Author's Notes: So, it's been a long time since I was really into Warhammer 40k to any real degree. To be honest, I find WH40K a somewhat frustrating fiction. On the one hand, I like some of the character designs and lore elements, and it's one of the few Space Fantasy settings other than Star Wars that really grabs my attention. I also respect the immense power and might of the characters involved. But on the other hand...

...I find the relentlessly nihilistic, "everyone's awful" set-up horribly depressing, and sufficiently terrible that it leaves me with feelings of great apathy and discontentment. Simply put, I don't like settings where everything is totally bleak, sadistic, and hopeless (which is also why I don't love 1984 or nearly every episode of Black Mirror).

That in mind, I decided to try my hand with a WH40K AU that goes for a "lighter and softer" tone. An alternate universe where things don't totally suck and more than a handful of the people in-setting are actually halfway decent people. I know, I know, it's..."heresy" to most WH40K fans, but for me, it's how to make the fiction more appealing to me. If you don't like the sound of it, I am sure there is no shortage of traditional WH40K fan-fics to accommodate your tastes and desires. But I wanted to do something different. So here it is.

To sum up, this is an AU. And when I say AU, I mean AU. Things are different. Lore is altered. Elements have been removed, added, and shifted as needed to accommodate my vision and tell the best kind of story I can think to tell. In particular, an interesting idea I had was that, if in fact the gods in the setting are typically vile because their worshippers are vile, then it might follow that more sympathetic portrayals of things like the Four Powers could be possible if their worshippers were less morally bankrupt (after all, Tzeentch is a god of hope as well as evil things just as Khorne embodies honor as well as bloodlust).

Likewise, humans, Eldar, and Tau are all on the same page here, much more often than they are in actual 40K lore due to many humans in my version being a lot less like space Nazis.

So, if you're the kind of person who will whine and spew venom and post scathing reviews over alterations to the source material, then DO NOT READ THIS FAN-FICTION. Seriously. This is, I repeat, an AU. If you don't like that, don't read it. But don't waste time complaining because I changed the lore.

All that out of the way, here's the fan-fiction:

UPDATE: Kudos to one of my readers for pointing out some tiny errors. They have since been corrected.

Kronos

"How are we doing, Urtha?" Asked Endewan as he walked up to her.

The female Eldar sighed and answered: "Warp drive is still out of commission, I'm afraid. My bonesingers have been at it for hours, but we've done all that we can for it. Only thing for it now is to just wait it out and let the power for it come back on on it's own. But it's not turning back on again any time soon, no matter how much I fuss over it."

"I understand." Endewan said. "But you know that Michael's not going to like it."

"I know, but I can't help that either. It is how it is."

"Indeed." Endewan replied. "Michael's a rational human. I'm sure he won't take it personally."

"Let's hope so." Urtha replied simply, though it was apparent from her tone that whether or not the Space Marine Captain did or didn't mattered about as much to her as the well-being of the grass she stepped on. She was just that burned out for patience. Perceiving this, and honoring her silent desire for alone-time and a chance to finally relax a little, Endewan took his leave.

Like his longstanding friend and ally, Endewan was an Eldar, one of the oldest and most prosperous races in the known galaxy. They looked strikingly similar to humans, though they were almost never a body type other than lean and physically fit. They lived significantly longer than even the most genetically altered and modified humans did, were possessed of superhuman physicality, and alongside humans and the races of the Tau Empire, were part of an alliance united by one simple fact: that every other thing in the Galaxy was trying to kill them.

Endewan walked past the various small camps his fellow Eldar had set up along with the humans and Tau. Members of the former were mostly busy indulging their appetites for food, drink, and in some cases prayer, while the Tau were mostly stoic and morose as they so often were. Seeing out of the corner of his eye a few of his men engaging in some confidence games, Endewan considered joining them (Khaine knows he needed a break himself), but he was stopped by one of the humans, a dark skinned man named Kargis.

