"Are you sure he's okay?" Lathan asked.
"Internal glitches. Nothing to worry about."
Lathan didn't look like he believed that lie as Kira fished the J1N out from under the console, tossing him into the air.
The J1N dropped, almost hitting the ground before his anti gravs caught him.
"Ah, good. You've introduced yourselves to one another already," Pallas said, striding into the room. "That saves us time."
An incomprehensible series of squawks, bleats, and oddly the grinding of gears, issued from the J1N a second before a shrill alarm started.
"Enemy detected. Kill on sight authorized."
The J1N's primary weapons whined as they charged in preparation to fire.
Pallas gave the drone an incredulous look. "Is he seriously targeting me?"
Kira lunged out of her chair. "Don't you dare. J1N, abort. Abort now! Authorization not granted!"
The siren's wail almost drowned out Kira's words.
"Do not hurt him, Pallas," Kira shouted just as the J1N fired its primary laser.
Pallas thrust a hand forward, a sheet of black ki blocking the laser in midair. A bang shook the room.
Kira snatched the J1N out of the air, maintaining her grip on it despite its struggles as she backed away.
Fury tightened Pallas's features as he reached slowly for the sword on his back.
"I wouldn't," Graydon said, holding his en-blade to Pallas's neck. "It would be a shame if I had to kill you right after the agreement your siblings and I just made."
Pallas went still. "You wouldn't dare."
"Threaten Kira or the drone again and you'll find out."
"Without me or this ship, you'll be stuck on this planet. You won't be able to go anywhere."
Graydon didn't seem concerned. "I'm sure we'll figure something out."
Pallas bared his teeth but dropped his hand from the hilt of his sword.
"Kira, you good?" Graydon asked with his en-blade still against Pallas's neck.
"Define good."
The J1N trying to murder Pallas hadn't been on her itinerary for the day. The fact that the matter had passed with no bloodshed could be considered a minor miracle.
"You can put away your en-blade. I won't do anything to them," Pallas said with a snide look at Kira.
She glared at him. "If I were you, I wouldn't trust anything out of that psycho's mouth."
Her history with Pallas said he wasn't the type to let an attack of this nature go so easily.
Pallas's gaze lingered on the J1N long enough for Kira to grow uncomfortable. "Let me guess. That's not Jin."
Kira met his gaze, ice sliding through her veins.
The corners of Pallas's lips lifted. "I thought something was off about him. Why didn't you tell the forty three that in addition to Elena, Jin is also compromised?"
