Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Warhammer 40K games, books, or movies. They belong to their creators and/or copyright owners. It is not for sale or rent.
Chapter 13: Revelations
=ATBS=
Part 5
=ATBS=
Bridge
Rogue Trader Vessel Lucre Foedis
The Warp en route to Kronus
She took a pill of stimulants, downed a glass of water, and polished it with a fast walk to the bridge. Those three factors ensured that when Amberley arrived, she almost felt refreshed enough to be of use. The bridge was much calmer than she was, and the Inquisitor soon understood why.
The main hololith displayed a crisp image of the system. Kaurava was in the lower right. The other stellar bodies hung around in the darkness, intercepted by ghostly lines showing their orbits. Seven pulsing red symbols hung in the upper corner of the hologram. A ring of early warning satellites deployed by the navy some time ago detected their approach.
"We can identify four of the new arrivals thanks to the database you provided us with, my Lady." Orelius didn't bother with a greeting. "Two Dirge Class Raiders and two Jackals. They're light escort equivalents that can fend off cruisers. The other three are unknown configuration."
"Auspex extrapolation leads us to believe the two larger vessels are built in the same general crescent configuration." A Tech-priest elaborated. They were nearly fused to the auspex station, something Amberley could never get used to. "The last vessel is much larger, an equivalent to one of our Battleships or Battle-cruisers."
Orelius glanced at the Inquisitor.
"We have to assume the larger classes possess the same combat capability the escorts demonstrated according to the data you provided. That task force likely possesses the offensive and defensive capabilities to secure the system against everything we have locally and the closest reinforcements we're aware of."
Those were a cruiser squadron, with its lighter escorts protecting the bulk of the relief force heading for Kronus. Best case, they were at least a day from reaching the system. Even if they were here, augmenting the ships already present, Amberley doubted they would be able to stop the Necrons.
"Inquisitor, my recommendation is to either turn away and run, or make the best speed to Kronus, evacuate anything you deem of value, and then execute a tactical retreat." The Captain advised.
"How long until they reach Kronus?" Amberley asked while thinking about a way of this mess. Was this system cursed?!
"They're under low acceleration, and will arrive a few hours after us." Orelius gave her a patient look. "Everything you've revealed about their capabilities tells us that they should be able of much higher sustained acceleration. If we go to Kronus, we might be unable to get away."
No one mentioned that with the state their Navigators were, a safe jump anytime soon was out of the question.
"Go for the planet, best possible speed." Vail decided, hoping she wasn't condemning them all to death. "We still need to figure out what in the Emperor's name is happening down there."
"By your command. Helm, flank speed. Comms, advice the Naval forces in orbit of Kronus that we'll be making an emergency burn-in attempt to reach them before the Xenos."
"Aye, Captain…" The Tech-priest froze and began to quickly chant in Binary. "We're receiving a transmission. Can't locate the origin point." The cyborg froze for even longer and Amberley discretely put a hand on her weapon. "They're requesting to speak with whoever is in charge, while Inquisitor Veil is indisposed."
Amberley opened her mouth, then closed it with an audible click that sounded deafeningly loud on the suddenly silent bridge. Even after going over all available records and seeing the camera feeds captured during those events, she didn't see something like this coming. She was still half-convinced that she was being ensnared into a fiendish plot. Anything else would be too good and too insane to be the truth, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding.
"Shall we respond?" The Tech-priest eventually broke the oppressive silence.
Amberley took a few moments to compose herself and bring her Inquisitor persona to the front of her mind. She schooled her face into a blank mask, straightened up, and nodded.
"Answer and send the following. This is Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos. I am in charge. I am willing to talk."
=ATBS
Bridge
Necron Battle-cruiser "Reaper"
en route to Kronus
The more they learned of the state of the galaxy, the less Amarkun liked it. A particular high light was a short conversation he had with the planetary Lord. The fellow had suffered much. He had lost portions of his memories during the Long Sleep, a fate that might have been theirs as well.
While there was nothing in the databases at the Nemestor's disposal to identify his local counterpart for sure, there were traces in the transmissions from the planet, artifacts and security measures in the code, which pointed at this place being sworn to the Silent King's own Dynasty. Possibly one of the many distant research outposts studying whatever took the Supreme Overlord's fancy at any given time.
The lack of memories and directives might have been no mere incident or oversight. Instead, it could be a security measure in case of awakening without explicit summons from the Silent King himself. Or it could be entropy, wear, and tear, caused by the countless years that separated this era from their own.
