Rules of Redemption

by T. A. White

  She tapped the table as she thought.

  "What is it you're hoping to get out of this?" Kira asked quietly.

  Jace and Himoto exchanged a glance.

  Himoto leaned forward, the lines of his face serious. "The Tuann have some of the most advanced ships of any race. With them, they've held their border since before humanity had flight. We want those ships."

  Was that all? He should have asked for planet building technology while he was at it.

  "Last I checked, your treaty with the Haldeel meant they would protect you should the Tsavitee attack again," Kira said. The Haldeel would be as advanced.

  "Centcom and the government are no longer content to rely on others for our safety. We want the means to protect ourselves," Jace said. "Our own fleet of Tuann ships will be instrumental in our defense. It could advance our technology by fifty years."

  To say nothing of no longer having to accede to the demands of the other races.

  "Even with those ships, it'll take you years to reverse engineer them." If they even could. They hadn't had a lot of success with the Tsavitee tech the salvagers brought in.

  "It'll give us a chance," Himoto said.

  "And me?"

  Getting the ships for Centcom was all well and good, but Kira would be stuck in the gray area of the treaty. She didn't want to agree only to be told, “Thanks but we need you to stay put and play by someone else's rules.”

  "We can't help you break the treaty." Himoto clasped his hands on the table in front of him.

  They sure expected a lot from her when they had nothing to give in return.

  Himoto fixed his stern gaze on Kira. "But I have faith you'll figure something out. Get them to give up their claim to you and your problems will be solved."

  Kira's expression could have scorched metal. It was so nice they were leaving everything up to her. She should have known better than to hope for anything different.

  Himoto stood, his smile slightly wistful. "Good luck, Kira-chan. I'm so glad circumstances arranged to bring us together again."

  She bet he did. It sounded like her success meant he was going to get everything he ever wanted.

  Jace's face was serious as he waited for Himoto to leave. "Himoto has always had more faith in you than you deserve. Try not to screw this up."

  Kira didn't say anything as Jace left the room.

  "It seems he’s still mad at you," Jin observed.

  Kira sighed and pushed herself back in the seat. She rubbed her face, the emotional toll of the unexpected reunions finally sinking in.

  "It's not like he doesn't have a reason." She stared out at the stars, her gaze distant and unseeing.

  Once, she'd counted both men as her friends, the family she'd never had. That was a long time ago, and last-minute regrets wouldn't reverse time.

  Jin didn't argue, his presence comforting as she considered her options. "What do you want to do?"

  That was the question. She could continue as she had been, ignoring the rest of the galaxy as she healed and lived her life, or she could do her duty, take up the mantle she'd been saddled with, and figure out a way forward.

  "We're going to give them what they want," Kira said.

  There was really no question. If the Tsavitee were truly back, humans were going to need every advantage at their disposal.

  There was also Odin's message. It looked like she'd have the opportunity to get what he needed after all.

  "And if the same thing happens again?" Jin asked.

  Kira was silent. She looked up at him. "Then we take more permanent action."

  *

  Kira's steps echoed oddly in the corridor, the two guards the Tuann had left her with almost silent as they guided her to the Tuann's ship. It required much less travel than it had taken to get from hers since it was docked in one of the premium sections.

  The station assigned berths based on how much a captain was willing to pay and how powerful those on board were. For someone like her who chose the economy section, it meant cramped shipping lanes and sliding into a narrow berth with a dozen other vessels crammed in next to you. It also meant being further away from everything and having to take sliding walks or trams to get to the more populated parts of the station.

  Had Kira been parked in one of the nicer sections she probably could have made it away from the station in plenty of time before being caught. Instead, she'd elected to pinch pennies and wound up in a situation out of her control. There was a moral in there somewhere.

  The Tuann, whether due to political preference or a willingness to pay the high docking fees, had a prime spot with the additional benefit of restricting access to all but their own people and select station personnel.

