Warhammer: The Worst Start There Is (40k) - Chapter 11: The Eldar

Thought-Steel Imprinting, to a certain extent, was a form of dark technology that could use mechanical means to firmly establish specific beliefs in individuals’ minds.

The human brain was a marvel, with different neurons responsible for various functions, including the assessment of right and wrong. For instance, determining if water was poisonous was a complex process that involved multiple evaluations, such as the type of water and its potential contaminants.

Thought processes were intricate.

However, Thought-Steel Imprinting bypassed these complexities. By influencing a specific part of the neural network when a certain piece of information entered the brain, it could make the brain accept that information as true without requiring conscious thought.

In other words, once the Thought-Steel Imprint that “water is poisonous” was implanted in someone’s mind, that person would genuinely believe that all water was toxic.

Given the complexity of the Imperium and his own unique circumstances, Guilliman decided to employ this technology.

Guilliman had no choice but to firmly stand on the side of humanity. Although the Emperor was also on the side of humanity, he might not necessarily support Guilliman.

After all, Guilliman was a time traveler, and he possessed an incredible advantage. The Emperor might perceive him as a threat and take measures to eliminate that threat.

If that happened, and Guilliman was captured on Terra, it would be disastrous.

The Adeptus Custodes, which was composed of some die-hard conservatives, was particularly hostile towards the Primarch. In the original storyline, The Primarch of the Ultramarine had made significant changes to the Emperor’s creations, including reforms to the bloated Imperial bureaucracy, and this had caused a lot of resentment to brew within them. Some individuals had even outright rebelled, refusing to obey Terra’s orders.

These individuals posed potential threats.

Apart from these threats, dealing with the Chaos incursions was also extremely challenging. It would be unacceptable for weapons Guilliman had developed to be used against humanity by traitors.

Guilliman needed some trump cards to imprint the minds of new recruits, making them staunchly anti-Chaos and everything related to it. Simultaneously, he needed to ensure that his authority superseded the Emperor’s, so that even if the Emperor turned against him, he would have a way out, rather than being trapped on Terra.

As Cawl looked at Guilliman, who wore a faint smile, the high-speed processing core in his mechanical body momentarily stalled.

He had already read the contents of the data storage device and understood what Thought-Steel Imprinting was.

“Regent, this is Thought-Steel Imprinting technology,” Cawl said, his tone filled with confusion. Was it really necessary to employ such technology?

“Cawl, you’re aware of the current state of the Imperium of Man. We have no other options left. The Imperium has endured for ten thousand years, but in the face of Chaos, it has been retreating and weakening. The situation is worse than during the days of the Great Crusade. How can we confront the terrifying wars to come in such a state? In extraordinary times, we must resort to extraordinary measures. We need an army that is absolutely loyal to humanity and the Imperium, reliable, and completely obedient to our commands and ideals. You’ve witnessed the corruption of Terra’s bureaucracy and the Conservatorship of the Mechanicus. If we don’t bring about change, do you believe we can overcome the horrors of Chaos?” Guilliman spoke, careful not to reveal his true thoughts. He needed to persuade Cawl first.

Cawl furrowed his electronic brow, his artificial eyes flashing with a cryptic light. After a moment of consideration, he came to a decision.

“I will carry out your instructions, Regent,” Cawl bowed and saluted, the mechanical hum accompanying his gesture.

Guilliman smiled. “That’s good. Go and complete the tasks I’ve assigned. I hope to see this army as soon as possible. I need it to stabilize the current chaotic situation in the Imperium of Man.”

After concluding his conversation with the archmagos dominus Cawl, Guilliman summoned the leaders of the Death Guard, Yvraine and Vissachi, for a face-to-face meeting.

The Imperium of Man had always been wary of xenos, and the people of Ultramar were unlikely to trust xenos operating in their Planet. Before leading his troops to purge the remnants of Chaos forces from the 500 Planets of Ultramar, Guilliman needed to address the matter of the army that had decided to help Cawl to resurrect him.

