Li've

by L. Fergus

  “Maybe you should go play with Pestilence,” said Kamikaze.

  “I wish we had more to do.”

  “This ship is boring,” said Tina. “But has some cute crewmembers.”

  Anthrax rolled her eyes. “I’m not interested in sleeping around.”

  “More for me then. I’m not going to let my sister have all the fun.”

  Anthrax shivered. “I can’t imagine someone else touching me.”

  “You must be meanen’ besides Nina?” said Raptor.

  Anthrax nodded. “It still feels like she’ll come into the room at any second.”

  “She’s dead,” said Kamikaze. “Why can’t you get over it? She’s not coming back. There’s nothing any of us can do.”

  “And what should I do? Forget her? At least you have your partner.”

  “That doesn’t mean I haven’t lost partners in the past. Don’t forget, I’ve lived a lot longer than you. I miss every one of them, but you don’t hear me lamenting. They’re dead. I mourned, and moved on. I understand wanting time, but to keep wishing they’ll walk through the door at any moment doesn’t help you. It hurts you.”

  Anthrax huffed. “I’m sorry I’m not as tough and as hard as you, Kami. My heart hurts. I loved that girl, maybe more than you’ll ever know.”

  Kamikaze bared a fang. “I loved my partners with all my heart and watched them grow old and die. You know how hard that is? Knowing there’s nothing you can do to stop it? Don’t try and make your pain greater than mine. I’ll win. If I did what you’re doing, I never would have given Tenshi a chance, and I would be missing out on so much.”

  “Just because—”

  An alarm sounded through the wardroom.

  “What that be meanen’?” said Raptor to Tina.

  “I have no idea.”

  Around the room, the officers shoved their trays to the center of the table and stood up.

  “I think it best we be doen’ what they be doen’,” ordered Raptor.

  The Angels stood up and looked at one another.

  “FTL jump in ten,” said the ship’s computer, “…nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one… mark.”

  Anthrax’s stomach dropped to her toes as the world went black.

  The familiar dropping sensation passed. Kita was used to it by now and waited for the holotable to update with the current quadrant information. So far, only the planet and the moon were visible. Kita could see them by looking out the window.

  According to information dug up on Tet-Net, the interstellar network, Jentex was supposed to be uninhabited, except by the occasional bandit. We should scare off any bandit or raider.

  “Any signs of life?” Kita called to Sheppard.

  “I know what you know. Sensors, anything?”

  “Scanning now, Ma’am. Combat scan will complete in ten seconds.”

  Kita wrinkled her nose. The combat scan was good for displaying the obvious. The fact that no one was here to meet them worried her. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. She hit the communications panel on the holotable and called the medical ward.

  “I need to speak to Doctor Anthrax or Angel Tina,” she told the orderly that answered. Kita glanced out the window. I wonder what’s waiting for us out there.

  “Hey, big sister. What do you need?” said Tina.

  “Get Snowy on the line. We’ve arrived in the Jentex system, and no one is here.”

  “I think she’s awake. Give me a second.”

  A hold pattern appeared on the screen. Kita grumbled, but it was better than watching life at some obtuse angle as she was moved around. The screen flashed, and Snowy and Tina appeared.

  “I don’t want to talk to her,” Snowy said firmly.

  “This isn’t a social call,” said Tina.

  Snowy sighed and took the screen. “What, Kita?”

  “We’re in the Jentex system, and there’s no one here. Who was your contact supposed to be?”

  “I—I don’t know. Sahara knows all that.”

  Kita sneered. “And I thought you were the trusted associate.”

  “I am, but it was given to her, and no one told me.”

  “Great. Tina!”

  “Yeah?”

  “Take me to Sahara’s room.”

  Tina shook her head. “She’s still under.”

  “Then wake her up. I don’t have time to wait.”

  “It might hurt her worse.”

  “So?” Kita said tersely. “I’m not waiting around for her to recover from her mistake. If she’s got to suffer more, all the better. Maybe she’ll learn.”

  Tina sighed and took the screen from Snowy. In the background, Kita could see Snowy get out of bed before Tina put up the hold screen.

