Rebirth (Game of the Gods Book 1)

by L. Fergus

  “Sage advice from the master?”

  “I don’t know. When I remember the rest of my love life, I’ll let you know.” Kat stood up, careful of her injuries. Offering a hand to Rabbit, she helped the girl to her feet. She picked up Great White and offered her wrists to Rabbit, who put the cuffs on. Together, they walked back to the waiting guards.

  “Come on,” Rabbit ordered the group.

  “Should we take her weapons and cloak, Captain?” a guard asked.

  “No, she’s fine. She’s not a prisoner, just secured for our safety and to protect her, Lieutenant,” Rabbit snapped. “Let’s move out to headquarters. The sun’s almost up.”

  Rabbit walked toward the main gate.

  “Captain, is it wise to break the wall with her?”

  Rabbit didn’t stop walking. “Lieutenant, quit thinking—you’re going to hurt yourself. We don’t know if the person or group that attacked my station is following us. If we take her back to your post, then they know where it is. My guards are combing Roo and Rosella looking for this person or group. Would you rather get what she knows, or be on high alert for the next month waiting for an attack by a ghost?” She looked up at the older man with a nasty glare.

  “Captain, I…”

  “Shut it, Lieutenant. If I want your opinion, I’ll beat it out of you.”

  Under her cloak, Kat snickered to herself. The more she hung out with Rabbit, the more she liked her.

  The group arrived at the main gate patrolled by city guards.

  “Go deal with them. They’re your people,” Rabbit growled to the lieutenant.

  The man left to explain the situation. When the guard shook his head, the lieutenant called Rabbit over.

  “Sergeant, I don’t care if this is highly unusual and you haven’t seen anything like it in seven years. The entire situation is unusual. It’s my job to figure out what’s going on, and I’m going to do it. I won’t let some sergeant worried about his logs and timesheets stand in my way. So, give me the damn sheet, and I’ll sign off on us leaving. Lieutenant, scan your medallion so we can get out of here.”

  “Where’s yours? The log and the medallion need to match,” said the sergeant.

  “Oh, I don’t know, Sergeant. It wasn’t a high priority when I was chasing our attackers out of my station and across the city. I figured everyone important knows who I am. I would’ve thought a Political Bureau Sergeant of the Guard had taken the time to know all the officers and senior sergeants in the city. Are you telling me you’re incompetent or just lazy?”

  The Sergeant of the Guard relented and let the lieutenant step inside the guardhouse to sign the group out. The door in the gate opened. Rabbit waved to the lieutenant to take the lead. She took Kat’s arm and guided her through the narrow door.

  From under her hood, Kat could see the flat horizon and stars. This doesn’t look right. The view from the city showed forest and mountains. The night turned to day, the dirt road vanished, and the ambient sounds ceased. She looked around, startled and scared.

  “Easy, easy,” Rabbit whispered to Kat. “It’s ok. We’re outside of the city in the visitor’s shopping promenade. It’s just like the city, just cleaner and smells better.”

  Kat nodded. Looking around at the plain, empty dome, she shuddered at the alien environment. I thought Rabbit’s station was weird. Letting Rabbit guide her, the bizarre glass, metal, and concrete world passed by her.

  Rabbit nudged her and whispered, “We’re getting close to the shuttleport. Do you have any of those bombs left?” Kat nodded. “I’ll nudge you when it’s time.”

  Kat took a deep breath, readying herself. Can I even fight in this place? It lacked places to take cover, there was a short ceiling, and the bright lights gave few shadows to hide in.

  Rabbit seemed to sense her unease. “Don’t worry. When we take these guys out, there are none until we reach the shuttleport. The Legion is in charge of security here and they’re lax. Only one patrol is active during the night shift.”

  What’s a shuttleport and what is waiting for us? I’m glad Jess has the firepower of her BEAR suit. She’d never used the term firepower before, but it sounded appropriate.

  They entered a large terrarium. Restaurants, bakeries, and other eateries catering to the vacationers lined the perimeter. In the center, a large garden with a fountain and running water rose upward in spectacular tiers of flowers, bushes, trees, and vines. Kat had never seen anything like it.

