Fields of Death

 

6 Km Outside the city limits

The morning sun rose gently over rolling fields of emerald grass, each blade tipped with silver from the lingering dew. A lazy breeze drifted across the meadows, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers and freshly tilled earth. Birds chattered softly from the hedgerows, their songs harmonizing with the distant murmur of a slow-moving stream. For a moment, the world seemed content to linger in quiet stillness. Far beyond the patchwork of fields and grazing pastures, a city shimmered on the horizon—its spires and rooftops catching the first golden light of day. Though distant, its silhouette stood in quiet contrast to the countryside serenity, like a promise of stories yet untold. Between here and there lay only peace, stretched wide beneath an open sky.
     From the expansive blue sky a quiet rumble grew in volume and intensity untill the roar encompassed everything, animals scattered for there hiding places, greenery whipped into a frenzy of movement by the growing fury of the wind. A huge shadow settled across a meadow as the giant lander settled to the earth as the engines wound down the fury of sound and wind died away, with a hiss of equalizing pressure the main hatch opened and the ramp extended.
Sister Superior Khalan shielded her eyes momentarily as the hatch opened and the bright sunlight flooded the lander, once her eyes adjusted she raised her hand and signalled her squad to disembark before walking down the ramp and stepping onto the scorched grass, she turned looking as the second lander set down alongside hers, it's hatch opening she and her squad saluted with fist to there hearts as escorted by Sister Liliana's Paragon unit Canoness Angelica, piloting her new paragon warsuit set foot again upon Phalona

Inside the City Limits

Marshall Dreval studied a data slate in her quarters. A warehouse served as her base of operations. The industrial sector gave her troops more room and was on the edge of the city so they could move out quickly if needed.  

 She was concerned that the last of her force from the battle at the Sisters cathedral had not reported in. A commotion  from outside drew her attention from the data slate.. She crossed to the window and moved the flak padding aside. Daylight streamed in, she shielded her eyes as they adjusted to the sudden change in light from the bright Phalona sun.

In the yard below a group of bedraggled soldiers were walking into the warehouse yard. At the front was a large man smoking a cigar, his arm clearly badly burnt. 

Dutch led the surviving soldiers into the warehouse yard. He spotted a supply officer , he pulled his cigar out of his mouth, wincing at the pain in his arm. The burn looked quite bad Dutch had to admit .  

“ Hey you!! Get some water and rations. These boys have been through hell”

The supply officer blinked a few times then recognised Dutch. He shouted orders and some other soldiers started grabbing supplies and water.  The soldiers with Dutch visibly relaxed, the tension from the escape leaving their drained bodies. Dutch noticed an imposing figure stride out of the warehouse.  Her silver  power armour with gold trim glinting in the sun. 

“ The hero of Phalona Reach as I live and breathe” Marshall Dreval said. Looking Dutch up and down.  

Dutch looked at her indifferently, put the cigar back in his mouth, 

“Just Dutch. I found these boys and their friends a ways back” 

“Do you happen to know where their friends are?” Marshall Dreval asked impatiently. 

“Gone. We got ambushed by some Adeptus Sororitas and boy were they unhappy. I took a melta blast which nearly killed me.  These guys were the only ones that made it out. Your man Davrio held the line allowing us to get away. Just know they virtually destroyed the ambushers“  Dutch  said seriously, his eyes conveying the respect due to Davrio and his fellow soldiers. 

Marshall Dreval  cursed to herself, how were there  still Adeptus  Sororitas out there? They had crushed their Cathedral. Seen them flee ? 

Before she could answer her own thoughts, her suits vox clicked,

“Marshall Dreval! Landers spotted 8 clicks out. Scouts report Adeptus Sororitas forming up.” 

Marshall Dreval  cursed.  

“Acknowledged. Seems they want revenge.  Sound the alert and gather our forces. We will meet the enemy head on! 

Get me Enginseer Kravlos. “ A click of acknowledgement  then a few seconds later a shrill, robotic  voice cut through on Vox

“Marshall, you requested me?”

“Yes Engineseer. Is she ready?” Dreval asked,

“Yes Marshall systems at 100%”

A huge whine of an engine starting, louder than the other engines. Dutch smiled, brushing off the medical fussing with his arm

“This is got to see “

Take and Hold

2pt - Unit Destroyed

3pts - Character Destroyed

5 pts - Epic Hero destroyed

5pts  - Per objective a turn.

Strategic VPs (These are a new thing I am trying , will see how they go)

VP = Points Cost - Warlord Assassination

This battle was the Sisters of Battle out for revenge against Marshall Dreval for the destruction she wrought on their cathedral. Old rivalries would be brought up and scores settled. The Phalonians have brought out the big guns to help defeat the oncoming sisters. Phalona's Rage enters the battle space.

