Zeph sounded a negative rumble. “We’ll stay here.”
“Sure,” the operator said. “I’ll see you tomorrow with the cargo.”
“Thanks,” Han said, then stepped back to let the operator shut the door and prep to leave. Between the hot sun, high humidity, and scary sounds coming from the jungle beyond the zapper fence, Han wanted to go inside.
“Let’s wait in the domicile,” she said. “Normally I wouldn’t simply walk into someone's domicile when they aren’t home, but I feel like these aren’t normal circumstances."
Tumoro, who was used to a colder environment, was quick to agree with her. “The walls of their domicile are made of cooling panels, so it’ll be much nicer inside.”
Zeph rumbled his agreement. “I’m sure they’ll understand. And your face is looking a little flushed.” He sounded a worried rumble. “Are you feeling feverish?”
“My skin is pale, so I turn red easily when I get hot.” She gave him a salacious smile. “Don’t you remember last night?”
He sounded a rumble of amusement as he reached down to grab the bags. “If you don’t return to your normal coloring once we’re inside, I think we should check your core temperature.”
“Give me a bit and I’ll be back to my pale self,” she said, reaching down to grab a bag.
Tumoro and Zeph were quick to heft most of them, leaving only two small ones for Han to lug inside. Bemused, she followed them to the domicile.
The door opened automatically, and they stepped inside. Han let out a relieved sigh and dropped her bags next to the door.
“Oh, this is nice,” she said, leaning against a wall that was almost too cold.
“Very nice,” Tumoro agreed as he and Zeph carried the bags to a table set up against a wall.
While they stacked their bags, Han took in the domicile. The place was nice for a scientific outpost. Along with all the basic necessities like a food storage and preparation room, there was a good-sized central space set up with lab equipment and a few empty cages, and then three other doors. One was open and it was clearly a cleansing and elimination room. The other two must be a bedroom and storage.
What struck Han was the small details added that made the place welcoming. There was a glass mosaic set in a window, casting colorful light into the room. The low couch-like piece of furniture looked fluffy and inviting. There were also several bundles of leafy plants hanging from the ceiling creating a pleasant scent.
Han pushed away from the wall and walked up to the guys. “Sandar and her husband have done a good job of making this place look nice. I wonder what those herbs are.”
Zeph looked around the room. “My sister has always excelled at efficiently using space.”
“Rensom, are you back already?”
They all turned to see a female Talin step out of one of the rooms. The similarity between her and Zeph made it clear this was his sister, Sandar.
The moment Sandar saw them, she froze. Her eyes jumped back and forth between Zeph and Tumoro. “Who are you? What are you doing here? Get out or I’ll activate the defenses!”
Han cursed her determination to dye Zeph. Sandar’s lack of recognition was going to emotionally wound him, and it was all her fault.
Han stepped out from behind Tumoro. “This is all my fault! I’m so sorry—”
“A human!” Sandar cried then sounded a rattle so loud it hurt Han’s ears and rushed across the room to her. “I’ll keep you safe!”
Han was covering her ears with her hands when Sandar gently grasped one of her arms. The Talin tucked Han behind her and moved them backward to the front door.
“When we get out the front door, run to the small building to the east. I’ll hold these males off. Lock yourself inside until I come to get you.”
Han could barely make out Sandar’s words over the rattling. She caught a glimpse of Tumoro’s confused expression and Zeph standing as still as a statue. Han tried to move around Sandar, but the Talin matched her move. “Don’t be scared, human. I’d never hurt you or force you to do anything.”
“Sandar, stop!” Zeph said, finally shaking off his stupor.
Sandar went stiff and stopped rattling. “Zephrum? Why are you red?”
“That’s what you say to me?” Zeph asked, his voice angry. Han was stepping around Sandar when Zeph stomped up to them and snatched her up into his arms. Cuddling her to his chest, he moved back until he was even with Tumoro again.
“Zephrum, I, uh, I thought about…but I couldn’t. And then…” her voice trailed off, her arms flopping to her sides and her eyes dropping to the ground.
