The days of Captain Sicarius (II)

  "While our former captain was every bit the hero that the legends say, he was also impetuous and had to taste defeat, just like everyone else.  That impetuousness, often a consequence of arrogance, can lead to some... opportunities to learn.  And Captain Sicarius was a quick learner.

  That fuel station that Sicarius' force had taken was vital to the heretics' plans, so a counter-attack should have been expected.  The felling of the Daemon Prince and the dominance of the theatre should have meant certain victory, but the Death Guard were not so easily deterred.  Unfortunately, Sicarius was so sure of his victory that he didn't properly plan a defense.  So he would have to fight this battle again...

  One day after the last battle, my son and I played another game using the same forces and battlefield.  The Ultramarines were victorious last time, but my son felt confident in his army list and wanted to go again.  To keep with the storyline-

  The fuel station was extremely important to the Death Guard positions in the upcoming invasion.  This was not a location that could be so easily lost if the efforts were to be successful.  So the leaders of the Death Guard planned a cunning counter-attack, meant to pressure the loyalists and force them into a posture they weren't ready for.  After all, their leader was known for his lightning strikes and overwhelming speed.  The key fuel station could be retaken by removing the defenders' strength... 

Forces and Battlefield
  As noted before, we are using the exact same battlefield and forces as the previous battle. 


The scenario for this battle is taken from the Chapter Approved 2019, called "Front-Line Warfare".  In this scenario, players gain victory points at the end of the battle round for each objective they control.  The important part here is that both players score the points at the same time, so they can react and prevent their opponent from scoring points as well as play for their own.  Just like last battle, this scenario fits the narrative perfectly!

Deployment
  This time, the Death Guard were the attackers.  The Ultramarines chose the deepest deployment type in order to give themselves a smaller front to defend.  The Death Guard were more than happy with that and deployed very aggressively.  With the artillery set up in the back corner and the infantry hordes filling the center, there were very few places for the Ultramarines to attack in force.  The Chaos forces even bracketed the line with the Helbrute, so there was nowhere safe for the Land Raider to deploy!

  The Ultramarines responded by lining everything up in a 'spearhead' right in the middle of their area.  The idea was to rush two transports full of marines to each side of the battlefield and 'divide and conquer'.  The snipers were set up in the woods just to claim the objective points and possibly threaten some characters, while the rest of the army huddled behind them.  It was certainly a defensive posture.

Battle Round 1

  The Death Guard immediately charged forward, moving every infantry model up as fast as they could.  The Helbrute and artillery battery all stayed stationary.  Chaos wasn't about to give up their advantage of initiative and the supporting shelling was intense.  

  The artillery battery opened up with the three mortars wiping out the combat squad in the ruins, entropy cannons putting some damage on the Rhino and Land Raider in sight, and the stubbers nearly annihilating the Scouts.  The Helbrute, on the other side of the battlefield, opened up and took out half the wounds of the Razorback on its own.  With a smattering of bolter fire from the rest of the army, the Death Guard were finished with their shooting and advance.  They had achieved First Strike and put some serious damage on the rest of the enemy.  

Death Guard, Turn 1

   The Ultramarines, taken aback by the damage fromt he Death Guard, had no time to hesitate.  The lone surviving Scout retreated behind the advancing Land Raider, now trying to take the rearward objective that the now destroyed combat squad was supposed to hold.  The Librarian that accompanied that squad retreated to the objective, holding it until the Scout arrived.  The Rhino that was hidden in the trees behind the Scout leapt out and immediately claimed the objective point while screening the Land Raider a bit.  This was going to be the Ultramarines left flank attack...

  The other flank saw the Rhino rush up to take another objective point and give a wall of protection to the advancing Assault Squad and Chaplain.  Meanwhile, the Razorback remained behind to provide fire support.  When the assault cannons began their howl of fire, the rest of the loyalists also opened fire on the renegades.  When the smoke had cleared, one Plague Marine had fallen.  One!  But Sicarius was not one to underestimate his enemies and was sure to get his forces onto as many objective points as possible. 

Ultrarmines, Turn 1

  The end of the Battle Round saw the Ultramarines holding five objectives and the Death Guard only holding one.  The tactics of Sicarius were certainly paying off so far. 

Battle Round 1- Death Guard 2, Ultramarines 5

Battle Round 2
   The Death Guard were more than ready for Sicarius' predictable tactics of rushing everything forward.  The disadvantage of the 'divide and conquer' tactic becomes apparent when the defender is tougher and built for attrition.  Death Guard are definitely tougher and built for attrition. 

