The Fulcrum Conspiracy

[IAMNOTHERE]

Reclining aboard the Battle Barge "Russ' Honour" Snorri Weatherbane reviewed the latest communiques in the Acteron Sector. Amongst the overhyped dross something caught his eye:

+++195.998.M41+++
+++Acteron Sector+++
+++Pandraxx Sub Sector+++
+++Origin: Fulcrum+++
+++Author: Inquisitor Lowry ORDO HERETICUS+++
+++Whilst investigating a seditious cult my team were attacked by a force of Renegade Marines. By application of extreme force we were able to finally overcome 3 of these renegades with the loss of over 300 PDF troops and crippling injury to myself.+++
+++We have tentatively identified these Renegades as members of the "Terror Lords", an organisation that has been spreading non Imperial propaganda throughout the sector.+++
+++The cult is still active in this hive and warrants further Investigation. All Imperial forces in the area have been placed on alert and tasked with combatting this menace.+++
+++Inquisitor Lowry+++

Snorri felt an icy dread as he read this missive and reached for a shallow Iron bowl. Cutting his palm he smeared blood around the inside, it shone like crimson in the light.

Taking his runes from a soft bag of kraken skin he tossed them in the air several times. Each time as they landed he scooped them back without looking. On the eighth toss he felt a strong pull and looked in the bowl.

There in the centre of the bowl was his answer. Drawn in blood and rune stones was a bat winged skull!

Calling to the bridge he ordered all speed to Fulcrum, something was wrong. Next he called his Wolf Guard to council.

Several hours later a dark shape detached from the Battle Barge and sped towards their target. Snorri would not be taken unawares.

[Murrithius]

Brother Acheron smiled to himself. It had been so simple to decieve the mortals into thinking they were facing a mere 'Chapter' of renegade Space Marines. The loss of the 3 veterans was a shame, but still, he reflected, they managed to reap quite an impressive tally of the weakling corpse followers. And the fact that 3000 more of his Legion were planetside, as opposed to just 1000 a Chapter would have meant that 3 losses was just a drop in the ocean. They wouldn't know what hit them.

"Are you still with us Acheron?" growled Khadol.

"Yes, my Lord" he replied. "Merely savouring the terror to come."

"Good."
The Chaos Lord turned to the rest of Acheron's squad.
"Brothers, the Sorceror's ploy worked. The PDF and Guard on this planet believe they are fighting just a Chapter's worth of renegade Space Marines, and dont have a clue they are fighting a Legion! However, now we must secure the planetwide communication network to spread our...message. It must be done as quietly as possible. That is why I send you alone to do this for me. Do not fail me in this task, or do not return."

"Yes my Liege!" the Squad replied in unison.

Subtlety and Stealth the Night Lords could do...

[IAMNOTHERE]

Hello readers. Myself and Murrithius are going to try a joint a joint batrep. We'll be taking it in turns to describe the action from our respective view points as it unfolds.

The first mission is going to be Kill Team from the new Battle Missions book. The protagonists will be Space Wolves from Egil Iron Wolfs Great Company and an unknown faction of Renegade marines.

The Wolves begin their search in the ruined hive where the last confrontation took place, close to a Communications mast.

[Murrithius]

...that the 'Renegades' are trying to capture, to spread their message of terror and death! As is right and proper for the Night Lords to do!

My Force consists of a single Chaos Space marine Squad:

Champion Acheron: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Power Weapon, Furious Charge
Brother Withershadow: Missile Launcher, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Relentless
Brother Tartarus: Plasma Gun, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon, Feel No Pain
Brother Harrower: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
Brother Baneful: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
Brother Goreshade: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
Brother Skare: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
Brother Seether: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
Brother Derylic: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon
Brother Vayl: Bolter, Bolt Pistol, Close Combat Weapon

[IAMNOTHERE]

As they made planet fall the Wolves passed low over the ruined hive complex. Setting the lander down some way away they moved out.

