Chaos forces gain dominance on Boltarean

The first world encountered by Barham's loyalist fleet was in the system of Blotarean. Although no longer inhabited by any meaningful population, and resource poor, there were readings from the innermost world which suggested valuable Xenos artefacts were to be found. Despite the heavy radiation from the Boltarean yellow sun, the Imperial expedition began landing forces on the outer worlds, not realising that the forces of Chaos had got there before them.

On the inner planet the forces of Magnus the Red were already fighting - each other - over claims to the alien devices. Clearly Necron in origin the Prophets of Sotek and Emerald Serpent had both used Magnus' knowledge of the warp to arrive at the world before any Imperial fleet, and were now locked in combat over who would claim the items. Eventually Magnus grew tired and irritated over the infighting, and sided with the Emerald Serpent, smashing the Prophets of Sotek and claiming the devices for himself. Satisfied that the inner world was now under the control of Chaos, the Emerald Serpent were detached to the outer planets, where the Imperial Guard had landed and were establishing a base.

Magnus deigned to accompany the mission, appearing in daemonic form at the head of the chaos army. Catching the Guard forces as they deployed, the Imperial forces were ill-prepared to face the onslaught of a daemon primarch, and suffered heavily. Hours of fighting saw the guard routed, forced back into the barren wastelands of the outer rock planet, watching helplessly as their base was systematically ransacked by the forces of the Emerald Serpent. The forces of Chaos had established their dominance, now the loyalists had cause for concern. Perhaps the entire Expanse had become a haven for the heretical followers of the chaos gods.