Sunday, June 24, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
The Battle Of Cerberex
The battle of Cerberex was the largest fleet encounter between the UFP fleet and the Imperial fleet in the Aleph Sector. The events which led up to this titanic encounter were long and complex but the main reason was the UFP’s desire to conquer the planet of Cerberex itself.
Were Cerberex captured the Federation would control all routes into the sub sector, an excellent strategic position. They would only face a real threat from the Chaos forces on Kendrenec, but with the Zadoc reach and the Valitane run shored up, the UFP fleet could contain this with patrols and the mighty UFP fleet.
Haskel had arrived in the sector with eight cruisers, a grand cruiser and a Despoiler class battleship. Since then however he had added four new cruisers (two mars class and two dominator class) built at the shipyards of Tallax. Early in the campaign the light cruisers Romulus and Remus, with their Tallaxian crew, had defected to the UFP.
The Imperium was still stronger in the sector however, with four battleships and seventeen cruisers. However, in the middle of 007M42 the advantage was lost as external factors gave the UFP a golden opportunity to strike at the heart of Imperial rule in the sector.
The first blow was the Tau invasion of Melberg. This forced Admiral Jellicoe to move a substantial part of his fleet to defend the planet. While in transit the second blow fell on the Imperial defenders. Cerberex had always been defended by innumerable static defences, minefields, space stations and gun batteries which had turned the planet into a fortress. Only a truly massive fleet would ever be able to assail this position and the UFP could not afford the losses. Public opinion in the democratic Union abhorred wasted life.
Then using a blasphemous Necron device the fleet of Kendrenec led by the Warsmith Gallowfen was able to breach this fortress. All systems in the Cerberex area failed as the Necron device somehow interfered with the machinery of the Imperium. The fleet, disabled, was able to get clear, but a lane of defences had been rendered useless. Once the Chaos ships landed their troops on the planet they retreated, fearful of a devastating response from the Imperium. The UFP however hastily formed up an invasion plan of their own.
The Imperial fleet had now been reduced to something comparable with the UFP fleet. Battlegroup Tallax were still on station at Myrentas II, which was unfortunate, but the federal government voted overwhelmingly to invade Cerberex as soon as possible. The planet they coveted could not be allowed to fall into Chaos hands.
Admiral Haskel himself would lead the task force consisting of over one hundred vessels, mostly transports and fuel tankers. Only ten capital ships were available, but with the forces at his disposal the Grand Admiral was confident of victory.
Capital Ships in the UFP Task Force
Hand Of Freedom
Ravager
Radiant Light
Stellar Vengeance
Redemption
Pride Of Sartosa
Arbitrator
Pride Of Hartak
Errant Marauder
Radiant Light
Capital Ships defending Cerberex
Colossus
Sword Of Damocles
Intrepid
Galileo
Repulse
Conquerer
Invincible
Titan
Prelude to Battle
Grand Admiral Haskel arrived in the outer reaches of the Cerberex system in good time. He decided to leave the transports in the Empyrean while the fleet dealt with the approaching Imperial defenders who had been alerted to his presence by the UFP task force’s massive warp signature. He would engage the Imperial fleet, destroy it or force it to flee, then escort the troop transports to the planet for landing.
The strategy was not without risk and was time critical. Haskel knew he only had a day before the transports would have to jump into real space or risk being wisely scattered on the warp currents. This would leave them easy prey to the Imperial fleet if he had not succeeded in committing them to a decisive engagement. Fortunately for the UFP Grand Admiral the Imperial defenders were not aware of his plans and were about to gift him the perfect opportunity.
Admiral Craddock had no intention to let the UFP get close to the capital of the Imperium in the Aleph Sector and as soon as the UFP ships were detected he ordered the fleet to the system’s jump point, intent on surprising the UFP task force and destroying the heavily laden troop carriers.
When the UFP ships did jump into real space his scouting escorts soon reported the presence of nine capital ships, but no transports. Craddock realised the Grand Admiral’s plan too late and was unable to avoid a fleet action. Grudgingly the Imperial commander formed the fleet into line ahead and approached the enemy, his two battleships leading the line.
Haskel also detected the Imperial battlefleet as he dropped out of the warp. Initially there was some concern among the UFP officers that they would not have enough time to form up before the battle. This would give the Imperium a stunning victory through sheer luck. Fortunately the Grand Admiral had just enough time to order his ships with the slaughter class vessels to the fore, before setting the fleet onto an intercept course.
As the two fleets approached each other in line astern both admirals prepared to pass each other to deliver the maximum broadsides. At 01:00 on 1606.007M42 Admiral Haskell turned the UFP fleet slightly towards the Imperials as he approached and the distance began to diminish rapidly. Craddock, aware the Grand Admiral was attempting to close with his fleet as quickly as possible attempted to open the range by turning two points to port. Craddock wanted to keep the UFP at long range for as long as possible, but by 01:07 it was clear that any further turns risked the Imperial fleet being surrounded from the rear. Travelling on parallel courses the two fleets approached. Hand Of Freedom opened fire at 01:22 and the battle of Cerberex had begun.
The Battle
The initial salvoes from the ships with long range weaponry were out of range at 01:30. Grand Admiral Haskel ordered his fleet to turn to starboard and close with the enemy. The three slaughter class cruisers did just that and increased speed while the rest of the fleet turned in more slowly. In front of the fleet Haskel’s six excort vessels also followed the order to close, though there remains some doubt as to whether the order applied to them.
Never-the-less the six Iconoclast raiders charged the rear of the Imperial line but their firepower was ineffective. The Sword class escorts of the Cerberex battlgroup counterattacked and the Iconoclasts were lucky to withdraw with four of their number still operational. The first strike of the day had been made by the Imperium.
However the attack had left the four sword class vessels extremely vulnerable as the Errant Marauder, Arbitrator and Pride of Sartosa, with their faster speed, accelerated away from the rest of the UFP vessels and bore down on the escorts. The result was inevitable as the Swords were torn apart. Only one survived the initial onslaught.
Meanwhile the van of the UFP fleet had approached to within weapons range of the battleships and heavier cruisers of both fleets. Admiral Cradock ordered his battleships to turn 45 degrees to starboard and fire at the nearest enemy cruiser. The luckless target was the Pride of Hartak, a carnage class cruiser which had strayed just a little to close to the Imperial line.
The order was given to open fire and Colossus and Sword of Damocles soon had the enemy vessel straddled. Despite her attempts to avoid the incoming fire the ship was hit on her starboard side, the shot penetrating her armour and causing ruinous damage to her thruster array. Critically robbed of her manoeuvrability the Pride of Hartak received several more hits and was crippled before she could lurch out of line behind the cover of the rest of the fleet.
The UFP response was swift. While the two Imperial battleships were pouring fire into the rear of the UFP line the three slaughter class vessels had turned towards the Imperial fleet and were now involved in an unequal duel with Galileo, Invincible and Conquerer, Supported by longer range firing from the Warlord which was struggling to keep up.
The three Imperial ships were unable to concentrate their fire while the UFP vessels poured shot after shot into the rear of the Imperial line. Too far from the enemy Titan couldn’t help out as the shields of her consorts flared with impacts. Invincible was soon crippled as was Galileo as both ships took the brunt of the enemy firepower. Weaving to dodge the incoming fire the two ships had also inadvertently closed with the UFP and now the fate of both was sealed as bomber waves from the Hand Of Freedom approached to finish them off.
Conquerer was luckier, using the moon Paraxtas as cover before heading for a nearby gas cloud to escape. She too though was seriously damaged and never returned to the fight. Invincible meanwhile was facing a full bomber wave from Hand of Freedom as Intrepid, at the head of the Imperial line, had had trouble launching her fighters and they were still out of range. Despite the fierce anti-aircraft fire the Invincible was left a burning wreck as bombs penetrated her armour from bow to stern.
Worse was to follow. As the internal fires reached her plasma drive the propulsion unit overloaded and the ship detonated in a cataclysmic fireball which produced a shockwave strong enough to inflict further damage as it bathed the Galileo in fire and shrapnel. Barely recovering from the effects of this blast a wave of bombers from Stellar Vengeance arrived leaving the ship a burning wreck. Unable to regain control the Galileo’s surviving crew suffered an unfortunate end as the ship vaporised when she impacted with the nearby moon.
The loss of the two cruisers in the centre of the Imperial line was a devastating blow to Craddock’s battle plan. Now Titan was cut off to the rear as she was pursued by the three slaughter class vessels and the remaining Iconoclasts. Craddock immediately ordered a 90 degree turn to starboard for the remaining four lead ships, allowing Colossus and Sword Of Damocles to engage the entire UFP line.
Grand Admiral Haskel meanwhile was exceedingly pleased, realising that total victory lay in his grasp. He remained unconcerned when the entire Imperial fleet turned towards him and started opening fire on the nearest UFP slaughter class vessel.
On Errant Marauder things were rapidly turning into a shambles as they paid the price for being the lead UFP slaughter class in the fleet. Fire from Colossus, Sword of Damocles and Repulse was simply too much to bear as the starboard side of the vessel suffered multiple impacts, killing hundreds of men and starting hundreds of fires. In an attempt to shield their comrade the four remaining Iconoclasts rapidly closed with the two mighty Imperial vessels, but the manoeuvre was in vain. The Imperial battle line switched its fire for a few minutes, destroying the remaining escorts, before returning to the destruction of Errant Marauder at 03:40.
At the same time the Intrepid, up till now unable to bring her guns to bear, had turned sufficiently to allow her Nova Cannon to become active. With a blinding flash a lucky shot detonated on the Radiant Light, crippling her and sending her careening towards the Imperial line. Admiral Craddock smelt blood in the water and immediately ordered a torpedo run by the under pressure Titan to finish her.
Both ships, heavily damaged, approached each other head on. Titan managed to loose her full compliment of torpedoes at the UFP battlecruiser before being pummelled by the UFP battle line and reduced to a hulk, Arbitrator firing the decisive shot which sheared off the Imperial vessel’s bridge superstructure and port engines. Titan’s guns fell silent.
Against the odds Radiant Light dodged Titan’s death run and survived just long enough to drift into the sights of Sword of Damocles. Recognising the importance of the UFP battlecruiser the Imperial battleship switched her fire from the devastated Errant Marauder to reduce Radiant Light to a hulk. The ship drifted powerless through the void but unlike the Imperial vessels, did not explode.
By 03:50 the greater manoeuvrability of the pre-heresy ships had allowed them to take up a favourable tactical position to the rear and to the starboard side of the remaining four Imperial vessels. Having lost four cruisers (three destroyed and one disengaged) to two and one crippled the UFP were also numerically superior. That advantage grew when the Repulse, now at the rear of the Imperial line, faced concentrated fire from the entire UFP line. She was crippled in short shrift and her captain decided to ignore Craddock’s “to the death” signal and disengaged, masking his retreat using a nearby gas cloud.
The Imperium now had three ships facing seven, and though powerful the retribution class vessels could in no way stand up to the weight of fire Haskel could now bring to bear. Despite crippling the Stellar Vengeance the Imperial ships’ fate was sealed. Intrepid was the first to go at 04:10, once again detonating as her plasma drive overloaded. Sword of Damocles faced a similar fate when the UFP fleet closed to an almost suicidal range and the ensuing explosion caused significant damage to Ravager who withdrew briefly to lick her wounds.
Colossus was soon the only ship left but Admiral Cradock refused to surrender. Fire from Ravager, Pride of Sartosa, Warlord and Arbitrator crippled the vessel before Haskel ordered the Hand of Freedom to close to within boarding range. The UFP flagship fired the final shots into the stricken Imperial battleship before boarding her. After a brief firefight the Imperial flagship surrendered and the battle of Cerberex was over.
Were Cerberex captured the Federation would control all routes into the sub sector, an excellent strategic position. They would only face a real threat from the Chaos forces on Kendrenec, but with the Zadoc reach and the Valitane run shored up, the UFP fleet could contain this with patrols and the mighty UFP fleet.
Haskel had arrived in the sector with eight cruisers, a grand cruiser and a Despoiler class battleship. Since then however he had added four new cruisers (two mars class and two dominator class) built at the shipyards of Tallax. Early in the campaign the light cruisers Romulus and Remus, with their Tallaxian crew, had defected to the UFP.
The Imperium was still stronger in the sector however, with four battleships and seventeen cruisers. However, in the middle of 007M42 the advantage was lost as external factors gave the UFP a golden opportunity to strike at the heart of Imperial rule in the sector.
The first blow was the Tau invasion of Melberg. This forced Admiral Jellicoe to move a substantial part of his fleet to defend the planet. While in transit the second blow fell on the Imperial defenders. Cerberex had always been defended by innumerable static defences, minefields, space stations and gun batteries which had turned the planet into a fortress. Only a truly massive fleet would ever be able to assail this position and the UFP could not afford the losses. Public opinion in the democratic Union abhorred wasted life.
Then using a blasphemous Necron device the fleet of Kendrenec led by the Warsmith Gallowfen was able to breach this fortress. All systems in the Cerberex area failed as the Necron device somehow interfered with the machinery of the Imperium. The fleet, disabled, was able to get clear, but a lane of defences had been rendered useless. Once the Chaos ships landed their troops on the planet they retreated, fearful of a devastating response from the Imperium. The UFP however hastily formed up an invasion plan of their own.
The Imperial fleet had now been reduced to something comparable with the UFP fleet. Battlegroup Tallax were still on station at Myrentas II, which was unfortunate, but the federal government voted overwhelmingly to invade Cerberex as soon as possible. The planet they coveted could not be allowed to fall into Chaos hands.
Admiral Haskel himself would lead the task force consisting of over one hundred vessels, mostly transports and fuel tankers. Only ten capital ships were available, but with the forces at his disposal the Grand Admiral was confident of victory.
Capital Ships in the UFP Task Force
Hand Of Freedom
Ravager
Radiant Light
Stellar Vengeance
Redemption
Pride Of Sartosa
Arbitrator
Pride Of Hartak
Errant Marauder
Radiant Light
Capital Ships defending Cerberex
Colossus
Sword Of Damocles
Intrepid
Galileo
Repulse
Conquerer
Invincible
Titan
Prelude to Battle
Grand Admiral Haskel arrived in the outer reaches of the Cerberex system in good time. He decided to leave the transports in the Empyrean while the fleet dealt with the approaching Imperial defenders who had been alerted to his presence by the UFP task force’s massive warp signature. He would engage the Imperial fleet, destroy it or force it to flee, then escort the troop transports to the planet for landing.
