by L. Fergus
Babydoll’s hand slipped into Kita’s and squeezed tight. She looked at Kita, her eyes asking what she should do.
Kita shrugged. “Your call, love. It’s your heart.”
Babydoll looked back at Sheppard. “I want to go to the Grand Canyon. I’ve only seen it in pictures.”
Sheppard looked at Defiance.
“Your ship,” said Defiance. “You can get time in the simulator anytime you want.”
“I’m due back on the bridge in six hours. Can I pick you up in the wardroom in two hours?”
Babydoll nodded. “No dresses. Keep it casual. I don’t want to see you in your parade uniform. Save that for another time.”
Sheppard nervously rubbed her arm. “Ok. Floral prints and cargo shorts.”
Sheppard’s attempt at a joke brought a smile to Babydoll’s lips.
“I’ll let you get away with fatigues,” said Babydoll, “but give me something pretty to look at.” Babydoll winked playfully.
Jammer approached with a screen in her hand. “Excuse me, Admiral?”
“Just call me Rene.”
“Rene, I need your signature so I can get these up to the flight deck and in line for launch.”
“I’ll take care of it,” said Defiance. “Go get ready.” She shooed Sheppard away.
“I need to get to the medical ward,” said Kita. “Feel like coming, love?” she offered her elbow to Sarin.
“Why are we going there?” said Sarin as she placed her hand on Kita’s arm.
“Sahara’s awake. I thought you’d like to meet her.”
“Snowy’s girl?”
“Yep.”
“I’m sure she’s thrilled.”
“Doctor Er’jeria, how’s your patient?” said Kita as she stopped next to the Djinn’s desk.
Er’jeria looked up from tapping on his screen. “Sahara is awake, and her body is functioning nominally. It appears your treatments have worked.”
“Of course they did,” said Kita with a shrug. “I have the utmost faith in Doctor Anthrax’s ability to heal.”
“When can we return to the fleet?” Er’jeria demanded as he stood up from his stool.
“In such a hurry? I’m beginning to think you don’t like my hospitality.”
“I need to check Sahara over in a proper medical facility.”
Kita smirked. “Yeah, about that. I think she’s going to stay here. Someone’s taken an interest in her. But, I’ll get you a ride back to the fleet.”
“Sahara can’t stay here. She must return. The only person who has an interest in her is her protector.”
Kita walked around the towering Djinn. Extending her barb, she slammed it into the base of his spine. Er’jeria jerked and collapsed when his legs gave out. Kita knelt next to him. “I’m her protector now,” she whispered. Pricking him with her barb, she delivered a heavy dose of a nerve agent. Er’jeria’s head lulled to one side, and his eyes turned glassy.
“I could have killed him,” said Sarin.
“I know, but I haven’t killed anything in days, and I’m beginning to itch.”
Sarin rolled her eyes while trying to hide a smile. “I know you can go much longer.”
“True, but why when you don’t have to?” Kita toed the body. “I guess I should get rid of this.”
“Yes. Save some poor orderly the chore of cleaning up after you.”
Kita incinerated the body leaving only an unpleasant odor of burnt fur.
Sarin waved a hand in front of her nose. “Ugh. I didn’t think it was possible for them to smell any worse.”
Kita took Sarin’s hand and led her to the suite containing Sahara. She opened the door unannounced and giggled at what she found: Snowy licking Sahara’s foot. “Did we interrupt something?”
Snowy’s eyes narrowed. “No, just giving her a bath.”
“Hmm,” said Kita. She looked at Sarin.
“No.”
Kita shrugged. “I tried. How are you ladies?”
“We’re fine,” said Snowy. “We’re looking forward to getting out of here and back to the fleet.”
“Good news then,” said Kita.
“What do you mean?” demanded Snowy.
“Nell just took over duties for Doctor Er’jeria, and you’ve been assigned to Enterprise.”
“We are assigned to Serge,” said Sahara.
“That’s part of my fleet—for now.”
“What are you talking about?” said Snowy.
“I’m getting you what you wanted. I talked to Casey. She said she’d dispatch a ship to take you back to our homeworld—as soon as she retakes her Empire.”
“Kita—”
“It’s what you wanted, right?”
“Yes, but…”
“I know. You haven’t run it by the missus yet. I thought I’d help.”
“What is she talking about, Snowy?” said Sahara.
Kita spoke before Snowy could, “I’m talking about getting you away from here to live in a place where you’ll be free of oppression and misogyny.”
“What does she mean, Snowy?” said Sahara as the fur on the back of neck and arms stood up.
“I’m talking about you being free to be who you want to be,” said Kita. “Where no one can touch or judge you. You’re free to make your own choices.”
“I am free to make my own choices, and no one can touch me.”
“You’re only as free as your father lets you be. As long as you serve him, you have the illusion of freedom. I’m presenting you with real freedom.” Snowy looked like she was ready to hyperventilate. “You ok, Snowy?” said Kita.
Snowy’s eyes flashed with anger. “You always have to ruin everything for me, don’t you?” Snowy yelled.
