The shuttle landed smoothly in between the trees. Air drifted through the corridors, stirring around their feet as the excitement set in. For an entire year, Lex had been off with aliens doing things she never dreamed possible. Now, she waited for the metal doors to open and familiar greenery to welcome her.

Metal hatches creaked open, settling on the forest floor. Wildlife had run by now, fearing the new threat in their beloved domain.

Lex stepped out, followed by her mate, Scar. His brother, Celtic, flanked his side along with Night. Molten and Jag followed suit in bringing up the rear of the strange group. The metal doors closed behind them and the ship itself dissolved into the environment. It's deadly but mysterious aura still wavered in the field, keeping back any curious eyes, man or animal.

Lex trembled slightly at the sight of home just a few miles ahead. Not knowing who or what now inhabited her cabin home, she had Night pull their ship into a more discrete location. She fingered her braided hair, feeling the texture of the rough beads against smooth dark hair.

Scars lightly tattooed her skin from the battles she faced and won. Animal skin clothing hung loosely to her figure while her netting clung more tightly, becoming a second skin to her.

Scar stayed close behind her as they walked to her home. His gray hide had only a little bit of green to camouflage him in the forest. Instead of trying to be invisible, he let anyone close see him, unafraid of the animals or humans who might catch him bare to the naked eye. Unlike him,

Celtic blended in much more appropriately with his green dominating skin. Both males flanked Lex while the rest cloaked themselves.

Molten stayed just a few meters ahead at all times. He kept cloaked, his reddish hues and volcanic ash spots, the very things that gave him his nickname, would only be noticed quickly.

Jag walked beside them, off about three yards to cover their left, and despite having his earthy texture, let the technology keep him hidden.

Night, much like Jag, stayed three yards to the right. His dark tones of navy and black kept him in the same boat as Molten and therefore he remained invisible.

Finally, the trees broke, giving way to the overgrown back yard. They treaded lightly at first but soon came to the conclusion that nobody was home. Bills stacked high in front of her door, signifying the lots of unhappy people who visited her. She kicked them aside, finding her extra key and opened the door for the rest of the group. Most had already seen her place but that had been before the leaking roof and the piling dust.

A spark of sorrow filled Lex at the unkept sight but she moved past it to where her laptop lay dead. She collected a few things that they would need and motioned for them to leave.

Scar stopped her, heading to her room for a few things. Some of her mountain gear, the few things she had collected on her travels. She let him, a bit grateful for his interference. She would have left them behind, even if she thought about them often.

Lex locked the door and without a word, they began back to the ship.

"You wanted nothing else?" Scar spoke quietly into her ear, his warm breath tickling her nape.

His English improved greatly since she had first met him even though he still had a rough accent that tethered the edges of each sentence.

"No, we can use this to find her. Let's just hurry." Lex didn't speak much after that.

She hadn't spoken to anyone the entire trip except for short, clipped responses. After dinner in the ship, Lex stayed outside, letting the chill of the night come over her. Scar waited until almost dawn for her return, she finally did come back to their room just before sunrise.

Night carefully maneuvered them back out into the atmosphere, heading towards the location Lex had given him before bed. He had no one to help guide him or to let him know the best place to land so he stayed far from the suburb this woman resided in. He touched down in an alcove of trees.

Lex stayed asleep for most of the morning, choosing to take her time in getting to Night at the helm.

"Where to?"

"We head to her aunt's house. Just Scar and me, the rest should stay here." Lex turned to leave.

"Lex." Molten stopped her. "We will wait here, sei-i. Should you need us, call. She is one of us and we will treat her as such." His words brought a smile to her face and her shoulders almost sagged in relief.

"Thank you, guys. Smaller numbers are less likely to get caught and I'm only scouting. If Miana doesn't look to be there, we'll move on." She nodded to them and left to dress.

"What bothers you?" Scar purred behind her, strapping her gauntlet to her wrist.

"We haven't spoken in two years, Scar. She's not going to be happy." She steadied herself against his chest, letting him continue to armor her up.

"You are friends. I'm sure everything will be alright in the end." His mandibles played with her hair, scratching at her scalp before he released her.

Together, they left the ship in search for Miana.