Sisterhood of Suns: Pallas Athena

by Martin Schiller

  CSS C-JUDI-GO, Chione, Oreithyia System, Artemi Elant, United Sisterhood of Suns 1043.02|19|04:58:99

  Chione in the Oreithyia system was a small world, known mainly for its exotic caves, breathtaking mountains and excellent skiing resorts. For that reason, it was a regular stop for luxury liners on their tours of the Artemi Elant. Once again, the JUDI had joined up with a conventional convoy to make their transit, and as soon as they were back in normal space, they took an in-system route to the planet. At that time of the standard year, the bulk of the ships parked upside were either liners, or vessels that supplied the resorts below.

  And like a queen holding court over all of them, was the Star of Aphrodite herself.

  Maya gasped when she saw the ship. The Aphrodite was more than two kilometers long; bigger in fact than a Navy supercruiser, and all of its length was a study in smooth lines and soft curves. Its graceful, gleaming white hull was accented here and there with gold striping and its tail was emblazoned with the golden sun logo of the Luxar Lines.

  It was, without any doubt, one of the most beautiful starships she had ever seen, and more than complimented the goddess that was its namesake. It reminded Maya of a graceful bird that had once lived on Gaia. A swan, she recalled, a pure white swan.

  “It’s so beautiful,” she said drinking in the sight of the liner’s elegant form.

  “That she is,” Bel Lissa agreed. “Did you know that the Aphrodite is actually considered a national treasure? There’s nothing else like her in the entire Sisterhood. Other shipbuilders have tried to surpass her, but so far no one has managed it.” There was a wistful look in her eyes that Maya thought she understood. For any Captain who truly loved space and the ships that flew there, commanding the Aphrodite would be the pinnacle of any civilian career, and something to envy.

  Maya let her have her moment of reverie, and then spoke. “Captain, the Aphrodite seems a bit delicate to be traveling through Null.” In fact, she looked to be an all too tempting target for the Indies.

  “I’ve traveled aboard the Aphrodite before,” Bel Lissa told her, “and she’s not all the soft gentlelady that she appears to be. The Aphrodite’s got more blast armor than some military ships and enough guns hidden under that pretty skin to hold her own. Not that she needs to; you see those Navy cruisers parked off her port side?” Bel Lissa pointed to the grim, dark shapes of a pair of medium Macha-Class warships.

  “Yes,” Maya answered.

  “Luxar Lines leases the services of ships like that from the Sisterhood Navy as added insurance. Nothing short of a battle-fleet could get through them to the liner. We can rest assured that our trip will be without interference from the Indies, or the Hriss.”

  Bel Lissa gave the liner one more longing glance and then hailed her. Instead of the usual voice transmissions and data displays back and forth, a full-size holo of a handsome woman in a conservative blue and gold comerci appeared in the middle of the control cabin.

  “Greetings Captain bel Lissa, and the crew of the C-JUDI-GO,” the image said, “On behalf of the Luxar Lines, welcome to the Star of Aphrodite. We at Luxar trust that you will find every aspect of your stay aboard her pleasant and relaxing. We value the business of premium customers like yourselves, and hope that you will grace our voyages with your presence for years to come. Is there anything that I can do for you before you begin the docking procedures?”

  “No, thank you,” Bel Lissa replied.

  “Very well, then, gentleladies,” the holo replied. “Your ship will now be auto-guided to the hangar. Enjoy your stay with us.”

  The holo vanished and the classical strains of Karena n’Ishande’s Spring Symphony for Esyllt filled the cabin. At a signal from the liner, the autopilot engaged to bring the JUDI around into a slow, banking turn that displayed the luxury vessel to her best advantage. The music ended precisely as the JUDI entered the cavernous hangar-bay and docking arms swung down to engage her hull.

  The little merchanter was not the only ship inside the bay by any means. Dozens of vessels were there, and nearly all of them were as sleek and as graceful as the Aphrodite herself. These were the private yachts of the rich and powerful, brought along for short jaunts when the liner made port. Alongside them, the JUDI seemed every bit the ugly duckling of the ancient Gaian fairy tale.