Which was a very good idea as the sisters had brought a Knight for assistance!

The battle started cautiously with the sisters taking what shots they can and seeing the Baneblade as the main threat.

Phalona's Rage holds the line tracking the incoming knight

The Guard armour in the centre pushed out

Warsuits come charging at the tanks

Tank commander pops shots off from cover

Thankfully (For me anyway) my armour pounded the Knight and took it down in one turn! This was a strong blow to the Sisters

The Living saint and Seraphim descend from the sky's

Marshall Dreval holds in the ruins 

The sisters push in on the centre

White Feather looks for his mortal enemy Dutch

 

A Castogator and an Immolator advance

The Baneblade destroys the sisters tanks

The battle was brutally close now,  the Saint and her squad wiped Marshall Derval's bodyguards out and then took the Marshall down.

Canoness Superior Angelica Swiftwind in her super paragon war suit (Morgan Vail stats wise) charged down a Rogal Dorn. Which after a few rounds of combat withdrew so the tank commander could get a shot at her. This damaged but didn't kill the Canoness, she went to swing past the Rogal Dorn and it overwatched and thankfully caught her finally with 2 multi-meltas and took her down!

With not many forces left on the field it was a scramble for objectives. The Baneblade did great work clearing objectives but even that fell to the last dice roll of the game. It blew up taking out the warsuit that had so rudely killed it.

The battle ended with a bloody Phalona Reach victory. they held objectives and managed to kill enough units and took the battle by 2 VP. Then both warlords were taken out so we add strategic VPs as well to the overall VP totals.

Phalona Reach VP total for Victory: 1000

Phalona Reach Defence Forces: 307

Ultramarines :291

Firebase K-12 Sector 134

The smell of promethium and burnt metal lingered in the air around firebase K-12, an continuous reminder of when the cleared land was burned out of the edge of the southern great forest. Vik stood by the railing of the south east watchtower, it was currently unmanned it's construction only completed this morning his hands crossed atop the ion stream unit as he looked north across the dual landing pads atop the roof, he tilted his head as a trio of Adepta Sororitas troopers rose up on the cargo lift two of them carrying bolters emblazoned with Sororitas iconography
The third was wielding one of there brutal heavy flamers, bejewelled with oath papers and prayer scrolls, he spoke as the trio halted near the far landing pad "Hey Bo, come look at this" Bo, a hulking black man with a thick moustache and dark blue coveralls rose from the panel he was working in and stepped up next to Vik brushing his hands on a rag hanging on his belt "What's going on?" Vik pointed at the three Sisters standing motionless by the landing pad "What you make of this?" Bo shook his head "You got me, nothing was posted on the arrival boards this morning" he paused looked again at the three motionless figures and shuddered "Anyway those gals creep me out always so serious, I try to keep my distance"
He turned back to get back to work, but before he could Vik spoke again "I think some of them look hot, I mean you never thought about it?" He turned and gave Bo a suggestive half grin
Bo shot him an incredulous look "You ever seen one of those women out of there armour? They look as if they would twist off your head if you tried" Vik looked a bit disappointed he hadn't got Bo going he turned back around to look at the landing deck and the three armoured women "I still think they look hot" Bo let out a grunt as the panel sputtered to life and began cycling through diagnostics "Done" he said closing the panel with a satisfying click "Now we can get lunch" he said as he turned around Vik spoke again "Hey Bo what does this thing do?" He said indicating the silent Ion Stream unit Bo looked at him confused "What you mean what's it do?" He picked it up and ran it along the floor it hummed quietly "You run it along the floor like this" Vik huffed "I know that but what does it actually do? The floor isn't any cleaner?" They both looked down at the offending device "I don't know" he said looking back at Vik, Vik looked at Bo then the device then Bo again before shrugging "So lunch?" Bo nodded, but before the could descend from the watchtower a screaming blast of heat and sound struck blasting the base as a massive Sororitas lander slammed to a stop right above the pad and gently descended to settle on its landing struts as the ramp descended the three sisters snapped to sharp attention, Bo gasped as he watched a figure walk gracefully down the ramp her gold and silver armour shone in the sunlight her white hair flows loose in the breeze as she looked around her piercing blue momentarily settled on Vik and Bo watching from the tower before her gaze moved on.
When her graceful stride reached the bottom of the ramp the three sisters saluted which she returned then turned back to watch as a full battle squad of sisters exited the lander, Vik nudged Bo "looks like they have a prisoner"
Bo gasped "Is that an Inquisitor?" Vik squinted "Looks like it" Vik and Bo looked at each other and said in unison "We are so screwed"
Canoness Angelica, a satisfied look on her face watched as the traitor Inquisitor who had led the assault on her home was roughly shoved down the steps to the interrogation rooms, now she will learn all she needs to know 

