07-22-2008, 05:33 PM
and the Light shone in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Benedikt Emmerich gazed down at the tome before him, the ink of his salvaged pen dried slowly before his eyes. He spoke the words to the air before him, and smiled as the ship responded, the luminescent flesh that had begun to spread through the cockpit pulsing its pleasure.
This was right. This was well.
As he lay down the tome, the ship spoke to the one it bore. A vessel had entered the system, one of the dead ships. Benedikt closed his eyes, the pearlescent orbs concealed beneath a press of flesh marked with a spiderwork of purple veins.
We shall meet this vessel, and tell the Children within of the path to Light, dear one. Benedikt lay his hands upon the controls, and in an instant the engines came to full bear, purring like a satisfied kitten. As his infected Wrath approached the vessel, he noted the size of it. A cruiser.
Unfazed, Benedikt opened the battered comm system and sent his words soaring out into the darkness. though the Children of Exile had turned from the Light and spurned the bringers, still they showed mercy and did not put the Children beneath their wrath. Instead, they sought a way to bring the Children unto their sense of unity and became as symbiotes with those who had looked into the Light and stood firm. They spoke the word of the Light unto the First and his mind became aflame, though he was not burned. From his eyes the Light fell, bathing all before him and his body also became as to the Light. He stood before them naked and unashamed and spake, "Am I not beautiful?" The bringers of the Light denied it, for though he was a part with them, he was also alone. The loss of unity among the Children struck him deeply then, and it was a wound that could not heal until the last of his people had been brought unto the Light.
--
Captain Sehti Vehk commanded his cruiser to pass through the unmarked wormhole, and took a lungful of the Cardamine tainted air. Light streamed through the shielded windows as they moved through the string to their destination. On exit, he demanded a status report.
System is clear, Captain. Scanners indicate a trinary system, theres another wormhole nearby though as with the one we just passed through, it doesnt seem to be on our database. Theres also a planet, it doesnt appear to be inhabitable, commencing a deeper scan. Wait, theres a ship out there!
I thought you said system was clear, Bernello. Sehti was not in the mood for incompetence, they were a long way from a safe port. He was here under orders, and didnt want to have to face Ayem with failure.
It is. Sweet Cardamine, whats going on here?
Im waiting for you to tell me, Navigation. Waiting with bated breath.
I detected a ship of Rheinland classification Wrath, but then the equipment indicated an anomaly and the ship vanished. It could be beyond our scanner range, Captain. Navigator Bernello did not seem particularly content with her hypothesis, Sehti noticed and nodded.
Analyze the post-data, Bernello. If there was a ship out there we should have a ghost of it in the instrumental records. Helm, were to proceed to E5 at impulse, take us closer to the trinary stars. I want them checked for irregularities, it would not be amusing to find ourselves in a system ready to go nova.
As his deck busied itself, Sehti closed his eyes and ran a hand back through his hair. Why was he so on edge suddenly? Just tired, he thought, and too many runs from the law on the way here.
Captain? We have a report coming in from gunnery, theres a ship blocking the under ship turrets. Hes requesting orders. Sehti felt a chill down his spine.
Navigation?
Nothing here, Captain.
Assume battle stations, guns are to hold their lock on the target but not fire until given authorisation. Sehti clenched his jaw as his orders were transmitted. Just who in the hell was this pilot? Comms, give me system wide.
Enabled, Captain.
This is Captain Sehti Vehk of the cruiser Sicarius to the vessel beneath us, state your name and ID.
Its broadcasting its ship name as the Licht von Finsternis, Captain.
Scanners have it now, Captain, though its still hazy. Definitely a Wrath.
Sehti glanced round as one of his crew dropped to his knees, one of the Rheinlanders hed added to the ships complement to flesh out the skeleton crew hed been able to form on Malta. Hed thought the man was becoming used to the Cardamine pumped into the air, still hed only be the third to die.
Licht von Finsternis, Gott!
Straightening, Sehti turned his focus on the Rheinlander, You recognise the ship, Ernst?
It was among the first to be lost to the nomad, its a vessel I flew with the Military, until I was demoted. The name was from the Lutherian bible, Genesis 1:4. At Sehtis surprised look, the Rheinlander smiled grimly. We were all something else, once, before we became pirates. Whatever is flying that ship was something else, once. But Im certain I know what it is now.
As much as I love suspense, dont you think youre stringing this out a little?
Wilde, Captain. Wilde.
As that word fell from Ernsts lips, every instrument panel and screen went mad. From every speaker a litany thick with Rheinlander accent poured, stunning the crew. though the Children of the Exile
Sehti roared over the litany, battering his crew back to their senses, I want control of my ship, and I want it now! Make it happen, you miserable sons of corsairs!
Captain, gunnery are requesting permission to fire, theyre spooked and one of the gunners has broken down.
Rheinlander?
