+++ VOX NODE: 218.032.991.558
+++ REPORT PROTOCOL: EMERALD
+++ TRANSMISSION START
My dear Lord Iapetus,
I send this urgent message to you in search of counsel. During a recent operation on the planet Persephone, an artifact of unknown origination was retrieved. We are unable to place it in a stasis
container and ship to you, due to the size of the artifact and our inability to construct a similar
container of larger size and maintain our current level of operational security.
I must also admit to be concerned as to the nature of the artifact as it is similar in shape to the unrecovered device found on Pathos IV. At this time, it appears to be inactive. A cordon has been established around the site, though somewhat surreptitiously.
That fact, in and of itself, would warrant a deep investigation by your presence, but there are additional
concerns that have elevated my level of concern.
As part of our patrol, I sent out observation servitors, and was able to confirm that an Astartes force was nearly massacred.
I am attaching the vox pics from one servitor that remained at extreme range, though the images are poor. The other servitors that were sent in closer dropped from the skies simultaneously like dead birds, as if systematic defensive protocols were suddenly triggered. We also observed a full spectrum of visual and auditory jamming of a previously unknown type in effect. An autopsy was performed on four of the recovered servitors indicated that the brain pan tissue received the equivalent of a microwave pulse on the order of multiple gigawatts in strength. It remains unknown as to who and what type of device could cause this level of neural jamming as no actionable measures were observed.
In addition, another force of Astartes, operating in what can only be described as an interdiction role, assaulted our forces for reasons unknown. What is even more puzzling, is their immediate departure shortly after revealing themselves, occurring upon the assassination of a secondary level inquisitor and his xenos weapons acolytes.
Am I to assume that Ordo Xenos is also operating in this sphere with as yet to be revealed Astartes assets?
My good friend, I feel as if I am trying to decipher one melody while standing in the center of a stadium full of orchestras.
I need help.
Methinks it is time to notify Titan, for I fear that more than a simple insurrection by heretical forces are at work. It is very clear that the gathering storm will soon break upon us.
Your obedient servant,
Clarke
+++ VOX INTERCEPT: U9:X4-8729
+++ VOX NODE: 218.032.991.558
+++ REPORT PROTOCOL: EMERALD
+++ TRANSMISSION END
Not to say that' we're all the way back just yet, project work being what it is, but the light at the end of the tunnel is much closer.
As a group, we did meet and one of the things I wanted to check on what the pulse. We really haven't gotten together since earlier in the year and I wanted to make sure that we still wanted to continue the story/campaign and everyone was enthusiastic about moving on and getting to bigger games.
With that settled, we moved on to more fun topics, i.e. mustering our crew to reacquaint ourselves with this hipster "rolling dice" fad we fell for earlier in the year.
As a way to get us back into the swing again, we opted to run the Carnage scenario, which is a great way to "meet and greet" forces.
We fought at 1000 points, table divided up into quarters, closest unit to the device at the end of six turns wins. Interestingly enough, very little of the scenario rules actually transpired.
Now Raven Guard being who they are, also rather secretively placed some units next to the objective, but for several turns a key unit remained "out of sight, out of mind" and may have had an interesting effect on the end game had the Raven Guard player (Max) hadn't withdrawn (needed to leave early).
Unfortunately, we shall never know.
The consequences, however with the November Warriors fully engaged against the Children, resulted in the Inquisition sauntering up to the objective and capturing it without much in the way of opposition.
The game started out with a few elements from the Children force, peacefully moving towards the center of board to join in the "Beautify our Space" neighborhood campaign. The Warriors, unexpectedly open fire upon several of the parade floats that the Children had constructed, disrupting the parade and causing significant damage to one of the floats.
The Warriors seem to not understand that the Dragon remains ever vigilant and ready to fight against injustice and hooliganism wherever it occurs and do his children.
And the Dragon will return.