13. Thirteen

Thirteen

Raider - Bay of the CSS Reliance

Raider strode down the Wanderer’s ramp and into the landing bay of Jace’s flagship, the CSS Reliance. The din of a military flight deck post battle instantly surrounded him. The loud bangs of mechanics working on the returning small winged fighters. Refueling them before directing them to their berths. The flight deck crew’s shouts as they orchestrated their well-trained dance, accomplishing the necessary tasks in the least amount of time possible.

It was a familiar refrain that had followed Raider for the entirety of his adult life. Waveboard riders typically launched from the flight tubes located in the side of the ship, but they were no strangers to the flight deck. It was where they passed the time when on call. Those twelve hour shifts where they had to be ready at a moment’s notice.

Raider hadn’t spent as much time on this flight deck as he should have, but it didn’t matter. At their heart, all of them were the same. Whether it was a battle cruiser or one of the smaller frigates, they had the same basic layout. The same sort of people serving on their deck.

Right now, those people were staring at Raider and his companions in curiosity. It wasn’t every day that a civilian ship docked on a flight deck in the midst of a battle with the Tsavitee. Even more intriguing to them were the Tuann at Raider’s side. A species most present had likely only ever heard about.

Raider’s expression matched Wren and Finn’s. Their faces stoic masks as they progressed across the deck.

Blue walked beside Raider, exuding dissatisfaction. "You’re making a mistake. I hope you know that."

"It’s good then that it’s my mistake to make."

Blue muttered a few choice words that would have had her counseled for insubordination if someone other than Raider had heard them.

Raider gave her a closed mouthed smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "You know, Blue. You don’t have to make this mistake with me. If you can’t do this, just tell me now."

It’d be better for him to know so he had time to make alternate plans rather than relying on her later and her not showing up.

Blue made a face. "Don’t be stupid. Of course, I’m going to make it with you. I know what’s at stake. I’m here to the end. Stupid plan or not. I just feel the need to let you know how much I dislike this."

Raider’s expression eased. "Brat."

Blue stuck out her tongue at him.

Raider glanced at Wren. "How long until your people are in place?"

Wren’s lips lifted in a faint smile. "When you need them, they’ll be here."

Blue aimed a disgusted look at the Tuann. "Can you be any more enigmatic?"

The skin around Wren’s eyes creased slightly. "It is a skill acquired with age."

Raider chuckled lightly under his breath. His father-in-law’s humor was as sly as ever.

A dark haired man standing next to the flight deck’s exit raised his hand at Raider in greeting. "Look who the cat dragged in. It’s about time you two found your way home."

"Nova," Raider said, clasping the other’s hand and giving him a brief one armed hug. "It’s good to see you."

A Cur, like Raider and Blue, Nova was part of the new generation. Handpicked by Raider and Jace when Admiral Himoto decided to resurrect the unit a few years ago, he was a good waveboard pilot. One of the few who’d made the cut and survived the hellish training Raider required of each of his recruits.

"Not as good as it is to see you. Thanks for the chance to exercise, by the way. I’ve been itching to taste Tsavitee blood since we found out the alliance had ended."

Releasing Raider’s hand, Nova cast a look at the Tuann standing nearby. "What’s with the wizards? You haven’t changed sides, have you?"

Raider’s gaze cooled at the faint deprecation in the other’s voice. "Where’s Jace?"

Nova pointed behind him. "Waiting for you in his ready room."

Raider nodded, preparing to head there.

Nova stopped him with a raised hand. "About that—he instructed that the wizards wait here."

Raider stared the other Cur down.

Nova met his gaze with a bland expression. "Admiral’s orders, boss man. You know how it is."

All too well. If Nova had orders, there was no getting around this.

Raider glanced at Wren.

His seon’yer nodded. "We’ll wait for you here."

Nova smirked, looking the Tuann up and down. "Don’t worry, boss man. I can keep an eye on your friends."

This idiot.

"Nova." Raider waited for the Cur to give him his full attention. "Let’s not be stupid, shall we? Picking a fight with either of them will end poorly for you."

Nova’s grin was foolhardy. "You know me, boss man."

Yes, Raider did. Hence the concern.

"You don’t have to worry. I’ll keep an eye on him," Maverick said, walking up to them from the other side of the deck.

Raider relaxed at his arrival, knowing he could count on the other man to keep this hot head in check.

