A/N This is a repost of a story I wrote a year ago, though I've made some changes and edits and added in page breaks where appropriate now that fanfiction allows that feature. I haven't abandoned my other stories I'm working on, just planning on reposting this at the same time. This takes place right after the herd of Embolotherium comes through the anomaly in Series 3 Episode 9, but in this timeline, they never go chasing Helen through time right afterwards, they just finish up with that anomaly and things go back to normal afterward. (If you can call anything that happens at the ARC normal…)
So far, the day had been quiet. Connor was sitting at the ADD doing a few upgrades to it. Abby was watching him and casually clamouring on about how Rex was really missing him at home, but Connor wasn't quite getting the hint that she was wanting him to ask her if he could move back into her flat.
On the other side of the room, Sarah was carefully examining the diary that Danny had given her to read and Danny and Becker were standing just to the side discussing the ARC's security system. Everything seemed normal and peaceful for the time being, but it didn't last long.
Lester suddenly appeared on the ramp as he descended from his office and clapped his hands together, "Alright, we've got a new creature sighting in a forest near the farmlands away west from here. A sheep farmer has complained that his sheep are being carried off and eaten at an alarmingly fast rate."
Connor looked up, puzzled, "There's been no anomaly alerts. Are we sure it's not just a wolf or fox of some sort? Maybe even a bear?"
"That's what I said, but the farmer insists that he has special sheep that would not be taken in by such small animals."
Becker choked slightly on the tea he was drinking as he tried to contain his amusement, "Special sheep, Sir?"
Lester threw his palms into the air in a gesture that symbolised that he didn't understand it himself, "Apparently he was quite persistent on the fact. The minister has insisted that we look into it, mostly to get the farmer off his back I presume. Still, we have received some photos that lead us to believe that perhaps he is right. There is a lot of damage in the forest nearby that does not look like it was caused by a wolf or bear. Take a look."
Becker shook his head, "You know, my parents are sheep farmers, I should tell them about the special sheep that are immune to predators."
Everyone in the ARC turned and gave Becker a surprised look and he stared back at them puzzled, "What? I said they were sheep farmers; I didn't say my parents were sheep."
"It's not that, we just didn't realise that Action Man had parents," Connor stated simply.
"Of course I have parents."
"Well you really never talk about your personal life," Sarah said, "Just surprised us, that's all."
Connor left the ADD and began hoping around Becker giddily, "Did you have to help them when you were growing up? Just imagine little Action Boy rounding up sheep! Did you ever sheer them? What about bottle feed the lambs?"
"Connor, shut up!" Abby called across the room, worried for his safety when she saw the look on Becker's face.
"Excuse me, but did anyone hear that we have a creature incursion?" Lester asked pointedly.
That stopped Connor and he finally ran over to Lester and took the photographs from his hand. "Wow," he said, glancing through them, "Farmer's right, it's no wolf that made this mess."
The others crowded around Connor trying to see over his shoulder. The destruction in the forest was quite immense. Trees had been knocked out all over the place leaving a visible trail that could be seen even from the air as was demonstrated in a couple of the pictures.
"Well, should be no problem following this thing then," Danny said, "The trail's clear enough. Let's go!"
"Bring supplies," Abby urged, "the distance this thing has travelled is far, it could be a few days trek before we get to the end of this trail. How long did it take to make this path?"
"Sheep farmer said it's been three days," Lester answered.
"That's a lot of damage for three days!"
They stood, staring at the photos in amazement at the destruction until Lester cleared his throat, "Ahem, why are we all standing here?"
"Right," Danny replied, "Come on guys, let's go!"
They took off running. Becker, Danny and Abby climbed into one vehicle heading straight for the forest where the trail started and Connor and Sarah climbed into the next with the intention of picking up the supplies and meeting them after.