"Me. A month was spent mapping the planet and searching out native villages. I then returned to base and picked up supplies necessary for setting up an outpost. Two months ago I returned.
"And all Hell broke loose...."
Night fell quickly, and with little relief on Kash, for the stars were few and far between, and shed little light. Dillon stepped out of the office that was doing double-duty as living quarters until separate quarters could be set up, and started for the nearby well. He cursed as he realized his flashlight still lay on the desk, but the light pouring from the open door was enough to see by, and he decided against returning.
As he walked, he breathed deeply of the tangy night air, and sighed with satisfaction. This world was infinitely more pleasurable than the last he had posted, and he intended to enjoy his stay.
He let his thoughts ramble as he walked and so almost ran down the waiting alien before he saw him. The native's huge eyes gleamed softly in the spill of light from the office, and the gray down that covered his body and head, except for the face, seemed soft and alive.
"Tarsa, Bila," said the Earthman, using the native greeting.
"Tarsa, starman. May the Gods shine their eternal light on you."
"And on you," Dillon said, observing the ritual. "But what brings you here at night?"
"The night is beautiful, is it not, starman? It shines with a glory all its own. At times it would seem to outdo its brother, the day."