Farseer Lananelle looked out upon the stars that made up a small cluster, far from the busier areas of the galaxy and easily missed by most among the billions. It was here that exodites had lived on a number of colonies almost completely undisturbed for thousands of years.
A small warhost from Biel-Tan guarded the region, making sure that "almost" stayed as close to complete as possible. Her father hailed from one of these worlds but had left to help defend them. She had never seen or visited them until the Tyranids had begun their attacks on the galaxy.
The fates of these worlds were growing more imperiled by the day. The other Farseers of their craftworld had sent her to see what could be done to save the worlds or as many of the Eldar living on them as possible. There was serious consideration being given to drawing future Tyranid attacks towards candidate human worlds then destroying them.
That was before. Now something has disturbed the fate of these worlds more than the Tyranids had. The Humans were involved somehow, certainly that wasn't unusual, but something else didn't seem to fit.
And now one of the crew was about to interrupt her farseeing. No, they'd already done so. Switching to focusing on the near future had disrupted her focus on the long term.
She waved to open the door ahead of the messenger's arrival. It must have been a young one because he seemed almost surprised that the door was already open for him.
"You're sorry to disturb me but the other Farseers felt it was important enough to interrupt me, I know. Now what matter is so urgent?"
Humans. Here she was trying to predict the fate of worlds and the others wanted her to parley with a few ships full of humans a quarter of the galaxy away.
They were still too far away for her to predict what use they could be... other than disruptive.
Fortunately there were short enough pathways through the Webway to make for a short trip.
When their ship emerged from the Webway Lananelle began to understand just why she had been sent for. Their ships alone were unlike those of the Imperium. Smaller and more streamlined, a few looked closer in form to Eldar ships missing their sails.
More importantly those aboard them were not like the other Humans she had encountered in her many years. They were in some ways and yet not in so many others. That same fire of determination burned within many of them. Free of the hatred and corruption of so many, yet they were also directionless. They did not know their way in this world, only that something needed to be done.
A weapon looking for a wielder.
Lananelle was tempted to rebuke the others of her Craftworld for not sending an Autarch. While they might still require one she had to admit this was a situation where seers were needed. Someone needed to gauge just how tangled the threads of fate were for these people and if using them were to impact the Eldar.
Admiral Saacronal and his crew conducted themselves with a level of respect and deference to the Farseer and her party they were not accustomed to, even when dealing with Rogue Traders.
Their requests -not demands- were largely for information. They wanted to know of Humanity's Age of Strike, the fall of both the old Human and Eldar Empires, and most importantly if what they had been told about the present day Warp were true.
"Tell me Admiral, once you have this information, what do you plan to do with it?"
"We plan to look for allies. Ones that will aid us in our original mission; to warn the peoples and species of this galaxy about the threat of the Tyranids and defend against them before they destroy all life."
These humans might be the answer to the problem of protecting the far flung maiden worlds against the Tyranids... but that was getting ahead of herself. She needed to remain focused on the larger picture once more.
"Although most of our kin from those times have long since perished we accept your word that you are among those who once traded peacefully with the Craftworlds."
A few of her party were surprised that the Farseer would so quickly accept these humans explanation, but they kept quiet for fear of giving the impression of dissention among their ranks.
"As a gesture of our good will and in the hopes of fostering continued relations we will provide you with most of the information you see. To do otherwise would be irresponsible. There are many common threats against which you may unknowingly be vulnerable.
Once you have had an opportunity to examine what we have provided those of Craftworld Biel-Tan would doubtlessly welcome an opportunity to establish relations with humans less... fanatical than the Imperium of Man."
The old human bowed slightly in response.
"We too hope that such a thing can be possible. My people wish to build relations not just with the Eldar but with many species in this galaxy. With patience and understanding it may be possible to stand united against this threat to all our peoples."
"He doesn't believe a word of that." Lananelle informed the others once they were safely off the human ship.
"Obviously the ancient human was attempting to be diplomatic." Pointed out one of the aspect warriors assigned to her party.
"Indeed. What he does believe is that we can both be of use to each other. It is also highly unlikely he'll break formal treaty if one were to be signed."
"They seemed impatient." observed their Warp Spider Exarch. "Despite their age they will rush to their deaths with or without us."
"Which I why I intend to be certain they're pointed in the right direction when that happens. We must summon a warhost from the Craftworld before our negotiations properly begin if we're to ensure fate progresses as we need it to."
