Kel, a black and white Tsabhua, put down the report that the DPIP had given the researcher he was assigned to help.  He towered over the petite woman next to him. Cassandra was wearing long brown pants and a mauve long sleeve shirt. Over that was a thick and warm coat that was green in color.  Around her neck hung a rather large grey block that did not go at all with her outfit.  Kel knew that it helped translate his words for her. She had not been on Xiunus for very long and was still learning the native languages.  She was reaching toward a knitted green cap when he held up a hand.

“Now Cassandra, what exactly do you think you are doing?”

“I am going with you.” Cassandra stated as she firmly pulled the hat on her head.  The two horns stuck through the loose weave.

“Going where? “ Two voices echoed.  Around the corner walked two welps.  One a baby blue color with stripes down his leg.  And the other was black with even darker stripes running down her sides making it look like ink had been spilt. Two white stripes ran from her head to half way across her body. Her red eyes were the most striking thing about her. 

“Can we come? Thomas asked. His gray eyes grew big.  “Please?”  

Kel glanced down at the two welps who looked up at him with pleading eyes.  And then back at Cassandra who was shouldering a brown bag that was filled with who knows what. 

“Kya is preparing a feast and told us to go bug someone else. “  Thomas added.  Moonstone nodded.

Kel sighed.  “Alright.  But..” he held up one of his white fingers. “You must do exactly what I say.  When I say it. “

Thomas and Moonstone quickly nodded in agreement.

“Alright.  I think I got everything.  Shall we go?”  Cassandra said. She had added a walking stick in the time he was dealing with the two welps. 

Cassandra stopped in front of a large file case and dropped the letter into it.  Kel caught a glimpse of what was inside.  There didn’t seem to be very many files but there was time.

Cassandra led them through the research facility. The two welps had no trouble navigating the place but Kel had to keep his head ducked down so as to not hit his head as they walked through several doors.  He was so glad to finally make it outside so that he could stand up straight. 

It was still early morning and the tops of the evergreen trees swayed slightly in the gentle breeze.  Kel looked up at the lightning purple sky.  So far there did not seem to be any clouds.  He hoped it would stay that way.  But experience told him that the weather could change suddenly.  

“Do we know where this marking is?” Kel asked. MoonStone and Thomas ran on ahead and started chasing each other around the large crystalline bone that seemed to grow right out of the ground.

Cassandra pulled out a gadget that had buttons along the bottom and what looked like a viewing screen in the middle.  She pressed the on button and the screen lit up.  A glowing red dot marked the area where the marks were.  

“It doesn’t look too far from here. Maybe a good half a day's walk.  She turned the gadget around so that Kel could take a peek.  Kel leaned down and squinted.  The screen was so small.  But he could make out where to go.  He knew the spot and had to agree.  It would only take a couple of hours, which meant they should be back before it got dark.

Cassandra put the gadget away. Kel called to the two welps and they all entered into the forest. 

As they walked the welps would scamper around the two adults. Occasionally bringing something for Kel to identify and then Cassandra wanted to take a picture.  

It wasn’t until Thomas and MoonStone grew tired of running around and started walking quietly behind them that Kel saw any of the wild life.  

They were almost to the cliff when the great green evergreens started to bend more as the wind picked up.  The Sky darkened with the clouds that were being blown in.

This was not good.  “We must hurry.” Kel shouted over the ever increasing creak of the trees.

They raced forward.  Thomas and MoonStone were able to keep up with Kel but Cassandra kept falling back which meant that Kel had to slow down.  

“Hold up. “ Kel shouted.  The two welps stopped and took the chance to sit.  They panted heavily trying to catch their breath.

Kel laid down in front of Cassandra.  “Get on.”  he commanded.  Cassandra looked ready to protest but then did as Kel asked.  She clambered up his side and then grabbed a handful of black mane as he rose to all fours.  

“Ok lets go.”  Kel led them deeper into the forest. Kel still couldn’t go as fast as he wanted to.  The two welps were getting tired.  The wind now lashing at them and the trees around them.  This was shaping up to be a glorious storm.  Something Kel had been worried about before they left. 

Suddenly the four of them went from being under the canopy of the great evergreen trees to a cliff.  The cliff seemed to reach into the ever darkening purple sky. Small green plants clung to the sides of the cliff.  Kel ran his hand along the smooth stone.  There were not many hand holds and it was getting too dark to climb safely.  Cassandra slid down from her perch on Kel to the ground below.  She removed that bag she had and opened it up.  Both MoonStone and Thomas were curious and as tired as they were they came closer to see what she was doing. 

“Now my friend it’s my turn.”  She reached into the bag and pulled out a silver tear drop with what looked like fins on the side. In the center was what looked like a small lens. 

“This will take pictures and send it directly to my computer at the lab.  I have my Computer set up so that anything sent to it will be sent directly to DPIP.”

Cassandra reached into the bag again and withdrew a remote control.  She switched on the drone and placed it on the ground.  She took the remote in hands and with practiced ease flew the drone up into the air.  She started scanning the cliff side for the markings the DPIP wanted pictures of.  Several times the drone almost got pushed into the side of the cliff by the gusts of wind that were unrelenting.  But each time she managed to save the drone.  She finally found the markings about three fourths of the way up the cliff walls.  She took several pictures and then she sent them to her computer.  

There was a sudden gust of wind that bent over several of the nearby trees and despite Cassandra’s best efforts the drone was dashed to pieces on the cliff face.  Only a couple of the silver pieces made it down the cliff face.  Thomas and MoonStone raced forward and gathered them up and placed them into the sack.  The rest of the pieces lay scattered amongst the foliage along the cliff. 

“I am sorry about the drone Cassandra.  But we do need to head back before this storm gets much worse.  And we have several hours to get home.  But at least we accomplish what we came here for. “ Kel said as he placed a hand on the top of Cassandra’s head.  

Cassandra shrugged. “ The DPIP gave that one to me.  I am sure if I need another one that they will give me one.  I will put in a request with my next report. And your right we need to leave. Shall I ride you again?”

Kel nodded and laid down again so that it was easier for Cassandra to climb up.  When he was sure Cassandra was ready he stood up.  Thomas held up the bag to Cassandra and Cassandra shouldered the bag.

“You think you can carry my stick MoonStone? “  Cassandra called out from on top of Kel.  

“Yeah.”  Moonstone called up. She trotted over to the walking stick Cassadra had left on the ground when she had opened the bag, and grabbed it with her teeth. Then she joined the three of them and trotted into the forest stick in mouth. 

 (Words 1429)