Chapter 27: Conflagration

From the Command Throne upon her bridge, Solvatas activated the Shuvat's phase shifter turning her ship translucent in the process. The Necron Vymark had detected a shift in the Mass Effect field of energy enveloping her ship and sensed her ship's destination was imminent. When the Shuvat arrived, the crescent Necron vessel found itself by another Mass Relay with a slight wake of kinetic force pushing out from the Mass Effect field dissipating around it. As the Shuvat proceeded forward Solvatas saw ahead of her, a graveyard. A field of destroyed alien ships with various kinds of debris along with bits of asteroids. All within a disc surrounding a particularly large asteroid in the center. Her ship's instruments reported many black holes surrounding them. The closest of these anomalies was within clear view off to the right of that same large asteroid. The black hole was thankfully many trillions of kilometers away, yet even at this distance its gravity should be having some kind of impact on the debris field. It seemed the power of the Reapers had created this controlled space in the perfect 'safe' zone of all these gravitational anomalies. They dotted the light brown void in every direction, glaring light diffusing all around the dark spheres. Solvatas returned her attention toward the particularly large asteroid. Her visual sensors indicated signs of construction built all around the asteroid's rocky outcropping. There was also a swathe of empty space between the central asteroid and the debris field. Solvatas could detect a subtle magnetic field pushing objects away from the construction as well. To the Vymark's mind there could be no doubt, that large asteroid was the Collector base and their primary target.

Rocks and ship detritus was slowly being pushed by the force of her ship's arrival, making the Necron wary of any eyes that could be watching. With her ship running silent and the Shuvat's visage translucent she dove the vessel down carefully through the field, attempting not to disturb any of the debris anymore then she had. When she reached the bottom of the debris field the Shuvat proceeded forward for several kilometers then came to a stop and waited.

Kor'Pharas communicated to Solvatas via their Necron internal comm link, "Situation Vymark? You seem...apprehensive."

"Your query must wait Praetorian. We have arrived at our destination but...I am verifying a suspicion." She replied, with a slight hint of apprehension.

"Understood."

They waited there for a few minutes, analyzing everything that the Shuvat's sensors could see. It wasn't until several Aeldari destroyers revealed themselves from their cloaking holofields and investigated the Necron ship's arrival point that Solvatas spoke, "Well...this confirms the Aeldari presence."

"You did not discuss the possibility of enemy ambush with the other commanders within the fleet. A presumption can be made but..."

"Your presumption would be accurate. Frankly, with so little intelligence and lack of time I could only give them so much information to process without being bogged down in explanations. Therefore I only gave them the most need to know scenarios and will work from there once our reconnaissance is complete."

"A practical solution. However some within our forces may become...combative, regarding your decision."

"Whoever they may be, let them complain. We shall let the results speak for themselves. We need to find the rest of the Aeldari force, suggestions?"

"A wide range sensor sweep would be detected. However the debris field contains many vessels that are being disturbed by the wake of our arrival. Perhaps we could use them to mask a more modest sweeping of our sensors."

"And even if the Aeldari investigate it will draw them away from the Relay. I second the motion Praetorian. Maneuvering into position around several wrecks, four hundred and fifty kilometers ahead."

The Shuvat moved at moderate speed. Even though it was under the main disc of debris there were some husks that were slowly being pushed away by the earlier wake of force. The two wrecks Solvatas was moving towards were very old and large rectangular wrecks, nearly half the size of the Necron ship. The near invisible crescent shape of the Shuvat eventually reached the wrecked vessels as they slowly began to collide with each other and when the greater portions of their frames collided, Solvatas sent off a sweeping of sensors. Immediately she burned away as quietly from the destroyed ships as she could before the Aeldari could respond.

Meanwhile on the Aeldari command ship, the Cynboth...

Autarch Kriel was contemplating the data his forces were reporting on his ship's bridge, his strategic mind working with both of his hands covering his mouth. His violet eyes looked over the bone and black colored holographic interface showing him the green outline of his forces and the debris field. He was paying particular attention to the small group of scout ships sweeping around the Mass Relay.

After a moment, he sighed and fell back into his chair as one of the Aeldari helmsman reported what he expected, "Autarch, the Talon of Kelmos reports no sighting from the kinetic disturbance by the Relay."

