A/N: More Like Annihalation.
The void between stars erupted into a kaleidoscope of destruction as Overlord Amenhotep's fleet, the Fist of Anuket, emerged from the Dolmen Gates. At its heart, the colossal Cairn-class Tomb Ship "Eternal Dominion" led the charge, its ancient hull bristling with weaponry that defied comprehension.
Arrayed against this Necron armada were the combined fleets of the Rangdan and Slaugth. Their bio-mechanical ships, a fusion of writhing organic matter and advanced technology, formed a defensive perimeter around a massive moon-fortress. Under normal circumstances, such a force would have been more than enough to repel any invader. But these were not normal circumstances, and the Necrons were far from ordinary foes.
Amenhotep stood on the command deck of the "Eternal Dominion," his metallic form radiating an aura of cold anticipation. "All ships, execute attack pattern Alpha-Null," he commanded, his voice carrying across the fleet's communication networks. "Show these aberrations the true meaning of overwhelming force."
The Necron fleet moved with a precision that belied its massive size. Smaller escort ships took point, drawing enemy fire while the heavier vessels maneuvered into optimal firing positions. The Rangdan and Slaugth responded with a barrage of bio-plasma and entropic beams, their ships splitting and reforming in patterns designed to confuse targeting systems.
But the Necrons were not so easily fooled. The first volley from the Necron fleet was devastating. Particle Whips lashed out from multiple ships, each beam capable of bisecting a cruiser. Where they struck, Rangdan and Slaugth vessels simply ceased to exist, their matter scattered across the void.
A group of Slaugth ships attempted to close the distance, hoping their corrosive attacks would be more effective at close range. Amenhotep allowed himself a cold smile. "Activate the Sepulchre," he ordered.
The "Eternal Dominion" pulsed with Necron energies. A wave of psychic force washed over the approaching Slaugth vessels. On board, their crews began to scream. Visions of horror beyond mortal comprehension filled their minds. Ships began to list and drift as their crews lost all semblance of control.
"Pathetic," Amenhotep muttered. "These creatures thought to challenge us with their primitive bio-technology. Let us show them true power. All ships, concentrate fire on the disabled vessels. Leave nothing but atoms."
The Necron fleet obliged. Lightning Arcs chained between the stricken Slaugth ships, frying systems and crew alike. Gauss Particle Cannons followed, reducing proud vessels to clouds of dispersing particles.
Meanwhile, the Rangdan attempted a more coordinated assault. Their ships, demonstrating the race's infamous adaptability, began to shift and morph. Weapon emplacements realigned, armor thickened where the Necron fire was heaviest. For a moment, it seemed they might be able to weather the storm.
Amenhotep was unimpressed. "Activate Energy Drain Generators," he commanded. "Let us see how well they adapt when their power is stripped away."
From the flanks of the Necron formation and of 'Eternal Dominion' The Flagship began to activate it's generators and some cruisers specially equipped ships powered up their Energy Drain Generators. Invisible tendrils of force reached out across the void, latching onto Rangdan vessels. The effect was immediate and catastrophic. Lights flickered and died on the alien ships. Weapons fell silent. Life support systems failed.
"Now," Amenhotep's voice was filled with cold satisfaction, "finish them."
The Necron fleet surged forward. Ships that had been hanging back now entered the fray, fresh and untouched. They fell upon the energy-starved Rangdan vessels like wolves upon wounded prey. Particle Whips sliced through unpowered shields. Gauss weapons reduced mighty battleships to their constituent atoms.
In the span of minutes, what had been an organized defense became a route. The remaining Rangdan and Slaugth ships began to retreat towards the moon-fortress, hoping its formidable defenses would offer some protection.
Amenhotep had other plans. "All ships, form up on the 'Eternal Dominion.' Prepare for close-range engagement with the moon-fortress. I want that abomination reduced to rubble."
As the Necron fleet reformed, the true scale of the destruction became apparent. The void was littered with the broken husks of Rangdan and Slaugth vessels. Those that still retained some semblance of structure were being systematically picked apart by swarms of Canoptek Scarabs, stripping them for raw materials.
The moon-fortress loomed ahead, its surface a nightmare landscape of bio-mechanical weaponry and eldritch defenses. In any other circumstance, assaulting such a structure would have been suicide. But the Fist of Anuket was no ordinary fleet, and Amenhotep was no ordinary commander.
"All ships, execute attack pattern Omega-Void," Amenhotep commanded. "Scarab Swarms, prepare for planetary assault. We'll strip that rock bare if we have to."
The Necron fleet split into three distinct groups. The first, led by the "Eternal Dominion," would engage the fortress head-on, weathering its main defenses. The second would strafe the surface, targeting weapon emplacements and shield generators. The third would hang back, providing long-range fire support and guarding against any attempts at reinforcement.
As they closed with the fortress, its defenses came to life. Beams of coruscating energy lashed out, powerful enough to vaporize small moons. Bio-plasma torpedoes streaked across the void, each capable of melting through the thickest armor.
But the Necron ships were not so easily destroyed. Their Quantum Shielding flickered and pulsed, absorbing impacts that would have annihilated lesser vessels. Where shields failed, living metal quickly repaired the damage, ships regenerating even as they pressed the attack.
Amenhotep stood unmoved on his command deck as the "Eternal Dominion" shrugged off hits that could have cracked planets. "Return fire," he ordered calmly. "Full power to forward batteries."
The massive Tomb Ship's prow split open, revealing a weapon of terrifying proportions. The Particle Whip capacitors charged, reality itself seeming to warp around the barrel. When it fired, it was as if a small star had been born and then immediately snuffed out.
The beam struck the moon-fortress with apocalyptic force. Layers of shielding, each powerful enough to withstand prolonged bombardment, were stripped away in seconds. The outer shell of the fortress, composed of some bio-mechanical alloy of incredible strength, simply ceased to exist where the beam struck.
"Again," Amenhotep commanded, his voice devoid of emotion. "Fire until that abomination is nothing but dust."
As the "Eternal Dominion" continued its devastating barrage, the rest of the fleet pressed the attack. Lightning Arcs chained across the fortress's surface, overloading defense systems and frying the biological components of the structure. Gauss Flux Arcs carved deep trenches into the planetoid's surface, each shot annihilating cubic kilometers of matter.
From the hangars of the Necron ships poured swarms of Canoptek Scarabs and Acanthrites. These mechanical horrors descended upon the moon-fortress in their billions, burrowing into any crack or crevice they could find. Where they passed, only bare rock remained, every scrap of technology and biological matter consumed to fuel their endless hunger.
The Rangdan and Slaugth defenders fought with desperate ferocity. New weapons grew from the fortress's surface, adapted to target the Necron attackers. Mimetic warrior-constructs emerged from hidden chambers, throwing themselves at the Canoptek swarms in suicidal charges.
But it was all for naught. The Necron assault was relentless, unstoppable. Hour by hour, the moon-fortress was stripped bare, its secrets laid open to the cold light of the void.
Amenhotep watched it all with the dispassionate gaze of a being who had seen galaxies burn. This was not war as most races understood it. This was extermination, pure and simple. The Rangdan and Slaugth, for all their vaunted adaptability and technological prowess, were nothing before the might of the Necrons.
As the last of the fortress's defenses fell silent, Amenhotep turned to his command staff. "Prepare for planetary assault," he ordered. "Eternal Dominion will not rest until this entire system has been cleansed."
And so the first phase of the battle ended. The void was silent once more, save for the hum of Necron ships and the distant screams of dying xenos. Amenhotep's fleet had proven why the Necrons were the most advanced race in the galaxy, their technology so far beyond their opponents as to seem like magic and now they come Planetfall.
--------------------------
The surface of the Rangdan-controlled world trembled as the first wave of Necron forces made planetfall. The sky, already darkened by the debris of destroyed orbital defenses, was split asunder by sickly green light as massive Monoliths phased into existence. These were not mere ships or vehicles, but mobile fortresses of Necron technology, each one a nexus of Gauss energies.
Overlord Amenhotep, the Fist of Anuket, stood atop the lead Monolith, his metallic form silhouetted against the apocalyptic sky. His cold, emerald gaze swept across the alien landscape, taking in the bio-mechanical fortifications and writhing organic structures of the Rangdan defenders. A mirthless smile played across his skull-like features.
"Let the Procession of the Damned begin," he intoned, his voice carrying across the Necron command network. "Show these vermin the true meaning of inevitability."
As if in response to his command, the Monoliths began to pulse with eerie green energy. Their massive forms, each the size of a small hab-block, began to move in perfect synchronization. They formed a massive, geometric pattern across the landscape, a formation that seemed to defy conventional military tactics.
But this was no conventional invasion.
From the glowing portals of each Monolith poured an endless stream of Necron Warriors. Rank upon rank of skeletal automatons, their gauss flayers humming with barely contained energy. They marched in perfect lockstep, their movements as precise and unyielding as the march of time itself.
Interspersed among the Warriors came the heavier units. Immortals, their more ornate forms bristling with advanced weaponry, took up positions at key strategic points. Lychguard, wielding massive warscythes and hyperphase swords, formed honor guards around Necron Nobles who had joined the fray.
The ground shook as heavier vehicles phased into existence. Annihilation Barges hovered ominously guarded by Immortals, their Tesla destructors crackling with electrical energy. Doomsday Arks lumbered forward, their main guns capable of reducing entire fortresses to atoms with a single shot, from behind them Canoptek Doomstalkers tread forward, firing it's Doomsday Blaster to heavily armored and large foes and Gauss Flayers to the infantry, followed by Scarabs harvesting breaking down essentially any material into energy. as it consumed it reproduced so much so that it blotted out the son.
Spyders, their multiple limbs a blur of motion, Wraiths phased in and out of reality, their forms flickering as they sought out key targets.
