Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 727 Arrival in the Hades Galaxy
The combined fleet of Dark Angels and Blood Angels sailed out of the raging waves of warp, and as soon as they arrived in the cold void of the Hades system, their sensors were overwhelmed by the violent energy readings.

Inside the galaxy, instead of the expected deathly darkness before the war, there was an ominous, regular energy pulse, as if some sleeping behemoth was awakening, its heartbeat shaking the framework of reality.

At the center of the galaxy, the two binary stars, bound by an invisible force and intertwined, are emitting unusually active flares and energy radiation, their light appearing even more dazzling and unstable than recorded in star charts.

"Large-scale non-Imperial energy signal source detected!" The sensor officer's voice rang out on the bridge of the "Unyielding Truth," laced with urgency. "Source... Hades IV, and multiple asteroid belts and void structures within the system! Energy signature match... Space Necromancers!"

Almost simultaneously, Imperial reconnaissance ships and monitoring stations throughout the galaxy also transmitted the same alert.

The Murphyritic dynasty, this long-dormant alien empire, is awakening.

Moreover, its awakening process was accompanied by obvious signs of internal strife—sporadic but violent energy bursts flashed in different locations of the galaxy, which was proof of internal conflict in the tomb world or the self-destruction of a mad overlord.
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In Hades IV, at the heart of that magnificent catacombs city buried deep beneath the earth's crust, the new dynasty's overlord—Barasusa—stands before a colossal celestial projection.

His living, metallic body was a dark gold, as if it were the embers of stars, with patterns inlaid on it resembling solidified lava veins. On his skull-like face, eerie green optical sensors, like deep pools, coldly scrutinized the star map reflecting the current state of the dynasty.

The countless points of light represent the scattered tomb worlds and fleets, nearly a third of which are flashing with an ominous light, foreshadowing conflict, silence, or utter destruction.

"The madness after the Great Hibernation..." Barasusa murmured in his mind, with a hint of barely perceptible contempt, "So many consciousnesses, ultimately unable to withstand the weight of time, chose meaningless self-annihilation. What a... pathetic waste."

He was a pragmatic yet ambitious overlord who rose rapidly in the power vacuum left by the fall of the French Emperor. With an iron fist and a profound understanding of the dynasty's ancient power, he controlled Hades IV and the remaining loyal forces in the surrounding area. Deep within his soul was etched the former glory of the Morphlitt dynasty—in the distant age of the fearful dead, the Silent King personally decreed that the Morphlitt tomb engineers would wield the power of the stars, turning countless resisting worlds into churning furnaces, or erasing their existence entirely with gravitational singularities. This binary system of stars in the Hades system is an eternal monument to the power of that era. The dynasty's forerunners, with unparalleled might, wielded gravitational anchors, forcibly binding two echoing stars, forging this eternally rhythmic, energy-surging binary system.

“Overlord,” a tomb engineer stepped forward, his optical sensors flashing with computational light, “detected a large-scale biological ship signal approaching the edge of the galaxy, whose life form characteristics do not match any records in the database. At the same time, several human fleets have infiltrated the interior of the galaxy and are constructing defensive nodes.”

Balasouza's senses shifted to the Tyranid swarm signals surging like a murky tide at the edge of the star map, and to the tiny yet well-organized human fleets within the galaxy.

"Insects that devour everything... and humans." His consciousness was devoid of any emotion, only cold scrutiny. "They have set foot in the sacred realm of Morpheus. While we slumber, these weak races dare to defile the territory of the dynasty."

He did not immediately issue the decree of destruction. The dynasty's power had not yet fully recovered due to internal strife, and he needed to act cautiously. However, the dignity of the Murphylid dynasty could not be desecrated, especially this Hades system, the starry sky they themselves had woven, which they would not allow to be touched by other races.

"Awaken the defense sequence," Barasusa commanded, his voice echoing like an ancient bell across the psionic channel. "All online tomb worlds, enter secondary alert. Let those intruders who approach the Dynasty Sanctuary experience firsthand... the glimmer of the Star's Fury."
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Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of the Combined Fleet, the "Indomitable Truth," Lion King Leon, Leona, Chen Xi, Dante, and others were urgently analyzing the sudden changes.

