Page 121 of Alien Burn

Dhomhes wasn't going to crowd the medical room with another male asking the same questions.

He sent for the reports instead.

Then he stood at the operations table with his jacket still warm where Sereya had held it, and tried to find somewhere on his own planet that would let these females sit down without being shot at.

“The roof is closed,” his lead said.

“It should have been safe while it was open.”

The male said nothing.

Dhomhes looked up. “I wasn't asking you to defend it. Keep anyone without work there away from the scene. We need what the attackers left.”

Another message arrived. The medical droid expected Janae's hearing to return; there was no permanent damage. Abrasions. Torn clothing. Injuries that could be called minor by anyone who hadn't been underneath the exploding table.

He passed the medical update to Sereya.

She answered almost immediately.

Thank you for telling me.

He kept that message on the small display beside the report for longer than he needed to.

The broker's reply arrived while he was reading. One of his cargo contacts had found an offer circulating through an exchange for hired weapons. The broker had forwarded the original listing, its images, and the instructions for claiming payment.

Dhomhes opened it. These were the volunteers in his care. The posting was still accepting claims.

He sent a copy to the security commander and told him to preserve the listing at its source. Then he looked at the price beside the first image.

Names. Images. Payment for killing people who had arrived here expecting a welcome.

His jaw tightened.

“Get me a secure connection to Khalzin.”

The hologram opened on two familiar faces. Khalzin stood with Janae tucked close beside him; Stron occupied the other projection, and Adryel moved into view at his shoulder.

“Dhomhes. Good timing.”

“I do have wickedly good instincts.”

Stron rolled his eyes. “Regarding what?”

“When I know, I share it.”

“You do not,” Stron replied.

It was the sort of exchange they might have had over a meal before any of this. Dhomhes welcomed the brief familiarity. Then Khalzin lifted a hand through the projection.

“You both have been reaching out to resources about this situation. What have you learned so far regarding the attacks against the Galactic Alliance visitors?”

“Attacks? Plural?” Stron asked.

“We were attacked here, in the garden on the roof,” Janae said.

“Are you okay?” Adryel asked.

Janae waved a hand. “I'm fine. But this is getting very intense. Something needs to be done to get this under control.”