Chapter 1: The Silent King Stirs

Drifting for eons in deep space where even the light of surrounding galaxies prove futile in providing their comforting light. The ship was host to a whole spectrum of negative emotions that have permeated the hull. Anger against the gods for their lies and deceit. Anger for his own foolishness. But most of all the regret for dooming his entire race. But both the ship and it's occupants have come to live with the consequences as time is a currency they can freely spare. The Imperishable was large even when compared to the flagships of his Phaerons. Stretching many kilometres long and many more kilometres wide. The ship's prodigious size is not its only feature. Especially since the ship belongs to no other than the Last Silent King of the necrons.

Atop his throne which serves as both as the ship's control interface and as a seat of power is Szarekh the Last Silent King. Resplendent in his skeletal necrodermis, fashioned with rare metals and jewels that glow with power, his mind wanders to actions of eons past. Deep in thought, Szarekh gives his last order to his people to sleep away the eons while he searches for a way to undo his mistake. Eons wandering the stars and eons more in other galaxies. Time has no more meaning to him and his people. Cursed and blessed with immortality wrought upon by his decision against the advice of Orikan. Now the king sits in contemplation upon his throne when he is suddenly distracted by his loyal Judicator Prime.

"Your majesty, there is a construct that may interest you. It shows promise that this galaxy houses a race who are more enlightened than the foolish Eldar. Although not as advanced as our technology they seem to use a similar method of mass altering technology and fuel."

Here was a treat for the Silent King, primitives that did not show any signs on reliance of the immaterium. The arrogant Eldar were too eager to follow in the footsteps of their masters. Curiosity peaked and the Imperishable was responding following its master's rising mood with activity across the ship powering long dormant systems.

With a nod, he acknowledges the following actions of his most loyal attendant.

Judicator Prime taps a series of glyphs following his master's command. In a blur of motion and teleportation the crypteks are summoned before the throne room. Prostrating before the throne, the king waves away ceremonies to allow his questions to be answered.

Understanding his lord's wish to dispense ceremony. Judicator Prime addresses them on behalf of the Silent King as the orator and mouthpiece of the greatest necron lord .

"Astromancers! His majesty demands to know if this galaxy has what we seek. Divine the outcomes of this venture so that we may save ourselves time if it proves fruitless." demanded the Judicator.

"Your majesty, from what little we can see from the stars and our calculations show that this construct is very old. But more data is needed. I request your permission to take my ship closer for a more physical examination which will allow us to determine the characteristics of its owners. We have not been here long enough in this galaxy to give us an accurate reading of its inhabitants." intoned the trio of crypteks.

Judicator Prime hears another nod from his monarch to proceed.

"Very well, go with the Silent King's blessing and I hope that you return with good tidings." with a tap of his warscythe he allows them leave.

Szarekh stares at the projection, a fork like object 15 kilometres in length with hope. Light years away from the construct. He commands the Imperishable toward the construct while his cryptek race forward with the modified Jackal class ship. Barely a few hundred metres in size, the ship races ahead to do his King's bidding.

"Hope is the first step to the road to disappointment." Szarekh reminds himself of a conversation he had with a winged figure back in his galaxy. Another rare moment of indulgence for the Silent King. But nevertheless, he enjoys these small moments that allow him to divert his attention.

If his face allowed it. A smirk would be there.

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General Desolas Arterius is the commander of the 43rd fleet of the Turian Hierarchy and was in the middle of his routine patrols when Relay 314 activated. His helmsman was already double checking data readouts and if there was news of the Council approving relay activation.

Receiving confirmation that the relay was activating without authorization. The General was forced to think on his next action.

Pirates was the first thought that came to mind or some ambitious fledgling race. Many possibilities were racing through his mind and all were silenced with a simple idea.

"Move the fleet through the relay, we need to know what is on the other side. If some fool is activating relays and risk starting another Rachni War I want them captured.", ordered the General.

The order was given and Council Law will be enforced.

