Sunday, May 24, 2020

Play-by-Email Imperials vs Genestealer Cult - Part 4

Turn 5

 Imperial Agents Sitrep - Gotfret de Montbard is no more. The Crusader was slain by a shot in the back from one of the cowards up on the gantry. Serivina and Aradia have found themselves under attack by a quartet of misshapen brutes - creatures hellish even by the standards of the cultists. Aradia killed one in melee and hurt another, but Severina was pummeled badly taking 3 wounds! The Deathwatch are still in place. Orders?

+++Deathwatch abandoned the truck to save their wards.

“Broken and bloody, Inquisitor Serevina Humiliata bared her teeth at the hulking freaks that surrounded her and the Primaris Psyker, Aradia Madellan. Serevina’s right shoulder armor was caved in and she could no longer feel the arm beneath it. Her vision swam even as she lashed out with her combat blade against the monstrosities. She vaguely heard bursts of gunfire - bolters? Perhaps Neyam’s dueling pistols. The world was spinning. 

The Inquisitor was vaguely aware of the Deathwatch’s hulking forms smashing into the equally gigantic forms of her assailants, but her focus was on trying to avoid the downward blows of two power picks. But her fatigue was showing. Both weapons found her, even as their weilders received retribution. 

“For His Imperial Majesty...” she whispered as she collapsed and the darkness enfolded her.”


The Deathwatch and Neyam Shia Murad turned their guns upon the acolytes on the platform. Guns blazing, they slew them to a man. The Deathwatch then charged the Aberrants, killing one and wounding another. Inquisitor Humiliata struck before the Aberrants, but failed to do anything. Their power picks fell upon her, smashing through her armor and killing her. In return, Aradia did another wound on the Aberrants leaving only one left alive. 

Adeptus Mechanicus Sitrep - The lone genestealer fell back from combat with your superior forces, only to make way for a group of five hybrid acolytes. Gunfire from these monstrosities killed your remaining Skitarii. The abominations then charged you in combat. It was fierce and bloody, in the end only the leader of the Tech-Acolytes and Father Erasmus remained, while two of the foul xenos half-breeds survived. You are still locked in combat with them. Orders? 

+++This one is tough, this is the last turn. I can't get to the terminal, I can't get the hopper that I sent to the wrong location. This is it, I either disengate from combat and go nowhere, stay in combat and win and that is it....
This is what I do. I tell the hopper to slide on over to the other entrance (middle of image), use the engine backblast to move those other fools out of the way, pick up the sample, SKULLROID 13 and me (Krugg, after he disengages from the two hybrids). We are dusting off ! Better to fail the objective and survive than to stick around and die in vain.

Ad beneficia Omnissiah” Father Erasmus whispered as he turned to leave the cave system-turned- abattoir. His sensors were picking up massive amounts of life-readings heading this way. The precious STC template would have to remain on this forsaken rock. The Dominatus’ massive walker began to slowly retreat. 

His bitterness was tempered by the hope that someday he or others of his order would be able to return here and retrieve the holy data fragment. He had lived for more than 600 standard years. He could wait a few more.”


The lander moved over to the entrance. Erasmus, the biologis Deacon and Skullroid moved towards the craft but failed to roll high enough to meet it. The remaining tech-acolyte slew another hybrid acolyte in close combat.

Cult Magus Sitrep - The Tech-Priest Dominus fell back from combat, leaving two Acolytes to fight the Tech-Acolyte. One Acolyte Hybrid was killed in melee, leaving the two Acolyte cultists from very different religions facing each other. The remaining Purestrain now has freedom of movement. The Magus is locked in combat with his rival, the Primus. Orders?

+++Cywyn grit his teeth, focusing his mind on the task at hand.  He chattered to his purestrain brethren, commanding it to escape into the tunnels from whence it came, lest it fall into enemy hands or suffer corruption by the traitor Kyruss, should Cywyn fail in his appointed task... +++
* * *
Send the Genestealer running south, back down the tunnel we came from.  Try to get him out of sight of everyone if movement allows.
Cywyn should use his psychic powers: Smite on Kyruss, and then Might from Beyond on himself and kill Kyruss.   (I'll choose Cywyn to fight with first in the combat phase.)
The Hybrid Acolyte can stay and continue fighting the other Skitarii dude.

Cult Primus Sitrep - Primus Gnorr is engaged in bloody combat with his foe, Magus Stor. The last Aberrant is surrounded by angry Deathwatch Marines. Orders?

+++Fight to last man!

“Cywyn Stor gritted his teeth and deftly parried a slash from his hated foe, Primus Kyruss Gnorr. The Magus focused his mind, marshalling all of his inner strength and sent it as a bolt of pure force into the Primus’ bulbous skull. Gnorr reeled away from the melee, dropping his weapons and clutching his head. His body spasmed with pain until he could last no more, his cranium detonating like a blasting charge. 

The Magus stood back, brushing bits of bone and gore from his finery. Now his authority and position within the coven were assured! And no witnesses besides his faithful familiars. Now, to concoct a plausible story for the reinforcements that he could feel nearby. Perhaps killed by an enemy pskyer? Yes, yes, despite the Magus’ valiant attempts to save his brother, he was overcome. 

