The Multiverse Project: Warhammer 40,000

"You are acquainted with the eldar," the accusation was clear in Miriya's tone.

"Yes, and?" Tangmo glanced at the Battle Sister shuffling on his right, her squad clustering around her.

"I appreciate all you have done for us," Miriya continued. "But we cannot abide by this development."

"Consorting with xeno is heresy," Isabel added. "Not even your laxity of Imperial regulation can make any excuse for such an affront to the God Emperor."

"Christ, so much for gratitude," Laura sneered at the Sisters of Battle. "And you wonder why they hate us."

"I don't hate you," Lita skipped merrily into the conversation, uncaring of the main character's less than stellar reception of the eldar forces now marching alongside them. "They're just afraid, that's all. And I don't blame them, humans and eldars have been quite nasty to each other after all."

"We are not afraid of you, witch," Cassandra glared at Lita.

"She's just saying that you're a bigot," Yuki shrugged and joined Tangmo, the Banshee sparing Leilatha an amused grin when the lady commissar reached for her sword. "Easy, I was just screwing around earlier. I'm not here to steal Tangmo."

"You're still an eldar," Leilatha eased her grip off the pommel. "Don't expect me to drop my guard."

"Aww, look at her being all cute and protective," Tangmo drew the red faced Leilatha into his arm, holding her close like they were strolling through a park in autumn and not a church hallway desecrated by Chaos graffiti. "Thanks Leilatha but you don't need to worry, Lita and Yuki are friends, trust me on this."

Leilatha let out an exasperated sigh, "Alright Tangmo, I'll trust you."

"Would you look at that, she actually meant every word," Yuki smirked at Tangmo. "Guess an obnoxious dick can find love too."

"I never doubted him," Lita gave Leilatha a knowing look. "It took a while to peel away those rough and hard edges to find the diamond inside, right?"

"Oh trust me, it wasn't easy getting there," Leilatha said but quickly stop herself from being friendly with Lita. "I mean, that is none of your concern xeno! What are you doing to me, some kind of mind altering Warp sorcery to make me more susceptible to you?!"

"Not at all lady commissar I'm just blessed with a very friendly personality," Lita grinned disarmingly. "Besides, I'm not the kind of Farseer who uses their power to mess with people's head."

"Yeah, what are you exactly?" Laura asked, "because you look like Taldeer but without the dildo helmet."

"Thank you for that really nice imagery, Laura," Lita pouted, and Tangmo actually heard some of the guardsmen snickering. "And to answer your question…you know how eldar spend their entire life perfecting one chosen path?"

"Everybody knows that," Laura said.

"I don't," Krillen and some other guardsmen piped up.

"Well this should be very educational then," Laura flashed them a cheeky wink. "Go on Lita."

"Technically I was supposed to be a Farseer, I woke up a Farseer, that much's for sure," Lita continued. "I stay on the path for a while, until I found out that a real Farseer wasn't as cool as in the video games. They just spend most of their times predicting the future. So, after learning all the essential of being a Farseer, I left the path and went to train with the Warlock instead."

"And they just let you?" Laura's brow rose inquisitively.

"People grumbled, sure," Yuki added. "But Lita's very powerful, and also very persistent, so no one stop her."

"Anyway, I dove into the Warlock path and pretty much got all the fundamental and advance mechanics under my wings in a couple of months," Lita huffed smugly.

"Freaking Mary Sue," Tangmo snorted.

"I'm not a Mary Sue, I'm just gifted!" Lita yelled at him before composing herself. "Now, as I was saying, I decided to become both a Farseer and a Warlock at the same time, independently studying both paths at once, a hybrid of the two. Even Eldrad's cool with it."

"Okay, if that's the case, what do we call you then little miss perfect?" Tangmo pressed on.

"I thought about that," Lita stroke her chin thoughtfully. "And I'm going with Warseer."

"Holy shit, that's super cool," Tangmo nodded appreciatively.

"I know, right? I'm really proud of that," Lita beamed.

"You're still a Mary Sue though," Tangmo grinned nastily.

"I truly wish that was the case," Lita's lips thinned. "If I had to go one on one with that Chaos sorceress, we'll all be in serious trouble."

"Dude, you kicked the bitch's ass," Tangmo was rightfully confused by the statement.

"You've seen tennis matches where some no name guy managed to pull a win over Federer, Nadal and Djokovic right?" Lita laughed nervously. "I was the no name guy."

"What do you mean by that?" Evangeline was drawing closer to the conversation.

"The sorceress was powerful, like, super powerful. I can feel decades of power coursing through her body, she was on another level," Lita said.

"Then how did you managed to defeat her?" Oh wow, even Verity was talking to her. Miriya was not terribly happy about that. "I saw you struck Syrathel down with your sorcery."

"Like you said, I only managed to knock her down," Lita said. "The energy blast I hit her with was powerful but still quite simple by Warlock and Farseer standard. The sorceress was caught off guard and went down for the count. And before she could fight back, her friends drag her away. Basically, I got lucky."

"Thank the Emperor for that small respite then," Krillen made a sign of the aquila.

"For the Warseer's intervention or the sorceress's lapse in fortitude?" Min Jae spoke up.

"At this point, I'll take both," Kenshin said then cast a sidelong glance at Yuki, his eyes drifting to the very Japanese looking naginata and katana she carried. "The fighting style you use against that four-arm heretic…"

"Naginatajutsu and sojutsu," Yuki smirked. "Impressed, grandpa?"

"Your form was…passable," Kenshin huffed childishly. "Where did you learn our art of the glaive and spear?"

"Nippon," Yuki said. "And it's more like you learn all of that from us, grandpa."

"I am not your grandfather, stop calling me that!" Kenshin yelled.

"Yeah, why do you keep calling him that?" Laura asked.

"Are you serious? I mean, look at him, look at his men," Yuki waved at the Kuronese. "They looked exactly like my grandpa and his friends when they came back from the war. Well, minus the tosei and kabuto, but yeah, it's totally them. But holy shit, IJA in space, this make my bushido heart swells with pride and joy."

"You do know they were the baddies, right love?" Laura's scolding face was less than serious.

"Oh yeah, totally," Yuki shrugged easily, "still kinda weird seeing him being chummy with K-Pop and the Peking woman though."

"Excuse me?" Lingxin didn't need to understand Yuki to know that what she said wasn't flattery.

"Getting angry? Typical," Yuki's snickering was not putting Lingxin in a good mood. "Hey Kenshin, does she always complain that the Kuronese are mean to her and take every opportunity to flaunt Buxiunese superiority?"

"Sometime," Kenshin said neutrally and Lingxin was clearly surprised by his subdue tone. "The dark past our people share is inescapable, but we have since learned to make amend and put our focus on the present instead."

"That's a really safe answer colonel," Yuki glanced conspiratorially at Lingxin. "Trying to impress her or something?"

"I do not need the Buxiunese approval on anything!" Kenshin raised his voice indignantly. "I speak how I see fit! I care not for what she thinks!"

"Good! Because words parted by a Kuronese are worth less than a dog's bark!" Lingxin shot back.

"Yuki, maybe you should shut the fuck up?" Tangmo glared at the very pleased looking Yuki. "They were just starting to get along, goddamn."

"Yeah, play nice now love," Laura smirked and pinched the top of Yuki's ear, the Banshee yelped shrilly.

"Ahhh! Stop that! It's really sensitive up there, stop!" Yuki said breathlessly, prompting Laura to apply a little tweak with her thumb and forefinger, making the Banshee squeak adorably.

"Ladies, please, save that kinky shit for the bedroom," Tangmo smirked and the guardsmen burst into a fit of laughter. Laura and Yuki however, didn't look too amused as they stalked toward him.

"Lady commissar, can you be dear and move aside while me and Yuki have a word with him?" Laura smiled toothily as she cracked her knuckles.

"It will be brief, we promise," Yuki added maliciously.

"Guys, cut it out," Lita intervened, placing herself between the two pissed off girls and Tangmo, who has taken a strategically defensive position behind the groaning Leilatha. "Tangmo, apologize."

"Oh come on, I was just joking around," Tangmo began but started to stammer when Lita held her silent, matronly gaze on him, the radiating disappointment was a palpable, suffocating thing. The psychological attack on his resolve was insidiously effective, battering down his psyche until his dickish attitude got softened to mush by guilt. After failing to explain himself, Tangmo capitulated to Lita's unyielding countenance and said, "okay, fine! Laura, Yuki, I'm sorry for saying those things."

