Colonel Muller slid shut the fine hand crafted telescope he had been using to watch the french. The night was fast approaching and he knew he needed to get this attack underway. He would have prefered to have waited until total darkness fell across the campsite but he could feel the soul piercing stare of Spielger drilling holes into his back. There was somthing very wrong about that man, something very wrong indeed.
He tried carefully to recall the telegram he had recieved from headquarters.
French uncovered the item stop retreive at all costs stop command relinquished to secret police stop assits expendable stop
What did it mean assits expendable. He was travelling light as it was. With his small force of elite sturmtruppen, veterans of many campaigns, and two newly commissioned armoured cars this would be a lightning fast attack, but an attack that had no expendable components.
And what of the American. He had already betrayed his own country in turning to assist the Kaiser. Apparently a specialist in his field. An Archeologist, a man who scrapes through mud and dirt to find things from times gone by. What use would a man like that be to the war effort.
Muller was not impressed with how in only a few short days he had in effect lost complete control of the situation. At least he could trust his men.
As night closes in the French are posting sentries, The archeologists are around the camp studying the items recovered earlier that day, whilst the Drune Labourers head back to camp for some well earned rest.
Under cover of the fading light the small force of elite Prussians moves towards the dig site. Even the Howling of the harsh martian winds cannot hide the sound of steam engines.
From the west, a thunder of hooves, as a horde of Drune Raiders charge through the site of the ruined city. Close on their heels hordes of raiders on foot, screaming like dervishes.
The Raiders throw themselves upon the French Foreign Legion. In this sudden and brutal act of carnage many French fall to the savage blades, including Captain Legras. The French fire volley after volley into these fanatics but the fast faiding light makes it almost impossible to hit anything.
Darkness finally falls and something large and nasty stirs.
The Sturmtruppen advance under horrific amounts of fire, their resolve put to the test time and time again as men fall under the rain of bullets.
However, these are no normal soldiers, these are Mullers men and their morale shows no signs of breaking.
Spiders, attracted by the sounds of fighting, catch the drune raiders unaware.
Finally the French walker stirs to life and unleashes a hellish blast with its heavy flame thrower directly at one of the Prussian Armoured cars. Rivits pop and steam errupts from every oppening. The scream of burning men tears across the battlefield.
Hearing the brave crewmen roasted alive the Prussian Navy vows to avenge the fallen and forms up in firing line.
The Prussians push on the attack. Sticks of dynamite bounce off the hull of the second armoured car as it pushes forward. A lucky blast having jammed its turret it finds itself without a target. Shots fly dangerously close to the explosives shed but thankfully not one sets the store off.
As Raider Cavalry attacks the rear of the French camp, they find themselves set upon by the Drune Labourers. A well aimed shovel puts an end to the Raider Leader and several others are pulled from their horses and beaten to lifeless pulp. In the confussion one of the Drune Labourers sculks off and locks himself in the toilet. Despite a promising start the diggers are no match for the crazed fanatics and they are mowned down.
The Prussian Navy, taking cover behind the sand dunes, trades shots with the french walker. Neither able to cause any damage to the other. Meanwhile Raider infantry are hotly pursued by a giant spider.
In a remarkable show of bravery the fanatics turn back on their tourmentor and bring the big beast down.
O'keefe, his last stick of dynamite gone, charges at Colonel Muller. Both men of incredible skill with a blade. Both heros. A clash of titans.
More spiders emerge from their burrows. Sixteen eyes watch the Prussians. With nowhere to retreat the attack must push on.
As the French death toll rises the few remaining men turn to the fight between the two Heros. Whist there backs are turned Spiegler creaps through the ruins behind the french.
With a great show of skill O'Keefe parries then trusts his knife deep into the chest of Muller. As he falls to his knees, dropping his sword to the ground, he reaches out but falls lifeless to the floor.
With spiders, raiders, and Prussians closing in, the few french suvivors decide on descretion being the better part of valour. Although not conclusive the forces of Prussia hold the upper hand. Not by much, but by enough. Well thats providing they suvive a night with the spiders.
Conclusion.
It was a great game, TJG put up a cracking defence and played like a true Gent.
Some last minute (Very last minute) terrain was quiclkly knocked together by both of us and helped to create an interesting and different battlefield.
The french look great and it was nice to see another nationality being drawn into our conflict.
For those interested the forces consisted of:
French:4 Archeologists.
10 Foreign Legion.
16 Regular French Infantry.
8 Drune Diggers/Labourers.
1 Two Legged Patrol Walker with 3 crew armed with a Flamethrower.
Captain Legras of the French Foreign Legion (Hero)
Henri Comte d'Artois (Hero)
Raymond O'Keefe (Leader) immune to the 'Orrible Monsters Rule.
Prussians:20 Sturmtruppen.
12 Navy.
2 Scout Armoured Cars with 3 crew each and armed with gatling guns.
Colonel Muller of the Kaisers Shocktruppen (Hero)
Spiegler of the Kaisers Secret Police (hero) Armed with a repeater long nosed pistol. Will shoot any Prussians that fail morale checks.
Mercenary American Archeologist.
1 traitor amougst the Drune diggers.
Raiders:20 Raider Infantry with Big swords
12 Raider Cavalry with Big swords
1 Raider Hero
Spiders:4 Giant Spiders that enter at random points (They are treated in a simular way to vehicles and take 3 hits to kill)
31 March 2008, 04:08:48 PM