The second scenareo in the aeronautica book involves a landing rescue mission. The tau have the orca, flanked by two barracudas, with two more in reserve. The imperials begin with two lightning fighters and have two thunderbolts in reserve.
As the tau player, I placed my marker about 18 inches from the opposing long table edge, and set up my orca flanked by the barracudas, max speed, altitude 5.
The imperial wanted to simulate an orbital insertion, and started at alt 9.
Immediatly I powerdived the orca, and moved it right at the objective, the barracudas moved to intercept the fighters. He moved in to join in the combat.
Turn two was more closing, nothing exciting.
Turn three allowed his tbolts to enter.. my reserves were out getting coffee, and were nowhere to be seen. Once the tbolts came in, he adjusted his tactics and drived for the orca.
He managed to draw first blood with a long range lascannon shot which damaged a barracuda.
The next round of fire ended the game. I had initiative, the red baron unloaded its weapons on a tbolt and cut it out of the sky in a fantastic display of firepower... but a lucky lascannon hit from a lightning hit my landed orca... and since bombers that are grounded only have 2 hit points, the 6 he rolled killed it instantly.
Lesson learned: do not underestimate the lowly lightning. Lascannons hurt!