The enemy was still here in strength, but the main force would arrive soon. Even more Pure Brethern amongst their ranks. Not even the vaunted Astartes could stop their numbers. No, this day, the Imperium of Man would know no victory…”




Game Results

Despite the absolute beating that the Genestealer Cult received, the forces of the Imperium have not accomplished many of their objectives. With reinforcements inbound, the Cult is sure to eradicate the Emperor’s minions. With the death of Inquisitor Humiliata, no key codes exist to exterminate life on Epsilon Beta Hydros. The cult will endure. 

The Cult of the Four-Armed Emperor under Magus Stor accomplished all three of their objectives:

Primary Objective - Prevent the forces of the Imperium from getting to the landing pad and escaping with the Xenos biosample.

Secondary Objective - Eliminate the threat to your position in the brood by getting rid of the Primus, Kyrus Gnorr. If he is dead by the end of Turn 5, you will have succeeded.

Tertiary Objective - The pure bloodline must be maintained. The Patriarch has gifted you with the presence of a brood of Purestrains. This squad must survive with at least one member by the end of the 5th turn.

The Cult of the Four-Armed Emperor under Primus Gnorr accomplished two of their objectives:

Primary Objective - Prevent the forces of the Imperium from getting to the landing pad and escaping with the Xenos biosample.

Tertiary Objective - The Inquisitor may have the authority to exterminate the entire planetoid. She must not survive. 

The Imperial Agents under the leadership of Inquisitor Humiliata accomplished one of their objectives:

Tertiary Objective - The Deathwatch Kill team must maintain its honor by inflicting at least 3 times as many casualties as it takes by the end of Turn 5. 

The Adeptus Mechanicus force commanded by Father Erasmus accomplished one of their objectives:

Tertiary Objective - Upload combat data by engaging at least 1 Purestrain Xenos in close combat.

With a 5:2 ratio, the Genestealer Cult has won the day! POWER TO THE PEOPLE! DOWN WITH THE IMPERIAL OPPRESSORS!!

Play-by-Email Imperials vs Genestealer Cult - Part 3

Turn 3


 Imperial Agents Sitrep - It seems the enemy is redeploying a bit. A possible leader scurried south towards a mine entrance, while the rebels you previously fired upon have taken up position behind some cover. They returned fire, but it was ineffectual. Additionally, you have received a datenet message from Servitor P-1L0T that the hopper is being attacked. Orders?


+++The Deathwatch stands their ground while the agents advance as fast as they can to the gate. The Madellan will attempt to cast the same power. The Deathwatch will fire on the Neophytes with the Heavy Stubber targeting the HazMat containers hoping to cause an explosion to take out more Neophytes.


“Move, damn you! Move!” Inquisitor Severina barked at her companions. The group began a full force sprint past the blazing fire of the Deathwatch Kill Team. Only the precision of the Astartes allowed them to avoid the maelstrom of bolter rounds. Thank The Emperor for it. 


The blast door protected entrance to the mine loomed ahead of the Inquisitor and her companions. Severina took a second to track them - Aradia was there, looking like she was trying to summon one of her psychic gifts - and the Crusader Gotfret close by - but where was the Rogue Trader? The Inquisitor turned to look back for her, but there was a sudden explosion that bathed Humiliata in a shockwave of heat. It seemed Zariel’s new toy had found a mark. 


“We cannot wait for Neyam! Forward!”


The Imperial Agents got some decent advance rolls except the Rogue Trader who rolled a 1. The Deathwatch killed another two Neophytes through a combination of fire and hitting two of the hazardous waste drums. Your psyker failed to manifest her power. 


Adeptus Mechanicus Sitrep - The cavern you have advanced into has been suddenly flooded by rebel forces from the west. It appears they were occupying the Terminal Epsilon Gamma room. They seemed in poor position to attack, but one did fire a grenade launcher. 1 Skitarii Vanguard was irreparably damaged in the attack. Additionally, you have received a datenet message from Servitor P-1L0T that the hopper is being attacked. Orders?


+++ Father Erasmus & Skitarii will move up normal and fire everything at the unit of baddies ! The remaining 3 units will move as fast as possible North ! I ask the P-ILot for a sit-rep and let him know we are moving to support ASAP.


“Platform is becoming too unstable. Lifeforms assaulting unit. Dust off in 50 seconds. Requesting new landing coordinates.” Servitor P-1L0T’s dull voice echoed across Father Erasmus’ vox speaker. Before the Tech-Priest could instruct the mechanical savant, his combat datasphere was instructing him on how best to deal with the threat in front of him.  Combat tactics and attack vectors bloomed in his mind and the Father passed orders to his Skitarii underlings in an instant. 


Radium shot and plasma fire bloomed in the Skitarii’s advance. The insurgents held firm despite the slew of fire, but then Erasmus himself entered the fray. His vokite weapon incinerated a screaming rebel with murderous precision, followed by his macrostubber opening up with the ferocity of a butcher’s bandsaw. Every inch of the floor, walls and ceiling were painted with the seditious scum’s remains. Still, the Dominus strode forward his cybernetic attendants joining him.