The strategy was not without risk and was time critical. Haskel knew he only had a day before the transports would have to jump into real space or risk being wisely scattered on the warp currents. This would leave them easy prey to the Imperial fleet if he had not succeeded in committing them to a decisive engagement. Fortunately for the UFP Grand Admiral the Imperial defenders were not aware of his plans and were about to gift him the perfect opportunity.
Admiral Craddock had no intention to let the UFP get close to the capital of the Imperium in the Aleph Sector and as soon as the UFP ships were detected he ordered the fleet to the system’s jump point, intent on surprising the UFP task force and destroying the heavily laden troop carriers.
When the UFP ships did jump into real space his scouting escorts soon reported the presence of nine capital ships, but no transports. Craddock realised the Grand Admiral’s plan too late and was unable to avoid a fleet action. Grudgingly the Imperial commander formed the fleet into line ahead and approached the enemy, his two battleships leading the line.
Haskel also detected the Imperial battlefleet as he dropped out of the warp. Initially there was some concern among the UFP officers that they would not have enough time to form up before the battle. This would give the Imperium a stunning victory through sheer luck. Fortunately the Grand Admiral had just enough time to order his ships with the slaughter class vessels to the fore, before setting the fleet onto an intercept course.
As the two fleets approached each other in line astern both admirals prepared to pass each other to deliver the maximum broadsides. At 01:00 on 1606.007M42 Admiral Haskell turned the UFP fleet slightly towards the Imperials as he approached and the distance began to diminish rapidly. Craddock, aware the Grand Admiral was attempting to close with his fleet as quickly as possible attempted to open the range by turning two points to port. Craddock wanted to keep the UFP at long range for as long as possible, but by 01:07 it was clear that any further turns risked the Imperial fleet being surrounded from the rear. Travelling on parallel courses the two fleets approached. Hand Of Freedom opened fire at 01:22 and the battle of Cerberex had begun.
The Battle
The initial salvoes from the ships with long range weaponry were out of range at 01:30. Grand Admiral Haskel ordered his fleet to turn to starboard and close with the enemy. The three slaughter class cruisers did just that and increased speed while the rest of the fleet turned in more slowly. In front of the fleet Haskel’s six excort vessels also followed the order to close, though there remains some doubt as to whether the order applied to them.
Never-the-less the six Iconoclast raiders charged the rear of the Imperial line but their firepower was ineffective. The Sword class escorts of the Cerberex battlgroup counterattacked and the Iconoclasts were lucky to withdraw with four of their number still operational. The first strike of the day had been made by the Imperium.
However the attack had left the four sword class vessels extremely vulnerable as the Errant Marauder, Arbitrator and Pride of Sartosa, with their faster speed, accelerated away from the rest of the UFP vessels and bore down on the escorts. The result was inevitable as the Swords were torn apart. Only one survived the initial onslaught.
Meanwhile the van of the UFP fleet had approached to within weapons range of the battleships and heavier cruisers of both fleets. Admiral Cradock ordered his battleships to turn 45 degrees to starboard and fire at the nearest enemy cruiser. The luckless target was the Pride of Hartak, a carnage class cruiser which had strayed just a little to close to the Imperial line.
The order was given to open fire and Colossus and Sword of Damocles soon had the enemy vessel straddled. Despite her attempts to avoid the incoming fire the ship was hit on her starboard side, the shot penetrating her armour and causing ruinous damage to her thruster array. Critically robbed of her manoeuvrability the Pride of Hartak received several more hits and was crippled before she could lurch out of line behind the cover of the rest of the fleet.
The UFP response was swift. While the two Imperial battleships were pouring fire into the rear of the UFP line the three slaughter class vessels had turned towards the Imperial fleet and were now involved in an unequal duel with Galileo, Invincible and Conquerer, Supported by longer range firing from the Warlord which was struggling to keep up.
The three Imperial ships were unable to concentrate their fire while the UFP vessels poured shot after shot into the rear of the Imperial line. Too far from the enemy Titan couldn’t help out as the shields of her consorts flared with impacts. Invincible was soon crippled as was Galileo as both ships took the brunt of the enemy firepower. Weaving to dodge the incoming fire the two ships had also inadvertently closed with the UFP and now the fate of both was sealed as bomber waves from the Hand Of Freedom approached to finish them off.
Conquerer was luckier, using the moon Paraxtas as cover before heading for a nearby gas cloud to escape. She too though was seriously damaged and never returned to the fight. Invincible meanwhile was facing a full bomber wave from Hand of Freedom as Intrepid, at the head of the Imperial line, had had trouble launching her fighters and they were still out of range. Despite the fierce anti-aircraft fire the Invincible was left a burning wreck as bombs penetrated her armour from bow to stern.
Worse was to follow. As the internal fires reached her plasma drive the propulsion unit overloaded and the ship detonated in a cataclysmic fireball which produced a shockwave strong enough to inflict further damage as it bathed the Galileo in fire and shrapnel. Barely recovering from the effects of this blast a wave of bombers from Stellar Vengeance arrived leaving the ship a burning wreck. Unable to regain control the Galileo’s surviving crew suffered an unfortunate end as the ship vaporised when she impacted with the nearby moon.
The loss of the two cruisers in the centre of the Imperial line was a devastating blow to Craddock’s battle plan. Now Titan was cut off to the rear as she was pursued by the three slaughter class vessels and the remaining Iconoclasts. Craddock immediately ordered a 90 degree turn to starboard for the remaining four lead ships, allowing Colossus and Sword Of Damocles to engage the entire UFP line.
Grand Admiral Haskel meanwhile was exceedingly pleased, realising that total victory lay in his grasp. He remained unconcerned when the entire Imperial fleet turned towards him and started opening fire on the nearest UFP slaughter class vessel.
On Errant Marauder things were rapidly turning into a shambles as they paid the price for being the lead UFP slaughter class in the fleet. Fire from Colossus, Sword of Damocles and Repulse was simply too much to bear as the starboard side of the vessel suffered multiple impacts, killing hundreds of men and starting hundreds of fires. In an attempt to shield their comrade the four remaining Iconoclasts rapidly closed with the two mighty Imperial vessels, but the manoeuvre was in vain. The Imperial battle line switched its fire for a few minutes, destroying the remaining escorts, before returning to the destruction of Errant Marauder at 03:40.
At the same time the Intrepid, up till now unable to bring her guns to bear, had turned sufficiently to allow her Nova Cannon to become active. With a blinding flash a lucky shot detonated on the Radiant Light, crippling her and sending her careening towards the Imperial line. Admiral Craddock smelt blood in the water and immediately ordered a torpedo run by the under pressure Titan to finish her.
Both ships, heavily damaged, approached each other head on. Titan managed to loose her full compliment of torpedoes at the UFP battlecruiser before being pummelled by the UFP battle line and reduced to a hulk, Arbitrator firing the decisive shot which sheared off the Imperial vessel’s bridge superstructure and port engines. Titan’s guns fell silent.
Against the odds Radiant Light dodged Titan’s death run and survived just long enough to drift into the sights of Sword of Damocles. Recognising the importance of the UFP battlecruiser the Imperial battleship switched her fire from the devastated Errant Marauder to reduce Radiant Light to a hulk. The ship drifted powerless through the void but unlike the Imperial vessels, did not explode.
By 03:50 the greater manoeuvrability of the pre-heresy ships had allowed them to take up a favourable tactical position to the rear and to the starboard side of the remaining four Imperial vessels. Having lost four cruisers (three destroyed and one disengaged) to two and one crippled the UFP were also numerically superior. That advantage grew when the Repulse, now at the rear of the Imperial line, faced concentrated fire from the entire UFP line. She was crippled in short shrift and her captain decided to ignore Craddock’s “to the death” signal and disengaged, masking his retreat using a nearby gas cloud.
The Imperium now had three ships facing seven, and though powerful the retribution class vessels could in no way stand up to the weight of fire Haskel could now bring to bear. Despite crippling the Stellar Vengeance the Imperial ships’ fate was sealed. Intrepid was the first to go at 04:10, once again detonating as her plasma drive overloaded. Sword of Damocles faced a similar fate when the UFP fleet closed to an almost suicidal range and the ensuing explosion caused significant damage to Ravager who withdrew briefly to lick her wounds.
Colossus was soon the only ship left but Admiral Cradock refused to surrender. Fire from Ravager, Pride of Sartosa, Warlord and Arbitrator crippled the vessel before Haskel ordered the Hand of Freedom to close to within boarding range. The UFP flagship fired the final shots into the stricken Imperial battleship before boarding her. After a brief firefight the Imperial flagship surrendered and the battle of Cerberex was over.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Chaos assault on Gulan repulsed
The Chaos assault on Gulan, Cerberex's 3rd largest city, was led by the Devourers Of Worlds traitor legion who unleashed unprecedented horrors on the defenders, led by the Librian 5th mechanised company. Before and during the battle the defenders, as well as a significant proportion of the civilian population suddenly became afflicted with horrific diseases, signifying the presence of the corrupting power of the Lord Of Pestilence. The battle for the city was bloody and violent with the plague marines throwing themselves on the defences of Gulan. Finally, after countless assaults the Librians counter attacked with their armour, but the marines held on, led by their unholy lord and his retinue of foul terminators. By the end of the assault both sides had suffered horendous casualties but the city of Gulan remained in Imperial hands.
CERBEREX campaign map - initial invasion
Blue - UFP
Red - "Gallowfen's" chaos forces
White - Imperium
Grey - Iron Warriors
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Fleet battle in the Cerberex system
+++Breaking news! UFP fleet destroys Imperial Cerberex battlegroup in deep space! UFP invasion of Cerberex imminent!
Battle losses:
UFP
Sword Of Justice
Errant Marauder
6 Iconoclast Raiders
Imperium
Colossus
Sword Of Damocles
Intrepid
Invincible
Titan
Galileo
4 Sword class escorts
Ships Crippled
UFP
Pride Of Sartosa
Stellar Vengeance
Imperial
Conquerer
Repulse
Undamaged/Lightly damaged - UFP
Hand Of Freedom
Ravager
Arbitrator
Warlord
Pride Of Sartosa
Tallaxian News Agency - truth first! +++
Battle losses:
UFP
Sword Of Justice
Errant Marauder
6 Iconoclast Raiders
Imperium
Colossus
Sword Of Damocles
Intrepid
Invincible
Titan
Galileo
4 Sword class escorts
Ships Crippled
UFP
Pride Of Sartosa
Stellar Vengeance
Imperial
Conquerer
Repulse
Undamaged/Lightly damaged - UFP
Hand Of Freedom
Ravager
Arbitrator
Warlord
Pride Of Sartosa
Tallaxian News Agency - truth first! +++
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Chaos Invade Cerberex - 06.007M42
Imperial Intelligence knew the chaos forces from Kendrenec were planning a new crusade weeks before the eventual hammerblow fell. The psychic disturbance created as the invasion fleet entered the warp clearly showed their intended target was Cerberex. Even then the Inquisition and Imperial Navy were unworried by this turn of events. If the forces of Chaos wanted to immolate themselves against the Imperium’s chief fortress world then so be it. The star forts would get plenty of target practice.
It had been estimated by logisticians that to overcome the minefields, deadfall torpedoes, defence monitors and space stations around Kendrenec would need at least twenty capital ships. If they even managed to break the defences then Cerberex could rely on its standing fleet of Navy interceptors and missile silos. The fleet which set sail from Kendrenec numbered barely a dozen capital ships. The fleet would not even be required.
Even so Admiral Jellicoe made sure Cerberex had adequate fleet power to back up her defences, should the Chaos vessels somehow make it through to the planetary orbit. The battleship Colossus and the cruisers Intrepid, Dreadnought, Repulse, Titan, Invincible and Conqueror were kept in high orbit above the planet. Meanwhile the Dark Angels kept a battlebarge and two strike cruisers behind the planet for an ambush. The Chaos forces would be annihilated.
It wasn’t until Jellicoe lost contact with his outermost defence monitors that the Imperial onlookers realised something was amiss. One by one as the Chaos fleet approached Cerberex’s defensive measures failed. Deadfall torpedoes didn’t fire, minefields were navigated with no detonations and defence monitors stood silent as the Chaos fleet, led by the flagship Eater Of Worlds approached ever closer.
Cursing the Dark Angels and their promise of solid defences Jellicoe set sail to meet the Chaos fleet on 0306.007M42, knowing his fleet would face a stiff test against the fleet of Lord Traegen of Kendrenec. What he got was worse than all his nightmares combined.
As the Colossus approached the Chaos fleet the mighty ship noticed strange readings emanating from the Chaos ships. As they neared the energy readings spiked off all known instruments and crewmen reported a blue haze covering all the consoles onboard. Servitor synapse links sparked and died, the cyborgs flopping uselessly at their posts. Then, as the bridge crew on the mighty warship prayed to the Emperor all power was lost and the Colossus fell into a terrifying silence.
One by one every Imperial vessel which came too near suffered the same fate, power systems shutting down leaving the vessel drifting in space, naked and vulnerable to the enemy guns. It was a miracle the fleet wasn’t destroyed that day as the vessels of the dark Gods slipped by the drifting hulks of the Cerberex Battlegroup, but the enemy did not fire, simply slipping past quietly and maintaining their course and speed with only a few impatient Khornate worshippers launching ill fated and uncoordinated boarding attacks on the stricken Imperial ships.
Unknown to the Imperium the Chaos fleet couldn’t fire even if they wanted to. The same arcane technology which had rendered Kendrenec’s defences inert was only kept operational by the combined shield strength of the fleet. To maintain the energy field around them the Chaos vessels were unable to use their weapons. If they did they too would succumb to the ancient device.
The device was created by the Necrons millennia ago though little more is known of its purpose. It was picked up by the Iron Warriors led by “The Cowboy”, on Scallius and Cathasaea and now their hard work was paying off. Once the Chaos fleet passed well out of weapons range the Imperial ships sprung back into life as if nothing had happened. Jellicoe transmitted an urgent warning to the Dark Angels of the fleet’s affect on them and warned the Imperial defence commanders on the ground to expect a hostile fleet.
