Rebirth (Game of the Gods Book 1) Read online

  Rabbit made a sour face. “Fine. I can get him cleaned.”

  “Then let’s go get a spot on the mat.”

  Kita grabbed Cross as the Marine came toward them. Together they followed the two duelers to the training mats.

  After getting the pair space, Kita helped Rabbit take off her armor.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” said Kita.

  “I’m not scared of him. I’ve had hand-to-hand classes.”

  “Yeah, but, I think Hawke knows more than the basics.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

  With a shrug, Kita walked Rabbit out to the center of the mat where they met Hawke, Cross, and the referee.

  “This is to be friendly, so nothing cheap,” Kita said, looking at Hawke. “I need you both in one piece. I’ll stop it before someone gets hurt, and then you both lose and you owe me something.”

  “And what’s that?” Hawke grumbled.

  “Peace and quiet. All right, best of three wins. I don’t want to take up all the Diamocks’ time.” She sent them back to their starting areas and then gave the match to the referee.

  The referee gave them the signal and the pair closed on each other. Hawke moved forward like a seasoned veteran, using the Legion’s form of martial arts. Rabbit appeared to have no idea what she was doing. Moving like this was her first day.

  Rabbit jumped at Hawke, striking at him with her foot. He easily dodged the attack, stepped in, grabbed her foot and arm, swung her over the top of him, and slammed her to the mat with a dull thud. Not finished, he grabbed her arm and twisted her into submission.

  “Ouch, stop,” Rabbit pleaded in pain.

  Hawke twisted and yanked. Rabbit’s shoulder made a loud pop.

  “Ow,” Rabbit screamed as tears filled her eyes.

  Kita drove Hawke away with a nasty look. She helped Rabbit sit up, mindful of the girl’s shoulder. “This is going to hurt a bit,” she warned as she pushed and pulled Rabbit’s shoulder back into place. Rabbit sighed with relief. “All right, I think we’re done for today,” Kita announced.

  “No, give me another chance,” Rabbit said, standing up.

  “I don’t want you hurt.”

  “Please? I don’t want to look like I quit.”

  Kita sighed and nodded. “Ok. And Hawke, you do that again, and I’ll rip yours out of the socket and beat you within an inch of your life with it.”

  “Sure thing, mother hen.”

  “Keep laughing, jackass,” Kita muttered.

  The pair took their places and the referee waved them on. Hawke came out with all the confidence of someone looking for a quick and easy victory. Rabbit came out timid but in a different stance. She struck first, looking just as clumsy as before. Hawke went to grab her arm, and Rabbit came alive. She blocked his grab, stepped in, and kneed him in the groin. As he recoiled from the blow, she head-butted him in the face. Stepping around him, she grabbed him by his arm and threw him to the mat, and put her knee on his throat.

  The referee called the match and sent the two back to their corners. As Cross helped Hawke, Kita met with Rabbit. “Aren’t you the manipulative little girl,” she purred approvingly.

  “It’s like fishing. You’ve got to lure them in, even if it is painful.”

  “Where’d you learn to fight?”

  “The Political Bureau developed its own martial arts form centuries ago. The basics are taught to everyone. Officers get another level, and some get the highest tier.”

  “Interesting,” Kita cooed. She’d never heard that before. It explained Galina’s unique fighting style. The assassin form mixed with this Political Bureau martial art.

  The referee called the pair back to their places. Recovered, Hawke looked madder than a war cat with its tail in the ringer. Rabbit kept her composure. With a wave, the pair squared off again.

  Both opponents looked serious. They circled as the tension built. They tried to bluff the other into making a mistake. Hawke jumped after Rabbit, trying with a series of strikes followed by a quick pair of kicks. Rabbit blocked everything, except the final kick, which caught her on her injured shoulder. From there the fight was wide open. They went back and forth kicking, punching, dodging, and blocking. They locked into a grapple. Each had the other in a lock, but couldn’t force the other down.

  Kita waved at the referee and then pointed at the clock. The referee called the match and separated the pair. Both fighters went to their corners breathing hard and eyeing the other. She approached the middle of the mat.

  “Give me a quick second,” said Rabbit.

  “It was best of three,” said Kita. “There won’t be another match. I call it a draw.”

