The first Tactical squad meawhile found themselves in a most unenviable position:
Before they had time to duck out of the way, the Basilisk’s Earthshaker Cannon coughed to life again. The explosive round impacted in the center of the Marine formation, tearing three Marines apart and driving the rest back towards their own line.
Recovering swiftly, the Marines moved forward again past the bodies of their brethren, supported by the mighty Ragnarok. Ragnarok’s blessed weapons systems coughed to life again, with the Assault Cannon ripping through two more Guardsmen from the Command Squad, but a burst from its Storm Bolter glanced in a burst of light from the Commissar’s Refractor Field.
The two Scout Squads advanced as one, but their combined fire pinged uselessly off the Sentinel’s armour plating.
The Commissar quickly urged his squad forwards, peering rather uncharacteristically from behind a rocky outcropping, attempting to spot that nasty Dreadnought.
The sole remaining Guard Infantry squad, back in the center of the board, edged out to the front of the grassy knoll, trying to get some distance between themselves and the approaching Scouts.
Not quite as shy, the Sentinel driver powered up his Multi-laser once more, managing to pierce the armour of another scout from the second squad. The novices ran instinctively for their own lines, ironically bringing them closer to the Sentinel before they found their wits again.
The other two scouts were spun from their feet by Heavy Bolter fire from the Fire Support squad.
The Leman Russ targetted Ragnarok, but it’s shot went harmlessly over the Dreadnought, tearing apart a rocky outcrop in the distance. The Basilisk however, its loaders working feverishly, lobbed another round into the Tactical squad, leaving nothing but a power-armour-littered crater.
Recovering from their shock, the Scouts charged screaming at the Sentinel, but were unable to find a weak point in the walker’s armour.
Ragnarok meanwhile swung his armoured torso, lining up the heavy weapons on the knoll. His ancient Assault Cannon spoke once more, and 3 of the Guardsmen tumbled from the hillock.
With their numbers dwindling, the Guard took the offensive once more, with the Command Squad leaping out from behind their outcrop and advancing towards Ragnarok. The Leman Russ rumbled to life, and moved around behind the knoll, it’s Battle Cannon swingin towards the mighty Dreadnought.
The Russ’ cannon was unneccessary however, as the Basilisk’s eerie precision continued, an Earthshaker round ripping the ancient walker apart.
Although they tried valiantly, the Scouts simply could not penetrate the Sentinels armour, and the battle drew to a close with this sole remaining squad battering harmlessly at the walkers flanks…
A close fought and bloody battle, the Guard had prevailed, at a massive cost to themselves.
