At some point, they fell asleep. Torin winced as tossed the cover of him and rubbed his eyes. It was unbearably hot. Beside him, Nia slept with short breaths rattling out. At some point, the electricity had been restored and the previously silent hum had returned, far more noticeable now that he'd had silence. He couldn't shake the irritability that had settled in knots in his shoulders and tensed his jaw as he tried to ignore his failing internal cooling system and what it meant as far the progression of his illness. Selfishly, he wished the electricity had stayed off as he got out of bed and tried to ignore the now-obvious hum that grated almost painfully against his ears.

He walked over and kneeled down by the oxygen tank to check it, almost wishing he hadn't when saw it was nearly empty. He felt overstimulated and managed to focus long enough to decide he needed to cool down. That would help, he told himself, forgetting the warning he'd received from the doctor. He took off his shirt and tossed it aside thankful for the small relief it provided. He considered a cold shower when, from the living room, his tablet chimed.

Picking it up he glanced at the time and realized he'd slept for maybe two hours. He paused, trying to recall when he truly eaten a meal as well. Or drank. Shaking his head, he focused on the message from the doctor, one of three, anyway.

The first explained his results. His hormone levels had changed drastically and the doctor warned him to ready himself because the worst was imminent. The test also indicated he was indeed an asymptomatic carrier, and the illness had in fact triggered his Pon Farr. While extremely concerning regarding the other men of the colony and the possibility of an incoming shit storm of men going through their Pon Farr early, it was invaluable to their research as he was the first to have this side effect.

Glad to be of assistance, he thought sarcastically. He felt a bitter guilt at the possibility he'd been the one to get Nia sick.

The second message from the doctor indicated he'd found healthy men to watch him and if Torin didn't respond soon he was sending them over with directions to escort him to the mountains. He clenched his jaw as he instinctively got defensive. He'd like to see them try to force him out. The logical part of him that was buried failed to recognize this was a matter of necessity to keep both him and Nia safe.

The third message was sent only minutes ago. As he tapped to open it, there was a knock on the door. He glared at it knowing what was coming. A coughing fit from the bedroom broke through his focus long enough to clear his thoughts and think rationally for a moment. A wave of shame washed over him as he realized how he must appear. Face flushed, half undressed, emotional, and ready to fight at the smallest provocation, failing to think of Nia's health first and foremost. He considered getting dressed first, but realized the longer he put off opening the door, the more concerned they'd be before they just burst in. He tried to compose himself the best he could as he smoothed down his hair. He opened the door and, unsurprisingly, Sevek stood before him. Torin didn't blame him for giving him a concerned glance at his half-dressed disheveled state.

"I apologize, I fell asleep. I need a moment to dress." He skipped the formalities, they all knew why they were there, and stepped aside to allow him in. Flanking Sevek was another guard he was unfamiliar with, young, single, but with eyes and a serious demeanor, though he enjoyed reading romance novels when he thought nobody was looking, Torin had unintentionally found out when he stumbled across the tablet left out at dinner one late night.

The two stepped inside and Torin tensed when he noticed the phasers and uniforms they wore. While he knew they had to be prepared to defend themselves against the potential dangers of the mountain, and, more likely, from him, it still stung to feel so untrustworthy in the eyes of his friend. Sevek seemed to know this.

"We will escort you to the mountains, but I will not be joining the others. I merely wished to see to your welfare as a trusted person." In other words, Torin thought, he trusted Sevek and they were attempting to leverage that to lessen the tension and any potential combativeness on his part.

"Inform the doctor," Sevek ordered the young guard, who nodded and tapped his earpiece.

"Please inform the doctor Nia will be coming to the clinic as well. Her oxygen tank is nearly empty." The young guard nodded and relayed the message. Torin exchanged a look with Sevek, but said nothing, before turning to go get dressed. There was a silent compassion in that look, a sense that Sevek wanted to help but knew there was nothing he could do. He felt for Torin deeply and was concerned for his safety, having been through his own Pon Farr a few times now. The circumstances were… unfortunate.

Torin's chest tightened as he dressed. He was torn between feeling relieved at the support and defensive that he was pitied. His irritation increased the more he thought about it and began to feel overheated as he pulled his jumper on over his head. Even the material grated like sandpaper against his skin. If they insisted he wear armor he knew already he would vehemently refuse. Dressed now, he looked to Nia and moved to sit by her. He pushed away the feeling of finality as he said goodbye to her. Everything in him raged against the plan to leave her and his anxiety grew. He ran a hand over her head and rested it on her cheek, closing his eyes and focusing on how she felt against his hand, her reassuring presence in his mind, and the smile she gives him when they're alone. He opened eyes again knowing he was out of time. If he didn't leave now, things would only end horribly as his illness progressed.

