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[The Hive Mind]

CONSTRUCTION

611-625 M.36

The Age of Apostasy is at an end, the forge world of Tidranicus Prime begins an ambitious plan to commission fifteen new vessels to supply the battlefleets of Segmentum Obscurus, and replace losses incurred in the wars. Head tech-priest and planetary governor, Autarn Granic, directly oversees the construction of the first two vessels, a process which takes eleven years, and is conducted at an orbital shipyard above the planet’s atmosphere. A third vessel a specially designed Lathe class vessel, intended to be part of the first squadron, is delayed because of a lack of raw materials. This vessel, the Forward unto Dawn, is only a basic frame before rebellion flares up on the Forge World below.

630 M.36

Work on the Forward unto Dawn is completely halted after the government of Granic is overthrown. Led by a cadre of revolutionary tech-priests, workers dissatisfied with the escalating number of deaths from lack of proper nourishment rebels place Granic on trial. Thousands of loyalist troops and tech-priests are put to death, and the universal support of the planet’s astropaths for the rebellion prevents word reaching the sector governor. The shipyards in orbit remain loyal to Granic and dispatch a transport to summon the Imperial Guard. A warp storm, later thought to have been somehow linked to the rebellion, disrupts the Geller Fields of the transport, and the vessel is never seen again.

Tidranicus Prime’s relative isolation in the sector, combined with pressing concerns elsewhere means that contact with Imperial administration is lost.

677 M.36

The tithe ship, Watch of Barradon, investigates the space of Tidranicus Prime, discovering that the ship yards in orbit are completely abandoned. No trace of the personnel is to be found, and the skeletal hulk of the Forward unto Dawn remains untended. The crew of the Barradon send a shuttle to the surface of the planet to investigate and are at first warmly greeted by the new governor. Although the tithe vessel is slowly filled with the required resources, the crew of the Barradon become concerned with what they feel are unusual patterns of life upon the planet. The government, and a small but influential portion of the population, appear to have neglected the rotes of the Machine Cult, and many of the core-deep factories and mines seem to have fallen into disrepair. Although many of the population express great happiness at what has become a care-free existence, no longer governed by ceaseless toil below the surface, the Barradon’s crew are approached by numerous fearful citizens who claim that the government are systematically silencing all resistance to what they term the Rapture Crusade.

Prior to the Tithe ship’s departure, the administration of Tidranicus Prime attempt to seize the command staff of Barradon. Although the captain and first mate are slain, most of the officers escape in a Guncutter, boarding the Barradon and escaping the system.

678 M.36

Vessels from the Sector Battlefleet arrive and demand the immediate surrender of the planetary government, which refuses. The demand is deemed a grave mistake, as the vessels lack the capacity to depose the government, instead returning to their Fortress World to consult High Command for a proper course of action.

684 M.36

Delayed by a system wide plague in the Sector Core, an invasion fleet is not mustered for years, finally arriving to the Tidranicus Prime almost too late. Planetary government, having established a firm power base over their own dissenters, uses the time between the battlefleet's arrivals to prepare their defences for a prolonged campaign. A planetary invasion is launched by five regiments of the Imperial Guard, however, having vastly underestimated the capabilities of the rebels, all but one beachhead is overrun in the matter of a week. The Imperial Guard, having suffered enormous losses, withdraws from the planet. A blockade of the system is begun.

Fleet command restores power to the Shipyard in orbit and uses it to act as a forward monitor of the rebels. Officers and staff stationed on the shipyard report that the vast structure is deeply unsettling. Although no life is detected on the docks, or on the frame of the Forward unto Dawn, those stationed here cannot discount the feeling that the cavernous halls echo with activity not of their own. The section holding the Forward unto Dawn is avoided after numerous staff report hearing the hull resound with clanging, almost as if under construction.

688 M.36

Redeployment of much of the blockade fleet is required in order to counter Ork incursions in a nearby Sector. Damage sustained to ships involved in this relief requires extensive repairs.

The docks above Tidranicus Prime are crewed by a skeleton staff to keep watch on the rebellion.

703 M.36

The core warships of the Sector Battlefleet arrive transporting nineteen regiments of the Imperial Guard. A heavy bombardment of the planet by the Battleships Spite of Saint Vire and Fury, and the Battlecruiser Ingressus, devastates many of Tidranicus Prime’s planetary defences. Eight divisions are embarked onto the planet in the largest recorded military landing in the last 1,700 years of Sector history. Although the invaders are met with fierce resistance from planetary militia, tanks, and Murder-Servitors, a solid beachhead is established and fresh divisions are fed into the growing apocalypse.

The invasion stalls after two months of rapid advances, necessitating the opening up of a secondary offensive by the remaining four divisions still waiting in orbit. Lightning advances by this smaller army, supported by hundreds of bomber craft from the fleet cause enormous casualties in the rebel army. Civilian casualties are also inordinately high, as fleet command are forced on numerous occasions to bombard the planet’s surface to pave the way for armoured thrusts.

704-5 M.36

With much of the Forge World’s central areas in ruins from the war, the government is no longer capable of manufacturing machineries of war to resist the Imperium. Imperial Guard casualties are so high that new campaigns are stalled until reinforcements arrive, although rebel and civilian casualties are estimated at exceeding twenty million. In order to protect the valuable resources of the planet, as well as the mysteries of technology, the fleet is directed to cease any further planetary bombardments. Admiral Lerond expresses his displeasure at this directive. Civilians surrender or seek refuge with the Guard in the tens of thousands, eventually creating a logistical nightmare for the invaders.

The rebel government recalls all battle worthy troops to defend the capital, and refuses any offer to negotiate their surrender. The Guard establish a perimeter around the capital and lay siege.

706 M.36

The year opens with a shattering offensive by three divisions of the Imperial Guard. Rebel troops fight with suicidal determination, but are swept aside by the terrifying power of the Imperial War machine. A veritable slaughter in the central city begins, with death becoming almost indiscriminate. As the Guard close in on the tech-priest’s palace a terrible truth is uncovered. Gardens heaped with the dead – civilians and captured Guardsmen – tortured and sacrificed, and adorned with strange and bloody sigils, are discovered everywhere. Tech-priests cavort openly with the lifeless forms, almost oblivious to the soldiers about them. Fear grips the warriors of the Imperium as stories of unnatural things lurking in the grottoes begin to circulate. High Command responds to the sudden crises with panic.

The horrid taint of the Ruinous Powers is unmistakable, and fleet command makes the controversial decision to withdraw all troops from the surface. The civilian population is left behind, and the entire planet is firebombed with every warhead remaining. Three billion people are estimated to have perished by the end of the Tidranicus War. Battlefleet Command is court-martialled and removed for having shown excessive zeal; the lack of solid evidence of daemonic infestation can not possibly justify the loss of the planet’s factories and technology. The Machine Cult of Mars expresses their extreme discontent and successfully petitions to save the shipyards from destruction, and have Admiral Lerond executed.

In the aftermath of the war, the system blockade is retained. Although the fires from the bombardment last for three months, it is later discovered by naval staff that the destruction of the planet’s infrastructure and population was far from complete. Reconstruction begins on a scale which dwarfs the invasion itself.

358 M.37

Tidranicus Prime, having returned to a sufficient level of resource extraction and manufacture once again becomes a major hub of industry.

Abandoned for centuries, work on the construction of the Forward unto Dawn is recommenced. Planet and Sector authorities deem that the Invictus is a lasting symbol of the planet’s - and the Imperium’s - resilience. As soon as construction on the vessel begins anew, the otherworldly echoes of activity around the ship’s frame appear to cease.

381 M.37

The Forward unto Dawn, now fully constructed, is launched from the dock. The first two vessels of its squadron are now part of another Sector Battlefleet, so the Forward unto Dawn is re-assigned, and begins its career as a heavily-armed naval escort vessel.

[The Hive Mind]

390 M.37

The Forward unto Dawn sees its first action in battle. Imposing a blockade upon a plague infected system, the light cruiser is one of a score of other escort vessels given instructions to patrol for ships attempting to break the blockade.

Unregistered vessels run the cordon and attempt to ferry citizens off one of the quarantined worlds. The Forward unto Dawn and the sister vessels in its squadron give chase and open fire upon the ships. Not wishing to risk the spread of plague to other sectors, the escort patrol does not cease fire until their quarry is obliterated. Command on the Forward unto Dawn deems this a necessary but inglorious beginning to its military career. Within months, after the plague is discovered to have been non-lethal, the blockade is lifted.

