Kira looked at her. "I didn't expect to see you here."
During their last encounter, she'd been under the impression that the lieutenant kept a distance between her and her father. Even going so far as to serve in a unit not under his command.
"The reputation of my last name has become increasingly inconvenient of late. Admiral Skarsdale was kind enough to offer me a port of safety while things sort themselves out."
Kira frowned. "You're being targeted?"
"Among other things."
Kira was quiet, studying the other woman. She supposed it was understandable that Himoto's enemies were making themselves known after his death. They must have taken it as a chance to root out all aspects of his influence. His daughter included.
"Let me guess—there are those claiming your accomplishments are all due to your father's influence."
It's what they had done to Kira at one point too. In her case, her deceptive youth and inexperience had made the whisper campaign particularly effective.
It had taken several high profile battles to shut that nonsense down.
"I hear you faced similar challenges," Himoto said.
"Water under the bridge now."
If those people were already going after Lieutenant Himoto, they were probably also targeting Jace. Only his rank and the contacts he'd cultivated in Centcom's upper echelon would protect him somewhat.
He'd have to walk the straight and narrow for a time to avoid falling into any traps.
What that meant for Kira and her plans was the question.
Himoto's voice stopped Kira as she reached for the door of Jace's ready room. "My father told me you never believed the war was over."
Kira paused to look back at her. "Is that a question?"
"No question. Just a hope that the Phoenix's near future will be as glorious as her past."
Kira pulled open the door to the ready room. "I'm afraid your security clearance isn't high enough for me to offer a response to that statement."
"Exactly how I'd expect the woman my father raised to reply."
Without having to be asked, Finn moved to stand guard beside the door. His intention to remain outside clear.
Kira stared, barely believing her eyes. "What's gotten into you?"
His smirk was a little sinister. "I wasn't the only one who found your abrupt departure from the ship upsetting. Have fun in there."
"Get your ass over here, Nixxy," Raider called from inside the room. "We don't have all day."
"Ah, damn," Kira cursed, stepping inside the room and letting the door close behind her.
She knew what this really was now. An ambush.
Raider looked over from where he was slumped on the settee in the middle of the room. His arm was stretched over the back and one leg crossed over the other.
"You were supposed to meet me in Rothchild days ago," Kira informed him, going on the attack as she threw herself into one of the armchairs across from him.
The room was only half furnished. As if it had been thrown together as an afterthought. A flimsy-looking metal desk sat in one corner. A chair behind it. The walls lacked decorations. Not to mention paint.
Overall, it was one of the most bare-bones ready rooms she'd ever seen.
Jace stood in front of the only item in the room that could be called luxurious. A bar cart with several crystal decanters filled with various colored liquids.