The remaining cultists opened fire, desperately attempting to slow the brotherhood of Mar’s finest troops. Autogun fire glanced off walls, a beam of hot death went wide, and a grenade round impacted Erasmus’ energy defenses pathetically. Nothing could stop the priest, and his mechanical tendrils reached down to shred his foes. 


He paused for a nanosecond, glorying in his triumph and glad to be closer to his goal, when his augmented brain flashed into overdrive with new threat assessments within the next cavern. A fear that would have crippled a normal man swung through Erasmus’ consciousness. He lost combat effectiveness for nearly a full second before regaining his composure. Surely the Omnissiah was about to test his mettle to the fullest.”



Your forces all moved forward, the Biologis Deacon rolling another 5! The Skitarii and Tech-Priest killed 7 of the 10 cultists in shooting, then assaulted and broke the remainder. They are all dead. However, the objective cavern is full of new dangers. The aerospace hopper will lift off at the END of the Genestealer turn. You can then direct it to land in a new position at the END of your next turn. 


Cult Magus Sitrep - You definitely made contact with the enemy. Terrible, terrible contact. A force of Skitarii led by a Tech-Priest Dominus butchered the Neophytes you sent forward to a man. They… they can see you. Additionally, your mind can feel Primus Gnorr nearby - due North. Orders?


+++Cywyn swore under his breath, then chattered in his alien language, directing his minions.  He focused his concentration, reaching once again into the void to summon his dark power...+++
* * *
Hybrid Acolytes: Move aside so the others can fit by (Something like where I've put the red circles in the image.
Cywyn Stor: Move to the side behind them, so he can see the tech priest, but NOT the other unit through the opening (so Smite will target the tech priest).
Purestrain Genestealers, move and Advance into the tunnel, getting as close to the enemy as possible.  I'd like to put as many of them into the tech priest as I can, the rest on the Skitarii
Psychic Powers:  First Smite the tech priest, then Might From Beyond the Genestealers.
If anyone can shoot, take the shots, then assault with the Genestealers.  I'm assuming they will be close enough to shunt some wounds onto the Acolytes with "Loyalty."  Put as many attacks as I can into the Tech Priest, the rest into the the Skitarii.


“Pure Brethren, I beseech you - slay these godless mechanical things!” Cywyn hissed. The purestrain Genestealers swiftly scurried past the obeising acolytes. As the hideous four armed death-dealers made their way forward, Cywyn reached out with his mind and touched the intellect of the half-dead thing floating in the mechanized bio-tank. Cywyn’s mind whispered up against the Tech-Priest’s cold, unfeeling thoughts before he savagely bore down on the priest’s consciousness. Before their minds parted, he could see the liquid in the tank fill with blood through the AdMech leader’s eyes. 


The Magus smiled as his perception snapped back to reality. His elation was fleeting, however. The Pure Brethren dashed into melee with the Mechanicus entourage and there was the sound of heavy fire. One of the cult’s primogenitors went down in a hail of gunfire, another fell beneath the whirling drill of the priest even as their claws pierced armor and ruptured lines. The entrance became a swirling chaos of blood, oil, screeching and mechanical whines. The servants of Mars would not be so easily defeated.”


The Magus manifested Smite and caused 2 wounds on the Tech-Priest. The Genestealers charged, lost one to overwatch fire. They killed a Skitarii and did 1 wound on the Dominus. His repair systems automatically healed one wound. 


Cult Primus Sitrep - the neophytes in your charge continue to take a beating. Two more now sit at the feet of the Four-Armed Emperor. The marines hit two of the hazardous waste barrels, causing a massive explosion. Morale still seems unshakable in the remaining members. On the landing pad, the hopper is beginning to power up, exhaust building up in thick clouds. Orders?

+++ Gnorr will head towards the gate. Have the neophytes attack the Inquisitor and her guys. Bring the Aberrants forward, ready to charge next turn. The acolytes will run down the gantry and try to get the drop on the marines.

"Neophyte Initiate Zgar saw a group of Imperial dogs heading towards the main gate. Instinctively, he knew they had to be stopped. But how? Many of his brothers were dead and those that were left were cautious, unwilling to throw themselves into the line of fire from the black armored marines.

"Faithless welps! Is this how you think you will achieve paradise?!" Zgar screamed at his compatriots. "Follow me!"

The neophyte leader rushed forward, spraying shots from his autogun at the enemy. His boldness seemed to electrify his cult brothers, and they surged forward after him. They unleashed their wrath at an armored servant of the Dead Emperor, bathing him in a torrent of bullets, laser beams and finally claws. Even as they pressed in on him, they knew they faced their own deaths. And they planned to sell their lives at a high cost."



Primus headed towards the gate. Neophytes shot at an Imperial Crusader and did 2 wounds. They then charged, doing 1 more wound to him. Aberrants moved up. Acolytes moved along the gantry to outflank Deathwatch.


