We're Not from Here

Lan’s family shut themselves in the ship just before the swarm reaches it. The Zhuri pound on the craft and yell for the humans to go home, saying they aren’t wanted. Finally, Zhuri soldiers get the protesters under control using pronged weapons that deliver electric shocks, and they taxi the ship into a hanger where Lan’s family can exit safely. Lan’s dad reminds everyone to smile, but there are guards pointing more pronged weapons at them, and Lan finds it difficult to feign happiness.

Two unarmed Zhuri who smell like sour milk apologize for the display outside. They explain that Lan and the others will be returned to their ship so they can leave, but Lan’s mom reiterates that the humans have nowhere else to go and only wish to live in peace on Choom. The unarmed Zhuri tell the family to wait; they then leave to find someone with the authority to make a decision about the humans.

Several hours later, one of the Zhuri (named Leeni) returns. He’s found a temporary home for the humans until they leave the planet. Lan’s mom asks about the sour-milk smell, which offends Leeni because he’s “making a great effort to control [his] fear smell” (46).