Chapter 8: Imposition

Shepard fell back as his exhausted leg muscles failed to keep him up. The Commander sat back for a moment, his gaze distant as he processed everything. Veronakh leaned once more from his throne and remarked, "I understand if it's rather much to take in all at once Commander, but I would appreciate it if you make your choice quickly. There are other matters I must attend to other than you."

The Spectre looked to Veronakh his face returning once more to an angry scowl, "You're really not Reapers. They may be cold and calculating, using organics to suit their designs. But from what I could tell, they never took sadistic pleasure in playing these kinds of games or watching people suffer."

Veronakh chuckled at Shepard's observation, "We are Necrontyr Commander...the first to awaken and the first to transcend flesh. We have to find some means of entertainment from time to time. After all we have eternity ahead of us, while you only have mere decades. If what you say of the Reapers is true...then you have even less."

Shepard gazed at Veronakh, his eyes steely, "They'll come for you too, I doubt they'd just leave you alone."

"Perhaps...but for now, you are the one that needs to make a choice." Veronakh stated.

"Shepa-" Miranda quickly found her mouth being suppressed by a skeletal hand. Jack also found herself being prevented from speaking by her own skeleton guard as it restrained her.

Veronakh laid back in his throne a skeletal finger raised, "Ladies, you each have already made your case to the Commander, it is now time for him to decide." The Phaeron turned to look at the fallen Spectre, the metal lord's eyes growing brighter indicating slight irritation.

"Shepard, if you cannot make a decision then you will leave me no choice but to decide for you and take them both!"

"No!" shouted the Spectre.

Veronakh continued to press further, "Then make your choice...now. No more stalling..."

Shepard's head drooped again as he took in the possible loss of either of his crewmates. He glanced at Miranda before looking once more to the floor. The Spectre gritted his teeth, and tightened his fist banishing the thought away. His features softened and he looked to Jack on his right still struggling with muffled grunts. Shepard watched her for a moment before suddenly Veronakh declared, "Ah, I see you have made your selection!"

The Commander fumbled over his words in confusion, "Wait, no! I didn't-"

Jack's captor removed its hand from her mouth and she screamed, "ASSHOLE!" before her guard took her by the throat and choked her till she passed out. The robot guard then threw the biotic convict over its shoulder and carried her away into the darkness. Shepard's appearance was one of shock, his mouth agape. Zaeed shook his head at it all and Mordin drooped his head as the metal footsteps dissipated in the distance.

Veronakh got the Spectre's attention again with another chuckle, "Heh heh heh, she will make a fine addition Shepard. I see why you would choose the belligerent convict over your loyal subordinate. It must have been rather difficult to proceed with your own mission dealing with such a tangled mess of power and disorder. Have no fear Commander, I am certain we can make her work."

Miranda closed her eyes in sadness and frustration while Shepard looked to the metal lord again before it continued, "Well, now that our business is concluded, you are free to return to your ship."

Shepard's eyes widened as one of the guards actually came over to help him to his feet, "Why?"

"You have a mission to accomplish do you not? The last thing I would want is to see it impeded anymore than it has been. After all, the Collectors sound like they would be a rather bothersome nuisance to my dynasty as it comes to power here in the Terminus. Since you are more than willing to deal with them than I see no reason to hold you back from your duty."

Shepard begrudgingly allowed the giant guard to help him up as the rest of the squad was also brought to their feet and released. Veronakh interlocked his metal hands and continued, "You will be taken outside to your shuttle, sadly your pilot was a bit of collateral damage on my part, but you may keep his replacement. I have no need for his services any longer."

"What about the rest of the colonists?" The Commander asked.

"I am not certain yet, now that they have fulfilled their purpose. But worry not Commander, I'm sure I'll think of something." Veronakh said with a sinister tone.

Shepard and his remaining squad members were then ushered by the guards away, but before they reached the doorway into the chamber Veronakh called out to them one last time, "Oh and Commander..." Shepard turned to the metal lord as he continued, "I would recommend not coming to Sigurd's Cradle again...at least not without an invitation of course."

