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We all know the Imperium's rule of protecting Humanity in the Emperor's name. And that Imperium is holding a majority of Human rae united under it's protection. But how really is he united? My personal views:

-Space Marines don't listen to anyone, and they are answering only to the Emperor.
-Inquisition, who basically lead the Imperium from shadow, and who don't answer for it's actions.
-Sisters of Battle, who occasionally clash with Space Marines.
-Grey Knights, who fights with their allies - then kill them all to preserve their secret.
-I will not even start with planetary Governors.
-Adeptus Mechanicus, who jealously keep their technological secrets from others. And even from themselves.

The only one who seems to follow orders and get together is Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy. All other factions work for themselves, more or less.
Of Space Marines, most notably to offer help to other organisations are Ultramarines. And Sisters are also offering their help to Guard Regiments.

Overall, when you look at this conclusions. You can't be surprised why is Imperium slowly decaying... Under the Emperor's rule, they where all united, now they live in one big confederation. United only by their faith and Emperor's sacrifice.

Well, what do you expect from a totalitarian state?

Especially one that in' big. As a planetary governor, if I knew my next inspection was 100 years away, but retribution for nonpayment of taxes/tithes would be swift and brutal, I'm pretty sure I'd pay up, but otherwise do my own thing. Multiply that by a million worlds and any real sense of unity goes out the window. And that doesn't even begin to touch on the different military/administrative factions up top.

The whole jingoistic "us and them" mentality is, I think, the single strongest unifying factor. The Imperium seems more about the enemy of your enemy being your friend, with a (un-)healthy dose of ducking the punitive ceramite fist than a real unified, cooperative body.

The Imperium is quite united for the most part.

Yea I think fear is pretty much the biggest factor as to whythe imperium still exists. Not just fear of punitive action, but fear of outside forces destroying them

Melissia wrote:The Imperium is quite united for the most part.

Except everyone is pointing to everyone for heresy...And some and there Imperial forces love to shot at each other. ( note the Kaurava conflict, 3'rd Armageddon war and Soul Drinkers acedent )
The only thing holding them together is sense for survival and their duty to the Emperor, nothing more.

Brother Coa wrote:

Melissia wrote:The Imperium is quite united for the most part.

Except everyone is pointing to everyone for heresy...And some and there Imperial forces love to shot at each other. ( note the Kaurava conflict, 3'rd Armageddon war and Soul Drinkers acedent )
The only thing holding them together is sense for survival and their duty to the Emperor, nothing more.

That's a fairly strong force...
What happened in the 3rd War for Armageddon?
They don't LOVE to shoot each other, they usually don't want to. If they feel they are under threat or their mission is under threat they will act.
It isn't as common as you imply otherwise the Imperium wouldn't exist anymore.

purplefood wrote:
That's a fairly strong force...
What happened in the 3rd War for Armageddon?
They don't LOVE to shoot each other, they usually don't want to. If they feel they are under threat or their mission is under threat they will act.
It isn't as common as you imply otherwise the Imperium wouldn't exist anymore.

Also look at this: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Celestial_Lions

In 3'rd war for Armageddon Flesh Tearers slaughter Armageddon militia fighting Orks, Marines Malevolent bombard camp with both Orks and civilians killing nearly 4000 of them and after that talking about them like they where "not worthy of living", Sisters from the Order of the Argent Shroud attacked Angels Vermillion marines without any reason?

And that's just Armageddon...

Brother Coa wrote:

purplefood wrote:
That's a fairly strong force...
What happened in the 3rd War for Armageddon?
They don't LOVE to shoot each other, they usually don't want to. If they feel they are under threat or their mission is under threat they will act.
It isn't as common as you imply otherwise the Imperium wouldn't exist anymore.

Also look at this: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Celestial_Lions

In 3'rd war for Armageddon Flesh Tearers slaughter Armageddon militia fighting Orks, Marines Malevolent bombard camp with both Orks and civilians killing nearly 4000 of them and after that talking about them like they where "not worthy of living", Sisters from the Order of the Argent Shroud attacked Angels Vermillion marines without any reason?

And that's just Armageddon...

Well the Celestial Lions incident has never been proven, and it's unlikely it ever will be, if it was the Inquisition... well that's a shame but the Celestial Lions shouldn't have messed with the Inquisition. They did kinda start it.
The Flesh Tearers are pretty psychotic so they weren't really in their right minds...
Marines Malevolent were arguably bombing Orks and just not-caring whether they hit civilians or not.
The Order probably had a reason to attack the Angels Vermillion, the sisters are not stupid.

At any rate it still doesn't occur a whole lot, Armageddon is a very busy warzone with representatives of all factions. Arguments are bound to arise.

But you must admit, they know to fight among themselves pretty often.
But you have given me inside to some things to disprove this thread OP. When I was viewing again 3'rd war for Armageddon Imperial Forces I saw that many of them respond to call for help, including Guard and Sisters. Witch proves that they are somewhat united after all...

And I personally think that main reason for them to fight among themselves is idiocy of those who command them. Like Kronus incident:

Side one - Purge entire planet
Side two - Secure it for the Imperium

And those 2 had to follow orders...

Great poll..