26. Twenty Six

Twenty Six

Kira - CSS Reliance

Kira crossed the busy flight deck, wearing the waveboard armor Jace had procured for her on ’short notice’.

A nice excuse, but she didn’t buy it. The armor waveboard pilots wore was custom designed for its wearer. Besides the waveboard itself, it was the single most expensive item in a pilot’s possession. Every piece of it tailored for their use. Anything less was too dangerous to risk wearing.

It wasn’t the kind of thing you could pluck from a storage locker.

Kira didn’t know if it had been Jace or Himoto who had commissioned it for her. Either way, she appreciated their foresight.

The base of the armor was a skin-tight under-suit most pilots referred to as a condom. Over it were fitted a series of panels whose modular design was intended for ease of movement. The legs of the suit were equipped with mechanized features to help support her bones and muscles during high velocity maneuvers.

The waveboard’s shielding and gravity dampeners also provided additional support.

"I would feel better if you wore any of the sets of armor Harlow gave you," Finn said, keeping up with her as she marched across the deck.

Kira adjusted a few panels on the suit. "I’m sure you would."

"Tuann armor is better equipped to protect against attacks."

Talon trailed behind them with a predatory saunter as he took in the humans shuttling back and forth.

"I know it does. But as we’ve already established, waveboard armor is the best choice when operating a waveboard."

And since that was what she was planning to ride down to the planet, she was going to stick with her choice.

There was something to be said about having a familiarity with your equipment before entering battle. Kira knew the ins and outs of a waveboard better than probably anyone. She knew what it and its armor could take. How far she could push them before they broke and placed her in danger. She couldn’t say the same about the Tuann armor.

Finn’s angry exhale followed her as she strode toward the drop ship that would be carrying them for the first part of the mission.

"No wonder you’re afraid to let her out of your sight," Talon teased from beside him.

Finn shook his head. "She’s as stubborn as her father."

"I heard that," Kira called over her shoulder.

Finn’s voice lowered. "Miss your bar yet?"

Kira didn’t hear Talon’s response as she joined the group waiting for their arrival.

Graydon was already there, a few of his oshota beside him. Amila nodded a greeting that Kira returned. Joule and Devon stood off to the side, slightly apart from the rest.

"Odin’s inside," Joule told her in a low voice.

As usual, the Sye was ahead of the game.

"Does everyone understand the mission?" Raider was saying to the Curs in front of him. "There won’t be any room for mistakes once we get started."

A dark haired man at the front of the group raised his hand. "Yeah, I have a question."

"Nova," Raider said with a hint of a growl.

Nova wasn’t listening as he pointed at Kira and the rest. "Just wondering when we’re going to get to the part of the plan that explains why the wizards are still here?"

"That’s need to know. And you don’t," Raider retorted.

"Kira, girl, are we flying together again?" a big man off to Raider’s side asked with an easy smile.

"It seems we are, Tank. Think you can handle that?"

"Any day of the week, my friend."

Kira chuckled as he offered his hand. She slapped hers in it, letting him pull her close for a one armed hug.

"It’s good to be riding with you again," he said into her ear.

She nodded wordlessly against his shoulder. It was.

He let her go. "Did you hear about Blue?"

"I did."

"Think they’re right?"

"Time will tell."

Tank’s face was sad. "I guess it will."

A toll sounded, cutting off the conversation between Raider and Nova. The flight deck came to a halt, people stopping to look up as Jace’s voice issued through the speaker.

"By now, I’m sure some of you have heard the rumors."

"Oh? You think?" Nova muttered.

"Let me clear up any confusion. The CSS Reliance along with two other ships are heading into battle. Our target is a Tsavitee home world."

There was an exclamation around them. Whoops and hollers as the humans greeted Jace’s news with anticipation.

Another of the Curs, Maverick, clapped. Like Brie, he was from Rothchild. To him, this fight was long overdue.

Nova grabbed his shoulder, squeezing. As eager to get out there as his friend.

Humanity had been waiting decades for this chance. An opportunity to strike at the heart of those who’d brought them to the brink of extinction.