Against every instinct, with strength he hadn't been sure he had, he removed his hand and stood. She sighed and shifted in her sleep, perhaps sensing his distress. His chest ached as he forced himself to leave the room and walk away, hoping it wouldn't be the last time he saw her.

As Torin closed the distance, Sevek held out a full bottle of water.

"No, thank you."

"I was not asking," Sevek took a step closer, holding the bottle out to him still. Torin clenched his jaw in irritation at the authoritative tone he'd taken on. Realizing Torin was in a delicate state, on the precipice of the worst of it, he spoke in a softer tone.

"I understand. You likely have not had water in some time. You need to hydrate. You need to keep yourself healthy for her." The fight went out of him at the mention of Nia and he knew Sevek was correct. He would not be able to protect her and take care of her in a weakened state. Accepting his logic, Torin took the water and drank deeply, unable to recall when in the last 30 hours or so he'd had water last.

Satisfied, Sevek nodded to the officer and, with a limp, headed back towards the door.

"T'Laan will escort Nia to the clinic, yes?" Torin didn't move from his spot.

"Yes. She and the other nurse from the clinic." Sevek answered as he opened the door. While the electricity was on, the hallway was not brightly lit and Torin felt himself frozen in place and unable to leave as the possibilities of everything that could go wrong ran through his mind. His fists clenched behind his back and the thought of staying wouldn't leave him. How could he be assured she'd be safe while he was gone? He knew he could protect her. What if another man tried to take advantage of her vulnerable state while he was gone? His breath caught for a moment in fury at the hypothetical situation, reminded of that day on Vulcan walking along the path in the nature reserve.

"Torin," Sevek spoke gently, much like one would speak to a cornered wild animal. He couldn't stop the glare he shot Sevek. He needed to stay. He would check on her-

Movement caught his attention and he stood still, glaring and defiant at the young guard who's hand had strayed to his hip where his phaser rested. Sensing an escalation, Sevek spoke sharply to the young man, ordering him to stand in the hallway and wait. Firmly reprimanded, he did as he was told without hesitation. Or perhaps it was the murderous look Torin sent his way. Regardless, Torin calmed a little after he left.
"Torin," Sevek called again gently, making no movement towards him. "Nia is extremely ill, as are you. The best way to keep her safe is to have her taken to the clinic. You now this. And if you do not leave now you may unintentionally harm her."

"I would never hurt her," he snarled. Sevek was not intimidated.

"You would never harm her intentionally," he repeated. "You know you are not in control right now. If you want to keep her safe, you need to leave now before you have lost all control."

There was a tense standoff as Torin thought it over. His hands twitched, itching to relieve the building tension. He was getting hotter by the minute, his clothes were grating against his skin, and Nia… he only wanted to be with her. He took a deep breath and tried to focus through the growing haze. He recognized the truth to Sevek's words and some of the rationality returned, though he wasn't sure for how long. He roughly rubbed his eyes and took another breath.

"Let's go." He strode quickly to the door before he fell back into the growing furnace of irrationality.

The young guard said nothing but flushed guiltily at the look Sevek shot him as they walked to the exit.

The air was uncomfortably thick and hot and made his clothing stick to him like a second skin and he had to force himself not to lash out. He considered cooling himself in the sea when it was within sight, but a sharp "no" from Sevek, who'd seen the look on his face as he looked at the water from afar, was enough to snap him out of it. Sevek tired quickly, his injury from the reptiles still healing, and his limp worsened as they walked away from the colony towards a trail to the north, opposite the sea for good reason.

When they arrived at the trailhead, two others stood waiting. Torin prickled at the unfamiliar men.

"I'll be here at the trailhead in case I'm needed," Sevek explained. "The other three will be ready in case you need assistance." Torin didn't respond but glanced at the lirpa leaned against a rock.