Phalona Reach Main Command

Xavier Snarpe studied the holo table. There had just been a major engagement and reports were flooding in.  Marshall Dreval had engaged an Adeptus Sororitas force that had forced a landing. Why the Sororitas had attacked there seemed illogical.  Then Snarpe remembered Marshall Dreval had destroyed their Cathedral.  Revenge, a tale as old as time itself. Reports of a knight stalking the battlefield were worrying he thought to himself. A report flashed up that the knight had been eradicated. The casualties were mounting up as each report came in.

The door to the command bunker opened and an aide came walking in.

“Governor, we are receiving an encrypted signal. Requesting to speak to the Governor”

Governor Snarpe looked up from the holo table,

“And where is the signal coming from?” he snapped,

“Low orbit from the asteroid fields. It's not the ultramarines but has similar identity properties” the aide said quickly,

“Intriguing, put them through,” Snarpe said. 

“As you wish”

Snarpe turned to a Vox machine,

“Governor Snarpe here, who is this?”

“Governor this is Cpt Krenal of the Lion warriors 2nd Company.”

“More space marines? Should you not be with your brothers out there crushing us under the imperial heel?” Snarpe remarked. 

“I can understand your attitude but no, the soldiers of the betrayer Gulliman are no brothers of ours. The emperor brought humanity so far and then the moment he was gone the people reverted back to worshipping idols. We are here to aid you in your search for freedom. Our sensors monitored a battle recently where one of your leaders has been captured. In the interests of diplomacy we will attempt a rescue and bring your leader back to you where we can discuss other matters. Captain Krenal out” the Vox clicked off abruptly

Snarpe stood in silence for a second taking in what had just happened. Phalona Reach was getting help whether it wanted it or not. An interesting development ahead.

Wargamer

 Wargamer Show

Today me and the eldest son went to a wargaming show called Wargamer. Recommended by Nat Hardacre on my FB page for this blog (Quick plug go give it a like on FB! or you can find me on Threads etc I'm around as Trials of a casual wargamer).

We headed over and paid our money to get in £6 for a family. It was a lovely size for me as I am not a fan of densely packed shows. There were several games on going and a good few traders around. We had a cruise around having a look at the games and stalls. I quite fancied having a proper look at the second hand table after we had tried some games. 

First game we tried was Black Ops.

Its a Osprey blue book so appears to cover many things. Our game was for the British to get their vehicle through the village and the insurgents to stop them. My son took control of the British army and I had the insurgents. 

The game used a deck of cards to determine the order of activations with certain models being assigned to certain cards (Obviously we were playing a game set up to be played quickly so I will miss things out or get things wrong). The first game we played was an absolute bust for me. Thanks to the luck of the card draw my sons British forces activated enough turns in a row to just drive through the village! So we played again and got more of a battle this time. My son won again but I at least got to shoot at him this time!

Insurgents RPG a vehicle but the plucky Brit survives

That was good fun and the person running it was super helpful and friendly. 

Next up we moved onto trying BattleTech Alpha Strike. Both versions of BattleTech were on offer, we tried Alpha Strike. This is a more streamlined versions for quicker play.

We started with our mechs facing each other  and engaged in battle!

My mech eyes up a target for its missile strike

Takes an absolute beating and shuts down but gets one final shot off

Which takes one of my sons mechs out in one shot! double 6 followed by a double 6!

My son then proceeds to batter my group of mechs 

After a bloody but fun battle my was victorious again (Kids!)

I then purchased a copy of the Black Op rules and a bacon sarnie and we called it a day. Can't wait to have a flick through and see what options there are. The game we played was in 15mm which from a storage point of view is a great size. So now I shall be scouring 15mm websites

So overall was really good and can't wait for next year!

Ambush!

Tonight's Battlefield

 Somewhere on Phalona

Dawn bled pale light across the ridgeline as the column of soldiers moved through the valley. From the treeline above, two figures crawled through pine needles and damp soil, a rifle dragging behind them like a second shadow. They had no orders to fire, not yet. There mission was simpler: watch, follow, and wait until waiting became death, they stopped the leader raised a pair of magnoculars to there face and carefully looked down at the valley, the column was just getting moving again, the troops forming up looked ragged and when the image zoomed in on the first armoured vehicle in line, a Leman Russ, the cogitator in the magnoculars picked out scarred hull plates indicating battle damage, the observer pressed a button on the side of the magnoculars and the images were beamed away to a nearby receiver, a few seconds later a voice sounded in the scout snipers ear "Data received, unit approaching strike point, maintain stealth observation, do not acknowledge this transmission"
As the transmission ended a small smile tugged at the corner of the scouts mouth, soon now, soon, as they watched the column unknowingly marching to it's doom.......

