Did that mean the entity or whatever it was recognized that the planet did have inhabitants?
“You are not supposed to be here,” it said.
“We didn’t plan it,” Riina said, a bit dryly, then wondered if it could hear tone. “If you could release us so we can go back to the planet…”
“That is no longer possible,” it said. “We will soon arrive at…”
Rina had a feeling that this translation glitch was a serious one. Arrive where?
Tim cleared his throat and then spoke without looking at Riina. This was a breach of their protocol, but he’d had the sudden thought from watching the pattern of attack.
“Are you targeting the Vorthari? The entities that live under the surface of the planet?”
The eye blinked.
“Target? We don’t know what this means. We clean out the infestation.”
“That is what we came to do, too,” Tim said. “At least, one of our kind cleaned out a nest of them prior to our arrival.”
There was a distinct rumble, though whether it was a good sign, he didn’t know.
“We wondered,” it finally said. “But there are many more and they are waking and planning to leave.”
“That was our assessment as well,” Riina said, giving Tim and approving look. “Do they threaten the surface inhabitants? We understood that the Skaridrex contained them?”
“The Skaridrex have lost control. An interdiction was required.”
“Is the interdiction dangerous to the surface inhabitants?” Riina asked the question again.
“The Vorthari are more dangerous. They would scavenge the surface life before moving on.”
“But you can save them? The people on the planet?” This was from Lt. Dish.
Tim had almost forgotten she was there.
“Save them?” The voice sounded surprised. Or that could be the translation program projecting emotion. “They will save themselves. It will be easier now.”
Drun gave a cry and tried to lunge out of his seat. The straps held him down and tightened in response to his lunge.
“No! Those are my people!”
“Could we perhaps consult on a way to rid the world of the Vorthari that allows the surface dwellers to survive?” Riina said hastily. “We were successful with the one nest of them.”
“You do not understand,” it said, “we have…” translation frizzed and then the eye retreated.
“I hope he doesn’t take too long,” Lt. Dish said. “It sounds like we don’t have much time until something happens that I have a feeling we won’t like.”
“No,” Riina agreed. “In the meantime, I’m going to try scanning and see if we can figure out just what this is. And where we are.”
Tim opened his mouth to object. As far as he could tell, scanning was down.
“Could you get scanning back up, Trac?” Riina asked.
“My systems scanning is intact,” Trac said. “I will share my data. It is, so far, puzzling and inconclusive. Perhaps I could refine it if I could egress the shuttle.”
Tim jerked around to look at his friend. “Only if I go with you.”
“We do not know if your gear can withstand the atmosphere outside the shuttle,” Trac pointed out. “It could be toxic to both humans and their gear.”