Part of the new blood like Nova, Maverick had a steadying presence that helped balance out his friend’s recklessness. The two actually made a pretty good pair despite the drastic differences in their personalities. One of the reasons Raider had chosen them for his unit.

"Alright then." Raider started past them. "You coming, Blue?"

Blue rolled her eyes as she dropped the fist she was bumping against Maverick’s. "Yes. Yes. You don’t have to shout."

"Later, little genius," Nova called.

Blue twisted, walking backwards for several steps. "Later, dumbass."

Nova’s chuckle followed them as they disappeared into the corridor leading into the rest of the ship. A few minutes later Raider thrust open the door to Jace’s ready room, stalking inside without bothering to knock first.

"Excuse me!" A woman rose from the chair where she’d been seated, an outraged look on her face. "You can’t just barge in here."

Raider acted like she hadn’t spoken, focusing on Jace. "We need to talk."

Jace took in Raider and Blue’s entrance with a neutral expression from his chair. A second later, he signaled for the woman to leave.

"Grace, give us the room."

Grace’s lips flattened as she sent Raider a nasty glare before sliding past him. "I’ll be outside if you need me."

"Hey, Gracie," Blue called with a sugar sweet smirk.

"Once again, it’s Grace, Ensign Yuki Ikeda."

Blue’s smirk widened. "Whatever you say, Gracie."

Jace steepled his fingers in front of him as the door shut behind Grace. "I must say that was quite the entrance. If you were anyone else, you’d be in a lot of trouble right about now."

"Good thing I’m not anyone else," Raider shot back.

Jace studied him. "Give me one reason why I shouldn’t have you counseled for insubordination."

Raider’s smile was sharp. "I didn’t have the time for niceties."

"Oh?" Jace dropped his hands. "That’s funny. I wasn’t aware you had anywhere to be."

Raider planted his hands on the desk and leaned over it. "You need to let us and the Tuann go."

Jace’s face hardened. "I can’t do that."

"Raider—" Blue started.

He cut her off with a look.

She closed her mouth, chastised.

Raider faced Jace again. "I know I’m asking a lot, but I need you trust me."

The intercom on Jace’s desk beeped. He held up a finger to signal them to wait before activating the channel. "What is it?"

"We’re ready."

"Alright, let them in."

Jace rose, smoothing out his uniform jacket as the door to the ready room opened, allowing one officer and three lower enlisted dressed in the uniform of the ship’s military police into the room. Grace followed at the rear, the look of victory on her face sitting ill with Raider.

"What’s going on?" Raider asked.

No one answered as the military police surrounded Blue. Grace moved to the side, giving them room.

Jace walked around the desk. "I completed my investigation into the matter Kira shared regarding Rothchild."

Raider’s gaze finally moved from Blue. "You don’t mean—"

Jace nodded at Raider’s questioning look. "This is one of the reasons I recalled you. I traced several unauthorized transmissions to the planet where Blue was attending military academy in the weeks directly prior to Rothchild."

Raider flinched, shaking his head once. "That could mean anything. A planet that size would have a population in the billions. Anyone could have been responsible."

Raider was reaching for straws and he knew it, but he couldn’t bring himself to believe what Jace was telling him.

Blue wasn’t just some person. She was Raider’s honorary little sister. A girl he’d watched grow from an abandoned waif they’d picked up from a dumpster into a brilliant woman.

She couldn’t be the one responsible. She’d loved the Curs more than anyone else.

This had to be a misdirect. The Tsavitee had done it before. They, or more likely their allies, had framed Blue to sow dissent or take her off the game board.

"Tell them, Blue," Raider instructed.

Her silence made Raider go still.

"Blue?"

She looked up at him, the guilt in her face making ice slide through his veins.

No.

"I can’t," Blue whispered.

Raider stumbled back, feeling like he’d taken a physical blow. "You betrayed the Curs?"

She was why Elise was taken?

"Our family?" Raider asked, a fine trembling invading his limbs.

The moment felt surreal. Like something out of a nightmare. Of all the people Jace could have named as the traitor responsible for giving away their position on Rothchild, Blue wasn’t on the list.

She knows about Elena, a part of him whispered.

Raider shut that voice down. The thought of what Blue could do with that information if she really was the traitor too awful to contemplate.

"What age would she have been then? Twelve?" Raider asked. "Do you really think a child would have the resources to be the Tsavitee’s ally?"

Jace’s face held sympathy. "Only if she was fully human."

Raider froze.

"What do we really know about her past?" Jace continued. "Kira discovered her hiding out in a dumpster."

