"Johnson! We have a problem!" The middle-aged man, Charles gasped in a hurry.

There is something out there, something waiting to cause destruction to the small human colony. Although the higher-ups know confidently who- what is out there, it is best to keep it a secret from the others. There is one problem, however, and it's Sahara. If word gets out, there could be trouble.

"I know. They have always been watching us." Johnson's response was unexpected to Charles as well as the personnel present in the area.

Hudson bit his lip. He knows Johnson and what he's capable of doing. If he could guess, Johnson is probably thinking of something to keep word from spreading. It may sound impossible to everybody, but the first thing that rushed into Hudson's clever mind is...

'Is he thinking of killing her?'

_____

"Dan!" Sahara let out a yelp.

She called out for the man who paraded towards the main building. Ever since arriving, Dan kept a silent mood, no smile, no care and especially, no sense of humor. At all. Sahara had a feeling, she knows that he knows something about the Yautja and that the expedition was just a distraction for the research group or at least a distraction to one party. Johnson. What is that guy up to? Her pacing was slow, it appears she's given up on her pursuit for Dan. However, something bothers her nonstop. She remembers what that elderly-looking Yautja said, something about two of his young hunters.

Stopping, she brought her finger and thumb to her chin to think. She cared nothing for the people who passed her, even the guards that greeted them when they arrived. Occupied with the many words floating within her curious brain. Her stare at the ground growing more and more strenuous every time she digs within her memory.

'What was it?' She vigorously scratched her head, ruffling her already messy hair.

"Sahara..."

No. She must remember it...

"SAHARA!" A cold shout shook her from her thoughts.

Johnson. Approaching her with a curious frown, the man accompanied by Charles and other members of the security team had a smile, a sinister smile, adorning his face. Sahara scans the men, no Dan. How odd, he's the main manager of the security team, yet his presence was nowhere, only the graying remnant of Charles, the former before Dan. She gave a scornful look with the purpose to intimidate Johnson.

"I'm sorry..." Johnson started, "I heard from Dan... everyone is..." Johnson looked down, a look that showed an expression of regret, sadness, and guilt.

Sahara aimlessly looked at him with no emotion but her previous expression. She doesn't know much about Johnson, but he has a good reputation all throughout the whole company. Even the higher ups praise him as a talented young leader. But Sahara couldn't help but feel uneasy towards the way he was acting. The men around him also gave suspicions, they were armed. Although it is necessary for the security to carry weapons around for protection, there was no need for them to be on guard, at least not while they are inside the walls. Sahara raised a brow, slightly shifting away from the men.

"You look disturbed..." Johnson spoke through a menacing grin.

Sahara moved cautiously, mustering the courage to go around the group. "I have no time for this, Johnson. I still have unfinished business with Dan."

As Sahara walked away, Johnson chimed a wicked laugh, "don't bother! I don't think he wants your company right now."

Sahara halted and spun around to meet Johnson's gaze again. She fully understands why, but she isn't the type to back away. Johnson is not trustworthy that is why she needs to ask someone who she fully knows, even if it meant snooping into uncharted information. She must know, the real purpose of this place.

"What makes you so sure of it?" Sahara deeply questioned.

"Why don't you see for yourself?" Johnson replied.

_____

"What bothers you?" Gwen ambled towards Dan who was sat in thought.

He gazed up, "Gwen, you know Sahara well, right?"

The woman chuckled as if knowing where the discussion would lead to. "Sahara. Well, let's see... she's a strong woman, very talented and smart. I think that's why Malory and Johnson picked her. Why ask me that? Weren't you two together, together? I bet you know more than me."

Dan gave a heavy sigh, he doesn't know anymore. With feelings of conflict brewing from within him, he is unsure whether he still feels the same way towards the woman he loves - or maybe once loved. She hasn't changed a bit, but that is what draws him to her, however, it is also what separates both of them. Sahara focuses too much on her work with no time to consider being in a proper relationship.

"Dan..." Gwen murmured after moments of silence, "why don't we give it a go?"

Dan shot his head towards Gwen who's face was rather flushed but confident at the same time. Gwen paused for a bit, cupping a hand over her right ear as if listening to something.

"Give what a go?" Dan obliviously asked.

Gwen snickered, her face completely changing from gentle to fierce. Her eyes blazed as they stare into Dan's. At that point, she seemed very different from the quiet and gentle scientist that she was.

"Y'know. This."

One quick movement of her body to the side and Gwen was straddling Dan. Her arms hung aggressively over his neck as if to subdue him.

"Gwen- what are you-" a quick crashing sensation stopped him.

The forceful kiss was rough and unloving unlike that of Sahara's. Instead of passion, he felt lust instead.

He pushed her gently to separate the unwanted contact, "what was that for?!" He asked.

Gwen said nothing. A nasty smirk covering her face. What was she thinking forcing herself onto him?

"Dan...?"