Sisterhood of Suns: Pallas Athena

by Martin Schiller

  The moment that she was standing again, she bowed to Sarah, ending the match, and turned to address Maya.

  “That, Cho-sena, is how one who studies our Art benefits from augmentation. Now that you have had the opportunity to witness it, I am sure that you can fully appreciate why a normal woman, with standard reflexes and abilities, could not prevail against anyone so enhanced. I must admit that even I cannot withstand the pure blast of Ki-Ah that Sarah, as an augmented psi, can project.’

  “I would also like to point out that she did not send it at me full-force, or I would have been greatly injured. She also did not employ any of her abilities to cloud or confuse my mind, or our match might have ended much sooner than it did.’

  “Perhaps, being a psi yourself, and a student of the Art, you might consider augmentation for yourself in the future. You would definitely benefit from it.”

  “I--I will,” Maya stammered, still getting over her astonishment at the match.

  Skylaar nodded her thanks to Sarah, who smiled, and reciprocated the gesture.

  “Now, at normal training speed, let us practice our drills from the last class. We will begin with forward punches and blocks.”

  ***

  Several days elapsed before Sarah announced their next assignment. She made it during a meal cooked by Zara. The engineer’s specialty was Kalian cuisine, and she had prepared a Chandikan curry for the occasion.

  “We’re going on another Agency run,” Sarah told them as she delicately spooned some of the curry onto her plate. “It will be in the Sagana Territory and its objective is to deliver a shipment of hand-weapons to a Sisterhood world.’

  “The colonists on a little planet called Storm, in the Agleope system, are taking it upon themselves to stockpile arms in the event of an attack by the Hriss, and the Agency wants to keep track of their activities. Naturally, the weapons will have tracers inside of them, so we will get a very good idea of where they go once they have been delivered, and whom they are stored with.”

  “Are there any special risks that we need to worry about?” Bel Lissa asked as she dished out a serving for herself.

  “None really,” Sarah answered. “We might be inspected by the Territorial Marshals, but they will probably look the other way. It is the Navy that we might have any concern about, but according to the Agency, their presence is fairly thin in the area. So, all in all, it should be a simple run.”

  “When do we leave?” Maya asked. She had been hoping to spend a few more days training with Skylaar.

  “Tomorrow morning,” Sarah replied. “I think we can anticipate a voyage of one to two days at the most, and we should be back before the end of the week. Skylaar has also asked that we use any spare time we might have during the mission to practice our lessons.”

  Maya acknowledged this with a nod. Now that she had had some opportunities to work out with Sarah, she had come to appreciate the woman’s skills. While she didn’t exactly relish her company, she understood the value of their sessions together.

  “So,” Bel Lissa interjected. “Eat up and get plenty of rest. Let’s look for take off at 02:28 hours.”

  CSS C-JUDI-GO, Agleope System, Sagana Territory, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.02|15|06:33:58

  Because of the increased naval presence in the area, the JUDI had joined up with a legitimate merchanter convoy. The idea had been to blend in with the other ships and escape official notice.

  And when the convoy came out of Null, and disbanded, it seemed as if the tactic was going to work. But when they were a little more than halfway to their destination, an In-System Patrol ship sent out a hail.

  “Merchant ship C-JUDI-GO, this is the Territorial Marshals Service. Heave to and prepare to be boarded for inspection. Have your manifests and records ready for download.”

  “Well, Maya,” Bel Lissa observed as she started ramping the engines down, “It looks like another first for you. Welcome to another feature of a moonrunner’s life; being boarded by the authorities.”

  “Should I celebrate this landmark event?” Maya asked dryly.

  “Only after the stop’s over and we’re on our way,” Zara said. “Don’t worry though, our cargo’s well hidden, and I’ve yet to meet a kaaper that even came close to ever finding anything on the JUDI.”

  The engineer rapped on her console affectionately. “She’s a clever girl, our JUDI and she knows how to hide her little secrets well.”

  “Just be polite when they come aboard and do what they say,” Sarah advised. “I have often found that this is the best way to behave with law enforcement when fighting is not an option.”

