Sisterhood of Suns: Pallas Athena

by Martin Schiller

  Her assessment had been correct. “Team 2, guided grenade, now!” she ordered. ”Patch onto the micro’s signal.” At the same time, she ordered the diminutive ‘bot to paint the target with a laser beam.

  A larger, faster version of the smart grenade flew past her, homing in on the microbot’s signal. Then a ping sounded. The enemy battlebot was dead.

  “Allright, advance forwards and secure the engine room” Sa’Tela instructed. Kaly ordered her teams into motion.

  That night, after they’d completed the exercise, Sa’Tela praised their work. “You did good,” she told them. “Most hatchies get caught by that hidden ‘bot. You didn’t. Just remember what you learned when it comes time to face the real thing.”

  To underscore how pleased she was, she rewarded the training platoon with one of the latest realies from Thermadon, and a case of Zommerlaandar beer. They’d all come far in the last few weeks and she wanted them to know it.

  Kaly took hers outside and sat with Lena on the steps of their barracks. Taking a long, slow pull from her ice-cold bottle, she looked up at the stars and let herself enjoy the moment. Nothing had ever tasted sweeter.

  USSMC Training Facility, 75th Training Battalion, Hella’s World, Hecate System, Artemi Elant, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.03|10|03:33:33

  Platoon Leader Kaly n’Deena stood at ease in her Class ‘A’ uniform, in front of Platoon Carli, which was only a smaller part of a much larger formation made up of all the training platoons that had reached graduation. Intellectually, she knew that this was the very last day of Basic, but she still had a hard time believing it.

  Only six metric weeks had passed since she had first stepped out of a crowded shuttle onto Hella’s World, but in that time it was as if every part of her former existence had been erased and replaced with the Marine standing there on the concrete parade ground. She felt as if she had always been in training, with no past before day one, with no mothers other than her drill instructors and no family except her fellow recruits. It seemed impossible to her that this phase of her life was now coming to an end.

  A group of officers walked out and solemnly mounted a metal platform that stood before the bronze statue of Molla n’Dayr, the famous heroine of the First Widow’s War. Kaly and the rest snapped to attention.

  Then an honor guard composed of the drill instructors from all the training platoons came forwards and raised the banners of the United Sisterhood of Suns and the Marine Corps on a pair of flagpoles. In tandem with the other platoon leaders, Kaly barked out a command to her group. “Platoon! Attention. Present… arms!”

  Everyone on the field saluted the two banners as the national anthem, “Sisters United,” played out over a speaker.

  “United are we, sisters to-gether, Holding hands--across the stars!

  Standing bravely, sisters to-gether, We band--against the foe!

  United are we, sisters to-gether, Holding hands--across the stars!’

  “Working proudly, sisters to-gether, We build--our worlds strong!

  Dreaming boldly, sisters to-gether,

  We bring--to our daughters,light!

  United are we, sisters to-gether, United Sister-hood of Suns!”

  Although Kaly had known this song since primary, it had never had the meaning that it suddenly did for her now. Simple words with a simple message that the Marine Corps had incorporated into its motto: “Sisterhood. Sacrifice. Honor.” It had been hammered into her very soul in Basic and now, she was proud to be playing a part in the grand scheme that it represented.

  The recruits held their salute until the very last notes of the song had played themselves out. Then Col. Rayna n’Pela, the Commanding Officer of the 75th Training Battalion, stepped forward to address them.

  “Ladies,” she said, “You have reached the end of your training here on Hella’s World. You have accomplished what many women would not have the strength, or the courage to achieve, and have become the stronger for it. From this day forwards, you will no longer be referred to as ‘hatchies’ or ‘recruits’. Instead, you will have the honor of being addressed as Marines. Marines who have passed through some of the toughest training of any facility in the Sisterhood.’

  “Some of you will go on from here and become support staff. Others will become front-line troopers, facing our enemies on the battlefield. No matter what your assignment is, no matter where you are stationed, and no matter what dangers you might face, nothing will change the fact that you are all part of an elite sisterhood, now and forever.’