“The Murphyritic dynasty is awakening, and it’s extremely unstable internally.” Chen Xi quickly deciphered the jumbled data from the sensors. “They seem to have also noticed the threat of the swarm and our presence. The situation is more complicated than we anticipated.”

Leona stared at the points of light on the star map that represented the activities of the undead, especially in the direction of Hades IV: "They control the core energy system of the galaxy. If this overlord called Balasusa decides to attack indiscriminately, or goes mad and activates some kind of self-destruct program, the entire galaxy's defense plan will be disrupted."

Dante's voice came through the communicator, heavy with worry: "We must adjust our plans. The awakening of the undead means that the risk of infiltrating Hades IV has increased exponentially."

Lion King Leon's gaze swept across the star map, finally settling on the two restless stars.

“Risks and opportunities coexist,” he said in a deep voice. “The awakening of the undead, especially the internal strife, may attract some of the swarm’s attention. Moreover, a sober, rational overlord may be easier to… predict than a completely insane or sleeping enemy, and there may even be extremely fragile room for negotiation based on temporary interests.”

He looked at Chen Xi: "Judge, do you know more about this Murphylid dynasty? Do they have a history of brief cooperation with other forces?"

Chen Xi shook his head: "Almost certainly. The Necromancers of space regard all life as ants, and the Morphlet dynasty is notorious for destruction. The possibility of cooperation is extremely slim. But..." He paused, "They are extremely proud and regard their territory and creations as inviolable property. The swarm's goal is to devour all biomass, including undead bio-metal that may contain bio-energy? This might cross their bottom line."

Silence fell again in the strategy room.

What was originally a binary conflict between the Empire and the Zerg has suddenly been joined by a third, hostile variable who wields the ultimate power in the galaxy.

The situation in the Hades Galaxy instantly became unpredictable and fraught with danger the moment the combined fleet arrived.

They not only have to face the engulfing torrent from outside the galaxy, but also be wary of the ancient, chilling fury inherent in the very starry sky beneath their feet.
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Just as the strategic room fell into a tense atmosphere due to the unexpected awakening of the Murphylid dynasty and the risk of the infiltration plan increased sharply, Chen Xi pointed to several huge structures orbiting the twin stars on the star map.

Those structures, like exquisite crystal spider webs, capture and refract the light of stars, and are marked on star maps as the "energy center of the Hades Galaxy".

"Gentlemen, look there." Chen Xi's voice carried a hint of urgency as he grasped a crucial clue. "Those optical solar refraction lenses are a manifestation of the star manipulation technology of the Mofferit Dynasty."

When our ancestors colonized this star system, although they failed to understand its core principles, they successfully integrated it into the Empire's energy network.

Today, the entire human colony in the Hades system relies heavily on the secondary outputs of these ancient alien creations for its electricity.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Lion King and Dante: "This is precisely the core of the trap plan I proposed earlier. What we need to control is not the master control node that may exist deep within the tomb world with unknown risks, but rather these lens arrays located near the stars, which we have already partially understood and are using."

By reverse engineering and overloading existing energy interfaces, we have a high probability of being able to transform them into devastating weapons without venturing deep into the undead heartland.

This new information instantly changed the situation.

The objective has shifted from infiltrating a perilous tomb world to seizing and controlling a relatively exposed space facility where humanity already possesses a certain level of technological capability. Risks remain, but the feasibility has greatly increased.

Leon the Lion made a decisive move, looking at Dante and the commander beside him: "Objective changed. Immediately organize a strike force to seize and control at least one major stellar refraction lens control station."

Make sure it's in our hands, whether for energy supply or... weaponization. Act quickly, before the undead fully awaken and fortify their defenses.

The order was issued swiftly, and an elite force composed of both Dark Angels and Blood Angels began to assemble, preparing to board high-speed assault boats and head straight for the nearest lens control station.

However, just as the troops were about to depart, Chen Xi, who was standing by the porthole, suddenly shuddered slightly.

