Genetically modified organisms are not a rarity any more, nevertheless C’rucas definitely stands out. Created by gene-hackers of Stigma planet, this hybrid of a rat and reptile was meant to fight against minor local vermin. The plan was to reduce population of species that damage crops or hunt livestock, and by the time it would happen, C’rucas would have been removed too. Geneticists put a deadly gene into C’rucas’ DNA, which was designed to eliminate the animal’s reproductive function after activation. Unfortunately, just like good old rats from Earth, C’rucas are exceptionally good at adapting to adverse conditions.
Many C’rucas managed to settle inside cargo modules of smugglers’ spaceships. To do successful interstellar travel, one must stock up huge amount of provisions. And that’s where C’rucas’ heaven is! The unique nature of every world C’rucas had been at changed their DNA slightly, resulting in a brand new breed of the animal, which appeared to be absolutely immune to the deadly gene.
Nowadays it is unlikely you will find a habitable world without packs of wild C’rucas roaming around dumping grounds. Even though they have become huge problem, we must admit that these creatures demonstrate how much genetics science has achieved. The gene hackers managed to combine DNA of 50 different organisms to create these extremely genetically stable species.
People rarely hunt C’rucas. The meat is tough, tastes bad and smells like a pile of garbage. It can also be infected as a result of the animal living around dump grounds, including those with radioactive wastes. It is also important to know that C’rucas move in packs, which makes them extremely efficient at fighting lonely travelers that do not carry an automatic rifle or a similar weapon. Only C’rucas’ hide worth the trouble, it is durable, elastic, and – probably – can compensate you all the ammo and med kits you’ve wasted trying to kill those elusive creatures.
We would like to thank our talented friend Demoon for contributing the highpoly model of this creature!
You may find more of his work at: www.demoon.cghub.com/images/