"Were you not listening?" Aeron demanded. "There is a defense network. You'll never get close."
"Yes, we will," Jace said, holding Kira's gaze. "One ship to lure the fleet. The other two to trigger the defenses and create a gap just wide enough for a small drop team to be inserted into the atmosphere of the planet. Once down there, they do as much damage in as short a time frame as possible. That's what you're thinking, right?"
"Got it in one."
They always did work well together like this.
Odin lifted a hand. "I can help with the last part of that plan."
Jace's face puckered as if he'd tasted something sour. "How?"
"I'm a decent hacker. If I do say so myself." Odin's grin was mischievous. "And I have some familiarity with their outer defense network. I might be able to make a blind spot big enough for a ship or two to slip through. It'd give your drop team a chance at least."
Jace seemed tired as he agreed. "Fine."
"What about the general?" Bechler asked, watching Aeron carefully.
"He's coming with us," Jace instructed, rising. "If he's lying about any of this, he'll be the first to die."
A dangerous rumble came from Aeron. "Keep dreaming, human."
"I do. Every night." Jace focused on Kira. "I can only commit three ships to this attack. The rest of the fleet will still deploy according to Centcom's orders."
Kira inclined her chin. "Understood."
That was three more than she'd been expecting when she flew onto this base.
Jace jerked his chin at her. "We'll ship off in three hours."
The officers rose as a sign of respect as Jace strode out of the room.
"Phoenix, it'll be good to fly with you again," Hollis drawled with a twinkle in her eye.
"Same to you," Kira said as the commander rose and followed Jace.
"We should get going too," Bechler told Shepperd. "There’s a lot to prepare."
The other captain nodded distractedly. "Do you think they'll court martial us for this too?"
Bechler snorted and shook his head as they moved toward the door. "We're probably all going to die so I don't think worrying about what comes after is necessary."
Shepperd shrugged in agreement. "Going out in a blaze of glory doesn't sound so bad."
Graydon waited as their voices faded before focusing on Kira. "Heart of my soul, all these months together has made me aware of your intelligence. Despite the occasional reckless action on your part which challenges that conclusion. Which is why I'm going to give you one chance."
Finn and Wren took seats on the other side of the table next to Aeron. Talon found a wall to lean against as the other oshota spread through the room, their stances much more relaxed now that there were no humans present.
Joule and Devon held their breaths, afraid that drawing notice would see them evicted from the room.
"And if I don't do what you want?" Kira asked.
Graydon lips curved, his smile a little evil. "I act unilaterally in your best interest. You won't be a fan of my methods, I can assure you."
Twenty Five
"You're probably right about that," Kira drawled, canting her head.
After all, Graydon enjoyed getting under her skin as much as she did his. He would take it as a personal challenge.
