Lost in the Warp

The Tech-Priests frantically searched for traces of the machine spirit within the ship's clean, tidy, and orderly systems.

This was the first time they had seemed so utterly at a loss.

Even the Navy Soldiers nearby could see the profound confusion on their faces.

After disconnecting their data links, every Priest's first words were remarkably similar.

"Where's the machine spirit? Where did the machine spirit of a ship this big go?"

Fortunately, thanks to Iax's intervention, the ship finally returned to the Navy Soldiers' control.

To their surprise, they discovered that the ship's controls were more responsive than before.

The ordinary crew could only attribute this to the machine spirit being greatly pleased.

Little did they know that the machine spirit they relied upon had already been cleared out like garbage by Iax.

Meanwhile, the Tech-Priests continued to ponder the machine spirit's fate, feeling utterly bereft.

With propulsion pushed to maximum, countless small nozzles around the ship fired thin streams of energy. Their reverse thrust pulled the Cruiser completely free of the derelict.

Fully separated from the derelict, the Cruiser finally revealed its entire form once more.

Its prow was completely gone.

A third of its lower hull was missing.

An enormous breach gaped in the upper armor at the front of its upper hull.

The entire Cruiser looked utterly ravaged.

Its shattered, twisted hull plating, and the sparks and electrical arcs that occasionally erupted from the gaps, all testified to the violence of the collision.

"Captain, we've lost our bearings."

The adjutant approached the Captain and delivered news no one wanted to hear.

"What about the Navigators? Locate the Astronomican again. Find the nearest route out of the warp immediately."

The adjutant shook his head.

"I already had the Navigators try. All three reported that they could see no