Maelstrom: Deadlock

MAELSTROM: DEADLOCK (2 vs 2)

Team Legion of the Damned Imperials
1. Commander Luminator (LotD/Fire Hawks)
2. Me (Imperial Swords Space Marines)


Team Silvery Black Scorpions
1. Commander Desmondus (Red Scorpions Space Marines)
2. Marshal W (Black Angels Space Marines)



PROLOGUE
After the initial geological surveys performed by the Adeptus Mechanics, Trandor V was discovered to be rich in minerals deposits and a rare crystal that can be use to manufacture Plasma coils found in Plasma based weaponry that comes out of various Imperial Forgeworlds.

Soon after an expedition was organized and miners sent to extract the minerals.  Miners toiled there day and night but it was not enough.  The Forgeworld representative has always told the Imperial Overseers that.. "WE REQUIRE MORE MINERALS!".   Thus more miners were shipped in to work in the mineral/crystal fields of Trandor V.

Everything went on schedule until one fateful day, the forces of Chaos struck.  Chaos warships appeared out of the warp and quickly disabled the orbital defense platform and landed their troops on the planet.

Because Trandor V was located far from the Eye of Terror, Imperial Overseers did not see the need to fortify the planet.  The small garrison of PDF, poorly equipped and poorly trained was overwhelmed by the forces of Chaos but not before the garrison commander send a distress signal asking for aid.

Four Space Marine Chapters answered the call and arrived as soon as they are able to.  Imperial Swords and a Space Marine Chapter resembling the long lost Fire Hawks arrived and engaged the Chaos Warship.
After destroying the Chaos Warship... they make planetfall on the planet to search for remnants of Chaos and any survivors.

Meanwhile, the forces of Chao wasted no time at all, they rounded up all the miners and took all the resources.   The leader of the Chaos Warband was a Epistolary Librarian turned renegade.  Sensing the destruction of their warship, he manifested his psychic power to open a portal elsewhere and escaped with the spoils of their raid.

The Imperial Swords and Fire Hawks (?) were too late.  Just then the Black Angels a lesser known successors chapter of the Blood Angels arrived too.  Due to time dilation within the warp, they arrived slightly late and made planet fall as well.

Elsewhere... the Red Scorpion strike cruiser is still.. cruising in the warp...

The Imperial Swords were first to arrive at the mining site and found no survivors.  After probing around, a marine found a strange object which is giving out an eerie green glow.  While they ruminate what to do with the item...   they picked up signs from the scanners that they were no longer alone.

The Black Angels have also arrived on scene.  Leading them was Librarian Callus Kormire and he could feel the stench of Chaos nearby.  Believing that the forces of Chaos are still present, they mobilize for battle.

The Imperial Swords continue to hail the new arrivals but received no response.... 


DEPLOYMENT

UAV online. 

The Imperial Swords and Fire Hawks (?) were deployed on the Northeastern corner of the mining site near the rocky outcroppings and the buildings still under construction.

The Black Angels deployed on the Southwestern corner of the mining site, in the safety of cover provided by the buildings under construction.  Tanks were arrayed against one another.  Soon after, Scouts from both sides take up position within the mineral fields.  Another two scouts from the Fire Hawks (?) placed within defensible positions, their purpose to hold the ground until reinforcements can arrive.

Staring into the face of the demolisher cannon.. the scouts are feeling lucky

THE BATTLE BEGINS
Despite the numerous hails from the Imperial Swords, the newly arrived Space Marines did not respond and continue to advance.   Since the last warning was not heeded, the Imperial Swords are convinced that these newly arrived Marines are on the side of Chaos and open fire.   Unknown to the Imperial Swords, Trandor V was experiencing strange electromagnetic storms when the Space Marines arrived and their message was never received by the Black Angels.

Imperial Swords gunline. 

From Imperial Swords gunline, lascannon beams streaked towards the leading Black Angels Vindicator tank, punching through the armor.  Frying the circuits of the tanks, the crew stunned by the attack were unable to do anything while they regain their senses.   While other beams vaporized the headlights of the tank but otherwise causing no other damage.   One Predator tank moved out from a hidden position and blasted wildly, as expected the beams of laser struck the nearby buildings or an unimportant piece of rock on the ground.

The Imperial Swords Dreadnought moved in from behind the cargo containers and unloaded its Assault Cannon on the Vindicator tank but did little as the shots bounced off the armor of the tank harmlessly.

