5 Parsecs - into the dark

Turn 3 - Hermes to the rescue

After a few jobs for some "legitimate businessmen" the Hermes crew got something a little more public spirited. An injured miner had become stuck deep in the workings and they were overrun by angry space-bears (Krorgs). The crew was hired to rescue him and clean out the beasts.    

Krorgs are fast and tough so they immediately rushed through the mine towards the crew who were moving slowly with the grav-sled they needed to extract the miner.  

Krorgs rushing through the caves

The twisty caves made long-range shooting impossible so the crew blazed away with shotguns and machine pistols as the Krorgs got close. They were unable to stop them, but did cause some stuns which made them easier to fight. 

 

Steady the Buffs

Only one of the beasts was killed but the rest were driven-off with multiple stuns and the miner retuned safely to the surface.   

Ivarr fights off the leader

Turn 4 - the quest begins

For turn 4 I started a quest chain. Deadly rivals the Ossian Veil Assassins have stolen a data shard based on Captain Gideons digital twin that was developed during secret experiments in the military, hoping to copy and weaponize it by placing it in a suitable robot body. Gideon has no memory of the military experiences its based on, so hopes to regain those as well as thwarting the Assassin

Harper's Station

Half the bad guys

The crew get a tip that the Veil may have a secret lab location in an Isolationist colony on the far side of Tavoris moon and so set off to search the settlement. The heavily armed locals have other ideas though.

Left flank advances 

The crew move carefully through  the buildings coming under heavy fire. The left flank makes good progress but the right gets bogged-down and all three crewmen are casualties. 

Right flank is pinned down 

The remaining crew come to the rescue and manage to neutralise the Isolationists before anyone else is hurt. Luckily the casualties are not killed and will soon be back in action. They have though made rivals of the inhabitants of Harper's Station and they are sure to seek revenge.    

Isolationist leader surveys the scene

      

The Flank Attack - a Lasalle battle

In this scenario the Allies are trying to breakthrough the flank of the French strategic position. The defenders have posted some cavalry forward and garrisoned a town. For this game we also modified the breakpoint of the armies to 50% so the scenario objectives would be more prominent.

Game 1 - Russians, Austrian and Prussians vs French

The French deployed the bulk of their troops to the east of the village with the cavalry deployed to withdraw immediately and move to the west.    

The allies deployed with the Russians attacking the French main body, the Prussians against the village and Austrians seeking to outflank the village on the undefended west. The Allied cavalry moved rapidly forward, prompting the French to leave their Hussars holding the hill.   

 

Allies take the hills

After a brisk melee the Allied horse secured the hill and left the way clear for the Austrians to attack the flanks. The initial Prussian attack on the village was repulsed with heavy losses but this enabled the Austrians to launch a successful attack which captured half the village.     

French redeploy to hold the flank 

It was heavier going for the Russians but in the end they managed to come to grips with French and push them back. The game ended with the French reaching breakpoint (50%) and the village contested. Allied Win. 

Austrian flank attack

Game 2 - Austrians vs French

In this game the French deployed either aside of the village with the cavalry on the hills. The Allies went for an unusual setup with cavalry interspersed with the infantry. This was presumably to threaten the French foot.    

Cavalry and infatry intermixed

The French cavalry initially withdrew from the hill land hid behind the crest. This caused some indecision in the Allied command and slowed the attack, costing them valuable time. Eventually they got moving again and forced the French horse back.

French horse on the reserve slope

In the east the Swiss troops pushed forward towards the hills, forcing the attacking Austrians into line to indulge in a firefight.  This all took time and slowed the advance again.  

By the end of the allotted 8 turns the Austrians were still some distance from the village and had not caused enough damage to rout the defenders. French Win 

Turn 8 - the village is safe

    

5 Parsecs - the new beginning.

Having enjoyed my first campaign I've pitched straight into another but this time a bit slower paced as I'll only do 1 turn a week. I've also turned-up the difficulty nob by allowing enemy respawns, stronger enemies and a chance of enemy re-deployment after setup.

The action begins where the last campaign left off - on the frozen moon of Travoris in orbit around the gas giant of Zephyron. The Hermes crew have found work with the Travoris Traders Guild, a "totally legitimate" group of businessmen who operate out of Travoris station.

Mission 1 - Recover the goods

The TTG have stashed some slightly illegal weapons at a storage site on the ice planes. The Feds are aware of the location so the crew must rapidly recover them before they are impounded. Having been transported to the site by the TTG its immediately clear the Feds are already here and will need dealing with.

Sneakily the Feds have brought a Sand Crawler with them - vicious beasts who are loyal to their owners.  

Feds and their Sandcrawler

Both sides converge on the weapons cash. The crew manage to deal with a few of the Feds but the leader and his "pet" outflank and attack. Two crew are down without one out for a couple of turns. The loot is secured though.   

The crew secure the goods

A fierce fight with 2 crew down

Mission 2 - Secure the link

The TTG become aware that the Converted (a homicidal cyborg army) have landed a small team aiming to capture Travoris main comms link as a prelude to an invasion. This must be prevented - not for public service but rather its bad for business if the whole population becomes mindless cyber zombies.

Both sides converge on the Satty uplink with the Hermes crew splitting-up to try and flank the aggressive Converted. 

The uplink

Converted raiders

There is some tense close quarters fighting around the uplink with short range fire and brawling.  

Ready to enter the compound

The crew lose their bot damaged but manage to destroy the Converted before they can capture the uplink and transmit to their invasion fleet. So a solid win in game 2. 

Converted advance

   

Sudan - nearly done

 After 5 years slowly painting between other projects I've completed the last of my Imperial units for the Sudan - mounted Camel Corps. All figures are Perry Miniatures metals.  

British Camel Corps in 28mm

British Camel Corps command

This gives me 3 Imperial armies - Camel Corps, late British and Egyptians. The later could also fight against the British in the early period.  

 Just one unit of Mahdiist Ansar and the project is done for now.