And Elle’Kaari never argued with a bit of it. She just let him talk, and only interrupted to ask questions when a point confused her. Before Jon knew it, the exam was over.
“Well,” she said as she stood back. “That will do for today. I’ll have plenty to think about over dinner tonight.”
“I’m glad I could help,” Jon said, dressing. “If there is anything else I can do--”
“Oh, I was hoping that you would be interested in further studies,” she said. “There is much that is the same about neomen and women, but there is also much that is so very different. I’ll make sure to let Col. Lislsdaater know that you’ll be needed here a little while longer. Will that be all right?”
“Why, yes. It would be!”
“Good,” Elle’Kaari smiled. “I’ll tell her that I’ll need you back first thing tomorrow. Oh, and Jon, if you have time, could you send me a copy of some of the passages in your holy book? I’d love to study them.”
“Of course!” Jon smiled back. This was better than he’d ever dreamed possible. He knew that the doctor was undoubtedly interested in his religion from a purely clinical standpoint, but he told himself that scientific study could always turn into genuine faith, given time, and Jesu’s blessings.
He left the MedBay feeling elated and grateful. Mari in Her infinite mercy had provided him with a small bit of warmth in an otherwise cold and hostile place.
Grunvaald Haarmaaneplaatz, Vaalkenstaad Township, Zommerlaand, Sunna 3, Solara Elant, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.01|28|05:20:56
The final day of shore leave arrived all too swiftly for Lilith. “There’s one more thing I want to do before we go,” Katrinn said to her. “I have to visit the High Place. It’s sort of a ritual we do here before we leave Zommerlaand. You can come with me if you like.”
“I’d love to,” Lilith replied. She finished stowing her gear into her kit bag and followed Katrinn out of the farmhouse. Her Second led them up the trail to the special grove Ingrit had shown her, and from there, to something she hadn’t noticed on that first visit. There, a chair had been carved from a tree stump that was still rooted to the ground. Grammy was seated in it, watching them as they came up. Ingrit, Marina and Hanna were with her, and they all wore solemn expressions. Above them all, monitoring the proceedings from a nearby branch, was Old Meg herself.
“Greetings, Grötdaar,” Katrinn said. “It’s time for us to leave.”
“Yah, daater,” Grammy nodded. “I know, and as always, I’m sad to see you go. Sit down you two, and we’ll see what words of wisdom the Wise Ones have for your journey.” She closed her eyes and sat very still.
As if on cue, Old Meg flew out of her tree and landed on Grammy’s shoulder. The bird eyed them both for a moment before she began making soft clicking noises in Grammy’s ear. Then she flew back up to her perch.
Grammy’s eyes opened, but when she spoke, her voice was younger somehow, and not quite her own.
“Your journey will be a long one,” she began, “and fraught with hardship. Sisters fight, old quarrels fester and the people of the past return. But above all, beware of the treasure in the deep. It is both the seed of darkness and the germ of hope. Only wisdom will determine which will grow from it, but it is not your hand that will plant it.” Overhead, Old Meg cried out, seeming to confirm what Grammy had just told them.
There was a long pause before Grammy’s eyes fluttered open, and when she looked at Katrinn, they were wet with tears. “The Wise Ones have spoken,” she said, her voice sounding old again, and worn. “Daater, I know that the road you have chosen for yourself is the one of the warrioress, like so many of our kin before you, and I cannot fault you for choosing it. I never have.’
“But this old woman worries now and again for you up among the stars. You have a good friend in Lilith here. You are like sisters. Promise me that you’ll watch out for each other like sisters do, and I’ll worry a little less when I look up at the sky at night.”
“Yes, Grammy,” Katrinn replied gravely. “We will.”
Grammy rose from her place. “I have a gift for both of you. Something I made for you to wear on your travels. I know that Lilith here does not believe like someone born of our soil, but I hope that she will accept it and wear it none the less.”