"For you." Sevek grabbed it and handed the weapon to him. THough the colony was new and circumstances uncertain, the traditional weapon was familiar to him and felt good in his hands. He felt the weight of it, examining it, and swung it a few times experimentally to test the balance. The small piece of Vulcan, of home, reassured him. Most Vulcan men were trained to use the lirpa; it was a deeply ingrained tradition to use one during the Kahs-Wan and if one were challenged by a rival during a bonding ceremony. He had the fleeting that, in a way, this was very much like his Kahs-Wan. He nodded, the somewhat familiarity of the situation enough to ease a small amount of anxiety. He could do this.

Without a word, he walked up the trail into the mountain.

Alone, he felt something primal in him being satisfied as he walked along the dim trail, lit by the occasional ambient solar light, lirpa in hand as he scanned for reptiles. If he were thinking more clearly, he would be appalled at his desire to fight — to kill, even. But the need to relieve the tension inside was too great and pushed away all other thoughts. He couldn't relieve it the traditional way, so combat it had to be. He growled as the oppressive heat grew to be unbearable and he nearly ripped his shirt off when movement in the brush caught his attention. Momentarily forgetting his discomfort, he turned towards it, wound tightly like a coiled spring. He held the lirpa ready to strike.

Sprinting out from the foliage on it's two back legs, the reptile hissed and rattle it's tail. So focused on it as it charged, Torin failed to sense the concern and fear from Nia through the bond when she woke to T'Laan instead of Torin, who told her what happened. Once at the clinic, she declined rapidly, her oxygen plummeting as she couldn't stop the cough long to breath properly. Having no other options as others also began to exhibit more severe symptoms, she was sedated and intubated.

The lizard stood no chance, having been the first source of an outlet for Torin. He swung the lirpa around, muscle memory from countless hours practicing as a child and teen, and the sharp blade easily cut through the soft underbelly. He twisted it and raised it before bringing the other end, a heavy, weighted ball, down hard against it's head with a loud crack. It twitched once and did not get back up. He glared at it, almost annoyed at how quickly it fell. He continued up the path and passed a few cave entrances on his way. The night was too quiet. He could sense the guards keeping an eye on him, staying far enough away to not be considered a threat, but close enough to intervene if needed.

He'd expected relief, but the tension had hardly ebbed and seemed to grow faster than he could relieve it. He gritted his teeth and paused to calm himself. He had never experienced this fever before. He was tense and felt like he was burning from the inside out, that something was trying to claw it's way out just under his skin.

Nia crossed his mind and he tried to push her from his thoughts as his skin tingled painfully at the thought of her. He wanted to return to her, be with her. He thought of how soft her skin had been when he said goodbye. Unbidden, the memory of how she felt under him, hands touching and exploring, the soft sighs and kisses, came and he sighed, clenching the lirpa tightly. He was thankful to hear more rustling. This time, he walked towards the sound, ready to fight. He needed something — anything— to relieve this feeling, this need.

He saw quick movement just behind some shrubbery and he lunged, bringing the blunt end of the lirpa down hard. While he missed whatever it was, he revealed a cave entrance similar to the one they'd hidden in during the storm. Instead of a smaller opening, it led straight back into darkness. Unthinking and focused on killing whatever he'd heard, he walked inside and turned on the light attached to his jumper.

The cave was blissfully cool against his skin and he took a moment to savor the momentary reprieve. Fighting off the urge to take off his shirt, again, he ducked further into the cave until it was open enough for him to stand at full height comfortably. The light on his jumper illuminated nearly 300 feet in front of him and hit a wall. He kept his attention focused on any noise, but heard nothing. He looked around, on the walls and ceiling too, but found nothing. He growled in frustration and considered leaving when he heard a soft thump further in. His body snapped towards the sound and he paused to listen, seeing nothing. It hadn't sounded like the skittering of talons on rock. More like…he furrowed his brows, hearing it again. He walked further in and realized that while his light showed a plain rock wall at the far end of the cave, it failed to show a sudden drop of 10 feet, leading down another path and winding further into the mountain. Being short on rational thought and logic, focused only on easing the tension within him, he dropped down, confident he could run and jump and climb his way back up.

While not noticeable to the average Vulcan, his burning body could feel the slight drop in temperature as he walked on, it was more than enough to motivate him further in as only two things dominated his mind: Cooling himself, and finding relief from…he paused, frowning, unable to truly define what it was he needed to purge. There was a primal drive in him he couldn't articulate — it drove him to fight and kill with his mate being inaccessible.

