* * *
The past four days had been stressful and tiring. Not only had Darla been busy working with Captain Bedan, refitting the Shikkeron for its new assignment, she was also writing letters of commendation for all the members of her forensic team and their commanding officers. Any remaining time was consumed assisting one of her captains to take over the duties of overseeing scattered Marine companies under Darla’s direction. It might take months for Mihai’s materials and supply officer to complete his mission, searching the far-flung cities of the interior colonies and the Trizentine.
Darla was also uncomfortable with her being the center of attention after Ambassador Tizrela honored the major at the recent council and Planetee’s bestowing on the girl a new name. It was the current buzz throughout nearby ships and crews in the fleet. The woman was constantly being hunted down and congratulated, even by total strangers. She was now being addressed as ‘Adaya’ nearly as often as ‘Darla’. Although delighted with the new name and the reason for it, she found all the attention troubling, even somewhat dismaying. Were people really unable to grasp the value of someone’s deeds, unless first recognized by the great elders of her world?
Darla mulled these thoughts over as she waited in line for her morning meal. She had worked until after midnight at her duties and was up before the fourth hour attempting to complete some overdue tasks. The aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread was nearly making the woman faint from hunger, becoming so absorbed in her desire for food that little notice was given to the person approaching.
“Major! It’s such a pleasure to see you this morning. May I indulge my presence upon you during breakfast?” Colonel Arkeo’s charming voice filled Darla’s ears with the force of a sledgehammer. The colonel wanted to breakfast with her?! Why? He sounded too cheerful to be bringing criticism. Wouldn’t he rather be buried in debate with fellow officers? Was he flirting? No! The colonel never attempted a relationship with anyone in his command.
Darla finally stuttered, “S…s...sure, Colonel Arkeo. It would be...my...I mean…fine.”
“Good! Good!” the colonel jauntily replied. “Follow me, please - that is, after you obtain your refreshments. I have a table.”
Darla only nodded, baffled and somewhat nervous. She was a major in the Marines, not an unimportant position, but still a very common one. A major was little more than a glorified captain, except with more soldiers under his or her command. In general, they only carried out orders from a superior officer and directed the junior officers as to what they were to do. Still, a major was of high enough rank to be admitted into the inner circle of leading officers, especially with informal gatherings.
Darla found her way to Arkeo’s table and sat down across from him. In moments, two other officers joined them. Darla was polite and cordial. She offered her appreciation for the men’s recognition of her new name and the honor that went with it, but her stomach refused any more polite disruptions. Apologizing for her rudeness in not carrying on with expected gossip and chitchat, the woman attacked her food with restrained aggression. Arkeo and his fellow officers smiled at one another.
After several mouthfuls of food, the gnawing hunger in Darla’s stomach was somewhat satisfied. She took up making light conversation by asking each of the two officers about their duties and responsibilities. Both men were strangers to her. So when they, in turn, offered news about themselves, she paid honest, often rapt attention to what they said.
There was also a reason why Darla practiced this method. Although she was truly interested in getting to know more about these other officers, there were advantages to the major’s common approach to group conversation. By starting out with a question, it most assuredly required her recipient to reply with an answer. If skillfully done, she could keep finding new questions to ask based on the previous answers given, avoiding being asked questions, herself. Darla did not like talk that centered on her and she actively sought ways to avoid it being done, forcing the focus of attention to remain elsewhere. This was not to be the case today.
Breakfast was not half finished when Planetee arrived with a steaming mug of morning brew and a heaping plate of food. After sitting and offering salutations, she settled down for what appeared to be a casual, lingering meal. Now Darla became somewhat disappointed. Planetee was the Supreme Commander of the Marine Corps and had personally approved Darla’s commission to major. There would be no way for Darla to politely excuse herself if she disliked the direction the conversation was going.
Darla was also puzzled as to Planetee’s appearance. This was a common mess hall generally used by non-officer enlistees, although lower and middle-ranking officers routinely breakfasted here. Still, she scanned the room. There appeared to be a great deal of brass present. And then there was the Commodore General. Rarely would one of such high rank be found at mess for breakfast. In fact, it was Field Marshal Trisha’s habit of eating in the common mess hall that created such a stir about her. Planetee, though, was from the old school of decorum that politely dictated the need to hold to a separation between enlisted personnel and professional officers.
