A Prison For Gods - A Serpentine Bargain

The battlemasters of the Black Scorpions sat and watched through the viewing glass. The sparring robot was set to maximum capacity. The plain, metallic arena in front of them was a swirling melee as the marine fought bare-chested, sword in hand, against the flurrying robot. Their movements were a blurr, inhumanly fast. 

The robot hacked and slashed, methodically. It's programs running the numbers, calculating each and every possible move, learning and updating with each parry and miss. It seemed to be gaining the upper hand over the novice marine. It slash downward, shockingly, the marine leapt into the blow on purpose allowing it to land squarely on his shoulder. The blade crunched through bone and bit deeply. As the robot struggled to pull it's blade free the raging marine brought his own sword down, splitting the robot's head in two. He kicked the robot away and it fell clanking and grinding into submission. The marine, barely out of breath, turned and faced the masters, he knelt without so much as a groan. The bloody wound already clotting and healing.

Surgeon Gratus stood up and addressed the battlemasters. ''As you can see, after administering the stimulant, even a newly initiated brother shows increased speed, perception and strength. The healing factor is increased dramatically as is endurance and pain management''
''Are their any adverse effects?'' queried one of the masters
''Some dependence issues but no interference or adverse effects. It's perfect''
The battlemasters each perused the box of plant material in front of them. Gratus continued ''The process in creating the substance is relatively easy, the difficult part of the equation is acquiring the ingredients. The will not grow here, nor can they be synthesized. The black markets have proven....unstable. We must find a viable source. We have several agents on the lookout already''
''Gratus, this a grave violation of the tenets of the Astartes. Their form is pure and should not be tampered with!''
''You are a fool if you believe the seed to be undiminished in 10 000 years. The emperor created perfection. That perfection has, slowly, over the years been diluted by superstition and impure methods. The feckless idiots at the adeptus mechanicus rely on chants and ointments and machine spirits. The Emperor was a man of science... we should follow his example'' The leaders of the chapter grumbled and muttered amongst themselves. Chapter Master Kaine had sad in silence throughout the whole display. He rose ''Gratus.... proceed with caution.... but proceed''

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Solius Gink was a scoundrel, a dashing pirate, a con-man, a grifter, a heartbreaker. At least that's what he told himself. In reality, he was a cunning slave trader. He sat quietly by the bar. This asteroid space station was a filthy mess. All manner of aliens and strange things roamed the market stalls and ship repair yards. The bar was busy with bargaining and gambling. This was the furthest out Gink had ever been. Beyond any semblance of Imperial Control. The local 'governor' was literally a brainless servitor chained to desk, dressed in a stolen golden cloak. A mockery of the Imperium's lack of control out here. Gink's employers had been very specific and they knew Gink was amongst the few who could accomplish it for them.

Gink's employers remained anonymous so far. They promised great things. Beasts, monsters and creatures of all shapes and sizes. Countless slaves on offer. Their only rules? no humans. Strange thought Gink. Humans made the best slaves.

The tall thing entered the bar precisely on time and sat next to Gink. It was slim. impossibly slim. Lithe and graceful. It lifted it's hood and revealed an impossibly beautiful face. The pointed ears pierced with sharp objects and evil symbols, it's almond eyes black as night. Dark Eldar. Gink swallowed his terror. ''You have your list?'' it asked in a sultry voice. Gink handed it over, trying his best to hide his trembling.

The thing looked over the list of available creatures carefully. It's eyes bulged, a look of surprise.
''Is this accurate? Can you truly deliver such creatures to us?'' The thing pointed towards an entry on the list that gave him chills.
'Genestealer'
''And this?''
'Ork nob'.
The thing laughed with evil glee. Such creatures could fetch extreme prices on the fleshmarkets of Commoragh ''and this even?'' It tapped furiously and gleefully on the list:
'1000 Tau civilians'
Gink replied carefully. ''Yes... every last one. If you can provide me with what my employer wants.'' He handed over his second list.
'Grave Lotus, Hypex, Wiltflower, Dreadleaf, Soulstems, Lance weaponry, Anti-grav systems'

The thing grimaced. "My lord Ozzy can provide such things, in vast quantities, but he requires something other than slaves and mewling beasts. He requires something of a more... direct nature." The thing slide a dataslate over to Gink. It was a star map of the Faustus sub-sector.