  Kita took out a nail file and worked on a chip in her nail. Tina appeared with Anthrax in the background. Snowy stood to one side holding Sahara’s hand.

  “We gave her something to wake her up,” said Tina.

  Kita continued to work on her nail. “Let me know when she wakes up. Rene, anything?”

  “Negative, Kita. There’s nothing out here. We found a pair of dead satellites orbiting the planet, but that’s it. We detect no ship signatures.”

  “Kita, she’s awake,” said Tina as she propped the screen up in front of Sahara.

  “Sahara, this is Kita. We’ve arrived in the Jentex system, and we need to contact Collector’s fleet. Snowy says you know the access codes and the frequencies we need.”

  “I demand to talk to Collector,” Sahara said in a raspy voice. “You have violated the agreement, and it must be reported. He will decide if you can contact the fleet.”

  Kita’s brow furrowed. “I don’t have time to wait for you to run home to daddy and cry that you got beaten up on the playground. This ship doesn’t belong to him and what goes on aboard is none of his business. I am going to keep my end of the bargain and lead his forces to victory. You can either be a hindrance or a help.”

  “I will never give you the codes until I speak to Collector.”

  Kita traced her canine with her tongue. “How are you with small spaces, Sahara? Because I’m going to shove you into a coffin and fire you into space. Think about it—a slowly decreasing air supply as the temperature drops with barely enough room to raise your hands to your head. How long do you think you’d last before the terror slowly slips in? That cramped box is all that’s keeping the depths of space from you—I will do it—and I’ll jump the ship to the middle of nowhere so there will be no chance you’ll ever be found. I don’t care about you, you’re just in my way.”

  On screen, Babydoll and Panther appeared. They seized Sahara’s arms and pulled her from the bed.

  “Kita! Stop!” demanded Snowy.

  “She wants to test my resolve. We’ll see who’s willing to die for their cause. I know I am, how about your girl?”

  “Kita, let me talk to her.”

  “You can talk to her as Vee and Kerri carry her to the flight deck. We’ll use one of the catapult launchers to fling her into space.”

  “Don’t be a monster,” Snowy begged.

  “I'm not a monster. I’m getting results. I’ve seen how Collector gets results, remember Casey?”

  Defiance stuck her head into the video feed. “He dissected me. This is nothing compared to what your boss does.”

  “He’s not my boss,” Snowy argued weakly.

  “Better get talking,” urged Kita as the group left the medical ward for the elevator to the flight decks.

  “Amanda, Jess, can you bring me up a coffin and meet us on runway three?” said Kita.

  “Sure. Who’d you kill?” said Valor.

  “No one—yet. I’m trying to extract some information.”

  “We have methods for that,” said Stormy.

  “Yes, but this is far more fun.”

  “We’ll be right there,” said Valor.

  Kita and Defiance boarded the elevator and joined the group escorting Sahara. The Djinn was
too weak to struggle much in Panther and Babydoll’s grasps. The group took the elevator to the flight deck. Sailors and Marines in the corridor pressed against the walls to give Kita’s group space. A few crewmembers jeered the Djinn. They probably think she’s what remains of their captors.

  They reached the flight line.

  “Kita,” said Defiance, “I just contacted Launch Control. We have someone manning the launchers waiting for the order.”

  Kita nodded. Stormy, Valor, Blitz, and Starlight arrived with the coffin. “Attach it to the launcher, girls.” She approached Snowy and Sahara. “Are we done playing hero? I’m sure Collector will not fault your dedication to him. But I’m done waiting. Put her in.”

  “Kita, stop!” cried Snowy.

  “You had your chance. Now it’s my turn.”

  Babydoll and Panther placed Sahara in the coffin. Kita stood at the head of the coffin and looked down at Sahara.

  “Jess, give me a communicator.”

  Valor took a device from her belt and gave it to Kita. She turned it on and set the frequency, then placed it in Sahara’s hand.

  “What’s the range of the communicator?” asked Kita.

  “About fifty miles,” said Valor.