Do not think this practice strange or demeaning. Up through the Great War and until the days just preceding the King’s War, those survivors of the first conflagration - all officer cadets - had to sign an exclusive stay for the military, remaining in the active reserves for the duration of the Rebel Wars. (Note: This was an expectation. There was no punishment for failure to fulfill the stay.)
Non-commissioned officers and enlistees signed up for periods of time or durations of conflict, obligations fulfilled upon completion of such duties. Thus a division evolved within the military with two different mindsets and attitudes. This division became most notable during leisure hours, when each group often sought out other like-minded companions.
Darla intended to grab a fast meal and quickly return to her burden of work, hoping to finish needed jobs by midmorning. Mihai’s adjutant was scheduled to arrive on the Starlight by early afternoon. Ambassador Tizrela, who was also Trisha’s ranking staff officer, would immediately depart for Oros on the same ship. Darla feared that after the adjutant arrived, she’d be so busy playing nursemaid and host to the new arrival that there would be no time to finish her other duties. Her experience with administrative leadership was the person took themselves too seriously, knew just enough about the assignment to mess it up, and squandered everyone’s time on trivial and meaningless requests.
She was interrupted in the middle of pondering her coming fortunes by Tizrela’s clear voice sounding in Darla’s ear. “What a surprise! May I join your cozy little group? I wasn’t expecting to see so many familiar faces.”
The major’s head spun around, shocked in surprise. The ambassador? This made no sense at all. But before she could consider matters further, another person called out to the ever-growing party.
“Hello! Are there any more places at your table, or must I eat alone?” Euroaquilo’s booming voice made the room shake with its resonance. He hurried to an empty chair at Darla’s side. There was no doubt about it. Something was up. The surprised look on Darla’s face quickly turned to suspicion. Still, Euroaquilo’s presence made it all worthwhile. The woman unabashedly let out a squeal of delight, cuddling up to the admiral, hugging his arm and kissing his cheek.
Euroaquilo’s jovial mood was infectious, the conversation becoming loud and boisterous, exaggerated accounts of heroic deeds, tales of curing spoiled stew, and ways of avoiding junior officers bringing laughter and tears. Long after the last morsel of breakfast had been downed, the merry-making went on. Gradually, others in the room began to gather round, lending their voices to the growing tumult. Even Darla was soon laughing and carrying on with the rest of the crowd. In fact, the major became so engrossed in the friendly, playful jousting, she failed to notice how many people were there.
Planetee was the first person to stir. She st
ood and grabbed a glass with a spoon, hitting it against the empty tumbler, rapidly quieting the noisy group. The commodore general wasted little time after getting their attention. “My fellow comrades at arms, the hour we have so longed for is drawing ever closer! Beyond our frontiers lie the enemy’s armadas. Soon we will be engaged in a conflict that must have only one outcome. We are the ones who have been called upon to make that possible. Courage, cunning, and endurance are all needed qualities each of us must display in order to accomplish this purpose. Although war still looms on the horizon, there are many among us who have already offered themselves up on the altar of fire and death in many past conflagrations. It is to those with us here today that I bow in recognition for all their sacrifices made and for their willingness to go on to the bitter end.”
Planetee paused. She looked at Darla and, sweeping her arm in the major’s direction, exclaimed, “There is one in particular who silently sits in the shadows that I desire to speak of this day, a child of the New Age, one who never experienced the innocence we shared in our hearts. Yet this child has divested her soul of all other interests to bring Asotos and his stooges to ruin! She has never let up in her assault against this wicked tyrant! From her baptism into fire at the first siege of Megiddo to the inferno of the Day of Tears and Memphis, this woman has never faltered or tired out. I know of no greater warrior!”
As Darla became aware that she was the person Planetee described, her face flushed red. Shrinking down in the chair, she stared at her plate, hoping to become invisible. This speech was unnecessary and uncalled for. The woman had always lived in the shadows, trying only to do the right thing, nothing more. At the moment, she was almost wishing to be charging a line of a hundred Pseudes commandos instead of being the focus of such undesired adoration.
Planetee, though, did not stop. “Few of us have faced the Dragon…and of those who have, fewer have survived to come off victorious. Our sister not only stared the Great Serpent down, but also delivered him such a wound as he is not able to overcome! In the Lower Realms there is told the story of how one face launched a thousand ships. My comrades, among us there stands… er… sits… a woman who has set an entire universe ablaze!”
