A/N: Warren's an unwilling passenger on a seriously damaged ship with enemies lurking. Now what? Let's find out...
Chapter 3
Ettwanae said nothing to those watching her with fear and confusion. She simply ran out of the room to the bridge. Her Eshaar'ne was in immense pain.
/ Volu, speak to me! /
No reply.
/ Goddess! / Ettwanae was dizzy with fear. / Volu…please! /
She'd detected the subtle sensation of FTL phasing and prayed they were out of danger, at least from the enemy, but if Volu was seriously injured, their lives were in grave peril. She burst onto the small bridge and immediately settled into the pilot's seat. The techno-organic displays in front of her were for just such emergencies. They provided baseline indicators on the ship's condition and sensor data, if Volu was still capable of scanning. A quick glance showed she scanning, but only near-space – just enough for navigation.
Scan readings indicated other ship had not phased with them. While highly unlikely, she was relieved with the confirmation. Ettwanae touched a control nodule and a three-dimensional, exterior image of the ship popped up a few feet in front of Ettwanae depicting the injury as a glowing hotspot covering a large area on one side.
"Oh, my Volu!" Her voice choked with emotion. "My poor Volu." A pain-filled mental touch entered her mind in response, but no thoughts. Then footsteps approached from behind.
"Ettwanae, what happened?" Warren asked as his eyes caught the hologram. It didn't take a genius to figure out the bright area covering nearly one entire side of the holographic ship was damage.
Gatebi gasped and Flint swore. "Who the hell attacked us?" the teen demanded of no one in particular. "It was him, right? Goddamn mother fuckin' bastard!"
When Ettwanae turned in her chair to face them, tears were running down her face. "Volu's hurt. It's very bad."
Gatebi immediately moved to Ettwanae's side to place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Does she answer you?"
Ettwanae shook her head. "No words, but she's with me."
"Are we in FTL mode? Out of immediate danger?" Warren inquired. That was the first order of business.
Ettwanae's eyes found Warren's. "Yes, she is managing to maintain flight, but she's in terrible pain!" Sobs came despite her attempt to suppress them. Gatebi knelt beside Ettwanae and the two embraced.
The Alcab shot an odd look to Warren. He didn't know what to read into it. Was she looking to him for leadership?
"Well, this sucks big time!" Flint assessed. "Not like we can pull into a space port for repairs. Now what the fuck do we do?"
/ Poda. /
"Volu!" Ettwanae exclaimed. She pushed back from Gatebi. "She's talking to me," she said with quick glances all around. "Volu? Can you speak out loud?"
"Yes." The reply was strained. Four sighs came in near unison.
"Volu, have we escaped our attackers?" Warren asked.
"Yes."
"What is your condition?"
"I have substantial integument damage on one side. Shield generation…is collapsing at an accelerating rate, but available at the moment. Weapons…" There was an almost audible sigh from the effort to communicate. "Not available. FTL mode is functional…but must focus completely on that task to maintain phase."
"Then as soon as you feel it is safe to do so, I suggest we drop out of FTL and assess our situation," Warren offered. 'Something more going on here than a damaged AI ship.'
"That would be…advisable. I am uncertain how much…longer I can maintain phase. The pain…is…great."
Again the word pain. From a ship? Warren glanced around. Everything was soft and smooth – organic in appearance. He touched a wall and slid his hand down the firm but supple surface, the feel akin the softest leather one could imagine. It suddenly all fit. "Ettwanae, Volu is alive isn't she? Not just an artificial intelligence housed in a ship."
The Eshaaru stood, her face pale and she was trembling ever so slightly – the wing tips giving it away. "Yes. She is Eshaar'ne."
"A living ship," Warren voiced the realization. Amazing, but also unnerving. 'And living means it could die…from injuries…from these injuries?'
"Our attackers, the Etagllot? Same ones who just tried to kidnap me?"
Ettwanae indicated yes with a typical Sat'reyan tilt of the hand Warren learned from Moit'de. "Just one man who at least works for the Etagllot. He is very dangerous. He's the one that captured and took me to Hydeera."
"I think a long talk about the Etagllot is in order, but right now, we need to focus on Volu."
Ettwanae pulled her wings tight in a protective gesture. "She needs to heal or we are all in danger."
"What are her chances for a full recovery?" Gatebi asked, looking to Ettwanae.
