"C'TAN, USE ANTIMATTER METEOR!" I yelled pointing at Malya.
The Vault forced the C'tan to do my bidding, the C'tan screamed in agony as his body was forced to use its power and do my bidding, a roiling orb of antimatter formed in front of the ark and shot towards Malya , simultaneously Malya launched her last attack.
Meteor clashed with Malya's lightning, the two attacks battling for dominance, reality falling apart around us, glimpses of other dimensions being revealed as the fabric of reality was forced to its limit, but even with all the blessings of her goddess, the daemon was no match for a star god shard.
Malya's attack was overcome, the meteor advancing more and more at great speed, Malya raised her shield, but it was in vain, the shield, her arm and soon after her body, were obliterated, erased from existence by the enormous and ancient power from C'tan.
"AAAHHH!" With one last cry of despair, Malya was no more.
XXXXXX
"AAAHHH!"
The scream of the Greater Daemon known as Malya echoed through the warp until it became completely silent, this scream reached the kingdom of Slaanesh where it was heard by one of his heralds, the daemon ran through the palace until he reached the throne room of the prince of pleasure.
"Oh! What brings you here? Looking to spend a night with me?" The god or goddess of chaos asked with amusement and desire upon seeing the herald kneeling on his throne.
"Not my goddess, I come seeking your wondrous presence to report something of utmost importance about Malya." The herald answered.
"Malya… Malya… Oh! I remember her, I sent her to corrupt the governor of Hidrus Quintus! I believe it was a success!" Slaanesh said happily.
"No, my goddess. Malya failed at her job." The daemonette said nervously.
"WHAT?!? Where is she?!? Bring her to me!" The god of chaos screamed in fury, his entire palace shaking with the power of his voice.
"Unfortunately that's not possible, my goddess, somehow, Malyaq was permanently killed and Lustfury disappeared."
"How is this possible?!?" With a wave of his hand, a warp portal opened beside Slaanesh, revealing the material world, where Slaanesh saw the events that had occurred a few minutes ago.
"You! Send more of our forces!" Slaanesh pointed at the terrified herald.
"We can't do that, my goddess, the Immaterium in that region of space is surprisingly stable, we can't exert any influence."
Slaanesh shuddered with rage, that rage spreading through his kingdom, which even now was suffering from storms, tsunamis and earthquakes, the Immaterium writhing with the god's rage.
"Watch that damn skeleton, I want to be notified as soon as he leaves the planet!"
"Yes, my goddess!" The herald yelled before dragging himself across the floor and out of the throne room.
Already on Hidrus Quintus, the portal to the Immaterium was closing, but not before one thing entered the material world, it was a small ball of light, the ball of light floated towards the gate of eternity of a monolith and entered the gate before he disappeared.
XXXXXX
Present Times
I came out of the Gate of Eternity inside Governor Jacqueline's palace. I walked through the decorated halls, or relatively decorated ones, since most of the place was destroyed.
I passed by a collapsed wall, giving a view to the city below. I saw Spiders, Scarabs and Specters helping in the reconstruction. They removed rubble, covered holes in the streets, reconstructed buildings and most importantly, helped to find the dead and wounded.
Heading towards Jacqueline's office, I observed the city up close through the eyes of a squadron of warriors. I saw families embracing each other with tears. It brought a "smile" to my face, but I "frowned" my brow when I saw the dead being killed. buried in the cemetery next to the largest cathedral in the city.
Hm... It could have been better, next time I'll be ready.
I found some servants on the way, now servants of the new governor. As soon as I approached they made the symbol of the imperial aquila, prayed, bowed or showered me with praise.
I admit I like it. It's nice to be able to walk around without having to disguise myself. I arrived at a large double wooden door, but stopped my hand next to the doorknob as soon as I heard an argument coming from the other side.
"This is nonsense! What do you mean I can't receive my family's territory?" A male voice called out.
"I'm sorry, but until your father's will is found and all assets distributed according to your will. I will not authorize you to receive the territories." A female voice answered, I recognized the voice as Jacqueline's.
"Who do you think I am? Now that my father and brother are dead, I am my family's heir!"
"We will find out if this is true after the will is found." Jacqueline replied.
With an angry snarl the male voice fell silent.
"How about you focus on more important matters? Like rebuilding my mansion!" A female voice, different from Jacqueline's, called out.
"Severe damage has been done to the infrastructure of Hidrus Quintus, the resources that would be spent on his manor can be better used elsewhere." Jacqueline said.
"Listen here you witch...".
I think that's enough, I entered the room without asking permission and as soon as the doors opened everyone was silent, Jacqueline and several nobles were staring at me.
"Greetings everyone! A beautiful day, isn't it? I believe you have important matters to discuss with our dear Governor, but I need to speak with her in private. Chapter master's orders."
When I finished speaking, the nobles left the room, but not before glancing at Jacqueline and muttering a few insults. When they disappeared into the halls of the palace, I closed the door behind me.
