c

Inquisitorial Records
++FILE REF: 10 045 6287++
++ENTRY DATE: 7 349 037.M42++
++COMPILED BY: INQUISITOR VORS NOASON++

1
++TO: GENERAL TREVON ESK, VERDIS++
++FROM: CAPTAIN ILVIK DERN, THE CUSTODIAN SWORD++
++SENT BY: ASTROPATH CILES TERSIOF++
++RECEIVED BY: ASTROPATH REGILE CARISON++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: ONLY THROUGH TOIL AND SUFFERING CAN WE SHOW OUR WORTH.++
++SUBJECT: CONFIRMATION OF ORDERS TO DEVIATE FROM REGIMENTAL HOMECOMING++
++MESSAGE BEGINS++
My lord, I am sending you this message confirm the validity of a surprising turn of events.
I had barely left the warp near the outskirts of the Verdis system, en route from the
victories at Adenstai against the Tyranid swarms. The ship was carrying the men of the
Verdis 8th, who fought with distinction. By your own command, they were allowed to
return home to Verdis. At the time, the Guardsmen were asleep – the ship was being
operated only by night-cycle crewmen and servitors.
I was awakened from my sleep by my second-in-command. He informed me that an
unrecognised vessel had been detected in the system, identified as a warship of quite some
might. Fearing pirates, I immediately made my way to the bridge to take control of the
situation. As a transport ship, the Custodian Sword is not well suited to a combat situation,
and if there was any possibility of avoiding such a result I would gladly take it.
The warship appeared Imperial in its construction, and I thanked the Emperor it was not
xenos I would have to deal with. However, the fact that the ship carried no identification,
and was not of any recognised pattern of design suggested it was a renegade pirate vessel,
and such men could be just as lethal as aliens.
Hoping otherwise, I attempted to communicate with the ship, emphasising that I did not
desire a confrontation, and requesting identification. I had little hope of a reply, so was of
course surprised when the ship opened up communications with me.
I will not bore you with the details of my conversation with the other ship. Suffice to say
they identified themselves as the Inquisition – an organisation I have never heard of
(outside of ridiculous rumours). They appeared to have clearance equal to the highest
Imperial officers.
After some time negotiating, the Inquisitor – for that was what their leader called himself
– demanded command of both my ship and the Imperial Guard regiment. I was outraged,
but I had little choice but to follow his orders – he had the authority and the firepower to
back up his demands.
So far, I have managed to resist complying, but time grows short. Please, my lord, could
you confirm these orders are correct?
++MESSAGE ENDS++

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++TO: CAPTAIN ILVIK DERN, THE CUSTODIAN SWORD++
++FROM: GENERAL TREVON ESK, VERDIS++
++SENT BY: ASTROPATH REGILE CARISON++
++RECEIVED BY: ASTROPATH CILES TERSIOF++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: WEAKNESS CANNOT BE TOLERATED IN THE FACE OF HERESY.++
++SUBJECT: RE: CONFIRMATION OF ORDERS TO DEVIATE FROM REGIMENTAL HOMECOMING++
++MESSAGE BEGINS++
I am afraid, Captain, that I have little power in this situation. The Inquisition is well within
its rights to take command of your forces, although more than that you are not permitted
to know.
I apologise for this situation, but it is out of my hands.
++MESSAGE ENDS++

++TO: GENERAL TREVON ESK, VERDIS++

++FROM: CAPTAIN ILVIK DERN, THE CUSTODIAN SWORD++
++SENT BY: ASTROPATH CILES TERSIOF++
++RECEIVED BY: ASTROPATH REGILE CARISON++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: HE WHO HAS NO MASTER IS NOTHING.++
++SUBJECT: RE: RE: CONFIRMATION OF ORDERS TO DEVIATE FROM REGIMENTAL HOMECOMING++
++MESSAGE BEGINS++
Sir, that is preposterous! Can you not tell me anything about this so-called Inquisition, and
why the brave men of the Verdis 8th cannot return after they have been through so much?
The Inquisitor has still not passed onto our ship. The regiment is on the verge of riot – they
were expecting to return home to their families within the week, and instead are being
dragged off to fight further – and they're not even allowed to know why?
If this goes further, I may have to take action myself.
++MESSAGE ENDS++

