In Service Of The Queen Ch 24

In Service of the Queen

by Davina Lee

An alternative future of women and their adventures

*

Author's Note

A lot has happened friends. Elysium and the doomsday weapon slung under its gondola have gone down in flames. The incident appears to be a deliberate act of sabotage by an Air Self-Defense Force pilot, smashing her tender dirigible full of lithium batteries into the larger airship.

Meanwhile, Empyrea City is shrouded in darkness after La Resistance destroyed the hydroelectric power plant based on faulty intelligence collected by Adelaide. Was Friend Adelaide intentionally deceived by the queen? Most definitely. Does this make the results of her actions any easier for her? Probably not.

This chapter picks up several months after these dramatic events.

* * *

Part III -- Rebirth

* * *

Chapter 24: Time for a Change

Empyrea Exhibition Hall, Downtown Empyrea City

Adelaide paused and held her breath as she walked through the doors of the exhibition hall. She looked around at the crowd of women milling about. She scanned the signs adorning the fronts of tables all along the perimeter of the cavernous room. Finally, Adelaide settled her eyes on a woman standing near the entrance. The woman had a red badge hanging from a lanyard around her neck.

"Hello, friend," said the woman. In the crook of her arm, she cradled a stack of papers. She peeled one off the top and held it out to Adelaide.

"Thank you, friend," said Adelaide.

"It's a map," said the woman. "A map of all the career representatives here today."

Adelaide nodded as she oriented the paper to match with the layout of the hall. She studied it for a moment.

"Did you have anything in mind? A career you'd like to study?" asked the woman.

"Nursing," said Adelaide. "Or something in the medical field. I'm first aid certified and I'd really like to do something that will help people. So nursing is my first choice."

"An admirable vocation," said the woman. "Do you see the sign over there?"

Adelaide looked to where the woman was pointing. "The staff with the wings and the snakes?"

The woman nodded.

"I've never really understood the snakes," mumbled Adelaide.

The woman shrugged. "Can't help you there," she said, pulling at the lanyard around her neck, causing the badge attached to it to bounce, "but if you have any other questions--"

"Look for someone with the red badge," finished Adelaide. "Got it."

The woman nodded.

"Thank you, friend," said Adelaide, fixing her gaze on the medical symbol in the distance and walking forward.

"I always thought you'd make a good nurse." Vivienne's voice caused Adelaide to stop in her tracks. She whirled around.

"Viv?" said Adelaide. "Please tell me your being here doesn't spell the end of cream puffs at the café."

"Addie, don't be ridiculous. I already taught the entire staff how to make them. They're fine. Cream puffs won't be leaving the menu anytime soon."

"Okay..." Adelaide looked Vivienne up and down. "So what are you doing here?"

"Transportation Logistics," said Vivienne.

"Transportation what?"

"Logistics. Transportation Logistics," said Vivienne. "It's all about getting things from where they're made to where they're needed."

"So like getting those delicious custard-filled cream puffs from the kitchen and into my mouth?"

"No, Addie. Stop obsessing. Pay attention."

"Viv, I was kidding."

"Trains have schedules. Trolleys have schedules. Crop harvests have schedules. People have schedules. Transportation Logistics is all about getting all those schedules aligned for the most efficient movement of goods from point A to point B."

"Sounds like you've given this a lot of thought," said Adelaide.

"Addie, the world is a mess. Even without Elysium and it's beam weapon, the queen still managed to bring her wrath to bear on a lot of people."

Adelaide hung her head.

"Innsbruck, Dresden, Prague, Warsaw," continued Vivienne. "They're rebuilding, but it's still a mess. People in those cities need bread. Right now, they're waiting in long lines because there's not enough to go around. But here in Empyrea, a farmer might have silos full of grain, and she's worried about losing it to rot or pests. All because she doesn't know where to send it."

Adelaide nodded and raised her gaze. "Transportation Logistics," she said.

"Exactly," said Vivienne. "Maybe not as noble as nursing, but--"

"Viv," said Adelaide, straightening up and laying her hand on Vivienne's arm, "you're helping people. I might not have a clue how it all works, but apparently you do. And when those families get their loaves of bread, they're going to appreciate your efforts."

"Thanks, Addie," said Vivienne. She grinned and swooped in to kiss Adelaide on the cheek.

"So where's the table?" asked Adelaide.

Vivienne cocked her head and stared.

