The Hyperion had at last entered the outer reaches of PLW-742256R's system. The Shroud generator was deactivated, the Beringer's Shroud dissipated instantly and the Hyperion began its approach now crawling at sub-light speed.

PLW-742256R was the smallest of the four planets within the system, the other three were large gas giants, each easily 30% larger than Jupiter. In high orbit, the Hyperion's crew began their preliminary observations. At roughly half the size of Earth, the surface of PLW-742256R was approximately 62% water, with some of it set as small ice caps trapped at the magnetic poles. The Colonel promptly informed the crew that the Hyperion had arrived and was now maintaining a high orbit, an announcement that Shyfer desperately wanted to make himself but the Colonel would never give away such rare privilege. The Colonel's announcement incited mass hysteria as the entire crew rushed to the starboard side to lay eyes on their collective goal first hand. The long-range probe data certainly didn't do the new world justice. The planet glowed of iridescent green and blue like a shimmering opal in the vast nothingness that consumed it, an obvious beacon in the form of a rock gifted with the ability to support life.

In one of the starboard common rooms for non-military personnel, Felix and Maddison had their first glimpse of the new world.

"Wow, just look at all that green. It looks so much like Earth, well more so ancient Earth," declared Maddison in wonder as her breath fogged up the view-port. She sat back down with Felix. "Looks to me, like a single mega-continent," she added.

"It is," chimed in Dr Alfred Gorelli, a geologist who was sitting on the other side of Felix. "But there are also tens of thousands of small island chains scattered along the coastlines. The largest scanned so far is no more than 5 kilometres in length," he added. "Mind you, given there is such an abundance of photosynthesising life, the chances of animal life being present also is quite high. Good news for you guys I guess," Alfred snorted as he chuckled.

"I'd wager it's quite primitive," said Felix finally weighing in, "who knows Maddie, we might even get to dissect a dinosaur," he laughed.

Alfred nodded silently to himself pondering that it could very well be possible.

"You're such a goof," grunted Maddison as she attempted halfheartedly to push Felix off his chair.

As the Hyperion descended slowly into the upper atmosphere, a trio of UAV's were launched to acquire the next stage of preliminary data. Within minutes the good news started to come through, much to the approval of the Hyperion's chain of command. The UAV data had an accurate analysis and breakdown of the atmospheric composition from various altitudes. Most importantly, at sea-level, it was 73% Nitrogen, 26% Oxygen and the final 1% as mostly Argon with nothing sinister to concern humans in the remainder. The UAV scans confirmed the presence of multiple life signs, but no sign of any civilisations, energy signatures or advanced life beyond the herding creatures seen grazing in open fields.

***

As protocol dictated, and derived directly from the mandates themselves, it would take several weeks to scan the majority of the surface properly, utilising dozens of UAV's for any signs of sentient life. Major Sova was well aware of this and yet, due to his impatience or perhaps a quest for glory and praise, he urged his staff to pressure the engineers into narrowing the scanning field parameters in an attempt to speed up the process tenfold. Sova waited two weeks as the scans filtered through only a minute fraction of the surface with no significant findings, then finalised his rather lacking preliminary report for the Colonel to sign off on. Sova knew full well that the Colonel had little interest in the elaborate facts and figures of the report and would only skim towards the conclusion for the summary of findings.

Major Sova appeared slightly nervous as he handed over his report personally to the Colonel. Lt. Shyfer was instructed to excuse himself and he waited outside the Colonel's office pouting that he wasn't permitted to stay and eavesdrop on their conversation. Sova's gambit paid off, the Colonel seemed pleased as he was handed the data pad and after half a minute or so of skimming he smiled.

"Hmmm," the Colonel looked up at the Major as his face lit up. "This is fantastic!" he declared, "we may have just hit the jackpot with this one."

"Couldn't agree more Sir," smiled Sova. "Looks like I picked a winner," he chuckled.

"Indeed it does. I'm so glad I let you pick this one, how was it again, a throw of the die?" asked the Colonel.

Sova smiled. "A coin toss it was Sir," he replied rather proudly. The Colonel smiled then dismissed Sova for it was time to make the announcement and prepare the Hyperion for atmospheric entry.

For the very first time, the Hyperion touched down on a planet. Landing in an open savanna 6,000km south of the equator. A large dust cloud shrouded the Titan for a few moments until the prevailing winds cleared the air.

There were cheers all around as the Hyperion's crew rejoiced in their unprecedented success to date.

Not wasting any time, Major Sova instructed his Senior Captain to organise the first geological survey party at once.

