"Raider, I didn't betray anyone," Blue pleaded urgently.
"The guilt on your face earlier says otherwise," Grace taunted.
Blue acted like the other woman hadn't spoken. "Yes, the transmissions might have been mine."
Grace let out an amazed laugh, sending the other woman a look like she thought Blue was stupid.
Blue was many things, but stupid wasn't one of them.
"Walker knew about them," Blue continued. "He helped me set them up. There's no way the Tsavitee cracked them. We were careful to disguise their source. The only information they sent out was a handshake. To let me know you were safe and alive. That's it."
"Convenient, isn't it? That the only person who could confirm your story is also dead," Grace drawled.
"I'm not lying," Blue shouted, losing her temper.
Her eyes pleaded with Raider to believe her.
The problem was he couldn’t. Not entirely. Jace had made too good a case.
"Raider, come on," Blue whispered brokenly.
Raider's silence made her face fall. She offered no resistance as Jace's people stepped up to escort her away.
"How sure are you of this?" Raider asked, watching her go.
"About the transmissions? Very." Jace lifted a shoulder. "Whether they were the reason behind Rothchild? We won't know until we interrogate her."
Raider lowered himself into the closest seat, feeling like his whole worldview had just been reorganized. If Blue was their traitor, it meant no one was trustworthy.
Not Jace. Not the Curs. No one.
"I think I finally understand Kira," Raider whispered to himself.
This was why she was so paranoid. Even with people she trusted implicitly. Why she treated information like precious treasure. To be hoarded and hidden away. Because you never really knew a person.
Raider scrubbed a hand over his face, looking up at the ceiling in disbelief. Son of a bitch. He got it now.
Jace looked at him. "What?"
"Can you ensure Blue has no contact with anyone while in your brig?"
Jace watched him carefully. "I'd planned as much."
"I mean it, Jace. Absolutely as few people as possible. And only ones you trust."
"Okay." Jace dragged out the word, the look on his face saying that he suspected this was no simple request. "I take it this has something to do with whatever Kira is up to."
Raider answered him with silence.
Jace's lips twisted. "Figures."
Jace moved back to the desk, lowering himself into the chair behind it as Raider considered his next move.
First off—he needed out of this room. Second—off this ship. And third. Well, he'd figure that out when it came time.
"I'm afraid whatever you're up to with the Tuann is at an end," Jace declared, busying himself with the files in front of him. "The fleet is being deployed to defend several key positions against an incursion by the Tsavitee."
Raider moved his gaze from the door he'd been staring at. "What about Kira? She's counting on us for backup."
