23. Twenty Three

Twenty Three

Kira - Secret Base

"Are we sure this is the place?" Brie asked, glancing up uncertainly from the view outside the window. "I don’t see anything there."

The celestial object that Raider’s coordinates had led them to was a rogue planet located in the asteroid belt several light years beyond Rothchild’s solar system. In the vast distance of space, this planet could be considered in Rothchild’s backyard.

The surface was barren and dark, covered in craters from asteroid impacts.

Its lower gravity would make it an ideal docking station for any fleet looking to do some repairs before their next mission.

"If you could see it easily, it wouldn’t be considered a secret base," Kira answered as Lathan guided them along the course he’d been given.

The ship dipped into a canyon whose depth rivaled the Grand Canyon of old Earth, flying straight toward a bank of towering cliffs straight ahead.

"Guest ship—please hold your course. We’re preparing to receive you."

"Understood," Lathan answered.

Brie moved away from the window to stand beside Kira as the cliff parted, allowing light to seep out of the narrow opening. The base’s blast doors blended in with the surrounding environment, making them unnoticeable until they opened.

It was an ingenious way of hiding the base from discovery. Unless you knew it was there, it would be nearly impossible to find.

Pallas’s ship hadn’t picked up any energy readings that might indicate its presence either, until now.

Lathan flew through the membrane protecting the hangar bay’s atmosphere from escaping into the void of space.

"This is beyond anything I imagined," Brie whispered, taking in the massive cavern. Several battle cruisers were already docked inside, dwarfing the smaller transport ships around them. The cruisers filled the space, making it difficult to get a clear picture of just how many craft there were.

"It’s not bad," Kira said, patting her shoulder before heading toward the cargo bay.

Graydon was already waiting for her at the open hatch. Odin stood next to him in a cloak that looked a lot like the ones Pallas had made Kira and Graydon wear on Rothchild.

Pallas leaned next to the open hatch, his arms crossed over his chest.

Kira arched an eyebrow at him. "You coming too?"

"I’m good here." Pallas scratched his jaw as he glanced outside at the landing bay. "I prefer not to breathe the same air as them."

"Suit yourself."

This worked better for her anyway.

At a nod from her, Graydon nudged Odin out of the ship before following. The J1N and Brie trailed after them.

"Watch yourself, would you?" Pallas said, not looking at Kira as she passed him.

"I always do."

He grunted, hitting the button to close the ship hatch as soon as she was on the other side. It sealed shut with a note of finality.

"J1N, make sure you stay by my side," Kira instructed the drone quietly. "Don’t stray."

"Roger that, Nixxy."

With a deep breath, Kira started toward the group waiting for her. Here’s hoping she could give the performance of a lifetime.

At her approach, Graydon glanced at her, moving over to make room.

"I see you caught up to the group in my absence," Kira said to Solal and Amila who were standing a short distance from Raider and the others.

The oshota regarded her calmly. Solal with an expressionless face. Amila with a faint smile that suggested she knew that Kira wasn’t as angry as she was making herself out to be.

Maksym cleared his throat, raising his hand. "What about us? Where’s our greeting?"

Kira sent the orange haired Tuann a glance before looking at Wren. "You brought quite the crowd with you."

Kira’s seon’yer allowed a faint smile to touch his face. "Entirely necessary. I assure you."

"So much for them acting as decoys," Kira grumbled to herself.

Maksym shrugged his massive shoulders. "We fulfilled that obligation. I promise. Now, it’s time for a little payback."

Zoella’s nod showed her agreement.

"How is Auralyn?" Kira asked.

The playfulness fell from their faces at the reminder of Wren’s First. A woman who lost her arm while trying to protect Elena.

"She’s being stubborn," Zoella answered. "Tavas is keeping her company."

Tavas was the fourth member of the pod. He was a quiet man who kept his sense of presence low. Pretty much the only thing Kira knew about him was that he was talented at long range attacks and loyal to Wren.

He made a pretty good babysitter too. At least he’d done well managing her niece the few times he’d been put in charge of her.

"It’s a good thing we came since your fellow yer’se ended up needing our services," Maksym said.

Kira glanced at Amila with raised eyebrows. "You and Solal weren’t enough?"

"They flatter themselves. We had the situation well in hand without them,” Amila said with a smirk.

Maksym blew a raspberry as Kira finally turned to the person she’d saved for last.

Finn took his time looking her over before giving a brusque nod. "You look like you’re in one piece."

"Maybe now you’ll finally believe I can take care of myself."

Finn snorted. "Don’t push it."

