by L. Fergus
Kita looked at the other Angels and shrugged. She led the others out and followed the young Djinn. As they walked, guards fell in beside and behind them.
“Are they trying to intimidate us or are they scared of us?” said Valentine as she checked out the guard beside her.
“My guess is to intimidate,” said Kita. “The Djinn aren’t the kind to show fear or weakness.”
The Angels followed Gargah through the ship until they passed through a reinforced door. Inside the walls narrowed.
“Girls, be ready,” said Kita. “We’re entering a boarding checkpoint.”
“What’s that?” said Babydoll.
“It’s a place to repel boarders. The Tet never developed fighters. Instead, they slug it out ship-to-ship or send thousands of boarders to capture a ship. This area will have automated weapons and protection for the defenders.”
“And the Djinn are the ones that taste like blueberry?”
“Yep.”
“Well, let the ass-kicking begin.”
Kita led the Angels through the funnel into the center of the room. Armored Djinn occupied every defensive position. Above them, the automated systems tracked their movements. The guards behind them encircled the Angels.
“Captain Kita,” boomed Kakafar near the far door. He wore a yellow dress uniform complete with colorful triangular ribbons, cords, and other decorations. He was in stark contrast to the other Djinn who wore combat armor. “Where is Sahara?”
“You keep asking, and I keep telling you, she’s indisposed. I don’t answer to you. I will explain to Collector.”
“If you do not produce her, then I am to assume you have her prisoner and I can take whatever measure I deem necessary to free her.”
Kita shrugged. “So…what? You’re going to kill me and attack my ship? I can’t tell you how bad an idea that is. I promise you, you won’t walk out of here. We will kill everyone, and I will drag your broken and bleeding body to throw at Collector’s feet. Your choice. Your twenty-five against my seven. It’s not even a fair fight—for you.”
“Surrender and submit,” snarled Kakafar.
“To you? Never,” yelled Kita. “Death first.”
The other Angels bared claws, fangs, pistols, and transformed. Raptor’s change gave the Djinn pause as she whistled lowly and tapped her giant middle toe on the metal decking.
“In death, you will be found guilty,” warned Kakafar.
“You have to kill us first,” said Kita. “And you don’t have enough firepower to bring down my newest chick.”
“Last warning,” yelled Kakafar. “Produce Sahara. Soldiers, aim!”
Around the room, the Djinn soldiers brought their rifles up. The automated defenses systems spun and locked on target.
From her feet, a flame spread up Kita, engulfing her in a roaring inferno. “I promise you’ll die in Collector’s presence.”
“Fire,” ordered Kakafar.
The soldiers opened fire on the Angels. The automated system rained down bullets and casings. Kita, Babydoll, and Panther raised their arms and the bullets hung in the air. The firing subsided slowly as the soldiers realized their rounds were building up in front of them.
Kita giggled menacingly as the bullets rained to the floor. “I warned you it wouldn’t be a fair fight. Ladies, shall we?”
Kita flashed forward and grabbed a pair of soldiers by their throats. Her hands melted through their armor and the air filled with the smell of burning fur and flesh.
Babydoll threw herself into a ball and struck a soldier in the chest, cracking the composite armor and throwing the Djinn into the wall. She bounced off and struck another in the side driving him into the deck.
Panther slashed open a Djinn’s armor and drove her claws into his chest. Kamikaze phased behind a pair of soldiers and drove her claws into the base of their helmets. She phased in front of another pair and plunged her claws through their helmets’ faceplates. An ice bomb went off next to her, showering a group of soldiers with deadly ice fragments. Ice crept toward the Djinn, freezing them to the deck.
Valentine fired her pistols. The giant rounds blew through the Djinns’ helmets and bounced around inside leaving a bloody mess. She fired so fast the first body hadn’t fallen by the time she’d hit the fifth.
Raptor screamed and jumped after the Djinn, her long talons puncturing and tearing through the soldiers’ armor. Her powerful jaws ripped their heads off, helmet and all. The dinosaur turned and found herself staring down Gargah.
