Xeno-Planet

The Priest and the Raptors

At the same time John and Nova arrived, so did all the other members of the crew. The Preacher, Velio Moree, disembarked his pod and drew out his cross. He had but one purpose on this expedition, look for intelligent life and convert them to a belief in God. The company never really liked him. His radical views on religion viewing any one who isn't Christian to be a heretical mad man. The company simply put him on this expedition to get rid of him for a while. After all, such a minor expedition to a planet that was only recently discovered wouldn't yield much data. Or so they thought.
From the vibrant green bushes came a rustling sound. The sound made by a creature moving through it. Then from all around him Velio Moree heard along with the rustling he heard a high pitched chirping noise followed by multiple loud cries. Almost as if whatever group of animals were in the bushes were coordinating with one another. Then he saw it, one of the creatures had emerged from the brush. It was roughly the size of an adult male in height. It was green, gray, and had black spots patterned on its dull scales. It had one claw on it's toe bigger than the rest similar to the velociraptor fossils on Earth.
On its hands it had three elongated fingers with all of them having sharp claws and it had tiny stumps where thumbs would be on human hands with smaller claws. Likely to help with grasping chunks of food. In its maw were two rows of teeth on the top and bottom jaws. All of them were razor sharp and capable of easily biting into flesh. Its eyes were similar to the reptiles of Earth, especially snakes. On its snout running up to the center of its elongated head was a large red crest that likely symbolizes status in the pack.
Velio pulled out his cross and stated, "Back you foul beast! I am protected by the divine one, God. My life's work is dedicated to his excellence. I will not be struck down by you!". Almost curiously, the creature tilted its head momentarily before returning to its previous stance and then Velio said, "BACK YOU FOUL, UNLOVING, AND FILTHY BEAST!". The creature squinted at the man and started growling angrily. It understood what Velio had said. It understood Human language. Unknown to Velio, the Mortem Raptors, as well as a multitude of other Alarian creatures, possess a unique part of their brain that translates all foreign speech into a manner they can understand.
The beast let out a roar and from the bushes surrounding them more smaller versions of the creature emerged. Velio hadn't just angered any creature, he had angered the alpha of a pack. The creature let out one gesture signaling the smaller members of the pack to move in. Before he was grasped his tablet said, "New species discovered. The company has been notified and given this species the name, Mortem Raptor thank you for this discovery on Alaria. Have a good day."
Before he could react to the tablet's message, the Mortem Raptors pinned him down and bit into his flesh. Velio let out a loud scream. But his cries for help fell upon the ears of a merciless hunter. The Mortem Raptor alpha placed one of its feet on his stomach. Velio shouted, "God is on my side! He will strike you down! Back off you foul beast-".
Before he could finish the alpha Mortem Raptor sunk its teeth into Velio's esophagus and then proceeded to rip a chunk out of his neck. Velio could no longer speak. And before he could bleed out he felt the Mortem Raptors feast upon his body. Hear them snap bones, tear flesh, rip muscles. Then one approached his heart and ripped it out swallowing in one bite. In his last moments Velio consoled himself with one last thought, "This was God's plan." And then, finally, he passed away. His body ravaged by the bloodthirsty jaws of the Mortem Raptors.