Melchett's Revenge- Dystopian Wars Game

Lord Commander Melchett stood atop the bridge of the HMS Thunderchild, taking in the bitterly cold sea air of the Southern Ocean. He had been sailing with his two escort vessels steadily south for a week now, chasing that damn engineer. It had been a week ago that one of Her Majesty's agents had told him of Sturginum's whereabouts, he immediately had set sail with the Thunderchild with all due haste.

A runner-boy interrupted his musings, exasperated and gasping at the frozen air. "My Lord, it's... it's... the fleet, they attacked the Eyrie, Admiral Cromwell took control of the Southern Fleet, stating you as a madman tilting at windmills and chasing ghosts, and immediately set to sea to attack". The runner by now had begun to catch his breath in the cold air, giving the statistics with time worn efficiency "the Achilles sunk, along with the vessels from S-Class. Frigate squadrons 1 through 4 all destroyed". Melchett's only reply was "Who controls the Eye now?". The runner needed only to say one word, "Sheridan".

With that word, Melchett's course of action was clear. The Thunderchild immediately turned around, and set sail at full steam back to the home port of Christ's Church. There he knew was the valuable ship yards and the better part of the Southern Fleet. It was a full 4 day's steam away, he just prayed that Sheridan stayed distracted enough by the Eye that he would not press home his advantage....

It was when Melchett reached the harbor at Christ's Church that news of the FSA fleet. Hawk Scouts had been trailing the ships as they left the Eye, Sheridan's flag flying high above the lead Battleship. It was clear they were headed away from the Eye, seeking the safer port of the Phoenix Islands. Clearly they had also received news of the intense storms which were expected for the area of the Eye, and sought safe port for their ill equipped paddle steamers.

Gathering his fleet, Melchett set off at full steam for the Phoenix Islands, with the intent of arriving as the storm closed, to make advantage of the Brittanian vessel's superior oceangoing capabilities.

The HMS Thunderchild with her supporting vessel, the HMS King George

Cruisers HMS Colossus, Vanuard and Excelsior with supporting frigate class vessels.

Melchett caught the FSA fleet leaving the Phoenix Islands, with bitter squalls effecting air support capabilities, the supporting reconnaissance and Hawk Scouts were unable to fly, and quickly quit the battle. Melchett caught the enemy vessel's abeam, ordering all of the forward turrets on the Thunderchild to target the enemy battleship off in the distance. The four turrets forward of the bridge spat forth round after round, targetting the core of the enemy battleship. Few were caught in a haze surrounding the ship, but one shell struck through, crashing into the enemy vessel causing an eruption of green fire, known among sailors as the "green dragon"- signalling an eruption of the fusion generators which powered the ship. Torpedoes rippled forth from the front of the Thunderchild, striking the enemy battleship. The enemy vessel was crippled, suffering extreme damage from both gunnery and torpedoes, and soon sank below the waves once the Thunderchild's  supporting vessel, the HMS King George joined fire.

The second enemy battleship, bearing Sheridan's color's skulked off around a nearby island, leaving the other ship to it's fate. It was only the first battleship's supporting Cruiser squadrons that sought to engage the British fleet, only to suffer the same fate as the Battleship, as the combined fire from the Dreadnought, Battleship and Cruisers were far too much for the small vessels to handle.

The only loss was sustained when a group of enemy torpedo bombers struck the cruiser HMS Colossus below decks, causing a fire below decks, causing the crew to abandon ship. Fortunately the ship was able to be saved, the vessel is currently under tow back to the safe harbor of Christ's Church.

In the confusion caused by the damage to the Colossus, the enemy battleship had escaped out of operational range. Despite the high seas, the enemy battleship was able to run at full steam out of the Phoenix Islands, the FSA quitting the area completly.

Melchett stood impassivly, watching the bow of the enemy Battleship finally succumb to the waves, as frigates moved in to collect those sailors who abandoned ship. The Thunderchild had defeated Sheridan again, but it was without a doubt that the FSA would return.

As the Thunderchild set sail once again for Christ's Church, Melchett could only think, Brittania's interests are preserved once again.

Melchett's map of the Pacific

 Melchett's spies intercepted Sheridan's log to his superiors, it can only be a matter of time before they return to trouble Brittanian waters once again....

So another super fun Dystopian Wars game, the Thunderchild proved it's worth exceptionally, taking just 2 turns to sink a FSA Battleship- crippling Jamie's ability to do damage to the Dreadnought, which would only mean it could keep doing more and more damage to the FSA with no fears of reprisals. It is sad that to make KoB work well, you have to take the Dreadnought, because of it's brutal effectiveness it is hard to pass up, but I don't want to use it all the time either! 


Melchett will be back....


