Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 1

Their mission was a simple one, to see if the strange planet could sustain life and support a branch of their colony. A crew of six land on its surface... two women, four men. All begins innocently enough, until they quickly discover that something is hiding within the dense foliage of the humid planet.

Chapter 1

The twin suns broke over the little planet as we penetrated its atmosphere. Our mission was to see if it held potential for a small colony or mining operation. There were a total of 6 of us, including the pilot and copilot, but even they had duties besides flying the little craft. We all had been hand selected by our space station commander for this mission, and cross-trained so we could lend a hand, should the need arise.

I studied every member of the crew, noting each of their specialties. First there was the Captain, Elmer Donaldson. He was our leader and piloted the craft; he also was in charge of security. Next was Lunette Emboy, a tall leggy blonde who seemed bitter at humanity. She was the co-pilot and our geologist.

Beside me was my good friend, Parker Sherman, ‘Park’ for short. He was the best man at my wedding, and then a drinking buddy at the end of my bitter divorce. Park was our operations manager and back-up pilot. His job was to keep our ship flying and to make sure that we had what we needed, and when we needed it. His double duty on this mission was as medical technician, and like me, just in the 'off' chance that someone would be injured.

In front of us was Margie VanVleet. She was the only ‘egghead’ of the group, preferring her studies over any social life. However, at 51, she could probably out-hike, out-climb and outrun any of us. She specialized in the studies of plants and food producing grains. Beside her was Eric Coultrain, a lanky Brit with a happy smile and a song on his lips. His job was as our biologist, specializing in alien animals. Being a former farmer, he also branched out into the field of animal domestication, so he was in charge of finding animals to use either for food or service to the colony if the area could be set up as one.

As for me, I was like the old Earth television program, an expendable Crewman, the red shirt. While I was experienced at just about everything, I specialized in nothing. I knew a smattering of flying, and I could do just enough maintenance to make myself dangerous. I could identify most types of plants and known animals, at least well enough to be within the same species grouping. I also doubled as a medical technician, and could probably build a fire with the best of them. Parker called me a 'utility player', in which they could put me pretty much anywhere if they were forced to do it.

'Why was I there?' I asked myself that question all the time, but I knew that I had the great luck of being in the wrong place at the right time. I had been hanging near the command and control center when they were selecting the crew. They needed to balance out the weight of the craft and were looking for a 'Jack of all trades' type, so the good name of Christian Payne came up... and there I was. 'Oh boy…lucky me.' I sighed into my visor.

Park glanced toward me as the Captain pointed the craft toward our mission planet, he had been sitting quietly beside me, which was most unlike his jovial self, and he seemed to be brooding in deep thought.

"What's with all the gloom?" I asked quietly, barely able to hear myself much less him when he answered. "It's so unlike you!"

He shrugged, "Roger and I had it out again before we left, and he can be such an asshole!"

I gave him a questioning look and he continued, "I was supposed to be assigned to a different mission, one that I've been training on for the better part of the last year, Dega-7 ... and at the last minute, he sends me here!"

He looked from me to the floor and drummed his fingers upon the arm of his seat.

"You act like we're being sent to the armpit of the solar system." I laughed, causing my visor to become fogged over, "Relax Park, he probably has his reasons for sending you along on this mission instead of to Dega-7."

"Would hating my guts be reason enough?" He quipped. "Roger has had it in for me since we came through the academy together. Once he got rank over me, the guy has been almost impossible."

Park watched the captain for awhile, and then smiled, tapping himself in the knee. "I'm not going to let Roger ruin my career though... kill them with kindness was what my mother used to say."

I smiled slowly, "And if that doesn't work, there has to be a really big rock laying somewhere around with his name on it! Perhaps you could bounce it off his head?" Parker laughed out loud then pushed the backside of my helmet.

"You're a hoot, you know that Christian? You always seem to make me laugh and forget my petty troubles."

He gave me a quick smile. "At least one person is around here that I can kid around with... and won't take something I say too damn personal." He smiled and leaned closer to my seat, are there any more like you at home, of the feminine persuasion? If there is, how about... when we get back, you introduce me to your single sister?"

"Sure, Park. Be glad too! That is, if I had one," I said laughing, “…Sister that is.”

"Now see? Just when I start bragging you up... you go and do that to me? Parker laughed.

"I guess you would have to blame my parents... and not me for that little minor discrepancy!" I grinned.

We both looked forward and could see the Captain's reflection in the cockpit window; he was sternly looking at us. It reminded me of how my own father would look into his mirror when I was a kid, horsing around in the back seat of our family cruiser. Park gave me a sideways glance and we both began to snicker uncontrollably, slowly the Captain began to smile, as if he was fighting it, though he had no clue to what we were laughing about.

Chapter 2

As we began our angled decent, I took a moment to peer out of my small window. Beside the thick tinted glass, outside, the skin of our craft glowed red from the friction of the small planet's atmosphere. Overhead, the twin suns of the planet stood like sentinels, each guarding and watching over it, hiding some undiscovered secrets that the planet may hold.

Once the hot glowing flame dissipated upon entry, I could see the terrain looked quite promising below. Almost like I imagined old Earth to have been, there were rolling hills, great plateaus and thick forests; a truly primordial landscape and we were to become the first humans to step foot on it. We headed toward one of the closer meadows to set down.

As Captain Donaldson guided us in for a landing near the edge of the meadow where it came close to meeting with the forest, I was surprised at just how much like Earth it truly was. The trip toward the ground left my stomach in my throat, however, and with a sudden jarring stop, we landed.

The Captain tapped the gauge, smiled, and looked over his shoulder at Lunette, "Looks like the air is good."

She glanced at her readings, "Looks like a good Earth Class Planet. Air quality is a little thin, but tolerable."

"Just like the higher elevations of the mountains." The Captain agreed. "Do you have a lock on an outside temperature yet?" She looked down and turned the monitor to face him, "17.8 Celsius…” He glanced toward Lunette then to us” That’s 64 Fahrenheit just in case you’re taking notes" Lunette smiled.

"All I know is if someone doesn't open up a door pretty soon, I'll probably explode!" All turned toward the speaker, Parker Sherman. He smiled and shrugged with his palms out, "What? Can't a guy have a problem with claustrophobia?"

I rolled my eyes at him, "And you call yourself an astronaut!" He grinned and threw back his harness from his shoulder, stood up and moved toward the door.

"Can I throw it open, Captain?" Parker smiled and grabbed the air-lock lever.

The Captain and his co-pilot exchanged a glance, “Everything checks out within limits, but the shell of our ship is still hot, so we'll need to wait for a few hours until it cools down."

Park frowned and sat back down in his chair. For almost three excruciating hours we waited until the Captain finally gave us a nod, Park jumped up and quickly threw the handle up, allowing the strange smells to enter our craft.

Lunette flipped a switch and we waited until the ramp cleared the ships hull and slowly made its way to the surface. Park stood in the entry and inhaled deeply. "Aahh...smells, just like home!"

We all laughed and headed through the little doorway; one by one we climbed down the ramp and stood on the strange bluish-green turf. It felt slightly spongy as if we were standing upon a bog or thin crust over water. I crouched down and touched the strange vegetation, "Will this hold the weight of the craft? It seems like we're standing on some type of floating vegetation."

Margie crouched down beside me and picked one of the little plants, noticing that each cell contained a small pocket of air. "This could be a mass of floating vegetation that we're standing on." She stood back up and pulled out a small detector, and it began flashing and clicking as we stood silently at the base of the craft.

"Christian is right. Less than a meter below us is a body of liquid, presumably water. I would suggest that we put the ship into a remote orbit." Elmer bounced slightly and we all observed a slow ripple move away from his feet. "And that is all the more reason to get it off of this stuff." She said observing the ever retreating ripple.

The Captain turned to me, "Get all of our plasma cannons from the craft, and then pass them out."

As I started back up the stairs, he said, "Grab our communicators, make sure that they have full power and see that everyone has one with them at all times." I nodded and hurried up the short flight of stairs.

Behind me, I heard the Captain issue an order to Eric and Parker, "Pass out the mission rations. If we don't need to eat them, we won't. Give out enough for three days." They both nodded and hurried up the steps behind me.

Parker nudged me on my arm, "Looks like we're in for a three day jaunt, you up to it?" I shrugged my response. "Do you think we'll find any ‘unfriendlies’?" He asked, looking over his shoulders.

Eric was filling a backpack, "If we do, I'm sure we'll be ready for them." He grabbed the three backpacks he had filled and carried them down the stairs by their straps, behind him walked Park and me carrying the plasma cannons.

We moved away slowly, making sure of our footing until we stood at the base of a huge tree. Its bark resembled our Earth Maple, but the leaves were shaped like thin saw blades, having tiny veins running out like a wheel from the center. Each had a stem that grew out from its underside. Both Margie and I were studying them as the Captain pressed the flight codes for the craft. "It'll land in three days, but not before. If we get separated, head back to this point in the allotted three days, set your chronometers at Mark, for 2300." We all raised our gray chronometers, "Ready...Mark. 2300."

As he turned and walked past me, I could hear the crafts engines slowly firing up. I glanced backward quickly and saw it was rising higher and higher. I shielded my eyes from the twin suns, one smaller trapped in orbit around the larger one.

"This will be different!" I observed.

They all stopped and turned, as I continued my observation. “That smaller sun is like this planet, orbiting around the greater sun at an incredible speed. If I’m correct with my thinking, it will constantly be in the sky whether we are in day or night, depending on this planet’s natural rotation. Factoring where we have landed, we’ll be in some sort of daylight all the time.”

"No night...so no darkness." Lunette sighed.

"That's not entirely true; we'll have a moment of twilight like we have right now. Since the smaller sun is far away on the horizon…only, it shouldn't last long." Eric replied, and then pushed past us to follow our Captain as he climbed a steep incline. “It’s orbit is on a tighter ellipse…more like that of an huge asteroid than this planet.”

I waited until Margie passed and I set out behind her, "What happens when both high up…in the sky at the same time?" I asked.

She looked over her shoulder, "My guess is... at that moment, it will probably be at its hottest of the day. Nor was she wrong, by the time they were at the planet’s 'noon hour' the temperature had risen to over 48 degrees C. We were all very uncomfortable and hot under the weight of our field packs.

For an hour more we hiked, higher and higher away from the grassy bog. Finally, the Captain stopped our little party to rest where we sat upon reddish colored rocks.

Lunette studied the coloration on of the boulder upon which she was sitting, and then said, "What I've seen just during our short walk today is high concentrations of iron and copper. And this is another example of what I've been noticing." She patted the great red boulder.

Park stood up and glanced at the great stone he had been seated upon, "Looks like a red rock to me." He teased.

Lunette laughed, "I figured you'd say that!"

I walked to the edge of a hill, where Margie was standing at the top. She glanced over her shoulder as she heard my approach, "Christian, come here and look at something." I climbed up the incline and stood beside her, she pointed to a darkened mass, among strange purple tangles. "What do you make of that?"

"A biologic…?" I pulled out my optiscope and focused the image into the viewer, "Whatever it is, it appears dead, and looks as though it's been that way for a long, long time." I turned my head back and called to the others, "Captain! Come here, Margie's found something!" They all stood and slowly picked their way up the hill strewn with the reddish rock.

Captain Donaldson was the first to reach our side, "What do you have?" In unison, both Margie and I pointed toward the object. Elmer scratched his head and looked over his shoulder toward Eric, "What do you make of that thing, Eric?"

He took the optiscope from my hand and studied the dead animal, lowering it slowly he shook his head.

"I need to get closer and take a better look at it, but whatever it is... it appears to be VERY dead!"

The Captain selected the path down, and we each followed his decent into the little valley where the dead animal was found. It took almost an hour to reach the location where the animal lay.

"Okay, take your closer look, Eric." Captain Donaldson jerked his thumb toward the carcass.

Eric slowly approached. He crouched and then examined the surrounding area almost as if he were studying for clues to the creature's death, like a great detective from old Earth.

Park stepped up beside me and did a slow whistle, "How long do you suppose it has been laying there?"

I shrugged, "From the looks of the skin, a pretty long damn time." We all took steps forward, each trying to get a better look at the creature.

Eric touched the skin and ran his hand along the thin, mummy-like surface. "This sure is a strange find."

He stood up and took it by the leg, slowly rolling it over to the other side as if it weighed nothing.

"Is it hollow?" Lunette asked, tapping its side with a finger.

"Not really, but it's extremely light."

He slowly rolled it back to the position it had been in before. "I can't figure it out... something has dried it up like a mummy."

"Wow! So, you're saying that the thing has been laying right here for a thousand years?" I asked, examining the purple leather that was its skin.

Eric stood up and brushed his hands, "I'm not saying that at all; this thing has been lying here no more than two or three days."

We were startled, and every eye was instantly riveted on Eric.

"What caused this then?" Captain Donaldson pointed toward the mummified carcass.

Eric scratched his head, "Natural mummies need extreme circumstances to be created, usually involving a dry environment like a desert or extreme cold. This area is abundant with plant life. Regardless of whether it's getting the water from the bogs, or if we're on more floating grass... natural mummification seems impossible."

Lunette crouched down and examined its tangled hair, "So what do you think this creature is?

Again, Eric rolled it over effortlessly, using Earth as our example, I'd say it was a female of the species. But I can only guess on the breed."

Donaldson frowned, "Guess then."

Eric stood and rubbed his chin, "It looks like a Banth, but the stripes are inverted more like a Tarag. I'm thinking it is an entirely new species, sort of a combination of the two... I'd guess a 'Taragth'."

He smiled at his combination of the two creatures names for our find.

"I'd just like to be able and see some others, before they get into this condition."

Margie seemed preoccupied with the animal, studying its detail more closely. "This looks like an old wound on the hind leg... is that a scar Christian?"

I glanced down, "Probably from another one of its kind, like an old battle scar." Eric nodded, gently running his finger over the raised area of the leathery skin.

We each took a small drink from our rations, then followed Captain Donaldson across the little valley toward a high plateau. After close to four hours of steady hiking, he stopped and took a small bite of a chewy item in his ration pack. We all followed suit; some of us also took another small drink.

"Damn strange thing is, these twin suns make it hard to gauge the time of day. I don't know if it's noon or midnight!" He took a sip of his water, "We've been out here for a full day and…other than that creature back there, we haven't seen a damn thing!" Donaldson sat his pack on the ground and leaned against the base of a 'saw tree', as we came to call the strange trees.

Eric and Lunette also sank to the ground, each pulling their packs from their back. Margie dropped hers beside Captain Donaldson and fished her optiscope from its case.

"Going bird watching?" Park asked, chuckling softly.

She smiled, "I wish, but it intrigues me that we've seen nothing but that dead animal. I want to see if I can find anything moving." She moved off to a tall grouping of rock and climbed to the peak.

"Switch your scope to thermal; you might pick up the heat from their bodies if they're hidden." I called out to her; she gave me a thumb's up sign and brought the scope to her eye.

Park tossed a small pebble, and it struck me on the foot.

"You got a thing for her?" He said laughing.

I smiled, "She's a smart woman, I like her... but not in that way."

"That's good to know, because I think her pendulum swings both ways." Eric laughed, placing his hands behind his head and closing his eyes.

Lunette scowled, "You're saying that while she's out of ear-shot... if she heard you, she'd probably kick your ass!"

Eric laughed, "I'm sure you're right."

"No criticizing the crew…" Captain Donaldson said, not opening his eyes. "…even if you're just joking."

Park laughed out loud, "Dang! There go all the good ones that I was going to use on Christian." I picked up the small stone and tossed it back at him, striking him directly in the forehead. He laughed, rolled his eyes back and fell into the grass as though I had killed him.

"Goliath's dead." Lunette laughed at Park's antics until it finally got the Captain to give out a short laugh. Park was quite a joker, and he decided that was the perfect time to hang out his tongue in his mock death. I searched out and found another tiny stone, gave it a flip and laughed as it struck him in the crotch. He sat upright really fast and grabbed at the area.

"I guess that got your attention!" Lunette said laughing at my throw, holding her slender hand over her mouth. Park made a face and gave me a goofy, mean look.

He searched around and placed his hands on a rock about the size of a small child, "Okay... my turn!" He laughed, as he pretended to pick it up and toss it at me.

After about an hour away from our group, Margie returned to camp.

"Hey... I found some more of those creatures like the dead one!"

Captain Donaldson sat up, "Are they alive?"

She nodded and motioned for us to follow. Only the Captain, Lunette and I followed, Park and Eric were sleeping soundly.

We followed her for about ten minutes, "How much farther? I don't like splitting our crew up like this." Donaldson frowned, looking back at where we came from.

"It's just up here!" She stopped and pointed to eight of the striped creatures milling around in the grass. I raised my optiscope and studied them.

"You found just this small herd?" Donaldson frowned, "You brought me away from the camp for this?" He slowly shook his head in frustration.

I still held the scope to my eyes, "One of them is limping, and seems to have the same injury as the one we found."

Both Margie and Lunette brought their scopes to their eyes.

Margie began to count, "I see 1..2..3..4..5..6..females and two males. Eight total creatures."

"Your limping animal is male and the one beside it is the other smaller male." Lunette observed.

"The injured male seems to be the dominant one." I pulled the optiscope from my eyes and looked at the two women, "Do you think the small male did that to the bigger one?"

Margie shrugged, "I guess anything's possible."

Lunette lowered her scope and squinted, "Here's my take on all of this…something out there is preying on the stronger male. If he's removed from the herd... so is their protection. It's the natural way of animals, and you see it in every world that has them."

"How do you explain the mummified female?" I asked, leaning against a tree. "Was she just weaker, dying from whatever made her look like a mummy?"

"Come on, folks, we'd better be returning to the others or they'll be wondering what happened to us when they wake up!" The Captain shouted as he turned and began to head back. He was correct in his assumption, so we immediately followed.

By the time we arrived back at the camp, the larger sun was very low on the horizon, letting us know that we had been gone for at least a half day. The temperature had cooled back down to a more comfortable 17 degrees C, and we all were able to rest comfortably. After quite a restful sleep, I sat up and stretched, and then finally standing, I worked the kinks out of my back and legs.

"I can't say the grass is better than a bed, although it sure is better than sleeping on the bare ground!" I sighed and opened my ration pack, and pulled out some packaged breakfast crackers. Parker rolled over and opened his eyes, slowly raised his head and looked around.

"Damn, I thought this was all a dream!" He sighed and sat up, then slowly rose to his feet and stretched. All around us the others were silently waking up and moving slowly. I glanced into the sky; the suns were almost at their highest point, and the air was growing increasingly warm and humid.

Margie came stumbling back from the dense brush; she had gone off to relieve herself and was now returning.

"How much longer are we going to be here at this camp?" She asked Captain Donaldson.

He shrugged and looked up at her, "Why?"

She pointed toward the hill, "I want to check on the herd and see if they’re still in the little valley."

