The boy sent Kira and her friends a sulky look before bowing respectfully and striding through the gate.
"See, told you so," Blue taunted over her shoulder as she started up the steps.
Joule's eyes were wide before he grinned and raced for the stairs, passing Blue easily.
"I wish I had his energy," Raider grumbled as he bent and reached for his two bags.
Kira's headache intensified. Before she could think, she'd grabbed one of the bags, her hand closing on the handles at the same time as his.
She bared her teeth at him. "Thanks for carrying my bag until now. I've got it from here."
Raider's expression was careful. "Are you sure? It doesn't hurt to let someone help you every once and a while."
Kira's eyes narrowed. Who did he think he was kidding? "Sometimes, when people think they're helping, they're creating a bigger problem."
His smile was sharp and cutting. "Perhaps—or maybe it's simply that there are those who don't accept help gracefully."
Kira was conscious of the marshal, and no doubt countless other oshota hiding along the cliffs, watching the byplay between the two of them. It made her bite back her normal response. Instead, she said carefully, "I've carried it this long. I can carry it up a few steps."
If her voice contained a harsh edge and her expression looked mildly murderous, there was no helping it.
Raider raised his hands and backed away. "Whatever you want, Phoenix."
Kira straightened. If only that were so.
Raider hesitated at the base of the stairs. He switched to Japanese, a language she was reasonably sure those listening wouldn't understand. At least, no one from Luatha had understood it. "Don't kill anyone." He started up, saying over his shoulder as an afterthought. "Don't let yourself be killed either."
"If I were you, I'd be more worried about myself," Kira muttered.
His smile was cocky. "I'm not the one with the reputation."
Bullshit. His record was as bad as Kira's. Worse, in some ways, since he also tended to mouth off to people in authority. Hence, the reason he was still a chief petty officer instead of a senior chief petty officer. If he wasn't such a good pilot, he'd likely have been kicked out of the Space Force ages ago.
Kira's smile was saccharine sweet. "Enjoy your second round of basic."
Raider couldn't hide his grimace. Yeah, that's what she thought. No one who'd been through basic once wanted to go again. It was one of those necessary evils that remained with you long after you'd graduated.
"I'm going to be an instructor, not a recruit," he muttered.
Kira lifted an eyebrow. If that's what he wanted to tell himself. To her, it had sounded like he'd be a little of both.
"Try not to let what happened last time happen again," Kira suggested.
That shut him up. He sent a fulminating glare her way. She hid her snicker
He pointed a finger at her. "That wasn't my fault, and you know it."
He didn't wait for her rebuttal, jogging up the steps. He reached the first landing before starting up the next set at a slow, even pace.
The marshal waited until the rest of the initiates had disappeared before approaching where Kira and Graydon still waited.
"Do you often threaten guests with having their belongings tossed in the ocean?" Kira asked.
Graydon's grin was unrepentant. "It is our way."
Kira snorted. Why did she have a feeling that was a lie?
"Daughter of our House, I greet you. It is an honor to have you among us again." Makon's serene expression softened, and real warmth peeked out. "Though I sense your presence here is not entirely by choice."