++TO: CAPTAIN ILVIK DERN, THE CUSTODIAN SWORD++

++FROM: GENERAL TREVON ESK, VERDIS++
++SENT BY: ASTROPATH REGILE CARISON++
++RECEIVED BY: ASTROPATH CILES TERSIOF++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: DYING FOR THE EMPEROR IS THE GREATEST HONOUR.++
++SUBJECT: RE: RE: RE: CONFIRMATION OF ORDERS TO DEVIATE FROM REGIMENTAL HOMECOMING++
++MESSAGE BEGINS++
I would point your attention to the thought for the day attached to this message. The
Inquisitor is within his rights, and you would do well to follow him and cease with this
mutinous tone. That is the final word I will hear of the matter.
++MESSAGE ENDS++

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Following that introductory exchange of messages, I feel some explanation may be
necessary.
Recently, during routine Inquisitorial investigations around the Verdis system, I came
across a derelict spacecraft floating near the central star. The ship was critically damaged,
but nonetheless it was identified as the Custodian Sword, an Imperial Guard transport
reported lost to the Warp several decades ago. It was my duty as a member of the Ordo
Xenos to investigate, and so I accompanied a squad of Inquisitorial Stormtroopers to
determine the story of the wreck.
The ship was entirely devoid of life, but fortunately the archives section was undamaged,
and I was able to retrieve a large number of records before it became necessary to abandon
the vessel to its fate. Reading these records, a story unfolded that answers many questions
about the fate of the radical Inquisitor Savric and the Verdis 8th Imperial Guard, also
reported lost around the same time as the Custodian Sword. I have therefore compiled the
records along with other pertinent information, including letters, vocal records,
Commissariat reports and various details that together paint a fascinating picture of their
last days in the Emperor's service.
- Inquisitor Vors Noason

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++A SHORT HISTORY OF THE DEFENCE OF THE ADENSTAI SYSTEM++
++AUTHOR: SCRIBE-PRIMARY GOLESON MARDOS++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A GOOD SERVANT NEED NOT FEAR DEATH++
In late 993.M41, a splinter fleet of the Tyranid hive fleet Kraken, escaping from its defeat at
Ichar IV, came across the Adenstai system. The fleet, which was to become known as Hive
Fleet Churicael, represented a significant threat to the poorly defended Adenstai system –
a system for which the greatest threat since colonisation had been the possibility of a few
poorly armed pirates.
Naturally, the arrival of the Tyranids came as a surprise. The creatures initially fell upon
Adenstai XVI, an agri-world which was responsible for producing the majority of the
system's food. What PDF elements were present had little chance of fending off the waves
of creatures that swarmed over the planet during the invasion, and each continent fell
within days.
The rest of the system received no news of the agri-world's destruction due to the Tyranid's
strange effect on the warp. No communications could escape, and the inhabitants of the
other worlds in the system blamed passing warp storms for the lack of contact.
The Tyranids spared little time consuming the planet's resources, and within the month
they moved on inwards. Adenstai XV, XIV and XIII fell rapidly, and although many still
blamed warp storms for the lack of communication the situation was beginning to worry
the other inhabitants of the system. Not least among these was one Inquisitor Vollman of
the Ordo Malleus, who took it upon himself to investigate the disturbances in the warp,
suspecting Chaos presence.
Vollman was horrified to discover the ravaged worlds, although it took time and
investigation of the surface of the planets to determine the cause of the destruction. Since
he was of the Ordo Malleus, Vollman had little knowledge of the Tyranids, and were it not
for Misiv Elchir, a scribe in the employ of Vollman, it would be likely that the truth would
have been revealed too late.
Elchior remembered reports on the Tyranid that he had read in the past, and immediately
set about comparing the reports with the situation on the planet. They were eerily similar,
and Elchior reported his findings to the Inquisitor. Disturbed by the news, they
immediately left the planet, seeking to leave the area of the Tyranids' warp-shadow so that
a message could be sent out.
During this time, Adenstai XII too had fallen to the Tyranids, and by the time the
Inquisitor had reached a suitable point to send a message Adenstai XI, the capital planet of
the system, had fallen under attack. Only Adenstai X and Adenstai IX remained – the rest
of the systems' worlds were deemed uninhabitable.
Vollman's message was grave news to the inhabitants of the remaining two planets.
Imperial Guard regiments from nearby systems were called in to defend the world, and
evacuations began immediately. Should the Adenstai system fall, the many nearby systems
would be under threat.
Of the many planets on which Imperial Guard regiments were called up, several are worthy
of note. The hive world Deiran VII produced the trench fighting 'dung divers', who were
instrumental in the defence of Adenstai X. Meanwhile, the forge world Cistos produced the
'sledgehammers', a tank regiment who were known for their destructive effect late in the
campaign.
Finally, there are the Verdis 4th, 8th, and 9th. A fairly typical set Imperial Guard
regiments, strong leadership in the form of General Trevon Esk and the courage and valor

