Finding a way.
Anthony somehow had managed to direct his mind towards the last moments he remembered on the bridge before he passed out, removing the attention to his bout with Tilly. It was not quite so easy as, when trying to relax, his mind wandered off trying to piece together what exactly happened there.
It was strange, considering she looked like some, animal with human features. An anthropomorphic animal if he recalled the term right. He found himself, somehow, trying to recall the sensation of her fur as he failed to see the charm in it, but clearly, he must have been quite drunk on lust back there, given by what he could piece together.
Was he that desperate for the touch of a woman ? Or was he perhaps just, over-thinking it ? She did seem to be at least, anatomically correct where it mattered, and somewhere, it did not feel all that wrong when he considered that he could count the times he been with a woman, on one hand.
Yeah, somewhere, perhaps he was desperate for that experience, but it did feel off considering how little he truly recalled of their encounter. If he did, perhaps then he could make a clear judgment about it, and if that was something he would care to repeat. Right now, it sure was getting him curious.
“ Darn it. “ He whispered under his breath, realizing that his mind had returned to that particular encounter. He’d probably be occupied with it for a while, but at least, his headache had gotten a lot better by now. These Leaf’s, they sure helped a lot better then the pain medication he’d been swallowing for the last few month.
He sighed to himself, idly caressing Ina’s back when he noticed the footsteps growing closer. A sound he didn’t realize he had missed so much during the last few month. Compared to the dominant silence then, this nearly sounded, noisy.
“ Mister Stewards ? “ He heard a male voice, prompting him to look to the left and see Thomas for the first time, a gray haired, bearded man in casual clothing. He had half expected someone in uniform to come talk to him, so this was a little unexpected.
“ Yes, that would be me. “ He responded, carefully lifting Ina of his chest to gently plant her onto his lap whilst leaning up. Finding himself slightly amused by how she looked about in protest, only to close her eyes again to rest while his right hand resumed tending to her.
“ I am Thomas Alveren, a liaison of sort. I have been asked to brief you on the current situation and assist you with a few things. “ Thomas spoke, offering his hand in greeting.
“ Thank you, and please call me Anthony. I am guessing Maggie already filled you in on my role on the Hope ? “ Anthony responded as he shook the other man’s hand. Guessing that, since he already knew his name, they must have talked with Maggie, which was quite plausible given that she had called for their aid.
“ Yes, your the Ship’s AI Specialist by her claim, and I am sure you must have a few question’s of your own. But, before that, I hope you wont mind answering a few questions of ours first ? “ Thomas responded, pulling a chair closer to have a seat, part of his mind focused on monitoring Anthony’s emotional reactions now, so he could try and judge his character more clearly.
“ Sure, I guess we do have to start somewhere. “ Anthony agreed, slightly concerned with how much he could really share about the Hope. But given that he run into a Human Colony out here, wherever here was exactly, he doubted that he had to worry a lot about the technology in use on the Hope, what was still working of it anyway.
He was assuming, for now, that these people where of an unknown colony project that left Sol before them, as it seemed unlikely now that they where of the Hope’s crew. Part of him even dared to assume now that he might still be in his capsule, having one heck of a vivid dream. Either way, being honest with himself, was there even a point to restrict any informations ?
“ Then, what is the last thing you remember ? “ Thomas asked.
Anthony would then recount what he remembered, moments before he passed out. Thomas soon inquiring about the state of the ship, the lack of crew, the damage, and in particular, the state of the reactors, making mention that it seems remarkable that they been working at all in their current state.
“ So, the ship has been working on a patched in AI, a lot of makeshift coding and with only a small part of the controls that should have been in place. “ Aria summarized for Thomas, as well as Kira and Marianna whom listened in through the communicators.
“ It would seem so. It would make the speed measurement more plausible, and why the reactors damage was not detected in time. “ Marianna agreed, listening to how Anthony was supposedly trying to reach the first beacon that was left behind by either the rest of his crew, or possibly Jonathan, the last colonist that resided on the Hope before Anthony was awoken.
Meanwhile Thomas would closely monitor Anthony’s emotional reactions to the information given, as well as the fluctuations of his psychic energy. Their exchange was slowly building a foundation on which he could potentially build upon the things he soon had to share with Anthony, but it wasn’t going to be that easy.
No, telling Anthony he had something that may very well be perceived as magic, would likely not be received well. If Thomas had been in his shoe’s, he’d thing the other crazy. And usually Psykers grew aware of their ability over time, unlike Anthony, who was more off a ticking time-bomb then anything else.
Anthony, in his current state, probably still had a few years if all went well, but his energy was like a lighthouse. And if another Psyker took notice of it, worse, if one under the control of the Terran Commonwealth realized, they would have weeks at most. If someone meant harm, Anthony would be a trigger they just had to flip the right way.
It was a shame that Nah’Rahan would not be of assistance there. She was just allowing herself to be spoiled as Anthony idly resumed stroking and caressing her. And Emotionally, she was an near void. He could sense her being content, but that was it, she was like a blank slate, unconcerned with anything around her, other then the need to have Anthony pay attention to her.
“ That might explain a few things I guess. “ Thomas soon exclaimed, planning to use what Marianna just mentioned, as Anthony was not aware that others where listening in, or Aria’s summery of his explanation. Already preparing a PADD, a Personal Access Display Device, with the relevant information for Anthony.
“ How so ? “ Anthony asked.