  Feeling intimidated by this display of wealth, Maya got up with her crewmates and followed them as they made their way to the JUDI’s egress hatch in the cargo bay. When the egress doors opened, she was greeted by a gentle fragrance that she could not place. There was the usual scan of their inoculars, and once they had passed inspection, the doors at the opposite end opened.

  A group of live hostesses were waiting for them there. One of the women flashed them a perfect smile and as they came up to her, handed each of them an elegant gold pendant, fashioned in the image of the Luxar Lines corporate logo.

  “Gentleladies,” she explained, “These are your room passes, and complimentary pathminders for the entire ship. Please keep them with you at all times while you are on board.” As she told them this, another smiling hostess handed them small bouquets of flowers. Maya accepted the gift and put the pendant around her neck right away.

  “Just state where you wish to go and the pathminder will point the way,” the lead hostess explained. “On behalf of the Captain, Elayna bel Mandi and her crew, we would like to welcome you aboard the Star of Aphrodite, the crown jewel of the Luxar fleet. If you will follow my assistants, they will see you to your suites. We have arranged for accommodations in our most exclusive lodgings on the Platinum Deck. I do hope that they will meet with your expectations.”

  Maya just gaped, completely overwhelmed and totally devoid of any expectations. Her crewmates on the other hand, seemed completely blasé as the hostesses led them through a series of plush corridors, and up a private elevator to their cabins.

  “Your pendants will also allow you the use of these private lifts,” their guide told them. “This will provide you with complete privacy when you desire it. Only Platinum Class guests and their servants have access to these lifts.”

  Servants? Maya wondered. Just how ‘exclusive’ are these accommodations? When the lift arrived at their deck, she found out. A long hallway stretched away to either side, lined with expensive carpeting from Sita, and appointed with tasteful works of art that all looked expensive enough to pay for the JUDI herself, several times over.

  “I’m afraid that we were forced to book a portion of the deck over to Senatrix n’Calysher and her party,” their hostess said, somewhat nervously, “but I’m sure that you will still find your own quarters in this wing private enough to suit your needs.”

  “That’s perfectly acceptable,” Bel Lissa responded smoothly, “the Senatrix and I are old friends. I’m sure that she won’t mind having us as neighbors. Please, send her my regards.”

  “Very well, gentlelady,” the woman replied with visible relief. “Also, Captain bel Mandi sends her greetings and her personal invitation for you to join her at her table tonight. If you wish, we can send our dressmaker up to your rooms before dinner.”

  “Thank the Captain for me. I will look forward to dining with her again,” Bel Lissa returned. “When should we expect the dressmaker? I hope that it will be Madame n’Fawnele. I do so adore her creations.”

  “Yes, gentlelady,” the hostess said, clearly impressed by Bel Lissa’s good taste, “I will, and it is she who will visit you. Will 07:08 hours be convenient?”

  Bel Lissa nodded with a regal acceptance that in any other setting would have seemed ludicrous, but here, her manner was expected and their hostess seemed to approve.

  “Then I will take my leave of you, gentleladies,” the hostess said, “enjoy your stay.” She bowed and quickly retreated down the corridor, leaving them alone at the door to their suite.

  “Shall we see what the good women of Luxar have provided for us in the way of lodgings?” Bel Lissa asked, gesturing for Maya and her companions to enter. />
  To have called the suite “spectacular” would have failed to do it full justice. Like the ship itself, everything within it was gentle curves and smooth transitions. The walls of the foyer were covered in a fine Eidarian alabaster accented with dark Nemesian Tigarri-wood ribbing. A thick, rich off-white carpet covered the floor.

  In the center of the room, a finely detailed bronze statue of the famous Nemesian Huntress overlooked a sunken circle of richly appointed couches that had to be made from real leather, also from the wilds of Nemesis.

  The light seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. It took a moment for Maya to realize that the source came from behind the alabaster walls and vaulted ceiling, suffusing the space with an even soft glow that banished the shadows and seemed to make everything somehow richer in tone and color.

