Within the Imperium.
Scarulus Sector.
Teddywen System, Teddywen Prime, a feudal world.
A small shuttle departed the transport ship and flew down toward the surface.
On the shuttle's hull, the Tyran universe emblem did not depict simple stars, but a design composed of musical notes and paintbrushes.
Beneath the emblem was a line of text.
Tyran Society for the Preservation and Study of Ancient Galactic Heritage
The shuttle passed over vast farmlands owned by Knight Families on the feudal world, as well as serfs in the fields who raised their heads in confusion to look at the great flying bird.
The serfs' children had been playing with a young lord of a Knight Family. Seeing the thing in the sky, they raced along the field ridges, shouting as they ran, "Bird! Bird! Bird!"
At last, the shuttle landed upon the glaciers at the feudal world's South Pole.
A signal mast rose from the top of the shuttle.
A projection then marked out a hazardous zone and emitted aggressive sound frequencies. Once every nearby life-form had been driven away, large quantities of research equipment were transported down from the transport ship to the area around the shuttle.
The shuttle gradually unfolded as well, forming a small research base.
Tyran archaeologists emerged from the shuttle and began their routine inspection and calibration of the equipment on site.
Then another woman emerged from the shuttle.
Unlike the researchers' plain, rigidly conventional attire, she wore striking clothes that complemented her bearing, figure, and beauty.
After stepping down from the shuttle onto the snow, she removed her white gloves, scooped up a handful of snow, tossed it into the air, and stood amid the snow with a pleasant laugh.
Such a natural environment was rarely seen by Rogue Traders.
"Is this a xenos ruin? And