"Thank you Tangmo, I'm sure Laura and Yuki accept your apology, right girls?" Laura and Yuki nodded with sickening satisfaction.

"As much as it pains me to say it," Leilatha said. "You must teach me that trick, Warseer Lita."

"It will be my pleasure, lady commissar," Lita bowed at her. "He can be quite insufferable sometime, isn't he?"

"That he is," Leilatha nodded.

"Tread lightly, lady commissar," Miriya limped back into the conversation, a worried Verity supporting her. "Your amiability toward the xeno is troubling. Do not implicate yourself with what is transpiring here."

"Sister Miriya is correct," commissar Raine took her place beside the Battle Sisters, arms folded across her chest. "To collude with xeno is a crime punishable by death."

"Good God lady, we're on the same side," Yuki spoke up. "Hell, we came here because Roboute Guilliman asked lady Yvraine for eldar assistance. Why is it so hard for you idiot to understand that the Aeldari and the Imperium are now allies?"

"Your words mean nothing to us," Miriya hissed. "And the more I hear about this supposed resurrection of Lord Guilliman, the more I question its validity."

"Wait, weren't you guys at the Ultramar system before coming here?" Tangmo cut it. "Didn't you meet Guilliman and Celestine?"

"No, they did not," colonel Antonius of the Ultramar Auxilia said. "The Auxilia were the ones who receive the directive from lord Guilliman and lady Celestine in person, we just relay the information to the Sororitas and commissar Raine."

"Seriously?" Tangmo gawked at the nuns and Raine, the hardness in their eyes were answers enough. "Oh my God, don't tell me you people think this is some elaborate eldar trick."

"Is it not?" Isabel glared at him. "The circumstance of the eldar's intervention is too convenient, everything reeks of xeno plotting."

"This is not a plot," Laura took her place beside Yuki. "So maybe you can tone down the crazy, yeah?"

"Watch your tongue inquisitor," Cassandra spat. "Or we'll strike you down along with the eldar."

"Try it you shrieking zealot," Laura reached for her hellpistol while Yuki let an inch of steel peek through the sheath.

"You dare?!" Cassandra barred her teeth and hefted up her Godwyn bolter, the weapon shaking in her grip as the other Sororitas and commissar Raine adopted the same battle stance. Despite looking like hell, the Battle Sisters were still a formidable sight.

"Umm, maybe everyone should calm down a little bit?" Lita stepped into the crossfire.

"Please, there is no need for any of this," Verity joined her, hands held out pleadingly to all parties.

"Step away from the xeno Verity," Miriya trained her plasma pistol, the weapon liberated from the skitariis, at Lita.

"Are you shitting me right now?!" Tangmo strut fearlessly, Vince McMahon style, up to Miriya while his guardsmen and the eldar lowered their weapons on the outnumbered Sororitas. "Are you seriously pointing that gun at me?!"

"Surrender, commissar Tangmo," Miriya commanded gruffly, her finger coiling around the trigger. "I will not make this offer again."

"Woman, you can barely stand and your face looks like it just went fifteen rounds with Mike Tyson," Tangmo sneered. "This will not end well for you, or your sisters. So why don't you take a step back, or I'm gonna kick your ass."

"I would advise against that, commissar Tangmo," Raine leveled her bolt pistol at his head. "Colonel Antonius, take the Immortal Spirit high command into custody."

"I'm sorry, commissar Raine," predictably, the Auxilia turned their guns on the Sororitas and the lady commissar. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

"It's treason, then," Raine grinned mirthlessly.

"The Immortal Spirit battlegroup are acting under the direct command of lord Roboute Guilliman," Antonius said calmly. "If you attack them, it will be you who is committing treason."

"We obey only the Emperor's will," Miriya gnashed her teeth nastily. "And by the grace of the Master of Mankind, we of the Adepta Sororitas declare you heretics and consorts of foul xenos. May the God Emperor have mercy on your soul, for we shall not."

"You do realize you're probably the last group of Sororitas still alive on this planet, right?" Tangmo didn't know if that was true or not, hell, they were still inside the cathedral's main corridor, but he decided to bluff anyway.

"We're more than enough to take you," Miriya's conviction was echoed by her sisters in arms.

"Well shit, I'm not going down without a fight," Tangmo trained his dual laspistols at Miriya and Raine, around him the clinks and hums of priming weapons made the final encore before everything goes to hell. But before las and bolts can fly, Verity dashed in between Tangmo and Miriya, arms spread wide in a heroic pose, an angel coming to parley peace between two armies.

"Stop! Please!" Verity cried. "Haven't enough blood been spilled today?!"

"Stand aside Verity," Miriya said hoarsely.

"There have to be a better way than this," Verity pleaded desperately. "Please Miriya, see reason! None of us would be alive if it wasn't for them. They deserve a little clemency for that!"

"Yeah, you ingrate bitch!" Krix flipped off Miriya and the guardsmen unleashed a barrage of curses at the Sororitas.

"Know your place, you fucking whore!" Ananke shot back and the sisters showed the Imperial Guards that when it came to explosive language, they were as deadly as their flamers.

"Back the fuck off or I'm gonna shove that bolter down your fucking throat!" Luva of all people came to Krix defense, and Tangmo noticed that it was the guardswomen who were taking the fight to the Sororitas, hell, even some of the Banshees and female Guardians were joining in, egged on by Yuki obviously. The male of both species wisely kept their distant.

"You should have stayed in your fucking brothel!" Cassandra sneered.

"Funny, we're not the ones whoring ourselves every night!" Lingxin yelled.

"You fucking disgrace of a guardswoman!" Isabel barred her teeth.

"The only disgrace here is you!" Evangeline seethed.

"Pious words coming from someone who allowed those under their charge to behave little better than animals," commissar Raine pressed mercilessly.

"Yet it is you who associate yourselves with those of lowest repute," Leilatha glared at Raine, and the vitriolic devolved into mindless insults from that point on.

"Cock suckers!"

"Sluts!"

"Stupid barbarian mon-keigh!"

"Metal tits!"

"Cunts!"

"Shut up! Everybody shut the fuck up, right fucking now!"

A collective gasp went up amongst the arguing women as all eyes turned to the heroic individual who had dare to brave the feminine maelstrom and put a stop to the tumultuous altercation. It was Meko. The captain was breathing heavily, looking mighty pissed, the headphone attached to his big radio backpack clutched tight in his grip.

"Yo, everything okay man?" Tangmo put away his laspistols and approached Meko, ignoring Miriya's plasma pistol completely.

"Sorry about that sir," Meko gave him an apologetic look. "But I think this latest development take precedent over the current idiocy."

"What's happening?" Tangmo asked.

"A Warp portal and a Webway portal just open up above Tera-Antebella sir," Meko's announcement was met with shocks from guardsmen and Sororitas alike, "big ones too."

"…I'm gonna take a guess and say that whoever comes out is on our side," Tangmo stated calmly.

"Hang on," Meko tweaked his headphone and listened intently before nodding. "The signature is definitely Imperium sir, an ally."

"So who's the late comer?" Tangmo asked.

"Solveig is about to make visual confirmation…by the Emperor!" Meko exclaimed, his voice going a pitch higher.

"Meko, talk to me dude, what is it?" Tangmo was getting a little concern.

"It's the Macragge Honor sir, along with a fleet of eldar battleships," Meko said to the resounding cheers of the Auxilia. "They're hailing the Immortal Spirit right now."

"See? I told you we were friends," Lita piped up and grinned at the Sororitas.

"This…This doesn't prove anything!" Miriya blurted stubbornly. "They could be under duress from the xenos!"

"Oh my God, would you cut that out already?! And get that gun out of my face!" Tangmo swathed the plasma pistol out of Miriya's faltering grip, the weapon clattering to her feet. Miriya swayed, and would've fallen if Cassandra and Isabel didn't catch her, the woman had obviously been masking her injury throughout the entire confrontation. It was impressive, and Tangmo did felt kinda bad for her, but he needed to be tough now. "Everybody stand the fuck down!"

With a startling display of commonsense, the Sororitas lowered their weapons as Tangmo leaned down and picked up Miriya's plasma pistol.

