Chapter 2: Meeting Reality
Note: The Dark Eldar slowed down because Voyager's torpedoes disabled their engines. They also had to dodge the asteroids, so they couldn't dodge both at the same time right then.
When Janeway's greeting party entered the shuttle bay she saw a space marine up close for the first time. Captain Dentris was clad in Terminator armor, Techmarine Maldis was sporting his servo arm and Tathlis carried a Force Staff. The marines were also armed with their standard weaponry.
"Greetings Captain, this is my first officer Chakotay and my Chief of Security Lieutenant Commander Tuvok." Dentris's gaze lingered for a moment on Tuvok's ears. He noticed.
"Is something wrong Captain?" He asked.
"Forgive me commander; it is just that your ears remind me of Eldar."
"The race you were fighting?"
"Yes. Are your ears augmetic, or are they a mutation?"
"They are a standard trait of the people on my planet," he replied.
"I see. Enough about that, it is good to meet you captain. This is Techmarine Maldis, Librarian Tathlis and my personal command squad," he said, indicating the marines behind him.
"It's an honor to meet you," Janeway replied. "If you'll follow me I'll take you to the briefing room." The command squad remained with the Thunderhawk.
On the way to the bridge the marines noticed the looks of awe and fear they received from the crew members they passed. They paid it no mind. They were regarded this way often.
"It would seem the crew are intimidated by your presence," Tuvok remarked.
"Indeed, we get that reaction often when we meet others," Tathlis replied. Finally the lift arrived at the bridge. Paris and Kim looked over and found their eyes glued to the massive figures in blue armor. The marines had to turn sideways to fit through the door. Captain Janeway noticed the way Paris and Kim were staring.
"Would you two care to join us?" She asked, knowing if they didn't they'd be grilling her and Chakotay for a week. They stood up and followed the captain into the briefing room. The marines chose to stand since their weight would crush the chairs.
"Your ship is impressive captain," Maldis remarked. "I am amazed you were able to penetrate the Dark Eldar's Shadow Fields."
"It was difficult. Our sensors were only able to attain a partial lock."
"You also seemed troubled by our destruction of the Eldar vessel Captain."
"Yes, you see, where we come from, when a vessel is disabled we attempt to negotiate with them."
"There is no negotiating with those pirates," Maldis replied. "Is your imaging technology compatible with this?" He asked, holding out a data disk. Tuvok took it and scanned it with a tricorder.
"I have downloaded the data to this tricorder. You may now use the screen here to show the data," he said, indicating the screen on the wall. After a few moments, the Techmarine grasped the tricorder and aimed it at the wall.
"I warn you, the images you are about to see you may find deeply disturbing."
The screen flickered for a moment, and then resolved into an image of a Dark Eldar warrior holding a human head in its hand.
"This is a standard Dark Eldar warrior. Their race are pirates and slavers. They attack random worlds to kill and take slaves for their demented purposes. This next image will show you why we would not even give them a chance to surrender." The image showed the inside of a navy patrol vessel. Blood and body parts decorated the floors and walls. Viscera hung everywhere, but not a single head could be seen anywhere.
"These images were taken from an Imperial Navy vessel that engaged and disabled a pirate scout vessel. They apparently accepted the aliens' offer of surrender, and the Dark Eldar proceeded to slaughter them." Janeway and Chakotay were silent and Paris and Kim looked sick.
"I think I understand now," Janeway said.
"These guys make the Klingons look like kittens," Paris added.
"Klingons?" Dentris asked.
"A violent race whose empire neighbors ours. We're allies now," Janeway replied. "I'd like to help you stop these pirates," she said. "How can we help?"
"I would like for you to meet our Chapter Master. He can tell you much more than I. Does your vessel have warp engines?"
"Of course," Janeway answered. Librarian Tathlis spoke up then.
"She does not understand Captain. Her vessel has Warp Engines, but ours and theirs are similar only in name. Captain, our Warp engines operate very differently from yours."
"How do you know that?" She asked.
"I have been reading your minds through the meeting," he replied.
"Without our permission? That goes against one of our core regulations," she stated.
"I was not aware of your regulations. Nevertheless, you must dock your vessel with us or you would quickly become lost. Our warp engines take us into a different dimension. Your vessel would never be able to keep track of us."
"Is their vessel small enough to dock with us Brother Maldis?" Captain Dentris asked.
"I believe so Captain, we should be able to expend our Gellar Field around them," he replied.
"What is a Gellar Field?" Tuvok asked
"A protective barrier that prevents warp Daemons from attacking the ship while it is in Warp Space."
"What are Warp Daemons," Chakotay asked.
"Immaterial life forms that feed on the souls of those who travel the Warp. Also, you should close you window blast shields, since gazing into the Warp is known to drive men insane."
Janeway was deep in thought. If traveling through this Warp space was as dangerous as the Ultramarines claimed, she shouldn't do it. On the other hand, the Ultramarines were the only people who she could trust at the moment.
"We'll be ready," she said finally.
"Very well, bring your ship alongside ours, we make the jump into the Warp in one hour," Captain Dentris said. "Now we must return to our ship."
An hour later Voyager was docked with the Pride Of Guilliman. The space around Voyager seemed to fold and contract. Just before they made the jump the view screen was shut down. Janeway had moved the crew to areas of the ship that had no windows. She didn't want to take the chance that these 'daemons' would attack the crew. As the ship gave a final lurch, Voyager entered the Immaterium for the first time.
Do you like it? In the next chapter Captain Janeway will meet Marneus Calgar and an Inquisitor (Shudders). Leave me any advice or suggestions you want. I want everyone to like this story. Also, should I make Tuvok have warp nightmares? Thanks for reviewing.
ENTILZA