by L. Fergus
“You could have told me earlier and taken some stress off my mind.”
“It would have been nice to know days ago, darlin’,” said Defiance.
“Sorry,” said Kita with a downward glance. “It was pushed down the priority list. We are going to jump last, but instead of jumping through the wormhole, we will make an FTL jump. It’s easily within the SLIP drive’s range. That should buy us some time on the other end to warn the picket ships. I’ll need to spend some time with the navigation computer to make sure our jump is on target. Does that sound acceptable?”
“That should give us twelve hours and the picket ships a head start,” said Defiance.
“And we can contact the rest of the fleet,” said Sheppard.
Kita let out a happy sigh, pleased her ideas were well received and made everyone’s day easier.
“Is there anything else?” said Defiance to Sheppard and Valor.
“Not from me,” said Valor. “We’ll get to work and put the finishing touches on these warfare suites.”
“No,” said Sheppard. “I’ll return to the bridge and oversee the final preparations for getting underway.”
“Good,” said Defiance. “I’ll take Kita and get her presentable.”
Kita and Defiance appeared in the admiral’s quarters.
“Why don’t we get you into the shower?” suggested Defiance.
“Are you saying I smell bad?” said Kita, trying to be more humorous than she felt.
“No, but I know it’s been days since you had a shower.”
Kita nodded. That much was true. She took off her weapons and pads laying them on the desk. Her boots morphed back into her bodysuit. She stripped the burnt and damaged suit off and threw it on the chair.
Defiance came behind Kita, picked up the bodysuit, and threw it in the recycler. She went into the bathroom and started the shower. She took Kita’s hand and gently pulled her into the room, then pushed her under the streaming water.
Kita closed her vision, feeling the water hit her on two sides. It felt good, but it couldn’t wash away the sorrow and pain she felt. The water did hide the tears she swore she wouldn’t shed.
She couldn’t help it. Kylee had been her baby, so full of energy and life. She was supposed to be the one that would be like her. To take over when she couldn’t or didn’t want. Kita had given Kylee everything she could think of to educate her. She didn’t understand where she had failed and why Kylee had done what she did. What example had she failed to give?
The water on her back stopped, and a pair of arms slide around Kita. She opened her vision and found Defiance holding her. She didn’t think she’d made a sound. Defiance rested her head against Kita’s neck and wet hair. Kita placed her hands on Defiance’s and interlaced their fingers.
“Are you ok?” said Defiance in a worried voice.
“I’ll be fine,” whispered Kita.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just trying to understand what I did wrong with Kylee.”
“I’m sorry about what happened. Is there something I could have done?”
Kita shook her head. “No. I cast this die a long time ago. I thought I’d done a good job, taught her right, showed her what to be, but somewhere along the way I lost her. Maybe I couldn’t overcome her pain, or I wasn’t harsh enough and gave her too much freedom. Maybe I was counting on others to do my job for me. Regardless, it’s my fault. Someday, when this is over, I’ll be able to talk to her and find out what went wrong. Maybe it won’t be too late to fix it, or, maybe, I’ll have to kill her and end her suffering.”
Kita felt Defiance’s grip tighten.
“Hopefully you’ll never reach that maybe.”
“I can only hope she sees the error of her ways. What are you doing in here?”
Defiance hugged Kita. “I wanted to be close to you, and you sounded like you needed someone to talk to.”
“It’s not something you need to burden yourself with. My troubles are my own.”
Defiance’s grip stiffened. “I love you. Your troubles are mine.”
Kita tilted her head back and rested on Defiance’s head. “I love you, Casey. But I’m a hard person to love.”
“The same could be said of me. You’re the only person who I consider my equal, and you treat me that way. I’ve had a lifetime of people doing my bidding. You’re one of a handful of people who know what that’s like. You know the weight of ruling and the pain that comes with it—and know how lonely it is. I want someone by my side who understands that and understands me. I’ve never found someone who can do one, let alone both. It won’t be long before I’m crowned Emperor and I don’t want to do it alone.”
