1900 point battle (4th Ed). Nids vs
IG infantry. Random terrain, Random table edge,
IG win roll to go first.
Let the fluff begin.
Transcript of debrief.
Third company, 5th Odeon (Iron Guards).
Operation Ardent Hope.
Kappa Moon Listening Station, Odeon V.
"At ease gentlemen.
Our mission was to secure the outer system listening station in kappa quadrant against hostile incursion. This listening station has been mothballed for several years after the failure of its primary power generator and as a result deemed of limited strategic significance. Resources from Odeon Prime would not be forthcoming to either repair or defend it. The garrison at Odeon V would shuttle a two communications specialists monthly to maintain the station and off load logs. The station would meanwhile operate in reduced power mode utilising the back up solar generators.
So much for history.
Analysis of the most recent logs identified an unknown entity seemingly on course for Kappa moon. The lack of range, resolution and the brief nature of the contact and the unexplained failure of other system sensors meant that Prime would not weaken other garrisons in case of last minute course deviation. In consequence a scratch force was assembled locally and dispatched by shuttle to Kappa with orders to hold with a view to reinforcement if necessary.
Whilst our intelligence was limited, we were fortunate in some regards. We had recently received authorisation to induct abhumans. We have a fertile recruitment area for levies in the penal colonies on the alpha moon and the belt miners. It seems that some of the belters have also been sub-contracting mercenary protection as there have been turf wars of late. Due to the dilligence of
HQ company in locating ex-soldiers we were in a position to field a fully trained platoon of Slave Levies as well as a support squad of snipers. We were also fortunate that the a company of the 21st Heavy Support Group had been stationed locally to train our company support batteries in the new Cadian Pattern auto-cannon. They were seconded to us as an emergency measure.
As we were unaware of the intended incursion point we shuttled a company to each of the 3 main sites. Preliminary scans revealed that the sites were as yet unoccupied but that a significant biomorph force was approaching each of them. First Co. deployed to the central command facility, Second Co. to the uplink facility and we got lumbered with the dog watch (laughs) - outer perimeter defence. Fortunately that did mean that we were able to take advantage of the defensive perimeter established when the base was first established. The far right was pinned by a small fortified command post, right was connected to the centre by communications trenches. The centre was pinned by a natural rock field with a forward observation trench. The left was open ground save for an abandoned Anphelion pattern Ground Scanner. A 21st comms specialist mannned the scanner and managed to get short range scanning operational. This meant that the whole left flank plus any comms equipped squad could be passed targetting information.
Hq Platoon deployed its 2 mortar batteries to the far left and far right, its 2 las cannon batteries to the centre left and right and its command squad in the center with the company colour.
The 21st spread their 2 fire support batteries along the left flank to take advantage of the Scanner.
Captain Prospero's Bravo platoon deployed to the centre and right centre taking advantage of the rock field and with a view to reinforcing the forward trenches if necessary.
Our newly levied Epsilon platoon under Brevet Captain Murdo spread along the right flank ready to move into the forward cover. In the event the xeno's arrived before this task could be completed but thanks to their dogged advance they were able to secure the trenches and maintain their own cover fire.
As for our elites, Grices Veterans infiltrated into the observation trench, Mathesons Own took took up a left forward postion to screen the heavies from a large Genestealer brood and Sergeant Drogo's sniper squad deployed to the abandoned command post to supress the enemy right.
Before we had reached the trenches however the enemy Xenos prodigiuos speed had brought them out of the surrounding cover and into our beaten zone. A large creature (morphology unknown) with bio ordinance took the centre along with 3 tyrranid warriors, a double strength Genestealer brood with some large synapse creature fielded left. The right of the enemy line had some outreach bunkers and trenchworks that we were unable to secure before their arrival. The enemy deployed biovores behind this bunker and some more genestealers and at least 2 ripper swarms. The center and right was covered by gaunt broods. Our sensors indicated that this was only a part of the force that was in the local area.
