Beast of prey

At a remote planetary biological survey station, field parties keep returning with colleagues found collapsed and apparently emptied of vitality despite no visible wounds. Team members piece together odd patterns—an unnatural silence during incidents, the victims being slightly apart from groups, and the frequent occurrence of banked red flowers near marshes where bones and a fresh heavy spoor have been found. Staff debate whether a cautious, well-camouflaged predator might emit a paralyzing influence or whether other explanations fit, and the station convenes to assess evidence, plan safer procedures, and reconcile mounting anxiety with the need to continue ecological work.