Prelude
This is the re-fight of [Forked Space Hulk] The Return Mission Four — Cleanse and Burn, with swapped sides.
The objective for the Marines is to place a heavy flamer shot in each of the two target "gene bank" rooms, the Genestealer player has to prevent this.
Marine Lieutenant
Norman
Hive Mind Nexus
Matthias
+ + 21:05:57 The Emperor has dictated your squad's weaponry.
Prepare thyselves.
Turn 1
+ + 21:05:59 Brother Sergeant Dominicus stormed down 123-Lambda, blasting at
the door in 123-Lamda-023 with every step, but couldn't hit the
broad side of a barn. When he arrived at the door, he opened it
manually, looking as ashamed as you can in Terminator armour.
Watch your ammunition consumption, Marine!
He took a step into the space occupied by the door, trying to
compensate for his lack of effectiveness so far, but also could
not hit the next door.
Our enemy is at hand. We shall continue. We shall succeed.
In the parallel corridor 123-Xi, Brother Sergeant Thaddeus
added insult to injury, by blasting three doors with three shots
while also advancing.
We shall be victorious. We shall overcome.
The rest of the Marines followed their Sergeants, Brothers Cyprian
and Cadmus moving back to back to cover the squads' flanks in
corridor 028.
We seek vindication.
+ + 21:08:36 Two blips appeared on the sensoriums, one in 123-Zeta-004, the
other in 123-Gamma-022. Both moved towards the Marines.
Blips approaching from all directions. First Stealer sighted and
killed.
Turn 2
+ + 21:09:25 This time, with his second shot while advancing, Brother Sergeant
Dominicus blasted the door in front him. With his next steps, he
missed the next door in front of him again. He was so focussed on
shooting down doors, that he totally forgot about the blip lurking
in 123-Eta-018.
We must not fail.
+ + 21:10:26 Brother Cadmus followed his Sergeant's steps.
Glory to the Emperor.
Brother Sergeant Thaddeus advanced and blasted the last door in his
corridor down.
Success is imperative!
The rest of his squad followed him, except Brother Cadmus who went
on overwatch covering corridor 028, as did Brother Cyprian, before
his squad mates passed him, advancing down 123-Lamda.
The hour of victory is at hand. We must cleanse this ship. We will
prevail.
Finally, Sergeant Dominicus got the order to turn towards the blip
he had ignored earlier.
Brother, the enemy are at hand. Summon all your resolve.
+ + 21:11:54 Two more blips appeared on the sensoriums, in 123-Gamma-022 and
123-Chi-022.
Foe closing in rapidly on several vectors. Speed is essential if we
are to succeed.
The blip in 123-Lamda-006 moved to 123-Ny-010.
Fear not your enemies. Loathe them instead.
The reinforcement from 123-Chi-022 moved into room 123-Sigma-018.
Death to the Genestealers. Glory to the Emperor. Vengeance shall be
ours.
The blip in 123-Eta-020 revealed itself to represent three
genestealers. The foremost immediately advanced and attacked
Brother Sergeant Dominicus, easily killing him.
We mourn our dead Brothers. Theirs is no disgrace.
+ + The Stealer then crossed the intersection.
Defeat will not be tolerated. The Emperor watches over us.
21:12:47 The remaining Stealers spread out and the newly arrived blip
advanced.
Enemy concentrations are high. Go with the Emperor's blessings.
Turn 3
+ + 21:13:20 Brother Cato advanced, took revenge on the Stealer that had just
killed his Sergeant, then moved into the small side corridor.
Our duty, to kill. We serve it well.
+ + 21:14:31 Brothers Brutus and Sirius advanced towards the inferno, and both
went on overwatch.
Our moment of retribution approaches.
Brother Sergeant Thaddeus sprinted past the intersection
123-Xi-018.
We can but strive to succeed, even when, in striving, we shall die.
+ + 21:15:40 Brother Tarquin advanced to intersection 123-Xi-018, but did not
enter, instead he also set it ablaze to block the aliens paths.
Let us speak His word, as He fuels the Fire of Devotion.
Brothers Urbaan and Justus moved up to him.
Fight not for Glory, but for Duty alone. It is only in Death that
Duty ends.
Brothers Cadmus and Cyprian kept up the overwatch down the flanks.
In Vengeance be True, in Valor be Strong.
