by T. A. White
Kira lifted a careless shoulder. "Not really."
"Liar."
He was right, but Kira had no intention of letting him know that.
She preferred to strike from the shadows when a person's guard was lowered. Made everything so much easier.
"Think those ships will make a difference?" Kira asked.
"Only time will tell," Jace said. "The scientists have already started digging into the technology. I don't think I've ever seen grown men and women so giddy."
Best case scenario was the scientists cracked the Tuann technology and replicated it throughout the fleet.
The problem was that would take time. Even if they could figure out a substitute energy for ki, they'd have to build new ships using that technology. Something like that didn’t happen fast. It'd likely take a decade or more to disseminate on a large enough level to make a difference.
With the Tsavitee on the move again, the changes wouldn’t come soon enough.
"I've been looking into that matter you told me about before," Jace said with a meaningful expression on his face.
Kira's gaze cooled, highly conscious of Finn's presence next to her as he listened to every word they said.
"I didn't tell you about that for you to go digging where you don't belong," she said through stiff lips.
His gaze was chiding. "What did you say before? We all face death every time we put on that suit?"
Kira flinched at having her own words thrown back at her.
"This is me facing death in place of you," he said with a resoluteness that caused Kira's eyes to drop to her lap.
Jace reached out, tapping her on the side of the knee. "You've carried this burden for so long. Let me help. It's what a battle buddy is there for."
"What matter?" Finn asked, his drawn hood moving as he glanced between them.
A question flickered across Jace's face.
Kira kept her expression blank, leaving it up to him to decide to tell or not.
"A traitor within our military is responsible for the losses at Rothchild and in several other battles," Jace said.
A somber quiet filled the air.
"This is why you find it so hard to trust Roake even though I know you want to," Finn said, his voice soft with discovery.
It took willpower to duck her chin in the smallest of nods.
Finn didn't say anything more, lapsing into silence.
Kira's hands clenched.
Much as she wanted to reject Jace putting himself in danger, she couldn't. She'd be a hypocrite if she did.
She'd hit a wall in her own investigation. Being as high up in the ranks as he was, Jace was in a better position to learn more.
The Haldeel bustled around the cabin, closing the hatch doors as they prepared to launch.
There was none of the insistence on seat belts or safety harnesses that you'd encounter on a human vessel.
Unless there was an issue during re-entry, such things would be unnecessary. At that point, it likely wouldn't matter what kind of restraints they wore.
The ship lifted off the platform with the faintest of jolts. There was a sense of movement as they slipped out the membrane separating the dock from the void of space.
The gravity switched seamlessly from the station's to the ship’s, the faint sensation of weightlessness there and gone in an instant.
"What did you find?" Kira asked as they started their descent.
"You were right about a mole. They're good too."
They'd have to be to go this long without discovery.
"If I hadn't known they existed, I don't think I'd have caught their trail so easily," Jace admitted.
Outside the viewing window, the small orb that was the planet grew until it filled the screen.
"They're pretty high up in the ranks," Jace said. "I'd say an admiral or rear admiral. It could also be someone who had regular contact with the Curs."
Kira shook her head. "I thought of that. Most of them are dead."
"It could be a survivor from one of the ships present at Rothchild," Jace pointed out.
"If that was the case, they would have been on the CSS Vega. They couldn’t have guaranteed their survival."
The handful out of thousands who'd survived had done so by chance. Kira didn't see a Tsavitee double agent taking that sort of risk.
"That leaves someone who had knowledge of troop movements and highly classified information," Jace said.
Of which there was only a small number.
"Tell me one thing," Kira said. "Do you suspect Himoto?"
The muscles in Jace's face jumped as he quelled his instinctive denial.
Kira's stomach twisted as she waited for his answer. It wasn’t easy contemplating whether Himoto was a traitor. He’d raised her after the camps.
At one time, he’d been her hero.
"At first glance, he would seem to be a prime candidate," Jace allowed before shaking his head. "I simply don't see it. Himoto would do many things to safeguard the Consortium, but I can't see him being capable of that. He'd have to be a much better actor to pull something like this off."
That fit with her assessment as well, but she’d also known she was too close to the matter to be objective.
"There are multiple people who were at Rothchild and at other battles now in positions of high authority," Jace said, sliding a microscopic data unit her way. "I've included dossiers on all of them. I think you'll find one of particular interest."
Kira took the device and held it up to Jin. He scanned, pulling the data off it, and frying its circuits when he was done.
"Kent," Jin said.
Jace inclined his chin. "The thing I find most interesting about him are his ties to a certain faction that has its roots in Zepher."
Kira's lips curled. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
"That brings me the second piece of information I have for you—one Himoto wanted you to have. Factions are forming in the Consortium."
Kira sent him a quizzical look. That was nothing new. There had always been factions in the Consortium.
"They’re the kind that could tear it apart and jeopardize our alliances." Jace’s face was grim. "Himoto and I have come across some disturbing communications. Nothing concrete enough to allow us to act."
