Prologue: Guardian RisesGuard ran as fast as his Xuhelion legs would allow him while searching for Reader. Heat rose up from the ground as his home baked under its dying sun. Every breath was a struggle in the thick air. 

Chapter 2: Rules"Yes?" Guard prompted again, impatience coloring his mental voice enough to have Security straightening their stances t

 Chapter 4: Human Anatomy"I have read their texts. Seen their biology as you have learned it from me. I don't know all the ways to be human."John couldn't stop staring at the red staining Tom's lean cheeks. Blood flowed through the body as a result of emotions as much as biology. He couldn't think of a reason for Tom to be flushed. Sickness wasn't possible. Their kind rarely became ill. Heat was unlikely. They were both sharing the same berth with the same temperature flowing over them. What caused his face to flush?"I don't like it when I can't hear your mind voice. You seem too far away. I'm human now. Your voice won't change me. You know I can hear you."Tom reached out to stroke his hand down John's arm, squeezing his bicep gently before letting his hand fall to his side once more."It's hard to speak with my mind. For me. I do not have the talent for it you do.""I can hear you."John freed himself from the security lashe

Chapter 6: Guardian DescendedTom Records were left to their own devices. Most Zen chose not to associate with the historians of their race without just cause. It was disconcerting to think of someone remembering every single word or action without effort. Perfect recall was the one gift all members of Records shared in their bloodline. In exchange, Records were unable to connect to the rest of their kin with the ease all other Zen families possessed. Guardian descended with the stately grace of a much smaller vessel; alarms were sounded to signal Zen to begin their descent protocols. Everyone had a job. Except Tom. Avoiding the thought to spare John any discomfort, Tom focused all his energy on feeling calm, cool, and collected. Earth was going to be their new home. Earth was a new planet. Earth would need all of Tom's focus for a time as he tried to learn its history to place it alongside the

 Chapter 8: RegistrationTomAll the orderly lines of Zen were divided into separate queues upon entering the registration depot. Tom was able to make out the words above the door using the information he'd gleaned from the human version of Records. They were registering at the County Clerk Office where it seemed many types of registration were available. Queue directors helpfully shuffled the Zen from one path to another in order to try to keep an even number of registrants before each human worker; Scientist Serena was moved to the queue beside Tom and John before either of them had an opportunity to protest. Tom knew he would have tried to insist they remain together.Tom didn't want to admit he knew John would have felt otherwise regarding the Scientist. Surprisingly, the pair in front of them were human. "What are we doing for you gentleman today?"Tom listened to the cheerful worker greet the pair