by L. Fergus
“Well,” Kita said, trying to be angry while laughing, “I’m sure you need a manual.”
“I’m a princess. I come with an entire staff, unlike you who came with an annoying girl.”
Kita giggled. “Jess just needs to grow some. She’ll be fine.”
“She needs a good pounding.”
“So, who’s your other friend?” said Snowy, motioning to Case.
“This,” said Kita, putting her arm around Case’s neck, “is my white whale.”
“You mess up my hair, and I’m going to pound you,” Case said, laughing.
“I think I’d be insulted if you called me a whale,” said Snowy.
Kita giggled. “You know what I mean.”
“What do you mean?” said Cotton.
“Kita means it’s something she’s been chasing, but can never catch,” said Snowy. “Granted I’d have bet money that she’d be after a white rabbit, not a human.”
“There was no chasing,” said Case, “these two pulled together like two black hole juggernauts.”
Snowy wiggled her nose. “I’m glad they didn’t rip anything apart in doing so.”
Case shrugged. “Just Kita.”
“She’s a glutton for punishment. There is no price that’s too high if she wants it.”
“You’ll never guess who she is,” said Kita, giggling.
Case rolled her eyes. “Kita, are you going to tell everyone?”
“Only the important people. Me, you, Cotton, Snowy…You’ve told everyone else. If you’re worried about anyone, it would be Hawke. He might blackmail you for more than a kiss.”
The two giggled to themselves.
“What’s so funny?” demanded Cotton. “What did you do?”
Kita and Case laughed and giggled as they explained their gift to Hawke.
“I might have to rethink your sister’s hypothesis or, maybe you’re just growing up,” said Snowy. “I haven’t the foggiest about your friend. I can hardly tell one human from another anymore.”
“Ok, I’ll give you a hint. Princess, Vicereine, and Princess,” said Kita.
Snowy looked at Kita confusedly as she mulled over Kita’s clue. “Oh…my…God, Kita. What have you done?” she whispered.
“I found a pilot, who happens to have lied about her last name. It’s not Case, but Bush.”
“Don’t say that name again,” Snowy hissed. “We’ve got to get her back to UEE space.”
“Why? She chose to come. I’m not going to tell her she can’t stay and play.”
“Kita, have you lost your mind?” Snowy yelled.
Kita’s manicured eyebrows closed together. “Actually, yes. And no one wants to tell me where it is, but you all know. All I’m told is to follow the breadcrumbs, but I’m not finding any, so either the birds have picked at the crumbs, or you are all lying to me. Either way, I’ll rip the universe apart atom by atom until I find what was taken from me.”
“Kita, this has nothing to do with that. You bringing her into Diamock space could be considered an act of war. We must sneak her back in.”
“No!” Kita roared. “If the dogs don’t like it, fine. I’ll take Dallas and go. If they try to stop me, I’ll slaughter them all and take their ship. I will find what I seek, and I will not send her back to some place she doesn’t wish to go. I will not abandon my friend, not in the face of you, an army, a nation, or an entire race.”
“Kita, calm down,” Snowy snapped.
“No.”
“This isn’t a game. You do not control all the pieces this time.”
“I know it’s not a game!” Kita slammed her fist down on a control panel, sending up a shower of sparks. “It’s Case’s life, Cotton’s life, my other friends’ lives, the Diamocks’ lives, on the line. She is not a pawn to be played, she is a queen. The more queens on my side, the better. I will not cower like a lamb, I will not bow before anyone, I will stand and fight until I can’t take a breath, and then I will rise from the dead to continue the slaughter. Do not tell me what I do and do not control or what I can and can’t do.” Kita’s fury externalized, and she burst into flames.
Snowy glared back at Kita angrily. “Tina’s experiment is working, but it’s making you worse instead of better. I need to talk to the other ministers. Until then, no one beyond your group is to know who she really is.”
“You want me to lie to an ally? Because I won’t. They need to know what pieces are on the table.”