The Dark Angels immediately understood the message and pulled their ships well out of range, angry at their inability to intercede at the critical juncture. Instead the commander of all Dark Angel forces teleported to the planet’s surface to oversee the missile silos and defence lasers. Even now the invasion could be stopped before it had begun…
The Chaos forces new they could not use the Necron device to neutralise the planetary defences. Even if the device could penetrate an atmosphere, which it could not, the effect would render their craft ineffective and no landing could take place. They had to accept a contested landing but hoped that the portents they had been given by the Gods of “unexpected deliverance” were true.
They were. Just as the Chaos fleet entered high orbit over Cerberex on 0906.007M42 the missile silos and defence lasers directly in the path of the Chaos landings came under ferocious assault from Eldar forces. This completely unexpected attack threw the Imperial Commanders off balance and they were powerless to interfere as dreadclaw drop pods and a myriad of transport vessels streaked into the Cerberx atmosphere.
Despite the attention of the Imperial Navy Vincennes and Dividian fell on the first day of the assault. By the end of 1006.007M42 the chaos forces had landed in two places and were threatening the city of Gulan. Only the timely and decisive intervention of the Dark Angels prevented a rout and stabilised the front lines. A week later the Imperial forces on Cerberex, mostly PDF units, had stopped the first airborne Chaos assault on the capital, Feducia.
Meanwhile in space the Necron device finally gave out and for the first time the Imperial fleet could engage the enemy. The stage was set. The battle for Cerberex was about to begin…
It had been estimated by logisticians that to overcome the minefields, deadfall torpedoes, defence monitors and space stations around Kendrenec would need at least twenty capital ships. If they even managed to break the defences then Cerberex could rely on its standing fleet of Navy interceptors and missile silos. The fleet which set sail from Kendrenec numbered barely a dozen capital ships. The fleet would not even be required.
Even so Admiral Jellicoe made sure Cerberex had adequate fleet power to back up her defences, should the Chaos vessels somehow make it through to the planetary orbit. The battleship Colossus and the cruisers Intrepid, Dreadnought, Repulse, Titan, Invincible and Conqueror were kept in high orbit above the planet. Meanwhile the Dark Angels kept a battlebarge and two strike cruisers behind the planet for an ambush. The Chaos forces would be annihilated.
It wasn’t until Jellicoe lost contact with his outermost defence monitors that the Imperial onlookers realised something was amiss. One by one as the Chaos fleet approached Cerberex’s defensive measures failed. Deadfall torpedoes didn’t fire, minefields were navigated with no detonations and defence monitors stood silent as the Chaos fleet, led by the flagship Eater Of Worlds approached ever closer.
Cursing the Dark Angels and their promise of solid defences Jellicoe set sail to meet the Chaos fleet on 0306.007M42, knowing his fleet would face a stiff test against the fleet of Lord Traegen of Kendrenec. What he got was worse than all his nightmares combined.
As the Colossus approached the Chaos fleet the mighty ship noticed strange readings emanating from the Chaos ships. As they neared the energy readings spiked off all known instruments and crewmen reported a blue haze covering all the consoles onboard. Servitor synapse links sparked and died, the cyborgs flopping uselessly at their posts. Then, as the bridge crew on the mighty warship prayed to the Emperor all power was lost and the Colossus fell into a terrifying silence.
One by one every Imperial vessel which came too near suffered the same fate, power systems shutting down leaving the vessel drifting in space, naked and vulnerable to the enemy guns. It was a miracle the fleet wasn’t destroyed that day as the vessels of the dark Gods slipped by the drifting hulks of the Cerberex Battlegroup, but the enemy did not fire, simply slipping past quietly and maintaining their course and speed with only a few impatient Khornate worshippers launching ill fated and uncoordinated boarding attacks on the stricken Imperial ships.
Unknown to the Imperium the Chaos fleet couldn’t fire even if they wanted to. The same arcane technology which had rendered Kendrenec’s defences inert was only kept operational by the combined shield strength of the fleet. To maintain the energy field around them the Chaos vessels were unable to use their weapons. If they did they too would succumb to the ancient device.
The device was created by the Necrons millennia ago though little more is known of its purpose. It was picked up by the Iron Warriors led by “The Cowboy”, on Scallius and Cathasaea and now their hard work was paying off. Once the Chaos fleet passed well out of weapons range the Imperial ships sprung back into life as if nothing had happened. Jellicoe transmitted an urgent warning to the Dark Angels of the fleet’s affect on them and warned the Imperial defence commanders on the ground to expect a hostile fleet.
The Dark Angels immediately understood the message and pulled their ships well out of range, angry at their inability to intercede at the critical juncture. Instead the commander of all Dark Angel forces teleported to the planet’s surface to oversee the missile silos and defence lasers. Even now the invasion could be stopped before it had begun…
The Chaos forces new they could not use the Necron device to neutralise the planetary defences. Even if the device could penetrate an atmosphere, which it could not, the effect would render their craft ineffective and no landing could take place. They had to accept a contested landing but hoped that the portents they had been given by the Gods of “unexpected deliverance” were true.
They were. Just as the Chaos fleet entered high orbit over Cerberex on 0906.007M42 the missile silos and defence lasers directly in the path of the Chaos landings came under ferocious assault from Eldar forces. This completely unexpected attack threw the Imperial Commanders off balance and they were powerless to interfere as dreadclaw drop pods and a myriad of transport vessels streaked into the Cerberx atmosphere.
Despite the attention of the Imperial Navy Vincennes and Dividian fell on the first day of the assault. By the end of 1006.007M42 the chaos forces had landed in two places and were threatening the city of Gulan. Only the timely and decisive intervention of the Dark Angels prevented a rout and stabilised the front lines. A week later the Imperial forces on Cerberex, mostly PDF units, had stopped the first airborne Chaos assault on the capital, Feducia.
Meanwhile in space the Necron device finally gave out and for the first time the Imperial fleet could engage the enemy. The stage was set. The battle for Cerberex was about to begin…
Tau plan Invasion of Melberg - 06.007M42
While the Imperium was suffering internal strife the Tau planned their next move. With three bases secured in the Aleph Sector, Cernunnos, Parataea and Lucardium, the Tau knew that continued expansion required them to take a system between the Aleph Sector and Tau Space. The Aurelis crossing was still too dangerous and long to keep the virgining colonies supplied.
There was only ever going to be one target for the invasion, Melberg. Sitting out on its own, halway between the Zadoc subsector and Tau space, the Imperial human society of Melberg was the ideal dropping off point for Tau convoys on their way to the Perseus Deeps and the new Tau colonies there. With a population of 1.9 billion however, the Tau knew that conquest of this world would be one of their largest undertakings in recent years.
Melberg had been the target for diplomatic missions for many years but every time the governor had rejected the Tau overtures. Govenor Ernest Schroeder knew that with a well equipped PDF numbering close to one million men, and with the Blood Martyr’s homeworld only a week away, the Tau would have to mount something special to take the planet.
Given the strategic importance of the system the Tau were planning something special and put together a massive invasion force. Unfortunately for the Tau this huge force needed a huge fleet, and as soon as the armada left Tau space and started its slow jumps towards Melberg, its enormous warp signature was picked up by every astropath within one hundred light years, even being detected as far away as Cerberex.
It was clear from the size of the fleet and its direction that an invasion of Melberg was imminent and the Imperial response was swift. Knowing the Imperial fleet to be up to five times faster than the Tau, the Imperial high command had some time to consider their options. One strategy favoured attacking the Tau before they invaded but this was deemed risky as the Tau fleet may evade detection in the crossing of the Melberg Deeps, the northern end of the Aurelis Deeps.
A second strategy proposed allowing the Tau to land and then sending a massive counter invasion force but this plan was also rejected. Lord Xertes did not want the Tau to be allowed to fortify the Melberg system before his forces’ arrival.
The final plan was to send what forces that could be mustered to bolster the Melberg PDF. Then the fleet would await the Tau arrival and contest the invasion. The forces available were scarce, but the regiments being evacuated from Myrentas II were the first to be earmarked for the defence of Melberg, along with others transferred from other nearby garrison worlds. These would be reinforced later by new regiments arriving into the Aleph sector at the request of Inquisitor Lord Le Pen. The Blood Martyrs 5th, 7th and 8th companies also responded to the threat and had arrived in system by mid 05.007M42.
Sunstrike’s Call to Arms
+++General communication from Commander Sunstrike to the Fire Caste warriors of
the Aleph Expansion+++
Brothers and Sisters of the Fire Caste, hail.
We have struggled on behalf of the Empire for many kai'rotaa, and though we have met with setbacks the Aleph Mission has been an overall success; three colonies now exist in the sector, the Aurelis Deeps have been opened to the Kor'Or'Vesh, and trade with the our allies continues to grow.
Now comes a great challenge; the planet of Melberg is all that stands between our fledgling colonies and union with the Empire. To bring this world into our sphere would consolidate and make safe all that you have fought so hard to achieve.
I call upon you, my borthers and sisters, to steel yourselves in furthering the effort to bring the Aleph Sector under the dominion of the Empire. The imminent invasion of Melberg must be undertaken with vigour and relentless determination. Commander Longstride has been newly appointed to oversee the operation, and after her recent successes on Parataea, Commander Whitefire will spearhead the invasion.
We can no longer treat and parly with our enemies, as we did on Myrentas; they have shown themselves to be ruthless and arrogant in their abilites. There can be no respite in the assault on Melberg, no amnesty granted to the foe; the time for diplomacy is over, too much Tau blood has been spilled... Now is the time for conquest!
I know that you will all fight with skill and courage as you have so many times before. The hearts and minds of everyone in the Empire go with you. Do not rest until the entire planet submits to the Greater Good!
Commander Sunstrike.
+++Communication ends+++
There was only ever going to be one target for the invasion, Melberg. Sitting out on its own, halway between the Zadoc subsector and Tau space, the Imperial human society of Melberg was the ideal dropping off point for Tau convoys on their way to the Perseus Deeps and the new Tau colonies there. With a population of 1.9 billion however, the Tau knew that conquest of this world would be one of their largest undertakings in recent years.
Melberg had been the target for diplomatic missions for many years but every time the governor had rejected the Tau overtures. Govenor Ernest Schroeder knew that with a well equipped PDF numbering close to one million men, and with the Blood Martyr’s homeworld only a week away, the Tau would have to mount something special to take the planet.
Given the strategic importance of the system the Tau were planning something special and put together a massive invasion force. Unfortunately for the Tau this huge force needed a huge fleet, and as soon as the armada left Tau space and started its slow jumps towards Melberg, its enormous warp signature was picked up by every astropath within one hundred light years, even being detected as far away as Cerberex.
It was clear from the size of the fleet and its direction that an invasion of Melberg was imminent and the Imperial response was swift. Knowing the Imperial fleet to be up to five times faster than the Tau, the Imperial high command had some time to consider their options. One strategy favoured attacking the Tau before they invaded but this was deemed risky as the Tau fleet may evade detection in the crossing of the Melberg Deeps, the northern end of the Aurelis Deeps.
A second strategy proposed allowing the Tau to land and then sending a massive counter invasion force but this plan was also rejected. Lord Xertes did not want the Tau to be allowed to fortify the Melberg system before his forces’ arrival.
The final plan was to send what forces that could be mustered to bolster the Melberg PDF. Then the fleet would await the Tau arrival and contest the invasion. The forces available were scarce, but the regiments being evacuated from Myrentas II were the first to be earmarked for the defence of Melberg, along with others transferred from other nearby garrison worlds. These would be reinforced later by new regiments arriving into the Aleph sector at the request of Inquisitor Lord Le Pen. The Blood Martyrs 5th, 7th and 8th companies also responded to the threat and had arrived in system by mid 05.007M42.
Sunstrike’s Call to Arms
+++General communication from Commander Sunstrike to the Fire Caste warriors of
the Aleph Expansion+++
Brothers and Sisters of the Fire Caste, hail.
We have struggled on behalf of the Empire for many kai'rotaa, and though we have met with setbacks the Aleph Mission has been an overall success; three colonies now exist in the sector, the Aurelis Deeps have been opened to the Kor'Or'Vesh, and trade with the our allies continues to grow.
Now comes a great challenge; the planet of Melberg is all that stands between our fledgling colonies and union with the Empire. To bring this world into our sphere would consolidate and make safe all that you have fought so hard to achieve.
I call upon you, my borthers and sisters, to steel yourselves in furthering the effort to bring the Aleph Sector under the dominion of the Empire. The imminent invasion of Melberg must be undertaken with vigour and relentless determination. Commander Longstride has been newly appointed to oversee the operation, and after her recent successes on Parataea, Commander Whitefire will spearhead the invasion.
We can no longer treat and parly with our enemies, as we did on Myrentas; they have shown themselves to be ruthless and arrogant in their abilites. There can be no respite in the assault on Melberg, no amnesty granted to the foe; the time for diplomacy is over, too much Tau blood has been spilled... Now is the time for conquest!
I know that you will all fight with skill and courage as you have so many times before. The hearts and minds of everyone in the Empire go with you. Do not rest until the entire planet submits to the Greater Good!
Commander Sunstrike.
+++Communication ends+++
The End on Myrentas II
Lightfoot crosses the Ornz - 1205.007M42
While the Librians were retreating in the south Commander Lightfoot made an uncharacteristically dashing assault in the north, catching the Praetorians and Scyllians off guard and quickly establishing a bridgehead across the Ornz river. Realising the danger Lord General Lenord immediately order a withdrawal from the suburbs of Whiteridge and the town of Besserbia. Several thousand troops managed to escape the pocket before the Tau reached the western mountains, trapping the remaining Imperial Guardsmen and their equipment against the west bank of the river.
To cheers of triumph from the assembled Tau Lightfoot took the surrender of Colonel Estefan of the Scyllian 4th, signalling the demise of the regiment and the loss of another 3,000 troops. Soon after ceasefire was negotiated and Lord Commander Lenord agreed that troop transports only would be arriving to pick up his troops... A general ceasefire occurred at 14:15 on 1305.007M42
Tau enter Whiteridge - 1205.007M42
While Commander Lightfoot’s forces dashed across the Ornz other Tau units made their first tentative steps into Whiteridge, finding it heavily booby trapped. Soon they found more than they bargained for as units of Iron Warriors, apparently looting the area, clashed with the Tau lead elements. Caught by surprise and unable to respond the Tau were severly mauled and retreated behind their defensive lines. Meanwhile the Iron Warrior looting continued until a series of detonations rocked the city. A final blast caused an earthquake of magnitude 6.5. This shaking of the ground destablisised the high mountains above the city and much of it was destroyed in an avalanche of rock and dust, ending the chaos occupation once and for all.
