Friday, February 24, 2023

Vanguard Veterans Complete!



Ok, finally done.  Best models yet!  It's true what they say, just keep painting and you get better and better every time.

While I think that the gothic text for Sergeant Nox's was my best ever, the text lettering across all shields and etc. was fairly consistent and still pretty neat.






The face for the (yet unnamed) alternate sergeant's face really turned out great too, very pleased.


The NMM gold also turned out pretty great for a first real dive into that.  I can definitely see spots where it isn't quite right, but I feel that this is one of those skills that will have a lot of room to master.  Mostly it seems like its all about looking at examples and reference images.  There is a guy on instagram that posts really great examples all the time and I think had subconsciously helped me a bit, maybe further conscious effort to look at his work, and others, would be the next step there.







I think the magnetization needs a bit of improvement.  I used smaller magnets (mostly because drilling bigger holes into pewter might not have been possible) and between that less than perfect placement - some of the arms feel a bit weakly attached, or aren't quite joining perfectly.  That's an area to improve next time.  I do think these vets are a bit of a special case with different weapon options, but yeah not exactly sure if it was worth it.









And finally here they are in the pose I've been capturing throughout the process.  Perhaps I'll get around to a gif that steps through the steps again.



Monday, February 20, 2023

Vanguard Vets (WIP) Update 9 - Face Painting

Really close to complete now.  Almost all colors have been shaded and highlighted.  What is left is lettering on the various scrolls, and the face on one of the two alternate sergeants.  Saving the hardest parts for last.


While I have painted a few faces before, looking back they were fine for my skill level at the time, but in the past few years I feel I've really improved a lot.  For this attempt, I was going to follow Darren Latham's technique.  I've used his contrast paint technique for a face before, but this would be the first time with conventional paint.

Starting Point: 4 or so coats of Bugman's Glow

With these zoomed in images, I can tell that I'm still not quite on the high level that I see from other hobbyists/professionals online, but I do see improvement from my own work in the past.  One thing that stands out though is the bumpiness - I think this is the spray primer which continues to disappoint, but when I look at the models in person they look much better.

Basic highlights added

I found Darren's instructions really detailed and easy to follow and I'm really pleased with the results.  Below I have the basic steps and paints for my own reference.  I don't typically work with paints thinned down to washes so much, especially since it tends to pond/pool, but after watching his work and trying this out, I think I've actually made a breakthrough in how to control the watery paint and draw it off if its ponding.

Basic shading added

The model itself has really extremely exaggerated cheekbones, more so than the primaris space marine head that Darren used, so I used deeper shading, but otherwise I mostly followed his instructions (from his youtube video) directly.  Also, this miniature has barred teeth, so I used some Zandri Dust and Screaming Skull and it worked great (I felt white would be too much).  I used white ink for the first time and it is a lot better than white paint.  

Color glazes and final highlights added

The model seems to have one eye open and one eye closed (or the primer obscured the detail), and the open eye seems to have a deep scowl so you can only see the side of the eyeball.  Thus, I decided that, after the step to black out the eye, I just needed to put a dot of white on the side of the eyeball, and use the existing black to create the iris.  Since the narrowed eye and the direction he would be looking would mean you wouldn't see the white on the other side of the iris, it massively simplified the hardest steps of painting the eyes.  I think it turned out great, especially when viewed in person.  With my magnifying glasses, I can tell it still isn't quite perfect, but overall I'm really happy my first time trying this technique out, it worked much, much better than the methods I had pieced together before.

Final details: eyes, teeth, etc added

This time I skipped adding stubble/ 5o'clock shadow.  Either the sculpt has scaring on the left side of the face (in shadow here) or the primer/finish kinda messed up the details, but either way I decided trying to go for the stubble wouldn't turn out.  Maybe next time.  Looking forward to trying this again and using darker shades to vary the skin tone.


Finally, here's the whole troop (just before painting the face):





Thursday, February 16, 2023

Battle Report: Vadinax Campaign - Mission 3 Twisted Sisters

     ++++Transmission: Imperial Command: VADINAX SECTOR++++
TRANSMITTED: Levrivor IV
RECEIVED: Iq-DCKKVI
DESTINATION: TERN'S ENDEAVOR
TELEPATHIC DUCT: Astropath-terminus
+++++
DATE: 5124023/M42
REF: Inq/40675099654/BR
BY: Inquisitor Nirobe Vant
RE: Assault on VALERN CITADEL
THOUGHT: Trust no one else and trust yourself less.

