CLASSIFICATION: *Tertiary Level Intelligence*
CLEARANCE: *Obsidian-Vermilion*
ENCRYPTION: *Cryptox v 1.7*
DATE: *4 221 202.M40*
AUTHOR: *Inquisitor Galavar, Ordo Hereticus, Ixiniad Conclave *
SUBJECT: *Open Background Investigation Request*
RECIPIENT: * Sebastianus Mortz, Ordo Militarum, Calixian Conclave *
“One of my Acolytes speaks fondly of his time spent in the company of a somewhat infamous gladiator, a Rika Piros. Of relevance to your interests, her patron was one Irryah Klose, a rogue trader of some repute. A member of her retinue known to us as Myrra Pirros matches the description given for the subject of your inquiry. Records from his mission show that Pirros spent approx. three years in service to the Rogue Trader, with suspicions running rife that she was one of her lovers. A common trend with Rogue Trader Klose, to take her companions to bed.
During that time, she showed a notable but hardly exceptional skill at arms in melee, though she rarely had cause to bloody her spear, and none against opponents that might press her. Piros was treated more like a trusted companion or pet and good luck charm, than a bodyguard, by Klose.
The Rogue Trader Irryah Klose remains in good standing in Ixiniad. Should you have reason to change that I trust I will be the first informed in the Ixiniad Sector.”
Addendum: Pirros served Klose from 5 649 120.M40 to 4 515 123.M40.
***
CLASSIFICATION: *Primary Level Intelligence*
CLEARANCE: *Obscuris-Theta*
ENCRYPTION: *Agina v 1.14*
DATE: *3 681 202.M40*
AUTHOR: *Captain Halvack, 4th Company of the Angels of Vengeance, Finial Sector*
SUBJECT: *The Calixis Noble House Nikos Founding Inquiry*
RECIPIENT: *Inquisitor Serina Cosano, Ordo Xenos, Calixian Conclave*
“The Siege of San Apolis was a hellish experience, and I say so as a Space Marine Captain of a Chapter that prefers to face the Great Enemy. We have voided the bounty placed upon Nikos and her aliases due to her association with the Ork Pirate Captain Jawbarock and will oppose any other attempts to darken her name unduly.
For in that hell, when our Chapter Master and Champions faced the Plague Lord commanding the forces of the Enemy, the red haired Huntress was by their side and her contributions to that final victory were not minor. For standing with the strike force, we Angels of Vengeance owe her a debt, no matter her previous actions. Due to her disappearance, in the months after the battle, proper thanks were never rendered adequately due to the need to recover and rebuild.
Be advised that so long as she stands in the Emperor’s Light, Pyrrha Nikos will ever be welcome among our ranks.
Be informed that a Battle Brother from my Company will be arriving to Calixis to render said proper thanks in person.”
***
CLASSIFICATION: *Primary Level Intelligence *
CLEARANCE: *Vermilion*
ENCRYPTION: *Aguana v 4.3*
DATE: *5 340 203.M40*
AUTHOR: *Colonel Matkowsky Brensinger of the 264th Tranch Regiment, Imperial Guard *
SUBJECT: *Field Report on Grandmaster Hunter Deployment on Sinophia, Periphery Sub-Sector*
RECIPIENT: *General Isaiah Gretsch, Scintilla General Staff, copy forwarded to Inquisitor Sebastianus Mortz, Ordo Militarum, Calixian Conclave*
“…the madness did not stop there. Once the coliseum was fully completed, the games truly begun. From races around the ram-shackle structure to general brawls, the Orks amused themselves for two weeks while, as best my people can tell, every Ork on the planet was drawn there.
Of particular concern is their rapid advancement. Having orks that were more Feral than not quickly become more like their star faring cousins, in a period of weeks, was deeply unnerving.
The “Lady” claims that this is normal for Orks facing her kind. The promised clash not only drawing Orks from all over, but making them bigger, stronger, smarter. They scavenged the abandoned Hive cities with renewed and unholy vigour.
An attempt to cull the Orks using Hunters that fails, it seems to me, would be worse than not trying at all. It would only make the problem much, much worse, birthing a new WAAAGH! able to cross the stars where there was none.
