The Infinite and the Divine (Warhammer 40,000)

by Robert Rath

you can’t steal from the dead, that’s called archaeology.

The selection process took two standard years of bickering, politicking, and the occasional threat of violence. It was, in other words, a standard necron court case.

Ahead, Orikan saw flashes dancing along the line of the ork ships. It was no longer an ambush. It was a battle.

But even so, there were few things in the galaxy more dangerous than an ork having fun.

Trazyn was not a warrior. Never had been. Did not, overall, particularly like fighting. He generally considered face to face combat a failure. He preferred his enemy to be unarmed and facing the other direction. Or better yet, a thousand leagues away and unaware of his presence.

‘It is harmless to us?’ ‘My dear warden, the entire galaxy is harmless to us.’

A thing fashioned by those hands of flesh they’d so despised, and would give anything to reclaim.

Dear friends, she thought, mentally greeting the rest of her party guests. Meet your ancient and feared foe, the necrons. Do try not to laugh.

sixty-nine

Nice

‘History requires two parties – the historian and their audience. Without that, one is just talking to oneself. So kindly stop screaming and you might learn something.’ – Trazyn the Infinite, guiding human guests through the Prismatic Gallery

Watching them gargle bean water down their oesophagi, swilling it through their fatty insides. It makes one ill.’

‘Let me put it this way. I was here when this whole island was forest. When waves lapped on what is now Embassy Row. A time before pollutants hazed the air and the monsoon rains came naturally, not via cloud-seeding.’ He paused. ‘So when you ask whether I intend to destroy this world, my question to you is: do you truly need the help?’

‘Short-lived vermin borrowing from long-lived degenerates. I don’t understand your fascination with humans, Trazyn.’

‘Master Orikan has… also given his professional opinion. Repeatedly. Even when no one consults him.’

‘There are any number of combinations,’ said Orikan. ‘Lord Trazyn has been working on this for… a long period. I have heard about it extensively.’

‘You stupid bastard,’ sneered Orikan. ‘You got us box seats to a coup.’ ‘Well, the reviews were very good.’

When a C’tan spoke, it was impossible for a necron not to hear.

‘Time is a weapon like any other. If all else fails, I can simply wait for my enemies to rot.’ – Orikan the Diviner