Disclaimer: I do not own Warhammer 40,000 it is owned by Games Workshop.

Disclaimer: The Roboutian Heresy is a FanFiction penned by Zahariel. I have received permission from him to set this piece within the universe of The Roboutian Heresy.

Blood of Ignorance

Chapter 2

The Fire Caste commander warily looked at the tactical displays, Gue'vesa operators and overseers bustling with their duties in the orbital's command centre. Tijuana – as the gue'la called it, and in deference to the majority gue'la population the Tau stationed and living on the world called it as such – had two, both armed with powerful ion cannons. Not enough to fend off a determined attack, much less a full enemy fleet, but then again Tijuana was simply not important enough to warrant more dedicated defences.

And in any case, against pirates or raiders, they were more than enough, and they could count on the Barracuda and Mantas stationed on the orbital docks. Between them, they could fend off more powerful forces, though against large fleets they would still be helpless.

All that could be done about those was hope the planet's obscurity would be enough to keep it out of sight. And if not, then the Fire Caste would just have to make the enemy pay as much as possible to gain control of orbit, and descending to the surface hold out long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

Again, Tijuana was not important enough to warrant more dedicated defences.

The newly-arrived force was certainly more than what the orbital defences could handle. Starlight and sunlight gleamed off pristine white psycho-plastic hulls, while solar sails glowed gold, basking in the cosmic light. Two Eldar cruisers were present, along with twelve smaller escorts.

The commander of the orbital and his fellow Tau knew of the Eldar of course. An ancient race with many similarities – and according to Earth Caste scientists may in fact be related to – the gue'la, the difference largely superficial apart from the Eldar's fully-realized psychic potential, and divided into two factions: the first travelled the stars in mighty world-ships, uncaring of and avoiding contact with other races save when it suited their interests, and the second who lived in a different realm that may be connected with the vash'aun'an, or as the gue'la called it the Warp, pirates, raiders and slavers that preyed on species across the length and breadth of the galaxy.

The Tau had had few contacts with either category, but the Craftworld Eldar, while exasperatingly-arrogant and condescending, unwilling to even consider the possibilities and mutual benefit of cooperation and eventual integration with the Greater Good, were not anathema to the Tau, and potential yet remained for coexistence.

The less could be said for their piratical kin, the better. Thankfully however, the newly-arrived Eldar belonged to the Craftworld Eldar, and had arrived openly and without concealment, broadcasting a message of truce and asking to be allowed to speak with the Tau rulers of the world.

The governing council had briefly considered, and responded with an invitation for the Eldar delegates to come and speak with the Tau in peace. Even now shuttles bearing the Eldar leader, the 'farseer' and her companions, were bringing her down to speak with the governing council.

Privately, the orbital commander felt uneasy and dubious of the Eldar's intentions, considering they had come with warships. Had they truly come in peace, they would or should have done so appropriately.

But then again, this region of the galaxy was hardly peaceful. Orks and Tyranids as the gue'la called them wandered the stars, bringing death and destruction, and of course there was the on-going border conflict with the obtusely-obstinate gue'la Imperium.

No, the Eldar were probably just being prudent, cruising among the troubled stars.

Or perhaps, had they truly come in peace?

Farseer Macha strode down the aisle leading to the audience chamber where the representatives of the Tau rulers of this world were to meet with her. The two thousand-year old farseer wore the green and white of her craftworld, and her spirit stone glowed as it harmonized her psychic aura as it fed the runes and psychically-attuned gems of her rune armour. In her hands she held a singing spear, but she kept it inactive, bearing it not as a weapon, but as a staff of office…for now.

Behind her strode her warlocks, also in green and white, their rune armours complemented by ghosthelms the farseer had not worn to present a diplomatic face to the Tau. Unlike her they carried no weapon, be it witchblades or shuriken pistols as they customarily did, not that they truly needed them. As those who had once walked the Path of the Warrior and now walked the Path of the Seer, the only weapon they needed was their mind.

As the Eldar strode down the aisle, they subtly – so much so that few non-Eldar would have noticed – took in the sights. The building had once been the Governor's palace under the rule of the Anathema's empire, that much was evident from the architecture, though the décor had been changed since the Tau had taken the planet.

Pastel drapes now replaced either monochromatic or garish and over-embroidered ones as commonly-used by the Imperium, and the heavy, over-elaborate and inelegant mosaics, frescoes, sculptures and inscriptions favoured by the Imperium had been replaced with admittedly-elegant geometric patterns and designs. And yet, Macha found herself ever so slightly repulsed by them, and comparing them overall unfavourably to either the mon'keigh or the brutish Orks.

