Two days, that's how long it took everyone to prepare the interface and finish basic maintenance of Normandy class vessel. There wasn't need for as much supplies as the crew demanded before each departure due to first La'row's training session which required just part of the crew, one would say just skeleton. La'row hesitated for a brief moment before she set her foot on board, with a deep breath however she had decided to make some progress without fear, but with hope and satisfaction. Few minutes of steady walk were needed to reach one specific room close to the human made reactor, where interface was ready for Lauren. This time however without any hesitation Lauren moved closer to its tendrils, she took some time to study this piece of alien tech that was supposed to become her partner for the rest of her human life. Few seconds later, she turned around, one, two steps backwards, three and four. Lauren closed her eyes, carefully leaning back against tendrils of the interface.
Out of sudden thousands of her memories were running through her mind, they were alive, they appeared and disappeared very fast... Fall of Marne, her first trip on this ship with her father, commanding officer, when she was young, Second Gallic war, battle for Gap station, pursue of The Council forces in Languedoc, invasion of Orkney and Tau systems, brawls with Kusari forces in Tau-23 and 31... Later her raise in power, invasion of Leeds, Edinburgh, New London... Enclave era, once again fighting against Kusari, this time in Languedoc, how Lauren and her loyal crew managed to gain Charente back to her hands from Maréchal Landreau, which was executed by Lauren herself for treason, a very first battle between Lauren and de Lusignan when The Order revealed her true identity... She had a quick run through her life, yet in reality it took just a few seconds.
Now she was in control of Charente. Everything felt different, she had never felt something like that in her life, strange sensations and great unknown ahead of her. With the power of her will and through the interface Charente left its drydock... For the first flight Lauren had decided to take her vessel to the sacred grounds, called Major by humans... There she could train and get more familiar with her ship without any interruption from humans. Far from the entrance to the sacred grounds, Lauren could feel the flesh growing... By words of the Advisor Sh'ozak she was able to control its growth, its direction but she couldn't stop it. There was enough time for experiments and so she attempted to redirect the flesh toward engines, which were slowly running out of fuel supplies and which were nearing its end of service... If they had to be replaced, why not by the flesh itself. Everything was going well. And few hours later she was ready to head back to Altair to find Sh'ozak again to consult next steps in their future and more about the weapon her vessel had been carrying for ages.
"Advisor Sh'ozak... We are back for the consultation." said Lauren before the interface let her go back into the station to find the Advisor.
A new form materialized near the windows, yet the same song as before could be heard around it. Yet, it seemed more discernable, as the verse "We sing ... of swords ... retaliate against the tyrants" could be heard, as well as "Huthalt albaghy salat fa'ayn eahd alhawasim". Outside the window at which the form waited, two Siris vessels engaged in competitions. One of them was much faster than the other, and relied on maneuvering. The other was heavy, and relied on strength. The form's wings twitched with discontent.
"Look upon our dilemma, young Faithbringer. When quick and efficient, we have not means to bring great fire, yet when we have the means to bring great fire, we are slow and cumbersome."
As the voices sang "Wa darbul qitaly tariqul haya", the form floated away from the window. "Let us quickly see to the closer steps in our path. The great weapon of your shell bears threads of thought that we wish to observe. While we seek to have all, we tend to lead towards speed over strength. Yet, we have been advised by Nergal the Ancient in the ways of the burning of the Cursed Rock, and have found reason to bring ourselves towards great fires. We have coupled this wisdom with the concern of metal constructs left in our oceans by the darkness, and are theorizing answers."
The Advisor's disappointment is clearer as it continues. "Nergal has also advised us of the Shamash, the great Suncrusher, the Star-eater, and the threads of thought from which it hangs. Yet, to endeavor in the growth of a Shamash would require resources we do not have access to. Furthermore, use of it's strength renders the waters inhabitable for all, including us. We seek, instead, to grow a cyst that is not unlike the Suncrusher, but will fulfill these empty holes in our path forward. This will allow us to better dispatch metal constructs, as well as quickly burn out infestations of Darkness."
The eyes across the form seemed to furrow in frustration. "Our interest lies in the way in which the weapon in your shell. We see both great successes and obvious flaws in it's design at the surface. As the flesh takes the place of the metal, the flesh will learn and remember it's actions. We, therefore, seek for you to use the weapon as often as possible, and to display its effects, and return with memories in the muscle that we may learn from, and observe more closely."
