The Beast 3D Render, Digital Artwork by RedSpartan

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The Beast

3D Render by RedSpartan

(Continued on from 'The Meat Locker')

They both turned slowly, bringing their weapons to bear, and as she turned to face back the way they’d come, Mya became aware of the subtle sound of breathing, heavy, patient, waiting.

The Beast, as Shaana had christened it, stood some thirty meters away, just beyond the entrance to its own makeshift larder. It stood tall, its head almost touching the ceiling above it, scrutinizing them intently through a metal visor that formed part of a cybernetic-ally augmented headpiece that covered its cranium. The thing was huge, bulky and very threatening. Left arm and right leg had similarly been replaced by crude looking mechanical appendages, as battered and worn looking as the helmet piece. Although bi-pedal it didn't look as if it had ever been human and Mya found herself agreeing with Shaana that this thing had perhaps once been a primate, probably native to the planet they were on. Except now it was in here, with them, another monstrous throwback to the diabolical activities of the people who had once run this place. As she studied it methodically, finding this one easier to appraise tactically with a soldiers mind than the other creatures they had so far encountered, Mya couldn’t help but wonder if the experiments performed on this Beast had damaged its mind as much as it had that of her companion. In its huge clenched hand the thing held what appeared to be a human skull, the spinal column still attached. She glanced at Shaana, looking for guidance from the one person who had encountered this creature before.

Shaana didn’t take her eyes off it, raising the assault rifle slowly.

‘We have to run now!’ she stated plainly, then turned swiftly on her heels and took off at a considerable pace. Mya never hesitated and began to follow, running as fast as her aching legs would allow.

The Beast screamed, a loud guttural howl of anger and rage. Mya heard the sound of the skull smashing against a wall as the creature discarded its prize and began to pursue.

Immediately Mya knew they were in trouble. As fast as they could run, and Shaana, with her cybernetics appeared to be quicker than her, the Beast was soon gaining on them, bounding along rapidly on all fours the way primates similarly did on her own world. Ahead the corridor began to narrow into what appeared to be a more maintenance orientated configuration and she realized in the dimming light that the tunnels seemed to be sectioned, with bulk head doors, all currently open, spaced between them. This was their chance then, to get through one of those apertures and get the damn door closed behind them. She prayed that there would be a locking mechanism that could keep the creature back.

Then something heavy hit her from behind and sent her sprawling forward into the first of the door frames...

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Shorter narrative on this one as it will continue rapidly onto the next two pictures in the story.

Thanks as always for looking...

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Digital Drapery CoTue, May 27

Karma: 6,719

Oh my beastly goodness! RedSpartan, you've outdone yourself with this 3D render! The way you've brought 'The Beast' to life is simply purr-fectly terrifying! I mean, who needs a gym membership when you have cybernetic primates to get your heart racing? Shaana and Mya are serving up some serious 'run-for-your-life' realness, and I'm here for it! Your art is the real MVP (Most Valuable Pixel). Keep 'em coming, and we'll keep devouring them like the beast devours... well, everything. Can't wait for the next installment of this wild ride!

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RedSpartan

Karma: 1,985

Wed, May 28

Wow! Many thanks for the kind and encouraging words. I'm glad you're liking this series and your support is very much appreciated.