Dark Angels’ Revenge - 1205.007M42
While the Imperial Guard retreated and the Coalition troops celebrated victory, a Dark Angels strike cruiser shot past the Imperial fleet and dropped a company north of Gethsemane. In a treacherous act not sanctioned by the Imperial Guard the Dark Angels tore a swathe through the Tau under Lightfoot's command and killed the commander himself before retreating back to their space vessel.
The UFP ordered an immediate attack and the Tau troops also assaulted Gethsemane spaceport, leading to mass loss of life in the retreating Guard armies. Gethsemane spaceport fell at 08:00 1405.007M42. The planet was now in the hands of the UFP and Tau. The news of the Dark Angels attack caused uproar on Tallax and Hartak where support for moderates has sharply declined and a mood of war settled over the populace.
While the Librians were retreating in the south Commander Lightfoot made an uncharacteristically dashing assault in the north, catching the Praetorians and Scyllians off guard and quickly establishing a bridgehead across the Ornz river. Realising the danger Lord General Lenord immediately order a withdrawal from the suburbs of Whiteridge and the town of Besserbia. Several thousand troops managed to escape the pocket before the Tau reached the western mountains, trapping the remaining Imperial Guardsmen and their equipment against the west bank of the river.
To cheers of triumph from the assembled Tau Lightfoot took the surrender of Colonel Estefan of the Scyllian 4th, signalling the demise of the regiment and the loss of another 3,000 troops. Soon after ceasefire was negotiated and Lord Commander Lenord agreed that troop transports only would be arriving to pick up his troops... A general ceasefire occurred at 14:15 on 1305.007M42
Tau enter Whiteridge - 1205.007M42
While Commander Lightfoot’s forces dashed across the Ornz other Tau units made their first tentative steps into Whiteridge, finding it heavily booby trapped. Soon they found more than they bargained for as units of Iron Warriors, apparently looting the area, clashed with the Tau lead elements. Caught by surprise and unable to respond the Tau were severly mauled and retreated behind their defensive lines. Meanwhile the Iron Warrior looting continued until a series of detonations rocked the city. A final blast caused an earthquake of magnitude 6.5. This shaking of the ground destablisised the high mountains above the city and much of it was destroyed in an avalanche of rock and dust, ending the chaos occupation once and for all.
Dark Angels’ Revenge - 1205.007M42
While the Imperial Guard retreated and the Coalition troops celebrated victory, a Dark Angels strike cruiser shot past the Imperial fleet and dropped a company north of Gethsemane. In a treacherous act not sanctioned by the Imperial Guard the Dark Angels tore a swathe through the Tau under Lightfoot's command and killed the commander himself before retreating back to their space vessel.
The UFP ordered an immediate attack and the Tau troops also assaulted Gethsemane spaceport, leading to mass loss of life in the retreating Guard armies. Gethsemane spaceport fell at 08:00 1405.007M42. The planet was now in the hands of the UFP and Tau. The news of the Dark Angels attack caused uproar on Tallax and Hartak where support for moderates has sharply declined and a mood of war settled over the populace.
Intercepted Communication
Sir, one of our listening posts around Cerberex has picked up the following. The second voice you'll hear is a Lieutenant Bladderack, I suggest a cross reference with file 'ref.Devourers of Worlds'.
The first voice is more peculiar, the communication identifies the voice as War Smith Gallowfen, however the speech pattern recognition programmes did not quite match earlier communications from that individual. I'll let you decide what it means, sir.
++++ FRAGMENT BEGINS +++++
"Lieutenant Bladderack, the blessing of the Dark Gods are upon you."
"It is an honour to serve you in this campaign, War Smith Gallowfen."
"Yes. Yes. The Gods have sent me a sign, Bladderack, that you are to lead the assault. You must act quickly, spreading your diseases amongst the unprepared armies and citizens. I expect a hundred thousand infected by the time the accursed traitor marines arrive. If we have not made enough ground then the Blood Martyrs, or worse, the Dark Angels, may be able to regroup the armies of the Imperium."
"A million dead will be my greatest pleasure, the Fly Lord permitting. The streets shall run with filth. The air will be thick with the groans of the dying. I shall lead the assault personally, War Smith, and I shall vomit a hundred contagions upon the enemy."
"Indeed. Do not let us down. Prove yourself, and the Plague Lord Nurgle shall reward you with immeasurable blessings."
"Hail the War Smith!"
++++ FRAGMENT ENDS ++++
The first voice is more peculiar, the communication identifies the voice as War Smith Gallowfen, however the speech pattern recognition programmes did not quite match earlier communications from that individual. I'll let you decide what it means, sir.
++++ FRAGMENT BEGINS +++++
"Lieutenant Bladderack, the blessing of the Dark Gods are upon you."
"It is an honour to serve you in this campaign, War Smith Gallowfen."
"Yes. Yes. The Gods have sent me a sign, Bladderack, that you are to lead the assault. You must act quickly, spreading your diseases amongst the unprepared armies and citizens. I expect a hundred thousand infected by the time the accursed traitor marines arrive. If we have not made enough ground then the Blood Martyrs, or worse, the Dark Angels, may be able to regroup the armies of the Imperium."
"A million dead will be my greatest pleasure, the Fly Lord permitting. The streets shall run with filth. The air will be thick with the groans of the dying. I shall lead the assault personally, War Smith, and I shall vomit a hundred contagions upon the enemy."
"Indeed. Do not let us down. Prove yourself, and the Plague Lord Nurgle shall reward you with immeasurable blessings."
"Hail the War Smith!"
++++ FRAGMENT ENDS ++++
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Imperial Transmission - UFP intercept
+++Intercepted Communication+++
+++Aleph Sector+++
+++Station: TALLAX PR733+++
+++Time Index: 1215.0805.007M42+++
“WELL?!”
“I re-re-really must protest at you t-t-tone Inquisitor Le Pen. We are both-“
“Hathek you old fool, stop wasting my time.” [Subject identified: Sarko Le Pen Imperial Inquisitor. Politics: Unknown]. “My patience is fading faster than your support in the council. Now, answer me.”
[Frantic sound of papers rustling] “There have been several tangible gains to my policy over the past 3 years. [Subject Identified: Hadrian Hathek, Imperial Inquisitor. Politics: Heavily associated with current UFP cabinet] “Trade has increased by 2%, instances of violent conflict between the UFP and Imperial forces have decreased by 64% and the Premier of the UFP has personally guaranteed me that he will look over proposals for possible reintegration into the Imperium as soon as he can. He’s a bit distracted at the moment – you see it’s an election year but I really do thi-”
“By all that is Holy Hathek, just shut up. A decision-“
“Shut up?! How dare you?! I was hunting down radicals before you learnt to use a stunclub.”
“Nevertheless, Hathek, a decision has been reached within the council. The powers that be do not believe you’re in control of the Aleph situation. Now that Lord Xanthus has disappeared they don’t believe we have strong enough Inquisitorial guidance in the area. I am coming to relieve you of your post. I’m rendezvousing with the necessary Imperial forces and translating in-system in a matter of weeks. Be ready to be relieved”
“R-relieve me? Preposterous, I won’t have it, I’m providing fine guidance to Imperial forces! This is preposterous, I shall have words with the Higher council about you Le Pen. After my pudding… Treatus - WHERE’S MY PUDDING?!”
++Communication terminated from source++
+++Aleph Sector+++
+++Station: TALLAX PR733+++
+++Time Index: 1215.0805.007M42+++
“WELL?!”
“I re-re-really must protest at you t-t-tone Inquisitor Le Pen. We are both-“
“Hathek you old fool, stop wasting my time.” [Subject identified: Sarko Le Pen Imperial Inquisitor. Politics: Unknown]. “My patience is fading faster than your support in the council. Now, answer me.”
[Frantic sound of papers rustling] “There have been several tangible gains to my policy over the past 3 years. [Subject Identified: Hadrian Hathek, Imperial Inquisitor. Politics: Heavily associated with current UFP cabinet] “Trade has increased by 2%, instances of violent conflict between the UFP and Imperial forces have decreased by 64% and the Premier of the UFP has personally guaranteed me that he will look over proposals for possible reintegration into the Imperium as soon as he can. He’s a bit distracted at the moment – you see it’s an election year but I really do thi-”
“By all that is Holy Hathek, just shut up. A decision-“
“Shut up?! How dare you?! I was hunting down radicals before you learnt to use a stunclub.”
“Nevertheless, Hathek, a decision has been reached within the council. The powers that be do not believe you’re in control of the Aleph situation. Now that Lord Xanthus has disappeared they don’t believe we have strong enough Inquisitorial guidance in the area. I am coming to relieve you of your post. I’m rendezvousing with the necessary Imperial forces and translating in-system in a matter of weeks. Be ready to be relieved”
“R-relieve me? Preposterous, I won’t have it, I’m providing fine guidance to Imperial forces! This is preposterous, I shall have words with the Higher council about you Le Pen. After my pudding… Treatus - WHERE’S MY PUDDING?!”
++Communication terminated from source++
Myrentas II - Sartosan Attack: The final nail in the Imperial Coffin
The Sartosan Rangers crossed the Ornz by boat in the middle of the night of 0405.007M42. Nearly half the regiment had crossed before they were detected and the mists which are so common in the Ornz valley in the spring saved most of the remainder from death as the Imperial heavy artillery opened up on the UFP troops. Over ten thousand men had managed to cross the river by daybreak and the Tallaxian engineers had bridge the river in a number of places.
The UFP attack came in the marshes in the middle of the Ornz valley and the Sartosan Rangers were the ideal troops for the job. The jungles and forests of Sartosa had conditioned the hardy fighters to difficult terrain and they quickly out manoeuvred the Librian 57th troopers. Sentinels gave the Sartosans close armour support while the Librian heavy tanks floundered in the mud, despite their rough terrain modifications.
The UFP attack came in the marshes in the middle of the Ornz valley and the Sartosan Rangers were the ideal troops for the job. The jungles and forests of Sartosa had conditioned the hardy fighters to difficult terrain and they quickly out manoeuvred the Librian 57th troopers. Sentinels gave the Sartosans close armour support while the Librian heavy tanks floundered in the mud, despite their rough terrain modifications.
The Sartosan performance did owe a lot to the UFP fleet advisors who were instrumental in guiding and aiding the Sartosan officers on the ground, particularly when the Sartosans, new to advanced warfare, struggled to keep pace with the rapidly changing face of the battle.
Even so the Sartosans had succeeded and even the most optimistic of Imperial generals realised the game was up. In the north even the Tau managed a spectacular advance against the Praetorian Guard, inflicting heavy losses. At 5:17pm local time on 0607.007M42 Lord General Lenord declared a full-scale withdrawal and prepared to leave Myrentas II with as many troops as he could. By now the remnants of the Praetorians, Librians and Scyllians were in full retreat, and the fall back risked becoming a rout as the Tau approached from the north and the Tallaxians, Sartosans and Hartak 7th Legion approached from the east. He needed time for his troops to disengage. Time which could be bought by the Blood Martyrs’…
The UFP attack came in the marshes in the middle of the Ornz valley and the Sartosan Rangers were the ideal troops for the job. The jungles and forests of Sartosa had conditioned the hardy fighters to difficult terrain and they quickly out manoeuvred the Librian 57th troopers. Sentinels gave the Sartosans close armour support while the Librian heavy tanks floundered in the mud, despite their rough terrain modifications.
The UFP attack came in the marshes in the middle of the Ornz valley and the Sartosan Rangers were the ideal troops for the job. The jungles and forests of Sartosa had conditioned the hardy fighters to difficult terrain and they quickly out manoeuvred the Librian 57th troopers. Sentinels gave the Sartosans close armour support while the Librian heavy tanks floundered in the mud, despite their rough terrain modifications.
The Sartosan performance did owe a lot to the UFP fleet advisors who were instrumental in guiding and aiding the Sartosan officers on the ground, particularly when the Sartosans, new to advanced warfare, struggled to keep pace with the rapidly changing face of the battle.
Even so the Sartosans had succeeded and even the most optimistic of Imperial generals realised the game was up. In the north even the Tau managed a spectacular advance against the Praetorian Guard, inflicting heavy losses. At 5:17pm local time on 0607.007M42 Lord General Lenord declared a full-scale withdrawal and prepared to leave Myrentas II with as many troops as he could. By now the remnants of the Praetorians, Librians and Scyllians were in full retreat, and the fall back risked becoming a rout as the Tau approached from the north and the Tallaxians, Sartosans and Hartak 7th Legion approached from the east. He needed time for his troops to disengage. Time which could be bought by the Blood Martyrs’…
Parataea - Tau Landing encounters hostile Eldar
Commander Whitefire’s Tau battle group faced an uncontested landing on the uninhabited forest planet of Cathasaea and in the weeks that followed the landing the earth caste were successful in setting up a large Tau base, extending the perimeter of their control to fifty kilometres in a few weeks. Much of the forest was cut down and plans began to build a colony on the planet in the same mould as the burgeoning Lucardium colony.
In 05.007M42, as colonists began to arrive on the planet, the Eldarattacked. At first no-one could understand their motives but there werethose in the UFP who had a fair idea. The Eldar had never attacked the Tau in this sector until now, and the attack did not appear to have a specific objective. Although the attack was beaten off by the Tau commander Whitefire, Tau high command responded by reinforcing the colony. Perhaps what the Eldar intended after all?
Either that or the Eldar were trying to prevent the Tau from expanding their Empire. If that were thes case they were unsuccessful as their attack failed and they took heavy casualties. Since then they have not been back and no-one in the Tau high command is sure whether they will return. To them the Eldar are a capricious and unpredictable race who’s motives are often part of an unimaginably complex purpose.
In 05.007M42, as colonists began to arrive on the planet, the Eldarattacked. At first no-one could understand their motives but there werethose in the UFP who had a fair idea. The Eldar had never attacked the Tau in this sector until now, and the attack did not appear to have a specific objective. Although the attack was beaten off by the Tau commander Whitefire, Tau high command responded by reinforcing the colony. Perhaps what the Eldar intended after all?
