Empiricist Adrift

The gigantic fortress, the Grandcruiser Empiricist, is cast adrift in the nameless system deep in the uncharted depths of the Koronus Expanse. The manipulative betrayer, the vile and toxic Xeno Iazesira, left only destruction in her wake as she fled her erstwhile "companions". As the phalanx of techpriests attend the engines, and cast their auguries to the Machine Spirit, it is evident that her poisons have spread further than just the engines. With time, they are infiltrating other systems.
The first system to show symptoms is the Gellar fields, winking momentarily, before shutting down completely.

The two Torturer-class cruisers that the Empiricist fought mere minutes earlier, have been regrouping. While the ships are no longer functional, and in the absence of a dry-dock, probably never will be again, their crews survive and have been readying small craft for an exodus.

The Empiricist's turrets power down. No entreaties to the Machine Spirit yield any response. It remains stoic.

Other systems are only sporadically being powered. There is a scramble among the crew as every able-bodied staffer seeks breathers and voidsuits.

The Xenos' ships spew disorganised waves of fighters and shuttles, all bound for the Empiricist.

All across the vast Imperial ship, an ominous silence descends.

-----INCOMING TRANSMISSION-----
*@//--- SHUTTLECRAFT IMP#$%)OR *//!!
---EMERGENCY DISTRESS BEACON---
---CO-OR##$&^ES TO FOLLOW---
---ENCRYPTED C0#MUNIC&#%ON DOWNLOADING:
FOR THE ATTENTION OF TARKEEN, FORMERLY OF HOUSE IRONCLOUD---

***DECRYPT FOLLOWS***
Lord Commander.
I am in possession of details relating to some items that you are seeking. I am also in considerable peril. I believe a trade is in order.
My co-ordinates are attached to this message. My current location is being encroached upon by Orks. Find me, remove the threat and grant me passage.
In exchange, I offer you the whereabouts of some of the most precious treasures you have ever encountered, and the current location of your traitorous crew members.

***CO-ORDINATES AND IMPERIAL AUTHENTICATION STAMP ATTACHED***