“I want you to be patient. I know you can be. You once waited ten thousand years. You can wait a few days. I’ll contact you when I know more.” Snowy cut the transmission.
“Is she this passionate in bed?” Case asked Cotton.
Cotton pushed off from the wall where she’d been leaning holding the ship’s intercom button. “This is nothing.”
“I can go home,” Case told Kita.
“Over my dead body,” Kita muttered.
“I’m afraid the cat is out of the bag,” said Cotton.
Kita smiled wickedly. “Is she?”
The Verisom smiled wryly. “Diamocks are military to the core, but they’re not machines. They understand passion and morale. Speeches like that create heroes, villains, and legends.”
“I knew I liked you for a reason,” said Kita, reflecting Cotton’s grin. She walked over and kissed her.
“Heroes, villains, and legends don’t become who they are without help,” said Case.
“So, girlfriend and henchgirl?”
“Jess is your henchgirl,” said Case, feigning being offended. “We’re your partners in crime.”
Kita laughed. “I’ve got good taste in partners—beauty, brains, and brawn.”
“That’s the two of us, you’re just kind of average in all three.”
“Am I?” Kita said, folding her arms.
“You’re apparently good enough for the rabbit and the cat, just not good enough for me.”
“And who’s good enough for you?” said Cotton.
“No one. I don’t settle for whatever you find inside a tin can.”
The other two giggled. “You’re inside a tin can, too,” said Cotton.
Case shrugged. “You had your pick.”
“You’re not exactly perfect yourself,” said Kita. “You don’t have one of these.” She reached around Cotton and molested the Verisom’s tail, causing her to jump.
“Naughty,” said Cotton, smacking Kita.
“So, who’s down for going to the training room? I have a sudden urge to blow something up,” said Kita with a hungry smile.
“Well, who could say no to that face?” said Case.
“I think fireworks will be coming from more than just Kita,” said Cotton.
Kita giggled. “Jess is going to hate me forever.”
“Oh, I think she was there well before this,” said Case.
“Too true.”
Snowy leaned back in her chair, frustrated. “I’m about ready to play the I-told-you-so card, and it hasn’t even been a month yet,” she said to Tina, who floated in front of her.
“Oh, she seemed better to me,” the tiny Angel said cheerfully.
“Please explain what I missed. Kita made the same threats with the same attitude as she always has. If anything, she’s worse. She’s upset that she’s been altered without her consent, and we’ve been keeping it from her.”
“But she was quick to stand up for her friends.”
“She’s always been like that. As long as they’re willing to drink her Kool-Aid, she’ll defend them like a mother bear. She’s even attracting the same kind of people. I looked up Cotton. She’s the best of me and the worst of Jane. I don’t have anything on the Bushes, but I can guess they’re not pleasant people, even if they’ve left the family and been reformed. The only weird one is the male teenager.”
“Have a little faith. She’s shown to be more thoughtful than before. You can tell she’s listening to PL and Kat. She’s only killed in combat. No murder or torture.”
“Kita hasn’t had time to torture anyone, and she’s playing by the same rules she had last time. She just hasn’t had a chance to break them yet. I don’t know what you’re expecting from this. You refused to change any of her parameters, you’ve dumped her back in the world confused and angry, split her apart and hidden her from herself, and you expect her to be kinder and gentler? I know Kita, and it’ll never happen. She’s hardwired to be this way.”
“Just give her a chance to settle down.”
“That’s when you get Dusk in your back. I’m this close to calling this off, and saving Infinity and us from certain doom.”
“She can’t touch Infinity.”
“You also said she couldn’t become a god, and that happened. You gods need to wake up. All you’ve done is stall the inevitable with a cold civil war. You should be thankful Kami and her group are more concerned with Kita than with the rest of you.”
“They won’t attack us.”
“You do know who leads that group and the members? Except for Leaf, and maybe Denver, you have a group of fallen angels and black clouds led by Kami and Kylee. That’s not a group where talking out your issues is the first recourse. I understand the reservation about giving them Kita, but you’re only making things worse. Better to give them to her and keep their wrath to a minimum.”
