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"You know how it is." Jerico crossed his arms. "They want to keep peace and look unresisting, even if it means taking heavy risks."

Elise snorted. "Yeah, like getting stuck on some messed up world where giant crabs eat off your legs."

"They were giant centipedes I heard."

Elise grimaced. "Jesus."

Jerico shrugged. "That team knew what they were getting into. I think Grayhart is finally getting the message, though. They need soldiers on their ships. Too bad they still have bad beef with the military, ever since Lazris."

Elise frowned but had no good response. She didn't blame the research facility for breaking off from the military back when they were once part of a branch called "S. E. A. R." or for being weary of making ties after the Lazris incident. But it seemed lately they were calling for a lot of aid with more of their expedition teams exploring farther past human territory and getting themselves into worse danger.

Good thing there were teams of operatives like Elise's team that were willing to give a helping hand. For the right price, of course.

The doors opened, bringing them out to a central lobby where the rest of Elise's team now stood waiting. Elise locked eyes with Adrien first, their team's leader, the perfect example of a cover model for the American cowboy—bright blue eyes, clean cut hair, and a smile that got hearts racing. He gave her his usual side grin as they approached. Elise noticed most of the team still wore casual wear like her and Jerico; only Adrien wore his full military uniform.

"Was she out on the beach again?" Adrien asked Jerico.

"I wasn't on the beach," Elise answered.

Adrien smiled at her. "Your hair is a mess."

"Thanks," she replied not so nicely.

He tried to reach a hand out to her, but Elise backed off. His hand lowered but not his smile. "I told them we would have been better prepared if they hadn't rescheduled the meeting."

"Forget it. They don't need to see us in full gear to know what they are getting," said Bruce, the hulking , tattooed mass standing beside her wearing gym shorts and a tank.

"Something changed you think?" said Reese opposite her. "Calling us in early like this?"

"Possibly," said Adrien.

"Better late than early. I'm ready to get the hell out of here," Amy, the tall brunette on Elise's other side commented. "This place is too clean cut, and it smells like pine cleaner."

"We will be very happy to get you on to your destination as soon as possible, Ms. Hendriz," came a voice behind her. They each looked around and saw a sharply dressed woman standing just outside a set of doors, as if appearing from nowhere. Her red dress suit hugged her body nicely, a silver star pinned above her left breast. Glittering black eyes assessed them with a sort of sly expression, though she did not readily smile. "If you will join me inside, we can begin." She gestured to the doors. Adrien took the lead, nodding to her as he passed; the others followed.

Inside the windowless room was a long oval table with a screen stretching around the length of the wall. Displayed on the table was a holographic map of an unknown city. The team filed in and took seats while the woman in red took her position at the front.

"My name is Sia Gray, Cohead of Grayhart along with my sister, Dahlia. I brought you here because we are in desperate need of a team of operatives such as yourselves with your unique set of experiences." Sia looked to Adrien. "It is my understanding that you all have had experience with missions involving non-human individuals, namely the gyda, am I correct?"

"That's correct," Adrien answered.

"As you are all well aware, Grayhart seeks to explore the vast realms of space and to find intelligent and advanced life. Ever since our merge with the gyda...and the incident at Lazris...we have been dedicated to this one goal, sending out teams on dozens of expeditions." The screen along the wall changed suddenly to that of an image of a ship taking off into the sky. A Grayhart ship. "Of course," Sia continued, " exploring other worlds comes with its own set of risks."

Amy murmured something (Elise was sure she caught the word "centipede" somewhere), and Adrien gave her a stern look.

Sia too looked over but did not falter. "As much as we try our best to prepare all our teams for their journeys, there are always inevitable dangers they will face. Some we have anticipated. Others not so much." Sia leaned forward, placing her hands lightly on the table. "The mission I have for you is a first of its kind, and it very well may be the most...unique mission you will face. All information from here on out must be kept confidential." Sia gestured to the holographic city on the table. "The city you see before you, as you might have guessed, is not human made."

It was hard for Elise and the others to keep an indifferent expression. Some looked confused, others stunned. As they studied the city, Elise and Adrien leaned in to get a better look.

"This is a real city?" Adrien asked.

"Yes. It is called Tyrminis, on a planet named Irosa. It has been recently located by Grayhart 16. The drogin—Irosa's inhabitants—welcomed them happily. From the information they have gathered and sent back to us, we have learned a great deal." The image on the screen changed to that of a planet with a dark brown and blue surface covered by endless amounts of blue and orange lights on one large mass of land near its equator, stretching from coast to coast.

A few cursed. Elise stared at the glittering orb, speechless.

"We have learned that this very planet has served for some time as a sort of midway point for travel. The drogin many years ago had the same curiosity as us in finding intelligent life. Only, instead, they sent a signal for others to come to them. Grayhart 16 caught on to this signal and found Irosa. They have been on the planet for a couple months now, gathering as much information as they could, building connections, and learning." Sia straightened, taking out a remote pointer from her suit pocket. "All was going well until three days ago when team 16 went into the lower sectors of the city and ultimately vanished."

Elise shifted in her seat. Before she could open her mouth, Jerico said exactly what she was thinking, "And you want us to find them?"