The Sa'cea Sally Archives
The Sa'cea Sally archive pages
Week 4
Guardsmen! Help the Tau Help You!
July 28, 2003
EoT Newsletter
For the Greater Good
With the Imperium committing more and more resources towards the defence of the Cadian Gate, reports from the eastern rim of Ultima Segmentum suggest the Tau Empire is using this time when the Imperium's eyes are elsewhere to strengthen, and even expand their own domains. Though the xenos are yet to threaten Imperial worlds, and are largely expanding into uncontested Wilderness space, Imperial Stategios keep one wary eye on the Tau empire, lest they use this time of conflict and uncertainty to their own advantage, to the eternal cost of the Imperium.
- - -
We now begin another broadcast from Sa'Cea Sally, on Comm-channel Free Damocles:
"Good evening, my friends in the Eastern Guard. I hope I can still call you my friends.
"I regret to inform you that the cease-fire between us is in tatters. Increasingly, elements of Imperial forces are clashing with ours in our security zone. We can no longer believe that these are acts of independent commanders disobeying orders to hold the truce. There must be a rogue element in your own command that is ordering these brave soldiers to their deaths. And for no reason!
"The cease-fire was of benefit to us both. We could concentrate our efforts against the green tide of Orkdom and the living weapons of the Tyranids. You could redirect badly-needed reserves to Cadia, to fight the mutant hordes there who threaten Terra itself! But we see more and more reserves drawn to our borders. We see them diverted from critical sectors, even from Cadia itself! What are we to believe?
"We do believe that you, who listen to this broadcast, wisely tried to restrain the more impulsive and destructive of your comrades. It appears, however, that despite your best efforts you have failed. Through no fault of your own! There is only so much one can do to restrain the glory-hunger of your officers without outright betrayal. I only hope that this has not doomed us into a destructive and wasteful war.
"There is one hope left. A conclave of your senior leaders has agreed to join a delegation of ours in neutral space. There we shall discuss our differences and, we hope, find a way to co-exist. Never let it be said that the Greater Good did not extend every effort! In the mean time, I am afraid, we are marshalling our forces into more defensible positions. You will understand, I hope, if I do not say where!
"I will not even say where this meeting will take place. Too many times the savages hiding among you have used these gatherings to kill our diplomats and slaughter those of you who do not slaughter non-humans on sight. So this meeting will be held in a secret location in the public hope for peace.
"So we ask you, loyal Guardsmen, to make one last effort with your officers! Encourage them to obey the cease-fire! Inform them of the will of Imperial officers which back this cease-fire! Remind them of the terrible price of the failure of this conference! It is up to you, my friends, to see that your side of the peace is held. I wish you well in your efforts, as you can only suffer from the consequences of their failure.
"May this meeting bring harmony to the Galactic East!
"To demonstrate the promise of harmony, I shall now play for you a selection of popular music..."
- - -
People, Guardsmen, BROTHERS.
The Tau is not your enemy! The forces of Chaos beseiging the Cadian system are! Fight them, not the Tau! We must all unite before both our homes are nothing more then smoldering ruins with melted Lasguns and Burning Crisis Suits!
And the boys in the Imperial Navy going on a bombing run wanted to ask if you could please play something more up-beat for them.
Colonol J.D. Hellsing of the Faith 42nd Strike Force
- - -
Brothers, Friends, and Soldiers of the Imperial Forces in Ultimatum Segmentum, listen not to the traitorous words of this heretic. With lies and decietful words he means to divert your attention from even focusing on the mutant without: Chaos. Yes, the Xenos strikes in a two-pronged attack on the Imperium.
Distracted from their personal battles, the weak Guardsman wants nothing more than to listen to Red Auermorhole sing his latest hit, "Give Xenos A Chance," and to dream of the girls back home. My brothers, we must concentrate on two fronts: The Tau incursion, and the Chaos scourge. Only by concentration of force on these TWO fronts can we hope to win the day. "Kill them all, I say, I say, let heretics die upon this day!" Now, there is some uplifiting, catchy music. (It's on Brother Vamos's newest lasercube, 'Hits from Downtown Terra.')