Primus Faustus:

The importance of VALERN CITADEL, the very bastion of the Imperial presence on Tern's Endeavor, cannot be stressed enough.  The Lord-Commander is relieved that ultimately the daemonic incursion was turned away, but not without great cost to TASK FORCE 'FAUSTUS'.

STRIKE FORCE 'PEGASUS' has had great success in maintaining imperial order, perhaps through coordination with the Sons of Medusa, the battle lines around the strategic stronghold can be reenforced.

It goes without saying that when the BATTLE BARGE EXCELSIOR emerged from the warp after being lost for almost ten thousand years, there are many keen to look more closely into the events surrounding this curious event, those that emerged on it, such as yourself and the space marines under your command.  The dark age technology and relic artifacts at your disposal are a true wonder, but could be seen by some as heresy, however, it is a true gift from the EMPEROR that you and your men have returned to defend humanity.

Inquisitor Nirobe Vant

 ++++Transmission End++++

Here we are on Mission 3 in the local Vadinax Crusade!  I must say I'm having a ton of fun, and it has been great encountering several different factions that I haven't played before.  This time it was the Adeptus Sororitas (AKA Sisters of Battle).  Of course, these were 'Twisted Sisters' - or 'Sisters of Slaanesh' - corrupted by the dark gods to do dark things.  My opponent, James, had a great back story for these 'fallen angels' and chief among them was "Canoness Ezzie the Murderess" - who has at this point ascended to be a dark princess and can deal out insane amounts of mortal wounds. 

Battle Report:

Ruleset: Core Crusade 2023 Arks of Omen Grand Tournament - Incursion, 2023 Q1 Balance Datasheet & Points, and Goonhammer Vadinax Crusade rules
Mission: Arks of Omen GT: 32 Display of Spiritual Might
Points: 1000

My Forces:


++ Arks of Omen Detachment 975pts ++

**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines
Battle Size [3CP]: Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [3CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen Grand Tournament + Crusade

+ HQ +

  • Primus Leo Exevio Faustus - Captain Terminator Armour: Rites of War, The Sanctic Halo, Power Fist, Wrist mounted grenade launcher, Storm Bolter, Warlord (Warleader) 
  • Praelior Tarquinius Iulian Regulus - Chaplain in Terminator Armour:  Benediction of Fury  Storm bolter, Canticle of Hate, Litany of Hate, The Imperium's Sword

+ Troops +

  • Squad Cornelius - 5 man Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Plasma pistol, Bolt pistol, Meltagun, Bolters

+ Elites +

  • Apothecary Hulm Singa - Apothecary: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, The Armour Indomitus, Conversion Field
  • Venerable Brother "Fury" - Dreadnought: Dreadnought melee weapon w/ Storm bolter, Twin Lascannon
  • Squad Nox - 5man Terminator Assault Squad - Teleport Homer,  5x Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
  • Squad Tourbillion - 5 man Terminator Squad - Power sword, Storm bolter, Assault cannon, Chainfist 3x, Power fist

+ Heavy Support +

  • Squad Nero - Devastator Squad: Power sword, plasma pistol, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Plasma Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

  • "One Charlie" - Land Speeder Tornado: Heavy flamer, Multi-melta
Agendas: Survivor, Guide the Chapter, Reaper

Sisters of Slaanesh:


++ Arks of Omen Detachment 999pts ++

**Order Convictions**: Our Martyred Lady
Battle Size [3CP]: Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [3CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen Grand Tournament + Crusade

+ HQ +

  • Ezzie the Murderess - Canoness: Blade of Sacrifice, Martyr's Strength, Righteous Rage, and a whole bunch of gifts from the dark gods...
  • Palatine:  Plasma pistol

+ Elites +

  • Celestian Sacresants
  • Dogmata: Litany of Enduring Faith
  • Paragon Warsuits: Multi-Meltas and Swords
  • Sisters Repentia

+ Heavy Support+

  • Mortifiers
  • Retributor Squad: Multi-Meltas

+ No Force Org+

  • Repentia Superior


Takeaways & Analysis:


Again I did my homework coming into this game.  I had a plan.  I knew the Warsuits and Retributor squad (i.e. the meltas) had to die right away.  I also knew that my hail of storm bolters, Squad Tourbillion would be best suited to deal with the Sisters Repentia and other infantry.  So of course all my plans went out the window when James elected to put both the Warsuits and Retributor in reserve.  But it was ok because I could adjust.  The next high priority target for the heavy weapons were the Mortifiers, and so I still put Tourbillion in the teleportarium to beam into the Repentia and give them a bad time.