Either that or the Eldar were trying to prevent the Tau from expanding their Empire. If that were thes case they were unsuccessful as their attack failed and they took heavy casualties. Since then they have not been back and no-one in the Tau high command is sure whether they will return. To them the Eldar are a capricious and unpredictable race who’s motives are often part of an unimaginably complex purpose.
Cathasaea - Eldar and Tyranids attack
On 0505.007M42 the new Imperial garrison on Yuki faced their biggest threat as the tendrils of Hive Fleet Triton appeared on Imperial sensors. At least the listening post was working. The Tyranids landed in strength but were held by a stalwart defence by the Dark Angels in their forward base. While the Librian 4th Mechanised Regiment awaited results of the battle at the forward outposts, the Eldar acted.
In a lightning assault the like of which has become so familiar the Eldar, this time a mix of Pirates and some from a previously unknown Craftworld, assaulted the Imperial garrison on Yuki with the obvious intention of destroying the listening post and allowing the Tyranids to wipe out the defenders. It was a two pronged attack.
One group assaulted the Dark Angels from the flank while many of their number were still finishing off the remnant of the ‘Nid attack, while another attacked the main Imperial garrison and base. The first attack was successful with the Eldar scoring a telling and rare victory against the Adeptus Astartes. The Marines took heavy casualties and were forced to give ground as the fast vehicles of the Eldar outmanoeuvred their opponents. Facing a desperate situation themselves the Imperial garrison was unable to help and the Dark Angels’ base was all but annihilated.
Meanwhile the Imperial garrison itself came under a ferocious assault from Craftworld Eldar, but very quickly things began going wrong for the aliens. The Librian mechanised regiment, having heard of the Eldar weaponry and ferocious charges, sensibly stayed inside their vehicles, firing their multi-lasers and heavy bolters. Supported by heavy Leman Russ tanks and lethal Hellhound flame-tanks the Eldar attack quickly floundered in the face of so much armour. Lacking adequate anti-tank capability the aliens withdrew leaving the Imperial garrison almost unscathed.
In a lightning assault the like of which has become so familiar the Eldar, this time a mix of Pirates and some from a previously unknown Craftworld, assaulted the Imperial garrison on Yuki with the obvious intention of destroying the listening post and allowing the Tyranids to wipe out the defenders. It was a two pronged attack.
One group assaulted the Dark Angels from the flank while many of their number were still finishing off the remnant of the ‘Nid attack, while another attacked the main Imperial garrison and base. The first attack was successful with the Eldar scoring a telling and rare victory against the Adeptus Astartes. The Marines took heavy casualties and were forced to give ground as the fast vehicles of the Eldar outmanoeuvred their opponents. Facing a desperate situation themselves the Imperial garrison was unable to help and the Dark Angels’ base was all but annihilated.
Meanwhile the Imperial garrison itself came under a ferocious assault from Craftworld Eldar, but very quickly things began going wrong for the aliens. The Librian mechanised regiment, having heard of the Eldar weaponry and ferocious charges, sensibly stayed inside their vehicles, firing their multi-lasers and heavy bolters. Supported by heavy Leman Russ tanks and lethal Hellhound flame-tanks the Eldar attack quickly floundered in the face of so much armour. Lacking adequate anti-tank capability the aliens withdrew leaving the Imperial garrison almost unscathed.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
The Battle of Myrentas Deeps
The Imperial and Tau fleets had been shadowing each other for several weeks as the ground war ground on in the Ornz valley. Neither commander was eager for a fight but with operation End Game the Tau commander was under orders to make sure the Imperial fleet was kept busy and did not interfere with the four UFP cruisers stationed above the planet.
The Tau commander of the fleet was quite concerned as the Imperium now had a significant force in the system including two battleships and five cruisers. This meant the Tau fleet would have to wait until the moment was favourable, or at least not suicidal, before moving into attack formation. Until then the Tau fleet would have to continue avoiding the Imperial fleet who were desperately trying to get the Tau to engage.
Fortune appeared to be smiling on Commander Cold Sight on 2804.007M42 when the ground attack began. This would be the moment he would have to turn and fight before the Imperial ships moved in to attack the UFP vessels around the planet while they were vulnerable helping the ground war. As the Tau fleet commander prepared his fleet the news came in that the Imperial cruisers Galileo and Imperious were not with the bulk of the fleet.
Rear Admiral Dreyer, commanding from the Bridge of Iron Duke had received intelligence of an unescorted Tau convoy from his picket escort during 2704.007M42 and had dispatched the two cruisers to investigate. Though the intelligence was false the crucial decision meant that two of the Admiral's most powerful cruisers, a Mars class carrier and a Tyrant class cruiser, would be unavailable for the coming battle.
The abrupt appearance of the Tau fleet cruising past his formation took the Imperial commander somewhat by surprise but the Admiral soon had his battle line in formation. Leading the line escorted by the light cruisers Ajax and Achilles was the dictator class Emperor's Wrath, followed by the two Imperial battleships.
The Tau fleet were also in some difficulty as they had not expected such quick detection by the Imperial fleet once they changed course. Commander Cold Sight found his fleet travelling away from the Imperial battle-line and his entire fleet in danger of being encircled. The Tau Kor'O ordered the fleet to come about but the poor manoeuvrability and slow speed of the Tau told early on as Iron Duke and Agamemnon poured fire into the cruiser Deep Fire. Venting atmosphere and burning the Tau Protector lurched out of the line crippled before the Tau fleet had even been able to form up a cohesive attack.
The Tau managed to turn their ships line abreast and were soon firing all their forward batteries at the Imperial fleet with the Pinafore on the right wing and the Ores'Au on the left. Guardian and Bright Hope, the inexperienced class Hero class vessel, made up the central vanguard of the Tau attack.
The Imperial fleet had successfully manoeuvred their battle line around the right flank of the Tau, punishing the Ores'Au with battery fire and lance shots. Meanwhile the Tau missiles seemed remarkably ineffective and unable to find their targets. At the same time Imperial fighters and massed turret fire kept the Mantas at bay.
Ajax and Achilles paid heavily for their forward positioning, both disengaging having taken heavy damage from the Ores’Au and escorting Castellans. As the battle reached a climax Iron Duke had her bridged smashed by railgun fire and was forced to withdraw, but not before the combined weight of her gun batteries and the lances of the Agamemnon had reduced the Bright Hope to a drifting hulk.
By this time the remaining Tau vessels had managed to manoeuvre around to the rear of the remaining Imperial battleship but found their weaponry ineffective against the vessel's powerful void shields. In addition the return fire from the Agamemnon quickly crippled the Ores'Au and she was also forced to withdraw. As the Agamemnon and Emperor's Wrath turned back into formation the remaining Tau cruiser realised the game was up and fled leaving the Imperial fleet as the victor.
The battle itself was a defeat for the Tau who lost a valuable cruiser and had three other capital ships - battleships - crippled. The Imperium had two light cruisers crippled and the Iron Duke badly damaged but the Tau fleet had taken more damage and had been forced to disengage. However it could have been a lot worse. Analysis showed that while the Tau missiles were far less accurate than usual, the accuracy of the heavy lance vessel Agamemnon was extremely poor, except for the salvo which almost destroyed Deep Fire. Had the battleship's fire been better the Tau vessels may have lost more than just on ship.
Positionally the Imperial fleet had got their tactics right, engaging the Tau abeam, presenting their broadsides while making themselves a difficult target. However the loss of Novem squadron in the opening minutes of the battle was unfortunate - the frigates were nowhere near where they were supposed to be!
The return of the Imperious and Galileo bolstered the Imperial fleet and they began to move in system towards the UFP vessels stationed above Myrentas II.
Opposing Fleets
Imperium
Iron Duke Emperor Class Battleship Crippled
Agamemnon Apocalypse Class Battleship
Emperor’s Wrath Dictator Class Cruiser
Achilles Dauntless Class Light Cruiser Crippled
Ajax Dauntless Class Light Cruiser Crippled
Nexum Squadron Three Sword Class Escorts Destroyed
Vagrim Squadron Three Firestorm Class Escorts Destroyed
Tau
Pinafore Custodian Class Battleship Crippled
Ores’Au Explorer Class Battleship Crippled
Deep Fire Protector Class Cruiser Crippled
Guardian Protector Class Cruiser
Bright Hope Hero Class Cruiser Destroyed
Vre’Aun Messenger Class Escort
- 2 Castellan Class Escorts
- 3 Castellan Class Escorts Destroyed
The Tau commander of the fleet was quite concerned as the Imperium now had a significant force in the system including two battleships and five cruisers. This meant the Tau fleet would have to wait until the moment was favourable, or at least not suicidal, before moving into attack formation. Until then the Tau fleet would have to continue avoiding the Imperial fleet who were desperately trying to get the Tau to engage.
Fortune appeared to be smiling on Commander Cold Sight on 2804.007M42 when the ground attack began. This would be the moment he would have to turn and fight before the Imperial ships moved in to attack the UFP vessels around the planet while they were vulnerable helping the ground war. As the Tau fleet commander prepared his fleet the news came in that the Imperial cruisers Galileo and Imperious were not with the bulk of the fleet.
Rear Admiral Dreyer, commanding from the Bridge of Iron Duke had received intelligence of an unescorted Tau convoy from his picket escort during 2704.007M42 and had dispatched the two cruisers to investigate. Though the intelligence was false the crucial decision meant that two of the Admiral's most powerful cruisers, a Mars class carrier and a Tyrant class cruiser, would be unavailable for the coming battle.
The abrupt appearance of the Tau fleet cruising past his formation took the Imperial commander somewhat by surprise but the Admiral soon had his battle line in formation. Leading the line escorted by the light cruisers Ajax and Achilles was the dictator class Emperor's Wrath, followed by the two Imperial battleships.
The Tau fleet were also in some difficulty as they had not expected such quick detection by the Imperial fleet once they changed course. Commander Cold Sight found his fleet travelling away from the Imperial battle-line and his entire fleet in danger of being encircled. The Tau Kor'O ordered the fleet to come about but the poor manoeuvrability and slow speed of the Tau told early on as Iron Duke and Agamemnon poured fire into the cruiser Deep Fire. Venting atmosphere and burning the Tau Protector lurched out of the line crippled before the Tau fleet had even been able to form up a cohesive attack.
The Tau managed to turn their ships line abreast and were soon firing all their forward batteries at the Imperial fleet with the Pinafore on the right wing and the Ores'Au on the left. Guardian and Bright Hope, the inexperienced class Hero class vessel, made up the central vanguard of the Tau attack.
The Imperial fleet had successfully manoeuvred their battle line around the right flank of the Tau, punishing the Ores'Au with battery fire and lance shots. Meanwhile the Tau missiles seemed remarkably ineffective and unable to find their targets. At the same time Imperial fighters and massed turret fire kept the Mantas at bay.
Ajax and Achilles paid heavily for their forward positioning, both disengaging having taken heavy damage from the Ores’Au and escorting Castellans. As the battle reached a climax Iron Duke had her bridged smashed by railgun fire and was forced to withdraw, but not before the combined weight of her gun batteries and the lances of the Agamemnon had reduced the Bright Hope to a drifting hulk.
By this time the remaining Tau vessels had managed to manoeuvre around to the rear of the remaining Imperial battleship but found their weaponry ineffective against the vessel's powerful void shields. In addition the return fire from the Agamemnon quickly crippled the Ores'Au and she was also forced to withdraw. As the Agamemnon and Emperor's Wrath turned back into formation the remaining Tau cruiser realised the game was up and fled leaving the Imperial fleet as the victor.
The battle itself was a defeat for the Tau who lost a valuable cruiser and had three other capital ships - battleships - crippled. The Imperium had two light cruisers crippled and the Iron Duke badly damaged but the Tau fleet had taken more damage and had been forced to disengage. However it could have been a lot worse. Analysis showed that while the Tau missiles were far less accurate than usual, the accuracy of the heavy lance vessel Agamemnon was extremely poor, except for the salvo which almost destroyed Deep Fire. Had the battleship's fire been better the Tau vessels may have lost more than just on ship.
Positionally the Imperial fleet had got their tactics right, engaging the Tau abeam, presenting their broadsides while making themselves a difficult target. However the loss of Novem squadron in the opening minutes of the battle was unfortunate - the frigates were nowhere near where they were supposed to be!
The return of the Imperious and Galileo bolstered the Imperial fleet and they began to move in system towards the UFP vessels stationed above Myrentas II.
Opposing Fleets
Imperium
Iron Duke Emperor Class Battleship Crippled
Agamemnon Apocalypse Class Battleship
Emperor’s Wrath Dictator Class Cruiser
Achilles Dauntless Class Light Cruiser Crippled
Ajax Dauntless Class Light Cruiser Crippled
Nexum Squadron Three Sword Class Escorts Destroyed
Vagrim Squadron Three Firestorm Class Escorts Destroyed
Tau
Pinafore Custodian Class Battleship Crippled
Ores’Au Explorer Class Battleship Crippled
Deep Fire Protector Class Cruiser Crippled
Guardian Protector Class Cruiser
Bright Hope Hero Class Cruiser Destroyed
Vre’Aun Messenger Class Escort
- 2 Castellan Class Escorts
- 3 Castellan Class Escorts Destroyed
Fortress Whiteridge breached by Eldar!
While Pattonson was attacking in the south the Eldar were back in the north, attacking the Chaos fortress of Whiteridge in the second raid in as many weeks. The unexpected attack came as a boon to the Imperial and Coalition forces alike as the aliens tore down the defences and caused havoc inside the city. The Iron Warriors were forced to commit their finest troops to the battle and suffered heavy, perhaps terminal losses. The city of Whiteridge had been made ready for the taking by this second Eldar assault but before anyone could thank them or ask why the mysterious aliens had vanished.
Myrentas II: Allentown Breakout - The squats attack.
Following the aborted landings by Tau forces around the Imperial base at Gethsemane, general Pattonson did not immediately show his hand, choosing to wait until the Blood Martyrs were fully committed to dealing with the Tau threat before launching his assault. This he was confident had occurred on 2804.007M42 and he gave the order to start the second phase of operation End Game.
The overall objective for Pattonson’s elite Hartak 7th legion was to break the Imperial defences wide open and strike North West. The plan had an ambitious timescale, with Gethsemane surrounded in just 10 days. This called for the squat forces to forge ahead, taking around 40 kilometres every day. Even more ambitious were the objectives of the Tallaxian Armoured Brigade, following on behind, who were expected to advance over 800 kilometres in 12 days.
