Rebirth (Game of the Gods Book 1)

by L. Fergus

  “Kita and Cotton, sitting in a tree…” Case sang behind her.

  “I can think of much worse things to be kissing in a tree, like you,” Kita teased.

  “You’d kiss me and forget all about her.”

  “Maybe you and Jess should hook up.”

  “Kita!” Rabbit yelled.

  “Coming. So will that do? She’ll send over the paperwork.” She noticed the rex hid his shock well.

  “That will do, human,” he said, waving Rabbit aside.

  Kita stepped back next to Zentix.

  “Imagine what the universe would be like if you got your way all the time,” she said, chuckling at Kita.

  “It would operate a whole lot smoother.”

  “I don’t think so. Only the part under your gaze. The rest would be chaos.”

  “That’s why I have people like you. To bring order to the universe when I’m not looking.”

  “I didn’t sign up for that.”

  “I know. I have no doubt you’ll grow into the role.”

  “I am a soldier, not in the Politburo tract.”

  “I know, but career politicians rarely make good leaders.”

  “What are you implying?” said Zentix, her quills conveying her unease.

  “You’ve got the potential to fill a role as a soldier and a leader, that’s all.”

  Case’s shrill whistle brought the entire room to a standstill. “Kita, you’ve got a couple of visitors!”

  “Coming.” Kita clapped Zentix on the arm. “You’ll do fine. Have faith in yourself. Can you watch and let me know if we have any more issues?”

  “Of course.”

  Kita made her way through the crowd to Case. “Such a country girl.”

  “You should see what I can do with a lasso.”

  “Is that an invitation?”

  “You think I’m stupid enough to stand between you and Cotton? I don’t think so. I’m not interested in getting murdered.”

  “Cotton’s not the jealous type.”

  “No, she’s not. But, she’s possessive. She’s not the type to kill me in a fit of rage. I think it’d be long and painful. I wouldn’t be surprised if she concocts a scheme to have you kill me.”

  “That would be fascinating.”

  “I love your priorities.”

  Kita shrugged innocently. “So who—” Kita noticed the Aurorians for the first time. “…Who…who are they?”

  “I’m going to guess from the guide you made me read, these are the Aurora. ‘The most beautiful creatures in the galaxy, if you like perfect symmetry.’ I’d say it’s a fair description.”

  Kita nodded slowly, taking in everything the pair offered. It wasn’t fair their entire bodies were eye candy. Soft, delicate features mixed with perfect skin tones, with a slight glow giving them an angelic look. They had no hair, but small rows of scales that covered their heads like hair and ran the length of their backs. On the top of their heads, a row of scales stood up like a crown. They wore silk dresses that clung and flowed over them like water and clear, crystal high heels so they walked tall on their toes. Except for coloring, the pair looked like twins. It was like having a massive sugar rush.

  “Hey, Don Juan.” Case snapped her fingers in front of Kita. Kita was so transfixed, she ignored Case’s first two attempts to tickle her. On the third, she squeaked loudly. “You’ll have to excuse our benevolent leader. She’s going through a bit of a dry spell,” Case said to the Aurorians.

  The two Aurorians exchanged glances. As they spoke, their scales lifted and rippled in elaborate patterns and colors.

  “I apologize, ladies. I’ve had a long day.” Kita smiled warmly. “What can I do for you?” Other than follow me around all day and look yummy.

  “Cotton,” Case coughed.

  Kita shot Case a dirty look like she’d cost her chance at taking home the pair.

  “Vicereine Kita?” said one of the Aurorians.

  Kita gulped. Their voices were like a beautiful melody in her ears. “That’s me.”

  “We’re representatives of the Embassy District on Petal Six. We’re to take you and your staff to your hotel for the duration of the stay.”

  “I…Hotel? I planned on staying aboard my ship to be with the rest of my crew.”

  “The Grand Marshal has asked that all representatives and experts stay near the arena for the duration of the summit.”

  “How long is this summit? I thought it would last a cycle or two.”

