Chapter FIVE
His jaws clamped tight, eyes glaring, Brad sensed his companions rise to their feet around him. Kumiko first, stood and wordlessly glided to the closed passage portal. Her back to the others, she waited for the panel to clear. Zolan, on his feet, mouth agape, stared at Xindral.
Adari, still seated, gawked in bewildered disbelief from Xindral to Brad to Hodak. Hodak glowered, gestured rudely and cursed furiously and loudly. Myra stood, silent behind an icy mask. Xindral, perched on his stool, arms in his lap, impassively observed their reactions.
The scene held for several seconds. Xindral broke the silence.
"Your formal orientation and training begins when you return. First I must speak with your Commander. Please excuse us."
He turned and touched a disk on the bulkhead. The entryway cleared and Jenkins appeared.
"Escort our friends back to their compartment,
Jenks. Commander Curtin will remain with me.
Return the group in an hour."
"Yes, sir."
Myra, Adari, Hodak and Zolan milled about for a moment, then joined Kumiko at the portal. Passing through, they spoke and gestured animatedly to each other. The portal clouded over.
Xindral hefted his stool forward, placed it alongside Brad, and folded his long frame onto it facing the view tank.