Their contact was nothing if not difficult. If Kira brought any of Graydon's people, she could kiss goodbye the relationship she'd painstakingly developed.
Elena’s future safety depended on her contact’s good will; Kira couldn’t chance destroying their link.
"I'm uploading a map to your interface," Jin informed her. "Follow it."
A series of broken, floating lines appeared in front of Kira, curving around obstructions before disappearing into the crowd.
Kira plunged after them, her interface calculating and recalculating the best route based on the changing conditions—exactly as it would during a race.
The lines twisted and curved through the landing zone, occasionally disappearing to reappear as a new route opened up.
Baran didn't have the same advantage, but then he didn't really need it. As an oshota, and a persistent one at that, he had his own methods for closing the distance.
"This isn't going to work," Kira said.
Even if by some miraculous chance she managed to evade him long enough to get out of the racing stadium, he'd simply track her down again. Just like he did last time.
She needed to do something drastic and unexpected.
Just then, the sight of a figure caught Kira's attention. It was odd because Kira could only see the woman's back, but there was something Kira recognized in her stance. A familiarity that made the chaos of the race's end fade into the background.
The woman turned her head, her hair covering the majority of her face, except for the smooth line of her jaw.
"Elise."
Kira changed course, starting for the woman.
As if sensing her approach, the woman moved into the tunnel the racers had exited at the start of the race. Her pace was easy and slow, no evidence of hurry.
"Kira, why did you say that name?" Jin asked.
"I saw her. I saw Elise."
"No. You didn't."
Kira didn't have time to argue, the lines abruptly disappearing from her interface.
"Don't do this. You're seeing things you want to see."
Kira didn't respond, picking up her pace as the ground in front of her cleared.
"I programmed the interface to recognize Elise. Standing protocol means it will alert you to anyone matching her description. Did you get an alert?"
That only applied with a face. Kira hadn't seen a face—at least not all of one.
"I'll take a quick look."
The map would eventually recalibrate. Even if it didn't, she'd figure it out. She couldn't see a chance like this and not take it.
How would she face Elise later if she found out she'd come so close only to miss her because she hadn't taken the time to investigate?
"You stubborn, stubborn woman. You're going to get caught."
"It wouldn't be the end of the world."
Granted, it would seriously screw up her immediate plans and put her into hot water with her contact, possibly alienating her fully from the rest, but Kira judged the risk worth it.
If she could catch Elise, all those plans became obsolete.
