Turn 7: Deployment Results (769-761 M41)
Zactlozony System, Aetelian Sector 770 M41
Dracon Erzahis sneers as his sword bites deep into the calf of his opponent. The moisture absorbing properties of his blade quickly yet painfully turning the other Drukahri into a desiccated husk. With this, the last of his foes in the bridge are slain, the only Eldar left standing being his own men, with all those souls that had risen against him now in She-Who-Thirsts gullet.
He spits on the corpse in an act of frustration. This was supposed to be an easy raid, grabbing slaves for the markets of Comorragh, increasing his own reputation and standing amidst the Kabal of the Pained Scream and searching for more conspirators for his plan to overthrow the current Archon, that pathetic weakling Irvan. Then, just as they were preparing to launch the raid on the Mon´keigh Hive world some of his men had tried to overthrow him, which not only forces him to delay the raid, but also will reduce the number of slaves he will be able to gather before the Mon´keigh forces arrive.
He's pulled out of his thoughts when one of his "loyal" subordinates calls him. "Dracon, Archon Irvan is contacting us."
Erzahis grits his teeth with such force that it almost seems like they are about to shatter from sheer pressure. His voice comes out as a barely contained snarl. "Let us hear what he has to say then."
Immediately Irvan appears on screen, slouching on his throne and sipping on a jagged chalice. His left eyebrow raises a millimeter before speaking. "Uh, you´re still alive Erzahis. I thought that the others would have succeeded in putting you down."
A vein pops in the Dracon forehead, but he takes a deep breath and points at the corpses strewn about. "So I assume all this was your doing?"
"Of course." Admits Irvan shamelessly as he runs his tongue through the cuts in his lips caused by the cup. "You´ve been painfully unsubtle in your scheming to take my place, and not in an enjoyable way."
Erzahis fists clench as unease mixes in with the rage. Him being aware of his scheming makes usurping the Kabal of the Pained Scream impossible. Still is not like he´s out of options. He can still offer his bounty from the raid and his force to one of the other Kabals in the Dark City. It would take plenty of time to ascend in the ranks of another Kabal, but he'll do so, and make Irvan suffer for this humiliation.
The Archon keeps speaking, indifferent to Erzahil thoughts. "Alas, it seems that the rest of my men are even more pathetic than you, if they were unable to dispatch you." He sighs dramatically, bringing the back of his hand to his forehead with a flourish. "Tragic really, how much Eldarkind has fallen that they are unable to act as catspaws, and that one of the inferior races of the galaxy has to take their place in that duty." The Dracon doesn´t understand what he means for a second, only to redden in anger when he does.
"Do you truly think that the pitiful mon´keigh in this mudball of a planet may kill me?" He asks contemptuously, to which Irvan merely laughs in amusement.
"Of course not." Laughed Irvan again, and the sound was as grating as pleas of mercy to Erzahis ear. "Those won´t do you no harm. The gene brutes that are coming towards you on the other hand…" He shrugs "Well, they've proven adept in removing nuisances. I do hope that you savor the experience of facing them, Erzahis, I´ve heard it is to die for." The Archon cuts the call after raising his goblet in a mocking toast, leaving his previous subordinate fuming. Seconds later, the human fleet arrives on the planet.
"What are you waiting for?!" He shouts as the enemy vessels make their way towards his own fleet. "Get to your stations!! Wipe that vermin from the void!!"
"The other ships are still purging Irvan´s troops!" Answered back one of his Trueborn bodyguards. "They won't be able to respond in time!"
"Khaine take those bastards!!" Shouts Erzahis impotently as the enemy ships open fire.
Their opening volley is devastating. While the shots coming from the Astartes are easily absorbed by the Everlasting Suffering shields, the rest of the inferior spacecraft had focused fire on the Light Cruiser attached to his fleet, eventually exploding under the barrage of lances and macrocannons. With it, Erzahis saw his chances of ingratiating himself with another Kabal lowering, his mind picturing Irvan arrogant smirk as he beholds his falls from grace. Stabbing his blade on the floor in anger, which makes the still-living carpet of butchered humans moan in agony, the ex-dracon of the Kabal of the Pained Scream addresses his subordinates.
"Are you now ready to obey my commands, or do they prefer to perish at the hands of cattle?" He says, broadcasting his words to what remains of his flotilla. He takes their silence as obedience. "Deploy our fighters to destroy their own. Target their escorts first, then we will use our superior speed to run circles around their lumbering vessels."
The ships under his command finally do as ordered, and he observes with some satisfaction as one of the mon´keigh escorts bursts apart under their lances, split in half. He knows that thousands of the crude simians are perishing as they are vented into the void, the sudden pressure of vacuum crushing them, and he smiles at their pain. The exchange of fire continues, volleys hammering shields and cutting through hulls, until a number of particular impacts against his flagship, close enough to the bridge that they make the ground shake raise alarms.
"Enemy boarders in the ship!" Reports a crewmember. "It's the…" The bridge gates burst open before he can finish speaking, the blast doors shrapnel flying through the air and taking his head off. An inferior race might have been taken off guard by the sudden explosion, but they are Eldar, the true masters of the galaxy, and it barely takes them a second to draw their weapons. Erzahis is the first amongst them, Shredder pistol firing against the opened doors.
"WE ARE NIGHTMARES MADE MANIFEST!!" Their opponents are just as fast, erupting into the chamber with shouted war cries and weapons spewing bolts and plasma. Erzahis casually dodges a plasma shot, the burning energy vaporizing a worthless vat-born behind him, and scoffs dismissively in response to their battlecry. How quaint of the brutes, to think themselves figures of terror. Their armor decorated with what their feeble minds consider intimidating, skulls and pelts of dangerous beasts, engravings and decorations of skeletons, screaming faces, torture scenes… He lunges at one with flayed muscles painted over his armor, thrusting his blade into his neck. As the gene-forged brute rasps his last breath, he's forced to disengage as a whirring blade comes close to cleaving him in half. Idly snapping a shot at another of the warriors fighting against his forces, he focuses on it´s wielder. Another towering mass of tasteless gene-tailoring, his crude armor decorated with red scribbles in one of those collections of grunts the mon´keigh call languages, but one that Erzahis can reluctantly admit seems more dangerous than the others. With surprising speed the Space Marines thrust his polearm at his chest, which the Dracon parries before throwing a slash at his knee joint that his opponent dodge with a quick step back. Erzahis is forced to jump backwards when the return swing nearly takes his legs, and then twist further mid air to avoid a follow up stab. The Dark eldar makes use of the gained space to bring his Shredder pistol to bear, forcing his opponent to weave through his shots, either avoiding them or letting them impact the oversized pauldrons of his armor.
"Shame that I will kill you now Mon´keigh!" Shouts Erzahis mockingly in High Gothic, the lexicon unable to communicate the depths of his disdain. "It would be quite a show seeing you carved up by wytches in the arena!!" Despite his words, the reaver takes a flickering glance across the bridge, tension nestling in his gut as he sees the rest of the Eldar aboard pushed back by the gene-brutes onslaught, plenty of his subordinates' bodies vaporized by plasma.
He retakes the offensive once more, lashing out with a series of lightning-fast cuts and thrusts. To his frustration, his foe parries them all with reflexes and precision unbecoming of an inferior race. Erzahis is no amateur, he has raided the domains of the "Imperium of Man '' for centuries and this is not the first space marine he ́s clashed blades against. He is, however, the most skilled out of them. This is proven when Erzahis feints an upward thrust, only to transition to a sideways swing midway. The marine sees it coming, and at the same time that he bats the sword aside with his chainglaive he relinquishes a hand from the weapon ́shaft in order to grab Erzahis by the throat, the shock of the sudden action making him drop his sword. With his airways completely closed, Erzahis now empty hand draws a dagger from his belt and sticks it into the marine´s elbow pit. Undeterred by the knife on his arm, the warrior slams him into a nearby console, the strength of the blow forcing Erzahis to spit blood as he feel his spine shatter upon impact. The mon´keigh relinquishes his grip, and the Dracon falls onto the deck limply. Immediately, Erzahis tries to move, to drag himself into a nearby weapon, to keep fighting. He cannot die like this, defenseless like a newborn at the hands of a slave race. He has to return back to Comorragh, to rise in power and get revenge on his previous Archon. He cannot die like this!
Uncaring of Erzahis wishes, a powered armored boot slams into his head, crushing it between it and the console.
The battle is more or less settled after the Master of Recruits and his men slay the xenos on the bridge. After eating the brains of a few of the slain Eldar, they had learned how to operate the ship's controls, which they had used to direct it to a collision to the system´s sun, sabotaging the controls immediately after. A Stormbird has been directed to extract them before the battleship's destruction, and at prodigious speed Kuthil and the rest of the boarding party rushed to the transport, evading engagements with the rest of the xenos onboard and carrying their wounded and slain with them. At the same time the battleship was being assaulted the rest of the Imperial fleet had took down one of its accompanying cruisers, and when the battleships was sent into its fiery immolation the last remaining Eldar vessel decided that discretion was the better part of valor and fled the system.
An hour later, Myrok finds himself aboard the Heretic´s Bane, inside one of the ship's conference rooms. The only other Astartes with him is Captain Secutor, who is taking the lead as the one in command of the detachment. The rest of the occupants of the room are Lord Hanno Adherbal and his staff, most of which hold various dataslates.
"When your Chapter Master asked me to assist you in this endeavor I almost denied his requests." Admits the veteran commander, drawing some curious glances from everyone in the room. "With Lezo under threat, I thought it too perilous to lose ships fighting against the Eldar. You've proven me wrong with these engagements. Losing only an escort and a few fighters against them is by far the best result we could have hoped to achieve. Will you accompany us to Lezo?"
"A company and half of our brothers are already there, led by Chapter Master Severus." Answers Secutor, hands clasped behind his back. "If the situation is as critical as we both suspect, they´ll need all the assistance possible."
"Then let us hope that we arrive in the system quickly enough to provide it." And with those grim words the meeting gives way to the business of coordinating Warp Jumps between the fleets.
-Dark Eldar Raiders in Zatloctony defeated.
-Relationship with Imperial Navy improves to Liked-
-10 marine slain, 20 progenoids recovered.
Seibourc System, Aetelian Sector 769 M41
Artur and his squad lay in wait crouched in one of the countless hab-blocks of Seibourc, the Nowalijki takes one look at the street below, trying to discern the sounds of their approaching target against the multitude of sounds that warfare causes. To his mounting frustration he´s unable to do so, and after half a minute he crouches back, resting his back against the nearby wall and shifting the grip of his bolter.
"You should relax Artur." Counsels Lubomir as he hefts a Lascannon, leaning it against the window that Artur has just used. "The orks will arrive eventually. No sense in worrying ourselves until them."
"How can you be so sure?" As soon as the question comes out of Artur's mouth, Lubomir gives him a flat stare that can be felt even through his eye lenses.
"The Royales have been fortifying the western districts of this hive city for months, the orks always go where the fiercest fighting is and the only avenue wide enough to allow passage is this one. Where do you expect them to go?" Lubomir turns his attention to the heavy weapon once more when Stepan speaks up.
"What does surprise me is that we're actually conducting an ambush." Artur turns his attention to his squadmate.
"How so?" Stepan rolls his shoulders, the shroudwolf pelt that covers his armor backpack shifting with the movement.
"Well, it doesn't seem to line up with the 7th previous deployments and the… demeanor of Captain Logos."
Artur finds himself agreeing somewhat with his friend's assessment. The three marines had been assigned to the 6th company, and then deployed in this joint effort with the 7th. There was certainly a contrast between Captain Catilina's dignified stance and solemn speech, and the boisterous shouting that Captain Logos enjoys indulging in. The difference also extended to both of their companies service records, as the 6th has fought against a wider variety of foes, mostly rebels, using stealth and terror tactics, while most of the engagements of the 7th have been fighting orks in open battle.
"Well, he's a captain." Interjects Lubomir, turning his head to look at the both of them. "If he was only capable of ordering frontal charges against his foes he would have never been allowed to hold such rank, not if the Master of Recruits has anything to say about it." The three of them shiver inside the armor as they recall their training. In that moment the vox in their helmet flares up.
"Get into position, the scouts have detected the Warboss column approaching the ambush point. Maintain radio silence until the assassination is underway." The voice of sergeant Flaminius brings further conversation to a stop, and soon enough they can hear the sound of the approaching xenos. The roar of promethium engines, shootas firing into the air, and the greenskins themselves, laughing, arguing, roaring and chanting off-key. The column of orks, although it would be more accurate to call it a mob shaped by the passage they are walking in, passes below. Artur pokes his head again, and he sees both the Warboss, a hulking mass of green muscle and ramshackle armor with a two handed chainaxe and sharpened tusks red with gore, and in a nearby building the glint of the barrels of the stalker bolters of the 10th company.
That later glint is also noticed by the Warboss, who bellows for his "WEIRBOY TO KILL DOZE SNEKY BEAKIEZ!" Faster than anyone can react to, a naked ork with a bulging exposed brain waves a copper staff while roaring WAAAAGH. A giant green fist then impacts the hab-block the snipers were positioned in, making the facade of the building crumble into the street below.
"Fire at will!" Orders Flaminius, and Artur and his squadmates obey. The luctusian feels his bolter kick into his pauldron as he fires into the greenskins below. Beside him, Stepan shoots his own weapon, both their bolts and those of the rest of the 6th cutting through the ork forces, the return fire of their own guns making craters on the rockcrete structure of the building. There's a bright flash of light as Lubomir fires the lascannon against one of the ork trukks, the beam vaporizing the cockpit. Above them, their sole Stombird initiates a strafing run, heavy ordnance unleashed against the mass of bodies, tearing apart flesh and metal. At ground level, the chapter rhinos appear from nearby sidestreets, heavy bolters firing in the limited space.
That is not to say that the orks allow themselves to be slaughtered. With a ferocity contemptuous of the losses their suffering, they charge against the entrances of the buildings the 6th company is entrenched in. There they face off against the marines of the 7th, combat blades and chainswords clashing against choppas. Artur notices Captain Logos at the head of his company, cutting down the greenskins as he advances towards the Warboss. The "Weirboy" from before now points his staff at the Mist Shrike, green energy gathering all around him, before those same energies goe haywire, his head exploding alongside those of the nearby orks. The warboss spits a glob of snot and saliva with the dead of his psyker after which he breaks into a sprint in Logos direction. Artur fired a burst at him, but the greenskin armor holds. He quickly reaches the Captain, who is fighting alongside Apothecary Biernat against two Ork Nobz. Busy as he is facing of against one of them, the Terran officer is unable to react in time as the Warboss buries his chainaxe into his chestplate.
"TAKE THAT YA FLASHY BEAKIE!!" Laughs the Warboss as Logos falls onto one knee, a hand gripping the shaft of the chainaxe stuck inside him. "DAT WILL TEACH YA NOT TA MESS WITH HACKANSLASHA!!!"
The xenos laughter fades, replaced by an stupefied expression as Logos stands up, removing the chainaxe from his chest and tears it from the orks's grasp, throwing into the ground
"IS THIS WHAT YOUR WRETCHED KIND CONSIDERS A WOUND?!" Asks the Captain mockingly as he goes onto the offensive, his chainsword a blur of metal and roaring teeth. Rends score the Warboss armor, hard pressed to defend himself without a weapon against the space marine onslaught. The nob that had been fighting the captain tries to intervene, but Vidtis, the 7th Company ancient, rams the Company's standard into his chest, impaling him. The Warboss, increasingly wrathful, tries to punch Logos head of, leaving him overextended and allowing the Mist Shrike to sink his weapon up to the hilt in the greenskins guts.
"LET ME SHOW YOU A PROPER WOUND!!!" Shouts Logos as he tears the chainsword from the body violently, splitting the Warboss in half. As the upper half falls to the floor Logos decapitates the beast, its head joining the others in his belt.