The Council of Biel-Tan was divided over what to do about these humans. Their technology posed a serious threat were the Imperium to gain control of it. Destroying them to prevent it from happening was possible. A fleet could be moved through the webway and warpsiders used to disable their engines at the start of the battle. While costly they could weather the losses if it was necessary.
Yet the fact they were avoiding the Imperium was a sign they could be used, even if only temporarily.
"Lananelle, animosity clearly exists, you must drive a wedge between them and the Imperium. We must know how far they are willing to go to fulfill their agreements with us, and how they will respond to changing prophecies."
Saacronal and the officers under his command desperately sifted through data the Eldar had provided. None of it was reassuring.
If Lavidean Atar and the other data they'd recovered from the derelict human ship had painted a bleak picture, what the Eldar had given them equated to a can of black paint.
"How can the situation in the Imperium be so impossibly bad? How could they possibly have endured for so long?"
"Sheer will, determination and a healthy dose of spite by the looks of things." Answered the AI Emma in a somewhat sarcastic tone.
"All I'm seeing is fear."
The ship's first officer Bobbi McCallun spoke up. "Sir this Chaos problem is really quite severe. We should schedule regular psych evaluations and monitoring, as well as talk to the Eldar regarding our... other problem."
The Navigators. They were all either dead or quarantined in suspended animation.
"We can teach your people how to better protect themselves against the ravages of the warp. It will not be easy but the Imperium also has some technology that could aid you in that respect."
It was obvious to all present at the negotiations several days after their first meeting that some of the "Return Fleet" humans were opposed to the idea of taking advice or experience from the Imperium of Man. Really it was just the worn old human admiral that was resistant to it.
Stubbornness was not a trait that would be helpful to the Eldar in these negotiations but if turned towards a useful goal may yet be invaluable.
Of course he likely knew full well the Farseer and fellow Eldar advisors were trying to manipulate them. It was just as likely he didn't care as long as their goals converged. For now he grudgingly accepted their advice on matters regarding the warp, admitting they didn't know enough to make those judgements.
Eldar both from Biel-Tan and others would locate ships and equipment in the Imperium ideal for these humans to copy for mass production. Especially Warpsbane Hull designs.
Getting all of this was going to make them enemies.
"Our advisors will teach you what you need to know to survive the warp and the monsters it has spawned. We will fight along side you against the threat of the Tyranids, as well as the Necrons and Orks if necessary. We can even move some of your ships and people through the webway.
What we need in return is to know how far you are prepared to go. What are you prepared to part with? There are times where due to their... stubbornness we may be forced to do battle with the Imperium of Man. They may attack us simply for existing, and you for perceived acts of Heresy. Your thinking machines did destroy your civilization after all."
'And your hubris destroyed yours,' thought Saacronal but he knew the same was at least partially responsible for what happened to humanity. He may be set in his ways but he wasn't that stupid.
"Whatever the reason you may have to fight the Imperium in order to save your species. Are you prepared to do so?"
Saacronal was quick to answer.
"If it were necessary I would tear down the Imperium with my own hands Farseer. From everything I have seen of it I'd say that it's an abomination. Taking the time to replace it isn't a luxury my people can afford right now. I wont slaughter billions of people."
"And what about millions?"
This time Saacronal hesitated to answer.
"I accept that civilian losses when fighting the Tyranids will be heavy."
"I meant are you prepared to sacrifice millions if fighting the Imperium?"
"...if the reasoning is sound."
"Then know this Human, Biel-Tan is a craftworld dedicated to rebuilding the lost glory of our people much as you are. There are many systems your species took from us when we were laid low by the loss of our homeworlds."
"Taken by the Imperium you mean."
"Yes."
"If there have been humans living on them for ten thousand years I can't promise the return of all of them. Some may be possible but it would take considerable work."
"If their numbers on particular worlds were small enough would you consider allowing us to simply exterminate them?"
"No... at least not if there is an alternative. We're building ships now, evacuation may be an option."
Lananelle shook her head. "Too time consuming. You yourself pointed out how little time there is."
"If they agreed to remain peaceful would you allow them to stay under Eldar rule?"
"You have clearly not spent time with people of the Imperium."
