>>>I am pleased to report that we have successfully landed on planet [xxxxx] after an eventful passage through the Warp, suffering damage to one of our Cruisers [the Avenging Angel] forcing it to return with it's fleet destroyer escort to [xxxxx] for repairs.
An advance guard landing force [just one Tactical Squad plus Adeptus Techmarine and Legio Servitors] have put down onto the Northern Pole Observation Station for an initial facilities assessment. It doesn't look good.
One of our marines has named this station 'the Dark Fortress', in recognition to its extremely primitive and inhospitable aspect- I can see it should suit us well.
The planet is D-grade with low technical initiative, an Imperial Satrap-led population of 230,000,000,000. The post we occupy was abandoned by the White Consuls after the Fourth Orkian Breakthroughs over three centuries ago and is in need of extensive repairs to make it viable defensively and operationally. Powerplant is based on a post-thermal nuclear pattern LXIII core, techmarine reports indicate damage to three of the five external core vent-dispersal shields, probably destroyed by the White Consuls to render the post inoperative to Chaos forces.
I think we are here for a lengthy tour of duty as we are being led by a venerable Interrogator-Chaplain, an officer usually associated with the leadership and ministration of long-term outposts. However, I must report that most of the garrison are still aboard the transports [Imperial Vanguard] and [Albus Valens], and will not be joining us until a later unspecified date. Rumours report heresy in the nearby Cadium System- our forces might be needed there at any time.
So for now we are alone.<<<
Chronicler Isiah, 4th Battle Company the Dark Angels.
Imperium Approved: Honoro Legio Dark Angels.