Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Exterminate" - Part Three

“The story so far… A Federation experiment on an extra-terrestrial life-form has gone horribly wrong. Having successfully secured the endoparasitoid species on board the orbiting Weapons Research Facility, Roj Blake has momentarily joined forces with Section Leader Klegg and two Federation troopers in order to help reduce the number of Aliens which they face. But can the Liberator's crew trust the Death Squad troopers, especially when the freedom fighters are already struggling to cope with the seemingly unending waves of murderous creatures and their jump-suit wearing colleagues seem intent on taking all the highly-prized objectives solely for the Terran Administration..?”

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Exterminate" - Part One

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Exterminate" - Part Two

THE TABLETOP - THE "GORDON RICHARDS" FEDERATION WEAPONS RESEARCH FACILITY

Vila Restal moved north to the Stargate Room’s airlock and effortlessly picked the door’s lock. With a rasping hiss and enormous Alien Warrior loomed large from inside and with a scream the thief cowered before it. With a cry Jenna Stannis was beside him and her space shotgun fired. Sadly the ex-smuggler missed, but with ‘Plenty of Ammunition’ on her, she fired again and brought the large extra-terrestrial down to the ground.

VILA RESTAL DISCOVERS THE BIGGEST ALIEN YET AND UNSURPRISINGLY PANICS

Believing the room was now vacant of hostiles Section Leader Klegg swiftly moved inside and claimed the Stargate objective for Supreme Commander Servalan. Scanning his portable strategic computer, the balaclava-wearing Terran goon realised that the humans had now cleared out over half of the Aliens infesting this area of the abandoned space station. Victory was in sight… But to his south, the Federation trooper guarding the long western corridor was forced to fall back as he managed to kill only one of the five slavering monstrosities travelling east towards his position.

Blake meanwhile gave the Death Squad trooper beside him a quick order, and together they moved closer to the Alien Hound in the Green Room. Roj missed the beast with his weapon. However the Federation soldier did not, and the creature died a grisly death.

SECTION LEADER KLEGG CAPTURES ANOTHER OBJECTIVE FOR THE TERRAN FEDERATION

Startled by two Hounds who leapt into the junction between the Radio Room and Stargate Room, Jenna opened up with her shotgun, and, bringing down both brutes, gained enough experience to level up (to yellow). Klegg meanwhile took advantage of the distraction to quickly search the Stargate Room and uncovered… an Alien Stalker. Backing away, momentarily unable to fire upon the fiend due to his acidic blood, the Section Leader was amazed to see the extra-terrestrial crumple into a dead heap courtesy of a rifle shot from Vila.

Ordering the Federation Trooper to his north, Blake fired at two more Alien hounds that snarling, had padded into the Green Room. The Liberator’s captain proved a poor shot. But fortunately his Death Squad companion did not, and blasted the pair to bits. Meanwhile the trooper to Roj’s north blazed away at the writhing mass of Aliens pouring down the lengthy western corridor before ducking back south. The black-clad soldier had only dispatched a single Stalker.

BLAKE AND JENNA FACE A SEEMINGLY UNENDING TIDE OF ALIEN HOUNDS AND STALKERS

The harsh hissing of two Alien Hounds and a Stalker forced Vila to spin south. There he saw the fiends had come between himself, Jenna and Klegg and the route to Green Central. Terrified the thief fired his Space Rifle twice and grimaced as the extra-terrestrials all remained standing afterwards. Pushing the cowardly Liberator crewman to one-side the Section Leader fired thrice and sneering at his cowering companion as all three of the monsters slumped dead to the floor. Clearly Klegg was destined to be a Terran Federation Poster Boy…

TERRAN FEDERATION POSTER BOY - SECTION LEADER KLEGG

Stannis meanwhile took the opportunity of the western corridor being somewhat clear of Aliens and moved east down it. She was joined by one of the Death Squad Troopers. It was time to take the final fight to the extra-terrestrials. But already six Stalkers were fast approaching, with something much larger looming behind them.

Thinking somewhat similarly, Blake gave his accompanying Federation Trooper a quick order, and then entered the Green Room. A Stalker hissed at him from the south and exploded in a spray of green acidic blood as Roj’s gun (for once) proved true. Confident his rebel companion had cleared the area of threats the Death Squad soldier sauntered south past the freedom fighter, and spotted another Stalker to his west. Panicking, the Terran warrior missed his target, and with a victorious snarl the Alien was upon him.

