The barren alien world

The sun was beating down mercilessly on the desolate, rocky surface of the alien world. Captain Alaric Dean squinted against the harsh glare as his ship's sensors detected signs of life - a very special biosignature amidst the otherwise barren landscape.

Curious, he ordered his first mate to take them in for a closer look. As the Scourge descended through the planet's thin atmosphere, Alaric peered out the viewscreen at the inhospitable terrain below. Jagged black rock formations jutted up like broken teeth from the rust-colored ground. In the distance, something massive and reptilian slithered out of view behind an outcropping.

A real shithole of a place, Alaric mused. I wonder what sorry bastard got himself marooned out here? Some other alien? They don't seem to belong here.

The Scourge's powerful thrusters kicked up clouds of ruddy dust as it settled on the surface with a heavy thump. Alaric pulled his blaster pistol from its holster and gestured for his men to follow as the outer airlock cycled open.

"Keep your eyes peeled, lads," he growled. "Sensors showed all kinds of nasty beasties crawling around out there."

With his crew fanning out in a defensive semicircle, Alaric approached the interesting heat signature several hundred meters away. As they drew closer, he could make out some weird shadow behind a rock formation.