Sisterhood of Suns: Pallas Athena

by Martin Schiller

  The individual toys were easy enough to find, but the communal gift was another matter altogether, and it wasn’t long before she felt herself overwhelmed by all the choices that Stelli and Leese offered. Hundreds of thousands of toys were on display in the store, all separated by departments. At first glance, many of them looked promising, but after considering them, Katrinn was forced to press on, undecided. Finally, in the doll department, one of the toys managed to catch her attention. Literally.

  “Excuse me, jantildam,” a toy bear said, “but you seem to be a discerning customer, with a good eye for children’s toys.”

  “I like to think so,” Katrinn replied, a little nonplussed at finding herself having a conversation with a toy.

  “Perhaps I could interest you in purchasing myself and my friend next to me.” A graceful little fairy stood next to the bear, and gave her a polite curtsy.

  “What’s your pitch?” Katrinn asked suspiciously.

  “Hardly a pitch, madam. More of a proposal,” the bear said. “My friend and I have been here in the store for over a month, waiting until the right patron walked by before we introduced ourselves. You are clearly just such a person and you are obviously shopping for children that you adore; children who will give us good homes.”

  “And why should I buy you?” Katrinn inquired.

  “Because my friend and I are perfect for small children. You are shopping for little ones I assume?”

  “I am. Go on.”

  “My friend and I are Biobots, and we specialize in story telling. Come now, good lady, what child isn’t entertained by stories?”

  “Biobots?”

  “Yes, madam, Biobots,” the bear said with a bow. “We are, even if I say so myself, the perfect toys. You see, our batteries are recharged by bioplasmic energy, and especially by strong emotions. In our case in particular, by love.”

  Katrinn put down her bags. If she hadn’t known better, she would have sworn that the bear had a sly gleam in its eye. “Okay, you have my attention,” she said. “You say you and your friend tell stories. How many?”

  “We are each programmed to tell 1,602,385 different stories, with another 12,665,780 variations,” the bear said proudly. The little fairy next to him nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

  “That’s quite a few tales,” Katrinn agreed. “But tell me, little bear, can you and your friend tell Zommerlaandar stories?”

  “Yah,” the bear replied in fluent Zommerlaandartal, “blaak veraal aal denn Zommerlaandarstaarrie geskaad naam. We can tell all the Zommerlaand stories.”

  “Skeyaa denn ‘Gröt Anne’ staarie denn haar aans?’” the fairy asked. She was offering to tell a tale about one of Zommerlaand’s favorite figures, Great Anne the Giant.

  “Nen,” Katrinn said. “No need, I believe you. Now, as a Kalian might say, how many rupas must slip through my fingers to buy you?”

  “Not many, madam,” the bear assured her. “We cost a mere 1,250 Sisterhood credits a piece, and there is a ten percent discount if you buy us both.”

  Katrinn was aghast. “Twenty-two fifty? I could buy a whole store full of non-talking dolls for that!”

  “Yes, madam, you certainly could,” the bear conceded. “But none of them would be as loved by your little ones as us, and none of them would grow in sophistication as their mistresses aged. We are gifts that will last a lifetime.”

  “All right,” Katrinn said. “You have me there. Do you get in my bag, or what?”

  “Only if you desire it, my lady. We can also carry your bags for you if you wish it. We may appear to be small, but we are both very strong.”

  Katrinn held out her bags. “For what I am paying, you’ll definitely carry the bags.” The two toys jumped off the shelf, and to her amazement, hefted them over their tiny shoulders without any apparent effort.

  “Lead on, good lady!” the bear said cheerfully. “We cannot wait to meet the children of such a fine woman.”

  “Save it,” she replied. “We’re getting lunch first.”

  Waanderstaad Spaceport, Zommerlaand, Sunna 3, Solara Elant, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.01|09|04:85:27

  When the military shuttle entered the atmosphere, Lilith marveled at the clear blue skies of Zommerlaand.

  This must have been what Old Gaia looked like, centuries before industrialization, she thought.

  The shuttle changed its flight angle, and she caught sight of the immense rolling green fields that covered most of the planet. The word “beautiful” would have described the vista, but it was more than that. An incredible aura of peace seemed to lie over the landscape, covering it like the rolling white clouds that stretched out and away from her viewport.