  “Greetings, Captain bel Lissa and crew,” a voice said. The image of a beautiful auburn haired woman, clad like their holo greeter had been, appeared to one side of the entry. “I am your private maidservant. If there is anything you desire, I will provide it. If you do not find my present form pleasing, I have 14,436 alternate personas for you to choose from.”

  “Your present form is more than satisfactory,” Bel Lissa said. “Perhaps you could fix us some light refreshment while we inspect our quarters? Some sparkling kelberry wine would do nicely.”

  “Of course, gentlelady,” the maid replied, “we have a fine Tipandian vintage from the south side of the Berandin Hills that I recommend.”

  “That will be acceptable,” Bel Lissa returned, dismissing the apparition and taking Maya’s hand. “Maya, I think I am safe in saying that you’re going to find the bathrooms here to be a truly celestial experience.”

  Maya let Bel Lissa lead her through their rooms, each fit for a queen. Once she was alone in her own palatial space, she set down her kit bag, and went outside into the main corridor to spend some time alone. Her head was spinning, and the glass of Tipandian wine that Zara had pressed into her hand wasn’t helping things one nanobit.

  All of this was more than she had ever, in her wildest dreams, expected to encounter when she’d shipped out for a new life in Thermadon. The huge city and its dirty side-streets now seemed as far away as a half-remembered dream, and yet her present reality felt just as ethereal and strange. She stared down at the hall carpet; a masterpiece of woven gold intermingled with more shades of blue than she had ever known existed, and took a breath to steady herself.

  It’s all so incredible, she thought.

  Just then, the doors to the private lift opened, interrupting her thoughts, and a trio of young women who were roughly her own age stepped out of it, but that was where any similarity between them ended. They were all stylishly attired in soft glowgowns and glittering jewelry, and Maya felt shabby and out of place in her flight suit and jacket.

  The elegant group paused and regarded her for a long moment, before one of them, a beautiful blond with long luxurious curls, gave her a look of undisguised contempt. “I didn’t know that they allowed servants from below-decks to wander about up here.”

  Her companion, an equally statuesque redhead sneered at Maya, “You, girl, aren’t you a bit lost? How did your kind manage to get up on this deck?”

  Maya started to explain that she was as much a guest as they were, when the redhead turned to the blond. “I think this is outrageous, Mellissy! To allow someone from below-decks to be here on the Senatrix’s private floor! We should call security and have her shown out!”

  Mellissy started to produce her pendant, when the third girl, an achingly beautiful brunette, stayed her hand. “No,” she said, “Can’t you see she has a pass just like us? Clearly she has just arrived from some exotic location and simply hasn’t had the time to freshen up.”

  “Yes,” Maya managed to interject, “I just arrived with my crewma—my companions. We’re staying down the hall from you.”

  “To think that the Captain would allow that!” Mellissy snarled. “I thought that this floor was exclusive! We should complain!”

  “You can complain if you want, Mellissy n’Dwavaa” the brunette warned, “but I’d best know who I was complaining about before I went and embarrassed myself. As for me, let me introduce myself, I am Lady Felecia n’Calysher.” The girl extended her hand in a greeting and Maya took it, her breath taken away by the girl’s loveliness.

  “I-I’m Maya n’Kaaryn,” she managed to stammer back. “I’m with Captain Inish bel Lissa and her party.”

  “I knew it!” Mellissy hissed, “She’s some kind of common sailor!”

  “No,” Felecia corrected, “not a common sailor at all. My mother knows Captain bel Lissa, and our family owes them many debts.”

  She rewarded Maya with a dazzlingly perfect smile. “Welcome, Maya. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to meet again during the voyage.”

  Maya nodded dumbly, unable to cognate a sophisticated reply.

  “Well!” Mellissy sputtered indignantly, “I for one have seen enough! To imagine that Felecia n’Calysher, of all the girls I know, would treat with a—a common dock hand. Come, Chandel,” she said to the redhead. “Let us take our leave.”

  “Please, forgive their boorishness,” Felecia said as her companions flounced away. “Their families have been wealthy for far too long and they forgot their manners somewhere along the way. Bian sarà, Maya n’Kaaryn.”

