Threshold of Annihilation

by T. A. White

  She knew Noor’s death wouldn’t be so easily forgotten.

  Grief was a many-tentacled monster. Just when you thought you’d reached the end, when you’d finally dealt with all its many faces, another tentacle would reach out to wrap you in a suffocating embrace from which escape seemed impossible.

  For now, though, their banter told her Graydon would be okay. It didn’t lessen what had happened, but it made it so he could get through it—at least for now.

  From the direction of the shipping yard, Finn and Raider made their way slowly towards them.

  Neither man had escaped the battle unscathed.

  A burn mark on Raider’s shoulder still oozed blood, and he had a giant bruise on one side of his face. Half of his pant leg had been ripped away.

  Kira found it wrapped around Finn's thigh, staunching the blood from his wound.

  Her oshota had a noticeable limp as he walked toward her, his face a mask of relief.

  "What happened to you two?" Jin asked.

  Finn stopped and glared at Jin unhappily. "Someone got themselves kidnapped and the rest of us had to go rescue them."

  "Who?" Jin asked.

  "You," he growled.

  While the two were arguing, Raider’s gaze landed on Elise’s body. Shock and grief rendered him immobile.

  In the next moment, he collapsed by the fake Elise’s side.

  Kira tapped Graydon's shoulder. "Down."

  He gave her a sidelong look. "If you fall, I won't be happy."

  "I'll keep that in mind," she told him.

  And then she'd promptly forget it, she added silently.

  Grudgingly, Graydon set her on her feet.

  Kira wobbled but caught herself.

  She moved to Raider’s side where he knelt by Elise, touching his shoulder gently. They jerked as he tried to swallow down his sobs.

  Kira crouched beside him. “Raider, it’s not her. It’s not Elise.”

  He met her eyes, his face ravaged by loss and grief. As far as Kira knew, Elise had been the only one Raider had ever loved. Dashed hope was almost worse than having no hope at all.

  “What are you saying?” he asked.

  Conscious of the number of people around them—the emperor in particular—Kira knew she had to phrase this carefully. For now.

  “Think about it—why wouldn’t she care that Elena was on that planet?” Kira asked.

  She saw the struggle in Raider as his desire for this not to be Elise warred with the body before him.

  “She might not have known,” he said.

  “She used House Remie to ambush us. She had to have some dealings with them. Wouldn’t they have told her about the preteen with me? They saw Elena with me on multiple occasions. How could she not have known?” Seeing he was starting to think again, Kira inched closer. “Elena is the answer to years of research. Why would they risk destroying that?”

  The answer was they wouldn’t.

  If the Tsavitee and their masters had any inkling of who Elena was related to, they would have sacrificed even Kira and Jin to obtain her.

  Kira leaned closer, dropping her voice so only he could hear. “She didn’t know the third code.”

  Raw emotion stared at Kira through Raider’s eyes.

  She nodded again. Now he saw it.

  Shouts came from Amila and the rest of the oshota as they closed protectively around Kira and Graydon.

  A ship burst through the membrane of the dock seconds later. It scraped along the tops of the landed ships as it swung wide, its cannons pointing toward them.

  “Auntie, your reinforcements have arrived,” Elena yelled through the ship’s speakers.

  Kira blinked dumbly at the Wanderer, where it hovered menacingly over them. “What is she doing here?”

  Moving quickly, Raider snagged a nearby Tsavitee body, dumping it onto the fake Elise to hide her face.

  Finished, he regarded the ship with a bit of humor. “I’m beginning to be grateful she’s been your responsibility all these years.”

  Kira didn’t have time for a sharp retort as Auralyn and Wren dropped from the belly of the ship. They landed in a crouch; their en-blades drawn.

  Torvald lifted a hand and waved. “Welcome to the party.”

  Seeing him and Graydon, the two momentarily froze before relaxing. They straightened from their crouch at the same time.

  Kira stood and glared at the bridge of the ship. “I thought I told you to stay put.”

