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[[[INCOMING VOX TRANSMISSION]]]

Hear the Dirge of Slaanesh, lowly worshipper of the corpse god!

*̶��̝͙̙͖̱͓̙͉̔̃̚Ȉ̸̧̧̧̭̼̺̰̫̩̞͔͕̙͈̦̲̓́͝ņ̶̧̧̮̦͚͙̗̬̮͈̻̦̼̠͍͇͉̹͓̤̂̾̏̎̈̏͋́͒͋͋͆͌̽͒́̓̽̈̍́̕͜͜͝ç̷̡̛̻̩̲̯̯̞̟̭̝̐̽̇̒͒́̏̓̐̈́̈́̈́͌̃͊͘͝͝͝͝͠ơ̷̧̡̧͇̣̫̥͍̠̩̫̝͈͉͎̠̈́͛̂̒́̌̿̇̒̾̔̊̾̍̏͋̈́̚͠͝ḥ̶̰̱̯̤͕͈͇̱̞̼̭̓͊̑͑̉͛̎̿͛̒̀̊͑̂͒̂̿͑̈́̎̇̃̚͠ẹ̵̳͉̯̜̬̹̜̜̞̻͓͖͓̀͜ṛ̴̨͔̣̞̻͍̦̻̗̖͎̲̳̝̤̠̬̞͖̝̈̌̇͗͋̉͂̈́̄̈́̆̐͛́̅̅̓̚̚̕͝è̸̢̝̫̰̳̜͈̫̞͔̻̯͎̻̝͓̮̥̘̘̻̹̈̽̌̀͐͒ň̵̨̨̨̡͉̰͖̘̻̱̻͔̼̤̯͇͓̦̿̉̾͌̈́̊̓̊̅̋̌̊͠͝͝͝t̷̢̛̲͙̯̰̱͚͙̤͎̙̣̤͎̤͕̹͚̜͌̽̃̃͌̿͋͐͂̀̒̓̏͊̈́̇̊͜͠ͅ ̶̦͓̦̠͉̜̙̟͇̞͙̦̜̯͕͔̾͑̓͐͑͋̎̓̋̓̓̀͑͒͌͌̚ͅṠ̸̢̨̢̢̧̭̯͙͎̖̥̟̖͚͈͎̫̩̣̹̓̋̽̄͠ĉ̸̢̙͇̾́̄͂̋̀̈́͆̀̚r̴̻̫͓̳̞̝̄͊̾̄̐̾̒̋̈̿̋̎͘͠ͅé̵̮͉̫͎̙̬͔̦͕͖͙͉͚͈̖̜̻͈̙͓̼̻̇̏̾̋͋͜ͅè̴̡̡͈̖̭͇̰͇̻̞͓͕̝̪͉̈́̓̓͊̀͑͌̒̊̇̒̋̏̈͛̍̈́̚͝ͅc̷̡̢̨͓̲͈̩̹̭̥̭̖̘̳̬̮̭̰̖͚̫̄̇͒́̈́̔̎̄̓̀̋̇̈̆̃̂́̕͜͜ͅḩ̸̧͚͇̦̫͎͚̦̻̹̣̲̞̳̝̤̫̯͍͌̄̑̈́͌̃̕î̵̲̼̘̫̪͍̭̹̬̼̞̱̹̻̹̬͙͈̥͍̈̚ͅņ̷̨̜͎̼̯̺̠̼͔̜̼͆̄̐̔̃̓̈́̂̓̉͒͒̌͝͝ͅg̷̢͈̫͎͇̹̠͍͙̓͑͌̇̑͛͜ͅ

A scared Chapter Serf barges into the Chapter Master's Chambers, delivering the transcribed message to a half-asleep me.

I immediately go to vox the Reclusiarch.

"Viktor, I have good news and bad news. Good news! The Long Range Vox-caster Pîya was working on does indeed work!"

The sleepy Reclusiarch frowns over the video feed. "I thought the test was scheduled for later this week?"

I chuckle darkly. "That gives us the bad news! Grab the Canoness and the Chief Librarian, it seems there may be Chaos Taint either inside it or trying to communicate. Which means you have work to do!"

Viktor groans as he puts on his skirt and thigh highs. "Oh goodness!"

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ancient of rites

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Watsonhammer 40,000.mp4

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Commissar Integration Training

"You mean killing people isn't the best way to fulfill the God-Emperor's Plans?" Her brow furrowed, pinching her nose. If her arms weren't cuffed behind her, I imagined she'd be scratching her head.

"It's really not, we used to be a Chapter totaling about 1410 Marines long, before we were cut off from supplies." I glanced briefly at the Reclusiarch, who seemed to be enjoying this. "If we had treated our Marines like you were taught to treat your fellow humans, do you think we would have lasted long enough to pick you two up?"