  Instead of dodging cargo pallets and a swarm of dock workers, the platform leading to their ship was almost deserted, the only people in sight their own.

  Someone had made an effort to make the space welcoming, placing artwork on the walls and rugs on the floors. The corridors lacked the sterile coldness of the economy docks.

  The trouble someone had gone to in an effort to make this level luxurious seemed lost on the Tuann guards accompanying Kira. The two who had shadowed her through the station had introduced themselves as Baran and Amila once she exited the conference room. They'd been a silent presence ever since.

  Kira didn't know if it was their previous encounter or their normal way of operating, but neither was willing to let her stray more than two feet from them. Their intensity had ramped up the moment they walked onto a crowded lift, Amila placing one hand on her shoulder, as Baran took up position in front of them.

  When it came to time to exit, he'd cleared the way for them, his intimidating presence sending the shorter humans scurrying out of his way.

  Kira didn't say anything about any of this, though she wanted to. Dearly. Instead, she refrained from testing their limits, hoping they would see her as harmless and loosen up their vigilance.

  She didn't hold out much hope for that considering her antics on the hovercraft. It's hard to convince someone you're less than you are when they've seen proof of exactly what you're capable of. Still, making things difficult now would mean they watched her more closely later.

  The ship came into view, resting gently on the platform. It was a thing of beauty against the backdrop of the interior dock of the space station. None of the other ships docked on the platforms near them came close to comparing.

  It looked sleek and fast, its lines fluid and full of curves. Unlike the blocky shapes of human craft, this was a graceful bird, ready and poised to take flight. Its metal shimmered as if a thousand lights were locked inside its body, almost lifelike as it reacted to the environment around it.

  Despite its small size, Kira caught sight of unobtrusive protrusions she guessed were its weapons system. It looked like it was loaded for anything. She could see why Himoto and Centcom wanted to get their hands on one of these.

  Beyond being a beautiful craft, it looked more maneuverable than anything the Consortium had in its fleet; their warships resembled large barges, easily targeted in battle. This was different, smaller than a human vessel but infinitely more flexible.

  Graydon stood near the ship’s ramp talking with one of the men who'd come to the rescue of the children, his guards arrayed around him defensively.

  Both men looked over as Kira and the others approached. Graydon’s expression was one of forced patience as the other man jerked his chin down in a respectful nod.

  "You brought her. Good.” Graydon’s gaze dropped to Kira’s empty hands. “Where are her things?"

  Kira didn't know why he bothered sticking to standard since he seemed content to talk over her like she wasn't there.

  "She didn't want to return to her ship," Baran said, sounding no happier about it than he had the first time she'd said it.

  The argument over her refusal to allow them access to her ship had been short but intense. Neither were able to believe there was nothing she wished to bring wi
th her.

  Graydon's focus shifted to Kira. "You will not be able to come back."

  Kira stared at him, her expression unchanging.

  He shook his head. "Suit yourself. Your House will no doubt be happier for it. They'll supply you with everything you need."

  Kira didn't respond to that, despite disliking the insinuation these people related to her would want to wipe any trace of human influence from her life. She was sure they'd change their mind once they got to know her. She was told she was one of the most stubborn, hardheaded people anyone had ever met.

  Graydon tilted his head, all the while watching her carefully. "The machine will need to stay."

  "Jin goes where I go," Kira said flatly.

  The corners of his lips tilted up as if she'd confirmed something for him. Kira wanted to kick herself for responding, knowing he was testing her, seeing how far he could push before she'd react. He was learning her limits. Not necessarily a bad thing, until those very same limits were used against you to force your compliance.

  She'd exposed a weakness. A big one. She couldn't trust these people wouldn't take advantage of that.

  The other man shifted, making his presence felt. He was familiar, one of the men on the platform when they'd rescued the kids. "I have to thank you for saving the children. Our House is indebted to you. Please, if there's ever anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."

