Spiral.
When Thomas broke the connection, Anthony felt an onset of nausea.
The sensation to be withdrawn from the Psychic plane, while in reflex, trying to hold onto it, nearly left him with the feeling to throw up. The world before his eyes appeared to spin which left him grateful that he was still laying on the medical bed.
“ Slow. Your mind has to grow aware yet, and learn to distinguish Reality and Psychic plane. “ Thomas assured.
“ Is it normal, that you can go into the negative with your energy ? “ Anthony asked, reaching up to hold onto his forehead, his eyes closed for a moment to allow the world around him to settle down again.
“ Up to a certain point, yes. It is unusual, but not unheard off. But in your case, it may also be that you lack control, your leaking energy around yourself, making it easier for another Psyker to sense you, but also to act as a sort of, external energy pool. It is inefficient, but in your case, it saves you from worse effects. “ Thomas explained.
“ Huh.” Anthony spoke softly, opening his eyes to look towards Thomas.
“ This still doesn’t feel real somehow. “ He admitted to the other man.
“ Well, maybe you are still dreaming then. But from my perspective, it be best to learn controlling it, and not accidentally blowing yourself up. Psychic energy propagates more easily in the void, so if your not careful, you’ll cause trouble for the entirety of this system. “ Thomas warned, aiming to assure Anthony that he wont be able to ignore what was clearly there.
“ Probably. “ Anthony admitted with a sigh.
“ So, can I move throughout the ship ? “ He asked then, as he was supposedly still on the Hope, but considering there was, by Thomas’s words, personal from Eden aboard, he wasn’t sure if he should consider himself restrained to the medical bay for the moment.
“ Yes, it is your ship, and we have no intention to take it from you. Though I think some of the folks here are interested in your Magnetic shield tech. But I think the Queen will talk to you about that. “ Thomas responded.
“ Queen ? “ Anthony asked, finding the idea of a royal system quite archaic. But perhaps not out of the ordinary given human nature. But if it was the Queen approaching him, was this perhaps a Matriarchal system being used here ? Or, did they maybe just have a division of tasks and duties ?
“ Tilly’s Mother. “ Thomas responded, and nearly lost it as he watched Anthony grow pale at what seemed like the notion of having slept with the daughter of the queen, and he nearly felt like leaving it at that.
“ Oh great. “ Anthony muttered, lowering his hand over his eyes.
“ Don’t worry. Eden’s culture is different then what you might be used to. Though I guess it wont be a bad idea for you to take responsibility. “ Thomas tried to assure.
Luckily, at that point Ina intervened, leaning up from Anthony’s lap to walk up onto his chest, causing the man to raise his hand so he could look at her. And seeing that expectant gaze gave Anthony somewhat of a chuckle as he reached to gently stroke the Vixen.
“ Responsibility eh ? Well, maybe learning the culture may be a good thing first, and perhaps understanding how I even ended up in bed with Tilly. “ Anthony admitted, and making a valid point, least in his mind, as he recalled only fragments of their encounter. Though his words sounded a little hollow with the partial recollection of how he seemed, in charge most of the time.
“ True, but I suspect the Queen will be delegating Tilly to help you understand Eden’s culture, so. “ Thomas suggested, feeling a little conflicted about the issue. But he also had to admit to himself, it was a Siren’s nature, restricting Tilly’s access to Anthony right now may only cause more harm then good.
“ Culture. “ Anthony repeated the word, while considering the meaning behind it in relation to this situation.
“ Well, I guess things can’t get much stranger then they already are. “ He admitted, and luckily did not notice the look on Thomas’s face as he was well aware of how much more Anthony had to understand soon.
“ I best be on my way again. “ Thomas spoke, considering briefly before he added, “ Queen Marianna will be here soon I think. After that, I don’t think anyone will mind you moving on your own ship. But she will probably want to set some ground rules for either side, considering this is a meeting of an unprecedented kind for us as well. “
Anthony looked at Thomas then, his gaze briefly wandering off as he felt like those words held more meaning then he was aware of just yet. But Ina would lean in to lick at his right wrist, demanding he focus on her. And his assumption that it was about his Psychic ability, left Anthony to feel the best course of action would be to wait for now.
“ Thank you for your help. Can’t wrap my head around it just yet but, thank you nevertheless. “ Anthony spoke.
“ Is there a way I can contact you in case I have more questions ? “ He added then, intent on least keeping a door open for him to understand what he had there, if this really was not just some really abstract dream concocted from his mind.
“ Hmm. I may be gone for a few days. I do have to ask a friend of mine about your ability, as he is more versed in abilities that can be projected outward. But after that, I think there will be a Liaison stationed on your ship to facilitate contact. “ Thomas responded.
“ I will contact you myself soon as I can. Psykers are rare, so the opportunity to learn from another does not often present itself. I will be honest, your growth far outshines my own. I might just find a way to advance in my own training through you. “ Thomas admitted, suggesting that the opportunity to grow was present for both parties here.
“ I see. “ Anthony mused in response.
“ I’ll be off then. Make sure not to use your abilities least for today. “ Thomas noted as he turned to leave the room.
“ No intention of blowing myself up. “ Anthony responded with a wry smile.
He would look at Ina then, who returned his gaze with her head slightly tilted to the side.
Listening to the footsteps of Thomas growing distant before his mind came to dare question what he just experienced. Thoughts he tried to push aside, realizing that no degree of worry or wonder could explain it anyway.
Though he now did wonder, what was he wearing in the Psychic plane, hoping he had not been in his medical robe and shorts still. He was so occupied with what his eyes perceived, he had entirely forgotten to even care about his appearance.
For that matter, now that he thought about it, he never did look for Thomas’s psychic plane when they reached his side. He only ever saw that flower covered meadow, and part of him wondered, was it like his ? Some form of planetary body it was on ?
