The Road from Antioch: Sodality Universe, #1

By Pierre E Pettinger Jr

The pilgrim ship Antioch is destroyed just short of the New Vatican

 

Someone is stealing critical shipments in the Chemosh Empire

 

Two worlds of the Laanyr Clan Heer have been attacked.

 

Small vessels are buzzing the Rivnyera World Ships.

 

Who is behind these incidents? Terrorists? Rebels? The mysterious Cherek? Or someone else entirely? The nations of the Orion Arm must join forces and find the culprits.

 

The investigation ranges from the space around the planet Ans to the fields of Inohr Dan Nool to the supposedly primitive planet of  Cordwainer.

 

Join an Admiral, a Catholic Sister, a Knight Militant, an Ensign, a Great Mind, and Inspector, and a Herdmaster as they seek out the perpetrators of these odd occurances.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pierre E Pettinger Jr
• Release date: Mar 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224780594

Book preview

Starwind Treasurers

ISBN: 978-1-7358385-0-2

This book is copyright © January 2020 by Pierre E. Pettinger, Jr.

Published by Starwind Treasures.

All rights reserved.

Cover Art is copyright © May 2020 by Fredd Gorham

http://www.steelangelstudios.com/

No part of this book or cover art may be reproduced by any means or uploaded to any web site without the express permission of the author or artist, except for brief quotations for review purposes.

I dedicate this work to the Love of my Life, my partner and wife of 39 years, Sandy Pettinger. I couldn’t do any of the things I do without her.

I would also like to thank my cover artist, Fredd Gorham, for working so closely with me to get the images of my characters so close to the ones I have in my head.

A note on time and distance:

Each of the Civilized Nations in the Orion Arm have different units of measurements. The text uses the appropriate scale the characters would use. While I have inserted footnotes to translate any used, there is a chart at the end defining the various units of measurements.

Dramatis Personae

Catholic Church

Brother Angelus – Human male of Hispanic ancestry. He is a member of the Domincan Order. He was born on Blessed Virgin. He is assigned to the Holy Ministry of Exploration and Deterrence.

Sir Anselm – Human male of mixed European ancestry. He was born in the city of Brae on the planet Appleye. He is a Lay Knight in the Order of Agathius and Adrian, the Sons of Joshua. He is currently on detached duty and liaison to the Confederation Navy.

Sir Jeremy Cinto – Human male of mixed Caucasian ancestry, lay knight of the Knights of Malta. Fighter pilot in Sr. Perpetua’s squadron on the St. Louis.

Reverend Mother Magdalena Claire Cooley – Human female of mixed Caucasian ancestry. She is the Abbess of St. Bernard’s-on-the-Cliff on Cosmas.

Fr. Dajrrou – Wrrgoul male. Fighter pilot in Sr. Perpetua Lucy’s squadron.

Fr. Antoine DeSchalles – Human male of French ancestry. Fighter pilot in Sr. Perpetua Lucy’s squadron on the St. Louis.

Fr. Quentin Frey – Human male of mixed Caucasian and Caribbean ancestry. Fighter pilot in Sr. Perpetua Lucy’s squadron on the St. Louis.

Fr./Sr. Hrrhnn(F1⁴.A0⁸D1⁴B0⁴) – Ur(C0²E0⁸D0⁴.F1⁸)sz. Fighter pilot in the squadron of Sr. Perpetua Lucy.

Dr. Bayani Kris – Human male of Tagalog ancestry. Layman. Junior doctor on the Benedict.

Archbishop Christophoro Leandros – Human male of Greek and Italian heritage. He is an Archbishop in the Holy Catholic Church. He does not have a particular Archdiocese. He is currently assigned to the New Vatican on Blessed Virgin. He heads the Holy Ministry of Exploration and Deterrence.

Lady Frieda Lexis – Human female of mixed Caucasian and African ancestry. Lay knight in the Order of St. Rafqa.

