Communication: Kovach to Michael
+++AUTHOR: Inquisitor Nikolai Kovach
+++DESTINATION: Inquisitor Gregory Michael
Dear Gregory,
I trust you are well. Your conduct as an Inquisitor thus far has left me in the mindset of a proud father, though it is probably unpolitic to say so.
Strangely, I am writing to ask for advice (what protégé worthy of the name cannot outstrip their patron in some regard?). To ask my questions, I must first impart ill news.
It seems a band of Druchari raiders have somehow returned to Baeten even though the webway gate is no longer functional (as per our efforts some years ago). A second gate is highly unlikely, which leads me to believe they came on a ship, which then begs the question: how could they have landed without detection? Why were they not picked up by the system monitors in orbit?
They are raiding the crumbling ghettos of Prospekt 21, abducting small groups of people every night for the last month; in time, the authorities became aware. The limited scope of the raids makes me think they are small in number, and are taking them to their vessel somehow.
Governor Tarnovask (who I'm sure you will remember fondly) sent in the planetary defence force, and the results were disastrous: they failed to get to grips with the enemy and lost three tanks and twenty-two good soldiers.
I intend, therefore, to sanction deployment of the Deathwatch.
Do you have any knowledge of Druchari vessels that may explain how they slipped our picket? Or any hazards to which I can alert the astartes team? I remember it cost young Ashar dearly when last you confronted them, and I've no wish for the Astartes to face needless risk.
I would suggest that the primary objective is to locate and destroy the xenos, but secondary objectives would be to capture their presumed vessel for study, and, if possible, liberate the captives.
Saints be with you,
Nikolai
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+++AUTHOR: Inquisitor Gregory Michael
+++DESTINATION: Inquisitor Nikolai Kovach
Dear Nikolai,
Ill news indeed.
As you have identified, Dark Eldar, or Drukari, primarily use the webway for transportation (I could explain why, but it’s a long explanation). Even their capital ships travel through the webway as much as possible, albeit only the largest of ways. It is likely therefore that somewhere in the region there is a webway opening in space, and if we can find that we could blockade it and begin work to dismantle it. The fact that the Drukari have, despite the destruction of their primary gate, gone to the effort of returning to Baeten via “the long way” is somewhat alarming and indicates something more specific that they want on Baeten than just convenient access to human slaves.
As one might expect from such a race, Drukari ships are the very embodiment of deception. I have reports of Drukari ships capable of taking on the appearance of other vessels, Imperial or otherwise. The Navy have dubbed these “Mimic Engines”. It is likely that this is what they are sing to slip through the picket. Be aware also of another system, should you succeed in detecting them, the Shadowfield; which scrambles the visual and sensor readings in the region around the ship making it impossible to accurately target.
Their ground forces are fast and deadly. They prefer to travel on extremely fast and light open topped skimmers, often accompanied by jetbikes and sometimes starfighters. Their troops are likewise extremely fast moving, and armed with powerful weapons. As you have identified, Ash lost a leg when we first encountered them, utterly vaporised by a single blast from a sidearm the size of a laspistol. I have no doubt they would penetrate even Astartes plate. They also favour poisons, although it may be that Astartes are beyond such mortal concerns. They are however relatively fragile, even in comparison to their Craftworld and Exodite kin.
Eliminating hostile forces is of course paramount, however finding out why they have come back to Baeten specifically, would be invaluable. The captives may, unfortunately, be beyond rescue. Drukari interstellar ships are usually fully equipped with torture chambers, and the torturous sadism of their people legendary. You are likely to find that granting the Emperor’s Peace may be the best you can do for many of the prisoners taken, and death would always be preferable to capture.
I cannot say I'm surprised that Governor Tarnovask came to you with this and not me, and I shall not interpose; but as Cetus' only Ordo Xenos member I would appreciate being kept informed of all developments. I have pressing business elsewhere, but if you do manage to capture the xenos' ship, or a webway portal, I will deffer and head to Beaten immediately to investigate.
Yours in duty,
Gregory
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