Like the planet of humanity’s origin, Ta Sa’Riel had several large continents that were surrounded by the oceans that took up the majority of the planet’s surface. Unlike Earth’s pure blues, the colors of Ta Sa’Riel were a little more muted. Its turbulent oceans a deep blue edging on gray. The continents were little more than rocky outcroppings interspersed with pockets of green.
Kira scanned the display, finding several concerning energy signatures amassing on the planet below.
Sparks of yellow and orange began congregating at several points, growing in intensity as the Wanderer was drawn closer to the planet.
“This is not good,” Kira said, recognizing those energy signatures.
“What are you talking about?” Raider asked as Kira glanced at Torvald.
“The planet’s defenses are preparing to fire.”
Raider blanched. “I thought we made it through the defenses.”
“The system defenses, yes. The planetary ones?” Kira shook her head.
They weren’t that lucky.
She’d barely survived her last encounter with these particular weapons, and that was with a fully functional engine.
Torvald turned away from the view to regard Kira steadily.
“Will they really fire on this ship?” Kira asked him.
“That depends.”
Kira frowned. Why did she have a feeling she wasn’t going to like whatever came out of his mouth next?
“On what?” she asked, playing his game.
“On whether the daughter of a powerful House owns this ship or a nameless wanderer,” Torvald said softly.
Raider snarled. “Fucking great. They’re playing politics.”
For once, Kira and Raider were in perfect agreement.
“Did my uncle put you up to this?” Kira asked.
“You underestimate your worth. The Overlord of Roake isn’t the only one who will benefit from your return to the fold.”
No, he wasn’t.
Kira had been a fool to forget that.
House Roake wasn’t the most numerous or the wealthiest of the other Houses but it was the strongest in terms of military combat power.
The best way to ensure their future was to appoint an heir.
And since Kira was the only child of the former Overlord, she fit the role perfectly.
“I can see why Graydon is your Face. The two of you are very alike,” Kira said.
They both played games with other people’s futures.
“I taught him everything I know.”
Kira could see that. Too bad Graydon hadn’t impressed on the emperor just how much she disliked being manipulated in this fashion.
“I don’t like being put in a corner.”
