Chapter 6

"Did you… did you have to use the same bathrooms as the boys?"

The girl's question brought forth a gale of laughter and giggles from the other girls in the auditorium and polite chuckles from their mothers. The girl's face blushed a bright pink and Anny sincerely hoped her face didn't match it.

Sara Fetherbay had told her that the meeting was going to be only for the officers' wives, but apparently the thing had just growed of its own accord. There were easily three hundred women and girls facing her and even a few men in uniform—fathers, she presumed. One of the Fort's auditoriums had been pressed into service to accommodate them all.

Anny forced herself to smile at the girl who had asked the question. She looked about twelve. "Well, not very often," she said. "They have a separate women's barracks at the Academy now with its own bathrooms. They've put women's locker rooms in the training facilities and I understand they are adding women's restrooms in the academic buildings, too." The girl smiled in relief and sat down.

But almost immediately another woman stood up. "You said 'not very often', Lieutenant. I assume that means that there were times when you… did have to share the facilities with the men?"

"Yes, ma'am, it does. Sometimes there aren't going to be separate facilities. Sometimes there isn't going to be any privacy. That's just the way it is." An awkward silence followed and Anny decided it was about time to wrap this up. She'd been up at the podium talking and taking questions for nearly an hour. "The thing that you all have to remember is that the main purpose of the Imperial Service Academy is to train combat officers. That is a very serious thing. A matter of life and death, quite literally. Little things like bathrooms or modesty just don't count much when compared to having the lives of your fellow soldiers in your hands. The Imperial Service Academy is one of the finest and toughest institutions of its kind in the wormhole nexus. It's tough on purpose. Anyone who doesn't have what it takes will not make it through and that is a good thing. But if you do have what it takes then you will find that serving the Imperium, the Emperor, and the people will be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do." She paused and then said "Thank you very much for letting me speak to you today." She stepped back from the podium.

The applause that followed seemed enthusiastic and quite sincere and Anny was touched. Mrs. Fetherbay came up and spoke for a moment, thanking Anny and all who had attended and then she escorted Anny through a door at the rear of the stage. "Well!" she said. "That went as well as I could have hoped! Thank you so much for doing this, Anny."

"I hope I didn't scare too many of them away."

"The ones who really want to do it won't be scared. And those you did scare off were never serious to begin with. That's why I asked you to give this talk. I hear from the mothers in the Regiment all the time and ever since we got the word that you'd be coming here, their daughters have all started talking about going to the Academy. We thought a dose of cold realism would be a good thing and you provided that."

"Glad I could help out. But from what I've seen and heard, the Academy is doing an exceptionally thorough job of screening the female applicants these days. Any girl trying to get in will probably be getting several doses of cold realism before they ever make it through the door."

"Yes," said Mrs. Fetherbay, "that's what we've heard." The woman frowned. "Anny, do you have time for a short one-on-one talk with me?"

Anny checked the time. "I've got about a half hour before I have to go and get ready for dress parade."

"Oh good. That should be plenty of time. There's an office over here where we can have some privacy." She led the way to a small room and shut the door after them. "Anny, I couldn't help but notice the one thing you didn't talk about today." Anny raised her eyebrows and gave a quizzical look. "Sex."

"It's against regulations at the Academy, ma'am."

"A lot of things are against regulations but that doesn't mean they never happen."

"Well, it never happened while I was a cadet, ma'am. Not that I ever saw or heard about."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh," Fetherbay looked surprised. "I… I had just heard some rumors about you and Lieutenant Naddel…"

"We fell in love at the Academy, but we waited until after graduation until we did anything about it, ma'am. All perfectly legal per the regulations." Anny's voice had become stiffer. This wasn't any of Fetherbay's business.

"I see. Well, that wasn't really what I was concerned about, anyway," said Fetherbay. "I'd heard some other rumors. About something that happened involving you on Komarr."