The Spectre looked downcast turning around and continuing on with the guards along with the rest of his team through the green lit doorway. The Phaeron soon heard Solvatas chiming in through his comm link, "You're releasing them..."

"The shackles are already in place, they are no longer a threat to us." said the Phaeron assuredly.

Solvatas was not convinced, "They could be again, given enough time..."

Veronakh was still unconcerned, "Not before these Reapers appear if Shepard is right. At that point, confronting us would be a moot point."

The Thanatar sighed again before she continued, "I suppose you wish for me to return to my vessel and release his crew then?"

"Of course, once Shepard returns to his vessel make sure to release the Krogan as well. We've already taken one of his greater assets we have no need of another." commanded the Phaeron.

"As you wish Great One." she replied.

The metal lord stirred from his throne and looked to his Cryptek waiting at the steps proclaiming, "Du'Maat, the time has come for your part in our next conquest. Proceed to the Shuvat once you have finished refinements to your work. I understand that you are still finalizing your initial creations?"

Du'Maat bowed in response, "Indeed Great One, I will only need another hour at most. I am sure you will be pleased with the results..."

Shepard's squad found the Kodiak waiting for them at the top of the giant alien ship. The guards let them proceed aboard where they found the colonist they helped from before at the controls looking at them blankly. The pilot's body was on the floor of the shuttle off to the side, a hole shot through his helmet with a pool of blood beside it. The Commander winced and sighed at the sight of another good soldier lost to this mess. The others followed and had a similar reaction to the body though Zaeed just shrugged. Miranda sat next to Shepard while Zaeed and Mordin took up the seats opposite of them and then the Kodiak took off. The trip back to the Normandy was quiet at first. They were tired and beaten, kept alive only due to the whims of the Necrontyr. The human Spectre wasn't sure what other ulterior motive that Veronakh had in releasing them but for now it was time to fall back and take stock of what had been lost.

Miranda suddenly broke the silence looking through the window of the shuttle, "Why Shepard..."

The Commander said nothing, still looking to the floor in thought and feeling the weight of the guilt of what had just happened.

Miranda continued, "You realize what's going to happen now Commander? You handed them the most powerful human biotic we know of."

"I didn't mean to." Shepard weakly replied.

Irritated Miranda looked to the Spectre, "Didn't mean to? Was Veronakh wrong then?"

Shepard was quiet for a moment before he answered, "...No. He wasn't wrong, but I honestly didn't want to sacrifice her either."

The XO sighed, "It's because of our connection isn't it? You've gotten too close to me and that compromised you didn't it?"

"Wha-no!" said the Spectre once again caught off guard.

"Really? When the time came to make the hard choice you chose Jack when I was more than willing to be taken instead!" she yelled.

"I..." Shepard found himself at a loss for words, as he sighed again and looked to the shuttle floor once more.

"I never did like Jack, she always kept trying to start a fight with me just because I was a part of Cerberus. Despite all her flaws though, I was willing to look past all that because she had the power that could have given us an edge against the Collectors, perhaps even the Reapers. But now you've condemned her to a fate even worse than Pragia, all because you've become attached to me." Miranda looked back to the window again after making her point.

Shepard glanced her way, "...I know, I..." he hesitated before he continued, "No one could have known what we were getting into."

A huff from Zaeed got the Spectre's attention, "I told you I had an instinct for these things Shepard...should have just taken the crazy and taken off."

"We don't know if that would have prevented this Zaeed! Veronakh could have had another plan in the works in case we tried to leave." said the frustrated Commander.

The mercenary sat back in his seat and crossed his arms, "Guess we'll never know now will we?"

Shepard could only sigh at the old merc's comment. He looked to Miranda who avoided his gaze and looked to the window downcast. He reached his hand out to her but she only shifted in her seat more to the window. The Commander drew his hand back and returned to looking at the floor once again. No one else spoke for the rest of the shuttle ride after that.

