[Narrative] Thieves in the Night

Garbutt's really getting into this whole narrative rivalry thing - late night transmissions from the Wulfruna system regularly contain updates on what the Sworn are up to in between our irregular engagements, and what attention they're drawing from the Imperial higher-ups. One such transmission is reproduced for your delectation.

 

My Lord, as you ordered I have monitored all reports from the front lines, and compiled a summary of all incidents that appeared relevant to your search - I summarize those below.

INCIDIENT 1: Sentinel patrols from the 127th Scintillan Fusiliers in Sectors 12 and 13 encounter the remains of multiple butchered rebel patrols. No evidence of attacker to be found, but all kills took place at close quarters.

NOTE: A total of 11 incidents following this same outline have occured across multiple locations, all following closely to the same pattern - given the similarity and in a spirit of brevity, I have not included all of these reports in this summary.  As such, the numbering scheme of this summary appears somewhat disjointed.  
Full accounts of all 11 incidents can be found in the attached data-files.  

INCIDENT 4: Drookian Fen Guard light armour dispatched to destroy a previously identified  rebel camp find it deserted. Population estimated to have been approx. 20 - 30, all missing.

INCIDENT 8: 127th Scintillan infantry advancing into sector 15 discover evidence of a last stand by rebel forces - approx. 50 rebel infantry, supported by limited light armour had attempted to fortify an area of high ground to defend against a threat.  Evidence gathered from the site suggests that the rebels were attempting to defend in all directions, unsure of which direction their attackers would approach from and that a vicious close range firefight ensued.

Incident 13: Rebel patrol approaches and surrenders to encamped troops from the 127th Scintillan. When interrogated they tell tales of 'lurkers' in the jungle - silent giants who can not be killed and had been hunting rebel forces for several weeks. They give the reason for their surrender as a belief that they are more likely to survive in Imperial custody than they are in the jungle.

Incident 15:  Heavily damaged <<<<*********- REDACTED - *********>>>> in Sector 19 by advancing 127th Scintillan infantry.  A search <<<<********* - REDACTED - *********>>>> within the structure.

When plotting the location of all incidents on a map of the eastern jungles it becomes extremely clear that a strong force has moved stealthily through the area - destroying any Rebel forces encountered in the process whilst scrupulously avoiding contact with Imperial forces, moving ahead of the advancing Astra Militarum battleline and even clearing the way for them.

Evidence gathered from the sites of Incidents 8 and 15 combined with fragmentary descriptions given by prisoners from Incident 13 strongly implies that the unknonwn force is Astartes in nature.

The structure found in Sector 19 is undoubtedly Xenos in origin, but had been comprenhensively destroyed before discovery by Militarum forces, and the perpetrators then carefully removed all traces of their presence.


Lord Inquisitor Kyria Draxus looked up from the dataslate at the hooded savant who awaited her pleasure.

"And you were able to examine the structure yourself, Octus?"

The savant nodded hesitantly.  "Yes, ma'am - it was too heavily damaged for me to divine its purpose."

Kyria waved a hand irritably - like many savants, Octus Mortelocke was addicted to accuracy and hated to admit to incomplete knowledge or uncertainty.  "But it was Necron in origin?"

"Undoubtedly, ma'am."

"Had anything been removed?"

"Ma'am?"

"Had anything been removed from the structure?"

"Impossible to say, Lord - the damage was too severe."

Kyria looked down at the dataslate again and allowed a humourless smile to cross her features. "Something was removed - I am certain of it."

Octus did not reply.  He had not been asked a direct question, and so had nothing to say. Kyria tapped at the datapad and called up the map. "A force of Astartes deploy to the surface without signalling Imperial forces already present," she mused as she studied the map. "They travel through the jungle taking great pains to hide their presence... eliminating enemy patrols ruthlessly to preserve their secrecy and even assaulting enemy strongpoints that stand in their way. Their path leads them straight to a Necron structure, which they demolish before extracting." The smile returned, thin but satisfied. "Kaine is here - he and his men, and they are hunting."