The Service of the Sword

Indeed, we were probably kinder than the Faithful would have been.'

'I note that you do not include yourself in the Faithful,' Captain Boniece said. 'Yet a moment ago you spoke of 'your husband.' '

Judith felt as if he was trying to trap her, and chose her words carefully.

'If we speak of faith in God,' she said, 'then we are all faithful, for we have trusted Him to guide us forth. However, if we speak of the Faithful of the Church of Humanity Unchained, then we are not of that number. Those Faithful rate their women as property. We defy that right.'

She shook with the wrath that rose within her.

'By their law I am the youngest wife of Ephraim Templeton. He wed me when I was twelve years of age, after murdering my parents two years earlier and stealing me away. I am Grayson born.'

'Grayson?'

'That is unimportant,' Judith said. 'For my Sisters are all born of Masada but have seen their way to freedom. They are my people, and I will do anything to keep them from those who treat them as slaves. I tell you this. We are sworn to die rather than be taken.'

Pity, wonder, and calculation crossed Captain Boniece's features. Then he turned as if listening to something outside of the range of the pick-up.

'Forgive me, Captain Judith. Two questions. One, can you confirm your Grayson birth? We are not looking to abandon your Sisters, but the matter is of some interest.'

'I know my parents' names and where I was born,' she replied. 'I know the name of the ship we were on, the ship Ephraim took and later converted into one of those that even now pursue us. If the Graysons have records, these things may help.'

'Indeed.' Boniece's gaze met hers squarely. 'I am inclined to assist you, at least to the extent of letting you make your own escape. However, I cannot do this without confirming that you are who you say you are. Are you familiar with those programs that enable one person to look like another over communication lines?'

'Very well indeed,' Judith said.

'Then you understand our dilemma. Unless we are certain you are who you are, then we might be accused of assisting someone—say those from Firebird —to hijack Aaron's Rod. If members of my crew could board you, confirm that you are who you say you are . . .'

Judith frowned.

'Might you not seek to take us in turn?'

Captain Boniece shrugged. 'There must be some trust. However, I will make it easier for you. Did you note the pinnace from this ship that left Masada shortly after your own departure?'

'Yes.'

'She has aboard a crew of only four: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, and one passenger. The passenger is Midshipman Michael Winton, brother of the very Queen whose protection you invoked. Let them come aboard and confirm your account. After they do so, they will leave.'

Judith frowned, sensing the unhappiness of her bridge crew.

'I must consult my Sisters,' she said. 'I will reply as soon as possible.'

'Very good, Captain Judith. I will inform the pinnace as to her possible course change.'

Judith thanked him and broke the connection, then turned to deal with Babel unleashed.

What had seemed like aeons ago, Sherlyn had reported the launching of the Manticoran pinnace, and that it appeared to be returning to Intransigent. Judith had filed the information away as unimportant. Now, however, the sleek vessel seemed to glow brighter on her plots.

'Men!' spat Odelia. 'They'll get their men aboard and betray us. We might have had a chance if Intransigent's captain was a woman, but a man . . .'

'You forget,' Dinah said, 'that the Star Kingdom knew they were sending Intransigent to Masada. They would have chosen a ship with a male captain from routine diplomacy if nothing more. Stop thinking with your womb, Odelia. These are men who serve with women, men sworn to the service of a queen. They have no hatred of women.'

'I still don't like the idea of letting four men aboard,' Odelia sulked. 'They may behave differently away from their female associates. Men do revert to animality when denied the gentler voice of women.'

'The responsibility is mine,' Judith said, finding her voice at last. 'I am captain by your own election. We have said much about how God is testing us. Let us not forget that Satan has his due. Remember how the Chosen People were led astray to worship a Golden Calf in the desert.'

'This is no Golden Calf,' Odelia said, confused.

'It is a temptation to turn away from what God offers us,' Judith said, amazed at her own confident tone, though she thought she had no trust in any god. 'All this Captain Boniece asks for is confirmation that we are who we say we are. He does not ask us to come to him. Instead he sends to us.'

Sherlyn spoke, 'Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego they go into the fiery furnace, trusting we will not burn them.'

'And do not forget,' Dinah added, 'they also send their Queen's own brother. They would not send him lightly.'

Judith nodded.

'Odelia, connect me to Intransigent.'

When Captain Boniece's features shaped on the screen, Judith said with what grace she could manage, 'Captain, we would welcome your inspection team. My Sisters, however, are very fearful. We would be grateful if your men would leave their weapons aboard their vessel.'

'That can be arranged,' Captain Boniece said. 'They will rendezvous with you as promptly as possible.'

'And I will have an escort waiting to meet them,' she replied. 'Judith, out.'

When the connection was cut, Judith said, 'Send Samson's Bane to the aft cargo bay. Tell them to carry their weapons, but not to offer threat.'

Odelia relaxed marginally as she relayed the instructions. Judith, watching the various pursuing dots on her plot, relaxed not at all.

Michael listened as Captain Boniece concluded his briefing.

'We'll send transcripts of our conversations with Captain Judith,' Boniece said, 'and of Ronald Sands' request on behalf of Chief Elder Simonds.'

'May I ask, Sir,' Michael said, 'how you plan to respond to him?'

'That will depend on your report, Midshipman Winton. However, if you confirm that there is reason to believe Captain Judith's version of events, I intend to support her.'

'Sir, that's going to pretty much destroy chances of an alliance with the Endicott System,' Michael said, realizing even as he spoke that he was thinking more like a prince than a midshipman.

'I am aware of this, Mr. Winton.'

Michael didn't think he was imagining the stress the captain placed on his surname.

'I have also consulted with Ambassador Faldo, and he has his own reasons for encouraging us. I have also heard Mr. Hill's report on the 'missing' people on Masada, and that seems to provide some external substantiation for Captain Judith's account of events.'

'Yes, Sir. May I ask one more question?'

'Go ahead.'

'Will the Ambassador and his contingent be in danger?'

Captain Boniece smiled. 'John Hill thought you might ask. He said to tell you that arrangements for their safety had been made. You may make your report on the situation aboard Aaron's Rod without concern for them.'

'Thank you, Sir.'

'A reminder, Mr. Winton. The Sisterhood of Barbara is desperate. Captain Judith has openly admitted that they killed the smugglers they found aboard Aaron's Rod lest the Sisters be stopped in achieving their Exodus. John Hill reports that at least one dead man was found at the Templeton estate. Do not underestimate them. They may be lower tech than we are, but you can die from a knife wound as easily as from a