  “Um—I thought you could use the help,” Elena said guiltily.

  Kira raised her eyebrows and then swept her gaze over the many dead bodies surrounding her with a pointed look.

  “My bad. I’ll be over here.”

  The Wanderer retreated, landing on the end of the walkway several feet away.

  Kira glared at her seon’yer and Auralyn. "How did she get you two to agree to this?"

  Wren straightened, not deigning to answer before he moved toward Torvald.

  Auralyn’s murderous expression thawed. "She's quite persuasive when she wants to be.”

  Kira scrubbed at her forehead. "She gets that from her mother."

  Reaching Torvald and Graydon, Wren didn’t salute, but judging from the stiff way he carried himself, Kira could tell he wanted to.

  “The forces we had waiting outside the system have arrived along with ships from the Haldeel and the Consortium,” he reported.

  “They’re late,” Torvald grumbled.

  Wren remained composed as he finished relaying his information. “They’ve targeted the Tsavitee warships. The royal’s guards have begun sweeping Almaluk to dispose of the last of their forces.”

  “Tierni’s okay then?” Kira asked.

  Wren’s attention shifted to her. “As far as I know. Several of her guard, including the one you know, took injuries. A few are dead. The humans will face repercussions for this attack.”

  “The Tuann were part of it,” Kira said.

  Graydon shook his head. “House Remie and its allies only attacked you as far as we know.”

  “A case could be made that it was an internal matter among the Tuann,” Torvald said idly.

  From his expression, Kira could tell that was exactly the argument they’d make to the Haldeel, leaving the Consortium out on the ledge by themselves.

  Raider’s hands clenched, his disquiet mirroring Kira’s.

  They didn’t know all that happened, but judging by the androids involvement, Zepher and the faction supporting them likely had a lot to do with the attack.

  As distant as her relationship had become with the Consortium and humans, Kira had no interest in watching them fall.

  Even if there weren’t still some among their ranks she cared about, she felt they were essential for the coming war.

  A war the Tsavitee had just demonstrated they were already preparing for.

  Kira stiffened as Lorcan wandered into the shipping dock.

  “Graydon,” she warned quietly as his oshota let the man pass. “He was with Remie when they attacked us.”

  Hearing her words, Lorcan’s smile widened. “Such a stiff greeting for someone who saved your ass.”

  Kira’s mouth snapped shut as her hands flexed. Reaching for her primus or ki was out, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t do some damage if needed.

  Graydon held a hand in front of her to stop her. “It’s fine. He was acting under our orders.”

  Lorcan made a kissy face at her before sauntering toward Torvald. He slung his arm over the bigger man’s shoulders before turning to say several things into his ear.

  Torvald nodded several times before Lorcan dropped his arm and sauntered off.

  Kira watched it all, feeling a sense of disconnection.

  “He’s a Face,” she said softly.

  A clandestine Face from the looks of things.

  She knew he reminded her of Graydon. She just hadn’t been able to put her finger on why.

  Graydon didn’t confirm or deny, instead changing the subjec
t.

  “Your Himoto volunteered to stay behind and provide cover so we could reach you,” Graydon said after a beat. “The Haldeel will take his sacrifice into account before making any decisions.”

  The somberness in Graydon’s expression told her even if they didn’t, the Tuann would.

  Kira didn’t have to ask how serious the situation had been. Graydon’s expression and the rest already told her.

  She didn’t know how to handle the thought of Himoto in danger. It wasn’t the first time, but a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach told her this time was different.

  “Liara and your rear admiral are with Himoto,” Graydon said. “Your admiral was wounded, but it’s possible he survived.”

  But not probable, Kira knew, reading his tone.

  A feeling of inevitability filled her. She’d always known one of them would go out this way.

  Funny thing—she thought it would be her.

  Kira stared outside the docking membrane, watching the battle rage as reinforcements rushed into the fray. The advantage the Tsavitee had was eliminated as the ships cooperated, working together to turn the tide.

