by L. Fergus
“What are your terms?” said E’fil.
“I want what was taken from me restored and let us be left in peace to do what we will.”
“Let you run wild? Never,” roared Ht’aed.
“Or we could be running wild through Infinity.” The body language of the other Angels shifted. Kita knew ravaging Infinity was a threat she would have trouble carrying out. Most of the other Angels wouldn’t attack their home, but she had to start somewhere.
“They promised they wouldn’t,” said Y’grene.
“You’re hardly one to call anyone on a broken promise,” said Kita, “especially when they haven’t done it yet.”
“You are no longer Li’ve, and the researchers following you return home,” said E’fil. “In exchange, we will let you go under the condition you never return to Infinity.”
“That’s not a deal I can make. All the gods chose to bond to Angels. I won’t order them home,” said Kita crossing her arms.
“I refuse to return to Infinity as long as my father is there,” said Panther.
“Us too,” said Tenshi and Valentine.
“The daughters of Ht’aed have spoken,” said Kita with a lopsided smile.
“You will come home if I order it,” said Ht’aed.
“Good luck enforcing that,” said Phoenix snidely.
“I will not force anyone back to Infinity that doesn’t wish to go, but Infinity must be made safe from threats,” said Y’grene. “And you can’t terrorize other equations. As a group, you have too much power.”
Kita shrugged. “You let us go, let me retain my status as Li’ve, and we promise not to use our god powers. Sound fair?”
“No! Li’ve cannot remain!” bellowed Ht’aed.
“I’m not going away,” said Kita. “You respect me, or I will sic the Harbingers on every equation I can find.” The three elder gods recoiled at the proposition. “You better believe Soa’hc, and I will find a way.”
The lights of the elder gods blinked. “We agree to your terms, but Y’crem must go with you, and none of you are allowed in Infinity.”
Kita looked at Tina and shrugged. “Ok. Deal.”
The Angels let go of the other gods. The elder gods and their escort collapsed into points of light and vanished.
“Mom!” Kamikaze yelled as she gave Kita a hug.
“I’ve missed you.” Kita gave her a kiss on the cheek.
After a moment, Kita found herself in the center of a massive group hug.
“I missed all of you,” she announced with a grin. “But let’s get out of here.”
Kita and the other Angels appeared amongst the workstations on the lower level of the bridge of a ship. On the upper level, Snowy was hunched over a screen.
“Sit your slagging ass down,” said Phoenix as she pushed a Djinn back into his seat.
“Hey, Snowy,” called Kita.
Snowy looked up, and her mouth fell open. “W—Where have you been? Where did they come from? What happened?”
Kita glared at Tina. “A Judas betrayed me to the elder gods, but they forgot I have a family. We negotiated my release.”
Tina flittered behind Raptor.
“Ya best not be hidden’ behind me,” growled Raptor.
“As far as Ragji, it is no more,” said Kita.
“That won’t make the Tet happy,” said Snowy. “Let’s not talk here. Come on ladies, follow me.”
Snowy led the Angels into the ship’s wardroom. “Please, find a seat. If you’re hungry, I can try and make the dispensers make something besides meat.”
“I think everyone is fine for now,” said Kita as the Angels moved in and found seats. Kita gave Snowy a hug. “There’s a proper greeting.”
Snowy’s nose turned red, and her whiskers drooped. “Thanks. It’s been a while.”
“Why the unhappy reaction? I thought you’d be excited to see me.”
“I am. It’s just that I…uh…well…”
The door opened, and a woman who looked similar to Snowy except sand colored and a short thin tail entered.
“Snowy, I heard we had guests. My, they’re a colorful bunch,” said the new arrival.
“Who is this?” said Kita. I remember you from the prison break. I didn’t know you were someone important.
Snowy’s ears laid flat against her head. “Ah…Kita…this is…ah…”
“Hello, Miss Kita, I’m Lieutenant Commander Sahara. Snowy’s executive officer and girlfriend.”
Kita raised an eyebrow at Snowy. Her nose was deep red. “Is this what you're stumbling over?”