I also planned on using an orbital strike to deny an objective.  For the first half of the game I would say things went well according to the plan.  The orbital bombardment did keep the sisters off their home objective and so I was able to get a slight early lead.  However, I played very cautious, so I didn't venture out to contest the midfield objectives as much as I would have liked knowing that a lot of meltas were waiting in the wings to strike.

Per usual, the Terminators and Chaplain Regulus beamed in.  They destroyed the Mortifiers (with some pot-shot support from Nero's Devastators) and almost entirely eliminate the Repentia (the last one bravely ran away).

Teleport blooms blind the Twisted Sisters - oh wait, they're wearing blindfolds.

Regulus takes a critical hit, but does not waiver from intoning the litanies of battle to inspire Squad Tourbillion as he falls.

That was when Ezzie the Murderess struck back though.  I had read some things, but I wasn't expecting the terrifying power of mortal wounds.  In a single combat she obliterated Squad Tourbillion.  Still I felt that I was in ok position.  Also, surprisingly the orbital strike went off and took out the Repentia Superior!  First time Faustus ever got a kill this way.

*Five versus one?  Ha, she doesn't stand a cha-- Wha? *  *Static*

Meanwhile,  the cautious play mostly paid off when the Warsuits did arrive, I was able to take them out by just sacrificing my tactical squad - a fairly good trade.



When I brought my Dreadnought in, I still had a chance to control the west side of the board, and if I could have snipped Ezzie with his lascannons (she was away from her bodyguard Sacresants) I think I could have won.  

The pivotal moment...

But critical misses from both the lascannons and storm bolter meant that she was able to charge and blend him while the rest made short work of my Land Speeder (who heroically lasted a lot longer than in previous games and managed to get another kill!  Actually he killed Ezzie, but she has an ability to get up again).

*Negative, negative, the shot went wide.  It was an honor to serve wi--- * *Static*

The Retributor squad came in from the other side and melted a good chunk of Squad Nox were were out in the open after fighting the warsuits.  They retreated into safety, basically allowing Apothecary Singa to achieve his survival objective (and get promoted to Chief Apothecary).  Squad Nero was not able to do much to the Retributors, also a critical turning point.


Ezzie and her entourage faced down Faustus and his retinue in a rumble in the center.  It was great fun and we let them fight a bit carelessly just for narrative purposes, and so Squad Nox was able to strike Ezzie down again, but the Sacresants got their revenge on Faustus who also went down in a heap.

After the battle, only Faustus got a battle scar - loss of reputation - which is awesome for narrative purposes, and now he will be on a Quest for Atonement in subsequent games!


 +++++++++++++++++

The communique from the Inquisition was not a surprise to Faustus. 

That he and his men, loyal Legiones Astartes of the Ultramarines, emerged from a warp storm off course and ten millennia into a stagnant, dark future reminded him that the duty of Astartes (now Adeptus Astartes) would be never-ending.  Of course there would be suspicion, it was logical.  It was the inevitable curse of the Horus Heresy.

But, as transmission display dimmed on the screen, he had no doubt it would only be on the battlefield where his loyalty must be demonstrated, perhaps in perpetuity.

Friday, February 10, 2023

Battle Report: Vadinax Campaign - Mission 2 Rough Knight

    ++++Transmission: Adeptus Astartes Ultra++++
BATTLE REPORT: CLASSIFIED
DATE: 5108023.M42 Resupply Run T-plus: 1 Day
LOCATION: The Aeolian Choir - TERN'S ENDEAVOR
CHAPTER APPROVED: ULTRAMARINES

Ambushed during resupply run at THE AEOLIAN CHOIR
Tactical withdrawal initiated
Hostile Knight Lance encountered - possible DAEMONIC or XENOS corruption

Hostiles: 1 DOMINUS VALIANT Pattern and 2 ARMIGER WARGLAIVE Patterns
Traitor self identified as: IBRAHIM SEELIE

Requesting requisition of additional HEAVY SUPPORT

REF: 722/G6XQB-1910V-27641000002B
THOUGHT: He who picks up the sword against us, shall perish by it. (IA Vol II 25)
 ++++Transmission End++++


 For Mission 2 of the Vadinax Campaign on Tern's Endeavor, we faced Imperial Knights that have decided to fight for the Eldar by some twist of narrative.  

