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Late again, but still thirsting for more. Do post again soon, Arc.

What are the differences between Dawn of War and WH40k canon? Preferably the ones likely to be relevant in this story?

Chapter III

The Imperial agent known as the Commissar commands immense respect within the society of mankind. They have considerable freedom within the Imperial Guard and associated groups; not many can stand between a Commissar and his goals. Their concerns are usually, but not limited to, training and morale of the Imperial Guard.

Alexi had long since admitted to himself the enjoyment that comes from people getting out of his way. Of course, as with most thoughts, arguments on the side of virtue were conjured to counteract reality. In the end, Commissar Terianis believed that the widespread humility before the Emperor's servants outweighs the servant's meager emotions.

Certain actions - like towing a cyber-enhanced, immortal, flying child - found Alexi quite glad to have the authority for people get the hell out of his way. The bridge practically cleared out when they saw the Captain's cherub in-hand with the Commissar. They knew something big was going down and that only essential crew should be posted.

Axioma was finishing the conversation with the Astropath – one of the resident psykers who transmits and recieves faster-than-light messages through the Warp – when the Commissar returned.

“Keep your mind on the anomaly and tell me if anything changes. We have something more important to deal with for now. Praise His Name.”

She still hadn't opened her eye yet. Or moved, though that would be rather difficult considering all of the I/O cords anchoring her head to the console.

“Captain,” Axioma began, “hold out your hand.”

The electronic, innocent voice of the Cherub did as she asked. Sandra wasn't about to waste time chiding her Comm Officer for not saying please. That and the quick girl had already jacked an adapter into the artificial hand, and into the Captain's mind.

“God-Emperor be praised...” the hovering servitor gasped, tears appearing at the corners of the eyes. “It's a Vengeance Cruiser!”

The Commissar raised an eyebrow. He hadn't seen one of those in ages, the Imperial Navy stopped constructing them in favor of newer designs.

“Captain,” Axioma said pointedly. “Zoom in and Sharpen on the stern. The engines look to be jammed with debris and rock, or otherwise non-functioning.”

“Pause the feed, Axi,” said the Cherub, in a very serious tone. “Apply searchgrid. Zoom to A52, H82.”

“As you command. It appears to be a hull breach. Wait... By the Emperor, what is that, Captain?” Axioma's eye was open, now. Very open, and her dilated pupil only augmented her blood red iris.

“That looks like an Ork-made suit of armor to me. Summon Inquisitor Eternitian. He'll want to see this.”

"See what now?" Alexi interjected. "An Ork, on a Cruiser? How?"

The Captain took a moment to respond through her vessel. "It used to be a Hulk. The armor's empty, but the hydrolic claw hasn't let go of the ship."

Commissar Terianis was already walking away, speaking into his radio on the 'Stormtrooper' channel. He knew Inquisitor Eternition would want to board it for some reason, and he'll need help. Even with his pet Adepta Sororitas.

The Cherub went silent, and hovered above Axioma's console, back to its soulless, sentinal subroutines.

"Snow Girl, thank you for your patience. Please come to a new heading and meet us at the following coordinates."

There was a pause as the ship attempted to argue.

"Listen, merchant-girl," Axi snapped at the line. "Either you ignore my suggestion and claim lack of authority, and you waste fuel on a Jump, and then have to do what I said anyway when the Inquisitor orders you to do it when he gets here; or you can just do it now."

Another pause.

"Yes, it's that important. And no, that's classified."

Icy is not a merchant ship. That's just the name of her ship.

Wait... I talked with a cherub in my place? Does that mean my story self is telepatic?

How the hell did I get these cherubs under my mental controle? eek Amazing!

No sir, not at all, sir! I said no such thing, sir!