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Queen Dana of Highwinds the Elf Kingdom inside the Empire has a problem. One that she cannot fix personally. The problem is with a small minority of her population. A problem that has been brought to her attention by the half elf son of a problematic Duke. What is a Queen to do? She calls on help from a friend. The question now is does she realize what she is letting loose on her kingdom?

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Chapter 12
Corkscrew Nebula corridor

Highwinds entrance, Observation Command Post

“All hands to battle stations. Guns get me a firing solution for that ship. Fighter Command emergency launch of all fighters and bombers. I don’t care what they’re armed with. Just get them out there. EW charge the EM field to max.” Naval Commander Elis Stormlight shouted. He didn’t know what the Queen Tatiana was going to do but he’d be damned if his station was going to stay out of this battle. “Grayson do we have any RT-eight Tactical nukes?”

“Sir those can only be used under express orders from High Command.” Grayson told his CO. Then he saw Stormlight’s face. “I have four sir.”

“Load ‘em up Number One. It’s time to pull out all the stops. If we don’t stop that ship out there, here and now. One of our worlds will become meat for its grinder.” Stormlight told the man coldly.

“Yes sir. Guns you heard the man.” Grayson said as he pulled a key from under his shirt. “Sir I need your key.”

“Catch.” Stormlight called out as he tossed Grayson his key to the nuclear arsenal. “How long until they’re ready to fire Guns?”

“Twenty minutes sir. I need to get approval from High Command before they’ll unlock the arsenal.” The gunnery control officer called back.

“In fifteen minutes, this fight will be over.” Stormlight snapped before he snarled. “I don’t fracking care what it takes. Get those damned missiles in their launch tubes, armed, and ready to fire. Because if the Queen Tatiana and our fighters don’t stop that beast. We’re next.”

Bridge of the Shinigami Battle Platform Queen Tatiana.

“Flight Ops how much longer before the Nighthawks are prepped for a fight?” Fleet Admiral Jassin Qigeiros demanded of his Air Boss.

“The Nighthawks are only waiting on your command to launch sir. Another five minutes for the Owls. Ten for the Sparrowhawks.” The Air Boss told him.

“Launch the Nighthawks. Hopefully they’ll be able to knock out any anti-air defensive system that thing has. Tatiana have you been able to find anything on that ship’s design.” Jassin asked the AI.

“You’re not going to believe this Jassin. That piece of shit has four mass drivers, sixteen main gun turrets, thirty-two secondary gun turrets, sixty-four anti-air gun emplacements, sixteen missile batteries, and eight torpedo batteries. I really hate to say this, but that ancient piece of shit is as well armed as I am. It’s the mass drivers that need to be target first.” Tatiana said, as red targeting circles appeared on the hull of the ship with each weapon.

“Sir, I have energy readings coming from the mass drivers. Sir, they’re getting ready to fire.” The sensor officer called out. “Oh shit! INCOMING!”

“Helm! Hard over to port! Air Boss! Get those fighters off my deck NOW!” Before Jassin could finish giving his orders Tatiana flared her shields to maximum. Four massive balls of boiling plasma slammed into her shields. Rocking the massive warship almost bring her to a dead stop. As Jassin fell to the deck he yelled. “Son of a bitch! What the HELL was that?!”

“Four tons of condensed plasma Jassin. I must say. For an ancient weapon that was impressive. I suggest we return fire.” Tatiana told him calmly.

“Guns target those damned mass drivers and fire!” Jassin ordered as he stood up on shacky legs. The only reply from the Fire and Control officer was the sound of 12 main gun turrets swiveling to lock onto the massive drivers. When they fired the space around Queen Tatiana was lite up. The sheer power displayed by those thirty-six 24in railguns blinded the outpost.

To Jassin’s surprise the ancient warship shrugged off the impact of the weapons. Of the four mass drivers only one was damaged. The other three returned fire. The Helmsman was already maneuvering the battle platform to avoid the incoming plasma. Then to the shock of her crew. The Queen Tatiana took a direct hit to her starboard side. One of the mass drive plasma balls penetrated her shields. For the first time in over four-hundred years a Shinigami was actually damaged by enemy fire.

“Sealing off sections twenty-three through thirty, on decks four through seven, Jassin. The damage extends inward to corridor six-B on those decks.” Tatiana told him calmly then snarled. “God Damn It! That hurt!”

“We got wounded in every sector!” The voice her chief medical officer shouted over the intercom. “Damn it Captain! Do something about those plasma balls!”

“I’m working on it doctor. Guns how soon will we be in range of our missiles and torpedoes?” Jassin asked.

