Stranger still was the idea that she was standing face-to-face with the man Graydon had sworn his allegiance to. It felt uncomfortably like meeting her significant other’s parents for the first time.
Except this parent was the leader of an entire race.
No pressure or anything. It wasn’t like her entire future and that of Jin’s rested on his good will or anything.
Into the awkward silence the emperor held up the welding torch for her to see. “This is a primitive tool.”
There was tinny echo to his words that would make his voice unrecognizable even to those familiar with him.
“Watch.” The emperor picked up a sheet of unused metal that Kira had been using to patch the hull. A dagger flashed, opening a tear the length of her forearm as Kira bit back her instinctive objection.
Quality materials suited for the inhospitable environment of space weren’t easy to come by. Nor were they cheap.
It didn’t help that the Wanderer tended to see more than its share of damage. The ship attracted trouble in the same way its owners did, stressing Kira’s already finite supply.
The emperor pretended not to hear her as he drew two fingers along the tear, fusing the metal in a nearly invisible line.
Fascinated in spite of herself, Kira stepped forward to run a finger along the tear. She was barely able to feel the raised ridges.
“You should be using your soul’s breath for these types of repairs. It allows for a more even distribution of molecules, making for a stronger weld.”
That was easy for him to say. He didn’t know what it was like to feel himself dying a little bit more each time he tapped into his power. The sensation of thorn-filled vines wrapping themselves around her organs, pulling tighter and tighter until it was difficult to breathe.
Kira didn’t know if she’d ever be capable of such casual use of her soul’s breath.
Jin cleared his throat through the ship’s speakers. “Testing, testing.”
Kira and the emperor looked up.
“Welcome aboard the Wanderer. I am Jin and I will be your pilot today. Please note that the ride may be a tad bumpy. Seats are interspersed throughout the ship for your comfort but will do jack shit to save you should we crash.”
The ship’s engines growled to life. A faint jolt came as the station’s docking beam retracted.
“Ah—I would like to remind those who forced their way onto our ship that we are not liable for any mental or physical distress that you may experience during the journey. Barf bags are located in the latrines. Thank you and please don’t die.”
The speakers crackled as they cut out.
“That is an interesting way of welcoming strangers aboard,” the emperor observed. “Almost like your passengers aren’t welcome at all.”
Kira flashed him a humorless smile. “If you wanted politeness, you’re on the wrong ship.”
He’d find none of that here.
“I’m heading for the bridge,” Kira continued, heading for the corridor to her right. “Do me a favor and keep your face shield up while you’re here.”
“Afraid someone on board will betray your confidence?”
“More like, I don’t want to deal with the questions.”
Kira was a lazy person at heart. If she could avoid unnecessary trouble, she would.
Besides, something told her she’d have more than enough problems on her plate once they landed without adding the complexity of the emperor’s presence to the mix.
The longer she could delay others knowing about him, the less explaining she’d have to do. Simple as that.
Kira headed for the bridge that served as the ship’s brain, the emperor following. Briefly, Kira thought about deterring him before giving up on the idea.
She didn’t know too many emperors, but she was familiar with those accustomed to power. Trying to tell someone like that they couldn’t do something was the height of futility. They’d do it anyway.
