The jungle planet of ZX1329 was colonized decades ago by the Imperium, which built there great factories to exploit its plentiful biological and other natural resources, as well as to extract its plentiful reserves of Goatronium. However, something happened: an undiscovered organism perhaps, or industrial pollutants and genetic mutation, or even a dangerous experiment gone wrong. Whatever it was, the flora turned deadly, with the lush vegetation producing a range of pathogens and biotoxins that rendered the planet unsafe for any form of human settlement. ZX1329 was abandoned, and the jungle soon reclaimed the buildings and machinery left behind.

Fungus-based Orkish biology is rather more robust, however. When greenskin scouts stumbled upon ZX1329 and discovered it was ripe for scavenging, word soon got around that there was ordz o’ gubbins ‘and nosh fer da takin’. It wasn’t long before two large scavenging parties descended upon it. One of these belonged to infamous Warboss Krizmurk the Destroyer,  the other to the renegade cybernetic leader of the Great Grot Socialist Revolution, Doctor Morork. The two were bitter enemies, and as committed to destroying each other as to looting the abandoned industrial zones of the planet.

Scenario Rules

Four mysterious objectives are placed in the industrial zone, representing particularly important pieces of scrap and machinery. The identity of these is determined when a unit moves within 3”. Control of each is worth 1 Victory Point at the end of the game.

One relic is placed within the ruins. This is worth 1 Victory Point if controlled at the end of the game, and d3 Victory Points if successful removed from the table.

The crashed Aquila Lander may or may not be an objective, as per the standard rules.

Slay the Warlord, Line Breaker, and First Blood are each worth 1 Victory Point. In addition, the player who has destroyed the most enemy units scores an additional d3 Victory Points at the end of the game.

All woods count as Dense Thickets providing a 4+ cover save.

The battlefield, looking to the north. Objectives are located atop the southern landing pad, in the first industrial sector, second industrial sector (relic), and two more in the chemical refinery. The crashed lander may also be an objective. The Orc force will enter from the west, while the Grots enter from the east.

The revolutionary socialist Grot Army chose to deploy and fire first, hoping to deplete their reactionary opponents with Grotty proletarian firepower before the enemy could close to melee combat—something in which the Orks had a decided advantage.

• Morkanaut (with Doctor Morork and 10 Grots)
• Gorkanaut (with 5 Cybork Slashas and Painboy)
• Killa Kans (4)
• Mekboy Junka (with 10 Grots)
• Grot Tanks (5)
• Grot Tanks (5)
• Grot Megatank “Grotempkin”
• Grots (20)
• Grots (20)
• Grots (10)
• Lobbas (4)
• Kustom Megagkannon

On the left, the Gorkanaut (with the Cybork Slashas), a unit of Grot Tanks, and some Grots were sent to secure the landing pad, lander, and first industrial zone, 2-3 potential victory points, backed by the Shokk Attack Gun and a smaller detachment of Grots.

In the centre, Doctor Morork decided to be more cautious. The Killa Kans would be sent forward, but they would be backed by considerable firepower: the powerful weapons of his own Morakanaut, both batteries of Big Gunz, and the Mekboy Junka. If necessary, these units could also provide firepower to the left and right flanks too.

In the right, the an effort would be made to secure one or both objectives in the chemical plant. To this end the Megatank, a squadron of Grot Tanks, and a sizeable units of proletarian foot-Grots would be sent forward.

Vegetation has begun to overrun the abandoned industrial sector.

For the Ork Army, it was clear what they needed to do: smash da traitor grots and seize da loot.

• Warboss Krizmurk the Destroyer
• Warboss Daryl
• Meganobz in Battlewagon
• ‘Ard Boyz (12) in Trukk
• Warbikers (6)
• Tankbustas (12) in Trukk
• Burna Boyz (5) in Trukk
• Lootas (9)
• Slugga Boyz (30)
• Shoota Boyz (30)
• Deaf Dreads (2)
• Deffkoptas (5)
• Dakka Jet

The Slugga Boyz and both Dredds were sent to capture the crashed lander, landing pad, and first industrial zone. In the centre, Warboss Krizmurk would personally lead the Meganobz in the Battlewagon, bagged by the Shoota Boyz. The chemical plant would be secured by the Burna Boyz and Tankbustas, led by Warboss Daryll. Finally, a the Warbikers, ‘Arbboyz, and Deffkoptas would be sent in a wide arc to attack the Grots’ right flank.

The Orks tried, and failed, to seize the initiative.

Looking towards the abandoned chemical refinery from the jungle.

And so it was that battle was joined under the initial cover of darkness.

