A slipperly slope

The following is based on the report given by Kaid and Scab upon returning to Bastion after the mission.

Kaid was asked by Van Vyugens to accompany him on a mission to acquire a Xeno corpse/xeno tech (are there any other kinds for him?). Kaid managed to convince VV to let Xanthis and Scab join as well. It turned out they were to travel in...an unusual way. VV lead them to a room containing a number of what he called 'cryo chambers'. Everyone was placed in these, VV did some fiddling with a device and a more pronounced version of the familiar quesiness associated with warp manifested itself.

After a while, the room stabilized and they exited on what VV described as a wholly different planet. Instant travel...with a price. After a trek through a jungle, they arrived at a typical military compound. They were greeted by a captain that seemed to be well-known by VV. He brought them to a container with an Eldar corpse. Kaid recognized the Eldar as an Exarch, a Grand Master of his path. He was fitted with very advanced armor containing lots of unknown tech. Naturally, VV dived into dissecting the corpse.

Meanwhile, the Captain told KSX (Kaid, Scab & Xanthis) about an outpost where an Eldar device had been captured. It was a stone circle of sorts, inlaid with runes. Naturally, this captured the attention of the Heretek and the psyker, so they decided to go to the outpost. After a short lift, they arrived to discover the outpost was under heavy fire by the Eldar.

Kaid and Xanthis started investigating the circle. It was huge, made of stone and inlaid with runes. In the ground, cables were connected to the circle and lead into the ground. Kaid was unable to make any direct sense of the runes. KSX' presence seemed to agitate the Eldar, which intensified their attacks, including directing their fire on Kaid and Xanthis.

After a while, two giant Walker-like vehicles appeared among the Eldar, as well as a mystical female (Kaid believed her to be a sorceress). Combined with the increasing attacks, this meant an evac was necessary. Xanthis decided to go for a ranged mind scan, a risky tactic versus a Xeno. It paid off however, and we got the following information:

• The circle is an Eldar transport device leading back to their home world
• Always found on worlds Eldar inhabit
• There are two more on this jungle planet
• It is activated by reciting the verses transcribed on the relic. A particular inflection in pronunciation is needed.
• The female is a hero and legend among the Eldar. Other Eldar will sacrifice themselves to save her. 

Most interesting information indeed.

By now, the fire was very heavy and KSX got into the chopper. Unfortunately, turbulence was heavy and Xanthis and Scab were unable to hold on and were flung from the vehicle. Kaid followed suit (since he is capable of levitating), which was just as well - shortly thereafter the chopper exploded after a direct hit from the Eldar.

After a heavy landing, KSX and the Captain patched up their wounds as best they could. Just then, the Captain's face exploded from a hit by an Eldar rifle. Three Eldar attacked, KSX just managed to best them without casualties. At this moment, Xanthis had another one of his 'remembrance' moments, and suddenly he remember additional powers. Among these was a very useful one - major healing. I wonder how powerful a psyker he used to be...

KSX managed to find the way back to the compound, arriving at night. Inside, it turned out that no one had seen VV since they struck out for the outpost. Checking out the container, the lock had been tampered with. After busting it open, they discovered VV's corpse inside, carefully (and very sadistically) dissected. Kaid was certain Eldar would not do something like that, but Dark Eldar certainly might.

This sort of put an end to the mission, since it was now a moot point if VV had slipped over the edge into straight heresy. They gathered his items and requisitioned a flight to the main base on the planet to tell HQ about Xanthis' mind scan. They reported this to a general, but unfortunately revealed their identity as Throne Agents.

Rummaging through VV's items, they found a very disturbing book and a device which seemed to be their way home through the cryochamber. They were informed regular flight back to Scintilla would take 3-4 years, obviously not an option if at all possible to avoid. Before deciding further, they went back to the original compound to see if they could found more clues about the cause of VV's death.

With the aid of a mutant tracker, they discovered some tracks with bird-like paw prints. Xanthis definitely felt Warp taint as well. They started sweeping the compound with the aid of Psyniscience and the tracker, which somehow seemed able to see taint. When they got close to the core, Xanthis felt a strong Warp taint typically associated with a demon presence. Worse, Warp tendrils drifted out from the core into all the equipment. He felt an evacuation of the base was needed.

Unfortunately, the Eldar decided to attack the base at this time. KSX decided the demon had to be ousted, and stormed the core room. After a short but heavy fight involving the demon and Xanthis fighting mentally over Scab, the foul beast was conquered. By then the Eldars' attack was so relentless the (new) Captain decided to call in bombardment from HQ. KSX and the other officers huddled together in the command bunker, while the troopers and the Eldar died around them.

After the bombardment, KSX decided to head back to HQ so Xanthis could read the book and figure out how to get home. After a week or so of intense study, he figured it out, they operated the device and went home (including Kaid's new pet mutant).

Emerging in the cryo chamber, they were somewhat surprised when they entered VV's lab and saw none other than Van Vyugens himself standing at his operating table, dissecting the corpse of the Eldar Exarch. It turned out he had sent a so-called "Simulacrum" along with KSX to the jungle planet - most fortunate, considering the fate of the thing. Xanthis paled at the mention of this, simulacrums are definitely a very dark art, requiring significant amount of Warp involvement.

I find myself at a loss at how to cope with the Van Vyugens situation. Clearly, he has fallen so far from grace he no longer realizes it himself. Politically, I will probably face repercussions if I accuse him in front of his peers, given that I was his interrogator for a while. Kaid might face substantial trouble given he has been VV's closest associate for the last 4-5 years.

Personally, I have little love for the man. I owe him some gratitude for taking us under his wing after Varaak's disappearance. Nor is he very useful with regards to the Tyrant Star mystery, at least not without someone to lead him. There is also his long-standing friendship with Varaak to consider. On the other hand, no one took a firmer stand against witches and heresy than our lost and beloved Inquisitor. I must pray to the Emperor (He Who Is Our Guide in the Darkness) for guidance.