With a practiced flick, Khar threw the holo-feed onto the main display, where Vegrun’s orange body filled the frame, all tendrils and a single, central eye.
“Khar, my loyal Divani. And our new Human hire. Welcome aboard my ship.”
Lily did not miss how Khar’s head snapped up at the word human, but that was fine. Once they knew each other better, she would ask him if he had ever met others of her kind.
For now, business. Time to deploy the skill that had always served her well on Earth: targeted flattery. Big egos loved to be polished.
“Vegrun, your ship is magnificent. Elegant, tasteful. A true rarity.”
Vegrun flushed a deep purple, and his tendrils twirled around him in delight.
“Ah, you have an eye for starcruisers. No surprise. If memory serves, you own a Herion-6 yourself.”
Lily answered modestly that hers was nothing compared to his, and in doing so, failed to notice Khar’s jaw hitting the metaphorical floor beside her.
Vegrun and Lily got along almost immediately. Vegrun spoke at length about how important constant availability was to him and how he expected absolute discretion from both of them. No one could know when he came or went, much less with whom.
“Of course, Vegrun. Naturally.”
“Splendid, splendid. Now then, Khar, how did our little Human female perform on her first chrono-cycle?”
Khar’s hands curled into fists and his body tensed, as if he were already in the middle of a brawl and bracing for the next blow. Even so, he did not ignore his employer, though his voice sounded forced.
“No problems.”
“Perfect. If she is teachable and diligent, everything will be fine, is that not right, Khar?”
The silence stretched dangerously long, but at last the least enthusiastic reply emerged.
“Exactly, sir.”
“Excellent. Then we are done here.”
One of Vegrun’s tendrils waggled playfully in Khar’s direction.
“And, Khar?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Give it thirty or so chrono-cycles before you challenge her to any scuffle. Lily, just so you know, Khar is Divani. For them, physical strength and combat skill matter more than anything. He has settled every question of seniority with a fight so far. I trust you understand this is culturally important to him. Do not worry, you will not come to any real harm. It is more ofa formality. In the meantime, work together and keep my ship ready at all times.”
They both agreed, and the call ended.
Lily turned to Khar with one eyebrow raised.
“So… we are going to fight?”
Those demon-bright eyes regarded her, impossible to read. The pause stretched, and Lily covered the awkwardness with a laugh.
“Khar, I am a woman. You cannot just beat me up. At least, among humans, that is not done. I do not mean to insult your culture. If this is important to you, I will take part. Just go easy on me, please.”
The granite-gray statue finally gave a low, approving grunt, and Lily smiled at him in relief.
Thirty chrono-cycles were a long time. By then, they might know each other well enough that he would give up on the whole ridiculous idea entirely.
Chapter 6
A War Decided Before the First Clash
