Memetic Danger
[Chapter Master, this report was delivered to me by the scout master instead of directly to you given the potential for memetic dangers. I have verified that there is no warp trickery in this report, but greatly caution you to the greater danger to the Chapter from its contents and the Cainite rebellion in general.
-Chief Librarian Benicio Oliveira]
From: Scout Carlos Silva
To: Scout Master Joåo Alves
Date: [redacted]
Mission parameters:
The venerable ancient Land Raider Castillo de Porto Alvarinciha was lost in a holding action against an Aeldari war host in the Torredon expanse and believed lost forever. The librarians recently received divinations that it had reactivated itself. I was dispatched to determine the veracity of these divinations and call for nearby Captain Santos of the 4th company for aid in recovery, if found.
Mission log:
Day 1: Successfully infiltrated planetary port facilities without detection by Cainite forces. Bulk trader used for transport never made aware of my presence. Recommendation: purge bulk trader Liberty Ship 18 as signs of Slaaneshi cults among crew are numerous. Trader mainly carries corrupting 'educational' materials such as Tzentchian mathematics text slates and Slaaneshi cults engaging in 'intramural sports.'
Day 6: Rumors of a military laboratory on planet were tracked down. Location scouted to begin planning for infiltration. Red armored Khornate troopers guarding location are limited in number, but professionalism and surveillance equipment equal to Tempestus Scions.
Day 8: Infiltration tonight.
Day 42, Infiltration Summary:
Swam through hydration system to reach hygienic facilities. Lethal measures not utilized to avoid tipping off Cainites of our interest in facility. Patrol of Khornate cultists followed to main hangar faculty. Building entered through open hangar door. Target seemed operational and being worked on by local tech heretics. Coloration limited from obvious ancient battle damage, but matched our Holy Blue and White.
An opportunity to approach the Castillo appeared when a small group of human women appeared carrying some sort of unholy ritual food pierced through with lit candles. The women and tech heretics dragged off one of their number, to his obvious surprise, while singing some undoubtedly Slaaneshi song into a different room where I believe he was sacrificed in some rite, given the joyous screams that came.
The Castillo apparently recognized me as a Ferreiros Mundiais scout and opened at my approach. I entered and its machine spirit spoke to me.
It told me that the Cainites had recovered it when they had destroyed an Aeldari Corsair hideout on the planet. It was willingly working with them as it stated that it was one of our own that recovered it! It claimed it, we!, we originally of the traitorous World Eaters and a world eater that followed the original Crusade Era World Eater creed was here, one without their deranged violent tendencies. I did not believe our unknown primarch could be Angron, nor that a berserker could be saved. [Librarian's Note: We are, of course, descended from loyalist World Eaters, to our eternal shame. This scout was to be entered into The Omertà after his induction as a tactical marine at the end of this mission]. I quickly left the building to notify the 4th of my success with a note to have the chaplain and librarian scrutinize the Castillo and myself for memetic corruption before recovery to the full chapter.
It betrayed me. A silent signal was sent to Hektor, the berserker. Though I fought as well as I could, I was overcome by the ten thousand years of experience of the traitor. He did not kill me nor torture me. He spoke to me over many days of his torture under the 'nails' and how the Cainites brought his sanity back through their corrupt medications. He spoke of how the Imperium was corrupt and existed only to serve the needs of the greedy nobles and ground the masses down into less than nothing.
He spoke of Cain. Through some unknown technology, the Black Commissar spoke to me.
I was released to send this message. I am not under coercion. I have rejoined my brother in the World Eaters and the holy Machine Spirit. They have opened my eyes to the Liberty of the Protectorate and how this is what the emperor truly intended.
Brothers I exhort you to come to the Protectorate. Join us. Fight for a future for all mankind, not just in service to the corrupt lords on Terra!
[Librarian's Note: The statement continues for some time in such a manner, with this scout asking us to join them for increasingly implausible reasons.
As you can see, this scout was fully indoctrinated during somnohypnosis but whatever the Cainites have done has breeched them. I recommend that we avoid Cainite space for the future, until my librarians can discover how to defend against this memetic virus apparently attuned to us. The Castillo de Porto Alvarinciha should continue to be regarded as lost forever and further recovery missions excluded.
Your obedient Brother, Benicio]