Extract from the Journal of Chief Librarian of the Oathkeeper Space Marine Chapter Octavius Drakonis concerning their impending deployment to the planet Malathor.

The world Malathor is a temperate planet in the northern regions of Segmentum Obscurus. The world is of little strategic value, with limited resources available for military use, which perhaps has worked in its favour, as it has previously enjoyed a measure of peace and security.

This changed last year, however, as the planet came under attack by Ork marauders. I am told by my brother [High Inquisitor Alastor Drakonis - Ed's Note] that the local PDF was at first led effectively, though I entertain obvious doubts about his conclusions. Regardless, local resources were too poor to allow a proper defence/evacuation of the world to be conducted. The southern Continent completely overrun by the Orks in the first four months, while north remains in precarious defensive position

Requests to Segmentum Command by the Malathorans for reinforcement went unattended due to need to divert resources to Medusa V. Governor Julian [excommunicate - Ed's note] was essentially told he was on his own. I spoke with my brother about this and, while he maintains that it would have been impossible to reinforce the Governor, the manner in which Julian and his people were told to sit down and wait to die did not help matters. The envoys of Chaos took advantage of the situation. Our intelligence on the planet is spotty at best, but Daemons and Marines of unknown origin have been observed in the drive against the Orks. The Orks have been pushed back, but the population are now being subjected to the Chaotic Powers that 'liberated' them.

A sizable portion of the population is still loyal to the God-Emperor, though they are disorganized and lack leadership. Many have been forced to take refuge in the isolated Monastary communities maintained by the Priesthood, which number seven in all. Of these seven, three have been overwhelmed and desecrated by Julian's forces, while two are in Ork territory and presumed destroyed. The status of the two remainders is presently unclear.

There is an undoubted element of personal bitterness in governor's decisions. Perhaps his sense of betrayal spawned his own betrayal? Regardless, the fool did not understand that it is we that serve the Emperor, not the other way around.

In any case, the daemonic presence on planet is significant. According to Alastor, deserters from the governor's office have reported massive creatures that exceed normal manifestation. Alastor is concerned. He tells me that many of the Daemons that have manifested are noted in the Grimore of True Names, including Nurgle's servent Maelhobias and the hounds of Khorne called Ur'Mog and Val'n'rk. Calling forth such Daemons would require centuries of preparation.

I have discussed the matter with Brother-Captain Aetos and he agreed that this seems like an unusual commitment of force for the Forces of Chaos on so remote a world. Chaplain Varnus was quick to point out that, should Chaos or the Orks successfully claim the world, the Holy Fleet will simply bombard it into oblivion. It is not for us simple servants of the Emperor to know the motivations of Chaos, however one cannot help but wonder if there is some element here that we are perhaps missing.

In any case, Aetos will be leading a preliminary invasion into Renegade territory at the northern outskirts of the Governor's continent. Once he establishes his beachhead, Chaplain Varnus and myself will follow after the battle. Perhaps some of these uncertainties will become clearer once we are on the surface.