Li've

by L. Fergus

  “I’d hope so,” Defiance growled.

  “We can feel her cloud,” said Kita. “Take the elevator down. Eventually, we’ll find her.”

  “Ok, but we need to unlock it.”

  Kita pulled the control pane cover off and traced the wires and circuits. She placed her finger on a circuit and used a simple brute force hack to open the door.

  The Angels and cats entered the elevator. Kita hit the button for the ground floor. The elevator dinged each time they passed a floor.

  “I thought she’d be in the upper part of the building,” said Babydoll.

  “This place has a vast underground complex,” said Defiance. “Galina must think we can’t get to her there, but there are plenty of ways in. Some more heavily guarded than others.”

  “And what are the elevators?”

  “Medium. You have to go through the lobby of the building to get to the underground elevators. There are guards and turrets, but it’s not as bad as the other entrances that are trapped with everything from seismic to acoustic sensors—or if the air moves too much.”

  The elevator dinged marking the tenth floor.

  “Is she still below us?” asked Defiance.

  “Yes,” said Kita, Sarin, and Babydoll in unison.

  “You have a cloud?” Sheppard asked Babydoll.

  “Yeah. I’m a child of Kita’s.”

  “How come I didn’t know this?”

  Babydoll shrugged. “I don’t use it much. Why? Problem?”

  “It’s black?”

  “Yeah.”

  Sheppard let out a sigh of relief. “I can live with that. Living with a white cloud was unbearable. I felt like I was constantly being interrogated.”

  “That might have been who you were living with,” said Kita, “but, I can see where that would be hard.”

  Sheppard took her hand off her rifle and took Babydoll’s, making Babydoll smile.

  “I never would have imagined either of you being cute,” said Sarin, “especially not with each other.”

  “Do you think you and Kita or me and Kita are the only ones allowed to be cute?” said Defiance.

  “No. But, I’ve known both of them longer than you have. Getting Sheppard to be cute with Galina was like pulling teeth, and I didn’t think Kerri even knew how. I’m all for them being that way. Sheppard deserves it—and if it’s with Kerri, well, the equation can still surprise us.”

  “You want me to be miserable?” said Babydoll with a frown.

  “No. I’m just saying that’s all you’ve ever been. I didn’t know if you knew any differently.”

  The elevator stopped moving and dinged.

  “Lobby,” said Kita as she stepped into the elevator alcove.

  The open lobby had shiny marble floors, columns, and several planters full of tropical plants. A long reception desk with a large Political Bureau seal on the wall behind it dominated the back of the room. On the opposite side were doors and security stations.

  Kita and the others rushed into the lobby. An alarm sounded, and a protective energy barrier went up around the reception desk and the front doors. Kita snarled at the soldiers operating the reception desk. From the ceiling, six turrets lowered. Their barrels spun and fired. Kita, Sarin, and Babydoll raised their hands to stop the bullets.

  “Kita, there are too many,” said Babydoll in a strained voice.

  Kita was straining, too. Soldiers from the security station opened fire, hitting Defiance. Sheppard threw her to the ground and jumped on top of her. Building a charge in her bracers, Kita fired a purplish-black blast at her two turrets. Nine rounds struck her in the chest, abdomen, and thigh before the turrets exploded. The rounds, suspended in the air, rained to the ground.

  “Hurry, babe,” said Sarin, beads of sweat dripping down her forehead.

  “Too many,” grunted Babydoll. The rounds floating in front of her fell, but a stream hit her in the chest. Babydoll collapsed, and the two turrets turned on Sarin.

  Kita drew two stars, heated them, and threw them at two of the turrets aimed at Sarin. One of the turrets shifted and fired on Sheppard, hitting her in the legs and back. Sarin drew a pistol and fired four shots into the turret firing on her. After it exploded, she turned and destroyed the last turret.

  Sheppard ignored the bullet strikes and fired on the soldiers at the security station. She hit one in the head and another in the chest. The remaining soldiers took cover behind the planters on either side of the door.

  “Keep their heads down, Rene. I’ll flank them,” called Sarin.