“Leave him,” instructed Kita. “He’s proven to not be as stupid as the rest. He could be useful.”
Raptor growled low and stuck her snout in Gargah’s face. She blasted him with shots of air from her nose. Gargah didn’t move but flexed his hands with his claws out. Raptor knocked him over with her tail. She screamed and leaped at another soldier with his rifle pointed at her. Raptor’s mouth seized his arm. She yanked and twisted, snapping through the armor and bone, taking the Djinn’s arm and weapon with her. A bullet from Valentine put the Djinn down.
Kita threw a star and struck Kakafar in the leg, severing the tendons. He collapsed to the deck and crawled toward a barricade. Kita grinned wickedly and jumped, drawing Dead as she landed on him. She plunged the sword through his lower back. Kakafar collapsed. Kita grabbed the Djinn’s mane and slammed his face into the decking several times until blue blood ran from his nose.
Reaching into her belt, Kita pulled out a pair of Djinn canines. She held them up in front of Kakafar. “You know what these are?” she asked with a snarl. “These belonged to the captain of Ragji. I yanked them from his face after he made the mistake of thinking he could control me. And now…you're next.”
Kita reached into Kakafar’s bleeding mouth and grabbed his left canine. With a twisted grin, she yanked. Kakafar screamed.
“Oh, don’t worry,” cooed Kita. “The second one is worse.”
Kakafar tossed his head, trying to dislodge Kita. She grabbed his mane and slammed his face against the deck with a loud crack. “Oops, I broke your face.”
Kita yanked Kakafar’s mouth open and pulled out the right canine. She lifted his head up by his mane and dangled the pair of teeth by their roots in front of his face.
“This is what happens to those who insult me and don’t treat me like I deserve to be treated. You Djinn are especially bad and need to be taught how to treat a lady. That’s why I won’t give you Sahara. I’m not letting my friend Snowy be pulled into your society. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they never return to Djinn space. They deserve better than that. I’ll make good on my promise. I won’t kill you until we see Collector.”
Kita stood up and put the teeth in her belt. “Ladies, where do we stand?”
“Twenty-one dead, four wounded, and Gargah,” reported Babydoll. She stuck her finger into the open wound of a Djinn. He roared in pain. “Oh, be quiet,” she laughed as she stuck her finger in her mouth. She shivered causing her braids to whip back and forth. She grinned. “Yum.”
Kita winked at her.
“Is this really the time and place for that?” demanded Sheppard.
“What is the correct time and place?” said Babydoll.
“Like, never.”
“Then this will have to do. It’s not like I’m asking you to do it.”
“I’m surprised your playmate isn’t joining you.”
“Oh, I think she got hers.”
“Gargah,” called Kita.
The young Djinn picked his way across the room and stood before Kita. “Yes, Captain?”
“I’ll let it go that you led us into an ambush since you were just following orders, but I do need to talk to Collector. Take me there.”
“I will take you to the bridge.”
“Good.” Kita picked up Kakafar by his lower leg. “Lead on. I’ll drag this worthless bag of meat along.”
Kita entered the Djinn ship’s bridge. It was laid out like none she’d ever seen. A half circle of workstations
centered on a command chair faced a large screen that showed local space and the fleet’s status. Behind the half circle of workstations, clusters of workstations filled the back half of the room. Doors led to various unknown destinations.
The bridge came to a halt when she entered. Kita flung Kakafar into the command chair. She glided up so she could see the entire room.
“My name is Captain Kita, and I am now in control of this ship and fleet. Anyone who wants to argue is welcome to, just know your captain tried, and that’s what’s left of him. I am the one Collector sent to lead you and I will. Before I joined Collector, I commanded a ship in the Diamock fleet. My ship was the one that defeated the human invasion. I know how to win against any odds. I am legendary, and you will be too. Now, I need to speak to Collector.”
“You are in command of nothing until Collector says so,” said a Djinn in a formal uniform almost as ornate as Kakafar’s.
Kita sighed. “And you are?”
