(Thanks to Hongjing 08's Bag Carrier for the generous tip. The bonus updates officially begin.)
(Bonus update 2/20)
The bridge of the Faith in the Yellow Sands lay shrouded in dim red-orange light.
Beyond the enormous viewport, turbid currents of the Warp churned, their colors like swirling oil slicks. They spun around the hull, crashed against it, and rebounded from the thick Gellar Field.
The air on the bridge carried the heavy scents of rust and machine oil. A technician at the communications station kept adjusting the frequency, trying to tear open a channel to somewhere far away through layer upon layer of storm interference.
Biberus stood on the command platform, one hand resting on the edge of the control console, the other tightly gripping an insignia hanging against his chest.
It was the Second Legion's former insignia. The Legion of the Lord of the Yellow Sands had been erased from all official records decades ago, but he still kept this insignia here.
It bore witness to sin, and it was also proof of loyalty.
His gaze settled on the image of static and noise filling the main screen.
"This is Biberus, commander of the 616 Chapter. We are approaching Bakka."
His voice emerged steady and low, carrying the particular composure of a general who had fought countless battles.
The signal light on the communicator kept flashing, but the message was like a stone thrown into a storm. It drew no response.
He did not stop, repeating, "Colchis, do you read me? This is Biberus. We are approaching Bakka."
Again and again.
Each repetition used the same words, the same tone.
Below the command platform, the communications officer lifted both hands from his station and shook his head, a gesture he had repeated far too many times already. "Commander, the