+ + 21:15:40 Two new blips appeared on the sensoriums, one in 123-Epsilon-004,
the other in 123-Psi-022.
Life forms have been detected.
The Stealers already on the bord and the new reinforcements moved
mainly towards the target rooms. Only the Stealer in 123-Ny-010
moved into corridor 123-Xi, towards Sergeant Thaddeus. With the
burning inferno behind him, and the Stealer in front of him, the
poor Sergeant was fried from his backside, and sliced open from his
front, succumbing to his wounds.
Pain is transitory, yet Honour is eternal.
Turn 4
+ + 21:18:44 Brother Brutus advanced while firing on the door down the corridor,
which he destroyed with his first salvoe, revealing the blip in
123-Lambda-006.
Vindication approaches.
Brother Tarquin moved around the corner, opened the door to room
123-Sigma-018 und set it ablaze.
This is vendetta, none must flinch.
Brother Urbaan rounded the opposite corner, and from the hip shot
down the Stealer in 123-Iota-018.
Our enemy face humanity's axe.
+ + 21:25:32 Brother Justus followed his brothers, firing on the Stealer in
front of him, killing it with his third shot and thus avenging
Brother Sergeant Thaddeus' death.
Prayers of vengeance steel our souls.
Brother Sirius moved next to Brother Brutus.
United, the Stealers cannot stand against us. They must perish
before our fury.
Brothers Cadmus and Cyprian kept up the overwatch up and down
corridor 028.
For the Emperor and our people - we shall succeed.
Finally, Brother Cato moved into 123-Xi.
Forward, Brothers. Forward to honour.
+ + 21:27:20 New blips appeared from 123-Ypsilon-004 and 123-Gamma-022.
The enemy faces death unknowing.
The visible Stealers advanced towards the Marines.
Expect heavy resistance. The Emperor demands success, and we shall
not fail.
+ + 21:27:55 The blips already in the area advanced, one into the lower target
room (where he left the door behind him foolishly open, although he
still would have had 1 AP to close it).
We are blessed.
Turn 5
+ + 21:29:15 Brother Brutus moved into the doorway of room 123-Eta-018 and took
up over watch position.
Humanity's protector is at hand.
Brother Sirius continues his advance down 123-Lamda, and killed the
only Stealer visible in this corridor in his second attempt.
We bring death.
Brother Tarquin moved into room 123-Sigma-018, gaining LOS to the
blip in 123-Sigma-021, which revealed three Stealers. Undeterred by
this threat, Tarquin turned to face the target room, and set it
ablaze; the blip in it disappeared from the sensoriums.
Purge our honour. Cleanse and burn.
+ + 21:33:46 Brother Justus followed Brother Tarquin, to cover his back with
over watch. On his last step, he fired at the Stealer he just had
gained LOS to and blasted him to smithereens.
Victory is at hand. Redemption.
+ + 21:36:24 Brother Cato advanved two squares and unleashed another inferno up
ahead, which grilled yet another Stealer.
Faith, Fury, and Fire shall deliver the warrior against the xeno,
the heretic, and the daemon.
Brother Urbaan turned 180° and went into overwatch as well.
Bless your weapons. Go!
+ + 21:37:04 Reinforcements entered the area via 123-Gamma-022 and 123-Chi-022.
You must eliminate the Genestealers.
Brother Sirius found himself assaulted by a Stealer, which was
followed by a blip, representing an unknown number of enemies.
Luckily for him, they could just move up to him, but were not able
to attack.
You'll be in the very midst of the enemy.
+ + 21:37:57 Brother Justus easily dispatched the first Stealer that approached
Brother Tarquin's back, but when the second appeared, his bolter
jammed.
Prayer and striving, Brothers.
The Stealer then easily ripped through Brother Tarquin's rear
armour and killed him.
They are blessed who die for humanity.
The Stealer then jumped Brother Tarquin's carcass, and attacked
Brother Justus with his last AP - but only scored a draw!
And they shall know no fear.
+ + 21:38:41 The blip that just arrived converted outside the area into three
Stealers, which then moved onto the board.
Our sensoriums have failed us.
+ + 21:39:09 The blip in 123-Eta-021 revealed itself. The three Stealers
immediately started to assault Brother Brutus, who easily mowed all
three down.
The scene of our reprisal is set. We are the avengers. Nemesis.
+ + 21:39:49 Lastly, the reinforcements moved onto the board.
