by L. Fergus
Valentine’s eyes narrowed.
“She’ll be fine,” said Kita giving Valentine a dirty look. She got up and went to the communications panel. She tapped the accept button, and Babydoll appeared.
“Hey, Kita. Enjoying your tour of the kitty cat fleet?”
“Oh, it’s great. We only had to relieve two captains.”
“So I thought I’d give you a heads up.”
Kita raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
“Kylee mouthed off to Zen, and the goat broke her jaw. Kylee's an absolute nightmare. We’ve got her restrained to the bed, and Tina is babysitting her after she tried to escape as a cloud.”
Kita hung her head. “Ok, thanks. I’ll deal with her.”
“Hey, I know she can be a pain in the ass. I’ll go with you. You’re going to need the backup.”
Kita chuckled. “Thanks.”
“It’s what your best friend is for.”
Kita stood on top of Enterprise admiring the stars. One by one around her clouds drifted through the ship’s hull. The clouds materialized into Panther, Babydoll, Aspen, and Raptor.
“Hey, baby,” said Panther. “Did you call us here to stargaze?”
Kita chuckled. “No. I’m steeling my soul.”
“Against what?” said Babydoll sounding concerned.
“Against what you’re going to tell me about Kylee. When we parted she was my baby, and I adored her. I want to know what happened.”
“She killed billions is what happened,” said Aspen pointedly. “She destroyed entire civilizations and their worlds for no reason.”
Kita winced. “I’m not blaming anyone, but did anyone try and stop her?”
“We tried talking to her,” said Babydoll. “We couldn’t restrain her. She didn’t listen to us, not even Denver. She tried hard to reign in Kylee’s impulses, but without sex as a lever, she didn’t often succeed.”
Kita sighed. “It’s my fault. I thought Kylee was ready and could handle it. I’m sorry to have put you in that position. Did she help at all? Kami is the only one who ever came to me.”
“Sorry, sug,” said Raptor. “The girl be more interested in her carnal appetite for destruction. If you got in her way, she be throwen’ a tantrum that be worse than if you just let her do what she be wanten’ to.”
“She lorded the fact that she was the leader over us,” said Panther. “She would especially rub it in mine. She called me your concubine.”
“I’m so sorry, Vee,” whispered Kita. “You know that’s not true. Your personal growth was tremendous. I thought pairing you with Re’drum was a fitting reward and you’d get to see the universe.”
“It wasn’t just me. She did it to others, even Denver and Kara.”
“I had hoped they’d be a good influence on her,” said Kita.
“Kara be goen’ along with Kylee to avoid the girl’s wrath,” said Raptor.
“No one even cares that she killed billions?” interjected Aspen.
“I care,” said Kita. “I didn’t send her out to lay waste to civilizations of the cosmos. It was a threat to be carried out when necessary, as a tool to be able to complete the goal. Which I’m thankful you accomplished. I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t found my cloud. She will not go unpunished, Leaf. I won’t tolerate such behavior. I’m sorry to all of you that I misjudged her.”
“It be a pattern,” said Raptor. “When you not be there to nip her rump she be runnen’ wild.”
Kita closed her eyes. Yes, it’s true. Every time I’m gone, Kylee runs wild. I used to think it was others’ faults, that she was reacting to them, but now I see it was them reacting to her. I owe many people an apology. I refused to see the truth, and I failed her as a mother. Kita wiped a tear from her eye. This will be the only tear I shed. I failed and must face the consequences.
“I will deal with Kylee and do what must be done. I can’t undo the past, but I can make the future right.”
Kita and Babydoll appeared in front of the medical suite door that contained Phoenix. Kita opened the door. Phoenix, her eyes closed, lay in the bed with her wrists strapped to the railing. Tina and Snowy sat in chairs next to the bed. Tina was watching TV. Snowy wore a hard plastic back brace and collar, and was reading. The pair turned their attention to the new arrivals.
“Hey, big sister,” said Tina. “You don’t look happy.”