Sister Perpetua Lucy – Tsssha Tck female of Shez Ock ancestry. She was born in the city of Taliss Sass in the district of Ssassava Cliffs on the planet Sshak Zg. She is a sister of the Order of the Sacred Sisters of Joan d’Arc of the Holy Catholic Church. She is a squadron leader currently assigned to the Basilica Ship St. Louis.

Fr. Rufio Malark – Human male Caribbean ancestry. Commander of the Aumbry ship St. Gereon.

Sir Mountainlake Woodcarver – Zaharone male. Knight of the Order of St. Theeda of Xandan. Pilot in Sr. Perpetua Lucy’s squadron.

Sister Angelica Mtumba – Human female of mixed African ancestry. Communications officer on the Benedict.

Father Scotty Orshane – Human male of Scottish ancestry. Secretary to Archbishop Leandros.

Cardinal Oisin O’Toole – Human male of Irish ancestry. Apostolic Nuncio to Capitol.

Sister Potamiaena – Human female. Sister Potamiaena is of Gallic ancestry. She is an explorer and scientist assigned to the Holy Ministry of Exploration and Deterrence. She commands the Benedict. 

Sister Joan Mary Staples – Human female of mixed Caucasian ancestry. Order of the Sacred Sisters of Joan d’Arc. Fighter pilot in Sr. Perpetua Lucy’s squadron.

Brother Johannes Tatum – Human male of mixed Caucasian ancestry. Brother Johannes is assigned to the Holy Ministry of Exploration and Deterrence. Astronmer and Planetologist assigned to the Benedict.

Sir Thiidehn – Tegt male. Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. A fighter pilot in Sr. Perpetua Lucy’s squadron.

Dr. Marcus Widgeon – Human male of Welsh ancestry. Layman. Medical doctor assigned to the Benedict.

Chemosh Empire

Jkt-hshsh – Chkk, Left Wing on the Terrible Eye.

Lwil cuDhil – Vrn Tk female. Navigator on the Terrible Eye.

Tomas Klome – Human male of Hispanic ancestry. Right Wing on the Terrible Eye.

Pri Nior – Fradhaa male, Inquistive Mind, Chief of the Science Department on the Terrible Eye.

Recorder – Nam Patal. Communication officer on the Terrible Eye.

Sensor – Nam Patol. Sensor officer on the Terrible Eye.

Threetgsh – Chemosh male. Great Mind commanding the ship The Terrible Eye. Member of the high middle nobility, Nizh go Shak (Duke) of the Blue Green Tower of Toran.

Transmitter – Nam Patal. Communication officer on the Terrible Eye of the Powerful Thoughts. 

Zhgass – Chemosh male, Jaws on the Terrible Eye.

Cherek Thassocracy

Alar – Cherek Human male. Husband of Ambassador-adiut Deroga.

Como lzCastlon – Human male of Italian ancestry. Slave of the Castlon family.

Derek – Cherek human male.

Deroga – Cherek Human male. Ambassador-adiut to the Confederation.

Dilthekn– Cherek’othai male. Captain of the Sun Over the Plains.

Fliknikn – Cherek male. Ambassador to the Confederation.

Lincol – Cherek human male of Mediterranean ancestry.

Douglas lzMasters – Cherek human male. Son of Richard and Lima Masters.

Lennie the Lute – Human male of uncertain ancestry. A professional assassin and thief.

Lima Masters – Cherek human female of mixed Caucasian ancestry but with green hair. Wife of Richard. First Slave of the Thassocracy.

Limus lzMasters – Cherek human male of mixed Caucasian ancestry but with green hair. Son of Richard and Lima Masters.

Ninia lzMasters – Cherek human female. Daughter of Richard and Lima Masters.

Puerus slRichard lzMasters – Cherek human male of Caucasian ancestry but with blue hair. Adopted son of Richar Masters.

Richard Masters – Cherek human male of Irish and British ancestry. Husband of Lima. First Slave of the Thassocracy.

Zaquos lzMasters – Cherek human of mixed Caucasian ancestry. First Slave of the Thassocracy.

