First Encounter of Hive Fleet Ithacus

***Internal document for the Grand Master  Librarian***

***Classified: Inner Circle only***

In the early days before the tyranid invasion...

On the dead hive planet of Ithacus...

....After learning of sudden extinction of the former hive and its rumored wealth of ancient archeotech the dark angels space marine chapter, sent a strike cruiser into the planets orbit hoping to beat the ultramarines to the site and investigate the planet's hidden treasures.The dark angels were investigating an abandoned mechanicus excavation site when suuddenly they encountered a strange race who's rumored existence had reached the ears of the inner circle.

So as you may have guessed this battle was pretty rough. We it played just as 6th ed came out but still using the old DA codex. Im pretty sure it was my first time using a landraider, which was proxying for a LR crusader.
The nids won this one pretty handily and i was very impressed with the shrikes. they are nasty. I still havent learned to use tact squads well enough. Belial lasted a pretty long time against the Tyrant, despite getting charged and having terrible rolling for hits. i was hoping he'd keep the tyranid pinned for one more turn but no such luck. Thats why my speeders were so exposed on turn DA turn 5. The new codex has changed alot of unit selections obviously but in terms of the story...

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Belial sounded the retreat from the mechanicus dig site. Never before had he imagined the bio-weapons availible to these creatures. He had read the scattered reports coming in before but nothing prepared him for the terrible ferocity. The techmarines would need to wait and the expidition would have to be put on hold til these bastards could be dealt with. Perhaps the a full deathwing attack could purge these xenos. The population might be lost but any survivors would have to be evacuated if possible. Leaping into the land raider, he contacted the command center to begin preparations...