Stars of the Past: Star Born Series Book 2

By Dan A. Freeman

In command of the Star Science Settlement located on Erukugu, Captain Christopher Wolf and his crew continues exploring the planet they were originally stranded on. When things happen regarding a local mythical creature known as the black fire horse, he's intrigued. Upon learning that the intelligent animals have heard of it and that it's caused deaths in the past as well as injuring his daughter, he starts wondering if the myth is real and wants it investigated. Meanwhile, his crew start exploring the discovery of a base within the moon, as well as other ancient settlements on the planet and make astonishing discoveries about the past human life on Erukugu. To make matters worse there are several anomalies that started popping up all over the planet and the moon. Does Erukugu still have human life? And what are the anomalies? Is the black fire horse to blame?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796076608

Dan A. Freeman

Raised in California's San Joaquin Valley with his parents, older brother, and two younger sisters, Dan A Freeman graduated high school and college with an AS Degree and now calls Idaho's Treasure Valley home along with his parents and sisters. Dan enjoys writing and spending time with his family and although "Star Born" was just his first release, he followed that with "Stars of the Past" and will follow that with several more both within the "Star Born" series and other science fiction books he's currently writing.

Book preview

Copyright © 2020 by Dan A. Freeman.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-7960-7661-5

                eBook            978-1-7960-7660-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 12/11/2019

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

List of Characters

Chapter 1

She found herself in an unfamiliar forest. Next to her was a white wolf almost twice the normal size and a tiger-striped tabby cat, who was twice the size of a standard tabby found on Earth. Even with the cool air, she was comfortable in her knee-length leather shorts and leather vest while a large hunting knife, secured in her leather belt, rarely left her side.

During their wanderings, they came across a small river with quite a few fish swimming downstream. Since the cat didn’t like water, she fashioned a trap, placed it in the river, waited, and soon saw a fish swim into the trap. She quickly waded in and tossed the fish to the cat that started eating it right away. Once the cat had consumed all but the head, tail, and bones of the fish, the trio resumed their wanderings.

Though they heard thunder in the distance, neither of them worried even when the wolf started to lick his chops when they happened upon a deer carcass. Not wanting to eat someone else’s meal, they called out in every method they knew. When only the silent forest returned their call, the wolf started to consume the deer so it wouldn’t go to waste. The wolf was nearly finished when the trio heard something approach making a considerable amount of noise. As the wolf finished, taking a leg bone to gnaw later for the bone marrow, whatever was making the noise drew closer. Just as they were about to run off, a tall heavyset man in a green uniform came around a tree just over a meter away. When he saw what remained of the deer and the extralarge wolf with a slightly bloody muzzle and a deer’s leg bone in his jaws, he pointed his weapon at the canine with fear in his eyes. Wanting to protect her friends, Star started forward to step between the man and Duke and Tiger, but a loud clap of thunder stopped her.

*     *     *

Star sat up, breathing a little heavy, and looked around. She saw that she was in her room within the cabin she shared with her friend Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Mizuno. Behind her, Duke lifted his head and looked at her while Tiger still slept on the bed originally meant for Charlie Wolf, who preferred to go by Star. The window in front of her showed a very soggy early morning with flashes of lightning in the distance.

What was it that disturbed you, Star? Was it that black fire horse? asked Duke.

Regardless of where they spoke, no one ever heard a spoken word since the intelligent animals spoke telepathically. If anyone from Earth were to visit the alien world, they wouldn’t hear anything unless they were telepathic as Star and Lieutenant Marcia Granger.

Yes, Star replied, calming slightly. Jenny calls them nightmares.

What was the dream about?

We were on Earth where Mother and Father call home, during what they call a vacation, wandering through the forest when we came upon the stream, so I caught a fish for Tiger. When she finished eating, we started moving again before happening upon a dead deer. Even I could tell that it hadn’t been dead long, so we called out to see if it was someone else’s kill. Since no one spoke up, human or beast, you started eating it because we figured that a dead deer would just go to waste. Just as you were finishing it, a fat human in a green uniform came up, saw you, and pointed his thunder stick at you.

And that was when the black fire horse ran through your dream, Duke said, moving to lick his friend’s cheek.

Yes, maybe we should hunt it down and kill it, Star said, putting her arms around the large animal.

Well, I don’t even know if it exists outside of the dream plane, Duke said. With several retired elders living by the river, we could ask one of them after the sun wakes and see if they know something.

Before answering, Star stood, walked to the window, and saw sheets of rain pelting the area. Streaks of lightning lit the skies for a second before plunging the area back into darkness since the sun had yet to rise. With each building heavily insulated, the sound of the rain was just noticeable. The loud noise of the thunder, however, easily broke through the walls to play havoc with dreams.

Maybe the black fire horse is a friend of the thunder and lightning, Star stated, for we know how the lightning loves to start fires.

