Leif in the Wind

Ena and Brennan struggle to recall Leif from his outing on the surface of Beta Andromeda.  Brennan radios him, but Leif speaks cryptically of solar winds and tiny birds.  Ena pleads with Leif, reminding him that their mission is over and that their fifteen-year journey to Earth must begin.  Leif falls silent.  

Worried that Leif and Brennan will die like her other crewmates, Ena fears that she will succumb to madness aboard the spaceship alone.  Leif breaks in over the radio, describing the colorful plumage of myriad birds. Brennan dismisses Leif as delusional, insisting that the planet is lifeless. Leif explains that the creatures appear large from afar and small up close.

Brennan dons his spacesuit and prepares to retrieve Leif. Ena begs Leif to return, offering him favors and enticements. Spreading his arms and turning in circles, Leif exclaims that the birds are nesting inside of him.  Brennan steps out from the airlock. 

Ena drifts through the ship and finds the frozen corpse of Walt, her crewmate and partner.  She confides in him that she is likely to sleep with either or both of Leif and Brennan.