Kira had written a book full of tactics exactly like this one.
What she had a problem with was when they pushed beyond the set boundaries. When they ignored common sense and common decency in their pursuit of progress at all costs.
She'd seen too many victims strewn on that path. Been the victim one too many times to somebody else's ambition. It hurt to see Blue espousing those same ideals.
"It's easy for you to say that," Blue accused. "You're not the one who is going to be on the front lines of the next war. You've made that quite clear."
Kira ignored the lance of pain Blue's words caused. "So now I'm the villain. Because I won't give you what you want?"
Blue's gaze dropped, but not before Kira caught the flash of defiance.
"Tell me, Friend." The last word held a vicious bite. "How many wars must I fight for you? How many friends do I have to lose before you consider it enough?"
Blue didn't answer. An angry scoff escaped Kira as she rubbed her forehead.
"I can guess your reason for being here, but why Raider?"
Blue's jaw worked. "You're smart. I'm sure you can figure it out if you try. You always were good at knowing a person's motivations."
There was bitterness in her words.
Kira looked out at the ocean. "The adva ka."
Blue lifted a shoulder.
"You think if a human passes the adva ka, it'll open doors that are currently closed to you."
It was an elegant solution to a complicated problem. If humans demonstrated the discipline and tenacity it took to overcome one of the Tuann's most difficult rites, it would lend them credibility they currently lacked.
Kira suspected this brainchild came courtesy of Himoto or Jace. It had their fingerprints all over it. Both men would prefer a solution that worked within the confines of Tuann society. Use their own culture against them, and not even they could deny a human's place beside them.
Raider was the most logical choice. Physically, he was among the top five percent of humans, and his history with Kira would mean he had an advantage where another wouldn't.
Kira focused on Blue, her voice hard. "The Tuann told you the world gate was off-limits. I expect you to listen."
Blue tapped her fingers against her knee. "It's been a long time since you were my captain. I no longer have to follow your orders. You abandoned us."
"Ah, there it is. I was wondering when this would come."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Blue asked.
"It's your MO. When denied the newest shiny thing, you go on the attack. You did it in Atlas. You're doing it now."
Blue scoffed. "That's rich coming from you. The moment you face the tiniest bit of pain, you take off."
The peace Kira had managed to obtain lying on the roof popped like ephemeral soap bubbles. Pleasant while they lasted but gone all too soon.
"I needed you after Rothchild," Blue confessed. "We all did. We were family, and you left us. Jace told me you were in a coma for several years, but we both know you walked away long before that. You were going to do it again if Himoto hadn't hung up on you."
Kira stilled. She hadn't realized Blue knew about that.
"Jace told me," Blue confessed. "He thought I should know."
"He doesn't want you getting attached." Kira's chest tightened at the betrayal and hurt in Blue's face. She hated knowing she was the one who put it there. It reminded her of the first time she'd met Blue, hiding in a dumpster, a stuffed bear clutched to her chest, more feral than human. Everyone Blue knew had been long dead, and she'd spent weeks surviving in a city overrun with Tsavitee.
Blue wasn't the only civilian Kira had saved that trip, but she was the only one who'd stuck like a burr to Kira's side and refused to let go.
"I understand why you left," Blue said, calm again. "I never blamed you for it. You needed to heal, and it was impossible to do that with constant reminders of them."
Kira's mouth tightened. Blue was half right. She had needed time and space. Something in critically short supply during a war. The flow of battle didn't always leave you able to take time to heal your psyche. Sometimes you had to push through even when you were broken. Even when a large part of you wanted to lay down and not get up for the next few decades.
She'd left the Curs, but she hadn't left the war.
That had to sting for those she'd been closest to. People like Blue. And Raider.
"What else did Jace tell you?" Kira asked, her attention fixed on the ocean.
Blue paused. "That you're not coming home after this."
That meant he hadn't told her about the possibility of a mole in the highest echelons of the military and government, or the fact that the mole was likely responsible for everything that had happened on Rothchild.
Kira didn't know whether to be happy or disappointed he'd chosen to keep secrets from the people he trusted most.
She hadn't wanted that for any of them.
"You could, you know," Blue said, her expression earnest. "Come back. I think even Raider would be happy to have you in the Curs again."
That surprised a laugh out of Kira. "You haven't changed. You always see the good side of people."
"That's not a bad thing," Blue pointed out.
Kira's gaze was soft as she clasped Blue's shoulder. "You're right. The universe needs more of that. Not less."
"I find myself in agreement," Silas said from behind them.
Blue started as Kira glanced back, unsurprised to find him there. She’d sensed him a while ago, and she'd been waiting to see how long he'd wait before announcing his presence.
Silas's expression was wise as he took in the view. "This is a favorite spot for many in Roake. Perfect for ocean watching. It's good to see you have things in common with us, fight it though you must."
Kira watched him carefully, unsurprised at the news. He was right; the spot was perfect, the towers providing a windbreak and the height allowing you to see for miles. Sitting here, it was easy to imagine yourself far from the clamor of people, all while never stepping foot from the safety of the fortress.
Silas looked at them. "I’m here to inform you there will be a class this afternoon."
Blue perked up, the intense conversation already forgotten as she found something new to focus on. "Tactics and battle strategy, right?"
Silas inclined his head.
Blue faced Kira. "I guess they finally deemed us ready for more than running around a forest while getting our asses handed to us by their damn drones."
"You need to be there. I don't care what it takes," Jin crooned. "I'm going to do so much information gathering."
Kira rose, dusting off her hands and pants. Even if Jin hadn't chimed in, she probably would have gone anyway.
Blue's startled gaze followed her. "Where are you going?"
"Class."
"But—" Blue scrambled after Kira as she headed toward Silas.
"You're here to learn as part of a joint training operation, aren't you?" Kira sent the other woman a significant look. "You can't exactly do that sitting on a rooftop."
Besides, Kira had a feeling if they stayed, the conversation would deteriorate again. Blue had a lot of pent up feelings surrounding what she saw as Kira's abandonment, and Kira couldn't explain why she'd acted the way she did.