“ When your ship entered the Cradle system, it was measured to be at 42 % the speed of light, and it was likely higher as the ship was already trying to slow down. “ Thomas explained, handing the Padd over to Anthony where the relevant information, alongside a video was displayed. The Video simply playing on repeat, showing a few seconds of the Hope passing like a silver beam past one of the training fighters serving as a viewpoint for it.
“ That, should not be possible. “ Anthony exclaimed, surprised and confused as his mind tried to measure how long they would have to accelerate to reach that speed. Theoretically it was possible, but the low thrust capacity would mean it should have taken forever.
“ I am not sure how or why. But I assume you have not been fully involved with the control systems for the various sub components like reactor, shielding and so forth ? “ Thomas wagered a guess.
“ No, I designed the AI and assured the system integration. The Primary AI was supposed to have backup’s for the subsystem controls and software, but since that system failed completely, I had no means to fully rebuild it.” Anthony admitted.
“ That means the AI on the smaller vessel probably worked with limited information and awareness of the systems. “ Thomas noted.
Anthony gave that some more thought. He did replace some of the control software with what he could copy from the NH 03’s systems. And he did run some base run tests, but since he was not very familiar with many of the systems, it was plausible that he overlooked some details, and obviously, some of which may have cost him his life.
“ Damn, I have been careless. “ Anthony sighed.
“ That is not all. “ Thomas noted, briefly taking the Padd to open another information folder, so he could then hand it back to Anthony. Hoping to find the right footing now through which he could push the Psychic energy issue.
“ One of your reactors blew up, and what happened after is, even more interesting. “ Thomas suggested, and watch as Anthony went through the file, and the attached video, showing the explosion, and the subsequent occurrence of the ship repairing the damage.
“ That. “ Anthony uttered, looking from the file up to Thomas, and then back down again.
“ This feels more and more like a dream. Like I am actually still in my capsule, having one of the, strangest dreams I could imagine. “ Anthony spoke then, sharing his suspicion that he actually had not woken yet.
“ I Assure you, your awake, and I have a good idea what happened there, though you might not easily believe it. This would also explain how your ship managed to survive so long, without your AI taking note of any irregularities. “ Thomas responded, prompting Anthony to look toward him, visibly interested to hear the others reasoning.
“ You appear to be a Psyker, a strong one at that, and it seems you have influenced the ship to some degree, keeping it stable. “ Thomas noted.
“ Ah, what ? “ Anthony spoke, raising an eyebrow at Thomas, putting his skepticism on clear display.
“ A Psyker, someone with psychic abilities that, frankly, often seem to break every law of conservation, amongst others. Though it largely depends on the ability itself. “ Thomas tried to explain, though Anthony clearly wasn’t being convinced by mere words.
“ That, sounds a bit to surreal honestly. “ Anthony admitted.
“ Understandably. And I would think me crazy if I where in your position. But from our perspective, that is the only logical conclusion we can arrive at. “ Thomas explained, wishing his ability gave him some means to give Anthony some form of prove.
The quickest way would be to initiate a Psychic assault, Anthony had essentially no conscious control over his ability, so it should, theoretically, be possible to use it to shock him into the psychic plane. But even a pure defensive reflex from Anthony may end up damaging Thomas’s plane.
“ And, what makes you so certain then ? “ Anthony asked, and Thomas could sense that Anthony suspected more then mere guesswork here.
“ I am a Psyker myself, I can sense the unstable energy coming from you. My own ability is passive however, so I can not show you direct prove at the moment. That is, other then to try and guide you onto your own psychic plane, since you already seem to have subconsciously constructed one. “ Thomas tried to explain.
Anthony listened, and tried to evaluate the words and their validity, but thats where Thomas could sense the detached quality of Anthony’s emotional capacity coming in handy. Anthony was trying to be logical, to weigh his options and assumptions against what Thomas’s claim.
Anthony was not fool enough to simply take Thomas by his word, as altering, or outright generating images or even a video would hardly be a challenge. But, if Thomas could offer him prove, he would be foolish not to explore the possibility, though he still felt like the leaf’s may play a role in all this, like a hallucinogenic drug, and the being still asleep option remained as well.
“ The leaf’s you been consuming, they help you keep your Psychic energy stable, which is why your headaches may be gone for now. But, once your able to access your psychic plane on your own, you wont need them anymore. That is, unless you wish to use their effect to further expand your psychic capacity. “ Thomas explained, using what he felt like a likely suspicion from Anthony’s side, and hitting the mark with it as Anthony looked at him with another question in his eyes.
“ No, I can not read minds. I can sense another’s emotions, and if you been doing this as long as I have, you can place a few educated guesses what the other is thinking about. “ Thomas admitted, and actually chuckling as Anthony sat there, raising an eyebrow trying to comprehend what he said.
“ Yeah, your right, it does feel like your crazy. “ Anthony responded, and actually manage to find the situation just as amusing now.
“ But it’s a crazy with genuine conviction, and unless I have run into the arms of some cult here, I least care to doubt that you’d be in a position to simply approach me in my current situation. “ Anthony noted.
“ Well, it be a pretty small cult then, unless its Psykers being seen in leading positions, Psykers are a pretty rare occurrence. “ Thomas offered.
“ I see. So, how would we go about accessing this plane thing ? “ Anthony asked, willing to least give it a try, if in part just to see what shape this, psychic plane thing, and the process of accessing it would take.
“ We build a bridge. “ Thomas responded.