"What herd?" Eric said sitting up quickly. "Did you find a herd?"

Donaldson rubbed his face and yawned, "Margie found a small herd of those weird striped purple animals, like the mummified one that we found yesterday."

Eric stood quickly, "Show them to me!" Margie looked at Captain Donaldson, waiting for his consent. He frowned, and then waived her off with his hand.

"Keep your communicators on, and we'll wait for you here." They started away, picking their way down the narrow trail that we had used yesterday.

"If you don't mind, Captain, I'll go with them." I said, watching them drop below the rise.

"Go on, but don't stay there long. We need to be starting back today." I nodded and quickly darted off behind them.

Chapter 3

Margie pointed out the herd to Eric, who slowly brought the optiscope to his eyes and studied each of the strange animals on the field.

"I count a total of seven."

I held my scope up and scoured the edge, where the woods and grass met. "Something is lying next to the trees." The other two directed their gaze toward where I indicated.

"Do you suppose it's the injured male?" I wondered aloud, when I couldn't see it in the field.

"Let’s go down and take a look at it!" Eric stood and began to work his way through the forest of trees, both Margie and I followed.

"We'll keep to the trees and with the breeze blowing toward us, we can move closely without spooking them." He gestured along the wood line. "We should be able to get right on top of them from over there.

As we were walking we stumbled upon another dried mummified carcass. Eric examined it closely. "It’s another female of the species. She doesn't have any visible wounds, so trying to figure out how she died is going to be pretty tough."

He stood and studied the animals just below us in his scope, "I count 6 females and the one small male."

Margie looked at the mummified carcass by our feet. "Do you suppose this was one of the females we saw yesterday?" She asked, nudging the creature’s long leg with her foot.

"The other one over there next to the woods is probably the big, injured male we saw yesterday." I pointed.

Again we rose and slowly picked our way along the edge of the woods, finally stopping at the carcass of the other animal.

"You need to have your eyes checked!" Eric grinned, "Your big male is really a small female."

"It has to be a different one!" I said, studying the other live creatures as they grazed upon the lush vegetation.

"Christian, look at this." Margie tugged at my arm as she whispered. I peered at the stretched skin of the female creature. Her leg was scarred from a wound in the exact spot as the male had yesterday.

"That's strange." I whispered, "It must be a different one."

Eric laughed, "Unless you can explain how the male magically transformed into the mummified female you see before you!" He slowly stood and smiled, "We all know that isn't possible, so somewhere out there... is your injured male."

He stood up and picked his way through a tangle of strange lavender-colored brush, studying the ground around the carcass like a detective. "That makes something like what, three females that we've found?" Both Margie and I nodded.

"Maybe it’s some kind of illness that is only affecting the females?"

"I guess that's possible, but, why aren't they eaten?" I asked, "Why are we only able to find those who went through the mummification process?”

"Hey, over here's another one!" Margie shouted, causing the little heard to suddenly raise their heads and look our direction. Suddenly, one by one they hurried to the far side of the little meadow, leaving us in the shadows of the great 'saw trees'.

She was standing over the carcass, "It's another female. Do you suppose it's a disease? Possibly something that is working on the genetic level and only attacking the females?" Eric walked to her side as she finished speaking.

"Maybe…though we’d better figure it out soon or both Lunette and you may be in jeopardy." He bent down and picked up a dried-out leg, "This one has been lying here for quite a long time, maybe as long as a week or two."

I looked down at it as he tore away a small piece of the creature's dried skin, "How do you figure that?" I asked.

He rolled it over, revealing that the grass under it was a pale yellow. "It's lain here long enough to keep the sun off the vegetation." Eric stood up and placed the skin fragment in a small bag, "Let’s get back to the camp. I want to run some tests on this sample."

We slowly worked our way through the woods, with our positioning signal directing us back toward our camp. As we rounded a large outcropping of rock, we found another mummified female creature, but this time it was a Yellow Gorth, which closely resembled a sloth of old earth.

"Damn!" Eric spat. "There's another one over there and they are both females!"

"What is a Yellow Gorth doing on this planet?" Margie asked, her voice trembling.

"They've been found on four other planets in this system, so it wouldn't be too much of a reach to find them here."

He looked from one to the other, "They mate for life and have never been seen alone, unless they are the immature offspring. It's unusual to find two females together." He took another sample from each of them which he placed in separate bags, marking the little white labels.

"Maybe you found the only two that preferred their own sex?" I said laughing. "Perhaps they were a pair?" Margie gave me a stern glance.

Eric rolled one over and pointed to the almost white grass that was lying beneath it, "This is quite a puzzle because we're only finding dead females. Every one is mummified and weighs a fraction of their normal weight. Some, like this one, have no external damage and yet...there are some like the other that have been wounded and possess a healed-over scar like that one." He pointed to the other, lying nearby.

"We had better notify the Captain, this could be some kind of epidemic that is only affecting the females on the planet. We may need to have Margie and Lunette stay aboard the ship until we can figure out what it is that we're dealing with!"

Again we set off toward our camp, but this time we hurried with urgency.

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 2

Chapter 4

After we had explained what was found on our short trip, the Captain decided that we should return back to the ship and bring it into the valley where the creatures could be examined thoroughly. It was close to the zenith of the twin suns again, and the air was becoming hot and sticky. While we ate a quick lunch, Captain Donaldson asked for any suggestions on what we should do.

Eric was the first to speak up, "I want to go back in there and run a few more tests on those animals, both the live ones and the dead." The Captain nodded.

"I agree with Eric, the more we know about whatever is killing those animals, the better I'll feel." Lunette added, "I don't like knowing that it's only the females being affected."

I agreed, "It would put quite a damper on making this a viable colony if it is harmful to the female of our population." The captain scowled, and then glanced toward Lunette.

Margie sat quietly sipping her drink, "I'll go down with Eric, we may discover that its some plant that is killing the animals. It would pay to have a botanist on hand to know what test to run on stomach or feces contents."

Park made a face at her comment; we’ll need a security perimeter-set up. Christian can help me do it."

"That leaves Lunette and I." The Captain sighed and stretched, "I'll leave, after I take a short nap, to get the ship back here. I'm assuming you'll need some of the scientific equipment that is on there."

Eric nodded in agreement, Lunette cleared her throat as if she were about to speak. "I'll hike back to get the ship; you stay here and set up operations. We can't have our Captain separating himself from the crew."

Captain Donaldson slowly nodded, knowing that she was right.

"When we were there in the clearing yesterday, I noticed a high point about a mile from where we spied the herd. That would be a good vantage to set up camp. Go ahead and land the craft there and advise us of your arrival once you've landed. When we get word from you, we'll move our camp later that day." He turned to Lunette. "I'm figuring that it should take you a day and a half to get back to the bog, and about 15 minutes to fly here. I guess we'll see you in two days."

She nodded and stood up, raising her pack to her slender shoulders. "Lunette, be careful, and keep your plasma cannon handy." She smiled and quickly turned, disappearing back down the trail we had arrived here on only a day ago.

For the next day and a half, Eric and Margie scoured over the mummified carcasses of the animals that we had discovered. On the hill where the Captain had asked Lunette to land our craft, Park and I begin setting up small security beacons that would light up if an intruder would break a beam. Just to the inside of that, we aligned a secondary boundary that would sound an alarm which should scare off any animal that happened to be passing through. If anything broke through that defense, we always had our plasma cannons and we weren't afraid to use them.

As we were locking down the last of the sound amplifiers, the Captain's voice broke across the speaker of my communicator. "You guys had better get out of the area. Lunette is supposed to land soon and you know what kind of heat that the ship gives off when it first comes in."

"Got it. We're just finishing up here, Captain." I touched the little pad on my uniform and spoke out. "Have you heard from her yet?"

We waited for a few seconds, listening to the quiet breeze blowing through the Saw Trees. "She just called in. Lunette will be there in about 14 minutes" he relayed his response.

I looked up into the sky and tapped Park on his arm, "We'd better be moving. This place will be hot for a few hours." He nodded and gathered up our tools, heading back toward our little camp.

Park and I were about half way across the little meadow when the ship broke below the cloud cover, a little silver shaft of light that was our craft. Lunette set down exactly in the center of the security perimeter we had just erected. I touched the pad, "She's landed, Captain."

"Come on back and we'll wait for the hull to cool. You two can help us carry everything back to the new camp.

Park laughed, looking at me and smiled. "Exactly what we wanted to do, be pack-mules for the crew."

"There shouldn't be that much stuff to haul out. We only brought along the packs we carried in." I replied as I turned back toward the direction of our camp.

"Do you suppose the Captain's trying to be funny?" I grinned.

"If he is, he'd better not quit his day job!" We both laughed at our sorry joke, as we entered the temporary camp where the others were waiting for us. We ate a quick bite and settled back for a short nap, preparing to move our camp to the craft as soon as we got the ‘all clear’ from Lunette.

Chapter 5

Lunette’s communicator awoke us from our nap, "All clear, Captain. Do you want me to come over there and help move the camp?"

Donaldson replied, "That's a negative, Lunette. Stay put, we're breaking camp and will be there within an hour."

"Okay, I'll wait here for you and just take in some sun." The voice on his communicator replied.

"Don't get too comfortable, Lunette. We wouldn't want you to burn!" Park said, laughing. "We'll see you in a few minutes."

We began milling about, re-packing our packs and slowly heading down into the wooded valley. As we reached the meadow, Lunette’s voice over the Captain's communicator caused us all to turn. "Did you see it?"

Our group paused; Captain Donaldson frowned and pushed his communication cell. "See what?"

"A creature, it was standing just outside the perimeter-you set!" came her reply.

"Was it a Yellow Gorth or a Banth?" Eric shouted into the air as he touched the pad.

"I'm not sure; let me get a closer look." There was a long pause, and then her voice broke again on our communicators. "It's still standing by the tree line."

I quickly brought my optiscope to my eyes and scanned the length of trees.

"It's near the perimeter, by the base of those trees!" I relayed as I pointed in the direction I had last observed it in so they could look. They all brought their scopes to their eyes and followed my directions.

"What the hell is that thing?" Margie asked anyone who was watching.

"Come on!" The Captain shouted as we began running across the meadow. Our line of sight dropped slightly behind a hill, for almost a full minute the craft was blocked from our view. As we raced across the top of the hill, the creature slipped into the trees and disappeared among the foliage. One by one we ran past the first perimeter, our communicators keeping the sound alarms from firing. Into the second ring we raced, again, the communicators acting as our remote and shutting down the auditory cannons.

We stood watching the trees with our optiscopes while the Captain climbed the ramp, "Lunette?" He called, and then stepped out to the top decking. "Keep your eyes open folks, I don't like the feeling I'm getting about this." He began to scan the trees and below with his scope, suddenly lowering them. "Shit!" He growled, raising it back to his eyes for a second look.

"Can you guys get a lock on whatever it is that is laying by the bigger 'Saw Tree' to our immediate left?" We each scanned down into that area.

"Looks like another mummified carcass." Eric started to walk in that direction; I followed closely, removing my plasma cannon from my leg holster. "Fan out left, that creature might still be around." Eric ordered as he pulled out his own cannon.

We flipped the safeties off, and our plasma cannons were armed and ready. Eric slowly approached the carcass, "Oh... God." From where I stood, I saw his knees buckle as he sank to the ground. His face was white, and then he stood and sadly looked back toward the Captain. "It's Lunette!" Then turned back toward the mummified corpse, and speaking with a trembling voice, "Or, at least what's left of her."

I felt a slow chill race along my spine as I made my way back toward our fallen crewmember. Park was working his way toward us, his plasma cannon covering the woods just ahead of him. A low branch moved strangely, but before I could call out, it snapped up quickly. Suddenly, a creature leapt from the dense foliage and lunged at Eric. He fell backward over Lunette and scrambled to his feet. I fired the cannon and incinerated about ten square feet of vegetation into the woods as the creature disappeared from view.

Park called out, "Did you get it?" I scanned the trees and beyond.

"I don't think so, that damn thing is quick!" I shouted, stepping to the edge of the woods, the business end of the cannon pointing into the brush. Here and there around me small fires danced in the thin air before being smothered by the humidity. I looked down at Eric, "You okay?"

He stood up and scowled into the woods, "I'll be all right." He looked down at the leathery image of what had once been Lunette.

"Damn." He sighed, "She never had a chance."

Park stopped next to us, "We probably had better move her away from the woods; we don't need that thing coming out after us again."

By the time the others had reached our position, we had her body moved well into the perimeter of our security border. The others stopped just far enough away so they wouldn't be forced to look at Lunette's body. Reverently, we carried the stiff form of Lunette back toward the little craft. She only weighed about 20 pounds, more than a hundred pounds lighter than she had been, and mere moments ago.

Margie turned her head away and cried into Captain Donaldson's shoulder. After a few moments, the Captain called out, "You guys okay? Anyone injured?" He tried hard to not stare at his co-pilot's corpse.

I pointed to Eric, "Eric was knocked down by the thing, and I got off a shot, but it was moving too fast." Donaldson crouched down by his co-pilot, burying his head in his hands. We slowly moved away to let him have his moment of silence.

Park and I stood with Eric. Margie kept looking at the mummified corpse of Lunette, and then turned away. I caught Park's attention and gave him a nod, and then he slowly pulled a thermal blanket from his pack, walked back, and laid it over the body of Lunette.

The Captain slowly stood up, his eyes glassy with emotion. "I want whatever it is that did this, DEAD!"

He gently rolled her over and placed her body on the blanket, quietly zipping it up and sealing her inside. "Bury her."

He looked at Park, Eric and I, "I know she's beyond caring now... but she would want it that way. That's the least we can do for her."

We each nodded and Park and Eric carried her to a small hill, not far away, while I retrieved two shovels from inside the craft. Park took one and Eric took the other, while I stood silently praying and watched them dig. After a while, Park removed his uniform jacket and dropped it on the ground beside us, and soon after, Eric removed his as well.

I picked them up and held onto each one while they continued to dig. I glanced down at Eric's jacket sleeve, and noticed that it had a tear in it almost three inches long. As I held it up, I could see that it was the right sleeve that was damaged. Margie was standing next to me and saw the jacket at the same time as I did, together; we stared at Eric's arm.
He had a short cut on his forearm, about two inches long.

"Eric, you need some medical attention." I pointed out, causing him to look down, "Let me finish up for you... go on and let Margie take a look at it."

He shrugged and then handed me the shovel, slowly walking away with Margie.

"He'll be okay, it was only a scratch." Parker smiled weakly as he and I lowered our crewmember into the grave.

He sighed and leaned against his shovel as he stood, "She was one hell of a woman... a real fighter, and I’m really going to miss her company."

I nodded, fighting back the tears that were collecting. "I hope I hit that damn thing. Maybe I was lucky enough to have inflicted a bit of my own damage to it."

"Hope so. If not, I'm sure it'll be back, especially since we've set up camp in its back yard." Park said as he scanned the forest.

We looked up as the Captain was walking toward us.

The Captain stopped and stared into the hole as we continued to deposit the strange soil onto our fellow crewmember. "Well, I guess we know what is killing all the animals around here."

He folded his large arms across his barrel chest, "It seems to prefer females."

I nodded and looked past him to the craft, "How's Eric's arm?"

"That's why I came out here, looks like he may need a stitch or two in it."

I nodded as he looked into the grave containing the silver blanket that held his co-pilot, He sighed slowly, then looked up at me.

"Eric's going to need those stitches. I'll help Parker bury Lunette."

I hesitated, exchanging a glance with Park.

"Go on, Christian. I'll be okay." The Captain said as he took the shovel from my hand.
I left slowly to the sound of the soft, strange dirt being dropped over our companion. After a minute I reached the ramp and climbed up. As I entered the craft, Eric and Margie were sitting, waiting for me. I glanced at Eric, who was quiet and sullen.

"Captain said I should put some stitches into you."

He nodded, extended his arm out for me to stitch.

I examined the wound; Margie had done an excellent job preparing him for the stitches.

"Thanks for cleaning it up, Margie. Getting all of the hair from around the wound will help the bandage to stick better."

They both looked up at me as Margie said, "I didn't clean the hair away from the wound."

I leaned over his arm and compared it to his uninjured one. One had light traces of fine hair around the wound, while the other was thick with long dark hairs.

I quickly put in the stitches as Eric held his arm out in front of himself. Mentally, I compared the two. The uninjured arm was definitely normal, but the other wounded arm was slightly thinner and almost all hairless. I said nothing, but my mind was thinking of everything that I had wanted to say. 'Was the creature's scratch causing this to him?' I made a note to myself to keep my eye on Eric.

Chapter 6

Upon the Captain’s request, I guarded the security perimeter. Slowly, I made a circle around the woods and continued to watch for the creature. After about ten rounds, Park trotted up beside me.

"How's it going?"

I glanced over nervously, "Fine I guess, considering the circumstances."

"Captain wants us to keep vigilant, just in the case that the damn thing comes back."

He and I walked alone, in silence for about twenty steps. Park finally said, "You saw it, didn't you?"

I nodded, but said nothing.

"What did it look like? Describe it for me... so I know what I'm trying to kill." He asked, waiting for me to divulge what I knew.

We were passing the blackened woods, where I had taken my shot at it.

"It went into the brush there, hideous." I shuddered, thinking back to when I saw the branch suddenly spring up, "The whole thing happened so fast, it was there, then it was gone."

I pointed to where I was standing, then to where Lunette and Eric were.

"I shot from back there, but it was just a blur. You were coming up along the woods over there when it all happened."

I pointed out where Park had been standing. He said nothing as we walked along; Park was a good friend, trying to help me sort out what had happened.

"It had a triangular shaped head; it was shiny, kind of an oily purple color. Its whole head reminded me of a preying mantis, with its mouth opening from side to side."

I bent slightly at my knees, "It walked like this, and only the knees were backward and held its body balanced over it as if in a crouch."

Finally Park spoke, "Did it have arms?"

I nodded, "They were thin, yet muscular looking, long, with two fingers and a thumb. The fingertips were flat and had long formidable looking claws on the ends of each."

I stared into the woods, a movement causing me to study the foliage closer with my eyes.

"I'll tell you this; the creature that I saw was no herbivore like the other creatures that we've seen. This thing was definitely a predator!"

Park stood with me watching into the woods, as the great 'Saw Trees' were swaying in the hot breeze.

"How's Eric doing?" I asked.

"He seems okay. He's running more tests, I think he believes that the creature that went after him, and the one that's been mummifying all of the animals including Lunette, are one and the same."

He and I continued walking slowly.

We both glanced up, and saw that Margie and the Captain were standing over Lunette's grave. From where we were positioned, we could see that she was crying. The Captain was trying to console her.

"She's taking Lunette's death pretty hard." Park observed.

"Yeah, I guess they were good friends from way back. I heard Lunette say once that they had grown up in the same wing of the Space Station."