Blending into the shadows the Wolf Scouts moved into the outer limits:

Jaeger - BP & Power sword - Furious Charge
Hans - Sniper rifle
Gunter - Sniper rifle
Eric - Sniper rifle
Jans - Sniper rifle
Olaf - Missile launcher - relentless

Seconds later they were followed by the low slung shape of a speeder:

Krakens Sting - MM/HF - Scout

[Murrithius]

The square was packed with buildings that had fallen into disrepair.
Acheron posted Derylic and Vayl behind some fallen masonry to cover the right flank.
Himself, Seether and Tartarus were on the ground floor of a ruin opposite the central tower, with Harrower and Withershadow on the floor above. Meanwhile he sent Baneful, Goreshade and Skare around the left flank of the battlefield.

"This should be easy", he thought to himself. Just then, he heard the whine of an anti-grav engine as a speeeder made it's way towards his left, followed by a wolf howl...

...or not. "Brothers." He voxed, "You all heard that, expect Astartes resistance" he continued, as he forced his way through the flaking wall in front. He and Seether made a move towards the central tower, as Tartarus moved toward a window. Withershadow made it to the window nearest him. "I can confirm that Brother, Wolf scouts!". He launched a crack missile at a scout that was looking down his sniper scope at him. Unfortunately the missile slammed into the chimney of the building the sniper was in.

The trio on the left flank sprinted further towards the noise of the speeder, hoping to lure it into a trap.

On the right flank, Vayl spotted what looked like a wolf in torn apart Power Armour. He nudged Derylic, and they both took aim and fired. With astonishing speed, the wolf scout jumped from the path of Vayl's round...
...straight into Derylic's. The bolt shell hit him in the throat and almost took his head off...

[IAMNOTHERE]

Moving through a ruined chapel as they approached the "Terror Lords" last reported position, keeping Olaf with him Jaeger ordered his brothers to fan out.

Hans and Jans swept round to the North covering each other as they moved into the chapels annex. Gunter and Eric went south through a manufactorum to take up high covering positions over the central plaza.

The Krakens Sting rounded the side of a building at speed, it's auspex picking up movement through the ruins.

As Hans climbed to the second floor of the Annex he felt himself bracketed by close range bolter fire, avoiding one he fell into the path of the second - crippling him.

Jans had seen where the fire had come from and quickly put covering fire down onto the 2 Chaos worshippers in the ruins but there cover was too good.

Moving out towards the transmitter both Jaeger and Olaf struggled to find targets for their weapons.

Meanwhile Gunter and Eric could see a missile launcher toting renegade taking cover in the warehouse across from the tower but just couldn't get a clear shot.

Nosing round the building to the south east of the tower the Krakens sting lined op a shot on a traitor that had broken cover. To their shock despite accurate targeting the traitor absorbed the multimeltas heat with ease!

[Murrithius]

Despite being glanced by a multimelta shot, Goreshade, Skare and Baneful advanced towards the speeder and took aim. Meanwhile Seether and Acheron advanced around the left and right hand side of the central tower respectively, where Acheron found himself face to face with a growling wolf scout. Tarturas broke cover to reach the building to the left of the speeder, running to gain the cover of the building from the snipers.
The 3 Night Lords facing the speeder opened fire, and in the hail of bullets, managed to shake the speeder. Withershadow got a proper bead on the sniper next to the chimney, and sent the wolf scout to meet his maker. Even a Space Marine wouldn't get up from a krak missile hit. Seether tried but couldn't get a shot off at the other sniper on that side of the square. Acheron completely missed the loyalist in front of him, but Vayl gunned him down with an uncanny bit of accuracy. Derylic smiled as he caught site of a missile launcher toting wolf scout taking aim at Acheron, he aimed down his bolter, and shot the Marine down where he stood. "You owe me one now" he voxed to his Champion...

[IAMNOTHERE]

Ambush! Were the first thoughts speeding through Jaegers mind as he leapt from cover and ran towards the radio tower. The noise of rapid firing bolters was all around him and he knew the situation was bad.

Olaf had moved up to the second floor of the Chapel but was struggling to find a target for his missile launcher. As he took aim his body was rent by a burst of mass reactive bolter rounds!