Battle Report:

Ruleset: Core Crusade 2023 Arks of Omen Grand Tournament - Incursion, 2023 Q1 Balance Datasheet & Points, and Goonhammer Vadinax Crusade rules
Mission: Supply Cache
Points: 1000


Ibrahim's Big Trophy Hunt (Freeblades):

  • Ibrahim Seelie - Knight Valiant
  • Piquant Tashtego - Armiger Warglaive
  • Quake-Leg Ishmael - Armiger Warglaive


My Forces:



++ Arks of Omen Detachment 975pts ++

**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines
Battle Size [6CP]: Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [6CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen Grand Tournament + Crusade

+ HQ +

  • Primus Leo Exevio Faustus - Captain Terminator Armour: Rites of War, The Sanctic Halo, Power Fist, Wrist mounted grenade launcher, Storm Bolter, Warlord (Warleader) 
  • Praelior Tarquinius Iulian Regulus - Chaplain in Terminator Armour:  Benediction of Fury  Storm bolter, Canticle of Hate, Litany of Hate, The Imperium's Sword

+ Troops +

  • Squad Cornelius - 5 man Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Plasma pistol, Bolt pistol, Meltagun, Bolters

+ Elites +

  • Apothecary Hulm Singa - Apothecary: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, The Armour Indomitus
  • Venerable Brother "Fury" - Dreadnought: Dreadnought melee weapon w/ Storm bolter, Twin Lascannon
  • Squad Nox - 5man Terminator Assault Squad - Teleport Homer,  5x Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
  • Squad Tourbillion - 5 man Terminator Squad - Power sword, Storm bolter, Assault cannon, Chainfist 3x, Power fist

+ Heavy Support +

  • Squad Nero - Devastator Squad: Power sword, plasma pistol, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Plasma Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

  • "One Charlie" - Land Speeder Tornado: Heavy flamer, Multi-melta
Agendas: Recover the Gene Seed, Survivor, Deploy Vox-relays

Takeaways & Analysis:

Prior to the game I read up on how to approach this, and my strategy was correct - focus on the Armigers.  Things didn't quite go my way though.  I was screened out from deep striking the Terminators to hit the second Armiger.  I opted to try to charge the Valiant to see if their chainfists could make a dent in it (narrator: They did not.)  If I had stuck to the plan and maybe teleport in the terminators without the Chaplain to hit the second Armiger, I still am not sure I could have turned it around.

But anyway, having a Battle Round One, Turn One 600+ pt vehicle plop down right next to your deploy zone was a tough situation and wasn't something I was expecting (Freeblade Martial Tradition: Mysterious Guardian).  As I increase my supply limit and add more units to my order of battle, I would imagine I can elect to bring more devastators or something (assuming I can get them painted in time).

*Deploying to Northern Sector*

Hello there!

Also looking back, we didn't put down any cover in the deploy zone, so I think this is another important thing to watch for in future games...

That aside, Apothecary Singa engaged the Valiant in an epic melee duel for basically 3 whole turns.  While he eventually got harpooned, it was fun to watch him hold out.

Also the one Armiger to go down was taken out by a humble bolter from Squad Cornelius, its a shame it only counts as one kill.

Devastator Squad Nero lines up on an Armiger

Hulm Vs Goliath err Ibrahim

*Brother Singa, reinforcements have arrived, withdraw!*

"One Charlie" goes down (per usual)

Faustus fights to the bitter end!

 ++++++

 "Brother, we must withdraw!"

 "Brother Moriens' gene seed must be recovered!"

 "Soon we'll have to recover yours, do you not see the Knight?  Squad Tourbillion is deploying to your position with a homer, ETA 90 seconds."

 "Very well Brother Captain."

