She might have pulled away from humanity, needing the distance to heal while putting her long-term plans in motion, but she had no desire to see the Consortium fall. She cared for too many of them.
Kira stared at the table, hating she'd been pushed to this point. Options were limited. There was no easy path forward; whichever way she turned, something would be lost.
Since she'd never formalized her retirement, it left her open to the military’s will. A will Himoto had already exercised once by ordering her to Ta Da'an, House Luatha’s planet.
As soon as Kent figured out what the Tuann really wanted, it'd happen again.
The only thing she was surprised about was that Himoto hadn't already acted. She lifted her eyes to meet his impenetrable stare. He'd never been easy to read with that stoic face. Age hadn't changed that much.
"I don't think you have a choice," Jin said, knowing where her mind had gone.
"I think you're right." She hated that it had come to this. Hated that she was going to have to shut a door she'd kept deliberately cracked.
"What are you about to do?" Raider asked, the lazy amusement on his face disappearing.
He'd known her long enough to know she wasn't going to let herself be caged. Not unless it was her will.
"Nothing I don't have to," Kira assured him.
Raider appeared less than reassured. But then, he knew her better than any of those present, except for Jin. Their history was long. Even if it was fraught with tension and soured with dislike toward the end, there had been a time where they'd been as close as siblings.
"I don't care if you have to tow the damn things," Kent was saying, his eyes snapping fire as he glared at Jace. "Just find a way to get them here."
"Admiral, we are happy to provide the people required to fly our ships to a human station of your choosing," Silas offered.
Silence reigned. Kent's gaze flicked from Silas to Jace to Kira and back again. "What are we talking about then?"
"There's a price for their cooperation," Kira said, finally stirring.
Kent stared at her. "Don't leave us in suspense."
"In exchange for our cooperation, we would like the Lady Kira to accompany us to our home," Silas said, inclining his head showing respect to Kira.
Kent was quiet for several seconds, his forehead furrowed as if he was trying to decipher whether there was a hidden message in there. "Let me see if I have this straight. You’ll give us the ships, people to operate the ships, and all you want is her?"
"We would like the opportunity for her to get to know us. This seems to be the only way to make it happen." Silas's smile was genial.
"More like keep her indefinitely," Jin muttered.
"Is that a drone?" Kent asked, squinting at her friend. "What is a drone doing giving its opinion in a situation like this? Is that even possible?"
Kira's hands tightened into fists, no longer finding the brash admiral quite so amusing.
Kent didn't wait for an answer, flicking his hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. This problem is easily solved. Take her. Rear Admiral Skarsdale, please accompany those ships home."
"No." Kira's words ripped through the air, forestalling the admiral from flicking off his screen.
He frowned at her. "What do you mean no?"
Kira ignored him, focusing on Himoto. "You asked for ships. I got you ships. You asked me to free myself. I did. My debt is paid."
Himoto didn't speak as he regarded her thoughtfully.
"You don't get to say no," Kent said disdainfully. "You're a member of the Space Force. You serve at our needs, just like every other soldier."
"Jin."
"Already done," Jin said.
