"It's complicated," she finally settled on saying.
"Whatever the case, we'll see about getting you home as soon as possible."
"I appreciate that."
Jace gestured at a pair of his subordinates, a man and a woman. "Please see that Sergeant Lockhart is shown to a set of temporary quarters in the meantime."
The pair voiced their acknowledgment of the order. The man stepped forward. "This way, if you please."
His gaze met Kira's over Brie's head for a brief second before he turned to lead the way. His partner lingered, ensuring that Kira saw her fingers form the sign for "you are not alone" before following.
Kira watched them go, wondering if Selene knew what her kids were up to.
Probably not. She doubted her sister would be okay with the two oldest placing themselves directly in the thick of things.
"Something wrong?" Jace asked, noticing where Kira's attention had wandered.
"Of course not. Just admiring your subordinates' professionalism," Kira said smoothly. "Hopefully that means they won't space all your undergarments this time."
"Weren't you the one who convinced them to do that?"
Kira allowed herself a smug smirk. Of course, she was.
"Those two are new. They were just reassigned to my command ten days ago." Jace glanced at Odin's hooded figure before leveling a meaningful look on Kira. "But that's not what you're here to talk about."
Kira was silent, looking between him and Raider in question.
"He knows,” Raider warned.
"What does he know?"
"Everything you're currently worried about."
Kira gave him a disbelieving stare. "You are absolute shit at keeping secrets."
"It was either come clean or let you face an invasion alone. He planned to court martial me and throw me in the brig if I didn't."
Kira waved her hands at Graydon and Wren's oshota. "That's why they're here. They would have gotten you out of it."
Raider and Jace sent Kira identical repressive looks.
"Alright, alright, I know," she said, giving in. "That's going a little far."
Jace was their friend. Having the Tuann break Raider out of the brig wasn't really fair. And would have permanently blown up Raider's career. Not to mention put a black spot on Jace’s at a time where he couldn’t afford to look weak.
"I think I've earned a little trust from you," Jace said softly.
There was a faint note in his voice that said her actions had hurt him. Kira tried not to feel too bad. What she'd done had been necessary. She'd always believe that.
"You know the value of operational security. Some things—they only work if as few people as possible know about them," Kira pointed out.
Anger touched his face. "You don't get to lecture me on the meaning of Top Secret. Even if I wasn't fully aware of how important this is, Raider and Blue are under my command. You had my own people deceive me. Do you not understand how bad that is? Be grateful for our history, Phoenix. It's the only reason I'm giving you a chance right now."
Jace stalked off, leaving them looking after him in silence.
"That could have gone better,” Raider noted.
Kira glared at him, still a little angry that he’d spilled her secrets.