More importantly, the locals appeared to be sane. At least by the dubious standards of the times. At least the Necrons. They were even willing to exchange technology and resources for aid. That did point at the place being a research outpost and the lost memory actual damage instead of design.
"We will discuss restitution, later." Amarkun had decided to appear benevolent. He would still hold the orbitals if he needed to be less, how to put it, nice, in the future. "What can you tell me about the humans and other aliens you've made contact with?"
The answer had been enlightening and startling in equal measure.
The primitives were insane, there was no other logical explanation. It was just that, there was a great deal of them, and some were insane in a potentially useful fashion. Amarkun found it darkly amusing that in their disposition, many human unwittingly emulated his own people when they still had flesh and blood instead of necrodermis.
It was an attitude that would earn them the fury of many a Necron Overlord and Lady. Amarkun chose to consider it amusement and carry on with his plans. The more he knew, the more his strategic predictions firmed up.
They didn't paint a pretty picture. Certainly not one his late wife would have enjoyed.
He paused at that odd stray thought, wondering why it occurred to him, before refocusing on the subject at hand.
"Most humans are extremely xenophobic. Conclusion: after observing the local variety: the reason is a combination of extensive propaganda, indoctrination, and the presence of multiple hostile alien races assaulting the human realm. Proof: a large number of Humans on Kronus aligned with alien species classified Tau. Secondary proof: Inquisitor Delkatar Veil willing to work with us. Tertiary proof: Inquisitor Delkatar Veil willing to work with Aeldari sub-faction based on Craftworld Ulthwe shortly after engaging in combat with Aeldari sub-faction from Craftworld Biel-Tan. Conclusion: Higher placed elements within the Human hierarchy might be more open to the ideas of negotiations, and working towards mutually beneficial goals. Counter-argument: any such deals might be subject to change depending on internal political pressures and blind fanaticism. We need additional data to reach a better conclusion."
After examining all available data, Amarkun and Zaa decided that their best option to open negotiations would be to contact the Humans. It would be best o seek more members of the faction Inquisitor Veil belonged to. If they shared similar goals and world view, the Necrons might be able to deal with them in a less wasteful manner.
"I am Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos. I am willing to talk."
The Nemestor looked at a human female in a body-hugging black suit. She had a mop of yellow fur on her head, which had to be very uncomfortable. Aliens.
"I am Amarkun the Gatherer, Necron Lord of Phyrrhia, Nemestor of the Nepheru Dynasty." He proclaimed proudly, using the Necron name for the planet he ruled over. There was no need to give the Humans any more information than needed, especially at this stage.
The primitive stared at him, basking in his dubious magnificence. It was like she was seeing a Necron able to speak for the first time.
"Are you malfunctioning, Inquisitor Amberley Vail?" Amarkun inquired. It wouldn't do for the human to break down at such an inappropriate time!
"I am undamaged, Nemestor Amarkun. Is that the right mode of address?" The female shook herself and quickly answered.
"Most definitely not!" Zaa shot at him through the network in mock offense. "She should be groveling at your magnificence!"
All things considered, there were many benefits to necrodermis bodies. Like the impossibility to display unfitting facial expressions during negotiations, when someone like Zaa of Tomorrow provided his inimitable brand of commentary.
"It is, Inquisitor Vail." Amarkun graciously offered. "Are you ready to negotiate?"
If the data gathered by the locals was correct, the Human appeared surprised, if not stunned by his words.
"Yes, Nemestor Amarkun. We would definitely like to negotiate." The Human confirmed.
That was a good start, right? Amarkun wondered and asked his old friend for advice.
"That's one way to put it." Zaa agreed.
Something told the Nemestor that the Cryptek might have been a tad sarcastic in his response. It was the long suffered experience. He was sure of it.
"First, the current relationship. Does the military alliance negotiated by Inquisitor Delkatar Veil still stands?" That had to be a good starting point, surely?
"It has worked so far. Despite how unlikely it was." Zaa voiced his agreement.
"To the best of my knowledge, there have been no altercations between Imperial and Necron forces since Inquisitor Veil was incapacitated." The Human Female carefully responded.
Was she trying to evade responsibility, or perhaps she had less control over the situation than she wanted them to believe?
"I see. In that case, we will consider it a gesture of good faith, if Inquisitor Veil could join us in the negotiations as soon as he is able. He has been one Human who has proven we can trust his word. I would like to hear his input on any terms we might agree upon."
Making use of a known factor was better than blindly dealing with one unknown. That would remain true during negotiations with aliens as well, wouldn't it?
