Forces of Chaos
Kharn
Khorne Berserkers
Chaos Marine (10 Man; Banner of Khorne)
Rhino
Land Raider
Maulerfiend
White Scars
Kor'sarro Khan
Bike Squad (6 Bikes; Melta)
Tactical Squad (10 Man; Melta, Multi-Melta)
Rhino
Dark Angels
Librarian (Power Field Generator, Melta Bombs)
Tactical Squad (Plasma Cannon)
Scout Squad (Camo Cloaks, Heavy Bolter)
Deathwing Knights
Game Type: Big Guns Never Tire (4 objectives)
Turn 1a: White Scars move their Rhino into nearby ruins. Khan leads the bikes onto the ruins with the scouts. Dark Angels fire their plasma cannon at the enemy Rhino; the gunner get killed by the overheating gun.
Turn 1b: All vehicles rush forward. Marines in Rhino kill two scouts, and Land Raider destroys a bike. Maulerfiend wrecks White Scars Rhino. Tactical Marines bail out.
Points: 0-1
Turn 2a: Deathwing Knights teleport in behind Chaos Rhino. White Scars marines fire both melta weapons at the Maulerfiend; it suffered a shaken result with one hull point left. Bikes take a hull point off the Rhino while the vehicle and passengers are stunned. Both vehicles are wrecked in melee.
Points: 1-1
Turn 2b: Land Raider moves towards the Deathwing Knights, and the occupants rush out. The combine fire from the Land Raider, Berserkers, and Chaos Marines only take down two of the Knights. Marines charge into melee against them. The Knight Commander and Aspiring Champion off each other in a challenge; one knight is brought low for the price of three marines. The marines fail their morale check, and run off the board.
Conclusions: We had to call the game at this point. The Dark Angels started on an objective, and never left it. White Scars and Berserkers both claim one on the second turn. Additionally, the lone Deathwing Knight was still in the enemy's deployment zone.
Final Score: 8-4
Showing posts with label Battle Report. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Battle Report. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Arrakian Accord: Recent summation
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| Air Strike in Leytan |
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| The Battlefield of Leytan |
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| Chaos Champion, precursor to the World Eaters |
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| XII Regiment Squad |
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| Different battle, still a nice pic tho |
Summed up: The tau arrived and pleaded for assistance from the Imperials, specificially the steel nightmares. In exchange for helping fight the heretics, the tau will be given mechanical assistance.
Leytan city was secured in a bloody, bloody fight. It was an apocolypse size game that left hundreds dead or wounded. However with the securing of the Leytan spaceport, The Imperials can now reinforce themselves. The lack of supplies and men will lead to massive refit operation and supply drops. The rest will be revealed in the next arrakian accord proper.
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| VII Regiment squad |
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| VII Vatarian Commander |
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Battle Report: Two-Turns of Total Triumph
This was a quick 2,500 point 2v2 battle that James and I had with a couple of buddies on Saturday. I apologize for the lack of pictures on this but my camera has a bad battery right now.
James' Forces: Imperial Guard
Leman Russ Command Squad (Vanquisher {Warlord} and 2 Demolishers)
2 Veteran Squads (Grenadier)
1 Veteran Squad (Forward Sentry [with Lord Commissar and Chimera])
Scout Sentinel Squad (2 Autocannons and 1 Missile Launcher)
Banewolf
Allied Forces: Space Marines (Imperial Fists rules)
Pedro Kantor {Warlord}
Techmarine (2 Servitors)
Sternguard Veterans (Heavy Bolter [Razorback (Heavy Bolters)])
2 Tactical Squads (10 Man [Heavy Bolter]) [Rhino]
Scout Squad (Camo Cloaks)
Venerable Dreadnought
Stormraven
My Guys: Space Marines (Iron Hands rules)
Master of the Forge (Bike)
Techmarine
Sternguard Veterans (Heavy Bolter, Power Weapon and Plasma Pistol)
[Razorback (Lascannons)]
2 Tactical Squads (Lascannon)
1 Tactical Squad (10 Man [Meltagun and Multi-Melta], Melta Bomb) [Rhino]
Attack Bike Squad (3 Bikes [Multi-Melta])
Thunderfire Cannon
Predator (Lascannons)
Hunter
Vindicator
Allied Forces: Imperial Guard
Command Squad (All Advisers)
3 Veteran Squads
2 Veteran Squads (2 Chimeras)
Veteran Squad (with Commissar)
Leman Russ
Turn 1a: James' team had the initiative that I utterly failed to seize. He had the Sentry Veterans infiltrate on to a skypad that was made better by their Techmarine.
Their movement consisted of moving the two Demolisher Russes forward, while the Venerable Dreadnought and the left field Rhino scurried into cover.
First shots rung from the Sentry Vets aimed at Tactilas Squad 1 (sitting on top of a upgraded ruin). Three hits resulted, but zero wounds came about. Both Demolisher Russes fired at the Command Squad (in another upgraded ruin) to cause a whopping three casualties. The Razorback shot at the other Tactilas Squad 2 which resulted in one dead marine.
Command Squad's morale held firm.
Turn 1b:
A Veteran Squad and Venerable Dreadnought moved out of their ruins while the the Vindicator rolled into one without getting immobilized. Attack Bike Squad (and attached Master of the Forge) drove the edge of the board behind a building. Melta Squad Rhino blitzed forward as far as it could. The Lasorback moved clear of the Thunderfire Cannon's view. Last move was the repositioning of the Lasdator.
First, an artillery strike was called upon the Sentry Vets, but rolled off onto the Command Russ without damage. The Thunderfire Cannon unleashed a barrage of air-bursting shrapnel that killed three of them. Both melta weapons lined up their snap shots on a Demolisher Russ, and miraculously hit and penetrated with both. This resulted in a tank with a stunned crew. The Hunter (sitting behind a chest high wall) fired at the right field Rhino, but failed to score a hit. Tactilas Squad 1 immobilized the Lord Commissar's Chimera. Tactilas Squad 2 and the Leman Russ destroyed both weapons on the enemy Razorback. Lasorback takes aim at the side armor of the Command Russ and penetrates it. After barely failing the cover save, the tank suffered an "Exploded!" result. Lasdator turns the other Demolisher Russ into an exploding husk with a single shot to the side armor. The Vindicator breached the side armor of the remaining Russ and made it a wreck. Finally, the Rhino popped smoke.
Sentry Vets refused to run.
Victory Points: 0-4
Turn 2a: Despite the success of the Officer of the Fleet, all reserves come into play. Sentinels and Scouts outflank into the corner behind the Thunderfire Cannon. Banewolf outflanks into position behind a Vet Squad squatting in ruins. Stormraven flies straight at my Venerable Dreadnought.
The ruined Razorback retreats behind cover as their Dreadnought marches forward.
Scouts immediately open fire on the Techmarine stationed at the cannon; killing him instantly. Sentinel Squad unleashed their arsenal into the back of my allies' Leman Russ which only resulted in one hull point taken. Sentry Vets fire again at Tactilas Squad 1, but fail to cause a single wound. Stormraven and Chimera unload everything they have against the Venerable Dreadnought to a result of two hull points taken and a crew stunned. The Heavy Bolter sitting in the left field Rhino manages to pierce the smoke cloud and glance the side armor of my sole Rhino. Banewolf spewed its toxic concoction into a crowd of Veterans; killing six of them.
The Veterans who suffered from the Banewolf's attack had held firm their resolve and stayed put. I failed both of the "It Will Not Die" rolls, so neither the Dreadnought or Rhino got anything back.
Turn 2b: My ally managed to get ally of his reserves onto the table. One squad of Veterans rushed up right behind his Leman Russ. The other two showed up around the Banewolf.
Master of the Forge and his squad hightail it back to their original (except facing the Sentinels). Sternguard Vets abandon their Lasorback while the accompanying Techmarine went to man the Thunderfire Cannon. The Melta Squad jumped out of their Rhino as its engines gunned it forward as far as possible. Though badly damaged, the Dreadnought stepped towards the Lord Commissar and his Vets.
Sternguard Veterans decimate the entire Scout Squad with a hail of Kraken Bolt rounds. The Attack Bikes blast away at the Sentinels with their Multi-Meltas; resulting in two being immobilized and the other merely being shaken. Leman Russ fails to score any hits against the enemy Dreadnought. Krak grenades thrown by two entire squads of Veterans only take a hull point from the Banewolf. One shot from the Lasdator causes it to explode, which kills a combined three Veterans from both squads. A combined attack from air-bursting shells and an artillery strike kill six Sentry Vets. Lasorback fails to do any damage against enemy Rhino. Demolisher shell from the Vindicator veers off of the Chimera and annihilates the Lord Commissar's squad. Everything else (that could) fires at the Stormraven, but does no damage.
The lone Sentry Vet failed his morale and ran off the board.
The Attack Bike charges the Sentinels and utterly fails at their "Hammer of Wrath" and normal attacks. When the Sentinels retaliated, they killed a marine. Last to attack was the Master of the Forge who, with his four attacks, caused all three Sentinels to explode (killing a Veteran who was really close to the action). With their consolidation, they headed back up the board.
It was at this point that James' team decided to surrender the match.
Final Score: 1-10
James' Forces: Imperial Guard
Leman Russ Command Squad (Vanquisher {Warlord} and 2 Demolishers)
2 Veteran Squads (Grenadier)
1 Veteran Squad (Forward Sentry [with Lord Commissar and Chimera])
Scout Sentinel Squad (2 Autocannons and 1 Missile Launcher)
Banewolf
Allied Forces: Space Marines (Imperial Fists rules)
Pedro Kantor {Warlord}
Techmarine (2 Servitors)
Sternguard Veterans (Heavy Bolter [Razorback (Heavy Bolters)])
2 Tactical Squads (10 Man [Heavy Bolter]) [Rhino]
Scout Squad (Camo Cloaks)
Venerable Dreadnought
Stormraven
My Guys: Space Marines (Iron Hands rules)
Master of the Forge (Bike)
Techmarine
Sternguard Veterans (Heavy Bolter, Power Weapon and Plasma Pistol)
[Razorback (Lascannons)]
2 Tactical Squads (Lascannon)
1 Tactical Squad (10 Man [Meltagun and Multi-Melta], Melta Bomb) [Rhino]
Attack Bike Squad (3 Bikes [Multi-Melta])
Thunderfire Cannon
Predator (Lascannons)
Hunter
Vindicator
Allied Forces: Imperial Guard
Command Squad (All Advisers)
3 Veteran Squads
2 Veteran Squads (2 Chimeras)
Veteran Squad (with Commissar)
Leman Russ
Turn 1a: James' team had the initiative that I utterly failed to seize. He had the Sentry Veterans infiltrate on to a skypad that was made better by their Techmarine.
Their movement consisted of moving the two Demolisher Russes forward, while the Venerable Dreadnought and the left field Rhino scurried into cover.
First shots rung from the Sentry Vets aimed at Tactilas Squad 1 (sitting on top of a upgraded ruin). Three hits resulted, but zero wounds came about. Both Demolisher Russes fired at the Command Squad (in another upgraded ruin) to cause a whopping three casualties. The Razorback shot at the other Tactilas Squad 2 which resulted in one dead marine.
Command Squad's morale held firm.
Turn 1b:
A Veteran Squad and Venerable Dreadnought moved out of their ruins while the the Vindicator rolled into one without getting immobilized. Attack Bike Squad (and attached Master of the Forge) drove the edge of the board behind a building. Melta Squad Rhino blitzed forward as far as it could. The Lasorback moved clear of the Thunderfire Cannon's view. Last move was the repositioning of the Lasdator.