Anny frowned. She'd been afraid that was where this was heading. She realized that the story was going to spread with time, but she hadn't really thought about it spreading to civilians… "What do you want to know, ma'am? Was I raped? No. Did someone try to rape me? Yes. I don't think I'm at liberty to tell you any more than that."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Anny. I had hoped that the rumors were just rumors. You see, my daughter is sixteen—you saw her there in the audience today—and she isn't going to be scared off. She worships her father and the notion of being able to following in his footsteps has completely taken hold of her. And well, I worry about her as any parent would. Being one of just a handful of women in the service… surrounded by all those men…"

"I understand, ma'am. And I won't lie to you that there's no danger." She paused and looked down at the floor for a moment before continuing. "I think… I think the worst of it is that you can prepare yourself mentally for being killed or hurt… or raped by the enemy. But to have it happen from someone who's supposed to be your friend. That's hard. You shouldn't have to fight front and rear, but there it is."

"So… so how do you? Fight front and rear, I mean?" asked Fetherbay, her eyes wide, her brow creased with worry.

"There were two things that got me through. One was preparation. I didn't just walk into the Academy like a lamb to the slaughter. I worked and trained for a solid year beforehand. Physical training, close combat training, I was as prepared as I could make myself. Just having the confidence that comes from knowing you can take care of yourself will dissuade a lot of bullies right off. But the most important thing is not trying to go it alone. I was lucky—incredibly lucky—that I found a few friends right off the bat. Good friends, friends whom I could trust with my life—or my honor. I never would have made it without them. I wish I could give you better reassurances, ma'am, but when you become an officer, you pledge your life to the Empire. If you're willing to die for the Empire then, well, you just have to accept all the rest."

Fetherbay stared at her and then slowly nodded. "Thank you, Anny. For being honest. For everything. Now you better go, I wouldn't want to make you late for dress parade."

[Scene Break]

"So what do you think?" asked Alby Vorsworth. He looked at Anny and Jer and Sven Estaban. They, in turn, were looking at the house he hoped to buy in Malverton.

"It looks nice from the outside," said Anny.

"Nice neighborhood and close to the bus stop," said Estaban.

"Can we look inside?" asked Jer.

"Unfortunately, no," said Alby. "While the reservists are here every square meter of rentable space is taken. This place has three families living here right now." Indeed, there were a half dozen children playing on the front lawn, several of them looking curiously in their direction.

"Once they clear out, we can go in. But I have some pictures on my computer, here, have a look." He held up his computer pad and started bringing up images. The others crowded closer to see.

Too late he realized that the pictures, supplied by the realtor, had the asking price listed next to them. Anny spotted it immediately. "Alby!" she cried. "We can't ask you to spend that much!"

"It's not really that much," he protested.

"It's a lieutenant's whole salary for six years!"

"Anny, I can afford it. And I can always sell it again later. Hell, I'll probably make a nice profit."

"Well, there is that," said Jer, who had a Komarran's eye for business. "If we pay Alby rent, he might come out pretty well in the end."

"Yeah! See?"

Anny frowned, but didn't offer any further protests. "How are we going to work our dog-robbers?" she asked. "It would be silly to have four of them."

Alby grinned. If she was asking a question like that, it meant she was going to agree! "Quinton's getting ready to retire and he tells me that his wife is insisting that they move somewhere where it doesn't snow. So I can probably let him go without much trouble."

"I've been sharing Lt. Vorquinz's man," said Jer. "Probably not a problem if I moved out."

"Well, that just leaves Anny's man and mine," said Estaban. "We can probably work out a schedule for the two of them."

"And I think they both live here in town anyway," said Anny. "It'll be easier for them."

"So it's agreed?" asked Alby.

"I think so," said Estaban. The others nodded.

"Good! I'll contact my realtor and have him put in a bid. A month or so and we'll be able to move in!"

"A month?" said Jer. "I think that's a bit optimistic, Alby."

"All right two, then. Before winter, in any case. This is going to be great!" A thought struck him. "Maybe I'll invite Abigail up here at Winterfair."

"Abigail?" asked Estaban.

"Alby's sweetheart," smirked Jer.

"Oh? From back home?"

"She's from Sergyar," said Anny. "But currently her residence is the Imperial Service Academy."

"What? Oh! One of those, eh?"

