Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 728 Negotiation
"Arrogant ants!" Barasusa's rage was palpable, and the energy field around him became unstable due to the emotional fluctuations: "How dare they respond to the summons of a Star Lord in such a manner? Are their mayfly-like lives not enough to teach them the meaning of reverence?"

His eyes flashed with an eerie green light, and he was almost about to immediately order the nearby graveyard ships to turn humanity's arrogance, along with their fleet, into cosmic dust.

"Put away your anger, Barasusa." The traveler Anlaqir's consciousness transmitted through the channel, calm and profound, carrying the weight of countless cosmic changes: "This kind of stubbornness of humanity is part of their racial character. They always like to put on a kingly posture even in the dust, as if this can cover up the brevity and fragility of their lives."

Anlaqir quickly assessed the situation: "In this game, it would be unwise to waste our pieces against them. The devourers from the void are the filth we all need to cleanse."

And these humans… their armies, their sacrifices, can serve as effective pawns on our chessboard.”

His projection stepped forward, becoming clearer: "Since they are fixated on a so-called 'neutral' stage, let them have their way. Delving into their lair would be beneath our dignity."

It would be more appropriate for me, as a traveler, to go and assess the worth of these ants on your behalf.

This will both appease their fragile egos and allow you to focus on restoring the dynasty's might. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, Morpheus's will will overshadow this region of the stars.

Balasouza's anger gradually subsided under the cold calculation of self-interest.

Anlakir's analysis is indeed more in line with the current situation; getting entangled with humans will only benefit the all-consuming swarm of insects.

Let this traveler, who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations, handle these trivial matters, while you focus on awakening those ancient forces powerful enough to warp stars—that's the mindset a true overlord should have.

“…Very well, Anlakir.” Barasusa’s consciousness regained its characteristic, metallic majesty. “You shall examine these humans. Let them understand that their only hope for the continuation of their race is to walk with us, but this light of hope is in our hands.”

Figure out their bottom line, assess their worth. If they don't know what's good for them..." His thoughts conveyed a clear sense of destruction.

“As you wish, Balasouza.” Anlaqir’s projection nodded slightly. “I will make them understand what an ‘honor’ it is to stand on the same battlefield as the Murphylid dynasty.”

Soon, a new communication request was sent to the "Unyielding Truth," agreeing to the proposal to meet in a neutral zone and specifying the location—a long-forgotten abandoned mining observation station on the edge of the asteroid belt in the Hades system. The communicator's identifier changed to "Traveler Anrakil, representing the will of the Mephistopheles dynasty."

Onboard the "Unyielding Truth," the crew who received the reply were somewhat surprised by the undead's swift change of attitude and agreement to a neutral location. However, Chen Xi's prediction was once again confirmed, giving them more psychological preparation for the upcoming contact.

“Anlakiel…the traveler,” Chen Xi murmured, searching his mind for the few records about this special necromancer overlord. “Legend has it that he has traveled through many dying star systems and witnessed the end of countless civilizations. His way of thinking…is more unpredictable than the rulers of other dynasties.”

Having him intervene might offer a better chance of negotiation than directly confronting the arrogant Barasouza, but it could also be more... unpredictable and difficult to guard against.

Lion King Leon immediately ordered: "Organize a negotiation team. Leona, you come with me. Judge Chen Xi, your knowledge and foresight are crucial. Select another team of Terminators as guards."

He looked at Dante, “Chapter Commander, the fleet is now under your command. Maintain the highest alert. If negotiations break down or any unforeseen circumstances arise, do not hesitate to provide immediate support and prepare for battle.”

Shortly afterward, a Dark Angels Thunderhawk gunboat, escorted by two Ravenwing combat motorcycles, broke away from the fleet and headed towards the designated abandoned observation post.

Inside the Thunderhawk, Lion King Leon and Leona, fully armed, sat silently in reinforced chairs, like two war gods ready to engage in battle at any moment.

Chen Xi gave his power armor and weapons a final check, reviewing the various records about these ancient aliens in his mind.

