She was not so gullible though. They could let themselves believe whatever they
liked, but she was going to make certain that Storm at least, was prepared for the Hriss, and for the future. An independent future, free of the weak-willed Sisterhood. The other worlds in the territory would come running to her when they finally saw the light, and she intended to make them grovel for forgiveness.
She erased the message, and started to look around for something to calm her nerves with when she received a call on her com. “Yes?” she snapped. “What is it?”
It was Tia bel Tanya, her storesmistress. “Ma’am, sorry to bother you, but there’s something wrong with the guns that those smugglers sold us.”
“Something’s wrong?” she growled. “What ‘something’?”
“It’s the battery packs. They… well, you should just come down here and see,” Bel Tanya answered.
“Very well,” N' Marni retorted. Now what? she wondered. Her day seemed to be getting worse by the nanosecond. She got up from her desk and went straightaway down to the colony stores, already rehearsing the verbal drubbing that she was going to give her storesmistress if this turned out to be something trivial.
At the stores, she was surprised to see that Bel Tanya was not alone. There were also two Territorial Marshals with her and a third woman dressed in a plain comerci. Before she got the chance to demand to know what was going on, the woman in the comerci stepped forwards and flashed a badge, a military one.
“Darna n'Marni?” she asked. “I’m Agent Hana t’Sheryl with the DNI and I’m placing you under arrest.”
“On what charges?!” N'Marni spluttered. The two Marshals were already stepping up to either side of her and taking hold of her arms.
“Possession of restricted weapons,” T’Sheryl answered with a smile, “participating in intersystem smuggling, and my favorite charge, sedition. I can also add disturbing the peace if you’d like. It would make the charges against you a nice even number.”
“This is outrageous!” N'Marni shouted, pushing the Marshal’s hands away from her. “The Territorial Governess will not stand for this!”
The DNI agent smiled again, even wider. “Actually, she signed off on the arrest warrant personally. I don’t think you’ll get much assistance from that quarter. If I were you, I’d consider getting myself a good Advocate instead.”
***
At the same time that Darna n’Marni and her cache of illegal weapons were being taken into custody, half a dozen employees of XiGen Genetic Labs also found themselves under arrest.
The charges against them ranged from conspiracy, to trafficking in restricted genetic materials. And with these arrests, a complex network of biomaterials smuggling was completely destroyed.
In the meantime, the Marionites had unwittingly given the Agency another means to spy on them by using the stolen samples they had received from Sarah. The samples had been tagged with special gene-markers that would allow the OAE, and other associated agencies, to identify any new neomen that they created, and track their specific generation. Along with the spybots that she had planted, the markers would provide a clearer picture of the progress and the true scope of their clandestine project, and also fill in some of the gaps in the Agency’s ongoing investigation.
There was no fanfare however; the OAE shunned publicity. Instead, it made sure that the Department of Bio Security got the credit for everything. They even threw a sop to the Thermadonian Metropolitan Police by allowing them the glory of performing the actual raids on the XiGen Labs.
Light years away on Ashkele, the real heroine behind it all sat in her private booth in the Orfeo Café. It was her favorite restaurant in the Free City and it specialized in Nyxian cuisine. As she considered the menu, a servingwoman brought a black rose to the table.
“What’s that?” Maya asked between bites. “A flower from a friend I don’t know about?”
“In a sense,” Sarah replied with her usual mysteriousness. She smelled the bloom and smiled as she learned the news of the arrests and then received the personal note of thanks from the Agency’s Director that had been attached with the message.
“May I?” the girl asked.
“Of course” Sarah replied. “In fact, there’s something special in this flower for you. Take a deep breath and you’ll see what I mean.”
Curious, Maya took the flower and sniffed at it, and then her eyes widened. At Sarah’s request, one part of the communication had been keyed specifically to both Maya and herself. It was the news of two final apprehensions that were completely unrelated to Sarah’s operations.
A false-memory told Maya that Thermadonian Customs Police Officer bel Marda and her partner had been detained by their department’s Internal Affairs Division on charges of corruption and conspiracy. The phantom messenger also informed her that according to the official report, both women had opted to commit suicide in their cells before investigators could question them at any length. While foul play was strongly suspected, no proof existed to support this, and no one was looking very closely into the matter either.
”I called in some favors to make certain that justice was properly carried out,” Sarah explained after the message ended. “I thought that you would appreciate the news.”
Maya put down the rose and grinned. “I like how these smell,” she remarked. “I like them very much.”
“As do I,” Sarah returned. “Now, finish your meal and let’s be on our way home. We’ve a long trip tomorrow to Nyx.”
USSNS Pallas Athena, On Station, Calandra, Calandra System, Sagana Territory, United Sisterhood of Suns,1043.03|22|03:67:60
Following the assault on the raider base, Kaly and Lena were each summoned to Col. Lislsdaater’s office individually. Kaly was the first to report.
