Tension sat heavy in the air. In war, you got used to the never-ending strain as you waited for the next awful thing to happen. You learned to ignore the ever-increasing tightening of your nerve endings as your entire body attuned itself to the possibility of what was coming.
Himoto had once called war ninety percent boredom so extreme you'd do anything for relief and ten percent sheer, unrelenting terror.
By now, everyone in the Citadel likely knew of her betrayal. They would come looking for her, if they weren't already. All she could do was wait and hope she survived the ten percent of terror.
Kira was content to let Finn take the lead, remaining several feet behind him. His knowledge of the terrain was greater than hers. It made sense for her to follow.
As they approached another intersection where their hallway joined with several others, Kira's shoulders tightened, her senses hyper-alert.
Finn held up one fist, signaling a stop.
She nodded, placing her back against the wall so she could see in both directions. She remained in place as he disappeared around the corner.
She held her breath, straining to pick up even the faintest of sounds. She released the air when there wasn't an immediate furor. Good, that meant the coast was clear—for now.
"If you're going to put your plan into motion, the time is now," Jin said into her ear, several minutes later. "There are four heat signatures moving toward us from our three o'clock."
Kira hesitated, torn.
Finn rounded the corner. "Run."
Kira didn't wait to be told twice, turning and sprinting back the way they'd come. Jin flew before her, taking the lead, Finn pounding after them.
"This way," Jin yelled.
Kira followed, the sound of pursuit spurring her to greater speeds.
There was a screech of sound and then long, needle-thin arrows of green blazed down the hall. One hit inches from Kira's face as she made another turn. It burrowed into the wall leaving a thin pinhole behind.
She chanced a glance behind her, catching a glimpse of a woman in green synth armor adopting an archer's posture, holding a strange-looking contraption. In her left hand, she had a long-curved piece of wood. It looked like the front of a bow but lacked a string. As Kira watched, the woman drew back her right hand, energy coalescing at a point in front of her pointer finger until a long thin energy arrow took shape.
So that was what was being shot at her the first night.
Finn shoved her out of the way as the arrow flew free, shattering against the wall.
"Move," Finn yelled.
Kira scrambled to her feet and darted after Jin.
He disappeared between a set of double doors. Kira dashed after him, Finn close on her heels.
He whirled, slamming the doors shut behind them.
"Go, I'll hold them here," he said.
Kira hesitated. It didn't feel right leaving him to face them alone.
"Kira, come on," Jin yelled.
Her mouth firmed.
"Go, these two won't be a problem for me if you're not here to protect," Finn snarled.
"Since you're being an ass, have it your way," Kira said. She turned to leave, saying over her shoulder. "Try not to die. Otherwise, I'll have to make sure all the otheroshotasknow a few puny Luathans brought you down."
"Smartass," was his faint response as Kira jogged after Jin, a cold rock in her stomach despite the levity.
Only minutes passed before there was a giant crash and then a roar that told her the Luathans had made it through the doors.