"Here," Tangmo held it out toward Miriya, who snatched it back harshly.

"Thank you," Miriya forced the words from her mouth.

"You're welcome," Tangmo nodded then glanced at Antonius. "What's the likelihood of Guilliman being onboard?"

"A certainty sir," Antonius smirked.

"Well then," Tangmo locked eyes with Miriya. "Let's not keep him waiting, shall we?"

"Yo! You made it!" Henry leapt down from the battered King Ghidorah and bro hug Tangmo. "And here I thought you went and get your ass killed!"

"Shit, I should be the one saying that," Tangmo waved at the Stormhammer, "holy fuck, how are you even alive?!"

"It was a close call," Ladaee joined them while Elpida went to greet Korri, the two girls embracing companionably, both glad to see the other alive. "Things would've gone a lot worse if the eldar hadn't show up…"

"Lita!" Henry was bouncing off his feet as he wrapped the Warseer up in a tight embrace, the American and Mexican giggling their little heads off. Ladaee glared at them, murder in her eyes as Leilatha stealthily crept up beside her and started whispering into the commander engineer's ear, obviously plotting for Lita to have a little accident in the near future.

"Lita's still super popular, I see?"

"Nikki! What's up my dude!" Tangmo bro hugged Nikki, "good to see you again…holy shit, Lita isn't the only one who's a hybrid, is she?"

"Nope!" Nikki announced proudly. "You can me call the Predator, the perfect blend between Dire Avenger, Striking Scorpion, Ranger and Fire Dragon."

"A one woman army," Tangmo nodded appreciatively. "And you sound as cool as Warseer too."

"She called herself a Warseer?" Nikki made pouty face. "Damn, that does sound cooler."

"Nah dude, Predator sounds cool too. So where's your sidekick?"

"I am not her sidekick!" Erik grumbled and stomped up to Tangmo, cheeks puffed up crossly. "She's the one who's the sidekick, not me!"

"Okay dude, whatever makes you happy," Tangmo grinned, enjoying Erik's rising frustration. "Aww, don't be like that, I still love you dude."

Muttering under his breathe, Erik begrudgingly bro hug Tangmo, it was stiff but heartfelt nonetheless.

"It's good to see things calm and pleasant on this side of the battlefield," Laura commented, taking in the rather placid temperament of the Imperial and eldar forces, the alertness remained, but lacking the overt hostility displayed by the Sororitas.

"Well, they did save us from a rather bleak predicament," Alistair shrugged. "I say it is only appropriate that we show them the common courtesy of civility in this regard."

"A rare display of control amongst the soldiers of the Imperium," a grim looking Dark Reaper with a white ponytail protruding out of his skull helm joined them. "Nevertheless, we appreciate the gesture."

"See Elraleath? You're already warming up to us!" Damien strode into view, Gallus on his right, and a freaking Salamander Space Marine on his left. Holy shit, how were the eldars still alive?!

"Yeah, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but," Tangmo gestured wildly at the Salamander sergeant standing not five paces away from the Dark Reaper exarch. "How in the hell is this place not a charnel house?! I mean, I understand the Ultramarines not shooting the eldar, but I didn't think the Salamander would be as…composed. And how are you guys even here?!"

"It is true that our Chapter and the eldar race have never been on the best of terms," the Salamander sergeant spoke up. "But after we answered lord Guilliman call for aides, and conversed with him and Lady Yvraine, we concluded that an Imperium Aeldari alliance would be in the best interest of all. Thus far, we've been cordial to our eldar allies, and they have shown no inclination toward treachery…for the moment."

"Oh come on man, don't be like that!" Nikki bumped the Salamander's pauldron with a friendly fist. "We are already bestest of friends!"

"That is a gross overstatement," the Salamander deadpanned.

"Nikki, can you leave him alone so he can introduce himself?" Tangmo said.

"Sergeant Antalok, 15th squad of the 2nd Great House, at your service lord commissar," Antalok took off his awesome Space Marine helmet and saluted smartly, revealing an onyx black visage, complemented by a goatee, blood red eyes and a short, stylish dreadlock.

"Well met sergeant, commissar Tangmo at your service," Tangmo saluted back then introduced the main characters.

"It appears that the Immortal Spirit battlegroup's reputation is well founded, lord commissar," Antalok said.

"You should see us on our good day sergeant, today was a real slog," the main characters shared a tired laugh before Tangmo glanced solemnly at Henry. "We lost three thousand people. How did things go on your front?"

"Four thousand dead, the Krieg bears the blunt of the casualty," Henry sighed.

"What about the Sororitas? How many sisters did we lose?" Lying on a wide, makeshift stretcher with the other canonesses, Galatea rasped weakly as Miriya and Verity carefully helped her up, Raine's awesome commissar coat still draped over her shoulder.

"We have sixty confirm casualties on the northern front," Ryvin spoke up. "And from what Zuhra told me, about fifty more sisters were slain on the southern front. All in all, the Sororitas's losses were light, compare to ours."

"Seriously?" Tangmo was surprised, in a good way.

"The Sisters of Battle are renowned for their combat prowess," Gallus offered. "It is not surprising that they conducted themselves admirably on the battlefield."

"Wish I could say the same for their attitude," Laura's jab drew a snarl from Miriya's squad. "Did they try to kill the eldars here too?"

"I like to see them try," Elraleath snorted, further fanning the Sororitas's irritation.

"There was some minor altercation, lady inquisitor," Gallus butted in before Miriya can get a word out. "But Brother Damien, myself and Brother Antalok were able to dissuade the Sororitas from taking any rash action. As of this moment, both sides are standing down."

"You choose poor allies, Astartes," Galatea sneered.

"I follow the directive of lord Guilliman," Gallus glowered at the glaring Galatea. "And as time went on, I am coming to see the wisdom in his words."

"You despoil the Emperor's name by consorting with these xeno filths," Galatea went on piously but a coughing fit cut her admonition short, her back bending like a crone as Miriya handed her a canteen.

"If you have complains regarding our conduct with the Aeldari race, then you are free to voice them to lord Guilliman himself," Gallus glanced up at the smoky sky. "He should be here shortly."

"Wait, Roboute is coming here?!" Tangmo's eyes widened

"His personal Thunderhawk is en route," Gallus pointed at a clearing about a kilometer to the north, a flattop hill that was strangely devoid of corpses. "He has designated that hill to be the landing site."

"That's as good a stage as any," Tangmo adjusted his awesome commissar coat and cap quickly. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"We've been waiting for you dude," Henry laughed and waved the main characters toward the hill, enthusiastic conversations passed between the guardsmen and the Astartes, while the Sororitas followed glumly, the eldar remained silent.

"Aww, thanks dude!" Tangmo fist bumped Henry.

"Don't mention it man," Henry grinned and gazed upward, rays of golden sunlight were breaking through the smog of war, bright cerulean peeking through the shroud of black and grey. "Again, we got lucky."

"I know," Tangmo nodded. "Less than ten thousand dead, I was expecting the casualty to be in the hundred thousand. The Antebellan really drop the balls on this one. They had us by the throat and still lost."

"Unsurprising, considering that most of our veteran regiments and promising soldiers and officers were slain during the early onset of the war. You should easily recall the gallantry and acumen displayed by…"

"Wait! Hold up, what the fuck is she doing here?!" Henry jabbed his finger at Joanna, causing the Antebellan colonel to leap back with a yelp. Thankfully, Akecheta got her back and came to stand with her. "And why is she not in the pen with the rest of the prisoners?!"

"Would you calm the fuck down?" Tangmo said exasperatedly as they reached the hilltop, the main characters turning to watch the confrontation with shameless eagerness. "If she didn't help us, Syrathel would've already turned this place into a daemon world."

"I don't care, she should be with the other prisoners!" Henry retorted childishly, nearby Ladaee scowled her displeasure.

"Goddamn it, can you stop acting like an absolute dumbass for a sec?" Tangmo pressed on. "And what do you mean other prisoners?"

"A number of Antebellan regiments aided us during the battle and surrendered after we were victorious," Hildebrandt spoke up. "Like colonel Joanna they were clad in blue."

"I was able to convince many of my friends to do the right thing," Joanna sighed, the colonel was still coming to term with what she had done. "Was there a major Cassius amongst the prisoners? And a colonel Margaret?"

