Jace regarded the J1N over the rim of his glass. "Its level of mimicry is simply amazing. Is that the work of that criminal you told us was dead?"
Kira cast a narrow eyed glare at Raider.
"Don't blame him, I figured out your friend's identity on my own," Jace said with a humorless smile. "Why did you tell Himoto and I they were dead?"
"Oops, I must have gotten it wrong all those years ago," Kira said flatly.
"I'm going to leave aside the fact you lied about that criminal. An action that predates Rothchild and your suspicion of a traitor in our ranks by several years to focus on what's really important." Jace put his drink down on the makeshift crate that was acting as an end table and leaned forward. "What's the plan, here, Phoenix? Do you have any idea how you're going to do this thing you're talking about? Because I asked Raider and he's a little vague on details."
"I have an inkling," Kira said, grudgingly.
A vague one at that.
Establishing the Tsavitee home world location was simply step one. It was what came after that was truly important.
That part she was still working on.
Jace groaned. "You two can't really expect me to authorize this."
"Why not? Himoto did it all the time."
Raider nodded, looking over at her. "Remember Idra? I so thought we were dead on that one."
Jace cut their trip down memory lane off with a sharp gesture. "Don't even think about it. I'm not sending my people on a suicide mission without a clear plan."
Kira gave him a sidelong look. "Does that mean you're planning on helping us?"
Jace looked away from her, tugging his ear in a gesture that usually meant he was feeling guilty about something. "It seems the Consortium have finally got their heads out of their collective asses. I've been ordered to dispatch my fleet to form a barricade around our core planets in an effort to protect them from the coming war."
Kira's snort held disgust. "You know that's a mistake."
The Consortium couldn't win with a defensive mindset. They needed to strike hard and fast. Sitting around and letting the enemy come to them would just result in massive casualties again.
"Protecting the idiots who put us in this position is a fool's errand," Raider said.
"I swore an oath," Jace said defensively. "Like it or not, I answer to Centcom. It is my duty and responsibility to follow their orders."
"Not me." Raider shook his head. "I'm not doing it. I'll resign my commission. I don't care what you do, but I'm going after Elise and Elena. Try and stop me."
Knowing he wasn't going to be able to get through to Raider, Jace switched his target to Kira. "Give me something. Do you have a location or plan?"
Kira flicked a glance at Raider, her jaw flexing as she gave a faint shake of her head. "No."
Jace picked up his drink and drained it. "Then you leave me no choice. Unless you have something concrete, the battle group flies out according to Centcom's wishes in eight hours." His gaze swung to Raider. "And you with it. Even if that means arresting you and placing you in the brig."
Twenty Four
Jace and Raider glared at each other. Neither willing to concede. If she left things as they were, Raider might get himself thrown into lock-up sooner rather than later.
"I guess I can't expect more than that," Kira said, breaking the tension.
"Kira!"
"He's got a point." Kira sent Raider a look, asking him to trust her. "We don't have a plan. Yet."
They were asking a lot of Jace. She could see why he wanted certain assurances before he threw his life and career away.
Unlike Raider, he didn't have a daughter or lover in danger. The only thing compelling him to help was his loyalty to them.