  “Case, tell them to set the launcher for five miles per minute.” Kita knelt down next to Sahara. “You have ten minutes to make up your mind. Give me what I want, and I promise you’ll be rescued and you can go back to bed. Or you can prove your loyalty to Collector until you die.” Kita reached over and pulled the coffin lid closed. Sahara’s eyes went wide as she shook her head. Kita waved good-bye.

  Kita stood up and motioned for everyone to step back. “Fire when ready, Casey.”

  Defiance signaled Launch Control. There was a metallic clack, and the coffin raced down the launcher out into space.

  “How long do you think she’ll last?” said Babydoll.

  “I bet she already thinks ten minutes have gone by,” said Panther.

  “Casey, can you get a search and rescue shuttle ready to go catch her,” said Kita.

  “You expect her to call your bluff?” said Stormy.

  “What bluff? I want the body recovered, so I have something to dump at Collector’s feet. Time to return to the bridge. We’ll know her decision by the time we get there.”

  “Rene, any communiqués with our newest fighter?” Kita asked as she approached Sheppard and the holotable.

  Sheppard rolled her eyes. “That was grotesque, even for you.”

  “But did it work?”

  Sheppard sighed. “Yes. She called. We patched her through and broadcast the message. We’re awaiting a reply.”

  “Is Sahara getting picked up?”

  “The shuttle is on its way.”

  “Good. Jess, Amanda, Snowy, why don’t you meet Sahara and get her back to the medical ward. I’m sure she’ll be stressed from her ordeal.”

  “You are such a bitch,” hissed Snowy. “To think I stuck my neck out to save you.”

  “No one asked you to. If I had, you’d be a god right now.”

  “Ouch. Sick burn,” said Babydoll.

  “Admiral,” yelled the officer from Sensors. “We have a new contact bearing three four five, five degrees up. New sighting, check that. Multiple sightings. Three, four, seven, fourteen, eighteen…twenty.”

  “Where’d they come from?” demanded Sheppard.

  “No idea, ma’am. They just appeared.”

  “Well,” said Kita. “Let’s not be left in suspense. Put me through on the channel Sahara used.”

  “Rodger,” said Sheppard as she gave the order.

  On the holotable, the image of a Djinn appeared.

  “Where is Sahara?” he demanded.

  “Indisposed. I’m Captain Kita. The one she was assigned to bring to you.”

  “Produce Sahara to confirm your identity.”

  “I don’t take orders from you,” said Kita as she crossed her arms. “I need to talk with Collector. While I do that, you are to prepare your fleet for a new commander. Send your ships friend/foe identifiers to my ship so we can update our display.”

  “I am the commander of this fleet,” the Djinn roared.

  “And who are you?”

  “I am Admiral Kakafar aboard the flagship Jeffar.”

  “We’ll see what you’re in charge of after I talk with Collector. In the meantime, prepare your fleet for inspection.”

  “I will do no such thing. We do not need you to fight our battles for us. You will submit and obey, female. Produce Sahara—that is your order.”

  “You have no power to order me to do anything. Collector wanted me, and I will talk to him. He said I am to lead you. Now, prepare for my arrival. If you’re not ready by the time I arrive, I’ll have your mane.”

  Kita cut the connection. “Kerri, round up Kami, Val, Raptor, and Rene. We’re going on a field trip.”

  “Going to get fitted for a shawl?”

  Kita grinned. “The way the kitties are behaving we’ll all have fur coats by the time this is over.”

  “I could go for a cute fur-lined bomber jacket,” said Defiance.

  “Anything my girl wants,” said Kita with a wink.

  “Maybe some boots to match—Oh, and gloves.”

  “Captain Kita,” called the shuttle pilot.

  Kita stuck her head into the cockpit. “Yeah?”

  “We’re receiving a transmission from the Djinn ship, they say they don’t have any docking bays open for us and their flex tube collars aren’t compatible with our ring.”

  “Transfer the message to the back,” said Kita as she moved into the passenger compartment. She waited for the communication panel message light to blink. When it did, she hit the answer button. A Djinn, not Kakafar, appeared.

