AAR: March 29, 2013 - Space Hulk Entry

A mighty space hulk has emerged from a rift in the warp.  A monstrous spaceship that bears signs of a rough passage through the warp and the scars of many battles.  The markings are strange - unknown.  No signals are detected on board.  Could just be space garbage, but it never hurts to verify things like this...  Both the Orks and the Storm Herald Space Marines send a small expedition to determine the nature of the craft.  Their mission objective changes rapidly once the enemy is detected on board an exposed and natural entry point.  The goal now is to eliminate the foe and then check out the spacecraft!

Crossover - Chapter 57

Shaddar leaves Kug to his work and seeks out Barrityl and Yanivlitan.  He can sense their minds in the main audience chamber and sees that they have things to discuss with him from their thoughts.

“Report!” Shaddar barks as he enters the hall.  He strides briskly to the pair of drow and stops with his hands on his hips.

Barrityl bows slightly as he responds, “Great one, you will be pleased to hear that there are so many worthy drow who could be useful as a part of your army that we do not have room to house them all inside the palace.”

“This is a gratifying problem to be presented with,” Shaddar says with a nod.

“Many of the lower classes of drow were quite excited with the idea of not doing their normal labors for the humans and instead to do something for the glory of the drow race,” Barrityl says with pride.

Crossover - Chapter 56

The brawlers and other members of Flame’s group stand in shock, staring at the body that now lies on the floor of the pub.  Shaddar mops delicately at his mouth with a handkerchief.

“Over here men, please,” Shaddar commands, pointing at the corpse.  “The fluids will be finished draining momentarily and you can deliver my completed message – sans about nine pounds – to the Guildmaster.”

One of the burly men turns away and becomes sick behind one of the tables in the pub.  All of them are pale and motionless – frozen with fear.  Pathetic.

Shaddar turns to his thrall and says, “To the victor go the spoils!” 

Crossover - Chapter 55

Shaddar waits by the bar and the regulars of Goggo’s Fisticuff Pit stay well away from him.  Even they can sense he wishes to be left alone.

Toothsnatcher waits nearby, but close to the door in order to intercept any threats that enter the building.  He is surrounded by slightly drunk fans who are congratulating him on his victory and questioning him as to his fighting style and where he learned it.  The minotaur mostly answers in monosyllables or a variety of grunts.  The locals find his behavior quite novel and there is much laughter from their group.

“Where’d ya get this scar?” asks one of the men.

“Someone was clawing at me as I broke his neck with my bare hands,” growls the annoyed minotaur.

The group surrounding him laughs and raise their mugs to his grim reply.  It is obvious from their thoughts that they do not understand that Toothsnatcher is being quite truthful.

Shaddar shakes his head.  “Idiots.  They must have never heard the proverb: ‘Never pester a minotaur’.”

Crossover - Chapter 54

People flee from before the approach of Shaddar and his blood-splattered thrall.  It is not so much their hideous appearance, but the rumors and reports of slaughter that seem to move before them much faster than humans could normally run.  Shaddar is amazed at the efficiency of their grapevine.

Doors slams shut and shutter click together as they draw near to each building and the crowds of people are quickly thinning.  Those humans who see them, invariably turn around and run in the opposite direction.

Toothsnatcher is enjoying himself immensely.  “Best day ever!” he thinks, quite pleased that Shaddar is pushing deeper into the slums and seems intent on causing more trouble. 

“It is useful to have happy thralls – they seem to work more efficiently when they find their orders agreeable,” Shaddar thinks.

Crossover - Chapter 53

Shaddar and Toothsnatcher look very out of place with the well-dressed and excited people whom they stand in line with.  The thought of, “Why are these two freaks in line?  Aren’t they entertainers?” runs through most of their minds.

The exceptions are those members of the Guild of Villains who are running this scam.

“Ha!  These fools literally throw their gold at us!”

“That man in the purple vest and wearing a gold monocle is here to inquire about his dog’s health.  Best get that tidbit to Martus.”

“Say…  Isn’t that tall fellow wearing a funny uniform…  Hold on…  Oh, no!  The Guild of Swashbuckling Rogues!”