The second Ultramarine assault on Hive Menos was a much more deliberate affair.  Meticulous study of the Hive entry portals showed one close to a defensible position, with only limited Tyranid activity observed. A reconnaisance force was dispatched to ensure that the passage was indeed clear to the target position.

Second Assault on Hive Menos

The road to the entry portal was blocked by improvised barricades thrown up during the last stand of the Hive's garrison, a few days earlier.  It had availed little, and of the previous defenders only bloodstains were left.

The Marine commander deployed tactical squads and Terminators in the center, mostly in hard cover to provide overwatch fire, with a Whirlwind hanging back to deliver an additional punch.  On the left, northern, flank, a squad of scouts prepared to advance through the gatehouse runs, while on the right a squad of assault marines led by Brother-Chaplain Anthios prepared an outflanking maneuver against any Tyranids that might contest the passage.

Defending Tyranids emerged from the ruins as soon as the Marines approached; A Hive Tyrant, a couple of Carnifexes, several warriors and a clutch of Gaunts oof various types.  These all emerged from the tall ruins to the north of the portal, while skulking around in the ruins south of the portal a Brood Lord and his retinue of Genestealers crept forward.

In the gatehouse ruins, Genestealers swept forward to meet the advancing scouts, followed by Warrios and Gaunts.  Their progress was slow, however, and many were cut down by long range fire from the Marine firebase in the center, or by Whirlwind barrages.

The fight for the gatehouse lasted throughout the engagement, with the assault warriors  defeating the scouts in the end, too late to make a difference.

In the center, a massive assault carnifex lumbered forward behind a screen of rippers, while the Hive Tyrant and the Juggernaut carnifex laid down (ineffectual) covering fire.  Return fire was considerable more precise, quickly costing the Tyrant its attendant Guardian.

The Marine Terminators advanced  inexorably, laying down a hail of assault cannon fire as they did, while the assault squad leapt forward to engage the Brood lord hiding on the south flank.  The assault 'fex advancing in the center had gotten itself bogged down in the old barricade, and was killed by a combination of plasma and assault cannon fire.

The Hive Tyrant, in an uncharacteristic display of cowardice, ducked down behind the ruins, out of sight of the Terminators.

Realising that the path to the gate was clear, the Ultramarine biker contingent sped forward, aiming for an end run through the Tyranid defenses.

On the south flank, the assault marines had pounced on the Brood Lord and his retinue, but after a protracted and bloody fight, Brother-Chaplain Anthios fell, last of his squad.  The genestealer brood, much diminished, gave up their plans of flanking the main Marine force, and crept north instead, out of sight of the Marine heavy weapons.  They never made contact with the enemy again.

In the centre, the Juggernaut abandoned its defensive position and strode forward, where it was met by an advancing tactical squad.  While Tyranid firepower and claws did take a terrible toll on the squad, their powerfist equipped sergeant swung the battle by tearing the limbs off the raging beast.  Howling its outrage and bleeding from many deep wounds, it finally collapsed, leaving Brother-Sergeant Strenuus alone in the rubble, surrounded by his fallen comrades and warily eyeing the Hive Tyrant still lurking in the shadows of the ruins.

It looked at him with eyes betraying an inhuman intelligence and hunger, then it hissed, turned and strode back into the ruins, away from the battle.

The battlefield was quiet after the main Ultramarine force had passed through the gate on their way to their new forward base. On Moloch, there were no birds or insects to break the silence.  Then, a scraping sound, followed by a hiss, and the Juggernaut carnifex rose laboriously back to its feet.  Already, the wounds left by its torn-off limbs had healed, and it could feel new limb-buds itching where it would grow replacements.  It shook itself, and lumbered back into the hive, following the psychic beacons of the Synapse creatures still lurking deeper in the labyrinthine structure.  It would fight and feed again...

Thought for the Day: Perseverance is Pious in the Eyes of the Emperor.


Combat results: Recon, Alpha, 1500 pts, Marine wins

Ultramarine Force

Tyranid Force