The column of troops trudged on through the valley.  2 Leman Russ tanks headed the column, the commander of the lead vehicle stood tall in his turret and watched the route ahead. Some younger soldiers in the column looked enviously at the tankers as fatigue made their feet feel like lead with each step. The veteran soldiers however knew the potential of tanks to turn into metal coffins in the blink of an eye.  They would take their chances outside where they can dive for cover.  

In a wooded area along the valley side a lone figure rested against a fallen log watching the column go past.  

“That idiot tank commander,  there's something out there watching us. Why won't he believe me? “ Dutch checked his pistol's action and started to shadow the Phalonian forces as they moved on.

Tonight's battle was an ambush Scenario. 

Ambush

2pts - Unit Destroyed

3pts - Character destroyed

2pts - Defender unit off board

3pts - Defender Character off board

The battle started with the Sisters of Battle launching the ambush with an Ultramarine orbital strike thanks to their victory in space.

The weary column of troops heading back from battle

The sisters of battle waiting for the right time to strike

Dutch is scouting ahead and he knows something isn't right

The forces engage. Sisters of Battle tanks move out of the tree line to block the way forward.  The armoured vehicles and walkers pounded each other. Dutch the hero of Phalona was spotted and blasted by melta guns, taken out the battle early on.

Ambush!

A Leman Russ tank succumbed to fire and was knocked out but the infantry pressed forward. Paragon war suits and Sisters of battle infantry made the battle close work.

Paragon Walkers get up close and personnel

Shooting raged between the two sides, the Paragon walkers charged the command squad. The command squad held up longer than I thought they would but they eventually fell to the sisters. 

Last stand of the command squad!

Sisters of battle infantry advance towards an infantry squad shooting. They return fire holding their ground.

The Phalona infantry go tank hunting

The Sisters of Battle Immolator has grenades thrown at it by the infantry and blows up. Celebrations were short lived as the paragon war suits have closed the distance.

The squad crumbles under the attack

The Phalona forces are under immense pressure and are taking heavy casualties. The Sisters infantry are dropping from sustained las fire though. Another infantry squad makes off into the woods away from the fighting. A Leman Russ Demolisher held out  as long as it could. Pulling forces towards it while the infantry tried to get away. The sisters of Battle lost their armoured vehicles and a Paragon war suit. 

  

A lone Phalonian trooper fights to the last

Infantry try to fall back from the unstoppable war suits.

The Paragon war suits finish off the infantry that had tried to fall back.  The Sisters of Battle are killed by the guns of the demolisher tank at close range. Which in turn dies to the war suits melta guns and that was the end of the game.

On the face of it the ambush was a success but at what cost? We counted this as a victory to the Phalonian Forces due to the casualties the ambush force took. The demolisher tank was the star holding the forces up so the infantry could escape. 

Phalona Reach VP total for Victory: 1000

Phalona Reach Defence Forces: 96

Ultramarines :161

“Get out of here! I will hold them here!”Davrio, the commander of Wrath of Phalona, the Leman Russ demolisher, shouted into the vox net. The inside of the tank was filled with smoke and noise. The crew shouting out targets, bullets clanging off the armour. 

“Received,  Phalona protect you” 

A sergeant took his finger of his ear and pointed to the North for his squad. They all looked relieved that they would not have to go back to the battle. The squad slipped away into the woods as the lone tank fought on.

Warning lights blinked and alarms sounded, Commander Davrio looked around the inside of the tank, the Demolishers driver lay dead in his seat, the loader clutched a stomach wound desperately trying to keep his insides in. Through the tanks' periscopes he could see the corpses and burning tanks. They had felt the wrath of Phalona! He spotted the walkers turning towards him and a bright flash of light. Suddenly the tank erupted in flames, Davrio scrambled for the handle of the hatch as the flames licked at his clothes and then bright light as the tank blew up sending the turret flying high into the sky.