  “Oh, no. I’m so terribly sorry for the miscommunication. It is scheduled for ten cycles.”

  “What? We’re talking about humans. There’s not much to say, except they’re despicable.”

  Case coughed harshly.

  “Present company excluded.”

  “The Grand Panel will be most interested in your opinions, but there is much we don’t know. You’re scheduled to speak for three cycles.”

  “What?”

  There was a familiar laugh. “Kitten, calm down. You’ll be answering questions, mostly. It will require you to listen, and I know how hard that is for you.”

  “Snowy?” Kita spun around looking. Forgetting about her wingspan, she knocked the two Aurorians to the ground. Her lip stuck out when she found a video of Snowy’s head carried by a pair of Diamocks, but she kissed the screen anyway. “Where are you?”

  “At home. This epiphany came to me when I was sitting at my desk. I have a dedicated line so I can stay as long as I need to. I’ve been awaiting your arrival. Be a dear and help the two girls you knocked over to their feet.”

  Kita joined Case in helping the second Aurorian to her feet while mumbling an apology.

  “I apologize for the Vicereine, Grand Ambassador. She gets excited at times,” Snowy told the pair.

  “It is quite alright, Minister. We are honored to be the first to welcome a new race to the Tetrahedron. At the beginning of the summit, Angels will be given an embassy on Embassy Row and will have all the rights of a minor race.”

  “Can you have a race of one?” said Cotton, coming up with her entourage of male guardians. “Forgive me for interrupting you, Grand Ambassador.”

  “No apology required, Princess,” said the Grand Ambassador.

  “And you, Vicereine, haven’t been here more than ten minutes and are already creating a diplomatic incident.”

  “Then come here and keep me from getting into trouble,” Kita said with a twisted grin.

  “Why don’t you two save this conversation for later?” said Case.

  Everyone looked at Case. She smiled and bowed. “I’m Casey Bush, Princess of The United Earth Empire. I am human and am here to assist the Vicereine.”

  “Kita, are you out of your mind?” Snowy yelled. “You brought her here?”

  Kita shrugged. “She volunteered to come. I wasn’t going to say no. She knows a lot about humans. I’m sorry I didn’t ask her how long her baggage train was.”

  “I have a baggage train?” said Case with a disapproving sideways look.

  “Well, family’s baggage, right? Anyway, Case is cool and understands the situation.”

  “Kita, this could be considered an act of war,” said Snowy.

  “What do you want me to do? I’m not going to keep her locked up on the ship.”

  “I can look after myself, sugar,” said Case slipping back into her southern accent.

  “I’m sure you can,” said Snowy, “but your wants do not outweigh that of the galactic races.”

  “Stop,” Kita snarled. “She’s not going anywhere, and I won’t let anyone talk down to her or order her around. I will leave if I have to. I still have Dallas. If I have to, we can go back to it and make a living moving freight.”

  “Kita, be reasonable. You know you’d last two days before you’d go crazy.”

  A sudden wisp of black fog escaped Snowy’s picture and entered Kita’s nose. Kita twitched violently. “I have worked months in Inferno, two years in a mine, and five years as a lowly sword-swinger. I th
ink I can handle a little hard work.”

  “Quit thinking about yourself and look around you. All these people are at stake.”

  “I don’t care. Burn them all. I won’t give up my friend.”

  “That’s crap, and you know it. I’ve seen you betray your friends. Did you ever tell Scarlett or Tig what you did and why?”

  “Who?”

  “Goddamn them. How the hell are you supposed to learn to be good if you can’t know the mistakes of the past,” Snowy muttered. “Fine. We’ll deal with Princess Bush later, but she is going to be a problem. Remember, I know you better than you know you. So, think about what I’m telling you.”

  “If you know me so well, why’d you bother bringing this up?”

  “Because I know you wouldn’t do the right thing.”

  “I am doing the right thing. I’d be standing up for you if someone wanted to ship you off to Earth to the Political Bureau’s version of the Advanced Research Wing.”

  Snowy flinched.

  Kita took a breath. “You know they’d never let you wander the Himalayas freely like I know you want to. It’s the same kind of thing for her.”

