Untitled.

Part One.

Quew Ó 2000-08-04

Section One.

‘Captain, we’re reaching the system now.’ Tom Paris swivelled in his seat, a self satisfied smirk on his face. ‘I knew we’d get there faster by going through that red dwarf system.’

‘Mr Paris, keep your eyes on the road.’ The captains’ voice held a dangerous level of warning; she was in no mood for his attitude today. He huffed, but obediently turned around without saying another word. Chakotay shot the captain a sideways look and then leaned over.

‘Everything ok where you are?’ He asked quietly, breaking her out of her funk.

She sighed, and then threw him a glance that shifted between sadness and anger. ‘I’m fine,’ she sighed again, ‘and I’ll be in my ready room. Please inform me once we reach the planet.’

He nodded and watched as Janeway uncrossed her thin legs and marched into her private sanctum. Once inside, she rubbed a hand across her temple, trying to disperse the insistent headache that had turned her mood sour all day. She hadn’t meant to be sharp with her crew, but the stress of being at the top was starting to wear on her. She hadn’t taken shore leave since the debacle with the Gestri six months ago, when some unavoidable cultural differences had meant Voyager had been chased out of their system at high warp. Since then, despite the constant opportunities, she hadn’t felt confident enough to leave the ship. She was aware that her unnatural attachment to Voyager was wearing her down, but she couldn’t help it. She almost felt like the ship would fall apart without her there…or maybe she would fall apart without her ship.

‘Captain to the bridge. We’re in orbit now.’ Harry’s young voice rang out, and she realised she must have been in there for at least an hour. She hadn’t remembered sitting down or getting herself a cup of strong coffee from the replicator. Quickly she moved back onto the Bridge while thinking about the next few days.

The planet they were now in orbit above was what the captain hoped would prove a welcome break. About a week ago, Seven had approached her with knowledge of a planet that might be good for foraging. On closer inspection, the planet had proved to be an ideal candidate for shore leave – pristine beaches, cool blue seas; It was like a whole Hawaiian planet. She couldn’t help but feel better for knowing it was uninhabited.

Section Two.

‘Hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!’ Lieutenant Torres spat, stopping short of slapping Seven’s hands away from the computer terminal.

‘I was merely calculating trajectories for our descent down to the planet.’ The ex-drone said in her infuriatingly calm manner.

‘Well, couldn’t you have done that in Astrometrics?!’ Torres growled, having to bite her lip to stop herself flying off the handle.

Seven raised her Borg eyebrow, ‘Lieutenant Torres, the secondary relays in Astrometrics are misfiring. I reported this to Engineering three days ago. Since no-one came down to repair it, I assumed no-one would mind if I worked here.’

‘Alright…’ Torres sighed, ‘that still doesn’t give you the right not to ask first. Higgins!’

A shy looking Ensign detached herself from a console. ‘Yes ma’am?’ She asked timidly, keeping her eyes on the floor.

‘Weren’t you working at this station?’ Torres asked, her mood being tempered by the almost frightened attitude of the poor woman.

‘Yes ma’am.’

‘What happened?’

‘I went to ask Ensign Tompson something, and when I came back Seven was here.’ The woman said, her auburn hair slipping from behind her ears to partly obscure her face.

‘And you didn’t ask her to work somewhere else?’ The Chief Engineer asked, incredulous.

‘I thought it would be easier if I just went and worked over there.’ She waved a delicate hand to the station she had been at.

‘Listen, Ensign. You’re an Engineer. You work in Engineering. You get priority on any console here unless the captain or I say otherwise. Understand?’ The Ensign nodded. ‘Good. Now, get back to work. Oh, and Ensign…’ The woman stopped mid-step like a deer caught in headlights …‘Look up, please.’

Higgins looked guilty as she raised her head from the floor. Her dark lipstick was smeared slightly across the left side of her mouth, and as her hair settled Torres noticed just how messy it was. The half Klingon sighed.

‘You went to ‘ask’ Ensign Tompson something? Higgins, I’ve warned you about this. You and Tompson here, now for a reprimand. Go and get your partner in crime.’

The Ensign drew herself up straight and her eyes widened with guilt. ‘Yes ma’am!’