  “It has been our great honor to oversee your training, and our privilege to be the first to salute you. Congratulations, Marines. The Sisterhood is proud of what you have become.” At that, the Colonel, her fellow officers, and the Drill Instructors snapped to attention and saluted the assembly.

  Tears welled up in Kaly’s eyes and her throat tightened as she and her fellow Marines returned their salutes.

  I’ve made it, she thought, feeling almost dizzy with elation. By the goddess, I’ve made it!

  The same scrawny, klaxxy girl that had stood in front of a Marine encampment on a cold dawn a lifetime ago, and had endured so many hardships since then, had survived, and been reborn.

  I’m a Marine, she told herself. A Marine.

  ***

  Having graduated Basic, the former hatchies of Platoon Carli did what soldiers like them had been doing for centuries. They went to the nearest bar to celebrate, and get themselves insensibly drunk. On Hella’s World, the one establishment open to enlisted personnel was the Sun, Sword and Starship.

  It had none of the frills that might have been expected on more cosmopolitan planets, but no one who came there really cared. Like everything else on the training planet, it was simple, functional and kept itself focused on its primary mission. Which in this case, was serving strong alcohol in large quantities.

  None of the new Marines had taken the time to change out of their Class ‘A’ uniforms, and no one bothered them about it. Graduation was one of the few times when a trooper wasn’t held to the usual regulations.

  The bar was packed to capacity with new Marines, and Kaly had some trouble making her way inside and finding her teammates among a sea of red tunics. Fortunately, Lena n’Gari spotted her and pulled her in through the crowd.

  “Kaly!” she laughed, “Come on! Enggredsdaater is having a contest with Bel Anny to see who can down the most shots! My credits are on Berta.”

  Someone pressed a drink into Kaly’s hand as they reached the bar, and she took a long pull on it. Whatever was in her glass burned like fire as it went down her throat and she coughed, but then, a pleasant warmth spread through her body that more than made up for the pain.

  Just as Lena had advertised, Enggredsdaater and Bel Anny were downing shots, and Kaly could tell from the number of overturned glasses, and the glow that each of them had, that their contest had been going on for some time. Seeing her, Bel Anny nodded to Kaly with her shot glass, and then downed the contents in one gulp, spilling some of it down her chin and laughing. Not to be outdone, Enggredsdaater took up another glass and drank it down, wobbling unsteadily as the alcohol hit her.

  “Come on, Kaly!” Lena urged, holding up her glass, “I know you only took one sip. You’ve got to join your sisters! We’ve all got to have the same hangovers in the morning! It’s regulations!” Before Kaly could refuse her, Lena pressed the glass up to her lips. She tried to get away with a polite sip, but Enggredsdaater had seen what was happening and threw a huge arm around her.

  “Yah, Kaly, gaane-an, drenkka!” she laughed.

  Trapped between the two of them, Kaly had no choice, and Lena showed her no mercy, pouring in a large mouthful. It was the same rocket fuel that she’d been served a few moments earlier, but it went down easier this time. Either it tasted better, or it had simply managed to deaden her senses enough to seem that way. Although she knew that a truly murderous hangover was going to be waiting for her in the morning, her friends’ abandon, and the str
ong drink, made that concern seem less and less important with each passing second.

  In the meantime, Bel Anny and Enggredsdaater were each trying to get her involved in their shots contest. But then Troop Leader n’Vera walked up and surprised them. It was more than the woman’s presence that was unexpected however. It was also her expression: for the first time ever, Kaly saw a smile on her face.

  What was even more startling was what she said to Kaly as she raised her glass to her. “Congratulations, N’Deena. I knew you’d make it all along.”

  Not quite certain how to reply, Kaly tentatively returned her toast. The Troop Leader grinned broadly at this and winked at her. Then she turned and disappeared back into the crowd. Lena, who had been watching the entire exchange, was open mouthed with surprise, and when she and Kaly looked at one another, they both burst into laughter.