When they finally arrived at the Normandy they saw a Necrontyr vessel hovering above it. Shepard was taken aback at the sheer size of the alien ship, making him worried about the state of the rest of the crew. The shuttle landed in the docking bay where another Necrontyr was waiting for them as well as Dr. Chakwas and Garrus. It had a blue metallic cape and gold highlights on its face. The machine was holding a cube in its skeletal hand as Shepard and his squad disembarked. Chakwas and the other medical personnel quickly moved into the shuttle cabin to retrieve the dead pilot, while the Commander and the team proceeded to meet with the Necron Lord before them who spoke with a feminine metallic voice.

"Greetings Shepard."

Shepard crossed his arms, "Who are you?"

"I am Solvatas, Lord of the Necrontyr vessel Shuvat. I have been commanded to return one of your crewmates to you." the metal lord stated.

The Necrontyr Lord than held the cube high and a brilliant green light engulfed the room and quickly diminished as a roaring Grunt came charging from the light to smash into a nearby wall. The sight of seeing the Krogan falling on his back and groaning from his self imposed injury garnered a chuckle from Solvatas as Mordin went over to get the young warrior back on his feet.

Solvatas turned to Shepard as she withdrew the cube and placed it back onto her person, "Be gracious Commander, it is only by the Phaeron's mercy that your crew still live. Think on that before attempting anymore hubris against us in the future."

The Commander narrowed his eyes in response to her comment, "Tell that to our shuttle pilot."

"An unfortunate loss but such was the will of the Phaeron, farewell Commander." said Solvatas who was then engulfed in green light and disappeared before their eyes.

The Normandy XO quickly headed toward the hallway to leave and Shepard quickly called out to her, "Miranda, where are you going?"

"I need to inform the Illusive Man of what happened...as for you and me...I think it would be best if we just kept our relationship professional from now on."

Miranda continued on down the hallway, leaving Shepard with nothing left to say. The Commander felt an empathetic hand on his shoulder. It was Garrus, who looked like he had some slight cracking on his facial plates as well as some major bruising.

"I'm guessing it was as bad for you as it was for me?" the turian quipped in spite of his hurts.

"I think the whole galaxy is going to have it worse than both of us. What happened to the rest of the crew?" The Commander asked.

Garrus shrugged, "Well other than being roughed up a bit and Joker suffering some broken bones, for the most part everyone's okay nothing permanent, although Jack is missing."

"They took her Garrus...and its all my fault." said the Spectre feeling the full weight of his failure.

The turian pulled back his hand and sighed, looking past Shepard and seeing Chakwas with her medical team removing the body of the pilot as well as escorting another man who looked glazed over. Garrus looked to his Commander again and asked, "So what happens now Shepard?"

"We get the hell out of this system before our hosts decide to put us through another gauntlet on the way out. Can Joker still fly the ship?" the Spectre asked.

The turian hesitated, "Well he could with one hand I guess, just not very well."

"What happened?" Shepard asked.

"Had his shoulder cracked by our "guest" who just left. Threatened to make him an example if any of us struggled too much." Garrus replied.

The Commander shook his head before he looked to his friend again, "Well, I guess EDI could take over flying right?"

"Uh, about that..."

Garrus motioned the Commander to follow him and they proceeded to the hallway that led out of the shuttle bay. They walked to the medical wing where Chakwas and her team were body bagging the pilot and examining the now catatonic colonist. Continuing past them they entered the AI core where Shepard saw technicians and engineers working on the servers. A couple of them had shorted out and seemed to have exploded in some places. The human Spectre summed up his annoyance in one phrase, "Oh come on!"

Garrus grimaced, "Yeah, the techs say whatever they hit the systems with caused the drive core to unleash a power surge that overloaded several of EDI's servers. The good news is the majority of her core is still intact so she's salvageable. The bad news is that she'll be out of commission for at least a week."

