Perimeter Borg of the Khanate released 28mm Ion Age

"The crust of Selway Minor III is thick with the volcanic deposits needed for the intense production of titanium and this has made the planet extremely valuable; despite its extreme frigid nature.  Mines cover the planet’s surface like icebergs expanding deep into the dead rock.  The largest of these the Grefa Mega City called Gicela was also the oldest and was the first place the Shia Khan Empire appeared outside of the contained Camarthen Cluster.  Elite Legionary infiltrator teams were materialised by Matter Gateway projection from Camarthen Prime and while the failure rate of this method was vast several teams survived and began their work in the darkness of the deep shafts of Gicela.  It took them weeks to assemble the delicate parts each member of the four Legionary team had brought with them to establish a stable ‘door sized’ Matter Gateway and to begin to bring in the invasion force through it.

During these weeks the infiltrators grabbed men, women and children who wandered far or would not be missed.  These they quickly and crudely turned into Perimeter Borgs. Attaching a control unit to the skull and then grafting the head and vital parts into mechanised bodies thralled to the Legionaries control.  Tracked and carrying a heavy weapon these expendable wretches established a controlled zone allowing the Legionaries to work unmolested upon their goal.  These Borgs would not live more than a few weeks but that would be enough time.

The first encounters with Perimeter Borgs went badly for the security patrols sent to seek out those missing. The dispatching of Gicela Planetary Militia platoons established there was a credible threat from what was initially thought to be a small Gryre infestation.  Destroyed Borgs being taken miles up to the higher city established that it was actually the Shia Khan. The great enemy of Humanity."  Academy Auto-Trainer Series 61, New Glastonbury, 4345IC 

We are delighted to present one of the rarest of the original 1990’s Ion Age models back into the world.  With the entire Ion Age 28mm range now in new molds and returned to the website as well as new releases taking it to over two hundred and fifty miniatures it is the ideal time for the Perimeter Borg!  Our sole sci-fi release for this month.

IA241 Perimeter Borg:  A multiple part resin and metal 28mm scale miniature.  Composed of four pieces (body, two tracks, head) easy to assemble.  Choose from a single model or a pack of four identical with a saving. A tracked cyber thrall with human head and Janus Blast Gun.  Dimensions assembled are 27mm tall, 25mm wide and 25mm deep.  Part of the Shia Khan Empire.

Shown above with a Human Betrayer (30mm total height) and a Psycoborg robot for scale comparison.

Not seen in the thousand years since the Ban of Prejudice the return of cyber thralls to Prydian Space came as an unpleasant surprise.  The Khanate incursion was thought to be contained in the Camarthen Cluster.  This was incorrect…  If you wish to see the Prydian Precinct as a whole (not just the small part seen here) then check out our PIA007 Poster which shows you all the star systems as an A3 print or a digital download.

Thank you for Reading,

GBS (Gavin Syme – Creative Manager)

Liathadyn Stormbrothers in Patrol Angis article and miniatures

A treat to end the month at The Ion Age with some Yeti fun.  Added to the Resource Wars page of the website a pack from Alternative Armies range which now has its own rules for use in Patrol Angis. Uplifted Yeti become the Liathadyn Stormbrothers in an article by the talented Aris Kolehmainen which puts the idea of Fred Richards into your forces regardless of your master.  Fight for the Throne or for the Khan.  See them HERE and read on for the link to download the article.

Using Yeti in Patrol Angis

A two page article written by Aris Kolemainen which gives you setting and statistics for the Liathadyn Stormbrothers big creatures who will fight for any master.  Put 30mm tall (Warlord sized) Yeti in your games of Patrol Angis.  To download click HERE.

While The Ion Age is its own setting it does have a measure of involvement with the HOF Range over at Alternative Armies in the form of the Resource Wars.  The earliest history of what would become the Prydian Precinct many thousands of years in the future began on Earth in the twenty first century.  As you can read in the game books the Resource Wars were the catalyst which moves Humanity off into space, firstly the mineral rich solar system and then in mighty generational Ark Ships out into the stars.  They took the patterns of vehicles and equipment with them and though they have never even heard of Earth in many cases there are worlds where Charger APC and other vehicles have been made anew.  A great way to mix up your Planetary Militia with a local defence force using these vehicles.  We have a number of free articles for this HERE.

Our release for this month was a fan demanded character!

IAF172 Lord Pompous

This code contains one 15mm scale white metal miniature in kit form composed of a body with two separate heads.  Dressed in customised and adorned Noblesse super heavy powered armour and cloak Lord Pompous is armed with a Moth Type 12 Multi Launcher.  Heads are supplied in helm (as shown) and bare headed giving a choice of build.  Refer to the free article for   Not supplied with a base (shown on a 20mm round base) and supplied unassembled and unpainted.  2.00GBP Go HERE.

