A Bittersweet Homecoming

[Mani]

Prologue: A Prodigal Returns

 

Many worlds have already heard rumors of the near-miraculous return of Darnath Lysander, the legendary First Captain of the Imperial Fists Space Marine chapter. Indeed, he once again leads the sons of Dorn as they shatter the fortresses of mankind's foes, and all the peoples of the Imperium have cause to rejoice. However, the circumstances of the First Captain's return are shrouded in mystery, and the Imperial Fists, a close-mouthed bunch under the best of circumstances, will say no more than to affirm that their hero remains pure and zealous. The true story of Lysander's reinstatement, like so many in the bloody history of his chapter, is one both proud and grim.

 

When the Captain first returned to Imperium space after a millennium in the warp and almost a year of captivity, his battle-brothers were overjoyed, but the Emperor's Inquisition was greatly concerned. The Ordo Malleus, tasked with defending the Imperium against the corruption of the warp, lost no time in detailing a detachment to oversee the Captain's debriefing. Lysander's interrogation spanned months, and the strain of the psychic tests he bore would have undone any mere human; but, finally, even the meticulous scrutiny of the Grey Knights could uncover no stain on that heroic soul. With relief and pride, the Ordo Malleus authorized the First Captain to return to active service with his chapter.

 

However, even the rigors of his examination at the hands of the Daemonhunters could not satisfy the suspicions (and jealousies, perhaps?) of certain malcontents. Few live now who know of it, but an embittered Lord Commissar in the local sector's Imperial Guard garrison was flatly unwilling to accept that anyone, even a true hero of the Imperium, could spend a thousand years in the Warp and emerge unscathed. The Lord Commissar interrupted the Imperial Fists' celebrations with an ultimatum demanding that the First Captain be remanded to the Imperial Guard's custody for incarceration as a traitor. The chapter was understandably incensed at this bald insult to its returning hero, but the Inquisition's response was cool and reasonable: the Lord Commissar was commanded to stand down from his post and submit himself to interrogation on charges of treason and mutiny, on which condition the local regiment of the Guard would be absolved of his guilt.

 

The Lord Commissar's response was to stir up the support of two hot-headed company commanders and field a rapid (and ultimately ill-advised) assault on the small Imperial Fists outpost where Lysander had been released upon completion of his Inquisitorial examination. As the space marines dug in for battle, the detachment of Grey Knights who had escorted the Captain to his brothers officially declared the rogue Lord Commissar a traitor and prepared themselves to scour the system of his followers.

 

The Battle

Imperial Fists (1500pts) & Grey Knights (1250pts) v. Imperial Guard (2750pts)

 

First Captain Lysander led the forces of the Imperial Fists from a command Land Raider Crusader, while the Grey Knights Brother-Captain led his terminator escort to the front in a God-Hammer Land Raider. Four squads of the Imperial Fists rallied around their Captain, and the Inquisition had deployed another pair of power-armoured squads and another Land Raider from its chamber militant. Two ancient Dreadnoughts also stood in Lysander's defense. The renegade Imperial Guard forces included almost two full armored companies of Leman Russ battle tanks, as well as a platoon of Elysian drop troops, their Valkyrie, and its Vulture escort. In all, the traitor Lord Commissar was able to commandeer thirteen of the Guard's Leman Russ tanks, which he formed into an imposing battle line. The renegade personally joined the Elysians and deployed from their Valkyrie transport to oversee the assassination.

 

Unfortunately for the Lord Commissar's plan, even the mighty battle cannons and vanquisher cannons of the Guard battle tanks were unable to stop the marines' Land Raiders, and a hail of well-directed lascannon fire combined with the terrible melee power of the Grey Knights to carve through the renegade battle line with frightening speed. Three Leman Russes were torn open by the Knights' Nemesis Force Weapons, and Land Raiders and Dreadnoughts eviscerated seven more, even laying low the Valkyrie that had cast its harsh shadow over Lysander's command as the traitors approached. In the end, the First Captain led a lonely assault on the Lord Commissar's fortified position, charging over the bodies of his comrades, accompanied only by a single fearless Justicar of the Grey Knights. The Lord Commissar's veteran bodyguard struck down the Justicar, but the Fist of Dorn finally gave the traitor the ignominious end he deserved.

 

Without their leader, the remaining guardsmen laid down their weapons and begged for clemency. Of course, the Inquisition purged the renegade companies after a summary interrogation, but the rest of the regiment was exonerated when the Grey Knights determined that the Lord Commissar had acted completely on his own authority and against the orders of his superiors. For their part, the Imperial Fists considered the Lord Commissar's insult to have been fully avenged, and the First Captain specifically commended the courage with which the guardsmen had followed their commanders' orders, even in the face of a foe as fearsome as himself. Indeed, the price of Lysander's return was not small; the bodyguard that he brought with him on the charge was slain to the last man by the relentless guns of the Guard, and many among the Grey Knights fell, as well. As ever, the butcher's bill was highest for the heroes who led the battle from the front.

 

So it is that the tale of Captain Lysander's return is one both proud and grim, a cause for celebration as well as lamentation. The Ordo Malleus keeps its secrets well, and the Imperial Fists tell this tale seldom and respectfully, for there is no relish for them in the slaughter of their brother guardsmen. Let all who hear it take heed, that they may know the worth of the Imperium's heroes and the fate of its traitors.

 

Reflections

This was a lovely game with three other excellent commanders! This was my second time facing this particular armored company commander, and I'm learning better how to deal with his heavy tanks. Grey Knights hitting rear armor in assault is really lovely! Thanks to all for the game, and thanks to the B&C for the chance to write up the report. Enjoy!

[BassWave]

Nice report ;) Only thing I would improve on would be more details on the actual battle. Other than that it was pretty good, I especially liked how you tied it into the fluff :confused: