++Date:5 185998/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Amoth Gravus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales

My lord, the most extraordinary thing has happened.

My group of troopers and I had decided to make for St. Phineas after we recieved word that Hive Primus had fallen. We had been following the communication conduit so I have been able to gain some information as to the planet-wide situation. I just received news that one chapter of Astartes has left the planet. Orks have quickly taken the Staal valley.

Shortly thereafter, dust storms began to form in the wastes. The PDF troopers informed me these are very common in the wastes between Hive Primus and St. Phineas. They are also very dangerous to travel in. Unfortunately, we were in the middle of the wastes when they hit. We made slow progress until we found some ancient ruins from when these parts were still habitable. We have held up in the ruins waiting for the storms to abate.

Apparently, we we not the only one who had the idea to make to St. Phineas by following this conduit. More refugees from Hive Primus come everyday. We've been here for two weeks now.

Today while monitoring the limited communication traffic flowing though the conduit, an Inquisitor contacted me. He must have reverse-traced my signal back from the governor's archive. His name is Lord Inquisitor Hrachov. He is here in pursuit of a renegade Astartes name Janosik.

He said he's waiting out the storms in the mountains south of Hive Secoundus. He said as soon as the storms abate, he will come to my position to evacuate me. He wishes me to join him in his search for this heretic. He also said he will fill in the gaps I have regarding the situation.

My Lord, are you familiar with this Inquisitor? Or, for that matter, his quarry, this Janosik? Unfortunately, I have been told these dust storms will get worse before they get better. I will update you as soon as I rendezvous with Lord Hrachov.

+++Incoming Transmission+++

++Date:5 161071/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Amoth Gravus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales

I know it has been several weeks since I last contacted you. More and more of the communication conduits on this planet are failing. I just now have been able to locate one running into St. Phineas, the only hive still under Imperial control.

I have been traveling with the PDF troopers that survived the crash. We have been following the Staal river north. Our original plan was to cross west at some point and attempt to make it to the outskirts of Hive primus.

My Lord, the situation on Alpheca III is getting increasingly dire. The PDF force I have been traveling with has been receiving scattered vox traffic. I have also been able to pull some information off of this communication conduit.

Hives Primus and secondus have fallen to Orks. There are reports of forces of the great enemy to the south of hive primus, but apparently they have failed to make much headway against the green skins. Astartes of at least two chapters have made planetfall. One has secured most of the Staal river valley, including the delta region. We have seen their thunderhawks patrolling overhead. However, I have made no attempt to contact them until I can ascertain their allegiance.

Judging by the description I have heard, the other chapter here is the Space Wolves. This is most interesting considering their history with the planet.

My Lord, there is much more to report, but I don't know how long this link will last. There is one more important piece of information that I need to tell you, but I am afraid that it may cause you grief.

I knew you had received my last message when I heard that the Varrain 10th had made planetfall. I know you have conscripted them before and had assumed you had done it again.

Unfortunately, over the last week, we have been receiving vox transmissions saying that the ranks of the Varrian have been decimated by some kind of virus outbreak. Their fleet has stopped sending supplies and reinforcements while the outbreak is contained. The surviving members have taken up defencive positions.

However, without support, I do not think they will last very long.

We will be remaining at this position and monitor

++++Transmission Broken+++

+++Message End++++

Declaration of Archbishop Sebastion Izzard

++From: Archbishop Sebastion Izzard


++All Channels++
++(Channel Gama not responding)+++

++(Channel Zeta not responding)+++

Citizens of Alpheca, it has become clear to me the the governor of our planet has demonstrated complete incompetence. Our world is besieged on all sides by mankind's enemies, but where is he? His mighty defence force that the openly boasted about for so long is scattered in the wastes, completely ineffectual.

I have just received word that he has quit the capital while it is besieged both the forces of the archenemy and xenos filth. Where he has gone to hide, we do not know.

Heed not the lies the lord governor has told: we are not forsaken.

Our gracious Emperor has sent us relief, yet he is to blinded by his pride and cowardice to see our delivers for what they are. The Sisters of the Order of the Amethyst Shroud have secured St. Phineas. Also, under the orders of the Sacred Inquisition, the Imperial Guard of the Varrian 10th have made planet fall near Hive Secondus.

