Sandra could not sleep. Her new life was a revelation to her and her mind was still coming to terms with that. Untangling herself from Alan’s arms she got out of bed and gave him a long look. Alan was a good man and generous lover. He was everything she had been looking for and nothing she had expected. Though she knew the old demons would not readily be expunged, her new life with Alan would be the cornerstone to new beginnings.

She crossed to the window and took in the magical sight. A mist had risen from the pond giving off a mystical aura. Across the clearing she saw Helena and Johns dome and silently wondered if Helena was feeling the same on her wedding night. Probably not, she thought in retrospect, Helena’s relationship with John had always been a given even before it was a reality. Their wedding seemed more like placing the final piece in a puzzle. Not altogether unexpected and quite satisfying.

The sky was starting to lighten over the clearing bringing with it the promise of a new day and for her and Alan a new life. She was about to return to Alan’s side under the covers when a movement caught her eye. She strained her eyes against the darkness that still enveloped that side of the pond. Slowly she made out a form in the growing light. Her heart jumped and breathing stopped. She wanted to blink but feared losing sight of the apparition before her.

So unlike anything she could have even imagined the beast was magnificent. It’s body displayed true strength while lending to elegance beyond words. The single horn on it forehead served as static display of it’s grace. It was almost too much to believe. It was too much to believe for anyone not a witness to it. She knew then that she had to have a witness.

“Alan” she whispered as loud as she dared. “Alan! Wake up!”

She felt relief as Alan stirred then sat up in the bed searching the dark room for her. “Sahn?”

“Shhhhh! Come here, quietly.”

In a moment Alan was at her side following her gaze out the window. In a few seconds another slight movement caught his eye. “What is it?”  he whispered.

“I have no idea, but I know what it looks like.” Sandra had recovered her commlock from the table and was trying to record some images.

“A Unicorn.” Alan stared at the beast for several seconds before saying what was in her mind. “No one’s going to believe this.”  He went silently back to the bedside for his own commlock. “I need to call John.”

Sandra started for the door before he reached out and grabbed her arm. His eyes questioned her silently. “I just want to get some better images.” She knew Alan was considering whether he should let her go or not.  Neither of them had forgotten the last time he had left her side and the consequences that had almost destroyed them. “Trust me,” she whispered. As he released her arm she opened the door commlock in hand.

The cool morning air chilled her as she left the shelter of the dome, but she dared not go back in for a wrap. The beast, which had been drinking near the edge of the pond, lifted its head and their eyes met.  Sandra continued to move ever so slowly, fearful of spooking her new discovery. She held her commlock tight against her side hoping that the low light wouldn’t hinder her attempt to get proof. When barely a meter separated them she stretched her hand out. Uncertain what to expect and excited by these events her hand trembled. The beast watched her warily. It’s breath came fast and forcefully. Just as cautiously it extended its head toward Sandra, touching the end of its horn to her fingertip.

Time slowed for Sandra as she felt the cool horn against her skin.  She felt a slight tingle run through her body which she put up to adrenaline. In an instant her fear and apprehension was pushed aside and she felt...a oneness with the beast. She wasn’t certain, but something on the most basic level had connected them. Suddenly the beast threw its head back and their eyes met. Again, it was as if a message had been passed, but what it was she had no idea. The beast turned and started back upstream past her and the domes before disappearing in the mist. At that moment Sandra felt tremendous sadness. It was unexplainable and she knew it would plague her until she had the answer. The sun broke over the horizon at that instant in a brilliant display that merely enforced the mystical aura of the event.

The sounds of heavy footfalls and Alan’s firm hands on her shoulders broke the reverie. “Yes, yes, I am fine.” She finally answered Alan’s continued pleas.

Helena began looking her over. “She looks unharmed, but I want to do a complete exam.” She said to Alan and John. John agreed since it would take a while to get an Eagle out to pick them up.

“Amazing,” Maya said with more than a little awe.

As soon as they were on their way, John called Tony who had been in charge during the brief Koenig honeymoon and had him bring Maya and meet them in the command post. Now Alan and John were describing the events to a sleepy-eyed audience while Sandra and Helena viewed the images over Maya’s shoulder.

“So what now?” Tony asked stifling a yawn.

John shrugged. “They don’t seem to be a problem. For now I guess we just keep on the lookout and try to keep our distance.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Alan added. “This one seemed shy enough. Perhaps they are the sort that don’t run in packs or whatever. Or maybe there are no more.”

“That would go a long way toward explaining why our sensors never picked them up.”

“They have known about us since we first made planet fall,” Sandra said quietly.

All heads turned in her direction waiting for explanation. When it didn’t come, John spoke up. “Known?”

Sandra crossed her arms against her chest and shrugged. “It told me.”

Helena shared a look with John. “It spoke to you? You had contact with it for only a few seconds.”

“I do not know how or why, but during that moment--the moment we were in contact, it communicated with me. I did not realize it then, but now it is clear to me.” She looked around at her skeptical audience.

