Upon boarding the shuttle en route to his new vessel, Nareth received the ship's specifications from Wojciech:
Length: 5.2 kilometers
Width: 1.04 kilometers
Mass: 33.11 million tons
Crew: Approx. 105,000
Maximum sustained acceleration: 2.3G
When the shuttle docked, Nareth disembarked, with Wojciech leading the way.
"My King, the cruiser is structurally divided into five major zones from bottom to top. Each zone has a different number of decks."
"Per your command, maglev rail systems have been installed."
"There are two trains: one for cargo and crew, the other reserved for officers."
He skipped over the bilge and began the briefing from the lower levels.
"The lower decks are primarily storage, fuel tanks, and other cargo holds. Regular crew quarters are located here as well."
"The mid decks include four manufacturing zones, where las weapons can be produced and armored vehicles maintained. Technicians, enforcers, and regiment soldiers are all housed in this level."
"The upper decks are for senior officers, officials, and your personal attendants. Maglev trains do not reach this level to avoid disturbing their work or rest."
As they spoke, the group arrived at the ship's top level. One wall featured a massive observation window overlooking the docked vessels.
"The bridge, a shared strategic and command center, is at the very top. From here, orders can be relayed to every part of the ship."
In the center of the strategy room stood a massive tactical table embedded with complex circuits and sensors.
"Once the Auger Array is activated, it will display enemy ships and battlefield conditions on 154 viewscreens on both sides."
"A holographic projection will also appear above the tactical table."
Wojciech then approached a black throne facing away from the observation window, which was designed to fit a Primarch's colossal frame.
"My King, this is your throne. Please take your seat and issue your commands."
Nareth's mind raced. As he approached the throne, his plans were already in place. Seated, he began issuing orders:
"Wojciech, organize the rest of the fleet to begin boarding immediately."
"Bukayo, all regiments, embark now."
Finally, he announced the fleet's warp formation:
"Besides the flagship, the escort frigate Piszczek, and the destroyers Termalica and Vistula will join this exploratory expedition."
Nareth had considered forming a larger fleet, but the harsh reality forced him to keep the operation minimal.
During the long Age of Strife, warp storms made safe warp travel nearly impossible. Navigators, those who guided warp journeys, had become nearly extinct. Vostroya had none. Even the powerful Mechanicum lacked them.
The Emperor had once convinced Mars to join the Imperium largely by reintroducing Navigators and developing Astropaths for interstellar communication.
But Nareth, currently only at Sequence 8: Barbarian, had neither the authority nor the power to create new warp navigation protocols. A larger fleet would mean higher risk.
Still, a cumbersome battlecruiser needed nimble escort ships for flanking and screening.
After acknowledging their orders, Bukayo reminded him:
"My lord, your ship requires a name."
"Hmm." Nareth thought for a second, then said, "This is the first battlecruiser wholly built by Vostroya. It is our pride. Let it be called the Pride of Vostroya."
"A poetic name," Bukayo, the Midnight Poet, smiled, "I see a steel mountain floating boldly in the void."
"You are the pride of Vostonia,
A titan clad in iron might.
Unshaken beneath the stars' dominion,
Ablaze with unyielding light.
Your keel is Vostroya's spine of steel.
Your cannon fire is Vostroya's wrath made flame."
Wojciech selected an elite crew from ships not assigned to the expedition and ensured each had enough men to return safely.
The fleet set sail for the Symphony of the Sea, where five more regiments joined. One boarded the Piszczek, while others manned the Termalica and Vistula.
Marlena Skala and her attendants also joined the fleet.
From his throne, Nareth turned to Marlena:
"Are you confident?"
While not as precise as Navigators, Psykers could guide ships through warp space using their deep connection to the Sea of Souls. Among them, precognition-class Psykers like Marlena were the most suitable.
This was the best solution, for now. The Daemonologist, which specialized in warp navigation, had yet to emerge. And Nareth himself, though a Primarch, had not found time to explore it.
His focus over the past few years had been entirely on developing Vostroya and mastering the Telepathy discipline, where his talent shone brightest.
"By studying the warp travel data from the Fra'al data crystals, combined with the Mechanicum's star maps," Marlena replied,
"I've gained useful insight. There's risk, yes, but I can handle warp travel."
Nareth, sensing her confidence, smiled.
"You're not alone. If danger arises, I will establish a psychic link with you and pull you back."
"Then I have no worries," Marlena said with a laugh. She trusted him completely.
"Go to cabin A-001 on the upper deck. Meditate and recover. We begin soon."
That cabin had been reserved for a Navigator Sanctum, one of two rooms Nareth had intentionally left vacant in anticipation of recruiting Navigators and Astropaths in the future.
One ship cycle later, Nareth took the lift to A-001.
He opened a communications channel with Marlena, the Warp Engine Seer, and the Helmsman Captain.
"Before we begin, I need to know your Warp Icon. The Fra'al calls it the 'Aetheric Archetype.' You should have discovered yours by now."
A Warp Icon represents how a Psyker perceives the warp, understanding it lets them draw from the Sea of Souls with more power and control.
Marlena's tea-brown eyes grew deep as memories flooded her.
"When I was three, playing near the shore, I was attacked by a Toothed Kraken the size of a wooden boat."
"In that split second before the strike, I sensed it coming. I rolled away just in time."
"Its tentacle lashed out again, and in my fear, I raised my hand, and tore it apart with unleashed psychic energy."
Her face darkened with the memory.
"I waited... thought I had died... but I survived. Then, strange changes began, my arm thickened, then my legs thinned."
"Later, I learned this was Biomancy Psykery. I was most gifted in that domain."
"I passed out in the cold sea. When I woke, I was back to normal."
She looked up, composed now.
"When I read the Fra'al writings on Aetheric Archetype, I instantly thought of the ocean."
"Growing up on an ocean world... surviving my awakening... It's no surprise."
"From the Fra'al's knowledge, I know I'm lucky. Most die without guidance, but I lived."
Her eyes gleamed.
"To me, the warp is a boundless sea."
"The Aether is the ocean. When I use psychic power, I draw seawater."
"When I search for destinations on the star chart, it's like hunting for islands in the deep."
Nareth nodded, her understanding of the warp was clear.
"Our destination is System A-068, as marked on the star chart. Begin the voyage."