Turn 4


 Imperial Agents Sitrep - Gotfret de Montbard took a hail of fire from the remaining degenerate cultists advancing towards the main gate. The creatures then launched an assault on him that brought Inquisitor Serevina into the fray. Two cultists were killed and Gotfret has taken 3 wounds this turn (2 from shooting, 1 in the fight). Serevina managed to extricate herself from the combat. It also appears there is movement to the West behind the cover there AND something is moving on the catwalk above and to the north of you. Orders?


+++Two of the agents make a break for the objective behind the door, the third steps up to help assist in the soon-to-be-a-boot-party melee. The Deathwatch fall back around the truck while the Sgt targets the catwalk if he has LoS.


“Gotfret de Montbard swung his powersword in a deadly crackling arc above his head to ward off his attackers. The Crusader bled from a dozen wounds, but it had done little to blunt his righteous zeal. “Save thyselves, m’ladies!” Gotfret cried as he deflected a pistol shot with his storm shield. 


Primaris Pysker Aradia Madellan sprinted away, trying to link up at the main mine entrance with Inquisitor Humiliata. She turned to look back at the Crusader, focusing her mental energies on his two attackers. Both rebels suddenly stiffened, trembling in terror moments before their heads burst from Aradia’s psychic assault. The Crusader fell to one knee, clearly exhausted, but alive.


Aradia let herself feel hope, but only for a moment as the main gate suddenly burned away like a plastic toy in a guttering flame. As the smoke cleared in the driving rain, the psyker saw saw the form of several Servants of Mars within the cavern. Perhaps the Emperor blessed them after all.”


Inquisitor, Psyker, and Rogue Trader advanced. Aradia Madellan manifested Smite and killed the two neophytes attacking Gotfret. The Deathwatch fell back to the truck and fired on the Acolytes on the gantry. Only Zariel had line of sight due to his elevated position, but caused no wounds. 


Adeptus Mechanicus Sitrep - The entrance to the Terminal Epsilon Gamma room has filled with Genestealers. Just before they assaulted, Erasmus found himself under a psychic assault that his defenses did nothing against. He took 2 wounds. The ‘stealers charged and the Tech-Priest’s macrostubber killed one. The creatures slammed into the vanguard, killing two Skitarii and another wound on the Father. At the beginning of this turn, the Dominus self-repaired 1 wound he had taken. Servitor P-1L0T reports that the hopper has lifted off. It will land at coordinates specified by you at the end of this turn. Orders?


+++A. I want Skullroid-13 to run towards this door. He is eventually going to bust through it like Cold-Smack through the wall like we used to watch on the vidcaster back in the day.
B. Tech acolytes are going to move up and repair Erasmus if they can, shoot pistols if they can and go into melee with the Purestrains.. if they can.
C. The 'Sample' will move behind Erasmus for protection.
- The other units will fight Steel vs. Claw ! There was a day when the Purestrains were the pinnacle of melee... but that was a couple decades ago.
I want the lander to come down on the teal area. We are getting the data, a sample and we are dusting off !


The xenos blocking the hall leading to Terminal Epsilon Gamma were a tedious, albeit vicious, distraction to Father Erasmus. They were keeping him from his precious datum and leaving this world a rightful cinder. Time. He was running out of time.


“My children! Attend me!” Eramus’ voice boomed through the chamber across a crackling vox-caster. The young priests of Mars hurried to obey. 


+++Skullroid-13. Advance and eliminate the blockage to our Imperial allies.+++


The loyal servitor made from the skull of some ancient gargantuan scuttled forward and let loose with its melta burners at the main chamber door. The melting plasteel door cast long shadows as it burned into a lumpen mass of slag. Skullroid-13 turned to its master, hopeful of some kind of praise, but the Dominus was busy. The macrostubber was blowing chunks of alien flesh apart even as his servants charged into battle beside him. The xenos were holding, but just barely. Skullroid-13 may have been sad about this fact, but since it only had the intellect of a very smart pet it mostly was disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm for its efforts. Praise would have to wait.”


Skullroid-13 advanced and let the blast door have it with his melta-burners. The ancient doorways melted into slag under its energy. The Tech-Acolytes and the Biologis Deacon moved up. Father Erasmus’ macrostubber killed another Genestealer. Then the Tech-Acolytes charged. Two made it into melee, killing a Genestealer. The Genestealers tried to murder the Dominus, but it was to no avail. His armored form shrugged off their attacks and his mechadendrites killed another Genestealer. Everyone remaining consolidated closer to the remaining ‘stealer. The Tech-Acolytes healed their high priest for another point of damage. So he has 4 wounds remaining. Aerospace Hopper has touched down. 


Cult Magus Sitrep - The Tech-Priest Dominus has been joined by a group of tech-acolytes. Between the priest and his followers, they killed three Purestrain Genestealers but suffered no damage in return. A powerful servitor blew the door in the central chamber apart, opening the way for Imperial Agents outside. You can sense the Primus outside the door to your North. Orders?


+++Have Cywyn run to the north door. and have the Acolytes charge the Ad Mech in range.  Put "Might" on them if he can still see them after moving.  It doesn't look like there's room to fit the genestealer out of there, but if he can get by, have it run and retreat around toward Cywyn.


