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A burst of feminine laughter pulled his attention to a group of humans near the refreshment tables. One of them—Zara, he thought—caught Kellat's eye and smiled before turning back to her friends. Her cheeks flushed pink as she whispered something that set them all giggling again.

"I see you've developed quite a following," Kirr commented, unable to resist teasing the healer. He'd watched the healer's growing fascination with human social dynamics with amusement. "The benefits of being a healer?"

"The benefits of paying attention." Kellat smoothed his already immaculate leathers. "Humans display fascinating social patterns once you learn to recognize them."

"And I'm sure your research is purely academic." Kirr's lips quirked as his usually composed friend fidgeted.

Leo swept past with Sheena Taci, managing a complicated dance pattern that highlighted the grace both teens possessed.

A medical alert buzzed, drawing Kellat's attention briefly before he dismissed it. But when it buzzed again more insistently, Kirr caught the shift in the healer's posture. Years ofworking alongside healer teams had taught him to read the signs—something was wrong.

"You're needed." It wasn't a question.

The healer nodded sharply, already shifting into professional mode. "Please make my apologies to Maax and Eira. This requires my immediate attention."

Kirr's own comm unit vibrated with a priority alert from station command. He scanned the message, jaw tightening.

"Looks like we're both needed," he said, showing Kellat the screen. "Multiple females found in critical condition."

"Where?" Kellat's expression shifted to the intense focus Kirr recognized from countless emergency situations.

"Underground facility on Earth. Security's keeping it quiet." Kirr scrolled through the incoming data. "They need your expertise with human physiology."

Kellat nodded. "How long until transport?"

"Twenty minutes. Team's already prepping the medical bay." Kirr fell into step beside him.

Emily's laughter chased them down the corridor as they strode toward the transporter bay, a bright counterpoint to the grim details still scrolling across Kirr's comm unit. Strange how the universe worked. Behind them lay a celebration of family and hope, while ahead there were injured females in some dark underground facility on Earth.

His hand settled on his sidearm as they entered the transporter bay, checking it was securely fastened. Whatever they found planetside, he'd make damn sure Kellat had what he needed to save them all.