Once Higgins had scuttled off, Torres spun on her heel to face Seven. ‘Now, you should have asked before using anything in Engineering.’ She said, wishing she was tall enough to look down on the ex-drone. ‘I can’t believe you, just waltzing in here like you own the place! You can get away with it in Astrometrics, but not here!’

Seven looked down at the shorter woman. ‘I could get away with dancing in Astrometrics?’ She asked, hiking her human eyebrow up this time.

‘What?’ Be’lannas dark eyes narrowed.

‘You said I could get away with waltzing in Astrometrics. I very much doubt I could get away with dancing while I was on duty.’

‘Oh Kah’less!’ The half Klingon raised her eyes to the ceiling, ‘Now you’re making fun of me!’

Before Seven could let another dead-pan retort go, she was interrupted by Ensign Higgins dragging another Ensign with her to Lieutenant Torres.

‘Ma’am, I bought Ensign Tompson here.’

‘Yes, you did, and it only took you three minutes longer than it should have done.’ Torres quipped, her sable brown hair flying as she spun to face them. ‘Don’t you two ever stop going at it?!’

Seven tipped her head to one side; she was intrigued by the conversation in front of her. She didn’t really know what the Chief Engineer was talking about, but she was getting a fair idea. What intrigued her was the two Ensigns’ body language. They looked like two naughty children caught raiding the sweet jar. They would share glances and occasionally Higgin’s hand would make contact with Tompsons’ causing both of their heart rates to increase and their pupils to dilate. Both of them were women, Ensign Higgins a short, fair skinned woman who’s auburn hair was constantly unruly, only now Seven knew why, and Ensign Tompson, a dark skinned, attractively built women, not much shorter than Seven herself. The ex-Borg eyed Tompson over carefully – the woman was tall, and had had the reputation on the ship as a bit of a ladies lady until Higgins, the mild mannered, unassuming young Ensign, had finally reigned her in. The dubious honour of being the roughish charmer on board had since passed to a female security officer, Benson.

It wasn’t like Seven was unaware of same sex relationships – she had come across them during her extensive research into human dating, and had been quite fascinated. She had known of a few such pairings on the ship, but had never got to see one up close.

‘…And if I catch you late for a duty shift or anything like that again, I’ll have you cleaning the warp core…from the inside out. Clear?’ Torres finished, angling her well muscled body toward their stations and looking expectant.

Immediately, they straightened up. ‘Yes ma’am!’ They chorused, scrambling back to work. Seven watched them leave, noticing the way they never strayed too far away from each other, and that they constantly glanced at each other with an adoring expression Seven had never seen before.

‘Seven! Wake up!’ The lieutenant bellowed in her ear. ‘I haven’t finished with you yet!’

‘Janeway to Torres.’ The half Klingon gave Seven a look that warned her not to move, and then tapped her com-badge.

‘Torres here.’

‘Yes Captain, we’re all set-’

‘Captain Janeway…’ Seven broke in, leaning forward and speaking into Be’lanna’s com-badge. ‘I have not had a chance to calculate the safest trajectory yet, we have had a few problems in Engineering.’

Getting over her shock, Torres shut her mouth with a snap and was about to launch into an all out offensive when Janeway said. ‘Seven, we’ve decided it would be best to beam the crew down’ Before the smug expression could settle on Be’lanna’s features, Janeway added, ‘But until Astrometrics is fixed, you can work down there if you want.’

‘But Captain she came down here and-’ The Chief Engineer began.

Torres just stood there, vibrating with rage at being cut off. She slowly pivoted to face Seven, who wore a slightly superior smile, as if to say ‘I knew that would happen.’

‘Vorik!’ Torres snapped, not taking her eyes off the intruder into her Engineering.

‘Yes, ma’am?’

‘Help Seven.’

‘Yes ma’am.’

And with that the Chief Engineer stalked off, muttering to herself under her breath. A few moments later, a crash sounded from the other side of the large room, followed by the really, really pissed off shout of ‘Who the hell left that damn door open!?!’

Section Three.

‘Woo-hoo!’ Tom Paris leapt onto the transporter pad. ‘Beach, here I come!’

Harry Kim smiled and tugged at the unfamiliar shorts as he climbed up onto the pad next to his best friend. ‘I hope you remembered to pack sun block.’ He murmured.

‘Sun block?! Who needs it!’ Tom grinned roguishly as he ran a hand through his blonde locks. ‘We’ll be fine, trust me Harry.’

