by L. Fergus
“But—but I’m never going to see her again!”
“I know— I’m sorry. Maybe someday we’ll be allowed back in Infinity.”
“That’s not fair!” screamed Valentine.
“Unfortunately, you’re getting punished for her actions.”
“I protest. There must be another way.”
“It’s already done,” said Kita firmly.
“And you weren’t going to tell me?”
“I decided it was best that it be done first and then tell you.”
“Because you knew I wouldn’t let you otherwise.”
Kita shook her head. “It would have happened regardless. You may be her partner, but I’m her mother. More importantly, I’m still me.”
“And of course what you want goes,” Valentine said with contempt.
“It’s a heavy responsibility. That’s what this is about, my responsibility for Kylee’s actions. There are many things I’d let go, but not something like this. Genocide without cause is inexcusable.”
“That’s rich coming from someone who kills for fun.”
“Life is precious, Denver, a single life is not.”
“So that’s it?” yelled Valentine. “It’s ok for you, but not for her?”
“I’ve never killed an entire civilization. I’ve killed thousands at a time. That’s not even on the same scale.”
“So the great God of Evil isn’t so evil?”
Kita rolled her eyes. “In this case, yes. I can’t say Kylee hated the people she killed. She killed for fun.”
“You don’t know that. Maybe she had a reason.”
“Denver, you’re grasping at straws.” Valentine released Kita’s hands. “The decision’s been made, Kylee is gone. All that’s left is the tears. I’ve shed mine. It’s your turn. Cry, hurt, remember, and move on…or wait. I don’t care which. Maybe some time as a god will do her good.”
Valentine slumped forward and cried into her hands.
Kita slid her chair around and put her arm around Valentine. She let her cry, hoping the tears would wash the pain and memory away. What she didn’t want to happen was Valentine retreating into her computer. She might never get the Angel part back.
Valentine lifted her head and wiped her tears with the back of her hands. She sniffed, and she went to say something, but it died on her lips. She cleared her voice and tried again.
“I want to talk to my sisters.”
Kita nodded. Valentine the Angel didn’t have any sisters, but Valentine, as the God of Justice, did—the Gods of Murder and War. Kita called Panther and Tenshi. The pair flew in as points of lights and expanded into their angelic form.
Panther took Kita’s seat and put her arm around Valentine.
“What’s wrong?” said Tenshi.
Kita touched the Angel, opened a cloud connection, and filled her in on events. Tenshi flinched hard enough to break the connection, giving both Angels painful feedback.
“You didn’t?” said Tenshi.
“It’s done,” said Kita.
“Why weren’t the rest of us asked?”
“I didn’t think I needed the entire group’s opinion. I chose those who’d give me honest feedback.”
“Nice to know where I rate.”
“It’s not that your opinion isn’t valid, but it would have been redundant.”
“Is that why Denver wasn’t consulted,” Tenshi replied harshly.
“Her opinion would have been tainted. Same as Kara’s.”
“Kita’s famous inner circle. Always playing favorites.”
“If you don’t like it, you know the way to Infinity,” said Kita.
Tenshi glared but said nothing.
“That’s what I thought,” said Kita with a sharp look. “I’ll leave you to your sister.” She opened the door and looked at the workshop, but Stormy was gone. Valor was hovering over another workstation. Kita went to her.
“Where’s Amanda?”
“Not sure. Her shift ended.”
Kita made a face. “Ship computer?”
“Yes, Captain Kita?”
“Where is Child of the emperor Stormy?”
“Child of the emperor Stormy is in the forward observation room.”
I didn’t know Amanda was a stargazer. Kita said goodbye to Valor and went to find Stormy, hoping the encounter would lift her spirits.
Kita exited the elevator to Enterprise’s bridge with Babydoll. The pair approached the holotable where Sheppard, Defiance, and Blitz were in a video conference with several of the Djinn captains.
Sheppard saw Kita and announced, “Thank you, Captains. My staff will be in touch if they have more questions.” She killed the feed much to the surprise of Defiance and Blitz, then turned to the approaching Angels. “Kita, we need to talk to you.”
“You and everyone else,” Kita said sarcastically. “Sorry, Rene, it’s been a long day.”
“I heard something went down in the medical ward.”
“What do you need?” said Kita not interested in telling.
“What’s wrong, darlin’?” said Defiance to Kita.
Kita shook her head. “Kids.”
“I want to know what the plan is. I know—”
Kita waved a hand to shush Sheppard. “Everyone, grab my hand,” she ordered as she held out her hands. Once everyone touched her, she phased them outside of Enterprise near the bow.
“Rene, I owe you and Case an apology,” said Kita. “You’ve both been very good sports about my dealings with Collector and leading his fleet against the Shadow Fleet.”
“I knew you had a plan,” said Defiance. “I am curious to hear it since they are my ships we’ll be attacking.”
“I have no intention of leading Collector’s forces to victory. Quite the opposite. I plan to lead them to their doom. As soon as we’re in UEE space, we’re going to contact the Shadow Fleet and tell them we’re being pursued and under attack by alien forces. I don’t know what forces guard the wormhole, I’m hoping you can come up with a plan and continue the ruse.”