5
displayed in the battle for Trygin City put the Verdis regiments high on the roll of honour
by the end of the campaign. All this, of course, happened later.
Turbulence in the warp meant the Imperial Guard regiments would take at least a month
to traverse the relatively short distance to the Adenstai system, and something had to be
done to prevent their arrival in the meantime. The PDF forces on the remaining worlds in
the Adenstai system would be insufficient to hold of the Tyranids for any length of time.
The task of stopping the Tyranids fell to the Imperial Navy. Unfortunately, there were few
warships in the area. The leader of the forces in the area, one Captain Rikar, had mainly
cargo and transport vessels – none well armed or armoured. In comparison, the Tyranids
were well-equipped and defended – they would likely have been a threat to a far larger
force than that Rikar was given. Direct confrontation would be suicide.
In a desperate gamble, Rikar loaded as many craft as he could spare with powerful
explosives, and equipping them with a skeleton crew sent them flying into the Tyranid
defences. While a missile would not have been able to penetrate the swarms of flying
creatures, an entire ship would, and the detonations crippled many of the larger creatures
in the hive fleet, forcing the Tyranids to spend time and resources to heal its wounds. This
time was sufficient for the Imperial Guard to arrive and begin preparing defences on the
world.
Unfortunately for Captain Rikar, the Adeptus Mechanicus balked at the waste of precious
machinery, and had Rikar (as well as a number of other officers who helped Rikar devise
the plan) executed.
It was while the Imperial Guard were still preparing that the Tyranids arrived on Adenstai
X. As trenches were dug and turrets constructed, mycetic spores began to fall from the
skies, and the Tyranids began their assault on the planet. The landings were concentrated
on two points – the fields near Trygin (the planet's only large city), and the forests of Sinos,
a mere few hundred kilometres away.
The first few days after the landing were complete chaos, as the Guardsmen tried to
regroup and form a successful defence against the Tyranids. Slowly, however, order began
to reassert itself. Attack after attack fell on Trygin city, each one coming ever closer to
succeeding. Meanwhile the Tyranids in the Sinos forests remained a lurking menace,
feeding in the shadows and destroying any attempt to retake the forest. Drastic measures
were needed. Under orders of General Trevon Esk, Hellhound tanks set out to ignite the
forest, driving the Tyranids out into the waiting guns of the Imperial Guard.
All this time, the spores still fell upon the planet, seemingly without end. Every day meant
death for hundreds of guardsmen. Despite Esk's efforts, victory seemed hopeless.
Then, over one week, the rain of spores began to thin. It seemed the Tyranids had failed in
their assault, finally running out of the resources needed to maintain the assault. A cheer
went up around Adenstai X as finally the last spore fell.
It was, however, a pyrrhic victory at best. While the Tyranids had been defeated, the
incineration of the planet's forests and the damage sustained on Trygin City meant the
planet had little power to maintain its industries. The other planets in the Adenstai system
(with the exception of Adenstai IX) were nought but balls of rock, their atmospheres and
surfaces consumed by the Tyranids. The Imperial Guard regiments were tiny fractions of
their original sizes, many of the men driven mad by the horror of what they had witnessed
during the many battles.
Despite this, the other systems were safe from the threat of the Tyranids.