A man, handcuffed next to the woman, shook his head. I internally groaned when I saw him open his mouth. "But Marines are different from normal humans, so we have to treat them diff-"

I raised an eyebrow, and the man immediately shut up. "Please, I already told you, in case you weren't aware!"

The woman looked delighted, and scoffed at the man. "See, dear husband, the Lady Vanfelis said they all used to be human like us. I would have made a better Commissar!"

My serious demeanor immediately fell when I heard the term 'husband', and I immediately started rubbing my temple with my thumb and index finger. "By the Emperor, you two are married!?"

They both nodded, and their cuffs clinked simultaneously, as if they tried to move their hands. I just stood slackjawed, amazed as much as by the cruelty of their instructors as I am by my lack of surprise.

"Well, you two won't be uncuffed until you understand that each and every life in this Fleet is precious, and my dear Reclusiarch approves you as our first Commissar-Chaplians. Your job will be to perform as Chaplains for an Auxiliary Company. There's only one now, so you'll share a Company for now. There's a mix of Guardsmen, Adepta Sororitas, and Adeptus Mechanicus members right now. Only enough for 2 squads of 10 really." I gestured towards the Reclusiarch, who finally smoothed his skirt down.

He then finally continued for me, as I left the room. "But since it's only been a month since we picked up the first members of our Chapter Master's new project, I'm sure there'll be more in no time. Now then, my name is Viktor von Schwarzwald, how do you do?"

I smiled as I left. The two of them were in capable hands.

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process of this painting of Saint Celestine

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Binary for Balls of the 45th Toasterfuckers

Name: Binary for Balls (BfB)

Gender: Nonbinary

Sexuality: Pan

Original Organization: Skitarii Legion

Rank: Auxiliary Sergeant (45th Toaster Fuckers)

Biography: Originally from a Skitarii Squad assigned to a Tech-Priest that was exploring a planet, they ran into trouble that ended up with the Tech-Priest dying. Stranded on the planet, they eventually were picked up by the Twilight Panthers. They later changed their name after Caius used an inventive insult in a rage against the Mechanicus, which BfB loved so much, they renamed their squad and themself after it, much to the Chapter's amusement.

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Master of the Forge, Hakin Ilkhak

Name: Hakin Ilkhak

Gender: Nonbinary

Sexuality: Ace

Primarch: Jaghatai Khan

Original Chapter: White Scars/Twilight Panthers

Rank: Master of the Forge

Biography: The Master of the Forge took quite well to the Machine-God's teachings, and by the time Rose was forming the Twilight Panthers, had quickly realized that was the only binary thing about them. A faithful and no-nonsense Techmarine, who has become increasingly tolerant of Tech Heresy thanks to Albus' wife and a lack of personell, running the entire Fleet and Armory with only around 111 Techmarines.

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Mission to Fluxi X, Part 4

(this takes place circa 470M38)

It was nearing the night of our third day of traveling, when I finally got a vox from the 1st Company.

"Denilla, finally! How are you doing?" I smiled at her, the video feed popping up. I quickly patched Felicitia in, who frowned, then smiled, then left the call.

Denilla groaned, and shook her head. "The good news is we set up a line within a kilometer of the base. The bad news is there's a void shield around it, and we may be surrounded by a lot of Chaos Sisters, maybe all of them. Some are psykers, but most of them are not. All Companies are with me, we just need some help."

"Any losses?" I quicky turned to Albus. "We're gonna be making contact, tell Bike Squads to give us time to deploy everyone once they can see them."

Albus nodded, and went to coordinate with Captain Kort. Denilla grimaced at me. "It looks like we have about a quarter of us wounded, no casualties just yet. It feels more like they're corralling us for something."

I frowned, and then nodded. "We'll be there shortly, hang tight, we'll punch a hole to you."

"Roger that, my Lady. For the Emperor!"

"For the Emperor!" I cut communications, just in time for the Rhino to come to a stop. I got out, and climbed ontop of our Rhino, turning towards the Marines.

"Alright, we've taken a heavy blow, but we can still win this. Honour the brothers and sisters we've lost, and let's channel that into our righteousness fury! Remember the old Terran saying, 'Daemon's run when a good man goes to war!' We are those good men! We just need to punch a hole and connect with the rest of the Chapter, and then just keep fighting. For we are the Twilight Panthers. We are the Khan's kindness!"

"We are the Khan's kindness!" echoed the Marines, as the available Assault Marines and our squads of Assault Centurions started charging. In the distance I could hear Caius' roar, and I smiled. I unsheathed my sword, and nodded at Albus, my Ancient, and the rest of the Command Squad, who were similarly ready for battle.

