"This woman is the single biggest threat on this planet. The capture and execution of the Phoenix is more important than anything else."
Ayela’s expression was incredulous as she glanced at Kira. "Her? An untrained mongrel who hasn't gone through her majority?"
"Many Tsavitee have underestimated the Phoenix," Lothos said mildly. "They have all lived to regret it. I will not make the same mistake."
Ayela snorted, the sound inelegant and out of character for the diffident servant Kira had known. "Perhaps your kind are not as fearsome as I was led to believe."
The general bared a carnivore’s sharp teeth at her. "I'd be careful, Tuann. We’re not your pets. Push too far and you might find yourself dropped into a cage with your former comrades. I'm sure their justice will be swift and brutal."
Ayela's face paled slightly as Lothos stalked away.
Kira leaned as close to Ayela as the tight grip of the two Tsavitee holding her would allow. "Guess you're not quite as in control as you thought you were."
A sharp crack split the air and Kira's face turned slightly from the force of the smack.
She dabbed her tongue at her lip where a spot of blood welled. "I can see why they didn't let you advance in your training. You're weaker than the children. Should have used a fist. It would have hurt more."
The Tsavitee on her left moved to intercept Ayela before she could hit Kira again.
"Ignore her. She's trying to get under your skin," Lothos ordered from where he stood next to the octagon as the Tsavitee around him worked to hook up several lines.
Ayela settled back, her mouth pressed into a tight line and her eyes narrowed to slits.
"I'd say it's working." Kira's smile was nasty as the Tsavitee dragged her forward.
"Put her on her knees," Lothos said without turning around. "And if she speaks again, you may punish her."
There were hissed chuckles above her. One of them grabbed her shoulder, a blast of psychic power sending agonizing pain screeching along her nerve endings as it ripped a scream out of her.
Kira seized, her body shaking violently as they dropped her, letting her flop on the ground unhindered. The sound of their amusement a taunt above her.
Finally, her seizures slowed. Blood filled her mouth. She must have bitten her tongue at some point.
"You're supposed to wait until I've said something," Kira snarled at the two above her. To the general, she spat, "Your standard for cannon fodder has really gone down in the years since the war."
Another touch from the Tsavitee sent Kira to the ground, drool leaking out her mouth as her entire body protested the abuse.
The Tsavitee glared at her before one of them spat a glob of spit at her.
Lothos didn't even spare her a glance as he worked on melding his technology with the Tuann's. "You're right about the quality. Unfortunately, we had to grow them too quickly to replace the forces humanity decimated. Mistakes were made and it resulted in a decrease in intelligence. We'll correct the oversight in the next batch."
The Tsavitee above her didn't react to the insult. Kira couldn't tell if that was because they really were little more than obedient attack dogs, or if they truly didn't care.
Kira picked herself up off the ground, pushing herself to her knees as she glared at the general. The Tsavitee above her didn't attempt to grab her arms again.
"It seems you can learn," Lothos observed when she didn't say anything. "I had my doubts. My brothers told me you were incredibly stubborn. Almost impossible to train."
Kira held her silence. All the generals of the Tsavitee called themselves brothers. He could have been referring to any of them.
"Of course, many of them are dead by your hand, so perhaps they spoke truer than they knew," he said.
Feeling was gradually coming back into her arms and legs and the shakiness was passing.
Good.
"I will admit to being surprised to find you here. Last we knew you were dead or so close to it you didn't matter," he said. "Tell me, are you still capable of the burst?"
Kira stared at him.
