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Description
Another ConceptArt challenge.

When Gliese 581 and its planetary system were discovered in 2007, mankind soon excluded it from the list of possible habitats of alien lifeforms. But in 2226, after having managed to completely devastate earth, a first starship packed with humans landed on Gliese 581d. It's a small planet near the outer edge of the habitable zone and there was a glimpse of hope to make it a new home.
And obviously mankind had been wrong: The rocky landscape with its plenty of damp caves was infested with a large variety of lifeforms, most of which were rather small and slimy but at least edible. These were also the prey of Hexapodiraptor gliesiensis, the tallest and highest developed spieces. The large poikilothermic biests hunted the caves at night and wandered the large deserts during the day, to regain power. The energy is stored in bulgy muscle-like lumps directly under the skin.
It soon became clear (to both Hexapodiraptor and the settlers) that human meat was a great new source of energy. Even the animal company was acceptable and so most of the brought in straying dogs and cats ended their lives in the five stomachs of Hexapodiraptor gliesiensis, which during the day is able to to accelerate up to 160 mph.
Still the settlers maintained their attitude to enslave nature and soon took hold of Hexapodiraptor, to use it's incredible muscular power to explore the planet. In order not be devoured instantly, they built strong cockpit-like cages to attach them on Hexapodiraptor's back. Since the cearures were never to be tamed or steered, a powerful engine had to be installed to control the mount. This way the settlers could eventually built up a small colony.
They lived (more or less) happily until the X'cthera civilazition (who eventually had managed to completely destroy their homeplanet) landet on Gliese 581d, to enslave both the first settlers and Hexapodiraptor gliesiensis.

Description
Another ConceptArt challenge.

When Gliese 581 and its planetary system were discovered in 2007, mankind soon excluded it from the list of possible habitats of alien lifeforms. But in 2226, after having managed to completely devastate earth, a first starship packed with humans landed on Gliese 581d. It's a small planet near the outer edge of the habitable zone and there was a glimpse of hope to make it a new home.
And obviously mankind had been wrong: The rocky landscape with its plenty of damp caves was infested with a large variety of lifeforms, most of which were rather small and slimy but at least edible. These were also the prey of Hexapodiraptor gliesiensis, the tallest and highest developed spieces. The large poikilothermic biests hunted the caves at night and wandered the large deserts during the day, to regain power. The energy is stored in bulgy muscle-like lumps directly under the skin.
It soon became clear (to both Hexapodiraptor and the settlers) that human meat was a great new source of energy. Even the animal company was acceptable and so most of the brought in straying dogs and cats ended their lives in the five stomachs of Hexapodiraptor gliesiensis, which during the day is able to to accelerate up to 160 mph.
Still the settlers maintained their attitude to enslave nature and soon took hold of Hexapodiraptor, to use it's incredible muscular power to explore the planet. In order not be devoured instantly, they built strong cockpit-like cages to attach them on Hexapodiraptor's back. Since the cearures were never to be tamed or steered, a powerful engine had to be installed to control the mount. This way the settlers could eventually built up a small colony.
They lived (more or less) happily until the X'cthera civilazition (who eventually had managed to completely destroy their homeplanet) landet on Gliese 581d, to enslave both the first settlers and Hexapodiraptor gliesiensis.