THINGS LOOK BLEAK FOR THE LIBERATOR CREW AS THE ALIENS GET LARGER

Fearing his opponent’s acidic blood, the Federation trooper wisely backed away north from the hissing extra-terrestrial and then gunned the beast down with his firearm. Much farther north, the other Death Squad Trooper killed three of the fast-approaching Alien Stalkers. Klegg joined his team-mate and slew another two. Whilst Jenna charged east firing and brought down the enormous fully-grown Alien Warrior that had been towering over its deadly kin. Hoping everything was safe Vila quietly left the safety of the Stargate Room.

THE EX-SMUGGLER BATTLES ON AS MORE AND MORE ALIENS MENACE JENNA STANNIS

With matters finally under control south of the Green Room, Blake tapped an order to Klegg via his wrist communicator and continued to kill any Alien Stalker or Hound foolish enough to try and rush him from the adjoining corridor. The Section Leader joined Jenna Stannis and together blasted away at any and all the extra-terrestrials trying to pour west towards them. Eventually the slimy fiends’ numbers dwindled and stopped. The battle was over and the Federation had succeeded in killing enough of the monsters to make the creatures rethink their strategy for their human prey…

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Exterminate" - Part Two

“The story so far… A Federation experiment on an extra-terrestrial life-form has gone horribly wrong. Having successfully secured the endoparasitoid species on board the orbiting Weapons Research Facility, Roj Blake has momentarily joined forces with Section Leader Klegg and two Federation troopers in order to help reduce the number of Aliens which they face. But can the Liberator's crew trust the Death Squad troopers, especially when the rebels are already struggling to cope with the seemingly unending waves of murderous creatures..? And just how is Vila Restal going to survive having been ambushed by three Alien Stalkers..!?!"

Zombicide Report: Alien Verses Blake's Seven - "Exterminate" - Part One

RECAP: VILA FLEES BLAKE'S SIDE ONLY TO FIND MORE TROUBLE BEHIND AN AIR-LOCK DOOR

Terrified at being surrounded by three Aliens just west of the Green Room, Vila swung his space Fire Axe for all he was worth and somehow managed to chop two of the Stalkers down to size. Unfortunately the monster's acidic blood sprayed all over the thief, causing him two wounds. Hearing his cries Blake barked out an order to Jenna via his wrist communicator and then picked up a nearby machete he just happened to spy lying around. Stannis meanwhile, scooped up a shotgun she had found in Green Central and started blazing away at the remaining extra-terrestrial tormenting Restal. The creature fell to the floor dead. But once again injured Vila by covering the cowardly criminal in its acidic blood.

THE TABLETOP - THE "GORDON RICHARDS" FEDERATION WEAPONS RESEARCH FACILITY

Section Leader Clegg smiled as he heard the rebel scum shouting and screaming up ahead. Perhaps he wouldn't need to kill them himself after all. For now though he contented himself with simply searching the Robot Room and was delighted when he discovered one of the Federation's latest Terran gas-mask helmets. Further North, the two Death Squad troopers opened the door to the Green Room, claimed the area's objective for their corrupt Administration and nervously watched an apprehensive Vila. Even more concerning was the fact they could all hear the rending of metal some distance away, as if the fearsome fiends they fought were trying to tear through a bulkhead door...

VILA ALMOST FALLS AS THE FEDERATION DEATH SQUAD CAPTURE ANOTHER OBJECTIVE

Blake, having quietly spoken to Jenna, once again searched Green Central and found Plenty of Ammunition. The Liberator crew's leader swapped weapons with his female companion, and then smiled as he saw Stannis lift a space katana off of a wall-mounting. Hearing fast-approaching footsteps Roj turned to see Section Leader Klegg, two Death Squad troopers and Vila join him.

The pounding at one of the airlock doors to the North was getting increasingly louder. Until without warning the supposedly secure interior entranceway buckled to one side and through the large gap poured a number of the savage-looking extra-terrestrials. With alarm Blake noticed that a couple of the brutes resembled vicious canines. Bracing themselves the heroes momentarily awaited the arrival of the Aliens...

