Message inbound: : :
:
>... --- ... ... --- ... ... --- ...
... --- ...
>hail all station, hail all stations, hail all stations
>this is Armagedon class cruiser Wolfs Pride of the sons of Russ
>main power destroyed, auxillary lasts for one more hour
>report to Fenris that task force Pelt has failed and is destroyed
>...---... ...---... ...---... ...---...
...---...
>hail all station, hail all stations, hail all stations...
Upon receiving the signal, the commander of the proud ship, "The Emperors
Justice" send out a boarding party to retrieve the datacore of the Wolfs
Pride. The following is a hardcopy of the events that led to the destruction of
task force Pelt
Date:4524000M40
Ref:SOR/xx2396458/Pelt
By: Ansgar, Space Wolf Iron Priest
Re: Fate of task force Pelt.
Thought: The failure to anticipate means inability to win.
To any Imperial Commander, send this message to Fenris.
Task force Pelt was put together by 5th, 68th and 103rd Ulistan Lancers with
aid from 3rd and 4th company of the Sons of Russ. The mission was to locate,
contain, and destroy the Orc infestation on Zeahran IV quadrant 4.
Initially, 68th and 103rd Ulistan Lancers cut of the rampaging hordes from the
main cities on the southern continent, and when the 5th dropped on top of the
remaining orcs on the southern continent, that area was secure.
All that remained was a pocket of resistance in the Dolimer mountains, and this
honourable task fell to the Sons of Russ. The force was divided into two parts,
with the smaller part guarding a mountain pass, and the main force advancing in
broad line.
The guard detachment consisted of a squad of Bloodclaws, 17 in all with Space
Wolf Marine Jorg as the sergeant, one squad of Grey Hunters 6 in all mounted in
the Razorback Bjorns Fury, a Long Fang squad of six brothers with Plasma
Canons, Our honorable Wolf Priest Haakon, and the Venerable Dreadnought Tjugom.
As the great importance of the mission was recognised, Wolf Lord Jotun had
given all available support to the guard detachment, and this consisted of
three Landspeeders with Heavy Bolter and Multi-Meltas, one Landspeeder Tornado,
and two Whirlwind tactical missile systems.
----Report from
Bloodclaw Endor (now deceased)----
When we reached the
deployment area, it was still very dark. Our sergeant, Jorg could however smell
the rank smell of Orc, and therefore ordered us to spread out as per standard.
After a quick conversation with Brother Haakon, the Whirlwinds fired on the
coordinates given by Sergeant Jorg. The grenades hit their mark, the screams of
Orc filling the morning silence.
As the sun slowly rose, we could see that there was to our right and left some
small hills, which offered our flanks protection. Directly in front of us, was
a small hill on top of which was some broken Orc bodies. To the far right and
left was likewise small hills. No sooner than Brother Haakon had discovered
that there was a detonation device on the hill in the center, did we discover
the Orc forces. As allways with the Orcs, their machines belch out huge amounts
of smoke, which made it difficult to distinguish the individual vehicles, but
there was at least from their right to left: 6 Bikez, one Trukk behind them
with the massive commander and a nasty looking mob of Nobz on board, 3 Killer
Kanz and a Dreadnought to their left, 20 Orcs with large flamethrowers behind a
mass of smaller creatures which I belive was Gretchins, and to the far left a
Huge vehicle blistering with guns and 20 Orcs.
At the same time the tactical channel started to fill with casualty repports
from the main force. At least two Orc Titans had been sighted. A retreat and
regrouping was badly needed, but the unit was behind a narrow mountain pass,
which looked as though the Orcs had prepared for blowing up. It seemed like the
main force had fallen into a trap, but the day could still be saved, if we
could hold the detonation device until the main force had escaped.
In view of the situation, Brother Haakon gave the order to advance.
As the order was given, a shimmering appeared on the right flank, revealing an
Eldar force of two dreadnoughts, a Wave Serpent, two Warwalkers, two squads of
defenders 7 in strenght each with one of the accursed warlocks and three
Vypers. Behind the warwalkers a Farseer on jetbike could be seen.
Honed by combat, the decission of Brother Haakon did not alter that much, and
the Landspeeder squadron was dispatched to engage the Eldar forces. Tjugom
reported that he would help the Landspeeders with securing the right flank.
The Orc battleline moved forward with a roar of "Da WAAAAAAAGH" and
engines. The petrolfumes burned our noses, and Sergeant Jorg cursed under his
breath. The Burna Boyz and Gretchin advanced head-on, with the Bikez, Killer
Kanz, Dreadnought and Trukk moving on their right flank, and the huge vehicle
lumbering towards the Eldar forces on their left. As they fired while they
moved, none of their weapons hit their mark, except on the Eldar Dreadnoughts,
which seemingly both were hit and wounded.
The Farseer according to some strange principle, ordered the Dreadnoughts to
advance on the Orc vehicle, and the rest of the line on us. The Wave Serpent
moved into cover, and the rest of the force lay down a withering fire with
Starcanons. Two Landspeeders were immediately destroyed, and 4 of my brother
Bloodclaws were cut down as well.
