Return of the Fallen Angel: Book 1

64

Sarin motioned for Russia and Slaughter to destroy the two bodies in the corner. The war cats opened their mouths and incinerated the bodies. All that was left was a mild stench in the air.

Removing the cabinet and table from the door, Sarin tried the panel. The door was locked. She new nothing of hacking, but she did know plenty about electronics. Removing the panel she overrode the simple circuit. The door unlocked, but before she opened it, she motioned Slaughter to her. A black tendril drifted from her to him. She connected to his mind and found his memories of the outpost.

Examining what the war cat remembered, she built a map of the location. Sarin enjoyed seeing a young Kita struggle with command. Kita had been challenged every step of the way. It helped her understand who Kita was and where she came from. The young girl was very different from the woman she was now. Back then she hadn't been afraid to challenge anyone or anything. As it was then, failure was the motivator. Kita would never know of this failure, she couldn't.

The last of the memories was Kita fighting some legionnaire and nearly kill him. It was odd to see her without wings, she moved differently and gracefully. It's like the wings actually removed grace from her movements. Now she moved heavy and ridged. It was too bad. Sarin liked the way her butt moved back then. She wondered how much of it was due to the wings, and how much of it was due to dying.

Scanning the cat's memories further, Kita's death marked a major turning point in her life. It seems that one event had sapped the wonder, and dare say the innocence, from her. Now she was dark, hard, and more humble. Pocketing the new knowledge on her lover, Sarin released the cat.

Slaughter didn't know where the backup power plant was, but he did know where not to look. The map had a few holes and those would be good starting places. Shorting the circuit again, the door slid open. Sarin and her followers entered outpost twenty-four.

Entering the corridor, Slaughter and Russia chuffed. Down the dark corridor a bunch of bodies lay slumped against the wall. Sarin touched both as gesture not to worry. The outpost was built in a large loop once you got past the entrance hallway. Once they arrived at the first intersection, she stopped and looked down the new corridor. More bodies littered the corridor.

Smiling to herself, Sarin opened a flap on her holster and slid out a metal cylinder. She screwed it onto the end of her pistol and repeated the process for the other pistol. Silencers in place, she touched a button on each causing the silencers to glowed red hot.

Stroking Phoenix under his beak, she nodded to him. Phoenix let out a haunting screech. The bodies climbed to their feet and started toward them.

"Slaughter, Russia, destroy them," Sarin pointed down the corridor. "Do not leave anything behind. Not even dust."

Snarling, long jets of flame blasted from the cat's mouths. Together they charged the dead legionnaires. Crashing into the walking corpses, the smell of burning flesh filled the air as claws, fangs, and flame went to work.

"Phoenix, sow the seeds of fiery discontent." Sarin pointed down the other corridor.

Phoenix released from Sarin's raggedy wing. Particulates trailed behind him as he flew over the heads of the animated corpses.

Sarin waited for Phoenix to return. She gave no concern about the lumbering corpses diminishing proximity to her. The nearest walking corpse was within two yards when the bird returned. Smiling, Sarin took aim at its head.

"I bring the condolences of your commanders, legionnaires," Sarin boomed. "They apologize they could not save you and left you to this fate. They wished better for you. If it is any condolence your sacrifice was in vain. The Region of Yorq is no more. What you fought to protect is gone. All I can offer you is release from your damnation. You and I will know that you went to your final resting places fighting like proud legionnaires. Which is what any proud warrior wishes. To Valhalla with you."