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Shadow of the Hive Mind Campaign: Game 5 - Complex Delta (fully painted armies/terrain, lots of pix)  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
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Made in nz
Rough Rider with Boomstick






Off the shoulder of Orion

Welcome to the 5th instalment in our Tyranids vs. Imperial campaign.

The previous games can be found here:

Game 1 http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/435158.page
Game 2 http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/437880.page
Game 3 http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/443766.page#4164942
Game 4 http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/460068.page


In the last battle, both sides contested Complex Alpha, with each force claiming part of the base. The Sons of Gord have also recovered data files that finally shine some light on what is truly motivating Inquisitor Iniquitous...

Meanwhile, both Iniquitous and Captain Gordus are heading to Complex Delta to "discuss" the prosecution of the campaign to date. With the Tyranid menace growing stronger by the day and no sign of reinforcement, the situation grows increasingly dire. Complex Delta has thus far remained untroubled by the Xenos threat, but even now, a vast alien intellect is turning multitudinous eyes toward it...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Inquisitors Aquila Lander translated through the upper atmosphere of Remuera Majoris IV and began its terminal descent towards Complex Delta. Outside the view ports, the crystal clear star field was replaced by the stygian murk of the planet proper. Green sulphur clouds extended from the fetid swaps on the surface all the way to the limit of the ionosphere. It was, the Inquisitor mused, a planet without any redeeming features whatsoever.

His tech savant, still in orbit above, had just informed him via vox that an unauthorised data transfer had been detected at Complex Alpha. It took no particular leap of logic to assume the Sons of Gord had become more curious than was strictly required. Iniquitous looked out into the gloom of the upper atmosphere over steepled fingers. The good Captain Gordus was becoming a problem with his marked lack of respect for due authority - in this case, Iniquitous himself - and asking far too many questions. The Inquisitor sighed - why did the Astartes just not behave like good soldiers and just obey without question? Sometimes they were more trouble than their admittedly prodigious skills were worth.

A burst of static from the flight deck broke his reverie as a broken report filtered through. Even before the pilot voxed him he knew it would be bad news.

"My Lord, Complex Delta reports it has come under Xenos attack. The situation is currently...confused. Shall we abort?"

Iniquitous gave a brief thought to returning to orbit and the comfort of his quarters, but knew there was still much to be done and even more at stake. He sighed again before responding.

"No pilot, take us in. It seems our arrival will be just in time" He leaned back and began fastening his carapace armour. Between the damned Astartes and the Tyranids, this mission was fast going to the warp in a hand-cart...


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Note, this battle, like all in the campaign is fought using permanent night fight rules. This battle was also fought as the last edition (5th) was still current.


Complex Delta sits in the murk



Cadian defenders guard the comms array


Veterans protect the vital control room for the base containment fences


Heavy weapons sit on high alert following the fate of Complex Alpha


A Ranger Chimera patrols the perimeter


All is quiet...


Without warning, a tremor runs through the boots of the guardsmen. In a shower of liquid soil, Tyranid tunnelers burst amongst the defenders


A veteran reacts quickly and hurls a demo charge. Four of the huge creatures are blown apart


Massed lasgun fire lances out from the Cadians, blowing chunks of chitin of the attackers, but still they come on..


To the horror of the defenders, the earth bucks, heaves and then vomits forth a mighty Tyranid monster


The survivors of the demo charge head for a fire support team


The Cadians bravely stand their ground against the monstrous assault


Surprised by the speed of the Raveners, the heavy bolters are over run


The guard line wavers...


The veterans are wiped out by massed bio-fire and close combat


The brave Cadian squad falls next


More Cadians advance to contact, but suffer against the bio-fire of the Raveners


The Trygon prime tears apart the control room with ease. Across the wider base, containment fences sputter and die....


Cut off from the main guard force, the Ranger Chimera fights alone. It is soon immobilised with its multi-laser destroyed.


Surrounded and alone, the Rangers elect to die with their boots on, taking as many of the Xenos with them as they can


They line up the rampaging Trygon....and finish it off in a blaze of plasma and melta


The Xenos forces do not miss this sudden reversal...


And the Rangers pay for their bravery


Inquisitor Iniquitous arrives to find Complex Delta in chaos


Directed by some gestalt consciousness, the Tyranids head unerringly towards the critical orbital comms array


Heavy weapons try to stem the tide of huge Xenos


The command squad fight for their lives


A desperate counter-attack stops more Raveners from joining the fray


Meanwhile, the automated defences are eliminated


Desperate to save the only planet side means of fleet communications, Iniquitous orders all forces to concentrate their fire on the last Raveners assaulting the array


Guardsmen bring down one, leaving only two remaining...


The missile launchers on the tower line up the Raveners in their sights....when a sulphur cloud obscures their vision, leaving them unable to fire!


Unmolested, the final two Tyranids tear the comms array apart...



