Friday 2 February 2018

The Invasion of Scipio - Epilogue - the Bug Hunt

Three months after the final battles of the invasion...
 
 
Much of the valley is ruined but the rebuilding process has begun as remediation teams and scientists move in to clear out the infested zones. Even though the invasion was repulsed there are still reports of bug siting and activity, particular in the city of Flavius where the final ground assault took place. Elements of the bug forces fled and hid underground after their armies were broken and destroyed.
 
The hero of the battle for the Eastern Valley, Leeroy, has been given the assignment of leading a special task force to hunt down and clear bugs from the industrial complexes remaining in tact in Flavius. There have been reports of a possible Alpha bug lurking in the ruins that has killed some field crews working in the area.
 
Leeroy's squad is tasked with clearing the area and reporting back, they will deploy in the blue area shown below. Central intel has pointed out possible spawn points where sitings have occurred, they are identified on the map in red.
 
Having learned from previous fights with the bugs; Leeroy's squad has been heavily armed with carapace armour, a meltagun, a plasma rifle, a heavy flamer and the omnipresent lasgun. Leeroys troops deploy behind cover expecting an attack from any angle.
 
Upon detecting the intruders, the hive mind springs into action and a bug warrior immediately engages the Imperial squad with its venom cannon.
 
The venom cannon downs the Meltagun trooper, James, with a serious injury, the plasma gunner, Tim, steps up and gives two wounds in response to the bug.
 
Meanwhile, the alpha bug and other xenos activate and move towards the intruders.
 
The Imperial troops on the far flank are staring down a ravener bug coming straight for them, luckily, Bob, is armed with a heavy flamethrower.
 
Another warrior steps up to fire upon the Imperial troops as it advances.
 
Both sides exchange inconclusive fire, the venom bug takes its third wound and becomes splatter.
 
The action gets hot and heavy as Leeroy uses his time-honoured tactic of throwing krak grenades at the bugs, his first throw misses but does enough to pin it. James is still down with his serious injuries and he can't be reached because he's out in the open.

The ravener peaks its head around the corner to chew on some Imperial trooper.
 
And takes a mouthful of flames instead from Bob's mobile BBQ maker.
 
Meanwhile Leeroy's loads up another krak grenade, taking advantage of the bug being temporarily stunned.

The bug eats the grenade, taking a serious injury in the process, unfortunately it wasn't fatal.
 
Meanwhile the heavy flamethrower is making some bug roast on the other side and Bob is helped by a veteran guardsman, Neal, who finishes off the downed bug with his combat blade. Neal takes the head as a trophy.
 

All of this distraction has given the Alpha bug enough time to sneak up and unload a barrage on the Leeroy's troopers. Concentrated return fire manages to stun it temporarily. Poor James had succumb to his wounds.

In the last turn of the game, the Alpha charged at Leeroy but not before he had a chance to throw his final Krak grenade at point blank range. The lucky grenade must've found a weak spot in the armour because it took down the big bug in one shot. The last remaining bug fled before the other troopers had a chance to respond.

The work to rebuild Flavius would continue but no one knows what kind of horrors are still hiding in the dark corners of the crowded industrial hive.

 Final Thoughts on the campaign:
- I really enjoyed running and playing this campaign. I've had various inspirations from popular sci-fi movies and shows but my primary motive was to add narrative and story to my tabletop gaming, breathing life into the battles.
- I am going to start another campaign later this year (as soon as the miniatures are painted). The next one will have more structure to it and will be fought over three maps rather than one.
- Thank you all for the likes and comments on various forums and Facebook.

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