tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7293223826332479252023-11-15T05:59:06.287-08:00H'Rus Expeditionary ForceWatch the story unfold - a new Tau cadre in hostile lands...Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-53439730369866623152009-08-14T10:17:00.001-07:002009-08-14T10:36:57.234-07:00...this is nowAs the transport ship decelerated into orbit around another world, Shas'O Tyrnax reflected on the changes of fortune for his Expeditionary Force.<br /><br /><em>Five years and another planet... I wonder what awaits us here?</em><br /><br />Praxedes was a border world. Initially colonised by humans many thousands of years ago, the local populace had welcomed trade relations with the burgeoning Tau empire. As Tau interests had developed, a small security detachment from the Tau Seamu sept was deployed to the world. Cordial relations had been maintained with the planetary Governor, and what territorial engagements had taken place were small enough that the wider Imperium had not seen fit to intervene.<br /><br />Until now. The new Imperial Guard commander was far more aggressive and career-minded. He was determined to make his mark on Praxedes, and further his career elsewhere. The sudden increase in engagement tempo had forced the Seamu sept to request reinforcements.<br /><br /><em>The H'Rus Expeditionary Force still has no home - but we have the personnel and equipment - the Seamu sept have a home but not the strength to defend it.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>For the Greater Good, Praxedes is our new deployment.</em>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-20328226802126708682009-08-14T09:50:00.000-07:002009-08-14T10:40:18.934-07:00That was then...<em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">H'Rus</span> was lost.</em><br /><br />After several further engagements, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tyranid</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">swarm</span> overwhelmed the remaining defenders.<br /><br /><em>Even now, in spite of the intervening years, the battle reports were being reviewed and analysed.</em><br /><br />At the last stand, bitter enemies had stood shoulder to shoulder with each other to stem the tide, and allow civilians to escape. Even long-term foe, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Farseer</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Varshar</span>, had joined the final battle against the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tyranids</span>. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eldar</span> had held the right flank, whilst the rival Tau <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Saemu</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">sept</span> took the middle. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">H'Rus</span> Expeditionary Force had held the left flank - but all to no avail, as the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tyranids</span> spewed forth more and ever more reinforcements, far beyond the expectations and belief of the defending commanders.<br /><br />The planet <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">H'Rus</span> was gone, stripped of all bio-mass. A dead world.<br /><br /><em>But the name would live on within the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">H'Rus</span> Expeditionary Force, a fitting tribute to the fallen, ensuring they would never be forgotten. </em>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-84937446931632615622009-03-23T06:44:00.000-07:002009-03-23T07:37:56.745-07:00Debrief and reviewShas'O Tyrnax watched the combat recording for the fourth time. His initial feelings of anger and frustration had faded to professional detatchment, as he once again studied the way the Tyranids had decimated his force.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So close. A tiny, almost insignificant moment, when the course of battle was decided beyond redemption.</span></em><br /><br />The Broadside's sheild drone had been orbiting as usual, but when the XV88 had moved, the drone hadn't quite caught up. This moment, perhaps a mere fraction of an inch, had resulted in the battlesuit becoming involved in melee combat, denying it the opportunity to bring its railguns and missiles to bear one more time and thus disposing of the Brood Lord once and for all. This had freed attendent Genestealers to hunt down the remaining Stealth-suited troops.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So small, such a tiny distinction, between success and failure. No more.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">He smiled; a grim, cold, mirthless smile. Reinforcements were due soon.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;"></span></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Then the removal of the Tyranid threat will begin in earnest... And any who stand in the way of the Greater Good.</span></em></span>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-75795132025289903622009-03-21T12:57:00.000-07:002009-03-21T13:58:59.812-07:00"Intercept One, Report... Intercept One - Report... Are you receiving???<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With a deepening sense of dread, the staff in the command centre awaited a sign, any sign, from the interception force sent out to deal with the Tyranid force.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Intercept One, are you receiving? ST-P2, are you receiving?</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The gentle hiss of static did nothing to hide the ominous silence over the command frequencies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Command, this is ST-P5. We've found something... Wait... ... found them.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The strain in the voice was audible.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Command, this ST-P5. They're dead. All of them. It appears they were ambushed by at least one Lictor and several independent units of Genestealers. Damage indicates one Brood Lord was present. We've recovered the unit commanders' combat recorder. We're returning to base. ST-P5, out.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">The combat log was all too clear.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;">The Intercept force and the shadowing patrol team had identified objectives around the cratered ruin of a village - but the village was swarming with Genestealers under the Hive-mind guidance of a Brood Lord. Almost as soon as the Intercept force had formed a defensive formation, 6 heavy explosions had ripped through their lines - wiping out half the stealth team, stunning the Fire Warriors Devilfish transport and pinning the commander. The Genestealers rushed forward and engaged the screening Kroot. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;">Tau Counter-battery fire was largely ineffective, killing only two Genestealers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;">The Kroot fought bravely against overwhelming odds before being mercilessly cut down. But they'd bought enough time for the Fire Warriors to dismount from the Devilfish and rapid-fire into the Brood Lords' contingent - significantly thinning it before the Genestealers swept into the Tau Commander. Another swarm of Genestealers attempted to assault the Devilfish, but failed to get their claws into it, and the flechette rounds inflicted casualties.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;">Combat raged to and fro, with the Tau Commander surviving two rounds of melee combat before succumbing to a hail of claws and teeth. In the meantime, a Lictor had appeared, which became the target of the lone Broadside - but it's camouflage was too great for a clear shot. Another swirl of combat ensued, until the Devilfish exploded, taking several Genestealers with it. Almost simultaneously, a supporting unit of Kroot were cut down on their way to assist.