“I have dreamed a dream just the other night. In that dream I saw a female child - a babe - caught up in the hands of a monster demon that was trying to devour her. No one came to her aid, yet the demon could not consume the infant, for power beyond normal continued issuing from her eyes and her mouth spoke silent denunciations against it. I watched in amazement until the child, itself, reached out and, with oaths unuttered, it consumed the demon, crushing it to nothing.”
Gesturing with her hands for added emphasis, Planetee continued. “And I beheld the child become as though dead. And all those surrounding her began to weep. But she was not dead! And the child stood up on her feet and she cried an oath to all those living and all those who have perished, ‘I have waked to end all matters. Legion, I shall not again leave your dreams until your head is carried in celebration! All your lovers I will slaughter by the edge of my sword! And I will leave nothing but desolation for you in my path. The dead shall rejoice, for what I will do to the living is too shocking to relate.’ And a burning erupted within the child’s eyes and grew until she was a consuming blaze. In her explosive rage, she rampaged across the heavens, turning the stars and planets red with the blood of those slain!”
Planetee paused. The room was silent. No one dared to speak. What was this? Surely it had been a vision from Lowenah, but what was its value? And who really was the commander speaking of? They were not kept waiting long. Extending her arm toward Darla, Planetee boldly exclaimed, “Behold Adaya, Queen of the Darkness and of the Blood! Her hand shall be on the back of the neck of our enemies and her sword will cleave them asunder! Our sister is truly an angel on fire!”
A deathly hush fell over the room. All eyes focused on the woman sitting at the officers’ table. Then a voice whispered, “Therioskotia...”
Like a deathly breeze on a haunting night, the name drifted off the lips of one person after another until its chill settled like frost on the hearts of all present. The officers standing near Darla involuntarily stepped back, opening a space between themselves and the girl. The silence continued to grow until only the anxious breathing of hundreds of souls was all an ear could hear.
Never were things to be the same for the woman again. The name ‘Darla’ would soon fade into wistful memories, and the meaning of the name ‘Adaya’ was to forever change. ‘God’s jewel’… Well yes, but there now resides a darkness about it. ‘Queen of the Darkness’… was that not what Planetee called the child? ‘Wild Beast of Darkness’… was that not what ‘Therioskotia’ meant? ‘Queen of the Blood…did not the ‘Wild Beast of Darkness’ also have an insatiable hunger for blood? On that day, Adaya, or Queen Adaya, became the recognized name used to address this child of the New Age.
The Prisoner Exchange was not long ago, and well remembered was the fear on the faces of Asotos’ men when Darla had been called the ‘Therioskotia’. Were Planetee’s similar words used to describe the major just a coincidence? Unlikely... The commander was sure to have chosen carefully what she spoke. And the dreams - yes, the dreams... There was no doubt in the people’s minds. This woman was to become just like the mythical beast that haunted the Pseudes worlds of the dead. Lowenah was bringing to life the very gods her wicked children had turned to worship over her.
In an instant, the entire gathering became aware of the significance of all these things. Finally, after millennia of waiting and longing to see prophecies fulfilled and promises delivered, the loyal children of Lowenah were watching the birth of the weapons that would bring the demise of all wickedness. The three swords were alive and would soon strike the enemy. Now, the very nightmares of their foes were to become a reality. It was true, their world was to suffer much sadness before the long night was finished, but the tools for victory had been delivered into the people’s hands.
With that understanding came an almost involuntary rush when, as though with one breath, all the people excitedly whispered, “Queen Adaya!”
Eventually the major stood, slowly rising so as to be seen by all. What could she do? Planetee had called out to everyone there the need to recognize this officer. It was now her responsibility to respond by acknowledging the honor given her. Looking directly into the commander’s face, Darla softly replied, “You praise me in ways I feel that are undeserved.” Bowing slightly, head down, she answered, “Your servant girl. May the insight of dreams bode well for the future of our people.”
Planetee smiled, her attention still focused on Darla. The major stood erect and looked into the commander’s face. For some time the two women gazed into each other’s eyes, sharing some private memories. It was the commander who broke the silence, proclaiming, “My comrades and fellow soldiers at arms, there is purpose for my visit here this morning. So now allow me to get on with my business. As you well know, as the shadow of our enemy grows in the east, so does the strength of our own armies. This necessitates that we increase the numbers of our military corps and divisions.”
She began to scan the audience. “It is my pleasure to announce that the Third Fleet’s Marine division is being increased by two new brigades. The Third and Fifth Frontier Regiments are to comprise the nucleus of one of the new brigades. Colonel Arkeo has been requested to take command and help bring the new brigade up to strength, a responsibility he has graciously accepted.”