I heard a twig snap just inside of the woods, and instantly both Park and I stopped and watched the dense undergrowth.

"There's something inside there, waiting for us to drop our guard!"

"You think it's the creature?" Park asked, flipping off his plasma cannon's safety.

"Could be…" I replied tersely, studying the trees, flipping mine off as well.

I glanced up into the sky, the twin suns were setting into the horizon, one at each end of the little valley.

I turned toward Park, "Let’s pull back into the second perimeter. It's time I should be checking Eric's arm. That is, unless you want to check up on him for me?"

Park smiled as we backed away from the woods covering them in the strange twilight, "That's okay; I have made it a rule to never steal another man's patient."

"Good one." I said laughing as I kept the woods covered, and slowly backed our way past the first perimeter, and into the second.

Park gave me the high sign and continued to walk the path that made up our camp interior; I turned and headed toward the craft where I knew I would find Eric. As I passed the Captain, I could see he was having a problem with Margie.

"We're going to finish our mission and pull out as soon as everything is packed?" Margie argued her point. "Lunette wouldn't want us to bail out just because something happened to her!"

The Captain's jaw flexed slowly, "We've already lost one crewmember to that thing. I can't risk this mission on any more lives!"

"We all knew there would be dangers in flying here!" She stared into his eyes coldly, "Even Lunette knew something might happen."

"The only mission that I'm interested in right now is killing that damn creature!" She pointed to the burned section of woods, "It killed one of our crew and injured another, I don’t want to take the chance of waiting it out so it can kill again!"

Margie asked, "If we kill it, will you'll agree to finish the mission?"

The Captain looked up, into the woods, and then sighed. "All right... we'll rest, then we'll help you hunt it down, but it seems that you should want to stay around camp, though, especially since it has a thing for females."

Captain Donaldson checked his plasma cannon, seeing if it still held a full charge. "We'll leave when the suns are straight up."

"Why not go now?" She frowned, "We'll have the element of surprise!"

He scowled at her, "It's watching this camp. No, we'll wait until the suns are straight up and we have the maximum brightness of the day!"

She frowned, clearly unhappy with the idea of waiting, but Margie nodded in agreement. They both looked up as I walked past, heading toward the craft.

Chapter 7

I stepped inside; walking toward the back where I knew Eric could be found hovering over his science lab. He had his head down and was resting, his arms folded beneath him. As I approached, he slowly raised his head. I stopped short, it appeared longer, his hair seemed fuller and strangely glossy, much different than I had grown used to seeing.

I tried not to gawk as I walked over to my medical supplies and began to get out what I needed to change the dressing on his wound. After placing the items on the counter, I carried them over next to him.

"Time to change your bandages, Eric…I...um...I also want to check the stitches that I put in, while I'm at it." He nodded and sat quietly, studying his notes.

As I took my seat, he held his arm to me. The uninjured arm was slightly thinner and the hair was beginning to fall out! The one with the bandage, now more than ever, resembled a woman's arm, right down to the slender fingers! I said nothing but quickly examined the wound and began to cover it back up with clean wraps.

"All right, cut the crap! Don't tell me that you can't see what's happening?" Eric snapped, his voice sounding slightly higher...but definitely bitter.

I met his eyes with a quick glance. "I noticed. I just didn't want to say anything."

He inhaled deeply, "Everything is making sense to me now." He paused, tucking his longer brown hair behind his ear. "That thing feeds off of the females on this planet. Somehow it needs something that is contained in their body…and only in their bodies."

"Estrogen?" I asked. “Female’s have higher amounts of estrogen in their bodies than males.”

"Possibly, but when it draws it from their system, it also sucks all the moisture out, leaving only a hollow shell…like a mummy."

He drummed his slender fingers against the countertop. "I think that the reason we haven't been seeing many animals since we've been here is that the thing has almost exhausted its supply. It's actually eating itself into extinction."

He picked up the discarded bandage and threw it into the waste chute.

I looked out the craft's door, "Do you suppose there is more than one?"

He shrugged, "My guess would be that in as little as a year, nothing will be left on this planet. Whatever it is will have killed everything, and then it too will just die out."

I let my eyes slowly drift over his body, I could see a slight bulge where his nipples appeared swollen and slightly protruded out, yet were covered by his jumper. He caught my glance and folded his arms against his chest; the action was decidedly feminine. I quickly forced my eyes away, and then tried to say anything that would distract us from our uncomfortable situation.

"I think the Captain wants to hunt it down. He's planning his own mission when we've all rested." I said as I put away the items I had that were still useable.

I contemplated what Eric had just said, frowned and looked over at him.

"If what you are implying is true, how would you account for the changes that are happening to yourself?" I turned to face him, "What makes you think it's only hunting females? You aren't a female, but it went after you!"

He sighed, "I don't think it bit me when it came from the woods, I think it only purposefully scratched me."

I waited quietly for him to continue.

"Something is on the skin of that creature that has a type of chemical that attacks testosterone...a bacterium which converts the testosterone into estrogen at a supremely high rate. In essence; it's turning me into a female... a food source."

I sat up quickly, unsure of what he was telling me as he continued, "I'm sure if something is bitten, it would accelerate the process. Whatever it is that is affecting me…and those animals out there is doing it on a genetic level. Completely rewriting our genetic code as it works to break down the testosterones and convert it into estrogens."

I studied his face. His changes were happening more slowly, yet still, over the short span of time, it was remarkably quick. His face and jawbone had narrowed since I had last seen him, and his cheekbones becoming more pronounced. His lips looked slightly fuller, his eyes more open. His eyelashes had extended themselves to a length of almost a half of an inch, darkened and appeared to be curving slightly upward. I looked toward his neck; gone was his great lump of an Adams's apple, his neck was slender and proportioned like that of a woman.

"Have you examined how far the changes in you have gone?" I asked, trying to not look him in the eye. "How much more will it progress?"

He nodded and began to unbutton his shirt; slowly he opened it, revealing his chest. "These damn things have almost doubled in size over the last few hours!" He indicated the diameter of his aureola. "I am almost able to feel a slight puffiness in the area around it."

I rubbed my chin and looked away, almost with embarrassment. Yet the medical technician in me needed to know, "Have you checked... down below?"

He replied, greatly frustrated, "It's happening everywhere! My genetic code is being rewritten by something in that creature’s claw or saliva, at the rate of progression; I'll probably be a fully functioning woman within 12 hours."

He looked out the small circular window, his mind seemingly enveloped in this strange planet's mystery. "By this time tomorrow, my body will be capable of producing, carrying and birthing children... the change appears to be total and complete!"

I leaned against the counter, "Damn! Eric, are you sure?"

He stood up, and then I could see the development of his hips as they swelled out his uniform. "I think so; had I been born female... this is how I probably would have looked!"

He sank back into his chair, looking embarrassed. "That's not the only thing, Christian."

I looked up, my arms folded across my chest as he continued, "It's like now, the way you are standing there."

I looked down at myself, not sure what he was trying to say. He rolled his eyes.

"Damn it, Christian! Whatever it did to me is stimulating me on the subconscious as well as the conscious levels!"

He buried his head into his folded arms, frustrated at my inability to understand him fully. "Somehow, and I'm not sure how it's doing it... my freaking sexual orientation is changing!"

I stood up straighter, "You mean...?"

"The changes in my body are... damn it, Christian! I'm finding you attractive!"

Thankfully, Park came bounding up the stairs.

"Christian, Margie took off and has just entered the woods looking for whatever it was that killed Lunette!"

I quickly looked at Eric. "The Captain is going after her, trying to get her back!"

I felt my heart sink. "Shit! We can't let them do that, their lives are in jeopardy!" I pushed past him then scrambled down the ramp followed closely by Eric and Park. "We've got to locate them and then get back here, before that damn creature finds them!"

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 3

Chapter 8

(Changing perspective slightly from Christian’s view to relay what he could not see)

Captain Donaldson held his plasma cannon up near his shoulder as he caught Margie's arm. "Damn it Margie, why couldn't you wait for all of us?"

"That thing killed my only friend here... I will not let it live another day!" She swung her arm in the direction she was heading, "Don't stop me, Captain! I'm going on...one way or another!"

Margie VanVleet pulled away from him, "If you want me to return, it'll have to be at the end of a plasma cannon... because I'm not returning without knowing that that thing is dead!"

He stood and sighed, then pointed into the brush. "Okay, Margie, I'll help you."

Each time they would trade places, moving as they had been taught by the military, all the while they hunted the creature, drifting further and further into the woods. Then behind them a twig snapped, and they each turned quickly, fingers hovering over their trigger pad.

"That damn thing is close, I can feel it!" She scowled and motioned for the Captain to slip past her as she covered his back. "It'll make a mistake and show itself to us, and then we'll blow it off this planet and into oblivion."

"Or it'll get us first." He muttered under his breath.

Margie frowned, crouching low and looking for signs of its passing. "Not very optimistic, are you?"

They continued on in silence, exchanging places as they watched for the illusive creature. Suddenly their communicators crackled, "You have to come back to the craft! It's too dangerous for you to be out there alone with that thing!"

Elmer looked toward Margie, "Who the hell is that talking?" Margie shrugged, shaking her head 'no'. Donaldson hit the pad on his chest, "Who is this?"

"It's Eric!" The voice said, "Something is happening to me that it’s a direct result of my contact with that creature!"

"Like what?" The Captain again touched the pad on his chest.

"I don't have time to explain, just get the hell out of the forest!" relayed Eric’s short reply. "Your very lives depend on it!"

"Well, there you have it, Margie... we should head back."

Just ahead of the two, they heard steps. Their cannons were trained on the spot. Suddenly it was heard behind them, causing their attention to focus back there. Now it was beside them, just behind the dense foliage.

"Can't talk now Eric, I think we're closing in on it!" The woman shouted, and then turned with her back to the Captain, "There may be two of them. Or it's damn fast..."

Suddenly, in one fluid motion it was upon them, completely knocking VanVleet to her knees. Captain Donaldson spun his Cannon around only to have a raking claw rip it from his grasp, then throwing him aside as if he were nothing more than a rag doll. It wheeled around as Margie was scrambling toward her own dropped plasma cannon.

"The plasma cannon…set it to detonate!" The Captain shouted from where he lay. Before her, the creature stepped on the cannon, pinning it beneath its long, two-talon, claw like foot. Its wide triangular head lowered closer to her terrified face, and long strands of blue tinted saliva hung from its mandibles as each one clicked together slowly. It glared at her sullenly through the mirror-like surfaces of its eyes, but as she scrambled to her feet... it was upon her instantly.

Elmer Donaldson struggled to stand and began to strike out at the beast as it held Margie within its grasp. But he could see the horrified look upon her face as it began to slowly suck the life from her body. Within moments the woman who had entered the woods with him was no more than a thin husk of her former self! Her face and eyes had sunk in as her once-beautiful mouth drew back to reveal the entire gum line. She was gone; the creature had killed again.

Donaldson spun quickly away from the beast, leaving his plasma cannon lying on the forest floor. He had only taken two steps when he was dragged down from behind. He lashed out with his boot as the creature pulled him slowly toward its hulking body, its little mandibles clicking with ferocity and anger.

The Captain's foot was held fast by the creature, but he continued to kick at the face of the monster with his other foot. In one quick movement it bit down, and its mandible buried deep into the calf of his leg. Donaldson struck out again, with his full force striking again and again into the beast’s face. Finally he was able to break himself free, scrambling to his feet he staggered off, and limped in the direction of his remaining crew members and the craft.

As the Captain ran, he could feel the blood trickling into his boot. He had been injured by the beast, but he was alive and he wanted to stay that way! He quickly tapped against his chest on the pad and he began to shout out as he ran.

"It attacked us! VanVleet is dead... like Lunette!" He panted, his breath laboring for air.

"We're coming in!" Parker's voice shouted over the Captain's communicator.

"No!" He shouted, gasping for air. "Get the ship ready, this mission is scrubbed!"

Donaldson stumbled over a fallen log, throwing his hands out to catch himself he landed in the lush vegetation. Behind him in the distance, he could hear the beast following. As he struggled to his feet he looked down at his hands, slowly being transformed, becoming slender and feminine.

"Wha...what's happening?" He gasped.

A terrified glance over his shoulder revealed the beast as it slowly stalked its prey, as if waiting for its predetermined moment to strike. Donaldson continued racing toward the craft, fearing and cursing the very beast that now hunted him. He tripped and fell, but when he staggered to his feet, his shoes were still on the ground where he had fallen, for he had stepped out of them completely! His breath came out in short gasping pants, each audible wheezing breath elevating higher and higher in pitch. To his left the beast ran parallel of him, its intent to cut off his escape from the woods.

Again he scrambled, but now, the longer pant legs impeded his ability to run effectively. Elmer was slowly shrinking in size, allowing his pants to envelop his feet in the process. As he seemingly shrank in stature, the pants fell about his knees causing him to stumble awkwardly to the ground.

He struggled off the uniform pants and raced through the woods, now smooth feminine legs propelling him forward in desperation as his undergarment fell lower and lower off his womanly hips. He kicked them free, the wound in his leg all but forgotten; terror propelled him onward, terror and the innate desire to live!

He fell and rolled along the odd surface of the woods, above and just beyond him the beast raced on, turning slightly toward his direction. As Donaldson crawled up the hill, he could feel breasts begin to swing freely upon his chest, unfettered under his uniform. In a panicked horror, he realized then that the creature’s bite was transforming him into a female!

Now, it was as a realization dawned upon him that this strange beast had an appetite for only females and was just waiting its chance to kill yet again; only this time he would be the main course for this alien creature. No longer did he care whether they colonized this planet, no longer did he care whether his good friends had been killed…no, he only cared about escape…his own.

The faster he, now she, ran, the more she could feel the changes to her body! Her breasts bounced and jiggled, her hips and legs had altered enough that she could feel that her gait was now that of a female! She now had slender arms that were much shorter, causing her hands to be covered by her uniform jacket! Her heart was racing, almost as though it would burst through her chest. Self-preservation, more than anything was propelling her onward, as she stumbled over a thick branch and fell. Scrambling to her feet she ran on, burning tears coursing down her dirt covered face, each one falling upon her oversized shirt, which now covered her naked bottom like a dress. On and on she stumbled through the vegetation, pitiful cries and sobs the only vocalization she could squeeze out from her terrified feminine lungs.

Tears were streaming down her soft cheeks as she raced toward the edge of the woods, between the trees she could just make out the craft as it sat upon the hill.

She struck the pad upon her breast, "I can see the ship, and I’m almost there!" She cried out in her now feminine voice. "I’ve got to hurry, its right behind me!" She screamed out in panic.

Chapter 9

(Returning perspective to Christian)

The three of us had fanned out and stood facing the woods; between Park and me stood the feminine form of Eric. His budding breasts were heaving from the tension of our ordeal.

Ever since we heard the strange voice of a girl, we had been vigilant, knowing that it was most likely, the altered form of our Captain fleeing for his very life from the creature.

I saw movement flashing through the trees. It was a female, but close behind her raced the beast! She fell just short of the meadow. Crying out, her voice, now horse from screaming, she began to crawl through the grass toward safety.

Suddenly, the beast was upon her! Just in front of Eric, she fell halfway into the meadow, halfway in the tall brush. Her blood-curdling scream was like fingernails on a chalkboard that slowly died away, just as the life in her once beautiful eyes.

Eric threw himself at the beast, which flung him away in one fluid motion. He struck his back against a tree and he fell in a great heap at its base. Parker took a quick shot at it, but the creature easily dodged it, then turned and grabbed onto Eric's leg.

I raced alongside, trying to turn it back toward Parker where he could hopefully get a shot off at it. In the meantime, I saw Eric being dragged along as if he were a helpless stuffed animal in a child's arms.

Slowly the beast began to veer to its left, back toward Park. Within a minute we had it between us, its retreat thwarted by the blast of Parker’s plasma canon. It held out Eric as if tempting us to fire, but it seemed to know we couldn't shoot one of our own. The beast’s great barrel lungs were working like a bellows, each rib flexing with its breathing.

Eric yelled out, screaming in pain, his feminine sounding voice crying, "Shoot it! Shoot the damn thing!"

"We can't! If we shoot at it, we'll hit you!" I cried out.

Parker stood, hands braced on a tree, his chest heaving from our running. I cupped my hand to my mouth and shouted across to him, "Narrow the Plasma beam…that should allow you to place a pinpoint shot!" I could see Park begin to twist the base of his cannon.

"No!" Eric shouted, "If you do that, you'll have to move in too close! The thing will kill us all, instead of just me!"

I quickly began narrowing the beam, ignoring what Eric was saying. As both Park and I moved in, the beast clutched Eric tighter. Parker took a shot, hitting it in the arm causing it to drop Eric. As the beast howled in rage and pain, I closed in, grabbing Eric by his now slender hand and began to pull him toward me.

"No, Christian!" He screamed at me, struggling against my efforts.

The great beast wheeled on me and with one shove from his claw-like hand, flung me almost twenty feet into the woods. I rolled until the brush brought me to a halt.

As I slowly staggered to my feet in pain, I watched as Eric picked up my fallen Plasma Cannon.

"Shoot it!" We both yelled to him.

Instead, Eric twisted the dial and made eye contact with both Park and me. "I can't let it get you guys too!" He gasped in pain; his hand hovered over the trigger pad of the cannon.

I watched him close his eyes as his index finger fell upon the pad. Instantly a white-hot blast permeated the entire area for almost twenty square meters in every direction. Both Park and I were flattened by the energy pulse, numbing us as it washed over our prone bodies.

Not a sound came to my ears as I lay in the grass, staring mindlessly at the canopy of the forest. Both of the twin suns were visible within my range of vision, and it seemed that thousands of the strange saw-like leaves swayed in the humid breeze, my eyes slowly closed, shutting away the view.

For the briefest of moments I could feel someone near me, my eyes struggled open and I watched Park quickly begin to tear his shirt and rip open my own shirt. He began to stuff the torn pieces under my arm, rolling me slightly to one side so he could tie up his field bandage.

He looked down at me and saw that my eyes had open; the pain I was feeling was as intense as anything I had ever felt. “Don’t you die on me, Christian!” He spoke as he was pouring a packet of medicine into my mouth, and washing it down with water.

I tried to speak but coughed out the water instead, finally I was able to choke out a whisper. “I’m not dead yet.” I managed as a great black void engulfed me.

Chapter 10

I opened my eyes slowly; Parker was closing the hatch to the craft. He walked past me and smiled, "You feeling better?" I nodded and tried to sit up, "Stay lying down, I can handle the lift-off. We're getting the hell out of here."

I felt the retaining straps which held me to the medical table, “Am I bad?”

“You got a hell of a cut just below your armpit, on your right side.” He quickly began to shine a small lit into my eyes, “Other than that, you seem healthy enough.”