"I know the news over the last few months has been terrifying. A return to a time all of us remember. Some of you may have friends and family still in danger. I know what it takes to stay in the fight while worried about what’s happening at home. You have my gratitude."

The flight deck had gone utterly silent as they listened, faces attentive as some unconsciously nodded along. There was a sense of solidarity. A shared purpose and knowledge of what was coming.

War.

"Centcom has ordered us into a defensive posture around Zepher. While most of the fleet will be deployed to answer Centcom and the Consortium’s call, the CSS Reliance, the CSS Horizon, and the CSS Lawrence will launch the first large scale attack on our enemy’s home ground. Too long have they made us suffer. It’s time to respond in kind."

There were cheers from those on the flight deck. Maverick and Nova letting out battle cries.

Tank’s eyes found Kira’s. He dipped his chin, a silent acknowledgment of those they’d known who hadn’t lived to see this day.

The flight deck quieted as Jace continued. "Many will view this act as insubordination."

"See if they dare!" Nova shouted.

There were laughs from the flight crew. Others repeating the cry.

Jace was still talking. "I plan to take full responsibility when an accounting is called for. I know what I’m asking of you, but please place your trust in me for one last battle so that we may remind those who hurt us that humanity is still here. And that we will hit back in kind."

The flight deck roared their approval.

"Enthusiastic lot," Graydon observed next to her.

"You would be too if you’d been waiting as long as they have for this chance."

A whistle came from their left.

Lieutenant Himoto strode over to the drop ship, clad in the same battle suit as Kira and the rest. "Got room for one more?"

A short figure followed her, already outfitted in full battle suit. Plus helmet.

The co-pilot looked Kira’s way for a second before boarding the ship without a word to the rest.

Nova shot the lieutenant a charming smile. "For you—always."

Kira gave the other woman a puzzled frown. "What are you doing here?"

"I’m your ride. Haven’t you heard?"

"You’re a pilot?" Kira asked with some disbelief.

Admiral Himoto had opposed Kira’s choice of MOS, her military occupational specialty. He’d never looked down on waveboard pilots or any military occupation, but he’d always felt she was better suited to command. Although waveboard pilots might command a small squadron, they rarely commanded ships or fleets. Jace being one of the few exceptions. And even he had transitioned to a different field at a certain point.

Kira would have expected Himoto to be even more stubborn regarding his daughter’s future.

Himoto walked backwards a few steps, her attention on Kira. "One of the best."

"That’s comforting. Because we’re going to need the best today."

Elena - Tsavitee Planet

Elena lost the battle against the pain, slipping in and out of consciousness as Fyr picked her up off the floor, carrying her into the next room. In her lucid moments, she desperately tried to summon the strength to move her arms. Something. Anything besides hanging like a limp noodle in his grip.

"Set her here," Kai ordered, pointing to a cradle of vine-like wires that rose out of the water.

"Don’t," Elena tried to say.

Instead of the word she intended, what left her mouth was a garbled d sound.

Fyr’s face remained blank, the only sign of his disquiet the way his arms tightened around her. "I thought you wished to question her yourself."

Kai stopped, looking up from the torture cradle—as Elena was calling it in her mind—to pin Fyr with a displeased glance. "Since when do you question my orders?"

"I would never." Fyr bowed his head. "As ever, my loyalty lies with you."

Kai looked satisfied with his response. "Very good. Don’t forget that later."

Fyr walked over to the torture cradle, lowering Elena carefully inside. With her eyes, she tried to plead with him not to leave her there.

It was futile. She knew that. But she couldn’t stop herself from grasping onto any straw. No matter how hopeless.

"I’m sorry," Fyr whispered. "Like I told you before, this is why we don’t form attachments."

Elena’s throat started working, some of the feeling coming back to her muscles as her body adjusted to being cut off from its soul’s breath. "That’s nothing but an excuse."

Relationships were what compelled you to break your limits. They were what lifted you up and kept you going. They deserved to be fought for. Even when you knew heartbreak or loss waited for you at the end.