The long suffering ops officer sighed and nodded; it was hard work having Tom Paris for a best friend.

‘Ah! Megan, glad you could make it!’ Tom enthused, leaping back down off the platform to greet his favourite half of the Delaney sisters.

‘Jennifer,’ Harry nodded in greeting, ‘Are you looking forward to shore leave?’

‘Sure am.’ She smiled and hooked her arm through his, ‘and I see you bought lunch, perfect.’

Harry glanced at Tom long enough to see the enthusiastic helmsman give him an over-exaggerated wink as he slung his arm over Megan Delaney’s shoulders.

Moments later they had joined the many other crewmen and women already down on the surface of what had affectionately been termed ‘Paradise Planet.’

#

‘Captain, may I have a word?’ Torres marched into the ready room without waiting for a reply. ‘Seven Of Nine is driving me nuts!’

Inwardly, Janeway groaned. Wouldn’t they ever learn to get along! Outwardly, she was the picture perfect example of diplomacy. ‘What happened, Lieutenant?’

‘She uses things without asking and then doesn’t put them back, she gets Engineering personnel to help her when they are supposed to be doing their work, she upsets our schedules, she-’

Janeway put up her hands for silence. ‘Torres, how does she get your people to help her when they are supposed to be doing their work?’ She asked.

The lieutenant had the good grace to look a little sheepish. ‘Um, well, she can be quite imposing when she wants to be, Captain.’

Janeway managed to look thoroughly unsympathetic and understanding at the same time. ‘Keep your people at their posts, Lieutenant. I’ll have a word with Seven.’

‘Thank you, captain.’ Torres knew it would be the best she could get for now. ‘I’ll be in Engineering.’

‘Wait a minute, Be’lanna.’ Janeway called out as the engineer turned to leave. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be on shore leave right now?’

Relaxed by the use of her first name, Be’lanna let out a little growl. ‘I forgot!’ She said. ‘In that case, I’ll be in my quarters picking up a few things. Are you coming down, captain?’

‘Yes.’ Janeway managed a smile, ‘When I’ve finished this log entry.’

Be’lanna looked a little disgusted. ‘You can do log entries when we back, captain. If you don’t mind me saying so, you look like you could do with a little rest and relaxation. Don’t forget that shore leave for the whole crew means you too.’

Janeway looked a little shocked by Be’lannas’ outburst, but then her features creased into a smile. ‘Thank you, Lieutenant.’ She said sincerely.

‘What for?’

The captain paused, then looked up and smiled again. ‘For reminding me I’m part of the crew.’

Torres looked a little taken aback by the captains statement, but then she smiled. ‘Well, you are.’ She said, before hurrying off to her quarters.

Janeway looked at the unfinished log on her desk. Smiling to herself, she got up and left the padd there, heading off to her quarters to change.

The captain shifted slightly in the sand, the glow of the firelight reminding her of camping out as a child. Along the small beach, many such fires were aglow, lighting up gatherings of Federation crewmembers. On the edge of the beach, where it met the dense forests that covered much of the planet, smaller fires belonging to small security contingencies lit up the dark night sky, but even these were surrounded by happy, smiling faces.

Around her own fire were Chakotay and herself, along with Harry Kim, Jennifer Delaney and Sam Wildman. She was doing the rounds, visiting each and every fire to speak to each and every crewman and woman. It wasn’t a chore, exactly the opposite in fact. When the captain herself came by for a chat, it seemed to make the vacationing crew even more vibrant, knowing that she was doing the same things they were. Glancing out along the dark beach, she could she the silhouettes of people moving between the fires; Neelix, handing out fire roasted nibbles, Ensign Higgins and Ensign Tompson, joined at the hip. She had even seen Seven moving around earlier in the evening.

Section Four.

Rustling, off to her left. Crouching, she pulled out her phaser and melted into the shadows that were cast by the bole of a huge tree. She carefully planted her feet to give her a good stance – should anyone try to rush her she would be ready. Casting glances at the dense foliage, she pricked her ears, her senses made hyper-sensitive by adrenaline.

Suddenly, a figure rose up to her left. She gasped and swung the phaser around quickly, but managed to freeze her hand before she put any pressure on the fire button.

‘Seven!’ She hissed, ‘Are you following me?’

‘Yes.’ The ex-drone said simply, ‘but only because I wanted to apologise.’