His breath caught and a sharp pain stabbed at his temple and weight settled on his chest, like a rock, making it hard to breath. He nearly dropped the lirpa. It was enough of a distraction that he didn't see what tackled him to the ground before he could try and reach out to Nia. Normally, such a blow would have rendered him breathless, but he was stronger as he reached the pinnacle of his Pon Farr. Snarling, he tossed whatever had tackled him off to the side like it weighed nothing. He wouldn't be caught so off guard again.

Quickly getting to his feet, he charge at the hunched figure, but stopped in his tracks when he finally processed what he was seeing.

It had black skin that gleamed like oil on water. As it stood up, it stood taller than him by a head. It stood on two legs, like himself, but that was where the similarities ended. Long, thin arms with 5 long, spindly digits, like spider legs, came to a sharp point with talons. It's face was obscured by thick, writhing tendrils. It's body was tall and lithe in the worst way as a gravelly voice grated out, as if it hadn't spoken in a long time.

"You…intrude on… what you do not.. yet know." A low growl rattled the tendrils as it sprang at him again. He quickly composed himself and swung the lirpa at it, the blade cutting off a tendril as it reacted too slowly. A screeching growl and a spray of black spurred him on. He didn't think, only acted.

It circled him slowly, staying just out of reach as much as the pathway would allow. It looked as though it should be graceful, a true predator, but it's movement were sudden and jerky, as if unfamiliar with how to move in this environment. It was highly off putting and, in the back of his mind, reminded him of the skeletons Nia showed him during the Fall season of Halloween. The hair on the back of his neck rose and he instinctively swung the lirpa in a circle, swinging the blunt end behind him. It connected with something, he heard a few snaps and pops, that let out a surprised and breathless "humpf" before collapsing to the ground.

He should have been surprised to see a human man. He should have paused to question him and how he got to the colony planet undetected and why he was hiding out in the mountains. Fire raged in his veins and he swung the blunt end towards the man, bringing it down as hard as he could. The man rolled away just in time, grunting in pain and holding his side, moving just in time to see the lirpa crash down where his head has been, sparking and leaving a dent in the rock where it connected. Glaring, Torin swung the lirpa again, this time with the blade.

The creature with skin like oil used this moment to attack and a surprisingly strong grip wrapped around Torin's neck, closing completely. He was thrown off balance, making him miss his intended target as the blade sparked against the cave wall. The human groaned and stood as quickly as he could.

Torin shifted and shoved the lirpa behind him, under his own arm, and rammed the blade into the creature, who let out a loud growl as it released him and staggered back. Thick, black blood, or what Torin assumed was blood, coated the blade. Seeing it invigorated him, the thrill of the fight a balm to the burning he didn't know how to smother or kill.

With a yell he twisted the lirpa and brought the blunt end down on the weakened creature, sending it sprawling to the ground. A spray of black misted over him and stained his jumper and pants as he brought it down on the creature again. It stopped moving now. Unable to control himself, he brought it down one final time, the creature now a stringy, undefinable pulp where its head used to be and a puddle of black ooze formed around it. Hardly out of breath and high on his victory, he turned towards the human who had started to flee the moment Torin began to bludgeon the creature to death. Unfortunately for the injured man, Torin wasn't harmed, he was stronger, faster, and he was furious. He sprinted down the tunnel after him, there were no other passages, and quickly caught up with him. He swung the blunt end at his legs, sending him sprawling and gasping for breath as he landed on his stomach.

In the far, distant recesses of Torin's mind , where his logic and reason were currently stowed away, he was horrified by his actions. His subconscious screamed at him to stop, to bring the injured man in for questioning, but he couldn't access that part of himself.

Not wanting to end the fight too quickly, he tossed the lirpa down as the man stood before him. To the man's credit, having never faced off with a tall, pissed off Vulcan, he didn't let the fear show as he took a defensive stance, his hands up and ready despite the likely broken ribs. Satisfied his challenge was accepted, Torin swung first.

His Pon Farr made him faster and stronger than normal and the poor man didn't stand a chance of blocking as the first punch caught his jaw and sent him tumbling down again. Something in Torin was sated at this, using his hadns was far more satisfying.

He grabbed the man and lifted him to his feet and moved to hit him again when the human stabbed out with something sharp towards Torin's throat. His reflexes were faster and he easily caught his wrist and held it tightly, making him drop the pocket knife as he groaned in pain and tried to wrench his hand free before Torin broke his wrist. And he would have too, had a sudden electrical shock to his back frozen him and taken his breath from him, paralyzing him and making him drop to the floor. Free now, the man took a few steps back from him, looking behind Torin now.

