Tyranids threaten aleph sector

+++TOP SECRET TALLAXIAN REPORT+++Reports are coming in of increasing tyranid activity on Tantalon V. It has been reported that a dark eldar raiding party and a force of "penetrator" chaos marines have recently succumbed to the aliens in recent days. This can only mean that the tyranids are attempting to gain control of the planet. Without a spacefleet the threat is low, but our scientists predict that with the biomass of Tantalon V the aliens will be able to fashion a new fleet and threaten the sector once more...+++END+++

Myrentas II update

+++2811.006M42+++
The operation to take Myrentas II for the imperium centred on the cities of Whiteridge, held by the Iron Warriors, and Rockwell, currently inhabited by humans, orks and aliens who enjoyed a relatively peaceful co-existence outside the rule of the Imperium before now.The Pirate Warlords of Rockwell were unimpressed with either the Imperial landings or the Iron Warriors bas just a few hundred miles down the road. They had tolerated the chaos ruled city for a number of years, but the invasion had stirred the Iron Warriors into life and now they were threatening the city. Having no standing army to defend itself Rockwell called for aid. After much negotiation a force of Ork Speedfreaks was acquired for the city's defence, while armed militiamen guarded the city itself.The attack by the Iron Warriors on Rockwell began with a sustained artillery bombardment which reduced much of the city to rubble. When the traitor legion finally assaulted the city the Orks proved less than effective and were cut down. By the evening of the 27th the Iron Warriors had half the city and were dug in, preparing for the next assault.News of this assault irritated the Imperial commander Elias on Myrentas II. He had been trying to gain the trust of Rockwell in order to use it as a base to assault the chaos marines. Now that chance had gone. The commander had little time to be annoyed however as soon reports of dark eldar raids flooded in. The dark eldar had made two concentrated raids on the right flank of the Imperial bridgehead, attacking the Blood Martyrs company and the Praetorian 42nd regiment, commanded by the less than able Captain Froman.The first assualt by the dark eldar was a shambles as the Blood Martyrs organised a rapid and aggressive defence, using their superior armour to blast the fragile dark eldar raiders to pieces. The second raid was more successful and inflicted casualties on the guard units, but was unable to do significant damage to the dug in regiment. All in all the imperial line held.When news of an eldar landing to the north of the imperial bridgehead arrived, the imperial commander was in no doubt that the two were working in union. For some reason the eldar and their dark kin were deliberately interfering with going on on Myrentas II, but no-one could figure out why.The eldar immediately made a spoiling attack on the orks outside Rockwell. The headstrong orks immediately took the bait and attacked headlong into quickly prepared eldar defences. The orks were badly mauled before the eldar mysteriously vanished, losing hardly any casualties. At the end of the battle the orks had come into contact with the Blood Martyrs and a series of skirmishes ensued. Now out of control having lost two Warlords in the space of a day the orks prepared to assualt the imperial lines, leaving the remaining areas of Rockwell vulnerable to assault from the Iron Warriors. Belatedly the eldar plan became all to clear. The Imperium now had the orks AND Iron Warriors to contend with on Myrentas II. Commander Elias immediately requested reinforcements to be sent to the planet.

CATERWAUL BEGINS

Operation Caterwaul started with the invasion of Myrentas II. The planet's three main cities, governed by pirate outlaws according to intelligence, were identified as the main objectives. It was thought that if one could be taken the others would surrender through fear, especially if marines were used in the first drop.

With this in mind a task force was assembled comprising of two Blood Martyrs companies and 3 imperial guard regiments. The Blood Martyrs would assault the cities in turn (if necessary) while a regiment of Guard would be assigned to garisson the conquests. Listening posts could then be set up as intended.

The fleet consisted of the Strike Cruiser Torture escorted by Cyclone, Tornado and Typhoon. The Imperial guard regiments travelled on the troopships Sovereign and Guardian.

The initial landings by the Blood Martyrs and the Scyllian 9th regiment went unopposed. Soon however it became aparent that things were not all as they seemed on Myrentas II. Initial scouting missions uncovered the fact that the city had been fortified significantly. Soon an artillery bombardment confirmed that the imperial forces had been spotted! The Scyllians were pulled back out of range while the Blood Martyrs prepared a lightning assault on the city. It was then they noticed the defenders were Iron Warriors.

Chaplain Infernus report - engagement with Iron warriors 1811.006M42 Myrentas II.

Our assault started with a bombardment from Torture which was less than satisfactory, leaving the Iron Warriors earthworks and tank traps largely untouched. Never-the-less we attackes scoring a quick success, destroying a squad of enemy bikes. The success was short lived however as two accursed obliterators appeared behind our lines, destroying our dreadnought and Predator. The attack continued however and we destroyed another squad of chaos marines before their fire became to intense and we had to withdraw.

This was a major setback to operation Caterwaul and further scouting missions confirmed the presence of traitor marines in the other two cities. The remaining imperial guard were landed and the troopships released for other duties. The small imperial force on the planet was now supported only by Torture and her escorts and would have to fight alone against unknown Iron Warrior forces. They dug in and waited for further instructions.

The news of the defeat was not recieved well in Imperial GHQ with Cardinal Sheriden reacting badly. One of his aides described the scene at a meeting of the general staff.

The Cardinal appeared most upset at the beginning of the meeting. We knew that meant bad news. His back was turned as the generals filed in. Without a word they sat down and waited for Sheriden to speak. At last he turned around, his face dark with frustration.

"Can we not find a commander who can win against these damned Iron Warriors?”

He glared at his commanders until Lord Xertes spoke.

"The dark angels...."

"Damn the dark angels!", interupted Sheriden, "have you not heard? We've not had contact with them for three weeks!"

Tau give Marines "Bloody Nose"

+++Tallaxian News Agency 0411.006M42+++

With the recent conquest of Einmyrria in the Hellheim system the Imperium are gradually increasing the pressure on our Tau allies with the Sons Of Ultramar battlebarge Harbinger and strike cruiser Antilles now present in the Protogonus system. With the additional presence of the Imperial fleet, including the flagship Iron Duke, the Imperium were able to drop several more companies of marines onto Protogonus.

These forces moved towards the Tau compound last night and engaged in two fierce and bloody firefights with our allies. However both attacks were beaten back with our UFP ambassador telling of how the marines were given a "bloody nose" when they expected an easy fight.
None-the-less the overwhelming firepower of the Imperial Fleet around the Tau planet now makes this a siege. The Sons Of Ultramar have retreated back into the forests for now but there is little the UFP or Tau can do for the time being to help their comrades on Protogonus. The tau must hold out until reinforcements can arrive and smash the imperial fleet!

Long live the UFP and the democratic way!

+++Tau must avoid losing 2 out of the next 3 games to Sons Of Ultramar+++

In other news the Imperial commander, Cardinal Fang has announced a general blockade of the Protogonus and Hellhiem systems. UFP ships attempting to break this blockade will be fired upon. The Cardinal is determined that no supplies will reach the Tau on Protogonus or Cernunnos. The UFP has protested loudly, saying that once again the Imperium have gone back on their word, and treaty obligations guaranteeing UFP independence from Imperial command. No official declaration of war has been made by either side, but pressure from hard line elements in the Imperium can only mean one thing - WAR!