As the Necron army advanced, the Rangdan defenses came to life. Bio-mechanical turrets swiveled, targeting the invaders with beams of coruscating energy. Mimetic warrior-constructs emerged from hidden bunkers, their forms shifting and adapting even as they charged towards the Necron lines.
But for all their advanced biotechnology and adaptive capabilities, the Rangdan found themselves woefully outmatched.
The first volley from the Necron forces was devastating. Gauss weapons fire swept across the Rangdan lines, stripping away matter at the atomic level. Where it struck, Rangdan warriors simply ceased to exist, their bodies scattered to the winds as clouds of disparate atoms.
Tesla weapons chained through tightly packed enemy formations, arcs of energy leaping from target to target with brutal efficiency. Rangdan mimetic abilities, so effective against other foes, proved useless against the relentless onslaught of the Necrons.
Amenhotep watched the battle unfold from his command position, his ancient mind processing thousands of tactical data points per second. He saw the Rangdan attempting to regroup, to form a more cohesive defense. It was time to show them the futility of their resistance.
"Advance the Monolith formation," he commanded. "Initiate mass teleportation protocols."
The massive Necron constructs began to move forward, their anti-gravity engines humming with power. As they advanced, their portals flared with renewed energy. In a series of blinding flashes, entire phalanxes of Necron Warriors and vehicles were teleported directly into the heart of the Rangdan defenses.
The effect was catastrophic for the defenders. Necron forces materialized inside fortifications, in command centers, and amidst supply depots. The close-quarters fighting that ensued was brutal and short-lived. Gauss flayers and hyperphase blades made short work of the surprised Rangdan troops.
Meanwhile, the main Necron advance continued unabated. The Procession of the Damned lived up to its name, an unstoppable tide of living metal and Necron energy that swept across the battlefield. Where the Rangdan managed to destroy a Necron Warrior, repair protocols would kick in, necrodermis knitting itself back together as the fallen soldier rose to rejoin the fight.
Amenhotep himself joined the fray, teleporting into the thick of battle alongside his Lychguard. His warscythe, a masterpiece of Necron engineering, carved through Rangdan war-machines as if they were made of paper. Where he walked, reality itself seemed to warp, dimensional shunts sending parts of enemies into pocket dimensions or phasing them partially out of existence.
The Rangdan, despite their advanced technology and tactical acumen, found themselves being systematically dismantled. Their adaptive strategies, so effective against other races, seemed to falter in the face of the Necron onslaught. Every time they developed a countermeasure, the Necrons would simply phase shift their tactics or bring to bear some new and terrible weapon.
As the battle raged on, the true horror of the Necron invasion became apparent. This was not merely a war of conquest or extermination. It was a harvesting. Canoptek Spyders and Scarabs swarmed over fallen Rangdan and destroyed war machines alike, breaking them down into base components to fuel the never-ending Necron war effort.
Hours turned into days, but the Necron advance never slowed. The Procession of the Damned continued its inexorable march across continents, across oceans, leaving nothing but barren rock and stripped ruins in its wake.
Rangdan commanders, in their desperation, began to employ ever more extreme measures. Bioweapons were unleashed, capable of reducing entire ecosystems to primordial soup. But the Necrons, being soulless machines, were utterly immune. Tectonic weapons were fired, splitting the planet's crust in an attempt to swallow the invaders in seas of magma. But the Necrons simply phased through the destruction, emerging unscathed on the other side.
From his command Monolith, Amenhotep oversaw it all with cold satisfaction. This was war as the Necrons waged it - implacable, inevitable, and utterly without mercy. Each victory, each world scoured of life, was another step towards the resurgence of the Necron Empire.
As the last Rangdan stronghold fell, Amenhotep turned his gaze to the stars. There were more worlds to conquer, more xenos to exterminate. The Procession of the Damned would march on, a testament to Necron supremacy and a harbinger of doom for all who stood in their way.
The invasion of this world was complete, but it was merely the opening move in a war that would reshape the galaxy.
As the dust settled on the conquered world, the Necron war machine began to shift its focus. Monoliths phased back into orbit, ready to be redeployed to the next battlefield. Canoptek constructs continued their ceaseless work, stripping the planet of every useful resource.
Amenhotep stood once more aboard his flagship, the "Eternal Dominion," his gaze fixed on the tactical displays showing the progress of the campaign. The Rangdan had proven to be formidable foes, but in the end, they were just another speedbump on the road to Necron dominion.
"Prepare for transition," he commanded. "The next system awaits our cleansing."
------------------------------
Overlord Nephthys, the Shadow of Khepri, stood motionless on the bridge of her flagship, the "Eternal Silence." Her optics gleamed with cold calculation as she reviewed the intel gathered by her extensive network of Canoptek Spyders and cloaked probes. The Slaugth fleet lay before them, a writhing mass of bio-mechanical horrors unaware of the doom that approached.
"All ships, maintain stealth protocols," Nephthys commanded, her voice a whisper that carried across the fleet's encrypted channels. "Prepare for Operation Shadow Strike."
The Necron fleet hung in the void, their advanced phase-shift technology rendering them nearly invisible to Slaugth sensors. Nephthys had positioned her forces with surgical precision, each ship placed to exploit a weakness in the enemy's formation.
At the heart of her strategy was the use of the Sepulchre, a weapon of such terrifying power that no foe would be safe from it's maddening effects. Unlike Amenhotep's brute force approach, Nephthys preferred to break her enemy's will before engaging in open combat.
"Cruiser squadron Epsilon, move into position," she ordered. "Prepare to activate Sepulchre arrays on my mark."
The sleek Necron cruisers glided silently through the void, their engines muffled by technology beyond the comprehension of their prey. They took up positions surrounding the Slaugth command ships, poised to strike at the very heart of the enemy fleet.
Nephthys watched the tactical display, her ancient mind processing countless variables. Timing was everything. Strike too soon, and the enemy might rally. Too late, and they might detect the trap.
"Now," she commanded, her voice carrying a note of finality.
The Sepulchre arrays aboard the cruisers flared to life, sending waves of maddening energy washing over the Slaugth vessels. There was no visible effect at first, no explosions or dramatic destruction. But within the bio-ships, madness took hold.
Slaugth crew members, their composite forms writhing in agony, were assaulted by visions of cosmic horror beyond their ability to comprehend. The psychic assault tore through their hive minds, shattering the very essence of their being.
Nephthys watched dispassionately as the Slaugth command structure collapsed. Ships began to drift aimlessly, their crews lost in a nightmare from which there was no awakening. Others turned on their allies, firing wildly as paranoia and terror overwhelmed them.
"Second phase," Nephthys ordered, her voice devoid of emotion. "Particle Whip batteries, target their heavy capital ships. Scythe Carriers, launch attack wings. Priority on their escort assault craft."
The "Eternal Silence" led the charge, its massive form finally shimmering into view as its Particle Whip capacitors reached full charge. The weapon fired, a beam of unimaginable power lancing out to bisect a Slaugth dreadnought. The alien vessel, large enough to rival a small moon, was split in twain, its halves drifting apart as secondary explosions rippled along its length.
From the hangar bays of the Scythe Carriers poured squadrons of Doom Scythes and Night Shroud bombers. They fell upon the disoriented Slaugth fleet like a swarm of mechanical locusts, their advanced targeting systems picking out vital weak points with unerring accuracy.
Night Scythes darted between larger vessels, their trans-dimensional abductors snatching away key personnel and vital components from the Slaugth ships. These would be analyzed later, adding to the Necrons' vast repository of knowledge on their foes.
As the battle unfolded, Nephthys continued to direct her forces with lethal precision. Unlike other commanders who might lose themselves in the heat of battle, she remained coldly analytical, always three steps ahead of her opponent.
"Cruiser squadron Gamma, execute flanking maneuver Delta-7," she ordered. "Draw their screening elements out of position."
The Necron cruisers moved with impossible grace, their engines flaring as they executed a series of complex maneuvers. The remaining coherent Slaugth forces, desperate to protect their flanks, took the bait. They moved to intercept, leaving a critical gap in their formation.
"Now," Nephthys commanded. "Eternal Silence, full power to forward batteries. Fire."
The flagship's prow split open, revealing a weapon of terrifying proportions. It fired, a beam of blinding energy that cut through the void like the wrath of an angry god. It struck the Slaugth flagship dead center, the energy washing over bio-mechanical shields that, for all their advanced nature, may as well have been tissue paper.
The Slaugth command ship died, not with a bang, but with a whimper. Its systems, organic and mechanical alike, simply ceased to function. It drifted, a dead husk in the void, its destruction a testament to Necron supremacy.
With their command structure in tatters and their most powerful ships destroyed or disabled, the remaining Slaugth vessels began to retreat. But Nephthys was not one to leave a task half-finished.
"All ships, execute pursuit protocols," she ordered. "No survivors. No witnesses."
The Necron fleet moved as one, hounding the fleeing Slaugth with relentless efficiency. Doom Scythes and Night Shroud bombers harried the enemy's flanks, while the larger ships picked off stragglers with pinpoint Particle Whip shots.
Hours later, as the last Slaugth ship flickered and died, its warp engines overloaded by a well-placed strike, Nephthys allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. The void was silent once more, save for the hum of Necron engines and the occasional explosion of debris.
"Sweep the area," she commanded. "I want every scrap of Slaugth technology catalogued and analyzed. Prepare for phase two of the operation."
As her orders were carried out, Nephthys turned her attention to the Slaugth-held worlds that now lay defenseless before her fleet. The space battle had been won with ruthless efficiency.
The Shadow of Khepri had struck, swift and silent, leaving devastation in its wake.
Long before the void battle had begun, Nephthys had set her true plan in motion. While other Overlords might rely solely on brute force, she understood that true victory came from striking at the heart of the enemy's command structure.
Across the Slaugth-held worlds, hidden Necron assets stirred to life. Canoptek Wraiths, having lain dormant for weeks, phased into reality within the most secure Slaugth command bunkers. These spectral constructs, nearly impossible to detect even when active, moved with terrifying purpose.
