NationStates Jolt Archive

The Khurganate; a young follower in the ways of Chaos; for though they had fought amongst themselves in service of Tzeentch, to further their favor in the eyes of their patron; they were still beneath what Severino; who now stood upon the deck of the Storm of Tzeentch watching with wry amusement as they appeared above the homworld of the Khurganate. Had Severino his way, he would not have bothered with alliance; he would have enslaved them, bent them to his will; made them of his legion. But that had changed. He had saw himself amongst the void; stars dancing like fireflies about him; bending into incomprehensible patterns. He had seen his feet tread a world of endlessly reshaping flesh, and heard that damned voice echo in his mind.

Severino Jeriacor; do not seek to win favor in stupidity...Let my children grow, and power shall come to you....Bend to my will

And now he had come forth; stepping down from the bridge; his helmet gleamign with devices and arcane secrets; armored adorned in runes and sigils; twisted designs of unfathomable power. His gauntleted hands crackled with warp energy; and he grasped his staff; the many engraved symbols and eyes running with the power of the warp; a horned animals head, gilded and adorned; glistened at its pinnacle...His cloak seemed to be shifting and seething flesh; eyes opening and closing; mouths spekaing wordlessly; intoning silent spells.

A mighty servant of the Changer had come forth; bearing terrible, unimaginable gifts...

With a flash of irridescent feathers, a huge form descended towards the transport. Spreading its wings, the figure slowed its descent, coming to a graceful landing in front of Severino. Folding its wings about itself like a cloak, the lithe form of the Lord of Change bowed to the Primarch. It's burning eyes betraying its inhuman knowledge, the avian Daemon smiled, and spoke.

"Lord Severino, I am Ish'Sur'Baal, Vizier to Tzaanlord Helion. In his name, I welcome you to Hecuba. I shall escort you to his presence, I am sure you have much to discuss."

Severino bowed lightly. "Of course, we do have much to discuss; and I am sure he will be thrilled with what I offer in the name of the Daemon Emperor. In his name, I have come; in his name shall our alliance be strengthened" He nodded to the Lord of Change, indicating that he was ready; and stepped forward slightly; eager to meet this Tzaanlord, and to seal the pact between them.

"Forgive me, but I must ask that we move this along; I have much to do; and my mission is of the greatest importance"

"Why but of course, my dear ally. I will take you to the throne room immediately. If you will just follow me..."

Walking off, the Greater Daemon led Severino through the halls of the Palace of Change. The walls seemed to slide away, adapting to the path chosen by Ish'Sur'Baal, forming the shortest path to the throne room. Marching into the room itself, Ish'Sur'Baal prostrated itself before the throne.

"My Lord Helion, I bring you a guest. A Chronosian to be precise..."

"Excellent. You may retire, Ish."

"Yes, my Lord Helion..."

Spreading its great wings, the Lord of Change soared into the air, the cieling of the palace spreading open, allowing the Daemon to fly out into the open air before the roof slammed shut again, uncomfortably like the maw of a giant beast. The Warmaster smiled, and stepped down from the dias on which his throne rested.

"Welcome, Primarch Severino. I trust your journey was enjoyable?"

"As enjoyable as any foray into the Warp can be. We have come far merely to bring an offer to your attention, Tzaanlord. I pray, taht you and your..." He turned to glance in the direction that the Daemon had left "Associates do not waste the time of the Emperor. My Father is not one to be trifled with" Reaching into a pocket, he placed a datapad before the Tzaanlord; its surface runnign with symbols and information.

"This is what we offer you; this is the information, the very secrets....of Creation." He chuckled softly. "The divine art by which my father created me and my brethern; and from us, created his triumphant legions. These are the secrets of the Old Imperium. The knowledge of the Primogenitor.

The Tzaanlord's somewhat disinterested gaze suddenly grew sharp, the edges of his mouth beginning to rise into a smile.

"Data on constructing a gene-seed... The process has long been beyond the skill of our Collegia Technologicae, as I'm sure your father has told you already. This data would be invaluable to our war efforts, Primarch. The Khurgan must possess it. Name your price."

"Our Price? Well, that all depends on what you have to offer; doesn't it, Tzaanlord? What can you offer us that would possibly match such a glorious gift? Can you tell me?" He chuckled, letting foul laughter slip forth; mocking; teasing.

"Tell me what you can give me; and we shall aid you in forming legions; empires..."

Helion smiled mockingly.

"What to give a man who has it all... We have little that you do not already possess. Our domain is small by comparison, ceding territory would do little good to either of us. You are already sharing in the bounty of the Forge Worlds, as dictated by our agreement made in the Vulcan Campaign. What we can offer you, however, is knowledge. What better trade than knowledge for knowledge?"

"What we offer, to be exact, are Patterns. Superior patterns of Leman Russ, the superior Khurgan-pattern Shadowsword, the knowledge of how to forge Hunter-shells. We also offer a different sort of pattern: new ways to manipulate the Warp, ways to trap souls in pockets in the flow, to snare them in constructs of any sort, from engines of war to individual suits of armor. Essentially, a Daemon Engine sans Daemon. What say you to this?"

"We accept" Severino smirked softly; so much knowledge; so much power, lain before them; traded and bartered; exchanged in glorious brotherhood; co-mingling to form a great whole. The Imperium and the Khurganate would benefit from this, both would prosper.

Severino bowed before the TzaanLord. "I thank you for your business; and congratulate you on your gains. Perhaps now, we shall grow as allies; our powers growing together, till Chaos rules supreme; and this wretched universe lies corrupt and in ashes..."

"Then it is done. I will send the appropriate data as soon as possible, along with several sorcerers to tutor you in the application of the Rubric. I believe our business here is done, my good friend Severino. Come, let me escort you back to your vessel..."