  The patrol ship docked with them several minutes later and a group of Territorial Marshals came aboard. They were accompanied by two Navy women, who stood out because of their black uniforms, and unfriendly expressions.

  Bel Lissa met the group at the docking tube. “Officers? I am Captain bel Lissa. How can I assist you?”

  “We’re conducting a routine cargo and safety inspection, Captain,” a Marshal explained. “We’ll need to see your manifests and inspect the ship. If everything is in order, you’ll be on your way in no time.”

  “Here you go,” Bel Lissa replied, handing her an elzlate pad. “You’ll find everything you need here, and my engineer and her mate will assist you with anything you require.”

  One of the Navy women stepped forwards and took the data pad away from the Marshal. “We’re also looking for smugglers,” she said brusquely. “What’s your cargo and where are you headed?”

  “We’re hauling a shipment of replacement parts for the mining operations on Storm,” Bel Lissa answered, ignoring her rudeness. “You’ll find it all right here in our cargo bay.”

  “We’ll just see what we’ll find and where we find it,” the woman retorted. “And we won’t need any ‘help’ from your crew. You can all stay right here with the Marshals.” The sailor waved to a pair of Marshals carrying a large case to follow her. They pushed past Bel Lissa into the main egress way and began to unpack what Maya guessed was equipment to scan for contraband.

  It all looked very sophisticated, and as they started their search, she was tempted to worry, but Zara’s words to her, and the confidence that Bel Lissa placed in her Engineer, helped to reassure her. And for their parts, none of her crewmates appeared to be concerned in the slightest. Sarah in particular, seemed the most unperturbed, and leaned casually against a bulkhead, her eyes half-shut as if she were starting to doze off.

  Maya knew her too well to believe this for a nano, however, Sarah was never truly relaxed, which meant that she was up to something. What that was exactly, she had no idea.

  When the search party returned, it was clear that the Navy woman was unhappy with the results of their hunt. “They’re clean,” she announced with a frown.

  Then she stomped into the docking tube, rubbing at her temples. “Lets try to catch up with the rest of those ships from the convoy,” she said to one of the Marshals, “and get me something for this goddess-cursed headache. I don’t want to have it with me all afternoon.”

  “Thank you for your cooperation, Captain,” the first Marshal said. “Sorry for the delay we caused, but she insisted.”

  “I fully understand, Officer,” Bel Lissa returned. “You have a job to do, and it’s not always pleasant.”

  “No,” the Marshal agreed, looking meaningfully in the direction of the docking tube and the retreating sailor. “It’s not. Thank you for bringing us your cargo. I know that Colony Manager n'Marni will be very glad to get it. Storm is short on those kinds of parts and we may need them very soon.”

  “Our pleasure,” Bel Lissa replied. “Have a safe patrol.” The Marshal flashed her a conspiratorial smile and then went up the docking tube herself.

  Once it was sealed and retracted, the JUDI’s crew returned to the control cabin to get the ship under-weigh again.

  “You see?” Zara said as she took her station, “No worries. The kaapers found nothing.”

&nb
sp; “Yeah,” Maya observed. “And I imagine that you weren’t doing anything to make sure they didn’t, and that headache the Navy bitch got was just a coincidence.” She had directed this to Sarah.

  “Headaches happen, Maya,” the woman replied off-handidly, “and even if instruments say one thing, the mind can always be convinced to perceive something else. Not that I’m belittling Zara’s fine ship, or its clever little hiding places.”

  “Why thank you, Sarah! It’s always nice to get my share of the credit now and again,” Zara said. “Every little bit helps, eh, Captain?”

  “That it does,” Bel Lissa agreed as she watched the In-System patrol ship moving away on their scanners. “Let’s be on our way to Storm, ladies.”

  ***

  Darna n'Marni walked among the crates of military long arms with a suspicious expression. From the moment they had met, it was clear that the Colony Manager did not trust, or like smugglers.

