by L. Fergus
“You have an army?”
“Most of the army lives in the hills. Right now, I have two hundred legionnaires and a lot of war cats and bears.”
Jeffrey smiled wryly. “That’s an interesting army. How do you command it? Treats?”
Kita smirked. “Haha. I have my ways. I plan to add men as soon as I can find them. That includes you and the remnants of the king’s army. I plan to link up with the side that’s against the Crown.”
“Against the Crown? Why?”
“The throne is held by Cunningham.” Kita dug the order form from her belt.
“You have our support,” said Jeffrey after reading the order. “I have a hundred men. We’ll move in the morning.”
“I want you down there now. You’ll be easier to guard.”
“I don’t want to force the men to march in the darkness. It’ll take hours to get down there.”
“Can you call someone who can call the bears?” Kita said to Sarge.
Sarge meowed and several war cats slunk from the shadows. An armored cat called out. Three bears appeared.
“I need the humans led out of the mountains tonight.” Kita waited for the animals to translate. Sarge huffed at her.
“These animals will lead your men down to the village,” said Kita to Jeffrey. “They’re to be treated with respect. If any animal is mistreated, the offender will deal with me. Got it?”
“I’m not comfortable with this,” said Jeffrey.
“Don’t worry—
The sound of metallic hooves pounding on the rock caught Kita’s ear. She went to the edge. A fiery wake scorched up the mountain. Kita yelled at Cowboy and waved. She pushed Jeffrey back as Nightmare raced up the side of the cliff and landed. The ghost horse reared and let out a bone-chilling whinny.
Cowboy glared down at her. “I found you.”
Jeffrey stepped back, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Good to see you too, Cowboy,” said Kita. “Thank you for saving part of my Legion.”
“I have even better news. I rode to Champignon and contacted LCom. The Commandant is not pleased. The other nine Commands are sending expeditionary forces of five hundred legionnaires.”
“Excellent. When will they arrive?”
“They should all be here in the next few days.”
“How’s that possible?” Kita said, astonished.
“Yorq is a technological backwater compared to what the other Legions have. LCom opened access to the maglev trains to shuttle troops as far as the Champignon border. After that, they’ve been on a fast march to get here.”
“This day keeps getting better and better. I’d like to introduce Jeffrey Logine, my brother and the captain of the forces of Arbol. He and his men escaped the massacre on Razor’s Pass.”
Cowboy changed to his normal form and stuck out his hand. Jeffrey hesitated.
“He doesn’t bite,” said Kita.
“What is he?”
“The Legion holds many secrets. Cowboy is one of them. He’s on our side.”
“Good to meet you, Captain,” said Cowboy.
“Ah, likewise,” said Jeffrey with a nervous look.
“I’m moving Jeffrey’s men to the village," Kita said to Cowboy. "I want to meet with all available leaders when I get back.”
“Not a problem, Commander. It’s good to see your back to your normal self.”
Kita blew out a breath. “I owe you an apology for my behavior.”
“You were only doing what any responsible commander would do. If you hadn’t been so adamant, I wouldn’t have offered to go. You could do me a favor and get rid of Bart, though.”
Kita rolled her eyes. “He’ll get what’s coming to him. I’m waiting for the right time.”
“As long as you have a plan.”
“I do. Save these guys a spot in camp.”
“No problem. I’ll see you when you arrive.”
Cowboy ignited back into The Rider, mounted Nightmare, and jumped off the ledge. The sound of metal hooves against the rock faded into the distance.
Kita motioned to Jeffrey. “Come on. Let’s get you to the village. I’m sure you have questions. I know I do.”
After getting directions from a guard, Kita and Jeffrey went to the village inn, where the Legion had set up a command post. The leaders of the expeditionary forces sat around several tables pushed together. Major Thorne, Cowboy, Snowy, and Murdock waited with them. Zidin stood next to the stairs, and Frostbane sat in a corner.
