And she cracked wide open, Jace realized.
Her self-control is fragile at best, Gehenna interrupted.
That is not a scientific description, the Osiris responded tartly.
No, but Jace understands exactly what I mean! Gehenna retorted.
Guys, guys, now is not the time to be fighting. I need a clear head and both of your inputs, Jace reminded them.
His gaze slid to Khoth. The Thaf’ell Commander was staring down at the table. A muscle in his jaw was working. There was also a prominent vein in his right temple.
God, this is bad, Jace thought. He’s really in pain and I don’t know how to fix this.
I don’t think there is a way for you to fix this, Jace, Gehenna told him softly. High Councillor Voor made terrible choices.
Probably because she felt those were her only options, Jace said and grimaced.
“Well? I’m waiting to hear how you will force me to come to the Osiris for judgment,” Nova stated and spread her arms.
“You’re hoping that I’ll do something like threaten to turn off the Ashaton’s life support or something like that so we’ll be equal,” Jace responded dryly.
“I was aiming at an empty spot of desert. It’s hardly comparable,” she answered.
“Yeah, before you took that second shot at the innocent civilians,” Jace reminded her.
“We’ll never know if I would have followed through. I could have been bluffing,” Nova answered coolly.
“You don’t bluff,” he stated firmly.
He was certain that she would have harmed some of the people in Sunrise to get him to turn over the Osiris. If she hadn’t lost control she likely could have claimed that she was following the Rule of Duuskukeh. Maybe she still could. After all, what were a few dead humans compared to the might and possibilities of the Osiris?
Threatening to turn off the life support would be the most effective and efficient method to have her come here, the Osiris stated.
You’re way too eager to shut down life support and eject them all into space, Osiris, Jace told the AI.
Jace wouldn’t do that! So it would be an empty threat, which would make Jace look weak! Gehenna pointed out.
At the present time, we do not have sufficient personnel to board the Ashaton and retrieve her, the Osiris stated.
And I can’t use the human military to do this, Jace added. We’re a neutral-ish third-party.
There was a dragging sound as Khoth pushed his chair back and stood up. “I will go get her.”
“You will be shot on sight if you board the Ashaton,” Nova said, the skin around her eyes tightening and her heart rate accelerating to show that this possibility was unpleasant to her. “You are a traitor to the Alliance and you would be attempting to kidnap the High Councillor.”
“I wonder if your crew would see it the same way, High Councillor Voor,” Khoth’s voice was icy, which had Jace’s head jerking towards him.
Not “Mother” any longer. Oh, boy, Jace thought.
The Thaf’ell Commander--no, my Commander--stood rigidly. His blue on blue eyes were narrowed. He did not look like he regretted having to threaten his mother in this way. In fact, if Jace were to guess, the emotions he was feeling were anger and disgust. It was so rare for Khoth to allow his emotions to show so plainly that Jace was torn between wanting to reach towards his Commander to comfort him or take a step back to get out of his way.
You are correct in your assessment, the Osiris stated. Based upon the personality profile I have compiled on Commander Khoth, his mother’s actions are in direct conflict with his own internal structure.
Personality profile… of course you’ve constructed one. Jace resisted the urge to squeeze the top of his nose like he used to when a headache was coming on.
Of course, the Osiris answered, either not understanding or ignoring his tone.
“The Commander will not go alone!” Gehenna raised one metal fist into the air. “I shall accompany him.”
