Lt. Jona ch'Ranni - Predator and Prey (Safe Harbor)

[Jona ch'Ranni]

((Near the Red Rock Caves, Safe Harbor))

::Jona was getting winded after a few hours of trudging through the deep snow. To their credit, none in the two hundred plus group complained about the exertion or the cold. Even the little ones walked quietly while holding hands with adults in the group.::

::By Jona's mental calculations they were nearly three-quarters of the way to their destination. The ops officer was looking forward to sitting down soon.::

::A primal scream echoed through the still air and reverberated through the rocky canyons ahead making Jona jump in place. Without evidence of the source, people turned around in confusion.::

ch'Ranni: ::quietly:: What was that?

Stendhal: Well it wasn’t me! You don’t have any wild dangerous animal here, don’t you? Bigfoots? Mountain lions? Klingons wild hogs? Lawyers?

Reidella: ?

::The Magna Roman burst into action and began calling out orders.::

Serinus: Security, rear!  Jona, shuttle, phase scans!

ch'Ranni: Aye!

::The Andorian quickly engaged the shuttle's modified scanners which emitted a burst of anyon particles in the surrounding area. A shimmering effect appeared and revealed the presence of a large carnivore atop one of the Safe Harbor citizens that had been trailing at the back of the group. The sleek, black panther-like creature swished it stinger tail aggressively in the air. Jona noticed a black collar around its neck with a brightly glowing red light. No doubt more of the Ya-Grhan's pawns.::

::Artinus lunged toward the beast with a vicious air kick. Jona rushed forward to assist but stopped in mid-step as the creature was flung skyward and began stinging itself repeatedly. He looked around in confusion until he spotted a group of the Altered security guards focusing on the predator with their glowing, shimmering eyes. Artinus knelt down to observe the great cat when it lowered to the ground. He seemed about to speak when a purple bolt of energy sizzled past the man.::

Serinus: Everyone, down! ::shouting as he dropped prone:: Drop the cats, light up the ridge, I'm flanking left! On my signal. 

::From his vantage point, Jona could see two more of the creatures descending the slope and a solitary figure at the top of the ridge.::

ch'Ranni: ::pointing:: Up there!

::Ensign Serinus made for the cover of nearby trees while Jona rushed the people forward splitting the mass of people in two groups. Serinus and the security guards dropped back while the Andorian and Betazoid counselor hurried the people toward the safety of the caves two hundred meters ahead. As the group disappeared into the rocky cave system he could barely hear his friend calling out instructions to his make-shift protection team.::

Serinus: Now! 

::Jona's brow creased in concern. He shared a look with the governor.::

Reidella: ?

Stendhal: ?

--

Lt. Jona ch'Ranni

Assistant Chief of Operations

USS Columbia (NCC-85279)

C239510JC0