Over in the south-east of the district the krakens Sting was taking fire from multiple locations, worryingly a plasma gunner had appeared. Needing to get to a better position the pilot dived left and powered behind the warehouse to a safe area behind the manufactorum.

As the Krakens Sting rocked past their positions Eric and Gunter took aim at the missile launcher. Just as they were about to fire the lethal weapon spat flame and gunter took the missile square in the chest. Eric howled in anger!

Jans was in a good position in the annex and continued to pour fire into the 2 traitors behind the barricade but just couldn't make it work.

As Jaeger crossed the open ground to the tower he had serious doubts about pulling through this one. The enemy had known they were coming and had laid an ambush. Just then he saw his enemy for the first time, NIGHT LORDS!

A shot rang out from a hidden position, Jaeger felt it impact the side of his head and he fell backwards into darkness.

[Murrithius]

Too close, was Acheron's first thought as the Wulfen fell from view. Still, not close enough. He spotted another sniper directly to his right, taking aim at Vayl or Derylic. He took to one knee, bringing his bolter to eye level, and fired. The sillouette in the window vanished. Vayl and Derylic themselves had broken cover and were beginning to move around the left flank, towards where Acheron had just fired.
On the other side of the battle Goreshade, Baneful and Skare had lost site of the Speeder, and moved into the same building as Tartarus, Who in turn had actually made it to the other side of the building, and levelled his deadly plasma gun at the flying craft. he loosed of a burst, only for 1 shot to glance harmlessly off the thing's hull, and the other to vent from the cooling ports. Fortunately his armour was up to the task. Seether moved closer to the remaining sniper, loosed off a burst which bounced from the wolf's armour. Withershadow went to repeat his trick with the krak missile and the same sniper, only to miss entirely. However, having been quiet up until this point, Harrower fired and gunned the last foot bound wolf down from is building. All that was left now was the heaviest armed foe in the opposing force...

[IAMNOTHERE]

As the crew of the Krakens Sting swung behind the manufactorum avoiding plasma fire they tried to raise Jaeger.

Getting no answer they tried for any of the other Wolf Scouts operating to the North:

"CC3 this is Krakens Sting acknowledge over"

Their only answer from the northern scouts was a hiss of static.

Nosing round the edge of the building they were too late to save Eric as a krak explosion dug him from his vantage point and sent him tumbling from the building. In front of them though was chance for revenge, a lone traitor had exposed himself. This time the multimelta cooked him where he stood.

[Murrithius]

Acheron just heard Seether yelp, as he was cooked by a multimelta shot.

Acceptable losses he thought. He ordered the remaining Night Lords to converge on the fleeting speeder, and the Astartes skimmer was rocked as firstly a bolt shell shreded it's engines, sending it crashing to the ground, A rocket from Withershadow killed the gunner, and finally Acheron ended the Pilots life by ramming his power sword through his chest before he could draw his bolt pistol. The last Space Wolf on the planet, for now at least, was dead. They had the comms net, and the message could be spread...

[IAMNOTHERE]

Well as you can tell from that little report I had my butt handed to me

Taking a themed force of Wolf Scouts I thought would have given me an advantage in all that terrain but in the end I was worse off.

Infiltrate and Scout are of limited use on a 4'*4' board and the 4+ armour save literally killed me - I failed 4 saves on a 3

Taking the speeder could have swung it for me but with the MM I was limited to 1 shot at range. Next time I'll find the points for a typhoon!

Hats off to Murrithius he concentrated his forces and dominated his area, totally shutting me down.

Aboard the Russ' Honour, Snorri was worried. It was long after the Scouts should have reported in and he had a dread feeling in his bones. Ordering the Captain to make for Fulcrum he prepared his Woles for War.

Down on the planets surface some rubble moved. Slowly a battered grey shape made his way from the hive. His head hurt and his pack were nowhere to be found. A sense of shame burned deep within his heart at the loss of his wolf brothers. Turning his eyes to the sky Jaeger walked alone...

