The word has been spread: Our ship has been transported into some uncharted space.
Unease has taken a toll on the entirety of the crew. My companions especially.
I look back at my earlier entry when I first began this journey, and think of how foolish it was to hope for something so selfish.
If I had known my wish would be granted, I would have spared my brothers this fate.
They do not deserve it, it is not justified.
With this thought in mind, my path is set. I will find a way to get my brethren home, and if I must sacrifice myself to do so then it is a small price I must pay.
Perhaps I shall see the Void very soon indeed.
-End of Log
The Communications Officer was not in good spirits.
First, there was the matter of being blinded by the brilliant light from the Relic, then there was the more pressing matter of what came after. He grumbled to himself as he sifted meticulously through various spectrums on his panel. The Shipmaster had ordered him to see if they could find anyone in this chart and if so plead them for assistance.
He stopped as a thought occurred to him. Would they ever find a way back? What could they do if they could not? Who could he even pray to for help?
He stopped and physically shook himself. There was no need to give in to despair, not now, not yet. He had already lost so much, but he would not bring dishonor to his brother's memory by devolving into a pathetic shrieking mass now. Breathing deeply as his latest scan worked, he remembered a time that had long since passed.
He was in the Keep gardens, in quiet contemplation when a Herald found him and delivered the dreaded news any could receive. His closest sibling was slain in battle for a Human world called Reach. He had stood up and softly addressed the Herald, before returning to the Keep proper.
He had been a solitary creature from his birth and seldom knew, or cared for his siblings. His eldest brother was different. He always knew what to say and how to encourage him to grow beyond his expectations.
In time the two grew to be almost inseparable and balanced each other in excellent symmetry.
That all changed in a single day. He found himself not only the eldest of his Sire's line but furthermore, he retained his brother's mate and unborn child. He could not risk losing them, the final pieces of his brother. It put considerable strain on both his reputation and his mate.
But he persisted and vowed to them both he would honor them to the end of their days, after that both of the females had a private discussion and set aside their differences. They stood behind him as equals and the destiny of the Keep was secured when he welcomed his late brother's mate into his dwellings before their Gods.
All of that faded when the veil had been pulled from their eyes as a species. Their faith, their crusade, everything was shown for what it truly was, a lie. If any good came of this, his brother had gone onward believing he had died righteously and his child would grow up knowing what was truth and what real honor was. It was the least he could do for him.
That's when he caught it. It was indistinct, but there was no mistaking its presence.
It was there.
He immediately called for the Shipmaster, as he worked frantically to maintain the signal he had found.
He was not going to lose this chance, he needed to go back.
"What is it?"
He did not need to turn and see whose voice had come up behind him, it was just as well. He had the frequency isolated.
"Shipmaster, I have found something."
"Shipmaster, I have found something."
"Are you certain?"
"Without question."
The Shipmaster stood slightly back and brought a hand to his snout. He remained cautiously optimistic when his Communications Officer summoned him.
"It is faint but there is no mistake. It is a signal, I am working it through my console now."
The Officer murmured as his hands danced across the screen, then he paused and turned to look up at him.
"Shipmaster, it is a distress call from a Human vessel."
He closed his eyes in thought. It would seem Divine Providence or Chance had played with him and his crew, he would need to proceed very carefully.
"What do we do Shipmaster?"
He blinked and looked back down at his Communications Officer.
"Pass the coordinates to the Navigator, and make haste. I want answers, and I want them now."
The Engineering Officer worked at a fantastic speed to restore functionality, at least partially to the overwhelmed engines.
The ship now smoothly glided to the source of the transmission and eased back as all on the bridge observed the devastation they had come across. Whatever had done this had gone out of their way to destroy this vessel, spectacularly. To the Shipmater, it seemed to be an outstanding use of power for one sole vessel.
He clasped his hands behind his back and began giving orders to retrieve any debris and remains that would give them any clues to this strange galaxy they now found themselves in.
He had just turned away when his Communications Officer summoned him again. He moved to him in quick strides as the Officer spoke to one of the Menials.
"Shipmaster, one of the Scouts has found a survivor. It is a Human female. Her suit was breached and she was suffering exposure but we believe we have found her in time. She is currently unconscious and is being sent to our Doctor."