Which is why we’ve always called it sky fire until after we learned what the humans called it, Duke stated, moving to stand beside her. Well, with your father having several people keeping an eye on the storm, perhaps we can get more sleep rather than running out into it to wake the night sleepers.

Yes, and even if there were day sleepers by the river, by the time we got back, we would be as wet as a fish.

And have Jenny and your mother angry at us for going out into the storm, Duke said, laughing at the thought and the picture that formed in his head.

*     *     *

The summer storm had blown itself out shortly before sunup, and the only telltale sign of a storm were the gray puffy clouds still floating by and the large puddles on the ground. While Duke, Tiger, and Duchess headed out to hunt up a morning meal, Star headed out to grab some breakfast at the diner. As she ate, she heard several people talking about the storm and how the sound of the thunder altered the dream they were having. The more Star heard, the more she believed that the black fire horse lived, was a friend of storms, and loved to play havoc with dreams. She was seriously considering hunting the fiery creature when her mother sat down at the table she was at with a plate of food.

You look deep in thought, sweetheart, Dr. Candice Wolf said kindly.

Want hunt black fire horse, she said before biting into a piece of fruit.

I’ve never heard of a black fire horse, Dr. Wolf said, smothering her pancakes with butter.

Black fire horse eat good dream leave bad, Star said before drinking her milk.

In other words, you had a nightmare.

Yes, hear others have same.

Well, Charlie, a nightmare isn’t real. A nightmare is just a dream that is either upsetting or frightening.

What’s the matter, Star, did you have a nightmare last night? asked Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Mizuno as she approached their table. Mind if I sit?

No, go right ahead, and she did have a bad dream, Dr. Wolf said. Now she’s saying that she wants to hunt the nightmare.

Yes, I remember her telling me about what she and the local animals believe, Mizuno said, sitting before shaking hot sauce on her scrambled eggs. Unless I’m mistaken, it’s a fiery black horse that eats good dreams and leaves bad dreams in its place.

Yes, Star said.

In a way, their beliefs aren’t too far from most Japanese, at least back in the feudal era. Back then, most everyone believed in various kinds of demons and gods. Since my parents raised me a Christian, I never believed in the Japanese demons. I don’t know if I ever said anything, but for a while, I was thinking about going into animation, as my father did. While I worked part-time as an animator, I was lucky enough to have my father as my boss, and he was as tough on me as anyone. In order to make some decent feudal-era animation, my father suggested studying several types of Japanese demons and religions. Today, I’m not certain if anyone in Japan still believes in the ancient demons. It’s possible that the humans that were here before their transformation believed what the animals believe now.

Duke, Tiger, hunt. After hunt, we talk with elders by river, Star said, finishing her breakfast.

*     *     *

Captain Christopher Wolf sat at his desk preparing to write a report to his commanding officers back at agency headquarters. The computer on his desk sat waiting, ready for him to start the report, while the settlement commander put his thoughts in order.

Captain’s log, Wolf started before inserting the date. The Star Science Settlement has been official and complete for about two months now. Though we found several answers, there are several more questions left unanswered. How did the humanoids of Erukugu evolve? Did they have a space station? If so, how large was it, for there’s no sign of something huge falling from orbit. Because of nothing in orbit, it’s my theory that they may have discovered they would forget what they once knew. However, with no evidence of any kind, it’s possible they never had one or possibly it was destroyed by sending it into the sun. Wolf paused as he thought the other issues through.

What brought on their transformation from humanoid to animal? Why do none of the intelligent animals remember why or when this happened? Was it natural, or brought on by some other means? Known transformations take hundreds of thousands to millions of years. My theory is that their metamorphoses were not natural, but what was it, and could it be dangerous to all life currently on Erukugu?

After completing his log entry, he reread it, made a few changes, and sent it off to his superiors.

*     *     *

A large temporary shelter stood near the river where the old animals had come to allow humans to study them. Those that preferred direct sunlight most of the day could remain out from under the artificial canopy. A few hours before the start of the storm, a few engineers erected some temporary walls, as a sign of goodwill, to assist in keeping the retired elders as dry as possible. Now, with the clouds revealing more and more blue sky, engineers removed several of the walls while some remained.

Scattered around the shelter were a variety of animals, all around twice the size of normal and nearly two dozen in number. Seeing the wide variety in one place seemed quite unusual with several different carnivores lounging around with animals that would normally be their prey. A black panther would make a quick meal of the gazelle grazing close by instead of waiting for someone to throw it a few fish or a large chunk of meat. Since they were intelligent, however, killing another intelligent animal for food was not their way. If they had already died, however, that was another thing. Since the intelligent animals that made the settlement their home were retired elders, they no longer went out to hunt.

Elders, Star said as she, Duke, and Tiger approached, may I have a moment of your time?

