This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/zalurker on 2024-11-16 12:40:08+00:00.

The elderly G’Renk put down the artifact they was inspecting and looked up irritably.

‘Enuire. What is the meaning of the commontion? Enquire.’

Their shop assistant, a spry young Kalesh acolyte, was standing at the shop door, looking out.

‘Its the humans. They are leaving.’

They tilted their head. ‘Curiosity. Why would they be leaving? Some religious holiday? Curiosity.’

The Kalesh looked back. The G’Renk was older than the station. No-one was quite sure how old they were, but their race were one of the first of the Commonwealth members. They were, like most of their race, dealers in antiquities, and archeology, partly because they had a knack for it, and partly because they’d probably been there.

That did mean they did not really pay attention to recent events. ‘It would eventually come over this one’s bench. Why learn it twice?’

'‘The Alliance invaded their home planet last week as part of their expansion. They are probably going home to see what is left.’

The G’renk stood up, and looked at him sharply. ‘Enguire. What is their mood like? And are all of them leaving? Enquire.’

‘They are somber, of course. I think. Well. they are all very quiet. they are not really speaking to any one, and even among themselves its is whispered conversations. Even that bartender who always cracks jokes is like that.’

The G’renk turned around and opened a temporal locked safe behind them. They started taking out items and putting them in a bag.

‘Statement. Close up shop and settle the outstanding rent for the next few months with the landlord. Leaving you stipend that should cover you wages. Book ticket on next ship leaving for G’Renk space for this one. Leaving you ticket for anywhere if needed. Statement’

The Kalesh looked at him, taken aback. ‘Why? What is wrong?’

'Statement. Ancient G’Renk saying has stood this one in good stead. ’ They looked at the Kalesh sharply ‘Befriend humans. Trust humans. And when it is time. Fear humans.’

‘It is time again. This one remembers the last. G’renk space is hopefully far enough away from Human and Alliance space.’ They shuddered. ‘This time. Prefer to spend time with OldFather if not. Statement.’

They sighed and shuffled around the bench. padded over to the stunned Assistant and patted him on his shoulder.

‘Sadness. This one will remember you fondly. Sorrow.’

They shuffled out the door, only pausing to flip the sign to Closed.