Very few realized there was a master pulling the Tsavitee’s strings.
Among humans, she could count on one hand the number privy to that information. She doubted that had changed with her absence.
The Tuann were a little better informed.
They could thank Graydon for that. He and Harlow were the ones who put it together from clues they learned from Kira.
What Graydon knew, the emperor and his closest confidants also knew. Kira couldn't be sure about the rest of the Overlords, though.
"My theory is that they're obsessed with evolution," Odin said after considering her question. "To an almost pathological level. Any new races that draw their interest, they push until they find the limits of its evolutionary path."
Kira was quiet, wondering if that was what they had in store for humanity.
"When they have the answers they seek, they throw their broken toys to the horde. Whether those toys survive and find a place for themselves or are destroyed is up to the toy."
"What's their purpose?" Kira asked.
There had to be one. It might not make sense to Kira, but it was there.
"Who knows? Maybe to create a perfect race? Their own evolution? All I know is that they've designed evolutionary paths for hundreds of species, including my own. The Tuann were the ones they were most proud of." Odin looked over at Kira. "I'm pretty sure the soul bound are a big reason for that."
Eighteen
Odin was ordering the J1N to power down as Kira took her leave. The growing frustration in Odin’s voice when the drone failed to comply made her feel a little better about the past few days.
At least she wasn't the only one the J1N gave trouble.
Kira stepped into the corridor, scanning it for Pallas.
He wasn't far. Just a dozen feet down the corridor. Right next to an intersection, examining the wall and floor.
Kira stalked toward him. "What are you doing?"
In answer, Pallas tossed a rock he'd picked up from somewhere directly in front of him. There was a flash. Followed by a rat a tat tat as an SP4500 fired nearly three thousand rounds in the span of a second.
"Cute," Pallas drawled.
Kira stopped in mid step, suddenly aware of the danger she'd strayed into.
When Brie warned her of traps, she hadn't quite figured on them making use of military grade weapons. That was her bad. She really should have. This was Odin they were talking about, after all.
"Your friend has been busy." Pallas tapped a wall as he glanced around. "It makes one wonder what they’ve hidden down there. It must be important given the level of defense."
"Odin's secrets are his own," Kira said in a flat voice.
"Are you sure about that, little sister?"
Kira held his stare for a second longer before shaking her head and striding back the way she'd come.
Pallas joined her. "You always were a fan of dangerous games."
"Those are the only types I know how to play."
Pallas prowled beside her, making Kira feel like she was keeping company with a wild animal. There were no safeguards in place to keep that beast from devouring her whole either.
"I'm disappointed in lover boy. I didn't think he'd be stupid enough to let you meet the Sye on your own."
"Graydon isn't my keeper."
"Does he know that?"
Kira exhaled a low laugh. "Why are you trying to get under my skin?"
"Because I find it fun."
Kira finally stopped to face the other man. "I need to borrow your ship."
If he wanted to play, she'd be happy to indulge him.
"My ship?"
"There's something on the Wanderer that Odin needs to complete his task. They should have been here before us. I want to go check on them."
This was a test for Pallas. To see if he was ever planning to be helpful.
Pallas rubbed his jaw. "That's going to be a problem."
Guess that answered that question.
Her eyebrows twitched downward in the beginnings of a scowl. "Why?"
"Reasons."
A one word answer and a careless shrug was all he gave her.
Kira stared at him for a beat, anger beginning to rise. "What is the forty three's interest in the lenacht?"
Pallas's features tightened. "I thought we were done with that topic."
"We were. Now, we aren't."
If Pallas and the forty three interfered in her matters, they couldn't blame her for doing the same with theirs.
She'd originally planned to leave this alone. One, because she didn't have the space to care. And two, because ignorance was always preferable when dealing with the forty three.
Pallas's continued assholery made her revisit that decision.
"A moment ago, you were trying to keep the peace. Now, you're suddenly confrontational,” Pallas said.
"You know me. Anger makes me feisty."
"Reckless too."
That was also true.
For the most part, Kira had reasonably sound judgment when dealing with intense situations. She wasn't fearless by any means, possessing a healthy amount of self-preservation. Case in point—the care with which she treated Pallas, an inherently dangerous individual.
But prick her temper, put her back against the wall, and that rationality went out the window.
Pallas flashed her a smile that failed to reach his eyes. "You always assume our intentions are nefarious."
Perhaps because the forty three had a history of getting in Kira's way.
"The lenacht isn't a newborn in need of saving. If it chose Lathan, it means it agrees with our agenda."
Kira's eyes narrowed. "So, I was right. The forty three are trying to establish their own stronghold."
Pallas cast his gaze to the ceiling, as if asking for patience. "Not just the forty three."
"You plan to fold the wanderers into your ranks,” Kira guessed.
It made perfect sense. The forty three could use the wanderers as cover. They'd be able to form their own force without anyone the wiser.
"Clever, isn't it?" Pallas leaned forward with a sly expression. "The Tuann emperor even agrees with us. Lathan never would have made it off Ta Sa'Riel, otherwise."
No, Kira imagined he wouldn't have.
For all the Tuann's lip service of trusting the Mea'Ave, there was no doubt they'd take action if they felt threatened. The emperor might not oppose directly, but she could guarantee he had a way to influence events if he so chose.
The very fact he'd allowed Lathan into the adva ka in the first place supported that argument.
"Torvald Elden is a smart man. He understands—like we do—that the wanderers are an armed bomb waiting to explode. If he doesn't do something before it goes off, it'll be far too late."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It's rare for a Tuann to become a wanderer. Only a handful fall to that life every decade, but with how long the Tuann live—" Pallas trailed off to raise his eyebrows at Kira.
"A trickle can become a flood," she finished at his behest.
His smile was that of a teacher whose student had finally performed well. "And if that happens, the Tuann have a very big problem on their hands. The wanderers hold a lot of anger toward their former brethren. Much of it well earned."