A small squad of Deathwing Terminators stood guard around like an iron wall.

The Thunder Eagle slowly descended outside the damaged docking hatch of the observation station.

When the hatch opened and the Lion King and his party stepped onto the cold, stardust-covered deck, their opponents were already waiting there.

The traveler Anraqiel did not bring a large guard; only four tall, undead immortals, wielding phase weapons that emitted a ghostly green light, stood silently behind him like statues.

He himself stood at the forefront, his streamlined metallic body gleaming coldly in the dim light of the observation station. His deep optical sensors calmly watched the genetic prototype and its retinue emerging from the Thunderhawk, exuding a powerful life force.

Without any superfluous formalities, Anraqil's stream of consciousness, imbued with a unique rhythm and ancient echo, pierced directly through the void, resonating clearly in everyone's communication receivers. His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable weight: "The envoy of the Human Empire. I am the traveler Anraqil. The devouring tide from the abyss is approaching; it knows no form, only greed. The power of the Morphlitt dynasty is awakening from its slumber, but time is not an ally for either of us."

He paused slightly, his eerie green gaze sweeping over the Lion King and Leona, as if assessing two ancient and powerful weapons.

“We propose a… temporary agreement. Your fleet will engage the Zerg swarm head-on, drawing its attention. In return, we will activate that ancient device capable of reshaping stars, to… utterly purify this star system.”

His stream of consciousness was devoid of any emotion, containing only cold reality.

"This is the most rational choice for survival. To refuse is to walk together toward destruction. Make your decision."

Chen Xi took a step forward, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power as it rang out over the communication channel: "Your Excellency Anlaqir, you have been asleep for too long, and it seems you have not yet come to terms with reality."

"Sixty million years have passed, and the galaxy is no longer what you remember. The Aedalin race has fallen, and the human empire has become the master of the galaxy."

If the Mephistopheles dynasty truly possessed its former glory, it wouldn't be standing here seeking cooperation with humanity, but rather facing the threat of the Zerg swarm alone.

His gaze was fixed on the optical sensors of the Necromancer Overlord, Ghost Green: "We are well aware of the value of this star system and have long been prepared to abandon it. Humanity is fully capable of dealing with the attack of the Great Devourer on its own, it's just a matter of paying a higher price. Now it is you who need human help, not the other way around."

"Since you've come seeking cooperation, you should adopt an attitude of seeking cooperation. Put away that arrogant attitude. You're nothing but a necromantic dynasty..." Chen Xi's voice carried a hint of coldness, "The Rostov sub-sector I lead has been destroyed before." These words struck like a heavy blow, plunging the entire space into deathly silence.

The immortal behind Anlaqir gripped his phase weapon tightly, its eerie green light flashing intensely in the darkness.

Unexpectedly, however, Anlaqir emitted a low and strange hum, as if it were sneering.

“Interesting…” For the first time, traces of what could be called emotional fluctuations appeared in his stream of consciousness. “It seems that during the long slumber, the galaxy has indeed undergone some…unexpected changes.”

He drifted forward half a step, his metallic body gleaming coldly in the dim light: "You're right, young human. Time has indeed changed a lot. But you're wrong about one thing—we're not seeking help, we're offering an opportunity."

“A chance to save you from total annihilation.” Anlaqir’s thoughts suddenly sharpened. “You think the Zerg swarm is only what’s in front of you? No, this is just the vanguard. The real main force is still behind. Even if humanity can defend this system with its own strength, it will pay a heavy price.”

His optical sensors turned to Lion and Leona: "And we have the ability to end this war before the main Zerg force arrives. That's the real reason we're sitting here."

Chen Xi was about to retort when Leona suddenly spoke up, her voice clear and calm: "Prove it."

All eyes were focused on this being who shared the same origin as the Primarch.

“If the Morpheus dynasty truly still possesses the power you speak of,” Leona’s gaze was as sharp as a knife, “then show it to us. Let us see whether this so-called ‘power of the stars’ is still worthy of standing on equal footing with the human empire.”

