"Good to see you too, Raider," Kira said dryly.
It kind of was, considering everything.
Kira's friend had always reminded her of a junkyard dog. Pugnacious and stubborn. Look at him wrong and he'd be happy to gnaw your arm off. A faint scar ran along his jawline, adding to the impression that this was a person best not tangled with.
He was tall for a human. Though still short when compared to a Tuann. He had an athlete's build. Long and lean with enough muscle to make it evident his wasn't a life of leisure.
Kira looked past him to the woman at his side. "Hey, Blue."
Blue's real name was Yuki, but everyone called her by her nickname on account of the way she always dyed her hair blue. Today, it was just the tips, but on occasion that blue reached all the way to her crown.
Her features carried the stamp of her Asian heritage. Though it was likely her ancestors had left Earth generations ago during one of the mass migrations.
"You look better than the last time I saw you," Blue said.
"Sorry about that."
"You'd better have a plan. If you've compromised everything to throw a tantrum," Raider broke off to shake his head, the grim cast of his features a little foreboding.
"Of course, I have a plan. What kind of person do you take me for?" Kira asked.
She wouldn't risk everything like that.
Raider finally noticed Harlow's presence, acknowledging the Overlord with a respectful nod.
"Let's hear it then," Raider said, focusing on Kira.
Elena's disappearance had taken a physical toll on him. There were dark circles under his eyes. A feral look on his face that said he'd already reached the end of his tether. Like he might suddenly snap and rip out her throat at any moment.
Last time he'd had that look on his face, things had been said that neither of them could take back. It took over a decade to reclaim their friendship.
She hoped it didn't come to that this time.
"How do you feel about a prison break?" Kira asked.
Raider stared at her. "You're going after the general."
That was the plan.
Blue waved her hand, waiting until she had their attention before giving them a strained smile. "Let me make sure I have this right. Your plan to get your niece—Raider's daughter—back is to break into the prison of your allies, the Tuann, where one of your greatest enemies, a Tsavitee general, is being guarded by highly trained warriors who would probably like nothing better than to slice and dice you. Oh, and by the way, our involvement will probably ruin any possibility of a future alliance between the Consortium and the Tuann."
Kira thought for a moment and then nodded. "That about covers it."
"Insane. Absolutely insane," Blue declared.
"It could work," Raider said.
Blue gave him a wild look.
Raider twisted to regard Harlow. "You're on board with this plan?"
Harlow considered Kira for a second before inclining his chin.
Kira smiled at them. "How about it? Want to cause a little trouble with me?"
"Sure. Why not?" Raider said.
Blue looked between them before rolling her eyes in resignation. "Fine. It’s not like I haven’t always wanted to mastermind a prison break."