  Kira didn't know what to say to that. Somehow her actions with the children seemed so long ago. So much had happened since then, her entire life upturned and reordered. Her very species changed.

  Time was passing, each second containing the possibility the man would turn hostile when she didn't give him an appropriate response.

  "You don't owe me anything," she finally said.

  The man's eyes lightened and he dipped his head again.

  The stomp of boots distracted them from their conversation. Graydon's guard slammed up as he looked over Kira's shoulder.

  She turned to see what had attracted his attention and stiffened as several humans dressed in the uniform of the space force marched down the corridor.

  Clad in dark gray pants and a black top, they moved with military precision, the thud of their boots reverberating in the hall.

  Jace led them, his gaze focused on Kira and Graydon. His expression was hard to read as he angled toward them.

  Graydon let out a muttered oath before he straightened, his face once again an implacable mask as he watched their approach.

  Jace stopped before them. "Lord Graydon, I want to once again extend our thanks for letting us see Kira to her new home."

  Kira fought the urge to roll her eyes at that. Jace had grown into an accomplished liar during her absence.

  Her gaze wandered to the rest of those with him. Six in all.

  She idly noted the star emblazoned over the left side of their chest. Five intersecting lines of various lengths meant to represent a star. Its presence told her these people worked directly under Centcom's command. They had no alliance to any but Centcom.

  If they'd been a detachment from one of the colonies, they would have carried its symbol in the place of the star.

  Jin made a pained sound.

  Kira caught the cause second later. She sucked in a harsh breath at the sight of the patch sewn onto the outer cuff of their right arm. It was in the shape of a dog's paw.

  The Curs.

  Pain lanced through Kira.

  She didn't listen as Graydon and Jace exchanged stilted pleasantries. She was caught up in memories of others wearing that same patch, people she had once known as well as she knew herself. Men and women she would have gladly died for, but who had gone before her.

  Kira barely noticed as Graydon took his leave, leaving Kira and Jace standing alone.

  "Why would you bring them?" Jin asked into the silence. His voice throbbed with the same pain strangling Kira.

  At the sound of it, she drew herself up, taking her emotions and stuffing them deep.

  She'd forgotten Jin would have the same reaction. She hadn't been the only one to suffer loss. The thought stabilized her.

  Jace's body went stiff and alert, his intelligent gaze picking up some of their emotional turbulence.

  "I'm sorry. I forgot you wouldn't have known we reinstated the unit," he said. "Will you be okay?"

  Kira was silent for a long moment. "Yes, it's just strange seeing others wearing that patch."

  Her patch.

  He opened his mouth as a loud exclamation came from the rest.

  "Kira, girl, we thought you dead," Tank said as he lumbered over.

  Tank hadn't been in her squad, but he'd been a wave runner like her. His unit had supported hers a lot and they'd gotten to know each other as acquaintances. His call sign was oddly fitting. Nearly as tall as the Tuann, Tank had legs the size of tree trunks, with arms to match.

  He shouldn't have been as good a hoverboard pilot as he was. She'd seen him fly, and he lived up to his name, plowing through enemies like he was a tank.

  The woman beside him let out a low gasp, her jaw dropping in surprise. "Is that Phoenix and Tin Man?"

  "You know it, Blue," Jin called, sailing over to the woman and circling her once.

  Blue put one hand up and let Jin nudge it, a soft, nostalgic smile on her face.

  Small and wiry, she'd grown up since Kira had last seen her. Back then, she'd been a scrappy kid who went by her given name of Yuki and had more bravery than sense. Now, it seemed she'd earned a place among the Curs.

  Kira was happy for her. She knew being a Cur had been Blue’s dream.

  Her dark black hair was pulled away from her face, the tips dyed a sapphire blue. Her eyes snapped and crackled with vitality as she looked around with her ever-present curiosity.

  The other two faces were entirely new to Kira. They looked at her with wide, impressed eyes.

