Allen Fang Rashal's Story

Allen Fang Rashal had turned off his comm device. He didn't need his father lecturing him the whole way of how to deal with unauthorized guests. Mainly he just repeated a bunch of stuff like "Don't kill all of them Allen" and "Leave one able to talk for questioning, preferably the leader". After all, he was the only one in the area to deal with the unauthorized landing.

When approaching the planet, a very clear message was sent across several channels. "Do not land anywhere but the stardocks, use channel frequency 45-Omega, we are not responsible for any injuries or death you encounter during a fight between clans or when in close proximity to a predator, or by the predator itself". And some asshat failed to head both the warning and to avoid their sensors. So now, Allen was going to deal with it.

He jumped over to one tree, and used his toes to lock into the grooves and climb up to a large branch. He was wearing clothes made of tanned leather from one of the predators he killed last month. He may be an adult now, but he was still growing. And this meant he kept having to kill creatures to get new clothes. However, he made it look very nice, as if it was made from some factory from Earth. Well, before Earth went missing anyways.

He stumbled upon a group of them, scouting. He listened to what they were saying...

"Keep an eye out. Boss doesn't want to be ambushed. Apparently these Vertigans are bad ass".

"I hear they suck with guns though. They should be easy to kill then. Last time I checked, Iridium armor beats swords and spears".

"And soon we will have better armor, once we find that mine nearby. I hear its got some rare element the Vertigans use for their armor, Corvellium".

Fang dropped down as he pulled out two daggers, and stabbed two of them, one of them being the guy who bragged about his Iridium armor. His daggers cut through the armor like it was butter, thanks to the fact Vertigan technology superheats it so it can melt through any known armor. He quickly pulled both of them out as the other two turned around to face him. He threw one of his daggers into one of them and tackled the other, beating his face a few times before the guy turned on his helmet. He took his dagger and quickly tore through the armor lock, severing the helmet from his armor without taking off his head, before giving him one final punch to knock him out.

He looked back in the direction they were coming from. "So that is where you are" he said, heading in that direction. He was fairly pissed though, did they really thing they could just steal from them and play them like fools? They knew nothing, and Fang would be happy to teach them that. Battle thrilled him, just like most Vertigans.

Watching from a treetop, Bella growled at hearing these newcomers think her kind was easy to kill, when she saw someone else of her kind spring into action, she smiled and sat on the branch. Watching as her eyes gleamed with glee, she began to fiddle with her necklace with a tooth from a beast she had killed to protect her family and for clothing.

Dropping down from the tree, she landed on her feet as gracefully as possible. "Very nice work with the dagger" she said, touching behind her back to make sure her bow was there with her arrows. Arrows she had dipped in poison to make sure the target would not survive very long.

Her clain would not be happy if she didn't bring something back, so she lifted a few necklaces and helmets from the aliens. "Well these can come in handy" she said, holding up the helmets. "Name's Bella, you can call me Bells." she said with a smile, extending one hand. "Nice work by the way" she added.

"I take pride in my work. Probably not enough though" he said, pridefully. He looked at the bodies, which just a minute ago were living, talking, and breathing, and had no injuries at all.

"People call me Fang" he said. His markings clearly made him part of the Rashal clan, and while there were probably a few Fangs in Rashal, the most well known was Allen Fang Rashal, son of the clan leader. The fact he went by Fang and didn't mention his first name was a good indicator it was him. Fang wasn't sure if he could trust the stranger yet, her markings obviously Clan Brellin, though she seemed nice. Still, he kept his guard up.

"They thought they could hide out here. Steal from us. They needed to be...corrected" Fang told her, looking back at the one who was still alive. He was alive, but unconscious. The predators would kill him in minutes if he didn't tie him up somewhere, to be questioned later. Fang took some rope, tied it around his legs, arms, and body, before climbing up and then jumping down holding the rope, suspending him three stories in the air. "That should keep him alive while I deal with his friends. Apparently they landed that way" Fang pointed toward where they were coming from.