Simultaneously, squads of Deathmarks, the elite snipers of the Necron forces, decloaked on strategic vantage points. These patient hunters had waited in trans-dimensional pockets for the perfect moment to strike, their synaptic disintegrators primed and ready.
Nephthys watched through the eyes of her operatives, her ancient mind processing dozens of simultaneous feeds. "Initiate primary targets elimination," she ordered.
Across three worlds, chaos erupted in perfect synchronization.
On the Slaugth throne world, a high-ranking Worm-Admiral writhed in its command mucus, issuing orders to reinforce the fleet's formation. Without warning, a Canoptek Wraith phased through the organic walls of the chamber. Its claws, honed to monomolecular edges, sliced through the Worm-Admiral's composite form before it could even register the threat. As the Slaugth leader's component worms fell apart, unable to maintain cohesion, the Wraith's built-in Transdimensional Beamer activated. In a flash of sickly green light, the remains of the Worm-Admiral vanished, transported to Nephthys' flagship for study.
Simultaneously, on a fortified moon base, a Slaugth Strategist-Cluster was coordinating fleet movements. A barely perceptible shimmer in the air was the only warning before a Deathmark's synaptic disintegrator fired. The hyperaccurate shot struck the central node of the Strategist-Cluster, the energy pulse disrupting the synaptic connections that held the composite being together. The Slaugth entity collapsed, its hive mind shattered beyond repair.
On the third world, a sprawling bio-mechanical complex housed the Slaugth's primary communication hub. Here, Nephthys deployed a combination of Wraiths and Deathmarks. The Wraiths phased through security barriers, disabling organic-machine hybrid defenses with surgical precision. This allowed the Deathmarks to move into position, their shots taking out key technicians and severing vital bio-neural linkages.
Within minutes, the heart of the Slaugth command structure had been torn out. Fleet admirals, strategic planners, and communication hubs had been eliminated or disabled with ruthless efficiency. The Slaugth, a race that prided itself on infiltration and subtle manipulation, found themselves outmatched in the realm of covert operations.
Nephthys nodded. "Phase two," she commanded. "Initiate fleet-wide confusion protocols."
Across the Slaugth communication networks, Necron crypto-scramblers activated. These devices, planted by Canoptek Scarabs weeks earlier, began broadcasting contradictory orders and false information. Slaugth ships received commands to retreat to nonexistent rally points. Planetary defense grids were given codes to lower shields for phantom friendly reinforcements.
The void was silent once more, save for the hum of Necron engines and the occasional explosion of debris.
"Sweep the area," she commanded. "I want every scrap of Slaugth technology catalogued and analyzed. Prepare for planetside operations."
Even as her fleet secured orbital supremacy, Nephthys' groundside operations continued unabated. Canoptek Wraiths and Deathmarks, their initial targets eliminated, moved on to secondary objectives. Power plants were sabotaged, defense grids disabled, and supply lines disrupted. By the time the main Necron invasion force arrived, they would find a foe already teetering on the brink of collapse.
Nephthys turned her attention to the Slaugth-held worlds that now lay defenseless before her fleet. The space battle had been won with ruthless efficiency, but the true test would come planetside. Yet, even here, her forces had already paved the way for victory.
"Commence planetfall," she ordered. "Priority targets as designated by advance teams. I want this system under our control within the solar cycle."
As Monoliths and Night Scythes began their descent, carrying with them the implacable Necron infantry. The Slaugth had thought themselves masters of infiltration and terror. She had shown them the true meaning of fear, the kind that only the eldest race in the galaxy could instill. The assassination phase was complete, the invasion well underway. Nephthys, the Shadow of Khepri, stood ready to lead her forces to ever greater victories, her cunning and precision a match for any foe the galaxy might throw against the resurgent Necron Empire. In the grand game of galactic dominion, she had proven once again that sometimes the deadliest blade was the one you never saw coming.
-------------------------------
Overlord Imhotep, the Architect of Destruction, stood motionless at the center of his command sphere aboard the Cairn-class Tomb Ship "Infinity Matrix." The space around him buzzed with holographic displays, each one streaming real-time data from every ship in his fleet. His eyes, glowing with cold intelligence, flicked from screen to screen at inhuman speeds, processing gigabytes of information per second.
"Fascinating," he murmured, his metallic voice barely audible over the hum of the ship's systems. "The Rangdan fleet's formation indicates a 78.3% probability of a pincer attack. Adjust our stance accordingly."
With a thought, Imhotep sent out a series of commands. His fleet, a perfectly balanced mix of every ship class in the Necron armada, began to shift. The movement was so subtle that to an outside observer, it might have seemed random. But to Imhotep's data-driven mind, each adjustment was a crucial part of a grand, ever-evolving strategy.
As the Rangdan fleet approached, Imhotep's sensors picked up the telltale energy signatures of their bio-mechanical ships. "Initiate countermeasure protocol Epsilon-7," he ordered. "Activate disruptor fields."
Across his fleet, specialized emitters came to life. They broadcast carefully calibrated energy fields designed to interfere with the Rangdan's mimetic abilities. The effect was immediate and devastating. Rangdan ships that had been shifting and adapting their forms to present smaller target profiles suddenly found themselves locked into singular shapes, their greatest defensive asset neutralized.
"Enemy fleet advancing," reported a Cryptek. "They appear to be launching boarding craft."
Imhotep processed this information in a fraction of a second. "Interesting. They seek to capitalize on their superior numbers in close-quarters combat. A logical strategy, but ultimately flawed."
With lightning speed, he issued a new set of commands. Scythe Carriers moved to intercept, launching swarms of Doom Scythes and Night Shroud bombers. But unlike a conventional counter-attack, these fighters moved in complex, seemingly random patterns.
"Implement evasive algorithm Theta-3," Imhotep ordered. "Adjust for Rangdan targeting systems."
The Necron fighters began to dance through space in ways that defied conventional logic. They zigged when they should have zagged, accelerated when they should have slowed. To the Rangdan gunners, it was maddening. Their bio-mechanical targeting systems, designed to predict enemy movements, found themselves completely outmatched.
As the smaller craft engaged, Imhotep turned his attention to the larger battle. His cruisers and destroyers were now in optimal firing positions, their weapons charged and ready.
"All ships, commence firing," he commanded. "Utilize adaptive targeting protocol Lambda-9."
The void lit up with green fire as Particle Whips and Gauss Weapon Batteries opened up. But unlike a standard barrage, each shot was meticulously calculated. Imhotep's combat algorithms predicted not just where Rangdan ships were, but where they would be by the time the energy beams reached them.
The result was a breathtaking display of precision. Rangdan vessels found themselves struck in vulnerable points mere moments after adjusting their shields or armor. Shots that should have been near-misses became direct hits as the Necron weapons anticipated the enemy's evasive maneuvers.
As the battle raged on, Imhotep continued to process and adapt. His eyes never left the data streams, his mind constantly running simulations and adjusting strategies.
"Enemy flagship detected," a Cryptek announced. "It's attempting to coordinate a counterattack."
Imhotep's response was immediate. "Interesting. Their command structure is more centralized than anticipated. Exploit this weakness. All ships, execute maneuver Omega-4."
The Necron fleet moved as one, executing a series of intricate maneuvers that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Ships that should have collided passed within meters of each other, their movements so precisely calculated that they appeared to phase through one another.
The Rangdan, caught off guard by this impossible display of coordination, found their carefully planned counterattack falling apart before it could begin. Their ships, trying to track multiple threats at once, began to break formation.
"Now," Imhotep commanded, his voice carrying a note of cold satisfaction. "Infinity Matrix, primary weapon systems online. Target their flagship."
The massive Tomb Ship's prow split open, revealing a weapon of terrifying proportions. It fired, a beam of energy so powerful it warped the fabric of space-time around it. The shot streaked across the void, its trajectory a masterpiece of ballistic calculation.
The Rangdan flagship, a biomechanical horror the size of a small moon, never stood a chance. The beam struck it dead center, bypassing its shields as if they weren't there. The massive vessel simply ceased to exist, its matter scattered across several dimensions.
With their command structure shattered, the remaining Rangdan ships fell into disarray. Some attempted to flee, others fought on with suicidal determination. But against Imhotep's perfectly coordinated fleet, they stood no chance.
"Foolish" Imhotep mused as he watched the enemy fleet crumble. "Their adaptive capabilities, while impressive, lack the processing power to truly rival our own. A fatal flaw in their design."
As the last Rangdan ship flickered and died, its warp core breached by a precision strike, Imhotep allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The void was silent once more, save for the hum of Necron engines and the occasional explosion of debris.
"Sweep the area," he commanded. "I want every piece of Rangdan technology catalogued and analyzed. Their biological components may yield interesting data for future countermeasures."
"Prepare for planetary assault," he ordered. "Upload terrestrial combat algorithms to all ground forces. I want real-time data feeds from every unit."
"Their planetary defenses show a 68.4% similarity to their space-based tactics. Predictable, yet potentially challenging."
Without a moment's hesitation, Imhotep initiated the first phase of his groundside operation. "Deploy Stalker and Scarab reconnaissance units," he commanded. "Full spectrum analysis of planetary defenses, population centers, and strategic resources."
From the bellies of orbiting Night Scythes, swarms of Canoptek Scarabs descended upon the planet's surface. These tiny, spider-like constructs moved with singular purpose, their advanced sensors probing every aspect of the Rangdan-controlled world. They burrowed into the ground, scaled towering bio-structures, and infiltrated subterranean complexes, all while remaining virtually undetectable to Rangdan security systems.
Alongside the Scarabs, more substantial Stalker units were deployed at key strategic points. These tripodal constructs, each armed with a devastating heat ray, moved with eerie grace across the alien landscape. Their primary function, however, was not combat but data collection. Advanced targeting arrays and multi-spectral sensors gathered terabytes of information on Rangdan troop movements, defense grid layouts, and command structure.