First, an artillery strike was called upon the Sentry Vets, but rolled off onto the Command Russ without damage. The Thunderfire Cannon unleashed a barrage of air-bursting shrapnel that killed three of them. Both melta weapons lined up their snap shots on a Demolisher Russ, and miraculously hit and penetrated with both. This resulted in a tank with a stunned crew. The Hunter (sitting behind a chest high wall) fired at the right field Rhino, but failed to score a hit. Tactilas Squad 1 immobilized the Lord Commissar's Chimera. Tactilas Squad 2 and the Leman Russ destroyed both weapons on the enemy Razorback. Lasorback takes aim at the side armor of the Command Russ and penetrates it. After barely failing the cover save, the tank suffered an "Exploded!" result. Lasdator turns the other Demolisher Russ into an exploding husk with a single shot to the side armor. The Vindicator breached the side armor of the remaining Russ and made it a wreck. Finally, the Rhino popped smoke.
Sentry Vets refused to run.
Victory Points: 0-4
Turn 2a: Despite the success of the Officer of the Fleet, all reserves come into play. Sentinels and Scouts outflank into the corner behind the Thunderfire Cannon. Banewolf outflanks into position behind a Vet Squad squatting in ruins. Stormraven flies straight at my Venerable Dreadnought.
The ruined Razorback retreats behind cover as their Dreadnought marches forward.
Scouts immediately open fire on the Techmarine stationed at the cannon; killing him instantly. Sentinel Squad unleashed their arsenal into the back of my allies' Leman Russ which only resulted in one hull point taken. Sentry Vets fire again at Tactilas Squad 1, but fail to cause a single wound. Stormraven and Chimera unload everything they have against the Venerable Dreadnought to a result of two hull points taken and a crew stunned. The Heavy Bolter sitting in the left field Rhino manages to pierce the smoke cloud and glance the side armor of my sole Rhino. Banewolf spewed its toxic concoction into a crowd of Veterans; killing six of them.
The Veterans who suffered from the Banewolf's attack had held firm their resolve and stayed put. I failed both of the "It Will Not Die" rolls, so neither the Dreadnought or Rhino got anything back.
Turn 2b: My ally managed to get ally of his reserves onto the table. One squad of Veterans rushed up right behind his Leman Russ. The other two showed up around the Banewolf.
Master of the Forge and his squad hightail it back to their original (except facing the Sentinels). Sternguard Vets abandon their Lasorback while the accompanying Techmarine went to man the Thunderfire Cannon. The Melta Squad jumped out of their Rhino as its engines gunned it forward as far as possible. Though badly damaged, the Dreadnought stepped towards the Lord Commissar and his Vets.
Sternguard Veterans decimate the entire Scout Squad with a hail of Kraken Bolt rounds. The Attack Bikes blast away at the Sentinels with their Multi-Meltas; resulting in two being immobilized and the other merely being shaken. Leman Russ fails to score any hits against the enemy Dreadnought. Krak grenades thrown by two entire squads of Veterans only take a hull point from the Banewolf. One shot from the Lasdator causes it to explode, which kills a combined three Veterans from both squads. A combined attack from air-bursting shells and an artillery strike kill six Sentry Vets. Lasorback fails to do any damage against enemy Rhino. Demolisher shell from the Vindicator veers off of the Chimera and annihilates the Lord Commissar's squad. Everything else (that could) fires at the Stormraven, but does no damage.
The lone Sentry Vet failed his morale and ran off the board.
The Attack Bike charges the Sentinels and utterly fails at their "Hammer of Wrath" and normal attacks. When the Sentinels retaliated, they killed a marine. Last to attack was the Master of the Forge who, with his four attacks, caused all three Sentinels to explode (killing a Veteran who was really close to the action). With their consolidation, they headed back up the board.
It was at this point that James' team decided to surrender the match.
Final Score: 1-10
Saturday, December 7, 2013
(NSFW) The Tales of Infinite Mischief Ep. 1
There was a thunderous crash as a drop pod tore through the roof of a manufactorum and came to a screeching halt on the seventy third floor. The guardsmen Jax and Wolfe Arkana, Tybalt Arl the Psyker from a Feral World, and
Garvel Ramirez the Assassin were shaken out a drug induced sleep by the impact
of the drop pod slamming into the ferrocrete floor. Jax Arkana cleared his
throat "Mates, It looks like we've been Shanghai'd."
Wolfe coughed roughly before agreeing "Too right, brother." Two doors of the drop pod hissed open and Jax and Wolfe stumbled out. As they looked over, Tybalt and Garvel fell out of the pod next to them, clearly unused to the roughness of a combat drop.
The room that the drop pod had wedged itself in had only one door, covered by a sheet
that loosely hung in the frame. On the floors were more sheets that were clearly
in use as beds, with rocks being used as a form of pillow. Whoever lived here
was very poor.
"Where the sod are we? and Who the Sod are you two?" Garvel demanded.
"Jax" Jax answered, followed by Wolfe, "And Wolfe Arkana, III Vatarian Legion. Who the hell are you?"
Tybalt scoffed. "Tybalt Arl, Blade for hire. This is Garvel Ramirez." The
Psyker simply nodded at them.
"Well Tybalt." Jax said, "There are men trapped in this drop pod. It's wedged
into ferrocrete."
Garvel spoke up "There is combat going on nearby. I suggest if we are to help
them we make haste."
The group stood and listened. Sounds of Autoguns and Lasguns trading fire
echoed into the room. The occasional battle cannon would explode followed by
smaller sub explosions.
"There is only one thing we can do." Jax said as he surveyed the drop pod. "We have to put them out of their misery. Anyone have any grenades?" No one spoke up.
"Alright, lets see if we can rig it to explode then." He knelt at the pod's control console and began to pry into it with his knife. There was a bright flash as he was jolted back by electricty.
"Well" Garvel said after a short while "Looks like they're stuck in there."
"Looks like it" Jax agreed as he stood up and brushed himself off. He then leanred against the doorway and peeked outside.
They were in a room that connected to a catwalk. Far below there stood massive couldrons of bubbling magma. Just visible were figures that appeared to be in intense combat.
"Catwalk looks clear. Lets head out." He tore the sheet down that covered the doorway and put it on as a makeshift cloak, then proceeded to pull part of it up as a hood.
"What's that for?" Wolfe asked.
"Just in case. If anything happens we could use it as a tournicate, or paint it up as makeshift camoflauge. " Jax replied as he stepped onto the catwalk followed by the rest of the group.
To their left and right the catwalk continued onward.
"Which way?" Tybalt wondered aloud
"Let's let the Emperor decide." Jax replied and pulled a single throne from his belt and tossed it in the air.
It landed heads-up. "We go right."
As they proceeded down the catwalk, five men dressed in rags approached them carrying battle-axes. The two groups stood and stared at each other before one of the men shouted out "Blood for the blood god!"
"Wait wait wait wait wait!" Jax shouted, and the cultists stopped for a moment. "We're with you guys! Been up here hunting for those damn imperials! Blood for the blood god!"
The cultists talked among themselves for a moment before replying "Kill them! Skulls for the skull throne!"
"Well shit." Garvel stated, and raised his lascarbine to shoot at the oncoming attackers. He clipped one in the arm and made him flinch some. Tybalt opened fire with his snub pistol but the shot went wide. Jax fired his autogun at the oncoming attackers and a miracle happened. One of the rounds detonated a grenade that was on the belt of one of the cultists. Four out of the five cultists were flayed into a red, gorey mess. The remainind cultist continued to charge forward, completely ignoring the fact that his comrades had fallen. Garvel fired at him again but the shot went wide, then proceeded to taunt the cultist mercilessly.
"Were you born this slow, or are you just that out of shape?"
The cultists growled a response and continued to charge him.
Tybalt was silent for a moment before lowering his trousers. He then began to flop his junk around while shouting "Helicopter!"
(After a brief game derailment regarding whether or not we are allowed to helicopter the cultists, it was concluded that it would take a full turn to do.)
The cultist skid to a halt and covered his eyes. Jax took the oppurtinity to stab his bayonette through through the jaw and up through the skull of the cultist. After using his boot to scrape the cultists off the bayonette, he chuckled.
Garvel joined in the chuckling. "Tybalt fucked with his mind, You literally mind fucked him."
"Fitting death for a cultist." Wolfe added.
After continuing down the catwalk, the group came upon a staircase.
"Well gents'" Garvel began "It looks like we've quite a long walk down ahead of us."
Unbeknownst to the group, they were on the seventy sixth floor. They walked down seventy five flights of stairs to the bottom floor. Once at the bottom Jax, Garvel, and Tybalt all collapsed in a series of pants and gasps. "Fuck. Fuck. That was something awful." Wolfe could only throw up as he gasped for air.
"Never" Jax began to catch his breathe "Again."
As the group was still catching its breathe, a low rumbling filled the chamber and everything seemed to shake slightly.
"Oh no" Wolfe muttered
"No, no, no, no." Jax agreed
"What?" Garvel asked
As if one cue a Leman Russ Battle Tank rounded the corner and began firing battle cannon shells at them. Missing several which resulted in a few of the magma couldrons being cracked open.
"Just can't get a break, can we?" Jax shouted as they began to run back up the flights of stairs. Suddenly, a lascannon tore into the side of the leman russ and caused it to explode. The explosion fully knocked over one of the magma cauldrons, spilling its contents over all over the ground and melting the lower levels of the stairs.
"Well. That went well." Garvel stated.
"Mhmm." Tybalt agreed.
"You know, I used to work in these factory dregs as a lad. Every twelve floors is an access door to a freight elevator." Wolfe remebered.
"Yeah, thats right. We can get to a freight elevator and hitch a ride to the surface." Jax Agreed.
So they climbed up to the twelfth floor and began following the catwalk again.
"Wait!" Tybalt cried, startling the rest of the group. "There are people ahead!"
Jax raised his Autogun and crept along the catwalk. "Do you sense they are hostile?"
Tybalt was silent for a moment. "No, They seem... afraid."
As Jax, Wolfe, Garvel, And Tybalt crept up on the cowering dregs.
"Don't hurt us! By the Emperor, Don't hurt us!" One of them cried
"Relax" Jax said, and gave them some rations. "What planet are we on?"
The dreg looked confused. "We're on Vatar.. where else would we be?"
"Good. Still at home. What hive?" Jax asked
"Edgeer Hive" The dreg responded hesitantly
"What happened here" Garvel asked one of the dregs.
The dreg took a deep breathe before speaking. "We started the work day this morning just like every other day. About mid day as the lunch bell rang, half of the workers pulled rifles and weapons out and began gunning everyone down at random. It... it was awful! Everyone was screaming... a-and running! I saw my family killed by a mutant with a makeshift axe!" The dreg began sobbing uncontrollably.
"What happened to the XI Legion? They should be here restoring order." Jax asked
"They.. They were killed by dark figures with faces pale as ash, with ears as pointed as knives. They're dead, every single one is dead!" The dreg cried. "I can never forget what hell i've seen today!"
Jax Knelt down close to the dreg. "Do you require the Emperor's Benediction?"
"Oh please! I need the Emperor's help!" The dreg sobbed
"Kneel down in prayer. All of you."
The three dregs knelt down and began praying. Jax put an autogun round into each of their heads. He then knelt down and removed a pair of welding goggles with an Aquila stamped on the side. "Might come in handy. Lets get a move on."
As they continued to walk along the catwalk, it bent into a partially destroyed alcove and then out the other side. As Jax stepped into the alcove, A shot rang out and clipped him in the cheek. He fell back bleeding severely on the face, cursing all the while.
