Scott didn’t like the way the clouds looked, back on Earth he would have assumed a storm was in the distance and possibly headed this way but here on this strange world he couldn’t be sure. Still, he had to go with what he knew… He didn’t hear the roar of water so hoped they would be safe from a flood for at least the next ten minutes it took them to get to the ridge and climb out of this riverbed or whatever it was.<br/><br/>Dr. Randall ran up beside him and told him what she had seen. He studied her for a few seconds and could see in her eyes that she was sure she had seen something. Scott nodded at her and frowned a bit. Then he spoke in a loud whisper so all could hear. “It looks like we might not be alone. Keep your eyes open and check the sky as well.” He looked at everyone to make sure he had been heard and then back to the cute Dr. “If you see it again let me know.” He said with a respectful smile and then gave the signal to move out.<br/><br/>They moved quickly and quietly and it took less then ten minutes for them to climb out of the sandy ditch and reach the ridge line. He was very happy they were on higher ground because as soon as they started the ascent up the ridge Scott could feel a fine cold mist of rain sprinkling lightly down to be blown briskly in the wind against his face. They would have to avoid the riverbed on the return trip which would take considerably more time.<br/><br/>Once they reached the top, the engineer set up a small antenna, made a few pokes on an iPad type device and then pointed off to the right. “I’m guessing the signal is about four to six miles that way. It’s the same repeated signal: a mechanical voice saying ‘Please help us’ in English.” He said as he looked toward the signal and a moment latter added, “It’s kind of creepy if you ask me.”<br/><br/>Scott checked their target area with his binoculars. It was mostly small low lying trees and light scrub brush of some kind. It shouldn’t slow them down too much. His study of the terrain was interrupted by Spence as she yelled out a bit too loudly. “Just above the trees behind us!” Spence had dropped down into a crouch with her rifle aimed in the direction of her sighting. The party immediately turned toward the threat but there was nothing there. Scott looked to Spence.<br/><br/>The soldier scanned the horizon and then looked to Dr. Randall for support. “It was shiny…metallic I think. I swear it was just floating there then dropped into the trees. It couldn’t have been bigger than ten feet around or so…”<br/><br/>Scott checked the area with his binoculars but saw nothing. “It appears to be watching us then.” He said as much as a question as a statement. “Spence; take point. There’s a small hill with some trees on top. Head for that.” He looked around at his team who all appeared to be a bit shaken by the circumstances. “Let’s focus. Keep your eyes open and under no circumstances are you to fire unless I order it. Move out.” Scott knew they would have to cross the riverbed when they reached the bottom of the ridge and the sprinkling rain made that thought an uncomfortable one.<br/>