"Let's not leave all the fun to Caius!" Viktor giggled, wielding his mace. I smiled, and hopped off the Rhino, waving my sword for the rest of the Chapter to follow. As we approached the enemy, I saw our Assault Marines had already cut us a path, though Sisters were already moving to fill it. It really did look like almost all the Sisters were trying to make their way up the hill. I could almost see through the trees our Terminators guarding the only path up the hill, and I figured there was a nice cliff protecting the other side.

I swung my sword, decapitating a Sister, before stabbing another. I heard a effeminate grunt from behind me, and turned to see Viktor shaking his mace off, grey matter clinging to it. Albus with his dual chain swords was busy taking apart three Sisters at once, and I saw that Hakin had released a small drone that was shooting Sisters around them.

Felicitia was launching ice spears at Sisters, and as I looked back briefly, I saw that the rest of the Companies were making good progress. I also saw seven Apothecaries running by, protected by some Centurions, as they tried to make their way to the line.

It seemed that the Sisters finally broke at that, as they immediately tried to retreat. "Make it to the line, don't chase them!" I barked, hoping it wasn't a trap. I quickly walked up to the line of Terminators.

"I'll coordinate the Companies, my Lady." Captain Hajur walked up to me, and I waved my assent. Albus and Felicitia walked with me, her Librarians close behind.

"First Captain!" I smiles as I saw Denilla, and she turned to me. "Good job picking this spot. We can figure out how to deal with the void shields soon, but if they continue trying to harass us, they'll be sorry."

"Aye, my Lady. Chief Libby!" Denilla immediately wrapped her arms around Felicitia, who chuckled briefly as she returned the hug.

The tender moment was interrupted, by the booming voice of a woman. "Well well well, my Master will be most pleased with our feats today!"

I rushed to the edge of the cliff, and glared at a Sister who was floating in the air, held aloft by wings of blue-purple fire. Denilla immediately stopped hugging Felicitia, who turned towards her Librarians, discussing something.

"Who are you?" I shouted at the floating Sister, who cackled. "Oh, former Palatine of that wretched Order, and now Witch-Matron of a new Order, dedicated to a new Master!"

I frowned inside my helmet, and held my sword in front of me. "Tzeentch is just using you, you don't mean anything to him!"

"Oh but I do, you see one of his most precious lieutenants is about to rise in a couple of minutes, and I doubt even you Space Marines could stop him. My Master, the Lord of Change!"

Felicitia and her twenty-five Librarians stepped forward, and the Witch-Matron giggled. "Oh even you Librarians won't be able to stop us! He's coming riiiiiight... now!"

As the Witch-Matron raised her hands in triumph, I saw a shape that looked remarkably like a Thunderhawk flying towards us from the Convent. As Felicitia and her Librarians raised their hands, I chuckled. It didn't just look like a Thunderhawk, it was a Thunderhawk.

"Does your Lord of Change need a Thunderhawk to travel?" I taunted the Witch-Matron, who turned around, confused, as the Thunderhawk raced past our lines without stopping.

"What, no, the ritual should have been completed!" The Witch-Matron looked furious, and then we heard a large boom, as part of the Convent collapsed.

Felicitia and her Librarians immediately threw up a psychic shield, their arms raised high, as an iridecent purple shockwave of psychic energy radiated out from the Convent. I braced myself for impact as it got close, but nothing happened.

As I looked up, I heard sizzling sounds, and immediately saw a dozen of the Librarians collapse, as the shockwave passed harmlessly around the hill we were on. The smell of burnt flesh hit me, just as four more Librarians keeled over.

But with that, the psychic shockwave was gone. The Witch-Matron's wings started to flicker out, and she dived right for me, flying right over the recovering Chief Librarian. I raised Thorn, and immediately brought it down, parting the Witch-Matron down the middle.

My vox-channels were alive with chatter as the rest of the Sisters made a last ditch attempt to take us out. I wiped my blade on the ground, as I saw flames that were being held by other Witch-Sisters go out. I smiled, and pointed my sword forward.

"We are Khan's kindness! Let's clean up this Chaos Cult!" I ran down the cliff hearing the roar of our Bike Squads as they started to drive into the midst of the Sisters.

Every other Marine followed behind the bikes, and I slammed my pommel into a Sister's skull, before slicing another's arm off. A bolter shot from a Marine finished that Sister off, and I turned to find another Sister to kill, only to see that they were all either dead or fled. Looking into the sky, I also noticed that there was no more shield blocking off the Fleet from sending us support.

After calling drop ships and evacuating the wounded, I sat by the Rhinos with the Captains, who reported that we lost half of our Scouts, alongside thirty-seven from the 5th Company. Two wounded from 5th Company unfortunately could not be fully saved, and they would become the Chapter's first Dreadnoughts. Joining them would be an additional Marine from 1st and 4th Companies.

