~See Part One For Disclaimers Ect.~
By the time Aeryn was ten cycles old she was at the top of her class. Under the gaze of her instructors she was strong and stoically cold, as was expected of her. She could beat most of her classmates in mock battle easily, and in these battles she was absolutely ruthless. However, when away from the cruel gaze of the adult peacekeepers, she and Teark were as close as ever.
Aeryn had never felt any need to befriend any of her other young comrades, they were weak, sniveling creatures in her opinion. She had seen to many of them fall, either being killed or trained as techs. She had taken Gbran's advise to heart, emotional attachments were dangerous in small crews. As for Teark, she had become attached to him before she had known better, and the attachment remained strong. That's why it was so painful for her when she found out he would be leaving her.
"Aeryn." It was some time late in the ship's sleep period when Teark whispered her name. Aeryn cracked her eyes open slightly, seeing the dim outline of Teark kneeling by her cot. He was still tiny, much smaller than any of the other children. He looked almost two arns younger than he really was, but Aeryn had never seen him as inferior. She yawned, not completely awake as she slowly sat up in bed. Teark climbed up next to her, his dark eyes bright and awake. He took a deep, tremulous breath before speaking again. "I just found out I have to go away." He whispered. Aeryn paled considerably. Her first thought was that he couldn't leave her, she needed him too much.
"When?" Was all she said. She kept her voice carefully controlled, despite her emotional turmoil.
"Tomorrow." Teark whimpered. This emotional display made Aeryn uncomfortable, because she knew if any other peacekeeper were to see him like this he would be in trouble. This all was so sudden, and Aeryn had to work hard to keep herself from crying beside Teark.
"Why?" She began to ask, but the word stuck in her throat, refusing to be said. "Where are they taking you?" She asked instead. Teark merely shrugged.
"Another training vessel." The boy whispered.
"Of course." Aeryn muttered angrily. She nodded solemnly and rolled over in bed closing her eyes. She felt Teark's hands shaking her shoulder insistently, but she feigned sleep. After a moment he gave up, but he lay down next to her, taking her hand in his.
The next morning was absolute hezmona for Aeryn. Teark left early in the morning, along with two other children. He was gone by the time she marched off to her morning training session. By now class had her advanced past fighting the air, and were being pitted against each other, in mock battles. Usually Aeryn enjoyed these, they were a chance to develop new technique, as well as prove her superiority. Today she was distracted, and sluggish from lack of sleep. She was defeated three times in a row by different students, before the days training session finally mercifully ended and she was aloud to return to quarters.
"Miss your little friend Aeryn?" Snickered one of Aeryn's classmates once the door had closed behind them. Her name was Mila, and she had green eyes and straight black hair that was cut short. Aeryn rounded on her furiously, tackling her to the floor. Soon three other girls and a boy, Mila's friends were yanking her off her.
"What is that Gbran say's about emotional attachments?" the boy asked, "not such a perfect soldier now are you?" Aeryn spun around angrily, trying to figure out a way to destroy all five of them at once, when Mila jumped up on her back. Aeryn through her off , and the cursed girl hung painfully onto to her braid. She finally let go only when Aeryn elbowed her in the stomach hard.
Aeryn charged through her attackers, and out of the room. She could here them laughing merrily behind the closed doors, a sound that became coldly engraved in her mind. Her steps were loud and heavy as she moved quickly down the ships corridors. Surprisingly she didn't meet single person as she walked to the gymnasium. She was glad of that, she was afraid that somebody would see the unshed tears in her eyes and think her weak.
As she entered the large room, she immediately strode up to the red training dummy. She felt a desperate need to beat the dren out of something, and her classmates weren't being very cooperative. Her arms moved in a smooth fierce routine, and she smiled through gritted teeth as the dummy took her punishment without a sound. It wasn't long before her body shown with perspiration, and her simple black attire stuck to her skin. She knew she shouldn't be here, class would be starting in a few microts, and she would be in trouble when her instructor found her missing. She didn't care.
