gym, taking in the many bodies inhabiting it. Normally, at this hour it was empty, affording her the opportunity to exercise without having so many eyes watching her.
Everywhere on the ship, people stared. For someone used to near-constant isolation, it was grating.
Amila and Baran paused next to her, shooting expectant glances her way.
Kira returned them with a bland stare. Somehow, she had a feeling her two tag-a-longs might have something to do with the crowd.
Tattletales.
She sighed and padded forward. It didn't really matter if they did. She was here now, and her body ached to burn off some energy. Might as well make the visit worthwhile. In two hours, this place would be packed as a third of Graydon's crew came off shift.
Then, she'd have to fight for space on the track.
Besides, she wasn't the type to turn tail and run. If they wanted to watch her jog in circles, they were welcome to do so.
Kira found a spot on the mat far from the rest and bent, stretching low as her hamstrings tightened then relaxed, the stretch pulling pleasantly on tired muscles.
It wasn't often she had access to a track and she'd taken advantage, running farther than was perhaps wise.
She kept an eye on the other two groups as she widened her stance and then bent over one leg. Maybe if she took long enough, they'd finish their training and leave.
No such luck.
Kira straightened, pulling one foot up as she balanced on the other. The meaty sound of flesh hitting flesh filled the space. She found it telling, both groups had decided to demonstrate their prowess through hand-to-hand combat.
The Tuann and humans pointedly ignored each other as they sparred on opposite sides of the gym. At least, that was what they wanted you to believe. Kira caught more than one sidelong look from each group as they checked out the other.
Not surprising, given the tense relations between the two.
Graydon stepped onto the mat as Kira finished with her stretching and headed to the track running along the circumference of the room.
A man, slightly shorter, but as well built stepped up to face him. For a long second, they were both motionless, studying each other as they waited for some unseen signal to begin.
They burst into movement, flowing around each other like water as they delivered well-placed hits. The sharp crack of their blocks followed Kira as she started her slow jog, Baran and Amila setting off at a pace a hair slower than hers—enough to stay about ten feet behind her.
She knew from prior experience if her pace slowed, theirs would too. If it sped up, so would theirs. She'd resigned herself to their company and ignored them as much as she could.
Jin peeled off, drifting closer to the ceiling as Kira's body woke up. He liked to tell her, exercise was for those with flesh. He had better things to do with his energy than run around in circles like a damn rodent.
Graydon had chosen a spot easily visible no matter where in the room you were. It made it easy to watch the match. Something Kira shamelessly did.
His opponent was good. Very good. Both men were efficient, no movement wasted. They had power and speed behind every blow. She could see why the Tuann were considered deadly warriors and such important allies.
They were clearly the equal of any Tsavitee Kira had come up against.
Jace and his team would have trouble with them if they fought them one-on-one. It'd be better to overwhelm the Tuann with numbers. In hand-to-hand combat, they wouldn't go down easily.
Something to remember for the future.
Graydon took down his opponent in a movement he made look ridiculously easy but would have probably caused a sprained ankle or broken bone, if someone inexperienced had tried it.
He looked up then, his gaze catching hers. There was a primal energy there, a fierce light in his eyes.
Kira didn't react outwardly, despite the sharp edge of awareness coursing through her. She looked away, feigning disinterest as she returned her attention to her run, letting her mind shut off as she picked up speed.
She sank into the rhythm of her pace as she forgot about her unwelcome fellow gym goers, concentrating on the things of importance, her breathing and running.
She was halfway through her run when the youth she'd rescued on the station caught her attention. His expression was focused and intent as he held a staff taller than him.
Kira's pace slowed slightly as curiosity took hold.
An armored figure,