The Warp transit back to Viking is relatively uneventful, for which you give quiet thanks. Frank slots the Aegis precisely into her designated parking orbit, and Kudo transmits the arrival message to Inquisitor Ironsides.

It's no wonder that Olaf called for your services: the Mavos is in port, but she isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Her sensor arrays are shot away, and she has plasma scoring all down her left flank. While such damage is hardly crippling, it is enough to strand her in port until the exterior hull plating is intact again.

What does unnerve you is the presence of the Gladius Frigate Seraph in the colors of the Dark Angels sitting in orbit near the Mavros. Clearly the Dark Angels are here early, and have no intention of letting the Inquisitor get away. Just as clearly, they are following him to the Terra Incarnadine, instead of racing ahead to reach it first.

You decide to have the Inquisitor and his team board with as little fanfare as possible, and to depart for Dagda just as quietly.

Half an hour later, Lord Pyrus arrives aboard one of the many provisions and resupply shuttles attending the Aegis. You take the time to thank him for warning you about the Dark Angels taking an interest. He looks at you with one eyebrow askance.

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"What do you mean about a warning? I didn't append anything to the missive."

Your brow furrows. "The message had a post script that read 'Wanderer, Dark Angels Space Marines are showing interest as well. - Flamebearer.' That wasn't you?"

Lord Pyrus shakes his head slowly, clearly thinking hard. "Perhaps the Eldar are manipulating events again. I will watch for their interference." He tromps off down the corridor, headed for the rooms that were assigned to him last time.

Inquisitor Ironsides arrives two shuttles later, and you ask him how he wants to handle the Dark Angels. He shrugs, "I have no real preference. Giving them the slip for the moment is preferable in the short term, but this Sargent Danus is a persistent one. He will not be fooled for long."

You think on that for a moment as the servitors carry the luggage away. "have you thought to just ask him what his interest in the Terra Incarnadine is? Perhaps your aims are not at cross purposes, and you could aid each other in accomplishing them."

Olaf sighs heavily, "that would be an ideal option, but I do not think that they will agree. Old grievances not soon forgotten, I'm afraid."

"Perhaps if the missive was from Lord Pyrus, as a Salamander on secondment to the Deathwatch, instead of from yourself? Particularly in light of possible Eldar meddling." You quickly outline the discrepancy that Lord Pyrus spotted.

Olaf strokes his chin. "Rubicon might be better as the author of the missive then... Any other helpful suggestions? More information?"