A H A B

Desmond sat by the charging area, his Ipod plugged into the wall and his headbuds in his ears. He looked up at the person who had just aproached and pauses his music. “Can I help you?”

“I’m lurking. That’s what I do. I lurk, and I sleep. Not always in that order.” Al blew a breath air in his direction, pursing his lips and allowing his nostrils to flare. “No, but seriously. I’m going out hunting tonight. So...don’t come looking for me. That’s all. I’m not dead if I’m not at the tent.” 

Kimberly chose to ignore that first comment the zoologist spoke and nodded as he explained about an animal called a pea-cat, “Sounds like the animal can be a hit seller with its different colors, hopefully its traits are similar to a house cat and not like a tiger or lion.” She told the man. “Stalking something else? Please be careful and put your safety first Al.” She ordered the man, “Other than that, I look forward to your report on a new species.”

“You must be really exhausted to sleep talk then” She laughed

“Well, it’s on the smaller end. So I don’t think it’ll eat anyone. We’re safe, Commander, ” he grinned a bit, dipping his head. “I agree, though. I think our generous benefactor will be very pleased.” In truth, he himself had trouble relating to the young woman. Although she was his superior, without a doubt the authority to whom he reported, she was around the same age as his university students. And he, being the stupid proud old goat of a man he was, often had to remind himself of just who was keeping him here. “I will. Getting mauled out here’s not on my list of things. You know, someone actually suggested I invest a hunting tent. Maybe I ought to take them up on it.” He nodded. 

“I look forward to presenting it. But I gotta say, I think I still have space jet lag.” He offered a distant grimace. “Its a big opportunity here. Not worth wasting with naps. Even if I was totally not just taking one.” 

“You’ll get over it. Maybe sing a sad song about it. That helps.” At least in the movies it worked for the cast. “You weren’t invited to Providencia either but that didn’t stop you.” She doubted his team would wait for an invitation that time around either. 

“Grunge isn’t dead. Neither is pop punk. Sad songs are where it’s at. Always make me feel better.” Al nodded along, not necessarily disagreeing. He wrinkled his nose in her direction all the same. “Nope. Yet, here we are. And here I am. I didn’t know you all had dibs on boldly going where nobody’s gone before. Our claim is just as valid as yours.” He sat down without waiting for an invitation “You know, Pollyanna, you and I are the absolute peaches of our respective teams. Sunny without fail. I think we ought to try and get along.” 

“Having fun isn’t your thing?” Sawyer reeled, caught off guard. “There’s something for everyone here.”

“I’m half-Jewish, you know. Suffering is our thing.” Al offered a more chipper smile, flashing his teeth in the young man’s direction. “Don’t take it too serious, dude. I’m being facetious. Kind of. It’s nice enough, so long as we’re allowed to use it.” 

“I see, well i will need to check with the resident plane expert to see how careful we need to be around these dangerous trees then.” he chuckled as he looked around at the forest.

He shrugged “i guess not, maybe cut some eyes holes in the tent? like a hunters tent or something perhaps? “ he suggested. His eyes widened as he spoke of some type of creature “A Sasquatch? Wow, i will need to watch out for that. Has this thing been getting close to the camp?” he asked as his grip tightened on his rifle. “What is the flatwoods monster situation?” he asked curiously.

When the man trailed off Markus once again did his best to understand a member of the team who had great knowledge that he was unable to follow out of interest even if he was unable to keep up. “That is interesting, i mean it sounds like something needing done. We need to know ho all the animals work and figure the seasons out and all that. It all needs named and the more we know the better we can use it all for the mission right?” Markus smiled at the man “I will try not to shoot anything, but if a bear sized creature with three heads and chainsaws for hands i cant guarantee i will be able to take it down with just a combat knife. I mean i am good, but not sure if I’m that good.” he joked.

“I think you should. Don’t worry. I’m a vegetarian. They try to eat someone, I’ll just eat them.” He wiggled his brow a bit, letting out a huff. “As a rule, though, I don’t do anything with ‘hunter’ in it. You understand. I think it’s inhumane.” Although it was evidently a joke, he managed to say it completely deadpan, moving on and pretending to shuffle through his belongings. He glanced up only as the other man tightened his grip on his weapon. 