The Burna Boys lost two Orcs, as the right defender squad opened fire upon
them, but the large Orc vehicle seemed fully functional despite taking 4 shots
from LasCanons on the front.
Brother Haakon was not phased by our loses, and ordered the Bloodclaws further
forward. The Tornado and the remaining Landspeeder took up new position on the
left flank and fired at the Bikez. The Whirlwinds fired at the Bikez as well,
and they were reduced to one Bike. The Long Fangs fired the Plasma canons at
the Killer Kanz, and managed to destroy one, and blow an arm of another. The
Razorback moved towards the right flank, and fired at the Vypers with Heavy
Bolter, managing to destroy one. Tjugom fired his Plasmacanon at the
Warwalkers, immobilised one, and damaged the other.
The Orc line continued forwards, and were now soon in range of the central
hill. The Bike destroyed the remaining Landspeeder, but that was the only fire
that reached the line. The huge vehicle, however managed to destroy one Eldar
Dreadnought and wound the other.
The Killer Kanz and D-nought moved in front of the Trukk.
Seeing the withering fire from Bjorns Fury, the Farseer ordered the Vypers to
regroup in cover. The remaining Dreadnought was commanded to continue firing at
the Huge vehicle, and secure the right flank. Once more, the Eldar fired into
our squad, and killed 3 brothers. The second Defender squad fared better, and
killed 3 Orcs and a number of Gretchin. The Wave Serpent moved closer to our
position, but still in cover.
Sergeant Jorg screamed our battlecry from the top of his lungs, and we followed
him forwards again towards the hill. The Tornado fired a load of missiles
at one Defender squad, and blew three Eldar to bits. They looked to their
warlock, and he calmed them and made them stay in position. One huge missile
from the Whirlwinds landed on top of the Vypers, but due to a fluke, no
permanent damage was done. The other Missile hit the Trukk and a Killa Kan,
damaging the Killer Kan, and killing one Orc on the Trukk. The Trukk itself was
undamaged however. The Long Fang squad opened fire on the D-nought, and
destroyed it completely. The Grey hunter squad moved to new position between
the Eldar and the Whirlwinds. Tjugom fired his Plasmacanon at a Defender squad,
killing two Eldar, and issued a challenge to the Farseer.
The Orc right flank was now almost contained, and we controlled the hill with
fire.
The Orc battleline continued forwards, the fire from the Huge vehicle shifted
and killed all in the second defender squad except the thrice-damned warlock.
In spite of massive weapons firing against us, not a single hit rang true.
However, next round the Burnaboyz and Gretchins would be on top of the hill!!!
Realizing this, the Farseer ordered the Dreadnought to advance on the
Burnaboyz. It hit the Orcs like a Earthshaker grenade, killing 4 Boyz, and
sending the return in rout. The Dreadnought advanced after the Boys, but due to
unseen trouble (like a double 1 on advance!) only managed to make a sweeping
advance into the Gretchin. The single Warlock joined the battle, and managed to
kill some Gretchins. The defender squad together with the Warwalkers, and
Vypers concentrated fire on us, and managed to kill all but Harald, Otto, and
myself. I had an arm and a leg shot away, and therefore could only lend support
fire from my prone position with my bolt pistol. The remaining two Bloodclaws
fell back towards Brother Haakon. The Farseer threw his spear at Tjugom, but it
bounced harmlessly of the thick armor. Deciding, that it could easily be
destroyed, the Farseer closed on Tjugom, and engaged him in melee. Tjugom,
however struck first with his massive powerfist, and punched through Farseer
and bike in one blow.
Once more, the Whirlwinds fired their massive missiles, but failed to hit
anything. The Tornado killed off some more guardians, bringing their number
down to 2. They found courage in their Warlock however, and stayed on the
battlefield. The Long Fangs killed of the last Killer Kanz. Brother Haakon
rallied the Bloodclaws, and they formed upon him again. Tjugom advanced, and
reached the Wave Serpent, but failed to penetrate its thick frontal armor with
Plasmacanon or powerfist. Bjorns Fury fired at, and destroyed one Vyper.
The Orcs was stopped short of the hill, and as the only who could reach it, the
Warboss ordered his Trukk forwards at full speed. This resulted in him being
exposed however! The Huge vehicle had no target, and moved forwards. The
Burnaboyz rallied, and moved to fire at the Eldar Dreadnought, only to find
their weapons unable to penetrate the tough pseudo-skin of the thing. The
gretchins tried their best to wound the Dreadnought and the Warlock, but
sustained 6 casualties themselves instead. Due to the long whip of their
slaver, they stayed in place however.
