Work In Progress: Shas'El Sidestriker

The wind swept across the airfield and wisped through stands of Fire Warriors, their single braids and locks flowed in the wind. Rows upon rows of the Cadre's warriors stood at attention, one hand at the side and one held behind the back. Beyond the airfield, the mountains of the great world Thoth loomed, witness to the arrival of the sleak Tau Manta.

Old Shatter Hands, still clad in his pilotsuit of an XV8, stood with his back to the great phalanx facing the sleak form of the Manta. He eyes studied the bay doors as they slowly opened. From within, a trio of Tau warriors walked forward. As they came into the light, the grey haired Shas'ui, Rymo, called out, "We, the warriors of the Tau'va, salute you!" with the command came a great boom, like thunder, as the entire phalanx of Shas'la gave the tau salute at once.

Old Shatter now approached the three, "Welcome to Thoth, my cousins."

He turned to the warrior on the left. The sun glinted off the warriors face. His entire right side was riddled with scarred flesh. Old Shatter Hands reached and grabbed the Warrior by the side of neck and inspected his brother's face. The warrior resisted slightly then yielded. Old Shatter suddenly embraced the warrior. "Welcome, brother! I see the campaign on Taros was a harsh one. Here on Thoth, under my command, the Cadre will keep you under a more watchful eye."

"Aye, my brother, thank you, what of cousin Centurion?"
Old Shatter Hands looked to the ground and then into his brother's eyes, "He fell. We’ll not speak of it any longer."

"Sidestriker!” Old Shatter then moved to address the next Shas'vre in line, "The Aun speak highly of you. Even the Shas'la tell tall tales of your successes. If they are even half-truths, the Fio'la will begin wallowing out settlement domes in less than six kai'rotaa. Ha!”
"Surely, the Aun have guided me well my lord, but it is only for the Tau’Va, not glory that I fight.”

"The Cadre is honored by your presence.”

Old Shatter then turned his gaze to the last of the three, a stockier, shorter tau, decorated with the symbols of a broadside pilot. "Fio." Old Shatter Hands said quickly inspecting the short warrior.

"Aye, Commander"
"I hear your piloting skills are to be envied among the Shas'la. You'll have to prove yourself in battle to gain the respect of my XV88 team. A Fio leading them will come under suspicion. You may have impressed the Aun with your skill, but I am yet unconvinced."
"If the Tau'va wills it, my lord, I will not disappoint you."
"Don't fear my disappointment, but your Cadre's."

Just a work in progress update here as I prepare for the Inner Circle Tournament on Dec 12th. This is my new Shas'El Sidestriker. He's much younger than Old Shatter Hands but still a member of his extended family. He's armed with a Fusion Blaster and Missile Pod, Targeting Array and Tracker. The idea being that he'll be able to pop transports that are close to my lines with enough punch to explode them for my Fire Knives (lead by Old Shatter) and Deathrains to finish off the troops that pile out.

There are some basic conversions, a Shas' El Tael pattern helmet, single jet pack but some extras that make him unique. The weapons have armored plates covering them, taken from some space marine bits (not sure where), The best thing I think is the pose. It conveys energy and enthusiasm, which is suited to Sidestriker's fluff.

Enjoy!