A few seconds passed before Jacqueline let out a grunt of frustration and banged her head on the table.
"Hard day?"
"You can say yes. Are you here on Lord Ulthagakh's orders?"
"It 's actually me, Jacqueline. Akatosakh Ulthagakh."
Jacqueline makes a surprised face.
"My Lord, are you...".
"Different?"
"Yes. Different, I can feel the energy in your body, but it is smaller than before."
"That's because I'm still inside the tomb, I'm controlling this Immortal's body."
That's true, since the day I entered the Temple of Destroyers, I still haven't left, it's been almost two months since I've been inside. I've been using commands and controlling other Necrons to be in multiple places at once, I've gotten better at doing that.
I approached Jacqueline, but for a moment my vision went black and I lost control of the Immortal, but managed to regain it before falling to the ground.
"Son of a..." I mumbled as I brought a hand to my side, an Opyhdian Destroyer had just cut me.
Even getting better at controlling other units, there's still something I couldn't get used to, understanding that the bodies I control are not my original body, sometimes I switch mouths and end up saying something I should say in a conversation taking place in another location.
Or else the damage I take in one body ends up reflecting in all the other bodies I control, like phantom pain.
I feel like Prisoner 0 from Doctor Who. Humph! How old I am!
"Lord Ulthagakh!" Jacqueline exclaimed worriedly, I held up my hand, stopping her as she rose from her seat.
Straightening my posture, I sat down in a thin, velvety wooden chair across from Jacqueline, the chair creaking under the weight of the Immortal but thankfully remaining intact.
"Well, Lord Ulthagakh, to what do I owe your majesty's visit?" Jacqueline asked nervously, her brow furrowed and dripping with sweat.
I imagine she still hasn't quite gotten used to my presence yet, it's to be expected, with all the Imperium's anti-Xeno indoctrination and Emperor worship, Jacqueline has become a heretic. This must be causing serious conflict in her mind.
I think the problem is along the lines of 'I am a heretic, but by being a heretic I am protecting the people of my planet, but by protecting the people of my planet I am collaborating with xenos, which is heresy. '
"Nothing too important, I just wanted to talk to you." That seemed to calm the nervous astropath a bit, I changed my posture in the chair to one of cross legged and hands clasped in my lap.
"What would you like to talk about, Lord Ulthagakh?" Jacqueline asked.
"First of all, how are you?"
Jacqueline stared at me in confusion, one eyebrow raised and head tilted to the side.
"I'm sorry, Lord Ulthagakh, but I don't understand. Is this some kind of test? Did I do something that displeased you?"
Damn it! I just wanted to have a normal, genuine conversation with someone!
"Haratek, my weapons are… Sorry! I mean... No, this is not a test, I'm asking a genuine question."
Jacqueline was silent, with a face of deep thought, meanwhile. I took a good look at her, she had put her old astropath clothes aside and was now wearing noble clothes, the less extravagant noble clothes you would see in Warhammer.
A simple black dress, red gloves that reached to her elbows, a golden necklace with the imperial aquila was around her neck, Jacqueline wore no makeup or earrings, her hair was well-groomed and tied back in a ponytail, but she still kept her astropath's golden staff, had been floating by his side all this time.
But even though she looked good, Jacqueline looked tired, her face was drawn and she looked thinner. I saw a slight tremor in her hand as she wrote with a quill on a piece of paper.
Realizing I was staring, Jacqueline let go of the quill and placed her hand on the table, but the quill continued to write on its own.
"It's been hard, I am a heretic, I grew up hearing stories of how I should hate the xenos with all my might and embrace the Emperor's light, and here I am, speaking to you, Lord Ulthagakh, as if the conflict of my beliefs if that wasn't enough, the unprepared sons of nobles come to my office every day in search of favors or resources for useless purposes. I don't know what to do, I wasn't prepared to govern. The people respect me due to the speech you made, but the nobles don't feel the same, they have no problem insulting me to my face."
"Hm… Unfortunately about your beliefs, I can't do much, the galaxy is dangerous, full of xenos that can kill you in the worst possible way, you're half right to hate them. Humanity has suffered a lot at the hands of other species. All I can do is show you that I am being genuine. I ask you to wait and you will see the results of your trust in me. Whether your view will change in the end, I cannot say, that depends on you. About the nobles, ignore them, but do little favors to make them feel superior, make them think they are in control, this can avoid riots, but if any of them prove to be too troublesome, well... The skinned ones will have an extra portion of food."
"Who?"
"Nobody important. As for the part about not being prepared to govern, that's good, because neither am I."
This surprised Jacqueline, her eyes widened as she backed up in her chair.
"But Lord Ulthagakh, how is someone great like you not prepared to rule? How can you say that about yourself?"
I could hear Jacqueline struggling to say each compliment, and the concern in her voice was false.