This is all highly irregular, if not heretical Sir. I question the judgement of whatever fool in Headquarters thought for a moment to employ Ork strengthening Witches against them. As of this time, I must recommend against deploying any of these “hunters” against Feral Orcs as the Imperial Guard serves with distinction in suppressing and clearing Feral Orks out already.
Yes, it was impressive that said witch spent seven days and nights fighting every Ork present in a massive brawl with few breaks that ended with the “Lady” Witch killing the Warboss and burning every Ork remaining in sight to ash.
But the Guard hardly needs to employ such risky tactics when amassing armour, artillery and men has worked for the Imperial Guard for millennia!
That the Orks respect the mad woman enough to leave me alone as her “Guest” is merely a sign of how corrupt, xenos subverted and unworthy of life the supposed “lady” is. Even then, their idea of how to treat a guest well is far too violent and unpredictable. It was only due to my rigorous training and armour that I survived the experience with only minor injuries(a few broken bones and teeth being very minor when dealing with Orks in melee).
If I never play another game of Blood Blowl, it will be far too soon! And the less said about Orkish joy rides the better!! They consider crashing part of the fun!!!
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In conclusion, whichever inbred cousin in headquarters that came up with this idea of giving the “lady” anything but a shot to the head is an incompetent idiot, if not a traitor trying to sabotage the Guard. No Sir, no matter how pretty and impressive her martial performance might be, she is clearly a seditious, heretical influence that should be purged at once! If not a traitor allied with the damn xenos!
My commissar and I are in agreement on this and will proceed to purge the threat now that she is weakened and resting. We will be drawing on both the PDF, and local guard regiments which are readying to muster out, as little help as they will be. Should we fail, the onus falls to you to stop this traitor before she can spread her vile treachery.”
Addendum: Colonel Matkowsky Brensinger of the 264th Tranch Regiment was delivered into Arbites custody, along with most of his regiment and twelve regiments of the Sinophia PDF after their attempt to assassinate Lady Nikos, minus most of their equipment, including the guard’s armoured column.
Their Commissar appears to have suffered a friendly fire accident during the arrest attempt. With how hectic the event was and the state of the equipment in the aftermath, it remains impossible to determine who the perpetrator was… or how accidental the accident was. – Regulator Freeda Lominack, Adeptus Arbites, Sinophia.
***
CLASSIFICATION: *Secondary Level Intelligence*
CLEARANCE: *Obsidian*
ENCRYPTION: *Cryptox v 1.7*
DATE: *3 343 203.M40*
AUTHOR: * Acolyte Xavier Varus, Ordo Xenos, Fenksworld *
SUBJECT: *UNDERHIVE INVASION*
RECIPIENT: *Inquisitor Serina Cosano, Port Wrath, Calixian Conclave *
It would seem your estimates for the Lathes were mistaken, Inquisitor. Fabricator Locum Restanx PV-249 of Lathe-Hesh called the Legions Skitarii long before the other two Lathes heard of what was happening on Fenksworld and could restrain his zeal. While the local Mechanicum remains as deadlocked as can be hoped for, the Legions are currently dropping down on the plains outside the Hive proper. They are also blasting his condemnation of this heretek, which has further inflamed tension among the local Mechanicus.
It is taking my all to keep the forges running, despite the losses.
The Navy has performed admirably in interdicting direct orbital fire on the Nova Castillia hive, which has been unfortunate. If the Lathe Mechanicus had violated their mandate so blatantly, curtailing their influence in the Sector would have been trivial.
As it is, the Planetary Governor and select members of the Administratum, the Navis Imperialis, Arbites and Astra Militarum have joined the shouting matches among the Mechanicum, which have only swelled with the arrival of the Lathe fleet. And moved the whole shameful matter into the Planetary Governor’s Court, where he can add his own “wisdom” to the “discussion”.
While they all argue, the Legions Skitarii are marching on the hive, having been denied permission to land in the hive itself by order of the Planetary Governor. To make matters worse, the Adeptus Ministroum has taken this opening as an opportunity to raise the questions of the stewardship of the souls of Sanctuary, further complicating an already dangerously volatile mix.
The situation is rapidly evolving. I request updated orders and will, in the meantime, act according to prior instructions to limit harm among the local manifactoriums.
