The Dead-Star Rover by Robert Abernathy — Read

It was a red dawn, for the sun rose behind the dust that still hovered over the track of the southbound herd. In the west the sky was dark blue above the flatly shimmering water of the great dead sea.

The whole terrapin tribe, save for the indispensable lookouts, was assembled in the open space of the ringed camp. A hush lay on them as they gazed on the prisoner in their midst -- honored last night among his peers, this morning guilty of hideous treason. There was no need for trial; it only remained to condemn him.