Meanwhile, Thomas made his way back to what the Maggie AI had called the Command hallway, where Marianna was already waiting for him, while Kira was currently with Tilly in one of the former crews cabin’s.
“ So, gone for a few days ? “ Marianna addressed him as she saw him come around the corner, she, like Kira and Aria had been listening in to the entire conversation between those two. Save for what was said while they where exploring Anthony’s mental plane, so that Marianna needed some context.
“ Yes. We may be in more trouble then I imagined. “ Thomas admitted, seemingly lost in thought as he approached Marianna, just to stand before her while his right hand reached up to stroke through his short beard, a sign that something was clearly bothering him.
“ Well ? Out with it ! “ Marianna pressured, causing him to look at her.
“ The energy I been sensing from him was what he lost control over. His actual energy had already been spend. He’s even gone beyond the limit of what he could use. “ Thomas described.
“ And, what does that mean ? “ Marianna inquired, narrowing her gaze at him as she already had an idea of what he was about to say.
“ Meaning, his capacity is far greater then what his ambient energy suggested it to be. So, if he looses control, it will likely be much worse then I suspected. “ Thomas responded, confirming what Marianna had feared.
“ But, he will need time to recover his energy, unless he knows of a way to meditate and soak in ambient energy from his surroundings. So for now, it will take some time before a lack of control would become dangerous. “ He elaborated further.
“ And, any idea what his ability is ? “ Marianna asked then, inwardly sighing at this troublesome development.
“ Some sort of, control. The restorative part was only aspect of it. I do not know the exact extend of it, but by the looks of it, he can remotely command and control mechanical units, including some robotic units that seem stationed aboard this vessel. “ He described.
“ What confuses me is, he has a sort of, Avatar, or spirit on his plane. And the third New horizon vessel is being represented as well. “ Thomas noted.
“ The New Horizon 2 ? “ Marianna asked, knowing of that vessel through Jonathan, as she had plenty of time with him to share such details. Though back then, those where less significant informations.
“ Yes, it’s somewhere halfway between here and Terra it seems, least by the distance his ability suggested. “ Thomas confirmed.
“ That doesn’t make any sense. Both Jonathan, and now he. They both supposedly followed a beacon here. But, if the ships crew is that far away. “ Marianna mused, more to herself.
“ Your first maybe ? “ Thomas suggested.
“ May be.” Marianna wondered, considering that they have not been detecting any beacon signals. But the AI on the NH 03 also lost track of it shortly before entering the Cradle System.
“ And Tilly ? “ Marianna asked then, concerned that the psychic backlash had forced her into her chosen self.
“ Indirect influence. He does not seem capable of influencing organic matter so far. Though It may be about the quality of his ability. “ Thomas spoke, carefully considering what he saw on Anthony’s plane.
“ What do you mean ? “ She asked in return.
“ To rule, to control, to dominate. It could be something along those lines. And that would be qualities Siren’s would favor in a mate. “ Thomas said, sharing what was more a guess then anything else.
“ So, you think she subconsciously reacted to these qualities ? “ Marianna asked to make sure.
“ Possibly. Maybe it was not just the Nah’Rahan’s influence, but something deeper that left her to not resist the urge to mate. And his energy may have latched onto her simply because it sensed that submission. Not to control her, but, to stake a claim ? “ Thomas suggested, and then shook his head.
“ I am just assuming here. It is to early to say just yet. “ He remarked, watching how Marianna seemed to consider something.
“ What remains certain is that his emotional reactions are detached to a degree, tempered even. It is like he has two faces, and he may not entirely be aware of it himself. Like, a recluse, but with a perfect mask that helps him function on a Social level. There is even a degree of distrust embedded somewhere.” He suggested then.
“ So, he might not be able to feel to comfortable with to many people around ? “ Marianna asked.
“ Not exactly, I think he can bear it, but he will be hard pressed to trust those around him. Though I have a feeling that he will get along perfectly with Siren’s. “ He responded.
“ You mean as in, he distrusts what he can not control ? “ Marianna summarized.
“ In a way, yes. I don’t know the reason for it, But I think the Siren’s way of life may have positive influence on that. “ Thomas admitted.
“ So, what do you suggest then ? “ Marianna inquired.
“ Release the bloodhound ! “ Kira interjected via the comms.
“ The what now ? “ Thomas asked in confusion.
“ Oh come on. Tilly ? “ Kira answered, “ She’s going into bonding anyway. She’ll keep him busy, and if it’s a positive influence as you claim, she’s going to be the key to ease him up to us. Besides, as you told him, Marianna is likely going to leave her with him as a, Liaison ? “
“ She isn’t wrong there. “ Marianna admitted as she watched Thomas and the look of frustration on his face. She was aware that he tried to respect the Siren’s way of life, but he has been on Eden only for a few years now, just handing Tilly out like that, while feeling for her like she was a daughter, it simply felt wrong to him.
“ Your right. She isn’t wrong. “ Thomas admitted in defeat, asking Kira, “ How is Tilly doing ? “
“ She is asleep at the moment. Reverted back to her human form, mostly. She is subconsciously keeping some of her traits visible to show her readiness to mate. “ Kira reported.
“ Don’t worry. I’ll have Kira stay around those two. “ Marianna tried to assure Thomas.
“ Hey ! “ Kira protested.
“ I am not telling you to bend over for him. And even if that where to happen, you haven't had a mate in a while, have you ? “ Marianna retorted, to which Kira huffed disapprovingly.
Thomas simply shook his head, he would probably still need some time to get used to this side of the Siren’s culture himself. Intimacy was like saying hello to them. But Eden flourished under their influence, and from another perspective, it was what many would heaven imagine to be like.