"I know. I was there, remember?" Raider spat.

"A normal child couldn’t have survived that invasion. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that they planted her for you to find."

"That’s not true," Blue shouted.

"Settle down," Grace ordered. "Or the MPs will use force."

The unfriendly faces of the men and women around Blue made it clear they wouldn’t have a problem with that.

"Raider, I didn’t betray anyone," Blue pleaded urgently.

"The guilt on your face earlier says otherwise," Grace taunted.

Blue acted like the other woman hadn’t spoken. "Yes, the transmissions might have been mine."

Grace let out an amazed laugh, sending the other woman a look like she thought Blue was stupid.

Blue was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.

"Walker knew about them," Blue continued. "He helped me set them up. There’s no way the Tsavitee cracked them. We were careful to disguise their source. The only information they sent out was a handshake. To let me know you were safe and alive. That’s it."

"Convenient, isn’t it? That the only person who could confirm your story is also dead," Grace drawled.

"I’m not lying," Blue shouted, losing her temper.

Her eyes pleaded with Raider to believe her.

The problem was he couldn’t. Not entirely. Jace had made too good a case.

"Raider, come on," Blue whispered brokenly.

Raider’s silence made her face fall. She offered no resistance as Jace’s people stepped up to escort her away.

"How sure are you of this?" Raider asked, watching her go.

"About the transmissions? Very." Jace lifted a shoulder. "Whether they were the reason behind Rothchild? We won’t know until we interrogate her."

Raider lowered himself into the closest seat, feeling like his whole worldview had just been reorganized. If Blue was their traitor, it meant no one was trustworthy.

Not Jace. Not the Curs. No one.

"I think I finally understand Kira," Raider whispered to himself.

This was why she was so paranoid. Even with people she trusted implicitly. Why she treated information like precious treasure. To be hoarded and hidden away. Because you never really knew a person.

Raider scrubbed a hand over his face, looking up at the ceiling in disbelief. Son of a bitch. He got it now.

Jace looked at him. "What?"

"Can you ensure Blue has no contact with anyone while in your brig?"

Jace watched him carefully. "I’d planned as much."

"I mean it, Jace. Absolutely as few people as possible. And only ones you trust."

"Okay." Jace dragged out the word, the look on his face saying that he suspected this was no simple request. "I take it this has something to do with whatever Kira is up to."

Raider answered him with silence.

Jace’s lips twisted. "Figures."

Jace moved back to the desk, lowering himself into the chair behind it as Raider considered his next move.

First off—he needed out of this room. Second—off this ship. And third. Well, he’d figure that out when it came time.

"I’m afraid whatever you’re up to with the Tuann is at an end," Jace declared, busying himself with the files in front of him. "The fleet is being deployed to defend several key positions against an incursion by the Tsavitee."

Raider moved his gaze from the door he’d been staring at. "What about Kira? She’s counting on us for backup."

"There’s still the Tuann you were traveling with. I’m sure they’ll suffice."

Though Raider had expected that response, it was still disappointing to hear.

He rose, giving Jace a salute. "Of course. Sir."

Jace didn’t react to the slight bite in his voice, bending his head to concentrate on the tablet in front of him.

Raider stalked out of the room, looking neither left nor right as he headed toward the flight deck.

Soon, it was going to occur to Jace that Raider had been much too accommodating just now. His history with Raider would make him realize that something was up and he’d react accordingly. Either by assigning someone to sit on Raider to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid or by restricting him to quarters. Possibly both.

Up ahead, the exit to the flight deck came into view. Just as shouts came from down the corridor behind him.

Looked like Jace had finally caught on.

Raider burst onto the flight deck, moving at a quick clip. Wren spotted him first, signaling Finn.

Nova turned, the expression on his face unsurprised.

Son of a bitch. No wonder Nova and Maverick had been waiting on the flight deck when they’d arrived. Jace must have suspected this was coming.

Nova reached for the stun gun at his side.

Finn’s fist dropped him an instant later.

Maverick attempted to evade, but Wren knocked him unconscious before he made it a single step.

"Nice take down," Raider told them.

Finn’s mask cracked; his smile tiny.

Shouts broke out as the flight deck crew noticed Nova and Maverick’s prone bodies.

Raider broke into a run. "Time to go."

Wren and Finn dashed ahead of Raider toward the ship as its engines roared to life. The Wanderer’s ramp lowered. Devon strode down it with his en-blade drawn in preparation. Joule stood behind him, his hands lifted to cast a ki shield.

