WroGrath Encounter

                WroGrath (RO grath) Consortium. Male and female have been identified, but there are no secondary sexual characteristics, 24-30 feet in length and weigh 4000-5000lb. The co-founders and undisputed masters of the Free Trade Consortium. Highly imperious, intelligent, psionically potent, massive two ton carnivorous monsters. WroGrath look like gigantic, spike-covered caterpillars, decorated in a wild variety of vivid colors and bioluminescence, reminiscent of Terran nudibranchs.

    WroGrath language is a terrible thing to behold for one not used to it. It’s a combination of a wide range of intricate, earsplitting sounds and convoluted color displays. At least one death due to heart attack is attributed to bearing witness to a mated pair of WroGrath arguing in their native language.

                Two heavily armored Lachau guards escorted a young humanoid into a huge and dimly lit spherical chamber.  Several holovids cascaded all around, rotating slowly about the center of the chamber where a large pool laid sunken into the floor.  Just above was an equally large hovering platform.

    A monstrous, guttural sound reverberated throughout, and the hovering platform lurched with the hum of propulsion, moving slowly toward the two guards and their captive.  As it drew closer, the darkness receded and revealed that which laid perched upon the large floating disc - the gargantuan caterpillar-like form of a WroGrath.

    The platform stopped a mere arm's length from the guards and their captured quarry, and the platform's occupant leaned its massive head down to peer at the captive who was nothing more than a boy - and, upon closer inspection, was a half-HhoLevari with black hair and eyes, along with mixed with Human lineage.  The Wrograth's many eyes stared while its mandibles flexed - each dripping with a thick, gooey dollop of saliva, a forewarning of the monster's ravenous appetite.

    <"I assume you know who I am..."> the WroGrath's mind thrummed loudly in the minds of those present.

    All was silent, save for the sound of the boy's panicked breathing and torrential trembling.  A trickle of fluid poured from the ankle of the captive's trousers, creating a faint golden puddle at his feet.  The two guards broke their stance to glance down and then snapped back to attention.

    <"Well?  Do you?"> the WroGrath boomed again as his massive form twisted and rearranged itself on its perch.

    The boy nodded his head with a tremor of fright this time.   A ‘content’ shrill came from the large, menacing WroGrath, and its many forelimbs flailed about amiably.

    <"Good.  Good."> the monster continued, <"Then you no doubt are aware that your mother and I have become rivals...">

    The behemoth turned its head to look back and forth between the two guards, both of whom gave a silent nod and left the chamber, leaving the half-HhoLevari boy and the WroGrath alone.  Slowly the hovering platform began to circle around the youth, almost like the beast perched upon it was inspecting the boy.

    <"Yes.  Yes... You'll do nicely."> the WroGrath studied, <"You'll do well in helping me get rid of that troublesome cow.  She was foolish to have ever crossed me...">

    "N...no..." the boy finally stammered, "I w...won't hurt her..."

    Before he could say anymore, diabolical laughter ravaged his mind, the intensity of which made his head feel like it was going to burst.

    <"No?  No?!"> the WroGrath mocked amidst his mind-shattering chortling, <"You actually think you have a say in the matter?">

    The platform stopped circling and moved in on the boy once more.  The WroGrath peered down at the youth again, its forelimbs caressing the half-HhoLevari's face - who seemed to be frozen in terror.

    <"When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to remember that the whorish wench is even your mother...">

    A carnivorous roar filled the chamber mingled with the pained cries of the boy who laid curled up and clutching his head...

(The WroGrath/Boy exchange written by Joey Cross, Rest in Peace, Joey )