Flint's eyes grew wild. "God, what if she can't? What we gonna do?" Edges of panic permeated the questions.
Warren turned to the teen. "Then we call for help. If I can get a message to Ztar, he'll send whatever we need."
"No can do." Flint said flatly. "Twae and Vo are low-profile all the way."
Warren was about to ask more, but Volu's weak voice broke in.
"There is a way…for you to help me, Ettwanae."
"How? Your injuries are so great!" she asked desperately, wiping her face.
"Must…show you."
Hope filled Ettwanae's face. "Teach me. I'll do anything."
Many moments of silence followed. The foursome exchanged worried looks.
"Volu?" Ettwanae ventured.
"We are…in…normal space." Volu said in a voice even more strained than earlier. "Should be safe…for now."
Ettwanae's face reflected intensified worry with each struggled word. "Volu, what do I need to do? Don't speak – just show me."
"Poda, the effort will…cost you. My injuries are…significant. It could…be…too much."
"I don't care, Volu. I will do whatever you need! Don't worry about me."
The Eshaar'ne was silent for several seconds. "If Warren…chooses to assist, it will spread the effort." There was hopefulness in the voice.
Warren jerked. "What can I do?" He locked eyes with the Eshaaru.
/ Ettwanae, you must vow to me…if the effort becomes too great, you will stop. /
/ I will do what is necessary, Volu. /
/ Vow to me or I will not show you. /
/ I vow. / She'd deal with any broken promises later. Right now, all that mattered was Volu. / Show me. / Knowledge flowed from Volu's mind to Ettwanae's. This would be healing on a scale Ettwanae hadn't knows she was capable of, but she'd need help to ensure success without causing herself harm. The question remaining was whether Warren would assist in the dangerous attempt.
Neither the living ship nor the Eshaaru had answered him. Ettwanae had taken on that look. What was she and the ship discussing? Then Ettwanae "returned" and looked to Warren.
"Volu showed me what to do. It involves The Source, but I need your help. Are you willing?"
"What's the source?"
"It's what we- it's an energy source Eshaaru can draw up to- energy we use-" She stumbled, fearing he'd object to anything that suggested he was Eshaaru and become angry again. "The Source is an energy that certain people can tap into to for healing and other things."
Warren had a sinking feeling. He was an energy channeler. The Fjai scientists had determined he did not produce the energy himself, but tapped into some mysterious pool. Was it all the same thing? But they didn't know he could manifest any kind of energy. "Why does Volu believe I can do that?"
Gatebi moved in and spoke before Ettwanae could answer. "Warren, that isn't important right now. Volu is gravely injured. Our very lives depend on her. If you can help, please do so."
While the Alcab was right, he still hesitated. The energy he manifested didn't heal as far as he knew, and if it had the same affect on the ship and her passengers... "I don't think that would be wise. The results may be unpredictable."
Flint yanked on Warren's arm. "Man, if Volu says you can help, believe it. Trust her! Our fuckin' lives are on the line here. If she dies, we're all space junk!"
The teenager was right as much as Warren hated to admit it. "Then we need to send a distress signal."
Flint looked incredulous. "A distress signal? Are you fuckin' crazy? That bastard and his rogue Eshaar'ne are lookin' for us. Why don't we just comm our location directly to the bastard so he can cruise on over while we sit here with no weapons, no shields, and a ship that can't even fuckin' run. Of all the stupid ideas!" Flint's arms nearly flailed in his anger.
Warren backed off. There were other options – had to be. If he could send a message directly to Ztar or Gtar-Cro, but help could take longer to arrive than they had time. Perhaps he should do as the teenager suggested – trust the ship.
"Ettwanae, may I speak with you privately?"
"Just do it, man! Vo's dying and you're arguing-"
Warren cut him off. "If I'm going to help, I need to talk with Ettwanae. Get out – both of you!" He commanded.
Gatebi took Flint by the arm and nearly dragged him through the door. Ettwanae's eyes fixed on his, silently imploring him to hurry. The floor shuddered beneath them, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
"Ettwanae, I do channel an energy, but I don't know from where or much about it. I've never used it to heal anyone and not sure it works that way. What I do know is the last time it fully manifested, a room full of people were put into a trance. And in small doses, it has some very…huh…very amorous effects." In spite of himself and the dire circumstances, he felt heat in his cheeks.