Fyr’s face held regret. "I know."

Elena’s breath shuddered as fear gripped her. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t you dare let them see you cry.

It was difficult. Especially if she let herself think about what was coming.

Fyr paused to wipe away the stray tears that leaked out of her eyes despite her best efforts. "Don’t show him weakness if you can help it."

Elena sneered. "You want to know what separates you from the Phoenix? Easy. She fights. She doesn’t give in."

Fyr gave her a pitying look as he did something to the side of the bed. "Maybe that’s why her friends are dead."

Cords snaked over Elena’s arms and legs, snapping tight to hold her immobile.

"You shouldn’t have followed me today. Otherwise, your pain free days would have lasted a little longer."

Elena snapped her teeth at him, wishing she could bury them in his throat. "You generals are all cowards."

Fyr straightened. "I know."

"What are you doing?" Kai asked from behind Fyr.

"Just saying my goodbyes," Fyr responded, his expression unchanging as he rested his hands on the bed next to Elena.

"I thought I trained that sort of sentimentality out of you."

Something was slipped into Elena’s hand as Fyr faced the Sye. "You did. Just consider this a passing experiment."

Elena felt the oblong shape he’d given her. Holy Tsavitee shit balls. It was a knife. Her knife. The bone pick she’d dropped on the walkway when she’d collapsed.

She stared at the side of his face with confusion. What could have possessed him to give her this?

"Oh look, my dear. We have uninvited guests."

Elena’s heart jumped into overdrive at that silken tone, the menace flooding the air. She wasn’t the only one to sense the shift. Fyr and Kai folded into deep bows, their gazes directed at the ground as if they were too afraid to look upon the face of the being who had just spoken.

The sound of movement came as the creature that reminded Elena of a golden dart frog glided into view, Elise at his side.

Her egg donor came to an abrupt stop, horror on her face at the sight of Elena in the torture device. A mask slammed down to hide her expression almost immediately.

A second later, Elise resumed walking as if nothing had happened.

The other’s head tilted, the movement oddly alien looking as he spotted Elena on the bed. "What do we have here?"

Elena shook under the heavy weight of his gaze. Every sense in her body trying to retreat from the utter feeling of wrongness. As if there was something tainted in him that would corrupt her if she let it get too close.

This was bad. So bad. The kind of bad she didn’t need Uncle Jin’s sidebars to reinforce.

"A present, my exalted one," Kai declared.

There was fascination in the Osiri’s gaze as he drew closer.

"This girl arrived in my crèche a few weeks ago. The one who brought her to me claimed she’d been transferred under your orders. It wasn’t long before I noticed something wrong with her," Kai said.

"Yes, I can see that." The Osiri’s golden colored gaze trailed down Elena’s body. "Tuann—and something else. Not much power but there is something interesting about her."

Elena quelled her desire to struggle as the Osiri drifted closer.

Patience, she told herself. As Auntie always said, your moment will come. Be ready for it.

"That’s not all," Kai offered. "She’s connected to Elise. I saw the two speaking a few nights ago."

Delight infused the Osiri’s features when it looked at Elena’s egg donor. "Oh, my dear, you’ve been keeping secrets from me again."

Elise’s face was blank. Her eyes that of a dead woman.

In Elise’s mind, Elena was already lost, she realized with a sinking heart. There’d be no help coming from that direction.

Guess it was a good thing Elena had hardened herself against having expectations of the other. She’d sure be disappointed right now if she hadn’t.

And if there was still a tiny kernel of hurt inside her because of it, no one needed to know that except Elena.

"Tell me pet—who is this child to you?"

The smile that touched Elise’s face was bittersweet as she finally looked down at Elena. "I’d hoped for a happy ending, you know. Despite everything, I thought that one day I’d be able to go back to the way things were. I should have known a person like me would never be that lucky."

Elena’s eyes widened as she caught her mother giving her the sign of love and devotion.

"I’m sorry to leave you so soon," Elise said, her expression hardening.