Thorne jumped to his feet. “Commander on deck!” he yelled over the conversations. The rest of the legionnaires stood. Kita and Jeffrey walked to the head table.
A man with general tabs stuck out his hand to Jeffrey. “Good to meet you, son. I’ve heard your command has had a rough go. Don’t worry. The rest of the Legion is here to back you up.”
Zidin hung his head as Snowy bit her lip. Kita’s roses flushed a brighter hue.
“Excuse me, sir. I believe you have the wrong Logine. I command the forces of Arbol. You want my sister. She commands the Legion of Yorq.” Jeffrey stepped aside. “Kita?”
“Who are you?” Kita demanded.
“I’m General Nathaniel Forrester, Field Commander for the Legion of the Confederacy and Commander of this theater.”
“Nice to meet you, General, and thank you for coming on such short notice, but I don’t need a Commander for this theater,” Kita snarled. “I am the Commander of this theater. What I need are troops and competent field officers.”
General Forrester rolled his jaw. “I’m sorry, Commander. LCom assigned me to this position. They feel you don’t have enough experience.”
“General, I have destroyed an enemy army and flipped the allegiance of the war cats. Afterward, I went into the Unfinished Wastes and destroyed the enemy’s main supply post and command center for the Razor’s Mountain area. I defeated their theater commander in personal combat. On the way back, I secured the Kingdom of Yorq’s forges and brought in Frostbane and his war bears as an ally. What experience do I lack?”
General Forrester’s face was rigid. “It’s not my call. LCom makes that decision.”
“Fine, I’ll take it up with them.”
“You can do that, but it will take days to get an answer. You had better leave this to me. We know what we’re doing.”
Do you want to call LCom?
Can you?
Give me a moment.
Kita heard a buzzing sound followed by a ring.
“Hello? Who is this?” said a voice in Kita’s head.
“Commander Kita of the Legion of Yorq. I’m on a voice-only feed. I need to speak with Commandant La Forge.”
“Can you authenticate?”
Touch your chain.
Kita pressed her chain’s medallion between her finger and thumb. “Sent.”
“Received, Commander. One moment while I connect you to the Commandant.”
Kita ignored the confused looks from Forrester.
“Commandant La Forge. How are you, Commander Logine?”
“Good evening, sir,” Kita said so the room could hear. “I have with me the expeditionary leaders you sent me. I need to talk to you about General Forrester.”
Kita opened her mouth and let her lungs and vocal cords act as a speaker. “Is there a problem, Commander?”
“I don’t feel he’s qualified for the job, sir. His first action was to mistake someone else for the Commander of Yorq. Second, his attitude is poor and undermining. Third, I feel I’m more than qualified to run my own theater.”
“How do you feel you’re more qualified?”
Kita reiterated what she said to Forrester.
“That’s impressive for a month’s work. I understand you were in the process of increasing readiness and discipline before you left.”
“That is correct, sir. I found things in a poor state.”
“This does not reflect well on Commander Angus,” said La Forge.
“I believe Commander Angu
s was an excellent commander, sir. His officer corps was lax.”
“You sound like you know what you’re doing. I just worry you're overextending yourself, Commander.”
“I understand your concern, sir,” said Kita. “I know I can’t do it all myself. I will put in officers whose advice and experience I can trust. With Cowboy’s advice and these officers, I believe I’m well equipped to command. This is my region, and I believe I should be in charge of it.”
“You make a good case, Commander. You have your wish. I will relieve General Forrester of his duties. You can send him back to his Legion.”
“I don’t wish to remove him entirely, sir. I want him removed from overall command of the theater. I believe he will make an excellent field general. He can teach my newly promoted general how the job is done.”
“Sounds good to me, Commander. Who is this new general of yours?”
“I’m promoting Major Thorne to General Thorne, Commandant. I feel General Forrester would make a good mentor.”
“That’s a big leap, Commander.”
“I have to work with what I have, sir. I’m lacking legionnaires above the rank of major.”
