Because inside his skull, that was all that remained.
The bay was empty. The job was finished. A job he himself could not have done in this time even with loading gear, and he had been working here for three chrono-years. He could load this ship blindfolded.
No.
Impossible.
He swallowed hard and retreated to the only ground that had never failed him: criticizing others.
"Let us not get ahead of ourselves. I will check how you stowed it."
The being tilted their head, as if not entirely sure what Khar wanted, then shrugged one shoulder. Something in Khar’s psyche flashed a warning at the familiarity of the gesture, but he brushed it aside. He had bigger problems.
"Do you want me to show you, or would you rather…?" the newcomer began, uncertain.
With a grunt, Khar dismissed them and stepped out of the bay so they would not see his console or overhear his exchange with Vitro.
"Vitro, report on recent storage operations. Give me inventory levels in universal chrono-cycles."
Data pinged to his VoidBrace, but Vitro, ever helpful, summarized aloud.
"Khar, food stores loaded for four hundred cycles. Medical and hygiene equipment for two hundred fifty cycles. Protective gear, technical and maintenance supplies for one hundred seventy-nine cycles. Other consumables sufficient for two hundred thirty cycles."
Khar’s hand trembled, just barely, as he closed the console. In all the time he had served aboard, Vitro had never misreported stock levels.
Still, manual verification was in order.
His broad shoulders barely fit between the racks, but he moved through the inventory at a steady pace.
The crates were there.
Stowed.
Secured.
Scanned.
Khar gave himself a quick shake, as if he could fling off the sticky, unpleasant feeling clinging to him. Nothing was lost yet. He only needed another task. He had not planned for this outcome. He had calculated the new worker would need at least two chrono-cycles to finish.
Fine.
He would adapt.
And he would come out on top.
When he stepped back into the cargo bay, he faltered, thrown by the absence of the black exosuit.
The being had removed the bulky suit and now sat in the same rest-chair as before, their small body relaxed, back turned to Khar in the doorway.
Khar smiled.
They must need a break, finally feeling the inevitable crush of increased gravity that made even breathing an effort.
"I checked the stock. Acceptable."
The being turned their head toward him.
Dark eyes without the inner glow typical of Divani. Pale, almost white skin, so fragile it looked as though blood might be visible beneath the surface. A nose like a Divani’s, only smaller. A mouth without the blade-edged incisors of his species. By any measure, a face far less frightening than that of a Divani.
