"Himoto kept it secret."
For many reasons. The primary of which was to keep their enemies from taking advantage of Kira's weakened state.
"Get to the point," Kira told Odin.
"I'm getting to that. I have to set the stage first. They need to understand just how much blood, sweat and tears went into procuring this information."
Correction—Odin wanted to grandstand. No amount of prodding on Kira's part was going to hurry that along. In that case, she might as well relax and enjoy the ride.
Aeron huffed, seeming amused at her inability to control the Sye.
"Contrary to popular opinion, it wasn't guilt or sorrow or madness that drove the Phoenix from civilization. It was hope—and a deep seated belief that the war humanity thought over was, in fact, not over. Rather it had gone underground where the enemy could wait and gather strength for its next attack."
Shepperd huffed. "She's a damn prophet."
"Yes, she is," Odin agreed.
Hollis studied the star map thoughtfully. "I take it that her reasons for becoming a salvager had something to do with her beliefs."
"Very good." Odin smiled at the commander. "I see why that old man promoted you—even with all the nasty business over that disputed mining colony."
Hollis's face went cold. "What would you know about that?"
Odin's eye danced. "You'd be surprised at all the things I know."
"Odin," Kira warned in a low tone, waiting until he looked at her. "Get to the point."
"Always so impatient," Odin chided, snapping his fingers.
The map changed. It expanded until a large swath of the galaxy came into view. One dot was brighter than the rest. It was located in the quadrant of space that Odin and Torvald's sources had identified as the likely location of the Tsavitee home world.
"You did it," Kira breathed.
Wren was a statue on Graydon's other side. Motionless. As if he might shatter at any moment. Maksym and Zoella's faces had gone cold, stoic masks as they stared at that dot.
Graydon's expression was alert. A hunter who'd just identified his target.
"This—" Hollis drew closer, looking like she wished she could reach out and touch the home world right here and now.
Shepperd and Bechler were equally fixated. Their fear of Aeron forgotten as they honed in on the star map.
"Are you serious?" Shepperd asked, his earlier antagonism forgotten.
Bechler's expression was fierce as he locked on Odin in expectation.
This was why Jace had invited them to this briefing. It was bait to test their receptiveness to the thought of attacking the Tsavitee home world without orders from Centcom.
Smart. A move worthy of Himoto's successor.
"You have the general to thank," Odin said, satisfied with their reactions. "If not for him, I'd still be scratching my head."
"How certain are we that this is accurate?" Hollis asked, reluctant to look away from the star map.
Odin gave her a cold look. "Very certain."
Raider focused on Jace. "This is what you requested, right? A location? Well, you have it. Now, what will you do?"
"Watch yourself, Chief Petty Officer," Hollis warned. "You're still a noncommissioned officer in this fleet. You will conduct yourself with respect."