The Desteria Knights are the super heavy infantry of the Prydian Army and of the Marcher Barons and the mercenary Condots.  Used to crack the hardest targets they carry the fire power of several Retained Knights and can withstand punishment which would destroy any lesser soldier.  We have a great value platoon pack of Desteria Knights which contains an additional free miniature unique to that code.  We also have two trooper packs and a command pack of these mighty soldiers which can all be seen on our website HERE.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Free Worldwide Shipping and a new free scenario for Patrol Angis

The Ion Age is delighted to team up with Alternative Armies and to make an offer of free worldwide shipping for our IonFans! If you want to get into our space opera setting or wish to try us out or expand your collection you can with no postage on orders of 15GBP or greater in the cart. Full details below.

We also have the promised free Patrol Angis scenario called 'By Sword Short and Long' a vicious close combat battle against a Malig Horde. Read on for details of these and our new release and month long offer too. Or go HERE to browse. 

Free Worldwide Shipping 

We offer two different types of worldwide shipping. Standard and Tracked. We are offering free worldwide shipping on standard (royal mail or air mail) rate on orders of 15GBP in cart of greater with no limit upon number of orders. If your order will received tracked shipping due to its value we will cover the cost of this and inform you. This offer applies to all miniatures and books and accessories on our website and all of our other offers (weekly deals, bundles, divisional army packs) which feature a discount are included too. Digital Downloads are not physical items so they do not qualify for postage but in mixed orders with physical products they will count towards the total. If you would like to take items from Alternative Armies and The Ion Age then you can do so by sending us an email with your name, address, paypal email and a list of codes and quantities to us on info@theionage.com and we will come back to you with an invoice to pay. It may take us time to reply to you but as long as your proposed order arrives with us before the end of the period we will honour it. Go to our website and add what you want to the cart. This offer ends at 9am GMT (UK Time) Wednesday 1st August 2018. Go HERE for the website and look around.

By Sword Short and Long – Click HERE to download the scenario.

This free full length Patrol Angis scenario sees talks with a Xin Trader go wrong for a lance of Retained Knights as they are attacked by a horde of Maligs. It is tight quarters combat but will the powered swords of the Knights and their Duxis Battlesuits be enough to compensate for the great goblinoid numbers? A close combat intense scenario which takes placed in the Camarthen stellar cluster after the activation of the Matter Gateway. Will they cut their way clear? Find out now. To play you will need a copy of Patrol Angis and The Khanate Return you can get these in print or as digital download HERE. 

Here are the pictures taken from our play testing of this new scenario for you to enjoy. Click on them on the blog post here to make them larger. 

There are other free files for you to download from us for Patrol Angis. Go to this PAGE on our website for the list of what we have for the game system.

IAF163 Retained Post Echo 

Our new release this month is the fifth post of Retained Knights ready to see off enemies as diverse as the Marcher Barons and the Khanate Empire. These knights are skilled in the arts of close combat and make use of powered melee weapons. Mix them in with your other knights for assault lances. Code IAF163 contains ten different poses all wearing Alwite powered armour and carrying a variety of weapons including Octa Powered Sword, Roaz Powered Axe, Pelleas Powered Mace as well as Tumbler ranged weapons. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 5.00GBP per pack. 

Our month long offer this time is...25% off all the variants of the fantastic Duxis Battlesuit in 15mm scale both close combat types HERE and ranged types HERE. Seven variants of a fantastic 30mm tall model. Ends 31st July 2018. 

Thanks for Reading,

 GBS

Cranid Space Brains in Patrol Angis free article

“Look, I’m no ‘Vaulter. I just happen’ta be one of them lads who make sure them ships keep move’n ‘cross the stars right’n proper. But let me tell’s ya somethin’: Ya don’t need’a’be one of them “High’n Mighties” up on the bridge to know that the Dolo Cloud’s where sanity goes out the hatch and skip’s away in’ta the void… 

An example? Sure. Ya seem’ta have the stomach fer it. Let me send’ya over the wall... Let’s talk about those giant floating brains. 

Yeah, ya heard me: Giant. Floating. Brains…” 

Vincent“ Southpaw” MacCabe, 133rd Engineer corps, assigned to the “Radiant Light” 

 

It is my pleasure to bring you the last news for the month from The Ion Age. It has been an excellent and fun month with three new Grey Adder APC's plus Midsummer Madness (ending this Friday at 9am GMT) as well as free rules for the new Adders in play and of course the month long offer of 20% off the mighty Tohlic Armoured Crawler and our new pack of 40mm Round Bases. All worth a look and a read. We end with a great free article by Aris Kolehmainen which brings you a new tongue in cheek faction for Patrol Angis..among the Dodo Clouds are something rather different. The Cranid Space Brains! Read on for more. 

