Kamyzs tapped her foot in annoyance, checking her watch frequently. Rikkor paced around the room, head seeming to be in the clouds.

"Rikkor, where the Hell is-"

The door flew open, revealing a panting, sweating Shroeder. Before Kamyzs had time to tell him what an idiot he was, he cried out, "Hurry, in the lower level!"

"Shroeder, what in Hell are you talking about?" Kamysz demaned, now slightly worried. Shroeder was not one to be afraid; he was not phased by the rabbits being torn apart by the worms, nor was he frightened when the bugs slammed against their glass cages in fury, screaming. And now he was shivvering, drenched in perspriation. He swallowed and spoke again.

"In the lower level. One of the experiments has escaped."

"What?"

"We need to hurry, there's still time before anyone goes down there."

"Shroeder!" Kamyzs was near screeching at the scientist, backing him into a corner.

"You guys, shut up and let's get down there!" RIkkor snapped. The two looked at him as though he had grown another head. Rikkor was very reserved, rarely spoke out. This was enough to make them break up their quarrel and grab tranquilizers, heading for the lower level. All of them were afraid; the bugs were not much smarter than animals, but their strength was obvious. And whenever they broke out, they always headed for the same place: the queen's chamber.

The first thing she noticed was that she could see. Yes, see. Look out and take in forms. It was unlike any sensation. But Mother was not there. She heard Mother's cries, her screams. She would find Mother. Once the drones were freed, they would create a nest, and Mother could birth the young facehuggers. They would have a hive larger than ever before. Yes...But what was this? She sniffed the air. Meat. Hiding behind mechanical equipment, she lay in wait. They would come...

"Alright, Shroeder. Where is it?"

"I dunno, it was here just a-"

A black flash suddenly pinned Shroeder to the floor. The bug had found its mark. Screaming, it clawed at the man's flesh, tail whipping in the air. The darts could hardly pierce the chitin armour, but at last the bug fell. Kamyzs and Rikkor pulled Shroeder away, the scientist soaked in cold sweat and twitching. With the help of his comrades, Shroeder shakily got into the evevator and pushed the button for the fifth floor.

"What...what was the experiement again?" breathed Rikkor.

"Sight," Shroeder answered solmnly, stare blank and cold.

Retiring to their rooms for the night, the elevators were packed with scientists trying to get to the dormitory level. Rikkor, Kamyzs and Shroeder were crammed into the back of one, crushed by the mass of flesh. And quite a few of the other riders were rather plump. Once they had gotten out of the elevator, they walked together to their rooms.

"Y'know, I kinda miss my old job. I could go home at night, see my wife and children," Rikkor said longingly.

"Or party all night long," Shroeder added develishly. The two others rolled their eyes.

"Well, good-night," said Rikkor as he turned into his room and closed the door.

"Well, Shroeder, are you gonna sleep okay tonight? Afraid of the big bad bug?" Kamyzs teased.

"Yeah, can you stay with me tonight, Mommy?" Shroeder joked back. He recieved a scolding grin from Kamyzs. But she follwed him into his room anyway, once the hallways had been cleared.

"You'd better not let any more bugs break out; I need my sleep." Kamyzs attempted to be serious, but it was all but impossible when hanging about Shroeder.

"Don't worry, I'll be a good boy," Shroeder grinned.

Melony had tried to stay quite far ahead of Four Claw; after their..."encounter", she was wary of the giant. He still carryed a few of her bags, but she wouldn't mind if she lost him. The beast was making her so uncomfortable. Heaving her bags onto the ground, she cried out, "Finally!" They had reached the edge of the town. Millings was right; this town was piss poor. Tiny, too. She wondered how he and Haan had found a suitable hotel. Four Claw came up behind her, setting down his share of bags. She suddenly realized something. "Oh...um, Four Claw? I know it's gonna be for a while, but you can't come with. There are other humans here, and, well..." Four Claw merely cocked his head to the side and rumbled. Melony, running her fingers through her tawny hair, spoke again. "Look, see that town?" She pointed forward. "There are people in it. And you're not too hard to miss, so you need to stay in the jungle, understand? You stay here." Four Claw looked out at the town. A human village. The human female was babbling something to him that he did not comprehend. But he knew enough that he could not be seen by the other humans. And so, with a metallic click and a hiss, he faded from view, leaving only a ripple in the foliage. The human female jumped back in surprise, but smiled. She picked up the bags and headed into town. Four Claw followed, trying to be as silent as possible. His mind started to wonder why the human female seemed so frightened of him. Especially now, after he had seen her in the pool. She knew he would not harm her, so why did she always shy away? Why?

Shoving open the front door with her back, Melony nearly dropped to the floor of the hotel's restaurant. And no one probably would have noticed; at this time, most people were napping, out of the afternoon heat. Haan and Millings got up from their table to help her, and gave her a seat at the table.

"So, how was the trip?" Millings asked, knowing he would get an explosive answer.

"Hell. I had to walk that whole jungle. My legs are gonna fall off."

"Ah, dun worry. Soon you be sleep een nice soft bed," Haan assured her. But Melony simply groaned and let her head fall to the table. Meanwhile, Four Claw stood near the table, hidden from view, totally silent.

Shroeder's eyes fluttered and he looked about his room. The sun was just creeping in through the windows, splaying on the floor. He slipped out of bed and dressed, smoothing his hair and brushing his teeth. Kamyzs slept on, her breathing clearly heard by Shroeder. Walking over to her, he tried to wake her up.

"Come on, get up. The night's over. Time to greet the day." He shook her until he was greeted by a grumble. Kamyzs turned over onto her stomach and buried her face in the pillow. Shroeder had hardly let her sleep. Now she felt like shit. But there was no point of trying to get back to sleep, she she crawled from the bed and slowly put on her clothes. After splashing her face with cold water she was more awake, but still in a horrible mood. Today was not going to be a good day...

Near five in the morning Melony finally dragged her belongings into her hotel room, followed by a very pissed Four Claw. Millings and Haan had talked until dinnertime, at which point they ordered their food and waited on hour for it to come and took forever to eat. Four Claw had been sitting there for hours on end, doing nothing. Now he stomped about the room, growling and clicking angrily. Melony thought about apologizing, but she didn't want to annoy him further. Slumping into an easy chair, she quickly drifted into sleep. Four Claw sat upon the bed, watching her until fatigue took over him, as well. Laying down on the bed, Four Claw began to sleep lightly, his body savoring the break.

Gaaaaaah! -pulls out hair- Sorry to anyone who was reading. My computer totally asploded, and I've not been able to get on for a while. But now, I should be getting out some more chapters. A big sorry again, and I hope you haven't forgotten me.