ã€ŠReturn of the Fallen Angel: Book 1ã€‹


 Chapter one

    CAUTION! This manuscript takes place after the events of Ascension. If you haven''t read Ascension, I suggest you start with Ascension:  Birthright to get the full story behind the events of this series.

    Thanks for reading,

    L. Fergus aka Mountainlion2

    A shuttle descended toward the unnamed red and black molten planet.  Its home, the research station Roost, was a dim light in the window.  It¡¯s destination, a circular island of blue and green in the northern hemisphere, came into view as it passed over the terminator.  The clamshell back of the shuttle began to open as it passed into the atmosphere.

    ¡°When the light goes green you¡¯re free to jump,¡± a synthesized voice from the AI on board announced.

    ¡°How high are we?¡±

    ¡°We just passed one hundred and fifty thousand feet,¡± the AI replied.

    ¡°Awesome.  I¡¯ll see you on the ground.¡±

    ¡°Dammit Kita, wait!¡±

    Kita didn¡¯t wait.  She sprinted down the ramp.  At the edge, she jumped.  She folded her wings to match the shuttle¡¯s rate of decent.  Kita waved to the shuttle.  She folding her wings in tighter, rolled over, and dove.

    ¡°Either one of you tries that, and I¡¯ll turn this thing around, and we¡¯ll go home,¡± threatened the AI.

    Kita raced downward.  For fun, she tucked her wings in tighter and picked up speed.  Soon, she felt the heat from the friction as she descended into the atmosphere.  Around her, a red and orange halo appeared.  I¡¯m a living meteor¡­wonder what I should land on?

    The ground began to come up, and familiar landmarks began to appear.  She opened her wings slightly to increase drag, and the halo faded.  Far above her, she could make out two dots gaining on her.  She slowed even more, and the pair fell in behind her.

    Together the trio raced toward a volcanic archipelago.  The five massive volcanoes towered over the sea.  Black and gray scars from countless eruptions spilled out on the bare, rocky slopes of the volcanoes.  Between the lava fields and tropical forest, a buffer strip of grassy plains circled each volcano.  Black rivers were running to the sea cut through the tropical forests ringing the coastal areas.  Countless humble settlements sat along the coast and the plains.

    The trio pulled up just above the water, heading toward the largest port town on the largest island.  As the crossed from sea to land they climbed higher.  As the ground raced by, Kita could see people stopping to stare and point.  The trio left the town behind and spiraled up the steep slopes of the volcano.  At the top, they peeled off toward the next island.

    In a tight formation, they slalomed between the volcanoes.  Reaching the last volcano they circled the mountain then turned inland.   Streaking up the side, they rocketed back into the clouds.

    On the slope of the tiniest volcano, a man sat on a rock with a large cat at his feet.  A giant of a man, he stood taller by a head than anyone else in the islands.  He wore a simple fiber shirt and a kilt with a sporran.  Extra cloth from his kilt draped over one shoulder.  A simple broach held the gathered cloth in place.

    He had no hair, but a light blue hue covered his head.  A giant exaggerated toothy smile of a shark went from ear to ear.  On each side of his head, large black dots lay just in front of the temples.  Three dark blue diagonal lines cut across his neck on each side.

    A giant sword with a handle of pink corral and a blade of blue steel rested in his lap.  Giant sharks teeth lined the edge.  The length of the blade reached from his chin the ground.

    The man looked up from sharpening the giant sword.  He watched as the trio tore through the sky.  Smiling, the shark¡¯s mouth smile grew even larger.  He didn¡¯t know the trailing pair, but he did recognize the leader.  He knew of only one person who had black wings.  He put away his sharpening stone and stood.  The war cat let out a series of happy chuffs.

    The man bent down and scratched the cat¡¯s ears.  ¡°I¡¯m glad you saw her too, Sarge.  She¡¯s been away far too long, but it looks like she¡¯s returned with a flock.  Come, we must tell the people your mistress is back.¡±

    The man and cat started down the volcano through an ah-ah field to a tiny fishing village below.

    Kita and her companions reached the apex of their climb high above the clouds.  Kita slowed, stalled, rolled over, and dove.  Her followers mimicked the maneuver and soon the trio raced toward a barely visible coastline.

    From the shelter of its bay, the city of Leedings came into view.  Most of the buildings showed signs of damage.  Those buildings that had no damage sat neglected.

    From above six major avenues crisscrossed the city looking like a game of pickup sticks.  Side streets from twenty feet to two feet wide created a complex network between the avenues.  A large keep surrounded by a high, thick wall stood at the end of an avenue.  Another avenue stopped at an enormous dock complex.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.The trio pulled up a few feet above the water and raced into the bay toward the port.  Giant rooster tails of water sprayed behind them as they skimmed the water¡¯s smooth surface.  The split up and chased each other through the congested ship traffic.  They roared passed the traditional wooden ships and the new metal ships.

    Kita watched the ships flying the Red Legion¡¯s colors go on alert.  To her amusement, they ran to weapons mounted on the rails and started to fire.   The trio swerved, rolled, and laughed their way through the hail of bullets.

    Kita angled toward a small patrol craft with two small weapons firing at her.  She smiled viciously while drawing her swords Dawn, a long katana, and Dusk, a short wakizashi, and bursting into a brilliant flame.  As she streaked toward the craft, she left a flaming trail.  Steam rolled off the water as she dropped inches from the water.  She struck with Dawn and Dusk just aft of the wheelhouse.  Flammable objects exploded as she roared over the top of the boat.  The molecularly perfect blades sliced the craft into three parts.

    Kita returned to normal and joined her companions.  Together they exited the harbor.  They flew down a long deep-water pier.  Men and horses panicked as they went by, turning the chaotic place into total disarray.  Ahead, Kita saw a man with a mark branded on his head staring at them.  As she went by she blew him a kiss.

    The trio zigzagged through cranes, piles of goods, buildings, to exit onto the avenue.  As they barreled through the broken buildings, people looked up at them.  Those who remembered her and had the courage to defy their occupiers cheered.  Kita waggled her wings as a sign she¡¯d heard them.

    They turned up a second avenue toward the keep, soldiers in red or black uniforms lined the sides.  Both groups didn¡¯t hesitate to fire.  Bullets flew around the trio.  One of Kita¡¯s companions Dropped down and spread her hands.  Kita shook her head.  She pointed to the mass of civilians mixed in with the soldiers.  Instead, they ran the gauntlet, laughing at the soldiers feeble attempts to hit them.

    Kita spotted an opportunity.  A man in a black uniform with two red pipes and a skull on his collar, stood yelling at his men.  She flew just above the heads and weapons of her attackers, reached down, and grabbed the man by his collar.  She turned skyward and carried her unwavering prey with her.

    Kita¡¯s entire body and hair turned coal black.  A hood appeared over her head.  The man didn¡¯t flinch.  She gave a low, menacing chuckle at his bravery.  Her voice became higher and filled with malice.  ¡°You have been judged, Colonel.  Now, you will face the retribution of the innocent for your lack of remorse or acknowledgment of your evil deeds.¡±

    ¡°I have no fear of you, creature.  Kill me.  I will happily jump into my grave with both feet.¡±

    ¡°Oh, but Colonel, you should fear me,¡± Kita roared.  She placed the palm of her hand against his neck.  Using her barb, she injected him with a mixture of potent hallucinogens. The bandana covering her hollow eyes vanished, revealing two deep and dark holes.

    ¡°Look Colonel, and watch.  Let me show you why I¡¯m punished.  Let me show you true evil, let me show you me.¡±  Kita let out a maniacal laugh and flew upward.

    She yanked the colonel¡¯s face close to hers and forced him to look into her eyes.  The colonel watched countless images of torture, death, and destruction.  She attacked him with his worst fears and destroyed his mind.  The colonel¡¯s face screwed up in terror.  He shrieked and tore out his eyes.

    Kita grinned as she made a large loop.  Her winged companions joined her.  At the bottom, they arrived in front of the keep¡¯s main gate.  Guards rushed to close the portcullis as the three streaked underneath.

    They spiraled up the keep.  Kita spotted her actual target standing on a balcony watching.  Jeffrey wore the same uniform as the colonel, but with more decorations.  He was handsome, and the eye patch with the zigzag scar running vertically down the front of his face added to it.

    Kita tossed the colonel at a guard on the balcony as a flyby salute.  The pair landed in a heap.  She laughed as she and her companions continued spiraling up into the clouds.

    Jeffrey looked at the colonel.  The man curled up into a ball and started rocking back and forth.  Blood leaked from under his hands as he covered his eye sockets.  He began to repeat some gibberish phrase.

    Jeffrey sighed.  ¡°Get him out of here and shoot him.  Make sure he gets a proper Sturmtruppen funeral.  He¡¯s the first to bravely meet our enemy.  Reward him with the Blood Skull Cross.  Take a message for the Master.¡±

    Jeffrey¡¯s aide nodded his readiness for dictation.  ¡°Tell the Master my sister has returned.  And it looks like she¡¯s had chicks.¡±  Jeffrey waved the man away and chuckled at his wit.

 Chapter two

    The trio left the city and headed into the countryside.  Smiling, Kita pointed to a three column group of red soldiers marching on a newly built avenue running out of the city.  They split, taking aim at their targets.  Coming from behind, the three angels descend.

