AN: Second chapter in the series. Thanks to those who have shown interest in the story thus far. While I am trying to write a unique take on the 'human student' trope, I also try to cite all appropriate authors who have contributed to this category with similar fiction, as such in the AN of chapter one. If there are any inconsistencies please bring them to my attention and I will update the addendum.

Planetfall

"We make our own luck, but I'll always be there when you need me."

-Unnamed Soldier, redacted transcript

0750 Hours, Early Fall 4th, 1994 (Local Time) / Corneria City, *In Transit*

Logan fiddled with the strap on his compact TACPAD for the umpteenth time, wishing he could just leave the damn thing off. Adrian had been insistent though, it was the easiest way for him to link up with the E-Band, if anything went wrong.

He was sitting in one of the MP hovercrafts, en route to his new host family where he'd be staying for the foreseeable future. Evidently the Cornerians didn't do wheels anymore. There was a brief medical checkup when he made landfall, and then he was free to go after being lectured again on the proper channels to go through if there was some sort of emergency or incident.

The bulldog from the shuttle, Sgt. Grey, was riding shotgun with the silent Avian driving them through the city. He seemed to be making an effort to put Logan at ease.

"You're lucky you had a chance to come here when you did, just a couple weeks ago it was solid rain for days. Yeesh, I didn't even want to look out any windows."

"The city's really something alright..."

Corneria City was a sprawling metropolis of pristine white iron and glass. Whereas human cities favored the drab concrete and gunmetal grey, the Lylat equivalent was apparently much more spectacular. The architecture was recognizably skyscrapers for the most part, while a central government building in the distance looked like a giant white pyramid emblazoned with the blue planet and wreath logo of the Cornerian Defence Force. Neon blue lighting scrolled across some subsections, advertisements that were too brief to read from the cab.

Sgt Grey smiled again disarmingly with that canine muzzle of his, "Corneria's the unofficial center of the Lylat System. While we have treaties with other planets and function under parliamentary governing, the foremost scientific research institutes are here."

Logan glanced at a passing family of coyotes, the son swinging between his parents on the sidewalk, "So individual planets have their own government, while representatives form up a system-wide parliamentary council?"

"That's right, the CDF acts as the default peacekeeping force, while individual planets also have their own garrisons. Mercenaries take up the slack when dealing with pirates operating outside any jurisdictions."

"Mercenaries, really?"

Sgt Grey nodded, "Oh yeah, it's a lucrative business. There's plenty of space to cover and no shortage of smugglers or pirates to hunt down. A good buddy of mine actually made it pretty big as a freelancer."

"We're here."

Just on the outskirts of the city proper there were areas sequestered into suburban neighborhoods. Streets peeled off into orderly rows of houses, many looking not too different from the homes he'd seen back on Tribute.

Logan's eye twitched imperceptibly.

Healthy green grass sprawled across lawns decorating the front yards of the domiciles. Trees were planted sporadically, a testament to the city's planners who had arranged everything to look so picturesque.

There were some children playing on what looked like hover boards down the street. Logan smiled hearing the carefree shouting, and turned over to thank Sgt Grey for the escort as they pulled in to his destination.

He stepped out, and was immediately aware of how fresh the air here was. Living starside for a while had acclimated him to the recycled atmosphere of space life, but nothing could really replace a pristine planet's ecosystem.

He hefted his two duffels and the daypack, peering up at his host family's house. It was a two-storey deal, with cream panelling on the sides and carefully placed windows alongside for a lovely view of the streets outside. The roof was shingled with slate grey tiles, and a neatly maintained section of flowers and shrub hugged the bottom edge of the house. If he could describe it in a word, Jones would call it "cozy."

"Go on ahead kid, best of luck in school," Sgt Grey shook hands with him and returned to the cab, which pulled out smoothly and drove back the way it came. Acutely aware of the neighborhood's eyes that must be upon him, Logan ran a hand through his hair sighing, and walked up to the front door.

He pressed a button alongside the frame, and dimly heard a chime ring inside. There was a bustle of movement, and the door opened, scattering his thoughts for the moment.

