The Zcithrils have come to this desolate planet to see what they could see. They are an elegant species whose curiosity brings them to new worlds to explore and learn. Though their vehicles seem both regal and fearsome, they have no ill intentions and after learning all they can, will leave only the faintest of footprints behind. For those who like to know a bit more about the background concept: I have not had the time to finish my Zithril character, so only their ships are depicted along with one very large 5-legged inhabitant who walks a bit like a slow spider, but with tentacles dangling below the body to pick up scraps of food from the ground. The ships are a combination of 50's style elegance and modern tech thoughts. On the Zcithril ships, the side engines are only for landings and directional control while the main body is actually one huge engine. The side engines can rotate 360 degrees and are offset from front to back so they do not ever aim at each other. The legs fold up and tuck under the "head" of the craft. There is no need to house them inside, since there is no air friction in space. You can see the side engines at 45 degrees and the legs unfolding on the top right craft. The wings are only a structure support and to add artistic style, The Zcithrils are quite aware that they have no purpose in space and they spend little time flying around within any given atmosphere. They come, they land, they explore, and they leave. As a matter of principle, they disturb the planets no more than they have to and try to leave as little trace as possible that they have been there. This was my entry in the December Vue Challenge. I modedled the spacecrafts and the native alien (an actual Zcithril is not pictured here) in Cararra 1 and imported into Vue 5. The rocket flames are not postwork. I figured a way to accomplish them in Vue using a custom made object from Cararra. I'm debating holding out on that one as a trade secret. I'll have to see how many people beg for it (or not). Vue 5 on a Mac; No postwork; Planet and Trees straight from Vue 5. All else, models, alien terrain and their materials by me. Comments and suggestions always welcome. Also - since none of my images have ever rated less than excellent, I will likely not click the "rate image" box in the future. I welcome your thoughts about that.