BLAKE'S SIX MAKE A LAST STAND IN THE CENTRE OF THE FEDERATION RESEARCH COMPLEX

   Roj once again gave Jenna a quick order and then blazed away with his pistol at the fast-approaching monsters. Unfortunately he missed completely and had to watch impotently as Stannis took down one of the brutes before she bravely moved northwards. Desperate for a weapon better than his space fire-axe, Vila used his torch to hunt around Green Central for something useful and found a rifle and pistol. Unfortunately his significant injuries meant the thief was extremely limited in what he could carry. In addition his red-hot acid burns weren't helping his aim much either, as Restal missed when he tried to fire the rifle.

Section Leader Klegg boldly moved north alongside Jenna, and showed her what a professional soldier could achieve by killing an Alien Stalker. The Death Squad commander was soon accompanied by his troopers, who promptly slew a Hound and actually advanced to outside the Radio Room. A sudden growl to the west gave one of the Terran troopers concern enough to cause them to fire down the corridor at another extra-terrestrial canine. But the shot went wide and the formidably-jawed dog-creature was upon him. Fortunately the man was momentarily saved by his recently acquired new-and-improved Federation helmet.

SECTION LEADER KLEGG SHOWS JENNA HOW THE FEDERATION FIGHT EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS

Staggering East away from the hungry Hound, the Trooper saw six more Alien Stalkers rushing towards him from down the length of the corridor. With a curse he fired at the canine-like creature who had just attacked him, and brought the beast down. Realising that the back-suited soldier was about to be torn to shreds, Jenna joined him and killed another of the extra-terrestrials. Hearing the sound of fast-approaching Aliens to their West, Blake quickly spoke to Vila, before positioning himself, along with one of the Death Squad troopers, at the western entrance to Green Central.

The thief meanwhile rushed up to the Radio Room door and easily opening it, found himself face-to-face with another of the fearsome dog-mutations. Paralysed with terror Restal failed to shoot the beast with his space rifle. Moments later however Section Leader Klegg was beside him, and before the cowardly criminal could cry-out the Terran veteran had dispatched the Hound and claimed the objective inside. Unfortunately for the Liberator crew this meant that the Federation Administration minions had now raised the danger level to orange, whilst they were still far behind in the green...

Da Da Da Dah Da Dahhhhh... Da Da Dah Da Dahhhhhhhh

"What Kind Of Animal Would Do This To A Dog?"

"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!"

These three 28mm plastic pre-painted models of Marro Marrden Nagrubs were made by “Wizards Of The Coast” and used to be available from their "Heroscape" Swarm Of The Marro Master Set 2 range.

Initially super-glued upon 40mm circular bases, the deadly massive hounds were all undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" German Grey and then washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Once this Shade had dried they were each given a second, significantly lighter dry-brush of "Vallejo" German Grey over their bellies and legs, and had their sharp pointed teeth painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally each monster's head and spinal carapace was given a coat of Abaddon Black.

"Well, not much to say, is there? Death was instantaneous."

A very much appreciated gift from Jez of "Carrion Crow's Buffet" I was originally somewhat tempted to actually stick to these Nagrubs' original colour scheme of a bone underbelly and legs with green chitinous armour. However I soon decided that they'd actually make excellent H.R. Giger-inspired Alien dog-creatures, and as a result I have painted them in exactly the same way as I have with my previous "Horrorclix" Aliens.

In addition to finishing these 'loyal guards of the Hivelord', and I currently have another six on my painting table awaiting priming, I have started blocking in the base colours of ten Evil Hooded Minions cast by "Pulp Figures". These characterful Bob Murch sculpts are part of my planned Pulp Side-Challenge submissions for the Sixth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.

Evil Hooded Minions WIPs - These unrecognisable fiends just need some washes to be applied 

As these various "nefarious members of a criminal cult" are predominantly purple, on account of their robes and hoods, and because I thought simply painting their trousers and footwear black would make them look a little monotone, I've been trying to give each disciple different coloured slacks in order to try and give the impression they've just thrown their 'garments of office' over the top of their day-to-day clothes.

In addition, although I do plan for these villains to be lead by the fearsome Crimson Scorpion, another of Bob's terrific models from his "Weird Menace" range, I thought I'd paint one of the minions up as a (sub)leader of sorts. As a result I've decided to paint one of the miniatures who is clearly pointing in the direction of an order he's just given with a bright red hood.

Doctor Who teams-up with the Cyber-Controller to battle the Great Intelligence and his Yeti in the Death Zone on Gallifrey

"Constructs... Have Been Animated With A Magic Semblance Of Life."

"Known as golems when built in vaguely humanoid forms..."