A female Calico Cat was standing in the doorway, just slightly taller than he was. Her fur was a mishmash patchwork of brilliant white, orange and black. It was still taking some getting used to seeing these Cornerians walking upright and wearing what looked like human clothing, but the cat wore a pair of jeans that hugged her hips snugly and a thin sweater of some lavender shade. A wide smile crossed her maw and her ears twitched as she clapped her hands together upon seeing him with those bright golden eyes.

"Oh you must be Logan! Come on in, I hope the ride here wasn't too stuffy."

She had a warm voice, and the human found himself smiling in spite of his apprehension.

"Not at all ma'am. Logan Jones, it's a pleasure to meet you."

They shook hands and the feline led him inside chattering excitedly, "You're such a polite young thing, I'm Catherine Lynx. My husband's home right now too, we weren't sure if either of us would be at work when you came in but it's lucky we caught you!"

The interior of the Lynx household was a stark difference to the utilitarian setups he'd been shuffled around to in the past few years. What looked like walnut wood flooring was covered by rug in some places, furniture dotting the entryway along with framed photos on the wall depicting the family. Logan paused to untie his boots and stow them with the other footwear in a small alcove next to the door. He followed Catherine into the living room, taking care not to knock over anything with his duffel bags.

"Honey! Kids! The human boy's here!"

Jones dropped his pack to the carpet, looking up as a male Lynx came in from the kitchen. He was drying his hands off on a dishcloth and smiling, although the vivid black markings of his species across his face and tall ears really leant 'predator' vibes to his calm appearance. The man had a blue collared shirt on with rolled up sleeves, and some slim black glasses perched on his muzzle.

"How're ya doing kiddo, I'm Kyle Lynx, and you've already met my beautiful wife I see."

"Doing just fine Mr. Lynx, she was nice enough to show me in."

There was a tug on his pant leg, and Logan turned to find a very small, fuzzy ball of kitten staring up at him.

"Are you Mister Alien?"

Logan broke into a grin at the absurdity of being an alien, and knelt down to nod seriously at the little thing.

"That would be me. My name's Logan, what's yours?"

The kitten swayed in place, looking up at him coyly.

"Abby. Is it true humans eat kids?"

Logan cocked an eyebrow and looked up at her parents with a knowing grin.

"Oh no, we only eat bad kids who stay up past their bedtime."

Catherine and Kyle chuckled, evidently glad to see the newcomer was good with kids. The human could only assume what a chance it was taking an unknown into your home, even if you'd volunteered for the opportunity.

There was a thumping from the hallway stairwell, and Jones rose up to look at the last member of the Lynx household.

She was just a smidgen shorter than he was, but her species ears were exceptionally tall, adding to the indifferent look on her face. Like her father the black markings were very visible, and the ring piercing her right ear added to her 'rebel' vibe. She was wearing a torn, sleeveless beige vest and a salmon-colored tee, with ripped green pants that looked tight to walk in.

"Hey."

Jones took note of the fitness displayed in her crossed arms, likely practicing martial arts by the look of her knuckles, and made a note not to piss her off.

"Hey. I'm Logan Jones, thanks for giving me a place to stay for the next little while."

The girl tilted her head at him, and after a moment looking him over shrugged.

"Well you seem alright, and Abby likes you so you can't be all bad."

She gave the barest smile before placing her hands on her hips.

"Miyu Lynx, nice to meetchya."

Logan held her stare and smiled back.

Catherine picked up the little tyke and hefted her on a hip, "Since you've met everyone how about we sit down to breakfast? It's Kyle's turn to cook today so you're in for a treat."

The father, Kyle, rubbed those odd-looking alien paws together and bustled the family to the table, mentioning something to his wife about the eggs being 'well done,' to which she jabbed him in the arm with a smile. It was the comforting sort of domestic scene that Logan hadn't been privy to in a long while.

