by L. Fergus
Kita and the other Angels appeared on Enterprise’s bridge. Sheppard stood next to the holotable talking to a group of officers. She and the rest of the bridge crew looked stressed and haggard. The lights flickered, and some of the workstations were under repair.
“It looks like they got hit hard,” said Ryder.
“Engineering, status report,” called Defiance.
“She’s barely spaceworthy, Your Highness. It’s easier to list what’s not damaged than what is.”
“Are the runways open?” asked Kita. “We need to find Alex.”
“Runway three is open, Child of the emperor. Hangar space is at a premium.”
“Most of what’s left of the squadrons have been sent to Fort Ticonderoga,” said the Air Boss.
“Can you find out where Rainbow Jack is?” said Kita.
The Air Boss flipped through his screens. “She and her drones landed on Enterprise.”
“Hey, Alex,” said Kita.
“Oh, hi.”
“How’d it go out there?”
“It felt like punching sand. No matter how hard we hit them, it didn’t seem to matter.”
There was dejection in her voice. Kita was sure it had been a tough, unfulfilling battle.
“You and the other pilots did superbly,” said Kita in a reassuring tone. “You held off the enemy and gave us time to get Neptune’s guns online. Why don’t you meet us in the wardroom?”
“As soon as I finish checking over my drones.”
“No problem. I understand you’re only as good as your equipment.”
Sheppard dismissed her officers and joined the Angels.
“You have a couple of minutes, Rene?” said Kita. “You look like you need a break.”
Sheppard sighed. “Yeah. Anderson, you have the bridge.”
“Ok, girls, to the wardroom,” Kita ordered.
The Angels filed into the wardroom, most had smiles on their faces. Sheppard sat down hard in a chair and put her head down on a table. Kita, Babydoll, and Defiance knelt next to her.
Kita patted Sheppard’s arm. “Hey, are you ok?”
Sheppard lifted her head. Big tears filled her eyes and tumbled down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I failed you.”
Defiance gasped. “You didn’t fail. We destroyed their fleet.”
“But I lost more than half our fleet. Nothing I tried worked. The biggest battle of my life and I failed.” She put her head back down on the desk.
Hesitantly, Babydoll put her arms around Sheppard and guided her head onto her shoulder. The sounds of Sheppard crying drew the attention of the other Angels.
“What’s wrong?” said Cinnamon.
“Fatigue,” said Kita. “For the Shadow Fleet, this has been a crushing moral defeat.”
“It is not,” said Defiance. “We beat a superior enemy. We’ll pick through their wreckage and rebuild our fleet even stronger.”
The door opened and Jammer entered, still in her flight suit and carrying her helmet. Her face was gaunt and drawn. She went to a couch without a word, sat, placed her helmet on the floor between her feet, and stared at it.
“Can you handle Rene?” Kita said to Babydoll.
“Sure.” Sheppard was already wiping at her tears.
“Come on.” Kita waved at Defiance to follow her. They sat on either side of Jammer.
“How you doing?” Kita asked Jammer.
Jammer didn’t look up. “The flight board is so empty. How did we lose so many? My friends are gone. I thought we were better than this.”
“You’re the best anywhere,” said Defiance.
“Then why did Command waste us?” Jammer said in disbelief.
“Command didn’t waste you—”
“They had to see we weren’t doing anything against those ships. Why didn’t they pull us back?”
“To protect the carrier,” said Sheppard as she knelt in front of Jammer. “Without you and the other fighters, Enterprise would have never made it. The cost was high—higher than I ever imagined, but we won. We lost more than fighters today—we lost half the fleet. They gave their lives to protect the Empire.
“We know the risk is coming home in a flag-draped coffin. It’s what we signed up to do. Remember your comrades—honor their sacrifice by carrying out your duty. Tomorrow it might be our turn to lay our lives on the altar of war.”
“I don’t think I can do it.”
