and craters, there wasn't much to look at, but the concept of being on a whole new planet was still novel and cool to me.
With an electric crackle, Virgil reappeared in a smear of bright light beside me. "I've instructed Null that he can work on a translator now as per your approval, which he states he will begin working on after the completion of his arm. And, I've been curious about something, if you don't mind me asking."
"Go ahead," I replied, observing the stars outside. Space is cool.
The astropath then paused, as if thinking carefully on what to say next, and when he spoke again, his voice was hushed. "Null has told me that he saw you for who you truly are during his brush with death, and his vision has put new motivation into his character. I daresay that it has been good for him. Null, for all of his genius does have a bit of difficulty with presuming that he knows everything important there is to know."
"I think he'd want that kept secret, from what I understand," I responded as I turned around, and walked to my scary gold psychic chair. The central throne glittered with an eerie inner light across its various weaving braids of metal, crystals, seals, and runes. At the edge of my hearing, I could even almost hear faint disembodied voices when I focused on it. Sitting on that thing was always intimidating, but I was getting braver. All you had to do was not fixate on how many souls its captains consumed over the years, and the fate of the last person who had piloted this vessel.
"Understood," Virgil replied beside me as I advanced to my throne, pulling my fingers across its metal arms, and feeling a slight electric zap run up my elbow. The astropath cleared his throat, and turned back to the direction of the stairs. "Do you need the mutant to act as copilot? Shall I fetch him for you?"
"Give me a minute. Let me see," I answered as Virgil stood beside me. Taking a deep breath, I sat down on my throne. "Divine Retribution, attach me," I commanded.
The spirit within the Divine Retribution reached up through its circuits and my very soul, unifying me with itself. My perception filtered outward, and I effortlessly became the grand gold eagle. Being integrated into this vessel heightened my psychic abilities to the point where their usage took almost no effort. This really was getting easier and easier as I got stronger. I closed my eyes, and directed my attention on where the beastman was. I discovered him sweating in the sauna, a cup of water by his side and his feathers damp. His eyes were closed, and he was nursing a hangover, that much I could tell.
Hey, Alberich!I spoke through the ship into Alberich's mind, which caused him startle with a yelp. Hey, it's just me. I'm attached to the ship right now on the throne. I'm going to take off shortly. I don't actually think I need you, but you can come up here if you want.
My leader? Your psychic voice is very loud when magnified through this eagle! Alberich observed, calming himself down. While I admit that I imbibed too much while watching the film, I can aid you in flying the vessel shortly.
Distantly, I could now hear Lian's footsteps plodding up the stairway. Virgil turned around, to face the entryway, preparing to greet the Fallen. I willed the large holographic display screen in front of my throne to appear, and it did with a brief buzz. As I kept my psychic attention on Alberich, I could definitely tell that he was suffering nausea, and that he had a headache. Strangely, I felt a sense of distaste arise from the part of me that was the Divine Retribution. The ship consumed souls, including my own, for energy, and pulling nutrition from a soul that was slightly weakened from an alcohol hangover didn't feel like something it wanted to munch on. The ship didn't want anything pickled for breakfast.
I think I can manage on my own, thanks, I replied to the beastman. But come on up here if you want anyway. We're only going a hundred light years away, and we're not running from anything.
I could sense relief from Alberich as he opened the door to the sauna and wrapped a thin towel around his white feathered body. Very well. Even if you do not require me, I will see you on the bridge soon.
Virgil watched me with his hands folded inside the cuffs of his grey robes, waiting for my instruction. "Don't bother with getting Alberich. I don't need him here," I informed Virgil, my voice inadvertently magnified, which caused Virgil to flinch away from me. Oops. "Yeah, I'll be fine on my own."
I leaned backward on my throne, feeling the sensation of the living machinery that made up this incredible entity. A legendary craft made millions of years ago by the Old Ones that fought Necrons, makes Emperors, and eats souls. Whenever I as hooked up to it, I felt powerful and majestic. I projected my awareness out through the rest of me, sensing how my left wing was mending. The bridge shook as I willed my left wing to rise, and I bent it, testing its strength. It felt as if it were almost healed.
Below the large holographic main screen, a smaller screen appeared before me, and I now witnessed Null in the engine room. The glint of his new gold arm could be seen in the green light of the Necron energy crystal, and the tech-priest looked greatly concerned, his eyes animating a blinking motion repeatedly. "The ship seems to be moving. Are you doing this, Scion?" Null asked me, worried.