Logan left his bags stacked neatly beside a couch, and followed the family to the kitchen, where plates were set out around a cramped table. He pulled up his own chair last while Mr. Lynx brought a skillet full of eggs and some sort of meat strips, but not quite bacon.

Mr. Lynx gestured for him to sit down, and not quite knowing what else to do with himself the teenager took a seat. Mrs. Lynx must have picked up on his unease, so she took that moment to break into conversation.

"So, we've all been excited to hear about you, it must be hard coming all the way to another system by yourself," Catherine busied herself cutting Abby's eggs and meat into smaller bites.

"I'm used to moving around, and my older brother's stationed on the orbital base."

"That's convenient, is he a soldier, then?" Mr. Lynx asked while taking a seat himself.

"Yes sir he is."

"Ah, none of that sir nonsense, you can just call me Mr. Lynx." The feline waved off the moniker in embarrassment.

Logan shrugged, "Old habits, I've been stuck with the corps longer than I care to remember."

"So what's your story?"

Miyu twirled her fork lazily, still looking the human over, "Just decided to pack up one day and leave your galaxy?"

Logan shook his head.

"My brother was elected to head the joint training initiative between Earth and Corneria, and since I was a direct relative of his who's age fit the bill, they volunteered me for the whole cultural exchange."

"Volunteered?"

"Voluntold more like. Anyway I don't mind it."

Catherine chipped in once more, "What kind of place is Earth? The news featured some of the information the diplomats were throwing around, but we still don't know very much..."

"It's a lot like Corneria, but not quite as pretty," Logan admit with a grin, "We have an interplanetary government called the United Nations Space Command, which acts sort of like your own CDF. I grew up on a planet called Tribute, and later moved to Earth."

"Have you thought of ever going back home to Tribute?"

Twitch

"No, not really."

Miyu chewed her eggs thoughtfully while she observed Logan from the side.

"Y'know, are most humans this awkward or are you just used to not talking to people in space?"

"Miyu!" her mother was scandalized.

"What?"

The human chuckled and waved off the issue, "No, she's right. It's not exactly normal spending so much time on starships with only servicemen for company. To be honest I feel a little out of it trying to talk to normal people again."

Logan fiddled with his fork and finished off the breakfast he was served, unwilling to admit he'd ate before he came out of courtesy. They exchanged small talk, mainly seeing how Earth norms compared with Cornerian.

Fairly soon their plates were bare, and Logan made sure to compliment Mr. Lynx for his cooking, resulting in another bashful denial from the bespectacled feline.

They wrapped up breakfast, and Catherine excused herself as she bundled up Abby to take her to a clinic later for a checkup.

"Miyu, could you show Logan to his room?" she asked while slipping on the Cornerian equivalent of heeled shoes, oddly shaped to accommodate the animal-like footpaws.

"Sure mom."

"Thank you dear, and Logan? It was very nice to meet you, please feel welcome in our home anytime."

The human teen thanked the feline mother as she left, rising to help Mr. Lynx square away the plates. He picked up his bags from the living room and followed Miyu up the stairs, her tail curling lazily behind her as she led him.

"This one's yours, right next to mine."

Jones peered in, seeing what must have previously been some other room repurposed with a bed for him.

"Cozy."

The girl was watching him with arms crossed again, and Logan wasn't sure what to make of her attitude.

"Something wrong?"

She tilted her head at his question, and regarded him with those reflective feline eyes that put him just slightly on edge.

"Let me keep one thing straight with you," she said lowly enough not to carry over downstairs, "I don't know you yet, but you try anything funny with me and I'll make you regret it."

There was a quiet snikt and the claws on her left hand extended threateningly, as she stared the human.

Logan stared back at her for a moment, and let his shoulders relax from the tense position he had been caught in. Seemed like women could be the same no matter where you go.

"Understood," he said flatly.

"Good boy."

The lynx patted him on the cheek in a condescending way and left with a smirk and a bounce in her tail.

Logan sighed, gathering up his bags and dumping them on the floor in his new room. He tugged open the zippers and began folding his clothes into the simple dresser next to his bed.

"What have I gotten myself into?"