Black Tide - Juggernaut

Carnifex Juggernaut

Transcripts 1102.006.M41

Subject: Black Tide - Juggernaut

Location: Hiruscant III / Hofir / Valdor Contested Zone

From: Monitoring Station Borealis /:: Eli Croximant, Bio-Adept

To: Lord Diviner Heshant Bartremon, Adeptus Magus Biologicus, Thule
Sector

Rating: Magos Biologicus Red

Tyranid Assault on a Tau position on Hofir monitored using the new psi-intercept array.

~~~ I/We/Warriors searching/sniffing for New Food ~~~

~~~ I/We/Warriors Sense approach of Food/Enemy/Tau. ~~~ Alert! ~~~ Devour and Move on ~~~

The following report is compiled from psicapts and intercepted footage from civilian cameras - neither the Order nor the Guard has any functional cameras remaining in the Valdor sector.

The psicapts do indicate the presence of a new breed of Tyranid, not observed before in the Black Tide. It is suspected that this heralds the arrival of the larger Tyranid lifeforms such as Tyrants and Carnifexes.

Model		Notes	1000
[HQ] Tyranid Warrior Brood	x3	Enhanced Senses, Ext Carapace, Toxin Sacs, Scythings Claws, Deathspitter (x2), Venom Cannon (x1)	118
[Elite] Tyranid Warrior Brood	x3	Enhanced Senses, Ext Carapace, Toxin Sacs, Leaping, Scythings Claws, Rending Talons (x2), Scything Claws (x1)	118
[Troop] Genestealer Brood	x6	Rending Claws, Ext Carapace, Toxin Sacs, Scuttlers	156
[Troop] Hormagaunt Brood	x8	Scything Claws, Adrenal Glands (WS+I), Toxin Sacs	112
[Troop] Termagant Brood	x22	Fleshborer, Scuttler	176
[Troop] Ripper Swarm	x3	Leaping	42
[Fast Attack] Spore Mine Cluster	x3	Deep Strike, Bio-Acid	36
[Fast Attack] Spore Mine Cluster	x2	Deep Strike, Bio-Acid	24
[Heavy Support] Carnifex Juggernaut		Enhanced senses, Bonded Exoskeleton, Regenerate, Reinforce Chitin, Extended Carapace, Barbed Strangler, Scything Talons	211

The wandering group of scouting Tyranids encountered a Tau patrol, and while both forces had more important goals than a fight to the finish, neither was willing to give ground to the other.

Model		Notes	~1000
[HQ] Crisis Commander
[Elite] Crisis Suits	x3
[Troop] Fire Warrior Squad
[Troop] Fire Warrior Squad
[] Stealth Suits	x4
[Heavy Support] Hammerhead / Railgun

Burning Hammerhead (Railgun variant)

The first turn went surprisingly well for the Tyranid - the Railhead tank blasted a couple of Genestealers, but the rest reached it and tore it out of the sky, sending it plummeting to the ground where it promptly caught fire - no survivors.

Long range missile fire from the Crisis suits quickly brought down the ranged-weapon Warriors. The Tau Commander shot three more genestealers, and killed the last after it charged him. At the same time, he was mobbed by a swarm of Rippers, who, after several turns of desperate fighting, actually managed to bring him down.

The Hormagaunts lumbered forward, inept at moving in terrain as usual, with the Juggernaut and the other Warrior brood trailing them. The Termagants swept quickly forward, and reached the Crisis team - who promptly wiped them all out in close combat [Ed: 20 Gaunts dead to a sweeping advance by Tau - weep!]. The Hormagaunt reached their target Firewarriors at the same time, and also managed to lose close combat. They turned tail, weren't caught but were mostly cut down by Tau fire immediately afterwards - only one Gaunt survived. It was under Synapse control again, and charged back into the fray.

Lonely Juggernaut hunting for slow prey

The Rippers, having killed and eaten the Tau commander, moved on to do the same to a squad of Firewarriors - doing little damage, but tying them down in their own deployment zone. The victorious Crisis suits, and a deep-striking team of Stealthsuits, moved forward into the Tyranid deployment zone, cutting down the last Warrior brood on the way with accurate burst fire. On their way, the Crisis team was peltered by a sudden rain of bio-acid spore mines, which struct with remarkable precision and absolutely no effect except scorching the grass.

On the left wing, the Hormagaunt had bought time for the Juggernaut to move into charge range of the fire warriors, who fell in droves to the enormous talons of the Carnifex. The Firewarriors wisely fell back, but were caught and slaughtered by the rampaging 'fex.


Tau battlesuits resting & enjoying Tea & Scones

The last few turns were spent by the 'fex (the only Tyranid unit left) stalking the Firewarriors still cowering behind cover in their own deployment zone; The rest of the surviving Tau were camped out of sight in the Tyranid deployment zone.

~~~ I/Juggernaut Moves On, search/sniff for New Food ~~~

Thought for the Day: Trust not in Chance.

Combat results: Tau Crushing Victory (Recon Omega level).
Tau: 1203 victory points
Tyranids: 637 victory points