Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta

Feud of the Red Clouds Turn 1: Hold the Line

The Crimson Way is ideally suited for aircraft operations. Airpower will be the key to this war.

-Attributed to: Commander Markus Plegabo Aeronautica Imperialis

A Chaos Icon Dropship tries to run the gauntlet of Ork fighters Models built and painted by VedalSlayer (Chaos) and CheesyRobman (Orks)
The Feud of the Red Clouds had been a festering low-level conflict for a decade before it exploded into a full fledged conflict. For years, the rival Magos and their stations sniped and raided each others bases and gas mining fleets. No one side had managed to inflict a crippling blow. Several key factors escalated the Feud into a full-fledged war. The first was the introduction of Xenos elements on the planet. These groups destabilized the delicate balance of power in catastrophic ways. In addition, the arrival of renegades and Imperials altered the situation even further. With the situation on Rutilus vastly changed, it became a scramble to consolidate the territory that each station already controlled. Reinforcements and supplies were rushed across the gas giant. Defenses were strengthened, supplies were reallocated, and the valuable gas assets were shuttled back to the main stations for export. A flurry of activity took place as each of the factions on Rutilus prepared for an all out war.

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta

++Sit Rep by Region++

Warzone 1: Station Lambda The Eldar Corsair fleet of Eiryuan kept a vigilant watch over their region of Rutilus. The Corsairs webways portals worked tirelessly to bring in the weapons and material needed to launch an offensive against the other Magos. Eiryuan was determined to kill or capture the tech-priests. In addition to an alliance of Craftworlders and Corsairs; the Eldar forces also welcomed the arrival of their dark kin. Dark Eldar raiding craft supplemented the Corsair fleet. Whatever motivations drove Eiryuan to an alliance with his evil brethren must be dire indeed. The hatred of the dark kin for their fellow Eldar is second only to their disgust with the lesser races. Controlled By: Eldar Warzone 2: Station Ro Magos Archivald and his Tau allies busily prepared. Envoy Twala of the Water Caste had arranged for the more mundane Imperial craft of the Magos defense forces to be modified and upgraded with Tau technology. As these Guelvesa forces were prepared, air caste volunteers arrived to reinforce the defenses of the station. The commanders of these Air Castes proved exceptionally aggressive. They eagerly launched patrols over their zone and engaged the Ork menace threatening the Tau controlled airspace. For the most part, these Ork patrols were haphazard and easily scattered. Landings from orbit by Manta transports were able to easily break through the Ork harassers. However, such early victories proved to be a short lived. The Orks that survived these early engagements learned vital combat skills.
Manta Gunship Built and Painted by: Kelsik

Later during the reinforcement drops, the Orks learned how to handle Manta troop landings. In an ambush near platform Zeta-Zeta- 3Beta. The Orks own heavy aircraft and escorts managed to get the drop on an incoming Manta. The Tau Manta survived, but was forced to disengage from the landing run. This forced Tau command to reconsider their resupply strategy. Instead, of quick smash and dash combat drops, the Tau fleet pulled back away from the Gas Giant to consider their next move. Controlled by: Tau Warzone 3: Station Alpha Vice-Admiral Nils Volsk had been very confident as he entered the Rutilus system. His Taskforce 351 was a powerful force. This would be the first test of his fleet, and proof once and for all about the validity of the Furor Imperialis doctrine. He

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta It was only a solid influx of Waaagh! fueled Ork pilots that were able to check the Chaos advance. The Orks were so eager to get into a scrap, that they inadvertently saved the Imperial forces from being completely routed. Thus, Station Alpha and Magos Deanarus forces were saved. The Imperial were down, but not out. They could still bounce back. Controlled by: Disputed Warzone 4: Station Epsilon Badaxe Da UndaNob had not been lax. Once his boyz learned about the potential for more conflict and bloodshed, they threw themselves behind the new plan. His Mekz and Gretchin eagerly pounded out new aircraft, and his boyz were ever eager to take to the skies and learn the trade of air warfare. One thing that Da UndaNob learned right away, was that in order for his planes to fly, they needed fuel. For them to shoot stuff, they needed bullets. It wasnt just about Orks and Grots. He quickly began gathering all the scrap and parts he could find from the platforms he controlled.

The Illustrious but depleted Black Sheep Squadron Unit and Fluff: Monticus

eagerly contacted Commander Markus Plegabo and had his combat wings deploy down to Rutilus to assist Magos Deanarus in cleansing this world. However, he soon ran into complications. On paper, his combat forces seemed powerful and impressive. However, he soon learned that in reality, they were a hollow figure. The fighter wings assigned to his taskforce had been hollowed by combat. Now, they were little more than an illustrious service record. The Viceadmiral was enraged by this discovery, and took out his wrath on his subordinates. In the meantime, the swelling Ork and Chaos forces attacked. By sheer numbers they swept aside the token Imperial defenders and penetrated deeply into the rough wind currents around Station Alpha. The Chaos forces in particular seemed to know exactly where and when to strike. Their air wings sliced through the Imperial defenders like a power sword through butter. Their assault seemed unstoppable.

Orks and Chaos go head-to-head Models painted and created by: VedalSlayer (Chaos) and CheesyRobman (Orks)

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta Magos Cy Belle provided his new Mistress with vital intelligence on the disposition of platforms and stations on Rutilus. Using this information, her allies in the Alpha Legion were able to capture vital intelligence during covert operations against Imperial forces. This intelligence proved to be the bedrock in which the Chaos attack was built upon.