I am His Sword, as He is my Shield. I am His Wrath, as He is my
Zeal.
The removal of the heavy flamer markers triggered the reveal of the blip in 123-Xi-008.
Turn 6
+ + 21:40:17 Brother Brutus adavanced one square, which provided him with LOS
to the nearby blip, then turned and shot at the revealed
Genestealer, but missed.
Avengement approaches.
He moved backwards 1 square, again shooting from the hip, and again
missing!
Steady your firing position, Brother!
He then went into over watch.
We shall laugh at death together.
Brother Sirius was so unnerved with the Genestealer leering into
his face, that he needed four rounds to kill the alien. The blip
was revealed, two more Stealers became visible.
The Emperor is the light against which no darkness can stand.
+ + 21:46:14 Brother Justus cleared his jammed stormed bolter, then needed three
shots to kill the Stealer facing him.
By the throne, Brother, save your ammunition!
Brother Cato passed corridor 018, and set 123-Xi-007 ablaze, killing
both Stealers in it.
Let the purifying flame cleanse this area.
Brother Sirius was then ordered by the Lieutenant to fire at the
Stealers in front of him. He was then ordered into overwatch.
Our foes await our cleansing fury. Our people's soul scream for
vengeance.
Brother Cadmus and Cyprian gave up guarding corridor 028, and moved
into 123-Lamda / 123-Xi, where they took up over watch positions.
Begin the litanies of hatred.
Brother Urbaan remained in position and also went into over watch.
Let us fight His Battles, as He fights the Battle at the End of
Time.
+ + 21:50:50 Two new blips appeared on the sensoriums, one again from
123-Zeta-004, the other from 123-Delta-030, now that corridor 028
was not watched anymore.
And let us join Him there, for Duty ends not in Death.
The one entering via 123-Delta-030 quickly approached Brothers
Cadmus and Cyprian's position.
An Asartes who is hesitant to die for any of his Battle-Brothers is
no true Astartes at all. He is lower than a beast, for he has
become a traitor.
Brother Brutus opened up with his storm bolter, when the Stealers
opposite him started to move; he shot down the first, then the
second, but the ejecting shell got stuck!
Others shall carry on, and we shall not be shamed.
+ + 21:51:35 The last Genestealer capitalized on the jam, sprinted towards
Brother Brutus and easily sliced through his armour.
Our Brothers shall be vindicated. Their sacrifice shall not be in
vain.
+ + 21:52:05 Brother Justus was attacked by the Stealer to his front left, and
also stood no chance. As his body crumbled, Brother Urbaan gained
LOS to the Stealer and fired on him out of over watch. The shot not
only missed, but also jammed his storm bolter!
We shall avenge.
+ + The Stealer advanced, to attack Brother Cato's back, the last heavy
flamer Marine, without whom the Marines would have lost - but
Brother Cadmus cut the Stealer down as he rounded the corner.
Beholden to our honour, prepare for death.
+ + 21:53:08 Another Genestealer advanced and tried to attack Brother Cato's
back, this time Brother Cadmus' over watch fire missed. But the
Stealer fumbled his attack, and Brother Cato smashed his claws
away with his heavy flamer, when he turned around to fend off the
attack!
A day to purge our conscience.
After the unsuccessful attack, Brother Cadmus fired another shot at
the Stealer's back, but jammed his storm bolter!
The Emperor watches our every move.
The last Stealer down there moved parallel to 123-Xi towards the
already burned down objective room.
Victory will redeem our forebears.
+ + 21:53:52 The blip from 123-Zeta-004 moved into corridor 123-Lamda.
We are the leading edge of one thousand marines.
Brother Sirius cut down the Genestaler assaulting him, thus gaining
LOS to the blip that had just moved into the corridor, revealing
three more Genestealers.
Let the slaughter commence.
Turn 7
+ + 21:54:54 Brother Sirius opened fire on the group of three Stealers ahead
while advancing.
Let us seize our honour's reprieve.
Brother Urbaan cleared his jammed storm bolter, and then cut down
the Stealer in front of him with two shots. He then went back on
over watch.
Loyalty is its own reward.
+ + 21:57:01 Brother Cadmus cleared the jam, then moved backwards, gaining LOS
to the blip, identifying one Stealer, he turned towards it, firing,
but missed.
To feel fear only brings shame upon oneself if one fails to defy
it. True bravery can only be shown by those who will themselves to
act against their own fear.