Kriel nodded, "Oh I know Paer, they wouldn't simply wait and see for that long. If it is a scout, it would likely be close by. Possibly in the debris field. Prepare for-"

Paer's eyes widened as new data came in, "Sensor ping from the debris field detected! Battle groups Phoenix Hawk and Storm's Veil are being scanned!"

"Tell all nearby vessels to triangulate onto the source, we need to annihilate that scout before they give us all away!" said one of the higher ranking Aeldari, a brown haired male with a black and white uniform similar to the Autarch.

"Belay that order." The Autarch dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"What?! Why?" The Aeldari officer said confused.

"We do not need to give them more information by giving into what is clearly a provocation. Let them have their victory. But begin to maneuver the other wings to cover the Relay construction. Have the already scanned ships sweep that area for the enemy scout."

Solvatas detected over a dozen Aeldari ships from that sensor sweep, but the Vymark knew there had to be more than that to effectively patrol the debris field and around the Collector base. The Praetorian reported the detailed data from the scan, "We have detected nine enemy frigates and four enemy light cruisers. They are now approaching the site of our previous sensor sweep."

Solvatas nodded, "Send the following message to the fleet, low band, textual communication only. We will need to adjust our plan accordingly. I am no longer certain a stealth approach may be possible."

"Acknowledged."

The Shuvat continued its run to the edge of the debris field before cutting engines. Solvatas brought a skeletal hand to her chin and contemplated what to do next. Every new sensor ping to find the enemy numbers would draw more attention and raise the enemy's alertness. How could she use this to her advantage? She looked out with her ship's sensors to the Collector base. It was a cylindrical asteroid, filled with tunnels like a hive featuring white and purple architecture wrapped around it in a spiral. Within the largest of these open cavities in the asteroid, work could be seen on a new Collector ship. Thankfully it was still under construction, nothing more than a spiraling cylindrical frame. Her ship could not detect any turrets or defense systems, indicating that the Relay and the base's dangerous environment were likely its main form of defense. Meaning that this station was very vulnerable to a surprise attack that could breach its perimeter. It would require some timing on the rest of the fleet's part, but there was a chance here to draw away the rest of the Aeldari patrols, perhaps even cause some serious damage to the base.

Solvatas recalled the Cerberus dreadnought and it's Thanix cannon along with her escorts and ran calculations. After a moment to process, a scheme was concoted, "Praetorian prepare to launch with several of the remaining Doom Scythes."

"Mission parameters Vymark?"

"To create a diversion that the Aeldari cannot ignore."

"Autarch, groups Storm's Veil and Phoenix Hawk report no signs of the target thus far." Paer reported.

Kriel cursed under his breath, "Damn this hellish space. The gravitational anomalies and debris field are clearly being more disruptive to our sensors than I would like. Have both affected wings spread out and commit to thorough sweeps."

Another Aeldari ensign on the bridge called out, "Receiving reports of a possible trail from the Comanah of battlegroup Storm's Veil, they say it is leading towards the edge of the debris field from their position."

"Plot a course towards the debris field's edge. All ships upon my wings, follow our course, spread, and prepare to intercept." The Aeldari Commander ordered.

"Acknowledged Autarch." replied Paer as he relayed the same orders to the rest of the battlegroup.

Kriel suspected that the scout was already out of the field and was likely in open space heading towards the base. His group was heading towards the field now slowly advancing from the defensive position near the base. Kriel's battlegroup was still wreathed in their holofields and was slowly approaching like a predator with open jaws. All the scout had to do was prick one of his ship's sensors or one of his escorts and that would be the end of it.

Suddenly an alarmed Paer got the Aeldar commander's attention, "Autarch, we have a another sensor ping...from behind us!"

"What?!" Kriel exclaimed.

The Aeldari ensign worked the eldritch symbols and parsed through the data of his console for a quick moment before announcing, "Energy burst detected! It's them! The old enemy! It was a phase jump!"

"Where did it go! Show me!" Kriel demanded.

The holographic screen in front of Kriel changed to that of the Collector Base and that of a fast moving crescent shape charging right for it at full speed right towards it's dock.

"What kind of ploy is this?" The Aeldari commander queried.

"Autarch receiving communique from the Custodian base." Paer reported.

Kriel groaned as the image of the Collector General appeared above the scene taking place on his holographic pedestal, "You allow the enemy to penetrate the perimeter Aeldari. You have failed your part of the agreement." it spoke with an irate, reverberating tone that grated the Aeldari commander's ears.