The time is ripe, so listen not to this alien scum. The ends always justify the means, strike at all enemies everywhere, and remember: Keep your teeth clean, and your bolter cleaner.
Brother-Sergeant Minos
Blood Angels 4th Company
VIII Boniface Crusade
- - -
July 29, 2003
Interesting how quick you are to call a brother at arms, a brother who is now leading warriors of the Imperium against the forces of Chaos IN the Cadian sector, a heretic. Prehaps the voices of Chaos are taining your judgement Marine.
Any which front are you on might I ask? Because it does matter, should the Chaos overtake Cadian sector then ALL WILL FAIL. Chaos is the greater of these "Two Evils" as you put it Blood Angel. Let the Tau defend their borders for the time being, as we shall defend ours.
Im sure they taught you how to shoot a fancy Bolter in the Space Marines, but did they teach you any Strategy, Common Sense, or Tactics? Because on Faith we leared all of these and more. And my experience says that if we can, even only for this war, get MORE ALLIES against the greater evil, the PROVEN evil, we can and will triumph. And once Chaos is beaten back, then we will see where Imperium/Tau negotiations go.
Two front's will only divert soldiers, soldiers we NEED against the Black Crusade, from the front lines. And if after we must go against the Tau, then so be it. But not now Angel of Vengence. I dont need the Imperial Tarot to see that two fronts will evenetually cost us the war.
Oh and by the way, it was the Imperial Navy that requested the tunes. Take it up with the bomber pilots. And furthermore, after rigerous field testing Space Marine, we find that girls like us better. Of coruse this does not include the infamous "Ogryn" girls, who find your Power Armor attractive.
-J.D. Hellsing, Faith 42nd Strike Force
- - -
++++INCOMING TRANSMISSION++++
++++SECURITY CODE: VERMILLION++++
++++FROM: COL. COMMISSAR VAILLE 417TH PENAL LEGION,
CITY FIGHTERS, CINCTABOR
++++TO: IMPERIAL HIGH COMMAND++++
++++SUBJECT: DEATH OF COMMANDER COL. LUKOS
CASTILLO++++
++++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: TO DIE IN THE EMPEROR'S
SERVICE IS TO DIE A HERO++++
Commanders-
It is with sad regret that i post this announcement. Commander Lukos Castillo, colonel of the 417th penal legion, city fighters regiment, CINCTABOR, is no more. He dide yesterday in the defense of the Imperium at the hive city of Kellinor in the Yayor system. We were ambushed by a group of iron warriors. They attacked us on both sides, and there were two defilers in the midst of thier ranks. One of the defilers shot it's infernal battle cannon at the command chimera and the tank exploded, sending pieces of hot metal and body parts everywhere. I saw the commander helping a man out of the wreckage and as they were running to safety, a squad of iron warriors came around the corner of the wreckage and shot into the fleeing commander. The solder with him dropped as bolt gun rounds punched into his body. Castillo, seeing that his doom was immenent, charged at the squad with his power sword raised. There was a bright flash from the plasma gunner in the Iron Warrior's squad and suddenly, Castillo was engulfed in hot liquid plasma. He was vaporised before my eyes, and i rallied the squad nearest me and assaulted the squad that had killed my commander, as well as a fellow commissar that was also in the comman chimera. We butchered all of them, with the loss of 3 of my squad, and followed up to defend a small building before nightfall. we then made our escape and barely 12 of my command came with me, out of a company sized assault of over 60 men. I am now in command of the regiments, and any questions or orders can be directed to my office. Praise be to the Emperor, and all Hail The Imperium!
+++++COMMANDER COL. COMMISSAR VAILLE OUT++++
++++++MESSAGE ENDS+++++++++
- - -
We now begin another broadcast from Sa'Cea Sally, on Comm-channel Free Damocles:
"Hello again, Guardsmen. There is sad news and glad news for you tonight.
"Firstly there is the sad news of the loss in combat of Colonel Lukos Castillo, after his unfortunate demotion into the Penal Legions. He showed great courage and fortitude despite the shabby treatment by vindictive members of your Administratum. We honour his bravery and his open-mindedness, both qualities sadly lacking in this galaxy of ours. He will be missed by both of our Empires. His memory should be an inspiration for us all.
