"Vero, get out of there! You'll be killed!"

Vero heard Luna's cry but dismissed it. Instead he waded further into the shallows and allowed the ocean to pummel him with its unbridled anger. "I've made up my mind," he signaled back to his friend and longtime associate. "It's the only way." "But you don't know if your theories are correct," she answered. "Is it worth risking your life?"

Vero didn't need to consider the question. "Yes, it is. Countless thousands have died since the creatures invaded our world. How many more will die before someone finds the courage to make contact with them?"

But Luna wasn't convinced. "You're assuming there's something to make contact with. There's no proof that –"

"Yes, there is!" Vero cried, bristling with anger. How many times would he have to repeat this? "The creatures show the same organizational structure as whales or dolphins. We've observed coordinated hunts among them, mating rituals, territoriality, the use of tools, and in some cases activities that can only be described as 'play.' They're not just hulking monsters. They are intelligent. I know it!" "Be that as it may," Luna answered tersely. "You're betting your life on the chance that you can communicate with one of them. Not the smartest move for our nation's 'greatest' scientist."

It was an honorary title given to him by the ruling council for his studies on the Surf Monsters. He'd told Luna that, at the time, it had sounded more like an epitaph. "Consider the source," he said with a wry grin, "how great can I be if those geniuses are the judges?"

Luna didn't have time to comment on his disrespectful and cantankerous nature. A familiar thumping was resonating through the surf. "Surf Monster on approach," she signaled him. "Looks like a small one and it's heading straight for you."

"Are the observers all in place?" Vero asked. "I want 360 degree coverage. Whatever happens, do not come to my aid. Observe and," he hesitated, "if I fail, determine why. Don't let the council shut down the program. We must learn to communicate with them."

The pounding of the approaching monster grew loud enough to rival the waves themselves. Every instinct in Vero's body told him to run. But instead he shook himself loose of the sand and dirt and made sure the creature could see him. It immediately came into his field of vision. It was a small one yet it towered over him. It was at least a hundred times larger than he was. It bellowed in a way that he'd categorized as happy and began to slap its limbs together. Then, it reached out with one of its appendages and scooped him off his feet.

Vero fought to keep focused but the sensations were threatening to overwhelm him. The sudden rush of movement, the water in which he'd been sitting spilling away over the edges of this enormous fin, the air and sunlight buffeting him as he shot up into the sky, it was almost too much! But it had to be done. Turning quickly he faced his captor. He'd have only one chance to make this work.

"Daddy!" the monster bellowed, "I found a hermit crab!"

Vero theorized that these vocalizations were some sort of communication. Rudimentary perhaps, but enough so that the Surf Monsters could coordinate their actions. The question was: could they communicate in a higher manner. Vero extended his eyestalks and attempted to make contact with the creature. Earlier experiments at distance communication had failed. But if a visual link could be established, if he could look into the creature's eyes, maybe then they could communicate. A second creature now came into view. It was much larger than his captor. Vero gulped hard. If they fought over him, if there was a territorial display, the experiment would fail.

"That's nice honey," the larger monster hooted, "now put it back."

Vero's captor lifted him higher in order to examine him. She seemed to be ignoring the larger creature. Obviously, she was refusing to acquiesce to his demands. But her act of defiance was giving Vero the opportunity he so desperately wanted. She was lifting him within inches of her large flat eyes. It was the closest anyone had ever gotten to one of these creatures. Vero stared at her. "My name is Vero," he thought as loudly as he could. "My name is Vero."

"Hello Mr. Crab," the creature vocalized, "my name is Sally," The sound was senseless but the thoughts were clear. Vero had understood her thoughts. Stunned, he rocked back on his legs and nearly lost his grip on his shell.

"Sally," the second creature called out, too distant to be understood. "It's time to go. Put it back and get out of the water."

The creature lowered Vero gently into the surf. "Good bye, Mr. . . ." The creature's expression seemed to change. "Vero? That's a funny name." She began giggling as she moved away.

Vero was in shock. He'd done it. He'd communicated with a Surf Monster. It had heard him and he had understood it. And it had a name – it was intelligent!"

"Vero! Vero!" The thoughts intruded upon his own with a desperate urgency. "Are you all right?" It was Luna. She and the other observers were now swarming around him. "What happened?"

Vero turned his eyestalks upon them. "What happened?" and he began laughing. "What happened! More than you can guess, Luna. More than I could have dreamed. It's all changed now. Everything has changed." And as he laughed his assistants watched him with frightened concern. For not one of them could guess what the future would hold.