"Hm… The millions of years I lay dormant in my tomb have rusted my skills, I feel like there's something missing in me so I can consider myself a true leader. But other than that, how are your powers?"
Jacqueline waved her hand and various objects floated across the room, forming circles, rising and falling.
"It's easier to use my powers, the pressure the warp put on my mind is gone, I feel like I'm free to use my powers however I want." Jacqueline said with a small smile.
"Just don't overdo it, I don't want the Inquisition knocking on my door because you've become a portal for daemons again."
The mention of the inquisition and her past experience with daemons made Jacqueline shudder.
"I'm not telling you to stop practicing your powers, I'm just asking that you do so in moderation. Another question? Have you been eating and sleeping well?"
"Not exactly, as governor I have a lot of work to do."
"This is not good, we cannot have our governor passing out from exhaustion in the middle of her work."
With a clap of hands, two warriors entered the room, one carrying a breakfast tray and the other carrying a stack of books.
The warriors placed the books and tray on the table and left shortly after, I saw Jacqueline staring at the plate of eggs, toast, sausages and bacon, with a mug of recaff on the side.
"You can eat it, I will not be offended by it."
"Are you sure?" Jacqueline asked hesitantly.
I nodded, but before I started eating, Jacqueline asked one more question.
"Lord Ulthagakh, if I may ask. What are these books for?"
"For us to learn together how to lead, I took them from the palace library, but I admit that some of them are just for me to pass the time. You can eat without worrying, when you're done, we'll start our learning, meanwhile I'll read a little."
Her question answered, Jacqueline began to eat. I picked up the top book from the pile and read the title on the cover, Lectitio Divinitatus, the bible of the Empire, the book written by the traitorous Primarch Lorgar Aurelian.
Well, I'm not a very religious person, but if I want to rule imperial planets, I'd better learn how the Imperium religion works exactly.
I opened the book and read the famous first line.
"Rejoice, for I bring glorious news. God walks among us."
XXXXXX
Tomb
I was walking towards the throne room with Haratek following me.
"...Mining has been expanded as the lord ordered, Scarabs, Spiders and Wraiths are at work extracting adamantium, gold, silver and gems."
"Well, cut the stones and refine the ores, send a message to nearby systems and Rogue Traders, talk about the materials we are selling. We need to move the economy of the planet."
"As you wish, my lord. We have also begun to improve the planet's technology as you have commanded. We've improved the transmission systems and are working on an imperial interplanetary communication system that doesn't use astropaths, but doesn't look like our technology."
"And the defenses?"
"The planet's defenses are being automated to require the least amount of organics possible. Defense lasers, flak turrets, and auto-turrets are being repaired and upgraded with reloading, tracking, and auto-targeting. With an Autonomous Spirit connected to the Tomb Mind, soon all systems on this planet will be connected to our tomb. We started building Sentinel Pylons and Gauss Pylons at strategic points on the planet. We also send a series of probes and satellites into the void where they will hover around the planet and detect any approaching craft days in advance."
"Great, no more being blindsided. And our troops and fleets? Are we ready to go?"
"Yes, my lord. All you have to do is give the order. In total we have five hundred thousand Warriors, twenty-five thousand Immortals, Ten thousand Marks of Death, one hundred Royal Guardians, Twenty Lychguards, seven hundred Flayers and Destroyers. It all adds up to our diverse constructs, vehicles, and war machines."
"I'm paying attention, Clandestor… Sorry! I see, unit numbers are good, but I won't take everything with us, we'll leave half of our forces to defend the planet, except for Guardians and Lychguards. And my weapons?"
"All the weapons in your wonderful arsenal have been repaired and your Staff of Light has been modified as you ordered."
"Good job, hand over my weapons later. I still have matters to attend to at the moment. I hope Imanitek has finished the task I gave him."
"Imanitek?!? My lord! I'm sorry if Imanitek did something to displease you, I'm willing to accept any punishment in my nephew's place." Haratek exclaimed, kneeling in front of me.
I mentally sighed.
"Stand up Haratek, your nephew has done nothing wrong, I just gave him a fun task that would simultaneously help us."
Passing through the automatic door ahead of us, we entered the throne room.
"And what task would that be, My Lord?"
Inside the throne room we find Imanitek lying face down on the floor, dangling his feet in the air and drawing on a sheet of paper, his staff floating at his side.
As soon as we entered, Imanitek glanced our way, rising quickly, the Aprenteka ran towards us, holding a pile of papers above his head.
"Lord Ulthagakh! Here are the drawings you ordered!" Imanitek handed me the papers.
"Designs? Drawings of what?" Haratek asked, floating beside me to see the paper's contents.
"The task I gave Imanitek was to design our Space Marine armor. I intend to continue with the excuse that we are Astartes. But as we go further into the system we will meet people who will know what a Space Marine looks like, so I asked Imanitek to design the armor that you will make with your solid light technology, Haratek."