The sound of soft laughter interrupted her murderously angry thoughts. She spun around fiercely, like a feral animal, and found herself gazing up at the face of a very tall male soldier. She scanned him quickly. He had auburn hair, and the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. His handsome face was marred by a large, deep scar running across his left cheek. He seemed very young, but judging from the style of his uniform he was a high ranking officer. She spoke rudely to him, still dangerously absorbed in her fury.
"Stop it! I'm not doing anything funny." The young officer chuckled patiently.
"I never implied that you were. It's simply pleasing to see a little girl who is obviously so enthusiastic about her studies." There had been a time when the sound of a harsh adult voice was enough to make Aeryn recoil, now the kindness she heard in the man's voice had a similar effect. She turned from him, continuing her futile effort to beat the training dummy to a bloody pulp. When the man was still standing close behind her after several microts she grudgingly returned her attention to him.
"Why the frell are you watching me?" her voice was very loud despite her small size. He let out another infuriating laugh. Stomped her foot. "Tell me now!" She demanded.
"Hmmm... this is new. Aren't you a bit young to be giving me orders." Aeryn blanched, as the realization of how much trouble her current behavior could get her into.
"Yes sir." She mumbled defeated for the second time that day. The peacekeeper man placed a hand on her shoulder.
.
"Why don't you let me bring you back to class." He said gently.
"Class doesn't start again for at least a quarter of an arn sir." Aeryn replied. She frowned. She had absolutely no desire to go back to class and see the other children. It seemed strange that she had never noticed until today how much they hated her.
"Alright then, you have enough time to come with me to the galley." Aeryn was confused by the strange direction that this conversation was taking, as well as intrigued by this superior officer who seemed to take such an instant interest in her; beside the longer she stayed with 0this man the longer she could avoid her classmates. //Cowardice// her mind screamed, disgusted by the thought of this avoidance, as the young officer led her down the halls of the great vessel.
"you're a quiet little thing now that you've calmed down a bit." The man remarked offhandedly. His bright blue eyes had an almost hypnotic quality as he studied her intently. Aeryn had to rip her gaze away from his before answering.
"Yes sir." Was all she said. Part of her knew that he was trying to initiate a conversation with her, but the thought of speaking candidly with an adult Peacekeeper struck her as bizarre. He grinned, apparently trying to speak in a manner she would more readily understand.
"Alright officer, state your name and rank." Aeryn grinned in spite of herself to hear him use the title 'officer' when referring to her.
"Aeryn Sun, Cadet third level, sir!" When the man playfully saluted her she laughed outright.
"And I am Captain Erivil, with the Limmyf regiment." Aeryn returned his solute as they entered the galley.
Erivil helped her on to the high bar stool, grinning with warmth that would send the soul of most Peacekeepers into heat delirium. Aeryn flushed with pride as he introduced her to three rowdy soldiers that she assumed were his friends as "Officer Sun". Erivil gestured for the barkeep to come closer to him.
"And what will you be having today sir?"
"Felipe Nectar, of course."
"You mean fillip piss" one of his friends corrected him smugly.
"I don't care what it is, it's still the best stuff in the universe." The commander smiled and turned his attention to Aeryn, "And what will you be having Officer Sun?" She shrugged in response, and he ordered a R'lec shake for her.
Aeryn's R'lec shake was a smooth, icy cold confection, with a somewhat transparent purple tint. It was very sweet, but it had a slightly tangy aftertaste that made it absolutely delicious. She found herself slightly uncomfortable with her company, and location. She knew that she should be participating in training exercises, not enjoying a sugary desert. Captain Erivil's friends had been rowdy and eccentric from the microt Aeryn had met them, and she found that these qualities were enhanced by their drinks. Erivil himself remained calmly playful throughout, and Aeryn was relieved when his friends finally left her alone with him.
"Are you going to tell me why your avoiding training?" There was that word again why.
"I'm not." Aeryn insisted.
"In that case I'll escort you back to class now."
"No!" Erivil smiled smugly.
"I can see you're not avoiding classes." Aeryn looked away from him, mumbling into her now empty cup.
"My only friend was reassigned, and everyone else hates me." When Aeryn looked up at her companion, she was surprised to see sympathy in his eyes.