A pulse rifle blasted, singeing the deck in front of Raider.

"Take another step, Raider, and I’ll give the order to shoot," Jace threatened.

Raider slowed to a stop, Wren and Finn doing the same a few steps later.

"Damn it," Raider groaned, tipping his head back.

He’d really hoped to avoid this.

With a feeling of resignation, Raider faced Jace. "Impressive reaction time by your crew. How fast did you have a team scrambled? Four minutes? Five?"

It would probably have been even faster than that if Jace hadn’t insisted on being present for the take down.

"What are you doing?" Jace asked, furious. "I mean—what the absolute hell are you doing?"

Nova strolled up to join those at Jace’s back. He rubbed his jaw, shooting Finn a dirty look. Maverick came up behind him, his expression controlled.

"I’ve told you—I’ve got places to be," Raider said.

"Are they so important that you’re willing to be considered a deserter?"

"I’d say so. Yeah."

For his daughter, he’d face the bowels of that hell his parents so fervently believed in. To say nothing of being court martialed and considered a coward by people he respected.

Jace’s jaw ticked. "Give me something to work with here, Raider. Let me help."

Raider’s mouth quirked. "You’re really going to say that after what just went down with Blue."

Maverick and Nova frowned, their troubled expressions making it clear that Jace hadn’t shared his suspicions with them.

"How long have we known each other?" Jace asked angrily.

Too long. Sometimes it felt like forever.

"Do you really think there’s a chance in this world I’m working with them?" Jace pressed, seeing the answer in Raider’s face. "Come on, brother. You know me better than that."

"Yeah, I do," Raider admitted, meeting the other’s eyes. "You’re right. You’re the brother of my heart."

Jace’s body relaxed, thinking he’d won.

A spurt of grim amusement filled Raider. Sorry, Jace. It wasn’t going to be that easy.

"I don’t want to hurt you," Raider told him, extinguishing Jace’s relief. "But I will if you make me."

He meant that. It might kill him to do it, but he would.

"Don’t follow me. This is your only warning," Raider finished.

Jace’s face hardened. "You’re an idiot if you think I’m letting you fly out of here with that bullshit excuse. You don’t want to talk. Fine. Maybe you’ll open up after spending a few days in the brig." To his people. "If he moves another step, cripple the ship."

"You’re not going to want to do that," Wren warned.

Jace flicked a glance at him. "This is Consortium territory. You have no authority here."

Wren shrugged. "In my experience, might trumps right."

The air shimmered, several oshota appearing in their midst out of nowhere.

Amila pointed a zuipi at Jace, the energy arrow already nocked and ready. "Hello, again."

Several of Jace’s people shifted to aim their weapons at her, their expressions betraying how rattled they felt.

There was a screech as a stocky oshota with orange hair sticking up from his head in tufts placed his hand on one of the small fighter craft and pushed it out of his way.

"Oops," the oshota said with fake sincerity as he sauntered forward.

"Maksym, I don’t think we’re supposed to cause any damage yet," another woman said, striding out of the shadows. She shook her head at the scratches on the deck. "We were supposed to wait for a signal."

Maksym shrugged his broad shoulders. "I got bored. You know how I am."

The woman rolled her eyes before dipping her chin in greeting to Raider. "It’s good to see you well."

"You too, Zoella," Raider responded.

She and Maksym were two of Wren’s oshota that Raider had gotten to know a little since taking Wren as his seon’yer.

"How the fuck did they get on board?" Nova demanded.

Solal and Baran stepped out of thin air, appearing next to Jace’s people like wraiths.

"Aren’t your people the ones who call us wizards?" Baran asked. He smirked and waved his hands like a magician after a trick. "Ta da."

Nova looked like he was about to throw himself at the oshota. Luckily, Maverick grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

"Nobody shoot," Jace ordered, holding out a hand. "Lower your weapons."

Smart move.

Jace’s people weren’t prepared to deal with the Tuann.

Raider turned back to the ship, Wren and Finn moving to cover him.

"Raider!" Jace roared.

Raider glared at the ramp of the Wanderer, his hands curling into fists.

Move, he ordered himself. Just a few more steps and this would be over.

"Please," Jace begged, the emotion shackling Raider more effectively than handcuffs would. "At least trust me to listen."

Raider tilted his head back to stare at the flight deck’s ceiling several stories above. "Damn it."

How had Kira managed to do this for so long?

