Page 17 of Instinct for Disaster

“What is your prognosis?”

“I have to get a medical scan in the city, I think. I will get some rest today and find out tomorrow.”

“By rest, you mean you are going to explore your territory.”

She nodded as she put on some blades for defense and a stun gun for stopping power. “Knowing the territory is restful.”

Kiddel snorted. “Well, you have two guards that will be on the property. Don’t shoot them.”

“Have them come and introduce themselves, and I won’t.”

“Fair enough. They will do a formal exchange and introduction.”

“Good. The only people I want to injure are the ones who interfere with me.” She chuckled. “It’s why I picked Joraniec. Having the right to defend myself was a huge draw.”

He smiled. “Master Yasku is pleased that this was your choice.”

She stood and stretched in her baggy boilersuit. She sighed, took the weapons off, and stripped with Kiddel right there. The bodysuit with the long tunic went on, and she pulled on boots.

Kiddel blinked. “And you just got me into trouble.”

She quickly put the belts, straps, and attachment points back in place. “How?”

“I am fairly sure that me seeing you nude before Yasku is going to be an issue. You have a lot of skin damage.”

“Yeah, I was in a mine collapse, and they couldn’t get the khimerion out from under my skin.”

“What?”

“Yeah. A previous team hadn’t shored up the roof, and I ended up trapped for two hours with my drilling unit broken and crushing me.”

“And you survived.”

“I saw it happening a moment before it did and got my suit sealant ready.” She shrugged. “I survived.”

He nodded. “Would you like a tour of your property?”

“A quick one. I am not trying to deprive Yasku of your presence.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

Their walk was quick. She saw the home and the facilities and understood the waste processing and maintenance. Then, it was outside to the barn, the bird coop, and lovely pathways.

“What was this place built for?”

“It was a guesthouse for those visitors who were here in the early days, but now, there are facilities in the city where things are lively. Off-worlders prefer to stay there.”

They looked around, and he nodded. “Are you familiar with the environment?”

“I am. You can return to Yasku. He looked like he had a lot of stuff to do.”

“He does. He is very involved with social development, and his project to turn us into one species in a few hundred years is strange but not torment. At least we get to choose our partners from any of the four species, even if it is already in our lineage. No union is forced.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Let’s see if you feel that way at the mandatory event. Unions are not forced, but the gatherings are not negotiable.”

“Noted. Have fun at work.”

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