Kira glanced outside at what basically amounted to an armada. All with one central goal—Almaluk and the planet below.
The station was the most beautiful Kira had ever seen. It lived up to its name, the metal framework curving in on itself like thousands of infinity symbols. The craftmanship showed the Haldeel's delicate hand in working metal as it created an illusion of movement, until the station seemed like a flower constantly on the cusp of blooming.
"Are we all set?" Kira asked.
"Everything has been arranged. I've already received a temporary pass to the planet," Jin said. "Once we dock, we should be good to go."
In other words, if you wanted to participate, you had to go through the Haldeel.
Only those they deemed trustworthy would be allowed to set foot on Jettie. It also meant that anyone entering would have to go through a Haldeel security check. As safety measures went, you couldn't get much better.
“Are you sure I can't go with you?” Elena asked.
“There are too many eyes. If we're recognized, I don't want you associated with us.”
Kira wasn't exactly happy allowing Elena to go down separately, but it was better than the alternative. If a Tsavitee agent was present, it would be best if they never saw Elena—especially in relation to Kira.
It was hard to hunt for something you didn't know existed.
For that reason, Kira, Jin, and Finn would go first with Odin and Elena leaving long after them.
It wasn't Kira's favorite plan, but given the circumstances, it was the best she could do.
"Don't screw this up," Kira told Odin. "If you do, you'd better run very, very far and hide really, really well."
If something happened to her niece, she would actually kill him this time.
"And you," Kira said to Elena. "Don't stray off book."
"Geez, it's like you don't trust me."
"I wonder why." Could it have anything to do with their current predicament? Let Kira think. Why yes, yes it could.
Elena's grimace was sheepish. "I promise to be careful."
That didn't really make Kira feel much better. A preteen's idea of careful and hers differed greatly.
Elena was more trained than most her age and more cautious as a result, but her decision-making priorities sometimes left Kira with a headache.
"I don't suppose you'd let me watch the quals?" Elena asked, trying her luck.
Yup. That headache definitely had Elena’s name all over it.
"Which part of ‘be cautious’ didn't you understand?" Kira asked.
"I can stay out of sight. Besides, you'll need Odin's help for the race," Elena said, not allowing herself to be dissuaded.
"Kid has a point. You're going to need some talented seconds to help you with pre-race calibrations and during the race itself," Odin pointed out.
"Excuse you," Jin objected. "Kira has me for that."
Odin held up one slender finger proportionally longer than any human or Tuann's. "Race rules—all racers must have at least one controller, and it can't be a machine. As handsome as tall and dangerous over there is, he doesn't have the right skills for the job."
Finn didn't react to either the compliment or the insult beyond a faint tightening of the skin around the corner of his eyes.
"That leaves yours truly." Odin pointed at himself.
Kira had already considered all of that. No waveboard pilot could see everything at one time and also keep an eye on the ever-changing conditions.
