Editing Maraht the Horta

== Description == [[Image:Maraht2.jpg|thumb|left|Ensign Maraht on the USS Hades]]
{| class="wiki-sidebar" align="right" border="2" style="background:SeaGreen;" bordercolor="white" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
|-
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[Image:horta1.jpg|200px]]
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| class="even" align="center" style="font-size: 90%" colspan="2" | Maraht the Horta
|-
| class="odd" | Name:
| class="even" | Maraht
|-
| class="odd" | Rank:
| class="even" | Ensign (sg)
|-
| class="odd" | Gender:
| class="even" | Orthomale Type B-4A
|-
| class="odd" | Species:
| class="even" | Horta
|-
| class="odd" | Age:
| class="even" | 78
|-
| class="odd" | Position:
| class="even" | ACSO
|-
| class="odd" | Ship:
| class="even" | USS Hades NX-60637
|-
| class="odd" | Status:
| class="even" | Active: ''In the Hands of an Angry God''
|-
|}

'''Height'''  
2.5 feet
 
'''Weight''' 
450 pounds
 
'''Blood Colour''' 
Translucent with metallic sparkles
 
'''Physical Description'''
Marbled orange and brown armored rock with hair-like phalangi that are on the bottom edge and underneath. A domed voder box (vox) attached on the top allows Maraht to communicate using Galactic Standard. Overall body length is 4 feet and width is 2 and 1/2 feet. Maraht takes after his mother, having followed many of her diet recomendations and so resembles her except for his added vox.

'''Current Assignment'''
[[Ensign]] Maraht (sg) serves on board the [[USS Hades]] Science Department as ASCO.

==Family and Background==
[[Image:horta3.jpg|thumb|left|Horta nodules or eggs prior to hatching]]
As one of the newer hatchlings, Maraht found himself longing to see more of the universe beyond his own tunnel. Although most Horta are homebodies by nature, Maraht felt he was destined for something greater than tunneling in the same old planet, doing nothing but mining, eating, and socializing.   

His hundreds of other brothers and sisters thought he was off his rock and needed liberal doses of mica, coal and schist to rid himself of this strange malady. But [[Venerable Mother Horta]] decided to support him in his endeavors and soon realized that he would not be content until he got out into the universe. She felt that traveling with Starfleet would help keep him amongst friends who would help look out for him. 

Maraht has exceeded even human expectations and surprised everyone, proving that a Horta in Starfleet can be a very valuable and useful officer. Maraht's Mother, although justifiably proud of her nomadic son, remained unsurprised.

== Education ==
Maraht had a mining education out in the field on [[Janus VI]]. He majored in Science specializing in areas of [[Geology]], [[Metalurgy]] and [[Tactical Exploration]] at [[Starfleet Academy]]. Maraht graduated with honors in all three fields.

== Personal History ==
Maraht assisted the miners on [[Janus VI]], enjoyed their stories about being off planet, and spent time listening to the communications board when receiving messages from passing ships. [[Venerable Mother Horta]] told young Maraht all about the amazing creature called a Vulcan named Spock and his fascination with exploration; she had especially liked his pointed ears. 

Maraht wanted to contribute to his people in ways other than mining. He enjoyed listening to Old Samuel's stories about traveling the galaxy in search of fortune and trade. He soon felt the call to join [[Starfleet]] once he had achieved 1/2 of his growth. He began to find ways to study and could often be found outside training himself to have no fear of open sky, and toughening himself up with surface hiking before attending the Academy.

Due to his long history of association with humanoid races and humans in particular, Maraht has grown more expressive with his longer phalange. Horta normally consider it better manners to keep it coiled and tucked up neatly underneath their bodies and used when neccessary for specific tasks. But Maraht has found it helpful to use when communicating to convey visual body language and non-verbal cues, sometimes using it as humans might to talk with their hands. He still prefers to use his longer phalange for task oriented duties around other Horta however. It is possible that during his training and due to more extensive use he has gained more flexibility and range of motion than most Horta.

==Starfleet History==
Maraht graduated from Starfleet with honors in the scientific fields of Metalurgy, Geology, and Tactical Exploration. He got along well with all of his classmates by wisely choosing to stay out of politics. Although Maraht showed talents in counseling and linguistics, he decided not to major in those areas at the Academy. Maraht became good friends with a human named [[Stephen Anderson]] and a [[Gorn]] while in the Academy, but they have been able to keep in touch only sporadically. 

