Prologue

Many philosophers and scholars have wondered about the origins of the “great ruins”. Were they from a single civilisation, or many? How did that civilization end? The only generally accepted facts about these ruins is that they are connected to the conduits and hubs, and that the civilisation(s) that built them were many times more advanced than we are.

Far, far away, in a world silently roaming the dark void, a being slumbered. It’s power was embedded in and permeated through the world it was buried in, enveloping it’s metallic surface. In vast underground bunkers, giant production lines sat silent, rows of unfeeling warriors standing guard over deserted roads and buildings. Everything on this planet seemed made and ready for one purpose: to serve the being currently hibernating, it’s threads of power connecting them in a net of gleaming chrome, serene blue order and pure, red rage. The sweat and tears of a whole civilisation went into it, it’s purpose a product of a race’s blood and toil. As it stirred, a planet moved with it, legions and fleets moving as one. But soon it went back to sleep, still undetected, still unknown. But soon it would wake, and the universe would know it’s name. It would wage war, and collect; it would fight, and learn; and it would do as its people had done before it, and their teachers before them. It would conquer.

Chapter One

When we fight in this day and age, we do not fight for life, or for the safety of our loved ones. No, we fight for selfishness, for money and for glory, or we fight for patriotism, for king and for country. 

He did not know how long he had slumbered for, nor where he was, but that did not matter the most. What was most important was checking his condition, then on the condition of his vessel, his home. Looking at himself, his body seemed to be in perfect condition. He expected that, of course. There were very few things in existence that could damage pure voidsteel, and any one of those would’ve woken him up. 

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No, what concerned him were the gene banks and biomatter storages, the last remnants of an entire race. Thankfully, they were fine, free from the ravages of time. Next, the inspection of the ship. It was more of a planet actually, or an ark. Although, he mused, it would be more accurate to call it a mausoleum.

Clearing his head of his morbid thoughts, he continued his inspection. There were many faults, giant networks cut off, great swathes of land silent and dark. For most of them, it was as simple as a bent connector or snapped wire, but some of them had been corroded by the Between, and would have to be completely replaced. Thankfully, no major components had been corroded, and the ones that needed replacement could be easily fabricated. 

With but a thought, rows of crafters came to life, spitting out the needed components in seconds. These days, he spent as much time in the net as possible, as it comforted him, helped him feel like he was still with his people. But now, the net was empty, full of cold metal and sorrowful memories, when before it was warm, full of intimacy and joyful experiences. 

Shaking his head, he sighed. It would be better to forget these painful memories, but he could not bear to forget , to throw away these limited remnants of his people. It was better to immerse himself in the present, than wishing for the past. He should focus on his purpose and be productive, instead of wallowing in self-pity. 

As his attention wandered through the long, geometric corridors, he looked at the many drones passing by, some with wheels, some with tracks, and some with contragrav engines, all hurrying by with their own purposes, focused and ready. 

They were like bees, in a way, made for one task and carrying out that task until they died. For the betterment of the hive. Here, they were working for the betterment of him, but who or what was he working for? His purpose was to carry on the legacy of his race, but then what? What after? Even if he resurrected his race, he would have to wait until they advanced enough to receive his stored knowledge. And they wouldn’t be the same as the people he’d known, the ones he’d once been part of.

But those were questions for another time. Now, he needed to see what had awoken him.