The tension around the campfire that night made the flames jumping onto Li’s arm feel like nothing but a small nip. The investigative crew determined that the threat was simply an offworlder with the intent to illegally hunt some of the untouched wildlife on the planet. Having said that, however, an official report would have to be made to the Local Universal authority of whatever species the poacher was. 

Rather than going back, the group had ventured on, in search of Aoki. It didn’t bother them that the previous night's night shift Guardians had stayed up the whole day and would have to put up with another night. It didn’t help it either that this was an entirely human squadron.

With the nearly 1 billion sentient species within the universe, according to Nora, it was extremely ironic that a pack of humans were tasked with defending this part of the planet. Compared with more resistant species of the same intellect, humans were like frogs in an ocean of sharks.

It was by luck that humanity had managed to develop technological superiority over the others and that the Covenant of Races existed to protect the ideologically similar. 

Li tried to piece together all he heard, not wanting to disappoint them with whatever forgetfulness issues he had. There would be little sleep that night and the broken face of Zhou occasionally flashed in Li’s mind.

It would be hard for that guy, he imagined. He didn’t know how advanced technologically this universe was, but he got a feeling that it wouldn’t be easy for the poor kid.

Li suddenly realized how young Zhou must have been and it hurt his heart even more.

The sight of Zhou being airlifted into the sky, back to his homeworld, struck Li with some more longing.

“Ali! You and I will take the night watch. Li and Nora, sleep well. I’ve got a bad feeling about tomorrow”