Oreana – Cherek Human female. Wife of Ambassador-adiut Deroga.

Tramelis – Cherek human male.

Turnus – Cherek human male of mixed Caucasian ancestry. Chief Slave Overseer on the Sun Over the Plains.

Confederation

Constable Captain, Her Grace, Damini Acharya – Human female of Indian heritage born in the city of Buzz on the planet Aldrin. She is a Constable Captain in the Aldrin police force and a member of the Aldrin royal family.

Lieutenant Paul Bachu – Human male of mixed Caucasian and African descent. Officer in Special Powers; a 9 rated telepath and 4 rated pusher. Stationed on the Millicent Tenrough.

Imam Ghallib Baqri – Human male of Iraninan ancestry. Highest ranking Imam on Capitol.

Hamish Caulingsbird-Smythe – Human male of mixed Caucasian ancestry. A merchant, he is captain of the Codander.

Admiral Curlstar Swimslayer – Zaharone male. Admiral, commander of the Attanar.

Colonel Dayrise Skysbright – Zaharone male. He is a Colonel in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division. He is head of Special Powers on the Gerald Deucy.

Pansophy Deega – Xandan male. High Pansophy of the danLerthanu faith on Capitol.

Judge Delin An – En Salinoe. Judge of the Confederation court.

Admiral Dhiss This – Tssha Tck male. Admiral.

Dmk - Ijlklj male. Member of Confederation Security on Magnetski’s team.

Robert Donaghal – Human male of Irish ancestry. Consul to Cordwainer.

Eyak-ayak – Chode male. Aide to the Administrator.

Lieutenant Highview – Zaharone female. Security officer on the Gerald Deucy.

Admiral Horné – Odalph female. Admiral, Commander of the Im Nan Torn Shipyards.

Captain Hosss Shoss – Tssha Tck male. Inventory Control on Im Nan Torn Shipyards.

Captain Wilson Isles – Human male of mixed ancestry. Captain of the Millicent Tenrough.

Port Admiral Jiāng Tāo – Human male of Chinese ancestry. Port Admiral. Commander of all Confederation military forces.

Rabbi Aharon Kleinman – Human male of Jewish ancestry. Highest ranked Rabbi on Capitol.

Major Klk – Ijlklj male. He is a Major in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division.  He is stationed on the Gerald Deucy.

Lit(Noon)(Daaz)(Ol)Waa(Bris)(Iahl)(Sohp) – SiHeev female. Administrator of the Confederation.

Inspector Prime Philo Magnetskis – Human male of Greek heritage born on the Zaharone cruise ship Swirling Winds Above the Sea. He is the Inspector Prime of Confederation Security on Capitol.

Lieutenant Melahn – Tegt Female. Inventory Control on Im Nan Torn Shipyards.

Petty Officer Nani-te – Chode male. He is a Chief Petty Officer in the Confederation Navy. His specialty is computer technology, programming, and analysis.

Captain Nordag – Tegt male. Captain of the battleship, Vidko.

Ng(Shan)(Graw)(Mz)Let(Jaim)(Edh)(Vyn) – SiHeev male. Second in Command of Confederation Security on Magnetski’s team.

Commodore Noahn – Tegt male. He is a Commodore in the Confederation Navy. He is currently in command of the Superdreadnought Gerald Deucy.

Oon Moon Nors – Lepamod female. Member of Confederation Security on Magnetski’s team.

Fleet Admiral Orange with Hints of Sage and Terenth Root – Navritil, Admiral.

Dr. Robert Patterson – Human male of mixed Caucasian, African, and Asian ancestry. Psychiatrist on the Gerald Deucy.

Ensign Davy Phillips – Human male of US, Dutch and German heritage born in the village of Arch on the planet Next Frontier. He is an Ensign in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division, secretary to Colonel Skyrise.

Pwrreet – Myhrz male B. Member of Confederation Security on Magnetski’s team.

