by Michael Todd
The captain cleared his throat and stepped closer to the general. He lowered his voice. “You have to be willing to entertain the possibility that Katie didn’t make it out of this one. I know it’s not something you want to think about, but we have to consider the greater good here. We don’t have to send the SEALs onto the beach, but we can get them started in that direction so that if we need to deploy them, they’re already on their mark.”
The general wanted to argue, but the captain made a good point. “All right. Get them on their boats and start them in that direction, but have them keep their weapons down and watch their backs at all times.”
The captain nodded astutely. “Petty officer, call the lower deck and tell the SEAL team it’s a go.”
The SEALs gathered their gear and loaded it into the rigid-hulled inflatable boats the ship lowered into the water below. The captain and the general went down to the deck and watched as the SEALs sped off in their RHIBs toward the island. The ship was fairly far away, but the teams moved fast and with purpose. As they drew closer to the island, they began to slow down.
The general and the captain made their way back to the observation deck and waited for word. When the SEALs were a few hundred yards from the beach, they radioed in. “We are going to move in closer. There’s some serious damage to the beach, the woods around it, and a plateau of rocks above. We don’t see any sign of the Leviathan or the merc.”
The captain took the radio. “Go ahead, but move carefully, and at the first sign of anything, move back.”
The SEALs went onto the beach, and the general and captain watched nervously from the ship. The phone rang, and one of the seamen answered it. “General, it’s for you.”
The general cleared his throat and walked to take the phone. “Yes?”
“General, this is Timothy from Katie’s base. I tried your cell phone, but it went straight to voicemail.”
The general pulled out his cell and realized there was no service way out there on the ocean. “I’m on the ship watching the island. No sign of Katie.”
“That’s what I’m calling about. There’s a new portal, and it’s about to open right there on that island. If you have men there, you might want to get them off.”
The general dropped the phone to his side and called to the captain, “Get your men out of there. There’s a portal opening!”
The captain immediately grabbed the radio and called the SEAL team’s lead officer. “A portal is opening. I repeat, a portal is opening. Get your asses off that island!”
The lead officer replied, “Copy that. Getting in the boats now.”
The SEALs jumped in their boats and headed away from the island. When they were about a half a mile off, the deep, thundering rip of a portal opening echoed across the water. They slowed their boats and watched a tired and beaten Tiamat limp through the hole. She shook her body and stumbled into the sand, squinting at the bright sun overhead.
The team lead slowly pulled the radio to his mouth and whispered, “Fire on her. Repeat, fire on her. It’s the Leviathan, and she’s alone and badly injured. Take her down. It’s your only chance!”
The team sat quietly in the boat, staring back at the ships wondering if they had gotten the message. Suddenly, the large weapons on the top of the ship began to rotate to point directly at Tiamat. The SEALs covered their ears and crouched in the boat as the weapons went off, sending rockets straight at the Leviathan. She looked up just as one of them shot across the sand.
“Oh, shit.” The rocket struck her and threw her to the ground. Before she could rise, dozens of missiles pummeled her already broken body, blowing her to shit.
The portal behind her started to close.
Moloch and Baal watched through it and chuckled as mounds of flesh blew off the Leviathan and into the ocean. Moloch stuck out his fist and Baal bumped it, both of them laughing hard.
Baal shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, we honored our word. We took good care of her.”
Moloch snickered. “I knew the humans would be on the other side ready to beat the balls off her. I’m just surprised it wasn’t Lilith and Katie getting revenge.”
Baal wrinkled his nose. “I’m kind of glad it wasn’t. I don’t want a replay of what just happened. I really hate ice.”
Moloch shrugged. “From the looks of it, the angel wasn’t doing so well, and Pandora probably lost all her strength when she exited the portal. I’m not very worried about those two, at least not for a couple of days. They’ll be back, sure. Until then, we get to watch the show from the sidelines.”
A huge explosion rocked the small island, and the last chunks of Leviathan were blown every which way. Baal and Moloch both jumped back, a chunk of leathery skin barely missing them as it spiraled into the gate. Baal flicked a piece of flesh off his arm. “They didn’t hold back, either. They gave her everything they had.”
Moloch laughed loudly. “Did you see her body explode? Damn! I’m tempted to go get her skull later.”
Chapter Two
Katie groaned, her head throbbing. Slowly, her focus started to align. She realized she was on the inside. Pandora had taken over, and Katie was just watching at the moment. That was perfectly fine. She felt like she had been run over by a dozen garbage trucks and then kicked in the stomach by a Leviathan.
Where… Wait, where are we?
Pandora smiled and pulled Katie’s knees up. We are currently on top of a very tall building in the center of New York City. I figured the best thing to do was to hide for a bit. That would give you a chance to get your wits about you. Didn’t want you looking all wobbly and drunk when we are walking around downtown with cameras everywhere.
Thanks, Katie grumbled. What the hell happened?
Pandora was still busy trying to heal the wounds covering Katie’s body. Well, after you pulled me out of you, you collapsed onto the hot-as-hell ground of…well, hell. I fought off the demons and that giant bitch-ass dragon Leviathan thing, then I grabbed your passed-out butt and jumped out of the portal and wham! Here we are back to New York. I thought you might want to avoid a walk of shame, so I brought us up here. You need to heal, not go around looking like the Walking Dead.