“You were so concerned about the damage I may cause, that you ignored the damage that was caused.”
Tina gulped.
Kita knelt before Snowy. She took the cat’s hands. “I’m sorry for all those years I was gone, and I left you with Kylee. It wasn’t fair to you. I thought Kylee’s troubles were because of you, but now I see your troubles were because of her. I’m sorry for not seeing it sooner, and I thank you for all you did.”
Snowy blinked several times. “Kita, you don’t need to apologize for that. It was a long time ago.”
“It might as well have been yesterday. I do need to apologize for it. I blamed you when I should have blamed Kylee. Her behavior is her own fault, not yours. I was blinded as a mother, but I see it now. I’m sorry. My own selfishness is to blame.”
“I won’t argue with that,” said Snowy turning up her nose.
Kita stood. “Just remember, what I want is usually good for everybody.”
Snowy waved her hand dismissively.
Kita raised an eyebrow. Snowy must be crankier than usual. Kita checked Sahara’s status. She was still unconscious, but healing according to the Djinn doctor brought on board for her.
Standing, Kita moved to the head of the bed. Phoenix hadn’t moved. She wore a set of pajamas. Kita put her hand on Phoenix’s shoulder.
“Wake up,” Kita said forcefully.
Phoenix stirred and blinked her eyes several times. Her head turned to face Kita, and her eyes focused. When she realized it was Kita, she awoke fully.
“About damn time you’ve come to your slagging senses and come to give me back my stuff.”
“You’re not getting back anything. I’m here to take your wings and your cloud.”
“You can’t. They’re mine!” Phoenix screamed as she fought against the restraints. “I won’t let you! I’m more powerful than you. I should be the God of Evil, not you. I’ve killed billions more than you.”
Kita frowned. “That is why I am taking them from you. You’re no longer a good evil, striving to make the equation a better place. You’re here for your own gluttony, pride, and wrath. You no longer work for anything, and you covet what others around you have worked for while leeching off Kara and Denver. You are not the leader I trained you to be and you’ve squandered the gifts I’ve given you. Now I hear you belittle and insult the people I sent to keep you safe.”
Phoenix gave Babydoll a nasty look.
“It wasn’t just Kerri,” said Kita firmly.
“Of course, she’s going to tell you anything you want to hear,” said Phoenix. “She’s as good as a slave to you.”
“I wouldn’t lie to her,” said Aspen in a soft, strained voice. She appeared on the other side of the bed from Kita.
“Oh, go slag yourself, you annoying runt.”
“Enough,” snarled Kita. “These are my friends and family. I will not let you insult them. They did me a favor, and you have caused them much pain. That is a debt I have to pay, and the first payment is setting things right. You are my blood and I can’t change that, but that doesn’t mean it will save you. You are no longer worthy of being an Angel. Your wings are mine.”
Kita grabbed Phoenix’s arm. The bright yellows, reds, and oranges of Phoenix’s wings became muted and then lost all their color. The gray feathers turned black and crumbled.
“No!” Phoenix screamed. She dissolved into her black cloud half the size of the bed. The other Angels in the room reacted, but Kita waved them down.
“She is mine,” said Kita.
Phoenix drifted toward Aspen, who ducked out of the way around the bed behind Babydoll. Kita dissolved into
her cloud. She expanded until she filled the room.
Phoenix attacked Kita. Dark tendrils extended and penetrated Kita’s cloud.
The shocks, burns, and freezing that represented the pain, rage, and hate Kylee felt was nothing more than an irritant to Kita.
“You think your life’s pain is enough to hurt me?” Kita said to Phoenix in the black cloud’s monotone voice.
“You know nothing of what I’ve suffered, what I’ve been through,” said Phoenix in the same monotone voice. “Everyone abandons me. I thought you were different. You’re supposed to be my mom. And now you act like you don’t care?”
