WH40k What if?

[Monroe]

Some how you save the future Emperor of mankind's life. You two become good friends. So good in fact after he's certain he has your trust what would you want? Would you just remain friends? Would you try to help him? Would you ask for a prolonged life?

[Sionnach Glic]

I do my best to warn him that Horus can't be trusted. Hopefully he'll heed my word, and once the Horus Heresy starts (if indeed it does - if possible I may be able to break the chain of events that led to the whole thing starting) it should be put down quickly and easily.

With the God-Emperor of Mankind still alive, I do my best to help him usher in a new golden age of humanity. All the highly superstitious, backwards, and self-damaging parts of the Imperium only started up upon the Emperor's death, so without that happening the Imperium will continue to advance in all areas of science.

For my services, if it's an option, I shan't say no to something approaching immortality. After that I'll retire as governor of some peaceful and prosperous sector of the Imperium.

[Tyyr]

I'd tell him to get his shit together and try to unite humanity at its height, before we back slide into idiocy.

My personal perk, the Adepta Sororitas answer to me.

[Captain Seafort]

I do my best to warn him that Horus can't be trusted. Hopefully he'll heed my word, and once the Horus Heresy starts (if indeed it does - if possible I may be able to break the chain of events that led to the whole thing starting) it should be put down quickly and easily.

I can't see him listening closely enough to change anything. IIRC, at least a few of the other Primarchs were telling him the exact same thing, and even in the final battle he was holding back.

[Tyyr]

Well if you tell him before he makes Horus maybe. I do get the impression he was rather full of himself though, unlikely to take advice.

[Mikey]

I do my best to warn him that Horus can't be trusted. Hopefully he'll heed my word, and once the Horus Heresy starts (if indeed it does - if possible I may be able to break the chain of events that led to the whole thing starting) it should be put down quickly and easily.

I can't see him listening closely enough to change anything. IIRC, at least a few of the other Primarchs were telling him the exact same thing, and even in the final battle he was holding back.

Indeed, he had a long streak of "He's my genetically-engineered, lab-created son, he can't be doing this!"

Even so, if the story of Alpharius Omegon is to be believed, the Heresy sort of had to occur, right?

[Deepcrush]

I'd set up an ambush of Horus' ambush at Isavann. Crush the bulk of the traitor legions right there. From there talk the Emperor into a direct war against the forces of Chaos and Eldar.

[Coalition]

I'd set up an ambush of Horus' ambush at Isavann. Crush the bulk of the traitor legions right there. From there talk the Emperor into a direct war against the forces of Chaos and Eldar.

Good idea on the ambush, but I'd argue to leave the Eldar alone. Their warp knowledge would be useful, if nothing else for better defenses while in the warp. Maybe a trading post with the Eldar, and governmental exchanges. Best would be getting Eldrad as an advisor, but he can be annoying.

The other detail I'd mention is a certain threat that will arrive near the Tyran system, and will be a major problem afterwards.

[Mikey]

I doubt that the living Emperor would go after the Eldar anyway, what with their help in establishing the webway entrance inside the Inner Palace and all.

[Deepcrush]

I doubt that the living Emperor would go after the Eldar anyway, what with their help in establishing the webway entrance inside the Inner Palace and all.

There is that little problem with some of their agents helping along the Traitor Legions. So I think it might be okay for a little Zenos house cleaning. Plus I really don't like the Eldar.

The other detail I'd mention is a certain threat that will arrive near the Tyran system, and will be a major problem afterwards.

Nids are 10,000 years away. If the Imperium hadn't been broken during the Horus Heresy, the nids wouldn't have been anywhere near as much trouble.

[Mikey]

I didn't say I'd mind taking on the Eldar, just that I don't think the Emperor would. If Malcador's intent is correctly interpreted by the Inquisition, the cooperation of the Harlequins would seem to agree.

[Deepcrush]

So then how should we handle the Eldar?

[Mikey]

I would keep limited Inqisitorial relationships with the Harlequins. With the Craftworld Eldar, stand them up if they come into conflict with the IoM, otherwise leave 'em be.

[Deepcrush]

Okay, so side note relations with them. Here's another issue, what do we do about the Tau?

We have "Save the Emperor" then "form a new position within the Imperium" follow by "working relations with Eldar".

[Mikey]

I wouldn't call what I said "working relations." I's allow limited connections between the Inquisition and the Harlequins, because of the Black Library and their efforts against Chaos... but that's as far as I take it. The Craftworld Eldar can't be trusted any further than I can throw a craftworld.

About the Tau... well, I don't see a chance for anything other than war. Limited, perhaps; but even expansion through conversion and defection is still expansion.