The Sandfolk reinforcements had arrived at just the right time. They reached the outskirts of the city just as the rioters launched their surprise attack on the spaceport. The assault on the spaceport, however, was suppressed almost as soon as it began, without causing so much as a ripple.
So the Sandfolk reinforcements arriving near Tulong very sensibly followed the garrison command's instructions. They stopped beyond the city's security perimeter, set up camp, and started cooking. They even sent people into the city to politely request some grain and meat.
Other Sandfolk went to more open areas outside the city, set up stalls, and started selling fried sweet potatoes and rock-salt-fried white grubs. Their main customers, of course, were the Sandfolk construction workers building the light rail.
Naturally, some Lumina and human engineers sent over from the Red Maple Factory were curious enough to buy some and give them a try. After all, they were all upright-walking carbon-based mammals, so their nutritional needs ought to be much the same.
Naturally, they only got one bite in before their respective team leaders and the club secretaries gave them a sound beating. Even if their nutritional needs were similar, they were still different species. How could they go around eating things without first undergoing digestive compatibility tests? An upset stomach would be bad enough, but what if it interfered with their work?
As for the Sandfolk workers, the foremen and secretaries were quite amiable. They told them that it was their break, so they could do as they pleased, and spend their wages however they liked.
All in all, the Sandfolk were on their best behavior. Even Akina Mountain Hachiman, with a magnifying glass in hand, couldn't find fault with them. The Commonwealth had been colonizing this place for nearly forty years,