Badab War: Week 2

Continuing from previous session...


LOYALIST FORCES
1. Exorcist Space Marines (Farseer G)
2. Star Phantom Space Marines (Cmdr Ryanbo)
3. Raptor Space Marines (Squad Ldr WH)
4. Imperial Swords Space Marines (Me)

SECESSIONIST FORCES
1. Astral Claws Space Marines (Chaos Lord SJ)
2. Mantis Warriors Space Marines (Cmdr WK)
3. Badab Mercenaries (Chaos Lord SJ)
4. Rogue Assassin Agent (Chaos Lord SJ)


With the Secessionist in retreat, the Loyalist forces seized the opportunity to advance closer to the Badab system.   As Loyalist strike cruisers dropped out of the warp, Maelstorm Warder's Orbital Defense Platforms soon powered up their weapons.   Wasting no time, Loyalist assault crafts rush towards the Command Space Station controlling all the Defense Platforms.

Within moments, Loyalist forces breached the outer perimeter and made it to the command center.
Their mission is protect the data nodes giving the introduced computer virus time to reprogram the Defense Platform's IFF.  This would turn the Orbital Defense Platforms against the Maelstrom Warders instead.

As soon as the virus was introduced to the systems, all bulkhead doors were shut and locked from both sides.   While this is happening, the mercenary defenders aboard the Command Station mobilize to retake the station from the Loyalist forces.   Outside the station, Maelstrom Warder flotilla arrived to engage the Loyalist vessels.  From the surface of the planet, Astral Claws sent more Space Marines to reinforce the defender in the Space Station.  This time they are joined by Mantis Warriors Space Marines arriving from their assault crafts hidden amongst the flotilla.

 

Pirates and Mercenaries in the service of the Tyrant advanced towards Loyalist position

Loyalist Forces guarding the control nodes.  Awaiting the chance...

With only one way into the main control room, the defenders advanced towards the bulkhead doors.  Loyalist forces entrenched inside the control room bide their time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike at the approaching Secessionist forces.

Enemy at the gates!

Without a warning, the Rogue Assassin descended in front of a control node located at the Northwestern section of level.   Wasting no time, the Assassins fired his Existus pistol at the control node.  Unfortunately for the Assassin, the computer virus also activated the control node's defense mechanisms and a force field sprung up deflecting the Turbo-Penetrator round.
The Raptor Dreadnought guarding the control node immediately swung into action.  Assault cannon rounds and missles filled the corridor and within moments,  only a bloody mess is left where the Assassin once stood.

Loyalist forces moving to intercept

Using their Auspexes and sensors, Loyalist forces detect Secessionist forces encroaching upon their position.   Intending to catch the enemy by surprise, Loyalist forces moved into position to intercept.  The Star Phantom Centurions unleash a torrent of Graviton blasts at the bulkhead door, the micro gravity wells that formed at the bulkhead ripped it apart in short notice.
With the bulkhead out of the way, Loyalist forces ripped into the mercenaries.  Imperial Swords Dreadnought first douse the secessionist forces with holy promethium before finishing off stranglers with assault cannons.  Meanwhile Exorcist Space Marines fire salvos of graviton blasts at the Mantis warrior.

Despite this, the secessionist forces were too numerous and could not be easily dissuaded from destroying the control nodes.

 

Mantis Warrior reinforcements arrive from the boarding craft. 

As the battle is raging on, various elements of reinforcements make their way towards the level where control node is located.  The Mantis Warriors arrive en-mass to aid in the assault.

Olive Green vs Wasabi Green

Determined to take out the isolated control node at the far end, Mantis Warrior bikes swerve around and hurtle towards it.  Raptors contemptor dreadnought and Raptors Tactical Space Marine Squad stood between them and their objective.   The two forces clashed but it was too much for the Mantis Warrior Bikes. The Dreadnought alone poured out firepower so tremendous that even Bikes's armors were not able to withstand.

Secessionist forces return fire at the Loyalist. 

At the front-line, autocannon rounds ricochet off the thick armor of the Imperial Swords Dreadnought.  One round managed to punch through the armor, although not enough to destroy it, the impact sent the Dreadnought reeling for a bit.   As the Dreadnought tried to regain balance, a mercenary closed in and fired his Melta gun.  The thermal lance melted through the armor and ignited the fuel canister causing the Dreadnought to explode in flames.