* * *

The Grots advanced towards the landing pad, with the Gorkanaut and Grot tanks focussing their fire on the Lootas, destroying much of the unit. Their morale held, however. The Lootas returned fire at the Grots, while the Deff Dreads and Slugga Boyz ran forward towards their objectives. The latter, however, came under devastating fire from the Lobbas, which would wreak havoc on Orkish units throughout the battle. The Cyborg Slashas disembarked from the Gokanaut and headed towards industrial zone #1, firing upon the remaining Slugga Boyz as soon as they were in range.

The two armies move towards each other near the landing pad.

In ruins overlooking the city center, the Shokk Attack Gun fired at the approaching Orks. Whether due to bad aim, a warp in the fabric of space-time, or the distraction of over-excited Grots tugging on his pant leg, the Mek missed and instead obliterated part of a Grot unit below. Moments later he fired again, and BZZZZZTUPPT  …vanished in a flash of green light.

Big Mek Whatsdisdo and his Shokk Attack Gun shortly before his self-obliteration.

In the centre, the Battlewagon and Killa Kanz moved towards each other. The Shoota Boyz occupied industrial zone #2. There their numbers would be slowly whittled down by fire from the Big Gunz.

The central industrial zone. Dr. Morork’s cybernetic transmitter can be seen atop his Morkanaut in the foreground, while Grots climb on the seats and chant revolutionary slogans in the Junka below. In the distance Krizmurk the Destroyer advances in his Battlewagon.

At the chemical plant, the Megatank “Grotempkin” trundled forward, immobilizing and then destroying a Trukk and forcing the Burna Boyz to dismount. The foot-Grots ran forward , while the Grot tanks rolled forward a little too.

The Tankbustas moved up, dismounting from their Trukk. They opened fire with rokkits, severely damaging the Megatank. Rather than retreat, the Grotempkin continued forward with revolutionary élan, firing upon the Tankbustas and destroying their Trukk too. A few more rokkits and a Bomb Squig or two would, however, eventually sink the valiant Grot land-vessel.

The foot-Grots enter the chemical refinery as the Grotemkin and Tankbustas exchange fire.

While this action was underway, a large Ork force consisting of the Warbikers, Deffkoptas, and ‘Ard Byz,set off at high speed to hit the Grots in their right flank. Seeing the threat, the Grot Tanks changed direction to meet them.

A formidable mob of speedy Orks heads off in an attempt to turn the Grot’s right flank.

The Grot tanks fired a salvo from their Grotzookas. When the smoke cleared all the Warbikers were dead, as was one of the Deffkoptas. The Grot tankers celebrated by chortling various unprintable revolutionary limericks.

The Orks kept coming, however—eventually joined by their Dakkajet, which strafed the little midget armoured vehicles. Eventually the Grot tank force was destroyed, but not before sit had effectively stalled the greenskin flank attack.

The Grot tanks. Moments later the ‘Ard Boyz would pull them apart.

Meanwhile back in the central industrial district, Krizmurk the Destroyer disembarked from the Battlewagon with the Meganobz. Two of these were killed by fire from the Morkanaut, and the survivors were then charged by the Killa Kanz. After a lengthy melee the Grot walkers emerged victorious, killing the Ork warlord and his retinue.

The Killa Kanz finish of the last of the Meganobz. Krizmurk the Destroyer has already been destroyed, leaving his attack squiq “Cuddles” to look on forlornly.

Meanwhile at the chemical factory, Warboss Daryl assembled the surviving Tankbustas and Burna Boyz and moved towards the Grots. The Grot fire was devastating, wounding the big Ork and killing the Tankbustas. Not one to be deterred, Warboss Daryll charged—losing most of the rest of his force to overwatch fire. His last words as he was mobbed by enthusiastic squeaking gretchin were said to be “pleese don’t tell my boyz ’bout dis…”

Back at the landing pad, the Deff Dredds trundled through the wrecked lander, discovering an unstable fuel core but emerging unscathed from the ensuing explosion. They then assaulted the Grot force on the objective, forcing them to flee. Their victory was short-lived, however, as they were soon countercharged by the mighty Gorkanaut.

The Deff Dredds and Gorkanaut at the landing pad.

Although the huge yellow Grot walker was seriously damaged, it did manage to pull apart both Dredds. It then clambered atop the landing pad and began a thunderous dance of joy. The Grots—long the exploited underlings of the Orks—had struck another blow for freedom. With a final score of 7 to 2, victory was theirs!

The Gorkanaut celebrates the Grot victory. Never underestimate a minion!