The Multiverse Project: Warhammer 40,000

"Okay, this is a little ominous."

"Indeed, lord commissar."

The sight that greeted Tangmo when he strolled into the Immortal Spirit's domed conference room was inquisitor Amberley Vail, seated at the round, marble topped table in a place that put her directly opposite the entrance, striking a Gendo pose and eyeing him with a tiger's intensity. The bright, pleasing futuristic aesthetics and decorations, designed to look more like Star Trek than 40k, with its white seamless wall, warm bright light, pots of plants and flowers, big panoramic windows gleaming with stars, all dimmed in the presence of Amberley's emanating dark aura. Although Tangmo knew that Amberley was the one who called the meeting, he didn't expect the usually bubbly and welcoming inquisitor to be grimmer than death.

"So…super bad news?" Tangmo took a seat facing the window, so he can watch the passing cosmos.

"I'm afraid so," Amberley said tersely before softening her tone. "Please convey my deepest thanks to Navigator Eurydice, her assistance was most appreciated."

"Apparently she was happy to help, weird," Tangmo said, usually Eurydice doesn't take kindly to people interfering with her work.

"She understood my need," was all Amberley said as more main characters entered the conference room. In less than a minute, every seat was taken and beverages served by dutiful attendants, all of whom quickly made their exit when Amberley snappishly waved them out.

"I would first like to apologize for calling this meeting so hastily," Amberley began. "But a new situation requires our immediate attention."

"Yeah, you kinda pulled us back into real space after only halfway to our destination," Henry said. "What's up?"

"We've intercepted a distress astropathic signal," Amberley went on. "The message itself was incomprehensible, but I recognize the source code of the regiment that sends it. The 597th Valhallan calls for aid."

Guardsmen and eldars alike traded looks of surprise, followed by rapid exchanges of enthusiastic words. The Space Marine and Sororitas however, remained stoically silent.

"How old was the message?" Evangeline asked when the din died down.

"Two standard Terran weeks," Amberley said.

"Is it wise to pursue this new course?" Xiphos's concern received a few agreeing murmurs.

"Of course it is dude, this is Ciaphas Cain we're talking about!" Yuki spoke up then turned to Amberley. "He's there, right?"

"He is," Amberley nodded sternly.

"This is folly," Galatea said, earning poignant nods from the other canonesses in attendance. "We cannot simply abandon potential STC cache for the sake of one man."

"A hero of the Imperium he maybe inquisitor Vail, but I doubt the worth of a single commissar outweigh our duty," commissar Raine added with an air of snide pomposity. She had made it very clear from the get go that she wasn't a fan of Ciaphas Cain.

"Commissar Cain plays a crucial role in regards to propaganda and morale," Amberley said. "His fate, good or ill, will have a wide ramification across the Imperium. If he is dead, then we need conformation of his demise, and if he is alive, we must help him."

"Do we have any idea of what actually happen to the commissar?" Lingxin asked.

"I do not know, but the nature of his mission should be enough to enlighten us," Amberley tapped her data-pad and brought up an ultra HD 8k hologram of an icy blue and white planet. "This is Frystasvard, the capital of the Stalvingar system. Due to its distant from the sun, Frystasvard is a planet of perpetual winter, with a paltry population of about one hundred million. Their main exports are raw, unprocessed ores and ice blocks."

"Sounds harmless enough," Bruce commented.

"But recent intelligence from the Ministorum, combined with subsequent excavation conducted by the Mechanicus, reveals that a large depository of Black Stone lies beneath Frystasvard. The locals have been hiding this fact from the Imperium," Amberley continued

"Okay, now I'm interested," Henry leaned on the table, eyes gleaming.

"Ciaphas and the Valhallan 597th were assigned to take command of Frystasvard," Amberley said. "His job was to persuade the populace into contributing the Black Stone for Imperial war effort. The Segmentum high command believes that a…celebrity could make the local more compliant to the request."

"Are you saying that the great Ciaphas Cain and the 597th Valhallan were laid low by these backwater miners?" Kenshin couldn't keep the smirk from his face.

"I do not believe the local were responsible for Ciaphas's current predicament," Amberley said.

"You suspect some other forces at work?" Al-Rahman asked.

"The navies that were anchored around Frystasvard claimed that they just disappeared," Amberley shook her head minutely. "I managed to interrogate them the moment we've exited the Warp, the admiral in charge of the fleet was in the process of leaving the Stalvingar system. I pressed for answer, but the man was borderline hysterical and offered his condolence before hightailing into the Warp."

"Could this be a sign of Chaos compulsion?" Alistair said, "a work of Tzeentch cultists perhaps?"

"I first thought it was Syrathel and her cohort," the Eight groaned at this, can't they fight someone new for a change? "But after reviewing all available information, I came to the conclusion that the Chaos Sororitas were not involved, but something in a similar vein."

"You mean like those lost Sororitas Celestine told us about?" Lita asked.

"I believe so, lady Warseer," Amberley waited until the Sororitas's hushed conversation died down before continuing. "The Stalvingar system was colonized not long after the Horus Heresy, and a war for resources soon followed. The conflict lasted until sometime during the 37nd millennium when peace and stability was suddenly enforced, with all factions unanimously summiting to Imperial rule. Since then, tithes were paid on time and the populace has earned a reputation for being docile. These successes were attributed to a mythical band of warriors known as the Winter Angel."

"Yep, that sounds like a Sororitas order alright," Laura commented.

"And to add to that point, the Stalvingar system had withstood numerous Chaos attacks, Orkish incursion and eldar raids, despite having no PDF to speak off," Amberley lifted her brow mischievously at the canonesses. "Do I have your curiosity, honorable canonesses?"

"You have our attention," Bellona grinned toothily. "I believe we would very much like to meet these Winter Angels."

"And kill them all like you did the Silver Flame," Laura muttered loud enough for the entire room to hear, drawing a snort from Tangmo.

"Diplomatic overture must of course be established, lady inquisitor," Crestienne's pleasantry had a knife edge to it, "although we cannot promise a peaceful outcome if they proves to be problematic."

"So it's safe to say that Ciaphas Cain somehow managed to piss off these Winter Angels, causing them to attack him and…I don't know, kill or capture him?" Damien spoke up. "Strange, I thought Cain was ultra-smooth with the ladies."

Amber ignored the snickering around the table and said, "Ciaphas is not without his vice, but I believe he is not at fault for this calamity. The Valhallan 597th wasn't the only regiment operating on Frystasvard, for the Ministorum has also assigned the Tallarn 229th, under the command of commissar Tomas Beije, to work in tandem with Ciaphas."

"Beije? The stupid son of a bitch that tried to have Cain arrested on Adumbria?" Tangmo spoke up. "I thought he got demoted to cleaning toilet or some shit?"

"Commissar Beije is a consummate sycophant, with many powerful friends," Amberley didn't hide her distaste. "Through those connections, he managed to get his rank restored and reassigned to his old regiment."

"I'm more surprised that the Tallarn 229th still exists," Al-Rahman spoke up suddenly. "Last I heard from mother, the last bastion of their tribe was destroyed a few months ago. With that victory, my mother now controls the entirety of Tallarn."

