by T. A. White
She reached behind her and wrestled with her dress, pulling its length out of the way. Again.
She’d loved the way it had looked when she’d been going to a party. Now, while crawling through a small tunnel, tripping on it every other second, not so much.
There was a loud rip as she tore the bottom off near her knees. That should make moving a little easier.
“Phoenix is getting naked,” Raider taunted from up ahead.
“You try crawling around this place lugging a bunch of extra fabric,” Kira whisper-hissed back.
There were a couple of chuckles as they all rested. Soft panting filled the air.
"You can see why these fell into disuse," Finn said in a strained voice.
Kira nodded, trying not to feel like the walls were caving in around her. She hated tight spaces. She'd deal, but her stomach would be a tight mass of nerves until she was out.
"We need to get out of these tunnels," Kira said. "They're going to know we're using them. It won't be long before they send people up here to search us out."
They’d traveled several branches already in the short period they'd been up here so it might take a while for Roderick's people to find them. Still, Roderick might get lucky.
"Find us an exit point, Tank," Jace said in a low voice.
There was a low grunt from ahead.
After a few more minutes of crawling, Tank signaled he'd found something. With Finn calling out instructions on how to find the access panel, they didn't have to resort to burning their way out.
Kira lowered herself into a deserted room, the Curs having already secured it. She dropped to the floor and straightened, looking around in curiosity. Beakers and oddly shaped items were strewn throughout.
Raider folded his arms and leaned against a table, crossing his ankles. "What's the game plan? Do you have one?"
All eyes turned toward Kira, identical questions in their expressions.
She rubbed her hands on the remnants of her dress, thinking.
"Step one was making sure you weren't a stationary target," she said. "I'm working on step two."
"We could steal a ship. Fly it out of here," Raider suggested.
Noor snorted. "This isn't one of those human holovids. Stealing a Tuann ship isn't that easy or else your kind would have dozens of them by now."
"The ships are coded to us," Finn said quietly. "You won't be able to even open the doors let alone get one off the ground.
"Not to mention the defense grid would shoot any unauthorized ship that took off from the planet," Noor said.
"What about this defense grid you say these people plan to bring down?" Blue said, tilting her head.
"There's an idea," Jace said.
The Tuann frowned in confusion.
"What is?" Isla asked.
"We wait until it falls and then we fly ourselves out of here," he said, folding his arms over his chest.
"You lack a ship," Finn reminded him.
"But we have you," Jace pointed out.
Raider straightened, an evil grin lighting up his face. "And as you said, the ships are coded to your kind."
"I'm needed here," Finn said through gritted teeth. "I have no intention of helping you escape."
Raider watched Finn carefully, his expression considering.
"Don't even think it," Kira warned.
The rest looked at her.
"You attack him, and you'll have to deal with me," she told Raider. "That's if these three don't kick your ass first."
Raider made a tsking sound before settling.
"Some loyalty you have there," Noor said, eyeing the human with dislike. "We're the reason you escaped."
"Don't fool yourselves," Raider said. "We had an exit strategy within fifteen minutes of being placed under guard."
"This isn't our fight," Blue said bluntly. "It's yours. Can't blame us for wanting to make it home in one piece."
"Your people have certainly done the same in our place," Tank observed. "Or did you forget how four of your kind snuck out of Atlas during the bombing. They could have helped those people. They didn't because they deemed their own safety more important."
The Tuann glared at the humans.
Kira stepped in before things could degenerate further. "You're not going to overpower these three, so give it up."
Jace's expression darkened. She took it as a good sign when he didn't argue. It meant he hadn't been seriously considering that path.
"But it does make sense to split up," Kira continued. "I know Himoto has a ship out there. Signal it and let them know what's happening. We may have need of them. If nothing else, they can send a drop ship for you if things get too heated."
Jace's nod was grudging. He'd probably have come up with the plan himself if he wasn't so bent on antagonizing the Tuann
"Send one of your people as guide with the Curs. The rest of us will find Graydon and warn him," Kira said. She looked at Finn. "You're so convinced he won't betray us—prove it."
Finn nodded, flicking his fingers at the other two. Kira waited as they dipped their heads in agreement.
The two groups began splitting apart as they prepared to separate.
Jace walked toward her. He hesitated when he reached her, his back to the Tuann. "What will you be doing while the rest of us are trying to prevent an invasion?"
Kira debated how much to tell him. In the end, she decided to keep her plans to herself. There was too much risk he'd try to stop her. "I'll be doing the same."
The look he bent on her said he didn't believe her, but he didn't plan on wasting time by arguing.
"Good luck with whatever scheme you've cooked up," he said.
"You too," Kira said. "Try to make it out of this in one piece."
He gave her a crooked smile. "Somehow I think you'll be the one in more danger."
True.
Jace didn't move for a long moment. Kira could tell he wanted to say something and waited, her expression curious but patient.
He sighed and shook his head. "Try not to die or disappear again. There are things I need to say to you."
She didn't speak for several moments, her throat tight with suppressed emotion. She jerked her head in an affirmative.