"Now the glad news. Progress has been made in the cease-fire negotiations, and we may be able to come to an agreement. As you know the meeting is taking place now in a secret location, with Imperial and Tau delegations meeting on a neutral world far from extremists. A frank discussion of the limitations of both sides brought new understanding to both delegations on how our mutual needs can be addressed.
"The Tau Empire wishes to thank those of you who have acted to soften the acts of your radical xenophobics. You show the spirit required to build for the Greater Good of us all, Tau and Human alike. We now see that an accomodation is possible once we take into account the feudal nature of the Imperium.
"Yes there will be small incidents over time, but these can be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The next stage of negotiations will deal with how offenses against the cease-fire will be punished; each side will suggest means by which they can police members of their own factions who do not abide by the agreement. It is with high hopes that we look forward to the proceedings tomorrow.
"Guardsmen, rejoice! Soon this armed stand-off we have may become unnecessary! Should all go well tomorrow, we can begin discussing how to demobilize forces on both sides of the border. You will be able to return to your core systems, with honour intact, to defend your homes against the Chaos hordes. We will be able to grow in peace, and direct our attentions against the Ork and Chaos pirates that menace trade in this sector. And we will both gain!
"To honour the fallen, and to recognize the rising hopes of us all, I shall play for you a [distant sound of explosion... static....squeeeEEEEE +++LOSS OF SIGNAL+++]
- - -
OOC: Well It looks like sombody out there isn't a music lover.
IC: Further proof of how the Imperials deal with thier own any sign of dissent and they put you into a suicide squad and send you off to die. We must warn our future brothers in arms that if they intend to join the Greater Good they must tread carefully and quietly until they make the move to join us so that we may protect them form thier old comrades. Any of the Gue'la who wish to join us must emulate the Kauyon, patience, lure out those who would do them harm and deal with them. It is unfortunate that such guile is required, but this is what is required to escape the tyrany of this Imperium of Man.
- - -
July 30, 2003
++ SIGNAL FOUND - LOCKING ON ++
++ LOCKED ON TO SIGNAL - RECEIVING TRANSMISSION ++
We'd like to apologise for the recent loss of signal from the Sa'cea Sally broadcast, which was caused by what appears to be Imperial suicide attacks on several relay bouys. At the same time, one of your peace envoy's shuttles self destructed on the landing pad, killing several prominant members of the envoy and injuring many others. Sa'cea Sally however was unharmed.
All of these attacks are believed to be the work of high ranking members of the Imperial armed forces, who were willing have their own men killed for the sole reason that they WANT war between us - the very same people who order you to walk to your death day after day after day, with no regard for your lives. They do not care for you or your well-being. To them you are nothing more than a tool to gain them more power, and if you're killed in the process there's plenty more where you come from.
To you all I say this... in the Tau empire we take care of our members, regardless of species or beliefs. As a Shas'o, I can personally state that I feel the loss of every single warrior on the field of battle, be they Tau, Kroot, or Human. They are all equally worth of the Tau'va in my eyes.
We will not force you to join the Tau'va, but for any of you that want to you are welcome, and will be treated better than you are by your own kind.
Our technicians hope to have Sa'cea Sally back on air for you all as soon as possible.
Shas'o Kawa'sumi out
++ SIGNAL LOST - RESUMING SCAN FOR "SA'CEA SALLY" ++
- - -
It hartens me to see that there is still hope of peace between our great people, but it also saddens me that some still do not understand, peace between us offers us both great advantages.
For us it furthers the tau'va, for u it offers u security in this area, as our empire hunts the foul orks, enemys of the tau'va, and menace of many sectors.
Indeed many of our recent gains have been made against these creatures, with very few fringe imperial worlds now under our protection, as we do not go where we are not welcome, we provide security from the pirates, orks and raiders where your own forces have failed freeing millions of your people from slavery in the process.
Could you please play my candre Hello by Evanescence.
el'mal'caor
- - -
Comm-Channel Free Damocles PROGRAMMING NOTICE
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to bring you today's edition of "Sa'cea Sally." We apologize for the inconvenience.
