Sisterhood of Suns: Daughters of Eve

by Martin Schiller

  “We must get to the others,” Sarah exclaimed as she leapt back from the flailing corpse, “and form an orderly retreat.”

  Maya couldn’t argue with the woman’s logic. There were simply too many enemies around them to fight, and too little room to manage it. Following Sarah’s gaze, she spotted Skylaar, making a stand against four agents. She was holding her own and Jeena was making his way to her, still grinning and leaving a trail of corpses in his wake.

  Maya began to go towards them and even managed to take two steps before she felt a hard impact on the top of her head. From behind, she heard Amandra sa’Tela barking a command,” Don’t kill her, you idiot! We can still make her work for us.”

  Stars were dancing in her eyes as she tried to respond to whoever was behind her, but a second blow to her sword arm with a well-placed kick knocked her weapon out of her grasp. An arm came around her throat next, cutting off her air—and the blood supply to her brain.

  The room went grey and she was dimly aware of her body going limp, and then someone dragging her backwards. Just as abruptly, and right before everything went completely dark, she felt her self being released and realized that her erstwhile kidnappers had inexplicably abandoned her. Fighting off an intense wave of pain and nausea, she clawed her way across the bloody floor, searching desperately for her weapon.

  In the process, she discovered what had happened to her captors. A party of Hriss warriors had killed them all, including Sa’Tela. They were also coming for her, clearly intent on taking her for themselves.

  But Maya had found her sword at last, and with a fierce cry of defiance, she sliced at them, amputating the legs of two warriors before the third and fourth found themselves engaged by an equal number of Seevaans. She quickly exploited the confusion, and scrambled out of the way. The Seevaans won the fight quickly, and spun around to come after her, but more Hriss rushed in and attacked them.

  Momentarily free of enemies, Maya struggled to her feet and tried to find her companions and the exit tunnel. Jeena and Skylaar were already there, and Josette was edging her way towards them, but Sarah was locked in a fight with Angelique herself.

  It was immediately apparent that the two were equals when it came to sword fighting. Each woman executed flawless cuts and parries, and for a few seconds, it seemed to Maya that neither would manage to land a strike.

  Angelique however, gained the advantage with a single, short step that took her past Sarah’s blade and opened up her defenses. It was a masterful maneuver that at any other time would have earned Maya’s admiration—a mere centimeter’s shift forwards—but just enough to completely change the tide of the struggle. As Maya realized what was about to happen and screamed out a warning, Angelique pressed her advantage. Her ka’na bit deeply into Sarah’s deltoid, rendering the sword arm useless. A follow through to the back of her leg an instant later, severed the tendons.

  Sarah cried out and dropped to her knees, her limp fingers losing their grasp on her sword. Even as it clattered to the ground, she still tried to offer up some resistance, drawing her dagger with her good hand, and counterattacking. But Angelique avoided it, and began to bring her blade up to administer the coup-de-gras. Her victory was inevitable.

  Sarah was about to die.

  Maya didn’t even attempt to cross the distance between them. Even without her injury, she knew that she would never make it in time. Instead, she reacted instinctively, and did something that went in the face of everything Skylaar or Mistress Jezzika had ever taught her.

  She threw her sword at Angelique. A good swordswoman never let go of her weapon, except in the direst of emergencies, but it was the only move that seemed to offer any chance of saving Sarah.

  The sword spun through the air, and for a moment, it seemed as if it was going to fall far short of its target. Hit her damnit! Maya thought, trying to will it to overcome inertia and the laws of gravity.

  Miraculously, an invisible force seemed to lend the weapon more velocity and its trajectory rose a tiny fraction. Just enough to make it.

  The ka’na buried itself squarely in Angelique’s waist. The Conversâzi leader arched backwards with an astonished ‘Oh!’ dropping her weapon and clutching at the blade with both hands.

  Turning in place, she met Sarah’s gaze, and her lips worked to say something. But nothing came out of her mouth except a strangled cough and a gout of bright red blood.

  For a long moment, Sarah regarded her sadly, and then she pulled the weapon free with her good hand and shoved her away. Angelique let out a small cry and toppled backwards. When she hit the floor, she sighed, and went limp.