‘You? Apologise?’ Be’lanna snorted, ‘are you feeling ok?’

Seven looked perplexed. ‘I feel fine.’

‘Never mind.’ Be’lanna holstered her phaser and glanced back to where the security campfires were just visible. ‘So, you want to apologise. What for?’

‘For…intruding into Engineering. And causing trouble for you.’

Be’lanna opened her mouth to say something smart when a thought blind-sided her. Look at the expression on her face, It said, This isn’t easy for her, no matter how much she’s trying to look superior. You’re going to have to put up with her for a hell of a long time, and wouldn’t being nice be easier? The engineer shook her head and said. ‘Thank you, Seven.’

Seven looked at the floor and then looked up. ‘Why are you out here, Lieutenant?’

Well, that’s the caring sharing over with. ‘I thought I saw a light out here, I came out to investigate.’

‘Shouldn’t you have alerted Mr. Tuvok and security?’

‘Where’s the fun in that, Seven?’ Torres grinned, ‘You have really got to learn how to live a little.’

‘I would like to learn how to live a lot, but if we get eaten out here I doubt I will get the chance.’

Be’lanna paused, ‘Was that a joke?’

Seven’s answer was masked by a series of crackling noises from their left. Seven had a tri-corder in her hands in seconds. ‘Several life signs, converging on our position.’ She whispered.

Be’lanna glanced back at the fires as the noises continued; they were a lot further away than she remembered them being, and her hunters instincts were telling her that they wouldn’t make it. She quickly pulled Seven back against the trunk of the tree, making sure they were both behind the phasers protection. She noticed Seven’s hand straying toward her com-badge and intercepted it, grabbing the ex-borgs wrist.

‘If you call security they’ll know we were out here, then we’ll both get in trouble!’ She hissed.

‘Getting in trouble is preferable to getting eaten.’ Seven whispered back.

‘We don’t even know if they’re carnivorous yet; they could be rabbits!’ Torres exclaimed through clenched teeth as Seven’s hand strained to reach the Starfleet emblem. ‘If they’re dangerous, you can call for security when I’ve been eaten!’

Seven’s hand stopped. ‘Acceptable.’ She said.

Be’lanna’s eyes flashed dangerously but she let the comment pass – the sounds were slowly getting closer and closer. She identified three separate life forms moving through the undergrowth. If they were predators they weren’t very good ones; they were making enough noise to wake the dead.

‘P’tach!’ she swore suddenly. All the approaching noise was coming from more or less directly in-front of them. Quickly she glanced into the deep shadows on their left, and sure enough her sharp eyes picked out a silently moving silhouette as It moved to blindside them.

‘Keep your eyes peeled, Seven.’ She whispered, ‘they are trying to surround us.’

‘And succeeding.’ The ex-drone concluded, ‘I can see two to our left and two to our right.’

‘What do they look like?’ The half-Klingon asked.

‘Roughly five to six feet in length, with a feline look about them.’ Seven reported. ‘I do not think they are rabbits, Lieutenant.’

‘Hey, we’re about to be eaten. Call me Be’lanna.’

#

Janeway stopped dead in her tracks between two fires, blanching at the sheer amount of stress in Seven’s voice. ‘Seven what is it? Where are you?’

‘I’m on my way, Seven, just try to get back to the beach!’ No-one noticed the captains’ raised voice as they relaxed around the campfires. Picking up her feet, the captain headed toward the nearest security fire.

‘Lieutenant Benson!’ The captain snapped, making the security officer pull away from her companion with a bit too much speed.

‘Yes ma’am!’ She leapt to her feet on seeing the captains face, twisted in worry as it was. She may have been about to do it right there on the beach with Ensign Dorrs from the Hydroponics bay, but she was a professional at heart. ‘What can I do for you?’

The captain, having recovered from seeing the woman in a passionate embrace with Ensign Dorrs, was in full business mode. ‘Ensign, go and find Commander Chakotay. Tell him to start organising people to beam up to the ship, I want everyone back on board.’

‘Yes ma’am!’ Dorrs squeaked, thanking her lucky stars the captain had other things on her mind.

‘Benson, give me a phaser.’ The captain growled, sweeping the forest with her best force ten glare. ‘We’re going in.’