He was not among the most powerful psionicists, but at that moment, a clear and chilling revelation pierced his consciousness like an electric current.

He turned around abruptly, a look of disbelief on his face, his voice slightly hoarse from the sudden realization: "Wait... I sense... a prophecy..."

Everyone's eyes were instantly focused on him.

Chen Xi took a deep breath, trying to translate that chilling revelation into words: "Space Necromancers... they won't just passively defend or blindly attack. They... will come to us. Not in war, but... in negotiation."

This statement caused an uproar in the strategy room.

Negotiating with the undead? That sounds even more far-fetched than utilizing their technology.

“The prophecy shows,” Chen Xi continued, his eyes somewhat vacant, as if staring at a distant fragment of the future, “that the undead overlord Balasusa, and… another undead overlord known as the ‘Traveler’ Anraqir, have reached a consensus.”

They realized that the dynasty had just awakened, its military strength was severely depleted by internal strife, and the threat of the swarm was imminent, enough to devour their cherished territory and creations.

They believed...we humans were merely 'temporary tools' to be used against a common, higher-priority threat—the Tyranid swarm.

Just as Chen Xi uttered the prophecy, in the tomb world of Hades IV, the overlord Balasusa's sensors received the latest scan data from the edge of the galaxy.

The number and rate of consumption of the Zerg vanguard far exceeded expectations, while the fleets and legions under his command that could be mobilized immediately were less than 30% of their peak strength due to the frenzy and internal strife following the Great Hibernation.

A communication request was received, and a holographic projection unfolded, revealing an image of a slightly different undead overlord, exuding an ancient and exploratory aura—the traveler Anraqir, an overlord known for his extensive knowledge and relative "flexibility," who happened to be passing through this star system.

“Barasusa,” Anlaqir’s electronic tone carried an algorithmically optimized calm, “data shows that the size of the bio-devourers is enough to overwhelm this galaxy in the short term. Your strength is insufficient to deal with it alone.”

Barasouza's green optical sensor flashed: "Your suggestion, traveler?"

“Although the human fleet is primitive, it is considerable in number and has a strong fighting spirit. Their deployment here clearly indicates that their target is also the Zerg swarm,” Anlaqir analyzed. “Instead of wasting energy eliminating them before they engage the Zerg swarm, it would be better to… temporarily channel their power. Use them as a consumable shield and spearhead to buy time and create opportunities for us to regroup and even launch more powerful stellar weapons.”

Barasouza remained silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons.

Pride made him abhor cooperating with inferior life forms, but reality forced him to consider the most effective survival strategy. "...It's worth a try. But they must understand who the true ruler of this starry sky is. Send a communication request, in my name. Have them send representatives to the Corona Royal Court...to negotiate."
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On the flagship of the Combined Fleet, the "Indomitable Truth," Chen Xi had just finished recounting his astonishing prophecy when the bridge communications officer received a communication request from an unknown source, encrypted using an ancient universal data protocol, with the signal originating directly from Hades IV.

The communications officer reported incredulously: "Directional narrowband communication received from Hades IV... Identification code contains... Space Necromancer Noble Etiquette prefix... Request... Establish dialogue channel."

Inside the strategy room, there was an eerie silence.

Chen Xi's prediction came true with astonishing speed within minutes.

Leon the Lion and Dante exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity and determination in each other's eyes.

Leona nodded slightly, indicating that she also sensed a non-hostile, calculated intention to make contact.

The Lion King commanded in a deep voice, “Reply to them. The Human Empire is willing to listen. But the negotiation location must be in a neutral zone, designated by us.”

He looked at Chen Xi, Leona, and several selected guards. "Prepare to contact the team. We are about to face an 'ally' from ancient times, a negotiation to dance with the devil."

Lion King Leon's unquestionable response was transmitted back to the tomb world of Hades IV via an encrypted channel.

In the holographic projection, symbols representing human information flickered coldly, their contents like a sharp thorn piercing the perception matrix of the new overlord, Balasouza.

(End of this chapter)