Necrons reanimate on Cruthynia

While general Percival's imperial task force remained en route to the system of Cruthynia, the astartes, with their faster ships and flexible formations, had already begun starting to investigate the system. In mid 10.020M42 the Imperial Fists and Space Wolves chapters each arrived at company strength, intending to establish forward bases on the two major worlds of the system nearest the largest tomb complexes. The Imperial Fists moved to Cruthynia Prime, while the Space Wolves attempted a recon mission on Cruthynia Secundus.

 

Both astartes chapters were taken by surprise by unexpectedly strong resistance in the form of necron armies. Instead of finding the tomb worlds in hibernation, it came as a shock to find the lords of the Ha'Tek and Heqetokh dynasties fully awake and in command of significant armed forces. Already the necron dynasties had begun rebuilding their former domains and work was moving at pace to bring the tomb worlds back to their original strength.

 

The Imperial Fists attempted to hold on to a perimeter in a protracted engagement against the necrons on Cruthynia Prime, but after a long struggle even the masters of seigecraft were unable to hold their positions against superior xenos forces. With their incomplete base untenable, the astartes were forced to withdraw. The recon mission by the Space Wolves faced a similar fate, as their attempt to investigate the largest tomb complex was prevented by a strong necron army. Unable to even get close to the now re-activated tombs, the Space Wolves were also forced to abandon their mission and return to their fleet vessels after taking heavy casualties.

 

The news of a fully awakened necron threat threw Percival's task force into dismay. Concerns over the strength and makeup of the force were raised, and the fleet paused while fresh troops and equipment were added to the expedition. The question now was whether the necron threat could even be contained at Cruthynia, let alone the Imperium's ability to find and hold onto the Nexus Arrangement.