Fortunately we managed to adopt firing positions before they coordinated their advance. The levies advanced by sections into cover and made a dent in the gaunts in front of them. Number 1 and 2
HQ batteries blasted the large creature which was finished off by Grice before it could regroup. The 21st supported by Metheson chewed holes in the left Genstealers. The mortars tried to dent the genestalers on both flanks, but it soon became clear that they were insufficent to produce much effect. Drogos men tried to hit the Biovores, but used to zero-g ballistics, over-estimated the range of their weapons. The remaining troops were moving into position and were unable to provide effective fire.
Knowing that the main xeno threat would be in CQB we were still a little suprised how little effective fire was directed at us. The spore mines were largely off target and easily dealt with by small arms fire before they threatened our troops. The gaunts were largely out of range though Grices forward squad were glad of their trench. Most of their fire power appeared to be concentrated in the large creature that we had swiftly destroyed with concentrated fire. They did however close the gap with disturbing swiftness. Our prediction was that we would get one more volley in before they began to overrun us.
Having killed the largest threat our anti-tank batteries began targetting the synapse creatures destroying most of the warriors, whilst the fire support batteries continued to thin the ranks of the Genestealers. The mortars once again proved disappointing adding very little to their kills so far. Grice and the now in position regular infantry killed most of the central gaunts while the levies and the snipers killed the gaunts on the right. Matheson realising how exposed he was, cooly continued firing on the creature leading the genestealers and destroyed it. When the smoke cleared there were few moving xeno forms within range.
The musky smell and shrieking of the xenos forshadowed some significant horror approaching. Without warning two huge creatures appeared from nowhere in front of Grices position. Spore mines landed inside the rock field and caused casualties amongst Bravo and number 2 battery. To their front the guants and genestealers closed the gap to Grice and at the same time the remaining Genestealers tore into Mathesons unit. With the screams of the wounded and dying ringing in our ears we realised that this would be the moment of truth, would we stand and honour our allegiance or would we collapse and be destroyed.
Had there been more genestealers Matheson would have been quickly destroyed, instead the remains of his squad held the ground knowing that if they were to fall back the heavies would be unable to stem the tide. Grice fell back in good order from his position after suffering heavy casualties. Brevet Sgt McIntyre's levy squad moved up to cover the withdrawl pouring well aimed fire into the genestealers and destroying them. The
HQ AT batteries destroyed both of the large creatures (that may have been Raveners) before they could pose a threat. With few targets and the threat of the approaching stealers the 21st seperated and moved out of their path. The left flank
HQ mortars moved away and took the opportunity to take pot shots at the approaching spore mines with their lasguns. Ironically this proved their most effective action in the entire battle. The right flank mortars did little damage. The snipers coninued to wither the genestealers, Brevet Sgt Hidalgos levy left the trench to engage the enemy at close range and the remainder of the right flank finished off the ripper swarm, the gaunts and the gene stealers. Sgt Wilcox of Bravo 2 moved up to take advantage of the cover of the trench, unaware of what would soon unfold there.
The right flank were disappointed to see yet another horde of gaunts appear along with spore mines dropped by some unseen enemy. The few remaining Genestealers engaged with Matheson all but wiped out his team, but he bravely held on alone. We suffered some casualties from the biovores but it seemed the few remaining Xenos were holding themselves back.
Seeing that protecting the batteries had doomed Matheson, Lt (jg) Greerson of the 21st Support Group charged into the fray without regard for his own safety, his example spurring elements of Bravo platoon to join him. Sgt Wilcox and his squad made the cover of the trench and surveying the almost empty battlefield before him fatefully exclaimed "It's nearly over boys". The new gaunt threat was the primary target of all the guns that could be brought to bear as Hidalgo was still just out of range of the biovores. After taking numerous casualties the gaunts took flight and melted back into the brush. After a vicious engagement Matheson was extracted by Bravo platoon members whilst Greerson and his staff held off the remaining genestealer at heavy cost. Only Guardsman Ualli was left to protect the body of the fallen Greerson.
