SciFi Campaign - Warfare on Verdia Prime 2085

[Belgian]

Finally starting a small science fiction campaign using my scif miniatures featuring both human colonists and reptilian Skinks. The chosen rules are the popular World War Two Bolt Action rules which are flexible enough to handle both smaller skirmishes and larger battles.

In the year 2085, humanity's insatiable curiosity and need for resources led to the discovery of Veridia Prime, a planet in the Goldilocks zone of the star Proxima Centauri. Initial probes revealed a world teeming with life, including a dominant species of reptilian Skinks. These Skinks, while intelligent, were deemed primitive by human standards, living in harmony with their environment. The United Earth Government (UEG) saw Veridia Prime as a prime candidate for colonization and exploitation, a decision that would forever alter the course of both human and Skink history.

Forces

The United Earth Government (UEG) has established several urban centers and industrial compounds across Veridia Prime, driven by the desire to extract the planet's valuable resources and secure a foothold in the galaxy. The colonists are equipped with advanced technology, including plasma rifles and automated drones. Although lacking sufficient military strength relying on the Colonial Defence Force, a conscript based force of colonists armed with light weapons, drones and lightly armoured vehicles for maintaining law and order as well as providing overall protection to the urban centers and industrial compounds.

Check the forces here - https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=145159.msg1912133#msg1912133

The Skinks are a reptilian species native to Veridia Prime, possessing a strong connection to the planet's ecosystems. They live in small, tightly-knit villages scattered throughout the jungles and swamps, relying on their environment for sustenance and protection. Their weapons, though primitive, are deadly in the hands of these skilled warriors.

Chapter 1: First Contact

The UEG dispatched the colony ship Excelsior to Veridia Prime, carrying thousands of eager colonists. Upon landing, the humans established their first settlement, Terminus Themis. Initial encounters with the Skinks were peaceful; the reptilian beings were curious but cautious, observing the humans from a distance.

Chapter 2: Insurgency

As human settlements and resource extraction expanded, tensions rose. Purposeful pollution of sacred grounds by mining company Mineron, lead to the first skirmishes between company contractors and Skink warriors, leading to the destruction of costly mining equipment and above all the first human casualties of the conflict. The Skinks, led by their wise and formidable matriarch, Queen Ss'thra, began to resist further human encroachment. The UEG, influenced by powerful megacorporations, deployed colonial defence forces to secure valuable resources, leading to further conflict between humans and Skinks.

Battles

2085 - Veridia Prime - Verdant-007 Sector - Search & Rescue

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=149914.msg1925789#msg1925789

2085 - Veridia Prime - Mineron-003 Sector - Hit & Run

[mikedemana]

Sounds like a great setup! Look forward to photos and battle reports...

Mike Demana

[Belgian]

2085 - Veridia Prime - Verdant-007 Sector - Search & Rescue

Several days ago, a corporate mining exploration team was sent to the remote Verdant-007 sector to explore and survey deposits of valuable rare earth resources. Although serious reservations were made about the planned safety protocols, and especially lack of armed security contractors, the mission was quickly approved by the Mineron board of directors. However, after several days of successful surveying, communication with the team was lost. Concerned about the fate of the team and the potential loss of valuable data, mining company Mineron pressured the local authorities to send a search and rescue party.

The local authorities decided to send in a platoon composed of four squads of conscripted colonists led by the seasoned Captain De Castries. Their objective was clear: locate the team, determine their status, and secure the team and their data. As their dropship descended through the thick atmosphere above Verdant-7 sector, the soldiers could see the vast expanse of the jungle below. The dense canopy of trees stretched out as far as the eye could see, a sea of green that hid countless secrets and dangers. The dropship touched down in a clearing, and the platoon quickly disembarked, their boots sinking slightly into the soft, damp ground. The hired civilian dropship immediately took off, the captain not willing to remain on the ground any longer than necessary.

Captain De Castries activated his holographic map, which displayed the last known location of exploration party. "Alright, listen up," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "Their last transmission came from about two klicks northwest of here. We'll move in a tight formation and stay alert. As you know this jungle is home to the Skinks and other dangerous creatures and we don't know what we're up against." The civilian-soldiers nodded, their expressions serious and focused. They knew the risks and hoped that swift action would return them home quickly. As they began their trek through the dense jungle, the sounds of exotic birds and unknown creatures filled the air. The humidity was oppressive, and the thick foliage made visibility difficult.

