It was near impossible to fully rid a world of the bog’s hag once it began to spread. Once it sensed a livable atmosphere it would come out of hibernation. Soon after, it would emit a toxic gas capable of rewriting the genetic code of those exposed.
The process was slow and agonizing.
Death was preferable to the alternative however. Those who survived became little more than zombie-like creatures that possessed a level of aggression that was off the charts. They would hunt and kill any living creature in their vicinity. They felt no pain or fear either, making them difficult to fight off.
Kira was pretty sure the only reason the Tsavitee hadn’t used it more often during the war was because they feared how invasive it was. After all, what was the point of conquering a planet when you couldn’t even land on it?
Graydon’s gaze developed a piercing intensity. “I am ordering you to abandon ship. I’m already in position. I will pick you and the rest up.”
Kira stared at the video of the bog’s hag, the single flower bud floating with the weightlessness of space.
It looked so benign for something so horrible. Beautiful almost.
“I can’t do that,” Kira said in a flat voice.
Even if she’d been willing to abandon her ship, her home, the chances of Graydon’s plan working were slim.
They would have to trust that the mines would lock onto the ship and not them. It would leave them vulnerable, without the speed or maneuverability of the Wanderer’s engines. That was also assuming the roots of the bog’s hag hadn’t already penetrated their hull.
If they had, Kira and the rest might be carrying the spores of the bog’s hag on their skin and clothes. The outcome should those spores reach the planet would be the same. Ta Sa’Riel, the capital of the Tuann empire, would be completely and irrevocably isolated from the rest of the universe.
“You are being stubborn.”
Kira shot him a crooked smile. “It’s the only way I know how to be.”
“Kira—“
Kira shut down the link before he could argue further. There was work to do. She had a ship to save.
Kira shoved to her feet. “Buy me as much time as you can.”
“You know this is reckless, right?” Raider asked.
“I do.”
Jin trailed her to the hatch. “I’m coming with you.”
Kira shook her head. “I need you here.”
“Kira—“
“You were right earlier. You know this ship better than anyone. You’ll be of more help here.”
It was an argument she knew Jin would understand.
Their skill sets may have been different, but they were equally important to the success of the plan.
“You’d better come back, Phoenix. You don’t want to know what I’ll do if you don’t,” Jin snarled.
Kira chuckled. “I’ll consider myself warned.”
Kira stepped off the bridge to find her way blocked.
“This is a mistake,” Finn informed her.
Kira slid past him and headed for the armory where her armor was stored. “I get that you think so.”
Just as long as he didn’t try to stop her.
