Asteroid Blues

Former Battle of Captain Hóng Lóng during Phase 01 : https://asteroidblues.warconsole.com/battles/thorongil-vs-noos-1569256894?block_updated=386325#block_386325

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CLASSIFIED
YuánDùn Units ONLY :
Operation Róngyì fángyù-

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Captain Hóng Lóng,

Father Lucien Sforza, which you have met after your last mission, is working with Agent Imperial Hsiu on common interests. You are detached to help him and the Imperial Service to track down a woman.
But right now we have other priorities. The enemies are launching an all-out attack on our HQ at the Quarry and you are to assemble with any man available, whether Imperial Service or Invincible Army units or other and put up a strong defense.
This is not a drill.
It is a do or die situation and the Empire will prevail.
Hold the line, Captain!

We are the Emperor’s Shield. Glory to the State Empire.

Colonel Peng Shou of the YuánDùn Division
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Captain Hóng Lóng was wondering who was the woman the Bounty Hunter was seeking.
According to Imperial Agent Hsiu, it was of the uptmost important to find her, and fast, although they haven’t disclosed any detail as to her identity. Nor as to why this urgency.
Imperial Agent Hsiu and Father Lucien Sforza were talking with Sergeant Enlaï about the data he had collected when the Captain approached.

- “Hello, Captain. Shall we begin the hunt?”
- “My men and I are ready, sir.”

Several explosions rocked the quarry. Everyone could dreadfully see that the hull had been breached above. Agent Hsiu received immediate notifications on his comlog as an alarm was activated and resonated throuhought the place.

- “I’m afraid it shall have to wait,” declared Hsiu. “Father, you are to accompany me. Captain, take the Sergeant with you. You have new and immediate order. We are under attack by numerous forces. All Yu Jing personnel is to defend the base. No exception and it takes precedence and priority over any other orders. Your friend Jian is already waiting for you. Go!”

Without waiting, Captain Hóng Lóng nodded to Sergeant Enlai and they both scrambled to Jian’s position, who was waiting with forces from both the Imperial Service and Yu Jing regulars. Captain Hóng Lóng had already worked with most of them.
He was anxious he wouldn’t have to bury anyone, except for the enemy.

He gave the orders, and they all took up position quickly, for they could see the enemy was already here and had the initiative.

Captain Hóng Lóng placed his men and went up with Jian on overwatch.

The Streloks and Scouts were camouflaged and/or prone and set up a strong mined position along the middle line on their side, creating a no cross zone. Smart.

The enemy fireteam leader was carrying a missile launcher and intended to use it. Captain Hóng Lóng dreadfully saw the missile departing toward him and Zúyǒng Jian. But Jian fired a missile as well, and both missed, having fired without much aiming.
However, Zhànying Guozhi was ready and dispatch the Kazakh team leader in one shot.

The Fireteam quickly reformed around the HMG trooper who set it up quickly and opened fire on the StateEmpire soldiers, aiming shot at both Zúyǒng Jian and Zhànying Guozhi.
Zhànying Guozhi shot as well but he failed to hit as the hull breach sent him into space at this very moment, to everyone surprise.
The Kazakhs were laughing, but Zúyǒng Jian had had fired once already and was now able to precisely aim his shot. One missile was enough to wipe out the rest of the fireteam.
No more laugh for the Kazakh.

Seeing this threat, Vassily fired at Zúyǒng Jian immediately.
But both missed their shot.
He fired again and again, and they were not able to have connecting shot to their respective target. However that firefight was cut abruptly when another hull breach swallowed Vassily, to the Kazakh Lieutenant disgust.

Having lost the initiative, it was time for the Yu Jing forces to react.
So Captain Hóng Lóng gave the orders. The Kuang Shi begun their advances. Right into the mines. Two of them died, clearing the way. Captain Hóng Lóng was as always disturbed by them, but the Celestial Guard and Imperial Service seemed to have no qualm in using them.
Reformation, they called it. In service to the greater good.
Well, let’s just hope they were the kind of criminal who did deserve such fate.
At least, their death had been very convenient and would prevent the meaningless death of other.

The two remaining Kuang Shi followed suit with their Celestial Guard controller, and soon, a firefight ensued with the Strelok K-9 units hidden behind the Pagoda.
The shot failed to hit but the Celestial Guard was sent to space by a hull breach.

One of the Kuang Shi moved ahead and engaged with his chain rifle and killed the Strelok who failed to dodge.

The enemy being pushed back hard, Zhanshi Ling and Sergeant Enlai and the Imperial Service moved in to secure the zone of operations and set up overwatch of the streets or courtyard.

Zúyǒng Jian was able to spot the enemy Scout on his left, and a big firefight ensued.
Most of their shot were not aimed properly, and the many hull breach was creating a lot of tension of sweat for them both. But finally a missile from Jian connected and killed the Scout.

The loss of the Scout cemented the victory of Captain Hóng Lóng over the invaders, and the Ariadna Lieutenant ordered a retreat, to the disgust of the remaining Strelok.

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Captain Hóng Lóng and Jian were glad the fight was over. However the hull breach was intensifying and they were all hoping something would be done quickly against that, or they might not be much to defend at all. He activated his comlog :

- “This is Captain Hóng Lóng of the Yu Jing forces, we have personnel in space. They have respirators but need to be recovered immediately!
- “Roger that, Captain, we are sending recovery team.”
- “These hull breach are going to kill us all if we don’t evacuate ASAP!”
- “Negative, Captain. You are to hold the line. At any cost.”
Captain Hóng Lóng looked at Jian, who nodded disapproval. But they both knew they could do nothing and they had to hold the line.
- “Copy. At least make sure I have my men back for the next offensive. And any reinforcement available.”
- “Will do. HQ out.”

He switched channel on his comlog to address his men :

- “Congratulation, soldiers. The enemy is pushed back and this is a great victory. Unfortunately, there is a full offensive on us, right now, and we are to hold still. I have asked for the retrieval of our men, and for reinforcement. We shall hold the line, for us and for the State Empire. You shall all be commended.” He turned to his friend and brother in arm, Jian.
“ Especially you.”

Jian nodded, and loaded another missile into his launcher while looking at the horizon.
It was going to be a long day.

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Well, that went quick.
My opponent wanted to do a 200pts game, feeling overwhelmed with too many special rules to remember and to remember not to forget in a 300 pts game.
So we wanted to play it cool.
But with the enemy fireteam dispatched, following by the loss of Vassily, my friend was severly crippled. And with the enemy paramedic datatracker and the Strelok prone, I basically had the field for myself, and just had to advances unit to set up position and prepare.
The loss of the K-9 unit sealed the game.
But the real game changer had been the Hull Breach, who were responsible for half of the kills. First time for us playing with this rule, so we discovered it the hard way.

For the other sight of the battle, look here :

Word of advice : Beware of SALT©

https://asteroidblues.warconsole.com/battles/noos-vs-thorongil-1570472734?block_updated=427013#block_427013