To Be Continued...
Garvel Ramirez the Assassin were shaken out a drug induced sleep by the impact
of the drop pod slamming into the ferrocrete floor. Jax Arkana cleared his
throat "Mates, It looks like we've been Shanghai'd."
Wolfe coughed roughly before agreeing "Too right, brother." Two doors of the drop pod hissed open and Jax and Wolfe stumbled out. As they looked over, Tybalt and Garvel fell out of the pod next to them, clearly unused to the roughness of a combat drop.
The room that the drop pod had wedged itself in had only one door, covered by a sheet
that loosely hung in the frame. On the floors were more sheets that were clearly
in use as beds, with rocks being used as a form of pillow. Whoever lived here
was very poor.
"Where the sod are we? and Who the Sod are you two?" Garvel demanded.
"Jax" Jax answered, followed by Wolfe, "And Wolfe Arkana, III Vatarian Legion. Who the hell are you?"
Tybalt scoffed. "Tybalt Arl, Blade for hire. This is Garvel Ramirez." The
Psyker simply nodded at them.
"Well Tybalt." Jax said, "There are men trapped in this drop pod. It's wedged
into ferrocrete."
Garvel spoke up "There is combat going on nearby. I suggest if we are to help
them we make haste."
The group stood and listened. Sounds of Autoguns and Lasguns trading fire
echoed into the room. The occasional battle cannon would explode followed by
smaller sub explosions.
"There is only one thing we can do." Jax said as he surveyed the drop pod. "We have to put them out of their misery. Anyone have any grenades?" No one spoke up.
"Alright, lets see if we can rig it to explode then." He knelt at the pod's control console and began to pry into it with his knife. There was a bright flash as he was jolted back by electricty.
"Well" Garvel said after a short while "Looks like they're stuck in there."
"Looks like it" Jax agreed as he stood up and brushed himself off. He then leanred against the doorway and peeked outside.
They were in a room that connected to a catwalk. Far below there stood massive couldrons of bubbling magma. Just visible were figures that appeared to be in intense combat.
"Catwalk looks clear. Lets head out." He tore the sheet down that covered the doorway and put it on as a makeshift cloak, then proceeded to pull part of it up as a hood.
"What's that for?" Wolfe asked.
"Just in case. If anything happens we could use it as a tournicate, or paint it up as makeshift camoflauge. " Jax replied as he stepped onto the catwalk followed by the rest of the group.
To their left and right the catwalk continued onward.
"Which way?" Tybalt wondered aloud
"Let's let the Emperor decide." Jax replied and pulled a single throne from his belt and tossed it in the air.
It landed heads-up. "We go right."
As they proceeded down the catwalk, five men dressed in rags approached them carrying battle-axes. The two groups stood and stared at each other before one of the men shouted out "Blood for the blood god!"
"Wait wait wait wait wait!" Jax shouted, and the cultists stopped for a moment. "We're with you guys! Been up here hunting for those damn imperials! Blood for the blood god!"
The cultists talked among themselves for a moment before replying "Kill them! Skulls for the skull throne!"
"Well shit." Garvel stated, and raised his lascarbine to shoot at the oncoming attackers. He clipped one in the arm and made him flinch some. Tybalt opened fire with his snub pistol but the shot went wide. Jax fired his autogun at the oncoming attackers and a miracle happened. One of the rounds detonated a grenade that was on the belt of one of the cultists. Four out of the five cultists were flayed into a red, gorey mess. The remainind cultist continued to charge forward, completely ignoring the fact that his comrades had fallen. Garvel fired at him again but the shot went wide, then proceeded to taunt the cultist mercilessly.
"Were you born this slow, or are you just that out of shape?"
The cultists growled a response and continued to charge him.
Tybalt was silent for a moment before lowering his trousers. He then began to flop his junk around while shouting "Helicopter!"
(After a brief game derailment regarding whether or not we are allowed to helicopter the cultists, it was concluded that it would take a full turn to do.)
The cultist skid to a halt and covered his eyes. Jax took the oppurtinity to stab his bayonette through through the jaw and up through the skull of the cultist. After using his boot to scrape the cultists off the bayonette, he chuckled.
Garvel joined in the chuckling. "Tybalt fucked with his mind, You literally mind fucked him."
"Fitting death for a cultist." Wolfe added.
After continuing down the catwalk, the group came upon a staircase.
"Well gents'" Garvel began "It looks like we've quite a long walk down ahead of us."
Unbeknownst to the group, they were on the seventy sixth floor. They walked down seventy five flights of stairs to the bottom floor. Once at the bottom Jax, Garvel, and Tybalt all collapsed in a series of pants and gasps. "Fuck. Fuck. That was something awful." Wolfe could only throw up as he gasped for air.
"Never" Jax began to catch his breathe "Again."
As the group was still catching its breathe, a low rumbling filled the chamber and everything seemed to shake slightly.
"Oh no" Wolfe muttered
"No, no, no, no." Jax agreed
"What?" Garvel asked
As if one cue a Leman Russ Battle Tank rounded the corner and began firing battle cannon shells at them. Missing several which resulted in a few of the magma couldrons being cracked open.
"Just can't get a break, can we?" Jax shouted as they began to run back up the flights of stairs. Suddenly, a lascannon tore into the side of the leman russ and caused it to explode. The explosion fully knocked over one of the magma cauldrons, spilling its contents over all over the ground and melting the lower levels of the stairs.
"Well. That went well." Garvel stated.
"Mhmm." Tybalt agreed.
"You know, I used to work in these factory dregs as a lad. Every twelve floors is an access door to a freight elevator." Wolfe remebered.
"Yeah, thats right. We can get to a freight elevator and hitch a ride to the surface." Jax Agreed.
So they climbed up to the twelfth floor and began following the catwalk again.
"Wait!" Tybalt cried, startling the rest of the group. "There are people ahead!"
Jax raised his Autogun and crept along the catwalk. "Do you sense they are hostile?"
Tybalt was silent for a moment. "No, They seem... afraid."
As Jax, Wolfe, Garvel, And Tybalt crept up on the cowering dregs.
"Don't hurt us! By the Emperor, Don't hurt us!" One of them cried
"Relax" Jax said, and gave them some rations. "What planet are we on?"
The dreg looked confused. "We're on Vatar.. where else would we be?"
"Good. Still at home. What hive?" Jax asked
"Edgeer Hive" The dreg responded hesitantly
"What happened here" Garvel asked one of the dregs.
The dreg took a deep breathe before speaking. "We started the work day this morning just like every other day. About mid day as the lunch bell rang, half of the workers pulled rifles and weapons out and began gunning everyone down at random. It... it was awful! Everyone was screaming... a-and running! I saw my family killed by a mutant with a makeshift axe!" The dreg began sobbing uncontrollably.
"What happened to the XI Legion? They should be here restoring order." Jax asked
"They.. They were killed by dark figures with faces pale as ash, with ears as pointed as knives. They're dead, every single one is dead!" The dreg cried. "I can never forget what hell i've seen today!"
Jax Knelt down close to the dreg. "Do you require the Emperor's Benediction?"
"Oh please! I need the Emperor's help!" The dreg sobbed
"Kneel down in prayer. All of you."
The three dregs knelt down and began praying. Jax put an autogun round into each of their heads. He then knelt down and removed a pair of welding goggles with an Aquila stamped on the side. "Might come in handy. Lets get a move on."
As they continued to walk along the catwalk, it bent into a partially destroyed alcove and then out the other side. As Jax stepped into the alcove, A shot rang out and clipped him in the cheek. He fell back bleeding severely on the face, cursing all the while.
To Be Continued...
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Arrakian Accord pt 6, Battle for Outpost Idaho
[After MUCH, MUCH, MUCH delay. I present to you: Arrakian Accord VI]
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 25
Situation: Stable
From the diary of Major Carpenter: I'm going to kill that damned Inquisitor. "Guard duty combined with rest and relaxation" he says. Hah! Guard duty to this place is better suited for Catachans! This place is like a little piece of a death world! It's constantly humid, the trees and foliage here are so thick that you can't even get a vehicle through them. Hell, the only way we came in is by the weekly supply Valkyrie. To make matters worse, there are flying razorworms that have nested in a majority of the trees here. These little buggers are like the sand worms except instead of burrowing in sand, if disturbed they burrow into your skin. On top of that there is a poisonous fog that rolls in every morning and every evening, rending the air unbreathable without respiration equipment. We can't find the source of the fog, but it can only be assumed as something not very good.
Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. There is a single road that leads out of the jungle, but we're at least an hour or so from any kind of reinforcements. Emperor preserve us if we are attacked.
It was a cool morning when Aelgafar stepped out of his quarters and onto the outpost grounds. He took a deep breathe from his respirator and stretched. "Sir, glad to see you're up and recovering." Rielly had snuck up beside him holding a datapad and adjusting his uniform. Carpenter cleared his throat for a reply. "Good Morning, Sergeant. How goes the men's R and R?"
Rielly gave Aelgafar a look. "Sir, You're kidding, right? This place is some sort of awful."
"Heh. Yeah, I know. Reminds me of back home on Vatar." Aelgafar looked towards the sky. It was a hazy yellow morning, but the sun could not clearly be seen due to the poisonous haze that covered the outpost.
"Sir, if you don't mind my asking, which Hive are you from on Vatar?"
Aelgafar chuckled and began making a B line to the mess hall. "Not from a hive, sergeant. The closest hive was Throla, nearly a hundred miles away. I lived in the Agri-plains with my wife and son."
Rielly was shocked. "You were married sir?"
Aelgafar nodded. "Yeah. I was. They were both killed several, several years ago when the insurrection burned down my family home. That's when I decided to enlist in the Legion."
"Ah, I see." Rielly paused for a moment. "I'm sorry for bringing it up, sir."
"No worries Rielly. It was long ago."
They entered the mess hall and removed their respirators. There was only a few guardsmen up this early, and they quickly stood to attention as Carpenter walked in.
"Officer on the deck!"
Carpenter waved them down. "As you were. Continue eating."
They sat down as Carpenter and Rielly took a trays of food from a nearby serving line and sat in a back corner of the mess hall. Aelgafar began to rub his gut.
"Are you alright, sir?"
"Yeah Rielly, just still getting used to bionics. Truthfully it feels like I've got an itch I just can't reach."
Rielly nodded. "I've heard of that. It has something to do with your nerves firing off and trying to reach the missing parts. Very biologically confusing."
Carpenter began to eat his food bite by bite.
Rielly started to eat as well, but stopped mid bite. "Look sharp sir, here come Captain Uylesses."
Uylesses sat down almost right after and began to dig into his food.
He talked between bites to Rielly and Aelgafar. "Morning Aelgafar, Morning Rielly."
Rielly spoke as Carpenter continued to eat and only waved as acknowledgement. "Good morning sir, How are you doing?"
"Three of my troopers are out for respirators not working properly. Two of them are expected to make it, but the third is not looking good. Another big problem is the damned RAZORBEES."
Aelgafar looked up from his meal. "Why put emphasis on the razorbees?"
Uylesses looked livid. "Because I HATE those damned RAZORBEES. Have you been attacked by one yet?"
Carpenter shook his head
"Well Aelgafar, it hurts. I'm not talking a little pain, I'm talking like i'd prefer to be shot by a lasgun."
"We could maybe arrange that if you'd like?"
Uylesses simply glared at him before resuming his meal.
They were still eating when the alarm sounded. All the guardsmen in the mess hall shot up and darted out. A patrol of guardsmen had come back several men short, and the survivors were badly wounded. Carpenter approached the sergeant who quickly saluted.