At one point during his 4 years during the Academy, [[Starfleet]] requested Maraht's help with the search and rescue of some children that had been reported missing and suspected of becoming trapped in one of the old mine shafts in the hills around the old historic ghost mining town of [[Leadville]] in the Rocky Mountains on Earth.

Though the tourists had been warned repeatedly to not wonder into the mines, three children disobeyed their parents and dared each other to enter the mine at dusk and remain there until dawn. When part of the mine collapsed and trapped two of the three children the third was able to escape to get help. Maraht was asked to help to rescue the children due to his expertise in sensing underground vibration and detecting underground structural weakness. 

Maraht was able to get oxygen, limited light, and water to the children in time and then protected them from further harm in the dark by guiding them to safer passages before helping them out of the honeycomb of shafts, dangerous ledges and drop offs. Because of him, they did not panic and were able to survive their two day ordeal without injury. 

The entire incident brought a reluctant Maraht into the attention of the media. Though publicly touted as a hero, he found himself the object of hate mail from the often violent group called [[Humans for Humanity]]. They later made an attempt to kidnap him from the campus, possibly to make an example of him, and were unsuccessful due to the fact that they had underestimated Maraht's voracity, speed and size. Most of the local cell group were captured.

Upon Graduation Day, [[Admiral Green]] assigned Maraht to the [[Akira class]] [[USS Mystique]] NCC-68125-C where he served as Assistant Chief Science Officer (ACSO) under CSO Lt. [[Ketal]]. Then the crew recently transferred to the newly built [[Prometheus Class]] ship [[USS Hades]] NX-60637 and Maraht now serves under CSO Lt. Comdr [[Holis Gralen]].

== Medical History ==
Hortas, being silicon based life forms, need building plaster to heal up from phaser blasts and most types of wounds. However, their armor is so resilient that it is difficult to wound them. Modified Type II phasers would need to be set on maximum. They have no propensity for infection from carbon based viral and bacterial infections, but propensity for infection to non carbon based microbes is unknown. They are immune to their own acid secretions and can survive the cold vaccum of space as long as they have not been previously wounded. Adult Hortas consume about 20-35 pounds of rock material and minerals every 24-36 hours. Consuming refined metals are much like eating a bowl of white refined sugar for humans; edible yet not nutritionally optimal. In addition to a varied diet of metamorphic and igneous rock, Maraht needs to have some deep pressure time in an atmospheric chamber, probably 1-2 times for several hours weekly in an effort to keep his natural armor healthy if a planet is not currently available. Sleep or rest is also necessary for several hours on a weekly basis. For more information about this species see [[The Horta Report]].

There are currently no known drugs that work or are helpful for treating Hortas medicinally. Nutritionally, the old adage applies, "You are what you eat." There are no known anesthetics for pain for this species. [[Vulcan]] techniques have proven helpful in instances of coping with pain and injury.

Extensive tests were conducted on Maraht at Starbase 32 prior to his undergoing Academy training for [[Starfleet]], in addition to a detailed evaluation. A nefarious labratory technician had thought it profitable to "take samples" of parts of some of the shinier patches of small crystals and various ores out of Maraht's armored carapace to sell to passing traders. Maraht, though uncomfortable about it due to the absence of any anesthetics, had allowed the extra "samples" to be taken, not understanding the technician's true greedy intent, believing that they were being studied in case of injury and for other scientific testing and analysis. When the truth was discovered by the medical Chief of Staff on Starbase 32, Maraht was horrified to find that parts of his "skin" had been harvested for profit without his consent and the technician was summarily court-martialed, but it was never proven conclusivley if he had any connection to the [[Humans for Humanity]] organization. As a result of this regrettable incident, it is reccommended that a relationship of trust be built with Maraht before obtaining fluids and other samples. Labratories and sick bays are uncomfortable for him at first due to his inability to forget these regrettable experiences.

Hortas in general and Maraht specifically exude a dry earthy scent with metallic overtones especially if they have recently been ingesting refined metals or metalic ores. Much of the time Maraht tends to exude his normal dry earthy scent with a touch of vanilla. If injured or ill Maraht has been informed that the state of his scent changes. He was unaware of this as he can't neccessarily detect his own scent easily. If Maraht is ill or injured it has been found that he may exude a more acrid smell.

