Death Awakens

[executor]

Major Monstrue of the 52nd Valhallan Infantry unit scanned the ridge again…..looking for signs of the xenos scum they had come to cleanse. Nothing stirred. Not even the slightest breath of wind. “Damnation…where are they? Were the scouts mistaken?” he thought as he put down his scanner.

“Lt Kano, has the artillery been deployed?” he voxed. “Yes, sir. Both Basilisks are locked and loaded – ready to pound the accursed xenos back to their tombs. Errr…. Any sign of them yet? ” his 3rd in command replied. “Nothing yet Lt, but be prepared for….wait …what‘s that?” exclaimed the major. A silvery cloud was fast approaching….against the wind. “Incoming! All units! Report and stand to!” he roared.

“Sgt. Rex here…Sentinels 1, 2, 3 armed with Lascannon, Multi Lasers and Flamers. Ready ….sir”

“Sgt Thane, Platoon A infiltrated and in place on the north tower…..1 missle launcher, 1 plasma gun….here they come…taking heavy fire.”

“Sgt Mantin…Platoon B infiltrated into south bunker…2 meltas, 1 plasma gun aimed at…at…Emperor save us! Necrons! An entire horde of ‘em!”

“Lt Cranos…fire Support teams Charlie and Delta…2 Lascannons, 4 Missle Launchers ready”

“Capt Bristol with Platoon E on the cliff overlooking our positions, nothing in sight yet ….but I’m charging up my power fist anyways. 2 missle launchers armed.”

“Sgt Khalis here, Platoon C dug in…let ‘em come…..range 600 metres”

“Cprl Jiggs, Platoon D in cover…awaiting orders, sir”

“Command squad, with me! Platoon E covering fire when they are at 300 metres. All other units, weapons free. Artillery! Commence barrage at will ” The Major ordered as he drew his power sword.

“What the frak! They’re coming through the walls! Fire! Fi…Ghhhrrruuugh!” gurgled Sgt Khalis as a wraith pierced his chest with it’s whipping tail.

Grimly Capt Bristol witnessed the wraiths butcher the vanguard unit from his position on the cliff. “Lt Cranos, Sentinels! Target the wraiths….Sgt Thane! Frag Missles at that silver cloud behind the wraiths!” The storm of heavy weapons fire cut down all 3 wraiths…some shots passing harmlessly through them while others impacted and blew them apart. The frag missles thinned the silvery cloud moving towards the imperial lines but did not stop it.

“Major! Gunner Yule’s bought it! Damned plasma gun blew him out of his skin! Skeletal xenos marching towards our bunker…taking fire!” Sgt Mantin’s frantic report came over the vox. “Stand your ground, Sgt! Or I’ll shoot you myself!” growled Major Monstrue.

Screaming Earthshaker shells hit the Necron lines. Blasting 3 warriors apart. Lasguns flared, bringing down 2 more.

Stepping from the shadows a giant figure with a golden chestplate waved a glowing green orb and the fallen necrons reassembled themselves and stood up again. 2 lascannon and 3 krak missles hit the xenos in the head and chest. Green lightning flashed and it collapsed.

Suddenly, ghostly green rays from Necron skimmers hit Platoon C from 2 directions at once….stripping flesh from bone and reducing bone to ash. The men had no time to even scream.

Meanwhile the silvery cloud had reached the Basilisks. “We are under attack! Metal Beetles are tearing through our armour! We need covering fire! They’re coming through!” came a warning from the artillery crews. 1 Basilisk exploded as the scarabs hit the ammo bins within. Lt Kano hastily ordered the remaining Basilisk to roll out at full speed….leaving the silvery cloud behind.

2 sentinels were immobilized by skimmer craft with long barrels but the brave crews kept blasting away with all weapons. Their fire combined with that of Fire Support teams Charlie and Delta brought down the skimmer craft.

The bunker team pumped round after round of las shots into the approaching necron warriors, downing 2 but they rose again and returned fire. The cammo capes saved them but their cover was being whittled down as more rays punched through the bunker walls. Sgt. Mantin realized they were trapped and thumbing the activation rune on his trusty chainsword and ordered a charge. The necrons showed no emotion as the charge hit them face on. 1 necron warrior fell but the platoon in turn was cut down by metal fists and claws.

Silently the necron warriors continued their advance and took the bunker.

3 xenos skimmer craft raced forward and poured heavy fire on the Fire Support teams. The men were well dug in however, and only lost the missle launcher. Several lascannon and krak missle hits brought the skimmers down for good.

Suddenly, the ground in front of Capt Bristol erupted and hideous figures garbed in human skin clawed their way out with gleaming talons. The Major saw this and directed his command squad to cut them down before they closed. With the added fire of the sentinels the hideous xenos were destroyed….their remains glowing green as the sank back into the earth.

“Captain! Behind you!” warned the Major as he saw the scarabs flying up to the high ground towards Capt Bristol’s position. Before the Major could move to reinforce their position, a monstrous scythe cut through 3 troopers of his bodyguard. By instinct, the Major swung his power sword, cutting a deep line on the chest of one of the necrons mounted on the skimmer. The xenos lord paused….glanced down at the wound…. and it closed. Desperately the Major struck again…this time however, the power sword went right through the xenos as it’s outline became fuzzy. Malevolent green light flared as the scythe neatly decapitated the Major and the last members of his command squad in a single swing.

In moments the creature had reached the Fire Support teams. Their combined heavy weapons fire passed harmlessly through it as it approached….scythe raised. There were screams but they were mercifully short.

The tower team poured plasma rounds and krak missles on the necrons advancing towards them. 3 fell and did not rise again. The Necrons wiped out Platoon A in 2 volleys of rapid fire.

“For the Emperor!...Arrrh! Ugggh! Hmmmph! Hmmmph” gasped Captain Bristol as he destroyed the scarab swarms with well aimed blows from his power fist. He had lost the rest of his weapons team but he was alive….barely. “Pull back! All units, pull back!” he voxed franticly. The day was lost but they would live to fight another day.


Inquistion Report : Delta 9Y34
Emperor Class Battleship “Emperor’s Grace”
Year : M413
High orbit Thelos II
Author : Inquistitor Hapshant

Imperial Guard survivors retrieved and detained for interrogation.

2 Basilisks – 1 destroyed
3 Sentinels – 2 immob1lized
Platoon A - KIA
Platoon B - KIA
Platoon C - KIA
Platoon D - KIA
Platoon E – 1 survivor : Capt Bristol
Command Team + Major Monstrue - KIA
Fire Support Team Charlie – 1 survivor
Fire Support Team Delta – 2 survivors

Necron forces :

10 warriors
10 warriors – 3 destroyed
6 Flayed Ones – all destroyed
Necron Lord - destroyed
Skimmer Necron Lord – damaged
3 Destroyers - destroyed
2 Heavy Destroyers - destroyed
6 Scarab Swarms – destroyed
6 Immortals – 2 destroyed

Evaluation : Thelos II is firmly in the grip of the Necrons after the solid victory scored over Imperial forces…...

Conclusions : Imperial Guard heavy firepower concentration has proven effective against the Necrons. Cammo Cloaks able to reduce casualties caused by long range fire. More Fast Attack elements needed to counter Necron special units before they reach Imperial Guard defensive formations.

A high priority astropathic message has been sent to petition for Astartes assistance. Captain Leonatus of the Blood Angels Chapter has responded and his company is en route.

End report.....

This is my 1st Battle Report here. Feedback is most welcome.