Battle Barge Resilient

The darkness was absolute, formless, silent. She felt nothing suspended in this void unaware of how long she had been here, time was meaningless, she tried to recall how she arrived here but the more she tried to seek the memories the more they slipped from her grasp, eventually she became aware of movement in the pervasive darkness and a gentle pressure against her form, this triggered a sudden image to appear before her mind a young blonde girl, little more than a child sat cross legged upon the cold ground her hands preesed together in prayer prayer papers inscribed in both high gothic and phalonan script affixed to her crimson and black robes rustled gently as a breeze brushed her lithe form, the girls face was familiar but her identity remained frustratingly out of reach. An unknown amount of time later she became aware again of the movement the pressure returned, greater this time less a breeze than a gust of sudden wind and again a memory surfaced, the same blonde girl, now older in her late teens early twenties, her now athletic but voluptous form clad in dark armour with gold and silver ornament, high gothic script accros the pauldrons, frustratingly she knew she should be able to easily read the words but the meaning escaped her in her current state, she saw the armoured woman begin a series of exercises using both bolter and sword while watched by another before the image fades. Again an unknown time passed, again the movement in the void but this time was different, the wind hit her with a ferocity unknown before and was accompanied by a blazing golden light that banished the darkness in a single blazing instant at the centre of the light stood a single figure clad in

beautiful golden armour his elegant face framed by long dark hair his eyes blazed with golden light, but she knew though without doubt that he was gazing upon her when the figure spoke she felt his rich voice at the very core of her suddenly aching form "My child, your work is not yet done, go back, your sisters need you yet" the voice echoed, it was the voice of her father, her brother, her first lover, her teacher Cort all the voices taken from her past, tears streaked her face as she nodded her suddenly heavy head at the words a small smile twitches the corner of the golden mans mouth as the light begins to fade.

     With a gasp Canoness Angelica bolts upright in bed the lights in the Resilients apothacarium dimmed by the ships night cycle, the beeps of the health monitors attached to her becoming almost a continous tone before dropping back to there more normal rhythm she turned her head, her aching neck protesting, to see Sister Superior Khalan in her robes clutching her aquila amulet as she sleeps in a chair next to her bed, her full lips moving silently as she recites a prayer in her sleep, she looks around and sees sister Liliana sat in a chair, still in her armour undersuit her right arm in a heavy cast a medicae surf finishes giving her an injection and moves off down to another bed in the ward, Liliana rose in rush and stepped up beside her bed gasping out "Emperor be praised!!" clutching her aquila with her good hand "Canoness, we feared you would never wake" Khalan's eyes opened as she woke a smile formed on her lips before shifting to astonishment "Sister, your hair!!" Her hand reached out and touched Angelica's previously shining blonde hair which had miraculously to white. Khalan gathered herself and reached into a pocket in her robes and withdrew a set of blooded militarium holotags which she set in Angelica's open palm, she read the name upon them, Lieutenant Kranor "It cost us more than we would have liked but we exacted The Emperor's justice upon the traitors that destroyed our home and murdered our sisters" Angelica turned the tags over in her palm, her vision rose in her minds eye momentarily before she closed her fist on the blooded tags, her purpose renewed before she spoke "Tell me all that has happened while I was absent, omit nothing" so Khalan began to talk.......

New Models!

 I've had a few models on the painting bench for a while now. But I have finally finished them!!

I have some Station Forge Socratis Brutes. I will use these as heavy intercessors  I think.

Last of all my Lion Warriors need some speed so I picked up some outriders. 

Can't wait to try them out on the field of battle 

Phalona Station D2

 After the Ultramarines picked up some strange signals coming from a supposedly abandoned space station. They were shocked to discover another chapter of space marines on their. What were they doing ? Who are they?

We decided to fight this battle a lot more different that usual. Using Aliens boardgames  tiles for a space station we then gave the units a bit more freedom to stray from unit coherency.  Like a muppet i didn't take any photos. It was a 500pt game. Ultramamrines vs Lion Warriors

Repel Boarders

2pts - Killing a unit

3pts - killing a character

The game started with my Lion Warriors getting the first turn and just a small amount of movement. The Stern Guard stood fast to hold the main hallway of the space station as the Ultramarines approached.  Some Infernus marines were watching a second corridor. 

Chief Librarian Tigurius  lead the assault with a squad of Infernus marines with heavy intercessors and  terminators behind. 

The ensuing battle was swift and bloody. The Ultramarine Infernus marines took heavy casualties but with help from Tigurius they overcame the Stern Guard. My intercessors unleashed a hail of fire  hurting the Infernusu marines.  From a separate corridor my Judicar charged leading assault intercessors.  The Infernus marines and Chief Librarian were cut down! 

My Infernus marines flamed the approaching terminators  killing one but were soon charges and destroyed.  

Ultramarine heavy intercessors blasted my assault intercessors and then charged them. They were also destroyed thanks to the ultramarines having Lt Titus. 

