Nefadar
𝖁 𝖆 𝖑 𝖐 𝖞 𝖗 𝖎 𝖊
For the past two thousand years, here within the borders of the Imperium Nihilus, travel through the Immaterium has been almost impossible or exceedingly dangerous, for the Astronomican no longer guides the Navigators. Yet this does not mean that such journeys are not, at times, necessary. Nor does it mean that brave warriors and resolute souls would refuse to undertake them in order to protect humanity. Or, perhaps, to advance their own selfish interests and material wealth. That, in the end, is merely a matter of perspective.
One thing, however, is certain: to be a Navigator in the Dark Imperium is far more perilous than anywhere else. True, a great deal of time has passed, and most, perhaps all have grown up knowing nothing but this constant danger. Two thousand years is a span few survive. Many no longer even believe the old tales that speak of the Astronomican, or of safer passage through the Immaterium. Such voyages are now the stuff of legend and myth; something that may one day return, should the Crusade led by the Imperium Sanctus finally break through the Great Rift and the Emperor's blessing reach the Dark Imperium once more.
But there is no time to wait for miracles. A message has arrived from the edge of the Great Rift - the southern border of the Dark Imperium - reporting recorded warp phenomena and signs of Chaos presence. Because of this, at least one vessel had to be dispatched to investigate these events. The ship chosen was the Flame of Faith, departing from Baal, carrying aboard simple soldiers, Inquisitors, manhunters... the list could continue, and, naturally, representatives of the Space Marines as well.
According to the Navigator's calculations, the journey should have lasted approximately one day. He sought the shortest viable route, in order to minimise the time spent within the Immaterium.
More than three quarters of the voyage passed without incident. Nothing occurred. They were roughly an hour and a half from the designated exit point when, without warning, it felt as though something had slammed against the hull of the Flame of Faith three times.
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
Those were the sounds that echoed throughout the ship at first. Then suddenly the entire vessel shuddered… and stopped. For a few moments, fire alarms and other warning signals blared everywhere. Those stationed near the stern already knew that explosions had occurred around the warp drive.
But after several seconds, the alarms fell silent; and power throughout the entire ship died. A heartbeat later, red lights flickered on: emergency illumination. Over the vox system, the fractured voice of a Tech-priest could be heard, distorted and breaking apart. Only fragments were intelligible.
"Immobile… not… cle… route… reactor overload… G- … ld… leaking."
And then the sounds returned... from the hull again, from outside.
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
The Gellar Field flickers.
The third impact echoes through the hull.
And then… silence.