Is it bad? Katie was trying to look at herself, but being inside Pandora, that was a little bit difficult.
Bitch, you went down like a sorority girl, but I got you out. You had some broken bones, but none of the important ones. You had some burns from the lava rock, but nowhere important, and a bump on the head. I took care of most of it down in the alley where we came out. Now I’m just finishing up the scrapes on your legs and arms.
Katie took over her arms and patted her pockets for her cell phone. I’ve got to call the general and let him know we’re okay. I need to let him know the Leviathan isn’t dead yet.
Pandora chuckled. First of all, you need to slow down because I need these hands to finish taking care of you. Secondly, I’m pretty sure I saw your phone in about a thousand pieces back there in hell.
Katie sighed and relinquished control. I’m going to need another phone.
Pandora finished up patching the last of the wounds on her legs and got her to her feet. Not perfect, but it will do. Once both of us have had some rest, I’ll finish healing you the rest of the way. Now, would you like the honor of getting us home, or would you like me to do it?
Katie grimaced at her bruised ribs. I’m still too weak. I’ll watch…and criticize, of course.
Katie went silent inside Pandora, slightly shocked that she hadn’t said anything snarky in return. Pandora stepped onto the edge of the building and spread her wings, flapping them once or twice before diving off. Katie decided not to joke around anymore. It was obvious Pandora wasn’t in the mood, and she was having a hard enough time staying conscious.
Pandora flew around their building, running her hands down her sides. Let me guess, you didn’t bring the keys with you?
Yeah. I didn’t really think about it, I guess.
Pandora flew to the front
of the building and aimed herself at the front doors. A crowd of people was standing in the street with signs, all of them now staring up at the flying woman. Okay, looks like we’re going to make quite an entrance.
Everyone on the street made way, moving to the side as Pandora landed carefully on her feet. She flapped her wings a couple times, then allowed them to fold behind her and disappear. She posed for a moment, smiling and waving at those who were holding signs indicating their love for her. She snapped her head to the left, narrowed her eyes at the ones holding hate signs, and flipped them the bird.
They began to boo and yell. Pandora put up her hand. “Touch me, and I’ll make you wish you were in hell.”
One of the protesters growled and started screaming, “Who the hell do you think you are? I’m going to sue you for mental agony!”
Pandora tilted her head back, laughing. “Do it, bitch. But learn to spell first. Your sign looks like a first grader wrote it.”
Those supporting of Katie and Pandora began shouting at the others. Pandora chuckled and looked up when the doorman opened the door, his eyebrow raised.
Pandora eyed him and gave him a huge smile. “I’m the other side of Katie—the one who gives zero fucks about that shit.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder and added, “Except, if they start brawling, I’ll bust out the popcorn.”
The doorman stepped to the side, his eyes growing wide as he realized he was talking to Katie’s demon and not Katie. Pandora walked toward the doors, but paused and looked over her shoulder. She flashed a smile to her supporters. “Give ‘em hell, guys!”
Pandora slipped inside, and the doorman quickly closed the door and locked it. On the other side of the doors, both factions of protesters met in the middle of the street. Fists were thrown, signs were bashed, and an all-out brawl broke out. The doorman glanced over his shoulder at the concierge. “Looks like we have another brawl. You might want to call the cops for this one.”
The concierge chuckled and picked up the phone. “This is becoming a regular thing.”
As the elevator doors shut Katie shoved Pandora inside. She looked at her reflection in the doors of the elevator and grimaced. There was blood on her face, most likely hers, and a gash across her chest. Her clothes hung off her body in shreds. She leaned forward and carefully touched the purple and blue around her eyes.
Katie wrinkled her nose. Oh, fuck, there goes that beautiful face.
Pandora didn’t say anything, staying quiet. Katie stood up and looked around. Hello? Pandora? Are you in there?
Just gathering my strength, that’s all. Focusing on getting us into the apartment. The last thing I need is for you to pass out here in the elevator. I’m not outside your body anymore, and if you pass out, I can’t take back over.
The door slid open, and Katie shook her head. Fuck, what kind of inner injuries do I have?
Whiny-bitchitis. Chill. I got this.
Katie shrugged and walked down the hall, stopping in front of her door and knocking hard. She could hear Angie running from the kitchen and unlocking the bolt. When she threw open the door, her face went from happy to shocked.
Angie tilted her head to the side. “Good God, woman. Do you ever come back here and not have something crazy going on? What happened this time? Did you get dropped in front of a freight train?”
Katie sighed and shook her head as she limped through the front doors. “Remind me next time that fighting Leviathans is a real fucking pain in the ass.”
Angie followed Katie into the kitchen and stared at her as she took down a cup, filled it with water, and drank frantically. She downed glass after glass as if she had been stumbling through the Mojave Desert. After her fourth glass, she swallowed hard and put the cup on the table.
Angie lifted her eyebrows. “Are you okay?”