  The renegades started by blowing up the Rhino and exposing the Tactical Squad on the hill to a massive charge.  The Deathshroud Terminators, trailed by the Daemon Prince, joined the Plague Marine squad on the charge and easily carved up the Ultramarines.  After blades were resheathed, only a single marine with a heavy bolter survived and was nearly surrounded.  The situation didn't look good, except for the trailing support of Assault marines and the Chaplain.  Unfortunately, the Death Guard charge distracted from the plague mortar barrage that wiped out the Assault Squad!

  The other flank saw entropy cannon severely wounding the Land Raider.  Luckily, the ancient tank's resilience kept it alive and allowed for the leading Rhino to soak up a charge by Plague Marines.  Slowly, those two units of Plague Marines tried to surround the transport.  Again, miraculously, the transport survived.  The Death Guard were unable to crack this flank. 

Death Guard, Turn 2

   Sicarius started to realize the folly of his strategy and ordered his surviving flank to disembark and destroy the Death Guard.  The battle had moved from tactics to desperate hatred.  His Tactical Marines disembarked from the heavily damaged Rhino and surrounded the shocked renegades exposed by the retreating vehicle, while Sicarius and his Veteran bodyguard unassed from the limping Land Raider and surrounded the other squad of Death Guard.  Unleashing bolters and charging with a fury uncommon to the Ultramarines, the two enemy units were easily dispatched and the forces consolidated as far into the Chaos lines as they could.  The Malignant Plaguecaster was not in a strong position. 

  The other flank fared less well, but showed the unswerving bravery known to the loyalists.  The heavy bolter marine fell back and added his firepower to the Razorback's, killing most of the Death Guard and stranding the Deathshroud Terminators.  The Chaplain, taking advantage of the distraction, leapt over the line and charged the Plaguecaster protecting the Daemon Prince.  With a Litany of Hatred on his lips, he smashed the sorcerer into the ground and shuffled towards the Helbrute, locking that beast down.  Even without his support, the Chaplain has proven to be the hero of this battlefield. 

Ultramarines, Turn 2

   While the Ultramarines are suffering mightily at the hands of the Death Guard, they are still exhibiting their tactical acumen and claiming objectives all over the battlefield.  Unfortunately, the Death Guard are starting to spread like a virus.  At the end of the round, the Ultramarines hold three objectives and the Death Guard hold three as well. 

Battle Round 2- Death Guard 5, Ultramarines 8

 Battle Round 3
  The Daemon Prince could sense the presence of his enemy, Sicarius, and turned to stalk the prey.  With that, the Deathshroud Terminators casually strolled forward and readied to engaged the Razorback.  The remaining Plague Marines on that flank finally finished off the Tactical Marines and finally claimed that objective while the Helbrute now fought for its unlife against an angry Chaplain. 

  With little else to do, the artillery continued to rain daemonic shell on everything they could, aiming to kill off the surviving Rhino and finish off the Land Raider.  Again, the ancient armor kept it alive even as the transport was blown up nearby.  The plaguecaster worked to finish off the threatening Tactical Marines, which he confidently did using the powers of the warp and a mighty stick!  But Sicarius soon engaged...
 

Death Guard, Turn 3

   While the Ultramarines Chaplain continued to pound on the Helbrute, the Razorback and accompanying Librarian unleashed onto the advancing Terminators and killed two of them.  The sniper finally arrived and took the Librarians' spot so he could finally contribute to the force's power.  Unfortunately, the surviving Death Guard Terminator was going to be too much to handle already...

  Sicarius, watching his entire army be demolished by the Death Guard, furiously charged into the Plaguecaster and cut him down, consolidated into the Plague Surgeon, and growled as he saw the Daemon Prince coming.  The distraction was enough for the Plague Surgeon to slice through Sicarius' armor and evoke a giggle from the Daemon Prince.  The Land Raider couldn't find a weakness for the lascannons against the mortars.  The Veteran Squad understood what they had to do and valiantly charged, with the survivors of the Tactical squad slipping in, across the battlefield and into the artillery, locking it up for a moment and giving the rest of the Ultramarines a moment of freedom. 

