“Even as injured as they were, they probably could have slaughtered every single person on that ship. On both ships,” I muse. “But they didn’t. They took out Lianov, and then they waited to see what we would do.” I glance up at Curran. “I’ll be honest – I don’t know if I’d have that kind of self-control.”
“Let’s hope we never have to find out.” Curran says. He steps into my office and drops into a chair. “You have to admire that about them,” he says. I'm inclined to agree. “That interview was the last piece, right?”
I nod. “Unless you’ve got good news from our Fixers,” I say hopefully.
Curran shakes his head sadly. “Whatever the hell kind of encryptions and protections Lianov put on those systems, they are no joke. The team is making progress, but they still haven’t managed to get access.”
“And Alek?” I ask. Of Lianov’ crew, Alek is the only one who was willing to talk to us and only after a promise of a new identity and a new start somewhere remote.
Curran shrugs. “He’s told us everything he can, but he was essentially an indentured servant himself. Gambling debts.”
I nod. “I guess I’ll get this all turned over to the council then. I imagine they will want to hear from me directly once they’ve had a chance to review.”
“Lucky you,” Curran says.
???
I see the trio of haleens at dinner in the mess a few hours later. Davix is still avoiding making eye contact, but Krish waves at me and gestures for me to join them. “If you’re interested, we could visit some of the rest of the station after dinner,” I say, sliding onto a bench next to Zann.
“Yes,” Krish says excitedly. “I especially want to visit the parks and the markets. Wenschel has been talking to me about them.”
“We can do that,” I reply. “Are there other places the two of you want to see?” I ask, glancing at Zann and Davix. Davix shakes his head while Zann looks thoughtful.
“We can start with parks and markets,” Zann says finally. “Perhaps we will find other places we wish to visit along the way. We will go right after dinner?”
“Sure,” I say, putting a forkful of food into my mouth. I’m a little stunned at the speed with which the three of them eat, but then they are all looking at me expectantly. I glance down at my half-finished plate and shrug. “I guess I’m done then,” I say with a laugh.
It is hard to maintain my professionalism and impartiality when I see Krish’s reaction to the markets. I have grown accustomed to the array of foods, goods, and services available in a large station like Azuris, but watching Krish is like seeing it all for the first time again. I resist the urge to buy him one of the spinning wind chimes that he admires or any of the delicious-smelling treats that he stares at longingly. I am here in my official capacity as Base Commander providing oversight and security to the haleens and nothing else. I have to remind the guards that they are doing the same when Kendrick offers to buy Krish one of her favorite delicacies.
While Krish is fascinated by the market, Zann and Davix seem much more interested in the individuals populating it. While non-humans are few and far between within the confines of the base – a remnant of less open-minded beginnings of the IPC – that is not the case outside the base. We pass by feline-like individuals covered with fur, insectoid creatures with long, spindly bodies, and other humanoid creatures with varying numbers of eyes and limbs. I get the sense that Davix is silently sizing up every individual we pass, determining if he thinks he could prevail if a fight were to break out. Zann’s interest seems more like Krish’s curiosity, even if he doesn’t share quite the same wonder and delight.
All three of them are impressed when we reach the nearest park, however. It is a large place, easily spanning several blocks, and it is filled with flora of all types and shapes. Broad paths wind through the grass and under trees. We pass by a large pond witha small, decorative waterfall which Davix stares at longingly and a bed of brightly colored blooms.
“What is this plant called?” Zann asks as we stop by a particularly impressive collection of flowers of varying shapes and sizes. Insects and small birds dart between the red, pink, and orange blossoms. I glance at the soldiers who are part of our group, and they shrug at me.
“I have no idea,” I reply. Zann’s face falls slightly, and I’m almost tempted to look it up just to be able to answer him. I’m apparently not fast enough, though, as Kendrick beats me to it. She shares the plant name and some random facts as I wander a little further down the path. There are children playing a little further along the path, and I wave as a ball bounces towards me. “Thanks, Commander,” one of them calls shyly as I throw it back to the group. I turn around to see Krish looking at me curiously.
“What are they doing?” he asks.
I shrug. “Just playing catch,” I reply.
“We are very good at catching things,” Krish says eagerly. “Do you think we could play with the kits?”
“We call them children, and I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask.” Moments later, all three of the imposing males are chasing after balls and leaping over plants. The children seem highly entertained by their agility and speed, and I’m reminded of the display in the training hall. The lean, muscled forms running through the park are a far cry from the skeletal figures they were when I first encountered them. Their elegance and graceare stunning, and I have to stop myself from staring. “We should probably head back,” I call to groans from the children. “Maybe someone could bring you here again in the next few days.”
Krish trots up to me. “I would like that,” he says. “But next time you should play with us.”
One of the male soldiers can’t quite control the snicker that escapes his lips and the casual and almost certainly unintended innuendo, though he has the decency to look marginally embarrassed when I glare at him. I sigh and shake my head but it’s hard to be too upset. Curran would have laughed out loud.
Chapter Sixteen: Zann
Corrina does not come with us, much less play with us, when we next visit the park. Krish is the most disappointed of the three of us, but I am somewhat disappointed as well. I have grown accustomed to seeing Corrina on a daily basis, and I find it strange to go several days without catching a glimpse of her. We do not even see her at communal meals in the mess hall. It is like the feeling I have on the rare occasions when I am apart from Krish or Davix for long periods of time, and I realize that I miss her company. When I ask Jurr where Corrina is, he answers only that he has been told the Commander is busy.
In Corrina’s absence, we spend a great deal of time in the medical bay with Wenschel and the red-headed male called Ryder. They are both very excited to learn everything they can about our species. Krish and I have been persuaded to undergo extensive testing, including allowing them to draw samples of our blood and saliva. Davix rarely joins us, preferring instead to stay in our quarters or spend time running and testing his strength in the exercise chamber, so I am surprised when he follows us silently into the medical bay.
“Is the rumor about two of you having motivators true?” a new female asks.
“It is true,” Krish replies. “Davix and I both had one, but they were removed when we arrived here.”
