by L. Fergus
“I’m worried about you.”
“When you worry about me I usually end up in prison.”
“I’m looking out for your wellbeing. I don’t want something to happen to you.”
Kita sighed. “I’d rather die free than live in prison, or have you forgotten what that’s like—Oh, wait, you don’t remember. I carry those memories for you,” Kita said in a harsh, sarcastic tone.
Tears fell from Tina’s eyes. “I’ll take them back if it makes you feel better. I want you to be happy. You don’t have to be so mean.”
“I'm not mean. I’m being honest.”
Tina wiped at her tears. “No. You said that to be mean. Everything you do and say is mean. You treat everyone like they’re beneath you and they should serve you.”
“I do not. It’s not my fault they’re all demanding things from me. I gave them what they have. They should be grateful.”
“They are grateful. But they’ve grown, too. They don’t need to rely on you as much anymore, but they still want to be your friend.”
“Friends do not demand things from each other,” said Kita.
“Then what did you just tell Jane?”
Kita tossed her head aloofly. “I told Jane where I stand.”
“And you demanded that she accept it. You didn’t talk to her about it or hear her side. It’s all about you. I mean, it’s always been about you, but you no longer ask people to follow you. Now, you demand people follow you.”
Kita felt her blood boiling. “I do not. They don’t act like my friends. They’re demanding things of me and questioning me when they should be comforting me.”
“If they’re questioning you, maybe you’re not right—”
“I AM right. Sending Kylee to Infinity was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and no one cares what it’s done to me. They only care about themselves. They all worry they’re next.”
“Can you blame them with the way you’re acting?” said Tina.
“I am acting fine.”
Tina shook her head. “Kita, you’re being a tyrant. You don’t have friends, you have subjects. That’s how you treat us, even me.”
“I AM NOT!” Kita roared.
“Big sister, please, try and see it from my perspective. You’re harsh, angry, mean. These things aren’t you.”
“How about you look from my perspective? I have people to protect. I have Galina to get. I don’t need your help.”
“You used to say your friends are your greatest strength.”
“Most of you are my greatest weakness.”
Tina’s shoulders slumped. “What caused you to hate us so?”
“I—”
A gray cloud drifted through the hull toward Kita. The cloud transformed into Kamikaze.
“Kami! I—what are you doing out here?” Kita said in a warm and caring tone.
“Mom, I came to talk to you.”
“Of course. What do you need?”
Kamikaze chewed on her lip. “I’m sorry, Mom, but Tenshi, Val, Vee, and I are leaving.”
The air was sucked out of Kita’s lungs. “But, you just got here.”
“I know, Mom. But I can’t sway Tenshi. She doesn’t trust you. It doesn’t matter what I say.”
“Then you can stay, let her go.”
Kamikaze shook her head. “I’m not you, Mom. I can’t let someone I love go and move on to someone else. I love Tenshi. If she’s not happy, then I’m not happy. I’m sorry.”
Tears filled Kita’s eyes. “Kami, please. Give me a chance to fix it.”
“I don’t think it can be fixed. Val is so angry, she’s either crying or raging. Vee feels like you betrayed her.”
“I can fix this. I’ll talk to the others. There must be a solution,” said Kita.
“It’s too late, Mom. The others have left. They’re waiting on me.”
“Kami, please don’t go. I need you,” pleaded Kita.
“Mom, you don’t need me. You don’t need anyone. You’ve made that clear.”
“Don’t say that. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye, but—don’t go.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I love you. If you need me, call. I’ll come, promise.” Kamikaze collapsed into a point of light and shot out into space.
“KAMI, WAIT!” cried Kita, but the spec of light vanished among the stars. “Kami…” Kita sniffed as she wiped her tears away. She turned to look at Tina. “She—she left me…”
“I’m sorry, big sister.” Tina gave Kita a hug.
Was I so bad that I drove out my own daughter? “I couldn’t have been that bad. It was their faults, not mine.”