"Your insight is astounding, Nemestor." Zaa sent at him.
Did he let his thoughts leak into the network? That was sloppy security! Amarkun ran a diagnostic program and returned his primary focus to the Human.
"I will see what we can do about this request. I won't be able to tell for sure until I reach Kronus and meet Inquisitor Veil in person."
"Understandable." The Humans were still a primitive species with all kinds of limitations the Necrons could easily ignore at a whim. That was something to pity them over, he guessed.
=ATBS=
Part 6
=ATBS=
Deimos Peninsula
Kronus
The final assault upon the Traitors and Heretics was finally underway, and the enemy resistance was underwhelming. Small groups of Berskerkers eager for bloody death, Daemon Engines and the occasional profaned Dreadnought made a stand. They tried to slow down the sword of righteous justice that was a long time coming for them.
It wasn't enough. Any strong-point turned into a magnet for artillery and the personal attention of Necron Monolith. Green lighting lashed at enemy positions, reducing weapons and fortifications to a smoking ruin. Screaming Cultists fell where they stood as little more than charred skeletons. Here and there, individual units went on suicidal charges to be gunned down by the marching Necron forces, blow away by agile destroyers, or singled out by Imperial armor.
It was a pleasant change to see such an assault where Imperial infantry didn't have to purchase victory with mountains of bodies and rivers of blood. This time, only veteran forces were on the battlefield, outfitted with the best available equipment. Their only job was to keep enemy anti-tank teams away from the vehicles. There was no need for expensive assaults upon fortified positions.
An ever-increasing swarm of Necron Drones provided an unprecedented level of battlefield intelligence that almost made Captain Thule envious. Smaller, insect-like swarms braved the Warp-infused top of the plateau, shredding enemy light infantry and acting as spotters for long-range bombardment.
There was only one last lightly defended position, and they would reach the top. Then the target would be both in sight and range.
A shroud of darkness enveloped the last Traitor bastion. A couple of seconds later, it dispersed as light mist blown away by the wind to reveal the Necron Lord surrounded by a large retinue of heavy infantry right behind the enemy position. Gauss weaponry aimed with machine precision and cut through the defenders while they were still trying to figure out what was happening.
At the same time, over a hundred Destroyers charged up the slope, firing all the way.
"Up and at them! Victory is at sight!" Thule roared. He wouldn't let the Necrons claim they won the day alone!
Imperial armor rumbled and ponderously charged at the Heretics. Tactical squads advanced at a brisk pace, without letting it influence their accuracy. They used missile launchers and plasma guns to good effect.
The final defense line lasted three minutes under the onslaught before crumbling. It survived that long, only because it contained a number of Daemons hiding in order to spring one last surprise. Large clumps of diseased flesh covered by pustules and open sores rose from trenches. They ran out of burning bunkers or even dug themselves out of the ground to attack the Necrons.
Captain Thule grimaced at the thought of facing those things in close combat. Any breach in the armor would mean a long and unpleasant recovery for an Astartes, and no guarantee they would make it. A normal human exposed to those things? The Emperor's mercy might be the only option if their armor was compromised.
The Necrons didn't care. They blasted the diseased Daemons to pieces. A handful almost reached the Necron Lord and the small group of guards surrounding him, only to splatter all over them when shot. The Necron Lord looked at the smoking viscera covering him, and lighting arced all over his group. When it dissipated, he stood a few meters away from his previous position, still surrounded by the deadly honor guard. There was no trace of the disease-ridden viscera to be seen on any of them.
That, Captain Thule, did envy. He didn't want to think about how long any human participating in the assault would spend under quarantine. He wanted to think even less about the fate of too many good men and women. When the Inquisition arrived in force to deal with this madness, it might be inclined to purge many of those who survived assaulting this Chaos-infested wasteland.
The Daemons achieved one thing – they slowed the advance of the Imperial forces until the place where they died could be liberally doused in a blessed fire. The Necrons didn't care. They either marched through the fires, ignoring them or simply teleported to the top.
"Assault Marines, with me! We're ending this!" Captain Thule ordered. When he received confirmation from his jump-pack-equipped Brothers, he activated his pack and rocketed over the battlefield. The top was barely in range from his position, but he made it with a safe margin to spare.
No defense fire came to meet him.
There were no enemies to fight. All surviving enemy forces were clustered near the portal at the far end of the plateau, fighting to get through. Necron Drones swarmed them, and constant explosions ravaged the Traitors. More and more Necron Infantry appeared in flashes of green, corralling the enemy and slaughtering them with practiced precision.