“Understood, Commander. Tell General Thorne congratulations. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?”
“That is all I have, sir. Thank you for your time.”
“It’s been a pleasure, Commander. I look forward to meeting you in person someday. Commandant La Forge out.”
Kita shook her head to get the buzzing to go away. “Happy now, General?”
“That was one of the most demeaning and asinine stunts I’ve ever seen. I think you’re out of your tree!” yelled Forrester.
Kita looked at Cowboy.
“General Forrester, Commander Kita has many unique body modifications and nanite upgrades. These upgrades are documented. What you just heard was legitimate and is now on record with LCom. I suggest you not embarrass yourself by making any more of a spectacle.”
Forrester looked back and forth between them. “Fine, you want to run the show, Commander? It’s yours.”
Kita smiled, backflipped onto the table, and walked to the center. “I don’t intend to make this meeting long. Most of you have just come off a long march. I plan to give the men tomorrow to rest. All I want now is each command to introduce themselves. General Forrester, I’ll begin with you.”
The leaders introduced themselves. When they finished, Kita glanced at the clock on the wall—it was now midevening. If she was lucky, she could be in bed early.
“Thank you, everyone. I’ll see you midmorning tomorrow.”
Jeffrey cleared his throat. “Do you know what today is, Commander?”
What does it matter? She looked at the date on the clock. “No! Don’t you dare!”
Jeffrey stood on a chair with a wicked smile. “Everyone, can I have your attention. Today is a special day for Commander Kita. Today, she turns twenty-four. I would like all of you to join me in singing her the birthday song.”
The crowd raised their voices to wish Kita a happy birthday. Kita outwardly did her best to be gracious, but inside she wanted nothing more than to curl up and die.
After they finished, well-wishers mobbed her. When she finished shaking hands, she thought she might escape, but the villagers joined to offer their congratulations. Many villagers brought food. The innkeeper opened the bar, and drinks were on the house. A band appeared, and the tables were shoved to one side. Soon, a party was in full swing. Kita gave up on an early night and tried to enjoy herself.
“Bam! I win,” said Kita as she slammed the glass on the table. The legionnaire across from her slid off his chair. “Pay up.”
Kita collected her winnings with a smile. This was the third drinking game she’d won. What the others didn’t know was her body metabolized alcohol almost as fast as she could drink it. This would be a lot more fun with Snowy. Where is she?
Kita excused herself and searched the crowd. She found Snowy sitting in a corner by herself.
“What are you doing here?” Kita asked a little tipsy. That last bottle must have been stronger than I thought.
Snowy shrugged. “I don’t like parties. And people are looking at me funny.”
“Well, they won’t look at you funny when you’re with me. Come on.” Kita grabbed Snowy by the hand and took her to the bar.
“Line up some drinks,” Kita ordered the innkeeper.
“I’ve never had a drink like this,” said Snowy.
“It’s easy. You toss it to the back of your throat and swallow.”
The innkeeper gave them a set of glasses and a bottle of something pink. Snowy choked on the first two shots, but by the fifth shot, she had it down.
“I think you’re trying to get me drunk.” Snowy giggled at Kita.
“Get you drunk? I’m trying to get me drunk. Every time I think I’m close I sober up.” Kita laughed. She spied her brother across the hall. “Come on, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Kita grabbed Snowy’s hand and pulled her away from the bar. The two girls laughed and giggled, dodging merry-makers as they went.
“Jeth-rey!” Kita called.
Jeffrey looked up and glared. “What do you want?”
“Jeth-rey, this is Snowy. She’s a really, really, really good friend of mine who I met up in the mountains. She can talk to war cats and bears. She’s really cool and has this awesome tail.” Kita grabbed Snowy’s tail and held it up.
Snowy’s nose turned red as Jeffrey laughed at Kita. “Oh, this explains a lot. Father would be spinning in his grave.” Jeffrey waved Kita off. “Never mind. I’m going to bed. A night sleeping on a real bed sounds better than picking on you.”