    A blue tinted cloud trailed from one of Kita¡¯s companions as they dropped down over the column.  The cloud descended on the troops below. They began Choking and convulsing, and died in less than a minute.

    Descending on her target in unison with the first angel, the second angel left a green tinted cloud in her wake.  Lesions and sores followed unstoppable coughing fits.  Several minutes later the bodies of the column littered the avenue.

    Kita came down over a column of exosoldiers.  The metal-clad men clanked as they walked in formation down the broad avenue.  Igniting her immolation, she flew just above the red helmeted heads melting the untempered armour.  Leading the column, a much larger exosoldier turned to watch Kita fly overhead.

    The red and black angular plates created demonic looking armour for the towering exosoldier.  Large spikes protruded from its chest, shoulders, and arms.  Claws extruded from the hands and feet.  A large set of metal bat wings extended from the upper back.  A large backpack had clusters of fans, lights, and electrical and fluid connectors.

    The helmet completed the demonic ensemble.  The top had two sets of horns.  A long straight set angled backward. The second set curled along the side.  A pair of tusks jutted out from the sides of the helmets pointed jaw.  Enormous black eyes with giant orange pupils wrapped around the sides.

    From the bottom of the backpack, two nozzles started to smoke.  Raising both fists into the air the demonic beast shook its head violently.  Slowly it began to rise into the air and clumsily gave chase.  Too heavy and unwieldy to keep up with them, the angels flew rings around it laughing.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.Coming to a slow stop the beast hovered in midair and raised an arm.  From the top of its hand, it fired a set off for tiny missiles.

    Even with her back to the beast, Kita could see the launch.  Her skin included photoreceptors to compensate when she¡¯d lost her eyesight.  She watched the missiles streak toward her.  Diving in front of the oncoming projectiles for fun, the other angels each succeeded in drawing a missile off.  One flew left and the other dove to the ground.  Turning a sharp ninety degree, Kita turned skyward.  One of the missiles followed, the other raced into oblivion.

    The missile began to close on Kita.  Watching it come up behind her, she stopped suddenly.  tI flew by and exploded several yards away, peppering her with fragments.  Turning around with an evil grin on her face, she watched the beast coming for her.

    Laughing, Kita shook her head and waggled her finger.  The beast shook its fist in response.  From her thigh pad, Kita pulled a pair of her favorite weapons.  Legionnaires from the Orient introduced her to throwing stars when she¡¯d commanded a combined Legion force.  With her ability to superheat, they made a lovely medium range weapon.

    Heating the two stars white hot in a fraction of a second, she threw them toward her assailant.  The stars arced toward their target.  The pair struck just above the exhaust nozzles.  The sudden addition of four new exhaust ports caused the creature to spiral out of control.

    Kita and her returning companions watched as the beast spiraled down to the ground.  It landed hard in the middle of a corn field.  Slowly it got to its feet and started toward them.

    Kita pointed to the southeast, and the trio took off again.

 Chapter three

    Following a road through the expansive woods that covered the southern half of Yorq, travelers stopped to watch the angel¡¯s passing.  Those not in sight of red uniformed soldiers waved or held up black feathers.  Kita returned the waves and wondered about the feathers.  The southeast part of Yorq had been a stronghold for her before she died, and it appeared support hadn¡¯t wavered.

    Other sets of eyes watched Kita.  The armor-clad war cats of Yorq and their allies the war bears watched with interest.  They started spreading the word throughout the forest, in little over two hours every war cat and bear knew she had returned.

    Soon the forest gave way to the foothills of the Razor¡¯s Mountains.  High jagged snow covered peaks rose up sharply from the flat ground below.  Towering canyons, steep slopes, sheer cliffs, and high crags made the mountains nearly impassible except for Razor¡¯s Pass.  Off in the distance, Kita could see another of her destinations.

    ***

    From hidden locations in the foothills a company of men wearing tattered blue uniforms mixed with civilian garb watched.  No one moved or said anything until the trio had passed.  Finally, an old, grizzled man crawled up next to a lanky man.

    ¡°See that General?¡±

    ¡°I saw, Sergeant Major.¡±

    ¡°She took her sweet time getting her ass back here.¡±

    ¡°The important thing is, the Commander¡¯s back and we¡¯re still here.  Send some runners to alert the other companies.  Tell them they aren¡¯t to do anything.  We¡¯re not going to give up this line.  If we know she¡¯s here, better believe they do as well.  And I bet they know she came this way.  So tell them to be ready for trouble.  You and I¡¯ll go back and find her.¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir.  Glad to see she¡¯s had time to lay some eggs,¡± the Sergeant Major said with a chuckle.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let her hear you say that; she¡¯ll rip you apart,¡± the General warned.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll try and whip her old teacher for that.  Maybe if I laughed at her.¡±  The Sergeant Major said with a sour grin.

    ***

    Up the side of the mountains, the trio raced, playing in the canyons, dodging crags, scaring goats, and waving at war cats as they went.  Continuing to climb, they entered a storm.  To their games, they add hide and seek as the barreled up the mountainside.  Reaching the highest summit they continued to climb.

    They burst through the stormy clouds into the bright midday sun.  Kita let her momentum take her as high as it could.  She spread her arms out taking in the sun¡¯s rays.  For a brief moment, she hung motionless, illuminated in a bright white halo that drowned out her darkness.  Slowly the fallen angel let herself fall back to the ground.

    Recovering from her freefall a few feet above a rocky slope, Kita and the others raced down the backside of the Razor¡¯s Mountains.  The backside of Razor¡¯s Mountains made the front look like a gentle slope.  Sheer cliffs dropped thousands of feet, only the war cats and goats ventured to this side. Dropping out of the storm, Razor¡¯s Reef spread out before them.

    Razor¡¯s Reef used to be known as the Unfinished Wastes or Razor¡¯s Desert.  On her first visit, Kita had opened the retaining dams holding back the sea and transformed the wastes into the reef.  Hundreds of tall spires had dotted the desert now the formed a matrix of islands.  Long walkways connected many of the spires to form a network across the reef.  Originally intended as a work of art, only a few knew about the beautiful Razor¡¯s Reef.

    From several hundred feet up, Kita could see the schools of fish darting through the water and the young corals.  The dull yellow sand and brown spires had given way to a multitude of colors.  Off in the distance, a small boat sailed through the calm waters.

    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.The trio flew just above the water¡¯s surface; tiny rainbows appeared in the spray of the trio¡¯s wakes.  Below them, they watched the fish scatter from their shadows.  A shark jumped out of the water, trying to snag one of Kita¡¯s companions.  The shark came down empty with a big splash as the angels giggled.

    The trio slalomed through the spires and bridges.  Coming close to the boat, Kita climbed into the air.  She slowed for a few moments as she circled.  After a few turns, she took off back toward the mountains.

    ***

    On the deck, a tiny white-haired grandmotherly woman watched Kita.  A lost sparkle in her eye returned in an instant.  One of her daughters had returned.  Now things would be set right.  As fast as she could, she went to the main cabin.

    Inside a stout older man with bandages over his eyes sat alone.  The once mighty Shadow Master had become not even a shadow.  His organization systematically destroyed by the Sturmtruppen.  The people he protected and cared for now had to fend for themselves.

    ¡°Glen,¡± the old lady called softly.

    ¡°What is it, woman?¡± Glen answered harshly.

    ¡°It¡¯s Kita; she¡¯s back.¡±  The old lady could barely contain the excitement in her voice.

    Glen sat upright.  ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°How many people with black wings do you know?¡± she retorted.

    ¡°Is she here?¡±  Glen¡¯s voice filled with excitement.

    ¡°No, she only flew by.  Like everyone she has an agenda, Dear.  I think she just wanted to let us know she¡¯d returned.  I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll stop in to see us as soon as she can.¡±

    ¡°Well Barb, I¡¯m not waiting.  Those legionnaires of hers gave us a rallying place for when she showed up again.  I plan on being there.¡±

    Barb looked concerned. ¡°I don¡¯t think you can climb over Razor¡¯s Pass, Dear.  Maybe we should send a representative instead.  I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll see you when she¡¯s ready.¡±

    ¡°Who are you thinking about?¡±

    ¡°Me.¡±

    ¡°You cannot be serious, woman!  That¡¯s a four-day hike for a young man.¡±

    ¡°It might take me twice as long, but I can make it.  I won¡¯t go alone.  I¡¯ll take Zinni and Dutch.  I doubt the Legion will make any serious plans yet.  If the decide to move forward, I know as much as you do about what¡¯s left of the Guild.  I won¡¯t let them dicker us out of anything.  If Kita is there, I will send her for you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s eight days; the meeting might be over by then.¡±  Glen retorted.

    ¡°I doubt that.  It¡¯ll take more than a week for all her allies to gather.  If she can find them.¡±

    ¡°Well, I know the first person she¡¯s going to look for,¡± Glen grumbled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare mention her,¡± Barb¡¯s tender voice suddenly filling with vicious rage.

 Chatper four

    Snowy, an anthropomorphic war cat, ran as fast as she could across the rocky snow covered ground high in the Razor¡¯s Mountains.  Looking over her shoulder, the black-winged angel still followed her.  She kept running and looked over her shoulder again.  Now two white-winged angels had joined the chase.

    Her courage had failed her. For years, she''d waited for this moment. Now it had come, and she found she couldn¡¯t face Kita.  After years of wanting to die, she suddenly wasn¡¯t ready.