  The group walked around the gardens into another tube. Kat stopped, creatures floated by, over, and around her. They looked and moved like fish. The market sold seven types of fish. None even came close to matching these creatures.

  “Come on. Just the locals,” Rabbit urged in a whisper.

  Kat followed her through the lengthy tube. A large shape went overhead, causing Kat’s skin to crawl. I wish Jess would move a little faster.

  Nearing the end, Rabbit nudged her. “Do it.”

  Kat slipped out of the cuffs and slipped a pair of bombs from her belt. Twirling, she tossed them, and then covered Rabbit with her cloak. As she dropped her head, the bombs went off. Springing to her feet, Kat pulled Rabbit with her. Holding hands, they sprinted out of the tube into the next dome accented by the undersea landscape the giant floodlights revealed.

  Rabbit stopped them in front of a set of glass doors. A glowing sign read ELEVATORS. Rabbit led them inside and pushed a button.

  Kat stumbled as the lift rose. Looking out, powerful lights lit the sea. Fish, attracted by the light, swam around looking at them.

  “Where are we?” Kat asked.

  “GX-30CB. It’s about ten light-years from Earth. It’s an ocean moon orbiting around a gas giant. It’s a secret vacation destination only known to the wealthiest in the Empire. An even smaller few know what its actual purpose is.” She looked at Kat. “I’m sorry about all this. No one deserves this.”

  Kat shrugged. “What did you know? This was your job. Tina gave you a choice, and you stopped. You’ve got nothing to say sorry over. For all I know, they may have had a very good reason. What I don’t understand is, if I’m this dangerous a weapon why keep me alive?”

  “Because fools believe they can contain the most powerful things inside a can and unleash them at will. I can’t believe General Lyakhova thinks she can aim you like a gun.”

  “Maybe I used to?” Kat said with a shrug. “I am an assassin, and we do work for money.”

  “From what I’ve seen, you’re more than that. I don’t know what your sister is, but you’ve got to be like her.”

  The water lightened. The lift passed out of the ocean, into stormy seas.

  “Oh, perfect.” Rabbit smiled. “This will make getting out of here easy. When the doors opened, just look like you’re having a good time and follow me. Up here, this uniform trumps any amount of money.”

  “Are you worried about giving it up?”

  “I think the suit underneath trumps it.”

  The lift stopped, and the doors opened. The lobby was a quiet place. Only a few guests, the night clerks, and guards were around. Doing what Rabbit had told her, she put a smile on her face and talked to Rabbit about the stuff on her shelves. No one gave them a second look until they reached the valet door.

  “Captain, how can I help you?” said the valet.

  “Just curious to know what shuttles are available,” said Rabbit.

  “Everything’s grounded until the storm passes, Captain.”

  “How about the military shuttle, is it still flying?”

  “Yes, Captain. It’ll arrive in fifteen minutes.”

  Rabbit thanked him, and they went to a coffee shop to wait.

  “That’s an impressive souvenir,” the barista said, looking at Great White. “I’ve never seen anyone leaving with one before.”

  “Custom made,” said Rabbit.

  The barista smiled and nodded. “What’ll you have?”

  Rabbit ordered for them and led Kat to a table. “So, wha
t do you think?”

  “About what?”

  “All of this.”

  “It’s very strange, but I feel like I’ve been here before or somewhere like it.”

  The drinks arrived. Rabbit paid for them and took a sip, watching Kat make a face after sipping hers. “Sorry, it’s the sweetest thing they had. I forgot coffee’s a luxury item down there.”

  “It’s ok. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

  Rabbit frowned. She looked around and saw a drink machine. “Wait, hang on. I’ve got something you’ll like.” She returned with a bottle. “It’s about the sweetest drink in the galaxy.”

  Kat lifted it to her lips and felt the fizz tingle her nose. Cautiously, she took a sip. New memories appeared in her mind.

  Kita chuckled. “At least we know what our favorite drink is.”

  “Yummy,” Kat agreed.

  She drank the bottle, followed by an enormous belch.

