Black.
Building a bridge, Anthony had a few assumptions of how that would be done. Meditation, the use of herbs, or perhaps some technical aid to visualize this supposed plane.
The Process was far simpler though, Anthony only had to lay back and endure Thomas’s hand as it was placed across his forehead. The sensation that followed then was less uncomfortable, as Thomas warned, and more, strange.
It was pressure, inside his head, pressure that was moving about, until suddenly, the light above his medical bed seemed to explode with a flash of colors. And when his vision returned, he found himself on a large meadow, covered with a variety of flowers, many of whom where unknown to Anthony.
“ This is, my plane ? “ Anthony wondered, looking around in confusion as this looked nothing like he would expect it to be like. This was all, nature, there was no direct correlation for him to tie it to his supposed effect on the INC Hope.
“ No, this is mine. It is influenced by my parents believe that flowers represent different emotions. The Psychic plane is strongly influenced by your own perception of things. Which is why your plane will likely be more relatable to you then to anyone else, just as mine is more in tune with my idea’s and experiences. “ Thomas explained, getting into somewhat of a mentor role.
“ And, how do we get to mine then ? “ Anthony asked.
Thomas responded with a chuckle, pointing towards the sky behind Anthony. And when Anthony turned to look, he saw what looked like a large moon in the distance, one that he nearly had mistaken for Luna, earth’s moon, but that on second glance lacked any of the landmarks that Anthony knew of.
“ That would be yours. When stepping onto the Psychic plane, the planes of each psyker present is materialized to some degree. Going directly for yours may have been registered as an aggressive act by your plane, and with the difference in energy alone, I would be turned into a vegetable if your Psychic plane reacted in defense. “ Thomas noted while looking towards that distant moon.
“ Oh, and, how do we build this bridge there ? “ Anthony asked, squinting his eyes a bit to try and see if he could make out the object that seemed to reside just at the moon’s northern pole. It was just large enough to notice it, but he could not make out more detail then that.
But at that moment, he noticed something from Thomas’s plane he did not expect. A soft breeze, and the fragrance of many different flowers. They had been there all this time they been on this plane, but he only now realized it as the soft breeze had brushed past him, which suggested a degree of realism that made him wonder about the moon in the distance.
“ You’ll have to imagine it, a path over there, it is your plane, so you need to build the access point. Imagine something quick, like, a doorway that leads right to the surface of that moon. “ Thomas instructed, feeling quite a bit of anticipation to see Anthony’s plane himself, the opportunity to see, and even learn from another Psykers psychic constructs was a rare occasion for him.
“ A Doorway, huh. “ Anthony mused, closing his eyes to try and imagine a simple way to gain passage, and moments after, a metal-ring appeared before him, through which one could see the moons surface, filled with a bunch of androids that Anthony could identify as the various models present on the Hope. Though, their appearance was strange.
They where standing in rows, like some military force, and their appearance was incomplete. Most of them appearing like a mere white frame, with partially displayed components and shell. It was like clouds where moving through them, and they only seemed truly material where these invisible clouds passed through them.
“ Well, that is. Why are they on the moon? “ Anthony spoke softly as he looked trough the ring, and Thomas came closer to have a look for himself.
“ I am guessing that your holding some degree of influence over them. And them being only shown in part, probably means you have only a partial hold on them. “ Thomas guessed, realizing again why they where even approaching Anthony’s plane.
Thomas had just went along with the flow of the conversation, and with his own curiosity nearly forgotten that the purpose of this was not simply to satiate his curiosity. But perhaps they could go at it step by step now, as long as Anthony released some control, and allowed himself to relax his Psychic energy, he would be able to relax his mind and permit the energy to calm, that should grant enough time to assist him bit by bit to learn controlling his ability.
“ I assume they are units that are stored on your ship ? “ Thomas asked, not familiar with those android units.
“ Yes, they fill a variety of roles. Medical, industrial, and a few security models as well. “ Anthony responded, frowning as he realized that, far in the back, there where the large Haunt units represented as well.
“ Ugh. “ He grunted, and then looked at Thomas.
“ So, can we just, step through ? I mean, is there air to breathe ? “ Anthony asked then, feeling that, if there was a breeze and scent here to pick up, that may just suggest a lack of air on the planetoid shown on the other side of the gate.
“ Yes. You feel like your breathing, but your not actually, not in here. If there is something your breathing in here, it’s psychic energy. One of the reasons why the Psychic plane is a perfect place to train once ability. But, that is for later. Let’s go and have a look first, I think we might just learn what your ability actually is. “ Thomas explained, urging Anthony to step through the gate first.