"One of the Second Six," said Jer. "A company commander, last I heard. Less than two years until she graduates, right, Alby?" He gave him a nudge.

"Yeah, and they'll probably post her back to Sergyar," said Alby, gloomily. "Never see her again."

"Don't be so pessimistic!" said Jer. "Has she said what career track she's thinking about?"

"She hasn't decided. At first she was looking at the naval track—like everyone does. But after the whole business with Anny, I think she's reconsidered."

"What 'whole business with Anny'?" asked Estaban.

Alby glanced at Anny, unsure if he'd said too much, but she just shrugged. "Anny was going for the naval track and she had the grades to make it easy. But word came down from on-high that the navy wasn't ready for women on their ships yet."

"So you joined an assault regiment instead?"

Anny shrugged again. "I wanted to get out there and it seemed like a good way to outflank the admirals. Seems to be working so far."

"Yeah, and next year you'll get out there again when it's 1st battalion's turn with the fleet," said Alby.

"D'you think you'll ever get assigned to one of the battalions, Alby?" asked Anny. "That simulator project can't last forever."

"No? The way that mess is going, I might spend my whole career working on it!"

"As bad as that?" asked Estaban.

"I am not going to talk about it on my day off! Come on, let's get lunch." He led them back into the center of town and to a restaurant he'd been wanting to try. Once they were seated and had given their orders, Alby looked at Jer and Anny. "Any more trouble with Vorkerkas?"

They both glanced at Estaban. "Nothing with me," said Jer. "But we're so busy getting ready for the big exercise, I doubt he'd have time to cook anything up."

Anny shook her head. "Nothing with me, either. And I've been practicing sabre with Ensign Vorgard every chance I get. If he tries that again, he'll be in for a surprise."

Estaban had been taking all this in with a very interested expression on his face. "So what is the deal between you guys and dear Lieutenant Vorkerkas?" he asked. None of them answered and Estaban's eyebrows went up. "Gentlemen, since I seem to be throwing in my lot with you, it would be courteous of you to let me know exactly what I'm getting into here."

"Vorkerkas doesn't like us," said Alby.

Estaban snorted. "Clearly. But why? Like me, Vorkerkas graduated before any of you arrived at the Academy. I'm guessing he never laid eyes on any of you before you joined the 61st. Granted that the man is a bit of an ass, but what could you possibly have done to piss him off so much in such a short time?"

"You're not a Vor, Sven," said Jer. "Surely you know they don't need a reason to act like an ass." He glanced toward Alby. "No offense."

"None taken."

"True," said Estaban. "Yet somehow I sense there's something more going on here than just a prejudice against women and Komarrans."

Anny sighed. "Yes, there is." She had to cut off her explanation when the waitress arrived with their food, but once she was gone, she continued. "Something happened while I was at the Academy. More serious than just the usual hazing and harassment. Four officers got court-martialed and kicked out. Vorkerkas is related to one of them. He may be out for revenge."

"He may be," said Alby. "We don't know anything for sure."

"Ah," said Estaban. "There have been some rumors floating around… interesting."

"If you want to pull out of the house deal, we'll understand," said Anny.

"No… no, I'm in. I've been wanting to get out of the BOQ for a while now and I'd never find a place this nice on my own. Besides, I've had a few run-ins with Vorkerkas myself. I'm assuming you're getting this house as a more defensible position?" They all nodded. "Well, all right then. I'm willing to stand a watch, too."

[Scene Break]

"We will start boarding the assault shuttles at 0400 tomorrow morning," said Lieutenant Vorstang. "Have your men ready! There can be no delays on this, gentlemen, so we have to have our troops at the armory to suit up no later than 0100."

They were in the C Company office. Anny and the other platoon commanders were being briefed by their commanding officer on the upcoming exercise. "Excuse me sir," said Lieutenant Dahlberg of 1st Platoon, "Will we be getting additional information on the operation?" He held up his computer. "This briefing seems a little… thin." Anny had been thinking the same thing. All that it really told them was that they would be simulating the spearhead of a planetary assault. They would board shuttles which would take them into orbit, circle the planet a few times and then make a landing in the northern edges of the mountains about 300 kilometers northeast of Fort Vorolson. They had a series of objectives they were then suppose to move to. But there was no information on enemy forces or friendly forces that might follow in subsequent landing. An assault regiment was usually employed to clear out a landing area so other troops could follow. Presumably the rest of the brigade would be involved, too, but there was no mention of them in the briefing.