“About time,” said Babydoll. “Does this mean she’ll stop pining for you?”
Kita chuckled at her best friend. Snowy looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
“Good. This means I get Kita to myself,” said Panther as she gave Kita a hug and a kiss.
“Hmmm, I’ve missed you,” Kita purred.
“You better have,” said Panther as she played with one of her suspenders holding up her black skirt.
“Cat got your tongue?” Babydoll said to Snowy.
“I…uh…Meet Sahara,” Snowy whispered.
“Maybe we should introduce her to everyone,” said Kita.
“Vee,” said Panther.
“Kerri,” said Babydoll.
“Kamikaze.”
“Raptor. Leaf,” Raptor said pointing to Aspen.
“Kylee,” said Phoenix.
“Tenshi.”
“Denver,” said Valentine.
“Tina.”
“Kara,” said Toxic.
“Nell,” said Anthrax.
“Where did you come from?” said Sahara. “We were tasked with rescuing Kita.”
“We’ve been out in the universe searching for parts of my mom,” said Kamikaze.
“Kita’s your mother?”
“Yes. So is Snowy.”
“You never told me you had a daughter,” Sahara said playfully to Snowy. “Though, I could have guessed. She looks just like you.”
Snowy sighed. “She takes after Kita.”
Sahara’s whiskers drooped. “Did I step into something I shouldn’t have? I’m sorry if I did.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Kamikaze. “Snowy and I have a history that we’ve come to terms with.”
Snowy smiled sheepishly.
“I met the other Angels after I destroyed Ragji,” said Kita. “Their mission to search for my missing parts is over, and they’ve come to help.”
“Snowy,” said Sahara, “I’m going to move the ship into communication range. Our blind jump has left us outside the normal channels.”
“Yes, of course. Kita should speak to Collector as soon as possible.”
Kita and the Angels filed into the small quantum communications room. Making room for everyone required folding their wings around themselves like feathered cloaks.
“This room works just like the quantum communicators in our heads,” said Snowy. “A hologram of Collector will appear at the front of the room.”
“And where is Collector?” said Kita.
Snowy wiggled her nose. “I don’t know. I’ve never met him in person.”
“He’s in a safe place. His empire is vast,” said Sahara.
“He’s not the king of the Djinn. I’ve met the current and previous kings,” said Kita.
“Business empire, but his wealth does rival royalty.”
“Have you met him?” said Valentine.
“I have. Collector’s a very driven Djinn. He wants to reclaim the pride and honor the Djinn have lost.”
“Oh goodie, one of those types,” said Anthrax.
“Is there something wrong with that?” said Sahara.
“No,” said Kita. “If his goals align with ours we won’t have a problem.”
“What be our goals?” said Raptor.
“Immediately? Getting back Jess, Casey, and Crypt, then we get Enterprise and find Amanda, Hali, and Sheppard—”
“Sheppard!�
�� several of the Angels yelled together.
“Yes, she’s here,” said Kita calmly.
“Why isn’t she six feet under?” demanded Anthrax. “Do you know what she’s done? Did you forget who her lover is?”
Kita held up a hand. “I do know. I’ve talked to her about her part in it.”
“She killed Nina and Tink!”
Kita frowned and shook her head. “She had nothing to do with that. Galina is solely responsible. Rene only killed Spike, Quill, Jen, Leo, and Frostbane. She has apologized profusely to me for what she’s done but needs to apologize to all of you, especially to Raptor, Valentine, and those close to Leo. She received the worst possible punishment—I gave her back her wings.”
“And what if she turns on us again?” demanded Anthrax.
“She won’t,” said Kita firmly, her anger rising from the defiance and disrespect shown by the other fallen angel.
“You can’t stop me from killing her.”
“Can and will,” said Kita stepping up to Anthrax. “You want to go now? I will put you in the ward for weeks.”
“Sheppard is more important than me?” Anthrax yelled.