The overall coalition commander knew the required schedule would be tough and that he needed to break through the Librian lines quickly, surrounding them in a lightning encirclement. There was a brief bombardment by the Tallaxian air corps before the land raiders and rhinos of the Hartak 7th Legion rolled forward out of their bridgehead in Allentown.
Initially progress was poor as well placed defensive positions of the Librian 101st regiment took their toll on the Hartak forces, destroying or immobilising the lighter troop transports in the crowded streets of Allentown itself. Pattonson knew that success lay in breaking out of the town and into open country, but twelve hours after the attack had started the advance had stalled in the suburbs. The lightning assault was now massively behind schedule.
Salvation came when the general committed his reserves. Fierce hand-to-hand engagements proved the Guard were no match for the squats at close quarters and the deployment of fifty land raiders brought much needed firepower to the attack. Soon Allentown was littered with the wrecks of Imperial tanks and the majority of the defenders were falling back.
24 hours after the attack had started the Hartak 7th legion were free of the crowded streets and breaking out into the open countryside of the Ornz river valley. However, with 390 kilometres between them and Gethsemane, the squats were already 30km behind where they should have been, though casualties had been light. Now everything depended on the Tallaxian armoured brigade and the success of the Sartosan Rangers in the north.
Intercepted Necron Communication
01010111-01100101-00100000-01100001-01110010-01100101-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01101110-01100101-01100011-01110010-01101111-01101110-01110011-00101100-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01101101-01101001-01100111-01101000-01110100-01111001-00100000-01101101-01101001-01100111-01101000-01110100-01111001-00100000-01101110-01100101-01100011-01110010-01101111-01101110-01110011-00101100-00100000-01100100-01101111-00100000-01110111-01101000-01100001-01110100-00100000-01110111-01100101-00100000-01110011-01100001-01111001-00101100-00100000-01101110-01101111-00100000-01110000-01101111-01110111-01100101-01110010-00100000-01101001-01101110-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01110110-01100101-01110010-01110011-01100101-00100000-01100011-01100001-01101110-00100000-01110011-01110100-01101111-01110000-00100000-01110101-01110011-00101100-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01101101-01101001-01100111-01101000-01110100-01111001-00100000-01110100-01101111-01101101-01100010-01110011-01101000-01101001-01110000-01110011-00100000-01100111-01101100-01101001-01100100-01100101-00100000-01101100-01101001-01101011-01100101-00100000-01101100-01100101-01100001-01110110-01100101-01110011-00100000-01101111-01101110-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01110011-01101111-01101100-01100001-01110010-00100000-01110111-01101001-01101110-01100100-01110011-00100000-01100010-01110010-01101001-01101110-01100111-01101001-01101110-01100111-00100000-01100100-01101111-01101111-01101101-00100000-01100110-01101111-01110010-00100000-01100001-01101100-01101100-00101100-00100000-01110011-01110101-01110010-01110010-01100101-01101110-01100100-01100101-01110010-00100000-01110100-01101111-00100000-01110101-01110011-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01100011-01101000-01100101-01100101-01110011-01100101-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100001-01110100-00100000-01110111-01100001-01110011-00100000-01110100-01100001-01101011-01100101-01101110-00100000-01100001-01101110-01100100-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01100111-01110010-01100101-01100001-01110100-00100000-01000011-00100111-01110100-01100001-01101110-00100000-01110111-01101001-01101100-01101100-00100000-01101101-01100101-01110010-01100011-01101001-01100110-01110101-01101100-01101100-01111001-00100000-01100100-01100101-01110110-01101111-01110101-01110010-00100000-01101111-01101110-01101100-01111001-00100000-01100001-00100000-01110100-01101001-01101110-01111001-00100000-01110000-01101111-01110010-01110100-01101001-01101111-01101110-00100000-01101111-01100110-00100000-01111001-01101111-01110101-01110010-00100000-01110011-01101111-01110101-01101100-01110011-00100000-01110111-01100101-00101100-00100000-01101111-01101110-01101100-01111001-00100000-01110111-01100001-01101110-01110100-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01100011-01101000-01100101-01100101-01110011-01100101-00101100-00100000-01110100-01101000-01100101-00100000-01100011-01101000-01100101-01100101-01110011-01100101-00101100-00100000-01010100-01001000-01000101-00100000-01000011-01001000-01000101-01000101-01010011-01000101-
Thursday, April 26, 2007
IMPERIAL UPDATE
Transmitted: Adept Falsherin
Date: 2304.007.M42
Security Clearance: Vermillion
Ref: GH302/N.19.04.007/A
Received: Imperial Capital, Cerberex monitoring station
Subject: Inquisitor Hathek Communication
Thought for the day: Serve the Emperor today, tomorrow you may be dead
> Message begins :
Intelligence indicates the chaos fleet of the Iron Warriors has been located in the Scallius system. Several thousand troops have reportedly been landed on the planet in the region of the Vernia settlement where previous activity by the Penetrators traitor legion has been recorded.
Several grand companies are reported to have landed along with their indentured slave forces. At this time we do not believe the Iron Warriors to be under the same command as those on Myrentas II.
The leader of the Iron Warriors on Scallius is as yet unknown but he commands a formidable force including three grand companies of marines, over five thousand slave troops and a fleet of at least four capital ships. Such a force would be capable of overwhelming the smaller Imperial worlds in the sector.
The Iron Warriors' landing was contested by ork forces, which were scattered by the overwhelming traitor legion firepower. The chaos forces then increased their territorial control by attacking the tyranids which infest the planet, defeating them and taking a large area of wasteland. The motive behind this attack is as yet undetermined.
The Dark Angels have reported that the new listening post in the Cathasaea system came under attack by eldar forces, apparently appearing from nowhere. The Dark Angels counter assaulted the raiding force and were successful in driving them off, but the damage done to the new installation is considerable. In addition we believe the Dark Angels suffered more
casualties and loss of equipment than they are admitting to. It is worrying that the eldar even knew of the installation's presence and even more concerning that they seem intent on thwarting our plans to clear the Perseus Deeps of threats. We wonder if they are hiding something.
May the Emperor guide you.
> Message ends
Date: 2304.007.M42
Security Clearance: Vermillion
Ref: GH302/N.19.04.007/A
Received: Imperial Capital, Cerberex monitoring station
Subject: Inquisitor Hathek Communication
Thought for the day: Serve the Emperor today, tomorrow you may be dead
> Message begins :
Intelligence indicates the chaos fleet of the Iron Warriors has been located in the Scallius system. Several thousand troops have reportedly been landed on the planet in the region of the Vernia settlement where previous activity by the Penetrators traitor legion has been recorded.
Several grand companies are reported to have landed along with their indentured slave forces. At this time we do not believe the Iron Warriors to be under the same command as those on Myrentas II.
The leader of the Iron Warriors on Scallius is as yet unknown but he commands a formidable force including three grand companies of marines, over five thousand slave troops and a fleet of at least four capital ships. Such a force would be capable of overwhelming the smaller Imperial worlds in the sector.
The Iron Warriors' landing was contested by ork forces, which were scattered by the overwhelming traitor legion firepower. The chaos forces then increased their territorial control by attacking the tyranids which infest the planet, defeating them and taking a large area of wasteland. The motive behind this attack is as yet undetermined.
The Dark Angels have reported that the new listening post in the Cathasaea system came under attack by eldar forces, apparently appearing from nowhere. The Dark Angels counter assaulted the raiding force and were successful in driving them off, but the damage done to the new installation is considerable. In addition we believe the Dark Angels suffered more
casualties and loss of equipment than they are admitting to. It is worrying that the eldar even knew of the installation's presence and even more concerning that they seem intent on thwarting our plans to clear the Perseus Deeps of threats. We wonder if they are hiding something.
May the Emperor guide you.
> Message ends
LEAKED UFP TRANSCRIPT
+++UFP TRANSCRIPT+++
+++CLASSIFIED+++
+++FEDERAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING+++
+++2204.007M42+++
A: Welcome gentlemen, do sit down. Shall we get straight on with it?
A: First item on the agenda - Myrentas II. General , a brief overview?
B: Thankyou 'A'. Operation End Game is about to get underway. The Hartak 7th Legion are fully fuelled and preparing to strike out from the Allentown Bridgehead. The Sartosans are ready to cross the Ornz.
C: And what of the Tau airdrop?
B: Unfortunately after the losses they sustained in the drop the intervention of the Blood Martyrs finished them off. Casualties on the Imperial side were light we hear, but the hunter cadre did manage to destroy a large number of marine vehicles. Reports from our agents suggest the Blood Martyrs made short work of the Tau, deep striking their terminators into the heart of their defended positions.
A: Sounds unpleasant.
C: Hardly distinguishing themselves. Have you spoken with Lightfoot?
B: Not as yet, but he is under no illusion that with the failure of his latest assault the Tau involvement in the future of Myrentas II is now minimal. Myrentas will be a UFP colony.
A: Good to hear , though surely the Tau will demand a base?
C: They can have a base, but we don't want an influx of Tau colonists. Leave them in no doubt who the masters are on Myrentas now.
B: Agreed.
A: And the plans for the final assault on the Imperium? We must keep casualtied to a minimum. Neither Hartak nor Tallax will accept a slaughter.
B: We are confident our forces can break the back of the Imperial defenses in two weeks. The system is blockaded, they cannot resupply. The 7th Legion will brush aside the defenders now the Blood Martyrs have tipped theirhand.
C: Good news . We'll leave it in your capable hands.
A: Good. Then we should move on to item 2. Lucardium has been attacked by Tyranids. Apparently they landed in force near the Tau base itself.
C: Aren't there colonists on Lucardium too?
A: Yes, but it appears that commander Longstride has learned from his mistakes on Myrentas and the Tyranid assault was halted at the walls of the Tau base compound. Reports indicate that Tau casualties are light and theTyranid menace was unable to breach the Tau defences.
C: Excellent.
B: So they don't need our help on this one?
***Sound of laughter***
A: No it looks like they have the situation under control. The tyranid hive fleet is still in orbit so the sector commander is sending the newly arrived Tau vessels to intercept them.
C: That will be a decisive action!
A: Indeed! Anyway gentlemen, I'm afraid my time is short. We should briefly cover item 3?
***Murmurs of approval***
A: Good. It appears the eldar have intervened once more.
C: Oh?
B: Yes, they attacked the Iron Warrior defences on the north side of Whiteridge and the damage was severe.
C: This is excellent news! Though rather worrying. Are the eldar helping us or not? Is it the same eldar we have had dealings with before?
A: Unknown. Though reports would incidcate... Not. We must investigate and ascertain their motives, but for now the damage to Whiteridge's fortifications can only be seen as a blessing.
C: I agree. The last item on the agenda?
A: Yes. Our attempts to isolate Ravitane are bearing fruit. Following the fortuitous attacks by the eldar and the slow Imperial response the govenor is threatening to declare a general strike. In addition the system'sproximity to our worlds has made it difficult for the planet to trade with the other members of the Imperium.
C: Especially when that cargo is intercepted by our, "pirates".
***Sounds of laughter***
A: Indeed! Though we must ensure they never find out their true identity. The next stage is to offer Ravitane trade and arms contracts so it can defend itself. We just need to make sure the Blood Martyrs are keptoccupied to prevent their intervention.
C: Excellent. Within a year I see another addition to our federation!
B: Good news gentlemen. Is that all for today?
A: Yes, I wish you all a pleasant week. Until next time...
+++TRANSCRIPT ENDS+++
+++CLASSIFIED+++
+++FEDERAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING+++
+++2204.007M42+++
A: Welcome gentlemen, do sit down. Shall we get straight on with it?
A: First item on the agenda - Myrentas II. General , a brief overview?
B: Thankyou 'A'. Operation End Game is about to get underway. The Hartak 7th Legion are fully fuelled and preparing to strike out from the Allentown Bridgehead. The Sartosans are ready to cross the Ornz.
C: And what of the Tau airdrop?
B: Unfortunately after the losses they sustained in the drop the intervention of the Blood Martyrs finished them off. Casualties on the Imperial side were light we hear, but the hunter cadre did manage to destroy a large number of marine vehicles. Reports from our agents suggest the Blood Martyrs made short work of the Tau, deep striking their terminators into the heart of their defended positions.
A: Sounds unpleasant.
C: Hardly distinguishing themselves. Have you spoken with Lightfoot?
B: Not as yet, but he is under no illusion that with the failure of his latest assault the Tau involvement in the future of Myrentas II is now minimal. Myrentas will be a UFP colony.
A: Good to hear , though surely the Tau will demand a base?
C: They can have a base, but we don't want an influx of Tau colonists. Leave them in no doubt who the masters are on Myrentas now.
B: Agreed.
A: And the plans for the final assault on the Imperium? We must keep casualtied to a minimum. Neither Hartak nor Tallax will accept a slaughter.
B: We are confident our forces can break the back of the Imperial defenses in two weeks. The system is blockaded, they cannot resupply. The 7th Legion will brush aside the defenders now the Blood Martyrs have tipped theirhand.
C: Good news . We'll leave it in your capable hands.
A: Good. Then we should move on to item 2. Lucardium has been attacked by Tyranids. Apparently they landed in force near the Tau base itself.
C: Aren't there colonists on Lucardium too?
A: Yes, but it appears that commander Longstride has learned from his mistakes on Myrentas and the Tyranid assault was halted at the walls of the Tau base compound. Reports indicate that Tau casualties are light and theTyranid menace was unable to breach the Tau defences.
C: Excellent.
B: So they don't need our help on this one?
***Sound of laughter***
A: No it looks like they have the situation under control. The tyranid hive fleet is still in orbit so the sector commander is sending the newly arrived Tau vessels to intercept them.
C: That will be a decisive action!
A: Indeed! Anyway gentlemen, I'm afraid my time is short. We should briefly cover item 3?
***Murmurs of approval***
A: Good. It appears the eldar have intervened once more.
C: Oh?
B: Yes, they attacked the Iron Warrior defences on the north side of Whiteridge and the damage was severe.
C: This is excellent news! Though rather worrying. Are the eldar helping us or not? Is it the same eldar we have had dealings with before?
A: Unknown. Though reports would incidcate... Not. We must investigate and ascertain their motives, but for now the damage to Whiteridge's fortifications can only be seen as a blessing.
C: I agree. The last item on the agenda?
