A/N: Yeah, I got reviews. I totally didn't expect them this early in the story. Yes, I have some spelling errors and I'm sorry. I thought I had screened them all out, but you just miss some. Sorry. And it is a little rushed. I wanted this to be a short fanfiction and didn't want to draw it out in all monotony. So I made things go rather fast. It will continue to be fast. If that bothers you, I wouldn't read this. This chapter isn't one of my favorites, but it leads into the next chapter. I hoep you like it.
HEART BEAT by Lina Shay
Chapter Three: Lost
Taurik awoke laying on his stomach. He felt bruised all over as he tried to lift himself up. In surprise, Taurik looked about him at the interior of a severely damaged shuttle. He vaguely remembered getting into the shuttle and flying it, but he didn't remember why he had done it or what his destination had been.
Taurik got to his feet and went over to the control panel to ascertain his location and the condition of the shuttle. The systems were so far damaged that he couldn't use scanners or the communications systems. Out the window though, he could make out the vegetation of a class M planet. The sun was rising over the thick growth of trees.
Being an Engineering officer, Taurik's first priority was to repairing the shuttle. After some time of reconfiguring and such, Taurik realized he lacked the instruments and components he needed to make the shuttle flight-worthy. Taurik's best bet was to look for signs of civilization. There may be crude technology which could be fashioned into the components he was in need of.
Taurik grabbed a tricorder and a phaser and set off out of the shuttle. The tricorder didn't detect any towns or structures nearby. Taurik was no quitter. It was illogical to sit around when all options had not been exhausted. Taurik kept making his way through the dense forest, scanning for signs of intelligent life.
After an hour, Taurik had not made any progress in his scans. This must have been an unpopulated province. Usually, Taurik would keep going, but he seemed to not have as much stamina as usual. He was just so fatigued.
Taurik had sat down to rest a moment when his tricorder detected a large life form. It wasn't any species on file. It wasn't humanoid, so Taurik thought it best to stay clear of the thing. The tricorder indicated that the life form was eighteen yards away and closing. Taurik pondered what should be done. If he ran, he might provoke the beast. If he stayed, he might be ignored. On the other hand, he might be devoured.
Taurik pulled out his phaser and watched the tricorder. Fifteen yards away ...fourteen ...thirteen ...twelve ... The thing was going pretty fast. Nine yards ...eight ...seven ...six... Taurik raised the phaser and pointed it to the trees just ahead of him. Three yards ...two ...one... A large, hairy animal leapt out of the trees. Before Taurik had time to react, the creature had knocked him down. The thing's front paws pressed hard against Taurik's chest, it's beady eyes glowing behind a mane of bushy black-green fur. A mouth sprang open from among the fur, revealing rows of yellow teeth. Taurik quickly raised the hand holding the phaser and shot the beast. The monster fell over, roaring in pain.
Almost at the same moment, Taurik and the beast got to their feet. Taurik went to shoot it again, but he was not quick enough. One of the giant claws scraped him across the chest, ripping both his uniform and skin. Taurik fell back from the impact, the wound searing.
The monster bounded forward for another attack. This time Taurik set the phaser to kill. He took aim and fired just as the beast was almost upon him. The thing fell to the ground lifeless.
There wasn't enough pain that Taurik could not master it. He took a few deep breaths, then stood up. He started back toward the shuttle. For the first while, he was doing well, but his mental control began to dwindle. Almost with each step, Taurik felt more pain and was weaker. By the time the shuttle was in view, it was all Taurik had to stay standing. He took a few more steps, then his legs gave way. He felt as if he was floating for a few minutes. He didn't even feel himself hit the ground, just saw colors flashing above him. Then a blurry face came into view. Taurik thought he was dreaming.
"Taurik?" Came her familiar voice.
Then all went dark.