Thread by @tomjmegan

(Thread)

Mission 7 - Decoy

After successful missions against key Cognitor Banks, #Ultramarines First Captain Agemman decides to launch a major strike against a major Genestealer concentration aboard the SpaceHulk codified *Final Absolution*. (1/n) #WarhammerCommunity #SpaceHulk

So as to maximise the likelihood of successfully infiltrating deep into the Genestealer-held territory, Tactical Command on board the #Ultramarines Battlebarge *Caesar*, has ordered a decoy operation mounted to deceive the Swarm as to the Space Marines objective. (2/n) #SpaceHulk

Brother-Sgts @aquestingvole and @mcribbHistory, rearmed and repaired, are selected for the honour of conducting the decoy strike. Clad in the finest armour of the Imperium, and armed with bolter and blade, They Know No Fear. Not even that of being simple bait.. (3/n) #SpaceHulk

Both Squads deploy with an ease borne from centuries of experience, adopting Codex-approved tactical dispositions. As ever, Brother Stay Behind and Brother Last Astartes take up overwatch positions to secure their rear against Genestealer infiltration. (4/n) #SpaceHulk #WH40k

Trusting initially to speed to reach their objective, both squads make steady progress. However, an apparent mis-communication for the withdrawal of their overwatch becomes a fatal error. Brother Stay Behind becomes isolated and over-ran. (5/n) #SpaceHulk #WarhammerCommunity

The Genestealers just require a single crack, into which the Swarm will rip. Within moments, Brother Last Astartes is also ripped apart in a frenzy of alien claws. Casualties are mounting and the Swarm rushes forward eager to claim the rest of the Ultramarines! (6/n). #SpaceHulk

Progress is swift until barred by the unbridled fury of Brother Flamius & the cleansing wrath of his Heavy Flamer. Frenzied the Genestealer swarm may be, but they cannot pass the swathes of burning promethium. Brother Flamius buys his Battle-Brothers critical, crucial time. (7/n)

Slowly, the Ultramarines make for their extraction point, the mass of swarming Genestealers evidence of their success in distracting the Hive Mind. With several Battle-Brothers extracted, Brother-Sgt @mcribbHistory reached the exit & safety. (8/n) #SpaceHulk #WarhammerCommunity

Behind him, a collapsing perimeter is ever more strained as Genestealers attack from multiple vectors. Despite his name, Brother Genericus is anything but! With Bolter and Powerfist, a display of exemplary martial skill sees him cut free to the extraction point. (9/n) #SpaceHulk

At the last, it falls to Brother-Sgt @aquestingvole. Veteran of centuries, storied legend of the #Ultramarines First Company. He steels his soul, readies his blade and bolter. Chapter litanies on his lips, he dies in the dark, ripped apart by cold, merciless alien fury. (10/n)

Despite successfully distracting significant Genestealer numbers, with own losses of 60%, #Ultramarines Command will still assess this as a Mission Loss, and a potential setback to the wider operation onboard the *Final Absolution*. Re-evaluation will now have to occur. (11/n)

However, no serious fault can be ascribed to the combat actions or leadership of Brother-Sgts @aquestingvole or @mcribbHistory, who were faced with almost impossible odds. They demonstrated #CourageandHonour worthy of any Hero of the Ultramarines First Company. (12/n). #SpaceHulk

Deep within the SpaceHulk *Final Absolution*, the Hive Mind is rapidly reaching full-awareness. It has yet to reveal its deadliest creatures and has learned much of the #Ultramarines, their tactics and operations. For now, it bides its time, before it will strike. (13/n) #WH40K

Another cracking game; thanks gents! A Genestealer win, though (very) hard fought. Campaign continues next week. As ever, thanks so much for reading and all the comments - massively appreciated! (13/13)

#CourageandHonour #SpaceHulk #warhammer40k #wargaming #WarhammerCommunity