Far from demoralizing them, the death of their boss sends the nearby orks into a frenzy, attacking the Mist Shrikes with renewed effort. Besides Artur, Lubomir falls back, a fist sized slug crashing into his elbow and mangling the joint. Stepan
takes his place at the Lascannon, while Artur shoots more of the approaching orks. He loses track of time, reflexes and muscle memory carrying him forth in aiming, shooting and reloading. When he snaps out of his trance, the orks are either fleeing or dead. He looks at the ammo counter on his HUD and realizes with suprise that he only had the bolt in the chamber left.
That evening, Artur, Stepan and Sergeant Flaminius wait in the entry to the building designated as the Mist Shrikes temporary field hospital. Lubomir comes out, his arm immobilized to allow his transhuman biology to heal properly.
"How's the arm?" Ask Artur as he claps Lubomir back. His fellow lictusian gives him a thin smile before answering.
"Can't move it right now, but according to Biernat it should be fine after two weeks." Everyone's expression lightens after this words.
"Good, we will need you combat ready as soon as possible." Comments Flaminius. "Lieutenants Lorica and Mircio are already coordinating clean up operations for the remaining ork forces in the…" his words are interrupted by a shout coming from inside the building.
"I'M NOT GOING TO LAY DOWN WHILE THERE ARE XENOS TO PURGE! SO WHAT IF I'VE LOST A HEART, I STILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE!!!"
The four marines in the gate exchange glances. "Let's speak in another place." Suggests Stepan, to everyone's agreement.
-Ork Warboss in Sebourc slain
-15 Marines slain, 30 progenoids recovered.
Faisal System, Aetelian Sector, 769 M41
As Catilina and the squads of the 10th company attached to him stalk through the Royal Palace of Faisal, he has to admit he´s anticipating what comes next. The infiltration into the planet was smooth, and the local nomad tribes were vindicated by their arrival, eager to follow the Angel of Death into battle. From his discussions with the tribal leaders, the main instigator of the revolt was the king of Faisal, Mehmed LXVI, and his death would demoralize both the PDF and the urban population of the planet, those being the key elements of the uprising. With that in mind, the best method of suppressing this insurrection was doing as he had done with previous disloyal governors and make a gruesome example out of him.
The plan he has concocted with the tribal leader is simple. The 6th and the nomadic horsemen engage in a hit and run campaign on various asset of the rebellion, seeking to draw the bulk of the PDF away from the capital and the royal palace. That part had been a success, which is now followed by their infiltration of the palace, the kidnap of the king and his family and their subsequent torture on loyal territory. While it might be unsightly, Catilina has to admit that he's going to enjoy making the king suffer in the same way he delighted in torturing the governors of Illiberis and Zelote. After all, since he has memories of, his mother had inculcated in him that with the various privileges a noble has duties, to his subjects, his subordinates, his family, his superiors and to the Emperor. Duties that he has always fulfilled to the utmost of his capabilities both before and after becoming an Astartes, and the vermin masquerading as nobles that rise against the Imperium go make a mockery of those duties. And he has and will explain in detail the consequences of such actions.
Taking his mind off this thoughts, Catilina focuses on the situation at hand. They´re near the chambers of the king, guarded by two members of the royal guard. Before they can raise the alarm two of the scouts pounce on them, stabbing their combat knives into their faces. Then they open the door, the king of Faisal and his wife waking up in their bed. Catilina savors the dread in their eyes before two other marines seize them and knock them unconscious. They exit the chambers with both monarchs on their shoulders, Sergeant Querela of the 10th exiting a nearby room with both of their children on his shoulders. Their targets acquired, the Mist Shrikes make their way out of the building.
Only to stumble into a patrol of Faisal PDF upon doubling a corner.
"Code red, enemies in the palace!!, Enemies in the….!!!" The trooper with the vox-cast is quickly cut apart alongside his fellows, but it is to late. Catilina and his men hear the pounding of boots as the members of the royal guard and the PDF mobilize to their position.
"We´ll leave the palace via extraction point 2, on the double." Orders the Captain of the 6th as he runs, switching his comms to the squad positioned in a vantage point outside the palace with stalker bolters. "We´ve been detected, you´re free to open fire at will, prioritize officers and heavy weapons."
The Royal Palace is a beautiful building in Catilina´s opinion. His family´s state was more richly decorated, of course, but there was a pleasant composition in the numerous gardens and inner fountains, the tastefully decorated hallways with mosaics and geometrical patterns carved onto the walls, luxurious tiles assembled in pleasing patterns in and elaborate stained glass windows. This beauty is marred or destroyed by the effects of combat as the rebels try to stop the Mist Shrikes from departing with their rulers in vain. The stained glass windows shatter as bolt rounds enter through them to slay captains and rocketeers. The fountain's waters are mixed with blood as the space marines carve through soldiers with chainswords and blades. Tiles shatter under the ponderous steps of power armored boots in a hurry, and mosaics and carvings are destroyed under fire from bolt rounds, lasbolts, stubber rounds and explosions. The men in Faisal put in admirable effort, facing the odds with determination and courage, but no amount of bravery can overcome the Angels of Death, and their defiance is barely an inconvenience for the transhuman warriors they are facing.
Aelius' armor is drenched in blood as he and his men rush to the exit, the tortured eldar drawn onto the chestplate impossible to discern under the offal that covers it. Two scouts overtake him, only to fall to the floor under a short and skillfully aimed burst of stubber rounds, which impact their helmets eye lenses. The captain of the 6th cannot help but stand for a moment in dumbfounded disbelief of such a feat, an astonishment which he shares with the gunner who made the shot, judging by the slack jaw and wide open eyes that the man in question shows. His fortune does not hold, as Aelius recovers first from his surprise and blows the man's head off. With the exception of that slight mishap the Mist Shrikes reach the exit of the palace without much issue, fading into the desert well before the panicked PDF forces away from the fight reach the bloody scenario of their escape.
A week later, the Mist Shrikes detachment on Faisal stand somewhat aside as the loyal tribes of Faisal celebrate their victory. After the broadcast of the royal family torture and execution, with background cheers of the tribespeople with every inflicted wound, the Faisalian PDF lost his nerve and surrendered, with tribal garrisons established on every major settlements.
The leader of the nomad confederation, and new Governor of Faisal approaches Catilina, a smile from ear to ear on his face.
"`Holy Angel, I cannot be more pleased with your actions!" He proclaims cheerfully. "I shall redouble my prayers to the God-Emperor for granting us such a boon!"
"That won´t be necessary Emir Shafir." Rejects Catilina with a small shake of his head. "The only thing we require is that you and your people keep the loyalty to the Imperium you have demonstrated in this time, and that you inspire such devotion in the rest of the planet.
Shafir grimaces in disgust at that, spitting on the ground. "The cityfolk are weak, in flesh and in spirit. They flee from hardship, and prefer comforts over faith. God-Emperor willing, what you´ve done to that wretch Mehmed and his degenerate brood will keep those weaklings in line."
Catilina smiles sadistically as he remembers how the governor had cried, squealed and begged as he brutalized his family before his own eyes. "Do not be afraid to follow my example if you consider it necessary. If they are incapable of loyalty, they shall be taught compliance."
-Faisal rebellion suppressed, local tribes propped into governance.
-New Contact gained; Emir Shafir (Neutral+)
-2 marines slain, 4 Progenoids recovered.
Litigia System, Aetelian Sector, 769 M41
As the Fear of Judgement and the Bird of Prey arrive at the Mandeville Point of the Litigia System, site of an old battle between the Mechanicus, there is silence in both of their command bridges as the marine officers wait for the auspex to scan the system.
In the Bird of Prey, Emilianus narrows his eyes when the scan is done. "There are no vessels from the Eyes of the Mutator in the pirate´s space station. Are we sure this is the right place?"
"We know those traitors have pirates under their command." Reminds him Falce, his skull helm on the crook of his arm as he stands alongside him. "Besides, the detachment of Admiral Adherbal has arrived near us."
"With how pitiful their performance normally is, it wouldn´t surprise me if their intel is wrong." Says Hostilius, contempt clear in his voice as the Master of the Fleet speaks through the hololith. "Besides, what manner of officer arrives into the battle with such paltry numbers? Three cruisers! Just three cruisers!"
"We´ve known that there is political squabbling in the Navy, it might be the reason for that." Suggest Falce, ignoring the subsequent scoff from Hostilius. "Regardless of the Navy, our main priority is obtaining the location of the Eyes of the Mutator new homeworld. For that I advise that we board the space station immediately so that they have a shorter window of opportunity to delete the coordinates."
"That is a perilous endeavor." Pluvia cautions against it with a frown. "While there are no Astartes vessels, there might be a garrison of Traitor marines onboard, which together with the pirates themselves could overwhelm our forces without support from the Navy´s armsmen."
"Cowardice is unbecoming of a Space Marine, Pluvia." Reproaches Hostilius harshly, anger flashing in Pluvia´s eyes at the aspersions cast about his valor. "If any of the traitors are onboard, it's your duty to slay them, not to flinch at the thought of facing them."
"I understand your concerns Emilianus." Interjects Falce, casting a warning glare towards the hololith. "However time is of the essence, and retribution must be brought upon the traitors for their millenia of atrocities. While it is reasonable to be cautious, now our purpose requires us to take action." Emilianus nods, his anger settled. Hostilius sneers through the hololith, before cutting communication as he prepares himself for the space battle.
Both Pluvia and Falce go towards the boarding pods, walking from the bridge in silence as they both prepare themselves for the incoming battle. At the doors of his own boarding pod the Master of Sanctity is greeted by two of his apprentices, Djanko and Lavtizar. The first makes the sign of the Aquila in silence as he approaches, while the second greets him much more enthusiastically.
"Greetings Master Falce!" He says with a happy expression, practically bouncing inside his armor. "Fine day to purge heretical filth from the galaxy, is it not?!"
"Your enthusiasm is commendable Lavtizar, but temper it so that eagerness does not develop into recklessness." He advises, and while his apprentice nods appropriately, the terran can see that the younger marine has not interiorized his words. They all enter the pod, sharing it with one of the assault squads from the 2nd Company, and just as they tighten the restraints they feel the pod launch into the void.
"Be ready brothers." Speaks Falce on an open channel, ignorant but uncaring of how many brothers are hearing his words. "We arrive at the den of the traitor and the mutant, to purge it with blade and bolter and find where the bulk of their numbers hide from their deserved retribution. They shall try to stop us, to continue hiding away in order to carry on their atrocities and depravities in the name of their despicable divinity." His voice rises and he sees the men around him grip their chainswords tightly. "But they shall not hide any longer! In the dark they seek to perpetuate their crimes and in the dark we shall hunt them down! They will try to hamper us, to spite us and kill us, and they shall try in vain! For the darkness will prove no refuge from the punishment they have earned! They might dwell in the shadows, but WE. OWN. THEM! Their spite shall falter against our righteous hatred, and their ignominious end will be but a prelude of what is to come to the rest of their disgusting ilk! Do not fear them brothers, For we are NIGHTMARES. MADE. MANIFEST!!"
The last words are roared by the rest of the brothers in the pod, and shortly after it crashes into the station, passing through various decks. The second Falce and the other marines come out of their transport, they are beset by foes. An horde of mutant charges towards them, a myriad of disfiguring abnormalities poised to hurt the transhuman warriors. Using them as bolter fodder, the rest of the pirates come behind them, far less disciplined that proper Navy armsmen but fanatical in their desire to please the God of Change, firing their lasguns at the midnight armored marines. Falce and the rest of the marines countercharged the mutants, cutting through limbs and crushing heads and torsos, wading through the press of corrupted bodies in the tight confines of the stations corridors, punching and kicking when they cannot wield their weapons. After a few minutes and the deaths of dozens of foes, the tide of mutant thins, announcing the arrival of a far more dangerous foe.
"The gaze of Tzeench is upon us!"
"Bow before the will of the Great Mutator!"
"We see your impending death cousins!"
A squad of Chaos Space Marines charges into the fray, firing their bolters and slaying the assault marine at Falce´s right. Leading them is a champion of Tzeench, recognizable by his many mutations. The power fist he wields is fused to his right arm, which is double the size of his left. His helmet is also fused to his face, and the vox-grill of his Mark VII has been replaced by yellowed fangs and teeth, growing discordantly in various directions, sometimes piercing each other. His armor bulges and beats like it was a beating thing, the name of the corrupted warrior, Shandian Quan, written in fluorescent letters upon his chestplate.
"I pity you loyalists!" He exclaims, spittle flying from the grill as teeth clash and gnaw against each other. "You´re so blind, shackled to a corpse in a throne, foolishly denying true divinity. Let me free you from that worthless existence."
One of the assault marines tries to intercept the tzeenchian champion, but the traitor blows his leg with a plasma pistol before punching his head off. Lavtizar sees one of the traitor aiming a plasma gun at the rest of the squad and tackles him, laughing as he grapples with the traitor in order to ram his combat blade in the traitor's neck. Djanko exchanges blows with another traitor, weapons forgotten as they both try their utmost to pummel the other unto death. Falce swings his crozius overhead at the Eyes of the Mutator Champion, who raises his power fist upwards to defend himself. Falce then changes the direction of the blow mid-swing, striking his opponent in the chest, the powerfield of the weapon sending the traitor flying a few meters and crushing a few of the pirates behind him. Taking advantage of the breather, Falce opens his comlink.
"We are being pressed hard here! Emilianus, what´s your situation?"
"We´re near the bridge!" Answers the Captain of the 2nd, struggling to make himself heard amidst the noise of bolter rounds and detonations. "We´re pinned down, and there´s an enemy warpsmith firing at us!"
"Sergeant Taurus here! Be advised that the pirates are employing suicide bombers with melta charges! Lost three marines in that manner!!!"
Falce is forced to stop replying to the messages when Shandian Quan gets back onto his feet, his dented chestplate pulsing and twisting as it recovers its previous shape. Falce takes a quick look at his surroundings, finding the situation grim. Both Lavtizar and Danko had dispatched their own foes, and are currently fighting side by side, Danko in complete silence and Lavtizar hurling insults and mockery at the traitors, but of their accompanying squad only the sergeant and two other marines remain standing as they contain the mass of mutants and pirates coming behind them, immediately reduced to one more as the other is hit by a volley of lasbolts. As the Mist Shrikes start being overwhelmed by the foes' number, Shandian Quan opens his arms wide.
"Your defeat was inevitable." He states full of confidence as he attacks Falce once more, uppercutting with his power fist at the Master of Sanctity, who evades the hit by stepping backwards. "We are servants of the Architect of Fate, and against his designs all resistance is futile." He brings his plasma pistol to bear, firing a shot that dissipates against Falce´s Rosarius, even if the heat warms the ceramite to scalding temperatures. "We struggled against this truth in the beginning." He admits, sounding almost ashamed as his attacks increase in speed and ferocity, a series of jabs that Falce manages to block with his crozius or evade. "But you´ll see the truth eventually. You all will." Just as he utters this words the actinic flash of a meltagun illuminates the chamber, vaporizing six approaching mutants. "What in Tzeentch ninety-nine names..?" Mutters the Tzeenchian as his eye lenses widen in surprise, turning his head around slightly to look behind him. A snarl comes out of his mutated vox.grill as he beholds a squad of devastators in Mist Shrikes colors appear after unleashing a barrage of melta blasts, las beams and bolter rounds at his forces, greatly culling their number. That moment of distraction costs him, as it takes his attention away from Falce.