"You really shouldn't form emotional attachments." His voice was soft, almost soothing. Aeryn nodded briskly.
"I know that."
"It happens some times... About emotional attachments-in the future avoid them at all costs, but don't seclude yourself. The others in your regiment are your comrades, not your enemies. It's alright to enjoy their company, as long as you don't feel anything for them you'll be fine."
"That's difficult." Aeryn admitted. Erivil placed a strong hand on her back, with a forced smile.
"Officer Sun, you are a Peacekeeper! I have nothing but confidence in your strength.
*****
Aeryn brooded silently in the children's quarters, waiting for G'Bran to come and punish her. She was surprised when several arns passed without her superior appearing. Captain Erivil had said he wouldn't. She was even more astonished when the next day at classes he did not even admonish her. Her classmates however were a different matter.
"I heard ya made friends with a commander." Mila said, plopping down next to Aeryn on her cot. The little girl wore a spiteful smile.
"Perhaps," was all Aeryn said.
"You should have been in trouble, big trouble. Your commander is coddling you, like a little tika cat." Aeryn's face burned with the insult. A tika cat was a small, relatively helpless animal known for its fragility, that was sometimes kept as a pet.
"Leave me alone! We're supposed to be comrades, not enemies!" Aeryn shouted.
"We are not!" Milla stomped her foot.
"We are to!" Aeryn retorted.
"Are NOT!" Aeryn was about to respond in kind, but instead she fixed Mila with a cold stare.
"You are so childish." She whispered.
"And you are a... Tika cat! Tika cat! Tika Cat! Tika cat!" Aeryn's face became fixed in a sneer as she lounged at the girl who taunted her. In less than a microt she was on the floor, struggling under the wait of Aeryn's body. Aeryn's fist came up hard against Mina's face. There was a slight burst of pain as her knuckle came in contact with Mina's hard teeth, but judging from the tears that were beginning to well up in her opponents eyes, she had caused quite a bit of damage. Her lips spread into a cruel grin.
"Tika cat." She snarled getting up off the ground. She glanced at her classmates coldly, disgusted for ever letting herself be intimidated by them. Weak, sniveling children. She was Aeryn-no she was officer Sun, and she was a Peacekeeper. Peacekeepers were superior; peacekeepers could do anything.
She climbed into her cot, her exhaustion visibly apparent. She was uncomfortably aware of her companions eyes upon her. Nobody had moved to help Mila-nobody so much as looked at the girl. Good. Her last thoughts as she drifted off to sleep were of Teark... and how little she needed him.
*******
It was sometime late in the ships sleep cycle when Aeryn awoke to find a tall woman standing over her. Her hair was dark like Aeryn's own, pulled back into a harsh military braid. The woman's face however bore no harshness. It was somewhat aged, with the faintest smile lines. She was gazing down at Aeryn with a look the little girl found utterly unfamiliar
"Don't be afraid," She whispered. "My name is Xhalex Sun." Aeryn got drowsily out of her bed. None of the other children stirred as she looked the woman over appraisingly. The woman's next words were a complete shock. "I'm you mother." Aeryn was too stunned to even reply to this. "But you mustn't reveal to anyone that I was here. Do you understand?" Aeryn nodded mutely, full of unspoken wonder. "I came to tell you something. Aeryn your life is not an accident. And it wasn't an assigned birthing to fill the ranks. Talyn-that's you fathers name-he and I chose to have you. You were conceived in love. I wanted you to know this. It makes you special. We wanted you. And we love you. Go back to sleep now." Aeryn could do nothing but comply. She climbed silently back into her bed and closed her eyes. She listened to the woman-her mother's measured footsteps, and to the soft sound of the door opening then closing. Then she was gone.
Aeryn found her breath coming in erratic gasps brought on by her desperate attempts to fight the sob that wanted to escape her tight throat. Her face contorted into a forced frown, as her closed eyes became laden with tears. Through the night she fought threw her intense feelings of loss and love, feelings she had no right too have. She hadn't realized that emotional attachments could be formed that quickly.
