Picking the bone of it’s last bit of meat, Keith tossed it into the fire and listened to it crackle. He turned to look at Shell across the way. She was always a strong and smart woman, even as an young girl. Keith was reflecting of the many things he has always loved about her.
“I am not really surprised that the wolf gave us the rabbit”, Keith began.
“Why is that?”
Walking over to Shell, Keith continued, “Well, I had this sort of dream…you know. A vision.” He stopped just short of her reach.
Shell, gave her full attention to him, “a vision, you say?”
“hmp…yes, I guess. I mean…well it was right after I crashed. I felt like I went somewhere”.
He shuffled from one foot to the other, looked down, then at Shell again. Then he asked her, “What is it like for you Shell, what is a vision like….or a dream. Is it vivid? Is it driven by purpose or design?”
Shell could see Keith start to crumble before her in his moment of doubt. She quickly stepped closer and circled her arms around his chest and buried her face in his neck. Reaching her mouth closer to his ear she whispered, “it is always vivid and very real and sometimes it scares me.”
They held each other for a few passing moments.
“Come, let us sit by the fire and get warm.” Shell tugged on Keith as if guiding a lost and pouting child.
They sat near the fire, both intent on staring at the flames. Keith gently stirred the coals allowing the fire to breathe. Shell reached for some more wood to add to the pit. While the flames kicked up from the fresh fuel, Shell nestled herself into Keith’s arms.
“Keith, before we went out on our original mission, you know the three of us, you, Stone and me. I had several nights of dreaming, or visioning, whichever way you would like to say it. I kept seeing your fighter crash into the mountains.”
Startled, Keith looked Shell in the face and said, “What, and you never warned me?” The look on his face was full of hurt.
“Keith, if I confessed all that I dreamed, then people might chase false hopes or think I was a crazy woman. I can not change what is about to happen but only prepare myself or the people for it. It hurt badly to have those dreams over and over again. I was not only scared for you but I was frightened for myself. I did not want to lose you. I was selfish in thought. You have become my everything.”
Still looking Shell in the eye while she explained, Keith’s face softened. He pulled Shell closer and returned his stare back to the fire.
Shell continued, “I carried that fear with me for four days before our departure. I knew the mission was important for the People, how could I refuse the need to go. After all, we are our nations Warriors. I could not let the People down.”
Bit of wood in the fire crumbled and submitted itself to the flames. Silence took over for a while.
Again, Shell spoke up, “Keith, many of my vision come when I least expect it. Many of them carry heavy messages. I accept them for what they are and realize I am chosen as a vessel for the sacred Grandfather’s work.”
There was more silence as the fire crackled into the night.
This time Keith broke the quietness. “Shell, my vision was of a grand one. The wolf was in it, and so was Keo along with four great and holy grandfather spirits, leaders from the past. They told me I was to begin my life here on earth. They blessed me as the keeper of the new Mother Earth.”
“Sometimes it is hard for me to grasp that this is happening, yet I know I am really here on this ground and not on the Solar Star Base. The wolf is to be my guide and protector. She came to us and has now shared food. I suppose I am becoming a vessel for the Creator to work out his plans too.”
Shell looked up at his face. In his eyes she could see the fire reflecting and deeper in, she could see his heart. In her opinion, Keith was a good choice for a vessel.
“My sweet Keith. Stone and I came to find you and rescue you back to home. However, I knew you did not need rescuing and I knew I would not return with Stone. Stone had a hard time of leaving me behind, but I am following Keo’s instructions and my vision. I have come to be with you and to begin our new sweet world.”
Placing his hands on both of her cheeks, he held her face, “I truly love you Shell. I love you.” He reached down and kissed her warmly and gently.
Another moment of quiet passed as they gazed into each others eyes.
This time it was Shell’s turn to break the silence, “Keith?”
“Yes, my flower?”
“I am with child.”
At first Keith stammered, “You mean…..ahh…you…ahh,…I mean I am going….wait, we are …..”
“Yes, we are having a baby”, Shell giggled at his sudden nervousness.
Keith’s face broke out into a silly grin. “We have been very blessed.”
Then suddenly a light went off in Keith’s head. “What about all the people on the Solar Star Base? What is going to become of them as we begin life down here? Are they going to slowly come here too?”
Shells replied, “I am not sure, that is something I know nothing about. We still have the enemy in the space that would continue to fight us our for the treasures of the Mother Earth. I suppose the Solar Star Base’s first mission would be to either suppress this enemy or to finally negotiate an alliance. I am not sure what will happen.”
Suddenly Keith was missing Keo, Stone, and his Father. Father…..he was going to be a Father!