Major Ranerianth – Kazhiek male. Marine stationed on the Millicent Tenrough.

Ensign Terrence Russing – Human male of mixed Caucasian ancestry. Originally stationed on the Millecent Tenrough; transferred to the Gerald Deucy.

Lieutenant Saiontz – Xandan male. Operations officer on the Millicent Tenrough.

Pansophy Sanchez – Human male. Chaplain aboard the Gerald Deucy; of the Xandan danLerthanu tradition.

Admiral Dominic Svenkerud – Human male of Nordic heritage born in the city of Jaarlson’s Crevasse on the planet Bifrost. He was an Admiral in the Confederation Navy commanding the Fifth Expeditionary Force. His flagship was the Millicent Tenrough.

Lieutenant Evan Taylor – Human male of English and US heritage born in the city of Holdrege on the planet New Lincoln. He is a 1st Lieutenant in the Confederation Navy, Special Powers Division, currently assigned to Vice-Admiral Yar’Adua’s staff.

Admiral Tem Lan Throw – Lepamod male. Admiral.

Dr. Thiion – Tegt male. Chief Medical Doctore on the Gerald Deucy.

Admiral Adrian Thorson – Human female of Scandinavian heritage. Admiral.

Lieutenant Louis Van Speeler – Human male. Inventory Control on Im Nan Torn Shipyards.

Ensign Ivan Voight – Human male. Special Powers telepath. Was part of the initial negotiations with the Cherek.

Lieutenant Jackson Whitmore – Human male of Pacific Island heritage. Records officer on the Gerald Deucy.

Vice-Admiral Latorunwa Yar’Adua – Human female of Nigerian heritage born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. She is a Vice-Admiral in the Confederation Navy commanding the Second Strike Group of the Fifth Expeditionary Force. Her flagship is the superdreadnought Gerald Deucy.

Laanyr Clan Heer

Baanijanihenacashinelishes Mitilor Yud – Laanyr Clan Heer Finisher. Highest ranking Herdmaster on Yutha Mes Den.

Baanijanihenacashinelishes Panabaj Yarivivan – Laanyr Clan Heer Finisher. Functionary of Yud. Yarivivan is unusually small for a finisher, standing only 1.7 meters tall to the top of pe’s head.

Baanijanihenacashinelishes Ratire Travog – Laanyr male. Commander of a system patrol ship in the system of Yutha Mes Den.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Marma – Laanyr Clan Heer male. Communications officer on the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Sunish – Laanyr Clan Heer Finisher. Herdmaster of the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Herd, one of the First Five Herds of Veldthome.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Tuulik – Laanyr female. Adopted into Sunish’s herd and family.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Zanda – Laanyr male. Adopted into Sunish’s herd and family.

Pejjelarallamushentalapes Dlenpipol Zusis – Finisher, child of Sunish, second in command of the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

Vinniipanapoentish Benarith Naron – Laanyr Finisher. Horn (speaker) of the Planetary Conclave of Inohr Dan Nool

Willawiloot – Aat’t’t, golden-blue glow. Chief Researcher on the Pejjelarallamushentalapes Ten.

Rivnyera

Ascension of the Moon Over the Third Lake of Radiance – Rivnyera. Highest ranking Rivnyera (sort of) of the First New World.

Greatest Grandfather – Father. The primary Father withing the First New World.

––––––––

Dramatis Speciei

A couple of notes:

This list describes only the species that appear The Road from Antioch. This list does not imply that these are the only species in these nations.

The descriptions are brief and do not purport to be complete descriptions of the appearance or biology of any of these species, nor does this list reference racial, ethnic, or cultural differences within species.

Chemosh Empire

Chemosh – Endothermic oxygen and water breathers. Chemosh resemble a cross between a wolf and a manta ray. Chemosh bodies are manta-like supported by two powerful, wolf-like legs. Chemosh bodies stand horizontally. The head of a Chemosh is wolf-like with gills along the sides. The ends of the wing-fins have fingers, but the primary manipulators are six long tongues. Chemosh stand about 2 to 2.5 meters tall and are nearly 4 meters long.

