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Himoto stepped into a large conference room with floor to ceiling windows looking out into the cosmos. Stars glittered on a black carpet of night, a monochromatic counterpoint to the mostly white room. It left the viewer with the sensation as if they were standing on the very edge of space.
For some, the sight would be disconcerting, given the deceptive fragility the windows implied. Not for Kira, who found the illusion of space mere feet away oddly comforting.
It helped she knew the windows were constructed of material capable of withstanding all but a missile strike and were nearly as durable as the outer hull of the station.
In the middle of the room was a long table capable of seating twenty people. Fruit arranged in the bowls in the center gave the space a bright pop of color.
Himoto gestured for Graydon and Kira to take a seat. The rest of Graydon's people had chosen to wait in the hall, with the exception of the man who'd chased Kira through the honeycomb.
"Now that we're all here and calm," the last was a reminder for Kira. Himoto continued, "Let's see if we can get to the heart of this matter and find a satisfactory compromise for all parties."
Kira contained her snort. Unlikely. Unless any of those compromises involved her on board her ship hightailing it to a less congested part of space. She'd heard the Ghost's Shroud was pretty isolated. No one for billions of miles. Right now, it sounded like exactly what she needed.
Graydon fixed Himoto with a hard stare. "We’re taking the child with us. What happens after that is dependent on her."
Kira choked on a laugh. "Is he serious?"
She was many things but a child wasn’t one of them. Over thirty years had passed since the mission which had rescued her from hell. She didn't think she could really be classified as a child then either, the circumstances of her upbringing burning any trace of innocence out before it had time to form.
Graydon's head turned toward her. "Yes."
Kira waited. No further answer was forthcoming. Her eyebrows climbed in disbelief. That was it? That was his entire response? Yes?
Himoto gestured for patience. Kira bit her tongue on the many things she wanted to say and forced herself to remain in her seat.
"The Tuann are much more long-lived than us," Himoto said cautiously. "It is possible, in their culture, you might not be considered fully grown."
Kira pointed at her face. "Do I look like a child to you?"
"You certainly act like one sometimes," Jace murmured.
She sent him a fulminating glance. His lips quirked, but otherwise he didn't respond.
"I'm not a child," she stated emphatically.
Jin snickered next to her. So glad someone was finding humor in this.
"Until you pass the adva ka and prove yourself, you won’t receive the rights of an adult," Graydon stated as if his words were final.
Jace hid his smirk by dipping his head as Kira stared dumbly at Graydon.
"You don't know how old I am," she said. For all he knew she could be hundreds of years old.
She'd stopped growing years ago. There was no way she was still a child, biologically or mentally. Could a child have fought in a war? Become a hero, then a villain because of her successes and failures? Could they have taken a decrepit ship and restored her to perfect condition? Or run a business and survived on their own for as long as she had?
No.
This whole conversation was ridiculous.
"I believe this is all a miscommunication," Jace said finally interjecting. "You're ascribing the human definition of child to his words. I think it would be more appropriate to say, Lord Graydon sees you in the same way we see those in their first years of university—a young adult without the responsibilities of one."
Graydon didn't react to that statement, neither confirming or denying it as he stared at her over the table.
Kira settled in. Jace's conclusion made sense, even if it grated. She'd worked too hard, for too long, to let anyone take her accomplishments away from her. Children had few rights, only those adults gave them. They were rudderless kites, bobbing along the wind currents of someone else’s ambition and whims. Being seen on the cusp of adulthood was better, but only just.
"What if I don't want to go with you?" she asked.
His gaze was piercing as he gave her his full attention for the first time since he'd sat down. Until now, he'd been focused on Jace and Himoto, as if her presence was an afterthought and she had no real power.
"Your desires don't matter. You are Tuann. Your House and family will have much to answer for when we return, given how they've let you stray so far."
Kira stiffened, her mask slamming down as every muscle in her body tensed at the implication.
Both Himoto and Jace sat forward, knowing Graydon's words for the trigger they were.
"Lord Graydon, I think perhaps you are misunderstanding as well. Kira has no history with your people. She was discovered at a young age—the equivalent of a thirteen-year-old human—in a compound deep in our territory," Himoto said. "She'd been severely mistreated and there were signs of torture. She has no memories of the Tuann. As far as she or anyone knew, she'd been born in that place. Whatever you might think, she did not choose ignorance of your people."