Sheppard put her hand on Jammer’s shoulder. “You’re a warrior. Doubt is part of being a warrior, but you can’t let it consume you. Look around you. Every girl in this room is a warrior, some have died before, but you are not alone. We’re here to help you. You can do this. We stand with you and won’t let you fail. We carry each other. Today was not an easy day for anyone, even me. The other girls have helped me. I needed to be told what we did was right and have it explained that what we did was for the good of the Empire. It hurts to lose so many, but they did not die in vain. The Empire still stands.”
“I know it’s hard to lose friends and comrades. I’ve lost a lot through the years,” said Kita, “but you dishonor their sacrifice by giving up.”
Jammer looked up at Kita. “Who are you? You give orders to everyone, including the Admiral and Emperor, like you’re above everyone.”
“I’m just an Angel, like you. Rene, Casey, and all the Angels are my friends, and I help them as much as I can. I hold no power over them.”
“You address the emperor like she is your equal.”
Kita nodded at Defiance. “She is my girlfriend. I hope she sees me as an equal.”
“Kita is being coy,” said Anthrax. “We’re loyal to her and we look up to her as our leader. Whatever Kita envisions, we help make happen. In return, she gives us whatever our heart desires. She has a helluva toy box.”
Several of the other Angels laughed.
“Kita’s words and deeds are unmatched,” said Blitz. “She is a great leader and friend.”
“I bet she is,” said Jammer with a sigh. “I’m not ungrateful for everything you’ve done for me, but my loyalty is to the emperor.”
Kita shrugged. “That’s fine. I don’t require anyone to do anything. What I give, I give freely with no strings attached. It’s yours to do what you want. Every girl knows that. They’re free to come and go as they please. If tomorrow everyone wanted to leave and go their separate ways I would have no hard feelings.”
“She’d just go find more friends,” said Anthrax.
“You can’t replace me, big sister,” said Tina.
“Yes, where would I be without my little guardian angel?” Kita teased.
“A bloody mess in front of a bakery in Leedings.”
Kita laughed. Going far back in history.
“What’s to stop you from taking the throne?” said Jammer pointing at Kita.
Kita grinned. “I’ve ruled my empire. Ask some of the others. I had no desire to do it the first time, and I have no desire now. I’m willing to help Casey with hers in whatever capacity she wants and she’s willing to help me with my goals.”
“What is your goal?”
“Death to Galina—the mastermind behind the coup that took Casey’s throne.”
“And you think I can help you?” said Jammer.
“Yes, I do.”
“My proficiency with a pistol is ok at best.”
“I have another gift for you,” said Kita.
Jammer cocked her head. “What?”
Kita snapped her fingers, and four pocket-sized drones appeared in her hands. A belt was at her feet. “These are like your big ones. You connect with the computer in your head, and you can fly them around. The belt is like the carrier. It can repair and reload them.”
The four drones powered on and lifted off Kita’s hand.
“Amazing,” said Jammer.
The drones darted around the room. Jammer picked up the belt and strapped it on. The drones came in and attaching to the belt.
“We needed the bigger one
s first. These have sat around for a couple of days,” said Kita.
The communications panel chimed. Stormy answered it. “Yes?”
“This is Captain Anderson. I have an urgent message for the emperor and Admiral Sheppard.”
Defiance and Sheppard walked over as Stormy stood aside.
“Yes, Captain?” said Sheppard.
“We received an SOS from the Earth Transfer Station. It’s under attack from the surface.”
“That didn’t take Galina long,” muttered Sheppard.
“The Angels will take care of it,” said Kita.
“Get Emperor’s Might underway and a selection of ships to reestablish security around the planets,” said Defiance.
“Yes, Your Highness,” said Anderson.
Defiance closed the screen, and then looked at Kita. “And how are we getting there?”
Kita looked at Sarin and fluttered her eyes. “I figured someone could snap her fingers.”
“I can’t transport all of us,” said Sarin.
“We have other gods,” said Kita.
“That goes against the agreement with Y’grene,” said Aspen.
“But if each of you moves a few of us they’ll never notice.”