  Four minutes later, the shuttle landed. Waanderstaad Spaceport could have been any other landing field, except for all the farmland around it, and its gargantuan scale. Its main terminal was actually rather small since the spaceport received few flights that were purely for passengers, or non-agricultural cargo.

  The concrete runways and grain storage towers were another matter entirely. They were colossal in size, and launch cradles lined the length of the spaceport’s runways out to the horizon and beyond. Merchant vessels occupied most of the cradles, their holds packed to the bulkheads with the planets’ produce.

  Zommerlaand was the granary of the Sisterhood, and for that reason, Waanderstaad was also the second largest spaceport in existence, surpassed in size only by Bel Sharra Memorial on Thermadon. Hundreds of worlds set its food on their tables, and as Lilith considered this fact, it seemed odd to her that Zommerlaand was also home to some of the Sisterhood’s toughest soldiers.

  Such a green and pleasant world hardly seemed the proper birthplace for such fierce fighters. But it was; Zommerlaandertal was the unofficial second language of the Marine Corps, and many of its slang terms had made their way into Standard through the centuries, thanks to the contributions of Sunna 3’s daughters to their nation’s defense.

  While she pondered this dichotomy, the shuttle taxied to the military terminal and a docking tube swung into place. As soon as it had locked on, Katrinn rose from her seat and started gathering her things from the overhead compartment.

  “Come on,” she said, “My sister Ingrit said she’d meet us.” Lilith followed her lead, and they disembarked.

  After having their inoculars scanned, and receiving immunizations, they entered the spaceport proper. To Lilith’s surprise, a pair of local police officers met them at the entrance to the civilian terminal.

  “Godag Daare,” one of them said. “I’m afraid you must leave your weapons here at the terminal. We have lockers that you can use to store them in during your visit.”

  “I’m sorry?” Lilith replied in bewilderment, “What did you say?” Of all the things she had expected to encounter, the very last was any problem with their side-arms.

  “No energy weapons on Zommerlaand, ma’am,” the officer stated. “Now, if you’ll come with us, we’ll show you where the storage lockers are.”

  Katrinn interrupted, speaking to them in Zommerlaandartal “Ehtj Mojlaag dar Kaaperin. Saa es nej voor Zaldaat; Vi aanz gan angezaampte. And if you need to hear it again in Standard, that’s for civilians. Military personnel are exempt. Read your code book.”

  “Maan dar, the law is clear. No energy weapons on Zommerlaand.”

  “The local law may or may not say that,” Katrinn retorted, “but Sisterhood law is equally clear. Military personnel are required to carry their sidearms with them whenever they are downside at a civilian location. It’s been that way since the First Widow’s War, and if you don’t believe me, go ask your supervisor.”

  The policewoman fidgeted, unsure what to do next. Finally, she accessed her psiever. From her expression, the response that she received was clearly not the one she had wanted to hear.

  “My supervisor says that you are correct, ma’am,” the officer informed her unhappily. “Nevertheless, I must ask you to tell me where you are going with the weapons.”
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  “Grunvaald Collective Farm near Vaalkenstaad,” Katrinn replied. “We’ll be staying there for a few days with my family.”

  “Denn gaaf,” the officer said, entering the information into her elzlate data-pad. “You will stay in contact with the Vaalkenstaad Police while you are there. If you leave, you will tell them where you are going. Zat klaar?”

  “Klaar,” Katrinn agreed. Then she turned to Lilith. “Let’s go. My sister said she’s going to meet us out front.” They left the two officers standing where they were and walked out into the civilian terminal.

  “What was that all about?” Lilith asked.

  “A stupid local ordinance,” Katrinn replied with disgust “I should have warned you about it. The kaapers try to enforce it all the time, but they know that they’re in the wrong. Don’t let it spoil your trip.”

  “I won’t,” Lilith replied. But she also couldn’t help but notice that the two kaapers were now following them at a discrete distance. Different planet, different ways, she thought. Just the same, the requirement that they had to report in with the local police made her feel like some kind of registered criminal.

