Bryan slightly lifted his head, then raised his hand, and a holographic image appeared from the flying servo-skull. Countless data and icons appeared before him, forming a complex picture. However, the captain, skilled as he was, quickly adjusted the interface until he found what he was looking for. He reviewed the data interface in front of him, swiftly browsing through the confusing rows of information. By the Emperor's blessing, the void shield was fully charged. He had grown tired of the feeling of being completely exposed to the void, every minute and second of it filled him with dread. But now, that fear was gone, and the Mars-class battlecruiser was ready once again. It would now face the Emperor's enemies with full force. "Captain, we've received a star message." An uncomfortable voice spoke. Honestly, it sounded almost creepy.
Bryan turned and looked at the servitor. Its body was covered in pipes, and the voice came from the mask speaker on its face. It was as cold as a member of the Mechanicus, with a strange vibrating sound, as if the machine itself was speaking.
The servitor stood silently a few steps away, like a machine awaiting activation. Bryan stared at it without giving it much thought. He had long passed the stage of pondering the past of such beings. "Speak," he ordered briefly. The servitor slightly raised its head, and the vibrating voice echoed from the speaker, "We received orders from Lord Highgate. The Lord Inquisitor has ordered us to proceed to the Victoria System to resolve local troubles."
Bryan furrowed his brow slightly, turned, and stared directly at the soulless body in front of him, "Did the presiding judge give a reason?"
"No, my lord."
"I understand." After speaking, Bryan turned and looked at the helmsman below, "Set a course to the extreme starfield, Victoria Galaxy, activate the subspace engines, and prepare the ship for the jump."
"Yes, my lord," the helmsman responded, then began adjusting the rudder in front of him. The massive hull of the ship began to rotate accordingly. The captain turned and looked to the other side, "Chief Bird, calculate the star's gravity and find the Mandeville point."
"Yes, my lord." Bryan spoke while pressing a button on the complex console before him, as if it were an extension of his own body, and accurate communication audio flashed from it.
"Navigator, prepare to enter subspace and identify the coordinates for now."
"Yes, Captain, I will guide us," came the navigator's voice, sounding somewhat exasperated.
Bryan withdrew his finger. He turned and walked toward the steel arch behind the captain's throne. "Activate the Geller field. May the Emperor protect us."
A bright flash of energy lit up behind him, and the captain walked into the darkness beneath the arch, his steps accompanied by the light. He knew this ship well—it was his ship. Although he was not the first captain of this massive vessel, he had the confidence and pride to declare that he was the captain who knew it best in its entire history.
He knew every part of it, every corridor, every boiler, every warehouse and hangar, every gun and light spear array unit. He knew it all—every inch of its steel skin was clear in his mind.
So Bryan never got lost. Even without a map, he could navigate the many corridors and staircases with ease. Now, he knew his path and goal with absolute certainty. He walked down the massive corridor on the upper deck of the ship. It felt like a palace. Tall vaulted ceilings created a vast expanse of sky and earth. Countless statues lined both sides, and countless banners hung from high places, symbolizing countless honors and victories.
Bryan's military boots echoed on the white marble floor, his footsteps resonating in the enormous hall. He was the only one there, except for the occasional crew members or servitors he might encounter. However, this impression was soon proven wrong. Louder footsteps drowned out his own, and he stopped in front of a towering figure.
The giant also stopped, turned, and looked down at Bryan, then showed a sincere smile. "Ah, Captain Bryan, good to see you."
Bryan stood at attention and saluted, looking up at the giant's resolute face, "Likewise, Lord Jhonson."
"Outside of duty, just call me Jhonson, my friend," the Astartes warrior in power armor smiled. His pitch-black armor reflected no light. Only the glorious shoulder pad on his right shoulder, symbolizing his former battle group, reflected a cold gleam from its silver-gray surface.
"You are as tough and cunning as the wolves of Fenris, Captain," Jhonson said with a wide grin. Bryan nodded slightly, "My pleasure, Jhonson. Where are your brothers? I haven't seen Lancelot, Lord King, or Lord Ragnar."
"Ah, the wolf cub and the lion cub are competing in the training cage. I guess they're at it again because of some bad joke," the old wolf sighed helplessly and shook his head, but the smile soon returned to his face. "But no matter what, we're all still brothers, right? Bell went ahead to ensure they don't cause any serious trouble."
"Of course. Have you seen the Inquisitor? I need to speak with him," Bryan asked. He was forced to tilt his neck up high, and it was quite uncomfortable. After all, the priest armor was too tall.
Jhonson bent down with consideration so Bryan could feel more at ease. He glanced at the door at the end of the corridor. A huge golden door, very similar to the Gate of the End on Terra. It was likely a replica, though Bryan had never actually seen the Gate of the End, nor had he ever visited Terra. "I think he is in there. The Inquisitor likes to be alone for a while after a battle."
"Thank you. Go find your brothers, Jhonson. I don't want them to dismantle the training servitors again. The Ordnance Chief has been seriously complaining."
The old wolf laughed again and stood up to his towering height, "I will try my best, Captain."
"Of course." They parted ways, and soon Bryan walked toward the massive golden door. He stared up at it. At the top of the massive door, the golden throne and the radiant Lord of Humanity were depicted. Beneath it, statues of people, countless battleships, stars, and planets symbolized the dominion over all things in the universe, towering over the endless bright stars.
Bryan cleared his throat and looked at the servitor embedded in the wall beside the door. "Open the door," he ordered briefly. The servitor stared at him, followed by a burst of mechanical sounds. The hydraulic structure and the machine's transmission system worked in unison, and the golden door slowly creaked open, accompanied by a low rumble of the machine spirit groaning.
Bryan walked in as the door opened just enough for him to pass through. He was impatient to wait for the giant door to open slowly and ceremoniously.