"Holy shit dude, congratulation!" Henry whooped loudly and the entire room erupted in claps and cheers, Bruce leaning in to give Al-Rahman a hearty slap on the back, causing the Tallarn prince to squawk in pain.

"Thank you, but it was because of the STC data so generously provided by the Immortal Spirit that helped my mother achieve victory, and bring an end to such needless bloodshed," Al-Rahman said modestly.

"Blood well spilled," major Salahdin added darkly. "The 229th and their ilk are scums, the worst amalgamation of zealotry and stupidity, narrowminded and cruel. One of the stupid bastards even started a cult called 'the Book of Cain' which heralds the famous commissar as the Emperor's prophet. I hope we wipe every last trace of them off the planet." Salahdin suddenly remembered that Amberley was in the room and bowed apologetically at the inquisitor. "I meant no offense, lady inquisitor."

"None taken, major Salahdin," Amberley's smile lacked her trademark warmness and was gone the moment she shifted her attention to Raine. "Well lady commissar? Have I provided enough reason for diverting from our original objective?"

"It is the high command that needed convincing, lady inquisitor, not me," Raine nonchalant countenance was infuriatingly aristocratic. "Although I believe a decision has already been made."

"You goddamn right it was!" Tangmo grinned then turned to his friends. "You guys cool with this?"

The Eight concurred heartily without fail.

"That settles it then," Tangmo was laughing now, extremely pleased with the result. "We're gonna go rescue Ciaphas Cain, baby!"

"If he's alive, that is," Evangeline muttered.

"Don't you put that evil on us Evangeline!" Henry stabbed his finger at the Mordian colonel, causing the assembly to laugh.

"So be it then," Raine adjusted her awesome commissar coat with aloof nonchalance. "When are we due to arrive at Frystasvard?"

"Three days," Lita told her.

"Very well," Raine nodded, rose from her seat, and headed for the door, but not before flashing an innocent smile at Amberley. "I shall spare my prayer for the illustrious commissar."

"I'm sure you will," it was in this moment that Tangmo realized how much preferred the chirpy Amberley over this brooding woman now glaring at commissar Raine.

"The weather's really nice," Henry commented merrily, his words coming in puffy mist.

"Clear blue sky and clean, crisp air," Laura inhaled deeply, savoring the chilly scent. "A nice day for a little stroll, wouldn't you say old chap?"

"The snow is nice and powdery too," Nikki stooped down and ran her hand across the soft blanket of white, her smile joyous and nostalgic.

"Just like back home," Erik shared a grin with Nikki. "Do you want to build a snowman later?"

"Hey Damien, catch!" Yuki throw a snowball at Damien, it exploded into glittering specks against the golden aquila on his chest.

"Oh, you don't want to be catching a snowball coming from these hands!" Yuki giggled in delight as Damien started scooping up an armful of snow.

"F-Fuck, a-all of you."

The six turned with diabetes inducing smiles at the shivering Tangmo and Lita, the cold was totally not agreeing with the two southerners. At least he had his awesome commissar coat on, which didn't help all that much, unlike Lita, whose skin tight clothes and armors provided no protection from the chilly weather.

"What's wrong guys?" Nikki asked innocently. "Feeling a bit under the weather?"

"I'm freezing!" Lita's teeth chattered with every spoken syllable.

"Are you kidding love? This is practically summer in the highland!" Laura chimed in.

"Oh, ha, ha, really funny!" Tangmo spluttered.

"It's not that bad, stop being so dramatic!" Yuki added haughtily the same moment Leilatha joined them, a heavy looking coat cradled in her arms. Tangmo wanted to kiss the lady commissar but feared that their lips might get stuck together.

"I see you are not accustom to the cold," Leilatha held the fur coat toward him. "Here, the Grey Watch are handing out winter gears, you look even more miserable than the Tallarn and the eldars."

Tangmo was reaching for the coat but stopped when he noticed Lita hugging herself tightly, shaking worse than he was.

"Give it to Lita, she need it more than I do," Tangmo's hand receded and Leilatha scoffed at his display of chivalry.

"I thought you might say that," Leilatha spread her arms, revealing that she was carrying two heavy coats, "I brought one for her too."

"Have I told you how much I love you today?" Tangmo quickly took the coat and slid it on, adding another layer atop his awesome commissar coat. Tangmo moaned contently as warmth suffused his body.

"You need to say it three more times to meet the daily quota," Leilatha grinned.

"Oh, thank you so much," Lita snuggled into the bundle of fur, Leilatha sparing her a sideway glance. "I thought I was gonna turn into an ice pop."

"You're welcome," Leilatha's curt reply did not dampen Lita's sunny disposition in the least.

"I thought Mexico was higher up the equator than Thailand," Erik spoke up. "Shouldn't you be more tolerant to the cold than Tangmo?"

"I live in Texas, Erik," Lita said. "But no, I don't do well in cold weather. And I'm pretty sure the weather in Dallas and Monterrey isn't that different from Bangkok."

"You got that right, but the air's probably cleaner," Tangmo said then turned to Leilatha. "How's everybody settling in? Have we established contact with the planetary governor yet?"

"Leave that to me," Amberley entered the conversation, the inquisitor's visage was darkened by determination. "I will wring the truth from him."

"Yeah, I don't think so," Damien came to stand before Amberley, but the inquisitor ruined the whole scary Astartes routine when she straight up glared at the Angel of Death. "I mean…given your less than, uh, stable temperament and your well known intimate relationship with commissar Cain, I've decided that the Adeptus Astartes shall be the ones to interrogate the planetary governor. Because you might go crazy and kill everyone."

"Nice dude, you manage to say everything wrong," Erik flinched when Amberley's hands balled into fists, even Damien took a step back. After a moment, the lady inquisitor exhaled slowly, the white breath puffing through her clenched teeth reminded Tangmo of an enraged dragon about to immolate some poor knight.

"If that is your wish," Amberley said lowly before stalking away.

"That went well," Laura commented then glanced at her friends. "I think we should hustle."

"I'll take the King Ghidorah and an armored battalion to the mining pit and surveyed the area," Henry strode off.

"We'll get a base of operation going here," Yuki dragged Laura to where the Valkyrie squadrons were descending.

"Guess that leaves the rest of us for reconnaissance," Tangmo adjusted his awesome commissar cap and waved Leilatha and the rest of the Eight to follow. "Let's go."

"The people are indeed docile," Brother Sergeant Antalok of the Salamander observed as the Space Marines made their way down the thoroughfare of packed earth hardened by ice and snow.

"The sight of the Emperor's Angels of Death will have that effect," Gallus said, his demon red eyes sweeping across the frightened crowd that had gathered along the roadside to watch them, curiosity trumping over fear.

"Not a very sunny bunch, are they?" Damien took in the dirty peasants around them. They were clad in thick, rough spun medieval tunic, faces rugged with decades worth of hard misery. Hell, if it wasn't for the tractors, jeeps, lasguns and the occasional weird Servitor looking things, Damien would've thought this was some shitty tenth century European village.

