[Being a study on the methods and culture of the ancient Necrontyr race]
THE LIVING PAST
Magos Tellus looked down exasperatedly at the device set up
in front of him. It was a Delta-Pattern Translator, somewhat the worse for wear. The
machine had not been working properly, and none of the customary rituals were working to
mend its broken spirit.
Finally, Tellus decided to try a new 'ritual'. He muttered, "Machine spirit, forgive
me for my transgressions, but I seek to restore thy spirit."
He then gave the machine a good, swift kick.
Suddenly the machine burst into life, translating the latest texts that had been inserted
into its database. These texts were hieroglyphic sequences found in a recently discovered
Necrontyr pyramid, close to the largest sarcophagus held within.
The machine began placing letters on the screen as the translations were completed.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I am [indecipherable], lord of [indecipherable]. My people and I have chosen this pyramid
to protect us from the plague. With the devices kept within our sarcophagi, we will
transcend this realm of existence and begin living in a new realm, the [indecipherable].
In our own time, our empire was glorious. We had control over the stars themselves, we
could shape the matter of the universe with our technology. Our cities were wondrous
sights to behold, including my very own [indecipherable]. But all of this has come to
naught because of the plague.
The plague has caused us much trouble, and we curse those who are at fault for it, the
[indecipherable]. However we were not destroyed by the plague. Rather, it has opened up
new possibilities for us, possibilities that we shall explore when we once more step into
the living world.
Our history is contained on the walls of this pyramid, for you to see and understand. This
will prepare you for the time that we awaken, when we will rule the stars again.
[NOTE: 78% chance of correct translation. Some hieroglyphs are indecipherable, due to
unknown patterns contained within.]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tellus stared in disbelief at the screen for a second, then felt a dizzying sense of
excitement as he realized what this meant. After all time, the Imperium could learn their
foe in a way never before possible. The ancient past was speaking to him through the
hieroglyphs, and for a brief instant he felt overwhelmed with a sense that he was dealing
with something very special here.
With a sense of urgency, Tellus moved to his personal terminal. Excited, he began
typing up a report, to be sent out later that night to his superiors, informing them of
this find.