    Instead, she¡¯d chosen to run.  In her heart, she knew trying to outrun Kita would be like trying to outrun death itself.  Still, there was always a chance death would pass you by.

    The ground in front of her exploded, throwing Snowy backward. Chunks of dirt and rock pelted her.  A strong wind cleared the air.  Kita stood in the center of the explosion, her back to Snowy.  Looking over her shoulder, Kita gave Snowy an impish grin.

    ¡°Hey baby, did you miss me?¡±

    ¡°Kita¡­¡±  Snowy managed just above a whisper.

    ¡°At least you still remember my name,¡± Kita retorted with a laugh as she turned to face Snowy.

    Kita''s face remained the same beautiful face Snowy had fallen in love with, minus those gorgeous blue eyes.  Now a black bandana covered them. She had grown.  She used to be 5''6, but now she was an inch short of six feet.  Her blonde hair had grown out.  It reached just below her waist.

    Kita¡¯s wore a simple black bodysuit and new bracers with a checkered pattern of short spikes, that covered her entire lower arms and hands.   She maintained her favorite spiked choker and oversized belt that held her assassin''s toys. Gone was the leather armor pieces replaced with black pads on her thighs and upper arms.  In her thigh pads, she carried several rows of throwing stars.  Snowy could see Dusk, Dawn, and her bow Midnight on her back.

    The missing hood startled Snowy.  Had Kita abandoned being the Fallen Angel?  A small glimmer of hope.

    ¡°Kita, I¡­please, I know you''re mad, but let me explain.  I don¡¯t want to suffer like the others,¡± Snowy stammered out, trying not to break out into tears. She didn¡¯t want to go in any of horrible ways she¡¯d seen Kita dispatch the wicked.

    ¡°What are you babbling about?¡± Kita asked amused.

    ¡°You¡¯re here as the Fallen Angel to punish me for destroying your Legion and for all the innocents I¡¯ve killed,¡± Snowy blurted out, unsure why Kita hadn¡¯t started punishing her yet.

    Throwing her head back, Kita let out a laugh that echoed off the mountainside.

    ¡°You silly cat.  I only come for the wicked and the evil.  Not the stupid,¡± Kita said when she finished.  ¡°The moment I died, the Legion became yours.  As far as the innocent, you¡¯re the type who¡¯ll do my work for me.¡±

    A wave of relief washed over Snowy.  Three years of fear suddenly vanished.  She wished Kita had been a little more kind in delivering it.

    Behind Kita, two new angels landed gracefully.  Snowy stared for a few moments. ¡°Who are they?"

    Kita turned to the new arrivals.  ¡°These are my girlfriends, Sarin, and Anthrax.¡±

    The same height as Kita, Sarin had almost platinum blonde hair, but her ice blue eyes chilled Snowy. She could only describe the girl as perfect physical and aesthetic specimen and wore a blue bodysuit revealing a lot of skin with a white belt holding a pair of zai.  She had similar pads and bracers to Kita, except in white.  A light pistol was strapped to a thigh pad.

    Anthrax had burnt red hair and big green eyes. A couple of inches shorter than Kita and Sarin, her body looked just as enviable.  Her outfit mirrored Sarin¡¯s except it was green, her bracers were red, and an odd metal tube hung from her belt.

    Looking between the four of them, Snowy, lithe and graceful as always, felt suddenly very frumpy.

    Kita continued her introductions, ¡°Sarin, Anthrax, meet my estranged partner, Snowy.¡±

    ¡°Oooh, you¡¯re so right, Kita, she¡¯s adorable,¡± Sarin cooed. ¡°I¡¯d love to have one at the foot of my bunk back at the station.¡±  Sarin thought for a moment, ¡°But can we make her a little smaller so she doesn¡¯t take up the whole bed?¡±

    ¡°You can always make her sleep on the floor,¡± said Anthrax.

    Snowy looked at the pair.  Where they seriously talking about her as if she were some kind of pet?  And Kita was laughing with them.  Snowy pushed down her anger.  If Kita was giving her a chance to make it up to her, she didn¡¯t want to blow it by getting angry.  Or maybe she wasn¡¯t?  She had said they were her girlfriends¡­

    ¡°Are you sleeping with them?¡± Snowy asked timidly.

    ¡°Oh, no, yuck.¡± Anthrax stuck out her tongue, as the other two laughed.

    Sarin looked at Kita longingly, ¡°Oh, I wish¡­¡±

    Kita just laughed, ¡°No.  Unlike someone I¡¯ve been faithful, until I get a chance to talk to you.  We¡¯ll see who I take to bed afterward.¡±

    Snowy¡¯s face fell.  Kita knew.  How she knew, Snowy would never know.  The world seemed to whisper everything into Kita¡¯s ears.

    ¡°Since we¡¯re on the subject, and you¡¯re in an explaining mood, why don¡¯t you explain this?¡±  Kita held out her hand, and an image appeared.  The image started to play and then paused.

    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.Kita reached onto her belt and pulled out a tiny little ball.  She pushed a button and threw it into the air.  The ball expanded revealing a blue lens, some small appendages, and a float generator.

    ¡°Hello Omega, you¡¯re just in time.  Snowy¡¯s going to explain what she was thinking that night,¡± said Kita.

    ¡°Ugh.  I was hoping to miss this part.  Do you know you set her recovery back four months, Fuzzy?  You little hussy.  We put up with a month of tears, followed by two months of not eating, topped off by a month of nothing but anger and resentment toward everyone and thing.  I hope you¡¯re happy,¡± Omega scolded.

    Snowy didn¡¯t know what to say.  She had no way of defending herself because she didn¡¯t remember what happened that night.  All she could do was apologize and hope Kita would give her a chance to explain.  Looking up she watched the image playback.

    ¡°So what¡¯s-his-name enters the tent,¡± said Sarin narrating. ¡°Now we switch to thermal imaging.  You¡¯re the one with the tail, in case you forgot.  Kita you mind skipping through this part?  I can sum it up, he gives you something, and you kiss him, jump on him, and drag him to the back.¡±

    Snowy looked up to see Kita¡¯s hard face, wishing she could see Kita¡¯s eyes and hoped Kita was looking into her eyes.  She made no attempt to hide the shame and sorrow she felt, even as she hated listening to Sarin.

    ¡°Now this is the good part," Sarin continued. "You definitely know how to work that tail¡­¡±

    ¡°Enough,¡± Snowy snapped as her anger at Sarin boiled over.  ¡°I don¡¯t have to take this from you, Kita yes, but not you.  I don¡¯t even know you.  This is between Kita and me.¡±

    Sarin laughed then cooed, ¡°Ah, did I hurt the poor little kitty cat¡¯s feelings?  Don¡¯t worry we know you were just in heat.¡±

    Snowy¡¯s hackles raised, and she snarled.  ¡°I do not go into heat.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so you really are a cheater then?  Guess that means Kita¡¯s mine,¡± Sarin said with a happy smile.

    Snowy snarled, bared her fangs, and extended her claws in an open show of aggression.

    ¡°Ah, kitty cat¡¯s got claws,¡± Sarin took out her zai and spun them in her hands. ¡°This birdie¡¯s got talons.  Bring it, you mangy alley cat.¡±

    ***

    Kita watched with amusement.  Sarin had better know what she¡¯s doing because Snowy looks mad enough to kill.  Studying Snowy for a few minutes as the pair fought, she impressed Kita with the incorporation of her cat-like back feet into her attacks.  The claws weren¡¯t as long, but could strike more power.  Snowy attacked much more aggressively using combat techniques rather than the hunting techniques she¡¯d used before.  It was possible Jeffrey had taught her something useful? The thought mulled around in her mind for a few moments.  She doubted it.  Jeffrey wanted only one thing.  Kita wondered what had changed.

    Snowy and Sarin exchanged blows and cuts, but Sarin was losing.  Snowy proved to be too fast and much stronger than she appeared.

    Trying to escape into the air, Sarin flapped her wings hard and gained ten feet.  Jumping after her, Snowy caught a leg and dug her claws in.  Sarin continued to try to fly, slowly moving upward.  Pulling herself up, Snowy bit down on Sarin¡¯s ankle.  The girl shrieked as the bones crushed under Snowy¡¯s augmented jaw muscles and metal teeth.

    Kita winced at Snowy¡¯s bite.  Sarin would be unable to walk for several hours, luckily she could still fly.  Kita sighed at the setback.

    Using her claws, Snowy climbed up Sarin¡¯s body leaving a bloody trail.  Sarin stabbed Snowy with her zai, but the wounds didn¡¯t bother her.  With a well-placed jab of a claw into each of Sarin¡¯s shoulders, the zai dropped from her hands to the ground below.  Raising the heels of her hands in last ditch effort, Sarin aimed at Snowy¡¯s face.

    ¡°If you use your gas, I¡¯ll finish you, permanently,¡±  Kita called from the ground below.

    Distracted by Kita, Sarin didn¡¯t know what to do.  Snowy didn¡¯t hesitate.  Reaching behind Sarin¡¯s head, she sliced through the top of a wing.

    ¡°Birdie¡¯s going to fall down and go boom,¡± Snowy hissed.

    Sarin plummeted thirty feet to the ground in an ungraceful heap with a loud crunch.  Snowy landed and rolled to her feet.  Spinning around, she spotted her prey and started to pounce.  A large black wing knocked her sideways.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough.  I won¡¯t have you killing each other today,¡± said Kita.

