He snorted. "I'm not the one who always gets caught."
She shot him a dirty look. He might have had a point, but she didn't have to like it.
"What's that?" Jin asked.
She looked out the viewing screen taking up the entire wall, creating the impression of nothing between her and open space, not even the slim reassurance of triple plated, ballistic glass.
"What?"
Jin emitted a low sound and the viewer zoomed in on a spikey shaped sphere.
"It looks like a porcupine," Kira said. Or an ancient naval mine from humanity's distant past.
"There are hundreds of them," Jin said in fascination.
She stiffened, as she became aware they were no longer alone on the observation deck.
"It's the defense net," Amila said, moving closer and breaking the bubble of space she and Baran normally afforded Kira. “It’ll prevent any unapproved ships from approaching the planet.”
Kira frowned as she turned her attention to the mine. She’d never seen anything like it. She would have liked to get closer, maybe run tests on it, see what it could do.
"It is nearly time to disembark," Amila politely informed her. "We've been asked to report to the shuttles."
Sounded good to Kira. Whatever it took to get this over and done with.
"Where's Baran?" Kira asked, noticing her second shadow was nowhere present. While Amila and he took turns following her around, she had assumed both would be present for this transfer.
"He's been given another task," Amila said.
Finally. One person watching over her would be a lot easier to shake than two.
Kira and Jin followed Amila as she led them to the shuttle bay which was filled with several small spacecraft. Kira took a moment to admire the many shapes and sizes, noting their differences and wishing she had the chance to fly some of them.
Amila led them to a midsized surface-to-space shuttle. Inside, a dark wood accented the pilot seats, each one slightly different from the next. Graydon and the rest of his oshota waited inside.
Kira looked around, noting the lack of any humans. "Where are the Curs?"
Graydon’s smile was dangerous, the light in his eyes taunting. "They’re taking a different shuttle."
Kira narrowed her eyes. That was not the answer she wanted.
His smile broadened as he sent her a look inviting her to do her worst. He'd better watch out. She might take him up on his offer.
She made a show of looking around. "There seems to be plenty of room on this ship. Inviting them on board would certainly ease my mind."
His smile widened into a wicked grin. "I didn’t think you were so easily unsettled. Perhaps a pacifier might calm your nerves."
Jin made a choking sound next to her at the insinuation she was acting like a baby.
Kira didn't react, her face remaining emotionless as an icy smile formed. It was on. "Perhaps it's not me who needs a security blanket. Are you afraid the extra weight will affect our re-entry?"
One of Graydon's guards smothered a laugh at the insult.
"Not at all. I thought to spare your delicate sensibilities, given your upbringing among the frail humans," he returned easily.
Frail her ass. She'd like to see him break atmo in a wave runner suit with the remains of a dying ship coming down around him while Tsavitee artillery fire targeted him from the planet's surface. They'd see who was frail then.
Her smile became sugary sweet. Jin muttered a curse next to her. "Well, aren't you thoughtful? Too bad you're as dumb as a rock. I suppose intelligence isn't really required of a man in your position."
"Oh god," Jin said, feeling in his voice.
Graydon's expression turned deadly. Before he could say anything, a small form burst onto the shuttle. Ziva wrapped herself around Kira's waist.
"You're here. I've been waiting for days to see you again," Ziva said, tilting her head to look at Kira.
Her expression was cute and designed to pull on a person's heartstrings. Kira couldn't tell if it was a façade or if she was doing it unintentionally.
Joule followed at a more sedate pace, his young face much too mature for his years. His half-bow surprised Kira. He hadn't been nearly as polite by the end of their previous encounter.
"Lady, I hope you are well," he said formally. He was a miniature adult, precious in his solemnity.
Kira fought against showing any amusement, knowing he'd probably see it as an insult.
"The same to you," Kira managed.
Graydon and the rest of his guards watched the interaction with interest, something the boy seemed to realize.
"Would you consider sitting with Ziva and me for the journey?" he asked.
Kira gave him a small nod of agreement.
He pulled his sister away and together they found a seat next to one of the starboard side windows.
Graydon stepped up beside Kira. "The two of them are in a difficult position. It's likely he will ask for your help."
"How so?" She had little to give. She wasn't even in control of her own destiny at the moment.
"Their former House owes allegiance to your House. Having your esteem may strengthen the position of what remains of their House," Graydon said.
Kira tilted her head as she studied Graydon. It sounded an awful lot like he was trying to persuade her.
"Why do you care about this?" she asked, studying him. This meant something to him, but she couldn't tell what.
"Let's just say I was in their position once. Having an ally as powerful as you might become would have been a comfort," he said, not looking at her.
She snorted. "I have a hard time imagining that."
Graydon exuded control and confidence. He gave the impression of being in command of every situation. It was hard to believe there was ever a time when he'd been powerless.
His eyes cut to her, solemn and serious. "I was not always as I am now. Once, my situation was even more precarious than theirs. I was lucky to find a benefactor to take me in and train me. He brought me to the attention of the emperor, which eventually led to my current position. It could very easily have gone the other way. I would not see the children harmed, but our society prevents me from directly interfering."
Kira could understand what he was saying. When you're weak and powerless, you'll do anything to escape, even if it means endless hours of training so intense your body gives out by the end. Even if it means leaving little pieces of yourself behind.
She looked at the children through new eyes, the direness of their predicament finally registering on her. Liont glanced at her from where he was helping them get situated.
He was the head of the children's honor guard. Until now, she hadn't seen the near desperation on his or his companions’ faces. They looked like soldiers about to be sent on a suicide mission. Grim and resigned. They'd do their duty even at considerable cost to themselves.
Graydon saw where she was looking. "The best outcome they can hope for is for Luatha to absorb their entire House. Even then, they will be reduced in standing and rank, while the rest of Luatha looks on them with pity or derision.”
"Unless Joule can prove himself worthy of the title of lord of his House in the trials," Kira said slowly, putting together all the pieces.