[TheKhanzumer]

Part Four:

Zero set down the scab-prod* and finished locking the holding pen. He turned around and walked over to his bucket and mob, anxious to get to work. Suddenly it started to rain. The slig swore and ran off to the nearest shelter. Zero ignored the stinging of the acid rain and began to work. Oh well, he thought, at least the floor will get washed off sooner.

The scrab began to hop up in down in agitation. The painful rain bothered the alpha male and he began to shreek and caw. It's scarred orange skin began to take on a redish hue and it prepared for what many call it's shred power.

The rain began to let up as Zero scrubbed the dried stains of feces from under the overhang that the slig guard had been standing on. He thought he heard a faint tapping coming in his direction but dismessed, probably something dripping. Suddenly a high-pitched skreech exploded in his ears and before he had time to react a razor-sharp beak came tearing down at his face. Blood clouded his eyes and fear clouded his mind. How had the scrab gotten out? Zero crawled in a feable attempt to save himself, but the creature dove at him again, shredding off a chunk of his hand. Zero turned and looked up at the furious scrab as it stood up on its hind legs and prepared to deliver the killing blow. Suddenly the it burst into steaming bits of flesh and gore.

"Keep workin' you piece of crap, I always thought there was somethin' fishy about ya. I'll show you for tryin' ta set the scrab on me" yelled Zero's slig savior as he beat him across the back with his brand new machinegun. Between blows Zero scrubbed his own blood off of the ground. He didn't bother telling Siggs that the scrab had gotten out of it's cage by itself.


*Scrab-prods are essentially longer versions of the devices weilded by intern shock-rockers. They are used to herd scrabs at a safe distance, their ends giving a painful shock to any unruly beasts who might get too close.