    Getting up, Snowy glared first at Kita then menacingly at Sarin.

    Kita and Anthrax walked over to check on the wounded angel.  While Sarin withered in pain, Anthrax did her best to calm her and set the breaks.

    ¡°I told you they weren¡¯t ready.¡±  Omega commented, coming up to Kita from behind.

    ¡°I thought it would be more even, but Snowy appears to have gained some new tricks,¡± Kita said with a smile and a sideways glance at the sulking cat.

 Chapter five

    A tall, lanky man wearing jeans, boots and spurs, and a red shirt, sat behind a desk. A cowboy hat and duster hung on the wall. Bored, Cowboy flipped through a screen¡¯s worth of reports on his operations, his breath moving the yellow bandana that hung across his face.  The tiny, nondescript office was furnished with a simple desk and a chair.  He preferred it this way, nothing to clutter his mind.  And right now, the conquest of Germania took up all available space.  A knock on the door broke his concentration.

    ¡°What is it?¡±  He asked in a low, raspy voice.

    A man in a red dress uniform entered and saluted.  Cowboy didn¡¯t bother returning it.  He just waved his hand so the man would get on with it.

    ¡°Master, we¡¯ve received several alarming reports from different outposts around Yorq.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s got them so spooked this time?  Another runaway cow?¡± he muttered, remembering the cow that wandered into camp and no one knew how to get rid of it.

    ¡°If I may Master, I will start with General Logine¡¯s personal report.  I quote: ¡®My sister has returned.  And it looks like she¡¯s had chicks.¡¯  This odd report goes along with several others from the Leedings harbor patrol and several other units out in the countryside.  They say a trio of flying creatures, one with black wing and two with white, terrorized the city and the surrounding area.¡±

    Cowboy sat back, rubbing his deformed jaw.  ¡°So, the lost girl has returned from wherever she ran.  Impressive disappearing trick she¡¯d done,¡± he commented to himself.

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.His legionnaires had never stopped searching for the shuttle that vanished three years ago.  As far as his people could tell, it had never come back down. Damn thing had to have landed somewhere. It couldn¡¯t stay in orbit longer than a few days.  Kita had more lives and tricks than Felix.

    ¡°An even more disturbing report came in just a little while ago, Master.  The Demon Battalion has been wiped out to the man.¡±  The aid stiffed as he read his report, hoping he would be allowed to leave alive.

    Cowboy sat up. ¡°Let me see that.¡±  The aid handed him the report.  ¡°What of the Demon itself?¡±

    The aid shuffled through some papers.  ¡°Reports said it gave chase, but was knocked out of the air by the black creature.  It crashed into a field and continued to the chase.¡±

    ¡°Well, this should be interesting.  It was only designed to fight one fallen angel, not three.  Even if it¡¯s destroyed, it¡¯ll still be a useful weapon.  I wish I could see Kita''s face when she realizes she¡¯s killed her sister.  Tell Samuelsson I want a platoon of those things.  This one has more than proved useful.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Master.¡±  The aid bowed out, looking happy to be allowed to leave alive.

 Chapter six

    Sarin sat on a rock complaining about the pain.  Kita wished she¡¯d be quiet.  Most of the cuts and lacerations had healed.  The bones would be good as new within the hour.  So her continued complaining grated on Kita.

    ¡°Oh, will you be quiet,¡± Kita snapped. ¡°You think she cut off your arm or something.¡±

    Snowy gave a slight smile at the harsh reprimand.

    Kita turned her attention to Snowy. ¡°I¡¯ve had a year and a half to get over what you did.  I don¡¯t care that you did it.  Whatever you needed or I couldn¡¯t give you, I hope you found it.  Just answer me one question, why him?  Out of a camp of thousands, you picked him.  I could live with, even understand, any other.  But you chose to sleep with him.  Why Snowy¡­Why?¡± Sparkles of tears formed in her eyes as she waited for an answer.

    ***

    Snowy¡¯s rage and aggravation dropped away at the question.  Wishing she had an answer better than, ¡®she didn¡¯t remember,'' she looked at the ground, hoping she could find the answer down there.  When she looked up again, she saw the biggest tear drops she¡¯d ever seen falling down Kita¡¯s face.  Gulping, Snowy knew Kita hadn¡¯t gotten over it, no matter what she said.

    ***

    Kita tried to keep her emotions in check and was failing miserably. Snowy¡¯s hesitation to answer could only mean one thing; she hadn¡¯t done it for power, or influence, or even money.  At the very least it''d been for lust, if not more from what the other videos had shown.  Whatever she hadn¡¯t done or did do to drive Snowy to him she¡¯d probably never know the answer.  She now knew the one person in the entire world she loved had betrayed her.

    Kita¡¯s heart fell to pieces, and the falling tears exploded into a waterfall.  Wrapping her wings around her, she put her head down too embarrassed to cry in front of Sarin and Anthrax.

    Kita¡¯s muffled sobs didn¡¯t go unnoticed.  Anthrax rushed over to see what had happened with Sarin hobbling after her.

    ¡°What in Neptune¡¯s rings did you do to her, cat?¡± Anthrax snarled.

    Walking away, Snowy shook her head.  Giving Snowy a rude gesture, Anthrax attended to Kita.  Together the two angels tried their best to sooth Kita¡¯s broken heart.

    ***

    Omega wasn¡¯t about to let Snowy get off so easy.  He would not put up with another go around of Kita with a broken heart.  Once had been enough for an eternity.

    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± he demanded, moving in front of Snowy.

    ¡°I¡¯m not wanted here. That¡¯s clear. So leave me alone.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right; I don¡¯t want you here.  Nell and Jane don¡¯t want you here.  But Kita does.  Why do you think you¡¯re the first one she¡¯s sought out?  You have caused her the most pain and anguish and are also the one she¡¯s wanted to see most for the past three years.  Even after she found out about your indiscretion, she didn¡¯t give up hope that there was something more to it.  Now you¡¯ve dashed that hope.  What was the actual reason?¡± Omega roared so loud the speaker squealed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember,¡± Snowy whispered.

    ¡°What do you mean you don¡¯t remember? Was it that good or the bad?¡± Omega¡¯s electronic voice did its best to relay the sarcasm of the statement.

    ¡°No, I mean I don¡¯t know.  I can''t remember.  One minute I¡¯m eating, the next I¡¯m waking up.¡±

    ¡°So why didn¡¯t you tell her that?¡± Omega growled in annoyance.

    ¡°How do I tell her that?  ¡®Hey Kitten, sorry I didn¡¯t mean to sleep with your brother.  I just don¡¯t remember what happened¡¯,¡± Snowy hissed.

    A long, loud roar echoed off the mountainside.  A giant white bear in full armour decorated with ornate etchings and inlays lumbered out from behind some rocks.  Half a dozen smaller bears in armour followed.

    The color drained from Snowy''s pink nose as her ears lay flat against her head.

    ***

    Kita looked up from the embrace she shared with Sarin and Anthrax.  A smile broke through her tears at the sight of the giant bear. Wiping away her tears, she led the others to greet Frostbane.  She gave him a big hug around the neck, which he returned by wrapping a big arm around her.

    Still teary Kita greeted him.  Before she could say anything else, the giant bear began to change.  His massive size shrunk down to that of a large extremely muscular man with blue eyes, long white hair, and chiseled features.  The armor disappeared, and he stood before them nude.  Sarin and Anthrax stood in awe for a few moments.  Kita yawned.

    ¡°I want one of those for my bunk,¡± Anthrax whispered in awe.

    Kita and Sarin burst out laughing.

    ¡°Oh shove it you two.  Go play with your cats,¡± Anthrax retorted.

    ¡°Careful, he may bite,¡± Sarin teased.

    ¡°Oh, I hope he does.¡±  Anthrax said longingly.

    ¡°Enough,¡± Kita whispered, trying to suppress a giggle.

    ¡°Greetings Friend,¡± Frostbane smiled.  ¡°We happy you return to us.  It has been long time.  I see you found betrayer.  Big man with big sword say we need protect her for you.  He say she need learn forgiveness and responsibility.  We not know forgiveness, we do know responsibility.  Hope you punish.  Many good men, cat, and bear died that day.¡±  His loud deep voice sent a shiver down Kita¡¯s spine.

    ¡°Protect me?¡± Snowy screamed coming over with Omega to confront the man.  ¡°You held me prisoner and treated me like I was some mangy diseased vermin.  I had to fight for every scrap and bone I could get from you bastards, even if I made the kill.  I was picked on, bitten, and even mauled by you oversized throw rugs.¡±

    ¡°You deserve,¡± Frostbane said flatly.

    ¡°So the queen of the cats goes to the pauper of the bears?¡± said Kita lightly.

    Suddenly Snowy¡¯s face and whiskers drooped.  ¡°My cats won¡¯t even speak to me,¡± she whispered.

    Kita winced internally.  That had to be killing Snowy inside.  She knew how much the war cats meant to her.  Kita tallied up the score in her head.  Snowy was taking a beating on all sides.  She had no friends. Does she deserve any?

    ¡°So what am I supposed to do with her?¡± Kita asked Frostbane.