He nodded, hiding any emotion before ducking his head outside the door and looking each way.
"Coast is clear. We're Oscar Mike."
Blue and Tank followed seconds after him.
Raider stopped next to her. He sighed and shook his head. "You don't have to do whatever you're planning."
Kira's smile was humorless. "Yeah, I kind of do. I have promises to keep."
He gave her a long look before sighing again. He adjusted the makeshift pack he was carrying and started to follow the rest.
"Raider," Kira said before she could stop herself.
He looked at her, the normal sly sarcasm there in his expression.
"Keep your head on the swivel," she said. It was what they'd told each other every time they left on a mission. It was a reminder to stay alert and on task, and not take stupid risks.
"Try to keep your powder dry." He gave her a small chin jerk before stepping through the doorway, his posture changing to wary alertness as he disappeared after the rest of the Curs.
Noor stole after him, the oshota’s passage silent.
She stayed where she was, wishing she could go with them, while realizing it never got easier sending your team into danger.
At least, she wasn't sending them onto a battlefield this time.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Finn and Isla conferred in quiet voices behind Kira, their voices a low buzz of sound as they discussed their options. She wasn't overly surprised when neither thought to include her.
She might have taken charge when the Curs were there, but now that they were out of the equation again, the Tuann had slipped back to treating her like a pretty ornament—something she would never be.
That was all right. She could follow their lead for now. They were more
familiar with the terrain and more likely to have an idea of what they faced.
Kira waited with Jin, keeping watch, even though it was a mostly unnecessary exercise.
Finn and Isla were intent on each other as they discussed options. She suspected their single-minded focus was an illusion. Both were well-trained soldiers. It would be ingrained in them to keep a situational awareness at all times.
She had no doubt that if she were to take a single step toward the door, they'd drop what they were doing and tackle her. They'd probably end up tying her to them afterward—not that she had any intention of disappearing into the Citadel. Not for the moment at least.
Finn looked up then, as if sensing her thoughts.
"What's the plan?" Kira asked, trying for innocent.
"Neither of you can show your faces," Isla said, her face grave. "Roderick's men will guess who helped the humans escape. They'll be on the lookout for you. As soon as you're spotted, you'll be arrested for treason against your House."
"And you'll somehow escape the same fate?" Kira asked. Isla was right there with them when they'd rescued Jace's team. She'd be as recognizable.
She and Finn shared a look of amusement. "I'm not Luathan. All they see when they look at me is my armor. They'll know two of the commander's people helped in the escape but not which two."
"You're taking a chance they won't arrest all his people on sight," Kira said.
Despite her argument, Isla’s assessment matched hers. She doubted Alma and the other conspirator realized she'd eavesdropped on their plans. They'd think the Curs' escape worked in their favor—odd timing or not.
If she was caught and immobilized, her credibility would be stripped and they could easily kill her. Freeing the Curs had made her situation more precarious, but it was worth it.
"Some risks are worth taking," Isla said as if reading her mind.
Finn offered his hand to Isla. The two clasped hands before slapping each other on the shoulder.
"I'll see you when this is done," Finn told her.
"I look forward to it. Don't forget you still owe me a drink," Isla said before slipping out the door without a backward glance.
Kira waited, her senses straining for signs Isla had been spotted. Clear so far.
"What will we be doing while she's locating Graydon?"
"You will stay close and follow my every order," Finn said, the words terse. "If I could, I'd secure you somewhere safe."
His dissatisfaction over not being able to do exactly that showed.
Once the Tsavitee battle cruiser landed and the planet descended into a warzone, there would be no safe place left.
"That still doesn't answer my question," Kira said.
Finn's voice was grim. "There's a chance Graydon is no longer at the ceremony. He's probably noticed your absence and has gone in search of you. While Isla checks the gathering, we'll try other places."
"And me? What should I do?" Jin asked. He did a figure eight in the air. "I can scout ahead or manage comms."
Finn jabbed his finger at Jin and then Kira. "Stay with her. Don't go wandering off. In fact, how about you stay quiet for a little bit."
Jin's sphere dipped in disappointment. "Rude."
Finn shook his head at Jin before checking outside the door to see if anyone was coming. With one last disgusted look at the drone, he made his way silently out into the hallway.
Jin tucked himself into the crook between Kira's neck and shoulder, his metal casing warm and comforting against her skin as she followed Finn.
"Just like old times," Jin whispered.
"Let's hope we don't leave behind the same body count," Kira said.
The three remained silent as they moved through the Citadel. This wasn't the time for idle chitchat or distractions.
The last time Finn had given her a tour of the Citadel, the artwork and carefully designed architecture had seemed coldly impersonal, despite its beauty. Tonight, it felt like those same statues and paintings watched Kira's every move, setting the spot right between her shoulder blades to tingling. She could almost anticipate the cold metal of a blade in her back.
Every twist and turn of their path came with an increased feeling of pending disaster, a perfect place from which to stage an ambush.
