"He's turning a very sickly shade of blue Celestine, I believe you should let him go."

"A poignant message must be made before we continue, Isha."

"And that message has been made, please release him Celestine."

As darkness crept across his vision Tangmo caught a glimpse of Celestine exchanging looks with Isha, the lack of oxygen causing the images to dance in a sickening mess of blurry pulsing shapes. He was a heartbeat away from losing consciousness when the pressure on his throat disappeared and he collapsed limply to the ground, the air flooding his lungs was painful but welcomed. Gasping like a fish out of water, heaving great lungful after another, Tangmo was trying to rise when Lita and Erik stepped in and helped him up, their arms wrapped tight around his. Spread out around him were Laura, Yuki, Henry and Nikki, guns leveled at the unamused Celestine. But what brought Tangmo's clarity back into focus was Damien stomping toward the Living Saint with a cackling thunder hammer in hands.

"Damien, don't!" Tangmo coughed a few times until his voice sounded normal again. "Chill out dude, back away from her!"

"Listen to your friend, captain," Celestine shifted her grip on the Ardent Blade. "It is very unwise to raise your weapon against me."

"Shouldn't have choke out my bro then," Damien growled. "Pull that crap again and, Living Saint or not, I'm gonna kick your ass."

"I fought Abaddon the Despoiler to a standstill, captain," Celestine awarded Damien with her glowing, unblinking glare, the bright intensity causing the Canadian Ultramarine to coil his fingers tighter around the polearm. "I doubt you will fare any better."

"All of you, please stand down," Isha placed herself between the Eight and Celestine. The gaze she offered Tangmo and his pals was granite but tinged with pleading, the goddess truly did not want the confrontation to escalate. After trading quick glances and sharp nods, the decision unanimous, the Eight lowered their weapons. Isha sighed her thanks then spun around to face Celestine, who had yet to banish the Ardent Blade. "When I told you there would be no blood spill, I meant it Celestine."

A battle of will between Celestine and Isha ensued then, a silent clashing to see who mentally capitulate first. The Eight held their breaths, prepared for the worse, and after a tense minute Celestine took a step back from Isha, grunted a slew of harsh sounding words, then with a sharp swipe of her hand waved away the Ardent Blade.

"Okay, now we're all calm and reasonable," Tangmo straightened his back and locked eyes with Celestine, quickly banishing the idea of trying to be funny. Given how tense everything was the last thing anyone want was some shitty Marvel quips. "You want an honest conversation? Granted. What do you want to talk about?"

"Where is that woman?" Celestine asked. "The one called Galadriel, where is she?"

"Gone," Tangmo answered, then after a moment of contemplation decided to spill the bean, he didn't want to fight Celestine and if being truthful prevented that from happening then so be it. "She returned to her world."

Celestine stared at him, her gaze piercing deep to find the littlest hint of a lie. After she was satisfied with the truth spoken, the Living Saint shifted her attention to Isha, "I told you so."

"I never disagree with your assessment, I too felt the spiritual oddity from her, I'm a goddess after all," Isha responded. "Our opinion differs in regard to the woman's motive, and the Eight involvement in this clandestine enterprise."

"We'll know soon enough," Celestine's gaze drifted back to Tangmo, the Thai commissar was very glad the Living Saint's eyes had stopped glowing. "Was she a threat?"

"No she wasn't," Tangmo shook his head in the negative, "Galadriel is an ally pursuing an anomaly that had wandered into the galaxy, a foe not dissimilar to the Chaos Gods. And before you ask, yes, she was successful with the mission, hence the reason why everything is currently dead."

"You helped her," Celestine's tone was accusatory.

"Well yeah, she's a friend," Tangmo shrugged, because he didn't have a better explanation. "We did the Imperium a favor by helping her, there's no telling what kinda fallout we'll be facing if she'd failed."

"Is that so?" Celestine folded her arms over her armored chest, her countenance remained stern and wary but she was starting to thaw. "Where is this foe of her then?"

"Over here," Isha walked up to a mound comprised of orcs and Uruk-Hai corpses, this drew immediate attention from Celestine who quickly went to join the goddess, her eyes widening at the sight of the unfamiliar creatures from another universe. After a moment of deliberation Tangmo joined the two, the fact that Celestine didn't cut his head off was a good portent as any. "They are not from this plane of existence."

