The Birds of Lorrane

"The Birds of Lorrane" by William R. Doede is a science fiction story set on a harsh, alien world, where a lone astronaut named Ingomar Bjorgson searches for signs of intelligent life. After crash landing on the desolate planet of Lorrane and enduring a violent storm, Ingomar's hope is renewed when he meets Pisces I and Pisces II, two talking, human-like birds. Though initially surprised, Ingomar soon realises that the birds are cunning and manipulative, yet they also hold the key to surviving the planet's dangers. Together, they navigate the tricky landscape of Lorrane, building a complex bond as they plan a daring escape back to Earth, forcing Ingomar to question what it truly means to be intelligent and a friend in a universe filled with surprises.