"Oh! I understand. I will prepare the solid light disguises immediately."
I looked at the drawings one by one, despite being a child, Imanitek drew with a professional artist, the first drawing I saw was the one I will use for the Warriors.
I asked Imanitek to draw something between a Necron and a Space Marine, based on the story where Trazyn saved a planet and the inhabitants of the place thought that the Necrons were skinny Space Marines.
The warrior was lean and tall, wearing black armor with each plate terminated in a gold border, the armor was covered in silver Necron hieroglyphs, the warrior also wore a helmet in the shape of a human skull painted green.
Immortals wore black armor that was larger but less ornate, instead the armor was covered in glowing green lines and the helm had a green visor instead of being shaped like a skull.
Haratek will be my Techmarine, he wore completely green armor with black details, covered in white hieroglyphs, on his back were several claws and tools, the Mechadendrites of a Mechanicum.
My Lychguards will be my Honor Guard made up of Slayers, they wore blue-green armor, with large shoulder pads and a helmet in the shape of a screaming skull.
I will be the Chapter Master, I will wear light green armor made to look like a large human skeleton, with silver bones adorning the armor, the breastplate will be made to look like a ribcage with my Ankh on the front, only in gold, I will wear large shoulder pads red and I will wear a long dark green cloak.
But the best part was the helmet, a big green helmet in the shape of a human skull with an impassive expression. The front of the helmet had a green warpaint and allowed only my eyes to be seen, staring at whoever was in front of me.
I handed the drawings to Haratek.
"You did a good job, Imanitek, you can have the rest of the day off." He said as he petted little Necron's head.
With a quick wave, Imanitek hurried from the throne room, his staff following him.
"If you need nothing else, my lord. I will withdraw with your permission."
"Yes, Haratek, you can go."
"Thank you, my Lord."
With a final wave, Haratek left the throne room.
Hm... The disguises will be ready, but there is a problem, the weapons, we can make the Gauss weapons look like Bolters, but as soon as they shoot, everyone will see the green rays coming out of the weapons.
But I thought of a solution for this, there is a type of Necron weapon that is less known and less flashy, the canvas weapons, we will be able to use them until we get some weapons for Space Marines.
With matters here finished, I focused on a conversation taking place at the top of the tomb.
XXXXXX
Top of the Tomb
I was on the edge of the top of the tomb, watching the waves of the sea crashing against the smaller pyramids below, Kamamitet and Ananotek were beside me.
"What do you think of the view?" I asked them both.
"It's just water." Ananotek replied.
"Hm… Is it… Pleasant?" Kamamitet said hesitantly.
I didn't like any of the answers.
"Is that the best you can think of? Just water and nice?"
"What do you want us to say? The obvious?" Ananotek spoke.
"I will ask another question. What do you see when you look at the sky?"
"Clouds." Ananotek replied.
"Just that?"
"The sun of this system." Kamamitet spoke.
"Small vision answers. You are thinking small."
"Lord Ulthagakh, what do you want us to say?" Kamamitet asked.
"An honest answer. When I look out to sea, I don't just see water, but I see the beauty in it, the sunlight reflecting off the ocean, the calming sound of the waves, the birds singing, the fish jumping out of the water. When I look up at the sky, I don't just see the sun and clouds, but what lies beyond. The planets and their inhabitants."
"Inhabitants that need to be eliminated for infesting our galaxy." Ananotek spoke.
"Our galaxy? Who said the galaxy is ours? Where is it written that we own the galaxy? Because from what I'm seeing, we've been forgotten, we have the fewest conquered planets."
"And we can change that, taking out one organic at a time, making them feel the fear they all felt during the War in Heaven."
"I had a conversation with my Crypteka some time ago. What would be the point of eliminating the other species from the galaxy? Conquering planet by planet and turning them into balls of Necrodermis floating in space?"
"To restore the glory of our empire!" Ananotek exclaimed.
"Hump! War and glory. Is that all you want? Say we succeed in conquering the entire galaxy, what would we do next?"
Ananotek was silent.
"Even if all the problems between the various dynasties were resolved, we would reach a point where we would have nothing to do." Kamamitet spoke.
"Exactly, beings incapable of dying looking at each other's faces. Don't you have something you've always wanted to do? Explore the galaxy? Sculpt a statue? Find a new purpose?"
"Yes." Kamamitet and Ananotek spoke.
"But I realized how silly that was. We are machines made for war, honorable masters of the military art. We must do what we do best. Why try to deny our nature?" Ananotek said.
"And that is our nature? When our species was made of flesh, did we have the purpose of war? Or to enjoy the wonders of the galaxy without having to worry about an early death?"
"We tried to escape death so that we could enjoy life. See what the galaxy has to offer." Kamamitet said.
