Battle Report Three
The dark green Thunderhawk landed hard, its hatches already open to allow the Dark Angels to disembark
as swiftly as possible.
His troops on the ground, Master Ciaphas ordered them forward, wanting to take as much ground as
possible before being engaged. Hardly had he left for the new positions outlined on his tactical display, before he saw the
Eldar formations in the distance. There was no way that he could reach the optimal position before getting contact. To advance
further would be foolhardy, and leave his men exposed in the open; better to halt and prepare to face the oncoming xenos.
Yet, he had a bad feeling about the coming struggle…
Force Dispositions:
Detachment Vendetta: Master Ciaphas, Epistolary Daedalus, Deathwing
Terminator Squad Valerian, 1st Tactical Squad “Kain” w. Rhino, 4th Tactical Squad, 5th
Tactical Squad, Ravenwing Landspeeder Tornado “Reaper”, Ravenwing Landspeeder “Angel’s Wing”,
Ravenwing Attack Bike Squadron Beta, Whirlwind “Lion’s Wrath”
Rhiadan Host: Farseer, 9 Striking Scorpions, 20 Defender Guardians
w. Warlock, 2*5 Man Storm Guardians w. Warlock, 6 Rangers, 2 Vypers w. CTM & Starcannons, Wave Serpent, Falcon, 2 Wraithlords
Turn 1:
Eldar:
The Eldar advance seemed unstoppable. Rapidly the Rangers assumed their positions within the central
copse of trees, and behind a rocky formation on their left, the two Vypers along with the Wave Serpent and the Defender Guardians
deployed. On their right, the Falcon, along with the two Wraithlords started to approach the Dark Angels.
Popping out from behind their cover, the two Vypers unleashed a barrage of shots at the Attack
Bikes, which were rapidly decimated, as the hot munitions tore through the bikes and ignited their fuel tanks. The Wave Serpeant
fired at the Rhino, stunning it. Shortly thereafter, one of the Wraithlords raised its fist, and the Starcannon mounted on
it unleashed a deadly accurate volley which saw the transport vehicle destroyed. The Falcon fired its Starcannon at the Marines
in its path, but thanks to the excellent cover provided, only one Marine fell foul of the Eldar fire. The Rangers in the forest
fired at Squad “Kain”, felling two Marines. Lastly, the remaining Wraithlord fired at “Reaper”, which
promptly erupted in a ball of fire.
Dark Angels:
The Eldar had taken a grim toll of the Dark Angels, and Master Ciaphas knew that he had to act
fast in order to regain the initiative. Knowing that his Marines would do their utmost to secure victory, Ciaphas advanced
forward with Squad “Kain”, past the wrecks of Squadron Beta. Gunning the engine, “Angel’s Wing”
sped forward towards the Falcon, and with that the Dark Angels movement was complete.
Firing their Multimelta, the incandescent beam punched through its holofields, downing the vessel
with a large crash, resulting in two of the Storm Guardians becoming mangled in the wreck. The Whirlwind fired at the Wave
Serpent, but its aim proved to be off, injuring no one. 4th and 5th Squad fired at the closet Wraithlord,
but as both plasma guns overheated, killing one of the gunners, and one of the Lascannons missing, the alien construct was
left standing, though severely wounded. Having advanced towards the downed Falcon, Squad “Kain” remorselessly
gunned down the three survivors.
Turn 2:
Eldar:
Zooming up onto the hill behind which the Whirlwind was sheltered, dominating the Dark Angel’s
right flank. In the centre, the Guardians advanced yet further, whilst the Wraithlords advanced yet further.
The Vypers once again popped out from behind their shelter, and fired at Squad “Kain”,
though their aim proved off, and only a single Marine fell. The Wraithlords fired at the 4th and 5th,
though again, only a single Marine fell. The Wave Serpent fired its brightlance at the Whirlwind, which shock from the impact,
and then promptly exploded. Covered by the other forces, the Storm Guardian Squad on the Eldar left fleeted forward, bringing
them very close to the Marine lines.
Dark Angels:
Advancing yet further, Squad “Kain” neared the Eldar lines, and Ciaphas activated his
jump pack, and in a bounding leap moved forward. On the Angel’s right flank, Squad Valerian moved to threaten the Serpent.
Squad “Kain” opened up at the Defender Squad from close range, and promptly 5 Guardians
were killed by mass-reactive bolts. 4th and 5th Squad once again fired at the Wraithlord, but to no
effect. The Deathwing Terminators levelled their Assault Cannons at the Serpent, and fired as best they had practised. As
the Cannons unleashed a hail of projectiles, the only result was that the transport became stunned.
Master Ciaphas wanted to assault the Guardians, but proved to be just out of range, but no such
ill-luck hampered the Deathwing, who charged the Wave Serpent. Alas, their Powerfists were incapable of affecting the armoured
vehicle, which proved to be too difficult to hit.
Turn 3:
Eldar:
Seeing their vehicle so assaulted, the Scorpions dismounted, whilst the Storm Guardian Squad swept
forward, closing on the Terminators. The Wraithlords moved slightly back towards their own lines, bringing Master Ciaphas
into view of their lethal weapons.
Determined to bring down the leader of Strike Force Vendetta, the Farseer sent out a psychic signal,
heard by all his warriors, who immediately trained their sights on Ciaphas. As one, the Rangers, along with the two Vypers,
the two Wraithlords and the Guardian Squad fired everything they could at the Dark Angels Master. As shuriken, starcannon
and brighlance munitions impacted on Ciaphas, he was surrounded by a shimmering field of energy, and when the blaze subsided,
Ciaphas, Master of the Dark Angels, stood unscathed!
Not about to be denied some measure of blood, the Eldar Striking Scorpions charged the Deathwing,
and in a flurry of slashing chainswords and their Exarch wielding his powerfist with deadly efficiency, the proud veterans
were all rapidly laid low.
Dark Angels:
Master Ciaphas looked around and saw that his position was now untenable. His left flank was non-existent,
and his line was about to be rolled up. Through gritted teeth, his voice seething with anger at having been so bested by the
foul xenos scum, Ciaphas gave the order to withdraw. The advanced elements of the Imperial Guard armour would have to die.
Hopefully, they would do so with honour…
Epilogue:
Crouched behind a pile of rocks, Master Ciaphas picked his targets carefully, his bolt pistol held
awkwardly in his lightning claw-gauntlet. The Host of Rhiadan had pursued them as they withdrew, though the retreat or rather,
the strategic-withdrawal, had been conducted with faultless efficiency, each unit providing covering fire in turn. The Thunderhawks
had to arrive soon, or else they would be lost.
As Ciaphas darted over to Veteran Sergeant Kain, his vox-link suddenly came alive and the calm
voice of Daedalus, slightly garbled, spoke in his ear “He is here…I can feel him.” Ducking to avoid a burst
from a Starcannon, not tempted to try his luck a second time, Ciaphas snarled into the link ”Who? What are you talking
about?” With a slightly impatient tone the Epistolary merely said: “Mel’thion”. Looking out from behind
the flimsy cover which he was now in, Ciaphas saw a large squad of Eldar warriors run forward, led by an individual in bright,
white garments. Mel’thion, no doubt, so sure of his victory.
At that very moment, a single Thunderhawk raced across the sky, laying down a hail of fire, halting
the Eldar advance. Knowing the time was short, Ciaphas voxed all his troops “Ready to extract! Commence…now!”
As the Thunderhawk came down its port opened, allowing the Marines to fall back into the safety of it hull, as the cheering
Eldar fired a last, ineffective volley at them…