For you, Star, a black bear said, sitting up, you may have more than a moment.

The bear is correct, the panther said, yawning. I am twenty-eight, and I feel as though I’m twenty again, though I’m told that I shouldn’t go hunting. Last night’s storm did cause a few aches and pains in my joints, though I could go for a nice tasty gazelle right about now.

Watch it, furball, you know our kind are not for food, at least not until after death comes for us, the gazelle said, standing to walk away.

Don’t worry, horn head, I was only teasing. I prefer fish or turtle anyway, she said, starting to wash her face. What is it you need, Star?

The black fire horse came with last night’s storm, and I was wondering if any of you knew something about it. I want to hunt it down and kill it if possible.

I recall hearing many stories about it since when I was a cub, Ursa, the bear, said.

I too have heard stories, an elk said, nibbling on some of the wet grass.

What I have heard, a tiger said, stretching, is that it stands twice the size of the elk, with wings longer than the stone birds that fly, and faster than the sky fire.

Several of the other animals agreed with the tiger, making Star consider giving up the hunt even before it started. When a large raccoon waddled up to her and patted her leg, Star knelt to listen to the old animal.

The oldest tale I have heard myself, young one, is that the nightmare prefers the dark and will travel to where it’s always night. I’ve heard several tales stating that others hunted the fire horse, but none have ever found it.

Then hunting this fire horse may not be possible, but what are the stories of its origins? asked Star, scratching the raccoon behind an ear.

None of the animals spoke for some time, not knowing exactly how to answer the question. When the elk finally spoke, the others slowly echoed the reply.

For as long as we can remember, no one has ever asked that question, Star. In fact, I have never heard anyone asking of our origins. Neither one of us can really say, but if you learn the answer to where our origins began, then you may know how the fire horse began, replied the elk.

Though none of us have heard the story of our origins, Star, the tale you told of us starting as humans must have been forgotten hundreds of generations ago. Just remember, not all hunts are easy, with most you must locate and track the scent, a wolf added.

Yes, you’re right, thank you, elders, Star said before she and her friends walked away.

*     *     *

Though Star did her best to concentrate on her studies, she found herself thinking about the fire horse she wanted to hunt and its possible origin. Jenny had snapped her fingers in front of the youngster’s face to get her attention back several times. Slightly startled, Star started reaching for her knife before realizing where she was and stopped.

All right, kiddo, what’s with the far-off look?

I think about fire horse. It ate my good dream and left a bad dream.

Don’t worry about it, Star. People have been having nightmares for centuries, Jenny informed. People have been attempting to interpret dreams possibly for just as long. Your dream, however, could be something your subconscious is telling you. Why don’t you tell me what it was about?

Yes, Star said before she started to tell her friend about her dream.

What did this ‘thunder stick’ look like? asked Jenny when her friend finished.

For several minutes, Star tried to describe it before giving up and drawing it on a piece of remaining papyrus after dipping a quill into a leftover well of berry ink. Upon seeing the finished drawing, Jennifer Mizuno knew what the item was.

What you call a thunder stick is what we call a rifle or a shotgun, Jenny said. It’s my guess that your subconscious is telling you that you were more worried about losing your friends than you realize. One thing I do know about our mind is that it will tell us what we don’t want to know, usually when we’re asleep. I can tell you that most of the people of Earth either don’t believe or aren’t ready to learn that there’s intelligent life on other planets. Many believe that those who tried to stop the agency from going out into space know there’s life on other planets, and it might take several years before people accept the truth. Hopefully, the show your father is trying to get the agency to approve will help keep your friends safe next time you visit Earth. I took your father some clips and what I hope to accomplish with it a few weeks ago, and he sent it to the agency office in DC.

What show? she asked.

I don’t have much of the first show, but I can show you what I copied onto a disc to show your father. He liked it and saw the potential it could have toward what we went through and what we’re trying to accomplish. Lieutenant Commander Mizuno pulled the keyboard toward her and started typing a command. Watch the screen, she said moments later.

The image on the screen showed a forest with several animals running through. A large white wolf led the pack of various animals as they ran while a human child with long dark hair clung to the back of the white wolf. When they stopped in a large clearing, a voice could be heard giving orders to hunt and for someone to bring some fruit and nuts back.

You can climb down now, Star. We’ll be here for a while, the same voice said kindly. Are you thirsty? There’s a river not far from here.

Yes, water, the child said, sliding from the back of the wolf. It quickly became obvious that the wolf was at least twice the size of the child.

When the screen showed the front of the wolf and the child, it became obvious that it was a young girl walking next to the large wolf. Though the girl’s long hair hid several features, the fearless facial expression was apparent.

How long will we be here, Mother? the girl asked as they headed toward the river.

It’s hard to say, little one. With winter coming on, we need to get to where it’s warmer so parts of our pack don’t freeze.