  The heat and the humidity hit her like a hammer when the terminal doors opened. Automatically, she adjusted her field cap against the brilliant sunlight and tried to get herself used to the temperature as they walked outside. The rich air felt thick and wet in her lungs and she wondered how long it would take for her to acclimatize herself.

  Katrinn however, seemed utterly in bliss and took a deep, satisfied breath. “Isn’t that wonderful?” she asked. “You can smell all the growing things. Goddess, I’ve missed that.”

  “It’s … intense,” Lilith agreed politely.

  “Ah, you’ll get used to it,” her companion replied, nudging her playfully. “After a few days, you’ll never want to breathe canned air again.”

  Lilith wasn’t so certain, but she didn’t contradict her.

  A tall blond woman walked up to them at this point. “Well if it ain’t my little Sady in her fancy black button-oop! Heyas, Roont!”

  Lilith looked up at the newcomer. From the resemblance, she knew immediately that the woman had to be Ingrit, Katrinn’s “baby” sister. Like most Zommerlaandars, Ingrit was huge; easily over 1.8 meters tall, and powerfully built. Until that instant, Lilith hadn’t quite realized just how short her Second really was. She felt like a child herself standing next to Ingrit.

  “Sis!” Katrinn cried. She dropped her kit bag and the two women hugged enthusiastically.

  “Mihn Gudinn! It’s good to see you!” Ingrit exclaimed, and then looked speculatively over at Lilith. “And who is this pretty woman?”

  “My Commander,” Katrinn answered. “Lilith ben Jeni.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Commander,” Ingrit said with a big grin. “Vaalkomm aan Zommerlaand!” Ingrit's purple irises, a genetic characteristic of Zommerlaandars, sparkled with interest. She smelled of fresh grass and clean sweat, and as they clasped hands, Lilith realized that she found Ingrit incredibly attractive. It had been a long, long time since she had felt that way towards anyone, and she actually blushed.

  If Ingrit had noticed it, though, she didn’t let on. “So, the flitter is parked nearby” she said, grabbing up both of their kit bags before either of them could protest. “The local kaapers wouldn’t let me park at the curb.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Katrinn remarked sourly.

  “So, you met them, then? Sorry,” Ingrit replied. “Really, most Zommerlaandars are very nice, not like denn Kaaperin at all.” This last remark was directed to Lilith, who simply nodded, having heard none of it. The sun flashing off Ingrit’s braids had completely distracted her. They looked like they were made from beaten gold, and she desperately wanted to touch them.

  This is ridiculous, she thought, angrily. I’ve just come downside, and I’m already eyeing Katrinn’s sister like a bitch in heat. The woman was probably happily pairmated with someone, she decided, with a whole pack of children of her own. Lilith felt ashamed of herself, and hoped that she wouldn’t humiliate Katrinn, or herself, during their stay by saying or doing anything stupid.

  The ‘flitter’ Ingrit had referred to turned out to be a battered red hovertruck that was missing a headlight on one side, and to Lilith’s eye, sported more dents than a battle cruiser coming back from a combat mission. A picture of a barn and some words in Zommerlaandar were painted on the sides. It took Lilith a moment to translate them to herself. “Grunvaald Haarmaaneplaatz,” she read aloud. “Greenfield Collective Farm”

  “Yah, that’s home,” Ingrit said. “You’ll love it. And don’t let old Betsi here fool you. She’s old, just like the farm, but she still takes care of us real good.”

  As Ingrit stowed their bags in the cargo bed, Lilith regarded the vehicle doubtfully. In her opinion, it didn’t look very airworthy. Katrinn however, seemed completely unconcerned, and climbed in without a second glance.

  “Come on,” Ingrit urged, waving Lilith aboard “we’ve a fine supper waiting for us. Got to welcome my little Roont back home after all her adventures.” Putting her faith in the Lady, Lilith took her seat and also made sure to securely buckle her seat harness.

  Old Betsi might have looked tired, but her engine still had plenty of power and Ingrit made sure not to waste an erg of it. She drove the hovertruck like a mad woman, speeding them out of Waanderstaad and into the open country with a carefree disregard for the speed limits posted along the main highway. Fortunately, the traffic was thin, and everyone else seemed to be just as insane as she was. They had just roared past a sign that Lilith was reasonably sure had read “Stop!” in Zommerlaandartal when Ingrit announced that they were nearing the Grunvaald farm.

