Xenos: Paracus Hive
Inquisitor Drake investigates some possible Heresy on Paracus with some new Agents.
Briefing
+++ INCOMING TRANSMISSION +++
+++ ENCRYPTED +++
+++ AUTHORISATION CODE +++
+++ AUTHORISATION ACCEPTED +++
+++TRANSMITTED: Syphax Orbital, SYPHAX, MASSYLEAN SUB-SECTOR, ERIDANI SECTOR, SEGMENTUM PACIFICUS
+++RECEIVED: Obelisk, CETUS-MAJOR, CETUS SUB-SECTOR, ACHERNAR SECTOR, SEGMENTUM PACIFICUS
+++DATE: 05-150-426-M42
+++AUTHOR: Agent Maximus Drent
+++DESTINATION: Inquisitor Ashar Lear, Inquisitor Eidan Drake.
+++SUBJECT: An Alarming Response.
Hey,
I hope you guys weren't planning on a paperwork day, because I think I found something.
I’m on follow up from our stowaway on The Eisen. Turns out the crate was previously carried by a ship called The Broker's Scythe that, according to the Syphax Port Authority records, made other drops that eventually ended up in Achernar.
I've contacted all the listed recipients (I'll forward them on) and asked them if the crates have been opened, to confirm contents, etc.
This is the response I got from a place called Paracus VII:
+++ATTACHED: transmission from Base Allius, Paracus VII
🜂ail. Request und🜂rstood. I can confirm receipt and opening of ca🜂go crate 569-Xd23-94.
Cont🜂nts reviewed and are a🜂 expected. No further action needed.
🜂our Humble Servant, Astropath Lexandrick.
I checked with the head Astropath here: there's no warp degradation. It was sent like that.
Other than shipping data for those coordinates, and the contents of the crate, Saedra has no real records of what's on Paracus VII. I have no idea what’s happening out there, but that message feels… concerning.
Michael is out in the Halo Stars. It’ll take me weeks to get back and The Broker's Scythe is due to return to Syphax in the next few days. I'll need to speak with the captain.
Can you do anything? Let me know what you decide.
Sincerely, Max.
+++ATTACHED: SHIPPING RECORDS, SYPHAX PORT AUTHORITY, 569-Xd23-94.
+++MESSAGE ENDS
The Mission
Drake was joined on this mission by new Agents:
- Medical doctor Oskar Sorakin
- Imperial Guard veteran Hana Modrak
- Tech Priest Magos (specialising in bionic and neural interface technologies) Juana Sarovia
The team, along with five Stohlbard Dragoons, investigated Base Allius. Upon entry they quickly found themselves in combat with techpriests who had Tyranid body parts grafted onto their own.
Aftermath
- The base was purged of the Hereteks.
- It was discovered that they had been attempting to use Tyranid biotechnology to create a human hivemind. They had managed to get it working between the techpriests on base.
- Astropath Lexandrick was rescued and cooperated fully, having been the one to send the hidden message, however his is known to have been included in the hivemind against his will, thus his purity is suspect.
- An Ogryn, Berk, was discovered acting as a custodian and handyman. A Guard veteran who had ended working for the Adeptus Mechanius by accident as he had nowhere else to go, he immediately sided with the Inquisition and afterwards entered into service of the Inquisition.
- Researching the base databanks, many communications indicated the base was not alone in pursuing this research and was being supported by unknown other members of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Drake decided to return to the Obelisk and call a Conclave of Inquisitors to deal with this conspiracy.
Communications
+++TO: Doctor Martya Barra
+++FROM: Berk
+++SUBJECT: Yes
Deer Docter Barra.
My name is Berk. I am now serving the Emperer by way of his friend the Inkwisiter Drake. He says I shud ask you for an apoyntmunt wich he says is like a meeting were we will talk about how I am happy to serve the Emperer. I am an ogryn so I can bring my own chair so I dont break yours. The mekeanus gave me a bonehead so I am more clever than most ogryns but I am still bad at werds. Sorry. But the Emperer made me strong so I can help him in other ways. Please let me know if we can have an apoyntmunt and wen and were I shood go.
Berk
+++MESSAGE ENDS
+++FROM: Oskar Sorakin
+++TO: All agents (excl. Berk)
+++SUBJECT: Ogryns
+ATTACHMENT: Understanding Ogryns by Dr Oskar Sorakin
Dear all,
By now you may have noticed our newest teammate, Berk. Jolly fellow? A head and shoulders taller even than everyone's favourite giant chef, Amon Carlin?
Since abhumans are a bit of an expert subject of mine, I thought I'd prepare a short briefing about them so that everyone is on the same page and can help Berk adjust as easily as possible. See attached.
If you have any questions, feel free to come and find me and I'm happy to go into exhaustive - and I really do mean exhaustive - detail.
All the best,
Oskar
+++Message ends