In its place, please accept this encore presentation from our popular series, "Making Battle Rations Actually Edible."
Following this will be our usual selection of popular music.
-- Comm-channel Free Damocles
- - -
From the troops of Expeditionary Force 626, on the remote fringes of Tau space,
Sa'Cea Sally is our favorite part of this whole campaign. We all hope, for the Greater Good, as well as our own morale, she is well and will return to the aether-waves soon.
L'Chal Da
Commander, Expeditionary Force 626
- - -
July 31, 2003
We now begin another broadcast from Sa'Cea Sally, on Comm-channel Free Damocles:
"Welcome back, loyal Guardsmen of the Ultima Segmentum. I am glad to be back after my enforced absence. Thank you for your supporting cards and letters. Your concern is very touching. I only wish that your officers and leaders agreed.
"Unknown persons committed the attack you heard on our broadcast, destroying the transmitter and recording studio from which I made this show. Our Fire Warriors did engage and destroy the primary assault team, which have been identified as Humans in heavy body armour. It is possible that they were of your Inquisitorial Stormtroopers, but we cannot make positive identification due to the condition of the bodies and the lack of personal effects. There was no loss of life other than the attackers themselves, though a great many required medical treatment.
"The same cannot be said elsewhere. As you must have heard from other sources, at the same time the cease-fire conference was sabotaged by radical factions of yours, possibly renegades from your Inquisition. They somehow managed to smuggle explosives into the ancient parliamentary conference chamber and detonated them. How they located the conference on the neutral world of Birlinervald we do not know. We suspect they planted someone among the negotiating staff. Take care, Guardsmen! Watch that you do not fall foul of these hateful informants in your own ranks! Though there was loss of life, we all are fortunate that the losses were relatively few. The sympathies of the Tau Empire go out to the widows and orphans bereaved by this treachery.
"Soon afterward a detachment of Imperial Fist Space Marines with armoured support landed near the burning Althing building. They obviously were assigned to finish the foul deed that the bomb had started. However we are fortunate that the generosity of the Tau is matched only by our wisdom, and our delegation called upon the escorts of our own transport fleet.
"Within moments our fleet had intercepted the Marine warships and subjected them to a terrible punishment, driving them out of supporting range of their landed troops. Simultaneously our Fire Warriors landed between the treacherous Marines and their supply drop. Cadre El'rico of the Sa'cea sept cut off the advancing Marine column and destroyed it before the abhumans could replenish from their attack on the conference chamber. We regret to inform you that no Marine prisoners were taken as all of our offers for surrender were refused. Even the wounded committed suicide rather than accept our offers of medical treatment and honourable captivity. We are proud to announce that all surviving delegates, including the Imperial ones, were rescued by our brave and noble Fire Warriors. They have been returned to their ships with a message for your Administratum.
"These attacks, and the many others which preceded them, have made clear the futility in negotiating an overall cease-fire with the Imperium. It is too large, and too fractious, to speak with a single voice. From this time onward, the Tau shall only negotiate with local commanders. The Imperium as a whole is unable to honour its treaties: we therefor no longer recognize the Imperium as a worthwhile negotiating partner.
"There are commanders among you who have honour. We will negotiate treaties with them. The Administratum may do as it pleases, but we do not hold ourselves bound by any agreements offered by this faithless and ineffective body.
"All worlds within your fleets' striking range of our security zone will be offered a Treaty of Non-Aggression. Worlds that agree guarantee that their system shall not be used as a place of refuge for those who raid into our security zone, and that they shall act to restrain those who would. In return, the Tau agree not to conduct military operations in their space. This does not mean that they are being attached to the Empire! There will be no transfers of loyalty required and no taxes levied, and we will not ask for any internal change to their government. We do encourage them to set aside the useless burden that is the Administratum, but we do not require this. All we require is that they do not act as a base for those who would kill our citizens!
"On worlds that do not agree, we shall take what measures are necessary to guarantee peace within our borders. And we shall make them no other guarantees.
