The floor was hard, cold, littered with offal, the smell of which brought Kat around. Sitting up she gingerly felt her head. Ow! Sorry sons of a sow's bastard! Well, at least there's no blood!

Looking around she saw only her guards and beyond, a few of the Commandos grouped together under guard. Catching the eye of one of them, she couldn't quite make out which one...her eyes weren't focussing right, she casually signaled, using the ancient finger codes of the Bitch Goddess, Kali, to whom she fervently prayed.

How many are you? How many guards? What happened to USWW and what is that infernal smell? Susan cooking, again?

Squinting, she watched her commadre's hands working close to her body, so the dastardly Dawgs of the Taliban wouldn't catch on:There are six of us, ten of them. Susan is making the rest retch. With luck, if you're willing, we can take them. On your signal, Ma'am

A sudden stab of pain made Kat grabbed her head. Oh, Kali of All that is virtuous and mighty, give me back my head with NO pain, puhleeeeze! I'll do anything you want!. She signed back to her troops, No, hold off. I think my message got through. BUT, if you get a chance, though, go without me. That is an order!

Just before a wave of faintness threatened to lay her out cold, she lowered herself back to the floor, clasped her hands together and began meditating. Letting it take her away on a wave of release, she traveled with the Goddess, flying over the camps, espying the enemy and, strangely enough, some crazed lunatic floating with a parachute. Just as she fell into a state of deep healing and renewal, she thought, That had better NOT be a one and only recruit! Catspaw would never be crazy enough for a stunt like that!