"Sergeant, what happened here?'
"Its the Black Legion sir, they're here."
"Alright, take care of your men. The rest of you to defensive stations!"
The Imperials scrambled to the ramparts that surrounded the small outpost. There was a sharp crack as suddenly three full squads of Steel Nightmare space marines teleported to the middle of the outpost. Their leader, Chapter Master McCormick quickly approached Major Carpenter.
"Major, I am here to assist in the defense of this Outpost. If it falls, we lose a major staging ground for future operations in this region."
"Thank you for the help, McCormick. If you could station your men along the southern wall that would greatly balance out from the lack of turrets."
"Very well, I have sent two squads to the south, as well as a third to the northern pass."
"Thank you sir."
"Also Major, we will have more allies in this battle yet. Keep clear the eastern approach and they will be here within a few moments."
As if on cue there was a flash, followed by the appearance of Eldar Warriors. Their Farseer was silent as she climbed the ramparts on the southern wall."
"Well damn, I guess we got reinforced." Rielly said over the micro vox. "We'll need all the help we can get, sir."
"Why's that Rielly?"
"Come up to the tower."
They were surrounded. From the south a group of Khornate Beserkers were charging. From the North, A group of Chaotic Cultists. From the east and west, Several units of Traitor Marines. "Here they come! Open fire!"
The guardsmen on all sides began to unleash volley after volley of lasgun fire. The Astartes and Eldar held their fire patiently, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Like ghosts the Traitor marines came from the morning fog. They silently raised their bolters and began to cut into the guardsmen. Men fell left and right as the bolt rounds exploded all
around the imperial positions. Without hesitation the Eldar returned fire against the traitors. Out of nowhere, a squad of corrupted terminators unleashed lethal volleys of storm bolter fire against the weak Eldar armour. The Farseer, seeing that the line was threatening to collapse drove the Terminator's minds into a fray. They turned on each other and destroyed themselves. Seeing this precious advantage, Major Carpenter ordered his men to stand and fire with their First and Second rank drill. As the western flank began strengthen, Both the Astartes and the guardsmen to the south were butchered by Khornate Beserkers. "Damn them! Fight for all you're worth soldiers!" Carpenter lept from his position high on the battlements and took position along the southern road. "To me men! Prepare to beat back the enemy!" A handful of guardsmen rallied behind him as he began to fire at the rapidly approaching Beserkers.
The chapter master raised his two chainswords in return and revved their adamentium teeth. A thunderous clap filled the air as the two swordsmen collided, striking each other with a strength that would break lesser men. Then McCormick struck a lucky blow, severing the other warrior's arm at the elbow. As he stood over his defeated rival, he raised his chain swords and brought them down upon the man's head. The battle for the north wall was over, but the rest of the outpost was still raging on.
At the southern approach, Major carpenter was leading his men in a charge against the Khornate Beserkers. "Steel yourselves for battle! We must stop them from taking the outpost!" He and a few handful charged like men possessed against the Beserkers, striking a few of the devils down in the process.
As his guardsmen fell around him, Carpenter managed to fight his way to the centre of the Khornate formation. There stood a chaos champion, red plume hanging proudly from his helmet. He rushed at Carpenter with a bloodthirsty roar. Carpenter was barely able to parry him using his power sword. The Champion raised his power fist and brought it down upon Carpenter's power sword. There was a crack of lightning as the sword snapped from the superior strength of the power fist. Carpenter panicked as he realized just how bad of a situation he was in. He made one last desperate jab at the Champion with the broken hilt of the sword. The last thing he felt was the blade pierce the Champion's power armour. Then, with a thunderous bang, the world went black.
The mob of Khornate Beserkers had been annihilated. From the southern road that led to the outpost, a column of Leman Russ tanks had appeared. "Sorry we're late, boys." A voice emitted from the lead tank, "Got held up about a mile back by some pesky cultists."
Chapter master McCormick vox'd the tank back. "Identify yourself"
"Knight Commander Thomas Venture of the 180th Mantaeus Regiment. Got your distress Signal and sallied up to reinforce you."
McCormick chuckled. "Glad to have the help, Commander Venture."
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 25
Situation: Stable
From the diary of Major Carpenter: I'm going to kill that damned Inquisitor. "Guard duty combined with rest and relaxation" he says. Hah! Guard duty to this place is better suited for Catachans! This place is like a little piece of a death world! It's constantly humid, the trees and foliage here are so thick that you can't even get a vehicle through them. Hell, the only way we came in is by the weekly supply Valkyrie. To make matters worse, there are flying razorworms that have nested in a majority of the trees here. These little buggers are like the sand worms except instead of burrowing in sand, if disturbed they burrow into your skin. On top of that there is a poisonous fog that rolls in every morning and every evening, rending the air unbreathable without respiration equipment. We can't find the source of the fog, but it can only be assumed as something not very good.
It was a cool morning when Aelgafar stepped out of his quarters and onto the outpost grounds. He took a deep breathe from his respirator and stretched. "Sir, glad to see you're up and recovering." Rielly had snuck up beside him holding a datapad and adjusting his uniform. Carpenter cleared his throat for a reply. "Good Morning, Sergeant. How goes the men's R and R?"
Rielly gave Aelgafar a look. "Sir, You're kidding, right? This place is some sort of awful."
"Heh. Yeah, I know. Reminds me of back home on Vatar." Aelgafar looked towards the sky. It was a hazy yellow morning, but the sun could not clearly be seen due to the poisonous haze that covered the outpost.
"Sir, if you don't mind my asking, which Hive are you from on Vatar?"
Aelgafar chuckled and began making a B line to the mess hall. "Not from a hive, sergeant. The closest hive was Throla, nearly a hundred miles away. I lived in the Agri-plains with my wife and son."
Rielly was shocked. "You were married sir?"
Aelgafar nodded. "Yeah. I was. They were both killed several, several years ago when the insurrection burned down my family home. That's when I decided to enlist in the Legion."
"Ah, I see." Rielly paused for a moment. "I'm sorry for bringing it up, sir."
"No worries Rielly. It was long ago."
They entered the mess hall and removed their respirators. There was only a few guardsmen up this early, and they quickly stood to attention as Carpenter walked in.
"Officer on the deck!"
Carpenter waved them down. "As you were. Continue eating."
They sat down as Carpenter and Rielly took a trays of food from a nearby serving line and sat in a back corner of the mess hall. Aelgafar began to rub his gut.
"Are you alright, sir?"
"Yeah Rielly, just still getting used to bionics. Truthfully it feels like I've got an itch I just can't reach."
Rielly nodded. "I've heard of that. It has something to do with your nerves firing off and trying to reach the missing parts. Very biologically confusing."
Carpenter began to eat his food bite by bite.
Rielly started to eat as well, but stopped mid bite. "Look sharp sir, here come Captain Uylesses."
Uylesses sat down almost right after and began to dig into his food.
He talked between bites to Rielly and Aelgafar. "Morning Aelgafar, Morning Rielly."
Rielly spoke as Carpenter continued to eat and only waved as acknowledgement. "Good morning sir, How are you doing?"
"Three of my troopers are out for respirators not working properly. Two of them are expected to make it, but the third is not looking good. Another big problem is the damned RAZORBEES."
Aelgafar looked up from his meal. "Why put emphasis on the razorbees?"
Uylesses looked livid. "Because I HATE those damned RAZORBEES. Have you been attacked by one yet?"
Carpenter shook his head
"Well Aelgafar, it hurts. I'm not talking a little pain, I'm talking like i'd prefer to be shot by a lasgun."
"We could maybe arrange that if you'd like?"
Uylesses simply glared at him before resuming his meal.
They were still eating when the alarm sounded. All the guardsmen in the mess hall shot up and darted out. A patrol of guardsmen had come back several men short, and the survivors were badly wounded. Carpenter approached the sergeant who quickly saluted.
"Sergeant, what happened here?'
"Its the Black Legion sir, they're here."
"Alright, take care of your men. The rest of you to defensive stations!"
"Major, I am here to assist in the defense of this Outpost. If it falls, we lose a major staging ground for future operations in this region."
"Thank you for the help, McCormick. If you could station your men along the southern wall that would greatly balance out from the lack of turrets."
"Very well, I have sent two squads to the south, as well as a third to the northern pass."
"Thank you sir."
"Also Major, we will have more allies in this battle yet. Keep clear the eastern approach and they will be here within a few moments."
As if on cue there was a flash, followed by the appearance of Eldar Warriors. Their Farseer was silent as she climbed the ramparts on the southern wall."
"Well damn, I guess we got reinforced." Rielly said over the micro vox. "We'll need all the help we can get, sir."
"Why's that Rielly?"
"Come up to the tower."
The guardsmen on all sides began to unleash volley after volley of lasgun fire. The Astartes and Eldar held their fire patiently, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Like ghosts the Traitor marines came from the morning fog. They silently raised their bolters and began to cut into the guardsmen. Men fell left and right as the bolt rounds exploded all
around the imperial positions. Without hesitation the Eldar returned fire against the traitors. Out of nowhere, a squad of corrupted terminators unleashed lethal volleys of storm bolter fire against the weak Eldar armour. The Farseer, seeing that the line was threatening to collapse drove the Terminator's minds into a fray. They turned on each other and destroyed themselves. Seeing this precious advantage, Major Carpenter ordered his men to stand and fire with their First and Second rank drill. As the western flank began strengthen, Both the Astartes and the guardsmen to the south were butchered by Khornate Beserkers. "Damn them! Fight for all you're worth soldiers!" Carpenter lept from his position high on the battlements and took position along the southern road. "To me men! Prepare to beat back the enemy!" A handful of guardsmen rallied behind him as he began to fire at the rapidly approaching Beserkers.
On the other side of the battlefield, Chapter Master McCormick was single-handedly cutting a bloody swath through the ranks of cultists. As he stood among the gore that was the enemy formation, a long figure in power armour approached him. The two warriors stood silent as they looked each other over. The figure raised a power sword of unknown make as a challenge to McCormick.
The chapter master raised his two chainswords in return and revved their adamentium teeth. A thunderous clap filled the air as the two swordsmen collided, striking each other with a strength that would break lesser men. Then McCormick struck a lucky blow, severing the other warrior's arm at the elbow. As he stood over his defeated rival, he raised his chain swords and brought them down upon the man's head. The battle for the north wall was over, but the rest of the outpost was still raging on.At the southern approach, Major carpenter was leading his men in a charge against the Khornate Beserkers. "Steel yourselves for battle! We must stop them from taking the outpost!" He and a few handful charged like men possessed against the Beserkers, striking a few of the devils down in the process.
The mob of Khornate Beserkers had been annihilated. From the southern road that led to the outpost, a column of Leman Russ tanks had appeared. "Sorry we're late, boys." A voice emitted from the lead tank, "Got held up about a mile back by some pesky cultists."
Chapter master McCormick vox'd the tank back. "Identify yourself"
"Knight Commander Thomas Venture of the 180th Mantaeus Regiment. Got your distress Signal and sallied up to reinforce you."
McCormick chuckled. "Glad to have the help, Commander Venture."
