Like the cephalopod they got their name from, the Haldeel had eight flexible, prehensile appendages which made them an absolute nightmare to fight.
"May I ask what event thezawill be competing in during the quorum?"
"The Pinnacle.” Kira supplied the common name for the waverunner races.
The Haldeel clasped his hands before his chest, interlocking his fingers and dipping his chin in a gesture meant to denote accepting a task and promising its completion.
"Then we will endeavor to allow you to arrive on time."
Kira let gratitude flush through her as she changed her stance to one of gratefulness. "I would be in your debt."
The Haldeel moved aside in a gliding movement no human or Tuann could hope to replicate and gestured for Kira to enter.
"Where did you learn to speak Haldeel?" Finn asked in a low voice only meant for Kira's ears.
"Here and there."
She didn't want to get into the short span of time she'd spent on the edge of Haldeel space, or the little girl and her bodyguard she'd met there.
The two were the lone bright spots in a very dark period of Kira’s life. Being here, interacting with the Haldeel again, even on a superficial level, Kira couldn't help but wonder how the other two were doing these days.
Sensing Kira had said as much on the topic as she planned, Finn fell silent, his gaze speculative.
That was okay. As long as he kept his questions to himself and let her do what she needed.
"You sly woman, how did you know they'd be willing to take off even if they weren't at capacity?" Jin asked.
Kira allowed herself a small smile. "One word—loophole."
Jin snorted. "Of course, the thing Haldeel like best."
Kira had bet on the fact the Haldeel would leave their options open. Although the rule the Haldeel at the entrance had quoted was likely real, Kira had known the Haldeel would likely include a clause that if waiting jeopardized a passenger's ability to participate in an event, the vessel could take off sooner if the captain wished it.
The quorum was a showcase of the best and brightest after all.
Of course, it also helped that Kira knew the Haldeel were more likely to respond well when they were treated with respect and kindness. If she'd been rude or presumptuous, Kira doubted they'd be so willing to take off.
It was a test. A cleverly designed one she was quite sure most didn't pass.
That was the Haldeel for you. Simple at first glance. Only the observant realized the nuances behind every action they took.
Kira paused on the threshold of the dropship, noting the empty seats and the handful of bodies currently occupying the ship.
Good.
Just the way she liked it.
Kira started down the aisle when a piping voice reached her.
"You haven’t told me where myseon’yeris," a little girl said from directly behind her.
Jin choked in surprise, Kira not faring much better.
A shot of adrenaline ran through Kira, and only years of training kept her from whirling and destroying her cover.
Because she knew that voice. And the other three with her.
It belonged to Ziva, one of two children Kira had rescued from a hovercraft that was in the process of crashing. The act had precipitated her discovery by the Tuann and the subsequent realization that she wasn’t human at all.
