Editor's Note: Many factors come into play during warfare in the 41st century, particularly when it comes taking chances - a roll of the dice. We just report the facts, come what may.
On the western edge of the Presko Plains there lies the Delgando Desert, a broad expanse covering thousands of Imperial cubits. Great quicksand seas limit the routes available to reach the Bozerite mines some 400 leagues deep in the desert. These mines are critical to the Imperial production of void armour. One of the principle roads to the mines is dominated by a small hill in the midst of a flat plain, known as Medino's Rise.
Through a number of political and financial maneuvers, The Purple Reign Space Wolves of Von Bryan had gained control of these mines. Other parties in the Imperial government of the region were committed to regaining that control and assembled a battle force of Grey Knights and a motley band of Astares free-booters who were reorganizing in the area. They were to travel to the Bozerite mines and make a show of force while negotiations commenced at high levels. They chose to take the route past Medino's Rise.
A detachment of The Purples occupy the Rise.
They are under the command of Ragnar the Incensed, who had been seriously wounded by a Tyranid Carnafex years ago and contracted a virus that damaged his metabolism in such a way that he has since been forced to exist in extremely cold temperatures. He travels in a specially refrigerated rhino. This explains why appears to be covered in frost.
The Purples are well armed
Shortly, the Imperial force arrives and move to battle formmation.
Unexpectedly, a detachment of Necrons appear on the Purples left, joining in on the attack
In the center, the Freebooters under Captain Alex of the Rocks
On the right, Grey Knights of Colonel Skof the Dreaded approach past the detruit of a prior Blood Angel foray.
A Drop Pod assault by Ultra Marine Freebooters begins on the Purples right
The Freebooters charge a rhino up the gut, hoping to take advantage of the confusion in the Purples lines. Jump infantry back up Brother Jamson's Dreadnaught
The Grey Knights move up to support the Ultra Marines but struggle through difficult terrain.
The Necrons move tentatively forward
The Rhino charge is met by a Purple Dread and the Marines begin to disembark to meet the threat
Brother Jamson leads infantry forward
The Marines open fire on the Dread
Not-so-purple warriors step out of their Razorback and open fire on the Ultras
More Marines jump in and pulverize the Ultras
The Grey Knights continue their push forward and finally break out of the undergrowth, but too late to save the Ultras
By now, Ragnar's left has chopped up the Necron threat with intense firepower. His center is threatened by the Freebooters. On his right, the Grey Knights charge forward, enraged that they had failed to come to the Ultras aid. The Not-so-purple Marines move back to their positions
by the Drop Pod.
The Purple Dread flames a bunch of Marines, but soon has both his arms blown off.
The Grey Knights charge in, bolters blazing. Not-so-purple Marines drop by the handful
Blood drenched from repelling an assault, the Grey Knights call for more
The Freebooters move to disassemble the second Dread as Jump infantry roll up the flank
More Purple infantry poor out of another Razorback and the ridge survivors rally. The Grey Knights pause to pick their quarry.
[b]At this point, Regional command calls off the attack and orders a withdrawal to preserve the force for the inevitable next engagement. Altho the Von Bryan's Purple Reign held, the Astares force was still a threat. The outcome was...indecisive.