“I’m saying she’s as important and deserves a chance to make up for her mistakes. She’s proven it to me and will to you. I don’t care if any of you like her, but she gets the same chance as I would give any of you.”
“You’re choosing that bitch over your own granddaughter?”
Kita smacked Anthrax to the floor. “Don’t you dare use Tink against me. For years, I didn’t even know who the twins were and couldn’t mourn them, because of what Sheppard was a part of. But I forgave her. I don’t expect you to. I don’t even care if you listen to her apology, but you will respect my decision. It’s my choice, and if you attack her, you’ll deal with me.”
“I think your brain is still missing,” hissed Anthrax. Aspen and Tenshi helped her up.
“If you don’t like it,” Kita pointed to the door. “We’ll drop you and anyone else off at the next stop, and you can make your own revenge.”
The white flames burning in Anthrax’s eyes roared like jets, steam puffed from the corners of her eyes. She sank to the floor and buried her head on her knees, crying loudly.
Snowy looked at Kita and frowned. “Are you just going to stand there?” Snowy said over the Angel’s internal communications called the comm.
“What am I going to do?” said Kita.
“She’s one of your oldest friends. Don’t leave her like this. She misses Nina and Tink, and wants to know you care. Come on, you haven’t been alone that long.”
Kita sighed. She pushed several of the other Angels out of the way and sat down beside Anthrax putting her arm around her. Snowy sat down on the other side.
“Nell, I’m sorry,” said Kita. “I wish I could have done more to save them.”
Anthrax looked up slightly. “I just miss them so much. I know it’s been years, but it feels like I just left them. I expect Nina to walk through the door at any moment, especially when you’re around. I know it’s not your fault,” she said around sobs.
“It is my fault,” said Kita. “I couldn’t save everybody, and I’m sorry.”
Raptor knelt down next to Kita and put her hand on Kita’s shoulder. “Suga, ya did what ya could. Ya got a lot of us out, and that be something. We be the survivors, and it be up to us to get revenge on Galina. She be the real skunk. Sheppard was just a nitwit fool. With our help, you be the one to get us to her.”
“I just wish it didn’t have to cost so many lives,” whispered Kita.
Babydoll knelt in front of Kita. “We did all we could. Even you couldn’t see what depths Galina would sink to. We never thought she would kill so many. She struck us when you were at your weakest, and their sacrifice meant the entire equation was saved.”
I’ll never be that weak again… Kita hugged Anthrax tight. Never again will we have to weep for our dead. I promise, no matter what I have to do.
“I’m sorry,” said Anthrax.
“Nothing to be sorry for,” said Kita.
“No, you have your own family to mourn, including Nina.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t be here for you. Maybe when we get some downtime, we can mourn together.”
“Yeah. I miss them so much.”
With Snowy and Kita’s help, Anthrax stood up.
“Ok,” said Anthrax, “let’s see what this big kitty wants.”
Kita looked at Sahara. “Go ahead and call him.”
“I’ve, ah, had him on hold,” said Sahara.
Kita shrugged. She was used to having important people waiting for her. She was the center of the universe after all.
The holographic projector flashed and the image of a well-dressed Djinn sitting in a chair puffing on a pipe connected to something off screen materialized.
“Kita…and friends,” said Collector in an even tone.
“Collector…” Kita purred. “Yes, on my way out of the prison I thought I’d pick up a few friends who could help.”
“I was misinformed on how many Angels were imprisoned there.”
Collector’s gaze shifted from Kita to Snowy and Sahara. The two females seemed to shrink. Kita smiled to herself watching Snowy twist.
“It’s not their fault,” said Kita. “Neither of them knew about these Angels.”
“I know they weren’t in the prison,” said Collector.
“True. They were doing a task for me.”
“Which was?”
“None of your concern. They completed it, and we’re stronger because of it.”
“I want a dossier on each Angel and her capabilities.”
Kita pursed her lips. “I’ll allow your people to observe and report. Just know no Angel is weak and we’re all built to thrive. Snowy mentioned you had something that might pique our interest.”
“I might have something that could be mutually beneficial.”