Of the Hunters, there has been neither word nor deed. Their representatives retreated to Sanctuary as soon as the Lathe fleet showed up… which was not a promising start to all this, as without anyone to stand for them and defend against the accusations, they fall upon the Court unanswered.
Soon enough, it might not matter if Nikos is issued a Noble Writ, if every other Noble House is turned against them.
***
CLASSIFICATION: *Secondary Level Intelligence*
CLEARANCE: *Obsidian-Ultima*
ENCRYPTION: *Cryptox v 1.7*
DATE: *3 344 203.M40*
AUTHOR: *Inquisitor Serina Cosano, Port Wrath, Calixian Conclave*
SUBJECT: *UNDERHIVE INVASION - Retaliation*
RECIPIENT: *Acolyte Xavier Varus, Ordo Xenos, Fenksworld*
Xavier, you are to commandeer the nearest void capable craft and ascend to orbit immediately. There, you will inform the commanding Archmagos in person on behalf of the Ordo Xenos the following: if he does not order the retreat of his Skitarri, he may live to see the skies of his forgeworld awash in the fires of war as drop pods belonging to the Angels of Vengeance fall on Lathe-Hesh. The Dark Angels successors will come with the goal of rendering Fabricator Locum Restanx PV-249 and all who participated in this attack against their friend and ally into scrap.
I will be extending my voyage to visit the Fabricator and the Lathes to express my displeasure in person. I do not have high hopes for the visit, and you well know why.
Until the Ordo Machinum Inquisitor returns from the expedition or their new member arrives, our ability to curtail unilateral Lathe actions directly remains limited, if the Navy and the Guard are unwilling to step in themselves.
I’m sure the others have already readied bolt holes where the Huntsmen and Huntresses can hide, just as I am sure few or none of them will take them up on that offer.
Should things go as I suspect, you are to do what you can Xavier, but do not be caught doing it, yes?
***
CLASSIFICATION: *Primary Level Intelligence*
CLEARANCE: *Obsidian-Vermilion*
ENCRYPTION: *Cryptox v 1.7*
DATE: *4 345 203.M40*
AUTHOR: * Acolyte Raythus, Ordo Malleus, Sinophia *
SUBJECT: *Observation of Huntress Grandmaster*
RECIPIENT: *Inquisitor Marthesius, Ordo Maleus, Calixian Conclave*
“… and as a final point, I must regretfully inform you that whoever trained Nikos did so well. She showed no signs of being aware of my observations, yet yesterday disappeared without a trace from her quarters up among the Spires. Past several security cordons, many of which have inexplicably malfunctioned, two of which I established myself.
Nikos is gone without a sign of how, where or why. I can only render my most sincere apologies and pray for forgiveness from the God Emperor for my inexplicable failure.
The only clue we have is that she received a coded astropathic message yesterday, one I am trying to decode and with the results of which I will update you as soon as able.”
***
“…the worst part of that whole debacle was not even that major parts of the lower and Underhive ended up irrevocably irradiated due to the deployment of Skitarii Vanguard and their use of radium weapons… it was that on the third day of tunnel fighting a damn Eldar Clown appeared in the middle of a meeting of the Planetary Court while we were debating what to do about this blatant violation of our rights, simply to laugh at us.
It called this whole invasion the funniest joke it had heard this year and us the finest gathering of powdered clowns, standing around with our fingers up our arses.
Of course, everyone immediately fired upon it. As it disappeared down a concealed shaft, the clown posed the following riddle in perfect High Gothic:
“What happens when metal men poke a living lighting storm? Eldar children know the answer to that, ha-HA!”
That despite immediate assault, hundreds of us and our escorts failed to kill the despicable xenos as it slipped away into one of the emergency exits is a black mark on us all, may the Emperor forgive us.
But none is more culpable for this disaster than our dear Governor, as it was his home which the xenos both entered and escaped without consequence. In public.
I cannot help but wonder if this blow against his reputation was deliberate… but I know better than to ask if something is an accident when it comes to the perfidious Eldar…”
-Excerpt from the memoirs of Lord Raffael Paschek, on the second invasion of Sanctuary.