[Maes turns to look over his shoulder at who has joined him. He'd seen her around before, but if they'd spoken before now he can't recall. He nods.]

At first I thought maybe I'd just been gone too long. We didn't have any plants to deal with on Struxta, so maybe it was just my imagination.

[He gestures at one tree in particular.]

But I've been keeping an eye out and I don't think this is your normal 'changing seasons' kind of transition. This seems more like something is spreading.

[He puts his hands in his pockets.]

It makes me nervous, given what we found out about Struxta as well.

[He looks back at the young woman.]

Has it ever looked like this before? The last time we were here was my first time, so I don't have a lot to compare it to.