407-580 M.37

Lawlessness, unregistered vessels, and a general rise in piracy in the neighbouring sector of Madia sees three squadrons permanently transferred to Battlefleet Madia. The Forward unto Dawn forms part of Inferno Squadron and is subsequently transferred, along with the frigates Kerreptus and Precision.

During this period, the Forward unto Dawn sees much action patrolling the less-inhabited regions of the sector. Fighting in a score of minor engagements, the Forward unto Dawn acquits herself with honour, notably assisting in the apprehension of the pirate frigate Conviction.

During this period, the first recorded mention of the family name Sarust is noted, in the person of Communications Officer August Sarust. It is unknown whether this has any direct connection to the Sarust Clan.

633 M.37

Service records indicate that Inferno Squadron carries on with routine patrols of old pirate haunts in Sector Madia, having no occasion to ever fire their weapons in anything more than training manoeuvres since the sixth century of the millennium.

The first concrete archival reference to the Sarust Clan is dated to this year. Purporting to be the oldest void family on board the Forward unto Dawn, they receive mention in the captain’s log in a routine entry concerning various clans forming amongst the crew. Other clans mentioned in the entry can no longer be directly traced to families or groups still existing in the 41st millennium.

642 M.37

A stellar based mining vessel reports the emergence of the Space Hulk Unbidden from the Warp near the gas giant Kortro-Selet III. Inferno squadron’s relative proximity to the system sees their frigates as the first group to arrive to investigate. Squadron Command decides to investigate the Unbidden, in case the lifeless conglomeration of void-ships slips back into Warp Space before troops arrive.

Officers and crew from all ships of Inferno squadron form boarding parties to explore the vast hulk, whose length exceeds twenty kilometres. Much of Unbidden is barely navigable or traversable, corridors crash into corridors from various wrecks, and life support systems function nowhere but within the impenetrable depths of the hulk. The crew report a sense of foreboding, and an unreality to many of the twisting structures they investigate. Contact is lost with the boarding parties for nearly an hour, before scattered bands return to their frigates. Medical reports indicate that those who returned are of unsound mind – some complain of constant whispering in their mind, others see ant-like processions of men crawling all over the Unbidden.

The decision is made to await further ships from the fleet before proceeding with investigations. Over one hundred crewmen are missing on board the hulk.

Preliminary data retrieved by the survivors of the first boarding parties indicates that many of the wrecks which make up the Unbidden date from before the time of the Imperium, some even date as far back as the Dark Age of Technology. Archival sources hint that the last known sighting of the hulk was in Segmentum Pacificus, over fifteen centuries ago. Unbidden is deemed of extreme value to the Imperium, and Inferno squadron waits with nervous determination for reinforcements.

Three days into the watch, systems suddenly start to come online all over the hulk. Lights pierce the darkened frame, and rusted cables lazily extend to the frigates. The frigate Kerreptus is momentarily ensnared in one of Unbidden’s metallic tendrils and is slowly dragged towards the vast bulk. The Forward unto Dawn and Precision open fire on the hulk, attempting to free Kerreptus from the snare. Kerreptus takes some damage from the barrage but manages to draw free, accelerating sufficiently beyond the reach of Unbidden.

Weapon systems upon the various vessels which make up Unbidden begin to come online, and millennia old batteries ponderously open fire. Inferno squadron returns fire, and the frigates use their speed to evade many of the deadliest avenues of the hulk’s vastly superior firepower. Salvoes from The Forward unto Dawn, Kerreptus, and Precision barely manage to scratch the surface of Unbidden. Although the barrages of the hulk appear uncoordinated, the growing intensity of its firepower forces Inferno squadron to withdraw.

One day later, Unbidden drifts towards the orbital mining platform above Kortro-Selet III and begins to ensnare any small vessel and tower its tendrils can reach. Inferno squadron returns to engage Unbidden and, at great risk to their own safety, the frigates attempt to buy time for the miners to escape in their own ships. Survivors of the boarding parties report that they can hear the whispering of the hundred lost crew, as if wailing in agony in the lightless depths of the Unbidden.

In a three hour battle, The Forward unto Dawn takes heavy damage, losing power to its Titan-Forge Lance Battery. Kerreptus is finally crippled and, rather than be drawn into the orbit of the gas giant, the commander orders the frigate to ram the Unbidden. An immense explosion tears across the surface of the hulk, seemingly stalling the systems on board Unbidden long enough for the remaining squadron and mining vessels to escape.

When a dozen vessels of Battlefleet Madia arrive two weeks later, no trace of Unbidden is found in the entire system. As mysteriously as it arrived, the nightmare wreck had vanished into the Immaterium.

644 M.37

With repairs on the Forward unto Dawn complete, the light cruiser rejoins other escort vessels on patrol duties.

[The Hive Mind]

OBSCURITY

650-70 M.37

After persistent investigation of Sector space, and the cooperation of the Inquisition, naval intelligence concludes that no trace of the Unbidden is detectable within Sector Madia. Although vessels assigned to the search are re-assigned, it is decided that Precision and The Forward unto Dawn should be properly quarantined and investigated by the Ordo Malleus for any possible taint. Both ships remain in dry-docks above the planet Etrus, studied in detail by the Inquisition, as well as the Adeptus Mechanicus.

Although no taint of the Warp is found to conclusively reside in either vessel, Inquisitor Lor Maccharius notes that the Forward unto Dawn is rife with reports from the longest serving crew members that she is haunted. Crew members report having seen shadowy figures in corridors, or having heard sounds of work where nothing was to be seen. Maccharius deems the tales concerning enough to order extensive tests to be conducted on the vessel. Naval High Command, eager to please the Inquisition, is compliant to all of Maccharius’s demands.

671-703 M.37

Maccharius takes the Forward unto Dawn on an extensive series of long-range Warp Drive tests. At one point, the Forward unto Dawn spends five months travelling through the Warp without once dropping into Material space. The stress levels and morale of the crew are pushed to extreme limits, although the iron-will of the Inquisitor manages to hold everyone together. No incident of Geller Field failure or unacceptable fluctuation is recorded.

The Inquisitor then uses the vessel almost as a personal transport for the business of the Ordo Malleus, travelling to regions in the Sector he deems worthy of investigation. The crew are privy to very little of what Maccharius and his staff achieve and, after 32 years, they are relieved to see the Inquisitor end his trials.

The Forward unto Dawn is deemed free of any taint of the Ruinous Powers, although the Inquisitor is rumoured to have kept extensive notes regarding the possible haunting of the vessel to himself.

705-987 M.37

Despite the excellent service the The Forward unto Dawn gave to the Ordo Malleus, Naval High Command is reluctant to redeploy the ship to regular patrols. The crew of the vessel are disheartened when they are told the ship will be assigned to accompany tribute vessels on journeys to Segmentum Solar.


988 M.37

After numerous long journeys between Sector Madia and the interior systems of Segmentum Solar, the Forward unto Dawn is discovered to have been mistakenly de-registered from Battlefleet records. As a formality, the Forward unto Dawn is impounded under heavy-security, pending verification from the Segmentum Obscurus Lord-High Admiral that the vessel is legally an Imperial Navy vessel. A request is despatched to planetary administration to begin the necessary paper-work.

996 M.37

After having been misplaced, the initial request is acted upon, and sent for verification to Segmentum Obscurus Battlefleet Command. In order to cut costs and more effectively use manpower, seventy percent of the Forward unto Dawn's crew are transferred to other vessels. Only those crew members holding a rank higher than Midshipman, or having been born upon the vessel are permitted to remain on board.

997 M.37 – 104 M.38

Word finally reaches the Forward unto Dawn that a clerical error was made in 984 M.37 which accidentally de-registered the vessel from Navy records. Numerous bureaucratic hurdles, combined with errors and the general lethargy of many planetary administrations meant that final reversal of this error took an inordinately long period of time.

The Forward unto Dawn is refitted and staffed with a largely new crew. However, many of the crew who were permitted to remain have now formed distinct and powerful clans and interest groups. The most influential of these outside of Bridge staff are the Sarust Clan, a group of labourers who toil in the lower decks. Sarust members all claim to be related to one another. Smaller gangs form in the crew, and successfully begin to extort new crew who join the ship.

125 M.38

The Forward unto Dawns returns to Sector Madia, and is re-assigned to patrol duties. The end of a small war in a neighbouring sector sees an overflow of piracy in Madia space. The Forward unto Dawn sees some small-scale action hunting raiders almost immediately. However, the disturbance is short-lived, and patrols soon become uneventful

[The Hive Mind]

WAR

130-566 M.38

For reasons unknown, archives covering this period of the Forward unto Dawn's service are classified as restricted. Generational knowledge of the longest serving clans and families on board on vaguely hint at events which may have transpired in this period.