*****
With the morning came doubt. Had that brief experience been merely a dream? Aeryn couldn't remember having ever dreamt before, but it seemed a far more logical explanation. She didn't dismiss the memory, despite its painfulness. Instead she filed it somewhere deep and sacred in the back of her mind, where she could cherish it without letting it destroy her.
The day was not half out when the ship began to tremble at the impact of gunfire. Battles where routine, and she had learned not to fear them at a young age. Indeed, she relished the thunderous blows of the weaponry, and loved watching the bright volley of fire. At the beginning of this particular battle Aeryn was practicing her fighting skills, something she was becoming rapidly proficient at. At Gbran's nodded and she ran with the other children to watch the battle through the window.
"What kind of ship is that?" Mila's voice was awe filled as she stared out at the large, imposing looking vessel.
"I Luxen... I think." Aeryn said uncertainly, forgetting for a microt her feud with Mila.
"Eww... I hate Luxens" One little girl intoned, making a disgusted face. Aeryn inclined her head in agreement.
"They are so..."
"Brutal?" Gbran finished her sentence for her. Aeryn nodded. Gbran smiled, as the ship shook at the impact of the inferior Luxen weaponry.
"Y'know they think their real good soldiers?" A young boy said, causing his companions to erupt in subdued laughter.
"They are barbarians!" Aeryn's voice was confidant, the pain of the past few days being forgotten in the excitement of battle.
"All non-Sabeciens are barbarians Tika." Mila's tone was that of someone who was very secure in their own superiority. Aeryn glared at her, angered by the girl's offhanded insult. Mila touched the bruise Aeryn had left on her jaw briefly, becoming abruptly silent.
Aeryn noticed that Gbran was absolutely beaming with joy, something that was rare for him. Her own grin widened as she noticed something break apart from the Luxen vessel. The large, reddish ship, lurched like a wounded animal caught in the threads dark, star filled tapestry that had become a backdrop to Aeryn's life.
******
Aeryn gazed dutifully in to the eyes of the young Luxen girl. She was about seven cycles older than Aeryn, a sturdy, muscular female. Her face was relatively pretty for her kind, and her eyes were like tortured blue flames as she stared down at Aeryn and her companions with deep rooted disdain. She had escaped, with several young children on a small pod, just before her ship had exploded. Gbran had explained to Aeryn and her classmates that this particular girl might "know something". What, Aeryn didn't know, and she knew better than to question her superiors. She watched grimly as an older female soldier, with dull brown hair and mud colored eyes, cut into one of the tentacles than hung protruding from the Luxen girl's large head. She screamed, thrashing against her restraints, her face contorted in sheer agony. Aeryn frowned, feeling some sympathy for this poor creature, but unwilling to express that feeling. Sympathy was almost as bad as emotional attachments.
She watched as the brunette soldier handed the knife over to Gbran, who handed it to Mila. The girl stared up at the Luxen, her lower lip trembling. Mila's discomfort helped to lighten Aeryn's mood. She just stood there holding the knife, making no movement toward the furious Luxen. Finally Aeryn turned to speak to her, with nothing but malice in her tone.
"When are you going to cut her? Hmmm?" She asked grinning wickedly. Mila glared angrily back at Aeryn.
"Why don't you cut her Tika?" She sneered. Recognizing Mila's cruel challenge, Aeryn decisively removed the blunt knife from her grasp. She put it up to one of the Luxen's tentacles, and cut deeply. She grimaced as something black and vile that she could only assume was Luxen blood ran sloppily through the crevices between her fingers, settling in warm puddles on the floor and the front of her black leather shirt. In the pit of her stomach enormous pride in shaming Mila warred uncomfortably with her need to vomit.
Her expression was one of triumphant strength however, as she handed the knife to the girl that she had come to think of as her competitor. Mila took it, making a quick, tiny knick in one of the Luxen's tentacles before wiping the black blood on her equally black pants. She passed it on to another child who did the same. The Luxen's screams echoed heartrendingly through the small chamber, but Aeryn barely heard them. They were background noise, insignificant as the throat that uttered them. Aeryn would not allow herself to care for a Luxen barbarian.
