The first fully documented military engagement between the Imperium and the Necrons occurred in 666.M41 in the Yuctan System, a sparsely inhabited star system close to the Eastern Fringe. The next confirmed military clash occurred seven decades later in a collection of backwater Imperial sectors collectively known as the Corvus Cluster. — Naval History of the Corvus Cluster.

+ + Astropathic Transmission/Priority Message + +

TO: Her Lordship, Inquisitor Georgene Serillian, Ordo Xenos
FROM: Captain Alvaro Castello, Litany of Hate
CLEARANCE: Sigma Beta
INPUT DATE: 6 453 738.M41

+ + Message Begins + +

As per Naval Directive 87.X-13.78A-Omega, I am sending this report directly to you—with a high-security copy to Admiral Hausu Dinola, commander, Battlefleet Bellious.

On 6 450 738.M41, my vessel, Litany of Hate, was patrolling the edge of the newly quarantined zone encompassing the Dryillian shipping lanes.

At 09:37, ship sensors detected an unidentified vessel moving on a parallel course to our own. It was not clear if the ship was tracking our movements—or its course was merely a coincidence.

I immediately ordered my ship to General Quarters, but as per aforementioned directive, we did not engage the unidentified ship nor enter the quarantine zone.

Attempts to scan the mysterious vessel were hindered by unexplained interference to our sensors. It could be determined, however, that the vessel was approximately five to eight kilometers long, with three equally spaced projections extending from the core hull.

Spectrometer readings suggest a previously unidentified composition to the mysterious ship’s hull. Energy emissions from the vessel suggested a power output at least three times that of an Imperator-class Battleship.

Based on this information, the unidentified vessel was classified as a likely xeno ship, presumed hostile.

The xeno ship maintained its parallel course for approximately 37 standard minutes before turning and accelerating away at at a speed in excess of 1c. Although impossible under our current understanding of physics, our Navigator, Appius Naevius, confirmed that the vessel did not achieve its great speed by entering the Warp.

An analysis of the xeno ship’s trajectory also proved disturbing: If maintained, the ship’s course would intersect with the world of Tophet, an Imperial world that has been out of communications with Imperial authorities for some weeks.

As per directives, all data regarding this encounter has been placed under security seals. All crew members with any involvement (bridge, sensor station, and navigation stations) have been warned that any violation of security protocols will result in summary execution.

+ + END MESSAGE + +

Private Memo to Approbator Drusus:

Adonai, I want all data sent by the Litany of Hate to be reviewed by you personally. Compare this information with File 874.23.BX3, a naval report involving an encounter between Imperial and xeno ships in the Yuctan System in 666.M41.

I believe a comparison of sensor data will officially confirm what we’ve long believed . . . that the xenos you encountered on Dryillian are, indeed, the xeno species known as the Necrons.

Also, start planning a mission to Tophet. Although unsubstantiated, rumors that the world has fallen to xeno attack cannot be ignored. With the planet inside the quarantine zone, I’ve refused to permit Admiral Dinola to send a ship to determine the truth. I cannot afford to risk any combat vessels at a time when the xeno threat is growing.

And, no, I’m not suggesting you are expendable. But I need to know what’s happening on Tophet, and you’re my best operative. So start planning. I’m going to get in touch with the  Deathwatch on Shadow Watch Station.

— Serillian

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The Corvus Cluster is a Warhammer 40K blog documenting our wargaming adventures in the fantastical sci-fi universe of Games Workshop.