“Cywyn Stor’s eyes glowed with warp-infused might as he turned to his Acolytes. 


“Go forth! Save the Pure Brethern. Crush our foes!” He bellowed as lightning arced from his eye sockets and into each of his followers. The acolytes shuddered with unholy power and scurried down the corridor towards their Imperial oppressors. 


Cywyn listened to the bark of their gunfire as he gathered his familiars and made his way towards the northern door. He could sense the presence of his hated rival, Primus Kyruss Gnorr, just beyond. Try as he might to crush the Primus’ mind, some alien presence prevented him. Had Gnorr thrown in with the Imperials? Surely even he was not so debased!


The blast door in front of the Magus suddenly opened, and there in the driving rain stood the Primus. 


“Die, fool!” Kyruss screamed as he threw a lit blasting charge directly at the Magus who was leveling his autopistol. Neither was fast enough to avoid the other’s attack. Howling with fury, the Primus charged. Both leaders were determined to end this in a swirling melee of claws, pistol butts and teeth. 


The Magus and his twittering familiars were slowly gaining the upper hand. A look of desperation was crawling across the Primus’ face. Like any animal, he would be most dangerous in his death-throws.”


The Genestealer flees the combat. The Acolytes advance and fire their autopistols into the Skitarii - slaughtering them. Cywyn advances North, surprised to find the blast door open and suddenly confronted with Kyruss Gnorr. Stor manifested Might From Beyond on the acolytes and then attempted to manifest Smite on Gnorr, but a nearby psyker denied his power. The acolytes charged and killed three Tech-Acolytes, grinding one more as his morale broke. Their own casualties were heavy, three of the acolytes fell to the Tech-Priest and his minions.  


The two coven leaders crashed into one another with unbridaled fury. Kyruss threw a blasting charge while Cywyn leveled his pistol at his foe. Both wounded the other, then met in close combat. Cywyn and his familiars did another two wounds to Kyruss (3 total) and the Primus struck back at the Magus for another wound. 


Primus Sitrep - Your acolytes continue across the gantry. It appears the central door has been destroyed, and the Imperial Agents are making their way towards the entrance. Kyruss Gnorr is just outside of a blast-door as the aerospace hopper landed near him. Orders?


+++ Gnorr will open the door and look for Stor. The Aberrants will move forward and charge the Inquisitor. The Acolytes will shoot the Crusader and then charge the Rogue Trader. For the Four-Armed Emperor!


“Kyruss stooped momentarily as he was washed with rain whipped up from the landing aerospace craft’s descent. Landing? Here?! That fool Cywyn must have bungled this worse than the Primus could imagine. Best to enter the mine now and see what could be salvaged. With any luck, the servants of the Dead Emperor had eliminated his rival for him he mused as he punched in the door’s access code. 


As the massive gate opened, any thoughts of fortuitousness fled the Magus’ mind. Standing before him in all his shabby glory was Magus Stor. Seconds stretched into what felt like hours.


“Die, fool!” Kyruss screamed as he threw a lit blasting charge directly at the Magus who was leveling his autopistol. Neither was fast enough to avoid the other’s attack. Howling with fury, the Primus charged. Both leaders were determined to end this in a swirling melee of claws, pistol butts and teeth.


The Primus was out-numbered. In a fair fight, he might have been able to best the Magus but the craven worm had assistance from his simpering familiars. They slashed and tripped him at every turn. He was losing. But just maybe, he would drag Cywyn to Hell with him.”


Acolytes advanced forward and gun down Gotfret de Montbard. The Aberrants charge the Inquisitor and cause 3 wounds. She does none in return, but the Primaris Psyker manages to do three wounds, killing one Aberrant. The Acolytes fail to roll high enough to charge.


The two coven leaders crashed into one another with unbridaled fury. Kyruss threw a blasting charge while Cywyn leveled his pistol at his foe. Both wounded the other, then met in close combat. Cywyn and his familiars did another two wounds to Kyruss (3 total) and the Primus struck back at the Magus for another wound. 

Part 4

Play-by-Email Imperials vs Genestealer Cult - Part 2

The Battle
Turn 1
Imperial Agents Sitrep - Your lander was shot down by rebel forces, and you have continued on foot to the Orbital Landing Station at Durno’s Pit. Your forces are currently organized in the remains of an administration office that was no doubt the target of initial riots. Entrances to the mine complex are to the South. Orders?


+++Deathwatch moves forward as far as they can. Their intention is to form a line to screen those behind them. They'd also like to man the weapon on the truck if operable.
The others advance taking cover behind the Deathwatch.


“Gunnar Krakentooth looked up into the sky of this pitiful little planet and let the deluge of  rain fall into his face and open mouth. This was a light drizzle compared to the storms of the Space Wolf’s home world of Fenris. His heightened senses could taste the heavy metals and acids in the rain - possibly dangerous for a normal human being but insignificant to his augmented biology. 


“Brother Gunnar, pay attention!” Hissed Zariel, sergeant of the Kill Team and scion of the dourness associated with the Dark Angels chapter. Gunnar rolled his eyes and then sprinted forward with his squad mates, fanning out in a defensive formation. 