“Not for another fifteen minutes sir. If we can get the Sparrowhawks off the deck in the next three. They might be able to buy us time to get within range for a clean kill shoot.” Guns told him.

“I hate to say this Jassin, but my performance has been hampered. That one hit took out one of my main control thrusters. The good news is the last of the BD-one-oh-five Broadswords have finished rearming with Mark-seventy-eight torpedoes. They’ll clear my deck in three minutes.” Tatiana told him as her main guns returned fire. This time three of the massive drivers were totally destroyed. With only one mass driver left the massive Colonial Warship Bifrost surged forward closing the distance. “Castle get those damned bombers off my flight deck. I can’t fight like this.”

“Hold your water old lady. Just keep those swam missiles off us for another few minutes.” The Air Boss told Tatiana. “Helm keep us outside of their range for five more minutes.”

“I hate to tell you this Castle. We’ve been inside their range for a while now.” The Helmsman told her just as Tatiana’s shield flashed as it was hit with 36 high speed explosive rounds. This was followed a few seconds later by the impact of 48 smaller rounds from the Bifrost’s secondary guns.

This time when Tatiana returned fire. It was with more than just her main guns. Everything she had on her starboard side fired as one. Massive naval PPCs, railguns, lasers, missile and torpedo launchers. If it had a ‘trigger’ the crew of the battle platform squeezed that trigger. Even as the last BD-105 Broadsword bomber left her flight deck Tatiana was closing the doors of her flight deck. Those eight aerospace bombers were unlike any other aerospace fighter/bomber built in the Human Empire. They were unique only to the Kingdom of Highwinds. Purposely build to fight the Velmaro Consortium.

Each Broadsword BD-105 is armed with four special Mark-78 torpedoes. The warheads of these torpedoes were nuclear. Each nuclear warhead was equal to 50Mt. Normally these weapons were only used for their EMP punch against the swarm fighters of the Velmaro. With twenty-four such weapons at least one of them would get through the impressive air defense of the Bifrost.

“CAPTAIN! THERE’S A MASSIVE BUILD UP OF ENGERY COMING FROM THE BIFROST!” The Electronic Warfare Officer shouted with true fear.

“CAPTAIN! THAT SHIP IS ABOUT TO FIRE SOMETHING BIG!” Castle shouted just before a beam of focused plasma slammed into the starboard bow shields of the Tatiana. If it hadn’t been for the Shinigami AI concentrating all of her shields to take the attack. The massive warship would have died.

“What the HELL was that?” Jassin shouted as he struggled to his feet. “Talk to me people! I need answers!”

“By the Gods. They did it. They actually built that damned thing.” Tatiana’s voice whispered for all to hear. For the first time the AI’s voice actually held both fear and disgust. “Jassin that weapon was banned by the Humans before it ever left the design board. It’s a MEDUSA cannon.”

“A what?” The bridge crew asked as one.

“The MEDUSA cannon is a quantum energy-based superweapon. They require a massive amount of power. Enough to power an Einstein–Rosen bridge.” Tatiana told her bridge crew. “The MEDUSA cannons could destroy whole cities in a single second, Jassin. Cities the size of Four Winds.”

“Shit! We have to stop that ship here people!” Jassin shouted as Tatiana’s weapons continued to fire. To his surprise the aerospace fighters and bombers of the 351st Tactical Air Wing were swarming the ancient ship. Only the eight bombers of Sparrowhawks were still out of the fight.

“CAPTAIN! IT’S PREPARING TO FIRE THAT MEDUSA THING AGAIN!” Tactical command shouted from their position. “HELM WE CAN’T TAKE ANOTHER HIT LIKE THAT LAST ONE! OUR SHIELDS BARELY HELD DURING THAT LAST STRIKE!”

“They’re not charging the MEDUSA Jassin. Yes the energy is building but my sensors aren’t detecting a quantum pulse.” Tatiana told him before taking control of her navigation. Tatiana had barely managed to move her massive bulk out of the way as tunnel of swirling energy ripped through the space she had just occupied moments before. When Tatiana was able to redirect her bow back towards the battle the ancient colonial warship was gone.

“Where the hell did that ship go?” Jassin demanded of no one and everyone.

“Jassin I believe we just witnessed the successful deployment of a Wormhole projection.” Tatiana told him and the rest of the bridge crew.

“Flight Ops recover our birds. Nav figure out where that ship went. Tactical I want a plan for taking that piece of shit out. Engineering I want a full damage report.” Jassin said as he turned to XO. “Jay-barra make contact with that outpost and see if they can hold their position.”

“Sir, we need to put any plans for pursuit on hold. The outpost has been heavily damaged. They’re requesting aid.” Jay-barra told him.

“We don’t have time for rescue operations.” The tactical officers shouted.

