The Ark. A ship created to transport scientists and specimens -  tissues of extinct flora and fauna to colonize a new world. And I was one of the newest scientists on board, being taken to the planet.

Armed with nothing more than a pocket knife I stalked down the many long hallways of the ship. The grate platforms that acted as the floor of the ship clicking and clacking with each step. My eyes traveling all over as I attempted to find anything that might be causing the malfunctions. The lights once more flickering as a puff of white air left my lips. "What's going on," I mused. 

Then the flickering stopped, the room descending into a haze of red light. "Breach! Containment Area 5." The ship's A.I. called, its voice somewhat static.  A small lump formed in my throat as it repeated the alert once more.

My pace quickened into a run. My feet suddenly stopping as I reached containment area 4. It's doors opened completely, more than it should have been to be by accident alone. A patch of sandy colored fur stuck to the door. "Did they neglect to say something alive was aboard. I wasn't trained for this!" The words rang through my ears. My voice lowering as I heard movement down the hall. "Not good. "

In only moments I had arrived at the next containment area. The sound of something rustling through the room being the most proximate noise that resonated through the hall. Pressing my body against that wall, I peeked into the room. A large hulking creature rifling through a cabinet. The feline sniffing a few times before turning, gold eyes locked on my figure. 

It's two saber-like teeth glinting as it studied me. 

My figure moved from the wall, back to the middle of the hall. The creature following after me. Still looking slightly threatening. It was probably hungry and scared.  A bad combination with all animals. 

My eyes never left the creature as I backed away. Was it going to let me go? 

And then I tripped, the sudden move and my new vulnerability causing the animal to charge. A predatory glint in its big gold eyes. It tried to bite down on my neck. My hand flying upwards, attempting to keep its mouth away as the other rifled through my jumpsuit pocket for the knife.

Pulling it out, I stabbed it. An angered roar leaving its throat as it dug its claws into my arm.  It wasn't a vital point. The beast continued lashing out. Blood both from myself and the beast seeming spill as we fought. Until I couldn't tell which was which. 

It stopped. Staggering away as footsteps rang through the ship. I wondered if the ship had finally docked or if I was simply dreaming. All I knew was that the last thing I saw was its golden eyes, still glaring, before finally closing. My own eyelids falling shut soon after. The voices still echoing around us.