Chapter 396 The Secret of the Eldar (Part 1)
As the highest priority target, Dietrian's shuttle was the first escape device to leave the Cursed Echo, which was about to be destroyed.
Slaves and bishops, as well as 24 servants and robed crew members, all watch holographic projections that serve as tactical maps and eyeball displays.
Unlike Echo's holographic image, Dietrian's image flashed watery from time to time, making Septimus's naked eyes feel painful.
Fortunately, once his bionic device started running, the pain disappeared and it also helped resolve some flickering interference.
Only then did Septimus realize that it was a projection designed to be seen by prosthetic eyes.
This ship has a round shape, like a bloated beetle, but it is covered with defensive turrets, and almost three-quarters of its length is given to the drive engine and subspace engine.
The bulkheads separated these areas of the ship from the habitable areas, and Septimus saw several Mechanicus wearing breath masks entering and exiting the engine deck.
The whole boat was packed to the point of going crazy.
To make room for the ship's armor, weapons systems, and propulsion systems, each tunnel is a narrow walkway, and each cabin is a low box containing basic systems and sufficient Space for one operator.
The command deck was the most spacious place in the entire ship, and even then there wasn't much room to move around if eight people were present at the same time.
Septimus watched as the ship's identifier pulsed across an asteroid, where it had hidden itself from alien scans.
On that flashing water screen, the rune representing the Echo was just a small dot among a bunch of angry signals.
"The Echo is coming soon, they will succeed."
Septimus had just finished speaking when he heard footsteps behind him and turned around.
Apothecary Valiel stepped in, his armor's joints making noise with every movement.
“Tell me what happened.”
The pharmacist demanded, calmly as before.
"The Eldar don't seem to know we are here."
Septimus' eyes returned to the holographic screen.
"I'm not asking the Eldar, tell me about the cursed echo, stupid mortal."
Septimus smiled gracefully to hide his embarrassment. After all, his mistake was too obvious. .
"They will succeed, Lord Valier."
The apothecary has no sense for the use of honorifics, just like Septimus used them many times or never used them Like honorifics, such things mean nothing to him.
Valier knew what Septimus meant by success.
Curse the Echo's inevitable death.
"Should I assume that we will be leaving soon?"
The pharmacist turned to the Mechanical Bishop and asked softly.
Dietrian nodded, trying his best to imitate human movements on his neck.
But the neck wasn't designed to curve in this subtle way, there was something locked at the top of his spine, and he had to take a moment to let the spinal connection relax.
"Can you explain it."
Valier walked to where Septimus was standing and observed the hologram himself.
"What's that?"
He pointed to another runic symbol.
"That..."
Septimus walked to the helmsman's console and tapped a few buttons to adjust the holographic display.
"...is the Empire's orbital defense station."
Valiel did not speak, which was not surprising to Septimus.
The pharmacist's light blue eyes blinked. When he looked at the holographic image of the broken orbital station, the cursed echo was already very close to it.
He leaned down to enlarge the photo.
"This is a particularly satisfying kill."
"Yes, my lord."
Valiel glanced at Septimus with his uneasy eyes.
After nearly ten years of service with the Eighth Legion, Septimus often thought nothing could shake his courage again, but it seemed that Valier's eyes were a rare exception.
“What’s wrong with you?”
the pharmacist asked. "Your heart rate is up, and you're radiating a sense of imbecile excitement."
Septimus tilted his head toward the screen.
“I’ve spent most of my adult life serving the Legion, and without that, I wouldn’t even know who I am.”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s fascinating. ”
The pharmacist turned to Dietrian again.
"Mechanic Bishop, there is one thing that can relieve my boredom. I want to listen to the Eldar communications. Can you hack into their signals?"
"Of course."< br>
Dietrian unfolded his two auxiliary legs so that they were hunched over his shoulders to work on an independent console.
“But I don’t have the ability to translate the pronunciation of the Eldar language.”
This caused Valier to laugh.
"Really? I thought you would be smarter."
"A mechanical bishop has more pressing matters than the mumbling antics of a hapless alien. To deal with it.”
“No need to be angry”
Valier gave a brief smile, although it was fake.
"I can speak several Eldar dialects, just listen to the signal if you can."
Dietrian paused before pulling the last lever.
"Can you explain your mastery of foreign languages."
"There is nothing to explain, distinguished bishop, I do not like ignorance, when the opportunity to learn arises I will seize it. Live it."
He looked at the robed Mechanicus.
"Do you think the Red Corsairs only fight against corrupt empires? No, we have fought against the Eldar countless times, not without prisoners, and guess who got the information from them through torture."
"I understand."
Dietrian accepted the answer and once again tried to pretend to nod.
His spine is made of various precious metals, plus pieces of ceramic, making clicking sounds with movement.
As Dietrian grasped the joystick, the bridge was filled with alien whispers and distorted by distorted crackles.
Valiel said a word of thanks and turned his attention back to the holographic screen.
Septimus stood with him, his attention alternating between the unfolding battle and Valiel's pale face.
"Stop looking at me."
Valier said after a minute.
“You are becoming more and more annoying.”
"I'm sorry, sir, but what are the Eldar talking about?"
Valiel listened for another half a minute and didn't seem to pay much attention.
“They talked in three dimensions, comparing the actions of warships to ghosts and beasts in the sea. It was all very poetic, but bland and worthless. There were no casualties reported yet, no The scream of any Eldar captain at the loss of their soul."
Septimus suddenly understood what Valiel was really hearing.
First Talon was right, Valiel was indeed a member of the Eighth Legion, no matter where his gene-seed came from.
"Wait a minute."
The pharmacist suddenly let out a low surprise, and then fell into silence again.
The background was still filled with the whispers of the Eldar. Septimus took a breath and asked:
"Are they in——"
Valley I glared at him to silence him, and the pharmacist's pale eyes narrowed to slits and he watched intently.
The Mechanicus crossed his arms over his chest and waited, hoping for an explanation but having little hope of getting one.
"Wait."
Valiel finally spoke, closing his eyes to better focus on the alien's words.
“Something is wrong.”
(End of Chapter)