She reached into a small pouch and produced a pair of wooden medallions strung on thin leather cords. She handed Katrinn one, and Lilith the other. While Katrinn donned hers, Lilith paused for a moment to examine the gift. It was carved with Zommerlaandar symbols like the ones Grammy herself wore. They had been combined together into an intricate pattern, and colored in with red paint.
“Thank you, Grötdaar,” she said, putting it around her neck.
Katrinn hugged her. “Yes, thank you, Grammy. We’ll be back before you know it.”
“Of course, Daater,” Grammy replied. “And Lilith? You come back with her. You know you are always welcome here among us.”
“I shall,” Lilith promised. “Thank you for welcoming me.”
“Safe journey, both of you,” Grammy said.
Ingrit came forwards. “Come on, Roont. I’ll take you to the port.”
Katrinn nodded sadly and started down the trail. There were tears running down her cheeks. Lilith followed in silence, and Ingrit took her hand. After a few steps, they paused and looked into each other’s eyes.
“I’ll write,” Lilith finally said.
“And I’ll look forwards to reading your letters,” Ingrit answered, kissing her long and tenderly. When they separated at last, and started back down the path together, it was Lilith’s turn for tears.
***
Lilith looked out the window of their shuttle with a wistful expression. It had left the upper atmosphere and reached space. “I don’t know how you ever left Zommerlaand in the first place, Kat.”
“Well,” Katrinn said looking down at the planet, “That’s a little hard to explain to a city girl. No offense, Lily.”
She paused for a moment. “I guess the best way to put it is that as wonderful as it was growing up there, the horizon was just never big enough to suit me. I always wondered what the rest of the universe was like, and when I got old enough, I went out and took a look for myself.”
“Maybe I can understand that,” Lilith replied with a smile. “But still--”
“Yeah, I know,” Katrinn agreed, “it is wonderful. I guess that’s why I keep coming back. As much as I like my adventures oop dah an denn Staarn, I still have to come back every once in a while to recharge my soul.”
“I think I understand.” Lilith offered her hand across the narrow aisle, and Katrinn took it. “Thank you for sharing it with me. It’s a special place.”
“My pleasure,” her Second said. “I knew that you’d find something there for yourself.”
Lilith sighed and flipped down the data terminal embedded in the rear of the seat in front of her. “Well, Kat, what say we catch up on what the rest of the universe has been doing while we were away?”
“Ugh!” Katrinn grimaced. “If we must.”
“Newsfeed,” Lilith said to the machine. “Major stories only, multiworld.”
A life-size holo of a newscaster appeared in the aisle. Lilith had seen the woman’s broadcasts before, and she always reminded her of an officer that she’d served with on the USSNS Hecate.
“Welcome to another edition of SNN Top Story,” the image began,“Our first story tonight is from the Delgen system in the Almastris Elant where an outbreak of the deadly Wigoni AV-13 Virus has already claimed 200 lives, in what medical researchers say is the worst outbreak of this disease in years.’
“Public officials urge calm, and Dr. Marra n’Vera of the Delgen Center for Public Health told SNN reporters that the virus appears to be completely contained. However, as a precaution, all travel to and from the planet has been sharply curtailed, and maritime authorities are checking outgoing crews and passengers for any signs of the illness before allowing them to transit out of the system
. Do you wish more details?”
“No, thank you,” Lilith said. “Next story, please.”
The virtual newscaster moved on with a smile. “The Supreme Circle heard testimony today from the Coalition of the Far Arm Colonies, a special interest group serving the newly emerging colonies in the Thamari Elant and the Sagana Territory, urging them to increase military spending to help protect these outlying areas. They cited the recent attack by Hriss renegades on a member colony on Persephone in the Demeter system as just one of the many aggressive actions taken by the Hriss nation against the Sisterhood in recent years.’
“In a related story, Clara bel Fava, the Chairwoman of the Coalition, sharply criticized the Star Service for what she called a ‘slow and inadequate response’ to the recent crisis, and laid the blame for the deaths of some 6,000 colonists on Persephone squarely on the shoulders of the Navy. Do you wish more details?”
“Yes!” Lilith responded irritably. She was already regretting her decision to listen to the news, but she had to catch up on current events before reporting back for duty. The story went on.