There was no warning as Elise palmed a blade, lunging at the Osiri. Her arm punching forward in a perfect strike.

The Osiri glided effortlessly out of the way.

Elena’s mother reversed the strike, aiming for his heart.

Yes! Elena cried in her mind.

Her jubilation sank like a stone as the Osiri caught the blade with his bare hand. "I thought you would have learned how futile it was to resist after the last time."

The blade whitened, growing brittle right before Elena’s eyes. Elise released it, right as the white reached the hilt. A second later, the blade crumbled into dust.

Elise whipped out a pair of knives, hurling them at him.

Elena flinched as the Osiri smacked them away, sending one of them rocketing at her. She squeaked as it embedded in the bed an inch above her head.

"I’m losing patience with you," the Osiri said.

He made a gesture. Elise flew back, landing in a heap a short distance away.

She was laughing as she rolled onto her side. "You’re right. I did learn my lesson last time."

The Osiri’s eyes widened. He whirled, a shriek leaving him at the sight of the knife above Elena’s head. It was buried to the hilt, an odd energy running up and down it.

He set his hand on the bed, his forehead furrowing.

Elena tried to shrink away as a sense of wrongness invaded the space around her before withdrawing.

"You’ve killed it," the Osiri snarled at Elise.

"No, you killed it," Elise corrected.

The Osiri yanked the knife out of the bed. "You planned this."

Elise lifted onto one forearm, pain flashing across her face before she controlled it. "I did."

The Osiri stared, his rage saturating the air. Harsh and menacing. Fear pressed down on Elena. Though Elise never flinched, meeting the Osiri’s gaze with the stubbornness that must have made her the perfect companion for Aunt Kira and Uncle Jin once upon a time.

The pressure in the atmosphere vanished as the Osiri stalked toward Elise with slow predatory steps. "You haven’t saved your child, my pet."

Elise’s expression changed.

Fyr lifted his head, shock on his face as his gaze flitted to Elena’s

The Osiri’s face gentled. "Yes, I’m aware of her connection to you. You have only yourself to blame for me figuring it out. There’s only one thing capable of making you act so recklessly. An offspring. Your one weakness. My informant told me there was a possibility. Though that person assured me your daughter was also dead. A pity, really. It’s so much easier to shape them when they’re young. I’m glad to see she survived after all."

Even with Elise’s impressive control, there was a trace of fear in her features as the Osiri loomed over her.

"She’s half human, isn’t she?"

That same feeling of awfulness increased as tendrils of water rose from the pool behind Elise. Her mother’s expression turned wary, her body going very still.

"I always suspected we hadn’t fully broken you. There was just something about you," the Osiri said conversationally, his expression almost tender. "We’ll have to fix that this time."

The tendrils speared Elise in the back. Her spine bowed, her mouth opening wide on a silent scream.

Elena thrashed against the ropes in desperation. "What are you doing? Stop it!"

Her actions successfully attracted the Osiri’s attention.

"It’s strange," he said, cocking his head. "We’ve tried human/Tuann combinations before, but never with such success. I wonder what it is about you that makes you so special."

Elena stilled, feeling like prey as he made his way over to her. She licked her lips, her gaze darting to her mother before returning to the Osiri. "Why do you care?"

If she could just keep him talking. Stall for time until Uncle Jin got here.

There was also a part of her that was curious. She’d heard Aunt Kira and Uncle Jin’s theories. Now it was a chance to learn the truth from the source. Lucky her.

The Osiri looked like he was considering Elena’s question. "You know—no one has ever asked me that before."

"That seems lonely," Elena said.

His gaze shifted to her, pinning her in place. The look in them made her heart grow cold. Merciless. So alien in nature, Elena suspected she and others would never be able to understand the Osiri and their motivations.

"There is no loneliness in purpose. Only beauty and fulfillment."

"What purpose?" Elena asked.

"To make the universe ours and obtain perfection in form and spirit."

"Is that why you’re obsessed with the Tuann?"

"They are ours," the Osiri hissed. "To do with as we please. Their rebellion will not be tolerated. They will learn, as all eventually do, who their masters are."

