Maelstrom: Imperial Swords vs Astral Claws

Maelstrom Mission: Spoils of War

1000 points

Loyalist Forces: Imperial Swords Space Marines (Me)

Secessionist Forces: Astral Claws Space Marines (Chaos Lord SJ)

BACKGROUND

The Imperial Swords landing craft has successfully evaded detection and landed on the surface of the planet to set-up a forward operating base for coming Badab campaign.  Unknown to them, the Astral Claws were actually aware of their presence and dispatched a mobile task force to put an end to trespassers.

But before they can spring their surprise attack, they were noticed by Imperial Sword Scouts operating ahead of the task force.  Knowing the enemy is fast approaching, the Imperial Swords quickly deployed to counter the enemy forces.

DEPLOYMENT

Imperial Swords Predators “Shen Dao” & “Seratus” is deployed in the primary cargo bay by the southside.  To their left, Dreadnought Raxus is position amongst the buildings to cover their flank.  To the far right, the half of the 1^st tactical squad is deployed on the roof tops to provide covering fire.  Just right below them, the other half accompanied by the Chaplain is deployed within the Razorback hugging the wall of the building.

On the northside, the Astral Claws were deployed with Bike Squads and Attack Bike to support.  All were hidden behind the buildings offering no Line of Sight to the Imperial Swords.  With the mainstay of the bike army behind a large warehouse to the center field.  Another smaller force to the left flank to punch a hole in the Imperial Swords armored forces.   The Astral Claws Stormtalon and Landspeeders are held in reserve, arriving when needed.

Just then, an Imperial Agent – an Assassin from the house Vindicare is set-up on far right on top of a building overlooking an area where the Astral Claws must cross to dislodge the Imperial Sword trepassers.

BATTLE BEGINS

 The Astral Claws thought themselves concealed but their rear was exposed to the Vindicare Assassin camped at a vantage point.  Taking aim, the Vindicare dispatched the Astral Claw Apocthecary in an instant.   With nothing else in sight of the Imperial Sword task force they remained in position. 

The mainstay of the Astral Claws spun their bikes around and advanced, in retaliation they unloaded their boltguns at the Vindicare who killed their Apocthecary.   Try as he might, the Vindicare could not evade every shot and succumb to the withering fire of the Astral Claws.  On the left flank, under the cover of the buildings – a small group of Astral Claw bikes raced into the alleyways and sped towards Imperial Swords armored force.

The roar of the engine attracted the attention of the Imperial Swords Dreadnought.  It spun around and advanced towards the bikes, boltgun and assault cannon blasting away before charging into them.  The Astral Claw riders tried to react but it was too late, the Dreadnought grabbed one of the riders and crushed him with its powerfist before dispatching the other rider. 

Astral Claws hurtle towards the enemy position.

At the right flank, the 1^st tactical squads unload their fire at the Astral Claws but did little.  Razorback rolled in blasting away with its lascannon.  The passengers, disembarked and unloading plasma shots and boltgun rounds into the bikers.    Behind the Astral Claws, Imperial Sword Scouts appeared to secure Nav Point 1, taking the opportunity to wear down the Astral Claws.

Imperial Swords closing in on the Astral Claws

 Astral Claws also needed at Nav Point 1, turn around and made a beeline into the Scouts.  Caught in the open, the Scouts were quickly cut down by the Astral Claw’s hail of bolter fire.

This presented an opportunity for the Imperial Swords, the 1^st Tacticals opened up at the exposed Astral Claws.  A superheated plasma ball detonated amidst the Astral Claw ranks.  Fusing one rider together with his bike and wounding their Captain.  

Astral Claws taking a gamble.

At the left flank, Astral Claw bikes took a gamble and moved onto Nav Point 6 and unleashing its weapons at the Imperial Sword Predator tanks.   The superheated melta lanced into the exhaust pipe of the tank rupturing the internal coolant system.  The explosion rocked the tank, as the crew struggled to regain control of the tank.   

The armored core of the Imperial Swords all turn their attention to the Astral Claw Bikers.  Caught in a deadly crossfire, the Astral Claw bikes were utterly annihilated as beams of lasers punched through their power armor while their left side was riddled by boltgun and assault cannon shells.

Back at the right flank.   An Astral Claw Stormtalon previously held up by bad weather, finally descended from the skies joining their ground forces.  Together they advanced upon the Imperial Swords.  Grav guns charged up and streams of graviton particles pulse across the battlefield, the Imperial Swords tactical marines were crushed within their power armor. Boltguns roared and finished off the last of the marines.  Only the Imperial Sword Chaplain was left, wounded and defiant he stood his ground as the Astral Claws charged in.  Bellowing out in rage, he issued a challenge to the Captain of the Astral Claws.

The Astral Claw Captain smirked, he raised his sword as it burst into flames.  Try as the Chaplain might he could not withstand the Astral Claw’s flurry of attacks.  Blows upon blows he finally succumbed to his injury and perished at the hands of the Astral Claw Captain.

Tension can be felt by the Razorback crew as they find themselves cornered

Above the sky Stormtalon spat death filling the Imperial Swords Razorback with heavy boltgun rounds and assault cannon shells.  Inside the tank, sparks flew all over the electronics and the gunner struggle to put the fire out.   Just then a message came through the comm-link, “Head to Nav Point 1”.  With nothing to lose, the driver hit the pedal and raced towards the objective.

On top of the roof the remaining Imperial Swords 1^st tactical witnessed the Astral Claws slaying their compatriots.  Angered, they unleashed their weapons on the Astral Claws.  Superheated plasma once again took down several Astral Claws.   

As the Stormtalon swung around, its assault cannon tracking the moving Razorback.  But before it could fire, thick beams of laser filled the sky.  One clipping the tail while two beams punch straight into the engine of the talon.  Sustaining too much damage, the Stormtalon spun out of control before exploding in midair.

The Astral Claw Captain sped into a safer position while bellowing into his comm-link.  “I just lost the air support, Landspeeder crew, where are you?! End these upstart Space Marines!”.

The Landspeeder responded, arriving from the left of the north-side.  The Landspeeder joined another attack bike showered the Imperial Sword Tacticals camped at the roof with missles and heavy boltgun rounds.  From the right flank, a lone surviving rider swooped in, firing his Gravgun above him dispatching the last of the Imperial Sword Tactical Marine.

Biding his time, a lone Astral Claw Biker moves into position to strike

With the Imperial Sword infantry was wiped out and with none left to claim objectives, the remaining armored core of the Imperial Swords finally advanced forward.    As they moved forwarded, they spotted the Astral Claws Captain hidden in a building ahead of them.   

Predator tanks and Dreadnoughts unleash all their weapons into the Astral Claw captain and wounding him further.  Deprived of medical aid, the Astral Claw Captain finally succumbs to his injury and falls in battle.

Having sustained too much casualties, the Astral Claws decided to withdraw.   Although the Imperial Swords was victorious, they too suffered tremendous losses.  They will need to regroup quickly and hope reinforcements can arrive soon while they repair their damaged tanks.