  Lilith didn’t see anything that looked like farm buildings or houses, just endless open fields filled with corn and wheat, and the occasional agribot tending them. Then, just as she spotted a dirt road off to one side, Ingrit careened into it, sending a plume of dust and gravel into the air as Betsi’s fans encountered the new surface.

  As they flew down the narrow track, a pair of young women on horseback waved to them. From the way Katrinn returned their greeting, it was obvious that they were relatives of hers. Nieces or sisters probably, Lilith thought.

  Up ahead, the road ascended a grassy hill. Betsi crested the ridge, and then Lilith got her first view of Grunvaald Farm. It was even lovelier than Katrinn had described it.

  The farm sat in Sunna 3’s golden light, in a valley at the edge of a large tract of verdant woodland. The barn was an ancient structure; all aged wood and weathered paint. Nearby this sat the main house: a classic old-earth design, straight out of a history realie about the 19th century. In one window on the second floor, real lace curtains billowed out lazily in the breeze, framing an orange tabby-kaatze that regarded them with mild interest as they pulled up to the front. In another, a face peered out, and then disappeared.

  The front door opened as soon as they started to climb out and a herd of children burst out of it, crying joyfully as they rushed up to the hovertruck.

  “Aunt Katy! Aunt Katy’s back!” they squealed. In moments, Lilith and Katrinn were completely surrounded by earnest, happy little faces.

  “Lilith,” Katrinn said. “I’d like you to meet my nieces. This is Marta, Lisl, Gretta, Alyis, Clara, Helga, Berti, Janis, and this wiggly one,” she said picking the littlest girl up, “is Fryya.”

  Fryya looked at Lilith with big, uncertain eyes. Lilith was clearly an unknown commodity. “Are you a sailor like Aunt Katy?” the girl asked shyly.

  “Yes, I am,” Lilith replied. “We both work on the same starship together.”

  “Do you remember its name, Fryya?” Katrinn asked.

  Fryya thought about this for second before she started sucking her thumb. “No,” she finally admitted.

  “The Pallas Athena!” one of the other little ones piped up.

  “That’s right, Berti. That’s the ship I work on,” Katrinn said.


  “Did you bring us anything?” another asked. Lilith thought it was Clara, but she didn’t have everyone’s names memorized yet.

  “Clara!” Ingrit scolded, “Aunt Katy just got here. It would serve you a’right if she didn’t bring you anything, you greedy thing!”

  “I’m sorry,” Clara apologized.

  “No worries, Clari,” Katrinn said, tousling her hair. “I brought something for everyone and something for all of you.” Then as she looked up at the porch, her expression changed and Lilith followed her gaze.

  Two women stood there, and Lilith suspected from their age, and the resemblance, that they were Katrinn’s mothers. The pair walked up and Katrinn embraced each of them in turn.

  “Lilith,” she said as she stepped back. “These are my mothers, Berta and Helga.” Both women had the same clean, strong appearance that Ingrit had inherited, and they greeted her warmly.

  “Vaalkomm,” Berta said. “It is good to meet our Katy’s friend. We have heard a great deal about you over the years. Please, be welcome in our home.”

  “Thank you,” Lilith replied. “I have heard much about you and your family as well, and it is good to finally be able to meet all of you in person.”

  Then she saw that a third woman was coming outside to join them, and everyone around her stopped what they were doing. She was very old, well over two hundred standard years and wore a long, plain dress and an apron covered with Zommerlaandar characters. In its center was a pair of letters that were combined together into an eye-catching design. And at the old woman’s neck was a simple necklace made of wood with another Zommerlaandar letter carved into its face.

  From what Katrinn had told her, Lilith knew that some Zommerlaandars regarded their alphabet as sacred, even attributing it with magical power, and it was clear to her that the apron and the necklace both had some great symbolic importance. The woman smiled enigmatically as she joined them.

  “Lilith,” Katrinn said reverently. “This is my grandmother.”