“You’ve lost,” Lilith said, addressing both groups. “The Secret is destroyed. No one has it now. Go home or die for nothing.”
There was a long pause, and then slowly, the Tzang warships began to turn about and head back towards their point of origin. The same thing happened with the Hriss vessels, and for once, they didn’t harangue her with their usual empty threats. Their defeat was too profound. Like the Tzang, they had lost their only chance to gain galactic supremacy and they knew it.
She didn’t rub her triumph in. It was enough for her that everyone was leaving and that they were still alive. The fact that the Xee were frantically trying to contact them for an explanation for the missile strike was inconsequential. When the Xee ambassador itself tried to hail the ship, Lilith ordered the connection cut.
“You did the right thing,” Josette assured her. “But to assuage your conscience, the Agency will take full responsibility for this entire event, so you needn’t have any concern in that regard. Our treaty with the Xee allows us to take measures against any third party that threatens our mutual interests. We will clarify this detail for them, in good time.”
Despite her disgust, Lilith indicated her gratitude. “Ensign? See to it that this woman is given a place in private to conduct her business. I will be down in Sickbay, visiting my daughter.”
She left them, and headed straightaway to the ship’s medical facilities. Sarah and Maya had been taken there as soon as the ship had been returned to friendly hands. For the moment, she didn’t care about the incoming Seevaan fleet, or anything else for that matter. Sarah was all that concerned her.
When she reached her destination, she was informed that her daughter was in surgery, and she was forced to wait. At last, when the operation was over, there was a further delay as Sarah was taken to a recovery wing. Her surgeon had been none other than the Ship’s Senior Medical Officer herself and she came out to speak with Lilith personally.
“How is she?” Lilith asked her.
“She’s fine, Vice Admiral,” Dr. elle Kaari said. “We repaired the damage, and she’s recovering. With some aggressive nanorobotic treatments and a program of physical therapy, she should heal from her injuries completely. She’s a very tough young woman.”
“Thank the Goddess, “Lilith replied in relief. “Can I see her?”
“Yes,” Elle Kaari answered, “but only for a few minutes—and don’t expect too much. She’s still very groggy from the anesthesia, and she needs her rest.”
“That’s fine,” Lilith agreed. “I just want to see her. I’ll make it short.”
The Nyxian nodded, fully understanding a mother’s need to be at her child’s side at a time like this. She handed her a pair of nighteyes, and then led her through the light barrier and into the recovery area. Once there, she left the two of them alone together.
Lilith had to suppress a gasp of alarm when she saw her daughter at last. Sarah had a huge smart-cast on her arm and on her leg, with what seemed like miles of tubing, and she was linked up to all sorts of mysterious looking equipment. Lying there in the dark in her bed, and wearing nothing but a black hospital gown, she seemed very frail, and every bit the little girl that Lilith remembered. Despite everything that had happened between them, all she wanted right then was to take her up in her arms, hold her, and somehow make everything well again with nothing more than the pure force of her love.
Instead, she reigned in her feelings, and gently took Sarah’s uninjured hand.
Sarah’s eyes opened at her touch. “Mother?”
“Yes, darling,” Lilith answered. “It’s me.”
“Mother, I’m so sorry,” Sarah said. Her voice was slurred, and her eyes were a bit glassy. “I’m sorry for what I said to you.”
“Don’t be,” Lilith replied, caressing her forehead. “There’s nothing that you need to apologize for.”
“There is,” Sarah insisted. “I shouldn’t have said those things about that man—about your friend. I was wrong.”
Lilith shook her head. “It’s nothing, darling. Don’t worry about it. That’s all in the past now.”
“It’s not,” Sarah said. “It was terrible of me. I--I wasn’t myself. I can’t explain it to you, but I didn’t really mean any of it, and I didn’t want to ruin your wedding. Please---forgive me.”
Lilith smiled down at her, ignoring the tear that was rolling down her cheek. “Sarah, I’m your mother. No matter what you do, I will always forgive you. That’s what mothers do. I don’t need any apologies. Right now, what I need is for you to get yourself well.”
Sarah’s own eyes misted over, and she squeezed Lilith’s hand. “I will, mother. Thank you. Things will be better now. I promise.”
They sat together until one of the Nyxian nurses came in. As much as she hated to, it was time for Lilith to leave, and let her daughter rest.
Out in the passageway, and alone again, Lilith leaned against a bulkhead. An icon, telling her that a psiever message was waiting, flashed in the corner of her vision. It was from the bridge.
She ignored it, fished out a czigavar from her pocket, lit it, and took a long, deep drag. As far as she was concerned, after the day she’d just had, everyone could fekking wait for a few more minutes.
When she was finally ready, she extinguished her czigavar and opened the message. Naturally, it concerned something that was deadly serious, and couldn’t wait.
It was from Katrinn, who had recovered from the effects of the GZ gas. She was at her station again, and up on the bridge. The Seevaan fleet had just entered the system, and they were expected to come within missile range in the next two hours.
It was time to be a Vice Admiral again.
***
Lilith reached the bridge right as a large group of Sisterhood warships exited Nullspace. Although the insectoids were not intimidated by the Sisterhood’s display of force in the least, they were disheartened when they discovered that the Tree was nothing but radioactive ash and melted stone.