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;">The Broadside managed to kill the Lictor, before being assaulted by the Brood Lord. The brave battle-suited warrior lasted two melees before being torn asunder by the Brood Lords' monstrous claws. The two remaining steal suits were assaulted and cut down, as were the two lone gun-drones left from the Devilfish. In spite of taking heavy casualties, the Brood Lord, one Lictor and a small clutch of Genestealers sneaked away, but no Tau were left alive.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-34692726817124454712009-03-18T06:40:00.000-07:002009-03-18T07:10:45.104-07:00ALERT: Tyranid movements detected<span style="font-size:85%;">The terse encrypted warning came from one of the picket patrols</span><br /><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>To:</strong> HEF Command</span></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>From:</strong> ST-P2.</span></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Message:</strong> Tyrannid troop movements detected in our sector. Co-ordinates are being transmitted via secure channel.</span></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">The reposnse was equally brief.</span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>To:</strong> ST-P2</span></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>From: </strong>HEF Command</span></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Message:</strong> Understood. Shadow enemy forces, do not engage. Repeat: do not engage. Independant direct action will be taken.</span></span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Shas'O Tyrnax considered his options. </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>This will need more than a simple patrol...</em></span></span>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-75056183697585735232009-03-16T05:39:00.000-07:002009-03-18T07:08:52.874-07:00Field Report : March OrBat<span style="font-size:85%;">Shas'O Tyrnax sat at his admin desk in the command tent and sighed quietly, <em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Too few, too new</span></em>. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">In spite of two successful combat patrols, he knew the campaign was intensifying, stretching his meagre resources. The review of the HEF OrBat wasn't helping his darkening mood.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Troop:</strong> 2x Firewarrior squads; 2x Kroot allies</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Transport:</strong> 1x Devilfish</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Elite:</strong> 2x Stealth teams, 1x Crisis modular battlesuit</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Fast:</strong> 2x pirhana</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Heavy:</strong> 2x Broadside battlesuits, 1x Hammerhead (faulty railgun gyro-stabiliser)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He cursed silently. <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>That Hammerhead is supposed to be the pinnacle of weapons engineering - yet it couldn't bounce a round off an barn - let alone hitting the door</em></span>. They'd barely been able to salvage it after the last patrol. The crew were well trained he knew - they'd fought well and bravely in previous campaigns.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Must be something about this planet</span></em>. He knew this was not likely the truth - that was far more unpleasant. <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>The Eldar are aware of us and planning accordingly</em></span>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Then he spied a file that lightened the mood in the command tent <strong>"Requisition Update"</strong>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Req. Approvals</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1x Devilfish + pathfinder enhancements</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1x Pathfindder squad (rail-rifle and carbines)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1x Sniper drone squad</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">1x replacement Commander suit + upgrades</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Armaments & ammo</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Engineering & spares</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Vehicle primer, paint & camouflage nets</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Req. Deferral,</strong> awaiting supplies</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Battle fatigues - Firewarrior</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Battle fatigues - Pathfinder</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He smiled. <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>I wish they'd send some engineers to fit out and paint the vehicles. Still - at least the Firewarriors will have something to do off duty... </em></span></span>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-729322382633247925.post-23369605627637755432009-03-14T13:58:00.000-07:002009-03-18T06:58:24.197-07:00The future takes shape...<span style="font-size:85%;">Shas'O Tyrnax addressed the loosley filed ranks of his Fire Warriors</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;">La'Rua One and Two - Listen up!!!</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';" >We know the Eldar are here. In spite of our victories so far, we must assume survivors and thus they are aware of our presence. Our advance patrols have indicated wreckage from Tyranid and human Imperial Guard forces. These we know to be enemies. Kill on sight.</span><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" >More interestingly, our advance Pathfinder units have detected Tau communications. These are not of our Sept.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" >We do not know yet their intentions. They may be future allies... but they could also be enemies. Until we know more, if you encounter them, treat them with respect. Ignore them if possible, support them if needed, defend yourselves if required.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" >Our business on this planet is two-fold. Firstly, to secure a base for us. Continued deployments have stretched our supply lines and we need a forward operations base. Reinforcements will arrive in time - until then, we must waste nothing.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" >Secondly - we know that a Tyrannid incursion is expected. Our intelligence to date suggests that H'Rus is being corrupted already, to act as a staging post for further expansion. For the sake of all Tau in this sector, it must be stopped.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';" >Your orders are simple: Take the ground, secure the ground, defend the ground.</span><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" >Any questions? No? Reconnaissance and combat patrols begin at dusk.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:85%;" >Dismissed.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal;font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >As Tyrnax turned from his troops, he hoped his they would be up to the tasks ahead. He'd taken all the available recruits, veterans and depleted units he could find to build up the expeditionary force.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic;font-family:'times new roman';" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: normal;font-family:Georgia;" >With a wry smile, he remembered that he still had outstanding requisitions for field kit. Some of his new "troops" were still in training cadre grey.</span><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well</span></span>, he thought to himself, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">they would at least be bloodied soon. All too soon...</span></span></span></span>Blizzard Wolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10371668499271584211noreply@blogger.com0