Ancient Hunter

The shuttle with the Confed symbol on it hull hovered over the overhanging platform mere centimetres over its surface. I hated to admit it I was impressed and a little bit envious by the pilot’s skill. The door slid open to reveal a familiar face.

“Sergeant Hollen!” I exclaimed.

The sergeant was dressed in her fatigue uniform. The ones the Confed soldiers call Skinnies. That form hugging suit that was like a second skin. It was obvious from her silhouette it was all she had on. Frankly I was surprised she was doing that I’d thought it was only the T’Arni that did that. Not a Valkyrie or it might be that I was becoming too prudish. That was more a Valkyrie trait than me as an ex-Human.

“Gwen,” she replied with a smile. “That’s the awkward bit out of the way. Professor Neilson said we’d find you here.”

I had managed to convince Hollen to call me that. It was better than her calling me LT or Initiate. I wasn’t sure of my status with the Alliance anymore and didn’t want a fuss with her calling me Initiate.

“Is everything ok?” I was concerned if Joyce had sent a shuttle for me? The fact that it was an emergency was a worrying development. She’d known where I had gone but not the reason.

“It’s fine.” Hollen beckoned to me. “Well better than fine we’ve got reinforcements.”

I was puzzled why would Joyce send Hollen to me if that was the case? The only thing I could think of was that these reinforcements were Valkyrie. “What has this to do with me?” I asked. I really didn’t want to have to deal with more Valkyrie.

“Everything as Clan Mother. You didn’t forget that?” she said pointedly glancing at my bracelet.

“No.” I wasn’t sure if I was a Clan Mother. The Elders hadn’t said anything about it either way again I was in a state of flux.

“Get on board Mother Gwen of Clan Hunter.”

Reluctantly I climbed aboard the shuttle. Besides the pilot shut in the cockpit there were two of her squad with her. They both saluted me. I sat in the seat opposite and buckled myself in. Hollen sat next to me. They shouldn’t have I wasn’t a lieutenant in the Alliance either. I wasn’t sure of my status with the Alliance was that was up to Admiral Komana. She’d personally exiled me to Earth. One thing I was certain of was that she’d have me arrested. Despite what Xenai had stated her mother would overrule her.

“Pilot get moving pronto!” Hollen yelled almost deafening me.

The shuttle powered up and the door slid closed. I felt the inertia as the shuttle rose in to the sky.

I still couldn’t figure why my presence was required. “Tell me the real reason why Joyce wants me?”

“To meet your guests. That’s what a Clan Mother does.”

“I’m not officially a Clan Mother,” I protested. “I’m just an Initiate?” I stated going back on my earlier thoughts.

“An Initiate wearing kovettunut, which makes you a Clan Mother.”

“Without a Clan,” I pointed out.

Hollen laughed. “That will come later better start kicking out those little ones now!”

I blushed both shocked and embarrassed. That was a very unValkyrie statement. Valkyrie didn’t like talking about that, babies I mean.

“I still don’t get why I have to greet guests?” ‘Guests’ wasn’t a word I’d use. “There are people with higher status than I.” Joyce came to mind I’m sure she was related to the Empress so a lot further up that ladder than I was. “Someone like Joyce?”

“A Human,” Hollen replied. “Grunnleggerby is on Valkyrie land.”

Hollen had me there but I wasn’t a full Valkyrie I was vaihdokas.

She continued before I could raise an objection. “Land your ancestors built a new life on. It would be an insult to them if another did it.”

“You do realise I’m only an Initiate?” I winced at my admission. That wasn’t what I’d meant to say. It seems I was reverting to my Valkyrie side.

“So you keep saying but you are a Silver. Which makes you senior to any of our people here.”

I noted that she included me as a full Valkyrie. Thirika and Runa had made me an Initiate with the Silver Guard but I was vaihdokas. The Valkyrie word for those not of pure blood. It was often used as a derogatory word to express disgust at those not true Valkyrie.

Reluctantly I conceded she was in the right but I was treading water here I had no other way out. “I don’t know the Valkyrie protocols in this situation?”

“Make it up as you go along,” Hollen stated.

I stared at her horrified. “What, make it up?”

“Certainly it’s how Mother Varja does it.” Hollen’s grin was broad. “No one will know any different. You are the only Landottir left of your Clan. That blood flows through your veins.”

“Wouldn’t it be a kind of insult if I appeared on my own most Clan Mother’s don’t go anywhere without their Guardians?” I said in a last ditch effort to get myself out of this. None of my training whether with the Valkyrie, Security or with the Alliance had prepared me for this.

“I planned for that,” Hollen indicated the two with her. “That’s where Frialmold and Rodrifa come in. They will be your Guardians.”

I looked dubiously at the two. “You ok with that?”

“Yes ma’am,” Frialmold said.

“We both are,” Rodrifa added.

