Securing Talanis III
The defeat at the hands of the black-clad Deathwatch force of space marines was still the subject of debate among the gathered Farseer Council. Having driven off the remnants of the Drukhari raiding force, it was decided to focus on diminishing the growing imperial presence before it threatened Ulthwé Exodite worlds.
This would mean driving back additional Imperial Fist forces that had set up a forward position on the third planet of the Talanis system. Autarch Siahn Uthriel was given the opportunity to make amends for the previous loss and take a strike force to Talanis III to assault the Mon Keigh.
The driving rain had lasted for weeks and the battleground, a ruined imperial city, was mud-soaked. Flickering shadows seemed to be everywhere. Apothecary Gideon Thrax thought this was most likely a false alarm, and this whole reconnaissance in force a waste of time. Reports had come in overnight from sentries glimpsing extremely fast moving vehicles around the periphery of the chapter base. But sensor readings were inconclusive. As he pushed forward into the ruined city with his battle brothers, the high-pitch screech of incoming Aeldari jetbikes was unmistakable. Increasing the magnification of his visor, he could see this was no false alarm, but a dedicated push. Tall slender walkers, grav tanks and infantry were moving in the rain-soaked dawn light towards the imperial lines. The air exploded with incoming energy blasts, missiles, and torrents of monofilament shuriken.
The imperial force arranged itself for a central push with lighter forces on the flanks. The Autarch commanded her forces to execute a reverse envelopment, striking with fast moving forces against the wings of the enemy and avoiding the two fearsome terminator squads and dreadnaught in the middle.
As energy blasts punched holes in a hulking dreadnaught it moved at surprising speed to slam into the war walker, tearing chunks out of its structure with a wicked clawed powerfist. Only a last-second bright lance shot from a supporting Black Guardian squad brought down the monster.
With the flank thus weakened, Autarch commands directed the reinforcing Falcon grav tank to crash into the back of the enemies lines, securing the pivot. The whining grav engine brought the black tank within inches of the ground and a squad of Fire Dragon aspect warriors emerged to pour molten fire into the Apothecary and his squad.
The fight appeared to be ending quickly, before the imperial commander gave the order to his entire force to move rapidly forwards, terminators tearing up the muddy ground alongside the tall dreadnaught as they secured the middle ground. They split their forces, taking down the Wave Serpent and squad of Windriders in a flurry of blows and bolter shells.
As the Wraithguard faltered and fell under pressure from powerfist-armed terminators, it was only the intervention of the Wraithlord’s sweeping Ghostglaive and a determined charge by the Striking Scorpion aspect warriors that swung the balance. One by one the terminators were laid low and the battle was won.
The Autarch, emerging from her command position where she had directed the battle, chased off the wounded leader of the imperials. This powerful assault had likely made the imperial position on Talanis III untenable, but future scrying would be required to know for sure.
++++++ Final Result: Ulthwé 70 Imperial Fists 32 +++++