“I gave you everything: power, love, freedom. That was my mistake. I gave it to you—you didn’t earn it. I failed you. This is a failure I have to live with. Maybe, I’m not the mother I thought I was, or maybe the other girls wanted a mother. You wanted the power to make others suffer like you have suffered. You played me, and you won, but now it stops. You may be a god, but I’m still your mother. I can put you back in the hole I found you.”
“You are a failure. Look at what I’ve become because you kept abandoning me. This is your fault, not mine.”
“No,” said Kita. “You control your behavior, and it tells me what’s in your heart and mind. I may not have been there as much as I should have, but I know I taught you better than what you’ve displayed. I’m embarrassed by it—a child of mine behaving like a common thug. You were supposed to become my right hand and join with me.”
“You think I want to do your bidding for the rest of my life? I won’t serve you or anyone. I’m not one of these other featherheads who bow before you. I won’t let you control me.”
“I never wanted to control you, just give you the life you deserved. Do you think Denver bows before me?”
“She’s the worst! All she does is complain she’s apart from you. When she’s not doing that, she’s telling me what to do.”
“I thought you loved her,” said Kita.
“I do.”
“Do you really? Or do you abuse her love for your own needs?”
“Like you’re one to talk—you and your concubines. You use one until you tire of her and then you move on to the next. Don’t lecture me on love. I know you don’t feel it. You’re just as bad as me.”
“I respect my girlfriends, something you don’t give Denver.”
“Don’t tell me what I do and don’t do.” Phoenix sent another surge of emotional energy at Kita.
Kita absorbed it, to study later to better understand Phoenix. Large tendrils closed around Phoenix like looming fingers. The ends jabbed into Phoenix. Kita sent her own blast of emotional energy. Phoenix’s cloud expanded and contracted several times.
“You think you know pain and hatred, child. That is nothing compared to the disappointment I have for you and what you’ve done. The destruction of those civilizations is on me because you are my failure. It’s now one more burden I have to bear. One more thing I can never make up for.”
Kita sent the energy and Phoenix’s cloud ruptured. Phoenix let out a shriek of emotional energy. Kita’s tendrils engulfed Phoenix. The girl fell out the bottom of Kita’s cloud. Kita shifted back to her angelic form.
Phoenix scrambled backward until she hit the bed. She raised her hands and looked at them. “What did you do to me?” she cried.
“Taken what was mine,” said Kita. “I’ve taken all I can from you. You’re still a god, and I’m sending you back to Infinity.”
“What? I’ve never even been there.”
“You’ll figure it out,” said Babydoll.
“Tina, as the only one allowed in Infinity, do you mind escorting the young god to her home?” said Kita.
“Ah, sure,” said Tina with a wary smile. “I’ll explain it to Y’grene and E’fil.”
“Give her a research project,” said Babydoll.
“A what?” protested Phoenix.
Kita stepped up to Phoenix. “From this point forward you are no longer an Angel, related to any, or have any claim to us. You’re as human as I can make you. May you find peace in Infinity or wherever you go.”
Babydoll pulled Kylee to her feet. She grabbed the girl’s upper arm and forced her into her god form. Tina changed into her god form. She collapsed into a brilliant white point of light and flew into Kylee collapsing her into a point of light. The two lights flew out of the room.
“Did you really strip her of everything?” said Snowy, her nose pale.
“Everything I could. I failed, and I must correct the mistake. Kylee’s actions are my fault, but she must suffer the consequences. I won’t tolerate someone who commits genocide for fun.”
“So you will for other reasons?” said Babydoll with a teasing smile.
“As long as it’s a good reason.”
“I won’t ask what a good reason is,” said Snowy.
“Unlike you, the world is not black and white,” said Kita.
“Har-har.”
“But I must go and find Denver and tell her. I don’t know how upset she’ll be.”
“You want help?” said Babydoll.
“No, this is something I should do alone. I’ve been there since the beginning of their relationship.”
“As weird as that was.”
“I should have seen the omen. Ship computer,” Kita called.
“Yes, Captain Kita?” answered a genderless synthesized voice.
“Where is Child of the emperor Valentine?”
