She always had the impression he wanted her to be a Federation diplomat. Instead, she captained a crew and made space runs as an independent contractor. When the general had been in charge of Rifflen, she was also allowed certain privileges on the base that most civilians wouldn’t have access to. It was how Dev was able to obtain Federation records inside her pod about the planet that he might not otherwise have been able to see.
When they held still, the Murkernals looked like sticks in woven jumpsuits with a round ball for a head on top. They were a harmless, playful race on a planet that had no real value to anyone but them. They also had a fondness for any traveler bigger than they were. Dev, being of considerable size, naturally caught their eager attention. For a moment, she’d considered running off while he was swarmed. She suspected he wouldn’t hurt the locals. Despite his gruff manners, he was very gentle with them. It was his pleading, helpless eyes, in the midst of all their friendliness that had made her stay.
Earlier, she hadn’t stopped to wonder about how he stiffened for a fleeting second each time she touched him. Seeing his expression in light of the Murkernals playfulness, she felt sorry for him. He wasn’t used to receiving affection.
Even now, the natives followed him around their small village, gazing up at him, trying to hold onto his pant legs. They made it difficult for the big demon man to walk. Violette found it adorable.
Evening skies cast the planet in a red and orange light. Streaks of purple outlined the horizon. There were no homes, no buildings, no communication towers, only low-hung canopies that stretched over a clearing and inadequately hid a wooden door on the ground. Dev couldn’t have picked a more out of the way location to elude her crew. Who would think to look for them here?
“How exactly are we here to help?” Dev asked. Before she could answer, the natives ran to a large tree and lifted their arms, jumping excitedly. They were too short to reach the branches, and when they tried to climb the slick trunk, they slid down.
Violette exchanged a look with Dev before nodding toward the tree. He slowly approached, hesitated, and then gently grabbed a local with blue hair and lifted him up. The whistling became more pronounced as the Murkernal kicked his feet in excitement.
Violette stepped back from the gathering crowd, not taking her eyes off Dev. The local reached into the tree limbs to retrieve a large berry. He jerked impatiently as Dev lowered him back to the ground. Instead of lifting another one, Dev reached into the tree and began picking fruit. He handed the food down to his enthusiastic followers, who then ran away to eat. When everyone had been fed, she approached Dev.
“You’ve made the settlement very happy.” She reached into the tree and took a piece of fruit. She sniffed it but didn’t eat.
“This planet is…” Dev glanced to where the Murkernals scrambled under the canopy. They beat their feet against the ground, digging a hole straight down to bury their bodies until only their heads were above the earth. Cheeks moved as they sucked the fruit. Dev tilted his head to better see them. “I have seen many races, but these—”
“Murkernals,” Violette supplied.
“—Murkernals are very strange beings.”
“I think they’re cute.” Violette tossed the fruit into the air in front of him. Dev automatically caught it. “I’m not sure we should find food here. I’ll stick with the foil packs.”
“Scared?” He arched a brow and made a move to bring it to his mouth.
“Smart,” she corrected. “I’ve seen what the Da’Na virus in non-regulated food can do to a person. You might like liquefied insides, but this,” she gestured impishly to her face, “is too pretty for stink pustules.”
Dev grinned and placed the piece of fruit on the ground, leaving it uneaten.
“I’m going to the pod,” she said. “I’ll be back.”
“How about I go with you?”
It wasn’t a request. She chuckled. “Worried I’ll reset your communication signal?”
Violette had thought about trying. She might even succeed in doing so. However, she had an excellent reason not to. This adventure gave her the chance to find Josselyn when his crew came to retrieve him.
“No.” He nodded that she should walk.
“If I were going to try to fly the pod, I would have left earlier.” She leaned over to look under the canopy to the contented heads