  She glanced away, uncomfortable with the attention.

  The last man glared at her with a hatred that seared. He was Blue's opposite, moving with a sleek caution where the other woman bounced through life convinced it would conform to her expectations. He had an athlete's build, long and lean, as he stalked past, not pausing to greet her.

  A barely visible scar along his chin from where a Tsavitee had gotten too close taunted her with the past.

  Of those present, Raider was the only other from the original Curs. And he wanted nothing to do with her.

  "And I thought this couldn't get any worse," Jin muttered, seeing him go.

  "It's fine, Jin."

  The last woman present stepped up to Jace.

  He gave her an awkward smile. "Thank you for accompanying us, Grace. I'll let you return to your duties now."

  Grace didn't respond, shooting Kira a seething glare before stepping close and pulling Jace's head to hers. The two shared a long, drawn-out kiss. The seconds ticked by as the rest stared at them.

  Kira shifted, uncomfortable. "Have the rules of fraternization changed since I've been gone?"

  Blue snickered. "Ignore them. Grace is insecure since she knows Knight had a thing for you."

  Kira frowned. “No, he didn’t.”

  Blue rolled her eyes. “It always amazes me how you can be so perceptive, yet blind to the things right in front of you.”

  Kira’s frown didn’t lessen. She found it hard to believe Blue. Kira and Jace had always been friends, close friends, but that was as far as it ever went. There had never been anything remotely romantic on either side.

  Blue dropped the subject and bumped her with her hip. "Nixxy, where have you been?"

  "Don't answer her," Tank said. "She's trying to win the pool."

  Kira blinked.

  "Don't listen to him," Blue said. "It's not just because I’ve got a couple hundred credits riding on you answering correctly. I'm genuinely curious."

  "There's a betting pool?" Jin asked.

  Blue smirked. "Yup. Most of the boardheads think you two are dead. Those who knew you, know bet
ter."

  Blue looked at her expectantly.

  "Here and there," Kira said finally, her throat feeling tight from suppressed emotion.

  Jace saved her from having to say anything further as he untangled himself from his paramour and walked toward them. Grace shot Kira another hostile glare before disappearing down the corridor.

  “Ask where our quarters are and then stow our things,” Jace ordered.

  Blue snapped a salute before bouncing toward the Tuann ship. Tank followed.

  Jace paused next to Kira. "You really going to be all right with this?"

  Kira shook her head. "I don't really have a choice, do I?"

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The trip to Ta Da'an was projected to take over a month. Not exactly ideal for Kira's purposes, but the Tuann were far from the main throughways of space. There were no quick hyperjumps capable of shortening the journey.

  In the meantime, Kira was stuck exploring the vessel her former people so coveted.

  It didn't take long to see why. The Tuann had an impressive ability to turn their ships into walking pieces of art, designed as much around comfort as function. It made sense in a race who had conquered space travel while humanity was still pulling itself out of the muck and the mud.

  There were three observation decks looking out into the darkness of space, each more impressive than the previous. Kira's favorite quickly became the conservatory with a glass ceiling. When the lights were off, it felt like standing planetside after sunset, the starry night sky a familiar and welcome presence above.

  The quarters where she'd been settled were also another example of the Tuann's ability to combine luxury with comfort. They were unlike any other ship quarters she'd ever had. Instead of being small and cramped, she'd been given a suite. A room for entertaining should she wish it—she didn't. Another, with the most comfortable bed she'd ever had and a bathroom bigger than her bunk on the Wanderer.

  Such luxuries would be easy to grow accustomed to—a sentiment Kira resisted. This was temporary, no matter what the Tuann and humans thought. Soon enough she'd be back on her own ship with its small bunk and smaller bathroom.

  Given the size of the rooms, the furnishings built out of real wood, and a closet filled with clothes made from fabrics she'd never seen before, she had to wonder who had been kicked out to make room for her.