After hours of grueling progress, they finally reached the coordinates of the last transmission. Captain De Castries signaled the first squad to advance to the base camp in the distance. While ordering the remaining squads to fan out and secure the area. What they found was a scene of devastation. The mining camp was in ruins, with equipment scattered and destroyed. There were signs of a struggle, but no bodies were immediately visible. Suddenly, a loud, guttural roar echoed through the jungle, sending a chill down the spines of the soldiers. They quickly formed a defensive perimeter, their weapons at the ready. The jungle fell silent, the tension palpable as they waited for whatever had made that sound to reveal itself. As the seconds ticked by, the soldiers remained vigilant, their eyes scanning the dense foliage for any sign of movement. They knew that their mission had just become far more complicated …

Game Details

Rules Bolt Action - Scenery Jungle with exploration base camp in open clearing

Colonial Defence Force - 4x Squad of 8 soldiers armed with standard issued plasma rifles (= Regular - US Squad - Rifles)

Skink War Party - 4x Warbands of 10 warriors armed with spears (= Regular - Fanatics, Jungle Fighters, Banzai)











"Contact front!" shouted Captain De Castries, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Open fire!" Their advanced rifles hummed to life, firing volleys of high-energy rounds into the jungle. The air was filled with the crackle of energy weapons and the occasional scream of a Skink warrior hit by the deadly barrage. "Keep it tight, people!" De Castries ordered. "Watch your sectors!"

Zorath crouched low, his scaled body blending seamlessly with the undergrowth. His heart pounded in his chest, not with fear, but with the adrenaline of battle. He could feel the heat of the plasma bolts singeing the leaves above him, their eerie blue glow casting long, dancing shadows on the jungle floor. "Advance!" hissed Commander T'kari from the rear, his voice a low, guttural growl. Zorath nodded, signaling to his fellow warriors. They moved as one, a wave of green and blue scales flowing through the jungle. Their movements were swift and silent, a testament to their training and the natural agility of their kind.



The initial volley had thinned their ranks, but not enough. The Skinks closed the distance quickly and attacked the advanced soldiers in the destroyed base camp and the exposed left flank, their spears glinting in the fading light. The soldiers prepared for close combat, their plasma rifles now useless at such close range. They attached their bayonets, ready to fight. The melee that followed was chaotic and brutal. The Skinks, with their superior agility and numbers, overwhelmed the soldiers. Despite their advanced training and technology, the soldiers were no match for the sheer ferocity of the skinks. One by one, they fell, their bodies trampled under the relentless assault. The first two squads were annihilated, among the casualties Captain De Castries.

With a sudden, ear-splitting cry, the Skinks launched their attack. They moved like a whirlwind, their spears flashing in the dappled sunlight. The enemy was taken by surprise, their high tech plasma rifles useless at such close range. Zorath struck with the precision of a viper, his spear finding its mark with deadly accuracy.



The remaining soldiers fought valiantly, reforming their firing line while their plasma rifles fired continuously as they cut down wave after wave of Skink warriors. But for every Skink that fell, more seemed to take their place. The sheer weight of numbers began to tell, and the humans' defensive line started to waver. Squad Leader Navarre, called for help but the civilian dropship was still too far away to offer any assistance. Despite their best efforts, the soldiers were gradually overwhelmed. The Skinks, sensing victory, redoubled their efforts, their spears finding their marks with increasing frequency. One by one, the human soldiers fell, their bodies adding to the growing pile of the slain.



The battle was fierce and brutal, but the warriors fought with the desperation of those defending their home. The jungle seemed to come alive around the enemy, the Skinks moved with the jungle, their bodies a blur of motion, their cries echoing through the trees. And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The enemy lay defeated, their plasma rifles silent. The jungle was quiet once more, the only sound the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds. Zorath stood amidst the carnage, his body aching, but his spirit unbroken.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the jungle, Zorath knew that this was just the beginning. The enemy would return, their numbers greater, their weapons more deadly. But they would be ready. They would always be ready. For they were the guardians, and they would never falter in their holy duty.

[Ragsta]

Team Skink all the way!

[mikedemana]

Nice report -- looks like a fun game...especially for the Skinks!

Mike Demana

[Belgian]

Pretty bloody and quick encounter, the whole platoon wiped out although they managed to kill half of the Skink war party. Think local authorities will certainly reevaluate the whole affaire and avoid sending unarmed survey teams and conscripted infantry into a hostile jungle without any support assets. The only human survivors of the whole mission were the cautious civilian dropship captain and hired crew, who also took the last picture of Skinks swarming the campsite.