  Dull thuds stopped behind Kita. “Are you ok, Kita? You’re kind of loud,” said Onyx.

  “I’m fine, just a spirited discussion.”

  “I’m here to squish if you need me.”

  “So, now what?” Kita looked around at the different groups. She grabbed Cotton’s arm and slipped it around her and nuzzled the soft, fine fur letting Cotton and her fur calm her.

  “Get you and your people to the hotel,” said Snowy.

  Kita nodded. She made a call back to the ship to instruct them on the change of plans. “Is everyone through security yet?” she asked Onyx.

  “Only Raph is at the counter. I think he might need some help. Should I go talk to the squishies?”

  “You can come with me.”

  Cotton let her go and then glared at Snowy.

  “What’s the matter?” Kita asked the group of security guards hovering around Raph.

  “They’re trying to take my Arcom from me,” he said, the arm with the computer hidden in his cape.

  “Why do you need the computer?” Kita said to the Verisom behind the desk.

  “It hasn’t been scrubbed or secured. And, because it’s a human design, the research division will want to look at it.”

  “You’re not taking it.”

  “It’s against the regulation.”

  “I don’t care, but I will make a deal. Raph will bring it to the research division and show them what they need to know. In exchange, they will teach him about your systems.”

  “I can’t make that deal.”

  Kita spoke into her communicator. Cotton, the Grand Ambassador, Case, and Snowy arrived at the desk. Kita explained the situation to everyone. They struck a quick deal allowing Raph to keep his Arcom, let security examine the machine later, and give the boy a primer on their computer systems.

  “Thanks,” Kita whispered into Cotton’s ear when it was over. “I hate using you like this.”

  “I don’t mind. It keeps you happy, and I do want to be part of the team. How did you get a Graniite to join us?”

  “I promised to take her home, and she wanted to fight with us. I’m not going to turn down a giant rock pile.”

  “Such a collector, you are. How long before you have one of each race?”

  Kita chuckled and clung to Cotton’s arm possessively. “I have enough already.”

  Onyx had been staring at the pool since Kita and her group’s arrival to the hotel. Every so often, she stuck her fist into the water to watch the ripples. According to the guide, Grant had little liquid water. Kita wished her life was so simple.

  “Kitten?” said Snowy.

  “Huh? What?”

  “You with us?” said Case.

  “We’re talking about two Angels, and I have no idea where my sister is. I don’t have a homeworld, or at least, we can’t find it. I have no society, laws, culture, or history. What am I supposed to say? ‘Uhm, thanks?’ How about no thanks and let me continue to be a nomad.”

  “We can consider your homeworld lost and give you a place here on the Tet,” said the Grand Ambassador.

  “I still wouldn’t use it. It would just be a waste. I plan on being with my ship.”

  “Why don’t we table that for the moment and move on to the panel discussion on humanity,” said Snowy.

  Case, Rabbit, Hawke, and Snowy had already volunteered to help Kita answer questions and give speeches on the different aspects of humans. Kita was grateful, but she knew everything hinged on her. Why me and not Case?

  “How am I going to remember all of this?” Kita said, waving the pad in her hand, which contained hundreds of files on humanity.

  “You can use the pad. You just need to be comfortable with it,” said Snowy.

  “If I had a month I wouldn’t be comfortable with it.” If things weren’t bad enough, Kita’s sleep cycle was right in the middle of the summit. She was already tired and cranky. She wanted to be napping so she’d survive the ten days, not worrying about human history.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Raph standing by nervously waiting to be noticed. Deciding she wouldn’t mind the delay, she waved him over.

  “Whatcha got?” she asked, being nicer than she felt.

  “I, ah, set up some servers for us to use. They’re secure and written in an Earth language so no one should be able to break into them. I just need to upload a file so your Diamock pads will work with them.”

  “Awesome. Good job taking the initiative.” Raph blushed a bit. “Can I get to it from the arena?”

  “I can link some wireless routers together from Mauler. If I can get them in the right place, we can access the servers from anywhere on the petal.”