With the Dreadnought out of the way, the Secessionist forces ripped into the Exorcist Bikes.  The Exorcist Commander valiantly stood in the way of fire, using his Stormshield to protect his squad from the barrage of gunfire.
 

Mantis Warrior Librarian accompanied by his retinue

Finally, commanding officers from both Loyalist and Secessionist appeared.  As the loss of the commanding officers would prove disastrous for either side... both commanding officers took precaution and directed the flow of battle away from the front line.

Despite the Secessionist's attempts, they could not break through the solid defense of the Loyalist forces.  The choke point also proved to be disadvantageous for the Secessionist as they lost many of their forces trying to push into the main control room.

However the Secessionist had more tricks up their sleeves.  One level above, Renegade Marauders make their way to the section where the isolated control node is situated while the battle is raging below them.  Once in position, they blow apart the floor and dropped right on top of the control node.
Wasting no time, the Marauders ripped into the control node and destroying it, the balance began to tip in the way of the Secessionist.   The Marauders soon turn their attention on the Raptors Captain, the commanding officer of the Loyalist Forces.

Being the pragmatic lot that they are, the Raptors captain moved into cover while the Dreadnought once more stood in the way of the Secessionist.  Once again the Contemptor Dreadnought made short work of anything that stood in his way.

Mantis Warrior valiantly sell their lives to accomplish the mission

Elsewhere, Mantis Warrior scouts crawled their way through the air ducts and descended onto the control node deep within the control room.  With great skill a Mantis Warrior scout managed to fire off a missle at the control node while dropping in.    Unfortunately the Omnissiah was not with the Mantis Warrior Scouts.   Krak Grenades and Krak Missles struck at the control node and bounced off, failing to explode.

Sensing the commotion, Loyalist forces rushed into the room to protect the control node.  Star Phantom Scouts & Imperial Swords Tactical marines mercilessly gunned down the Mantis Warriors.  A lone Mantis Warrior Scout survived the onslaught, bloodied but stoic, he was determined to complete the mission.  Alas he was no match for the Star Phantom Captain who ruthlessly run him over with the bike.

Loyalist Forces getting into position

Back at the choke point, Exorcist bikes move out from the control room, taking the fight to the enemy.   The Exorcist Captain once again valiantly stood in the line of fire, protecting the Loyalist Forces behind him.  However the Secessionist soon overwhelmed him with their firepower.  With his artificer armor cracked and ruined, the Exorcist Captain finally fell from his bike.

Angered by the loss of their allied Captain, Star Phantom Centurions and Exorcist Bikers returned fire inflicting significant casualties on the Secessionists.  Still this was not enough to deter the Secessionist. 
The Imperial Swords tactical marines turned their attention on an advancing squad of mercenaries and opened fire.  The super heated ball of plasma streamed towards the mercenaries and then in a bizarre fashion simply fizzled off in the air, causing no damage at all.   While the rest of the mercenaries were cut down by boltguns, one survivor got through and blasted at the control node with his melta gun.   This time round, no forcefield came into effect and control node blew up.  

Protect the Commander!

With two control nodes still operational, the Loyalist force still held an upper hand.  The Secessionist realize that the only way to secure victory is to take out the Loyalist Commanding Officer.  Mantis Warrior tactical marines in proximity made a beeline towards the Raptors Captain.

The ever pragmatic Raptors Captain moved further away from the front line, placing more distance between himself and the Secessionist forces trying to assassinate him.   As the Mantis Warriors closed in, Raptor Tactical Squad and Dreadnought put themselves between the Raptors Captain and the Mantis Warriors closing in.   Exorcist Scouts & Imperial Sword Scouts, leap into position from their hiding spots, forming an additional protective layer of meat shield around the Loyalist Commanding Officer.

While the battle rages inside the Space Station.  Outside the Space Station, Loyalist & Secessionist vessels traded fire and attempted to out maneuver each other.  With the installation of the virus completed, the Orbital Defense Platforms turn against the Secessionist Vessels. 

Unable to withstand the withering fire from both the Loyalist fleet and Orbital Defense Platforms, the Secessionist flotilla disengaged from battle and retreated.   Sensing that victory has slipped by, the Commander officer of the Secessionist called for the general retreat back to the boarding crafts.  Those that did not make it were captured by the Loyalist. 