She saluted and stood at attention until the Colonel looked up from her work. “Trooper n’Deena? You may stand at ease,” the woman said. “I’ve been going over the report from your Troop Leader about the action you saw downside. She speaks very highly of you, and about the initiative you took with that enemy gun emplacement.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Kaly replied, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
“Based upon her report and on your personnel file, I’m recommending two things. The first is your promotion to Corporal, effective immediately. You showed excellent leadership under fire, and your previous experience as a Platoon Leader in Basic supports this decision.’
“Secondly, I am recommending you for the Silver Galaxy Medal, First Class, for duty above and beyond the call. Quite frankly, if you hadn’t taken that emplacement out, your squad would have suffered a lot more casualties than they did. Pending the Commandant’s approval, N’Gari will also receive the same award, Second Class.”
Kaly didn’t miss the fact that the woman hadn’t mentioned Jon or included him in the awards. She also wasn’t sure that she really deserved a medal, much less a promotion.
“Thank you, ma’am,” she answered instead, feeling a twinge of guilt for not voicing her true feelings.
Even so, Lislsdaater caught the doubt in her tone. “But?”
“Permission to speak freely, ma’am?”
“Granted.”
“Ma’am, this trooper is grateful for the medal, but she did what any Marine would have done in such a circumstance.” She almost added, ‘any Marine, even Jon’, but she knew better and left that part out. “She is also not sure she is ready for the rank of Corporal, ma’am.”
“Thank you for your frankness, Corporal,” Lislsdaater replied, “but I have a different opinion on both counts. The medal is yours whether you want it or not. What you did down on there is not what any other Marine would have done; it was extraordinary and you will be rewarded for it.’
“As for your new rank, the Corps needs good leaders, so get used to it. Corporal n’Darei will show you the particulars of the job and get you up to speed.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am”
“Now,
there is one other item of business that I want to address,” Lislsdaater continued. “This is your future in the Corps. Have you given any thought to your military career?”
“Ma’am?” Kaly asked. Up to that point she hadn’t really considered being anything but a ground-pounder, and the Colonel’s question caught her completely by surprise.
“Although you’ve only been a Marine for a short time, you have distinguished yourself,” Lislsdaater explained. “It’s time you thought about your career track. There’s a lot more to the Corps than just Mobile Infantry Specialists, N’Deena, and the Sisterhood needs good women to serve in key jobs. You scored high on the CAFAT test when you enlisted, and that, combined with your performance to date, opens up a lot of possibilities. I’d like to suggest one job in particular: Special Operations.”
“The Marauders, ma’am?” Kaly was incredulous. The Marine Marauders were the elite forces of the Sisterhood Marines. It had been a Marauder unit that had prevented her from getting herself killed when she had tried to engage the Hriss patrol on Persephone. The very last thing that she’d ever expected was for someone to tell her that she had what it took to measure up to their standards. The Marauder units were a thing apart, like the super-heroines of the realies, and not something that a simple anyone like her could ever aspire to.
“The same outfit, n’Deena,” Lislsdaater said. “I spent some time in SpecOps myself before I went to OCS, and they need women who can show leadership and quick thinking under fire. I think you have what it takes, and I’d suggest that you consider it.’
“Naturally, I want the best to serve with Hekate’s Hounds, but I also want what’s best for the Sisterhood. It would mean more training on Hella’s World of course, and Larra’s Lament, but I think that once you got through it, you’d realize that I was right about it being a good fit for you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kaly answered, but again her tone betrayed her.
“You’re concerned about your Battle Sister. Is that it?” Lislsdaater ventured.
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am,” Kaly admitted.
“I understand, Corporal,” the woman said, “but sometimes personal relationships have to suffer for the greater good. Sometimes they even come out the stronger after they’re tested. That’s something you’ll have to find out on your own, with your partner.’
“But remember what we’re here for. It’s not for us, N’Deena. It’s for the women that we protect, and you owe them something too. Think about this, and think about SpecOps. If you decide you want to go through with it, I’ll put your application through myself. In the meantime, you are dismissed.”
Kaly left the Colonel’s office deep in thought. That night, when she saw Lena, she didn’t mention what the Colonel had suggested to her, and only talked about the promotion. Aside from mutual congratulations over their medals, and shared commiseration about Jon’s unfair treatment, Lena was just as taciturn about her own meeting with the Colonel.
Kaly didn’t pry into the reason for this though. She knew that Lena would tell her what was bothering her, when she was ready.
There was no private meeting with Col. Lislsdaater for Jon and as Kaly had rightly guessed, no promotion, or any medal. Instead, he received a notice over his psiever informing him that a note had been placed in his personnel file.
It read simply; “Trooper fa’Teela assisted his fellow Marines in neutralizing enemy resistance on the third planet in system CD48 2259. This entry is to formally document this fact, and will be included in Fa’Teela’s permanent service record. Col. Marya Lislsdaater, Commander, 115th Marine Combined Combat Force.”
Jon wasn’t bitter about this snub, nor was he jealous of Kaly and Lena. They deserved the recognition that they had received, and he was genuinely happy for them. The simple fact that he had been acknowledged in any way was reward enough. It represented one more step towards the acceptance of neomen by the Sisterhood, and beyond this, of the Redeemer Himself when the time came for His coming. Those things were far more important than any worldly awards.