“I hate to tell you this Hornshell. That’s all we have time for. We’re damned near dead in space.” The Chief Engineer said as stood up jerking his thumb towards the pillar that housed Tatiana’s AI core. “Queenie overloaded her primary engines getting us out of the path of that wormhole tunnel. I had to scram reactors one through three to keep us from going nova. I won’t even bother with listing the damage to our nav sensors.”

“Talk to me Stoneknife. Just how fracked is our situation?” Jassin asked as he sat down heavily in his command chair.

“Two to three days before we can jump sir. That’s just to get the reactors back online and repair the starboard side sensor suits. Even then I’m not making any promises. I’m still digging through the damage reports.” The man said as he placed his hand to his earpiece. “Make that four to five days sir. Engine room five just reported in. That MEDUSA beam fried our reactor control. They had to eject the core.”

“Why wasn’t Tatiana affected by the blast?” Jassin asked him.

“My processor core is located in the heaviest shielded section of my body Jassin. Chief Stoneknife can you explain why I’m only aware of my port side?”

“Sorry about that Tatiana. I gave the order to sever your connection to those processing centers. You may have blocked ninety percent of the MEDUSA beam, but what did get through fried more than just your navigation sensors. Five of your starboard shield projectors overloaded and blew. In short dear Lady. If we hadn’t severed your starboard sensors and processing centers you would be screaming in pain.” Stoneknife told the AI.

“Son of a bitch. That ship came close to doing the impossible.” Growled the Helmsman when he heard this. “That ship damned near killed a Shinigami!”

“I have to give them their credit Mistress Brim, they did try.” Jassin told the young Helmsman before chuckling as he turned to face Tatiana’s central column. “Though I do believe that the ship now has a bigger problem. How soon before your brothers and sisters hunt that bitch down Tatiana?”

“They’re already moving Jassin. It seems that they’re all a little miffed that I was actually hurt by that weapon. Make no mistake ladies and gentlemen that is not a ship but a weapon of mass destruction.” The AI told her crew.

“Queen Tatiana what exactly is MEDUSA cannon?” The Weapons Officer asked.

“Before the last Great World War on Earth. Human scientists thought they had cracked the great mystery behind clean, renewable, and reliable energy. Their great breakthrough was quantum energy. Like nuclear energy before it the militaries of the day only saw the potential for a weapon. Thus, the MEDUSA cannon was born. It earned its name for its destructive property of blasting every city it touched back to the stone age.” Tatiana explained for them.

“Queenie, I know this is going to sound stupid, but exactly where was that weapon located on that ship? Not to mention why didn’t you spot it when you scanned for weapons?” Stoneknife asked her.

“That’s why I called the WHOLE ship a weapon of mass destruction, Chief. The entirety of the ship’s outer haul is the MADUSA cannon. First the main engine charges the outer haul with pure quantum energy. Once charged a mass driver is then fired through the quantum energy field. The discharged plasma pulls the quantum energy with it at hyper-velocity speeds. Oh, by the way Chief. A simple railgun discharge would be powerful enough to provide the needed targeting and discharge for the MADUSA cannon’s quantum energy. To put it bluntly. Any one of that ship’s secondary weapons could have provided the targeting mechanism.” Tatiana explained for the engineer.

“Bloody hell.” Jassin grumbled as the rest of the bridge crew realized what the AI told them. Jassin turned to his Communications Officer. “Comms priority one flash to Death Dealer and Navel High Commands. Message is as follows. Fleet wide alter. Operation Leviathan in effect. Target is pre-FTL Earth Human Colonization Warship Bifrost. Warning! Bifrost is armed with MADUSA cannon. Corkscrew Nebula is no longer secure. All, repeat ALL, early warning stations and Corridor Observation Command Post destroyed. Queen Tatiana commencing rescue and salvage operations of OCP. Queen Tatiana is also commencing emergency repair operations. Request immediate deployment of repair and recovery ships HMS Stalworth and Vixen. Contact Prometheus Base next. Inform them that we need a replacement core. Along with a full complement of replacement Early Warning Outposts for the corridor and a replacement Corridor Observation Command Post.”

“Yes sir.” The Comms Officer shouted from his position as Jassin turned back to his Executive Officer.

“Commence recovery operations for our fighters, and rescue operations for the Command Post personnel. I’ll be in my ready room Number One preparing for the ass chewing that’s sure to come from the Queen and the High Command.” Jassin ordered him before turning towards his ready room.

Highwinds entrance, Observation Command Post

“Damage report XO.” Stormlight shouted as he picked himself up off the deck. It took him a few seconds to realize that he had knocked unconscious from that last hit. So, when no one answered him straight away Stormlight called out to the station’s AI. “Computer! Damage report.”