With the Command Space Station firmly within their control, the Loyalist turn their gaze upon the planet.   Soon, they will bring the fight to the door step of the Tyrant himself.

Astral Claws

The earlier articles did not do justice to the main antagonist of the Badab War: the Astral Claws.
Here are some close-ups shots on the Astral Claws painted by Chaos Lord SJ.  Since Chaos Lord SJ is not fond of decals, all the iconography and details were done freehand.  The detailing gave the models a nice touch which helps to break up the monotony.

Most of these models are from FW, sporting earlier Marks of Power Armor.

Astral Claw Contemptor Dreadnought.  Lion head on shoulder and knee pad

Astral Claw Commander with a grim expression.
Imperial Laurel added to shoulder pad

More detailing, lion head on powerfist and chest piece.
Maelstrom warder iconography on knee pad.

Detailing on leg armor and shoulders

Badab War: Week 1

After the conclusion of the first painting challenge, my friends decided to kick off the Badab campaign. Once again, everyone stayed true to the fluff except for my custom DIY chapter.  We decided to start with standard Zone Mortalis missions instead of the special missions featured FW's IA volume 9 & 10.


LOYALIST FORCES
1. Exorcist Space Marines (Farseer G)
2. Star Phantom Space Marines (Cmdr Ryanbo)
3. Raptor Space Marines (Squad Ldr WH)
4. Imperial Swords Space Marines (Me)

SECESSIONIST FORCES
1. Astral Claws Space Marines (Chaos Lord SJ / Pleasure Lord Eddie)
2. Lamenters Space Marines (Cmdr WK)

The story so far..  (As far as I can remember what happened in the game)

Loyalist starships begin approaching the Badab Systems, Maelstrom Warder's long range proximity sensors picked up the incoming vessels and issued a warning to the Loyalist forces to stay away.

Imperial Swords Strike Cruiser "Sword of Vindication" hailed the Astral Claw vessel, requesting them to stand-down and surrender.  Refusing to comply, the Astral Claws open fire upon the "Sword of Vindication".    After a brief battle in void of the space, "Swords of Vindication" sustained some damage to the engine core and was subsequently boarded by secessionist forces.  The remaining loyalist forces quickly dispatched reinforcements to assist.


The battle continued aboard the "Sword of Vindication", with both sides trying to inflict as much casualties to each other as possible. The Exorcist Space Marines took command of the Loyalist forces and directed them to where they are needed most.

Star Phantom Devastator Marines securing the long corridor.

Unfortunately for the secessionist, the Imperial Swords have reinforced the bulkhead doors on the right flank.   The secessionist pour prodigious amounts of firepower into it with no effect for a large duration of the battle.

At the central corridor, Imperial Swords dreadnought blasted apart the "hacked" bulkhead door.  With the bulkhead gone, the advancing secessionist forces are in plain view.

The Star Phantoms Devastators together with the Raptors Dreadnought positioned at the end of the corridor lay down withering heavy weapon fire upon the Lamenters Space Marine.  Taking too much casualties, the Lamenters tactical squad had no choice but to retreat.

At another lane, Lamenter assault marines attempt to close the gap but the environments are too confined.  The confined space meant that Jump packs were risky to use and several Lamenters were wounded in the process.

The Imperial Sword Scouts appeared from behind the Lamenters using the air ducts, in an attempt to outflank the enemy.  However they were outmatched and was brutally cut down.

As the battle rages on, casualties continue to mount for the secessionists.   The Exorcist bikes swoop around and rain graviton shots upon the Lamenter Assault units approaching from the left flank, halting their advance.

Despite mounting casualties the Lamenters and Astral Claws continued their advance.  The arrival of the Exorcist Scouts opened the right flank up, allowing the Raptor Dreadnought to rain a barrage of assault cannon fire and missles into the advancing Secessionist forces.

Eventually the secessionist were driven off, sustaining significant casualties.. they are however far from beaten....

Lamenter Dreadnought advancing

Loyalist forces at the central corridor.

Too much stuff II

More stuff I'm getting rid of.  Poor Defiler... nobody wants to buy it.

1. Landraider Crusader - NIB (Contains metal parts) $65 SGD.
2. Chaos Defiler- NIB: $49 SGD
3. Chaos Landraider - NIB: $65 SGD
4. Chaos Havocs - NIB (Contains metal parts): $33 SGD
5. Chaos Space Marine Squad (NIB x 8 models): $27 SGD

2015 Painting Challenge

In the attempt to make ourselves paint our models, the gaming group I am in came up with the idea of a painting challenge.   The rules are very simple.