I have known Park for a long time and I could tell when he wasn’t giving me the complete story. I rolled my eyes to the window as he passed me and headed toward the front of the craft, "What happened out there?" My voice sounded raspy.

Parker swiveled the Captain's chair toward me, "Eric set his plasma cannon on the blast mode, both him and that damn creature were vaporized in the blast. You were knocked unconscious by the plasma wave, and I was thrown, but unhurt, I don’t know, maybe it was because I was further away from the blast than you were."

I nodded, and again tried sitting up, but my head reeled from pain. Park said, "Better stay still, it knocked you for a hell of a loop!"

I groaned, "The blast or the creature?" As I spoke, I touched my throat. "What's wrong with my voice?"

Parker flipped some switches and the little craft broke away from the surface of the strange planet. As we sailed out into the blackness of space he guided us high above the planet into an orbit of our own. Once he was satisfied of our distance, he set the flight path then locked it in, letting the computer guide us homeward.

He stood up and slowly made his way back to the bed that I was convalescing in, "I found Eric's notes." He placed a cold rag on my forehead, "He figured out what was causing us to only find female mummies. I put two and two together, after I realized what had happened to the Captain, Eric…and…."

Again I tried to sit up, pain shot through my side. Park gently pushed me back into the medical cot. "Lay still." He chewed on his lip as he concentrated on what he was going to say next. "I'm not going to let you up until I've had a chance to talk to you." I stopped my struggles, and wondered what he had to say.

He sat quietly for a moment, then spoke softly, "When you tried to rescue Eric, what did the beast do?" As he waited for my reply, he began to unfasten the hold-down straps on the medical table.

I thought about it, "It struck me in the chest, right about there." I pushed my hand into his thick chest, freezing at what I was seeing! My slender hand was splayed out against his chest, each feminine finger tipped with a narrow white sliver of nail! Quickly I brought the other into my view, "My God! What has happened to me?" I gasped at seeing something so strangely feminine on my own hands.

He looked away quickly, then stood, holding his hand out for me to grasp. Without thinking, I laid my tiny hand in his, slowly rising to my feet.

"We sat on the planet for three days, while you were...changing." He spoke as I stood before a tiny wall mirror.

"Your Uniform was swallowing you inside, so I... uh... used one of Margie’s to give you something that would be proper... uh, fitting."

I pulled a lock of my hair away, swinging it before my eyes; its length evident that it had grown considerably since I had been out.

"I... it changed me into a girl?" I began to hyperventilate, looking at the silky tresses contained in my hand, "Just like what happened to Eric... but... but, oh God, what am I going to do?" I felt the tears streaming down my cheek. “How…how is this possible?”

Park looked down at the floor, "It has something to do with its saliva, according to what I found in Eric's notes, but you already knew that, didn't you?" He never made eye contact with me, "Damn, I'm so sorry, Christian."

"Why should you be sorry? You didn't do this to me!" I tearfully looked down at the full bosom that now perched upon my chest; somehow now my emotions were more female than male. My head began swimming, the uneasy feeling left me unsure whether it was from the Plasma wave I had received on the planet days ago, or my recent reveal of the changes upon my body. I felt myself lurching forward, as Parker quickly caught me from falling when my knees buckled.

"I guess I should get used to being the helpless female, shouldn't I?" I cried bitterly, wiping my teary eyes upon his chest. Park gave me a sideways glance; he knew my feeling helpless was so unlike anything I had ever considered of me before.

He shook his head, "Nah, you'll never be helpless, Christian." He smiled as I steadied myself, holding on to the wall as he was taking a seat in the Captain's chair. “I have a feeling that no matter what your outer shell will be, you will always have that strength I admire so much on your inside.”

I gingerly made my way to beside him, "Thanks Park…I guess I'll sit up here in Lunette's chair." Parker nodded and studied the instrument panel. I sat quietly for a few minutes, a question burning in my mind until I could hold it in no longer. Why it seemed to bother me was beyond belief…but somehow it did nag at my mind.

"Park, when you changed me into this uniform, uh... how far along was I?"

His face reddened, a slow boyish smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. I knew he was honorable, but he was a man and I also knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a peek.

"Uh... pretty much, completely." He glanced at me quickly, his smiling eyes darting to the swell under the uniform, then just as quickly away. He tried to not be caught; it was strangely obvious to me what was on his mind well before he had answered.

"Then you saw me naked?" I cried, feeling my face grow warm…although I shouldn’t have been surprised.

He held up his hand, "I promise that I never let my eyes linger... much."

"Oh...my...God!" I buried my face into my slender palms. "You act like you enjoyed it or something!" I sobbed into my slim hands, and then recalled what Eric had told me about his own reaction at seeing me. I felt defeated and looked at the floor, almost afraid to admit that had the shoe been on the other foot, I would have probably done the same.

He replied honestly, "If I said I didn't enjoy the view, and the way you know me...you'd know I'd be lying." He spoke evenly and sincerely, never looking at me. "I have to admit this to you though; you make a far better-looking woman than you ever looked as a man!"

I glared at him, got up and staggered to the medical table where I lay back down. “God, I’m so sore!” Park swung around and walked back slowly, taking a spot, leaning against the counter.

"It’s from the tumble in the woods you took...and where it clawed you.” He grew quiet as he studied my reaction. “So…Christian, have you given much thought to what you’re going to do when we get back home?"

I frowned; my eyes had quickly darted toward his muscular chest, then back to my slender, feminine looking thighs. It angered me as I took that moment to look at him, but I fought through it and answered my friend. "I really have no clue. It's not like I can just dive right back into my old life... looking like this!" I tapped my hand against the youthful breasts which now adorned my chest as if to emphasize my point.

He looked at the floor, "It's just a thought... and you don't need to answer right away, but you'll need a place to stay while you figure this all out, especially since your ID chips won't let you back into your old apartment."

He looked at the floor nervously, "If you want, you can bunk at my apartment until you can get your identification in order."

I stared out the cabin window, as stars streaked past and contemplated his offer. "Well... thanks for the offer, Park, but I won't let people think that I'm some sort of live-in girlfriend of yours. You must be forgetting... I already know your reputation."

His face flushed with anger, but he couldn’t control his frustration for long, "I'm not asking you for sex, Christian! I'm just trying to be a friend and offer you a place to stay for a few days!" He spat with anger, and then slowly calmed back down. "Just think about my offer, will you? And, damn it; forget all about my so-called reputation, those are just a bunch of lies spread around by an old pissed-off girlfriend!"

I let my eyes drift to the floor, "I'll give it some consideration, Park..."

"That's all I ask." He replied, interrupting me.

"I'm sorry." I sighed, realizing that I had hurt his feelings by how I responded. "I shouldn't have implied…that you'd treat me like... one of your old flames."

Park walked over and gave me a friendly hug, "It'll be okay, Christian. You may like it at my place, stay as long as you like, I won't mind. I promise I won't ever try anything!" He made a cross over his chest as to emphasize his point, and then returned to his gentlemanly hug.

I bit my lip, suddenly noticing strange feelings that were flooding my senses as he held me. "We'll see..." I sighed, knowing that the creature's saliva was still having its continued effect upon my transformed body.

As soon as he released me, I stood and walked to the port hole, so I could see outside. The planet was dropping into the distance and was becoming just a bright, greenish dot in the middle of a myriad of stars, its twin suns continuing their strange dance just beyond.

"What do you suppose will happen to that planet?" I asked.

He stood, then moved beside me and sighed, "My guess will be that once they find out in our ship logs, they will be back there with intention of settling and colonizing the planet as soon as they can."

"What about the creatures that are left?" I shuddered, thinking about what those beasts were capable of.

"Once the scientists figure it out, I'm guessing that its days are numbered." He leaned against the hull and watched me, "Then again, there are possible benefits to society that may propel us to keep them around…isolated, but around nonetheless."

I could feel his watchful gaze, but I chose to ignore it as he continued, "There are those who would pay a great deal of money to have what you now have, Christian."

I blurted out, "Well, I wouldn't have been one of them! It wasn't like I asked for all of this to happen to me! I don't remember asking to be turned into a woman when I agreed to come on the mission!"

He nodded and gave me a tempered smile, "I know, but until someone can figure a way of reversing it, you’re stuck in that form." He watched me, knowing that I would hate hearing the blunt truth that he revealed.

I felt my eyes begin welling up with tears, "I can never tell anyone about this! Trapped in this form and have to remain silent like some... some... good little girl! It would have been better if it had just killed me like it did Lunette and the others!"

He spun me toward him and held my chin, pulling my face upwards, forcing me to look at him directly. "Damn it, Christian! You have to stop talking like that! We both went through that ordeal on the planet, I was just lucky enough to not have been affected like you...but I was there!"

He pointed toward the hull, indicating the direction of the planet. "Hell, Christian, we barely got out of there with our lives intact! You ought to be damn happy that you didn't have the life sucked out of you like the others!"

I felt embarrassed for my self-pity. I pulled away slightly and looked back out the portal, into the darkness. It was then I remembered what happened to crews who caught dangerous alien bugs. "What if they think my transformation is contagious? They'll send me to a quarantine colony for life!" Suddenly, what I had just said seemed to envelop me with sheer terror! "Park, nobody can know what happened to me back there. Somehow, we have to keep it hidden." I said, shuddering with fear.

He stood just blinking at me as what I pointed out slowly sank in. "My God, you're right! How the hell are we going to explain how you climbed aboard the ship as a man, then returned as a woman?" He rubbed at his temples, trying to massage out an idea.

"Tell them that Christian died; tell them that I was rescued off of the planet!" I blurted out, "Tell them that I somehow survived there for years and years…alone."

"It might work, only... how would it be just we two that survived? They would probably wonder about the answer to that little question." His eyes lit with the possible explanation for our story.

I felt my heart jump with excitement, as a possible answer leapt into my mind. "Tell them a partial truth, that I helped you and Eric finally kill the beast that killed everyone else!"

He bit his lip and frowned, "What of Christian? How are you going to explain away him?" It felt strange talking of my old self as if he was someone else.

I felt my face wash with sadness; I knew that for my plan to work, Christian would have had to die back on the planet…but would I be able to allow that to happen?

"I... I don't know... everything I was, everything I am... will cease to be if Christian is no longer living."

"With him... goes your name." He shot me a paternal look. "I can't keep calling you Christian if he was killed back on the planet; you have got to realize that! The people back home may be dumb, but I doubt it if they'll be that dumb!"

He sighed and slowly began to walk toward the front of the craft with me following. “What will I call myself then?" I fell into the copilot's chair, completely dejected. "I have to give them a name when they ask!"

"We'll have to think on it later, we'll be at our colony in a little over 12 hours. Both of us need some rest, and that's where I'm heading as soon as I get the coordinates programmed in." He began to adjust the flight computers, and I closed my eyes and prayed for any kind of possible answer to my dilemma.

Chapter 11

Parker eased the craft over the pad, and then gradually throttled back the engines to allow the craft to settle down. As I listened to the winding down of the powerful hum, I opened my eyes.

"Good Morning!" He smiled, "Looks like we made it home!"

I felt fear suddenly leaped into my throat, all the while he sat quietly looking through the thick, tinted craft windows to the city we left behind, seemingly... long, long ago. I swallowed hard, my voice broke the silence, "Did you think of anything yet? Please Park; you have to think of something!"

He inhaled deeply, frowned and sadly shook his head, "Nothing. I’ve got nothing at all." I felt my heart drop into my lap, as we both grew silent waiting for the hull to cool.

We began to bounce ideas off one another, but nothing concrete presented itself to aid in our ruse. As the time to unveil ourselves to the colony approached, panic and sheer terror began to push further and further into my mind.

For over three hours we waited for the craft's skin to cool, watching them as they watched us. Finally a gentle spray began to mist the surface of our craft, and a soft vapor rolled away from the cooling hull. I exchange a worried glance with Park, he frowned and sadly shook his head at me.

The entire time we sat a great agony enveloped me, my mind slowly filled with fear. It has been a long standing rule of the colony that anyone affected by an alien organism, must be removed from the colony and isolated until their death. Both Park and I knew that the organism that transformed Eric, the Captain and I into females was not threatening to anyone other than the one who was attacked. We knew this from Eric's notes, but their draconian rules had been adhered to for eons.

I swallowed hard, the ache in the pit of my stomach being nothing more than raw nerves brought on by the fear of being found out and isolated by the scientists that would swarm us as soon as we stepped away from the ship. Park sat with his arms folded across his chest as we waited for the hull temperature to cool. He glanced at me, "You’re going to be okay…I promise!"

I shrugged in despair, "I know I’m lost…they’ll find out and isolate me somewhere off the colony…I’m certain of it." I felt tears welling up in my eyes. It was so strange to have such feminine responses to worry, and the inability to control them.

"I won't let that happen... we'll figure something out!" He smiled and patted my diminutive hand.

"I'll die if they find out about what happened!" I wiped away a stray tear, "Look at me! I’m already blubbering like some weak female!"

Park sighed, "Female... well, at least yes for now; but weak? Never!"

I took a deep trembling breath and attempted to steel my nerves, "The last thing I needed was for something like this to happen!" I said, indicating what I had become. “Thank God my parents can’t see me!”

"We'll do okay, don't worry..." Park touched my shoulder; his hand felt warm and sent a slight tremor through my body.

"Somehow, we'll figure out a way to keep you on the colony." He glanced at the hatch, "You know it's time." He flipped the toggle for the ramp and pointed to the door. "Let’s go out and face this together."

I quickly wiped away the tears that had collected and with his help, made my way to the door. At the last minute he paused, and held on to the hatch arm. "No matter what happens, I'll be there for you, Christian!"

Park gave me a hopeful glance, and then slowly opened the external door. Warm air slowly began to filter inside, and we stepped from the craft. I was terrified... I had experienced the debriefing they would require many times in the past, but not as a strange woman! Again my mind raced, 'How will people react if they find out my real identity? Will they treat me as a freak?' I tried my best to hide behind Park's wide shoulders, afraid of saying anything that would result in my unveiling. My eyes fearfully danced from the specialists to the official receiving crew heading toward us. Still, my trembling form remained hidden behind Park, using him for shelter from their prying eyes.

As usual, the team of specialists ignored both of us and walked past on their way to check for parasites hitching a ride on the hull of our craft. Then once that was done, they would reseal the craft to depressurize everything, which in turn would kill anything that may have attached to the interior of the ship. Then, they would work on the outside, making sure that no micro-organisms would survive long enough to create havoc in our colony.

As they began working, Park and I were whisked down a long hall by the others and through a series of decontamination stalls together by two members of the large contingent. My life as I had known it was over, never again could I face my friend as the man he once knew...and that thought scared the hell out of me!

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 4

Chapter 12

After two and a half hours of decontamination, I was trembling and shaking like a leaf. My nerves had been spent! I had been fearful of speaking and was holding onto Parker as we were finally approached by several of the doctors and military personnel that had observed us when we left the ship. As they approached, Park gently gave my hand a comforting squeeze, trying to let me know that everything would be alright.

At the front was Park's commanding officer, Major Doren... Roger. He studied me for a moment then turned to face Park, "First Lieutenant Parker, we downloaded your flight data from the craft, sounds like something gave you guys hell out there! Explain!"

Parker's lips tightened slightly, I heard his breath exhale out his nostrils as his jaw flexed. "All of them were killed on the surface by some strange alien animal. Eric was the last one to die and caught it with a plasma blast."

Roger eyed him for a moment, and then studied me again. I had met him…briefly, a few times before, I wasn't impressed.

"It would be easy for you to have dispatched a SOS beacon if you got into trouble, we would have been there to assist you within twelve hours!"

Park leveled his gaze at Roger, "We didn't have twelve hours, sir. From when the first time that Lunette was attacked, until when Eric killed the creature... was all the time we had. It got all of them sir, every last one of them!" He maintained his professionalism all the while he spoke, yet I could feel the tension between him and Roger.

He glanced over at me, "This female, how do you explain her? Did you find her on the planet? The crew log of the captain's said nothing about a woman of her description being a part of your crew."

I fearfully looked at Park, unsure of what would be said. A sudden vision of me being escorted to a shuttle leapt into my worried mind, carted off into oblivion as a carrier of some unknown virus, even though I had no chance of spreading it beyond my own body. I closed my eyes and said a quick prayer, all the while my heart was pounding so fast I would have swore they would hear.

I could see Park scrambling for some sort of explanation. "We found her on the planet. She crashed there, long ago with her parents, when she was most likely, just a little... girl."

I watched the little jerk, Roger as he studied my face, "Where are her identification chips? What of her parents?" I trembled in fear as Roger grilled Parker, worried that each question of his was coming closer to exposing my secret.

Park stood straighter, looked the little man in the eye and said, "Back off a bit, Roger, you're scaring her!" He frowned and stepped, slightly backward. "She's been there long enough... I doubt if they even survived the crash!"

“I’ll ignore protocol for now…since you have been through so much, but you really should respect my rank…Lieutenant.” He smiled as he emphasized Park’s own grade.

A female doctor glared at the two men who seemed to be in their own sort of ‘pissing contest’ stepped closer, looking into my eyes with a light. “Men.” She groused under her breath as she examined me. "She hasn't said a word since she arrived. Can she talk?"

She gently brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear, reminding me more of what a mother may have done to her daughter.

I felt fear constrict my throat; I was quickly panicking as I desperately sought out the words that they were wanting. I was so afraid that I would somehow divulge my true identity. "I...uh..my..." The guttural sounds that fell from my terrorized throat made me sound like a mindless idiot.

The woman took my hand and gave it a squeeze, "The poor dear can't even speak! How old was she when she ended up on the planet? She must be terrified!"

Park interjected, "We figured that she may have been there since about the age of three or four." I watched him as his eyes began to light up with a possible explanation for me. The best part was that they were supplying us with an excuse!

"How she survived, we may never know." A quick glance toward me, informed me to just stay silent and play along.

"And her parents…?" Another doctor queried. "Whatever became of them?"

Park lowered his voice as I kept up my act of looking frightened, "We thought that whatever attacked us, most likely killed them as well."

Roger rubbed his chin, "You're trying to tell me that everyone on the planet, our entire crew AND her parents were killed by the creature... and yet, this frail female remained untouched by whatever it was lurking out there? I find that entirely hard to believe!"

For a moment Park lost himself and frowned, "Get over your damn self, Roger. Stop trying to read so much into the poor kid’s life. She was a mess when we found her..." I watched as Park's mind worked effortlessly, "She most likely hadn't had a bath in years, her parents were dead, everyone was ripped from her life... and then you come along and try to insinuate something by stating your disbelief!"

Roger lowered his gaze and inhaled deeply, noticeably irritated at Park’s continued use of his name and not his rank. "Perhaps she should be checked out by our medical facilities, given a more thorough exam? Doctor," He looked at one of the females in his group, "Check her for everything! If any viruses are found...I want to know it immediately!"