Kira didn't react as her painful history was recited for Graydon's benefit. She didn't often like to think of that place, the memories painful and of a time when she didn't have the power to protect herself.
Himoto left out the experiments and the belief among some of her rescuers that her unique qualities stemmed from those experiments.
Now apparently, her oddities had an explanation. She was from an alien race.
She ignored the look of sympathy on the face of the Tuann behind Graydon, her attention locked on the real threat as she stared him down.
His face remained expressionless as Himoto continued, no sign of a reaction to give her a clue to how this was being received.
"As far as we knew, Kira was human. She grew up human and joined our military during the war. No one knew she was Tuann until today," Himoto said.
Thoughts moved behind Graydon's eyes as he processed Himoto’s words. He turned and looked over his shoulder at the other man. His guard nodded and left the room at a fast clip.
"You can prove this, I assume," Graydon said, lifting one eyebrow arrogantly.
"You could take our word for it," Kira drawled.
Graydon's smile was slight, as if her statement amused him. Arrogant, and convinced he would come out the winner in every confrontation, Kira concluded.
"We have documentation, video of her discovery, as well as photos of her growing up," Himoto said. "I'll be happy to provide a copy for you."
"Do that," Graydon said. He lifted himself out of his chair. "This does not change the fact that when I leave here, she will be coming with me." He held up a hand when Himoto would have spoken. "I will, however, not advocate for an immediate termination of the alliance at this time. I warn you this matter has reinforced some of our concerns."
Kira shifted in her seat, tensing before relaxing. She didn't like that he was on this whole “Kira must go to the Tuann's territory,” nor did she like the way they were using the excuse of her existence as a threat to pull out of an alliance they obviously wanted no part in.
Waiting for a better time to act, when conditions were more favorable to her, was the best option. Fighting her way out of this room with the Tuann standing guard and Jace having no doubt ordered a parking lock put on her ship, meant she had to be patient and wily.
"However she might have come to you, since then, it should have become clear what she was. We should have been informed immediately of her existence," Graydon continued.
"By the time the suspicion was raised, Kira had moved on from her position in our military," Jace said, his head propped on one hand. "For a long time, we had no idea where to look for her. It was thought best to leave this issue alone until the situation changed."
Graydon gave him a cold look. "And that is why we will never trust you. The terms of our treaty were quite clear. That you didn't notify us because it was inconvenient to you shows exactly how far you will go when a fact puts your agenda in jeopardy."
Strangely, Kira found herself in agreement with the Tuann. Admitting guilt once you're caught means nothing. A last-minute apology meant to save face and placate the Tuann made humans look worse. Had Centcom meant to deal honorably with their allies they would have let them know about Kira as soon as the suspicion crossed their minds.
She knew why they didn't. They didn't want to lose control of their leverage. They would have done everything they could to hide her existence.
She would have helped them too. Too bad she had stumbled straight into the Tuann's path, setting them on their present course.
"The past is done, and mistakes were made," Himoto said, his expression grave. "But, we cannot in good conscience let you take her without some assurance of her safety."
Graydon's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is it you want?"
"We'd like to send a team with her," Jace said. "They can make sure she's settled before returning."
Graydon watched the two men and then jerked his head down. "Done. Baran is contacting her House, but I cannot guarantee they will be as accommodating."
Himoto bowed his head. "We understand."
Graydon turned his attention to Kira. "I’ll give you time to say goodbye, then our ship will be leaving."
He didn't wait for her to respond, striding out of the room without a backward glance.
Once the door had shut, the room was quiet for several beats as Kira turned to Himoto, murder on her face.
"Explain what just happened."
Not the part about where she was Tuann—she got that—but the part where Himoto had agreed to let them take her like she was a piece of luggage that could be passed around. Not a person with thoughts and opinions of her own.
"As you've seen, our relationship with the Tuann is rather unstable," Jace said. "We have to tread cautiously."
Kira gave him a look of disbelief. "From what I saw, they pretty much dictate to you and you take it."
Himoto rubbed his chin, for the first time seeming tired. "You're not far off."
"Why?" she asked.
"We got off on a bad foot with the Tuann during first contact," Himoto said.
Kira waited.
"We made certain assumptions about their technological abilities and the strategic value of allying with them," Jace explained.
"Assumptions that are now biting us in the ass." Himoto's voice was frank. "We need them, but we've insulted them during nearly every encounter."
"What assumptions?" Kira asked. Knowing the Consortium, it could be anything.