Benson knew enough not to question orders, and she handed over the spare phaser, making sure her own was securely attached to her belt.

‘Janeway to Tuvok.’ The Vulcan had volunteered to stay behind with a skeleton crew.

‘Tuvok here, captain.’

‘Scan the woods in front of us for life signs.’

‘Affirmative…’ There was a pause, and Benson shifted lean legs uncomfortably – the captains attitude was making her nervous. ‘No life signs detected.’

‘What?’ Janeway gasped, swaying slightly on her feet, ‘Are you sure?’

‘Positive, captain. I would advise against just you and lieutenant Benson venturing into the woods on your own.’

Benson put out an arm as the captain swayed dangerously to one side. Cupping the captains elbow, Benson guided her gently to the sand. She was about to mouth an empty platitude when the captains brows knitted and she sat up straight.

‘Janeway to Tuvok.’

‘No life signs at all?’

‘None other than vegetation, captain.’

‘Thank you, Janeway out.’ Turning to Benson, Janeway’s eyes glinted dangerously in the firelight. ‘Lieutenant, get ready to go.’

‘Yes ma’am,’ Benson said, standing and holding out a strong hand to help Janeway up.

#

‘Seven!’ Torres shouted, ‘get back here!’

The ex-drone had moved out from behind B'Elanna – and consequently the protection of the phaser – to try to see a safe route back to the beach. Reluctantly, Seven returned.

‘When I say run, you start running back to the beach, understand?’ Torres hissed.

‘Unacceptable.’ Seven said, ‘we must both survive.’

‘I don’t have to do anything!’ Torres spat, some venom creeping back into her voice, ‘you have to stay on the ship! They need you in Astrometrics, and plus, where would ninety nine percent of the crew get their eye candy from if you weren’t there? Voyager would be a hell of a lot duller with you not on board!’

‘Eye candy?’

Be’lanna groaned. ‘Never mind. This isn’t a discussion, Seven. Go.’

‘But-’

‘Go!’ Be’lanna pushed her out from behind her as the lead animal materialised at the other end of the clearing. Seven realised as B'Elanna had done that not being behind the engineer meant not being behind the phaser. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she realised three of the animals had started to swing toward her.

‘Go! Now!’ She heard the chief engineer hiss, and as much as she wanted to stay, she felt her feet pick up off the damp earth and start toward the distant hope of the campfires.

Be’lanna faced the lead animal, a smile pulling her lips up to expose her sharp teeth. It was a smile devoid of any humour as she watched the obviously deadly animal wind it’s way toward her. It was an animal that any Klingon warrior would be proud to say that he, or she, had slain. Moonlight glinted off a powerful body, covered by thick, luxurious fur – mottled green and brown so that if it stood still, it blended perfectly with it’s background. Muscles moved like tennis balls under it’s skin, and four large paws were tipped with deadly silver claws.

It seemed to the half Klingon that the beast was smiling in it’s own superior way, as if it knew it had an easy kill. She bared her teeth and growled. ‘It’s not going to be as easy as you think.’ Softly.

I beg to differ, It’s mannerisms said as it prowled toward her. I am a hunter, and you are my prey. Don’t forget that. I won’t.

Sweat beaded on her forehead as the animal crouched, it’s long tail swishing as it prepared to pounce. She stared and stared until the beast filled her vision, it’s nightmare fangs bared and ready to bite down, to crush her bones and rip into her dark flesh. She suddenly felt very attached to her skin.

Too late, she heard the softest sigh of breathing down by her left flank, and she realised that the lead animal was a ploy, a diversion. She dived right as the second animals’ jaws closed with a snap were her left leg had been. Suddenly, she felt intense panic fill her as she rolled away to come up inches away from a third animal waiting for her. She scuttled forward as she felt a huge paw dig into the back of her right thigh, causing her to screech in agony.

She turned and fired, catching the third animal unaware. Her blast took it in the face and it crumpled, folding up and landing on her injured leg.

‘Oomph!’ Benson fell backwards as a body careened into hers. Using all of her security training, she flipped the assailant over and put pressure on their windpipe.

‘Seven!’ the captain gasped, pulling a shocked Benson off the lanky blonde, ‘Are you alright?’

‘I am undamaged, captain, although I fear for B’Elanna’s safety; she is still out there.’ The woman said as Janeway helped her up.