Jeffrey walked off.
Kita’s eyes got big. “A real bed! That does sound wonderful.” Her face sank. “But I don’t have a room, and I bet there aren’t any left.”
“Don’t pout. I got you a room. You’ve got the master suite on the second floor. You can go to bed anytime, or we can have some fun by ourselves.”
“Are you sure? You really want to?” Kita said as her heart raced.
Snowy nodded with a hungry grin.
“But I’m all gross,” Kita said, with an embarrassed frown.
Snowy giggled. “Fine, you can take a bath first, but don’t take too long. I might change my mind.”
“You better not.”
Hand in hand, they went upstairs.
Snowy came downstairs and found everyone sitting at the tables. She took a seat next to Zidin.
“How did I sleep through that kind of party?” Bart shook his head. “You think this little backwater mud hole has a place to get her something special? Maybe we could all go in together?”
“Sorry,” said Snowy, “I already got her something.”
“What did you get her? A hairball?” Bart laughed at his own joke.
“Nope, just something she wanted and needed.”
“Oh, so you promised to be gone before she got up?”
Snowy’s eyes narrowed. “Laid.”
Bart howled in laughter. “You paid some guy to sleep with her? You could find someone to do it for free, stupid cat.”
Snowy smiled and winked.
Bart scoffed. “Like she’d ever sleep with you, abomination. If you’re in heat, I’m sure one of your cats will knock you up.”
“Knock it off,” Zidin grunted.
“What are you going to do about it, big guy?” Bart grew a fireball in his hand.
Zidin stood and drew Great White. All the liquid on the table floated out of their dishes and circled Bart. He sneered and extinguished the fireball. Zidin returned the liquid to its glassware.
“Only because I don’t want my robes stained,” said Bart. He returned to Snowy. “I don’t care what you say, furball. A night with me and she’ll never look at girls again. She won’t be able to take her eyes off my crotch.”
“My sister is a shrew,” said Jeffrey. “The last man who thought he could tame her bled all
over my mother’s floor.”
Bart shrugged. “He wasn’t the right type. It still doesn’t explain what she wants with the walking fur coat.”
“Me either, but my sister's always been into weird things.”
Snowy pushed away from the table.
“Did we offend the poor kitty-cat?” cooed Bart.
“No. I don’t want to get any blood on me. The girl whose afterglow you’ve ruined doesn’t look happy.”
Dusk landed in front of Jeffrey. “What the stars, Kita!” he yelped.
Bart went white.
Kita flipped onto the table and walked to him. She kicked his dishes aside and sat down on the table, wrapped her legs around his chair, and pulled him to her. Leaning in, she whispered in a sultry voice, “Do you think you have what it takes to keep me going all night?”
Bart nodded.
“Do you have the touch, the caress, and the patience to make me melt?”
Bart looked at Kita hungrily. “You have no idea what I can do.”
“Can your tongue move and touch me in ways I can’t imagine?”
“My tongue is a miracle worker.”
“Can you make my body quiver and shake from orgasm to orgasm?”
Bart grinned. “Of course, I can.”
“Can you make me scream your name so long and so loud that I’ll go hoarse?”
“You better believe it, baby.”
“Do you think you’re manly enough to fulfill my every need?”
“Your wish is my desire.”
“Can you leave me begging and crying for more?”
“You’ll love it and want it.” Bart drooled.
“Are you so sure that you are so good that I’ll never want to leave you, making it so I can't live without you?”
Bart’s face flushed a lustful red. “You’ll chain yourself to me.”
“Do you have parts of your body that can touch me in ways nothing else can, when your hands, feet, mouth, and piece are busy?”
Bart looked at her confused. He jumped when she tapped his crotch.
“That’s too bad because you’re too late. I’ll never need you, want you, or think about you. You’ll just be some poor, overweight pathetic balding man with a fake façade. Now go clean up that wet spot.” Kita put her boot on his chest and pushed him over.