Anthony rose an eyebrow at Thomas, and then looked through the gate at the moons surface, taking the sight in for a moment, before just shrugging his shoulders as he moved to step through.
Moments later, he would stand on this moon, briefly concerned if he could truly breathe, but since he experienced no volatile loss of oxygen, he dared to inhale, and feel that he truly could breathe here.
Thomas would follow after him, taking the sight in properly himself, and when looking up, he would reach out to tap on Anthony’s shoulder, just to point upwards when he had his attention.
Anthony followed the gesture, and looked surprised to see a representation not only of the INC Hope, but what looked like the NH 03. Or least, one of those ships, there had been three, and he had representations of two of them here, and since they where not marked, he could not say which of those ships those two where.
Both of them where represented only by the white outlining that showed their base exterior structure, unlike the Hope and the androids, which, by Thomas’s earlier assumption, that meant he was not influencing them right now. The Hope itself though, she was mostly represented, with plenty of smaller gaps in between, suggesting by Thomas’s logic, that Anthony was holding sway over most of the ship.
“ Impressive. Whatever it is you can do, you nearly encompass the whole ship with it. I guess, if you can retract your influence on those androids, you might just manage to cover the entirety of the Hope. “ Thomas remarked, looking between the Hope, the two other ships, and the androids, summarizing that Anthony may just have enough power to do so.
While trying to calculate if it was possible, he would look around more closely, just to get an idea how many units there where. But in the process he noticed something else. A throne, or what looked like a throne made of what looked like white crystals. And seated on it was a figure, dressed in black robes with golden trimming.
“ Now, that is interesting indeed. “ Thomas mused, forgetting Anthony for a moment as he approached that Figure, a Man, with pointlessly long black hair that would drag behind him were he to walk. With long, pointy ears, a pale complexion, and black orbs, like obsidian, where his eyes should be. His eyelids raised, so that it appeared like he overlooked the field of androids and the ships above them.
Anthony would look at Thomas when he spoke, and watching him move, he followed the direction to notice the figure on the throne as well. It’s strange appearance luring him to step closer as well.
Anthony was a bit more careful in his approach however, as this figure looked alive, breathing, if otherwise still, with a gaze fixed firmly ahead, showing no reaction towards either man’s approach.
“ What is that ? Who is that ? “ Anthony asked.
“ I am not sure. “ Thomas admitted, stepping before the robed figure, and still seeing no reaction, he would reach out to wave a hand before what should be this Elf’s eyes, only to find no reaction still.
“ I am just guessing here, but we have assumed that your Psychic power had grown during your sleep within one of those capsules you used. A Psychic plane usually only appears and grows through training and choice. But you have one, without being even aware of your ability. So, maybe you been using your ability, and growing your plane, while dreaming. “ Thomas suggested.
“ Then, what is the purpose of this, elf ? “ Anthony asked.
“ Possibly an aspect of your power? Maybe an alternate appearance you used in your dreams ? Like an avatar of sorts. Or, maybe a sort of, spirit ? I did hear of it in passing once, but this is something I can only speculate about. “ Thomas spoke, taking a step back.
“ Or perhaps, all of the above ? “ He noted then, looking briefly at Anthony before his gaze wandered over the field with androids and the ships above again.
“ This, feels a bit too abstract still. “ Anthony admitted, leaning in closer to look at the figure on the throne himself, in particular his face which held very little resemblance to his own. It was delicate, with pale skin giving it something ethereal, and it stood in stark contrast to the garments, the hair, and those unsettling eyes.
“ It is your plane, it should be easier for you to understand what it represents. “ Thomas noted, looking back at Anthony and the elf on the throne.
“ But this. I don’t need to understand your perspective to understand the throne. It should represent Rulership, perhaps sovereignty, and it’s overlooking the ship and the Androids, which probably makes them the subjects. “ Thomas shared his assumption.
Anthony furrowed his brows at that, turning to look over the field filled with the Hope’s androids as his mind started to try and see the logic in it, and to some degree he was formulating a basic idea of what that may imply for his power to be.
“ If it’s an Avatar, should I not be, replacing him ? Or, assuming his form when in here ? “ He asked Thomas, though his mind was already more occupied considering the implications. The idea growing that, if he rules these in some way or shape, then he should be able to command them. He even considered Thomas earlier suggestion that his power was spread to thin, which created the headaches.
