Author's Note: Well, this update was much faster than I thought! The bad news is, the chapter is EXTREMELY short. I hope that you will forgive me! Review and enjoy! I'm open to ideas! :D Next update should be next Saturday. Or even before that. *Smirk*

AESEARIA

Aesearia ran after the Terran, seeing no alternative. After blindly running around for a while, she spotted the Terran standing on top of a sand dune with his back turned to her. Naturally, Aesearia approached Ethan.

"Ethan - " Aesearia began.

"Loooooooook!" Ethan interrupted, whispering in awe, pointing an outstretched finger at something in the distance. Aesearia, curious, followed his fingers.

If she had a jaw, it would have dropped.

A village was standing in the distance. There were several small houses made of wood (how primitive!), and next to them were several rows of crops. A tall building made of stone stood out from the rest, probably a watch tower.

There were things moving about.

Things+Moving=…

Think… Think…

Creatures?!

Aesearia was beyond shocked. She turned to look at the Terran beside her, and saw that he was ready to tear off again. Valuing caution above curiosity, Aesearia raised her right arm across his chest to impede movement.

"Let's do this cautiously, please. Follow me."

Aesearia walked calmly towards the village. Ethan, grunting something incomprehensible under his breath, followed reluctantly, Arf at his heels.

Aesearia would have held her breath, had that been possible for a Protoss. As she closely approached the villagers who turned to gaze at her, she raised both of her arms in a universal sign of non-aggression. Ethan, close behind, did the same, propping his gun against his leg.

"We come in peace. We mean you no harm. We were stranded here, and we do not know where we are. Can you aid us?"

The villagers, robed humanoids with large noses and bald heads, simply stared at her.

It was a very awkward moment.

"Hello?" Aesearia asked uncertainly.

The villagers, losing interest, walked away in their pointless, random fashion. Aesearia, unwilling to give up, reached into the mind of a villager and saw –

Again those coded orders.

Were there any sentient natives at all?

Aesearia, seeing their lack of interest, proceeded to explore the village. After walking around for a bit, she and Ethan found a large wooden house with a door and went inside, Arf following them faithfully.

"Nice…" Ethan muttered, looking around the humble house.

The house was L-shaped, a table and two chairs in one of the corners. Touching the ceiling were several rows of bookshelves (even Aesearia could tell), and there was a wooden table with empty squares sitting in a corner. Window panes allowed light to enter the house, and for the first time, Aesearia began to appreciate the beauty of this world.

A loud thump.

Aesearia spun around, her psi blades up within a second. She raised her arm, ready to strike –

"Hey! Man! Or woman! Whatever! Calm down!" Ethan yelled quickly, throwing his hands up in the air. "I ain't doin' nothin'! I tried to sit, but this armor's too big! I'm sorry!"

Aesearia, psi blades disappearing as she collapsed onto the floor, merely sighed.

"I am sorry for startling you. My reflexes… This planet has kept me on edge." Getting back up, she added: "Well, you may as well as make yourself at home. It seems like we have finally found a place to live."

Ethan merely chuckled.

The next couple of days passed monotonously, with Aesearia staying in the house and meditating and Ethan going out to hunt for food. They learned that, apparently, the villagers were quite content with living with them, and did not show any sign of anger towards their uninvited guest.

Aesearia was beginning to think that she would be forced to stay here until her death, which would be a long time away.

Until another Terran showed up.