Even in crisis mode, Janeway noted it was odd to hear Seven say B’Elannas’ first name, and to say it in such a way that suggested she really was worried about her.

‘C’mon!’ The captain said, leading Seven and Benson back the way the ex-drone had come.

They crashed blindly through the undergrowth, moving as quickly as they could. Long before they could see the clearing, it’s location became apparent. Filtered through the foliage came growls and snarls, and moments before, Janeway had heard a scream of pain. She picked up the pace and the trio fairly exploded onto the scene.

B’Elanna was laying in the dirt, a beast seconds away from clawing into her back. Benson was first off the mark, drawing and firing before the animals had properly registered the intruders. The beast howled and tumbled off the stricken engineer. Janeway ran forward, keeping her phaser ready, and knelt at B’Elanna’s side.

‘Janeway to Voyager!’ she barked.

‘No time to explain, four to beam up!’

‘That’s just it, captain, we don’t have you on sensors!’

‘What?’ Janeway gasped, suddenly aware that Benson and Seven were backing toward her, their eyes turned toward the beach. ‘Is there some sort of interference?’

‘Negative captain…you’re just not there! If you want a beam out…you are going to have to get to the beach. I’m sending more security to help!’

Janeway looked over her shoulder to Benson, who shook her head; the way to the beach was blocked. ‘Confirmed, Commander, but they had better hurry. Janeway out.’

The reason the two remaining crewmembers were backing toward her soon became painfully obvious to the captain; four more beasts materialised in their path. A growl made her turn the other way – three more animals were moving through the bushes opposite.

‘Captain, I can see two more beasts, one on either side.’ Seven said. Janeway was never more grateful for Borg enhanced vision.

The captain and Benson positioned themselves on either side of B’Elanna’s prone body, keep a wary eye on as much of the undergrowth as they could.

Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the rest and started slinking toward them. She caught it a glancing blow with her phaser, but it had been expecting a shot and neatly jumped sideways, continuing it’s advance. Another beast, and then another began approaching. She realised that unless the security backup arrived within seconds, they wouldn’t stand much of a chance.

Cursing shore leave, she quickly raised her eyes to the heavens, wanting to say goodbye to Voyager one last time. She focused on a moving light, and, hoping it was her beloved ship, began sending her thoughts toward it. Her sentimentality was interrupted by movement in the trees. Don’t tell me they’re up there as well! She thought desperately, hearing phaser shots behind her.

The silhouette moved again, and resolved itself into a humanoid shape. She closed her gaping mouth and preyed it wasn’t some more advanced predator looking for an easy meal. As if it had read her thoughts, the shape growled, and she gasped as silence reigned in the clearing. She drew her gaze down to the advancing animals; they had all stopped dead, their coats blending them magnificently into the fauna, and were staring upward. She signalled the group to start moving, and she and Seven carefully stooped to pick up the engineers’ body.

One of the animals growled and leapt forward, it’s jaws closing scant inches away from where Janeway’s arm had been. Broken out of their spell, the beasts began to advance in earnest, and Benson and the captain were hard pressed to keep them back. Seven picked up a branch and started swinging it at the nearby attackers. One got passed Benson, and Seven bought the branch down so hard it snapped across the animals skull, knocking it out cold. But, inch by inch, the animals got closer, and the captain heard Benson scream as a beast leapt up on her. She turned, hoping to fire on the animal before it hurt Benson too much, but this was what they had been waiting for. As her guard was down, a beast leapt on her from behind, digging it’s claws in and pulling her down under it’s superior weight. The captain tried to scream, but the air had been knocked from her lungs and the weight on her back made it impossible to draw breath. She lifted her head and saw Seven grappling with another beast, six foot Borg and six foot cat struggling mightily.

Moving her head again, she saw another animal sidle toward Torres’s body, and she tried to shoo it away but all it did was swat playfully at her hand, as if it knew the battle was over. Janeway sighed as she felt claws sink into her skin; somehow, the pain didn’t seem too important anymore. She closed her tired eyes as focusing became painful and the smell of the damp earth enveloped her other senses.

She didn’t really notice as another growl joined the animal’s, enticing the beasts away from their meals. She didn’t see a shape drop form the trees above and land among the beasts, lashing out left and right and throwing cat like shapes among the brush. She didn’t even notice when she was lifted onto someone’s shoulder, and carried away.