  “That must be some pretty strong stuff she was drinking,” Kaly declared, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “Well, whatever it is, I want some!” Lena replied.

  The crowd parted for an instant, and Kaly saw Sa’Tela, sitting by herself at the back of the room in a booth. They made eye contact, and Kaly excused herself from her companions, and walked over to join her.

  From the half empty bottle and the shine in the Kalian’s eyes, she could tell that the woman was well into her cups. True to her nature though, her hand on her glass was rock-steady.

  “Do you mind if I join you, or is this private, ma’am?”

  Sa’Tela laughed quietly and waved to her to take a seat. “Actually, I was expecting you, N’Deena. Want some of this? It’s Aqqa, a little something from Sita that’s just a bit stronger than that weak tea you’ve got there.” Kaly downed what was left of her drink and held out her empty glass.

  Sa’Tela poured her some of the clear liquid. “We’re handing out unit assignments tomorrow, then you’ll have some leave time before you have to report in. Have you given any thought to what we talked about?”

  Kaly knew that she was referring to Persephone, and after considering her drink for a moment, downed the contents. It was as wicked as Sa’Tela had warned, and just about the perfect strength for the topic of their conversation.

  “You’ll never finish it if you don’t go back,” Sa’Tela warned. “Even if it’s just for a day, you have to go back there. It won’t bring anyone back that you lost, but it will honor them. They deserve that.”

  Kaly didn’t reply and held out her glass again.

  “I went back to my home,” Sa’Tela continued as she poured out another glassful. “I went to where they all were and I said a prayer for them, and I left a flower. Then I turned around and didn’t look back. I’ve been marching on ever since, but I know they’re back there, watching me. I’d like to think that I’ve made them proud.”

  They looked across the table at each other and shared a long silence, then Kaly got up. “Thank you for the drink, Troop Leader—and for everything else.”

  Sa’Tela put down her glass and saluted her. “My pleasure. You are dismissed, Marine.” Kaly returned her salute and walked back to the bar.

  By this time, Lena was dancing with Bel Anny, and when she saw her, the girl giggled and pulled Kaly in to join her. “Dance with me, Kaly,” N’Gari invited, throwing her arms around Kaly’s neck, “I want to feel good tonight.” Her mood was infectious, and Kaly let it sweep her up. It was a night for celebration, she told herself. Persephone could wait.

  ***

  With a few exceptions, most of Platoon Carli made a point of visiting the medbay as their first order of business the following day. Knowing where they had been the night before, and why, the medics treated them with a remedy for hangovers that medical personnel had known for centuries. This was a combination of painkillers, B-12 injections, and pure oxygen. As a result, they were able to present a reasonably military bearing when Sa’Tela and the other DI’s had them gather in the barracks for what was to be their last meeting as a platoon.

  “Well ladies,” Sa’Tela said. “Today is that special day when we find out where everyone is going to be posted.”

  Despite consuming a massive quantity of Aqqa, and goddess knew what else, the DI looked as fresh and as sober as a Marionite Sister. To add insult to injury, her fatigues were even neatly pressed. It was disgusting and Kaly wished she knew how the woman had managed it.

  “I’m going to call out each of your names,” she informed them, “and you will come up to receive your orders.”

  Bel Anny was the first of their circle to be called. “Bel Anny, it looks like you’re going to pull guard duty on Rixa. Who the fek do you know in Command? I want to get my butt powdered and perfumed, too!”

  The girl blushed and went up to take her orders from N’Teri. Enggredsdaater was the next one up.

  “Enggredsdaater, you’re pulling duty with the 201st aboard the USSNS Roza Shanina. They’re a tough outfit, and they need tough women like you. I’ll expect to hear great things about you. Faalistaar, Zommerlaandar!”

  The big blond smiled shyly and worked her way through everyone’s congratulatory pats on the back, including Kaly’s. “Zat vas my mother Enggred’s old unit,” she told them.

  “I know she’ll be proud of you, Berta. Both your mothers will be,” Kaly replied.

  “N’Deena!” It was Sa’Tela.