  “How do I know these energy rifles even work?” she asked, peering skeptically into an open crate. “We’ve had shipments before that turned out to be nothing but junk.”

  “If you like, we can test-fire a few of them,” Bel Lissa replied. “Pick any crate.”

  “Fine,” N'Marni returned. “I’ll take a rifle from this crate, and two more from those containers on the bottom.” She signaled for her assistants to come forwards. Each of the women selected a Mark-7, and N'Marni took one as well.

  She inspected the weapon carefully, and then looked at Bel Lissa. “Where are the battery packs?”

  “Those are in another container,” Bel Lissa responded, bending over a smaller cargo box. She unlocked it, and stood up, holding three of them in her hands.

  To Maya’s astonishment, she casually handed them over to N'Marni and her companions. If the deal was going to go bad, she thought, this was where it would happen, and she couldn’t believe that Bel Lissa was being so careless. If she was being careless, the girl corrected herself.

  She glanced over at Sarah to see what her reaction was. The woman had reassumed her aura of nonchalance, and seemed utterly disinterested in the exchange. After seeing the same performance just a half an hour earlier, Maya relaxed a bit. Sarah was on the job.

  “If these are good like you say they are, “N’Marni said as she slapped her battery into place, “Then what’s to keep me from just taking them?” Her expression became sly and calculating.

  “Well,” Bel Lissa replied calmly, “Two things. The first would be your desire to maintain our business relationship. You said yourself that you had had problems in the past getting quality merchandise.”

  N'Marni had switched on the power, and was starting to level the barrel of her weapon in Bel Lissa’s general direction. “And what’s the second thing?” the Colony Manager asked.

  Maya felt a breeze as something passed by, and her eyes registered the brief flicker of a shadow moving across the room.

  Sarah was now standing behind N'Marni with a knife pressed against her throat.

  “The second thing,” she whispered silkily as she dimpled the woman’s flesh with its point, “is that you might have some difficulties carrying these crates all by yourself and with your throat slashed open.”

  N'Marni lowered her rifle, and cautiously looked over her shoulder past Sarah. Her two assistants were lying on the ground, unconscious. Her eyes widened in fear, and Sarah smiled and planted a little kiss on the woman’s ear.

  “So,” Bel Lissa asked, “May we conclude our deal? We’d like to get back to our ship and be on our way.”

  Everyone knew the answer to this. Given her situation, Darna n'Marni was really not in any position to renegotiate their contract.

  ***

  After the JUDI was outbound from Storm, and headed to their transit point, Maya took the opportunity to speak with Sarah. Rather than distract Bel Lissa or Zara from their duties, she used her psiever and opened a private channel.

  Back there, that was your augmentation again, wasn’t it? Maya asked.

  As you already know, it was, Sarah replied.

  How do I get augmented? What’s involved? Maya hated the fact that this amounted to nothing less than capitulating to Sarah’s desires, but the abilities that augmentation offered were simply too impressive to be overlooked any longer.

  Sarah responded with a knowing mental smile that grated on the girl. You will have to go to Nyx for that, she thought in reply. They have doctors there that specialize in this. The procedure itself is fairly simple.

  Maya could also sense that there was something else about the process that Sarah was not revealing to her. And?

  And just being augmented is not enough, Sarah informed her. You have to learn how to safely use your new abilities. For that, you need to train under a qualified teacher. I know just such a woman.

  Just like you’ve wanted me to do all along, right? Maya was angry that Sarah had somehow managed to maneuver her to this point, and she didn’t bother to mask the emotion.

  As you say, Sarah replied coolly. Irritated beyond belief, Maya cut their connection and brooded for a while. Just as they were about to cut the gate into Null, she called Sarah again.

  Yes, Maya?

  I’ll do it, Maya thought. I’ll go to Nyx and do everything you say. I want the augmentation.

  That is good, Sarah answered. I’ll speak with the Captain when I have the opportunity, and see about getting us some time off.

  If she felt any smugness, the woman didn’t allow it to color her thoughts. But Maya wasn’t fooled for a moment; she knew that Sarah had to be savoring her victory.