We lost only nine other Marines between the forces that were wounded establishing our position by the Convent, and my group that joined them. A total of ninety-six battle brothers and sisters died, alongside thirty-eight Techmarines, a dozen Apothecaries, and sixteen Librarians. Four Dreadnoughts meant we lost an entire Company's worth to what I thought was going to be a routine check.

Thunderhawks were dispatched to see if any surviving Sisters fled into the plains that made up the majority of the planet, while the Marines went and scoured the planet in Land Raiders.

I made my way towards the Thunderhawk that fled the Convent, to find two Techmarines guarding two sitting Sisters, the only people who made it out unscathed. After Viktor and Felicitia looked over the Sisters, we figured it was reasonable that they weren't corrupted by Chaos.

"So, I see you four are the only one's that made it out. What happened in there?" I took my helmet off, and smiled at the Sisters who were holding hands. "And what are your names?"

"I am Agatheia Ephrus, my Lady. Former Canoness of the Order. And this is my wife and former Palatine, Mirica Ephrus." The two of the smiled weakly at each other, and then looked up at me. "As for what happened. I know not when it started, but it seems my other Palatine was behind all of it. She was in charge of the Sisters Penitentia, and with Recruiting. It was she who suggested we raise our numbers, and it was she who gathered much of our numbers. It seemed only the Seraphim and Miricia's Celestines were truly safe. Anyone else who that vile Heretic couldn't get to betray me, instead was sent to the Sisters Penitentia!"

Miricia rubbed Agatheia's back, and continued for Agatheia as she broke down crying. "So it was, after Agatheia's customary solar week long prayer to mark the founding of the Order was almost over, that you arrived. I managed to overhear from one of the heretical Sisters that they were going to launch an assault on the South Pole. This was after one of the Seraphim sent the Techmarines to Agatheia's chambers. Upon arriving there, we realized something was up."

The Techmarine then spoke up. "We didn't know what to make of it. We had been told upon arrival that a stellar storm managed to reach the planet, and fried their electronics. After meeting with the Canoness, she sent some of her Seraphim to investigate, while I sent someone to investigate the equipment. We discovered, in looking at this Thunderhawk, that it wasn't a stellar storm, but sabotage."

I nodded along, frowning at the sabotage. Agatheia continued for the Techmarine. "Only one of the Seraphim returned from investigating, and we immediately left my chambers and holed up in some tunnels that ran under the Convent. We spent two days avoiding whatever was down there with us, before we discovered a ritual site, with some Sisters guarding it, alongside some daemons. Specifically a large amount of Lesser Daemons and one Greater Daemon. One of the Marines grabbed one of the traitors when she made to leave, and we discovered what was being planned. We learned that they were planning to summon a Lord of Change, and that it was planned for later that day. They needed nine loyal sisters for this. We resolved to interrupt the ritual at the last moment, and killed the traitorous bitch."

The Techmarine spoke for the Canoness, who stopped talking to weep again. "Just as we were about to strike, one of the Seraphim bid us to take the Canoness and her wife away, to escape. We waited for the attack to start, and saw one of the Seraphim jump at the Greater Daemom, striking it down before being ripped apart by the other Daemons. The rest of the Seraphim rushed one of the sacrifices, intending to move her from the ritual site. We didn't see what happened, as we immediately guided the Canoness with the Palatine to the one Thunderhawk we fixed. And then we arrived here."

I nodded, and then crouched down, to better look at the Sisters. Agatheia had stopped crying, and currently was squeezing Miricia's hand. I smiled, and started to talk when Agatheia interjected. "We accept any punishment you deem fit, my Lady. As a representative of the Emperor's might, We are surrendering ourselves to you."

I raised my eyes, and then laughed, before collecting myself, seeing the look of horror on their two faces. "I see, well then... oh Albus is gonna love this!"

The Techmarines laughed, as the Sisters hung their heads. "Is he the executioner?"

"What? No! Oh no no no, you aren't going to die today." I cleared my throat, "Agatheia and Miricia Ephus. I am now charging you and your Order with the important goal of accompanying us while we find a way to reverse the grip that Chaos and Heresy has on our Galaxy. You will be given accommodations, and help rebuilding. We only ask that you two help our Librarians and Chaplains with discovering a way to exorcise the taint of Chaos from our foes!"

Agatheia and Miricia glance at each other, and I see Miricia smile. As they both turned toward me, I see they both were beaming.

"We would be honoured too!" The two of them said simultaneously, and I got up. I grabbed Viktor, who I told to look after the Sisters, and went about overseeing the clean up.

A solar week was spent searching for any stragglers without luck, before everyone returned to the Fleet. I finally went to bed, leaving a disgruntled Albus to manage the Fleet as we decide where to go next.

