First Battle of the Atrican Outlands

Atrica, is a picturesque idyllic agricultural world, on the very lip of Imperium Space, definition: large under defended world filled with lovely terrified humans to do with as we see fit. The Perpetual Darkness’s raiding parties have visited this world a number of times through countless generations, seeding rumour and legend about our existence amongst the dim-witted populace.

Because of this almost ritualistic visit, it came to a surprise to myself at the rest of the Retinue, when our Raiding Party returned quickly, and without slaves, when the pilots of the Raiding craft were brought to the feet of Archon, Punishers at their necks for such dereliction, did they report that the reason they had returned empty handed, was the presence of a Space Marine Detachment on the planet, and they did not possess the arms to conduct a successful raid.

Archon immediately ordered a second Raiding force to be mobilised, though not before putting the original pilots to the blade, Marines or no, their return empty handed was still a grievous dishonour. Relying on intelligence gathered from those raiders we let live, it was decided that a second Ravager would join us, however, instead of our normal loadout, this Ravager, would be running its original configuration of Dark Lances as there was no time to replace them with Disintegrators, this craft would be joining the Scourges that Archon had recently taken a shine to, considering the human tendency to compensate their inferior biological forms with tempered steel; we would counter their steel with Dark Lances.

We ambushed the forces of the garrisoned Shadow Forge Legion, on the outskirts of the only city on the planet; a dried creek bed separated our warriors and theirs. Archon positioned our warriors and machines perfectly, ensuring the element of surprise up until the point that the Dark Lord permitted the Ravagers to open fire.
The whine of Disintegrators and Dark Lances broke the still of an otherwise peaceful day, one Ravager wrecked the Marines only tactical armour, their Predator, while the other Ravager managed to immobilise a Rhino, stranding its loaded Infantry on the opposite side of the creek.
In an odd move, Archon ordered the Retinue to stay behind the lines, as he had discovered an odd creature on the planet, one never seen before, intrigued by it, he ordered us to capture it, so it be studied by our Master Homunculi back on Commagrah.

Perhaps in an attempt to rally their troops, a Marine Captain, with an accompaniment of Terminators, broke into the clearing, only to be picked off by the Dark Lances of the Scourges, positioned on the remains of a bridge, again earning Archons praise, the final blow however, was delivered by a squad of Warriors on the bank of the creek below, I doubt that even they were aware that they had killed the Garrison Commander of the Space Marine forces on the planet.

Our steady progress was not met by setbacks, our Talos came under fire almost immediately and was superficially damaged, it would seem that word of its brutal efficiency had gotten around. Archon was concerned of the presence of a Dreadnaught on the battlefield, and sent our lone Raider to deal with it; unfortunately, it was grounded as soon as it arrived on the perimeter, thanks in no certain way to the Dreadnaught that it was sent to deal with.

It wasn’t until the Marines had a chance to reorganise, following the complete annihilation of their Command staff, that I had my doubts as to if we were going to be able to make it out of here in one piece…it was punctuated, when the newer Ravager was driven into the side of the same bridge that the Scourges were using to pick off Marine infantry, thanks in no part to the use of a Laz-cannon mounted Razorback.

It was when the Mandrakes finally decided to surface, that I finally realised that we had this battle won. Deploying in two groups instead of one, they managed to decimate two squads of Infantry, as well as deploy their entrusted Webway Portal, bringing in our Wych Cult Strike Team, the Crimson Shadows. Sythra herself was quite pleased that she was able to rend her Agoniser into the flesh of unsuspecting humans.

With our enemy broken, our Warriors broke contact with the enemy, and joined the Retinue in capturing the creature, while the Crimson Shadows, charged a cowering Marine Squad, who took shelter behind a Venerable Dreadnaught, however, victory had been declared, we had more than enough slaves to satisfy Slanesh, and we had brought fear into the hearts of the Shadow Forge. They will think twice before interfering in our hunt.

It felt good to bring definite victory back to the Kabals chambers, to long the bitter taste of clemency had soiled my mouth, Archon proclaimed at return that this would be the first of many great victories of the Perpetual Darkness, this was the first time that I genuinely believed him.

1vs1 1500 Points per side, Objective game. Outcome: Dark Eldar victory