Everything in Kira stilled. "What does that mean?"
Jace didn’t look away from her as he confessed, "Someone wants to restart the project."
Emotions fractured the bond between Kira and Jin. Anger and frustration assaulting her senses as a gnawing feeling of helplessness grew.
Kira took a breath, steadying herself as she reached for composure. She was Kira Forrest. The Phoenix. Scourge of the Tsavitee. War hero and villain at the same time.
Neither she nor Jin were helpless anymore; they hadn't been for a long time.
If the project was being relaunched, she'd deal with it as she had whenever people thought they could trespass into realms they had no business visiting—by destroying anyone and anything that had a hand in it.
"Himoto gave me a message for you," Jace said carefully. "We'll handle this. There's no need for Kira-chan to get involved at this stage."
For Jace to repeat the message verbatim said how aware Himoto was of her activities both before and after the war.
This wasn't the first time someone had gotten the idea to revisit the objective of the camps. Jin and Odin had protocols in place designed to find and root out those interested in using bioengineering with the goal of creating the perfect soldier.
What happened to her and the rest would not happen again.
"Himoto has gotten bold in his old age." Kira's expression wasn't exactly friendly as she said that.
"Perhaps that's why he's chosen to train me as his successor.”
Kira frowned. There were dozens of talented officers in the Consortium. Why pick Jace?
Her hands clenched. "If that's what you want.”
"It's what's needed."
She made a scoffing sou
nd. "Now you sound like him."
Jace's expression lightened as he teased, "Such compliments will make me blush."
Kira rolled her eyes. Her expression sobered as she considered all that he'd revealed.
"Do we know if this faction has any ties to Zepher?" Kira asked.
A glint entered Jace's eyes and he pointed at her as if to say bingo.
If they had a hand in the most recent incarnation of the project raising its nasty little head, they were likely looking for new genetic material.
It explained why Tsavitee agents had tried to abduct Devon.
Kira didn't fool herself into thinking the Tsavitee and their masters ever had only one agenda, but she didn't think it was a coincidence that they went after Devon.
He had links to the emperor, ostensibly the most powerful Tuann alive. Genetically, he was a prime specimen that could advance their research by decades.
Most importantly, he was related to Jin. Brothers, if Kira's suspicions were right.
It was no wonder they’d made such a bold move.
The question became did they target Jin's line because of his former status as one of their toys or were they beginning to suspect the truth behind Jin's current existence?
Only two people knew the truth of that night—Kira and Jin.
It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility that the Tsavitee were trying to replicate what they did.
"And I thought my mission was already hard enough," Kira grumbled.
Now in addition to tracking down and saving Elise, she had to be on the lookout for that project resurrecting itself from the ashes. Oh, and she had to make sure the Tsavitee didn't get their hands on any more Tuann children.
An already impossible task just had a whole bunch of awful dumped on top of it.
This was why Jin was always telling her she could never do things the easy way.
Sympathy settled on Jace's face. "I'll keep digging and inform you of what I find."
"Very well. Do what you want, but make sure you're not caught," Kira said, relenting. "I have no intention of attending your funeral."
Before he could respond, a strange sound issued from within Kira's hood, nearly blowing out her eardrum. A combination of a shriek and a roar, it caused those in the cabin to come to their feet.
Kira's heart dropped as a force yanked her sideways out of her seat, nearly sending her ass first to the ground.
She recovered in time, lurching forward, and grabbing Finn's arm as he reached for his synth blade.
If he drew his weapon, they'd be exposed. Devon and the rest would know they were Tuann and become suspicious.
"Spider, spider, spider." Jin whimpered right next to Kira's ear.
Finn's arm remained tense under Kira's hand. Only when she was sure he wouldn't do anything did she remove her hand.
Jace stared at her like he thought she had lost her mind, one hand hovering over the place where she knew he liked to keep a hidden blade.
He wasn't the only one.
The smell of burned ozone permeated the air. Someone had used ki.
It wasn't hard to see who.
In the aisle across from theirs, Joule had his hands up in a gesture she recognized, a nearly transparent shield extending inches from the tips of his fingers. It covered the small section of the ship where he and his companions had set up shop.
Behind the shield, Devon and Rheya had adopted a defensive posture, their blades drawn.
A flicker of fire shimmered on the surface of Devon's blade, whereas black lines slowly snaked across Rheya's face, a result of her drawing heavily on her ki.
The oshota guarding them stared suspiciously at Kira and Finn.
The Haldeel from before regarded Kira and Finn carefully. Any goodwill she'd earned was likely gone.
Seeing the situation, Jace laughed, moving his hand away from his hidden blade. He stepped forward, one hand dropping onto Kira's shoulder.
"I apologize everyone. My friend had a fright." Jace's smile was meant to be reassuring and conciliatory.
He bent to say into her ear. "What the hell was that?"
"Spider." Kira pointed at the cause of this whole mess.
A creature roughly the size of a cat uncurled, scuttling down the wall and onto Kira's former seat.
A gibbering came from Jin, and he slid further into her hood.
