"I don't remember agreeing to this," Kira called at his back as he strode into the belly of the ship.
"You weren't around to consult."
He did not just say that.
Her disbelieving gaze went from the spot where Finn had disappeared to Talon, his uncomfortable expression providing her with no answers.
"How did you get conscripted into this?" she asked.
Talon lifted a negligent shoulder. "I owe him."
"Do you even know what we're planning to do?"
"I don't have to. He asked and I answered."
His explanation was simple. As if that was really all that had been necessary to convince him to come on this fool's errand.
Kira dragged a hand over the back of her neck. "I'm sure you're going to regret that before the end."
Talon leaned a shoulder against the frame of the ship. "I knew your father, girl. If you're anything like him, I highly doubt that."
Kira went still. "I thought your acquaintance with Finn began when you two were Brianne's oshota."
Brianne had been Finn's sword before Kira. He'd served her for only a short time before realizing she wasn't the person she'd portrayed herself as. Instead of possessing nobility and honor, she'd been spoiled and self-serving. The few times Finn had spoken of her, it had been with a dislike bordering on disdain.
Kira had just assumed his relationship with Talon originated in that period of time.
"No," Talon answered simply.
Kira tried not to show a reaction to that news. There was only one other person they would have both served. Her father. The former Overlord of House Roake. A man Finn and many others still grieved.
No wonder he'd come when Finn called.
"Wait." Kira frowned in realization. "He said allies."
As in plural.
Talon made room as Kira stalked the rest of the way up the ramp, already fearing what she'd find.
"Absolutely not," she declared, spotting the trio waiting for her in the cargo hold. "You're not coming. Don't even start."
Blue and Raider walked up the ramp behind Kira as she glared at the group.
The youngest would appear around seven or eight to a human. Her white blond hair, deep blue eyes, and delicate features making her seem doll-like.
Her brother, Joule, next to her looked a little older. Around fourteen or fifteen though he was likely somewhere in his fifth or sixth decade, given how slowly the Tuann aged. His face still contained the unfinished features of youth, but Kira could see hints of the handsome man he'd be later. There was a quiet maturity far beyond his years.
The last was the oldest looking of the bunch. Around twenty or thereabouts. As always, Kira felt a jolt of deja vu looking into Devon's eyes. The golden shade she'd always associated with sun drenched daisies almost identical to his brother's.
If Jin had been allowed to grow up, he would have looked very like this boy in front of her.
"But seon'yer, it's Elena," Ziva protested.
Kira pinned her with a glare. "You're too young."
The end. She wasn't taking a bunch of kids into a situation where she wasn't even willing to risk an oshota.
"I've been practicing the moves you showed me," Ziva argued. "I'm ready. Just put me in the back and I'll hit them over the head while you distract them."
