Blue paused. "That you're not coming home after this."
That meant he hadn't told her about the possibility of a mole in the highest echelons of the military and government, or the fact that the mole was likely responsible for everything that had happened on Rothchild.
Kira didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed he'd chosen to keep secrets from the people he trusted most.
She hadn't wanted that for any of them.
"You could, you know," Blue said, her expression earnest. "Come back. I think even Raider would be happy to have you in the Curs again."
That surprised a laugh out of Kira. "You haven't changed. You always see the good side of people."
"That's not a bad thing," Blue pointed out.
Kira's gaze was soft as she clasped Blue's shoulder. "You're right. The universe needs more of that. Not less."
"I find myself in agreement," Silas said from behind them.
Blue started as Kira glanced back, unsurprised to find him there. She’d sensed him a while ago, and she'd been waiting to see how long he'd wait before announcing his presence.
Silas's expression was wise as he took in the view. "This is a favorite spot for many in Roake. Perfect for ocean watching. It's good to see you have things in common with us, fight it though you must."
Kira watched him carefully, unsurprised at the news. He was right; the spot was perfect, the towers providing a windbreak and the height allowing you to see for miles. Sitting here, it was easy to imagine yourself far from the clamor of people, all while never stepping foot from the safety of the fortress.
Silas looked at them. "I’m here to inform you there will be a class this afternoon."
Blue perked up, the intense conversation already forgotten as she found something new to focus on. "Tactics and battle strategy, right?"
Silas inclined his head.
Blue faced Kira. "I guess they finally deemed us ready for more than running around a forest while getting our asses handed to us by their damn drones."
"You need to be there. I don't care what it takes," Jin crooned. "I'm going to do so much information gathering."
Kira rose, dusting off her hands and pants. Even if Jin hadn't chimed in, she probably would have gone anyway.
Blue's startled gaze followed her. "Where are you going?"
"Class."
"But—" Blue scrambled after Kira as she headed toward Silas.
"You're here to learn as part of a joint training operation, aren't you?" Kira sent the other woman a significant look. "You can't exactly do that sitting on a rooftop."
Besides, Kira had a feeling if they stayed, the conversation would deteriorate again. Blue had a lot of pent up feelings surrounding what she saw as Kira's abandonment, and Kira couldn't explain why she'd acted the way she did.
Avoidance might not solve their issues, but it would delay them. Blue might have had a point when she said Kira avoided dealing with emotional pain.
For now, Kira was fine with that.
Silas led the way into the fortress, scaling the wall with the ease of long practice. Mentally and emotionally, he might seem ancient, but physically he was as spry as any of the initiates.
Kira climbed through the window, reaching back to help Blue, who either didn't notice the helping hand or was still mad from earlier. Kira's hand dropped as Blue finished crawling in by herself.
The tight expression on Finn's face told Kira he'd seen the other woman's slight. Unlike Kira, he didn't seem willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
They walked through the fortress, following Silas as he led them through long corridors and twisting passages.
"How are you liking our home so far?" he asked.
