Asteroid Blues

Operation Wipeout was what the EI command had dubbed the mission, and Sheskiin’s goal was clear; eradicate every single PanO troop defending the space port. While some had argued for subtlety, a skill the Shasvastii excelled at, she wanted to go in guns blazing. In the end a compromise was made and the force assembled included both camouflaged troops and aggressive front line fighters. Sheskiin, a Gwailos rocket launcher, an M-Drone, two Ikadrons, four Taigha creatures, a mentor, a noctifer missile launcher, a speculo mine layer, a shrouded killer hacker and a Cadmus drop troop with boarding shotgun was what the Shasvastii had to work with.

Intelligence suggested that the enemy was fielding a trio of fusiliers, a doctor and an Orc heavy infantry code named ‘Shield’ that formed one squad. They were also fielding a bulletteer for support, as well as a Haris with Patsy Garnett in the lead and a Kamau heavy rocket launcher and multi sniper rifle tagging along. Finally, three unidentified units were with them, most likely Zulu Cobras.

PanO turn 1
The enemy wasted no time in seizing the iniative, but the Shasvastii had been prepared for that. The mentor lieutenant deployed himself securely, close to Sheskiin and her squad consisting of a Gwailos and an M-Drone, with all paths being guarded by either Ikadrons, camouflaged troops or the fearsome Taigha creatures, barely restraining themselves while the enemy moved up. The two biggest obstacles to the enemy had yet to be revealed however – A Noctifer missile launcher and a Speculo minelayer, placed close to their position. Thus, the enemy was careful, spotting something they figured was a mine with caution overtaking valour. They wasted much of their gained initative dancing around the mine, until it was finally discovered, wounding Patsy Garnett, the enemy’s data tracker. In the process of moving around, their fire team exposed themselves to the Noctifer, who promptly blew their doctor and two fusiliers up, the infamous ‘Shield’ failing miserably at keeping his squad safe. The Noctifer managed to bring down the Bulleteer as well, before he was ultimately shot down from his perch by the Kamau sniper. As the last part of their initial offensive, the PanO forces managed to bring together what remained of Shield’s core fireteam, and linking it up with the two Kamau and Patsy. The Speculo foolishly chose that moment to reveal herself, placing a mine, but being shot down for her troubles.

Shasvastii turn 1:
No time was wasted, the Taigha were on the loose. Three of them were killed moving up the board, but one managed to bring down the fearsome Kamau rocket launcher, accomplishing its goal and removing the main obstacle keeping Sheskiin and her small squad penned in. They moved out, the Gwailos taking the lead. The M-drone was ordered out into the open, showing its face along with the Gwailos, being spotted by both the Orc and the Kamau sniper – luckily, this was part of the plan. The Albedo employed by the Gwailos prevented the Kamau from seeing him, forcing the deadly elite trooper to take out the M-Drone instead, a worthy sacrifice. The Orc had no such limitations however, and he fired two bursts at the Gwailos, the heavy infantry countering one and shrugging off another. In return, the Kamau was blasted to pieces by the rocket launchet, never seeing the danger in the first place. Sheskiin then took the lead, moving up and eschewing cover in favour of the nanoscreens both she and the Gwailos had. Without much trouble she took down the Orc, shield proving himself to be nothing if not a reliable target. The Zulu Cobra and last remaining fusilier were much trickier foes, their armour saving them in spite of taking several shots from Sheskiin’s red fury. In the end, they both went down, but precious time had been spent and all Sheskiin could do was hunker down, relying on suppressive fire to keep the enemy off her.

PanO turn 2:
The enemy forces were left with few options, but Patsy was not to be deterred. She engaged Sheskiin and brought her down, wounding her critically twice. The astonishment in Sheskiin’s face was clear, but with her cube her remaining allies knew that the EI was not done with her. Taking a cue from her enemy, Patsy herself laid down suppressive fire, hoping against hope that the enemy would fail at rooting her out.

Shasvcastii turn 2:
Reeling from the loss of Sheskiin, the Shasvastii forces nonetheless knew what the plan was. The remaining Taigha creature moved towards the nearest enemy, a Zulu Cobra, and both of them managed to kill each other. Little consolation to the wretched creature, but a trade the EI was happy with. The Cadmus chose that moment to drop out of the sky, failing its initial target, but managing to steer back on course, landing just behind Patsy, distracting the entrenched soldier, which allowed the Gwailos to bring her down after firing several failed rockets. In the end, all that was left was a single Zulu Cobra, but the Shasvastii saw that they could not reach him in the time that was left to them, and they left the field, counting it as a victory.