"Are they creatures of the Warp?" Celestine asked, although it was clear she already knew the answer.

"No, they are from a place farther than the universe," the empty smile Isha gave Tangmo was creepy as all fuck. "Isn't that right, commissar Tangmo?"

"You knew?" Tangmo asked, genuinely surprised by this development. Seeing how the situation had simmered down somewhat, the rest of the Eight slowly joined Tangmo, hands never straying far from their weapons.

"A suspicion that had just been confirmed," Celestine said. "Safe to assume you and Galadriel came from the same place?"

"Oh no, we're not from Valinor, that's the name of Galadriel's home by the way," deciding to risk his neck, Tangmo quirked his brow questioningly at Celestine. "Isha knowing about the multiverse is expected but, and please don't take this the wrong way, but given how religious you are I thought you would find the notion to be blasphemous."

"Even in this moment you speak without restrain, I don't know whether to admire or pity your courage," Celestine fixed Tangmo with a hard gaze, held it until the Thai commissar started squirming before continuing. "But to answer your question, I have died and risen in service of the God Emperor many times over. And during my travail toward resurrection I have had glimpses of things beyond the veil of death, an unknowable void vaster than the Warp and the material realm combined. The few times I venture to study and meditate on this strangeness, I was assailed by a sense of such crushing infinity that I reeled back, less my sanity begin to fray."

"Wait a minute, so you know about the existence of other universes?" No longer able to remain silent and let this monumental conversation pass her by, Laura stepped up to join Tangmo. This display of bravery prompted the Eight to form a loose circle around Celestine and Isha, in a none threating way of course.

"There were times in the past when your skepticism would be very much justified lady inquisitor, for all the warmth and safety provided by faith it's radiance can blind us," Celestine said sardonically and exchanged looks with Isha, one of understanding and appreciation. "I have changed. The fire of the God Emperor had never burn brighter in my heart, and with this fire I shall reach all unknown horizon."

"That's very progressive of you," Tangmo grinned then swept his gaze across the open-pit mine, "considering how its only you and Isha here and Greyfax is nowhere to be found, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that you're open to a little chat?"

"She was very adamant about coming with us, but I convinced her otherwise," the twist on Celestine's visage indicated that the convincing was not the amicable kind. "Greyfax wanted you eights incarcerated and interrogated, and given her sway with the Sororitas they will help her, even if it means weathering my ire. I knew the Astartes, the guardsmen and the eldars will not take kindly to that course of action, so Greyfax's request was shot down."

"Thank you for that, because I don't want to fight you or Greyfax, just won't feel right," Tangmo sighed then spread his arms wide as if to embrace Celestine and Isha both. "Welp, we're already at this stage so ask away ladies, we're open books."

"Who are you?" Isha put forward her question. "It is more than clear you are not native to this realm."

"Huh? You knew?" Having took off his awesome Astartes helm, Damien's eyes bulged comically wide at the query. "Were we that obvious?"

"Your strange colloquialism aside, I was able to sense a strangeness from all of you," Isha explained. "Although the fundamental make up of your molecular structure and the essence of your souls are very mundane, all of you possesses unique facets unlike anything in this universe."

"I had first thought you to be latent or rouge psykers, hiding in plain sight from the questing eyes of the inquisition and the Black Ships," Celestine added. "After many discussions with Isha we came to the conclusion that your anomalous characteristic is something else entirely, an outsider if you will. The question now turns to your motives."

"We're friends of the Imperium and the Aeldari, if you haven't figured that out already," Tangmo's tone hardened, but with a hint of sadness sprinkled over the top. "After everything we've been through, did any of us ever give you reasons to suspect otherwise?"

"No, you have not," Celestine admitted with a sigh. "Just to reiterate, you are not an agent of the Chaos Gods or other malignant entities seeking to destroy the battlegroup?"

"The Eight are not agents of the Chaos Gods or other malignant entities seeking to destroy the battlegroup," Tangmo repeated Celestine's words back to her, prompting the Living Saint's eyes to flare white again, gouging the Eight for any deceit that might be lurking deeper than the skin. When her gaze returned to normal Celestine shared a silent conversation with Isha, after a moment the two divine women awarded the Eight with a stern but meaningful nod. "Alright, we're cool…right?"

