"I'm no stranger to humans either." Seeing her surprise, Lathan's smile grew a touch wider. "There aren't a lot of places a wanderer is welcome. The Tuann Houses distrust us. The Haldeel are cautious in our presence because they know what we're capable of. Human territory is one of the few places where we're not judged as soon as we step outside of our ship."
They traveled past a copse of trees and up a steep incline.
"I was present during humanity's war with the Tsavitee. A few of us were, actually," Lathan volunteered.
"I didn't know that," Kira said with a frown.
"It was only towards the end and our participation was kept hidden by the Consortium's military. By the time some of us joined, the tide had already started to turn," Lathan admitted. "I can see why you like humans, though. There's something about them. They have a zeal the Tuann lack."
That was it exactly.
For all their faults, humanity had a drive to ascend that Kira hadn't seen anywhere else. They were greedy and short sighted, but they also possessed a nobility of spirit. Able to sacrifice themselves for one another without a second thought.
She'd seen the best they'd had to offer. And also, the worst.
Despite that, she couldn't tell which of those traits were more common. It was what made them so fascinating.
"How did you end up with Pallas?" Kira asked, curious in spite of herself.
They were such a strange duo. Pallas wasn't exactly mentor material. Not because he didn't possess the talent either. Kira would wager he was every bit the warrior Graydon was. It was just that he lacked patience and the necessary attention span to guide others.
"He's not what you think he is," Lathan informed her.
"You mean crazy? Because I'm pretty sure he is."
She had the scars to prove it too.
"Some say the Phoenix is insane. That loss drove her out of her mind." Lathan peered at Kira out of the corner of his eye. "Is that true?"
"I take your point."
"Pallas is complicated. I'm not saying he doesn't have his demons, but the man I know?" Lathan's smile was a thing of beauty. "I'd lay down my life for him."
With one final nod at her, Lathan's pace quickened. Kira let him go.
Graydon fell back to join her as Brie crested the hill with her companions. "Find out anything?"
"Not even close."
"Should I be worried?" Graydon asked.
"I'm not sure yet."
They reached the top of the hill, the terrain on the other side coming into view.
Kira's expression changed.
"What is it?" Graydon's gaze went from Kira to the vista before them. His brow furrowed in confusion. "Are those ships?"
A raw sound left Kira. "It's the Vega."
Kira's former home. And the final resting place for many of her friends.
Sixteen
"How is this possible?" Kira asked
The Vega should be drifting amidst an asteroid field comprised of debris from the moon while making its way through the system. Not sitting on Rothchild as if the ship's demise had been nothing more than a clever illusion meant to torment her.