Minds without Measure Craniads in the Ion Age rules by Aris Kolehmainen 

This six page free expansion article for Patrol Angis gives you game statistics and force buildings rules plus background for an alien civilisation in the grip of devolving. These aliens are floating space brains and a fine if rather odd enemy for your Prydian Army or Khanate Legions. Click HERE to download the article from our web hosting. We have many other free articles on our 15mm Publications page plus the game books and a starter game pack. If you wish to field the Cranids then you can with the miniatures for them from Alternative Armies now on our website in the Resource Wars page. Here are some pictures used in the article which were taken from our play testing of the new force. We faced off with the Cranids using a two mixed lances of Retained Knights, Grav Bikes and Battlesuits. Great! 

Many thanks for Reading and if you have not placed your order for the month with us as yet then now is the time as offers end soon and all our releases are made for June 2018. See you in July! 

 GBS

Nic Evans imagines The Ion Age

It is my great pleasure to present to all of you IonFans the new artwork of a fellow who has gotten into the setting of the Prydian Civil War in a big way.  A person of sketch excellence I give you four pieces by Nic Evans.  Go along to the Alternative Armies Tabletop Gaming group on Facebook and join up if you want to see where he hangs out talking Patrol Angis.

A Knight at Rest.  This Retained Knight has removed the helm of his Alwite Powered Armour and is deep in contemplation.  Perhaps he is considering the actions of the day and how they compared to the ideal nature of the Code Gallant or perhaps he is nearing the time to begin a campaign and is readying himself for war.  Either way this art captures the weight upon his shoulders.  

Patrolling the Swamp.  His arm raised to call a halt to an unseen advance this Retained Knight has grown out his hair and been on campaign for many weeks.  In the Swamps of an unknown world the enemy lurks...but where? 

The Bombardment.  A wall stands before the advance of the liberating Prydian Army and it falls to this master of the artillery to direct guns in an effort to hammer down the barrier.  Long Barrelled Angis 25mm cannons fire their high explosive rounds to the parapet to begin the felling.

Bustle and Hustle.  This could be any one of thousands of cities across the Prydian Precinct where peace from the civil war is a fortunate reality.  Personal shuttles and repulsar transits buzz around and between the rubbacrete and golglass towers. 

So there you have it. Excellent work Nic!  I love the retro style of these almost wood cuts which reminds me so much of the classic artwork of the 1970's when sci-fi was weird and alien with all manner of possibilities. 

Later this week we will be returning with another IonFan blog post and then the last release of the month the SuperBlue 2.0...tank killer Adder!  The SuperBlue is a lean mean death machine designed by the madly talented Sam Croes.  It will be supplied with a free IAF160 Anti-Gravity Base too.

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Mortis ex Machina the Metaborg Proauctor by Aris Kolehmainen

From the era of the Ban of Prejudice and before that the long vanished Resource Wars it is my delight to present a historical document for use with Patrol Angis.  A Khanate terror machine used in ancient times which has appeared once more in the Second Khanate War in 4330 IC.  Written by Aris Kolehmainen this article gives introduction and rules for the Metaborg which you can get HERE on the website and stands 60mm tall (HOF16 and HOF17).  Pictured with the 15mm scale Psycoborg to the left and a Warlord to the right and in front 15mm scale Legionary and Pioneer (16mm tall) from the author's own Medusa Legion.  Enjoy!  GBS

Mortis ex Machina

the Metaborg Proauctor

With the honor and glory of the spearhead of the invasion having been granted to the Styx Legion, other legions were charged with establishing a forward base in the ruins of Camarthen IV. It would be the Medusa Legion that first discovered the long hibernating Metaborg Proauctors, having been charged to seek out any resources that might still be useful to the Shia Khan. Pertinax crews got to work, quickly waking the ancient AIs form their millennial slumber to reestablish themselves to their role as lords of death and terror on the battlefield. While many of these AI had become corrupted or had simply ceased to function, many were able to be awoken and distributed among the Legions by the time of the Prydian counter attack. 

The Proauctors proved to be more fragile than their current counterparts, however, they made up for that fragility with long forgotten experimental technology known as “Drivers”. Drivers are, at their most base level, AI enhancers. They allow the Metaborg to make tactical decisions much faster and more efficiently than even the current Metaborg variants, however, these come with frustrating drawbacks. On the battlefield, Perfects often complain that the Proactors will move out of position or overload their weapons when they are not instructed to do so, sometimes resulting in the loss of battlefield assets. Off the field, many whisper about what the enhancements to the AI might have done, especially over such a long period of time. 