"You´re wrong Traitor!" The Master of Sanctity swings his crozius at the start of Shadian Quan powerfist, smashing the weapon in a shower of cables, ceramite, blood and gore. "Your "God" thrives in lies, and because of that you lie to yourself!" The traitor ignores the vicious pain and tries to aim his pistol once more, but Falce reverses his swing and hits him on the side, smashing the Chaos marine against a nearby wall with a ragged scream. He bounces off and crashes into the floor on his chest, the son of Curze planting his foot on the son of Jaghatai´s back, preventing him from rising. "The only certanty is that of your death and that of your treasonous chapter!" He smashes his crozius into Shadian Quan head, denting the ceramite, and throwing teeth and bloody, acidic saliva flying. "Even if we have to slay you one by one!" He smashes it a second time, and this time it is reduced to chunks of mutated bone, armor and brain matter upon the floor. He gazes up to see that the reinforcing marines and his squad have dispatched the nearby heretics. The sergeant of the devastators approaches him and bangs a fist again his chestplate.
"2-9 reporting Master of Sanctity! Lieutenant Gallo has dispatched us in order to assist you and Captain Pluvia in defending the station!"
Falce nods, Lavtizar and Djanko taking positions behind him. "Thanks for your prompt intervention. Now let us assist our brothers in battle!"
The cleansing of the space station is a drawn out and costly affair. The Eyes of the Mutator and their lackeys fight fiercely for every inch of ground and despite the Imperial victory being inevitable, plenty of marines are slain in combat. Still, the station is completely cleansed of heretical forces, and in the void Hostilius and Admiral Adherbal destroy or put to flight the piratical vessels. As such, once the wounded and slain are processed and the station combed for intel, the three Mist Shrike officers hail the Navy officer from the Fear of Judgement´s bridge.
While the hololith makes it hard to discern, Giscon Adherbal holds a significant resemblance to his uncle, to the point of looking like a younger copy of the venerable Gadiran Lord Admiral. One that is very clearly clenching his teeth as he tries to reign his temper. "Yerma." He practically spits both with fury and self-recrimination. "Two millenia searching for the thrice-damn bastards and they were hiding in karking Yerma."
"If you knew of the system's existence, then how it is possible that you have not found them before!?" Shouts Marcius before Falce and Emilianus place a hand each in his pauldrons, reining him in.
Giscon sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "There are only three planets in the Yerma system, all of which are Dead Worlds with little to none useful resources. Apart from that, the Warp routes in and out of the system are unstable and hazardous for travel, and the Mandeville point is among the smallest in the sector. It seemed unthinkable as a naval base or long-term headquarters, although in hindsight only an insane heretic would ever consider it a viable base."
"Recriminations are worthless now." Mediates Falce before Hostilius says something offensive to the Admiral. "The information that we have obtained not only points out the location of their headquarters, but also the Warp routes they employ, their facilities in each of the three planets and the number and nature of their orbital platforms and defensive fleet. Once the situation in Lezo is resolved, we will be in an excellent position to put down the Eyes of the Mutator once and for all."
Giscon removes his hand from his face, and smiles somewhat. "You´re right, Master of Sanctity. This day has been a great victory for the servants of the God-Emperor. Without your assistance we would have been incapable of securing this amount of information. My uncle has certainly not exaggerated the skill and courage of the Angels of Death. I must now prepare for the Warp travel to Lezo, where I sincerely hope that we meet again. Adherbal out."
As soon as the commlink is cut Hostilius punches the hololith, drawing fearful glances from the nearby bridge crew. "Imbecile wretch." He curses. "We´ve lost almost a third of the Second Company securing information that they should have found centuries ago."
Pluvia frowns at Marcius display. "That may be so, but making inroads with one the potential successors of the Lord Admiral in the Sector is useful, and Chapter Severus will be thrilled that we have secured so much details on the enemy positions."
"Unsurprising that a faint-hearted craven such as you manages to find a silver lining to leading his men into a slaughterhouse." Mocks Marcius. Pluvia calm shatters as he takes a step forward with a thunderous expression, but Falce steps between them.
"Enough, this is a day of great glory and mourning both, and you will not sully it by brawling like immature juves." He then looks at Hostilius, disappointed. "Snide comments and petty insults are beneath you and beneath the dignity of your post, Master of the Fleet." Hostilius looks aside with a tch. "Now we must prepare for.." A spasm shakes Falce´s whole body. He steadies himself by grabbing the hololith, but a fiercer one forces him onto his back. The spasms wrack his body as Hostilius shouts for the Apothecary, and the last thing Falce sees is Emilianus holding him to prevent him from banging his head against the floor.
Then the visions overtake him.
-Space Station secured, Extremely detailed intel acquired on the Eye of the Mutator Homeworld.
-New Contact gained: Admiral Giscon Adherbal (Neutral+)
-27 Marines slain, 54 progenoids gained.
-1 Stormbird damaged, 1 Thunderhawk damaged.
-Falce Prophet trait revealed.
Q.M Notes: Here it is, the Deployment results of Turn 7. Sorry for the delay, and I hope it is worth it. The first proper part of the Lezoan Campaign will arrive later this week. Also, I reworked the naval combat once more, hope you like it.Please don´t make me rework it anymore I can´t take it anymore, God-Emperor please.... Ehem. Also, before anyone asks, the Chaos Sorcerer in of the First and Fifteenth is not the Achaemenid Devotee.
Feel free to point out any mistakes I´ve made in this chapter, as where I am it is late and I´m sleepy.
Severus Fellowship roll 9d10 (SC 5-1(Liked)+3 (Headquarters under threat)=7)= 2, 5, 10, 7, 1, 8, 7, 9, 10= 7 Successes
Dark Eldar Infighting 1d100: 22
Dark Eldar Fleet Readiness 1d100-15(Kabal Infighting)= 18-15= 3. Imperial Space Forces get 1 surprise round when the Dark Eldar don´t attack.
Dark Eldar Fleet Readiness 1d100-15(Kabal Infighting)= 18-15= 3. Imperial Space Forces get 1 surprise round when the Dark Eldar don´t attack.
Dracon Erzahis sneers as his sword bites deep into the calf of his opponent. The moisture absorbing properties of his blade quickly yet painfully turning the other Drukahri into a desiccated husk. With this, the last of his foes in the bridge are slain, the only Eldar left standing being his own men, with all those souls that had risen against him now in She-Who-Thirsts gullet.
He spits on the corpse in an act of frustration. This was supposed to be an easy raid, grabbing slaves for the markets of Comorragh, increasing his own reputation and standing amidst the Kabal of the Pained Scream and searching for more conspirators for his plan to overthrow the current Archon, that pathetic weakling Irvan. Then, just as they were preparing to launch the raid on the Mon´keigh Hive world some of his men had tried to overthrow him, which not only forces him to delay the raid, but also will reduce the number of slaves he will be able to gather before the Mon´keigh forces arrive.
He's pulled out of his thoughts when one of his "loyal" subordinates calls him. "Dracon, Archon Irvan is contacting us."
Erzahis grits his teeth with such force that it almost seems like they are about to shatter from sheer pressure. His voice comes out as a barely contained snarl. "Let us hear what he has to say then."
Immediately Irvan appears on screen, slouching on his throne and sipping on a jagged chalice. His left eyebrow raises a millimeter before speaking. "Uh, you´re still alive Erzahis. I thought that the others would have succeeded in putting you down."
A vein pops in the Dracon forehead, but he takes a deep breath and points at the corpses strewn about. "So I assume all this was your doing?"
"Of course." Admits Irvan shamelessly as he runs his tongue through the cuts in his lips caused by the cup. "You´ve been painfully unsubtle in your scheming to take my place, and not in an enjoyable way."
Erzahis fists clench as unease mixes in with the rage. Him being aware of his scheming makes usurping the Kabal of the Pained Scream impossible. Still is not like he´s out of options. He can still offer his bounty from the raid and his force to one of the other Kabals in the Dark City. It would take plenty of time to ascend in the ranks of another Kabal, but he'll do so, and make Irvan suffer for this humiliation.
The Archon keeps speaking, indifferent to Erzahil thoughts. "Alas, it seems that the rest of my men are even more pathetic than you, if they were unable to dispatch you." He sighs dramatically, bringing the back of his hand to his forehead with a flourish. "Tragic really, how much Eldarkind has fallen that they are unable to act as catspaws, and that one of the inferior races of the galaxy has to take their place in that duty." The Dracon doesn´t understand what he means for a second, only to redden in anger when he does.
"Do you truly think that the pitiful mon´keigh in this mudball of a planet may kill me?" He asks contemptuously, to which Irvan merely laughs in amusement.
"Of course not." Laughed Irvan again, and the sound was as grating as pleas of mercy to Erzahis ear. "Those won´t do you no harm. The gene brutes that are coming towards you on the other hand…" He shrugs "Well, they've proven adept in removing nuisances. I do hope that you savor the experience of facing them, Erzahis, I´ve heard it is to die for." The Archon cuts the call after raising his goblet in a mocking toast, leaving his previous subordinate fuming. Seconds later, the human fleet arrives on the planet.
"What are you waiting for?!" He shouts as the enemy vessels make their way towards his own fleet. "Get to your stations!! Wipe that vermin from the void!!"
"The other ships are still purging Irvan´s troops!" Answered back one of his Trueborn bodyguards. "They won't be able to respond in time!"
"Khaine take those bastards!!" Shouts Erzahis impotently as the enemy ships open fire.
Battlefield Condition: None
Mist Shrike Fleet:
Space Commander: Captain Secutor (Vicious: If your attack roll is superior to three fourths of the possible damage, you roll a second attack at half the damage made.)
Ships:
-Strike Cruiser Night Terror:
–Speed: 50
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 200/200 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+30+5
-Strike Cruiser Unavoidable Sentence
–Speed: 50
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 200/200 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+30+5
Fighter Screen:
-2 Stormbirds: 2d15
Imperial Fleet:
Space Commander: Lord Admiral Hanno Adherbal (Centennial Admiral: At the start of each phase, roll a 1d6: If you get a 5 or 6, all Navy ships gain +10 to their attack rolls)
Ships:
-Retribution-Class Battleship Heretic´s Bane
–Speed: 20
–Hull points: 600/600 HP
–Shields: 300/300 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+50+5
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Manifest Destiny
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Imperial Aegis
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Firestorm-Class Frigate Dauntless
–Speed: 50
–Hull Points: 100/100 HP
–Shield Points: 20/20 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d5 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+10
-Firestorm-Class Frigate Green Spear
–Speed: 50
–Hull Points: 100/100 HP
–Shield Points: 20/20 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d5 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+10
Fighter screen.
50 Fury interceptors squadrons: 25d5
Dark Eldar Fleet:
Fleet Commander: Dracon Erzahis (Callous Commander: Each time you are attacked, roll a 1d6. On a 6, all attacks directed to you that turn are diverted towards another one of your ships)
Ships:
-Dying Sun-Class Battleship Everlasting Suffering
–Speed: 80
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 500/500 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+50
-Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
–Speed: 100
–Hull points: 100/100 HP
–Shields: 300/300 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d+40
-Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
–Speed: 100
–Hull points: 100/100 HP
–Shields: 300/300 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d+40
-Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
–Speed: 120
–Hull points: 100/100 HP
–Shields: 100/100 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d+30
Fighter Screen:
-30 Raptor Fighter Squadrons: 30d5
Mist Shrike Fleet:
Space Commander: Captain Secutor (Vicious: If your attack roll is superior to three fourths of the possible damage, you roll a second attack at half the damage made.)
Ships:
-Strike Cruiser Night Terror:
–Speed: 50
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 200/200 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+30+5
-Strike Cruiser Unavoidable Sentence
–Speed: 50
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 200/200 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+30+5
Fighter Screen:
-2 Stormbirds: 2d15
Imperial Fleet:
Space Commander: Lord Admiral Hanno Adherbal (Centennial Admiral: At the start of each phase, roll a 1d6: If you get a 5 or 6, all Navy ships gain +10 to their attack rolls)
Ships:
-Retribution-Class Battleship Heretic´s Bane
–Speed: 20
–Hull points: 600/600 HP
–Shields: 300/300 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+50+5
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Manifest Destiny
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Imperial Aegis
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Firestorm-Class Frigate Dauntless
–Speed: 50
–Hull Points: 100/100 HP
–Shield Points: 20/20 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d5 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+10
-Firestorm-Class Frigate Green Spear
–Speed: 50
–Hull Points: 100/100 HP
–Shield Points: 20/20 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d5 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+10
Fighter screen.
50 Fury interceptors squadrons: 25d5
Dark Eldar Fleet:
Fleet Commander: Dracon Erzahis (Callous Commander: Each time you are attacked, roll a 1d6. On a 6, all attacks directed to you that turn are diverted towards another one of your ships)
Ships:
-Dying Sun-Class Battleship Everlasting Suffering
–Speed: 80
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 500/500 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+50
-Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
–Speed: 100
–Hull points: 100/100 HP
–Shields: 300/300 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d+40
-Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
–Speed: 100
–Hull points: 100/100 HP
–Shields: 300/300 SP
–Shield regen: 1d100 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d+40
-Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
–Speed: 120
–Hull points: 100/100 HP
–Shields: 100/100 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d+30
Fighter Screen:
-30 Raptor Fighter Squadrons: 30d5
Initiative: Night Terror-Unavoidable Sentence-Dauntless-Green Spear-Manifest Destiny-Imperial Aegis-Heretic´s Bane.
Captain Secutor Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 2)= 1, 4, 1, 1, 1= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Consequence roll 1d4: 2. Night Terror doesn´t attack this turn.
Unavoidable Sentence attacks the Everlasting Suffering.
1d50+40+5= 44+30+10= 84
Callous Commander roll 1d6= 2
Everlasting Suffering Shields reduced to 416/500 SP
Stormbirds attack Bleak-Souls Class Cruiser 2
2d15= 12, 3= 15
Bleak Souls Class Cruiser 2 Shields reduced to 285/300 SP
Hanno Adherbal Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 2)= 6, 7, 3, 7= 3 Successes
Centennial Commander roll 1d6= 3
Dauntless attacks the Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
1d50+20=43+20= 63
Bladed Lotus-Class Cruiser Shields at 37/100 SP
Green Spear attacks the Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
1d50+20=38+20= 58
Bladed Lotus-Class Cruiser Shields depleted, Light Cruiser at 79/100 HP
Manifest Destiny attacks the Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
1d50+40= 23+40= 63
Bladed Lotus-Class Cruiser reduced to 16/100 HP
Imperial Aegis attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+40= 29+40= 69
Bleak Souls Class Cruiser 2 Shields reduced to 216/300 SP
Heretic´s Bane attack Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+50+10= 27+50+5= 82
Bleak Souls Class Cruiser 2 Shields reduced to 134/300 SP
Fury Interceptors attack Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
25d5= 3, 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 5, 1, 1, 5, 4, 4, 5, 3, 1, 5, 4, 5, 1, 1, 4, 1, 3, 5, 1=77
Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser Destroyed
Captain Secutor Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 2)= 1, 4, 1, 1, 1= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Consequence roll 1d4: 2. Night Terror doesn´t attack this turn.
Unavoidable Sentence attacks the Everlasting Suffering.
1d50+40+5= 44+30+10= 84
Callous Commander roll 1d6= 2
Everlasting Suffering Shields reduced to 416/500 SP
Stormbirds attack Bleak-Souls Class Cruiser 2
2d15= 12, 3= 15
Bleak Souls Class Cruiser 2 Shields reduced to 285/300 SP
Hanno Adherbal Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 2)= 6, 7, 3, 7= 3 Successes
Centennial Commander roll 1d6= 3
Dauntless attacks the Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
1d50+20=43+20= 63
Bladed Lotus-Class Cruiser Shields at 37/100 SP
Green Spear attacks the Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
1d50+20=38+20= 58
Bladed Lotus-Class Cruiser Shields depleted, Light Cruiser at 79/100 HP
Manifest Destiny attacks the Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
1d50+40= 23+40= 63
Bladed Lotus-Class Cruiser reduced to 16/100 HP
Imperial Aegis attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+40= 29+40= 69
Bleak Souls Class Cruiser 2 Shields reduced to 216/300 SP
Heretic´s Bane attack Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+50+10= 27+50+5= 82
Bleak Souls Class Cruiser 2 Shields reduced to 134/300 SP
Fury Interceptors attack Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser
25d5= 3, 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 5, 1, 1, 5, 4, 4, 5, 3, 1, 5, 4, 5, 1, 1, 4, 1, 3, 5, 1=77
Bladed Lotus-Class Light Cruiser Destroyed
New Initiative: Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1-Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2-Everlasting Suffering-Night Terror-Unavoidable Sentence-Dauntless-Green Spear-Manifest Destiny-Imperial Aegis-Heretic´s Bane.
