Rebirth (Game of the Gods Book 1)

by L. Fergus

  The assistant Djinn roared and leaped at Snowy. The war cat sidestepped the attack and slashed at him. Snowy jumped and rolled over the top of the aggressive Djinn. She landed and slammed both sets of claws into his back. Snowy jumped and kicked at him with her back claws. She withdrew her front claws and plunged them in again. The Djinn’s roars came with a blue frothy foam.

  The second assistant grabbed Snowy from behind and threw her into the wall. Snowy rolled to her feet.

  “Back off,” Sheppard ordered. She held several balls of ice in her hand.

  The other Angels had their weapons drawn and pointed at the Djinn. Snowy hissed and spat.

  Kita shook her head, trying to clear it. “Boy’s got a helluva haymaker,” she muttered. She staggered to her feet and then gingerly touched the claw tracks on her face.

  “Kita!” Cotton yelled from the doorway. She ran up the hallway, darting around Lear toward the woozy Angel.

  Lear roared and lunged at Cotton. Kita grabbed Cotton and phased behind the other Angels.

  Snowy snarled and screamed as she leaped to meet the Djinn. The pair crashed together. Lear dug his claws into Snowy as she slammed her claws into his chest. The Djinn roared and tried to shove Snowy off of him. He spun, lifted her and threw her toward the wall. Snowy phased and came straight at Lear. She plunged all four sets of claws into him. He roared in anger and pain. Snowy saw her chance and struck. She clamped her jaws around his throat. Lear’s roar fell off as Snowy cut off his air. He raked his claws along her back and sides, but Snowy refused to let go. He withered as he suffocated in Snowy’s jaws and collapsed to the floor. Snowy stumbled and fell.

  “Snowy,” Sheppard cried as she fell to her knees next to the cat. She looked at the deep claw marks and gulped. “Kita, she’s going to need you to seal these wounds before she bleeds out.”

  Kita cringed at the mess of blood and fur. She blasted a jet of flame across the lacerations. The air quickly began to fill with the smell of burning flesh and fur.

  “Angel Defiance, I suggest you release the guards. We’re going to need them,” Vink directed.

  The ice vanished. The guards scrambled to their feet, raising their weapons at the Angels.

  “Guards,” Cotton called, “we need medical staff immediately. We have wounded. Djinn guards, your master may be gravely wounded. I suggest you attend to him. The rest of you secure the area.”

  The guards complied.

  Kita finished sealing Snowy’s back and side lacerations. With Sheppard’s help, they rolled her over. Kita relaxed some when she didn’t find anything major on Snowy’s front.

  “Do I look that bad, kitten?” Snowy said weakly.

  “Shush, love. Save your strength,” Kita whispered. She jabbed Snowy with her barb and gave her a painkiller.

  “Why am I always fighting your battles? Jane should be doing that for you.”

  Who’s Jane? “Ah…Relax, pretty kitty. We’ll get you some aid soon.” Kita kissed Snowy on the forehead and stroked the fur on her head.

  “Is she going to be ok?” said Cotton.

  “I think so,” said Kita. “It was mostly injury to the muscle. She’ll be sore and grumpy for a few days.”

  “Back off,” Hali yelled as two Djinn guards looked at the Angels with revenge in their eyes. “Cross the line,” she held up her fist and electricity crackled around it. “And I will cook you.”

  “Easy, Hali. The time for fighting is over,” said Sheppard. “But keep an eye on them.”

  Hali nodded as the Djinn guards worked on their leader and his assistant.

  The Verisom medical teams arrived. The Angels regrouped and put themselves squarely between the Djinn and Snowy.

  The Verisom medical team spoke to Cotton. She repeated it to the others. “They’ve done what they can for her, and she’s stable. They want to know where to send her.”

  “Tell them to take her to the aid station,” Vink ordered. “We will send a medical team to pick her up.”

  Snowy was carried away as the other Angels watched with concerned faces.

  “The rest of you,” said Verk, “are to come with us.”

