"While you were busy, I was procuring us allies," Finn informed her.
"I don't remember agreeing to this," Kira called at his back as he strode into the belly of the ship.
"You weren't around to consult."
He did not just say that.
Her disbelieving gaze went from the spot where Finn had disappeared to Talon, his uncomfortable expression providing her with no answers.
"How did you get conscripted into this?" she asked.
Talon lifted a negligent shoulder. "I owe him."
"Do you even know what we're planning to do?"
"I don't have to. He asked and I answered."
His explanation was simple. As if that was really all that had been necessary to convince him to come on this fool's errand.
Kira dragged a hand over the back of her neck. "I'm sure you're going to regret that before the end."
Talon leaned a shoulder against the frame of the ship. "I knew your father, girl. If you're anything like him, I highly doubt that."
Kira went still. "I thought your acquaintance with Finn began when you two were Brianne's oshota."
Brianne had been Finn's sword before Kira. He'd served her for only a short time before realizing she wasn't the person she'd portrayed herself as. Instead of possessing nobility and honor, she'd been spoiled and self-serving. The few times Finn had spoken of her, it had been with a dislike bordering on disdain.
Kira had just assumed his relationship with Talon originated in that period of time.
"No," Talon answered simply.
Kira tried not to show a reaction to that news. There was only one other person they would have both served. Her father. The former Overlord of House Roake. A man Finn and many others still grieved.
No wonder he'd come when Finn called.
"Wait." Kira frowned in realization. "He said allies."
As in plural.
Talon made room as Kira stalked the rest of the way up the ramp, already fearing what she'd find.
"Absolutely not," she declared, spotting the trio waiting for her in the cargo hold. "You're not coming. Don't even start."
Blue and Raider walked up the ramp behind Kira as she glared at the group.
The youngest would appear around seven or eight to a human. Her white blond hair, deep blue eyes, and delicate features making her seem doll-like.
Her brother, Joule, next to her looked a little older. Around fourteen or fifteen though he was likely somewhere in his fifth or sixth decade, given how slowly the Tuann aged. His face still contained the unfinished features of youth, but Kira could see hints of the handsome man he'd be later. There was a quiet maturity far beyond his years.
The last was the oldest looking of the bunch. Around twenty or thereabouts. As always, Kira felt a jolt of deja vu looking into Devon's eyes. The golden shade she'd always associated with sun drenched daisies almost identical to his brother's.
If Jin had been allowed to grow up, he would have looked very like this boy in front of her.
"But seon'yer, it's Elena," Ziva protested.
Kira pinned her with a glare. "You're too young."
The end. She wasn't taking a bunch of kids into a situation where she wasn't even willing to risk an oshota.
"I've been practicing the moves you showed me," Ziva argued. "I'm ready. Just put me in the back and I'll hit them over the head while you distract them."
Kira could feel a headache taking up residence in her temples. Of course, Ziva wasn't going to act according to reason.
Like drew like. Much as Kira hated to admitted it, the kid's personality was as stubborn as her own. She was also a survivor. She'd gravitated to Kira's side, drawn to her strength and grit and had made it her mission to bedevil Kira ever since.
Kira's accusing stare landed on Joule. As Ziva's brother, shouldn't he be trying to talk her out of this madness?
He straightened, the resolve forming telling her she'd have to drag him off this ship herself if she wanted him to leave.
Not much of a challenge in reality. Even with the pointers Selene had given him regarding his shielding affinity.
However, the use of direct force was likely to ruin their friendship. A friendship, she realized to her chagrin, that she was beginning to cherish.
"My seon'yer has given permission for my presence," Devon said when Kira's gaze drifted to him.
Of course, Graydon had. The man seemed determined to vex Kira.
"Besides, you have to take us with you or else we'll tell everyone about the criminal you have on board," Devon finished.
Unbelievable.
"You're threatening me?" Kira asked, raising her eyebrows at him in challenge.
"Bold move, kiddo," Blue said with a whistle.
Devon's gaze shifted to her. "I'm older than you—by decades at least."
Blue's smile was dangerous. "Time is meaningless if you don't have the experience to back it up. Would you like a demonstration?"
"Okay, that's enough out of you." Raider nudged Blue toward the corridor. "Go get us ready to take off."
Blue went without objection, heading for the bridge.
Raider tilted his head to the other side of the room. "Kira—side bar."
"In a moment."
"No, now."
Raider was already moving when Kira looked back at him. Talon watched the show from his place along the wall.
"Fine," Kira growled under her breath, stomping after him.
He didn't wait for her to reach the other side of the room before rounding on her. "We should bring the kid."
Kira stopped and glared. "Are you kidding me?"
"You've seen what he can do. We could use him."
"He's still a kid. They all are."
"He's not much younger than you were when you started fighting the Tsavitee," Raider pointed out.
"That's different."
"I don't see how." Raider folded his arms over his chest, widening his stance as he squared up with her. "He's faced several dangerous situations in the past few months and acquitted himself well each time. If I thought there was a chance, I'd recruit him for the Curs."
Raider remained calm as he offered several rebuttals. Entirely reasonable as he laid out his argument. One whose logic even someone as stubborn as Kira couldn't fight against.
"Furthermore, he and Devon are no longer considered children by the Tuann," Raider added.
Kira started. "What does that mean?"
Last she'd heard, the others who'd attempted to take the adva ka with her had lost their chance when she had her confrontation with Elise over the fate of the lenacht, the Mea'Ave's blessing that the Tsavitee had wanted to get their hands on.
"It reopened," Raider told her. "Devon and Joule are now both considered fully fledged adults."
"Son of a bitch," Kira whispered.
She was proud of her little friend. He'd done what he'd set out to do.
"And you?" Kira asked with a glance at him. "Did you complete it?"
The arrogant smile he offered her told her everything she needed to know. Of course, he'd finished it. This was Raider, after all. The only person perhaps more competitive than Jin.