"Yeah, that's me," I replied as I lowered my left wing back down to a resting position. "Sorry for yelling earlier, everyone. I was just testing out that one damaged wing. Looks like just a scrape now." Through the ship, I could even sense that the machine spirit was eager to fly. I wanted to feel powerful and awesome again!
Behind me, I heard the Fallen step onto the bridge. "Lian has entered," Virgil stated.
Without turning around, I sensed my Cowardly Lion analog salute me with his hand held to his heart. "I am eager to witness flight again."
"Come on in, man. Just checking our route, and how the weather is in the Warp," I called out, relaxing against the hot-cold metal of the psychic golden throne. Lian walked to my left, and stood next to me, watching the larger screen. "Divine Retribution, plot a course to Tar Vigaz, but don't go to Warp yet. I just want to see what our road looks like."
On the screen before me, a map of this unremarkable system appeared, and our icon was sitting atop a dead world. The map then shifted, and now, an overlay of Warp weather could be seen. Colorful swirling bands indicated emotional currents as they washed through the Sea of Souls, and from here, I could tell that there was a steady, but gusty flow of twisting empyreal wind rushing from where Nubua used to be, far to the north. It reminded me of a late winter storm, blustery and irregular. After a few moments, the ship calculated that it would prefer to fly along a road that was somewhat indirect, apparently avoiding a cluster of turbulent red giants and one hot star currently experiencing violent solar flares. On our way, we'd also be passing a named planet called "Dyphinus" within a few light years. Warp travel was a lot more complicated and indirect than I thought it would be, and it very much felt like navigating a very choppy sea. To go south, the route plotted would first take us west.
Traveling west and passing Dyphinus (with an option to stop there for a rest), we'd then pass close to Rhadabus, the creepy planet that no one wanted to visit. That planet's system was enveloped in a swirl of strong Warp winds, and when I briefly affixed my Sight on it, I felt a sense that something was "wrong" there. That certainly made sense, considering how abnormal that place had sounded when described by my crew. The high velocity Warp winds in that area would give us a bit of a boost, allowing us to "slingshot" around that planet, and then, head directly south to Tar Vigaz in a relatively straight line. Since our route was indirect, our total travel distance was actually 325.7 light years, instead of 227, what the ship had told us before. Still, that distance was nothing considering how many thousands of light years we had traveled in a short time already. However, we wouldn't have the gift of a rift blowing open behind us, a greater daemon's blessing, and the Emperor possessing me during this trip.
"So, Virgil," I asked, watching our planned path down to the Vigaz system. We would jump out of Warp inside the orbit of its sixth planet. "You've been to Rhadabus, huh? What was that place like?"
Virgil walked into my field of vision again, and turned to his side so he could see both me and the screen. He pointed at the icon of the lush ringed planet beside its red star. "Rhadabus isn't a place any decent person wants to go. Maybe it has changed in the thousand years since my death, but when Null and I visited to refresh our water supply, the locals were... odd, to say the least. They would sing spontaneous songs, and speak of 'love' and 'light'. While they were devoted to the Emperor, some of them physically exhibited signs of inbreeding, and we discovered that the entire population of the planet had descended from a mere twenty people a thousand years before our visit, and only three of which were males. Their abnormalities were not serious enough to alert the Inquisition, but upsetting enough to me that it elicited a feeling of disgust in me." Virgil pulled a sneer. "They seemed to know that they needed new blood to strengthen their people, but refused to leave the planet. This led to them being extremely and inappropriately 'friendly' with outsiders."
With a tinny chuckle, I heard Null interrupt from the smaller screen beside me. "Poor Virgil was accosted by a group of flower-crowned maidens at every turn during our last visit. Each promised him ten children for his 'star-spawned seed', promising to make him the most beloved husband on the planet."
"You make it sound good, Null," the astropath said with a small smile. "May I remind you all that half of them had webbed toes, and the other half had strabismus. Three of them even had vestigial tails!"
"And you were blind, so it would not have meant that much to you!" Null actually joked, and Virgil smiled, shaking his head. "You know, maybe they really were hosting a genestealer infestation? We had decided not to stay and screen them, as we weren't the Inquisition, but I had always wondered," Null mused, tinkering with a gold plate attached to his new arm.
"When did you find out about genestealers, Null?" I asked, curious. "I thought you didn't know about Tyranids?"
"Genestealers are Tyranids?" Null asked me, surprise in his voice. "That is certainly unsettling news. What we knew of genestealers, or, snatcher-devils as I had heard them also called, was that they were some kind of insectoid parasitic race that subsumes intelligent beings, essentially stealing their genes to create an alien cult. The Imperium has known of them for many thousands of years in distant parts of the galaxy, and aboard my Explorator fleets, we were briefed on their menace."