The two shared a long look.
"In the early days of first contact, the Tuann were careful to appear nonthreatening. Even today, we don't know much about them. They’re a secretive race. We do know they've arranged themselves in what they call Houses. People of differing origin work together for a common goal," Himoto instructed.
"Sounds similar to the Consortium," Kira said.
Himoto made an expression of agreement. "In a way."
The Consortium was a collection of Earth's former colonies. When humanity first entered into space and established themselves outside their home planet, they did so to benefit Earth. As a result, much of their resources went to Earth.
However, in the vastness of space, retaining control over territories that were sometimes a year or more of travel away was difficult. War happened and Earth lost control of her colonies.
The individual planets created identities for themselves that endured to present day. Each planet had representatives on the council and was tasked with meeting a quota for military enrollment.
The war with the Tsavitee strengthened the Consortium in some ways, turning it from a collection of planets prone to infighting, to a strong system of governance bound together by the very survival of the human race.
"They place a lot of value on their personal honor and deeds. We don't know much about them, but we do know they seem to have a strong warrior class that seems to share similarities to the samurai of my people’s history," Himoto said.
"None of that explains how you went wrong," Kira said.
"Those responsible for first contact were invited to a planet. It was largely agricultural, and those responsible deemed the Tuann as unadvanced, believing they had nothing that would benefit us. The humans involved presented us in a bad light. They broke promises—something the Tuann see as a mortal insult. Furthermore, they strayed where they weren't supposed to go while ignoring numerous warnings."
"The Tuann predate the Haldeel in space travel," Himoto continued. "They are as technologically advanced—perhaps even more so. It has put us in a dangerous position—especially since the Haldeel have let us know they want this tension resolved.”
"Admiral Himoto and I have been tasked by Centcom to repair our relationship with the Tuann." Jace's expression was grave.
All interesting points, but Kira suspected there was much more to this.
"That doesn't explain why you're willing to give them anything they want," Kira said.
Himoto sighed. "Show her."
Jace took the tablet from his side and hit a couple of buttons before throwing the screen he'd raised on the hologram at the end of the table.
It was a video of space, the utter black relieved by the bright glitter of stars. Kira didn't know what she was supposed to be looking at.
Jace zoomed in, and suddenly the picture spiraled down, blocking out the stars to show what had both men so serious.
Kira leaned in, a rock settling in her stomach. "That's a Tsavitee ship."
There was a small hum as Jin moved closer. "It looks like a Raven class."
Raven class, named for the small wing-like protrusions on each side and the utter black of its hull, it was a reconnaissance ship. Hard to spot with the naked eye and nearly impossible to track with instruments, it had slipped through the lines during the war with ridiculous ease.
"Where did you find it?" she asked.
"Three million clicks from Zepher," Jace said.
"They're back," she said around numb lips. She sat still, suddenly feeling like all thought, all emotion had been drained out of her.
She didn't know how to process the news the Tsavitee might be gearing up for another incursion into human space. It was unthinkable. The last war had cost them so much, in some ways forever changing the course of humanity. Even years after the fact, they were still picking up the pieces.
"We don't know," Himoto admitted. "But the fact it popped up so close to the Tuann's visit to discuss the alliance has a lot of people in power nervous."
She could imagine.
The Tsavitee were here. She couldn't quite bring herself to believe it.
"Why are you telling me this?" Kira asked. This information was classified. Centcom and the government wouldn't want word of this getting out and causing mass panic. That meant they had a reason for revealing it.
"I know you, Kira-chan. I trained you, remember?" Himoto said. "The Tuann might think they have you trapped, but how long will that last? You'll take the first opportunity to disappear. I can guarantee they'll dissolve the treaty in retaliation, leaving us open to possible attack."
Kira lifted her chin but didn't deny his assessment. Why bother? He was right.
"Hopefully, this will convince you against such foolish measures," he said.
She tapped the table as she thought.
"What is it you're hoping to get out of this?" Kira asked quietly.
Jace and Himoto exchanged a glance.
Himoto leaned forward, the lines of his face serious. "The Tuann have some of the most advanced ships of any race. With them, they've held their border since before humanity had flight. We want those ships."
Was that all? He should have asked for planet building technology while he was at it.
"Last I checked, your treaty with the Haldeel meant they would protect you should the Tsavitee attack again," Kira said. The Haldeel would be as advanced.
