+++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.