“The computer is offline sir. As is engineering, C-n-C, flight operations center, and our long range FTL link is gone. The flight deck is totally destroyed sir.” An Ensign told him from the Weapons station.

“Where’s Commander Grayson, Ensign?” Stormlight asked the woman.

“He was in the launch bay when it was hit sir. Along with Commander Tolsen, and Chief Rockwell. They were on their way to unlock and arm the Longbows when that arm of the station was hit sir.” The Ensign told him.

“How long have I been out Ensign?” Stormlight asked her.

“Just short of twenty minutes sir.” She told him.

“Damn. Who’s been in charge?” Stormlight asked her.

“Um… I have sir. I’m still compiling the damage reports. Before you ask sir. I’ve been unable to contact any officer above Ensign first in the Chain of Command.” She told him as she moved to the communications station. “I repeat any ship within the sound of my voice. This is Corkscrew nebula, Highwinds entrance, Observation Command Post one. We are declaring a mayday. We have sustained heavy damage. Power is down to emergency backup generators. Casualties are over thirty percent.”

“Ensign what the hell did that ship hit us with?” Stormlight asked her as he moved to give her a hand at the communications station. As he was putting on a headset his ear was filled with cries for help. “Bloody Hell! How long have you been dealing with this Ensign on your own?”

“For the last fifteen minutes sir. Thankfully the Queen Tatiana is begun recovery operations of the remaining fighters and bombers. They’ve offered to pick up ours along with theirs, sir.” The Ensign told him. “Sir, if we can’t stabilize our rotation soon. We’ll have to sound abandon ship.”

“Where’s the enemy ship Ensign?” Stormlight asked her looking out the view port. What he saw didn’t fill him with confidence for their situation. “Sweet mother of the Goddess. Where the frack is the port side arm and docking bay?”

“Destroyed by whatever that ship used to escape sir.” She told him.

“Why the hell is the Queen Tatiana just sitting out there? Why isn’t she chasing after those filthy slugs?” Stormlight demanded.

“Look for yourself sir.” The Ensign said as she pointed out the forward view screen before snarking. “I don’t think she is going anywhere fast sir.”

“By the Gods of Space. What the FRACK did that ship use? A supernova powered cannon?” Stormlight asked in shock at the sight of a Shinigami almost dead in space. Only one of its five primary drive engine showed any sign of life. The other four were black as space. The more Stormlight took in the damaged battle platform. The more he realized just how close the enemy ship had come to doing the impossible. Then he chuckled as he remember the old saying. “Lieutenant NorthStar if that is all they did to her. Then I truly feel sorry for them the next time they cross paths with a Shinigami.”

“Are you crazy sir? That ancient ship damn near killed them!” The Ensign gasped in surprise. She was too shocked to realize he CO had used her last name and the wrong rank.

“Lieutenant there are two sayings about the Shinigamis. The first one goes like this. ‘It takes a Shinigami to kill a Shinigami’. The second one is ‘Never piss off a Shinigami AI’. Do you know why the navies of the universe say that?” Stormlight asked. When NorthStar shock her head no Stormlight grinned. “Because if you don’t kill them outright. They’ll hunt your ass down with a vengeance fueled blood lust that would scare the Gods.”

“Sir please forgive me for what I’m about to say. Are you fracking crazy? That ship out there isn’t going to do any fighting without a long stay at a shipyard. I mean just look at those holes. The Queen Tatiana looks like a sieve.” NorthStar told him as she hit the repeat button on the coms station. “And sir I’m only an Ensign.”

“Lieutenant NorthStar I did not make a mistake. You’re actions in the last hour prove that you’re more than capable of your new rank. As for the crew of that Shinigami. They’re Death Dealers. Whoever those people are they went and pissed off the two things this side of hell. No one in their right mind even considers. Once they have seen to their wounded and dead. That ship and its crew are going to be out for blood and souls. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, well stop them. Not even the Goddesses Sehanine Moonbow and Ryra the War maiden with all their power will be able to stop them.” Stormlight told the young woman. “The scary part is once that AI contacts the rest of Tatiana’s Children. That ship will be facing not one Shinigami, but twelve.”

“By the Goddess. Just one of those monsters by itself has enough firepower to lay siege to a planet. With twelve of them in orbit you could level every city in on a world in a matter of hours.” NorthStar gasped.