Ultramarines, Turn 3

  The situation was certainly desperate for the Ultramarines by now.  The Death Guard had complete control of the battlefield, had weakened or destroyed all the weapons of the loyalists, and controlled the initiative.  The only thing they didn't control yet was the objective points on the battlefield, even giving some up to the boyz in blue.  Slaughter was the approach of Chaos, and the Death Guard were following that to a fault!

Battle Round 3, Death Guard 5, Ultramarines 15

Battle Round 4
  The Death Guard could feel their prey dying and it gave them joy.  The Daemon Prince was so confident with the flow of the battle that he retreated from Sicarius and retook the objective that his Terminators had abandoned.  The Helbrute only caught a glance from the commander as his battle with the Chaplain ended with the skull-faced leader finishing it off and glaring at him.  The prince turned his attention to his surviving Terminator and watched as he charged past assault cannon fire and almost chopped down the Librarian and locked up the vehicle.  It made him proud. 

  The Plague Surgeon continued to hold Sicarius' attention while the unengaged mortars finally destroyed the Land Raider nearby.  The other artillery were locked down, until the Chaos Lord finally emerged from the shadows and slayed the attackers.  Only the Ultramarine Veterans survived to harass the artillery, and it wasn't going to be enough. 
 

Death Guard Turn 4

   The Ultramarines counterattacked with everything they could.  The Chaplain charged the Daemon Prince and prayed with all the fervor in the galaxy.  But the prince was not to be denied his victory and crushed the Chaplain.  With a howl of celebration, the Daemon Prince announced that the Ultramarines had lost a hero. 

  The Librarian, threatened by the Terminator, powered up his force staff and charged back into him, only to find the rusted, ancient armor too thick to penetrate.  With a smile not allowed on bad guys, the Terminator turned his scythe and sliced the Imperial psyker right through, ending that threat.  Nonchalantly, he turned his attention back to the Razorback. 

  With that, the Ultramarines had lost the ability to claim objectives or put up a real fight.  Only Captain Sicarius remained among all the loyal heroes that day, and he knew it.  But he couldn't stop now and advanced toward to the artillery battery.  His Veterans needed him...

Ultramarines, Turn 4

Battle Round 5
  The Death Guard now held almost every objective and had almost completely eliminated the opponent.  But there were still some loose ends to tie up.  First, the unengaged mortars killed off the remaining Scout and took away the loyalists' claim on any objectives.  The Deathshroud Terminator crept his way around the dying Razorback and claimed that point, looking back at the Daemon Prince in the distance and sharing a smile.  This victory was theirs to lose...

  Meanwhile, the Chaos Lord normally guiding the mortars chose to earn some glory for himself.  Seeking only a moment's permission from the prince, the Lord moved up and gave Sicarius the call for a duel.  Sicarius eagerly accepted and brought out his vaunted Talassarian Blade.  Little did he realize that the Chaos Lord also carried an artifact of equal power.  After surviving Sicarius' furious attack, he cut the commander down easily.  Mortal wounds aren't unique to Sicarius, after all. With that, the Death Guard earned Slay the Warlord.

Death Guard, Turn 5

   The Ultramarines spent their turn helpless.  Once Sicarius had died, the Razorback soon followed and the Veterans were the last survivors of this battle.  Every objective point was claimed and there was no resistance left against the forces of Chaos. 

Ultramarines Turn 5

Battle Round 5- Death Guard 16, Ultramarines 16

   The game wasn't quite over at that point.  Since the Ultramarines had gotten Behind Enemy Lines while the Death Guard had claimed all the objectives for two turns in a row (basically) and Slay the Warlord, the game was actually tied.  The battle wasn't yet decided! 

  Random Game Length roll

  Nooooooo!  The game continued, so the Death Guard automatically score five more points and there was nothing the Ultramarines could do about it.  The Death Guard won.  In this case, they won not only by the scenario but also the butt-kicking part and the psychological part.  The Ultramarines were defeated completely this battle.  

  "Sicarius and his tactical genius were the only things that kept this battle winnable.  But his strategy was all wrong and it was based on an assumption of arrogance.  A single firefight is not a battle, and a war is never won until your enemy is completely destroyed.  The captain was reminded of this lesson during this battle.  

The days of Captain Sicarius

  "Make no mistake, Brother- our former commander was every bit the hero that the legends tell.  Sicarius was a storm of willpower, leading the Guardians of the Temple to victory after victory.  And he made it look easy...