Saturday, October 5, 2013
My To-Do list for today
1. Wrestle my dog Caesar back into his collar. He's not exactly small, and as strong as.. well.. a strong dog
2. Paint some things for warhammer, take pics
3. Finish a battle report
4. Take the trash which Caesar has so KINDLY distributed all throughout my home
5. Realize that i'vebeen up for near 48 hours and Crash. Hard.
6. Wake up and read my Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer
7. Get a snack
8. Work on thesis to Prove the existence of the Alpha Legion
9. finally beat DoW 2 now that I've got it working properply
10. Ragequit DoW 2 because of Tyranids
11. Or orks
12. Fantasize about having another cruiser in Battlefleet Gothic.
13. Accidentally break one of my models, swear profusely
14. Mentally Summon Doomrider.
15. Do Cocaine. COCAINE.
16. Topple the Imperium with Doomrider while Simultaniously pleasuring three women
17. Wake up several hours later realizing that steps 14-16 were a dream
18. Ragequit being awake and go back to sleep, only to be woken up early early sunday morning
2. Paint some things for warhammer, take pics
3. Finish a battle report
4. Take the trash which Caesar has so KINDLY distributed all throughout my home
5. Realize that i'vebeen up for near 48 hours and Crash. Hard.
6. Wake up and read my Imperial Infantryman's Uplifting Primer
7. Get a snack
8. Work on thesis to Prove the existence of the Alpha Legion
9. finally beat DoW 2 now that I've got it working properply
10. Ragequit DoW 2 because of Tyranids
11. Or orks
12. Fantasize about having another cruiser in Battlefleet Gothic.
13. Accidentally break one of my models, swear profusely
14. Mentally Summon Doomrider.
15. Do Cocaine. COCAINE.
16. Topple the Imperium with Doomrider while Simultaniously pleasuring three women
17. Wake up several hours later realizing that steps 14-16 were a dream
18. Ragequit being awake and go back to sleep, only to be woken up early early sunday morning
15 Easy Steps to making 3AM Tea
1. Get thirsty, but don't feel like getting up yet
2. Still thirsty, try to ignore the face that you're getting thirsty
3. Say screw it, get up and go look in the fridge for ten minutes but to no avail. Return to you seat
4. Give up and go look again, this time have an idea of what sounds good. Some nice warm tea
5. Get a mug and put water in it
6. Realize that you don't remember where you put your tea bags
7. Ask your cat where the bags are
8. Realize your cat is a selfish asshole and wouldn't tell you even if he knew where they were
9. Fight off your cat attacking your feet as you search each cupboard
10. Find tea
11. Realize what you found is green tea, and keep looking
12. Find the proper tea
13 Get the mug of water and nuke it in the microwave
14. Once finished, carefully remove the mug and put tea bags in it
15. Wait about five minutes, add sugar, stir, and enjoy
2. Still thirsty, try to ignore the face that you're getting thirsty
3. Say screw it, get up and go look in the fridge for ten minutes but to no avail. Return to you seat
4. Give up and go look again, this time have an idea of what sounds good. Some nice warm tea
5. Get a mug and put water in it
6. Realize that you don't remember where you put your tea bags
7. Ask your cat where the bags are
8. Realize your cat is a selfish asshole and wouldn't tell you even if he knew where they were
9. Fight off your cat attacking your feet as you search each cupboard
10. Find tea
11. Realize what you found is green tea, and keep looking
12. Find the proper tea
13 Get the mug of water and nuke it in the microwave
14. Once finished, carefully remove the mug and put tea bags in it
15. Wait about five minutes, add sugar, stir, and enjoy
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Arrakian Accord pt 5, Battle for Leto Highway
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 15
Situation: Optimal
"Wake up Aelgafar." The voice was soft, yet authoritative. "Major, it's time to wake up." Carpenter felt a sharp pain in his arm and he felt energy flow into him.
A different voice, more hostile, spoke along with a prod in his side. "Oi! Major. Wake up. It's time to get your sorry arse on the line."
Aelgafar slowly raised his hand and used an all too familiar gesture. There was a chuckle of laughter followed by a good humored response.
"Glad to see you're alright, Major. I was starting to get worried for a second there."
He sat up and opened his eyes slowly to let them adjust to the light. He was inside a tent. His tent. Every belonging was in it's normal position, the only difference was when he looked outside the tent flap, there was a mountain range in the desert instead of the desert. He then looked at the two figures who had been attempting to wake him. The first voice belonged to Captain Ulysses. The second one to Sergeant Rielly.
Ulysses spoke first. "We're glad you're awake Major. There is a Major operation going on and The Inquisitor wanted every man who could hold a lasgun or autogun available."
Carpenter rubbed his neck and stood up. "Major Operation, Captain?"
Rielly answered this time. "Yes sir. The Black Legion is attempting to break out of Leton. The Inquisition scraped up two entire companies of space marines to try and hold back their assault."
Aelgafar walked out of the tent and was amazed at their surroundings. Far to the east and in front of the distant mountain range, columns of smoke raised high into the sky from the capital city. It was unnerving to the think of all the death that was taking place there. Rielly and Ulysses emerged from the tent as well and observed the same columns of smoke that continuously rose. "It's horrible, isn't it sir? There were well over a hundred thousand civilians in that city. All either dead, enslaved, or followers of chaos now." Aelgafar felt a strange feeling when Ulysses finished his sentence. A feeling of unnatural serenity. He shook it just as quickly as it came, and he felt anger fill his mind and heart. This anger though, also did not feel natural. Like it was not his own. He felt the anger at himself for not killing more of the traitors. He felt anger at his men for being slow to act against the Black Legion. He just felt angry at it all. Only one thought prevailed in his mind through the anger, and this thought felt like it was fuelled by the anger.
"We have to stop them." He whispered.
Rielly placed his hand on his shoulder. "Sir?"
"We have to stop them Rielly. We have to put a halt to the Black Legion here and now before that" He pointed towards the capital city "Becomes common on this planet."
Ulysses replied before Rielly could. "That's why we're here sir. We have a company from the Steel Nightmares, a Company from the Steel Sabres. (That is the name of the Former "Renegade Marines" chapter. The player finally decided that he would be a proper chapter instead of a Gaggle of random marines.) and our entire company has been called up to this battle as well."
Carpenter thought for a moment. "What of the Thunder Dragons? Were they not also deployed on this planet?"
"Yes sir, ther are. However, we lost contact with them after the First battle of Melange. They are presumed cut off due to sandstorms and enemy contacts."
"Damn. We could have used them here. Estimated enemy strength?"
"Early estimates say that at least five companies, all mechanized, have deployed into the area."
Aelgafar saw a black strip along the ground in the distance. He notioned to it and looked at Rielly. "What is that?"
"That is Leto Highway sir. It is the only way to get vehicles into the desert and other cities. If you're not on that asphalt when you leave the region, your vehicle sinks right into the sand."
"So that's why they chose here to break out. Interesting."
"Yes sir. This is the only highway that leads into the capital from this direction. The only other one is to the direct south of the capital, and it leads into Melange. Nothing so far has come back from that town, be it Imperial or Traitor."
"Good. Natural buffer zone then. When are we expecting to ride out an meet the Black Legion?"
"Tomorrow, Sir."
"Excellent. Ulysses, Order your men to eat a hardy meal tonight. As well as a good night's sleep. Rielly, what is our supply situation?"
"Truthfully sir, with what we could salvage from wreckage around this area. We have enough ammunition to supply three companies for a few days."
Carpenter was taken aback. "THREE companies, Rielly? And what wreckage?"
"Well sir, from what we ascertain, this is where the Imperial PDF forces who fled the city got cut down. Not all of them, but certainly quite a few. The supplies were left abandoned along with a few working Half-ton trucks."
"Outstanding then! Make sure that each trooper is issued at least twice his normal ammunition supply. If we are facing five companies of Traitor marines, we'll need every shot."
"Yes sir. Oh, and I believe The Inquisitor wanted you in the command tent when you woke up. Its the largest tent at the very centre of camp. You can't miss it, sir." With those final words, Rielly vanished to do his assigned duties, Leaving Carpenter standing in between rows of tents.
He passed various guardsmen long the way to the command tent. None of them stopped what they were doing to salute him. Good men, he thought. They remembered not to ever salute in an active warzone due to possible enemy snipers. Most of them did nod or acknowledge his passing with a simple wave. Good men indeed. He tried not to think about how many men would be lost before this Warp-damned campaign was over. As he approached the command tent, he was intercepted by two Astarted clad in Black amour with red legs and green helmets. "Identify yourself." One demanded.
"Major Carpenter." Aelgafar replied.
The Astartes froze for a moment, no doubt talking into a vox link inside of his helmet. "You may proceed." He stated, and both of them cleared out of his way and back to their original positions.
When Aelgafar entered the Tent, he could feel the tension in the air. There were two Astartes standing with the Inquisitor who Aelgafar had met before. "Ah, Major. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever recover from your... fatigue."
"What, and miss this lovely outing you have planned for us? Not a chance."
The Inquisitor smirked under his hood. "Good to see that your attitude hasn't suffered any. Good. We'll need you in this upcoming battle." He motioned to the Astartes on his left. This one was clad in the same armour as the guards outside. "This is Chapter Master Holt of the Steel Nightmares. He and his Astartes will be advancing up the centre in an attempt at breaking the main advance of the Black Legion." He then motioned to the Astartes to his right. This Space Marine's armour was completely grey, save for black shoulder pauldrons and metallic trimmings. "This is Chapter Master Troy Armstrong of the Steel Sabres. He and his chapter will be advancing up the left flank to preform a blocking manuvoure to prevent any further extensions of the traitor's lines." Both of the Chapter Masters nodded respectfully. That was quite a display of respect coming from the Space Marines. To even be acknowledged by an Astartes commander was highly uncommon.
"I'm assuming that would leave my company to advance up the right flank and ensure that no hostile reinforcements are brought up?"
The Inquisitor seemed suprised. "Yes, that is correct Major. Your duties will also involve ranged support with your battle tanks." He looked at the two Chapter masters and dismissed them both with a wave of his hand. Aelgafar was now alone with the Inquisitor.
"So, Major. From what the Medics tell me, you're completely fit to fight."
"Yes, Inquisitor."
"It leaves one to wonder how you survived your trek through the desert. Would you care to shed some light on how you managed to survive?"
"I kept going, Inquisitor."
"We found you in the midst of a sandstorm, miles away from the original objective. MaiLai is quite a ways away from where we are now. How did you know which direction to go?"
"I didn't, Inquisitor."
The Inquisitor looked him over for a moment before speaking. "Is there anything I should know, Aelgafar?"
"No, Inquisitor. Only that I am here now and ready to assume command of my Company."
The Inquisitor pulled back his hood to reveal his face. He had dirty blond hair and purple eyes with skin that said he'd spent a lot of time in the sun. There were wrinkles on his face. Not from age, but from what looked like years of stress. "Nimorol, Major. Inquisitor Nimorol." He reached into a compartment on his armor and pulled out a flask, offering it to Aelgafar.
Aelgafar took it and took a swig. The Amasec was strong enough to make him cringe. Nimorol spoke up. "It's Cadian. Hard to find this far away from the gate, but damn worth the cost."
Aelgafar cleared his throat with a cough before he replied. "Didn't think Inquisitors drank."
"You'd be surprised at the number of things we do that others do not expect. I would ask you to have a seat."
He sat down and Aelgafar did the same. Nimorol took the flask and had a long drink before returning it to it's compartment. "Truthfully Major, we're a half-step away from losing this planet. If the Black Legion breaks through here, there is nowhere else we could have a proper chance at stopping them. This is it. This is our one shot to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. It's simple numbers. They have more, and will continue to get more so long as the warp portals they came in on stay open. There is currently a debate on what units could go in to kill the chaos sorcerers who keep the portals open"
Aelgafar was surprised at Nimorol's openness. "Why are you telling me this? Is this not information better left with the Astartes?"
Nimorol looked grim. "Because your unit is under consideration of being sent in."
Aelgafar felt himself go pale. "A company of guardsmen is no match for a Traitor Legion and it's foul sorcery!"
