Nuraema Secundus was a fetid backwater hive world; the tall columnar buildings projected skywards, ranging from the flat, square blocks that housed the dregs of society to the marble spires where the planetary elite lived in the lap of luxury, the buildings themselves challenged the sky to fall upon their spear-like roofs.

Compared to its parent world, Nuraema Primus, it was a festering wound upon the system after which the planets were named. Villainy ruled the lower echelons, with hive gangs constantly vying for control over the lower reaches; as far as the ruling elites were concerned, they could fight all they wanted so long as it had no impact upon the lives of those above them.

It was this world that birthed Khalaina Ferrum.

Born an orphan to a planetary official who was executed for plotting to subvert Imperial rule, and his wife whom died during childbirth, she was swiftly inducted into the Schola Progenium. Imperial doctrines were thrust upon her, and she slaved for years over texts, learning the recite them word for word. Like a starving animal she ravenously consumed knowledge, the Emperor replaced her failed parents, the Imperium became her life, and serving it became her purpose.

Wildfires of zeal blazed white hot in her eyes as she strode purposefully through the Schola's hallowed halls, a beacon of the Emperor's light and a shining example of a warrior of the Imperium. The vast libraries were her temptation, for she absorbed the sacred texts and lived by the codes they set out.

Word passed between the missionaries that oversaw her education, and found their inevitable way to the ears of those above them, and those further above. Influential men and women tasked their assistants with recruiting her to their cause, and emissaries from all branches of the Imperium flocked to the backwater world like carrion birds.

It was the holy Inquisition, however, that reached her first. Adopted by Inquisitor Naharva Garron upon becoming a Progena, she was whisked away before others could claim her, for truly zealous recruits were a rare commodity.

Naharva Garron was a ruthless and cunning man, for Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos could be no less; to falter was to invite death at the hands of the alien scum that infested the corners of the galaxy; to underestimate your foe was to plead for a similar demise. Acting as his Acolyte, she was taken under his firm wing and began her schooling in the ways of fighting the alien menace that threatened the Imperium.

During her interrogations with the more evolved Xenos, Naharva noted her tendency towards flame-based torture more than others. Where lesser Explicators usually turned to several means, if not outright killing the alien either out of rage or by accident, Khalaina only needed fire.

Her golden eyes glinted in the dancing sparks, lighting up as infernos roared forth, and casting dark shadows upon her pale face and crimson hair. If the fire did not scare those she approached into talking, the enjoyment upon her face, and the menacing mistress of flame that approached them usually triggered a dam-busting flow of information.

Like a raging conflagration, her reputation spread before her, and where Naharva's name was mentioned, Khalaina's wasn't far behind. Indeed, it was this reputation that brought her back to her home planet. Naharva suggested that she embark upon a mission to Nuraema Secundus, as the ruling classes had become lazy and needed fires lighting beneath them. Khalaina was all too happy to oblige.

The Aquilla Lander that bore Naharva's clearance level did little to stir the upper echelons; they were used to Inquisitorial visits and those from other branches of the Imperium, and Naharva was a common sight in the Nuraema system. As the bay to the Lander hissed open, the well worn faรงades of the planetary rulers shattered, replaced first by confusion at the womanly figure that strode purposefully from the belly of the craft, then by surprise as Naharva failed to appear, followed by barked orders to discover who she was, and finally gut-wrenching fear when they discovered the truth. Unbeknownst to all present, the cleansing of Nuraema Secundus had begun.