Tina put her hand on Kita’s shoulder. “Your daughter, your girlfriend, your aide…Three people close to you all agree their lives would be better without you. Who’s next? Leaf? Nell? Kara and Amanda? Jane?”
“No. I can’t lose Jane. I just found her.”
“It could be too late,” said Tina.
Kita sat down hard. Her head spun. Jane wouldn’t leave…would she? Kita covered her head with her arms and cried.
Tina knelt and put her arm around Kita’s shoulders.
“Jane wouldn’t leave me, would she?” Kita asked Tina.
“I don’t know. She hasn’t gone anywhere yet. She’s still in the medical ward.”
“Then I have time to fix this.”
“If we hurry, I think so.”
Kita lifted her head and wiped her tears. She stood up and smoothed out her skirt, causing her to frown. “I can’t go out in this.”
“Why not?”
“It’s all about ruling and dominating people. I need something friendlier, back from when life was simpler. When I was a friend and life was about having fun.”
“What do you suggest?”
“This. I saw something like it in a video game.” Kita spun rapidly, drawing her arms in and up. When she stopped, she dropped her arms and put one hand on her hip while the other held Midnight. “How’s this?” she said from under a large black hood that covered her eyes.
She had transformed her qipao to something more akin to an assassin on the street. A short sleeve and shoulderless spandex and leather top went diagonally across her chest leaving her midriff bare. Black pauldrons and pads protected her upper arms and shoulders. Her belt hung from the hip of a pair of black low-rise stretch denim jeans with open seems on the outside. Knee-high canvas and leather combat boots with a two-inch heel made her tower over Tina.
Tina reached up and poked Kita’s exposed underside of her breast. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to do that to Quill?”
Kita laughed. “I miss being flirty.”
“You’re going to get some looks.”
“Good. Let’s go catch up to the others before they all leave.”
Kita and Tina appeared in the medical ward.
“Where’s Doctor Anthrax?” Kita asked an orderly. She knew Anthrax was sure to be attending to Sarin.
“Suite two, Child of the emperor,” he replied.
Kita went to the door and stopped. She could hear the two Angels talking.
“Come on, Jane. I need to examine you.”
“I told you I’m fine. I went to my god form and fixed it.”
“You shouldn’t do that. It’s against the rules,” said Anthrax.
“Like they’re going to care that I sped up time. It wasn’t life-threatening, and there was no consequence other than me being in pain.”
“You never know what might spark a butterfly effect. You’ll bring Y’grene and E’fil down on our heads, and I don’t want to go back to Infinity.”
“You’re happy following Kita around?”
“I don’t know what everyone’s problem is. Kita has been fine, a little uptight and bitchy, but nothing the others have accused her of.”
“At least someone still likes me,” Kita whispered to Tina, then opened the door.
“I told you to get out,” said Anthrax not turning around. “She doesn’t need to be gawked at.”
&n
bsp; “I never get tired of gawking at her,” said Kita.
Anthrax turned around. “Kita…what are you wearing?”
Kita struck a pose. “You like? I decided I’m no longer Vicereine and I need to get back to being fun and flirty.”
“You have my vote—still not enough skin.”
Kita laughed. “I just don’t think seven patches are for me.”
“You can throw a lab coat over them,” said Anthrax as she lifted her coat with a disgusted look.
“Come to gloat?” said Sarin acidly.
“Never,” said Kita. “I came to say: I’m sorry. You built it, and it’s yours. I am going to need your help.”
“What happened in the last half hour? What did you do to her?” Sarin looked at Tina accusingly.
“It’s not Tina’s fault. It’s mine,” said Kita. She let out a long sigh. “Kami left.”
“Why?”
“Tenshi wasn’t happy, and like I’d want her to, she chose her partner over her mom. It’s no one’s fault but mine by the way I acted.”
“I…That’s too bad. I know how much Kami means to you.”
Kita bowed her head. “I feel like a total bitch. She’s done nothing but help me since I got away from Galina and I repay her by driving her off.”