"Well, am I going to have all the fun, or are you coming?" Fang said, heading in that direction. Fang thrilled for another fight. And he didn't want the Predators to beat him to it.

Mulling over the words Bella smiled, "Pretty good, though I prefer to leave more blood" she said with a grin, noticing his markings, knowing who he was but not caring, she was the daughter of the clans second in command, giving her a tiny bit of pride and bliss, Bella took a step and pulled her bow off of her back and knocked an arrow, pointing it downwards.

"Lead the way Fang" she said not wanting to turn her back on him. She kicked one of the lifeless bodies, she was one of the most blood thirsty in her clan, it worried many of the clan members, but they trusted her, more than they trusted most of the guys. Bella kept an eye on the forest around them, making sure none were left.

Her bow and arrow ready to fire almost as fast as a bullet. "My clan calls me Bells because it's less perverse, I enjoy hitting preditors in the balls first, to stun them, then I go for the kill shot" she shared, not caring that it made a lot of people uncomfrotable.

"Well, don't spill all their blood. I have orders to bring their leader back alive if possible, and I intend on trying to follow that order. So don't make it difficult" Fang mentioned, getting his staffblade ready as they approached the main site. They had set up some mining equipment, had some guard posts, and had their ship set up to power the whole place. There were a lot of guards with guns, and a lot of open room. "And they call me Fang because I used a Fang to kill four different predators during my Coming of Age Ritual.

Fang had just the thing. He climbed up a tree, feeling the path with his fingers and toes so that he wouldn't fall. He climbed over onto the ledge of a large branch, and waited for four of the guards to walk under it.

As soon as they did, he threw five daggers into fives guards further away, and plunged down with his staffblade and stabbed one of them with one end, and as he pulled it out of him the other end went into another guy, before he detached it at the center into two staffblades and stabbed the remaining two with them. He then threw a Magnetic Weapon Neutralizer on the ground. This would pull all bullets, even ceramic or plastic ones, into a field above it as soon as they fired from a gun, rendering guns useless. It would also disrupt any energy weapons fire, rending energy weapons useless as well.

That is when he spotted their leader. Being a trained hunter, it was obvious he was the leader. He acted, moved, and was armed like an Alpha. He was the toughest. And his head....it would stay on it shoulders, for now. Until his father was done with him anyways. But Fang had a bloodlust going. So he couldn't guarantee this man wasn't going to suffer for defiling his home. He looked back over to Bells. "Do not kill him....but its okay to wound him severely, provided he can talk afterwards and wont die of it..."

Bella frowned, "Well I'll let you take Alpha if I can't hit him, these arrows don't always kill on contact, the venom does them in" she said, getting a gleam in her eyes.

Her eyes scanned the trees and aimed high, bringing her bow up, and the knocked arrow to her eye, and let the arrow fly, hitting an invader from a tree, laughing as he falls onto the forest floor, ontop of another invader. She watched the others go down, taking out three more not even taking five minutes.

"Well go get him" she said with a smirk as she leaned against a tree, watching him move, she pushed off the tree, and retrieved her arrows, noticing movement from a guy, she took another arrow, knocked it and plunged it into his gaping mouth, killing him instantly.

Fang launched himself at the man. They fired bullets at him, but those were utterly useless due to his Magnetic Weapon Neutralizer sucking them into its gravitational-magnetic field. It is particularly strong against things moving at high velocities, and was designed to pull those things with greater strength. Vertigan weapons were immune to its effects, however.

Fang plunged two daggers into his personal guards, stabbed another two with his Staffblades, and then put them away and took out a dagger, placing it against the man's throat. The man looked very scared, and surprised. "You...you are only a kid?!"

Fang responded by kneeing him in a spot he REALLY didn't want hit that hard. He was suddenly in great pain. "I am eleven years old, a Vertigan adult. And you will treat us with respect".

He then took the man's arm he used to try and fire his gun, and smashed it against the ramp of his ship several times until it was broken. "And now, I don't have to worry about you trying anything".

It was nearing nightfall however, and there was no way he would return to Clan lands before sunset. He turned his communicator back on. "Hey! Allen! Are you listening to me?!"