"Those two are in our custody," Xiphos spoke up. "They were amongst the first to surrender, their action prompting the other blue Antebellan to lay down their arms."

"I'm surprised Henry didn't shoot them on the spot," Tangmo said.

"I tried to, but the Canadian and Swedish hippy bitches here stopped me," Henry growled at Damien and Erik.

"They helped us dude, I'm not gonna let you kill them just because you don't like how they dressed," Damien said.

"And they surrendered peacefully, and we must follow the rules of war," Erik added. "It's in the Geneva Convention."

"Fuck the Geneva Convention!" Henry yelled like a brat. "Fucking racist Confederate bastard, all of them deserve to die!"

"Mate," Laura stomped up to him, her patience at last reaching its end. "Colonel Margaret is black. Like you."

"Wait, what?!" Tangmo's eyes went wide, his unbelieving gazed fixed on Henry, who only glowered at Laura but didn't say anything to contradict her.

"She's still one of them," Henry muttered.

"That's not the point," Laura loomed over him like a headmistress about to dish out a beating. "How many bloody times must I tell you that these people are not Confederate Americans? They might look like them, talk like them, hell, even behaves like them, but they are not Confederates. So how about you stop projecting your prejudice on them and start acting like a bloody professional already?! Bloody hell mate, half of the Antebellan were black! What? Did you went color blind or something?!"

Henry gave Laura a dirty look but didn't say anything, and Tangmo was glad to see shame slowly replacing the blind anger from before, the hardness of his visage slackening. Henry was a good man, but still very much prone to idiotic immaturity.

"And by the way, general Matthias, the bloke that tried to kill me? He's also black," Laura pressed on. "He looks almost identical to Daniel Kaluuya too."

"The Get Out guy? Damn," Tangmo spoke up, "for some reason I can't imagine that dude being a bad guy in anything."

"He was a bad guy in Black Panther," Nikki offered.

"It's more like he made a mistake than actually being malicious, you know?" Yuki added.

"Right you are, love," Laura continued to glare at the guilty looking Henry. "Well, are we gonna have any more problem? Are you gonna act like an adult now?"

"Yes," Henry said quietly like a scolded child.

"Are you gonna stop acting like a massive prick?" Laura continued.

"Yes," Henry said louder and firmer this time.

"Good," Laura nudged her head at Joanna. "Now show me."

Shoulder drooping, Henry sighed dejectedly and spun around to face Joanna, his posture sulky like a bully who was just forced to apologize to the person he'd been tormenting. Joanna displayed no satisfaction at the development, if anything she seemed to be on guard, probably expecting Henry to lunge forward and strangle her at any moment. Akecheta appeared to think likewise, for he took a defensive stance beside the Antebellan colonel.

"Colonel Joanna," Henry exhaled dramatically and held out his hand. "I'm sorry for my unprofessional behavior. It is most unbecoming of an Imperial general."

"Go on…" Laura hovered above Henry's shoulder, not letting him off the hook that easily.

"And…" Henry's face scrunched up unpleasantly, angry and humiliated in equal measure. "I'm sorry for acting like an absolute asshole to you, I was a total dickhead and you of all people didn't deserve any of it. I also appreciate your help, Tangmo wouldn't have vouch for you otherwise. Again, I shouldn't have thrown a bitch fit at you. Sorry."

"I accept your apology, general Henry," Joanna took his hand and shook firmly. "And I hope that I have won your trust at last."

"Well, you're getting there, I guess," Henry shrugged and broke the handshake. "So…I hate to bring this up but, what exactly happened to your mother after the battle? I mean, she just disappeared after the eldar showed up."

"My mother is lost," Joanna said dejectedly. "From the scattered vox communication I was able to discern, she and a majority of the surviving Antebellan PDF has regrouped with Syrathel and made their escape into the Warp." A sob parted her lips but she quickly bites it down. "I just wish that our parting was more…amiable. No matter what evil she'd committed, she was still my mother, the woman who had feed me, dressed me, cared for me…loved me. And I betrayed her, my own family."

"This is not your fault," Akecheta laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"He's right," Henry nodded. "What you did was hard but it took courage, a great deal of it, you should be proud. Beside, you're a better person than her, so chin up."

To say that Joanna was surprise would be an understatement, hell, even the main characters and the Eight were equally baffled. Although it was blunt, Henry's consoling words did have a positive effect on Joanna, the colonel didn't look so wretched anymore, her stance and posture becoming steadier.

"Thank you, general Henry," Joanna managed after a moment. "What is to become of us? Those who surrendered I mean."

"I think I'll let him decide," Henry pointed at a large Thunderhawk flying toward them, it was gilded in gleaming gold, the artistry immaculate and stylish, the design looked more suited to a throne than a warship. Everyone ducked as the Thunderhawk swooped low over their heads, banked the engines away from the waiting crowd, and made its descent. The Eight and the main characters watched with breathless anticipation as the roar of machinery settled to a low, reverberating hum and the ramp slowly opened. Gasps and cries of joy accompanied the great figure that strode out of the Thunderhawk's shadow, his footfall shaking the earth like the tolling of a great bell. It was Roboute Guilliman. The Primarch of the Ultramarines was truly an awesome sight to behold. His great power armor, the laurel wreath, the cape, the pauldrons, his freaking face, every inch of the man radiated command, regality and leadership.

"Good to see you again, lord commissar," despite being one of the most powerful individual in the 40k universe, Roboute Guilliman graced Tangmo with a smile and saluted.

"Likewise sir," Tangmo struck his most impressive military stance and saluted him. The Eight did the same while the main characters dropped to their knees. "It is truly an honor to have you with us."

"Indeed," Guilliman eased his stance and waved his armored hand upward. "Please, all of you, rise. Let not derelict custom hamper us, I am your commanding officer, not kings or gods."

The Space Marines were the first to rise, followed by the guardsmen, but the Sisters of Battle remained kneeling, hymns and prayers of veneration parting their lips.

"Please mighty Sororitas, rise," at Guilliman's words, which carried a clear hint of command, the Sisters of Battle very slowly, some reluctantly, rose from their prostration, the brief look he gave Tangmo and Henry was one of a very human annoyance.

"You truly are a god to them," a feminine voice echoed from the Thunderhawk's massive hull, heralding a lithe figure that glided to Guilliman's left. The guardsmen gasped in shock and the Sororitas wailed angrily at the eldar woman now standing shoulder to shoulder with the Emperor's son. The eldar, sharp and striking in beauty, was garbed in a standard Farseer outfit. A very weird looking, and very big, half-moon headdress studded with emeralds framed her head.

"As so he should be," a melodiously angelic resonance answered the eldar and a tall, beautiful Sororitas in a regal power armor strode primly up to Guilliman's right. A golden, pointed halo framed her head, radiating purest light and warmth, the gentle, pleasant effect was enhanced by the woman's welcoming and kindly face. Oh, and she had a fuck huge white angel wings on her back. A challenging look passed between the women for a brief second before both cast their gaze forward.

"Holy bloody hell love!" Laura cried out in awe.

"You're all here! Together!" Lita jumped up and down, clapping enthusiastically.

"Yo, Guilliman is an absolute playa," Henry and the boys gave the Primarch slow, respectful nods.

"We are all players in this great war, lord general," Guilliman spoke up, oblivious to the true meaning of Henry's comment. "Honorable soldiers of the Immortal Spirit battlegroup, let me introduce Saint Celestine, the Living Saint of the Adepta Sororitas, and Lady Yvraine of the Ynnari Aeldari."

"Yo, everyone, get your data-pad out and start filming this!" Damien bellowed at the guardsmen, stopping Celestine and Yvraine mid-bow, the two women glaring at the Space Marine. "Yes, everyone film this, this is freaking important! Korri, Elpida, climb up that tank and get us a wide panoramic shot."

"May I ask why you feel the need to have this documented, Brother Sergeant?" Guilliman asked sternly, but not unpleasantly.

"For greater prosperity sir, this is quite historic after all," Tangmo answered for Damien, who was busy playing Spielberg, "two leaders of both the Imperium and the Aeldari, standing together and not trying to kill each other? Dude, this is one small step for the galaxy, one giant leap for man and eldar kind."

"A sound point, lord commissar," Guilliman concurred.