"And the generals?"

The Osiri stared at her with his strange mono-colored eyes. "Our harbingers. Responsible for spreading our plan throughout the universe."

The Osiri were stark, raving mad, Elena decided. How else would you explain the nonsense coming out of his mouth?

She’d heard of narcissists before, but the Osiri took it to the next level. An entire species of megalomaniacs.

"Exalted one, considering the prize you’ve received today, I was wondering if we could reconsider the offering," Kai interrupted, careful to keep their head lowered.

The Osiri glanced at Kai with a predatory focus.

"It’s just—I would hate for my crèche’s ranking to fall behind the others."

The Osiri straightened. "That is not my problem. The offering stands."

Kai’s expression was stilted as they bowed again. "Very well, my lord."

"You’re dismissed," the Osiri instructed.

Kai dipped lower before rising. He held out a hand to stop Fyr from following. "Not you, Fyr. You’re staying here."

It was hard not to pity Fyr as shock showed on his face. Elena was betting he hadn’t seen this betrayal coming.

"What’s this?" Fyr demanded.

Kai was perfectly composed as they met the general’s gaze. "The offering was never supposed to be our lowest ranked. It was always to be taken from our best."

To their credit, there was regret on the Sye’s face. Though Elena thought that had more to do with losing a talented seedling than betraying a boy who’d given every appearance of being loyal to the core.

"I’m sorry it has to be this way, but your sacrifice will ensure the advancement of us all," Kai explained.

Fyr’s face had gone granite hard, his emotions shut down. "Did Ajix know about this?"

"Of course. Why wouldn’t he have?"

Elena winced. That had to hurt.

What a way to sell out your companion. No wonder the generals and the Sye were unable to break away from the Osiri. Trust and loyalty didn’t exist among them.

Fyr looked down, his hair sliding forward to shield his expression as Kai gave an impatient sigh.

"I must get back to the rest of the children. Obey your new master. You know the consequences if you don’t."

Fyr said nothing as the Sye glided to the stairs, leaving them alone with the Osiri.

"Such a brave little girl," the Osiri crooned, too close to Elena for comfort. "Just like your mother. I wonder if you share in her weaknesses."

Elena’s breathing turned ragged as the Osiri left her side, heading back toward Elise. In all those stories from Auntie and Uncle, they’d never gone over what to do in a situation like this.

Fyr hung around the edge of the platform, his expression defeated as he watched the Osiri’s approach.

The Osiri ignored him, venturing over to Elise. "Shall we pick up where we left off?"

Elena jerked against her bindings. "No!"

The Osiri glanced at her with a smirk. "As I expected. Just like her."

"Elena, look away," Elise managed to get out. "Close your eyes, little bird."

To Elena’s eternal shame, she found herself listening to her mother, squeezing her eyes shut. Unable to face this next part.

Before anything could happen, Ajix interrupted. "My lord."

Elena’s eyes popped open to find the general standing on the periphery of the walkway.

"What is it?" the Osiri rumbled in a dangerous voice.

"The Phoenix. She’s here."

The Osiri forgot about Elise as he turned fully to the general. "You’re sure."

"Our spies verified it."

Unseen by the Osiri, Elise’s mouth curled. Satisfaction burning in her eyes as she met Elena’s.

"Well, well, looks like you have a reprieve, my dear," the Osiri purred. He knelt in front of Elise. "Don’t be too satisfied, though."

Before Elise could do anything, he touched her forehead with a small, oblong device.

Elena’s mother went limp, collapsing to the floor.

The Osiri rose. "I can’t have you conscious for this reunion. You might try something stupid."

"What did you do to her?" Elena demanded, trying to get a better look at Elise.

"Don’t strain so, little bird," the Osiri advised, gliding toward Ajix. "She’s simply unconscious. Which is how she’ll remain until I decide otherwise."

The Osiri passed Ajix, heading for the stairs. The general remained in place, staring at Fyr with an expressionless face.