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++FOLLOWING ARE SOME MESSAGES INTERCEPTED IN THE SYSTEM SHORTLY AFTER THE EVENTS ON ADENSTAI X.
THEY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BEING WRITTEN BY THE ELDAR, ALTHOUGH THEIR SOURCE HAS NOT YET BEEN
FOUND. ARBITES FORCES ARE INVESTIGATING. TRANSLATED BY SIGNUS ORT, A SCRIBE IN THE EMPLOY OF THE
ORDO XENOS ON ADENSTAI IX.++
Most honoured Farseer, I wish to bring to your attention a matter of great concern.
The Great Swarm, who fought the mon-keigh but so recently upon the tenth of [Tralvy-
en], have worse horrors still to bring to the surrounding worlds. In their great fallacy,
the mon-keigh believe that they were victorious, yet the stars herald otherwise. The lines
of flame cross the blackness of space, and the beacon of darkness calls to the many claws.
Clawed tendrils fill the ranks of those who returned. The devourer comes again.
While the mon-keigh are worthy of little concern, a far greater danger looms before us.
The Dark Ones' claw lies in the path of the Swarm, and should they find it woe shall
betide us all.
We must destroy the Claw, lest all be lost.

++INTERPRETATION BY INTERROGATOR VORS NOASON++

The Eldar appear to be suggesting that the Tyranids were not in fact defeated at Adenstai
X, and have somehow infiltrated 'those who returned' – this would be either the surviving
Imperial Guard or the return citizens. This could include the possibility of Genestealer
infestation, although it would seem remarkably fast for the Genestealers to communicate
with the hive fleets already. I suggest putting the planet on alert and possibly stationing
some Imperial Guard against the risk of a second attack.
The second paragraph is worthy of most concern. The 'Dark One's Claw' is not identified at
this time, although the archives are still being searched for a reference.
Calculations based on the average range of Genestealer psychic beacons and the density of
inhabited worlds suggests the Tyranids would most likely approach through the Estrolan
Belt.
++A SECOND MESSAGE WAS INTERCEPTED SHORTLY THEREAFTER++
Esteemed Eldris, your words worry me.
I too have seen signs of the Mon-keigh's failure. The flames of calling can be seen even
from Colacia, but the possibility of the Swarm finding the Claw of Madronoch is
devastating news indeed. Yet alas, I am powerless to intervene. The Mon-keigh's fleets
hold my surroundings under an iron grip, and they deny me all but the smallest twists of
the webway. There is no way that we could arrive before it is too late.
Yet there is an opening, though we must swallow our pride should we take it. It pains me
to say this, but it seems our only escape is through the Mon-keigh. I trust you know what
to do.
++INTERPRETATION BY INTERROGATOR VORS NOASON++
It seems likely that Madronoch is the 'Dark One', yet further research with this in mind still
gives no results. The xenos 'farseer' is presumably far away, judging by the comment on the
distance from which the Tyranids' psychic beacon can be seen.
Nonetheless I would suggest increased vigilance in Adenstai and surrounding systems,
since the Eldar clearly intend to manipulate Imperial citizens down the path of heresy.
May the Emperor protect us all.
++NO FURTHER MESSAGES WERE INTERCEPTED.++

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++FILE TITLE: INQUISITORIAL RECORDS: INQUISITOR SELCRIUS ECRINOV: PERSONAL FILE++
++LAST EDITED: 4028983.M41 BY SCRIBE-TERTIUS MARTHION++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: WAR PURIFIES++
BORN: 5 076 934.M41
PLANET OF BIRTH: Adenstai XVI
RECRUITED INTO INQUISITORIAL SERVICE: 4031951.M41
APPOINTED INQUISITOR: 4742960.M41
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Physically capable, but unremarkable. Head is bald. Left eye is bionic.
Several scars on jaw. Typically wears Munitorum C3321-standard white hooded robe with
Inquisition symbol on hem. Utilises ornate carapace armour, origin unknown.
NOTES: Frequently comments on importance of knowledge, esp. about Enemy. Employs
mainly sages and savants. Possible Radical tendencies; monitored. No evidence of heretical
taint. Former Imperial Guard, decorated for service in Endros campaign.
++END OF FILE++