“Lieutenant what I’m about to tell you must remain between us. Deep in the armory of every Shinigami are six seven-forty core crackers just waiting to be fired. That is why the only people who crew those war machines are Death Dealers. Because Death Dealers are more human than we will ever be. Their loyalty is to each other, and the Kingdom of Highwinds. They hold no clan or planetary loyalties. That is why they rarely leave their assigned systems.” Stormlight told her as another warning began to flash on the console before him. Stormlight didn’t think twice as he slammed his hand down on a large red button marked core ejection. “Sound abandon ship Lieutenant.”

“Aye, aye, sir.” NorthStar answered him and carried out the order. As the abandon ship klaxon rang out through the last of the Corkscrew Nebula’s early warning outposts. “That’s it sir. Ten minutes until the scuttling charges finish off the old lady. I suggest we head for the escape pods.”

“I’ll be right behind you, Lieutenant. Soon as I make sure everyone is off and clear of the blast radius.” Stormlight told her as he started checking the few bodies still laying on the control room deck.

“I already checked them sir. They dine with their ancestors sir. We’re the only ones still alive in the command-and-control room.” NorthStar told him as kindly as she could. “The doctors have already evacuated the wounded. Sir we’re the last ones still aboard the central hub.”

“Damn. Why wasn’t I informed of this from the start Lieutenant?” Stormlight demand of her then softened his tone. “I know that I haven’t had much time for your training Faylen but remember that your first duty in a situation like this is to inform your CO just how bad you’re FUBAR.”

“FUBAR, sir?” Faylen asked him in confusion.

“Fracked Up Beyond All Recognition. Don’t worry Faylen. By the time I’m done training you. You’ll make an excellent XO. Not that you need much training. You were handed a shit sandwich with a side order of frack me fries for your first command. Then went on to preform beyond your training in a very commendable and professional manner. Come on XO let’s get to the pods.” Stormlight told the young woman as he led the way out of the C-n-C.

Omnalin city, Planet Highwinds.

The four young people who walked through the door of the Waystation nightclub barely stood out. The driving beat of the club music coming from the dance floor caused the two women to smile. For their escorts it only brought a nod of the head. Even though the four of them were dressed in the current fashion of club goers. There was still something about them that stood out.

Maybe it the way the foursome moved with a deadly air about them. There was something about the two couples that screamed high-born brats. It might have been the porcelain skin, snow-white hair, and silver-gray eyes of one couple or the two Silvian elves of the other couple. Then again it could have been the fact that the two men towered over the female companions who were tall for elves. Either way it didn’t matter both couples were striking to behold. Everyone around them knew that they were not to be trifled with.

“Are you sure this is the place Valkyrie?” Grace Wittman asked me.

“Don’t ask me ma’am. This was Stoney’s lead, not mine.” I told her over the pounding music of the dance floor. I know that I’m a woman now and have been for several months now. But I still have problems when I’m off the base. For some reason having these randy males eyeing me like a side of beef makes my skin crawl. “Don’t worry Waltz. If that contact isn’t here. I’ll personally skin his happy ass in the middle of parade ground one.”

“Silence if you don’t want men ogling you. Don’t wear short skirts and high heels.” Big Man said from behind me.

“Then what would you suggest?” I snarled. “BDUs?”

“Try a gunny sack and rainboots. Though with your looks I doubt even that would help.” Too Tall snarked only to get his foot stepped on by Grace’s heel. “Oach! Damn it ma’am. What was that for?”

“You’re not helping matters Sergeant Major. And for your information. Silence isn’t the only one who hates being eyeballed for the Match makers.” Grace snarled as she glared at one young Drow elf with contempt. “Not even in your wildest dreams dark one.”

“Stuck up bitch.” The Drow elf spat only to suddenly find himself hanging three feet in the air by the neck.

“Should I snap this fool’s neck my Lady?” Asked a very pissed Command Sergeant Major Nickola ‘TooTall’ Thunderstick.

“Put him down Nickola. We’re here for a night of fun and dancing.” Grace ‘Waltz’ Wittman told her escort kindly as she patted his outstretched arm. Before looking up at the Drow. “You’ll have to forgive my escort. He’s a little overprotective of me and my friend. Can you tell us where we can find a Mister Gantar Farynore? He was supposed to meet us at the door?”

“VIP section. Far back corner.” The Drow crocked out before TooTall dropped him to the floor. When he went to pull the switchblade knife the other male escort glared down at him.

“Don’t even think about it. You’re only end up having it shoved up your ass.” Big Man snarled down at the young man as the others headed for the VIP section. “Besides, when Lady Wittman turned you down. It wasn’t an insult. She and the Lady Starfire are spoken for.”

“Wait a minute buddy boy. What in the world would a pair of high-born ladies want with Snaggle tooth?” the Drow asked him.

“Personal business. That’s all you need to know.” Big Man told him before walking over to join the rest of the four-man investigation team.