"Exactly. You know, I was thinking of making a garden here. A large field of flowers of different colors shouldn't be difficult thanks to our technology. I like gardening and wouldn't mind doing it for eternity. I'd like to explore planets in search of new plant species and create a big garden. This is my final question to you, if the galaxy becomes the Necrons, what will you do for eternity?"
Letting out a growl of rage, Ananotek disappeared into a gate of eternity.
"What will we do for all eternity? Good question, Lord Ulthagakh, good question."
XXXXXX
Governor's Palace
Days passed, it was night and I walked through the palace corridors in search of Jacqueline, I was interrupted in my walk by the sound of music echoing through the corridors.
I followed the sound of music until I entered a large room, the place was illuminated by the light of a fireplace, shelves full of books were on my left, above the fireplace there was a large painting of the late governor Mathias.
To my right there was a set of three large glass windows with their red curtains open, letting in the light of the two moons. Taking a quick look through the windows, I saw the stars and nebulae illuminating the sky, really beautiful.
My footsteps echoed through the great room as I walked to the source of the music, Jacqueline Boucher playing a piano near one of the windows.
"Lord Ulthagakh." Jacqueline kept playing, not looking in my direction.
"Jacqueline." She said with a nod.
"What brings you here on this fine night?"
"I came here to let you know that I will soon be leaving the planet."
"Oh! I wish you a safe journey, Lord Ulthagakh." Jacqueline kept playing, but I could hear the happy note in her voice.
"Before I leave, tell me. How is it going?"
"Trading with Rogue Traders and traders has been going well. Thanks to my Lord's machines, the damage to the planet has been repaired. I am investing in education and health as you suggested."
"Well, I want doctors, teachers, scientists, engineers and mechanics. Not cyborg monks who spend two hours praying to tighten a screw."
"Haha ha!" Jacqueline let out a dry laugh.
I sighed, "I won't take all my strength with me and most of my nobles will stay in the tomb as well. I'm afraid some of them will take some drastic action in my absence, so I'll leave some Necrons to protect you. I hope you haven't forgotten about your old friend, the Spectre."
When I finished speaking, a Specter crossed the ceiling and stopped beside Jacqueline, simultaneously ten Marks of Death came out of its pocket dimension.
"I thank you for your concern, my lord."
"But should the worst happen, I have a little present for you. This is an Enmitic Disintegrator Pistol, a weapon of the destroyer cult that I ordered modified for a human to use. You better watch where you point, that thing can punch a hole through the wall all the way to the other side of the palace."
I placed the pistol on top of the piano, Jacqueline was silent, just playing her musical instrument. The situation got awkward, I looked away as I scratched the back of my head.
"Listen…" As soon as I turned around, I fell silent as I came face to face with the barrel of the pistol.
The Specter and Marks of Death pointed their weapons at Jacqueline, I sent a command for them to stop.
"Serious? You know damn well it won't work."
"I only see one way to find out." Jacqueline replied, still playing the piano.
"You won't gain anything from this, this is not my original body, as soon as you shoot, my units will kill you. And even if it doesn't, I can order the scarab in your brain to blow your head off."
"At least I would die knowing I fought for the Imperium and didn't become a heretic." Jacqueline stammered those words, I noticed a tremor in her voice.
"Is that why you're holding a gun to my head? Why don't you want to be a heretic?"
As soon as I finished speaking, Jacqueline slammed her hands down on the piano keys, making a horrible sound echo through the room.
"YES, EXACTLY!"
CRASH!
The window beside Jacqueline exploded in a shower of glass.
"DO YOU EVER KNOW HOW I FEEL?!? KNOWING I'M COLLABORATING WITH A XENO WHO MANIPULATES MY PEOPLE?!? SINCE I WAS A CHILD, I GROWED UP ON THE WAY THAT I SHOULD LOVE AND WORSHIP THE EMPEROR AND HATE THE MUTANT, THE XENO AND THE HERETIC! BUT LOOK AT ME! I AM A HERETIC TALKING TO A XENO!"
I saw something running down Jacqueline's face, a liquid that glistened in the moonlight. Was she crying?
"Jacqueline, listen…" I tried to approach, but the pistol approached my head, my units moved, but I ordered them to stop.
"AS IF THAT WERE NOT ENOUGH, I HAVE BEEN INSULT AND FEARED BY THE PEOPLE I HAVE SERVED FOR MOST OF MY LIFE! DO YOU THINK I DIDN'T GET IT? THE WHISPERED INSULTS? THE HATEFUL GLARES BURNING INTO MY BACK. THEN THE DAY COMES I AM TORMENTED BY VISIONS OF THE SKY OPENING FOLLOWED BY A RAIN OF MONSTERS, ONLY FOR A TIME AFTER IT IS USED AS A PORTAL IN A RITUAL BY THAT HERETIC GOVERNOR TO ATTACK MY OWN PLANET. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I FELT WHEN THOSE THINGS ENTERED MY BODY AND ATTACKED MY MIND?"
The window next to me exploded too.
"I can not imagine."