She nodded. "That fits what I know about one form of channeling. My manifestation is the healing form, but it's all the same energy, just filters through differently. Volu says we can combine the energy and pass it through my filter and it will help her heal. We need to hurry, though. She grows weaker by the moment." Ettwanae put her hands on his arms with desperation in her blue eyes.
Warren swallowed. She was touching him and his body was responding already. If he employed his form of channeling, the result could be not at all what they were hoping to achieve. Visions of him and her ripping each other's clothes off nearly sent him into a tailspin. 'Get a grip!' he scolded harshly in his mind. 'Need to focus.'
"If we lose control, Ettwanae, it won't help Volu," he summed up simply. She dropped her hands, much to his relief.
"Volu can help – I think she's strong enough for that. She can suppress the need for first mating in me, but you'll have to control yourself. Are you strong enough?"
"She can do that?" Ettwanae nodded. "Why not in me as well?"
"Volu says we need that part of you active to channel the energy." A confused expression crossed Warren's face. "I'll explain later. Volu worsens." Ettwanae felt their connection weaken with another tremor. "We must hurry!"
'Decision made,' Warren informed himself feeling the ship quake. "What do we do?"
"First we move closer to her injury. Follow me." With that, Ettwanae turned toward the bridge exit. "Gatebi, Flint, I know you're there."
Two rather sheepish eavesdroppers stepped into view. "Warren and I are going to help Volu heal. I need you to move away from us and stay away. Do not approach until Volu or I say you can, understand? I don't care what you hear, you are not to approach until given permission to do so." Her voice was firm. Alcab and Human indicated understanding. "The back storeroom should be a safe distance. Go!"
As the two headed toward the back of the ship, Ettwanae took Warren by the hand and pulled him off the bridge, down the hall, and into a room that looked like a den or family room. "Volu's injuries are on this side, centering about here." Ettwanae explained with a wave of her hand toward the wall he figured must be the ship's exterior hull. She sat on the floor crossed legged. Warren did likewise.
"You must manifest your energy and direct it at me. It will help if you hold my hand. I will take that energy, add my own, and give it to Volu. We probably can't heal her completely, but we should be able to heal the worst of the injuries. Are you ready?"
He wasn't. "Ettwanae, I'm not sure I can. I've only done this with- with one other person and only when we were…when we were having sex." With one major exception on Fjai, he thought. Even then, Ztar had helped him telepathically to manifest the passionate energy.
Ettwanae managed a small smile. "You won't have any problems manifesting with me," she said not boastfully, but truthfully. They were soulbounds. "Volu says the energy will flow with almost a will of its own."
Warren prepared for the mental battle to come, praying he had enough willpower to control himself.
###
He commed the disappointing news to those who waited. The conversation had been a delicate one. They wanted results. They had waited patiently for his plan to unfold. He failed them, she accused. No, he insisted, he had not yet failed. This was simply a setback. He would deliver the one named Archangel.
"While I remain extremely disappointed that Archangel has eluded recapture, the fact that he and the female have united could be beneficial," the woman's face ever so slightly revealed enthusiasm.
"If what I saw is an indicator, this was a possible first meeting of soulbounds, Elder. If so, that means Archangel is indeed Eshaaru."
The female gave him a single, subtle nod. "You are fortunate the Eshaar'ne did not kill you when she had the chance. I will review your scan data. Meanwhile, your primary quarry has eluded you. I trust you have a plan."
"I have his Earth residences under sensor surveillance. When he returns, I will know."
"If he returns." She replied coolly.
"I believe he will, Elder. He has strong ties and commitments to life there, but should he choose to remain with the female, we know the path she follows."
"If he is truly Eshaaru and they are soulbounds, it will be nearly impossible for him to leave the female."
He knew better than to continue to argue his point and changed the direction of their conversation. "Does that complicate the situation or simplify?"
The Elder raised her chin in what he read was subtle message that she caught his tactic. "On the surface, complicates," she replied, apparently deciding to allow him the redirect. "However, there may be advantages to their joining. Two separate elements are now together. I need to re-evaluate the situation and will inform you of any changes in your orders. For now, your assignment remains the same. Retrieve Archangel. The female is to remain free. She serves a different purpose." The woman leaned closer to the comlink. "We want Archangel. The technology he hosts is important to Project One. We are relying on you to succeed. But be warned, Den-neer, do not underestimate the Eshaaru. If Archangel is as we believe, they only grow stronger as a pairing."