577 M.38

The Forward unto Dawn is recorded as being re-assigned to Escort Squadron CXXVIII. The squadron consists of four frigates – one firestorm and three swords and the mechanicus built lathe class light crusier forming the backbone – with squadron command being relegated to Knife’s Edge. Escort Squadron CXXVIII immediately assumes long range patrols covering the coreward region of Sector Madia.

614-17 M.38

The relative peace in the sector sees Escort Squadron CXXVIII transferred to Sector Erront - three months Warp space travel closer to the Eye of Terror. Squadron command takes the unwise decision to make the entire three month journey without dropping into Material space until the destination has been reached. Despite protests from the various frigate captains, the journey is attempted.

One month into the journey, crews report detecting strange signals on their scanners, reporting that other ships in the formation appear to be projecting Vox-echoes from three or four different positions. The Forward unto dawn, in particular, gives a very weak signal, though seems to be steadily outpacing the other frigates in the Warp currents.

Two months into the journey and mistaken readings are hourly occurrences. The crew of one frigate sends a strange relay to the Knife’s Edge, requesting navigational assistance. When Knife’s Edge obliges, the frigate denies ever having sent the request. Five hours later, the Knife’s Edge receives exactly the same request, only to discover the frigate has gone. Squadron command gives immediate orders to return to Material space.

Long range scanners fail to detect any sign of life, and it is apparent that Escort Squadron CXXVIII has emerged in an uncharted system. A spluttering sun gives a dim and lifeless glow across barren and cold planets. No sign of the missing frigate Decisive is detected. Squadron vessels are sent on long-range missions through the Void to discern the location of the system.

The ship’s navigators collude and determine that the squadron is roughly three weeks off course. After two months of searching, and with supplies beginning to run low, the Decisive is written off as lost. When the squadron eventually reaches their target, they discover that the two months journey in the Warp took more than two years in Material time. Morale on all vessels suffers as a result of the voyage.

618 M.38

Escort Squadron CXXVIII arrives in Sector Erront to discover the sector in the grips of a civil war. The Forward unto Dawn begins its involvement in the thirty year Erront Conflict (begun in 615 M.38).

619-625 M.38

The Great Reversals. Governor Teleb Tharden, having declared his independence from the Imperium (but conversely pledging his undying loyalty to the Emperor), and having been joined by a quarter of the Sector’s planets, opens up a lightning offensive on numerous worlds. His aim is to strike at the major Forge Worlds and shipyards of the Sector, and thus eliminate his opponent’s capacity to repair damage to their fleets. Although Tharden’s rebels lack the numerical superiority of those loyal to the Imperium in the Sector, he has many important advantages. His control of the Sector Capital, as well as half of the Imperial Guard regiments gives him an important resource edge. Although his fleets are small, he has the support of the fearsome Emperor Class Battleship named Domination of Spirit, as well as many commanders used to hit and run warfare.

Persistent raids across loyalist space takes a crippling toll on merchant shipping, and an early engagement with the Domination of Spirit sees three Lunar class cruisers damaged so badly that they are pulled from the system for major repairs.

Tharden’s stratagem works with frightening efficiency. Always retaining the initiative, Tharden’s rebels conquer five worlds in the Sector core and almost completely dislodge loyalists from the crucial Forge World of Kagra-Majoris.

626-635 M.38

The Kagra-Majoris Campaign. The Imperium reluctantly intervenes in the civil war, citing Governor Tharden’s record as a loyal servant of the Emperor, and a distinguished record as a general, as reason enough to be cautious in damning him. However, extra vessels and Guardsmen are assigned from neighbouring sectors, and a desperate bid to supply and retake Kagra-Majoris is begun.

The Forward unto Dawn, and the rest of Escort Squadron CXXVIII join what becomes known as the Storm Run. Owing to fluctuations in Warp storms in the system, the Imperium is able to risk running the gauntlet of Tharden’s fleet about once or twice a week. Escort Squadron CXXVIII is one of many squadrons which escort troop and supply vessels through gaps in the Warp storms, and then through the predations of Tharden’s ships. Every attempt at the Storm Run sees frequent small engagements with attack craft and fast escort vessels. A trail of ruined ships is soon to be found throughout the system.

Loyalist troops on Kagra-Majoris hold on desperately against determined attacks and nightmare bombardments. Nightly, casualties on both sides number in the hundreds. Loyalist battleships are sometimes able to bombard Tharden’s armies before withdrawing from the approach of Domination of Spirit and its support cruisers.

Slowly, and while men die in the thousands, the Storm Run re-supplies Imperial forces on Kagra-Majoris to a level where they are able to launch a counter-offensive. Simultaneously, on a raid in another system, Tharden’s fleet loses the Dictator cruiser Prosecution. Unwilling to risk his fleet any further, Tharden withdraws his warships to the Sector Capital, to refit and repair. Imperial loyalists use the opportunity to land further divisions upon Kagra-Majoris and retake the planet. Over a million lives are lost in the campaign, although High Command deems this a necessary price to pay.

636 M.38

The Tide Turns. The loss of Kagra-Majoris deals a terrible blow to the reputation of Governor Tharden. Inadequately informed by his commanders, Tharden is unable to grasp how such a reversal could have come to pass. Panicked and sensing his tacit support from other Sector Governors may be waning, Tharden goes on the defensive, never again seizing the tactical initiative. Domination of Spirit is held in reserve at the Sector Capital for the rest of the conflict.

637-644 M.38

The Imperium, reinforced and now heavily supplied launches a series of devastating offensives against Tharden’s planets. Ignoring the conquest of all his worlds, they simply by-pass the most heavily defended and begin to planet-hop to the capital. Tharden’s rebels vainly try to re-supply their beleaguered divisions although, without the Domination of Spirit in active service, they steadily lose the edge in the struggle for naval superiority.

Escort Squadron CXXVIII performs with merit at the Battle of Outpost Rell-V. A score of Imperial vessels are met with a desperate defence by a dozen rebel ships, including the Battlecruiser Exterminatus. The battle near the monitoring post lasts for eighteen hours, as ships manoeuvre through a nearby asteroid field, and hundreds of fighter and bomber craft duel in the Void. The Forward unto Dawn is nearly eliminated when it is caught in the path of seven torpedoes, although the light cruisers timely shift to within the asteroid field itself protects it from destruction. Vanishing from all ship’s detection systems, the Forward unto Dawn patiently manoeuvres through the field to a position at the flank of the enemy cruisers. The Forward unto Dawn emerges from hiding and fires its Mars Pattern Macro Batteries at close range upon the Dictator class cruiser Yalust Guardian. Overloading the shields of the cruiser, the Forward unto Dawn's salvo coincides with a wave of torpedoes from the main fleet which tear through Yalust Guardian. The ancient cruiser lists and finds itself in an inexorable spin into the asteroid field. The cruiser impacts with numerous larger asteroids, and the mighty vessel is torn to pieces.

The Battle of Outpost Rell-V ends shortly thereafter when the remaining rebel ships limp away. The captain of the Forward unto Dawn is decorated highly, commended for having swung the course of the engagement and contributed to the effective end of Tharden’s fleet as a serious threat. The battle is considered the Forward unto Dawns finest hour, and “Outpost Day” is still celebrated by her modern crew, though few are aware of the full details of the story.

By the end of the year, the invasion of Tharden’s stronghold is ready.

645 M.38

War’s End. Domination of Spirit and the last few ships deemed battle worthy are launched on a final mission to disrupt the growing Imperial armada on the system’s outskirts. A truly awe-inspiring vessel, constructed over 5,000 years ago, the Domination of Spirit prepares for its final engagement. Imperial vessels, aware of the ship’s illustrious history, as well as the terror it caused in the early years of the war, go to meet it in battle with both veneration and unease. Although the Forward unto Dawn is present at the battle, it is assigned to assist other frigates in the protection of transport vessels from bomber wings launched from the battleship.

Domination of Spirit fights valiantly against hundreds of bombers, watching in vain as its own interception craft are torn to pieces. Constant waves of torpedoes and batteries tear into the battleship as numerous fires alight in her interior. The crew die in droves, though they fight with a determination which is later used to defend the innocence of Tharden’s cause. Domination of Spirit finally manoeuvres herself into the very midst of the Imperial fleet, attempting to reach the enemy transports and inflict as much harm as possible. However, damage to the vessel becomes overwhelming and the plasma reactors begin to overload. Battlefleet Erront withdraws to beyond the Domination’s blast radius, firing off a volley to salute the ancient battleship. Moments later, an immense explosion sunders the vessel, ripping her into shreds.