Running up were the guards. Fury fueled the fire under his skin as he tried to catch his breath.

"Do not move," the older one yelled at the human, phaser out, as he turned to run. Deciding to risk it, the man ran off deeper into the tunnel. The guard quickly yelled at the other two to deal with Torin before running after the human.

Torin stood slowly, having recovered. The two remaining guards were young, likely close to him in age. Any relief he'd gained had been replaced with anger the moment he'd been shot. He lunged at the closest guard before he could shoot, catching him off guard.

He grabbed the guards wrist and, knowing the other would shoot, shifted the guard he had hold of and used him as a shield at the last moment, stunning him. The shock was clear on the other guard as Torin let the one he held drop to the ground.

He underestimated Torin's speed and agility as he fired, missing him. He let out a quiet huff as Torin punched him in the stomach. His hand met with something hard — his hand would be sore later, but at the moment he felt no pain, and realized they were wearing armor. Torin moved to grab his wrist and disarm him. Having witnessed Torin take down the other guard, he anticipated this and twist, holding Torin's arm under his own tightly. A few shots fired off as they struggled for the phaser, but Torin managed to find the pressure point on the guard's wrist and pressed hard on it, forcing him to release his hold. He stepped back and swept a leg at the guard's feet, but he managed to catch himself after stumbling into the wall. Torin used this to his advantage and attempted to stun him with a punch to the face. There was no popping, but the guard was stunned for a moment, long enough for Torin to kick the phaser farther away from him, refusing to fight with weapons. He punched him again, sending him to the ground, and Torin kneeled over him. This time, he caught Torin's hand and deflected it, knowing he wasn't strong enough to fully stop him in his current state.

The guard lifted his leg and wedged his knee between them and pushed Torin back enough to bring both feet up and kick him away. Torin fell back and off the guard, who was quick to pin him down. He got one good punch in before Torin snarled and threw him off.

He lunged for the guard again, aiming his fist for the jugular, when the other guard, having recovered, came up behind him and pinched the back of his neck with enough force to drop him to his knees as his face twisted in pain.

"Get the-" the guard was cut off by Torin pressing hard on his wrist and making him loosen his grip enough for Torin to twist the guards wrist. A loud pop and a grunt sounded from the guard as his other hand loosened and Torin was able to free himself. Standing, he faced the two trained guards. Accepting there was no other way to get Torin out of the cave until he was weakened enough to be properly stunned, they readied themselves to fight.

It wasn't until Torin stood with a split lip from multiple blows that he finally began to think more clearly. The kicked phaser had been retrieved and drawn, set to stun, and all three men were breathing heavily.

"Torin, stand down." The guards wrist was swollen and likely broken while the other guard had blood flowing from his nose and a black eye that would darken into an impressive bruise later.

Despite the pain, he felt some relief for the first time, though a nearly unbearable heat lingered, he no longer felt the urge to throw himself into the sea or claw his own skin off in an attempt to find relief. Able to think somewhat rationally for the first time in a while, he nodded in agreement. Moving slowly, one approached him with cuffs for his hands. He took deep breaths with his eyes closed, trying to stay calm as the guard cuffed his hands. Once he was secure, the guards finally relaxed a little.

They stood close together and spoke quietly, glancing at him frequently to make sure was still there. The heat receded a little and a bone deep weariness creeped in. He sat against the cave wall and closed his eyes in an attempt to meditate, finally able to focus on something else.

He was distracted by one thing, however. He opened his eyes and looked down the path leading deeper into the mountain and into the thick darkness.

"The other guard has not returned," he commented.

"Yes. That is what we were discussing." The guard with the broken wrist looked to where his comrade had disappeared and uneasily rubbed his wrist.

Torin looked down the dark passage again and an uneasiness tensed his shoulders as he felt watched just beyond the reach of his light. The cool rock wall felt good against his head as a slow realization at what he'd done surfaced. The fights had helped ease the worst of his symptoms. He took a breath and pushed it back for mediation later, though he still felt sick.

"How is your condition?" The two walked towards him.

"I am… more in control now." An apology hung on the tip of his tongue seeing the battered guards. "I…"

The one with the broken wrist held up his good hand and stopped him. "It could not be helped, you were not in control." Still uncomfortably guilty, he was content to let the subject drop.

"I could assist you in searching for him while I have a moment of clarity," Torin offered. They exchanged a look and considered his offer.

