"Rikkor! Hurry up, we haven't got all day!"

Professor Rikkor rolled his eyes but picked up the pace to get to the incubator.

"What have you been doing, anyway? Besides not helping."

"I was examining the Queen."

"Mazel Tov. Now get over here and help open these eggs."

Rikkor shuffled over to the examining table, on it a large, slime encrusted egg. It was his turn to open it. He prayed the spawn of Satan spider wouldn't latch onto his face. Then later having a worm break through his ribs. Shuddering, Rikkor selected a large rabbit from its pen. The rabbit was merely unconscious, for the spider-crabs would only take live hosts. Rikkor held the rabbit by the scruff of the neck in front of the egg. His arm started to ache under the weight of the rabbit. When the egg slowly opened, the rest of the team stepped back. In a flash, the demonic spider grabbed onto the rabbit's face, nearly tearing off Rikkor's arm. He let go in time so that the spider only had the rabbit, its tail wrapped around the mammal's neck. Everyone looked away, not caring to see what would happen. Of all the things he had done in his practice, Rikkor never thought he would see the day when he would have to assist in murder.

Walking behind Four Claw, she could see a splatter of fluorescent green across his back. The green liquid dripped from the alien's shoulders, oozing from deep gashes. Blood. Melony could see there was much to learn about her new acquaintance...Upon returning to their resting spot, Melony gave a long sigh and slumped down onto the bags. She felt a small vibration. "What the-" she jumped. "Oh..." Digging through the bags, she fumbled to open her cell phone.

"Hey Mel."

"Oh hi Millings. What's up?"

"Besides the sky, nothing. Haan was gonna call, but he can't figure out how to use the phone."

"Big surprise. What did he want?"

"Not much. Just wanted to see how far along you were."

"I'd say still a few miles from town. They wouldn't let me bring in my truck."

"Well, change of plans. You need to be here tomorrow. There's been some cases of poaching, and they want us to investigate. Big fine, poaching gives."

"Great. My legs are about to fall off."

"No pain no gain."

"Well, you can't get a black eye without being hit in the face, huh?" Melony joked drily, hanging up the phone. Four Claw purred and looked over Melony's shoulder at the phone. What an interesting device, he thought. He had seen the human babbling into it, another, quieter voice answering.

"More hiking. Oh joy, oh rapture." Melony grumbled and slung the duffel bags from her sore shoulders. A portion of the weight was suddenly relieved. Four Claw grabbed some of the bags, along with the cot and dresser. "Thanks," Melony grinned painfully.

"Rrr..."

"Can't you say anything else?"

"Pritty grrl..."

Meloney sighed and fell silent. There was a lot of hiking ahead...

Kamyzs held the shuddering rabbit, trying to calm it as best she could.

"Why do you even bother, Kamyzs? It's gonna die," commented Shroeder, keeping his distance from the spasming rabbit. Rikkor simply sat quietly, watching as Kamyzs pet the creature. In only a few minutes, the rabbit would be a bloody mess, shattered by the worm inside. Feeling his stomache lurch, Rikkor looked away.

"Shroeder, make yourself useful and get the cage ready," commanded Kamyzs. Grumbling, Shroeder dragged the German shepherd-sized cage over to where Kamyzs was seated. Kamyzs gently placed the rabbit inside. By now the poor animal was shaking in pain, its chest pulsing. It ran wildly around the cage until blood leaked from its mouth. A fist sized lump had grown on the rabbit's chest, throbbing. The team looked away until they heard a cracking, tearing sound. A squeal. A shriek. It was over...

"Can't...go on..." Melony dropped to the ground. Her entire body ached and burned. She could not go on. Four Claw, however, didn't seem to be tired at all. In fact he seemed annoyed that Melony refused to continue. Though he had no idea where they were going, giving up was not in his nature. He growled shoving Melony with his foot. The woman moaned. But she obeyed. Being on the edge of a stony ravine, Melony half slipped, half fell down the side and into the pebbled bottom. Off to the left was a deeper portion, filled with water running from a waterfall. The waterfall was small and cascaded from a rocky ledge above. All Melony wanted to do was jump into the pool. Setting down the bags, she turned to Four Claw. "I'm gonna relax here a bit. You can go do whatever it is you do." She made a shooing motion with her hand and the giant dropped the bags he had been carrying. His form rippled and vanished. Melony could see only his movement against the rocky wall as he climbed up with ease. Melony stretch her tired muscles and ambled over to the pool. It was about four feet deep with large rocks covering the bottom. It looked almost man made, save for the rough sides and obvious erosion. Glancing around to be sure no one was near, Melony discarded her clothing and slipped into the pool. The water was ice cold and sent a chill up her spine. After a few minutes she felt soothed, relaxed. Her legs curled under her and her arms draping over the sides of the pool, Melony started to drift off into some much needed sleep. Through her sagging eyelids, Melony caught movement from behind the small waterfall. Of course there's something moving, it's a waterfall, she told herself, annoyed. But she was sure she had seen something...The water suddenly stopped its downward flow and instead flowed over a form that had stepped through. Four Claw. Melony let out a sound of shock, bringing her legs up to her chest. Four Claw, soaking with water, merely cocked his head at the frightened Melony. Four Claw knew hardly any of the human language, but he wanted to calm the woman.

"Do not...be afraid. Not...hurt," he growled in a raspy voice, extending an arm. Melony only attempted to get farther away. Still determined, Four Claw climbed into the shallow pool, the water barely coming up to his thighs. Melony gave a small squeak, her hands grasping her legs tightly. Four Claw approached the cowering woman, gently purring. He once more outstretched an arm, using his scaly fingers to pet Melony's cheek. "Pritty grrl..." he rumbled. Melony felt only fear when she stared at the emotionless mask, deep blackness staring back. She promptly jumped up, water spilling everywhere, and grabbed her clothes. Watching the human run off, Four Claw felt slightly annoyed. All he did made her run, as if...Four Claw gave a soft rumble, almost like a sigh...As if he were a monster...

Author note: Oy! I FINALLY got this chapter done. What with school and such...Man. Anyhow, here it is. The next chapter is for you xeno fans out there. Mostly, anyway. Gotta sneak Four Claw and Melony in there. :) Oh, and FYI, I shan't be here for a week-ish. Goin' to San Fransisco. Ha ha!