Warhammer: Starting as a Planetary Governor-Chapter 311 - 312: The Mysterious Tau Star and the Savior’s Envoy

As the Savior's forces delved deeper into understanding the Tau Empire, the Department of Military Affairs and others concluded that tensions were worsening, and large-scale war was likely inevitable.

The reason was simple.

The Tau Empire was ambitious, embarking on a new wave of expansion, rapidly accelerating their annexation of numerous worlds—including those of human civilizations.

It was a decision made collectively by their entire race.

Unless they encountered a significant obstacle that threatened their survival, they would not stop.

Another analysis by the Military Department pointed out that the Tau Empire had set its sights on the Charalton region, probing and pressuring it.

If the Savior's domain showed weakness, the Tau forces would only quicken their expansion.

After reading the reports on the Tau Empire, Eden had a basic grasp of the situation.

The Savior's domain and the Tau Empire were currently testing each other's boundaries, and there had already been minor skirmishes. If tensions continued to escalate, all-out war was inevitable.

If it reached that point, the Savior's domain would have to open yet another front.

The Tau Empire was indeed a relatively small power by galactic standards—compared to the Imperium of Man.

But for a regional power like Eden's domain, the Tau Empire's size was still considerable. Completely destroying it would demand an enormous cost.

"Hopefully, it won't come to that..."

Eden truly didn't want war.

His domain's development speed far exceeded the Tau Empire's.

Waging a full-scale war now would only massively delay their growth.

It wasn't worth it.

All Eden wanted was to peacefully digest the Charalton region.

Restart the resource-rich mining worlds, fire up the forge worlds' factories to spew smoke once again, and produce more war machines.

Strengthen the domain's might to new heights.

By then—

Eden could fight however he wished, conquering the Tau Empire at minimal cost, capturing their scientists and technologies.

To help develop better power armor suits for humans.

And to push his domain's technological advancement even further.

Unfortunately—

The current situation was no longer something he could control.

The Charalton region stood squarely in the Tau Empire's path of expansion. There was no way the Savior's forces could simply give up and retreat.

There was no choice but to stand firm.

The Department of Military Affairs had already started drafting operational plans and mobilizing more forces to meet the coming challenge.

Eden simply needed to be aware of these things.

The Military Department had plenty of capable people worrying about the details. As the Savior, he didn't need to micromanage.

And truthfully, the Tau Empire wasn't even the greatest threat the domain faced.

Currently, Eden's realm included the Goliath Sector, the Charalton Region, and several small enclaves under development.

These territories bordered numerous dangerous regions.

Which meant even more risks.

As scouting operations expanded outward, more and more threats were being uncovered.

The marks of Tyranid hive fleets were increasingly evident; Ork clans were swelling in numbers; Dark Eldar slaver raids were prowling; human renegade federations launched attacks.

And even more alarming—

They had discovered a dead zone spanning several sectors.

A vast, ominous anomaly in the galaxy.

This "silent zone" was like a strange, muting shadow, weakening the very soul of reality itself, suppressing the will of humans, xenos, and even mechanical beings.

More troubling still—

Signs of Necron activity had been detected within it—an ancient Necron dynasty had awakened.

Compared to the minor probes of the Tyranids, the Necrons represented a much greater existential threat.

These beings had once fought the Old Ones during the War in Heaven—and slain the Star Gods.

Now they stirred again, seeking to dominate the galaxy anew.

When Eden read that intelligence report, he had only one thought:

The Imperium of Man is about to be doomed once again.

Of course—

The Imperium had long gotten used to facing annihilation daily.

It was like an old, crumbling house that looked like a light kick could topple it—

But if you dared to kick it, a horde of savage warriors would jump out and beat you senseless.

Thus, Eden was far more concerned about his own domain.

If those Necrons broke loose from the anomaly—

The domain could face existential crisis, even destruction.

Thankfully, the Necrons seemed to be fighting each other inside for now, too busy to invade the outside.

Still, vigilance was necessary.

Now, Eden could truly appreciate the Imperium's burden.

Once your territory grew too large, your forces became stretched thin, and you were forced to fight on multiple fronts.

Besides the Tau Empire threat—

Other fronts had already erupted into battle, pulling away several fleets. For now, they could still hold.

But only for now.

It was obvious that the galaxy's future would only become more turbulent and dangerous.

The domain urgently needed to build even greater military strength.

Otherwise, every major battle would require Eden himself to lead the entire army into desperate gambles.

Eden had already made up his mind.

For the foreseeable future, the domain would pause its expansion.

Instead, it would focus on consolidating its current holdings—intensive farming, massive infrastructure projects, and full-scale military buildup.

Once enough "big toys" were built and their strength surged—

Then they could go roaming again.

After finishing the documents, Eden closed his data slate and resumed today's work.

He needed to install a psy-anchor at a local power core, using the Sunchild's psychic energy to ignite the machine-spirits within.

Thus establishing a stable psychic network across the planet.

The royal administrative districts would cluster around the anchor, rapidly restoring planetary operations.

Meanwhile—

The Savior's envoy had finally arrived at Tau ...

—

Tau Empire Star Cluster. Tau Prime.

The Elemental Council Chamber floated in orbit above the planet.

This colossal structure resembled a spherical amphitheater, its center an open space under a transparent dome through which the distant stars were visible.

Below were rows upon rows of command thrones, close enough to touch.

Shadowstream entered and sat at her assigned seat.

