Karuk immediately recognized the Charro—it was Erzo, the partner of the Earthling, Polly, that started this project here. She was in step with him, holding his hand as they walked in.
Occasionally, they were seen together at the station. He’d never interacted with either of them, but he knew their importance, as well as those that followed them through the cafeteria.
More of the Earth beings. Built like the humanoids from the Terran Empire, they didn’t seem like much.
At least, until their emotions hit Karuk.
The wave of conflicting emotions, so big and bold, it overwhelmed him for a second, and he had to steady himself on the wall. They were both excited and terrified. As his gaze ran over each one, he could sense the whirling emotions, even with the chip behind his ear dampening the influx.
He’ll have to adjust his settings to block their intensity.
Still, these Earth people were like an explosion of emotion, bigger than?—
“What is this? I don’t like it! Stay back,”came a telepathic voice in the back of his head.
Karuk blinked. Where did that come from?
He looked around, and saw the one female, her dark hair pulled away from her face, and she carried a box with holes in it.
A paw came out of the box.
Karuk stared. “You’re telepathic?”He started toward the female and her box.
The group that was following the Charro walked through the room, swerving around the tables. Karuk adjusted his path so he could reach out and feel the telepathy again.
It had been a very long time since he'd felt such strong direct telepathy. He wanted to know who could do that. No one had mentioned anyone from this Earth planet was telepathic.
The closer he got, the stronger the emotions got. Fierce irritation mixed with fear. And curiosity.
It contradicted everything and was very raw. Primal, almost.
Who were these Earth beings?
The group continued through the cafeteria, the Charro talking about the features, like no one knew what a food prep unit was.
Maybe they didn’t.
Karuk weaved around the tables to get the most direct route to them.
As he approached, several turned to look at him. A couple moved away.
The female with the box turned her head and looked at him.
Her dark eyes met his, and he stopped.
“You? What are you doing? Get away!”
She stood still and adjusted her grip on the box. “Yes?”
“Get away!”
A hiss escaped the box, as well as a paw.
“Shh, Mister Fluffikins! Be nice. We don’t know what his intentions are.”
“Males bad! They’re all bad!”
Hiss! Hiss!