One week later, citing his desire to protect the civilian population from extermination, Tharden negotiates his surrender. Most probably offered the chance by a Guard Commissar, Tharden takes his own life. His reasons for inciting rebellion against the Imperium are never made clear.

[The Hive Mind]

INTO THE CALYX EXPANSE

657-8 M.38

The Decisive emerges from Warp Space, her crew barely aware that they had been travelling so long, or had been given up as lost. The crew of the frigate describe being lost amongst a series of uninhabited systems, constantly re-entering the Immaterium in an effort to find their bearings. Eventually, and almost without any serious incident, the Decisive arrives in the Erront Sector.

As a matter of course, the navy conducts a routine investigation. Nothing suspicious is uncovered about the Decisive, but the whole affair attracts the attention of the Inquisition which, in turn, becomes once more interested in the Forward unto Dawn. Inquisitor Kright-Hervene conducts an extensive series of investigations of the ship’s crew, systems, and decks. Although he can find no conclusive fault in the vessel, he recommends the Forward unto Dawn be de-commissioned from service. As he does not make this anything more than an informal recommendation, and as losses in the recent war have put a strain on ships in active duty, High Command retain the Forward unto Dawn in service. However, they deem it inadvisable to have the light cruiser operate on long voyages and, thus, relegate it to escort duties in the Prost Mining system.

658-987 M.38

The Forward unto Dawn begins an inglorious career of protecting mining vessels on their journeys between the moons of the Prost system, and the Forge World located therein. No combat encounters of note are recorded in the entire three centuries.

988 M.38

For reasons no longer surviving in the archives, the Forward unto Dawn makes its first journey into the Immaterium for centuries. Records indicate that all systems on the ship remain optimal, and that the vessel has an unerring ease of passage through the currents of the Warp.

989 M.38 – 202 M.39

The Forward unto Dawn is recalled to patrol duties, this time assigned to deep-void patrols in regions otherwise designated as lacking any potential to support life. Patrolling the dark regions between official sector space, the Forward unto Dawn and her assigned frigates find little of note except barren and lifeless worlds, or systems whose ancient suns stand alone.

Throughout this period, the Forward unto Dawn is referenced numerous times as having taken part in multiple small-scale battles with pirates, forgotten xenos, and an occasional Ork incursion. Reports indicate that the Forward unto Dawn still retains the excellence in combat for which she was constructed, although she is often noted as lacking endurance for engagements with vessels of a higher class than frigate.

Eventually, the Forward unto Dawn is recalled for refitting and repair, having suffered significant damage in a battle with a now nameless and extinct xenos species.

210-319 M.39

The Forward unto Dawn resumes a diverse series of duties, from long-range patrols, to inter-system escort duties. Her crew is reported to have taken part in a number of small and inconsequential naval strikes through this period. Records indicate that the Forward unto Dawn is rated as above average for incidents of minor sedition and insubordination. Persistent rumours about black holds aboard the vessel, as well as the low quality of the frigate’s life support systems are cited as major causes of discontent.

320 M.39

Vessels from Battlefleet Erront are permanently assigned to the growing Angevin Crusade, originating from Segmentum Solar, and travelling to the Calyx Expanse. One of a dozen ships from Battlefleet Erront to be re-assigned, the Forward unto Dawn once again prepares for war.

[The Hive Mind]

THE RISE OF THE ATREIDES DYNASTY

322-384 M.39

The Angevin Crusade, originating in Segmentum Solar, sets out to bring the Calyx Expanse into the fold of the Imperium. Peopled by forgotten human empires, and mysterious alien beings, the Calyx Expanse presents the Imperium with an opportunity to continue the mission of the God Emperor. Numerous noble families join the crusade, providing a gargantuan army of nearly twenty million soldiers, battlefleets from Obscurus and Solar, as well as detachments of the Astartes, and some Rogue Traders.

Charun Atreides is but one of the nobles who joins the crusade, contributing numerous vessels and twenty thousand private soldiers. Little is known of Charun’s origins, except that he founded the Atreides Dynasty after splitting with his own family. Charun named the Atreides after the planet of his origin, somewhere deep within Segmentum Solar. Sources disagree over whether Charun was a disaffected son seeking his fortune in the stars, or whether he was a great crusader who gave up his position as a planetary governor for the furtherance of the Imperium. Charun specifically forbad the cataloguing of Dynastic pre-history, always insisting that the family began with him.

The Angevin Crusade opens with spectacular success; the enormous fleets and armies take world after world. Human empires are either brought into the beauty of the Emperor’s Light, or cast down and purged for heresy. Numerous xenos civilisations are swept aside, and many are eradicated.

Although great reversals of fortune undo many of the early conquests, the arrival of General Drusus (later canonised), sees the entirety of the Calyx Expanse brought into the governance of the Imperium. The Warp-worshipping xenos - the Yu-Vath - are cast into the Halo Stars, and never seen again.

Charun Atreides - for services deemed worthy of a great servant of the Imperium - is granted a Warrant of Trade by Saint Drusus himself, just prior to the creation of the Drusus Marches.

In the last ten years of the Crusade, Charun’s own ship is almost destroyed by the heretical followers of Lord Ulteen Krath. Just as Charun was giving orders to abandon his vessel – the Mandragora’s Wake – a patrol of battered frigates and a single light cruiser from Battlefleet Obscurus arrived. A well-timed battery from the guns of the Forward unto Dawn tore Krath’s destroyer, Scion of the Warp, almost in half. Mindful that his life (and future Dynasty) had been saved by the Forward unto Dawn, he pledged in the Emperor’s name to return the favour should destiny empower him to do so.

385-652 M.39

Charun Atreides establishes the Dynasty on the planet of Malfi, the political contender to the Sector capital, Scintilla. Having lost most of his army in the Crusade, Charun is nonetheless possessed of a great wealth and enormous influence. Very quickly, the Atreides family name becomes one of the most famous on Malfi.

Charun dies in 417 M.39, leaving behind him many legitimate heirs to his wealth. The Warrant of Trade, barely exploited by Charun, passes to whosoever is deemed to be the rightful head of the Dynasty. In theory, Dynastic heads are chosen on the basis of blood and ability. In practice, most Atreides Dynastic heads are selected from first born sons.

Dynastic archives often reference this period as The Consolidation. During this time, The Atreides exerted their influence aggressively, seeking to place members of their household, or those they favoured, into positions of power. The strategies work with stunning success, leading to numerous appointments in the local Adeptus Administratum, the Ecclesiarchy, and a number of planetary governors of growing settlements. Furthermore, the Atreides make fruitful efforts to expand their financial interests on Malfi and some neighbouring worlds. Although family members usually consider it beneath themselves to be completely aware of the extent of their fortunes, they are ably represented by a multitude of agents, only too capable of finding the right investments.

Meanwhile, the Forward unto Dawn is permanently assigned to Battlefleet Calixis, and operates extensively throughout the Drusus Marches.

703-788 M.39

With the ascension of Kelos Atreides to the position of Dynastic Head, a new wave of expansion is begun. Wishing to capitalise on the opportunities available with the Warrant of Trade, Kelos takes Mandragora’s Wake on extensive journeys into uncharted regions of Segmentum Obscurus. Little is known of his exact findings, or of every venture he attempted or established, though he returns with vast wealth. Due to the spiralling costs of running the Dynasty’s holdings in Calixis, however, there is little actual growth of Atreides influence in the sector. Kelos Atreides, grown jaded from the absolute power he enjoyed on the frontier, dies a weary and indolent man. The treasures he brought into the family have a detrimental effect on his heirs, and an era of over-indulgence begins.

789 M.39 - 12 M.40

A succession of weak and disinterested family heads squanders some of the influence of the Atreides. Assassination and division becomes a tool used by those vying for authority within the Dynasty. Although the House retains great influence on Malfi, and throughout the surrounding systems, the Atreides lose some of their edge and allow lesser merchant houses to take advantage of them.

The Forward unto Dawn continues to patrol the extent of the Calixis Sector, fighting some minor engagements with pirates seeking to take advantage of the increased attempts to penetrate the Halo Stars. Rumours of vast wealth lurking within the unreachable Koronus Expanse lures unscrupulous and unwise privateers by the hundred. Very few are seen again or have any real success. The Forward unto Dawn is one of the ships tasked with policing the regions of the Drusus Marches through which many opportunists travel.