By the time Aeryn was ten cycles old she was at the top of her class. Under the gaze of her instructors she was strong and stoically cold, as was expected of her. She could beat most of her classmates in mock battle easily, and in these battles she was absolutely ruthless. However, when away from the cruel gaze of the adult peacekeepers, she and Teark were as close as ever.
Aeryn had never felt any need to befriend any of her other young comrades, they were weak, sniveling creatures in her opinion. She had seen to many of them fall, either being killed or trained as techs. She had taken Gbran's advise to heart, emotional attachments were dangerous in small crews. As for Teark, she had become attached to him before she had known better, and the attachment remained strong. That's why it was so painful for her when she found out he would be leaving her.
"Aeryn." It was some time late in the ship's sleep period when Teark whispered her name. Aeryn cracked her eyes open slightly, seeing the dim outline of Teark kneeling by her cot. He was still tiny, much smaller than any of the other children. He looked almost two arns younger than he really was, but Aeryn had never seen him as inferior. She yawned, not completely awake as she slowly sat up in bed. Teark climbed up next to her, his dark eyes bright and awake. He took a deep, tremulous breath before speaking again. "I just found out I have to go away." He whispered. Aeryn paled considerably. Her first thought was that he couldn't leave her, she needed him too much.
"When?" Was all she said. She kept her voice carefully controlled, despite her emotional turmoil.
"Tomorrow." Teark whimpered. This emotional display made Aeryn uncomfortable, because she knew if any other peacekeeper were to see him like this he would be in trouble. This all was so sudden, and Aeryn had to work hard to keep herself from crying beside Teark.
"Why?" She began to ask, but the word stuck in her throat, refusing to be said. "Where are they taking you?" She asked instead. Teark merely shrugged.
"Another training vessel." The boy whispered.
"Of course." Aeryn muttered angrily. She nodded solemnly and rolled over in bed closing her eyes. She felt Teark's hands shaking her shoulder insistently, but she feigned sleep. After a moment he gave up, but he lay down next to her, taking her hand in his.
The next morning was absolute hezmona for Aeryn. Teark left early in the morning, along with two other children. He was gone by the time she marched off to her morning training session. By now class had her advanced past fighting the air, and were being pitted against each other, in mock battles. Usually Aeryn enjoyed these, they were a chance to develop new technique, as well as prove her superiority. Today she was distracted, and sluggish from lack of sleep. She was defeated three times in a row by different students, before the days training session finally mercifully ended and she was aloud to return to quarters.
"Miss your little friend Aeryn?" Snickered one of Aeryn's classmates once the door had closed behind them. Her name was Mila, and she had green eyes and straight black hair that was cut short. Aeryn rounded on her furiously, tackling her to the floor. Soon three other girls and a boy, Mila's friends were yanking her off her.
"What is that Gbran say's about emotional attachments?" the boy asked, "not such a perfect soldier now are you?" Aeryn spun around angrily, trying to figure out a way to destroy all five of them at once, when Mila jumped up on her back. Aeryn through her off , and the cursed girl hung painfully onto to her braid. She finally let go only when Aeryn elbowed her in the stomach hard.
Aeryn charged through her attackers, and out of the room. She could here them laughing merrily behind the closed doors, a sound that became coldly engraved in her mind. Her steps were loud and heavy as she moved quickly down the ships corridors. Surprisingly she didn't meet single person as she walked to the gymnasium. She was glad of that, she was afraid that somebody would see the unshed tears in her eyes and think her weak.
As she entered the large room, she immediately strode up to the red training dummy. She felt a desperate need to beat the dren out of something, and her classmates weren't being very cooperative. Her arms moved in a smooth fierce routine, and she smiled through gritted teeth as the dummy took her punishment without a sound. It wasn't long before her body shown with perspiration, and her simple black attire stuck to her skin. She knew she shouldn't be here, class would be starting in a few microts, and she would be in trouble when her instructor found her missing. She didn't care.