As data began to flood in, Imhotep stood motionless in the center of a swirling maelstrom of holographic displays. His eyes darted from screen to screen, processing information at a rate that would have driven a lesser being mad.
"Intriguing," he muttered. "The Rangdan have adapted their terrestrial forces to incorporate elements of the local flora. Adjust our weapon frequencies to compensate for the altered biological signatures."
With each passing second, Imhotep's understanding of the battlefield grew more comprehensive. He noted the placement of every gun emplacement, the patrol routes of every Rangdan war-form, the energy output of every shield generator. But more than that, he began to see patterns – the underlying logic of the Rangdan defense strategy.
"Their adaptive capabilities are impressive," Imhotep observed, "but ultimately limited by their organic components. Exploit this weakness. Prepare for deployment of phase one ground forces."
As Monoliths began their ponderous descent through the atmosphere, Imhotep's mind raced ahead, formulating and discarding strategies at a dizzying pace. By the time the first Necron warrior set foot on the planet's surface, he had already calculated 17,382 possible battle scenarios and chosen the optimal course of action.
"Initiate assault pattern Epsilon-9," he commanded. "Priority targets as follows: planetary defense grid nodes, primary biomass processing centers, and central synaptic control clusters."
The Necron invasion force moved with cold, mechanical precision. Warriors advanced in perfect formation, their gauss flayers humming with barely contained energy. But unlike a conventional assault, every step, every shot was part of a grand, intricately calculated plan.
Imhotep's forces struck at seemingly random points across the planet's surface, but each attack was a carefully placed domino in an elaborate strategic cascade. A gun emplacement destroyed here would force the Rangdan to reroute forces, leaving another sector vulnerable. A command node eliminated there would cause a ripple effect of confusion through enemy ranks.
As the battle unfolded, Imhotep continued to process and adapt in real-time. His eyes never left the data streams, his mind constantly running simulations and adjusting strategies.
"Rangdan forces are attempting to regroup in sector 7-Gamma," a Cryptek reported. "They appear to be forming a new defensive line."
Imhotep's response was immediate. "As anticipated. Their synaptic control structure forces them into predictable patterns when under stress. Exploit this. Destroyer squads Theta and Omega, execute flanking maneuver Lambda-3."
The heavily armed Destroyer units moved with impossible speed and coordination, their anti-gravity drives allowing them to circumvent the rough terrain. They struck the forming Rangdan line from multiple angles simultaneously, their gauss cannons reducing bio-mechanical war machines to their constituent atoms.
Meanwhile, in other sectors, Imhotep's forces employed a dizzying array of tactics. Deathmarks materialized from pocket dimensions to eliminate key Rangdan commanders with pinpoint accuracy. Canoptek Wraiths phased through solid matter to sabotage power generators and communication hubs. Tomb Blades conducted lightning-fast hit-and-run attacks, keeping the enemy off-balance and unable to mount an effective counteroffensive.
Throughout it all, Imhotep's Scarabs continued their relentless information gathering. Every Rangdan response, every adaptation, was noted, analyzed, and incorporated into the ever-evolving battle plan.
"Most Delightful," Imhotep mused as he watched a Rangdan bio-titan fall to a perfectly coordinated strike. "Their ability to regenerate and adapt is remarkable. Adjust our attack patterns to target synaptic nodes first, then vital systems. Maximum efficiency achieved."
As the battle raged on, the true horror of Imhotep's approach became apparent. The Rangdan found themselves not just outgunned, but out-thought at every turn. Every strategy they employed had already been anticipated and countered. Every adaptation they made was met with an even more effective Necron response.
"Enemy forces are attempting to consolidate around their primary hive-city," a Cryptek announced. "They appear to be preparing for a final stand."
Imhotep's eyes flared with cold interest. "Predictable, yet tactically sound given their limited options. Prepare for final phase assault. All units, execute operation Omega Protocol."
The Necron forces began to converge on the Rangdan hive-city, but not in a conventional assault pattern. Instead, they moved in a complex, ever-shifting formation that seemed to defy logical analysis. Units that should have been vulnerable suddenly found themselves protected. Gaps in the line that the Rangdan sought to exploit turned out to be carefully laid traps.
At the heart of this maelstrom of calculated violence stood Imhotep himself, having teleported to the front lines to personally oversee the final push. His staff of light pulsed with eldritch energies as he strode forward, surrounded by a guard of Lychguard.
"Tantalizing," he remarked as he observed a Rangdan counter-attack crumble before it could fully form. "Their desperation has led to a 23.7% increase in tactical creativity. Admirable, but ultimately futile."
As the Necron forces breached the outer defenses of the hive-city, Imhotep's plan entered its final, devastating phase. Canoptek Scarabs, which had infiltrated the city's infrastructure over the course of the battle, suddenly activated in vast swarms. They overwhelmed vital systems, disrupted power grids, and sowed chaos throughout the Rangdan's last bastion.
Simultaneously, carefully placed Deathmarks eliminated what remained of the Rangdan leadership with cold efficiency. Without central coordination, the remaining defenders fell into disarray, their vaunted adaptive capabilities faltering in the face of an enemy that seemed to anticipate their every move.
The final assault was swift and merciless. Imhotep led from the front, his staff of light reducing Rangdan war-forms to their constituent atoms with each strike. Around him, Necron Warriors advanced in perfect lockstep, their gauss flayers cutting down anything that stood before them.
As the last pockets of resistance were crushed, Imhotep stood in the central chamber of the conquered hive-city. His cold gaze swept over the biomechanical architecture, already being systematically dismantled by swarms of Canoptek Scarabs.
"A most illuminating engagement," he observed. "The Rangdan's adaptive strategies, while impressive, ultimately failed due to their inability to process battlefield data at our level. A clear demonstration of Necron superiority."
With the planet firmly under Necron control, Imhotep's focus immediately shifted to the next phase of the campaign. Scarabs and Crypteks were already swarming over captured Rangdan technology, analyzing and cataloguing every scrap of data that could be useful in future engagements.
"Prepare for phase two of planetary operations," Imhotep commanded. "I want every resource stripped, every piece of useful technology salvaged, and all data on Rangdan biology and technology compiled and transmitted to the Infinity Matrix for analysis."
As his orders were carried out with mechanical efficiency, Imhotep allowed himself a moment of cold satisfaction. The battle had been a testament to the power of data, calculation, and foresight. Every move, every shot, every sacrifice had been part of a grand design, a cosmic equation of destruction that only he could fully comprehend.
---------------------------
Overlord Sekhet, the Void Weaver, stood motionless at the center of his command nexus aboard the Cairn-class Tomb Ship "Eternal Stratagem." The space around him pulsed with holographic displays, each one representing a different facet of the impending battle. Unlike Imhotep's rapid-fire data processing, Sekhet's gaze moved deliberately from screen to screen, his ancient mind weaving together countless threads of strategy.
"Rather Dull plans," he murmured, his voice a low, metallic purr. "The Rangdan fleet's disposition suggests a 62% probability of a three-pronged assault. Let us... encourage that line of thinking."
With a thought, Sekhet sent out a series of meticulously crafted orders. His fleet, a carefully balanced composition of ships designed for maximum tactical flexibility, began to move. To an outside observer, the maneuvers might have seemed almost lethargic, even hesitant. But to Sekhet's strategic mind, each movement was a carefully placed piece in a grand, cosmic game of regicide.
As the Rangdan fleet approached, Sekhet's sensors picked up the telltale energy signatures of their bio-mechanical ships. "Implement deception protocol Gamma-9," he ordered. "Let them think they've found our weak point."
Across his fleet, specialized emitters came to life. They broadcast carefully calibrated energy signatures designed to mimic a vulnerable flank in the Necron formation. The effect was subtle but irresistible to the opportunistic Rangdan tacticians.
"Enemy fleet adjusting course," reported a Cryptek. "They appear to be concentrating forces on our starboard flank."
Sekhet's eyes flared with cold satisfaction. "Excellent. They take the bait. Now, let us close the trap."
With practiced precision, he issued a new set of commands. The three Cairn-class Tomb Ships, which had been hanging back as a deterrent force, began to move. But instead of charging forward, they executed a series of complex maneuvers, creating a three-dimensional web of overlapping fields of fire.
"Scythe Carriers, launch intercept squadrons," Sekhet ordered. "Pattern Omega-7. Let them think we're desperate to protect our flank."
Swarms of Doom Scythes and Night Shroud bombers poured from the hangars of the five Scythe Carriers. But unlike a conventional defensive screen, these fighters moved in intricate, seemingly chaotic patterns. They darted in and out of the Necron formation, giving the illusion of a frantic defense.
As the smaller craft engaged, drawing more and more of the Rangdan fleet into the perceived weakness, Sekhet turned his attention to the larger battle. His cruisers, until now maintaining a defensive posture, were perfectly positioned for the next phase of his plan.
"All cruisers, execute maneuver Epsilon-3," he commanded. "Prepare to spring the trap."
The void lit up with green fire as the Necron cruisers suddenly surged forward. But instead of a straightforward attack, they moved in a complex, three-dimensional ballet of destruction. Ships that the Rangdan thought were retreating suddenly found themselves in perfect firing positions. Others seemed to appear out of nowhere, having used the larger Tomb Ships as cover for their approach.
The result was a devastating crossfire that caught the Rangdan fleet completely off guard. Bio-mechanical ships, their adaptive defenses overwhelmed by the sheer number of attack vectors, began to fall apart under the onslaught.
As the battle raged on, Sekhet continued to weave his web of strategy. His eyes never left the tactical displays, his mind constantly adjusting and refining his grand design.
"Enemy flagship detected," a Cryptek announced. "It's attempting to coordinate a breakout attempt."
Sekhet's response was measured, almost nonchalant. "As anticipated. Their predictability is almost disappointing. Implement phase two of operation Void Snare."
