The foreman’s pace slowed as he headed through the hallway.
Karuk prepared himself.
This day was bound to come. If it wasn’t here, it would be in another world or job. His people’s tenacity made legends throughout the galaxy.
They rarely stopped. A few who used their telepathy and other skills for nefarious ends had much to do with the dangerous reputation they had.
They were pretty, yes.
But the Dalgurians were dangerous.
He could have taken his earpiece off. Tried to at least prepare, but it seemed pointless.
His fate was mere moments away.
The foreman came to a stop at a door—this one a bit more ornate than many of the others. Likely a main office.
Exactly where anyone from his world would expect to be taken. The arrogance and entitlement of the senior command staff would expect no less.
“You,” the foreman said. “In there.”
Karuk nodded and stepped forward.
The door came open, and inside was that Earthling, Polly. He’d seen her about the station, and with the others from her planet, but he’d never interacting with her.
She smiled at him. Seemed friendly enough.
“Hi there, you must be Karuk.”
“Yes.”
“I’m Polly. Please, come in.”
The inside was much fancier than the outside. Dark reds and plums decorated the room, a contrast to the trimming of the same silver-gray that the rest of the station had been fitted with. A seating area, with large, ornate furniture gathered around a singular low table, and a vase of flowers in similar colors to the room dominated the table.
From the door, he could smell them. They were real, grown organically. He hadn’t seen a real plant in some time.
Just the smell soothed him, and he realized how much he missed organic contact—walking on a planet’s surface grounded him and gave him strength.
His gaze ran over the room, and noticed other plants, green ones, in opposite corners of the room.
What wasn’t there, however, were any representatives of the Vorjan House.
Now he was concerned.
He lingered by the door, looking for some kind of alternate entrance where someone could come in. His training from his previous life came to life, and he immediately started analyzing and taking in threats.
Though he found none, and that never sat well with him. “What is this?”
“It’s fine, Karuk, please, come in and take a seat,” Polly said, gesturing to the central seating area. “You’re not in any trouble.”
He tentatively stepped forward, still not trusting this. And while the female was friendly enough, none of this felt right.
The door behind him swooshed open.
He spun, ready to fight.
And came face to face with Jenny.