The sound of soft laughter interrupted her murderously angry thoughts. She spun around fiercely, like a feral animal, and found herself gazing up at the face of a very tall male soldier. She scanned him quickly. He had auburn hair, and the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen. His handsome face was marred by a large, deep scar running across his left cheek. He seemed very young, but judging from the style of his uniform he was a high ranking officer. She spoke rudely to him, still dangerously absorbed in her fury.
"Stop it! I'm not doing anything funny." The young officer chuckled patiently.
"I never implied that you were. It's simply pleasing to see a little girl who is obviously so enthusiastic about her studies." There had been a time when the sound of a harsh adult voice was enough to make Aeryn recoil, now the kindness she heard in the man's voice had a similar effect. She turned from him, continuing her futile effort to beat the training dummy to a bloody pulp. When the man was still standing close behind her after several microts she grudgingly returned her attention to him.
"Why the frell are you watching me?" her voice was very loud despite her small size. He let out another infuriating laugh. Stomped her foot. "Tell me now!" She demanded.
"Hmmm... this is new. Aren't you a bit young to be giving me orders." Aeryn blanched, as the realization of how much trouble her current behavior could get her into.
"Yes sir." She mumbled defeated for the second time that day. The peacekeeper man placed a hand on her shoulder.
.
"Why don't you let me bring you back to class." He said gently.
"Class doesn't start again for at least a quarter of an arn sir." Aeryn replied. She frowned. She had absolutely no desire to go back to class and see the other children. It seemed strange that she had never noticed until today how much they hated her.
"Alright then, you have enough time to come with me to the galley." Aeryn was confused by the strange direction that this conversation was taking, as well as intrigued by this superior officer who seemed to take such an instant interest in her; beside the longer she stayed with 0this man the longer she could avoid her classmates. //Cowardice// her mind screamed, disgusted by the thought of this avoidance, as the young officer led her down the halls of the great vessel.
"you're a quiet little thing now that you've calmed down a bit." The man remarked offhandedly. His bright blue eyes had an almost hypnotic quality as he studied her intently. Aeryn had to rip her gaze away from his before answering.
"Yes sir." Was all she said. Part of her knew that he was trying to initiate a conversation with her, but the thought of speaking candidly with an adult Peacekeeper struck her as bizarre. He grinned, apparently trying to speak in a manner she would more readily understand.
"Alright officer, state your name and rank." Aeryn grinned in spite of herself to hear him use the title 'officer' when referring to her.
"Aeryn Sun, Cadet third level, sir!" When the man playfully saluted her she laughed outright.
"And I am Captain Erivil, with the Limmyf regiment." Aeryn returned his solute as they entered the galley.
Erivil helped her on to the high bar stool, grinning with warmth that would send the soul of most Peacekeepers into heat delirium. Aeryn flushed with pride as he introduced her to three rowdy soldiers that she assumed were his friends as "Officer Sun". Erivil gestured for the barkeep to come closer to him.
"And what will you be having today sir?"
"Felipe Nectar, of course."
"You mean fillip piss" one of his friends corrected him smugly.
"I don't care what it is, it's still the best stuff in the universe." The commander smiled and turned his attention to Aeryn, "And what will you be having Officer Sun?" She shrugged in response, and he ordered a R'lec shake for her.
Aeryn's R'lec shake was a smooth, icy cold confection, with a somewhat transparent purple tint. It was very sweet, but it had a slightly tangy aftertaste that made it absolutely delicious. She found herself slightly uncomfortable with her company, and location. She knew that she should be participating in training exercises, not enjoying a sugary desert. Captain Erivil's friends had been rowdy and eccentric from the microt Aeryn had met them, and she found that these qualities were enhanced by their drinks. Erivil himself remained calmly playful throughout, and Aeryn was relieved when his friends finally left her alone with him.
"Are you going to tell me why your avoiding training?" There was that word again why.
"I'm not." Aeryn insisted.
"In that case I'll escort you back to class now."
"No!" Erivil smiled smugly.
"I can see you're not avoiding classes." Aeryn looked away from him, mumbling into her now empty cup.
"My only friend was reassigned, and everyone else hates me." When Aeryn looked up at her companion, she was surprised to see sympathy in his eyes.