"So what do you got for us Lord Guilliman? New mission and stuff?" Henry asked.

"Straight to the point," a grin crept up the Primarch lips, "a refreshing change of pace. Very well lord general, the reason we are here in person is to…"

"Oh glorious Primarch, blood and flesh of the God Emperor, we unworthy servants of the Golden Thorne bend our knees to your will. Command us and we shall bring divine retribution upon all your foes and spread your holy words across the stars."

With as much grace as she can mustered, the battered and bruised Miriya stepped forward and went down to one knee before Guilliman, head held reverently low, acting as the speaker for the Sororitas. The Primarch received the salutation with equanimity, but there was no denying the minuet look of distaste seeping through his stately veneer.

"You honor me Battle Sister, but please, rise. I prefer to converse with others face to face, not through such prostration," at Guilliman's words, Miriya slowly, painfully, rose back to her feet. The simple act of standing was making her sway.

"Very good. Now, as I was saying…"

"You poor thing," Celestian interrupted Guilliman and approached Miriya, rapturous joy shone through the Battle Sister's bruised and bleeding visage.

"Lady Celestine," tears flowed down Miriya's cheeks, overwhelmed by the magnificent that was the Living Saint.

"You have fought so hard," Celestine reached down and cupped Miriya's face gently between her gauntleted hands, her brilliant swan wings unfurling high into the sky. "I believe you deserve a reward for such unwavering service."

Silver radiant light enveloped Miriya's head, the Battle Sister gasping as pure angelic energy spread out in a gentle wave that crested over the main characters and beyond. Tangmo reached his hand out and brushed the smoky, rolling surf, the warmth that suffused him was beautiful and sublime, a glowing ethereal balm that penetrated his clothes, skins and muscles until it touched his very soul. He can feel the pain and sore from the day's fighting easing away, a rapid healing that mended and rearranged everything into its correct places. Tangmo couldn't help but sighed in relief when the knotted pain in his gut, courtesy of Syrathel's low blow, which he has been hiding on their walk over here, lessened until he can stand up straight and take a deep breath without fearing that his balls would fall off.

"Oh thank fucking God," Tangmo breathed the same moment Celestine's healing aura dispersed. How long did that last? Minutes? Hours? Tangmo didn't really give a damn, all he knew was that his testicles didn't hurt anymore. Glancing toward the Living Saint, Tangmo saw Miriya sobbing openly, her perfectly healed face leaning into Celestine's opened palms.

"I am not worthy of this gift," Miriya's words came in chokes and gasps.

"None is more worthy than you, sister Miriya," Celestine spoke, her timbre a churchly echo.

"…You know of me?" Miriya sniffed, teary eyes gazing into Celestine's comforting own.

"The tribulation and exploits you and yours had endured is well known to me," Celestine continued.

"I have wavered in my faith," Miriya started crying again. "I am plagued with doubt, evil voices that smear the glory of the Emperor and his warriors. I denied them all, even when those admonitions rang true, but I feel as if I am a castle crumbling before an endless siege, heartbeats away from capitulating."

"Yet through it all, you fought on," Celestine's comforting smile was one a mother gave to a frightened child. "Through treachery and deceit, you never break the faith."

"Yes," Miriya nodded.

"Then take heart my daughter, for your indomitable spirit proves that your faith in the God Emperor remains unfaltering," Celestine declared.

"But what of our sins?" Miriya pressed on. "What of the crimes and atrocities we have committed, the innocents that had suffer at our hands and the monsters we've created? Can we ever be free of such stigma?"

"We all sin my daughter, no one is free from iniquity, not even the most pious of us," Celestine said. "The true mettle of a man and woman is tested when one's deeds of bygone days return for reckoning. And when that moment comes, only the fortitude of the spirit can see you through toward redemption. Something I am sure every Sororitas here possesses in abundance."

Oh come on, seriously?! When Tangmo said the exact same thing to Miriya about cleaning shit up, she scoffed at him, but when Ms. Space Angel here gave a more flowery version, she was all smiles and nods.

"Thank you, Lady Celestine," Miriya bowed gratefully at the Living Saint, and Tangmo had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, "for everything, for your wisdom and for the Emperor's miracle you have bestowed upon us."

"You are most welcome, sister Miriya," Celestine let go of Miriya and turned her smiling regard to Guilliman. "Well my lord? Do you still deny your father's divinity?"

Guilliman narrowed his gaze then said, clearly and without hesitation, "yes, I deny them."

Celestine was expecting that response, giving him a look one spared for a pigheaded child. The Sororitas however gasped in unbridle shock at the Primarch's straight up blasphemous words that would've gotten anyone else killed on the spot. The Immortal Spirit battlegroup was more subdue in their reaction though, since they already heard the conversation Tangmo, Henry and Damien had with Guilliman prior to the ship's maiden voyage.

"But…you are his son," Miriya gaped at Guilliman, angst by the Primarch cut and dry statement. "How can you deny His divine majesty?"

"The Emperor is man," the Primarch was taking no prisoner as he pounded Miriya, and the gathered Sororitas, with a heavy dosage of truth, "a great and powerful man that stood above all others, but still a man. A man who scorned all concept of religious worship and had sought to rid mankind of such taint, he failed in that regard, unfortunately."

"But…how can…you…!" Tangmo couldn't believe it, Miriya was about to call Guilliman the H word! Seeing this, Guilliman took two great strides toward Miriya, coming to loom above the Battle Sister. To her credit, Miriya stood her ground unflinching, locking gaze with Guilliman's own, outrage winning over self-preservation.

"Are you going to denounce me a heretic, sister?" Guilliman challenged Miriya.

"She is just concerned by your lack of faith, lord Primarch," Celestine interceded, her unfurled wings becoming a barrier between the two. "Even I must confess perplexity at your denial. Have you not seen the miracle I have brought to the people of the Imperium? How can you still deny your father's divinity?"

"Because he has seen such so call miracle before," Yvraine entered the fray. "And it was not performed by your saints or holy men."

"Tread carefully, witch," Celestine spun to face Yvraine, despite the width of her wings the eldar got a couple of inches on her.

"Ironic my lady, for you to call me that," a nasty hint of a smile quirked the corner of Yvraine's mouth. "Considering you yourself knows where the power of your miracles stems from."

"Enough, both of you," Guilliman's utterance rang like the heavy boom of a closing storm, stopping both women from continuing their argument. "We are here to do a job, not bickers amongst ourselves."

"Finally," Laura groaned and waltz up to the Primarch. "So G Man, what's up?"

"Your performance with the recovery and redistribution of the STCs data has been most commendable," Guilliman turned toward the Eight. "But I'm afraid I must ask more of you."

"No problem man, lay it on us!" Henry was hyped, and so were the rest of the Eight.

"I wonder if such enthusiasm will survive to the end of this conversation," Guilliman said ominously, "because I must now request that the Immortal Spirit accommodates more passengers on its voyage."

"The eldar soldiers will be joining us," Damien said with nod, "no problem man."

"…You are taking this surprisingly well," Guilliman was rightfully surprised.

"Hey, we're not leaving our homies behind dude," Tangmo threw his arms over Erik and Lita's shoulder, giving them a friendly double hug.

"Our warriors are not the only one going with you, lord commissar," Yvraine spoke up.

"What do you mean?" Henry asked.

"We are willing to risk our lives in defense of Imperial worlds, now it is your turn to help the Aeldari race," Yvraine spoke severely.

"Relax guys, it's nothing scary," Lita stepped in with a disarming smile. "She wants us to take in a few eldar refugees."

"How many are we talking here?" Damien asked.

"Two million," hushed murmurs rumbled through the Immortal Spirit's ranks in response to Yvraine's announcement, more confused than displeased Tangmo noticed, "civilians, families and households from craftworld Biel-Tan, Ulthwe and Iyanden, all of whom wishes to relocate to a safer place where death and political strife isn't prevalent."

"And your idea of a safe place is a Gloriana battleship full of human?" Henry made a disbelieving face.

"Many of our Seers, Eldrad included, agreed that they will be safest with the Immortal Spirit," Yvraine pressed on. "I was given assurance by Primarch Guilliman that the battlegroup will have no problem with this arrangement."

"I gave her my words," Guilliman nodded and Celestine wasn't pleased in the slightest. The Primarch then gave the Eight a horrifyingly pleasant smile. "I hope this is not to your inconvenience."