“ It is just one assumption. But even if he used to be your avatar, if he was part of your dreams, he may have become a secondary existence, like a spirit that can help you. An AI if you prefer to think of it that way. “ Thomas remarks.
“ But, that is mere speculation on my part, I know to little about Psychic spirits, or the functions an altered appearance has in the psychic plane. It may very well be that he will be your appearance once you enter this place on your own. “ He added then.
“ I see. “ Anthony spoke while he thought about attempting a light experiment, simply imagining to retract his influence from all these units, as well as the Hope, which caused the cloudy effect on their appearance to vanish immediately, leaving behind the mere white frame that outlined their presence.
Thomas noticed the changes, and while briefly considering to stop Anthony, he chose to remain silent and watch as the retraction of his ability already posed an easement of his burden. If he could understand his ability even by a little, it could help him develop, and for that matter, for Thomas to understand as well what they were dealing with here.
“ If it is, to rule, then. “ Anthony mused, wondering if he could control the units somehow. And for a moment he considered the Androids, and even the NH ships. Though in case of the latter, he had no idea which these two represented, and what it may mean to influence them if one of them may be at a great distance.
No, this was supposedly his creation. Even if he did create it subconsciously, it should contain logic he understood, like a program. If he had a means to influence them, then he would surely have made a means to see their state, a reasonable means to measure where influence was viable, or needed.
“ A display. “ He muttered, looking around as there was obviously not such a convenient utility around here. So he then tried to imagine it, like the bridge, that portal they used to get here. And indeed, just a moment after, a large white crystal structure materialized before him, with a convenient listing of the units on the field.
And the two NH vessels that were listed, it was the 03, and the 02, meaning, the vessel that left the INC Hope, supposedly carrying the majority of crew and colonists away before he or even Jonathan woke. And by the status displayed besides it, it was at 43% durability, which suggested it was damaged, perhaps severely so.
Out of curiosity he selected the vessel on the screen, and the moment it did, the right NH vessel was being shown in full on the plane, like he had extended his influence to it, and on the screen, he saw a listing of resources required, a restore function, a repair function, a view, and a control feature.
“ This. “ He muttered, looking at the display in disbelieve. It was, truly convenient in its functions, but the extend of influence it suggested was something he could not even begin to accept so easily. It allured him to reach out, to try and test at least the view feature, but at that moment Thomas placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
“ I think it may be best for you to rest first. “ Thomas warned, and then nodded at a piece of information that Anthony overlooked, Distance, 643,21 Light-years.
“ You just managed to release your influence on the other units. Psychic energy has a max capacity, you use a bit every-time you use your ability. And, aside from the fact that you lack control still, you should be running on empty. “ Thomas explained.
“ Trying to reach out that far may potentially kill you, even when fully rested. And that will not only effect you, uncontrolled psychic energy can blow up the area around you, and there are a lot of people from Eden on your ship right now. “ He warned Anthony.
“ Oh. “ Was all Anthony could offer in response, seeing reason in Thomas’s words, but looking at the screen, he felt like he wanted to know desperately what had happened to the crew.
The mention of his psychic reserves however prompted him to consider a need to quantify it somehow, and as if to react to his desire, the screen switched to show an energy bar, currently valued at -2%.
“ Well now, that is a handy feature. “ Thomas uttered.
“ Yeah, looks like I am running on less them empty right now. “ Anthony admitted.
“ For now, you should probably focus on exploring your ability. Starting with gradually experimenting with those features you seen listed on the ship. But, try it on small items first, like those robots. And once you have gotten a feel for it, try to establish a connection to your psychic plane, so you can enter it on your own. The more control and understanding you gain, the easier it will be, and the cheaper in energy expenditure as well. “ Thomas instructed.
“ So, what now ? “ Anthony asked.
“ Now, you best release that ship from your influence again, and give it a day. I am going to break the connection then. And there is still someone else that would like to have a chat with you. “ Thomas responded.
“ Who ? “ Anthony asked, though guessing that there may be some that would like to question or introduce themselves to him as, surely, this world, Eden they referred to it, must have some form of leadership.
“ Tilly’s Mother. “ Thomas responded blatantly, which caused Anthony to look back at Thomas with a mixture of guilt and worry, given how little he recalled of that time with that beast woman. And the fact that her Mother was soon to approach him, it did not feel like something to look forward to right now.
That reaction made Thomas smile, it was showing at least that Anthony had no bad intentions, and if he was being honest with himself, Tilly had caved in to initiate the act, even if there was still the bitter aftertaste about how that Nah’Rahan pressed the issue.