“I heard what happened.” As Naneci-tok spoke, Matthias was ashamed of herself for reflexively noting the position of the Sakuntala’s ears. Both faced outward, to the sides. “This a terrible thing, terrible!”
“It was that,” Matthias agreed as she took leave of Harriman and Port Administration. “But it’s over, and no one was hurt. Except the one attacker who was shot, of course.”
Together they exited the double door that was designed to keep out rain as well as excessive heat and humidity, not potential killers. In light of the attempt on her life, the procedure for native access, Matthias knew, was one of the things that was going to have to be changed, perhaps permanently. That was not how interspecies relations were advanced, she knew, but under the circumstances she saw no alternative.
Outside, with her hood up and the rain coming down steadily around them, they headed for the small personal skimmer that would convey them back to her office. “If the radicals now feel confident enough to target humans as well as Deyzara, it shows that this uprising has moved into a new and far more dangerous stage.”
“May only be a few crazies.” Naneci-tok spoke thoughtfully as droplets coursed down her slender form, hanging momentarily from the tips of her body strappings and fur before falling to the tarmac. “May have decided to do this dreadful thing without Hata or clan approval.” Piercing eyes met her own. “I ask, as Hata for Taulau territory, that you only warn your people about what has happened. Ordering payback will only make situation worse.”