"Come along, my general. We have a Phoenix’s wings to break."

Kira – Above the planet

"Drop Ship Advantage, we are approaching the coordinates. Prepare to disembark," a voice said over the comms.

"Command, this is Frost. Disengaging docking clamps now," Lieutenant Himoto said.

"Frost?" Devon asked.

"That’s my call sign. It was originally Ice Queen, on account of my winning personality. They changed it after I expressed my extreme dissatisfaction over such an unoriginal moniker."

Nova smirked. "She means she beat the other pilots up."

Devon blinked in amazement. And a little confusion.

"Not all of us are as lucky as the Phoenix to be named after something cool." The lieutenant flicked several switches on the console in front of her. There was a thump as the docking clamps released and then a sense of weightlessness as the ship drifted out of the landing bay, its engines still off. "Isn’t that right, Tank?"

"What are you talking about? I love my name."

Himoto snorted. "That’s not what I heard."

"They gave me my call sign because of the way I plow through everything like a tank," Tank explained to Devon at his questioning look.

"You don’t choose them?" the boy asked.

The Tuann were paying close attention to the conversation, their faces creased in interest.

"Lord, no," Tank said with a laugh. "Call signs are given. Never chosen. Often a little insulting and based on something you’ve done."

"How did you wind up as the Phoenix?" Joule asked Kira.

"That’s not the call sign she started with." Tank’s mouth quirked. "What was the original one again?"

Kira tried to stare the other man down.

Raider covered his mouth and coughed. "Red."

"Thank you very much, asshole," Kira told him, glaring.

He dropped his hand and grinned. "Just keeping things real, Nixxy."

She rolled her eyes before focusing on the question on Devon and Joule’s face. "Okay, fine. Yes, that was what they called me before."

Talon snickered. Even Finn had to fight the smile that threatened to crack his stoic expression.

Graydon didn’t bother, looking over at Kira with a smirk.

She huffed at him. "It was that or Mad Dog."

"Because you were a little mad?"

Raider snickered. "Try insane."

"Thanks, Pastor," Kira said sarcastically.

The amusement dropped from Raider’s face at the reminder of what he’d almost ended up with. He was lucky they’d changed it to Raider after the incident with the pirates.

"What is my call sign?" the J1N asked.

Odin looked up from where she was working in the corner, her gaze shooting to the drone. "Come over here, Jin. I need your help with something."

The J1N didn’t argue, drifting toward the Sye and letting Odin attach a few wires to his internal system.

Himoto’s co-pilot leaned over to say something. Himoto listened, nodding a second later.

"Command, this is Advantage. We are away."

"Best of luck, Frost. Give those bastards hell."

"There’s no question of that," Himoto said, looking over her shoulder at Kira. "See you on the other side, Reliance."

The comms clicked off.

"We’re past the point of no return now," Maverick commented, leaning forward to watch through one of the side windows as the Reliance passed over them. The ship got further away. It and its companion heading for the Tsavitee ships massing in the distance over the planet.

"Our current trajectory is good. It’ll carry us right into the planet’s gravity well without our engines having to do anything," Himoto announced. "All systems, including life support, have been shut down. For all intents and purposes, we’re flying dark. We won’t have long once I reactivate things. You’ll have to ditch fairly quickly."

"No problems there," Nova said, tapping the helmet next to him. "We have plenty of experience in that realm—don’t we, Curs?"

There was an "Ooo-rah" from Maverick and Tank.

Graydon’s oshota wore haughty expressions as if they found such an obvious question insulting.

"You ready for this?" Kira asked Finn.

"I won’t leave your side."

Talon cracked an eyelid from where he’d been resting. "That’s because you’re more worried about her leaving yours."

Finn punched his friend’s arm without breaking eye contact with Kira. "That’s not going to be a problem. Right?"

Kira sensed there was only one right answer for that question. "Of course not."

Graydon’s shoulders shook with a repressed laugh.

"Why don’t your oshota ever threaten you when you wander off?" Kira muttered.

"That’s because I’m not like a certain someone."

