Tau defeat Sky Lords at Andar

In the Mabb Nebula, the war on Tyndareous became somewhat static as the Lycaon Guard dug in, waiting for reinforcement. Meanwhile the Sky Lords continued to carry our raids across the sector, attempting to wreck the Tau infrastructure and prevent a coordinated response to the Imperial invasion.

The Tau however, emboldened by their defeat of the Sky Lords at Waystation 233, put together their own plan. They identified Andar Mining Station, on the main stable warp route between Tyndareous and Tyranteous - both Tau held - as a significant strategic objective. General Van Dorn was also aware of this potential weakness, but was initially surprise by the ferocity of the Tau invasion of the station, and the garrison was quickly overrun.

In response the Sky Lords simply diverted from their planned raid and made landfall on Andar, finding the Tau secured in the former Imperial base. A key objective was the fort at Abu-Khim, which overlooked the main mining complex and provided the Tau with a commanding view over the plains.

The Sky Lords prepared a frontal assault, a plan which seemed highly questionable even at the planning stages, but the astartes were confident that they would simply smash through the Xenos lines. The Sky Lords prepared their land raiders and made their way to Abu-Khim, finding the defences manned and the Tau well prepared.

The Sky Lords employed significant power from the air and from space. First conducting a rather unsuccessful air strike with Stormhawk interceptors, followed by a rather more successful orbital strike from the cruiser Peregrine. However the damage was minimal and the Tau remained entrenched in their positions.

The Astartes force now charged up the hill towards the fort, lascannons from the land raiders and flamestorm cannons from the Redeemer causing carnage amongst the kroot, and inflicting some damage to the Tau Ghost Keel battlesuits. However, the Tau response was rapid, coordinated and overwhelming. Massed firepower flashed out against the Sky Lords from a seemingly endless array of powerful weapons, and the Tau quickly obliterated the Sky Lords' land raiders. It was almost as if the Tau had anticipated the Imperial response and planned and equipped accordingly.

Having dispatched the heavy armour, the Tau commander gave the order for a general counter-attack, the xenos battlesuits moving into deadly medium range and wiping out the remainder of the insertion force. The only survivor, rather suspiciously, being the accompanying Sky Lords Tech-Priest, who was duly captured by the Tau. Following the crushing defeat the Sky Lords abandoned Veers in the Mabb Nebula, having been somewhat crippled by their engagements with the Tau and in desperate need of a refit.

The Tau meanwhile consolidated their hold on Andar station, opening up a new route of reinforcement from Tyranteous. The Imperial force at the Tyndareous bridgehead now looked more isolated than ever.