  “Are you going to need help?”

  “Gaining access will be the hard part.”

  “Take Onyx with you, and some guards. I’m sure the Grand Ambassador will get you clearance to high places.” Kita smiled at the Aurorian.

  Kita had taught the Aurorian and others her smile didn’t mean she was being friendly and outgoing but usually meant she wanted something, and a tantrum would follow if the smile failed.

  “I can dispatch a technician, but this does fall under our prior agreement that your child will explain the technology to our researchers.”

  “Fair enough. Tet-Sec won’t be able to break in, right?”

  “Of course not,” said Raph.

  “Then you got your wish, kid,” said Kita. “Thanks for doing it.”

  “No problem,” said Raph, beaming with pride. He turned to leave and stopped. “Oh, I forgot, when I hooked the local network I discovered an unknown device. I’m not sure if Jess, Case, or someone else had something I don’t know about.”

  The three humans shook their heads.

  “Did you check with the others?” said Case.

  “Yeah, Auggy and Lacy didn’t have anything. Cross is on the ship, so, unless he’s got something in his bag…” Raph shrugged.

  “What’s its ID?” said Snowy.

  “It’s just a bunch of letters and numbers.”

  “Can you force a connection with it? If we connect, we can locate it.”

  Raph nodded. He tapped on his Arcom.

  Kita cried out and clutched her head. Inside a thousand bees were attacking her brain.

  “What’s happening?” said Case, sliding over the table to land next to Kita. “Whatever you’re doing, stop.”

  “No, don’t,” said Snowy. “She’s got a computer in her head. We must have activated it.”

  “A what? How?”

  “Long story. Just know it’s incredibly powerful and fully scalable. She can take over entire networks, installations, and there’s little to no way of stopping her from hacking into systems.”

  “I need a password. It’s so long it’ll take me forever to break it,” said Raph.

  “Try sn
owy underscore jane underscore galina underscore roo.”

  “Nope didn’t work.”

  “Oh, crap, I forgot she probably changed it to reflect her love life. Try snowy underscore jane underscore roo underscore veronica. I forgot she dumped Galina and replaced her with Panther.”

  “Ok, I’m in. Wow, everything’s encrypted.”

  “Can you break it?”

  “Sure, give me a few seconds.” Raph activated a decryption program that ran through the files. “I’m only able to decrypt the low-level files. There’s a bunch more with decryptions that’ll take longer to break.”

  “Can you do it?”

  “Maybe. Some of them look like they’re encrypted using an image or sound. We’d need the exact right image or sound to open them.”

  “Galina, you bitch,” Snowy hissed.

  “Ok, I’ve gotten everything I can. Shouldn’t Kita be ok?”

  “Reboot her.”

  “Reboot her? How do I do that?”

  “She doesn’t have a reboot option?”

  “Not that I can find.”

  “Then kick her in the head. That should jar it enough to cause the computer to restart.”

  Raph looked at Kita and froze. Case pushed Kita to one side and kicked the Angel in the side of the head. Kita spun like a top and collapsed. Everyone waited, holding their breath.

  Kita stirred, then sprang to her knees. “What’s happening?” She fell to her knees, yelling, “What’s wrong with my vision? Stop it, stop it.” She shook her head vigorously. “Why can I see with my eyes closed?”

  “Grab a blanket and get it over her,” said Snowy.

  Case jumped to comply, coming back with a comforter. She wrapped it around Kita’s body and head.

  “What’s wrong with me?” Kita kept asking Case. The human hugged Kita as she cried.

  “Kitten, listen to me. Your vision is back to normal. It’s going to take a while to master, but you have photoreceptors in your skin. Your like one giant eyeball, and you can see in all directions at once if you want to. Your computer will help you process the data and filter it. It acts like a giant eyelid for you.”

  Kita continued to cry.

  Snowy sighed. “I think we’re done for the moment. Let’s put her to bed. She needs a nap anyway.”

  Keeping the blanket wrapped around Kita, Case and Jess helped Kita to her feet.