Like me, right, Mother?

Like you, my beautiful Star, the wolf said, licking the girl’s face.

Jenny tapped a button, freezing the image before looking over at her young friend.

Do you recognize the two characters on the screen?

Who speak, lips not move? Star asked.

I’ll fix that later, but who do you think the two on the screen are?

Star carefully studied the image on the screen before looking at her friend.

Girl me and wolf Mother? she asked.

"That’s right, the girl is supposed to be you when you were about two or three, and the wolf is supposed to be Snow Hunter. I originally wanted the audience, the people watching, to realize that the animals and you can communicate telepathically. Since you asked who was speaking, I’ll add lip movement, but what I want to convey to the people of Earth is that intelligence comes in more than just humans. I also want to tell people how we arrived here, how the Einstein was destroyed, and how you were cared for by a beautiful wolf."

You say of me, you, Father, others?

Yes, and I want it to be as true as possible and honor everyone that died.

Not honor assassin?

No, I’ll do what I can to show that the assassins killed innocent people, Mizuno said. The only thing is, we have no proof if the person we thought was Dr. Mark Silver actually killed anyone except the real Dr. Silver.

Jenny restarted the image, allowing Star to watch the rest of what she had and allowed the youngster to ask questions while Mizuno asked some of her own. Because Lieutenant Commander Mizuno knew there would be a lot of red tape, she had no idea how long it would take to get clearance. When Captain Christopher Wolf told her that he liked what he saw, she wasn’t surprised but was when he said he would do what he could to get the agency to agree. Several weeks earlier, she submitted a few clips along with a storyline and what she hopes to accomplish with the anime. She knew it could mean someone watching everything she did or assisting her, but if the latter were the case, she would want to choose her own assistant. She also knew her main job was as an engineer and that the animation would need to take a backseat.

More? asked Star when the screen went black.

That’s all for now, Star, Mizuno said, smiling. It can take quite a while to create animation, especially since it’s just me and in my spare time. It used to take almost a year to make a thirty-minute show, but now with computers doing most of the work and a large team, it can take about a month, though there are some that prefer the old way. Since I can’t work on it all day long, I have no idea how long it’s going to take me to complete the first show.

*     *     *

The summer night was cool and comfortable with the evening sky filled with millions of stars and not a cloud in sight. Because of the clear night, several of the kids were still out playing as the sun sank in the horizon. Normally, Star would be running around with some of the kids her age; instead, she sat under the window in front of her parents’ cabin with Duke and Tiger sitting with her. Seeing that Star wasn’t acting her normal self, Duchess walked over, sat next to Tiger, and had to ask. Upon hearing the reply, Duchess understood and offered to assist in the hunt.

As you know, your father and Lieutenant Davis placed me as an honorary security officer. Since I see better at night than humans, not to mention better hearing and faster, they’ve asked that I patrol once the sun sleeps. You gave me a name and a home, and I will be forever grateful and will do what I can to keep the fire horse away. I have known other wolves that have had dreams altered by the fire horse and were never the same again, Duchess said.

As far as I’m concerned, Duke stated, you earned the name you now carry and being admitted into our pack. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know I’d have survived the pig attack shortly after we arrived here from the wilds, especially since the person we thought was Dr. Silver wasn’t a real doctor.

Either way, I owe you everything, and I will do everything I can to keep my pack happy, Duchess said. I know what my last pack told me about the black fire horse, and with what the elders told me earlier, I’ll do my best, she added before starting her patrol.

There you are, Jenny Mizuno said when Star and her friends walked into their cabin sometime later. I had an idea and was able to talk to Dr. John White earlier, and he’s going to make something for you that might help. He’s going to talk to a few others to gather some items to make you a dream catcher the way the Native Americans have been making them for hundreds of years, from what I understand.

Dream catcher? she asked, cocking her head. What that? It catch dream, I no dream?

Almost, but not quite, Jenny said as Star sat next to her. A dream catcher allows good dreams through while catching the bad dreams. He has no idea how long it’s going to take to finish it, but he says it should help. Dr. White also wants to talk to you about something, of which he wouldn’t tell me.

He talk, I listen, she said listlessly. Who Doc White?

He’s a new doctor that’s working with your mother and the animals, she replied.

*     *     *

Jennifer Mizuno was up, showered, and dressed early as usual, when the door chime sounded. It didn’t surprise her to see the captain when she opened the door and invited him inside. She knew he didn’t make house calls unless he felt it necessary, knowing that he had a small town to take care of.

I apologize for the early call this morning, Commander, he said as Mizuno closed the door.

It’s all right, Captain. I was already up and considering breakfast, she replied. What brings you by?

It’s Charlie, actually. Phoenix saw that she’s been quite listless all day and informed me knowing I would want to know.