Sarin crossed her arms. “If my welcome was any indication I can see how you drove them off.”
“I know. I’m sorry—for some of what I said and how I said all of it. You didn’t deserve that. You’re my partner. I know you love me as much as I love you.”
Sarin leaned back against the pillow. “I’ve got to think about what you said.”
“That’s fair.”
“Did you have to pick one of my old rivals to fall in love with?”
Kita shrugged. “I didn’t know, and I wouldn’t have known until I met you face to face. Actually, I think the encryption software Galina used must be failing. I just had to see you to unlock you. Normally people have to say something bad about me.”
“Deceiving, cheating, unabashed minx,” said Sarin.
Kita smiled and chuckled. “Does that mean I’m forgiven?”
“Yes…and no. We still need to talk about Casey. Do you know how bad this will make me look?”
“To who?” said Kita confused.
“Babe, I’m back on Neptune and Earth. Every tabloid in the solar system has seen me out and about all wondering who’s going to be swinging from my arm. Do you think I’m going to share you with the princess?”
“Ah…well…I’m hoping to stay out of the limelight.”
Sarin’s eyebrow went up. “When did you get modest?”
“I can’t compete with you two…nor do I want to be seen as a trophy to be won. You might have to rotate different Angels on your arm.”
“First time I’ve ever seen you run from anything.”
Kita tapped her chest. “Assassin. Anonymity is what we live by.”
Sarin laughed. “Then you’re the worst ever.”
“I’m the grandmaster, don’t forget.”
Sarin kicked the sheet off her and sat on the edge of the bed. She was naked, and Kita drank in Sarin’s perfect body. Sarin stood up. “How do I look, Doc?”
Anthrax inspected Sarin, running her hand over her friend’s body, examining her with the embedded viewer. “Everything looks perfect—inside and out.”
Sarin snapped her fingers, and she was dressed in her schoolgirl outfit. Kita licked her lips.
“Yes, I’m throwing you a bone. A reward for good behavior,” said Sarin to Kita.
“What do I have to do to take it off?”
“Be much better than you have been. Start by giving me a kiss. You’re going to apologize and not kiss me? What have those other girls been teaching you?”
“Bad habits, I’m sure,” said Kita as she scooted over and gave Sarin a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh, come here,” demanded Sarin. She seized Kita’s face in her hand and gave Kita a proper kiss. “Neptune’s rings, I’ve got some retraining to do,” Sarin grumbled.
Kita rolled her eyes with a playful smile. “Come on. I’ve got more apologizing to do.”
“Of course you do,” said Sarin with a sigh.
Kita led Sarin, Anthrax, and Tina into the wardroom. Only a handful of Angels were there.
“Where is everybody?” Kita asked Toxic.
“Casey took a bunch of people to find out what was happening on Earth.” Toxic sat with Stormy playing cards.
Kita nodded and approached Aspen who was working with Talli and Starlight. “Ladies.”
“It’s ok that Leaf teaches me, right?” said Talli.
“Of course,” said Kita remembering her AI had been teaching the young Angel. “The more teachers you have, the better you’ll be.”
“That’s not what you said about Galina.”
“That’s because she was teaching you wrong. Leaf is one of the best assassins ever. She’s worked very hard to master the craft. Her style is different than mine but just as effective.”
“I don’t kill everything in my path,” said Aspen.
Kita chuckled. “If they’re all dead you don’t have to worry about them on the way out.”
“You do have to dispose of the bodies.”
“There is a tradeoff. It just depends on what you prefer. I can incinerate the bodies.”
“The rest of us cannot.”
Kita shrugged. “Not my problem. We all develop along our own talents.” Kita snapped her fingers, and the rest of the Angels appeared in the wardroom. Some of the Angels looked bewildered.
“Sorry to interrupt,” said Kita to Defiance.
“What are you wearing?”
“I’m no longer a vicereine, so why do I have to dress like it? I’ve gone back to my roots.”