"Grim, man," I said. With my Sight, I focused my attention on the Vigaz system again, looking for any information or statistics the ship might have concerning it.
The ship responded to my curiosity by displaying a few lines of information:
Planet: Tar Vigaz (Archaic name: Ev): known as The Gateway to the Frontier, The Cities of Gold, The Cities of Jewels. Capitol world of the Conglomeration of Ev. Designation: Civilized World, Pleasure World. Estimated current population calculating...
The ship hummed for a moment.
Population estimate: Five hundred million, human. Trace, alien.
Largest Hive City: Evna
A series of statistics about Tar Vigaz appeared below, describing this world as a normal, typical planet with a typical Earth-like (or 'Terra-like') size and atmosphere, and there, I also saw a note. With a nudge of my Sight, I willed the note to open, and it said: Warning, defensive mines detected within inner planets of Vigaz system! Proceed with caution!
"Hey, uh, anyone know about a space minefield around Tar Vigaz?"
"I do," Lian answered as he walked ahead. "It is a measure of security, as they are in a dangerous area of the galaxy, with many xenos threats and a weak military. The government of Tar Vigaz and the local Conglomeration of Ev set about ringing the inner planets of the Vigaz system with mines that can be remotely activated by the the Tar Vigaz Planetary Defense Force."
"That's clever," I said. "So, I'm guessing you know how to roll up to this world and get let in without getting blown up?"
"I do. What you must first do is approach Tar Vigaz from its Mandeville Point. Your approach will be noticed by those on the planet, and contact will be initiated, asking your intentions. Since we must seek a Writ of Confidentiality, I or the tech-priest will then submit a code. Afterward, someone will contact you, and seek visual confirmation with the captain of the vessel. They will use this time to scan this vessel, taking into account size, bulk, and any weapons you may have, and if you wish to do any trading. You will be directed to an appropriate place to land. I do have a concern that we may be too big and too heavily armed to land on the planetside port, and this vessel might be confined to their spaceport. A shuttle will be provided for us if that is the case."
"So we just like, leave the ship up in a space port? Will it be okay?"
"If the port of Tar Vigaz wasn't trustworthy, I would not be standing here right now."
I guessed that made sense, I thought, leaning back in my chair again. With a mental nudge, I brought us back to the main star map again, and our Warp route. Something was still bothering me, and I was having a hard time telling what it was. A feeling of foreboding was chilling me, and I was hoping that it was just paranoia because of all the shit I had been through. As I listened to Null and Virgil chat again, I started absently putting my attention back on the stars and systems we would be passing. From what I could tell now, Dyphinus was an abandoned mining world that had been stripped clean of all its resources, but it still had a breathable atmosphere similar to Nubua's. An abandoned mining world did not sound like a place I wanted to visit, since that sort of thing in any Warhammer 40k story would, of course, have a "terrible secret" like a bound Bloodthirster hidden in a cave somewhere, just waiting to be released. If we stopped there, we'd definitely stay in orbit.
I focused on Rhadabus again, and the uncomfortable feeling abruptly increased, and with terrible suddenness, I was struck with a vision.
People in white robes tied to stakes, cords of firewood being laid at their feet. Proclamations of heretical guilt being delivered by a man in a tall hat, and the smell of cooking human meat in the air with the scent of charred pork. The taste of dead ashes and ruined dreams. Screams and prayers to the Emperor called to the sky, but no one answers. A young crippled boy of minor psychic talent sees me witness him burning to death alive on a pyre with his family, and in his last breath, curses those who have judged him evil, damning them to burn under the fires of the...
"God-Empress," I whispered at the moment of the boy's death, and then, I was there. I knew I had somehow been perceived by the evil man in the tall hat as he stood nearby with his retinue. I gazed angrily down at him from a considerable height, now standing above the burning family, my presence glowing with revulsion and rage at what I had witnessed. There were others present. They were the Inquisitor's henchmen, I knew, and they stood cowering behind him, tears in their eyes at witnessing me. Rallying himself, the evil man in the tall hat held up some sort of symbol, craning his neck so that he could look me in the eye as I loomed before him, clothed in the flames of murdered people. The cruel man called me a daemon of all things, and actually tried to banish me.
As if that pitiful display could stop Me of all things...