I wasn’t a thought occurred to me. “Did you run this through with your captain?”

“It will be ok Captain Kyrikia gave us a lot of leeway,” Hollen assured me.

“All though I doubt it extended to this,” I said.

Hollen shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

But I still did.

By the time the shuttle reached Grunnleggerby both Frialmold and Rodrifa had changed into their dress uniforms. Which consisted of a grey tunic and pants. They wore brown half boots instead of dress shoes. Their dress uniform was similar the Alliance one which was dark blue instead of grey. Imperial uniforms had the same high collar but the branch of service was displayed as different colours of the collars and cuff. Dark green and purple were the colours of the palace guard. What I did take note of was that both women had a Bronze Star on their chest underneath a pair of coloured ribbons. Confed colours not Clan. I knew what the stars meant. Bronze Stars weren’t like Imperial medals they actually meant they had done something brave to earn them. I looked upon them with a new respect. In comparison I was positively drab in my jeans and shirt and scuffed boots.

“Sorry about this,” I apologised. “I don’t have anything better to wear.” I really didn’t. When Jennifer said pack a bag I packed what I thought was essential which didn’t include formal wear.

“Your authority outweighs anything you wear,” Hollen said. “Mother Varja often walks about in her skin.”

I really didn’t want to hear that. Fortunately the sound of the shuttle powering down to land drew my thoughts away. I felt the shuttle descend. There was a gentle bump as the shuttle touched the ground. Again I had to praise the skill of the pilot. The door slid open and Frialmold and Rodrifa were out the door before I could unbuckle myself. They positioned themselves either side of the door their hands on the Coil Assault Guns strapped to their chests.

I stepped out feeling like the Empress with her entourage except I wasn’t. Standing before me was the woman who should have had that title. I was plain old Gwen Hunter achiever of nothing, my self-doubt crushing all hope. Joyce stood on the edge of the shuttle pad looking every bit the Empress she should have been. Not that Constantina wasn’t a good Empress. She was cleaning up the mess left by Augustus and his minions. A mess caused by the Rhosani the bane of all life. I could see they’d filled in the crater and removed the bodies of the Orsini. No doubt to some lab for analysis a lot of what had happened still didn’t make any sense.

Frialmold and Rodrifa fell in behind me as I walked across to Joyce. It was the same movement I’d seen with other Clan Mothers. Their Guardians trailing behind ready to intervene.

Joyce smiled at me as I neared. “Gwen.”

“Joyce,” I replied. “Or to be more formal Professor Neilson.”

“Never been big on formality Gwen you should know that by now.” I saw her glance at the two Valkyrie behind me. “Not your idea I take it?”

“Sergeant Hollen seems to think I’m a Clan Mother. Frialmold and Rodrifa are my Guardians.”

“Technically you are but I would have thought your status as a Silver Guard took priority over that. The Valkyrie Elders made you one and they don’t do things like that without a reason.”

I sighed aware that the two Valkyrie were listening as was Hollen. She’d stepped out of the shuttle and was standing behind me.

“Hello Professor,” Hollen said cheerfully.

“Hi there Freyhilda you and I need to talk.” Joyce turned to me. “Gwen you need to clean up. We’re having a conference in the Admin Building and I want you there once everyone gets here.”

I headed over to the Admin Building wondering why I was needed.

The Admin Building was empty when I arrived. I decided I’d have time to have a shower. Somehow Joyce had got the water supply reconnected and we could wash any time we wanted. She’d even made it so there was a door to make it private. I hurried into my room and halted. On my bed was a silvery blouse. With it was a pair of red pants and new brown boots all still in their wrappers. I paid them no attention for the moment as I grabbed a few essentials and headed to take my shower. I’d almost forgotten about my escort but not quite. Frialmold and Rodrifa positioned themselves outside the door as I showered. They followed back to my room and blocked the door as I changed into the clothes provided. The blouse was definitely silver and sparkled in the light. As to the pants they were in Martin red. Around the helm and collar of the blouse was a broad grass green band. I guess someone was wanting me to make a statement. These were Landottir colours. I reluctantly emerged from my room dressed in my new clothes to see Joyce’s team setting up tables and chairs. I had really timed my shower right. Frialmold and Rodrifa shadowed me neither commenting on my clothes.

The smell of fresh coffee drew me to the far side of the main room. It seemed that Joyce was pulling out all the stops for this conference. I watched the team work as I sipped a rather good cup of coffee. I had wanted to help but every time I tried either Frialmold or Rodrifa would warn me off. Saying it wasn’t my task and I needed to guard my status as a Clan Mother. Joyce entered and I stared at her in shock. She was wearing a red floral dress and high heels. A total contrast to what she normally wore. I had to admit that she looked stunning. She must have been an unrivalled beauty when she was younger.

She saw me and smiled. “Gwen I see you are wearing the clothes I got for you.”

Before I could answer a number of strangers entered.