F I V E
"Over here, 'Ornamee.", said 'Firnomee.
The young human was hard at work moving bales of dried grass into a large room deep in the heart of the facility. Large, broken glass tanks lined the walls, and strange banks of human devices were crammed into a corner. None of it worked, except for a few dim, flickering light bars in the ceiling, which made the room fairly dark.
"There.", he said as 'Ornamee deposited the last bale. "Now we can go and begin moving the eggs in. Come."
Together they went and, with the help of 'Olimir, 'Sonamir, and 'Nuramir, quickly moved all 48 eggs into the makeshift nests 'Firnomee had arranged for them. The female raptors would remain with the eggs while 'Firnomee and 'Ornamee went out to join up with 'Fulsamee and his crew.
'Ornamee closed the large set of double doors that led into the new egg chamber and headed outside with 'Firnomee. When he got out, 'Fulsamee's group was just about to leave in the direction 'Diromee had indicated.
"That was fast.", remarked 'Fulsamee. "Alright everyone: here we go. Form up behind me. Do not take any actions unless I order you to."
The raptors fell in as told and slowly walked toward Section Two of the southern border. Only a mile into the trip, 'Fulsamee signaled for everyone to stop and be silent. His head swiveled left and right, as if searching for something. He paused, looking straight ahead, then suddenly lashed out with his right fist. There was a loud smack, then the sound of bushes being crushed as something heavy fell. 'Fulsamee turned, reached into the half-destroyed bush, and dragged out a young raptor.
"Aha! And where are you from!", he demanded.
The raptor remained silent.
"Okay. You are not one of mine. I have no reason to keep you alive."
Still, it refused to speak.
"Okay, fine. An admirable quality, loyalty, however in this situation it is not going to get you very far. You have thirty seconds."
"I.. I am Bako 'Putumee, Excellency. My pack is just south of here. They should be here in less than a quarter-cycle." He paused, then said, "Is that all you require, Excellency?"
"Yes. Thank you.", said 'Fulsamee.
'Fulsamee then threw the raptor down, planted his right foot on its neck, and severed its spine. 'Fulsamee stepped over the body, and said, "Come. We have work to do. 'Ornamee, stay behind us at a distance beyond the range of sight and smell. Normally, I would allow you to join us, but unfortunately you would distract our adversaries, for obvious reasons, and I do not have time for that. Do not rejoin us until I instruct you to do so." 'Ornamee moved off the path they had been traveling, and melted into the shadows. The others followed close behind 'Fulsamee.
About a quarter-mile further into the forest, 'Fulsamee again signaled for the group to stop. He took several steps forward and said, "Your cowardice does not serve you well. Come out, and state your purpose."
Three raptors materialized from the shadows of trees. They were dark in color, and all had blazing red eyes sunken in their sockets. One, larger than the others, stepped forward.
"Who are you? Why do you venture forth towards our land?"
Fulsamee replied, "I was under the impression that I had requested that information first."
The other paused, then said, "True... I am Bako 'Neramee. I am leading my pack towards the assimilation of greater territory." He gestured to his right, and said, "This is my mate 'Karomee, and this," pointing to the male at his left, "is 'Mortumee."
"This greater territory is in the direction that we have come from, yes?"
"Unless we deem it to be unsuitable."
"I regret to inform you that it is most unsuitable for your habitation, being that my pack has already laid claim to it. Your expansion cannot continue."
"Or so you think. If you will not yield the land to me, then I shall have to take it from you."
"Good luck."
'Neramee nodded to his raptors, and then, like lightning, crouched and threw himself, mouth open in a scream of war, and claws extended, at 'Fulsamee. 'Fulsamee watched impassively as this happened, then neatly sidestepped 'Neramee, and delivered a sharp blow to the back of his skull as he passed. Not enough to kill, but enough to stun. 'Neramee hit the ground and crumpled. The other raptors engaged in the melee, and a raging fight ensued. 'Fulsamee watched as his raptors fought the Bako pack. 'Firnomee rolled, locked in a grapple with 'Mortumee, and both 'Ikaporamee and 'Isnomee were exchanging fierce slashes and bites with 'Karomee. 'Nosimee also watched the fight, but as 'Firnomee and 'Mortumee rolled past, he stepped in and slashed 'Mortumee, a difficult blow to land, as the two were moving fast, and slashed open 'Mortumee's chest. The shock from this caused 'Mortumee to momentarily release his grip on 'Firnomee, which 'Firnomee took advantage of and pinned 'Mortumee down much as 'Fulsamee had the Bako scout. The results were also identical.
Suddenly, 'Fulsamee was down, and his back was being sliced open by 'Neramee, who apparently had recovered sufficiently to make another bid for 'Fulsamee's life. There wasn't a grand lot 'Fulsamee could do, he was down and his legs were not in a position that could be useful. His vision went red, and 'Fulsamee was on the very brink of transcending the physical when there was a loud CRACK! 'Fulsamee had a moment to wonder what had happened, until his vision faded and he blacked out.