The following is a full text transcript of an audio distress signal received at 0200

This is Sister Clara Amparin of the St. Marika Monastery, coordinates 82 by 35, sending out a general distress call to any force loyal to the will of His Supreme Majesty, the Emperor of Mankind. Our monastery ... [unintelligible] ... a force of heretics and blasphemers. Our walls are holding, but we have a few Sisters with us, along with a handful of Guardsmen that did not succumb to the hateful forces of Chaos. I beg of anyone that hears this... heed our call. Our Monastery bears a relic of the God-Emperor ... [unintelligible]... along with countless innocent peoples. Chaos cannot be allowed to prevail here.

Repeat, this is Sister Clara of the St. Marika Monastery...

The following is an exert from the transcript of the resulting discussion between Chapter commanders, as recorded by Octavius' familiar.

Isaiah Aetos: I share your concerns, Brother Librarian. But orbital surveillance from the Pride us showing a concentration of the Governor's forces in that area, along with evidence of recent weapons fire.

Octavius Drakonis: That may be, Isaiah, but we have no way of identifying the players here. The heretic governor may be conducting an extermination campaign or some dark ritual of the Gods of Chaos. It may even be an elaborate trap. We would not want to carelessly commit our forces so early in the campaign.

Isaiah: Nor would we wish to leave loyal servants of the Emperor to the mercy of Chaos.

Claudius Varnus: If I may interrupt, what is this artefact that the Sister spoke of? The relic of the God-Emperor... Octavius, do we have any records of this?

Octavius: Yes, Brother Chaplain, I have checked against the records. During the Great Crusade, the Emperor came to this planet personally and dispatched a colony of Eldar Exodites. He is said to have left a ring here, which the colonists have since treated with all due reverence. However, I have no records of the ring being kept at St. Marika's.

Claudius: We cannot allow such a holy thing to fall into Julian's foul hands. Brothers, should such a thing come to pass we would all be guilty of failing to fulfil our duty.

Octavius: I cannot disagree with that. However, I must emphasize the need for caution. The final defeat of the Governor and the reclamation of this world to the service of the Imperium is much more important than any fleeting blows to Imperial pride. However, I will defer to you in this matter, Brother-Captain. Shall we answer the distress beacon?

Isaiah: We must and we shall, Brother. Brother Varnus, ready a strike force. Brother Octavius, do what you must to enhance our intelligence in this matter. But remember: Time is of the essence here. The longer we wait, the deeper Chaos roots will grow.

Octavius and Claudius: Agreed.