Trials of Conviction, page 47
There was an explosion from somewhere else in the facility that made the ground rumble under their feet.
A second later, Talon peered through the massive hole in the ceiling. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
His gaze stopped on Finn. "Are you injured?"
Finn's glare contained a hint of fire. "I killed an Osiri."
"You did? Or her?" Talon nodded at Kira.
"It was a team effort," Finn said through gritted teeth.
"If you say so," Talon said before focusing on Graydon. "You should get a move on. The Tsavitee have begun evacuations. Their towers are leaving one by one. This one will follow. You don't want to be here when it does."
Talon disappeared from the ledge.
"Did you do something?" Finn called.
A chuckle from above was Talon’s only answer.
Graydon glanced back at the general. "Time for that choice."
The general’s hesitation lasted only a second before his gaze met Graydon’s. "I'll come with you."
"If you ever betray us, your death will be long and painful."
The general swallowed hard.
Graydon turned toward his people. "Let's get out of this place before that thing Talon is worried about becomes a reality."
Kira
Kira’s eyelashes fluttered as the quiet murmur of conversation pulled her back to awareness. She blinked, taking a second to register the presence of the Tuann shuttle ceiling above her. The sensation of movement under her came a second later.
It looked like Wren and his pod had come through for them.
Kira patted the surface under her, conscious of the fact she was lying across a shuttle seat. She wasn't alone either. A woman with white blond hair sat beside her, her attention elsewhere.
Kira twisted to take in the woman. "You're supposed to be on Ta Sa'Riel recovering."
A faint smile creased the corners of Auralyn's eyes as she nodded at the trio across from her. "This felt more important."
Kira looked over to find Wren sitting on the opposite side of the aisle. Like Kira, Elise was stretched across a seat, her head in Wren's lap. Elena was clutched to his other side, his chin resting on the top of her head.
His eyes were closed, his features lax with relief. As if his entire world had just been given back to him.
"Yeah," Kira agreed softly.
Auralyn looked down at her. "You gave us our family back. Thank you."
Kira settled back on the seat, not knowing how to respond. "Elena and Elise are my family too."
Amusement touched Auralyn's eyes as she inclined her chin regally.
Kira looked at the other out of the corner of her eye. "You going to be okay?"
It probably wasn't a good thing for Auralyn to have cut her recovery short. Harlow had seemed to think she would need much longer than a couple of weeks to fully recover from losing her arm.
Kira wasn't very familiar with the Tuann methods for treating a lost limb. If this had been Consortium territory, Auralyn's options would have been limited to a mechanical arm or a synthetically grown limb that would then be re-attached.
Either of those would have taken months of recovery and rehabilitation.
Auralyn touched the place where her arm would have been. "I will adapt."
There was calm acceptance in the other woman's features. No sign of the regret that would have plagued most.
Kira glanced around the shuttle, her gaze touching on several people before landing on Devon and the blanket covered figure he held so carefully in his lap.
"Jin," Kira called softly.
Quillon was there before she could push herself fully upright. He planted a hand on her forehead, shoving her back down on the seat none too gently. "There'll be none of that. You're to lay there and recover."
"I'm fine," Kira argued.
The healer leveled a glance on her that had Kira shutting her mouth. "You're not fine. You have obliterated your reserves of ki. If not for that, you'd be dead."
Quillon stabbed a finger at the lenacht resting against Kira's stomach.
Kira touched its head in surprise, only just now aware of its presence. If the lenacht was here, Lathan must be too.
Kira found him not far away. The wanderer had his head resting against the back of the seat, his eyes closed. He didn't open them as he lifted a finger to wave it lazily at Kira.
"You are to lay there and not move," Quillon said fiercely.
"Fine, but under one condition," Kira agreed, knowing that it was useless to argue when he was in a mood. "Examine Jin and tell me he's okay."
"I already have. Physically, the boy is fine."
"When will he wake up?"
Quillon gave a tiny shake of his head. "I don't know."
Kira went very still as her gaze went from him to the boy in Devon's arms. "What does that mean?"
"I can feel him in there, but its faint."
"But you do think he will wake up."
Quillon's hesitation had Kira’s stomach crawling into her throat. "I can't tell you that. We have no experience with returning a soul to a body. The only thing I can say is that the experience is likely to have been traumatic. It could be all he needs is time for his soul to acclimate or—"
"Or he might never wake up," Kira said when it looked like Quillon didn't want to continue that sentence.
His nod held regret. "That is correct."
Kira breathed carefully through her nose, composing herself.
No matter what Quillon said she refused to believe that Jin would be forever comatose. Like he said, moving into a new body was just a little traumatic. That's all. He just needed time.
"What about Finn?" Kira asked when she was sure she wouldn't break.
"He's unconscious but stable." Quillon's scowl was sudden. "The idiot tried to walk out. He collapsed half way and had to be carried by Talon."
Relief eased the tightness in Kira's chest. "He'll be okay?"
"If he knows what’s good for him, he will be," Quillon growled, moving off.
