Merely Players

The probing tendrils of Hive Fleet *redacted* had reached the Malus Sector. With the sector in the middle of a major campaign against heretic forces, the Initial Lictor infiltration went undetected. By the time the first Tyranid ships arrived, the planets of Malus’ various systems had already been significantly infiltrated by gene broods undermining defense efforts.

The gathered Ulthwé Seer Council decided to invest resources to buttress imperial efforts covertly, lest they be overwhelmed by the twin threats of Chaos and the Great Devourer. This would compromise the whole sector and expose a number of Exodite worlds.

Cegorach’s Jester argued forcefully against this campaign. Claiming that resources would be better spent elsewhere, rather on this “foolish distraction”. The skull-masked warrior insisted the attack of the Hive Fleet would be a useful purge of the ever-probing Imperials. As he stormed out of the Council hall, the Margorach shouted, “we will use force if need be to block this folly, don’t test our resolve!”

With shimmering Webway Gates illuminating the ruined Mon-Keigh city, the forces of Ulthwé and the gaudy Harlequins closed with each other at speed. In a blur of color, the Shadowseer led a charing troupe right at the heart of the Craftworld lines, crashing into a unit of Storm Guardians. The grim Death Jester strode forward and pierced the heart of the Spiritseer with accurate fire. Screaming jetbikes advanced on both flanks targeting the infiltrated Scorpion Aspects, with several falling despite their heavy armor.

But the center held! Only a handful of Black Guardians fell and then counterpunched hard. The withering return fire from the Aeldari War Walker, Falcon, and Dark Reapers showed the fragility of the beautiful Harlequins. Several jetbikes erupted into blossoms of fire as Ulthwé forces advanced.

The Starweaver was next to suffer death, and its dismounting Troupe was devastated seconds later by a cascade of whistling shells from the Dark Reaper Exarch.

The battle was a blur of blows and counterblows, shadows against light. The Falcon raced forward, disgorging Fire Dragon aspects that wiped out yet another Troupe, and the leaderless Wraithguard poured starfire on the Death Jester. The surviving Scorpion Exarch killed the Shadowseer, and the backline of Black Guardians took out the remaining jetbikes.

After the sharp, sudden blur of rainbow against black, none of Cegorach’s players were left on the battlefield. Ulthwé would be joining the side of the Imperium for the Tyrannic Crusade after all.

++++++ Final Result: Ulthwé 45 Harlequins 30 +++++