"That is the report's end, my Lord." Haratek said as the green screens disappeared.
Finally! I thought he would not stop talking. Now what should I do? Let me think... Hm... I know!
"I thank you for your report, Haratek. Use all the Canoptek Scarabs and Spiders to repair the Tomb, close the holes and openings, and drain the water. Mine materials if necessary, but don't get discovered, we are in no condition to face an invading force. Keep any rare ores, consider this my gift to you."
"Thank you, my lord, I will follow your orders precisely."
"One more thing."
"Yes, my lord?"
"Where is my war gear?"
His body went rigid and a scarab swarm entered the throne room with what I believe was a command, carrying several objects.
"Forgive me, my Lord, I forgot about your wonderful equipment due to the recent events." He waved and the items in question floated toward me.
A pair of Hyperphasic Swords was the first item, blades vibrating in different dimensions, allowing it to cut through flesh and armor with ease.
I held each in one hand and slashed the air, almost naturally, probably due to the body I inhabited. Blindingly quick blows left green traces where they passed and the swords disappeared in a green light when I finished.
A Staff of Light was the second item, an energy generator capable of firing Gauss beams, which could be energized and used as a Power Weapon in melee.
I rotated it in my hands as if a fighting movie monk, fluidly passing the staff from one hand to another, above my head and behind my back, accumulating energy in it.
Then, I pointed it upward, releasing a blast of green lightning that illuminated the throne room.
CLAP!
CLAP!
CLAP!
"Impressive, my Mord! It pleases me that the great sleep didn't affect your battle skills!" Haratek clapped his hands.
"Thank you Haratek."
Mindshackle Scarabs were the third item, minuscule machines capable of mind-controlling other beings, obliging them to do my bidding. They climbed my arm and disappeared inside my body as soon as I touched them.
A Shadow Ankh came next, a heavy amulet generating a small but powerful null field, capable of nullifying the powers generated by the Warp, severing Daemons and Psyker's connection with the Immaterium.
It floated and flew toward the center of my chest, merging with my body when I touched it.
Finally, the Tesseract Labyrinths, the pokeballs of the forty-first millennium; fist-sized green cubes of infinite storage, capable of imprisoning anything from armies to space fleets.
They disappeared into a green light similar to swords when I touched them.
"My war gear is in perfect condition! Is there more, Haratek?"
"I'm afraid not, my Lord, the water has damaged your remaining equipment, I will craft new ones once the tomb becomes operational."
"A pity, but I understand. You can leave now Haratek. Do as I ordered and then we will discuss the matter of my equipment."
"As you wish, my Lord." He bowed and left the throne room.
I sat on my throne, sighing tiredly when he left my sight.
What was this? I thought as I looked at my hands, opening and closing them.
I've never fought before, so how did I do it? Was it due to my Overlord's body?
I extended my hand and concentrated on what I wanted. Immediately, a Hyperphasic Sword appeared in my palm in a green flash. I concentrated on sending it to wherever it came from this time and the weapon disappeared.
Then, I tried something different. The Mindshackle Scarabs left my body with commands from my mind and walked on my palm.
I'm getting the hang of it, a lot of Necron technology works with commands, protocols, and thoughts. I need to concentrate for something to happen, but I will practice until it becomes natural to me.
About my equipment, what I have is not bad, but it could be better. Necron technology is absurdly powerful, but I would like something to keep me alive on the battlefield, like a Resurrection Orb, a Phylactery, or a Phase Shifter.
At least only powerful opponents can be a problem, like a helmetless named Space Marine. I hope I never face one of those; the plot armor may be real.
Now, what should I do? Maybe explore the tomb, but where should I start? Looking around, I saw several buttons on the right armrest of my throne. What will they do?
I pressed the first one and the stairs leading to my throne turned into a ramp while a trapdoor opened at its end. I have no idea where it leads.
The second button opened a compartment on my throne's side, revealing several drinks. A shame I won't need it.
I pressed the third one. Suddenly, an alarm rag as the tomb shook.
"Self-destruct activated, please evacuate the tomb."
Shit!
I pressed all the buttons I found, activating different compartments, screens, traps, and trap doors, until I finally pressed the right one.
