816.M41
Segmentum Obscurus
Calixis-Scarus warp conduit
interstellar debris field ID-03-303-517
Bridge of the Tiberius, Excelsior-class grand cruiser, flagship of House D'Romas

Several hours passed as the Tiberius searched for survivors…

"Why are you so certain there is a damaged vessel in the debris field?" Sarcasin asked Vitus. She waited impatiently for his response. You are injured, yet driven to perform this task. What is going on in your head? Looking about, she saw frustration building on the faces of the crew. The Master of Scanners looked tired and at a loss for words. Several others were fidgeting. Their frustration is building, she thought to herself as her psychic senses felt their emotions rolling off them. But, she curiously felt hope too. Searching for its source, she came to Mother Vostod, the Mistress of Navigators.

Sarcasin's thoughts were shattered by Vitus' response. "Because I watched it leave the void station."

"But, I was here reading the scanners," blurted out the Master of Scanners, confusion in his voice. "There was no void ship."

The Inquisitor's blood ran cold. You saw it? You can see the past too? What else have you seen? Her thoughts quickly passed over any number of actions she had undertaken recently that would require the termination of any witnesses. Her thoughts stopped on Phobos Tertius.

"Master of Scanners, any signs of a damaged craft?" Vitus demanded from the command throne.

"No, Lord D'Romas," came the exasperated reply from the crew-man.

"Raise the coms for another broadcast," Vitus quickly added and stood up from the command throne. "This is Vitus D'Romas, Rogue Trader, and emissary of the Emperor of Mankind." He paused for a moment and then continued, "I do not wish to cause trouble with other humans. I offer help to any humans who may be here, hiding from the greenskins. We have stores to aid in repairing your vessel and Tech-Priests who can aid in any repairs you may need." He stood, awaiting a response, as he had after the three previous times he had given the same speech.

Mother Vostod began pointing to a number of coordinates on a dataslate in front of her assistant. "Vishnu, take us here. This appears to be a potential hiding place for a mining void ship."

The Tiberius veered port and climbed as the Navigator operated the controls. "Steady, Vishnu. We are almost there," continued Mother Vostod.

"I have a signal," said the scanner, a voice of excitement replacing his exasperation. "Resting on a large asteroid. Appears to be a four kilometre long vessel. Erratic readings suggest plasma reactor damage."

"I repeat. I am Vitus D'Romas, emissary of the Emperor of Mankind." He paused, and then continued, "We have stores and supplies, and personnel who can help repair the damage to your vessel. I am offering help and the opportunity to rejoin the Imperium of Man."

"This is James Lorval, Captain of the Ethereal Rover," answered a voice over the vox. "We have a damaged plasma reactor and cannot travel to a point where warp entry is feasible."

Vitus laughed. "Entering a protocol into the cogitator to detonate the reactor was a good idea. It would have killed many of the orks. I would like to shake your hand on that one. However, we killed all orks onboard the void station first. We also destroyed one ork kroozer and four ork raiders. The other raiders ran." He waited a moment and then continued, "I will send an Aquila Lander for you and two officers of your choosing to come here to the Tiberius and conduct talks."

There was silence on the other end. Then, the answer came over the vox, "Affirmative, I will come with two officers."

"Do you trust him?" asked the Inquisitor.

"No, but does it matter?" answered Vitus. "I will await him in the Minor War Room. One squad of armsmen will wait in the landing bay with two squads of battle-servitors. Mother Vostod, I would appreciate your skill and power awaiting them too." Mother Vostod looked at Vitus long and hard through the braids dangling in her face and then nodded.

She seems confused and uncertain, Inquisitor Sarcasin thought to herself, then turned her attention to Vitus. What game are you playing here? Aloud, she asked, "Do you have any idea what you are doing?" She looked into his eyes, The understanding there goes well beyond his years.

"Bringing the lost back into the fold," he calmly answered.