The Necron fleet's formation suddenly shifted, but not in any way the Rangdan could have predicted. Ships that seemed to be in retreat suddenly turned to attack. Others that had been pressing the assault fell back, creating lanes that seemed to offer escape.
The Rangdan, their forces in disarray and seeing what appeared to be a chance to regroup, took the bait. Their ships began to move towards the apparent gaps in the Necron line, desperate to break out of the killing zone they found themselves in.
"Now," Sekhet commanded, his voice carrying a note of cold triumph. "Eternal Stratagem, primary weapon systems online. Target their flagship."
The massive Tomb Ship's prow split open, revealing a weapon of terrifying proportions. But instead of firing immediately, it began to charge, the energy build-up clearly visible to the Rangdan sensors.
The enemy flagship, seeing the imminent threat, did exactly as Sekhet had predicted. It adjusted course, seeking to use one of its own cruisers as a shield against the incoming attack.
"Predictable to the last," Sekhet mused. "Execute final phase."
In that moment, the true genius of Sekhet's strategy became apparent. The lanes of escape that the Rangdan had been funneled into suddenly came alive with deadly energy. Hidden mines, planted hours ago by cloaked Necron vessels, detonated in precisely timed sequences. Waves of destruction washed over the Rangdan ships, their shields already weakened by the previous fighting.
Simultaneously, the two other Cairn-class Tomb Ships, which had been maintaining holding patterns at the edges of the battle, activated their own primary weapons. The Rangdan flagship, having moved to avoid Sekhet's apparent attack, found itself caught in a triangulated field of fire with nowhere to escape.
The void lit up with a light bright enough to rival a small sun as three planet-cracking beams converged on the massive bio-ship. When the light faded, there was nothing left but scattered atoms and fading energy readings.
With their command structure shattered and their forces divided, the remaining Rangdan ships stood no chance. Some attempted to flee, others fought on with suicidal determination. But they were now merely pieces on a game board where Sekhet controlled every move.
"A satisfactory conclusion," Sekhet observed as he watched the enemy fleet crumble. "Their strategies, while occasionally innovative, lacked the depth to truly challenge us. A fatal flaw in their tactical doctrine."
As the last Rangdan ship flickered and died, torn apart by the remorseless fire of Necron Gauss weapons. The void was silent once more, save for the hum of Necron engines and the occasional explosion of debris.
"Prepare for planetary assault," he ordered. "Upload terrestrial combat strategies to all ground forces. I expect real-time updates on all tactical developments."
The Rangdan fortress world loomed before them, its orbital defenses now nothing more than debris fields scattered across the void. Sekhet had methodically dismantled the enemy fleet, piece by piece, in a series of calculated maneuvers that left no room for error. Now, as the planet's surface came into view, a new phase of the war was about to begin.
"Initiate phase one of the planetary assault," Sekhet commanded, his voice a cold, metallic rasp that echoed through the command nexus. Immediately, the displays shifted, focusing on the planet's atmosphere and the placement of key Rangdan strongholds.
Sekhet's strategy for planetary invasion was unlike that of many other Necron commanders. Where others might opt for overwhelming force or lightning-fast strikes, the Void Weaver preferred a more insidious approach. His goal was not merely to conquer but to manipulate the very fabric of the enemy's defenses, turning their strengths into weaknesses.
The first wave of the invasion consisted not of troops, but of specially modified Canoptek Scarabs. These swarms of mechanical insects were programmed with complex behavioral algorithms designed by Sekhet himself. As they entered the planet's atmosphere, they began to disperse, each cluster targeting a different strategic location.
"Scarab swarms have achieved planetfall," a Cryptek reported. "Initiating infiltration protocols."
Sekhet nodded, his optics glowing with cold satisfaction. The Scarabs were not meant for direct combat. Instead, they would burrow into the planet's communication networks, power grids, and defense systems. Over the next few hours, they would lay the groundwork for the true invasion, sowing confusion and discord among the Rangdan defenders.
As the Scarabs worked, Sekhet turned his attention to the next phase of his plan. "Prepare the Doom Scythes for atmospheric insertion," he ordered. "Target pattern Epsilon-7."
The Doom Scythes, sleek and deadly, detached from the Tomb Ship in perfect formation. Their mission was twofold: to provide real-time intelligence on Rangdan movements and to conduct precision strikes on key targets identified by the Scarab swarms.
Sekhet watched the holographic displays intently as the Doom Scythes entered the atmosphere. The Rangdan defenses, already compromised by the Scarab infiltration, struggled to track the Necron aircraft. Beams of sickly green energy lanced down from the Doom Scythes, striking comm towers, power plants, and command bunkers with unerring accuracy.
"Excellent," Sekhet murmured. "The enemy grows blind and deaf. Now, we tighten the noose."
The next phase of Sekhet's invasion plan involved a series of false flag operations. Ghost Arks, loaded with holographic projectors instead of troops, descended on various locations across the planet's surface. These projectors created the illusion of massive Necron forces, drawing Rangdan defenders into fortified positions.
Meanwhile, the real Necron forces were preparing for deployment. Sekhet had divided his army into three primary groups: the Anvil, the Hammer, and the Scalpel.
The Anvil, consisting of phalanxes of Royal Wardens, Immortals and Necron Warriors would establish a series of beachheads across the planet. Their purpose was not to advance, but to draw the attention and firepower of the Rangdan forces. Supported by Doomsday Arks and Annihilation Barges, the Anvil would present an immovable and terrifying front.
The Hammer, composed of swift-moving Destroyers, Tomb Blades, and Destroyer Lords, would strike at the flanks of any Rangdan forces that committed to attacking the Anvil. Their hit-and-run tactics would sow further confusion and force the enemy to divide their attention.
Finally, the Scalpel – elite units of Plasmancers and Necron Lords – would be inserted deep behind enemy lines. Their targets were the Rangdan leadership and critical infrastructure that had survived the initial Scarab infiltration and Doom Scythe strikes.
As the invasion force prepared to deploy, Sekhet received a transmission from one of his Crypteks. "My lord, we have detected anomalous energy readings from the planet's northern hemisphere. It appears the Rangdan have activated some form of superweapon."
Sekhet processed this information, his mind racing through countless scenarios. "Interesting," he said at last. "It seems our prey seeks to change the rules of engagement. Very well. We shall adapt."
The Overlord quickly modified his battle plans. He redirected a portion of his Canoptek Wraith forces to investigate and, if necessary, neutralize this new threat. At the same time, he saw an opportunity to use the Rangdan's desperation against them.
"Initiate protocol Ouroboros," Sekhet commanded. This was a complex series of maneuvers designed to make it appear as though the Necron forces were reacting in fear to the Rangdan superweapon. Scarabs were programmed to simulate retreat, and several Ghost Arks were sacrificed to create the illusion of heavy losses.
As the Rangdan took the bait and began to press what they perceived as an advantage, Sekhet sprung his trap. The Anvil forces, which had been holding their positions, suddenly advanced with terrifying speed and precision. The Hammer units, which had been feigning retreat, now swung around to encircle the overextended Rangdan forces.
The battle raged across the planet's surface, a symphony of destruction orchestrated by the Void Weaver. Necron warriors marched relentlessly forward, their gauss weapons reducing Rangdan soldiers and war machines to their constituent atoms. Tomb Blades screamed across the skies, engaging in dogfights with Rangdan aircraft and providing close air support for the ground forces.
Throughout it all, Sekhet remained aboard the "Eternal Stratagem," his consciousness linked to every aspect of the battle. He made minute adjustments to troop deployments, redirected fire support, and continually analyzed the evolving tactical situation.
As the first day of the invasion drew to a close, Sekhet received reports from across the planet. The Anvil had successfully established multiple beachheads and was pushing inland. The Hammer had shattered several Rangdan counterattacks, leaving broken and scattered enemy forces in their wake. The Scalpel had eliminated three high-ranking Rangdan commanders and disabled a significant portion of their remaining communication network.
But the Void Weaver was not satisfied. He knew that the Rangdan, for all their losses, were far from defeated. Their superweapon in the northern hemisphere remained a wildcard, and there were undoubtedly hidden strengths yet to be revealed.
As night fell on the embattled planet, Sekhet initiated the next phase of his grand strategy. Nightbringer shards, ancient and terrible weapons, were deployed across the battlefield. These living shadows moved silently through the darkness, sowing terror and confusion among the Rangdan defenders.
At the same time, Sekhet ordered the activation of a series of pocket dimensional gates. These had been carefully placed by advance forces in the days leading up to the invasion. Now, they hummed to life, creating localized reality distortions that further disrupted Rangdan operations.
The second day of the invasion began with a massive psychic assault. Sekhet had held his Crypteks in reserve for this very purpose. Their eldritch energies reached out across the planet, interfering with the Rangdan's own psychic abilities and creating hallucinatory visions that shattered morale and broke minds.
As the Rangdan reeled from this multi-pronged assault, Sekhet finally turned his attention to their superweapon. The Canoptek Wraiths he had dispatched reported back with detailed scans and analysis. The weapon was indeed powerful – a gravitational singularity generator capable of tearing apart continents.
But Sekhet saw not just a threat, but an opportunity. With cold precision, he formulated a daring plan. A strike force of Royal Wardens Leading Immortals with support from orbit, led by a Cryptek specializing in dimensional manipulation, was dispatched to the superweapon site.
Their mission was not to destroy the weapon, but to seize control of it.
As battles raged across the planet's surface, the strike force fought its way through layers of Rangdan defenses. The Strike Force moved with fluid grace, their weapons cleaving through enemy ranks. The Cryptek's mastery of dimensional energies allowed them to phase through solid barriers and bypass the most formidable obstacles.
Finally, they reached the heart of the superweapon complex. The Cryptek interfaced with the alien technology, his advanced systems working to decipher and subvert its controls. It was a battle of minds and machines, played out on a scale beyond human comprehension.
