I : Cataclysm

September 22, 2023

I : Cataclysm

The second planet in the Barfunweltz system was a beautiful pleasure world frequented by Terran dignitaries, diplomats and politicians. The natural wonders of its geography, fauna and flora surpassed the imagination of even the most well-travelled citizens of the galaxy, while its cultural offerings satisfied the appetite of the most cosmopolitan of sophisticates.

As well as offering vacations for the wealthiest of Imperial citizens, Barfunweltz-2 became a very popular and important venue for high conclaves, symposiums and summit talks, as well as all manner of small scale diplomatic missions and political retreats. Consequently, its orbit was constantly populated with impregnable escort craft bristling with devastating weapons and filled with elite soldiery. Little wonder its Planetary Defence Force spent more time on the parade ground than the battlefield.

Barfunweltz-2's popularity among the highest ranks of mankind was largely thanks to the excellent governorship of the Schrödinger dynasty. Not only were they praised for their political wisdom, but also for successfully promoting luxury without attracting the unwelcome interest of the Ruinous Powers.

The Schrödingers knew (but certainly did not publicise) that the planet's peace and prosperity was actually in no small part thanks to the Aeldari Harlequins. Barfunwletz-2 was clearly a site of very significant interest to these mysterious xenos, specifically to a faction known as the Monochrome Minstrels. But they never expressed the slightest aggression towards the pleasure world, nor interest in invading or colonising it. On the contrary, they appeared highly motivated to maintain the Imperium's control of the planet. On occasions over the centuries, the Monochrome Minstrels offered unbidden help and sometimes even military assistance. Yet this was always provided in the most subtle of ways, ensuring that the Schrödinger dynasty never attracted the attention of the Ordo Xenos.

The motto of House Schrödinger was usque ad mortem vivere ('to live until death'), an unusually positive and life-affirming sentiment in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium. But appropriate, for Barfunweltz-2 was a haven of peace and serenity amid a galaxy at war.

Melpomene

It is whispered that Governor Schrödinger received warning of the Cataclysm while viewing a pict capture during a military briefing. A troupe of Harlequins had been recorded slaughtering a band of orks on one of the system's outpost moons. How the Governor interpreted this data as a warning is a complete mystery, but his reaction was instant and emphatic: He ordered the immediate evacuation of the entire planet.

In a remarkable feat of leadership, Schrödinger had successfully removed all of the visiting Imperial dignitaries within hours, along with the core of the planet's military forces. Many wealthy residents with their own craft also left the planet's surface, but there was of course insufficient transport for the ordinary citizenry.

For a few hours, while the evacuees waited in orbit, the evacuation appeared to be completely unnecessary. No threats were apparent. Neither natural disasters nor external enemies could be detected anywhere in the vicinity.

But then, in an instant, with no further warning, Barfunweltz-2 vanished.

Everything within its atmosphere simply disappeared before the eyes and auspexes of the orbiting refugees. It was as if Barfunweltz-2 had never existed.

………

The Lords of Terra were divided over what became known as 'Schrödinger’s Cataclysm'. Some said he deserved punishment for the pleasure world’s loss and made unsupported accusations of xenos associations. Others wanted to reward his foresight that had saved so many high-ranking officials from an unstoppable catastrophe. (It also seems likely that Lord Schrödinger was privy to compromising intelligences regarding some of his former guests who perhaps were keen to have him in their debt.)

As a compromise, the Terran Lords presented Schrödinger with a Warrant of Trade. They charged the new Rogue Trader and his descendants with the apparently impossible task of finding and resettling Barfunweltz-2, the Lost Planet.

Lord Schrödinger returned to his flagship, the Anotoecus, a vast, luxury liner designed for entertaining high ranking dignitaries on diplomatic missions. His nation had become a fleet of starships. And his fleet a nation of refugees, searching for their old home world.