She suppressed her grin and she nodded a greeting as Raider and Jace joined them. "How did the mop up go?"

"It didn’t take much effort on our part. Rothchild already had things well in hand," Jace answered.

Brie let out a relieved sigh.

"Who’s this?" Jace asked, looking at her.

"Rear Admiral Jace Skarsdale meet Brie." Kira stopped realizing she didn’t know the woman’s last name.

Brie snapped a salute. "Sergeant Brie Lockhart of Rothchild’s Defense force. Third Recon Unit, Second Battalion, First Infantry Division."

Jace answered her salute with one of his own. "Well met, soldier. How did you get swept up into this one’s matters?"

Brie’s hesitation showed on her face. As did her struggle not to glance in Odin’s direction.

"It’s complicated," she finally settled on saying.

"Whatever the case, we’ll see about getting you home as soon as possible."

"I appreciate that."

Jace gestured at a pair of his subordinates, a man and a woman. "Please see that Sergeant Lockhart is shown to a set of temporary quarters in the meantime."

The pair voiced their acknowledgment of the order. The man stepped forward. "This way, if you please."

His gaze met Kira’s over Brie’s head for a brief second before he turned to lead the way. His partner lingered, ensuring that Kira saw her fingers form the sign for "you are not alone" before following.

Kira watched them go, wondering if Selene knew what her kids were up to.

Probably not. She doubted her sister would be okay with the two oldest placing themselves directly in the thick of things.

"Something wrong?" Jace asked, noticing where Kira’s attention had wandered.

"Of course not. Just admiring your subordinates’ professionalism," Kira said smoothly. "Hopefully that means they won’t space all your undergarments this time."

"Weren’t you the one who convinced them to do that?"

Kira allowed herself a smug smirk. Of course, she was.

"Those two are new. They were just reassigned to my command ten days ago." Jace glanced at Odin’s hooded figure before leveling a meaningful look on Kira. "But that’s not what you’re here to talk about."

Kira was silent, looking between him and Raider in question.

"He knows,” Raider warned.

"What does he know?"

"Everything you’re currently worried about."

Kira gave him a disbelieving stare. "You are absolute shit at keeping secrets."

"It was either come clean or let you face an invasion alone. He planned to court martial me and throw me in the brig if I didn’t."

Kira waved her hands at Graydon and Wren’s oshota. "That’s why they’re here. They would have gotten you out of it."

Raider and Jace sent Kira identical repressive looks.

"Alright, alright, I know," she said, giving in. "That’s going a little far."

Jace was their friend. Having the Tuann break Raider out of the brig wasn’t really fair. And would have permanently blown up Raider’s career. Not to mention put a black spot on Jace’s at a time where he couldn’t afford to look weak.

"I think I’ve earned a little trust from you," Jace said softly.

There was a faint note in his voice that said her actions had hurt him. Kira tried not to feel too bad. What she’d done had been necessary. She’d always believe that.

"You know the value of operational security. Some things—they only work if as few people as possible know about them," Kira pointed out.

Anger touched his face. "You don’t get to lecture me on the meaning of Top Secret. Even if I wasn’t fully aware of how important this is, Raider and Blue are under my command. You had my own people deceive me. Do you not understand how bad that is? Be grateful for our history, Phoenix. It’s the only reason I’m giving you a chance right now."

Jace stalked off, leaving them looking after him in silence.

"That could have gone better,” Raider noted.

Kira glared at him, still a little angry that he’d spilled her secrets.

He shrugged at her. "I made a judgment call. The best one I could make at the time."

Kira couldn’t really blame him for that.

Raider cast a glance at Odin. "I’ll wait for you in Jace’s ready room. Don’t keep him waiting too long."

Graydon joined her as Raider walked away. "I don’t remember your admiral being quite that fiery the last time we met."

"Then you weren’t paying attention."

Jace’s call sign may have been White Knight, but he’d always been quick to anger. Unlike Raider, he tended to hold onto it longer too. The man held a grudge like no one else.

"What was with your interest in his subordinates?" At Kira’s questioning look, Graydon smirked. "I know it was something, coli."

She stared, not letting anything show on her face.

"Ah," he said softly. "I doubt they’re the forty three. That leaves me with only one other guess."

"What makes you say that?"

He leaned over to whisper in her ear. "You weren’t angry at their presence, but worried." He straightened and smiled at her.

Sometimes she hated how observant he was.

"They looked more human than I expected," Graydon noted.

"They are human."

At least partially.

Kira ignored Graydon to glance at her seon’yer. "What about our friend?"

"Safely secured and under guard. Talon is standing watch with Devon and Joule."

