Shinkuko crested a small ridge, easily clambering over the sand and rocks.  She glanced back for a moment to make sure Deandra was still following, then waited a couple seconds for the elf to catch up.  When she returned her gaze to the path ahead, she immediately froze.<br/><br/>Another human had appeared, stepping out from some rocks a short distance away.  She looked different from Deandra, and wore strange clothing, but seemed to be a regular human.  So why did Shinkuko feel so suddenly apprehensive...  Her eyes fixed on the woman's hands.  A weapon.  She was carrying a weapon.<br/><br/><em>FN P90 selective fire personal defense weapon.  Human origin.  Introduced Earth year 1990AD.  Fires 5.7x28mm ammunition at approximately 900RPM with a muzzle velocity of 715m/s.  Effective range roughly 200 meters.</em>''<br/><br/>Shinkuko grimaced and clutched her head in pain, swaying slightly on her feet as she was suddenly bombarded with information about the black device the woman carried, most of which was words that made no sense to her.  With a force of will, driven by her new-found determination to let nothing happen to Deandra, Shinkuko forced the torrent of data to stop.  Recovering her senses, she threw her arms wide and regarded the new woman with a set look; Caitlyn would see that Shinkuko was acting as a living shield between her and Deandra.<br/><br/>Deandra had made her safe, and now Shinkuko was going to return the favor.<br/><br/>-------------------------<br/><br/><em>The Hunter tasted the air again, and this time something intruded on it's consciousness.  <strong>Prey.</strong>  The singular thought seared through it's being, bringing change.  It's wings tilted, shifting it from one air current to another.  It's entire consciousness became focused on it's long-awaited task.  It felt its body twisting, elongating, becoming more aerodynamic.  A better Hunter.  The prey was distant still, far beyond the horizon.  But it was tireless, and it had the scent.<br/><br/>The Hunt would end soon.</em>