Come to think of it, she wasn’t herself when she came in last night, even when I told her that Dr. White was going to make a dream catcher for her. I also don’t think she slept very well last night.

Why’s that? he asked.

I received a call from engineering asking if I had shuttle 4 placed back into active. I told him that it was up to Commander Atkins on when the shuttle became active. He thanked me, apologized for disturbing me, and signed off. Since I was up, I headed into the bath and heard Star thrashing about. It sounded like she was having another nightmare. When I came out, I heard Duke yelp but thought nothing of it, thinking she accidentally hit him in the nose or something. What actually happened between them and the Ranger while you were on Earth?

The part of Charlie’s dream where the ranger came across them happened in real life, and the deer they saw was actually hit by a car and died shortly after running back into the woods. The ranger was carrying a shotgun, which at the time was against the rules. A standard sidearm was all right, but not the shotgun. Duke’s size, and how much of the deer he ate, was what startled the ranger and he started raising his rifle. Something made a noise, which no one learned, causing the ranger to turn and search out the sound. When he turned back, Charlie and her friends had vanished soundlessly into the woods as they can easily do. They came home, told me and her mother, and I headed down to the local forest ranger HQ. I informed them about Duke, Tiger, and Charlie, even gave pictures, and physical descriptions and I know they informed each of their people. The ranger involved was written up and placed with another ranger during our stay back home.

Now I understand it a little better, though I did tell Star that her dream may just mean that she was more worried about her friends than she realizes.

I’ll talk more with Candy, and maybe Dr. White, and see if there’s anything that might get her back to normal.

A suggestion, sir, would be to send her on a minor mission, just her and her friends. This planet is the only one she really knows as home, though we know differently.

Yes, there’s a forest about five hundred kilometers east southeast of here that the crew of shuttle 2 detected an anomaly of some sort within. They recorded the exact coordinates and will be taking some probes down later today to start recording everything about the anomaly. I can send her and her friends down to talk to the local animals about it, which should get her mind off the past, Captain Wolf said. Have her see me after she has breakfast, and Commander, thank you for keeping me informed, he added before leaving.

Mizuno sat and wondered for several minutes before standing and leaving for the diner for breakfast. The small two-room cabin she shared with Star had a small kitchenette, which she kept sparsely stocked with various drinks and snacks, which were both sweet and healthy. For nearly all meals, most of the settlement ate their meals at the diner, unless they had a family unit that sported a larger kitchen.

After sitting down at an empty table, Mizuno started eating while still a little worried about her young friend. Star would normally wander outside until just before Jenny went to bed; the youngster would then head into her room with Duke and Tiger to sleep. They would then be up and out with the sun where the animals would go out to hunt while Star headed to the diner for breakfast. Once breakfast was finished, Star would then either check with the cooks about fish for dinner and go fishing for most of the day, or go out running around the countryside. Sunrise was almost two hours ago and Star was still asleep.

Good morning, Commander, Dr. Wolf said, sitting at the same table Mizuno occupied. You look a little worried about something. Is it something Atkins has you doing?

What? she said. Oh no, it’s nothing like that. It’s Star. She’s not acting normal, well, normal for her, Mizuno said before informing the child’s mother about the youngster’s actions.

That is odd, and from what Chris told me last night from what Phoenix told him, it may have started with the nightmare she had the other night.

That’s a possibility, and if it is, I have an idea I recently thought of that she might try. There’s been at least twice that while having a dream, I suddenly realized that it was a dream and was able to change it.

Directed dreaming, though, seems quite rare.

I know, though I don’t know anyone else that’s been able to take direction of their dream, and as I said, I’ve been able to do it twice, that I can recall, and it might help her. Especially since she may have had another nightmare last night, Mizuno said, trying to finish her breakfast. I’m also wondering if the trip to Earth affected her someway.

You mean that she might have to leave here for good at some time? asked Dr. Wolf as she halted a forkful of a chunk of omelet halfway to her mouth.

That’s a possibility, Doc, but for me, it’s just an uneducated guess.

But a good one, Commander. I’ll talk with Charlie later and see if she’ll tell me what’s bothering her.

When the two finished eating, they took care of their trays and dishes before leaving the diner to head for the cabin Mizuno shared with Dr. Wolf’s daughter. Though both were worried about the youngster, they tried to keep each other hopeful while heading from the diner. When they saw the door to the cabin open, neither thought anything was wrong because of the large stuffed wolf standing next to the door.

Fear entered their hearts when they saw a bandage around one of Duke’s legs with him sitting next to the sofa. When the two women ran into the cabin and to Star’s room, they saw Dr. Connor Scott kneeling next to Star with Lieutenant Marcia Granger kneeling by the youngster’s head and Tiger sitting on the bed watching.