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Battle Report: Vadinax Campaign - Mission 1 Celvorn’s Mauraders

   ++++Transmission: Adeptus Astartes Ultra++++
BATTLE REPORT:
DATE: 5092023.M42 Planetary Strike T-plus: 2 Days
LOCATION: Southern Polar Region "The Graves" - TERN'S ENDEAVOR
CHAPTER APPROVED: ULTRAMARINES

Casualties: Acceptable Limits
Enemy Casualties: +REDACTED+
Liberated Civilians: 10,675
Materiel:
Promethium: 80.6 Units
Ammunition: 14.3 Units
Equipage: 4.1 Units

VICTORY for the EMPEROR

CADIAN 836TH "SNOW SPECTRES" detected warp disturbances in the southern polar region

Orbital bombardment: WITHHELD
Confirmed signatures as RENEGADE ASTARTES with Class 3 or 4 PSYKER
Renegade designation RED CORSAIRS - Significant threat
ASTARTES ASSAULT SUCCESSFUL

RED CORSAIRS sustained heavy loses - withdrew into "The Graves" via ++REDACTED++
All praise to the EMPEROR

Materiel and Civilians liberated
TASK FORCE 'FAUSTUS' redeploying to BATTLE BARGE EXCELSIOR in orbit at THE WEEPING EYE

Detailed Status:
Apothecary Singa: Wounded (Leg amputated)
Squad Tourbillion: Tactical Dreadnought Armour under evaluation for metal fatigue
Venerable Brother "Fury": Targeter systems damaged - repair underway

REF: 328/214TG-96W33-F2593401QV16
THOUGHT: Even though you once called him friend, the Traitor has forsaken you. Show no mercy even if he begs it, for his soul is tainted and given the chance he will betray your trust. (IA Vol II 142)
 ++++Transmission End++++


I have joined the global Vadinax Campaign for my first foray into narrative games.  This is great, it’s how 40k should be played, and the first game was a lot of fun.

Battle Report:

Ruleset: Tempest of War with 2023 Arks of Omen Grand Tournament - Incursion, 2023 Q1 Balance Datasheet & Points, and Goonhammer Vadinax Crusade rules
Mission: Tempest of War - Vital Ground
Mission Rule: Sweep and Clear
Deployment: Sweeping Engagement
Points: 1000

Celvorn's Marauders (Red Corsairs):


++ Arks of Omen Detachment 1000pts ++

**Traitor Legion**: Red Corsairs
Battle Size [6CP]: Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [6CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen Grand Tournament + Crusade

+ HQ +

  • Celvorn "The Pretender" - Master of Possession: Warlord (Warleader)
  • Vechmus Thrax - Lord Discordant on Helstalker

+ Troops +

  • Vorjcha's Skullcrushers - Legionaries
  • Sons of Ruin - Legionaries
  • Cade's Company - Traitor Guard

+ Elites +

  • Krall's Maulers - Chaos Terminators
  • Skade - Helbrute
  • Twice-Born - Possessed


My Forces:


++ Arks of Omen Detachment 975pts ++

**Chapter Selector**: Ultramarines
Battle Size [6CP]: Incursion (51-100 Total PL / 501-1000 Points) [6CP]
Game Type: 4. Chapter Approved: Arks of Omen Grand Tournament + Crusade

+ HQ +

  • Primus Leo Exevio Faustus - Captain Terminator Armour: Rites of War, The Sanctic Halo, Power Fist, Wrist mounted grenade launcher, Storm Bolter, Warlord (Warleader) 
  • Praelior Tarquinius Iulian Regulus - Chaplain in Terminator Armour:  Benediction of Fury  Storm bolter, Canticle of Hate, Litany of Hate, The Imperium's Sword

+ Troops +

  • Squad Cornelius - 5 man Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Plasma pistol, Bolt pistol, Meltagun, Bolters

+ Elites +

  • Apothecary Hulm Singa - Apothecary: Astartes Chainsword, Bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades, The Armour Indomitus
  • Venerable Brother "Fury" - Dreadnought: Dreadnought melee weapon w/ Storm bolter, Twin Lascannon
  • Squad Nox - 5man Terminator Assault Squad - Teleport Homer,  5x Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
  • Squad Tourbillion - 5 man Terminator Squad - Power sword, Storm bolter, Assault cannon, Chainfist 3x, Power fist

+ Heavy Support +

  • Squad Nero - Devastator Squad: Power sword, plasma pistol, 2x Lascannon, Missile Launcher, Plasma Cannon

+ Fast Attack +

  • "One Charlie" - Land Speeder Tornado: Heavy flamer, Multi-melta
Agendas: Survivor (Singa), Guide the Chapter (Goonhammer Vadinax Imperial Player Pack)