The Eldar Dreadnought disengaged from combat with insulting ease, and shot
Tjugom in the back. Despite the experience of the warrior inside, he could do
little as the Laserbeam penetrated the fusionreactor and caused a huge
explosion. The Wave Serpent leaped towards the Whirlwinds, and stopped just
short of them. The remaing Vyper shot at Bjorns Fury, and destroyed the engine
and weapons. The Grey Hunters leaped out of the vehicle and deployed to the
front. The Warwalkers shot at, and destroyed the Tornado. The Warlock continued
his destruction of the Gretchins, and the Dreadnought charged the Burnaboyz.
The Warlock killed 3 gretchins, and caused the rest to fall back. He didn't
follow, as they ran very fast (12''!) The Dreadnought killed 4 Burnaboyz, the
rest ran. Even though the Dreadnought tried to follow, it seemed to be stuck(
snake-eyes again!), and was now in the open alone.
Brother Haakon moved forwards with the remaining Bloodclaws, and yelled to the
Long Fangs, that they should take out the Trukk. One Long Fang marine however
was overcome with revenge thoughts for the dead brother Tjugom, and shot the
Warlock in the back. The others failed to hit the Trukk. The Whirlwinds fired
at the Trukk as well, but once more failed to hit. The Grey Hunters fired all
weapons at the Wave Serpents, again, no hits penetrated. They then charged it,
but had no weapons with which to damage it.
The Orc Warboss ordered his Trukk full ahead, and allmost reached the hill.
Next "round" he could dismount and bring the explosives in the
mountain pass to explosion. The Huge vehicle moved into firing position, and
annihilated the Eldar Dreadnought. The Burnaboyz rallied VERY far from the
hill(board-edge). The Gretchins refused to resurface, and were
"destroyed"
The Wave Serpent opened the hatches, and out screamed 8 Howling Banshees and an
exarc, their masks paralyzing the Grey Hunters. From top of the vehicle, an
abomination rose, Jain Zar, the Ultimate Exarch of the Howling Banshees, and
she charged towards the Long Fangs. The Grey Hunters were cut down to a man,
and the Banshees attacked further towards the Whirlwinds. One Whirlwind was
destroyed, as the weaponbattery on the Wave Serpent cut through the weak sidearmor.
The Long Fangs didn't fare much better, 3 of them were cut down by the thrown
blade of Jain Zar, and the remaining 3 were cut down in the slaughter which
followed. Jain Zar advanced towards Brother Haakon. The rest of the Eldar force
regrouped so all weapons could bear on the hill.
Disregarding any thought of personal safety, Brother Haakon and the Bloodclaws
moved forwards, in order to keep the Orcs from reaching the detonator. They
didn't make it to the hill, but could assault it next "round". The
remaining Whirlwind turned, and used its Heavy Bolter on the Banshees, killing
2.
With a triumphant roar, the Warboss dismounted on top of the hill, and sent his
'mek scurrying to find the broken wires so he could detonate the device. The
mob with him opened fire upon Brother Haakon, but didn't hit.
The rest of the Orcs moved forwards.
The Wave Serpent moved towards the hill, and fired at the Trukk, destroying it.
The Banshees shot at the rear armor of the Whirlwind, but didn't penetrate. The
exarch managed to put a Krak-grenade down one hatch however, and the vehicle
blew up taking one Banshee with it. The two Warwalkers, the Vyper, and the
remaining Guardian squad fired at the Orcs, killing all but the Warboss and 2
Nobz! Jain Zar once again threw her blade, killed the rest of the
Bloodclaws, and alas also Brother Haakon. Now truly, all hope was lost. Jain
Zar charged up the hill and engaged in melee, where she killed the Warboss, and
one Nob. The remaining Nob lost his cool, and ran only to be cut down by Jain
Zar.
As the Warboss was killed, the Orcs retreated, leaving it to the Eldar to
assemble the detonation device and use it. When they had used it, they took
with them all their gear, and destroyed the fallen Brothers. The cursed aliens
made sure no progenoid glands were left. They left us, the Bloodclaws, as we
have no progenoid glands yet.
I passed out then, and was awoken in a Thunderhawk.
----End of Report----
It turned out the whole was a huge Eldar trap, because at the same time the
Sons of Russ were being destroyed in the mountains, Eldar warpportals appeared
in the upland around 103rd Ulistan Lancers. An army of Titans with support
appeared, and the 103rd was completely destroyed. The 5th and 68th retreated
towards the mountains, but were her attacked by Orcs with two Titans. Both
sides suffered heavy casualties, and when the Eldar attacked, both units as
well as the Orcs were annihilated. The only unit to escape was the Thunderhawk
"Wolf Fang". it docked with the Wolfs Pride, which only managed to
escape with heavy damage, as Eldar capitol ships came in-system.
I, Ansgar Iron Priest of the Sons of Russ, request a larger task force to be
sent to Zeahran IV, to teach the Eldar the righteous wrath of the Emperor.
Date:4524000M40
Ref:SOR/xx2396458/Pelt
By: Ansgar, Space Wolf Iron Priest
Re: Fate of task force Pelt.
Thought: The failure to anticipate means inability to win.
To any Imperial Commander, send this message to Fenris.