Ancient Hunter

I saw Jervic looking in my direction. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking I couldn’t see his face since his helmet covered it.

“Gwen,” he said to me in a voice that sent my heart racing.

He wasn’t angry with me he still cared despite our falling out.

“Jervic,” I replied.

“I have something for you?”

What I craved was off the table until I resolved the wing thing. “What is it, flowers, dinner at a fancy restaurant, sex?” I held fast for that last one I couldn’t do that yet?

“Perhaps another time.”

I’d be definitely be up for that but now wasn’t that time I had to get a heads up on my wing issue. He handed me a belt and holster. I recognised them as mine. The ones I hand to leave on Demeros while they were decontaminated after my bout stupidity with that crystal, the same crystal that had caused this attack. Then it was no coincidence the aliens attacked when the Ezarans activated the crystal. I belted the holster around my waist feeling more confidence with myself. I drew my pistol from its holster. It was the same Seven Double ‘M’ Captain Gardner had given me on board the Ariadne. The Imperial ship that took me to Paranova where I’d shot the Prophet again but he had survived unfortunately. I had tried to hand it back to her in Copper’s village but she had refused. It was a weapon I was most familiar with.

“This is better than all those things,” I said wincing inwardly that was too Valkyrie.

I turned my attention back to Kelli she hadn’t told me the results of her scan.

“Ok tell me the worst,” I said to her.

She grinned at me making me feel uneasy. Id just got myself together and here I was waiting for her bombshell.

“Now why do you think that?” she said innocently. “Gwen you are you no different from any time before.” She paused. “Although I must say your stress levels are up.”

“So would be yours if some giant creature rips off your quarters door like paper!” I retorted. I took a deep breath none of this was Kelli’s fault and I shouldn’t be taking out my fears on her.

“It will be ok?” Jervic tried to reassure me.

I acknowledged his input. “Thanks Jervic.” We might have been estranged in the past but were slowly getting back together.

“Gwen you’ll be fine!” Kelli assured me. “If anyone can weather this chaos it will be you.” Her wrist comms chimed and she looked at it. “That’s our cue to leave,” she stated glancing at Denassi and Jervic. “I, we wanted to check and see if you are ok? Which you are.”

Jervic took my hand. “There will be other times.”

I felt happier when he said that.

Kelli waved curtly at Jervic. “We’ve got a do a damage and casualty report for Thorda.”

Denassi glanced at Kelli. “We best get going I in particular don’t want to end up like Gant.” He grinned at that and winked.

I could see he was humouring me. I was grateful for his input.

I watched them go my heart heavy at their parting. I was on my own again well a alone you could be with two Valkyrie guards. I was surprised that neither had commented about my actions with both Jervic and Kelli. I grabbed my pack and stuffed it full of watch I considered my essentials. Stepping out into the corridor sword in hand. I certainly wasn’t going to leave such a valuable item behind. I looked to the two Valkyrie.

“Do you know where Sergeant Hollen is bunking?” I asked them.

“We will show you the way Mother Gwen,” Rodrifa said.

With that I followed Rodrifa, Frialmold following in my wake. Bracketed by two Valkyrie we stalked the corridors. We halted outside a door, which looked no different than the dozens we had passed. On the wall beside the door was B-72. Rodrifa opened the door and ushered me in. It was a large square room painted in a mute pastel green colour the T’Arni liked. Along three sides of the room were bunk beds only the lower half seemed to be being used. The beds were larger than standard to accommodate the larger Valkyrie frame. On the wall beside each bunk was a locker with a footlocker at the base. I took note that only the bottom part of the bunks were being used the top half seemed to be storage for extra gear. In the centre of the room was a plastic coated metal table surrounded by benches. Seated on the benches were Freyhilda and the rest of her team. Although they were still wearing their combat armour they had taken off their helmets. I recognised Freyhilda straight off the others I wasn’t so certain of. Freyhilda had given me their names but that was when they had their helmets on.

“Sergeant Hollen,” I said in way of greeting.

“Mother Gwen,” she replied. She looked at something in her hand and placed them on the table. “I’m out,” she announced.

I stared she was playing cards. I didn’t think the Valkyrie did things like that. I’d played with my parents they’d been eager to show me the old games. In all the time I’d spent I’d never once seen the Valkyrie playing cards. They were using the same old cards that had originated on Earth centuries ago. The old games had been popular after the AI war when we shied away from anything electronic.

“Cards?” I said incredulously.

“It passes the time,” Freyhilda replied looking at me up and down. “Lieutenant Thorda ordered you to rest.” She pointed to an empty bunk furthest from the door. “That one is the quietest.”

The bunk had it mattress rolled up and its bed linen was still in its packaging.