"We will rectify that momentarily...custodian. Prepare for enemy ground forces, we are moving with all speed to remove that ship from your midst."

"Be swift...Aeldari. For the sake of all your kind...you had best perform your role in this cycle. Lest all your sacrifices... account for nothing."

The Collector General's image dissipated and Kriel clenched his teeth in disgust at being talked down to by such a creature. He only hoped his people didn't need to stay bound to this pact for too long.

The Shuvat charged at the dockyard firing all it's Arc batteries. Green lightning scorched and rent apart the docking port containing the incomplete Collector Vessel. From the sides and back of the Necron escort ship emerged six Doom Scythe fighters. The small obsidian crescent fighter craft dove into the port and began to unleash hell upon the enemy ship and all facilities within. Green energy beams criss-crossed along the Collector Vessel's surface, carving off whole sections. An easy feat considering much of the ship at the moment was just an incomplete frame. Several of the Necron fighters fired at docking clamps, gangways and walkways with Collector soldiers attempting to find cover, dropping materials as they fled.

Solvatas viewed this through her throne's holographic imaging in front of her and internally smiled. She continued to fire her ship's weapon system along the sides of the giant asteroid. Green lightning streaked along rock and metal, scorching and destroying more infrastructure and setting sections floating off into space. The Vymark knew however that this wouldn't be enough to draw more Aeldari away. She decided to begin teleporting in small teams of Auxiliaries within the base to begin causing havoc within. She calculated they may not be able to get away with too much but if it panicked the Collectors enough they would call for aid. Thus causing more ships to be potentially diverted to assist along with her minions providing intelligence on the base's internals. She selected several teams of auxiliaries on board her vessel to quickly transfer to the base in the chaos and then looked to Legion who was outside her throne room, "Legion, it is time. Proceed with the other designated units to the gates and infiltrate the base. Review orders I am sending you and report what you can."

"Acknowledged." Legion replied.

Within the next few minutes she detected gate discharges indicating successful transfers along with new incoming data feeds from Legion and her auxiliaries.

While processing the new information she was just about finished destroying the docking port. Then she turned her ship around and saw what was coming. The enemy battlegroup that had been stalking her had now dropped its pretense and was making a full burn towards her. Two light cruisers and a small group of frigates supported The Aeldari command ship. It was one she had not seen for some time. What the Aeldari called a "Vaul" class cruiser. Like all ships of their kind it was brimming with powerful Starcannon and Pulsar turrets atop an armored fore of the ship that could fire plasma and lasers. There was nothing they had at the moment that could face it head to head with its firepower. But the ship did have weaknesses and her foe had no idea that in his haste he was falling right into where she wanted him to go. She communiqued to Kor'Pharas within his fighter, "Praetorian, you and your fellows return to the Shuvat. Sending new orders, prepare yourselves."

"Understood, returning to vessel." Kor'Pharas stated.

The plan now rested on her gamble...and the aim of the human gunners that were coming in soon. Once the fighter's were reattached to the hull, she checked upon her viewscreen to see how much time until the rest of the fleet arrived. Counting down in the Necrontyr symbols, it was two minutes. Barely enough for what she had in mind and she calculated severe damage to her ship from this, but there was no choice to even the odds. Solvatas poured all power to engines and charged at the enemy battlegroup.

Aboard the Cynboth the Aeldari were flabbergasted. An Aeldari ensign called out, "By Isha they've lost their minds! The ship is charging us!"

"All batteries open fire!" Kriel shouted.

Beams of white light sang out from the Aeldari ships, boiling the surface of the Necron ship's central hull. The black crescent ship began to spin and manuever, attempting to diffuse some of the laser fire before the Cynboth's Starcannons fired glowing blue plasma rounds at the oncoming enemy frigate. While the Necron ship evaded some, several plasma bolts struck, blasting off the end of the left 'wing' of the escort ship. Another bolt struck towards the central rear of the ship causing a shower of black necrodermis detris and debris to fly off from the blooming blue and green explosion. Despite this, the ship continued forward, more parts of its hull boiling and turning orange from the continued firing of Pulsar lances.

Suddenly, the Necron ship was wreathed in green lightning causing Paer on the bridge to shout, "It's going to phase jump!"

"Another barrage! Stop that ship!" Kriel cried out.

