Uncontrolled Psykers

"Where did these soldiers come from?"

"These are the dynasty's loyal warriors. Some were selected from the ranks, others are sons of the Mongert Dynasty's Blood Kin families. But without exception, they are all faithful servants of the God-Emperor and the Empire's finest soldiers."

Though Ian still harbored doubts about these strange soldiers, he could find nothing suspicious.

Ian inspected the Lower Deck and also visited the corrupted Bottom Hold.

While docked at the Landing Port, the Rangers had further purged the Bottom Hold, burning everything related to the Warp. But fully utilizing the space would require more modifications. Once the Bottom Hold was completely repaired, the Golden Ram could accommodate even more crew.

For now, the Bottom Hold had to be sealed off entirely.

"My lord, that's all there is. The ship will soon enter the Warp. Please return to your quarters with me."

"Haven't we checked the Forge Workshop yet?"

"My lord, the Forge Workshop is off-limits. If you wish to tour it, please ask Captain Gao Yi for permission first, and then I'll take you there."

Hearing Will's words, Ian had no choice but to return to the Officer Deck.

During the days waiting for the ship to set sail, Ian wandered around like a loafer. But every crew member feared his presence—after all, the reputation of the Inquisition preceded him, and everyone gave him a wide berth.

A daily report of Ian's every move was also delivered to Gao Yi.

"Have you spoken to the officers and department heads? Say what needs to be said, and keep quiet about what doesn't."

"It's all arranged. He tried several times to enter the Forge Workshop, but the priests stopped him."

"Then let him roam. How's the ship repair going?"

"The Sword Rain's repairs are nearly done. If you wish, we can prepare to depart immediately."

"Once repairs are finished, we leave at once. Every day we delay, the dynasty's sacred assets take another loss."

"As you wish. May all glory be yours."

As the last batch of cargo was loaded aboard, under the astonished gaze of everyone at the Landing Port, the Golden Ram, along with two other ships, detached from the Starport.

No one expected these ships to be fully repaired in just half a month.

The Adeptus Mechanicus were the most shocked. They had participated in the repair assessment for the Golden Ram. How could it be launched in just a few days? Wasn't Warp travel in such a state suicidal?

The viewports sealed shut.

The ship's Warp engine began to hum. The conventional engines accelerated the vessel to sub-light speed, heading toward the Mandeville Point at the edge of the Wrath Nebula—the thinnest boundary between the Warp and reality, and a prerequisite for Warp travel.

A ship could not enter the Warp at any time or place.

Entering the Warp was itself an extremely dangerous act. A single misstep—entering too early or too late—could result in total destruction.

This was why exploring unknown star regions was so perilous. Since the Expansion Zone was discovered, countless Rogue Traders and pioneers had been lost or killed in the Warp. Every stable Warp route was paved with lives.

"Eunice, how long to reach Omicron 2?"

"This Warp route is relatively safe. Two Warp jumps and we'll arrive."

"Good. Target: Omicron. Begin Warp entry."

The Gellar Field activated. Inside the Navigator's Sanctum, Eunice followed the Star Chart to guide the ship.

Gao Yi was also tense as he waited. Compared to the dangers of Warp travel, he'd much rather just build the Starport already. Too bad Chaos hadn't shown up. Maybe after this matter, he could ask Ian? The Inquisition always knew more than he did.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. The ship entered the Warp without incident.

Stable Warp travel still required caution, but at least no major disasters occurred.

When the ship broke through the Mandeville Point two days later and re-emerged into realspace, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The ship resumed conventional engine thrust toward Omicron.

"Steward! Report status!"

"The ship is fully operational. A few Shipworkers who'd never left the void are in disarray. The Priest reports that one young Shipworker suffered a psychic outburst, injuring dozens. Fortunately, no deaths."

"Awakened psychic powers? Because of the Warp entry?"

"Perhaps. Psychic awakening can happen for countless reasons—any trigger might activate a latent talent. What do you plan to do with him? Mid-voyage Psykers are an unstable factor and illegal under Imperial law."

"Wait. Don't dispose of him. Take me to see him." An extra Psyker on the ship? Perfect material for a Ghost Operative.

If not for the shortage of Astropaths and Navigators, Gao Yi would have tried this long ago.

Soon, on the Officer Deck, Gao Yi met the young Psyker.

"Kneel! Before you stands the God-Emperor's Rogue Trader, Captain Gao Yi Mongert!"

The Enforcer roughly shoved the bruised boy to the ground.

But the boy stubbornly lifted his head.

"What's your name?"

"Are you Lord Gao Yi? I'm Norris. I didn't mean to hurt those people!"

"Are you new to this ship?"

"Yes. I don't know what happened to me. Suddenly, I felt a power inside." Norris looked guilty. Since he could remember, he sometimes saw things others couldn't, heard things others couldn't. He always dismissed it as hallucinations from the constant high-pressure life.

But after the psychic outburst, the Shipworkers treated him like a monster. Even the usually mild Enforcers beat him roughly and dragged him here.

"Norris, I believe what you say, but sometimes there are things beyond our personal control. You've become a Psyker, and psychic power is an extremely dangerous force. Letting it run unchecked would be irresponsible to everyone on this ship. My officers have suggested throwing you into the void."

"Please don't! I've worked hard! I am loyal to the Imperium and the God-Emperor! I have no idea what happened!"

To save his life, Norris, who didn't actually believe in the God-Emperor, dragged out that faith anyway.

"I believe what you say. So, Norris, I'll give you two choices. One: I execute you as my officers suggest. Two: a path where even I don't know the outcome—you might live, or you might die."

"I choose the second! I want to live! Even if there's only a sliver of a chance, I want to survive."

"Good. I'm glad you made the right choice. Take him to the Forge Workshop!"

Happy New Year in advance to everyone!

Anyone else stuck on duty on New Year's Eve like me? Rough.