“Commander Gef, first officer of the Jeffar.”
“Put me in contact with Collector, and we’ll sort this out.”
“Collector doesn’t come to you, you come to him.”
“He’ll pick up for me.”
“Where is the agent Sahara? She was supposed to escort you.”
This again? “She’s safe but indisposed. I will explain it to Collector.”
“If something has happened to her I do not wish to be you.”
Kita rolled her eyes. Really? What do they think is going to happen?
“Let me talk to him, and we’ll sort it out.”
“We will send a message. Collector will contact us with a time.”
“Now works,” said Kita. “Show me to the communications room.”
Gef stroked his mane. “Fine. It’s your fur, not mine.”
“Finally. Someone who sees it as it is.”
“Follow me,” said Gef.
Kita floated to the command chair and picked up Kakafar before joining Gef. The other Angels fell in behind.
“We will take him to the medical station,” said Gef.
“I’m not done with him yet,” said Kita.
Gef’s mane rippled as a sign of surprise and curiosity. He led the group to a door across the bridge. Kita took in the stares from the crew. None were stupid enough to be openly hostile, but she did receive some challenging looks. Kakafar must have some crew loyal to him. Kita took note of whom and would have them moved if needed.
The door opened, and Gef waved everyone inside except Gargah. “Ensign Gargah, what are you doing?”
“I was told to follow by Captain Kita.”
“He can come,” said Kita. “He’s proven he can follow orders and be useful.”
The Angels squeezed into the small square room. Gargah stood in the back trying to look invisible but stood out anyway by being eight inches taller than Kita.
“Send transmission,” Kita ordered.
The room lit on all sides forming a grid pattern.
Kita tapped her foot impatiently.
“You’d think he would be waiting for our call,” said Babydoll.
“I’m sure he’s trying to figure out what happened,” said Valentine. “We’ve created an information vacuum.”
“I’m sure he’s been reevaluating his decision to include my mom,” said Kamikaze with a teasing smile.
“If he hasn’t before, he will after this,” said Panther.
“I know I’d want your head,” said Defiance.
“But I like you,” said Kita.
“And you don’t like me?” Collector’s deep, but educated voice asked as an image of him appeared in front of the Angels. “I see you have brought more of your flock.”
“I told you, I came with more.”
“Where are Sahara and Snowy?”
Kita smiled. “Both were injured recovering Enterprise. They are fine, just too injured to make such a dangerous mission.”
“And what makes boarding one of my ships dangerous?”
“Him.” Kita held up Kakafar by the leg. “He refused to recognize who I was and I refused to take stupidity as an answer. I overcame his stupidity and brought him along so you can deal with him. Though, he can’t say anything in his defense.”
“Why have you beaten Admiral Kakafar?”
Kita sneered. “He attacked us first. We defended ourselves. You’re down about twenty soldiers. It’s never wise to attack us.”
“I will expect a report from you and from the ship on what happened.”
“I don’t write reports. You’ll have to take my verbal report. He refused to let me talk to you. I refused to produce Sahara or let him aboard Enterprise. When I refused to back down, he opened fire and we retaliated. I beat him into a pulp over his own stupidity.”
Collector admired his pipe. “Admiral Kakafar is a decorated and accomplished admiral who has won many victories. Replacing him will take time.”
Kita grinned. “Don’t worry. I come with my own admiral. Rene?”
Sheppard pushed her way to the front.
“This is Admiral Rene Sheppard—formally of the UEE Shadow Fleet. There is no better admiral in space. She wrote the book on UEE strategy and tactics, and knows what they’ll do before they do. She’s the one responsible for the assault that smashed the Verisom fleet.”
Collector looked up from his pipe. “Why is she no longer with the UEE?”
“She’s like me and has issues with General Lyakhova—an important leader in the UEE.”
“Your admiral has no knowledge of a Djinn fleet.”