But it was too late, within a second, the Necron vessel was engulfed in green light and vanished. White lasers and plasma bolts now hitting nothing but the void of space.

Kriel was incensed and called out, "Where is it?!"

"In the debris field Autarch! Its attempting to flee to the Relay construct!" Paer reported.

"Have all wings converge on that ship! Do not allow it to report its findings!"

"Autarch, battlegroup Isha's Ward has detected multiple kinetic pulses from the Relay! Still no visual confirmation or souls detected by our seers!"

"Damn! They're already here! Have groups Isha's Ward and Khaine's Wrath begin to locate and assault the invaders-"

"Sir both battlegroups are now no longer responding...there's just...screaming!"

"What?! Patch me through!"

Despite Paer's horror he still followed through with the command, all the while not noticing an alert on his console while he began transferring audio feeds to the Autarch's ear piece. The Aeldari commander called out, "Anven, Petroth, what is happening?!"

All that came back through the feed was cries of Aeldari bridge crews in agony along with calling out to make whatever was afflicting them stop. Shaking his head at this, Kriel shut the feed off and looked back to his holographic pedestal. According to the battle map the Necron ship continued to proceed to the relay to no doubt regroup with the reinforcements. However it seems battlegroups Storm's Veil and Phoenix Hawk were turning to engage the Necron ship and catch it in the debris field.

Kriel now saw what his next task would be and ordered, "Bring us about! Set a course for the construct to engage the enemy! Maintain formation!"

"Orders sent Autarch!"

Suddenly the bridge was rocked by an explosion that seemed to come from behind. The Aeldari held onto their consoles and the Autarch himself caught his momentum on the arm rests of his chair. Kriel barked, "Report! What was that?!"

"We've been hit on our central main thruster! Detecting energy signatures by our engines! Likely enemy fighter craft!"

Another explosion rocked the ship before alerts began sounding throughout the bridge, "Central thruster power is failing and maneuvering struts have been damaged!"

"Dispatch fighters and destroy those-" Kriel began. But suddenly in Kriel's mind the enemy's plan suddenly came into focus, just as he looked to his battle map screen and saw appearing forty-eight vessels with one large vessel coming into visual. As they appeared, the green arrows representing his two battle groups around the relay began to disappear.

Kriel than ordered, "Give me visual of the Relay now!"

The bridge did as commanded and then the Autarch saw it. Upon the bridge screen zoomed in to the site of the relay, Aeldari ships were seemingly lethargic and waning in the void of space, their holofields down as what appeared to be a conglomeration of Alliance and pirate warships of varying makes cut through them effortlessly without resistance. But Kriel's keen eyes saw something happening with the largest of them, an Alliance dreadnought, "Focus on the largest ship!"

When the screen zoomed out slightly and brought the ship into focus it was already firing a weapon that was bringing hot energy from the aft section to the fore of the ship. A large beam of fiery red energy lanced out from the dreadnought, straight at the Cynboth. Ordinarily, his ship could easily evade such an attack at this distance. Even if it couldn't there was a good chance to weather the storm of such an attack, if the ship was taking it head on where the armor was thickest. But Kriel now realized too late what the Necron's strategy was, disabling his maneuvering at the worst possible moment with his weaker flanks exposed. Yet he still gave the order regardless, "Full power to engines, evade!"

"Too late..." One bridge officer meekly spoke.

Several seconds later, a thunderous blast struck the ship that reverberated throughout the Aeldari vessel, throwing bridge crews from their seats or hitting them with exploding consoles. The Cynboth's internals at it's central hull took the brunt of the blast, the beam carving and melting through the wraithbone like a hot knife, vaporizing Aeldari crewmen caught in the blast. The carving beam continued straight through the ship, going up the side until it severed the ship's spinal connections, severing the engine section from the rest of the ship. The rest of the Aeldari battlegroup that was in escort of the now bifurcated flagship dispersed and engaged holofields. However, the flagship did not explode at first...it simply went adrift in two severed halfs, slowly carried by its momentum toward the debris field. Then the engine section detonated, in a beautiful iridescent explosion. It sent the forward section of the Cynboth hurtling into the rest of the debris field, another grave added to the boneyard.

