Taken from the personal records of Court Historian Astor Eusebius (excommunicate) on the reception of the Arch-Champion Vex at the Ex-Governor's Palace.

The Arch-Champion entered the inner sanctums at the ninth hour of the day, kneeling before the altar of the Dark Gods and awaiting summons. I had heard tell of his arrival the previous day and took the time to observe the wretch. He was a huddled mess with the scent of blood about him, which agitated the Flesh Hounds greatly. The marks of his failure were still about him and I could see him quavering in place. Pathetic.

At the eleventh hour, Vross appeared, his pistol in plain view. He did not speak, but the so-called Champion rose and bowed immediately before following him into our Lord's chambers.

"Ah," said Julian when the wretch splayed himself out before him and kissed his boots, "I did not expect you to return so soon, Champion."

"My Lord," Vex managed to choke out. I couldn't help but sneer. "My Lord... my men and I are not..."

"Not responsible?" Julian inquired, "Really? Then who is? Who am I to hold responsible for the defeat of my forces at the hands of a group of deserters and women? I gave you sufficient men and arms, did I not? Precious men that were diverted from our drive against the Orks. Men who are now dead."

"My Lord, the forces you gave were more than sufficient for our purposes... the Monastary would have been ours, were it not for the interference of the Space Marines!"

There was silence after he spoke these words. His Dread Majesty Julian gestured with his right hand and Vross stepped forward, kicking the man in the face with his iron-studded boot before lashing him across the back with his whip. Repeating the gesture twice more, Vex was soon little more than a bloody mess.

"Space Marines," Julian said as his Champion writhed in agony, "Have we any confirmation of this?"

Vex was incapable of speech at this point, but I heard a voice from one of the corners of the room. I could not make out the man's features, but he spoke with a clear and calm voice. "It is not unexpected. It was only a matter of time before the Imperium intervened. You should be happy, Governor. Your saviours have arrived at last."

The Governor sneered before turning back to Vex. "What fate befell the Emperor's Ring? Or were you and your men too busy fleeing to discover that?"

"The Chapter Librarian of the Loyalists retrieved it," Vex said quickly. He was still breathing heavily, like a dog. "I know not where he took it."

"We shall do without it," the other voice said, "Governor, I want you and your men to redouble their efforts against the Orks. We cannot let the Greenskins keep us from our prize for so long. For myself, I shall see what I can do to impede these Space Marines."

"If that is what the Gods of Chaos desire, then it shall be so," Julian answered He turned to leave then, before stopping short. "But oh yes, lest I forget... the reward for our great Champion here for bringing us such excellent intelligence."

Vex, to his credit, was not fooled by the Governor's tone. "My Lord, please, forgive me..."

"You are forgiven, Vex," the Governor said earnestly, "And the Dark Gods will reward those that die spreading their Word."

He turned and left then, his black cloak waving behind him. Vross stepped over the whimpering Champion then, drawing his pistol to dispense the mercy of the Dark Gods.