  But I’m not doing this for you, Maya vowed privately. It’s for me. It’s my decision, and when this is over, I’ll go my own way and use my abilities for what I want!

  ***

  Back in the Free City, the crew of the JUDI observed their customary ritual of visiting the Nulltrekker for drinks. They were on their second round and Maya had started to order herself another Blue Firefly, which she had become rather fond of, when Zara stopped her and ordered something else.

  “You’ll love this,” Zara assured her, thrusting a tall glass that was filled to the top with a dark red liquid which resembled human blood. “A Red Specter! It’s a real nulltrekker’s drink!”

  Maya eyed the offering doubtfully, but Zara insisted that she sample it. “It’s a bit stronger than those Blue Firefly’s,” she warned, “but trust your crewmate, it’s worth the risk. Eh, Captain?”

  “That it is,” Bel Lissa agreed hoisting her own crimson filled glass, “and after a voyage like this last one, it’s the only drink that’s fitting to toast with!”

  Maya took the glass and tried it. Deep, pleasurable warmth filled her immediately, and she felt the stress drain from her muscles.

  “That is nice,” she agreed. The fact that a red-robed wraith with gaunt features and emaciated limbs had appeared, and was floating menacingly around her companions didn’t faze her in the least.

  Go ahead and float there, you ugly bitch, she thought, taking another, deeper pull on the beverage, float to your heart’s content. She was at peace, and that was all that mattered.

  “A toast!” Zara suddenly cried, spilling fully half her drink onto the table, “Here’s to the nulltrekkers! May they find rest in the clouds of forever!”

  “Here, here!” Bel Lissa replied, knocking her glass against Zara’s, “And here’s to the Indies! May the winds blow them to tatters and shreds!”

  “And here’s to the Shovelheads,” Zara responded, “may they stay as stupid as ever! Goddess keep their pointed heads filled with bone and nothing else!”

  “Aye-yah!” Bel Lissa answered, draining her glass. Maya enthusiastically joined her crewmates in this toast.

  “And here’s to the JUDI,” she shouted, “Long may she outwit her enemies!”

  “Aye-yah and that, too,” Zara laughed. “May she be as slippery as an alishk and as hard to track as a faalax!”

  Maya had no idea what either of t
hese creatures where, nor what planet they hailed from, but she was suddenly too drunk to care, and added her own “Here, here!” to that of her companions.

  “So, Captain, my captain,” Zara finally said, “What are we to do next? Has Sarah been given another voyage for the JUDI? Some far off place that might hide business under its blouse?”

  “We have one at that,” Bel Lissa answered. “But this time the mission came looking for me, and I’ll be the one briefing Sarah. It looks like we’re going to be taking a trip aboard the Star of Aphrodite and doing some work for an old friend of mine.”

  “The Aphrodite?” Zara asked incredulously, “Isn’t that--?”

  “The very same, Zara,” Bel Lissa replied before looking over at Maya. “She’s one of the finest liners the Luxar Lines runs. We’re to be given luxury accommodations aboard her, courtesy of my friend, and with the Agency’s blessings.’

  “In exchange for that, we’ll provide a few services for her during the voyage. It’s easy work, and we’ll be traveling Platinum Class. I wasn’t sure if the job was going to come our way or not, but when I checked the omni at the spaceport tonight, my friend had sent word that she needed us after all.”

  “That’s some friend you have, Captain,” Maya remarked. In all her life, she’d never imagined that she would travel aboard one of the great luxury star-liners, much less in such a high style. As impressed as she was however, she knew that there had to be a catch. “What services does this friend of yours expect exactly?”

  Bel Lissa looked around the room for a moment before she answered the girl. “I’ll fill you all in on the details the day after tomorrow after a few more things get confirmed. If it all comes together, we’ll board the Aphrodite the day after that.”

  “Sounds exciting,” Maya grinned. So far, Zara had been right. Her job with the JUDI had not been boring, or routine. She was equally certain that whatever it was that the Captain’s “friend” had in mind, it would be just as interesting, and as lucrative.