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.