"You really shouldn't form emotional attachments." His voice was soft, almost soothing. Aeryn nodded briskly.
"I know that."
"It happens some times... About emotional attachments-in the future avoid them at all costs, but don't seclude yourself. The others in your regiment are your comrades, not your enemies. It's alright to enjoy their company, as long as you don't feel anything for them you'll be fine."
"That's difficult." Aeryn admitted. Erivil placed a strong hand on her back, with a forced smile.
"Officer Sun, you are a Peacekeeper! I have nothing but confidence in your strength.
*****
Aeryn brooded silently in the children's quarters, waiting for G'Bran to come and punish her. She was surprised when several arns passed without her superior appearing. Captain Erivil had said he wouldn't. She was even more astonished when the next day at classes he did not even admonish her. Her classmates however were a different matter.
"I heard ya made friends with a commander." Mila said, plopping down next to Aeryn on her cot. The little girl wore a spiteful smile.
"Perhaps," was all Aeryn said.
"You should have been in trouble, big trouble. Your commander is coddling you, like a little tika cat." Aeryn's face burned with the insult. A tika cat was a small, relatively helpless animal known for its fragility, that was sometimes kept as a pet.
"Leave me alone! We're supposed to be comrades, not enemies!" Aeryn shouted.
"We are not!" Milla stomped her foot.
"We are to!" Aeryn retorted.
"Are NOT!" Aeryn was about to respond in kind, but instead she fixed Mila with a cold stare.
"You are so childish." She whispered.
"And you are a... Tika cat! Tika cat! Tika Cat! Tika cat!" Aeryn's face became fixed in a sneer as she lounged at the girl who taunted her. In less than a microt she was on the floor, struggling under the wait of Aeryn's body. Aeryn's fist came up hard against Mina's face. There was a slight burst of pain as her knuckle came in contact with Mina's hard teeth, but judging from the tears that were beginning to well up in her opponents eyes, she had caused quite a bit of damage. Her lips spread into a cruel grin.
"Tika cat." She snarled getting up off the ground. She glanced at her classmates coldly, disgusted for ever letting herself be intimidated by them. Weak, sniveling children. She was Aeryn-no she was officer Sun, and she was a Peacekeeper. Peacekeepers were superior; peacekeepers could do anything.
She climbed into her cot, her exhaustion visibly apparent. She was uncomfortably aware of her companions eyes upon her. Nobody had moved to help Mila-nobody so much as looked at the girl. Good. Her last thoughts as she drifted off to sleep were of Teark... and how little she needed him.
*******
It was sometime late in the ships sleep cycle when Aeryn awoke to find a tall woman standing over her. Her hair was dark like Aeryn's own, pulled back into a harsh military braid. The woman's face however bore no harshness. It was somewhat aged, with the faintest smile lines. She was gazing down at Aeryn with a look the little girl found utterly unfamiliar
"Don't be afraid," She whispered. "My name is Xhalex Sun." Aeryn got drowsily out of her bed. None of the other children stirred as she looked the woman over appraisingly. The woman's next words were a complete shock. "I'm you mother." Aeryn was too stunned to even reply to this. "But you mustn't reveal to anyone that I was here. Do you understand?" Aeryn nodded mutely, full of unspoken wonder. "I came to tell you something. Aeryn your life is not an accident. And it wasn't an assigned birthing to fill the ranks. Talyn-that's you fathers name-he and I chose to have you. You were conceived in love. I wanted you to know this. It makes you special. We wanted you. And we love you. Go back to sleep now." Aeryn could do nothing but comply. She climbed silently back into her bed and closed her eyes. She listened to the woman-her mother's measured footsteps, and to the soft sound of the door opening then closing. Then she was gone.
Aeryn found her breath coming in erratic gasps brought on by her desperate attempts to fight the sob that wanted to escape her tight throat. Her face contorted into a forced frown, as her closed eyes became laden with tears. Through the night she fought threw her intense feelings of loss and love, feelings she had no right too have. She hadn't realized that emotional attachments could be formed that quickly.