I only had intercessors with my lt Titus (Lt Terion in the story sextions) left!!  They poured fore at the heavy intercessors  ut the Gravis armour shrugged off many shots.  Combat was joined and just my Lt was left standing but he eventually succumbed also.

Victory for the Ultramarines!

Phalona Reach VP total for Victory: 1000

Phalona Reach Defence Forces: 79

Ultramarines :145

Phalona Stataion D2

Bolter shells exploded off bulk heads sending shrapnel everywhere, the glow of the red emergency lighting cast ominous shadows throughout the space station. Yellow armoured corpses lay with blue armoured corpses. Flames licked the air, the smell of promethium hung heavy. A yellow power armoured figure crashed into a room dragging another figure scattering desks and data slates.  

“Emperor damn you Tolerex! Leave me to fight. “ A coarse, pained voice shouted. 

Tolerex pulled the other space marine up onto his feet. The face of Lt Terion was ashen grey. Holes rent in his armour showed the damage he had sustained. 

“No Lieutenant. You get back to the Captain and report what happened here! There is no shame we faced Lord Tigurius and terminators! We stood and fought but Captain Kyriel must know the Ultramarines are aware of our presence “

With that he shoved Lt Terion through an airlock door. 

Lt Terion fell backwards before hands grabbed him and dragged him backwards to the Thunderhawk that was waiting in a small extra hanger bay on one side of the station they had discovered . 

The airlock door closed and Terion saw Tolerex turned and away and the light flashes indicated he was making his stand there. 

The Thunderhawk blasted away from the station and quickly manoeuvred into the asteroid field to avoid detection. Lt Terion sat motionless darkness hanging heavy on his soul as the loss of his men.  

Phalona Station D2

The apothecary looked up from the yellow armoured corpse he was working on and nodded to Captain Vorenous as he strode past the captain nodded back then after a glance at the corpse he continued into the control room of the station, Titus stood at the main station, Vorenous noted the supply boxes, some full, some empty but all marked with the lion's head on black same as the symbol on the warriors in yellow. Titus turned and saluted Vorenous with fist to his heart "Sir" Vorenous nodded with a little chuckle "No need to salute me Demetrian we have been friends for 300 years" Titus lowered his fist and nodded with a small grin of his own, he gestured to the ancient control station "The Chief Librarian?" He questioned, Vorenous gave out a hearty laugh "You really need to ask? That old stick will outlive the stars" Titus let out a startled laugh. The laughter died away as they both turned there attention back to the control console, Titus spoke "You better hope his sense of humour has improved since I last saw him Lucius, these space marines we fought they were using the stations sensors to monitor the planet and our task force" Vorenous looked at the images on the screens one of which showed a Guard column camped in a valley, the image was so wide that at the far edge was the shattered ruins of the Sisters monestary at the head of the valley, another image displayed a collection of ruined Guard vehicles he recognised, a third screen displayed a silo of large missiles white vapour bled from vents in the missiles and the tanks around the room Vorenous pointed at the image of the missiles "Where is this?" Titus grinned "You'll like this Lucius....." and Titus explained

Phalona Station D2 (Abandoned)

 

Phelona High Orbit

The Thunderhawk gunship roared from the flight deck of the Strike Cruiser Sword Of Truth despite it's obvious wear it's ornate markings still showed, flowing scroll work and ornate embelishments around the armourglass viewports and weapon mounts showing more than anything that this gunship carried more than just battle brothers, as the gunship swung onto the course to it's target two more gunships formed up beside it. Within the troop compartment Sergeant Chronos ran through the briefing again on his helmet display, reading carefully trying to glean some hint as to what they might find when they land, there target was a seemingly abandoned orbital station with an attached orbital dock the facility had been dark and cold when the Resilient arrived but that changed during a recent auspex sweep, the ancient warships cogitators had detected a heat bloom within the platform indicating a shielded power source in use and so his squad had been assigned to a task force to check and clear the platform, he just hoped it was a false alarm fighting in high orbit really limited what for could be bought along, he clicked off the briefing and leaned back in his acceleration harness and waited for landing.....

Phalona Station D2 (Abandoned) 

In the dim light of the space station control room 2 space marines clad in yellow power armour stood over a bank of auspexs and cogitators. “The Phalonians are brave brother” the one said. 

“Indeed, I fear the odds are against them though Tolerex. But the human spirit knows no bounds. I think they will be either victorious or fight to the last man. “ 

Tolerex turned to face his companion. “ Do we know what the chapter master wants with this world? “ before he got a reply a new beeping sound drew their attention.