Chkk – Ectothermic carbon dioxide breathing pseudo plant. Chkk appear to be bundles of sticks, some with thorns, some with small buds, and other variations. They manipulate with their branches. Chkk range from 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall.

Fradhaa – Endothermic oxygen breathing pseudo-mammals The Fradhaa have a long body shaped like a flattened cylinder. They are eight-limbed hexapods. The head is long and somewhat wolf-like. Fradhaa have four large ears which can swivel in almost any direction. Fradhaa are blind and do not possess even the hint of eyes. Their fur can move and serves as an important part of their communication, even though they cannot see it. A combination of the sound made by the movement as well as shifting electrical fields, which Fradhaa can detect, imparts a great deal of information. Fradhaa stand about 1.5 meters tall and are 3 meters long. Fradhaa partner with a symbiotic species which serve as their eyes as well as performing other functions. The symbiotes are armored, crustacean-like creatures. Their bodies have multiple segments and vaguely resemble a shrimp. It stands on six segmented legs with four smaller manipulators. They have four large eyes and a mouth which can deliver a nasty bite. The symbiote can inflate itself in a threat display. Symbiotes are about 30 cm. long.

Nam Patal – Ectothermic oxygen and water breathers.  Nam Patal have a large, oval center mass ringed with eye-spots. The central body is supported by five pinkish-red tentacles. From the top of the disc extend a variable number of tentacles of various sizes. Nam Patal stand between 1.25 and 1.75 meters tall.

Vrn Tk – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Vrn Tk are four-limbed bipeds and have a superficial resemblance to Terran pangolins and ground sloths. Their entire bodies are covered in hard, leaf-shaped scales. Hands and feet are clawed, but also have a chamber in the center from which tendrils can extend. The hand tentacles are the main manipulators, and the foot tendrils help anchor the Vrn Tk to the ground. Vrn Tk have a second head on the tip of their tails. This head has fighting tusks almost like axe-blades, as well as armored eyes. They speak primarily, though not exclusively, through the tail-head. Vrn Tk stand 2 to 3 meters tall.

Laanyr Clan Heer

Aat’t’t – Endothermic oxygen breathers. The Aat’t’t are small sapients. They roughly resemble Terran seahorses with four limbs, all of which can be used as hands, and four wings edged in stiff bristles. An Aat’t’t emits a glow whose color is unique to each individual. Aat’t’t tend to think and speak very quickly and are extremely verbose.

Laanyr Clan Heer – Endothermic oxygen breathers. Laanyr Clan Heer are six-limbed quadrupeds, centauroid in configuration. Their manipulative limbs grow from the juncture of the lower and upper body. While the lower body resembles a large Terran horse or eland, the upper body does not resemble a human. The upper body is thick and grows smoothly up to the head. The Laanyr head is long. They have horns and strong teeth with protruding fangs. A Laanyr’s fangs can twist when angry, pointing forward rather than down. Laanyr have three sexes, male, female, and finisher. All three are necessary to birth a child, and all three contribute to the child’s genetic structure. Finishers are considerably larger than males and females and dominate leadership positions. An adult finisher typically stands 2.5 meters to the top of the head, while males and females stand 1.5 to 1.8 meters.

Rivnyera

Fathers – Ectothermic carbon dioxide breathers. The Fathers are immense trees, native to the original world of the Rivnyera. The Fathers are of many sizes, the smallest, once an adult, about three times the size of the Empire State Building. While they originally grew vertically, as most trees do, the Fathers on the New Worlds  grow in a spherical manner.

Rivnyera – Endothermic oxygen breathers. The Rivnyera have long, columnar body. Legs and arms are scattered haphazardly along the body. Several eyes, varying between individuals, are placed, apparently at random along the front of the body. Rivnyera range between 1.2 to 2.3 meters long.