“We should take Alex’s big drones and fighter,” said Sheppard. “We’ll need to keep Galina’s forces from docking reinforcements while we’re clearing the station. The station has three major concourses. I suggest we divide into three groups so they can’t flank us.”
“Is it wise to divide our forces?” sand Blitz.
“The concourses aren’t wide enough for all of us. This way we can maximize our firepower.”
“What can we expect?” said Ryder. “More Mexorks?”
“Mexorks?” Sheppard looked at Kita.
“We ran into the newest versions Galina is making. They have crystal armor, but the braincase is in the pelvis. I can’t imagine she has many of them.”
“I would expect augmented humans,” said Sarin. “We’ve run into some that have limbs replaced.”
“Don’t forget Machines,” said Ryder.
“Galina’s bringing back all the heavy hitters,” chuckled Babydoll.
“All we need is the Red Legion and ravagers.” Kita sighed. “Scarlett, you’ll lead one group and Kerri will lead the other. Your groups will move around the perimeter, my group will move through the center.” A map of the Earth Transfer Station appeared on the communication’s terminal. “Thanks, Athena. We’ll insert here.” Kita pointed to a junction of the three concourses. “We’ll roll them up. If any group hits something they can’t punch through, fall back and call for my group. Any questions?”
“Are we bringing the emperor?” said Sheppard.
“I am not going to be kept locked up while the rest of you face danger,” snarled Defiance.
“She’ll be with you, me, and Jane. I can’t think of a better group of bodyguards,” said Kita.
“Can we come?” said Snowy.
Kita raised an eyebrow. She’d let Snowy and Sahara tag along as a way to keep an eye on them. She wasn’t sure how she felt letting them fight. Snowy can hold her own, but Sahara?
“You stay with my group, and I don’t want to hear a peep out of either of you.”
Snowy nodded.
“Ok, everyone grab your gear, and we’ll go.”
Kita and the Angels appeared outside the Earth Transfer Station. Jammer was in her fighter with her drones. Around the circular transfer station, dozens of shuttles waited to dock. Already docked around the transfer station were several large intersystem cargo and passenger ships.
“She has a sizable force up here,” said Ryder.
“Yes, but it looks like most of it is still waiting to dock. Alex, get rid of their reinforcements,” ordered Kita.
“You got it.”
The fighter and the drones’ engines burned brighter as they attacked the gathered shuttles.
Kita turned invisible and drifted down to look into the window of the transfer station. A battle raged. Attackers pushed in on the defenders from three sides. Kita drifted back to the others.
“It looks like we have Marines that need help. The enemy is attacking from three sides. Snowy and I will phase everyone inside, then we break up into teams and push the enemy back.”
Everyone readied their weapons and put a hand on either Kita or Snowy. Kita nodded to Snowy that she was ready. Together they phased inside the transfer station.
Inside was an open space lined with shops, seating, and planters. The Marines made use of the cover as they fired on the attackers. Kita didn’t bother with the Marines. She burst into flame and took off after the enemy.
In the darkened space, Kita’s bright flame attracted attention. Gunfire from the ground flew around her. Kita dropped to the floor in front of a group of Political Bureau soldiers in black uniforms. They were humans armed with rifles, wearing armor and military kit.
Kita brought Dead down on a soldier in front of her, slicing through him. He was more than blood and bone. He was upgraded. Kita spun and sliced into another soldier, before using a flaming lance to burn through two more.
The winds of a storm picked up as clouds built near the ceiling. Rain lashed everything and lightning struck. To add to the din of the storm was the wail of Pestilence. The banshee rained down fire and brimstone and attacked with biting insects.
Rain steamed off The Rider as she walked among the seats firing her revolvers. Defiance, with Sheppard glued to her hip, froze the rain and turned the ice chunks into deadly missiles.
In the flash of lightning, the assassins were visible slicing their way through the enemy. Babydoll bounced between a dozen enemy soldiers, sending their broken bodies flying.