"Yes, it does, doesn't it?" said Vorstang. "But this is all we've got. Hopefully we'll get more information later, but for right now our job is to get the company ready to drop first thing tomorrow. Dress parade has been cancelled this evening so your men can get some sleep later on today. Get your preparations done by 1600. We'll be waking everyone up at 2500. So let's get to it, gentlemen."

They all rose from their chairs and headed out to get their men ready. Anny found her platoon lounging around their barracks and sighed. Sergeant Kay should have found something for them to do while they were waiting for her. The man just didn't seem to be willing to take the initiative when there wasn't someone around to give him orders. It wasn't a lack of respect, everyone jumped to their feet when they saw her, it was just a lack of… she wasn't sure what.

"Okay, everyone," she said. "Big day tomorrow and we've got a lot to do to get ready. It's been three weeks since we've had our armor on and we are going to spend the afternoon giving them a thorough going over." There were a few obligatory groans, but all the men seemed eager. "All right, let's move out." They spilled out of the barracks and got into ranks. She had Sergeant Kay take them to the armory at a trot while she followed along. The men were making wisecracks and were happy. That made Anny happy. She was nearly as eager about this exercise as they were—maybe more. While she had spent quite a bit of time with her platoon training and doing other day-to-day activities, this would be her first combat exercise with them. It should be challenging and fun. And best of all, no one was going to get killed. She was still haunted by the men she'd lost in that fight during her apprentice cruise. The victory had been satisfying but the cost… Well, she wouldn't lose any men this time!

As they neared the armory complex at the north end of the base, she heard the roar of assault shuttles and looked up. A swarm of them—at least two dozen—screamed overhead. They quickly disappeared beyond the ridge. A few moments later a long column of vehicles passed them moving toward the landing field. It was the 32nd Artillery. Some of the men riding on the vehicles waved at them and shouted things that they couldn't hear above the noise from the vehicles. Her men shouted back even though their remarks would be inaudible as well.

"Looks like it's gonna be a helluva show, Lieutenant!" She looked and saw Private Kerbeck grinning at her. She smiled back and nodded.

Turning a corner, there was an outcry from the head of the platoon. Anny quickened her pace and then saw what had caused the excitement. At the far end of the concrete sat ten enormous shapes, the heavy tanks of the 283rd. All ten of them! They were turning out the whole battalion for the exercise. Just like Alby wanted! Alby had begged and wheedled Fetherbay into letting him come along with the regimental staff. He's gonna love this! Anny was pretty excited herself, although she worried that she hadn't had the chance to work with heavy tanks before. Well, odds were that someone else would be assigned to escort the behemoths. And they needed escorting. Despite their incredible firepower and shielding, tanks that let enemy infantry get in too close could find themselves in trouble.

They reached their own armory building and went inside to work on their suits. There were plenty of other people there already and it was going to get crowded once everyone from both battalions got to work. Anny made sure that all her men were doing what they were supposed to do and then started the check-out on her own set of armor.

She worked for about an hour and was satisfied so far. Everything seemed to be in order but she was going to be extra-thorough. She couldn't help but be a little paranoid after the incident with Vorkerkas. Would he stoop to trying to sabotage her armor? If something were to fail at the wrong moment, something say like the anti-grav units, the results could be fatal. Even some non-fatal failure could be damn embarrassing. She was glad of her long session with the ordnance sergeant weeks earlier. She knew just what to look for.

She took a break from her own suit for a while and checked up on what her platoon as doing. She did a few random inspections and was pleased that no one was skimping on the check-out procedures. She could have done the inspection from her own suit using her command access to the master diagnostic computer, but the men appreciated it when their officer showed personal interest in what they were doing—as long as they didn't stand there, looking over their shoulders for too long.