"Self-destruct deactivated, have a wonderful day."
I sighed relieved, wiping the metaphorical sweat from my shining forehead.
That was close, I need to write down what each of these buttons does.
Pressing the last button, my throne's platform shook and I prepared myself for the worst. However, it floated upward for a few seconds, passing through several floors until I saw a light.
I found myself on the tomb's top when it disappeared. I left my throne, looked around this huge place, and sat on its edge, watching the horizon while thinking about Haratek's report.
Most of the tomb is submerged, leaving only a small part out of the water, and the Imperium has not discovered it yet due to two reasons.
First, we are located in the Point Nemo of our planet, the farthest place from any landmass. The Imperium won't waste time investigating for no reason.
Second, the humans of this planet are superstitious, calling the tomb Forbidden Ruins.
Many tried to invade the ruins, searching for treasure over the centuries, only to never return, killed by the tomb's defense system. This gave our home a haunted and cursed reputation, so people left this place alone, which is fine by me.
As for the planet's location, well, Hidrus Quintus is located in the Ultima Sector in the Ultima Segmentum, in the Ultramar Subsector, in the Hinaritus system, at an uncomfortable proximity to Macragge and the T'au Empire.
First, we have the star, Ifrit, then we have the planet, Hidrus, which had all its oceans drained and turned into a Forge World by the Mechanicus, who specializes in projectile weapons such as autoguns, tank ammo, and artillery.
The tomb in this world has been discovered and the Tech Priests have already had their fingers in the Necron technology.
Next, we have Hidrus Secundus, a typical Hive World with overpopulation, crime, and gang wars, serving as a recruitment point for the Imperial Guard, and also an undiscovered Tomb World.
Then, we have Hidrus Terceirus, a Farm World that provides food to neighboring planets, and also a Tomb World.
Breaking the uncreative nomenclature, we have Sirashia, a Desert World and Mining World for the Mechanicus of Hydrus, and a Tomb World, but they have not discovered it yet.
Turakion is the next, a Jungle World inhabited by the Snakebite Ork Klan, and a Tomb World.
Hidrus Quartus, a Civilized World, Shrine World, and Tomb World. It seems like some Imperial Saint was buried there.
Finally, Hidrus Quintus, a normal Civilized World, without strategic importance and secretly a Tomb World, is the planet where I am.
According to Haratek, something the humans call The Months of Storms will begin soon, rains of biblical proportions will cover the planet, raising oceans and consuming most islands.
That's why there were the big metal walls on some islands, they serve as population shelters during the months of storms in addition to defending against attacks.
Nevertheless, since this is the Imperium, people won't get in there for free.
The Planetary Governor and Nobility live in luxury within the walls, willing to let the populace in and rebuild their water-damaged homes in exchange for everything of value the commons have.
Maybe I should visit the governor?
Haratek could investigate for serious crimes and make an anonymous call to The Inquisition. Alternatively, I could approach him somehow and place a Mindshackle Scarab on his brain, a good way to conquer the planet without drawing attention.
Changing the subject to the Tomb Worlds, I know what you're thinking.
Why are there so many Tomb Worlds here?
I am a Necron Overlord, ruler of a Tomb World cluster, all this territory belonged to me sixty-five million years ago, this system's planets, neighboring systems, subsectors, and nearby sectors.
Should I awaken other Tomb Worlds, or should I stay hidden and live a somewhat peaceful eternity on Hidrus Quintus?
More things to think about.
Something in the distance caught my interest, another Ork ship, better get it over with. I concentrated and green lights left the water, sinking the ship and its crew.
I can't help but think it was a futile effort. Knowing the Orks, they'll build ten ships to compensate for the destroyed one. Suddenly, I heard a noise behind me, another platform reaching the tomb's top.
Haratek appeared, accompanied by two Lychguards, one bearing a Dispersion Shield and a Hyperphasic Sword, and the other holding a War Scythe. They were not rusted, unlike the other Necrons.
"There you are, my Lord! I would be pleased to introduce your Lychguards! Unfortunately, most of them suffered damage due to the tomb's condition, however, I worked personally to repair these two to a perfect state."