"Why do I tell you this, dear Guardsmen? Because many of you will be asked to act rashly against our negotiators, or oppose the anti-piracy actions of our Warriors. We do not wish that you be the victims of your Administratum's failures! We encourage you to stand and be counted among the voices of reason and sanity. Tell your officers! Tell your commanders! Tell them you will not support the murder of innocents! Urge them to accept the treaty, and abide by it! This way we can both survive this troubled time as best we can.
"Do as the troopers of the 21st Baz I Rifles did on the world of Quilon's Fall. The people there had accepted the Tau'va and were welcoming members of our Earth caste. Despite that this was outside the Imperial border, Colonel Fazlin Omarr decided to punish what he felt was treason. The citizens of Quilon's Fall naturally asked for protection, and brave Fire Warriors of the 6th Sa'cea Hunter Cadre responded. Colonel Omarr refused our generous offer of surrender, thinking that log barricades could stop the Greater Good! However, his men were wiser than he and surrendered en masse preventing major loss of life. Only his elite Stormtroopers refused, and they were cut down to a man by our loyal Gue'vesa auxiliary troops.
"Colonel Omarr's letters and documents proved to be very useful to our Fire and Water caste, showing that Quilon's Fall was to be used as a forward base against us. To those of the Administratum listening, we now know of your plans! And they will fail.
"Emulate the wise troopers, and not the foolish Colonel! Should you be forced to engage Tau troops, simply deactivate your arms and stand aside with the safe-conduct emblem we distributed showing plainly. You will then not be harmed! We have no argument with you. You are our friends!
"And now, to celebrate our continued friendship, I shall play for you a selection of popular music..."
- - -
August 1, 2003
It is sad that a fellow officer should fall to such a base act of treachery. Those fools were no better than the foul Volscani, my their name be forever cursed, and deserve the same punishment.
As for the soldiers who listen to this mockery, I urge you to ask these Tau one question: where were they at St. Josemane? Cadia? Vigilatium? They were killing your brothers and sisters-in-arms! While we fight to defend the galaxy from foes these xenos can not begun to understand they seek only to expand their empire.
They are not our friends, they are not worthy of our respect! The deserve only our hatred and disgust!
Put your faith in the Emperor and the Emperor alone, for only he will see us through this time of trial!
Col. Thomas Roland
1st Grenadiers
- - -
This is Tau propaganda. Completely disregard the entire communication. The peaceful envoys may not even have been attacked for all we know, and if they were, it were not by sanctioned Astartes or Imperial actions. Possibly rogue mutants of Chaos wishing to attack the Tau. The other option is that the attack and even the meeting was a lie. The Sa'Cea Sally promotes hrmony between the two races only so that the Tau are free to grasp space between our territories to set up a closer base of operations.
Note that they seek no peace, otherwise they would not be expanding their Empire as much as they are. We are not Xenophobic, we just don't trust people that so readily talk peace with a gun in thir hand.
Commander Atrius of the Dragon Claws
- - -
[From "Radio free Tau'va"]
[[[ Request lines are now open!
Also wild rumors abound! Tau on their way to Cadia?? a faked peace negotiation? What will they think of next? and the vids of ill treated humans under Tau control? Made up for you to be scared! all that become members of our Empire are treated well, allowed the best of facilities Many humans are completely in control of their own star systems! You fanatical leaders want you to fear us, yet they are the ones who are scared.
- - -
August 2, 2003
We now begin another broadcast from Sa'Cea Sally, on Comm-channel Free Damocles:
"Hello again, brave Guardsmen of the East! I am glad that you can find time to listen during your busy day.
"Or are you busy? Things have been very quiet here lately, unlike in the Cadian system. We are glad to see that you control the space lanes there. It is good that your Traitors have been isolated and contained to a relative few worlds in your vast Imperium. However there are still worlds in dire peril on your home front, Guardsmen! So why do your officers keep you here?
"Still they seek adventure here, among the worlds you say are outside the Ray of Hope. And why? There are plenty of worlds within your own borders that need development. But of course your officers cannot build, can they? They cannot create anew, they can only seize and conquer what others (like you!) have already built. So they seek to gain fame and fortune by looting the border worlds. No wonder so many of these worlds are appealing to the Tau Empire for relief!