Finally, something that had gone right.

"Your admiral was most perturbed when he learned what we had in custody," Wren continued.

Yes, she supposed he would be.

Kira fixed her gaze on Odin. "You’re up. Don’t disappoint me."

"When have I ever done that?"

"Do you want a list?" To Wren, "Keep an eye on them."

Wren’s nod was as formal as always. "That was my intention."

As Wren led Odin away with his oshota, Graydon glanced at Kira. "I need to catch up with my people and send Harlow and the emperor a report. We’re overdue. Will you be fine without me?"

"Somehow I think I’ll manage." Kira looked at the place where Jace and Raider had gone. "It’s probably best this way anyway."

They could use the privacy. Some things were harder to say with an audience, and this was likely to be one of those times.

"Alright. But watch yourself. I’m with Pallas on this. I still don’t trust most humans."

"Most? Not all?" Kira slapped his shoulder playfully. "Why Graydon—you softy. I knew I was growing on you."

Graydon rolled his eyes, stalking toward his oshota as Kira snickered to herself. She did so love teasing that man whenever she got the chance.

"Jin, let’s go," Kira ordered, starting toward the base’s entrance.

"Whatever you say, Nixxy poo."

Kira paused to glare at the drone. Of all things Odin could have taught it. They had to teach it that.

She was going to kill them. Just as soon as this was all over.

Mark her words. Odin was a dead Sye walking.

Kira, the J1N and Finn following close behind, stepped onto the base to find a woman waiting impatiently for them.

Everything about the woman—from the way she was dressed in a militaristic jacket with a high collar, strong shoulders over a high-necked blouse with a keyhole located under the hollow of her throat, to her dark brown hair being swept into a soft looking side tail—was carefully curated to amplify her femininity while also projecting strength.

The thought and care she’d put into her appearance was obvious at a glance. As was the faint antagonism lingering in her expression as Kira and Finn walked over to her.

"Grace, isn’t it?" Kira said by way of greeting. "It’s been a while."

The last—and only—time Kira had seen the human had been on O’Riley station before she and Jace had set off to Ta Da’an to meet her cousin.

Grace acted like Kira hadn’t spoken, focusing on Finn’s presence. "He’s to remain here."

"Sorry. He goes where I go," Kira responded, managing not to sound the least bit apologetic.

"We’re heading to a restricted area. And he’s not human."

Kira’s expression went cold. Until that moment, she’d found the other’s attempt at making her feel inferior adorable. A touch sad—but ultimately inconsequential.

However, if she was going to target Finn—and use his species as a way to do it—she would show this person just who she was dealing with.

"He does not leave my side," Kira enunciated carefully. She didn’t want the woman saying she hadn’t understood when Jace questioned her later. "You can either accept that and fulfill your responsibility or you can explain to Rear Admiral Skarsdale why you failed in the execution of your orders."

Kira knew who Jace would blame if Grace chose the second of those options. And it wasn’t her.

Grace’s mouth tightened before she spun on her heel. "Follow me, then."

Finn moved up beside Kira. "It’s not like you to be so reasonable when it comes to my presence. Did something happen during your time away?"

Kira patted Finn’s shoulder without looking back at him. "A few near death experiences is all. Nothing to worry too much about."

His growl made Kira smile as she sauntered after Grace. She’d thought he would appreciate that.

The base bustled with activity, an air of apprehension running throughout. The last time Kira had felt energy like this was in the early days of the last war. They knew a storm was on the horizon, but not exactly how bad it would be. That uncertainty would be the worst part. Knowing you were on the cusp of the abyss but not how to navigate it.

"Have you always been Jace’s aide?" Kira asked, sidestepping a pair of humans wearing the red vests of the flight deck’s ordnance crew. They hurried past her, guiding a cart filled with crates. Attached to each of their hips was an oxygen mask that would serve as an emergency supply of air should the hangar bay experience a decompression for any reason. There were also tether hooks on their waists meant to tie into any of the various safety leads located throughout the hangar to prevent them from being swept out into space.

"No, I originally served Admiral Himoto in that capacity," Grace said shortly before muttering under her breath. "Not that it’s any of your business."

Kira pretended not to hear as they made their way through the corridors. "I didn’t see any of the ships Luatha gave you out there."

"That’s considered classified information. You don’t have the necessary authority for me to answer that question."

Kira’s eyebrow twitched upward at the woman’s harsh tone. "As the person responsible for procuring those ships, I beg to differ."