The Hyperion then birthed a Behemoth. Heavily armoured, these 8 wheeled armoured personnel carriers boasted both speed and a heavy armament, along with room to accommodate up to 16 crew on extended operations in the field far from their Titan. Leading the scouting mission was Lieutenant 1st class Lloyd Niezen. Under his command he had his sergeant, a corporal, and 9 troopers. They were the security detail for the scientists whilst they collected mineral samples and took countless readings. Much to Felix's disappointment, a geologist and geochemist were the first scientists to be sent into the field.

The Behemoth travelled East for a few hours, UAV data reported that the closest mountain range was 278km from the Hyperion's landing site. As the scattered trees increased in density, rocky protrusions became more frequent. Dr Gorelli advised Lt. Niezen to make a stop to begin their survey. Lt. Niezen gave the order and the trooper driving brought the Behemoth to a standstill.

The entire crew piled out and at first no one spoke. They shielded their eyes from the intense sunlight for that brief moment until their visor lenses compensated. One of the troopers dropped to his knees, seemingly overcome by the vastness of a world not encased in by all sides.

"On your feet Trooper!" barked Sergeant Baxter standing over the trooper, looking ready to kick him. The trooper clambered to his feet and the remaining troopers fell into formation. Sergeant Baxter remained at Lt. Niezen's side as they observed the scientists setting up their equipment. The troopers were given orders to form a perimeter 40m from the Behemoth.

His anxiety only growing, the ailing trooper again lost his footing. He stumbled trying to right himself, sweating profusely with his stomach retching, he removed his helmet as he moved behind a boulder to go unseen by his comrades. As he wiped his mouth, he looked up to see a large four-legged animal standing just 10m from him. The creature exhaled a sharp breath of agitation. As his eyes focused, the trooper counted 18 creatures in total, the closest being the only one so far to have noticed him. Trooper Parkes slowly raised the barrel of his rail-rifle but the creature had already launched itself.

A burst of three rounds sang out. One of the rounds found the creature's heart, quite a lucky shot considering Trooper Parkes had closed his eyes, utterly terrified as he squeezed the trigger.

Lt. Niezen's first attempt over the radio was completely suppressed as the remainder of the herd fled in a thunderous uproar. He repeated himself.

"Who discharged their weapon!? Does anyone have eyes?" demanded Niezen. A trooper promptly responded to advise that they no longer had line of sight with Trooper Parkes and that his position now looked as though a dust storm was passing through.

"I'm on it Sir," grunted Sergeant Baxter as he pointed to the two closest troopers. "You and you, with me," and the trio charged off toward the rising dust left by the panicked herd.

As they rounded the boulder, they came upon the creature. It was found collapsed, on the verge of death, its breathing shallow and laboured. Lying at the creature's side was the partially exposed and trampled body of Trooper Parkes.

Sargent Baxter and the troopers proceeded to drag the rest of Trooper Parkes' body out from under his assassin.

"Parkes is dead Sir, looks like he's had a run in with a local," Baxter reported to his lieutenant.

"Predatory?" enquired Niezen with caution to his voice.

"Don't think so Sir, looks more like a grazer. Idiot must've spooked it into charging or maybe it's territorial, really not my speciality here. We found them lying side by side," replied Baxter. But their conversation was interrupted by a priority radio channel.

"Lieutenant, this is Captain Fitzroy. Have the creature's remains brought back to the ship for study."

"Sir, the creature is still alive," added Baxter.

"Then kill it," responded Fitzroy. The Captain's response was bitterly cold. "Lieutenant, your mission is scrubbed, claim the creature and return to the Hyperion at once."

"Understood, Sir," Niezen responded, sounding less than impressed. Four more shots were fired as Baxter attempted to put the poor creature out of its misery. The beast's skull was remarkably thick, the sidearm rounds ricocheted in multiple directions, one almost nailing the trooper to Baxter's right. Baxter opted instead to fire a few more into the already bleeding wound that initially dropped the creature, he took no pleasure in it and cursed Fitzroy under his breath.

***

That afternoon back onboard the Hyperion, the creature's lifeless remains were sprawled out on a bench in front of Felix and Maddison. A disgruntled Dr Solanki ran tests on blood and tissue samples, while Felix and Maddison dove right into the dissection. The creature was a large quadruped, almost two meters high at the shoulder. It rather resembled a bison, save for a sparse black coat.