Jace fought laughter as he heard the word, finally realizing what had happened—and who was responsible for the fuss.
The creature that had so terrified Jin lifted its body, its head canting curiously.
Kira hadn't ever thought she'd meet an ilsa in person. Although it resembled an arachnid with its eight legs and many eyes, that was where the similarity ended.
Covered in a light creamy colored fuzz, the ilsa had pink rosettes on its torso and legs. It also had a snout no spider would ever have. Wearing a tiny top hat and jeweled collar, it looked rather adorable.
"Kill it. Kill it now," Jin whined.
"I'm not going to kill it," Kira argued in an undertone.
"It's a spider. Destroy it in a way where even its ancestors will feel it's pain."
"It's not a spider. It's an ilsa. Totally different."
"It has eight legs and eight eyes. Close enough."
"Excuse me," a soft voice said as a slight figure moved forward.
She was Haldeel and had dark purple markings edged with black. She looked young, not much older than Elena and Devon.
"I apologize if Jaks scared you."
Jaks scuttled down the chair, hopping onto the floor, and then scurrying over to his owner. She bent and picked him up, cradling him in her arms as she faced Kira and Jace.
"The apologies are ours," Jace said in a polite tone. "My friend is a little irrational at times."
"Heh." Jin snickered.
"He means you, dumbass," Kira said out the side of her mouth.
Jin made an insulted sound and would likely have done more if Kira hadn't slapped one hand over his body under the hood.
Jin grumbled to himself but didn't fight her further.
To the teen in front of her, Kira made a slight bow, but didn't speak.
Devon and the rest were on their guard now, paying attention where they hadn't been earlier. If she said anything now, they'd likely recognize her voice.
"Are you heading to the planet for the quorum?" Jace asked, picking up on Kira's predicament.
The girl inclined her head.
"What event will you be joining?" Jace asked.
"The waveboard races."
That was an interesting answer.
While the races were popular among humans, the same couldn’t be said for the Tuann and Haldeel. They were only now beginning to find traction among the other species.
For this girl to choose it as her event was unexpected. Kira had assumed it would take much longer before the Haldeel embraced it.
Then again, there were those among the Tuann who shared the same obsession with the races, Kira thought just as Ziva bounced forward.
"He is too." Ziva gestured at Devon.
"It seems this ship has several contenders for that race.” Jace patted Kira on the shoulder. "This one is also competing."
Kira stiffened under his hand. "What do you think you're doing?"
Jace leaned closer to her. "Remember on Duo when you and Raider antagonized that gang and then left me to deal with the consequences? Consider this my long-overdue revenge."
Kira choked down her response. "You've gotten a lot braver over the years."
Jace patted her on the shoulder again. "I learned from the best." To the rest, he said, "I hope you can show my friend some interesting things."
Devon regarded Kira with suspicion. "You're a racer?"
Kira shrugged.
Devon looked about to say something when the Haldeel steward approached. "We'll be landing soon. Please take your seats."
The Haldeel girl sketched a small bow before making her way to her seat.
&nb
sp; Devon and the others followed suit, leaving Kira and Jace alone.
"That's one thing I've never envied about you—having to deal with Jin," Jace mused.
Finn's shoulders jerked next to her.
"Rude, meat sack," Jin grumbled from Kira's shoulder.
From his own position, Devon eyed their trio with a contemplative look.
"Both of you be quiet. We've already drawn enough attention."
Jace glanced in the direction of the Haldeel teen. "I do find it interesting that an ilsa appeared here and now."
Kira didn't have to ask what he meant.
The ilsa was a rare breed that not many had the opportunity to befriend. Although it looked like an adorable pet it was much more. Some knew the ilsa by its less common name—the alja. Or spy.
Jin's actions on the surface may have seemed like that of an idiot, but there had been purpose behind them.
If he hadn't acted in such a way, there was no telling how long the ilsa would have sat there and listened.
Kira could only hope Jin had noticed him before they revealed too much.
*
Graydon contemplated the Tuann in front of him, trying to decide if he cared about the repercussions that would come if he ripped the man’s limbs from his torso.
He could already envision how that conversation with the emperor would play out.
"And why did you feel it necessary to maim one of my most loyal subjects?"
The emperor wasn't likely to be satisfied with the excuse "Because his face offended me".
Pity. Such an action was sure to satisfy and work out some of this tension.
It had been weeks, and there was still no word on Kira.
His resulting bad mood had ensured those with an ounce of self-preservation steered clear of him.
A quality that didn't seem to extend to the Chancellor of House Kashori. The man was dogged in his determination to win concessions for his House.
"There are hundreds of Tuann who plan to go down to the planet. It is unreasonable to expect all of our people to use the Haldeel dropships to come and go," Torin said.
Graydon bared his teeth at the man, his expression not particularly nice. "These are the terms of the quorum, as set by the Haldeel."
Did House Kashori think they were special in some way?
"They've never had those requirements before," Torin argued, unwilling to let the matter drop.