Behind the black armored Astartes, Inquisitor Serevina Humiliata and her retinue struggled to keep up with the trans-human warriors. The Inquisitor checked her Omnispex as she took cover behind a ruined wall. The device’s machine spirit was made temperamental by the damnable rain, showing only faint hints of life forms to her West. With grim certainty, Serevina knew that eventually the blips on the scope would become clearer and she took no solace from it.”


Your entire force advanced this turn. Deathwatch rolled a 5 and moved 11” but is still short of the Grumbler. Serevina and Neyam each rolled a 2. Aradia rolled a 3. Gotfret rolled a 4. 


Adeptus Mechanicus Sitrep - You have led your missionaries through the labyrinthian mine system and are nearing the exit areas. The STC system residing in Terminal Epsilon Gamma must be retrieved. It lies somewhere to the North West. Orders?


+++Mission objective downloaded and assimilated. 


Father Erasmus accesses and opens the door and moves in with haste.

Followed by the Skitarii taking the lead. Behind Father is Skullroid-13, with the Tech Acolytes in support and at the end and almost surrounded by the acolytes is the sample. Each unit is aiming to aid the other unit with its special ability, they are staying together in a tight supporting cluster and moving as fast as possible towards the triple intersection.


“Rubbing his forehead. Pinching the bridge of his nose. Rolling his eyes. If Father Erasmus hadn’t been contained to a bio-tank for nearly six standard centuries, he would very likely be doing all of those things now. While he had out-grown such mannerisms of the flesh, he still never fully shed the human emotion of frustration. That the pathetic beings of this world could not accept their place in the prison of flesh and sought to change their position in the Great Machine of Life was tedious. Instead, they rebelled against the logic of Order and were now in open revolt against those who sought to enlighten them. 


No matter, this world was of no purpose to the Adeptus Mechanicus any longer. At least, once the valuable Standard Template Construct fragment was recovered. The Tech-Priest sent a quick data-squirt to the nearest blast door, its machine spirit bending to his whim. As he strode through the great underground warren, his loyal retinue scrambled to keep up with him. Time to go. Time to leave this useless place.”


The entire force advanced. You now have more of the tunnel system open to you to explore. 


Cult Magus Sitrep - You have led your forces deep within the mine complex and are about to link up with a Neophyte squad that was responsible for guarding the mine head at Durno’s Pit. Current intelligence has members of the Adeptus Mechanicus making their way through the shaft complex as well. Orders?


++++++ High Magus Cywyn Stor has already been on the vox, reprimanding Primus Gnorr for his sloppy handling of the situation.  He switches frequencies and radios the Hybrid Neophytes-


"Our Glorious Patriarch has entrusted us with silencing the humans who have discovered our presence.  They mean to leave this facility with one of our Pure Brethren.  They must be stopped at all costs!"I am en route to your position.  Take up position at the Eastern door and prepare to hold the center of the mine."


Cywyn then chattered in his alien tongue, issuing commands to his followers.  As they moved through the corridor, The High Magus' eyes glowed red as he summoned power from the Warp in an attempt to imbue the Purestrain with inhuman might.+++


Acolyte Hybrids: Run toward the Northern (left) door.  Position one model to open it, and have the rest near the wall, ready in case the enemy comes through the East door.


Cywyn and his familiars: Run up to the same door, also positioned to open it if he can reach.


Pure Genestealers: Run up behind the rest of us.  (keep everyone within 3" of each other so they can take advantage of the Loyalty rules.)


Neophyte Hybrids: Move as close as possible to the East door leading to the center room, and take up position, ready to open it next turn or unload on anyone who comes through.


In the psychic phase, use "Might From Beyond" on the Purestrain Genestealers.  I can manifest a second power, but there's no target for "Smite."


“The children of the Patriarch all moved with fluid unity, taking Cywyn’s commands as if by instinct. The creatures scuttled forward with a speed and silence that would have shocked human eyes. As the Magus mustered his forces, he stopped to focus his mind. Clear it. Tap into the Beyond. But the connection was weak and distant. Its power hovered on the edge of his thoughts. 


“Damn. Damn that curr Gnorr! He must have known his ineptitude would distract me!” the Magus hissed to himself. “That or this mine is laced with quartz crystals that are weakening my connection with the spirits! Bah!” 


Cywyn calmed himself as best as he could. This was all inconsequential. He must crush the Imperial mongrels here. Then his place beside the Brood Lord was assured!”


The entire crew got some decent advance rolls and are set up as I understood your instructions. The Magus failed to manifest Might From Beyond by only rolling a 5. 


Cult Primus Sitrep - You have arrived at Orbital Landing Station Theta in force. It appears that one last aerospace hopper remains on station. You have no idea where the fool Cywyn is, but orbital augers indicate a force of Imperial scum due East. Orders?


I'll send the acolytes up to the landing pad to sabotage the hopper. The rest will move to the east and hug cover. With my leader and big guys acting as a reserve/counter charge hugging harder cover LOS blocker as possible.
My core squad looks to get LOS and take opportunity shots as they can. Probably getting cover by the barrels.


