“We’re all going to die anyway. I’d rather die helping others, than being afraid.”
There were much worse things to be afraid of than some medicine.
7
The Earthlings ate their meals in the main food cafeteria, clustered around a single table, discussing their work on the station.
Since they arrived, so did Karuk.
He had not approached them since that initial day, and he had not felt that intense telepathy since, either. He wondered if it was some kind of fear that caused such a strong psychic response. It happened. Overwhelming worry and emotion could radiate out to a psychic being like intense telepathy.
Still, he was intrigued and couldn’t stay away from them.
From the female with the dark hair, Jenny.
He continued to watch her.
At least trying to maintain a respective distance. Today, she wore her hair piled on the back of her head, keeping the hair bundled off her delicate neck.
Everything about her intrigued him. She had pretty features, and when she smiled, her eyes sparkled, and she seemed to glow with joy.
Every once in a while, he would see her look his way, but it was never for long, and never seemed more than coincidental.
Like now, she grinned and laughed at something the other female, Brooklyn, said, who she seemed to always be with.
He wondered if they were mated. They always seemed to be together.
“You know, you could be more subtle,” Resko said, taking a seat across from him at the table.
Karuk glanced at him, noticing that the markings around his face and down his shoulders shifted in the light against his skin, showing a neutral mood. Regardless of what his visual cues about his state indicated, Resko needed something.
Karuk could sense it. Even with his dampener on, he could feel the emotions that Resko kept hidden bubbling beneath the surface.
Surprising. Resko never regarded him at all if it could be helped.
At least Resko wasn’t angered today. Though the markings on his face did flicker slightly with a greenish hue, adding to the emotional undercurrent that Karuk sensed. “Seriously, you’re staring at them all the time.”
“Intrigued,” Karuk said.
“They’re nice enough,” he said. “Similar to Terrans, from what I can tell.”
“Have you interacted with them?”
“No.” Resko took a bite of his dinner. “But I’m not afraid to.”
Karuk blinked. “Afraid? Why that word?”
“Can’t think of another reason you won’t speak to them. Instead, you follow them around whenever you’re off duty.”
He blinked. “Incorrect.”
Resko nodded again. “Listen, here’s the true trajectory. If you’re going to approach the Earthlings, do it soon. I’m not the only one who has noticed you watching. Cher and Bardon have as well.”
“Why would they care what I do? They should be pleased I have my own agenda.”
He sighed. “They don’t like you.”
“All the more reason they should want to stay away from me.”
