Deathwing Assault - Hesperous Prime

Points: 1000.

Mission: Surge of Faith.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Oaths Of Moment and Shock Tactics

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Behind Enemy Lines, Oaths of Moment and Retrieve Nephilim Data.

The war had raged on for weeks and Arthurus was becoming frustrated that the Dark Angels had not capitulated despite suffering heavy casualties and frequent defeats. He devised a plan to secure the ground in Sector 971 and push the offensive into the Dark Angel lines once again. By this time, both sides had been reinforced. The Rift Wardens planned to  send to fresh companies in ahead while an outrider force advanced in from the north-west. A third offensive would be made from the north advancing the ruined streets and thinly defended hab-blocks. The Outriders attacked first followed swiftly by the remaining companies although they did so under heavy fire. Overhead both chapters engaged in frantic aerial battles as their aircraft vied for aerial supremacy.

The main Rift Warden attack faced only light opposition, even so the chapter's captains were cautious and this limited their early objectives and failed to forcefully push into enemy territory. The Dark Angels were able to bolster their defences, preventing the Rift Wardens from penetrating too far into their territory. Swiftly the assault had stalemated into static "trench" warfare. The outriders however, managed to further in from the north, capturing territory from the Dark Angels and diverting enemy forces from the west to attack them.

Lieutenant Agrippa's strike force came close to seizing their target but was not able to claim it until the following the morning. On that morning, Agrippa led an attack on a narrow front to coincide with an outrider assault on the rear of the Dark Angel defences. The Dark Angels were well prepared and Agrippa's attack was a costly failure. The outriders had been slain during the night and individual squads that had supported them had become trapped behind enemy lines. Attempts to resume the attack were repulsed as the enemy introduced their secret weapon; the teleport deployment of teminators and deathwing knights. Throughout the Rift Warden lines, terminators materialised and the chapter suffered many casualties. The Rift Wardens held out for a further two days before the Dark Angels attacked en masse, led by librarian Ezekial. The Dark Angels recaptured lost territory and the Rift Wardens best hope of victory this time was lost.

Revenge Operations - Mandragora

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Desperate Raid.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Grind Them Down and Shock Tactics.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Cull Order, Raise The Banners High, and The Long Vigil.

Following the recent engagement, reinforcements were deployed from orbit to bolster the ground forces. Believing a nearby sector to be secure, Arthurus relocated his battle brothers to the location and met up with the new reserves. Involving the entire chapter this time, a plan was drawn up to attack the Deathwatch landing site on the eastern plains. A detachment was given over to Lieutenant Agrippa to attack the landing field while the rest of the chapter attacked the main body of the Deathwatch forces. Both Rift Warden detachments advanced forward utilising a series of deep gullies. As the Rift Wardens advanced, they became separated while trying to outflank Deathwatch strong points and found themselves in unfamiliar terrain. Under heavy weapon fire from the Deathwatch outposts, the attack was stopped. The chapter held position and would not advance further until the next day.

The attack continued at dawn the next day and the Rift Wardens managed to reach a position just south of the Deathwatch base of operations. Late in the afternoon, Agrippa's force advanced quickly over open ground. Amidst small arms fire and blasts from low flying aircraft, Agrippa's force gained ground only to falter just short of their target taking severe casualties. Agrippa was forced to give up on his orders and instead, led the survivours of his detachment to link up with the main chapter, who had advanced enough to occupy a point overlooking the Deathwatch base. Arthurus suspended the attack and ordered his chapter to dig in, having failed to inflict a swift victory.

Into The Core - The Core

 

Points: 1000.

Mission: Display Of Spiritual Might.

Secondary Objectives: Assassination, Grind Them Down and Shock Tactics.

Opponent's Secondary Objectives: Grind Them Down, Grudge Match and Lay Claim.

Inquisitor Rosalyn Rosarius, a long time ally of the Rift Wardens, made contact with concerns that a series of lost Mechanicus mining facilities close to the galactic core had fallen under the sway of a xenos threat. Having been given the co-ordinates of these facilities, the chapter made way through the gravitational anomalies surrounding the Core towards the nearest location. The chapter landed upon a large asteroid and scouted out the complex. An unknown vessel drifted towards them and demanded they leave this sector, claiming it under the flag of the Votann, or be destroyed. 

On day one of the battle, six battalions of Votann deployed to the surface of the asteroid and attacked the Rift Wardens at the complex. With support of their fleet, the chapter held back the Votann throughout the night. The following day saw reinforcements translate in system and bolstered the chapter's forces on the ground. The second day was a ferocious battle to control the Mechanicum facility. Arthurus made a plan which proved overly complex and was poorly communicated to his captains. The Votann surrounded the Rift Wardens and prevented their escaping the facility, inflicting heavy casualties.

As more Votann reinforcements arrived, the possibility of a swift victory for the space marines disappeared and the battle became one of simple attrition. On day four, the remainder of the Rift Warden fleet translated into the system and came to the assistance of their beleaguered forces. The Votann Kâhl, believing that the space marines were on the verge of defeat, put out a call for further reinforcements from his fleet and more arrived on the surface within hours. These reinforcements bolstered those already fighting but subsequent attacks were repulsed by massed bolter fire. The following night, Arthurus ordered Lieutenant Agrippa to lead an attack pushing out of the fallen facility and out into the field. Covered by plasma fire and some support from the orbiting starships, these marines advanced a short distance before being separated from the main force. They came under massed small-arms fire and were pushed back, suffering many casualties. 

The Rift Wardens had lost any element of surprise and although the chapter would survive this engagement, their war against the Leagues of Votann had begun.