“All fleets operate on the same basic principles,” said Sheppard. “I will have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your ships. It will take time to build that into a strategy, but I know the vulnerabilities of the Shadow Fleet. I’m the best to lead your forces. Combine my leadership experience with my experience working with Kita, and you have a multiple force multipliers. We will need it. The Shadow Fleet is not small or inexperienced. They are fearless and tenacious. To win against them will require every trick in the book, and I wrote the book.”
Collector stroked his mane. “Say I put you in charge, who do you answer to?”
“Kita. I will do her will.”
“To get this wondrous advantage, I must put more faith in you, Kita?”
“If you want to win, you go with me. I do have an observation. When we arrived, twenty ships approached us. The UEE has over two hundred. I hope you're hiding a bigger force out here.”
Collector pointed with his pipe in hand. “You have what I give you to accomplish the goal. This force is strong and adequate for its mission.”
“That mission better be hit and run,” said Sheppard. “And if we do retreat beyond the wormhole the UEE will follow.”
“Your job is to start a war. Once war is declared, others will join us.”
“Kita, this is a big gamble,” said Sheppard.
“That’s why I want you at the head of it. Don’t worry, I have a plan.”
“Give me your fleet, and I will start your war…as long as I get Galina,” said Sheppard to Collector.
“It seems my options are limited. Gef will be your first officer and will report to me directly.”
“Fine, but Enterprise is my flagship.”
Collector puffed on his pipe. “I leave that to you. You have your task, Admiral. I expect a written battle plan in a week.”
“You’ll have one,” said Sheppard.
“And Kita, you are responsible for everything.”
Kita shrugged. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Collector pointed a claw. “Sahara and Snowy are to be transferred to Jeffar to get the treatment they need.”
Kita motioned to Anthrax. “I have a doctor aboard Enterprise that knows Snowy’s medical history better than anyone. They will get better care aboard Enterprise.”
“As soon as they are able they are to be transferred.”
Kita sighed. “Will do. Anything else?”
>
“Yes, what happened in the Bermilli Expanse? Ships are missing, not just Enterprise. Investigators are going through the wreckage. No explanation for the destruction of the five ships is evident. I think the one person who can explain it is you.”
“I destroyed those ships because I carry a major grudge against the Tet. I killed their crew aboard Enterprise. Sahara was injured trying to save the crew. She attacked me, and another Angel stopped her. Snowy attacked me over Sahara’s injuries. I broke Snowy to prove a point.”
Collector steepled his fingers, the claws on the ends tapping together. “And what is that point?”
“Don’t get in my way. I don’t care who you are. I don’t need that kind of aggravation in my life. I have enough to worry about.”
Collector bared a fang. “This puts us in a predicament. I can’t have you attacking whoever you wish over whatever petty slight you perceive.”
Kita shrugged. “I don’t need you. I have a ship and my Angels. I can leave and go after the humans on my own.”
“What makes you think you’ll leave this ship alive?”
Kita raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have enough crew aboard this tub to stop us. I will leave this ship a floating graveyard. Or I can repeat what I did aboard Ragji, and I’ll take down your entire fleet. But go ahead, be like everyone else. Underestimate my power and resolve. I promise if you piss me off, I’ll send you your daughter back to you in a hundred separate boxes. You can piece her back together. Don’t make this about how much I need you. This is about how much you need me.”
Collector’s face was stone. His hands clenched in his lap. “If what you say is true, why is Snowy with you?”
Kita smiled and turned to Kamikaze. “This is not Snowy. This is our daughter, Kamikaze. She takes her looks from Snowy and her attitude from me.”
“I know that look, Collector,” said Kamikaze. “I’ve seen it plenty of times on people who deal with my mother. Your carefully cultivated hand full of hearts has turned to spades. We’re not against your war, and we’ll do our best to cultivate it. But you must cede absolute authority to my mother. You have given her a goal, and she will make it happen. A wise person once said: If you want help from the powerful, you must take them on their own terms. Before you stand some of the most powerful individuals in the universe. We are loyal to my mother beyond question. If you side with her, you won’t be sorry. Oppose her, and everything you hold dear will be destroyed. We live a long time and grudges die hard.”