"New Canada" 's sun rose over the horizon, casting it's warm, orange glow over the encampment. Yesterday, the hustling and bustling of terrans, Andorians, Vulcans, and many other races began the assembly of their new homes on this peaceful planet. As Garek walked down the ramp of the Lambda Flier and in to the cool, morning air, he saw why. Approximately five kilometers from the colony was a mountain range, with it's high cliff faces, and snow capped peaks. It reminded him of his trips out west on Earth to Colorado as a young boy. Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, he didn't see any such formations except if they were in the form of metal and ferrocrete buildings. With a cup of coffee in his hand, he stepped on to the grass that had been rapidly grown in the area. The ramp to the Flier and the door closed behind him.
The warmth of the cup embraced his hand, as he brought it up to his lips for a quick sip. A few of the colonists were awakening. It was currently 0555 local time and they would be quick to begin work around 0700. As he strolled the grounds, light was quickly blocked off by a colomn of white clouds. As he averted his attention to the pre-fabricated "mini houses", the door opened on one revealing Lieutenant Nugent. "Counselor," Garek said with a grin on his face. Over the past few weeks he hadn't had much of a chance to talk with 901's resident Trill, and saw this as a perfect opportunity.
"Good morning Commander," Le'Chell replied in her normal, upbeat voice. She pushed a locke of blond hair behind her ear that the breeze knocked in front of her eye. She squinted as the sun became brighter over the horizon as it climbed in to the sky.
"Garek," Garek quickly reminded.
"Sorry. Garek." Le'Chell smiled as she looked out at the mountains, and then towards the forests that encircled the camp settlement. "This is definately better then being stuck on the station. I'm too used to looking left and right and seeing a dull, grey bulkhead."
"That it is. I don't know, I'm just used to being on starships. I've spent so much time on them already, I see my ship as more of a home then any planet." Another cool breeze ran through Garek's hair. "Although, I see why the colonists would want to settle on a planet like this. Makes me want to retire, and colonize with them."
Le'Chell smiled, looking up at the slightly taller engineer. She looked in to his eyes, while he looked in to hers. Something was wrong. Something was scratching at the back of Garek's mind, but he couldn't tell what it was. Being a half Betazoid, Garek learned to distinguish a gut feeling from an empathic pick-up on something, but this one was different from others. At first thought, Garek thought it was Nevar Pol. Garek saw how Pol was attracted to Le'Chell, and didn't want to get in the way of anything special, but this was something else. He realized what it was.
"Get down!" Garek yelled. Le'Chell dropped to the ground just as a predator resembling a large feline occupied the space she had been in not a second ago. It landed on all fours and let out a large roar, its two massive canine teeth folding up against the roof of its mouth as it closed. The creature was roughly a meter and a half long, with a camoflauge scheme similar to the tall grass around the settlement. It's large eyes were fixed forward while the ears on the side of its head fluctuated, rotating forward and backward to take in different sounds. It was it's clear intention to keep its eyes fixed on Garek and Le'Chell, however. This would be the first meal of the day.
"Run for the Flier," Garek whispered over his shoulder to Le'Chell who was on the ground behind him. She was making her way back to her feet. "I'll distract it while you get inside."
"You're crazy!" she whispered back. "That thing'll tear you to shreds."
"Who's the one with the phaser?"
Le'Chell looked at her belt, and realized that she hadn't equipped herself with a phaser before leaving her dwelling. "Point taken," she conceded. The creature eyed Le'Chell, licking its whiskers on the side of its lips.
"Go.... NOW!" Garek drew his phaser and fired a light blast at the creature, drawing it's attention. Le'Chell ran for the Flier. The gamble payed off. The creature, obviously angered by the attack, started to run towards Garek. Le'Chell opened the rear hatch of the Flier and jumped in, letting it close behind her.
I've got to help him, Le'Chell thought. She ran forward towards the front of the craft and in to the cockpit. "Why didn't I pay more attention during shuttle basics?" She yelled at herself. "Alright... calm down..." She looked over the LCARS panel and keyed in the main power up routine. The engine indicator lights went green, and everything was shown to be in full working order. "Alright, here goes nothing." The Flier lifted off the ground and turned towards the two.
Garek looked in to the eyes of the creature as it looked back at him. Using his empathic abilities he tried to touch its mind. It was definately angry. That was one thing he picked up. The other emotions were clouded by this ones of anger and hate. Whatever was going to happen with the creature, chances are, it wasn't going to be pleasent. The time for analysis was over though, and the creature sprinted forward, pouncing. Garek fell backwards, ramming his boots in to the belly of the creature, thrusting it over his head. The feline creature landed on its back, and then returned to its feet, more angered. The creature pounced again. This time, it knocked the phaser out of his hand with a quick swipe of its paw. With the other one, it slashed at Garek's uniform. Three distinct claw marks took shape on Garek's chest, the middle one actually drawing blood.
Now filled with rage, Garek pounced on the creature itself, wrestling with it. The cat opened its mouth, and the giant canines folded down from inside its mouth. I'm in serious trouble if I don't do something quick. Garek through the creature with all his strength off of him. It landed about a meter from where he was. Garek was about to strike it again when a vision flashed in his head. It was the creature in front of him. Mentally, he invisioned himself taking, and hurtling the creature against a nearby boulder near the edge of the forest. As he opened his eyes, the creature was reclining up against the boulder, unconsious. Garek, suddenly feeling very woozy, fell over unconsious.