Page 29
Sunny took the first order for here and home. He ignored what was going on, which for him was a Herculean feat.
Yvari frowned. “What are you serving?”
“Meat and vegetables cooked on high heat, drizzled in sauce, and served with akko.”
Hazor smiled. “We will take three.”
“Fine, you are paying for two. You eat free, but your mother and father have to pay.”
There was a snort of laughter out of her sight.
Yvari looked stunned. “But I am the overseer.”
“The only exceptions are guardians. We have it on a plaque.” She shrugged. “Us simple creatures need simple rules.”
Yvari jolted. “I... how much?”
“Ten credits per serving. One extra for extra akko.”
“Why would anyone want extra?”
Cloudy shrugged. “People are weird.”
“Fine. Just a regular serving for me and Mathon.”
Cloudy nodded. “Coming up.”
She headed toward the grill and said, “Take the payment.”
She tossed the veg and meat, glazed them with a light sauce, and boxed them efficiently with the standard size of akko. She handed the boxes over, and Sunny looked uncomfortable.
Hazor got the packs and walked to the table. His mother and father sat with him. The other guardians were snickering at a distance.
Yvari opened the box, sniffed the food, took a bite of the mixed meat and veg, and then she warily nibbled at some akko. Her brows lifted, and the shreds were gone before the hot portion of her food.
Cloudy smiled, kept chatting, and kept the orders going for her regulars. The packs started to leave in stacks, and Sunny was sweating. Cloudy asked, “Do you need to switch?”
“No, but how are you so calm?”
“The adaptation helps me regulate my pulse.”
Hazor’s father walked up with a grin. “How much for just a container of akko?”
“Five credits.”
He scanned the plate.
She filled a container with akko, and off he went. His wife saw the open box and tried to fork some, but he moved the box. Cloudy smiled. He held a forkful for her, and she muttered something about ruling the damned planet.
Cloudy smiled, and they kept working through the rush and then cleanup. The guardians and the acting overseer were waiting for her. She looked past them and saw someone else. “’Scuse me a minute, Sunny.”
She dried her hands and walked out of the stall, toward the black vehicle and the seven-armed men coming toward her. She was twenty feet away when she called out. “Hello, stranger.”
“Are you the human partnered with Emgoth?”
“I am.”
“We want your business.”