Chapter 1: Archbishop Leandros

Office of the Holy Ministry of Exploration and Deterrence, New Vatican, Blessed Virgin

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine:   (Psalm129)

Domine, exaudi vocem meam:

Fiant aures tuae intendentes,

in vocem deprecationis meae.

Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine:

The words of the psalm washed over Bishop Leandros. He dreaded this meeting and prayed the Lord would give him the strength to get through it.

If he had his way, the Confederation military would not be involved in this. But His Holiness had been clear. While the Antioch had come from Earth, and the attack had occurred in Blessed Virgin’s space, the Confederation had as much moral right as the Church did to deal with it.

Domine, quis sustinebit?

Quia apud te propitiatio est:

et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.

Sustinuit anima mea in verbo eius:

speravit anima mea in Domino.

He was going to need every bit of patience he could muster to deal with Admiral Svenkerud.  The man was a pompous, officious baboon. Leandros bit off the uncharitable thought.

A custodia matutina usque ad noctem:

speret Israel in Domino.

Quia apud Dominum misericordia:

et copiosa apud eum redemptio.

Et ipse redimet Israel,

ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius.

Leandros fixed his gaze on the crucifix above the altar. As always, the representation of the Savior calmed his mind.

Gloria Patri, et Filio,

et Spiritui Sancto.

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,

et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

He rose from the prie-dieu, crossed himself and bowed deeply to the altar. Then gathering his purple cassock and cape around him, he left the chapel.

Chapter 2: Vice-Admiral Latorunwa Yar’Adua

Auditorium of St. Michael, New Vatican, Blessed Virgin

Latorunwa adjusted the dark green jacket of her uniform as she took her seat at the curved table. Admiral Svenkerud sat stiffly beside her. He didn’t like being here, she knew. He had wanted this meeting at Tendacta Station, the Confederation Military Headquarters. He did not believe the Church had any business with a military. Of course, after the destruction of Old Rome and the Vatican 900 Terran years ago, the Church thought differently. It did not intend to have to rely on regular nations for protection again.

This reasoning didn’t impress the Admiral. If he had not been given direct orders by the Administrator, this meeting would likely not be happening.

Besides herself there were eight other members of the Admiral’s party. Three were aloft in their own ships orbiting Blessed Virgin since their atmospheric requirements were incompatible with the Terran standard. The Church had offered Encapsulated Environments, but Svenkerud had declined. So, screens had been set up behind and above the Confederation table.

Several other nations had requested seats at the table. The Chemosh was the largest delegation other than the Confederation. There were seven Chemosh in the delegation, accompanied by two members of one of their client races, the Nam Patal. Chemosh resembled a cross between wolves and mantas, though they were neither, of course. Though they had sophisticated fingers at the ends of the wing fins, their primary manipulative organs were their six-way split tongues.

The Chemosh Empire had been allies of the Confederation for over five hundred Confederation standard years, though they had been at war with each other for a century before that. The Confederation military HQ was named after Captain Ibhim Tendacta, an En Selinor, called both The Hero of the Battle of Nan and The Peacemaker. Tendacta and the Chemosh Great Mind Shentos had begun the negotiations that had led to lasting peace between the two star nations.

The Nam Patal didn’t resemble any Earth species. They stood about nine tenths of a sumeter (1 sumeter = 1.616 meters) tall on five pinkish red extremities which resembled tentacles. The standing tentacles merged into a disc-like mass ringed with eye spots. A mass of tentacles of various sizes topped the disc.

In addition to the Chemosh delegation, the Laanyr Clan Heer and the Rivnyera had also sent delegates. The Laanyr were a hoofed, but omnivorous species which dominated a small star nation.

The Rivnyera had no worlds of their own, but traveled in immense, planet sized ships. They were long with six limbs and sensory stalks. Their planet ships, while immense, could not match the technology of any of the other nations represented, but they were very old.

The Admiral was beginning to fidget. He was not a patient man, and the Church was not known to hurry. She wondered how formal the opening ceremony would be. The room they were in wasn’t a chapel, but there was a small altar at the head of the room on a raised platform.