"Yes, Elder," he said with a bow of the head. "I will not fail you."
The Elder switched off her comm and turned her gaze to the holographic representation across her desk of a man who in reality was sitting across the vastness of space.
"Our plan unfolds perhaps in new ways," he observed.
"Agreed. We must meet with the other Elders to consider the possibilities, but I believe this as an advantageous event," she opinioned with a satisfied smile.
###
/ Volu, are you ready? Do you have the strength to suppress first mating? /
/ I believe so. / The thought-voice was weak.
'Goddess, give us strength!' Ettwanae prayed as she extended a shaking hand to Warren. Then she felt Volu's gentle presence entwine itself with her mind in a touch she'd never experienced before. It felt almost like a squeezing in some deep section of her brain.
"Now, Warren."
Her hand in his – he focused on it. With a breath, he released urges he'd been repressing. Desire grew rapidly, rising from deep within, burning its way up and through. He groaned, bowing his head and squeezing her hand. Passion exploded like an erupting volcano, sending shockwaves crashing through his body. Every nerve was on fire. Lust in searing intensity engulfed him to the point he felt he might melt.
'Stay in control. Stay in control.' Over and over he repeated the mantra as his body flashed over. He wanted her so fiercely. 'In control. Stay in control!' he nearly screamed to himself. 'The energy – find it!' The gate opened almost before he made the attempt and the passionate energy burst through as if a dam had collapsed. He was suddenly only the energy – only the passion. 'Oh god!' His groin was on fire. His body ablaze. Must have her. Now!
When the energy wave slammed into her, Ettwanae swayed. 'Goddess!' Warren was glowing – beautifully, ethereally. They were meant to be together. She must have him. Now and completely. Him in her – no choice. Then the squeezing intensified.
/ Ettwanae. /
The sound of her name helped her anchor. She reined the instinctual drives, just as Warren yanked her to him and their lips crashed together.
"No!" She yelled, pushing back and hitting him hard on the arm. "Warren, no! Be strong! You must!"
Her voice and the punch cut through the blinding need and he looked at her – so beautiful! Lunging again only resulted in more of the same. Blinking and shaking himself he tried to focus. 'Remember yourself, Worthington. Think, dammit!' He groaned from the effort. "By the gods!" he exclaimed, borrowing a line Ztar exclaimed so many times.
"Volu needs us." Ettwanae's voice was shaky. Even with Volu's assistance, she held onto control by a thread. She squeezed Warren's hand hard knowing she was causing pain, but pain can help you focus.
Warren let the discomfort in his hand become his new focal point. He reined in the energy and visualized it flowing through their joined hands into Ettwanae. He tightened his grip and let the energy pour through him to her.
Suddenly, the flow was more controlled. She sighed as it filled her. The feeling was rapturous and powerful. She called up her own energy and moaned as the two slightly different patterns swirled and blended. As Volu had instructed, she took in Warren's energy and allowed hers to dominate and shift it. How that happened, she didn't know; it just did – as if the energy understood her wishes and obeyed. She placed her palm on Volu's side and released the power into her Eshaar'ne.
###
Flint and Gatebi sat in stores almost holding their breaths.
"What do you think is happening?" Flint asked, his voice edgy.
Gatebi studied the younger man's face. He was worried and perhaps even afraid. A lone Human who was so far from everything he knew. Less than two standard years ago, he was oblivious to life beyond his little backward world. They'd been through much together in that time. Life and death situations. Gatebi suddenly felt maternally toward the usually irritating Human.
"They will heal Volu, don't worry. Ettwanae is very strong."
"What if she's fucked up too badly? What if she dies? Then what? We suffocate? Or maybe we freeze to death first? Shitty ways to go."
Gatebi placed a calm hand on his clenched fist. "Ettwanae and Warren will not allow Volu to die."
Flint looked into the alien face he usually took great joy in making scowl. Now all he saw was a true friend that he wanted to reassure as much as she was him. "You're right. Twae's strong. And now Warren's here – two Eshaaru? Vo's as good as healed."