== Skills ==
Cheerful and psychologically sound: a real rock! Maraht is interested in science as per Geology, Metallurgy and Tactical Exploration, and he has a good handle of fault lines, seismic activity, continental drift, Volcanlogy, and Mineralogy, and although he has considered espionage work, his true goal is to explore the universe. In order to eat, Hortas secrete a molecularly disolving acid based substance from the bottom of their bodies to liquify rock and other minerals deposits before immediate ingestion. In doing so, this creates tunnels and cave structures. Hortas end up being natural geologists and have a strong sensitivity for fault lines, impending earthquakes, and temperature changes particularly due to geological disturbances. The acid secretion can be controlled and aimed carefully enough to carve pictures or messages should his voder box (vox) become damaged. 

Maraht is a natural expert planetary crust analyst and can correctly identify the composition of soil, rock, mineral deposits and other geological features and give a analysis much like a chef descibing the spices in a dish of fine cuisine or a wine connoisseur expounding on a fine wine. Unlike humans he does not need oxygen to survive and can exist in the cold vaccum of space if necessary. He may or may not survive the heat and freefall if caught out in space above a planet's atmosphere and pulled into any gravity wells.

==Communication==
Though Maraht has learned to speak Galactic Standard well, his preliminary testing on Starbase 32 showed a high degree of linguistic skills. It was discovered after having his vox installed that he could communicate reasonably well with short electronic bursts to any communication console board in Galactic Standard or any code, provided that he knew it, necessary to the situation using the built in commbadge in his vox.

Maraht will give verbal cues using his phalangi. When addressing people verbally he tries his best to turn himself so that his speaker grill on his vox is facing in their direction if possible. Maraht's domed vox has a blue stripe, Starfleet insignia, and ranking neatly painted on its surface.

== Other Information ==

'''Hobbies'''
Maraht has written Horta poetry concerning the flavor, color and texture of different types of rock, soil, and mineral deposits. Love poetry regarding this mineral based context is considered very romantic amongst the Horta.

Maraht also played baseball with his close Academy friends, a Gorn named Dacoral and a human named Stephen Anderson. He became quite good at throwing a fastball and often scored a run or two per game himself. Maraht found it easy to calculate trajectory, angle, speed and wind factors in his pitching.

== General Notes ==
Maraht is aware that many humans feel he looks much like a large albeit lumpy pepperoni pizza with sausage, but being the cheerful fellow he is, Maraht takes it all in stride. People seem to like him and appreciate his upbeat attitude. 

Due to poor experiences at Starbase 32 for testing prior to being accepted into the Academy, Maraht prefers not to have people chip off pieces of his armor and has remained wary of medical staff until he has become closely aquainted with them.

== Awards ==
Maraht has no special awards at this time. He currently holds the rank of [[Ensign]] though he was recently promoted from junior grade to senior grade with the ending of the last mission 'Port of Call'.



== Maraht Visits Sickbay ==

Mission: In the Hands of an Angry God

Day 13

Stardate: 2407.03.19
 
(USS Hades – Sickbay – Asst CSO Ensign Maraht – 1226)
 
Maraht hurried down to the Main Sickbay as quickly as possible with the commbadge and his tricorder as quickly as possible. He hoped what they had found would shed some light on the pebbles, and give more clues about how to restore Lt. Bosshard and the others to their normal selves. He rumbled through the doors and into Sickbay.
 
Finding Doctor Gralen, he made his way to him. He waited to get the elder stalk’s attention. “Dr. Gralen, sir,” said Maraht. 
 
(Reply Holis Gralen)
 
“Here is the commbadge that was with the body. Ensign Trinin said you would need it, sir. I also took quite a few tricorder readings of the plant and animal life in the ecosystem that has developed in the Hydroponics Bay . Some of it was predatory and anyone going in there should wear protective gear, a sealed suit, and be armed with phaser rifles. If anything from there escapes, the potential exists that it could be dangerous to the ship and crew.” Maraht had both articles in his phalnge and handed them to Dr. Gralen. 
 
(Reply Holis Gralen)
 
“I hope both of them help, sir. May I visit for a short time with Ensign Cynthia Darson and Lt. Hanspeter Bosshard?” requested Maraht. “If they are sleeping, I can leave. They may need their rest.”
 
(Reply Holis Gralen)
 
“Yes sir,” said Maraht. He rumbled quietly over to Ensign Darson’s biobed. “Hello Ensign Darson,” he said softly. “It is Ensign Maraht the Horta. I came to visit with you for a short time.”
 
(Reply Cynthia Darson) 
 
Maraht listened, and gently took her green skin hand hand with his main phalange, wrapping the end of his main phalange around it, cradling it carefully. “It will be all right. Have courage. We are all working very hard to find how to reverse this.”
 
