CassiaThe vox-caster in the Sanctum Navis picks up the susurration of clothes, pious chanting, and the metallic clicking of implants. Then the serene voice of the Lady Navigator breaks the silence: "Initiating communion ritual!"
Cassia(sequence)
Cassia"Come here, Uve." The exultant ring of metal freed from its scabbard. The low sob of the servant. The rhythmic drip of liquid on canvas. The faint whisper of the brush. "Go." Footsteps hurrying away.
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CassiaYou hear the exultant ring of metal freed from its scabbard. Then — the stifled gasp of the Lady Navigator, the rhythmic drip of liquid on canvas, and the faint whisper of a brush.
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Cassia"I... see... violet vortexes lashing an ocean with a million flails... and umber shadows spinning over the surface in a fiery dance... A storm rising above foaming waters. Armadas drowning in fog — the path from one end to another cannot be seen."
Cassia"And here, beyond the wall of glass, a daughter forsaken by her father yearns for her brother. And the sun's pale disk goes in tireless pursuit... of her? No. Of me. Its frozen rays lie that spring is here. The light is deadened. The Great Ruler is... GONE!"
CassiaThe Vox Master recoils at Cassia's words and accidentally snaps one of the cogitator levers. The panel beneath her fingers emits sparks, and the vox-caster falls silent. She quickly flips a series of switches and bows guiltily. "My abject apologies for cutting off the broadcast, Lord Captain! I have never heard the warp speaking through a Navigator before. The connection is restored now. It will not happen again."
YOU"Vox Master, see to it that you receive five lashes for this show of clumsiness. What is happening to Cassia?"
CassiaSoul-shredding screams drown out the vox-transmission — the servants in the Sanctum Navis are howling and shrieking like wild beasts, moaning in pain, their throats raw from the strain. And then — sudden silence. The dull thud of dropping bodies proclaims their fate.
Cassia"It... It appears the servants were part of the Lady Navigator's rite. As it was for her predecessor. I will arrange for the bodies to be removed from the Sanctum Navis after the ritual... or what is left of them."
Cassia"Rogue Trader, I fear I have unfortunate news. Endless blackness has spread across the canvas, dividing what should be whole in two — and my sight cannot glimpse the light of the Emperor as clearly as before. I cannot turn around, my brush... only draws me onward. The way is blocked."
CassiaYou hear a heavy exhale, rustling fabric, and metallic clicking. "By the Emperor's grace, the ritual was successful. Your vessel's temperament presented a challenge — its cold steel grip did not allow me to breathe freely even for a second. It was as if the depths of the ship housed not only machine spirits, but something... other. Now I will retreat to my chambers to recover my strength. Send for me if you have need of me."
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CassiaYou feel a sharp jolt and the ship trembles like a wounded creature. The vox officers report that lumens have gone out across all decks and that the captain's bridge is the only place that has not been plunged into darkness.
Cassia"Lord Captain, the Enginseers report that the Lady Navigator's ritual has agitated machine spirits all over the vessel. It is no cause for great concern, but we cannot assess the damage until the ritual is over."
Cassia"Rogue Trader, I fear I have unfortunate news. Endless blackness has spread across the canvas, dividing what should be whole in two — and my sight cannot glimpse the light of the Emperor as clearly as before. I cannot turn around, my brush... only draws me onward. The way is blocked."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Cassia, are you all right in there?"
CassiaSoul-shredding screams drown out the vox-transmission — the servants in the Sanctum Navis are howling and shrieking like wild beasts, moaning in pain, their throats raw from the strain. And then — sudden silence. The dull thud of dropping bodies proclaims their fate.continues where this line first appears above
CassiaYou feel a sharp jolt and the ship trembles like a wounded creature. The vox officers report that lumens have gone out across all decks and that the captain's bridge is the only place that has not been plunged into darkness.continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Leave the Lady Navigator undisturbed]
CassiaSoul-shredding screams drown out the vox-transmission — the servants in the Sanctum Navis are howling and shrieking like wild beasts, moaning in pain, their throats raw from the strain. And then — sudden silence. The dull thud of dropping bodies proclaims their fate.continues where this line first appears above
CassiaYou feel a sharp jolt and the ship trembles like a wounded creature. The vox officers report that lumens have gone out across all decks and that the captain's bridge is the only place that has not been plunged into darkness.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Continue the ritual. That is an order."
CassiaSoul-shredding screams drown out the vox-transmission — the servants in the Sanctum Navis are howling and shrieking like wild beasts, moaning in pain, their throats raw from the strain. And then — sudden silence. The dull thud of dropping bodies proclaims their fate.continues where this line first appears above
CassiaYou feel a sharp jolt and the ship trembles like a wounded creature. The vox officers report that lumens have gone out across all decks and that the captain's bridge is the only place that has not been plunged into darkness.continues where this line first appears above
Entry point 2 of 2
CassiaSeveral minutes pass before Cassia's wavering voice interrupts the low crackle of the vox: "M-make ready. Initiating the communion ritual."
Cassia(sequence)continues where this line first appears above
Cassia"I... see... violet vortexes lashing an ocean with a million flails... and umber shadows spinning over the surface in a fiery dance... A storm rising above foaming waters. Armadas drowning in fog — the path from one end to another cannot be seen."continues where this line first appears above