++PERSONAL JOURNAL – RODRAN KYTOVIN (SECONDARY SAVANT TO INQUISITOR ECRINOV)++

++ENTRY: 7 043 994.M41++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: KNOW YOUR DUTY!++
I have taken a moment to record a number of notable events that have occurred within the
previous few weeks. As I am sure you realise if you are reading this, I do not often make
entries into my journal except on a very remarkable occasion, and this is indeed such an
occasion.
My master and I have been travelling from some time. After dissolving the cult on Grindos
Delta – a thoroughly boring and unremarkable occurrence barely worth noting – the
astropath, Drobi, reported an unrecognised psychic contact. This is not particularly
remarkable in itself, but the intensity of this signal was unusually high. More strangely
still, none of the other astropaths were able to detect even the slightest hint of the psychic
contact.
My master (in his great wisdom) spent several days communicating with the strange
sender of the message through Drobi, and unfortunately I was not sufficiently privileged to
witness their conversation. Since the event, however, my master has seemed strangely
troubled and subdued.
Recently, he ordered that we set a course for an almost uninhabited star system, giving no
answer to my questions. My own research revealed surprisingly little about the system,
only revealing that the only Imperial habitation was a small mining outpost on the largest
moon of a gas giant named quite unimaginatively as Plagiarius Secondus, the only planet
in the system.
We stopped only briefly in the system, during which time the Inquisitor came and went to
the outpost in his shuttle but once. With him on the return journey was a figure dressed in
thick robes, and I was unable to glimpse his face. He carried a unique weapon that I believe
is of Eldar design. I feel that it is fortunate that Yzlaveta did not see this device.
More recently, the master has commandeered the services of an Imperial Guard regiment,
the Verdis 8th. It is my understanding that they fought bravely during the battles at
Adenstai.
My master did not disclose his objectives, but I trust that he is acting nobly... even though
his behaviour has been erratic, to say the least.
++END OF ENTRY++

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++SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT, 7 931 993.M41++
++POSTED BY: VERDIS 8TH REGIMENTAL COMMISSAR FELTHKA++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: THE EMPEROR'S LIGHT REVEALS ALL IMPURITY IN TIME++
++BEGIN REPORT++
As you are no doubt aware, we are in the third day of our journey through the warp
towards the Estrolan belt. There has been considerable unrest among the Verdis men, with
numerous cases of brawling and alcoholism, although so far only seven have needed to be
executed for their behaviour. 47 guardsmen have flogged for various smaller crimes. It is
expected that this will get worse. Unusually large numbers of the men have been suffering
from serious warp-sickness, and medical facilities are facing difficulties dealing with the
casualties. The head physician has requested that additional facilities be activated, and
papers requiring his signature have been attached to this document.
Munitorium reports indicate that we have adequate supplies to support the troops for
approximately three weeks, more if rations are reduced.
Few unusual occurrences have been noted over the past three days, with the exception of
the case of Lieutenant Rothemir, commander of 7th Platoon. Normally a stellar example of
an Imperial officer, he has recently begun to show extremely erratic behaviour. Informants
from among the troops suggest that this is affecting the entirety of Platoon 7, although
purity checks have so far revealed no adverse effects. The platoon is under heavy
monitoring, and any sign of taint will be eliminated immediately.

++PERSONAL JOURNAL - SERGEANT ANTIERE LOVOS (VERDIS 8TH IMPERIAL GUARD)++

++ENTRY DATE: 7 056 994.M41++
We've left the Warp at last, which is a relief. Not much, though. I'm still getting nightmares
the moment I shut my eyes. I dream of things that can't even be described. Every morning
I wake drenched in sweat, barely able to think from the lack of sleep. And from what I've
seen, I'm one of the lucky ones.
Supposedly, we're going to make planetfall soon. About time. I feel like the metal walls are
going to crush me, and I'm sick to death of the skulls they stick everywhere on this ship.
Somebody said we'll be fighting the tyranids again, and I'm almost glad. The others got hit
hard on Adenstai, but we didn't. We sent them tyranids running back into them forests,
and then we set 'em all on fire and used the heat for cooking. Good times.
Lieutenant Gant's been driving us pretty hard in the training. Keeps goin' on about how we
had tons of support back on Adenstai, but this time it'll be just us and the enemy. I don't
see his point; the artillery never hit a thing anyway. It was us Verdis boys doin' the real
work.
++RECORDING ENDS++

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++CUSTODIAN SWORD - SHIP'S LOG++
++FIRST ENTRY DATE: 7 052 994.M41++
++FINAL ENTRY DATE: 7 060 994.M41++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: THERE IS NO WORSE CRIME THAN DISOBEYING ONE'S MASTER.++
+ Arrived in Estrolan Belt region. All systems functioning correctly.
+ No contact from Imperial habitants of nearby planets.
+ Astropaths report warp presence preventing long-range psychic communication.
+ Orders Received from Inquisitor Ecrinov to travel to planet Estrolan IV.
+ Approaching Estrolan IV.
+ Entering orbit of Estrolan IV.
+ Preliminary scans reveal heavy Tyranid presence. Atmosphere contains numerous
spores, potential breathing hazard. Numerous potential landing sites.
+ Preparing to deploy atmospheric landing craft.
+ Verdis 8th Imperial Guard fully loaded onto atmospheric landing craft.
+ Preparing launch.