Rumors have begun amongst the Maligs, that some of their ilk have gone missing when hanging around the repair cradles of the Proauctors. Though laughed at by Legionnaires and Pioneers as the deranged thoughts of weaker minds, they were also apt to notice that the Beotan make a warding gesture in the presence of a Proauctor, and that Pertinax crews never seem to work on one in groups less than three. They, themselves, often find they are walking a little quicker around a resting Proauctor, and the feeling of being watched by its gigantic, eyeless visage isn’t spoken of, but felt by all…

Metaborg Proauctor - Dysforia Variant

Weapons:  Triple Jupiter Plasma 46mm Mount (U), Banshee 120Kw Atomic Destabiliser (U)

Movement Rate:  22cm

Armour Type (Rating): Ganus Segmentum Plating (4)

Properties: No Crew Robot, Walker, Chameleon circuit, Ablative Shell, Humascare, Krakos Mk.I

DMR: 10

Points:  923

Metaborg Proauctor - Nekros Variant

Weapons:   Hydra 14mw Laser Swarm Cannon (U), Metaborg Impact Gauntlet

Movement Rate: 22cm

Armour Type (Rating): Ganus Segmentum Plating (4)

Properties: No Crew Robot, Walker, Chameleon circuit, Ablative Shell, Humascare, Telos Mk.I (a)

DMR: 10

Points: 764

Special Rules:

Krakos Mk.I Energy Overkill Driver

The weapons of the Proauctor Dysforia are enhanced by a complex and once experimental power boosting system. When the Dysforia AI finds it appropriate, it can over charge its energy weapons, enabling it to utilize a much more powerful attack. However, these systems were not designed to handle such raw power, and the weapons must spend time in a period of “cool down” to prevent the weapon itself from melting.

When you attack, any roll of 8 grants that hit +4 strength. However, this forces the system to go into “cool down” mode at the end of combat. One activation must be spent to bring the weapon back online before it can fire again.

Note: If both of the weapons are in cool down mode, you need to use one activation for EACH weapon to use it again. You CAN choose to only reactivate one weapon and leave the other shut down if you wish, but you MUST spend an activation to bring it back online.

Telos Mk.I (a) Reaper Collateral Driver

The Proauctor Nekros are enhanced with a special AI driver that reviews target data from three independent drivers before cycling though to the decision cortex of the Nekros AI. The result of this is that the Nekros tends to spread it’s damage much more efficiently, at the cost of sometimes moving itself out of position to ensure the kill.

The Telos Mk.I (a) adds +1 to the Nekros AOE and Impact Gauntlet hits, however sometimes the driver compels the Metaborg out of position to attain a better shot, or to move into close combat. After you declare your intent to fire a weapon, roll a D8. On an 8, the Nekros moves 11cm in a direct line towards the closest enemy unit, (taking into account difficult and impassible terrain as if it had made a regular movement action). If this brings it into base contact with that unit, it is considered to have changed and may initiate close combat as per normal.

Relic of the Past

Metaborg Proauctors are ancient in the extreme, and while expressly deadly, are also prone to failure due to their age and rushed repair.  If a Proauctor takes 6 damage or more in a single round of combat (ranged or close combat), roll a D8. On an 8, there is a critical system failure and the Metaborg goes completely offline. Treat this unit as destroyed. 

Mullo AFV and APC Tracked, Wheeled and AntiGrav 15mm vehicles released

The big release for March 2018 is now online at The Ion Age!  Six different variants of the 15mm Mullo with wheels, tracks and repulsar (anti-gravity) propulsions as Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).  Easy to assemble and on average 45mm wide, 80mm long and 30mm tall with resin and white metal parts.  Go HERE for them.  Thanks for your support and read on for more information  plus a free download with the rules for these vehicles in Patrol Angis. Awesome!

“The Prydian Civil War saw the production of the Type 36 Mullo Armoured Fighting Vehicle increase six fold.  Though Retained regiments had made use of them since the Battle of Fenway Prime, the design of the Mullo was entirely new unlike those of the Skylark and Adder which dated from before the Ban of Prejudice.  Its original fabrication pattern was laid down on New Glastonbury to fill a need for a ground vehicle that could provide fire power in excess of that offered by battlesuits such as the Havelock but not that needed by a battle tank like the Taranis series.  Restricted to the ranks of the Retained, the Type 36 was made to accommodate powered armoured knights with larger hatches and linked controls along with internal space suited to knights.  As it stood Adders were cheaper and faster to make and could pack a punch but their size meant they were really the domain of the Muster and some lucky Planetary Militia.  The Type 36 was given its name by the Council of Addans who with a node to the mighty Taranis took another ancient Terrain deity of celtic origins and knowing it would be a work horse of a vehicle gave it a name thus.