Chapter 2

The way Duke and Tiger sat, and the way their ears hung, it was easy to see that they were worried about their friend. Exactly what had happened, neither Dr. Candice Wolf nor Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Mizuno knew and had to wait until the chief medical officer was finished. Mizuno had been out of the cabin for less than an hour, and now her young friend was on the floor of her room with the doctor working on her. Dr. Wolf jumped slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder before realizing it was her husband.

Do you know what happened? he asked quietly.

No, we just got back from breakfast, his wife said, worried.

Turning to face the captain, Mizuno bowed deeply to show an honest apology and said, I’m sorry, Captain, I should have checked on her before going to breakfast. You placed her in my care and Star ended up injured, so I will accept any punishment you offer.

Mizuno, the captain said, sorrow apparent in his voice, an apology isn’t necessary. I was here earlier this morning and could have looked in on her as well. I didn’t. We don’t know what happened, and until the doctor is finished, we won’t know.

The three sat on the sofa and waited until Dr. Scott stood and stepped into the main room holding his medical bag. Lieutenant Granger, a registered nurse, placed under the command of the chief medical officer, was still in with Star. When Dr. Scott saw Captain and Dr. Wolf, Jenny, and Duke, he knew he had to let them know.

To be perfectly honest, the doctor started as Tiger entered the room and jumped onto the arm of the sofa, "I have no clue as to how she received her injuries. But let me back up a little. Not long ago, I was in, giving a briefing and received information from Lieutenant Granger when Duchess entered my office. When Granger told me that Duchess said that Star needed me, I grabbed my bag and followed her down here with Granger at my heels.

When I got here, Tiger met me at the door and led me to Star’s room, where she was on the floor with Duke lying under her head.

That’s how they usually sleep, Mizuno offered.

Yes, anyway, after taking an initial scan, I had Granger move Star’s pillow under her head and take some scans of Duke’s leg before taking care of it. They each have three scratches, and we have no clue as to any known weapon or animal, and it almost seems as though whatever did it made them from the inside out. I’ve done what I could, and she should rest for the next couple of days, though I’ll be in each morning to see how she’s doing. And, Captain, I’ll make certain you get my full report soon. I’ve also given Granger an assignment to talk with the retired elders we have by the river to do some research for us. By the way, somehow, her knife ended up under the bed. It was brought out by Tiger shortly after we started working on Star.

Thank you, Scotty, the captain said, standing to see the doctor out.

Once Granger’s finished, she’ll translate what Star’s animal friends know, he added.

It wasn’t long before the nurse, a lieutenant by rank, came into the main area of the cabin. Trying to be a good hostess since it was her home, Jennifer Mizuno offered the nurse a chair.

Tiger tells me that she doesn’t remember the dreams she had, though those she has had in the past are all with her, Duke, and Star out running in the forest or in a field hunting. She did hear noises coming from the two but didn’t pay heed to their whimpers since it happens every now and again to everyone. Tiger does blame herself for not checking on her any sooner. She was about to get the doctor when Duchess was at the door to give them some information that Star requested.

And had her get Scotty, the captain said.

Yes, Granger said, and according to Duke, he was dreaming about a hunt he, Tiger, and Star went on before they found Commander Mizuno and Commander Brandt by the lake. He says that they were hunting a deer at twilight when a large black horse with black fire instead of a mane and tail and bloodred eyes ambushed them. Where they were, the animal couldn’t spread its wings, but later they noticed three talons at the tips of its wings. The horse attacked them before they were able to do anything, though the three of them wounded the creature before it scratched Duke and Star where you saw the wounds. Duke feels bad for not having protected Star better and hopes that you’ll forgive him.

Duke, the captain said, looking at the wolf/dog hybrid, what happens in a dream is no one’s fault, and I’m certain that you and Tiger did your best. The two of you are alive, and that’s what matters most because according to folklore, if someone dies in their dreams, they die in real life, though no one knows if it’s true. No one here blames anyone for anything that happened, but I believe we’re starting to rethink the black fire horse myth.

Chris is right. No one is to blame for what happened within the dream, Dr. Wolf added. I know that Charlie still trusts and loves both of you and will always want you by her side. Now, if the two of you need to head out and do something, go on ahead, I’ll stay here for a while, she said, scratching the two animals behind their ears.

If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get right on the mission Dr. Scott has me doing, Granger said as Tiger and Duke headed out.

Yes, dismissed, the captain said, standing. Candy, I’ll be by later to check on things, he added before giving his wife a quick kiss.

I should get going as well, I’m already an hour late, Mizuno said, standing.

Tell Atkins what happened. I’m certain she’ll understand, Captain Wolf said as the two headed out.

Star considers her a friend, and if I’m correct, friends are like family to her, so I’m certain she will as well, Mizuno said before heading off to engineering.