  “Why can’t I get a docking bay?” Kita demanded of the Djinn before he had a chance to open his mouth.

  “They’re full.”

  “So, make room.”

  “I’m under orders to tell you to return to your ship, and a shuttle will be sent to retrieve Sahara.”

  “No way,” said Kita. “I’m in charge, not Kakafar.” Kita stuck her head into the cockpit doorway. “Pilot, find an airlock.” She returned to the panel. “You’re tracking us?”

  The Djinn bared his fangs. “Of course.”

  “Good. Then open the airlock my pilot finds. Otherwise, I’ll rip it open.”

  The Djinn chuckled. “You haven’t the equipment.”

  Kita held up her fist, and it burst into flame. “On the contrary, I have everything I need.”

  “Found one, Captain,” reported the pilot.

  “Good. Move us within a few yards. Seal yourself in and prepare to decompress the passenger compartment.”

  Once the cockpit door was sealed, the side door to the passage compartment opened. Across from them was a rectangular airlock door.

  “Alright, ladies. Let’s knock,” said Kita to the other Angels. She led the way, jumping from the shuttle, across open space, and landing against the ship’s hull. One by one, the Angels made the leap.

  Kita moved to a hinge, melted through it, and went to the second.

  “Everyone, grab hold and lift,” said Kita to the other Angels after she melted through the second hinge. “One, two, three!”

  The Angels pulled. The door slid out of its frame, and the Angels tossed it into space. Kita jumped down the hole, rotating her body to orient herself with the ship. She came to rest in front of the inner door. She banged on it sharply.

  “They’re not going to be able to open the inner door without decompressing the ship,” said Valentine.

  “Whatever,” said Kita. “The point has been made. We’ll just transform into clouds and pass through. Denver, I’m going to pass you everything I know about Tet ship computer design and engineering. I want you to try and see what you can get into.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Kita transformed into her cloud and moved over Defiance. The other Angels transformed in
to their clouds and followed Kita through the door.

  The airlock area was small and lined with maintenance pressure suits. A Djinn officer and a trio of guards waited in armored pressure suits. Behind them, the door to the rest of the ship was closed.

  “At least they’re not that stupid,” said Babydoll as she transformed into her Angelic form along with the other Angels.

  “Neptune’s rings, nothing prepares you for that cold,” said Defiance after Kita released her. “I want my gloves, jacket, and boots, Kita.”

  Kita grinned and turned her attention to the Djinn. “You can take those suits off. The compartment is pressurized.”

  The Djinn officer took a panel from his belt and looked at the readout. Satisfied, he took off his helmet.

  He must be young. The Djinn officer didn’t have a full mane, and his face wasn’t as thick and heavy as an older male Djinn.

  “Who are you?” demanded Kita of the young Djinn.

  “Second Ensign Gargah. I’m to escort you to Captain Kakafar.”

  “I don’t care to talk to him. I need to talk to Collector.”

  “The quantum entanglement communicator requires Captain Kakafar to operate it. You must speak to him. But before we go any further, you are to turn over all weapons.”

  Kita laughed. “If you can pry them from our cold, dead hands. For some of us, you’ll have to straight up kill us.”

  A Djinn guard pulled a scanner from his belt and scanned the Angels. “Only that one, that one, and that one,” he said pointing at Defiance, Sheppard, and Valentine.

  Valentine pulled her pistols and pointed them at the Djinn. “Come and get them.”

  “I don’t think you understand, Ensign Gargah,” said Kamikaze as she slid her claws out. “We don’t carry weapons, we are weapons.”

  Kita burst into flame, Babydoll’s fist glowed with ghostly purplish-black light, Sheppard’s elbow pulsed blue, Defiance frosted over, and Valentine aimed her pistols at Gargah’s forehead.

  “You’re welcome to try,” said Kita.

  Gargah took the panel from his belt and tapped on it. “Then your guard detail will need to be increased.”

  “That just saves us from having to hunt them down,” said Defiance.

  Gargah ignored her and opened the door leading to the rest of the ship. “Follow me. I will take you to Captain Kakafar.”