CLANG

As he stumbled back, he couldn’t help but curse whatever god or the warp or… WHATEVER. As the slash across his chest healed, he thanked the ability to slow his perception and his regeneration. Not that it helped. The lychguard in front of him was kicking his metaphorical ass.

He immediately went on defense. His Hyperphase sword parrying a conservative chop from his right. ‘Well, I did want this. And there is a reason they were guarding my body.’ He thought. Again, he side stepped a thrust, then tried to smash his free hand into the guard’s sword hand. Less then a millisecond later, a shield was rushing to crush his chest, skull, and limbs.

He wanted to curse as he hopped back, but knew he was out matched. For the 62nd time this week. In retrospect, asking for ‘more training’ with an elite guardian of the tomb world was a tad bit daft, but he was learning. With every sword through the chest, bludgeoned head, and severed limb, he learned.

While he was Lord of the first legion, there was never a need to fight with sword and scythe on his tomb world. So, he was out of practice as it was. And as another conservative slash struck towards him, he saw a feint in the way of the guards footing. So he waited until the last second and then stepped back.

The slash became a thrust, and smiled behind his death mask. He immediately grabbed the guards wrist and slashed down in a desperate attempt to remove the sword from play. As a result, two hands and a sword fell to the ground. And while it stung a bit, he kicked the sword away.

”It appears I may win this bout. I must actually be getting better.” He stated with an air of satisfaction around himself. The lychguard responded by jumping towards him with hie shield slightly to the right. Confident in his victory, Amonoket stabbed forward. As a result, the shield pushed his sword to the left, away from the guard.

A shield bash came towards him and he couldn’t react. His chest caved inwards, and he stumbled back again. Another shield bash and he fell. And as he lay there, the lychguard’s shield bisected him down the middle, ending the fight.

”Yes my lord, you are learning. But still you are overconfident.” The lychguard stated. “You must give it time. You are doing quite well against me. Yet there is much to learn. We have time.”

”You are right. My apologies for insulting your skill, guardian.” He stated. “You have tough me much, and humbled me more. And while my pride stings, I thank you.”

He then looked over to the awaiting cryptek. “Is my request done?” He asked. He recalled he wanted a one handed pistol for his off hand. He was feeling naked without ranged options. And it was annoying him to the point where he wanted to badger the cryptek every hour.

”Yes my lord. While you gave us those… loose requirements, we have made 2 prototypes for your inspection based on Tesla and Gauss weapons respectively. There is a testing range set up, waiting for your will.” The cryptek stated.

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‘Only two? Honestly I was hoping they would develop a gun that shoots black holes so I could kill my problems easier.’ He thought with an inner smile. “Very well then. We take the transporter, I intend to do so now.” He stated, and walked out of the room, guards and cryptek following.

When they arrived an hour later, he saw a room with holo-targets, outcrops for tools and weapons, and machinery that was likely sensors and the like. In front of two weapons, were two crypteks. From his memory’s, Jaha the Technomancer, and Zerrek the Transmogrifier. Jaha with what could only be the Gauss weapon, and Zerrek with the Tesla weapon.

Amonoket left his guards by the door, and advanced towards the cryptek’s and the weapons. “Now, I have better things to do then to test weapons. But due to the fact I personally requested them, I will do so personally to ensure that I like your craftsmanship.” He stated. “Jaha Correx, Technomancer, show me your creation.” He ordered.

Jaha bowed deeply. “ Of course my lord. I am honored that you yourself would do this. I have created a gauss weapon, of which I named the ‘Gauss Ripper’, it is a hand held pistol like design that has kept the full power of the gauss flayer, but has half the range.” Jaha stated.

Amonoket picked up the weapon and observed it. It was rounded, fully black with what were likely green power lines going along the side of the weapon. It was made from necrodermis, and what felt like trace amounts of black stone. When he aimed at a holo-target of an eldar, it felt comfortable to use.

With a low BZZZZZT, a beam of sickly green energy struck the target in the upper chest. It began to rapidly disintegrate before his eyes. It made his human side slightly sick, but his necron side smile. “ An excellent weapon as expected. While I can see the range being a problem, keeping the power was the goal. And still, a 500 meter range is perfect for what I’ve need of.” He stated.

”Now, Zerrek, on to you. What of your weapon?”

”My lord, It work’s on the same base principles of the Tesla carbine, and indeed functions almost the same. Only, it as 3/4ths the range and power.” He stated. And when Amonoket picked up the weapon, he felt slightly disappointed.

Yes, it was a hand held Tesla carbine, and it looked the same. In truth, he disliked the look, and the drop in power were a larger downside still. When he fired, a CRACK sounded, followed by a silvery lightning bolt. It landed on the target with a BOOM, and lanced through two targets behind it. Melting metal and blackened flesh all that remained. He placed it down and stepped back.

”Good. A good weapon.” He stated. He knew that the Gauss ripper, but both were truly good weapons. But, he preferred gauss over lightning for precision and for the fact it was overall more efficient for single targets in his opinion.

”Both weapons are superb I must say. Hand held versions of their predecessors with minimal downsides for the requirements given. You have done well. On this matter though, the Gauss Ripper is superior for my needs. You will both study your weapon, and you will improve it. Though, Jaha Correx, before you begin this task, you will make another Gauss Ripper, or as I will call it, Gauss pistol, in 3 days. Do not fail me. Now, I’ve business to attend to.” He stated, and walked back to the transporter, ignoring the crypteks’ platitudes and promises.

When he exerted the transporter, stopped. He needed to advance to the next step. Time was dripping away. Amonoket needed ships, and an escort.

”Cryptek, ready my ship. Make sure it has the best pay-detection equipment. There is something that needs to be done. Gather all the help you require from the crypteks of the tomb world. Prepare escort ships. Awaken the immortals. 600 of them. 10 ghost arks, 50 tomb blades, 10 doom scythes, 3 night scythes 50 spyders, 2 Doomsday arks, and ready the locust swarms.” He ordered.

”My lord, if I may, what are you to do?” The cryptek asked.

Amonoket stared down at the cryptek, as if his question was insulting. In truth, he was lost in thought. “Why, only to save something interesting.” He stated, then walked off. At best, it would be a year before it would be ready. At worst, 3. But he had nothing but time. They all had nothing but time.

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In the howling storm of the warp, not yet tainted by chaos madness (only regular warp madness), a pulse ran through the galaxy. From the weakest of psykers, to the most omnipotent beings of the galaxy. The lowest felt nervous. Perhaps they forgot an anniversary, or perhaps the witch hunters found them.

From the strongest, though. They knew. Something… something hade changed fate itself. And now, chaos, of a different sort, was abound.