A wave of Destroyers rose above the last Traitor bastion followed by a handful of Eldar Grav tanks. Rohan the Ranger rode on top of the leading machine, which soon took a position for long-range bombardment and unleashed its exotic weaponry.
It was all over but the screaming. Even the Warp-infused structure of the Warp Gate couldn't survive the onslaught for long. Whatever unnatural sorcery kept it open and protected it had a limit. Slowly but surely, its spiky surface began to crack or melt, before imploding. The rippling vortex of madness at its heart spluttered, cutting in half the last group that managed to fight its way to dubious salvation. The portal to insanity close, leaving behind about ten thousand or so Traitors, Heretics, and mutants. Spread among their mass, Thule could see the odd Traitor Astartes. Those tried fighting their way out of the mob, probably seeking death in combat.
It was not to be. Earth-shaker rounds smashed into the crowd, pulping it. The Baneblade climbed on the plateau, appearing like a Daemon for a moment. Blessed fires covered the tank, which turned its massive turret at the enemy and the battle cannon roared once, sealing the end of the unclean.
The end was brutal and efficient, leaving the Imperial forces as little more than spectators. That allowed Captain Thule to observe their "allies", count their numbers, and reach a predictable conclusion. The Necron had enough operational forces in the Deimos Peninsula alone to make combat with them unfeasible. He knew that they were still busy awakening more of their kind.
He hoped Imperial reinforcements would arrive soon. Very heavy reinforcements at that, protected by strong Navy element, because otherwise, they might not bother. Truth be told, the Blood Raven was expecting an inevitable stab in the back by the Necrons. They no longer needed Imperial assistance.
And perhaps it was time for it. Another flash of green and the Necron Lord was nearby, walking towards them followed by eight large guards. This was it, wasn't it?
"All units
on this frequency, prepare for Fall. I say again, prepare for Fall Contingency!" The Captain announced for what little good it would do. He tightened his grip on his weapons and prepared to pounce.
"Rejoice, human!" The Necron announced.
Because being ready to slaughter us should make us happy?! Thule sneered under his helmet.
"Our respective reinforcements are in the system!" The Necron announced, momentarily taking aback the Captain. "In their infinite wisdom, they have decided to talk."
Thule expected everything to go straight to hell as soon as reinforcement arrived. He certainly didn't expect them to do something as outlandish as to try to negotiat
ing with the Xenos. That was just Inquisitor Veil being odd, inexperienced, and kind of crazy, right? Besides, it was an act of desperation!
"We won't be shooting at each other today." There was no mistaking it. The Necron was enjoying himself. "What say you, Ranger Rohan, of the Aeldari? What treachery are you plotting now?"
=ATBS=
Rarely, Rohan has been more grateful for the full face-covering helmet typical to his station. He was relieved and almost happy that the humans and Necrons couldn't see his expression. He screamed in the privacy of his mind. Were the humans insane? More insane than usual anyway. What about the Necrons?! What did those murdering machines have to gain from this?! Was the Necron Lord lying?
"Affirmative." The Blood Raven Captain nodded. "I just got word from Captain Ignatius. An Inquisitorial ship is in the system, and the Inquisitor on board is currently negotiating with the commander of a Necron Naval battle group approaching Kronus." The human said aloud and relaxed a fraction.
At that, everyone turned to look at the Aeldari. Rohan was keenly aware of how outnumbered his small contingent was. If it was just the humans, and he felt particularly foolish, engaging them might have been an option. Hit and run tactics
to dismantle them from range and avoid facing their might directly.
Waging war against the Necron juggernaut awakened on Kronus with what he had available was out of the question.
"Our work here is almost done. Before leaving, I would want to witness the disposal of the Daemon bound within the Eres Badlands." Rohan was proud of how calm and composed his voice sounded. It reflected nothing of what he felt inside.
"That might be acceptable." The Space Marine allowed warily.
"Another test is in order." The Necron agreed, while its soulless eyes stared at Rohan.
"What about this region? It's corrupted."
"Another test. We're building multiple Pylons. It would be educational to observe their effect upon the area once deployed at full power."
Rohan wanted to be as far from this cursed peninsula as possible when that happened.
=ATBS=
If you want to support my writing or discuss this story, see the following links:
Pat re on: Delkatar's writing corner
the space battles forums - this is where most discussion over my stories takes place
the sufficient velocity forums
the alternative history forums