Somehow, the geometries of the Tau reminded her too much of the Necrons, mechanical, soulless and lifeless. Ironically, the brutish architecture of the Orks or the primitive inelegance of the mon'keigh Imperium had more life in them that those of the Tau.

Finally she and her warlocks reached where four Tau representatives were waiting for them, and Macha gave the slightest of bows, one that conveyed both respect and contempt at the same time, and her warlocks not at all. It was enough to convey gratitude for the Tau's hospitality, while at the same time stressing the superiority of the Eldar race and civilization alike.

Superiors do not submit to inferiors. Even the mon'keigh understood that, even if they challenged it regardless, seeking to take what was not theirs.

"Greetings and welcome, Eldar," one of the Tau said, the leader judging by his central position. "I am the Por'el Krin'vren, representing the governing council of this world, in the name of the Tau'va."

"We thank you for the welcome, Por'el." Macha replied, speaking in High Gothic. Using such a primitive tongue was a personal insult to her, but the Tau tongue was even more primitive, and it was laughable to even consider that the Tau could speak the high and noble language of the Eldar race.

And besides, the Tau had also used High Gothic. No matter how one felt about the matter, the sheer size of the mon'keigh Imperium meant that its language – the common one considering the billions of dialects of Low Gothic – was a common diplomatic language between the major races of the galaxy.

"I am Farseer Macha of the Biel-Tan Craftworld," Macha said. "And I have come to bring you a warning, and a choice. And choice is the greatest gift in the galaxy, for only in choice does freedom truly exist."

Macha felt confusion and apprehension echo from the Tau animals' auras at her words. "A warning you say?" Krin'vren replied. "Of what, Eldar…?"

Macha knew of the growing strength of the mon'keigh in the adjacent sector, had foreseen their plan to reclaim their worlds, and even seen the sons of the Redeemed King moving through the shadows, paving the way for their fellow Humans. Soon, the ships of Imperium would forge their way through the Sea of Dreams, bringing war and destruction with them.

But she had no intention of warning the Tau of the mon'keigh's wrath. If anything that would prove counterproductive, for in case of failure the mon'keigh would serve as a better cat's paw against the forces of the Primordial Annihilator than the Tau. The Imperial Inquisition at least could be counted upon to act with due caution.

Heavy-handed, yes, brutish and excessive, but it was better than simply sticking their heads in the sand as the Tau would be wont to do when faced with something they had no means to comprehend. She had foreseen it.

This world's damnation would come from their ignorance.

And ignorant they would remain, for at no point in the ever-shifting threads of the future-present would the Tau gain the ability to touch and harness the power of the Sea of Dreams. On one hand this would keep them free – to an extent – of its taint, but on the other hand it kept them from truly learning of it, and thus unable to provide real opposition to the Primordial Annihilator.

"A great threat slumbers in your midst," Macha said. "Even now it spreads poison through the people of this world, and in time shall bring forth an evil which you cannot comprehend. This world will die, it's people consumed in a vortex of madness, and none can escape it. Those who die at evil's coming shall be consumed by an even greater evil, and those who live shall revel in what is to come, and so damn their souls as utterly as those who died."

Krin'vren looked sceptical. "Those words are vague and ill-defined farseer." He said. "I understand that you would not come in jest, but something more definitive would be appreciated, if we are to comprehend your warnings."

Primitives

Macha internalized her contempt, and raised a hand. In it she projected an image of four symbols superimposed over an eight-pointed star: the Mark of Chaos Undivided, and the Marks respectively of the Lord of Skulls, He-Who-Changes, the Plaguefather, and She-Who-Thirsts.

"Behold," Macha said. "The emblems of the slumbering evil, which shall damn your world and all who dwell upon, lest you take heed and choose rightly."

And judging from the surprised exclamations and reactions of the four they recognized the symbols. "So," she said. "You recognize these, do you not?"

"Indeed we do." Krin'vren replied, incredulity obvious in his voice and on his face. "But surely you are mistaken farseer. The Fourfold Ideal is by no means a malignant force, if anything it undoubtedly advances cooperation between all peaceful beings and the Greater Good."

It was as Macha feared, and had foreseen. Chaos had taken root in this world, and cloaking itself in a benevolent guise by borrowing or supporting – on the surface – the Tau's 'Greater Good' it was now steadily gaining ground for the terrible finale.