“Forward, my brothers! Power to the workers! Let us grind these fascists beneath our heels!” snarled Primus Kyruss Gnorr as the neophytes and Aberrants he had been entrusted with surged forward. The Hybrid Acolytes who attended the Primus paused, as he passed instructions to them wordlessly. They nodded with silent understanding and made towards the landing pad, exploring how best to cut off the Imperials’ means of escape. 


Gnorr then hurried after his comrades, sloshing through the sleeting rain and mud. Visibility was terrible. Only if that moronic Magus, Cywyn Stor, had listened to the weather auguries they might be doing this under clearer skies. 


“DEATH TO THE OPPRESSORS!” Kyruss’ head snapped up at the battle cry. It was then followed by the chattering of autoguns and the tell-tale whine of the discharging of a heavy mining laser. Nothing could survive that kind of firepower short of Imperial Astartes. And surely none of humanity’s super soldiers were on this barren, back-water planet?”


The neophytes, Aberrants and Primus advanced East. The Hybrid Acolytes began scurrying up the landing pad but were short of the hopper. A portion of the neophyte squad made visual contact with enemy forces to the East - a squad of black armored Space Marines. They had a superb round of shooting - all 4 who could see hit, along with a moving shot from the heavy mining laser. Unfortunately, the Space Marines made every armor save!


Turn 2
Imperial Agents Sitrep - Enemy contact, due West! The Deathwatch took distressingly accurate fire from a handful of autoguns AND some kind of high energy laser weapon - probably a mining tool converted for combat. The marines shrugged off the autogun shot easily and SOMEHOW the armor of Brother Zariel held against the laser blast. Orders?


+++Deathwatch moves forward towards the truck. The Vet Sgt jumps in the back to return fire to the scum they can see. The Frag Cannon (shell), Boltguns, and Combi-Boltgun also fire. 
The other agents move forward keeping cover behind the ladders and pipes, but allowing Humiliata a shot with her rifle. Madellan casts "Psychic Augment" upon the Deathwatch allowing them to add 1 for hit rolls with the truck's gun.


“Multiple xeno-forms sighted. Targets acquired. His hand guides our retribution” came the voice of Sergeant Zariel’s vox cast in Inquisitor Humiliata’s earbud. The Inquisitor silently cursed as she tried to keep up with the superhuman Deathwatch team. There were multiple targets now firming up on her Omnispex, and she took a moment to steady herself and aim her rifle at one skulking by a nearby pump station. She focused herself and squeezed the trigger, sending a hyper velocity round screaming into her target’s skull. The foul revolutionary dropped like a sack of Grox dung. 


As the insurrectionist’s fellow paused to watch their comrade fall, the air about them erupted in a stew of bolter, frag launcher and stubber rounds. The marines had closed to range with their bolters, and Sergeant Zariel had jumped aboard a local vehicle and began operating the heavy stubber mounted on it. Watching several of the rebels blown into bloody chunks gave the Inquisitor a rare smile of satisfaction. 


“The Emperor’s Will Be Done”, Severina whispered.”


The Deathwatch moved forward towards the Grumbler 4x4 with the Veteran Sergeant manning its heavy stubber (Range 30” Heavy3 S4 AP0 D1). Between their fire and the Inquisitor, they killed 4 Neophytes. They passed their morale test. Madellan failed to manifest “Psychic Augment” by only rolling a 5. 


Adeptus Mechanicus Sitrep - Current mine chamber appears clear of hostile organisms. The STC system STILL resides in Terminal Epsilon Gamma. It lies somewhere to the North West. Orders?


+++Everyone keeps moving up as fast as possible. I would like the Tech-Priest to open the door again. I think I should have had the Vanguard try to get the truck and move up the table edge (splitting the force). This will be my next couple moves. Vanguard getting the truck to pick up the sample since it's moving slow, while the Tech-Priest get the STC files.


“Father Erasmus’ heavy mechanical steps reverberated in the confines of the mine as he advanced towards the northern blast door. The door to the west concerned him, but the shortest path between two points was a straight line and he doubted the aerospace hopper would wait for him indefinitely. The massive door retracted with a “thunk” and the Skitarii assigned to protect the Tech-Priest’s esteemed personage advanced with precision. Thankfully, the Biologis Deacon floated close behind them - understanding the need for haste even as he poked and prodded the xenos sample on his table for more data. 


The newest cavern seemed intact. A quick scan with his sensorium revealed to Erasmus that even the Ragnarok Detonation device seemed operational. The mechanical priest attempted to interrogate the machine remotely, but was flooded with “ACCESS DENIED” messages across his data matrix. Given time, he might be able to penetrate the Inquisition’s encryptions on the bomb but time was something that was in very short supply now.”


Orders executed to your precise instructions. The force rolled pretty well for advances - including the Biologis Deacon (he doesn't “just” move 6” per turn - we’ll let him advance). No enemy contact as of yet. Gulp!


Cult Magus Sitrep - You have not yet made contact with the enemy. Surely your caution is borne of some complex plan resulting from your status as a Magus and not from base cowardice or politicking. Orders?