The rest of the room was beautiful. The floor was marble with columns around the room carved into the images of saints. The right side of the room, from the perspective of the altar, featured saints from the first 200 years of the Church. The ones on the right were from the last 200 years.

Several of them were not human. The Church did not actively evangelize to non-human populations, but they happily accepted converts from any species. There were a surprisingly large number of non-humans who had converted to human religions. Of course, a large number of humans had also converted to those non-human faiths which would accept them.

The ceiling was a mosaic of scenes from the Bible.  The mosaics on the wall featured scenes from Church history. Tables and chairs suitable for each species had been set around the room, allowing space between each delegation.

A plain, wooden chair was also on the platform, just to one side of the altar. Several tables and chairs were arranged in front of the platform. The opening ceremony could take hours if Bishop Leandros chose. He and the Admiral were not friends.

A teenaged boy in a red cassock and white surplice entered and pulled sharply on a cord, ringing a string of bells. The boy moved to one side and the bishop entered. He was wearing a purple trimmed black cassock, fascia, cappa and zucchetto. Yar’Adua breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t vested, so a full service wasn’t planned.

The bishop walked briskly to the altar. He knelt and prayed for a moment, then rose and took the chair on the raised platform. As soon as he took his seat a swarm of priests and nuns entered, taking seats at the tables in front of the platform. Computer terminals rose out of the tables.

As soon as his party had settled, the bishop rose for a moment

May the Lord guide our work here today, he said. The Admiral snorted, but thankfully didn’t say anything. The bishop took his seat again. Brother Angelus, would you recap the incident?  A middle-aged man in a gray robe rose.

"Yes, Your Excellency. On June 15, 3127 the Pilgrim ship Antioch dropped into the Blessed Virgin system on a scheduled pilgrimage. Moments later another ship dropped out of subspace on an identical heading. This vessel, presumed to be a Dark Circle warship, fired missiles at Blessed Virgin.

"The Basilica Ship St. Louis and its squadron were in orbit around Blessed Virgin. The St. Louis launched a squadron of fighters and broke orbit to engage the intruding vessel. The fighter Squadron, the 54th, was able to detonate the missiles.

"The intruding vessel fired additional missiles at the Antioch. The 54th altered trajectory to intercept. Two of the enemy missiles detonated prematurely, but the 54th was able to intercept the remaining missiles.

"However, two additional missiles were fired from a ballistic drone fired from the intruder under cover of the premature detonation. The missiles were fired from a position too close to the Antioch to intercept and the Pilgrim Ship was destroyed. Over two hundred lives were lost. Forty-five were rescued from escape pods."  The monk sat down.

Thank you, Brother Angelus. the bishop said. "Shenzhi (A general human greeting to a group of mixed species and/or genders), the first order of business... "

The Admiral rose to his feet. The first order of business is to get the squadron commander in here. He or she needs to debrief this meeting and then be properly punished.

The bishop briefly closed his eyes and Latorunwa could see his lips moving; probably in prayer she thought.

Admiral, Sister Perpetua Lucy is on retreat. Her actions have already been reviewed by a Church Naval Review Committee. There was no disagreement that the sister was not at fault. Let us proceed to discuss the actual attack.

Bullshit! I’m not going let the Church cover up gross incompetence!

There is no cover up, Admiral. The full transcript, video, audio, and text, of the hearing is in the files you have been provided.

I demand... the Admiral began.

Excellency! one of the Chemosh interjected, the artificial voice in Latorunwa’s translator remarkably expressive, Brother Angelus used the word presumed. Is there a doubt that the attacker was a Circle ship? Latorunwa was sure the Chemosh had interrupted at that moment to defuse the Admiral. He resumed his seat with a scowl.

"That is correct, Greatmind Threetgsh. The ship appeared to be a Circle ship in configuration and markings. However, in the weeks since the attack there has been no claim of responsibility. As you all know, the Circle typically launches transmission buoys into major systems to announce their success