  A Tsavitee cruiser turned, preparing to flee.

  The rest refused to let it. Several split off from the main pack to harry its sides.

  It wasn’t long until they’d dealt critical damage to the ship. Seconds later, unable to defend against the sustained power of the allied ships, the cruiser exploded.

  The surviving allied ships turned their attention to the remaining ship.

  “What now?” Raider asked, joining her and Graydon as they watched the destruction.

  Kira didn’t answer for several long minutes.

  “When I woke up from my coma all those years ago, I could never understand why I couldn’t accept it was over. Now I know.” Kira’s gaze moved to Graydon’s. “It wasn’t over. Everything was simply on hold.”

  The memories of all they’d lost the last time they’d fought a war shadowed his eyes as Raider looked at her with grim resignation.

  “And now they’re back,” he said softly.

  “Yes, they are,” Graydon said grimly.

  His fingers touched hers. She caught his hand and held it tightly.

  As she looked up at him, she caught a promise in his eyes. One thing was different now. She wouldn’t face what was coming on her own.

  She couldn’t even if she wanted to. The Tuann wouldn’t let her.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  “WE’RE READY FOR you now,” the Haldeel attendant informed Kira when she made no attempt to walk into the room.

  “Thank you,” Kira said, backing up the words with a gesture of gratitude.

  Knowing she couldn’t stand out here any longer without drawing attention, Kira steeled herself to enter.

  She stopped as soon as she crossed the threshold, a shuddering breath leaving her at the sight of the still figure lying on the bed.

  The backs of her eyes tingled and her nose stung as she fought the emotions that wanted to rise.

  “You stupid old man,” she whispered.

  Himoto lay unmoving in the bed, his body barely forming a bump in the sheets. Like this, the strength of his charisma and the personality that defined him was gone, leaving behind the shell of who he’d been.

  The fight for Almaluk had been hard fought—both over the planet of Jettie and within the station.

  Thousands had died.

  The planet was the hardest hit, but the station suffered losses too. Among them, her mentor. The father figure who had kept Kira anchored when the rigors of this universe threatened to wash her away.

  Gingerly, Kira approached the bed, stopping next to it. She bent her head, her hands trembling before she clenched them into fists.

  Himoto would have chastised her for her lack of control if he’d still been alive.

  She could almost hear his voice as he said, “Kira-chan, such emotion is unnecessary.”

  The tears she’d thought she’d forced down made a reappearance. She sniffed before slipping her hand into Himoto’s.

  She flinched at the cold feel of his skin.

  “I’m so mad at you. I’m not ready to say goodbye. There was still so much left to say.”

  Kira’s expression crumpled before she steeled herself again.

  “I always hated it when you cited the greater good, but I guess this time I can’t argue.” Kira scrubbed a hand over her cheeks, wiping away the tears that kept falling without her permission. “Your actions preserved the alliance. If you were here, I know you’d say that the tradeoff was worth it.”

  Kira shook her head, her voice clogged with tears. “I can’t bring myself to agree with you, though.”

  The door opened behind Kira, and a woman stepped into the room.

  The stranger came to an abrupt stop, her gaze lingering on where Kira still held Himoto’s hand. “I’m sorry. I thought the room was empty.”

  To Kira’s surprise, instead of excusing herself, the woman stepped forward, moving to the other side of Himoto’s bed.

  Her appearance was tidy, with her hair pulled into a sleek bun. She wore the formal dress uniform of the Consortium.

  Her face was small and delicate and carried the stamp of an Asian heritage.

  Kira’s gaze dropped to the name and rank emblazoned on the woman’s chest. Lieutenant Himoto.

  “You’re his daughter,” Kira said finally.

  The woman hummed in agreement. “And you’re the woman my father raised instead of me.”

  A flash of discomfort crossed Kira’s face.

  The woman waved a hand in dismissal. “Don’t take that to heart. I made my peace with who he is a long time ago.”