Joker suddenly remarked over the intercom, "We'll be good Commander, I can still fly this thing even with one hand and no smothering mother to tell me what to do."

Shepard was surprised to hear from the Lieutenant so soon, "Joker, I thought you were still being treated?"

"Yeah well, we can't exactly rest easy when we need to get the hell out of dodge ASAP can we? Besides, it'll let me show that metal bitch outside that I can still fly even if she did break one of my arms." The Normandy pilot replied still defiant.

The Commander concurred, "Take us out of here and hit the relay as soon as possible."

"Aye aye, least we're still alive. We'll get 'em next time I guess."

"I don't know about that Joker, just get us out of here." Shepard turned to his turian compatriot, "I'll need to get in touch with some people about this."

"You think anyone other than Cerberus will even believe us?" Garrus asked with a raised brow.

"Whether they believe us or not we have to tell them that something worse than the Reapers is coming and the surrounding systems of Sigurd's Cradle are in the crosshairs. If we can at least mitigate some of the damage then..."

Veronakh, listening in on the Commander's conversation via his internal comm link, gave a sinister chuckle when Shepard mentioned his idea to call for help, "I'm afraid you'll find that more difficult than you think Commander..."

He switched views on his holofeed in the center of his throne chamber and saw the Shuvat's view of the Normandy. The small frigate slowly turned and began to leave at half its original speed out of the system, leaving the Shuvat alone in orbit. The Necron Phaeron switched back to his internal comm link as he stood up from his throne, "Du'Maat are you finished? The Teqyt is nearly ready for departure and as much as I enjoy seeing the fruits of your labor we are on a schedule."

"A few more finishing touches Great One, I have our new arrival here as well but I will wait to see how my current iteration fairs in the field before I begin work upon her." replied the Cryptek.

The Phaeron walked down his steps and towards the entrance of his chamber with several of his Lychguards taking up escort positions, "Very well, I will come down to inspect your creations and then we will be off. Our new holdings await Cryptek, with many more to follow."

The sudden sound of electricity surging awoke Jack. Her vision was slightly blurry but she knew she was in some kind of bad shit and needed to get out of this green lit chamber fast. Quickly she attempted to move and lash out only to find herself tightly bound by incredibly strong metallic claws. She tried to pool her biotics to her limbs but still they were inert, causing her to growl in frustration as she struggled futily in her restraints. The ex-convict then heard some kind of squelching noise and then began looking to find the source. As her rage subsided somewhat and she took in her surroundings, she saw what was making that disgusting sound. It was the creepy cyclopean robot from earlier working on a body covered in obsidian metal on a slab. It was using some kind of tool while holding a mettalic tube discharging a silvery fluid into the body's interior causing shivering motions in the extremities.

Fucking Shepard left me to get cut open by this fucking asshole, Jack thought to herself. It just reaffirmed everything she knew about people. When the chips were down they always left her to save themselves. Jack struggled again and looked for any kind of weakness in the claws she could exploit before suddenly she heard a metallic voice, "Your continued struggling will not change the inevitable."

It came from the cyclopean skeletal robot who continued to work as it put down its tools to allow other mechanisms from the slab to come up from below and begin to weld and sculpt the back of the body with black metal plates. The cyclops turned from the slab, letting the machinery continue to work while it came over to Jack. It brought a skeletal hand up to its chin as it looked Jack over and she retorted, "Like what you see you fucking tin can? Come closer, so you can get a good look before I crush that fucking head of yours like a beer can..."

The machine was not intimidated casually replying, "An unlikely event..."

"You'd be surprised how many people have said that before I fucking pulped em." the convict replied adamantly.

The robot ignored her comment and continued to look her over as it walked around her suspended body, "I have studied the information from Pragia that was aboard the Normandy as well as your background. You have...interesting history."

"You would find it interesting you fucking creep."

Unperturbed by her brusque language, the machine continued thinking aloud, "Cerberus' methods to perfect biotics was crude, though with you it clearly produced some result. Your high level of aggression along with your lack of self control however, is excessive for our purposes."