“Watch it, Rambo. If it was going to come out and get us, it would have done it already. Besides, if it’s primate, and I’m not saying it is, the majority of it’s diet would be plant-based. Maybe an occasional insect or small bird, but we wouldn’t be worth the kill. Maybe.” He sighed a bit, craning his neck to look into the treeline. “In 1952, a few people in West Virginia reported seeing a creature with a glowing face and a tall black body with some kind of pleated exoskeleton. The Flatwoods Monster. One of the popular theories is that the ‘head’ was an owl perched on a tree branch and that the foliage underneath gave the impression of the body and skirt. A sort of illusion.” He pursed his lips. “Long story short, I might be seeing things. And I really shouldn’t be telling you about it anyway. We crotchety Clayton folk steal secrets; not share them,”

He huffed again. “You use them for the mission. I’ll use them for my own nefarious purposes, I guess.” He sighed but managed a smile at the man’s words; any antagonism was not necessarily worth his effort. As much as he liked to pretend to be wrapped up in it. “If it it had chainsaw hands, maybe you could talk it into going after those man-eating trees. Two birds, one stone.” 

“Listen, I’m sure some of them were raised right and have seen Sigourney Weaver kicking some alien ass at some point. I sure as hell made sure my daughter did.” He nearly winced at his own mention of his daughter. Far from a perfect father and now forty-two light years away. But that was a door that didn’t need to be opened right now. Dropping his hand from Al’s shoulder, he shook his head, “When it comes down to it, that petty quest for fame and glory? It’s the same reason we’re all here, no pointing beating around the bush when it comes to it. I certainly ain’t here out of the goodness of my heart, that’s for damn sure.”

Jax cracked a smile at the mention of ‘pea-cat’, but would take on a more somber expression as Al continued on. Coming to an entirely different planet opened a lot of doors for the human race, including the possibility of meeting something that wasn’t so different from themselves. Jax could never subscribe to the theory shared by some that humans were the end all be all of intelligence in the entirety of space. “Spooky is one way of putting it. I certainly never had doubts of there being intelligent life on other planets. Space is infinite and it just seems ignorant to believe the people of Earth are all there is. But, here’s to hoping we don’t run into anything that’s going to kick our asses while we’re stuck here.”

“It’s a damn shame too. I would have been one of the ones trying to capture and study it. Which means they would have killed me in some kind of ironic poetic justice-y twist.” Al sighed distantly, face falling into something like defeat. “I’ve had more wives than I’ve had kids, and neither of them really liked scary movies all that much. So that’s that.” He wrinkled his brow, offering a half-hearted shrug before giving a more sincere smirk. “Well, I don’t know about that. From what I understand, all our pals from the Starship Enterprise are incredibly selfless and noble in every way. I think you and I might just be the ne'er-do-wells.” 

Joking aside, however, he allowed the darker demeanor to take root and plant itself firmly across his visage. “No Sigourney Weaver to have our back, eh?” He pursed his lips. “Either way. I hope they treat us better than we’d treat them. Kind of weird to think we might be the space invaders, yeah?” 

“Oh please.” Eleanor rolled her eyes. And people said she was dramatic, clearly she was not the only one on board of drama queen airline. “And my name is Eleanor. I don’t usually answer to Jesus Christ. Although I’m flattered by the recognition.” She could not help but to crack a joke. It was a too good occasion to miss. “Glad to see how your team is effective. I guess we shouldn’t worry too much about your progress.” She mocked him with a cocky smirk. “And what I am doing is none of your business.” 

Eleanor was not lurking, she was simply taking a walk and keeping an eye open for any potential clue of where the missing supplies could be hidden or who the thief was. “You know I could have stolen everything if I were the crook.” She cast a glance at his belongings. How could one be so careless when there was a criminal running around and they had no idea who it was. “I don’t and I won’t ever need anything from you.” Or if she did, she would not ask. She did not want to owe anything to the Clayton people. “And yes you were snoring.” 

“Wow. You come up with that yourself, or do you have, like, any other fun zingers from Saved by the Bell reruns?” Al arched his brow, irritable in having been disturbed from his impromptu nap. “I’m Jewish.” He clicked his tongue at that, making a noise in the back of his throat. "But honestly, friend, I think you’re supposed to shuck the corn. Not let the sticks get shoved up...well, you know. Or are you one of the husbandry ones? I’m digging this whole Pollyanna motif we have going right now with the corn and the animals and sunny dispositions.” 

He made a face, speaking sideways out of a parted mouth. “If you were the crook, you’d do a bad job waking up your targets. But, I don’t know, do you want my reports on bird feces? That’s what these are.” Al wrinkled his nose, letting out a breath. “To be frank, I probably wouldn’t give them to you even if you did ask, so we’re cool. Was it loud? Good.” 

