Abaddon's memories were forcibly torn open, and Zorge's memories poured into his brain, complete scenes flooding in alongside broken fragments.
He saw the full shape of Gungnir emerge from the darkness, the black energy sphere inside its reactor pulsing slowly.
He saw Utio's mechanical body, as immense as a moving altar, countless cables extending from it to connect to every control panel.
He also saw the waste processing station on the Lower Deck, where blackish-brown contaminants writhed through the pipes like living things.
But some images had blurred, like paper soaked in water, their edges dissolving and their details lost.
The corruption Zorge had suffered before his death had already consumed some of his brain cells. The regions responsible for storing deep memories had been reduced to ash, and certain information had vanished forever.
But the most crucial parts had survived.
Gungnir's coordinates.
Its positional markers within the Warp.
And its status: it was about to enter its final test firing, after which it would officially enter service.
This information was as clear and indelible as carvings in bone, held fast by Zorge's remaining will until it could be delivered into Abaddon's mind.
Abaddon stood with his eyes closed for a long time.
The entire Medical Pod was silent, save for the low hum of the Life Support System and the faint sounds of Zorge's body gradually cooling.
Loken said nothing, and neither did Kaebo.
They both recognized that silence-the stillness of someone processing a vast amount of information.
Abaddon opened his eyes.
Then he spoke immediately. "Report everything here to Lorgar. Now."
Beside him, Loken gave a slight nod and turned toward the Communications Array chamber without the slightest hesitation.
A faint scent of incense still hung in the conference hall aboard the Herald of the Holy Word.