A Tau Pathfinder and Recon Drone attempt an ambush of advancing Space Wolves on the world of Media III.

What follows is an except of a confidential intelligence report citing
a skirmish action on Media III between Tau forces and elements of the Space Wolves . . . .

INPUT DATE: 6 673 743.M41

Intelligence assets on the Tau-occupied world of Media III recently reported intercepting xeno vox signals regarding a clash between Tau security forces and a team  of Space Marines believed to be of the Space Wolves chapter.

Limited information was broadcast, but what was intercepted suggests that a small band of Astartes—wearing the livery of the Space Wolves—entered the perimeter of a Tau security facility in the Quadi Desert (Southern Hemisphere).

The Astartes quickly were challenged by a squad of Tau Pathfinders (recon unit).

We thought the table looked pretty good, but both Kill Teams quickly came to the conclusion that the terrain severely limited their tactical options. Still not quite sure why.

SKIRMISH

A Space Wolf scout seeks out a path of advance. But with six Pathfinders waiting ahead with pulse carbines, the odds didn’t look good.

In the early morning hours of 3 669 741.M41, six Space Wolves entered the facility, which was dominated by a traditional Tau security tower and three ferrocrete troop bunkers.

They quickly encountered approximately eight Pathfinders who, warned by perimeter sensors, had taken up a defensive position amid the bunkers. Two other xenos arrived to the west of this position in an attempt to turn the Space Wolves flank.

The fighting was brief and unenthusiastic, with only a handful of casualties.

The Tau, armed with pulse carbines, lacked the weapons range of the boltgun-armed Astartes and opted to remain in their defensive position.

Meanwhile, the Astartes saw the open ground between them and the Tau bunkers as a kill zone—and apparently determined that an assault would be more costly than any gain.

Both forces eventually withdrew.

Tau reinforcements race forward to defend the troop barracks and laboratories of the xeno security base.

ANALYSIS

Although conjecture, it is likely that the Space Wolves were engaged in a covert intelligence mission and stumbled into a confrontation with xeno forces. Rather than risk casualties or the arrival of a significant xeno reinforcements, the Astartes withdrew.

The more compelling question for the Imperial High Command is the motivation behind the Space Wolves’ interest in Media III—or, for that matter, their presence in the Ultima Segmentum. The home world of the Space Wolves, Fenris, lies nearly 40,000 light years distant.

This is not the first incident involving the Space Wolves in the Corvus Cluster. They conducted a raid on Media III in 736.M41, as well as engaged Imperial enemies on the agri-moon of Dar Sai, the world of Dozaria, and, most recently, on the Tau-infiltrated Gallus Colony (recently liberated by the Damocles Gulf Crusade).

Attempts to contact the Space Wolves and determine their interest in the region so far have been unsuccessful, and thus their motives are unclear. Inquiries with the Inquisition have met with silence, as is to be expected.

Intelligence assets continue to investigate the Space Wolves’ activities with an eye on possible non-compliance of Imperial norms or, worst-case scenario, signs of heresy.

Tau Pathfinders take a defensive position atop one of the troop bunkers.

+ END REPORT +

TheGM: A very brief Shadow War: Armageddon game. As we were playing the Raid mission as the first game of an informal campaign, we played the battle as if we were really “there” in person.

And therein is the explanation for the lack of fighting. Neither The Gaffer or I could see a path to victory without luck and a lot of casualties. The terrain didn’t suit the attack and, as in real life, we didn’t see any point in taking casualties for no real gain. So we both agreed to withdraw.

Not very exciting. But we record our battles for posterity and, to be honest, the seemingly random and mysterious battles we’re seeing fought by the Space Wolves is giving rise to various theories (or ideas)—and may one day form the foundation for events with great impact on our narrative campaign.

Are they looking for a long-lost artifact of the chapter? Is some hated enemy hiding in the region? Are they working for the Inquisition?

Perhaps we’ll find out in time.

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The Corvus Cluster is a Warhammer 40K blog documenting our gaming adventures in the fantastical sci-fi universe of Games Workshop.