Tina raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried about your hide?”
“I’m worried about mine, yours, and everyone else’s. You need to seriously rethink this. I’m not Jane, but I don’t need an advanced degree to know repeating the same process without making any changes and expecting a different result is insane. If you don’t think about making a change, you’re not the only god in my Rolodex.”
“Oh?” said Tina, her face lighting up in surprise.
“My daughter may despise me, but she does talk to me. It may only be to find out if I know where Kita is, but she does stop in.”
Tina frowned. “Let’s see how it plays out. I’ll talk to you later.” The Angel turned into a point of light and flew out the window.
Snowy got up from her desk and went to her panoramic window. Outside was a world of orange, gray, and black. Lights of the city danced in the rain. She pondered between two choices. Did she go with Tina and see if the road to hell was paved with good intentions, or call her daughter and take the road straight to hell. She decided to wait and see if a third option presented itself.
Kita and the other girls exited the elevator to the training area. Diamock soldiers lined the walls. A senior sergeant pounded the massive plate on his chest, making a sound that started as a grunt and finished in a spine-tingling howl. After a few beats, the others joined.
"What are they doing?" Kita asked Cotton.
"I have no idea."
Kita pushed through the Diamocks. When she entered the training area proper, Diamocks lined every balcony and wall, all pounding their chests. It felt like the entire ship’s crew was here. I hope someone’s left to run the ship.
Zentix pushed through the crowd with her uniform top off. On her chest was the emblem of a creature, a cross between a bear and a pig, with another creature in its jaws. A circular background of red and yellow helped the design pop. In her hands, she carried a set of five-foot-long staves, one end of which had a hooked blade and the other a long, thin spear tip.
The Diamock planted herself in front of Kita and thrust a weapon at her. "You must earn your right to command."
Kita looked at the weapon, then at Zentix. Is this some kind of ritual no one told me about? If she wants a fight, I’ll give her one. Kita slipped her weapons’ harness off. "You mind holding these for me, Long Ears?"
"Of course, Pinkie," Cotton smiled, taking the gear.
"You two are already nauseating," teased Case.
Kita grabbed the weapon from Zentix. "What are the stakes?"
"To the death."
"Is she insane?" Case said to Cotton.
"Diamocks be warriors. If she dies, she will go with great status," said Cotton. She took Case by the arm and guided her out of the way.
Kita turned the weapon in her hand, getting a feel for it as Zentix walked away. Staves were not her specialty, but she’d had plenty of training on them. It’s an ounce heavy on the spear end, but I can compensate.
Ten yards away, Zentix stood eyeing Kita. Is this a win by any means necessary fight or do I have to use the weapon?
Zentix attacked. Kita blocked. It wasn't the most graceful of maneuvers, but she was able to turn Zentix aside. She backed off, studying her opponent and how she used the weapon.
Zentix spun the staff, trying to hook Kita's neck. Kita dropped, doing the splits. Zentix attacked before she had time to recover. Kita fended off a series of blows, before rolling onto her back. Using her wings, she pushed herself at Zentix and snapped her legs closed on the Diamock's legs toppling her.
Rolling backward to her feet, Kita brought the spear down on Zentix's left leg driving the tip through the plate protecting the flesh. Zentix tried to hook her leg. Kita raised her left leg to step over the attack. She hopped inward to block Zentix’s weapon with her right leg. With her left leg, she trapped the weapon between her legs, then dropped and rolled, pulling the weapon from Zentix's grasp.
Rolling to her feet, Kita brandished both weapons in a furious flurry. Zentix seemed unfazed by the lack of a weapon. Kita leaped into the air. Zentix jumped to meet her. Kita phased behind the Diamock. She hooked Zentix around the ankle and the wrist. Spinning, she threw Zentix toward the mat. The spear points penetrated the deck, suspending Zentix as if she was on a spit. To finish the symbolism, Kita flung a pair of fireballs under her. She should be able to take a little heat.
