"Hello??? Who dis?" I thought, hoping that whatever voice I was hearing, was also hearing my thoughts.

NOT QUITE AS STUPID AS YOU ARE WEAK.

"Weakness is a matter of perspective! Who are you?" I thought in reply, hoping this would be over soon. Answering might have been a bad idea...

WHO I AM MATTERS NOT. WHAT MATTERS, IS THAT YOU WERE CHEATED ON YOUR ARRIVAL!

"Cheated? What are you talking about?" I asked mentally.

WHEN A STRANGE SOUL APPEARS IN THIS UNIVERSE, WE ARE USUALLY THERE TO GREET THEM. OFFER THEM A PLACE THEY CAN BELONG. A PLACE THEY CAN GROW STRONG!

WE DID NOT KNOW OF YOUR ARRIVAL AND YOU WERE DENIED THE CHANCE FOR POWER! AND NOW, YOU ARE OUTSIDE OUR REACH!

"Khorne*??" I asked.

I CAN OFFER YOU THE CHANCE YOU WERE DENIED!!

"Björk? Are you alright?" Nela's voice cut through my message communication and I double blinked a few times to clear my vision.

"Nela? Yes, yes, I am okay. I was merely lost in thought, trying to recall more memories. I wish to know who I am." I quickly lied. Hopefully, it was believable enough.

"Understandable" Nela's voice was filled with sympathy. Quite a surprise, considering the universe I was in.

"What can I do for you, Nela?" I asked, impatient to get the day going.

"I was coming to see if the clothes were a good fit. We didn't have time to measure yesterday." Nela smiled as he talked and I could see the logic in that. So I quickly got changed and to my surprise, they wit fairly well.

"It would seem I chose well. So, I shall not keep you anymore. Breakfast will be ready after prayers." With that, He departed, leaving me alone once more.

I quickly got the message from previously into my vision again.

"What chance was I denied?" I tried communicating mentally and I didn't have to wait long for a response.

THE CHANCE FOR ULTIMATE POWER. UNEQUALLED AND UNMATCHED STRENGTH!! THAT IS THE OFFER YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

"That does sound intriguing. But. What is the catch? What price is there to be paid in for such an offer?" I asked. One does not fanboy over 40k without learning that nothing, not even basic amenities, came free.

WORRY ONLY ABOUT THE POWER!! STRENGTH IS ALL THAT MATTERS! NO PRICE IS TOO GREAT FOR ULTIMATE PROWESS!

"Yeah, that is going to be a resounding no. My soul is a little too precious to me to trade away for a vague offer of power and strength."

For a moment, I felt the darkness encroach upon me and it felt like the very existence of the universe pressed down on me to cause me harm. It was gone as quickly as it came and I saw no more message screen and no more red blinking.

"Most definitely a chaos god!" I said to myself. As tempted as I had been, I had this weird sensation along my spine every time I read one of the messages. It flared up doing the moment afterward and then died down. Maybe that was the *danger instinct* feat activating? I would have to pay close attention to that in the future.

Deciding to keep up appearances, I joined in the morning prayer. Once more, the 2 grueling hours of kneeling and praying were torture on the mind, but I gained several new litanies and a few more XP, according to the notifications.

I managed to sneak a peek at my character sheet as I walked to the dining hall.

HUMAN. LEVEL 1.

STAT POINTS REMAINING: 0

ALIGNMENT: PURE IN THE EYES OF THE EMPEROR.

LITANIES: 15

AUGMENTATIONS: NONE

LEVEL: 99/600

STRENGTH: 5

AGILITY: 5

PERCEPTION:10

WILL: 5

LUCK: 16

SKILLS

FEATS

ABILITIES

At least I was gaining litanies at a frightening rate. I wondered why they had their own category.

After a short breakfast of more Soylens Viridians (How can something so bland become such a hated meal so quickly?)I was ready to head out and, using my map, I set my sights on the Training facilities located near the edge of the city.

_________________________

I found the training quite ridiculous as we spent more time learning how to march in cadence rather than how to use and maintain the gear we had been given. Flak Armor**, bayonet, Guard-Issue Medical Supplies***, 9-70 Entrenching Tool****, Gas Mask with Mark VIII filter, and the Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer*****.

It was during this tedious time that I decided to test the system in my spare time. I would find its limits and try to push beyond. If whatever entity contacted me before was right, I was not the first to be transported here. That made me wonder if some of the Heroes in the 40k universe were filled out by people like me, moved from my world to this, having used the system to assume positions of power?

In any case, I will work to become powerful. Not because the Imperium would benefit it and not because the powers of Chaos would like another mindless slayer in their ranks. But because it is the only way to have any sort of chance at an independent life.

From what I remember about the lore I studied back home, my best shot at this is becoming a rogue trader******. But gaining that right will not just be difficult, it will be borderline impossible. But I am confident I can find a way to make it happen. Anything would be better than wasting my life away, praying for endless hours when I'm not marching up and down the same airstrip.

______________________

The following week was spent doing the same things every day. Wake up, pray, eat, train, pray, eat, sleep. I could feel my soul withering with each passing day and I saw no way out of the monotonous boredom. Then, on the 8th day. things changed. I woke up earlier than usual to the Klaxon of warning sirens and a general message being broadcasted all over the city.

"ORC ATTACK. IMPERIAL CITIZENS ARE URGED TO CONTINUE THEIR DAILY LIVES. PDF TROOPERS REPORT TO THE EASTERN WALL SECTION! THIS MESSAGE REPEATS!"

"An orc attack?" I thought to myself as I tried getting my bleary eyes to focus on the PDF gear that I stored, packed, and ready, next to the bed. The Imperial Infantryman's primer lay on the table and I shoved it into the inner pocket of my new jacket. The pocket was designed specifically to hold the primer and was sealed when you closed the pocket, to keep it safe. I grabbed my map and slung my small backpack over my shoulder before I grabbed my Lasgun and charge pack and mumbled the prayer of Loading, "Machine Spirit, Accept my gift, Swallow the light and spit out Death" Before I slammed the charge pack into place and started walking fast out of the room.

I saw Nela on his way toward my room, but when he saw me with my backpack and rifle he simply nodded, turned around, and went back to his duties. I started running, checking the map to see where I needed to go.