  Rabbit laughed. “Whoa, easy killer.”

  Kat smiled and shrugged.

  “I can see we’re going to have to work on your social graces.”

  Kat twitched. “I do know them. I am a duke’s daughter. I choose to ignore them.”

  Rabbit smiled and shook her head.

  An announcement over the speaker noted the arrival of the military shuttle. Kat and Rabbit made their way to the door. Outside, they saw the shuttle, but no one was exiting the craft.

  “Was there anyone aboard?” Rabbit asked the valet.

  “The manifest shows it was empty. You can head out if you want. It’s scheduled to leave in half an hour. There’s some cargo scheduled to go to the transfer station.”

  “Thanks. If you see the loadmaster tell him I’m looking for him. I need to get us on the manifest.”

  The valet opened the doors, and Rabbit and Kat stepped outside under the rain shield. They followed the central canopy to the shuttle.

  “This is larger than normal,” said Rabbit. “It must be some big cargo.” She looked at the military hangar but didn’t see any activity. “Wait here.” She entered the shuttle through the forward door.

  Kat looked around at the shadows. This doesn’t feel right. Every hair on the back of her neck stood on end. The area was too quiet. She expected it to be like a stable, people taking care of the animals no matter what the weather. Flipping her hood over her head, she stepped out into the rain.

  “I think now would be a good time to break out the Fallen Angel,” said Kita.

  “Do you think Jess betrayed us?”

  “I don’t know. But if this were simple, she’d be out here already. If not, we’re practicing in this new environment.”

  “Do you even know how to become the Fallen Angel?” said Kat, concerned.

  “Just think about it. It’s like closing your eyes or wiggling your ears. You just need to concentrate on it.”

  Kat grunted. “Oh, great.”

  Stepping into the shadow of a large personal shuttle, she held out her hand concentrating on making it disappear.

  “Kita, get out here,” a voice ordered from the direction of the military transport.

  Around Kat, lights came on, flooding the area with rainy light. She crept to the edge of the shuttle. In the reflections in the windows of the shuttles, she saw Rabbit held at gunpoint by Admiral Sheppard, General Lyakhova’s partner, and a squad of Marines.

  “Concentrate quickly,” said Kita.

  “I’m trying,” Kat hissed.

  “Come on, Kita. I’ll put a bullet in the back of her head,” yelled Sheppard.

  “It’s not going to happen. We’re still missing something. Any more suggestions?” Kat said, upset.

  “Calm down. Let’s turn the tables and test their resolve.”

  “How?”

  “Kill a couple of them.”

  “They’ll kill Jess for sure. Why don’t we just kill the one with the gun?”

  “Are you going to shoot through Jess? She’s damn good at making sure there’s no block or kill shot,” said Kita. “Shoot a distraction at her, kill the others. And lose the cloak. Theatrics are stupid anyway.”

  “Better idea,” said Kat.

  Kat took off the cloak. She rolled it up and attached it to an arrow, then moved to a location that gave her a better line of sight and fired the arrow at the military transport. It struck with a metallic clank and the cloak unfurled, flapping in the wind. Sheppard and her Marines turned to look, some opened fire.

  “Cease fire, Marines, cease fire!” Sheppard yelled. “It’s just a distraction.” She turned around to find four of her Marines dead.

  “How does a prim arrow penetrate our armor?” said a Marine near Sheppard.

  “That bow fires with the same amount of energy as an orbital cannon. I told you meatheads she’s not a prim,” Sheppard snarled.

  Having waited patiently, Kat aimed another arrow now that she had a clear shot at Sheppard. Before she could release, she felt something poke her side through a gap in her armor.

  “Well played, raven. But, playtime is over,” a soft, sensual Russian accent said from behind her.

  “What do we do?” said Kat.

  “Save ourselves, we can still get Sheppard,” said Kita.

  “What about Jess?”

  “It’s a chance we’re going to have to take.”

  “I’m not doing that,” Kat said firmly. “I’m not going to sacrifice her. It’s a dumb move anyway. It’ll get us both killed.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Save Jess and take the stab. They’re not going to kill us.”

