“They’re right,” Mara agreed. “Just because your friend gave that warning didn’t mean the Yanurans were to blame for his disappearance.”
“I believe they wanted to keep their secrets and killed him. It might have something to do with this miracle drug we’ve been sent to investigate.”
“Larikk could have been referring to anything.”
“He went after that vaccine at my urging, and I won’t have his death hanging over my head. If the Yanurans are guilty, they’ll pay for it.” Deke’s mouth curved down, and his eyes narrowed. He’d been blocked in his attempt to investigate his friend’s death before, but now nothing would stop him.
“Your attitude is unreasonable. You’ll be looking for things to be wrong,” Mara said.
“After Larikk’s tale, you’re not suspicious?” Deke asked. He couldn’t believe her naiveté.
“I’m willing to be open-minded. You don’t know what secret Larikk discovered, nor can you be certain the Yanurans harmed him. You’re making assumptions that will bias your viewpoint and obstruct our mission.” She gestured at the others, who were listening with rapt attention. “If you offend Fromoth Trun, he’ll revoke our travel visas. We’ll fail in the search for Jallyn, and you’ll have lost any chance you might have to learn what Larikk discovered. The Admissions Committee will merely send another science team in our place.”
And he’d fail to win the appointment to the chancellorship, Deke reminded himself. Ruefully, he regarded her. “As our protocol expert, I’ll expect you to suggest the best approach.”
“We should be able to check into Larikk’s disappearance as long as we’re discreet. I don’t see the harm in making a few inquiries,” Wren interjected.
Deke nodded, grateful for the Polluxite’s support. “Let’s break for evening nourishment; then we’ll reassemble for the weaponry evaluation in the ordnance room.”
Land’s sake, Mara thought. Deke was still insisting on that absurdity. With an annoyed frown, she got up and took her place in line for the fabricator, aware that he stood behind her. The hairs on her nape rose in response. He must resent her meddling presence, but she was here to ensure the Yanurans were treated with respect.
She didn’t mind if Deke checked into Larikk’s activities as long as their mission wasn’t jeopardized. Obviously Wren thought Larikk’s disappearance was worth investigating, and maybe it would lead to something significant in regard to their own assignment. Her job was to make certain the Yanurans were given a fair evaluation.
Thinking over their earlier discussion, she admitted the relationship between the Croags and the Worts was unclear to her. Fromoth Trun had insisted the Worts’ interests were being met and they wouldn’t object to membership in the Coalition. She intended to meet with a Wort representative herself to confirm his words. Regardless of what Deke might think, she wasn’t a complete fool.
She obtained her plate of food and headed back to the table. Hedy had chosen a vegetarian meal of pasta and salad. Mara couldn’t wait to bite into her juicy steak, mashed red tuber, and calyp greens. She’d always had a big appetite and was starving. As she bit into a soft roll, she eyed the foodstuffs chosen by the others. Wren bent over a plate of berries and nuts, while Ebo forked a gooey pink substance into his stretchy mouth.
On her left, Deke sat down, resting his plate on the table. A fishy odor assailed her nostrils. Annums of training had taught her to swallow her distaste and maintain her poise when she ate in alien company. Dining with different cultures was part of her job.
Hedy wasn’t so subtle. “What is that stuff?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.
“This is brown algae chowder, raw placar fish, and seaweed pudding,” Deke said, pointing to each in its turn. “Want to try some?” He offered her a quivering moist white cube covered in a slimy translucent substance.
“No, thanks.” Hedy grimaced and turned back to her own meal.
“You should fit in well with the Yanurans,” Mara said, unable to resist the dig. “They smell like your food.”
For a moment he didn’t answer and she was afraid she’d gone too far. Then his mouth curved in a devilish grin. “If you like alien cultures so much, how about trying an iced jelly? It’s a popular beverage on Eranus. I’d be happy to conjure you one.”
Her curiosity got the better of her. “What is it?”
“A combination of water, slab sugar, rose concentrate, grass jelly, and crushed ice.” His eyes glittered as he waited for her response.
“Grass jelly?”
“A black jelly made from seaweed. Want to try it?”
Mara was never one to turn down a challenge. “Sure, why not?” Her gaze followed Deke as he rose and went to the fabricator. He certainly cut a dashing figure in his uniform. Watching him made her wonder about his background. He’d said he was from Eranus, but what kind of life had he led there? Had he always been interested in a military career?
By the time he returned with a tall frosted glass, she’d resolved to delve into his history. It would help her deal with him more effectively if she understood his origins.
One taste of the drink was enough to scatter her thoughts. The black liquid tasted like iodine. Trying not to gag, she managed to swallow the first sip. “Delightful,” she muttered.
“I can see you relish the taste,” Deke remarked.
With her mouth puckered from the astringent drink, she was unable to cast a witty retort. Bending her head, she hid her discomfort by raising a forkful of warm, soft tuber to her lips. The food had a sweet, buttery-rich flavor that thankfully erased the bitterness of the beverage.
“How do you survive on such meager fare?” Hedy asked Wren. “You have such a powerful physique. Your nutritional requirements must be enormous.”
Wren concentrated on his food, his brows drawn together as he hunched over his plate. Mara was amused to notice the flush that crept up his face.
“I drink Cal six times a day,” he said. At Hedy’s puzzled expression, he explained. “It’s a high-protein, calcium-rich beverage that supplies most of what I need.”
“Most of what you need? And what else do you require for satisfaction, Lieutenant Wren?”
The innuendo in her tone was clear. Mara hid a smile, listening for Wren’s response. The big man stuttered and gave a noncommittal reply. Mara returned her attention to her meal. Deciding she was still hungry, she obtained a large slice of kiraberry fruit pie for dessert.
As soon as they’d cleared the table, Deke ordered everyone to the physio lab.
“I haven’t digested my food yet,” Hedy grumbled. “Is this going to involve anything physical?”
“Come on,” Mara urged her. “Wren’s going. Maybe he’ll unfold his wings for you.”
“Ooh!” Hedy trilled, quickening her pace.
They passed by the holovid lounge, a study center, a medical facility, and finally came to the physio lab near the end of the corridor. Inside the gleaming white room with mirrored walls was an array of exercise equipment. At the far end was a set of double tempered-glass doors that led into another section.
“This way,” Deke said, guiding them through the exercise area.