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Honour Guard Johanna Gunhildrdottir

Name: Johanna Gunnhildrdottir

Gender: Butch Woman

Sexuality: Bisexual

Primarch: Leman Russ

Original Chapter: Wolf Brothers

Rank: Honour Guard

Biography: A former member of the Wolf Brothers, who left to join a Rogue Trader Ship when she first started showing signs of her Chapter's Gene Flaw. She has a rare mutation of the Space Wolf Gene Flaw, that allows her to morph between a Wulfen and a normal Space Marine. Eventually she joined the Twilight Panthers, and rose to become one of the four members of Rose's Honour Guard.

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Reclusiarch Viktor von Schwarzwald

Name: Viktor von Schwarzwald

Gender: Femboy

Sexuality: Gay

Primarch: Jaghatai Khan

Original Chapter: White Scars/Twilight Panthers

Rank: Reclusiarch/Master of Sanctity

Biography: A very devout believer, the head of the Twilight Panthers lives to serve the God-Emperor and his Chapter. He also wears nonstandard clothes when not in power armor, preferring skirts and knee high stockings to the more traditional attire. One of the few people that can calm Caius down, and he's not above a little mischief as long as it doesn't interfere with his duties or his faith.

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Mission to Fluxi X, Part 3

(this takes place circa 470M38)

I nodded to the Techmarine pilot, as our drop ship took off. As we flew down to the surface, I made sure the bike next to me was still secured, and I looked at the nine of us in the drop pod. It's not often that we deploy in battle, but I've already lost almost a full company of troops.

"Denilla will be fine Felicitia," I idly reassured my Chief Librarian as we waited, though she just shook her head.

"Of course the First Captain will be fine, she's not the First Captain for nothing, Rose." Felicitia looked unshaken, and I sighed.

"I know you have faith in her. By the Emperor, we already lost almost a company!" I could hear the drop pods that we were flying away from hit the ground, and our pilot informed us that we'd be there in a couple minutes.

Viktor patted my back, "Lady Vanfelis, it's okay, you did what you thought was best. Do you want me to scold Caius or do you want to."

I chuckled darkly. "No, that is my job Viktor."

We rode the rest of the trip in silence, and as the doors opened, I was greeted to a well established base. We got off in the only calm section of the chaos, with Viktor riding the bike. The pilot wished us well, and flew back towards the ship. I saw the dropship leave the atmosphere, and smiled.

"Well Albus, it's time to find out exactly what we're dealing with. Everyone, get settled and prepare to take charge of your specialists. It is time for me to have a word with our Chief Apothecary." Felicitia immediately ran to check on her Librarians, while Viktor found the six Chaplains and started talking to them. The Master of the Forge slunk off to check on the fortifications, while I marched deliberately towards the medical tent.

As I approached the medical tent, I caught sight of the half undressed Caius overseeing the surgery of our wounded.

I made my way right next to him, before clearing my throat. "Chief Apothecary Caius Bukh Ayanga, I never gave you the order to co-"

My scolding was interrupted as several Penitent Engines, the ghastly dreadnoughts of the Sisters Penitentia, crashed into the wall. Without thinking, I immediately wrapped my arms around Caius, as I saw a handful of Apothecaries get tossed like ragdolls and shot. We were all caught unawares, and I cursed to myself when I felt my arms suddenly holding air.

Caius had escaped my grasp, and was currently dashing up to one of the Engines with a scalpel in his hand. His surgery tray, alongside its contents and a bolter, was scattered across the floor. I quickly picked up a Bolter and shot at one of the Engines, before unsheathing my sword and cutting one arm off. As it turned towards me I beheaded the former Sister that was piloting it, and I glanced around, seeing about a dozen bodies on the floor, with the rest of the Apothecaries also moving to defend themselves and their patients.

A roar from Caius showed that he successfully killed the Engine he attacked. There were two left, though the remaining Apothecaries were in the middle of destroying a third.

"Catch, Ayanga!" I tossed him his bolter, and ran outside to see three Sisters Superior with flaming hands, cackling as a Legatine had her hands in the air in surrender, disgusted. The walls of our base were destroyed, and I saw the Techmarine's workshop was in a worse state than the Medical Tent, as it was on fire too.

"Hakin Ilkhak!" I yelled for my Master of the Forge, who was in the middle of setting up sensory equipment with the fourty Marines here before the attack. I saw barely a dozen Techmarines rise from the burning rubble, including them, and cursed.

"Witches! You will pay for this!" I snarled at the three Sisters, all of whom were cackling. One threw a fireball towards me, but a brief flash of ice showed that the Librarians were okay.

"Thanks Felicitia!" I didn't even look back as I charged at the Sisters, bisecting one immediately. I saw the Legatine pull out a knife, and was about to cut her down when she lunged at another of the Sisters, stabbing her before being immolated by the third Sister.