Gatebi laughed. "Good thing Volu isn't listening right now. You'd get jabbed for what – the thousandth time?"
He put a crooked smile across his face. "She loves it when I call her that – just can't admit it! Gotta keep up the image, ya know."
The ship suddenly shook violently and two pairs of eyes grew wide. "Shit! We need to get in there!" Flint nearly jumped off his perch on a storage crate, but Gatebi grabbed his arm.
"No. We do as Ettwanae told us. We stay here."
"But-"
"No buts. Sit, Flint."
###
As the energy poured into Volu, Ettwanae was barely aware of anything beyond flow, but a strong tremor did register. Her instant concern was quelled by Volu's mental projection of reassurance. She refocused on sending the healing energies into the body that surrounded and protected them from the void of space. With it, she sent feelings of love, creating a harmonious blend of mental and physical energies.
Lifeforce from The Source flowed through her and into Volu at a rate she didn't believe possible. The injury was so large, so widespread! The healing took more than she could manifest, but she didn't have to do it alone. Warren's energy flooded her and instinct took over, reaching and pulling what she needed from the other being whose hand held tightly to hers. 'More – need more!' she cried out to the goddess. She sensed a vastness of power within Warren – almost limitless. Her own energy responded, drawing deeply from his well.
What Warren was experiencing both frightened and awed him. The energy he summoned was answering another's call. It poured out of him to her without any effort on his part. More and still more. 'Out of control!' his mind decried. All thoughts of sex and desire had fallen by the wayside. For the first time, he felt what he could only describe as overload. And still the pull increased, becoming physically painful, but he would not stop. Wasn't sure he could if he tried. He would trust Ettwanae for Volu's sake. Their very lives depended on success.
Without warning, the energy flow ratcheted up sending waves of pain through Ettwanae and Warren. The two screamed in unison. The universe fell away. There was only brilliant energy and pain.
###
Flint and Gatebi heard the screams. Flint would not be stopped this time and he jumped up.
"No, Flint!"
"I don't give a fuck what she said. They're in trouble!"
As soon as the door to the hall dilated open, blinding light hit them. Shielding their eyes against the golden radiance, they groped their way into the hall. The light was so intense, they felt it on their skin. Strange vibrations permeated their bodies – physical sensations of blended pain and pleasure, mixed with an odd, detached euphoria that neither could describe.
"Holy mother of god!" Flint exclaimed.
"We can't go in there. It's too bright – too dangerous!"
"No shit! What the fuck?"
The ship rocked again. "We best sit down and wait here." Gatebi said sliding to the floor against the wall.
"Good idea," Flint agreed, suddenly not so brave.
###
Ettwanae felt the nudge in her mind to back off.
/ Ettwanae…my Poda, please stop now. /
She heard Volu, but the energy was so hard to rein in – it was running out of control.
/ Ettwanae, you can do this. Slowly…carefully. Do nothing harshly or you can cause injury. That is right. Gently, Poda. Now release Warren, but softly. Yes, like that. /
Warren was at the end of his endurance. His body shook violently and doubled-over with pain, but he didn't have the strength to stop the flow. Would it kill him? Was it too much? Just as he felt he would lose consciousness, the drain eased dramatically.
With Volu's coaching, she regained control and slowly closed the gates to The Source. Finally, the doorway shut tight.
/ Volu? Are you healed? / she asked wearily.
/ I am much better. I can heal the rest of the way on my own. Thank you, my Other. / Gratitude and love filled the telepathic link.
/ I love you, Volu. /
/ As I, you, Ettwanae. /
Ettwanae opened her eyes and looked into Warren's face. It showed the strain of what they'd done and he was shaking. She reached out a trembling hand and held it to his face. His eyes opened to look into hers. "Thank you, my soulbound," she whispered.
Warren stared deeply into the crystalline-blue eyes that reflected exhaustion. A shockwave of a new kind ran through him at her touch. He wanted her in his life. Without doubt. He and she were meant to be a them. Warren placed his hand over hers that still rested on his cheek. The feeling frightened him – it was too sudden, too unexpected.
"Volu's healed?" he asked into the blueness.
"Well on her way," came the answer with a weak smile.
###
The sight of the two winged beings gazing at each other, her hand cupping his face greeted Flint and Gatebi as they burst into the room.
"Is the news good?" Gatebi asked softly.