[The Hive Mind]

FAITH; THE REBIRTH OF THE FORWARD UNTO DAWN

13-29 M.40

Autarn Atreides ascends to dominance within the family. Adopted into the Dynasty, Autarn proved himself reliable and capable in service to the Household. Reluctantly accepting his adoption, Autarn professed regret that he had risen so high, believing that greater power would only make his vices flourish. The temptation of absolute authority proves too much for Autarn, who uses bribery and assassination to install himself as Dynastic head. Almost overnight, Autarn changes from a serious and efficient servant to a cruel, jealous, and corrupt tyrant.

Murder becomes commonplace within the Dynasty. Numerous legitimate heirs are imprisoned on the remotest of charges. Many more simply vanish. The Atreides family becomes heavily involved in Malfian politics, aggressively displacing its rivals, while indulging every private whim. The hedonism and perversion of Autarn grows to legendary proportions. Autarn writes the book My Recollections, based upon every perversion he explored and, although possession of this volume is decreed by the Inquisition as punishable with death, numerous copies become collector’s items.

30-38 M.40

Bored and desirous of new sources of wealth, Autarn choses to use the Dynastic resources to fund a concerted effort to find a navigable path through the Halo Stars and into the Koronus Expanse. Lured by stories of untold wealth, Autarn becomes completely consumed with the exploration of the Drusus Marches. Like numerous Rogue Traders before him, Autarn plunges again and again into the maelstrom of the Halo Stars. Each time he risks the lives of his crew and the safety of his vessel. Fatalities are frequent, and the strain upon Atreides resources is great.

Attempting no less than seventeen voyages into the Halo Stars, Autarn succeeds at nothing; at one point his vessel flounders in a savage Warp Storm for 87 days, the ship almost torn asunder, and the crew half mad with terror. Under threat of mutiny, Autarn turns back for Malfi. Almost as soon as he has returned, Autarn claims that he has had insight into a way through to the Expanse. Taking the Mandragora’s Wake into the Void Dancer’s Roil, Autarn, the ship, and the crew are never seen again.

39-107 M.40

The uncertainty of Autarn’s fate sends the Atreides Dynasty into confusion. Numerous factions vie for complete authority, though most are too timid to claim it, in case Autarn returns. Vast wealth is spent on private wars between claimants, and many of the family’s holdings are lost.

When Autarn is declared legally deceased (through virtue of his extended absence), a vicious war almost destroys the family altogether. Through the confusion, Calligos Atreides seizes control by virtue of his magnetic appeal. Deeply religious, Calligos inspires a virtual army of faithful to support his claim to supremacy. Swiftly, and with unflinching zeal, Calligos liquidates his opposition. Those he deems as hedonists are turned over to the Inquisition, though in many cases there is no real evidence of heresy.

108-121 M.40

Calligos consolidates the Atreides holdings and strikes mercilessly at rival families which he suspects hold blasphemous views. With the backing of the Inquisition, the Atreides Dynasty is able to repair a great deal of damage suffered in the last hundred years.

122 M.40

While responding to a distress call from the Lunar-Class Cruiser Adulation, the Forward unto Dawn and half a dozen frigates and destroyers find themselves in a pitched battle. From the darkest reaches of the Immaterium, hideous battle barges have emerged to strike at whatever vessels they may find. Unholy Reavers and servants of the Dark Gods, travelling in ancient ships of Imperial design; black hulls carven and twisted into blasphemous visages, ships bearing names which had not been seen since the Horus Heresy, unleash devastating firepower.

The Imperial escorts are savaged – torpedoes tear apart one Cobra-Class Destroyer almost the instant it arrives. The Adulation, struck grievously in her engines, is barely able to turn and bring its superior firepower to bear upon the heretic’s fleet. The captain of the Forward unto Dawn, now promoted to squadron command, gives orders to flank the foe and draw them into the firing line of the Adulation. With minds resolved to sell their lives dearly, the crew of the Forward unto Dawn and her squadron charge for one last battle.

Macro Batteries, Titan-Forge Lances, and torpedoes arc through the Void. Shields overload in almost every quarter, and hulls buckle under fiery salvoes. The Chaos fleet seems infuriated with the bold and suicidal offensive of the Imperials, and they counter-charge into the trap. The Adulation opens fire with a full broadside, smiting the Infidel-Class Raider Desolation. Yet the damage suffered by the Imperial escorts is serious, and few are able to make a second pass to keep the heretics in the firing arc of Adulation.

Captain Davian, of the Forward unto Dawn, gives the other escorts orders to protect Adulation from torpedoes and other ordnance, while the Forward unto Dawn makes a solitary run against the enemy raiders. Routing as much power as possible to her shields, the Forward unto Dawn's sole aim is to survive long enough to keep the raiders in place. Batteries pound into her, crashing through the decks and shattering the hull in dozens of places. Fires blaze within the ship, and Davian takes the terrible necessity of venting the flames into the Void, scattering crewmen by the hundred, just to preserve the vessel for minutes longer.

A maelstrom of death is unleashed upon the Forward unto Dawn, who is barely able to avoid most of the barrages. The bridge is struck and Davian and all the senior officers perish. The Forward unto Dawn comes to a halt, her engines dead, and systems failing in almost all sections. Yet, her sacrifice was not in vain, and the batteries of the Adulation take retribution for the the ships sacrifice, shattering the Raider Triumph of Sin. The other raiders, shocked by the sacrificial bravery of their foes, and stunned at their own losses, flee into the darkness of the Void.

Casualties on board the Forward unto Dawn are calculated at nearly 60%. Her crew refuse to abandon the vessel, and the Adulation signals for the Forward unto Dawn to be towed back to the nearest major system to be scrapped.

123 M.40

The story of the battle against the Chaos Raiders becomes a major piece of news in the Rimward regions of Calixis. As fortune would have it, Calligos Atreides notices the name of the Forward unto Dawn as one of the casualties in the engagement. Remembering the sacred pledge of his ancestor Charun Atreides, Calligos negotiates with Battlefleet Obscurus to purchase the wreck of the mechanicus built Forward unto Dawn from them. The surviving crew of the Forward unto Dawn are also retained by Calligos.

125-222 M.40

Extensive repairs are begun upon the Forward unto Dawn. Numerous unsalvageable sections of the light cruiser are stripped bare to make way for new components. Certain sections of the vessel, particularly in the prow, are sealed off to be considered for expansion later. Befitting Calligos’s recognition of the Machine cult and this fine vessel the Crew reclamation facility is unsealed and powered up. The Adeptus Mechanicus having bequeathed this vessel to the imperium so long ago give Calligos there blessing, but some say there are jealous muttering from within the Adeptus Mechanicus. Better quarters for the officers and ratings are built to replace the narrow and cramped bunks the Navy made standard. The weapons are repaired, and much time is spent simply waiting for the necessary parts to arrive from various forge worlds.  

223-6 M.40

After almost a century of work, the Forward unto Dawn takes its maiden voyage as the flagship of the Atreides Dynasty. On this voyage – ferrying pilgrims to the far reaches of Segmentum Obscurus – Calligos Atreides passes away. He bequeaths to the ship his bolter Faith’s Reach, which is kept and tended to by the Ecclesiarchy in the ship’s chapel.

230-773 M.40

The Atreides resurge in power, almost regaining the influence they held under Charun Atreides. A succession of deeply religious heads of the family use the Forward unto Dawn primarily for taking missionaries and pilgrims to new colonies, to help advance the cause of Man, and spread the Light of the Emperor. Yet, despite the faith of these men and women of Atreides, the use of the Forward unto Dawn for religious purposes always seems to cast doubt on their cause. The Forward unto Dawn is found to have a disturbing affinity with the Warp, and rumours grow more insistent that dark secrets lurk within her. Stories of apparitions and disappearances upset the crew, and the Atreides do their best to deny that their flagship could be anything but a pure herald of the Divine.

[The Hive Mind]

NADIR

784-932 M.40

Preyd Atreides ascends to the position of Rogue Trader. A cunning and astute individual, Preyd is adopted as the Atreides heir and successfully acts the part of a devout missionary for decades. When finally ensconced in the position of Rogue Trader, Preyd makes no secret of his distaste for the Dynastic practice of transporting pilgrims through the Void. Arguing that a Rogue Trader’s true value to the Imperium is in expanding its borders, Preyd Atreides subsequently takes the Forward unto Dawn on far reaching expeditions, some taking decades in themselves.

Owing to a serious outbreak of plague aboard the Forward unto Dawn, Preyd begins to vent the terminally ill out of the airdocks. Plummeting morale forces the Rogue Trader to compromise, designating a sealed section of the prow as a region where dieing crew may travel, should they wish to try and let their bodies fight the inevitable. The tradition is never discontinued.

