Unofficial branch of the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Machine Cult of Mars.

The founding of Auxilia Astra was the result of a chain of events, which started upon Archmagos-Explorator Arkhan's discovery of "New Eden", previously unknown to the Imperium of Man. Auxilia Astra serves to explore and acquire information and technology for the Cult, while expected to fend for themselves until the Cult returns to New Eden.

The Explorator fleet arrived in New Eden via a unique but shortlived anomaly. Discovering vast numbers of humanoid species populating the sector, the Archmagos-Explorator decreed that "re-intergration" of these pressumed long lost relatives of man was necessary, and more importantly, their technology were to be acquired by the Adeptus Mechanicus for the Omnissiah.

Requiring much greater resources and military might than the Explorator fleet possesses, a foothold in the form of a great "Ark" ship, headed by Magos Varus, was enstablished while the fleet return through the anomaly, promising to visit New Eden again. Unorthodoxly, locals "converted" to the Cult, but not the officially trained priests of Mars, were chosen to form the organisation. It is unclear what prompted the Archmagos-Explorator to make such a decision.

The "Ark" continued its low-profile exploration and collection of technology, when a serious of accidents lead to its eventual demise, taking down Magos Varus and most of the high-ranking priesthood. The remaining survivors splintered and formed different organisations, though still loyal to the core values and aims of the Cult. Auxilia Astra is one of such bodies, ever pushing the boundaries of exploration, discovery and preservation of knowledge.

"There is no truth in flesh, only betrayal."
"There is no strength in flesh, only weakness."
"There is no constancy in flesh, only decay."
"There is no certainty in flesh but death.""

— Credo Omnissiah