Against their better judgement, they released him from his cuffs and eyed him warily. Torin went to pick up the lirpa only to be stopped as the one with the black eye picked it up. Irritation flashed hotly and his hand twitched with the urge to reach out and-

He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths and, slowly, the urge passed.

It was logical to keep the weapon away from him when he was unstable. Satisfied, they walked down the path, one guard in front of him and one behind with phasers drawn. Their combined lights illuminated everything in the tunnel, though they saw no evidence of their missing comrade yet.

The path wound deeper into the mountain and the air grew cooler still. For the first time in days Torin was mostly comfortable while the guards seemed chilled.

"Proceed with caution. There could be mroe creatures," Torin said, referring to the bludgeoned creature he'd left behind. "It attacked me first." He said this more for himself than for the benefit of the guards as he tried to reassure himself he had acted in defense and not in mindless slaughter, though he didn't fully believe himself. He knew the truth of the situation.

"Look." The guard in front kneeled down and pointed to a small spatter of bright green against the rock. Blood. "It's still fresh," he added. The tension was palpable as they considered the implied fate of the missing man and the potential danger he was now in, if he was even alive. The guard nodded at the other, who handed Torin the lirpa. He understood the danger they now may face and was comforted by the weight in his hand once more.

They walked silently until they reached a large cavern. There were dim light situated int he walls of the cavern at seemingly random intervals. One wall had a hive appearance as small holes were carved into it, just big enough for one of the oily creatures to hide in. He made a note to stay away from that wall as he gripped the lirpa tightly. On another wall, strange machinery hummed softly. There was no sign of the missing man. The stillness was perturbing and the men made sure to stay close together.

Feeling braver, after a moment, the guard with the broken wrist went to investigate the machinery. Questions flooded his mind, though no answers were to be had.

"Where are they…" the guard muttered quietly. Torin thought the same.

"It's likely they are waiting," he whispered back. The guard pursed his lips but didn't respond.

There was a hiss and the two turned to see the machinery lighting up.

"What are you doing?" The guard huffed in reprimand as he walked quickly over, leaving Torin alone.

The back of his neck prickled, though he saw nothing when he turned around quickly. He was ready to leave. He was also certain the worst of his Pon Farr was over and he could meditate through the rest of it.

"We need to go back immediately." The guard held a small, clear vial in his uninjured hand. "We need to report our findings immediately."

"And the other guard?" Torin asked as he followed them out. The two were silent.

"The tunnels are extensive-" one started to say

"And dangerous," the other guard added.

"Precisely. Judging from the holes in the wall, we can safely assume there are a number of creatures in these caves. We cannot locate him with just us three."

"So you're going to leave him. You're going to assume he's dead now, yes?" Torin growled. He knew they were likely correct, but he felt sick leaving the man to his fate with the creatures when they had the potential to rescue him.

"Torin-" A loud growl echoed through the tunnels. The three didn't need to speak to each other to know they needed to run.

They heard the skitter scrape of sharp claws on rock as they sprinted to the drop off and Torin was immensely thankful there weren't other passageways to navigate.

Once at the drop off, Torin threw the lirpa up and kneeled down with the black-eyed guard and together they hefted the other man up. Quickly following, Torin boosted up the last guard before he himself jumped up as they pulled him up over the ledge.

The growling was closer now and Torin didn't dare look behind him. He didn't need to, however, as sharp claws dug into his leg and attempted to pull him back down. He freed one hand and grabbed the lirpa, bringing the sharp blade down as he blindly stabbed at the creature and kicked it with his other foot. Screeching, it released him and Torin rolled away from the ledge.

"You..will..suffer," it growled. The creature back up and watched them at the ledge. Torin had managed to slice off a handful of thick tendrils to reveal a gaping hole for a mouth with rows of small, sharp teeth. Thick, black blood oozed down it's body, but it made no movement to indicate it was in pain. Sufficiently perturbed as the creature stood and watched them, they ran to the entrance of the cave and down the trail.

"It..spoke," one said breathlessly once they'd felt far enough away. He patted his pocket and sighed in relief feeling the vial stored safely.

"Yes, they are sentient. Aliens." Torin pointed out.

"We need to get back and warn the colony."

In silence, the three walked back towards the colony, but all of them thought about the cave, the vial, the alien, and, most importantly, the man they left behind.

Beyond the mountain ridge, the sun bursted forth, rising up and bathing the colony in an orange flow as a new day ushered in.