Return of the Fallen Angel: Book 1

13

What a great way to start. Zidin and his men were late. If they didn't hurry Kita would leave without them.

Kita waited at the base of the ramp and wiggled her wings just to prove to herself they worked. She felt fine, but she couldn't shake the fear of something suddenly not working.

"Damn it, let's go." She motioned for everyone to get into shuttle. "Omega crank it up."

The shuttle's engines low whine became a roar. The Angels and animals boarded. Vanouse clanked after them.

Kita still wasn't sold on the metal man. In theory, the suit looked awesome. In the tests she'd watched while in the medical ward it crushed the opposition. The suit didn't concern her, the man inside did. Killing in the simulator where the holo's vanished when killed was easy. Killing in battle where the fallen bleed, stank, screamed, and often lay in unnatural positions took a certain mentality. Kita didn't think Vanouse had it

Kita glided up the ramp. She heard cries to wait. Annoyed, she turned as Zidin and his men ran across the hangar.

"Omega throttle down so they can hear me." The engines returned to a quiet whine. "You're late. I don't have time to wait around for you."

"Our apologizes, Black Rose," said Xeen.

Kita raised an eyebrow. I didn't think they'd take me seriously on the name change.

"We were receiving our new unit tartans and special marking." Xeen pointed to a marking on his face and the new kilt he wore.

"It's a very pretty dress, Uncle, but the shuttle for the ball is over there. This one's headed to slaughter Red Legionnaires. What is that on your face? It looks like some hit you with a meat tenderizer."

"That is the marking of the Black Watch," said Zidin coming up the ramp. "They were a very prominent military unit throughout a good part of military history. I thought it would be a group worthy of you."

"I haven't been this nervous going it battle, since I had to fight you. Get aboard."

The men jogged aboard carrying their light rifles and melee weapons. Zidin had cut their long hair short. Kita approved. Along with the kilt, they wore camouflaged tops and tall black lace up boots with black socks that ended just below the knees.

There weren't enough seats for everyone, so the men sat on the floor. Frostbane pushed some of the men out of his way so he could lie down. Sarin and Anthrax flirted with the men, but they ignored them, much to the pair's unhappiness.

The men applied black makeup to their faces.

"What are they doing?" Kita asked Zidin.

"We're going in at dusk; they're putting on camouflage to better hide their faces from being seen. They honor you with the pattern."

The pattern immerged. It was a rose, like one of hers, just bigger. The pattern totally broke up their faces. In the dark, it would be nearly impossible to tell it was a face. Maybe Zidin isn't as crazy as I thought.

She nodded at Zidin and to join Vanouse and Snowy, ignoring who she stepped on.

"How are you doing, tin man?" said Kita.

"To be honest, nervous," said Vanouse.

"About what? The plan for you is simple: shoot the other metal things." Kita folded her arms.

"I understand that, I'm just nervous about going into battle."

"We're going to pop your killing cherry now."