"Hello, Endewan."

"Hello, Kargis. I take it your Captain wants to see me?"

"He does."

Endewan sighed. Guess that game was going to have to wait till later.

"Alright, then. Lead on."

A short walk later, Endewan was standing before the Captain of the Space Marine portion of the coalition currently stranded on Kronos. Captain Michael Mordecai Maeglos (or "Captain M" as some of his men informally called him), was there waiting for him. Like all Space Marines, he was clad in bulky armor that might have seemed almost comical or even ridiculous were it not for the sheer power those who wore it possessed, and even exuded. And like everyone in the coalition, whether they be human, Eldar, or Tau, he wore the colors of red, black, and purple, as was custom for the Greater Good Coalition (or GGC, for short).

"Well? How goes it with the Warp Drive?"

"The power still needs to come back on." Endewan replied evenly before adding quickly: "And before you complain, know that it won't do you a bit of good. Farseer Urtha did everything she could, and we both know she's as good with machines as she is with her powers. So when she says that it will take time, it will take time. So we're all going to have to get comfortable here."

Michael frowned in the face of this. He was not an ugly man by any stretch, but he had somewhat harsh features, and they got harsher whenever he was unhappy or upset, as he was now. "My Chaplin thinks a Warp Storm may be coming. If and when it comes, we could be stuck here if we haven't left beforehand."

"Well, that may be, but it doesn't change the reality of things. We're not leaving this planet any time soon, and that's all there is to it."

"Unless there are other ships we could try finding here." Michael suggested.

"Possibly, but I wouldn't bet too strongly on it. Kronos has been devoid of human or Eldar presence for over a thousand years. Not since the infamous 'Horus Heresy' I believe."

Michael nodded slowly and frowned almost on instinct; the Horus Heresy. Of course, that name was actually somewhat misleading; Horus had been the hero of that particular conflict, and his only "heresy" was in disagreeing with his father's genocidal insanity. Doubtless the Four Powers were a flawed pantheon of Gods who's worst impulses needed to be kept in check, but destroying every last trace of religion on Earth was simply a step too far. Horus had stood against his father's holocaust against the religions of the world, and fought to preserve them against the False God Emperor. He had founded the modern Imperium of Man, and without his efforts, the GGC as it presently was probably wouldn't have existed. And for such heroic efforts, Horus was now reduced to a hellish existence as a skeletal form, barely kept alive, his tears for his fallen men in bottles...

Michael shook his head to break out of the maudlin history lesson. He needed to focus on the present if he wanted to accomplish what was best for his men. "I think we should send out scouting parties." He suggested. "Just in case there's anything left on this planet that we can use. And also just in case there any Dark Eldar here."

Those were the biggest risk to be sure; if there had been any Ork or Tyranid presence it would have been immediately apparent, because the two parasite races were anything but discreet. Likewise, the Daemons of Chaos would have been sensed by the Librarians and Farseers if they had a strong presence on Kronos (and indeed, Michael and Endewan had ordered them to sense for Chaos' presence in preparation). But there was nothing. At least, nothing worth getting worked up about. Thus, the Dark Eldar would be the main concern.

Unless... Michael thought grimly. ...we were unlucky enough to have landed on a secret Necron tomb world. Because they did exist. The secret caches and bunkers and underground fortresses for the most nightmarish force the Galaxy had ever seen short of the Daemons of Chaos. And hell, even those Daemons were given pause against the Necrons. So did the Tyranids. No one wanted to see those robot skeletons coming, much less their even worse masters the C'tan...

"Remember, Michael; the Dark Eldar are as adept at stealth as we are." Endewan pointed out. "Finding them could be tricky."

"You send Eldar to find Eldar." Michael replied. "Seems easy enough to me."

