Free Article 23 by William R. Forstchen

in the church, warriors taking to the cloister late in life. We're seeing a lot more of that, with so many folks living to be ninety, a hundred or more and still fit and active. Taking vows and coming out here to space has a certain appeal. Like I said, it's an old tradition, not just with us but with the Buddhists as well. I went to visit one of their Zen colonies last year; beautiful place their zero-gravity gardens are a wonder.
    "You see, long ago monasteries both East and West were places of retreat, but that's hard to find in the modem world. Out here in space though, well, we have the whole universe to find the solitude and peace we desire as we search for the eternal. As you young cadets finally embark for the stars, the monasteries will not be far behind."
    Bartholomew nodded towards the glasses.
    "So, anyhow, a cadet's expected to hold his own when the occasion arises."
    Having tasted brandy before, Justin accepted the glass. He swirled the contents around, sniffing them, then allowed a tiny sample to dance on his tongue.
    "Delightful," he exclaimed, "better than grandpa's own stuff that we make on the farm. " .
    Tanya looked at the two hesitantly. Then, not to be outmatched, she downed hers as well, coughing hard after trying to take it all in one gulp.
    Bartholomew laughed.
    "Just like a Russian," he chortled. "One shot down the hatch."
    An hour later the three stepped back out into the hallway.
    "Now, you two children know your way back, don't you?"
    "Sure, Brother," Justin replied.
    "Take care, my friends. It was an honor to entertain you. And be sure to personally deliver that package."
    Justin patted the box under his arm and nodded.
    "The pleasure was all ours," Justin announced.
    Justin waved cheerfully and motioned for Tanya to follow. She shook her head ruefully as she fell in by his side.
    "I think you're slightly potzed ," she said disdainfully.
    "Nonsense. Blood alcohol of point zero two you saw him check us."
    "Well, you're certainly no Russian, Justin. Point zero two wouldn't have one of us weaving like you are."
    "Hey, us Hoosiers invented applejack. Why, Johnny Appleseed himself planted our orchard."
    "Johnny who?"
    "Oh, never mind. Wish I knew what was in this box." Justin held the box up and shook it, then tucked it back under his arm while letting his other arm drift around Tanya's waist.
    "That's for Commander Thorsson , so don't go playing around with it. And Mr. Bell watch that other hand of yours as well."
    She reached around and removed Justin's hand from her waist, and with a snort of displeasure motioned for him to speed up his pace.
    Justin sighed, not sure if the drinks had indeed gone to his head or if he was simply using them as an excuse to try and put his arm around Tanya. Dutifully he fell in behind her, troubled again by her presence. The situation was made worse by the fact that the monks had opened up the shutters overhead, letting the sunlight stream in on the orchard. It created a strange effect the rotation of the ship caused the sun to rise and set every two minutes so that shadows raced across the ground. Sprinklers set both in the ground and overhead had been turned on and a gentle mist floated in the air, catching the shifting light so that the air seemed to sparkle. The moisture enhanced the ability of the air to carry scent, and every breath was rich with the fragrance of apples and an elusive trace of something that Justin knew was Tanya's perfume.
    Without waiting for him she stepped into the corridor leading back to the zero-gravity core, but as she passed the doorway into the cathedral she paused and then stepped in. Justin followed her and was surprised to see her kneeling in the corridor, head bowed in prayer. Ashamed of what he had been thinking, he looked away in confusion. He saw a monk looking over at him, smiling gently, and realized the monk had seen him watching Tanya. The monk shrugged his shoulders, as if in sympathy and understanding. Justin smiled in