Dracon Erzahis Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 2)= 9, 2. 2, 7= 2 Successes
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser attacks the Dauntless
1d50+40=28+40=68
Dauntless shields depleted, Hull points reduced to 52/100 HP
1d50=17. Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 251/300 SP
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 attacks the Dauntless
1d50+40=21+40=61
Dauntless destroyed
1d100=6 Everlasting Suffering Shields at 422/500
Everlasting Suffering attacks Green Spear
1d50+50=12+50=62
Green Spears Shields depleted, Hull reduced to 58/100HP
Secutor Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 2)=1, 2, 6, 4, 8= 1 Success
Night Terror Attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2.
1d50+30+5=17+30+5=52
Bleak Soul-Class Cruiser at 202/300SP
Unavoidable Sentence launches Boarding Pods at Everlasting Suffering
Pods roll 4d100 (SC 10/30)= 100, 92, 31, 80, 63
Hanno Adherbal Intelligence 4d10 (SC 2)= 10, 10, 7, 2= Success, Critical Success.
Consequence: 1d4= 4 Rolls for trait twice this phase.
Centennial Admiral roll 1d6=4
Centennial Admiral reroll 1d6=2
Green Spear attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+20=7+20=27
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 175/300
Manifest Destiny attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+40=23+40=63
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 112/300 SP
Heretic´s Bane attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+50+5=47+50+5= 102
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 10/300SP
Dog Fight
Imperial Successes: 20
Dark Eldar Successes 30
Stormbirds roll 4d10= 10, 4, 9, 5= 3 Successes
Fury Interceptors 1 2d10= 1, 8=0 Successes
Fury Interceptors 2 2d10= 8, 4= 1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 3 2d10= 10, 9= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Fury Interceptors 4 2d10= 5, 5= 0 Successes
Raptor Fighter 1 4d10= 5, 9, 3, 1= 0 Successes
Raptor Fighter 2 4d10= 7, 9, 10, 2= 4 Successes
Raptor Fighter 3 4d10= 5, 2, 10, 9= 3 Successes
Imperials= 8/19
Dark Eldar= 7/30
Dracon Erzahis Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 2)= 9, 2. 2, 7= 2 Successes
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser attacks the Dauntless
1d50+40=28+40=68
Dauntless shields depleted, Hull points reduced to 52/100 HP
1d50=17. Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 251/300 SP
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 attacks the Dauntless
1d50+40=21+40=61
Dauntless destroyed
1d100=6 Everlasting Suffering Shields at 422/500
Everlasting Suffering attacks Green Spear
1d50+50=12+50=62
Green Spears Shields depleted, Hull reduced to 58/100HP
Secutor Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 2)=1, 2, 6, 4, 8= 1 Success
Night Terror Attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2.
1d50+30+5=17+30+5=52
Bleak Soul-Class Cruiser at 202/300SP
Unavoidable Sentence launches Boarding Pods at Everlasting Suffering
Pods roll 4d100 (SC 10/30)= 100, 92, 31, 80, 63
Hanno Adherbal Intelligence 4d10 (SC 2)= 10, 10, 7, 2= Success, Critical Success.
Consequence: 1d4= 4 Rolls for trait twice this phase.
Centennial Admiral roll 1d6=4
Centennial Admiral reroll 1d6=2
Green Spear attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+20=7+20=27
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 175/300
Manifest Destiny attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+40=23+40=63
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 112/300 SP
Heretic´s Bane attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+50+5=47+50+5= 102
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 10/300SP
Dog Fight
Imperial Successes: 20
Dark Eldar Successes 30
Stormbirds roll 4d10= 10, 4, 9, 5= 3 Successes
Fury Interceptors 1 2d10= 1, 8=0 Successes
Fury Interceptors 2 2d10= 8, 4= 1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 3 2d10= 10, 9= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Fury Interceptors 4 2d10= 5, 5= 0 Successes
Raptor Fighter 1 4d10= 5, 9, 3, 1= 0 Successes
Raptor Fighter 2 4d10= 7, 9, 10, 2= 4 Successes
Raptor Fighter 3 4d10= 5, 2, 10, 9= 3 Successes
Imperials= 8/19
Dark Eldar= 7/30
Mist Shrikes Boarding Party:
-Master of Recruits Myrok Kuthil (Prototype Mk VI "Corvus Power" Armor, Cameleonine Cloak, Chainglaive, Plasma Pistol)
-Squad 10-6 (Prototype Mk VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolters, 5 Plasma gun)
-Squads 7-7 to 7-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters)
Everlasting Suffering Bridge Crew:
-Dracon Erzahis (Dracon Armor, Husk Blade, Shredder)
-Squad of Kabalite Trueborn (Kabalite Warriors Armor, Splinter Rifles, 1 Splinter cannon.
-Kabalite Warriors (Kabalite Warriors Armor, Splinter Rifles)
Mist Shrike Successes needed: 20
Dark Eldar Successes needed: 20
-Master of Recruits Myrok Kuthil (Prototype Mk VI "Corvus Power" Armor, Cameleonine Cloak, Chainglaive, Plasma Pistol)
-Squad 10-6 (Prototype Mk VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolters, 5 Plasma gun)
-Squads 7-7 to 7-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters)
Everlasting Suffering Bridge Crew:
-Dracon Erzahis (Dracon Armor, Husk Blade, Shredder)
-Squad of Kabalite Trueborn (Kabalite Warriors Armor, Splinter Rifles, 1 Splinter cannon.
-Kabalite Warriors (Kabalite Warriors Armor, Splinter Rifles)
Mist Shrike Successes needed: 20
Dark Eldar Successes needed: 20
Myrok Kuthil Weapon Skill roll 8d10= 9, 7, 8, 7, 1, 6, 8, 4= 5 Successes
10-6 Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 9, 10, 10, 6= 6 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 2
7th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 3, 2, 2, 7= 1 Successes
Dracon Erzahis Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 5, 8, 9, 10, 5, 7= 5 Successes
Kabalite Trueborn Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 5, 4, 4 ,10, 5, 6= 3 Successes
Kabalite Warrior Ballistc Skill roll 4d10= 7, 5, 8, 4= 2 Successes
Mist Shrikes= 12/18
Dark Eldar= 10/20
10-6 Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 9, 10, 10, 6= 6 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 2
7th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 3, 2, 2, 7= 1 Successes
Dracon Erzahis Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 5, 8, 9, 10, 5, 7= 5 Successes
Kabalite Trueborn Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 5, 4, 4 ,10, 5, 6= 3 Successes
Kabalite Warrior Ballistc Skill roll 4d10= 7, 5, 8, 4= 2 Successes
Mist Shrikes= 12/18
Dark Eldar= 10/20
Their opening volley is devastating. While the shots coming from the Astartes are easily absorbed by the Everlasting Suffering shields, the rest of the inferior spacecraft had focused fire on the Light Cruiser attached to his fleet, eventually exploding under the barrage of lances and macrocannons. With it, Erzahis saw his chances of ingratiating himself with another Kabal lowering, his mind picturing Irvan arrogant smirk as he beholds his falls from grace. Stabbing his blade on the floor in anger, which makes the still-living carpet of butchered humans moan in agony, the ex-dracon of the Kabal of the Pained Scream addresses his subordinates.
"Are you now ready to obey my commands, or do they prefer to perish at the hands of cattle?" He says, broadcasting his words to what remains of his flotilla. He takes their silence as obedience. "Deploy our fighters to destroy their own. Target their escorts first, then we will use our superior speed to run circles around their lumbering vessels."
The ships under his command finally do as ordered, and he observes with some satisfaction as one of the mon´keigh escorts bursts apart under their lances, split in half. He knows that thousands of the crude simians are perishing as they are vented into the void, the sudden pressure of vacuum crushing them, and he smiles at their pain. The exchange of fire continues, volleys hammering shields and cutting through hulls, until a number of particular impacts against his flagship, close enough to the bridge that they make the ground shake raise alarms.
"Enemy boarders in the ship!" Reports a crewmember. "It's the…" The bridge gates burst open before he can finish speaking, the blast doors shrapnel flying through the air and taking his head off. An inferior race might have been taken off guard by the sudden explosion, but they are Eldar, the true masters of the galaxy, and it barely takes them a second to draw their weapons. Erzahis is the first amongst them, Shredder pistol firing against the opened doors.
"WE ARE NIGHTMARES MADE MANIFEST!!" Their opponents are just as fast, erupting into the chamber with shouted war cries and weapons spewing bolts and plasma. Erzahis casually dodges a plasma shot, the burning energy vaporizing a worthless vat-born behind him, and scoffs dismissively in response to their battlecry. How quaint of the brutes, to think themselves figures of terror. Their armor decorated with what their feeble minds consider intimidating, skulls and pelts of dangerous beasts, engravings and decorations of skeletons, screaming faces, torture scenes… He lunges at one with flayed muscles painted over his armor, thrusting his blade into his neck. As the gene-forged brute rasps his last breath, he's forced to disengage as a whirring blade comes close to cleaving him in half. Idly snapping a shot at another of the warriors fighting against his forces, he focuses on it´s wielder. Another towering mass of tasteless gene-tailoring, his crude armor decorated with red scribbles in one of those collections of grunts the mon´keigh call languages, but one that Erzahis can reluctantly admit seems more dangerous than the others. With surprising speed the Space Marines thrust his polearm at his chest, which the Dracon parries before throwing a slash at his knee joint that his opponent dodge with a quick step back. Erzahis is forced to jump backwards when the return swing nearly takes his legs, and then twist further mid air to avoid a follow up stab. The Dark eldar makes use of the gained space to bring his Shredder pistol to bear, forcing his opponent to weave through his shots, either avoiding them or letting them impact the oversized pauldrons of his armor.
"Shame that I will kill you now Mon´keigh!" Shouts Erzahis mockingly in High Gothic, the lexicon unable to communicate the depths of his disdain. "It would be quite a show seeing you carved up by wytches in the arena!!" Despite his words, the reaver takes a flickering glance across the bridge, tension nestling in his gut as he sees the rest of the Eldar aboard pushed back by the gene-brutes onslaught, plenty of his subordinates' bodies vaporized by plasma.
New Initiative: Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1-Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2-Everlasting Suffering-Night Terror-Unavoidable Sentence-Green Spear-Manifest Destiny-Imperial Aegis-Heretic´s Bane.
Dracon Erzahis Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 2+2(Bridge Fight)=4)= 8, 1, 1, 2= 0, Critical Failure
Consequences 1d4= 2. Everlasting Torment doesn´t attack this turn.
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser attacks the Imperial Aegis
1d50+40=21+40=61
Imperial Aegis Shields reduced to 39/100 SP
1d50=13. Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 23/300 SP
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 attacks the Heretic´s Bane
1d50+40=44+40=84
Heretic´s Bane shields reduced to 216/300 SP
1d100=36 Everlasting Suffering Shields at 458/500
Secutor Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 2)= 7, 9, 7, 6, 8= 5 Success
Night Terror Attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2.
1d50+30+5=39+30+5=74 Methodical trait triggered
1d50+30+5/2=17+30+5/2=26
Bleak Soul-Class Cruiser 2 shields depleted, hull reduced to 26/100 HP
Unavoidable Sentence attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+30+5=19+30+5=54
Bleak Soul-Class Cruiser 2 Destroyed.
Hanno Adherbal Intelligence 4d10 (SC 2)= 10, 3, 8, 7= 4 Success
Centennial Admiral roll 1d6=4
1d5=2 Green Spears shields at 2/20
Green Spear attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
1d50+20=22+20=42
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1 Shields at 258/300 SP
Manifest Destiny attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
1d50+40=21+40=61
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 197/300 SP
Heretic´s Bane attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
1d50+50+5=45+50+5= 100
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 97/300SP
Fighters
Stormbirds roll 4d10= 1, 3, 10, 8= 2 Successes
Fury Interceptors 1 2d10= 5, 8=1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 2 2d10= 5, 7= 1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 3 2d10= 8, 10= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Fury Interceptors 4 2d10= 9, 4= 1 Successes
Raptor Fighter 1 4d10= 7, 1, 9, 3= 1 Success
Raptor Fighter 2 4d10= 9, 6, 1, 8= 2 Successes
Raptor Fighter 3 4d10= 1, 2, 7, 0= 3 Successes
Imperials= 8+8=16/18
Dark Eldar= 7+6=13/30
Dracon Erzahis Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 2+2(Bridge Fight)=4)= 8, 1, 1, 2= 0, Critical Failure
Consequences 1d4= 2. Everlasting Torment doesn´t attack this turn.
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser attacks the Imperial Aegis
1d50+40=21+40=61
Imperial Aegis Shields reduced to 39/100 SP
1d50=13. Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 23/300 SP
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 attacks the Heretic´s Bane
1d50+40=44+40=84
Heretic´s Bane shields reduced to 216/300 SP
1d100=36 Everlasting Suffering Shields at 458/500
Secutor Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 2)= 7, 9, 7, 6, 8= 5 Success
Night Terror Attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2.
1d50+30+5=39+30+5=74 Methodical trait triggered
1d50+30+5/2=17+30+5/2=26
Bleak Soul-Class Cruiser 2 shields depleted, hull reduced to 26/100 HP
Unavoidable Sentence attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2
1d50+30+5=19+30+5=54
Bleak Soul-Class Cruiser 2 Destroyed.
Hanno Adherbal Intelligence 4d10 (SC 2)= 10, 3, 8, 7= 4 Success
Centennial Admiral roll 1d6=4
1d5=2 Green Spears shields at 2/20
Green Spear attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
1d50+20=22+20=42
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1 Shields at 258/300 SP
Manifest Destiny attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
1d50+40=21+40=61
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 197/300 SP
Heretic´s Bane attacks Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1
1d50+50+5=45+50+5= 100
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 2 Shields at 97/300SP
Fighters
Stormbirds roll 4d10= 1, 3, 10, 8= 2 Successes
Fury Interceptors 1 2d10= 5, 8=1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 2 2d10= 5, 7= 1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 3 2d10= 8, 10= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Fury Interceptors 4 2d10= 9, 4= 1 Successes
Raptor Fighter 1 4d10= 7, 1, 9, 3= 1 Success
Raptor Fighter 2 4d10= 9, 6, 1, 8= 2 Successes
Raptor Fighter 3 4d10= 1, 2, 7, 0= 3 Successes
Imperials= 8+8=16/18
Dark Eldar= 7+6=13/30
Myrok Kuthil Weapon Skill roll 8d10= 1, 10, 7, 2, 7, 10, 4, 8= 6 Successes
10-6 Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 3, 3, 5 ,2= 0 Successes
7th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 10, 9, 8, 2=4 Successes
Dracon Erzahis Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 1, 9, 9, 2, 3, 4= 1 Success
Kabalite Trueborn Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 5, 1, 1, 2, 5, 5= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Successes needed increased by 2
Kabalite Warrior Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 10, 7, 5, 10= 5 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Mist Shrikes= 22/18
Dark Eldar= 16/21
Mist Shrikes Victory
10-6 Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 3, 3, 5 ,2= 0 Successes
7th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 10, 9, 8, 2=4 Successes
Dracon Erzahis Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 1, 9, 9, 2, 3, 4= 1 Success
Kabalite Trueborn Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 5, 1, 1, 2, 5, 5= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Successes needed increased by 2
Kabalite Warrior Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 10, 7, 5, 10= 5 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Mist Shrikes= 22/18
Dark Eldar= 16/21
Mist Shrikes Victory
He retakes the offensive once more, lashing out with a series of lightning-fast cuts and thrusts. To his frustration, his foe parries them all with reflexes and precision unbecoming of an inferior race. Erzahis is no amateur, he has raided the domains of the "Imperium of Man '' for centuries and this is not the first space marine he ́s clashed blades against. He is, however, the most skilled out of them. This is proven when Erzahis feints an upward thrust, only to transition to a sideways swing midway. The marine sees it coming, and at the same time that he bats the sword aside with his chainglaive he relinquishes a hand from the weapon ́shaft in order to grab Erzahis by the throat, the shock of the sudden action making him drop his sword. With his airways completely closed, Erzahis now empty hand draws a dagger from his belt and sticks it into the marine´s elbow pit. Undeterred by the knife on his arm, the warrior slams him into a nearby console, the strength of the blow forcing Erzahis to spit blood as he feel his spine shatter upon impact. The mon´keigh relinquishes his grip, and the Dracon falls onto the deck limply. Immediately, Erzahis tries to move, to drag himself into a nearby weapon, to keep fighting. He cannot die like this, defenseless like a newborn at the hands of a slave race. He has to return back to Comorragh, to rise in power and get revenge on his previous Archon. He cannot die like this!