(Reply Cynthia Darson)
 
“Among the Horta there is a story. The Great Lava, the Shaper of All Things, worked to create beings and places with farsighted wisdom. The Great Designer created so much with such great burning love and fervor that it was necessary to eventually retreat to rest after such an outpouring of work. So the handiwork was created to last for a long time to achieve the desired results that would eventually reflect that same great love and passion for life.”
 
“You, Cynthia Darson, have that same spark and zeal for life that all living sentient creatures share. Where there is life, there is need. Where there is need, there is hope. You are intelligent, strong and courageous. We all care very much what happens to you. Do not give up hope.”
 
(Reply Cynthia Darson)
 
“I must go to see Lt. Bosshard now. He was understandably upset when I found him in his quarters. I will come to visit you again, if you like.”
 
(Reply Cynthia Darson)
 
With a final gentle tug on her hand, Maraht left her to look for the Lieutenant.  
 
Maraht detected what he knew to be a gurgling moan and recognized Lt. Hanspeter Bosshard. He was in a large tub of water across the way from Ensign Darson. He sloshed about in the water and sat up, gripping the edges of the tub with sucker encrusted tentacles. Seeing he was awake, Maraht approached him. 
 
“Hello Lt. Bosshard. It is Ensign Maraht the Horta. Do you remember me? I found you in your cabin.”
 
The bulging watery eyes looked at Maraht. “Yesssss, I remember oo fum bufore." His tentacle tip again poked at his misshapen face and chin. “I missss my beard. No more beard.” The unblinking fish like eyes stared with glassy sorrow at Maraht as the misshapen mouth struggled to speak. 
 
“I see,” said Maraht. He lightly rested his main phalange tip on a thicker part of a tentacle with care. “We are working to help restore you and all the others. We will not stop until we find a way to reverse this.” 
 
“Hoord what oo said. Abut love, life.” The Lieutenant struggled to speak and leaned closer to the Horta. “Won' give up,” he assured Maraht. “Not if oo don’t.” 
 
Maraht, moved by the bravery of the mutated officer, gave his tentacle a gentle squeeze. “You too have great courage and intelligence. Keep hope alive burning inside you and allow it to impel you to survive and you will.” He curled his phalange back under him and said, “Rest and gather your strength. You will get through this. I must go now, but I will come back to see you again.”
 
(Reply Cynthia Darson, Holis Gralen)

(Posted by Sheila Mayer)

== Maraht at the Wedding of Travis Keswick and Vren Marto ==

Mission: Port of Call
    
Day: 5

Stardate: 2407.02.21
 
(USS Mystique – Deck 6, Primary Cargo Bay – Asst CSO Ensign Maraht - 1329)
 
Maraht followed what he saw many beings doing; congratulating the happy couple on the official proclamation of the start of their mated life. He also saw others getting something to eat form the food table. 
 
Maraht considered and decided to do both. He wanted to check on his favorite dip and make sure that no one decided to throw it out as spoiled or inedible. Crude oil was one of his favorite flavorings and was a special rich rare treat. He rumbled over to the food table and reached up with his main phalange to pick up an old used data solid to dunk in his dip. Without getting it anywhere he carefully pulled it underneath himself and oh it was so tasty! He was proud as he didn’t make any drips. Carefully exuding only the tiniest bits of acid he ate small bits at a time. Eating in small amounts this way had him making a hissing noise as the treat was more slowly dissolved, but he hoped no one would notice his indiscretion.  
 
After having a tasty bit of his favorite treat and cleaning himself up of any leftover dribbles with a specially treated napkin from one of the catering staff, Maraht went to greet Travis Keswick and his favorite Doctor. 
 
Maraht reached up and began to shake Travis Keswicks hand by wrapping his main phalange around Travis’s hand and wrist. “I learned this with humans in the Academy. I likened it to pumping water out of a well,” said Maraht merrily. “How do you like being mated so far?” 
 
(Reply Travis Keswick)
 
Maraht let go of Travis Keswick’s hand and waved his main phalange in proper humorous fashion. He went on to greet the good doctor.
 
“Dr. Vren Marto!” said Maraht. “You are the best doctor in Sickbay, and it is always a pleasure to see you. Congratulations on your joining with the mate of your choice,” said Maraht happily.
 