"Is it wise to leave the Rhino unattended?" Aurius, the Ultramarine Primaris Marine, spoke up while glancing back down the road.

"I doubt the people here can do anything besides gawk at our war machine," Matuk, the Salamander Tech Marine, said. "They cannot hope to override our security system."

"Regardless of their technological ineptitude, we need to keep a wary eye on them, brothers," Manaus held his heavy bolter at the ready. "These people are not friendlies."

"How did you come to that conclusion?" Sidonius asked.

"Check their heartbeats and neuro transmission," Manaus nudged his head at the nervous crowd. "They're frightened of us, like the guilty facing judgment."

"Perhaps they have never seen an Astartes before," Itka, the Salamander Tactical Marine, offered his observation. "Many billions across the Imperium only heard of us through myths and legends."

"I can distinguish between awe and fear, brother Itka," Manaus said. "And this place reeks of the latter."

"That's not the only thing out of the norm about this place," Gallus made sure that only Damien received his transmission. "Have you noticed the…disposition of the men and women in this place?"

"Shit, I thought I was imagining that," Damien took in the gathered civilian three more times to confirm his suspicion. The moment they entered Ymirholm, the capital of Frystasvard, Damien noticed how the men, despite being built like freaking lumberjacks and bodybuilders, were strangely meek, fearful, and subdued. All of these symptoms became starkly pronounced when the women walked into view, the men showing them absolute deference, bowing respectfully or skittering out of their path. The women eyed the Space Marines with surprising animosity, fearless and defiant, wolves growling at intruders who had dared to enter their domain. So the men acted like women and women acted like men on this planet, a matriarchal society. Damn, could it be that the great Ciaphas Cain finally bitten off more than he can chew? Damien tried to stifle a laugh, which was getting harder and harder as he watched the women of Frystasvard shoved, ordered, berated, and even in some cases groped the men, who suffered the treatment in silence before retreating back into the crowd, heads held low in embarrassment and shame. If the roles were reversed, this would be fucked up, but as things stand, this shit was hilarious.

"Brother Sergeant, up ahead," Gallus alerted him to a group of men and women gathered before a big three storey building which Damien assumed was the governor palace. The retinue facing them wore high quality cottons, leathers and furs like the nobility of old. At the head of the group was a massive Norseman, his muscles bulging out of his shirt, an impressive physique for a non Astartes.

"Well met, noble warriors of the God Emperor," the man leading the entourage bowed curtly, his posture betrayed his reluctance. "I am lord governor Rokin, and on behalf of the people of Frystasvard, I humbly welcome you to…"

"Where is commissar Ciaphas Cain?" Damien tilted his head to the side and droned in a bored voice. "Sorry, but I don't think we have time for pleasantry when two entire regiments and the hero of the Imperium disappeared under your watch. I'm Brother Sergeant Damien, by the way."

The look of a child caught red handed steal candy didn't really fit his bulky size, "I…I believe you are mistaken, mighty warrior, for we have not had any visit from Imperial forces in decades."

"Dude, he sent out an SOS from this planet, why do you think we're here?" Damien took one, menacing step toward governor Rokin, the man flinched and reached back to clasp hand with a striking middle aged woman, his wife, obviously. "Now, we can do this the easy way, with you telling me what exactly happened to Cain and the Valhallan, or we can do this the hard way, with me and my Marine pals here going absolute Godzilla on this city. The choice is yours."

Governor Rokin, white face and trembling, turned to his wife, begging wordlessly for help. Glaring at the Astartes, the woman stepped forward. Her bearing was that of a queen standing up against giants invading her kingdom.

"They got what they deserve," the woman's declaration oozed satisfaction.

"I'm sorry but, who are you?" Damien inquired.

"I am lady Ragnar," the woman said proudly, "wife of lord Rokin."

"Okay lady Ragnar, I'm gonna need you to elaborate a bit there," Damien eyed her. "Because it sounded like you had them kill."

"Ha! If only I had that honor!" Ragnar barked a laugh and the other women took it up boisterously.

"So you admit to killing Ciaphas Cain?" Sergeant Antalok spoke up.

"Did I say such a thing?" Ragnar said, solemnity returning to her tone. "No. I only acknowledge the fact that those outworlders suffered for their crime."

"Stop skirting the subject and answer the question woman," Gallus raised his voice.

"Careful, boy, lest you meet the same fate," Damien didn't know what surprised him more, the fact that lady Ragnar threatened Gallus or that she called the Ultramarine a boy.

"So let me get this straight," Damien cut in before Gallus can speak, "something bad happen to Ciaphas and his men?"

"That depends entirely on perspective, but yes, something did happen to those louts," Ragnar said.

"Were the so-called Winter Angel involved?" Ragnar's eyes narrowed to a slit but didn't answer, so Damien continued with the questioning. "I'll take that as a yes. Anyway, can you at least tell us why Cain and the Valhallan were attacked? A little context would be nice."

Ragnar scoffed, "besides the fact that the commissar allowed his soldiers to treat our men like slaves and dishonor our women? He also did not heed our warning regarding the Black Stone beneath the planet. The caverns and veins are to be left alone, undisturbed, for an ancient evil slumber beneath the rocks and soils. Yet your commissar dug deeper and deeper, uncaring of what he might unleash. All the better that he was stopped."

"Damien come in, what's the situation at the city dude?" Henry's voice blared in his helmet, the timbre urgent.

"I'm talking to the governor and his wife," Damien responded. "What's happening?"

"There's like a thousand angry miners blocking the way into the mining pit," Henry said. "They're literary standing in front of the King Ghidorah."

"Are they attacking you?" Damien pressed on.

"No, just yelling angrily and shaking their fists," Henry continued. "Dude, what in the hell is going on? I mean, I kinda expect the civilian to be a little angry, but this is turning into a riot. And I don't want to shoot unarmed people dude!"

"Don't do anything, I'm gonna talk to the governor," Damien turned to lady Ragnar. "What's happening at the mine?"

"They are caving the entrances and collapsing the lower tunnels, sealing those veins for good before fresh air can stir them awake," Ragnar said.

"Henry, dude, back away and let the miners do their work," Damien said quickly.

"What are they doing, exactly?" Henry asked.

"Caving the Black Stone mines, apparently it's sitting on some pretty nasty shit," Damien answered.

"Okay I'm backing off," Henry didn't need further convincing. "Asked the governor if he needs a hand, we got a shit ton of high quality explosive with us."

"Do you need any help?" Damien asked lady Ragnar, because she's obviously the husband in this relationship. The woman snorted then shook her head harshly. "That's a negative dude."

"A little late to be offering assistant, boy," again with the boy thing, goddamn the woman is annoying. "We don't need any more meddling from outsider. Now, can you finally leave us all in peace?"

"I am afraid that's not possible, lady Ragnar," Damien smirked beneath his helmet. "Two regiments have disappeared on this planet, and we won't be leaving until they're found, alive or otherwise, unless of course, you want to tell us where we can find these Winter Angels."

"Don't fret your little head, Astartes," lady Ragnar bared her teeth wolfishly. "You'll see them soon enough."