Preyd is forced to expend vast sums of money employing spies to keep watch upon his enemies while he is gone. The Atreides Dynasty once again becomes prone to division and plotting.

Despite prolonging his life through expensive rejuvenation treatments, Preyd Atreidesl dies from an unknown sickness contracted upon a Death World in a remote region of the Imperium. His epic journeys achieve very little except to break the centuries long tradition of the Atreides acting as defacto missionaries.

During this period, rumour has it that the Forward unto Dawn has a secret librarium installed deep within her interior. To add to this rumour numerous rare works are purchased at enormous cost, placing great strain upon the household’s resources. Rumours circulate that Preyd purchases a number of proscribed texts, including an original edition of My Recollections.

933 M.40 – 370 M.41

A series of short-lived Rogue Traders (some who abdicate from lack of confidence in their own abilities) steadily erode the fortunes of the Atreides. In an attempt to continue the great journeys of Preyd, many Rogue Traders track his voyages on the faintest suspicion of riches. Over time, it becomes apparent that much of what Preyd observed was an outright lie, invented to flatter his own ego or to solidify his political backing. Vast sums of money dissipate in voyages to barren systems. Duels with rival Rogue Traders become commonplace as up-and-coming families shadow the journeys of the once illustrious Atreides, hoping to steal their wealth.

Finally, under the command of Gabriel Atreides II, the Forward unto Dawn is forced to seek refuge in a lifeless system, in order to avoid a terrible Warp Storm. Cut off from the Astronomicon for months, the Forward unto Dawn's crew become sullen and mutinous. The day after giving orders to continue on a journey the crew believe is a lost cause, Gabriel Atreides II is found murdered. The Forward unto Dawn returns to Malfi, taking three years to reach its destination. No investigation of Gabriel’s death is ever undertaken, although it is common knowledge that a member of the Eternals committed the deed.

The next Dynastic head, Lor Atreides, decrees that the Dynasty can no longer continue to invest all of its dwindling profits in journeys so far afield. Although by now a stable route into the Koronus Expanse has been discovered (in 997 M.40), the Atreides believe that Rogue Traders who attempt to travel into the Halo Stars are infected with hubris and, thus, an early opportunity to explore the region is not undertaken.

380-700 M.41

A long and almost imperceptible decline begins. The Forward unto Dawn almost languishes in dry-docks, barely used for anything more important than raiding rivals or ferrying supplies. Eroding like a castle of sand in the wind, the holdings and influence of the Atreides Dynasty begin to vanish. No longer playing a direct part in Malfian politics, and with the descendants of planetary governors installed by the family largely ignoring them, the Atreides teeter on the brink of obscurity. Some family members change their names and pursue their own endeavours, while progressively more insipid and weak-willed Dynastic heads watch idly.

The crew of the Forward unto Dawn cement themselves into more distinct factions. The Sarust Clan has long since ceased to be referred as such, now being colloquially referred to as The Eternals. The first archival reference to The Lower Decks 63 Through 70 Clan - named after the sections of the ship they are frequently seen on – is recorded. Akin to automatons, these men and women mingle only with each other and learn their duties through pure rote. Officers gradually learn to leave them without supervision.

Numerous petty incidents of disobedience, as well as a number of extortion scandals infect the crew and the officers of the ancient frigate. Certain sections of the ship, particularly in the lower decks are avoided altogether by the crew. Ancient Black Holds are believed to exist on board the Forward unto Dawn.

700 - 709 M41

This period of the Atreides Dynasty is shrouded in mist and much of this small time has been deleted from all record. During this time a member of the house took power gathering all the ships he could and setting course for the Kronos expanse, Barbossa Atreides was his name. Purchasing a vast cruiser The Eternal Pretorian and the Emperors Testament set sail and by all accounts crossed into the expanse and carved a bloody path across the Halo Stars claiming treasure and power beyound measure, word finally reached Malfi that that the Eternal Pretorian had gone missing in a warp storm taking the latest head of house Atreides with it, The commander of the Emperors testament dropped of its first officer at port Wander at the mouth of the Kronus expanse in case the self proclaimed pirate lord Captain Barbossa returned and its final report was that it was beginning the search for the head of house Atreides. No report of either vessel or its treasures was ever heard from again.

[The Hive Mind]

THE TIME OF ENDING

710-35 M.41

Kellarn Atreides and her Chief Seneschal conduct a three year survey of the remaining family holdings. The few possessions held in distant sectors are written off as too remote to be of any more assistance to the family, and they are deemed of greater financial strain than benefit. Notices are sent to absolve all dues and to grant independence.

A large number of mercantile holdings are sold off, including the majority of the Atreides Stellar fleet. Property on various Hive Worlds is sold off, with the Dynasty retaining only their palace on Malfi, and permanent lodgings in the spires of Scintilla. A multitude of debts are repaid, and the overhead on many more is cleared. Despite suggestions to sell the the Forward unto Dawn, Kellarn refuses, citing it as almost as important to the family’s heritage as the Sacred Warrant.

Through astute leadership, Kellarn is able to keep the Dynasty alive and, through the culling of most Household assets, the Atreides are granted the possibility of future growth. The unfortunate side effect of the auctioning of family assets is the Atreides name becomes far reduced in influence. Most of the wealthier nobles ignore them, even on Malfi.

740-766 M.41

Kellarn Atreides dies from a failed rejuvenation operation. Though her legacy is unspectacular, seneschals in the service of the family come to hold her as something of a saviour.

Kellarn’s cousin, Millent Atreides succeeds her to the post of Rogue Trader. Although he remains determined to begin a new series of voyages to distant regions, he refuses to consider the Koronus Expanse as a viable option for aggrandisement calling the tales of Captain Barbossa Atreides as fantasy but begins to delve into the tales and tactics of the growing legend of Barbossa. Millent has difficulties receiving backing from merchants, who would rather invest in ventures to Koronus, and does not set off on a voyage for two decades.

News reaches this region of space that a new threat has come to torment the Eastern Sectors of the Imperium – The Tyranids. Far from Segmentum Obscurus, little is thought of the threat, especially when news of Hive Fleet Behemoth’s defeat also arrives. Others note stories of how Tyranid Hive Ships seem capable of consuming every living thing on a planet, and breathe a sigh of relief that they are far from the invasions of this alien menace.

767-789 M.41

The Forward unto Dawn once more returns to journeying through the Immaterium. Millent Atreides travels afar in search of wealth, soon developing a reputation as a plunderer of worlds. Where human worlds are discovered as not being a part of the Imperium, Millent uses force to wrest some of their wealth from them. Touting himself as a devout servant of the Emperor, many within the family consider him little more than a petty warlord, nothing compared to the legends of Barbossa.

Yet, Millent’s gunboat diplomacy does net much needed wealth for the family. Enabling it to write off more debts, Millent adds to the slow regrowth of the Atreides and their servants.

On a return voyage to Malfi, Millent Atreides inexplicably loses his mind. Raving incoherently about something he calls the Corpse Star, Millent is no longer able to command the vessel. On return to Malfi, with his condition deteriorated significantly, the decision is made for his son, Teach Atreides to assume the mantle of Rogue Trader.

Millent is kept secluded in a tower of the Atreides palace, rarely visited by his relatives.

790-805 M.41

As one of his first actions as Dynastic Head, Teach 'Iron jaw' Atreides designates his cousin to who he has been like a father since the childs fathers mysterious and unrecorded death,  this son of sorts one Mihail Atreides was announced heir to the position of Rogue Trader. Teach's brother, Ducaste, is infuriated and eventually sends his son to cut his teeth as an officer in the Imperial Navy.

Andrea Chan-Gauthier and her mother are taken into the protection of the Atreides Dynasty after Andrea’s parents provide information on their own Dynasty, the Heroults. The Heroult and Atreides Dynasties become locked in a short but bitter war, whose origins appear to be more information removed from archival records. The Forward unto Dawn sees military action against a number of Heroult vessels. In concert with the Imperial Navy, the Atreides manage to completely wipe out the Heroult Dynasty, though the cost to their own resources is high. Inquisition involvement is inevitable, and rumours circulate that a Halo device was somehow behind Heroult corruption.

Donminik van Goren, the eighth son of a battlefleet admiral doing everything he can to get out of the shadow of his family and avoid a life within the Imperial Navy, first comes into service in the Dynasty. He quickly distinguishes himself commanding Mallear’s Wrath for House Atreides and, subsequently, he is employed in the long term.

