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Battle Barge Axios

Captain Westwynter holstered his plasma pistol, satisfied at the Techmarine's judgement. With the majority of the Barge's non-critical systems now operational, he could afford to resume weapons maintenance. However, he could not shake the feeling that there was something more to those dagger-shaped vessels than met the eye.

Shaking his head, he brushed off a stray speck of dust from his crimson-trimmed armour and turned to face his assembled sergeants and the company Chaplain.

"Gentlemen." Lucian lit up a tabac stick, a bad habit that he somehow could never give up.

"I have good news, and bad news. The bad news is that we have lost the Astronomicon. The stars around us are unfamiliar, even to the cogitators. The barge's machine spirit is confused as to its location, and the tech-priests maintaining it cannot say either. With luck, we are merely in the Halo stars, beyond the light of the Astronomicon, yet well within the borders of our galaxy. If my prediction is correct, however…the warp rift that we entered may have sent us to another galaxy."

Lucian let the group process that for a moment, waiting for a moment of silence from the inevitable murmuring before continuing.

"The good news is that we have detected several ships of unknown origin within close proximity of our fleet. While we cannot scan their interiors, nor have they hailed us as of yet, I am confident that they will be able to provide us with assistance. As we number but a hundred, we are as yet unable to ascertain whether or not we require said aid. Nonetheless, I wish to stress that we will attempt peaceful relations first and foremost, as the Imperium still requires our aid. The Emperor protects. Dismissed."

Still talking amongst themselves, the company's NCOs turned as one and walked off towards their respective stations, just as a priority vox message reached Lucian. Sighing, he stabbed at the receive button until it worked, silently hoping no tech-priest overheard him.

"Westwynter."

"Honoured Captain. The unknown ships have hailed us, albeit on a frequency that allows for visual communications as well as aural. Shall I transfer it to the bridge vidscreens?"

"Make it so, Bondsman-Captain. Westwynter out."

Once again checking over his armour for any traces of dust or damage, Lucian straightened his Crux Terminatus and marched imperiously to the bridge.

*Imperial thought for the day: Suffer not the Xenos to live. Nor the Heretic, nor the Mutant, nor the Traitor.*

ISD Subjugator

Chiss Space

Unknown Regions

"Hailing the ships now Admiral. Orders?"

Thrawn's voice floated across the room, carrying a calm yet menacing aura with it that chilled Captain Fel to the bone.

"Put it on-screen, and answer it yourself. I shall observe from hiding, for now."

"As you will it, sir."

Staring nervously at the screen, Sydar did his best not to let his anxiety show. Although his profuse sweating had left his entire body damp, he hoped that the Navy-issue dark grey dress tunic left no stains showing. Waiting for a few moments, he was greeted with an image of a stylized eagle, along with some swearing in surprisingly good basic.

"EMPEROR DAMN IT TECHPRIEST, GET THIS FRAKKING SCREEN WORKING!"

Turning around in to look at his aide in surprise, he was welcomed with a shrug and turned back to the now-active screen. He carefully studied what he assumed to be his counterpart, noting the menacingly large pauldrons and visible armaments, hoping that the man's hands were not that big in real life.

"Greetings. I am Brother-Captain Lucian Westwynter of the 180th Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, Captain of the Blood Guardians 3rd Company, and the Sword of Corbulo. I speak on behalf of the Imperium of Man, and the God-Emperor, our undying lord."

Sydar nervously swallowed, feeling the Admiral's eyes drilling into his back before replying.

"I am Captain Sydar Fel, captain of the Imperial Star Destroyer Subjugator, detached from Vermillion Broadsword sector command. I represent the Emperor Palpatine, ruler of the New Order of the Galactic Empire. What do you require?"

The Brother-Captain waited a moment before responding, turning away to bark a sharp order at someone off-screen.

"What is this…Empire you speak of? Where within it are we?"

Fel swore under his breath, thinking of how to go about answering these questions when a voice drifted through the air, the mellow and rounded sounds typical of a Chiss. Sighing, Fel stood, saluted, then dismissed himself as the Admiral stepped up to the vacant seat.

"Apologies for the decoy and the theatrics, Brother-Captain, but I needed to ensure that my current location remained secret from my rivals. I am Grand Admiral Thrawn, commanding officer of the Vermillion Broadsword sector command, once again representing the Emperor of the Galaxy. In response to your question, you are within the Aur'elan sector, on the northeastern fringe of the Galaxy. Unfortunately, that most likely did not help at all, but you are welcome to make your own conclusions on the subject."

*Imperial thought for the day: It is better to die for the Emperor than to live for yourself.*

Lucian struggled to restrain himself as the human captain saluted to, respected, the Xenos commander. He, IT, was obviously in command, a sure sign of alien control. Shaking in barely-suppressed rage, Westwynter snapped his attention back to what the foul Xenos was saying.

"…commanding officer of the Vermillion Broadsword sector command, once again representing the Emperor of the Galaxy."

The sheer IMPUDENCE! That this…this…HERETIC dares assume that there is not one True Emperor! Seething in anger and holy rage, Lucian attempted to focus his smouldering gaze upon the alien commander.

"…the Aur'elan sector, on the northeastern fringe of the Galaxy. Unfortunately, that most likely did not help at all, but you are welcome to make your own conclusions on the subject. If you require assistance with your repairs, feel free to ask. We have a large spacedock in a nearby system. If you will only follow our ship…"

Wait. This idiotic Xenos was leading the Astartes flotilla to its stronghold? Well, this should be a fine time to test the battle-mettle of our regiments…

"I thank you generously for your offer, Grand Admiral. Our three ships would be glad to follow. Only point the way."

With that, Lucian terminated the vox-cast and strode from the bridge. There was training to be done…

So there we have it! After around 2 months (oops), Faith and Fury has yet again been updated. My utmost apologies for the delay…heh. heh.

Cegorach: Er…creative liberties? Sigh. 1: You try facing the Tau in tabletop. If you're in their LOS for more than 3 seconds…Emperor have mercy on your soul. 2: System Defence Forces have ships, which are indeed warp-capable. 3: Yet the Blood Magpies are still there… 4: My bad. I don't read up on 40k that much, so my fault. Cuz Daemonic incursions hurt. 5: The Blood Guardians, being an OC chapter, were envisioned to be a more enlightened chapter. Think Reasonable Marines, but without the Xenos love and more Blood Angels RAGE. 6: I'm pretty sure navigators are in short supply. One for a ship, maybe two, is more than enough. And would you be scared if your lighthouse just vanished? 7: Once again, my bad. Inexcusable mistake. 8: Your point stands. But wouldn't that kinda kill the whole 'balance' issue?

Ugh. This story is not going to be very faithful to the fluff nor the canon. It would be interesting to watch the Imperium inflict filthy rape upon the SW galaxy, but over fairly quickly. Thus, the SM are nerfed while SW is buffed. Done.

Bronyhood of Steel: Sanguinius calls.

So there you have it! Yet another chapter of faith, fury, and the BLOOD GUARDIANS!

Expect another chapter up in about a week or so!