Record+-+Argos+Jaeger+08

I had anticipated a sensation of relief in our return to the void, But there is something about this system that is out of place. Quiet. Still. Not a calm stillness, but a tense stillness. Like there every particle inhabiting this system is watching us, with an alien yet hostile intent. It may be the knowledge that this far from holy terra, without even the beacon of the Emperor's divinity to guide us through the warp, we are all that exists of the Emperor's light in a region of space held for untold ages by xeno civilizations. The star casts a pale and foreboding light upon this system, and paranoia will likely increase the longer we remain here. We are here on a mission of utmost importance, however, and will not leave until we find inquisitor Fayne in custody on our ship, inexplicable sensations of dread be damned.

We have found the seemingly derelict remains of the Iron Cicada, likely a merchant vessel, and more suspiciously, not registered as a rogue trader or inquisitor vessel. The former captain’s reported obsession with xeno-technology and supposed affiliation with a xeno-race without a proper Warrant of Trade makes him a traitor to mankind. But the hand that this xeno race had in the fate of the Cicada is even more disturbing. Even now, they could still be lurking in this sector, potentially waiting to strike at a moment of weakness. If there is a trail to pick up that leads to her current whereabouts, it will likely be found aboard the Cicada.

We have also taken aboard two surviving crew that we found on the Cicada's jettisoned spire. While we may have found ourselves a slight turn of good fortune in rescuing the Lady Navigator, we have also acquired the so-called “first-officer” of the Iron Cicada. I have been told that he supposedly led a mutiny against the Xenophile of a captain, shortly before the aliens returned and decimated the majority of the crew. While taking a stand against his superior’s criminal activities may could be seen as an honorable case for him, I have my suspicions regarding his true role in the insurrection, as well as his captain’s dealings with these aliens. Dallas has informed me that he has requested to accompany our investigation of the Cicada, no doubt either to doctor the evidence in his favour or to collect some items of value left aboard the vessel. If it wasn’t for the fact that my boarding team was negligent in reporting their findings to me, I would have had him detained immediately. I will have Fek take actions to remedy that oversight immediately. As a known insurrectionist, and accomplice to criminal activity, that man should be considered dangerous, and I will not have him free to conduct his business on this or any other vessel until we uncover the truth of his role in the fate of the Iron Cicada.

Preparations are underway to board the Cicada itself. This time, however, I will be leading the mission myself. Our supply of voidsuits are unfortunately limited to the personal equipment of certain officers, such as Yasha, Fek and Myself. Deacon, who I have been told does not require a voidsuit to survive in a vacuum,will assumedly be coming along as well. I will see about bringing any of our Mechanicus Explorators on staff that are capable of withstanding vacuum pressures, as their assistance would be beneficial in salvaging components for repairs.

While the quantity of my guardsmen has fallen as a result of our long voyage to get here, there has been a noticeable rise in their effectiveness. In our final chaos incursion, they succeeded in dealing with the Daemons with surprisingly few casualties. These, while more immediately terrifying were not nearly as difficult to kill. I will attribute it to Fek’s organizational abilities, and my own inspiring leadership.

Ser Gideon’s nerves seem to have failed him in that battle, causing him to quit the field. I cannot bring myself to blame him for this, as I was on the verge of fleeing at the sight of them, myself. This voyage may have been more grating on his nerves than we could have thought. Considering the degree of his skill in battle, we may have overestimated the degree of experience he truly has in real combat. This is likely a step back for him on his quest to prove himself as a knight, though I should hope that he will learn to overcome it as I have with my own fears.