"Yes dad, I am. I have their leader, he can still speak, yes I am sure. We should get back sometime tomorrow, but I am too far out to risk nightfall. I will set up camp in one of the trees for the night" he said.

Most predators existed on the ground, very few were in the trees. This was because many of the trees here evolved to be as strong as iron or steel. He looked around. There were likely more men patrolling out there. As he picked up the MWN, he heard someone come up behind him. He turned, only to watch as a predator jumped from the treeline and mauled one of the remaining soldiers.

"Right, we should get to high ground before night falls" Fang said, half to Bells, half to himself.

Bella was smiling as she saw Fang breaking the mans arm. She stripped the fallen men of their armor, as he talked to his father, she began climbing the tree. Finding a vine she began cutting it with her hands, wrapping one end around one hand, another part around the other, she took the vine and began tieing knots, she then strung the helmets and other things through, then tied the vine together and hung it from a branch.

Finding four other vines, she cut them the same way and strung them together to make a bag, and put the remaining aromor in the bag, tied it up and hung it from another branch. She began making a weapon out of a stick by sharpening it against a piece of metal.

Fang made the man move forward, and as they were walking past Bells, Fang heard something. It wasn't hard to miss either, since it was so loud. A loud, high pitched screetch, that made Fang feel disoriented and made the other guy throw up. It was a unique, unmistakable screetch.

It was a Vrakonien. It wasn't the largest predator on Vertiga, but it was still plenty dangerous and nocturnal. It was highly vulnerable to direct radiation from the sun, and therefore could not stand sunlight, but at night it was free to hunt. It was one of the fastest predators on Vertiga, could use its armored beak to pierce tank and even spaceship armor, and it could fly for short periods of time.

As far as Fang knew, they had all been pushed back past the unclaimed jungles to the deep reaches of the planet that held predators that even Fang admited scared him. Clan leaders even feared them, though they were less likely to admit it. But it appeared as if one Vrakonien had settled once again in the Unclaimed Jungles, and it was becoming night.

Normally, Fang would relish to fight one of them. But Fang was equiped for a casual run through the jungle, with a few MWNs in his bag. He didn't have his regular armor, and he did not bring all of his knives. He had gone around and recovered the ones he did at least, but in total he had nine, plus his staffblade. And while maybe Bells was equiped for this, his prisoners were not. He did not forget about the other one he tied up.

He looked over toward Bells. "Did your clan know anything about that? Since when did the Vrakoniens start moving back from the Darkwoods? Damnit, I would have brought my full gear if I had known. Would have been a great hunt. But Vrakoniens are at the most dangerous when they just wake up, and while maybe I could take them, I have two prisoners to deal with".

He then chuckled a little. "Not like they were equiped to hand any wildlife to start with. I would have given them two, maybe tree kills if they used teamwork, before they started losing men to the ones they would attrak with the noise from gunfi...."

That is when Fang realized they had been shooting at him, and the Vrakonien, as well as every predator for miles, would likely be converging on their location. Before the Vertigans had become the Vertigans, when they were still all human, the predators basicly learned that the sound of gunshots meant fresh meat was where it was originating from. The creatures of Vertiga quickly stopped being adraid of gunshots, and instead became eager for the food they represented.

"Hope you are ready for a fight on the move" Fang said, readying his weapons as he increased his pace back towards the lands of Clan Rashal. He knew now that making camp would just be comiting suicide with a Vrakonien around. He would have to keep moving, especially since there was about to be a large fight.

He would enjoy the fight, he just would be annoyed because he had two annoying dead weights to carry around.

Bella rolled her eyes, "I truely had no idea they were back, but we're screwed now that they are" she said through gritted teeth, and picked up the bag, flinging herself from the trees and joining Fangs side. "The question is, can you fight on the move?" she said with a smile as she had her bow up and ready.

A heavy branch above them groaned out in protest quite suddenly and the leaves upon it shivered as if someone had jumped to it. If Bella, Allen, or their prisoner were to look to the branch they would see nothing. Yet there was that feeling of being watched.