With a glance, I instantly knew that this Inquisitor had ordered the death of an innocent family because of the existence of that child with brittle bones. The child held the very mildest of psychic abilities, well under the threshold for actual danger. My Sight told me that the Inquisitor blamed the family's congenital bone disease on Warp corruption, and sentenced them all to death. A painful, agonizing death of fire.
Retribution filled me. I had seen enough.
Through time, I pinned this monster with my gaze, and I was filled with disgust. Even after seeing my eyes, he still held his stupid little rosette in front of him, screaming proclamations of daemons and evil as he tried to hold me back. His futile resistance was almost funny, but this needed to end now. Like a striking serpent, I lunged through reality, and first, I struck this piece of human garbage blind and deaf for his crime. He screamed in terror as I began to feel myself pulling back from my vision. The last thing I perceived was the smell of his combusting flesh as he died in the same torturous way the boy died.
I took a deep breath on my throne, returning fully back to my body. Virgil and Lian were both beside me, looking very concerned. "Another vision?" the astropath asked me.
"Yeah," I said, catching my breath. My Corona was glowing with gold brilliance around my head and shoulders, so I pulled it back inside myself. "I think I saw the Inquisition. They were burning people. And, uh..."
I decided to keep the news that I had apparently remotely maimed and killed an Inquisitor (and maybe even his henchmen too) a secret. Did I actually do that?
No one said anything for a few moments as I began to shiver, disturbed. Even worse, I felt the Key begin to warm slightly on my chest, mysteriously reacting to what I had done. Luckily, it was under my shirt, so if it was glowing, it wouldn't be seen. I reached forward with my Sight again to examine Rhadabus, to confirm what I had seen. Presently, I felt nothing out of the ordinary anymore, and pulled myself back to reality again. Did that really happen? "I think the Inquisition hit Rhadabus, but I'm not sure. I don't feel anything now. I don't know." I said, sick with spiritual disquietude. Did I really just torch an Inquisitor? Aren't they supposed to be super tough in the lore? Can't be all that tough if you're burning a little boy with a congenital bone disease on a pile of his dead relatives while calling him a "heretic". Upset, I felt the heat of my Corona lash across my head and neck again for a few heartbeats. Fuck that guy. If that happened, he and his henchmen fucking deserved it, I concluded.
Null saw that I was upset, and offered an explanation: "The Inquisition is a necessary force, if unpopular, if you don't know about them, Scion," the tech-priest spoke sternly as he flexed one of his new gold fingers on the small display. None of what I had said had fazed the tech-priest. "For the Inquisition to be all the way out here is unusual, but it isn't unheard of. They likely divined a threat that needed to be taken care of, and you witnessed the aftermath of their judgement."
"Agreed," Virgil said, crossing his ams tightly around his chest. "In our universe, they are necessary guards against evils that would destroy humanity if given the chance. I will say this, though: I was more pleased to be working under the Adeptus Mechanicus instead of the Inquisition. Their methods can be most harsh."
I shook my head, greatly troubled. I flashed back to what I had seen. The man had annihilated an entire family because of a quick incorrect presumption of daemonic corruption that had simply been a congenital bone-weakening disease. An investigation that had taken all of ten minutes followed by a proclamation of "yup, must be daemons" was really stupid and reeked of sadism. What happened was awful, and I couldn't get the images of the smoldering bodies out of my mind. To distract myself, I observed the route we would be taking again, concentrating on how the flight would be enjoyable. The persistent whorl of astral wind swirling around Rhadabus would give us a push south, and I intuitively knew that we'd make good time if we took this route. I conceded to my crewmembers with, "Well, I guess as long as we don't stop at Rhadabus, we don't have much to worry about. This ship is really fast and tough, anyway."
"Indeed," Null stated, flexing his gold hand through the small display before me. "Just don't go picking fights with anyone. And, you should probably not advertise your abilities. Unsanctioned psykers are not held in high regard. On the topic, I have Jiminy bringing something to you if you feel nervous about being seen. He should be making his way up to your location shortly."
"I don't think I need drugs, Null," I answered, laughing awkwardly. I reached through my shirt to clutch at the Key nervously. I could feel that it was very warm through the fabric. Its energy pulsed with my own heartbeat.
"No, no. I will explain shortly. I've sent Jiminy up to the bridge with one of the black time crystals I retrieved from the pyramid of Nubua. I have a theory on how we can manipulate them to create a stealth field, even at a smaller size."
I closed my eyes, and looked for Jiminy inside the Divine Retribution. The little drone was buzzing slowly up the stairway to the bridge. He appeared encumbered as he struggled to fly, and was carrying a black crystal about half his size, which was about the size of my palm.