In light of all these facts, I declare Alpheca III now under control of the Ecclesiarchy. All Planetary defence forces report to me. In addition, all astartes and imperial guard forces send delegations to St. Phineas immediately. I am now in control of the defence and liberation of Alpheca.

When we have delivered Alpheca from our enemies, Lord Governor Bellavos will be punished for his crimes.

+++End++++

Loyal Citizens of Alpheca

++From: Lord Governer Bellavos
++All Channels++

Loyal Citizens of Alpheca! We have been beset by a great plague. Barbarian green skins have descended on our glorious planet and have begun a conflict the likes of which we have never seen.

Along with this Xenos plague has come other assorted rabble that intend to use our planet as nothing but a playground onto which they will release unlimited destruction. These supposed Knights of the Emperor may say they are here to liberate us, but do not trust them. Your homes will be ground to the earth as they practice their war-mongering. They lust for battle and destruction only.

I command you, as your Lord Governor, to resist these intruders! Green skinned and Iron skinned alike! Take up what weapons you have and resist!

Fight for Alpheca!

Fight all intruders!

We will cleanse our planet of all this filth!

++Distress Transmission++

++Date:5 161038/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Risvic Holud
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales

My lord, I have been out of communication for the last few weeks, because the situation on Alpheca III has become quite dire. I have very limited information on what has happened. Alpheca II is a war zone and I have been stranded in the wastes between St. Phineas and Hive Primus just east of the Staal river. I can see Hive Primus many Kilometers in the distance. I can see columns of smoke

++Message Broken++

returning from my trip to St. Phineas. The PDF was escorting me back when our Arvus was hit by something. We had to make an emergency landing in the wastes. It quickly became obvious what we had been hit by. We could see the burning trails of hundreds objects entering the atmosphere. Some appeared to be ships, but many seemed to be debris like what had hit our ship. I recognized it as what typically results from a naval conflict. A ship must

++Message Broken++

guardsmen died of their wounds, but by all appearances, Melathor died of psychic shock. Obviously there has been some enormous psychic disturbance in order to kill an astropath outright.

++Message Broken++

we happened upon a communications conduit and I was able to splice a servo-skull into the communication feed. Amazingly, I have been able to make contact with the servo skull I spliced into the imperial palace’s communication array. In this way, I have been able to monitor much of the communication being transmitted across the continent.

This is also how I am send this to you. I have to route the message through almost a dozen interchanges, so I pray to the Emperor that it reaches you in time for you to effectively do something.

As far as the communications I have been able to receive, I have been able to ascertain very little. The planet is in mass confusion. The remaining PDF guardsmen and I have been living off rations for a little over a week. In that time, we seen many more trails in the sky. Whatever happened here, it is drawing more and more attention as time passes.


Please try to send a message to

++Message Broken++




+++Message End+++

Governor Bellavos

++Date: 2 160998/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Melathor Locus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales
+++RE:Meeting with Governor

+++Thought for the day: For every enemy without there are a hundred within+++


Before I tell you about my meeting the Governor Bellavos, I want to tell you a little more about the man and the recent history of Alpeca III.

Governor August Bellavos came to power twenty five years ago. He was proceeded by his uncle, Fadrron Bellavos, who left no heirs.

It appears that from the onset, he intended to run the government of Alpheca like a military operation. He began referring to St. Hedrich as "Supreme Headquarters of Alpheca III."


He kept that title until 980/M41 when he declared that the two main hives would return to their original names of Hive Primus and Hive Secondus. this was part of his ambitious plan that he dubbed the "Third Golden Age of Alpheca III."

This put him instantly at odds with the Bishop of Alpheca III, Sebation Izzard. It seems that they're relations are cold at best. At worst, they are outright rivals.

I have attached his official state-approved portrait for your reference.

As I mentioned before, Alpheca III has never raised a guard regiment. The Lord Governor, despite his airs, has never served in any military function, not even the PDF.

I had to stifle my laughter when I arrived for our meeting and he stood and saluted me. I did not return the salute but instead warned him that it is not wise to keep and Inquisitor waiting as long as he did.

He quickly rattled off how he has been more than accommodating to both me and Lord Inquisitor Aleatus. He then when on that he has very pressing matters of state.