This helper was not part of the Imperial organization; rather, it was a military force of the ancient xenos race known as the Eldar. For some reason, they had chosen to assist Cawl, Celestine, and others in resurrecting Guilliman.

In the process of his resurrection, they had put in a great deal of effort to help. Guilliman couldn’t simply eliminate them, as that would be inhumane.

The Eldar had a slender physique, resembling humans in many ways, with the main difference being their pointed ears. They possessed an exceptional beauty and an aura that humans could not replicate.

Yvraine and Vissachi entered through the main gate and offered a slight bow, a sign of their respect for the human Regent.

Guilliman observed the two of them. Despite the age of beauty, even he had to admit that the Eldar was truly striking. Their waists were unbelievably slender, and Guilliman wondered if they could bear the weight of their armor.

“No need for excessive formalities; speak directly to me. I have many mysteries that require your answers,” Guilliman said, instructing them to stand upright and meet his gaze.

It was worth noting that the Eldar was the creation of the Old Gods and played a significant role in the birth of Slaanesh, the God of Excess.

The Eldar was an ancient race, said to have been involved in the War in Heaven. During the War in Heaven, their creators were destroyed, and their hostile undead enemies fell into slumber. The Eldar assumed the role of the galaxy’s rulers, entering a prosperous era.

In their prosperity, they gradually fell into decadence, indulging in endless desires. Their indulgent thoughts and souls resonated in the Warp, creating a tremendous echo that awakened and nourished a certain ancient and terrifying entity.

The birth of Slaanesh unleashed a terrible storm, leading to the complete collapse of the Eldar’s Empire. The very fabric of reality was torn apart by the piercing scream of the newborn Chaos God, resulting in the creation of a Warp rift that connected the Warp and the material universe—the Eye of Terror.

Countless Eldar members had their life force and psychic energy drained, becoming nourishment for Slaanesh. Even the gods they once worshiped were threatened or imprisoned during this catastrophic event.

Only those among the Eldar who possessed foresight and had not participated in the decadence of their society, as well as those who had taken refuge in special spatial nodes like the Webway cities, survived.

Despite the catastrophe, the Eldar retained formidable technology and psychic power, making them a force to be reckoned with in the galaxy.

Yvraine and Vissachi, leaders of the Eldar expedition group had assisted Cawl and others in escaping pursuit by Chaos forces during their escape from the Cadia battlefield, allowing them to reach Macragge safely.

“The stars have been torn asunder, and the inhabitants of the galaxy are about to face the most terrible disaster—the moment when the power of Chaos breaks free from the Warp and plunges the galaxy into its final doom. I am pleased that our two races have formed an alliance to confront this crisis together,” Guilliman nodded. “I am also deeply honored that the Imperium can receive your assistance.”

“We will soon depart, but there are some things I must warn you about. While Cawl’s technology is powerful and has healed your body, your true trauma lies on the level of the soul. Your ability to walk among the living is dependent on the power of the God of Death. If you value your life, you must never remove your battle armor from now on. There is no need to worry; the durability of this armor far exceeds your imagination.”

“I do not wish to delve further into this matter, nor do I want to investigate the hidden truths behind the power that awakened me. However, I would like to issue a warning. If you require the friendship of humanity, you must treat us sincerely. Any underhanded methods will only erode human kindness and trust towards you. I hope that one day, when we meet again, it will be as friends rather than foes.”

After this statement, Yvraine turned and left. Vissachi, who had remained silent throughout, offered a warrior’s salute to the Primarch and then followed Yvraine out.

Guilliman furrowed his brow and felt suddenly exhausted.

This universe was filled with monsters!

After settling the matter with the Eldar, Guilliman pressed the communicator button. “Let those long-awaiting planetary governors and the president of the Merchants’ Guild come in. I have something to tell them.”