Thread: Carnival Of Rust... (Zodiac and DarkRiffs)

A'itha's shipped lowered itself to the small planet's surface with a low hiss of exhaust and steam. It was one of those worlds with only basic technology and slowly making advances. In fact, she thought it was a miracle that they managed to get a distress out to her that far in the universe. Once settled, she palmed her blade, Slayer, her father called it, and some minimal armor. Just enough to protect her tall, slender frame without actually hampering A'itha's ability to move. If it was one thing her father taught her it was that, as a female, she would never be as strong as most males. What she did have on her side was speed, stamina and a high tolerance for pain. In the end, that would see her through a fight. Stepping down onto the ramp, she grinned a bit. Everything was quiet. Almost too quiet. And the weather was hotter then she could have liked it. Almost topical. Here she stood. A striking female of unknown origin. Although, she seemed to possess humanoid features there were things that couldn't have been human. Like those long ears or that jutting horn. One that she polished almost obsessively to keep it gleaming like bone. Her slender form was completely wrapped in darkness. Almost like a wet suit complete with silver belts, gun like weapons holstered on each thigh. Knife sheaths at the wrist. And heavy boots. Standing there, she pulled off her helmet for a moment to shake out her pink hair. It almost seemed silly, didn't it? Little miss badass... and yet, she was pink. So very pink. Ah well, she checked the inside of her helmet before replacing it and sheathed Slayer across her back. The blade was her last resort. For now, she would focus more on the guns at her side and the knives at her wrist. Walking into the city, she glanced around. Still so quiet. Well, with the exception of a low hiss and cough here and there. Some rumbling as a building, for what ever reason, started to crumble. With her silvery horn glinting in the dying light, she flicked on the night vision and headed for what looked like the most important building here. It towered over all the rest with a few windows blown out. Just as she started to mount the steps something popped into her mind. Just where were the people? For a town this large... there should have been a body here and there. Instead, she looked over her shoulder and noticed that there were none. Oh, there were signs of struggle, but... that was about it. Strange. She turned around just in time to find something standing before her. It's body taller then her own, low clicking sounds could be heard as it started to take a threatening step towards her. It looked at her as though it were trying to figure her out. And then... it launched it's dark body at her, knocking A'itha back onto the street. With a small grunt, she wrestled with the beast for a time. Her form strengthened by a sudden infusion of adrenaline. She got her feet under it's stomach and knocked the thing back. Taking one of her guns, she zeroed in on it's skull and pulled the trigger. It wasn't perfect, but it stopped the beast in it's tracks. Blowing a piece of it's hard shell off and leaving an oozing wound. Unfortunately, it didn't kill the Xeno. Instead, the thing scurried off into the dark shadows and shouting off a warning crying.