  “They’ll kill Jess regardless.”

  “Then we make sure they don’t,” Kat said, steeling her resolve.

  Kita sighed. “I hope you‘re right.”

  “If I’m not, we’ll be dead, and it won’t matter.”

  “Good point. I hate making the devil’s choice,” Kita growled.

  Kat grunted. “I know.”

  “It’s so much better when we’re the devil,” they said together.

  Kat released the arrow at the same time the blade pierced her side. The arrow flew wide of its mark and hit Sheppard in the shoulder holding her pistol. How did I miss? Either the woman was that fast or she was going to be stabbed regardless. The blade came out, and Kat gasped for breath. Her lung was on fire. She staggered and fell to her knees, gasping.

  “Don’t be so dramatic, raven. I know it’s your specialty, but that little scratch won’t kill you.”

  She was right, but it was a crippling wound. The woman kicked her in the back, sending her sprawling out of her cover into the light, and then kicked her several more times until Kat lay gasping in the center of the landing area.

  “I see you found this worthless piece of junk,” the woman tapped Great White with her toe. “What were you planning on doing with it, raven? Restoring it in your spare time?” She tossed it aside.

  Kat rolled over. It was General Lyakhova, but not like she’d seen her before. She looked like a brigand wearing a red corset and a short white two-panel skirt. A red bandana held back her dark hair. She wore thigh-high black boots. In her hands, she held two long daggers with curved guards. Trailing her was a golden leopard.

  “To the Crushing Depths with you,” Kat spat. “Let Jess go.”

  “You’re hardly in a position to make demands. But, I don’t need her now that I have you. Kill her, Admiral.”

  “You kill her, and I’ll kill myself,” said Kat.

  “When did you become so noble, raven?”

  “I don’t abandon my friends.”

  Galina let out a harsh laugh. “I think there are many who’d disagree with you.”

  “You touch her, and I will destroy you,” Kat snarled.

  “Then get up, raven. Show us all who is the best,” Galina cooed. “If you beat me, I’ll kill her here nice and quick. If not, it’s a long way to the bottom of this ocean.”

  Kat rolled over and slammed her fist into the metal decking, pushing he
rself to her feet. “You won’t touch her.”

  “You must really like her, raven. Or do you love her? You only seem to get this upset when it’s one of your lovers in trouble. It’s too bad they’re all gone. Even your oldest friend has left you for someone better.” Galina nodded to Sheppard.

  Sheppard whistled, and Sarge appeared from the military transport. The cat sniffed at the rain and sat. Laughing at him, Sheppard went over and scratched his head. She then pulled the arrow from her shoulder and held it up for the cat to smell. Sarge turned up his nose.

  “I guess he doesn’t even remember you,” Galina said harshly.

  Kat drew Dusk and Dawn. “Give me back my cat,” she hissed.

  “You might have trouble, raven. He’s become very attached to Rene.”

  Kat snarled and launched herself at Galina, striking with all her speed and strength. Galina retreated after every strike until somersaulting backward and launching over Kat, striking her three times in the lower back. Falling to her knees, Kat gasped in pain trying to feel her left leg.

  “Damn she’s fast,” Kita snarled. “And she’s really good. She fights similarly to us.”

  “You don’t suppose she’s an assassin, too?” said Kat.

  “That would explain the precision strikes and predicting our every move.”

  “How are we going to beat her?” Kat said, feeling a cold sweat gather under her armor.

  “We’ll figure it out. Galina’s got to have a weakness.”

  Kat shook her head, gathering the strength to get up.

  “Come on, raven, we’re waiting…or has the great and powerful Kita fallen?”

  Kat planted her right foot and stood.

  “I have yet to rise,” said Kat. She flourished her swords as she circled the other woman.

  “You’re going to have to move faster than that if you want to make me dizzy,” Galina taunted.

  Kat took a few more steps then hopped forward, trying to draw Galina to her.

  “Don’t insult me, raven. Neither of us is an amateur, to be spooked like a horse. Come show me what the great grandmaster assassin Kita can do.”