I noticed before he sat down that he was wearing a side arm and a sword in a scabbard. Again, more illusions of militarism.

I told him that I was interest in what these matters of state were. He began to describe the state of the planet. He went on about productions quotas, worker issues, export and import issues, food shortages.

While I was initially put off by his pretensions, I found myself warming up to him as I listed to him talk in great detail about his planet. I do not know that I would call it compassion for his planet as much a the inner workings of a meticulous mind.

There was an impressive map of Alpheca III mounted on the wall behind him. There were numerous notations on the map. While he was talking I noticed that the notations changed. I quickly realized that the map was in fact a holographic projection tied to a live feed of some sort.

When I asked him about it, he explained that he has his PDF constantly running training exercises in the wastes between Hive Primus and St. Phineas. From his chambers, he can monitor their positions at all time. I thought that was excessive for training a PDF, but I believe this is just evidence of his attention to detail.

After about two hours of discussion, I excused myself to continue my research. Before I left, i thanked him for the escort to St. Phineas that Commander Vaitor had promised. He replied, "I did not authorize Vaitor to offer you escort, but I will allow it."

I left the meeting with the impression that Bellavos is an incredibly vain man, but still a committed servant of the Imperium.


Shortly after returning to my research, a member of Lord Aleatus's staff arrived to told me that the Black Ship had just translated and was inbound to Alpheca III. It would arrive in about one week's time. This would give me enough time to make my trip to St. Phineas and return Hive Primus in time for the ship's Departure to Terra.

+++Continued History of Alpheca III+++

++Date: 2 159998/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Melathor Locus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales
+++RE: Continued History of Alpheca III

I have nearly completed my time line of Alpheca's history. However, a guard has just come into the archive to tell me that Lord Governor Bellavos will now see me. I want to transmit this last segment before my meeting. I report back as soon as the meeting is complete.

++++Begin Attachment: File 2516958.L En:G+++++

M37 (Late) _ Lord Inquisitor Balum Phineas is granted sainthood by Terra. To honor this occasion, the Bishop of Alpheca orders the building of a Basilica on the sight of St. Phineas’s battles with the wolf cult. The basilica is a massive structure that takes over three hundred years to build.

M38 (Early) _ In the opening days of the 38th millennium, the Basilica is completed. To Honor this, the Ecclesiarchy, who at this point still controls Alpheca, orders the seat of the government to be moved from Hive Primus to the Basilica of St. Phineas. The ruling families of Alpheca protest.

The discussion between the noble families and the Ecclesiarchy becomes more and more heated. The population becomes involved and take to the streets in protest: some in support of the Ecclesiarchy and some in support of the nobles. Riots break out as the situation becomes more tense.

Just when the planet is on the brink of a full-scale civil war, a delegation from the Administratum arrives on the planet and names the noble family of Gaiver the ruling family of the planet. They appoint their patriarch, Xavos Aleir Gaiver, Lord Governor of Alpheca III.
[It is important to note that if it were not for the conflict with the Ecclesiarchy, the noble families probably would have been at arms with each other over who the rightful ruling family was. They conceded to the Administratum because at least it put control of the planet back in the hands of the nobles. --- Sterns]

Lord Gaiver’s first order allows the Ecclesiarchy to relocate to the Basilica of St. Phineas. He also declares that any citizens of Hive Primus or Secondus may re-locate to the Basilica. Plans are drawn for a new hive settlement which will stand adjacent to the Basilica.

To appease the citizens who remain in the original hive cities but are loyal to the Ecclesiarchy, he renames both hive in honor of saints. Hive Primus becomes St. Hedrich and Secundus becomes St. Capilene.

M38 (Late) _ The rule of the Gaiver family lasts around 800 years. In 895M38, the family is accused of genetic heresy and purged. The Ecclesiarchy again assumes control of the Government of Alpheca.

Their rule would be short lived this time as hostilities among the population erupt almost immediately. The combined private armies of the noble families Bellavos and Fugard seize control.

Through a complicated arrangement between the two families, it is declared that the planet will be ruled jointly between them.

However, by the beginning of the 39th Millennium, the Fugard line would fail, leaving the Bellavos family the rulers of Alpheca III to this day.

