Asteroid Blues

Disclaimer: Somethings screwy with the image uploader. It added images from my older bat reps, and one that isn’t even mine to the report. See the images below the video for the actual ones. I’ve tried to delete the others but I think somethings awry with the server.

Out of Character: This was a learning game for a new player. His second game ever so we went with 150pts and a smaller field. This was to introduce an objective and the Lt. order (LoL was ignored, one thing at a time). The mission was all-or-nothing, whoever is the last to activate the center console. Any trooper can do it (again we’ll add specialist rules later on) and whoever had control of it at the end won. He had a lot of fun and things started to click for him such as outflanking some of my models to remove their cover versus trying to outshoot them from a static position. One of our other players brought him since he loves XCOM the video game and we usually describe infinity as XCOM the miniatures game due to the importance of cover, and the reaction system. He’s planning on returning next week and will likely stick to Pan-O.

So without further ado, the in-character portion of the report:

*Begin transsmission*

High Pneumenarch, this is Shasvaasti Continuum cell 8547A3 reporting on continuing operations in the Asteroid complex the humans refer to as “Novyy Bangkok”.

Following our failure to erase our tracks in the Aleph controlled sector, we dispatched a small band of Morats to upload a virus to the mayanet in order to clear our tracks. If the presence of Morats is detected the Humans will suspect a combat force and spend their efforts looking for overt combined forces, while we will slink through the shadows undetected as always. We discovered an isolated node in a small section of the gallery. We were met by a PanOceania patrol and quickly formed a plan of attack.

The PanOceania forces caught us off guard but seemed to prefer a more defensive deployment, offering us first strike but providing few targets. This was more than amicable as our goal was the upload of our virus into mayanet. Thanks to the simplicity of the technology any of the morat troops was physically capable of the upload. Whether or not they were mentally capable was a different matter. The Observer flanked to the right, braving fire in the boarish way Morats do to reach the console. His bravery was commendable, his intellect was sorely lacking. Despite the simplicity of the device he failed on three separate attempts to begin the upload. By the time the team leader called him off PanOceanias forces had begun their advancement.

One of their Santiago knights stepped out from behind a cart and engaged our Observer and Rodok in a firefight. As historical data shows, the Knightly orders are an elite force. While our two troopers held their own for a time, the superior skill and equipment of the elite PanOceanic knights proved superior to that of our line troopers, though not without cost as one of our shots found their mark. Moving up our left flank a Father-Knight sighted our Yaogat in the open, but the yaogat let fly with one of her anti-armor rockets. The heavy armor of the Father knight was the only thing that prevented his complete annihilation, though it did render him unable to continue the fight.

Fresh off her success against the Father Knight, the Yaogat made a sprint for the console. Firing on the move she was able to pin down the Santiago knight and reach the Console unscathed. Showcasing the intellect of the morats yet again, she failed to upload the virus, but did succeed on her second attempt. I suppose there is a reason the morats are used for frontline duty while we handle infiltration and intelligence…

Realizing our goals the PanOceanic forces regrouped. Their medic was able to preserve the life of the Father-Knight from a safe location. With their comrade back in the fight the knight of Santiago made a break for the console. The Yaogat was not so lucky this time, she was cut down by sustained fire from a spitfire light machine gun. The Santiago knight was able to successfully abort the upload. A downside to our use of simplified technology for the morats being that even the most base humans can just remove the device from the console.

Realizing he could not count on his lowers for much. The Suryat took matters into his own hands. Moving up the right flank again he was able to gun down the Santiago knight, but took a shot through his shoulder in return. He then approached the console and using the superior initiative of a team leader was able to relaunch the upload and tack a defensive position. With our forces much depleted there was simply nothing else to be done except complete the mission and attempt to hold.

Seeing their knight fall and our trooper again activating the upload on the console a Nisse leaned out from behind a crate and fired on the wounded Suryat. Suffering from blood loss and exhaustion the Suryats return fire was ineffective and he fell against the console. Giving his life for the Hegemony as is tradition and honor for the morats. The newly treated father knight then made a sprint for the console but the upload was nearly finished. Due to our extreme loss of forces we were unable to oppose the father knights path, but fate smiled upon us. The father knight reached for the device as the upload was nearing completion. However with hands blood slicked from his prior wounds, he was unable to find purchase before the upload was complete.

Despite heavy losses the mission was a tactical success. Such sacrifices are sometimes necessary to further our goals. Though the Continuum would appreciate it if a greater emphasis was placed on morat schooling such that they can handle technology which doesn’t involve explosive destruction from time to time.

*End Transmission*

Out of Character again: Game literally came down to the last roll. His Father-knight had once chance to succeed, final order, final roll, needed to hit on WIP13….. rolled a 20. Such are the fickle dice gods. But he had a lot of fun, and I hope he becomes a steady player for us. I even have a spare Neoterran starterbox I offered him if he keep scoming and decides he wants to stick with the game to help ease the cost of entry and expand his forces, though he may lean towards more military orders, we told him to just stick with vanilla for now, and we can add in sectorial and fireteam rules later.

Hope you enjoyed the read, sorry it’s a bit short. It was only a 150 pt game.