"You say that like there were other things he wanted to accomplish."
The enigmatic expression on Graydon's face drove Kira a little crazy as he offered her a closed mouthed smile. "For that, you would have to ask the emperor himself."
Kira eyed Graydon askance. "That's it? That's all you're giving me?"
He slid an arm around her back, bringing her body flush against his. "I wouldn't be a proper Face if I gave all of my emperor's secrets away."
Kira rested her weight against the length of his body, fiddling with the scale like pattern of his synth armor. "Not even if I ask nicely?"
His head dipped toward hers, until his lips were just shy of hers. "I could be convinced."
"Oh?" Her breath caught as her mouth brushed his.
"Sure." His smile held a wicked edge. "As soon as you give up all yours."
Kira moved back to glare. "We both know you're too good a Face to ever reveal the secrets entrusted to you by the emperor."
Graydon let go of Kira. "You can't blame me for trying."
She snorted. "No, I suppose I can't."
Especially when she was the one who started this game.
Elena - Tsavitee Planet
Uncle Jin!
Elena lurched upright, her hand moving automatically to the bicep the lu-ong spawn had been wrapped around before her fight.
"No, no, no, no," she chanted, finding nothing there.
He had to be somewhere. He couldn't just be gone.
The probable concussion she had made the room swim in a disturbing manner as she looked frantically around, finding no signs of her uncle.
Elena had been brought to some kind of utilitarian hospital room. The sinister looking equipment gathered around the edges sent a trickle of trepidation down her spine.
It was no mystery what usually happened in places like this. Elena had heard the stories. The things that had gone on here only ever referenced in passing. As if whatever had happened was too painful to mention. The other kids did warn Elena, though. That if she was ever to find herself in a room like this—she should run and not look back.
The murmur of voices from outside had Elena throwing the sheet that covered her to the side. She slipped to the ground.
They'd taken her boots, she noted as her sock clad feet touched the floor. How very helpful of them. It would make sneaking around so much easier.
Elena crept to the doorway, arriving just in time to hear Ajix speak.
"Targeting the girl will do nothing for you in the end. The level of skill she displayed during her fight was impressive. It bought her second place despite you putting her out of commission."
Elena was careful as she peeked around the corner to see who Ajix was speaking to.
Fyr stood next to the larger general with an angry expression. "You know what that means."
"The youngest of your cohort will be claimed as the Osiri's newest experimental subject."
"And you're okay with that?" Fyr burst out.
"Being claimed isn't an automatic death sentence," Ajix said calmly. "There is a possibility that Saros will survive."
"Not a very good one. And even if she does, she won't be the same. You know what they do to them. Death is preferable."