"Is that a threat?!" Gallus bellowed at lady Ragnar, the men cowered while the women stood their ground.

"Threat? You stupid boy, I'm stating the obvious!" Lady Ragnar and her friends cackled. "You've been marked the moment you step foot on this planet!"

Ignoring the uproarious laughter roiling around them, Damien let his gaze drifted across the chortling crowd, then up the windows and balconies filled to the brim with onlookers, and finally at the towering alpine that grazed the cerulean sky. They've been marked, which means the enigmatic Winter Angels were watching them this very moment. Damien waited until the ruckus died down before fixing lady Ragnar with a demonic red stare and said:

"Let them come."

Taking a moment to savor the resounding gasp and lady Ragnar's look of absolute outrage, Damien offered governor Rokin a respectful bow before marching back to the Rhino with his Space Marines cohort. The shrilly sound of lady Ragnar berating her husband followed him down the street.

"The populace is in league with the Winter Angels," Sidonius said.

"We should be arresting lady Ragnar and governor Rokin," Galerius added. "The truth can be wrung from them, major Emily will see to that."

"Nah, pissing off the local won't do us any good," Damien said. "And besides, you heard lady Ragnar, those Winter Angel are already watching us. It won't be long before they try something." The Astartes nodded their agreement as Damien tapped his awesome Space Marines helmet. "Yo Tangmo, found anything yet?"

"Nothing good."

Nikki slowed her steps as she strode into the huge snow covered clearing ringed by gargantuan alpines, each the size of a watchtower. After passing the abandoned pillboxes and trenches, Nikki was sure she was about to walk into a bloody, Viking-eques crime scene with body parts scattered everywhere. So imagine her surprise when she found an intact campsite with all the tents, guns, trucks, artilleries, Chimeras, Salamanders and Leman Russes still in pristine condition. Despite being covered in several inches of snow, the place looked to be in tiptop shape.

"Where is everybody?" Oh right, there's that too.

"Missing, obviously," Nikki lowered her sniper rifle and strode into the sprawling camp proper, captain Krix and captain Luva flanking her.

"The place is empty," Luva stated.

"No shit," Krix scoffed.

"That's not what I meant, you idiot," Luva snapped at her. "There are no bodies. No corpses, no remains, nothing to indicate an altercation."

"So why not say that in the first place?" Krix shook her head.

"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot you needed more time to think than most people do," Luva shot back.

"Tangmo told me the two of you were bestest friends," Nikki grinned toothily at the Cadians. "And he wasn't lying."

"He is," Krix and Luva said at the same time, which was swiftly followed by heated exchange of glares and snarls.

"Yeah, I can see that," Nikki chuckled then knelt down at a clearing between two Salamander APCs, and, with great brushing arch of her hand, wiped away the snow.

"What are you doing?" Luva asked after Nikki unearthed a large swathe of brown, frozen soil.

"Investigating," Nikki dusted off her hands then tapped her earbud. "Caerroth, Alkyn, Irilkon, Amihynn, check under the snow."

"But why?" Luva inquired as Nikki's lieutenants said their assent.

"Because there could be bloodstain and other things hidden underneath," Krix said, "things that could tell us what happen here."

"Bingo," Nikki nodded at Krix.

"How can you possibly know that?" Luva asked haughtily.

"I grew up in the gutter, remember? We have to cover our tracks when things get messy, winter was an absolute shit time for us," Krix said then tapped her earbud and repeated Nikki's earlier command, Luva following suit a moment later.

"Let's check this habitation pod out," Nikki took off toward a big igloo looking building that definitely belonged to commissar Cain, Krix and Luva at her back. "We'll find more clues in there."

"That seems most likely," Luva hurried over to the metallic door and pressed herself flat beside it, the muzzle of her Zetton lasgun nudging the frosted rim. "The door is open. I can feel heat coming from inside."

"Wait," Nikki stopped Luva from edging the door open and put on her awesome eldar helmet. Not the dildo looking one, no, after the Eight wouldn't stop snickering like a bunch of retards Nikki had the helmet redesign to resemble what the Predator wore in the movies. It's sleek, cool, and a thousand times better than a Space Marine helmet. It also has a nice little space for her ponytail too. "Let me check the place first."

Luva nodded as Nikki got to work, behind her Krix got into a crouch and braced her rapid-las. Cycling through the various spectrums, from thermal to electro-magnetic output, Nikki scanned the circular interior and, unsurprisingly, found no trace of dead bodies or traps. The place was pretty warm though.

"It's clear," Nikki took off her awesome eldar helmet and strode inside, Luva and Krix at her flanks.

"Well, this is nice and cozy," Krix lowered her rapid-las and wandered across the warm, orange tinged interior, the entire place looked like a Christmas cottage. "Commissar Cain doesn't skimp out on the niceity."

"I don't like this," Luva made a slow circuit around the commissar's quarter, tracing her hand over the exquisitely carved furniture of wood and metal. "Beside the sprinkle of dusts, this place seems hardly disturbed. As if the commissar went out for a stroll and simply hasn't return yet."

"Even the kettle's still warm." Krix took a whiff of the steam rising from the snout, the aroma causing her to flinch, "fucking Throne, this smell like crap!"

"That's probably Tanna, it's a Valhallan tea," Nikki went to the commissar's table and began leafing through the neat piles of document. "Ciaphas is quite fond of the beverage, I believe."

"You'd think a man with such pomp will have better taste in drinks," Krix stepped away from the kettle. "So whoever attacked the camp was polite enough not to loot or touch any of the commissar's personal belonging. This is getting stranger by the minute."

"Maybe we can find something here," Nikki skimmed through the papers while pointing at a nearby computer. "Can you check the console please?"

"Okay," Luva came to her side and turned on the computer while Krix went about picking up and examining expensive looking trinkets or throwing open closets and drawers. After a few minutes Luva groaned at the screen.

"What's wrong?" Nikki asked.

"The computer is not responding to any of my input," Luva frowned, her fingers dancing quickly across the keyboard only to get the same 404 error message. "Not even the simplest protocol works."

"Alright, let me take care of this," Krix sauntered up and shoved Luva away from the computer, the scout captain blistered but grudgingly allowed the flamer captain to work her magic. After a few more error messages, Krix abandoned the keyboard and ducked underneath the desk, rummaging through the computer tower and its many wires.

"Holy shit," Krix whistled appreciatively and rose back to her feet.

"What is it?" Nikki asked.

"The hard disks have all been removed, expertly," Krix said. "Not only that, but the communication hardware have also been compromised, effectively isolating the machine. Whoever did this made sure no one can call for help."

"That's ominous," Luva commented.

"Why would they go to so much trouble though?" Krix asked. "Wouldn't it be easier just to shoot everybody?"

"Because simple violence attracts attention," Nikki told her. "This is Ciaphas Cain we're talking about, if something bad happens to him, the Imperium will send every battlegroup in the Segmentum to this planet. If he vanishes however, it will raise question, sure, follow by a fruitless search that will end when more pressing matter demands the attention of the Ministorum."

"That's seems the most likely explanation," Luva concurred. "But why attack the commissar and his men in the first place?"

