The worm sensed the approach first. Sensitive to vibration, it abruptly broke off from their play and undulated lightning quick in his direction. These worms are smaller but so much wilier and faster than the ones from Arha's time. It emited a hissing-roaring-squeak, something an alien baby orca would make.

"Hold!" She cried at it and it stopped immediately. "This man means us no harm." There it sat, wriggling in place and turning over, waiting for reassurance.

She smiled her mischevious desert waif's smile. "Isn't that right?" Trained eyes studied him. There were fast twitch muscles there, a kind of electric crackling always around him. This one had been trained as a warrior. He smelled different too...stronger. Without knowing it, her sensitive nose picked up the influence of the midichlorians.