• Models must be completely painted - base included
• There shall be no less than 3 colors on the models.  Black, White & Metallics do not count towards the colors.
• It is a time limited challenge, that is to say.  You are given a finite amount of time to complete a set of models defined by the points limits of the challenge.  
• At the end of the challenge, we will all treat ourselves to a nice meal at a decent restaurant 
• Those who are unable to complete the paint challenge on time will be paying for dinner

This is the first painting challenge I took part with the group.  I have learn that they have done more in the past. For my first painting challenge, we are to paint up 500 points worth of models for Zone Mortalis which we shall be using for the Badab War Campaign game.  

After several months of painting almost everyday and rushing at the last minute, we are now finally done..  We now have painted models to game with which will make our 40k games even more immersive.  (Maybe that terrain board will get painted eventually.... )

Since this is for Badab War, only Space Marines are featured to stay true to the fluff.   Except for me.. who came in with my own custom DIY Space Marine Chapter.
Here are photos of the months (or last minute rush job) of the gang.

Farseer G's Exorcist Space Marines

Farseer  G did this fairly quickly with drybrush technique.  He also painted the HUD for the space marine bikes which is a nice touch.  Unfortunately GW, has not yet came up with Exorcist transfer sheets and freehand isn't exactly for everyone.  One can probably make your own Exorcist decals but it will be costly for reasons...

Chaos Lord SJ's Astral Claw Space Marines

Chaos Lord SJ had already completed most of the models in the middle of the challenge.  The last few weeks was spent on putting additional details onto the models.  A lot of these details were painstakingly painted on freehand.  Chaos Lord SJ is also very fond of Forgeworld which provides nice resin models with cool unique rules.  Above is a Contemptor variant.

Squad Leader WH's Raptor Space Marine

Squad Leader WH only got his models in the last few weeks.  Initially was not very sold on Space Marines.  His army is exact replica of Chaos Lord SJ's as he has been playing SJ's models for the past few months when we play Zone Mortalis.  He too painstakingly painted the chapter icon and squad symbols onto the models via freehand.

Commander WK's Lamenter Space Marines

The only other secessionist aside from the SJ's Astral Claws. WK also rushed this in late in the painting challenge due to family commitments.  Nonetheless, his army looks brilliant.  The yellow is solid and bright.  The checkers and symbols were all painted by freehand.  This makes him, SJ and WH the trinity of freehand amongst us.

Commander Ryanbo's Star Phantoms

Commander Ryanbo started working on his army quite early in the painting challenge.  He rapidly amassed close to 2000 points of Space Marines... not just 500 points of them..  It took him a while to decide what he will submit for the challenge and finally settled with these Devastator Marines.  The models were washed with Sepia wash and then drybrushed.   Like yellow, white is not an easy color to work with.  The last few days was spent on applying decals which he printed on his own. 

My Imperial Swords Space Marines

I started very early on in December.  The scouts were finished first and then I was stuck with the remaining elements of the painting challenge.  I almost ran out of time and even took a day off from work just to finish them up.  Through this exercise, I realize I enjoy painting rank and file Space Marines more than characters.  Above picture does not display 500 points of models because, silly me forgot to bring lower half of my dreadnought.  Which is now pictured below.

Imperial Swords Dreadnought

Not featured above are Harlequin J and Commander L.  Both took part of the challenge, L did not manage to complete any models and ended up contributing to our dinner.  J was exempted due to being out of the country at the time.

Imperial Swords: Decimation

After repelling an eldar pirate attack in the Ghoul Stars region.  Imperial Swords fleet pick up a distress signal from a vessel claimed to be in the service of the Adeptus Mechanicus.   The Imperial Swords dispatched ships to investigate.    The scouting party returned a distress signal stating that they were under attack and require assistance. The remaining Imperial Swords fleet then mobilized their entire fleet to assist their the scout vessel.

After a brief period of space travel, the fleet arrived at where the distress signal originated from.   A sudden warp storm then pulled the entire fleet into it and deposit them into an unknown part of space.   There they found the remaining ships that they initially sent to investigate the signal to be largely intact.  After some probing, they discovered that they were in a star system with a variety of planets.  Long range sensors picked up one planet which harbored an advanced  civilization. 

