Raider's demand fell on deaf ears.
Graydon put a hand on Kira's chest, channeling some of his ki through their bond. He wasn't a healer but their connection would offset his lack.
Wren knelt beside them. "Graydon—"
"We're not turning back," Graydon responded, already anticipating what Wren planned to say. "She wouldn't want that."
If there was one thing his coli was, it was stubborn. She'd be furious if she woke up to find herself planetside.
Wren touched one of the faded outlines of her runes. "This is dangerous."
"My decision is final." Graydon lifted Kira into his arms and rose.
"Of course, we're not turning back," Raider argued, his face holding confusion and worry. "Kira would kill you. So would I for that matter."
Finn stood by Aeron's side, one hand on the general's shoulder to hold him in place and make sure he didn't escape. There was anxiety and concern in the oshota's face as he watched Kira, the desire to attend to his sword warring with his duties to secure her interests. In this case, making sure their prisoner didn't try to go anywhere while they were all distracted.
"She's fading, isn't she?" Aeron said out of nowhere.
Every Tuann in the room stiffened before eyeing the general with hostility.
"What is he talking about?" Raider's gaze moved from Wren to Graydon and finally to Finn. "Someone explain to the poor, dumb human in the room."
Aeron's lips quirked in a humorless smile. "It's a sign of extreme grief."
Graydon raised his head at the vague note of knowing in Aeron's voice. As if the general had experience with this phenomenon.
"Why would she be grieving? There's no reason for that. Everyone is still alive," Raider said with an edge in his voice, looking like he'd explode if anyone tried to correct him.
"Jin isn't elsewhere on the ship, is he?" Aeron asked, acting like he hadn't heard. "The Tsavitee have him."
Raider pointed at him. "Shut your mouth. You don't know what you're talking about."
"She's connected to the soul bound in some way. That's why he's different from the rest. She's sustaining him and without him here to complete the bond, she's dying."
There was a crack. Aeron slumped to the floor unconscious as Raider stared in confusion.
"Thank you," Graydon told Finn.
The oshota gave him a firm nod. "He talked too much."
"He's wrong though, right?" Raider pressed. "Elena and Jin aren't dead. There's no reason for Kira to fade or whatever."
The silence that answered filled Raider's face with desperation.
"They're all fine, right?" he asked again, emotion thickening his voice.
Wren moved to comfort Raider. "I'm sure they are."
"Then why?" Raider asked, his gaze following Graydon as he stalked to the door.
His coli needed rest in a place where she could heal. Not to stand around while her secrets were spilled without her consent.
"Her body is acting like they are," Wren said as Graydon stepped into the corridor.
Raider glared at the seon'yer he shared with Kira. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"That if we don't find Elena and Jin before too long, they won't be the only ones we lose."