And as if in acknowledgement of this, he received another message later that day. The Athena had made port at Thenti again to take on supplies, and the mail.
There was a flimsy for him from New Covenant. Per Naval Regs, a censor had already screened the letter, but the body of the message was completely intact.
To any other eyes, it contained nothing more than long scriptural passages from the Revelation of Mari, but it was a quote from Joahnna 14.2 that caught his attention immediately.
“Suffer not the unbelieving to know all that is encompassed by Thy wisdom,” it said, “For it would be turned by them only to evil ends.”
The citation was meant to alert him that a secret message was concealed within the letter’s text. Jon drew the privacy curtain around his rack and opened his bible to the Book of Holy Numbers. Using this as his cipher key, he carefully decoded the message.
He was stunned by its contents. It was from Sister n’Avenal.
“The One may soon be among us,” it read. “After careful study by the Church and final approval by the Council of Bishops and the Pope, a worthy Sister was chosen and given the honor of being implanted as the Holy Host Mother. May it be the Creator’s Will that His day has come unto us at last! Mari be praised to the Heavens!”
Jon put the flimsy aside and got down on his knees, ignoring the pain that the hard metal flooring inflicted on them. Tears of joy filled his eyes as he thanked Jesu and Mari for the greatest gift of all. The salvation of all humankind.
***
A copy of Jon’s flimsy reached Ophida n' Marsi before even Jon had had the chance to read it, and his activities with the Revelation were relayed to her private terminal. Her computer immediately deciphered the message and a translated version was waiting for her.
The Book of Numbers cipher had been broken for many years, and the Agency had kept this fact a closely guarded secret for situations just like this. As she sat in her office and reviewed the decoded communication, the priestess realized that something very important had occurred in the Marionite genetic project. What it was, she was not entirely certain, but it was quite clear that the Agency had to be notified immediately.
And although Ophida dearly wanted to have Jon detained for questioning right then and there, she knew that she had to resist the temptation. For the moment at least, she simply did not have enough proof to justify such an action. If it came to a formal review, anyone would be able to argue that it was equally as likely that he had received the message as one of the “Faithful,” as he might have as a covert agent.
More evidence would be needed to indict him, and she knew it. Without it, all she could really do was instruct her operatives to maintain their surveillance, and hope that he, or his handlers, made a fatal mistake. Goddess willing, they would.
USSNS Pallas Athena, Treani, Brin System, Sagana Territory United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.03|23|07:74:30
With the help of Saara sa’Vika, and the ship’s PX, Lilith had managed to get her hands on some paper and a pen, and sat down at her desk to write a letter.
“My Darling Ingrit,” she began, “I have read your letter many times, and always it is your last words to me, ‘I love you,’ that captures my heart.’
“I have just completed a very important mission, and it would seem that the Goddess has given me more tasks to fulfill in the next few months. The times ahead will be difficult for all of us, but I will face them as I always have, and do as She commands until she declares that my labors are complete.’
“My dearest, I pray to Her every day; I pray for you and for everyone at the farm, and I pray that when my work is done, and we are all safe at last, that She will see fit to grant me what I have come to realize is my most earnest wish. This is to leave space behind and join you in a life together, there on Zommerlaand.’
“May the Goddess grant that this day comes soon, a day when we will be in each other’s arms again, and this time, share our sunsets
together until the very last one paints the sky.’
“Until then, know that wherever I am, that I love you--Lilith”
Grunvaald Haarmaaneplaatz, Vaalkenstaad Township, Zommerlaand, Sunna 3, Solara Elant, United Sisterhood of Suns, 1043.03|23|00.00.12
Grammy awoke with a start. It was still dark outside, and her psiever told her that it was 00:00 hours. She heard a tapping at her window and realized what it was that had roused her. It was Old Meg, drumming on the glass with her beak, and when she saw the bird, she knew that something was wrong. Very wrong.
The old woman went to the window and admitted the creature, which hopped up onto her shoulder right away and began talking to her in their special language. Shortly, Meg’s message became clear, and she lifted the bird off of her and set it down on the sill to get dressed.
Ingrit was already waiting for her when she went downstairs, holding a lantern and a shawl. Grammy wasn’t surprised by this. Ingrit had always had the Sight and had known that something was amiss.
“I had a dream, Grötdaar,” Ingrit explained. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“Yah,” Grammy replied. “We must go to the High Place.”
Ingrit put the shawl around Grammy’s shoulders, and followed her out of the house and up the trail to the grove. At the High Place, Grammy took her seat on the carved tree stump, and Old Meg landed on her shoulder.
The two of them talked at length, and when the conversation was over, the bird took its customary place on a nearby branch and waited. Then Grammy relayed the message that Old Meg had given her from the Oude Mehnsz.
“The Gods have sent us a warning,” she said, “A great evil is coming. We must be on our guard, and do all that we can to lend our strength and wisdom to those whom the Gods have ordained will fight against the Enemy. I fear for them, Granddaughter; there are terrible times ahead. Terrible.”
Sisterhood of Suns: Pallas Athena Page 66