"Yo, you ain't giving us much of choice, dude," Tangmo chuckled good naturedly.

"Do you object to this then?" Yvraine glared at him.

"Chill, I'm cool with eldars coming to live with us," Tangmo turned to Henry, Damien and Laura, "right?"

"I'm down," Damien nodded enthusiastically.

"No problem with me man," Henry flashed a thumbs up.

"I'm totally fine with it," Laura concurred.

"What about you guys?" Tangmo glanced at the Immortal Spirit high command. "You okay with taking in eldars?"

"They did help us during the last moment of Cadia," Krillen spoke up, his expression neutral. "And just now they intercede on our behalf, so the Cadian 89th will not object to lady Yvraine's request."

"Whatever your decision, the Death Korps will obey, Herr commissar," Hildebrandt said.

"Never had any problem with eldars before," Xiphos shrugged. "Guess we can give this a shot."

"I am not at peace with this," Evangeline was the first to voice an objection. "But if it is the will of lord Guilliman, then I shall not disobey."

"I am in the same mind as colonel Evangeline," Alistair added. "I will follow lord Guilliman's directive, but if the xenos betray us the Praetorian will take appropriate action in response."

"Quite an interesting affair we've found ourselves in," Bruce joined in. "But I have no problem with it, I'll go tell the lads and lasses to play nice then."

"The Tallarn welcome our new Aeldari allies," Al-Rahman announced to a few surprised looks.

"Former foes are already fighting side by side in the battlegroup," Lingxin said. "What's one more going to hurt?"

"I guess I can remain open-minded," Kenshin smirked.

"I'm okay with everything," Min Jae shrugged. "Better to fight alongside the eldar than against them."

"Your instinct has not led us astray so far," Leilatha strode up to Tangmo. "I shall continue to trust your judgment."

"It's unanimous then," Tangmo returned his gaze to Guilliman. "Well, there you have it Mr. Primarch and Ms. Aeldari, the Immortal Spirit welcomes the eldar aboard."

"Isn't overcrowding gonna be a problem?" Nikki piped up suddenly.

"There's only a few millions people living on the Immortal Spirit and we've filled, like, only a quarter of the ship, so there's absolutely nothing to worry about," Henry told her.

"This is a travesty!" Miriya stomped up to them, a jittery Verity trying, and failing, to calm her down. Now that she wasn't injured, the woman looked positively horrifying. And also very hot, goddamn. "The Adepta Sororitas will not allow Imperial battleship to be turn into a xenos sanctuary!"

"She is correct," still clad in heavy coats donated by the guards and the commissariat, the garments showing off their powerful, yet feminine curves, the healed canonesses, led by Galatea, added their admonition to Miriya's own. "We cannot abide by this directive, not even when it is given by the son of the Emperor himself."

"My daughters, please," Celestine held up a calming hand, the simple gesture dousing the Sororitas's anger before it could blaze out of control. "Orders from the Primarch must be obeyed. It is an unfortunate truth that the Imperium and the Aeldari are now allies."

"But this is an affront to everything written within the Lectitio Divinitatus!" Miriya pointed an accusing finger at a very pissed off looking Guilliman. "This is blasphemy!"

"Do not fret sister Miriya," Celestine spoke up before Guilliman can retaliate. "For you shall also be there to make sure that the people of the Immortal Spirit remain uncorrupted."

Silence followed the announcement, and not the good, peaceful kind, but the heavy, suffocating sort that made people forget to breathe.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Tangmo was the first to found his voice.

"Am I not clear, lord commissar?" There was wicked amusement in Celestine tone as she came to stand before him, wings unfurled in gloating intimidation. "Beside the Aeldari, the Adepta Sororitas will also be joining the Immortal Spirit battlegroup. I hope that is not a problem."

Tangmo conjured up the brightest smile he could mustered, it probably made him looked like a psychopath, but he didn't give a shit as he turned to Guilliman and asked in a strained, teeth gritted voice, "is this for real?"

"I did tell you that your enthusiasm will not survive this conversation," Guilliman offered a hint of a smirk. "But yes this is, as you put it, for real."

"WHAT?!"

"AH SHIT!"

Tangmo and Miriya yelled at the same time then spun on each other with a glare, the choir of groans and exasperated disbelief provided the soundtrack.

"Okay people, settle down…SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Damien's thunderous shout brought the commotion to an end. When all was quiet again, he continued. "Alright, now, let me be the first to welcome the Adepta Sororitas to the Immortal Spirit."

"This is bullshit! I don't want wanna share a ship with a bunch of religious nutjobs!" Laura cried to the guardsmen agreeing murmurs, drawing immediate ire from the Sororitas.

"Unsurprising, given how enamor you are with that xeno," Galatea snarled and nudged her head disdainfully at Yuki. "The Inquisition has always been corrupt and immoral."

"Now, now my dear canoness, such sweeping generalization seems hardly fair," oh hey, Amberley's still here, the inquisitor sauntered merrily up to them with an Ulthwe Guardian and a Fire Dragon in towed. And how in the hell was there absolutely no grime on her at all? What, did she stop to change her clothe and put on more make up after the battle or something?! "In our line of work, open-mindedness is sometime a necessary quality."

"Good to see you still alive, inquisitor Vail," Guilliman saluted and Amberley bowed gracefully. "I hope you are taking this opportunity to learn more about the Aeldari."

"Of course, lord Guilliman," Amberley smiled brightly. "And I've also been briefing them on Imperial culture."

"Why have I not been told that the Sororitas will be joining this mission?" Yvraine rounded on Guilliman suddenly, anger blazing in her eyes.

"And why must the Primarch share this information with you?" Celestine asked innocently, but the satisfaction shining on her face was unmistakable.

"The request was made during Warp transit and I judge Saint Celestine's reason to be sound" Guilliman spoke up. "I apologize if this new development didn't reach you in a timely manner."

"They are mindless zealots," Tangmo couldn't help but nod in agreement to Yvraine's statement. "My people will be persecuted and what little sanity you claim this battlegroup possess will be purged away by the maddened unreason these women wields."

"As it should be," Celestine crossed her arms over her chest. "The Sororitas will make sure that absolute devotion to the God Emperor is adhered, and the Aeldari are kept in their place."

"I will not waste my breath trying to make a fool see reason," Yvraine shot Guilliman a conspiring look. "You were wise not to trust them, my lord Primarch."

"Okay, okay, whoa, hold up, hold the fuck up!" Tangmo, being the fearless dude that he is, stepped in between Celestine and Yvraine, both of whom were brandishing their claws, "yo, everybody need to calm the fuck down right now, alright?! We can't have shit hitting the fan before shit even begins!"

The Living Saint and the Aeldari leader shifted their combined animosity toward him, the glare a searing, physical thing. Yep, never interrupt two arguing women unless you want to die.

"Dude, you gotta help me out here man," Tangmo shot Guilliman an extremely desperate look. "I like drama as much as the next guy and I would love to see a nun and elf catfight, but you seriously need to tell us why you're giving the eldar and Sororitas to us. Because I'm willing to bet that it's not only for humanitarian reason."

"That is correct," Guilliman stepped forward, his presence alone was enough to make Celestine and Yvraine back off from each other. "Your mission is now thrice-fold. For beside the STCs, the Immortal Spirit will also be collecting Imperial and Aeldari relics, safeguarding them from the Ruinous power and other forces that seek to use it against the Imperium Eldar alliance."

"We'll be sure to keep a lookout for them," Laura nodded.

"You will also be searching for other Sororitas orders as well," Celestine added.

"What do you mean other orders?" Nikki piped up.

"There are many Adepta Sororitas orders scattered across the stars, isolated from the Imperium at large," Celestine explained. "Their culture and belief will more than likely be in contradiction to the Ecclesiarchy more orthodox teaching. Your duty, if you happen to find such lost order, is to bring them back into the Imperial light."

"And if they dare to question the Imperial Creed, just freaking kill them all like Syrathel and the Silver Flame, am I right?" Tangmo quirked an obnoxiously knowing brow, then added a grin when Celestine lips thinned into an unamused scowl.

"I am starting to understand why sister Miriya and canoness Galatea have not taken a liking to you," Celestine's timbre was sharp enough to cut adamantium. "Will you prove to be a hindrance to our mission? You seem to not take this matter with the severity it requires."

