Editing Marcius Flavius (section)

==Story 14==

Battle-Brother Riker stepped into the Adeptus Sororitas temple slowly and carefully. From what he'd been told, the Sisters took their oaths and loyalty to the Emperor VERY seriously, even more so than the average space marine.

And the average space marine, in his experience, was as likely to open fire on aliens without talking as he was to breathe.

"Greetings, Battle-Brother." A white-haired woman in black-and-red armor approached him, while many other women, whose hair was all dyed white but not in armor, prayed silently across the large opening hall.

"I am Sister Herelen, the caretaker for this temple." She gave a slight bow, to which Riker responded with a much more dramatic one. She seemed approving. "Forgive me, but the Phalanx's message on why you would be visiting us was... poorly-worded. I would appreciate some clarity."

Riker coughed awkwardly, and eventually forced out a "I would like to borrow some power armor." in as much a whisper as he could.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"I am merely an honorary battle-brother, Sister. I have not taken the gene-seed of a Primarch into me." Even though the Federation cared not at all about homosexuality, even Riker could tell how gay that sounded. "And as I am too old to do so in any case, I cannot. This leaves me in the awkward position of being unable to join the Imperial Fists in battle, as I cannot use space marine power armor, so..." he trailed off, rolling his head to finish his point.

"You are aware that we only adorn *women* in armor, are you not?"

"Yes, but, I was hoping maybe a Tech-Priest could iron out the--" Riker paused, pierced by a stare by the Sister, obviously unamused by the idea of altering holy armor. "Well, I--"

"Come with me."

She led him through the hallways of the temple, all adorned with gold, black, and red artwork of the Emperor, marble statues to the sides of the halls making it almost hard to walk. Multiple times, Riker had to duck his head beneath the crossed spears of marble Adeptus Custodes as a portrait of the Emperor looked at him, judging him for sins the artist had assumed he'd committed.

Eventually they came to a room that Riker easily identified as an armory. He'd seen bolters and powerswords before, they were standard armament for the Fists, but he was only just now exposed to flamers.

He did not like them.

"Here." she said, gesturing to dozens of suits of armor on the far wall, identical save for their sizes: some were obviously for petite women, while others were for... less petite women.

"What's--" was all Riker got out, before a heavy slap on his back sent him stumbling forward to the largest suit, made for a 5'10" or so heavyset woman. "What's this?"

"Your armor." she said simply. "It is the only thing you might fit in."

She forced him to undress and suit up in front of her, and by the time he was done, it now appeared to her that she stood before a standard Sister of Battle... save for the obviously male face and beard.

Her heart stopped for a moment as she looked at Riker's awkward, uncomfortable face as he tested out the armor's abilities.

Giving himself a once over an odd thought came over the commander spinning a full 360 giving the sister a chance to see the absurdity of sticking Riker of all people in one of their suits. 'If I'm going to be stuck in this might as well have fun with it.'

"So," he said in all seriousness, "How do I look?"

The sister started to snicker but couldn't say anything.

"Well," Riker continued on unfazed by his companion's silence; he motioned to his breast plate, "I think these are going to make me a little top heavy but that's something I can live with...But in all honesty I believe the colors need to be changed to those of the crew of the Phalanx." The commander clapped his hands together, "I also need a banner of the Imperial Fists with me wherever I go...after all they're the ones sponsoring me."

Her response was a squeak of, "Of course." Before the sister bolted out of the armory laughing as she went.

Onboard the Phalanx the Chapter Master stood waiting for their honorary Battle-Brother to return via Teleport along with several of his staff standing next to him. He had expected company to return with the Commander, more likely than not angry company, considering where he sent the man to be suited. However, what came on board wasn't what he expected.

Dressed in SoB's armor painted in Imperial Fist colors Commander Riker held a banner adorned with the Chapter's insignia. Many of the present Astartes didn't see the amused smile on the smaller man's face but they did hear his voice, "Sirs, I'm ready to fight on land, sea, or space in the suit you have provided to me."

"No...no, no, nononononon-"

The look of absolute horror and denial on all Astartes present would be a fond memory in the minds and lore of all Sisters for generations to come...