Yes, Captain.
and others of the Children of the Exile came unto a land that invaded them, even as they invaded it. They became apart from those who had not come upon that land, and became instead the Children of the Grass. They knew some measure of the Light, but it was as the sun through the veil of the lid, and their eyes were not open unto the truth though they acted upon it. They were blessed, and they were also cursed, for the land tied them to it, and it was only by ingenuity that they escaped for some measure of time, that land that had claimed them. Yea, and though they loved the land, so too they loathed it and they did roam further unabated, the litany continued, but now the Outcasts halted in their duties.
Captain-
I know. All eyes were now on him. Command to gunnery, weapons free. Anyone who knew this much about them was dangerous, and in the hands of what appeared to be a madman or worse, an infected human, it could become a weapon.
--
The turrets that had focused on the Licht von Finsternis thrummed as they were unleashed, the firing pattern was designed to close in on the fighter, reducing its manoeuvring options. There was a flaw. The turret in the hands of the now raving Rheinlander was directed straight at the Wrath. The smaller ship sang as it danced into the opening and burned round the cruiser, out-pacing the turret fire. Laying down a wall of counter-measures, the ship engaged its cruise engines.
We found Children ready to be converted, Light be praised, Benediktus smiled broadly, So, we sow among the flock those who are marked, and from them the faith will spread. Like a plague, is it not so? He felt the ships pleasure, and chuckled. Placing one purple veined hand onto the inner flesh of the ship that bore him. We have done a good work here, but there are many who have not the Light.
The Wrath responded instantly to his words, and snapped round to face the second jump hole in the system and as they passed into the anomaly, he opened the tome and raised again his pen. Perhaps the poison blooded could be used to an advantage.
--
Youve collected all of them?
Yes Captain, all those who acted unusually once the vessel began its transmission. Twelve men and women, no Outcasts among them. Theyre currently being held in the brig, pending your instructions.
Move them to the rear cargo hold. Jettison them.
Yes, Captain. Without another word, the Outcast security officer left the bridge.
Ernst? Sehti didnt look at the Rheinlander.
Captain.
Do you know why youre not currently being escorted to the cargo hold?
The Rheinlander gazed steadily at his Captain, his lips twisted grimly. I am useful.
Just so. Ill expect a report detailing all you know of that ship and its capabilities, as well as your knowledge of the Wilde. Now, back to your station. Dismissing Ernst with a wave, Sehti turned to Navigator Bernello. Well, Navigator, how goes the mapping of this system?
Complete, Captain.
Helm, set course for the Tohoku jump hole. We are getting the hell out of this system.
With pleasure, Captain, replied Ernst Emmerich.
Benedikt Emmerich gazed down at the tome before him, the ink of his salvaged pen dried slowly before his eyes. He spoke the words to the air before him, and smiled as the ship responded, the luminescent flesh that had begun to spread through the cockpit pulsing its pleasure.
This was right. This was well.
As he lay down the tome, the ship spoke to the one it bore. A vessel had entered the system, one of the dead ships. Benedikt closed his eyes, the pearlescent orbs concealed beneath a press of flesh marked with a spiderwork of purple veins.
We shall meet this vessel, and tell the Children within of the path to Light, dear one. Benedikt lay his hands upon the controls, and in an instant the engines came to full bear, purring like a satisfied kitten. As his infected Wrath approached the vessel, he noted the size of it. A cruiser.
Unfazed, Benedikt opened the battered comm system and sent his words soaring out into the darkness. though the Children of Exile had turned from the Light and spurned the bringers, still they showed mercy and did not put the Children beneath their wrath. Instead, they sought a way to bring the Children unto their sense of unity and became as symbiotes with those who had looked into the Light and stood firm. They spoke the word of the Light unto the First and his mind became aflame, though he was not burned. From his eyes the Light fell, bathing all before him and his body also became as to the Light. He stood before them naked and unashamed and spake, "Am I not beautiful?" The bringers of the Light denied it, for though he was a part with them, he was also alone. The loss of unity among the Children struck him deeply then, and it was a wound that could not heal until the last of his people had been brought unto the Light.
--
Captain Sehti Vehk commanded his cruiser to pass through the unmarked wormhole, and took a lungful of the Cardamine tainted air. Light streamed through the shielded windows as they moved through the string to their destination. On exit, he demanded a status report.
System is clear, Captain. Scanners indicate a trinary system, theres another wormhole nearby though as with the one we just passed through, it doesnt seem to be on our database. Theres also a planet, it doesnt appear to be inhabitable, commencing a deeper scan. Wait, theres a ship out there!
I thought you said system was clear, Bernello. Sehti was not in the mood for incompetence, they were a long way from a safe port. He was here under orders, and didnt want to have to face Ayem with failure.
It is. Sweet Cardamine, whats going on here?
Im waiting for you to tell me, Navigation. Waiting with bated breath.
I detected a ship of Rheinland classification Wrath, but then the equipment indicated an anomaly and the ship vanished. It could be beyond our scanner range, Captain. Navigator Bernello did not seem particularly content with her hypothesis, Sehti noticed and nodded.
