probable

He read the last line over, took a deep breath. There were some fears
one never fully overcame.

Not that Fear stood large in his mind---seventy Earth years were enough
to teach him how meaningless that word was in the end. Fear of death
was not only something he had never known, but something he had never
understood in others. His Cherokee blood, perhaps. He did not dread
it. Now, more and more he almost welcomed death, so long as it was
honorable and not cheap.

But this was pointless. He had to decide on an entry and find a place
to land, and hope his breathing mask could make something of the
strange planet's 'air'. Then take on as much oxygen as possible.
Then. What?

GO BACK AND FIGHT THEM AGAIN. He was tired.

Simin crawled out from the heart of the stone, upwards through the long
carven tunnel. Coming to a meeting of ways met a brother, touched
antennae lightly---vibrations in the sky - yes brother I will come.
Followed twice left and right outward toward the canyon. The way grew
wider, more brothers, out into the serrated caves opening far above the
valley, came to the broad ledge. As one the heads of twenty mai rose
to watch the yellow flame descending. Touch---as before---moved to
look out from the rim of the ledge, front legs suspended in the air.
The shell was landing in a wide plain among the hills beyond the
valley, at the foot of the Mountains of Teeth.

Joining.

As before - down from the sky - bright flame, shell - two legs - I do
not know brother. Summon queen, others - not yet I think. But we must
- brought to us - gods - no, too small - perhaps this one is different.
Must act as one - yes, as one - I think it is so. Yes brothers, I
will go.

*

Shannon opened the hatch and looked out, long white hair pushed back as
the wind swept past his hawk nose and weathered features. His face was
red as brick. Intense, steel-gray eyes looked straight ahead.

Scattered patches of some yellow-brown foliage skirted the edges of red
stone that rippled up in curving waves from the dark and rocky soil.
Before him lay the rock-strewn plain, beyond it long low hills. He had
purposely avoided the shadowy chasm beyond. The sky was pale gold, to
auburn at the edges.

There had not been enough oxygen left for him to wait long inside the
ship. The air-lock stood closed behind him. It was a naked feeling as
he took those first breaths, sounding loudly through t