"Centcom and the government are no longer content to rely on others for our safety. We want the means to protect ourselves," Jace said. "Our own fleet of Tuann ships will be instrumental in our defense. It could advance our technology by fifty years."
To say nothing of no longer having to accede to the demands of the other races.
"Even with those ships, it'll take you years to reverse engineer them." If they even could. They hadn't had a lot of success with the Tsavitee tech the salvagers brought in.
"It'll give us a chance," Himoto said.
"And me?"
Getting the ships for Centcom was all well and good, but Kira would be stuck in the gray area of the treaty. She didn't want to agree only to be told, “Thanks but we need you to stay put and play by someone else's rules.”
"We can't help you break the treaty." Himoto clasped his hands on the table in front of him.
They sure expected a lot from her when they had nothing to give in return.
Himoto fixed his stern gaze on Kira. "But I have faith you'll figure something out. Get them to give up their claim to you and your problems will be solved."
Kira's expression could have scorched metal. It was so nice they were leaving everything up to her. She should have known better than to hope for anything different.
Himoto stood, his smile slightly wistful. "Good luck, Kira-chan. I'm so glad circumstances arranged to bring us together again."
She bet he did. It sounded like her success meant he was going to get everything he ever wanted.
Jace's face was serious as he waited for Himoto to leave. "Himoto has always had more faith in you than you deserve. Try not to screw this up."
Kira didn't say anything as Jace left the room.
"It seems he’s still mad at you," Jin observed.
Kira sighed and pushed herself back in the seat. She rubbed her face, the emotional toll of the unexpected reunions finally sinking in.
"It's not like he doesn't have a reason." She stared out at the stars, her gaze distant and unseeing.
Once, she'd counted both men as her friends, the family she'd never had. That was a long time ago, and last-minute regrets wouldn't reverse time.
Jin didn't argue, his presence comforting as she considered her options. "What do you want to do?"
That was the question. She could continue as she had been, ignoring the rest of the galaxy as she healed and lived her life, or she could do her duty, take up the mantle she'd been saddled with, and figure out a way forward.
"We're going to give them what they want," Kira said.
There was really no question. If the Tsavitee were truly back, humans were going to need every advantage at their disposal.
There was also Odin's message. It looked like she'd have the opportunity to get what he needed after all.
"And if the same thing happens again?" Jin asked.
Kira was silent. She looked up at him. "Then we take more permanent action."
*
Kira's steps echoed oddly in the corridor, the two guards the Tuann had left her with almost silent as they guided her to the Tuann's ship. It required much less travel than it had taken to get from hers since it was docked in one of the premium sections.
The station assigned berths based on how much a captain was willing to pay and how powerful those on board were. For someone like her who chose the economy section, it meant cramped shipping lanes and sliding into a narrow berth with a dozen other vessels crammed in next to you. It also meant being further away from everything and having to take sliding walks or trams to get to the more populated parts of the station.
Had Kira been parked in one of the nicer sections she probably could have made it away from the station in plenty of time before being caught. Instead, she'd elected to pinch pennies and wound up in a situation out of her control. There was a moral in there somewhere.
The Tuann, whether due to political preference or a willingness to pay the high docking fees, had a prime spot with the additional benefit of restricting access to all but their own people and select station personnel.
Instead of dodging cargo pallets and a swarm of dock workers, the platform leading to their ship was almost deserted, the only people in sight their own.
Someone had made an effort to make the space welcoming, placing artwork on the walls and rugs on the floors. The corridors lacked the sterile coldness of the economy docks.
The trouble someone had gone to in an effort to make this level luxurious seemed lost on the Tuann guards accompanying Kira. The two who had shadowed her through the station had introduced themselves as Baran and Amila once she exited the conference room. They'd been a silent presence ever since.
Kira didn't know if it was their previous encounter or their normal way of operating, but neither was willing to let her stray more than two feet from them. Their intensity had ramped up the moment they walked onto a crowded lift, Amila placing one hand on her shoulder, as Baran took up position in front of them.
When it came to time to exit, he'd cleared the way for them, his intimidating presence sending the shorter humans scurrying out of his way.
Kira didn't say anything about any of this, though she wanted to. Dearly. Instead, she refrained from testing their limits, hoping they would see her as harmless and loosen up their vigilance.
She didn't hold out much hope for that considering her antics on the hovercraft. It's hard to convince someone you're less than you are when they've seen proof of exactly what you're capable of. Still, making things difficult now would mean they watched her more closely later.
