“This has grown boring,” Kira declared, interrupting Terrel’s monologue.
Affront pulled his eyebrows down into a frown. “I beg your pardon.”
“He should,” Jin grumbled. “He’s annoying.”
“Do you know what I admire most about humans?” Kira asked. “They’re amazingly adaptive.”
Kira lifted the disk, hitting a button at the center and expanding the screen until it was a several inches wide.
“They have to be. They don’t have ki to make their lives easier. As a result, their creativity far outstrips that of the Tuann.”
Kira finished fussing with the disk as an image formed.
“For instance, this tiny device can pick up any feed that is streaming within a certain radius.”
A man standing behind Terrel started. “That’s the Dauntless.”
Kira pretended to be surprised. “That’s strange. I wonder why an image of your ship is being broadcasted for anyone to intercept.”
The man’s face closed down, but his gaze didn’t move as the image started to play.
Kira let out a low whistle as the camera moved over the ship, showing the fancy exterior of one of the newest ships in House Votair’s fleet.
The angle widened until the insignia of the House appeared.
“What is the meaning of this?” Terrel demanded.
“I wonder,” Kira chirpped in a sugary sweet voice.
“Stop this,” the man behind Terrel urged. “If you do anything to that ship, House Votair will seek recompense from Roake. You will start a war. Are you prepared for that?”
“I’m not afraid of war.” Kira relaxed into her chair. “Besides, for your Overlord to declare war on mine, he will need evidence. And as you can see, I am seated right next to you. I suspect you won’t find a scrap of evidence linking me to this. Though you’re welcomed to try.”
With a whoosh the interior of their flagship caught fire. Within seconds, it had turned the ship into a funeral pyre, flames licking up the side.
A pained sound escaped Terrel.
Lovely.
As always, Jin had given her a masterpiece. She knew without having to ask the accelerant would only affect the flagship. Any other ships in the vicinity would escape unscathed.
“Oof,” Kira pretended to wince. “That’s got to hurt. How much did your House spend on that ship? I hope it wasn’t much.”
Jin snickered. “Oh, it was. Most interestingly, it was bought with a recent influx of cash I’m having trouble tracing. What do you want to bet it comes from House Danai?”
Kira couldn’t have picked a better target if she’d tried.
Terrel’s body was shaking as fury poured off him. “You will pay for this.”
The levity dropped from Kira’s face, all the rage she’d been suppressing replacing it. “Like I said earlier, prove it.”
“You’re gloating,” he snarled.
“That doesn’t mean I’m guilty. Isn’t that right?” Kira tossed a look at Baran. “I’m simply a concerned citizen going out of her way to share intel with you.”
Quiet descended as those nearby stared at Kira with something approaching shock. She was sure none of those present had considered that angle.
She had, though. As did Jin. It was why they’d chosen this avenue of attack.