"HUMP! I WOULD NOT WANT THAT ON ANYONE! THEN TELL ME, LORD ULTHAGAKH! WHAT SHOULD I DO? CONTINUE PRETENDING I'M NOT A HERETIC? OR FIGHT FOR THE IMPERIUM AND DIE KNOWING I DIDN'T BETRAY THE EMPEROR?"
Jacqueline was silent, waiting for my answer.
Letting out a long sigh, I sat down on the floor in the lotus position, placing my hands on my legs as I looked Jacqueline in the eye. The gun was still pointed at my head.
"Jacqueline Boucher, you are not a heretic."
"Explain!" Jacqueline snarled, the gun being thrust against my forehead.
"Jacqueline, you more than anyone should know how miserable life in the Imperium is, despite the Ecclesiarchy saying that this is the Emperor's will, we both know this is not true, I know you know it in the back of your mind. Fanatics who burn men, women and children at the stake for having different opinions or to set an example, hive cities filled with people starving, sick and killing each other to survive while the nobles ignore them. Factories where workers are born and die without seeing the light of day knowing what lies beyond the metal walls. Is this the Imperium you love so much?"
Jacqueline was silent, doubt dawning on her face.
"What about the billions of soldiers fighting pointless wars only to be executed soon after for seeing something they shouldn't? The cultists who, to escape the oppression of the Imperium, swear allegiance to the ruinous powers? The ineffective law of the Imperium where the closest family member will suffer for the crimes of his heretical great-grandfather? I can spend all night quoting the Imperium's thousands of problems."
"Where are you going with this?!?"
"Jacqueline, stop and think for a minute. Are you a heretic for working for me and thus protecting your people? If that's being a heretic then what are fanatical priests and ignorant nobles? What are those responsible for the miserable lives of the inhabitants of the Imperium? They are the true heretics for killing and abusing the people as they please. You, Jaqueline Boucher, should be called a hero for what you are doing for your people."
"You are lying!"
"I am? Or am I speaking the obvious truth of the Imperium, but you don't want to accept it? You know I'm telling the truth. So please put the gun down and calm down, it doesn't have to be like this. Let's talk like civilized people."
Hesitation flitted across Jacqueline's face, the gun quivering in the air, but slowly she lowered it and returned to the top of the piano.
"I am scared. What if someone discovers the truth? What if the forces of the Imperium attack my planet, declaring us heretics? What if I am not a good governor and the people start an uprising?"
"I'm scared too, Jacqueline. I plan to go to other planets, I have a general idea of what to expect, but this galaxy tends to kill good people with a good head above their shoulders. What will I find? Orks? Eldars? Daemons? Some monster from the void that will devour my ship in one bite? Honestly, staying on this planet is a tempting offer, at least I know what's on here. But I think you shouldn't worry too much, and it's almost impossible for you to be worse than other governors of the Imperium, the planet's defenses have been upgraded and part of my forces will stay here, a successful attack is almost impossible. You are a good person Jacqueline, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, as for me, I will become a monster to the many and a savior to the few."
"Lord Ulthagakh?"
"Yes, Jacqueline?"
"I know this is not a good time and you are about to leave, but could you tell me more about yourself and your kind? You are quite old, aren't you? Is Necron the correct name?"
"Yes, currently we are called Necrons, but before that we called ourselves Necrontyr."
"And why did the name change?"
"It's a long story, I could tell you, but I'd like you to do me a favor."
"Yes, Lord Ulthagakh."
"Could you teach me how to play the piano?"
Jacqueline was taken aback, but slowly nodded her head.
"Perfect!"
I sat down on the floor next to Jacqueline. I doubted the wooden bench would support my weight, even though I was still taller than her.
"Ready to begin, Lord Ulthagakh?"
"Yes."
I noticed that Jacqueline was staring at me. Hang on! Have I been looking for a while?
"Is there a problem, Lord Ulthagakh?"
"No! I was just thinking how much of a noble you look now."
"Humph! It's annoying, I need to talk like a noble, move like a noble, eat like a noble, sleep like a noble."
"At least you can eat, sleep and be entertained, I have to stare at a bunch of impassive metallic faces. Always Lord Ulthagakh this, Lord Ulthagakh that. I wish they would find something better to do!"
Jacqueline and I both let out a little laugh at that.
"Well, Jacqueline, let's get started, allow me to tell you about the Old Ones, Necrontyrs and the War in Heaven."
XXXXXX
Tomb
Haratek's Laboratory
"Hm… The specimen of Daemonette known as Lustfury has been proving to be revealing in the current situation of the Sea of Souls, now known as Warp." Haratek spoke into a small floating device that served as a voice recorder.
The aforementioned Daemonette was bound and gagged to a metallic surgical table, her arms and legs were bound by power shackles, and a metallic necklace connected to a generator was attached to her neck, the Daemonette's form flickered, becoming transparent and solid again.