“Al.” Kimberly called out to the zoologist, “Aaaal.” She called out again hoping that will wake him and when he finally did she cant help but to give out a little chuckle. “Sorry to disturb you when you’re finally resting, I know how busy you’ve been and I just wanted to check if you have any updates on the current findings of live here on this planet. I need to let the board - and by that I meant my father - know of any updates on the lifeforms this planet has. Replying to his last question she reassured him that he was not snoring, “More like you were sleep talking, well mumbling.”

“I have a feeling you’re not actually sorry, but hey. I’m alert and ready for action now, Captain.” Al groaned a bit, straightening up his back, readjusting his stance to face her more properly as bundled his belongings in his arms. He offered a mock salute with his free hand. “All’s quiet on the Western Front. Let him know the feline with the blue and green plumage, the so-called pea-cat, which is not its final name, is going to be a big seller; easily domesticated based on what I’ve observed so far. Probably could be bred into different colors if desirable; within reason, of course. And at the moment...I’m sort of stalking something a little larger as well. Not exactly a pet, but well...neither was King Kong, and they still brought him back to New York..” He wrinkled his nose. “I do that, don’t I? Do my best thinking when I’m not awake to experience it.”

Markus was on patrol keeping the edge of the camp secure. he moved through the trees and plants with a grace not usual for a man his size. The place had been quiet which could only be a good thing. However with the culprit of the thefts still not discovered even though he had managed to find some of the supplies with the help of Kimberly’s honesty, he was keeping ever vigilant. 

He spotted the bundle of papers and materials around Al and he smiled. They had so many committed members of the crew, working hard to the point of exhaustion and the man was no exception. The soldier made his way over and the other man gave a start as he work up. “Mmm yeah, no worries. Got to keep the eyes fresh right?” he asked with a smirk at the man who had clearly been sleeping. “Nothing to worry about, i’m just out on patrol. Making sure these trees keep their distance.” he joked. In all seriousness he was well armed. His plethora of weapons on his body would suggest to anyone that when on patrol he took the safety of the team and the mission very seriously.

“No No, i don’t need anything. Although you might be more comfortable continuing your research in you tent?” he suggested “It can get cold out here at night sometimes and you we dont want anyone getting sick again right?” 

“It’s all that LASIK. No contact solution in space.” Al replied dryly, rubbing at his eyes and allowing a stretch to roll through him, shoulders arching lazily upward. He looked up and met the other man’s gaze with a small sigh, forcing a more pleasant smile. “Aye, aye, mon capitaine. I think we’re okay, though. Haven’t seen them try to go anywhere yet.” He yawned, shifting through the papers in his hands. “Carnivorous plants thrive in low-nutrient soil. So I don’t think they’ll eat us. But what do I know? I’m not a botanist.” He flashed another smile, tired but more persistent than the first one.

“Can’t very well keep an eye out inside a tent, though, now can I? Besides, what I’m after is too big to stick in a cage and poke at.” He grimaced. “Been seeing something nocturnal every so often. Think it comes out this way to hunt, but we’ve been spooking it. Bipedal. About your height. Could be Sasquatch.” Al shrugged at that. “I’ve been watching for it. Kind of worried it might be another Flatwoods Monster situation.” He trailed off.

“It’s curious how cold it gets at night. Tropical humidity. And brighter colored species means flowers bloom longer. Large scale insect pollinators. Mating competition.” He sighed a bit. “But, you know, they did do a study a ways back, and there’s actually more color diversity in the temperate regions. Those ‘colorful tropics’ are all in our heads. But now I’m rambling.” He bit his lip. “I’d rather not get the space sickness, though, thanks. But just...don’t shoot anything, alright? I prefer them alive.” 

“It hardly makes a difference.“  She said with a soft laugh.  “Well, I suppose I am the best at hide and seek, with myself at least.  Though admittedly, I am starting to not enjoy the game especially with how tense it is lately with things going missing.  I don’t want to be viewed as the culprit to such a crime, when in reality I simply just can’t find where I hide things I’m suppose to keep safe.“  Giggling she tilted her head.  “Do you think there are any carnivorous trees?  Because I would be quite interested in seeing something like that in action.“  She nodded.  “I would love some help.  It is a bottle of naproxen, and although it sounds unimportant, it is a 500mg per pill bottle, and if someone gets that and takes a dose too much, it could cause too many problems.  Even death if far too much is taken to get high or relax.”  She shrugged.  “Relax themselves straight to a grave.“  She giggled and pressed her fingers to her mouth.  “I should not have laughed at that.“