Parker frowned, "Just what the hell are you up to, Roger? You know as well as I do that she is perfectly fine. If any of this has to do with what happened all those years ago... then for Christ's sake, I'm sorry! Just leave the kid alone!"

That was it; the death-knell would sound. I feared that I was history, to be forever isolated on some distant colony like a leper in the days long ago. I felt the doctor move next to me; she also was giving the Major a stern look. Her gaze softened as she moved closer to me.

She frowned and directed her comments to Roger. "I doubt if that will be necessary, officer, we both know that if she would have had an alien virus, it would have shown up when she was in quarantine." She then smiled at me, "You poor dear," replied the female doctor, "Does she have a name? What have you been calling her?"

Before Parker had a chance to answer, the woman turned back toward me. "DO YOU HAVE A NAME?" She spoke in a broken sentence and loudly as if I was hard of hearing, frowning sadly at the plight of the young woman standing before her.

The Major frowned, "I'd have left her there." His tone was cold and icy.

Parker's jaw dropped, "Well, I couldn't have done that to the poor kid! She wouldn't have lasted a day with those creatures on the rampage as they were! Hell, they had already killed off most of our crew when we found her! There is no way that I would have left her behind…that just wasn't an option! What kind of an asshole statement is that…Major?"

But Roger was smiling wickedly at Park, "Perhaps you brought her back here, because there is more to your story than you're letting on?" Then he addressed the doctor looking at me, "Make sure you check her for sexual assault...or even pregnancy; I wouldn't put it past this dog to have tried something with the girl.”

It was then that I remembered an earlier encounter between the Major and Parker long ago, back when I was still the 'male' Christian. On that day, good old Roger had no clue just how close he came to getting his clock cleaned by Park. The only thing that saved Roger then was Park’s fear of losing his rank and pension with an altercation. There was a glossing over of the friction between them, and I think, Roger knew just how far he could push Park's buttons... and all of it was caused by a woman they were both pursuing, a woman that neither ended up having. 'So much like men!' I thought, and then chastised myself for thinking like a female. Still, they weren't done sizing each other up, as Park suddenly wheeled toward the Major.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, Roger?" Parker shot back, taking a step toward the uniformed officer.

"You tell me, Parker." He stood smiling smugly. It was almost as if he was implying that I was some kind of 'toy' for Parker, trying to goad him into trying something.

The female doctor continued to study me, scanning my body with a little tool that she was watching. "Gentlemen, you are frightening the poor girl!" She paused and turned to glare at Roger, "I think you have more important things to do than insult Parker and this young woman... don't you?" She was unafraid of the Major, especially since she possessed the same rank, although hers was in the medical field.

Roger looked away sheepishly, as if he had been scolded by his mother. Then, the doctor addressed Parker without even looking at him, "Who found her?"

"Christian...!" I blurted out before Park could answer, and then timidly looked away when I realized that I had just opened my big mouth. The doctor quickly wrote something down in her notes.

Parker added, even before anyone else could reply, "That's the only word I've ever heard her utter."

He glanced at me undetected by the others as if saying, 'shut up', then smiled.

"Christian found her, and was trying to teach her some words... I guess that was the only one that stuck."

The doctor smiled, touching my arm gently, "Its okay, honey, I won't let any harm come to you." She began to usher me away from the others, sheltering me, using her arm as protection.

I smiled weakly, and then gave a look of abject horror at Parker, as he began to walk away with the soldiers and Roger, Park noticed and paused.

"Doc, she seems pretty frightened. Can you set her up until we can get her settled in? Though, I'm afraid that she won't be happy unless she's around someone familiar."

"I'll see if I can clear her to stay with you in your home, in separate bedrooms of course!"

She turned toward me, "Would you like that?" The doctor asked as if I were a child. I was unsure if I wanted to stay with Park; however, I relented and slowly nodded. Parker disappeared down a long hall, the hiss from the airlock was the only sound I heard, and the shutting door quickly sealed off my view of the retreating Parker.

We passed through a set of doors and entered an office.

"Perhaps Parker could continue to teach you our language? Sort of take over where Christian left off." she said, as I was seated in a chair, slowly she moved around a great desk and eased into a chair.

She began to study her notes as well as examine the little instrument that she had scanned me with. She sat it back onto her desk and folded her hands in front of herself, “I sure wish you could talk to me.” I said nothing in reply, hoping that my inability to speak would be my asset.

She continued, “There is quite a lot that I would want to ask you…like, why both your DNA and our Second Lieutenant Christian’s are so very similar?”

I blanched as her reveal sank into my thoughts; obviously Park and I never took in the scientific aspect of my alteration. She noticed my reaction and slowly nodded. “So you can understand me at least…” The doctor drummed her fingers against her desk, “It’s so very odd that you can understand what I say, but are unable to vocalize…a mute perhaps?” She wondered aloud.

I shook with fear as I was certain that I would be placed into the next airship out and Park would never know. Leaning forward in her chair, the doctor placed her folded hands under her chin, her forefingers upon her lips as she studied me severely.

“I have this odd niggling feeling that perhaps you and our Mr. Christian may have been related through one of your ancestors.” She smiled, “Quite a lucky break for you that one of your own, albeit distant relatives found you.”

I smiled but only because she was smiling, “I think you do understand me.” She replied to her own query. “Well odd though it may seem, you my dear are as healthy as a horse!”

I shuddered as her reference brought to mind the mummified animal corpses still remaining on the planet. She laughed as she began to enter her examination into the computer; obviously my ‘new’ file.

“At least your young Lieutenant is safe; it’s pretty hard to be impregnated if you are still a virgin.” She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, “It must be true…because your medical file says so. Of course, it should say so because I just put it there.” She gave a short giggle as she turned toward me and tilted her head slightly to the side.

“At any rate, we need to get your affairs in order…clean you up so to speak.” She smiled at me, and pressed her insignia plate on her chest, "Carmen, please come into my office, I will be in need of your assistance."

From nowhere a young, feminine voice chimed, "Yes, Doctor."

The doctor looked at me and smiled, "We'll have to get you out of that uniform; it's against the law for someone to wear it if they aren't in the service. I'll have my assistant, Carmen get you some civilian clothing and show you how to put it on. I think somewhere under that disheveled appearance, a very pretty young woman is hiding."

As we sat staring at each other, an attractive young woman entered, "Carmen, I need you to select some clothing that is appropriate for this young lady. She has been through a terrifying ordeal, and we want to help her settle in our colony as smoothly as possible. She doesn't know our language yet... but we're hopeful. She seems to be a very intelligent woman, I do believe she is able to understand what we say somewhat."

"I'd be happy to help her out, Doctor." She smiled pleasantly, "Does she have a name?"

I quickly thought back to our conversation in the outer hall, "Christian!" I replied softly.

"Is that her name?" The secretary asked. "Christian?"

The doctor shrugged, "It was the name of the man who found and rescued her." Then she looked at me, "Is that what you want us to call you?"

I smiled and spoke rather loudly, "CHRISTIAN!"

The doctor shrugged and wrote the name in her file, "Christian it is. A little unorthodox, I know it’s used for boy’s names but it's a name as good as any other." As she wrote it down in the folder she had been carrying with her, I assumed it was entered in my permanent file.

My heart soared, because I could continue to use my given name! They had helped in my choice and they weren't even aware of it! Now, if everything else could go so smoothly.

Carmen, gently touched my hair, it was a mess. It seemed that the change had made it much thicker that it ever used to be, although fell slightly down my back and wild tendrils hung before my eyes.

Carmen smiled and held out a lock of my hair, "Looks like we should do something with this first!"

I touched the wild locks as they pointed out in every direction, the doctor smiled at her secretary's suggestion. "That would be as good a place to start as any I guess." With that, I was ushered out of the room and down the hall by Carmen.

Chapter 13

Parker was gone for several hours. I wasn't aware he arrived at his home until I heard the whoosh from the air pistons on the door. I sat up and slid from under the covers, put on a robe Carmen had given me, and slowly made my way into his living room. He was putting away his jacket as I approached and stood behind a tall, old-looking chair. He turned around and smiled broadly.

"Well, hello there!" He pursed his lips as he saw me. "Wow! I can see that they took good care of you while I was gone."

I touched my hair, "I got a haircut; they gave me the works... I couldn't tell them no, especially since they didn't think I could speak the language."

He stepped around the couch and sat down, slowly removing his boots. "That works out well, if you can't speak... you have nothing to divulge."

He studied me for a moment, "Did they fix your hair, or something?"

"Or something... like I told you before, they gave me a cut." I rolled my eyes, repeating what I had just told him only 30 seconds before. "I've been washed, dried, buffed, polished and waxed." He made a face and laughed with each word.

"Looks like they did a good job on you at any rate…it’s shorter but I guess longer than the way you used to have it…before…" He pushed the other boot from his foot. "What they been calling you?"

I smiled and gave a short laugh, "I guess since it's the only thing I've been able to say... they've been calling me ‘Christian’."

Parker chuckled softly, "That works out better than we thought!" He smiled and placed his boots together at the end of the couch. "I'm actually surprised that they let you stay here in my house."

"You suggested that it may be a good idea if I stayed, or had you forgotten?" I folded my arms, leaning against the back of the chair as we talked. "Apparently, they thought it was a pretty good idea."

He shook his head, "I didn't forget. I just wasn't sure that they would let you stay."

"I think something may have given them the impression that we were intimate." I frowned and touched my forehead. "I think that's why Roger was giving you that load of crap!"

"Oh?" Parker laughed, "And what would I have done to give him that impression?"

I looked out the window into the darkness, "One thing was the way you kept protecting me from them. Another was the way I was holding onto you... the last was something that happened when I was with Carmen.”

“Carmen? Do I know this Carmen?” He knitted his brows as he spoke.

“The doctor’s assistant.” I replied .

"And?" He said quietly, waiting for me to divulge the great secret.

"They were showing me how to put on a... bra and..." I rolled my eyes and sadly shook my head. "Carmen was there talking to me about how handsome you were... and..." I hesitated.

"Please continue." He said, "What did you do that would make them think we were intimate?"

As if it all came out with one gush of air I blurted, "My nipples responded to speaking of you and your damn good looks."

He laughed. "I aroused you?"

"I couldn't help it! It wasn’t you but the cool air vents when it kicked on!" I shot back, my lower lip trembling. "It's bad enough looking like a woman, but it sure is hell when your body starts behaving as one!"

He stood up and carried his boots to his bedroom; I followed him with my eyes and continued. "Maybe that’s only a part of it…Eric told me that once a person was infected, the transforming body would crave those things as only a 'real' female would; forcing them to respond like a true ‘genetic’ female. I guess it is some sort of overload on sensory results from the onslaught of the hormones the damn beast infected me with." I looked at the floor and sighed as he returned, wearing only his boxers, then walked past me and into the kitchen. “You weren’t paying any attention to what I just said…” I sighed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He said as he stood before the replicator and leaned forward to the microphone. “Coffee please, black, one sugar.”

I looked down toward my diminutive feet, trying to avoid letting my eyes linger as the machine in front of Park opened where he could remove his coffee. "It means that I've started to behave like a woman. My sexual orientation is evolving."

Parker sat down his cup, "Well, I hope you aren't going to get all 'girly' on me when I have to tell you the news I have."

"What news is that?" I stepped closer and started to tremble, because the look on his face told me that it wasn't going to be good.

"I'm being deployed…again." He frowned. "I have to ship out next week!"

"But... but, you just got back from a mission!" I couldn't hide the despair in my voice.

"Oh, I'm sure it's all Roger's doing. I've pissed him off and now he's giving me some sort of shit-hole assignment!"

"He can't do that, can he?" I asked. “What about the briefing you gave them about the planet?”

"Can, and is." He sighed. “While they were interested in what I had to say, they have what they call more important issues at hand.”

"Like what? Do you know where you're going?" I said frowning.

He sighed deeply, "There is friction between our colony and the Carthaginian colony... it may be war."

I stared at him incredulously, unbelieving that they would send him out to battle after what he had been through. "What...what happens..."

"I'll clear it so you can remain here, hell; somebody's got to feed the fish."

I involuntarily glanced toward his tank, as the colorful fish swam without a care in the world.

"It'll be okay. Maybe they'll let me come back home for a week or two, after I've been there a year."

I cried, "It just isn't fair, you've already served one assignment! They just can't send you out so soon!"

"You're acting like we're married or something." He replied, "It's a rotten deal, but hell…we’ve both been dealt rotten hands before. It'll pass quickly enough." He glanced at me quickly than looked away, I’m sure he decided I had been dealt the worse hand.

"Yeah, and what happens to me if you are injured? They'll show me the street!" I pointed out the window, in the direction of the road.

"They wouldn't do anything if I was injured... oh." He frowned when I made my point.

He shrugged, "Well, we always could get married. They couldn't kick you out then, if something were to happen to me... that way."

"Forget it! I'm not stooping that low." I despaired, "There has to be a better plan."

"You know, as well as I do, that there isn't any better idea. I'll set it up for Sunday... we'll keep it simple. It’s not like any better plan is going to come up before I leave…is there?"

He folded his arms and set his empty cup back into the replicator where it disappeared instantly. "We can sleep in separate bedrooms, and no one needs to know any differently."

"What will Roger say when he finds out?" I asked, resigning myself to the unavoidable.

"Screw Roger, let him think he was right!" Park swore.

"He scares me." I shuddered. "I don't like him."

"Roger isn't going to be a problem, because he'll be with me." He smiled slowly, "Unfortunate things can happen when you are at war; at least I’ll be able to keep my eye on him."

"That's what I'm afraid of." I sighed, and stared at the floor beneath me.

"Are you worried about me?" He smiled, "That's sweet…in a sort of creepy way."

"It's one of those feminine things that keep happening." I said as I slowly returned to my room. He laughed softly behind me, I glanced back toward the kitchen as the light extinguished.

"Night, Park."

"Good night, Christian," said the voice in the darkened hallway as he passed.

Chapter 14

We had to be married on Sunday because Parker was to leave on the following Monday. The ceremony was quiet and went by with as little fanfare as a leisurely stroll through a store might have gone. That afternoon, I became his wife. Thankfully as he had promised, we stopped short of consummating our marriage and only posed for official imaging portraits. There were no elaborate costumes, no brightly decorated parties…just Park, me and an old Chaplain.

We made one stop at his base so he could inform them of his marital status, signing any official papers prior to leaving on his mission. When we returned to our craft, he was very subdued. I had a feeling that it was a result of him losing his opportunity to find and woo the girl of his dreams…knowing that he was stuck with me.

After our return to his house, he sank into his chair and stared out of the window. I fixed him a drink and carried it back to where he was sitting. I sat up with him for the entire night, each of us, quiet and withdrawn. Finally, when I could stand it no more, I spoke.

"Thanks for doing what you did... you know... marrying me."

He shrugged, "It would have happened to me, sooner or later. At least this way, I can say I REALLY know the girl!"

"You didn't have to do it." I sighed softly, trying to ignore his comment.

"Yeah, I know." He smiled weakly.

"What did Roger say when he found out?" I asked.

"Pretty much what we thought he would say." He chuckled, "Screw him; he'll get his paybacks some day."

"Promise me that it won't be by your hands." I looked into his eyes, searching for some sort of answer.

"I promise. I won't do anything to him…he’s not really worth the effort." He sighed, and then grew quiet. "Could I ask a favor of you, Christian?"

"Sure Park, anything." I replied.

"Uh... could you hold me?" He spoke softly, but I could sense the fear he held in his heart. "Nothing else... just hold me."

Without saying anything, I pulled his head to my chest. As I slowly ran my slender fingers through his thick hair, I could feel the tension and nervousness in his shoulders.

I could have died right there as I sat; it was such a feminine thing to have done. Still, I couldn't bear to push him away... not now. I fought off the mixture of feelings that I had while setting with him and continued to push my feminine fingers through his dark hair, just like the woman I had become.

Like a frightened child, he sobbed softly into my shoulder. Without any coaxing, I felt tears welling in my own eyes.

"I... I'm afraid..." He choked softly, "I don't want to die... out there... alone."

I felt a tear strike my arm, it was his. His crying was causing a maternal sort of weeping of my own which were trailing slowly down my cheeks. "You won't die, Parker." I whispered softly trying to encourage him, he looked up, his eyes glassy from tears. "I'll be with you... right there." I touched his chest. He smiled slowly; I leaned in and before I could stop myself... kissed his forehead.

"Thanks, Christian." He sighed, his voice trembling with emotion, "That means a lot to me."

He slowly let his head fall easily again upon my chest, I gently stroked at his temples. Together we fell asleep in each other's arms, on this, our Honeymoon night.

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 5

Chapter 15

When I awoke, Park was gone. I felt a mix of emotions as I searched the house for him, realizing that he most likely was already on one of the hundreds of transport ships. A great wave of sadness washed over me, knowing that I would be alone for a long, long time. Then I felt anger, anger for him leaving and not saying goodbye.

I trembled as the fear of the unknown kept invading my mind, and a long shuddering sigh escaped my lips. I swallowed and gently wiped a tear away, a tear... for Park. I knew why he slipped away while I slumbered, his uncomfortable fear of leaving me behind... trying to say goodbye was bad enough last night, what would it have been like this morning?

Gathering myself up, I began my day as many of the other wives would be doing as well. I had a house to care for, and I owed that much to Park. I slowly began to move about the rooms, each chore occupying my mind and taking it away from thinking of him. There would be plenty of time to dwell on those thoughts of him... plenty of time.

Chapter 16

Each day from that one forward, marched along ceaselessly. I enrolled in unnecessary classes to teach me 'how to speak', even though I knew how forward and backward. I would laugh when they complemented me at how wonderful I was able to grasp a strange language, leaving them to assume eventually that my 'memory' was finally kicking in from when I was a little girl.

Often, I would be standing in a store staring at an item of clothing that was hanging and ask myself 'Why?' Those answers never came; each item of clothing had now become a necessity for me, something that every woman my age purchased. It was never easy for me to push aside the feeling that I was a male, trying to masquerade as a female, yet outwardly I was no different than the girl next to me. Perhaps our only difference being that she had a whole lifetime to become used to the strange clothing and the way she was treated in her daily life.

Gradually, like tiny steps, I would embrace the change one small item at a time. I stood before a rack of women's underwear, panties as they were called. Hesitantly, as if it were a wild animal I touched one. Finally laughing at myself I shrugged; didn't all women wear these strange garments? Wasn't I a woman now? I fingered the silken material, unsure if I should purchase such a feminine garment.

I steeled my nerves, picked up several pair and headed toward the front to pay. Like the turmoil my mind felt about the changes I was encountering, one by one my walls against femininity fell, clothing, bras, make-up, everything. It was as though I was released to become what my destiny had chosen for me.

I sat before a mirror and studied myself on one such occasion... studied my feminine self for almost an hour before hesitantly picking up the small stick lying before me. With a deep breath, I began to apply the female accents to my face as did all of the women I had seen. What was that ancient saying...when in Rome?