Felicitia, sounding like she was having fun, called out to me. "Get out of the way Rose!"

I barely managed to roll out of the way before a thunderbolt came from the sky, smiting the last of the Sisters.

I took a moment to catch my breath, and looked around at our base. I saw the Company tents were untouched, and the remnants of the 5th and 10th Companies, alongside the 6th, 7th, and 9th Companies were waiting for me. I then saw that this section of the base was trashed, on fire, and our fortifications were ruined.

Hakin shook his head at me. "Only eleven survivors here Rose."

I saw Caius come out of his wrecked corner, now fully armored, basically growling. "A dozen Apothecaries dead, twelve more of the wounded died. Rose I am marching towards the base and no one can stop me!"

I pointed to his bike, and glared at him. "The Bike Squads are out, you can lead our vanguard towards the lines that Denilla is setting up. I brought your bike for you. Now then!! Status report of everyone else?"

Everyone checked in that they were fine. It seemed that it was a surgical strike, and the sudden appearance of a planetary shield that hummed to life during the battle seemed to confirm it.

"Damn it, anyone who is comfortable driving a Rhino, please let us know. Hakin will coordinate our drivers, once our Bike Squads get back I want everyone either in a Rhino or on a Bike! We had just enough Techmarines to pilot the Rhinos here, and nothing more. It'll take us about three days to get to the Convent, so we need to move fast. the 1st to the 4th were dropped close enough that they should have coordinated by the time we get closer. Let's get moving people!"

As the Companies start to get ready to depart, I see a decent number of drivers walk up to Hakin, and I see that Viktor and my Honour Guard were now holding back Caius. Albus walked up to me, and I realized I hadn't sheathed my sword.

"Captain Vebe Kort just sent a vox that I picked up, she's gonna be here shortly. It seemed quiet, they didn't manage to catch up with any of the others before she heard the distress call. They were patrolling the area to make sure no one snuck up on the base. She apologizes for not going right towards the North, but her intuituon told her the fight was too easy."

I nodded, and we waited as the Squads reorganized, and I sighed. "Eighty-nine confirmed casualties Albus, that's basically a whole company. We still have the 5th and 10th's Command Squads, but what do we do about the numbers?"

Albus shrugged at me, and said something that I couldn't hear, as I was lost in thought. He then repeated himself, this time I heard him. "We have a Rhino set aside for you, Hakin is going to drive it, my Lady did you hear me?"

I shook my head, and brought myself back into focus. "Oh I did this time. And sorry Albus, but I think I'm gonna be ignoring the Codex once we get back. Gonna have to reorganize our Companies."

Albus rolled his eyes, and we made our way onto the Rhino, where I finally got to see Caius.

"Half of the Scouts and a dozen Apothecaries dead Rose!" He snarled and practically spit in my face, a fact that caused Albus to reach for his chainsword, before I gestured that it was okay. "They were my people, and now you're telling me to wait! You're lucky my coffee thermos wasn't even scratched. Oh Albus, do thank your wife if we ever get off this hell hole!"

Albus smiled at that. His wife, a Votann trans woman, was his only joy in life, or so he said.

"How about you calm down and drink some. I had Hakin lock the wheels of the Haligan, you'll get it unlocked when we're ready to go." I heard the distant roar of our bikes, and then gave Caius a strained smile. "Which will be soon, it seems!"

"You did what to my bike!?" Caius snarled, and Albus stepped between the two of us.

"Your tendency to run into danger when upset could have ended with you dead, old friend. Give us an hour, and you can lead the way!" I turned away, leaving Caius to snarl and bark at Albus. Captain Vebe informed me that there was no sign of the Chaos Sisters, and that outside the mountains our base was established on, it seemed that there was little in the way of terrain from which to ambush us in. Until, that is, we got to the forests that cover much of the area around the Convent.

Around an hour later we had everyone in Rhinos, and we were off for a long, anxiety inducing ride. Caius took off at a roar, riding Haligan and swinging his Power Hammer around. The first day of travel was uneventful, although no words from Denilla did make me worry.

"Tzeentch is the probable God that we're up against, my Lady." Felicitia's words caught me off guard, as we began the second day of travel.

"The well coordinated attacks alongside those psykers, Witch-Sisters is a good name for them, has led me to that conclusion. I just hope there's not many more psykers among them, otherwise we may be screwed." I sighed, and shook my head. "I wish I just deployed everything at once."

"You couldn't have forseen this Rose, there were no indications when we checked that there were any major defenses we'd need to breach." Viktor placed a hand on my shoulder, and I nodded slowly. "You like being cautious and diplomatic, it hasn't steered us wrong yet."