  Kita nodded. It was time to get back to a Diamock-controlled facility. She said goodbye to Cotton and followed the two Diamocks through the maze-like halls of Verisom Manor and a set of double doors, finding themselves back in the ballroom.

  “What’s up with the layout of this place?” said Valor.

  “Have you ever been in a rabbit warren?” said Sheppard.

  “No…”

  “This is the horizontal version.”

  “So, why are we back here?” said Kita.

  “To apologize, of course,” said Verk.

  “For what?”

  “For your behavior. You don’t think that is an acceptable way to behave in a head of state meeting do you?”

  “No,” said Defiance. “I’d want our heads.”

  Vink nodded. “But, it’s always easier to ask forgiveness, than to ask permission.”

  “Do you mind backing up and explaining?” said Valor.

  “Your antics were a breath of fresh air. It’s not often you get to see your rivals flustered by something they can’t control. You also took care of a problem that’s been bothering us for many years.”

  “Lear?” said Kita.

  “Yes. He and his policies have been a thorn in our sides. Guarding the flyways is a big source of revenue for us. He kept threatening to pull his support and money to go with convoys. With these convoys, he controls when goods arrived. The other worlds don’t like that idea, knowing he’d be able to tighten down revenue generation for them and manipulate their markets.”

  “Aren’t they going to be mad he’s dead?” said Sheppard.

  “Lear was reaching the end of his reign. His eldest son, Edgar, is ready to drive his father off the throne. His son will be overjoyed and will be more than willing to work with us. Young Djinn are fighters and love all things military. Show them real warships and their eyes glaze over.”

  “You had no idea if he’s dead,” said Defiance.

  “If he isn’t, we’ll see if the son moves on him. If he doesn’t, we have our own assassin to send in.”

  Kita raised an eyebrow.

  “We won’t ask much of you directly, Kita,” said Vink, “but there will be a few things like this. We didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “We still need to talk,” said Kita.

  “We know. After you apologize, we’ll get you out of trouble.”

  A Verisom opened the door, and the remaining heads of state entered.

  Cauliflower marched over to Kita’s group. She sneered at the Angels and turned her attention to the Diamocks. “I hope you have an explanation for this?”

  The two Diamocks looked at Kita. Cauliflower glared at Kita with a hint of fear in her eye.

  I’ll get you and your little dog, too.

  “Well, Your Majesty—I don’t have to explain myself to you or anybody. If you would all get off your thrones and come meet me in the square like civilized people, you would get a civilized response. This is about respect. You refused to give it to me, and you refused to give it to Princess Defiance. I’ve earned everything I have, slaving away in some of the worst conditions possible to lead numerous different nations, and dealing with leaders of all types. Never would I have greeted a group as you have done. We are no threat to you or your rule unless you want us to be. If you want my respect, try walking away from your throne. Every Angel has walked away from her kingdom, big and small, because we’ve all decided there’s more to life than who bows at your feet. For us, there is nothing better than each other and our friends, and nothing greater than the power that lies inside us.”

  Kita stepped around Cauliflower to Cotton. With a tear in her eye, she pulled out the necklace. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I need the ship back.”

  “Oh, no. You are not getting out of this that easy,” said Cotton.

  “I need it.”

&nbs
p; “That’s fine, but not without me.”

  “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

  “Since when?”

  “I just spent four days by myself. You gave me the look of death when you came in today, and our little talk earlier.”

  “I’ve been working, and they wouldn’t let me. I left you a couple of notes.”

  “I didn’t get them.”

  “I’m coming with you, be it on my ship or Mauler.”

  “Cotton, no you are not. You are to leave this foolishness behind,” Cauliflower said with a scowl. “These creatures are nothing but scandal, deceit, and misconduct.”

  Cotton launched into a long string of hisses, chuffs, and chatters. Queen and princess argued in what seemed like a heated back and forth.

  Kita couldn’t decide if it was because they were arguing in another language, or because it sounded so unnatural, but she and everyone else looked uncomfortable.

  “So, Kita,” said Cotton with short, clipped breaths.