Kira arched an eyebrow at him. "What was that Mr. Ended Up in a Coma?"

Devon choked back a sound of amusement as Maverick shifted in his seat, leaning forward to peer through one of the windows.

"The Reliance and the Lawrence have engaged."

They all moved to look. Explosions stood out in stark relief against the backdrop of the void as the Reliance and the Lawrence started their attacks. From the planet, beams erupted from the energy cannons.

Luckily, the two ships were out of range or their hulls would have sustained heavy damage.

Dozens of smaller shapes darted out of various sections of Jace and Bechler’s ships. They swarmed the much larger Tsavitee vessels, looking like tiny bees next to them.

Raider’s hands clenched. "Let’s not waste their efforts, Curs."

"Yes, Master Chief!" the humans intoned.

Raider nodded. "Suit up."

Maverick and Tank donned their helmets and tested their suits to ensure they were sealed as Nova jerked his chin at Graydon and the rest. "What about them? I’m not seeing any helmets."

Amila gave the human a happy smile, her eyes glittering as the scales of her synth armor crawled up her throat. The helmet it formed was impressive, made of the same protective layers as the rest of her suit.

The faceplate was the only exception with a thin black membrane that made her and the other oshota look about ten times more intimidating than they did normally.

Devon and Joule’s suits weren’t quite as dramatic, but they possessed a similar functionality.

"Fancy," Nova drawled. "Where can I get one of those?"

Raider slapped him on the back of the head. "Don’t even think about it."

Nova made a face as he lifted his helmet and maneuvered it into place. Himoto did the same in the front of the shuttle craft as Graydon and the rest followed suit.

"Remember, boys and girls." Raider grabbed the handle strap on the ceiling, balancing as the shuttle entered the most outer layer of the planet’s atmosphere. "Keep your head on the swivel once we’re down there and don’t get dead."

Odin made a happy sound as the shuttle jolted. "Kira, I did it. I found him."

She yanked the wires out of her tablet, crossing the short distance to kneel in front of Kira. The Sye flipped the tablet so Kira could see.

"Look—that’s him."

Kira squinted at the blinking dot, taking the tablet from Odin so she could see better.

"There was an encrypted program in the drone that I think he created so he could always track his spawn," Odin explained. "Remember how we used the spawn to find Jin on Jettie? This is the same concept only reversed."

"Can you upload that to mine and Kira’s systems?" Raider asked.

Before Odin answered, the shuttle veered suddenly.

Kira grabbed Odin. Graydon doing the same for Raider.

The rest of the shuttle’s occupants weren’t as lucky. Nova and Maverick crashed into the side as Amila caught hold of Tank.

The Tuann fared a little better due to their ki.

"What the hell was that?" Himoto snapped.

"That’s what we’d like to know," Nova snarled, picking himself up off the floor. "I thought you said no engines until we were ready to drop."

"I had no choice. We just got a target lock notification." Himoto’s voice sounded strained as she took control of the ship. "You need to prepare to drop. I won’t be able to hold out long."

"I thought you said shutting everything down would make us invisible to their scanners," Nova demanded.

"We must have been wrong."

"Then are we wrong about the waveboards being able to slip through their net too?" Maverick asked.

Kira glanced at her friend. "Odin?"

Odin shook her head, still bent over the tablet. "The plan is a go. The waveboards should be able to slip through still. That’s not the problem."

"What is?"

Odin looked up at Kira. "We’re too far off from where we were supposed to drop. This high up the engines from the waveboards will paint a target on you."

"We don’t use the engines. We glide down as was the original plan."

Kira didn’t see the problem.

Odin showed her the tablet. "This is where you’ll land."

The place Odin was pointing to was far from Jin and Elena’s current position. Much too far to cover before Jace and Bechler’s ships were destroyed. Once that happened, the Tsavitee would turn their attention to the surface and any potential incursions. They’d be hunted down and captured.

"Fuck!" Raider cursed.

"Whatever you’re going to do, you have to decide now," Himoto yelled.

