In Warhammer 40k, Space Marines are iconic, the face of the franchise, and a major revenue source for GW. But they don't fully represent the Imperium in the 40k era.
In the 30k Great Crusade, Space Marines symbolized progress under the Emperor. In 40k, with the Emperor on the Golden Throne and Primarchs gone, the Imperium has strayed.
Battle Sisters, tied to the Ecclesiarchy, best embody the 40k Imperium. Devout, fanatical, they fight for the Emperor, punishing blasphemy harshly.
Death by melta is the kindest fate from them. Heretics and traitors are turned into whipping servitors, cannon fodder for the Sisters.
Sisters who falter in faith self-punish with whipping, electric shocks, or charge into battle with chainsaw swords, seeking atonement or death.
Some survive brutal charges or become Living Saints, marking atonement's end.
This reflects the 40k Imperium: fanatical faith, cruel rule, and sacrifice. Life expectancy is 40 years for most, while nobles live centuries via surgery.
The 40k world is a dark, dystopian hell, loved by fans for its hardcore setting, earning GW billions.
Liking this setting and living it are different. Time travelers to 40k weep in despair.
Luka, a fan who bought chess pieces, loves this dystopia. His collection includes Battle Sisters, though not his main force, worth about 1,000 points.
Training Sisters on Rostov II is practical. Space Marines require level III authority; Luka has level I. Astra Militarum are numerous but lack high-end power.
Sisters, with power armor, bolters, melta weapons, and faith against Chaos, are ideal. Their armor surpasses Astra Militarum's, and they can wield E-level demons like Living Saints.
Cost-effectiveness is key. A 10-Sister team (100 points) has power armor, grenades, melta weapons, and power swords. Kashejin Commandos, same points, get weaker armor and laser guns. In 40k, a Sister's gear costs 20,000 throne coins; a guardsman's, 400.
With limited points, Luka can't use his chess pieces and must train Sisters locally.
Training is simpler than for Space Marines—no gene seeds needed. Build a monastery, align with the Ecclesiarchy, and mass-train Sisters.
Equipment is the challenge, but good Ecclesiarchy ties allow purchases, possibly with sponsorship.
Since the Age of Apostasy, the Ecclesiarchy can't own armies. Sisters, though affiliated, monitor the church, purging corruption as they did Vandir's head.
"How should we train nuns?" Luka touched his chin, feeling awkward.
Although he played Sisters and had their pawns, his knowledge of Battle Sisters was shallow. He hadn't read their official novels or Codex, only skimming the index for tabletop games.
He didn't know how to train Battle Sisters in 40k.
Unfazed, Luka contacted Ezi, a female Warhammer group member who mains Battle Sisters with 4,000 points.
"Ezi, how do you recruit and train Battle Sisters in 40k?" Luka asked.
"Build a monastery! Apply to the star sector's Sisters' Order for admission. They rarely refuse," Ezi replied, curious. "Why ask? Planning something big? Take me along!"
"Just curious," Luka said vaguely.
He wasn't ready to reveal his time-travel ability.
But he asked, "If you could travel to Warhammer, what would you do?"
"Be a Goliath super big guy with muscles all over my brain! I want to smash a bad can's head into his cavity with one punch!" Ezi sent, defying her image.
Luka's mind knotted, but he replied, "A Necromunda Goliath? I'd kidnap Escher fitness godmothers to inject you with growth hormone."
"Yeah! That pointy-headed, muscle-brained super big guy!" Ezi replied excitedly, craving Gaomao fun.
Luka didn't know what to say. "Aren't you playing a nun?"
"Yeah, but Bomb Girl isn't strong enough, not waaaagh enough! Don't want to play an orc, though," Ezi answered, orc-like.
Luka wondered if she'd become a warboss like Gaishigu in 40k.
After learning how to train Sisters, Luka ended the chat.
At his model stand, Luka picked Battle Sisters' chess pieces for Rostov II.
With 200 points left, he could deploy two combat teams or four to five special units.
He chose Grand Sister (50 points), Palace Officer (50 points), Dogmatist (45 points), and Secretary Sister (40 points), regrettably leaving out the Medical Sister (50 points).
(Sister-in-Law)
(Palace Officer)
(Dogmatic Officer)
(Sister Secretary)
(Medical Sister)
Luka's 500 points were used: Eisenhorn (65 points), Battle Sisters Squad (100 points), Kashejin Commando (100 points), and the four new pieces.
The Grand Sister leads the order, like a Space Marine Chapter Master. The Palace Officer commands like a Space Marine Captain. Dogmatist and Secretary Sister are auxiliary.
They form the leadership core for a convent's operations with minimal support.
Ezi said Luka only needs a monastery on Rostov II and approval from the star sector's Ecclesiarchy and Sisters' Order.
But Luka planned to use his own pawns, avoiding external Sisters.
Uncontrolled Sisters from the star sector could be unstable. Fanatical and hard to control, they might become wild horses or mad dogs.
The Order of the Bloody Rose, in red armor, rivals Khorne's ferocity, believing every heretic's breath blasphemes the Emperor.
Luka doubted he could control such fanatics.
Using his pawns ensured command stability.
"We'll contact the star sector's Ecclesiarchy via Rostov II's State Bishop, apply for a Sisterhood position. Once approved, recruitment and training are straightforward," Luka planned, finding no issues. He tossed the four chess pieces into the box beside the Inquisitor Governor.
After deployment, Luka ordered the Inquisitor Governor and Grand Sister to contact Rostov II's State Bishop for monastery construction and Sister settlement.
"My chess pieces are Order of the Holy Rose. Strict discipline, calmness, perfect tactical coordination," Luka muttered. Though universal, the six orders differ by paint. "Holy Rose is rare on the table, but in 40k, they're far more useful than other tacticians."