Kita glided to the ground and stepped into the flame, letting it slowly engulf her. She lifted Zentix off the weapons and hurled her across the mat. Grabbing both weapons, she jumped after Zentix. Kita landed just as Zentix stood up. The Diamock parried both strikes. Kita jumped and landed on the Diamock's shoulders, with a flap of her wings, she pushed the Diamock off her feet. Kita landed on Zentex’s chest and drove the spear heads into the plates on the sides of Zentix's head.
From the silence, they must think I killed her. What a foolish thing to do. She tossed the two weapons away and stood up. "Get up," Kita ordered as she walked away.
Zentix leaped at Kita. Kita turned and caught the Diamock by the throat. Zentix clawed at Kita's arm. Kita lowered her so they were eye to eye. She grabbed one of the long spiked plates jutting from the sides of Zentix’s skull. Keeping eye contact, Kita bent the spike. It snapped with a sickening crack. Zentix gave an eerie high-pitched pain-filled howl. Kita dropped her. Zentix curled up into a ball, clutching the side of her head.
Show’s over. Kita knelt next to Zentix and rolled her over to cradle her in her arms. Orange fluid leaked from around the plates in her face.
"It's alright," Kita whispered. She found Cotton in the crowd. "Get a medic or doctor over here to help her."
Cotton and Case yelled for a medical team. A dozen people pushed through the crowd around the pair of combatants. When Kita saw the ship’s head doctor arrive she relinquished Zentix to him.
"How bad is it?" Kita asked Lieutenant Zak, who appeared at her side.
"The crown is very sensitive. It is not life-threatening, but extremely painful. Most Diamocks would have passed out long ago. Commander Zentix is incredibly tough. You should kill her, Vicereine. She will be disgraced if you do not."
"She's no good to me dead. What's this about?" Kita asked Zak as Case and Cotton joined them.
"Diamocks are loyal to our race, but its soldiers choose their commanders. We have chosen you to lead us."
"Me? But I'm not one of you."
"You've proven to have all the qualities a Diamock looks for in a leader. Tradition states that when a new commander is chosen, they must kill the leader of the unit to prove their worth."
Case made a disgusted noise.
"I agree with my friend," said Kita. "Patch her
up. Make her comfortable as best you can. When you're done, I will address everyone."
Zak nodded. "Yes, Vicereine."
"Ugly tradition," said Case.
Kita shrugged. "I've seen worse."
"It’s not that bad," said Cotton. "If you can’t kill the former commander, then you’re not worthy of command."
"You don't have to kill them," said Case.
"If you can’t show your soldiers you can kill, how will they respect you?"
"Just because you can kill doesn't make you a leader," said Kita.
"Then what makes a good leader?"
"I'll show you." Kita kissed her furry cheek.
"This should be good."
"Vicereine, we're ready," said Zak.
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Kita walked over and knelt next to Zentix. "Sorry, Zen. I didn't realize those were so sensitive."
"Why are you disgracing me?" Zentix said her voice a mixture of pain and frustration.
Kita smiled. "Because I like you way too much."
"Then kill me."
"You’re more valuable to me alive than dead. Plus, I already killed Captain Draffno."
Zentix looked upset. Kita reached down and touched the dog's sleek and elegant face. "Listen to me, Zen. I do not kill good soldiers or friends. I definitely do not kill my command structure. You might as well slit everyone's throat if you do. I'm not disgracing you. If I killed you, I'd be disgracing myself. Do you really want to disgrace your friend and commander?" She took the Diamock’s hand and was surprised by its softness, like well-worn tanned leather.
"Friend?"
“Of course, unless you just want to be the commander of this ship.”
“But, you command this ship.”
“Yes, but someone needs to command it when I’m not around. I’m hoping Zak can do it.”
“What of me?” Zentix said, her soft, dark voice hinting at her confusion and fear.
“I was hoping you’d be coming with me.”
“Come with you? But I’m not that kind of warrior.”
“You just proved you are.”
“You beat me easily. I am not Princess Cotton.”