"I'm beginning to think there is a lot more to these creatures than the Tuann want us to know," Jin responded.
Kira agreed, but their questions would have to wait until the danger had passed.
Kira studied the fishing boat, her mind sifting through the information. Thelu-ongrearranged its coils to cover that pool. Her gaze caught on something she hadn't noticed before, a line stretching from the boat into the water.
Suspicion dawned.
Kira broke off, looping up and around before darting toward thelu-ong, her path not straying even as thelu-ong’seyes locked on her.
"Kira, what are you doing?" Raider asked in her comms, sounding tense as she headed straight for that small dot of water thelu-ongguarded.
"Not to side with the meat sack—because bleh—but I'd kind of like to know that myself," Jin said from his spot on her shoulder.
Kira was silent. He wasn't going to like this plan and she didn't have time to argue.
"Why are you flying directly over that energy field thelu-ongis creating?" Jin asked, sounding more alert
"What better way to see what it's hiding?"
The lizard spun, its mouth dropping so it stared at her in consternation. "Are you crazy?"
Her grimace told the answer.
"You are," he wailed.
"Sometimes I wonder that myself," she confided.
She'd learned a long time ago to listen when her instincts whispered. Right now, they were telling her that what thelu-ongprotected was of vital importance. There was a pounding in her head, a rock-solid belief that something needed her help.
It whispered and gasped, its cries echoing in her ears.
It was possible she was imagining things. If so, what a time for her mind to break.
Graydon and his oshota diverted thelu-ong’sattention just then, allowing Kira to close the distance, Raider right behind her.
"I hope you know what you're doing because there won't be any way we can help you once you're down there," Raider said.
"Have I ever let you down?"
There was a brief pause and then an answer from both Jin and Raider. "Yes. Frequently."
Kira ignored the two sourpusses. It was go time.
Ten feet.
The postage stamp area she needed to investigate beckoned. Its dark depths whispering of safety.
She hoped she didn't break her neck doing this. Maybe they were right—this wasn't the best idea.
Five feet.
"Jin, you think you can fly this thing?" Kira asked.
There was a pause. "Of course, I can. I'm a better pilot than you."
"I would argue with the truth of that statement," Raider grumbled.
Jin ignored him, asking suspiciously "Why?"