+++"Move into position" High Magus Stor hissed over the vox to his loyal Neophytes.  He activated the door controls at his position and motioned for his brethren to move through, following close behind them. 
"Hurry! The Imperial scum is in the vicinity, I can sense them."  Again, the Magus focused his will and attempted to summon the dark energies from the void...+++
* * *
Neophyte Hybrids: Open their door. If anyone is in the room, fire at them, otherwise use their Advance roll to move in and take cover behind those crates.
Cywyn Stor: Open his door and Advance to run inside the room.
Acolyte Hybrids: Move and Advance into the room as far as they can, aiming for the door the Neophytes went through.
Purestrain Genestealers: Move and Advance into the room as far as they can.  They'll probably get somewhere around the middle.  If either unit rolls high enough to reach the far door north of the terminal, then move to it so it can be opened next turn.
If there are any enemies in the central room when the Neophites open it, then my troops will aim toward them.
Keep the Magus & Genestealers within 3" of the Acolytes, please.


“As the massive blast door in front of him retracted, Magus Stor took a moment to close his eyes and focus inward to touch the beyond. Hungry voices howled at the edge of his mind and he felt the power he sought surge through him. His eyes snapped open, glowing carmine with raw energy, and he bent his will to suffuse his Neophytes with strength. 


Despite sweat rolling down his bald pate in fear, Neophyte Scabbs felt his limbs strengthen and reflexes sharpen. Surely this was a sign of the Four Armed Emperor’s favor! 


“For the collective! We strike!” Scabbs murmured to his squad brothers as he punched in the code to open the door in front of him. The squad bound into the new cavern even as the Acolytes and Pure Brethren filed into the old grotto behind them. The new cavity was wide and strewn with crates and some kind of device in the - THERE! A flash of red robes in around the corner!


There was a dull “thunk” sound as Neophyte Drebb fired his grenade launcher from his hip. The round arced over some crates and landed with a thunderous sound. The whole room became a mass of dust and smoke. Surely, something had to be dead from such an attack!”


Got some decent Advance rolls. Magus Stor rolled high enough to take him to the northern door, so I positioned him there in case you want to open it. He manifested Might From Beyond and cast it on the Neophytes (I figured if they are assaulted in the next Imperial turn, it couldn’t hurt) who have encountered lead elements of Skitarii. The Neophytes launched a frag round, which managed to kill 1 of the mechanical warriors. 


Cult Primus Sitrep - The impudence of your neophytes’ sudden fire was rewarded with a hail of fire from the Imperial lapdogs advancing towards your forces. 2 neophytes were slain by weapons fire from the black armored marines, another by the heavy stubber on the Grumbler 4x4 that the marine leader is now manning, and yet another by some unseen sniper! The squad’s morale held, but even that seems suspicious - are they working for Stor? Are they not committed to the cause of freedom? You should be cautious trusting them. Your Acolyte Hybrids are very near the hopper and have reported that it appears that its pilot servitor is currently dormant. Orders?


+++I'll have the acolyte hybrids attempt to destroy the pilot servitor or somehow disable the vehicle as a means of escape.
After seeing what I'm up against the rest of the crew will attempt to slink away through the western gate into the mining complex to meet up with our allies and combine forces.
Let’s have the Neophytes move up to the hazardous waste barrels in cover and booby trap those, they can catch up with the others after.


“The last of the cultist Acolytes swarmed up the superstructure of the landing platform, their extra limbs making pulling themselves up easily. Their leader, a squat horrible thing named Jenex, motioned to them for caution. A small aerospace craft dominated the landing pad, and it seemed quietly inert. Thinking the rain would cover the noise, Jenex leveled his autopistol and cracked off a round. The shot pinged off the vehicle’s windshield doing nothing, but the rest of his brothers seemed to take this as a sign to add their own firepower to his. Hissing for them to cease, he led them close to the aircraft where they began to work their knives and claws into seams and vents. The armored carapace of the craft wouldn't budge. As Jenex crossed in front of the canopy, his eye caught the glimmer of the servitor pilot’s eye glowing red as it booted up. 


Primus Gnorr sloshed through the deluge towards the nearest entrance to the mine complex. He could hear the Aberrants struggling to keep up with him but didn’t care. Whether those hideous freaks lived or died was of little consequence to him. Better to link up with Stor and try to bury the hatchet. 


At the same time, Gnorr’s Neophyte brethren advanced forward. They hoped that it seemed to the incoming Astartes that they were taking cover. They let loose with a few timid shots as one of their members removed his blasting charges and set about making a surprise for the incoming marines.”



The Acolytes shot at the Hopper and then assaulted it. Despite 16 attacks, they didn't damage it at all. 
The Neophytes moved forward to rig the hazardous materials drums. You can now command detonate the trap at any time you see fit. It will have a range of 6” and attack with GrenadeD6 S5 AP-1 D1 attacks. If the marines charge the neophytes before they can move away, they can use it in overwatch (by rolling the barrels at them). Or they can hold it. Up to you, just let me know. 

The Primus and Aberrants ran, the Primus almost making it to the door and the Aberrants pretty far behind him.  

Part 3