Page 58 of Alien Burn

Sheira opened the kitchen door before he reached it.

“You're early.”

“I thought I would alarm everyone.”

She took his face between her hands and inspected him. Dhomhes submitted, though there was flour on her thumb and probably now on his jaw.

“Have you eaten today?”

“Yes.”

“Enough to count?”

“You could greet me before beginning the examination.”

She kissed his cheek and released him.

“Hello, Dhomhes. Sit down.”

The kitchen smelled of the thick stew she made when she knew people would arrive at different hours. A covered dish of bread stood beside the stove. Through the wall came the low, familiar vibration of the crushers.

He had not realized how badly he wanted to be here until he set his comm on the table.

Sheira put a bowl in front of him.

“Your father won't be back until the shift changes. This will keep you out of the bread.”

“An ambitious hope.”

She moved the dish closer.

He took a piece and watched her clear a space at the counter. A stack of account records occupied one end. She had brought those back from the light side, then. Along with Tivek, judging by the discarded jacket on a chair that was seldom allowed to remain in that condition for long.

“Did the quarter accounts survive your visit?” he asked.

“Barely. How are the people from the ship?”

“Some recovering better than others. They're being looked after.”

“And the two who fell?”

He shook his head.

Sheira's hands slowed. Then she reached over and broke a piece of bread for herself.

“Your father told me about the inspection unit.”

“Someone has found a way to keep it here.”

“For the moment.”

He glanced up.

“He was very quiet on his last call,” she said. “I put extra food aside for the operations staff.”

That almost made him smile.

Sheira sat opposite him with her bread untouched.