"If you mean that there is no hostility between us, then yes, we're cool as you say," Isha smiled warmly and Tangmo had never seen a more beautiful sight in his life. "I now return to the very first question, who are you and your friends?"

Now that it was clear they weren't gonna duke it out with Celestine and Isha, Tangmo and the Eight huddled together like an American football team about to perform a kick off.

"Uh…so how are we doing this?" Tangmo inquired his comrades. "Do we just tell them everything? I mean at this point it couldn't hurt, right?"

"I think we should tell them the truth," Lita nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, like you said, that bridge has been crossed man, ain't no turning back now," Henry agreed with her.

"Gonna get chewed out by Master," Erik shrugged.

"Who cares what Master think, it's not like he's gonna pop up right now and tell us to stop while at the same time neuralyzing Celestine and Isha," Nikki waved at the two divine women.

"For better or worse, this is the only option left to us now," Yuki placed her hand on the pommel of her katana, her posture relaxed.

"So we're in agreement? We're telling them everything?" Damien swept his gaze over the Eight, all of whom grunted their assent.

"No time like the present then my lovies," Laura adjusted her awesome inquisitor hat then turned to Tangmo with a sickly sweet smile. "Go on then my brave commissar, tell them the truth."

"I'm sorry, but what in the actual fuck?!" Tangmo blurted then gesticulate wildly at the startled Celestine and Isha. "Why am I the fucker who's telling them this?!"

"Because you like to talk, so we're giving you the center stage," Laura rolled her eyes. "Calm your tits, we'll jump in if you need help, pinkie promise."

"Okay, fine," Tangmo adjusted his awesome commissar coat and cap until it was appropriately dashing, spun to face the expectant Celestine and Isha, took a deep breath, then said. "We're not from this universe."

"Yes, we've already figure that out," Celestine said with a note of annoyance, not at all liking the circular nature of the conversation. "Which universe then?"

"Now that's a little bit tricky to answer," Tangmo stroke his chin in thoughtful contemplation, his feet tapping a slow tempo, then snapped his fingers when thoughts and words coalesced into an adequate explanation. "The universe we came from is a very normal one, no magic, no heaven, no hell, no daemons and gods, but not free from human malice. Our home is the alpha and the omega so to speak, the great singularity where the multiverse originates from."

"Are you saying that your universe is responsible for creating this reality?" Isha quickly picked up Tangmo's meaning, her visage one of curiosity as opposed to Celestine's incredulity. "Is your home under attack from the Ruinous Power?"

"Not at all, nothing from any universes can touch us, it's apparently the unbreakable law of the multiverse," Tangmo pressed on. "However, if the balance of the multiverse goes to hell, as in the Chaos Gods took over Terra and create a second Eye of Terror, then things will go really bad on our end. As in, situation will spiral so badly out of control that several realities can get wiped out of existence."

"I see. So the survival of the greater multiverse, and more importantly the Imperium of Man, hinges on the happenstance and equilibrium of your world," Celestine locked eyes with Tangmo, causing the Thai commissar to gulp loudly. "Tell me then, for the sake of my peace of mind, are you here for our benefit?"

"Duh! If I had been working for the Chaos Gods, me and my homies would already be at Holy Terra with Abaddon and the 14th Black Crusade and pulling the God Emperor's life support!" Tangmo threw his hands into the air exasperatedly, although he couldn't blame Celestine for being cautious. "So yes, we're on your side! What do I have to do to convince you? Let Galatea brand my face with the aquila?!"

"I'm certain the canoness would very much enjoy that, but such zealous display will not be necessary lord commissar, I have fought beside you and your friends enough time to recognize the compass of your hearts, and it is virtuous," Celestine offered Tangmo her calming smile, even if it was clouded. "You must forgive me this is a lot of information to process, even if it's just a confirmation of what me and Isha had suspected for a while."

"Were we really that bad at keeping up our cover?" Laura asked with a chuckle.

"It is quite obvious, given how your speeches differ greatly from both Imperium and Aeldari lexicon," Isha said and Tangmo was taken aback by the sudden hardening of her face. "All of you also possesses knowledge that no living soul should be privy off."

"Well, we kinda have a lot of free time between Warp transit and…"

"Things pertaining to the nature of my abduction and captivity and the Fall of the Aeldari Empire, told with impossibly startling details," Isha stopped Laura from forming an excuse. "Furthermore, you also talk about the War in Heaven as if you were presence for that cataclysmic clash."

