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.