In the holographic projection, dozens of towering black obelisks appeared on the surface of Mesmok. They seemed to have grown out of the planet's interior, each several kilometers tall, their surfaces covered in eerie green runes.
More terrifying still, the entire planet lay shrouded in an unnatural silence. There were no radio signals, no readings indicating any signs of life. It was like a dead world.
"What are those?" Maran stared at the obelisks, an indescribable unease spreading through him.
Standing beside him was Lord Inquisitor Kelia Drasus.
"Necron creations." Kelia's voice was ice-cold. "I saw something similar in the closing stages of the battle for Cadia. They're devices capable of suppressing warp energy, known as 'Blackstone Obelisks.' But I've never seen them deployed on this scale."
"Suppressing warp energy..." Maran repeated under his breath, suddenly realizing something. "So that's why the Astropaths' communications were cut off! Those damned xenos are using these things to seal off the entire sector!"
"That's not all." Kelia approached the holographic star map and swiped her hand across it, bringing up Mesmok's data. "Look at where these obelisks are positioned. They weren't placed at random, but arranged according to some geometric pattern. If I'm not mistaken, they've formed an enormous energy network, enveloping the entire planet-no, the entire sector-in a vast 'Gellar Field.'"
"What about the people?" Maran asked, a slight tremor in his voice. "Three billion people. Where are they?"
Kelia fell silent.
The answer was obvious, but no one wanted to say it aloud.
"Organize a landing force immediately," Maran ordered through gritted teeth. "I want to see for myself what happened on the surface. Mobilize the First, Third, and Fifth Armoured Regiments, and the Seventh and Ninth Infantry Regiments. Target the nearest obelisk."
"My Overlord, allow me to remind you," Adjutant