+++Meeting with Commander Vaitor+++

++Date: 2 157998/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Melathor Locus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales
+++RE: Meeting with Commander Vaitor


+++Thought for the day: Victory needs no explanation; Defeat allows none.++++

While working in the archives I was visited by Commander Vaitor, the chief officer of the planetary defense force. He apologized for the fact that Lord Governor Bellavos has yet to meet with me. He asked me to not be offended because the governor is very busy. He offered to be at my disposal until I can meet with the lord governor.

I immediately took him up on his hospitality and requested how I may travel to St. Phineas to meet with Arch Bishop Sebastian Izzard. Vaitor seemed stunned for a moment but offered to have his men escort me there. He then immediately excused himself.

To be candid, my lord, Commander Vaitor seemed awkward and stressed. I do not understand why he felt the need to defend the Lord Governor's lack of decorum. He seem displeased with my desire to meet Bishop Izzard, but at the same time, offered me his aid in making the journey.


This made me curious of Commander Vaitor so I accessed his records in the archive. They were encrypted, but not to the extent that I couldn't access them with out a servator.


Attached is his pic capture from his file:



I have to say what I found is odd. He is a career man who has served in his present role for the last twenty years. Before that, he had a career devoid of achievement. From what I can tell, the only action he had seen was a worker rebellion in Hive Secundous nearly forty years ago.


He was hand-picked by Bellavos to lead the PFD after the previous commander died in an accident during a training exercise.

I do not mean to alarm you, my Lord. I'm sure there is nothing going on here other than typical political maneuvering. Still, it's something to keep me my mind occupied and not dwelling on the horrors of Levilnor IV.

+++Incoming Transmission: Early History+++

++Date: 2 154998/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Melathor Locus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns (Bio Scan verified - Pic capture attached)
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales
+++RE: Brief history of Alpheca III - Early

+++ Thought for the day: Those that live under the Emperor's light have nothing to hide.

I have had access to the governor's archive for several days now, but I have yet to get my audience with the governor himself.

Attched is a historical timeline of the early history of Alpheca III.

While the government here has given me access, have the a suspicion that they do not trust me. Some of the data was locked to me for some reason. There has also been a guard present the entire time I was in the archive. I am hoping to be able to splice a servo-skull into the databank in order to access any hidden data.

I will report more on this as time goes.

++++Begin Attachment: File 2516957.L En:G+++++

Early History of Alpheca III

cM20-M21 _ Alpheca III settled early in the days of human space colonization. Like all human settlements, contact with Terra lost in the dark age of Technology.

M31 _ The Emperor arrives during beginning of Great Crusade. Alpheca joins Imperium without conflict. Planet quickly assimilated. Manufacturing facilities erected to aid in Crusade effort.

M31 _ [The records regarding the Alpheca during the Great Heresy are locked to me. However, other records allude to conflict on the planet during this period. - Sterns]

M32-M35 _ Considered my many historians on Alpheca as this planets “Golden Age”. High production and relative peace lead to an era prosperity.

M35 _ Age of Aposty. Alpheca invaded by an army loyal to Lord Vandire. Planetary defense forces and citizens resist, but after ruthless attacks by invading forces, Alpheca succumbs to Vandire’s rule.
After Vandire is defeated, Alpheca quickly returns to rule of Terra.

M35 - M36 _ Era known commonly referred to as “The second Age” or the Second Golden Age. Again, prosperity reigns.

M36 (Late) _ Prosperity begins to take it’s toll as planet experiences wide-spread pollution. Many areas become uninhabitable. Production slows as resources begin to fail. Population begins mass migration to urban centers. Many minor settlements abandoned completely.

M37 (Early) _ Despite the fact that most of the population now living in one of two hive cities (Primus and Secondus), some chose to remain in the wild, scrapping together an existence from the ruins of failed settlements. Early in the 37th millennium, these scavengers claim to have been visited by a large brutish-looking stranger. Other’s claim to have seem this man in visions. Most of them claim that this is the Primarch, Leman Russ, come to Alpheca to guide it back to prosperity. This leads many pilgrims to leave the hive cities and begin reviving settlements in the wastes.

