The Battle of Verulamium battle report/aar

The ponderous enemy had made progress across the land against the sparse Unity forces deployed on Verulamium. Concentrating to attack the city this was a make-or-break defence which decided if the world would fall.

The governor called all available Unity forces to the defence. He appealed to the gangers to stand with government forces. Yet was surprised when many did, under their own leaders, man defence posts.

The main attack appeared to be heading for the Ninth district. The Ninth District Vipers weren't going to let this enemy destroy their turf, having a proud record of defending their ground for over 5 centuries from all comers. 

They demanded, and got, the honour to be first in line so set up ambush positions ahead of the main line of defence.

Unity forces manned both the heights and barricade of the main line with some civilians. The Exotics leader and a few gang members held themselves in reserve.

Then they waited.

The invading machines stomped from the Forest of Wisteria. All red, fierce and bristling with death. The leader, a towering machine with sharp blades and two weapons.

The Unity troops with military rifles, having the longest range, opened up when the enemy was in range.  The Exotics in ambush held their fire to get the best effect when the enemy closed.

Waiting

First Blood to the invaders

On her way to becoming the hero of the game

Whittling down the crawling masses.

Desperate melee action

Triumphant!

The left flank of the invaders were more successful, though losing two bodies

Unity shooting pinging off armour

The heroine flanks the enemy

Civilian and Robot tried to end the enemy commander

The last unity soldier on the left wing dies

Thick armour comes in useful (armour rolls saved it twice)

Time to call in re-enforcements

The commander goes down

The last invader meets the same fate as the rest.

Governor Highbrow to the citizens of Verulamium:

Citizens!

We have won a great victory!

We owe the captain and crew of the Galactic Iceberg our gratitude for the warning issued prior to the invasion. We thank them, and wish to honour them should they return to Verulamium.

We owe our gratitude to the Unity forces and those citizens who took up arms to defend each district.

I will enter into negotiations with the leaders of these citizens to find a way to reward them and reach a mutual conclusion to warfare between them and officialdom on Verulamium.

Let us rebuild what is destroyed, with unity of purpose, pride and comradery.

We must also prepare for any other such invasion should enemies try again.

To that end, we enter into negotiations with space farers and our scientists to design early warning systems to never be caught off-guard again

Governor Highbrow to Unity command on Verulamium:

We need to apprehend the crew of this Galactic Iceberg and find out how they came by this information. Whether they were partners to it who withdrew or for whatever other reason they came by it.

Luckily they did give us warning but I'm not wholly satisfied.

Why did they they only pass on the information when leaving the planet?

These are the things we need to determine.

Give no warning by asking others to apprehend them. I have a feeling that, when they hear we will be honouring them they will return for a bounty.

Then we capture them.

The set up and forces for the battle of Verulamium.

 Hi!

This battle decides the fate of the whole planet.

On the border of The ninth district is the Earth Garden. Plants, shrubs and vegetables brought from the home planet. Indeed, each planet has been blessed with such a gift, though not all prosper in the open air as on Verulamium.

The invaders advance through the Forest of Whisteria.

It is here where the remnants of Unity stand with help from those disposed to defend their homeland.

The Exotics, as it is their home turf, demand that they are point for contact, Ambush positions in the Old Earth Garden

and act as a last stand reserve

The main line of defence. Such as it is

The left flank. Two Unity soldiers

The centre. The Unity commander, one civilian and a security Bot.

The right flank. Two Unity soldiers

Barriers on the right flank.

Enemy figures are Necrons. Each has a saving throw  on a 6

                                                      SP   Com  Tough     Range    Shots     Dam              Trait

The leader is a Canoptek Wraith    4        2       4       

Hyper Blaster                                                                   24       3         1       Focused, Critical

Flack Gun                                                                           8       2         1       Focused, Piercing 

1-8 Necron Warriors                       4        1       3

Plasma Rifles                                                                    20        2        1       Focused, Piercing

9-10 Necron Warriors                      4        1       3

Hand Flamer                                                                      12        2        1        Focused, Area

Unity

Lt.                                                     5        1      4

Hand Flamer                                                                        12       2          1       Focused, Area

Unity Soldiers                                   5        0       3

Military Rifle                                                                        24       1          0      Heavy

Civilian                                             4         0       2

Hand Gun

Robot                                                  5          1      4

Military Rifle                                                                         24        1          0

Exotics

Leader                                               5          1        4

Hand Canon/Combat Knife                                                     12        1           0   Snapshot/Brawl

1-6 Exotics                                         5           0        3

2 with 2 Hand Lasers                                                               12       1           0   Snapshot/Pistol

2 Hand Laser/Combat knife                                                     12       1           0   Snapshot/Brawl

1 x Military Rifle                                                                       24      1           0   Heavy

1 Hand Cannon                                                                            8      1          2    Pistol   

                      

The next battle

 Hi!