"…honourable dealings with others," Krin'vren was saying. "Innovation in the hope of a better, brighter tomorrow for all, respect for life in all its forms, and a joyful and cultured life…"

Macha knew that it was too late. As the Tau spouted forth the tenets of the Fourfold Ideal, she saw only the dark gods in benign guises, cloaking the malignancy and corruption that was their true nature until it was too late.

She reached out with her mind, and found no trace of the corruption of Chaos within the Tau before her. This was puzzling, as even with their weak Warp signatures the Tau were by no means immune to its corruption.

Ah, of course, that was it.

She reached out with her mind further, and perceived festering pools of befouled Warp signatures over the city, and as she shied away from them, slamming shut the doors to her soul as forbidden songs and temptations were whispered through the ether. The Tau weren't corrupt, at least not their leaders. No corruption was present within the building, or in the surrounding district, which housed the Tau leaders and their families.

As far as they were concerned, the Fourfold Ideal was a local Human perspective of the Greater Good, one tolerated in that it swayed the Humans of this world, many of whom still worshipped their Emperor on distant Terra, to the Greater Good. They knew not it was just a façade, a means to divert attention, until it was too late to take action, and this world burned to the laughter of the dark gods.

"Very well," Macha said as the Tau finished speaking. "If you persist in allowing the enemy to cloud your judgment, then that is your business. But even if the warning is ignored, it has been delivered, and now a choice must be made."

"Choice, Eldar…?"

"Indeed," Macha said, staring into the Tau's eyes but keeping her spirit in check, lest she crush his pathetic mind with the intensity of her sight. "We will not allow the enemy to gain a foothold in this realm, not when we have the means to prevent it. Choose: excise the festering sores of the enemy, the so-called Fourfold Ideal, with your own hands, or we will do it for you."

The Tau set his face, and drew himself up. "We do not answer to your kind, Eldar." Krin'vren said sternly. "And we will not be dictated to nor be threatened into dancing to your tune."

"I seek neither," Macha said. "I gave a warning, a choice, and would now hear you answer."

"Your audacity is astounding." Krin'vren said. "We welcome you to our world with open hands outstretched in friendship, and you respond by levelling unjust accusations against our subjects and offer veiled threats in the form of warnings and choices."

Macha stayed silent, and at length the Tau sighed and shook his head. "We will perform as the Greater Good demands." Krin'vren replied.

"The choice is made." Macha said, and without another word or gesture turned to leave. As she strode away, the Water Caste Tau gave a warning of his own.

"Should you force our hand, Eldar," he said. "The Fire Caste will defend this world as is their duty."

Macha paused, and without as much as a glance or a tilt of her head, responded.

"So be it."

Macha and her warlocks watched on a display Tijuana as they left it behind them. "Farseer," Folre, the eldest of the warlocks present, said. "What shall we do now?"

"As I told the Tau," Macha replied. "We shall do what we must to keep the Great Enemy from gaining a foothold within this realm. And we shall."

"They will be expecting us."

"Indeed," Macha agreed. "But they will be expecting the obvious, the straightforward and the simple. But we shall move in the shadows, striking with a thousand different blades of death. We shall excise the taint of Chaos from this world, and though they know it not nor will they ever they shall owe their salvation to us."

Macha paused and glanced at one of the younger warlocks. "This sits ill with you, Illyrana?" she asked.

"Forgive me honoured farseer," the warlock said. "I understand we fight against the enemy, not to save these primitives, but I find the idea of saving – even by coincidence – such primitives to be below our kind."

"Indeed," Macha agreed. "But, as you yourself said, it is a coincidence. That is all."

"I understand farseer."

Macha nodded. At a thought her runes rose up into the air from the slender and sloping table before her, flying along seemingly-random patterns before her. "We shall depart, or give the appearance of such." She said. "Let them direct their gaze warily outward if they so wish. It matters not, for it will not matter in the end."

The image of the planet vanished, and the warlocks began to chant. Their voices blended as one into the background, subtle differences between the warlocks providing a symphony that harmonized with the farseer's own psychic signature, anchoring her as explored the snaking threads of the future-present.

Macha watched the runes fly smoothly through the air, the patterns guiding her mind along the proper path to be followed, to the foreseen triumph. But then new runes rose up into the air, from the inert set which lay on the wraithbone table, which had indicated variables previously unknown and uninvolved, but were now coming to play.

