A High Price For Buying Time.

Posted on Thu Jul 28th, 2016 @ 12:07am by Colonel S'er'in'e

Mission: The Art of Survival
Location: Unknown M Class Planet

S'er'in'e left Liarra and made sure to mask the entrance of the cave they were using in an effort to make sure she was not discovered while he was gone. So far no predators had wondered close probably because they could pick up his scent, a scent Liarra was wearing since she now wore his uniform for comfort and warmth. Finding where he had to go was not hard, a fire lit a section ahead of him. He knew what he had to do and thought more on it as he quickly moved towards the area on hands and feet like the feline he was. He heard bird calls and other wildlife around him as he moved but his mind focused on the task at hand.

A few times he thought about checking on the Captain but quickly dismissed it because she was armed and if anything a means to defend herself against an animal. The clear night sky didn't help much as the moonlight cast its rays upon the landscape, thankfully his black fur aided in blending in with the scenery which any moment would become his hunting ground.

It took what felt like a while to reach the makeshift camp site, his injuries ached him but he could make out at the distance he was three individuals. Obviously they were not as determined to capture them which made him wonder if they were actually here for them at all and not some game hunting. S'er'in'e couldn't take the risk though and with Liarra injured and himself too they would make for poor ransom items. He watched from his perch as the three ate, talked and laughed and all the while it made him question if they were indeed here at all for them. Things just didn't add up, why land away from the crash site, why not send seeker drones out, low level passes in the shuttle craft? If they were here for them why make themselves such an easy target?

As he thought this he remembered that an unsuspecting enemy was also the most unpredictable, he needed them to be predictable if his plan was going to work. Time went on as he bide his time observing them, he even caught glimpse of other animals in the area also interested in the scene before scooting off somewhere else. For a while he watched and waited hearing the trio talk loudly enjoying the peaceful moment aided apparently by drink. They appeared to consume a sizeable amount and S'er'in'e's luck first kindled when one walked between the trees, as he moved closed he discovered it was the Human.

Now he had a target angle, he hoped the Human would need to urinate again since it was possible he would go to the same spot as before. Having taken a little while to circle the group without being seen he lay in wait. Even as he waited he questioned himself and what he was about to do. For decades his race had to fight against the stigma of what they appeared to be, what they could do. Here, now he was doing exactly what his people had been trying to prove. He had to kill and he accepted that but death should be dealt cleanly, not like a wild savage as he had to make this instance out to be.

He learned early on that the body of most Humanoids was fragile, Klingons were different of course given the nature of the species but Humans were fragile indeed and now he was to demonstrate just how fragile. A break in the chatter caught his attention and the Human excused himself. One thing he'd learned from his training with Humans is should they find a spot in which to do what they needed they would often return to it, comfort or dignity he wasnt sure but this Human was no different.

S'er'in'e waited, his breathing slowed and posture low as he observed the Human walked between tree and bush to get to his spot. It was about 20 meters from the camp but thick bushes masked the view. S'er'in'e knew he had 10-15 seconds max to do what he needed as they others may be in shock or if they were seasoned they would come to the aid of the Human.

Calming his breathing he had to bury his doubts, the self imposed impacts of what this one act might have against the image of his entire species and while they may never discover what he did, S'er'in'e would know.

The Human stopped and S'er'in'e waited hidden behind a bush perfectly still just a few meters away. As soon as the Human started to urinate is when S'er'in'e attacked growling to vocalise the danger, the move swift and the subsequent hold on the Human harsh, shock and surprise froze the Human to inaction. One hand over his mouth and yanked back while the other with claws bared sank into the side of the rib cage, a bite to the neck and a sudden jerk sealed the Humans fate as he fell to the floor gargling on his own blood within deaths throws. Knowing time was a factor S'er'in'e hacked and slashed at the Human as he lay there on the floor feeling his claws make easy work on the body. He only got 4 or 5 attacks in before he fled upon hearing the shouts of the other two.

The message was delivered however, they were not safe and predators lurked in the region.

His haste to leave and the attack punished him with his injuries, his shoulder worsened considerably to the point of not being able to put weight on it, his chest became tighter and he could smell the copperish smell of blood upon him. S'er'in'e didn't look back as he ran, the deed was done and he was not proud of it but knew it had to be done to buy time, to save lives. As he ran the demons returned again asking if he'd just killed an innocent, assumption that these three individuals were hunting them lead to this act but what if they were not.

S'er'in'e had just murdered a man.

The shouting and yelling of the remaining two faded as S'er'in'e put more distance between them. His shoulder pained him greatly but his chest became increasingly tighter with each breath as he ran, he'd have to do something and while what he was unsure of, he'd have to do something.