by T. A. White
Kira shoved aside her feelings of regret and sorrow. "By now, you know or have at least guessed that Elise is alive. It's not the rosy scenario you think. I promised Elena I'd bring her mother home, and I intend to do that. There are some things you need to know that I couldn't have revealed in front of the rest. Next time I see you, I promise I'll tell you everything I can. It's not much in the way of recompense, but it'll have to do."
Kira reached out and stopped the recording.
On the screen, a message popped up.
[Do you wish to send?]
Her finger hovered over the Yes button, knowing it'd be days before the Wanderer got close to a station where all the messages in the queue could be uploaded and sent.
In the end, she pressed the save for later button.
Finished, she leaned back in her chair, content to watch the stars for a while longer.
*
"Have you ever seen anything like this?" Elena asked as the Wanderer approached Almaluk, the station currently floating over Jettie like a second, much smaller, oblong moon.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of ships dotted the expanse of space around the planet—the bulky shapes of human ships intermingling with the more svelte and streamlined Tuann vessels. Kira even caught a few designs she wasn't familiar with—possibly of alien origin.
Kira shook her head.
At least not in peacetime. During the war, seeing a gathering of ships this large was rare but not unheard of. Of course, back then, most of these ships would have ended up as silent graveyards if they'd actually seen battle.
Kira had known the quorum was important, but until right this moment she couldn't have guessed the sheer magnitude of the event.
Even Kira had heard of Almaluk, the floating palace of the Haldeel, crowning gem of their empire. Unlike most stations that tended to be stationary, or at least fixed to a certain quadrant, Almaluk wandered the void. To find it, you either had to have the key to its ever-changing frequency or happen upon it by chance.
The station was a relatively recent addition to Jettie's skies. The last time she'd visited, it hadn't been a consideration. Guess Kira knew how the Haldeel intended to enforce their restrictions.
"That is a lot of ships," Jin said.
"Any idea the exact numbers?" Kira asked.
Jin was silent a moment as he calculated.
Odin was quicker. "One thousand eight hundred ninety-five, with an additional two hundred outside the system."
"I was getting to it," Jin grumbled.
"Not fast enough."
Kira ignored the two, used to the sniping by now. The weeks of living practically on top of each other had required a delicate balance.
Finn had kept mostly to himself while Odin and Jin spent hours tinkering with the ship and any gadget they could get their hands on.
She was pretty sure the two had invented more than one thing that would revolutionize the market if they ever decided to offer it for sale.
Elena had kept pretty close to Kira, soaking up the rare opportunity to spend quality time together.
Overall, the trip had been uneventful.
Kira glanced outside at what basically amounted to an armada. All with one central goal—Almaluk and the planet below.
The station was the most beautiful Kira had ever seen. It lived up to its name, the metal framework curving in on itself like thousands of infinity symbols. The craftmanship showed the Haldeel's delicate hand in working metal as it created an illusion of movement, until the station seemed like a flower constantly on the cusp of blooming.
"Are we all set?" Kira asked.
"Everything has been arranged. I've already received a temporary pass to the planet," Jin said. "Once we dock, we should be good to go."
In other words, if you wanted to participate, you had to go through the Haldeel.
Only those they deemed trustworthy would be allowed to set foot on Jettie. It also meant that anyone entering would have to go through a Haldeel security check. As safety measures went, you couldn't get much better.
“Are you sure I can't go with you?” Elena asked.
“There are too many eyes. If we're recognized, I don't want you associated with us.”
Kira wasn't exactly happy allowing Elena to go down separately, but it was better than the alternative. If a Tsavitee agent was present, it would be best if they never saw Elena—especially in relation to Kira.
It was hard to hunt for something you didn't know existed.
For that reason, Kira, Jin, and Finn would go first with Odin and Elena leaving long after them.
It wasn't Kira's favorite plan, but given the circumstances, it was the best she could do.
"Don't screw this up," Kira told Odin. "If you do, you'd better run very, very far and hide really, really well."
If something happened to her niece, she would actually kill him this time.
"And you," Kira said to Elena. "Don't stray off book."
"Geez, it's like you don't trust me."
"I wonder why." Could it have anything to do with their current predicament? Let Kira think. Why yes, yes it could.
Elena's grimace was sheepish. "I promise to be careful."
That didn't really make Kira feel much better. A preteen's idea of careful and hers differed greatly.
Elena was more trained than most her age and more cautious as a result, but her decision-making priorities sometimes left Kira with a headache.
"I don't suppose you'd let me watch the quals?" Elena asked, trying her luck.
Yup. That headache definitely had Elena’s name all over it.
"Which part of ‘be cautious’ didn't you understand?" Kira asked.
"I can stay out of sight. Besides, you'll need Odin's help for the race," Elena said, not allowing herself to be dissuaded.
"Kid has a point. You're going to need some talented seconds to help you with pre-race calibrations and during the race itself," Odin pointed out.
"Excuse you," Jin objected. "Kira has me for that."