Katie coughed and grabbed her ribs, but nodded. “I’ll be fine. That’s the beauty of having a demon. I only have to deal with pain for a little while.”
Angie put the glass in the dishwasher before turning back to her. “I have to be honest, you look like you’ve been to hell and back.”
Katie snorted. “I have, actually.”
Before Angie could ask any more questions, Katie went to her bedroom and rummaged around for her other phone. Angie stood in the doorway, watching her throw her clothes out of a drawer and act slightly stranger than normal.
After a couple of minutes, Angie cleared her throat. “Can I help you find something?”
Without glancing up, Katie responded. “Actually, yeah. I’m looking for my spare phone. I kind of just disappeared on everyone, literally. I need to get in touch with the general before he thinks I’m dead and starts planning a memorial.”
The general pumped his fist as the last of the Leviathan blew to pieces. There was no way that beast was coming back this time, not unless it was able to regenerate its body. As the smoke from the missiles cleared, he stared at the screen. He was watching closely for any sign of Katie. But as the breeze blew the smoke away, there was nothing except for burning embers and blood-spattered sand.
The captain put his hand on the general’s shoulder. “We got her, General. We got her.”
The general forced a smile and turned to shake the captain’s hand. “Good work, Captain. We’ve been trying to kill her for weeks. She sure as hell looked bad when she came out of that portal. I have no idea how bad hell must really be if she came back that injured, knowing we would be waiting here.”
The captain nodded and turned back to the screen. “I’m assuming your girl had something to do with that. I’m sure she’s okay. We’ll keep searching for her.”
The general nodded. “What about your teams?”
The captain held the radio up. “SEAL team lead, report.”
For several very long seconds, there was only silence on the other end of the radio. Then a loud crackling came across before the captain heard a voice. “We’re all safe and accounted for, sir. On our way back to the ship.”
The general let out a sigh of relief. It was incredibly important to him that as few innocents died as possible. He took a step back and leaned against one of the chairs bolted to the floor. The phone on the wall rang, but he barely noticed. His mind was too far gone wondering what had happened to his merc—and his friend—Katie.
“Excuse me, General, but you have a phone call,” one of the sailors interrupted. He nodded at the phone on the wall.
The general acknowledged and trudged his way to the phone. “Yes?”
“What I’m trying to figure out is why you haven’t sent out the entire Navy to find me?”
The general smiled. “Katie, where the hell’ve you been?”
Katie chuckled. “Oh, you know, taking a little vacay in the deepest bowels of hell. The usual summer fun.”
The general smirked. “We got the Leviathan. Another portal opened on the island and she was severely injured when she came through, which I’m assuming had something to do with you or Pandora. We blew her to bits.”
“Good. That bitch had it coming.”
The general paused for a moment. “Where are you?”
Katie chuckled. “I’m actually back in New York. It’s a long story, but I fell and was pretty much in a coma in hell and Pandora brought me back.”
The general was shocked. “Really? Pandora was in hell? She had the option to stay where she came from, and she took the time to bring you back to New York?”
Katie smirked. “I told you. She may be a demon, but she’s on our side. And I’m glad to hear you killed Tiamat.”
The general relaxed. “I am too. One of seven down.”
Pandora let out a whoop. I was concerned. The last thing I wanted was that Leviathan on the loose again, pissed as shit at me for beating her ass.
Yeah. Katie scoffed.
The general cleared his throat. “So, what’s next? Back to the usual?”
Katie yawned. “I’ve definitely got some downtime coming. This was one of the hardest battles I’
ve ever been in, probably because I took myself to hell. Unless there’s some sort of crazy outbreak or incursion, I’d really like to have some time to myself. What I’m saying, in a nice way, is don’t call me for at least a week.”
The general laughed loudly. “You know you just jinxed yourself, right?”
Katie stretched an arm and grimaced at the sharp pain. “Unless the world is burning, I’m sleeping.”
“Be careful what you say. We’re dealing with demons from hell, so setting the world on fire isn’t one of the least likely things that could happen.”
Katie groaned. “You have a point there, but I’m not sure how much help I would be. I’m an angel. I don’t think any of my powers involve putting out fires.”
The general shrugged. “You surprise us every single day, so I wouldn’t at all be shocked if somehow you grew a firehose from your—”
Katie bellowed with laughter. “I would never live that down with Pandora. Also, I don’t think the media would cover it. It wouldn’t be appropriate for the primetime news.”
Pandora giggled. No, but you would have a hell of a lot of men in the world who were jealous of your…firehose. We might even be able to get you on one of those firemen calendars.
Katie rolled her eyes. Oh yeah, that would definitely get me laid. I have giant tits and a firehose. Not exactly what I was looking for.
Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.
Katie cringed. Please don’t put that on your list of changes to make to my body.
She focused on the general again. “Are you coming back to land soon?”
“I am, but I would have one hell of a long helicopter flight from here. I might end up staying with the ship until we’re close to land. I’ve never been fond of chopper rides.”
“If I wasn’t so beat up, I’d pick you up and fly you back myself.”
The general laughed. “I don’t think that would be much better. Falling into the open ocean isn’t my idea of a fun time.”