Welcome to game 19 in our long running campaign. This battle, following the discovery of Chaos ritual, the Inquisition has called upon the forces of the Grey Knights.
However, the Great Enemy is not so easily out-manoeuvred and the forces of the Ruinous Powers have plans of their own.
Now, a strong force of Grey Knights along with support elements of the 144th Antipodean Rangers and Sisters of Battle move towards to site of the daemonic summoning,
only to encounter a Renegade mechanised force already closing on a strategic crossroads.
Previous games in this campaign can be found here:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Gordy2000%27s_Battle_Reports
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For the second time in a week, Inquisitor Bellerophon found himself riding into battle in an armoured vehicle. That was, however, where the similarities ended.
Not only was he now riding in the much more robust form of an Astartes Rhino, but his companions were the most august brothers of the Grey Knights – the Imperium’s finest daemon hunters.
The Knights heads were all bowed as they performed their pre-battle catechisms of hate against the unclean, the deviant and the outsider.
Bellerophon could feel the temperature inside the Rhino troop compartment drop as their psychic might leeched into the bare metal walls.
The Inquisitors vox crackled as he was hailed by the lead vehicle in the strike force. “My Lord – augurs show a strong enemy force approaching our predicted route.
We anticipate contact with lead enemy elements in 5 minutes.”
Bellerophon brought up a tactical map on his retinal display. He studied the terrain for a suitable position to engage or avoid the enemy forces.
His deliberation was interrupted by the Grey Knight Brother-Sergeant opposite him. The enhanced tactical senses of the marine had already assessed the ground, enemy strength and best course of action.
The power-armoured warrior spoke via his vox grill, simultaneously broadcasting to the strike force leaders.
“The cross roads two kilometres to our front. This is a defensible position that will force the enemy to engage us on a narrow front, giving us and our firepower the advantage”.
The Brother-Sergeant turned meaningfully to Bellerophon. “Provided we get there first”
The Inquisitor needed no further prompting. He broadcast a command to the full strike force.
“All units – battle speed to the cross roads marked on your tactical maps. Deploy there and met the enemy”. He paused a moment before adding
“Meet them and destroy them in the name of the Emperor!”
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The field of battle
The enemy reveals themselves – they are none-other than the Volscani Cataphracts, architects of the great betrayal at the mustering field on Cadia.
The Imperial force races for the crossroads – The Inquisition and Grey Knights
Sisters of Battle
And the Rangers
The Volscani also head towards the crossroads to engage the Imperial force
Infantry deploy, supported by Sentinels
The Volscani are numerous, well trained and well equipped
The Imperial force eschews deployment and risks staying embarked in the face of enemy fire to seize the crossroads first
Renegade fire blasts away two sentinels
The Volscani close on the crossroads in force
They are led by a fallen Commissar of unknown and ancient providence
Accurate heavy weapons fire blasts a sponson from the Antipodean Command tank
Volscani command teams drive their infantry forward
Who in turn close on the Imperial lines
Canoness Hespatia deploys with her retinue
The Sisters are joined by Antipodean Commandos
The two forces converge
A Ranger Sentinel unit outflanks the renegade advance and engages heavy weapons teams, slaying two
Mounted Volscani are forced to turn from their advance and face this new threat
Other heavy weapons teams join in, destroying one of the walkers
Volscani advance through the woods
Sisters and Grey Knights deploy in the ruins by the crossroads
That’s a lot of bolters…
Volscani infantry come under effective fire
The Imperials now hold the crossroads in force
More Renegade mechanised units push forwards and deploy
The Commandos take losses to Volscani fire
Wary of anti-tank weapons, the Volscani move into the crossroads on foot
Commandos advance to get their hellguns into effective range
The second squad provides fire support
Meanwhile, the Grey Knights and Sisters continue to punish advancing renegade infantry with bolter fire
The Volscani lose a transport
The Command Leman Russ spots the Volscani Command Team skulking in the woods and lands a battle cannon shell right on target
The Renegade Commissar staggers from the burning trees and is evacuated to the rear
The Volscani press the Imperial defenders as the fighting becomes close
Volscani infantry push on, despite horrendous losses to the Sisters and Grey Knights
Imperial armour presses forwards to take the initiative
Volscani mechanised units and heavy weapons teams attempt to counter
The crossroads is now a solid Imperial firebase
A Hellhound incinerates Volscani mounted infantry
Renegade heavy weapons knock out a Sister Rhino
Dismounted Volscani move into the trees for cover as they advance on the crossroads
The first Commando squad takes casualties
The Renegade infantry is running out of troops trying to cross open ground in the face of fierce Imperial fire
The Hellhound moves up and burns the woods, along with the Volscani infantry inside, breaking the assault
The surviving sergeant of Commando squad one takes out the nearby Volscani Chimera with a melta bomb
The Volscani assault is beaten off and the surviving renegade forces retreat. Inquisitor Bellerophon takes stock of the situation alongside the Grey Knights. Imperial victory!
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From atop the ruined tower, Inquisitor Bellerophon watched the ranger infantry policing the Volscani dead. Were it not for the blasphemous images scrawled on their armour, the fallen renegades could have easily been loyal guardsmen. He wondered yet again what it was that lured so many to damn themselves in service of the Ruinous Powers.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the Grey Knight Brother Sergeant.
“Inquisitor, we have completed our sweep of the area – both physical and psychic. We detect no trace of daemonic influence or presence. The enemy force was a purely mundane threat”
Bellerophon pondered this information. Whatever the ritual was they had previously encountered, this new development represented a significant escalation in the enemy’s strategy. The deployment of mechanised infantry signaled the war was entering a new phase. The Volscani were no rabble, but a highly trained, well equipped force.
“My thanks Brother-Sergeant. Your sword arm and that of your brothers helped carry the day and we are in your debt’
The Grey Knight inclined his helm in response. “We shall return to our watch station on Triskelion VI and consult with the prognosticators. The daemonic threat has not subsided – it has merely hidden itself from our eyes. I have no doubt they will return again and when they do, we shall be waiting”
The Grey Knight took his leave, leading his Astartes to their Rhino transports. Bellerophon was left to mull this new turn of events and what it portended for the Triskelion campaign.
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Next battle – tanks tanks tanks! Two large armoured forces clash in a meeting engagement on a barren valley floor. Victory for either side will allow a breakthrough of enemy lines….