It took me months of practice before I left the house fully made up... all times before were completely and entirely without any at all. It was Carmen who finally got me to take that first step when she did it to me as a demonstration... then after that, it had always been accomplished by my own hand. Carmen too had talked me into allowing my nails to grow slightly longer, saying that the rounded ovals at the end of my fingers would look very pretty on such slender fingers. I shrugged…”When in Rome” I would sigh to myself.

It was because I dared myself that I first put polish on my nails, strange as it may seem…somewhere deep inside of me I actually felt pretty when I wore it. I would enjoy how the glossy surfaces would catch the light as I would move my hand around. The last huge step in my transformation came when I sat looking in the mirror at myself.

Sighing deeply I frowned; the shorter ‘feminine’ hairstyle I wore refused to cooperate with the brush in my hand. I gently laid it beside me on the table and gathered up what I could in my hand, holding it in a bunch behind my head. Slowly I turned my head from side to side, wondering how I would look with a style more like those of the other women in our colony. “Other women?” I sighed, realizing that more and more I was allowing myself to accept that label.

I pushed it from my mind and continued on; marching forward in my strange odyssey toward a life I would have never purposefully chosen for myself. I frowned, picked up a hair tie and quickly looped it around the small bundle of my hair. I made a decision that day to let it continue to grow, a simple decision for me that was like a metamorphosis within my own mind. I removed the hair band, parted it down the middle and smiled as it fell just over my ears and onto my shoulders. I then parted it to the side and watched it completely cover one whole side of my head.

With finality I brushed the mop out smooth and smiled at myself in the mirror, somewhere deep inside of my body was a girl pushing her way to the surface, somewhat like a beautiful butterfly stretching its wings for the first time.

I knew that the changes in my appearance were only a small step for me to overcome; like an onion, one by one I would peel away at the thin covering that layered me. The journey would be long, yet I was in this for the long haul... the rest of my life to be exact.

For me, to embrace my body was to accept destiny. Maybe by accepting what I had become, I could embrace the life lying before me with certainty. I realized that the easiest steps were those that I was encountering; it took no great skill to purchase clothing or place coloring upon my thin face. No, those were only small steps to be taken, of which, I knew that the greater steps would be yet to come.

Some days I found myself standing in a torrent of emotions, not sure if what I was feeling would be classified as either male or female...still there was a miniscule part of me that remained, a small piece of the old Christian that refused to give up. For now, I would let him survive in this strange world of mine, a world surrounded in colors or scents that only a woman should posses, a world that was ruled by men, of which I no longer had a grasp of that realm. Forever being forced into the role of the helpless female, I frowned as I would see her reflection in the mirror. I can be a woman, I had no choice. Yet, I would never be helpless! There was plenty of room out there for a woman who knew her way in the world, a woman who was strong and independent. A woman, perhaps like I would become.

Chapter 17

A constant little niggling in my mind prompted me to ask the doctor when we next had our meeting, as was customary since returning to the planet. I had grown fearful with whatever reaction my body had to the beast’s virus…could I infect another person? Could I pass this on to a future child…to Park?

Relying on my medical background, I began to prod the good doctor for assurances of my ‘clean bill of health’; hopefully between the two of us, I could feel a relative sense of security from passing any infection from the planet on to others.

I sat in a sterile gown on the padded bench as the doctor finished a battery of tests she had performed on me. “I see nothing for you to fear, Christian. Everything checks out perfectly fine for a young woman of 24.”

I nodded thankfully, “I don’t know why I’ve been so worried?”

“It’s probably just your biological clock reminding you that you aren’t getting any younger.” She smiled and sat down on a small stool. “Computer?” She spoke, looking toward the ceiling. “Computer, please search for biological anomalies on subject 121145.”

The voice came from nowhere…and yet all around us, encompassing the both of us in totality. “Subject 121145 is clear of all biological anomalies…system performing at optimum levels withstanding onset of pre-menses. Menses begins in 31 hours, 16 minutes, 21 seconds.”

“Were you aware…” She began but I nodded and looked away slightly from embarrassment.

“I know.” I sighed, “I don’t need to be reminded.” I looked at her for several seconds, “That time the computer said…is it that accurate?”

She laughed, “It is only an approximation…an educated guess if you will.”

“I find it creepy.” I replied as I stood up and removed the medical gown and began to pull on my clothing.

“Christian, I find it remarkable how well you learned our language. Your aptitude is off the charts according to the staff you have been working with.” She smiled and rolled her stool to the wall, then turned to face me. “Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do after Park returns?”

I shrugged, as I worked my foot into the shoe I had been wearing. “Not really…I suppose that I’ll find some menial job to occupy my time.”

“I’d like you to consider a sort of extension program that we’re starting here in the medical unit of the colony.” She folded her arms and leaned against the wall, “I think you could have a very successful career in the medical field if you really wanted it.”

I thought about it giving me something to do; I had already completed several courses prior to my change and repeating them would just reinforce what I had learned. While it wouldn’t be furthering my military career…it would be in the same sort of general area of interest as I had once before. “Sure, if you think I could do it…I’d like to try.”

“Good. Good, I’ll get you the classes to ‘test out’ of general studies because I really think that those would be beyond you and I’ll sponsor you to get the ball rolling…look forward to hearing from me sometime in the next two weeks.” She spoke as she was walking me toward the front of the facility.

“Thanks Doc, I appreciate all you’ve done…and are doing for me!”

She smiled, “I like you Christian, I want to see you succeed; having another friendly face around the medical facility would be extremely beneficial indeed.”

I paused and gave her a quick smile, “Thanks again Doc!”

I returned to my craft, climbed into the seat, slowly programmed the way home. I rode along in comparative silence and contemplated a new career in medicine; was it really something I wanted to do. I pondered it over and decided that it was, it was a way that I could give back to my colony…Park would approve and that was all that really mattered to me.

Later that day, I received a package from Park; in it was a beautiful, shimmering sleeping silk that felt like it was made of the lightest material. It was the first real package beyond a couple of letters that I had gotten from him to date; I had sent him about one about every other day. I knew from my former life, that a soldier enjoys nothing greater than word from home, well that and the company of his girl. I felt my face grow warm as I brought my mind back to the package, pushing the strange images away as quickly as they had surfaced.

The pretty item had long straps that would caress the wearer's shoulder hung from the top. The pale yellow garment slid through my fingers like air through the bountiful trees that lined our street. I held it to my face and cried; somewhere deep inside of me I missed his company greatly.

Was it his company as I thought, or something more, considering what thoughts had just coursed through my mind? I was afraid to find out, afraid of what my own answer would be if push came to shove. Again I glanced down at such a sexual laced item; I could feel the arousal flowing toward the surface as I quickly glanced around the empty room, alone but for me and the fish.

With a sigh, I gently folded the item and placed it carefully into my dresser, perhaps someday I would wear it, but not now, I wasn't ready. I returned to the box, in its bottom was a short letter. I lifted it to my tear-filled eyes and read; the words were blurry and distorted from my crying.

Hey Christian, hope this letter finds you well. The fighting is pretty bad around here, but we're making out okay. They don't give us much time to write anything; sorry I haven't been any better at responding to all of yours. Keep them coming though, it’s great to hear news of any kind from home. I've even let the guys read some of them, hope you don't mind — so keep them clean.

We think, with luck that we'll be sent home at the end of the year. Cross your fingers and say a prayer for that to happen. Oh, by the way, Roger was shot yesterday, he'll live. (damn) We're going to be moving soon so I have to end this... take care of yourself!

Love, Parker.

I found myself raising it to my lips, giving it a soft kiss, and somehow... strangely wishing it was him instead. I folded it and pushed it deep into my pocket, made my way to the desk and began to write another mindless letter to him.

Chapter 18

The weeks began to drone on and on, and I slowly gave up hope for Parker to ever return home as he promised. I knew of war before; I had once been a soldier, although from this perspective it was quite different. Even though I groused about our being separated, I knew that there were thousands in the colony who had to deal with the same longing and anguish; why should I be any different.

It seemed that for each time that he was scheduled to come home, the fighting would escalate and they would keep his unit even longer. Weeks continued to pile one onto another; it had been almost two years since my change, eighteen months since I had last spoken with him. I was able to 'graduate' from my classes as 'miraculously', the language became a barrier no longer; starting my medical courses without much interval in-between.

My truly real battle was yet to begin, somehow for me; I had to fit into this life of being Parker's wife and make it look convincing. I had to make my transition as smoothly as possible to avoid attention to either Park or myself, yet continue on as any other wife would during her husband’s absence.

It was still strange, for not only did I need to come closer and accept my fate; I found it was imperative to do so just to fit in. Upon my new friend Carmen's suggestion, I began to become involved with an organization that had been created to help the wives of soldiers. She thought it would help me to assimilate into society faster, if I had a common cause that would relate with other women of our community. Summoning up all of my courage, I knew she was right as I entered the meeting room for the first time.

For the first few weeks of attending, I sat quietly in the back and tried not to draw attention. Then, I gradually moved further toward the women who were seated in a great circle so I could better hear them. During that time, I wanted to interject a comment or question, yet hesitated to do so because I wanted to stay hidden and not be noticed. However, a topic finally swung around that all of the women had been discussing. I knew that I could help; so, ever so slowly; almost hesitantly I raised my hand.

They had been talking about some military terminology that puzzled a few of the women; the answer they had been given while close, it wasn’t technically accurate. Being a former soldier, I thought I could answer their questions and calm their fears. I began to tackle each question one at a time; before I had finished, they were all facing my chair in rapt attention. Finally our moderator, Mrs. Cunningham smiled.

"Apparently, you HAVE found something that interests you, Christian! But such a strange subject to be so proficient in..." She laughed and nodded to the others, "Seems Christian is a wealth of knowledge that we've just tapped into!"

All of them were well aware that I had been found on a planet and was brought back here by Parker. I felt they also were aware that our marriage was more for keeping me in a home than as a wife, but I hoped that I was wrong and they would fail to see through my ruse.

"It's not that much knowledge, ever since my classes have finished, all I have been doing is reading." A few of them smiled, so I continued. "All Parker has to read in his... our home, are military books and magazines or the medical books that go with my own studies." One older woman smiled and nodded in agreement.

Another young woman around my age laughed, "Feel lucky, honey, if that's the only reading material that he's got around the house." Others giggled and snickered at her comment.

I shrugged, "That's all I can find." Again a few of them laughed softly.

"No girly magazines or erotic books?" The moderator asked, sounding somewhat surprised. "Then you better hang onto him, he's a keeper!"

A few laughed and then all seemed to break into a banter with each other, which reminded me of the peeping of several of the birds that flock among you in the parks as each one was vying for a scrap of food. There were about ten simultaneous conversations going at the same time, and the din of their noise made me laugh to myself. I realized then that they had accepted me as one of their own, and I fell into a comfortable conversation with a woman to my immediate left who had a young infant nursing at her breast.

"How old is your baby?" I asked, realizing that seeing her exposed breast was creating no arousal in my body. I knew then, that I could probably be sitting among these women, each entirely naked and feel nothing as I would have in my former male body. The Beast’s bite had run its course, it seemed I was now mentally and physically a woman.

"Three months next Tuesday." She smiled and pulled her blouse lightly away for me to better view her child as it nursed away. "Do you have any?"

"Any? Oh, children... no, no I don’t have any children yet." I smiled and touched my slender finger to the infant’s rosy cheek, its constant sucking made the tiny muscles in its temple to flex and move. "Boy or girl?"

"A girl, her name is Amber." She brushed her hair aside, "She wasn't blessed with much hair, and I guess she takes after me." She giggled, "I was bald until I was almost a year old."

"She's beautiful." I said smiling, as the child let go of her mother's teat. The woman pulled down her shirt and began to burp her daughter. After a series of pats a loud burp came from the tiny girl's mouth causing all the women around us to laugh.

"I bet that makes her feel better!" One woman laughed, "I know it would make me feel better!" Again others laughed, I smiled and giggled softly with them.

Something inside of me was begging to hold the little baby, and deep down I wished she was my own. I smiled and reached out to touch the soft arms and ran my hand over her delicate fingers as reverently as had her mother. "Would you like to hold her?" She asked, seeing that I was interested.

I couldn't believe what I had just heard; it was almost as though she was inside my head! "Really? May I?" I asked softly.

The woman smiled, "Amber, would you like to be held by my friend?" The little child had a bubble dance along her lip as her mother handed her over. "My name is Carol Rowe."

"Christian... Christian Sherman." I said as I held the beautiful little girl in my slender arms. "She's so small!" I whispered softly.

"God makes them that way." She said laughing, "It helps having them little like that when they’re born."

I felt my face grow warm as I held her daughter who began to briskly rub her little face into my neck. "She must be getting sleepy." I said, smiling.

"Probably, she usually gets that way just after she has eaten." Carol smiled as I gently rocked her little one in my arms. "She looks good on you."

"Pardon me?" I smiled, for my emotions were at a high. I could smell the soft fragrances of her baby lotion and powders mixing in a strange and heavenly scent! I felt as though I was being pulled toward the little one as a moth to a flame.

"You should have a child; I have a feeling that you would be a wonderful mother!" I felt my heart jump at her comment, so I smiled and gave the infant a tender squeeze.

"You're a natural." She said watching me.

"A mother in the making, she is!" One older woman observed.

"You really think so?" I asked as I reluctantly handed back the darling little girl to her mother, clearly certain that I was unable to imagine a young baby nursing from my own breast.

"I know so." Carol answered smiling, "You'll have your own soon enough."

I smiled, yet I unable to remove my eyes from the infant. Deep within me, a yearning was building, a yearning that I couldn't ever begin to fathom even weeks ago.

After the meeting was over, I loitered near Carol, watching her prepare her child for going outside. I couldn't resist the urge to kneel next to her pram and stroke her soft skin.

I knew then that something had happened to me in that room, something that occurred to every woman since time had begun. I bent down and tenderly kissed the baby's forehead. Then as I stood up I thanked Carol for allowing me to hold her daughter.

As everyone stepped outside in the bright sunshine, I ventured down the sidewalk and started off in the direction of my home. My mind... my feminine mind, raced with an overload of maternal instincts that I didn't realize I had possessed.

The sidewalk was dappled with sunlight, only broken by the shadows created by the tall trees overhead. I found myself humming a song from my childhood as I strolled slowly along, my voice was soft and feminine, sounding more like my mother’s than what I had known for most of my young life.

My mind’s eye pictured Park and I walking down this very sidewalk and before us was a pram with our lovely daughter sleeping contently inside it. I paused near one of the tall trees that lined the walk, and smiling, I glanced across the street at two children playing in the park.

Looking inward at myself, I wondered what had changed in me. Did I not eat and breathe in the same fashion as I always had? I touched my flat stomach, and then let my hand gently smooth over the flair of my feminine hips. Again I smiled, feeling the undergarment that firmly held my form; it felt only natural to wear these clothes, as if I had been wearing them all my life.

I folded my arms, suddenly feeling chilly as a soft breeze wafted across my arms, gently lifting several stray locks of hair as if by an unseen hand. Gooseflesh prickled at my skin; beneath the blouse I wore a satin bra, just like thousands of other women wore. I concentrated on its fit, gently hugging my ribs, pulling slightly at my shoulders...and yet, feeling comfortable and as natural as wearing an undershirt prior to my change.

Somehow, my mind had been unlocked that day, opening a door to the female inside of me. I smiled and turned, resuming my walk toward home, in the warm sunlight. I thought back to the little girl that I held in my arms, how I felt as I relished her soft form in my protective grasp. I knew now what people meant when they spoke of that elusive 'maternal instinct' that women are born with. Only with me, it had taken a young child in my arms to somehow unlock its secret.

From that day forward I started to pay attention to how I would react, how my emotions were affected by simple things around me. It was as though an epiphany had happened to me; I knew however, that I only had just become aware of my actions, movements and gestures only recently.

I could feel the slight swing of my hips as I would stroll along a sidewalk, each step creating a miniscule bounce from my gently confined breasts. Simple things as pointing were done as naturally feminine as any 'real' woman. Often, I would pause in mid movement, and realize just how female that move actually was.

Over time I just ignored the oddness of it all, and accepted it as part of me, part of what I have become, and part of my life. I knew then too, what I had become... moved me physically closer to what I perceived a wife would be. That unnamed something was drawing me closer to becoming Park's wife; making it easier to accept the duties which were entrusted to me, duties that helped me grow further in the roll of Mrs. Parker Sherman.

Chapter 19

It was a few days later that I heard Roger had been hit for a second time and was in very bad shape, the doctor who spoke to me said that they were bringing him back on the next craft which would arrive sometime later today. Deep inside, I felt sorry for him and hoped that if he were able, he could give me news of Parker. I hurried to finish my work around the house and while I sat idle, contemplated going down to meet with the transport ambulance, bringing him home.

At the allotted time, I found myself waiting at the craft's pad, standing alone when it arrived. As they rolled Roger toward one of the smaller, ambulance craft, I fell in beside it. Roger's tired gaze locked upon mine. A slight tear rolled out from the corner of his eyes, as I took his hand and gave it a slight squeeze. He held my fingers; tears fell softly onto his cheeks the entire way up the ambulance craft's ramp. A strange machine at the foot of his bed did all his breathing for him; the constant clicking would have been maddening for me. I kept pace with the gurney, a great sadness pulling me along with the man who was my husbands sworn enemy.

He was unable to talk because he had an apparatus attached to his mouth to aid in breathing. I climbed inside with him and gave Roger a motherly smile; I let him hold my hand as the craft hovered along the ground and left the air pad for the medical building. His eyes continued to weakly watch me, I could only smile and tell him that everything would be okay as he was wheeled into the hospital.

At the doors, they refused my entry, saying only family would be permitted beyond this point. I stood at the little glass portals and watched as he was turned around a corner and rolled out of view.

Knowing what I knew about severe injury, I knew that Roger was in a grave condition, and I felt that there was no hope for his survival. I believe he knew it from how he had gradually resigned himself to death with every bit of honor that he could muster.

I finally had enough of their preventing me from his room; I slipped into his room in the very last few days of his life, telling the attending doctors that I was his sister. Whether they knew or not I didn’t care, he was dying and alone and needed someone to be with him.
When our eyes met, I could almost sense a relief in them, even in a man who is destined himself to succumb to his injury. He seemed to be relieved that he wasn't being left alone to die.

I kept imagining that it were Parker laying in the bed, that is why I remained by this poor soul’s side, I hoped that if something were to happen to Park, another young female would hold his dying hand. I swallowed and blew out softly the trembling emotion that stuck in my throat, this man thankfully wasn’t Park, but beside him, until the end came, I would remain.
No one deserved to die alone, not even Roger.

When he neared death's door, I held his trembling hand. His tears were slowly rolling down into his ears; we both knew that his death was approaching. I bent down, still holding his hand and whispered, "Would you like for me to pray with you?"

