Raven class, named for the small wing-like protrusions on each side and the utter black of its hull, it was a reconnaissance ship. Hard to spot with the naked eye and nearly impossible to track with instruments, it had slipped through the lines during the war with ridiculous ease.
"Where did you find it?" she asked.
"Three million clicks from Zepher," Jace said.
"They're back," she said around numb lips. She sat still, suddenly feeling like all thought, all emotion had been drained out of her.
She didn't know how to process the news the Tsavitee might be gearing up for another incursion into human space. It was unthinkable. The last war had cost them so much, in some ways forever changing the course of humanity. Even years after the fact, they were still picking up the pieces.
"We don't know," Himoto admitted. "But the fact it popped up so close to the Tuann's visit to discuss the alliance has a lot of people in power nervous."
She could imagine.
The Tsavitee were here. She couldn't quite bring herself to believe it.
"Why are you telling me this?" Kira asked. This information was classified. Centcom and the government wouldn't want word of this getting out and causing mass panic. That meant they had a reason for revealing it.
"I know you, Kira-chan. I trained you, remember?" Himoto said. "The Tuann might think they have you trapped, but how long will that last? You'll take the first opportunity to disappear. I can guarantee they'll dissolve the treaty in retaliation, leaving us open to possible attack."
Kira lifted her chin but didn't deny his assessment. Why bother? He was right.
"Hopefully, this will convince you against such foolish measures," he said.
She tapped the table as she thought.
"What is it you're hoping to get out of this?" Kira asked quietly.
Jace and Himoto exchanged a glance.
Himoto leaned forward, the lines of his face serious. "The Tuann have some of the most advanced ships of any race. With them, they've held their border since before humanity had flight. We want those ships."
Was that all? He should have asked for planet building technology while he was at it.
"Last I checked, your treaty with the Haldeel meant they would protect you should the Tsavitee attack again," Kira said. The Haldeel would be as advanced.
"Centcom and the government are no longer content to rely on others for our safety. We want the means to protect ourselves," Jace said. "Our own fleet of Tuann ships will be instrumental in our defense. It could advance our technology by fifty years."
To say nothing of no longer having to accede to the demands of the other races.
"Even with those ships, it'll take you years to reverse engineer them." If they even could. They hadn't had a lot of success with the Tsavitee tech the salvagers brought in.
"It'll give us a chance," Himoto said.
"And me?"
Getting the ships for Centcom was all well and good, but Kira would be stuck in the gray area of the treaty. She didn't want to agree only to be told, “Thanks but we need you to stay put and play by someone else's rules.”
"We can't help you break the treaty." Himoto clasped his hands on the table in front of him.
They sure expected a lot from her when they had nothing to give in return.
Himoto fixed his stern gaze on Kira. "But I have faith you'll figure something out. Get them to give up their claim to you and your problems will be solved."
Kira's expression could have scorched metal. It was so nice they were leaving everything up to her. She should have known better than to hope for anything different.
Himoto stood, his smile slightly wistful. "Good luck, Kira-chan. I'm so glad circumstances arranged to bring us together again."
She bet he did. It sounded like her success meant he was going to get everything he ever wanted.
