FLUFF: Report on the Increased Xenos Activity in the Ipsos Sector

SECURITY LEVEL ALPHA – PASSCODE ENCRYPTED

TO: Lord Castellan Tate, Overlord of Samarobriva

FROM: Master Scribe Malthus Hex

SUBJECT: Increased Xeno Activity in Ipsos System

DATE: S6.D12-992.M41

My Lord Castellan, please find as requested my report on the increased activity of the various Xenos races in and around the Ipsos sector.

INCIDENTS

991.M41

S1.D34 – S2.D12 : Reports come from Outsector of conflict between Imperial forces and unidentified Eldar raiders.

S2.D29 – S7.D03 : Numerous reports from Outsector of ongoing conflict between Eldar forces and both Adepta Sororitas heralding from Gehenna and an unidentified Adeptus Astartes force suspected to be renegade Emperor's Shadows. See note A.

S7.D15 : Suffering catastrophic losses, Imperial forces make tactical withdrawal to reconsider position. Eldar make cowardly retreat at this point. A glorious victory for the Imperium! See note B.

S12.D31 : Distress alert received from Rogue Trader vessel Acheron in the Halo Stars. Message contains only screams and static. Warp interference suspected cause of loss of contact. See note C.

992.M41

S2.D05 – S4.D20 : Series of brutal Ork raids on Imperial mining stations in sector outer rim. Curiously, no Ork ships sighted around the time of the raid. Several trader ships lost to unknown causes in the galactic west of the sector. See note D.

S5.D23 : Orks somehow make planetfall on Gehenna. Adepta Sororitas quick to react but sudden appearance of xenos of the Tyranid race causes heavy losses. Adepta Sororitas forces forced to fall back.

S6.D01 : Ork and Tyranid forces converged on Ecclesiarchy chapel. Taken by surprise by the ferocity of the attack, garrisoned Battle Sisters quickly overwhelmed. Canoness Pia Dominica VIII barely escapes with her life. See note E.

NOTES

A) The alleged co-operation of the Adepta Sororitas with the Emperor's Shadows implies that this chapter may not have turned rogue as previously suspected. Perhaps they seek penitance? Suggest full inquiry into history of this chapter.

B) There are unconfirmed reports of Inquisitorial activity in this campaign.

C) I suspect this may have been caused by xenos.

D) Has the beast mastered warp travel? Surely not. I very much doubt these creatures capacity for higher technology.

E) I suspect these bursts of Tyranid activity to be the front of a much larger invasion force. I strongly recommend seeking guidance from Ordo Xenos.

As ever, my Lord Castellan, your obedient servant, Master Scribe Malthus Hex.

The cold light of the Halo Stars looked especially bleak to Davone Yrte, captain of the Rogue Trader vessel Acheron. The voyage had been a total failure, the promising line of planets proving completely lifeless. With a sigh, he turned from the viewing port and made to leave the cockpit.

“Sir? I think you had better see this,” the first mate called to him. Reluctantly, thirsting after the bottle of wildsnake in his cabin, Yrte turned and walked over to the dashboard where the mate sat. “They've been flashing on and off the radar for a while now, but all of a sudden they've increased speed and changed course. Sir, they're headed for us.”

“They? Who are they, sailor?” demanded Yrte. He was growing testy. He knew all the crew were. A failed voyage meant no pay, yet again, and things had been sparse enough as it was.

“I... I'm not sure, captain. I've tried hailing them, but there's no reply.” The first mate's apprehension made Yrte nervous. He tried to suppress his unease.

“Pirates, is it? Call battle stations. I'll take the gun at the helm,” Yrte commanded. The first mate nodded and set the ship to action stations. The ship sirens blared and crewmen ran to their various quarters. The dark red emergency lighting cast the captain's face into stark relief. He grinned. The Acheron was one of the finest civilian fighting ships in the sector. Those pirates didn't know what they had gotten themselves into.

Suddenly, the whole ship trembled from a mighty blow. Warning lights lit up all over the cockpit's various dashboards.

“What the hell was that!?” cried Yrte, steadying himself against a bulkhead. The unmistakable sound of lasgunfire was audible from the back of the ship.

“Looks like something has latched itself onto the ship, sir! Some kind of boarding torpedo, perhaps, I don't know!” the first mate reported, nearly screaming. His eyes met the captains and they stared at each other for a moment.

“Impossible... who could...?” the captain mentally shook himself. “Send a distress signal. We're going to need help on this one, and besides--” The captain never had a chance to finish his sentence, because at that point the door was torn from it's hinges. In the half light, Yrte briefly saw something, a nightmare of teeth, claws and chitinous flesh. There was a blur, a brief but intense pain, and the captain saw no more.