"Chill lady, we got this covered," Tangmo went on conversationally. "But we do this our way, got it? We will accept counsel from the Sororitas, sure, but we make the final call. That's how we run things up on the Immortal Spirit. Oh, and that's remind me, Father Joseph is in charge of every religious activity aboard the ship, nothing goes without his approval."

"That heathen priest?!" Galatea raised her voice. "We will not allow this!"

"Is he the priest that has been diluting the Lectitio Divinitatus with the Imperial Truth doctrine from the time of the Great Crusade?" Guilliman asked. "The one you have been telling me about?"

"The one and the same," Henry waved around the hill. "You should already see how rational and collected the battlegroup has become."

"That I do," Guilliman nodded. "I half expected to see both side killing each other when I enter orbit. It is refreshing to see common sense and restraint prevails for once."

"Yeah, but things almost got out of hand thanks to these idiots," Yuki stabbed her thumb at the blistering Sisters of Battle before throwing her arms around Laura and Tangmo's head. "But these guys stopped them, thanks dude."

The three were sharing a companionable laugh and a little roughhousing when commissar Raine suddenly shouldered Amberley aside and took her spot in front of Guilliman.

"Permission to speak freely sir," commissar Raine stood at attention, ignoring the glare Amberley shot her way.

"Granted. It is good to see you again, lady commissar," Guilliman said.

"Thank you my lord, like wise. But I must voice my concern regarding the laxity of regulation within the Immortal Spirit battlegroup," Raine pressed on. "Although I admit that the high commands are inspirational in their leadership and decisively adept when it comes to warfare, their lack of maturity in character could prove detrimental to the mission in the long run. Furthermore, they openly, constantly, defy Imperial regulation, a habit that is rubbing off on the guardsmen."

"Goddamn, she really is the unpopular class president," Henry facepalmed but Raine ignored him. Predictably, the main characters were less than pleased with the, Tangmo admit, quite correct prognosis, while the Sororitas wore a smug look on their faces.

"I recommend that you intervene and assign an incorruptible individual to represent your ultimate will on the Immortal Spirit," Raine pressed on, "who would also make sure that the battlegroup adhered to Imperial rules and regulations."

"Yes commissar Raine, I admit that I am aware of the battlegroup's conduct," Guilliman appeared thoughtful for a moment before fixing Raine with a granite stare. "But do these minor infractions affect the battlegroup's overall combat capability?"

"Well…" Raine hesitated for a moment then said, with clear reluctance. "If we are to only look at the result, then I would have to say that the battlegroup's achievement has been…exemplar."

"Your observation and recommendation is truly appreciated, commissar Raine, but I judge that no severe reprimand is needed for the Immortal Spirit," Guilliman gave his verdict. "But I agree that the battlegroup requires supervision in the finer aspect of conduct and presentation. And I have already made my pick for the individual who would steer them in the right direction."

"Indeed my lord? And who might that be?" Raine's face lit up in triumph.

"You, lady commissar."

Tangmo tried, he really did, but laughter burst so hard from his mouth that he doubled over. And the look on Raine's face, mouth hanging agape in shock and incomprehension, only made him laughed harder. Holy shit, he can't fucking breath!

"B-But I'm already attached to the Ultramar Auxilia," Raine at last remembered how to use the English language, and Tangmo managed to stifle his laugh.

"You have been reassigned," Guilliman said. "I'm sure a commissar of your renown and pedigree will be more than adequate for the job. Not only that, but more soldiers, four thousand Cadian Whiteshields, six thousand Death Korps and seven Astartes of the Salamander chapter, to be precise, are en route to the Immortal Spirit. With this increase in number, I believe the battlegroup could use more commissars, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes my lord," Raine conceded with a sigh.

"The Auxilia will remain on Tera-Antebella for the foreseeable future as my diplomatic and bureaucratic detachment restores order to the planet," Guilliman settled his gaze on Joanna, "colonel Joanna."

"Sir!" Joanna stood at attention. The colonel was quivering with barely restrain fear.

"The planetary governor had led Tera-Antebella in open rebellion against the Imperium," Guilliman announced sternly for everyone to hear. "The entire ruling and military caste have also fallen to Chaos, tainting the populace with the Ruinous power. Punishment for such insurrection is Exterminatus."

Holy crap Joanna was crying now, rivulet of tears flowed down her cheeks despite the colonel straight back stance. Tangmo felt really bad for her, and had expected Henry to be wearing a shit eating grin, but to his surprise the New Yorker betrayed no emotion.

"But this system represents an important supply hub for the entire region," Guilliman continued. "For that reason alone, your planet will be spared, but will now be under the direct dominion of Ultramar. Therefore, the governor office is effectively dissolved and the planet put under martial law, with the Ekkaroqian appointed as peacekeeper."

There was no joy on Akecheta's face as he went to hold Joanna, the colonel looked like she was about to lean into his broad chest but stopped herself and remained erected.

"As for the Antebellan Army, they are as of this moment disbanded," Guilliman pressed on mercilessly. "You are to surrender your weapons and uniforms, then be processed and relocated to a penal colony."

"Yes sir," Joanna couldn't take it anymore. She broke into a sob and sank into Akecheta's chest, the Ekkaroqian wrapping the Antebellan tight in his arms as pitiful shudders raked her frame.

"Permission to speak, lord Guilliman," goddamn it Henry, the girl had enough. Tangmo's warning look was promptly ignored by the American.

"Granted, general Henry," Guilliman nodded.

"I believe you are making a mistake regarding the Antebellan, sir," okay, that's not how Tangmo thought this would go. Like everybody else, he was expecting Henry to gloat or suggest harsher punishment for the defeated Antebellan.

"Is that so?" Guilliman folded his arms over his enormous breastplate and appeared to stand even taller, if that was even possible.

"The Antebellan might have rebelled against the Imperium, true," Henry continued. "But it would be stupid and extremely immoral of me to blatantly ignore what colonel Joanna had done for us."

"What do you suggest then, general Henry?" Guilliman asked patiently, his tone neutral.

"I propose that the splinter faction of the Antebellan army led by colonel Joanna be absorbed into the Immortal Spirit battlegroup, along with any Ekkaroqian regiment that wishes to come along," Henry dropped the bombshell to the resounding shock of the main characters, clashing conversation erupted amongst the high command, but judging from the tone it sounded more excited than negative. Throughout all of this, Joanna just sniffed and stared at Henry, guarded but hopeful.

"Did she not fought against you?" This was Yvraine asking.

"Her mother tried to kill us, sure, but Joanna was just following orders," Henry went on. "Besides, she helped us win the battle, and goddamn can she fight, it would be a damn shame to waste her on penal duty."

"Forgiveness is the foundation of the Emperor's teaching," Celestine added.

"Yeah, what she said," Henry continued. "If I may, lord Guilliman, I have further suggestion regarding the occupation of Tera-Antebella."

"Proceed, lord general," Guilliman was quite impressed with Henry.

"I feel that harsh punishment on the Antebellan populace will only sow the seed for further discontent," Henry adopted his Obama persona. "Instead of penalizing the common people for a crime that came from the ruling echelon, we should instead be bringing them back into the Imperial light. Put them on probations, sure, but give them a chance to repent their action, for them to recognize their mistake and become better people. Have the Antebellan and Ekkaroqian mingle and work together to ferment cooperation and coexistence, let this be a new start for both people to charter a bright future together. But that doesn't mean those who consort with Chaos will go unpunished, no, those judge to be under the influence of the Ruinous power will be put to death. As for the grey Antebellan, the mines and penal colonies should be enough of a punishment."

Henry took a deep breath after his speech. Guilliman was silent but his expression was thoughtful. After a few moments, he nodded.

"Your suggestions have merit general Henry, and I believe I shall follow it," Guilliman said. "Well done."

"Thank you sir," Henry was blushing as the Eight jostled and cheered him, teasing him with words of congratulation and whooping hollers.

"Hell yeah Henry, scoring big points with the G Man!" Tangmo gave Henry a nice little shake before shifting his attention back to Guilliman. "So um…was there anything else boss? Because I think we just cover all the loose ends and got the gist of what Saint Celestine and Lady Yvraine wants us to do."