Uncaring of Erzahis wishes, a powered armored boot slams into his head, crushing it between it and the console.
Myrok Kuthil Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 3)=10, 2, 7, 2=3 Successes
Mist Shrikes Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 3)= 5, 9, 6, 7= 3 Successes
Myrok Kuthil Agility Roll 8+2=10d10= 1, 4, 8, 7, 10, 1, 2, 7, 7, 10=6 Successes
Mist Shrike Agility Roll 6d10= 6, 10, 3, 2, 4, 9= 4 Successes
Kabalite Trueborn Agility Rolls 7d10= 7, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4= 1 Successes
Kabalite Warriors Agility Rolls 5d10= 4, 8, 2, 1, 5= 0 Successes
Stormbird rolls 4d10 (SC 4)= 2, 10, 9, 8= 4 Successes
Mist Shrikes Intelligence roll 4d10 (SC 3)= 5, 9, 6, 7= 3 Successes
Myrok Kuthil Agility Roll 8+2=10d10= 1, 4, 8, 7, 10, 1, 2, 7, 7, 10=6 Successes
Mist Shrike Agility Roll 6d10= 6, 10, 3, 2, 4, 9= 4 Successes
Kabalite Trueborn Agility Rolls 7d10= 7, 5, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4= 1 Successes
Kabalite Warriors Agility Rolls 5d10= 4, 8, 2, 1, 5= 0 Successes
Stormbird rolls 4d10 (SC 4)= 2, 10, 9, 8= 4 Successes
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1 Commander Willpower roll 4-1(Terrors in the Dark)d10 (SC 2+1(Dead Superior)=3)=2, 3, 5= 0 Successes
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1 disengage 1d100+60(Speed difference)=52+60=112
Imperials pursuit 1d100=14
Bleak Souls-Class Cruiser 1 disengage 1d100+60(Speed difference)=52+60=112
Imperials pursuit 1d100=14
7th Company Toughness rolls 4+1d10=5d10= 7, 1, 7, 1, 10=2 Successes
The battle is more or less settled after the Master of Recruits and his men slay the xenos on the bridge. After eating the brains of a few of the slain Eldar, they had learned how to operate the ship's controls, which they had used to direct it to a collision to the system´s sun, sabotaging the controls immediately after. A Stormbird has been directed to extract them before the battleship's destruction, and at prodigious speed Kuthil and the rest of the boarding party rushed to the transport, evading engagements with the rest of the xenos onboard and carrying their wounded and slain with them. At the same time the battleship was being assaulted the rest of the Imperial fleet had took down one of its accompanying cruisers, and when the battleships was sent into its fiery immolation the last remaining Eldar vessel decided that discretion was the better part of valor and fled the system.
An hour later, Myrok finds himself aboard the Heretic´s Bane, inside one of the ship's conference rooms. The only other Astartes with him is Captain Secutor, who is taking the lead as the one in command of the detachment. The rest of the occupants of the room are Lord Hanno Adherbal and his staff, most of which hold various dataslates.
"When your Chapter Master asked me to assist you in this endeavor I almost denied his requests." Admits the veteran commander, drawing some curious glances from everyone in the room. "With Lezo under threat, I thought it too perilous to lose ships fighting against the Eldar. You've proven me wrong with these engagements. Losing only an escort and a few fighters against them is by far the best result we could have hoped to achieve. Will you accompany us to Lezo?"
"A company and half of our brothers are already there, led by Chapter Master Severus." Answers Secutor, hands clasped behind his back. "If the situation is as critical as we both suspect, they´ll need all the assistance possible."
"Then let us hope that we arrive in the system quickly enough to provide it." And with those grim words the meeting gives way to the business of coordinating Warp Jumps between the fleets.
-Dark Eldar Raiders in Zatloctony defeated.
-Relationship with Imperial Navy improves to Liked-
-10 marine slain, 20 progenoids recovered.
Seibourc System, Aetelian Sector 769 M41
10th Company Agility roll 6+2=8d10= 5, 3, 10, 2, 10, 2, 5, 3= 4 Successes
7th Company Agility roll 6d10= 4, 7, 4, 7, 4, 2= 2 Successes
Ork Nobz Perception roll 3d10= 2, 5, 1= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Ork Warboss Perception roll 4d10= 9, 2, 3, 10= 3 Successes
7th Company Agility roll 6d10= 4, 7, 4, 7, 4, 2= 2 Successes
Ork Nobz Perception roll 3d10= 2, 5, 1= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Ork Warboss Perception roll 4d10= 9, 2, 3, 10= 3 Successes
Artur and his squad lay in wait crouched in one of the countless hab-blocks of Seibourc, the Nowalijki takes one look at the street below, trying to discern the sounds of their approaching target against the multitude of sounds that warfare causes. To his mounting frustration he´s unable to do so, and after half a minute he crouches back, resting his back against the nearby wall and shifting the grip of his bolter.
"You should relax Artur." Counsels Lubomir as he hefts a Lascannon, leaning it against the window that Artur has just used. "The orks will arrive eventually. No sense in worrying ourselves until them."
"How can you be so sure?" As soon as the question comes out of Artur's mouth, Lubomir gives him a flat stare that can be felt even through his eye lenses.
"The Royales have been fortifying the western districts of this hive city for months, the orks always go where the fiercest fighting is and the only avenue wide enough to allow passage is this one. Where do you expect them to go?" Lubomir turns his attention to the heavy weapon once more when Stepan speaks up.
"What does surprise me is that we're actually conducting an ambush." Artur turns his attention to his squadmate.
"How so?" Stepan rolls his shoulders, the shroudwolf pelt that covers his armor backpack shifting with the movement.
"Well, it doesn't seem to line up with the 7th previous deployments and the… demeanor of Captain Logos."
Artur finds himself agreeing somewhat with his friend's assessment. The three marines had been assigned to the 6th company, and then deployed in this joint effort with the 7th. There was certainly a contrast between Captain Catilina's dignified stance and solemn speech, and the boisterous shouting that Captain Logos enjoys indulging in. The difference also extended to both of their companies service records, as the 6th has fought against a wider variety of foes, mostly rebels, using stealth and terror tactics, while most of the engagements of the 7th have been fighting orks in open battle.
"Well, he's a captain." Interjects Lubomir, turning his head to look at the both of them. "If he was only capable of ordering frontal charges against his foes he would have never been allowed to hold such rank, not if the Master of Recruits has anything to say about it." The three of them shiver inside the armor as they recall their training. In that moment the vox in their helmet flares up.
"Get into position, the scouts have detected the Warboss column approaching the ambush point. Maintain radio silence until the assassination is underway." The voice of sergeant Flaminius brings further conversation to a stop, and soon enough they can hear the sound of the approaching xenos. The roar of promethium engines, shootas firing into the air, and the greenskins themselves, laughing, arguing, roaring and chanting off-key. The column of orks, although it would be more accurate to call it a mob shaped by the passage they are walking in, passes below. Artur pokes his head again, and he sees both the Warboss, a hulking mass of green muscle and ramshackle armor with a two handed chainaxe and sharpened tusks red with gore, and in a nearby building the glint of the barrels of the stalker bolters of the 10th company.
10th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 1, 1, 1, 10=0 Successes, Critical Failure
Mist Shrike
-Captain Constantinus Logos (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Apothecary-in-training Biernat (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Squads 7-1 to 7-5, (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 5 Lascannons, 3 Stalker Bolters)
-Squads 6-6 to 6-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 5 Lascannons, 2 Stalker Bolters)
-3 Rhinos
-1 Stormbird
Orks
-Ork Warboss Hackanslasha (Mega Armor, Big´Choppa)
-Ork Weirdboy (Weirdboy Stikk)
-2 Ork Nobz (Mega Armor, Power Klaws, Custom Shootas)
-Ork Mekk boyz (Cybork Body, Power Claw, Custom Shoota)
-Ork Boyz (Shootas, Choppas)
-10 Wartrukks
Successes needed for Mist Shrikes Victory: 26
Successes needed for Ork Victory: 38
-Captain Constantinus Logos (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Apothecary-in-training Biernat (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Squads 7-1 to 7-5, (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 5 Lascannons, 3 Stalker Bolters)
-Squads 6-6 to 6-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 5 Lascannons, 2 Stalker Bolters)
-3 Rhinos
-1 Stormbird
Orks
-Ork Warboss Hackanslasha (Mega Armor, Big´Choppa)
-Ork Weirdboy (Weirdboy Stikk)
-2 Ork Nobz (Mega Armor, Power Klaws, Custom Shootas)
-Ork Mekk boyz (Cybork Body, Power Claw, Custom Shoota)
-Ork Boyz (Shootas, Choppas)
-10 Wartrukks
Successes needed for Mist Shrikes Victory: 26
Successes needed for Ork Victory: 38
Constantinus Logos Weapon Skill 6d10= 10, 5, 1, 1, 8, 5= 1 Success
Biernat Weapon Skill 4d10= 3, 10, 6, 9= 4 Successes
7th Company Weapon Skill 4d10= 9, 6, 9, 1= 3 Successes
6th Company Ballistic Skill 4d10= 9, 5, 10, 6= 4 Successes
Rhinos roll 4d10= 9, 4, 8, 1= 1 Successes
Stormbird roll 4d10= 4, 9, 10, 1= 2 Successes
Hackanslasha Weapon Skill 6d10= 1, 10, 1, 7, 2, 7= 2 Successes
Weirdboy Willpower roll 4d10= 1, 1, 8, 1= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Successes needed increased by 2
Ork Nobz Weapon Skill 4d10= 5, 6, 6, 4= 2 Successes
Ork Mekk Boyz Ballistic Skill 4d10= 1, 7, 6, 2= 1 Successes
Ork Boyz Weapon Skill 2d10= 4, 6= 1 Success
Wartrukks roll 3d10= 5, 8, 6= 2 Successes
Mist Shrikes: 15/26
Orks: 8/38
Biernat Weapon Skill 4d10= 3, 10, 6, 9= 4 Successes
7th Company Weapon Skill 4d10= 9, 6, 9, 1= 3 Successes
6th Company Ballistic Skill 4d10= 9, 5, 10, 6= 4 Successes
Rhinos roll 4d10= 9, 4, 8, 1= 1 Successes
Stormbird roll 4d10= 4, 9, 10, 1= 2 Successes
Hackanslasha Weapon Skill 6d10= 1, 10, 1, 7, 2, 7= 2 Successes
Weirdboy Willpower roll 4d10= 1, 1, 8, 1= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
Successes needed increased by 2
Ork Nobz Weapon Skill 4d10= 5, 6, 6, 4= 2 Successes
Ork Mekk Boyz Ballistic Skill 4d10= 1, 7, 6, 2= 1 Successes
Ork Boyz Weapon Skill 2d10= 4, 6= 1 Success
Wartrukks roll 3d10= 5, 8, 6= 2 Successes
Mist Shrikes: 15/26
Orks: 8/38
That later glint is also noticed by the Warboss, who bellows for his "WEIRBOY TO KILL DOZE SNEKY BEAKIEZ!" Faster than anyone can react to, a naked ork with a bulging exposed brain waves a copper staff while roaring WAAAAGH. A giant green fist then impacts the hab-block the snipers were positioned in, making the facade of the building crumble into the street below.
"Fire at will!" Orders Flaminius, and Artur and his squadmates obey. The luctusian feels his bolter kick into his pauldron as he fires into the greenskins below. Beside him, Stepan shoots his own weapon, both their bolts and those of the rest of the 6th cutting through the ork forces, the return fire of their own guns making craters on the rockcrete structure of the building. There's a bright flash of light as Lubomir fires the lascannon against one of the ork trukks, the beam vaporizing the cockpit. Above them, their sole Stombird initiates a strafing run, heavy ordnance unleashed against the mass of bodies, tearing apart flesh and metal. At ground level, the chapter rhinos appear from nearby sidestreets, heavy bolters firing in the limited space.
That is not to say that the orks allow themselves to be slaughtered. With a ferocity contemptuous of the losses their suffering, they charge against the entrances of the buildings the 6th company is entrenched in. There they face off against the marines of the 7th, combat blades and chainswords clashing against choppas. Artur notices Captain Logos at the head of his company, cutting down the greenskins as he advances towards the Warboss. The "Weirboy" from before now points his staff at the Mist Shrike, green energy gathering all around him, before those same energies goe haywire, his head exploding alongside those of the nearby orks. The warboss spits a glob of snot and saliva with the dead of his psyker after which he breaks into a sprint in Logos direction. Artur fired a burst at him, but the greenskin armor holds. He quickly reaches the Captain, who is fighting alongside Apothecary Biernat against two Ork Nobz. Busy as he is facing of against one of them, the Terran officer is unable to react in time as the Warboss buries his chainaxe into his chestplate.
"TAKE THAT YA FLASHY BEAKIE!!" Laughs the Warboss as Logos falls onto one knee, a hand gripping the shaft of the chainaxe stuck inside him. "DAT WILL TEACH YA NOT TA MESS WITH HACKANSLASHA!!!"
Constantinus Logos Toughness roll 4d10 (SC 2)= 7, 7, 4, 4=2 Successes
Constantinus Logos Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 4, 10, 10, 9, 8, 9= 7 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 1.
Biernat Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 9, 2, 9, 9= 3 Successes
7th Company Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 10, 3, 10, 3= 4 Successes
6th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 8, 9, 8, 3= 3 Successes
Rhinos roll 4d10= 5, 4, 2, 7= 1 Successes
Stormbird roll 4d10= 1, 8, 7, 7= 2 Successes
Hackanslasha Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 3, 4, 3, 9, 8, 7 = 3 Successes
Ork Nobz Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 3, 4, 5, 5= 0 Successes
Ork Mekk Boyz Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 8, 8, 10, 10= 6 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 2
Ork Boyz Weapon Skill roll 2d10= 10, 8= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 1
Wartrukks roll 3d10= 5, 8, 10= 3 Successes
Mist Shrikes: 15+20=35/25
Orks: 8+15=23/35
Mist Shrikes Victory
Constantinus Logos Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 4, 10, 10, 9, 8, 9= 7 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 1.