*****
With the morning came doubt. Had that brief experience been merely a dream? Aeryn couldn't remember having ever dreamt before, but it seemed a far more logical explanation. She didn't dismiss the memory, despite its painfulness. Instead she filed it somewhere deep and sacred in the back of her mind, where she could cherish it without letting it destroy her.
The day was not half out when the ship began to tremble at the impact of gunfire. Battles where routine, and she had learned not to fear them at a young age. Indeed, she relished the thunderous blows of the weaponry, and loved watching the bright volley of fire. At the beginning of this particular battle Aeryn was practicing her fighting skills, something she was becoming rapidly proficient at. At Gbran's nodded and she ran with the other children to watch the battle through the window.
"What kind of ship is that?" Mila's voice was awe filled as she stared out at the large, imposing looking vessel.
"I Luxen... I think." Aeryn said uncertainly, forgetting for a microt her feud with Mila.
"Eww... I hate Luxens" One little girl intoned, making a disgusted face. Aeryn inclined her head in agreement.
"They are so..."
"Brutal?" Gbran finished her sentence for her. Aeryn nodded. Gbran smiled, as the ship shook at the impact of the inferior Luxen weaponry.
"Y'know they think their real good soldiers?" A young boy said, causing his companions to erupt in subdued laughter.
"They are barbarians!" Aeryn's voice was confidant, the pain of the past few days being forgotten in the excitement of battle.
"All non-Sabeciens are barbarians Tika." Mila's tone was that of someone who was very secure in their own superiority. Aeryn glared at her, angered by the girl's offhanded insult. Mila touched the bruise Aeryn had left on her jaw briefly, becoming abruptly silent.
Aeryn noticed that Gbran was absolutely beaming with joy, something that was rare for him. Her own grin widened as she noticed something break apart from the Luxen vessel. The large, reddish ship, lurched like a wounded animal caught in the threads dark, star filled tapestry that had become a backdrop to Aeryn's life.
******
Aeryn gazed dutifully in to the eyes of the young Luxen girl. She was about seven cycles older than Aeryn, a sturdy, muscular female. Her face was relatively pretty for her kind, and her eyes were like tortured blue flames as she stared down at Aeryn and her companions with deep rooted disdain. She had escaped, with several young children on a small pod, just before her ship had exploded. Gbran had explained to Aeryn and her classmates that this particular girl might "know something". What, Aeryn didn't know, and she knew better than to question her superiors. She watched grimly as an older female soldier, with dull brown hair and mud colored eyes, cut into one of the tentacles than hung protruding from the Luxen girl's large head. She screamed, thrashing against her restraints, her face contorted in sheer agony. Aeryn frowned, feeling some sympathy for this poor creature, but unwilling to express that feeling. Sympathy was almost as bad as emotional attachments.
She watched as the brunette soldier handed the knife over to Gbran, who handed it to Mila. The girl stared up at the Luxen, her lower lip trembling. Mila's discomfort helped to lighten Aeryn's mood. She just stood there holding the knife, making no movement toward the furious Luxen. Finally Aeryn turned to speak to her, with nothing but malice in her tone.
"When are you going to cut her? Hmmm?" She asked grinning wickedly. Mila glared angrily back at Aeryn.
"Why don't you cut her Tika?" She sneered. Recognizing Mila's cruel challenge, Aeryn decisively removed the blunt knife from her grasp. She put it up to one of the Luxen's tentacles, and cut deeply. She grimaced as something black and vile that she could only assume was Luxen blood ran sloppily through the crevices between her fingers, settling in warm puddles on the floor and the front of her black leather shirt. In the pit of her stomach enormous pride in shaming Mila warred uncomfortably with her need to vomit.
Her expression was one of triumphant strength however, as she handed the knife to the girl that she had come to think of as her competitor. Mila took it, making a quick, tiny knick in one of the Luxen's tentacles before wiping the black blood on her equally black pants. She passed it on to another child who did the same. The Luxen's screams echoed heartrendingly through the small chamber, but Aeryn barely heard them. They were background noise, insignificant as the throat that uttered them. Aeryn would not allow herself to care for a Luxen barbarian.