Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:56 pm by Nem Yin
*Gravity rippled inside the system as a small hole was opened up from darkspace. Emerging into the system was a slender and sleek organic vessel seemingly crafted from black gloss. It was small as far as transports were concerned, no more than twenty meters in length. A lone figure glared out the canopy, focusing glowing crimson orbs on the planet directly ahead.* *He needn't really bother to look with his own eyes, for the cognition hood clinging to his face could have just as easily gifted him with a vision of what the ship's own eyes witnessed.* *He bit his lower lip, drawing a bead of black blood and savoring what little pain the sensation offered.*
*For two weeks now he had been traveling the darkened corridors of the void, bouncing from one system to the next as he gathered data to form a new star chart for his people. For all that they knew of the known galaxy, the Unknown Regions were still very much a mystery to them, despite that they themselves called the region home.*
*Arthas scowled bitterly as he surveyed the world sprawled out ahead. Sensor-beasts indicated that its surface was largely ice, cruel and cold in nature. The atmosphere was largely oxygen based, making it survivable without the aid of a lungworm. He stroked the creature, discerning more data and inspecting it meticulously.* *It wasn't in his records, nor the system either. That likely meant that it had been overlooked during the war, making it exactly the sort of thing he was looking for. The Praetorite didn't want a partial list of updated data; they wanted new data about new worlds and new systems. The more the better, especially if they were found in the region of space they were currently inhabiting.* *His mqaaq'it fell on the pulsing console in front of him, acknowledging the creature's efforts in capturing data. As it went about its business, the Intendant painfully removed his cognition hood and sought around the small cabin for his bladder-flask.*
*Upon finding it, Arthas stroked the creatures reflex, unsealing it and allowing the aroma of sparkbee honey to fill the small cockpit. Placing the flask to his lips, he took a long swig, enjoying the thick liquid as it oozed down his throat.* *He was aware of the fact that it dulled his senses, but he didn't care. It was one of the few luxuries he had left in this life, and it did much to bury the memories he had of the ones he had lost. There were so few of them now, so very few.* *Resealing the flask, the Intendant eased himself back into his seat and pulled the cognition hood back over his head. Observantly he focused his attentions on the ball of ice directly ahead.*
*Twin dovin basals slowly propelled the needle-shaped craft towards the planet. The distortion of gravity they created was barely noticeable given the slow speed and small shape of the ship, little more than what one might expect from a meteorite or some other piece of random debris.*
*His superiors would want more than just a star chart, they'd want first hand accounts of the planet itself. Being a scout, Arthas figured he'd save them the effort of sending a survey team and investigate the snowball himself. He was already here anyways.*