Nodal Command
Nodal Command is the Necrons' equivalent of a command hierarchy and organizational structure.
Contents
Overview
The legions of a Tomb World appear to have no permanent organizational structure. Each battle, campaign and Harvest causes a specific response from the Tomb World's controlling program leading to an ever-changing chain of command.[1]
This is made possible by the Nodal Command system. A Nodal Command system allocates a hierarchy to all of the elements within it, and subsequently gives a greater operational, and decision-making, capacity to certain nodes before slaving lower ranking portions of the system to these nodes.[1]
In battle, Necron Lords form the nodes of this structure and are assigned a hierarchical value which may change over time. The Adeptus Mechanicus has been able to determine at least four levels present within the Nodal Command System: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum (however no Platinum-level commander has ever been encountered, and there is no evidence to suggest that the C'tan are Platinum-level nodes, as they do not interact with the Nodal Command structure in any way.)[1]
As this hierarchy allows for simultaneous control of a large number of Necrons by a high ranking node, while still allowing independent reaction at the level of a Necron Warrior, it allows precise organization of the Necron force as a whole while also allowing detached groups to analyze, and react to, unforeseen situations independently.
Organization
Primary Awakeners Group
This group consists of the Tomb Spyders and Scarabs that are the first to be activated during the awakening of a Tomb World.[1]
Raider Force Group
Consisting of a smaller number of Necron Warriors and Scarabs, a Raider Force has autonomy within the Nodal Command system (to the level allowed by its programming) and is designed to scout the area around the Tomb World to determine whether any other races are nearby. The destruction of a Raider Force either causes the Tomb World to begin the second phase of awakening, or the dispatch of a second Raider Force.[1]
Reserve Command Group [Silver-Level]
Upon its return, if it has been successful, a Raider Force will be subsumed into the command of a usually Silver-level Necron Lord. In a combat situation, the reserve command Necron Lord will take to the field of battle to act as both a Silver-level node and as a potential replacement for any higher-ranking Lords incapacitated as a result of combat.[1]
Necron Line Formations Group [Bronze-Level]
The main bulk of Necron armies are gathered into the Necron Line Formation level of Nodal Command. Led by up to four Bronze-level lords, the line formations are split into various fighting formations.[1]
The Lords of the Line Formations can pass information between themselves, acting a battlefield command circuit, while also uploading data to the Platinum command. If required, these Lords can also call upon the Reserve Command if physical support or data analysis is required.[1]
Line Formations are activated by Tomb Spyders, and are inserted and removed from the Nodal Command as required. Each Tomb World can have dozens of Line Formations at any one time.[1]
Bronze Network Group
All information from the Bronze-level line commanders is relayed through both the Platinum Command the Reserve Command to the Priority Command, to allow for the destruction of one of these elements to not compromise the Necron command structure.[1]
Priority Command Group [Gold-Level]
Formed from three Gold-level Necron Lords (for triple redundancy), the Priority Command is the highest level command structure that has previously been encountered on the battlefield.[1]
The Priority Command is responsible for strategic decision making, and possesses the ability to override communications and control orders from any Bronze or Silver level lords present.[1] It also is able to commit the most potent units among the Necron forces, such as Pariahs, larger war machines, aerial forces and starships.[1]
If a Gold-level Lord is removed from the Priority Command in some fashion (most commonly combat incapacitation) one of the Line Commanders will be elevated to Gold-level status and will act as a replacement.[1]
Sources
- 1: Apocalypse, pgs. 162-165