"Now, we do not expect soldiers to create. Our own Fire Warriors, for instance, do not do so. They, like you, exist to protect what others have created. The Earth caste are our builders here, and any other races willing to participate. There, your strange Adeptus Mechanicus have a similar role though it is tangled in superstition and myth. And they have their own agenda! Strange, is it not, that your builders have private armies and do not report to any outside authority?
"In contrast, our stalwart Earth caste conduct themselves with great pride and restraint. They rightfully confine their efforts to building and creating. And they do it well, unlike your mumbling tech-priests! We have none of those shoddy, malfunction-prone plasma weapons in Tau ranks. Perhaps you should let us calibrate them for you? It would save you a great deal on expenditures for first aid supplies.
"In the Tau Empire, the builders build. The leaders lead. The fliers fly. The negotiators negotiate. The warriors protect.
"And they protect well! Hear the latest report from our security zone, where our 7th Hunter cadre intercepted a cabal of Eldar renegades on the border world of Fallan. Our Fire Warriors and Crisis suits, dispatched to investigate reports of piracy here, trapped the raiders in a counter-ambush. Pulse fire shattered the enemy flanks and missiles ruptured their cruelly-decorated skimmers. In desperation, they tried to charge out of the killing zone. This is wise, but their choice of target, our Kroot allies, was foolish! The entire pirate band was slaughtered when they refused to surrender. We regret to report that some of the alien fallen were eaten by our Auxiliaries, but still the Greater Good triumphed against the forces of darkness. We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave Commander O'Lasa of the 7th!
"Learn from this lesson, Guardsmen! We can act swiftly against our common foes. These raiders of the space-lanes, and ravagers of worlds, can be defeated when faced with resolve and advanced weaponry! Should we not do so together?
"We hope you learn from this example, unlike those who refused to learn from the example of Commander O'Kiro of the 6th Sa'cea Hunter cadre. You will recall we quoted his noble restraint in our last broadcast, in the hopes that the mercy he showed to your conscripted comrades would help you find your own path to the Greater Good. Many of you have indeed learned, and we are happy both for you and for us.
"However there are still those among you who wish to stir up trouble between our Empires. For instance, take the example of Celestian Superior Angelica of the Order of the Martyred Rose. She ventured out beyond your borders along the Damocles Gulf to conquer the world of Scitia, a world recently settled by our loyal Gue'vesa allies. We are fortunate indeed that the colony was still young, and still had its protective garrison. Young Shas'el Kith J'karra of the 2nd Forward Guards Mont'ka Auxiiliary, along with the gue'vesa militia, weathered a blizzard of fire from the hostile war-nuns and broke their advance. It is good and proper that the gue'vesa surpassed all expectations in defense of their homes and proved to be an unmovable obstacle for the attacking Sisters. As for Sister Angelica, alas, she challenged a Kroot Shaper to hand-to-hand combat. We hope that the Kroot can make better use of her genome than she did.
"We should all hope that we are put to better use than to killing each other. There are worlds enough for all of us; the Imperium has worlds beyond number that cry out for assistance from the uncaring Administratum. If only they would allow you to help! Much good would come from a simple agreement that the galaxy is large enough for us all.
"Encourage your officers, my friends, to keep the peace! With this alone we can all achieve greatness.
"In the hope of greatness, my friends, I shall now play for you a selection of popular music..."
- - -
August 3, 2003
We now begin another broadcast from Sa'Cea Sally, on Comm-channel Free Damocles:
"Greetings, friendly Guardsmen of the Ultima Segmentum. It is good of you to join me in this Sunday evening broadcast once again.
"Much has happened recently. We continue our slow and patient growth, developing new worlds and redeveloping older ones. Work within our borders has brought new peace and enlightenment to the varied races along our borders, and we are happy to see that much good has come from our work. We wish we could share more with you, my friends!
"It remains slow for you, dear Guardsmen, I know. But you can be proud of your comrades in Agrippina as they fight back the hordes of mutants and traitors there. We only wish that your commanders were wise enough to give them more support, that you could end this brutal war on your home front more quickly. But of course they still persist in their foolish adventures into Tau space!
