Marvin started opening cabinets and drawers, pulling out mugs, containers, a pan, and a bag of small, white…somethings. He filled the pan with milk—Serac remembered that from breakfast. He hoped Payback didn’t plan to repeat his earlier behavior.
“So, what’s on your mind?” Marvin asked while he continued his work.
“I… Um…” Kimmy stammered a bit, then looked up at Serac.
He rested his hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze. She reached up and covered his hand with hers.
Walking into a plasma core must feel something like the sensations that passed through him at her touch. Every nerve in his body activated, like when he shifted, only so much better.
He might not have been able to help get her cocoa, but he could take the burden of the conversation from her.
“I requested an introduction,” Serac said.
“This about the Scorpiian that’s been harassing my girls?”
Serac was confused. Kimmy had referred to Marvin’s grandchild as her friend, but Marvin spoke of them as if they were both his kin. And his demeanor toward her was definitely familial. Serac didn’t need the heightened senses of his zyln to tell him that.
“It is,” Serac said, putting aside his curiosity. “In part.”
Kimmy frowned up at him. He hoped she didn’t think he had deceived her—and yet, he hadn’t been completely forthcoming in why he needed to see Marvin.
“I work for Hank,” Serac said, pulling his gaze away from Kimmy to gauge Marvin’s reaction.
The Earthling paused for a moment, then continued to stir whatever was in the pot. “And you can prove this, I suppose?”
“I can,” Serac said.
Marvin turned around and leaned against the counter. He crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Go ahead then.”
Serac lifted Kimmy’s hair from her shoulder. She sucked in a breath, her cheeks reddening. If Marvin hadn’t been watching, Serac might have been tempted to brush his fingers along the pale skin he was revealing.
But Marvin was watching. So was Payback.
The parcel chittered angrily at Serac as he plucked him from Kimmy’s shoulder. Serac held him up in one hand.
“Please tell me that isn’t Payback,” Marvin said.
The parcel’s antennae perked up at the mention of his name.
Serac nodded. “It is.”
Payback skittered back along Serac’s arm, then jumped to Kimmy, burrowing into her hair. She rested her hand on the small creature briefly.
Marvin stepped forward, concern etched on his features. “He hasn’t imprinted with her, has he?”
Serac glanced between the Earthlings, not sure what to say.
“I can take care of him,” Kimmy said. “Taking care of animals is my job.”
“Taking care of Earth animals is your job,” Marvin said. “You have no idea what you’re getting into here.”
“Excuse me, but I think I do.” Her tone had an edge of steel to it suddenly, a strength Serac hadn’t heard before—except maybe while she’d been hitting the Scorpiian with a broom. “And besides,” she said, “I’ve already gotten myself into it and there’s no getting out of it even if I wanted to, which I don’t, so it’s settled.”
Marvin let out a weary sigh as he turned back to the cocoa. He poured the liquid from the pan into three large mugs.
“It is far from settled,” he said. “What do you think Hank is going to say when he finds out the parcel he meant for his sister has been hijacked by a human?”
“I…” Kimmy looked up at Serac, exuding worry so strong he felt it like a blow to the chest. “I didn’t mean to. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“He won’t,” Marvin said. “Hank’s sister is too young for a parcel, anyway. Hank probably sent Payback so soon because he doesn’t approve of Craig and Barbara moving to Earth for their ‘foster Earthling’ and giving up their operation.”
Marvin’s relationship with Craig and Barbara was clearly well beyond professional. To be privy to that knowledge, they had to consider the Earthling a trusted friend.
“Wait, the same Lyrian named Craig that you introduced me to a few weeks ago?” She turned toward Serac. “He’s your captain’s dad?”
“He is,” Serac said.
Marvin sprinkled some of the small, white, vaguely cubic items into the mugs, then brought two over to the table. He set one in front of Kimmy.
“Here you go, Buttercup,” he said. “You never could stand the cold.”
“Thanks.” She wrapped her hands around the mug and leaned forward, inhaling the fumes from the liquid.
Marvin handed the other mug to Serac. It was giving off an amazing fragrance, and Serac’s mouth started to water.
“I’m guessing Craig and Barbara’s operation is the real reason your friend here wanted us to be introduced,” Marvin said.
Every instinct in his body told Serac to be truthful with this man. Hank wanted to stake his claim on the smuggling routes out of Earth. Making contact with this level of a source was more than Serac had hoped.
But now that he was here, he wondered if he could go beyond that and actually make a delivery. If so, word would spread. It would go a long way toward establishing them as a legitimate source for illegitimate needs.
His mission was important.
So was Kimmy.
“We can keep her safe and accomplish our goals,” his zyln thought.
“How?”
“By keeping her with us.”
Serac almost snorted. Of course, that was what his zyln wanted.
It was what he wanted, too.
“Continuing Craig and Barbara’s operations is one of the reasons I wished to meet you,” Serac said. “But you also need to know of the Scorpiian’s continued presence in the area.”
Marvin waved a dismissive hand. “I knew he hadn’t left. Scorpiians don’t back off when they think they’re onto something of value.”
“Mrs. Simpkins’s cats?” Kimmy shook her head. “How can he possibly think they’re valuable?”
Marvin stepped closer to Serac—a move he was sure was meant to intimidate.
“Because the Coalition still just sends people in to take what they want instead of asking,” Marvin said. “They say they’ve changed, but I guess old habits die hard.”
“Which is why we must keep the routes open,” Serac said.
Marvin watched Serac closely. He knew he was being judged. He only hoped he was found worthy, for so many sentients’ sakes.
Including his own.
Marvin smirked, then surprised Serac by reaching out and grasping his shoulder.
“I’ll go get a shipment ready for you,” Marvin said. “You can’t do a smuggling run without something to smuggle.”
6
“Wait, smuggling?” Kimmy turned in her chair so she could face them both. “Is that the ‘operation’ you keep talking about?”
“How else is he supposed to get supplies to struggling planets?” Marvin asked.
“I don’t know.” Kimmy racked her brain for options. “Ask the Department of Homeworld Security for help?”