Having been at the tender mercy of the healer on more than one occasion, Kira could almost sympathize with her oshota.
Talon replaced Quillon at her side.
Kira stared at the Tuann. "Look who finally showed up. Where have you been all this time?"
"Just here and there. I had a few things to take care of down there."
Auralyn's snort was amused. "He means he sabotaged several of their ships. The explosions caused massive casualties on their side. "
Talon grunted, not acknowledging Auralyn's statement as he tossed something at Kira.
Puzzled, Kira lifted the fist-sized object, turning it over in her hand. "A Tuann storage device."
"In addition to my meddling, I did a little investigating while I was down there." Talon tapped the stone she held. "Everything I found is on there."
Kira looked at the memory device with renewed excitement. There was no telling what information Talon had found, but she suspected whatever was on this would be of considerable value to Jace. Maybe enough to help him in the shit storm that was sure to come his way for going rogue.
"There's a price though," Talon told her before she had a chance to thank him.
Kira bit back her words, watching him warily. "Okay."
"Don't worry. It's not going to hurt you." He smirked as he knelt in front of her. "I will be your shield."
Kira's eyes widened. "No. Absolutely not."
"You will be my sword," he continued.
"I don’t accept." Kira looked back at Auralyn. "That's how it is supposed to work, right? I have to agree?"
Auralyn's gaze was speculative. "That’s how it's usually done."
Talon's expression was impassive as he pointed at the storage device in her hand. "If you want that, you don't have a choice."
Involuntarily, Kira clutched the device to her chest.
Talon smiled. "Glad we're in agreement."
"We're not though," Kira called at his back as he made his way back to where Finn was lying.
She cursed when he gave no signs of hearing.
"Congratulations on your new oshota. Your uncle will be pleased," Auralyn commented.
Kira threw an arm over her face. One oshota was bad enough. She refused to accept a second.
Maybe there was a way to convince him to take back the oath he'd just made. No one except Auralyn had been paying attention. Kira was sure the other woman wouldn't contradict them if she and Talon pretended this hadn't happened.
Graydon's presence beside her registered a second before he lifted her arm off her face.
She stared up at him grumpily. "Don't say it."
His eyes laughed down at her.
"I mean it, Graydon. Not a word."
It had been a long day, and she wanted to hide from the inevitable just a little while longer.
Graydon's face was soft as he took in her features. "Alright, coli. Have it your way."
She turned into his touch as he gently brushed a finger across her face.
"We did it," Kira said softly.
She was still having trouble believing that.
His nod was small. "We did."
She sent him a crooked smile. "I told you I wouldn't die."
"You did."
Now that it was over, Kira could feel herself relaxing. Elena was safe. Jin would wake up. And for now, the Tsavitee had been routed.
They'd return. They always did.
But hopefully, this experience had taught the Consortium something. At the very least, Jace and his fleet had bought them time.
How much of it was still to be determined.
There was a bump as the shuttle landed. The hatch opened several minutes later to reveal Harlow waiting on the other side. Her uncle prowled inside, his massive presence making the already cramped space feel even smaller as his raptor's gaze landed unerringly on Kira.
"Uncle, what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise as she raised onto her forearm. Last she’d heard, he was supposed to be managing the rebellion on behalf of the emperor.
"You didn't think I'd let you attack a known stronghold of our old masters without support, did you?"
Kira glanced at the oshota in the shuttle and then the window outside where the massive Tuann warship was visible as if to say "isn't that what this is?"
His face held a faint amusement as he moved toward her, nodding a greeting to Graydon. "Thank you for protecting her in my absence."
"It was quite the troublesome endeavor at times," Graydon said, giving way.
Harlow’s face was wry. "I have no doubt."
"You can put your mind at ease for the future," Graydon said, looking down at Kira with amusement. "Just now, a second oshota has sworn himself to her service."
Kira sputtered as Harlow’s eyebrow arched. "And she accepted?"
"She did," Graydon informed him.
Kira gave her lover a scathing look. "What happened to not a word?"
"I thought that only applied in terms of mentioning it to you. Next time, you should be clearer."
Kira stared at him with a partially open mouth, not quite able to believe he’d sold her out.
Wait a minute. Yes, she did. This was Graydon they were talking about. The master manipulator. The man who always had to have the last word.
Of course, he’d told Harlow. Her Overlord. Likely to ensure she couldn’t go back on the agreement.
"I'll get you later," Kira mouthed at him.
"I look forward to it," he murmured back.
Harlow waited until they were done, leveling a displeased look on her. "You, my dear, were supposed to wait. I was not pleased to arrive to find things already in motion."
"It would have been too late if I’d delayed."
And she doubted he would have let her handle things in the fashion she had. It was almost certain he would have cut out Jace's people. Not to mention, he would have tried to wrap her in a blanket of protection that would have prevented her from doing what needed to be done.
No, things had to happen exactly the way they did.
"Your rear admiral is quite the interesting leader," Harlow commented.
"He's alive then?"
Harlow inclined his head. "As are many others due to his actions. It was quite impressive."
