Crimson Slaughter - Abaddon the Despoiler: So it was that Abaddon, the Warmaster of Chaos, had taken notice of the Crimson Slaughter. In the brutal dog-eat-dog existence that is the Eye of Terror, it does not pay to lose sight of rising powers, even for those on top. None could match the size and power of the Chaos Space Marine Traitor Legions, and of those the most powerful and well-organised was the Black Legion.It is said that only the will of Abaddon can fuse all of the manifold forces within the Eye. Now Abaddon cast his gaze upon the newcomers. Over his ten thousand year reign he had seen many rises and as many falls. Who were these upstarts? Why had they not sent tribute or bent their knee? Was this Kranon yet another rival he must crush before he could finally finish the Long War?Upon his return from Myrmidrax, word of Kranon's battle with the Lord of Change had spread like wildfire through the decks of the Space Hulk. Most of the Crimson Slaughter cared not who or what army they faced, but many of the Chaos Cultists quavered.They feared the daemons, wishing them for allies and not as foes. It was while deciding what his next course of action would be that emissaries of the Black Legion arrived at Lost Hope. They brought a demand that Kranon should meet Abaddon and join his coming 13th Black Crusade against the Imperium. He knew full well what would happen should he refuse either command.Kranon had served as a Chapter Master of the Space Marines, had been in the presence of such luminaries as Chapter Master Marneus Calgar, Lord Commander Dante and Supreme Grand Master Azrael. Yet none had the domineering presence that he saw and felt when he stood aboard the Planet Killer, Abaddon's massive starship, staring up at the hulking figure of Abaddon the Despoiler.With the voices in his head spewing advice, it was difficult to concentrate. When, at last, it was his turn to declare fealty, Kranon vowed to join the Black Crusade, but he would do so only on the condition that the daemon Tzax'lan-tar was his to kill, whether they be on the same side or not. At Kranon's proud words, the assembled Chaos Lords and Daemon Princes, Chaos Champions and Sorcerers froze. There were no conditions with the Warmaster of Chaos. He had slain for less.Abaddon had many factionalised forces to command, from rival Traitor Legions to the Daemon Primarchs that awaited in the Warp. He had little patience for the foolish egos of lesser commanders. They would bow or they would die. Yet there was something about Kranon's proud bearing that Abaddon admired. Despite the rampages of the Crimson Slaughter, they were efficient -- something that still pulled to that part of him that was always an old Legionary. Besides, none knew better than he the fickleness of daemons.He laughed and welcomed the Crimson Slaughter to the Black Crusade, assigning them a place of honour amongst the attackers. One of the marks of a good commander in charge of a coalition force is that he can use each separate formation to its best ability. The Crimson Slaughter's reputation of lightning fast terror raids had reached Abaddon -- and he chose them to perform just such actions in the 13th Black Crusade. While the bulk of Abaddon's forces prepared to take the Cadian Gate, the Crimson Slaughter would sow terror deep within the Imperium.