++PERSONAL JOURNAL - TECH-ADEPT YZLAVETA++

++ENTRY DATE: 7 063 994.M41++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: DOUBT IS A SIN. TRUST YOUR MASTER.++
The Imperial Guard have already boarded their transports. Through my viewport I can see
the transport ships floating down towards the planet. Each one is a temple. Every engine
and every bulkhead is a prayer to the might of the Machine God, and the sight fills me with
pride.
Still I wait for Savric to prepare for our own flight down to the planet. I have already
satisfied the spirits of our landing craft with sacred oils and rituals, and now I wait. In the
meantime, I have been focussed upon the Quest for Knowledge. I have seen many things
and many facets of the Omnissiah, but the Tyranids have eluded me always. This planet
fascinates me.
In the time that I have waited for the Inquisitor, then, I have prepared my tools. I do not
know what my master is looking to find on Estrolan IV, but in the Tyranids, I see the
greatest offering to Knowledge that I may ever see in my lifetime.
I must go. There are arrangements that must be made if I am to complete my plans.
++END ENTRY++

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++TRANSCRIPT OF IN-FLIGHT VOCAL RECORD, FIRST ATMOSPHERIC LANDER++
++AUTHOR: LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER ANVIRIN++
++RECORDING BEGINS: 7 060 994.M41++
++LENGTH OF RECORD: 6 HOURS++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: THOUGH WE WALK ALWAYS IN THE SHADOW OF CHAOS, THE EMPEROR'S LIGHT
GIVES US ETERNAL HOPE++
+ Landing craft has disengaged from Custodian Sword landing bay. All procedures
successful. Minor turbulence during engine calibration.
+ We are now approaching planet Estrolan IV along low orbit atmospheric entry vector.
Identified landing zone as rocky plateau with central landmass (location ref LAT51.1 LON
-2.7)
+ Entering atmosphere. Heat within expected parameters. Large amounts of unknown
biological material in air. Low visibility. Probable Tyranid spore cloud.
+ Significant turbulence. Emerging from spore cloud… Holy throne, what are those? Go
left, there’s a gap there. Wait, there’s more… what are they? See if we can find a way
through. What, still recording? Sh-
+Numerous midair biological structures detected, suspected Tyranid origin. Attempting to
find a way to penetrate floating layer.
+No route through floating structures has been observed near to landing site. Preparing
weaponry to create one. OK, boys, lets roast these <loud explosion> Haha, look at that!
Good shootin’, Gera. Wait, did that one just move? They’re all moving! Keep firing, Gera,
don’t let ‘em get too close… Holy Throne those things are fast. <further speech is lost
amidst numerous explosions>
+Emergency! Several hits sustained, superficial damage, critical weapons system damage.
Damage to engines secundus and tertius. Losing altitude fast.
++No further entries++
++Commissariat note: If he had survived the landing, Lieutenant-Commander Anvirin
would have been disciplined for poor microphone discipline.++

++PERSONAL JOURNAL - SERGEANT ANTIERE LOVOS (VERDIS 8TH IMPERIAL GUARD)++

++ENTRY DATE: 7 070 994.M41++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: FAITH IN THE EMPEROR IS THE GREATEST VIRTUE++
Snatching a breath to record this... Oh Throne, it's chaos back there. There's wreckage
everywhere, the ship's on fire, and you could barely breath through all the smoke. I got out,
somehow. They sent me right back in again to find survivors. Half of us are already dead.
Dust everywhere.
++END ENTRY++