  "Before the time of the Great Rift and the return of Lord Guilliman, the 2nd company was everywhere earning glory and accolades like a young Lord Calgar.  In fact, there was a series of battles against the Death Guard that became lessons on their own.  You see, Sicarius had intelligence and a quick mind, plus the passion to win despite the odds.  There was a particular fuel station that was being held by the traitors and their warp-cursed artillery.  Sicarius loaded us up in transports and went to work- it was only hours between landing and engaging!  In a matter of minutes, we had those sickly traitors completely surrounded and facing defeat.  As Lord Guilliman's great work teaches- a battle should be won before boots touch ground.  Sicarius was a natural..."

  I FINALLY got some time off of work and immediately recruited my son for a game or two.  After the last many defeats, he's feeling a little demoralized (and I can't blame him) so I suggested that we try a smaller game AND I use older stuff.  He agreed and I developed a little storyline here- 

  There's an old fuel station, always helpful to warring forces, and the forces of Chaos had taken it some time before.  The Ultramarines, of course, have to respond and take it back.  This perfectly matches up with our armies' makeup and the scenarios have 'attackers' and 'defenders'.  This was before the Gathering Storm, so the Ultramarines were still being led by Sicarius and weren't rocking any of the Cawl-built upgrades.  This was one of the smaller battles that led up to the full invasion of Ultramar, with enemy forces looking to fortify there staging points.  In any case, the Ultramarines are aware that the Death Guard are using artillery and so brought transports as a response.  

  And that's it!  Now that all the fluff is done, let's get to some versing!

Forces and Battlefield
  First off is the battlefield- it's a sparsely populated area with ruins and natural features around the fuel station.  All terrain features offer cover and while line-of-sight is pretty open to account for smaller forces on a bigger field.  We didn't use any of the 'fancy' stuff, like the gaming mats or Cityfight terrain because the armies are going to have unpainted models.  (I should note that my goal of getting at least one other army painted this years was definitely derailed due to work.) 

  The battle was from the new Chapter Approved 2019, called "Scorched Earth", and included 6 objectives to be placed so two are in each deployment zone and two more are in 'no-man's land'.  Forces gain victory points, starting in Round 2, for holding objectives and can earn more points by destroying the opponent's.  The scenario represented two armies trying to take ground and remove the enemy, which is perfect considering the storyline!

Death Guard- included a brand-new Daemon Prince guarded by three Nightshroud Terminators, a Lord of Chaos to hang out with three Plagueburst Mortars, and a Malignant Plaguecaster.  Three units of Plague Marines, a shooty Helbrute, and a couple of other characters rounded out the army for 1500 points. 

Ultramarines- led by Sicarius and his Vanguard bodyguard riding in a Land Raider, two full Tactical Squads in Rhinos, a combat squad with a lascannon in a Razorback, and a small Assault Squad led by a Chaplain.  There was also a Librarian and a unit of sniper Scouts in there to bring it up to 1500 points.  

Deployment
  Since the Ultramarines were the attackers, they had to choose their deployment zone and deploy first.  Sicarius assumed that the artillery would be set up in the far corner and wanted to keep the ancient Land Raider safe and deployed it to the left of the enemy lines.  The Assault Squad and Razorback would deploy on the side with the artillery and move as fast as they could to disrupt that crippling firepower.  The rest of the forces were put into positions to rush up and claim objectives as fast as possible.  Sicarius'  hunches were correct...
 
  The Death Guard responded by setting the artillery up as far from the hammer of the Land Raider as they could and the rest of the Death Guard were spread to handle comers from any part of the battlefield.  The Daemon Prince and his bodyguard stood defiantly in the center, ready to respond wherever the corpse-worshipers thought themselves safe. 

The board is set.  The pieces are moving...

Battle Round 1
  The battle started with the attackers jumping ahead as fast as they could.  The Ultramarines moved all of the transports are fast as they could and claimed objectives everywhere.  The Razorback disembarked its troops onto an objective and then provided a screen for the Assault Squad and a shelter for the slower Librarian.  Its goal was to threaten the battery but it sprayed some Assault Cannons into Plague Marines anyway, felling one. 

  The center of the battlefield saw a Rhino disembark half its Tactical Squad onto an objective and then rush forward to claim the center and screen the Daemon Prince.  This was followed by the snipers taking advantage of the distraction and felling one of the Deathshroud Terminators and wounding the daemon-lord. 