Grace led Kira and Finn through a set of double doors guarded by a pair of humans. One opened the door while the other stepped to the side, nodding a greeting at Grace before sweeping an assessing gaze over Kira and Finn.

"Any ownership you had of those ships ended the moment you handed them over to Admiral Skarsdale," Grace declared with an insincere smile as she gestured for them to enter the hallway. "What happens to them after that is no concern of yours."

Well played, Kira praised silently. Under normal circumstances, Grace would be right. Except she’d forgotten one thing.

"Maybe that would be the case if not for Luatha sending several of their people to help your scientists decipher their engineering," Kira said, waiting for the other woman to join them.

The ships were one thing. Centcom was unlikely to have gotten far in reverse engineering their construction in the short time they’d had them. What Kira was really interested in were those Luathans.

Kira’s smile was sharp and just as hypocritical as Grace’s as they stopped in front of a room with a plaque that had Jace’s name and rank on it. "Now, unless you want me to mistake your actions as holding our people against their will, you’ll tell me what happened to the Tuann that Luatha sent to accompany those ships."

"They’re at a research base," someone said from the opposite end of the hallway.

Grace’s expression went stiff as a woman with features that pointed to a Japanese heritage that derived all the way from Old Earth walked up to them.

"What are you doing here, Mei?" Grace asked as the woman stopped in front of them.

The woman nodded a greeting at Kira. "Forrest."

"Lieutenant Himoto," Kira responded, using her rank as was appropriate in a situation like this.

Humor touched the lieutenant’s eyes. No doubt she understood, as Kira did, the insult Grace had intended by using her first name.

In the military, it was custom to refer to another by their rank and last name unless you were particularly close or a superior officer addressing your subordinate in a private setting.

To call Himoto by her first name in front of an outsider was Grace’s subtle way of putting the other in her place. Not flagrant enough to be called out on but enough for everyone, except Finn, to understand Grace’s intentions.

"It’s good to see you again," Lieutenant Himoto said, the corners of her eyes creasing in a faint smile that made Kira’s breath shorten from how much she looked like her father in that moment.

It was the same expression he always got when he was pleased about something.

Seeing it on Lieutenant Himoto’s face was like a punch in the gut, reminding Kira of the grief she still felt at her mentor’s passing.

Lieutenant Himoto’s hair hung in a straight sheet down her back, one side brought forward to lay over her chest. The other tucked behind her ear to present a neat appearance. She was dressed in a tailored leather trench jacket that hit her at mid-thigh. Its color somewhere between silver and a deep brown.

"As to my presence, it’s because Admiral Skarsdale asked for it," Himoto explained coolly. "You can return to your duties. I’ll take over the escort from here."

Affront showed on Grace’s face.

"Oh, before I forget," the lieutenant said, pausing. "In future, I’d appreciate it if you refer to me by the rank I’ve earned. We’re not close enough to be on a first name basis."

Grace looked like she’d been slapped, her embarrassment deepening as she shot a glance at Kira and Finn. With an angry huff, she turned and stalked away.

"I see you have your father’s way with words," Kira observed, watching her go.

"I usually prefer a less aggressive approach, but that woman makes it impossible," Himoto explained, sounding tired for a moment.

Kira looked at her. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

During their last encounter, she’d been under the impression that the lieutenant kept a distance between her and her father. Even going so far as to serve in a unit not under his command.

"The reputation of my last name has become increasingly inconvenient of late. Admiral Skarsdale was kind enough to offer me a port of safety while things sort themselves out."

Kira frowned. "You’re being targeted?"

"Among other things."

Kira was quiet, studying the other woman. She supposed it was understandable that Himoto’s enemies were making themselves known after his death. They must have taken it as a chance to root out all aspects of his influence. His daughter included.

"Let me guess—there are those claiming your accomplishments are all due to your father’s influence."

It’s what they had done to Kira at one point too. In her case, her deceptive youth and inexperience had made the whisper campaign particularly effective.

It had taken several high profile battles to shut that nonsense down.

"I hear you faced similar challenges," Himoto said.

"Water under the bridge now."

If those people were already going after Lieutenant Himoto, they were probably also targeting Jace. Only his rank and the contacts he’d cultivated in Centcom’s upper echelon would protect him somewhat.

He’d have to walk the straight and narrow for a time to avoid falling into any traps.

What that meant for Kira and her plans was the question.

Himoto’s voice stopped Kira as she reached for the door of Jace’s ready room. "My father told me you never believed the war was over."

Kira paused to look back at her. "Is that a question?"

"No question. Just a hope that the Phoenix’s near future will be as glorious as her past."