(Reply Dr. Keswick)
 
“Oh I understand. I hope you like your gifts from me and Physioc. That was why we went onto the Starbase and Physioc got hurt when we got attacked by that mob; we had to go shopping while we had the chance. I had never been shopping before, you see.” Maraht reached up and gently wrapped his main phalange around Marto’s hand. “You deserve to be happy. May you have many hatchings.”
 
(Reply Dr. Keswick)
 
Maraht gave a final gentle squeeze to the doctor’s hand and turned to go back to have some more of that tasty dip. Between him and the food table was a Bajoran group of stalks; obviously the Vren family. Maraht courteously tucked his larger phalange under him and greeted each one, commenting on how wonderful it was to meet them. Maraht remembered Vren Dora, the only male of the group from the stag ritual party the evening prior, and made sure to warmly greet him. They all seemed very polite, though a little surprised at meeting Maraht. 
 
On his way back toward the food table, Maraht passed a few of the Klingons. They seemed uncomfortable. Maraht paused thoughtfully. ~I wonder if I could make them feel more at home.~ He had an idea.
 
Rumbling up to T’gokh with his main phalange sternly curled under him to keep it from showing his glee, Maraht firmly planted himself in front of the Klingon. He waited quietly until he was noticed.
 
(Reply T’gokh)
 
“I am aware you have not felt as…comfortable aboard the Mystique as you would on your own ship. Would you or any of your fellow Klingons might enjoy a workout with me on one of the holodecks? That is… if you think you can survive it…?” 
 
(Reply T’gokh)
 
“Most humanoids would run in fear after glimpsing one of my holodeck workout programs. I am speaking of bubbling lakes of hot lava, burning pools of acid, the stench of poisonous gases, the ground spouting hot sudden geyers of water and steam, all stalked by insidious strong creatures who I fight with no weapons. I use only what I was hatched with… although if you think you need a blade of some sort… I suppose you might bring one.” Maraht made a noise that he knew conveyed contempt for such unnecessary burdens.
 
(Reply T’gokh)

(Posted by Sheila)

== Maraht at the Hades Launch Party meeting a Special Friend ==

Mission: Port of Call

Day 12

Stardate 2407.02.28
 
(USS Hades - Largest Holodeck – Asst CSO Ensign Maraht - 1903)
 
Ranae just joined Maraht again when there was an unmistakable rumbling sound. Ranae gave her friend a poke as another Horta moved across the floor towards them. 
 
Maraht turned in surprise; and was stunned. He could barely move and didn’t even twitch a single phalange. 
 
An absolutely beautiful Horta was coming toward him. She too was adorned with sparkling jewels that flashed in the light as he was, but with the addition of a string of pearls that accentuated her thicker lovely extra fine fringe. She was reddish with flecks of black and white granite. Maraht thought she was the most lovely Horta he had ever seen.
 
As the female Horta reached them, Ranae introduced her to Maraht.
 
"Maraht, meet Oona, she's a gift from me to you. You can come to any holodeck whenever you get homesick, and ask for the RumblesOne program and you'll find yourself back on, or rather in, Janus VI, and Oona will be there for company if you want her."  
 
Ranae smiled at Maraht and gave Maraht an affectionate slap. Maraht hardly felt it and was only peripherally aware of the rest of the beings in the room. He was so surprised and with all the excitement over the bomb hunt, Physioc getting hurt and wedding rituals that he had forgotten how homesick he had been before getting to know the crewmembers.
 
He struggled to get some words out through his astonishment. “Ranae, will she be able to be stay for the whole launch party? Can she come to my quarters or must she stay on the holodeck? I can take pictures of her to send home to Venerable Mother, can’t I?” Maraht knew he was beginning to babble idiotically, but he didn’t care. 
 
(Reply Ammon Ranae)
 
Maraht, noticing that Oona had no vox, hesitantly approached Oona. Extending his main phalange, he gently touched her reddish carapace. She uncoiled her main phalange and touched him back. Using their own native language of electrical impulses that flashed back and forth between them, Maraht could literally see her matrix grow more complex as he told her all about his life. She told him what little she knew about being a Horta. Maraht began to fill her in on many of the finer points about his home and what Hortas do and how they speak. Her matrix changed, growing more fully realized and more beautiful every nanosecond.  
 
As their main phalangi gently caressed and twined in a gentle dance between them, he told her all the details that had been passed down to him of how the Federation had found Janus, the great and wise Spock, the Venerable Mother with no way to speak to the miners and forced to defend herself and her eggs, and of the Chamber of the Ages containing the Vault of Tomorrow. He told her all about his wish to explore the universe, of joining Starfleet, and of the need to protect the Federation planets and their home of Janus from the depredations of Doenitz. He told her of the stories of the first Horta who began the Way of Truth and her great compassion and love. He told her many of the stories that had been recorded and carved onto the tunnels and caves of his home planet.
 
