Next to her, Raider was a quiet presence as he leaned his head against the seat with his eyes closed.
Getting some shut eye before the uncertainty of what was coming felt like a good idea, but someone had to keep an eye on things.
Finn had told her enough about the adva ka that she knew it wasn’t uncommon for Tuann to knock their fellow initiates out of the running. While she didn’t want to think Roake would practice that against members of their own House and allies, Kira wasn’t going to put her trust in that.
History was written by those who betrayed their nearest and dearest.
So, Raider could sleep while Kira kept an eye on things. Later he’d return the favor if need be.
Besides, Kira was more interested in learning what Roake was planning than getting a few minutes of rest.
It was clear they were up to something. She just hadn’t figured out what—yet.
If she had to guess it was some type of initiation.
Pretty much every military organization had something. The Curs did and so did most of the ships she’d served on.
Sometimes it was as simple as buying a round of drinks for your squad mates the first time you went out on the town with them. Other times it was completing an insane workout that left you flattened by the end.
This scene had a similar vibe.
Movement came from up front as Harlow stood to face the initiates.
Kira nudged Raider in the side.
His eyes opened a crack. “Are they finally about to get started?”
“Looks that way.”
He sat up with a yawn, alertness quick to replace his sleepiness as he gave Harlow and the rest of the seon’yers standing at the front of the aircraft his full attention.
“What’s your guess? Leave us in the middle of nowhere or something like you faced during your training session?” Raider asked, attracting Joule and Devon’s interest.
“I’m sure whatever it is will be good.” Kira held onto the back of the seat in front of her as she looked forward.
The armor she wore was of Tuann design, identical to the one Auralyn had fitted to her before her final race for the quorum. It was lightweight and as durable as any combat armor she’d ever worn.
Many of those around her were outfitted with something similar, including Raider.
“You look almost Tuann,” Kira informed him.
It was true. The armor gave him the same aura of sleek danger that all Tuann seemed to project—at least the ones Kira hung around.
Raider shoved her with his shoulder as Harlow addressed the initiates.
“Roake has a reputation as the strongest House.” Harlow didn’t shout yet somehow his voice managed to fill the space. “That starts here.”
The walls in the back half of the hovercraft slid open.
Wind buffeted those inside as a few initiates were ripped from their seats.
“Members of Roake and its subordinate Houses earn what they receive.” A slow grin replaced Harlow’s serious expression. “They don’t accept free rides.”
The ship tilted before anyone could react.
Kira caught Joule’s and Devon’s startled exclamations before they, like the majority of those assembled, were jettisoned.
A woman with dark hair and skin and eyes that held laughter crowed as she nudged the person beside her. “Guess you owe me the next round this time. Your yer’se failed to outlast mine.”