Fang thought he heard something, but saw nothing. But looks could be decieving, and the Vertigans had not survived because they relied on any one sense. He kept an ear open for any more odd noises, his nose open for any odd smells, and his eyes for any odd movement. He would need to anyways, the predators were closing in and they would be hunting them. And the nocturnal predators would also be coming out. Vertigans had excellent night vision, but there were creatures on Vertiga who had even better night vision. He looked towards Bells. "I can do more then that".

That is when the leader of that group he had taken prisoner pulled out a knife with his other hand, and lunged at Fang with skill. He quickly grabbed it, twisted it around, and then broke the guys wrist with a bit of force. He was annoyed, but also slightly impressed. "Ambidextrous. Sneaky. Try that again, and you lose something they don't make a robotic limb for".

He finally got that other prisoner, and had the entire group running. It wasn't that hard to convince the prisoners to run. The threat of being eaten by the predators they had already seen gave the motivation, and the Vrakonien continued to give out the occasional screetch which slowed them down. It was half echo-location, half an adaptation that allowed it to hunt easier, disorienting its prey and causing some to even throw up before swooping down while they are busy.

Fang eventually got the two prisoners off the ground and into the trees, to avoid a good portion of the predators. But the sun was setting and the Vrakonien was only minutes from emerging. Fang yelled over comms "Dad! We have a Vrakonien in the area. I repeated, a Vrakonien sighting in the Unclaimed Jungles, outside the Darkwoods. I am inbound, but the prisoners are slowing me down".

"Understood. I will have some met intercept you. Just keep running and keep them able to speak" he said, as a predator lunged out from some thick leaves toward the leader. Fang quickly intercepted and sank a dagger into its neck, killing it and causing its body to hit the ground.

And then the sun set.

Bella snickered, ”Skittish much?” she asked as she saw him looking around, she looked at her nails, and bit off her hang nail. ”You’re lucky I’m not allowed to hit you with my arrows” she spat at the captive before actually spitting on him.

Once they were up in trees, Bella shrugged. ”Once your father is done with him, can I shoot his nads off?” she asked, putting her bow on her back and arrows in her quiver. ”The way they keep looking at us is pissing me off” she added, her eyes gleaming at the sight of the blood coming from the creatures neck.

As the sun set, she leaned back and ignored the fact that she wasn't alone, pulling a small mask out of her pocket, putting it over her eyes.

Shortly after the two Vertigans came to a stop in the trees there would be the same sound again that Allen had heard before but this time the branch would crack and give under the weight. Below them there would be a thud, the rustle of foliage, and a spray of loose soil. It had not been a short drop.

Then there was the sound of some big predator striking and the sound of splitting flesh and spilling blood. The creature let out a death wail and collapsed amid the dense undergrowth, its intestines, and liver spilling from its body. The foul smell of shit and copious amounts of blood filled the air as something or someone darted behind another nearby tree.

"Just alert. If a Vrakonien is nesting in the Unclaimed Jungles again, what about all the other creatures we pushed back into the Darkwoods over the years? We knew they were not extinct, but all of our clans hunting parties were supposedly keeping them in check. Yet now, they are spreading back. We evolved to adapt to this planet. I wonder if the creatures have as well" Fang said, pushing forward.

Fang then stopped, and motioned them to stay put. He climbed one of the taller trees, to map our how much distance was between them and a transport hub. From there, they could ride the rails towards Clan Rashal's lands, if Bells decided to come with them. She could use them herself to return to her own clan.

Unfortunately for them, it was too far for them to make in a single night. Which meant two options. Set up camp anyways in one of the trees, and pray the Vrakonien was not on to them and went after another animal instead, preferably one hunting them. Option two was their urrent plan, push through the night with no sleep and keep running. It gave them a better chance at avoiding the Vrakonien, but other predators would notice them.

As he scouted the area, Fang heard more noises, and he could smell the blood of a dead creature. Something was already hunting them. Camp was not an option. What interested Fang was that whatever it was, it seemed extraordinarily stealthy for a predator. He only knew it was out there because he could smell the dead creatures blood, and the occasional rustle it made.