  Kaly’s head whipped around. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “You’re serving with the 115th, aboard the USSNS Pallas Athena, so I guess you named your blaster right. They’re a front line unit like the 201st, so I’ll expect you to do us all proud.”

  She took the flimsy from N’Teri, and gave Lena a reassuring smile. Her battle sister returned it, but weakly, and her green eyes were filled with apprehension. The night before, she had confessed that the prospect of joining a new unit filled with strangers terrified her. That, and the hope that somehow, they would be posted together somewhere.

  Goddess, Kaly thought, grant her wish, please.

  When her name was called, N’Gari jumped up, startled and fearful. “N’Gari!” Sa’Tela said. “You’re going to be with N’Deena in the 115th. Watch out for each other.”

  Lena’s relief was palpable. There were tears in her eyes, and her hand shook as she accepted her orders. Flimsy in hand, she rushed over to Kaly and gave her a big and rather un-military hug. “I’m so glad we’ll be together!” she sobbed, “Isn’t it wonderful?”

  Thank you, Lady, Kaly thought as she returned her embrace.

  Newhearth Colony, Persephone, Demeter System, Sagana Territory, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.03|12|07:72:98

  Kaly had to fight the sensation that she was existing in two realities at once. Her eyes told her that the living center was still there, and with the exception of a few extra windows that she didn’t recall, it looked exactly the same as it had before the invasion.

  Out in the gathering square, gilded by the late afternoon sunlight, there was the same flagpole, flying the banners of the Sisterhood and the Sagana Territory. Underneath this were plastic and metal play-sets that the little ones always used when they weren’t in primary. And somewhere ahead of her, she heard the familiar sounds of someone laughing coupled with the soft sighing of the wind coming in over the fields.

  At the same time, another scene overlapped this. In that world, it was nighttime and dark pools of blood stained the grass in the square. The corpses of the colonists lay there, their eyes open wide with the uncomprehending stares of the dead. Blaster fire crackled nearby, and the air reeked with a sickening combination of smoke, ozone, and burned flesh.

  She shook her head, willing these grim images away and sensing her distress, Lena offered her her hand. Kaly squeezed it with such fierceness that her companion gasped, and she let go and apologized.

  A little further down the road, she recognized the broad flat area where the bodies had been buried, and stopped. The earth-moving machines were gone now and grass had covered over the pits. A flat black widow’s stone sat in the middle o
f this expanse in a small gravel covered circle. It was flanked by low benches and flowers. Even from where she stood, Kaly could see the laser carved inscriptions etched on the stone’s surface.

  Once again, the other universe intruded, tormenting her with its troubling visions. In her mind’s eye, she could see past the peaceful shroud of grass to the truth that lay beneath it. The white plastic body bags were still there, lying together in silent ranks like huge bloated earthworms condemned to an eternity of darkness.

  I should’nt have come here, she thought. It was too much to bear.

  She started to turn around, but Lena retook her hand, and urged her forwards. “Come on, Kaly,” she said gently. “We have to do this. They’re waiting for us.”

  Kaly nearly refused, but then after a long moment, she nodded in agreement. Lena was right, and so was Sa’Tela. She had to finish this journey, and she was grateful that N’Gari was there to help her.

  Bella n’Mari was waiting for them at the edge of the Gathering Square. Although only six standard weeks had passed, the woman seemed much older than Kaly remembered her, and her eyes were shadowed with their own painful memories. It must have been even harder for her, she realized, to stay here with all these ghosts.

  The old woman came up and took Kaly’s hand in hers. “Welcome back, Kaly. We’ve missed you.”

  She started to answer, but words failed her and she took the schoolteacher into her arms instead. The woman was as frail as a bird, and as they embraced, Kaly could feel how many years of life the invasion had stolen away from her.

  At last, she stepped back, and brushed a tear from her eye. “This is Lena,” she managed to say. “She and I went through basic training together.”

  N’Mari smiled sadly. “Welcome to Persephone,” she said, and then she led them across the square and into the living center.