Back on the "Eternal Stratagem," Sekhet watched the operation unfold with keen interest. If successful, it would give him control over a weapon of immense destructive potential. If it failed, he stood to lose some of his most valuable assets.
Hours passed, and then – success. The Cryptek established control over the superweapon, bending its awesome power to Necron will. Sekhet wasted no time in putting it to use.
The gravitational singularity generator activated, its energies focused on a specific target: the largest remaining concentration of Rangdan forces. The effects were catastrophic. An entire continent buckled and warped, mountains crumbling and oceans boiling as space-time itself was twisted into impossible shapes.
When the energy subsided, a vast swathe of the planet's surface had been scoured clean of all life and structure. The Rangdan forces caught in the effect simply ceased to exist, their very atoms torn apart and scattered to the cosmic winds.
This devastating strike broke the back of the Rangdan resistance. What followed was not so much a battle as a methodical extermination. Necron forces moved across the planet with relentless efficiency, eliminating pockets of survivors and securing strategic locations.
Sekhet, ever the master strategist, was already looking beyond this single world. He had the Crypteks begin the process of integrating the captured superweapon into his own arsenal. Such a tool would prove invaluable in future conquests.
As the last Rangdan stronghold fell, Sekhet allowed himself a moment of cold satisfaction. The invasion had been a resounding success, a testament to his mastery of strategy and manipulation. But he knew that this was merely one battle in a much larger war.
And He realized he was behind schedule, he was held back by a Rangdan Fortress world for 2 Solar Days, Unacceptable!
For the rest of his campaign Sekhet would without a doubt ravage this planetary system in anger knowing that he was held back by such insects. He Knew his Phaeron was watching this...set back.
-----------------------------
Overlord Nefertari - The Eternal Resurgence - paced the command deck of her flagship, her movements fluid and purposeful. Unlike her fellow Overlords, who remained stoically still or lost themselves in tactical displays, Nefertari was a being of constant motion and adaptation.
The Eternal Resurgence, her personal battlefleet, was a reflection of her philosophy. Always changing, always evolving, yet maintaining its core strength and purpose. At the heart of her fleet were her heavily modified cruisers, each a testament to her innovative spirit and tactical acumen.
As the enemy fleet came into view on the massive hololith dominating the command deck, Nefertari's eyes gleamed with anticipation. This would be no ordinary void battle - it would be a dance of death and rebirth, a showcase of her adaptive strategies that kept her opponents perpetually off-balance.
"Status report," she commanded, her voice carrying the weight of millennia.
A Cryptek stepped forward, his staff pulsing with eldritch energy. "My lady, the enemy fleet consists of thirty-seven capital ships and numerous support vessels. Their formation suggests a classic pincer maneuver."
Nefertari nodded, her mind already racing through potential counters and strategies. "Predictable, but effective if executed well. Let's give them something unexpected. Initiate Protocol Ouroboros."
At her command, the Eternal Resurgence began to shift. The modified cruisers at the core of her fleet started to reconfigure, their Hull sections sliding and realigning like pieces of a giant puzzle. What had appeared to be a standard Necron battle line now morphed into a spiraling formation that defied conventional tactics.
"My lady," the Cryptek interjected, "the enemy is launching fighter squadrons. They seem confused by our new formation."
Nefertari allowed herself a cold smile. "Good. Confusion breeds hesitation. Launch our Doom Scythes in Fibonacci sequence. Let's see how they handle organized chaos."
The void lit up as swarms of Doom Scythes erupted from the Necron ships. Instead of forming typical attack patterns, they spread out in an ever-expanding spiral, mirroring the larger fleet formation. The enemy fighters, caught off guard by this unusual approach, began to break formation, their coordinated attack dissolving into individual skirmishes.
As the battle unfolded, Nefertari continued to adapt her strategy. Her cruisers, the pride of her fleet, showcased their true potential. Each ship was equipped with a unique modification that Nefertari had personally overseen:
The "Eternal Voyager" could phase in and out of reality, appearing at unexpected locations to unleash devastating broadside attacks before vanishing again.
The "Cosmic Weaver" generated miniature wormholes, redirecting enemy fire back at its source or allowing Necron ships to traverse vast distances in the blink of an eye.
The "Void Sculptor" manipulated gravitational fields, creating areas of intense gravity that crushed enemy ships or regions of zero-g that sent them spinning out of control.
The "Quantum Harbinger" existed in multiple states simultaneously, making it nearly impossible for enemy targeting systems to get a lock.
The "Temporal Siphon" could briefly accelerate or decelerate time in localized areas, causing enemy weapons to fire too slowly or their shields to flicker and fail at crucial moments.
As the battle raged on, Nefertari orchestrated a symphony of destruction and rebirth. Her ships danced through the void, constantly shifting formations and tactics. Just when the enemy thought they had adapted to one strategy, Nefertari would implement another, keeping them perpetually off-balance.
"My lady," the Cryptek reported, "the enemy admiral is attempting to regroup their forces. They're pulling back to form a defensive perimeter around their flagship."
Nefertari's eyes narrowed. "Interesting. They seek to turtle up and weather our assault. Let's oblige them - for now. All ships, initiate Protocol Ouroboros Phase Two."
The Eternal Resurgence responded instantly. The spiraling formation began to contract, giving the illusion that the Necron fleet was consolidating for a frontal assault on the enemy's defensive line. As they drew closer, the enemy opened fire, their batteries unleashing a furious barrage.
But Nefertari was ready. "Activate Quantum Mirrors," she commanded.
Suddenly, the space between the two fleets shimmered and distorted. The enemy's fire seemed to bend and warp, much of it missing the Necron ships entirely. Those shots that did connect were significantly weakened, their energy dispersed by the quantum field.
"Now," Nefertari said, her voice cold and precise, "execute Maneuver Ouroboros Unleashed."
In that moment, the true genius of Nefertari's strategy became apparent. The contracting spiral of her fleet suddenly inverted, expanding outward with explosive force. Ships that had seemed to be at the center of the formation were now at its edges, and vice versa. The enemy's carefully constructed defensive line now found itself surrounded on all sides by Necron vessels that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
The "Eternal Voyager" phased into existence behind the enemy flagship, its weapons already firing. The "Cosmic Weaver" opened a series of wormholes, allowing smaller Necron attack craft to bypass the enemy's outer defenses and strike at their vulnerable core. The "Void Sculptor" created a gravitational singularity at the heart of the enemy formation, causing their ships to collide with one another as they were inexorably drawn inward.
Nefertari watched the chaos unfold with satisfaction. "The Eternal Resurgence is not just a name," she mused aloud. "It is a promise. We adapt, we evolve, we overcome. And we do it again and again, endlessly."
As the enemy fleet struggled to respond to this multi-pronged assault, Nefertari implemented yet another tactical shift. "Activate the Temporal Siphon," she ordered. "Target their command and control systems."
The "Temporal Siphon" cruiser glowed with eerie energy as it projected a field of distorted time around key enemy vessels. To the unfortunate crews of those ships, it seemed as if the universe around them had suddenly begun to move at an accelerated pace. Commands given took agonizing minutes to be carried out, while Necron attacks came faster than they could possibly react to.
With their coordination shattered and their defenses in disarray, the enemy fleet began to crumble. Ship after ship fell to the relentless Necron assault, each defeat further demoralizing the survivors.
But Nefertari was not content with merely winning the battle. She sought to turn it into a lesson - a demonstration of the futility of opposing the Necron resurgence.
"Prepare for phase three," she commanded. "It's time we showed them the true meaning of eternal."
At her word, the Necron fleet began to reconfigure once more. But this time, instead of forming a new attack pattern, the ships started to combine. Smaller vessels merged with larger ones, cruisers linked together to form massive battleships, and at the center of it all, Nefertari's flagship began to transform into something unprecedented.
The enemy watched in horror as a colossus took shape before them. It was a ship unlike any they had ever seen - a megastructure that dwarfed even the largest vessels in either fleet. Its surface writhed with eldritch energies, and reality itself seemed to bend around it.
"Behold," Nefertari proclaimed, her voice echoing across the void to be heard on every enemy ship, "the true form of the Eternal Resurgence. We are not merely a fleet. We are not simply an army. We are the embodiment of inevitability."
The megastructure's weapons powered up, green fire coruscating along its length. With a single, devastating blast, it annihilated a third of the remaining enemy ships. The survivors, faced with this impossible foe, began to retreat in panic.
But Nefertari was not finished. As the enemy fled, her megastructure began to divide, splitting apart into its component ships once more. The Eternal Resurgence gave chase, hounding the retreating enemy with a relentless pursuit that allowed no respite.
"Let none escape," Nefertari commanded. "They must carry the message of our resurgence to the far corners of the galaxy. All will know that the Necrons have awakened, and that we cannot be stopped."
The void battle had become a rout, with the once-proud enemy fleet reduced to scattered, fleeing vessels desperately seeking escape. Nefertari's cruisers proved their worth once again in this phase of the battle:
The "Quantum Harbinger" used its multi-state existence to appear simultaneously at multiple points along the enemy's retreat vector, cutting off possible escape routes.
The "Cosmic Weaver" opened wormholes to redirect fleeing ships back into the heart of the Necron formation, where they were quickly dispatched.
The "Void Sculptor" created gravitational eddies that caught enemy vessels and held them in place, making them easy targets for the rest of the fleet.
Overlord Nefertari stood at the helm of her flagship, the "Infinite Adaptation," as it hung in high orbit above the Rangdan and Slaught fortress world. The planet below was a formidable bastion, its surface bristling with defense systems and its orbit thick with enemy vessels. But where others might have seen an impregnable fortress, Nefertari saw a challenge to be overcome, a puzzle to be solved.
"Begin the assault," she commanded, her voice carrying the weight of millennia. "Initiate Protocol: Shifting Sands."