The engineering staff was hard at work when Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Mizuno entered the engineering building. Knowing she was already late, she headed directly for the office of the chief of engineering. At first, the look on Commander Atkins’s face was one of anger mixed with disappointment, but after hearing what had transpired during the night, the commander decided to let things go.

I’m glad you came to see me, for you know how I hate tardiness, but seeing how close you are to Star and that you were with her parents, I can let it go. Another reason is that I have a test for you. You’ve been over every millimeter of the shuttle both with me and by yourself over the past several weeks. The test I’ve created will cover every possible scenario you may encounter while piloting the shuttle. You need to explain what the problem is, how you corrected it, whether the fix is permanent or temporary, and how to prevent it from happening in the future. My test will take you at least the rest of the day to complete, so why don’t you do it at home, and I’ll drop in on you later? Atkins said, handing over a computer pad. I know you’ll pass, you’re better than you think when it comes to engineering. You can drop off the pad either tonight or in the morning, after you’re finished, of course.

I will, and thank you for everything, Commander, she said, bowing as her rearing taught her.

Commander Sandra Atkins, the chief engineer, just shook her head before turning back to her computer. With the Star Science Settlement still brand new, finding and fixing small problems before they became big problems was always necessary. As the head of the engineering department, there was a lot she needed to do and was lucky enough to have several people under her to assist. Her previous assistant accepted a reassignment to another starship as the chief engineer. Lieutenant Commander Greg Brandt had also accepted an assignment to another starship as assistant chief engineer. Now she needed to find someone talented enough to act as her assistant. She had several choices and had decided to give a test to those she figured were good enough to be her assistant. Her assistant had to be someone who could eventually be good enough to become a chief engineer.

*     *     *

Not only was it wounded, but angry as well. The dream world was its domain, a world where it could feed and give terrible or disconcerting dreams. For countless years, the only creatures that it could play havoc with dreams were the beasts that wandered the lands, for the creatures of the water were beyond its reach and it had no idea if they even slept. Now, there were humans once again, though only located in one place. It feasted on several dreams the night the summer storm came upon them, and it decided to return for more. On its first stop, however, the human girl and wolf appeared to be hunting a deer, but the trickery it used didn’t seem to work as it had the night before. After deciding on other tactics, the two attacked it instead of the deer, and after receiving a few wounds, it decided to wound those hunting it and flee. Its wounds would heal, but traveling would cause too much pain so it would wait until the wounds healed enough to where they didn’t hurt. Then it would attack more humans, for the humans created it in the first place and they needed to pay for causing it its original pain.

*     *     *

Star whimpered like a whipped pup as she tried to stand, and before she could, her mother was there to assist her. What woke her, other than nature calling, was the fact that she realized Duke wasn’t under her head as he usually was. Someone had cut up the middle of the white tank top she had put on before going to sleep; it had blood staining it, and to make matters worse, there was a bandage taped to her.

I’m here, sweetheart, try not to move too fast, Candy Wolf said, reaching her daughter.

Why I hurt, why …, she started.

Do you remember what your dream was last night, honey?

Pee now, tell dream after, she said, moving carefully to the bathroom.

Completely understandable, her mother said, trying not to chuckle.

A short time later, Star was sitting at the table wearing a new shirt while eating a large cinnamon roll with a glass of orange juice, dropped off for her by one of the cooks. Though the dream didn’t make sense to the youngster, she started to inform her mother about the dream.

Me, Duke, Tiger, hunt in spring. We not find Jenny, Greg, stone bird. Sun start to sleep when we hunt deer. Black fire horse hide like big black cat. It attack, we attack. Duke, me, not see Tiger. We scratch horse with claws. It scratch us with … three claws on end of wing. Red eyes not look happy. It leave, me, Duke keep hunting.

Pretty much the same as happened in Duke’s dream, Dr. Wolf said, thinking.

You hear Duke?

No, sweetheart, Lieutenant Granger was here to translate and to assist Scotty in treating you.

Dr. Wolf was lost in thought as her daughter finished the cinnamon roll and juice when Star walked over and sat carefully beside her. The placement of the smaller hand on her arm brought the scientist out from her thoughts and back into motherhood.

You think, what you think?

I’m beginning to think that this black fire horse of yours is more than just a myth, and it’s hard to think that a myth might be real.

Mother, what myth? asked Star, curious.

A myth, Charlie, her mother started, is an ancient story. In this case, something that isn’t real or does not exist. There are tons of myths on Earth, and now I’m beginning to rethink the myth of the black fire horse.

What …

Ancient?

Yes.

"Ancient basically means ‘very old.’"

Hear Jenny say, ‘This not Earth, all not known.’

Yes, we all need to remember that things here may not be the same as on Earth. Which gives me an idea that I believe your father will want to consider and give a few scientists something else to do.

I’m right about what? asked Mizuno as she walked in.

