The Phoenix Colony

"Well, this pill is big enough that if it doesn't swallow the pill, it won't eat. And besides, if it chooses not to go with that, there is a such thing as a contingency plan." Chrys looks away, "And this one isn't at the top of anyone's list anyway."

 

"I think this will take more than one person," Reva said, "Chad will need help to get the bodies where they should be, keep lookout as well as possible for the beast,and then to do...whatever we can figure out might work after that. Personally, I think he will have to rush in and time it just right for the thing to bite the antlers. I don't really see a more effective way."

 

"Throw the blood. If it doesn't work, we still need to see it."

 

Reva turned and pointed at Allen, "Yes, and someone to mark it with blood. Probably before Chad tries to kill it. Then he can at least see the markings moving toward him. He'll need every chance he can get."

 

Fox sits down, near Reva. She looks at the ground and says in a regretful voice "I'm sorry guys, but Chad's original plan is the best one. It gives us the highest chance at success. That thing will eat whatever comes out of this cave right away. Chad and the lookout will die doing it your way."

 

Joey had sleapt through most of these proceedings now awoke, her litter she had, had quietly while the other where out side at the fire chirped softly as they woke up with her. Joey looked up and chirped as her children feasted.

"I'll go with him!" Ray called and Smith shot her a glance. She smirked at him now. "If you go i go." He didn't know what to say.

 

Chrys says defiantly, "Well, I can be look out, I'm not all that -you know, insistant on living, and if it picks me up in its mouth, I'm scratcing through the roof of its mouth, even if it's the last thing I do. She's got to die, tonight, and I don't care if I don't see dawn."

 

Allen picked up a gourd and went over to the bodies of Pasha and Viva. Most of the blood had spilled on the ground and been soaked up, but there was enough still pumping from both bodies to fill it up. He took the now full gourd over to Xare and set it down in front of her.

"You have the best reflexes and can sense where it is. You're best choice to throw it."

Then he went back over to the bodies and picked up a knife. He wiped it off on Pasha's shirt and then clenched his broken hand around it. The bones in his hand popped and one or two of them were pushing up against the skin. It hurt, a lot. If he clenched as hard as he could it didn't hurt as much though.

 

Juliano spoke up.

"I can help Chrys watch once the blood is on it. I can see in the dark."

Of course, that wasn't all he planned on doing, but there was no reason to say.

 

She watches Allen collect the blood and places it near her. She speaks up "Guys, calm down. Look, its Chad's life that is on the line here. He should be the one to decided things. So Chad, what plan should we go with. No matter which one you want, I'll back you up."

 

"No one is leaving this cave but me and the two dead bodies!" Smith ordered. The blood can be trown from the opening, and the look outs can do the same." He said and looked down at Ray. "i'll live I promise." He said not really to sure himself.

 

Chrys lookes warily at the guy who just spoe, "Ookay, but how can you see? Like me? Meaning that you see extra amounts of refracting light, or can you actualy decipher?"

 

Reva watched wide-eyed as Allen took the knife. She knew his hand wasn't ready for what he was doing with it and saw the tightness in his face.

It had to hurt.

Events were spinning out of her control but was that a bad thing? These people could very well die tonight and she didn't want them to. But she didn't have a better idea. She remained silent, watching them prepare, feeling unexpectedly useless.

And that is all you've ever been, she told herself, a figurehead when they needed one. Now they're going to solve the problem and they don't need a figurehead anymore.

The heartbeat still boom-boom-boomed through her ears, she had almost gotten used to it. Almost. But now...

"Shhh!" Reva hissed, "It's moving..."

 

Fox speaks up "He doesn't need to see it. I'll keep tract of its movement for him and will yell out to him when to get ready. Chad...um...good luck. Its been an honor to have you as an ally and a friend. I'll make sure no one else leaves this cave. Everyone get ready."

She turns to Reva, "I know. That is why we have to act quickly. Could you keep ahold of Tatee to make sure she doesn't run out?"

 

"Away?" He asked worriedly, he didn't want to have to hunt this thing down again. He looked over at the horns. "If so we need to start now." The he looked at Fox thankfully. He trusted her to make sure Ray and Chrys stayed inside.

 

Chrys fought herself inwardly, she didn't think just Fox would be enough of a look-out, "I can't, I can't let him walk out there by himself. I won't, and you can't stop me." Se looked at Fox as she walked over to Chad, "I'm not the little sister damn it, I'm a lioness waiting for the first real hunt. Nobody will deny me that. I'm helping."

 

"Chad, wait." She glanced at Fox. "I have to tell you something before you," she stammered a bit as tears spilled down her face, "Chad, I love you too." She grabbed his hand and pulled herself up. "Please survive this," she whispered.

 

"Where?" Allen asked. This situation was eating away at him. They should have long since acted. He was used to working alone, making and following his own plan the instant it was formulated.....Her eyes were green. Very observant of you. He needed to get his head clear and start thinking straight....


Juliano leapt up, grabbed Tatee with one arm, and a knife with the other, and ran outside. If she was moving, she was getting ready to do something.

"Hear I am you BITCH!"

He threw Tatee as far as he could.

 

Smith embraced her for a moment, tears running freely down his face now. "I promise." He said holding her tight. He loosened up and looked over at Chrys. He would have to stop her some how. "Chrys you are staying here if I have to knock you out." He said tears still freash on his face. "I won't let anyone else get hurt." Then Allen moved. Smith ran towards the horns snatching them up and hurried out the door after him. "Fox let me know where it is!" He yelled as he reached the door.

 

Chrys ignored Chad, screaming at the wierd man, "Why in the heck would you do that? Are you mising a llobe or somethihg?! WHat'd the baby ever do to you?! WHat the frick is wrong with you?!" She had turned red with her anger, she was fuming.

 

Fox watches Juliano run out of the cave with Tatee. He throws the poor baby just to get a reaction from the beast. "Idiot." says Fox. She stands up and walks over to Kat. "Chad is right. He has to go alone, please understand that. I know you're a lioness, but you also have people that can't let you die. You are too important to the tribe." says Fox.

 

Tatee sailed through the air and landed in a heap on the far side of the fire. Allen and Juliano both watched it as it lay there.

Allen understood what he was doing. This was another man who acted alone. He looked over at Xare. She showed no compassion for the animal she had been handling like a favorite pet just a little while ago. He regretted it himself, and hoped she was all right, but he admired Juliano for acting, and he hoped it worked.

They both waited in silence for any sign of the beast.

 

The Beast scented...scented again and caught the smell of offspring. Her second lids were open, eyes refracting starlight as she slithered down the side of the mountain,around the cave mouth and reared back, looking at the meagre beings who dared to handle her baby.

She began to weave side-to-side like a cobra, trying to choose a target.

 

Chrys froze, "Holy muthaflippa, Chad, get yer ass in the cave! She's -p-p-p-p-pissed!" Chrys could smell the anger coming from the scorned mother. As she stared at the mouth of the cave, Chrys could see the figure weaving around. She knew it, they were like mice in a corner, and that was one hungry and pissed putty-tat.

 

Juliano scanned the trees...there! There was a ripple over there. It could just be a trick of the light, but he didn't think so.