Ettwanae nodded, dropping her hand.
"It is indeed good, Gatebi," Volu's voice filled the room.
"Oh, Volu! It's wonderful to hear you sounding strong!" Gatebi replied.
"Yeah, Vo! Good to have ya back!"
"My name, Flint, for the three hundred thirty-sixth time, is Volu."
Flint chuckled, pleased the now familiar prickles on his neck did not follow. "Yep, she's back!"
Gatebi approached the pair still sitting on the floor and knelt down. "What do you require, Ettwanae?"
"God, they look like hell!" Flint shared his observation, walking around the pair on the floor. "Must need food, I assume, as usual. Be right back."
"Thank you, Flint." Ettwanae called weakly to his exiting back.
"I don't ever recall feeling this drained," Warren noted aloud as he shifted to rise, but his head whirled even from the small effort. 'Think I'll stay put,' he thought, settling back down to wait for the food. "What we did – that was…powerful."
"Yes. You tapped into The Source deeply, that is why you are weak. Channeling that much Aru takes a toll on your body. Thank you, Warren. Without you, I doubt Ettwanae would have had the strength to heal me to such an extent. You have my eternal gratitude." Volu's tone reinforced her gratefulness.
Ettwanae leaned over to place a cautious hand on his. "I thank you as well. You helped me save my Volu."
He smiled. It felt good to his soul to have helped. "You're both welcome."
"Can either of you stand?" Gatebi wondered. She was worried about their condition. Both were shaking and their color was poor.
"Gatebi, they should not attempt that as yet. Sustenance is needed and then rest. Flint is returning from stores. I directed him to the high-energy bars."
As soon as Flint returned and handed the Ecanle bars to Warren and Ettwanae, they dived in. Warren was amused at the coincidence. The food bar was the same one Procurement Officer de'Letnoir had introduced him to on the Mi-Lartui years earlier. "I've had these before. They work."
Ettwanae only nodded, her mouth filled with the high caloric, nutritionally dense food usually provided as emergency rations.
Relief quickly spread through their bodies as the calories hit their depleted systems. After downing four bars apiece, the shaking had stopped and Gatebi was happy to see the pallid skin color disappearing. "You are looking much better," she encouraged from her perch on the Eshaar'ne version of a sofa.
Really taking in the room for the first time, Warren decided it was a family room with seating for several people. It looked homey and comfortable, with various objects meant to entice you to curl up and stay a while.
"I think I can stand now," Warren announced. Flint helped him to his feet and he in turn offered a hand to Ettwanae. Grasping it, she looked him in the eyes. The unspoken question was there, but Warren ignored it. She rose, swaying slightly.
"You need rest now. Ettwanae's chambers are close by." Volu let the implication settle.
Flint flashed a mischievous grin at Gatebi. He knew exactly what the ship wanted.
Warren bristled against the prod. "Gatebi, get Ettwanae to her room. Flint, show me were I can sack out for awhile."
Flint was shocked. 'War's gonna pass up an open invitation to Twae's bed? God, if I'd been given the green light like that…' He shrugged. "Uh, sure, man."
"Volu, do you need anything further right now?" Ettwanae inquired; fatigue obvious in every word.
"Just time to rest. We will remain where we are for two standard days. By then, I should be sufficiently healed to enter FTL phase."
"Sensors and scanners are working, right, Volu?" Warren wanted confirmation they weren't sitting blind.
"Perfectly."
Sleep was pulling incessantly. Getting back to Earth could wait. With heavy eyelids, Warren followed Flint to his quarters and Ettwanae went to hers with an attentive Gatebi at her side.
As Flint approached a room just down the corridor from the lounge, the door that was more of a dilating membrane opened. Warren stepped inside. In typical teen fashion, the room was a disaster. As Warren took in the sight, Flint shrugged. "Hey, my pad, my rules."
Warren was too tired to answer or care about the lack of tidiness. Flint quickly cleared clothes, food wrappers, a PI, and other junk off the bed.
"All yours."
As soon as Warren's head hit the mattress, he was out.
###
A/N: Okay, your turn. Comments, opinions, random thoughts? Let me hear from you…that will give me the encouragement to keep going.
Next chapter: Warren's sudden disappearance from Earth hasn't gone unnoticed and one very upset Emperor is ready to rip his empire apart to find Archangel.