Editing Pallas Eugenesis (section)

==Early Life==
{{Topquote|Normally the work of a Selenar heathen wouldn't even be worthy of our contempt.  But according to my agents, this "Pallas Eugenesis" has been making great strides in the Ars Biologis. It is my view that no price is too high to pay for copies of her data.|Lyster Larrey, written report to the Conclave for Intra-Solar Action}}

To many of Luna's gene-wrights, Pallas Eugenesis was the pinnacle of their art. She embodied centuries of experimentation. As she matured, many of the gene-cultists pledged their lives to Pallas Eugenesis, seeing her as a living goddess. However, fractious Luna could not be united peacefully, and the '''Eclipse Queen''' (as she was styled) would spend decades leading her armies against rival cults. Pallas also feuded with the warlords of [[Mars (Hektor Heresy)|Mars]]. The Magos Biologis [[Lyster Larrey]] sacrificed much to raid her gene-forges, but along with a bounty of gene-wrights and data-slates his forces also brought the crafty shape-shifting assassin '''Delphana''' to Mars. Pallas's agent would spend several years in deep cover on the Red Planet, copying Larrey's research and sending the fruits of his labour back to Luna. And so it went in the Age of Strife - petty lords exchanged petty insults and attacks.

The stalemate broke with the emergence of the '''Emperor of Mankind''' as the immminent unifier of Terra. Luna's warring factions did not mistake the implications: once the Emperor had finished on earth, he meant to claim the rest of the Solar System one way or another. In response, the Selenars set aside their differences and allied against the off-worlder. Initially, however, the Emperor sent only envoys, seeking to make a pact with Luna in the name of uniting the human race. Like the other gene-lords, Pallas Eugenesis rejected subordination to the Terran upstart. However, she was intrigued by an off-hand mention of the Emperor's genetically-created son and general, [[Hektor Cincinnatus]].

Dispatching one of her agents to Terra was not easy, but Pallas was accustomed to having her will served. Delphana delivered a message signalling the Eclipse Queen's willingness to negotiate with Hektor Cincinnatus personally. The Primarch left Pallas waiting for a short time, but it cannot be said that he disappointed her. On first sight of Hektor, Pallas was awed by the gene-craft that had wrought him.  She understood immediately that to harm such a perfected creature would be blasphemous, a far greater sin than abandoning her new-found allies on Luna. Although the talks were tense, Hektor and Pallas found a certain pleasure in one another's company. Neither had spent time with any creature that could rightly be considered a peer before and the simple novelty of being understood kindled feelings of friendship.  Seeing Hektor as someone she could work with and eager to maximise her gains, the Eclipse Queen proposed to make alliance with the Emperor. The price for her loyalty was Hektor joining her in political wedding - a symbol of the unity between the peoples of Luna and Terra. Once Hektor's reservations about the nature of the marriage were answered, the Primarch gave his assent, conditional on the Emperor's approval.

With the assistance of Pallas and her followers, the gates of Luna were opened and Hektor's Space Marines quickly conquered the satellite. The Primarch's [[Heralds of Hektor|First Legion]] secured Pallas's own territories, protecting her vassals from the vengeance of the other Selenar rulers. Meanwhile the [[War Scribes|Second Legion]] and [[Steel Marshals|Tenth Legion]] deployed and attacked. Though some of the defenders held out stoically, the matter had already decided.

Following the conquest, Pallas Eugenesis traveled to Terra to formally surrender her homeworld and receive the Emperor's recognition as the Governor of Luna. She had no high expectations of Hektor's creator, though she walked into their meeting with a great respect for his scientific talents. As Pallas came into the Emperor's presence, she felt the new sensation of mortal terror. So profound was this sensation that, rather than making a stately curtsy, she threw herself at His feet. Without permitting her to rise, the Emperor summarily granted His new servant the dignity of Imperial Governor of Luna. His great voice rumbled on, reminding Pallas that she was an imperfect creature, but that if she served His great designs and the needs of mankind then she would earn far more than the lying gene-cultists of Luna had ever promised. If she failed or turned to ambition rather than duty, there would be no mercy. Finally, the Emperor commanded Pallas Eugenesis to raise her head and meet His gaze, so that she might see the truth of His words in His eyes.