“Thanks,” I said. Then I had a sudden thought in all that had happened recently I had totally blanked it out of my mind. I knew Freyhilda, Frialmold and Rodrifa. I didn’t know the rest of the squad. Regitha had been in Hlanhildr’s squad and had tried to kill me. Only Sverun’s actions saved me she had shot Regitha. That’s when I confronted Hlanhildr later I asked her to disarm. Then we were attacked in traitors within General Osward’s 43rd GF. Hlanhildr had been wounded in saving me but she still had to endure the whole journey to Saros in the brig with the rest of squad. I don’t know what happened to her. I trusted Wulfgara to put in a good word for her.

I’d have to tell Freyhilda about this. “Sergeant can I have a word in private please?” I could have ordered her but I wasn’t about to throw my authority around here if I was really an officer.

“Mother Gwen,” Freyhilda said. With a signal she dismissed her squad waiting until they had left the room before speaking. “What’s this all about?”

“I don’t know how to say this easily?” I admitted. I explained Regitha’s betrayal and Hlanhildr’s fate. I showcased my trust issues. Freyhilda listened without comment. We sat in silence after I’d finished. Finally Freyhilda spoke her voice low her tone soft.

“I sorry Mother Gwen for what you had to endure,” Her voice picked up. “But I assure you none of my squad hold those views. We wouldn’t be in the Marines if we did. I’ve never believed in this Prophetess. It’s one of those things the stay at homes do.”

I hadn’t heard the Isolationists called that but it kind of fitted. “Prophet,” I corrected Freyhilda. “He was a male disguised as a female.” I waved my hand over my breasts. “It was a woman’s body but his DNA said male.” I went on to explain his appearance in Copper’s village. Saying that made me wonder how she was doing and if she’d be able to make another pilgrimage. She had a lot of trauma to deal with. I couldn’t image what it was like to see your village burned to the ground by the very soldiers you relied on to protect you. Nor see them slaughter the villagers and have to jump into predator filled river to escape. For Copper it was a choice of drowning, get eaten or murdered. She had chosen to drown but Frigga a Valkyrie had rescued her. She had only been in the vicinity because she saw a challenge in hunting the predators in the river.

“He was there at the village. I shot him again.” Which reminded me I hadn’t heard about the blood sample I had acquired. I trusted Jean to deal with it but it was her superiors I wasn’t sure about. After all one of them told the Paranova rebels where I’d be not caring if Copper was collateral damage. I was the bait to draw the rebels in.

Freyhilda stood. “I’ll let my squad back in and I’ll explain this to them.”

I nodded to Freyhilda, “Do so.”

She called her squad in and told them what I told her. I could see shock displayed across their faces alarmed at the prospect that a Valkyrie had tried to kill one of the Silver Guard.

“What Clan was she with?” One of the three Valkyrie I didn’t know the names of said. Either Hlomadra, Vahildr or Skugrdrifa I still don’t know who was who.

“I don’t know the Elders would know,” I answered.

“Mother Gwen you’ll be safe with us,” Freyhilda said looking around at her squad.

“May Regitha’s soul never return to Alfheimir!” Rodrifa declared.

I winced at that it was a curse more than anything else. It reminded me of the promise I’d made to Thrira to return the wooden doll to her daughter. “Ok it’s time to end this maudlin conversation,” I told them.

“How about a drink to the fact we’ve defeated the enemy,” the second of the three said.

“We’re still on duty,” Freyhilda reminded her squad.

“Ah Sarge?” one of the three whined.

“We are in the presence of a Silver and Clan Mother, Skugrdrifa,” Freyhilda said.

I took note that Skugrdrifa had broken her nose at some time marking her out from her fellow Valkyrie. I still had to find which of the other two were Hlomadra and who was Vahildr, I’d more than likely learn that later. But for now I concentrated on the tasks to hand. “We are still on an alert setting. I don’t want your reflexes blunted by alcohol.”

“Clan Mother Gwen is right on this?” Freyhilda fixed her squad with a glare.

“May many enemy fallen litter the ground at your feet!” I said suddenly to remind them that they were Valkyrie.

“May enemies quake at the mention of your name!” the squad echoed the reply.

I could see the words had lit a fire under them. They were Valkyrie first and foremost the fact that they were get back to why Mother Gwen is here. Lieutenant Thorda has ordered her to rest and we need to address that fact.”

Frialmold and Rodrifa hurried over to the bunk that Freyhilda had designated as my and started to make up the bunk.

“I can do that!” I grouched. That was the Valkyrie way do it yourself. I learned that from the first day I’d come under the influence of the Valkyrie.

“That’s true,” Rodrifa stated. “We’re showing you our dedication to protecting you and your Clan while you are with us.”

“A Clan of one,” I reminded them.

“Still a legitimate Clan no matter how many members in your Clan,” Frialmold countered with a nod to the squad.

Freyhilda gestured to the made up bunk. “Lieutenant Thorda’s orders we will not disturb you.”

I knew when not to argue with the Valkyrie. Truth be told the last few hours had paid a heavy toll on me. I laid my sword beside my bunk and took off my boots. Undoing my holster I placed beside the pillow on the bunk. I decided not to change out of my uniform in case of an emergency. I lay on the bed and despite the adrenaline following through my body I drifted off to sleep.