"So," Andy began as he tucked a dangling piece of red-brown hair behind his ear, "let me get this straight. You were sent here by your leaders to learn about Earth?"
The alien-turned-human nodded, "Your leaders held a conference with my own and they came to an agreement. This agreement stated that one would be chosen from both races to observe and record the lifestyles of the opposing race."
"So, a human is on your planet right now?" asked Jessica as she sipped her tea.
Sain'ja shook his head. "My leaders decided it would be wise to have our race investigate first. We may have hunted your kind in the past but that does not particularly mean that we understand everything there is about your culture."
Andy looked at the man over the rim of his thick glasses. "Hunted? What do you mean you've hunted our kind in the past?"
"My kind's way of life is based on strength and honor. We are taught to become warriors before we learn to walk. To prove our strength we hold hunts. These hunts prove whether we have become true warriors. The Chiva is a hunt to prove this title. We pursuit the Kiande Amedha and exterminate them."
"Ki-what?" Jess questioned while making a face.
"Kiande Amedha," Sain'ja repeated. "In your language it is translated as Hard Meat. They are of another race born through other life forms."
"Sounds creepy," Jess shivered and Andy couldn't help but agree.
Sain'ja nodded, "So, in order for us to hunt them we need a host in order for them to be born."
"That's where we humans come in, right?" Andy said looking Sain'ja in the eye.
Sain'ja nodded.
"So," Jess wondered, "how do you learn about us? Do you observe us from afar or do you just walk around in that form all the time and learn for yourself?"
"That reminds me," Andy suddenly said, looking over Sain'ja's human body, "how DID you get that body?"
"It is an injection. The serum changes our DNA to that of a human's. However, it does not last long. The maximum time I can obtain this form is – in your timeline – for about ten to twelve hours."
"What happens after that time is up?" Andy asked.
"Then I will become a Yautja again."
"You mean you'll become your huge, scaly, and intimidating alien self again?" Jessica inquired and after Sain'ja nodded so did she. "Good," she said, "I like you better as an alien. I'm sure Andy does too, right An?"
Sain'ja looked to the blushing teen. Andy stuttered, "W-Well of course I like him better as an alien! I like him as a human too!" Sain'ja tilted his head, much in the same way as when he first met Andy, and Andy opened his mouth to defend himself when three knocks sounded at the front door.
"Really?" Jess said exasperatedly. "Seriously? Twenty bucks says it's your Pentagon buddies looking for you again. Oh, which reminds ME, how come you're here? Aren't you supposed to be with them?"
Sain'ja rose to go answer the door with Andy hot on his heels. He left Jessica's question unanswered as he unlocked and opened the door. Sure enough, there was Special Agent William Strauss and his men dressed in their suits and with their sunglasses shading their eyes. Agent Strauss had to inch his head back slightly to look at Sain'ja's face. With a satisfied smirk gracing his lips he said, "Thought we'd find you here."
Andy had to look around Sain'ja to see the men. He didn't recognize any of them besides Strauss. Andy's left hand gently rested on the back of Sain'ja's bulging bicep. The man's muscles were wired like a spring straining to be let loose. At Andy's touch, though, they relaxed just slightly. In turn, Andy tightened his grip on the alien's arm. Andy was determined to not let them take Sain'ja. Not again, and Andy was sure his sister felt the same way.
"Can I help you, agent?" Andy said not impolitely from behind Sain'ja. Strauss turned his face to where he was looking at Andy. He smiled.
"Ah, Mr. Monroe, I'm glad to see you're doing well in light of the recent events." Strauss looked over Andy's shoulder to see Jessica hovering over the dining room table. "Your sister is holding up as well, I see."
Sain'ja moved over a fraction of a step to block Andy and Jess from view. Staring down at the suited men he ordered, "What do you want?"
"Perhaps if you invited us in we could discuss our matter more comfortably." Strauss didn't pose it as a question.
"You're fine where you stand." Sain'ja left no room for argument. "Now, what do you want?"
Strauss breathed in sharply then said, "You need to come back with us. We have a new guide waiting for you back in Washington."
Immediately, Jess and Andy were holding onto both of Sain'ja's arms tightly behind him. "You're not taking him away from us." Andy barked.
"Again," Jess added heatedly.
Sain'ja stood there, seemingly unaffected by the circumstances. Strauss, however, was losing his cool. "He has to come with us or else the agreement between our worlds will be void." He seethed, determined to get his way.
Suddenly, Andy had an idea. "I'll be his guide," he declared.
Strauss looked at him with surprise. "You?" he questioned. "You're just a kid. He's too big of a responsibility for you."
"Have you met my brother?" Jess piped up from Sain'ja's left arm. "Trust me; he can handle this big guy."
"I'm taking college courses for UCSF and am more than qualified to teach him our culture. I know his predicament, his personality, and his mission. Plus, he knows me, which makes me an even better qualifier." Andy's eyes never wavered from Strauss' and screamed determination.
A moment of silence was held before Strauss sighed. "I'll have a word with my boss. In the meantime he can stay here. However," Strauss regarded Andy for a second then continued, "in exchange, how's about I buy you dinner?"
With that Sain'ja promptly slammed the door in his face.