“I’m saying that it’s a bit weird that Jainan was the first person to find out about all the holes in your accounting,” Kiem said. “I know you got moved onto the operation after Taam died, but it’s been two months. Weird that you didn’t find anything.” Whatever burst of energy he’d found was clearly running out; his words were slurring at the edges from tiredness.

“This is absurd,” Lunver said, brutally short. “You are stim-crashing and in no state to make allegations. If I were you, I would stop before anyone overhears or you may find General Fenrik makes your mother aware of this wild behavior.”

It was a clumsy attempt to shut Kiem down. Jainan, watching the exchange, couldn’t help but feel there was something familiar about Lunver’s knee-jerk defensiveness. She was worried about her reputation—and not just hers. That of the operation she ran.

“Colonel,” Jainan said abruptly. “You have a duty to your unit.”

Lunver looked at him in surprise, and her eyes narrowed.

“You are not responsible for anything Taam may have done,” Jainan said.

“But you are responsible for setting it right. There is someone else attempting to hack into your operation.” There was also someone else who had tried to kill Kiem and Jainan, but Jainan didn’t trust Lunver enough to speak about that. “If Taam didn’t act alone, then someone else may be attempting to continue what he was doing. Shutting Kiem down like this will not help.”

He’d expected rage. He’d never spoken to Lunver like this. But instead, after one sharp, angry breath, she shut her mouth. Her expression was suddenly distant and introspective.

She didn’t seem surprised at the allegations. Of course, Aren would have told her what Kiem and Jainan visited Hvaren Base to do. But laying out that Taam must have had an accomplice—that seemed to be unexpected.

“I need to call my base,” Lunver said crisply. “Make sure his highness is taken care of.” She got to her feet. “I can assure you, if this embezzlement case isn’t solved, it will not be because my unit was negligent in investigating.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Jainan said. He bit his tongue on Let us know how that goes, but Kiem’s expression said it for him. Kiem was bad for him. “I appreciate your reassurance on the matter.”

Bel gave Jainan a tight smile and left for the cockpit after Colonel Lunver.

Jainan had neither the energy nor the urge to ask her not to eavesdrop.

Jainan rolled his shoulders, trying to drain the tension from his neck and his back. He was distracted by keeping an eye on Kiem, who must be exhausted; his eyes were flickering shut and his breathing was slowing into sleep. “Think she’ll really find out what’s going on?” Kiem mumbled.

“I’m not holding out a great deal of hope,” Jainan said softly, because Kiem was struggling to stay awake. “Get some rest.”