The planetary governor takes a lenient view to the pilgrims until it come to light that they are arming themselves. The group starts preaching that Russ is among them to lead them on the “final battle.” It is at this point the group is dubbed the “Wolf Cult of Alpheca.”

The governor tries to suppress the cult but underestimates its power. The cult turns its weapons on the planetary defense forces and soon anarchy rules.A call for aid summons an Inquisitional task force to eradicate the cult. The planet is quarantined while the cult could be purged by the Ordo Hereticus. Soon, several strike cruisers of the Space Wolves chapter arrive in the system to investigate the Russ sightings.
The Space wolves demand to be allowed to the surface to investigate rumors for themselves. When the witch hunters refused, the Wolves start landing operations anyway.The wolf cult had been mostly purged by this point, so the Inquisitional forces turn their attention the newly arrived Space wolves. Hostilities ensue between the Space wolves and several Imperial guard regiments under Inquisitional command.

The conflict ends when Lord Inquisitor Balum Phineas captures the Wolf Lord Strom Gunderbail. The Inquistor frees the Space wolf, but on the condition that his forces leave the system.

After order is restored to the planet, travel outside the hives is strictly limited. Workers in the planets mining operations and PDF are noted exceptions.

The Imperial Governor is executed for incompetence. The Ecclesiarchy is granted control of the planet until a replacement can be found. This will prove to take many generations.

+++Incoming Transmission+++

+++Date: 2 142998/M41
+Astropathic Duct: Melathor Locus
++From: Acolyte Inquisitor Sterns (Bio Scan verified - Pic capture attached)
+++To: Lord Inquisitor Swales
+++RE: Arrival on Alpheca III


++Thought for the day: Light your way in the darkness with the pyres of burning heretics.++

My lord, I’m sending you this message to update you to the progress of my pilgrimage to Holy Terra and report the status of this planet.

I have arrived on Alpheca III with little trouble. I was able to book passage one a trade vessel named Chord of Mercy.

When I arrived I reported to Imperial Governor Bellavos as you instructed. While I have not yet been able to meet with the Governor, his staff provided me with lodgings that were surprisingly spartan despite how affluent the planet appears to be. My room is certainly adequate; I was just expecting facilities more opulent in the residence of an imperial governor.

Lord Inquisitor Aleatus has contacted my just as you said he would. He explained the manner in which I will make the final leg of my journey.

My Lord, I must admit that I became quite concerned when he informed me that I would be arriving at Holy Terra on one of our order’s Black Ships. I was concerned that you had suggested this pilgrimage as a pretext for having me “re-educated”. While that certainly would strengthen my faith, it is the least pleasant option that I can imagine. Certainly, the events on Levilnor IV have affected me adversely. However, I am far from a deviant.

Thankfully, Lord Inquisitor Aleatus assured me that I will be treated as befitting a acolyte Inquisitor like myself. I suspect that means I should get used to sparse accommodations. At least I’m relieved to know I won’t be arriving Terra in shackles!

Lord Aleatus said that the ship should be arriving in about three weeks time, baring any unfortunate circumstances. We will be heading to Terra directly as Alpheca is the last stop on the ship's itinerary.

This will give me ample time to compile my report on this system as you requested. Governor Bellavos’s staff informed me that I will have access to their archives. I have also dispatched a message to Bishop Sebastian Izzard, the Ecclesiastical authority on this planet. I am a planning a trip to St. Phineas, the seat of the Ecclesiarchy on this planet, to meet with the bishop.

I will presently only tell you my initial impressions of this planet. I find the atmosphere here very militaristic despite the fact that the planet is in a relatively peaceful region of the Segmentum Ultima (Barring some activity by Xenos pairates). Even the Governor’s staff had mannerisms more befitting the upper echelons of an Imperial Guard regiment rather than administrative staff. Even some of the scribes I saw in the palace carried side arms.


This is even more shocking when paired with the fact that this planet has never raised an imperial guard regiment. They do, however, have a very well-armed planetary defense force.

As I mentioned before, the planet is fairly affluent due to the number of manufacturing facilities on the planet and its ample natural resources.

I will have access to the Governor’s archives in the next few days. I will report on greater length when I have begun compiling information.

The Black Ship is Coming...

++++Be Ready++++