CP

The Bangkok Naval Treaty- Dystopian Wars game

Lord Commodore Melchett sat impassivly around the large table. It had been scant few hours since he had departed his beloved Thunderchild for the neutral port of Bangkok. Four other naval commanders sat at the round table with him, all parties flanked by their aides of staff. Lord Melchett was uninspired by his requirement to be at this so called official gathering; why should he, Lord Melchett sit at the same table as his enemies? Especially to talk about limiting HIS naval power? Could they not see that the Brittanian domination of this economic zone was inevitable?

Two Prussian Commanders sat opposite one another, clearly members of different ethnic groups, one was spouting forth tirades of abuse which his translator blushed and refused to pass along; my aide informed me later that there was an ancient grievance between this Hungarian commander and the other Prussian. Commodore Sheridan of the FSA sat opposite Lord Melchett. Sheridan had the same opinion as Melchett, let the Europeans fight it out, then annihilate the rest. It had not been long since Sheridan and Melchett had come to blows, in the so called "Civil War" of the FSA. Brittania had interests in the winner of the conflict being... responsive to British economic involvement. Naturally, the interests of Brittania were served, as they always were.

It was now that Sheridan spoke up, explaining his proposal as if it were he were unwrapping a favourite present, pausing to ensure effect. The proposal was simple, a limit on tonnage of naval vessels in the Pacific Economic Zone. The Hungarian commander sprang up, continued his tirade and I can only assume swore the deepest vengance upon all those at the table, but especially Sheridan. The other Prussian asked his aide for a book, presumably to check the tonnages of his vessels; smirking and making the unmistakeable sound of a Zepplin's rotors, clearly he thought that the way around the restrictions. Lord Melchett knew of Sheridan's proposal prior to the meeting, Victoria's spies were ruthless in their efficiency. His anger hidden, his distaste for his opponents kept beneath his large mustache. He spoke only two words before leaving, "Brittania accepts".

This act of supplication was simply a farce. Not one day after, Lord Melchett aboard the freshly commissioned Majesty Class Dreadnought HMS Thunderchild was on the tail of Sheridan and his fleet. This fleet was Melchett's own, and as such had the latest in Sturginum technology, as a defense against the well known FSA firepower.

The Brittanian Fleet advancing in Line

The FSA quickly realised the threat, their long range recon aircraft spotting the heaving smoke stacks of the Brittanian vessels and immediatly called their fleet around, and directed fire onto the Brittanian vessels. The initial fire was sporadic and inaccurate, causing a minor hit on the cruiser HMS Warspite. Plunging fire from the Thunderchild was in concert with the fire from the Battleship HMS Iron Duke directed at the enemy fleet carrier.

The Brittanian line edges ever closer, but there are enemies in the distance....

Severe damage was inflicted upon the enemy carrier by the two vessels fire, while in an attempt to silence the enemy indirect fire from the Battleships, one of the Wolf Pack frigate squadrons steamed straight for the island concealing the battleship, to silence the enemy recon aircraft. The recon aircraft was silenced, but serious damage was inflicted upon the frigate.

The lone remaining frigate after their strike, two Doncaster bombers from the RFC fly past in an attempt to destroy the enemy balloons.

Meanwhile, the second Wolf Pack were hunting the enemy cruisers with the help of the nearby Cruiser Squadron, causing crippling damage onto all three of the enemy vessels, in short order the three enemy vessels were sinking rapidly.

A Wolf Pack strikes, Ack-Ack firing at the enemy bombers, turrets firing at the enemy cruisers

It was at this point that the squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps attached to the fleet from their operational bases on nearby Avenger Carriers made their strikes to protect the Thunderchild and the Iron Duke. Crippling damage was made upon the enemy bombers, but those proved to be a distraction as three waves of enemy torpedo bombers rippled waves of fire into the Iron Duke. The torpedo defence provided by the escort vessel was rendered helpless as the Iron Duke sailed in front of the protection; Melchett could only watch in horror as the torpedoes tore a hole through the bow of the Iron Duke through which water began rushing through, as she began to sink.

The tiny fliers attempt to destroy an enemy bomber, the enemy torpedo bombers are about to begin their attack runs on the Iron Duke

All the while, the Thunderchild had been steaming straight forward, guns blazing. It was only until she turned to the side that her full power was unleashed on the enemy Battleship, five of her six turrets striking the first enemy battleship with ruthless efficiency. Raging fires were observed over the ship, men leaping into the waves to avoid the onslaught. Lord Melchett wanted Sheridan alive, so that he could witness the Brittanian domination of the Pacific Economic Zone, as pennance for a wound given many years ago. Lord Melchett ordered the rocket marines off the surviving Wolf Pack to search the crippled Battleship , to capture the bridge and capture Sheridan. It was only after a bitter fight that it was realised that Sheridan was on the other vessel, the one that was now steaming away at a full head of knots past the Thunderchild. Sheridan knew of the weaknesses of the Majesty class, he knew no pursuit could be given. Lord Melchett could only feel that Sheridan's revenge would be coming with ruthless efficiency.....