I thought you’d be gone most of the day? Wolf said.

After I apologized to Commander Atkins and explained why I was late, she gave me a test to do and said that it will take me all day to complete and that I can do it here.

And your quote from Charlie gave me an idea. I’ll run it by Chris before I check in at the labs. Charlie, the doctor wants you to take it easy for a couple of days, which means no running and no practicing with your bow. You’ll need to check with him about bathing since you like to bathe daily, but you probably should try not getting the wound wet, Dr. Wolf said before giving her daughter a kiss.

Since Duke is most likely eating at the diner, why don’t you walk over to the school and ask one of the teachers if you can listen in? Just remember, if you have a question, you’ll need to raise your hand before you speak.

I no like be turtle, I go school, listen, learn, Star said, standing.

Just let me, or one of your parents, know if you happen to go somewhere else.

I do, she said before walking out.

*     *     *

As Star walked over to the two-room school building, Duke caught up with her, walking lightly on his wounded leg, wanting to go where she went. Regardless of where she was going, the wolf/dog would go with no question or hesitation.

Where are we going? asked Duke as Star rested her hand on his ruff.

To the school. Mother said that the doctor wants me to take it easy, so I can’t do what we normally do, so Jenny suggested I go to school. She said that I should ask and see if I can listen to them and told me that if I ask a question, I need to raise my hand first.

Who knows, maybe we’ll learn something, Duke said as they reached the building.

Outside, the building resembled any other. The building was twice the width as the cabin she slept in, though just as long, with the teacher’s name printed under the doors’ window. With the windows of the buildings tinted, it was impossible to look inside; and since Bear asked Star not to place her face to the window, she just stood back from the door.

Which one is Bear’s room? asked Star, looking at the letters written on the two doors.

I know the same as you do, but alas, Jenny has yet to teach us how to read the letters when placed together, he said, sniffing around the sidewalk and the doors. There are also too many scents to determine which one belongs to Bear. One of the doors started opening.

May I help you, Star? the teacher asked.

Star looked up and smiled into the face of the teacher she knew well.

I get hurt, she said, lifting her shirt a little. Doc, Mother, say be like turtle. Jenny say go to school, ask sit, listen. We ask. Star let her shirt fall back.

Well, Bear said, from what I’ve been hearing, what I have to say might help you. Come on in, you can sit next to Bonnie Scott and Duke wherever you can fit. He opened the door to let them in. Class, he added, turning to his students, we have a couple of guests today. Star and Duke, who both received an injury, will be with us until Lieutenant Commander Mizuno is finished in engineering. You will treat them as you would any other student. He closed the door.

The room was quiet until Jelani Balogun, Bear to his close friends, had returned to the front of the class to place one leg on the corner of the desk.

Today, we are talking about mythology. Every ancient civilization has myths of some kind, even my country of Africa, and within my home tribe deep within the jungles. Today, however, we will be talking about ancient Greek myths since we currently don’t have any people from Greece in town. Does anyone know what a myth is?

Star looked around and saw that no one had a hand raised so she raised hers.

Yes, Star? he asked, pointing to her.

Mother say very old story, thing, not know if real.

Correct. For those who have yet to understand Star’s broken English, she said that a myth is an ancient story or something that is unknown if it is real or even if it exists. A few of the Greek gods and goddesses are Zeus, Aphrodite, Hades, and Hera, though there are said to have been hundreds. We do know that real people posed so someone could create the statues though we don’t know if the gods themselves were real.

Jelani Balogun talked about the various Greek gods and goddesses including what history said they did. After, he moved on to mythological heroes such as Hercules among others and the feats that lore said they accomplished. Curious, Duke poised a question to Star who raised her hand to ask the question for the large wolf.

Yes, Star?

Duke want know if animal myth?

A very good question, the teacher said, looking around the class. If there were mythological gods, goddesses, and heroes, could there have been mythological beasts? Bonnie, what do you think?

I’ve heard of a beast that guards the entrance to the gates of Hades, she said in her Scottish accent.

That, students, would be Cerberus, a giant three-headed dog owned by Hades to guard the entrance into the underworld. The same myth says that the dog is so large that it would make Duke look like the size of a pup, so yes, there’s a wide variety of mythological beasts. Other beasts would be unicorns and Pegasus, a winged horse.

He talked about the common beasts within Greek myth for a while and noticed that Star and Duke were listening intently about the subject. When the lunch hour was approaching, he started to wind up his lecture and informed his students about their homework on that subject. They were to write a ten-page report on mythology either within their home country or another country. When Star heard a bell ring, he dismissed the class for lunch and waited for the students to file out before approaching the girl and her wolf friend.

I noticed you were really listening to what I had to say, Bear said, sitting on a nearby desk.

Yes, wonder if black fire horse real or myth, she said. "Me, Duke, fight in dream. In dream, we