11
++SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT, 7 073 994.M41++
++POSTED BY: VERDIS 8TH REGIMENTAL COMMISSAR FELTHKA++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: THE IMPERIUM SAILS ON A SEA OF BLOOD.++
++BEGIN REPORT++
The deployment of the regiment is progressing smoothly, despite some significant
difficulties during landing. Two landing craft, containing a total of 40 Guardsmen, have
crashed, resulting in the deaths of all involved. More than half the others have sustained
critical damage and will not be able to return to the ship. The total number of casualties
from the landing has not yet been counted, but it is expected to approach 15%. Measures
are being taken to maintain morale.
Analysis of the landing zone proves favourable, despite expectations. Significant traces of
Tyranid spores have been observed, but atmospheric conditions are presently breathable.
The landing zone is a rocky plateau approximately six kilometres in diamater, surrounded
on all sides by dense forest. Some traces of Tyranid flora have been detected and purged by
flamethrower.
Visibility is extremely poor due to thick mists from nearyby swamps. Auspexes and
scanners have been issued to important personnel, and every squad is equipped with a
voxcaster to maintain communication.
The Tech-Adepts are currently performing funeral rites for the destroyed shuttles, and
preparing armour and aircraft for deployment. Some are damaged from the landing, and
repairs are expected to take the rest of the day. I have given the order to construct
temporary fortifications and deploy Sabre platforms to secure the perimeter of the camp.
Awaiting further orders.
++END REPORT++

12
++PERSONAL JOURNAL - SERGEANT ANTIERE LOVOS (VERDIS 8TH IMPERIAL GUARD)++
++ENTRY DATE: 7 074 994.M41++
+Author's breathing is heavy, probably as the result of hard labour+
Someone said once that digging was honest work, and I can't imagine that they ever tried
it. Not on this ball of rock, anyway.
Since we finished, ahem, disembarking from the landers, we've spent the rest of the day
salvaging what's left and then setting up defences against some totally fictional Tyranid
attack.
We're in the middle of nowhere. All around is... forest, miles and miles of it, and mighty
strange forest at that. Of course, that could hide the old bugs, so command ordered all the
nearby trees burned to make sure they can't sneak up in the night. Can't blame 'em, after
the last war.
They'd never hand me a flamer, so I was digging. Not too hard? Well, it started raining
about as soon as we got out the nine-seventies, and by the time they got rain gear out,
every single soldier was soaked to the bone. I think there was acid or something in that
rain, because it stung. You'd get used to it, eventually.
The techpriests are... angry. They're going to pin the crashes on someone, and it won't be
the Nids. Thing is, though, all the pilots responsible died in the crash, but knowing the
Priests, they'll find someone for the firing squad.
With any luck, some of the bugs will turn up tomorrow. Shooting, without a doubt, will be
a lot easier than digging. They'll never get past the Sabre platforms, and I'll get in a good
bit of target practice.
Looks like Toldo's coming back. Awful at cards, that man. Let's see if I can't get me some
extra ration packs, shall we?
++END ENTRY++
++ANNOUNCEMENT++
++DATE: 7 074 994.M41++
++IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMISSARIAT THAT DISRESPECTFUL AND EVEN HERETICAL WORDS
ARE BEING ILLICITLY RECORDED BY VERDIS INFANTRYMEN. TROOPERS ARE INSTRUCTED TO LISTEN TO THEIR
COMRADES AND INFORM COMMISSAR FELTHKA IF THEY HEAR ANYTHING THAT THEY DEEM SUSPICIOUS.
ADDITIONAL RATIONS WILL BE REWARDED FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT LEADS TO AN EXECUTION.++

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++TO: CAPTAIN ILVIK DERN, CUSTODIAN SWORD++
++FROM: COMMISSAR FELTHKA, VERDIS 8 ++
TH

