Was the Europhid truly like a bee, only able to sting once? Or would the stinger that was left behind in Peterson's hand regenerate, able to strike again? But that's not what concerned him the most. The tendril and stinger were fascinating, but there was something more to this video…something he couldn't quite place…something that chilled him.

He watched the video again, frame by frame. As Peterson turned his head and the tendril struck out, Robert realized what he was seeing. The Europhid isn't just seeing, it's thinking. Strategizing. The Europhid had waited patiently, amusing Peterson, until his attention was diverted and his hand was in striking distance.

The act was deliberate and planned. The Europhids were intelligent.

They were more than just plants.

Robert scratched his head, creating a bird's nest in his hair. His hand stopped moving when he came to a realization.

The tendril and stinger are weapons. Just because we haven't seen them on the other Europhids doesn't mean they're not equipped with similar appendages. If they're all able to attack maybe they're not the harmless plants we've taken them for.

Maybe they're predators?

*   *   *   *   *

After spending five minutes in a blazing hot shower, Connelly felt the confusion surrounding the events of the last hour beginning to fade. She dressed quickly and hurried to the docking bay, where she waited for Robert. Willard and Choi had boarded Lander One three minutes ago. The hum of electricity emanating from the lander told her the ship was prepped and ready to go. So was she.

Where are you, Robert?

Just then, the decon room's doors hissed open and Robert stepped into the landing bay. He removed the PMS hood as he walked, revealing his bushy beard, messy head of hair and thickly wrinkled brow. He strode toward Connelly with sweeping, rapid steps.

Connelly could see that something was bothering her old friend, but had enough stress for one day and hoped to bypass any serious discussions. He had yet to lecture her about the incident involving Peterson and the Europhid, and she was thankful for that, but she knew it would eventually come. Still, she couldn't just ignore his urgent demeanor. "What's got your forehead so wrinkled?"

After coming to an abrupt stop, Robert took a deep breath, let it out slowly and licked his lips nervously. "So I was reviewing the security footage from the Bio-lab."

Connelly held her breath for only a moment, but enough to reveal her discomfort with the subject. "You have?"

Robert nodded slowly. "Yes, and—"

"Hey, boat's leaving," Willard said as he leaned out of Lander One's hatch. His jovial demeanor sounded forced. She had given him a quick rundown on what she'd found out about Benson. His mood had dulled since, but he was trying to remain optimistic. He couldn't help it. His glass was perpetually half full.

"Can it wait?" Connelly said. The words were shoved out with an anxious quickness.