"I think I have an idea," Nikki handed Luva the disciplinary report she'd been reading, "altercation with the local, a severe one at that."

"What happened?" Krix came to stand beside Luva, both of them reading the report.

"It appears that a lot of people were conscripted for hard labor," Nikki continued. "Reports written by colonel Regina Kasteen indicates that the miners were abused and forced to work in appalling condition. Since the Tallarn 229th and commissar Beije were in charge of the mining detail, the Valhallan cannot intervene and have petition Ciaphas to do something."

"We haven't got to the good part yet, have we?" Krix grinned.

"We're getting there," Nikki winked mischievously. "Anyway, according to Damien this planet is ruled by a matriarchal system, and this doesn't sit well with Beije and his goons. According to further report put forward by…general Sulla? What the hell, they promoted her already?"

"Who's general Sulla?" Luva asked.

"She's a captain in the Valhallan 597th, and Ciaphas Cain biggest fangirl," Nikki was scratching her head, "didn't think she'll get promoted this soon."

"The perk of associating with famous people," Krix shared a smirk with Luva.

"Anyway, the Tallarn 229th was less than happy with the attitude of the female miners and their forewoman," Nikki brought the conversation back on track. "The Tallarn confronted the women one night and, according to eyewitnesses, said they were going to teach them where they belong. Things dissolved into an all-out brawl after that, with two Tallarn dead and a hundred more injured on both side of the scuffle. The instigators, all Tallarn, were arrested and would've been shot if Beije didn't raise a bitch fit, doing everything to delay the sentence while also painting the populace as the bad guy. And that's pretty much it for the reports, nothing else was documented after this date."

"No wonder Sergeant Damien and general Henry got such an icy reception," despite the lameness of Luva's joke, all three of them shared a laugh.

"That's probably it, yeah," Nikki agreed. "Anyway, I think we should…"

"Have you found anything?"

Nikki glanced at Amberley who stomped into the room, Miriya's squad close at her heel. The lady inquisitor was grim, her eyes hard with steely single-mindedness.

"Records and correspondents written before the commissar disappearance," Luva said, "along with tampered communication devices."

"We found the same thing around the encampment," sister Danae said. "Everything from simple vox caster to big communication relay has been dismantled. The work was done expertly, a contrast to the populace rather…humble living."

"Did you find anything else?" Luva asked.

"Nothing to suggest that violence has occurred," Miriya now said, all the while narrowing her eyes on Nikki. "How do we know your xeno kindred were not involved?"

"Trust me Miriya, if eldar did this, there'll be a lot of beautiful bloody bodies sprawl all over the place," Nikki met Miriya accusation head on. "And if this had been one of the dark eldars kidnapping routine, things would be a lot messier, and I mean a lot messier."

"Maybe it's these Winter Angels we keep hearing so much about?" Krix leveled a snarky look at the Celestian squad. "Aren't they supposed to be your long lost sisters or something? Shouldn't we be the one casting suspicion right now?"

"The Winter Angels are not affiliated with the Sororitas," Isabel declared piously. "We do not behave in such shadowy, cowardly ways."

"Yes, the Sisters of Battle are not known for their subtly when it comes to warfare," it took a second for Luva's insult to register. Sister Cassandra snarled and was about to take a step toward the scout captain when Verity blocked her path.

"What the captain is saying, Cassandra, is that their tactics differ from ours," Verity said diplomatically before giving Luva a pointed look, "right, captain?"

"Of course, and if I have caused offense I apologize," Luva bowed, more to hide the little upward curve of her lips than anything. Nikki thought it was amusing to see the guards and eldars getting along, yet everyone seems to have problems with the Sororitas.

"Why are you here, Predator Nikki?" Miriya asked Nikki.

"Just checking the place out, looking for clues," Nikki waved around the posh interior. "Found only a few so far."

"Inquisitor Amberley and my squad will take it from here," Miriya nudged her head at the door like how one would dismiss a dog. "You are no longer need, feel free to leave."

"Okay, sure," Nikki nodded before Krix and Luva can open their mouths. "I guess our job here is done anyway. Let's go girls, let's leave the ladies to their work."

Krix and Luva were incredulous as they headed for the door, Nikki close at their heels. When they reached the exit, Nikki stopped at the doorway and turned around with a deceptively friendly smile, "oh, there's a warm kettle on the stove, the tea is nice and hot. Feel free to help yourself."

"Thank you, Predator Nikki," Verity smiled and went about playing mother while Nikki quickly joined the grinning Krix and Luva outside.

"Walk faster, walk faster," Nikki made sure they put an adequate distant between themselves and the commissar's quarter.

"I hope they enjoy every last drop," Krix added nastily. "What's next?"

"We can start with him," Nikki strode over to where colonel Akecheta of the Wind Walker was kneeling beside a huge pine at the edge of the camp, his hand sweeping slowly across a patch of freshly cleared snow. "Found anything, colonel?"

"This is the direction the commissar and his men were taken," Akecheta lifted his gazed at the forest.

"How do you know that?" Luva knelt down beside Akecheta to inspect the ground herself.

"The trails were impeccably hidden," Akecheta continued, "but they were somewhat sloppy around the camp."

"How can you be sure?" Luva said.

"The snows are of different texture at ankle depth, retaining a slightly softer consistency as opposed to the more densely packed mass around it," Akecheta stabbed his finger into the snow. "On the surface no one can tell, but if you peel away the layers you can see the discrepancy. That is, if you know what to look for."

"Good thing we have an expert on hand," Krix's eyebrow rose in an impressed arch.

"Winters were harsh on Ekkaroq and the Antebellan relentless," Akecheta got back on his feet, Luva rising with him. "They are adept at hunting us down, so we become better at evading them, fleeting and invisible like the ghost that haunts the plain. After we scouted the encampment and notice the peculiar state it was in, I concluded that the perpetrators must be using the same tactic we did."

"And you were right," Nikki nodded appreciatively. "Nice one dude."

"Thank you, Predator Nikki," Akecheta bowed.

"So this is the only trail we've found so far?" Nikki asked.

"There were numerous tracks around the camp, the attackers came at them from every direction at once," Akecheta nudged his head for them to follow. "But this is the only place where the footprints lead outward."

"We're right behind you," Nikki braced her sniper rifle and followed Akecheta into the forest, Luva and Krix on her left and right, their weapons pointed forward. Dancing shades, livened by the breeze, shadowed their steps. Every now and then, Akecheta would stop to inspect the ground, always managing to find a trail before pushing onward, the sweet melody of crunching snow, whispering winds and singing birds accompanied them. Nikki took a deep breath and smile, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. After about fifteen minutes, Akecheta knelt down, made a quick sweep, and rose with a frown.

"This is where the trail ends," Akecheta told them.

"Are you sure? Maybe there's more up ahead," Luva said.

"There will be nothing beyond this point, trust me," Akecheta shook his head.

"Why stop here?" Krix asked.

"To see if anybody follows it," Akecheta unslung the lasgun from his back, eyes hard on the alpine pillars around them, "and walks into their trap."