“By the emperor, Kita,” exclaimed Sheppard. “I’m not a machine. I’ve been working days straight on this while trying to learn a completely new fleet.”
Kita raised a hand. “I understand, Rene, and I thank you, but I’m not asking you to do it for real. I need you to go against your training and nature. Put together something that looks good on paper that will fool the Djinn captains. That’s all you have to do.”
“That would have been nice to know a few days ago,” said Blitz.
“Sorry,” said Kita. “I know you’ve been working hard, but I need to keep this ruse going for a little longer. I hope that’s some stress off all of you. I plan to run drills and exercises to give the appearance we’re training them. I expect you to tell them all the wrong things.”
“That could be as hard as doing the real thing,” said Defiance.
“No,” said Sheppard. “I’ll hand it off to those who need to learn and are inexperienced with fleet-wide exercises. I’ll make it a problem for the junior officers to solve. We’ll need to review it. In the meantime, we’ll work on an escape plan.”
“You expect your junior staff to be that bad?” teased Babydoll.
“I expect them to not understand the nuance of the situation and understand the strategy involved. I expect to get back a competent report that will require some modification but will be good enough to fool the Djinn. It will give my junior officers some practical experience in fleet-wide operations.”
“What will the Shadow Fleet need to defeat Collector’s fleet?” said Kita.
Sheppard crossed her arms. “They have some anti-fighter technology mounted. It’s not as sophisticated as ours, but it can still bring down some. One expeditionary force should be enough. I brought three with me when I came for the princess. That would be enough to drive them from our space.”
“I want them crushed. Everything that comes through that wormhole doesn’t make it home.”
“That’ll be trickier. We’ll have to coordinate expeditionary forces. We can cut off their escape that way. If we can get Fort Ticonderoga that will help spare our own ships.”
“Work out a battle plan on what you know of the UEE forces. If we have to, we can lead Collector’s forces into a trap.”
Sheppard sighed. “Assuming the fleet returned to normal stations after we returned from rescuing the princess.”
“I know it won’t be exact,” said Kita. “I just want to have a basic plan that can be adapted to the situation we find when we arrive.”
“How does broadcasting the princess is in danger work for you?” said Defiance.
“That would bring every ship that receives it,” said Sheppard.
“That’s great to get everyone mobilized, but what do we do when we have everyone moving?” said Kita.
“I’ll look on the map and figure out a place. Most likely it’ll be out on the frontier. We pull the expeditionary force guarding the Sol system and those stationed in the AC system. I just need to figure out where the three groups can meet.”
“What do we do if Collector’s boarding ships get a chance to launch?” said Babydoll.
Sheppard grunted. “They do a lot of damage, and our ships aren’t designed for that kind of combat. We’ll have to warn our side to keep their distance. We could try and get the Djinn to board the battle cruisers since they carry nearly as many Marines as the Djinn boarding ships.”
“Incorporate that into the strategic plan your staff puts together,” said Kita. “Tell them those are strategically important ships that need to be destroyed first.”
“Noted,” said Blitz. “I must say, having an entire conversation with others in my head is most bizarre.”
The other Angels chuckled.
“Kita likes to keep it interesting,” said Babydoll. “You haven’t even seen the weirdest stuff yet.”
“Kita and weird are synonymous,” said Sheppard.
Kita gave her a dirty look. “For me, it’s just an average day. I’ll tell you when something gets weird.”
“Then we’ll know we’re in trouble,” said Babydoll.
“And what kind of trouble would that be?”
“Like Harbinger or Kiltrex kind of trouble.”
Kita sighed. “Those weren’t weird. They were heartbreaking.”
“But we won.”
“And the cost?”
“All part of the business we’re in,” said Babydoll with a shrug.
“I hope it’s not you I have to bury someday,” said Kita, her anger building.
“They will be missed,” said Defiance as she stepped around and put an arm around Kita. “Come, let’s go inside. They know what they need to know.”
Kita and Babydoll followed the corridor from the bridge to the forward observation room. The room was located on the same level as the bridge, taking up a small corner of the entire space. The bridge and the observation room shared the same giant domed window.
“Hey, I’m sorry,” said Babydoll. “Don’t give me the silent treatment, especially over something that’s true.”
“I know you don’t care about the Angels we lose, but I do,” said Kita.
“Who said I didn’t care? Most of them didn’t like me, but I do miss living in the penthouse.”
“I’m sorry the others didn’t like you. I love you, and that’s all that matters.”
“I know. That’s why I stick around. Actually, this new batch of Angels is nice—little green.”
Kita sighed. “I know. I’m doing my best to break them in, but it’s hard. We don’t have a never-ending supply of enemies.”
“Or a giant forest to send them into and let them fight their way out.”
Kita chuckled. “I do miss that place.”
“Ugh, not me. I can’t wait to get back to civilization.”
“I thought you were Legion through and through.”
“Yeah, only on that planet were we ever in the mud,” said Babydoll. “Back in the UEE, it was all urban.”
“And you were more a police force than a military one,” said Kita.
“Paramilitary. We do help with putting down revolts.”