The ship came into view, resting gently on the platform. It was a thing of beauty against the backdrop of the interior dock of the space station. None of the other ships docked on the platforms near them came close to comparing.
It looked sleek and fast, its lines fluid and full of curves. Unlike the blocky shapes of human craft, this was a graceful bird, ready and poised to take flight. Its metal shimmered as if a thousand lights were locked inside its body, almost lifelike as it reacted to the environment around it.
Despite its small size, Kira caught sight of unobtrusive protrusions she guessed were its weapons system. It looked like it was loaded for anything. She could see why Himoto and Centcom wanted to get their hands on one of these.
Beyond being a beautiful craft, it looked more maneuverable than anything the Consortium had in its fleet; their warships resembled large barges, easily targeted in battle. This was different, smaller than a human vessel but infinitely more flexible.
Graydon stood near the ship’s ramp talking with one of the men who'd come to the rescue of the children, his guards arrayed around him defensively.
Both men looked over as Kira and the others approached. Graydon’s expression was one of forced patience as the other man jerked his chin down in a respectful nod.
"You brought her. Good.” Graydon’s gaze dropped to Kira’s empty hands. “Where are her things?"
Kira didn't know why he bothered sticking to standard since he seemed content to talk over her like she wasn't there.
"She didn't want to return to her ship," Baran said, sounding no happier about it than he had the first time she'd said it.
The argument over her refusal to allow them access to her ship had been short but intense. Neither were able to believe there was nothing she wished to bring with her.
Graydon's focus shifted to Kira. "You will not be able to come back."
Kira stared at him, her expression unchanging.
He shook his head. "Suit yourself. Your House will no doubt be happier for it. They'll supply you with everything you need."
Kira didn't respond to that, despite disliking the insinuation these people related to her would want to wipe any trace of human influence from her life. She was sure they'd change their mind once they got to know her. She was told she was one of the most stubborn, hardheaded people anyone had ever met.
Graydon tilted his head, all the while watching her carefully. "The machine will need to stay."
"Jin goes where I go," Kira said flatly.
The corners of his lips tilted up as if she'd confirmed something for him. Kira wanted to kick herself for responding, knowing he was testing her, seeing how far he could push before she'd react. He was learning her limits. Not necessarily a bad thing, until those very same limits were used against you to force your compliance.
She'd exposed a weakness. A big one. She couldn't trust these people wouldn't take advantage of that.
The other man shifted, making his presence felt. He was familiar, one of the men on the platform when they'd rescued the kids. "I have to thank you for saving the children. Our House is indebted to you. Please, if there's ever anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Kira didn't know what to say to that. Somehow her actions with the children seemed so long ago. So much had happened since then, her entire life upturned and reordered. Her very species changed.
Time was passing, each second containing the possibility the man would turn hostile when she didn't give him an appropriate response.
"You don't owe me anything," she finally said.
The man's eyes lightened and he dipped his head again.
The stomp of boots distracted them from their conversation. Graydon's guard slammed up as he looked over Kira's shoulder.
She turned to see what had attracted his attention and stiffened as several humans dressed in the uniform of the space force marched down the corridor.
Clad in dark gray pants and a black top, they moved with military precision, the thud of their boots reverberating in the hall.
Jace led them, his gaze focused on Kira and Graydon. His expression was hard to read as he angled toward them.
Graydon let out a muttered oath before he straightened, his face once again an implacable mask as he watched their approach.
Jace stopped before them. "Lord Graydon, I want to once again extend our thanks for letting us see Kira to her new home."
Kira fought the urge to roll her eyes at that. Jace had grown into an accomplished liar during her absence.
Her gaze wandered to the rest of those with him. Six in all.
She idly noted the star emblazoned over the left side of their chest. Five intersecting lines of various lengths meant to represent a star. Its presence told her these people worked directly under Centcom's command. They had no alliance to any but Centcom.
If they'd been a detachment from one of the colonies, they would have carried its symbol in the place of the star.
Jin made a pained sound.
Kira caught the cause second later. She sucked in a harsh breath at the sight of the patch sewn onto the outer cuff of their right arm. It was in the shape of a dog's paw.
The Curs.
Pain lanced through Kira.
She didn't listen as Graydon and Jace exchanged stilted pleasantries. She was caught up in memories of others wearing that same patch, people she had once known as well as she knew herself. Men and women she would have gladly died for, but who had gone before her.