Nikki, Krix and Luva lifted up their weapons in unison, standing back to back with barrels trained out in three directions, safeties off and fingers coiling the triggers. Akecheta didn't join the huddle, instead choosing to walk around them as a moon would orbit a planet.

"Couldn't have warned us a little sooner?!" Krix hissed, the muzzle of her rapid-las sweeping across the white landscape.

"I'm not picking up anything on thermal or electrical output," having donned her awesome eldar helmet, Nikki could only growl when the sensors found nothing but freaking snow. As far as the super advance eldar tech was concern, the place was clear.

"They're just watching us," Akecheta said lowly.

"Nikki, what do you see?" Luva asked urgently.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Nikki was honestly getting a little nervous. Goddamn it, was the helmet fucking up or something? This thing is brand new!

"Akecheta, how close are they?" Krix asked the Ekkaroqian colonel.

"Close enough to get a good look, but I can't be sure of their location," Akecheta's head darted left and right. "They could be in the trees, in the snow, amongst the shrubberies."

"Are they armed?" Luva asked.

"That, I cannot say," Akecheta braced his lasgun, gave the forest one last look and started backtracking. "But since they are not using it right now, I say we get back to the camp and report what we've found."

"Good idea!" Nikki spun after Akecheta and rushed back the way they came, Luva and Krix matching her steps with heavy huffs and puffs. After ten minutes of hard sprinting, Nikki and the others made it back safely inside the camp.

"What happened?" Leilatha came running up to them, laspistol in hand.

"We found a trail leading into the forest," Akecheta was the first to catch his breath. "We followed it two kilometers north of our position, but fallback once we realize we were being led into a trap. I can feel eyes following us on our way back."

"Did you get any clear visual on the enemy?" Leilatha asked.

"We didn't," Nikki took off her awesome eldar helmet, "but there was something inside the forest."

"Did you see them?" Krix squared her shoulder after taking a deep lungful.

"The helmet pick up very faint thermal outputs in the snow," Nikki went on, "far to our flanks and barely visible. And I heard them," the Predator tapped her pointy ear. "Little careful shuffling that definitely didn't belong to any animals. And let me tell you, they did a very good fucking job at being quiet, no normal ear could ever pick that up."

"Were you followed?" Leilatha eyed the placid forest.

"Shit, I didn't stop to look," Nikki shrugged.

"I want Hildebrandt and his men to start fortifying the camp immediately," Leilatha tapped her earbud, speaking quickly and crisply. "Place heavy guns at every twenty yard interval, bolstered them with sandbags and barbed wire and recall every scouting unit, the Valkyries and drone will be doing high altitude reconnaissance from now on. Be advice, hostiles are active within the area. Stay on guard for any unusual activity."

"Do what commissar Leilatha said," Nikki tapped her earbud. "They're going to be very confused when they see human and eldar working together."

"And angry, if they're anything like our own merry band of nuns," Krix smirked.

"At least they haven't shot us yet," Luva said. "Still, we have no idea what we're dealing with."

"We'll find out so enough," there was a scary hint of amused eagerness in Akecheta's tone.

"That we will," Leilatha agreed. "All we can do now is…"

"You!"

Nikki flinched when she saw Miriya and her squad running toward them, the Sisters of Battle were angry, to say the least, murder in their eyes and lips peeled back in a rictus snarl.

"They look angry," Akecheta deadpanned the obvious.

"We might have tricked them into drinking Tanna tea," Nikki grinned.

"Those things are repulsive," Leilatha spoke up. "Amberley shared some with me once, and it took me days to get the flavor out of my mouth."

"Yup, that's why we need to run, like, right now," Nikki spun on her heel and ran. "Come on!"

"Oh shit!" Krix and Luva bolted after her, the stomps and shouts of enraged Sororitas nipping after them like a pack of bloodthirsty hounds.

"Get back here!" Cassandra shouted, the timbre too close for comfort.

"You got a plan?! Ahhh!" Luva yelped when she saw Isabel behind her, gauntleted claws swiping the empty air between them, every swathe drawing nearer.

"Just keep running!" Was the only advice Nikki can spared.

"I thought the weather was supposed to be clear," Tangmo's effort to stop himself from stuttering was making his neck muscles cramped up pretty bad. The tin mug of steaming coffee in his hand and the valiant fire blazing against the snowfall did little to elevate the cold. Worse, the trench he now occupied was funneling in a steady stream of icy wind. At least he was snug and cozy next to Leilatha who, like everybody else in this goddamn battlegroup apparently, was immune to the fucking weather.

"It was!" Tyra exclaimed and huddled closer to Orhul, whom she was sharing a thick wool blanket with. The pilot had abandoned her grounded Valkyrie once the snow had gotten worse and froze the fuel lines. Now she and her co-pilot, Victoria, had joined Tangmo in the forward most trenches. "The meteorologist said the sky was clear for hundreds of miles in every direction, even I can see that when I made my flyby in the afternoon. Then the bloody wind and snow just showed up out of nowhere."

"That's fucking weird," Tangmo took a swig of his coffee. The damn thing was already cold.

"Stranger things have happen before," Leilatha said then quirked a brow at Tyra, "so, you and Orhul huh?"

"He was very kind and comforting after Tangmo dumped me," Tyra wrapped her arms around Orhul's large bicep, squeezing tight, the heavy weapon captain grinning bashfully. "And we've been together ever since."

"I didn't dump you!" Tangmo raised his voice indignantly. "It was an amicable parting by all parties involved!"

"Sematic sir," Orhul chuckled.

"Two women fighting over Tangmo," Yuki facepalmed, "something really is wrong with this entire galaxy."

"Don't be jealous Yuki, I'm sure you dated two girls at the same time before," Tangmo snarky laugh ended when Yuki threw a fistful of snow into his mouth. "Blargh! Fucking goddamn it, there was dirt in there!"

"Cut it out!" Lita bonked the flat of her Singing Spear on Yuki's head before smacking it harder on Tangmo's skull.

"Ow!" Tangmo rubbed his sore cranium, "what the hell Lita?!"

"Stop it with the immature joke! It's not funny, it's hurtful!" Lita snapped at him then turned on Yuki. "And you! Stop taking the bait so easily, be the bigger woman!"

After a few grumbles, Tangmo and Yuki said in unison, "yes."

"That is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," Krillen laughed and the mixed company around the fire joined in uproariously, taking immense pleasure at seeing Tangmo brought down a peg. Glaring at the guards, Tangmo had already made a mental note of who would be getting the Thai Kick next.

"Warseer Lita?" An eldar Guardian of high rank, judging by his sword and decorated armor, strode into the firelight as the laughter was dying down. "I brought you something to drink. It will keep the cold away."

"Oh Dalthorn, thank you," Lita took the bone white cup and waved the Guardian to an empty space beside her. "Don't be shy, join us!"

The Guardian hesitated for a moment before gingerly sitting down beside Lita. The Warseer quickly closed the distant between them and pressed her body up against his, causing the eldar man to stiffen, obviously not used to such intimacy.

