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Welcome (after a bit of a break) to game 6 of our Tyranid vs. Imperium campaign. The previous games can be found below:

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
Game 5 http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/472156.page

In the last battle, the Tyranids overran the orbital relay, crippling support for the Imperial forces. Meanwhile, Capt. Gordus had discovered the truth behind the efforts Inquisitor Iniquitous had made to keep the research facility "off the radar". In turn, Iniquitous had decided that the marine captain now knew too much and had arranged an "unfortunate accident"....

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Captain Gordus sat with his eyes closed, leaning back against the grav-harness as the drone of the Storm Eagle's engines filled the darkened cabin. His discovery of Inquisitor Iniquitous true reason for the mission to Remuera Majoris V had filled him with rage and he now carefully marshalled his thoughts before the upcoming confrontation with the Ordo Xenos agent. Space Marine or not, accusing a member of the Inquisition of treason was no small matter.

The captains thoughts were scattered by an abrupt lurch as the Storm Eagle banked sharply. Gordus was out of the grav-harness an on his feet in a second.

“Pilot, report” he snapped over the internal vox. A staccato thudding started up as the Heavy Bolters on the outer hull opened fire on some unseen target

“Captain, we’ve run into a field of spore mines. Taking evasive action. Unexpected – the new flight path was clear” responded the marine pilot

Gordus cursed under his breath. He knew full well how this had happened

Iniquitous

A loud bang rattled through the cabin and the whole ship was thrown sideways. Emergency lighting lit the cabin with a ruddy glow and an acidic stink filled the space.

The pilot came back on the vox, his voice tense but controlled “Captain, we’ve taken a hit to the port engine. Power at 36%, I’m going to have to put her down. Brace for impact”

Gordus barely had time to reach his harness before a massive impact sent every loose piece of equipment flying through the air. The lights failed and grinding roar drowned out the screaming engines. Metal tore and buckled, marines were slammed against their restraints. The whole ship rolled onto its side and finally came to a halt in a cloud of smoke, steam and torn vegetation.

The marines were on their feet and clear of the wreck in moments. The Storm Eagle had come down in a swamp, half burying itself in the slimy earth. One torn wing jutted up from the wreckage like a broken tombstone. With a surge of foetid swamp water, honoured ancestor Halar strode out of the swamp where he had been thrown by the crash, his power claw spinning to clear it of water. The dreadnaught stomped onto solid ground and stopped, scanning the darkness of the jungle.

The pilot’s skill had meant any injuries were minor, but a new threat now made itself known. Across the gloomy swamp, alien screeches and roars began to fill the air.

Captain Gordus cocked his Storm Bolter and drew his Relic Blade.

“To arms brothers, the enemy approaches”

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Sergeant Dakir of the Salamanders retuned the long range vox in the back of the Razorback and tried again. “Say again Eagle 6, status report” The roar of storm bolter fire was clearly audible in the background as the response came back.

“We have multiple hostile contacts on all sides. Xenos of multiple genus, including heavy units. They are upon us. We have them right where we want them”

Dakir shared a look with Sergeant Baaken of the Sons of Gord who crouched with him in the back of the vehicle. If the Captain was making jokes, it must be bad.

“Hold position Eagle 6, we are on our way”

Dakir stood up in the cabin and climbed onto the cupola. Waving his arm in a circle, he signalled the vehicles of the rescue force to move out at top speed. As the Razorback lead the column out of the gates of the base, his vox crackled to life.

“This is Inquisitor Iniquitous, halt immediately and return to the base – you do not have clearance to exit.”

Dakir ignored the incensed Inquisitors orders and continued ahead. From his cupola he spied Iniquitous exit a hab building and stride towards the gate, his face red from fury.

“I said halt! By the authority of the Inquisition I order you to halt!” he yelled at the speeding transports

Dakir keyed his vox and sent a final transmission as the rescue force sped into the night

“Take it up with Captain Gordus when we bring him back Inquisitor. I’m sure he will be looking forward to speaking with you”

The Razorback was swallowed by the gloom as Iniquitous was left standing at the gate, seething in impotent rage.

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*Note, this battle, like all in the campaign is fought using permanent night fight rules, representing the choking clouds of atmospheric sulphur.

The mission is from the Anphelion Campaign Book and generates random Tyranid forces each turn. The relief column also enters play on a random turn and must travel the length of the board to rescue survivors. The rescue is only complete when the relief column exits the board edge they entered from. The Tyranid mission is to wipe out the survivors before they can be rescued.


The Storm Eagle sits burning in the swamp as the marines disembark. The survivors include Gordus, a terminator squad and the Storm Eagle crew


Captain Gordus leads his Salamander escort onto solid ground


Almost immediately, the Tyranids appear


The marines form a firing line and engage. Brother Halar purges multiple foul Xenos with his inferno cannon


More Tyranids explode from the jungle, attracted by pheromone calls and the sound of gunfire


The fighting gets up close and persoanl as the Tyranids close


Brother Halar and Captain Gordus smite the Tyranid Warriors


The terminators crush the smaller xenos, but critically remain locked in combat by one lone Gaunt (and thus unable to fire next turn...)


More Xenos pour from the jungle


Gordus turns back to assist the terminators, but it is too late...


Unable to advance, the terminators are buried under the growing tide of xenos. (6 armour saves, four 1's rolled...sigh)


And then, at the darkest moment, the relief column arrives


More Xenos pour from the jungle. Soon their numbers will become overwhelming


The Rhinos form an emergency laager as brother Halar provides cover


A Sons of Gord squad eliminates a brood nest threatening the egress route


Gordus and the Storm Eagle crew mount up


A Salamander Sternguard squad engages a Zoanthrope as it attempts to flank the retreating relief column


A Lictor brood attempts to stall the Rhinos, but is eliminated by massed fire from the column


A clutch of Raveners burst from the undergrowth


They assault and destroy one of the relief column Rhinos, tipping out Captain Gordus


Gordus embarks on the reserve Razorback and orders all forces to return to base


Ancient Halar ends the Ravener threat


The relief column exits the field under fire as the last squads embark into the transports. Mission success!


Victory Space Marines!

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Phew, close game. The random nature of the Tyranid forces and the arrival of the relief column made this a really great game with plenty of tension and sudden reversals (for both sides). A really hot run on the reserve dice could see a crushing victory for either side and it’s the kind of scenario that would be fun to play more than once.

Overall the marines did do pretty well. The loss of the terminators stung (curse my crap saves and that last Gaunt for locking them in place), but apart from that the marines only lost a Rhino.

Captain Gordus and Ancient Halar tie for MVP. Halar’s inferno cannon cooked a lot of bugs whist the captains all round skill pulled off some critical wins mid-game.

Overall, a really fun game and a scenario I recommend if you can grab a copy of the Anphelion Project.

Next game – All Out Assault – the Hive Mind takes off the kid gloves…..

Great report. Your advice shall be taken.

Great report, detail lite but that suited the intensity of the battle beautifully

Lovely batrep well done

Thank you, Iv been waiting for this and its great.

Well played and a great read.

This.

There is nothing like a narrative battle, with painted miniatures and terrain. In this case, well-painted miniatures and excellent terrain!

Thanks for sharing with us!

Great stuff, look forward to more

Nice! A good few bat reps with Tyranid. I just started my own bug army so I'll read these through from the start and let you know what I think.