“I thought that’s what the Shadow Fleet was for.”
“That’s if the Legion can’t pacify the colony or planet. They’re the last resort. The Legion is the second resort. The first resort is the negotiators that are sent in to try and fix the problems.”
“And what would you do if you could go back to Earth?” said Kita curiously.
“Take in a football match. I’ve missed that.”
“A sporting event is what you’ve missed? Why don’t you watch them on TV?”
“I already know the outcome. You have to see it live and be there with the crowd. It’s an awesome spectacle.”
“Casey was telling me about rodeo.”
Babydoll laughed. “That’s not the same. Rodeo is a niche sport particular to America. Football is played the world over in front of a hundred thousand people. The roar of the crowd is enough to make you shiver.”
“So did you ever see Rene play?” said Kita.
“Ah, no. Wrong football. She plays American football, a completely different sport. Again, a niche of America.”
“I’m going to be so lost when I get to Earth—even with all the TV I’ve seen.”
“Yeah, I should warn you now, real life isn’t like it is on TV,” said Babydoll.
“Oh, great. I’ve watched thousands of hours for nothing.”
“You were entertained.”
“Usually. I could have done without all the sappy romances.”
Babydoll chuckled. “Says the girl who has two girlfriends and a partner…plus Snowy. I’m sure there is some sappy romance in there.”
Kita chuckled. “Yes, I must keep the other girls happy.”
“I have it on authority that you are a bit of a romantic yourself.”
“And you’re to tell no one. Otherwise, I’ll reveal that you are too.”
“If the right person comes along. I haven’t had your luck and have the right four people come along…Actually, I think you’ve had more than that.”
“I’d love to see you be romantic,” said Kita teasing.
“I can do it. How hard can it be?”
Kita smiled as she stepped into the forward observation room. Benches and planters were scattered around, along with a few tables, but she didn’t see Stormy.
“You suppose we missed her?” said Babydoll.
“No. Listen,” said Kita.
Babydoll looked around.
“Ok, tell me if I’m doing this right,” said Stormy. “I have to tap the red well to cast this hill giant, and I have to tap three others?”
“That’s right,” said Toxic. “Then you place it in front of your wells.”
“So I can attack?”
“Not until your next turn.”
“Ok, but I have one red well left over so I can cast a lightning bolt?” said Stormy.
“Ah, yeah. That’s three damage to me,” said Toxic.
“Yeah! I think I’m getting the hang of this.”
Babydoll looked at Kita. “What are they doing?”
“It’s a game the kids play. I didn’t know Amanda was into it. From the sounds of it, she’s just learning. Come on.”
Kita walked down a row of benches and around a large planter full of greenery. On the floor was Stormy and Toxic with cards laid out before them in an order that only made sense to them.
Stormy looked up at the newcomers. “Hi Kita, Kerri.”
“Hi,” said Kita with a smile. “Why aren’t you at a table?”
“Not enough room,” said Toxic.
“Ah, well, sorry to interrupt.”
“No problem,” said Stormy. “Do you need something?”
“Actually I do,” said Kita. “I’m here to ask you a question on behalf of someone.”
Stormy blinked. “Really?” she covered her mouth. “I mean, you a
re? I—” Stormy said excitedly. “Wow, Kara, you told me your family was old fashioned, but I didn’t think—Yes, of course, I’ll go out with you.” She crawled across the cards to give Toxic a hug.
“Ah…”Toxic gulped. “Ok.”
Stormy let the smaller Angel go. “Oh, I can’t wait! When and where?”
Toxic looked up at Kita, the glow from her hood dimmed. “Kita, what’s happening?”
“I, ah, think you’re going out on a date unless you want to crush her enthusiasm.”
“But I don’t know anything about that. What do I tell her?”
“Well, do you want to go out with her?” said Kita.
“I don’t know. I didn’t know she liked me.”
“She’s on the floor learning to play your card game,” said Babydoll. “This is normally a girl who’s into intelligence and shooting things. She must like you.”
“I don’t know anything about taking her out on a date,” said Toxic. “Where do we go on a ship?”
“Normally I’d say a place to look at the stars, but you’re already here,” said Kita.
“How about the simulator?” said Babydoll. “I’m sure the captain can get you priority access for an hour.”
“Sure,” said Kita.
“But I don’t know where to take her,” exclaimed Toxic.
“Damn. Do I have to do all your thinking for you?” chided Babydoll. “She’s an Earth girl. Take her to the Eiffel Tower. Girls love that place.”
“There is an opening in three hours,” said Kita. “So, do you want to go, Kara?”
“I don’t know…”
“With that enthusiastic a reaction how can you say no?” said Babydoll.
“Just go and have fun with her,” said Kita, “even if it goes nowhere you can have a little fun.”
“Ah, do you want to go to the Eiffel Tower?” said Toxic while looking at the floor in front of Stormy.
Stormy gasped. “Are you serious?”
“Ah—yeah. There’s an opening in the simulator in three hours.”
“Oh, gosh. I have to pick out a dress and do my hair.” Stormy jumped to her feet, careful not to step on the cards.
“I’ve got to wear a dress?” Toxic whined to Kita and Babydoll.