  Despite the seemingly harsh words, the lieutenant’s hands were gentle as she tucked the blanket more firmly around him.

  “Mom always said heroes made for shitty parents. She was right.” The woman’s expression was introspective as she gazed at her father.

  Kira remained quiet, not knowing how to respond to that.

  She’d always known Himoto cared for her but that he cared for the common good more. It was a hard truth to accept when she was younger.

  The lieutenant’s eyes met Kira’s as she gave her a crooked smile. “He left me something to give to you. A last message, if you will.”

  Kira stayed silent, reluctantly taking the coin the woman handed her.

  She rubbed her thumb against the raised ridges, realizing it was a data storage unit.

  The lieutenant aimed a brief nod Kira’s way and moved toward the door. “I’ll leave you alone.”

  Feeling off-balance, Kira stared at Himoto’s still form.

  Gathering her courage, she put her thumb on the top of the coin and pressed, allowing it to read her thumbprint.

  Himoto’s voice filled the air. “Kira-chan, if you’ve received this, it means I’m either dead or incapacitated and can no longer protect you from the shadows. There are many things you don’t know from all those years ago. My appearance the day you escaped the camp was no accident. The Consortium always knew of its presence. I was the liaison appointed so they wouldn’t get their hands dirty.”

  Kira stumbled from the bed, collapsing into a chair.

  “The Tsavitee told us they could help humans evolve. At the time, we didn’t know how they planned to do that. I’d like to think I would never have allowed it if I knew they would use children, but part of me knows the temptation of a super-soldier would have corrupted my honor. Putting a face on suffering always changes things. I’m not sure I would have been strong enough to do the right thing if I hadn’t met you. My greatest regret in this life is what happened to you and the rest. I’ve spent the years since trying to rectify my mistakes.”

  Kira pressed a hand to her chest, trying to stem the emotions boiling inside. She’d be lying to herself if she said she hadn’t ever thought of this possibility.

  His appearance that day had been too fortuitous and coincidental.

  She’d o
verlooked it because of how sincere he’d been helping her move forward afterward.

  “I killed everyone I could find who had a link to that place. I also know you’ve located several other camps in the years since. I hid your movements from those in the Consortium who would have tried to stop you. Make no mistake, Kira—they would have killed you if they found out.”

  Himoto’s voice underlined his sincerity.

  “On this disk is everything I’ve compiled over the last decade. I’ve never been able to find the mastermind no matter how hard I look. Perhaps you will do better. Good luck, daughter. I’m proud of the person you’ve become.”

  Kira sat for hours beside Himoto’s bedside trying to reconcile everything he’d told her.

  Finally, she stood, putting the coin in her pocket and stepping outside.

  She paused when she found Jace sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. He looked like he hadn’t slept since the battle, his face gaunt as ghosts haunted his thoughts.

  Kira crossed the hallway, sliding down into a sitting position next to him.

  “They made me his successor,” Jace confided after several minutes of silence.

  Kira grunted. She’d figured as much.

  “I don’t know how to do this job like him.” The look in Jace’s eyes was raw and full of pain.

  Kira set one hand on his knee and shook it. “You don’t. You do it like you.”

  His snicker was soft.

  “How are things?” Kira asked.

  “Do you mean me or the alliance?” he returned.

  Kira lifted a shoulder. “Whichever one you prefer to focus on.”

  “I’m surviving. Came out without a scratch, thanks to the admiral. He took the charge of a demon that was meant for me.” Jace’s grin was halfhearted. “Killed it too.”

  Kira leaned her head against the wall. “The old man was always a bit of a badass.”

  This time Kira caught a note of genuine amusement in Jace’s laugh.

  “You could say that again.” Jace shook his head. “As for the alliance—it’s holding by a thread. The Haldeel is giving the Consortium the chance to root out the dissenters, but one stumble and we’re done.”

  Jace flipped his hand as if dumping something on the ground. “What a situation to inherit.”