Kita grimaced. “You know I’m not that kind of person, and that’s the last thing I want. Angels are built for war, and the UEE is the farthest from that. There is much in the equation that I want to experience and learn.”
“I know. I’m not saying you have to stay. I wouldn’t want you to. I would want to go with you. The government can run without me. All I care about is that I’m with you.”
“And Vee? Snowy? My partner that’s out there somewhere? I’ve never stayed with one person long.”
“I won’t pretend to think I can change you, just come when I call?”
“Always.”
“That’s all I want. To be yours and you to be mine.”
“What about your citizens? How will they feel about me?” said Kita.
Defiance squeezed Kita. “I don’t care. They’ll get over it. I won’t be like my grandmother and put my happiness aside for the better of the Empire. I can deal with anyone who argues with me.”
Kita chuckled.
“What will you do after this is over?” said Defiance.
“I’m sure I’ll stay in UEE space for a while. Several of the Angels are from there. Then, explore the equation. There are some things I’d love to show you.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Kita turned in Defiance’s arms. She brushed Defiance’s hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. Taking Defiance’s face in her hands, Kita kissed her.
Kita sat at the vanity brushing her hair and planning her outfit. At some point during an orgasm, they had made the FTL jump to the wormhole. The sensation of having someone inside you while you drop into Nothing was an indescribable experience. She knew she’d have to do it again.
In the bed, Defiance stirred. She sat up gathering the sheet around her. “You’re so not modest are you?” she said with a laugh as Kita sat naked.
Kita smiled. “Something my mother trained out of me. I had to walk around the castle in a towel.”
“You’re not wearing a towel now.”
“No, I’ve moved on to the advanced course.”
Defiance giggled. “So what’s the plan?”
“I have a stop to make in the medical ward, and then get a report from Rene on how close we are to the wormhole.”
“That stack of bodysuits suggests you’re going out formally?” said Defiance.
“I thought I should look presentable for leading this crew of yours.”
“Then I guess I should get up and put my uniform on.”
“I like having you naked in the bed,” said Kita with a warm smile.
“Unfortunately, I’m a working girl, too.”
Kita entered the medical ward wearing her battle qipao—the traditional dress for female assassins in the Assassins Guild from her homeworld. Hers had a short skirt, a sleeveless top with a high collar, and black tights and boots. On the front panel of the top, she had embroidered the UEE crest. Defiance joined her, wearing the UEE Shadow Fleet dress uniform.
The ward was empty—the last casualties of the fight against the Tet ships discharged several days ago. Kita and Defiance found the Djinn doctor taking care of Sahara working at a portable desk. He dwarfed the stool he sat on.
“Hello, Doctor Er’jeria,” said Kita.
The Djinn looked up from his computer. “Captain Kita.
What can I help you with?”
“Checking in on your patient. How is she?”
“She still has multiple fractures, and her damaged organs are healing as expected. Collector wishes to know what punishment you plan on dealing out for the individual responsible.”
Ah, none. “I have talked to Commander Liverpool and have instructed her on the proper use of force when dealing with a non-Angel opponent. She sends her apologies.”
“I will pass that along in my next report to Collector.”
“Happy to help,” said Kita. “Thanks for the update.”
Kita left the Djinn and went to the suite holding Sahara. Kita opened the door and found Snowy sitting near the head of the bed reading aloud.
“What do you want?” said Snowy wearily. She looked up and down, and her eyes narrowed. “I see where I rate.”
Kita used to have a snow leopard embroidered on her top representing Snowy. “You have a girlfriend and a new master now.”
“Collector is not my master.”
“Then what’s your plan? For the two of you to live on Djinn? Like they’ll let that happen. They won’t even allow it on the Tet. You need Collector’s protection. Does he know of your relationship?”
Snowy’s ears lay flat against her head as her whiskers drooped. “No.”
