Drukhari ambush Mechanicus in Hadron Expanse

While the war between the Imperium and Chaos continued in the Perseus Deeps, the Adeptus Mechanicus were continuing their efforts to locate and acquire necron technology in the Hadron Expanse. General Pervical, overall commander of the Expanse, had given authority for the Mechaniucum to continue their missions in the region, and provided them with additional naval and ground support, but in reality Percival had little option. The Adeptus Mechanicus remained a law unto themselves, and their failure to locate the Nexus Arrangement had led them instead to track the movements of the Aeldari, who they believed had now located the mysterious object.

 

This intelligence tracking led the Mechanicum to the system classified only as 4e/65/78/75/73 on star charts. The system contained a number of apparently barren but inhabitable worlds, one of which showed signs of a previous civilisation. Here the Adeptus Mechanicus landed, set up a base, and began exploring the ruins. Perhaps here was the location of the Nexus Arrangement, as Aeldari vessel activity had been tracked to this system.

 

Little did the Mechanicum know that they had been themselves tracked by the Drukhari of Vlokarion. Behind the Imperial fleet, a Dark Eldar cruiser, cloaked by its mimic engine, had recorded the Imperial landings and were planning their own ambush. Vlokarion coveted the Nexus Arrangement for himself, but for now was "allied" with Yvraine so that the Aeldari could possess the artefact. He could not risk his plans being upset by the sudden arrival of the Imperium on the scene, and took action.

 

The Drukhari attack on the Adeptus Mechanicus started with swift raids, but soon devolved into a bloody slogfest which saw casualties mount on both sides. The Drukhari commander was alarmed, but Vlokarion was uncaring. So long as the Imperium were driven off the cost was sufficient. The battle continued for days before the Mechanicum decided to stubbornly resist was too expensive, and the agents of the Omnissiah withdrew from the world. They remained in system however, watching for any activity, still unaware they were themselves being watched.