Nimorol was unmoved at the outburst, in fact, he suspected it. "Sacrifices must be made if Victory is to be achieved, Aelgafar. Just as the 3rd Calvalry Ensured that the Black Legion was unable to take the eastern highway."
"What do you mean by that?"
"They fought the Black Legion in the city of Voge to buy time for us to seal the mountain pass that led out of the area. They were cornered and they knew it. But they also knew what was at stake."
Aelgafar felt the urge to strike Nimorol at that moment more than ever. He placed his hand on the hilt of his saber and fought the muscles not to draw it and strike out.
"Do you not approve of what's happening here? Well too bad Aelgafar. It's a simple fact: The Black Legion will stop at nothing to take this planet and if they do they will eventually move on to the entire system. If we do not stop them then all of this," Nimorol waved his hands around "all of this would be for nothing."
Aelgafar didn't immediately reply. He simply stood and stared out of a nearby window flap. "I do understand, Inquisitor Nimorol. I understand all too well at what this victory will cost. Don't you worry about my men tomorrow. They'll be ready. You make sure that the end is justified by all the means." With those closing words, he left the tent to prepare for the next day.
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 16
Situation: Stable
It was early morning when Imperial forces deployed near the highway to intercept the chaos convoy. Major Carpenter rode atop the tank Von Sica to the ambush point. There was no vox chatter this morning, each unit knew what their mission was and what to do. He looked through his night vision scope in the direction of the highway. Sure enough, there was a line of Black Legion Rhinos trudging along. He felt the tank stop with a slight jerk, and he climbed out of the cupola and stood behind with his advisors.
A nearby vanquisher was training it's sights on an enemy Vindicator. He walked over behind the tank and opened a small compartment near the engine. It contained a field telephone that had a direct link to the tank commander. He held it to his ear.
"Sergeant Zale, here."
"This is Major Carpenter. We fire the opening shot in this Op. Make it count." He promptly returned the telephone to its housing and all was silent for a moment. Then the Vanquisher fired.
A brilliant explosion lit the sky as the enemy tank went up in flames. The Vanquisher round had pierced the ammo stores of the siege vehicle and caused a lethal explosion. It was beautiful.
The convoy skid to a halt and began to disgorge Traitor Astartes who promptly began to return fire in the direction of the loyalists. The traitors began to pick off loyalist Astartes from the centre line. His radioman strode up to him as the rest of the 2nd company tanks opened fire.
"Major Carpenter Sir, Vox for you."
"Thank you, Harvey." He took the vox headset and put it on. "Carpenter here."
"Major, this is Holt. one of my dreadnaughts just took a direct hit. He has been taken out of action and completely immobilized and has a weapon destroyed. We need your armour to focus on the centre section. The left flank is holding nicely, but we're threatening to be overrun in the centre."
"Copy that, will direct armour fire to centre column."
"All tanks, fire on targets in the centre line. The Astartes are requesting support, show them what we're made of." The various tanks of 2nd Company rotated their turrets and began firing against targets in the centre. The sentinels that were providing escort for the tanks began to also unleash torrents of autocannon fire at the nearest of the rhinos in an attempt to cripple it before it could disgorge it's lethal occupants.
Fire began to ricochet off the front of the tanks as the rhinos drew closer. "Get down!" Carpenter's voice was almost drown out as the lead tank erupted into flames from a stray lascannon blast. Carpenter glanced up from his position to try and catch a glance at his attackers. All he saw was a plasma blast coming straight toward him. Time seemed to move in slow motion as he jumped away from the incoming round. It erupted into a brilliant plasma flash behind him and he was propelled into the side of another tank. Captain Ulysses ran over to him as he lay curled up on the ground in pain. "Major are you alright!?" Aelgafar let out a stream of curses that made Ulysses flinch. Aelgafar had a death grip on his stomach. There was blood pouring from under his hands. "Oh damnation. Medic!"
Sergeant Rielly saw the one who fired the plasma blast. He led his Veterans against the traitor squad. "Take those bastards down men! Throw the demo charge and fire at full auto!" He and his men unleashed a helltorrent of lasgun fire against the traitor marine squad. Rielly was close enough to hear the traitor's voices over the lasgun fire. Before the traitors could raise their own boltguns in response fire, he heaved a large demolitions charge at the traitors and their rhino. It exploded with devastating effect, effectively destroying the entire squad in one blast.
Unexpectedly, the chaos rhinos began to surge forward against the Imperial lines. 2nd Company was slowly being forced to retreat back, else they would be crushed under the treads of the oncoming vehicles. Seeing the threat of a broken line, Chapter Master Armstrong pushed his men forward on the left flank. They drove hard into the Traitor lines and broke several hostile squads and forced them to retreat. Chapter Master Holt urged his men up the centre and began a grueling counter attack against the Black Legion mechanized infantry.
The Guardsmen of 2nd Company had pulled back to form a defensive line around the forward aid station that held Major Carpenter. The Armour stayed on the forward line to help the Astartes fight off the Chaos assault.
Explosions rattled the earth and the constant chatter of heavy bolter fire filled the air as the intense battle continued on throughout the day. It wasn't until around noon on the next day that things began to wither down to only an occasional bolter shot. The Imperials had held the highway at the cost of well over a hundred warriors. The wounded numbered in the dozens and the cries of the dying were echoing throughout the battlefield. The cost was much too high to be considered anything less than a Pyrrhic Victory.
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 23
Situation: Stable, In need of relief
Aelgafar lay in a hospital bed being examined by constant sensors. He was in an constant, dull pain from the plasma that had caused his stomach to burn to the point of opening. The medics had sewn up but it didn't hold. It wasn't long until he was put into sedation and when he awoke, his abdomen muscles were replaced with cybernetic augmentations. He fell into shock when he first realized it and had to be put back into sedation. When he finally woke up, he started for long periods of time at his new abdomen. It was during one such staring session that Inquisitor Nimorol visited him. He sat at the foot of the bed and also looked at the augmentation. "You can thank me for that, Major. I used my resources to secure you Augmentations worthy of a Techpriest."
Aelgafar looked up at him. "It takes getting used to, I suppose."
Nimorol nodded. "That it does. Well, you'll have plenty of time to adjust during your next deployment."
He gave a puzzling look to the inquisitor. "Next deployment?"
Nimorol stood up. "You and the remains of your company are being deployed to Outpost Idaho. It provides the much needed water to a large portion of settlements in this region. It should be a relatively easy mission. Guard duty combined with rest and relaxation. You leave in the morning, and will be there within two days. I hope you enjoy yourself out there, Major."
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 15
Situation: Optimal
"Wake up Aelgafar." The voice was soft, yet authoritative. "Major, it's time to wake up." Carpenter felt a sharp pain in his arm and he felt energy flow into him.
A different voice, more hostile, spoke along with a prod in his side. "Oi! Major. Wake up. It's time to get your sorry arse on the line."
Aelgafar slowly raised his hand and used an all too familiar gesture. There was a chuckle of laughter followed by a good humored response.
"Glad to see you're alright, Major. I was starting to get worried for a second there."
He sat up and opened his eyes slowly to let them adjust to the light. He was inside a tent. His tent. Every belonging was in it's normal position, the only difference was when he looked outside the tent flap, there was a mountain range in the desert instead of the desert. He then looked at the two figures who had been attempting to wake him. The first voice belonged to Captain Ulysses. The second one to Sergeant Rielly.
Ulysses spoke first. "We're glad you're awake Major. There is a Major operation going on and The Inquisitor wanted every man who could hold a lasgun or autogun available."
Carpenter rubbed his neck and stood up. "Major Operation, Captain?"
Rielly answered this time. "Yes sir. The Black Legion is attempting to break out of Leton. The Inquisition scraped up two entire companies of space marines to try and hold back their assault."
Aelgafar walked out of the tent and was amazed at their surroundings. Far to the east and in front of the distant mountain range, columns of smoke raised high into the sky from the capital city. It was unnerving to the think of all the death that was taking place there. Rielly and Ulysses emerged from the tent as well and observed the same columns of smoke that continuously rose. "It's horrible, isn't it sir? There were well over a hundred thousand civilians in that city. All either dead, enslaved, or followers of chaos now." Aelgafar felt a strange feeling when Ulysses finished his sentence. A feeling of unnatural serenity. He shook it just as quickly as it came, and he felt anger fill his mind and heart. This anger though, also did not feel natural. Like it was not his own. He felt the anger at himself for not killing more of the traitors. He felt anger at his men for being slow to act against the Black Legion. He just felt angry at it all. Only one thought prevailed in his mind through the anger, and this thought felt like it was fuelled by the anger.
"We have to stop them." He whispered.
Rielly placed his hand on his shoulder. "Sir?"
"We have to stop them Rielly. We have to put a halt to the Black Legion here and now before that" He pointed towards the capital city "Becomes common on this planet."
Ulysses replied before Rielly could. "That's why we're here sir. We have a company from the Steel Nightmares, a Company from the Steel Sabres. (That is the name of the Former "Renegade Marines" chapter. The player finally decided that he would be a proper chapter instead of a Gaggle of random marines.) and our entire company has been called up to this battle as well."
Carpenter thought for a moment. "What of the Thunder Dragons? Were they not also deployed on this planet?"
"Yes sir, ther are. However, we lost contact with them after the First battle of Melange. They are presumed cut off due to sandstorms and enemy contacts."
"Damn. We could have used them here. Estimated enemy strength?"
"Early estimates say that at least five companies, all mechanized, have deployed into the area."
Aelgafar saw a black strip along the ground in the distance. He notioned to it and looked at Rielly. "What is that?"
"That is Leto Highway sir. It is the only way to get vehicles into the desert and other cities. If you're not on that asphalt when you leave the region, your vehicle sinks right into the sand."
"So that's why they chose here to break out. Interesting."
"Yes sir. This is the only highway that leads into the capital from this direction. The only other one is to the direct south of the capital, and it leads into Melange. Nothing so far has come back from that town, be it Imperial or Traitor."
"Good. Natural buffer zone then. When are we expecting to ride out an meet the Black Legion?"
"Tomorrow, Sir."
"Excellent. Ulysses, Order your men to eat a hardy meal tonight. As well as a good night's sleep. Rielly, what is our supply situation?"
"Truthfully sir, with what we could salvage from wreckage around this area. We have enough ammunition to supply three companies for a few days."
Carpenter was taken aback. "THREE companies, Rielly? And what wreckage?"
"Well sir, from what we ascertain, this is where the Imperial PDF forces who fled the city got cut down. Not all of them, but certainly quite a few. The supplies were left abandoned along with a few working Half-ton trucks."
"Outstanding then! Make sure that each trooper is issued at least twice his normal ammunition supply. If we are facing five companies of Traitor marines, we'll need every shot."
"Yes sir. Oh, and I believe The Inquisitor wanted you in the command tent when you woke up. Its the largest tent at the very centre of camp. You can't miss it, sir." With those final words, Rielly vanished to do his assigned duties, Leaving Carpenter standing in between rows of tents.
He passed various guardsmen long the way to the command tent. None of them stopped what they were doing to salute him. Good men, he thought. They remembered not to ever salute in an active warzone due to possible enemy snipers. Most of them did nod or acknowledge his passing with a simple wave. Good men indeed. He tried not to think about how many men would be lost before this Warp-damned campaign was over. As he approached the command tent, he was intercepted by two Astarted clad in Black amour with red legs and green helmets. "Identify yourself." One demanded.
"Major Carpenter." Aelgafar replied.
