The New Arrival

A hush fell over the settlement as the ship descended from the crimson sky. Its metallic hull glinted in the light of the two suns, casting an elongated shadow over the desert valley.

No supply ships were scheduled to arrive for many cycles. Could this be travelers from another system? Kata felt her hearts quicken as excitement rippled through the colony.

The ship landed at the edge of the outpost with a whirl of dust. The hatch hissed open and a ramp extended. A lone figure emerged, slowly making its way down the ramp.

Gasps arose as the crowd realized the stranger resembled drawings of their revered ancestors. It walked upright on two limbs, a bulge atop its slender form.

The stranger stopped before the gathering and made a series of sounds unlike any language Kata knew. She tasted the air, detecting water vapor and unfamiliar pheromones.

Curiosity overcame caution. Kata slithered forward and projected simple glyphs of greeting toward the creature.

It hesitated, then projected glyphs back, first slowly, then more fluidly. Soon, a basic dialogue formed.

The stranger was an explorer from a distant planet called Earth, it explained. Its kind had mastered space travel long ago.

As wonder spread through the crowd, Kata knew this was a momentous day. For the first time in generations, her people had found kin among the stars.