Jack simply smirked, "Suited me just fine. Especially when I get out of here and I figure out how to get my biotics working again. Then I'll show you how useful a lack of self control is."

"Irrelevant...but this on the other hand." the cyclopean machine motioned with its hand to the slab as it turned and tilted showing Jack all that was done to the body upon it. It was female, she couldn't tell the species but the crest from the back almost looked Asari in appearance. Hooks and cables were holding the back side open, allowing the machinery of the black slab to continue working on the body's back. Graying skin and muscle tissue dissolved and reformed into silvery metal that was then covered by obsidian metal plates that were then fused to it. The hooks and cables released, thus slowly closing the body's back as the process finished. After a moment of watching this the only thing Jack could see that was organic was the spine. Then the one-eyed robot returned to his tilted metal work station.

"This...is perfection. Something your kind could never hope to understand or duplicate." the machine stated with a hint of pride.

The bronze crowned cyclopean took up the metallic tube once more and began covering the bone of the entire spine in the silvery fluid, "With this...the last of the unnecessary flesh is washed away. Reborn into beautiful necrodermis..."

There was a sizzling and squelching sound again as the bone of the spine broke down but the silvery metal maintained the spine's shape like a mold. Jack could smell the charring and dissolving of the bone and the noise of the process was making her sick to her stomach. Then the cyclops continued to add more silvery fluid enlarging the mold's size as it hardened and formed into an enlarging metallic spine. It was then flanked and fused with the obsidian armor along its sides as the slab's machinery continued to work.

The cyclopean stepped back from its work making a noise reminiscent of a satisfied artisan backing away from a painting, "Ah...this will serve nicely."

"What the fuck..."

The robot then took the head of the body and turned it sideways. It indeed looked like an Asari but its noise and mouth had been flattened to match the metal plating of its face. The cheeks had been cut away revealing its teeth that were now silvery metal. The one-eyed machine ran its fingers along the face delicately, "While its certainly not original on the surface, underneath it is all my design. When this one awakens, its power will make our foes tremble."

"You're fucked up..."

The cyclops looked to her, its single green eye glowing as it approached and grabbed her face. Jack attempted to struggle but she still couldn't move as it turned her head to examine her more closely, "Upon your turn at my table...I will make you into a wonder of our dynasty. I shall give you a frame that will allow you to enjoy as much battle as you could possibly want...forever."

"Fu...ck..you.."

The robot then brought up its index finger from its opposite hand. A needle like tip quickly formed and then suddenly it jabbed the finger into her neck. Jack's eyes widened, then began to roll back as she lost consciousness. Her neck bled slightly as the needle was withdrawn but a black scab like protrusion formed and sealed it.

"Rest now...and dream as you will. When next you awake, you will have become something truly wonderful." said Du'Maat as he moved his skeletal hand across Jack's cheek.

"Du'Maat?" Veronakh interrupted.

The Cryptek was taken aback withdrawing his hand from his subject. The cyclopean Necron turned to greet his Lord standing in the doorway to his chamber with a quick bow, "Ah! Great One! Forgive me, I was-"

"Enraptured talking to your subject? Are you suffering some sort of malfunction?" questioned the Phaeron now slightly wary.

"No Great One! It may be possible that this work has...stirred something...something old within my matrix. Something I had not...'felt' in millennia."

Veronakh narrowed his eyes, "Will this become a problem in the future?"

The Cryptek shook his head, "No, it will not. As you know, all Necrontyr face the possibility of quirks and other oddities forming in our matrices due to our formerly organic origins. It could simply be that this is mine, but it is merely a benign case my Lord I assure you."

"Hmmmm..." The Phaeron wasn't convinced entirely but he would let it slide for now. Veronakh sent a quiet directive to Kor'Pharas that he should keep an eye on members of the court from now on just in case there was any more signs of mental instability he needed to be aware of.