808 M.41

Zarkov assumes the rank of first officer on board the Forward unto Dawn. Almost immediately, the normally insubordinate and suspicious crew of the frigate make it no secret that they do not trust or like him. Crew claim that his position as a sole survivor from a previous vessel marks him as bad luck.

Teach 'Iron Jaw' Atreides expresses every confidence in the abilities of his first officer.

809 M.41

The Mallear's Wrath commanded by Dominik van Goen 'aka Xero is caught up in a Xenos attack by the foul greenskins, The Xenos are forced back from Atreides holdings but the Mallear's Wrath is destroyed.  Xero is presumed dead as he refused to leave the ship until all the crew were evacuated as the void-ship was slowly drawn into a dying sun. Teach 'Iron Jaw' Atreides personally commands all resources to search for Dominik Von Goren and a status chamber is found containing the very man.  Dominik Van Goren is hailed a hero of the Dynasty and never far from the side of Teach.

Information leaked from an internal source makes it apparent that Mihail Atreides is involved in a scandal in the Imperial Navy. Numerous officers face firing squad executions, although Mihail is cleared of any wrong doing. The fact that the navy posts him to a remote region of space for the remainder of his short career casts doubt on his innocence, and suggests corruption in High Command.

811 M.41

Arch-Militant and accomplished killer of men, Xeal, is hired by the Folmeini Merchant House to eliminate undesirable elements within their own organisation. Evidence is brought to the attention of Preb Folmeini that members of his household may be involved in a heretical cult, secretly distributing anti-Imperial propaganda. When it is revealed that some of these miscreants could be devotees of the Dark Gods, Preb Folmeini panics and hires Xeal. Assassination is deemed more desirable than involving the Inquisition, and Xeal performs his task with efficiency.

The killings are carried out on Malfi, where one cultist attempts to escape the system. Stowing on board the Forward unto Dawn, the cultist forces Xeal to do likewise. Once the cultist discovers the assassin is also on board, he loses his cool and attempts to hold Teach 'Iron Jaw' Atreides for ransom. Xeal intervenes and saves the Lord-Captain’s life, for which he is immediately hired and promoted to Master-at-Arms, in charge of the vessel’s security and contingent of Arms-Men.

814 M.41

Teach begins long-winded negotiations with select merchant houses for a new business venture. The details are kept secret from all but the Chief Seneschal, Ibrim Faydra-Atreides.

815 M.41

Teach 'Iron Jaw' Atreides announces at a gathering of the various money-men and Factors of the Dynasty that a journey into the Koronus Expanse is to be conducted in the new year. The announcement causes general fear amongst the most influential men and women in the Dynasty fearing the reputation of a former Rogue Trader who entered the Expanse before him would resurface once more. A severe lack of confidence in the endeavour causes Teach to divert attention from his scheme by bringing to the attention of his Factors evidence of gross-corruption in the financial arm of the Atreides. He proposes an investigation, though some wonder if he is not responsible for the scandal himself. During this time Xeal, head of Atreides security aboard the Forward unto Dawn manages to personally stop a handful of sabotage and assassination attempts on members of the crew. While unable to divine the exact sources of these attempts Xeal position as Master at Arms is cemented, his armsmen loyal to the end and his reputation aboard vessel a fearsome one.

816 M.41

As accusations of misconduct on the behalf of the seneschals of the Dynasty grow out of hand, Chief Seneschal Ibrim Faydra-Amphael is sent back to Malfi. As no other suitable candidate is at hand, Teach promotes Andrea Chan-Gauthier to the position of Chief-Seneschal.

Teach's last act as Rogue Trader is to negotiate for the hiring of Praetus, from a powerful Navigator Magisterial House; as well as the loan of the Tech-Priest Explorator, Lucius Blackhand to better accommodate the use of the fearsome reclamation facility and some say he was especially assigned by the Cult Mechanicus itself to keep a close eye on the Lathe class vessel, others say he was exiled to this position. Two weeks later, Teach 'Iron Jaw' Atreides is shot dead by a ganger in a public market on Port Wander. The ganger is killed in a resulting fire fight with a delayed Xeal and his loyal armsman, the gangers motives were never discovered. Much talk is made of Teach's frequent isolation, as well the numerous ancient charts and scrolls he was said to have taken from the near mythical hidden ship’s Librarium in the last months of 815 M.41.

Mihail Atreides assumes the title and authority of Rogue Trader, and is met by Dominik Van Goren and they immediately makes his way to Port Wander, and the Forward unto Dawn.

[The Hive Mind]

817 M41

Mihail Atreides takes official control of the Atreides flagship.  Zhakov, First Officer of the Forward unto Dawn is executed the full responsibility of the death of Teach 'Iron Jaw' Atreides death placed upon his incompentence as a first officer. This act is widely recived by the crew due to their superstitious beliefs of said First Officer. A message from Port Wander a Navy outpost/trade hub guarding the entrance to the Koronus expanse is received. Mihail invesyigates with his crew to find an ancient member of House Atreides still resides there to this day... Orbest Dray.

Orbest Dray reveals he has been waiting for over 100 years for the Atreides to return, the Mihail is quick to act on this show of fealty and noting Orbest Drays excellent record as a former first officer, awards this position to the ancient member of House Atreides.  This return of Orbest Dray from legend solidifies the Mihails position aboard the ship with his crew, yet Lucius the Enginseer Prime is apparently not happy with this change in command as Zharkov was a trusted friend and known to be a devote follow of the ways of the Ommnissiah.

Mihail Atreides makes Dominik Van Goren 'AKA' Xero who accompanied him to Port Wander Master Helmsmen, these rapid changes in command are noted by other officers on-board the Forward unto Dawn, and a tiny crack begins to show in the crews morale.

On board Port Wander the House of Fel lead by Hadarak Fel a cunning Rogue Trader learns that Orbest Dray had the coordinates for a fabled lost treasure ship. Using deception and subterfuge Hadarak Fel learns the location and sets sail into the Kronos Expanse upon the Hand of Fel a heavily modified Firestorm Frigate.

The race is on and the Forward unto dawn follows in hot pursuit. The next port of call is Footfall a conglomeration of city's built upon vast asteroids a virtual den of scum and villainy and it is here that House Atreides is sent a report of salvaging rights to another vessel. Reports are vague here but it is recorded that this somehow gets confused with the race against the House of Fel and this is targeted as a priority.

The salvageable vessel is found and boarding the decrepit vessel Mihail and his crew are confronted by the power of a Halo Device in the form of a mettalic worm.  A worm which using a navigator host of the doomed vessel could apparently raise the dead using foul warp energies. The crew of the Forward to Dawn are successful in defeating this menace and leave behind a portion of the crew to begin salvaging the vessel, a number of survivors who aided in defeat of the Halo artifact are also promised a life aboard the Forward unto Dawn if they assist.

The Forward unto Dawn leaves vowing they will return, however the crew are startled to find the same Halo Device they had been combating had found it ways aboard their ship and seems indestructible and always finding it way back to them no matter what they do with it...

Returning to Footfall they receive news that Hadarak Fel was successful in finding the ancient treasure ship and tales of the ancient cargo and wealth he has now amassed begin to circulate. Then news of something greater reaches the Mihail's crew. There is too be a foretelling by the Seven Witches of footfall.

Rogue Traders gather in mass to bid on a position to hear the foretelling, Mihail Atreides and his crew decide to offer the Halo device and this is accepted, however upon hearing the foretelling and being told of a untouched planet ripe for plunder there ship is suddenly dragged into the warp the Halo Device once more found aboard the Forward unto Dawn.

The Forward unto Dawn emerges after many weeks into an uncharted system and find themselves locked into the system by the gravitational pull of a black sun.  Charting the system they find missionary survivors aboard a transport class vessel also locked in orbit and upon a nearby moon a wrecked crew of ancient vessels with many cases of mutants.

Convincing all factions to work together The forward unto Dawn launches a raid against the Black Star, which is discovered to be an ancient Yu'Vath world. Backed by the warring faction this is a success and planting a great explosive upon the planet they break free of the gravitational pull and set sail for Footfall.

The leader of the stranded crew with the high proportion of mutants is granted the position of Chief Bosun aboard the vessel and establishes himself as leader of Martok's Boyz a placed within the lower levels of the Forward unto Dawn.

The Missionaries that are aboard the vessel they helped free are promised a new lush world to be placed upon and preach there faith to the heathens.

The Free Captain of the transport vessel The Bounty of Scintillia that housed the Missionaries pledges her allegiance to House Atreides. Her first mission is to assist in the stripping of the vessel in the Battlegrounds were it all started and keep supplying the crew left there.