"Witness now yet another violation of our cease-fire, this time from the Space Wolves chapter of Space Marines we had thought was honourable. Yet we found a small party within our space! Our calls for negotiation failed to bring a peaceful settlement, so with great sorrow we dispatched a cadre from the Hark'on'en sept under the command of Shas'O Hark'on'en Maub'dib to turn them back. Alas, the Marines chose combat instead of vacating our space and a short battle ensued.
"We must ask of you, however, is it traditional for these Marines to fight while intoxicated? For their fire was remarkably inaccurate and our losses remarkably light. For the tally of nine Fire Warriors wounded, two seriously, and two helper drones destroyed the entire Marine strike force was routed! Even their awkward battle suit, a 'Dreadnought' I believe you call them, was destroyed and left behind! After the near-simultaneous destruction of all their armoured support, the remaining Space Wolves fled the field. We are still in the process of hunting down the stragglers before they can cause further damage or come to further harm.
"Once again we see that the Space Marines, no matter how 'honourable' they seem, cannot be trusted to keep a bargain!
"Now to address the slanders of Commander Atrius, of the mutant Dragon Claws chapter of Space Marines. It is not that we wish to preach peace with gun in hand. Many times we offered peaceful coexistance to the Imperium, going unarmed and trusting to the common decencies of diplomacy. Time and time again our ambassadors were shot, or stabbed, or imprisoned! Our embassy ship at Devlin was shot at and impounded, the surviving crew sent for dissection! Our friends in the Hydrass system were burned at the stake for heresy! Then you bombed our colony on the ice world of Viss'el! And, after all that, you sent a Crusade to exterminate us on Dal'yth, a world well inside our borders and far from your own! Fighting there cost us both heavily before the Administratum recalled your overextended and stalemated armies.
"Do you still wonder why our delegations to you now go armed?
"Such hostility against those who would be your friends, should you only let us grow in peace! And this vile slogan of your Inquisitor Apollyon, soon to fade from our sight, 'He who allows the alien to live, shares its crime of existance." Why? Why do you allow yourselves to be drawn into such hatred? Let us examine two of your ancient albums once again for clues in your history, first a more recent volume and then an earlier companion, that came to light recently in Toron'tau.
"We see that, thoughout your history, your leaders have made you fight and die over planets little better than hot rocks. You are made to jump in, jack-booted, flashing your weapons at every other street-fighting man you can see. And others are supposed to simply bow down? Such arrogance of your commanders!
"And should they bow down, do you have any sympathy for the poor devils you have conquered with your blitzkreig's rage? Heavens, no! Instead, even while the bodies stank, the vanquished natives must give way to make room for the 'houses' of honky-tonk women and for any rude soldier shouting, "Gimme shelter!" Then your racist preachers, midnight ramblers of hateful doctrine that they are, chastise those who complain about the vile treatment!
"When will the Imperial nobles learn that you cannot always get what you want, and that you can get more of what you need with the brown sugar of cooperation than with the black jack-boots of invasion! But even wild horses cannot drag these inbred fools back to common sense.
"Take courage, Guardsmen of the East. Time is on our side! For the Tau are not creatures with hearts of stone, and they know that the longer the Administratum plays with fire the more they will get burned. Not that their pain will bring us any satisfaction, but as their tears go by they may eventually learn to get off their cloud of ignorant bliss. And perhaps some will learn to become more than an effette mother's little helper.
"But beware, Guardsmen! Do not trust them, as you should not trust the abhuman Space Marines like Brother Jarus of the Blood Angels chapter! For all that they prate about being the first line of defense for the Imperium, they may be facing the 19 th nervous breakdown in their company. Too many of them run off, mumbling about their armour and wanting to paint it black. I would not forsee this thing happening to you! Do not stay under their thumbs! The ruby-suited mutants could leave as soon as next Tuesday, off on their next Crusade against some other world upon which you could not hang a name. They truly are rolling stones, gathering none of the moss of human interaction or kindness. Instead, look to the light and comfort of the Greater Good, which is eternal and constant in the hearts of those who share hope for the common benefit of all.
"Now, my friends, let us spend the night together and share a selection of popular music..."