"Imperial Adeptus Astartes, Space Wolves. Please state your reason for obstructing this unit's operations."
The Sentinel halted its interrupted survey. Before everyone's eyes, the large crust-scanning device in its hands melted into a stream of silver liquid metal, then merged into its body.
The Wolf Lord was not surprised that it had explicitly identified his Chapter. Since it claimed to be an ally of the Imperium, recognizing the Chapter insignia on his pauldron was hardly unusual.
But the conversation that followed proved somewhat awkward.
"Judging by your style, you don't look like you're from our Fenris. Which world did you come here from?"
Although everyone understood that the Wolf Lord was trying to open with a lighthearted topic, his choice of words was decidedly inappropriate.
The Sentinel's cognitive core could make no sense of this utterly disconnected approach to communication.
"Repeating: please clearly state your intent in obstructing this unit's operations."
Faced with this mechanical response, the Cadian commander who had accompanied them outside spoke first, sparing this Angel of Death of the Imperium any embarrassment.
"I'd like to ask where this Planet is located in the universe, and where you came from."
The Sentinel turned slightly to face the mortal commander.
"Imperial Astra Militarum, Cadian 76th Regiment, colonel."
"Uh, my name is Diak."
"Correction: Colonel Diak. The Planet beneath your feet lies within the northwestern sector of the Milky Way's Galactic Core. It is the Homeworld of the Sithos Kindred, part of the Ymyr Conglomerate within the Leagues of Votann. It lies in the core territory of the Leagues of Votann."
"Regarding our origins, the Command Core cannot confirm the location of its initial construction and therefore cannot determine where we came from."
Diak glanced at the Wolf Lord beside him. When the latter signaled for him to continue,