  Maya watched Felecia go, enthralled by the girl’s graceful form as she seemed to float down the hallway to her quarters. This was the Senatrix’s daughter, she suddenly realized. The one that she was supposed to guard.

  And she was far from the “spoiled little ninny” that Maya had expected. Instead, Lady Felecia n’Calysher was most desirable, and the most attractive girl that she had ever encountered. Just like a princess in an old story.

  But would a princess like her ever want someone like me? She wondered. A ‘common dock-hand’?

  Haunted by the question, and still stinging from Mellissy’s insult, Maya turned around and returned to their quarters. Sarah was there, lounging on the couches in the central foyer like a cat waiting for some prey to wander by before pouncing on it.

  “I take it from your thoughts that you encountered someone… interesting,” the woman remarked with a knowing smile.

  “Yes,” Maya admitted. More than interesting, she thought. Captivating. Mezmerizing.

  “I see,” Sarah said. “And obviously, she is someone that I will refrain from reading you about any further. We all have our private desires, and they are best left that way. True talent is knowing not only when to read, but also when not to. Wouldn’t you tend to agree?”

  “Yes.” Maya noded. She didn’t add her thanks, but she was grateful to the psi nonetheless for this small consideration.

  ***

  Madame n' Fawnele arrived at their staterooms at 07:08:33 hours, attended by two other women carrying heavy cases. She entered the suite like a force of nature.

  “I see that I have arrived just in time!” the woman proclaimed as she eyed Maya. “Such loveliness, and hidden under so many layers of common roughness! This simply will not do!” She gestured to her companions and the women opened their cases. One of them handed her a scanner.

  “Young lady,” Madame n' Fawnele commanded, “gather up your hair so that I can get a good scan of you, and take off that terrible jacket and those wretched flight clothes. Go ahead—strip!”

  Bel Lissa, who had overheard the commotion, came out and stood nearby, clearly entertained by the whole affair. “Good day, Madame n’Fawnele” she said. “I see that you have discovered our little diamond in the rough.”

  “I should say!” N’Fawnele replied. “But she is not too rough to resist my artistic touch. I will remake her into a vision of elegance!”

  In the meantime, Maya had stripped down to her undergarments and piled her hair up into a loose bun, flushing with embarrassment at the dressmaker’s words.

  But the woman paid her discomfiture no attention. To her
, Maya was simply clay to be re-molded into a more pleasing shape. “Young lady!” N’Fawnele suddenly snapped, “Stand straight, arms at your sides. I simply can’t get a decent body scan until you stop standing there like a deformed hunch-back.”

  Maya bit back a rude response and obeyed. The dressmaker drew the scanner over her, taking a reading from head to toe, and then repeated the operation over her backside.

  “Good!” N’Fawnele proclaimed. “You can breathe now. I have all I need to create the new you.” Her assistants had set up a holojector and a small terminal, and Madame n’ Fawnele shooed them away and went right to work.

  A perfect hologram of Maya appeared in the center of the room. “Yes,” the woman said, more to herself than anyone else, “Definitely a diamond in the rough. So, some adjustments.”

  She zoomed in on Maya’s face and with a few pecks at the holographic keyboard, applied layers of virtual make-up.

  “Given her skin tones and her eye color, this is what I would suggest.” The girl looking back at them was similar to Maya, but the dressmaker had managed to find, and accentuate her features, bringing out their most attractive attributes. Bel Lissa regarded the final product carefully, and after she had nodded her approval, Madame n’Fawnele snapped her fingers at one of her attendants.

  The attendant produced a small case and guided Maya to a portable stool. The instant that the girl was seated, the woman went to work applying the makeup to her face exactly as her mistress had decreed.

  “Now, for the hair,” the dressmaker announced, “she really does have lovely hair. It’s unfortunate that she has just let it grow all loose and wild, but this is easily corrected.”

  A few taps of the keys, and several elegant hairstyles appeared on Maya’s image. Madame n’ Fawnele considered a few of them, and then settled on one that piled her hair up into a simple bun, with a few thin wisps to either side of her face. The effect that this produced was to accent her face even further.