Things could be worse.
If she hadn't summoned herkito strengthen her body just then, she would probably have looked like that table.
"Don't say it; I already know."
In her defense, no one could have predicted that Elise's accomplices would blow a hole in the wall.
Frankly speaking, it shouldn't have been possible. This room was located in a secure area and access was restricted.
Elise's accomplices shouldn't have been able to get anywhere close.
Glass crunched under Alexander’s feet as he walked into the room, surveying the damage with an impartial gaze.
"Should I go after the prisoner,Za na?" the guard asked him.
Alexander shook his head. "We have more important worries at the moment. The station is under attack both internally and externally. The lives of those within take priority over chasing that prisoner."
Kira ignored him, pushing herself away from the wall and staggering toward the hole. If that was the way Elise had gone, Kira would follow.
Raider blocked her.
"Move."
His expression only got more stubborn. "No. You can barely stand."
Kira snapped. "Raider, she has Jin!"
Raider's flinch brought Kira back to herself.
Shame had her taking a step away. She wasn't the only one who'd suffered a blow. Elise was the woman Raider loved. As difficult as this was for Kira, Raider would be even more devastated.
"I'm going after him," Kira said in a calmer voice.
"I know," Raider responded. "And I'm going with you."
"Idiots, the both of you." Alexander stabbed a finger at Kira. "You can barely stand. What do you think you can do?"
"I'll figure it out. I always do."
Despite the brash words, Kira knew she was in bad shape. She suspected she had a concussion and judging by the sharp pain anytime she tried to move her left shoulder, her collarbone was broken.
Alexander looked up at the ceiling. "Do you know where she's gone? What she plans? How many of those monsters are with her? Who's helping her?"
There was nothing Kira could say to any of those questions. She didn't have the answers, and she wouldn't pretend.
She was still going.
"Stubborn as always,” Alexander said.
Kira took that to mean he wouldn’t stand in her way. A fact she was grateful for.
Every second was precious if she wanted to recover Jin. If Elise got off the station with him, her chances of ever seeing her friend again were nearly none.
Alexander was motionless as Kira started for the hole Elise had fled through. With the expectation he would let her pass, Kira dropped her guard, her mind already on what needed to be done.
It was why she didn't immediately react when he grabbed her shoulder and drove his fist into her stomach.
Kira curled in on herself, fighting to inhale against the sudden constriction of her lungs.