Macha narrowed her eyes as the runes of the trickster and the crone flew into positions that indicated their influence over the entire set of the future-present, and by the configuration of the runes perceived that the future or certain elements were now veiled. Whether it was by the enemy or some other factor remained unknown.

But there was more, and Macha worriedly watched as the runes which symbolized the Redeemed King's sons joined by those of the Slumbering King in Crimson. More than that, it wasn't just a possibility as in the case of the former, but near-certainty.

Nothing is certain, for the future-present shifts ever with every passing moment of time.

This was at once welcome and unwelcome. On one hand, the Thousand Sons were opposed to the enemy even more than most of their kin, likely connected to the great hatred borne for them by He-Who-Changes. They were also powerful psykers, easily the match of her people loath as she was to admit it, tempered and guided by cautious but great intellect. Against the enemy, they could be a useful ally.

But on the other hand, the mon'keigh were not exactly fond of her people either, the Space Marines least of all. Apart from their misguided hatred for all not of the kind, there was also their ill-earned resentment against what they perceived as the arrogance of her kind, when it was only right and just for the superior race to be superior.

More than that, however, was the Thousand Sons' role as their Imperium's agents in the war of fate. Just as the farseers sought to do for their people, so too did the Thousand Sons seek to unravel the mysteries of the future-present, and shift the threads of fate in their people's favour.

This gave them an understanding of her people's motivations better than most, but it also meant they were more aware of how much the farseers' triumphs' cost was paid for in Human blood. Needless to say, the Thousand Sons would not and were not pleased with this, though in reverse the efforts of the Anathema's sorcerers had also reaped their toll in Eldar life and blood.

Macha knew it well. One of her past mentors, Farseer Elnaril Naeris had perished by the hands of one of the flame-masters of the Thousand Sons, the mortally-wounded Space Marine spitefully immolating his very soul to unleash a storm of psychic flame that did likewise to the farseer and his warlocks. Only Macha's distance had saved her life, and she had spent many cycles in one of Biel-Tan's Houses of Healing to recover afterwards.

Those closer were not merely slain or injured, but had their very souls immolated, their spirit stones providing no protection against soul-fuelled fires of one re-forged mind, body, and soul in the image and genetic legacy of one of the Anathema's sons. That She-Who-Is-Not-Named was unable to consume their souls was cold comfort.

And there was when the Thousand Sons had foiled an attempt by the Eldar to divert a Tyranid fleet to their worlds, and nearly led to a precious Maiden World being consumed by the Great Devourer. Only great sacrifice on the part of Biel-Tan and several other craftworlds had saved Dalyor'valra from the jaws of the Great Devourer.

Macha closed her eyes, allowing her mind to sink into the soothing background of psychically-empowered chanting, her emotions against the wrongs committed to her people ebbing away, and allowing her to think rationally. Loath as she was to admit it, the mon'keigh and the sons of the King in Crimson were only doing as the Eldar would in their place.

Impudent it was for lesser beings such as the mon'keigh, but in a galaxy with greater enemies to face, generally-speaking it was better to simply tolerate such impudence. It certainly could not be denied that mon'keigh were better neighbours to have than others, such as the Orks or the Necrons to name the worst, and at times the mon'keigh proved to possess spirit and potential to be valued.

Macha opened her eyes, and viewed the runes spiralling in front of her. The future-present opened in her mind, and she followed the threads of fate that led to her desired future. In many of them the Thousand Sons figured prominently, at times friend, at times foe, and at times both or neither.

And through it all, the runes of the trickster god and the crone positioned to shroud much of what was to come weighed heavily over the farseer.

"The Eldar will return." Aun'Vre Bra'fin, governor of the world of Tijuana said. "Whatever madness has struck their farseer from foolishly gazing into the forbidden realm, it is unlikely they would give up on their mad purpose on our world."

The Ethereal turned to Shas'O Har'rax, who commanded the Tau forces on the planet. "However," he said. "They will not do so in an obvious fashion. They will seek to do so while cloaked in shadows and deceit, and strike unexpectedly with speed and determination to deliver a devastating blow."

The Tau commander nodded slowly. "That will give them the advantage of the initiative." He said. "However, through proper application of the Kauyon, I will show them the folly of daring to challenge the Tau'va, and on one such world that has embraced it so eagerly."

"I will entrust the matter of defence to you then, commandr." the Ethereal said. "I trust I will not be disappointed."

"I will make every effort to be worthy of your trust, revered Ethereal." Har'rax said with a small bow. "Though,"

"Something troubles you, commander?"