“I think they know we are here lieutenant, “ Tolerex said, watching the Auspex. The Space marine watched several blips on the screen set a course towards the abandoned space station, which they had been using as an observation post to monitor the conflict on Phalona Reach. Lt Terion sighed, 

“I was hoping for a bit more time but no one ever said the Ultramarines were sloppy. Update Captain Kyriel, I'll prepare to repel boarders or pull back whatever the captain wishes “ Tolerex nodded and started to activate the master vox system. Lt Terion strode off to gather his men. 

The cathedral of Death Battle report

The Monastery 

Canoness Angelica stood atop the battlements, the ugly gun shields hastily grafted over the crumbling ancient carvings a brutal testament to the ravages of war her gaze swept across the abandoned barricades spread across the churned over lawns and and ruined gardens dotted about in places were the unrecovered remains of fallen sisters and traitor guardsmen, her lips moved silently in a prayer to the Emperor for the souls fallen on this blighted world, just as she finished, a rising scream in the air announced the resumption of the guard bombardment, the shells landing with heavy crashes further churning the courtyard, her gaze snapped left as a shell carved through the middle of a spire, as the debris rained down to the ground the spire collapsed in a cloud of pulverised rockreate and plasteel.
               Sister Superior Khalan finished her prayers and raised the Imperial Aquila with the attached prayer scroll and affixed it to her chest plate, lifted her bolter and rose to her feet her actions copied by the squad behind her, she raised a fist over her heart and spoke "For the Emperor!" Her squad copied her action and invocation before the squad marched out to take there place on the barricades. Outside the monastery looked like a kicked anthill sisters and intitates running to and fro, servitors and tech adepts moving gear and supplies from the storehouses to the landing area, as they turned to climb the steps to the battlements a castigator main battle tank covered in oath papers and prayer scrolls fluttering in the wind moved up to block the main doors, its tracks ripping up the ancient marble of the destroyed foyer. Angelica raised her gauntleted hand and pointed, Khalan's eyes narrowed as she looked in the direction indicated, dark green and grey tanks appearing at the entrances to the passes "So they are coming again, the transport better get here soon" 

On the plains outside the monastery

"From High Command, the Ultramarines have found out about the besieged Sisters. They may send help." A Comms officer from inside the command Chimera said to Marshall Dreval. She nodded,

"It is to be expected. Such a force would be hard to hide from their prying eyes. " 

She turned to face the array of vehicles and men preparing for battle. 

"We have the area well locked down so if they come it will be by air and I think just to evacuate the sisters. That's if they want to go, they may insist of dying for their so called cause" 

Marshall Dreval turned to her body guards, grim determination was etched across their faces. 

"You have seen the truth that Supreme commander Snarpe shared. We all still love the emperor but to worship him as a god is false. He was just a man. A remarkable man, a titan of a man but just a man. I don't understand why your sisters won't see that. Are you ready to face them?"

The red armoured sisters of battle remained silent. The sister superior stepped forward,

"We wish our sisters had listened to us but they are stubborn and trapped in rhetoric. We must free them"

Hold Until Evac - 2000pts

2pts - Killing a unit

3pts - killing a character

5pts to Defender -  For every defender unit that makes it to transport

5pts to Attacker - For every defender left at the end of the game

The battle for Phalona Reach wages on. Word has got to the Ultramarines that an Adeptus Sororitas monastery was under siege. A transport was despatched to rescue what forces remained!

A 2000pt game I got to bring all my favourite things...….tanks! I had a heavy force of plenty of armour and Ogryns and Bulgryns. There was some infantry as well. All lead by Marshall Dreval (Using Inquisitor Coteaz rules) and her entourage of a squad of Adeptus Sororitas. 

The Sisters held the monastery with infantry, tanks and walkers.

The Phalonian forces await the order to charge 

The Adeptus Sororitas hold the perimeter

The battle started with the sisters infantry holding the perimeter, 2 armoured vehicles advanced containing Arco flagellant's and Sister Repentia along with Penitant engines.

On the right flank a Callidus assassin broke cover and surged forward. She was charged by Phalonian infantry

but she slaughtered them all without remorse. This left her exposed to a lot of tank guns though. The Phalonian tanks let moved forward and brought such a weight of fire down on the advancing forces. 

My Hellhound was destroyed by a Castigator but both of the Sororitas advancing tanks were destroyed, their occupants survived and pushed forward. Brutal hand to hand combat erupted on the front lines. The Bulgryns took casualties but held firm and the Ogryns charged in to clean up the fight with brutal efficiency

Under an assault of mauls and rifle buts a Sister superior falls

 The Phalonian advance was slowed by this sally from the Monastery, so the surviving sisters held firm behind the walls. One unit was getting smashed by a basilisk but they held. 

