A Climatic Struggle in the Void

With the Imperial Navy reinforced with numerous Astartes Strike Cruisers, the final battle is looming before Grand Admiral Loros Thorax. The remaining Tyranid ships are gathered around Ulant, attempting to keep the Imperial forces from making planet-side.  

The Admiral has divided his forces into three subfleets for greater flexibility. He commands the battleship Holy Imperial Wrath supported by Strike Cruisers from the Space Wolves and Raven Guard with War Storm and The Claw, respectfully. The subfleet also contains the Light Cruiser Majestic Fury and 5x destroyers.

Vice Admiral Janx Spiroway with his BB Emperor's Eternal Wrath supported by Strike Cruisers from the Ultramarines (Iron Sentinel) and White Scars (Vengeful Sword). The Light Cruiser Triumphant Light, 3x Frigates (Victorious Hammer, Golden Sword and Pure Fury) and 3x destroyers complete his force.

Finally there is Admiral Bazel Luminor of the Blood Angels with his Battlebarge The Strength of Sanguinius with the Strike Cruisers Tempered Fist of the Imperial Fists; Indomitable Anvil of the Salamanders; and Chaos' Bane of the Dark Angels. They fight with 3x Frigates: Pure Dawn, Sacred Glory and Glorious Bruiser with 2x DD.

Before the Imperial Might, the Tyranids will fight with 4x Hive Ships, 6x Cruisers, and countless Kraken, Vanguards and Drones. They completely surround the planet, and dare the Imperials to try their luck...

After the initial turn with the three subfleets pushing forward (upper-left: Admiral Thorax; lower left, Vice Admiral Spirroway; right" Admiral Luminor), the various Nid forces exploded from the planet's outer orbit to attack. But the opening exchanges were an absolute failure for the Nids. 6x Drones and 6x Kraken lost at the cost of only one DD. Note at the center of photo is the planet Ulant itself (small globe representing the planet)..

A closeup of the struggle for Admiral Lorax...

Similar view of the Vice Admiral's sector...

And last but not least, Admiral Luminor...

Turn 2 sees both sides closing to close range and mounting losses...

In Thorax's sector, a DD succumbs to the Nids, and Drones and Kraken swarm the LC Majestic Fury. but the Navy responds and vaporizes 2x Kraken and a Vanguard...

For Spiroway, 2x DD and the Frigate Victorious Hammer are overwhelmed. The Tyranids however are burned with more numerous losses, inc a Cruiser, 3x Kraken, a Vanguard and 2x Drones! Note, a closer view of Ulant seen in upper-right...

As his DD burst thru the Nid line, Luminor sees all three of his Frigates destroyed! But The Strength of Sanguinius and Tempered Fist demolish the Cruiser closing on them while 5x Kraken are eliminated as well. The fight is going well...

Turn 3 will see the first major vessels imploded...

 

Although Lorax sees 2x DD lost, his Holy Imperial Wrath and the Wolves War Storm pound a Hive Ship to pieces! 3x Vanguard also see the Emperor's vengeance. You may notice the Salamander Indomitable Anvil holding back. It was due to heavy damage taken in the last battle, and the goal of protecting the company of Astartes on board...

Spiroway is staggered with the lost of the LC Triumphant Light and Frigate Golden Sword. He is encouraged when a Nid Cruiser is opened to the void...

The Frigate Pure Dawn is lost and The Strength of Sanguinius finds itself swarmed by numerous Tyranid vessels, but holds strong...

Turn 4 sees the Imperial Navy gaining the upper hand...

While Lorax pounds a Hive Ship (which moves into deeper space behind the Imperials), the final Nid Vanguard is pounded into dust in the sector...

A second Hive Ship is hit so hard it is surprising she didn't explode! One of the final Kraken is lost as well.

Luminor and his Battlebarge fight through their tormentors, and most of the surviving Tyranid fleet is heading the wrong way!

It was a great game and fight but time ran out on us. Two of the surviving Hive Ships were fortunate to still be alive, another turn would probably have seen them lost. None of the Strike Cruisers took serious damage so it was agreed that the Tyranid fleet would have been hunted down and annihilated. The way to Ulant was now open to the Imperial forces!