Kita crossed her arms. “That’s vague. Why don’t you tell us and stop wasting everyone’s time.”
Collector tapped his pipe against the armrest and took a puff. “The Djinn are the top predator in the galaxy.” Around Kita, she saw smiles and heard a few giggles. “But ever since we entered the Tetrahedron Consortium our prowess has diminished. We’ve lost our prey, and instead, we’ve joined with them. We need combat to sharpen our claws and bring honor to us. We need a new prey, and I believe the humans will provide us with what we need.”
“Is he serious?” said Babydoll. “He must not know anything about human history.”
“Now, now,” said Kita. “If this kitty cat wants to sharpen his claws in the viper’s nest we won’t stop him. In fact, we’ll show him exactly what to do.”
“What are you planning?” hissed Snowy.
“Nothing. If he wants to go a few rounds with the Shadow Fleet, I’ll happily oblige. Anything to weaken Galina.” Kita smiled at Collector. “And what do you want us for?”
“You are a true warrior. I have a fleet standing by. Once they engage and show Djinn what it means to fight, the rest of the Djinn fleet will join us. We will conquer new territory and take plenty of new slaves. You will lead us, and you can take your revenge on Galina.”
“Does he understand what he wants?” said Babydoll. “He wants us to show his kitty cats how to fight. Doesn’t that mean we’re the greatest warriors in the galaxy?”
The other Angels chuckled.
“I bet he thinks there aren’t enough of us to be a threat,” said Panther.
“Let’s be holden’ that card until we be needen’ it,” said Raptor.
Kita clicked a nail against her teeth. “There are a few things I’m going to need,” said Kita to Collector.
“What do you require?”
“Snowy said you knew where two of my Angels and my sword Crypt were.”
Collector took a puff of his pipe. “There is an auction to be held on Petal Ten of the Tet. Your friends, Jessica Rabbit and Casey Bush, are to be th
e main attraction. Snowy identified your sword among the other artifacts—”
“Poor bastard probably doesn’t know what that sword is capable of or he wouldn’t be giving it back to Kita,” said Anthrax.
“—I offer whatever support in retrieving them.”
“My guess is, you have enough money to buy them,” Kita said raising an eyebrow.
“I could, but consider this your trial run. The person holding the event is a dear friend of mine. I don’t wish him or any of his guests to come to harm.”
“That takes all the fun out of it,” Phoenix said with a sigh.
“Fair enough,” said Kita. “I also am missing three other Angels: Rene Sheppard, Amanda Gering, and Hali C’Zar Ah’tem. I want them back along with the ship Enterprise.”
Collector looked at his pipe. “That will take time. Enterprise is out with the Diamock fleet. Our reports say the Angels Sheppard and Stormy are with the ship. Hali C’zar Ah’tem is on the Tet handling your legal defense.”
“Then she should be free.” Kita chuckled. “Pick her up. Have your people tell her, the Grandmaster requires her presence. She’ll come without question.”
“Orders are being dispatched now.”
“Then you have a deal,” said Kita. “We’ll lead your attack on the humans. You’ll get your fight, and we get Galina. The how and when are up to us.”
“I expect the fleet to leave as soon as you are ready.”
Kita smiled. “Don’t worry. We’re as anxious to get started as you are.”
“This could be a tough nut to crack,” said Aspen as she studied the hologram of the mansion belonging to Takkat FretChat, the host of the auction. “Few shadows, a layered security system, roving guards, a vault, and we need keys to unlock the stasis field.”
“Are you telling me it can’t be done?” said Kita raising an eyebrow. Defeatism wasn’t something she expected out of her former students.
“No, but it’s going to take some ingenuity.”
Kita nodded. She trusted Aspen’s assessment. Aspen was one of the best assassins she’d ever trained. “Let’s concentrate on just being able to move around the house.”
“We could hack the security system, but we have to get to it, and it’s located in the basement.” Aspen touched a spot on the hologram expanding the room. She tapped on the security server. “It’s on an isolated network. The only way to access it would be directly.”