He’d been too hard on her regarding the secret of Elena’s birth. It took strength not to cave. To continue while knowing you were hurting the people you cared most about. All to protect them from something worse.

He didn’t know how she did it. Just facing Jace’s recrimination and Raider was close to breaking.

Sensing Raider was wavering, Jace closed the distance. "We’re on the same side, brother. Believe that."

A choice confronted Raider. Stay the course and keep his secrets. In that scenario, the only back up he’d be able to count on would be the Tuann he’d once viewed with suspicion. Or he could have faith in the man who’d fought side-by-side with him through thick and thin.

Which should he choose? The outcome of his decision would write Elena’s fate.

Elena - Tsavitee Planet

Elena hung back from the rest of the children as they awaited Kai’s arrival.

Over the past few days, it had become clear how isolated these children were. So far, Elena had seen no other adults. No children except those in this room either. Kai was their only contact with the outside world.

Elena and the other children had been confined to the crèche, leaving no opportunities for Elena to explore.

Boredom had set in, leaving her itching for action.

To keep herself occupied, Elena had given herself the task of understanding her fellow inmates. Her purpose was twofold. The first—to enable her to mimic their behavior so she could better blend in. The second—to gain a better understanding of the enemy.

Auntie always said knowledge was the first step to beating any foe.

To that end, Elena attempted to get close to the rest. A difficult task since they seemed to have decided to ostracize her.

She’d tried everything. Friendliness. Being helpful. She’d even punched a yellow in the face yesterday in case they were the type to respond to strength more than kindness.

Her efforts proved futile. The other children remained as cold and distant as they’d been that first day.

Elena did learn one thing, however. Factions existed between them. The generals united on one side. The rest arrayed into their own tiny cliques.

Fyr, the general boy from the first day, was their leader. He was also the Sye’s golden boy. The person they held up to the rest of them as an example.

He was the one Elena had determined that she’d need to win over. If she got him on her side, the rest would follow. She was sure of it.

A bag landed at Elena’s feet, pulling her from her thoughts.

She looked down at it. "What’s this?"

Saros, one of the youngest children and definitely the youngest general, rolled her eyes. "Your training gear. Don’t you know anything?"

Why no. No, she didn’t.

Unable to voice that thought aloud, Elena bent and opened the bag. A stiff jacket that matched the ones the rest of the children were wearing was inside.

Her uniform, she supposed.

Elena fingered the rough, unyielding material. It was kind of like leather but sturdier. Maybe a protection of some kind?

Elena set the jacket aside, reaching in to withdraw a dull-looking dagger that she was embarrassed to be seen with.

A staff hit the ground beside Elena.

"For you," Fyr grunted on his way by.

Elena made a face. What was with all the throwing? Couldn’t anybody just hand things to her nicely?

Picking up the staff, Elena grimaced at its feel. How very shoddy. It wasn’t balanced properly and felt like it would break with the first good strike.

Auntie would not have been impressed.

Elena didn’t have time to argue for something better as the children assembled in formation at the front of the room. Left with no choice, Elena slipped the dagger into the harness that had come with it before securing it to her thigh. She yanked the jacket on before snatching the staff off the ground.

The children were silent as Elena hurried into position at the back. Just in time for the wall to disintegrate and Kai to step into the room.

"Children, I hope you’re prepared for ranking day."

The mood in the room felt tense as the faces of those around Elena went blank with trepidation.

"Failure won’t be tolerated." Kai’s pointed glance at Elena let her know who they meant that warning for. "Fall behind and you will be discarded."

There was a snicker from the rest of the children.

Elena played dumb, blinking innocently up at the Sye. Go ahead, laugh it up. They’d see who was laughing later.

Ajix appeared in the opening. "Are they ready?"

Kai nodded, striding toward him. The children marched in formation after the Sye, Elena bringing up the rear. Ajix waited for her to pass, falling into step beside her.

"Be careful, young one," he murmured in a voice only meant for her ears. "Today promises to be a very difficult one for you."

What else was new?

Every day since her arrival had brought new challenges she had to overcome. It was really no surprise that this wasn’t any different.

"Whatever happened to the woman who arrived with me? I think her name was Elise?" Elena asked, pretending to forget.

Ajix’s look of warning was stern. "Focus on your own survival. Fail this ranking battle, and I promise you, you will not like what comes next."

Why was it that every time she turned around in this place, someone was threatening her? Sheesh. No wonder Auntie hated the Tsavitee. They were so dramatic all the time.