[The Hive Mind]

818 M41

The quest for the treasure world begins and the Forward unto Dawn catches up with Rogue Trader Madam Charlabelle Armelan who is also on the quest for the Treasure world.  Under attack from an Eldar vessel she appears to be outmatched and in need of aid.  Mihail Atreides consults his crew and orders the Forward unto dawn to engage the treacherous eldar.  The battle is a success and the eldar vessel is driven away and the engagement is a harsh reminder of the varied and powerful nature of the denizens of the galaxy.

Parting on good terms Mihail Atreides and Madam Chalabelle Armelan go there seperate ways. Mihail orders the final preparations for the treasure world known as the Dread Pearl and they proceed to warp.

The journey was fraught with danger and very long, rations and morale plummeted and sickness became rife aboard the Forward unto Dawn, a mutiny was averted when crew members captured a Tech-Priest and started making demands, The bridge officers were divided on how to proceed with many stating this should be dealt with harshly, but Mihail Atreides takes a different approach and confronts the leader of the mutiny directly a charistmatic individual by the name of Kruger.

Insisting that the harsh treatment the crewmen have endure will change and he offers to promote Kruger as a sign of good faith.  This does not sit well with the Enginseer Prime who believes the honour of the Adeptus Mechanicus needs to be avenged. Yet Mihail is adamant and a grinning Kruger is elevated to officer status and the crew look to the man as a hero. Lucius Blackhand is not impressed once again.

During a routine stop to keep the Forward unto Dawn on route to the Dread Pearl a signal is detected and upon investigation its revealed to be an ancient Adeptus Mechanicus probe. The probe is very large and is taken aboard the Forward unto Dawn, yet its design is so ancient that the combined might of the Enginseers aboard the vessel are unable to work out how it is operated.  There it is stored to this day.

The Journey continues and avoiding dying stars that threaten to rip the ship apart as it travels through the warp the Forward unto Dawn reaches is destination. The system they arrive is not what they are expecting and they are confronted with a strange xenos race known as the Stryxis. Wishing to parley Mihail and his crew meet aboard the filthy xeno vessel and engage in some lucrative trade, it is then that the Stryxis get agitated saying an enemy is approaching and demand they leave immediately.

The enemy appears to be the same Eldar vessel they fought before entering the warp to this location and it is burning towards one of the planets in the system.

Ordering the Forward unto Dawn to head with all speed to the planet they make landfall upon Quppa-Psi-12 when Sterr the Atropath says he feels power emanating from a location on the planets surface that could show them the way to the Dread Pearl . A world teaming with forests and natural vegetation the landing was not great and a strange storm throws there guncutter off course and the crew are forced to trekk across the planets surface to there location, however the natural inhabitants are not friendly and hordes of scurrying reptiles attack and there is even conflict with a flying insect the same size as a lander but they are no match for the crew of the Forward unto Dawn.

Eventually they come across a ruined Xeno Temple of ancient design, some among the crew believe it to be the work of the treacherous eldar and this is soon confirmed, however the Rogue Trader and his crew are not alone. Other Rogue Traders also at the Foretelling of the Seven witches in Footfall have arrived at about the same time. Fighting between them seems to erupt all around the temple as eldritch lights begin to form atop the Xenos structure. Mihail Atreides is forced to join forces with Lady Sun Lee matriarch of the House of Ma'Kao as they are engaged by an overwhelming force by the might of Lord-Admiral Bastille the Seventh. fighting back to back against overwhelming odds, Mihail engages Bastille in personal combat, but the fighting which must include nearly a dozen Rogue Trader house in the surrounding areas comes to a halt as a a shaft of energy strikes the Temple ruins, the Eldar had arrived. Sensing that the Eldar were trying to somehow destroy the clues to the origin of the Dread Pearl, those still fighting stop and the race to ascend the Ruin begins.

The fighting atop the Ruin is a dangerous one, Eldar Warlocks fight fiercely to defend the Ruin but are pushed back and a set of coordinates are revealed carved into places within the structures floor. Mihail orders a retreat as more and more Rogue Traders ascend, the fighting seems less important now as the race begins anew.

The Star Map takes the Forward unto Dawn to the Zayth system. A planet turned to little more than dust and radiation storms. they discover the Nexus and all but abandon any mission they have with the denizens of the planet.

Rumours begin to spread of conflicts between the stranded missionaries in the limited Holds of the ship and Martoks Boyz, it seems there old rivalry has resurfaced, Chief Boson Martok says he will deal with the complaints of the Missionaries but things only get worse.

The Next destination is the desert world of Vaporius, travelling to the planet the find the next Nexus and are pinned down by unknown and deadly Snipers, there are casualties from Lord Atreides honour guard. Once the threat had passed they decide to investigate the gleaming city of Brass and Glass and meet with one of the Priest-Kings of the world, a pact is formed, in exchange for removing missionaries sent by the Ecclesiarchy to this world on a holy mission they will open a trade route with House Atreides. The Missionaries are reluctant to go, but they are promised a new world full of heathens to convert. The Priest-King is happy and offers them trade in the waters of Vaporius, an elixir that brings bliss and immunity to any kind of fear. In exchnage for a regular supply of slaves. Mihail agrees to the stunned look of his retinue.

The Next Nexus is located in orbit around a gas giant in a far away system, Lucius and Xero space walk out to the structure floating in space and get the next coordinates when a shadow falls across them, an ancient vessel The Light of Terra once thought lost in the great crusades silently drifts into view. Boarding the vessel they find that after hundreds of years adrift the ship is in a dire way. Its captain still strapped to the chair withered and dying, the crew degenerated into warring clans. Lucius and Xero strike a deal with the ancient commander, they will fix the ship so it can translate into the warp and continue its crusade and the commander will give them access to its treasure vaults. the mission is a success despite much bloodshed and the crew escape the vessel as it powers up and disapears once more into the warp.

There next warp jump takes them to a planet known as Dross, they crash land after passing through the magnetic storms surrounding the world and find the world littered with derelict and damaged void-ships of Xenos and Imperium make up. Travelling the wastelands to the Nexus point they are confronted time and again by savage human tribes, who seem to fight among themselves also for the derelict ships, considering them holy sites. Eventually after much bloodshed they come across an enigmatic leader a power sorceress who can control the skies and leads them to the Nexus, In exchange for trade so that this Sorceress can gain the upper hand in the tribe wars she opens the skies to allow them to leave and they leave behind a Vox communicator so they communicate when the skies need opening again. Lucius and Xero order the Bounty of Scintillia to reposition in this endeavour and has been providing basic supplies to the tribes people of the sorceress in exchange for salvage rights by the Bounty of Scintillia's crew.

The next Nexus is found upon a swamp world were they are ambushed in the swamplands by the teeming undead. Saved by a hermit who has the power to hold them all back they leave and the guide takes them to a settlement. Confronting the leader of the settlement who seems to have a some strange mystical hold over the people they decide to leave and a thought occurs to them, this doomed zombie infested world be a great place for the two clans of missionaries they have been 'storing' in the holds of their ship. Lucius takes samples of the undead virus DNA believing he may be able to ascertain its usefulness and origin.

The next Nexus is found in the processional of the damned a place of dread orbiting a black star, rings of ancient vessels somehow found in orbit around the star in strange patterns. The crew are fearful of this legendary graveyard but Mihail Atreides orders the crew forward. What happens next has been struck from all record and the crew never speak of the terrors they experienced within this region of space.

[The Hive Mind]

819 M41

Using the information gleaned from the Nexus's they have discovered it pinpoints a location in space devoid of system or spacial anomalies.  There in the great void of space they find a Xenos gateway that activates on there approach, surely this leads to the Dread Pearl. Alarm Klaxons sound as another ship translates from warp and turns to intercept the Forward Unto Dawn, another Rogue Trader vessel a cruiser named The Ordained Destiny had arrived and one Jeremiah Blitz was hailing them.

Requesting a ceasefire Jeremiah Blitz proposed a race to the Gateway but he insisted he have the edge in the race.  Lord Atreides agreed after a small war of words with the  opposing Rogue Trader and the race was on.  As the ordained destiny powered up its engines Mihail broke his word at the behest of Lucius Blackhand  despite protest from his other commanding officers and opened fire on the Ordained Destiny catching it by surprise. It was all Jeremiah Blitz could do to fade into the background of space as they went silent powering all systems down to avoid further critical damage and the dastardly attack by the House of Atreides.  Jeremiah Blitz cursed the House of Atreides for pre-empting his own idea.

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