I think the best way to handle that would be with a Random Things Player Interface or a Pneumaticraft Aerial Interface (they're basically the same), combined with some *very* fast item transport straight into your AE system. Just keep your terra shatterer, mana tablet, torches, etc. on your hotbar; if you pull out of the sides of the interface, it'll leave your hotbar alone. Just be careful not to drop anything important in your main inventory. Might also be handy to have some kind of wireless transmitter, so you can turn off the inventory-eating remotely.
I've done that with the Blood Magic world-eater spell. It works quite well.