"Only one. I had hoped the civilians would be easier to control. We need to build an army, let us take the human from worlds given back to you. If they're all zealots some will die regardless of what we do. Give us a chance to make use of them, maybe we can wipe their memories."
"Very well. At present there is only one world we need returned, known to the Imperium as Coanoque. It doesn't need to be done immediately but it does need to be done to solidify our Alliance."
"Then it can be our first joint operation," agreed Saacronal. "The ships we're building will need a test and this could be a good opportunity."
Several of the Captains and members of the Admiral's command staff privately voiced their concern and displeasure at having to turn over a habitable human world over to the Eldar.
"Sir, maybe there is another way. We could-"
"The decision has been made Commander. Until the second return fleet arrives I am the supreme commander of our forces in this galaxy and I have decided to accept the deal with the Eldar. It is a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things."
It was decided that a small force would lead the Eldar to the shipyard the Engineering fleet was working to establish on a world previously scoured by the Tyranids. Once there they could decide on the best means of establishing a combined presence in that system. As the exact position wasn't known to the Eldar it would take time to set up connections to the webway.
A larger force would be going with the Admiral's main fleet to Forwaethe Two. It would serve as the best forward base for development of new technologies and adaptation of those from the Imperium. Data could then be sent to the engineers for mass production.
The Farseer went to great lengths to make sure enough bonesingers would be available for the larger fleet and its warhost. There were webway gates on the worlds of the region but they had been damaged by the Orks. It would take a few weeks for Eldar ships to reach Forwaethe because of this.
Small numbers of Eldar advisors would travel aboard human ships, able to move much more quickly over short distances with their warp drives. Knowing warp travel might make the Eldar uncomfortable cargo bays had been set aside on several ships for Bonesingers to build sanctuaries as added protection.
After leading the fleet through the webway to cut as much time off the transit as possible, the human ships jumped to warp.
Lananelle like the rest of her people aboard the Horatio spent most of the time in the warp sequestered within one of the sanctuaries. It was a thoughtful gesture but little real protection if something threatened the ship within the Warp. With that in mind she accepted a tour of the ship offered by the first officer.
They were closer to the exterior sections of the ship when the Farseer felt the environment change. For a brief moment she could hear the distant chaotic whispers of the Warp.
"Something is wrong. Take us out of the Warp! Immediately!"
The first officer may have had some minor reservations about the terms of their cooperation with the Eldar but she didn't hesitate to follow the order.
"McCallun to bridge, emergency reversion to real space!"
An hour later the senior staff and Eldar advisors aboard met on the bridge.
"No wonder your navigators went mad, your gellar fields are unstable!" Stated Lananelle.
McCallun shook her head. "That's impossible, we would have noticed."
"How long have you used them here?" Asked one of the bonesingers.
"Decades." replied the Admiral. "We refit in flight to increase our speed."
"And how long have you used them within this galaxy?"
"We've only been here a year."
"Then you haven't spent enough time here to know the effects and I can tell you now your ships will eventually build up corruption. Or worse."
The ships' AI spoke up.
"Our scans show microscopic material impurities on parts of the outer hull. Nothing serious yet but it could build up over time. We could dump the outer hulls of our ships into stars once they start to become compromised."
"You're not listening." stated the Farseer.
"Yes we are. Gellar field shaping is essential to our ability to quickly move around the galaxy. Even with their military in its current state think what a few fleets from even the backwards Imperium could do with ships that fast. They could much more quickly counter Tyranid splinter fleets."
"What have you done?" Asked an Exarch.
The Admiral sighed and, sensing that it would be best to get the truth out in the open, Emma was the first to reply.
"Gellar field shaping technology was included in the STC databases we sent with our agents to give the Mechanicus as a peace offering."
Predictibly the Eldar were furious.
"Fool. Now we need to stop your people from reaching the Forge worlds. It will not be easy. Fortunately it takes time for the Imperium's Tech priests to distribute knowledge. That doesn't mean that forces of Chaos won't try to take such knowledge for themselves."
"We can attempt to recall the agents we've sent or at least contact them to tell them to wipe that particular STC pattern. What do you plan to do?"
"Once the webway gates are repaired we will contact craftworld Il-Kaithe. They will prevent this knowledge from falling into the hands of Chaos if you cannot."
Note from the Author: The Chapter of Eldar negotiations and talking heads.
Boy this was long and boring to write. I spent nearly a week researching the Eldar and the webway.
