On the surface of an unexplored planet, Mary Smith is a member of a four-person team tasked with data-gathering and exploration for the Vespal Company. Tragedy soon befalls two of the crew, leaving Mary and Commander Clark Hammond to attempt a dangerous rescue mission. As they struggle to understand the nature of the alien danger facing them and uncover the fate of their two colleagues, Mary and Commander Hammond are unaware that very soon they will soon be fighting for their own survival.A short horror/science fiction story of approximately 2600 words. Alpert L Pine lives and writes in a small cabin, off the grid, in the Northwest United States. Once per week, he treks to the nearest town on foot-rain, snow or shine-and spends the day transferring his material into a digital format, with the help of the kindly librarians whom he has befriended. When he's not writing, he spends much of his time with a metal detector, looking for a rumored Templar treasure which is said to be buried somewhere nearby. To date, he's found a few nails, an old Liberty head penny, and a strange amulet.For free stories, news about past and future releases, and more, visit his website: AlpertLPine.com