Cerberus battlegroup, SSV-Krakatoa

The bridge of the SSV-Krakatoa was far larger than the Normandy, with more crews working consoles that were more bulky and experimental. A larger galactic map could be seen from a holographic emitter and circular computer console in the center of the CIC. It showed the Collector Base with General Petrovsky looking at the tactical situation in front of him, watching the result of his ship's attack. The bridge crew of the Krakatoa cheered as they saw the target enemy vessel split in twain from the firepower of their experimental Thanix cannon before exploding. Others attempted to stand before suddenly vomiting, still attempting to recover from the 'side-effects' of the Gloom Prism's field that they had recently disengaged. General Petrovsky was also fighting back nauseau with a stoic expression, only giving a curt nod at the impact his weapon had inflicted.

One of the nearby crews after recovering from his expulsion, looked to his holographic console to see a notification, "General, Incoming transmission from the Shuvat."

"Put it through." Petrovsky stated.

A holographic waveband appeared in front of the galactic map, followed by the synthesized voice of Solvatas over the comm, "Well done General. A perfect execution. Now if you would be so kind to form up with the others and prepare yourselves for their counterattack we can-"

"You said nothing about the terrible effects of that Prism upon our crews!" Petrovsky spat.

"I did warn all of you that there may be some effect. We do not have the luxury of time. I have enemy ships converging on my position and my vessel already has sustained heavy damage. I advise you prepare for their counterattack appropriately."

The Cerberus General grumbled but acknowledged the situation, "Very well. Ensign bring us about! Give us another target!"

"Aye sir!" An ensign acknowledged.

An alert was sounded as another ensign reported, "General we have multiple ships ascending from the debris field to engage us!"

"Some of these are huge! How are we supposed to deal with that many!" responded another Cerberus crewman at the readings.

"Retain discipline! Time on the Thanix?" The General demanded.

"It will take several minutes to recharge General!"

"The Phase Shifter?"

After working his console the ensign shook his head, "Four minutes, General. Engineering reports it really drained our drive core, they want to make certain we give the systems enough time to recover."

"All escorts assume tight formation in front us, expect incoming torpedoes, prepare for evasive maneuvers! Crews may fire all other weapons at will!"

"Aye sir!"

The wounded Shuvat finally reached its allies, approaching from the Mass Relay, now taking up a rear echelon position among the formation. The allied force prepared for the oncoming tide of Aeldari ships shifting formation in response. Despite the loss of their flagship, the first wave of scattered Aeldari vessels raced toward the oncoming tide of pirate and Alliance warships. The Aeldari vanguard arrived rising from the debris field like a school of hungry sharks, firing a barrage of torpedoes before breaking off. The Cerberus task force retained discipline around their flagship, facing the barrage of torpedoes head on. The alien ordinance was then quickly swept away by the arrival of the SSV-Normandy flying at the head of a wing of similarly designed frigates. They fired both standard and Necron weaponry, beams of green and blue light lancing outwards to the torpedoes as they swept in front of their formation to intercept the alien ordinance. Several other wings performed the same maneuver sweeping away the torpedoes to keep their own flagship safe. In response the Cerberus formation unleashed barrages of mass accelerator fire onto the void of space, hoping to hit any of the now cloaked vessels.

A squadron of Aeldari escorts with a light cruiser at their head appeared from their cloaking holofields. Weathering the storm of mass accelerator fire, the alien ships fired a lancing barrage of lasers from their forward batteries onto the right flank of the Cerberus vessels. The blinding white streams of light tore into the lead escort ships ahead of the Krakatoa, boiling their hulls and completely piercing others to lightly burn the fore hull of the dreadnought. With a burst of engines and thrusters the Aeldari shifted direction and recloaked away. Back on the Shuvat, Solvatas had no intention of allowing the Aeldari to pick their formation apart. Even with her ship in its current state, it could still provide combat data and thus she sent out sensor pings. From her Command Throne her ship groaned and power fluctuations from damage to her reactor caused green lighting to strobe. The Necron Vymark then communiqued to the Normandy, "Shuvat to Normandy I have data for those targets. Recommend pursuit and use of T-class ordinance."

"Got it!" Joker replied over comms.

Solvatas watched as her holographic projector showed the Normandy and its wing of enhanced frigates move to pursue the cloaked fleeing Aeldari ships. The frigates launched swarms of torpedoes and missiles that flew into the void and then after a certain distance exploded in a blast of green lightning. It struck the cloaked ships, disrupting their holofields and propulsion. The Normandy then unleashed the power of its Thanix, tearing into the now revealed Aeldari escort ship, slicing through its side and rear, causing its reactor to suddenly detonate. The explosion resonated throughout the alien ship severing its upper and bottom halves and sending them scattering into and away from the debris field.