  Sheppard adjusted her fire, alternating between planters.

  Kita knelt next to Babydoll. “Kerri, are you ok?”

  “Oh, I forgot how much it sucks to get shot.”

  Kita chuckled. “If it helps you got shot a lot.”

  “Ugh, everything is getting fuzzy.”

  “Hang on. I’m not much of a battlefield surgeon, but I can dig the bullets out.”

  “That’s what worries me, you’ll dig them out. I don’t need you poking at my insides.” Babydoll cycled through her god form. “There we go. Good as new.”

  Kita hugged Babydoll. “You had me worried.”

  “What? Why?”

  “That you’d play by the rules.”

  “I’m like you. I only follow the rules when it suits me.”

  Kita smiled and helped Babydoll up.

  “Die! You annoying little worms,” yelled Sarin as her pistols blasted away.

  “Did you get them, pretty blackbird?” said Kita when Sarin had finished.

  “Only those behind the reception desk are left.”

  Kita walked over to the energy barrier and stuck her hand in. She pulled it out when it burned. “Come out, little piggies. Don’t make me have to come get you.”

  The tapping of Kita’s toe echoed through the lobby.

  “Fine. Have it your way.” Kita dissolved into her cloud, passed through the energy barrier, and drifted over the reception desk.

  A shot rang out as a bullet passed through Kita. “Now, I’m annoyed.”

  She changed to her angelic form, knocked the pistol from the soldier’s hand, and blasted another soldier hiding with the first. Kita grabbed the first soldier and threw him over the desk. She hopped across, grabbed him by the back of the head, and stuck his face in the energy barrier. The soldier’s screams died on his lips as his flesh burnt away. Kita dropped the body and jumped back over the desk. Finding the alarm, she shut it off. The energy barriers protecting the desk and doors collapsed.

  “Casey, Rene, kitties, are you ok?” said Kita.

  Sarge and Jupiter gave Kita quizzical look. Nothing had targeted them.

  “I took a couple,” said Defiance, “but they’re not deep. I should be ok. Admiral?”

  “I took several. My armor and dampener stopped the rest.”

  “You didn’t have to jump on me,” said Defiance to Sheppard.

  “Be glad she did,” said Kita. “Her dampener kept those rounds that hit you from going deep.”

  “How do we get downstairs?” said Babydoll.

  Kita tapped her nail on her teeth. “I should have left one of these guys alive to ask.”

  “There’s another bank of elevators through that door over there,” said Defiance.

  Sarin, nearest to the door, tried it. “Locked.”

  “See if it’ll open for Casey,” said Kita.

  Defiance placed her hand against the pad. The door opened, revealing an elevator. Kita and the other Angels followed her into the landing.

  “So what’s underground?” said Babydoll.

  “Research and development,” said Defiance.

  “Of course she’s down with all the death machines. Why can’t she meet us on a pitch instead?”

  “Everything to maximize her advantage,” said Kita. “But there’s nothing she has that will stop me.”

  “Yeah, what about us?” said Babydoll.

  “Are you planning on being vulnerable?”
<
br />   “Well, no, but Rene…”

  “Nothing will happen to Rene or Casey. Come on.” Kita pushed the button for the elevator.

  “Which floor?” said Defiance when everyone was inside.

  “I don’t know,” said Kita. “I just know she’s below us.”

  Defiance pressed the bottom button. “We’ll head to the Experimental and Theoretical floor.”

  “What’s there?” said Sarin.

  “No idea. I’m going to guess ideas that are cutting edge.”

  “A ninja toaster,” said Babydoll.

  “Is that a Mexork with the head of a toaster?” said Kita.

  “And it wields swords and fires pieces of killer toast.”

  The Angels giggled.

  The elevator stopped and the door opened. A pair of soldiers guarded a security checkpoint. Babydoll threw herself into a ball and struck the first soldier in the chest sending him into a wall. She bounced off him, and uncoiled into a flying roundhouse, striking the second soldier repeatedly. Backflipping, Babydoll ricocheted off the floor, slid forward, kicking the soldier back up into the air. With a powerful flap of her wings, she caught him and slammed him to the floor.