"Impressive enough that you'd consider an alliance?" Kira challenged.
Harlow's face was hard to read but she thought she caught a tiny gleam of amusement hiding in his eyes. "We'll see."
That was better than nothing. Jace could capitalize on the rest.
"Very tricky, niece," Harlow commented, reading her like a book. "You'll make a fine Overlord one day."
Kira didn't tell him that wasn't going to happen. Mainly because she’d learned her lesson over the past few months. It was impossible to know what the future would bring. And she hated when circumstances made her a liar.
"What about the Curs and Joule?" Raider asked.
Harlow glanced at him. "Alive and on this ship."
Raider's body loosened with relief.
"You'll need a briefing," Kira told Harlow.
As would Jace.
"But first—you'll rest. The slayer of an Osiri will need her strength for what is to come," Harlow instructed.
Thirty One
Kira – Secret Base
The clang of the hatch shutting and being locked behind Kira held a note of finality as she stepped into the brig. The space held six cells. Only two of which were occupied. One by Aeron who took in Kira’s arrival with a hint of interest.
She walked past him without a glance, making her way toward the last cell. Its inhabitant was facing the wall, her back to the ballistic-proof glass that separated her from freedom.
"Blue," Kira said, stopping in front of her cell.
Blue sat cross legged on the only piece of furniture in the cell. A narrow cot that lacked the luxury of a blanket.
"You came," Blue said over her shoulder, not making any move to face her.
"I did." Kira gave the lackluster conditions of the cell a cursory look. "This brings back memories."
She’d spent a night or two in a ship’s brig on more than one occasion. Usually, to give her a chance to cool her head after doing something dumb.
"Did Admiral Skarsdale tell you what I’m in for?"
"He did."
"Do you believe what he’s saying?"
Kira tucked her thumbs into her pockets, her stance easy and relaxed. "I know you weren’t the one who gave away the Vega’s position during Rothchild."
That got Blue’s attention. The other woman twisted to give Kira her full attention.
"I found the person responsible."
Blue rushed to the front of the cell. "You did?"
"They’re dead."
At least Thea was. There was still a question mark over whether Diesel had survived the explosion on Rothchild.
For now, Kira didn’t intend to go looking for him. All scores between them were settled after what he’d done to draw away the kill squad. Anyway, he wasn’t the person ultimately responsible for what happened to the Vega and the Curs. He was just unlucky enough to get caught up in someone else’s schemes.
"Then you know I had nothing to do with it," Blue said eagerly.
Kira’s nod was slow, her lack of enthusiasm making Blue’s enthusiasm fade.
"What’s wrong?" Blue asked.
"Jace had good reason to find you suspicious," Kira said, steeling herself against Blue’s hurt expression.
"What does that mean?" Blue asked.
"I never questioned your presence on the planet where I found you. Even though I knew how difficult it would be for a child alone to survive in the hell the Tsavitee created in that place. I didn’t want to look too deep for fear of what I’d find."
Blue’s presence had been a source of warmth and comfort to Kira. The Curs mascot. The little sister of their unit. Kira hadn’t wanted her paranoia to disrupt the potential good Blue offered.
"Miracles happen and you had been through enough."
Blue’s eyes narrowed. "What is this?"
"Your only chance."
Kira watched Blue intently. Every flicker of emotion. The anger. The disbelief. Under it a thread of hurt. So sincere and real, it was impossible for Kira to believe the other woman was a double agent. Even knowing what the Tsavitee were capable of.
"If you say it’s all a coincidence, I’ll believe you," Kira told her.
Blue’s expression was guarded as she met Kira’s gaze.
"But it had better be the truth, Blue. If I find out later that you’re holding back, that you lied to me when I’m giving you a chance to come clean, I’ll kill you."
This was a one-time offer. Never to be repeated.
It would hurt to learn that the girl she’d rescued all those years ago was nothing more than a plant the Tsavitee had placed by her side.
Kira could let it go, though.
Of course, Blue would have to be strictly monitored from here on out. She knew too much to be let loose. Her status as a Cur would be yanked as well.
But she’d be alive. That was more than Kira thought she’d ever offer anyone who worked for the Tsavitee.
"I’m not a traitor, Kira. I’m exactly who you’ve always thought I was."
Kira nodded. "Alright then."
Blue’s forehead furrowed. "That’s it?"
"That’s all I need."
"You’re going to let me out, right? You’re not going to leave me in here?"
"It’s not that easy. I don’t hold any power in Centcom now."
And even if she wasn’t the one responsible, her actions had placed everyone in danger. Jace wasn’t happy about that. He saw it as a breach of security. Until Kira could find a way to prove someone had authorized Blue to send those communications, her friend would have an uphill battle trying to win back his trust.
Kira would do what she could, but Jace was the ultimate decision maker in this matter.
Leaving Blue behind, Kira moved toward her second reason for this visit. Aeron looked up at her as she stopped in front of his cell.
"I didn’t expect you to come personally," Aeron drawled, his expression changing to one of confusion as Kira opened his cell door. "What are you doing?"