On the right flank, the Fire Hawks (?) Scouts advanced through the mineral fields trying to get to Waypoint Alpha.  But they will have to contend with Black Angels Scouts advancing towards them.
Elsewhere on the landing pad and trenches, more Fire Hawk (?) Scouts maintain their position on Waypoint Delta and Waypoint Epsilon.

In low orbit, the Red Scorpions finally adjusted and compensated for the electro-magnetic storm brewing over Trandor V.  Finally received the greenlight to descend on the planet.  While the Imperial Swords gunline pound on the advancing Black Angels, Drop Pods descended like a comets onto the battlefield.  A Red Scorpion Thunderhawk gunship flying in closely behind, as soon as the side doors were open and front ramp dropped down.  Red Scorpion Assault Marines leap from the dropship and begin free-falling into the hotzone before firing up their jump packs.

The 8th Assault Squad unfortunately did not have their techmarine inspect their jump packs and fell to their deaths as their jump packs failed to activate before they hit the ground.

The Red Scorpion Drop Pods slammed onto the battlefield and the plasteel ramps open up revealing Devastator Space Marines wielding Grav Cannons surrounding the Imperial Sword's positions.   Wasting no time, the Red Scorpion Devastators let rip with their heavy weapons, streams of green glowing particles flew into the Purple colored Space Marine Vehicles.   The grav particles struck the Imperial Swords dreadnought from behind, causing its mass of some components to compact into a super dense version of the material.  Clumps of super dense components caused a massive malfunction in the Dreadnought and the weight pulled it down, putting it out of commission in a matter of seconds.

Even in death I still serv... screw it, I am taking a dirt nap

Elsewhere, another Imperial Swords Predator tanks is crippled as the grav particle crushed and condense the thread links & wheel into a solid lump of steel.   One particular tank was struck by the grav particles but the shots bounced off the armor harmlessly.

The bewildered Devastators re-checked their weapon and found that they still had the Grav-Cannon on stun mode... and quickly re-calibrated their weapons while the another accompanying Devastator Squad, turned their weapon away from the Razorback and re-directed their fire into the Predator tank, finally immobilizing it.  Behind them, the Black Angels Vindicator fires its Demolisher Cannon, blowing apart the immobilized Predator tank.

The 7th Red Scorpion Assault Squad that managed to activate their jump packs in time.  Landed between their Devastator Battle Brothers and the Imperial Swords Tactical Squad, charged forward to engage the Imperial Swords.  Bolter fires snap back at them but bounced off the Red Scorpion's armor harmlessly.  The Imperial Swords resorted to using their Boltguns as clubs while some pulled out their combat knifes, the two forces locked in melee combat.

Outclassed & Outnumbered.  The Scouts feel the wrath of Black Angels

At the center, Black Angels Assault Marines and Librarian Callus used their jump packs and ascended on the Landing Pad and smashed their way into the Fire Hawks (?) Scouts holding waypoint Epsilon.  The Scouts try as they might could not stand before the might of the fully armored Space Marines barreling into them and were swiftly cut down.

Death from the skies!  So much devastation

On the right flank, Black Angels Drop Pod descended from the skies and smashed onto ground.  The metal ramps slammed on the soft mud and the Black Angel Dreadnought stomped out, spewing out gouts of flaming promethium which engulfed the masses of Fire Hawks (?) Scouts.   The Scouts screamed in agony as the fire melted through their carapace armor and burnt through their flesh.   Only a handful of Scouts that ducked swiftly behind the mineral formation managed to escape the fiery wrath of the Dreadnought.

Things are not looking good for the Imperial Swords and Fire Hawks (?)

After bearing the brunt of the surprise attack by the Drop Pods, reinforcements from the Imperial Swords and Fire Hawks (?) finally arrived.

Appearing out of nowhere, a squad of Space Marines engulfed with spectral fire, level their weapons on the Black Angels Dreadnought.  Melta weapons discharged super heated wave of energy only managed to burnt a hole in the rear armor of the Dreadnought.  Damaging it only ever so slightly.   The Fire Hawks (?) Scouts hiding among the mineral fields joined in the fight, lobbing their krak grenades at the Dreadnought but did little as the grenade bounced of the armor of the Dreadnought harmlessly before exploding in the grass and mud.

Enemies all around the Legion of the Damned

The Dreadnought spun around and moved to a more advantageous position and let loose another stream of promethium at his attackers.   Few of the spectral marines unleashed an unholy howl and vanished as suddenly as they appear.
From the landing pad, Librarian Callus with his retinue descended on the Spectral Marines.   The impact of their landing sent the spectral marines reeling and the fury of their assault rip through the remaining of the spectral figures until there were none left.