“Your kind ani’t welcome in this club ladies. Take your bodyguards and leave. Before you get hurt.” One of the bouncers said as he moved to block their path. To get the point across the bouncer flashed a needler at his waist.

“Why Valkyrie I do believe the man wants us to take that pistol away from him.” Grace said sweetly as I shyly smiled at the bodyguard. We were expecting some kind of confrontation. Taking my clue from her suggestion. I disarmed the bodyguard before he could react.

“Is this what you mean Grace?” I asked her sweetly as I cocked the hammer back on the 10mm needle pistol while pointing it as the man’s crotch. “Though at this range. I doubt I’ll hit anything.”

“It can’t be that small Valkyrie. I mean a big tough thug like him might have a pair of balls next to that tiny dick.” Grace smirked as the man’s face turned white with fear.

“True.” I said and raised the pistol to point at his forehead. “Move.”

“Ladies, there’s no need to get violent if you want to get with me.” Gantar said as he patted the bodyguard on the shoulder. “Take a walk Joey. I doubt the Lady is going to give you a second chance.”

“Naw we’ll give him a second chance. Right before we rip his bean dick off.” I snarled as Big Man and TooTall moved to bracket me and Waltz. “Though I can’t say the same for our friends.”

“Your reputation proceeds you Lady Starfire. Though I do wonder as to why you and your companions have seen fit to visit my establishment?” Gantar asked me as he waved for us to join him at his privet table.

“We’re here on business, Mister Farynore. We have a slight supply problem. One that we hope you can help us eliminate.” Grace said as she slid a 12oz silver bar onto the table with an ease born from being raised inside a High Family. I have to give it her. Grace was as smooth as her call sign.

“I’m a simple disco and bar owner ma lady. What is it that you think I can do?” Gantar asked us as he pocketed the silver.

“Don’t fracking play games with the Lady, Snaggle Tooth. We got enough evidence to throw your ass under the jail. You keep pushing and I’ll have six teams raining down hell on your operation within the hour.” I snarled.

“Valkyrie remember we are here to try a slightly more diplomatic approach. Until Mister Farynor proves to be uncooperative.” Grace told me as Big Man and Too Tall rolled their shoulders while cracking their necks. “Shall we try this again sir or do you wish to try our escort?”

“Sister those two goons of yours are way overestimating their luck and skill. I got twenty armed men spread throughout the club. They’ll be dead before they take one step towards me.” Gantar snort unimpressed by the two men. When he heard Grace and me giggle Gantar cocked his head. “What’s so funny?”

“Just that every last one of your men will be dead before they can even draw their weapons. What do you put the odds at TooTall? One out of fifty, three out of one hundred?” Grace asked the CSM with a sickly-sweet smile as she glanced around the dance club.

“Not even that high Lady Grace. After all, I doubt Big Man is going to let me have all the fun.” TooTall chuckled as my First Sergeant grinned.

“What the hell? Are you people crazy. You’re out gunned and outnumbered.” Gantar snorted looking at TooTall and Big Man.

“Normally Gantar you would be right, but we’re not your normal clients. We’re not even cops. You see you made two mistakes dumbass. First you had your crews hitting military supply and equipment shipments. Gantar I can’t even begin to tell you how stupid that was. Then your people went and sold those shipments to a known revolutionary organization. That makes all of your little hijacking operations acts of terrorism.” Grace told him with a small glint in her eyes.

Over the last few weeks of working directly with Lt.C. Wittman I’ve come to know her little quirks. When Waltz puts on this sweet and innocent act I start looking for the nearest heavy table. Ever since Ripper had taken her under his wing Lt. Colonel Grace ‘Waltz’ Wittman has become more and more like her heroes, the Lady Imra, Queen Dana, and the Dowager Empress. Command Sergeant Major TooTall Thunderstick hasn’t been helping matters.

“No need to go there Waltz.” I whispered only to see the glint and smile grow. I keyed my coms. ‘Big Man, TooTall, be ready for anything. Waltz is about to go nuclear on our bunny’s ass.’

“The second mistake you made Gantar is the one you and your crews really should have avoided. You pissed off the Nightmare Regiment.” Waltz snarled as she cleared the table grabbing the man by the throat. The once elegant club dress now lay on the floor in tatters. I took my clue from her deploying my bio armor and CQC blades. As did TooTall and Big Man.

“I want three things you worthless cock bite. First the name for the snipper that shoot Lady Imra Ventris. Second the names of your contacts in the Millennium Assembly. And lastly your god damned word that all military shipments are off limits.” Waltz snarled as she dropped him into his chair.