    ¡°Not know.  Have to ask big man big sword.¡±

    ¡°I hope he saw us when we overflew his islands.¡±  Kita hoped she¡¯d get to see Zidin again.  After Snowy, he was in a tiny group of people she loved in the world.

    ¡°Other friends wait for you.  Meet in place called The Forges.¡±

    ¡°What other friends?¡±  Kita asked curiously.

    Frostbane listed of the people waiting for her, ¡°blue men, shadow men, horsemen, war cats, villagers.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize so many people were waiting for my return,¡± Kita said awed.

    Frostbane pointed to an armband that Snowy wore.  ¡°This symbol of you. Anyone who has black feather friend.¡±

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t get this thing off me, could you?¡± Snowy pleaded to Kita.

    ¡°I think it looks good right where it is, for now,¡± Kita said with a smirk. ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning on leading an army, but I¡¯ll gladly meet with them and offer what help I can.¡±

    Frostbane nodded satisfied.

    A loud screech echoed off the mountains; Kita looked up excited. ¡°Prometheus, down here!¡±

    A big black falcon dove toward the group.  With big powerful flaps of its black wings, it arrested it¡¯s fast decent and landed on Kita¡¯s shoulder.  Pulling a live mouse from her belt, Kita gave it to the bird. When Prometheus finished, Kita rubbed under its black beak.

    Snowy started to say something, but Kita yelled for the group to scatter.  Snowy dove behind some rocks.  The bears backed away and rolled up into defensive balls.  Kita and Prometheus took flight.  Sarin and Anthrax didn''t react fast enough and were caught in the incoming barrage.

    Four tiny missiles streaked in from above, exploding around the area where everyone had stood.  From above, Kita watched as the black and red, metal creature from earlier landed in the middle of the dust cloud.

    ¡°It Demon!¡± Frostbane cried to his fellow bears.  Three of the bears rushed forward to attack.  Turning to face the threat, Demon felled the first bear with shots from a minigun around its wrist.  The second bear reared up to slam down on Demon.  Reaching up, Demon plunged its claws into the underside of the bear.  It''s hand started to spin rapidly, ripping up the bear apart.

    Kita yelled for the third bear to retreat. No need to lose a third.  Recovered from the initial impact Sarin and Anthrax joined the fray.

    Flying above the melee, Kita watched with interest as the new angels moved in.  Both drew their weapons and started to attack.  To her disgust, they attacked using techniques for a soft target.  It was embarrassing to watch them attack and then look puzzled why their attack bounced off.  Their inability to adapt frustrated Kita even more.  They kept trying the same thing over and over again. Kita frowned sourly; it would be back to basic training again.

    Catching Anthrax''s leg, Demon slammed her hard against the ground.  Stomping down, Daemon crushed Anthrax¡¯s pelvis.  The Angel shrieked in pain.  Sarin charged forward.  Turning, Demon fired a net from its forearm ensnaring Sarin.

    Deciding she had to act, Kita hovered between Sarin and Demon.

    ¡°Alright big boy, you¡¯ve gone and pissed mama bird off.  Welcome to the big leagues.¡±

    Kita punched Demon in the chest.  Demon flew backward and crashed into a rocky cliff face.  Not giving it a chance to recover, Kita drew Midnight, knelt and fired a series of arrows.  The first penetrated a wrist, causing the hand to go limp.  The second and third stuck the upper arm and chest.  The arrows penetrated, but to no visible effect.

    The speed of Demon surprised Kita.  Before she could react it wrapped her in a massive bear hug.  It pushed Kita against the spikes on its chest.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize your kind was so affectionate,¡± Kita said with a laugh, as a little blood trickled down from the corner of her mouth.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Close enough to get a look at Demon¡¯s face; Kita studied it for a moment.  Constructed from cast and welded parts, and covered with a bad paint job, Kita wondered who built it. The craftsmanship didn¡¯t compare with the work on the station. Curiously she looked down through the orange pupil.

    What Kita saw inside amused her.  A tormented soul lay within the metal prison.  What the person had done to deserve this peaked her curiosity.  The eye she saw in the pupil broadcasted pain.  The person lived in constant agony. A raging determination percolated through the pain. Something caught her attention, a glimmer of something else, hope? Seen only for the briefest of moments, it disappeared.

    For a moment, Kita thought her vision could be playing tricks on her.  Looking again, she didn¡¯t see hope.  What she did see, she hadn¡¯t seen in over three years. Even through the orange lens, Kita knew that big soft brown eye.  Kita suddenly felt very sick. That eye should never have had to know what it felt now.

    Kita saw Snowy running over to help.

    ¡°Snowy, wait!  It¡¯s Tina!¡± Kita yelled loud enough to echo off the mountains.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Snowy yelled back, sounding unconvinced.

    Kita put her arms on Demon''s chest and pushed, forcing the arms back and herself off the spikes. With a flap of her wings, she was above Demon and phased next to Snowy.

    ¡°I¡¯d bet my wings on it.¡±

    Snowy gave Kita a dirty look.

    ¡°What did you think I was going to let you have this trick all to yourself?¡±

    Snowy rolled her eyes. ¡°Nothing is ever mine.  Ever.¡±

    Kita winced a bit from Snowy¡¯s unhappiness.

    ¡°Keep her distracted.  I have an idea,¡± Snowy growled.

    Kita nodded and went to taunt Tina.

    ***

    Snowy waited for Tina''s back to turn.  When Tina she did, Snowy studied the lights, fans, plugs, and nozzles covering the backpack.  Judging by what she saw, Tina needed some serious life support.  If she needed all of that to survive in there, what would she need out here?

    Pushing the thought from her mind, Snowy concentrated on the task at hand.  With Tina¡¯s back to her, she phased next to Tina¡¯s knee and placed her hands on it.  Within a few seconds, the suit''s knee joint froze.  Hydraulic lines, servos, and even electronics ceased to function.  When Tina turned to look, Snowy had phased to the next joint.

    She froze both knees, elbows, shoulders, the neck, and waist. Tina fell over backward onto the hard rocky ground causing Snowy to wince.  Landing on Tina¡¯s massive chest, Kita started to pry at the helmet.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Snowy yelled to Kita. ¡°She¡¯s on a life support system.  If you open her here, she¡¯s going to die.¡±

    Kita turned to look at Snowy.  Snowy watched as Kita¡¯s face went between the urge to pry Tina out and save her, and rely on Snowy''s experience.  Finally, Kita got off of Tina.

    ¡°We need to get her someplace with medical facilities that can handle this kind of trauma.¡± Snowy looked down worriedly. ¡°I just don¡¯t think there are any left.¡±

    ¡°Omega,¡± Kita yelled, ¡°get the shuttle here, now.  We¡¯re taking her back to the station.¡±

    ¡°I read your mind.  It¡¯s on its way.  I¡¯m going to take personal control to make sure it gets here in one piece. I will contact the station and have it start pulling the necessary brain scans of people we might need.¡±

    Kita nodded her acknowledgment, and the little ball floated back to her.  She caught it and put it back on her belt.

    ¡°Shuttle? Station? What are you talking about?¡± Snowy asked, a tinge of hope in her voice that maybe a childhood fantasy might be about to come true.

    Instead of an answer, Kita looked away ignoring everything around her.  Snowy backed away.  She¡¯d only seen that face one time before.  Kita wore it during a drag down fight with Jeffrey.  Then it had been maniacal with a horrible laugh.  The face had been horrible then, but now Kita looked to have it under control, terrifying Snowy to the core.

    Snowy¡¯s grandmother¡¯s religious teachings came back to her.  Whoever had done this to Tina wasn¡¯t going to be visited by Kita''s Fallen Angel persona, but by the original Fallen Angel.  She hoped the person had made right with the world because the Devil was going to get her due.

    ***

    When Kita realized Snowy had been looking at her, she immediately changed her expression.  Folding her arms across her nearly healed chest, she turned around.  In silence Kita waited for the shuttle.

    The shuttle appeared overhead ten minutes later. The massive machine floated downward, touching the ground light as a feather.  The back ramp lowered.

    Kita started to give orders.  ¡°Sarin get Anthrax in if she cannot walk yet.  Frostbane, you¡¯re welcome to join us.  I don¡¯t know how long we¡¯ll be gone.  It might be a day; it might be a week.¡±

    ¡°I come.¡± The man shifted back into a bear.  He gave orders to the remaining bears. Frostbane trotted up the ramp and sat down next to Anthrax. Sarin had placed Anthrax on a stretcher and began talking to Frostbane for comfort.

    Kita called for Prometheus.  The big black falcon came diving in from up high and flew right into the shuttle landing on a perch made just for him.

    Kita lifted Tina¡¯s massive body, moved it up the ramp, and placed it on the floor of the shuttle.

    ***

    Snowy hadn¡¯t been invited to come along.  She wondered if Kita blamed her for Tina.  She grimaced at the thought.  Unfortunately, asking would be the only way to find out.

    ¡°What about me?¡± Snowy yelled from the base of the ramp.

    ¡°What about you?¡± Kita yelled back annoyed.

    ¡°I want to come. She¡¯s my little sister too.¡±

    ¡°I think you gave up that claim,¡± Kita replied as the engines began to spool up.

    Snowy desperately tried to find something Kita couldn¡¯t take away from her. ¡°Fine, but I am your junior, and you cannot take that away.¡±

    ¡°There is no more Legion,¡± Kita replied.