He said nothing, just a weak squeeze of my hand was the only signal I had been given. I lowered my head and prayed aloud, his eyes closed, pushing a desperate tear away. He quietly died two days later. Not one word did he ever speak to me, his death was shrouded in an eerie silence. He was a fallen soldier, I would treat him with the full respect, dignity and honor that I could provide this fighting man.

I could never really fathom why he had it in for Parker, although I knew the stories. I guess that was between them, after today I too would consider them moot. During the time I had devoted myself to his last days, I feel that we finally were able to make our peace with each other. No person should ever have to be alone, in the shape he had been in; he should have been surrounded by family. In a way, I was that family. I felt honored that I could be there for him at the end, almost like a real sister. It saddened me that he was never able to say so, but I think he felt that way as well.

I was the only person to show up at his funeral, and cried softly for him as he was laid to rest on that rainy afternoon, and my tears were genuine and honest for a man whom I barely knew. I stood under my umbrella weeping in the storm, beside the grave as he was being lowered into the ground.

My heart was torn asunder as far off in the distance the woeful tune of the ancient ‘Taps’ began to echo in the dreary rain. A mournful tune carried to the colony from our days as a warring nation on long ago ‘Earth’. When I glanced up after drying my eyes, a man in his splendid dress uniform approached, carrying something in his hand.

He lowered his head and placed our colony’s flag in my hands. He spoke softly to me as I stood there, He began..." This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation...” and ended with, “I am very sorry for your loss, ma'am."

He spoke softly, as the rain beat against his hat and dress coat. I really don't remember much of what the man said as he stood before me, but I respectfully nodded slowly, as he gave the flag a salute, slowly turned and repeated the gesture to the grave of the soldier; spun and walked away.

I felt my heart sink as fast as the rain fell, all the while wondering what I would do if it were Parker lying in the cold grave. I shuddered at the thought and pushed the tears from my eyes; this wasn't Park, and I had to keep reminding myself of that fact. With a deep emotional sigh, I whispered aloud, "God go with you, Roger." Slowly I walked back, sheltered under my umbrella, toward my personal craft.

Chapter 20

From the news we were receiving, they reported that the fighting was getting very intense around the enemy's capital with each day that passed, and more and more of our men were coming home injured, dead... or not at all. I had been crying for three days straight, worried for Park's safety, when I found myself at the gates of the local colony 'nondenominational' church in a driving rainstorm. A thin kindly man with white hair invited me inside the church, and out of the storm.

I hesitated, even I knew that religion was almost an ancient and dying practice…but something in me knew that up until a short while ago, I would have never had believed that my destiny would have changed as a result of visiting that planet and my encounter with a strange beast!

I slowly approached him and stood at the bottom of the steps, finally deciding that somewhere deep within me I had to believe in something bigger than the world I was in. The thin pastor reached out to me and offered his hand; he met a determined woman as I approached him.

He smiled, and ushered me inside, I sat down in the very last pew in the back. The entire service was lovely and it made me feel welcome and as if there was someone else in control of my life, other than myself. As the service ended, I walked out onto the wet sidewalk, and just at the very moment the sunlight broke through the canopy of clouds. It was to me, as if a sign came from a higher power, telling me to release my fears and it will take them away... better things were yet to come! I embraced that thought as I turned my steps toward our home.

I inhaled deeply, my suddenly rejuvenated steps falling quickly toward home. I needed the solace I found in that little church, and needed it desperately after what had happened to Roger began playing over and over in my mind, creating and building fear of the dangers that Park may be facing at that exact moment.

Over the next few weeks, I submerged myself deeper and deeper into my medical studies as well as that church, going as far as joining a woman's group that met on Wednesdays. Imagine my surprise when I saw Carmen belonged to the same group as well. It finally gave me someone to talk with whom I actually knew; someone who shared my fears and concerns.

I found out through those meetings, that Carmen's boyfriend was stationed somewhere on that same planet with my Parker.

"Perhaps they might know each other?" she wondered.

"Wouldn't that be something?" I sighed, as we walked home after one of our meetings.

"It's too bad you and your husband didn't have much of a honeymoon, before he left!" She frowned, and then smiled. "I know what I'd do when he returned, though!"

"Oh?" I smiled at her. "And what would you do, if you were me?" I kidded.

Her face reddened, "I'd make sure he didn't leave the bedroom, that's for sure."

Now it was my turn to become embarrassed. "Maybe he won't want to be intimate... after all this war is over." I knew how battle can change a man, but I didn’t tell that to my friend.

She nodded, "I guess it could happen, but I'd do my best to make him forget the war as quickly as possible! It is what I plan on doing."

I sighed, "I don't know..."

She smiled and playfully bumped me with her hip, "Oh, I know what’s got you all worried?"

"You do?" I wondered aloud.

"Sure, you're afraid that you'd get pregnant too soon and maybe you aren't ready for that to happen just yet." Carmen teased. "Are you afraid to mess up that wonderful figure of yours?"

I shrugged, "I'm pretty sure that Park wants a big family, but you are right about my not being sure if I want to give in to him."

"You're kidding, right?" She paused. "You married the guy didn't you? Surely, you have to want to give him what he's looking for from his wife?"

"That's the thing, Carmen. I love him... and I want to do what is right for him..."

"I don't understand, you just have to lie on your back and let him do his thing. Nature will do the rest." She laughed softly as my face grew red.

"I don't know the first thing about being a wife!" I sighed, “I have absolutely no experience of being the woman he wants.

"What young woman does?" She replied. "When you go with what makes you both feel right, the rest will come along soon enough."

"The rest…?" I wondered.

"Oral sex, orgasms... babies." She laughed.

I inhaled deeply, rolling my eyes. "I'm not sure I can do all of that!"

Again she laughed, "You'll do what needs to be done, that's the way it's been for thousands of years!" She reached over and patted my stomach, "A year from now, I'll be betting that this is big and round." She laughed, "Your homecoming will be one for the books!"

I smiled and shot her a quick glance, "I don't know... I wouldn't be too sure about that!"

She again laughed, "I would."

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 6

Chapter 21

It had been almost three years since Parker was home. I studied the floor under the pew as the elderly Pastor gave his sermon. My mind had come quite a long way since that day when Park left, growing more and more accepting to the way my body was behaving. It had taken me almost three months to finally shave my legs. Once I had done it, I realized that there were several reasons why I should have been doing it all along. After that little step, another hurdle would come up.

One by one the little nuances of what makes a girl into a woman transpired over my life, each one taking me closer and closer to the result that most women learn when they are my age. It is almost as if going up a great long stairway, each step, closer to the final result. My mind reeled with these confusing thoughts when I should have been listening to the sermon, so drawn into these ideas and theory's that I was startled when the entire church stood with a thunderous roar. I glanced around; some were hugging, crying profusely while others were clapping and singing their praises toward the heavens.

I slowly stood, confusion etched upon my face; Carmen embraced me with a cheerful exuberance. "Oh my God, Christian! Can you believe it?" She cried.

"What has happened?" I whispered, not sure of how my response would be interpreted.

"The war, it's over!" She danced, spinning me into the aisle of the church.

"Over?" I choked, my throat tightening as if being constricted in a vice.

"The enemy has surrendered! Their capital fell sometime last night!" Again, I was spun so quickly, I almost fell.

Before I could calm my dizzying brain, she held her hands upon each side of my face, "Our men are coming home! Your husband is coming home to you!”

The news she revealed caused me to sit down hard, staring toward the wall as I ran a trembling hand over my lips. For the colony, the news was incredible…I wasn’t sure how I should be taking it. In stunned silence I sat there in the pew as happy, glorious voices rang in the room with joy.

It was quite a while before the Pastor was able to regain control of his parishioners. We reverently bowed in thankful prayer, and then he turned the multitudes loose on the streets to further spread our happy news. I remained in my seat until the church emptied, unsure of whether to be happy or terrified at the moment.

Part of me was so excited that I wanted to stand up and shout at the top of my lungs, yet part was still uneasy about what Parker would be expecting or not expecting, when he came through our front door.

I felt a kindly hand on my slender shoulder, glancing up I saw that it was the Pastor. "Care to talk about it, Christian?"

I shrugged and gathered my purse from beneath the pew. "It's been so long since I last saw... my husband."

I swallowed and raised my eyes toward the elderly minister. "I'm not sure that he'll still see me in the same light as before."

"You are wondering if he'll still love you?" he asked.

I chuckled softly, "If it were only that simple."

"You have found another love, then?" He had a soft kind look on his face, hoping I wouldn't have an answer for his last question.

I shook my head gently, my long hair softly moving in the motion. "There's no one else." The Minister sighed, and then smiled.

"You're afraid he won't love you anymore?" He gave me a knowing look, and then smiled. "If he loved you enough to ask for your hand in marriage, then, I'm sure he loves you still."
I sighed, "That's not it."

"What then, child? What troubles you so much on such a happy day?" He placed his thin arm around my shoulders as he crouched beside me in the aisle as I remained seating.

I felt I could trust him, so I took a deep breath and let everything out in one great gasping sentence.

"We were married, and then he left for the war so soon after my becoming a woman. I'm afraid that I'll never be able to do what everyone expects me to do! And besides that point, I don't know if he will ever be able to look at me like a woman in ANY event."

I had never divulged my secret to anyone, but as soon as I spoke I realized that it was a mistake to tell this kindly man! Fortunately, he smiled and patted my slender hand.

"You were but a girl when you were married, a budding woman on the day he left." He smiled, stood and reached behind his neck, removing a small chain, at the end was a flat golden oval with a bright red stone in its middle.

"My mother gave me this when I was first married to my wife; she said that it was the stone of lovers. I was like you, young and unsure of my commitment." He held it up and carefully placed it into my hand, "Mother said that it would be a comfort to me when I needed it most, and it was. Now, I want you to have it."

He opened his wallet and showed me a picture of an attractive, older woman; the image was yellowed and worn.

"She died almost 3 years ago; we were married for 53 years."

I looked into his eyes, and I saw tears were forming as he held his wife's portrait and admired his lost love.

"I can't take this." I choked, trying to place the necklace back into his hand. "You need to give it to one of your children."

He laughed, "They didn't need the help. They gave me almost twenty grandchildren and six great grandchildren." He handed it back to me, "Besides, she said I was to give it to someone who needed it as much as I did. No, you keep it. It doesn’t do anything special...it’s just a keepsake from old Earth."

I thanked him and slowly stood up, gently slinging my purse over my shoulder. "You'll be okay." He smiled. "Bring that fella around when he gets home; I'd like to meet him!"

"I will... and, thank you again." I walked out of the wide double doors of the church; the sunshine was dappling the sidewalk where the shadows fell from the trees. I paused at the bottom of the white steps, the little necklace still cradled in my palm. I smiled, looking back up to the waving minister and began walking toward my home. A soft breeze whispered through the trees as if speaking to them as a lover might. As I walked on, people were gathering and singing, happy joy had enveloped our little colony with its unbridled glee.

Each little corner that I passed had people waving and blowing their craft alarms with excitement, leaning out and shouting happily at anyone who would listen. I smiled and continued onward with a song on my lips and a smile on my face, I headed home to ready the house for Parker's return.

******

For almost a week I waited for news of Parker's arrival, afraid to get my hopes up for fear of something horrible happening. Finally, I received word that he would be arriving the next afternoon! As I ended the call, I closed my eyes and silently thanked God for returning him safely to me. A long emotional sigh of relief escaped my lips as I thankfully headed out to pick up the things I knew he would be wanting once he returned home.

Chapter 22

A bright blast of evening sunshine crossed the landing platform as I watched the troop transport craft settle down; it was as good a landing as I had ever seen performed.

My pounding heart leaped as I watched the soldier’s stream down the steps. Leading the way walked Parker; I would recognize his commanding swagger anywhere.

He looked tired, a bit thin and his stubble gave him a battle-hardened look, but his eyes bespoke of their happiness to be home once again. He saluted a uniformed officer who also shook his hand as he passed.

All around us women were crying and hugging their husbands and boyfriends, kissing long and passionately. Meanwhile, Park ignored them as if it were just any other day.

Finally, our eyes met, he smiled briefly and he began to work his way toward me.

I closed my eyes and whispered, "Help me Park, how do you want me to be?" He was too far away to hear, for I had only been asking myself.

As he approached, he smiled and gazed into my eyes, boring a hole into my soul long before giving me a hug. Almost as if he were trying to size me up, finally he spoke.

"I was wondering who would be out here to meet me when I arrived." His smile was bright and winning, confusing me even greater of his intentions with me.

"You knew I'd be here." I replied softly, we hugged, I held his face in my hands and studied his eyes; they appeared cold and distant, almost as though he was deep in thought.

"How else would you get home?" He replied coolly.

I was taken aback at his treating me more like a sister than his wife. I felt like crying but hid it well. I felt my arms drop to my side, spurned by the man I had married. Without any additional words, we turned and slowly headed for my personal craft.

He threw his bags into the back, "I still can't get used to believing I’m home, what's it been? Something like... three years?"

I nodded, slowly piloting our craft along the ground, and trying to hide the tears that began to well in my eyes. I tried to answer, but the words became stuck, choking in my throat. Finally I stammered softly, "I still have a hard time believing it myself... especially since the war started right after we got back... from the other planet."

“Have you heard the news about that trip?” He asked, as if I were still privy to news military in nature.

“No. I’ve heard nothing.” I gave him a hesitant glance. “What’s up about it?”

“I heard they are planning another trip there.” He shook his head and gave a short laugh. “They wouldn’t think of that if they had seen what I had seen.

“I was there too...or did you forget?” I frowned, unbelieving that he would ever forget what had happened to me...to us.

He quickly frowned and looked down at his hands as he began to fidget with the strap on his duffle bag. “I’m sorry Christian...sometimes I have a hard time remembering that you and the male Christian are one in the same.

His comment really ate at me, it seemed such a crass statement that I couldn’t move past it. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't one in the same with the male Christian, and found myself at the verge of snapping verbally at him, but knew that me lashing out was the last thing he needed to hear after returning from deployment. What would I have thought had our roles been reversed...he was married and had none of the benefits that the other soldiers enjoyed.

It had been almost three years since many of them had seen their wives, and I felt guilty that we ended up greeting like I was picking him up from a day at the factory. Part of me felt guilty that I wasn't fawning all over him, yet part of me actually wanted to greet him in that way. I was just unsure how Park would respond. Now, I was so confused by his actions that I ended up doing nothing at all. I just surmised that Parker's problem with me was that he was there during my transformation, and knew what I once had been. He had seemed subdued and almost as unsure of me, as I was of him, and our mutual silence was growing uncomfortable.

I could feel him watching me as we flew so close to the ground.

"Be good to be back in my own house." He sighed.

I nodded, "It's been quiet around there without you." I glanced at him. He was trying to hide his face as he shifted in the seat beside me, but I watched his face grow red and he smiled as if he were embarrassed.

Chapter 23

We entered the house through the back door; Parker headed straight toward the replicator and called up a drink. "Has this been updated in the past three years?" He asked, taking out the beer and looking at its label closely.

"I had it updated just yesterday, knowing that you'd be heading there, first." I laughed and put my key-chip inside my bag.

"It could be worse for you, I could be like half a million other guys around here and be dragging my wife back into the bedroom right about now." He laughed and took a long drink, his gaze slowly drifting along my body.

I glanced at him, part of me wishing that he would do exactly as he said the other men would be doing! I knew that the control I was witnessing must be incredible for Park to endure. Inwardly, I just accepted that he could not get past the monstrous hurdle of me being a former male as well as his best friend.

"So, did you bring me anything?" I interjected, trying to change the uneasiness of our subject by looking inside of his pack for a surprise.

He guided me away and stood his bag on end, pulling a small box that was wrapped from within.
"I guess you can have this." He said smiling.

He opened it up, inside were two very thin gold bands with one glistening diamond perched on it. "What..." I began to ask quizzically.

He gently lifted them from the box, saying, "I never was able to give you a diamond when we were married... I felt bad and wanted to make it up to you." He slowly pushed them upon the ring finger of my left hand.

"There, that'll make a proper wife of you." He smiled.

I studied the glistening diamond on my finger. It was so beautiful and made my hand seem even more…lovely!

"Do you like it?" He said smiling.

"It's beautiful!" I replied, still staring at the shimmering stone. "I love it!"

"I couldn't wait to see it on you when I found it on the way home!" He smiled and took another small sip, "I just don't want you to think that I'm expecting anything for it!"

I ignored his comment and smiled, "It's lovely! I'll cherish it forever!" It was at that moment that realized that I was failing miserably as his wife.

"It's getting late, have you had supper yet?" I asked as I began toward our kitchen.

He shrugged, "Depends on what you call supper? I had something that resembled food on the flight home... but that tasted like... well, like crap."

"Sit down; I'll fix you a sandwich or two." I gently pushed him into a chair and turned toward the kitchen.

"I like a forceful woman... even if it is you, Christian." He joked, taking a playful swipe at my backside.

"After supper I'm going to take a real shower. It'll be the first one in almost three years!"

"I was wondering what that odor was!" I shot back, smiling; feeling good to be able to tease my best friend once again after all these years.

"I'll get out your civilian clothes so you have something clean to wear as soon as I have these sandwiches finished."

"Thanks! That'll feel real good to be back in normal clothing!" He laughed, as I placed his first sandwich in front of him. He watched me for a long while as I made a second sandwich, then finally he cleared his throat.

"Did you ever get over your meeting with Roger?" He asked.

I hesitated, then said quietly, "It was so sad, I really felt sorry for him." I looked away, "No one should die the way he did." I folded my arms under my breasts, "Do you know how he was injured?"

Parker nodded slowly, "We were advancing down a small ravine and I was just behind him when the enemy lobbed a plasma bomb near us." Park sighed, gently touching my arm.

"If it wouldn't have been for him shoving me out of the way, I'd have died right there on that planet. Roger saved my life; after all that I had said to him... all that was done." He touched the corner of his eye with an unsteady finger, "Just when you have a guy all figured out... he ends up doing something that throws everything out of kilter."

"He didn't turn out to be such a bad guy after all." I whispered, "I thank God that he was there to save you!"

He patted my arm, "And I'm thankful that you chose to be with him up until he died... that showed real class, Christian."

I nodded, and tears began to well in his eyes again. I hugged him for a moment, and then excused myself to save his embarrassment of me seeing him cry.

Leaving him to compose himself, I slipped back into his bedroom and fingered the drawer pulls on his dresser. I sighed deeply and set out clean clothes, thankful to have him return back to me, even if it was not as I had hoped. It was hopelessly apparent to me that he held no interest in me as a female, after all I had been through, and I might have as well been isolated on some distant colony.

I frowned at my thoughts, and became angry. Here I was expecting him to treat me like a woman, his wife and he had just been to hell and back in the war. I had no right to want anything from him, aside from the respect and comfort of his home which he has always given me, I should need nothing more.

