The probe violently slammed into a sand berm with such velocity that the point of impact was turned to glass crystals. The tiny ship continued tumblin... and bouncing across the dunes, leaving a trail of crumpled debris behind the agonizing screams of its occupant. With a final wallowing hop, the careening mass slammed into a crater wall and disintegrated into rubble as the shields collapsed and the sole occupant was violently thrown through the only viewing portal onto the wind-whipped sand. A. Other than the one spot where the attacker had knelt, there was no sign of them.After continuing to search the woods with all of my senses for the better part of an hour and coming up empty, I slowly walked back to my shelter, glancing behind myself every few steps."Its not paranoia if they are really out to get you," I muttered to myself coldly.Before entering the tent I knelt down and picked up the arrow from the sand and carried it back into the tent with me.Convinced whoever had been. She was solid, perhaps the productof years of work. Now she grabbed me firmly on the arm, just above myelbow and walked me over to the bathroom. She opened the hamper with herfree arm and told me to take the clothes down to the first-floorwashroom."And be quick about it. We have a lot of work for a helpful girl likeyou."I threw the clothes into another basket and quickly walked out of theroom and toward the steps. On the steps I met Tonya, who looked at mewith wide eyes when she saw me. I would hate like hell to be forced to turn around and drive home." I said."Not to worry Porter honey, you are the invitation," she said with a smile."Oh that sounds rather interesting," I suggested. The Brit and Jeremy followed behind. "So how did you know about this party." There is always a party in Mountain home. The question is only what is your perversion of choice. Surely you remember that." Mary Ellen said with a smile."Don't get the idea that entertaining my friends gets you off the.