The smell and flash of antipersonnel lasers firing along with the cries of men in pain stopped the music. Not to mention all movement in the disco. I looked around and saw that my 1st Sgt, and the CSM had dropped all twenty of Gantar’s bodyguards. I turned back to Snaggle Tooth. As I did I took in the shocked and scared faces of the crowd. I didn’t know what Grace’s play was just then, but I damned well was going to back her.

“Now that we have everyone’s attention. This club is now under Martial Law. Any attempt to leave will result in your immediate arrest. Sergeant Major, Top, round up any asshole displaying gang colors.” I ordered them.

“Who the frack do you think you are to come in here on my treaty?” Gantar spat out as he struggled to his feet. “Do you have any idea of who you’re fracking with bitch?! I run this damned city!”

“That’s where you’re wrong Farynor. You only think you run things.” I spat then grinned as Gracy grabbed him by the balls. “Oh my. It seems you pissed off my boss Farynor. I don’t think she liked you calling her a bitch.”

“It wasn’t him calling me a bitch that pissed me off Silence. I can deal with that. It was his disrespect of the biggest, badest, and meanest gang on all of Highwinds or any other planet in the universe. I do believe that this overstuffed piece of shit in a cheap suite needs a damned lesson in manners.” Grace snarled as she started to squeeze.

“I’ll talk. I swear. I’ll talk. Just quite crushing my balls.” Gantar cried.

“You get this one chance only, Gantar. If we don’t like what we hear. I’ll rip your dick off and shove it up your ass.” I snarled to the surprise of more than just Watz, and our escorts. ‘James is the COBRA screwing with me?’

‘Negative Lady Valkyrie. This is just normal hormone fueled rage for a female of the Silver moon elves. I would say that from their current levels you’re about to enter your cycle.’ My DDAI told me blandly as the enormity of what he just said hit me full force.

‘Oh shit. No wonder I’ve been so on edge lately. Is there anything you can do to dampen my hormones, or do I just have to deal?’ I asked James then thought. ‘James what are the chances of me being the only Silver moon elf female currently entering their cycle?’

‘Calculating. Currently there are a possibility of 28% of all females in your command nearing or just entering their cycle at this time, Lady Valkyrie.’ James told me while I dealt with Gantar. As I thought over what my AI told I snarled in Gantar’s face. “I’m waiting shithead.”

“I only have four gangs working the supply depots. They only hit the shipments that are marked for Camp Resistance and the Queen’s Regiments. If they’re hitting other shipments. It’s not on my orders.” Gantar told me as Waltz slowly squeezed his balls even tight.

“Which gangs and where?” Waltz snarled into his ear.

“The Twisted Knights in Four Winds, Devil’s Blades in Overtown, Dark Matter in Starfall, and the Celtic Drifters in Neveen’s Port.” Gantar wheezed.

“He’s holding something back.” One of his bodyguards said before looking at the others. “He don’t pay us enough to deal with Death Dealers guys.”

“What isn’t he telling us about the gangs?” Big Man snarled.

“He’s got a full crew that only works the spaceport. They let his other crews know when shipments of heavy arms are being moved. Things like Land Warrior armor, Longbows, KV Knight LEOs, heavy and light hover attack craft. You name it if it’s military. That crew lets him know.” The man told us.

“Who else knowns about his inside crew?” I demanded.

“Shut up Enders.” Gantar ordered the man. Only to get punched in the head.

“There’s another four crews responsible for delivery. Those are the Delta Darts, Dawn’s Laughter, Ridge Raiders, and Ungrateful Dead. The crew working the spaceport are all members of the local four-oh-seven. If you want his contacts in the Millennium Assembly. Their on his E-com under the Talon.” Another guard told us. “Like Enders said guys. Snag said nothing about fracking with Death Dealers and ani’t paying us enough to try.”

“You god damned traitors. I’ll see you all dead in the streets. Including these freaks.” Gantar snarled from the floor before he spat on Waltz’s feet. “You freaks were supposed to die in your tanks.”

“What the frack does that mean?” Waltz snapped as she grabbed him by the throat once more lifting him off the floor. “TALK YOU WORTHLESS SHIT!”

“Grand High Field Marshal Belanor Wranlynn promised that you Death Dealers would die. He’s more than the Supreme Commander for the Highwinds Military. He’s the head of the Millenium Assembly. The other top leaders are among the Military High Command. It was one of Wranlynn’s men that shoot the Lady Imra. Someone from his inner circle.” Gantar hiss out as Waltz choked the man.

“NAME!” Waltz screamed in rage.

“Don’t known his name. Only his rank. Some Knight Captain.” Gantar grunted.