“I mean, you wouldn’t be a very good thief if you could never actually find your loot. Kind of just nips the whole thing in the bud, don’t it? Unless this is, like, some secret way to throw the fuzz off your track.” Al made a face, wrinkling his nose despite the good humor bleeding through. “I mean, Earth has carnivorous plants, right? Not really my area of special interest. But did you ever see Little Shop of Horrors?” He rolled his shoulders, cocking his head forward as if taking in the room. “Naproxen. Got it. Light years away, and the Midol’s never where you need it when the headache comes.” He clicked his tongue. “Most of us are scientists, though. Let’s just hope we’re all smart enough not to, like, down a whole bottle at once, yeah?” Casting his eyes back at her, Al cracked a small smile. “I had to do a psych eval. Did you people not have to do a psych eval?” He laughed. “Let’s find it, though. Not really feeling this whole haunted house pill ghost alien planet thing looming over our heads right now.” He turned around in a circle. “I’ll look over there.” 

Jaxon stiffed a laugh at the indignant act at his ‘kid’ comment. It was habit really, the little nickname, and one he wasn’t likely to break when it got such great reactions from time to time. The zoologist carried on and Jax’s gaze followed to where the man was pointing. He gave a tilt of his head. He certainly didn’t see anything or at least hadn’t. But he wasn’t as sharp as Al was when it came to things lurking around the campsite. Turning back to the doc he grinned. 

“I sure hope you’re right and it’s a nice monster. I’d hate for this to be more of an Aliens or Predator situation and we’re the ones being hunted. I ain’t gonna lie, I’m no Ellen Ripley,” he tried to sound ominous, but there was a look of humor cut clear on his face. Slapping a friendly hand to Al’s shoulder, he took on a more serious note to his voice, “I do hope you find what you’re looking for, man. Whatever is out there that’s going to make your name remembered for generations to come.”

“No killing the aliens. We wouldn’t want to disturb such a....delicate ecosystem.” He seemed to have to find the appropriate words, making a distant motion with his hand. “Or at least no, like, running around in your underwear with a flamethrower. Which she did for the whole third act, didn’t she? We’re old. None of the children know what that movie is.” He made a noise, clicking his tongue. And while it was evident enough he was being facetious, he maintained a degree of placidity, features set in a vague portrait of fatigue. He was like that, though; he tried not to let the excitement show. The hand on his shoulder shook him out of it all the same, a jolt of energy seeming to run through his stocky frame and painting his motions with a new brightness. “Am I that obvious about my petty unfulfilling quest for fame and glory, dude?” He offered a sardonic half-smile. “Thanks, I guess. But don’t give me too much credit. I had to talk myself out of naming something a pea-cat.”

He wrinkled his nose, turning his attention back to the outskirts of the camp, squinting into the dark. “Speaking of predators and new species and all, though,....we’re kind of just assuming we’re the smartest bunch here, you know? It’s a big planet. Largely unexplored. Capable of hosting intelligent carbon-based life, not unlike us. My friend.” He cast his eyes upward, matching him ominous observation for ominous observation. “Spooky, ain’t it?” He’d be lying if he said these thoughts had not been coloring his mind as of late; that maybe the thief wasn’t among them after all. It was fruitless and unfounded musing. “Let’s just hope there’s no body snatchers.” 

Composing himself, he ducked down and began gathering his personal artifacts, bundling them in his arms now that he’d been disturbed. A heaviness cluing to his motions, however, as if he really did need the impromptu nap to chase away some of the exhaustion in his limbs. Despite his better judgement, he’d been staying awake at night, burning the midnight oil, getting work done, observing whatever nocturnal species felt like making themselves known. He wouldn’t say he was keeping watch, but maybe that was part of it too. And maybe part of it was the darker thoughts manifesting as bad dreams whenever he did manage to snag a few winks. “Really. Did you need something? Was I snoring?” 

She sighed as he began with his elaborate act and raised her hand up to her face, fingers pressing slightly against her eyes as the headache intensified behind them. The situation at hand was less than a laughing a matter in Hana’s eyes, but in her state, she just couldn’t be bothered with getting defensive and engaging him in that way. Instead, she simply flung her hand in a loose gesture to wave his words off and said, “Yeah, yeah. I sure wouldn’t go quitting my day job to become a cat burglar if I were you. Doesn’t really seem like it’s quite your thing.” 

“Well, I thought it was funny.” Al replied to her motions dryly, body slumping as he gave distant sigh of his own. He wrinkled his nose at her, hands still tucked cleanly away in his pockets. “Wasn’t planning on it. Don’t worry. No money in it until the whole outer space black market gets going.” He pursed his lips. “Think we still got a few years, eh?”