  Finally, the Land Raider and escorting Rhino moved up to claim the left flank and lay some firepower into the enemies in the trees.  Combined bolter fire filled a Plague Marine and focused lascannons managed to damage the Helbrute a small bit.   There was little else for the Ultramarines to do and the damage output was minimal.  But the loyalists held four objectives and were going to be tough to dislodge. 

Ultramarines Turn 1

  The Death Guard responded by showing off their power.  The Helbrute fired back at the Land Raider and heavily damaged it right away while the Death Guard on the other side of the battlefield simply marched foward, unafraid of the Ultramarines.  The Mortars split off and targeted the Scouts and transports with everything they had.  The artillery had little effect on the camo-clad snipers, killing two as they sought cover in the woods.  Faring much better, the Razorback rushing right at them was exploded under a half-dozen entropy cannon shots, earning the heretics First Strike!

  The moment of intimidation came when the Daemon Prince and his bodyguard dashed foward.  Raising scythe and warp-forged sword high in the air, they eviscerated the Rhino instantly and watched as five marines emerged from the wreckage to face their doom.  With a gleeful smile, the Daemon Prince bellowed their fate and prepared for the counter...

Death Guard Turn 1

Battle Round 2
  The Ultramarines instantly gained four victory points, holding four objectives at the beginning of their turn.  But they knew they had to take advantage.  The Assault Squad continued to push forward, followed by the Librarian and an especially eager Chaplain.  With loud encouragement and a little psychic boost, the jump marines were able to strike through the woods and engage two of the Plagueburst Mortars.  The artillery would be lessoned for at least a turn...

  On the other side of the battlefield, the remaining Rhino disembarked its squad and immediately rammed the Helbrute.  The squad climbed the ruins and established a new firing position, hoping gun down the Daemon Prince's guard.  The Land Raider had to reverse course and try to get its occupants towards the daemon-lord but was much slower after taking so much damage. 

  To try to blunt some of the attack as Sicarius' group crawled over, the combat squad left the woods to the Scouts and moved to support their brothers.  With some well-placed firepower and nerves of steel, another of the Terminators was cut down and the last one wounded.  The Daemon Prince and his guardian knew what was coming next.

  With the battlecry "Courage and Honor!", the surviving Tactical marines charged right into the Daemon Prince.  While they knew it would be their death, they knew no fear and meant to fight.  The valuable time they would buy their commander was worth the dutiful sacrifice. 

Ultramarines Turn 2

  The Death Guard were not deterred and noted the Ultramarines were spread thinly.  Unfortunately, the Chaos force held no objectives as the two in their deployment zone were contested or claimed by the loyalists.  It still had not occured to the Daemon Prince just how tactical the Ultramarines were being.

  Rhw The artillery tanks simply retreated from the Assault Squads and exposed them to the firepower of the Death Guard squads, now moving to support their tanks.  With a few squeezes of triggers, the jump marines were eliminated and the battery could resume their task.  The untouched Mortar tank continued to lob shells at the Scouts, felling another one, and trying desperately to finish the Land Raider with no success.  The Helbrute, meanwhile, retreated from the Rhino and reclaimed the objective point, leaving a lord to beat at the armored side out of boredom.

  The Daemon Prince surveyed it all proudly.  It took a moment for him to remember the Ultramarines at his feet.  With little effort, he swung his daemonic weapon around and cleaved the squad completely down.  He and his wounded bodyguard reclaimed the central objective and eagerly awaited the next wave of loyalists to slay.

Death Guard Turn 2

Battle Round 2- Ultramarines 4, Death Guard 1

Battle Round 3
  The crescendo of the battle was finally here and the Ultramarines had to make many decisions to guarantee their victory.  They currently held three objectives, gaining three more victory points and pushing their lead higher.  Keeping that lead was going to require tactics...

  The Rhino, now fighting against a Chaos Lord and doing nothing, retreated to close the retreat angle of the Daemon Prince.  At the same time, the Land Raider disembarked the Veterans and Captain Sicarius and crawled forward to surround the prince and keep Sicarius' prey penned in.  The combat squad continued to advance and lay down fire until the final Deathshroud Terminator was stripped away.  The duel of warlords was at hand...

  The other flank of the battlefield saw the Chaplain and Librarian, without their support, dutifully charging at the artillery again.  The Chaos Lord that was guiding the artillery tried to intervene, but the Chaplain simply smashed him with his holy crozius and consolidated into the vehicles.  These characters would let nothing stand in the way of their task.