A: Yes. Our attempts to isolate Ravitane are bearing fruit. Following the fortuitous attacks by the eldar and the slow Imperial response the govenor is threatening to declare a general strike. In addition the system'sproximity to our worlds has made it difficult for the planet to trade with the other members of the Imperium.
C: Especially when that cargo is intercepted by our, "pirates".
***Sounds of laughter***
A: Indeed! Though we must ensure they never find out their true identity. The next stage is to offer Ravitane trade and arms contracts so it can defend itself. We just need to make sure the Blood Martyrs are keptoccupied to prevent their intervention.
C: Excellent. Within a year I see another addition to our federation!
B: Good news gentlemen. Is that all for today?
A: Yes, I wish you all a pleasant week. Until next time...
+++TRANSCRIPT ENDS+++
IRON WARRIORS COMMUNICATION
+++++ INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATION +++++
UNKNOWN VOICE: Commander Gallowfen, we have received word that the Iron Warriors surrounding Kendrenec are planning an offensive.
GALLOWFEN: The fools! They'll bring the Imperium and Eldar crashing down on their heads. Who leads them?
UNKNOWN: The one known as 'Cowboy'.
GALLOWFEN: By the dark gods! He'll ruin all our plans.
UNKNOWN: But commander, he claims to never have been beaten on the battlefield.
GALLOWFEN: Hah! That's before he came to this sector.
UNKNOWN: What are your orders commander?
GALLOWFEN: He is not, I repeat NOT, allowed near Myrentas II.
UNKNOWN: But should the Imperium drive out the UFP and control the planet, you will need reinforcements.
GALLOWFEN: Never! The defenses are in place, the war-forges in our mountain citadel are operational, the Obsidian Blade air strike force is unbeatable. I have mobilised all the troops at my disposal. The Imperium shall never drive us out!
+++++ COMMUNICATION ENDS +++++
UNKNOWN VOICE: Commander Gallowfen, we have received word that the Iron Warriors surrounding Kendrenec are planning an offensive.
GALLOWFEN: The fools! They'll bring the Imperium and Eldar crashing down on their heads. Who leads them?
UNKNOWN: The one known as 'Cowboy'.
GALLOWFEN: By the dark gods! He'll ruin all our plans.
UNKNOWN: But commander, he claims to never have been beaten on the battlefield.
GALLOWFEN: Hah! That's before he came to this sector.
UNKNOWN: What are your orders commander?
GALLOWFEN: He is not, I repeat NOT, allowed near Myrentas II.
UNKNOWN: But should the Imperium drive out the UFP and control the planet, you will need reinforcements.
GALLOWFEN: Never! The defenses are in place, the war-forges in our mountain citadel are operational, the Obsidian Blade air strike force is unbeatable. I have mobilised all the troops at my disposal. The Imperium shall never drive us out!
+++++ COMMUNICATION ENDS +++++
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Aleph Sector: Subsector bulletin
Transmitted: Adept Falsherin
Date: 1904.007.M42
Security Clearance: Vermillion
Ref: GH302/N.19.04.007/A
Received: Imperial Capital, Cerberex monitoring station
Subject: Lord Commander's Eyes Only
Thought for the day: Only in Death does Duty End
> Message begins :
My lord,
As per your instructions I have compiled a short report detailing our current committments in the Aleph sector and issues of concern.
Operation Caterwaul
So far our actions in the Perseus deeps have led to the successful insertion of Imperial bases in the Cathasaea but protracted fighting continues on Myrentas II against the coalition of the Tau and UFP. Resources are running low on the planet and we estimate it will fall in three weeks with no further reinforcement.
Reports indicate Lucardium has now become a Tau base, there is serious fighting between orks, chaos forces and the Tyranid menace on Scalius, presumably from the same fleet which destroyed Lucardium. Libria is on high alert.
Protogonus
The system has been cleansed of Tau forces. No further action required.
Hellheim
Our monitoring station on Einmyrria has detected a massive buildup of Tau forces on and around Cernunnos. They appear to have no interest in our base or the chaos world of Donar, but are reinforcing thier position. A vast base has been recorded, similar to those documented elsewhere.
Ravitane
After much bloodshed the Eldar have been removed from the planet though sporadic raids continue. The govenor is demanding compensation.
Aurelis Deeps
Serious fleet actions reported between the chaotic Norsefire empire and Tau forces. No action required at this time.
Adeptus Astartes
Currently we can count on the support of the Blood Martyrs. The Dark Angels appear to be following their own agenda.
Political
Inquisitors Hathek and Huron recommend electing a new Cardinal before central rule in the sector becomes untenable. Vornax and Ravitane have become increasingly rebellious and the later is threatening to default on its tithes unless it is compensated. The whereabouts of Inquisitor Xanthus is unknown. Banderossa is becoming increasingly lawless. We are concerned these three planets may be vulnerable to UFP insurgency.
Other Threats
Curious anomalies have been reported in the barren system of Hortensius system. Inquisitor Hathek has requested further information
http://thenotoriousblogofjtb.blogspot.com/2007/03/hortensius-system-scanning-anomaly.html
> message ends
Date: 1904.007.M42
Security Clearance: Vermillion
Ref: GH302/N.19.04.007/A
Received: Imperial Capital, Cerberex monitoring station
Subject: Lord Commander's Eyes Only
Thought for the day: Only in Death does Duty End
> Message begins :
My lord,
As per your instructions I have compiled a short report detailing our current committments in the Aleph sector and issues of concern.
Operation Caterwaul
So far our actions in the Perseus deeps have led to the successful insertion of Imperial bases in the Cathasaea but protracted fighting continues on Myrentas II against the coalition of the Tau and UFP. Resources are running low on the planet and we estimate it will fall in three weeks with no further reinforcement.
Reports indicate Lucardium has now become a Tau base, there is serious fighting between orks, chaos forces and the Tyranid menace on Scalius, presumably from the same fleet which destroyed Lucardium. Libria is on high alert.
Protogonus
The system has been cleansed of Tau forces. No further action required.
Hellheim
Our monitoring station on Einmyrria has detected a massive buildup of Tau forces on and around Cernunnos. They appear to have no interest in our base or the chaos world of Donar, but are reinforcing thier position. A vast base has been recorded, similar to those documented elsewhere.
Ravitane
After much bloodshed the Eldar have been removed from the planet though sporadic raids continue. The govenor is demanding compensation.
Aurelis Deeps
Serious fleet actions reported between the chaotic Norsefire empire and Tau forces. No action required at this time.
Adeptus Astartes
Currently we can count on the support of the Blood Martyrs. The Dark Angels appear to be following their own agenda.
Political
Inquisitors Hathek and Huron recommend electing a new Cardinal before central rule in the sector becomes untenable. Vornax and Ravitane have become increasingly rebellious and the later is threatening to default on its tithes unless it is compensated. The whereabouts of Inquisitor Xanthus is unknown. Banderossa is becoming increasingly lawless. We are concerned these three planets may be vulnerable to UFP insurgency.
Other Threats
Curious anomalies have been reported in the barren system of Hortensius system. Inquisitor Hathek has requested further information
http://thenotoriousblogofjtb.blogspot.com/2007/03/hortensius-system-scanning-anomaly.html
> message ends
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Operation End Game
The first action in operation End Game saw the Tau hunter cadres move against the trapped Librian 57th regiment in the small town of Blatherwycke just a few miles east of Allentown. Against the under strength and poorly equipped Librians the Tau threw in their finest troops in an effort to impress the UFP. In that they were marginally successful. The Librian 57th put up a brave fight for a few hours but inevitably capitulated in the face of overwhelming firepower. Over three thousand prisoners were taken along with several hundred tanks and other vehicles.
Pleased with their initial success the Tau launched the second phase of their part of operation End Game, the air drop of several hundred Tau into battle around Gethsemane using Orcas. Initially the Tau had thirteen dropships for the assault but were restricted to twelve as one developed engine trouble. This was not the only operational setback.
The plan originally called for the Tau drop to be made at night or at dawn to maximize surprise, but the spring weather led to widespread fog forming in the Ornz valley. Eventually commander Lightfoot conceded that landing at night in fog was too risky and rescheduled the attack to occur in daylight despite protests from several of his subordinates.
Twelve Orcas, escorted by twenty barracudas and four tiger-sharks, left the Tau zone of occupation bound for Gethsemane. Flying low across the southern plains of the Ornz river valley it was hoped they would evade detection long enough to achieve the mission.
The Imperial defenders were finally alerted to the Tau presence by the Blood Martyrs, who immediately launched a thunderhawk gunship to intercept. It was joined by two wings of lightnings and a squadron of thunderbolts and battle was joined just a few miles from the intended drop zone.
In the ensuing aerial dogfight it became clear that the lumbering Orcas were vulnerable, and despite the efforts of the barracudas seven craft were shot down before they reached the drop zone, killing all on board. Two more were severely damaged and only three managed to get their full compliment of troops safely to the drop zone.
While the Imperial fighters concentrated on the Orcas the barracudas inflicted heavy damage on them, shooting down no less than nine lightnings and four thunderbolts. In addition the Blood Martyrs' thunderhawk was forced to make an emergency landing after taking heavy damage.
The Tau suffered too, losing seven of their fighters and three more receiving heavy damage. On the return trip two more were shot down before the Imperial fighters ran out of fuel.
The bloody aerial battle had cost the Imperium dearly, with more than a third of their total strength having been lost in the action, and in defending (unsuccessfully) radar stations in the north from chaos attack. On the positive side for the Imperium, the Tau only managed to drop in the region of one hundred troops, far less than the coalition had hoped.
A fateful decision was then made by commander Lenord. Though unaware the Hartak 7th Legion was about to launch their spring offensive, the general accepted the Blood Martyrs offer to clear the Tau from Gethsemane and did not change his defensive positions along the Ornz. When the Hartak 7th legion attacked they would find the defenders ready and waiting. The airdrop diversion had failed, though the Blood Martyrs' hand had been tipped early on. The UFP assault could now be sure they would not meet marines in the first day of the attack
Next games:
Librian 101st Regiment vs. Hartak 7th Legion*
Blood Martyrs vs. Tau**
Scyllian 8th Regiment vs. Sartosan Rangers***
*Blitz mission, Hartak 7th attacking
**Cleanse - Tau not allowed any vehicles.
***Recon in a swamp! Whole table difficult ground
Pleased with their initial success the Tau launched the second phase of their part of operation End Game, the air drop of several hundred Tau into battle around Gethsemane using Orcas. Initially the Tau had thirteen dropships for the assault but were restricted to twelve as one developed engine trouble. This was not the only operational setback.
The plan originally called for the Tau drop to be made at night or at dawn to maximize surprise, but the spring weather led to widespread fog forming in the Ornz valley. Eventually commander Lightfoot conceded that landing at night in fog was too risky and rescheduled the attack to occur in daylight despite protests from several of his subordinates.
Twelve Orcas, escorted by twenty barracudas and four tiger-sharks, left the Tau zone of occupation bound for Gethsemane. Flying low across the southern plains of the Ornz river valley it was hoped they would evade detection long enough to achieve the mission.
The Imperial defenders were finally alerted to the Tau presence by the Blood Martyrs, who immediately launched a thunderhawk gunship to intercept. It was joined by two wings of lightnings and a squadron of thunderbolts and battle was joined just a few miles from the intended drop zone.
In the ensuing aerial dogfight it became clear that the lumbering Orcas were vulnerable, and despite the efforts of the barracudas seven craft were shot down before they reached the drop zone, killing all on board. Two more were severely damaged and only three managed to get their full compliment of troops safely to the drop zone.
While the Imperial fighters concentrated on the Orcas the barracudas inflicted heavy damage on them, shooting down no less than nine lightnings and four thunderbolts. In addition the Blood Martyrs' thunderhawk was forced to make an emergency landing after taking heavy damage.
The Tau suffered too, losing seven of their fighters and three more receiving heavy damage. On the return trip two more were shot down before the Imperial fighters ran out of fuel.
The bloody aerial battle had cost the Imperium dearly, with more than a third of their total strength having been lost in the action, and in defending (unsuccessfully) radar stations in the north from chaos attack. On the positive side for the Imperium, the Tau only managed to drop in the region of one hundred troops, far less than the coalition had hoped.
A fateful decision was then made by commander Lenord. Though unaware the Hartak 7th Legion was about to launch their spring offensive, the general accepted the Blood Martyrs offer to clear the Tau from Gethsemane and did not change his defensive positions along the Ornz. When the Hartak 7th legion attacked they would find the defenders ready and waiting. The airdrop diversion had failed, though the Blood Martyrs' hand had been tipped early on. The UFP assault could now be sure they would not meet marines in the first day of the attack
Next games:
Librian 101st Regiment vs. Hartak 7th Legion*
Blood Martyrs vs. Tau**
Scyllian 8th Regiment vs. Sartosan Rangers***
*Blitz mission, Hartak 7th attacking
**Cleanse - Tau not allowed any vehicles.
***Recon in a swamp! Whole table difficult ground
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Myrentas II Spring offensive
Myrentas II - Tau/UFP battle plan...
Operation End Game, coined by a UFP military streategy was the plan to annihilate the Imperium on Myrentas II and score a major vistory for the Tau/UFP alliance in the sector. The plan would utilise the strengths of their forces, while minimising the risks and covering for the inherrent weaknesses of the forces which faced the Imperium across the Ornz river.
Commander Lightfoot, of the Tau expeditionary force new well the problems the coalition faced on Myrentas II as did his counterpart in the UFP high command, General Gerd S Pattonson of the Hartak 7th Legion. At the beginning of 04.007M42 the situation on the planet had become a tense stalemate. The UFP had recently stabilised the front line along the river Ornz after Tau defeats and had trapped two divisions of Imperial Guard on the wrong side of the river. The Guardsman by this time were running short of fuel and ammunition and a plan to supply them from air was rejected by Major-General Lenord.
To the north the chaos fortress city of Whiteridge remained a thorn in the side of the coalition and Imperuim alike, but satisfied at recent small gains against the Iron Warriors, the coalition leaders decided to strike hard and fast against the Imperium before turning their attention to the chaos forces.
In space the situation was an equally tense standoff. With the arrival of Kor'Vattra Kor'O Auymun at Cernunnos, three protectors were allowed to leave the Tau base and join the Pinnafore at Myrentas. Along with the UFP Tallaxian cruiser squadron the forces in the system were significant, seven cruisers and a battleship. The Imperium meanwhile had but four cruisers but boasted the power of Iron Duka and Agamemnon and the result was a tense and nervey game of cat and mouse. In addition the UFP Mars class were kept in orbit around Myrentas giving the coalition marginal air superiority on the surface.