He climbed back down. "Something is hunting us" he said in a hushed tone. "Not a usual predator. This thing seems more intelligent. I don't know where or what it is. I don't even know what it looks like. But I can smell the blood of the creature it just killed. If it had been any normal predator, it would be feasting off its kill, but I hear no such feasting. Be on guard".

He picked up the prisoners and slung them over his shoulders. While he might look like a human child, his strength surpassed a seasoned soldier's. He hopped from branch to branch. He was Vertigan, and he could stick the landings, but the fact his arms were occupied carrying these people was hindering him slightly. He was Vertigan, not fucking superman.

When another predator attacked, he tossed them over onto a large branch, and stabbed it in the face as it lunged at him. It tore at his shirt a little with its razor sharp tongue, but he kicked it off and the resulting fall to the ground broke its bones enough to kill it. Another predator then immediately leaped toward them, and three leaped toward Bells. They were all Craxen, like the one Fang had just killed. They can see heat emmisions, have razor sharp tongues they use to bypass natural and forged armor to slit throats and stab into skin, and have claws they can use to slash at their enemies. Their hide is tough enough so that it can take a few bullets. But Vertigan weapons can burn right through that.

And that is when the Vrakonien screetched louder then ever. The sun was down, and it was one the hunt.

And Fang had a cut that was bleeding slightly, on his chest from the surprise attack.

As they ran through the treetops, avoiding every creature trying to attack them, Bella was having a blast, thinking about all the blood she could let bleed from these creatures, noticing her load was weighing her down, she cut it loose, allowing her to catch up with fang.

There was a grunt of exertion from that nearby tree. The sound was distinctly human and feminine. In the darkness the Vrakonien came to the base of that same tree and started to scale the far side. The beast and the creature it pursued could not be seen even with their impressive night vision because their line of sight was blocked.

One of the men started to speak while Fang was busy fighting. "Please...save us...we didn't know! They only paid us to collect samples and plant some tech! Please don't let us die!" the guy screamed, as a predator aproached them. Their words interested him. He killed the beast, and put a dagger to the man's throat.

"What are you talking about? What tech? Who payed you to come to our world!".

Before he could get an answer though, a Clorenthian, another one of the few predators capable of climbing these trees, jumped up and attacked a Craxen, killing it almost instantly before turning its sights on Fang. A Clorenthian was even more dangerous. Its entire skin was poison, and touching it meant you would die in a few hours unless you got proper treatment. As Fang was dealing with the Clorenthian, a Craxen snuck up behind him and stabbed both prisoners in the head with its tongue before looking at Fang with bloodthirsty eyes.

That man was dead, but maybe his body had something useful on it. The other one wasn't worth carrying however. And it would make good bait for the predators inbound. Plus, it lessened the load he would have to carry. But first, he had to deal with the predators.

As Bella caught up to Fang, she dodged the creatures trying to take a bite out of her, knocking an arrow, she shot it at the creature staring at Fang. "I'll distract the beast while you come up with a plan" she said, sending another arrow straight at the creatures ear, hitting right behind it's sensitive ear. She began throwing things at it, finding nooks to climb on in the trees.

Bare feet gained purchase upon the limb of a tree as the Vrakonien gave chase up a nearby tree. The predator that had been stalking them was decidedly human looking. She could have passed for a Vertigan. The woman was very scantily clothed. Ripped fabric and animal hide mixed in an odd collage to conceal the delicate parts of her femininity. The bits and pieces of technology on her person would separate her from a lost Vertigan savage for the technology was not native and neither were her eyes. They shone across the gap between these trees and burned with an haunting iridescence in the night.

A well made but very simple bow was held in her left hand. She was older than Bella and Fang, appearing to be in her middle twenties and she was smeared with mud. The strange woman knocked an arrow and aimed down at the Vrakonien as it hauled its mass up the tree. Though it was difficult to see in the dark even with their eyesight, she was covered in cuts, many of her joints were wrapped with torn fabric. She was in fairly bad shape to perform as she was.