A new voice chimed in although static began to break up the transmission. Kor'Pharas had not checked in as quickly as she expected but it was good to hear his voice regardless, "Vymark, we have arrived at the enemy facility and have begun our incursion. We will reconnoiter with the other infiltration units and assist where possible."

"Good Praetorian, we need that data from Legion and the others quickly if we are to get the assistance to finish this battle. The Aeldari are only picking at us for now, but once they regroup, we will not last under a sustained assault."

"Acknowledged."

As the transmission ended Solvatas noticed the Normandy and its followers had destroyed another Aeldari escort ship on the holographic display before a series of lasers fired past it. The white hot lances destroyed two of the ships following the human frigate outright, forcing Joker to dive through the debris field. The other ships following Normandy seemingly panicked and attempted to flee back to the main corps of the fleet, but were taken out by Aeldari torpedoes. Shifting the screen to the Krakatoa, the escorts were being lanced by more hit and run attacks by Aeldari vessels. The dreadnought attempted to bring its Thanix to bear but their alien opponents simply continued to flee and hide behind their holofields. It seems the Aeldari were intent on bleeding the Cerberus formation to death and never facing the Krakatoa directly.

At the current rate of losses, for every Aeldari ship destroyed, the enemy took out three of their own. An untenable position, as their forces faced destruction within an estimated twelve minutes. Solvatas was annoyed at the prospect of defeat in such a manner but these sacrifices it would seem were not to be in vain. A burst transmission from Legion arrived. She parsed through the data and found the one she had been hoping for. It was a series of images, capturing a particular Farseer speaking to an Aeldari officer. His helm and armor was ornate in the black and white colors of Craftworld Istafar with blue opal highlights spread across his gloved bracers and thick boots. Solvatas could never forget from her machine mind the memory of the one who had led the Aeldari expedition to the Solvatakh throneworld. The one whose machinations had assassinated their Phaeron and whom had caused the dynasty's current predicament. Farseer Grenthor's presence was now confirmed.

With that now set, Solvatas quickly went about establishing a communique to the greater dynasty. Even with her exile status she still was allowed some form of contact. Though with so few intelligent Necrons left that meant Xamutet would have to be the one to speak on her behalf. The last time they talked was...awkward. Her cousin was consumed with rage towards Du'Maat for apparently maiming him. The black Necron's necrodermis it seemed could not wholly recover from the damage he sustained to his death mask. Solvatas suspected he may have had some exposure to Du'Maat's virus. When the connection was finally established Xamutet's head took the place of the ongoing battle upon her holographic screen. The Black Death was seemingly forced to improvise with cobbled together bits of an ocular from a Scarab along with other pieces in order to weld the blade slice to his head.

The new ocular focused in on Solvatas from across the galaxy, Xamutet's voice graveled and raspy like a weary soldier, "What is it...exile? I thought you had the situation with the Collectors well in hand?"

"It would seem the Aeldari are... complicating matters. But that's not the point of this transmission. Sending data to you now cousin, as per the agreement we made before we began this battle."

Xamutet's larger iris and normal eye pulsed as they took in the data, the larger eye's iris expanding wide as realization and confirmation met, "So it is as you had predicted. Grenthor is there."

"Now I believe there was an agreement of assistance should we find the Farseer or any notion of him within my area of combat operations."

"Yes yes I will inform him of what you have discovered. But in the end it will still be the Great One's decision. He was in a foul mood last I spoke with him. What will you do should he say no I wonder? You've placed practically everything on this wager in the hopes to placate him."

"It is not to placate him. It is to convince him that this fight is also his and that it is more than just a minor skirmish. We break the back of the Reaper thralls and humiliate Istafar here, it will send a message to the survivors of our wrath and break the tools of our future foes. Remind him of Grenthor's slight against him...let his fury against the Aeldari be once more kindled!"

Xamutet let out a gravely synthetic laugh, "Ah it has been sometime since I have heard such eagerness to purge Aeldari fools. We shall see if the Phaeron shares your sentiment."

"I humbly request you be quick about it...for I can only hold the enemy back for another nine minutes at best."