The generals met to discuss the planned spring offensive in a villa south of the coalition city of Nairnville. Far from the wartorn Rockwell and out of range from Imperial bombing raids. A number of plans were discussed and finally the finishing touches to End Game were made. At the time Lightfoot and Pattonson were unaware of Lenord's planning on the west of the river. The Tau involvement in End Game would be significant, but it is clear from the notes made the UFP now considered the Hartak 7th legion as the key offensive element in any coalition offensive. Behind closed doors the UFP were privately giving the Tau one last chance at making good their battle tactics, or the coalition would forever be led by the UFP. Tau forces would
begin phase I of the offensive on the Imperial front by first using hunter cadres to pressurise the trapped Imperial Guard east of Allentown, before annihilating them completely. Meanwhile in an audacious and flamboyant airborne operation, several cadres would be dropped just to the south of Gethsemane, the Imperial HQ, far to the west of the Ornz river.
The airborne drop would in fact be a feint, with the tau only required to fight for the city until phase II began. The spectacular airdrop by Tau forces would force Lenord to respond, drawing forces away from the front from the east and north to counter the threat of his landing area being overrun and weakening the front line along the river. At this point phase II would begin.
Once UFP intelligence was satisfied the feint had worked, the Hartak 7th legion would blitz its way across the river at Allentown and charge north west, encircling the defenders and cutting them off from their base - under attack from the Tau - at Gethsemane. Simultaneously the light forces of the Sartosan Rangers would cross the Ornz opposite the area of marchy ground between the Scyllian 8th and Librian 101st regiments. Using the rangers in this terrain would give the UFP forces an advantage, as the rangers were specialists in combat in such terrain, unlike the defenders who relied heaviliy on tank support. This attack would seek to pin the Librians and
Scyllians, preventing their quick withdrawal and redeployment.
Once the Hartak Legion and Sartosans were engaged with the Imperial Guard the squat forces were to creat a corridor from Allentown towards the north west. Through this the fast moving armoured elements of the Tallaxian armoured divisions would pour, sowing confusion and destruction to the rear of the Imperial defenders. Cut in two Major-General Lenord would be forced to accept surrender terms or be annihilated.
The End Game strategy played to the strengths of coalition forces but had a number of problems which Lightfoot and Pattonson were acutely aware of.
1) The Tau airdrop, key to the plan, only had thirteen Orcas available to carry Tau forces into combat as all available mantas were being jealously guarded by Pinnafore and her consorts, lest they engage the Imperial battlegroup. With this enough Tau forces, without the support of their skimmer tanks, would have to pin down the bulk of the Imperial garrison at Gethsemane and draw off forces from the front line. In addition the Orcas would be vulnerable to fighter interception and would have to be escorted all the way. With this in mind the attack was planned as a dawn attack.
2) While the coalition high command were reasonably confident on their intelligence regarding the Imperial Guard, there was no way of knowing the whereabouts of the Blood Martyrs - the space marine chapter which had caused so much damage to Tau attacks. If the marines were redeployed rapidly and in strength, the UFP blitzkrieg may falter.
3) The entire plan relied on a swift and decisive breakthrough attack. If victory did not come quickly and casualties were high, both commanders knew that their respective governments did not have the political will to sustain the level of death their forces were experiencing fighting for a small pirate world. The Tau were already looking for other options in the Perseus Deeps, while the UFP, while keen on liberating the occupants of Whiteridge and Rockwell, were not keen on spending too many Tallaxian and Hartak lives in the process... The coalition generals knew this offensive would be their last on Myrentas II
Myrentas II - Imperial battle plan...
The Imperium too were less than happy with the situation on Myrentas II and Lord Commander Xertes was keen that Major-General Lenord get on with it and bring matters to a close - without requesting ever more men and equipment. Even so Lenord's position wasn't rosy. He had less than two-thirds the fighting men and machines he'd had at the beginning of the campaign and sorely regretted the earlier meat grinder missions against the chaos forces in Whiteridge. Lenord could count on two regiments of Scyllians and two Librian, with an under strength (and unreliable) Praetorian regiment in reserve. In addition two companies of Blood Martyrs were nominally at his disposal, but the veteran commander found them more inclined to follow
their own judgement than his directives...
The Imperial Navy had given to him four fighter wings, barely enough to contain the Tau and Chaos bombing raids and both men and machine had become dangerously over stretched in recent weeks. Although he didn't admit it Lenord had already decided not to defend his army from Chaos bombing raids and to hold his fighters in reserve to face the larger coalition threat.
Fuel had become the most precious and scarce resource now in the Imperial sector. But 04.007M42 only armoured tanks were allowed fuel, with even chimera mounted guardsmen forced to walk on foot. A fact which infuriated several commanders of the Librian regiment, who continued to fuel their chimeras in blatant contravention of Lenord's order. Morale among the Guard was dropping and desertion to the coalition was rife.
Despite these problems Lenord still planned a major offensive for the spring once the snow and ice had cleared from the lowlands. Although less ambitious than the coalition plan, which Lenord was oblivious of, the offensive still constituted a major advance. The Major-General's plan centered around the marshland midway down the Ornz river, separating the two major Guard defensive lines. He knew full well that they constituted a holw in his lines which could be easily exploited by the technologically advanced Tau and their UFP allies. It had happened before in the autumn. With this in mind Lenord planned to shut this door into his defences once
and for all.
The plan was simple. Using what amphibious craft he had available the Scyllian 8th regiment, supported by the Imperial Navy, would secure a beachead on the eastern bank of the river just to the north of the marshy ground. Then, using what armour they had the Scyllians would move outward and southward, securing the area opposite the marshland and establishing a perimeter. To prevent rapid redeployment a massive Imperial bombardment from the Librians would pin the defenders to the river.
Knowing the UFP and Tau tactics Lenord expected this phase of the operation to go well, with minimal casualties. The coalition forces would not stand and fight, preferring to withdraw to prepare for a lightning counter assault of such ferocity so as to destroy the Imperial bridgehead. It to was this phase of the operation Major-General Lenord gave great thought.
The Major General requested the aid of the Blood Martyrs in this task, to fend off aggressive counter assaults on the bridgehead while engineers constructed defences and built supply bridges across the river. Once that was complete the bridgehead could be considered secure and the offensive continue. The Blood Martyrs agreed to the plan. Both sides waited as the appointed hour of their attacks arrived...
Operation End Game, coined by a UFP military streategy was the plan to annihilate the Imperium on Myrentas II and score a major vistory for the Tau/UFP alliance in the sector. The plan would utilise the strengths of their forces, while minimising the risks and covering for the inherrent weaknesses of the forces which faced the Imperium across the Ornz river.
Commander Lightfoot, of the Tau expeditionary force new well the problems the coalition faced on Myrentas II as did his counterpart in the UFP high command, General Gerd S Pattonson of the Hartak 7th Legion. At the beginning of 04.007M42 the situation on the planet had become a tense stalemate. The UFP had recently stabilised the front line along the river Ornz after Tau defeats and had trapped two divisions of Imperial Guard on the wrong side of the river. The Guardsman by this time were running short of fuel and ammunition and a plan to supply them from air was rejected by Major-General Lenord.
To the north the chaos fortress city of Whiteridge remained a thorn in the side of the coalition and Imperuim alike, but satisfied at recent small gains against the Iron Warriors, the coalition leaders decided to strike hard and fast against the Imperium before turning their attention to the chaos forces.
In space the situation was an equally tense standoff. With the arrival of Kor'Vattra Kor'O Auymun at Cernunnos, three protectors were allowed to leave the Tau base and join the Pinnafore at Myrentas. Along with the UFP Tallaxian cruiser squadron the forces in the system were significant, seven cruisers and a battleship. The Imperium meanwhile had but four cruisers but boasted the power of Iron Duka and Agamemnon and the result was a tense and nervey game of cat and mouse. In addition the UFP Mars class were kept in orbit around Myrentas giving the coalition marginal air superiority on the surface.
The generals met to discuss the planned spring offensive in a villa south of the coalition city of Nairnville. Far from the wartorn Rockwell and out of range from Imperial bombing raids. A number of plans were discussed and finally the finishing touches to End Game were made. At the time Lightfoot and Pattonson were unaware of Lenord's planning on the west of the river. The Tau involvement in End Game would be significant, but it is clear from the notes made the UFP now considered the Hartak 7th legion as the key offensive element in any coalition offensive. Behind closed doors the UFP were privately giving the Tau one last chance at making good their battle tactics, or the coalition would forever be led by the UFP. Tau forces would
begin phase I of the offensive on the Imperial front by first using hunter cadres to pressurise the trapped Imperial Guard east of Allentown, before annihilating them completely. Meanwhile in an audacious and flamboyant airborne operation, several cadres would be dropped just to the south of Gethsemane, the Imperial HQ, far to the west of the Ornz river.
The airborne drop would in fact be a feint, with the tau only required to fight for the city until phase II began. The spectacular airdrop by Tau forces would force Lenord to respond, drawing forces away from the front from the east and north to counter the threat of his landing area being overrun and weakening the front line along the river. At this point phase II would begin.
Once UFP intelligence was satisfied the feint had worked, the Hartak 7th legion would blitz its way across the river at Allentown and charge north west, encircling the defenders and cutting them off from their base - under attack from the Tau - at Gethsemane. Simultaneously the light forces of the Sartosan Rangers would cross the Ornz opposite the area of marchy ground between the Scyllian 8th and Librian 101st regiments. Using the rangers in this terrain would give the UFP forces an advantage, as the rangers were specialists in combat in such terrain, unlike the defenders who relied heaviliy on tank support. This attack would seek to pin the Librians and
Scyllians, preventing their quick withdrawal and redeployment.
Once the Hartak Legion and Sartosans were engaged with the Imperial Guard the squat forces were to creat a corridor from Allentown towards the north west. Through this the fast moving armoured elements of the Tallaxian armoured divisions would pour, sowing confusion and destruction to the rear of the Imperial defenders. Cut in two Major-General Lenord would be forced to accept surrender terms or be annihilated.
The End Game strategy played to the strengths of coalition forces but had a number of problems which Lightfoot and Pattonson were acutely aware of.
1) The Tau airdrop, key to the plan, only had thirteen Orcas available to carry Tau forces into combat as all available mantas were being jealously guarded by Pinnafore and her consorts, lest they engage the Imperial battlegroup. With this enough Tau forces, without the support of their skimmer tanks, would have to pin down the bulk of the Imperial garrison at Gethsemane and draw off forces from the front line. In addition the Orcas would be vulnerable to fighter interception and would have to be escorted all the way. With this in mind the attack was planned as a dawn attack.
2) While the coalition high command were reasonably confident on their intelligence regarding the Imperial Guard, there was no way of knowing the whereabouts of the Blood Martyrs - the space marine chapter which had caused so much damage to Tau attacks. If the marines were redeployed rapidly and in strength, the UFP blitzkrieg may falter.
3) The entire plan relied on a swift and decisive breakthrough attack. If victory did not come quickly and casualties were high, both commanders knew that their respective governments did not have the political will to sustain the level of death their forces were experiencing fighting for a small pirate world. The Tau were already looking for other options in the Perseus Deeps, while the UFP, while keen on liberating the occupants of Whiteridge and Rockwell, were not keen on spending too many Tallaxian and Hartak lives in the process... The coalition generals knew this offensive would be their last on Myrentas II
Myrentas II - Imperial battle plan...
The Imperium too were less than happy with the situation on Myrentas II and Lord Commander Xertes was keen that Major-General Lenord get on with it and bring matters to a close - without requesting ever more men and equipment. Even so Lenord's position wasn't rosy. He had less than two-thirds the fighting men and machines he'd had at the beginning of the campaign and sorely regretted the earlier meat grinder missions against the chaos forces in Whiteridge. Lenord could count on two regiments of Scyllians and two Librian, with an under strength (and unreliable) Praetorian regiment in reserve. In addition two companies of Blood Martyrs were nominally at his disposal, but the veteran commander found them more inclined to follow
their own judgement than his directives...
The Imperial Navy had given to him four fighter wings, barely enough to contain the Tau and Chaos bombing raids and both men and machine had become dangerously over stretched in recent weeks. Although he didn't admit it Lenord had already decided not to defend his army from Chaos bombing raids and to hold his fighters in reserve to face the larger coalition threat.
Fuel had become the most precious and scarce resource now in the Imperial sector. But 04.007M42 only armoured tanks were allowed fuel, with even chimera mounted guardsmen forced to walk on foot. A fact which infuriated several commanders of the Librian regiment, who continued to fuel their chimeras in blatant contravention of Lenord's order. Morale among the Guard was dropping and desertion to the coalition was rife.
Despite these problems Lenord still planned a major offensive for the spring once the snow and ice had cleared from the lowlands. Although less ambitious than the coalition plan, which Lenord was oblivious of, the offensive still constituted a major advance. The Major-General's plan centered around the marshland midway down the Ornz river, separating the two major Guard defensive lines. He knew full well that they constituted a holw in his lines which could be easily exploited by the technologically advanced Tau and their UFP allies. It had happened before in the autumn. With this in mind Lenord planned to shut this door into his defences once
and for all.
The plan was simple. Using what amphibious craft he had available the Scyllian 8th regiment, supported by the Imperial Navy, would secure a beachead on the eastern bank of the river just to the north of the marshy ground. Then, using what armour they had the Scyllians would move outward and southward, securing the area opposite the marshland and establishing a perimeter. To prevent rapid redeployment a massive Imperial bombardment from the Librians would pin the defenders to the river.
Knowing the UFP and Tau tactics Lenord expected this phase of the operation to go well, with minimal casualties. The coalition forces would not stand and fight, preferring to withdraw to prepare for a lightning counter assault of such ferocity so as to destroy the Imperial bridgehead. It to was this phase of the operation Major-General Lenord gave great thought.
The Major General requested the aid of the Blood Martyrs in this task, to fend off aggressive counter assaults on the bridgehead while engineers constructed defences and built supply bridges across the river. Once that was complete the bridgehead could be considered secure and the offensive continue. The Blood Martyrs agreed to the plan. Both sides waited as the appointed hour of their attacks arrived...
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