Back on the left flank, Fire Hawks (?) Scouts arrived to reinforce the battered Imperial Swords gunline.  The scouts fired their bolt pistols at the Red Scorpion Devastators and dispatched one of the Marine carrying the boltgun.

Sneaky Speeder

The last remaining Imperial Swords tank rolled forward, spying upon a Black Angel Landspeeder hiding among the semi constructed buildings.  Pivoting its turret at the Landspeeder and beams of lascannon streaked towards the Landspeeder.   The pilot of the Landspeeder tried to evade but it was too late, the lascannon beam slammed into the Speeder, causing it to spin out of control.  The pilots frantically try to re-stabilize the skimmer, while Tactical Marines disembarking from the Imperial Swords Razorback and leveled their weapons at the spinning speeder.

One Imperial Swords Tactical Marine found the plasma coil of his plasma gun glowing much brighter than usual and shaking violently before exploding in a shower of plasma energy, flinging the Marine back and knocking him out.   The remaining squad, fired their bolters at the Landspeeder but their shots scattered wildly and only damaged the wooden beam of the building behind the speeder.

With the Razorback no longer blocking their view, another Imperial Swords Tactical squad fired at the Red Scorpion Devastators responsible for disabling their Predator tank.  Boltgun rounds punctured one of the Red Scorpion Marine's eye piece and the Marine keel over.  While the superheated ball of plasma exploded to left of the Red Scorpion. 

Are they going to charge us?

The lone Tactical marine engaged in melee combat with the Red Scorpion Assault marines was finally put down with whirling chainswords cutting into his ceramite armor.  Before them, was another squad of tactical marines, one with a lascannon aiming at his Devastator Battle Brothers.  Before they could engage, they received another set of instruction over the comm-link.  "Battle Brothers, disregard this target and go for the other squad directly ahead of you another 300 meters, take out the Plasma Cannon!".

Codex Astartes App, what do I do now?

Sergeant Rilem bellowed to his fellow Red Scorpions, "With me battle Brothers".  Activating their jump packs, they leap over the Tactical Squad in front of them and descended upon the other tactical squad.  Their Powered armor weight stomping down onto the Imperial Sword marines, wounding them in the process.  Caught by the surprise, the Imperial Swords marine did their best to stave off the assault but were dispatched by the Red Scorpions except for one Space Marine.  One Space Marine carrying the Plasma Cannon swung his heavy weapon around to bludgeon the Red Scorpions.  But the Sergeant Rilem sidestepped and swung in with his powerfist into the chest of the Plasma Cannon marine.  The force crushed the chest piece, rib cage and the lungs of the unlucky Space Marine.  The marine wielding the Plasma Cannon coughed out prodigious amounts of blood and drown within his own helmet.

Stand fast Marines! For the Emperor!

Elsewhere the Red Scorpions and Black Angels continue to pound the battered remnants of the Imperial Swords task force.  Volleys of grav particle disabled the last Imperial Swords tank and another demolisher round detonated right next to the Razorback, turning it into a smoking wreck.  The tremendous explosive force blew apart an unfortunate Space Marine standing next to the Razorback.   With half of his upper body torn off, exposing the ruined organs of the Marine, the injury was too grievous to withstand even for a enhanced super soldier.    Undeterred by the losses they have suffered, Chaplain Dardalion of the Imperial Swords rallied his fellow battle brothers.

Here to finish off the Dreadnought

Back on the right flank, another squad of Legion of the Damned Space Marines appeared out of nowhere.   Melta weapons blasted into Dreadnought, a super heated ray melted through the fuel tank and ignited the promethium causing the Black Angels Dreadnought to explode in a massive ball of fire.   Flaming pieces of the Dreadnought are flung all over the battlefield. 

The Librarian and his retinue remains unscathed

The Fire Hawks (?)  Scouts knowing they were outclassed decided to charge into the Black Angels drop pod.  Try as they might, they could not destroy the Drop Pod as the Krak Grenades were all shoved into non critical areas of the Drop Pod and served only to scratch the paint job of the Drop Pod.  A nearby group of Black Angels Scouts charged forward and engaged the Fire Hawks (?) Scouts in melee combat.
 

Picking up the pieces, finishing off damaged vehicles.

The pilot of Landspeeder managed to bring it back under control and flew the skimmer away from the frontline into a safer position to pick off enemy targets. But before the Landspeeder could bring its weapons to bear, a squad of spectral figures suddenly appeared in front of them and leveled their weapons at the Landspeeder.  Superheated rays and flaming boltgun shells reduced the Landspeeder into a pile of molten slag, the organic remains of the pilot and gunner fused with the plasteel & ceramite or reduced to ashes.