Anlaqir was silent for a moment, then sent out a short data stream.

On the star map, a giant lens located in the orbit of the binary stars suddenly lit up, and an invisible beam of energy instantly pierced through the void, turning a small planet in the distance into molten lava.

"This is just the beginning," Anlaqir said with an ancient arrogance. "Now, it is time for you to prove your worth, humans."

The negotiations truly began at this moment.

Meeting Anlaqir's emotionless gaze, Chen Xi clearly and calmly explained the combat plan based on existing human deployments and technologies.

He explained in detail how to use the Imperial fleet to build a multi-layered defensive line on the outskirts of the Hades system, to gradually deplete the Zerg vanguard, and to use the complex asteroid belt and gravitational anomaly regions within the system to set up ambushes.

At the same time, it focuses on how to overload and redirect those stellar refraction lenses that have been partially mastered by humans, transforming them from energy devices into one-off weapons of mass destruction, triggering a sweeping energy storm in the area where the swarm's main force is most concentrated.

Anlakir listened quietly, the eerie green optical sensors flashing steadily, and the massive processing core instantly performed countless simulations of humanity's plans.

"...Use the meticulously crafted eyes of the stars to scorch those mindless insects..." For the first time, a fluctuation that could be understood as "emotion" appeared in Anlaqir's stream of consciousness. It was a feeling mixed with contempt and a certain...pain, as if he saw someone using an ancient relic to smash a stubborn rock: "This is tantamount to using the artistic treasures of a dynasty to fill a swamp, a desecration and a pathetic waste of creation itself."

However, cold logic quickly overwhelmed this "emotion".

He had to admit that, given the current balance of power and the tight time constraints, this crude, barbaric, and aesthetically unappealing plan was indeed highly feasible.

Although human reverse engineering of lens arrays is still in its infancy, it has found a "shortcut" that can quickly achieve destructive output.

"Although it is crude and inefficient to an extreme degree..." Anlaqir's stream of consciousness became steady again, with a condescending scrutiny, "but I have to admit that your plan, which is like wielding a primitive wooden stick, does have the potential to hit its target."

He abruptly changed the subject, beginning to "optimize" the plan from the perspective and knowledge system of a space necromancer: "However, your deployment is full of unnecessary redundancy and cowardice. Why use such complex maneuvers and layers of defense to attract the swarm's attention?"

His stream of consciousness conveyed the adjusted star map and data: "Imperial fleet, should concentrate here; the gravity well effect here will force the swarm of biological ships to assemble."

What you need to do is hold your ground here, withstand the impact, like a boulder thrown into a torrent, firmly attracting and fixing the main force of the swarm to the predetermined coordinate area.

Sacrifice... is a necessary prerequisite for ensuring the lens array achieves its optimal lethality.

He completely ignored the devastating casualties this "drawing fire" mission would inflict on the human fleet; in his calculations, it was merely a necessary parameter to achieve the final purification efficiency.

"As for the activation and overload of the lens array," Anlakir continued, as if stating a self-evident fact, "the dynasty's technicians will take over ultimate control."

Your crude interface and shallow understanding will only waste energy and reduce purification efficiency.

We will ensure that the timing, scope, and intensity of energy release reach theoretically optimal values ​​to maximize the removal of biomass pollution.

In his "refined" plan, the human fleet's role was simplified to a massive, sacrificial "bait" and "pillar," responsible for luring the swarm into the slaughterhouse with blood and steel, while the Necromancers sat firmly in the rear, controlling the final blow and ensuring it achieved maximum results.

As for how many humans would die or be injured while acting as bait, that was completely outside his consideration. In fact, he believed that sufficient sacrifices and a fierce battle were the best guarantee to lure the main force of the Zerg swarm deeper into the territory.

This blatant "replenishment" of humanity as mere expendable resources instilled a profound sense of humiliation and rage in every Astartes warrior present. A chilling killing intent filled the air.

(End of this chapter)