Free Sister Katherine by Tracy St. John

needs?”
    A chill raced down Katherine’s spine, and she stared at the head of the Europan convent.  The hint of a sour smile appeared on Mother Superior’s face.
    “Yes, Sister Katherine.  I know all about you and your wish to tend to our enemies’ souls.  These ‘fellow creations of God’, I believe is how you put it to the Church?  But then again, God created Satan too, didn’t he?”
    “We were given free will,” Katherine said weakly.  “I’d only hoped to convince the Kalquorians that they did not have to pursue the path they were on.  I wanted them to find the right way with faith and prayer.  To teach that the love of God was the better route to everlasting peace.”
    Mother Superior’s stare never wavered.  Katherine felt skewered by that discerning gaze.  “I’ve been watching you and hearing how you speak of God’s love and everlasting mercy.  What of his punishment, Sister?  What of his judgment against those who sin in their hearts?  Would you have taught these alien creatures, these abominations, such things?  You’ve certainly been remiss about it where the aspirants are concerned.” 
    Katherine’s body stiffened.  “Children should know they can trust God and that he cares for them.  That his love is without condition, his forgiveness theirs simply for the asking.”
    “They should also know how their immortal souls lie in jeopardy for their transgressions, lessons I fear you may have forgotten to teach.”
    Mother Superior grasped Brenda by the shoulder.  The aspirant, like the rest of the girls, looked from her to Katherine as if watching a tennis match.  Their eyes were wide with fear.  Mother Superior was strict but fair.  They trusted her.  Yet they trusted and loved Katherine too.  The conversation was confusing them, tugging at their loyalties.
    Katherine said nothing to refute Mother Superior.  She did not want the girls feeling as if they had to choose between the two nuns.  It wasn’t fair to them.  They needed confidence in their elders right now, not dissension.
    Mother Superior looked behind Katherine.  The younger woman knew she stared at Simdow, Vadef, and Miv.  Katherine’s insides shrank, and she wanted to say she was not in their company by choice.  She wanted to assert that she was a prisoner, one who would soon be faced with an unspeakable fate.  She kept silent, however.  She would not give her little ones any cause for more terror than what they had already been subjected to.
    Mother Superior’s lips curled as she looked at the Kalquorians before she returned her attention to Katherine.  “Perhaps the reason you do not speak of God’s wrath is because you fear reminding yourself of the punishments you are due.  You walked into this holy place with the evidence of his judgment. With the proof that God has turned his back on you.”
    As if to illustrate her point, Mother Superior herself turned away from Katherine.  She walked away to join the small number of elder nuns standing in a knot.  Katherine did not dare to look at them.  She did not want to see their recriminations too.
    The aspirants remained hovering near her.  Their eyes were wide with concern, but they did not leave her side.  Katherine gathered what warmth she could from that.
    Marci stood on tiptoe and whispered loudly, “Why is Mother Superior mad at you, Sister?  You can’t help that we got invaded.”
    Katherine found a smile for her littlest.  She bent to kiss that sweet cheek.  “I think we’re all afraid of what has happened.  But remember, you’re all right.  No one has hurt you, and they’re not going to hurt you.  What you must do is be very good girls, pray, and mind what Mother Superior and the sisters tell you.  Know that I love you very much, as does God.”
    “You’re not going!” Darci cried.  She grabbed one of Katherine’s hands as other girls joined in the clamor.
    Katherine hugged her, hugged all the ones she could reach.