The sun is a few hours from rising, and the winds are whistling through the high desert. I hear the leaves from far off trees rush aimlessly over the dry ground, having been made homeless by strong gusts. The monsoon smell is in the air, kicked up dust and the rare hint of humidity with it.

I'm watching the skies. Word has it this remote location has seen some strange sightings and happenings. The local indians, Hualapai, are superstitious and informed me that the sightings are related to Wik-ah-me or as it translates 'Spirit Mountain'. They believe their creator visits the mountain. Some believe the sightings mean good fortune but more suspect it bodes as a dark omen. I spent last night next to a small fire and I put it out with a shovel full of earth so I can have greater visibility. The warmth is still comforting though as this elevation the desert becomes cold and unfriendly. The local medicine man gave me a small charm that is supposed to ward off evil spirits. Well, actually I had to pay a small sum for the charm, but it's the thought that counts. This tribe dates back to at least 500AD and so I respect their beliefs and customs. White man arrived to these lands some 1,370 years later.

The agency sent me out here to investigate. Tech7 is back at the base camp and maintaining radio silence until I signal her. My Zeiss Victory FL 8x42 T* binoculars, with black armor, hang around my neck like a dead weight. I raise them up occasionally to scan anything that catches my eye, but so far I've scored only a few meteors burning up in the earth's upper atmosphere.

Up here in the middle of nowhere, there's more here. I can't explain it. I feel it. Something about this area is older than man. The very ground is whispering to me. I see why they called this area Spirit Mountain. I'm not big into the communing with nature stuff, but I see why some folks love to get away from it all and shake off civilization. I feel one with the mountain and, through it, the Earth.

Why? What is it about this soil here? What's here that makes the land whisper? Is it the stars? No, they are just as brilliant in other parts of the desert. Perhaps something happened here long ago. Perhaps the Grand Canyon and many of the regional landmarks are part of something larger, something ancient.

What's that! It looks like the very fabric of the sky is opening up! The stars are obliterated by something between the Earth and them. It's shaped like a triangle...or a polygon. It's coming closer, blotting out a large portion of the sky.

Oh, no...it's coming at me. It's targeting me...the darkness....the noise! I must get away...run...RUN RUN! RUN!!!

The wind is going crazy, I can hardly see for all the dust kicked up...

Oh my gosh...the rocks here are glowing! The are turning red...now blue...

I hear a strange voice...

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..."This is the Yavapai County Sheriff. These lands are off limits to campers and campfires are strictly prohibited. Please wait for further instructions."

;-)