An Ork Landa prepares for Take-off Painted by Airspace member: CheesyRobman

However, the Magos Cy Belle and Mistress Mercievaux had struck hard and fast all across Rutilus, and the airspace around Epsilon Station was no exception. The allied warbands of the Chaos fleet swarmed into the region. The interceptors eagerly chased down the supply convoys, however the Orks were quick to respond. This led to swirling air battles through out the region. With the main Ork forces distracted by Chaos, some of the more aggressive Tau Air Caste commanders tried to snatch some quick victories off their foes. However, the Orks were already on high alert and easily batted these initial advances aside. Controlled by: Orks Warzone 5: Station Severus Mistress Merceivaux came to Rutilus to conquer it as a factory world to support her growing renegade fleet. With her desire for conquest in mind, she eagerly launched a full-scale assault across Rutilus. She had managed to gather a coalition of allied warbands through trickery, bribery, and outright force. The offer of new aircraft were enough to entice the services of several mercenary forces.

With Taskforce 351 approaching In-system rapidly, Mistress Mercievaux unleashed her fury on the Gas Giant. Swarms of Chaos fighters swarmed down from orbit, raining death and destruction. The offensive swept into the regions controlled by Station Alpha and Epsilon, the two main rivals to Magos Cy Belles ambitions.
The attacks would have been a complete success, except for a new element that none to her agents had identified. The revelation that Ork forces were embedded on the Gas Giant. This was a foe that the Mistress had not anticipated. The Orks had been enough to halt her offensive and grind it down to a stalemate. However, despite the efforts of brazen Tau and savage Ork marauders she was able to secure her hold on the platforms around Severus station. Although her hold on the region was not as strong as she initially calculated, and her forces were now spread across Rutilus. Controlled by: Chaos

The Talons vs. The World Eaters World Bleeder (Chaos) and Kelsik (Tau)

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta Conclusion: The Feud of the Red Clouds has entered its final stage. What had once been a simmering, low level conflict has exploded into a full-fledged war! The lines have been drawn and battle has been joined. To control Rutilus, one must control the outlying stations that make up the region of each Great Station. To control these is to control the wealth that flows into each Station and fuels the war. Controlling these smaller platforms is the key to settling the feud. Magos Archivald and Envoy Twala, Magos Cy Belle and Mistress Merceivaux, and Boss Badaxe Da Undanob have aggressively staked there claim for the control of Rutilus. These factions seem eager to challenge the other and have aggressively moved into other regions. Meanwhile, Eiryun has been content to solidify his position. His fragile coalition requiring the utmost care to keep from falling apart. The Imperial Taskforce 351 is faced with a difficult situation. Their forces were strong on paper, but proved to be much weaker in the field. Their forward bases have been decimated by rampaging Orks and renegades. However, the Imperium is nothing if not resilient. They have bounced back from setbacks in the past, and the Feud of the Red Clouds is far from decided. As we move into the next stage of the caampaign for control of Rutilus, the command staffs of the various factions have realized that to control the platforms in the Crimson Way you must control the air. Air supremacy will be the key to maintaining the key lines of supply and keep the flow of logistics moving.

The final stages of the Feud of the Red Clouds has begun with a bang, but the greatest moments are still to come.

An Ork Landa prepares moves across Rutilus Painted by Airspace member: CheesyRobman

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta

Feud of the Red Clouds Turn 1: Appendix

Squadrons on Parade

213th Void Wing ViOrla Prime Talons Painted by Airspace member: Kelsik

Void Wing ViOrla Prime Shadow Hunters Painted by Airspace member: Kelsik

213th

The Blood Squadron: World Eaters Painted by Airspace Member: World Bleeder

Dagger Squadron: Alpha Legion Painted by Airspace Member: Vedalslayer

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta

Feud of the Red Clouds Turn 1: Appendix

Squadrons on Parade

Cabal of the World Walkers: Tzeentch Warband Painted by Airspace member: Easy E

Ork Air Boyz Painted by Airspace member: CheesyRobMan

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta

Feud of the Red Clouds Turn 1: Appendix

Tutorial Links
VedalSlayers Tutorial for building an Icon Dropship: http://z8.invisionfree.com/Airspace/index.php?showtopic=897

Fluff Links
VedalSlayers Ashkelon Rising http://z8.invisionfree.com/Airspace/index.php?showtopic=892 Monticus Fall of the Black Sheep http://z8.invisionfree.com/Airspace/index.php?showtopic=889

Points Totals
Players Points Batreps Purchase Paint Model Hobby Total Medal 1 Bar CheesyRobman 24 5.5 7 3 7 46.5 x Vedal Slayer 43.5 5 1 2 9.5 61 x x Monticus 3 3 Easy E 8.5 23 17 48.5 x Kelsik 10 5 5 2 22 x World Bleeder 2 2 Ky-Maru 3 3 Sparx 15 15 x
2Bars 3 Bars

Inquisitorial Report: A4567/893/beta Reference: Feud of the Red Clouds Access Code: ********** Level: Magenta

Feud of the Red Clouds Turn 1: Appendix

Factions Imperials Chaos Tau Eldar Orks Factions Imperials Chaos Tau Eldar Orks Factions
Imperial

Station Lambda- Warzone 1- Eldar WZ 1: Players Points

Adjusted Points

12

12

Station Alpha- Warzone 3- Imperial WarZone 3: Players Points 1 1

Adjusted Points 3 17 3 17

1 Station Severus- Warzone 5- Chaos Warzone 5: Players Points 3 1 1 Station Ro- Warzone 2- Tau WZ 2: Players Points

13.25

11.25

Adjusted Points 47.5 10 4.25 Adjusted Points 15.83 10 4.25

Chaos Tau Eldar Orks Factions Imperials Chaos Tau Eldar Orks

2 1

14 5

7 5

Factions
Imperials Chaos Tau Eldar Orks

Station Epsilon- Warzone 4- Orks WZ 4: Players Points

1 1 2 32.5 2 41.5

Adjusted Points 32.5 2 20.75