Early 36th Millennium, dawn of the Plague of Unbelief
Onboard The Resolute
Incubation Lab on Medicae Deck
White light filled the medicae laboratorium, made all the brighter by the clean white bulkheads, while the constant hum of the cogitators filled the air. Fynn stood silently and stared at a console in front of him. Numerous bars and graphs scrolled across the imager as he stared. He just shook his head at the readings and then turned around.
Before him was an enormous suspension tank filled with synth-amnio fluid and an enormous floating naked body which was heavily muscled and had countless tubes attached to it. His patient, the Inquisitor Basil Cadmus. What have I done? Fynn just stared at the body in disbelief. I thought I was going to lose you, my friend, he said. But you stabilized, thank the Emperor. Fynn glanced back at the imager a moment and then to Basil again. Alarms sounded from the console for a moment, drawing Fynn's attention back to it. The graphs scrolling across the screen all jumped but quickly settled back down.
What happened to me? asked a voice in Fynn's head.
"Basil," Fynn answered aloud, assuming the boy would simply read his mind. "You had an adverse reaction to the geneseed syrum I administered and collapsed. I had to place you in this incubation tank."
How much time has passed? Basil asked. Have you completed the implantations?
"We have reached the Bennu Cloud and are now approaching a Warp Gate at the exact coordinates you gave to the Navigators. We should pass through in a couple hours," Fynn answered. "The implantations…that is another story."
Go on, Basil's voice said in Fynn's head, sounding a little perturbed at not having his second question answered.
"I have done none of the implantations," Fynn answered. "I nearly lost you, and now, you…you are now slightly over four metres tall," the Apothecary added in an exasperated voice. "My readings indicate that your organs have been drastically altered too. I receive some readings that appear to indicate growth of the organs I would have normally implanted and other readings I do not understand at all."
A moment of silence filled Fynn's head.
Whatever I was, Basil said, Something was missing from me and the geneseed filled that gap as if I were made for it. Made me what I was supposed to be, he added. Do not ask how I know that, I just do.
"What now?" Fynn asked.
I will meet this Druthact again, Basil said. This time on my terms.
Fynn watched in shock as Basil's form shrank before his eyes. Shrank to the size similar to that of Brother Boyana. Basil ripped the tubes out of his body and then glanced at the console panel Fynn had been working at. The Apothecary heard a switch flip and then the synth-amnio fluid began to drain from the tank. Basil settled onto the deck and stood as the fluid continued draining out. Finally, he walked to the tank's hatch. It opened for him and he stepped through.
"I will fight him as a human," Basil said. "Not as an Aeldari with Aeldari weaponry, but with weapons made by human hands. Bolter and force staff. Power armour fitted for an Astartes," Basil said. "Will you fight alongside me, Brother Fynn?"
"Yes, my Lord," Fynn instinctually answered as he dropped to one knee.
"Rise, Brother," Basil answered. "Soon we will pass through the Warp Gate and dock with Scholomance itself. The final destination of Saim-Hann."
"The final step on the Quest for Enlightenment?" Fynn asked.
"Yes, Brother," Basil answered. "We have a battle to fight. Enemies to defeat. Humanity to save"