I returned to my bedroom, then closed the door and sat down upon the bed in quiet meditation. Finally my eyes were brought to the diamond on my finger, which was the second gift I had ever received from him since our marriage. I remembered the drawer that contained his first gift, given to me long ago.

I stood up and made my way to the drawer, slowly pulling it open I lifted out the yellow, silken garment. A cardboard tag swung down from a label, I held it up and read it to myself. 'This garment is made from the finest Ultarian silk.’ I brushed it against my cheek, and a slight thrill raced into my chest at its coolness.

Again, I turned my eyes back to the door, I heard him moving about in the kitchen. I felt a shudder race through my body as I dropped it down on my bed, unsure of what I wanted to do.

I stood staring at the silky garment as it lay there, then with hesitancy I touched the material gently as if it were a wild animal. I slowly brought the soft material again to my cheek; my eyes drew to the setting sunlight filtering through my window.

It had been three long years since I became the woman that I now was. I could never return to the life that I once led. I knew it; I would stay this way forever, until the day I die. In those three years, I had adapted to this life as well as could be expected, and there were times that I wished Park could hold me as any man would hold his woman, that was while he was gone. In a strange way, it had helped that he was mustered out and gone for all that time, but, now that he was back, I had begun to have those strange longing feminine feelings again.

Inside of me lurked that small dread that every woman has, a clock ticking that is slowly passing the time away. I placed a hand against my flat stomach, 'Would there ever be a little one that I could nurture growing inside of me?' I felt a sting of tears as my eyes glazed over. I never asked for this life! It just happened, but when that vile creature came into contact with me, everything changed!

My eyes drifted toward my vanity, and there hanging with many other necklaces was the little golden medallion with the red stone. I found myself lifting it over my head, the stone settling between my young breasts. I felt I could use the courage the minister had implied, even if it was a meaningless charm.

Since all of this first happened, I could feel the changes within my mind slowly alter the way I had been thinking for the first twenty or so years of my life. At first, when this change happened, I would see a young family and feel pity for myself when I realized that I would never be able to produce a child. Now, being the woman, I would be forced to carry the child, nurture it and be there to pick it up when it fell. Before, it had bothered me... now, after all these years, I longed for it. I sighed deeply, and again looked at the shimmering yellow material lying before me on the bed.

Here I was today... a woman and a wife, with a handsome man in the same dwelling. I trembled, 'Would he want me as a man would want a woman? Could he look past what I had been some three long years ago?' I felt tears burning, and I gently wiped my eyes with a trembling finger. I didn't want to live out the rest of my life alone and ashamed of being who the creature made of me! I again looked down at the filmy material then up to the beautiful stone of the necklace.

I firmed my jaw, tonight I would make my stand. No longer would I live in this house as his permanent guest; tonight, I would give Park a reason for me to continue living in his home, only this time, it would have to be as his wife. I bit my lip, for I knew that there was much that I didn't understand that would be asked of me. But I also knew that this body was made for the one thing that I could share with Park, and if it couldn't be him, then, there would be no other.

Chapter 24

I opened the door to my bedroom slowly; the coldness of the movement brought the gooseflesh out upon my skin. Across the hall was a huge mirror, from my reflection I could see that the silky outfit was stunning, and had me aroused completely! I controlled myself as best I could, but the slippery material caused my nipples to announce themselves to the hall even before I closed the door behind me. It was dark as I felt my way down toward his room. He was finished with his shower and had already entered his bedroom. I gently pushed his door open and found that he was reading, with his back toward me. Smiling to myself, I moved closer to my husband.

He heard me approaching and glanced over his shoulder, "Oh, Christian... I..." He sat up and laid the book on the stand beside the bed. "Wow... I... uh" He stammered like a schoolboy.

I placed my finger to his lips, quieting him. "Please let me say this, and get it off my chest." I whispered, the passion I was feeling evident in my tone. He smiled and nodded, slowly looking my body over with his shocked gaze.

"Park, you have been truly good to me, I owe you a lot."

He began to speak again and I stopped him, again placing my slender finger upon his lips, "I know you have been away for three years, and I feel guilty for not treating you as the other women did their men when you arrived. For that, I'm sorry."

Park grinned, slowly taking his hand and gently pushed a tear away from my cheek.

"I'm here to correct that mistake right now." My voice trailed off as the emotion seemed to take control.

"You don't have to..." He whispered.

"I want to; I'll not live as a separate spouse any longer."

I looked down; kneeling upon his bed covers, below the silky yellow material was my stunningly smooth legs. "If I can be more... more like a wife... then maybe..." I whispered to him.

He looked deeply into my eyes, smiled, then gently traced the band and diamond I was wearing, "You can't imagine how long I have prayed to hear you say that."

He leaned slowly, gently, our lips touched. Within that one kiss, I felt as if my life came full circle. As my eyes opened from our kiss, he was smiling. "I have to tell you... you are just about all I thought of for the entire time I was at war, how many times I dreamed of holding you close, loving you."

His voice grew softer the more he spoke. I was unsure of whether he was embarrassed for thinking of me, or that he was unsure of how wise it would be to confide his deepest thoughts out loud.

I snaked my slender arms around his thick neck, pulling him closer with another kiss. "Don't dream about it any more, Park, let’s make it reality."

In one motion he lifted me from my knees, gently moving me to lie along side of him. "Are you sure?" He gently asked.

I nodded slowly, and then to emphasize my position, I placed his warm hand upon my gently heaving breast. His eyes quickly darted down, as if he were unable to fathom where his hand was now resting.

"I'm here for you... always!" I whispered into his ear. "I want to be your wife in more than name only."

I could feel his penis as it strained against my smooth leg, where I rested next to him, confined only by his sleeping shorts. "It's been three long years for the both of us..." I said erotically pulling his lower lip into my mouth and sucking it. "Let’s end that wait... tonight."

I was expecting a man, hungry for the love of a woman after being denied for three long years. What I received was a surprise, ushered in by his tenderness and passion. He gently eased me onto my back and raised himself over me, slowly slipping the thin silky straps down over my shoulders.

Gently, he began to kiss my neck and work his way gradually down, and with each kiss permeated a fire that I was sure would engulf our room within its flames. My heart began to race, and I closed my eyes. At first, I worried that I couldn’t fulfill the role I had been dealt. Now I hesitated, unsure if I was ready for where this union would take me.

I felt his hot kisses fall upon my flesh; I knew then that we would make love, as husband and wife. I returned his kiss and smiled, finally, I am able to accept the possibility that our lovemaking could produce a child, our child, and relish in that hope.

One by one, his kisses inched their way down my cleavage. The closer he neared to each soft mound, the harder it became for me to breathe. It was so easy to accept being the woman to him, his passion and eroticism was making it effortless for me. I soon found myself just lying back, enjoying what was happening!

Park slowly eased up to a kneeling position, each strong, warm hand resting upon my own slender knees.

"Are you sure?" He said again, hesitating for only a moment. I can only assume that my silence was enough of a commitment to the question than anything, however, I had a feeling that the small flirting smile I gave him was more than obvious.

He gently raised himself up and pushed his pajama shorts off, allowing for his erection to swing free. I tried not to look, I had seen him naked before, albeit many years ago when I wore another form. Back then, it didn’t have the same effect on me as it did today. But... this, now it was different, I was vulnerable to his physical size. Once again, he surprised me as I waited for a quick removal of my own clothing, but it was not to be... just yet.

His hands slowly caressed my sides as they moved upward, stopping just outside my soft shoulders. He lowered his head and kissed my moist lips gently, below my vision, I could feel his swelling penis as it gradually danced upward, along the inside of my sleek thigh. Each slight tap of it as it moved, brought my breath out, and released it in short bursts as if he were slowly forcing it from my body.

He lay along my chest, slightly off to one side to prevent the crushing of my smaller body. I raised my head slightly up, so his muscular bicep could act as my pillow. Powerful hands played within the long curls of my hair as it fell over his arm, "I'm glad you never cut your hair, it makes you look so beautiful with it long!" His mouth was close to my own as he spoke, his warm breath sending chills along my spine.

I found my eyes closing as he spoke, a great, longing tremor escaping with each caress. Slowly he touched me, kissing my soft cheek again. I felt his tongue trace along my lower lip, the erotic movement causing my nipples to engorge and swell with arousal. His hand ran lightly along my side, pausing at the top of a thigh. 'Was it involuntary, or did I just move my leg aside to allow him greater access?' My mind spoke softly, but I already knew the answer.

Through our building passion, I tried to remain alert to what was happening. Whether it was by design, or because I was falling into a great black void of lust, I felt as though I was losing complete control of my senses. Seemingly, I found myself being passionately assailed on two separate fronts; one was eagerly kissing my open mouth, frenching me with expert abilities never possessed by another lover. The second, coming at the expense of my nether regions, the gentle ministrations at the very gates of my feminine folds, were generating strange tingling pulses that raced into my mind and then back down again.

Time itself stood still. A moan perched itself upon my lips, then escaped, as if it suddenly took flight. I could feel Park caress me lower and lower with his kisses as they began to fall against the rolling hills of my breasts.

I felt as though I should somehow reciprocate some of the wonderful feelings I was receiving back upon Park, as I had no right to keep them all for myself. Using my leg, I gently pushed against him, causing Park to roll onto his back. As he came to a rest, his penis sprang from confinement, into a rigid tower beside my thigh. Gently I let my hand slide down and play in the thick curls at its base, he slowly closed his eyes as my kisses fell softly onto his nipples. With every kiss that fell upon those dime-sized nubs, I would part my lips and erotically tongue each one with a tender, moist caress.

"Two can play this game..." I cooed sexily into his ear, as I began to assail his neck and chest with hundreds of light butterfly kisses, all the while, lightly tracing my nails along his stiff penis.

Taking him gently in my small hand, my long hair acting as a shroud; I began to manipulate my husband, and his rhythmic gasps brought a smile to my lips. Faster and faster I moved until I was sure he could bear it no more, and then I stopped. His raspy sigh was like music to my ears, I wanted him to be ready, but I didn't want to send him over the edge too soon. I backed away from Park, rising up to my knees where I tried to give him my best striptease, inching the yellow silken garment down toward my hips a little bit at a time.

He gave me a lustful grin and used his foot to push it the rest of the way to my knees, then stretched his leg out between my thighs, sliding it as closely to my folds as possible. I could feel my body shudder at his light touch, he noticed too and gave me a soft chuckle. One leg at a time was removed from the silky lingerie, slowly, as if to entice his lust further, I let the panty slip to the floor beside his shorts.

I leaned forward; my slim, overtly cool hands against his hips caused him to gasp. He smiled, apparently liking what I was doing, and wagged his finger, motioning for me to move closer. I wasn't done with him, easing myself downward I touched his navel with my wet tongue. A kiss fell just below the first, then another and another. Soon my cheek was stroking the length of his rigid penis, kissing the warm skin as I worked toward the top. Park sighed deeply, fondling my hair as it fell in a cascading shroud over my subject once again. From time to time my half closed eyes would spy a flash of the ring he had given, a sparkling diamond to remind me of my reason for being here, like I was... with him. Again and again I assailed his penis, more and more his breathing became ragged and labored with arousal.

Finally, when he could stand it no more, he gently pulled at my shoulders, trying to draw me back up from my current position. His eyes fell upon my hanging, soft globes. A tender touch, a stroke against the underside sent a staggering thrill into my loins! He gently drew me down to his kiss, positioning me between his thighs.

I rose up and adjusted myself so his stiff penis was pushing up between my legs, through the soft curling hair of my feminine mound. I leaned back, allowing my long hair to gently brush against his lower legs, and then fixing a seductive gaze upon his eyes, I began to gently work my feminine hips.

During my sexually stimulating dance, an innocent forward motion by me brought his glorious tip directly upon the gates of my sweltering maidenhead. Finally I could resist no longer, nor did I want to... it would be here and now that I would give myself to my husband. Forever sealing me as his wife, in love would I remain at his side until I would be laid to rest somewhere hopefully in my long distant future.

Gently he pushed through the thin veneer that lies between a mere girl and a mature woman; I now belonged to Parker, a virgin no more, he made me his own! As we continued our lovemaking deep into the dark night, he pushed me close to a euphoria that I had never embraced before... and I took him into the brink of his own sweet release, each keeping the other at bay long enough to tease.

He finally would have no more, with sweat glistening upon my breasts; he rolled me onto my back and began to work me deeply with his warm, penetrating caress. With each push, I could feel the thin veil of caution become slowly massaged into the background. Each push created a maelstrom of emotion within my mind, part lust, part arousal, part need. Deeper into his pillows I felt my head fall, arching my hips in tune with each rhythmic movement of my lover. Then, as if the heavens broke out in a chorus of song, I felt a slight wash of erotic energy crash against my very soul, shaking me deeply under its thunderous wave.

The strange feeling began to build down below, gradually increasing pressure as a harmless ripple in the middle of a great body of water, growing stronger as it approaches the shore. Then as if the great tidal surge fell upon me, it crashed down with a force a hundred fold of what I had been experiencing!

Greater and greater came the feeling, as it permeated out its erotic tendrils of pulsing energy, escaping through the three great zones of my being! It was a gasping moan that caught in my throat as my whole world turned itself inside out, and great dazzling stars lit my vision as sexual lightning streaked across my skies! My legs began to shake as another Tsunami came crashing down, out of breath I gasped for what little air I could intake!

I felt his body become rigid and shake, and then a low throb from within as his breath trembled in my ear. He caught his gasp, and continued to assail my body, his thrusts becoming erratic and staggered. He moaned and softly grunted, his back shuddering so greatly that I felt the movement upon our bed, then somewhere within I felt a great burst of energy as pulse after pulse was sent streaming into my young womb! We each shared an embrace as our breathing regained a somewhat normal regularity, while a slow tear began to make its way down my cheek.

He glanced up and kissed it away, "Are you sorry we..."

I shook my head, pulling his face toward mine, interrupting him. "Never!"

"Then... why the tears?" He whispered softly.

I hugged him and sighed, "It's because... I'm so happy!"

He lowered his face to mine and kissed me gently as our tongues met, our naked embrace seemed to last forever.

Chapter 25

I opened my eyes, and saw that there was bright sun filtering across the bed from the window. I sat up and turned Park's clock so I could see it better.

"I was wondering when you were going to wake up." I quickly glanced over my shoulder; Park was sitting in a overstuffed chair, beside the bed.

"I normally don't sleep in this late." I sat up and held the sheet over my bare chest. "Were you...watching me sleep?"

He smiled, "All the while I had to keep reminding myself that what happened last night was true!" He grinned and lifted his steaming coffee to his lips, then lowered it slightly. "You aren't regretting it any, are you?"

"No, not at all..." I reached out, taking the cup from him, still gazing toward Park, I took a sip. "Are you?

"Never…" He whispered, and then smiled as I took another sip and handed it back to him. Slowly he raised his cup and nodded toward it, "You want me to get you one?"

I grinned, teasing him. "I'm fine, I like sharing."

He sat his cup on the nightstand and slowly eased himself back into the bed, stretching out and facing me.

"So, where do we go from here?" He asked as he retrieved his cup from the nightstand where he had placed it and took a sip.

His eyes danced along my face, his fingers lightly touching my cheek. I pushed my cheek into his palm, relishing the warmth and love he radiated. Smiled at him seductively, and again took the cup from his hand causing him to laugh.

I returned the cup I had playfully stolen, "I don't plan on going anywhere, but here."

He watched as I placed the cup on the nightstand, "That's fine with me!"

Turning back, he ran his fingers through the long hair that cascaded over my slender, naked shoulders. His attention was focused toward me, and it made my heart want to leap for joy.

I sat up and leaned against his pillows, drew my knees up and folded my arms around them, keeping the sheet to conceal my nakedness. He sat up beside me, smiled and pulled me close, so my head was resting against his chest.

"I couldn't have done what you did, these past three years."

I smiled, "I'm finding it hard to believe it myself."

He ran his fingers along my back, and then gave me a slight hug.

"I guess I just had to make the best of a strange situation and accept it as reality." I said as I took my finger and slowly traced his lips, relishing in my nearness to my husband.

"What about children?" He asked. "Do you think we'll ever have any?"

I sat up, looking him in his beautiful eyes, "We'd better! I'd hate to think of having to go through all of this, and NOT having children!" I patted my bare chest as I indicated my transformation. "I wanted a family even before this happened, I just didn't expect to be on the bearing end of it."

He said hopefully, "I would like at least two." His voice was slightly higher, the words drifted from his mouth as in a song.

"A boy and a girl perhaps?" I smiled, laying my hand on his thick chest, fingering the dark hair that grew there. Again the sparkling diamond I was wearing caught my eye, the glimmering stone reminding me of our union. "Really, as long as they're healthy, I don't mind what they are."

I lay my head again upon his chest, my diminutive hand splayed out against his dark skin. He held me close, our bodies cuddling against each other, his hand gently playing in the curls that hung about my shoulders.

"Do... do you ever wish that you could go back?" Park asked softly.

"Back? Do you mean back to being a guy?" I whispered, my breath moving his chest hairs closest to my mouth. "I've come to look at the past three years as destiny, if I remained as I was before, I would never be able to enjoy this moment, right now."

"You're amazing!" He whispered, and then kissed the top of my head. "How the heck did I ever get so lucky?"

I glanced up, "How did WE ever get so lucky?"

He smiled at my whisper, and then gently took my chin in his large hand. Our lips touched lightly at first, then settled into an all out, erotic kiss of passion.

Slowly he rolled me onto my back, I slid my hands inside of his robe and gently pushed it from his shoulders, and he pulled his arms through the sleeves.

"Make love to your wife." I sighed erotically, softer than the beat of a butterfly's wing.

"Gladly." He whispered into my ear, and then followed it with a kiss.

It was glorious, as our bodies merged in love. A love that descended from the heavens, brought on by an accident that played itself out in a distant land. As we moved with the rhythms of passion, my fleeting mind remembered the little trinket that the Minister had given me. I touched the stone upon my chest as it swung freely and smiled, knowing that it was now my turn to pass it along. I needed its reassurance no more. Slowly my mind was drawn back to what my husband was doing to me.

Park slowly slid his hands along my side and grasped my hips in his embrace, together we worked in unison, our bodies dancing to the song of ages. I smiled, thankful for the day so long ago when we landed upon that strange planet.

Perhaps Carmen would be right, maybe I will have a little one growing inside my womb within a year... at least, I hoped so.

I would like to thank my editors, Jim P. and Mr. Ram, their eager assistance, superb suggestions, and tireless efforts made this story much better than I could ever have imagined. Thank you both for your faith in my writing ability!

When I first wrote this story, this was the original 'end'...after going back through it, I think that there might just be more to this story. I have started a continuation to it, but will have to take my time on posting so it can be edited. Please bear with me.