Without warning a pair of Lictors that had remained hidden in a communication trench burst out of hiding into the startled Wilcox. A further stream of gaunts flew from the brush but it was clear that they were acting instinctively, without a hive mind to control their efforts. The biovores attacks claimed some minor injuries but most of the barrages fell into open ground. The Lictors reaped bloody ruin on Wilcox and his men. Ualli was seen to go down under the last Genestealer, but emerge alive from the fray, his fury over the death of his officer lending purpose to his bayonet.
Whilst the left was redeploying, Grice regrouped. Unable to do anything about the Lictors engaged with Wilcox the army dedicated its fire power to the few reamining guants. The few that survived quickly scuttled back under cover. Calling for his brother sergeants to back off and shoot, Wilcox managed to survive the furious attack that destroyed most of his squad.
In the confusion of the right flank, the enemy withdrew and we were left in possesion of the field. Having destroyed our equal, we took 35 casualties. Sadly many succumbed to their wounds as the rending claws of the Genestealers and the living ammunition of the Gaunts caused hideous and irreperable wounds. We commend them to the Emperor for their faithful service.
We have learned the following lessons.
We are men and we are weak, but with the tools the Emperor has entrusted to us, we can defeat any of his enemies though the cost to ourselves be high. The lesson we learn from Ualli is that the Emperor can exert his will through a bayonet with some guts behind it.
To our abhuman bretheren: Though you be born low or fall from grace you are not so low that you cannot be redeemed in service to the Emperor. We cannot undo the disfigurement that placed you in our shadow, but the light of the Emperor dispels that shadow. Henceforth derogatory terms will not be used of abhumans who are in the service of the Emperor. All brevet ranks are hereby substantiated. Levies will be entitled to wear the Odeon Blue and by the grace of the Emperor wear the battle honour "Ardent Hope". Those of you who fought here have expunged your records and have been reformed. The emperor is pleased to call you "His" ironfaces and that will be your pride. In future levy squads will be referred to by the sergeants name followed by the Ironfaces hnorific. Thus our current strength are "MacIntyres Ironfaces" and "Hidalgos Ironfaces".
Specialist Drogo and his men are hereafter awarded double rations for faithful service. They proved far more effective than the penny packet
HQ snipers we have used in the past and they know the value of cover. It is likely that without their pinning of the gaunts the right flank might have fallen.
Guardsman Ualli has atoned for failing to give his life for his officer. He is, by special request, transferred to the 5th Odeon into Mathesons Own. This is high honour for one who fought bravely against overwhelming odds. Do not dispair in your failure for you are but a man, call upon the Emperor and he will raise you up again, see you do not fail Him a second time.
Until the tech priests have appeased the machine spirits of the mortars, they are to be taken to a place of sanctity and stored. We failed them, not they us. Cadian pattern autocannons and heavy boltguns will be issued in their stead.
The long range scanner is not current garrison issue. We may petition the Emperor to use the one we recovered but only where it may not be lost. It underlines the value of vox units for each squad.
Mathesons fate teaches us that whilst "Hit the Big Ones" is still good advice, fire support batteries should not ignore closing threats. Had they done more to stave off the Genestealers, Greerson might yet live.
Whilst we found the surveyors little use against the deep concealment of the lictors they will remain standard issue for the time being.
Post battle analysis reveals that the lictors had squeezed themselves into a drainage pipe laid under the duck board in the trench. Their stealthy emergence went unnoticed as the trench was unoccupied. Wilcox mentioned that he turned his back for a moment and it was upon him. Had we fully occupied that trench we might have forced it to lurk until after the battle was over and avoided the consequent loss of life. In future all cover is to be fully exploited when we face mutagenic Xeno threat.
May the God Emperor observe our faithful service until the end of our days.
Dismiss."
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