Analyze the post-data, Bernello. If there was a ship out there we should have a ghost of it in the instrumental records. Helm, were to proceed to E5 at impulse, take us closer to the trinary stars. I want them checked for irregularities, it would not be amusing to find ourselves in a system ready to go nova.
As his deck busied itself, Sehti closed his eyes and ran a hand back through his hair. Why was he so on edge suddenly? Just tired, he thought, and too many runs from the law on the way here.
Captain? We have a report coming in from gunnery, theres a ship blocking the under ship turrets. Hes requesting orders. Sehti felt a chill down his spine.
Navigation?
Nothing here, Captain.
Assume battle stations, guns are to hold their lock on the target but not fire until given authorisation. Sehti clenched his jaw as his orders were transmitted. Just who in the hell was this pilot? Comms, give me system wide.
Enabled, Captain.
This is Captain Sehti Vehk of the cruiser Sicarius to the vessel beneath us, state your name and ID.
Its broadcasting its ship name as the Licht von Finsternis, Captain.
Scanners have it now, Captain, though its still hazy. Definitely a Wrath.
Sehti glanced round as one of his crew dropped to his knees, one of the Rheinlanders hed added to the ships complement to flesh out the skeleton crew hed been able to form on Malta. Hed thought the man was becoming used to the Cardamine pumped into the air, still hed only be the third to die.
Licht von Finsternis, Gott!
Straightening, Sehti turned his focus on the Rheinlander, You recognise the ship, Ernst?
It was among the first to be lost to the nomad, its a vessel I flew with the Military, until I was demoted. The name was from the Lutherian bible, Genesis 1:4. At Sehtis surprised look, the Rheinlander smiled grimly. We were all something else, once, before we became pirates. Whatever is flying that ship was something else, once. But Im certain I know what it is now.
As much as I love suspense, dont you think youre stringing this out a little?
Wilde, Captain. Wilde.
As that word fell from Ernsts lips, every instrument panel and screen went mad. From every speaker a litany thick with Rheinlander accent poured, stunning the crew. though the Children of the Exile
Sehti roared over the litany, battering his crew back to their senses, I want control of my ship, and I want it now! Make it happen, you miserable sons of corsairs!
Captain, gunnery are requesting permission to fire, theyre spooked and one of the gunners has broken down.
Rheinlander?
Yes, Captain.
and others of the Children of the Exile came unto a land that invaded them, even as they invaded it. They became apart from those who had not come upon that land, and became instead the Children of the Grass. They knew some measure of the Light, but it was as the sun through the veil of the lid, and their eyes were not open unto the truth though they acted upon it. They were blessed, and they were also cursed, for the land tied them to it, and it was only by ingenuity that they escaped for some measure of time, that land that had claimed them. Yea, and though they loved the land, so too they loathed it and they did roam further unabated, the litany continued, but now the Outcasts halted in their duties.
Captain-
I know. All eyes were now on him. Command to gunnery, weapons free. Anyone who knew this much about them was dangerous, and in the hands of what appeared to be a madman or worse, an infected human, it could become a weapon.
--
The turrets that had focused on the Licht von Finsternis thrummed as they were unleashed, the firing pattern was designed to close in on the fighter, reducing its manoeuvring options. There was a flaw. The turret in the hands of the now raving Rheinlander was directed straight at the Wrath. The smaller ship sang as it danced into the opening and burned round the cruiser, out-pacing the turret fire. Laying down a wall of counter-measures, the ship engaged its cruise engines.
We found Children ready to be converted, Light be praised, Benediktus smiled broadly, So, we sow among the flock those who are marked, and from them the faith will spread. Like a plague, is it not so? He felt the ships pleasure, and chuckled. Placing one purple veined hand onto the inner flesh of the ship that bore him. We have done a good work here, but there are many who have not the Light.
The Wrath responded instantly to his words, and snapped round to face the second jump hole in the system and as they passed into the anomaly, he opened the tome and raised again his pen. Perhaps the poison blooded could be used to an advantage.
--
Youve collected all of them?
Yes Captain, all those who acted unusually once the vessel began its transmission. Twelve men and women, no Outcasts among them. Theyre currently being held in the brig, pending your instructions.
Move them to the rear cargo hold. Jettison them.
Yes, Captain. Without another word, the Outcast security officer left the bridge.
Ernst? Sehti didnt look at the Rheinlander.
Captain.
Do you know why youre not currently being escorted to the cargo hold?
The Rheinlander gazed steadily at his Captain, his lips twisted grimly. I am useful.
Just so. Ill expect a report detailing all you know of that ship and its capabilities, as well as your knowledge of the Wilde. Now, back to your station. Dismissing Ernst with a wave, Sehti turned to Navigator Bernello. Well, Navigator, how goes the mapping of this system?
Complete, Captain.
Helm, set course for the Tohoku jump hole. We are getting the hell out of this system.
With pleasure, Captain, replied Ernst Emmerich.