Veronakh then walked over to the slab, his guards standing watch in the doorway to the room. He observed the finishing touches on the new biotic pariah as the slab's mechanisms withdrew and cables decoupled from the back side. Du'Maat walked to the opposing side and said, "She is now ready for your commands Great one."

Veronakh's eyes glowed bright while a wireless signal was sent from the Phaeron to the former Asari. Her Necron eyes switched on and glowed green in response and with the restraints released, the pariah took her first steps off the slab. She looked to the Phaeron then kneeled before him speaking in her new metallic voice now bereft of any humanity, "This one is ready to serve the dynasty mighty Phaeron."

"Stand." The metal lord commanded. The pariah did so and Veronakh once more inspected her. After walking around her and analyzing her from top to bottom, Veronakh gave an approving nod, "You have outdone yourself Du'Maat...perhaps becoming passionate around this work has done you a service."

Du'Maat bowed once more, "I am humbled by your praise Great One."

"How independent is she?" Veronakh asked continuing to walk around her.

"I felt it was necessary to be cautious around this first generation, due to this being new territory for my talents. Therefore they cannot take any initiative and must always have a higher authority present to determine whether to proceed or not." explained the Cryptek.

The Phaeron brought a skeletal hand to his chin, "Hmmmmm...not an unwarranted concern. I doubt their former selves would appreciate the gift we have given them. What of the male subject?"

"Functional and ready for orders, through him I was able to solve many potential problems before I finished with the Asari." said the Cryptek gesturing his skeletal hand toward a darkened corner where mechanical footsteps moved towards them.

Stepping into the green light was a larger male pariah. Its dark black armor covering the entire body with silver highlights in the joint sections. Like the Asari he too had cut out cheeks showing silver teeth which added to its intimidating appearance. The pariah knelt before the Phaeron silently as Veronakh began analyzing him as well, "What of their capabilities?"

Du'Maat motioned to the entrance as a pair of Necron warriors stepped in carrying one of the colonists who began struggling as he realized where he was, "Wha-where the fuck am I?!"

The Necron warriors suddenly dropped the man onto his hands and knees then proceeded back to the entrance. The robot guards along with the Lychguard acted as obstacles at the entrance to prevent the man from escaping should he attempt it. Du'Maat looked and pointed at the man with his skeletal finger and his eye glowed a brighter green. The pariahs eyes glowed green in kind receiving the silent command as they both stood up. They moved in front of the man and stood beside each other staring at him. The colonist panicked and quickly fell back, trying to get as far away from the two pariahs as he could. Then their metal forearms opened slots that revealed tubes brimming with green energy, similar to the ones utilized in the Necron's weaponry. A powering up sound was heard as the two pariahs entered combat stances and the male pariah unleashed a green biotic field upon the colonist.

The man instinctively tried to cover his face to protect himself from the field but soon found that he was floating in the air. The poor human tried to grab something to prevent himself from floating but suddenly he was violently flung into the ceiling and then into the sides of the room as the pull field worked on him. The male pariah then released the biotic attack before hitting the colonist with a throw field that knocked him into the far wall of the room. The poor human coughed up blood from the last hit and was groaning, while the female pariah readied her own attack. Her forearms began brimming with viridian biotic energies before she unleashed it on the weakened colonist. The human screamed a blood curdling cry as a green biotic field flayed at his flesh. Clothes, skin, and muscle began to disentegrate turning into glowing green ash as the man kept screaming. Once the colonist was halfway turned into a skeleton the male pariah than flung another throw field which caused a green biotic explosion, turning the dying man completely into glowing ash. The remains were set upon by nearby scarabs as they proceeded to clean up the mess the explosion caused.

Veronakh laughed and clapped at the display of the pariahs as they turned and once more bowed to him, "Hah hah hah hah hah! Wonderful! Though Du'Maat, I am sure that colonist was not important was he?"

"Based upon your parameters that human was either to be used for future breeding stock or testing purposes." replied the Cryptek

The Phaeron shrugged, "Ah, well at least he served his function. I am satisfied with this Cryptek, they will certainly serve us well in the upcoming battle."