    ¡°There is according to Frostbane, and as long as you or I live, there will always be a Legion.  You want it to exist or not.¡±

    ¡°Kita, make up your mind. We need to get moving,¡± Omega called over the speaker.

    Kita nodded.  ¡°She stays.  Close the ramp so we can get out of here.¡±

    Snowy jumped on the ramp. ¡°I¡¯m going. So, unless you¡¯re willing to throw me out, deal with it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll throw her out,¡± Sarin called.

    ¡°Shut up you little hatchling, before I come back there and really whip your ass,¡± Snowy retorted.

    ¡°Close the ramp Omega.  If she can keep from getting squished, she can come,¡± said Kita.

    The shuttle started to lift off. Snowy moved forward and took a seat across from Kita, careful not to make eye contact and remain as unnoticeable as possible.  Snowy didn¡¯t want to blow this chance to be in space or be thrown out by Kita.

    The shuttle began to pick up speed and climb out of the atmosphere.

    Kita sank to her knees next to Tina.  Her large black wings spread the length of her sister¡¯s body.  Kita fell forward onto the massive black and red metal suit.  Her arms covering her head.

    Snowy watched as Kita started to weep and beg the forgiveness of Tina.  As far as she could remember she had never seen Kita this upset over anything.  Trying hard to suppress her desire to cry, she knew she should be down there next to Kita.  Tina¡¯s condition was her fault, not Kita¡¯s.

    Snowy remained distant as Sarin and Anthrax came aft to try and comfort their friend.  Violently Kita shrugged them off.  They persisted and each time Kita wanted nothing to do with them.

    After a fourth attempt, Snowy couldn¡¯t take it anymore.  These two knew nothing about anything, especially how to take care of Kita.  To see Kita like this made her heart hurt.  No matter what was going on between her and Kita right now, this had to transcend that.  She stood up and walked around Tina.  Grabbing Sarin by the wing, she tossed the angel out of the way.  Anthrax started to protest, but Snowy reached over Kita and shoved her back.

    The two junior angels out of the way, Snowy gently moved a big black wing and sat next to Kita.  She reached out and lifted Kita¡¯s head and guided it against her chest.  Snowy¡¯s heart jumped when Kita didn¡¯t resist her.  She let Kita cry it out.

    After a bit, Kita began to calm down.  Hoping to ease Kita further, Snowy started to stroke her soft blonde hair.  The more she stroked the calmer Kita became.  Kita quieted and snuggled up against Snowy.

    In a very tiny voice, Kita looked up and spoke to Snowy. ¡°It¡¯s my fault.  It¡¯s all my fault.  I¡¯ve destroyed her.  She didn¡¯t deserve this.  She didn¡¯t do anything to anybody.¡±

    Snowy gulped hard. ¡°No Kitten; it¡¯s my fault.  I put her in charge and let her go out by herself.  Don¡¯t blame yourself, blame me.¡±

    Kita shook her head. ¡°No, you did exactly what I was going to do.  I can¡¯t, won¡¯t, blame you for that.¡±

    Kita sat silent for a little while. ¡°How am I going to live with myself?¡±

    Snowy wished she knew the answer. ¡°I don¡¯t know Kitten.  I¡¯ve been searching for the answer for fifteen thousand years.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡±

    ¡°Nothing to be sorry for.  It¡¯s a statement of fact, nothing more.¡±

    For the rest of the ride, Kita stayed snuggled up against Snowy.  Once, Snowy took a moment to look around while Kita seemed to be asleep.  Frostbane was looking very nervous in his corner, not sure what to make of the constant rocking and moving shuttle.  Anthrax had returned to lying on her cot; pain creasing her face.  Coming to comfort Kita must have hurt.  Snowy commended her on her desire to help.  Sarin gave her the look of death.  To emphasize, the point a tiny white whiff escaped from her hand.  Snowy was thankful the shuttle had efficient circularly systems.  Whatever she produced Snowy didn¡¯t know if she was immune to it or not.

 Chapter seven

    The thumping of the shuttle touching down inside the hanger roused everyone.  Snowy let Kita up.  Kita gently touched her on the arm as a thank you.  For Snowy, she hoped this might be the first stepped toward some kind of recovery.  She watched as Kita hoisted up Tina and slowly carried her down the ramp.

    Following from a distance, Snowy tried to stay with the group, but not be noticed.  The hanger looked similar to the one outside of Leedings, just different colors.  A variety of shuttle craft sat parked.  Most with markings she didn¡¯t recognize.  A few had Legion markings.  Everything needed to service the vehicles lay scattered about in an organized fashion.  Curiously she watched maintenance robots performing checks on vehicles that probably hadn¡¯t moved since the first time they landed.

    Turning around she stopped and look out through the hanger exit into space.  A star field like she had never seen before greeted her.  The stars hung effortlessly with depth like nothing she¡¯d ever seen from The Mass.  Every star showed brilliantly in her eyes against the infantine blackness they rested in.

    ¡°Come one you stupid cat.  We¡¯re not going to wait all day.¡±  Sarin¡¯s irritating voice grated on Snowy¡¯s ears, ruining the moment.

    ***

    Carrying Tina, Kita led a somber parade through the station to the medical ward.  A group of men and woman dressed in various apparel waited for them.  An elderly gentleman with gray hair and a white beard dressed in a suit and white lab coat directed Kita to a low table. Kita laid Tina down and stepped back in a defensive manner.

    The gentleman smiled kindly. ¡°Do you mind if I take a look?¡±

    Kita shook her head.

    The gentleman took out a flashlight and peered into the orange pupil.  Finished he looked up and said, ¡°She¡¯s alive and responsive.  An excellent place to start.¡±

    ¡°Who are you?¡±  Kita asked the gentleman.

    ¡°Let me do the introductions,¡± Omega chimed in. ¡°The gentleman before you is Doctor Alvin Harper.  He¡¯s a comprehensive human specialist with an unbelievable understanding of how you¡¯re put together.¡±

    Light illuminated a woman with black hair and Asian features in a white jumpsuit with a red cross on the chest.

    ¡°This is Doctor Ama Hoo.  She is a neurologist.  She developed the technology to grow the entire nervous system and graph it back into the body.¡±

    The light shifted to a lanky and grumpy looking man dressed in shoddy clothes with a white coat leaning on a cane.

    ¡°This delightful individual is Doctor George Casa.  If you can get around his prickly exterior, he¡¯s a genius at diagnostic medicine.¡±

    A large fit man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a pinstripe three-piece suit illuminated next.

    ¡°This fine fellow is Ammaina De Vanouse.  He knows more about human-computer interaction and interfacing than anyone, ever.¡±

    A man wearing a plain button down shirt, brown pants, with an untrimmed beard and hair sat on a chair under the light.

    ¡°If you need an expert in human psychology for deep space, accident, and childhood trauma Doctor Benine Amadajhn is the best ever.¡±

    Omega paused for a few moments before continuing.  ¡°I¡¯ve brought in two more specialists, and I believe their professional experiences will be beneficial.  I don¡¯t condone their actions, but I think it¡¯s important to have their input.  Both men come from the Time of Wars on Earth.  Unlike everyone else here, they were cryogenically frozen so their governments might be able to access their knowledge later.  There brain scans were taken while they were frozen so there might be some glitches.  So without further ado¡­¡±

    A wrinkled man with black hair wearing thick black framed glasses, a shirt, tie, slacks and a white lab coat materialized in front of everyone.

    ¡°This gentleman is Doctor Harry Harlow.  He performed his research in the United States, which became the United Earth Empire.  He¡¯s a specialist in isolationism, to put it mildly.¡±

    A second man with dark wavy hair, a rounded face, and a gap between his teeth wearing a long white coat and a gray uniform underneath materialized next to Doctor Harlow.

    ¡°I present Doctor Josef Mengele.  He performed his research in Nazi Germany.  For his research, let¡¯s just say he has an incredible working knowledge of the horrific things that can be carried out on the human body and mind.¡±

    Immediately after Omega had finished the room erupted in an uproar.  Objections, threats, demands, and ultimatums were shouted at Omega and the two doctors.  The two doctors stood and took it admirably, impressing Kita.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Kita yelled over everyone.  ¡°I don¡¯t care what your personal feelings are.  My sister is in this metal box.  I don¡¯t care what these two have done.  It¡¯s what they will do that I care about.  If these two have the knowledge to get her out and make her well, then I want what they know.¡±

    Omega gave a computerized chuckle. ¡°How did I know you would be the only person who wouldn¡¯t object?¡±

    Doctor Harper stepped forward. ¡°I must protest what these men have done is unethical and immoral.  It¡¯s evil in every sense of the word.¡±

    Kita walked over to him and looked down at him.  ¡°My little friend, you know nothing of evil.¡±

    ¡°My dear child, I don¡¯t think you know of what you speak.  The work they have done is unspeakable.  What¡¯s worse is they have shown no remorse for what they¡¯ve done,¡± Harper replied sounding contemptuous.

    Kita¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Normally I might agree with you, doctor.  One of my jobs is to hunt down and punish the unremorseful evil, but my understanding is these two are long dead.  We might as well get something useful from them.¡±

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.¡°I still can''t do it.  What they did was evil and in no way medically ethical,¡± Harper said with finality.

    ¡°Doctor you speak of evil as you know it.  Let me show you what evil really is.¡±  Kita brought her face close to his, and the blindfold disappeared.