This auto-trainer vid is centred on the Type 36W Mullo AFV marks.  Those with a wheeled mode of movement rather than the other commonly seen Type 36G repulsar marks of the Mullo which float off the ground.  Used on worlds and asteroids where the native magnetic fields make replusars impracticable or in urban combat where rubble and enemy action requires tires on the turf for security.  In this regard its six mighty wheels provide powerful motive abilities and are capable of shrugging off small arms fire and near misses from Anvil 888 rounds.  There are seven different current marks of Type 36W Mullo AFV's.  The more common ones are the 36WA, 36WB and 36WC in which the only differences are the twin load outs of the turret support grade weapons.  Twin Valerin 15MW Laser Cannons give the Type 36WA an energy based weapons platform good against armour and aircraft.  The twin Fretan  II Rail Guns give the Type 36WB a pure anti-vehicle role in the field and the Type 36WC is every effective against enemy infantry and battlesuits with twin Angis 25mm AP Cannons.  The other common mark is the Type 36D which is in the 'battle bus' configuration giving up its primary weapons for additional space and hatches as an Armoured Personnel Carrier.  Other marks include those designated 'super blue' which is a tank hunter and the 'long bow' mark which carries heavy Anda Missile Pods for artillery support.  These are rarer but present in many regiments.  

All marks of Mullo AFV's have a titanium composite hull making them rugged and durable and can be driven with a minimum of complex training. There has been a call for additional anti-personnel ball mounted micro turrets for Mullo's in action in urban warfare and these upgrades have been rolled out where possible.”

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 18, New Glastonbury, 4329 IC

The Mullo is the medium size of vehicle in our range in 15mm scale which is ideal for Retained Knights, Muster and Planetary Militia. Bigger than the Adder series of Combat Cars and smaller than the Taranis Main Battle Tank this is the wheeled AFV variant of the model. There are six different Mullo kits.  Three medium fighting vehicles and three medium personnel carriers.  Here are their details and on the page for each there are more images including scale and parts.  You can purchase one or three with a saving.

IAF042A Mullo AFV Wheeled

A Mullo is an Armoured Fighting Vehicle meaning that it fills a variety of roles from gunnery support to troop transport and strong point defence; tasks it is well suited to. Once assembled the Mullo AFV wheeled measures some 80mm in length with a width of 60mm and a height to top of turret of 30mm. It is easy to assemble with a one piece hull and pre-set bracketing points for the six wheels to be mounted. The Angis 12.5mm AP weapon on ball mount can be attached to the front of the hull or left off if chosen.  The pintle mounted Angis 22mm AP Rifle is white metal and can be left off or put on. The main turret is one piece with two mounting points for a pair of support grade weapons.  Supplied with three choices for the turret: Twin Valerin 15Mw Laser Cannons, Twin Angis 25mm AP Cannons and Twin Fretan Rail Guns.  Go HERE.  10.00GBP

IAF042B Mullo AFV Tracked 

A Mullo is an Armoured Fighting Vehicle meaning that it fills a variety of roles from gunnery support to troop transport and strong point defence; tasks it is well suited to. Once assembled the Mullo AFV tracked measures some 80mm in length with a width of 60mm and a height to top of turret of 30mm. It is easy to assemble with a one piece hull and pre-set bracketing points for two tracked units to be mounted. The Angis 12.5mm AP weapon on ball mount can be attached to the front of the hull or left off if chosen.  The pintle mounted Angis 22mm AP Rifle is white metal and can be left off or put on. The main turret is one piece with two mounting points for a pair of support grade weapons.  Supplied with three choices for the turret: Twin Valerin 15Mw Laser Cannons, Twin Angis 25mm AP Cannons and Twin Fretan Rail Guns.  Go HERE.  10.00GBP

IAF042C Mullo AFV Repulsar 

A Mullo is an Armoured Fighting Vehicle meaning that it fills a variety of roles from gunnery support to troop transport and strong point defence; tasks it is well suited to. Once assembled the Mullo AFV repulsar measures some 100mm in length with a width of 55mm and a height to top of turret of 35mm. It is easy to assemble with a one piece hull and pre-set bracketing points for two anti-gravity units to be mounted. The Angis 12.5mm AP weapon on ball mount can be attached to the front of the hull or left off if chosen.  The pintle mounted Angis 22mm AP Rifle is white metal and can be left off or put on. The main turret is one piece with two mounting points for a pair of support grade weapons.  Supplied with three choices for the turret: Twin Valerin 15Mw Laser Cannons, Twin Angis 25mm AP Cannons and Twin Fretan Rail Guns.  Go HERE.  10.00GBP

IAF042DW Mullo APC Wheeled 

IAF042DT Mullo APC Tracked

IAF042DR Mullo APC Repulsar

The Mullo APC is an Armoured Personnel Carrier meaning that it transports up to fifteen troops a short distance into the fray. Once assembled the Mullo APC measures some 80mm to 100mm in length with a width of 55mm to 65mm and a height to top of turret of 30mm to 35mm. It is easy to assemble with a one piece hull and pre-set bracketing points for propulsion units. The Angis 12.5mm AP weapon on ball mount can be attached to the front of the hull or left off if chosen.  The pintle mounted Angis 22mm AP Rifle is white metal and can be left off or put on as with the 12.5mm Angis ball mount. Choose from three types using the options on page.  You can purchase one or three of the same type with a saving by selecting it.  Go HERE.  10.00GBP

Players of Patrol Angis using the heavy vehicle expansion title Callsign Taranis are most welcome to CLICK HERE to download from our website a free article with game statistics and more in it for use of these six new vehicles in play.  There are other free articles which can be had for Patrol Angis HERE on the website by following the links hosted on our website.  Enjoy!