  Right away, Maya hobbled over to Sarah to help her stand and together, they moved towards their companions as fast as their injuries allowed. Jeena met them halfway to the tunnel, killing a pair of Hriss in the process, and then Skylaar joined them a second later, cutting down three Seevaans who attempted to interfere.

  Then they were inside the passage and moving away from the battle. None of them was without some kind of injury, and to the last, they were covered from head to toe in blood and gore. They were alive though, and they had escaped.

  CSS C-JUDI-GO, Ashkele, Hallasa System, Frontier Zone, Xee Protectorate, 1049.03|09|08:37:95

  Captain bel Lissa hailed the warship as they entered the Pallas Athena’s defensive zone. No one aboard the JUDI had any idea what kind of response they would receive, but approaching her without clearance was a sure invitation to be fired upon—especially with the situation as tense and confused as it was. Lilith stood at her shoulder as she made the call.

  One detail that disquieted Lilith deeply, was the absence of the usual fighter screen. Under any other circumstances, a supercruiser like the Athena would have protective patrols on duty. It only underscored how bad the situation really was.

  “Naval ship Pallas Athena,” Bel Lissa said, “this is the merchanter C-JUDI-GO with Vice Admiral ben Jeni aboard. We are requesting immediate clearance to land in your Hangar Bay.”

  There was no response from the other vessel, but then a voice finally answered them. “C-JUDI-GO, this is the naval ship Pallas Athena. You are not granted permission. Turn about and seek an alternate landing site.”

  Bel Lissa looked up at Lilith. “It doesn’t look like we’re very welcome, Vice Admiral.”

  “I’ll be damned if I’ll accept that,” Lilith hissed. “Let me try. Pallas Athena approach control, this is Vice-Admiral Lilith ben Jeni. Clear a flight path for us immediately.”

  There was another gap, even longer than the first. But at last, the sailor answered her. “I’m sorry ma’am. I can’t grant you that permission. Turn about. I repeat, turn about.”

  “Who is this?” Lilith demanded. “Your name and rank sailor!”

  “Flight Chief Arianne n’Hela, ma’am.”

  Lilith knew her, and shook her head. The Flight Chief was a loyal and dependable officer. She had to be under some form of duress, she concluded. “Who authorized this? Answer me Chief!”

  “Colonel Silvi bel Thana, ma’am.”

  “Chief, I am countermanding that order. Clear a flight path for us and prepare to take us aboard. Now!”

  A third pause elapsed, this time nearly a full standard minute. All the while, the JUDI was closing the distance and had come within range of the Athena’s point guns.

  An alarm went off at this and Bel Lissa silenced it. “Vice Admiral? They have us targeted. KE guns from the look of them. Do you still want to keep pushing this?” Just one of these gun batteries was more than capable of shredding the little ship to pieces all by itself.

  Lilith remained adamant. “They won’t fire on us, Captain,” she said. “Not my sailors and not my ship. If this Colonel knows what’s good for her, she’ll order them to stand down. She can still talk her way out of this and I don’t think she wants to add charges of murder to everything else—not yet at least.”

  “If you say so, ma’am,” Bel Lissa replied as she silenced another pair of alarms. This t
ime their cause was a set of plasma batteries and a rack of anti-ship missiles.

  “Pallas Athena?” Lilith demanded. “Do we have our flight path or not?”

  When the traffic controller answered, her voice sounded strained. “C-JUDI-GO, you are advised to turn about. If you come aboard, you will be subject to immediate arrest.”

  “Well, that’s an improvement, “Zara remarked dryly. “It sure as shess beats being blown to atoms.”

  “It does at that, sailor,” Lilith agreed. “Pallas Athena, we are coming aboard. And when we get there, I want to see someone in charge straightaway.”

  This time, another voice spoke. It was someone that Lilith didn’t know. “Vice-Admiral, this is Major n’Jala, RSE. If you come aboard, you will be placed under arrest.”