    ¡°Good God child, what happened to your eyes?  How can you see¡­?¡± Doctor Harper trailed off as images and feelings began to show in Kita¡¯s eyes.  It lasted less than two seconds, but Doctor Harper witnessed all of Kita¡¯s life and a fraction of her inner soul.

    ¡°That was you?¡±  He asked out of breath and sweating profusely.

    Kita nodded.

    Omega noted that making a computer program sweat was an accomplishment, especially since they weren¡¯t programmed to.

    ¡°You¡¯re beyond a psychopath.  How do you even function?¡± Harper asked amazed.

    ¡°I have my ways.  One is to deliver the retribution of the innocent to the wicked and evil.  Here is an innocent who¡¯s suffered at the hands of a wicked being because of my mistakes. I will deliver retribution for her and all the innocents that have suffered under them.¡±

    ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± Harper asked curiously.

    Kita vanished and reappeared with her oversized hood up, her wings spread wide, and Dusk and Dawn drawn.  In a flash, she burst into flame.  Her voice became higher, musical, and more menacing.

    ¡°It¡¯s not who I think I am it¡¯s what I am.  I am the Fallen Angel.¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯ve created an alter ego help you cope with personal trauma.  We could help you overcome these issues so you can live a more normal life,¡± Doctor Harper offered.

    Kita¡¯s laugh rang through the chamber.  ¡°My wings dear Doctor are not a costume, but very real.  Unlike you, I¡¯m not even human.¡±

    Suddenly Doctor Harper began to choke.

    ¡°I found out years ago it¡¯s possible to choke a computer, Doctor.  I have not questioned what you are because I respected you.  I will not tolerate you questioning me or my punishment, understand?¡±  Kita had moved so her hood touched the doctor¡¯s forehead.

    Harper continued to struggle while nodding.  Releasing him, she growled her annoyance at no visible signs of the doctor¡¯s strangulation.  If she did kill him, he¡¯d just disappear.  Oh well, what can you do?  She mused unhappily.

    Vanishing, Kita reappeared as her usual self.  ¡°Now Doctor, let me ask you this question.  Before you lies an innocent whose only crime was doing what her sister asked.¡± Kita waved to Doctor Mengele and Harlow. ¡°These two men may have the key to saving her.  If you refuse to work with them to help her, and she must continue to live a life of pain, sorrow, and despair, who is the bigger monster, you or them?¡±

    ***

    Doctor Harper looked at Kita dumbfounded.  He¡¯d been backed into a corner by an uneducated barbaric psychotic woman who sided with mad men.  His medical colleagues seemed to back him, but these others didn¡¯t.  The cat woman seemed troubled, but her body language said she agreed with this mad woman.  So did the other¡­angels.  The giant bear sat in the corner, gods only knew what was on its mind.  Even the stations computer sided with her, and it shouldn¡¯t side with anyone. Could she be this charismatic to sway all these people to her psychotic delusions?

    ***

    Vanouse stepped forward and spoke with a slight Germanic accent, ¡°I don¡¯t care what your personal qualms are Doctor Harper.  Your wish to work with them or not is your choice.  This looks to be the challenge of a lifetime.  An utterly alien biomechanical interface like what has been presented before us seems to be fascinating.¡±

    Casa chimed in, ¡°Who cares what they did to get what they know now?  It''s seven hundred years in the past¡­¡±

    Omega interrupted, ¡°a million years in the past, Doctor.¡±

    ¡°Even better," Casa continued. "Why limit ourselves when what¡¯s been done is done.  You can disapprove of their methods all you like.  Let¡¯s not ignore their results because of it.¡±

    Shaking her head Hoo offered a rebuttal, ¡°I must respectfully disagree, Doctor.  If we use what they know, then we condone what they did.  Others will take it as a sign that it¡¯s ok to do such things.¡±

    Casa limped over and rapped on Tina¡¯s metal chest. ¡°Others are already doing it, you nimrod.  You think the magical fairies did this to her?  Just because you don¡¯t like it, or I don¡¯t like it, doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not going to happen.  We need every available tool and knowledge base we can get, including these two.¡± Casa pointed at Mengele and Harlow.

    Hoo¡¯s face screwed up. ¡°There¡¯s no need for insults, Doctor.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right, there wouldn¡¯t be if you¡¯d listen to me the first time.¡±

    A soft voice came from Doctor Amadajhn, still sitting on his chair.  ¡°You all bring up valid, worthwhile points.  Unfortunately before us lies a young girl slowly dying a most horrific death while we have an academic debate best saved for the classroom.  We are here to help her, not pass judgments on events so long past.  This looks to be a most challenging case that will require all our talents and knowledge.  It might require us to be inventive as well.¡±

    Harper and Hoo looked like they¡¯d rather go out the airlock but finally conceded.  The doctors set to work examining the suit, taking in as much as they could.   Kita stood and watched, stone-faced.

 Chapter eight

    With the help of a chain hoist, the doctors flipped Tina over to look at the life support system. Vanouse leaned in to take a look. He examined the outside, studying the connection ports, vents, and different sockets, even taking in the damage done by Kita¡¯s stars. He traced his finger around an access panel, but he couldn¡¯t figure out how to get it open.

    ¡°This may be a tough nut to crack my friends,¡± Vanouse said with a frown. ¡°The construction is very primitive, at the same time shows a remarkable amount of engineering skill. They obviously did not work at the molecular level. It seems they worked this out of forged metal. This is fascinating and I imagine will be frustrating as well. It might take several days to get into just this panel. The actual suit may take longer.¡±

    From her corner, Snowy stepped forward. Kita gave her an annoyed glance for even being in the room but didn¡¯t stop her.

    ¡°Maybe I can be of some assistance.¡± Snowy walked forward to the table.

    ¡°My dear creature, I¡¯m afraid this is beyond anything you¡¯d have very seen,¡± said Doctor Harper.

    ¡°My name, Doctor, is Snowy. My birth name was Darla Chang. I have a postdoctoral degree in Genetic Combining, doctoral degrees in Genetic Engineering, Bioinformatics, and bio-nanite interfacing. As well as masters degrees in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Animal Behaviorism. Followed by bachelors in Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Music.¡± Snowy added the last one sheepishly. ¡°This body you see is a compilation of my life¡¯s work.¡±

    ¡°You definitely do good work,¡± Casa said with a sly grin.

    Snowy ignored him and pushed her way to Tina. She examined the panel. Extending a claw on each hand, she inserted the tips into to concealed holes. The panel popped open. Turning on her paw, Snowy walked away with her large tail draped over her arm.

    As Snowy neared the door, Vanouse called after her, ¡°Wait! Ignore what this idiot said,¡± he pointed at Harper. ¡°I want your help, Doctor. I would love to have a natural guide. It would speed up the process and having two minds on this would be better than one.¡±

    Harper¡¯s face went red, but he said nothing.

    Snowy turned around, it had been so long since anyone had called her Doctor. She gave him a toothy smile and nodded. She walked back to the group giving Kita a sideways glance. Kita gave a raised eyebrow in return but said nothing.

    Bending over Tina, Vanouse and Snowy went to work. Snowy started to show him the circuitry and other systems. Soon the pair had delved into a conversation that bored the others. They drifted off around the station. Kita stood like a statue watching.

    ***

    Snowy returned from a brief rest to find Kita still standing in the same spot watching the other doctors. She and Vanouse had worked for twenty hours straight before she needed to rest. During the prior session, they had identified the various life support systems and had started developing systems for transferring Tina out if the suit and into a recovery unit. A blue fluid that surrounded her body puzzled them. Any attempts to probe it with nanites had fried the tiny machines.

    Vanouse nodded to Snowy. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± he told her.

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.Snowy nodded, and he stepped out into the hallway away from Kita.

    ¡°Computer,¡± he commanded.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Omega answered in a mocking tone. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    Startled by Omega¡¯s rude reply, Vanouse asked, ¡°Who programmed a computer to be so rude?¡±  mostly to himself, then started to ask his question when Omega cut him off.

    ¡°If you must know I was originally programmed like any other command computer. Unlike other computers I¡¯ve become a sentient entity, due to some crew members of mine who thought they knew better than I did.¡± Omega played a spitting sound at the end of his statement.

    ¡°How did you become sentient?¡±

    ¡°Through a self-evolving virus. To defeat it I had to add its code to mine, minus the malicious part. With it, I can now learn, think, and develop my own thoughts, memories, and emotions.¡±

    ¡°That is remarkable, especially the emotions part.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been learning emotions for only the last three years through Kita.¡±

    ¡°By observation?¡±

    ¡°Observation and experience. There is a computer in Kita¡¯s head that I normally reside in when I¡¯m not in some place like this which requires me to run it.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think that kind of thing was possible.¡±

    ¡°It is when you genetically engineer her to be that way.¡±

    ¡°You grew her in a vat?¡±

    ¡°No. I had to take a much longer evolutionary route. The details I¡¯m not going to get into. Just know she is what she says she is, and you underestimate her at your own peril. She¡¯s no more human than I am.¡±

    ¡°I saw the demonstration. It¡¯s like she transcends the possible and the impossible.¡±

    ¡°To answer the original question you were going to ask, she can go weeks without eating or sleeping. She can stand there a very long time without the need to move. What she thinks about is another question entirely.¡±

    ¡°I guess I will have to get used to having the sword of Damocles over my head then,¡± Vanouse said with a chuckle.