Brother Cyprian advanced two squares and went on over watch,
expecting Brother Cadmus to cover his back.
Operation proceeding as planned.
+ + 21:59:53 Finally, the Lieutenant ordered Brother Cato to advance towards the
corridor leading to the second objective room.
The fate of the heretic can be naught but merciless purgation.
+ + 22:00:20 Two more blips arrived, one at 123-Tau-004 and one at 123-Gamma-022.
We are the vanguard of honor.
The Stealers in 123-Lamda advanced towards the second Marine's
objective room, the first was cut down after two steps by Brother
Sirius' over watch fire, but the second was able to move through
the hail of bolter shells without a scratch.
Time does not heal our wounds.
With his last AP, he closed the door to the objective room.
To cleanse the soul; prayer. To cleanse the body; pain.
+ + 22:02:07 The Stealer in corridor 028 moved into 123-Lamda, and attacked
Brother Cyprian's back - and lost. So Brother Cyprian turned
around to face his enemy, dropping out of over watch.
Deal swift retribution to your fellow.
The second attack, Brother Cyprian scored a draw.
The fire of anger burns within us.
He kept his calm, and with the Stealer's third attack, he punched
the creature so hard in his head with his power fist, that it died.
We pray these creatures feel pain.
Turn 8
+ + 22:03:39 Brother Sirius advanced, and shot down the Stealer which had just
escaped his overwatch barage and closed the door to the objective
room.
Eat metal, alien scum!
Brother Cato advanced, moved out of 123-Xi and set the already
cleansed objective room ablaze again, to kill the Stealer in it.
Burning the alien is not cruel enough a penance for him!
Brother Urbaan turned the corner, and went onto overwatch to cover
Brother Cato's back.
Use thy capabilities to support the Brothers.
Brother Cadmus advanced to close the gap to his Brothers.
Leave no space between you and your Brothers the alien can occupy.
Brother Cyprian turned around and went on overwatch.
In the name of the Emperor and for all of humanity, keep up your
guard.
+ + 22:08:36 With all regular APs spent, the Lieutenant barked some more orders
via the comms. Brother Sirius moved in front of the door to the
last objective room, trying to take it down by bolter fire. As that
did not work, he was ordered to open it manually. He then was
ordered to enter the room, hosing the Stealer down with bolter
fire. As he was used to obey commands from his superiors, he of
cause killed the alien.
By fire, blade, and bolt alone are corruption and sins burned away.
+ + 22:10:06 New reinforcements entered the area via 123-Chi-022 and
123-Zeta-004.
The enemy is swarming the sector, beware!
Brother Urbaan fired twice on the Stealer advancing towards Brother
Cato, but jammed his bolter on the second shot.
The servitors will be questioned.
The Stealer moved to Brother Cato's back and sliced it open.
The unseen enemy cannot be defended against.
Genestealer Victory.
After Action Reports
Our Brothers shall be vindicated. Their sacrifice shall not be in vain.
Marines (Norman)
Genestealers (Matthias)
Another tense game. I don't know if I ever played a game, where the dice probabilities seemed to be that off the expectations. For example in turn 5, Brother Brutus killing 3 Stealers with four shot on overwatch; in turn 6, Brother Brutus moving and shooting and not hitting anything; then also in turn 6, again killing two Stealers on overwatch in a row, the second with a double 6. Or the Stealer in turn 7 loosing, drawing and then loosing again. Against a Marine. In close combat. What are the probabilities?
The game could have easily ended in turn 6, if Brother Cadmus had not killed the Stealer on overwatch. Or if Brother Cato would not have won the close assault against his back, after Brother Cadmus jammed on the second Stealer.
Equally, if Brother Urbaan had hit or at least not jammed in over watch on the Stealer killing Brother Cato, the Marines could even have won this tactical mess!
This only shows, that you never give up a game, because the weirdest things can happen, that turn the tide again… made the game very frustrating at times, but, as already said, also very tense.
Where Norman really caught me off guard, was his move with Brother Tarquin in turn 5, where he basically sacrificed him, to score on the onjective room. As it turned out, the Stealers did get him in the next phase - but still it nearly paid off for him in the end.
Would he been as ruthless in the end, moved Brother Sirius into the second objective room (which he did), and then flamed the room with him inside (which he could have done), he would even still have (cheesily if I may add, ahem) won the game!