Sariah’s gaze snapped back toward him.“When you’re back where you belong, you will be put into remedial training until you get that mouth of yours under control.”
The look Dylan directed at Sariah made the hair on Kira’s arms stand up.She had a feeling if Sariah and he were ever in the same room that Sariah might not be exiting it in one piece.
Jin met her gaze with unflinching calm.“Scarier people than you have tried.”
Sariah turned her glare on Graydon.“Surrender.You’re outmatched and surrounded.”
“I don’t think it’s us who are surrounded,” Jin drawled.
On screen, the mystery ships flanked the rebels.
Kira squinted as a ship was magnified so they could see details.“What am I looking at?”
“An unholy union that the Tuann are likely to view as the worst bastardization of their technology ever.”Jin leaned forward in his chair, his face alive with glee.“Remember the ships Luatha gave Centcom?These are them.After Jace and his scientists frankensteined them together with some of the fleet’s decommissioned rigs.”
“They’re so ugly,” Kira whispered.
It was impressive given what Luatha gave him to start with.
“They work and that’s all that matters,” Jace said, his calm face appearing on the hologram.
A young man was at his back.Aeron had undergone a haircut to look more soldier-like since the last time Kira had seen him.Dressed in one of the Space Force’s uniforms, he could have been any other human serving in the fleet.And not the general he actually was.
That was likely Jace’s intent.Otherwise, Centcom would have taken custody of Aeron and subjected him to horrors even the Tsavitee would be proud of.
Jace focused on Sariah.“You’re in violation of Consortium territory and the treaty you signed with our people.I’ll ask you once to leave.Refuse and you will be destroyed.”
Jin clapped.“Nowthatis how you deliver a threat.”
“You hold no authority over this situation,” Sariah stated.“This is an internal matter pertaining to our empire.There are criminals on that ship.We’re here to apprehend them.”
“What criminals?”Jace asked.
“Graydon, formerly the emperor’s Face, and Roake’s heir.I believe she is called Kira Forrest by your people.”
Jace’s expression was stony as he considered Sariah.
This would put him in a difficult position.Although Sariah and her fleet had trespassed on their territory, they hadn’t harmed any humans.Even the threat they made against Titan could be poo pooed away as an attempt to get Graydon and his people to surrender.
“What is it that you say they’ve done?”Jace asked.
“They’ve kidnapped the emperor’s son.”
Jace showed the faintest hint of confusion.
Jin waved.“She means me, Jace.”
Jace’s expression cracked slightly.“I’m familiar with the person in question.I can assure you he isn’t there under duress.”
Jin nodded and folded his arms.“He’s right.I’m not.”
“He’s in my custody.Your argument holds no merit,” Graydon rumbled.
“You’ve been removed from your position,” Sariah snapped.
Considering he’d spoken to the emperor not long ago, Graydon showed admirable restraint in his reaction, limiting himself to one arched eyebrow.“As we’ve been over before, you do not hold the authority to remove me as the emperor’s proxy.”
“I don’t.But they do.”