At her word, the Eternal Resurgence fleet began to move. But rather than adopting a standard invasion formation, the ships started to flow around each other in intricate patterns, constantly shifting and realigning. To an outside observer, it might have appeared chaotic, but there was a method to this madness - a strategy as fluid and adaptable as Nefertari herself.
The first wave of the assault consisted of swarms of Canoptek Scarabs, modified by Nefertari's Crypteks to serve as both scouts and saboteurs. As they descended through the planet's atmosphere, they began to reconfigure themselves, adapting to the environmental conditions they encountered. Some formed heat-resistant shells to withstand the friction of entry, while others generated electromagnetic fields to deflect incoming fire.
As the Scarabs made planetfall, they immediately set about their tasks. Some burrowed into the ground, seeking out power conduits and communication lines to disrupt. Others swarmed over defense installations, their tiny but potent weapons chipping away at armor and weaponry. But their most important function was to gather data - every Scarab was a sensor node, feeding information back to Nefertari's command ship.
"Interesting," Nefertari mused as she studied the incoming data. "The Rangdan and Slaught defenses are more integrated than we anticipated. They've learned from past defeats. Time to show them that adaptation is a game two can play. Initiate second wave: Protean Assault."
The second wave of the invasion force was comprised of Nefertari's signature modular attack craft smaller variations of the Doomscythe but modular. As they entered the atmosphere, these vessels began to reconfigure themselves, splitting apart and reassembling into forms best suited to counter the specific defenses they encountered.
Some transformed into sleek, high-speed interceptors to engage enemy aircraft. Others became heavily armored ground assault vehicles, their weapons recalibrating to target the weak points in enemy fortifications identified by the Scarab swarms. A third group took on the form of burrowing machines, diving deep into the planet's crust to establish hidden bases for the next phase of the invasion.
As the battle raged across the planet's surface and in its skies, Nefertari continued to adapt her strategy. She noticed that the enemy was quick to reinforce areas under heavy attack, leaving other sectors vulnerable.
"They react too predictably," she observed. "Let's give them something truly unexpected. Initiate Protocol: Quantum Mirage."
Suddenly, holographic projectors hidden among the attacking forces sprang to life. Ghostly images of Necron warriors and war machines appeared across the battlefield, indistinguishable from the real thing. The enemy, already struggling to cope with the ever-changing nature of the assault, now found themselves unable to discern reality from illusion.
As the defenders scrambled to respond to phantom threats, Nefertari launched her next gambit. "Deploy the Metamorphic Monoliths," she ordered.
Massive Monoliths, the backbone of any Necron invasion force, began to descend from orbit. But these were no ordinary Monoliths. As they landed, they began to transform, their structures flowing and reshaping like liquid metal. Some became towering fortresses, anchoring Necron positions. Others flattened out into massive hover platforms, providing mobile fire support. A few even burrowed into the ground, becoming hidden bunkers from which Necron warriors could strike and then vanish.
The Rangdan and Slaught defenders, already reeling from the constantly shifting nature of the assault, found themselves facing an enemy that could literally reshape the battlefield at will. Their carefully prepared defenses, designed to repel specific types of attacks, were rendered obsolete as the Necron forces adapted faster than they could respond.
But Nefertari was far from finished. As she watched the battle unfold, she spotted an opportunity to deliver a crushing blow. "Prepare for Protocol: Ouroboros Ascendant," she commanded.
At her word, the Necron forces on the planet's surface began to move in a complex, spiraling pattern. To the defenders, it appeared as if the invaders were being pushed back, retreating to a central point. Eagerly, they pressed their perceived advantage, committing more and more forces to what they believed was the final push to victory.
It was a trap.
As the enemy forces concentrated their attack, Nefertari's true plan was revealed. The spiraling Necron forces suddenly inverted their movement, exploding outward with terrifying speed. What had appeared to be a retreat was in fact an encirclement maneuver of breathtaking scale and complexity.
Thousands of Necron warriors phased into existence behind enemy lines, their weapons already blazing. The Metamorphic Monoliths transformed once again, this time into massive energy projectors that created a dome of sickly green light over the battlefield, cutting off any hope of retreat or reinforcement.
Caught in the trap, the Rangdan and Slaught forces fought desperately, but they were outmaneuvered at every turn. Nefertari's adaptive strategies allowed her to counter every tactic they employed, her forces shifting and changing to exploit every weakness.
As the battle reached its climax, Nefertari prepared her final masterstroke. "Initiate Chronometric Convergence," she ordered.
Suddenly, the very fabric of time on the battlefield began to warp and distort. Necron Crypteks, their staffs pulsing with eldritch energies, manipulated temporal fields to create pockets of accelerated time around Necron forces while slowing time to a crawl for the enemy.
To the hapless defenders, it appeared as if the Necron warriors were moving at impossible speeds, striking and vanishing before they could even react. Entire squadrons of enemy troops found themselves aging years in a matter of seconds, their weapons and armor corroding and failing around them.
As the last pockets of resistance crumbled, Nefertari turned her attention to the planet itself. "This world will serve as a testament to our adaptability," she declared. "Begin the transformation."
At her command, vast swarms of Canoptek Scarabs and other constructors emerged from hidden caches across the planet. They set about reshaping the very landscape, turning the conquered world into a ever-changing monument to Necron supremacy.
Mountains flowed like water, reforming into vast pyramids that housed stasis chambers and weapon vaults. The seas drained away, their waters processed into energy to power massive reality engines. The skies darkened as orbital platforms took shape, ready to defend against any attempt to reclaim the world.
But even this was not static. The transformed planet was designed to be in a constant state of flux, its geography and structures shifting and changing in patterns too complex for non-Necron minds to comprehend. It was to be a world that embodied Nefertari's philosophy of eternal adaptation and resurgence.
As she surveyed her handiwork, Nefertari allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. This victory was impressive, but it was merely one step in her grand design. Already, her mind was turning to the next conquest, the next adaptation.
"Prepare the fleet," she commanded. "The Eternal Resurgence continues. We will adapt, we will overcome, and we will bring the gift of unchanging change to every corner of the galaxy."
----------------------------
Kha'resh Mek, the Ancient Phaeron, The Godslayer, sat upon his Command Throne aboard his flagship, Phaeron's Will. The vessel hung in the center of a planetary system long conquered by his overlords. As I gazed out at the progress before me, I felt a mixture of satisfaction and wariness.
The War of Reclamation against the combined forces of the Slaught and the Rangdan was proceeding well. Their system of 300 worlds was now 80% under our control. My overlords had not only maintained their effectiveness but had shown slight improvements in their strategies and execution. This pleased me, but I knew better than to let my guard down or become complacent.
I reflected on each of my chosen overlords as they reported in:
Amenhotep. The eldest of my chosen, he had been with me since the beginning of bio-transference. His aggression had served us well countless times, but I knew it could also be a double-edged sword if not properly directed.
Nephthys, ever the silent killer. She had joined us next, bringing with her a talent for stealth and precision that had proven invaluable in countless campaigns.
Imhotep, the master of logistics and planning, The Architect of Destruction, My mad scientist. His analytical mind had saved us from potential disasters more times than I cared to count.
Sekhet, the strategist, The Void Weaver. His ability to weave complex battle plans had turned the tide of many conflicts in our favor.
And then there was Nefertari. The youngest, the most ambitious, and in my eyes, the most dangerous - not to our enemies, but to ourselves.
As I contemplated my overlords, my gaze lingered on Nefertari's holographic projection. She stood tall, proud, her posture radiating confidence bordering on arrogance. To many, she appeared to be the pinnacle of Necron adaptation and progress. Her strategies were bold, her tactics ever-changing, her forces in a constant state of evolution.
But I saw what others did not.
Where Nefertari saw adaptability, I saw instability. Where she claimed to have no weaknesses due to her constant change, I saw a lack of core strength, a foundation built on shifting sands. Her approach was indeed radical, but radical did not always mean superior.
I had been waging war for eons before I chose Nefertari. I had seen empires rise and fall, had witnessed the birth and death of stars. I had earned my title of Godslayer not through constant change, but through unwavering determination and the ability to recognize true strength - both in myself and in my enemies.
Nefertari was young, by our standards. She had been promoted to Overlord when I attained the title of Godslayer, a relative newcomer compared to her peers. Her ambition was admirable, her cunning sharp, but she was full of herself in a way that the others were not. This self-assurance, bordering on hubris, was her greatest weakness.
In my long existence, I had learned that true strength comes not from the ability to change constantly, but from knowing when to change and when to stand firm. Nefertari's approach left her vulnerable in ways she could not see - or refused to acknowledge.
Her forces, while impressive in their adaptability, lacked the core identity that gave the other overlords' armies their true strength. Amenhotep's troops knew they were the hammer of our dynasty, Nephthys' forces moved with the assurance of those born to shadow, Imhotep's legions operated with clockwork precision, and Sekhet's armies flowed like water around our enemies.
But Nefertari's? They changed so often, adapted so frequently, that they risked losing sight of who and what they truly were. In trying to be everything, they risked becoming nothing.
Moreover, her constant drive for change and adaptation left little room for the accumulation of deep, lasting knowledge. While the other overlords built upon their experiences, refining their strengths over millennia, Nefertari seemed to reinvent herself with each campaign. This might seem advantageous in the short term, but in the long game of galactic domination, it was a critical weakness.
I had prepared for such consequences long before this moment. As a Phaeron who had survived the War in Heaven and countless conflicts since, I knew the importance of contingency plans. For each of my overlords, I had measures in place should they falter or fall. But for Nefertari, these plans were more extensive, more detailed.
I had seeded her forces with loyalists who reported directly to me, placed failsafes in her most prized technological innovations, and kept a close watch on her most ambitious projects. Not out of malice, but out of necessity. In her drive to prove herself the most adaptable, the most innovative of my overlords, Nefertari had made herself the most unpredictable - and thus, the most dangerous to our dynasty's stability.