"Guys, this is captain Dalthorn," Lita introduced him and the Guardian took off his plumed dildo helmet, and surprise, surprise, he looked like a freaking model, with enough manly cheekbones and jawlines to cancel out the prevalent eldar femininity. "He's the commanding officer of the 4th Black Guardian battalion, one of the bravest warriors I've ever met and my personal attaché."

"Please to meet you all," Dalthorn bowed to a murmur of greeting.

"So…" the shit eating grin was back on Tangmo's face and Lita shot him a glare. "You and Dalthorn…?"

"We're seeing each other, yes," Lita lifted her chin high, the posture daring Tangmo to be a smartass.

"Just asking dude," the stupid smile was replaced by a warm one as Tangmo gave Lita's a thumbs up. "Nice pick."

"I always know how to choose them," Lita sipped the warm drink and moan contently. "Oh, that hit the spot. So what brings you here Dal?"

"I'm here to report that there has been no enemy activity along the southern perimeter," Dalthorn said, nursing his steaming cup. "We are keeping vigil. Although I doubt that, given the weather condition, the enemy would try to attack us."

"King Charles XII defeated a Russian army four times larger than his own at the Battle of Narva under the cover of a freaking blizzard," Nikki told him. "Trust me Dal, its moments like these that we have to be on our toes, because the enemy will always attack when and where we least expect it."

"Maybe, but I think the light scared them off," Elpida gestured at the fuck load of high powered spotlights dotting the length of the trench, bright lances of light making a slow sweep across the surrounding forest, the sheens shining over their heads looked like a translucent ceiling.

"Shouldn't you be with general Henry or commander engineer Ladaee?" Kenshin asked after finishing his cup of matcha.

"The King Ghidorah isn't doing anything right now," Elpida said, she and Korri were pouring packet after packet of dark brown powder into a boiling mug. "There was nothing to do, and the general and Ladaee had commandeered commissar Cain's living space for the night. So I decided to hang out with Korri instead."

"Shit, looks like Henry's gonna be warm and frisky tonight," Tangmo and the guardsmen laughed. Finishing his cold coffee, Tangmo sniffed the air then pointed at Elpida's mug. "What you got cooking there?"

"It's Gurilani's summer cocoa, freshly grounded, the first shipment of the day, finer than sand," Korri took a whiff and smiled giddily. "Me and Elpida took turn staking out at his store in block C, waiting for the merchandise to come. Let's just say the three day wait was worth it."

"Now that's dedication," Tangmo nodded, Gurilani was one of the best chocolatiers on the Immortal Spirit. Personally, he preferred madam Frilon's smoother creation, but Gurilani was pretty good too. "You gonna share any of that?"

"There's only enough for two," Korri held his gaze as she took the first mouthful, and melted with pleasure. "By the Throne, this is amazing."

"Gimme!" Elpida relieved Korri of the mug and swallowed two big gulps, chocolate brown rimming her smile. "I'm in heaven."

"You know, as your commissar I can order you to surrender that mug," Tangmo eyed the hot cocoa jealously.

"That's seems like a gross misuse of power," Korri passed the mug back to Elpida after another long, slow drag.

"A man will do a lot of crazy shit when he's desperate and freezing," Tangmo said the same moment the spotlights, in eerie concert, started to stutter. "What the fuck?"

"Probably just a loose cord or something," Korri tipped the mug into her mouth, sighing contently as she finished the hot cocoa. "I'm so happy right now."

"Eighty thousand credits well spent," Elpida slouched on the ice coated wall. "We'll have to buy more next time."

"Oh yeah," Korri licked the last trace of cocoa from her lips.

"Everybody make ready," Tangmo got off his seat and slid the bayonet down the muzzle of his Zetton lasgun. His shaking, almost numb fingers made the simple task a chore. "Come on, something's about to happen."

"It's only a few stutters, the snows probably got into the wiring," an entire section of spotlight went dark in respond to Lingxin. The crew had barely started complaining when another two down the line stopped working, then three more beams disappeared. "Okay, that isn't normal."

"Up! Everybody up!" Leilatha's sharp hiss spurred every ass off their seat, guardsmen and eldars climbing up the fire step, barrels trained on the nocturnal forest beyond.

"You should really sit this one out," Tangmo glanced at Victoria who had taken position beside Korri and Elpida.

"My dad taught me how to fight," Victoria rolled her eyes. "I'm more than capable with a lasgun."

"It's not that. If something happens to you, your mother's gonna find some way to blame it on me," Tangmo shivered at the very thought. "Then she's gonna do…bad things to me."

"Well for your sake, you better keep me safe then!" Victoria flashed him a pearly smile.

"God fucking damn it…" Tangmo groaned and the spotlights above them died, plunging the world into absolute, sudden darkness, some of the guardsmen crying out in alarm.

"Fucking hell, I should've slid the damn torch on," Tangmo fumbled with the lasgun barrel, almost cutting himself in haste, before replacing the bayonet with a high-power torch, the bright beam of light slashing through the dark. "Eyes on the trees, people! Yo Nikki, you got anything?"

"Thermal's not picking up anything, and the stuttering light is fucking with my night vision," Nikki had donned her awesome eldar helmet and was staring down the scope of her sniper rifle. "Is it me or is the snow getting worse?"

Nikki was right. Now, Tangmo might have been born in Thailand, but he knew how wind and rain works, the concept was almost identical to snowfall, and right now the gentle breeze from before felt like a freaking gale, ice and snow peppering his face like thousands tiny cold slap. By now, most of the spotlights were dead, only the swiping of a hundred torchlights provided any definite illumination.

"What the hell is going on?!" Krillen gritted his teeth and wiped snow from his face.

"Everybody steady! Guns forward! If you see anything out there, fucking shoot it!" Tangmo didn't like the situation. The scant lights from the trench weren't enough to banish the all-consuming darkness. Red flashes of discharged las flew forward courtesy of twitchy nervous fingers, hitting nothing but empty shadow. Heat washed over Tangmo's back suddenly when a power generator went up in flames behind him, he spun around to find several dazed Krieg sprawled amongst fires and debris.

"Corpsmen! Help them! Go!" Tangmo shouted then swung his attention back to the outlining forest, only to find a mound of snow squatting not three inches from his face. What the hell, had the snow gotten that bad? Then he saw the snout, then the fangs, then the solid black wolf eyes leering at him, terrible and hungry. Tangmo only managed a scream when the snow covered wolf thing pounced, pinning him flat to the trench floor as pandemonium erupted, guardsmen and eldars yelling and firing at the feral shapes leaping at them.

"Werewolves! We're getting attack by fucking werewolves!" Tangmo got his feet under the mass of clawing fur and launched it into the trench wall, a very feminine grunt escaping the fangs and snout in billows of white. Wait a second, this ain't no werewolf, it's just a chick dressed up as a wolf.

"False alarm, they're not werewolves," Tangmo got up and tapped his earbud, eyes widening on a pair of very long daggers gleaming in the woman's hands. "But they're still gonna bite! Shit!"

