Starhold Vesta

Chapter 4.2

I hold Kai's unwavering stare. We face off quietly this way, him daring me to respond.

"That is a very serious assertion, Commander," Nuna says in her calm, even voice. "What prompts this?"

Kai crosses his arms over his chest becoming a closed vault.

"Step off, Kamalani," Knuckles says. "You know in a battle of insufferable twats, I'd pick her over you any day. You don't speak for all of us."

Kai frowns at Knuckles. "Then go."

Nuna waves her hands in the air. "There's no need to draw lines in the sand, Commander. I am interested in hearing about your needs. If there is talk of dissent, it must be that you are wanting for supplies?"

I sit down hard. If Nuna can be professional, so can I. Even if that merely means I'm keeping my mouth shut.

"I'm willing to discuss this plan and future initiatives, but she can't be involved." He nods at me. "I don't want Janika Lorn near anything our ship does."

I get it. I left them. Especially when reminiscing about the greatest hits with Kai, I understand why he would rather declare war against the hand that feeds rather than work with me again.

Nuna faces me on her right. She must be thinking the same behind the wall I see in her eyes. "We understand. However, that may be challenging as she is the weapon master."

"We have our own Gunner."

The anticipation of his next revelation hangs in the air, but nothing materializes.

I gesture around the room. "Okay. Are you going to share who this new Gunner will be?"

"It's Moyra," Coodi says.

Kai nods. "Major White managed our arms for years. She'll continue to lead Vesta initiatives."

"But Moyra isn't here," I say.

Coodi flinches as if struck. "We're aware."

"Oh Christ, fine. If no one has the sacks to ask, then I will," Knuckles blurts. "What is the next step regarding the ARCs? Where is Nuna's infamous fifteen-step shuffle-about regarding their return or initiating a search for Major White?"

"We don't have one," I say flatly.

Coodi sinks farther into herself.

"Why the hell not?" Knuckles asks.

"I've told you. We hit a dead-end. There's nothing more."

Knuckles bristles. "Then what about Moyra?"

"This isn't the first time she's disappeared. She'll turn up eventually and probably try to kill us all before snapping out of whatever they've put her in. Which is why giving her control of your arsenal might be a really stupid fucking idea."

"You don't know she'll turn up, Lorn." Knuckles says.

I bite my tongue. "No. But it's probable."

"I know that look," Kai says. He leans forward and squints. When he's read whatever he thinks is in my gaze, he leans back and points at my face. "You know something."

Nuna twists in her seat to scrutinize me just as the rest of the room is trying to decipher a code that must be scrawled across my forehead. Her eyes widen in understanding and then narrow in suspicion. "What are you not saying, Janika?"

I survey the others at the table. Coodi, who is the least fragile person I've ever met, stares at me as if my next words could shatter her.

"Think about the first time she disappeared, Lorn. How did you feel then?" Knuckles' voice is soft as if speaking to a child.