Biernat Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 9, 2, 9, 9= 3 Successes
7th Company Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 10, 3, 10, 3= 4 Successes
6th Company Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 8, 9, 8, 3= 3 Successes
Rhinos roll 4d10= 5, 4, 2, 7= 1 Successes
Stormbird roll 4d10= 1, 8, 7, 7= 2 Successes
Hackanslasha Weapon Skill roll 6d10= 3, 4, 3, 9, 8, 7 = 3 Successes
Ork Nobz Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 3, 4, 5, 5= 0 Successes
Ork Mekk Boyz Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 8, 8, 10, 10= 6 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 2
Ork Boyz Weapon Skill roll 2d10= 10, 8= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 1
Wartrukks roll 3d10= 5, 8, 10= 3 Successes
Mist Shrikes: 15+20=35/25
Orks: 8+15=23/35
Mist Shrikes Victory
The xenos laughter fades, replaced by an stupefied expression as Logos stands up, removing the chainaxe from his chest and tears it from the orks's grasp, throwing into the ground
"IS THIS WHAT YOUR WRETCHED KIND CONSIDERS A WOUND?!" Asks the Captain mockingly as he goes onto the offensive, his chainsword a blur of metal and roaring teeth. Rends score the Warboss armor, hard pressed to defend himself without a weapon against the space marine onslaught. The nob that had been fighting the captain tries to intervene, but Vidtis, the 7th Company ancient, rams the Company's standard into his chest, impaling him. The Warboss, increasingly wrathful, tries to punch Logos head of, leaving him overextended and allowing the Mist Shrike to sink his weapon up to the hilt in the greenskins guts.
"LET ME SHOW YOU A PROPER WOUND!!!" Shouts Logos as he tears the chainsword from the body violently, splitting the Warboss in half. As the upper half falls to the floor Logos decapitates the beast, its head joining the others in his belt.
Far from demoralizing them, the death of their boss sends the nearby orks into a frenzy, attacking the Mist Shrikes with renewed effort. Besides Artur, Lubomir falls back, a fist sized slug crashing into his elbow and mangling the joint. Stepan
takes his place at the Lascannon, while Artur shoots more of the approaching orks. He loses track of time, reflexes and muscle memory carrying him forth in aiming, shooting and reloading. When he snaps out of his trance, the orks are either fleeing or dead. He looks at the ammo counter on his HUD and realizes with suprise that he only had the bolt in the chamber left.
Mist Shrikes Toughness roll 4d10= 10, 9, 5, 10=5 Successes, Critical Success
That evening, Artur, Stepan and Sergeant Flaminius wait in the entry to the building designated as the Mist Shrikes temporary field hospital. Lubomir comes out, his arm immobilized to allow his transhuman biology to heal properly.
"How's the arm?" Ask Artur as he claps Lubomir back. His fellow lictusian gives him a thin smile before answering.
"Can't move it right now, but according to Biernat it should be fine after two weeks." Everyone's expression lightens after this words.
"Good, we will need you combat ready as soon as possible." Comments Flaminius. "Lieutenants Lorica and Mircio are already coordinating clean up operations for the remaining ork forces in the…" his words are interrupted by a shout coming from inside the building.
"I'M NOT GOING TO LAY DOWN WHILE THERE ARE XENOS TO PURGE! SO WHAT IF I'VE LOST A HEART, I STILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE!!!"
The four marines in the gate exchange glances. "Let's speak in another place." Suggests Stepan, to everyone's agreement.
-Ork Warboss in Sebourc slain
-15 Marines slain, 30 progenoids recovered.
Faisal System, Aetelian Sector, 769 M41
Faisal Loyalist Agility roll 2d10= 8, 6=2 Successes
6th Company Agility roll 6d10= 9, 3, 4, 9, 2, 10= 4 Successes
Faisal PDF Command Intelligence roll 3d10= 9, 9, 1= 1 Success
King of Faisal Intelligence roll 3d10= 7, 1, 7= 1 Success
6th Company Agility roll 6d10= 9, 3, 4, 9, 2, 10= 4 Successes
Faisal PDF Command Intelligence roll 3d10= 9, 9, 1= 1 Success
King of Faisal Intelligence roll 3d10= 7, 1, 7= 1 Success
As Catilina and the squads of the 10th company attached to him stalk through the Royal Palace of Faisal, he has to admit he´s anticipating what comes next. The infiltration into the planet was smooth, and the local nomad tribes were vindicated by their arrival, eager to follow the Angel of Death into battle. From his discussions with the tribal leaders, the main instigator of the revolt was the king of Faisal, Mehmed LXVI, and his death would demoralize both the PDF and the urban population of the planet, those being the key elements of the uprising. With that in mind, the best method of suppressing this insurrection was doing as he had done with previous disloyal governors and make a gruesome example out of him.
The plan he has concocted with the tribal leader is simple. The 6th and the nomadic horsemen engage in a hit and run campaign on various asset of the rebellion, seeking to draw the bulk of the PDF away from the capital and the royal palace. That part had been a success, which is now followed by their infiltration of the palace, the kidnap of the king and his family and their subsequent torture on loyal territory. While it might be unsightly, Catilina has to admit that he's going to enjoy making the king suffer in the same way he delighted in torturing the governors of Illiberis and Zelote. After all, since he has memories of, his mother had inculcated in him that with the various privileges a noble has duties, to his subjects, his subordinates, his family, his superiors and to the Emperor. Duties that he has always fulfilled to the utmost of his capabilities both before and after becoming an Astartes, and the vermin masquerading as nobles that rise against the Imperium go make a mockery of those duties. And he has and will explain in detail the consequences of such actions.
Taking his mind off this thoughts, Catilina focuses on the situation at hand. They´re near the chambers of the king, guarded by two members of the royal guard. Before they can raise the alarm two of the scouts pounce on them, stabbing their combat knives into their faces. Then they open the door, the king of Faisal and his wife waking up in their bed. Catilina savors the dread in their eyes before two other marines seize them and knock them unconscious. They exit the chambers with both monarchs on their shoulders, Sergeant Querela of the 10th exiting a nearby room with both of their children on his shoulders. Their targets acquired, the Mist Shrikes make their way out of the building.
10th Company Agility 6d10= 7, 8, 1, 5, 4, 2= 1 Success
Aelius Catilina Agility 5d10= 10, 8, 4, 3, 2= 3 Successes
Faisal PDF Perception roll 2d10= 6, 10= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Faisal Royal Guard Perception roll 3d10= 8, 9, 7= 3 Successes
Aelius Catilina Agility 5d10= 10, 8, 4, 3, 2= 3 Successes
Faisal PDF Perception roll 2d10= 6, 10= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Faisal Royal Guard Perception roll 3d10= 8, 9, 7= 3 Successes
Mist Shrikes
-Captain Aelius Catilina (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Squads 10-8 through 10-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 10 Stalker Bolters)
Faisal Rebels
-Faisal PDF (Robes, Autoguns, Rocket Launchers)
-Faisal Royal Guard (Flak Armor, Lasguns)
-Defensive emplacements (Heavy Stubbers)
Successes needed for Mist Shrike Victory: 10
Successes needed for Rebel Victory: 25
-Captain Aelius Catilina (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Squads 10-8 through 10-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 10 Stalker Bolters)
Faisal Rebels
-Faisal PDF (Robes, Autoguns, Rocket Launchers)
-Faisal Royal Guard (Flak Armor, Lasguns)
-Defensive emplacements (Heavy Stubbers)
Successes needed for Mist Shrike Victory: 10
Successes needed for Rebel Victory: 25
Aelius Catilina Weapon Skill 4d10= 10, 10, 10, 5= 6 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 2
10th Company Ballistic Skill 4d10= 3, 9, 8, 9=3 Successes
Faisal PDF Ballistic Skill 2d10= 4, 2= 0 Successes
Faisal Royal Guard Ballistic Skill 2d10= 8, 7= 2 Successes
Defensive emplacements roll 2d10= 10, 8= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Mist Shrikes: 9/8
Faisal Rebels: 5/23
Mist Shrikes Victory
Successes needed reduced by 2
10th Company Ballistic Skill 4d10= 3, 9, 8, 9=3 Successes
Faisal PDF Ballistic Skill 2d10= 4, 2= 0 Successes
Faisal Royal Guard Ballistic Skill 2d10= 8, 7= 2 Successes
Defensive emplacements roll 2d10= 10, 8= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed decreased by 1
Mist Shrikes: 9/8
Faisal Rebels: 5/23
Mist Shrikes Victory
Only to stumble into a patrol of Faisal PDF upon doubling a corner.
"Code red, enemies in the palace!!, Enemies in the….!!!" The trooper with the vox-cast is quickly cut apart alongside his fellows, but it is to late. Catilina and his men hear the pounding of boots as the members of the royal guard and the PDF mobilize to their position.
"We´ll leave the palace via extraction point 2, on the double." Orders the Captain of the 6th as he runs, switching his comms to the squad positioned in a vantage point outside the palace with stalker bolters. "We´ve been detected, you´re free to open fire at will, prioritize officers and heavy weapons."
The Royal Palace is a beautiful building in Catilina´s opinion. His family´s state was more richly decorated, of course, but there was a pleasant composition in the numerous gardens and inner fountains, the tastefully decorated hallways with mosaics and geometrical patterns carved onto the walls, luxurious tiles assembled in pleasing patterns in and elaborate stained glass windows. This beauty is marred or destroyed by the effects of combat as the rebels try to stop the Mist Shrikes from departing with their rulers in vain. The stained glass windows shatter as bolt rounds enter through them to slay captains and rocketeers. The fountain's waters are mixed with blood as the space marines carve through soldiers with chainswords and blades. Tiles shatter under the ponderous steps of power armored boots in a hurry, and mosaics and carvings are destroyed under fire from bolt rounds, lasbolts, stubber rounds and explosions. The men in Faisal put in admirable effort, facing the odds with determination and courage, but no amount of bravery can overcome the Angels of Death, and their defiance is barely an inconvenience for the transhuman warriors they are facing.
Aelius' armor is drenched in blood as he and his men rush to the exit, the tortured eldar drawn onto the chestplate impossible to discern under the offal that covers it. Two scouts overtake him, only to fall to the floor under a short and skillfully aimed burst of stubber rounds, which impact their helmets eye lenses. The captain of the 6th cannot help but stand for a moment in dumbfounded disbelief of such a feat, an astonishment which he shares with the gunner who made the shot, judging by the slack jaw and wide open eyes that the man in question shows. His fortune does not hold, as Aelius recovers first from his surprise and blows the man's head off. With the exception of that slight mishap the Mist Shrikes reach the exit of the palace without much issue, fading into the desert well before the panicked PDF forces away from the fight reach the bloody scenario of their escape.
10th Company Toughness rolls 4d10= 3, 1 ,5, 4= 0 Successes, Critical Failure
A week later, the Mist Shrikes detachment on Faisal stand somewhat aside as the loyal tribes of Faisal celebrate their victory. After the broadcast of the royal family torture and execution, with background cheers of the tribespeople with every inflicted wound, the Faisalian PDF lost his nerve and surrendered, with tribal garrisons established on every major settlements.
The leader of the nomad confederation, and new Governor of Faisal approaches Catilina, a smile from ear to ear on his face.
"`Holy Angel, I cannot be more pleased with your actions!" He proclaims cheerfully. "I shall redouble my prayers to the God-Emperor for granting us such a boon!"
"That won´t be necessary Emir Shafir." Rejects Catilina with a small shake of his head. "The only thing we require is that you and your people keep the loyalty to the Imperium you have demonstrated in this time, and that you inspire such devotion in the rest of the planet.
Shafir grimaces in disgust at that, spitting on the ground. "The cityfolk are weak, in flesh and in spirit. They flee from hardship, and prefer comforts over faith. God-Emperor willing, what you´ve done to that wretch Mehmed and his degenerate brood will keep those weaklings in line."
Catilina smiles sadistically as he remembers how the governor had cried, squealed and begged as he brutalized his family before his own eyes. "Do not be afraid to follow my example if you consider it necessary. If they are incapable of loyalty, they shall be taught compliance."
-Faisal rebellion suppressed, local tribes propped into governance.
-New Contact gained; Emir Shafir (Neutral+)
-2 marines slain, 4 Progenoids recovered.
Litigia System, Aetelian Sector, 769 M41
Tzeenchian Pirates Preparedness 1d100=18 3. Imperial Space Forces get 1 surprise round when the Pirates don´t attack.
Eyes of the Mutator Presence 1d100 (DC 40/60/80)=42
Eyes of the Mutator Presence 1d100 (DC 40/60/80)=42
As the Fear of Judgement and the Bird of Prey arrive at the Mandeville Point of the Litigia System, site of an old battle between the Mechanicus, there is silence in both of their command bridges as the marine officers wait for the auspex to scan the system.
In the Bird of Prey, Emilianus narrows his eyes when the scan is done. "There are no vessels from the Eyes of the Mutator in the pirate´s space station. Are we sure this is the right place?"
"We know those traitors have pirates under their command." Reminds him Falce, his skull helm on the crook of his arm as he stands alongside him. "Besides, the detachment of Admiral Adherbal has arrived near us."
"With how pitiful their performance normally is, it wouldn´t surprise me if their intel is wrong." Says Hostilius, contempt clear in his voice as the Master of the Fleet speaks through the hololith. "Besides, what manner of officer arrives into the battle with such paltry numbers? Three cruisers! Just three cruisers!"
"We´ve known that there is political squabbling in the Navy, it might be the reason for that." Suggest Falce, ignoring the subsequent scoff from Hostilius. "Regardless of the Navy, our main priority is obtaining the location of the Eyes of the Mutator new homeworld. For that I advise that we board the space station immediately so that they have a shorter window of opportunity to delete the coordinates."
"That is a perilous endeavor." Pluvia cautions against it with a frown. "While there are no Astartes vessels, there might be a garrison of Traitor marines onboard, which together with the pirates themselves could overwhelm our forces without support from the Navy´s armsmen."
"Cowardice is unbecoming of a Space Marine, Pluvia." Reproaches Hostilius harshly, anger flashing in Pluvia´s eyes at the aspersions cast about his valor. "If any of the traitors are onboard, it's your duty to slay them, not to flinch at the thought of facing them."
"I understand your concerns Emilianus." Interjects Falce, casting a warning glare towards the hololith. "However time is of the essence, and retribution must be brought upon the traitors for their millenia of atrocities. While it is reasonable to be cautious, now our purpose requires us to take action." Emilianus nods, his anger settled. Hostilius sneers through the hololith, before cutting communication as he prepares himself for the space battle.
Battlefield Condition: All clear.
Mist Shrikes Fleet
Space Commander: Master of the Fleet Marcius Hostilius (Unorthodox: At the Start of each phase, roll a 1d6. On a 5 your flagship gains +10 to it´s attack roll, on a 6 you disable the enemy commander trait during that or the next round, depending on the initiative)
Ships
-Battle Barge Fear of Judgement
-Speed: 40
-Hull Points: 500/500 HP
-Shield Points: 500/500 HP
-Shield Regen: 1d125 per phase
-Attack: 1d50+50+5
-Strike Cruiser Bird of Prey
–Speed: 50
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 200/200 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+30+5
Fighter Screen:
-2 Thunderhawks: 2d15
-3 Stormbirds: 3d10
-2 Storm Ravens: 2d7
Imperial Navy:
Space Commander: Admiral Giscon Adherbal (Fortunate: When his flagship is attacked every odd phase (1st, 3rd, 5th….), roll the attack twice and apply the lower result.)
Ships:
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Wrath of Gadir
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Hand of the Righteous
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Treachery´s Doom
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
Fighter Screen:
50 Fury interceptors squadrons: 25d5
Pirate Fleet
Space Commander: Pirate Leader (No traits)
Ships:
-Space Station
–Speed: 0
–Hull Points: 1000/1000 HP
–Shield Points: 200/200 SP
–Shield Regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50
-Pirate Lunar-Class Cruiser
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Infidel Raider Escort 1
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
-Infidel Raider Escort 2
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
-Infidel Raider Escort 3
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
-Infidel Raider Escort 4
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
Fighter Screen:
50 Squadrons of Swiftdeath Fighters: 25d5
Mist Shrikes Fleet
Space Commander: Master of the Fleet Marcius Hostilius (Unorthodox: At the Start of each phase, roll a 1d6. On a 5 your flagship gains +10 to it´s attack roll, on a 6 you disable the enemy commander trait during that or the next round, depending on the initiative)
Ships
-Battle Barge Fear of Judgement
-Speed: 40
-Hull Points: 500/500 HP
-Shield Points: 500/500 HP
-Shield Regen: 1d125 per phase
-Attack: 1d50+50+5
-Strike Cruiser Bird of Prey
–Speed: 50
–Hull points: 200/200 HP
–Shields: 200/200 SP
–Shield regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50+30+5
Fighter Screen:
-2 Thunderhawks: 2d15
-3 Stormbirds: 3d10
-2 Storm Ravens: 2d7
Imperial Navy:
Space Commander: Admiral Giscon Adherbal (Fortunate: When his flagship is attacked every odd phase (1st, 3rd, 5th….), roll the attack twice and apply the lower result.)