Lastly a note upon the nature of the new Mullo 2.0.  Those of you who have been with The Ion Age since 2014 and been playing Patrol Angis may well have a wheeled Mullo in your collection.  This is now the Mark One and is gone and out of production permanently so if you have it you are fortunate and have a piece of history on your table which is still perfectly useful in play.  The re-design of the Mullo for this Mark Two set of six variants was needed in order to give other means of propulsion and once we had done that we thought a new turret would suit better and then we wanted to give you all the weapon options included plus a pintle mount..so here we are.  At once the same and not the same.  The Mullo...workhorse of the Prydian Precinct. 

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

Bonding Cubed an Ion Age short story by Aris Kolehmainen

I was captivated to read a short story by long time IonFan and devotee to the Shia Khan the talented Aris Kolehmainen.  I will admit I thought up the title of this tale but that aside the penmanship of this work is entirely of Aris creation. What will an ancient sentient intellect of war do when it finds kindred ship with a young knight? A grav bike steed is a thing of beauty. So without further ado read on for Bonding Cubed! GBS

Bonding Cubed

• • •

“I never said I loved him.”

[[You didn’t have to. He knew.]]

“I’ll never have the chance.”

[[There was nothing you could do.]]

“But I could have–“

[[Claire.]]

“I might have–“

[[Claire.]]

“…What?”

[[Focus. 2 o’clock, 38°pro]]

Claire snapped around the corner and looked up, her Angis rifle’s auto-trainer locking in with her eyes, while she allowed her suit to assist her aim. In seconds, three Maligs were reduced to three gouts of blackish green viscera. The mag light flashed in her HUD as her ammo read zero, without thinking she cocked the bolt, ejected the spent magazine, and slammed a new one in it’s place.

[[Movement, 3 and 10, inbound. 15 seconds. Move.]]

“Where? I don’t see an exit.”

[[Scanning… South south-east. Over that pile of rubble.]]

She looked at the pile, it was enormous. Several floors of the building must have come down there. Had she not spent her jump fuel, it would have been an easy escape. Climbing that even with suit assistance would leave her exposed for too long. At her waist, soft bag of ornate leather held a small cube about the size of her armoured fist. She could almost feel the frustration emanating off of it.

[[You can do this.]]

She hesitated.

[[He wouldn’t want you to die.]]

She ran.

The rubble pile was worse than she imagined, for every foothold was an awkward jut of rubbacrete or re-bar. But she climbed. Quick as she could she manoeuvred around the obstructions, but her eyes were only half on the task. Her attention was split between the treacherous climb, and her HUD which now showed movement five seconds out, and with at least another eight meters to climb.

[[Keep going.]]

Five meters left. The blips on her HUD were getting brighter, louder.

[[We’re almost there.]]

Two meters left. The blips are an angry red now, she could hear the sound of footsteps, and something much larger.

[[Hurry. They brought a Psychoborg.]]

She crested the rubble and rolled quickly over, slamming her fist onto the Chameleon Circuit control. There was a nearly inaudible hum as her armour began to redirect the light around her, and her body vanished into rubble.

Quietly she crawled up to the ledge, and peered over. Several Legionnaires slowly entered the room, their rifles training, seeking a target. Claire didn’t move, she forced herself to stay still, slow her breathing. They moved over to where she had been only moments before, spinning around the corner weapons ready to strike, or impale, someone hiding there. One of them pointed up to where the Maligs had been and where their internals now decorated a wall. One of the Legionaries who was wearing a white cape over his grey fatigues and neon green armour examined the scene for a moment before pressing a button on his wrist.

A moment later, a loud and rhythmic thumping began to grow. Claire could feel the hairs raise on her arms, and her heart rate was increasing. Claire knew the symptoms of a Humascare Field from briefing, but it didn’t make it any less pleasant. When the Psychoborg emerged, she forced herself not to gasp. A monster of metal, crafted in the likeness of a great skeletal demon. It took in the room with glowing eyes, it’s head slowly panning from left to right. There was something about the way it moved... its reactions were too lithe, its movements too exact, and it’s fingers seemed to twitch as if in anticipation. By all battlefield accounts, it was supposed to be just a robot, but machines shouldn't move like that.

It scanned the room again, its massive head slowly panning the room. It gestured and spoke in a  guttural, monotone voice to the caped figure, who nodded curtly back at it. With that, the legionaries began briskly moving away in the direction they had come, with the Psychoborg following them at its own pace. Claire watched them leaving and prepared herself to move. Without warning, the Psychoborg whipped itself around, it’s massive weapon pointed directly at her, barrels spinning.

[[Run.]]