The Astartes froze for a moment, no doubt talking into a vox link inside of his helmet. "You may proceed." He stated, and both of them cleared out of his way and back to their original positions.
When Aelgafar entered the Tent, he could feel the tension in the air. There were two Astartes standing with the Inquisitor who Aelgafar had met before. "Ah, Major. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever recover from your... fatigue."
"What, and miss this lovely outing you have planned for us? Not a chance."
The Inquisitor smirked under his hood. "Good to see that your attitude hasn't suffered any. Good. We'll need you in this upcoming battle." He motioned to the Astartes on his left. This one was clad in the same armour as the guards outside. "This is Chapter Master Holt of the Steel Nightmares. He and his Astartes will be advancing up the centre in an attempt at breaking the main advance of the Black Legion." He then motioned to the Astartes to his right. This Space Marine's armour was completely grey, save for black shoulder pauldrons and metallic trimmings. "This is Chapter Master Troy Armstrong of the Steel Sabres. He and his chapter will be advancing up the left flank to preform a blocking manuvoure to prevent any further extensions of the traitor's lines." Both of the Chapter Masters nodded respectfully. That was quite a display of respect coming from the Space Marines. To even be acknowledged by an Astartes commander was highly uncommon.
"I'm assuming that would leave my company to advance up the right flank and ensure that no hostile reinforcements are brought up?"
The Inquisitor seemed suprised. "Yes, that is correct Major. Your duties will also involve ranged support with your battle tanks." He looked at the two Chapter masters and dismissed them both with a wave of his hand. Aelgafar was now alone with the Inquisitor.
"So, Major. From what the Medics tell me, you're completely fit to fight."
"Yes, Inquisitor."
"It leaves one to wonder how you survived your trek through the desert. Would you care to shed some light on how you managed to survive?"
"I kept going, Inquisitor."
"We found you in the midst of a sandstorm, miles away from the original objective. MaiLai is quite a ways away from where we are now. How did you know which direction to go?"
"I didn't, Inquisitor."
The Inquisitor looked him over for a moment before speaking. "Is there anything I should know, Aelgafar?"
"No, Inquisitor. Only that I am here now and ready to assume command of my Company."
The Inquisitor pulled back his hood to reveal his face. He had dirty blond hair and purple eyes with skin that said he'd spent a lot of time in the sun. There were wrinkles on his face. Not from age, but from what looked like years of stress. "Nimorol, Major. Inquisitor Nimorol." He reached into a compartment on his armor and pulled out a flask, offering it to Aelgafar.
Aelgafar took it and took a swig. The Amasec was strong enough to make him cringe. Nimorol spoke up. "It's Cadian. Hard to find this far away from the gate, but damn worth the cost."
Aelgafar cleared his throat with a cough before he replied. "Didn't think Inquisitors drank."
"You'd be surprised at the number of things we do that others do not expect. I would ask you to have a seat."
He sat down and Aelgafar did the same. Nimorol took the flask and had a long drink before returning it to it's compartment. "Truthfully Major, we're a half-step away from losing this planet. If the Black Legion breaks through here, there is nowhere else we could have a proper chance at stopping them. This is it. This is our one shot to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. It's simple numbers. They have more, and will continue to get more so long as the warp portals they came in on stay open. There is currently a debate on what units could go in to kill the chaos sorcerers who keep the portals open"
Aelgafar was surprised at Nimorol's openness. "Why are you telling me this? Is this not information better left with the Astartes?"
Nimorol looked grim. "Because your unit is under consideration of being sent in."
Aelgafar felt himself go pale. "A company of guardsmen is no match for a Traitor Legion and it's foul sorcery!"
Nimorol was unmoved at the outburst, in fact, he suspected it. "Sacrifices must be made if Victory is to be achieved, Aelgafar. Just as the 3rd Calvalry Ensured that the Black Legion was unable to take the eastern highway."
"What do you mean by that?"
"They fought the Black Legion in the city of Voge to buy time for us to seal the mountain pass that led out of the area. They were cornered and they knew it. But they also knew what was at stake."
Aelgafar felt the urge to strike Nimorol at that moment more than ever. He placed his hand on the hilt of his saber and fought the muscles not to draw it and strike out.
"Do you not approve of what's happening here? Well too bad Aelgafar. It's a simple fact: The Black Legion will stop at nothing to take this planet and if they do they will eventually move on to the entire system. If we do not stop them then all of this," Nimorol waved his hands around "all of this would be for nothing."
Aelgafar didn't immediately reply. He simply stood and stared out of a nearby window flap. "I do understand, Inquisitor Nimorol. I understand all too well at what this victory will cost. Don't you worry about my men tomorrow. They'll be ready. You make sure that the end is justified by all the means." With those closing words, he left the tent to prepare for the next day.
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 16
Situation: Stable
It was early morning when Imperial forces deployed near the highway to intercept the chaos convoy. Major Carpenter rode atop the tank Von Sica to the ambush point. There was no vox chatter this morning, each unit knew what their mission was and what to do. He looked through his night vision scope in the direction of the highway. Sure enough, there was a line of Black Legion Rhinos trudging along. He felt the tank stop with a slight jerk, and he climbed out of the cupola and stood behind with his advisors. A nearby vanquisher was training it's sights on an enemy Vindicator. He walked over behind the tank and opened a small compartment near the engine. It contained a field telephone that had a direct link to the tank commander. He held it to his ear.
"Sergeant Zale, here."
"This is Major Carpenter. We fire the opening shot in this Op. Make it count." He promptly returned the telephone to its housing and all was silent for a moment. Then the Vanquisher fired.
A brilliant explosion lit the sky as the enemy tank went up in flames. The Vanquisher round had pierced the ammo stores of the siege vehicle and caused a lethal explosion. It was beautiful.
"Major Carpenter Sir, Vox for you."
"Thank you, Harvey." He took the vox headset and put it on. "Carpenter here."
"Major, this is Holt. one of my dreadnaughts just took a direct hit. He has been taken out of action and completely immobilized and has a weapon destroyed. We need your armour to focus on the centre section. The left flank is holding nicely, but we're threatening to be overrun in the centre."
"Copy that, will direct armour fire to centre column."
"All tanks, fire on targets in the centre line. The Astartes are requesting support, show them what we're made of." The various tanks of 2nd Company rotated their turrets and began firing against targets in the centre. The sentinels that were providing escort for the tanks began to also unleash torrents of autocannon fire at the nearest of the rhinos in an attempt to cripple it before it could disgorge it's lethal occupants. 
Fire began to ricochet off the front of the tanks as the rhinos drew closer. "Get down!" Carpenter's voice was almost drown out as the lead tank erupted into flames from a stray lascannon blast. Carpenter glanced up from his position to try and catch a glance at his attackers. All he saw was a plasma blast coming straight toward him. Time seemed to move in slow motion as he jumped away from the incoming round. It erupted into a brilliant plasma flash behind him and he was propelled into the side of another tank. Captain Ulysses ran over to him as he lay curled up on the ground in pain. "Major are you alright!?" Aelgafar let out a stream of curses that made Ulysses flinch. Aelgafar had a death grip on his stomach. There was blood pouring from under his hands. "Oh damnation. Medic!" Sergeant Rielly saw the one who fired the plasma blast. He led his Veterans against the traitor squad. "Take those bastards down men! Throw the demo charge and fire at full auto!" He and his men unleashed a helltorrent of lasgun fire against the traitor marine squad. Rielly was close enough to hear the traitor's voices over the lasgun fire. Before the traitors could raise their own boltguns in response fire, he heaved a large demolitions charge at the traitors and their rhino. It exploded with devastating effect, effectively destroying the entire squad in one blast.
Unexpectedly, the chaos rhinos began to surge forward against the Imperial lines. 2nd Company was slowly being forced to retreat back, else they would be crushed under the treads of the oncoming vehicles. Seeing the threat of a broken line, Chapter Master Armstrong pushed his men forward on the left flank. They drove hard into the Traitor lines and broke several hostile squads and forced them to retreat. Chapter Master Holt urged his men up the centre and began a grueling counter attack against the Black Legion mechanized infantry.
Explosions rattled the earth and the constant chatter of heavy bolter fire filled the air as the intense battle continued on throughout the day. It wasn't until around noon on the next day that things began to wither down to only an occasional bolter shot. The Imperials had held the highway at the cost of well over a hundred warriors. The wounded numbered in the dozens and the cries of the dying were echoing throughout the battlefield. The cost was much too high to be considered anything less than a Pyrrhic Victory.
Segmentum Tempestus 999.M41
Harkonnen IV System; Planet Arrakia
Days on planet: 23
Situation: Stable, In need of relief
Aelgafar lay in a hospital bed being examined by constant sensors. He was in an constant, dull pain from the plasma that had caused his stomach to burn to the point of opening. The medics had sewn up but it didn't hold. It wasn't long until he was put into sedation and when he awoke, his abdomen muscles were replaced with cybernetic augmentations. He fell into shock when he first realized it and had to be put back into sedation. When he finally woke up, he started for long periods of time at his new abdomen. It was during one such staring session that Inquisitor Nimorol visited him. He sat at the foot of the bed and also looked at the augmentation. "You can thank me for that, Major. I used my resources to secure you Augmentations worthy of a Techpriest."
Aelgafar looked up at him. "It takes getting used to, I suppose."
Nimorol nodded. "That it does. Well, you'll have plenty of time to adjust during your next deployment."
He gave a puzzling look to the inquisitor. "Next deployment?"
Nimorol stood up. "You and the remains of your company are being deployed to Outpost Idaho. It provides the much needed water to a large portion of settlements in this region. It should be a relatively easy mission. Guard duty combined with rest and relaxation. You leave in the morning, and will be there within two days. I hope you enjoy yourself out there, Major."
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Second Battle of Melange
Segmentum Tempestus 997.M41
System: Harkonnen IV; Planet:
Arrakia
Situation:
Desperate
The sun was about to rise when the land raider Arbiter of Damnation arrived at the outskirts of the town of Melange. A space marine left the nearby fire team as a side hatch popped open. Five more marines disgorged from the land raider. “Battle-Brother Akrios of squad Steel Rain,” he said.
“Sergeant
Teller of veteran squad Firestorm. Where is the rest of 3rd
Company?”
“The
insertion force was ambushed by an unexpected necron presence. Most
of us were killed in those three days. As we started to withdraw,
squad Spawn Slayers came under attack by renegade marines. Their
rhino wrecked, the men gunned down shortly afterward; and
Brother-Librarian Davos was claimed by the warp. The only survivors
were us, a squads of scouts, and Brother Darien. Sergeant Athos is
over on the other road with a fire team trying to do some field
repairs on him.”
Teller
spotted the mighty ironclad over the top of the hill. “Chapter
Master Holt came with 4 companies to reinforce this planet after we
received the distress call from the Indomitable.”
“What
happened to the strike cruiser?” Teller responded, “It was
destroyed by the time we arrived.”
He
headed back to the land raider when the vox rang, “Incoming
Thousand Sons!”
Akrios
ran back to his squad while the veterans charged up the hill. Bolter
fire lit up the distance, revealing a vindicator and daemon prince.
Arbiter of Damnation
surged forward and unleashed its lascannons at the enemy vehicle.
None of the shots seemed to hit it. Meanwhile, the dreadnought
advanced up the road with the fire team that fixed it.
Smoke
grenades flew at their position and obscured half the highway. On
the other side, the vindicator rolled down the road and fired its
front cannon at the veterans. Sergeant Teller and one other were
protected from the blast and accompanying bolter fire by the hill.
With their vision obstructed, nobody saw the daemon charge from
behind vindicator and assault the scouts.
