I belted on my power sword after donning my modified carapace armor, craning my neck to make sure my movement was not limited. The devices were boxy but small, hooked to our arms through small mechanical appendages appropriated by Lazarus. Normally they would be inducted into the power armor of an astartes, but they needed to be modified in order to fit on a more average-sized user. 

The three of us stood on the central walkway to the bridge, given a wide berth as we double checked our weaponry and ordnance. 

"Fifty seconds until activation." Lazarus declared, the volume on his voice box increased to prepare us and keep any crewman from stepping into range. 

"When we teleport, keep your eyes closed." I cautioned my subordinates, and took Emmaline's hand in my own. 

"Why?" Clara asked, having just reloaded her submachine gun. She seemed understandably nervous. Even without the knowledge we were about to infiltrate an enemy vessel with just three of us, teleporting was something very few imperial citizens ever experience. Perhaps one in five billion, some estimates theorized. 

"Teleporting technology is very similar to warp engines. Except this time we do not have gellar fields." I warned. 

Emmaline blinked, the implications dawning on her. I squeezed her hand. Clara was a bit less reserved. Well, more accurately she likely had less qualms about showing her reservations, at least. The guard captain had known me longer, and though Emmaline and I were closer, Clara had less to prove. Emmaline hid it well, but I could tell her heart was racing even before I gave away that bit of information. 

"What exactly are you saying?" Clara asked, eyes widening before narrowing suspiciously. "That we..." 

"For a second, we will be exposed to the warp. The teleporting device will keep corruption off of us, but if any denizen spots us in that moment and manages to make it to us, we will have no protection. You should not worry Clara, you do not have the gift. You will be the least likely to be spotted or taken. And don't worry, Em, I'll be right here with you. I'll keep anything off you." 

"Oh, so you can be taken instead of me?" She asked, a hint of resentment underlining the fear of the question. 

"I will not be taken." I said simply. 

"Ten seconds." Lazarus announced. 

"Maybe you should have told us that before you put this on us." Clara said. 

"Five seconds." 

"Just be ready for when we make it across." I told her. 

"Two...one..." 

The entire world changed. I felt in that moment that I experienced a fever dream, as if I could suddenly see and [i]know[/i] at least seven layers of reality. It only took a brief second, but I knew then I would never forget that experience. There was an...aftertaste on my soul I couldn't quite shake, nor would I ever. And yet, it was not nearly as bad as what could have occurred. I opened my eyes and saw familiar surroundings. Great tubes lining baroque walls enclosing around us. All three of us were there, unchanged and accounted for. I could feel the ship's systems brimming with energy all around us, and I knew were in the bosom of the Even Chance. 

I unholstered my pistol, giving Emmaline's hand one more squeeze before I let go. "Let's move."