Ships:
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Wrath of Gadir
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Hand of the Righteous
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Lunar-Class Cruiser Treachery´s Doom
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
Fighter Screen:
50 Fury interceptors squadrons: 25d5
Pirate Fleet
Space Commander: Pirate Leader (No traits)
Ships:
-Space Station
–Speed: 0
–Hull Points: 1000/1000 HP
–Shield Points: 200/200 SP
–Shield Regen: 1d50 per phase
–Attack rolls: 1d50
-Pirate Lunar-Class Cruiser
–Speed: 30
–Hull Points: 200/200 HP
–Shield Points: 100/100 SP
-Shield Regen: 1d20 per phase
-Attack rolls: 1d50+40
-Infidel Raider Escort 1
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
-Infidel Raider Escort 2
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
-Infidel Raider Escort 3
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
-Infidel Raider Escort 4
–Speed value: 75
–Attack 1d50+20
–Hull Points= 80/80HP
–Shield Points= 20/20SP
–Shield Regen= 1d5 per phase
Fighter Screen:
50 Squadrons of Swiftdeath Fighters: 25d5
Initiative: Bird of Prey-Fear of Judgement-Wrath of Gadir-Hand of the Righteous-Treachery´s Doom.
Marcius Hostilius Intelligence roll 6d10 (SC 3)= 7, 6, 4, 9, 1, 4= 2 Successes
Unorthodox roll 1d6= 5. Fear of Judgement gains +10 attack this phase.
Bird of Prey launches Boarding pods at Space Station
Pod rolls 5d100 (SC 10/30)= 65, 90, 99, 77, 43
Fear of Judgement attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
1d50+50+5+10=47+50+5+10=113
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser shields down. Hull reduced to 187/200HP
Fighters attack Infidel Raider 2
Thunderhawks: 2d15= 3, 11
Stormbirds: 3d10= 2, 3, 7
Storm Ravens: 2d7= 6, 2
Infidel Raider 2 Shields down, hull reduced to 66/80
Admiral Giscon Adherbal Intelligence roll 2d10= (SC 2)= 3, 8= 1 Successes
Wrath of Gadir attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
1d50+40= 25+40= 65
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser hull reduced to 125/200HP
Hand of the Righteous attacks Infidel Raider 3
1d50+40= 47+40=87
Infidel Raider 3 shields down. Hull reduced to 13/80
1d4=1. Infidel Raider 3 Weapon Systems crippled, -20 damage
Treachery´s doom attacks Infidel Raider 1
1d50+40= 25+40=65
Infidel Raider 3 Shields down. Hull reduced to 35/80 HP
Fury Interceptors attack Infidel Raider 4
25d5= 4, 5, 1, 2, 2, 5, 2, 2, 3, 5, 2, 2, 2, 5, 4, 3, 1, 3, 3, 3, 1, 5, 3, 1= 74
Infidel Raider 4 Shields down, Hull reduced to 26/80
1d4=4, Weakened Structure. Gives +10 to all attacks against this ship
Marcius Hostilius Intelligence roll 6d10 (SC 3)= 7, 6, 4, 9, 1, 4= 2 Successes
Unorthodox roll 1d6= 5. Fear of Judgement gains +10 attack this phase.
Bird of Prey launches Boarding pods at Space Station
Pod rolls 5d100 (SC 10/30)= 65, 90, 99, 77, 43
Fear of Judgement attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
1d50+50+5+10=47+50+5+10=113
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser shields down. Hull reduced to 187/200HP
Fighters attack Infidel Raider 2
Thunderhawks: 2d15= 3, 11
Stormbirds: 3d10= 2, 3, 7
Storm Ravens: 2d7= 6, 2
Infidel Raider 2 Shields down, hull reduced to 66/80
Admiral Giscon Adherbal Intelligence roll 2d10= (SC 2)= 3, 8= 1 Successes
Wrath of Gadir attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
1d50+40= 25+40= 65
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser hull reduced to 125/200HP
Hand of the Righteous attacks Infidel Raider 3
1d50+40= 47+40=87
Infidel Raider 3 shields down. Hull reduced to 13/80
1d4=1. Infidel Raider 3 Weapon Systems crippled, -20 damage
Treachery´s doom attacks Infidel Raider 1
1d50+40= 25+40=65
Infidel Raider 3 Shields down. Hull reduced to 35/80 HP
Fury Interceptors attack Infidel Raider 4
25d5= 4, 5, 1, 2, 2, 5, 2, 2, 3, 5, 2, 2, 2, 5, 4, 3, 1, 3, 3, 3, 1, 5, 3, 1= 74
Infidel Raider 4 Shields down, Hull reduced to 26/80
1d4=4, Weakened Structure. Gives +10 to all attacks against this ship
Mist Shrikes
-Captain Emilianus Pluvia (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Master of Sanctity Falce (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Rosarius, Bolt Pistol, Crozius Arcanum)
-Chaplains in training Djanko and Lavtizar (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Squads 2-1 to 2-3 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 2 Lascannons, 5 Melta guns, 5 Missile Launchers)
-Squad 2-7 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Jump Packs Bolt Pistols, Chainswords)
-Squad 2-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, 5 Melta guns, 3 Lascannons)
Station defenders.
-Chaos Champion Shandian Quan (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist)
-Warpsmith (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Mechadendrites, Melta gun)
-4 Squads of Chaos Marine (MK VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 4 Plasma Guns)
-2 Squad of Havocs (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, 5 Melta guns, 1 Grav gun)
-Mob of Pirates (Void suits, autoguns, shotguns, melee weapons)
-Mutant Mobs (Tentacles, pincers, claws, bone growths, and assorted mutations)
-Defensive emplacements (Heavy Bolters)
Successes needed for Mist Shrikes victory: 25
Successes needed for Station defenders victory: 25
-Captain Emilianus Pluvia (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Master of Sanctity Falce (Prototype Mk.VI "Corvus" Power Armor, Rosarius, Bolt Pistol, Crozius Arcanum)
-Chaplains in training Djanko and Lavtizar (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Squads 2-1 to 2-3 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 2 Lascannons, 5 Melta guns, 5 Missile Launchers)
-Squad 2-7 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Jump Packs Bolt Pistols, Chainswords)
-Squad 2-10 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, 5 Melta guns, 3 Lascannons)
Station defenders.
-Chaos Champion Shandian Quan (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist)
-Warpsmith (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Mechadendrites, Melta gun)
-4 Squads of Chaos Marine (MK VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 4 Plasma Guns)
-2 Squad of Havocs (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, 5 Melta guns, 1 Grav gun)
-Mob of Pirates (Void suits, autoguns, shotguns, melee weapons)
-Mutant Mobs (Tentacles, pincers, claws, bone growths, and assorted mutations)
-Defensive emplacements (Heavy Bolters)
Successes needed for Mist Shrikes victory: 25
Successes needed for Station defenders victory: 25
???? Prophet trait 1d10=4
Emilianus Logos Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 5, 4, 6, 8, 2, 10= 4 Successes
Falce Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 3, 9, 9, 9= 3 Successes
2nd Company Ballistic Skill rolls 4d10 rolls= 9, 3, 6, 7= 3 Successes
Shandian Quan Weapon Skill roll 5d10= 6, 3, 4, 5, 2= 2 Successes
Warpsmith Ballistic Skill roll 5d10= 8, 9, 5, 2, 9= 4 Successes
Eyes of the Mutator Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 5, 7, 9, 8= 3 Successes
Pirate Mob rolls 2d10=6, 10= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 1
Mutant mobs rolls 1d10= 6= 1 Success
Defensive emplacements 2d10= 9, 3=1 Successes
Mist Shrikes= 10/25
Station Defenders= 14/24
Emilianus Logos Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 5, 4, 6, 8, 2, 10= 4 Successes
Falce Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 3, 9, 9, 9= 3 Successes
2nd Company Ballistic Skill rolls 4d10 rolls= 9, 3, 6, 7= 3 Successes
Shandian Quan Weapon Skill roll 5d10= 6, 3, 4, 5, 2= 2 Successes
Warpsmith Ballistic Skill roll 5d10= 8, 9, 5, 2, 9= 4 Successes
Eyes of the Mutator Ballistic Skill roll 4d10= 5, 7, 9, 8= 3 Successes
Pirate Mob rolls 2d10=6, 10= 3 Successes, Critical Success
Successes needed reduced by 1
Mutant mobs rolls 1d10= 6= 1 Success
Defensive emplacements 2d10= 9, 3=1 Successes
Mist Shrikes= 10/25
Station Defenders= 14/24
Both Pluvia and Falce go towards the boarding pods, walking from the bridge in silence as they both prepare themselves for the incoming battle. At the doors of his own boarding pod the Master of Sanctity is greeted by two of his apprentices, Djanko and Lavtizar. The first makes the sign of the Aquila in silence as he approaches, while the second greets him much more enthusiastically.
"Greetings Master Falce!" He says with a happy expression, practically bouncing inside his armor. "Fine day to purge heretical filth from the galaxy, is it not?!"
"Your enthusiasm is commendable Lavtizar, but temper it so that eagerness does not develop into recklessness." He advises, and while his apprentice nods appropriately, the terran can see that the younger marine has not interiorized his words. They all enter the pod, sharing it with one of the assault squads from the 2nd Company, and just as they tighten the restraints they feel the pod launch into the void.
"Be ready brothers." Speaks Falce on an open channel, ignorant but uncaring of how many brothers are hearing his words. "We arrive at the den of the traitor and the mutant, to purge it with blade and bolter and find where the bulk of their numbers hide from their deserved retribution. They shall try to stop us, to continue hiding away in order to carry on their atrocities and depravities in the name of their despicable divinity." His voice rises and he sees the men around him grip their chainswords tightly. "But they shall not hide any longer! In the dark they seek to perpetuate their crimes and in the dark we shall hunt them down! They will try to hamper us, to spite us and kill us, and they shall try in vain! For the darkness will prove no refuge from the punishment they have earned! They might dwell in the shadows, but WE. OWN. THEM! Their spite shall falter against our righteous hatred, and their ignominious end will be but a prelude of what is to come to the rest of their disgusting ilk! Do not fear them brothers, For we are NIGHTMARES. MADE. MANIFEST!!"
The last words are roared by the rest of the brothers in the pod, and shortly after it crashes into the station, passing through various decks. The second Falce and the other marines come out of their transport, they are beset by foes. An horde of mutant charges towards them, a myriad of disfiguring abnormalities poised to hurt the transhuman warriors. Using them as bolter fodder, the rest of the pirates come behind them, far less disciplined that proper Navy armsmen but fanatical in their desire to please the God of Change, firing their lasguns at the midnight armored marines. Falce and the rest of the marines countercharged the mutants, cutting through limbs and crushing heads and torsos, wading through the press of corrupted bodies in the tight confines of the stations corridors, punching and kicking when they cannot wield their weapons. After a few minutes and the deaths of dozens of foes, the tide of mutant thins, announcing the arrival of a far more dangerous foe.
"The gaze of Tzeench is upon us!"
"Bow before the will of the Great Mutator!"
"We see your impending death cousins!"
A squad of Chaos Space Marines charges into the fray, firing their bolters and slaying the assault marine at Falce´s right. Leading them is a champion of Tzeench, recognizable by his many mutations. The power fist he wields is fused to his right arm, which is double the size of his left. His helmet is also fused to his face, and the vox-grill of his Mark VII has been replaced by yellowed fangs and teeth, growing discordantly in various directions, sometimes piercing each other. His armor bulges and beats like it was a beating thing, the name of the corrupted warrior, Shandian Quan, written in fluorescent letters upon his chestplate.
"I pity you loyalists!" He exclaims, spittle flying from the grill as teeth clash and gnaw against each other. "You´re so blind, shackled to a corpse in a throne, foolishly denying true divinity. Let me free you from that worthless existence."
One of the assault marines tries to intercept the tzeenchian champion, but the traitor blows his leg with a plasma pistol before punching his head off. Lavtizar sees one of the traitor aiming a plasma gun at the rest of the squad and tackles him, laughing as he grapples with the traitor in order to ram his combat blade in the traitor's neck. Djanko exchanges blows with another traitor, weapons forgotten as they both try their utmost to pummel the other unto death. Falce swings his crozius overhead at the Eyes of the Mutator Champion, who raises his power fist upwards to defend himself. Falce then changes the direction of the blow mid-swing, striking his opponent in the chest, the powerfield of the weapon sending the traitor flying a few meters and crushing a few of the pirates behind him. Taking advantage of the breather, Falce opens his comlink.
"We are being pressed hard here! Emilianus, what´s your situation?"
"We´re near the bridge!" Answers the Captain of the 2nd, struggling to make himself heard amidst the noise of bolter rounds and detonations. "We´re pinned down, and there´s an enemy warpsmith firing at us!"
"Sergeant Taurus here! Be advised that the pirates are employing suicide bombers with melta charges! Lost three marines in that manner!!!"
New Initiative: Infidel Raider 1-Infidel Raider 2-Infidel Raider 3-Infidel Raider 4-Bird of Prey-Fear of Judgement-Pirate Lunar Class-Wrath of Gadir-Hand of the Righteous-Treachery´s Doom.
Pirate Leader Intelligence roll 2d10 (SC 2)=10, 9= 3 Successes, Critical Success
1d4=3, All your ships ignore initiative order this phase and go first.
1d5=4 Infidel Raider 1 Shields at 4/20
Infidel Raider 1 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20)=12+20, 21+20=32, 41
Wrath of Gadir Shields reduced to 68/100SP
Infidel Raider 2 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20)=15+20, 23+20=35, 43
Wrath of Gadir Shields reduced to 33/100SP
1d5=1 Infidel Raider 3 Shields at 1/20
Infidel Raider 3 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20-20)=12+20-20, 30+20-20=12, 30
Wrath of Gadir Shields reduced to 21/100SP
1d5=5 Infidel Raider 4 Shields at 5/20
Infidel Raider 4 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20)= 23+20, 9+20= 43. 29
Wrath of Gadir Shields down, Hull reduced to 192/200
1d20= 3 Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser Shields at 3/100
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+40)= 15+40, 35+40= 55, 75
Wrath of Gadir Hull reduced to 137/200
Space Station attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50)= 42, 23
Wrath of Gadir Hull reduced to 114/200
Marcius Hostilius Intelligence roll 6d10 (SC 3)= 4, 3, 3, 6, 9, 7= 3 Successes
Unorthodox roll 1d6= 4
Bird of Prey attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
1d50+30=44+30=74
Pirate Lunar-class Shields are down, Hull reduced to 51/100 HP
1d4=1. Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser Weapon System crippled, -20 to attack rolls
Fear of Judgement Launches Boarding pods towards Space Station
Pod rolls 5d100 (SC 10/30)= 93, 90, 3, 93, 67
Admiral Giscon Adherbal Intelligence roll 2d10= (SC 2)=6, 9= 2 Successes
Wrath of Gadir attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
Attack roll 1d50+30= 29+30=59
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser destroyed
Hand of the Righteous attacks Infidel Raider 3
Attack roll 1d50+30= 28+30=55
Infidel Raider 3 destroyed
Treachery´s doom attacks Infidel Raider 4
Attack roll 1d50+30= 14+30=44
Infidel Raider 4 destroyed
Dog Fighting
Imperial Victory: 20
Pirates Victory: 40
Stombird rolls 4d10= 9, 4, 3, 8= 2 Successes
Stormraven rolls 4d10= 3, 4, 6, 2= 1 Success
Thunderhawk rolls 4d10= 7, 7, 5, 5= 2 Successes
Fury Interceptors 1 2d10= 5, 5=0 Successes
Fury Interceptors 2 2d10= 6, 7= 1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 3 2d10= 4, 5= 0 Successes
Fury Interceptors 4 2d10= 4, 3 = 0 Successes
Swiftdeath Interceptors 1 2d10= 6, 8=2 Successes
Swiftdeath Interceptors 2 2d10= 4, 1=0 Successes, Critical Failure
Successes needed increased by 1
Swiftdeath Interceptors 3 2d10= 4, 10= 2 Successes
Swiftdeath Interceptors 4 2d10= 8, 4= 1 Successes
Imperials: 6/20
Pirates: 5/41
Pirate Leader Intelligence roll 2d10 (SC 2)=10, 9= 3 Successes, Critical Success
1d4=3, All your ships ignore initiative order this phase and go first.