"The Curs will do it," Tank declared. "We can guide you onto the proper trajectory and then bug out while the system’s defenses target us. You’ll make it down safe."

Odin nodded. "That might work. I can do the calculations. It should get you in the vicinity."

Kira hesitated, looking at Raider. "I don’t like this."

It smacked of sacrifice. Something she’d promised she’d never allow happen for her again.

"There’s no choice," Raider answered.

The shuttle’s engine exploded. They spun.

"Bail. Bail. Bail," Himoto screamed, managing to stabilize the craft. "This shuttle is going down."

Tank grabbed Kira’s hand, squeezing. "Trust us, Phoenix. We’re Curs too."

Reluctantly, she nodded. "Joule, you’re with them. They’ll need someone to cover their asses."

With him, they at least had a fighting chance.

"We don’t need a kid," Nova argued.

Tank strode to the hatch, popping it. The hatch blew out, the sudden rush of air threatening to rip them out of the shuttle before they were ready.

"Pick a buddy," Raider yelled. "That person is responsible for putting you on the right trajectory."

Odin rose, a conflicted expression on her face. "Kira—"

A wing ripped off the side of the shuttle.

Tank grabbed Amila and Solal, bailing out. Nova latched onto Graydon, tipping them both out the hatch.

The shuttle started to spin, ejecting Joule and Devon. Somehow, Maverick managed to leap for Finn and Talon, tackling them out of the shuttle.

Soon, Kira and the two pilots were the only ones left.

"You too, Himoto," Kira yelled.

"Go," Himoto ordered her co-pilot.

The person didn’t have to be told twice, heading for the exit without a glance in Kira’s direction.

"Just like Paxus," Raider screamed.

He jumped with Odin a second later.

Kira grabbed the J1N, holding it tight as she waited for Himoto. The lieutenant didn’t disappoint, doing something to the controls that made the flight path smooth out for a second.

"That should hold it for a moment," Himoto announced, springing out of her seat and sprinting toward the back of the craft.

Kira leapt first. Himoto falling out behind her.

The shuttle burst into flame, exploding a second later.

Kira caught all of it in the first seconds of free fall. The trail of debris burning a path toward the planet’s horizon where the sun was just beginning to rise. Shafts of light skated across the surface, reflecting off the clouds below. The vivid colors a contrast against the backdrop of space.

Beyond that were the flashes of light from the distant battle. So silent that it was almost like it wasn’t happening.

"Stay safe, my friends," Kira prayed silently as Himoto activated her waveboard.

"Whoa," someone whispered through the comms. "It’s kind of beautiful, isn’t it?"

"Radio silence, people," Raider instructed. "Let’s at least try to act like this isn’t our first time."

"No can do, boss. My team needs to draw as much attention as possible to give you a chance," Tank rumbled.

A tap came on Kira’s shoulder. She looked over to find Himoto had matched her fall. At a thumbs up from Himoto, Kira grabbed the other’s arm and maneuvered her waveboard to sit across the back of Himoto’s. The magnetic field initiated, binding the two boards together.

As soon as Kira’s board was attached to hers, Himoto banked.

Almost immediately, there were streaks of light from the planet, announcing incoming weapons fire.

"Hold on," Himoto instructed through the comms.

They swerved, losing sight of the groups ahead. Kira did her best to follow Himoto’s cues as the lieutenant tried to dodge the pulse beams.

"Drop in three," Himoto ordered.

To their right, a streak darted their way. A hundred feet and closing.

"Three."

Fifty feet. Kira summoned her soul’s breath.

"Two."

Fifteen feet.

"One."

Ten feet.

Himoto released Kira’s board. Kira thrust out with her soul’s breath, relying more on brute force than finesse.

"Holy shit," Himoto screamed as the streak exploded in a fireball that somehow managed to wrap around the human without doing any damage. "Was that you?"

Kira allowed herself a grin at seeing the human unharmed. "We’re even now."

With this, her debts to Admiral Himoto had been partially paid.

Himoto broke toward the CSS Reliance. "Best of luck, Phoenix. And thanks."