Lee screamed as his bones reshaped themselves under throbbing muscles, feeling pain and burning like he had never experienced before. He fell forward onto his new forehooves, and realized that he had made the change from biped to quadraped. This deer-like body was becoming more comfortable, even pleasant. The pain was fading, leaving a sensation of strength and speed, tremendous alertness and energy to leap and run.
The conveyor took him to a bright opening in the wall - the light was blindling, and he closed his eyes a he passed through. Only to stumble and almost fall as he suddenly found himself surrounded by a herd of gnus!
The sun was hot and bright overhead, and the African veldt that stretched out in all directions was both new and somehow familiar. His mind had the animal instincts, and he found the scent of his herd mates comforting. He was a young male, just entering maturity. That pleased him. There were many females around, and the grass was thick and tasty. It had rained, and there was water to drink.
Lee dimly realized that he was thinking like a gnu, but that was OK. This was just an experiement. Besides, he might as well enjoy...
The herd became suddenly quiet and tense, and he caught a rank stench that amde his heart pound. LION! Not just one, but a whole pride, approaching the herd. Hunting, looking for food. And, he realized, he was just another possible entre on the menu!
The herd bolted suddenly, a mass of kicking legs and paniced animals. The lions charged after the stragglers. Lee looked around madly. Should he folow his instincts and run with the herd? Should he break away and run for the distant trees? The lions were going to kill a young calf! Maybe he should run back to protect it!