DISCOVERY
by John Houchins
Inquisitor Judas sat at his desk poring over the battle reports on his desk. What could make this backwater planet so valuable that every enemy to the Imperium would see fit to come calling with their forces? Even now the Eldar were pressing and could arrive at the dig by nightfall. The Adeptus Arcanus found a site believed to belong to an ancient race known only as the Necrontyr. Little beyond ruins with cryptic runes had ever been found, and now that the Imperium has found a site intact the planet has become a regular warzone with countless battles being fought versus all forms of foes. Even the local governor seems to have lost his senses and rebelled against the Emperor. Just then a lowly tech adept burst in upon his office, "Inquisitor, we have uncovered the entrance to the Necrontyr pyramid. Tech Priest Lucius is requesting your presence".

"Tell Lucius I will be right there. And Adept, next time knock or you may find yourself on the business end of my Bolt Pistol".

"Y-yes, Inquisitor", and with that the adept disappeared. Inquisitor Judas did not have many friends outside of the inquisition. Not that he needed them. The Emperor had provided all that he needed, and if these worms needed a little guidance then he was just the man to do it. He gathered up his Bolt Pistol and Power Sword and left to go see what the Tech Priest wanted. Maybe he would finally have an answer to what was going on.

As the Inquisitor arrived at the dig site he could hear the sound of battle not far off. "Inquisitor, we are ready to enter the main chamber and thought that, as the representative of the Emperor you should be here on this glorious occasion", the Priest stated barely subduing his excitement. The priest then turned and motioned for a group of adepts to move the heavy stone door out of the way. As the stone was moved aside a slight cloud of dust drifted out of the ceiling covering the assembled group. More out of habit than out of apparent danger the Inquisitor drew his Bolt Pistol and proceeded to follow the Tech Priest into the main chamber. What he saw upon entering the chamber made his intuition crawl with warning. Row upon row of what appeared to be metal warrior statues. All identically posed and equipped, with the exception of the first statue in each row. These had some type of headdress and staff. Down the center of the chamber leading from the entrance to what appeared to be a crypt upon a raised dais. Beyond the dais there appeared to be a doorway to another chamber. The Tech Priest barely kept himself in check. "This is a great day for the Emperor!" As the Priest began to move forward the rude adept appeared again, "Inquisitor, the Eldar are seeking a meeting with you".

"Adept, you came close to being removed from this world! Where is this meeting to take place?"

"S-sir, the Eldar Loriar advised me that he will conference with you in your office via holograph."

"Very well. Inform this Loriar that I will be with him in a few moments", with that the adept scurried away. "Tech Priest, you may have your adepts begin investigation of this site. Be thorough, as we must learn all we can about this race. We may have to leave in a hurry so spare nothing."

The sounds of battle, although less intense, were much closer. They may have to abandon the site altogether if the defense forces can not maintain their lines. As he entered his office he could see the adept setting up the equipment for the holo-conference. "When you leave adept I do not want to be disturbed. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes Inquisitor. I will return to the dig site to continue my work there."

As the adept left the Inquisitor keyed his access code into his console, and was surprised to see the Eldar already waiting for him. "You have some nerve requesting this meeting Farseer Loriar"; he used the formal title of the Eldar to maintain the dialog. It would not be good if the Eldar ceased the negotiations and had his forces renew their offensive. Besides the additional time should allow that incompetent Colonel to get his forces reorganized. "What is it that you wish to discuss"?

"Inquisitor Judas I have foreseen the unleashing of a foe that this universe is unprepared to deal with. That foe now lies within your lines. Are you prepared to defend yourselves"? The last statement was meant as a barely vailed threat. They both knew that the Eldar forces had been steadily advancing on this site for over a week now.

"What are you talking about Farseer? We have been keeping your forces in check. You are the only threat to the Imperium that I see." A lie, both the local garrisons' inability to hold the Eldar as well as probing attacks from the likes of Chaos and Tyranids had stretched this planets defenses to the limit.

"You are short sited human. The facility that your scientists have recently uncovered is the source of the threat that I speak of. If you wish we can ally our forces to cancel the threat that is now upon our door".

"Why should I trust you now. You could have brought this to my attention when you first arrived and avoided the needless slaughter of your men". Another lie, when the Eldar first arrived he did not hold back for a second in sending the Imperial Guard to send them back through their precious Warp gate.

"Inquisitor, we both now the truth. Now we must stop your scientists from unleashing this foe. Then we can each return to the ways of peace that we value so highly".

"I will stop them at once". With that he turned the holo-viewer off. "Adept! Adept! Where did that weasel go?" Then he remembered he sent him back to the dig. He left his office in a hurry, barely remembering to take his weapons.

As he rushed into the main chamber he saw the Tech Priest standing over what appeared to be an open crypt. There was a light coming from the open casket lighting his face in an eyrie bluish glow. "Inquisitor, I have found a device to restart what appears to be some form of ancient computer. The secrets of the Necrontyr are at hand!" Without waiting for the Inquisitor to reply he touched a small rune the crypt. A faint hum could now be heard afar off further in the complex. A slight breeze began to stir the dust in the chamber, and then the Inquisitor thought he noticed some of the statues begin to move.

"You fool! What have you done!" The last thing that Inquisitor Judas saw was a bright green flash coming at him, and then the sensation of being flayed alive.