Looking upward, she saw the massive, hexagonal Star Tide Node hanging above, framed perfectly by the viewing windows.

It was a vast, pitch-black wormhole, devoid of any light.

A deadly threat.

It served as a constant reminder to the Tau people—

Protect the homeland. Allow no enemy to reach this sacred place.

If their defense failed—

If the wormhole collapsed under attack—

The galactic rift would devour their world, extinguishing it slowly.

At this moment, Shadowstream was nervous.

This was a wartime assembly.

And she bore some responsibility for it.

Beside her—

A low, soothing hum sounded.

A Water Caste envoy, Creekwhisper, was attempting to calm her.

"All is well, diplomat," Creekwhisper smiled. "Through the wisdom of all castes, we will overcome any threat."

Shadowstream responded:

"I believe that without a doubt—all for the Greater Good."

Yet inside, she still worried.

The Aether Elders had dispatched a fleet to attack human territories—

Without the Council's approval.

This meeting wasn't a true discussion.

It was simply notification.

Shadowstream glanced at the inner circle's seats.

One of them was occupied by a Kroot Elder—Opik.

As indicated by the holographic projections, he was one of the Kroot leaders.

The Kroot were granted the Sixth Seat—a symbolic honor.

Meant to display the Tau Empire's tolerance and civilization.

Today, Opik sat hunched over, his claws twitching, his body listless.

He had no speaking rights anymore.

He was there to listen.

To accept the lectures from the Aether and other castes.

Shadowstream stared at his bent back.

She wondered—

When had things started changing?

Even her human assistants were now barred from critical zones.

All non-Tau races were quietly being marginalized—even the Kroot, the Vespid, and the Nicassar.

Especially the humans.

"Not a good sign..."

Shadowstream thought grimly.

It had all begun after the Fourth Sphere Expansion.

Back when the Aether caste had authorized a reckless experiment—

Using Imperial warp drive technology to develop the AL-38 Slipstream module.

Allowing faster interstellar travel.

But then disaster struck.

A vast fleet using Slipstream tech simultaneously triggered an antimatter chain reaction—

Ripping open realspace with a massive rift.

The fleet was dragged into a nightmare dimension.

Some survivors returned.

They spoke of a loathsome, many-armed entity that had pulled them free.

Yet the auxiliary troops—especially non-Tau races—were never seen again.

The Aether caste swiftly erased all records of the incident.

Shadowstream knew this only because Commander Shadowsun had confided in her.

It was a secret she could never reveal.

The surviving Tau fleet had gone mad with xenophobia afterward.

They slaughtered human auxiliaries.

Even Kroot and Vespid allies.

Believing the xenos had brought the disaster upon them.

Since then—

The Aether caste had subtly grown more controlling, more aggressive.

Shadowstream knew all this.

But what could she do?

The Aether ruled.

No one could oppose them.

She desperately wanted to confess everything.

To submit herself for Re-Education.

To purify her soul for the Greater Good.

"Re-Education..."

Just thinking of it made her shiver.

Previously, she had undergone Re-Education sessions and found them comforting.

But now—

Now she realized:

Those who underwent too many Re-Education cycles came back... different.

Their personalities erased.

Every trace of doubt gone.

Those who still resisted after multiple sessions—

Simply disappeared.

"Where did they all go?"

Shadowstream wondered in horror.

She glanced at the serene faces of the Aether Elders—

And for the first time, felt something like hatred.

"What's wrong with me?"

She almost wanted to scream.

She must tell the truth.

Must surrender herself to the Greater Good.

Just as she stood up—

A voice interrupted:

"The Supreme Aether arrives!"

An Aether Guard's voice boomed:

"Silence and respect! The Supreme Aether walks among us!"

Then—

The guard glared at Shadowstream:

"Sit down! Do not be disrespectful!"

Instantly—

All eyes turned to her.

Ashamed, she sat down hurriedly.

The incident was noted.

One Elder frowned slightly.

He made a mental note to send this diplomat for mandatory Re-Education at the next opportunity.

Everyone stood as the great membrane-like doors unfolded.

A majestic being floated in—

Calm and exuding overwhelming authority.

The Supreme Aether had arrived.

"Such a gathering of wise ones—how rare," he said. "Be seated. Let us begin."

The meeting continued.

The Supreme Aether spoke of many things.

But Shadowstream barely remembered.

One thing was clear—

War was coming.

The Supreme Aether declared: freёweɓnovel.com

If the so-called "Savior" refused the Empire's offer—

Refused the Greater Good—

He would face total annihilation.

And harsher "deterrent" measures were authorized.

The meeting ended.

Delegates departed to carry out their tasks.

Shadowstream was about to leave when Creekwhisper stopped her:

"You seemed troubled earlier. What were you planning to do?"

"Nothing," Shadowstream shook her head.

She would keep her secret.

And avoid Re-Education at all costs.

She rather liked this feeling—

This taste of freedom.

Soon, she was assigned a new task.

She would host the Savior's envoy.

A traditional method of spreading the Greater Good.

Let the humans marvel at Tau's superior civilization.

Most human envoys who came here—

Ended up admiring the Tau Empire.

Eager to join.

Shadowstream led her two assistants:

The Kroot warrior Horcha, and the human Leswin.

They headed toward the orbital port.

In the skies above—

A small, luminous ship, shaped like a work of art, slowly descended under traffic control guidance.

It was—

The Savior's envoy.

(End of Chapter)

[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/zaelum]

[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]

[Thank You For Your Support!]