Null began to explain: "I had hoped that we'd be able to use these crystals as a sort of displacement field, phasing us slightly out of time in appearance to other vessels. In short, I was planning on experimenting with integrating these crystals around the primary battery, developing another function of this grand vessel. Unfortunately, most of the crystals were shattered, and are now inert."
I could hear a frantic buzzing begin to echo behind me as Jiminy entered the bridge.
"Five crystals, smaller ones, remain intact. With only five of these, I could not complete my experiment, but I do have a theory. Wait just a moment for the drone to arrive, please."
Jiminy slowly buzzed ahead of me, holding the black crystal and beating his metal insect wings furiously. The crystal was roughly round in appearance, and had many cylindrical points. "Hold out your hand. It won't hurt you," Null's voice cheeped from Jiminy.
I held my hands before me in a cupping gesture. The drone then gently placed the black crystal in my hands. "You are an integral part of this vessel, and you appear to have a symbiotic relationship to the machine spirit within. Through your soul, the Divine Retribution can conjure a sort of Gellar Field, and through you, it consumes the souls you have consumed. My theory is as follows..."
After delivering the crystal, Jiminy then landed on my shoulder, clutching me with his sharp metal legs before folding his wings against his back. Null then switched back to speaking through the small display before me again. "It may be as simple as you directing the energy of this vessel through this crystal as it is pulled through you, and integrating it outward around the Parson Shield. I theorize that this will enable us to remain hidden from scans and visual contact."
"This sounds dangerous, Null. You sure?" I asked, but when I started to think about it, my intuition directed me to trust the tech-priest, as if I instinctively knew that what he said was the right thing to do.
"From what I understand of your nature, fate will bend to your will, considering what you are. If I wasn't confident in my hypothesis, I would not be telling you this. Either way, this vessel is distinct, and having the option of stealth should be considered. Say you come across a fully armed Chaos flotilla. I'd take the uncertainty of using this crystal and hiding us than confronting them at this time."
I held the shiny black crystal in my hand, easily sensing that it contained some kind of exotic energy. Nudging the object with my Sight, I was able to "know" that what Null said was true. I was also now able to see that this crystal wasn't actually a natural mineral, but a hardened mass of trillions upon trillions of nanomachines, all clustered together and containing great power. "You've got a point there, Null," I said with a hum.
"I know I do. I was an archmagos. We are not known for stupidity," the tech-priest responded with a twinkle of his green animated eyes. "So, now that that's out of the way, when will we be departing? We need to make at least half the journey today, but my presumption is that it should be easy, considering how far we're gone in the last weeks. The entire journey could even be made in one day if the winds are favorable."
The Divine Retribution apparently heard Null, and I easily sensed eagerness for flight within the ship's soul. It reminded me of a happy dog excited for a car ride to the park. My confrontation and damnation of the family-murdering Inquisitor had left me feeling strangely energized. "I'm feeling pretty good, actually, so how about we go now? Everyone okay with that?" I asked. Both I (and the ship's machine spirit) didn't want to wait for Alberich.
"Ready whenever you are," Null said. Virgil and Lian also answered in the affirmative, and each stepped away from the large display screen to stand behind me. The display snapped back to the map of the system we were now present within. The superimposed Warp current map displayed our route as the vessel itself began to shift on its talons, eager for flight. The bridge slightly shook as I grinned.
"Alright, lets go, everyone! Time to get into more trouble!" I said, magnifying my voice.
"I've kind of had enough trouble, what with being dead and all," Virgil grumbled with exasperation beside me.
With an easy push off the surface of this world with my talons, we were airborne again, and I watched the moonscape outside fall away through one of the open eye ellipses. Piloting this vessel was becoming easier, and briefly, I observed that sometimes it was hard to see where one of our intelligences ended and the other began, but that didn't bother me. Wings fully extended, I began circling upward in the very thin air of this dead world, looking forward to the warm ethereal currents of the Warp, my two souls filled with zealous power and majesty. I had enacted divine retribution upon a wicked soul, and I was filled with a glowing sense of righteousness. Some of the fine plates of the living gold feathers of my hull were slightly fluffed in satisfaction at my actions. As we left this dead rock, I willed the eye shutters of the Divine Retribution closed, and my Parson Shield skin was activated in preparation for Warp travel. I felt ready for anything!
Destroy the wicked. Judge the guilty. Defend the innocent. I am Divine Retribution, a voice from everywhere alighted like sunlight upon my souls.
And as reality shifted backward and into the warm embrace of the Sea of Souls, I could even almost feel that I had a smile on my beak.