Colonel Arkeo, soon to be Brigadier General Arkeo, politely stood and, smiling, bowed toward Planetee and then his fellow officers. Hundreds of hands applauded in approval of Arkeo’s new appointment. Darla started to sit but Planetee motioned her to continue standing.
The commodore general was not finished. “By his personal request, Colonel Arkeo has asked for Major AdayaDarla to take command of his former regiment, the Third Frontier.
I would like to make personal request to officer AdayaDarla for her acceptance of this post.”
Darla was dumbfounded. Her face flushed red. She was at a loss as to what to say or do, and felt awkward and out of place. If the earlier events of morning had been difficult to handle, this was even more so. Sweat formed on her brow and her fingers began to fidget with her uniform buttons. Smiles grew on the faces of some of her closer acquaintances as they watched her predicament.
Finally, Euroaquilo gently jabbed her with his elbow. Leaning down and speaking in her ear, he whispered, “Don’t just stand there. Accept the offer!”
Although a whisper, Euroaquilo’s voice still boomed in Darla’s head. With a start, she snapped to attention and timidly replied, “I am your servant. If this is what you request of me, I shall do my best to prove your choice wise.” She then bowed toward Planetee.
Planetee smiled. “It is my request! And now, Colonel AdayaDarla, let me be the first to congratulate you on your new promotion.”
At that, the entire room erupted with applause and praise. It was several minutes before Planetee continued. Again speaking to the new Colonel, she stated, “When you return from your current assignment, you are to take up your new command.” Then she asked, “At present, is there something we can do to assist you with your duties?”
Darla took a moment to ponder the question, finally responding with, “Yes, please. I would desire to maintain my two staff assistants. Also, please, I feel the need under the current circumstances to ask that Lieutenant ArdonKenath be appointed to position of Staff Major. It would serve me well.”
Planetee’s face clouded with displeasure and questions. It was obvious to those near her that she was struggling to restrain some rebuttal to Darla’s request as she stared at Darla in disbelief. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Euroaquilo’s signal. When she looked in his direction, he gave the commodore a slight nod. Still displeased with the request, Planetee grudgingly granted Darla what she had asked for. Darla did not smile with gladness at hearing the approval, but Planetee sensed a weight lift off the girl’s shoulders.
The commodore general turned to the crowd and thanked the people for coming and for keeping her surprise secret. She then approached Arkeo to congratulate him with a greeting of a hand squeeze and a kiss on his cheek. Next, Planetee turned her attention to Darla. After a warm embrace, she gripped the girl’s shoulders with her hands and queried, “Why did you punish me with such a request? If it had been done at any other time, I would have refused. You put me on the spot here, with my offer, you know.”
Darla struggled with an explanation, but was unable to find the right words. She apologized, “I… I’m sorry if I was out of line... I…”
Euroaquilo interceded. “Commodore Planetee, the shadow-world is awake with night dangers. We cannot see them, but like the bitter mountain breeze they chill the bones. An hour awaits this child where she must walk that shadow-land alone. If she has asked you for such a favor, it is because her heart feels the need.”
Planetee did not stir, but continued looking at Euroaquilo, mulling his statement over in her mind. Finally, she turned her attention to Darla. “Well…” She watched the girl’s face. A shadow passed across it, reminding Planetee of her restless dreams. Nodding, Planetee spoke aloud, but to herself. “Who better to know than the person making the lonely journey?” She then hugged Darla. “My dear, I am so pleased with your acceptance of this new rank and responsibility. I can think of no one better qualified for the duty.”
The three officers - Planetee, Euroaquilo, and AdayaDarla -lingered for a while longer, chatting about small, unimportant matters. The commodore general finally departed but, before doing so, asked for the new colonel’s company at the evening’s dinner. She would be hosting Mihai’s adjutant and wanted Darla there for the occasion. Planetee also wanted the new colonel to pick up the proper insignias for her uniform.
After Planetee left the room, many of officers remaining in the dining hall crowded around Darla to offer personal congratulations. She graciously accepted each one, attempting to show no impatience at wanting to return to her needed tasks. Euroaquilo laughed at the predicament and soon begged her pardon to take his leave. He promised to meet up that evening after he had finished with business. They kissed goodbye and he hurried off, leaving the girl to her newfound admirers.