  Kita stiffened. “Yes?”

  “Sorry, going between languages is hard. They require completely different breathing rhythms.”

  “How do you even make some of those sounds?” said Valor.

  “I have a very skilled tongue and mouth.” Cotton smiled. “The Queen does not believe the Angels should be under the control of one government. She believes the Angels should be put under a government body that represents everyone.”

  “That sounds like a mess,” said Kita. “I am the captain of a Diamock ship. My crew has proven its loyalty to me, and I won’t abandon them. It only makes sense we work out a deal with Diamock.”

  Cotton opened her mouth to speak, but Cauliflower waved her aside. “We understand that, but we would like you to answer crises and deal with problems we can’t, with standard channels for all of us.”

  “What problems do you have that can’t be handled by what you have?” said Defiance.

  “There are planets that hide pirates, criminal organizations, mercenaries, and lesser races that refuse to join with us. Diplomacy usually gets us nowhere, unless we pay. Military action galvanizes them for a short time and going to war with them gains us nothing. If we had a force not flagged to any government, it could go in and deal with these threats without fear of retribution to us. It would benefit us all. We would, of course, pay for your operations and crew costs, and pay you for your work. You can also take whatever jobs you want when you’re not working for us.”

  “Mercenaries?” said Kita, perking up.

  “Yes, with sponsors. We know you’ll have to maintain a cover. We ask that you don’t take too many damaging jobs against us and that you’ll warn us before you move to minimize damage.”

  “The Rose still lives,” muttered Sheppard.

  “Huh? Rose?” said Defiance.

  “Kita was the leader, known as Black Rose, of a people known as the Arconians. They made their coin selling their swords.”

  “This isn’t my choice alone,” said Kita. “Let me meet with the Angels and our friends in private. We’ll decide on what we want to do. Can you wait for that?”

  Vink gave Cauliflower a frown but agreed. ChChitt and D’asora also agreed.

  “Hey, how are you doing, pretty kitty?” Kita said seeing Snowy’s eyes were open.

  The cat groaned. “Sore, all because of you.” Snowy tried to roll over.

  “Don’t do that yet. Your wounds haven’t closed. We decided you wanted to prove who the better kitty was.”

  “Yes, that’s it.” Snowy chuckled.

  Kita stroked the cat’s ruff lovingly. “We’ve also been given an interesting opportunity.”

  “I take it this isn’t the Diamock offer?”

  “No.”

  “What’s better than almost complete autonomy?”

  “Complete autonomy,” Kita said and smiled.

  “You realize we’re going to need a serious flush of cash, and you’ll have to give up Mauler?”

  “We’re going to be mercenaries…”

  “Oh, say no more…” Snowy rolled her eyes.

  “It’s not that bad. We have sponsors. The five major powers are willing to pay most of our bills, and we can do what we like. Every once in a while, they’ll have something for us to do.”

  Snowy nodded. “That does seem like a better offer. Who’d this come from?”

  “Cotton.”

  “Hey, the blame isn’t all mine. Hali had her hand in it too,” Cotton teased.

  “Oh, really?” Kita said, looking at Hali.

  “It’s what’s good for everyone, right?” the Aurorian answered with a sheepish grin.

  “I don’t know. I think Onyx wants to knit sweaters for Diamock pups.”

  “Do what?” the Graniite answered. “That doesn’t sound like squishing to me.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “It sounds good to me,” said Hawke. “Working with a merc unit will be better than just being a gun for hire.”

  “We just want to know what you want to do,” Kita said to Snowy.

  Snowy sighed heavily. “You want me to give up my brand new vertical apartment, my lab, and my position as Minister?”

  “Well…” Kita smiled apologetically.

  “I can knock out some bulkheads and floors on Enterprise to make an apartment,” said Sheppard.

  “Verisom will be outfitting Enterprise with brand new cutting edge equipment,” said Cotton.

  “And Kita and I talked with Vink and Verk,” said Hali, “and they will talk to the Scientific Society about maintaining your status while you’re on assignment. I’m sure that agreement will transfer to the new deal.”

