In the complex and sophisticated social structure of the Tau Empire, the Water Caste plays a vital role in diplomacy and trade. Its members undergo rigorous and professional training from a young age, learning countless forms of body language, tonal shifts, chemical pheromone meanings, and even the basics of telepathy. All of this serves one noble goal: to communicate effectively with the diverse races scattered across the vast universe and spread the gospel of the Greater Good.
However, while the ideal is grand, reality is often filled with a powerless silence. Frequently, Water Caste diplomats face beings who cannot comprehend the intent of communication at all, or whose thought patterns and life forms are completely antithetical to the concept of "exchange"—such as the first diplomats who encountered a Tyranid Hive Fleet.
Nevertheless, as the diplomats looked at the smiling snakeman leader who called himself Yuki, they felt a slight sense of relief. This time, things appeared much more promising. At least the opponent understood language and was willing to sit—or rather, coil—at the negotiating table.
Yuki received them with great warmth. Osh and Fal of the Fire Caste were also present. As the initial members to discover and contact the snakeman, they were specifically assigned by the Ethereals to assist the Water Caste in this crucial follow-up contact, serving as both guards and advisors.
"So, these are your professional diplomats?" Yuki's gaze swept over the diplomats with interest before glancing at Osh and Fal, who stood silently in their XV battlesuits. His four arms made a graceful welcoming gesture.
"Yes, Honorable Yuki. We have received direct orders from the Ethereals, bringing the highest ideal of the Tau Empire—the Greater Good—to formally request an alliance with you and your people."
Yuki stroked his smooth chin, his scales shimmering under the biological light. He observed that the attitude of these Water Caste members was even more humble and patient than that of the Fire Warriors. To be honest, this kind of communication based on clear rules and reciprocal proposals was far more pleasant than facing cosmic horrors that only knew how to shoot or remain silent.
However, he couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity. Such a "naive" way of communicating had somehow not caused the Tau Empire to suffer major losses in a galaxy defined by the law of the jungle. Perhaps it could only be attributed to some inexplicable luck, or as Yuki liked to think, the heavy hand of the Nottingham township enterprise at work.
"The Greater Good—an interesting concept." Yuki smiled, deciding to get to the point. "Then, friends who follow this path, what specifically do you need?"
Nass was well-prepared and smoothly listed the conditions: "Based on the needs of mutual defense and development, we wish to station troops on your planet and establish a complete planetary defense system to counter the threat of your 'kin' and other risks in the galaxy. Simultaneously, we need to construct a multi-functional spaceport on a nearby moon or asteroid belt to serve as a fleet resupply and trade hub. Furthermore, according to the alliance agreement, your race would be obligated to provide auxiliary troops to assist in Imperial military operations when necessary. Finally, we hope to gain a deep understanding of and utilize your exceptional biological genetic and environmental terraforming technologies to serve the Empire's expansion."
The conditions were clear, even somewhat harsh. Yuki did not immediately object but instead asked, "Very specific requirements. Then, in exchange, what do we receive?"
Nass displayed the flexibility of the Water Caste: "That depends on your needs. Please speak freely; within the framework of the Greater Good, we strive for a win-win outcome."
Yuki stopped smiling and crossed his four arms over his chest, thinking seriously for a moment, a calculating glint in his vertical pupils.
"Biomass," he first emphasized. "Large quantities of high-quality biomass. This is the foundation of many of our technologies and a necessity for our race's development. Second, regarding all military facilities deployed on this planet, we require shared control over at least a portion of them to ensure our home is not placed entirely under the control of foreign forces. Finally, and most crucially, we need your tangible and powerful security guarantees to deal with the threat of our 'kin' possibly returning."
Nass recorded this carefully and responded: "Protecting the safety of an ally is one of the core promises of the Greater Good; the Tau Empire will never abandon an ally. Regarding the share of control and details of biomass supply, we can negotiate those in depth later."
He paused and raised a key question. "Additionally, we need to confirm if the planetary terraforming technology you mentioned is still fully functional. Can we witness its effectiveness with our own eyes?"
The sunny, warm, yet inscrutable smile returned to Yuki's face. "Of course," he said casually, as if discussing a common tool. "To show our sincerity, you may designate a nearby, uninhabited dead planet for us. I guarantee that within three months, we can transform it into a green planet suitable for carbon-based life. This will be the first testament to our friendship and alliance."
His words caused a massive stir among the Tau. Terraforming a planet in three months! This technology was priceless.
"Three months?" Osh cried out in surprise. If it could really be done that fast, wouldn't all the dead planets discovered by the fleet be reclaimable? The living space of the Tau Empire would expand tremendously, and given enough time, even the Imperium of Man would no longer be a match.
"For the Greater Good, we will provide you with the detailed treaty and the coordinates for the experiment."
Seven days later, a dead planet meeting the requirements was officially designated. It was a rocky planet on the edge of the system, numbered G-7-D. Its surface was ravaged by lethal radiation and stellar winds, and its atmosphere was thin and toxic. By Tau standards, it was an utter, worthless dead zone.
Yuki put forward a gentle yet firm request to the Tau: "Please understand that the process of environmental reshaping involves our race's most core biological genetic technology; it is a secret we must protect. Therefore, during the transformation, we hope your observation vessels can temporarily stay away from this sector and not attempt to 'peek'."
After being reported through the ranks, this request caused some controversy within the Tau Empire. Total "non-observation" meant placing complete trust in a xenos race they had just contacted and forfeiting first-hand data on this incredible technology. However, considering the potential massive rewards and the cooperation shown by Yuki, the Ethereals ultimately approved the request. All Tau ships and monitoring satellites withdrew from G-7-D's orbit, maintaining only basic gravitational scans and energy sensing from a distance to ensure it didn't suddenly become an outpost for a hostile fleet.
For the next two months, G-7-D was a visual blind spot.
When the two-month mark passed—a full month ahead of Yuki's original three-month promise—data from the remote observation stations clearly showed that the radiation levels on G-7-D's surface had plummeted below safety thresholds. Its atmospheric composition was stabilizing and becoming habitable at a staggering speed.
The Tau observation ships permitted to approach again sent back real-time visual data. When the formerly dead planet appeared on the main screen, silence fell over the bridge. The rust-red surface once covered in impact craters and radiation scars had vanished, replaced by a hazy, vibrant green. Clouds formed by water vapor hung in the thick atmosphere, white ice caps were visible at the poles, and high-precision sensors even showed winding blue veins across the continental plates—newborn rivers and lakes.
The once-lethal radiation storms had been replaced by a gentle climate cycle. A silent rock had, in just two months, miraculously bloomed with life, turning into a green world of infinite potential waiting for the seeds of life to be sown.
This result, far exceeding expectations, sent shockwaves through the Tau high command. The Supreme Ethereal personally instructed: immediately conclude the alliance with the snakemen!