"You're right, as always Viktor." I smiled and we went back to idly chatting as we waited to make contact with the enemy or arrive at our new front line.

[kitty-space-marine]

Pîya Hûri, Wife of Albus

Name: Pîya Hûri

Gender: Trans Woman

Sexuality: Straight

Original Organization: Leagues of Votann

Rank: Albus' Wife, Engineer

Biography: Originally from the Leagues of Votann, she eventually decided to go on an expedition that lead her to the Segmentum Pacificus. She established some trade routes for back home, but eventually ran afoul of some Tyranids, only to be saved by a Company of Ultramarines, where she fell in love with Albus Julianus. Eventually when this was discovered, they were both marooned on a moon, where she rigged up a communication device that eventually made contact with the Twilight Panthers when they were in the system. She has earned the trust of Hakin, and they both have worked to vastly improve and automate the Twilight Panther Fleet.

[kitty-space-marine]

Chapter Ancient Albus Julianus

Name: Albus Julianus

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Straight

Primarch: Roboute Guilliman

Original Chapter: Ultramarines

Rank: Chapter Champion

Biography: A Codex-thumping ex-Ultramarine that was kicked out of his chapter for falling in love with a Votann trans woman, and left on a desolate moon alongside her to die. Rose picked him and his wife up, and he eventually rose the ranks to become the Chapter Champion, grumbling the entire time. Occasionally he tries to get Rose to act a little more Codex-Compliant, but it usually falls on deaf cat-ears.

[kitty-space-marine]

Mission to Fluxi X, Part 2

(this takes place circa 470M38)

I idly fiddled with Thorn, my power longsword, as I waited to hear the Scout reports. The Techmarine manning the vox array was dutifully hopping between Scout Squads and the Techmarines on the ground. Around fifty of them were establishing our base on the ground, something that I still hoped would be unnecessary. It has been about a solar day since we deployed the 5th and 10th Companies.

I was debating giving the order for the Scouts to return to base, when the vox array squawked to life, shaking me briefly from the lull.

"Sergeant, repeat, you have contact?" the Techmarine, machine like even twenty-four hours later, didn't seem fazed.

"Yes, we do, a squad of Sisters Repentia, their leader is asking to speak with my superior, but the Captain did not respond." The sergeant's voice carried the weight of the day of searching, and I was hopeful that this meant we could move on soon.

"Patch them through to me, and then try to make contact with the other Squads." I had a few questions prepared, but most of them seemed to have been answered simply by the lack of a fight.

"Hello, this is Chapter Master of the Twilight Panthers here, who may I ask, is this?"

A smooth voice responded, "Just a Sister Superior in charge of some of our Order's Repentia, my Lady. What seems to be the issue?"

"You seemed to have missed your check in with the Planetary Governor by a solar month, and he was worried. We happened to be in the area, so we figured we'd check in. Any problems?" I smiled politely with my words, though the Sister could not tell.

"It seems our ships have been damaged, we were trying to scavenge parts together to fix one. We actually almost fixed one, no need for a whole Chapter to look for us." She audibly sighed, and I could almost picture her frown. "Our vox-casters tried to send messages, but it seems that where we are in our orbit makes it hard right now to send messages to Fluxi Prime."

"Heard, we can send some Techmarines your way to help, is everything fine with the Order?" I looked at Denilla and Albus, who began to make those arrangements.

"That would be... appreciated, thanks." The Sister sounded a little hesitant at that prospect, probably on account of the fact that Marines are imposing. "The Order is fine, I just checked in the other day actually. Are you going to leave a ship for your troops currently on planet?"

I thought for a moment, and then shook my head, before remembering there was no video feed for the Sister to see. "I mean, I don't tend to leave my troops behind unless part of a larger mission, and we currently have nothing to do. I can move them if they're making you Sisters uncomfortable."

"Surely, you can find better accommodations at Fluxi Prime, no?" The Sister Superior had a slight twinge in her voice, something started to feel off, but I couldn't tell exactly what.

"Possibly, but I am strange like that. I'll move my fleet and ask my Captains what they think. Is it possible for me to meet your Canoness?" Another motion, and members of my Honour Guard began to carry out these new orders.

"I believe she is in prayer right now, she has been for some time now. I can pass along the request, but that is all I can do. You will send the Techmarines to our Convent?" The twinge seemed to be gone now, and I thought to myself that it may just have been my imagination from the solar day I spent waiting.

"Yes, they will be there shortly. My troops will take their leave now, thank you Sister. For the Emperor!"

"Yes indeed." With that short response, she signed off, and I was left confused.

My confusion must have been evident on my face, because as Albus and Denilla returned, Albus spoke up immediately. "What is it Rose?"

"Normally the Sisters are more vocal about their fervor for the Emperor. This one only said 'Yes indeed.' Maybe it's nothing, we'll see when our Scout Company returns." I shook my head as if to clear my thoughts.