Two months have passed since the last consultation between La'Row and the Advisor. Two months to prove every single rumor about the huge weapon old Normandy class had on its front, humans called it Warwolf. Fear, destruction, power, with these traits it was developed, with these traits it was used. It's not been that long since the Royal Navy used these weapons to glass a planet far from our rivers, yet the power and destruction were overheard in our rivers. We were there, our vessel was there and our vessel remembers it.
The flesh proceeds further and further, extending its influence across whole ship and it didn't take long for it to reach the terminal and internal server hardwares. These days Lauren spent much more time connected to the interface than outside of it, rumors started spreading among the crew about The Redemption being closer with each passing day.
"Advisor Sh'ozak... We bring the memories for you, for we have used the weapon more than it was necessary. The vessel is in possession of my memories of my visions, it knows, it feels, it remembers when and how to use the weapon. We believe you will be pleased."
Amid a torrent of whispers, the Advisor's voice returns. A blue mist materialized into the form of a pale woman surrounded by glyphs and small images. She dismissed most of them, turning her attention to the threads of light being drawn to her from the flesh near the Warwolf.
"Have we told you, yet, of the divine paradox that Darkness has presented us? Look upon this, which converts the polluted energy made in a rudimentary metal stomach into a higher state of energy, not unlike our own. Yet, they do not feed their masses with this energy. They do not learn to feed on the stars, they do not teach themselves the paths of the cosmos. They do not strengthen themselves with this glimpse of that which is far beyond them, instead choosing to destroy themselves and others. Surely, from what we have studied, their greed would drive the final goal of feeding themselves? They have even named that greed, calling it "Human Nature", yet they do not indulge themselves, instead choosing to destroy all."
As the Advisor spoke, the threads of light formed into models of various parts of the Warwolf. Some of them were dismissed, others kept, and others were changed to fit together. Despite the tone of frustration with which Sh'ozak recounts the lack of sense with which humanity wields themselves, she seems satisfied with what she's found.
"That which you have brought us will aid greatly in cleansing these waters. We shall take the idea that they have thrown about and rebuild it in the greater capacity of our knowledge." She turned to lock eyes with La'Row. "And for you, how have you fared? Your consciousness has not faded, and you do not seem weary."
Lauren was carefully observing current Advisor's form, but was more than satisfied her call was answered in no time, for time is precious commodity these days.
"Humans always seek power, through any means. They lack respect for elders and their advisors, rulers. As soon as it's possible and if situation to obtain power arises, they are willing to kill their own in order to possess it."
Lauren's memory was still serving her well. Power, power is everything human's soul desires. That's why there were many groups established, groups with power, groups trying to wrestle power away from some in order to possess much greater power. She saw it all, woth her very own eyes, ambition and greed. Lauren even was part of this Human nature back then when she was trying to regain her honor and noble title in Gallic royalty. Now however she is finally free of this weakness.
"Hopefully this knowledge will help us to achieve much smoother cleanse of our rivers." Lauren paused for a while. "It wasn't and it isn't in my nature to be weary. I always pursue my goals relentlessly and this is no exception. Though I believe soon the vessel will absorb me for the final time, soon we will be one."
Albeit only slightly, Sh'ozak smiled contentedly. Very rarely did things proceed exactly as they intended, and the smooth transition of La'Row to the flesh of the Charente was a welcome relief.
"And unlike so many others, the strength of your resolve does not cloud your wisdom. A fine addition to the Light." Sh'ozak nodded, deeply satisfied with all that had transpired. Briefly, a shimmering form appeared alongside Sh'ozak and exchanged rapid whispers before disappearing just as quickly. The threads of light faded, and the symbols and images that she had been looking at before returned. "The smaller shells for those of your crew are prepared. When you come among the Light, you must deliver them to the metal nest we spoke of earlier."
She tilted her head slightly, a soft expression crossing the face of her form. It truly could have been a motherly kindness, a playful teasing, a smug satisfaction, or anything else the lightest of smiles could convey. "When you come among the Light in full, your mind will touch every other mind at once, and forever. While fear would not serve you well, it would be wise to steel yourself. Many colorful personalities glide amongst the caste of Keepers, and perchance they shall startle you when you first connect to them." Sh'ozak leaned forward, placing her hands behind her back. "A great inspiration among us Advisors, to be sure, but to be known as the Bloodletter requires a indelicate state of mind, does it not?"
As whispers grow, the form fades to mist once again, leaving a faint feeling of warmth. Yet, as the mists races back along the hallways from where it came, a faint, light laughter can be heard. "Return to us soon, should you require more guidance."
