They were the most deranged and bloodthirsty of the Necron Nobles. Unlike other Necrons, these creatures had deliberately retained their lust for slaughter when they were transformed into living metal. Their bodies had been enhanced to the utmost, their hands were Phase Blades capable of slicing through warship armour, and they moved so fast that even Space Marines struggled to track them.
"Report from the Fifth Battle Group's cruiser Glory! Massive phase teleportation detected on the lower decks! Enemy boarding action!"
"Seal all connecting hatches! Armed ratings, establish defensive lines! Space Marine squads, head to the engine room and intercept them!" Maran roared over the communications channel.
The Third Deck of the Glory.
Amid the shrill alarms, the heavy adamantium watertight doors had barely descended before several green-glowing Phase Blades sliced them to pieces.
Dozens of Flayed Ones poured through the torn hatchway like metal spiders.
"For the God-Emperor! Open fire!"
At the end of the corridor, armed ratings of the Imperial Navy had already taken up positions behind cover. Heavy Bolters, Meltaguns, and high-powered Hellguns wove an impenetrable web of lethal fire.
The two Flayed Ones at the front instantly lost half their bodies to heavy bolter rounds, scattering fragments of living metal. But more monsters charged through the barrage. A Phase Blade pierced a mortal officer's chest in an instant, yet before his last breath, he pulled the pin on the Frag Grenade at his waist, taking the xenos before him down with him.
"Hold them back! They must not reach the engines!"
Just as the mortal line was about to collapse under the melee assault, several towering figures stormed onto the battlefield like war gods, accompanied by the thunderous roar of engines.
"The Emperor's radiance shall not be profaned!"
Space Marines! Wielding Chainswords and Power Axes, they