“Your roots look like that?”
Kita looked at Snowy. “She did have some revealing sets of armor,” admitted the war cat.
“Flirty,” said Kita. “And they kept your eyes on me.”
Snowy rolled her eyes. “Been there and had it.”
Kita laughed. “I forget you're chasing someone else.”
“So why are we here?” said Defiance. “It better not be to talk about your lack of fashion sense.”
Kita pointed to Sarin. “That’s what I have her for.”
“It looks fine to me,” said Sarin. “We might make some alterations once I get a closer look.”
Defiance turned up her nose. “And you call yourself a fashionista.”
Sarin crossed her arms. “Sweetheart, I don’t follow fashion. I set it.”
“Ok,” said Kita, “save it for the runway. I brought everyone here so I can apologize. It was brought to my attention that I’ve been unfair, mean, tyrannical, and a bitch. Enough so that people have left, including Kami. If I’m so bad that I drive off my own daughter, then I must be bad. I am sorry. I haven’t had a chance to unpack why I felt this way, but my initial feeling is I felt threatened. That’s not your fault, that’s mine. I should be able to deal with so many gods and princesses in one place. You’re my friends, and I failed to treat you as such.” Kita lowered her head. “I’ll take whatever punishment you think I deserve.”
The other Angels traded looks.
“I must have missed something,” said Anthrax. “You never acted that way to me. I missed the incident in the hangar, and that seemed to be what has so many girls’ panties in a twist, but I don’t think you have anything to be sorry for. You’ve acted like Kita. I’m glad you apologized to Jane. You two are much better when you work together instead of against each other.”
“There have been some hurt feelings,” said Babydoll. “But that’s on them, not you.”
“I’m sorry for putting you in the middle, Kerri,” said Kita. “You do so much for me. I can’t thank you enough.”
“What are best friends for? Other than to watch your back.”
“My life would be so much harder without you. All of you. You’re my greatest streng
th.”
“Eh, you’re ok in a fight, too,” said Valor causing the other Angels to laugh.
“I don’t think anyone from our group is upset with you over your behavior,” said Sheppard. “You’ve been tough, but life has been tough, too.” Starlight, Valor, Stormy, Blitz, and Defiance all agreed.
“We still need to talk,” said Defiance to Kita.
“Anything you want.”
“Did it have to be her? It could have been anyone but her.”
Kita shrugged. “In all fairness, I had no idea who she was when I fell in love with her. I was in the medical ward and woke up to find her looking at me.”
“Creepy,” said Valor.
The other Angels laughed.
“Mom, I’m sorry about Kami,” said Athena. “I know how much your daughters mean to you.”
“You are my daughter, too. It’s no one’s fault but my own. I’ll get over it. When this is over, I’ll go to her and make amends. Right now, let her have her freedom and enjoy the universe. That goes for anyone else. You don’t have to stay. You can go. We’ll do our best to drop you off wherever you want.”
Valor raised her hand. “I want to go home, and you better get me there. This ship can’t make tea to save its life.”
“You said everyone drank coffee,” Kita said accusingly of Defiance.
“We still have some holdouts.”
“Yes,” said Babydoll, “real tea would be good, and fish and chips.”
“That would be spectacular,” said Valor.
The communication panel rang. Sheppard answered. “Yes, Captain?”
“We have a call from Earth for the princess.”
“I wonder who that could be,” said Babydoll.
“One guess, but we should all go listen,” said Kita. She stretched out her wings, and everyone grabbed hold. Kita phased the group to the bridge. “Ok, everyone but Casey and Rene get on the opposite side of the holotable.”
“What’s she going to say when she sees I have wings?” said Sheppard.
“Hide them,” said Kita.
“Oh, right.”
Sheppard and Defiance straightened their uniforms and moved in front of the holotable.
“Go ahead, Captain,” said Defiance.
An image of a woman sitting at a desk appeared.
“This is Princess Bush,” said Defiance. “Who am I speaking with?”