[Murrithius]

Iamnothere is right. It really was the 4+ saves that killed him. Unbelievable bad luck!
That and taking the Speeder too, I my humble opinion. It left him with just enough points to only have 6 infantry models, to my 10. It showed that numbers counts in Kill Team. To be honest I can only really say I won due to all the luck being on my side! Snipers hit and failed to wound, and getting the first turn helped, as I managed to get first blood too!

Still, an enjoyable game, against a worthy opponant, who, like me, likes to take fluffy, as opposed to tourney lists!

Cheers for the game mate!

The task was complete. Right now, anyone on Fulcrum who used any form of communication device, be it from pict viewers, to tannoy systems, was being bombarded with the pictures and sounds of Death, Terror and Torture. Little did the planet's inhabitants know that the message was contained within these images and sounds. It would take time, but the message would get through, and the planet would rise up as one in revolt!

"My Lord" Acheron approached his master.
"I have something to show you"

"Go on then" Khadol replied.

"We will have some proper sport after all!" Acheron said, as his brothers threw the still breathing form of a Wolf Scout at the Lord's feet.

"Interesting. Zaphadon!" the Lord called to the Sorceror.
"Yessss my Masssster" the Sorceror walked to Khadol.
"Take this...thing, and find out when the Wolves will arrive in force."
"At oncccce" came the reply.

------------------------------------------------

"Well?" Khador stormed into the Sorceror's Land Raider, that also served as his Torture Chamber, a few hours later.

"Three sssstandard Terra monthssss"

Good, he thought. That should be more than enough time to ensure that the PDF would be turned. Why fight against an Astartes assault yourself, when someone expendable could do it for you?...

[DrunkTerminator]

That was awesome! I'm not a big fan of battle reports but this was great and very well written.
Is it going to be a series of battle reports?
Also i second the view that a speeder was too much on a kill team. Too little shots imo.
Keep it, up good job.

[IAMNOTHERE]

+++195.998.M41+++
+++Acteron Sector+++
+++Pandraxx Sub Sector+++
+++Origin: Fulcrum+++
+++Author: Snorri Weatherbane+++
+++Russ' Honour successfully translated from the Warp+++
+++Still no response from the Scouting force will proceed with the investigation.+++

Snorri looked up from the omnisphere displaying Fulcrum as the ships Comms Jarl approached.

"Lord we've picked up strong transmissions from Fulcrums surface. The main networks are all broadcasting the words of the Arch enemy, I've ordered the channel isolated to prevent infection of this ship."

Snorri looked at the Fenrisian and nodded "Find me the most powerful transmitter - we strike first."

Welcome back to the Fulcrum Conspiracy our next game is a 2000pt Vanguard assault on Fulcrum. Its main aim is to silence the main transmitter but the Wolves want their Scouts back!

[Murrithius]

For the best part of 90 days the message of truth had been being broadcast, and the truth had been turning loyal Imperial citizens and soldiers aliketo throw off the shackles of Imperial rule.

The Fulcrum PDF was no exception. How laughable, Fernandez thought, that they had been merely 'cannon fodder' for the Imperial dogs. Of course, not everyone had been so convinced, so the Commissars had been the first to be murdered, shortly followed by the priests. Still, now the Alpha Class psyker was guiding them now. They shall not fail in bringing the truth to other worlds.

But first, there was an Imperial invasion to fight off of their world. And it would appear that a literal Imperial Dog had fallen into their possession. Space Wolf it called itself...

[IAMNOTHERE]

Planetfall had been uneventful, it seemed the archenemy didn't control the country completely.

The Wolves had formed up in a lagger before starting their assault:

Snorri Weatherbane TDA (MH & LL) 120
6 Wolf Guard (TDA Cyc CF, 183
Redeemer MM 250

Thunders Might Vindicator 115
Iron Fang Vindicator 115

Jontis’ Long Fangs 6 LF, 5 ML, Wolf Guard with CML 208
Pod 35

Typhoon 90
Speeder MM/HF 70

Svens’ Grey Hunters (5 GH, MotW, WB, flamer. Wolf Guard with PF & CbM) 143
Razorback (LCTPG) Dozer blade 80

Boris’ Grey Hunters (5 GH, MotW, WB, flamer, Wolf Guard with PF & CbM) 143
Razorback (LCTPG) Dozer blade 80

Yuris’ Grey Hunters (9 GH, MotW, WB, MG, Wolf Guard with PF & CbM) 208
Rhino Dozerblade 40

Andre Thunder Wolf SS 80

Jaeger Lone Wolf power sword. 35

Most of the packs were in their transports with the exception of Jonti in his pod waiting for orders.