Xamutet chuckled before closing the connection, thus returning the holographic screen to the battle before the Vymark. Solvatas pinged once more, providing sensor data from her ship to the Krakatoa, indicating where some of the enemy light cruisers were sneaking about. The Cerberus dreadnought unleashed another blast from its mighty Thanix cannon, catching the Aeldari ship in its rear and blasting it apart with a critical hit to the reactor. The ship blew in half and sent shrapnel flying. The debris damaged several other Aeldari frigates too close to the blast, while also knocking away their cloaking fields.

The screen shifted to another scene however, it revealed more friendly escorts and Cerberus vessels being destroyed by concentrated lance and plasma fire. The Krakatoa itself was now taking damage as several torpedoes slipped past the remaining escorts and struck the lower starboard side of the ship. Explosions tore through the dreadnought's lower decks, with chunks of hull coming off, but thankfully it didn't appear to be critical damage. The Aeldari it seemed were regaining their composure and if support didn't arrive quickly then Solvatas would have no choice but to call a retreat back to the relay. Then she quickly banished the thought within a millisecond. The Aeldari's speed would prevent any escape at this point, there truly was no other option than to stand and fight. She could only hope that her gamble with Xamutet would pay off. Then a report from the Normandy on wide band comms announced that things were only getting worse, "Hey we're picking up some weird readings from the debris field... oh shit!"

Data from the Shuvat's sensors were already compiling its own sensor readings when the Normandy's pilot made the report. The Necron Vymark saw through the visual data overlayed with sensor data on her holographic screen, indicating multiple power sources were activating. Throughout the field, tan colored spheres flew up from the dead ships towards the battle. Based upon previous data they were the Collector's autonomous drones that were the size of the Normandy's drive core. They were apparently armed with cutting lasers via the red lenses at the center of their shapes. With that firepower aiding the Aeldari that brought even more odds against them.

New hails from the Krakatoa were incoming and Solvatas answered them, albeit reluctantly after several seconds due to her still calculating options, "We are pulling out Necron! We cannot afford to lose one of the best weapons for humanity's survival on what is clearly now a pointless defeat!"

"Your ship does not have the speed to reach the relay in time before the Aeldari tear you to pieces General. Like it or not, you are stuck with us to the end."

"No! Cerberus is no tool of aliens! Nor will we die in the name of your cause! We are leaving!"

"If you turn your back to the Aeldari they shall swarm you like your homeworld's sharks. Fighting is your only hope of survival."

"Then I hope you have a plan Solvatas, because if you haven't noticed our forces aren't going to last much longer at this rate." chimed in Commander Shepard. The Normandy was seen on screen blasting through several of the Collector drone spheres with two well placed laser shots that pierced their eye lenses.

"I do Shepard. Hold fast for the next few minutes. Reinforcements are imminent." Solvatas assured.

Returning her attention to the overall strategic picture with her holographic screen, she watched the Normandy have two of the Collector's spherical drones chase it through the debris field. One began hitting it in its rear with its own close range laser, scorching the white human frigate with a black gash. On another screen the Krakatoa attempted to fire its Thanix at another Aeldari light cruiser, but a pincer attack from several of the enemy escorts tore into the the Cerberus dreadnought's midsection with white hot lance fire. The Thanix fired but only at half of its output, damaging the Aeldari ship and making it evade away. Solvatas heard through the comm chatter that the Krakatoa's Thanix was now offline.

That was enough for General Petrovsky to call it, "All ships withdraw!"

"Don't be a fool General!" Solvatas spat over the comms.

Then she detected it, the kinetic pulse of an arrival from the Mass Relay. It was only one vessel, but it was massive. Based on the power of the pulse...it couldn't be, she thought. Solvatas thought he would have needed more time to create a ship of that class. She quickly set her screen to the Mass Relay and saw it. A ship she had not seen since she had arrived in this universe. A Scythe-class Harvest ship. Even larger then the Teqyt, it was classified as a cruiser by other species of their home galaxy. The Vymark took a more thorough scan and found the ship was brimming with thousands of crew, likely full of auxiliaries. She also noted that much of the ship's usual weapons systems were not present. Not surprising. It seemed that her father had cut corners to get it out this early.

A wide scale communique to all ships within reach boomed on all channels, the voice of Xamutet announcing, "To those who stand with the Solvatakh Dynasty, know that I Xamutet, the Black Death, have arrived to bring ruination to the Great One's foes! Let no Aeldari survive!"