Kira pulled open the door to the ready room. "I’m afraid your security clearance isn’t high enough for me to offer a response to that statement."

"Exactly how I’d expect the woman my father raised to reply."

Without having to be asked, Finn moved to stand guard beside the door. His intention to remain outside clear.

Kira stared, barely believing her eyes. "What’s gotten into you?"

His smirk was a little sinister. "I wasn’t the only one who found your abrupt departure from the ship upsetting. Have fun in there."

"Get your ass over here, Nixxy," Raider called from inside the room. "We don’t have all day."

"Ah, damn," Kira cursed, stepping inside the room and letting the door close behind her.

She knew what this really was now. An ambush.

Raider looked over from where he was slumped on the settee in the middle of the room. His arm was stretched over the back and one leg crossed over the other.

"You were supposed to meet me in Rothchild days ago," Kira informed him, going on the attack as she threw herself into one of the armchairs across from him.

The room was only half furnished. As if it had been thrown together as an afterthought. A flimsy-looking metal desk sat in one corner. A chair behind it. The walls lacked decorations. Not to mention paint.

Overall, it was one of the most bare-bones ready rooms she’d ever seen.

Jace stood in front of the only item in the room that could be called luxurious. A bar cart with several crystal decanters filled with various colored liquids.

Kira punched the cushion of her chair. "Where’d you get this chair?"

It was amazingly uncomfortable.

"Are you here to criticize my design choices?"

There was the clink of ice as Jace finished preparing a drink. He set the spoon he was using aside before snagging the three glasses of amber liquor.

Kira raised an eyebrow as he set the drink in front of her. "Alcohol? At a time like this?"

When an attack could come at any moment and from anywhere?

"Desperate times," Jace answered, taking the armchair across from her.

"What’s going on?" Kira asked Raider as Jace took a large swig of his drink.

"Will you look at that, Nixxy poo?" the J1N crooned, drifting down from overhead. "We’ve finally driven our knight in shining armor to drink."

Jace regarded the J1N over the rim of his glass. "Its level of mimicry is simply amazing. Is that the work of that criminal you told us was dead?"

Kira cast a narrow eyed glare at Raider.

"Don’t blame him, I figured out your friend’s identity on my own," Jace said with a humorless smile. "Why did you tell Himoto and I they were dead?"

"Oops, I must have gotten it wrong all those years ago," Kira said flatly.

"I’m going to leave aside the fact you lied about that criminal. An action that predates Rothchild and your suspicion of a traitor in our ranks by several years to focus on what’s really important." Jace put his drink down on the makeshift crate that was acting as an end table and leaned forward. "What’s the plan, here, Phoenix? Do you have any idea how you’re going to do this thing you’re talking about? Because I asked Raider and he’s a little vague on details."

"I have an inkling," Kira said, grudgingly.

A vague one at that.

Establishing the Tsavitee home world location was simply step one. It was what came after that was truly important.

That part she was still working on.

Jace groaned. "You two can’t really expect me to authorize this."

"Why not? Himoto did it all the time."

Raider nodded, looking over at her. "Remember Idra? I so thought we were dead on that one."

Jace cut their trip down memory lane off with a sharp gesture. "Don’t even think about it. I’m not sending my people on a suicide mission without a clear plan."

Kira gave him a sidelong look. "Does that mean you’re planning on helping us?"

Jace looked away from her, tugging his ear in a gesture that usually meant he was feeling guilty about something. "It seems the Consortium have finally got their heads out of their collective asses. I’ve been ordered to dispatch my fleet to form a barricade around our core planets in an effort to protect them from the coming war."

Kira’s snort held disgust. "You know that’s a mistake."

The Consortium couldn’t win with a defensive mindset. They needed to strike hard and fast. Sitting around and letting the enemy come to them would just result in massive casualties again.

"Protecting the idiots who put us in this position is a fool’s errand," Raider said.

"I swore an oath," Jace said defensively. "Like it or not, I answer to Centcom. It is my duty and responsibility to follow their orders."

"Not me." Raider shook his head. "I’m not doing it. I’ll resign my commission. I don’t care what you do, but I’m going after Elise and Elena. Try and stop me."

Knowing he wasn’t going to be able to get through to Raider, Jace switched his target to Kira. "Give me something. Do you have a location or plan?"

Kira flicked a glance at Raider, her jaw flexing as she gave a faint shake of her head. "No."

Jace picked up his drink and drained it. "Then you leave me no choice. Unless you have something concrete, the battle group flies out according to Centcom’s wishes in eight hours." His gaze swung to Raider. "And you with it. Even if that means arresting you and placing you in the brig."