This 28mm metal model of a Medium Construct is made by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought together with a Small Construct as code FGV303 from their “Frostgrave” range. As I originally planned on painting the artificially created object all the same colour I initially undercoated my 'wood golem' with “Vallejo” Heavy Brown. However I then changed my mind and applied some Heavy Sienna to some of the animated creature's limbs, and washed all of these areas with “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

I actually tried to let the ink pool in certain places on the model in order to try and give the impression of the wood being somewhat rotten on account of Felstad's chilly damp climate and frequent snowy weather causing the construct to become wet and somewhat slimy. As a result, believing this would make the miniature look a little too dry, I decided against lightly brushing the figure with more "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and Heavy Sienna; a technique which I would ordinarily employ in order to bring out the sculpt's detail.

Evil Hooded Minions WIPs - These staples of the Pulp Era fiction have been primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Violet

In addition to painting another "Frostgrave" construct I am also steadily basing and priming the rest of Bob Murch's wonderful Evil Hooded Minions for the Sixth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I plan to submit ten of these "Pulp Figures" next week as part of my entry in the event's Pulp Side-Challenge and get 'Murch March' off to a flying start...

One of the things I have been struggling to find inspiration for has been the weird god these "nefarious members of a criminal cult" could be worshipping beneath the streets of New York City. Fortunately Jez of "Carrion Crow's Buffet" fame came to my rescue by very kindly sending me an impressivelt detailed (and large) "Heroscape" Dund. Initially I had intended this "four-eyed mutant dog-thing" to be an encounter for my slowly progressing "Gamma World" project. But as I imagine the "Weird Menace" threatening the Free World to have it's headquarters deep underground within the metropolis' sewers, I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than them praying to a mutated rat-creature.

"Heroscape" Dund WIP - This hunting hound of Nullondia is destined to be the Dark God 'Carrion'

Having re-based the 'Dark God' upon a "Citadel" 70 x 25mm Oval base, I've so far managed to undercoat 'Carrion' with some "Vallejo" Heavy Warmgrey and subsequently wash him with some watered-down "Citadel" Druchi Violet.

"These Large And Ponderous Amphibians Have Devastatingly Powerful Jaws..."

"It is generally best to avoid them."

This 28mm metal model of an Ice Toad is made by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought together with a Snow Leopard as code FGV301 from their “Frostgrave” range. The model was given an undercoat of “Vallejo” White before being heavily washed with Pale Grey. The back of the short stout-bodied beast was then dabbed with more White using a face blusher pad. Finally its sharp pointed teeth were painted using a combination of White and “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade.

Templar WIPs - The soldier now just needs his waist-dagger, sword and amour painted

Sticking with this month’s “Frostgrave” theme I have been persevering with the painting on my warband's Templar. Having decided that I was going to paint the mail armoured soldier's tunic pure white, I have been busy shadowing the garment with "Vallejo" Pale Grey. In addition I have used some Heavy Sienna to pick out his belt and shoulder strap. Now all I need do it apply some metallic paints and appropriate washes to his waist-dagger, chain mail, two-handed sword and helmet, and the warrior will be finished...

One of my (many) ongoing side-projects is to paint up a sizeable force of plastic "Wizkids" Alien models from the company's "Horrorclix" AVP Alien Verses Predator: Aliens Collector's Set to use as replacement 'toxic zombies' for some H.R. Giger-inspired games of “Zombicide”.

Marrden Nagrub WIPs - These H.R. Giger-inspired models simply need a black wash to be finished

I was actually close to finishing this 'diversion' and had thought the four plastic 40mm miniatures I was planning on posting next week would be the end of the matter. Clearly Jez of "Carrion Crow's Buffet" fame had other ideas for me though, and very kindly sent me three "Heroscape" Marrden Nagrub figures to bolster my aggressive extra-terrestrial forces. 

These wonderful "Wizards Of The Coast" sculpts were originally pre-painted bone with green chitinous armour. But as I thought they'd make excellent Alien dog-creatures, and act as 'toxic runners' for "Zombicide", I have undercoated them black and highlighted them with "Vallejo" German Grey in exactly the same way as I have with my "Horrorclix" Aliens. All these evil-looking canines now need is some additional washing with "Citadel" Nuln Oil in order to be finished... and a good job too as I have another eighteen currently making their way to me from across the Pond courtesy of the store "All Things Herocape".