The
rising sun revealed the outline of a rhino in the smoke, which was
fired upon by almost everyone. A barrage of lascannon shots went
through the vindicator as the land raider nearly ran into it. One of
the beams sniped the head off the pintle-mounted gunner. After the
hatch opened, the command squad charged out to confront the
traitorous marines that exited the destroyed rhino.
Dreadnought
Darien ripped through another squad until the aspiring champion
planted a melta bomb on his leg. The rest of the Thousand Sons
gunned down Sergeant Athos' fire team. Another shell from the
vindicator hit Chapter Master Holt dead on, killing his entire honor
guard. Before the Thousand Sons could turn their guns on the rest of
them, a group of terminators into existence behind the main crowd of
traitors and proceeded to flatten them all with thunder hammers.
Having
finished off the vindicator, the land raider turned its full
attention to the daemon prince. A few lascannon bursts convinced the
daemon to retreat. The remaining Thousand Sons withdrew after the
daemon's departure. Sergeant Teller caught a glimpse of a dark-blue
figure disappear into flame on a hill some distance away behind their
position.
Friday, August 23, 2013
War of Arrakia pt.2
After the defeat at the capital city, Leton, Imperial forces were routed. The Imperial Guard company had lost itself a nearby desert due to negligence of the command staff. Nearly fifty miles away, the Space Marines were securing an already war-torn town. This puzzled the Astartes since the war had not yet reached this part of the planet.
The Chapter Master of the Thunder Dragons, Varlen, and his newly fitted Terminator Armour was discussing possible options with Captain Lysander of the Imperial Fists. Lysander had come to this planet to try and bring back loyalty to the populace. When the chaos marines attacked, he had taken up arms with the band of "Renegade" marines to act as their leader. Unable to agree on the best course of action, a new and experimental land speeder, the Fremen-pattern, was sent into the centre of the battle-scarred town. Not long after it vanished over a line of buildings did gauss fire erupt from all directions. An explosion was heard and the last transmission was simple. "Unable to maintain altitude. Necron presence confirmed. Crash Landing imminent." With those three simple sentences, the battle for the town of Melange had begun.
The Thunder Dragons advanced rapidly into combat positions. Assault Marines soared over the battlefield and landed behind the approaching Steel Nightmare Rhinos. A krak grenade was thrown at the Rhino to no effect. The lead scout summoned Chapter Master Varlen on the vox with an idea. Fire into the side of the Rhino and try to rend through the armour. It was a gambit. And it Worked.
The Chapter Master of the Thunder Dragons, Varlen, and his newly fitted Terminator Armour was discussing possible options with Captain Lysander of the Imperial Fists. Lysander had come to this planet to try and bring back loyalty to the populace. When the chaos marines attacked, he had taken up arms with the band of "Renegade" marines to act as their leader. Unable to agree on the best course of action, a new and experimental land speeder, the Fremen-pattern, was sent into the centre of the battle-scarred town. Not long after it vanished over a line of buildings did gauss fire erupt from all directions. An explosion was heard and the last transmission was simple. "Unable to maintain altitude. Necron presence confirmed. Crash Landing imminent." With those three simple sentences, the battle for the town of Melange had begun.
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| Land Speeder Fremen crash site |
The advanced units of the Thunder Dragons crept up the streets without saying a word. All units stopped at the hand signal of the Lead marine. First and Second squad took up defensive positions along the side alleyways and waited patiently. A single voice broke through the silence. "Hostile Astartes spotted. Rhino approaching. Not responding to Communications." The Steel Nightmare Chapter had arrived and was in a battle formation.
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| First and Second squad advancing by the numbers |
Forward Scouts Spot the Oncoming Rhinos
The scouts' fire destroy the Rhino, Embarked unit evacuates
The Marines from the Steel Nightmares were cut down without mercy. A librarian from the Nightmare's appeared not long after the destruction of the Rhino. As he began to summon a Vortex of Doom, the perils of the Warp overtook him. He was torn limb from limb by the powers of the dark gods. The ground shook violently beneath the approaching Space Marine advance force.
The advance was going smoothly
All hell broke loose as the Necrons sprung up from the ground
The ground roared as a Necron Monolith teleported onto the battlefield, bringing with it the death and destruction of Immortals and Warriors. Leading the Necron onslaught was Anrakyr the Traveler. He had come to Arrakia on the eve of the chaos invasion to reactivate a small tomb world that had laid buried far below the surface. Flying over the main force were a brutal-looking squad of Necron destroyers. Lysander ordered one of his renegade predators to open fire. At first, the autocannon only chipped away at the rugged chassis of the destroyers. But then, one by one, the destroyers crashed and burned from as the autocannon began to rip them apart. The victory was a small one, because soon after, the Monolith opened fire. The Renegade's Librarian saw an opportunity to push forward and try to carve a path through the Necron lines. They never made it to the front line. The Necron monolith fired its main weapon at the advancing Astartes.
And then there were none
Seeing an opportunity to strike, Captain Lysander led a squad of Terminators against the enemy immortals. The assaulters charged against the Necron Immortals, losing only two brothers in the process. They struck the immortals like a hard tidal wave. However, from the rear of the Immortals, He appeared. Anrakyr the Traveler. He stood before captain Lysander. The challenge was made and accepted. Time seemed to slow as the two great warriors circled each other. Thunder cracked with each blow struck. The epic duel seemed to last a lifetime. Beside the two great warriors in their duel, The Terminators and Immortals were locked in vicious combat. But suddenly, as if the Emperor himself empowered Lysander, A killing blow was struck against Anrakyr. The Necron immortals seized the husk of their fallen leader and skulked back to wherever they had come from. A great cheer arose from the surviving battle-brothers.
The Epic Duel
Even though Anrakyr had fallen, the battle was far from other. The Monolith roared back into combat and continuously bombarded the marine positions. The Astartes had no choice but to take cover and go to ground to prevent being wiped out entirely. During the exchange of bolter fire and gauss fire a frantic transmission had been sent from the Thunder Dragon's Scouts. "Sir! The Fremen-pattern, they have it! The foul Necrons have secured the crashed speeder. No sign of the crew of the speeder, presumed dead."
The Necrons had won. While the forces of Astartes were occupied fighting Necron diversionary forces, a Necron warrior squad was able to raid, secure, and capture the downed land speeder. This means that the experimental technology and computing systems of the Astartes can now be analyzed by Necron spies. Unfortunately the Friendly Fire incident with the Steel Nightmares Chapter has led to many casualties. In the coming battles, The allied forces numbers are significantly few. There are three companies of Astartes, a company of Arrakian PDF soldiers, and the soon arriving 44th Arrakian Light Infantry.
"We are reduced to fighting a running war. We must hit them every chance we have with whatever we have. I am currently organizing a retaliation force at Con-D'Ben. Bring your respective companies back to this line. Victory is soon to be ours, but first we must regroup to hit them right where it hurts. You have your orders. Carry on." -Field Marshall Peach
Friday, August 9, 2013
War of Arrakia pt. 1
In the grim darkness of the future, there is only war! Abbadon the Despoiler leads a chaos warband with Daemons in tow to a planet that has known nothing but peace. Arrakia. To make matters worse, using some twisted warp-spawn magics, he has managed to lure orks into fighting for his cause. Only a localized company of imperial guardsmen and a handful of space marines stood between the Planet and a horrid chaos infestation.
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| Abbadon and his Justaerian terminators |
It was a chilly evening on the planey Arrakis, the sun was just setting on the horizon and the PDF had just finished their training for the day. All was calm in the night until a violent explosion consumed the city centre. From the fiery inferno charged forth the Warbands of the Black Legion; Hell bent on killing all who stood in their path. Planetary alarms sounded as men, women, and children were mercilessly slaughtered by the rampaging traitors. The few guardsmen that could escape from the Slaughter rallied near the Spaceport. Not long after the rally, Colonel Brinkman assumed command of the Imperial forces. Fearing his life, Baelstrom ordered half his company to stay in reserved near his temporary HQ, while the rest of the company sallied forth undermanned. Unknowingly to all of the warriors, a civilian distress beacon had been picked up by a passing Imperial fleet. Luckily enough for the Imperials on the planet, a small contingent of Space Marines was deployed to help maintain the Hopeless Defence.
Imperial Commander and Advisors
Half of the Imperial Comapny
Forward Space Marine Scouts
The Space Marines were a hundred strong, Fifty marines were the Thunder Dragons, and Fifty were a Renegade "Chapter." Between the hundred the two half companies sported ten suits of the Honoured Terminator Armour. Two predator tanks, a razorback, the Ironclad Dreadnaughts, and a Experimental Land Raider.
Thunder Dragon Biker Squad
The Space marines charged out of their landing zones and into defensive positions. They did not have to wait long. The ground began to shake uncontrollably. Suddenly from far ahead a single shout was heard. "Orks!!!!" Cries of "WAAAAAAAGH" echoed down the streets from the city centre. Mobs upon mobs of greenskins were charging down the road toward the Marine Positions. Then the Marines saw them. The wartrucks of the greenskin horde barreling down a nearby road. Then the unthinkable happened. Daemons. Great monstrous beasts were in the air flying above the ruined buildings and began assaulting the Renegades' Scouting positions. On the right flank a lucky lascannon shot had destroyed an ork dreadnaught and the surrounding boys. A feirce firefight was erupting up and down all the streets on the left flank.
The orks charged against the Marine positions all across the front. Casualties were horrid. The green tide was smashing against the space marine positions over and over again, chipping away at their defense little by little. The Imperial guard commander saw the eventual collapse of the line and ordered all his men to form a defensive position around his headquarters. Seeing the Guard falling back, the Black Legion warband entered the fray and quickly overwhelmed the already overtaxed loyalist marines. The Traitors combined with the brutish forces of the orks completely overwhelmed the Marine lines, forcing them to fall back.
Chapter Master Varlen of the Thunder dragons was trying to fend off chaos terminators when he realized just exactly who he was fighting. The Justaerian guard of the Black Legion. Abbadon's person guard. Then he saw him in his black terminator armour. Abbadon the Despoiler. Varlen was struck with a very real feeling of danger as Abbadon's black eyes looked him over. The fanged mouth of the traitor turned to a grin as he struck a challenge. "Fight me, Dog of the Emperor." The Justaerian guard backed off, as did Varlen's honour guard. So began a duel of epic proportions. Varlen's armour was rended to a point of needing major repair. However, before Abbadon could strike a killing blow, Varlen struck out with his relic blade. The blade went clear through Abbadon's armour and wounded him. Sensing that victory was no longer certain, Abbadon ordered his forces to full back.
Varlen looked around at what little was left of his forces. Fifty eight Battle brothers had deployed. There were only seven left. Of his allied chapter, only a Razorback, their Chapter master, and Four battle-brothers were left. Of the Imperial Guard, Baelstrom brought up his reserves and they had fended off the ork assaults. Of their seventy man company, fifty were left. Of their three chimeras, two were left. Both Leman Russ's were still active, and there were little wounded amongst the ranks of the guard. The First battle of Arrakia had taken an extremely heavy toll on Imperial Forces and the Traitors had taken most of the capital City. So with a butchers bill of nearly a thousand total, Civilians, Marines, Guardsmen, Orks, and Traitors, The war of Arrakia had begun.
"In no situation should the body count of Space Marines ever be Higher than that of the Imperial Guard." -Field Marshall Peach, After the first battle of Arrakia.
(Post note: This is the extremely shortened version. Of the hundred or so pictures I took with an Iphone, only about thirty were actually delivered to me. So I had to leave much out. Will add more parts as I get more pictures.)
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