Sliding his finger across a holographic screen, Haratek increased the generator's power, causing Lustfury to writhe in pain but maintain solid form.
"According to Lord Ulthagakh, the beings known as Daemons are nothing but corrupted warp energy, the form we see is just our minds trying to understand the creatures in front of us. But each Daemon takes on an appearance similar to the God of Chaos who created it. Due to the pestle and damage to her body, Lustfury is trying to return to warp, but because she's made of energy, I've found that I can prolong Lustfury's existence if I use a generator. The generator is not connected to any system in the tomb, I made it due to Lord Ulthagakh's aviations about Daemons being able to possess and corrupt technology."
Haratek took a large needle and pierced Lustfury's arm, but nothing filled the needle.
"The being does not have blood or any kind of body fluid, which is interesting, how a being made of pure energy manages to think and live. Something similar to the C'tans perhaps?"
Then Haratek took a Hyperphase scalpel and began to open Lustfury's stomach, the daemonette tried to scream, but the gag prevented her from making any noise. Pulling the halves of Lustfury's stomach aside, Haratek continued his studies.
"The being has internal organs, but according to Lord Ulthagakh, this is nothing more than aesthetics, the intestines, lungs, heart and other organs are not necessary for the Daemon's survival." Haratek spoke as he moved Lustfury's organs to the sides and examined them closely.
A scarab floated beside Haratek recalling the vivisection while another scarab took pictures.
Haratek took a handful of intestines and cut them with the scalpel, Lustfury tried to scream again, but there was no result. The intestines disappeared as soon as they lost contact with Lustfury's body.
"Any body part that loses direct contact with the Daemon immediately disappears, this is a pity as I need to keep the Daemons alive to study their organs and…"
"Oh! Who is she?" a curious female voice asked.
"Is she your mate, Haratek? I'm disappointed in her tastes!" A male voice exclaimed, teasing Haratek.
Letting out an irritated snarl, Haratek placed Lustfury in a Tesseract Maze and turned towards the two Cryptekas who entered his lab.
Tholikan and Koratitan.
"What do you want?" Haratek grumbled.
"Our lord sent for you." Tholikan spoke.
"Then it is time to leave."
Throughout the tomb an alarm sounded, it was time to leave, the war machines, constructs and troops moved towards the ships, nobles prepared their forces, ready to conquer glory on the battlefield, only one person was missing, the overlord.
XXXXXX
Temple of the Destroyer Cult
I blocked the Skorpekh Destroyer's blow right after, parried his downward strike, the Skorpekh tried to cut me with his other blade, but I jumped back, dodging the blow and advanced right after, plunging my sword into Skorpekh's neck, separating its head from its body, the Skorpekh was teleported away for repairs.
I ran through the temple to dodge the shots of the Hexmark Destroyer, its six pistols sent a barrage of shots in my direction, a Skorpekh placed in front of me, trying to stop my advance, he raised his blade and brought it down towards me.
I threw myself on the ground, sliding under his legs, then I plunged my two swords into his back, trapping him and turning him towards the Hexmark, the destroyer continued shooting, not caring about hitting his ally.
I advanced towards the Hexmark, each shot ripping pieces off the Skorpekh, but as soon as I approached, I threw the Skorpekh towards the destroyer in front of me, the two bodies collided against the temple wall.
I swung my swords in each hand and ran towards the downed destroyers, but was stopped in my run by the Ophydyan destroyer who broke through the ground and tried to wrap around my legs, I took a great leap, escaping his grip and as I fell, I stepped on the head of the destroyer, crushing her to the ground.
More Skorpekhs and Ophydians stood in my way, I was ready to continue, but suddenly an alarm rang through the tomb, we all lowered our weapons, it was time.
"I think that's enough for today, we'll continue your training during the trip." Clandestor spoke, floating beside me.
"I agree, finally I can take a break."
"Humph! Don't get used to it, you still have a lot to learn." Clandestor crossed his arms.
Inside the temple, two gates of eternity opened, Clandestor and the destroyers entered through one. Me, the Royal Guardians and Lychguards entered through another, when we left the gate, we were on the bridge of my ship.
"My lord!" Hear Haratek scream.
I saw my three Cryptekas and Haratek's nephew looking at me with concern.
"Some problem?"
Without answering, Haratek caused a screen to appear in front of me, this screen served as a mirror, so I realized why Haratek was so worried.
I looked horrible, my body was full of cuts, holes and burns, I was missing one of my eyes, my left arm was almost falling off my body, my armor was in tatters, the headdress on my head was broken and my cloak was torn. , but my body was already repairing itself.
"Don't worry, this is the result of my training. More importantly, where are my weapons?"
The Cryptekas looked at each other hesitantly, but they nodded slowly, with the press of a holographic screen, a series of equipment was teleported in front of me.
My old Staff of Light was modified, in addition to shooting lightning and freezing things, I ordered it to be transformed into a Gauss weapon with three different fire modes.