Endewan sighed. Michael's least endearing quality was his total lack of subtlety when it came to strategy. He was an inspiring leader and as fine a warrior as Endewan had ever seen, but he hadn't risen through the ranks via complex strategies; he'd done so through a combination of charisma and sheer fighting talent. In essence, the opposite of how Endewan had risen through the ranks among his people.

"I've spoken with Shak O' Ryos, and he says that the Tau scanners haven't picked up anything. I could ask him to try again." Endewan paused, then noted: "You know...there is another threat we might have to deal with..."

"I am aware." Michael said quickly, though really he hadn't wanted to consider the possibility. Because it was a possibility; the forces that still revered the False God Emperor and fought for him against all non-humans and those of humanity who would not bow down to his genocidal dogma. Such conflicts were always painful for everyone involved, and Michael for one did not wish to kill anymore humans. Perhaps that was selfish of him when the alternative of Dark Eldar would have put Endewan and his men in a similar position of having to fight their kin instead, but nevertheless it was how Michael felt.

The two's conversation was interrupted by one of the Tau Fire Warriors, his helmet betraying no emotion and his bright scarlet red armor and black cape ensuring that even as a rank-and-file infantryman he looked impressive. "Pardon me, sirs. But Shak O' Ryos wishes to speak with you both."

Michael and Endewan nodded their understanding and walked off to meet with the leader of the Tau portion of the assembly. He wore the big, intimidating mech suits that were so popular among Tau front-line leaders, and made famous by Shas O' Kais, a kinsman of Shak who's mech suit was notable for being mostly white. Conversely like his men, Shak's armor was mostly a bold scarlet red in keeping with the GGC's main color, but he also had some purple throughout. Gold as well, to reflect his high rank. He slowly turned to regard Michael and Endewan, who knew better than to be intimidated by him when he was on their side.

"The Greater Good favor you, my friends." Shak said pleasantly, as was typical of him in particular and Tau in general. Truth be told, they were a polite bunch on the whole, when they weren't blowing enemies to pieces that is. "I have some urgent news for you both."

"What is it?" Endewan asked.

"My men's scanners just picked up a ship coming into Kronos' orbit. And in fact, it is making it's way here. Shall I get the men ready for battle?"

Endewan was all set to say "yes", and Michael along with him when Urtha's voice rang out: "Belay that, Shak." She said sternly, striding forwards. Endewan shook his head at how his second in command had once again taken charge without his approval, but at this point he'd given up on trying to reign her in. It was like trying to bring down a Tyranid Hive-Lord with a single shuriken pistol. "I sense that the ship's occupant does not mean us harm...at least not yet. Be wary, but not overly aggressive or hostile. We wouldn't want to provoke this one."

As the ship came within sight and then landed, a lone figure stepped out of it. One look at him alerted Endewan, Michael, and Shak as to why Urtha had advised as she had; he wore the robes, armor, and helmet of a Sorcerer of Tzeentch, the Lord of Change, God of Hope, Master of Magic, and layer of plans within plans within plans. In his hand he carried a staff typical of that sect, and in his other hand, a lasgun of superior model and craftsmanship (they always did get the best of everything it seemed).

"Greetings." The man said in an oily but refined accent. "I am Sindri Myr. I understand that you are a GGC garrison stationed here?"

"Stranded here is more like it." Urtha said bitterly. "Our ship's Warp Drive needs time to get started up again, and we're stuck here until then."

"A pity." Sindri said, though everyone found themselves wondering just how sorry he really was to hear it. "I am afraid that, a Warp Storm is coming. I can sense it quite profoundly. Sad to say, but there is now an all-too limited window of opportunity with which to leave this planet. After that, there will be no guarantee of anything."

"Well, I doubt we can all fit on that ship of yours." Michael replied in a deadpan. Sindri chuckled in the face of Michael's transparent sarcasm. "No indeed. But I think I can still be of some assistance to you; there is an old stronghold some miles from here; home to an Adeptus Mechanicus sect that has been here since the Horus Heresy and has never left. I am quite certain they could make you a ship capable of leaving Kronos in time."

