The Anglo-Russian War: Grab the Guru! (Part 1)

Count Vladimir Zabatov and Team Okhrana posing for a group photo before the competition. 

As mentioned in our previous dispatch, the Mad Guru is not dead and Department H (there is no Department H) has located his hiding place in an old, abandoned temple near the Princely State of Chaimbellistan. Unfortunately for the British, the Russian Imperial Secret Service has also located the location; but, they want to point out to him that their goals coincide with his during the ongoing Anglo-Russian War. With issues in the Boer States, China, and the war in India, Department H (there is no Department H) has contracted the mission to Lady Helen Quartermain and her Sky Pirates. 

Lady Helen Quartermain, Commanding.

With the Anglo-Russian War I wanted to add the VSF element behind the scenes of the "historical" big actions - plus the secret world of VSF may influence what happens in the next battle. When I first came up with the thought of a fictional, what if, war between the British and Russian Empires in Indian, I decided I was going to do small skirmish action using the Second Edition of In Her Majesty's Name. IHMN2, in my opinion, is the best set of Victorian Science Fiction (VSF)  rules that allows you to build your own framework. HG Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, H. Rider Haggard; you name it, you can use IHMN2 to play it. On with the game!

Just a reminder of the team statistics.

Where the Mad Guru is hiding.

The Mad Guru must be captured! (or escorted to the safety of Russian Imperial territory if you're name is Count Vladimir Zabatov!)

The initial Russian setup with the Count, Boris, Kavik, and a Siberian Rifleman on the left and Natasha and her pet Siberian Wolves on the right.

First Mate "Bull" Rodgers and two crewman are opposite the Count and his minions at the rear entrance to the abandoned temple.

"Cajun" Cate, the medical officer, Lady Quartermain and the Black Dragon are on the other side of their deployment zone.

The black D10 is the Okhrana and both the Count and the Lady have the same +2 Leadership so the Okhrana has the initiative.

Next:

1. What the heck is that thing and what will it do.

2. The Count, being the Count, counts 6 arms and 6 swords. But he is the greatest swordsman of Imperial Russia.

3. Slicing and Dicing.

4. But what about Lady Helen?

5. Dang. Bull has big eyes.

The TFS Audacity

The Free Ship (TFS) Audacity under the command of Lady Helen Quartermain.

Following the destruction of the Weldon Institutes dirigible Go-Ahead by Robur the Conqueror and his airship the Albatross, the small aerial fleet of the United States engaged the Albatross near Philadelphia, PA.  Though the Albatross was defeated and severely damaged, it escaped and the ship responsible for the victory was the privateer TFS Audacity, under letters of marque, commanded by Lady Helen Quartermain.  

The Albatross.

Lady Quartermain and some of the crew of the TFS Audacity.

With the expanded rules for airships in the Second Edition of In Her Majesty's Name, I thought it was about time I finished painting my airship. It was the first MDF model I did and I learned a valuable lesson: PAINT THE PARTS BEFORE ASSEMBLY! Good lesson learned. Anyway . . . the TFS Audacity is painted and ready to fly. Rules for Lady Helen Quartermain and crew can be found in the Second Edition of In Her Majesty's Name.

"Da, she's not a pretty ship. But she'll put the fear of the Lord in the hearts of her enemies", Chief of Boat (COB) Sergey Rozhenko in discussing the TFS Audacity to some potential "clients" on behalf of Lady Quartermain.

The guns and machine guns came from Pulp Figures.

The airship kit is the Mozzy Class Airship from Crossover Miniatures. Extremely clear instructions, all of the parts fit and it was fun to put together - and I'm not good with models! It was a gift from Honorable Sons #1 through #5 and I was happy that they also purchased the very sturdy display base to go with the ship.

Taking on supplies in Chaimbellistan.