CHAPTER SEVEN
The trip to Ta Da'anwas projected to take over a month. Not exactly ideal for Kira's purposes, but the Tuann were far from the main throughways of space. There were no quick hyperjumps capable of shortening the journey.
In the meantime, Kira was stuck exploring the vessel her former people so coveted.
It didn't take long to see why. The Tuann had an impressive ability to turn their ships into walking pieces of art, designed as much around comfort as function. It made sense in a race who had conquered space travel while humanity was still pulling itself out of the muck and the mud.
There were three observation decks looking out into the darkness of space, each more impressive than the previous. Kira's favorite quickly became the conservatory with a glass ceiling. When the lights were off, it felt like standing planetside after sunset, the starry night sky a familiar and welcome presence above.
The quarters where she'd been settled were also another example of the Tuann's ability to combine luxury with comfort. They were unlike any other ship quarters she'd ever had. Instead of being small and cramped, she'd been given a suite. A room for entertaining should she wish it—she didn't. Another, with the most comfortable bed she'd ever had and a bathroom bigger than her bunk on theWanderer.
Such luxuries would be easy to grow accustomed to—a sentiment Kira resisted. This was temporary, no matter what the Tuann and humans thought. Soon enough she'd be back on her own ship with its small bunk and smaller bathroom.
Given the size of the rooms, the furnishings built out of real wood, and a closet filled with clothes made from fabrics she'd never seen before, she had to wonder who had been kicked out to make room for her.
Suites this nice didn't go unoccupied, which made her suspicious of who among the crew had a reason to resent Kira moving into their space.
Her days developed a routine. Wake up, grab some food, run on the track, head to her room. Sometimes she varied it by taking a detour to one of the observatories, but for the most part, she kept to herself.
Something easier said than done, on a ship this size.
A week into the voyage, Kira headed toward the Tuann mess hall, grabbing a tray and moving through the short line before stopping at the counter. The cooks knew her, loading up her plate with strange food that managed to be as visually appealing as it was delicious.
She paused as she surveyed the room, noticing the Curs in one corner. Raider and Jace were absent, but the rest of them huddled around a table.
"I think they're talking about you," Jin murmured.
Kira had already picked up on that from the way one of the newbies glanced up and then away, before leaning forward.
"Shall we eavesdrop?" Jin asked slyly as Kira set her tray on an empty table.
Before she could stop him, the Curs’ conversation was filtering into her auditory implant.
"That's the Phoenix?" Nova asked.
Since the journey had begun, Kira had managed to get the names of the newbies. William Black was known to the others as Nova. The other man was Luke Rogers or Maverick.
"The person with the highest wave runner kill count in a single battle?" Nova asked skeptically.
"That's her," Tank confirmed.
"I thought she'd be different," Nova said.
"What were you expecting?" Blue asked. "Flames to shoot from her eyes or something?"
"Naw. It's just she doesn't seem like the sort who has done what the rumors say," he said.
The others were quiet.
Nova leaned closer, his voice dropping. "I heard she's the reason Rothchild's moon is in three pieces."
Tank and Blue were conspicuously silent as he continued. Kira absently ate a cube of something white with blue dots flecked inside it.
"You know some people call her a mass murderer for what was done there. She caused nearly ten thousand deaths with that stunt."
Kira paused with her fork halfway to her mouth before setting it down. Suddenly her appetite was gone.
She stood.