1d5=4 Infidel Raider 1 Shields at 4/20
Infidel Raider 1 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20)=12+20, 21+20=32, 41
Wrath of Gadir Shields reduced to 68/100SP
Infidel Raider 2 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20)=15+20, 23+20=35, 43
Wrath of Gadir Shields reduced to 33/100SP
1d5=1 Infidel Raider 3 Shields at 1/20
Infidel Raider 3 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20-20)=12+20-20, 30+20-20=12, 30
Wrath of Gadir Shields reduced to 21/100SP
1d5=5 Infidel Raider 4 Shields at 5/20
Infidel Raider 4 attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+20)= 23+20, 9+20= 43. 29
Wrath of Gadir Shields down, Hull reduced to 192/200
1d20= 3 Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser Shields at 3/100
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50+40)= 15+40, 35+40= 55, 75
Wrath of Gadir Hull reduced to 137/200
Space Station attacks Wrath of Gadir
Fortunate triggers= 2(1d50)= 42, 23
Wrath of Gadir Hull reduced to 114/200
Marcius Hostilius Intelligence roll 6d10 (SC 3)= 4, 3, 3, 6, 9, 7= 3 Successes
Unorthodox roll 1d6= 4
Bird of Prey attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
1d50+30=44+30=74
Pirate Lunar-class Shields are down, Hull reduced to 51/100 HP
1d4=1. Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser Weapon System crippled, -20 to attack rolls
Fear of Judgement Launches Boarding pods towards Space Station
Pod rolls 5d100 (SC 10/30)= 93, 90, 3, 93, 67
Admiral Giscon Adherbal Intelligence roll 2d10= (SC 2)=6, 9= 2 Successes
Wrath of Gadir attacks Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser
Attack roll 1d50+30= 29+30=59
Pirate Lunar-class Cruiser destroyed
Hand of the Righteous attacks Infidel Raider 3
Attack roll 1d50+30= 28+30=55
Infidel Raider 3 destroyed
Treachery´s doom attacks Infidel Raider 4
Attack roll 1d50+30= 14+30=44
Infidel Raider 4 destroyed
Dog Fighting
Imperial Victory: 20
Pirates Victory: 40
Stombird rolls 4d10= 9, 4, 3, 8= 2 Successes
Stormraven rolls 4d10= 3, 4, 6, 2= 1 Success
Thunderhawk rolls 4d10= 7, 7, 5, 5= 2 Successes
Fury Interceptors 1 2d10= 5, 5=0 Successes
Fury Interceptors 2 2d10= 6, 7= 1 Successes
Fury Interceptors 3 2d10= 4, 5= 0 Successes
Fury Interceptors 4 2d10= 4, 3 = 0 Successes
Swiftdeath Interceptors 1 2d10= 6, 8=2 Successes
Swiftdeath Interceptors 2 2d10= 4, 1=0 Successes, Critical Failure
Successes needed increased by 1
Swiftdeath Interceptors 3 2d10= 4, 10= 2 Successes
Swiftdeath Interceptors 4 2d10= 8, 4= 1 Successes
Imperials: 6/20
Pirates: 5/41
Mist Shrikes reinforcements arrived:
-Apothecary Diocles (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Chaplains in training Osinki and Jaronski (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Tactical Squads 2-4 and 2-5 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 2 Lascannons, 5 Melta guns, 5 Missile Launchers)
-Assault Squad 2-8 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Jump Packs Bolt Pistols, Chainswords)
-Devastator Squad 2-9 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, 5 Melta guns, 3 Lascannons)
Successes needed for Station defenders increased by 5
???? Prophet trait Triggering 1d10= 6
Emilianus Logos Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 7, 8, 8, 8, 6, 3= 5 Successes
Apothecary Diocles Weapon Skill 4d10= 8, 5, 1, 10= 3 Successes
Falce Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 10, 8, 5, 7= 3 Successes
2nd Company Ballistic Skill rolls 4d10 rolls= 8, 7, 10, 5= 4 Successes
Shandian Quan Toughness roll 6d10 (SC 3)= 5, 6, 1, 10, 9, 6= 4 Successes
Shandian Quan Weapon Skill roll 5d10= 4, 6, 4, 9, 2= 2 Successes
Warpsmith Ballistic Skill roll 5d10=1, 8, 6, 4, 6= 2 Successes
Eyes of the Mutator Ballistic Skill roll 4d10=1, 1, 4, 10= 0 Successes
Pirate Mob rolls 2d10=9, 9= 2 Successes,
Mutant mobs rolls 1d10= 6= 1 Success
Defensive emplacements 2d10= 2, 3=0 Successes
Mist Shrikes= 10+15=25/25
Station Defenders= 14+11=25/30
Mist Shrikes Victory
-Apothecary Diocles (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Chaplains in training Osinki and Jaronski (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword)
-Tactical Squads 2-4 and 2-5 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Bolters, 2 Lascannons, 5 Melta guns, 5 Missile Launchers)
-Assault Squad 2-8 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Jump Packs Bolt Pistols, Chainswords)
-Devastator Squad 2-9 (Mk VII "Aquila" Power Armor, Heavy Bolters, Missile Launchers, 5 Melta guns, 3 Lascannons)
Successes needed for Station defenders increased by 5
???? Prophet trait Triggering 1d10= 6
Emilianus Logos Ballistic Skill roll 6d10= 7, 8, 8, 8, 6, 3= 5 Successes
Apothecary Diocles Weapon Skill 4d10= 8, 5, 1, 10= 3 Successes
Falce Weapon Skill roll 4d10= 10, 8, 5, 7= 3 Successes
2nd Company Ballistic Skill rolls 4d10 rolls= 8, 7, 10, 5= 4 Successes
Shandian Quan Toughness roll 6d10 (SC 3)= 5, 6, 1, 10, 9, 6= 4 Successes
Shandian Quan Weapon Skill roll 5d10= 4, 6, 4, 9, 2= 2 Successes
Warpsmith Ballistic Skill roll 5d10=1, 8, 6, 4, 6= 2 Successes
Eyes of the Mutator Ballistic Skill roll 4d10=1, 1, 4, 10= 0 Successes
Pirate Mob rolls 2d10=9, 9= 2 Successes,
Mutant mobs rolls 1d10= 6= 1 Success
Defensive emplacements 2d10= 2, 3=0 Successes
Mist Shrikes= 10+15=25/25
Station Defenders= 14+11=25/30
Mist Shrikes Victory
Falce is forced to stop replying to the messages when Shandian Quan gets back onto his feet, his dented chestplate pulsing and twisting as it recovers its previous shape. Falce takes a quick look at his surroundings, finding the situation grim. Both Lavtizar and Danko had dispatched their own foes, and are currently fighting side by side, Danko in complete silence and Lavtizar hurling insults and mockery at the traitors, but of their accompanying squad only the sergeant and two other marines remain standing as they contain the mass of mutants and pirates coming behind them, immediately reduced to one more as the other is hit by a volley of lasbolts. As the Mist Shrikes start being overwhelmed by the foes' number, Shandian Quan opens his arms wide.
"Your defeat was inevitable." He states full of confidence as he attacks Falce once more, uppercutting with his power fist at the Master of Sanctity, who evades the hit by stepping backwards. "We are servants of the Architect of Fate, and against his designs all resistance is futile." He brings his plasma pistol to bear, firing a shot that dissipates against Falce´s Rosarius, even if the heat warms the ceramite to scalding temperatures. "We struggled against this truth in the beginning." He admits, sounding almost ashamed as his attacks increase in speed and ferocity, a series of jabs that Falce manages to block with his crozius or evade. "But you´ll see the truth eventually. You all will." Just as he utters this words the actinic flash of a meltagun illuminates the chamber, vaporizing six approaching mutants. "What in Tzeentch ninety-nine names..?" Mutters the Tzeenchian as his eye lenses widen in surprise, turning his head around slightly to look behind him. A snarl comes out of his mutated vox.grill as he beholds a squad of devastators in Mist Shrikes colors appear after unleashing a barrage of melta blasts, las beams and bolter rounds at his forces, greatly culling their number. That moment of distraction costs him, as it takes his attention away from Falce.
"You´re wrong Traitor!" The Master of Sanctity swings his crozius at the start of Shadian Quan powerfist, smashing the weapon in a shower of cables, ceramite, blood and gore. "Your "God" thrives in lies, and because of that you lie to yourself!" The traitor ignores the vicious pain and tries to aim his pistol once more, but Falce reverses his swing and hits him on the side, smashing the Chaos marine against a nearby wall with a ragged scream. He bounces off and crashes into the floor on his chest, the son of Curze planting his foot on the son of Jaghatai´s back, preventing him from rising. "The only certanty is that of your death and that of your treasonous chapter!" He smashes his crozius into Shadian Quan head, denting the ceramite, and throwing teeth and bloody, acidic saliva flying. "Even if we have to slay you one by one!" He smashes it a second time, and this time it is reduced to chunks of mutated bone, armor and brain matter upon the floor. He gazes up to see that the reinforcing marines and his squad have dispatched the nearby heretics. The sergeant of the devastators approaches him and bangs a fist again his chestplate.
"2-9 reporting Master of Sanctity! Lieutenant Gallo has dispatched us in order to assist you and Captain Pluvia in defending the station!"
Falce nods, Lavtizar and Djanko taking positions behind him. "Thanks for your prompt intervention. Now let us assist our brothers in battle!"
Remaining Pirates Willpower test 2-1(Terror in the Dark)=1d10=3
Remaining cruisers escape 1d100+25(Speed difference)=77+25=102
Imperial Interception 1d100= 66
Remaining cruisers escape 1d100+25(Speed difference)=77+25=102
Imperial Interception 1d100= 66
2nd Company Toughness rolls 4+1(Diocles)=5d10= 9, 9, 10, 9, 2= 5 Successes
2nd Company Willpower roll 4+2(Falce)+1(Osinki and Jaronski)+1(Djanko and Lavtizar)=8d10 (SC 3)= 7, 3, 5, 8, 2, 7, 9, 7= 5 Successes
Capua Intelligence roll 5d10=8, 5, 2, 3, 6= 2 Successes
Capua Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 3)= 6, 10, 10, 7, 10= 8 Successes, Critical Success
2nd Company Willpower roll 4+2(Falce)+1(Osinki and Jaronski)+1(Djanko and Lavtizar)=8d10 (SC 3)= 7, 3, 5, 8, 2, 7, 9, 7= 5 Successes
Capua Intelligence roll 5d10=8, 5, 2, 3, 6= 2 Successes
Capua Intelligence roll 5d10 (SC 3)= 6, 10, 10, 7, 10= 8 Successes, Critical Success
The cleansing of the space station is a drawn out and costly affair. The Eyes of the Mutator and their lackeys fight fiercely for every inch of ground and despite the Imperial victory being inevitable, plenty of marines are slain in combat. Still, the station is completely cleansed of heretical forces, and in the void Hostilius and Admiral Adherbal destroy or put to flight the piratical vessels. As such, once the wounded and slain are processed and the station combed for intel, the three Mist Shrike officers hail the Navy officer from the Fear of Judgement´s bridge.
While the hololith makes it hard to discern, Giscon Adherbal holds a significant resemblance to his uncle, to the point of looking like a younger copy of the venerable Gadiran Lord Admiral. One that is very clearly clenching his teeth as he tries to reign his temper. "Yerma." He practically spits both with fury and self-recrimination. "Two millenia searching for the thrice-damn bastards and they were hiding in karking Yerma."
"If you knew of the system's existence, then how it is possible that you have not found them before!?" Shouts Marcius before Falce and Emilianus place a hand each in his pauldrons, reining him in.
Giscon sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "There are only three planets in the Yerma system, all of which are Dead Worlds with little to none useful resources. Apart from that, the Warp routes in and out of the system are unstable and hazardous for travel, and the Mandeville point is among the smallest in the sector. It seemed unthinkable as a naval base or long-term headquarters, although in hindsight only an insane heretic would ever consider it a viable base."
"Recriminations are worthless now." Mediates Falce before Hostilius says something offensive to the Admiral. "The information that we have obtained not only points out the location of their headquarters, but also the Warp routes they employ, their facilities in each of the three planets and the number and nature of their orbital platforms and defensive fleet. Once the situation in Lezo is resolved, we will be in an excellent position to put down the Eyes of the Mutator once and for all."
Giscon removes his hand from his face, and smiles somewhat. "You´re right, Master of Sanctity. This day has been a great victory for the servants of the God-Emperor. Without your assistance we would have been incapable of securing this amount of information. My uncle has certainly not exaggerated the skill and courage of the Angels of Death. I must now prepare for the Warp travel to Lezo, where I sincerely hope that we meet again. Adherbal out."
As soon as the commlink is cut Hostilius punches the hololith, drawing fearful glances from the nearby bridge crew. "Imbecile wretch." He curses. "We´ve lost almost a third of the Second Company securing information that they should have found centuries ago."
Pluvia frowns at Marcius display. "That may be so, but making inroads with one the potential successors of the Lord Admiral in the Sector is useful, and Chapter Severus will be thrilled that we have secured so much details on the enemy positions."
"Unsurprising that a faint-hearted craven such as you manages to find a silver lining to leading his men into a slaughterhouse." Mocks Marcius. Pluvia calm shatters as he takes a step forward with a thunderous expression, but Falce steps between them.
"Enough, this is a day of great glory and mourning both, and you will not sully it by brawling like immature juves." He then looks at Hostilius, disappointed. "Snide comments and petty insults are beneath you and beneath the dignity of your post, Master of the Fleet." Hostilius looks aside with a tch. "Now we must prepare for.." A spasm shakes Falce´s whole body. He steadies himself by grabbing the hololith, but a fiercer one forces him onto his back. The spasms wrack his body as Hostilius shouts for the Apothecary, and the last thing Falce sees is Emilianus holding him to prevent him from banging his head against the floor.
Then the visions overtake him.
-Space Station secured, Extremely detailed intel acquired on the Eye of the Mutator Homeworld.
-New Contact gained: Admiral Giscon Adherbal (Neutral+)
-27 Marines slain, 54 progenoids gained.
-1 Stormbird damaged, 1 Thunderhawk damaged.
-Falce Prophet trait revealed.
-Most of what remained of the Thousand Sons Warband slain, but Sorcerer manages to escape through a Warp portal.
-Angels Crusader suffer grievous loses, 6th Company Captain Barbarrosa Slain by Chaos Sorcerer.
-???? shifts towards ????
-Angels Crusader suffer grievous loses, 6th Company Captain Barbarrosa Slain by Chaos Sorcerer.
-???? shifts towards ????
Q.M Notes: Here it is, the Deployment results of Turn 7. Sorry for the delay, and I hope it is worth it. The first proper part of the Lezoan Campaign will arrive later this week. Also, I reworked the naval combat once more, hope you like it.
Feel free to point out any mistakes I´ve made in this chapter, as where I am it is late and I´m sleepy.
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