“Kesseldorf, Yurgan Kesseldorf, ma’am. I was with the man who delivered the payment.” Another of Gantar’s guards said as he stepped forward. When I received an IFF ping I leveled my PCC at the man’s head. “Easy Captain. I’m with Death Dealer CID. Call sign is Riddle.”

‘Confirmation of Riddle, my Lady. Name is Elyon Eilnorin. Rank Warrant Office first. Currently assigned to Fifth of the Sixteenth, Military Police Battalion, Twenty-second Heavy Division, Seventh Death Dealer Group. My lady I believe we can trust him.’ James told me with a smug tone in his voice.

“Did you know what kind of payment you were delivering, Riddle?” TooTall snarled as he deployed his CQC blades.

“If I had Sergeant Major. I would have killed Kesseldorf and Wranlynn myself. After I killed this fracker. As far as I knew it was his normal tribute to Wranlynn.” Riddle snarled. Before looking over at me and Waltz. “Captain, Colonel, there are two more investigations currently ongoing with this man. Both of which are now compromised. Either let me take him in or kill him. Your Regiment has first Right of Challenge.”

“You can have this frack. Just stay out of our way.” Waltz snarled as she threw Gantar at Riddle’s feet. “AS for the man who shoot our Regimental Lady. That is another story. You can either hand him over to us or tell us where we can find the man. Either way he belongs to the Nightmare Regiment.”

“Kesseldorf is on his way to Green Forst Prime, ma’am. He’s out of our reach. Wranlynn had him transferred before Lady Irma reached the hospital. That man is doing everything he can to distance himself for your CO’s wrath.” Riddle told us only to get a chuckle from myself and Waltz. Riddle looked over at Waltz. “Did I say something funny ma’am?”

“Riddle you’re still new to the ranks of Death Dealers especially if you’re saying someone or something is out of our reach.” TooTall chuckled.

“Something else you need to know Riddle. While Death Dealers are still fairly new to our military. There is a reason the regular military go out of their way to not piss us off. We remember where those original divisions came from. They were all Humans.” Big Man told the young Warrant Officer.

“What does that mean First Sergeant?” Riddle asked in confusion.

“There is a very old saying among the militaries of the Universe sir. ‘If you want to live to see old age. Never piss off the Human Empire’. For those of us in the Nightmare Regiment. We are reminded of this saying every day. Because none of us want to face our CO when he’s pissed.” I told him with a nasty grin before going in for the kill. “The Whitechapel Ripper is already legendary for his rather unique extra, and motivational training methods.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Riddle asked me.

Only to have Grace snark. “Live ordnance has a way of getting a person’s undivided attention. It’s amazing how fast a raw recruit will get with the program when a seven-point-six-two round slams into the ground near them.”

“I prefer the C-four method myself.” TooTall snarked. Riddle could only stand there with his mouth hanging open as these Special Forces soldiers talked about their training. While regular Death Dealers went through hell. What these people were describing went beyond even that.

“Excuse me ma’am. What do you want done with this piece of shit?” Riddle asked Grace as he toed Gantar’s unconscious form.

“Keep him and his people under wraps for the next ninety-six hours. After that you can use them for moving target practice for all I care. How about it Silence. Any ideas?” Waltz asked me.

“Drop his ass off in Ice Ferret territory, ma’am.” Big Man snorted. “I’m sure they’ll find a good use for his ass.”

“Why the Ice Ferrets?” Waltz asked him for me.

“Let’s just say that the Ice Ferrets are known for their less than hospitable attitude towards outsiders. Especially assholes with criminal records like Gantar and his men. The Ferrets may be a street gang, but they’ve got a really funny code of honor. One of the things don’t they put up with is their members throwing down with the military. Cops are one thing, but it better not be a female cop. Another thing you can’t do is kill a cop or a member of the military. That’ll get your ass dead.” Big Man told us.

“Sounds good to me.” Waltz said as she looked Riddle in the eyes. “Do yourself two big favors Riddle. First don’t get in our way again. Second, no matter what happens. Don’t let our CO find out that you were there when Kesseldorf was paid to take that shoot.”

“It’s already in my report ma’am.” Riddle told her. Only to hear Waltz sigh as me, TooTall, and Big Man groan. “Is something wrong ma’am?”

“You better come with us. Because if Ripper has to hunt you down. You’re not going to like what happens.” Waltz told before grabbing Gantar by the scruff of his neck. “You’re also coming with us.”

-----tbc-----

Hi everyone,
sorry for the long hiatus. For the last year I had been extremely busy in real life. First with my daughter’s recovery, then acting as a substitute teacher at her school, then finally with preparing the 4H kids for this coming year. Now, that my life has finally slowed down to it ‘normal’ level of insanity. (For course normal is overrated.) I will be able to return to writing.