With the new symbol I had found, I reopened the Vitruvian, and examined the new symbol - this one meaning 'Judgement'.

XXXXXXX

So, how did the fighting go?

Initially, quite well. Our Commanders and Administrators proved to be potent weapons of war, though they could operate just as effectively in times of peace.

I am not surprised. From what I heard, they were originally designed for peaceful purposes, correct? The Commanders to build, the Administrators to grow. One would make a word habitable, another would be settlements, then they would migrate to a new world and start anew, right?

Correct, though we allocated them some systems to keep as their own, so that the commanders and the Coelohim the Administrators created would have places to rest and recuperate. Plus, a good ruler rewards their charges for performing well.

Of course. Still, it seems that eventually, you were forced to seek assistance.

True. Some chose to assist us form the beginning, others helped us later to gain a portion of the spoils. Still, time took its tole on our morale.

Five years of war will do that. So, how did it end? Some glorious final battle? Negotiations prevailing?

The latter, unfortunately. Though we tried to end it peacefully.

Oh really? What did you offer?

Worlds, pure and unspoiled. We used our might to hew together three entire universes filled to the brim with mineral wealth and habitable worlds, so that our enemies may be willing to seek peace.

…...That is...absurdly generous. Surely you could have offered less?

We had hardly been touched by the conflict up to this point - our armies may have lost many warriors and machines, but we as a whole did not suffer heavily for this. We are a difficult people to kill. Thus, in order for people to believe our offer of peace to be sincere, a great offering was needed.

Fair enough. So, what happened that caused this offer to peace to all go to waste?

Some of our foes did not want peace, so they sought to goad us into a position where we would decide that peace was not an option.

How?

They stole mighty weapons from their allies, pointed them at our offering, and fired.

How bad were they?

The weapons used on those worlds are anti-planet chemical weapons. I believe one was referred to by its creators as the Life Eater.

That certainly sounds bad.

It is. The worlds hit died - all that was alive on them, regardless of biology, was liquified. A standard orbital attack followed, setting these dead worlds on fire.

I take it your kind was...unhappy about this?

We did.. Up until this point, the war had been viewed as a fight over shattered pride. Our children felt we were fighting a pointless war over damaged honor. Once this happened, though, no one held those sentiments. Now, all of us wanted blood.

Did this involve your kind declaring one of those alliterative orders to wipe out your enemy in its entirety?

Are you referring to an Extinction Edict?

Yes.

Those are orders only meant to be declared against those beings who had shown they would always oppose the existence of other beings for spiteful reasons, not because of a genuine existential problem they faced. The order must be given unanimously, and afterwards given a review as to whether or not we were justified to give it, lest we become to desensitized to death.

That being said, yes. That is exactly what we did.

I see. How hard did your enemies fight back?

Those who were innocent did not fight at all - we spared them of harm.

As for the guilty, they fought with valor.

Of course, they didn't even last a single night once we were serious.

XXXXXX

As the video reached its end, I sat, frozen at what I had witnessed.

The accompanying pictures for this Vitruvian vision had been...unsettling. It had shown Progenitor machines and war beasts doing battle with various forces, including hordes of baneblades. Eventually, though, both sides had shown exhaustion, and the Progenitors had made their offer. It was when the virus bombs fell that things really got scary - the destruction of the offering had reminded me of the Istvaan III atrocity from the Horus Heresy, but what had really intimidate me was how it had ended - as the Progenitor had mentioned the retribution they had enacted on their foes, it had focused on a world, presumably an enemy one.

When he had said that their foes had not lasted the night, that world shattered.

Just what kind of retribution had the Progenitors wrought?

...Why is one of the recordings on this machine starting to play?

Ignoring my complaints, the video came into focus, depicting a Progenitor fleet advancing on an enemy world. Within the flagship of said fleet, a progenitor stared out at the enemy war fleet, as well as the system they were in.

"The enemy is preparing to fire, captain," remarked one of the bridge crew. "Shall we return the welcome?"

"No," replied the captain of the ship, still staring at his foes. "This ends now."

Without ever breaking his stare, the captain snapped his fingers.

A minute later, and something big exploded behind the enemy fleet, taking them out in seconds. It took me a minute to realize that the source of the explosion was the planet the fleet was guarding.

"So, you finally saw how tough they were, didn't you?"

Instantly, my attention changed its focus from the video to the shadowy figure behind me. "Who are you," I wondered, though I had a good guess.

"Here's a hint: Rap. Tap. Tap."

Yep, it was Wally.

"Funny name. Didn't expect someone would call me that, but it isn't the worst."

"Why are you here?"

"Trying to see who the Progenitors chose to uphold their legacy. I expected someone...less stressed out."

What? "The Progenitors are dead. I merely had my Commander given to me by someone who had the luck to find it."

"You sure?"

"Not exactly, but unless you know who gave me the machine-"

"His name is Celempheros, and I am well acquainted with him."

…..Wait, what?

"He's been around a long time - I remember him from the Old War. He fought for them, you know? The ones who built that machine."

"...He did?"

"Yes. Now while I'm not exactly a fan of them, I respect him, so I won't do too much to screw you or him over."

"...Thanks?"

"Not needed."

"Sheesh, rude."

"Like I care. that being said, I'm impressed you managed to bring Umbra to heel."

"Really? Does that mean I get a reward?"

"In this case, yes."

"As I expect-wait what?"

The answer I received was seeing the Man in the Wall's eyes glow, followed by a headache.

As I collapsed, I heard the man in the Wall laugh. "Good luck, little piggy. I think things are about to get rough for you soon."

When I stood back up, he had vanished.

That didn't matter, though - I had work to do. The headache had given way to a new insight.

XXXX

Three hours later, a drone of mine attacked a pair of battlysts, who predictably adapted to its attacks.

Then it fired out a grenade that exploded into a golden light.

The minute it hit them, the sentients recoiled in pain, while my drone opened fire once more...and this time, its attacks weren't resisted.

At last, the secrets of the void were mine.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

AN: Flame only knows the very basics right now for how to build void weapons. He is not a Tenno.

there was supposed to be a scene where Melissa an Umbra met, but it was cut for being forced. I will put it into the next interlude.

So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!