There was no hesitation this time. The Psychoborg roared as its weapon began to hose her location with metallic death. She rolled back, ducking the initial shots and ran. A lucky bullet caught her pauldron as she turned, shorting out her Chameleon Circuit. In the half second that her body was visible and exposed, her blue armour went black in half a dozen places, as it bubbled and melted away from the impact of a half dozen laser contacts.

But still she ran...

* * *

She didn’t remember how far she ran, or for how long. She didn’t remember stumbling though the ruins of the mall into the open. Nor did she remember holding onto what remained of her arm, severed by laser impacts. She didn’t remember collapsing in front of a mighty Taranis tank, or the honourable Baron Aldo Murdo himself lifting her off the ground to rushing her to the Med Corps. What she did remember was the terror, the loss, and the pain.

When she finally opened her eyes, all she could see was white. Her first thought was that she had died. It was plausible enough, considering what she could remember. But as her eyes began to focus, she realized she was laying  in a Med-Op bed. Still fighting off exhaustion, she tried to lift the covers, but nothing happened. She looked down and saw that where her left arm was, there now wasn’t. Panic set in, and she tried to scramble up, but a gentle, firm hand kept her in place.

“Rest child. You have done your Princess proud.” The deep baritone voice of the Bannerette seemed to resonate deep within her and she allowed herself to lay back down. Like all Bannerettes he was a hulking figure in powered armour. His blue Alwite armour intricately carved with arcane symbols of his brotherhood, and over this, a ceremonial crimson robe with gold trim. Rarely was a Bannerette seen in public in anything but full battle attire, and it seemed now was no exception.

“Where am I?” Speaking hurt, her throat felt dry and chapped. Sensing this, the Bannerette took a glass of water from a near table and helped her drink. The cup was tiny in the Bannerette’s mighty gauntlet, Claire thought it might have been humorous to her if she hadn’t been in the shape she was in.

“You are on the Cassillis Portable Castle ‘Endless Vigil’, we have left the planet some time ago.”

The Bannerette raised his hand gently in a warding gesture, catching her thoughts before she spoke them.

“No. No, not a retreat. We have gained ground. The Princess is cycling out the front line. There are many wounded, and many more tired. Fresh knights and muster will secure our victory.”

The Bannerette pressed the release on his helmet, allowing her to see his face. He was old. Not just old for a solider, but old. Long braided grey hair fell to the side of his head, a short grey beard streaked with dark black, and eyes deep as the ancient oceans and nearly as blue.

“Fear not, young one. Your loss was not in vein,” his eyes softened a with sympathy, “Nor was his.”

Clair pushed herself into a sitting position gingerly, determined to hold some dignity over herself, especially in the presence of one such as him. She was still a Knight, even without an arm and put though the gnashing teeth of the Khanate, only to be spit out. The Bannerette watched her patiently as she awkwardly righted herself in the bed. 

“My lord, may I speak bluntly?”

He arched an eyebrow, and smiled, “You may, yes.”

“I understand that I am in bad shape, but I am sure there are worse than I and of much higher rank. I am not a knight of any particular renown or standing, so I wonder why you are here at my bedside?”

The Bannerette chuckled as he pulled from his robe a cube. It was bronze in color, metallic, and slightly larger than her hand, it took her a moment to remember but right when it clicked the Bannerette spoke.

“A Ventus Cube. A venerable one, too. Normally, a cube will be destroyed with the death of its owner. It is a merciful act. However a handful passed down from age to age. They gain knowledge, and experience of life times. This is a Ventus that remembers.”

[[Hello Claire.]]

Claire sat straighter in her bed.

“This Ventus was beholden to the Noble house of Baron Harkill, whom was slain in the line of duty to his Princess. As you know, a Ventus Cube is quite the rarity. Both to see one, and more so to own one. However, we at the Tor have come upon quite the perplexing mystery with this Ventus' emotional matrix and subverted bonding algorithms.”

“I… I don’t understand?”

The Bannerette smiled. “Of course not, our ways are not your ways. Suffice to say, under normal circumstance, it is we who choose whom will receive a Ventus Cube. An artificial intelligence that grants curious power, and prestige to those whom attain one. However-”

[[I wish to remain with Claire]]

She stared at the cube for a long moment, startled.

“House Harkill is ancient, and holds firm to the Code, as they always have. Upon news of this development, they wish to bestow this Ventus upon you, in line with the wish of the cube itself. They feel that your sacrifice in the line of duty is worthy merit in your inheriting of  their family's ancestral cube."

The Bannerette placed the cube on the bed in front of her, gingerly and gently as if laying down a newborn child.

"You realize, of course, the honour that comes with being given the privilege of maintaining a Ventus Cube? Well, I believe that this honour is greater still as this time, perhaps even the first time so far as the Grand Archivist could find, a Ventus has chosen its possessor. Now, would you accept ancient, and time-honoured responsibility that comes with the possession and privilege of the Ventus?”