Kira barely noticed as Graydon took his leave, leaving Kira and Jace standing alone.
"Why would you bring them?" Jin asked into the silence. His voice throbbed with the same pain strangling Kira.
At the sound of it, she drew herself up, taking her emotions and stuffing them deep.
She'd forgotten Jin would have the same reaction. She hadn't been the only one to suffer loss. The thought stabilized her.
Jace's body went stiff and alert, his intelligent gaze picking up some of their emotional turbulence.
"I'm sorry. I forgot you wouldn't have known we reinstated the unit," he said. "Will you be okay?"
Kira was silent for a long moment. "Yes, it's just strange seeing others wearing that patch."
Her patch.
He opened his mouth as a loud exclamation came from the rest.
"Kira, girl, we thought you dead," Tank said as he lumbered over.
Tank hadn't been in her squad, but he'd been a wave runner like her. His unit had supported hers a lot and they'd gotten to know each other as acquaintances. His call sign was oddly fitting. Nearly as tall as the Tuann, Tank had legs the size of tree trunks, with arms to match.
He shouldn't have been as good a hoverboard pilot as he was. She'd seen him fly, and he lived up to his name, plowing through enemies like he was a tank.
The woman beside him let out a low gasp, her jaw dropping in surprise. "Is that Phoenix and Tin Man?"
"You know it, Blue," Jin called, sailing over to the woman and circling her once.
Blue put one hand up and let Jin nudge it, a soft, nostalgic smile on her face.
Small and wiry, she'd grown up since Kira had last seen her. Back then, she'd been a scrappy kid who went by her given name of Yuki and had more bravery than sense. Now, it seemed she'd earned a place among the Curs.
Kira was happy for her. She knew being a Cur had been Blue’s dream.
Her dark black hair was pulled away from her face, the tips dyed a sapphire blue. Her eyes snapped and crackled with vitality as she looked around with her ever-present curiosity.
The other two faces were entirely new to Kira. They looked at her with wide, impressed eyes.
She glanced away, uncomfortable with the attention.
The last man glared at her with a hatred that seared. He was Blue's opposite, moving with a sleek caution where the other woman bounced through life convinced it would conform to her expectations. He had an athlete's build, long and lean, as he stalked past, not pausing to greet her.
A barely visible scar along his chin from where a Tsavitee had gotten too close taunted her with the past.
Of those present, Raider was the only other from the original Curs. And he wanted nothing to do with her.
"And I thought this couldn't get any worse," Jin muttered, seeing him go.
"It's fine, Jin."
The last woman present stepped up to Jace.
He gave her an awkward smile. "Thank you for accompanying us, Grace. I'll let you return to your duties now."
Grace didn't respond, shooting Kira a seething glare before stepping close and pulling Jace's head to hers. The two shared a long, drawn-out kiss. The seconds ticked by as the rest stared at them.
Kira shifted, uncomfortable. "Have the rules of fraternization changed since I've been gone?"
Blue snickered. "Ignore them. Grace is insecure since she knows Knight had a thing for you."
Kira frowned. “No, he didn’t.”
Blue rolled her eyes. “It always amazes me how you can be so perceptive, yet blind to the things right in front of you.”
Kira’s frown didn’t lessen. She found it hard to believe Blue. Kira and Jace had always been friends, close friends, but that was as far as it ever went. There had never been anything remotely romantic on either side.
Blue dropped the subject and bumped her with her hip. "Nixxy, where have you been?"
"Don't answer her," Tank said. "She's trying to win the pool."
Kira blinked.
"Don't listen to him," Blue said. "It's not just because I’ve got a couple hundred credits riding on you answering correctly. I'm genuinely curious."
"There's a betting pool?" Jin asked.
Blue smirked. "Yup. Most of the boardheads think you two are dead. Those who knew you, know better."
Blue looked at her expectantly.
"Here and there," Kira said finally, her throat feeling tight from suppressed emotion.
Jace saved her from having to say anything further as he untangled himself from his paramour and walked toward them. Grace shot Kira another hostile glare before disappearing down the corridor.
“Ask where our quarters are and then stow our things,” Jace ordered.
Blue snapped a salute before bouncing toward the Tuann ship. Tank followed.
Jace paused next to Kira. "You really going to be all right with this?"
Kira shook her head. "I don't really have a choice, do I?"