Kita slammed Dead and Buried into a soldier. Flinging the body at two of his comrades, she leaped over them, spun, and removed their heads. A bullet struck her in the shoulder. She grumbled as she found the shooter and cut his augmented arms off.
“Tina!” said Kita.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been hit in the shoulder. Can you pull it out of me?”
“Meet me by the coffee cart.”
Kita spotted the cart and darted to it.
“Let’s have a look,” said Tina as she flittered up to Kita.
Kita bared her shoulder to her sister.
“It barely got you,” Tina said with a teasing smile.
“It doesn’t feel like it.”
“And since when does a bullet stop you?”
“If this was serious it wouldn’t but better to be prepared and all that.”
Tina smirked. “You? Thinking ahead? Who would have thought?”
“Shut up and close the stupid hole,” Kita grumbled playfully.
“Here you go.” Tina dropped the bullet into Kita’s hand.
“Goodie, just what I wanted.”
“I thought you could add it to your collection.”
“Are you done?”
“All healed up and ready to go,” said Tina.
The battle was winding down. The wind and wailing died away, and the rain stopped.
“Kita!” called Sheppard.
“Yeah?”
“Where are you?”
“Getting coffee.”
Sheppard glided over with Defiance and a Marine. “This is Captain Kim. He’s in charge of the garrison here.”
“Getting more than you bargained for, Captain?” chided Kita.
“Yes, Child of the emperor. They attacked in force. I’ve lost half the garrison trying to repel them.”
Kita nodded. “My people are here to clear the station, so you can regroup and tend to your wounded.”
“Thank you, Imperial Angel.”
Kita waved him away. Time to go on the offensive. “Nell, Ryder, Amanda, Kara, and Tina go with Kerri up concourse A. Hali, Zen, Talli, Kristi, Leaf, and Jess go with Scarlett up concourse C. Everyone else with me, and we’ll assault the middle.”
Kita brought Dead down on a Polit
ical Bureau soldier. He raised his augmented arm and blocked while punching at her with his other arm. Kita blocked with her knee and kicked his arm aside. She chopped down with Buried on his arm, but the sword stuck. Growling in annoyance, Kita backflipped, kicking the soldier under the chin to send him sprawling. She bounced off the floor, somersaulted, and landed on the soldier’s stomach, driving her swords into his chest.
Kita raised her head and hand, stopping a hail of bullets coming at her. Sarin fired three times, killing the shooter. Defiance and Sheppard approached the pair.
“That’s the last of this group,” said Sheppard.
Snowy and Sahara arrived from watching the rear.
Sarin smiled. “I haven’t had this much fun in…well, I’ve had a lot of fun lately.”
“I wouldn’t count the last couple days as fun,” said Sheppard.
“I got to kill lots and have sex with Kita. What more could a girl want?”
“I think I’m due a turn when this is over,” said Defiance dryly.
“You’re going to be so busy ruling the Empire,” said Sarin.
“I’ll make time.”
Sarin grinned. “You have to get her away from me.”
“I’ll tell the guards you’re not allowed in.”
“Kita won’t stay cooped up for five minutes,” scoffed Sarin.
“She’s free to leave. I’ll just make it so she won’t want to.”
“I feel like a puppy you two are fighting over,” said Kita.
“Of course not, babe,” said Sarin. “A puppy would be easier to housetrain.”
Sarin grinned as Kita’s face puckered. “Love you,” she said with a playful wave of her fingers.
Kita rolled her eyes.
“Ki—”
“Scarlett? What’s wrong? Scarlett? Leaf? Jess? Anybody? Has anyone heard from Scarlett’s group?”
Kita received a round of negative responses. “I’m going to check on them.”
“I’ll go with you, babe,” said Sarin.
“Ok. The rest of you hold here until we get back.”
Sarin wiggled her nose, and they appeared in concourse C.
“They’ve been here,” said Sarin. She pointed to a pair of bodies.
“Yeah, but it’s quiet,” said Kita.
“It always gets quiet when the top predator is in the area.”