Initium’s blistering sun would rise in a few hours and George had still not emerged.

 

“Maybe we should just tell the others,” said Delia.

 

“Tell them what? Our proof is circumstantial. Accusing a team member of concealing a big find so he can take the credit is serious stuff,” replied Sven.

 

“We can prove he’s been sneaking out on a hoverbike in the middle of the night.”

 

“Maybe he can’t sleep.”

 

“C’mon, Sven,” said Delia. “He’s breaking at least five rules and George may be a bit eccentric but he's not a rebel. There’s a damn good reason for him doing this. We’re under pressure to produce soon or the mission is over, and this is George’s last chance for glory.”

 

The multi-national expedition had come to Initium – Latin for beginning – to discover the origins of human kind. On Earth it was widely believed that Neolithic man had been “seeded” by an alien species. Fragments of bone-like material collected by probes on Initium indicated the planet’s inhabitants could be the seeders. But the age-old samples were badly degraded and far from conclusive. The expedition’s mission was to explore the uninhabited planet and look for evidence of past civilizations. After two years of intense searching the team of scientists had found nothing.

 

George suddenly appeared out of the main building. Delia and Sven watched from their secret perch in a storage hut as the man made his way to the bike compound, all the while checking to see if he had been seen.

 

“Okay, here we go,” said Sven.

 

When the British paleoecologist was out of sight they mounted hoverbikes and tracked him. The two scientists followed their colleague across Initium’s ancient alluvial plain. At last George stopped and they steered their bikes behind a rise to watch. Their quarry entered a small hexagonal dome structure.

 

“Got you, you old bastard. How should we play this?” asked Delia.

 

“I say we confront him, get the evidence, and report back" said Sven and adjusted the weapon in his side holster.

 

“Did you have to bring that thing?”

 

“We don’t know how he’ll react, Delia.”

 

“George is not the violent type.”

 

“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” Sven insisted.

 

They approached the dome and dismounted. George, moving awkwardly in his suit, appeared out of the structure. He put down a container and straightened, suddenly noticing his visitors. At first he was surprised, then seemed to accept their presence and waved.

 

“I expect you have come about my little side project!” he said and laughed.

 

“What project, George?” said Sven, one hand near the holster.

 

“Allow me to show you,” grinned the older man.

 

Delia and Sven followed George into the dome.

 

At the center of a clutter of containers, digging implements and equipment, was a young tree.

 

“What the hell is that?” said Delia.

 

“Ah! Leave it to the American to ask the no-nonsense question,” said George jovially. “Pseudotsuga menziesii, the Douglas Fir.”

 

“What’s it doing here?” asked Sven.

 

“The Douglas Fir is commonly known as the Christmas Tree. I grew it for the team.”

 

“Why?” said Delia.

 

Initium's soil, climate, and atmosphere provided a high-growth cocktail for plant life. But most plants did not survive for long in the planet’s supercharged environment.

 

“I found the seeds in our store and wasn’t sure whether they would take, hence my secretive manner. With lots of TLC I managed to cultivate them, but suspect the tree will perish in time. Meanwhile, it is a living reminder of Earth. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

 

“You sure succeeded there. But I still don’t get it,” said Delia, who was not given to sentimentality.

 

“It is Christmas on Earth in two of our days. I am hoping a real Christmas tree grown right here on Initium will lift morale. Help us to celebrate a day of unity and common purpose. I suppose I’m an old romantic at heart!”

 

“Well, it’ll be an excuse to break out some booze,” smiled Sven.

 

“That’s the spirit!” said George. “Can you help me transport the tree to base and position it in the mess hall?”

 

They agreed and loaded the fir onto a sled. Before they departed, George turned to his colleagues.

 

“It occurs to me that perhaps you suspected I was up to something far more sinister. Such as hiding some important discovery?”

 

The other two appeared to be taken aback.

 

“No way!” said Sven. “We were just curious, that’s all.”

 

“That’s harsh, George," saId Delia.

 

“You’re right, my apologies. And not in the spirit we intend.”

 

“Exactly,” said Sven.

 

“Shame on you,” added Delia.

 

“I shall never mention it again,” promised George. “Can we put it behind us?”

 

The other two shrugged.

 

“Splendid! Thank you. Well, shall we go?”

 

The three humans set off across the plain with their Christmas gift in tow.