  “Yes,” Lilith retorted. “I got that part, Major. Go ahead. Warm up my cell—and while you’re at it, warm one up for yourself.” She gave Bel Lissa a curt nod and the woman ended the transmission.

  “You know, it’s been quite a while since I sat in the Brig,” Bel Lissa sighed. “I wonder if the food is still as bad as I remember.”

  “Worse,” Lilith assured her. “But I’m sure that a Vice Admiral rates some extra portions. I’ll save you my dessert.”

  “Oh just listen to you two,” Grammy interjected. “It won’t come to that. Once we get aboard, I’ll talk to whoever that officer was and we’ll get this whole thing sorted out. Everything will be just fine. You’ll see. A little sugar always sweetens everyone’s mood.”

  Lilith flashed her an irritated look. “Let me handle this, Grammy,” she said. “I know how to deal with officers—even RSE officers.”

  “As you say, Lily,” Grammy agreed. Her eyes had a puckish twinkle to them that Lilith didn’t care for, but she didn’t pursue the matter either. There was more at the moment to worry about than an old woman’s eccentricities; the JUDI was coming into line with the Athena’s Hangar Bay and readying for its final approach. There was also another alarm going off. This time it was coming from the JUDI’s long range sensors.

  “Vice Admiral?” Bel Lissa said. “We have another ship coming in behind us. It’s from downside—it looks like an assault shuttle, Marine type. From its transponder, it has to be one of the units that the RSE used to get themselves down to those ruins.”

  “Damn it all, “Lilith cursed. “That’s just what we didn’t need! Angelique must have gotten herself away from the fight! If she gets aboard then we’ll have even more hostiles to worry about! And goddess—what about Sarah? If the General’s here—then—she—she has to be--”

  Her self-control shattered, and suddenly she felt Ingrit’s arms around her and Grammy squeezing her hand in reassurance. “It might not be the General, Lily,” the old woman suggested gently. “Have faith. The Segen told me that Sarah will survive this.”

  Lilith was about to tell Grammy what she really thought about all of her omens and superstitious nonsense when Bel Lissa reported a new development.

  “They’re hailing us,” she said. “That’s weird—they’re calling on an encrypted channel, just to us. Only a few women know that frequency. Want to talk to them, Admiral?”

  The very last thing that Lilith wanted right then was to talk. Time was running short, and her daughter was still in danger. Even so, she reluctantly inclined her head in assent.

  “C-JUDI-GO, we’re coming,” a woman said. “When you get aboard the ship, just go along with whatever they say.”

  With those few words, Lilith’s heart was lifted up from the depths of desperation. “Who is this?” she demanded, her eyes brightening with hope.

  “This is Skylaar taur Minna. Sarah is alive, Admiral. Hurt, but alive. So is Maya. We got out just after you did, and we knew you would be coming up here. We---appropriated---this ship to come after you.”

  “Sarah’s hurt?!” Lilith asked worriedly. “How badly?”

  “She’ll pull through,” Skylaar said. “She also wanted me to make certain that you didn’t do anything foolish. Just play along with the RSE. Don’t give them any problems. We’ll help you get your ship back once we get aboard. You have my word on that.”

  ***

  A squad of RSE troopers was waiting for them in the Hangar Bay. They were led by an officer, and as Lilith and the others came down the cargo ramp, the troopers trained their weapons on them as if they were expecting a firefight. Celina gasped in terror at the sight, and Jon steadied her.

  Clio, who had come back online as soon as they had left the Tree, responded with a warning, “Don’t you dare hurt my mistress, or I’ll hurt you!” Her threat was an empty one however; the AI’s defensive package was still locked down.

  “It’s all right,” Jon assured them both. “They won’t harm us.”

  And Kaly had recognized the troopers. They were her old comrades from Team 201. “Astrid?”

  Margasdaater’s eyes went wide with surprise and she lowered her submachinegun. “Kaly? Izzat you? Vhat are you doing here?”

  “It’s me all right, “Kaly said. She began to explain the situation to the big Zommerlaandar, when the officer cut in.

  “You are all under arrest!” she yelled. “Troopers, take these women into custody, and if that neoman gives you any problems, shoot him.”