  “It turns out Hali does know how to negotiate,” Kita said teasing the Aurorian.

  “I didn’t earn the rank of Grand Ambassador because I know how to shoot straight.”

  “I still don’t know if she can do that,” replied Valor.

  “Give me a pistol, and I’ll shoot your feathers off.”

  “Try it, and we’ll see what you hit.”

  “I don’t suggest taking on a tank with a popgun,” Hawke warned Hali.

  “I wouldn’t actually hurt her,” said Valor.

  Hali smiled warmly. “I know you wouldn’t, at least not until our date is over.”

  “And I was hoping you’d forgotten about that.”

  Hali frowned.

  “She will go and have a good time,” said Kita firmly. “Otherwise, I’m sending her on a date with Onyx.”

  “Too little and squishy for me.”

  The group laughed.

  “So, we’re just going to cruise around space doing whatever until when?” said Snowy.

  Kita smiled. “Our daughter gave me directions to another part of me.”

  “Oh?”

  “She said it’s in a galaxy far, far away or at the end of the block.”

  Snowy choked. “There’s no way to cover that much space.”

  “I would say it’s impossible, but she wouldn’t have told us unless there was a way.”

  Snowy groaned. “At least I’ll have something to do, but I wish we had your cloud for help.”

  “Maybe we can find a few.”

  “Let’s not tip our hand to the other powers about this. Let’s just worry about setting up a mercenary company.”

  “So, everyone’s in agreement? We start our own merc company and go kick in some doors?”

  Onyx banged her fists together. “Sounds good to me.”

  Everyone else agreed enthusiastically, including Raph.

  “Alright then,” said Kita. “Hali, Cotton, and I will go tell the leaders.”

  Kita kissed Snowy on the forehead.

  “Really, Kita? Who paints a starship black?” Cotton said from the observation deck at the Diamock shipyard.

  “It’s camouflage.”

  “We’re in space. Nobody has any windows.”

  “Ok, it’ll look cool in port. Plus, it makes those stand out.” Kita pointed to two giant
feathers outlined in white on the side of Enterprise.

  “It’s a lot of wasted money,” Cotton grumped.

  “But you love me, right?” said Kita.

  “You should be dropping to your knees thanking me that I do.”

  “I did that earlier.”

  Cotton pushed Kita sideways into the railing.

  “Hey, if you kill the captain that means I’ve got to lead this messed up outfit,” called Sheppard, coming up the stairs with the rest of Kita’s group.

  “I thought you weren’t going to come,” said Cotton.

  “We told her the new paint job wasn’t going to ruin the ship,” said Valor. “I mean, how often is she going to see the outside?”

  “It still looks better in red,” Sheppard said.

  “Well, it’s not your ship, it’s Cotton’s. So I get to do anything I want to it,” said Kita.

  “That logic is flawed somehow,” said Defiance.

  “Yet, it works.”

  “I think it’s a very pretty color,” said Onyx. “Maybe a little orange here and there.”

  Warning lights and sirens sounded.

  “Wahoo, here it goes,” cried Valor.

  The starship backed out of its dry dock with the help of a small army of tugs.

  “Adventure time here we come,” Valor exclaimed as the ship moved away.

  “Damn right,” said Hawke. “Eight months in port is way too long.”

  “So where are we going, Kita?” said Defiance.

  Kita smiled. “To become legends.”

  L. Fergus is a Wattpad featured author of science fiction, including The Fallen Angel Saga, which has more than two hundred thousand reads. The books Birthright and Rebirth have won over ten awards, including Best Overall.

  * * *

  Like L. Fergus' main character Kita, L. fosters teenage girls to give them a supportive place to grow up and thrive. They live with three dogs: Rust, Moxy, and Storm, and four cats: Nova, Jupiter, Crater, and Forest Fire.

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  Join L. Fergus' mailing list at FallenAngelKita.com for news about upcoming book releases. Follow L. on Facebook, Twitter @FallenAngelKita and contact L. at FallenAngelKita@gmail.com.