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Jaxil blushed when Terra said Lunairans were strange for thinking that meeting under such circumstances was pleasant. “That’s not what I meant,” he muttered hurriedly. “I was just trying to be polite. I don’t know what a normal greeting is to your species… I don’t know why I even bothered.” It was true. He didn’t know why he tried to be so nice to this human. In retrospect, it hadn’t been a good idea. He couldn’t let himself get close to her or it would be much more difficult to turn her and the others in to his leaders.

[b]“Don’t thank me,”[/b] Terra went on. [b]“It’s… it’s the right thing to do. Human or not, you’re still a person. A life that matters.”[/b]

He stared at her in surprise at those words. Her kindness seemed to go beyond mere sympathy for him. She actually thought his life had value. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, his mind reeling. Why was this human so different from what his commander had described? She was making it increasingly difficult for him to see her as an enemy. He almost wished she had been more aggressive so he would know what to expect from her. Her gentle nature was torture to him in its own way.

[b]“Your teammates, they… um…”[/b] Terra spoke up again, averting her gaze as if the information was hard for her to share. Jaxil felt his heartbeat quicken slightly at her nervous behavior. Had something bad happened to his comrades? To Peiylo? He suddenly felt dizzy at the thought of the humans killing Peiylo for helping him escape. She had done so much for him. He couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering in his place. He held his breath as he waited for Terra to tell him the fate of his platoon.

[b]“They haven’t been interrogated yet,”[/b] Terra finished, sending a wave of relief over Jaxil. [b]“It’s been put on hold. Cassie managed to convince Ryan to wait until they’ve looked for you and have fortified the caves.”[/b] She met his gaze. [b]“They’re alive. And knowing Cassie and Serix, they’ll continue to work to make sure it stays that way.”[/b]

“I’m glad they’re okay,” he sighed. He didn’t know what he would have done if his platoon had been killed. He didn’t have the skills to survive on his own. Their deaths would have been the catalyst that caused his own. He nodded curtly at Terra. “Thank you for telling me.” He glanced out the entrance of the cavern at the river below. The human had said this was a safe hiding place, but for how long? Eventually, the others would think to search for him up here, wouldn’t they? He didn’t like the idea of getting caught with his back against a wall.

“Are you sure I’ll be safe here?” he inquired, looking back at her. “This cave is only hidden because of the slick boulders. If someone is bold enough to wander up here like you did, I’ll be trapped.”