Moving full ahead towards the relay with all speed the General was not in a forgiving mood especially since he was bored of smugglers and dealing with the paperwork for his fleet. Almost a hundred ships more than half of the fleet is comprised of frigates and dozens of cruisers. His flagship the TSF Steadfast was a dreadnought over a kilometer in length. Thousands of individuals kept his fleet running and His men were in need of stimulus and it's been some time since the fleet had any action. He hoped for Pirates. He desperately hoped for a fool to vent his frustrations on.

But he was a General and Turian discipline was demanded and he will see his duty through.

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The Jackal was making all haste to the object with short inertialess jumps, Astromancer Annu was close to the large construct. Primitive upon closer examination but much more advance than most technological findings in the past few millennia . But what puzzled him most was the vessel on the other side of the construct. No not the vessel but its occupants, humans in this galaxy? He had to recheck his memory banks to double confirm if they were in a foreign galaxy. Confirming the radio chatter and the scans. Annu theorize they must be stragglers or outcast from what the humans call the Dark Age of Technology or further back as the trip would taken very long. A pity they regressed so much when His Lord met them a few thousand years ago. A cursory glance on the data shows that these humans have regressed even further technologically.

His efforts were rewarded as while he was intercepting human communications, they provided a name for the construct. Mass Relay they called it. But further spying on more of their conversation was nothing but a further waste of time. Pointless chatter between them that did nothing more than irritate the Astromancer. Especially with explicit mentioning of their past times, detailing unsavory actions. Disgusting primitives.

But no matter, they were not the subject of study for this trip. His majesty will be expecting a more detailed analysis when he arrives and Annu is behind schedule for eavesdropping on the humans. The humans have not even realized his ship was on the opposite side of the construct. Annu commanded the scarabs to latch onto the object for a more physical study. His colleagues always chided him for his physical approach. But now it was necessary as he did not wish to waste precious time by being detected by the humans.

Millions of tiny scarabs flew from the Jackal towards the relay. Tasked with determining its materials, powersource and more. These findings will lead to a more detailed report for his liege but one thing he was certain. These were not human creations. Which was a good sign, there are other races here that may aid in the Silent King's quest.

Breathing in deep on the data streaming in from the scarab swarm. Astromancer Annu was interrupted by the sudden arrival of more unwanted guest. Perfect he thought, more distractions. But nothing will stop Annu from completing his task.

For his majesty, His will be done.

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Upon entering the system, the 43rd moved with all practised precision. Frigates maneuvered to spread out to scan for potential enemies. While the cruisers maintained formation with the dreadnought.

"What am I looking at?", questioned the General.

The general stares at the uploaded foreign ship on screen. A small vessel and definitely not a design he's familiar with, which most likely points to a new primitive race. Both the fleet and the small vessel were staring at each other in muted silence.

The helmsman confirmed his suspicions a second later. A lesson was to be taught here. Like a child in need of discipline after making wrong decisions. Especially since this race had no clue on the repercussions of wantonly activating relays. Citadel law was to be upheld here and Desolas was a fuming and willing parent.

However, before the order to fire was given. The captain from the frigate TSF Courageous was hailing Desolas on a priority channel.

"General, you have to see this." bringing up a separate view screen to present an anomaly next to the relay.

"What is that?", questioned the General again and looking at his sensors revealed nothing there. In what could be described as a tumor was latched onto the relay and it was clearly a foreign object as it was obsidian green compared to the relay.

Did that new vessel leave it there? So many questions and his crew presents further findings that somehow the tumor was corroding the relay. Little insects were present when the frigate moved closer for inspection. The planet nearby was also inhabited and Desolas was no longer in the mood for questions and he decided he will handle each of them in short order. He will get his answers after solving the problems the two foreign objects presented in front of him first.

Weapons primed and charged. The crew have firing solutions on both "problems" as is written in the report. The general would go down in history as a fool. But that is another story for the future.

The order was given. "FIRE!"

RANT*

OK if anyone bothers to read this. Just gonna say this is my first story and English is not my native language. I appreciate CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism. So I can improve further as I go along with this fiction. I also would like to point out that I was heavily inspired/influenced by some of the other great fanfictions here and warhammer. Many thanks for those of you who read my newbie story and managed to stomach it.

Lastly, the mandatory stuff.

I do not own warhammer or mass effect.