  “What?” Rabbit cried.

  She received disapproving looks from the Diamocks. Kita knew they looked down upon challenging authority openly without following protocol. Her judgment was final, in their eyes.

  “That’s enough,” Kita ordered harshly. “You got your chance. Save it for another day.”

  Both sides grumbled as they recovered.

  The sound of someone clapping came through the crowd. Case or Lacy having a laugh? Instead, it was Cotton, still wearing her partial armor.

  “It be a very fine display of human aggression and combat prowess,” she said, looking at the two fighters and then at Kita. “But, what of an Angel? Be rumors circling that Vicereine Kita be falling a Graniite by single combat in the detention area. That be a feat not done in generations.”

  Kita’s eyes narrowed. She gave Cotton a disapproving glare as a warning. The Verisom was going down a path she’d regret.

  Cotton hid a smile at Kita. “Be it be true, Vicereine?”

  “Of course she did,” exclaimed Rabbit.

  Kita glared at Rabbit. “I had help,” said Kita, trying to undermine Cotton. “You were there and saw what happened. No one can take down a Graniite by themselves.”

  “Maybe you not be as strong as Minister Snowy says you be. Maybe you should not be leading this ship.”

  “Minister Snowy knows my record on the battlefield. That is all that matters. I don’t have to prove anything.”

  “We all be knowing authority means nothing if you can’t be backing up your words. If you be as good as you be saying, why so modest? A true leader be leading from the front, and their soldiers must be shown you be a good leader to keep up morale.”

  “And what do you have in mind?” Kita said with a sigh.

  “You and me be having friendly duel. Say, two out of three?”

  Kita groaned to herself. “Maybe some other time. I have work to do.”

  Cotton’s eyes narrowed. “Then I be blunt. I, Princess Cotton, be challenging Vicereine Kita to a best of three duel,” she said loudly. She smiled as her words were translated to the rest of the crew.

  Kita hissed silently through her teeth. Cotton had left her no choice. “Fine. Each match ends with the first blood.”

  Cotton took out her axar, extended the weapon to six feet, and flourished the weapon in a flashy show. Kita drew her swords and marched to the starting area of the mat. The senior officers ordered the crowd back, almost halfway across the room. A giant projection came on.

  Only Kita’s friends, a few Diamocks, and a pair of Cotton’s guard were permitted to stay near the ring under shelter. This is a lot of trouble for a simple weapons duel.

  “I don’t like this, Kita,” Hawke said. “It’s got to be a setup. I’ve heard things about her. Don’t underestimate her.”

  “I’m not. She’d better not be underestimating me.”

  The Diamock referee gave the signal and then retreated to cover with Hawke.

  Kita circled to get a feel for how Cotton moved. Cotton took a slight hop and then launched herself into the air. Kita’s eyes went wide. Cotton nearly hit her head on the ceiling. I can’t match that, without giving away secrets.

  There was a yellow flash of light. What is…uh-oh. She jumped into the air as the energy blast hit the training mat. A sh
ockwave caused Kita to tumble through the air. I get the safety precautions now.

  Kita landed hard and rolled to a stop. A smokescreen hovered above her, obscuring Cotton from her. She took off again, planning to get above the smokescreen. Cotton had to be descending, and she wanted to catch her in midair.

  Cotton came horizontally, not vertically, and hit Kita from behind. The spear tip of the axar stabbed her through the lower back and came out the front. The tip of the spear extended barbs causing even greater trauma when it came back out. Kita fell to the mat, gritting her teeth in pain.

  “Kita!” Rabbit yelled, leaving the shelter and running to Kita’s side. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you to the med bay. Hawke, get me a first aid kit.”

  “Don’t bother,” Kita grunted. She sat up on her legs. The blood ran warm on her skin as it dripped down her front and back. “Take these,” Kita said, handing over her swords to Rabbit. The girl did, holding them in awe.

  “You be badly injured. Duel must stop,” Cotton said urgently as she hurried over.

  Kita sneered. She placed a hand on either side of the wound. With a scream, she cauterized it and all the damage inside her. When it was over, she burned the blood from her hands and motioned for Rabbit to give her swords back.