There was one brooding figure though, Jaeger. He'd lost his pack and his fight; he hung his head in shame as they prepared to march - rage was in his eyes as he loped along after the convoy.

[Murrithius]

Fernandez had watched the Space Wolves make planetfall, and knew that there was no point in trying to prevent it from on site. He'd have to fight them once they'd landed. The Alpha class was right, they were heading straight for the wreck of their own speeder, that just so happened to be right next to the transmitter. That could not be allowed to fall. The truth must continue to be spread.

Fernandez looked across his forces. The wolves wouldn't break through. They couldn't.

HQ1: Command HQ with Carapace Armour
Fernandez with Plasma Pistol and Power Weapon
Guardsman with Vox
Guardsman with Heavy Flamer
Guardsman with Medi Pack
Guardsman
Master of Ordinance
Chimera with ML, HB and Extra Armour

HQ2: Alpha Class (Primaris) Psyker

E1: 10 Storm Troopers with Power Sword and 2 Meltaguns

T1: Infantry Platoon:
Command Squad with Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Vox and 2 Flamers.
3x Infantry Squad with Missile Launcher and Grenade Launcher.
3x Heavy Weapon Squad, 1 with Autocannons, 1 with Lascannons, 1 with Mortars.

T2: 10 Arbites (Grenadier Veterans) with Shotguns
Sergeant has Bolt Pistol and Power Weapon
1 Meltagun and 1 Flamer
Chimera with ML, HB and Extra Armour

T3:
Penal Legion Squad

FA1: Valkyrie with Missile Pods and Heavy Bolters

HS1:
2x Leman Russ with Lascannon, Heavy Bolter Sponsons

HS2:
Hydra

HS3:
Griffon with Armoured Crew Compartment.

[IAMNOTHERE]

The Typhoon weaved through the debris of defaced buildings. The whole of the suburbs had been wrecked in only a few short months of occupation – how quickly this world succumbed to the archenemy.

The beacon from the crashed speeder drew him onwards as he closed to half a k range, his onboard sensors picked up engine noise and body heat from the ruins around the radio mast. The majority of threat was on his right flank but there was a significant heat bloom away to his left.

Snorri received the data from the Typhoon and made a decision – “Pack Right” was all he needed to say over the net as the bulk of his force spread out to cover the right flank.

He started to receive more data as the Typhoon moved forward:

Gap/Crypt/Big Gap/Transmitter/Gap/Ruined Offices
Low walls/3’ Kill Zone/Ruined Offices
Low walls/Gap/Fountain/Rubble/Gap
Gap/Tower/2’ Kill Zone/Shrine/Habs/Gap

The approach

No matter what they’d have to cross a lethal killing ground to get to their primary objective – the Transmitter. The remains of their lost speeder in the fountain would be retrievable once that had happened. From somewhere a wounded wolf howled – they’d find him soon.

The renegades were in 2 big concentrations – the Griffon and most of the T1 platoon were dug in round a crypt. A single squad was occupying the Transmitter with what looked like a missile launcher. Over on the right flank he could see the rest of the force hunkered down around some ruined offices. 2 Leman Russ (the INSULT!) were closest with a hydra tucked in behind them. T2 and a Las Cannon FSS occupied the actual ruins them selves and a command Chimera was hull down and ready to support the transmitter.

Something didn’t add up - Snorri could feel an evil mind but couldn’t locate him at this time.

Pack right was the right decision but he needed some fire support on the left flank. A quick message to the Russ’ Honour and Jontis’ Long Fangs were launched. Soon the archenemy would be destroyed!