After all this he paused. “Welcome to being a Horta, Oona. I wish you long life and many hatchings. Let us find you something to eat.”
 
(Reply Any)

(Posted by Sheila)

== Maraht's Calisthenics Program ==

Mission: Port of Call

Day 5

Stardate: 2407.02.21
 
(USS Mystique – Holodeck 1 - Asst CSO Ensign Maraht - 1939
 
The doors to the holodeck swooshed opened letting out a blast of heat. Maraht let it wash over him; it felt so good. Too bad the Klingons were not allowed to stay to work out with him. 
 
Wistfully he looked around the transformed holodeck. With nostalgia he studied the bubbling pools of acid sending up great clouds of noxious gases, the lava lake nearby popping and belching and the other hot lake off in the distance surrounding a distant churning volcano, the sudden startling music of hot geysers that swirled and gushed nearby, and the sizzling spires of rock that occasionally cracked and tumbled about him. The red colored sun in the sky cast everything in a blood tinged light.
 
Maraht was like any of his species, normally peaceful. But with the Federation at war with itself, he felt it necessary to challenge himself and keep on his tactical ‘toes’ as much as possible. So periodically he would do a more strenuous workout such as this one. No single workout of his was ever the same.
 
For now all was quiet. But that was about to change. “Computer level two, Maraht program beta gamma one. Start program.” 
 
In the distance there was a roar. Maraht scurried around and began tunneling near the base of an exceptionally large thick rock spire. Within seconds he was through the crust and under the rocky spire waiting quietly. 
 
The ground shook. A great monstrous reptilian creature with a large body and powerful hind legs and tail, huge jaws and teeth, beady cunning eyes, and tiny front forelegs came crashing through past the rocky spires. It stopped and was quiet, sniffing the air suspiciously.
 
Maraht was able to detect where it was and when it stopped. He burrowed quickly and carefully. The spire vibrated and small chunks rattled off its sides. Maraht stopped listening. The great creature roared and came closer, seeing movement. Maraht continued tunneling under the base and just before the spire came down he burrowed out of the way in time. The spire went crashing right into the beast’s great head and cracked its skull. It went down with a thunderous roar and pulled down some of the more fragile rock spires with it. 
 
For a moment, the quiet returned. Then a great snarling cry came from the sky. Maraht came up from the below ground and but sat in the tunnel mouth. A large flying creature sailed up above on great leathery wings and was followed by three more. It had a long beakish snout with fangs, scaly looking skin and two powerful back legs for gripping and tearing prey. The fingerlike talons in the middle of its wing ridges were useful for pinning down anything living, before tearing it to shreds with its razor-sharp teeth.
 
All four of the creatures descended on the great slain beast and began voraciously tearing it to shreds to feed. Maraht waited for them to become sated and quietly backed down his tunnel. He began to burrow again, and tunneled in the direction of the large dead carcass, deep underground. He began to criss cross underneath the enormous dead creature only about 10 feet below the surface to weaken the ground below it. It wasn’t long before the body crashed through the ground to the pit below that Maraht had created. The creatures started up in fright, but were not about to leave such a feast. They settled to feeding once again. 
 
Maraht was about to grab one of the flapping leathery creatures from the side wall of the pit to pull it into a tunnel and trap it, but halted. The ground began vibrating in an enormous earthquake. The rocky earth around him convulsed like a living thing and a crack opened up near the dead carcass. Maraht scurried out to the top of the ground in order to preserve his rocky carapace by staying away from any possible lava flows. Though he could tolerate great heat, he did not push the holodeck safeties to their limits and opted to steer clear of any of the melted flowing rock. The flying reptiles ignored the earthquake and kept feeding, tearing out great chunks of ichoric meat.
 
Sure enough the lava began to pour out and headed for the pit Maraht had created as the lowest point. It cascaded over the edge and fell on the dead carcass and the greedy flying reptiles. They hardly had time to snarl or cry out before the lava covered them in a glowing hot red and orange hissing pool. Maraht left them to their fate and journey deeper into the hostile world.
 
NRPG: Perhaps this is the real reason why the dinosaurs died out. There could have been Hortas around at the time….!
 
(Reply none or any IYW)

(Posted by Sheila)

== To Join In and Play ==
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