  “X, Y, A, A, B, B, left, right, right for the super combo,” Kita called. “Finish him!”

  Babydoll laughed. “I never had the dexterity for video games.”

  “Still, we need to come up with a kill stroke for you.”

  “I thought I did good putting him in the ground.”

  “Yeah, but you need a move where you rip their spleen out through their nose then kick their head into orbit.”

  “Where do you know all this from?” Defiance asked Kita.

  “My last two daughters were big into video games,” said Kita as she walked around the security bench and hit the button to open the door.

  “I can’t wrap my head around you being someone’s mom.”

  “Jane and I raised six girls.” Kita entered the large lab. Machinery and computers sat in groups. Each surrounded by movable walls.

  “I wonder what they’re working on,” said Sarin.

  “Searching for the secrets of the universe,” said Babydoll.

  “They’ve got a long way to go.”

  “Some of our biggest breakthroughs came from here,” said Defiance, “like FTL.”

  Babydoll and Sarin snickered.

  “What?” said Defiance.

  “Love,” said Kita, “I sent the secret of FTL to the UEE when I realized I was going to need help destroying the Harbingers. I’m sure they confirmed what I sent them here, but they didn’t come up with it. Why do you think the UEE FTL systems were simplified versions of the Diamock’s?”

  “No way. You—from all the way—did that?”

  Kita shrugged. Believe it or not, that’s what happened.

  “Where is Galina?” said Sheppard.

  “That way.” Kita, Babydoll, and Sarin pointed together toward the far side of the room.

  “Are you going to be ok seeing her again?” Sarin asked Sheppard.

  Sheppard relaxed her rifle. “I—I haven’t given it much thought. Up until now, she’s just been the enemy.”

  “She was your partner for years.”

  “It didn’t feel like that at the end. More like I was her captive and I was doing what made her happy. I was grateful she sent me after the emperor. It got me away from her. I did my best to hide behind my duty, but she can be persistent when she’s in the mood.”

  Kita nodded. “Yes, I know. It’s not your fault. You did what you had to.”

  “I feel I should have stood up to her.”

  “Galina is responsible, not you. You did your best to contain her,” said Kita.

  Sheppard’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t understand what went wrong.”

  “It’s nothing you did or didn’t do. It’s jealousy over Kita spurning her.” Babydoll put her hand on Sheppard’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there for you.”

  Sheppard looked at Babydoll and smiled. “Thanks, Kerri. I don’t want this to be a burden for you. You don’t have to.”

  “Come on, I was there when Galina lost her mind over Kita. I know it had to sting. I don’t think it was fair to you for her to try to jump in bed with Kita.”

  “It’s not my fault she took no the wrong way,” said Kita.

  “I’m not saying it is your fault,” said Babydoll. “It’s Galina’s. You told her the rules.”

  “I promise I won’t freeze or go back to her or anything,” said Sheppard. “I’m over her.”

  Famous last words.

  “We’ll be there for you,” said Sarin. “I look forward to putting a few slugs in her.”

  Kita opened a door and led them into a large room. A set of square columns created a pen in the back third of the room.

  “What is that?” said Babydoll pointing to a large squat four-legged creature in the pen. It had a hard shell with spikes around the rim, a watermelon-shaped head full of teeth, and a tail lined with spikes and two large bony knobs made the end of the tail look like a hammer.

  “We must have entered the biology section,” said Defiance.

  “It looks like a dinosaur,” said Sheppard.

  “Ankylosaurus with teeth,” grunted Kita.

  A door on the near wall opened, causing everyone to ready their weapons.

  “Megan!” Kita snarled as the Angel approached them. Kita lowered her swords. “A hologram of Megan.”

  “Too scared to face us in person?” said Sarin to Megan.

  “I’m no fool, girl. I bet Kita’s loaded for revenge and I’m not about to step in front of that train.”

  “What have you done?” hissed Kita.

  “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.”