"How's this!?" proclaimed Carl as he got up and ran across the laboratory. "It is carbon-based, and just as we thought, the haemoglobin contains iron. This creature could pass for having evolved on Earth!" A machine chimed in the background, having finished running an analysis. Carl ran back over to read the data before Felix and Maddison could even respond. "You're not going to believe this!" he yelled again from across the lab.

"What is it?" enquired Maddison practically drooling at the mouth.

"The DNA, it's a 97.6% match for Bos Taurus," claimed Carl frantically.

"You're kidding! How is that even possible?" gasped Maddison.

"Run it through again, we have to be certain before making an announcement like that," declared Felix apathetically.

"I have! Three times now, there's no mistake," defended Carl as he scowled.

"Wow, this is huge," uttered Maddison trembling, "I mean the probability alone is just staggering." Maddison drifted off into an external monologue under her breath as Felix and Carl continued to analyse the data. It was determined that the creature contained no pathogens to cause alarm. With infectious disease ruled out the quarantine status of the laboratory was lifted, so they removed their CBRN suits and the examination continued in more comfortable attire.

"Let's just call it a bison and be done with it," declared Carl.

"Well that's just boring, not to mention its coat is far too thin. It looks completely different!" argued Felix.

"So, a balding bison then?" shrugged Carl jokingly.

"And that's why you're not in charge," snapped Felix in a condescending tone. Carl scowled but remained silent.

"I've got it! The perfect name," announced Maddison as she snapped out of her mumbling trance. Felix and Carl paused and looked to her with great expectation. "How about, we call them Ro'cals?"

"Ro... cals?" questioned Carl without a clue as to what Maddison was on about.

"Interesting, so what's your basis then?" asked Felix holding his chin pretending to be on the same page.

"Why Latin of course," she hummed matter-of-factly. "That frontal section of the skull peaks at 152mm thick, a very hard head indeed. So from the Latin for iron skull we have ferro calva," elaborated Maddison. "I just shortened it a bit to sound better," she added, rather chuffed with her own creativity.

"Beauty and brains," sighed Carl off to her side.

Maddison cringed ever so slightly, she hadn't had to tell Carl off for a few weeks now. In light of their amazing new discovery she nodded slightly but just left him be.

Felix tried not to snicker too obnoxiously as Maddison got up and moved to over to busy herself elsewhere, moving a few surgical tools around the bench-top.

"Very good, it shall go into my report," advised Felix with a smile. Maddison responded cheerfully with several nods of approval and a goofy smile.

As the three finished up their examination and began compiling notes the main entrance to the lab opened. In stepped Major Sova with Captain Fitzroy by his side. They approached the cadaver without any introduction and nodded at each other as they scanned the creature with their eyes like a pair of circling vultures.

"Well Doctors, what can you tell me about it?" enquired Major Sova as he straightened his back.

Felix stood to address them. "Well Sir, it really is quite remarkable."

"Oh really?" the Major interrupted with childlike curiosity.

"Yes Sir, the specimen is carbon based and aside from its slightly different appearance, the creature is essentially a big cow," explained Felix.

"You mean the beef animal?" Sova asked confusedly.

"Yes Sir, the beef animal," Felix answered apathetically as if speaking to an irritating child. "The sample DNA differs from our beef strain in the Protein slabs by only 2.4%," added Felix.

"My, that is remarkable, and what of its flesh? Would it be say, safe for human consumption?" enquired Sova.

Felix hesitated, taken back by the Major's bizarre and unexpected question. "Well, I suppose Sir, there are no pathogens or toxins present, so I can't see why it wouldn't be safe, but without further testing I could only speculate as to its nutritional value, if it has any at that," answered Felix. "Why do you ask Sir?"

Captain Fitzroy's face turned an intense shade of red. He looked ready to strike Felix down for having questioned the Major.

Sova smiled and waved off Fitzroy to contain himself and smiled back to Felix.

"Who knows Doctor, something like this may well end up as emergency rations for our new colony one day." With that, Sova gave a nod to Captain Fitzroy who promptly left the lab to retrieve someone.

Waiting outside were a pair of kitchen-hands from the galley. They looked over the carcass then one mumbled something to the Major. The Major nodded and the kitchen-hands proceeded to remove a hind leg with the rump attached and other sections along the spine. The three scientists looked on in astonishment and silence for a few minutes as the kitchen-hands finished their butchery and wrapped their prizes before leaving without a word.

"Fantastic work you three!" declared Sova causing the trio to regain their senses. "Be at the ready, we expect to encounter many more specimens on this new world. So you will certainly be kept busy."

"Yes Sir!" the three responded in unison, then the Major and Captain Fitzroy left the lab both grinning.