The Lychguards knelt, placing a hand on where their hearts should be.
"My Lord." They said in unison.
"Present yourselves." I ordered.
"This unity is called Rahkikh, my Lord." The one with the shield answered.
"This unity is called Thaszan, my Lord." The one with the scythe replied.
"You both can stand. You accomplished a good job, Haratek, I am satisfied."
"This servant is glad with your kind words, my Lord." The Cryptek bowed.
"But enough wasting time, we have much to do. Prioritize repairs and keep your sensors attuned for any relevant information."
"As you wish, my Lord."
We all returned to the platform and descended. Still, I kept thinking and will weigh in on that when the tomb is ready.
Should I awaken another world's tomb or remain hidden?
-XXXXXX-
Days passed and nothing happened, Haratek cared for the repairs and resource mining. The tomb will be ready in less than a year with the Scarabs and Spiders working speed.
I trained with my weapons and controlled the tomb units, getting better at it. I can command more troops than before and access the list of Necron stratagems and protocols.
It appeared within my field of vision like a video game menu, which only I can see. I also sank every Ork ship I saw, and the number of attacks on the human population decreased.
Now, I sat on my throne, watching the equivalent of TV shows in the forty-first millennium.
Rahkikh and Thaszan stood in guard position at the bottom of my throne's staircase, waiting for something to threaten my life. Lychguards are the best bodyguards someone can have.
"Imperial propaganda, imperial propaganda, imperial propaganda! They don't even have a marine life documentary on this planet!" I flipped channels on my screen.
Sometimes I wish something would happen to break my boredom.
-XXXXXX-
"Can any uv yer guits tell me wot happened ta ma ships?! Where's 'da loot?!" Gol D. Loota shouted at his startled Orks.
"But boss, da green lights..."An Ork tried to explain, only for the Power Klaw's hook to rip his head off.
"Did yer all see dat green light?" Loota asked and Orks nodded repeatedly.
"Hm... I will see 'dat green light 'n person! READY MA SHIP!"
"CRAAA! READY MA SHIP!" The Parrot Squig repeated.
All the Orks ran around the cave, preparing their Warboss's ship.
-XXXXXX-
"Is dis da place?" Loota asked an Ork boy in front of him.
"Yes boss, most ships sink ere, da green lights kome outta da wata an' sink dem."
"So, we need ta see wot's unda 'da wata."
"How are we gunna do dis, boss?"
"Like diss." Loota snapped his fingers and two larger Orks tied the Ork Boy to the ship's anchor chain.
"Boss, wait!"
"Sw'n 'da chain an we'll pull ya back!" Loota pulled a lever near the anchor, activating a mechanism and causing it to fall towards the water.
The Ork looked around when the anchor reached the bottom of the ocean, seeing a green light in the distance, and another, and another. They approached until he saw them clearly, a group of skeletal creatures pointing their weapons at him.
He opened its mouth to scream, only to expel the air in its lungs, so he struggled, swaying the chain as it pulled him up.
"What did yer see down 'der?!" Loota ripped the Ork Boy from the chain with his Power Klaw.
"Tin men!" He screamed between gusts of air.
"Tin men?!"
Suddenly, green rays left the water and hit the ship, but Loota's ship was bigger and stronger than the others, resisting the damage.
"WAAAGH!" The crew fired into the water without waiting for their Warboss orders.
Loota took a Twin-Linked Shoota from his belt and fired upward, getting his crew's attention.
"I DON'T KNOW IF YER GITS REALIZE, BUT 'DA TIN MEN ARE UNDA WATER, LET'S GO BACK TA 'DA HIDE, WE HAVE KONSTRUCTION WORK TA DO!"
"Boss, are we runn'n away?" The Ork Boy who asked the question was machine-gunned by Loota.
"DID YA NOT HEAR WOT I JUS SAID?! WE'RE GO'N BACK AN' WHEN WE GET BACK, I WANT YA TA KALL EVERY BOY, EVERY SHIP, EVERY ORK WE HAVE! WE WILL MAKE 'DA TIN MEN TEEF FOR GETT'N 'N MA WAY!"
END OF CHAPTER