“Fleet Admiral Myrelli ebed Cya, commander of the Topaz Fleet commented on this allegation in an interview with SNN reporter Hilari n’Mara.”
“The actions of my fleet,” the Admiral’s image said, “were above reproach. Although we deeply regret the lives lost, there was no way that our forces could have responded any sooner, nor more decisively.’
“I would also like to point out that the Chairwoman failed to mention that we responded as soon as we received notification of the event. She also neglects to mention that although there were losses, there were also survivors, thanks to our efforts. Or that the Red Star is doing all that it can to aid them in the process of rebuilding and recovery.”
“You tell’em, Admiral!” Katrinn shouted. She was absolutely scandalized. “Can you believe that, Lily? Blaming us for Persephone? What nerve! And then when they need us, they sure howl long and loud! Vaarsa aasnaslaake!”
“Politicians,” Lilith growled with disgust. “Next story, please.”
“A milestone for the rights of neomen, and their integration as full citizens of the Sisterhood, took place this week when one of the first neomen to join the Marines reported for active combat duty with his unit aboard a Star Service warship.’
“Although the Navy refused to grant SNN an interview with the serviceman, or confirm exactly where he is posted, the Naval Office for Public Affairs on Rixa did state that he is adjusting well to life aboard his new ship.’
“However, reliable sources inside the Navy were able to confirm for SNN that the vessel he is serving aboard is the Isis-Class starship, Pallas Athena, and that his duties are no different than any other Marine serving in the field. Our viewers should also be aware that the Pallas Athena was part of the battle group that responded to the recent Hriss attack on Persephone. Do you wish more details?”
“No,” Lilith said. “No further details.”
“Of course, Commander ben Jeni,” the holo replied. “Before we move on to our next story, do you, as the Commander of the Athena, have any comments that you would like to make to SNN about the Persephone raid, or the neoman?”
I should have expected as much, Lilith thought. Newsfeeds were not only interactive, they could be personalized and keyed to the viewer. Just as Ebed Cya had warned, the journalists were trying to corner her.
“No, no comment,” she answered tersely. “End newsfeed. Now!” The holographic newscaster frowned, but disappeared.
“So the predators begin to circle the prey,” she observed. “We’ll have to make certain that our officers and the crew are strongly reminded to keep this all confidential. The last thing we need on top of the neoman himself is anything leaking out to SNN that could hurt the Navy.”
***
Mearinn was waiting for them they came aboard the Athena. “Welcome back, Commander,” her Third said as she took one of her bags. “How was your leave?”
“It was great,” Lilith replied. “Our debriefing, and the stories in the newsfeeds left something to be desired though.”
“Yes, I can imagine,” Mearinn said. “To save you the trouble of asking, he came aboard ten days ago.”
Lilith set down her luggage as they boarded the lift, and started their ascent to Officer’s Country. “Did he now? And how is he adjusting to his new home?”
“Col. Lislsdaater returned from leave early and she has been handling the matter personally,” Mearinn informed her. “So far, aside from some rather vocal complaints by his platoon and his Troop Leader, we haven’t had any incidents. I understand that he’s been spending all of his free time with Dr. elle’Kaari up in MedBay.”
“MedBay? Why? Is he sick or something?” Lilith certainly hoped so; if the neoman was unfit for duty, she had all the cause that she needed to see him off her ship.
Mearinn shook her head. “No, ma’am. The doctor told me that if anything, he is at the very peak of physical fitness. She’s been using this event as an opportunity to broaden her scientific knowledge of his kind.”
The lift arrived at their destination and they stepped off. “Well, so much for that faint hope,” Lilith frowned. “Anything else that I should know about before I relieve you?”
“The ship has been completely rearmed and refitted,” Mearinn informed her. “Minor micrometeor damage to the hull was repaired and our systems are all operating at top service levels. Also, I was supposed to remind you that your visit to the core is coming up.”