“Just trying to help,” said Kita. “And in three days this fleet will cease to exist. You should get used to the idea.”
“What have you done?” cried Snowy.
Kita folded her arms. “You believed I was going to lead Collector’s forces against my girlfriend’s? I’m leading them into a trap, and it’s about to be sprung. The Shadow Fleet knows they’re coming and is prepared to wipe them out.”
“No,” said Sahara. “It will be you who will be wiped out. My father’s ships are stronger than even the Diamocks.”
“I have my ways of dealing with them,” said Kita. “Now, I need you two to sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ll be at Earth soon enough and I’m sure Snowy wants to get in line to take a swing at Galina.”
Sahara hissed and brandished her claws at Kita.
“Ah-ah, kitty,” said Sarin. Her pistol was pointed down the bed at Sahara’s head. “I’d hate for poor Snowy to have to scrap your brains off the wall. It’s been a while since I’ve killed something and I’ve got an itchy trigger finger.” Kita raised an eyebrow at her partner. “You’re not the only one who has trouble with fleet living, babe.”
“Collector will hunt us to the ends of the universe. We’re not safe,” said Snowy.
“Collector thinks Sahara’s aboard one of his own ships,” said Kita. “In a few days, she’ll have been killed aboard one of them.”
Snowy’s mouth fell open.
“What?” said Kita. “You think I’m going to leave one of my oldest loves out in the cold? You came to me because you knew only I could deliver you from evil.”
“Only you would have that kind of complex,” said Snowy.
“All you have to do is behave. You don’t have to help, just stay out of the way.”
“You want me to be complacent as you destroy my father’s fleet?” demanded Sahara.
“Time to find a new loyalty. It doesn’t have to be to me. I suggest Snowy. She’s risked her neck for you.”
“I won’t let you.”
Kita grabbed Sahara’s foot and pricked her with her barb. “We’ll talk in a few days.”
“I can’t move,” cried Sahara.
“I left you your mouth and ears. I suggest you use them.” Kita looked at Snowy. “Make her understand. Other
wise, I’m putting her in a cat carrier, and I’ll put her in the hold until you get to our homeworld.”
Snowy nodded.
“If she becomes a problem, she’ll go another round with Kerri, and I won’t tell her to be nice this time.”
“Don’t threaten me,” said Snowy meekly.
“I’m not threatening you. I’m threatening her. She’s not one of us. Best she remembers that. See you later, ladies.”
Kita and Sarin entered the wardroom after spending a few hours rekindling their partnership. Babydoll sat at a table with a long face as she played with a piece of chocolate cake.
“Oh no,” whispered Kita.
Sarin frowned. “Come on. Let’s see what happened.”
They approached Babydoll sitting down on either side of the depressed looking Angel. Kita put her arm around Babydoll.
“Hey, love. What happened?”
Babydoll shook her head and looked at Kita. “Huh?”
“How did it go?” said Sarin.
Babydoll turned back to her cake and sighed. “It was…great. I had a good time.”
“That’s not what this says,” said Kita, pointing to the cake.
“I’m just not sure I’m what she wanted, or I didn’t send the right signals.”
“Why do you say that?” said Sarin.
“I don’t know. She gave me a kiss goodbye, but that was it. She held my hand. We chatted some. There were these awkward pauses…I think I screwed it up.” Babydoll’s shoulders slumped.
“That sounds completely normal,” said Sarin.
“But you’d see her again, right?” said Kita.
“Of course. I had a good time. Maybe I was expecting more—to be swept off my feet. I must sound stupid.”
“No,” said Kita. “But Sheppard isn’t the kind to sweep a girl off her feet. She approaches love like everything else in her life, a battle. She plans, probes, gets a feel for her opponent, then attacks. I’m sure she was just feeling you out.”
Babydoll made an unsure face. “But what if she doesn’t like me? What if—”
“Is this what you do to all your relationships?” said Sarin.
“What do you mean?” said Babydoll.
“If you pick apart every relationship you’ve ever attempted it’s no wonder you’re single.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, you fixate on the negative. You pick it apart until you’re so sure you were awful that you give up. I bet plenty of suitors have called you for a second date, but you don’t give them one because you think you were awful the first time. You said you’d go out with Rene again.”
“Why would she when I was awful?” said Babydoll.
“My point exactly,” said Sarin. “You listed some positive things that happened. Why not think about them?”
“What’s the point if she’s not going to call me?”
Sarin let out a frustrated noise. “Kita, I’m going to need an office and some time.”
“Sure thing, babe.” Kita squeezed Babydoll’s hand. “Don’t worry. You’re in good hands now.”
“One hundred and fifty miles to Black Station Six, ma’am,” reported Navigation.
Kita stood with Defiance and Sheppard next to the holotable.
Kita’s fleet was in a double column formation approaching the station. At fifty miles, they would switch formation to a line and attack the station, but they would never get there. Shadow Fleet forces were to arrive from FTL once they were within a hundred miles of Black Station Six.
“So, Rene…” said Kita with a tone that said she wanted something.
“What? The battle’s about to start.”
“I know. There’s nothing that can be done right now to affect the outcome. So, I have a question for you.”