"The reports of the gue'la gathering strength in nearby star systems, to invade and seize these worlds once more, could they be connected?"

"Hmm," the Ethereal mused. "It is possible, but unless we have more proof it would be wiser to focus on the problem at hand."

"As you say," the commander said with another bow. The Ethereal then glanced at Krin'vren, who looked as though he wanted to say something.

"You wish to say something?"

"Yes revered Ethereal." Krin'vren said. "I would think that there is nothing more than coincidence between the actions of the Eldar coinciding with those of the gue'la. Like so many races opposed or ignorant to the Tau'va, the gue'la Imperium and the star-borne Eldar stand in opposition to each other and to my knowledge have waged many wars against each other in the past, though never on a large-scale. Only in the face of a common foe would they unite."

"If that is the case then would they not possibly do so against us here?" Har'rax asked. "The gue'la Imperium also delves in the forbidden realm which they call the Warp, and see foes where they do not exist as the Eldar do."

"That may be so." Krin'vren said. "However, according to our superiors the impending invasion by the gue'la Imperium is aimed as a general offensive against our worlds in this region of the galaxy. Even if they are in league with the Eldar, they can ill-afford to concentrate all their forces at anything less than at a decisive location."

Har'rax nodded. "That is certainly true." He said. "Though speaking of which, how is the greater empire planning to meet the gue'la invaders?"

"Reinforcements are being mustered further in our territory as we speak," Krin'vren replied. "However pressing needs elsewhere, in particular against the Y'he, and the limitations of our FTL technology, means that reinforcements will somewhat be delayed. It is likely our fleet in this region will be hard-pressed against the gue'la."

"I suspected as much." Har'rax said. "Still, if the gue'la invaders believe they can simply take worlds from the Tau'va and drag them back into barbarity, then they will be sadly mistaken. This world, and all worlds under the Tau'va in this region of the stars, belong to the Tau'va, and will remain so regardless of the ambitions of the selfish, the petty, and the mad!"

Bra'fin nodded his agreement, the Ethereal turning to look at the Fire Caste commander. "Well said, commander." He said. "With such spirit, I do not think there is any reason to doubt in our ultimate triumph. But while I have no doubt your fellow Fire Caste warriors share your spirit and your faith in the triumph of all that is right and just, I cannot help but doubt some of our gue'vesa troopers. Many of them are former Imperial Guardsmen, pressed into our service out of need, and most still have families and friends who have yet to embrace the Greater Good."

"I understand your concerns, revered Ethereal." The commander said. "And I will make every effort to ensure they will be met. But perhaps the coming battle against the gue'la will serve us well in that regard."

"How so…?" the Ethereal asked.

"If we can demonstrate by our victory the superiority and justness of the Greater Good," Har'rax said. "Then it will serve as further justification and incentive for those who cling to their past beliefs to abandon them for the enlightenment of the Greater Good."

Bra'fin nodded slowly. "Yes," he said. "Yes, that is a compelling argument. Very well, over the matter of the gue'vesa's loyalty and dedication I will once again entrust the matter to you. Are there any other matters to discuss?"

"Perhaps we ought to warn the Fourfold Ideal's members and community leaders?" a Water Caste asked. "It will better allow them to safeguard themselves against the Eldar's madness, and if they coordinate with local enforcers and warriors, it stands to reason that it will considerably aid our efforts against the Eldar."

Again the Ethereal nodded. "An excellent idea," he said. "Considering all the contributions they have made to integrate this world to the Tau'va, to say nothing of our responsibilities even otherwise, it is only right to warn them. I will invite their community leaders to speak with me in person, so that I may warn them of the Eldar threat. From there, coordination of common efforts for common interest may proceed to be discussed and developed."

The Ethereal's words were met with nods, and he nodded as well. "Very well," he said. "If there is nothing more, then this meeting is adjourned."

A/N

Eldar diplomacy is such an oxymoron. Though I suppose it could be considered as a subtler version of the Imperium's gunboat diplomacy, only without a huge fleet hanging around or outside the system (at least not obviously) to underline the Imperium's interests.

Eldar will be Eldar, not really all too different from Humans in seeing themselves as superior to every other race out there. There's some justification for it yes, arguably more than the Imperium or Humanity, but still. The Not So Different trope is in effect.

Redeemed King: Konrad Curze

The (slumbering) King in Crimson: Magnus the Red

Tau'va: Greater Good

Y'he: Tyranids