Blood Ravens's page

"Commodore, flank speed if you will, form a battle line with the other elements of our fleet. Ground assault forces are prepared for drop as we cross the planet's face. Prepare starboard torpedo tubes for a boarding strike against the traitors' flagship."

The Retribution and her escorts keep pace with the leading edge of the Imperial fleet, all weapons primed, full power to her shields, and their crew ready to wipe away this stain on the Imperium of Man.

As they charge to the attack, drop pods, Thunderhawks, and other landing craft separate from Retribution.

50% of the Blood Ravens' strength descends to the planet's surface to bolster the battle line and counter the traitors, with Reavers and other scout units slipping off behind enemy lines to cause mayhem where the traitors can least afford it.

20% of the space marine strength remains on their ships to protect against enemy boarding actions, and 30% boards their own torpedoes ready to make a boarding assault on the traitor battle-barge.

I kinda like the idea of tactics adding bonuses or penalties rather than determining the outcome. Though some tactics could give larger bonuses against the tactics an enemy chose or make a combat roll unnecessary. If both sides decided to fall back, for example.

Another idea that I like from many games of this nature is that of the commander of a force giving his own bonuses or amplifying certain tactics. While we are never going to track the actions or career of a single warrior, not even among an Astartes chapter, a few key commanders is totally doable...

I know I do not weigh in often but I do usually pay attention... ;)

With a satisfied smile, Captain Ramius gives the command to follow the Mechanicum forces in and the Blood Ravens' small fleet begins to come about and accelerate towards the nearby gravity wells. Ramius watches the tactical displays, his smile fading as he considers the traitor battle barge.

How outmatched are we by a battle barge?

With encryption protocols satisfied, the data uplink is swift and the ships already detected by Retribution's Augurs are quickly grouped into traitor and loyal. Interestingly, there is data on one vessel that Retribution did not detect.

Ramius takes a moment to study the tactical holo-tank, seeing several of the icons update their status with the Mechanicus data. <A Battle Barge of the Iron Warriors. That is grim news, indeed, Magos. Let us clear the outer system of this chaff that we may bring our unified strength against this foe.>

Ramius turns to Commodore-Captain Andres, "Commodore, bring us to battle readiness if you please. General Quarters and prime all weapon systems. We shall purge the traitors, by the Emperor's will."

Orders pass between the three ships of the Blood Ravens battle group and their helms begin to come about as their weapon systems are brought from the ready-standby of their recent Warp translation to full battle readiness.

The vox receiver lights up and it takes the cogitators a moment to recognize the code. Corvus Theta Zulu series. Interesting. It is good that this one is using proper encryption protocols. Thinks Sparkswright. He orders, Respond in identical manner, establish uplink if handshake protocols are allowed.

--message begins---
In the Omnissiah's Light, greetings, Library-Captain. The "party" is not yet engaged. The local volume is currently controlled by Chaos forces including at least one Battle Barge of the Imperial Fists Iron Warriors, which you should find uploaded into your cogitators. We have recovered several ships that will be joining the Navy contingent. All other assets in the system are presumed hostile.

I fixed it for you. ;)

As the signal returns update the tactical display in the holo-tank, Ramius turns to the Commodore-Captain, "Commodore, please transmit a greeting and an offer of assistance to our esteemed colleagues of the Imperial Navy and the Mechanicus. Use encryption protocol Corvus Theta Zulu Ninety-Seven, my authorization."

When the vox officers indicate the system is ready, the Commodore faces the pickup, <In the name of the Emperor, this is Librarian-Captain Ramius of the Blood Ravens. It seems that the party has started without us. Perhaps there is still room at the table?"

Do I have a good read on which vessels are traitors?

P.S. I added an icon for the Blood Ravens to the tac-map. Not sure where you wanted me to come in.

Librarian-Captain Ramius enters the bridge of the Retribution. The astropaths had been unable to make contact with forces defending Atria, a fact that displeased Ramius, but the Blood Ravens were on their way regardless; the auguries had predicted no trouble with their arrival in-system. Rising from the command throne, Commodore-Captain Andres turns to Captain Ramius, "My Lord, we are approaching our translation point. With the Emperor's blessing, we will shed the Immaterium in 10 minutes."

Ramius nods to the Commodore-Captain, his deep voice even and untroubled, "Very good, Commodore, at your discretion."

Andres salutes and turns to his Vox officer, "Sound General Quarters and the Translatio Decime." As the alarms sound through the ship, the activity on the bridge increases in its carefully orchestrated routines; deck officers strap themselves into their stations, bulkheads are sealed, and power is routed to the powerful warp drives.

With the Warp as smooth as a realm of pure Chaos can be, the Retribution slips from the Warp with barely a shudder. The Warp-stuff clinging to its gellar field makes the strike cruise appear to be smoking. Its escorts, the destroyers Red Talon and Fist of the Fallen make successful translations in the handful of seconds following the Retrivution's own.

Ramius turns to Andres, "Commodore, lets find out what there is to know." The orders are relayed to the Auger and Auspex operators, and powerful sensors begin to scan the Atria system.