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“It’s rude to waste food.”

“I wasn’t wasting it. I just didn’t want to eat it.”

“I did, so problem solved.”

“Is that what it’s like on Tenkcet? Everyone fends for themselves?”

“No, we have a social order. Depending on your weakness, others look out for you.”

Her gaze shifted to Faron’s cybernetic arm. He was the first Tolong she’d seen with such an appendage. From her work at My Single Alien, Kendra knew about Tolongs’ pursuit of physical perfection and strong genes. It was the only reason she hadn’t punched him square in the face after he’d asked about her health and genetics. Having lost an arm must have cost him his reputation in the Tolong community.

“You’re staring,” Faron said.

“I’m not staring. I’m looking. I’d like to know more about you.”

“Then ask me questions.”

Kendra bit her bottom lip. “How long have you worked on Prodigy?”

“Six months.”

“And before that?”

His gaze narrowed. “In the mines on Tenkcet.”

“You wanted a change of occupation?”

“No, it was decided for me.” The muscles clenched in his jaw, and he looked away.

Kendra nodded slowly. “Because of your arm? Did you lose it in an accident?”

Faron grabbed a bottle of wine and drank for several long seconds. “I did.”

She shifted in her seat. “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it.”

“It happened. There’s no point in hiding it. I can hardly conceal this.” Faron glared at his arm. “We’d uncovered a seam of precious metals. I led a work crew, and we decided to push on for a few hours until the seam had been uncovered. There was a core quake while we were underground. Several of my crew died. My arm was crushed as I tried to get out.”

“That’s terrible,” Kendra said. “You must have been in agony.”

“I was more concerned about the loss of my crew. We lived alongside each other like brothers. They relied on me as much as I relied upon them. Three males were taken in their prime.” Hurt flashed in his eyes before it vanished.

“How did you get out?”

“I had two options: I could remain underground and die from thirst and starvation, or I could remove the damaged limb and make my way to the surface.”

Kendra’s hand covered her mouth. “You cut off your own arm?”

“It was that or die.” His shoulder twitched, and his fingers flexed. “Sometimes, I believe I made the incorrect decision. My life has been different since losing an arm.”

“Unless you look carefully, you don’t notice the difference. And you have your life and your health. You can still work.”

“For that, I remain grateful. But I do not appreciate the judgment by other Tolongs.”

“I admire you for what you did. You must be brave to go through that.”

Faron looked away, his jaw tight. “My father calls me a coward. I should have remained underground and died as a sacrifice. He says it’s not right that I prolonged my life.”

Kendra’s teeth clenched at the cruelty Faron had experienced. “Your father wishes you dead because you lost an arm?”