I was dead, that much was obvious to me immediately, no thanks to the screen that had appeared to fill the void of my senses.

You have died.

Select your next lease of Life.

Many people would be frightened by the confirmation. Most would be intrigued by the second part of the message. I was not looking at the message, I was too busy with the cold dread that filled my stomach as I beheld what appeared below it.

Options

Warhammer 40K

I remained there for a long time, simply existing, delaying the inevitable decision. After a time, I’m not sure how long, perhaps it was seconds or decades, maybe millennia, I willed myself to accept the situation. As if sensing my acceptance the universe itself seemed to respond. What felt like an ancient unknowable power washed over my psyche and one message was replaced by another.

Species Options

Tyranid Guant

Custom (10)

Karma Score

(100)

I couldn’t believe my eyes. My options were either suicide by hive mind or something unknown. 100 karma sounded like a lot to me, yet if these were my options it was obviously not. Whatever entity is shaping this........ experience, clearly sees it as a form of currency, a currency I have precious little of if my choices are any indication. Once more I fall into an almost catatonic state where time seems to slip through my grasp like sand.

After a longer time than I am willing to admit, I review my options once more. If I chose the Tyranid bioform I could leach off the hive mind's food supply and develop myself into a synaptic node separate from the god mind. However, the most likely outcome to that plan is that I'm purged by my fellows the moment I show even the slightest deviation from the norm. More likely still is that I'm killed by some press ganged PDF soldier who didn't know how to hold a gun mere hours before.

The custom option through, that could hold some merit. The name implies that I can design some kind of xenos race. If I could make it useful in some way, shape or form, I could book it for the Tau Empire and live out my days in relative peace. As the idea and its enticing possibilities take root in my mind I nearly voice my ascent before one thing comes to the forefront of my mind. The cost. It's enough to give me pause as I would be losing a tenth of my precious karma.

For a final time I review my options. Certain death or lose 10 karma and have a slightly less certain death. I want to live.

Once more I feel the unfathomable weight settle upon my soul. Heavier than last time, more tangible, feeling of……approval. Yes, the entity, maybe a god, approves of my decision, delving into the unknown.

Option

Custom (10) chosen. Base species (human) identified. Forming model.

karma (90)

The weight recedes once more and an image begins to form before my eyes. Something emerges out of the void before me. It’s a sickly red colour, moist and pulsating. The mass divides itself, again and again, dozens of times. Organs become identifiable, weeping blood and puss as they are exposed to the air and whatever energies inhabit this place.

Bone then emerges as jagged spikes, rupturing the organs before liquifying and the horrendous wounds heal over. I watch on in horrid fascination as the bone flows and drips like water. After a time it settles and solidifies into a human skeleton.

Stolen story; please report.

muscle and skin then begin to grow like moss, quickly covering the exposed internals as nerves and ligaments facilitate the puppet’s movements.

Even before its growth is complete it begins to move towards me. Walking on nothing as eyes grow and fill with liquid, as teeth form and nails grow. It stops scarcely 2 metres from me and……….kneels.

the weight then returns heavier than ever, feeling of curiosity and excitement.

Base Human

Strength 10

agility 10

constitution 10

vitality 10

wisdom 10

Intelligence 10

Choose Stat Characteristics

(Mutually Exclusive)

Brute (20) +20 strength

Swift (20) +20 agility

Sturdy (20) +20 constitution

Immunity (20) +20 vitality

Clever (20) +20 wisdom

Genius (20) +20 intelligence

All-Rounder (30) +5 to all stats

I carefully scan my options, if I want to go through with my plan to get in with the Tau I need something that they lack. The Tau Empire has many of its bases covered but a glaring weakness is that it is always outnumbered by its opponents. A well rounded unit that can easily be replaced would certainly help solve their attrition problem. Thus with great reluctance I spend another 30 karma on all-rounder.

Confirmed. Choose soul characteristics

normal: Species shows an aptitude for producing both psykers and blanks of moderate strength.

Blank (20): Species displays an aptitude for producing pariahs of great strength. All members of the species are at least a weak blank.

Psyker (20): Species displays an aptitude for producing psykers of great strength. All members of the species are at least a weak psyker.

My eyes widened at the text before me. Despite my earlier panic, it looks like whatever creature is influencing this space is attempting to aid me. Giving me the tools necessary to enact my plan. The Tau have always lacked a large scale counter to psykers and while I’m too cautious to peruse the psychic arts myself, I’m more than willing to explore the alternatives that the pariah gene offers. Without even looking at the costs I select the second option.

Confirmed. Choose reproductive Style.

Normal: The species reproduces at a rate similar to humans. All members gain +2 levels at birth.

Slow (30): Each female of the species produces 2 offspring every 5 years. +5 levels at birth.

Rapid (30): Each female of the species can produce up to 10 offspring each year. No extra levels assigned at birth.

Without even a second’s hesitation I choose the rapid reproduction option, once more ignoring the cost. It did not help that even before I truly begin my journey my plan is working. It also doesn't help that I used to be an Iron Warriors fan and had developed an interest in attrition and siege warfare as a result.

Confirmed. Select speciality.

Commanding officers will be more effective at this style of warfare.

Asymmetrical Warfare (20)

Mass Assault (20)

Mobile Warfare (20)

Attrition Tactics (20)

Arial Warfare (20)

Naval Warfare (20)

I choose attrition tactics after a second of hesitation as understanding of my situation fully sinks in. The weight returns a final time, stinking of finality. The screens fade away and once more I am treated to the sight of bones snapping and flesh sloughing off and reforming as the human before me turns into something alien. The end result looks something like a cross between a croxigore from Warhammer Fantasy and an elite from Halo. I feel the urge to name it, to name us, our species. The name comes to me after mere moments. "Saxon", I say, my first words since appearing in this place. I speak again, “We are the Saxon.”

Final confirmation received. Karma debt (10) detected. Rectifying debt with negative trait. Trait gained, Thick: -10 intelligence.

Initialising transfer. Warning: Xenos empires will be automatically hostile towards your new species.

Good luck Founder.

Given only enough time to read and comprehend the text in front of me I cannot voice my frustration to the universe. My plans foiled before I even begin, I feel my consciousness receding. The pressure becomes suffocating and I feel my very soul tremble under its weight. Micro fissures and cracks begin to form along my soul as I feel like Atlas millennia ago, as if I am holding up the sky. A laugh echos all around me, cruel and vindictive, supportive and joyful as one voice speaks as if it were 9.

"Dance little puppet, the great game awaits."