Mercurian energy beast

Native of the planet Mercury these fearsome looking beasts with a hot, lava-like appearance and facial fronds like a beard, were actually peaceful creatures that welcomed the humans to the planet. They even arrived on board a mining rig and took the crew to a place of safety when they were exposed to a lava geyser about to erupt directly beneath the rig itself. Able to power the rig without a dependence on being in direct sunlight (necessary to power and protect the rig and crew, from temperatures of 427 degrees centigrade) the Mercurian energy beast assisted the humans finding safe mineral deposits on the planet. (DWAM: Hot Stuff!)