Takeaways & Analysis:

As per my previous run in with Red Corsairs, I knew they were fast and tough in melee.  I had a game plan but the Sweeping Engagement deployment profile for the mission threw some of it out the window - the Lord Discordant and Possessed would be too close for comfort.  It was nice starting with CP for once, so I took advantage of my redeploy pre-game move to try and get some range for my Devastator Squad (Narrator: It wouldn't turn out so great for them)



As an aside, my opponent Darryl was hugely knowledgeable about 40k and was really great about explaining how his models worked and was very sporting.  This made it a hugely enjoyable game and took a lot of pressure off.  I think that went a long way to helping me settle down because I was able to remember a lot of stratagems, my Apothecary Feel No Pain, and all the other things that I typically forget.

Darryl won the roll of to go first, and did a tremendous amount of damage to the Nero's Devastator squad - they were unable to fire a single shot.  However, I was lucky in that the Lord Discordant and Possessed, who deployed very close to my home objectives, weren't able to get within range to charge.

One member of Squad Nox falls to withering fire as they Charge.  As One Charlie's Melta turned the mount to slag, the Lord Discordant seemed to vanish...


While I lost the Devastators, I think the redeploy of my Captain and Dreadnought was overall a good move, I was able to apply a lot of pressure to his back forces and tie them up, but maybe its hard to say.  I don't think either of us had the best dice luck, especially my character units, but I had luck come through where it was needed most.

The Land Speeder "One Charlie" - who typically gets blown off the table before doing anything really came up aces this game.  He would definitely get Mark of Greatness if I wasn't trying to power level my Apothecary.  A Martial Precision boosted Multi-Melta barrage eliminated Lord Discordant Vechmus before he was able to do much other than take out one terminator from Squad Nox.  A bit later, "One Charlie" again stole the show with another blast that took out the Warleader Celvorn the Pretender himself.  While the pilots of "One Charlie" went down moments later in a hail of return fire from the renegades, they will forever be remembered!

Regulus and Squad Nox take the fight to the Possessed Renegades.


Meanwhile, up the board we had Helbrute Skade suffer a critical explosion that wiped out Apothecary Singa and did catastrophic damage to Faustus, Squad Tourbillion, and Venerable Brother "Fury" - who would also explode later, spectacularly damaging Krall's Maulers.  It was quite a brawl.  Eventually Faustus fell, but did a lot of damage thanks to Singa's (futile) efforts to keep his brothers alive.  It proved to be enough - Squad Nox was able to charge in and clean up Krall's Maulers, the traitor guard and the rest of the legionaries - with the exception of one that disappeared into the twisting fjords of "The Graves".  Strange warp signatures and the disappearance of all of the disabled Marauders meant that some twisted warp sorcery allowed Celvorn and his forces to escape, though they abandoned much of their prior spoils and stronghold in the area.
Terminators and Dreadnoughts vs Terminators and Dreadnoughts

It was a punishing battle

Faustus falls, but his wounds were not serious.

One Charlie melts the sorcerer before getting shot down by return fire.  Squad Nox races ahead to engage the foe as Regulus too falters from sustained plasma fire.  Though uninjured, his Terminator Armour shutdown as it emergency vented the heat.

The last of the renegades taunts squad Nox before slipping away into the fjord mist.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Faustus looked out over the fjord.  The foe was a brilliant commander, though bold, this southern polar region of Tern's Endeavor would be a difficult place to pacify - thus an ideal base for raids.  The drop assault was tactically sound and accomplished the objective, but the renegades were able to escape, likely into the warp with some cursed sorcery.  They were not to be underestimated either, as they dealt some serious damage even on the back foot.

"Brother Captain" - it was Chaplain Regulus approaching.  Faustus turned in his mighty, ancient Tactical Dreadnought Armour.

"Vox message from The Excelsior indicates all drop ships are aboard.  Hulm says his leg is lost, but the junior Apothecaries are already working on the bionics."

"Very good.  And the 'One Charlie' crew?"  

"Will of the Emperor, both tucked and rolled, survived the crash with only minor injuries."

Faustus, though often stoic, cracked a bit of a smile "They finally learned to shoot."

Faustus could hear the smile behind the fearsome skull visage of Regulus' helm: "That they did sir."

*Teleportarium Coordinate Lock* Chimed Faustus' suit.

"Battle Barge Excelsior, energize"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++