Making no threats, or even asking after Queen Talaria, the alien flotilla simply turned about and went back into Null. As for the Xee, after Josette had personally spoken with their ambassador, the incident was overlooked. The area where the Tree had once been was simply modified on their official maps to become a ‘hazardous environmental zone’, and business between the Sisterhood and their nation returned to normal.
Josette had even gone one step further and had smoothed things out between Lilith and Admiral ebed Cya. Instead of receiving any censure whatsoever, Lilith was quietly congratulated for her decisive actions.
The event itself, never became a matter of official record. The women of the Sisterhood would remain unaware that it had even occurred.
But those who had participated in the adventure did know, and a week later, Lilith persuaded Katrinn to lend her the use of the Athena’s main conference room for what was to be their final meal together. Josette had already departed for the Sisterhood to handle her personal business, and Sarah attended in a wheelchair. Maya came to the gathering on crutches.
They dined together on a fine lunch catered by Saara sa’Vika herself. Afterwards, a holojector situated in the middle of the large baaka wood table played the Chairwoman’s address to the nation. It was the first time that Chairwoman Tanya t’Tallya had spoken to her constituents in this capacity and everyone in the room was eager to hear what she had to say.
“My fellow sisters,” T’Tallya began “we have just passed through a great series of tribulations. We have not only weathered a terrible series of attacks on our population centers, but faced an even greater danger from rogue elements within our own government.’
“The details of this must remain classified, but I can disclose to you that with the help of a few brave patriots, we have thwarted plans not only to take over our government and steal away your liberties, but to destabilize galactic peace.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Skylaar commented dryly. Her companions laughed politely.
“Pursuant to this, I must tell you that I have been in contact with the leadership of the Marionite Church and that talks will soon be under way to heal the breach between us, and to address the gross inequalities that have been visited upon them by previous administrations. This is not an admission of failure, but an affirmation of our strength and wisdom.’
“I have also drafted plans to restructure and reform our State Police and Intelligence Agency to make it more accountable to the people that it serves. Lastly, with the exception of advisors, I have recommended the immediate withdrawal of all our peacekeeping forces in the Esteral Terrana Rapabla and opened up talks between the Loyalista and Pro-Ernan forces. It is time for our daughters to come home, and for that war to finally end. Thank you, and may the Goddess bless you all with peace and true sisterhood.”
“Well,” Lilith said with a deep intake of breath. “That was certainly a surprising speech. I imagine that we are about to see quite a bit of controversy springing up from all sides. But that’s for the politicians to worry about. In the meantime, I have something to give to each of you.”
She inclined her head to Jan bar Daala, and the Ensign produced a stack of black presentation boxes from under Sa’Vika’s cart. Lilith rose from her place, and with her adjutant following her, went to Sarah and opened the first one.
Inside was the Distinguished Service Star, the highest award that the OAE and now the RSE, ever awarded its agents.
“From a grateful nation,” Lilith said. She pinned the medal to Sarah’s hospital gown and saluted her. Next, she went over to Maya and did the same thing, and after her, all the others—even Grammy, who accepted her decoration with a mischievous wink.
Everyone knew, without needed to be told, that their adventure would have to remain a secret.
Returning to her seat, Lilith regarded them all thoughtfully. “So,” she said, “now that we have effectively saved the universe for the next few minutes at least, what are everyone’s plans?”
“Well, mother,” Sarah said, “since it appears that I am now the highest ranking officer in the RSE, I have some duties to perform as its Director, including the small matter of overseeing those sweeping reforms that our Chairwoman promised. Part of that will involve restructuring the Agency—and returning autonomy to our local police forces.”
“That should be quite a task,” her mother observed, looking pointedly at her wheelchair and the smartcasts she was wearing.
“Indeed,” Sarah agreed. “However, I will have help once I am healed. I even took the step of enlisting someone that Maya knows quite well. I offered Officer Clara Signysdaater the position of Chief of the Thermadonian Metropolitan Police. She was cooling her heels an A’latar and seemed like she was ready for a new assignment.”
Maya snorted. “How did that go over?”
“To quote her exactly, she said ‘fek zat boolkekk.’. So I made her a Lieutenant instead.”
Maya laughed derisively. “I’ll bet she loved that.”
“No,” Sarah replied. “She did not, but she calmed down when I assured her that she could stay on patrol. Although to be frank, I cannot understand what she sees in spending her hours in a smelly police cruiser with nothing but bad kaafra and stale olekaaken to subsist on.”
“Hey!” Maya exclaimed. ‘Our cruiser wasn’t smelly and I like donuts!”
“Suit yourself,” Sarah replied evenly. “In any event, Lieutenant Signysdaater also agreed to serve on a special commission to determine all future promotions and appointments. So, in addition to her normal duties, she will also play a vital part in the selection of the next Chief. That element was non-negotiable, and just to sweeten up the posting, I also assigned her to Special Incidents Command.”
“Yeah,” Maya agreed. “I guess that will work.” Signysdaater would keep her car, and get the chance to help her Department. She would also receive every perk imaginable; as the most powerful Lieutenant in the Metros, everyone would want to be on her good side.