The Thunderchild engages the two enemy Battleships, crippling one, while Sheridan escapes on the other.....

Vengance had been achieved for the Bangkok Treaty, Brittania would still "observe" the treaty, while building up the size of her fleet, to achieve victory in the Pacific!

For more on the treaty of Bangkok, head here.

One day till the painting challenge starts...

CP

Treachery among the Atoll

Time had barely passed enough for reserves to arrive to the battlegroup before dark, looming vessels appeared on the horizon. All hands were quickly placed to battlestations, as the vessels anticipated further bloodshed at the hands of the Empire of the Blazing Sun. However, the hawk eyed lookout atop the H.M.S. Achillies spotted that the vessels were not the sleek pointed vessels of the Empire, but rather the squat  and dubiously sea worthy vessels of the Federated States of America.

It had been barely longer than living memory that the Federated States and the Brittanians had been at war, the States fighting to be free of what they called the Brittanian's "oppressive yoke", which they did not realise was simply their rightful place as members of the Kingdom of Brittania! Certainly they had suffered in Cooper's opinion of vessel design, their flattened hulls although suited to the Mississipi would be a liability once the vessels ventured any further south.

The Captain had ordered the crewmen to stand down once the vessels were identified, as the belief was that the two nations were in alliance to protect their own interests against the Empire of Japan. Once the shells from the FSA vessels began raining down among the Brittanian ships, the Captain was heard to loudly cry "Are they bloody blind or just bloody stupid? Don't they know we are allies? The revolutionary war is OVER!" First shots had been fired by the FSA, claiming sailors from the nearby cruiser, causing severe damage to it's engine systems. The decision was simple, the FSA may have started the fight, but damn well the Brittanians would finish it!

Immediatly all hands went to the critical stations on the Achillies, as a shell struck the superstructure before those in charge of the Sturginum generator could get it online to provide covering support. The cruisers were faring badly, being caught without defense against a withering hail of heavy cannon fire, the shells from the single barrels of the FSA Battleship and Cruisers tearing great gashes through the hulls of the cruisers as if it were a flame through paper. It was only a matter of minutes before both cruisers were listing heavily to one side, before beginning the process of sinking.

While the FSA fire was being concentrated on the Cruisers, the lighter frigates began their task of harrying the enemy vessels, closing in with dash and elan, pouring fire from their twin turrets and launching torpedo strikes whenever a target exposed itself. It was at this point that the F Squadron of frigates (the H.M.S. Exeter, Avarice and Fury) burst forth from the wreckage of the smaller FSA ships to pour crippling fire onto one, then another FSA Cruiser, the fire setting alight their magazines, causing explosions to ring forth from the very bowels of the vessels, lifting both ships high into the air and tearing them in half.

The secret weapons again made an appearance at a critical point, the Captain again simply uttered the word "Overlord" into the wireless. The nearby FSA cruiser simply stopped firing, smoke ceased to billow from it's smoke stacks and when Cooper looked closely, he saw black clad men stalking the ship, and a Brittanian Flag flying on the mast. Cooper watched as silently next to the Cruiser two metallic hulls rose up out of the water, the black clad soldiers leaping back onto their vessels as they went off to stalk their next prey. Cooper could only watch aghast as the brass prow of the vessels began to slowly move, then pick up speed as the vessels steamed forward into the hapless FSA frigates. The consequences were violent and instantaneous, the two grey hulls continued their rampage, leaving broken vessels in their wake.

It was only now that the Achillies really began to spew forth fire from her guns, sending plunging fire against the enemy Battleship. Raging fires broke out over the enemy vessel as one of the secret weapons endeavoured to provide the coup de grace against the enemy battleship. The submarine's brass prow again burst into life, attempting to rip apart the battleship from stern to stem. Unfortunatly the submarine simply collided with the enemy, tore into it and became stuck and was easy prey for the enemy boarders, who were able to disable the submarine and capture it.

Upon seeing this, the Captain again issued a second order, "Chastise" was said into the wireless, as the submarine erupted into flame, from an internal source. The Captain turned to Cooper, and said "No secrets must fall into the enemies' hands, those sailors knew the risks, with great glory comes great sacrifice".

The enemy battleship evaded around a small gap in the atoll, evading the heavy fire from the Achillies. The commanders of the remaining Frigates offered to pursue the stricken vessel, but the Captain ordered a halt and a return to Darwin, there needed to be a refit and rearm, lest the battlegroup get caught by another Japanese ambush. In addition, the FSA were meant to be their allies.....

So, Dystopian Wars. 3 games down, many, many more to go! It is a really fun game, very easy to kill the small stuff but the big stuff is much, much harder to get rid of. Frigates were brilliant in this game, and my Battleship has been exemplary in both of it's engagements!

Hope you enjoyed reading them!

CP