The village defender sprinted for the gate entrance as fast as she could, her boots kicking up dirt as she tromped through the path at high speed.  As she crossed through the village square, the emergency lamps began to flash red, notifying her that the fourth perimeter line had been breached.  By the time Illiana had reached the gates and punched in her exit code to open up the personnel door, she could hear the siren blaring through the village, proclaiming that the fifth line had been crossed, rousing everyone else from their beds and calling their minutemen to arms.<br/><br/>Illiana was already outside the gates when the girl came over the hill and into view under the moonlight.  Just behind her, the massive form of a Plains Lizard galloped in pursuit, roaring in what Illiana recognized to be its perverse mating call.  The defender rushed to close the distance between them and for a moment it seemed as if the beast was slowing down and the girl might reach the gates.  Their hopes were dashed, however, when the great lizard pounced forward, knocking the girl face down in the ground as it immediately began to bite and rip away the meager remains of her clothing.<br/><br/>"Please!"  the girl cried out, knowing full well what was about to happen to her.  "Please help me!"