  Most importantly, the duel of warlords began and shook the battlefield.  Sicarius, backed up by his Veterans, charged the Daemon Prince and arrogantly declared his challenge.  With unmatched skill and masterful swordsmanship, the marine Captain wounded the enemy gravely.  But it wasn't enough.  With blood spittle flying from his mutated mouth, the Daemon Prince brought his massive warp-forged blade down to cleave Sicarius down.  At the last moment, Sicarius brought a flurry of blows in and dispatched the prince with his last breath.  When the tremors stopped, both characters lie on the ground, lethally wounded.  Both warlords lay slain... 

Ultramarines Turn 3

  The Death Guard were reeling from such an onslaught, seeing their warlord and one of the lords cut down in the same moment!  Worse, they only controlled two objectives, meaning that they weren't scoring many points against an army single-minded in their focus on points.  But all was not lost yet...

  The Plague Marine Squads continued their advance, even taking some time to shoot into the Ultramarines that were holding an objective point in the ruins.  With the trademark Death Guard rapid-fire rules, they put tons of bolter and plasma fire into the unit, leaving only the loyalist armed with the lascannon surviving, then to be shelled by one of the Mortars.  With some ridiculous luck, the ruins he cowered in saved him and allowed the Ultramarines to hold that objective. 

  The other Mortaor continued to shell the sniper hidden in the trees, only to be foiled by the camo cloak some more.  The Helbrute tried in vain to take down the Land Raider, but he wasn't able to put enough damage on the hulking tank and stayed content to hold the nearest objective for now. 

Death Guard Turn 3

Battle Round 3- Ultramarines 8, Death Guard 4

Battle Round 4
  Feeling victory now at hand and controlling almost all of the battlefield at this point, the Ultramarines began the process of consolidating.  They had lost Captain Sicarius, but had kept four of the objectives, giving them another four Victory Points.  The Death Guard knew that the battle was out-of-hand. 

  The Veterans picked up their severely wounded Captain and embarked back onto the damaged Land Raider, while the Combat squad did the same thing and embarked back into a Rhino.  The Rhino rushed foward and rammed the nearest unit of Plague Marines, hoping to keep them occupied and give the heroes some support. Unfortunately, the Plague Champion with a power fist had different ideas, popping the transport and forcing the survivors to face the traitorous scum. 

  The Librarian and Chaplain continued to run through the lines, now switching their attention a bit.  The Chaplain charged away and easily wiped out a unit of traitors while the Librarian added some firepower and then charged at a Mortar.  Unfortunately, the daemon-spirit sensed the psyker and blasted him with an entropy cannon.  Only dust remained and the artillery were suddenly safe. 

  The Land Raider and Tactical Squad on the other flank quickly destroyed the Helbrute and the Land Raider even tried to run over the lord still hiding in the area.  More than anything, it took that objective away and established even more board control for the Ultramarines.  The rest of the army did little but shuffle to ensure that they were able to hold their positions. 

Ultramarines Turn 4

  The Death Guard were losing ground quickly but still had plenty of artillery to wound the Ultramarines with, but it would require some discretion.  The Death Guard at least held one objective and could potentially knock the loyalists off of two.  Careful maneuvering and aimed fire...

  The Ultramarine with the lascannon needed to die and took the brunt of an entire Mortar- and survived!  The sniper Scout hiding in the woods also needed to die and took an entire other Mortar- and also survived!  The last Mortar tried to damage the unkillable Land Raider and also failed.

  The Plague Marines bitterly gunned down the combat squad in front of them and the other squad of Plague Marines watched as the Chaplain mowed some down only to be crushed by a power fist.  The Death Guard didn't cause the damage they needed to, but there was some vindication in the destruction they did get. 

Death Guard Turn 4

Battle Round 4- Ultramarines 12, Death Guard 5

Conclusion
  The battle was finished as the Ultramarines were able to clear and claim most of the field around the fuel station.  While they weren't able to destroy the artillery, the Ultramarines were able to take down the Daemon Prince but at the loss of Sicarius. 

  "The Captain was grievously wounded that day, but being able to slay that monstrous Daemon Prince was worth the price.  Sicarius knew exactly how to build his force and then use it to engage the enemy.  Most importantly, he was willing to sacrifice everything to ensure victory.

  "Don't believe the story is over, young marine.  The traitors aren't so keen on quitting and Sicarius seems to fight a lot of battles over and over.  This fuel station turns out to be much more than a single victory on his roll of honor.  There's more lessons to be learned, some the hard way..."