Paragon War suits came forward to engage the tanks and the holy Saint Celestine descended with a squad of Seraphim's. 

The Paragon War suits fell from the sheer weight of tank fire. Saint Celestine charged at the Phalonians and slaughtered a squad. Unfortunately this left the Saint exposed. Marshall Dreval and her squad brought down most of the Seraphim's with bolter fire.  

With a roar and a sonic boom the Ultramarine transport appeared  landing in the monastery square.

Clearly the Ultramarines did not have a Vertibird. Thank you to Dave for the proxy

The Sisters started to fall back, the Phalonians realised they had been to slow at the advance and hurried firing what they can at the retreating Adeptus Sororitas. The demolisher tank unloaded everything it had at the Living Saint and she finally succumbed crashing to the ground. 

Fire poured down on the retreating sisters but a few units made it to the transport.

A draw Guard 20 VPs to Sisters 20 VPs

Phalona Reach VP total for Victory: 1000

Phalona Reach Defence Forces: 72

Ultramarines :131

Ultramarine Transport 

Sister Superior Khalan sat on the deck of the transport her shoulders slumped, her long white hair dishevelled by the run from the monastery, her one hand still gripped her bolter in a death grip while her other hand gently stroked the hair of Canoness Angelica whose limp and bloodied body she had carried aboard the transport herself, a quiet sob came from the cluster of her sisters scattered through the hold, she looked up as Sister Berdine kneeled on the other side of the fallen form of the Canoness "Is she?" She muttered in a breathy whisper, Khalan met her gaze "She lives, her armour took most of the round" Sister Berdine looked relieved and muttered a quiet prayer of thanks to the Emperor, Khalan instinctively followed in reciting the prayer.
The intercom crackled and the deep voice of the pilot echoed around the cabin "we are approaching the Resilient, prepare for docking" When the intercom went quiet, Berdine locked eyes with Khalan again, her right hand clutched an Aquilla necklace hanging between her breasts "What became of the Saint? Did you see her escape?" The desperate hope in Berdine's eyes triggered a stab of grief in Khalan's heart "She fell" Khalan's voice was choked with unshed tears, her hand again stroked Angelica's hair, Berdine gripped her Aquilla tighter and her voice became heated "Did you actually see her die?" Khalan took a deep breath and admitted "No she was still fighting when we were falling back, but she was surrounded and heavy armoured units were closing on her"
The transport then set down on the landing deck of the Ultramarines warship with a heavy bang of metal on metal, the ramps dropped, immediately a white armoured apothecary and two medicae servitors boarded and began working on the limp form of the Canoness, Khalan and Berdine rose providing space so the medical crew could begin to work, Berdine took Khalan's arm as they walked down the ramp "She will return" when Khalan didn't reply Berdine repeated the statement more forcefully, Khalan finally replied "Yes, she will, praise the Emperor" Berdine nodded both there eyes drawn to an approaching figure in blue power armour, Khalan looked over the warrior, his confident stride, thoughtful gaze and the service studs a strange counterpoint to his lieutenant rank markings, as he reached them, he looked over at the apothecary working on the canoness then back to Khalan before he raised his fist to his chest in salute and spoke "Welcome to the Resilient, I am Lt Titus, I'm sorry we could not extract you sooner, the rebels worked hard to stop us learning of your struggle, we will provide as much aid as we can for you"
Khalan nodded "Thank you Lt, we will need a little time to recover and give thanks to the Emperor but we will be ready for action again soon"
Titus nodded and just said "Good" 

The Monastery 

Marshall Dreval watched the Space Marine transport fly high into the sky, a trail of ineffectual tracer fire chasing after it.  

She scanned the burning cathedral,  Phalonian soldiers searched through the ruins while a green Rogal Dorn slowly traversed its turret watching for any last resistance. Some sisters had gotten away but that was to be expected. The cathedral was taken now and no longer could be used to preach falsehoods. 

Tanks still burned their  ammunition cooking off making sharp cracks and pops.  She turned to her body guards 

“Where is the Saint? “

The sisters stood unmoving, the sister superior stepped forward, 

“There is no body Marshall”

Dreval was confused,  she pointed at the winged corpses and snapped,

“Did we not see the Saint crumple under fire and fall? “

“Yes Marshall, a tank round brought her down but there is no body. Maybe it was vaporised?” The sister superior said visibly annoyed that this could not be explained.  Dreval so her head “This won't be the last we see of her” 

She strode back in the direction of her transport.  As she passed a demolisher tank she snorted a laugh as she spotted a crew member painting what looked like a fairy next to their other kill markers on the turret next to the demolisher cannon. 

She rolled her eyes

“Men”