"You are correct, lord commissar," Guilliman nodded. "The full detail of your updated directive will be transferred to you within the hour. So yes, I do believe our business here is concluded. If only my meeting with the countless bureaucrats and clergymen could go as smoothly."

"Excuse me, lord Guilliman?" Lita stepped demurely up to the Primarch, smiling friendlily as she offered him a polite bow, which the Emperor's son reciprocated. "Might I suggest a course of action before we depart to our duties?"

"What do you have in mind, honorable Farseer?" Guilliman said.

"I understand that there are great mistrust between the Sororitas and the Aeldari," Lita shifted her nonthreatening gaze toward the miffed Celestine and Yvraine. "I believe a gesture of friendship can ease the tension between the two factions."

"I am intrigued lady Farseer, please continue," Guilliman was intentionally ignoring the two, increasingly, infuriated women.

"Oh, it doesn't need to be anything grand," a playful mischievousness flashed across Lita's face. "A simple handshake will do, and maybe a little smile for the added cheery on top?"

Lita suggestion was as well received as one would expect. The angry nuns were shouting violently at Lita, with the most reoccurring words being 'xenos!' and 'heresy!', while a significant number of eldar shook their heads incredulously, murmuring and huffing like a bunch of hoity-toity rich people when they spotted someone beneath their social class.

"An excellent suggestion, lady Farseer," Guilliman agreement was met with gasps and unbelieving shrieks. The Primarch then turned expectantly to Celestine and Yvraine. "Well then lady Celestine, lady Yvraine, let us strengthened this alliance with a handshake."

"Everybody get over here! Cameras up!" Tangmo waved hurriedly at the gathered crowd, summoning a couple of dozen guardsmen, their data-pad pointed forward, trained on the Living Saint and the Aeldari leader, fingers hovering above the screen, ready to snap a shot. "History is about to be made, this is the picture that will last a lifetime, a National Geographic cover kinda shit yo!"

"I refuse to soil my hand by touching the xeno," Celestine sneered.

"Don't flatter yourself, angel of the Warp," Yvraine hissed back. "It is I who should be wary of the taint you carry."

"Enough!" Guilliman stopped another catfight from happening, a damn shame, and fixed Celestine with a hard stare. "You will shake her hand, lady Celestine."

"You cannot make me…"

"As the Primarch and the Emperor's flesh and blood, I am within my authority to order you to obey my command," Guilliman pressed on. "And I, respectfully, ask that you shake lady Yvraine's hand."

"She might have to obey you, but I don't," Yvraine glared at the Primarch.

"For the sake of your people and this fragile alliance, I would advise that you to do this," Guilliman said lowly. "Set aside your pride for once lest you want everything you and I had worked so hard to achieve crumble because of your vanity."

Absolute silent fell as Yvraine locked eyes with Celestine. The posture of both women looked more akin to two samurais about to duel to the death. Then Celestine extended her hand toward Yvraine. After a heartbeat, the Aeldari reached her hand out and clasped it with the Living Saint, the grasp firm and unyielding. The clicking of shutters, accompanied by a staccato of flashes, captured the moment in perpetuity, the guardsmen were awestruck while the Sororitas and eldar watched with a mixture of disgust and disbelief. Then Damien started clapping, loudly and enthusiastically. Taking his que, Tangmo started clapping too, hollering noisily as he urged the main characters to join in.

"Clap dude, clap!" Tangmo jumped up and down across the crowd, the small trickle of claps quickly rose in crescendo to that of an ovation. Soon, everyone was cheering like when Daniel Bryan won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 30. The applause was so loud and joyous that the Sororitas and eldars at last joined in, more begrudging and collected than the Imperial Guards, sure, but it was clear that, at least on the surface, they were more or less okay with the alliance. The only Sororitas that seems genuinely happy was Verity, the hospitaller clapped and smiled with unbridle enthusiasm. Her squad didn't like it too much though. As for Celestine and Yvraine, the crowd's super positive reception was making them more cordial toward each other. The hostility slowly melted away to be replaced by wolfish grins, far from friendly but the respect that passed between them was unmistakable. Then, after a final shake, Celestine and Yvraine broke apart, the crowd hollering even louder while Guilliman watched on with a pleased smile.

"Thank you for that, my most excellent lord and ladies," Tangmo spoke up when the cheering died down. "Now, would you be so kind as to repeat all of that on the Immortal Spirit? It would really help smooth things over with the human and eldar, you know?"

"Of course lord commissar, political maneuver is one of my main fortes after all," smug Guilliman was probably one of the best things Tangmo had ever seen. "I myself want to see how the STC has contributed to the construction and refurbishment of the Immortal Spirit. Your accounts have gotten me quite curious."

"I also want to see the living condition aboard the Gloriana," Yvraine spoke up.

"It's nice, white and clean. Don't worry about it, you're gonna like it," Henry smirked.

"And I must speak with this Father Joseph," Celestine added. "I need to be sure that his faith is unwavering for the task to come."

"Yeah, just make sure Guilliman and Yvraine are with you," Laura said. "Or anyone with an ounce of rationality and commonsense that is."

"Then we shall not delay," Guilliman cut in before Celestine can turn her snarls into words. "It has been a pleasure, good men and women of the Immortal Spirit battlegroup. I would love to hear more of your tales of battle and triumph, but I'm afraid my duty to the Imperium takes precedent. Please accept my apology, but please also take my thanks and gratitude for the sacrifices you have made, the Imperium will be victorious because of your deeds. So rejoice! The Emperor himself smiles upon you all this day!"

The Imperial Guards and Space Marine roared in salutation, the thunderclap so powerful that Tangmo couldn't hear his own voice in the ringing din.

"Thanks man, we really appreciate that," Tangmo saluted the smiling Guilliman while Celestine and Yvraine made their way back to the Thunderhawk.

"You're welcome," Guilliman returned the salute. "Keep up the good work lord commissar, the war is far from over."

"The war never ends dude," Tangmo laughed and the Primarch joined in with a chuckle. "But yeah, we'll be kicking ass across the galaxy."

"That's what I want to hear," Guilliman nodded firmly.

"Saint Celestine, wait!" Galatea spoke up suddenly and strode up to the Living Saint, the awesome commissar coat failing to hide the hypnotic sway of her hips and breasts. Celestine turned to regard her with a smile while Yvraine spared the canoness a sideway glance before walking into the Thunderhawk.

"Yes, canoness Galatea?" Celestine asked pleasantly.

"I humbly beg that you bear witness to what I am about to do," Galatea kept her head low in respect.

"Very well," Celestine nodded for the canoness to continue.

"Sister Miriya, step forward," Galatea reached her hand out toward the startled Miriya, who walked up to the canoness and took her hand. Their fingers entwined and Galatea smiled.

"I should have done this a long time ago, please forgive me my friend," Galatea said then let go of Miriya's hand and pointed downward, "on your knees, sister Miriya."

Miriya complied and Galatea laid her hand on the Battle Sister's head then raised her voice to the crowd, "I, canoness Galatea of the Martyred Lady, hereby declare, before the Emperor and his Living Saint, that sister Miriya and her squad, through action of great heroism and incomparable faith, have now regain their place among the Celestian ranks. Rise and take your rightful place, Celestian Miriya."

The Sororitas, the Eight and some of the guardsmen cheered as the stunned Miriya rose and was embraced by Galatea, her squad joining in the hug a heartbeat later.

"About time indeed," Celestine said and headed toward the Thunderhawk.

"Well, that worked out for everyone," Henry and the Eight joined Tangmo as they took in the heartwarming scene that served as a pretty satisfactory ending to such a bloody and fucked up campaign.

"Yeah," Tangmo nodded and gazed across the battlefield as guardsmen and eldars alike went about their task. "This is the best possible outcome, holy shit."

"I can't be the only one who's super excited for the future," Nikki grinned toothily.

"The last alliance of men and elves, together once again, and heading straight for Mount Doom," Lita added chirpily. "Scary, I'll admit, but I'm all for it."

"Oh yeah, we're all in this to the bitter end my friends," Damien held out his fist. "Come on, this is a perfect Avenger assemble moment dudes."

The Eight laughed and, in front of the watching main characters, touched fists. They remained unmoving for a moment, smiling ears to ears, then, as one, raised their fists to the sky and proclaimed in a single voice:

"Excelsior!"