"You eight have also regales many tales from the time of the Horus Heresy, much to the ire of the more orthodox Sororitas ordo," Celestine was taking great satisfaction at how sheepishly wilted the Eight were growing. "As Isha had said, the details go beyond the reciting of old texts, such deep insight transcend the uncommon and into the realm of suspicion."

"…Okay, so maybe we ran our mouths a bit too much," Damien exchanged goofy grin with the Eight but quickly became solemn when Lita fixed a heated glare on him. "Sorry about that."

"I told you to be careful, you never know who's listening," Lita made an apologetic face at the two divine women. "No offense."

"None taken," Celestine waved the Mexican Warseer off easily. "But this then leads us to another conundrum. If you are not native to this universe, then how is it that you know so much about the history of the galaxy?"

"I seriously need you ladies to brace yourselves, because what I'm about to say will very likely not be palatable to you," Tangmo clasped his hands behind his back, affected his cool commissar pose, and continued after filling his lungs to the brim. "You remember how I said every other universe branches out form the one I came from? The reason for this is because the multiverse is comprised of stories and medias and fictions created from the minds of the peoples living in my universe. Please tell me you guys are following."

"Our entire existence are tales created by the denizen of your homeworld?" Isha asked, indeed she and Celestine were following Tangmo's words.

"More or less yeah, four decades worth of lores written by multiple authors. Sometime pretty good, sometime pretty shit," Tangmo made his jolly explanation, Celestine and Isha meanwhile betrayed no outward emotion to this earthshattering revelation. The neutral reception was making the Eight very nervous. "This universe is called Warhammer 40,000, because it is set forty thousand years in the future."

"In the future?" Celestine and Isha traded confused look. "Does your universe use the Imperial calendar?"

"No," Tangmo shook his head. "But if we're going by Imperial calendar, then me and my friends come from the second millennium, 2025 Anno Domini to be precise."

"An age Imperium historians can only describe as myth lost to shadowy antiquity," Celestine tried to hide it, but the gleam of interest shone bright in her eyes. Isha on the other hand, was practically beaming. "And it is the authors from this time period who crafted…books about us?"

"Books, animations, comics and video games, the grim darkness of the 42nd millennium is pretty well known across the world. There's even a big fanbase in Thailand too," Tangmo snickered. "But at the end of the day, Warhammer 40k's bread and butter are the toys."

"…Toys?" The corner of Celestine's eye twitched irritably.

"Wargame miniatures," Tangmo quickly corrected himself. "You guys are miniatures used to fight imaginary wars on detailed maps and handcrafted terrains, tabletop gaming."

Ice shot down Tangmo's spine when the only reaction Celestine and Isha bestowed singularly upon him was an unblinking stare, the blank expression could convey a myriad of interpretations and none of them good. For once the Eight didn't back away and instead took a step closer to Tangmo, not willing to abandon each other in this moment that would very likely take a turn for the worse.

"Tabletop wargame," Isha spoke up, and Tangmo was seriously considering blowing his brain out with his laspistol just to stop the rising stress when the goddess's face took on a friendly thoughtful aspect as she turned to Celestine. "Like what the soldiers and warriors used to hone their tactical skills? I recall a brawl almost breaking out after the conclusion of an intense four hour match between the Sororitas and the Banshee."

"It would've been a lot worse than a brawl if we haven't been in the audience," Celestine chuckled from the memory. "What a shame that would be, the models were beautifully carved and painted."

"Wait, you guys know what a tabletop game is?" Tangmo asked. Although he knew war gaming existed in the 40k universe, he thought it was only the Iron Hands and the Iron Warriors Astartes who engaged in the hobby.

"It is how the Sisters of Battle, and apparently the Aeldari, applied the many theses of war, a way to whet their mind until it was as sharp as the sword they wield. The game is not widely popular but I've noticed a few guardsmen taking interest," Celestine explained easily, which had the effect of loosening Tangmo and the Eight's knotted muscles. "Apparently, according to you, myself and everyone in this universe are miniature pieces of this Warhammer 40,000 wargame, am I correct?"

"Yes you are," Tangmo wiped his suddenly sweaty brow, the sleeve coming away drenched. "You're a hero unit by the way, the supreme leader of the army with the ability to turn the tide of battle. If you roll the dices successfully that is."