++SENT BY: REGIMENTAL PSYKER VASQUINA, VERDIS 8 ++

TH

++RECEIVED BY: ASTROPATH CILES TERSIOV++

++ENCRYPTION LEVEL: 6++
++THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: HERESY LURKS IN THE MINDS OF ALL. TRUST IS A WEAKNESS.++
++SUBJECT: THE INQUISITION++
It would seem that your doubts about the “Inquisitor” were indeed accurate. The man
arrived on planet today, and so I took the opportunity to introduce myself to my new
superior. I had my doubts immediately upon seeing him, for he hides his face at all times,
apparently afraid we might recognise him for what he is. And what is that, my friend? A
traitor!
My suspicions were confirmed almost immediately after I encountered him. He departed
from the shuttle accompanied by another figure, both of them dressed in white robes. It
was immediately obvious to me that the second was not a simple servant, as the Inquisitor
claimed. It moved in a way that was utterly alien.
Some, I am sure, would call its movement graceful. Graceful! I have seen the assassins of
the death cults once already in my career, serving a true Inquisitor. They moved with
grace. This thing moved as an abomination does, flaunting its inhuman nature in front of
the heroic men of my regiment! I had my suspicions before, but seeing that creature has
made it certain. This Inquisitor is doing the unthinkable, and harbouring xenos.
It is obvious to me that we two must stage a coup against this heretic, before any lives of
innocent men and women are wasted following his whims! But we cannot tell them yet. If
word got out that this supposedly heroic leader is truly a heretic, we would have a riot on
our hands, ample warning to the heretic that his game is up.
My plan is simple. We must cut off his means of escape, and find solid evidence of his
heresies to present before the regiment. That means his ship, and you are the only person
able to do that. I hope I can trust you in this matter.
Use whatever means necessary to take control of the heretic's vessel, then notify me. This
must be done quickly, or the Tyranids will eat our bones before we can expose his heresies!
Any further evidence will also help to explain our case after the deed is done.
When all is ready, contact me with the following message:
“A true servant never yields to doubt.”
- Commissar Felthka, Verdis 8th

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++PERSONAL JOURNAL - SERGEANT ANTIERE LOVOS (VERDIS 8TH IMPERIAL GUARD)++
++ENTRY DATE: 7 077 994.M41++
More digging, but that's hardly important after the stuff I saw today. As if the redirection
away from Verdis and the assignment to this ugly ball of rock weren't enough, it just
turned out that the officer behind this is a gakking Inquisitor! Oh, but it gets better. I saw
him in person.
Early this morning, this shuttle comes screaming overhead. 'Course, we all thought it was
the Colonel come down at last – bit higher class than his usual transport, but maybe the
cogboys found something in some hole back on the ship somewhere. By the time it got
close, though, we knew that this would be different.
All black, the whole thing, it was, except for this great big “I” in the middle, and everyone
knows what that means. We all shut up when we saw that, that's for sure. Can't speak for
the rest of us, but I was terrified. We've all heard the stories, but none of us thought there
was a real Inquisition.
Right then, by an odd bit of chance, I was digging a ditch by the landing field, so I was
there when the shuttle landed. I had a perfect view. The shuttle opened, the 'Priests all
hurrying around with hoses and things – they all dropped what they were doing when it
landed, like nothing you've ever seen. Guess they were terrified too.
Out of the shuttle come these two figures in white robes. One of them had another big “I”
on the hem of his robe, the other had this odd sort of armour and a strange-shaped bag.
Something was just wrong with that. It looked human enough, but when it moved, it was...
flowing. Graceful maybe, but all wrong.
Anyway, the second figure stopped quickly, then went back in, and out came this servitor,
dashing off across the compound. Think it had a letter or something. Then Commissar
Felthka arrived.
Since I'm alone here... the Commissar is a real swine, and there isn't one man in the
regiment that doesn't hate him. And he was at his worst! Him and the Inquisitor had some
heated words, but I couldn't hear a thing, and I didn't want to try either; I reckon they'd
shoot me if I they knew I was there.
Then, they just stopped! The Inquisitor went back into the craft, Commissar storms off
back to his tent, and an hour later the Colonel finally shows up in a more normal sort of
shuttle.
++END ENTRY++

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++TO: CAPTAIN ILVIK DERN, THE CUSTODIAN SWORD++
++FROM: INQUISITOR SAVRIC, ESTROLAN IV++
++SENT BY: ASTROPATH TRIQI VASSIQ++
++RECEIVED BY: ASTROPATH CILES TERSIOF++
++SUBJECT: ORDERS++
++MESSAGE BEGINS++
I am now departing to Verdis. You are instructed to move your ship to the largest moon of
Estrolan IV. Maintain readiness to retrieve shuttles. Do not engage the Tyranids or alert
them to your presence. My ship will accompany you.
++MESSAGE ENDS++

++TO: COLONEL GARIAN OSQ, VERDIS 8TH++

++FROM: INQUISITOR SAVRIC++
++MESSAGE CONVEYED VIA SERVITOR COURIER++
++SUBJECT: DEPLOYMENT ORDERS++
++MESSAGE BEGINS++
I have made landing on Verdis. Prepare the regiment to move within the day. Our
destination is distant, to the east. Abandon any vehicles that have not been repaired. I will
be flying ahead of the regiment in my personal shuttle. I will need to be accompanied by
other aircraft.
++MESSAGE ENDS++

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