Odin held up one slender finger proportionally longer than any human or Tuann's. "Race rules—all racers must have at least one controller, and it can't be a machine. As handsome as tall and dangerous over there is, he doesn't have the right skills for the job."
Finn didn't react to either the compliment or the insult beyond a faint tightening of the skin around the corner of his eyes.
"That leaves yours truly." Odin pointed at himself.
Kira had already considered all of that. No waveboard pilot could see everything at one time and also keep an eye on the ever-changing conditions.
While it was possible to race without a controller, it was a lot more dangerous. Only the crazy or the extremely talented ever tried, let alone succeeded. Kira could do it and had even considered that route before discarding it.
Such an action was bound to draw attention.
Since she planned to hide her identity for a time—at least until Elena’s situation had been taken care of—Kira planned to have Finn stand in with Jin coaching him in the background.
Odin's way was a lot simpler, and if it hadn’t been for Elena, Kira would say yes.
"I can stay in the stands. No one's going to pay attention to a kid. I'll keep my cloak up and my head down," Elena promised.
Kira hesitated.
"We're going to have time to kill anyway," Odin said. "Your contact hasn't responded yet, and we don't want to fall afoul of the Haldeel rules. You know how sensitive they can be."
Yes, Kira did.
The Haldeel prided themselves on their adherence to the laws and rules set in place. They wouldn't break them, even if doing otherwise resulted in death.
They expected those competing to do the same. If you were known to break a vow or rule, they would blacklist you.
The Consortium had come remarkably close to trespassing against this cultural ideology in the beginning of their relationship. It was only because of the battle of Rothchild and the sacrifices made there
that the Haldeel gave them a second chance.
By that point, humans had been desperate to curry favor with their powerful ally. As a result, several key military and political leadership roles were reassigned to people who would be a little more honorable in their dealings.
What few seemed to realize was that although the Haldeel were rigid in their views, they also loved loopholes. It was considered something of a coup to be able to use one.
In that, Kira and the Haldeel were of one mind.
"Let's hope the contact is prompt then," Kira finally said.
"And if not?" Elena asked, her eyes brightening.
When Kira didn't answer, Jin interceded. "I have something that might set your mind at ease."
There was the small click of metal against metal as a silver turtle crawled across the floor of the bridge.
It reached Elena's feet and stopped, its little head craning as it blinked metal eyelids over the impression of metal eyes.
"Jin, what is that?" Kira said in a carefully controlled voice.
It bared a striking resemblance to the lizard Jin had called Min, the small avatar he’d given Kira so he could still interact with her on Ta Sa’Riel when he was supposed to be keeping a low profile.
The lizard hadn’t survived their showdown in the Trial of the Broken and had had the core of its essence extracted so Kira could save Wren.
No bigger than Elena's palm, the turtle was as cute as that lizard had been.
"Meet Min Junior," Jin said. "Or Min 2.0. I haven't decided."
"I thought the days of making a mini you were over."
The turtle opened its mouth, a small croak coming from it as it begged to be picked up.
Elena obliged, bending and setting her hand in front of it. The turtle considered it before padding forward. Elena picked the small avatar up, petting it with one careful finger.
"So cute!" she said, engrossed in her new friend.
Kira glared at Jin.
"This one is better than the last one," Jin promised. "MinMin, attack."
The little turtle scuttled around on Elena's palm until his head was facing away from her. Its mouth opened and a pinprick of light roared from it. No smaller than a laser, it still had a big impact as it melted a perfectly round hole in the wall.
"Are you kidding me?" Kira asked as Finn erected a shield, containing the rest of the blast. "You fit him with a modified zuipi? Are you trying to kill us?"
"Cool, right? I took Blue's designs and modified them. The power output is a lot more efficient now." Jin blathered on, unaware of the way Finn's expression darkened. "I don't know why they didn't do it that way from the beginning."
For once, Kira was speechless.
"What?" Jin asked, realizing how silent it was. "You wanted her protected. Now she's protected. My spawn will keep her safe."
"You can't call it a spawn when it's basically you in a smaller body," Kira shouted.
"I told you—I made improvements. This one has its own base personality. Introduce yourself," Jin invited.
"Hello, my name is Min Junior. You can call me MinMin as directed by the one who spawned me," the turtle said in a cute, squeaky voice.
"I'll admit his personality is a bit basic at the moment, but he'll get the job done. Even better, as long as he's on Elena, I will always be able to find her."
Elena’s glance at Kira was hopeful.
Kira’s shoulders sagged. She wasn’t going to win this battle. "Fine, if our contact is late, you can come. Remember your promise, stay in the background and don't draw attention."
Elena hopped up and down. "Yes, I'm finally going to get to see you race!"
The turtle yawned, padding up Elena's arm and into her hair where he sank down, for all the world appearing as if he was an ornate hair clip.
Kira shook her head, wondering how she had lost control on her own ship. She could only hope their contact would be prompt. Last thing she needed was for Elena to decide on a career as a waveboard racer.
*
Hours later, Kira wove through the crowd, Finn a grumpy sentinel at her side.