Maya was the first to her defense. “It isn’t impossible, we’ve seen it happen before. What else did it say?”

“I--I do not know. I do not remember so much a conversation as ---” she was searching for the right words. “as glimpses of thoughts.....more like sensations.”

Helena sighed “So they are intelligent creatures.”

“Who just might not appreciate us usurping on their planet,” John said thoughtfully.

After debate Helena decided to take Sandra over to medical for a complete check up. Reluctantly Alan stayed behind with everyone else trying to decide how they would approach this new potential threat. Two hours later Helena called Alan to come take an exhausted Sandra back home.

A few minutes later a disappointed and exhausted Koenig trudged back to his, and now Helena’s, base camp quarters. Duty had a way of always interfering with his time with Helena, this time interrupting their honeymoon. He promised himself when the base became more substantial he would take Helena far away and leave their comlocks behind.

Koenig was too tired and so deep in thought he did not hear the footsteps approaching. Only when he heard his name called softly a couple of times did he respond.

“Yes?” he turned and faced Dave Reilly.

“Sorry to bother you, sir. I was just wondering if it’s true.” The big man stood shifting from foot to foot.

“What’s that?” Koenig didn’t bother to conceal the edge in his voice.

“About the animal life, that we found some kind of animal life?”

They had barely been back on base for three hours and word was already out. Koenig felt the anger rising within him, but he forced it back down with great will. “It’s true.” he admitted. “But we still don’t know anything. Other that a few pictures we don’t have any information.” He rubbed a weary hand in the air. “Look, Dave, I really don’t want to discuss this now. I haven’t slept and and short of having actual specimen I don’t think anyone could tell you more.”

Reilly stood back and looked thoughtful. “Aye, Commander. I understand. Have a good rest and don’t worry about a thing.” He then tipped his battered cowboy hat and walked off.

Koenig watched him walk off and shrugged to himself. Why should he worry? The beasts had chose not to make their presence known to this point and seemed far from malevolent.

the thought left him as he saw Helena waving to him.

Sandra stood looking anxiously over Maya’s shoulder. Alan had taken her home to get some rest but she just couldn’t sleep, so as soon as he had drifted off she snuck out.

“I wish I had been able to get some infared scans.”

Maya was too intent on her subject to take her eyes from the screen. “Not your fault. We were extremely lucky to get these.” she gestured at the images Sandra had obtained.

After another couple of minutes Maya pushed herself from the console and faced Sandra.

“Tell me about what you felt...when you communicated.”

Sandra became thoughtful for a moment. “At the time it was just a sensation. It wasn’t until later, when my mind was free that I became aware of the message.”

Suddenly the door opened and Alan entered still looking disheveled from sleep. “I thought I might find you here,” he said to Sandra. “You need sleep, Love.”

Sandra went to her husband and kissed him on the lips, letting them linger there until she felt Alan’s warmth. “I just had so much on my mind.” she turned to Maya who was discretely studying her screen again. “I guess there is really nothing to be done here anyway.”

Maya turned back smiling. “You’ll be the first I call---” She was cut off as the door opened again and Bill Fraser entered. He had picked them up from the domes earlier.

“Is it true?” he burst out. “Is Dave really going to go catch one of the creatures?”

Alan, Sandra and Maya traded looks. “What do you mean?”

“Well, he was heading out of camp with a literal arsenal. You know bolas, bow and arrows and the sort.”

“Oh No!” Alan sprung into action. “Call Tony and John,”  he yelled over his shoulder.

Sandra was quick on Alan’s heels trying hard to keep up as he ran toward the perimeter of the base. They stopped and looked for any sign of which way Dave had gone. Soon John, Tony, Maya and Helena joined them.

“What happened?” John demanded.

“Bill said Dave left camp with a bunch of weapons claiming he was going to get one of the beasts.” Alan replied.

Sandra looked up suddenly “You did not give him permission, did you Commander?”

“Of course not!” Then remembrance struck him. “Oh no. That’s what he meant.”

“What, John.” Helena asked placing a hand on his arm.

“I said something about not knowing more until we had a specimen and he told me not to worry. I didn’t understand.” Koenig began to pace. “He thinks I gave him permission!”

The anger was beginning to show on Koenig’s face. “Call him back here now!”

Maya spoke out “I’ve tried Commander. I can’t raise him.”

“Figures, he wouldn’t want it to spook the game.” Alan said with disgust.

Sandra grabbed Koenig’s sleeve. “You have got to stop him Commander! They mean us no harm and we have no right to harm them.”

Koenig took a deep breath. “I’m sure he just wants to take one alive so we can study it.”

Alan spoke up. “Commander, you don’t take a bow and arrow if you want to take something alive. We’ve all seen Dave’s trophy book. He aims to kill.”

Koenig turned to Maya. “Do you think you could find him?”

Maya’s only reply was to step back into a blinding flash of light. When it was gone a red-tailed hawk stood in her place. Tony reached down and allowed her to perch on his arm. “Off you go,” he said lifting her into the air.