The woman gave a shrill roar and dashed at him. Tangmo sidestepped the attack and caught the back of her head with a spinning kick, his heel making a metallic gong off the wolf helmet. The woman careened face first into the fire they had occupied a moment ago, sending up plumes of sparks that drifted away like firefly, the cry she gave was angry. Tangmo was training his lasgun on the woman when one of her friends darted in and raised a round shield at him. A shield! Tangmo barked a laugh and pulled the trigger. The shield was still raised. Blinking, Tangmo held down the trigger and sprayed it thoroughly with a burst of red hot las. And the shield was still raised. The only discernable damages were pulsing red dots that were already fading from the oaken surface.

"What in the fuck?! Shit!" The shield rammed into him and he was knocked flat on his ass. Rolling quickly backward, Tangmo sprang back to his feet and found the two women approaching him with trained, cautious steps, shield up and weapons pointed forward, the newcomer sporting a snarling bear head.

"Tangmo!" The women ran away when Leilatha appeared around a bend with backup. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine," Tangmo nodded but cringed when explosions rocked the camp. "Holy shit, what in the fuck is happening?!"

"Our defenses were attacked simultaneously," Dalthorn the eldar said. "It is chaos. We have no idea how many enemies we are facing or their purpose."

"Do you think this is the Winter Angels?" Luva asked.

"They're all gonna go back to heaven after I'm done with them," Tangmo reloaded his lasgun. "We're taking the trench back, let's fucking go!"

With a hearty hurrah, the guardsmen and eldars broke into groups and dashed down the trench in all directions, flashlights lancing the way. Teaming up with Leilatha, naturally, Tangmo led them down what he thought was a southerly direction, and straight into a group of werewolf women. Tangmo hefted up his lasgun and fired, but the six women closed ranks and formed a shield wall, the overlapping woods absorbing the peppering laser with ease.

"Use the bolt pistol!" Leilatha drew her newly minted weapon. Oh right, he and Leilatha had commissioned the commissar's signature pistols from Sarmakan's House of Arms, one of the best weapon smiths on the Immortal Spirit. It's about damn time they got themselves the iconic 40k guns.

"Shit, I completely forgot about that," Tangmo slung the lasgun over his shoulder, drew his bolt pistol and pulled the trigger. Holy crap he missed the meaty recoil of ballistic weapons, the familiar kick back and tensing muscles was putting a smile on his face. Fires and splinters flew as Tangmo and Leilatha unleashed a barrage of bolts on the shield wall, grunts and curses can be heard over the hammering staccato and it wasn't long before the wavering formation started yielding ground.

"Forward sisters! In the name of the Emperor, let none survive!"

A powerful feminine roar cut through the din, and Tangmo let out a loud cheer as the Adepta Sororitas entered the fray.

"Fall back!" Individual pieces of the shield wall collapsed and the werewolf women scattered in every direction, all but one. The wolf girl with the twin daggers from before let out a lupine snarl and dashed at Tangmo and Leilatha, her speed blinding and ferocious. See, despite being one of the coolest weapons in existence, bolt pistol wasn't designed to be used in a melee. Sure, it was possible to get a lucky hit if your opponent was dazed or facing another direction, but in a full on fight you're pretty much fucked. Tangmo and Leilatha learned this the hard way when the wolf girl closed in and started slashing and stabbing. Despite the wild movement the blade was deadly accurate in its trajectory. Tangmo sprang back with a yelp when a dagger flew too close to his face. With him fumbling away, the wolf girl rammed Leilatha into the trench wall with an armored shoulder. The lady commissar grunted painfully and collapsed to the ground, breathing hard as she tried to rise, oblivious of the wolf girl angling her daggers downward.

"Hey, wolf bitch!" Tangmo, in his infinite wisdom, threw his bolt pistol at the girl, the weapon bounced off her lupine helmet with a comical bonk. She spun on Tangmo with a growl and charged with both daggers inverted, and would've gutted him if it wasn't for a wooden stool flying into her face, the impact sending her sprawling sideway.

"Leilatha!" Tangmo dashed for Leilatha, sparing the fallen wolf girl and the three shapes converging on her a brief glance as he knelt down beside his girlfriend. "You okay?!"

"Winded, but I'm fine, thank you," Leilatha pushed herself up and handed his bolt pistol back. "Where's the attacker?"

"Over there," Tangmo almost laughed when he saw that it was Korri, Elpida and Victoria ganging up on the wolf girl. Korri and Victoria swung their lasguns down like clubs while Elpida used the stool from earlier to great, bloody, effectiveness. Before he could comment a heavy thud sounded behind him. Tangmo and Leilatha spun around with bolt pistols raised and found sister Miriya walking toward them, her squad not far behind.

"Good to see you, sister," Tangmo saluted, and Miriya offered him a stiff one in return. "What's the situation around the camp?"

"The attackers fled the moment they saw us," Miriya said. "None of them put up a fight."

"Maybe they see a kindred spirit?" Tangmo suggested, holstering his bolt pistol.

"Perhaps," Miriya said. "I'm sure those we capture can tell us more."

"That's good to hear," Tangmo tipped his commissar cap at Miriya. "Nice job Miriya, thank you."

"You're welcome," Miriya nodded curtly.

"What of our casualty?" Leilatha now asked.

"There were a lot of injuries, but so far I heard nothing of death," Miriya looked over Leilatha's shoulder and pointed nonchalantly behind her. "Think you can spare that one for interrogation?"

"Huh? Oh shit!" Tangmo had completely forgotten about the triple beatdown, and was shocked to find it still ongoing. After tiring out their arms, Korri, Elpida and Victoria were now stomping and kicking the wolf girl, who was trying her damnedest to fight back, but every attempt to lash out was met with vengeful boots. How in the hell was the girl still conscious at this point?

"Whoa, hey, yo! Ease up!" Tangmo ran up to the trio, grabbed Elpida and Victoria's shoulders and pulled them off the girl. "We need her alive, don't kill her!"

That snapped them out of their collective bloodlust. The three guardswomen backed away from the wolf girl, panting heavily and wiping blood and sweat off their faces. Without her wolf helm, Tangmo found himself looking at a young face framed by short brown hair, she would've been pretty if it wasn't for the bloods and bruises. Now that the beating had subsided, the girl glared at them, her eyes narrowing to a murderous slit once she spotted Miriya and her Celestian squad. With feeble lethargy, she tried to reach for her dagger that was lying not an inch away from her twitching fingers. Miriya saw this and eased her studded iron sabaton on the girl's hand, applying more pressure until she was mewling in pain.

"Miriya, stop it!" Verity hissed and went to kneel beside the girl as Miriya lifted her foot away. "Don't be afraid, we're not going to hurt you now."

"Bound her," Miriya ordered and Aemilia and Marcia swiftly tied a thick ropey cord around the girl's wrist while Verity backed away.

"This is the Winter Angels? Pathetic," Cassandra sneered and the girl spat phlegm of blood at her feet, a sharp look from Miriya stopped the Battle Sister from backhanding the prisoner.

"These girls are obviously scouts," Tangmo made his observation. "The real Winter Angels are gonna show up soon."

Miriya concurred with a nod before she and her Celestian squad dragged the prisoner away. But before they disappeared behind a bend, the wolf girl craned her neck back and flashed him a bloody, lupine grin. Yep, this was only the fucking appetizer. The main course was about to come.