After some skillful arguing on her part, she'd managed to convince him to cover his synth armor with a cloak. As disguises went, it wasn't foolproof, his size alone guaranteeing anyone who noticed him would assume he was some kind of a warrior.
At least with the covering, any prying eyes wouldn't be able to pick him—and by extension Kira—out of a crowd at a glance.
Kira was a little more inconspicuous, playing the part of a fashion-challenged teen. She'd reunited with one of her many hoodies. Currently, she had her hands stuffed in its pockets, the hood drawn to hide her distinctive hair color.
For once, Jin was playing it safe, hiding out inside her hood, using it and her hair to go unnoticed.
He’d had to condense his sphere, something he only did when he needed to fit into small spaces. Right now, he was closer to the size of a softball. Even then, he barely fit.
Kira knew the hood looked a little misshapen. The ruse would never fool the Haldeel scanners located at nearly every hall intersection, but it didn't need to.
The Haldeel weren't the ones she was trying to deceive.
"Any issues?" Kira asked, her lips barely moving.
To her surprise, there were a lot more Tuann present than she'd anticipated. It had left her feeling a bit twitchy and paranoid, like she had a target painted on her.
"Not yet."
"Any sign of Graydon?" Kira asked.
Jin hummed in thought. "No, I don't think he or anyone from House Roake have docked yet."
Or maybe they had and Jin was simply more confident in his skills than he had a right to be.
It wouldn't be the first time one of the Tuann had come out of their blind spot.
"Either way, stay on guard. If we're caught here, they're going to go after Elena."
Kira didn't have to explain how bad it would be if Elena was spotted so close to her other protectors.
Certain people would find that information interesting. They could even decide to investigate further. The results of such a fact-finding mission would endanger a whole lot more than the safety of her niece.
"I know."
They moved out of the corridor that connected the shipyard docks to the station.
Kira flicked her eyes up and to the right, accessing the map Odin had uploaded into her optics.
Tiny glowing lines formed in the upper right of her vision, a representation of the station and its features.
Their destination was the docks where drop shuttles would ferry visitors planet side.
Seeing they were still heading in the right direction; Kira dismissed the map.
"You'll find this interesting," Jin chirped. "Luatha is here."
Kira dodged around a slow-moving clump of humans, noting the insignia embroidered on their uniforms. Two crossed swords framed by a sunburst on either side.
Zepher.
Kira’s lip curled. She could have done without seeing them ever again.
"What's my cousin's House doing here?"
"Probably the same thing everyone else is."
Kira couldn't catch a break. One more group capable of recognizing her and Jin at a glance.
She'd known the chokepoint of the station would pose a problem, but she hadn't thought she'd be so thoroughly surrounded on all sides.
Kira forced her pace not to quicken.
This little deception hinged on going unremarked. She was one of thousands of hopefuls looking to earn recognition and praise through her own skills and talent.
For that reason, she needed to act the part of tourist as she admired the interior of the station.
It mimicked a city. Tall buildings were framed by the same swooping metal arches she'd seen on the exterior. Here, she could better appreciate them. The loops weren't simply flat metal. Instead, they twisted and turned in a relaxed spiral.
It made it easy to show fascination as she walked.
Alt
hough technologically advanced, the Haldeel had an appreciation for beauty, entwining form with functionality.
It was apparent in this brief visit how ingrained that mentality was in the Haldeel mindset.
It wasn't enough to build something. It had to be effortlessly beautiful as well. Extra points if it was also insanely complicated.
Too soon, Kira and her companions reached their destination, a massive room filled with small ships arranged in neat little rows.
On one side of the room was the black of space, the planet taking up a large chunk of the view. A small membrane ensured those who entered weren't immediately sucked into the vacuum of space.
A disturbance mere feet away drew Kira's attention from the breathtaking view.
A group of humans faced off against a Haldeel.
The person in charge was a short man with a barrel chest. He, like his companions, was dressed sharply in a uniform of tailored pants and a tight-fitting jacket.
Like the humans Kira had passed earlier, the emblem of Zepher was displayed prominently over the left side of their chest.
"There are plenty of other vessels. There's no need for you to allow these aliens to board ours," the man was saying.
Kira glanced at the people he indicated, feeling her heart lurch at the sight of five people clad in the forest green of Luathan synth armor.
Speak of the devil and he shall arrive.
Liara's gaze was cool as she watched the drama with an impassive expression. Unlike the first time Kira had met her, Liara’s armor was more subdued. She’d left off the long cape in favor of blending in with her oshota.
Next to her, Roderick’s face displayed his displeasure at the humans’ behavior.
"We, too, would prefer not to share space with ones such as these." Disdain dripped from Liara’s words.
The Haldeel in front of them inclined his upper body in a small bow. "I apologize, esteemed guests. Our ships must be filled to capacity before they are released to the planet. You can wait for others in your party if you would prefer."
The humans from Zepher didn't look happy at that response.
"Our party is taking part in the quals. We don't have time to wait for the necessary numbers," a woman standing beside the man said.
"Then your path is clear," the Haldeel said, unfazed by their argument.