  “It’s best of three,” said Kita. “I’ve got one more shot.”

  “This be not healthy, Kita,” Cotton said with concern.

  “I’ll be fine, as long as I don’t lose again.” Kita stood, leaning on Rabbit for help.

  “Kita, don’t be an idiot,” said Hawke.

  “I want my shot. I’m just a slow learner is all.”

  Hawke frowned but pulled Rabbit away. Kita moved to her spot on the mat. Cotton moved to hers. The referee gave the signal.

  Kita took off. Cotton fell behind having readied herself for an immediate attack. She launched herself upward after the Angel.

  Spinning her axar as she rocketed upward, Cotton swung the ax end at Kita. The Angel blocked with her sword but was out of reach of Cotton. The Verisom sailed by her. Activating a jet, Cotton lurched sideways, flipped, and bounced off a wall back toward Kita.

  Kita knocked the spear point aside and tried to roll to hit Cotton. She struck the Verisom three times, hitting armor each time. She opened her wings to dive when a sudden burst of searing pain flashed through her. She entered a flat spin as she descended to the mat, one of her wings trailing behind her. She landed with a sickening thud on the mat. Tears of pain filled her eyes as she lay there looking upward and watching Cotton come down.

  “Kita!” Rabbit said frantically.

  Kita didn’t respond. Rabbit shook her violently.

  “Should I call for help?” Cross asked.

  “Bloody hell, yes,” said Rabbit. “Losing a wing causes her a lot of pain.” She glared at Cotton.

  “I be swearing I be not aiming for her wing.”

  Kita stirred after Rabbit shook her again. “Dammit, stop it,” she said painfully. She tried to get to her feet, but Rabbit pushed her down.

  “You’re not going anywhere. A medical team is on the way.”

  “I don’t need a medical team. Let me up.”

  “No,” Rabbit, Hawke, and Cotton all said at the same time.

  Kita hissed through her teeth. “You give me one more shot. Winner takes all.”

  “Vicereine, you be in no condition to be fighting again,” Cotton said sternly.

  “One more shot. If I fail, I’ll do whatever you want.”

  Cotton crossed her arms. “Deal,” she said with a smile.

  Kita pushed her way out of Rabbit’s arms and walked over to pick up her wing. She handed it to Hawke. “Here. I heal much quicker when I have all my parts.”

  “Kita, I’ve done some stupid stunts in my day, but this is suicidal.”

  Kita smiled slyly. “This is when heroes, villains, and legends are born.”

  “You be none of those,” Cotton said.

  Kita raised an eyebrow. “They all sacrificed to get somewhere. What have you sacrificed today?”

  Cotton’s eyes narrowed to slivers. “You will be a sacrifice to the gods.”

  “At least someone around here gets it.” Kita chuckled. “I hope you pick the right one.” She shooed everyone back to the shelter as she took her place. When Cotton took hers, the wary referee gave them the signal.

  Cotton leaped upward. Kita saw the yellow flash and put up her heat shield to protect herself. She hadn’t planned on using her abilities, but since Cotton was using hers, she thought it only fair. The shockwave went around her.

  Kita readied herself as Cotton came straight at her, leading with her axar. Kita corkscrewed to one side and slashed at Cotton. The Verisom fired a jet and dodged the strike, spinning, she turned it into an attack of her own.

  Kita deflected the axar with ease. Cotton recoiled and struck again. Kita dodged. Using Dusk to pin the weapon down, she struck at Cotton with Dawn. Sparks flew from Kita’s strikes hitting Cotton’s armor.

  Cotton spun her axar, bringing down the ax. Kita backflipped, landed, and sprang over the arcing weapon. Cotton redirected her swing and spun to bring it up to block Kita’s strike.

  Kita brought Dawn down on the axar. The blade severed the weapon. Kita bounced off the ground and landed on Cotton’s shoulders, gripping the Verisom’s head tight with her thighs. She flung herself backward, down between Cotton’s legs. Cotton flew over Kita and went face first into the mat. Kita turned to face the stunned Verisom.

  Kita pointed Dawn at Cotton’s throat. “Winner takes all,” Kita said loudly. She withdrew Dawn and with a flourish sheathed her swords. Taking the spear end of Cotton’s axar, she put a small scratch on her own arm. She bowed and knelt before Cotton. “You win. What will you have me do, Princess?”

