Living Metal Disintegration-Scared Yet?

The Necrons of the Nikzashi Dynasty had lain silent in this sector for tens of millions of years.

The Nikzashi Dynasty's Throneworld lay hidden in a fold of deep space, surrounded by a shattered asteroid belt and electromagnetic fog that never dispersed, barring entry to all.

By the time starlight reached it, it was as faint as a breeze.

But the Throneworld was not dark inside.

Green Gauss energy flowed through every corridor, lighting their Throneworld like a tomb in earnest.

Phaeron Boulder King sat on his throne.

The Phaeron of the Nikzashi Dynasty was enormous. Seated in the hall at the heart of the Throneworld, he looked down over his entire dynasty.

When you had lived too long and had nothing else to do, all that was left was to think.

To think about the decay of the universe, the Orks' garbage, the Aeldari's treachery, the Old Ones' lingering poison—and whether to tear down two old tombs and change the layout.

Would rearranging the place improve the feng shui?

I really want children.

The Necron Phaeron sprawled on his throne, staring at the ceiling like a useless lump.

Suddenly, a close attendant emerged from the hall's shadows, knelt below the steps, and reported:

"Your Majesty, the border sentries have reported that an envoy ship from a Craftworld has entered our outer orbit. They request an audience."

The two ghostly green lights in Boulder King's eyes brightened slowly.

He raised his head. "Aeldari?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. They claim to come from a Craftworld, sent by a Farseer to discuss cooperation."

"Cooperation?"

The hall fell silent for several seconds.

Boulder King rose from his throne.

He looked rather like an enormous spider made of Living Metal, with a robot's upper body growing from it and a metal crown on its