Du'maat bowed, "I am grateful for your approval Great One. I am already designing an automated process to expedite the conversion."

"Excellent...soon we will have even more auxiliaries to supplement our immortal legion. I am also hoping that through this process you may also find a use for even those without biotic capability." stated the Phaeron.

"You wish conversion upon even common organics?" questioned the Cryptek.

Veronakh elaborated, "Not all, merely those that have been deemed...compatible. Having laborers and warrior auxiliaries that we did not need to feed or maintain via normal organic processes would certainly be more useful no?"

The Cryptek nodded, "Of course my Lord, I will need to create a screening process if such is your will."

"Do so but at a later time. For now take your creations and proceed to the Shuvat. From there you will be under Solvatas' command, follow her instruction unless I direct otherwise." commanded the Phaeron.

"By your will Great One." Du'Maat acknowledged.

The Phaeron appeared from the green light, phase shifting to his chamber aboard the Teqyt moving up the steps to the throne. He quickly sat upon it, his eyes glowing bright as he silently issued commands for the Teqyt to decouple from the docking arm. Metal connections and tubes released the Necron light cruiser. With it's full power restored, it began to rise upwards once more. Warriors and Spyders continued their patrols across the outpost while the local wildlife stirred and fled from the scene. The Teqyt rose and gained speed before tilting its fore towards the sky and then suddenly moved at great speed.

When the Necron vessel cleared the upper atmosphere and entered orbit it suddenly engaged its phase drive, disappearing in a blinding green flash. With a sudden surge of viridian light and energy, it reappeared near the gas giant on the outer edge of the solar system. Veronakh declared over the comms to his fellow lords, "The time has come my brethren. Meet with me near the edge of the Altanar system. It is time to go over our strategy."

"At last! My thanks Great One for allowing me a reprieve from watching this frozen dust ball of a world." said a grateful Xamutet.

"I will be there momentarily Great One." replied Solvatas.

The Shuvat and the Serap suddenly appeared moments later as they finished their jumps to the Teqyt's position. Quickly they entered formation with the larger ship and proceeded on an outbound trajectory outside the Altanar system. From his throne aboard ship Veronakh continued via his internal comm link with his fellow lords, "The Skepsis system will be our next target. We will assault it within several phases. The first phase will be focused on severing the entire cluster from the rest of the Mass Relay network."

A layout of the plan was wirelessly transmitted to the minds of the other lords as they analyzed their roles for each phase, "Du'Maat will be essential for this task and Solvatas will ensure he completes his mission. The Teqyt and Serap will stand by until this first phase is complete. Once accomplished the Shuvat will begin the second phase with an assault on the moon of Franklin to seize control of the Alliance spaceports there."

Xamutet of course couldn't help but ask, "Why does she get the honor to strike the enemy first?"

Solvatas sighed and stated, "I was the one who suggested to take the moon's facility as opposed to destroying it Xamutet. This attack will lay the groundwork for the future and expediate the conquest quickly. Thus the strikes upon it must be concise and accurate."

Veronakh continued, "Indeed, Xamutet your role in the second phase will be to bring the wrath of the dynasty upon the forces defending Watson. Though the planet's population is divided culturally they will no doubt attempt to rally a defense. Thus I am giving you permission to unleash your fury, leave no military facilities or any of their personnel alive. Wipe them out to the last."

A sinister laugh came from Xamutet over the comms, "Heh heh...with pleasure Great One."

"The Teqyt shall be in reserve in case either of you need support in your endeavors. Though I doubt it will be necessary one can never be truly certain of anything in this chaotic galaxy. Engage silent running and prepare to phase shift to the Skepsis system, our victory awaits us!"

The Teqyt along with its escorts proceeded to move at greater speed, their hulls shifting to match their surroundings. The small Necrontyr fleet were then engulfed in green light as their ships dematerialized soon to reappear at their next destination.