Terra   9997.M525
 

Message incoming *******

Inquisitor Valere, Outpost Alver IV

I have strange events to report. Since the Hive Fleet known as Kronus and Plant Octine Prime has disappeared. Numerous ships have vanished in the area of Octine Prime. The strangest event so far however was the events on Altar 4. As you know this is a small mining outpost near the Eye of Terror. After several weeks with no contact with the outpost a detachment of two Ultra Marines squads were sent. That was two weeks ago. There has been no contact. I dispatch another detachment to investigate. They found nothing but a dead planet. All live on the planet is now gone, no animals, planets, not even water remain. It obviously the result of a tyranid attack, only they leave this kind of destruction. No hive fleet has been seen in these sectors since the disappearance of Hive Fleet Kronus however. I’m at a loss to explain the events in this area. All I do know is that in the last 6 months a hive fleet, one planet, five Imperial cargo ships, and two squads of  Ultra Marines have now vanished without a trace.  I have heard rumors that both the Eldar and Orcs have lost ships near the Eye in the last few months. I feel that this is indeed a bad omen for the future. I will endeavor to find the answer to these events. I shall remain ever vigilant.

Your Loyal Servant
Inquisitor Valere

Message Ended*********
 
 

Outpost Alver IV   9997.M530

The Inquisitor sits in her dimly lit chamber. She prays for strength in the battle she feels is coming soon. She feels reassured, know her prayers have been heard and answered. She starts the slow process of donning her terminator armor. She does it a little slower this time knowing it may well be the last. She studies it closer than she has before, noticing all the dents, gouges and other “scars” from her battles over the years. She never really paid attention before, but now she does. She continues getting ready for battle, all the while wondering about the final out come.

“I’ll be ready when they arrive” she says aloud to an empty room. “Nothing will be the same again I think. The orbital defenses are ready. The marines are ready. I feel that soon all my questions will be answered”

Sirens start going off in the outpost. Valere rushes to the Command Center. “Inquisitor Valere” The commander of the outpost addresses her “why are you in your armor? The alarms just went off” “I knew” she replies. “What is wrong” She asks “I don’t understand but we’ve lost all contact with Terra.” The commander answers “We cannot contact anyone” “What do the sensors show?” Valere questions  “Nothing” the Commander answers “its as if we’re trying to scan into a hole in space.” The Inquisitor turns to leave “Where are you going” he demands. She turns back around “The battle begins soon” she replies with a slight smile then turns and leaves.

She returns to her quarters. The smell of burning candles and incense fill the room. She enters and stands in the middle of her quarters, enjoying the smell. She starts to pray to the Emperor for guidance.

“He can not help you” a deep voice speaks from the darkness.

The Inquisitor gets into her battle stance looking for the enemy, trying to sense his position. She cannot. “Who are you “ she asks.

“I am your new master” the voice replies

“I serve the emperor and none else” Valere answers

“Ah yes, the dead body on the golden throne.” The voice response from her right “Do you think that pathic shell can save you or any of those here on the station”

Valere can now here the sounds of battle in the station. She hears the screams of the dying. She can feel the fear and torment that the men on the station are feeling. But, she cannot feel the reassuring hand of the emperor. The reassuring hand that has kept her alive through so many battles over the years.

“It was not his hand you felt” the voice states as if it was reading her thoughts. “It was mine. I gave you the strength you needed when you battled the Dark Eldar. It was I who gave you the knowledge that allow you to turn back the Night Lords on Xtor III. It was I who made you send the Ultra Marines to Altar 4.”

The sounds of battle have end, she knows that all the force of the station are dead. The battle was over in an instant. In the blink of an eye 300 men are dead. She hears movement coming down the hall towards her door. The sounds confuse her it’s the sounds of boots and the sounds of clawed feet on metal halls. The sounds bring back memories of an old battle. One of the first she ever fought as an inquisitor. It was in an old derelict space hulk that was found floating on the edges of known space. The sounds of clawed feet, she remembers, were followed by wave after wave of genestealers. She turns towards the door and readies her Stormbolter and Power Sword.

“You won’t need them” the voice whispers close to her left ear.

She spins and sees nothing but darkness. She can see the smoke rise from her candles being swirled around the room by a breeze she cannot feel.

“You were knew many years ago that you would have to make a choice one day” the voice tells her "When I whispered in you mind what to do to survive on Xtor III, you knew. When I told you how to survive the Dark Eldar, you knew this day would come.”

The doors to her room open

“When I whispered all you need to know to survive on the old ship so many years ago. You knew”

She hears movement behind her, feels something brush her leg. She doesn’t have to look to know what is there. Images flood her mind, dying friends, memories of thoughts and whispers. She reaches down and starts scratching the genestealer squatting beside her on the side of its head. Now it all makes since, all the answers she’s been looking for have been there the entire time.

A figure moves around her to the left and another to the right. She looks at the one to the left. It is wearing Chaos Space Marine Power Armor. However she can she that one of its arms is that of a genestealer. She turns to the figure to her right. Standing there is a woman who pale skin almost glows in the dimly lit room.
She slow nods her head towards the women then she turns to the cloak figure now visible in front of her.

“I knew my lord” she replies with a smile “I don’t understand why it took me this long to realize what it meant”

“Easy my child” The cloak figure answers “I needed you here.”

Valere smiles and bows her head “Of course my lord” She replies.

“You have done well” A deep voice whispers “You have but one other task. Then we shall begin the final preparation.”

“I know” She answers.
 

Terra

Message incoming *******

Inquisitor Valere, Outpost Alver IV

I have found all the answers I was seeking and can now report all you will need to know for the coming war.

FEAR US

V