She was heading back to work when someone came walking up wearing a large unarmored command helmet. "Hi, Anny!" boomed an amplified voice. "Oops," it said in a more normal volume level.

She looked closer. "Alby? That you?"

"Sure is!" he said, pulling the helmet off. "How do you like this contraption? Must weigh a ton, but it's got all the functions of command suit of battle armor!"

"The colonel give you that?"

"Yup! He said that I needed to be able to follow the action if I was going to be good for anything other than fetching coffee."

"A shame you didn't get your own set of armor."

"Yeah, no time now, but Fetherbay told me to make sure I get one fitted to me after this."

"Well that's good. Next time you'll be all ready. But how are you going to be able to keep up with the HQ group without armor?"

"I've got a skimmer. I'll keep up. 'Course if we come under fire I'll probably be marked a casualty in about two seconds, but it will be fun while it lasts."

"Okay, but you watch yourself out there. These sorts of thing can be dangerous even if the fire is all simulated."

"Oh yeah, I'll be careful. Well, see you later." He waved and walked off, lugging his helmet under one arm. Anny smiled. She liked Alby very much.

By mid-afternoon they were all done with their armor. Next came the weapons inspection. For the exercise they wouldn't be doing any live fire, for obvious reasons. But there would be a master tactical computer evaluating everything that was going on and assign casualties based on what the participants were doing. All the weapons had to be put in safe mode with their normal power or ammo packs swapped out for training packs. Then they had to confirm the communications links between the weapons and the master computer. Theoretically when a man fired his weapon, the computer could tell exactly what it was pointed at and evaluate the damage it was doing to the enemy. There would be human judges for the exercise, too. Supposedly there was a major-general from Vorbarr Sultana here as the chief judge.

Things went fairly smoothly but two men had glitches in their weapons that required extra work and they just made the 1600 deadline Vorstang had set. But they did make it and she marched the men back to the barracks and dismissed them. She grabbed a quick dinner at the regular mess hall and then went back to her room, set her alarm for 2450 and then lay down on her bed and tried to sleep. It was hard. She was excited and more than a bit worried about the lack of an in-depth briefing. A planetary invasion was about the most complicated military operation there was. A real one would have plans and documents to fill a small library. Granted this was just a small exercise, but still… Anny's preparation mania was being starved for information and she didn't like it. She supposed that she must have dozed off at least for a while when the alarm woke her.

She quickly showered and put on her undersuit and then her black fatigues over them and headed for the officers' mess, picking up Jer, Alby and Estaban on the way. A steak-and-eggs 'breakfast' was waiting for them. This was the traditional pre-assault drop meal. Despite her nervousness, Anny found that she was hungry enough to eat a bit. The officers all around her were in good spirits, laughing and joking. She managed to ask Lieutenant Vorstang if there had been any updates to the mission briefing. He shook his head.

"No, it looks like we're going into this one blind. But I'll tell you one thing: all the rest of the brigade has already moved out. I'm not sure what that means, but be on your toes."

"Yes sir." She went back to her friends. "Well, just about time, guys. "Don't know if we'll run into each other once we're dirtside again, but good luck and keep your heads down—especially you, Alby."

They shook hands and then headed out to their own assignments. Anny got to the C Company barracks a few minutes before assembly. She felt like there ought to something she should be doing, but she couldn't think of anything. Then the bugle sounded and the men poured out and formed up. For this, they'd march up to the armory as a regiment. It took a few minutes to get both battalions assembled on the road but soon they were off. It was just before midnight and the stars shown brightly overhead. In the distance were the lights of the armory complex and to the left of that the landing fields where their shuttles would be waiting.

They had no music accompanying them this time since the bandsmen were assault troopers just like the rest of them, but they provided their own:

"The finest were Vorlinton's Guard;
The Sixty-First is just as hard,
Our arms we wield from star to star
Far from the hills of Barrayar.
Far from the hills and skies of home,
We'll strike at planet, ship or dome;
From Cetaganda to Escobar,
Far from the hills of Barrayar."

The men sang and Anny sang with them.