"Is that relevant?"
"Not really."
Whatever the story was, it didn't seem like Lathan wanted to share. Kira's gaze dropped to the lenacht curled around his neck. Its wings fluttered at her attention. "Aren't you supposed to be finding this little one a home?"
"Lenacht roam until they find a place suitable for their needs. That could take decades. A century or more in some cases."
"I see," Kira said, staring at the lenacht.
It wasn't lost on her that she felt significantly better. Its very presence doing the same thing her garden oasis had. Offering her respite and healing simply by existing.
No wonder the Tsavitee's masters had wanted to get their hands on one. They were a valuable panacea that the masters would wish to exploit for their own purposes.
There was a clatter from under one of the consoles.
Kira and Lathan looked over to find the J1N caught underneath, struggling to find its way out despite the opening right next to him.
"Are you sure he's okay?" Lathan asked.
"Internal glitches. Nothing to worry about."
Lathan didn't look like he believed that lie as Kira fished the J1N out from under the console, tossing him into the air.
The J1N dropped, almost hitting the ground before his anti gravs caught him.
"Ah, good. You've introduced yourselves to one another already," Pallas said, striding into the room. "That saves us time."
An incomprehensible series of squawks, bleats, and oddly the grinding of gears, issued from the J1N a second before a shrill alarm started.
"Enemy detected. Kill on sight authorized."
The J1N's primary weapons whined as they charged in preparation to fire.
Pallas gave the drone an incredulous look. "Is he seriously targeting me?"
Kira lunged out of her chair. "Don't you dare. J1N, abort. Abort now! Authorization not granted!"
The siren's wail almost drowned out Kira's words.
"Do not hurt him, Pallas," Kira shouted just as the J1N fired its primary laser.
Pallas thrust a hand forward, a sheet of black ki blocking the laser in midair. A bang shook the room.
Kira snatched the J1N out of the air, maintaining her grip on it despite its struggles as she backed away.
Fury tightened Pallas's features as he reached slowly for the sword on his back.
"I wouldn't," Graydon said, holding his en-blade to Pallas's neck. "It would be a shame if I had to kill you right after the agreement your siblings and I just made."
Pallas went still. "You wouldn't dare."
"Threaten Kira or the drone again and you'll find out."
"Without me or this ship, you'll be stuck on this planet. You won't be able to go anywhere."
Graydon didn't seem concerned. "I'm sure we'll figure something out."
Pallas bared his teeth but dropped his hand from the hilt of his sword.