"How far off are they exactly?"

"Oh, I think we could get there in a day or two if we hurry." Sindri said with a smile behind his helmet. "When I said that a Warp Storm was coming, I did not say it would happen in an hour. We do have time to escape, albeit that window is closing. Simply put, I suggest you follow my advice as soon as you can. Immediately, in fact."

Michael for one frowned. Fine words on the Tzeentch Sorcerer's part. Perhaps even true words, but he still didn't like them. That was the thing about acolytes and devotees of the Four Powers; you could never tell whether they were friend or foe. It was discovered long ago that the Four Power's worst traits and impulses were directly linked to the state of their worshippers and the countless quadrillions of beings throughout the galaxy that's emotions they fed off of for sustenance. For instance, Slaanesh had been born out of the Eldar's collapse in the distant past and the orgy of vice and sin that it had entailed, and had only become something other than an utter monster after the Eldar regained their bearings and returned somewhat to their former glory.

What this meant was, that if the humans, Eldar, Tau and the rest could just keep themselves on the straight and narrow path, and adhere to their best impulses instead of their worst ones, then all would be well; their devotion to good and their faith in the higher powers would be rewarded with fabulous magical powers and abilities, among other boons. But on the other hand, the Four Powers even at their best were never entirely benevolent, each of them still embodying to an extent dark and evil things as well as good, and those like Sindri here who embraced their influence in full were always at risk of taking in the bad even as they gave the Four Powers what good they had inside them. A seemingly benevolent follower could just snap at any moment and become a monster (Khorne and Slaanesh's followers in particular seemed especially prone to it, but it was hardly unheard of for Tzeentch or Nurgle's).

So, to make a long story short, Michael had no way of knowing if Sindri was truly on the level as he appeared, or if it was all just an elaborate trap on his part, which was exactly the sort of trickery Tzeentch's more malevolent followers were notorious for. He'd have much preferred to have gotten this information from a Librarian, who drew their powers from faith in Horus, or a Farseer, who got theirs from faith in their specific pantheon of gods.

Urtha and Endewan too seemed skeptical, but the short, dark-haired Farseer at least finally nodded and said: "Alright. Take us there."

"But of course." Sindri said. However, as he walked off, Michael could hear Endewan whisper: "Are you sure you want to trust him? This could easily be a trap."

"It could be, but we have no choice at this point; the Warp Storm is coming, I can sense it myself. And if I'm to die on this planet, I'd rather do it fighting than by dying of starvation while stranded on a planet caught in a Warp Storm."

Endewan nodded, finding it hard to disagree with his second-in-command's logic. That in mind, he gave the other Eldar the order to move out, Shak did the same for the Tau, and Michael reluctantly went off to get his men up and moving. Slowly, and clearly reluctantly, the various Space Marines and Terminator troops did so. From different little things in their specific armors and choices of weapons, Michael knew each of them by heart, as a good commander ought to; Uriel with his power-hammer slung over his shoulder and treated like a beloved child. Tiberius with a dent in one shoulder pauldron he'd never had fixed plus a purple helmet that always made his head feel like a target but had never seemed to hinder him before. Daniel who was usually seen holding hands with one of Urtha's Warlocks who, like her mistress and leader had short, dark hair and icily beautiful features. Michael shook his head at that last one. He'd need to speak to Daniel about that. Interspecies unions among the GGC races weren't unheard of, but they were still a little frowned upon, and in any case, there was such a thing as military professionalism.

Daniel always was too gentle for this profession. Michael thought as he readied his power sword, which crackled with it's refreshingly familiar currents of electricity, and then his other sword, a chainsword. And just in case ranged combat would prove necessary, a holstered Lasgun for good measure.

So it was that the combined alliance of humans, Eldar, and Tau were off. Into the unknown wilds of Kronos, and into a whole mess of trouble.