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Success breeds envy, and the competitors of de Aquile rogue trader dynasty had reasons to be very envious indeed. At the height of their power and wealth, trade routes used by the dynasty criss-crossed the galaxy, from the edges of the Eye of Terror to the realm of Ultramar, from the orbit of Holy Terra itself to the farthest borders of the Imperium of Man. Hundreds of vessels in dozens of separate fleets, wealth beyond counting and ears and favors of planetary governors, sector commanders and even High Lords of Terra. Or so the stories and ancient records say. But wealth also breeds complacency. Why brave the dangerous void beyond the Imperium's borders, when you can live a life of luxury and indulgence? Why seek new trade routes, when the ones you already have earn you more than you can spend in dozen lifetimes? Why fear the uncertain future, when life is good and easy?
A mercantile empire that took millenia to build collapsed in less than a century. When Cadia fell and the Great Rift tore the galaxy asunder, trade routes were no longer traversable, fleets lost to the dangers of the void, mutinies or simply beyond the reach of astropathic communications and the light of the Astronomican, wealth lost to the pirates, xenos, traitors, and even just desperate and panicking imperial citizens. After a lifetime of idleness, your ancestors couldn't adapt to the new realities in time. The few captains they had left felt abandoned and sought new patrons, or their own paths. Competing dynasties took over once profitable contracts. Your father did all he could, but as his last remaining freighter vanished without trace, even he surrendered the hope of regaining what was lost. Taking a significant portion of the dynasty's remaining wealth, he retired to a paradise world, accompanied by his former helmswoman, leaving his ship to you.
The Valiant Rose. Not the biggest or most powerful ship your dynasty has ever owned, but the oldest. The one that, in a different age, formed the foundation of de Aquile's achievements. The ship whose name is listed on the ancient parchment held safely in stasis, the very warrant proclaiming the birth of de Aquile dynasty. The ship that will be there when, the Emperor willing, your dynasty will rise from its ashes.
Your ship.
The Imperium is in chaos. Countless worlds lost just in the Imperium Sanctus, where the Astronomican's light still shine, many more beyond the Great Rift. Enemies everywhere, without and within. But with turmoil comes opportunity. A primarch walks amongst mortals once again. Indomitus Crusade, the greatest undertaking since the Great Crusade ten millenia ago, is ongoing. A new routes will need to be found, lost worlds rediscovered. New and old enemies to be fought, rivals to be faced, treasures to be claimed. Time to get to work.
As far as anyone can tell, 74.M42. Give or take a thousand years.
Void port secundus, orbiting hive world Phaera
The Valiant Rose is ready. It took most of your remaining funds, but you had to be certain your new flagship is as close to a perfect working order as humanly possible. Systems had to be maintained, stores filled, accumulated damage from past battles and the everyday dangers of void travel repaired, the ship's crew filled with new blood. The void port's workers, adepts and servitors disembarked your ship, ensuring you that their work is done. Too many details to keep in mind for a young captain. Luckily for you, Calia Houte, your father's seneshal, and, in some ways, your adoptive mother, decided to stay with you and keep her position in the crew. Without her, you would be truly overwhelmed.
Calia approaches you on the ship's bridge, her expression severe. She's not here as your friend, but as an officer on duty. "Captain." She salutes you. Formal, but understandable... many members of the crew are still uncertain about your captainship, and she has to set an example for them to follow. She softens her voice "We have a problem. Nobody on station wants to make a trading contract with us." That is indeed a problem. You need to make at least some profit, and soon. With the docking fees, the maintenance payment and supplies, you are pretty much broke, and the mercenary company serving as the ship's security and your army-for-hire won't stand not being paid. "It seems that traders were threatened by local criminal group to stop dealing with us. Why, I don't know. We've also been contacted by the representitave of van Hepels" She frowns. Van Heppel is a mercantile family that took over some of former de Aquile trade routes and is the suspect in the case of at least one of your lost merchant ships. They have influence in the surrounding sector, and contacts beyond, though they they aren't proper rogue trader and lack the rights to travel beyond pre-approved routes. "And by unknown party. Both parties want to arrange meeting with you, though they did not mentioned why. It could be related to the merchant problems, or some sort of trap."