Commit to: Imperial Record HLD 23/9841 - Inquisition Record 2194 3/1942
Crossfile to: Ordo Xenox - Tyranid Variant Strains
Input Date: 9561999.M41
Input Clearance: Inquisitor Weyland
Author: Inquisitor Ripley

Grand Inquisitor Weyland,

I have given the order to evacuate planet LV-426.

This is the first and only Tyranid attack of which I have heard in this area of the galaxy. This system has always been so remote that there has always been little interest. This peticular swarm seems to be indigenous to this world since long before the Imperial colony was founded. They have been awakened and now infest this world like none I have seen before. Their methods of reproduction are totally different compared to other tyranids, from what I can ascertain, needing human hosts to reproduce by planting a parasite within the body. Shortly after "impregnation", this parasite bursts violently from the victim's chest cavity, killing them of course, and quickly grows into whatever it was meant to be.

At 02:37.13 hours on 7491284.432/m41, a surveying and exploration detachment under the command of Colonel Darrien reported that they had discovered "an unknown vessel" miles below the surface of grid section X439-F32. Despite protocols set in place, they chose to investigate before contacting me or any of their superiors. As a result, I fear they have doomed us all.

After interrogation of the lone survivor, I leared that the exploration team apparently came across "eggs", and when disturbed, these eggs hatched and out sprang forth the embryo-carrier, which clung to the face of the victims and could not be removed without killing the parasite attached, or the victim. Uually both. Once the embryo was deposited, the carriers would simply fall off and die. The victim would then awaken and feel fine all save for slight disorientation at first. After a few hours, the heretofore unknown parasites within burst from the victim's chest cavities, killing their hosts. Their newly "hatched" progeny scurried off into parts unknown, with such speed and ferocity, the sheer shock of what had just transpired and everything happening so fast made it impossible for the lab technicians to react in time to capture a specimine.

After this, slowly the population in the colony began to dwindle one by one, apparently carried back to the derelict ship in secret. Within 2 weeks the planet was infested, 98% of the population was missing or dead, presumed impregnated or eaten. I have escaped to an orbital platform with a small contingent of Colonial Militia, lead by Lieutenant Jones, and any civilians that I have been able to save. Most of these civilians have never seen nor heard of Tyranids and they did not seem to understand my explanations. They have dubbed these creatures "Alienids".

When fully grown, these Alienids resemble tyranids however their colors are black and silvery, and they shine all over. Their heads posess no eyes, and are long, slender and pure black. Their rows of teeth are like the purest, and sharpest, adamantium and many of the larger species possess a second, inner-mouth that they use as a secondary weapon or to simply hold their squirming prey still while they rip them to shreads.

I know now that myself and my companions will never leave this orbital platform alive. I have ordered all hangars closed and all escape pods jettisoned empty. Just as on the surface, one by one people are disappearing, and there has yet been no sign of the enemy. They hide in the shadows and strike from behind. It is my hope that this message reaches you in time to act and destroy this new alien threat before it is allowed to leave the system and spread out into the galaxy as other hive fleets have. I do not expect there to be any way to deal with this threat other than total orbital bombardment. If these Alienids are allowed to gestate further I suspect they will soon become a full fledged hive fleet and we will have yet another on our hands to deal with.

Thus concludes my report. If anything may be done, I beseech you to make haste and annihilate this threat before it is too late. I am pleased to have been able to serve the Emperor and mankind on this world, there are not many Inquisitors who specialize in Tyranid studies and I wonder if perhaps this may be why I was sent to this world? Though... it is too late for me, I know that now. We have but 7 left alive, and now Jones is acting strangely. I think that-----

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