The first modification was made to the adornment, in the center of the piece an extremely powerful Gauss Flayer was placed, capable of reducing tanks to dust.
The second modification is floating a few centimeters from the handle of the staff, a set of six metallic cylinders, Gauss Flow Arcs, basically a Gauss machine gun, lower damage and accuracy, higher rate of fire.
The third modification was a set of adornments on the staff's hilt, the Sigils of Necrontyr, they enable the weapon to fire powerful gauss blasts at the enemy, basically a Gauss shotgun.
The last modification of my staff was the installation of a war scythe blade, but scythe weapons are difficult and strange to use. It takes a lot of technique to do this, something I don't have, so I ordered a blade of war scythe forged in the shape of a Hyperphase Glaive, the blade effortlessly cuts through even the most powerful armor.
Now my staff looked like a cross between a spear and a halberd.
The second piece of equipment was a device equipped on my wrist, an Arrow of Tachyon, a device that fires a sliver of inert metal in an unstoppable beam capable of piercing the heart of a mountain.
The only downside to this surprising item is that its odd ammo supply is depleted in a single shot, and it's far too complex to reload mid-combat.
In other words, it takes forever to recharge.
"Do we have the single-shot variant?"
"Yes, my lord, it is in the ship's armory." Haratek replied.
"Perfect."
There is a variant that can only fire once before becoming useless, such a weapon has nearly infinite range, and is capable of penetrating almost any form of armor, including that of Titans.
The next piece of equipment was a strange piece shaped like an Ankh, similar to my Ankh of shadows. The piece floated and disappeared inside my chest. As soon as that happened, I felt something strange.
My hands were alternating between being transparent and completely visible, this must be a Phase Shifter, this device flashes its wielder's own tissue in and out of a phased state as they move between dimensions. If timed improperly, even the most powerful blows and shots aimed at the wielder pass through empty air.
The last item was a small cylinder the size of a scarab, a Phylactery, it is an understated charm that is actually a powerful Necron self-repair device. It is filled with tiny spider-like Nano-Scarabs that spread over the wielder's body upon command, or if it is severely damaged or destroyed.
The Nano-Scarabs then proceed to repair damage to the Necrodermis, strengthening your own self-repair abilities.
I teleported the Phylactery to my storage.
"You all did a good job, but if that's all, let's start lifting the fleet!"
"Yes, my lord!" All the Necrons on the bridge said in unison.
The lights came on, revealing a circular room with a glass window overlooking the rest of the ship and the tomb hangar, where all the ships were.
Behind me was a throne at the top of a set of stairs. I climbed the stairs and sat on the throne, my Lychguards and Guardians taking up position in front of the throne.
As soon as I sat down, a small green sphere appeared on the left arm of the throne.
"Greetings. I am Sire Aetir, the autonomous spirit of this ship. How can I help you?"
"Hello Sire! I would like to raise the fleet."
"Understood. Initiating raising of the fleet."
The ship began to shake and the light got stronger, soon several lights turned on around the ship, illuminating the outside, with that, I saw the entirety of the place where I was.
I was on a Carin Class Tomb Ship, a ship fifteen kilometers wide.
"Initiating teleportation." Sire spoke again.
There was a flash of green light. When that flash disappeared, we were in space. I immediately ran to one of the windows and watched the void outside. I saw Hidrus Quintus and its two moons, the blue ocean below.
Around the ship, there were smaller ships, all glowing in space, with green and yellow lights. It would be beautiful if each one of them wasn't a piece of deadly technology, but that's just a piece of the fleet, the rest remained on the planet.
The bridge door opened and a group of nobles entered the room. I brought eight nobles from each faction and leading this group of nobles was Kamamitet and Ananotek.
"You know, I'd like to make a big speech about war and glory, but I'm enjoying the view, so all I have to say to you is. Enjoy the trip! Sire, plot a course for Hidrus Quartus."
"Understood." Sire replied.
Anti-Inertia Drivers have been enabled. It is a non-Newtonian, reactionless form of propulsion used by Necrons that allows a ship equipped with it to move through space without any form of inertia. This allows one to actually travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum in real space without resorting to traveling through an extra dimensional medium like the Immaterium.
Once activated, the drivers release a burst of relativistic energy.
In addition to faster-than-light interstellar travel, this same technology can be used by Necrons to initiate more short-range jumps from their vehicles on a planetary battlefield.
With that, space became a blur due to the speed at which we were going. I returned to my throne and watched the nobles talking to each other. I admit I'm a little nervous, but also curious about what awaits me.
XXXXXX
Realm of Slaanesh
"My goddess, they left the planet." The herald said to Slaanesh.
"Hm… Trigger our cults infiltrated the system. They are going to Hidrus Quartus, correct?" Slaanesh asked.
"Yes, my goddess."
"Send Sabathiel."
END OF CHAPTER