  “I so be hating you right now,” Cotton hissed.

  Kita kept her face neutral. “A deal is a deal. I lost. What’s your will?”

  Cotton rolled to her feet and whispered into Kita’s ear. “You be winning here today by losing, impressive. Me not think you be the kind to stomach any kind of defeat.”

  “In what universe did you think you could beat me?”

  Cotton recoiled, and then regained her composure. Cotton addressed the Diamocks, “I be wanting you to get healed. We be needing a leader in one piece.” She offered her hand to Kita and pulled the Angel to her feet.

  Rabbit came running up to them. She shoved Cotton out of the way. “Are you finished? Can we get you fixed?”

  “Yes.” Kita sighed at the girl while shaking her head.

  “The young Captain makes a good point. It’ll take a long time for that to heal,” said Hawke, “even if they get it on right.”

  Kita chuckled. “I think I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

  “The wing’s already stopped bleeding,” said Cross. “A wound like that should be bleeding all over the place. They have a lot of blood flow.”

  Kita shrugged. “I heal fast.”

  “Not that fast.”

  Kita smiled. She walked away from them and grabbed Cotton’s decorated ear. She bent it down as she whispered, “You owe me.”

  “For what?”

  “For not making you look like a complete fool.”

  “I be no fool.”

  “Then next time I’ll take it from quarter speed to half speed. You won’t end up in the dirt then, but the medical ward.”

  “You not be hurting me.”

  “The only reason you’re in one piece is that I want another shot at you, in bed.”

  “Maybe I don’t be wanting you back in bed.”

  “Liar,” Kita said in a sultry voice. She spun on her heel and rejoined the others to take her to the medical bay.

  Kita returned to the bridge, escorted by Rabbit, after a cycle in the medical ward. Shifts had changed, and a lieutenant occupied the command post. Kita hadn’t met him before. “How is everything, Lieutenant?”

  “Refueling and repairs on Dallas are ongoing, Vicereine. Iti
nerary changes have been made and communicated to sector command. We will still reach the Tetrahedron on time for the summit.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Lieutenant Zak, Vicereine.”

  “Have you met Captain Rabbit?”

  “No, Vicereine.”

  Kita introduced the pair. The Diamock did his best to do it in Common. Kita let him try, not wanting to embarrass him.

  “Who’s left on Dallas?” said Kita.

  “Captain Auggy, Commanders Lacy and Case, and Lieutenant Raph, and the repair crew, Vicereine.”

  They were putting in a longer day than she’d anticipated. “I want to go over to Dallas. Have a shuttle ready for me when I get to the hangar.”

  Zak acknowledged and saluted as Kita left.

  Zentix sat in a corner working. That’s odd. She should be off shift. “What are you doing?” said Kita.

  Zentix looked up from her screen. “Vicereine, I’m working on the incident reports from my shift.”

  “What incident?”

  “Incidents, Vicereine. Your duel with Princess Cotton and what happened in the medical ward.”

  “Why are you filling out paperwork on that? Snowy was just having a laugh telling them to try and sedate me and keep me strapped to the bed for three cycles.”

  “You tore up a medical suite and threatened the medical staff.”

  “Only enough to get them to leave me alone.”

  “Standard operating procedure requires all incidents be written up and filed in a timely fashion.”

  “To me, correct? And I submit them to Diamock Command.”

  “Yes, Vicereine.”

  “Then go get some rest and finish them later.”

  “But—”

  “I decide what is a timely fashion, Commander. It can wait. Go get some rest.”

  Zentix stood up and saluted. “Yes, Vicereine.”

  “I’m not punishing you, Commander. If I was, I’d find something worse than paperwork.”

  “For a combat soldier, paperwork is as bad as it gets.”

  A corner of Kita’s mouth ticked up. Very true. “Get some rest, Zen.”

  The shuttle ride over was non-eventful. Kita tried talking to Rabbit again, but outside of concern for her wellbeing, she didn’t want to talk. The shuttle docked with the temporary gantry. They exited the telescoping plastic tube into the cargo bay airlock.