“I also have some field work to do,” Sarah added. “Once I have recovered, I must track down the Redeemer. He and N’Elemay will have to be brought to ground before they can bring their Tree to bear against us. Will you come with me, Maya, and help?”
Maya shook her head. “No Sarah. I’m done with the spy-business. I’m staying with the JUDI. I’m more cut out to be a smuggler anyway.”
The disappointment was plain on Sarah’s face, but she just nodded in sad acquiescence. “Of course.”
Skylaar placed a comforting hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “I’ll accompany you,” she said. “I cannot pass up the chance to put this Redeemer and the Enemy in their graves. After that, well see about this little Agency of yours. A legitimate job might actually be a good career move for me.”
“I wish you all the luck of the Gods,” Grammy interjected. “Me? I’m for Zommerlaand and my farm.”
“Good,” Lilith snapped. It was plain that she had every intention of ‘helping’ Grammy to achieve her goal. As soon as possible, and by force if necessary.
“I want to go back with you,” Kaly asked in a small voice. “I’m done. I just want some quiet.”
Her eyes were glassy. The Psych doctors had loaded her up with anti-depressants and she would be in trauma therapy for some time to come. More than any of them, she deserved her peace.
“Gaanz gaaf,” Ingrit said gently. “Looks like we are headed for the farm then. Kaly, you can stay with us if you want. We could use a hand with the agro systems.”
The young woman smiled shyly at this, clearly accepting the offer.
“What about you Jon? What now?” Lilith asked. “Will you help Sarah hunt the Redeemer?”
Jon shook his head. His eyes had a haunted cast. “I have my ministry to attend to,” he said. “Back home.”
Disquieted, Lilith regarded him for a moment, trying to puzzle out what was behind this. Had she not known better, he seemed more like a man going to his execution than someone headed for home. Unable to resolve this anomaly, she addressed Celina instead. “That leaves you. Any plans? Anything that the Navy can do for you?”
Celina shook her head. “Thank you, Vice Admiral, but even with the new Chairwoman in office, I don’t think the Sisterhood is the place for me just now.’
“Besides, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that there is a lot more to the galaxy than just Womankind. I think—if Maya is willing to let me sing for my supper---I’ll try to see what’s out there. If the Xee can sell my music to other races, then I’m sure I can find a few others that might be willing to help me. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even become some kind of goodwill ambassador for our species.”
“We’ve got a spare bunk in the galley,” Maya said, “and plenty of foam strips for our ears if the noise gets too bad.”
“That’s good to know,” Jeena interjected. “It so happens that I’m also of a mind to see some more of the galaxy myself—if you can find me a place to sleep too.”
Maya smiled suggestively. “Oh, I think we can free up a warm little corner for you to curl up in. If you don’t mind a bunkmate.”
Jeena colored slightly at this, and smiled. “I don’t mind.”
“Well,” Lilith said with a tinge of regret, “That’s it then. Goddesses’ speed to all of you. It has been an honor.”
There were hugs all around, and then the unlikely group of heroines separated and made their preparations to go their different ways, and move on with their lives.
For Maya, there was one last thing that she needed to attend to before she could step aboard the C-JUDI-GO. She made her
way down to Officer’s Country, and the quarters that had been temporarily assigned to Lady Felecia n’Calysher, now Acting Senatrix n’Calysher.
She found the young woman seated in a corner of the room, still dressed in the white robes of mourning. She was just as breathtakingly beautiful as ever, and seeing Maya enter, Felecia kept her features emotionless. Neither of them said anything to one another.
Finally, Maya broke the silence and delivered the message she had come to give. “I killed her,” she announced flatly. “I was the one who killed Angelique.”
To her satisfaction, Felecia flinched as if she had just been dealt a physical blow, and tears started to form in her eyes. When she looked away to wipe at them, Maya turned, and walked out of the room.
She had once heard it said that the worst kind of suffering was always that which was borne alone, and now she tended to agree. For her betrayal, Felecia deserved nothing less.
***
Celina also had an errand to perform. Although she still had to pack up all of her things, she also wanted to meditate on her decision and took advantage of the Ship’s Temple.
While she certainly intended to visit the races that neighbored the Sisterhood, she had another goal as well. During her own experience with the Tree, she had seen a vision that she hadn’t shared with anyone.
It had shown her a place on the opposite side of the Galaxy; a small star system and a tiny, unremarkable planet. Like many worlds, it had its Drow’voi ruins. These ruins however, were very special.
Deep inside one of the larger structures was a library. It was in fact the repository of all the Drow’voi knowledge, and its contents made even the most advanced Seevaan technology seem crushingly primitive.
She wasn’t interested in this aspect of the place however. Her heart was set on the music that was there, music which went beyond anything that her own race had ever dreamed of. As an artist, this lonely little world was nothing less than the fabled Holy Grail. The journey to it would take years, and possibly even a lifetime. And once she left, it was unlikely that she would ever see the Sisterhood again, or even lay eyes on another human.
Sisterhood of Suns: Daughters of Eve Page 81