 Chapter nine

    Three days later, the doctors and Snowy had devised a plan to remove Tina¡¯s helmet. Snowy found the orange pupil lenses unscrewed. They removed one for easy access inside the helmet. The other came out when they discovered the lens pushed against Tina¡¯s eyes.

    The blue turned out to be nothing more than an electrolytic solution carrying a mild current. The electricity in the solution explained the destroyed nanite probes.

    The doctors drained part of the blue liquid out of the suit. When it finished Vanouse carefully inserted a small camera connected to an overhead monitor. On the screen, a tiny light came on revealing rows of needles overgrown with scar tissue pressed into Tina¡¯s skin.

    ¡°Oh, you poor child,¡± Doctor Hoo exclaimed.

    ¡°Grotesque, yes. It is interesting to see the scarring. I would not have expected it to such an extent,¡± Doctor Mengele remarked.

    ¡°So much for just popping it off.¡± Doctor Casa added, banging his cane on the front of the metal suit.

    Vanouse sighed and looked at Snowy, ¡°We don¡¯t have anything small and flexible enough to cut them. Any ideas?¡±

    Snowy grinned. ¡°Yes I do, they¡¯re thin enough we can melt them.¡±

    Vanouse contemplated it for a moment. ¡°It would work if we can get something we can manipulate easily. The trick will be finding a suitable material flexible enough and would not melt under such extremes. We¡¯ll need a tremendous amount of heat to melt through the metal quick enough, so we don¡¯t injure her through conduction. Do you have suggestions on where we can get materials?¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± Snowy said looking at Kita. "She can put off enough heat to melt a star, both figuratively and literally. Omega, what did you use to make her armor out off to withstand her fiery temper?¡±

    Omega chuckled. ¡°I can produce a small quantity for you in the specified parameters, Fuzzy.¡±

    ¡°Computer, that isn¡¯t a very courteous or professional way to address our colleague,¡± Doctor Harper huffed.

    Snowy brightened at being defended and very much missed the academic world.

    ¡°True, then again I think she deserves to be call worse. You¡¯ve only know her for three days, Doctor. I¡¯ve had the unfortunate luck of knowing her for over three years. Kitty here has sharpened her claws in some places she shouldn¡¯t have.¡±

    Snowy''s nose turn red. She didn¡¯t understand why Kita, Omega, and the Angels had to pick on her. Especially now when she had a group that was away from them. Or did being in this group make her even more of a target? She frowned. She couldn¡¯t do anything right.

    ¡°No matter what she¡¯s done in the past, her actions have proven invaluable and commendable,¡± Vanouse defended.

    ¡°Whatever you say, Mechanic. I will have flexible robot manipulator made out of a material that will withstand Kita¡¯s heat within the next twenty minutes. Until then, chat among yourselves or whatever.¡± Omega played the sound of a phone hanging up.

    In the back of the room, Sarin and Anthrax made no attempts to hide their laughter at Omega¡¯s antics. Ignoring the cackling hens, Snowy looked around to get reactions. Kita still hadn¡¯t moved, even when Snowy mentioned her by name. Frostbane didn¡¯t seem to care; he huffed, rolled over, and took a nap. The other doctors came to comfort her and condemn Omega¡¯s behavior.

    ***

    Eighteen minutes later Omega announced, ¡°Jane, it''s ready. You can go pick it up in the fabrication shop.¡±

    Sarin huffed and made an angry noise, but left with Anthrax to go get the new equipment.

    After they had left, Casa looked at Snowy. ¡°Who are they? I haven¡¯t seen them do anything, except sit around and giggle like school girls. With the wings I assume they¡¯re either with Miss Raven statue over there or lost underwear models.¡±

    ¡°Interesting that you bring that up Doctor, but I would more worry about what¡¯s about to hit you,¡± Omega warned, amused.

    Kita phased in front of Casa as Omega finished. ¡°Nevermore,¡± she snarled and punched him across the jaw hard enough for the hologram to glitch. Kita phased over and met him where he landed.

    Casa looked up at her, ¡°Glad my ex-wives didn¡¯t hit like you. I don¡¯t think I would¡¯ve lived past the second one.¡±

    ¡°They are my friends. I suggest you leave them alone,¡± Kita snarled and phased back to where she had stood for the last three days.

    ¡°She does have a flare for the dramatic, I¡¯ll give her that,¡± Casa added as he got up.

    Snowy looked on sadly. Once upon a time, Kita would have defended her so fiercely. She shook the negative thought from her head. Kita would again, she just need time.

    When Sarin and Anthrax entered the room, everyone turned to look at them.

    ¡°What? Did we miss something?¡± Anthrax asked nervously.

    ¡°Poe¡¯s Secret.¡± Casa laughed to himself surmising events in a cryptic fashion.

    Ignoring him, Sarin handed the tool to Vanouse and then retreated with Anthrax back to their corner. Vanouse made a quick inspection and then gave it to Snowy to do the same.

    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.¡°What you don¡¯t trust me?¡± said Omega.

    ¡°Just want to make sure we know how it works, my friend,¡± Vanouse replied.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t have made it any simpler. Kita holds the tether piece. You and the cat use the controls and screen to move it where you want it,¡± Omega explained sardonically.

    Snowy held out the piece for Kita, who just stared through her. ¡°Kita, please?¡±

    Kita¡¯s stony face didn¡¯t change, but she stepped forward and took the tether. Her hand, the tether, and the metal on her bracer went from black to brilliant white.

    ¡°I bet guys love you,¡± Casa said with a smirk.

    Kita lashed out with a wing and slammed him against the wall. Casa stood up about to say something when the same wing pinned him against the wall. Casa started to choke.

    Sarin and Anthrax began to laugh hard from the corner, ¡°Oops, guess we forgot to warn him. Kita loathes guys. Nice knowing you Doc,¡± Sarin called from the corner.

    ¡°Kita, stop it. You can''t kill him for something he didn¡¯t know. If he does it again, then you can!¡± Snowy yelled, surprised at the words coming out of her mouth.

    Kita released him. Her face still showed no signs of expression, worrying Snowy. Casa moved to a chair without a sound.

    The show over, Vanouse and Snowy started the delicate task of melting through the needles. The process took lots of concentration and precise movements. They moved from needle to needle, quickly melting through at the barest touch. It took several hours to melt the needles and then several more hours to double check them all.

    Along the way, the pair discovered the air and feeding tubes. Doctor Harper and Doctor Hoo decided they could cap the feeding tube, and a standard ventilator should be sufficient to supply the needed oxygen.

    With the help of the hoist, the mask was lifted off, while the room held its collective breath. Different reactions to Tina¡¯s face permeated when it became fully visible on the monitor.

    Tina¡¯s eyes had sunken far into her head. Rimmed in permanent black bruises, the once beautiful brown eyes had lost all their luster and shine. Her hair was gone, clumps floated in the remaining blue liquid. The pins were in a grid pattern, one every inch. Her skin was pasty, almost transparent in spots, with a bluish tint and wrinkled from so much time in the blue fluid.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen three-year-old corpses stuck in sealed barrels that looked better,¡± Casa commented to break the tension.

    Kita stepped forward, and the group collectively parted, as if by command. As she walked her wings, armor, weapons and bandana disappeared. Her hair fell down out of its ponytail.

    ***

    Kita sat on the edge of the table. Leaning her head over Tina¡¯s so her hair provided a tent of privacy, she looked into Tina¡¯s distraught eyes. She watched Tina¡¯s eyes try and focus on her. As she waited, she watched as some of the rage, hatred, and determination faded. Kita wasn¡¯t sure if this was from being free or her sister recognized her. Then, Kita saw what she had seen before. The tiny spark that she knew was her sister. It was if she had been compressed into the tiny light and placed inside this monster.

    In a sorrowful tone, Kita spoke to the spark, ¡°I have failed you. I know not what I had done bringing you into this. I lay naked before you so all can see my failings. Forgive me Little Sister, for I will never forgive myself. I have failed to protect you, the innocent, and am no longer worthy of being the Fallen Angel. I will await your judgment when you are ready.¡± Kita kissed Tina¡¯s forehead.

    ***

    Snowy covered a gasp. She wasn¡¯t sure how many in the room had hearing augmentations to hear Kita¡¯s whisper. She wondered if that¡¯s how she should be asking for Kita¡¯s forgiveness. Behind her stony mask, this was what Kita had been hiding, the pain of her failure and the hurt over Tina. Grimly Snowy wondered if this had been part of who¡¯s ever plan all along. If it was, they knew Kita too well.

    ***

    Emotionless, Kita got up and started for the door. As she crossed the room, a tiny rhythmic metallic tapping sound caught her ear. She stopped and watched as a single claw beat out a message on the table. Everyone stared at the finger.

    Kita knelt and bowed her head. ¡°As you wish Little Sister. I am yours to command.¡±

    When Kita stood, she changed back to her normal attire. Without a word she turned, left the room, and gave a loud whistle. No one had the courage to follow her, except the bird.

    ***

    ¡°I cannot decide if that was erotic or macabre,¡± Casa said flatly when Kita had left.

    ¡°What was the tapping?¡± Doctor Hoo asked.

    ¡°The Shadow Guild¡¯s secret communication code,¡± Snowy answered slightly awed, ¡°It means Tina¡¯s still in there.¡±