Victory to the Hive Mind!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Inquisitor Iniquitous watched the comms array disappear in an expanding ball of flame. The Raveners were utterly consumed, but they had done what the Hive Mind bid them. The whole base was now without containment fence protection or support from orbit - every complex was now exposed to the full horror of the swarm.

His codifier let out a shrill sound that announced an incoming transmission.

"My Lord, I have a vox inbound from Captain Gordus" Iniquitous looked to the sky and sighed once more.

"Of course you do. Patch him through"

The line was terrible and Iniquitous could hear the high pitched scream of turbo-jets in the background. The Captain was clearly enroute by air even now.

"You have a great deal of explaining to do Inquisitor" Boomed the Captain's voice from the vox unit on his servants back.

"Good to hear from you too Captain. Not a social call then?" Inquired Iniquitous.

"I know what you have been doing here Iniquitous. Now I know why you didn't want outside help - why you have been so cavalier with the lives of the Guard - why the damned Xenos are acting they way they are"

"Captain, please..." the Inquisitor started

"You've been breeding the damned things!" Roared Gordus down the vox. The feedback from the tinny speaker on his codicers back made Iniquitous cringe

"That’s why they've been adapting so fast, because you designed them to. Are you insane Inquisitor? The Tyranids are bad enough without our own side making them worse"

"As I was trying to say Captain, there is a bigger picture here you are not seeing. This is the Emperors work we do"

The snort of derision from the speakers told Iniquitous the Captain was not swayed.

"I'll be there in thirty minutes Inquisitor, then we'll see about doing the Emperors work" The threat could not have been more pronounced if Gordus had somehow shoved his storm bolter out of the speaker box and into Iniquitous' face.

"Well Captain, then I shall look forward to discussing it in person with you when you arrive" The Inquisitor killed the signal and clasped his hands behind his back. In the distance he could see guardsmen putting out fires and shooting fallen Tyranids, just to be sure.

The Captains new-found knowledge took him from being a mere problem to an actual threat. Taking out a highly rare and sophisticated data slate from his robes, the Inquisitor brought up a map of the area surrounding Complex Delta. After a few moments consideration, his lips pursed in a tight smile. Yes, that cluster of floating spore mines to the south should do nicely.

He keyed his personal orbital communicator and patched through to the command bridge of the support cruiser. "Iniquitous, code magenta. Urgent re-route of inbound Marine transport to the following flight path. Coordinates to follow" A quick data download followed, along with a section of hidden scrap code to purge any record of the act from the navy logs. You could never be too careful when covering your tracks in the Inquisition...

Iniquitous began to stride towards the distant guard to seek shelter and await the return of his lander. It was a shame about Captain Gordus, but really, he did ask far too many questions.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Another close game where the rub of the green went against the guard. The night fight rules and deep strike entrance of the nids, along with lots of multi wound creatures was always going to be a challenge, but we thought we had enough special and heavy weapons for the job. We actually did, but lady luck was not with us. If only the demo charge hadn't rolled 3 ones to wound, if only the heavy bolters were half and inch further away from the Raveners, if only the missile launcher teams hadn't whiffed their night-fight roll at the end...if only.

Good game though, and well played by Sandy and Julz (curse their eyes!). Let’s see how they like a bit of 2+ save up em' next battle.....

NEXT GAME: Storm Raven Down!





My Collected Narrative Photo Battle Reports

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Gordy2000%27s_Battle_Reports

Thanks to Thor 665 for putting together the article
 
   
Made in be
Resentful Grot With a Plan





I had a very nice read. Thanks for the effort!
   
Made in nz
Hardened Veteran Guardsman





Auckland, New Zealand

Great as always, keep 'em coming

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/493046.page#5049916
I didn't choose the WAAGH! life, the WAAGH! life chose me.  
   
Made in us
Blood-Raging Khorne Berserker





Los Angeles

Very pretty models and terrain. Nice work. Thanks for sharing.

Avoiding Dakka until they get serious about dealing with their troll problem 
   
Made in no
Sneaky Sniper Drone



Norway

Good batrep indeed, nice to see fully painted armies and terrain, it just makes the whole read that much more fulfilling

Tau sucks at Close Quarter? Meet the Fish Of Fury!  
   
Made in us
Awesome Autarch






Las Vegas, NV

Top notch! Great report.

   
Made in us
Mekboy Hammerin' Somethin'





I was wondering when the next of these would come out. I'm loving em. You're doing great work! It's incredibly enjoyable to read!
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut





This was an awesome battle report, great pictures and painted models. Keep more coming.

For more battle reports and warhammer musings visit: - http://skulkers-surprise.blogspot.com/ 
   
Made in us
Willing Inquisitorial Excruciator





Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Great report, Gordy. Thanks for all the work and effort. Setting the gold standard for narrative reports on Dakka, IMO.

   
 
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