"As it should be," Celestine folded her arms smugly over her chest. "Tell me then lord commissar, compare to the figurine how do my mettle measure up?"

"You're a thousand time better than the miniature, both in term of power and…uh, how pretty you are. Seriously, I'm a big fan, I have all your books and action figures," Tangmo allowed himself to geek out a bit. "You're taking this strangely well, I had expected confusion and denial."

"Because it doesn't matter in the end what we are in your reality, nor do we need it to validate our existence. What we can touch, feel and perceive is good enough," Isha explained with the calm air of a serene sage. "And all of you are here to help us."

"Kinda. Our objective is to make sure that the good guys win and stay winning, even though there are no good guys in 40k to begin with. We just more or less maintain the status quo," Tangmo paused, his gaze shifting between Celestine and Isha. "Shit, I think we might have went beyond the status quo at this point."

"Please explain," Celestine said.

"If we're talking about the established canon back in our universe, Isha is still imprisoned by Nurgle, the Ynnari is losing, the Imperium is on the verge of a civil war, and Guilliman and Lion 'el Johnson are the only Primarch to have return," Laura took over the conversation and Tangmo nodded for her to continue. "As you can see, due to our interference, Isha is now with us, Jaghatai Khan has returned, and thanks to the effort of the Immortal Spirit the Imperium now have the technological edge, free of Mechanicus meddling, that is tipping the scale in favor of the forces aligned against Chaos."

"The success in this universe will benefit your home as well, yes?" Isha got concerned when the Eight's mood turned grim.

"Things are pretty bad back home, shit's getting fucked all over the place," Tangmo sighed, his earnest weariness did not require further elaboration. "Thing is, there are hundreds if not thousands of other universes connected to – let just call it Prime Terra. And a lot of them are going to hell in a hand basket, therefore all the good we did in 40k have minimal effect."

"It is a sensation that I am very familiar with, to fight so hard yet see very little accomplished for the effort," a darkness came over Celestine's face for a brief moment but she banished it a nanosecond later. "I will be honest, the Immortal Spirit have restored a measure of hope within myself, it has been many years since I've felt that I am truly bringing good to the galaxy."

"Glad you feel that way," Tangmo tapped his feet slowly on the ground, both sides having reached the point where all necessary words were spent. "Alrighty, so…what happens now?"

"When me and Isha set out on this errand, I wholeheartedly believe that it will end in tragedy. I am glad to see that my fear has been averted," Celestine smiled softly, the sort that filled you with warmth and put you at peace. Tangmo knew then that no one was gonna die today. "Even if you emitted the truth from us, the eight of you had proven yourselves trustworthy when it matters the most. Although I am vexed that you have lied to myself and Isha, your honesty does you credit and I have come to the conclusion that you're not a threat to the battlegroup or the Imperium."

"I'm glad we've reached this conclusion Celestine, it was a lot better than the alternative," Celestine rolled her eyes at the insinuation while Isha exhaled heavily in relief. "A terrible confrontation has been averted, thank you my friend."

"Hold up, what do mean terrible confrontation?" Laura snapped her head at Celestine and Isha. After the tense conversation from earlier, seeing the Living Saint and the goddess coyly avoiding the British inquisitor's question was funny as all hell. "What did you both do before coming here?!"

"Nothing, I assured you! We left with pilot Tyra after briefing the battlegroup that we were heading to help the high command with their special mission," Isha answered quickly but turned sheepish a second later. "But tension was already shimmering before we left, despite our best attempt to placate the troops."

"In this, I have to admit the fault was mine," Celestine shook her head despondently. "I told Greyfax of what I planned to do, and she took it as an authorization to arrest the eight of you on suspicion of heresy, the woman was deaf to all of my plea for reason and rationale and discreetness. She began spreading words to the Sororitas of possible trouble, then news got out to the guardsmen and the eldars, resulting in the two groups drawing clear line in the sand."

"I fear that if we had return with the eight of you either dead or incarcerated, a clash will break out between the two forces," Isha added. "The Aeldari and the guardsmen are extremely loyal to you, to the point where they will raise up arms against the Sororitas. The Astartes for the moment display no outward reaction, but I believe they're simply waiting to see how things develop."

