"No, I don't have access."
"Not even as the Emperor's Face?" Jin asked.
"Every House maintains their section of the defense network. Their codes vary. Under normal circumstances I could demand access, but there is little chance of that, given what you've done."
It was a dig at Kira. One she ignored, focused as she was on studying Graydon's motions and the stars in front of her.
The technology was cerebral based, relying on the strength of the mind controlling it. Fascinating. There must be some type of mechanism to prevent just anybody from accessing it. Maybe it was programmed to recognize brain patterns or the DNA of those coded into it.
The planet's spirit pulsed under her, its strength sending lancing pain through her head.
Graydon made several small motions and the starfield faded, a schematic taking its place.
"Is this one of the schematics for the defense net?" she asked.
He studied it with a resigned expression. "Yes, I asked to be shown the last thing accessed and this was what was pulled up."
"They wouldn't have something like that up unless they were doing a system or weapons check," Jin said, drifting closer to the hologram.
"Stay out of the octagon," Graydon warned. "You're as likely to be fried as her."
Jin backed up several feet. "Of course. My bad."
"I doubt they would have done a systems check so close to the ceremony. Not with so many high ranking Luathans here," he said, returning to their conversation.
Which meant this was probably the work of their enemy.
He stepped from the platform, slight beads of sweat dotting his forehead.
"Are you all right?" Kira asked.
"Manipulating the melding is more of a Luathan talent. I've never had a knack for it," he said, straightening, the brief flash of weakness already gone.
"Let's go," he said.
"Wait, we're not done. We haven't determined the extent of the damage," Kira protested.
"I've confirmed your theory. We need to leave before anyone finds us here."
"It's too late for that," Liara said from the doorway.
She stepped further into the room, her guards swarming into the room behind her, cutting off their exit.
