Page 81 of Return of the Nine

That was the hint to each to grab a platter and carry it in to the dining room where the table had, indeed, been set.

Morro was standing next to Rivvin, and they were in deep discussion about something when everyone trooped in on them. They parted, but Morro was scowling intently at the member of the Water Folk.

Em set the platter of scrambled something or other on the table and took her seat. Rivvin sat across the table from her and her mother sat on her right.

Weelar proudly went through a description of the breakfast foods, and with her determination screwed into place, Emharo took some and passed the first platter to Rivvin.

Their move started everyone reaching for the platters, passing them around and starting the meal.

Em shrugged as she ate her way through the fish and all theother options. “Weelar, I am guessing that you like fish.”

He grinned. “It has been a few months since the last one was consumed on the ship. I have been looking forward to this trip more than you can imagine.”

“No, I can imagine the excitement of the familiar being all around you again, even if it is a food ingredient. Not having it makes it the entire focus of your consciousness.” She smiled and took a huge sip of tea to wash down the scrambled eggs and squid.

Morro and Rivvin were eating with enthusiasm, and between the three men of the Nine, the meal gradually ended in empty platters and full bellies.

Harold asked the other men, “So, what are your plans for today?”

Morro inclined his head. “I would like to look into your laboratory procedures and findings to see if I can assist in any way.”

Rivvin said, “I will need to take a boat into deeper water to tag some shoals of fish. Do you have a vessel or will I need to request a shuttle from the embassy?”

Emaline looked at Em and smiled, “You can take the Nitka out.”

Em nodded to Rivvin. “We have a vessel. I will take you out.”

Morro frowned, “Out where?”

“Deep sea over a warm current that hosts hundreds of species. I can show you the maps after we tidy up.” She turned to Weelar, “If you have a shopping list, we can pick up just about any aquatic species on our way back.”

Rivvin shook his head. “Weelar will just have to deal with any samples we bring back. I promise to bring back enough for dinner, aside from that, you are on your own.”

Weelar frowned, “I could come with you.”

Em smiled. “Sure. There is plenty of room.”

Rivvin grimaced. “That will be appropriate. When do we leave?”

Em lifted her plate. “As soon as all the dishes are in the washer.”

The men got to their feet, and Em and her mother watched the miracle of four men doing all the dishes. Even Harold held his own with the scarier men of the Nine around.

Em quickly loaded her dishes into the washer and went to the tech room of the lab to get the remote for the Nitka as well as some tanks for her own use.

Her arms were full as she left the lab, and she waddled to the weapons shed at the base of the dock.

Weelar was squirming like a small mammal and rubbing his hands together in delight. Rivvin looked a little irritated.

“Are you ready?” Emharo kept her voice pleasant.

Rivvin nodded. “Where is the vessel?”

“I have to call it.”

“It’s alive?”

“No, but we don’t like to keep it too close to the lab, just in case.” She raised her arm and pointed the remote at the headland.

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