Author's Note: Wow thanks everyone who's been following this story. I'm having so much fun writing it and reading your reviews, keep them coming. Next chapter isn't far away.

Selva lay on her back staring at the roof, listening to the hum of the ship around her. The room Kar'ja had put her and Jovem in could only be described as a cell. There was only one door, which locked from the outside, the walls were all smooth, as were the floor and ceiling. There was no furniture at all, and the soft red light seemed to emanate from the walls themselves. The three Yaut'ja were standing just outside the door, she could hear them conversing in their clicking, growling language.

'Jovem, how come you have such a good grasp of English?' she asked quietly.

From your mind, sister, I have learned many things, came the reply.

'You can read my mind?'

No...I can learn some things, but other parts of your mind are locked to me.

'Like thoughts and memories?'

Yes. Did you always live apart from others of your kind?

'No. When I was young I lived with my parents. We travelled around the world, they worked on old cities, digging up history. Then they left, and I decided to live by myself.'

Why? Could you not go live with others?

'Yes, I could have...I suppose I decided not to because when we used to stay with my grandparents for holidays, their lives always seemed so busy and complicated. I just didn't want to live like that, always worrying about every little thing. Life is simpler living alone in the jungle.'

Where did they go, your parents?

'I dunno. There was a war, soldiers took them away. What about your parents?'

My kind don't know our fathers. My Queen, mother, was killed by the hunters on the day you found me, along with my siblings. I am the only one who escaped.

Tears in her eyes, Selva sat up and embraced him. 'We need to get out of here, the longer we wait, the further we get from home,' she whispered. Releasing him, she got to her feet and walked over to the door. She raised her hand to bang on it, then reconsidered, kicking it instead. 'Hey! I need the bathroom!' she yelled, figuring that was the best way to get their attention. She kicked the door again. 'Hey! Did you hear me? I need the bathroom!'

Kar'ja sighed and opened the door. This Ooman was apparently going to be annoying, but the Elder had ordered him to watch her and the kainde amedha. She was standing in front of the door, arms crossed over her chest. The kainde amedha was curled up on the floor behind her, watching him.

'I need the bathroom!' she repeated, staring at him.

'Bathroom,' he repeated, trilling questioningly.

'You know, toilet. To dispose of bodily waste.'

Kar'ja stood there, mentally translating and processing her words. Understanding, he motioned for her to follow him. She stepped out of the cell and tried to run. He had been expecting her to try to escape, but this was a pathetic attempt. He grabbed her arm easily...then let go as the kainde amedha barrelled into him. Damn! He hit the floor hard, the kainde amedha on top of him. He kicked at his opponent, who leapt off of him. He move to sit up but was knocked back by the stool he'd been sitting on, swung by the Ooman. He let out a roar and managed to get to one knee. The kainde amedha rammed into him again. He rolled back, trying to get some space so he could collect himself. Before he knew what was happening, the cell door had shut on him. With a growl of frustration, he started typing on his wrist computer.

Selva set the stool down and grinned at Jovem. 'That worked well. Let's go, that won't stop him for long.' They ran off down the passageway, leaving the cell behind.

'How do you know where to go?' Selva asked as they ran. Jovem was in the lead.

I don't know. Instinct maybe. I just feel that we should go this way.

'Well, my instincts have usually led me the right way, no reason to think yours wouldn't do the same. And I have no idea where we should go anyway.'

A few turns later, they reached a large room that was occupied by the other two Yaut'ja. Selva swore under her breath.

Hide, Jovem told her. She glanced at him, he seemed confident. She looked around the hallway and decided on just ducking behind one of the curved columns that lined the walls of this particular passageway. Once he was sure she was hidden, Jovem ran into the room, quickly attracting the attention of the Yaut'ja. Seconds later, the three of them darted past Selva's hiding place. She waited until their footsteps told her they were quite far away, then slipped into the room. She walked straight to what appeared to be the main control panel. She had no experience with technology, save for using her parents' satellite phone and various cameras. The symbols on the large desk were familiar, similar ones were carved into some of the temple walls, but she couldn't read them. She shrugged and pushed a button. The screen above the desk, which had shown the blackness of space outside, lit up with a new image. Movement behind her announced Jovem's return. She was staring at the screen, which showed a lot of creatures like Jovem. It appeared to be a nest, eggs were standing up all over the floor of a large cavern.

Queen. Hive.

She pulled her gaze from the screen to look at Jovem. He was studying the image, completely engrossed in it. Her heart fell. There was a place out there that he could call home after all. She turned in time to see the Yaut'ja approaching. Leaving Jovem staring at the screen, she walked to meet them, hands out in front of her. They stopped just inside the room, eyeing her carefully.

'I'm sorry. Can...can you take us to a...hive? I think it would be best for Jovem,' she said pleadingly.

Kar'ja stepped forward and only then did she notice that all three had their wrist blades out.