As I sat upon my Command Throne, watching the reports of our conquests flow in, I allowed myself a moment of grim satisfaction. The War of Reclamation was proceeding well, but the true test would come not from our enemies, but from within. And when that test came - as I knew it would - I would be ready.
Nefertari's voice cut through my thoughts, her holographic form gesturing grandly as she described her latest victory. "My Phaeron," she said, her tone dripping with pride, "the Eternal Resurgence has adapted once again. We've developed a new form of phase weaponry that allows us to bypass enemy shields entirely. With this, we can-"
I raised a hand, silencing her mid-sentence. "Impressive, Overlord Nefertari," I said, my voice carrying the weight of eons. "But tell me, how does this new weaponry integrate with the rest of our forces? Have you considered the logistical implications of introducing yet another new technology to our arsenal?"
I saw a flicker of uncertainty cross her necrodermis face, if there was one, before it was quickly masked by her usual confidence. "Of course, my Phaeron. The adaptability of my forces means we can easily-"
"Easily change again," I finished for her. "But at what cost, Nefertari? How many resources were expended on this latest innovation? How much time was lost in retraining your forces?"
She faltered for a moment, and in that hesitation, I saw the confirmation of my concerns. Nefertari was brilliant, of that there was no doubt. But her brilliance was a shooting star - bright, impressive, but ultimately fleeting. What our dynasty needed was the steady light of a sun, constant and reliable.
"Your zeal for progress is commendable, Overlord Nefertari," I continued, my tone softening slightly. "But remember, true progress is built on a foundation of proven strengths. Adaptation is a tool, not an end in itself."
I could see the mix of emotions play across her face - frustration at being questioned, determination to prove herself, and beneath it all, a flicker of doubt. Good. That doubt might be what saves her - and us - in the end.
As I dismissed my overlords, each returning to their duties, I pondered the challenges that lay ahead. The War of Reclamation was nearing its end, but I knew that victory over the Slaught and Rangdan was just the beginning. There would be more enemies, more battles, more tests of our strength and unity.
And through it all, I would watch. I would guide. And when necessary, I would act. For I was Kha'resh Mek, the Godslayer, Phaeron of the Sahkar-Tet Dynasty. I had led our people through the War in Heaven, through the Great Sleep, and now through the War of Reclamation. I had faced gods and monsters, had seen civilizations rise and fall like waves upon the cosmic shore.
I knew that true strength lay not in constant change, but in knowing when to adapt and when to hold firm. It lay in the balance between innovation and tradition, between the daring of youth and the wisdom of age.
As I gazed out at the stars, at the worlds we had reclaimed and those yet to be conquered, I felt the weight of my responsibility. My dynasty, my people, looked to me for leadership, for guidance through the treacherous waters of this new age.
And I would not fail them. Not now, not ever.
For in the end, that was the true measure of a Phaeron - not the battles won or the enemies vanquished, but the ability to lead one's people through the trials of eternity. And in that, I knew, I had no equal.
------------------------
The void of space hung silent and cold around the Phaeron's Will, the flagship of Kha'resh Mek, the Godslayer. The massive vessel, a testament to Necron engineering and power, drifted lazily through the star system, its black hull absorbing what little light reached it. Aboard the ship, Kha'resh Mek sat upon his command throne, his form radiating an otherworldly power that seemed to bend reality around him.
The attack came without warning.
Multiple Aeldari vessels immediately launched attacks that overloaded, 'The Phaeron's Will' Quantum Shields.
Reality itself seemed to tear open as a shimmering portal materialized in the heart of the flagship. From this rift in space-time poured forth figures that seemed to dance between shadow and light - the Harlequins of Cegorach. Their movements were fluid, impossibly graceful, each step a work of art that belied the deadly intent behind their presence.
At the forefront of this assault were the Solitaires, the most feared and respected of all Harlequins. Their masks, blank and expressionless, somehow managed to convey a sense of grim determination as they charged forward, weapons at the ready.
Alarms blared throughout the ship as Necron warriors sprang to life, their green eyes flickering on as they moved to repel the intruders. But the Harlequins were not here for a prolonged engagement. Their target was clear - the Phaeron himself.
Kha'resh Mek, for his part, remained seated upon his throne. His ancient mind, honed by millennia of warfare and intrigue, quickly assessed the situation. These were no ordinary Aeldari - this was a precision strike by the followers of the Laughing God. But why? The Aeldari Empire had fallen, birthing a Chaos God in its death throes. What could Cegorach want with him now?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Kha'resh observed the battle unfolding before him. His Elite Lychguard, the Eternals, moved with deadly efficiency. Their black and gold armor gleamed in the eerie light of the command deck as they engaged the Harlequins. The Eternals, each a veteran of countless wars, met the fluid grace of the Harlequins with unwavering precision. Warscythes clashed against power swords in a deadly dance, each side pushing their physical forms to the absolute limit.
The Solitaires, however, were not so easily dispatched. They danced between the beams of energy, their own weapons flashing as they cut down Necron warriors with impossible speed. But for every Necron that fell, two more rose to take its place. The tide of battle began to turn.
Malakar, Nemesor of Kha'resh's forces, entered the fray. His presence on the battlefield was like a force of nature - implacable, unstoppable. Where Malakar went, Harlequins fell. His massive warscythe carved great arcs through the air, each swing ending the life of another attacker.
Yet still, the Solitaires pressed on. Their numbers dwindling, they fought with even greater ferocity. It was clear now that this was no ordinary raid - they were fighting to reach Kha'resh Mek at any cost.
Through it all, Kha'resh remained seated on his command throne, observing the battle with detached interest. His posture was relaxed, almost bored, as if the life-and-death struggle before him was nothing more than a mildly entertaining diversion. The power of the Nightbringer, contained within the flayed necrodermis that now served as his headdress, pulsed with dark energy. Reality itself seemed to warp around the Phaeron, as if struggling to contain the sheer power of his existence.
Finally, one Solitaire broke through the Eternal's defenses. Bleeding from multiple wounds, movements no longer as fluid as before, the Harlequin nonetheless managed to reach Kha'resh's throne. In one hand, the Solitaire clutched a scroll.
Time seemed to slow as the Harlequin approached. The sounds of battle faded away, replaced by an eerie silence. As the Solitaire reached out to hand over the scroll, reality itself seemed to flicker and warp.
And from the Headdress he recieved Visions, He saw a dead world in the Halo Stars, its surface scarred and lifeless hiding a fallen dynasty. Yet beneath that desolate exterior, something stirred - a shard of the Deceiver, waiting to be claimed. The vision shifted, and he beheld the Will of Eternity, a Blackstone Fortress buried in the forests in Fularis, waiting to be awakened once more.
In that moment of distraction, the Solitaire pressed the scroll into Kha'resh's hand. But the moment of triumph was short-lived. With a flash of energy, Malakar appeared behind the Harlequin. His warscythe moved in a blur, and the Solitaire fell, bisected cleanly in two.
As quickly as it had begun, the battle was over. The remaining Harlequins, seeing their mission accomplished, vanished back through their Webway portal, leaving behind only destruction and questions.
Kha'resh Mek sat upon his throne, the scroll now in his possession, appearing as undisturbed as if nothing had happened. He looked down at the fallen Solitaire, then at the scroll in his hand.
"Couldn't that Laughing God of the Aeldari do the most civil things such as diplomacy?" Kha'resh mused aloud, his voice a cold, metallic rasp. "Sending his elite to me only to die."
The command deck fell silent, save for the low hum of the ship's systems and the occasional spark from damaged consoles. Necron warriors moved efficiently to clear away the debris and fallen Harlequins, restoring order to the chaos that had reigned moments before.
Kha'resh unrolled the scroll, his ancient eyes scanning its contents. The message it contained was cryptic, as befitting communication from the Laughing God. It spoke of futures yet to come, of threats that loomed on the horizon, larger and more terrifying than anything the galaxy had yet faced.
As he read, Kha'resh reflected on the attack. It was clear now that this had been no simple assassination attempt. Cegorach had sacrificed some of his most valuable agents not to kill Kha'resh, but to deliver this message. But why? What game was the Laughing God playing?
The visions he had experienced lingered in his mind. The dead world in the Halo Stars, housing a shard of the Deceiver. The Will of Eternity buried in Fularis. These were pieces of a puzzle, but Kha'resh did not yet know what picture they would form when assembled.
The presence of Kha'resh Mek, infused with the power of the Nightbringer, created a zone of hyper-reality around the flagship. In this bubble of heightened existence, the laws of physics became more rigid, more defined. It was this very phenomenon that Cegorach had been counting on.
In the moments after each Solitaire fell, their souls hung in a state of quantum uncertainty. In normal circumstances, Slaanesh would have claimed these souls in an instant. But here, in this zone of hyper-reality, time itself seemed to slow. In these stretched seconds, Cegorach reached out across the cosmos, snatching the souls of his fallen children back from the brink of damnation.
Kha'resh, with his heightened senses, could perceive this metaphysical tug-of-war. A lesser being might have been awed or terrified by such a display of divine power. But Kha'resh had slain gods before. He was acquainted with the Aeldari Gods, but the other hand attempted to corrupt yet could not reach him, earning a Chuckle from the Phaeron.
Kha'resh allowed himself a moment of introspection. The attack by the Harlequins had been costly for Cegorach, even with the Laughing God's ability to reclaim the souls of his Solitaires. Such a price would not be paid lightly, even by a god.
What future had Cegorach seen that would warrant such a sacrifice? What role did the Laughing God envision for Kha'resh Mek, the Godslayer, in the grand tapestry of fate?
These were questions that would need answers. But for now, Kha'resh had a new objective. The shard of the Deceiver called to him, a siren song of power and possibility. And beyond that, the Will of Eternity waited, a weapon of such magnitude that it could shift the balance of power in the galaxy.
A/N: Do ya'll like the Long Ass Chapters? Or should I cut it into 3k Word ones?
A/N: Which Overlord do you like?