"Well shit, what the fuck are we waiting for then?!" Damien leapt off his feet and bounded back for the elevator they'd took to enter the open-pit mine, waving urgently for the others to follow. "Come on! For all we know the battlegroup could've already imploded!"

"That will not be necessary Brother Captain," Celestine suppressed a giggle then tapped her earbud. "Captain Tyra, come in."

"Go ahead, my lady saint," Tyra remained her professional self but there was a clear taut edge to her timbre, like how one was waiting for a bad news.

"Please bring the Valkyrie to my location," Celestine went on easily, hoping to soothe Tyra's nerve. "My business with the high command has concluded."

"The lord commissar is well?" Tyra blurted before she can stop herself.

"He is captain Tyra," Celestine let a hint of reprimand seeped into her voice. "Now, bring the Valkyrie over please."

"Yes mam!"

"Oh right, I actually forgot I can do this, hang on," skidding to a stop, Damien opened the data-pad on his armguard and started typing quickly. The Valkyrie appeared over the open-pit mine after a few seconds, followed closely by the Thunderhawk, the two transports falling into a pristine formation as they made a vertical landing fifty yards away from the Eight and Celestine and Isha. "I also install an auto-pilot on the Thunderhawk."

"Still better than the fucking Toyota beeper, goddamn that shit was ass!" Henry lamented loudly, ignored Damien's ceramite grade middle finger, and headed for the Thunderhawk's opened ramp. "Alright guys, let's get going."

"You guys go on ahead, I'm hitching a ride with the nice ladies," Tangmo put one his best shit eating grin and went to join the surprised Celestine and Isha, the Thai commissar reveling in the unrestrained affront the Eight were bestowing upon him. "See you guys later!"

"Oi! Why the fuck are you going with them?!" Laura demanded testily.

"Consider this is my reward after you assholes forced me to be our spoke person!" Tangmo went on quickly, never giving the Eight enough time to get a word in. "Also, it'll be a good optic for when we return to the battlegroup. With me, Celestine and Isha exiting the Valkyrie together, everybody's gonna be convince we're BFF."

"…He kinda have a point, I guess," Lita rolled her eyes because even she can't deny the very correct statement Tangmo just made. The Eight were starting to raise a ruckus when the Mexican Warseer stabbed her Singing Spear to the ground, sending a powerful and very loud reverberation across the mine, successfully silencing the rambunctious crowd. "Now, seeing how all of you are settled down, let's us get on the Thunderhawk, I'm sure the battlegroup is eagerly awaiting our return. See you later Tangmo."

"Later Lita," Tangmo tipped his awesome commissar cap at the Mexican Warseer and spun around to face the Valkyrie. After exchanging energetic wave with a very happy Tyra and co-pilot Victoria, Tangmo ushered Celestine and Isha at the ramp like the consummate gentleman that he was. "After you your eminence, my lady Saint."

Bowing their thanks, Celestine and Isha primly got on the Valkyrie, Tangmo following a heartbeat later but not before sticking his tongue out at his incessant peers. Practically skipping into the hull, Tangmo took his seat on a bench opposite Celestine and Isha. He had barely strapped himself down when the Valkyrie took off, not even waiting for the ramp to shut properly.

"Damn, she's in a hurry," Tangmo commented.

"The faster we return, the quicker the tension will defuse," Isha told him.

"You're right, hopefully cooler heads will prevail…hopefully," Tangmo made a face then shifted the conversation to a less gloomy topic. "How's the mission going by the way? Are we getting close to the STCs?"

"The orks and the heretics proved to be extremely lacking in prowess," a grin crept up Celestine's face. "The facility where the STCs was kept had been secured during the initial push into enemy's territory, the heretics and the orks had severely depleted their manpower and ammunitions fighting each other. The greenskins managed a semblance of resistance, while the heretics fled like the cowards that they are."

"Music to my ears. Thanks for holding down the fort while we were away, top job," Tangmo tipped his awesome commissar cap at Celestine then slouch into his seat, a distant look coming over his eyes as he gazed out the porthole. "What's going to happen now?"

"As it has always been," Celestine said, immediately understanding Tangmo's words. "We continue with our mission as was mandated by lord Guilliman."

"I appreciate the both of you being super cool with the multiverse revelation, truly," Tangmo said, "but I must ask that this secret stays between us because…well, you know why."