Before continuing with the campaign I thought I would see if Verulamium was overrun, or if the planet survived the invasion. 

Someday, I may want to return.

The attackers will be the Necrons from GW.

The defenders will be the Unity and Exotics. Maybe they will need reinforcements as the Necrons are going to be tough opponents.

Unity grunts, minus the 'copter

Turn 6 Invasion, travel

The alarm jerked everyone out of their lethargy. Grabbing weapons and rushing to their stations as practiced they awaited the Cap's orders.

Feet came ponding to the flight deck as the Cap did a ship-wide broadcast asking the obvious question. 'Who sounded the alarm and what was the problem?'

''Me'' said Hari.

''That data-stick we found has been decoded, We need to leave, like Yesterday! There's an invasion coming if it already hasn't landed and is underway!''

''Are you sure?'' said Cap.

''200% sure'' said Hari. ''They're using the Coronal Mass Ejection to mask their arrival. That's due in one hour''

Flee invasion (11)

''Wolf, call up for 5 creds of fuel, everyone else on alert for hostiles. Hari, prepare to send the un-decoded data and a copy of the decoded data to the governor and our clients. I'll tell you when to send it.''

Cap called flight operations to give them notice they were leaving and set a time of 1hour and 15 mins.

Everything being in order, Cap gave the order to Hari to send the information, and the Galactic Iceberg lifted off, climbing steadily into the azure sky.

The flight would take them on a 45 angle away from the direction of the invasion, away from the most used travel routes. And, hopefully, safety at Caster, a flat planet in it's inhabitable parts

The light reflected off the moons of Verulamium as the Galactic Iceberg speeds away

Into the cold void of space. Running dark to avoid visual detection.

Starship Travel Event (19)

On their way they encountered an old wreck drifting in space (two rolls on gear sub table)

(1) 53 Protective item. (76) Frag vest

(2) 94 Utility item. (20) Concealed blade. 

Turn Five. Post battle

 Hi!

I re-posted turn 4 as post battle turn 5 without updating it. Sorry about that.

Really, I could call this an addition to turn 4, as was the battle, as it follows without world events and such. But, to keep it simple I'll  continue to call it turn 5 

1- Resolve rival status. Not a rival. (6+3)

2-Patron Status. N/A

3-Quest. N/A

4-Pay. 2, +2 danger pay = 4 Credits

5-Battlefield finds. (55) Personal trinket

6-Invasion. Imminent!

7-Loot. (32) Damaged weapons (8, 31)

(8) Slug weapon, (61) shotgun

(31) slug weapon (81) marksman rifle

8-Casualties

Bot Injury (30) Equipment loss, Random Carried weapon is damaged (Hammer)

9-Experience & character upgrades

Cap - 3 Total 6. -5 for Savvy =1

Wolf 4. 3 for surviving and 1 for first kill. Total 13

-7 for combat

-6 for Toughness = 0

Cromwell 4. 3 for surviving =1 for Event. Total 11

-6 Toughness

-5 Savvy = 0

Hari 3. for surviving Total 10

-7 Combat = 3

Brax in sick bay (turn 1)

10-Training

No training

11-Purchase Items. Nil

12-Campaign Event. (53) Taxman takes 6 credits

13-Character event. Cromwell, Letter from home (5) Quest. Find missing relative

14-Galactic War. Invasion imminent

Turn 5 Battle report

 Cap, 'OK! Lets go!'

'A bit early' says Hari.'

Cap, 'We want to get through district 16 before it gets too busy with civs. I'd rather not explain to Unity why we created havoc which we can hopefully avoid if we go before the crazies get up'

The task is to exit two crew members at this bottom edge. 

There are 7 Gene-Splicers (GS, henceforth). 6 have scrap pistols and one a Fury Rifle. (I didn't actually look this up until it was almost too late)

The GW Eldar figure, purple hair for those unsure, has the fury rifle

The crew was low on luck, none moved in the first action phase.

Everyone from both sides eventually moved with none in LOS.

'Step it up guys! We need to move sharper!' said Cap

Wolf moved first in the second turn, the only one in the first phase. He climbed onto the building but had no LOS to anything.

The GS also moved two members onto a convenient roof. They were out of range.

Out of range. Wolf staring down two Gene-Splicers

Wolf moves first, shoots and kills the GS with the Fury Rifle.

All the GS move closer. None are in LOS except the lone GS on the roof. He is too far out of range to shoot.

The crew move up.

The lone enemy on the roof thinks better of staying, being out gunned, outranged and on his own. (Failed panic test)

Sorry guys! I have a dental appointment I forgot about.

Wolf and Bot moved first. Bot firing and missing and getting shot at himself.

Cromwell moves, shoots and gains a kill.

Cromwell bags a kill

One GS flanking down the left

Cap shoots and misses. 'Lay down some fire Hari!'

Hari peppers the corner of the wall where a GS was hiding.

Bot moves much closer, shoots, kills and goes down himself as the enemy's comrades take revenge.

