Asanka struggled through the underground tunnel and scrambled onto the top of the plateau managing with difficulty to keep the egg safe and unbroken. It was not particularly heavy and stronger than it looked but it was an awkward size and shape to carry. A long, steep grassy slope now led back up to the safety of warding station six. The boy was more than half way there when he realised that the returning alegoyle had detected his presence. He began to run, clutching his trophy to his chest, his heart and legs pounding and his breathing coming fast and loud. In the sky behind him an angry alegoyle glided on silent wings. The chase felt as though it lasted forever but fortunately the boy had a long start because his own progress up the hill was agonisingly slow and the alegoyle was fast. At last though, the defences of the warding station came in sight and only just in time. For many long and anxious seconds as he passed the first of the rim sensors Asanka wondered if the station had done its job or if this time the alegoyle would ignore the ultrasound. Perhaps the theft of the egg had raised it to a level of ire which would drive it on through the station's defences until it grasped him in those killing talons? He crouched panting heavily behind the main generator dome, watching the great sky beast slow, cry out and beat its wings to rise above the painful noise. It seemed to hesitate at the top of the arc and he knew it had a clear sight of him. Then with a loud call of frustration if wheeled around and back to the roost.