Her mind swam. This was unheard of in so many ways. She stared at the cube, wondering how things would change for her, and as she did, the cube stared back...

* * *

[[They won’t escape.]]

“You’re damned right they won’t.”

Claire pulled hard on the handles of the Burgeon 201 Steed, it’s tail sliding wide behind it before gunning the engine. The Shia Khan Orb banked off a rock outcrop, nearly flipping itself like a bulbous coin, but somehow maintained balance. Much to be said about Khanate gyros, she thought.

“Charge it!”

[[I am ahead of you. Laser charge at 85%]]

Claire twist the throttle, and picked up speed. She was about to line up on her target when the Orb spun its turrets backward and let loose a barrage of rockets. Munitions drifted past her as she dodged to the right, then pulled her Steed hard to the left, riding up another rock face onto a plateau. She pulled hard again on the throttle. At this angle, the Orb couldn’t get a bead on her without changing its direction. Once again, the high ground would prove to be the advantage.

[[Laser charge at 100%]]

“Soon as I fire, get ready to turn and burn.”

[[Understood.]]

Claire veered hard, and the Steed leapt off the edge of the plateau, tapping the thruster control, she bee-lined directly at the Orb. She smiled at the sudden realization the Khanate wouldn’t see her coming. Her right hand thumbed the trigger, sending a crimson lance of energy directly though the crew hatch of the Orb. The mono wheel seemed to stutter for a moment, losing balance just before it went up in a massive explosion as it’s rocket ammo bins ignited.

“PUNCH IT!”

She pulled back hard, swinging her tail to the ground as the boosters kicked over. Rocketing her up and away from the exploding war machine. She allowed herself a moment to take in the scene. This Orb had been a scout, luckily it looked like the main Khanate advance wasn’t immediately near, so getting back to the defensive line shouldn’t be a hassle.

She had been out of the field for nearly a year, receiving cybernetic training for her new arm, Ventus training, and learning her new role as a Steed rider. But revenge is a good motivator, and the Khanate had much to answer for. From her headset, the deep voice of Baron Murdo broke the silence.

“Knights and warriors, our ancient enemy now approaches our defensive line. On this day, these invaders will learn that where we stand, they shall never tread. With fire and fury, we shall be their doom! All lances and those of Taranis distinction too; phalanx formation! Advance!”

[[So it begins.]]

“It seems so, we’ll head back now. Give me a full throttle burn for as long as you can, there’s a war on and I’d hate to miss it.” 

FINIS

Morag of Vagan a tale by Michal Janecek

It was my great delight to get a short tale with some excellent pictures from IonFan Mr Michal Janecek who really likes the Afara Strider mecha in the 15mm Ion Age range.  

His own collection includes some cool colour schemes such as that of Morag.  He is also a new designer who currently has one vehicle released with us the mighty Tohlic Armoured Crawler.  

We are in the middle of the pre-order promotion time for the Khanate Attack Orbs (savings, free items, bundles) so check them out HERE once you have perused this short tale.  Enjoy!  GBS 

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Morag of Vando

Mercenary Afara Strider Pilot

Morag had lived as one of four children of common family in system Vando and almost whole her life she wanted to live on her own but this was very unusual for a young girl like her. As civil war came, she decide to enlist the muster regiment. She received a training as muster of league of Yordan. She became a soldier with some technical specialisation. She went on many systems, saw few battles but it wasn‘t what she had though.

The turning point was at Marlow  – the hard battle between Yordists and Clansters which finished as great stalemate. The battlefield was covered by dead bodies and less or more damaged or destroyed vehicles. No one cared of anyone. She left her cover and shocked wandered through the battlefield. She found heavy damaged Afara Strider model 26WA with almost shot off its Valerin laser, broken its left hand, but able to move. She used her technical knowledge and set the Strider in move out from battlefield.

With help of some native mechanics (in exchange for some valuable loot from battlefield) her Strider became ready to fight. She replace its Valerin laser with Octasword and broken hand was replaced by almost new one with shield from model 26WB. She started her mercenary career.

Her Strider was like colourful ghost – some parts were green, some blue… some in raw metal… but in many battles was enough just to show Strider up and those who were dare to fight her was good practice to train the driving and fighting with her Strider. Those battles were only poorly paid but her Strider became a legend. She painted it white and pink as she did with her Alwite armour (what found on the same battlefield as her Strider).

In Keek system she was seen by Steiners and the commander of Steiner’s expeditionary forces hired her, because of Strider isn’t the king of the battlefield, but better to have one on his own side than on the other and this is how started cooperation of Morag with family Steiner, the rulers of system Melian. She is on her own, but with very close connection with Steiners. This connection brought the last modification – a large communication equipment on back of her Strider because when she is on the battlefield she is the queen of it, the army of one and she needs to know where is her presence needed at the most.

Thanks for Reading.  Michal.