“From what I understand you haven’t explained your intentions fully to Sahara.”
“I’m going slow. I don’t want to shock her,” whispered Snowy.
“Luring her into your web, huh?”
Snowy bared a fang. “Don’t be a bitch.”
“I wonder how long it will be before you need me to get you out of this mess.”
“I don’t need you. I know where we can go.”
Kita raised an eyebrow. “Where?”
“Back to our homeworld. It’s dangerous, but I know how to survive there. We can hunt and live in peace.”
“You need someone’s permission. That planet belongs to her.” Kita motioned her head toward Defiance. “How are you planning on getting there?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet.”
“You’re in the presence of the one person who can make it happen…After she gets back to Earth.”
Kita walked up one side of the bed while hovering her hand above Sahara’s body. She walked passed Snowy and stopped when she reached the head of the bed. Kita placed her hand on the Djinn’s arm.
“Her fur is coarser than yours,” Kita commented.
She pulled her hand away. Between her fingers was a device the size of a grain of rice. Kita held it up for Snowy.
“What did you do? What’s that?” Snowy demanded.
“An FTL tracker. Do you think Collector is going to let his daughter out of his sight?”
“I—”
“I doubt she even knows it’s there. But, I’ll take care of it. Now might be a good time to ask for that ride back to our homeworld.”
Kita phased to a Djinn ship in her fleet. Someone in the fleet had to be watching Sahara’s tracker. She didn’t know how accurate the tracking equipment was but hoped it was greater than fifty miles.
The corridor Kita appeared in was empty. She went to the wall and opened an access hatch. Kita closed her hand around the FTL tracker. When she opened her hand, she held a cockroach. The insect contained the tracker and would provide enough movement to mimic a Djinn’s movements. She placed the cockroach in the access panel, closed it, and phased back to the medical ward aboard Enterprise.
“Where did you go?” demanded Snowy.
“I gave you and Sahara a head start. Call it a gift from an old friend,” said Kita warmly.
“I know you don’t do anything for free. What do you want?”
Kita shrugged. “Maybe I’m apologizing for what Kerri did. You are my friend, and I do want to see you happy.”
Snowy grunted. “I’ll wait for the other shoe to drop.”
Kita smiled. “I intend no malice toward the two of you. Come on, Casey. Let’s go see how Rene is doing.”
As Kita passed Snowy, she winked at her. The dread Snowy gave off was amusing, but misplaced. Kita wanted nothing but happiness for them.
“Princess on deck,” a guard yelled as Kita and Defiance exited the elevator onto Enterprise’s bridge.
“Where are we?” Kita asked Sheppard as she and Defiance approached the holotable.
“We’re approaching the wormhole now. There is a pair of Diamock ships on patrol.”
“Will they try and impede us?”
“I don’t know what their orders are. They haven’t tried to contact us.”
“Make for the wormhole. If the Diamocks try and stop us, we’ll deal with them.”
“Command,” Sheppard called.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“New orders for the fleet. Proceed to the wormhole and jump, unless ordered otherwise. Enterprise will jump last. When the ships arrive on the other side they are to engage any hostiles they encounter at their discretion.”
“Aye, aye, ma’am. Transmitting now.”
“All ahead slow,” ordered Sheppard.
“All ahead slow, ma’am,” replied the helmsman.
On the holotable, the Enterprise icon slowed, and the first of Collector’s ships passed them and proceeded to the wormhole. The Diamock ships changed course.
“Enemy ships have changed heading to one-three-three down angle five degrees at three hundred and fifty-three miles, ma’am,” reported Sensors.
“Incoming transmission on an open frequency,” reported Communications.
“Put it on the holotable,” said Sheppard.
The middle of the holotable blinked, and the image of a Diamock appeared.
“Who’s this?” said Sheppard.
“I am Captain Gudin of the Diamock Navy. You—You’re one of the renegade Angels! You are to halt and are under arrest.”