Koenig walked to Sandra and squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll find him.”

As the Eagle took off Sandra could feel some of the tension ease away. She need to do something but knew there was little enough that she could do to stop Dave. Alan had convinced the Commander that they could better assist Maya from the air and be ready to back her up should she have trouble convincing Dave to turn away from his task. She gave Alan a thankful smile and started studying the instruments before her. Soon she would have abandon them and allow Tony to take over the co-pilot position. “I meant to thank you earlier,” she said to her husband.

Alan returned her smile. “No need, love. Besides, if I hadn’t got you up in an Eagle I have little doubt you would have started out on foot.”

“I sometimes feel these head-strong women will be the end of us, Alan.” Tony said from the doorway.

“No complaints here.” Alan smiled back. Alan shared the unspoken belief that it was that very trait that held the promise of the Alphan’s survival.

Sandra returned he attention to her instruments. “It looks like we have something below us and to the right.” She quoted the coordinates to Alan. “It is definitely Dave. No sign of Maya.”

“Strap in Tony, I’ll find us a place to set down.”

It was the movement that had caught Maya’s attention. She set down not far from the herd so she could observe without being observed. In her eyes they were magnificent. Even more so than the images had allowed. She knew her first mission was to find Dave and she really should get to it, but her scientific curiosity was getting the best of her. There was no telling when another chance like this would present itself. In an instant she made the transformation then approached the herd as stealthy as she could. When she was at the edge of the clearing they turned as one and looked at her. Their gaze lasted several seconds as if to say You haven’t fooled us, but if you make no trouble you can stay. She began to make her way toward the largest of the beasts.

As soon as they Eagle was safely on the ground they dashed out the door. Each one holstered a stun pistol that Tony had issued them. “I wish I could have gotten in closer.” The terrain had kept the Eagle from landing nearby the sighting and they were in for a twenty minute walk.

After a few minutes Tony wiped his brow. “I hope Maya is ok.”  Without a word the small group picked up pace.

 A few minutes later they stopped. Sandra squinted and made out a familiar shape through the foliage. Without thought to the others she silently made her way in that direction. While they stood stationary she crept in closer. When they noticed her they made no attempt to flee, only giving her the same warning look they had given the newcomer moments before. She moved in closer still rustling leaves beneath her feet since silence was no longer the issue. A large beast, the one she recognized from earlier regarded her then looked off to the side. Suddenly in a blinding fury of speed the beast lunged at her hitting her forcefully knocking her to the ground, stunned.

Sandra slowly recovered her senses. The beast lay at her feet breathing heavy and softly moaning. Blood littered the ground around it. While she began speaking softly and running her hands over the sides she noticed a second set of hands. She looked up into the saddened eyes of Maya.

“An arrow.” Maya said as she pulled off her jacket to cover the wound.

The tears were flowing freely as Sandra realized what the beast had done. “It saved my life. At the expense of it’s own.”

The women’s heads turned at the sound of a great commotion off to the right. Tony and Alan were dragging Dave behind them. Alan went to Sandra’s side and looked that the beast. “I’m sorry, Sahn. We got there too late.” His hands were shaking with fury at what might had happened to his wife had this creature not intervened.

Dave looked down at the creature then up at Sandra. “I’m sorry. I broke the first rule, I couldn’t see what I was shooting at. I...I...thought...” The words trailed off as her realized what had happened and what tragedy had been spared.

Tony and Maya led the big Irishman back in the direction of the Eagle. Alan knelt by Sandra placing one arm around her and another on the beasts great neck. “He sure is a beaut.”

Sandra nodded and looked up. She stopped and caught her breath. Circling them now were dozen of the creatures who had disappeared during the commotion. All color and sizes they shared one common feature, the single horn that adorned the forehead.

Alan tensed as he too saw their advance. “Uh oh,” he said reaching for his stun gun. “We’d better go.” He started to pull her up.

Sandra resisted. “No. They do not mean to harm us.”  She backed away slowly and allow them access to their comrade. She watched as they bent their heads. Each one touching the fallen with the tip of their horn. Then as one they turned and looked at her and Alan and she felt it was time to go. “I think they want us to go now so they can take care of him.” She longed to thank the beast for it’s sacrifice but settled for a long look before turning back.

Sandra sat on the edge of the boulder looking at the stars. There were so many of them and them held such wonder even though she had lived among them for so long. She heard soft footsteps on the path approaching. She turned to see Helena and Maya topping the ridge.

“We thought we would find you up here. I’ve been telling Maya about this place and I wanted her to see it.” Helena took a seat next to her.

They sat in silence for many minutes before Maya finally broke it. “They are beautiful aren’t they?”

Sandra knew that she wasn’t speaking of the stars. “I wonder if they will learn to trust us?”

“I believe one did.” Maya said.

“And I let him down.” Sandra’s pain was still close to the surface.

“Not you.” 

Paula Austin