Tension sat heavy in the air. In war, you got used to the never-ending strain as you waited for the next awful thing to happen. You learned to ignore the ever-increasing tightening of your nerve endings as your entire body attuned itself to the possibility of what was coming.
Himoto had once called war ninety percent boredom so extreme you'd do anything for relief and ten percent sheer, unrelenting terror.
By now, everyone in the Citadel likely knew of her betrayal. They would come looking for her, if they weren't already. All she could do was wait and hope she survived the ten percent of terror.
Kira was content to let Finn take the lead, remaining several feet behind him. His knowledge of the terrain was greater than hers. It made sense for her to follow.
As they approached another intersection where their hallway joined with several others, Kira's shoulders tightened, her senses hyper-alert.
Finn held up one fist, signaling a stop.
She nodded, placing her back against the wall so she could see in both directions. She remained in place as he disappeared around the corner.
She held her breath, straining to pick up even the faintest of sounds. She released the air when there wasn't an immediate furor. Good, that meant the coast was clear—for now.
"If you're going to put your plan into motion, the time is now," Jin said into her ear, several minutes later. "There are four heat signatures moving toward us from our three o'clock."
Kira hesitated, torn.
Finn rounded the corner. "Run."
Kira didn't wait to be told twice, turning and sprinting back the way they'd come. Jin flew before her, taking the lead, Finn pounding after them.
"This way," Jin yelled.
Kira followed, the sound of pursuit spurring her to greater speeds.
There was a screech of sound and then long, needle-thin arrows of green blazed down the hall. One hit inches from Kira's face as she made another turn. It burrowed into the wall leaving a thin pinhole behind.
She chanced a glance behind her, catching a glimpse of a woman in green synth armor adopting an archer's posture, holding a strange-looking contraption. In her left hand, she had a long-curved piece of wood. It looked like the front of a bow but lacked a string. As Kira watched, the woman drew back her right hand, energy coalescing at a point in front of her pointer finger until a long thin energy arrow took shape.
So that was what was being shot at her the first night.
Finn shoved her out of the way as the arrow flew free, shattering against the wall.
"Move," Finn yelled.
Kira scrambled to her feet and darted after Jin.
He disappeared between a set of double doors. Kira dashed after him, Finn close on her heels.
He whirled, slamming the doors shut behind them.
"Go, I'll hold them here," he said.
Kira hesitated. It didn't feel right leaving him to face them alone.
"Kira, come on," Jin yelled.
Her mouth firmed.
"Go, these two won't be a problem for me if you're not here to protect," Finn snarled.
"Since you're being an ass, have it your way," Kira said. She turned to leave, saying over her shoulder. "Try not to die. Otherwise, I'll have to make sure all the other oshotas know a few puny Luathans brought you down."
"Smartass," was his faint response as Kira jogged after Jin, a cold rock in her stomach despite the levity.
Only minutes passed before there was a giant crash and then a roar that told her the Luathans had made it through the doors.
Kira didn't try to be quiet as she pelted after Jin, the need for distance and speed outweighing the desire for subtlety.
She was lost within minutes as he led her through a
maze of rooms, through halls and courtyards, and over more than one sloped roof.
Her legs burned as she followed, sprinting toward a garden retaining wall, running up it and grabbing the top. She pulled herself up, dashing along it as Jin took another shortcut.
Reaching the end of the wall, she leaped off it, trusting him to warn her of danger. She landed, turning her forward momentum into a roll.
She found her feet again before sprinting down a stone walkway sheltered by an arboretum covered in pale, silvery flowers.
Jin paused at a set of doors leading to a glass-covered conservatory before moving inside. Kira cautiously followed.
It was a greenhouse, similar to what she'd come across on Graydon's ship. The darkness inside, coupled with the vines crawling up the walls and the overgrown trees and plants, shielded her from the outside, while giving her a 360-degree view.
"Where are we?" Kira asked, catching her breath as he made a circuit of the room.
"A little spot I discovered. From what I can tell, it's mostly abandoned. I've only ever seen one person visit, and that person wasn’t a warrior. We should be safe enough for now," Jin said.
Kira spied a change of clothes on one of the workbenches tucked to the side. She headed over to them, shrugging out of the rags of her dress. Much as she loved the dress, she needed attire more suitable for fighting.
"How far are we from the Nexus?" Her voice was muffled as she pulled the shirt over her head. Her head popped out of the collar.
"Not far as I fly. It'll take longer for you given your big body."
Kira rolled her eyes before pulling on her pants.
"Why?" he asked, suspicion threading through his voice.
"Because that's where we need to go. If they intend to bring down the defense network, the Nexus is the best place to do it from," she said.
It was time to go on the offensive. Enough running around the Citadel searching for Graydon. There were too many buildings. They'd never find him in time.
If they wanted a chance at stopping the Tsavitee attack, they needed to go straight to the source.
Jin let out a gusty wheeze. "Why is it your asks are never easy?"
"Face it, if they were, you'd get bored."
He'd probably end up destroying half of civilization as a result.