The enemy hit Hari, denting his armour in a lucky escape. They shoot at Cap, missing. Cap returns fire, knocking the enemy back.

Hari returns the fire at the shooter and gains two hits killing him instantly.

The remaining two enemy decided they were out gunned and ducked out. (Failed panic attack).

Cap and Hari picked up Bot. Cautiously, the crew made there way through the area. 

After the shooting died down windows started opening and curious faces peered out.

Turn 4. Post battle activities

 Hi!

With some trepidation I started rolling the dice for the post battle activities:

1- Resolve rival status. Not a rival (That's a shame, I was hoping for regular bouts of skirmishing with them)

2-Patron Status. N/A

3-Quest. N/A

4-Pay. 6 Credits

5-Battlefield finds. Curious data stick

6-Invasion. No invasion

7-Loot. 74, Odds and ends. Roll on O/E sub-table. 64=Implants. 2=AI Companion. When making savvy rolls the character may roll twice and pick the better score. Cap will take this.

8-Casualties

Cap-98 School of hard knocks +1XP

Brax-51 Serious injury. Roll 1d3 +1 in sickbay. 1+1=2. 2 Turns in sickbay.

9-Experience & character upgrades

Wolf 4. 3 for surviving and 1 for first kill.

Cromwell 3. 3 for surviving

Hari 3. for surviving

Cap 1. became a casualty

Brax1. became a casualty

10-Training

No training

11-Purchase Items. Nil

12-Campaign Event. 51, bad reputation. -1 Patron. Hugo Furst has had his ear bent by slanderous accusations against us and is cutting ties. Our reputation is solid if he cared to investigate. We get results! We learn this later.

13-Character event. 28 Motivation. 94 Order. Caps motivation is changing to order from Tech. Working for corporations and governmental organisations has shown him things can be better with some level of order. It's not something he was ever comfortable with before

14-Galactic War. N/A

Having been checked out, I resolved to tackle the Hawkwind Industry job straight away. 

I decided that having the same conditions for danger pay wasn't good business. Some jobs will obviously be more hazardous than others. Having the same reward didn't seem right.

Danger Pay - 5 = 2 credits

Benefits - 1 = None

Hazards -  6 = none

Conditions - 7 = Yes. 2-Demanding. Danger pay only if successful. (Swings and roundabouts come to mind!)

Deployment conditions -  65. Surprise

Notable sights - 95 - Curious item. 2 - can be sold for 1 credit.

Objective - 5 - Move through. Exit 2 crew members off opposite side of board.

Enemy - 24 Criminal elements. 49 - Gene Renegades. 

That's a new one. Devotees of post-growth genetic reconfiguration, they can take the form of everything from a woman with blue skin to cat-bear-people. 

I can use a mix of alien models so a good use of those not yet used.

Turn 4, Battle report/aar

It sounded an easy gig. Roll up to the pumping and generating site and secure it for a visiting dignitary for the Sector Government. At least it started well.

Maybe we were a little casual as we approached. Striding quickly, Cap went ahead. As we approached the generator we heard a shot. 

The civilian walks towards the Exotics to warn them off.

One shot and down he went

Cap ordered Me and Bot to the right to cover from the pipe, Cromwell and Hari to the left where the med-centres were. The Cap and Brax went between, ready for trouble.

Then another shot rang out. The second mechanic decided to be aggressive running towards the Exotics and the rifle armed hotshot on the gantry sent him to Haven (an expression used on Verulamium to denote a kill).

We stepped forward, ready for a fight. Cap got off the first shot, missing one as she approached a building in his line of sight. It caught her completely off guard.

Bott and I reached the pipe and lined up shots. And missed.

Another female ran for the cover of the palletised stores.

They certainly moved like a professional crew. And the one that the Cap shot at brought him low. Brax ran to administer a stim-pack and he got up. She laid them both low. One hell of a woman if she had been on our side.

I took down the one behind the pallet and Bot the leader behind the centre tank.. Flash Hari took two down, one flanking to our left. 

and the Hotshot who took down the Cap and Brax.

Cromwell the other flanking our left.

The remaining gang member, up in the gantry, decided to call it a day and withdrew. We moved in, securing the area. Warned off the VIP in case there was some retaliation and ordered a med-evac for Cap and Brax.

Now we aim to clear up and prepare for any retaliation before exiting and claiming our dues.

We all hope Cap and Brax fight through.

That was a tough job. The twin laser-pistols proved more than handy when withing range. We out ranged them with our weapons but, once again, missed shots aplenty from both sides made it a tense mission. Not that they had a lot of luck on shooting beside 4 shots.

I had the notion after Cap and Brax went down that they would force the CSI off the site and claim victory.

They had already looted two buildings and downloaded computer codes before Cap fired. That would have been some haul.

Next is the after-battle sequence and finding out if they are rivals. And if Cap and Brax survive their injuries