When the Imperial Swords approached closer to the system, they discovered that the planet was already under attack by a Tyranid splinter fleet.  The local inhabitants turned out to be a highly advanced human civilization.    The Adeptus Mechanicus and Imperial Swords Scouting party which was thought to be lost in the warp arrived here some months ago due to temporal disruption in space time continuum.    Along with the local inhabitants known as the Neo Terrans, they put up a strong defense against the Tyranid Splinter fleet.

The Imperial Swords then made planet fall to assist the defenders in repelling the Tyranid invasion force.   The allied force of advance humans and forces of imperium held off the Tyranids but an arrival of a 2^nd splinter fleet proved too much for the Neo-Terrans and their Imperium allies.  The defenders were slowly pushed back from every front and it would not be long before they would be overwhelmed by the voracious Tyranid invasion force.

Although advance, the Neo-Terrans did not possess any starships capable of warp travel or of sufficient speed to outrun the Tyranid fleet.  They had arrived to this planet in ancient times via massive hibernation ships.   

To ensure the survival of their people, the Neo Terran Leaders pleaded the Imperium forces to allow the use of their ships to evacuate the planet.

The Imperial Swords agreed on the basis only if the Neo-Terrans would pledge fealty and be part of the Imperium.   The Adeptus Mechanicus only agreed after the Neo-Terrans agree to give them access to their technology.  Threaten with extinction of their civilization, the Neo Terrans readily agreed.   

The Adeptus Mechanicus later discovered that the Neo-Terrans possess ancient STC dating as far back to the Dark Age of Technology.

Evacuation was well under-way.   But the Tyranid hive fleet had already advanced faster than the Imperium expected.   Hive ships were found blockading the higher orbit of the planet.

The Imperial Swords fleet engaged the Tyranid hive ships long enough for the civilians and the Adeptus Mechanicus to evacuate.  However, Imperium forces were severely overwhelmed and the Imperial Sword took heavy casualties during the course of the battle.   Up to forty percent of their forces were wiped out in Space Engagement. 

The Imperium ships finally made orbit and prepared to enter warp jump.   However the Tyranid hive ships continue to harass the Imperium forces relentlessly.   It was then decided that the STC recovered on the planet was too important to be lost.  The surviving Imperial Sword fleet sacrificed themselves to protect the Adeptus Mechanicus vessel. 

The Imperium Forces managed to escape but was dropped out onto an unknown part of space, by then are left with only ten percent of their overall strength.  Many of their vessels sustained heavy damage and their life support was failing.    

The survivors were eventually discovered by Tau Exploration Fleet with complements of military vessels.   The Tau offered to “rescue” the Imperium Forces should they submit to the Greater Good.  The Imperial Swords refused and would rather face slow death.   In a strange twist of event, the Tau space vessels towed the damaged Imperium vessels towards Imperial Space and left them there.    It is of no doubt a manipulative plan by the Tau to turn loyal followers of the Imperium over to the “Greater Good”. 

This was later to become the secret shame of the Imperial Swords.  The Imperium Forces was found some weeks later by Rogue Trader exploration fleet and were eventually rescued.   By then the Imperial Swords numbers had reduced to only a mere thirty Space Marines due to the failing life support systems.  Several space marines had sacrificed their lives for the Neo-Terrans to honor their agreement.  

The Adeptus Mechanicus returned to the Forgeworld with their newly recovered STC, grateful for the Imperial Swords & the Rogue Trader’s assistance.  The Neo-Terrans and the Imperial Swords were eventually absorbed into Rogue Trader exploration fleet as part of their assets and forces.

The Exploration fleet eventually discovered an inhabitable world dubbed by the explorers as Neo-Terra Secundus.  There the settlers found hostile indigenous lifeforms on the planet and the Imperial Swords assisted the settlers in establishing a foothold on the planet.

Out of these thirty space marines, ten remained on Neo-Terra Secundus to watch over the populace.   The Neo-Terrans in the gratitude of their rescue, pledge themselves to the service of the Space Marine Chapter.   The strongest of their male child to be given to the Imperial Swords to be trained as Space Marines.

Another ten stayed with the Exploration fleet and served as honor guard for the Rogue Trader expeditionary leader, grateful for the Exploration fleet’s rescue.   The remaining ten Space Marines wandered the galaxy, seeking means to restore their Chapter to their former strength.