In the rush to get to Persephone, and the events that had followed the raid, Lilith had put that routine chore at the bottom of her list of priorities. Every four months, she and her officers were required to meet with the personality housed in the computer’s mainframe, and assess its mental fitness. For the most part, this was an uneventful affair, but she knew how necessary it was. Ships had been lost to personalities gone mad before.
“What time is the interview?” Lilith asked.
“Five standard days from today,” Mearinn replied. “At 03:53:33
hours.”
“Fine,” Lilith sighed. “Anything else?”
“The usual reports of the ghost on deck 12,” Mearinn replied. “An engineering crew reported seeing an apparition, and said that they heard knocking sounds in one of the bulkheads.”
Being an old ship, the Athena had her share of ghost stories and Lilith had heard this particular tale a number of times before. She made a mental note to talk with the ship’s High Priestess about it. While she didn’t believe the stories herself, she knew that an exorcism ceremony would go a long ways towards calming down those crewwomen who were too superstitious for their own good.
“Anything else?”
“Well,” Mearinn hesitated. “There was one other thing. Skipper was a bit of a handful while you were gone.”
“What did that little duvel do now?” Katrinn inquired with a grin. By this point, they had reached the door to Lilith’s cabin.
“I fed him just like you said,” Mearinn explained, “and I visited him every day.”
On the other side of the door, Skipper was meowing loudly, and sending messages to her through her psiever. Don’t believe her! he thought frantically. She’s lying!
Lilith ignored him. “And?” she asked.
“Well, the third day you were on leave, he got out somehow. We searched the entire ship and we finally found him in air shaft 4117-C, but it took us several hours and most of Engineering to catch him. I don’t know how it happened, Commander, but he didn’t seem any worse for the experience.”
Katrinn turned away, stifling a burst of laughter.
“And they actually used to say that kaatzes were good luck on a ship!” Lilith remarked. “Well, no problem, Mearinn. I’ll have a little talk with him. Anything else?”
“No, ma’am, that is all.”
“Very good,” Lilith said. “Thanks for watching the old boat while we were away. You are relieved of command.�
� She gave Mearinn a formal salute.
“Thank you, Commander,” Mearinn answered, returning the gesture.
Fleet Admiral Myrelli ebed Cya’ s Office, Topaz Fleet Command, Rixa Naval Base, Rixa, Belletrix System, Pantari Elant, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.01|30|03:11:67
The briefing for the Battle Group Golden’s next patrol was held in Admiral ebed Cya’s office. It was not as intimate and informal as the previous one however.
In addition to Lilith, her officers, and Ebed Cya, there were also several Admirals, Vice Admirals, and representatives from the OAE present. Lilith took her seat, knowing that whatever Rixa was planning, it was going to be very difficult and dangerous in nature.
“Ladies, first of all, let me welcome Commander ben Jeni, Captains bel Sarra and Taur Minna, and their staff, back from their leave and thank everyone for attending today,” Ebed Cya began. “Commander ben Jeni, this Command has evaluated your engagement with the enemy in the Demeter system, along with several other reports received over the last few weeks by sister battle groups in and around the Sagana Territory.”
“Several Hriss Clans, using the pretext of rebellion against their central government, have been conducting a series of probing raids into Sagana. In reality, they have enjoyed their government’s secret blessing and have been acting with increasing aggressiveness. Like your own battle group, our other forces in the area have encountered progressively larger enemy forces with better equipment and more seasoned personnel.’
“To date, we have managed to repel the raiders, but not without suffering some reversals. The invasion of Persephone and the damage to the Kit Cavenaugh are two prime examples. For those of you who have been wondering about this, I can now tell you that the Cavenaugh and her battle group encountered an enemy squadron in the Enyo System. They managed to destroy the opposing force, but only after sustaining massive battle damage, and incurring significant casualties.”
Lilith was not surprised by this disclosure in the least, and she had already guessed most of the details for herself, despite the fact that no one had been able, or willing, to confirm anything. The Navy had done a top-rate job of keeping the Cavenaugh’s crew, and Battle Group Platinum, from talking to anyone.
Sisterhood of Suns: Pallas Athena Page 29