In an undisclosed location, a middle aged woman sits on a couch, holding a steaming cup of tea. A man in a white suit walks into the room, followed by another carrying camera equipment.
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"I apologize for your wait, Sra. Lorenzo. Marcus had camera trouble," the man says, sitting down in an armchair by the couch. "You had said that you saw something that we may find interesting?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt06mqgxSeW
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Sra. Lorenzo nods. "Sí, señor."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsZ63YhE8a
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"Please, just call me Alistair--and speak casualty to me. Don't mind Marcus and his camera. He is just recording so he can type up our conversation later." He smiles. "Now, please. Do tell about your experience."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAQtw4Er5x
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The woman takes a long sip of tea before she begins. "My husband and I were driving one night just outside of Arica to see our son. This... thing run in front of our car and we had to stop very quickly."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f3skCh41b
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"Can you describe the thing?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJJQCRDCzh
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She nods, biting her bottom lip. "It was big, very big. Like a big bird...but it wasn't a bird. It's face." She pauses and looks at the ceiling. "It's face was like a dog, but longer."
"I see. It wasn't furry? You're positive it had feathers?"
"Sí. It was not a dog. It was too big."
Alistairs nods slowly. "How did it appear to walk?"
"On it's large back feet."
"And it wasn't a kangaroo?"
Sra. Lorenzo shakes her head. "No...Well, I don't know. It was kangaroo-like, but it had feathers."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDHJVSB0Vs
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He nods and smiles at her. "Alright then. Thank you for your testimony, Señora. When you're ready, Marcus will take you to Olivia for your reward."
"Thank you, Don Alistair." She smiles, standing up slowly. The camera man sits his camcorder on the table and helps her up. "And thank you, señor."
Marcus nods stiffly. "This way," he says, gently but quickly leading her from the room.
Alistair watches as they leave. He then stands with a sigh and walks over to a large window and looks out at the trees. The trees are leafless. The surrounding grasses are pale and bleak.
He shakes his head and glances over his shoulder. "Anna!"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8ZMVC9VKM
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"Yes, Dr. Johnston?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiE2e1Ddyh
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He turns and looks at the young woman with a raised brow. "Oh, didn't hear you come in. I want you to gather a team and send them to Chile. This is the fifth sighting this month from Arica. If there's a population, I'm sure there will be young ones somewhere. They're to find one for our studies."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIJp83zIGD
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"Yes, sir." Her red head bobs a quick curtsy before she scurries out.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrClFbGycWh
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Alistair returns to looking out the window. "It would be too cold here for a hatchling if they do find one," he mutters to himself. "Anna!"
The redhead pokes her head back around the corner. "Yes, sir?"
"Have Station 2 prepared for when it is obtained."
"Yes, sir."
"Good." He sighs and leans his arm on the window. He watches a small black bird land on a branch. "Perhaps this time we'll beat Skelton."
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