Modhammer 40,000 Saga

[Arcadian]

Chapter Four

Compared to mortal men, Commissars are close to demi-gods. In some cases, they can be.

There's a popular story told throughout the Imperium of an Admiral who, along with the directions of a Commissar, fooled an entire feral planet into believing them to be Gods. For three straight years, all mined minerals were brought to a massive altar, and grav-lifted into space by the orbiting Cruiser. At the beginning of the fourth year, enough materials were collected to finish repairing a sister ship which had been badly damaged in the battle which stranded them at the planet in the first place.

The story usually ends with "All around the planet, the tribes were blessed with seeing the birth of a star - the fruits of their hard work being displayed in the bright burst of energy from two Imperial ships entering the warp."

Compared to Commissars, however, Inquisitors are actual Gods. Space Marines 'Shall Know no Fear.' Inquisitors 'Shall Know no Red Tape.'

Very few locks are closed to Inquisitors, in the physical, social, and mental senses.

Most educated people know this very, very well. Everyone related to the workings of the Imperium's army knows this. People who don't, quickly learn.

Commissar Terianis knows this. It irritates him, slightly.

His musings were silent, and his eyes stared at the holotable in front of the command group. Opposite, the blue-haired, chiseled Eternition studied Alexi, almost feeling the emotions bubble within the Officer.

"In any case," the Inquisitor continued, after a timed quip from Alexi made the room echo awkward silence. "We can't let this opportunity pass to regain a lost piece of the Imperium. From this image here, we can be nearly certain that the internal structure is still intact, and a few weeks repair on the engines should get them functional again."

A brown-haired Acolyte looked up from comparing ship schematics to analyzation data.

"The chances of Imperials still being on that craft is 0.54%. The chances of Orks still being on it is 82.46%. There seems to be no residual Warp energies, either. It's been floating for awhile."

Eternitian nodded. "Thank you, Grayed."

Alexi looked at the girl out of the corner of his eye. She nodded back, then went back to studying the papers and screens in front of her. It bothered him a little bit that she never smiled.

Sandra finally entered the war-room, and was given salutes by the handful of aids who didn't have rank on her.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. One of the Arbites tripped and dumped an unconscious soldier on me on their way to the brig." She glared at Alexi, like it was all his fault. All he could imagine was officer Romuel's giddy laughter at watching Nico make a bigger fool out of himself.

"We're going to need two ships, Captain." Eternitian turned and looked at Sandra. "A dozen of Alexi's Stormtroopers are going to reinforce myself and the Celestians."

"How much time do you need?"

The Commissar and Inquisitor stated simultaneously: "None."