Sheppard sighed. “What?”
“Are you going to ask Kerri on a second date? It’s been three days.”
“Kita,” Sheppard said exasperatedly. She looked at Defiance.
“Don’t look at me for help. I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
“I’m going to ask her. I’ve been busy with prepping for the battle.”
“But you did have a good time?” said Kita.
“Of course I had a good time. Kerri is smart, strong, and an excellent legionnaire.”
“You sound surprised.”
Sheppard rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t often act like it.”
“That’s partially because she is the God of Chaos. There is going to be some randomness to her.”
“That is one of the things I wish to talk to her about,” said Sheppard.
“She can’t get rid of it.”
Sheppard shook her head. “I don’t want her to get rid of it. I do want to know more about it.”
“So why haven’t you asked her out?”
“I’ve been busy, Kita.”
“It takes five minutes. While you’ve been waiting, her stomach has been in knots thinking she did something wrong.”
Sheppard gasped. “She did nothing wrong. I left happy. I thought everything went great.”
“Well, we have five minutes,” said Kita.
“No we don’t,” said Defiance. “We’re crossing phase line alpha now.”
“That was fast.”
“Look sharp, people,” said Sheppard. “Communications, signal Admiral Hackett.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Fighter Control, status?”
“One fighter down for emergency repairs. Everyone else is standing by.”
“Engineering, shield status?”
“At full power, additional power to aft shields. Engines ready for The Sprint.”
The Sprint was the maneuver to get Enterprise across no man’s land between the Djinn and UEE forces. The SLIP engines would speed the maneuver, but they would still be vulnerable for a time.
“Jess, is your team ready?” said Defiance.
“You bet, Your Highness. Give us the word, and we’re ready to attack.”
On the holotable, the first two Djinn ships passed phase line alpha. Kita went to the air boss screen and selected Jammer. The Angel had her music blaring as she waited.
“How’s it going?” said Kita.
“Huh? What? Oh, it’s you. I’m ok, just waiting for the go command.”
“It’ll be shortly. You ready to lead?”
Jammer and her drones would be the first fighters launched.
“Hell, yeah. I can’t wait to smash them in the mouth.”
“Don’t get too stupid out there. You’re not completely indestructible, and we can’t get to you right away.”
“I won’t do anything crazy.”
“Do crazy, don’t do stupid.”
“You got it.”
“Go get ‘em, girl.”
Looking up, Kita frowned. The shutters that protected the giant domed window were closed. She wanted to see the stars and calm her nerves. She hated not being able to directly influence a battle.
“New contacts, ma’am,” cried Sensors, “ninety-five miles at zero-five-five, ten degrees above. Squawk box matches for Carolina, Maine, Iowa, California, Colorado, five heavy attack cruisers, four missile cruisers, five frigates, and five corvettes.”
Kita nodded, but they were going to need more than two dreadnaughts and three battleships.
“Launch fighters. Orders are to fly toward Black Station Six,” said Sheppard.
“The Djinn want to know if we should deploy, ma’am?” said Communications.
“Tell them to hold formation and fire until we reach phase line lion. We should be able to absorb the Shadow Fleet’s attacks.”
Kita wiggled her nose. She wished that last statement wasn’t the truth. Now they had to wait for all the fighters to launch. It was a dangerous time that left Enterprise exposed.
“New contacts, ma’am,” said Sensors, “ninety-seven miles at one-three-three, seven degrees below. Squawk box matches for Spain, Texas, Canada, four heavy attack cruisers, fo
ur missile cruisers, six frigates, and five corvettes.”
The holotable updated. The new group was on the other side of their formation. Suddenly the Djinn had two groups to worry about.
“Serge reports taking fire from the first group,” said Communications.
“Damage?” said Sheppard.
“They report minimal.”
“Tell them to hold fire and keep in formation. I want to be close enough to blow these ships away with one shot.”
Kita nodded. That played right into the Djinn male psyche.
“How’s it going girls?” Kita said to the other Angels. Most of them were spread around the ship in case they were boarded.
“We’re ready in the medical ward,” said Anthrax.
“Ready to infect them,” said Valor.
“Anti-boarding crew one ready,” said Babydoll.
“Crew two, ready,” said Stormy.
“Crew three, ready,” said Blitz.
“Crew four, ready,” said Ryder.
“The fighters are launching now. We’ll start The Sprint in a few minutes,” said Kita.
“We’ll be ready to kick their ass,” said Talli.
“Good. I have no doubt. I’ll keep you informed.”
“New contacts, ma’am,” called Sensors, “ninety-three miles at zero-seven-five degrees one degree above. Squawk box matches for Germany, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, two attack cruisers, four missile cruisers, five frigates, and eight corvettes.”
The holotable added the new ships. It still wasn’t enough firepower, but from the sounds coming from Communications, the Djinn were getting nervous. How many of the Djinn have been in actual ship-to-ship combat? It can’t be many. It’s been generations since they last fought a war. Something no one planned for, how green the Djinn are. Maybe Sheppard noticed and didn’t say anything, thinking it was a given.