Her thoughts scattered—commands refused to form. Every surface sweated with an oily film, the consequence of its violent brush with the immaterium. It wasn’t long before her talents were noticed. They spent their days patrolling the ship’s labyrinthine corridors, checking the integrity of the ship’s defenses and ensuring that nothing—or no one—could compromise the mission. “Down this way!” Sofia barked, her voice carrying the authority of a seasoned commander. Her face was delicate yet strong, with high cheekbones and full lips that seemed at odds with the grimness of the world around her. Sofia didn’t know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: she and her team would face it together, as they always had. She collapsed forward with a grunt, shaking. First a tremor, then a sharp twist, as though pulled by a puppet string. By the time she was old enough, she had enlisted in the Astra Militarum, determined to carve out a life of purpose and discipline.
