"Lord Graydon, wait."
Skarsdale was interrupted as the door to the interrogation room slid open and humans entered, blades at the ready.
Skarsdale held up a hand, palm facing out. "Don't interfere."
The humans hesitated, backing out slowly, gazes locked on the exposed en-blades.
Skarsdale focused on Graydon. "Why do you want to know about her?"
"She's Tuann," Graydon said, his words short and brusque.
Skarsdale’s expression remained fixed and remote, no sign of any reaction to that statement. Graydon couldn’t help but be impressed at his composure. It was worthy of a Tuann. Perhaps their race wasn't quite so useless after all.
Not that it mattered. If the humans had broken the alliance, they would pay. Their treaty mapped out what was to be done when one of theirs strayed so far. They were to be returned to their people. The Tuann were protective of their own, and they didn't trust the humans to deal appropriately with their kind.
Not when the humans experimented on their own young, bioengineering unborn children for the purposes of war. They’d have no compunction about doing the same to another race’s children. If they got their hands on the Tuann’s unique set of abilities, there would be chaos in the galaxy.
The treaty might have put a stop to the practice of bioengineering super soldiers, but humans held the potential and desire to pursue the science. If they were caught mapping a Tuann genome or doing any tinkering with one of his, they would pay dearly.
Skarsdale's forehead furrowed. "I've known Captain Kira Forrest for many years. Long before first contact with the Tuann. She's not one of yours."
"No mistake. She bears our mark. She is Tuann." Graydon wasn't in the habit of having to repeat himself. He wouldn't do so again.
Liont leaned forward. "She did identify herself as a salvager when asked about her affiliations, and she didn't appear to understand our language.
Skarsdale's gaze flickered. Graydon's eyes narrowed, something in the man's manner triggering his instincts.
"Why do you react to that?" he asked.
Skarsdale hesitated, before meeting Graydon's gaze stubbornly. "Captain Forrest dropped out of view after the war. I wasn't aware of her current employment."
The words could be true, but something told Graydon there was more to it.
"She is Tuann," Fari insisted. "I saw the glyph. A human couldn't have done what she did."
Recognition flared in Skarsdale's eyes, quickly hidden.
"You know what he's speaking of." The words were a statement.
Skarsdale's mouth tightened. "She's had that mark for as long as I've known her."
The tight feeling in Graydon's chest loosened. The human was telling the truth. If that was the case, it was possible they hadn't knowingly violated the treaty.
He needed to learn everything he could about the woman and her purpose here.
"You may have not known before, but you do now. I want everything you have on her."
Skarsdale straightened, his expression polite but resolute. "As I've told you, it’s against our policy to share information about former servicemembers. It's for their protection, as well as that of our space force."
Graydon's smile showed his teeth. There was little warmth in it.
His chuckle filled the air, raspy and containing little humor. It was the sound a dragon made when eyeing its dinner. The prey’s struggle for survival might be entertaining, but ultimately it would fail.
"Your rules do not apply here. She is Tuann.” Because the other man seemed smarter than many of his race, Graydon offered him some advice. “You should walk gently right now. The treaty hangs on what you do next."
Jace's expression closed as Graydon delivered his threat.
"What would you do with Captain Forrest if, as you say, she is Tuann?" he asked.
"She would be taken home to her people."
"And if she doesn't want to go?"
"She is Tuann. She will go." Graydon's order was definite.
Jace ran a hand through his hair, frustration and a hint of amusement in his expression. "You really don't know her if you think that kind of logic will work on her."
Graydon's eyes narrowed. "Her desires do not matter."
Jace sighed. "I'll let you explain that to her."
Graydon's eyebrows contracted with the faintest signs of confusion.
Skarsdale straightened, drawing himself up as he spoke formally, "You've presented no evidence of her status as Tuann. This glyph could very well be a tattoo."
"It's the mark of a powerful House," Liont argued.
Skarsdale spread his hands. "So you say, but as impossible as it may seem, my statement stands." He turned to Graydon. "Do you have any evidence to support your claim? A blood test perhaps?"
Skarsdale waited with a patient expression. He knew the insult his words had caused.
The door slid open, and a woman appeared.
"What is it, Ensign Waverly?" Skarsdale asked with undisguised irritation.
"There is a message for you from Admiral Himoto," she said, her tone crisp.
He gestured sharply. She handed him a tablet.
He read the message, then shook his head before giving the tablet to the woman.
Skarsdale’s gaze was wintry when he met Graydon’s eyes. "I've been instructed by my superiors to comply with your demands and arrange for you to speak with Kira."
Graydon's nod was gruff. Finally, someone showed sense.
"I'll have her picked up," Skarsdale continued.
"Don't bother. My people have been trailing her since she left. They will bring her to me," Graydon dictated.
The man's expression filled with alarm. "That's a bad idea. She's highly paranoid and won't react well to strangers."
Graydon's chuckle held a note of darkness. "My men are elite warriors. I'm sure they can handle one young azala."
"That means child, right?" Jace asked. He didn't wait for Graydon's response. "I wouldn't treat Captain Forrest as a child. It’ll go badly for you."
Graydon ignored him, already gesturing for his people to prepare to move. "Take us to the children now."
Graydon didn't wait for an answer, already heading for the door, Skarsdale yapping at him the entire time.
His first snapped to attention at the sight of Graydon. "Problems?"
Graydon shook his head. "Tell Baran and Amila to intercept the woman."
His first nodded, sparing a glance for the frustrated rear admiral. Solal spoke subvocally into the auditory implant all his people carried.
Graydon fixed Skarsdale with a long stare. "I will be taken to the children now."
The man sighed, knowing he’d already lost the advantage. "This way."
CHAPTER FOUR
Kira cut through the crowd, her steps unhurried as she ignored the clamor of her surroundings.
"How many do you see?" she asked Jin.
"Besides the two wizards? I count four wearing the station's uniform."
Irritation crossed Kira's face as she stomped along the terrace. Being shadowed by one group was bad enough, but two? She wasn't liking the odds.