"That is odd, maybe the Sister was just reserved because she was talking to a Chapter Master?" Albus started stroking his chin. "No matter, our Scouts can take care of themselves."

"I sent ten Techmarines to help repair their ships, and our base on the ground is established. Do you want to prepare more troops to land?" Denilla asked hurriedly, and I realized she probably missed her wife.

"Tell all troops except the 6th and 9th to relax their standby protocols for now, I don't think that'll be necessary." I prepared to take off my helmet, freeing my feline ears to twitch and move. "I'll never get used to how expressive these ears are. Being cooped up in a helmet is bad for them."

Denilla reached up and scratched my one ear, and I frowned at her. "Hey, I'm still your Chapter Master, no matter how cute my ears!"

Albus snorted, and we settled down, relaxing for about an hour, until we heard multiple screeches from the vox-array.

The Techmarine turned toward me. "Multiple enemy contacts, we've had reports that several Scout squads have been attacked, and two have possibly been wiped out. It seems our base was hit too, although it is holding."

"Bloody Throne!" I immediately got serious, stopping mid-joke with one of my Honour Guard. "Tell Captain Hajur to deploy Squads to assist the Scouts. Any word about the Techmarines?"

After quickly relaying my order, the Techmarine shook his head. "It seems they may still be alive. Their vox-feed is still up, though it seems to be jammed."

"So it seems their ships are indeed damaged. Now then, we'll get to see the true extent of the corruption in the Order." I turned towards Denilla. "Tell the 6th and 9th Companies, get on the ground immediately. Once we establish that the base is safe, we'll deploy more Companies. I need to know, do we have any word on what exactly is attacking us?"

"Sisters Repentia, my Lady." The Techmarine barely glances my way as he relays a flurry of orders, his tech augments allowing him to keep track of all the conversations happening.

"They barely know what they're actually doing, with the amount of fervor in them to die so they can repent. I wonder if we could get ahold of the Canonness, if I could just talk to someone in their command..." My words drifted off, as I tried to think of ways to get in contact with their leadership, and also what exactly we were up against.

"It seems we have rogue Sisters," Albus' gruff voice brought me back to the present. "Chaos is unlikely, but it could be. We won't know until the base is secured and we can go down to confirm. We'll need more than the two Apothecaries down there though."

"Albus, please ask Caius to pick twenty-five Apothecaries to establish a medical team in our base. Denilla please ask Felicitia to ready the same number of Librarians, we'll need to understand exactly what we're up against, if we run into anyone that might know what they're doing."

The Techmarine clears his throat, and I walk calmly up to him, as my orders are relayed. "It seems we have about fifty Scouts that made it back to the Ground Base, my Lady. We sustained an additional twenty-seven losses from the 5th Company. Captain Hajur is reporting that there are a lot of wounded, but the base is secure. What are your orders?"

"I hope 6th and 9th Companies are on the ground, and I want the selected Apothecaries and Librarians there as soon as they can. Please have some of our fleet fly around the northern hemisphere, to see if there's anti-air emplacements. Any word from the Techmarines?" I started to worry, as if they don't make it safely, then we'll have no intel on what their base is like, and then there'll be no choice but to deploy the companies with guns blazing.

"No, my Lady. I'll keep a look out. It is strange though, I can tell that their vox-links are still there, I just can't get through to them."

Denilla and Albus then turned toward me, and told me our specialists were on the ground. Albus shook his head at me. "Caius went down there personally, alongside the twenty-five Apothecaries."

Denilla grimaced. "My wife, however, will be here shortly."

"Emperor's damn him, if I wanted him down there I would have said that specifically. He knows that!" I sigh deeply, and turn around. "Techmarine, anything weapons wise?"

"No sir, it seems there's a void shield around the Convent itself, but even upon bombing areas of the planet, not even the hint of anything offensive."

"Great! Denilla, suit up! I want all Companies deployed around the planet, and a better forward base established. I will drop at our base once the companies here are deployed. Hold out on deploying any tanks or gunships until after I'm on the ground and call for them. I want the 7th and 8th Company deployed at the current base, with Bike Squads ready to support the 1st to the 4th, who will work on establishing a secure position closer to the Convent. Denilla I'll let you coordinate that. Terminators in their Terminator Armor, we have no clue what we're dealing with." I looked to see if Albus had anything to add. He didn't, so I nodded at the Techmarine who was already relaying my orders, and at my Honour Guard that was running to suit up.

I hoped that there was a miscommunication somewhere, but it looked like we stumbled into the middle of what could possibly be a Chaos Cult taking root in the System.

[kitty-space-marine]

HATSUNE MIKUUUUUUU

a sister who likes to sing!