“She is in the Political Bureau office. Can I contact her for you?”
“Send her a message that I need to speak with her, and I will meet her there.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Kita sighed. “My day’s only going to get harder.”
“Better you than me,” said Snowy.
“Go back to bed,” huffed Kita. Improve your attitude, or you're next out the door.
Kita entered the Political Bureau office. Valor hovered over Lieutenant Po and several workstations with Valentine by her side. Jupiter lay at the end of a row of workstations. His head came up when he smelled visitors. Sarge trotted over to the other cat and exchanged several head rubs and licks. Kita smiled at the cats and smiled wider when she saw Stormy in the workshop part of the office.
What should I do first? The easy one or the hard one? I might as well get the tears out of the way first. Kita approached Valor and Valentine.
“How’s it going, ladies?” asked Kita.
“Not as smooth as I’d like,” said Valor. “This patchwork of tech is making it hard to create tools that aren’t area specific. What we did for Mauler is a good roadmap, but everything we developed for that is no good with the tech these ships have.”
“How they get it all to work onboard these ships is a mystery to me,” said Valentine.
Kita sighed. “That’s the problem with mercenary fleets.”
“We did get the software suite that Collector requires to be installed on his ships for communications. We’ve reverse engineered it and have begun snooping through their communications.”
“That’s something at least. Good work.”
“So what brings you down to our hole?” said Valor. “You’re not here to smash the place up are you?”
Kita smiled remembering one of her previous visits. “No. I need to talk to Denver.”
“What about?” said Valentine. “Did I do something wrong? Why didn’t you just send it to me?”
“Because this is personal, and I need to talk to Denver, not Valentine.”
“Oh, ok. I don’t think I like the sound of that. Is Kylee alright?”
“She’s fine,” Kita said fainting a smile. “Jess, do you have an empty office?”
“You can use mine. I never use it. That door over there.” Jess pointed to a door across the room.
“Thanks,” said Kita. She took Valentine’s hand and led her to the office.
Inside, Kita directed Valentine to a chair and pulled the other from behind the desk. She sat down
so she could face Valentine. She took the other Angel’s hands. Kita closed her eyes. She hadn’t processed the emotions that went along with what happened and now she was going to have to help someone else. She wished for Panther and Defiance.
“Denver, I’ve made a decision that directly affects you.”
“What did I do?”
Kita shook her head. “Nothing. That’s part of why this hurts so much. You did nothing wrong. If anything you made the situation better.”
Valentine gasped. “What did Kylee do?”
“I was given a report by some of the others of what happened while the Valkyries were out searching the cosmos.”
Valentine went white and tears formed in her eyes. “I tried to stop her. I pleaded with her every time. She wouldn’t listen to me.”
“It’s not your fault,” Kita said gently. “These actions are hers and hers alone. She’s been forced to take responsibility for them. These are not the actions of an Angel, but of a monster.”
Valentine burst into tears. “I know she’s bad, but she’s not that bad. She promised to never do it again. And she was so sorry afterward.”
“Denver, I know you love Kylee, but I don’t think Kylee loves you anymore. She was just stringing you along—”
“No! That’s not true. She gave me a ring and promised me a wedding.”
“I know she did, and I’m sure she would have given you one, but she was doing it to keep you by her side, not because she loves you.”
“Why would she do that?” Valentine yelled.
“Because you took care of her and praised her. You fed her ego and satisfied her carnal appetite. It’s all about her. It was never about you.”
“But I know she loves me. She waited for me.”
Kita sighed. “I know she did. I believe at one point she did love you, but whatever happened over the last ten years has changed her or exposed her real self. This isn’t your fault, so don’t blame yourself. She fooled me too, maybe more than you. I failed her, and in turn, I failed you. I’m sorry. I really wanted this to be a happy ending for both of you. You deserve it.”
“What’s to happen to her?”
Kita bit her lip. “She’s been stripped of her wings and cloud, and sent to Infinity to live with the other gods where they can control her.”