Sheppard looked at Kita. She stepped up next to Sheppard. “You and what navy?” said Kita. “I see two ships. I have twenty-one.”
“Those are privately owned vessels and are being instructed they are in restricted space. They will not help you. Save yourself and your ship. Surrender.”
“What’s the chance they’re scrambling every ship in this sector to get here before we can jump?” Kita said to Sheppard and Defiance.
“I would,” said Sheppard.
“You’re going to have to make us,” said Kita.
“Call general quarters,” ordered Sheppard to the Officer of the Watch.
“Every Diamock and Tet ship in nearby space is being mobilized,” said Gudin. “This is a fight you cannot win, and there is no escape.”
“Communications, open a channel with all ships in the fleet,” ordered Kita.
Around Gudin appeared the images of the ship captains of Collector’s fleet.
“Warriors,” said Kita addressing her ship captains, “the Diamocks are blocking our path to glory. You are to maintain course and speed to the objective, but all weapons able to fire on the two defying ships,” Kita highlighted the Diamock ships on the holotable, updating the battle displays across Collector’s fleet, “are to do so. Cripple them if you can. They are not our enemy, but we will not be hampered in our pursuit of glory and honor.”
Kita received a round of affirmatives from her ship captains.
“I suggest you retreat and let us pass, Gudin.”
“The Diamock Navy will not be intimidated.”
“Let me show you why you should. Fleet, ships one through ten, first target, ships eleven through twenty, second target, fire one salvo.”
The ships of Collector’s fleet were not oriented the right direction to bring their main guns to bear but unleashed a barrage with their secondary armaments. On the screen, Gudin’s connection blinked several times. The Diamock’s attention was pulled away as he received several reports at once. On the holotable, Gudin’s ship turned red. His companion ship turned yellow.
“Intimidated yet?” Kita asked Gudin with a smi
rk.
“New contacts bearing two-six-three fifteen degrees up angle at five hundred thirty-five miles and bearing three-three-six five degrees up angle at two hundred and seventy-five miles,” reported Sensors.
“That was fast,” Kita muttered.
“The first ship in the fleet has reached the wormhole. Jump in progress,” reported Sensors.
“Fleet, increase speed. Go for the wormhole and jump. Ships eleven through fifteen, fire two salvos at contact bearing two-six-three. Ships sixteen through twenty, fire two salvos at contact bearing three-three-six,” ordered Kita.
“Kita, we’ve got to get you attached to the navigation computer,” said Sheppard.
“We have a battle to fight.”
“No, we have a battle to run away from. We need you to make a pinpoint jump if the plan is to succeed. I’ll take care of fighting the battle until it’s time to go.”
Kita sighed. But, I’m having fun. “Captains, Admiral Sheppard is now in command.” Kita stepped away, and with Defiance at her side, she went to Navigation.
“I’m here to plug in,” said Kita, deflated.
Defiance rubbed Kita’s arm and squeezed her hand. Kita smiled in return. The sailor relinquished his seat so Kita could sit while she worked. Placing her finger over the port, she interfaced with the computer.
“Go ahead and run it,” said Kita.
“New contacts bearing three-five-two, two-nine-one, two-six-seven, three-zero-nine, two-eight-eight, and three-three-three,” reported Sensors. “Nine ships have jumped.”
Kita ground her teeth. She wanted to know what was going on.
“Fleet, fire at will,” ordered Sheppard.
“New group of contacts heading our way,” reported Command.
“Hold fighters,” replied Sheppard.
“Taking fire,” said Anderson.
“It’s light and random,” said Sheppard. “The shields will stop it.”
“New contact bearing zero-seven-six, five degrees down angle, sixty miles,” reported Sensors.
“Damn. That’s right on top of us,” said Sheppard. “How many ships left?”
“Five,” reported Sensors.
“Incoming fire from new dreadnaught class contact,” reported Anderson.