  “I know about the anti-Angel weapons. What did you do to Lina?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t lie to me,” Kita yelled. “I met the monstrosity on the transfer station. Only one person in the UEE knows Angel physiology well enough to discover how she worked in such a short time.”

  “The general wanted her secrets. It was part of the deal,” said Megan.

  “Where is she?”

  “Which part? She’s split up between six labs.”

  “How could you? She was your daughter,” said Sarin.

  Megan rolled her eyes. “Just because she came from me doesn’t mean she’s my daughter. She was the deal. Her or me. I chose me. Don’t tell me you fallen and evil angels wouldn’t have done the same.”

  “I’m sorry, Kita,” said Defiance. “I swear, as soon as I’m back on the throne she’ll be returned to you.”

  Kita raised her hand and shook her head. “The deed’s done. I’m too late—”

  “It’s not your fault, babe,” said Sarin. “I should have gone after her.”

  “You did what you thought was right and it was the right call,” said Kita. “That just leaves the question—why. So, why, Megan? Why sell us out?”

  “I’m a citizen of the Empire. I’m doing my duty. I hold no allegiance to you after what you did to my Arconians and me. The general has her flaws, but she’s nothing compared to you.”

  Kita’s eyes burned in rage. “Your damn Arconians got the greatest, most glorious battle they craved since I met them. You’re upset because I bullied you into helping save the equation? I thought I was petty. I have ordered people torn asunder, but they were wicked and despicable. Lina was a kind, gentle soul that never did anything to you or Galina. If you have a bone to pick, you should pick it with me—not her—you vile, disgusting, perverse old hag. There won’t be a place far enough for you to hide that I won’t find you. After I strip your wings and have my fun, I’ll bring back Mengele specifically to work on you.” Kita’s eyes were flaming jets when she finished.

  Defiance stepped next to Kita and pushed her back a bit. “Megan, whoever you are, you are stripped of your rank and status in the United Earth Empire. All your assets are forfeit, and you are under arr
est. I suggest you turn yourself in.”

  “And who are you, kid in a fancy uniform?” scoffed Megan.

  “I’m Casey Bush, rightful Emperor of the United Earth Empire.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. “Of course. Out of millions of cubic light-years, Kita finds the lost Emperor. Good luck enforcing that, kid. You have to be on the throne first.”

  “Kita’s threat is not hollow. I will turn you over to her.”

  “That is against the law,” yelled Megan.

  “The law is what I say it is. I will do anything to keep my girlfriend happy.”

  “Neptune’s bloody rings, Kita.” Megan turned to Sarin. “And you’re ok with this?”

  “Right now, I’m ecstatic. I hope you rot.”

  “I guess I better get a move on packing my lab. Seeing how I’m going to need every free moment, I’ll let Dino keep you busy.”

  Megan’s hologram vanished as the columns of the pen lowered into the floor.

  “Is there a reason she looked like you?” said Defiance to Kita.

  “Luck of genetics.”

  Dino blasted hot air out his nose and charged the Angels.

  “Scatter,” yelled Kita.

  There wasn’t a lot of room, but everyone leaped or flew out of the way. Sheppard rolled to her knees and fired her rifle, the bullets bouncing off Dino’s armored hide. Sarin fired next, but Dino’s armor also turned her .50 caliber rounds aside.

  “We might have a problem,” said Sarin.

  Dino spun, catching Defiance in the chest with the tip of his long tail, sending her into a wall. Seeing he had a tormentor down, Dino charged Defiance. Sarge jumped on Dino’s back, trying to find a soft place to bite. Jupiter transformed and fired a ball of lightning at Dino. The ball struck Dino in the side and got his attention. Dino spun and charged the offending cat.

  Kita floated in front of Jupiter. “You leave him alone.” She drew her fist back and punched Dino as hard as she could in the face. Dino stumbled backward shaking his head.

  “Kerri, get him,” yelled Kita.

  Babydoll threw herself into a ball and struck Dino in the face. She bounced between the floor and Dino’s chin several times causing the dinosaur to stagger. Defiance blew a sheet of ice under Dino’s feet. Deprived of traction, Dino’s legs splayed out under him.