"Indeed lord commissar, you can trust us not to speak of this to a single soul," Isha turned expectantly to Celestine, the Living Saint's visage was one of rising petulance. "Right, Celestine?"

"I'll admit, this goes against every tenet and teaching in regard to piety and loyalty to the God Emperor. To keep such enormous information from the battlegroup, one that could potentially help our endeavor, is nothing short of sinful," Celestine spoke like a preacher passing judgement on her congregation, but her tone softened when – holy shit, did Isha just seriously pout at her? "But I know better than to cause disunity amongst the ranks and files, therefore you have my promise that the details of this event will remain a secret."

"So you're not telling Greyfax?" Tangmo knew he was pushing it a bit with Celestine, but damn he would never get a better opportunity for a nice little teasing.

"Especially not Greyfax," Celestine and Isha traded giggling grins. "For all my affection, I am smart enough to tread carefully around her, especially in matters such as this."

"And I'll make sure to avoid her like a plague. I'm good at bullshitting my way out of a bind but Greyfax can read mind so," Tangmo shrugged the same moment the Valkyrie began its descend, the blue of the sky giving way to the dust of marching army and the haze of unleashed artilleries. Unstrapping himself, Tangmo got up from the bench and adjusted his awesome commissar ensemble, Celestine and Isha joining him the same moment the Valkyrie landed with a smooth shudder. "Alright, let's go show the battlegroup how chummy we are and that all is right with the world. You guys on my flanks, I'll make sure to be a step slower than you two."

"Perhaps we should all hold hands," Celestine snorted as the ramp started lowering.

"I wouldn't mind," Isha turned meaningfully to Tangmo, very much warming to the idea.

"Yo, that would be ultra-suspicious, everyone's gonna think I brainwash the both of you and then Greyfax and Elnys are gonna shoot me dead on the spot," Tangmo chuckled as he glanced out of the Valkyrie, and damn things indeed looked really tense. The welcoming parties that had assembled on the grey airfield were divided into two columns, the no man's land between them was currently occupied by Tyra's Valkyrie. On one side was the Sisters of Battle from every ordo, range and melee weapons ready in hand, the other was comprised of guardsmen and Guardians, all whom were also armed. The way the lasguns, the shuriken catapults and the bolters were held indicated that both sides were ready to bring their respective arms to bear without hesitation. Tangmo currently can't see the Astartes or the Aspect Warriors, but he was sure they were nearby, waiting to act when an escalation inevitably happens.

"Greeting all," Tangmo mentally thanked Isha for taking the initiative to defuse the situation, the goddess walking primly down the ramp with the Thai commissar and Celestine matching steps with her. The guardsmen and eldars lowered their guns but the Sororitas maintained a battle-ready stance. "I personally did not expect a welcoming party, but is nevertheless glad."

"Indeed, and what a great gathering it is too," Celestine's easy comment had a sharp edge to it, the piercing gaze she cast upon the Sororitas prompted the nun to finally stand at ease, the canonesses subtly waving their subordinates down. The Living Saint soon found an angry Greyfax at the front of the Battle Sisters, fixed her with a glare, then turned to the battlegroup with a mask of expertly mended propriety. "I for one loves a parade."

"You and me both," Tangmo waved at colonel Krillen who was standing nearby. "Anything to report Krillen?"

"None sir," Krillen saluted, prompting the guardsmen in attendance to follow suit. "All is well."

"That's good to hear, for a second there I thought…!" Tangmo tripped, his limps suddenly weighed down by a nauseating pressure blooming from his chest, the churning implosion of his innards almost made him vomit. Then as quickly as it happened, the black feeling was gone, the darkness creeping over his vision receded until all he saw was the tarmac ground. Taking a deep breathe, Tangmo found that Celestine and Isha were holding him by the arms, stopping him from face planting.

"Lord commissar, are you well?" Isha asked, naked in her concern. "Are you hurt?"

"No Isha, just a bad spell," Tangmo politely extricated himself from the goddess and the Living Saint. "But damn, that was bad."

"What happened?" Celestine placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know," Tangmo glanced at the main characters and a strange pit developed in his stomach. "But…I don't know, I had a strange feeling like I've just crossed a point of no return, crossing the Rubicon if you will. Maybe it's nothing."