Out of the frying pan into the fire

Back at the left flank another group of Fire Hawks (?) Scouts arrived to relieve their brethren.  The group of Scouts previously holding onto waypoint Gamma surged from the buildings and charged towards the Red Scorpion Assault Marines beating on a lone Imperial Swords Tactical Marine.  One Scout lurched forward and shoved one Assault Marine to the ground while another shove the tip of his combat knife into neck of the Assault Marine.  The fury of their attack stunned the Red Scorpions who momentarily retreated.  The lone Imperial Swords Tactical Marine picked himself up and clambered into the cover of the buildings.

The Red Scorpion Assault Marines regrouped almost immediately and charge right back into the Fire Hawks (?) Scouts.  And two opposing groups are once again locked in dance of death.

Climbing over the smoking wreck of the Imperial Swords Razorback, Chaplain Dardalion led his squad forward and charged into the Black Angels Vindicator tank.  Sergeant Fist, ripped off the armor panels with his power fist while the Chaplain clobbered the exposed areas.  The crackling energy surrounding the Crozius ignited the leaking promethium and set it ablaze.    The resulting chain reaction cause an explosion within the crew compartments incapacitating the Black Angels tank crew.


The Fire Hawks (?) Scouts previously engaged in a fire fight with the Red Scorpion Devastator continue their advance.  One Scout squad was completely annihilated but it allowed two other Scouts scouts to close the gap and charge at the Red Scorpions.   Unable to bring their Grav-Cannons to bear in such close range the Red Scorpion Devastator had to resort to using their heavy weapons as unwieldy clubs.

At the right flank, the spectral figures fired at the advancing Black Angels but did little to stop them.  Only one Black Angel assault marine succumbed to the melta weapon as it melted through his armor burning a hole in his chest.  The Black Angels led by Librarian Callus swung their chainswords at the Legion of the Damned but their blows did not penetrate the power armor of the spectral marines.

The Fire Hawks (?) Scouts previously engaged in melee with the Black Angel Scouts finally gained the upper hand and dispatched the Black Angels Scouts.

Surrounded by enemies...

Despite the sudden appearance of the Legion of the Damned, things are still not looking well for the Imperial Swords and Fire Hawks (?).  Two Squads of Red Scorpion Devastators continue their advance into Imperial Swords position, blasting away at the last tactical squad entrenched within the building but did not manage to root the Imperial Swords out.

Put your hands up in the air!

To honor their Chapter, the Red Scorpion Devastators charged towards.   Blasting at the Imperial Swords Space Marines that just wrecked the Black Angels Vindicator.  Sergeant Fist of Imperial Swords Tactical Squad turn around only to catch a boltgun shell in the neck, putting him out of action while Chaplain Dardalion turned to face Sergeant Kurab of the Red Scorpions.  Both Squads swung at each other but failed to slay one another.  Neither side was gaining the upper hand in this fight.

The Chaplain then offered to withdraw from the battle and surrender on condition they can retrieve their wounded and recover the gene seed.  But Librarian Callus of the Black Angels would have none of it as he was consumed by rage and desired to finish off his opponents be they heretic or loyalist!

Elsewhere on the battlefield, both groups continue to lock themselves in melee combat.  Neither side gaining advantage over the other.  But it was clear that the Black Angels & Red Scorpions coalition would eventually emerge victorious.  The battle then came to an abrupt end as Chaplain Dardalion of the Imperial Swords called for his side to withdraw.


EPILOGUE

Librarian Callus was the last to board his Thunderhawk Gunship.  He would have continue to finish the fight with the Imperial Swords & Fire Hawks (?) if he could but they have ran out of time.  Both Black Angels and Red Scorpions were only given limited time to respond to Trandor V's call for aid.   And both were horribly overdue to meet their Chapter Master who has demanded their presence.   Librarian Callus smirked to himself, it didn't matter who their foes were.  Loyalist or heretics, victory was the Black Angels.

Elsewhere on another Thunderhawk, Sergeant Rilem ponder about the events that transpired today.  He conclude that the Red Scorpions should implement Skyhammer Annihilation Strategem for the entire Chapter due to how well they performed today.

On the ground, the Imperial Swords picked up their wound and retrieve the gene seed from their fallen battle brothers.  Chaplain Dardalion heaves a sigh...Imperial Swords is already under strength and such losses does not bode well for the future of the Chapter.  Of the Fire Hawks (?) & the Legion of the Damned, there is no sign.  They disappeared as mysteriously as they have appeared.