  Completely relaxed, Grammy gave the woman a big, friendly smile that was every bit the ‘apples and cinnamon pie’ that an old grandmother was supposed to be.

  “Officer? I don’t think this is really necessary. There’s been a simple misunderstanding. I’m sure that--”

  “Shut up!” the officer snapped. “Troopers, you have your orders.”

  “I’m zorry, Kaly,” Margasdaater said.

  As she and the other troopers starting moving towards them, Celina gave out a tiny cry and fainted. Jon caught her in his arms just in time. “She’s having some kind of attack,” he declared. “Jesu! Someone help her!”

  For a second, everyone was distracted, and Grammy seized the opportunity. She closed her eyes, and disappeared.

  Suddenly, and for no logical reason that Lilith could determine, the RSE troopers, and their officer, were all falling to the deck, completely unconscious. And when Grammy reappeared, she was standing in their midst with a handful of plastic restraints in one hand, and her walking stick in the other.

  “Well?” she said holding the devices out to them, “don’t just stand there gawping! Tie them up and let’s get going! Jon? Is Celina okay?”

  “Yes,” he said, “I think she’ll be all right.” The performer was already starting to come around again.

  “I’m so sorry,” Celina apologized. “I hate being so weak…”

  “No worries, dear,” Grammy said softly. “This isn’t the kind of thing you normally deal with, is it? I’d be just as frightened if I had to step up on a stage and sing. You’re much braver than you know. Jon, stay with her please. Until she’s fully recovered.”

  Lilith cut in. “Grammy? What in the Goddess’ great name did you just do?”

  “It’s better if you just don’t ask,” Kaly advised. “I know. I’ve tried. She won’t give anyone a straight answer.”

  “Oh, don’t listen to her,” Grammy said, waving off the warning. “They just slipped. It’s easy to do that on these metal decks. They’re very dangerous. Someone should post a sign or something!”

  Kaly gave Lilith an ‘I told you so’ look, and then began collecting the trooper’s weapons while Jan used the restraints to bind them. Not at all satisfied, Lilith started to say something, but then thought better of it, and went over to help with their prisoners instead.

  But she would have her explanation, she promised herself, when the time was right. Her list of people to follow up with at the end of this adventure, was expanding exponentially.

  In the meantime, the incident hadn’t occurred in a vacuum and a crowd had begun to gather around them. The Hangar Bay was always populated with techs, flight-line personnel and crews servicing the spacecraft, and a mixed contin
gent walked up to them. They were led by the Flight Chief for an aerospace fighter crew.

  “We’re with you, Admiral,” she said. “What’s the plan?”

  Lilith straightened. “My daughter and her friends are coming to help us. So are some other ships from Rixa. Right now, let’s get these women to a secure location.”

  Grinning eagerly, the crewwomen helped them to drag the team off the flight line and into one of the larger muster rooms that was normally reserved for briefing maintenance teams. They quickly added more zip-straps to the restraints, and tied each of the troopers to something solid enough to guarantee that escape would be difficult, if not impossible. In the middle of pasting repair tape over their mouths, several Ship’s Securitywomen, headed by Captain Veera t’Gwen came in. They were accompanied by the Athena’s Chief Engineer, Marga bel Lyra.

  “We came up as soon as we heard you were coming aboard, Admiral,” Bel Lyra explained. ”One of my girls looped the ‘vid feed for this area, but it won’t work forever. You can thank Saara sa’Vika, by the way. When she realized what was going on, she passed the word along.”

  “What’s our situation?” Lilith asked her.

  “Right now, all the senior officers except me and the Security Chief are being held up on the bridge, but they’ve left most of the crew alone,” Bel Lyra stated.

  “Where are the Marines?”

  T’Gwen answered this question. “The Marines are all on lockdown, ma’am. They’ve all been confined to quarters, but my girls are still being allowed to patrol---but only in the non-sensitive areas, and only with stun pistols and batons.”

  “There’s also something else you should know about, Admiral,” Bel Lyra added. ”When that what’s-its-thingy went off downside, the ship took some damage. Nothing serious, but the old girl did come away with a few bruises.”