The vast hull of the Battle Barge Book of Secrets cleaved through the churning crimson tides of the Warp, as though sailing through congealed blood.
Beyond the Bridge's observation windows, Chaos storms churned with swirling, lurid colors. Now and then, vast, indescribable shadows flashed into view in the far distance before vanishing—horrific silhouettes that could never have existed in realspace.
Carrying the Blood Ravens' Third Company and its squad of Librarians, the immense vessel was making a long voyage along the edge of the Maelstrom in the Ultima Segmentum. Its holds were laden with relics recovered from xenos ruins and lost battlefields as it made its way home.
The atmosphere on the Bridge was solemn. Valkas, the Blood Ravens company commander, wore crimson armour adorned with black raven emblems symbolizing knowledge and mystery. He stood like a statue before the vast star chart table.
On the chart, the light tracing the fleet's course resembled a fragile silver thread, winding between murky patches representing Warp storms before pointing toward the brilliant light of the Astronomican.
They had entered the Warp a month earlier and knew nothing of the Enslaver outbreak.
In fact, the Navigator had only reported the change in Terra's Astronomican several dozen hours earlier.
Although they did not know why the Astronomican had grown brighter, everyone offered heartfelt praise for the Emperor's protection.
Navigator Orion sat motionless on his throne, his third eye closed beneath an ornate metal eyepiece. His withered fingers tapped nervously against the armrest, each tap following a different rhythm.
A low hum continued without pause from the Astropath array.
They could always hear strange roars echoing through the Warp.
Over the past few days, those dreadful howls had grown increasingly frequent.
They left everyone mentally exhausted.
Chief Librarian Karion stood at the rear of the