"The career representative for Transportation Logistics?"

"Oh," said Vivienne. "Already been there. I'm signed up and ready to start classes Monday morning."

"Oh," said Adelaide. "Guess I'll see you back home, then?"

"I've got one more stop." Vivienne turned her gaze to a sign in the distance. On the sign was a white dove in flight, shown against an azure blue circle. Under the circle wrapped the words, Pro Nobis Omnibus.

"Come on," said Vivienne, taking Adelaide's hand and slipping into the crook of her elbow.

* * *

"Hey, sis," said Adelaide, smirking as she stood in front of the table adorned with the white dove symbol.

From behind the table, Cordelia stepped forward, leaning on the cane she held in her right hand as she walked. "Friend Vivienne dragged you over?" asked Cordelia.

"I would have gotten here eventually, I suppose," said Adelaide. "You could have told me you were holding down the booth. I might have made more of an effort."

Adelaide smiled and held her arms wide. Cordelia leaned her cane against the table and stepped in to wrap Adelaide in an embrace. "Good to see you," said Adelaide.

"You, too," said Cordelia. Then, turning to Vivienne, she said, "Thanks for bringing her over, friend."

"Uh-oh," said Adelaide, stepping back to hold her sister at arm's length.

"Uh-oh, what?" said Cordelia, grinning.

"You're up to something," said Adelaide. "I know that grin. You've got something planned. I don't know what it is yet, but I strongly suspect you've conspired with Friend Vivienne to set it up."

"I hear you're going into nursing," said Cordelia.

Adelaide nodded.

"It's a noble career," said Cordelia. "You're going to do great things."

"And?" said Adelaide.

"And?" replied Cordelia. "And what? I'm your sister. I can't be proud of you?"

"With that stupid smirk on your face? I know there's more."

"Adelaide," said Cordelia. "Empyrea Corps needs nurses."

"I knew it," said Adelaide. "You're trying to recruit me. I haven't even signed up for the nursing program yet, and already you're trying to recruit me."

"You want to help people," said Cordelia.

Beside Adelaide, Vivienne nodded her agreement. Adelaide stayed silent.

"Don't deny it," said Cordelia. "We grew up together."

"Fine, yeah, I want to help people. Is that so bad?"

"No," said Cordelia. "No, not at all. It's wonderful. Empyrea Corps is all about helping people. We travel out to places all over the map. As far as the rail lines will take us and sometimes farther. We bring food, supplies, and medicine."

"That's your pitch?"

"We need medical professionals, Adelaide. Most of all, we need skilled nurses."

"One weekend a month," said Vivienne. "That's all the commitment you have to give."

Adelaide turned from Cordelia to stare at Vivienne. "How do you know this?" asked Adelaide.

"I already signed up."

"Viv, you...?"

"Yep. I signed up for Empyrea Corps," said Vivienne. "As soon as I'm done with career training, I'm in."

"They need Transportation Logistics people?"

Cordelia spoke up. "Getting things people need to where they need them? That's another big part of what we do."

"That and nursing," mumbled Adelaide.

"And nursing," said Cordelia. "Medical services are a major part of our mission."

"One weekend a month?"

Cordelia nodded.

Adelaide stepped forward. "Fine, sign me up."

"One weekend a month?" Vivienne raised her eyebrows as she asked. "That's it?"

"Yeah, why? What did you sign up for? Two?"

"Six month field deployment."

"Six months!" exclaimed Adelaide.

"It doesn't start until you're done with career training," said Cordelia.

"Yeah, but six months?"

"Think about it Addie," said Vivienne, raising her hands to draw an imaginary arc over her head. "You and me, riding the rails. Traveling to places we've never seen. Meeting new people. Helping them rebuild and make a better life for themselves."

Adelaide chewed at her lip.

"Don't tell me you're busy," said Vivienne. "What else have you got going on these days?"

Adelaide shrugged. "Riding the rails, I guess."

Vivienne smiled. "You'll do it?"

Adelaide nodded. "Let me go talk to the people at the medical career booth first."

"You can count Empyrea Corps service toward your nursing internship," said Cordelia.

Adelaide chuckled. "You two really have this all planned out for me, don't you?"

* * *

Empyrea City Rail Depot, six months later

Adelaide stood beside the sleek, silver train, with her arms tight around Vivienne's shoulders. At Adelaide's feet lay a single, large duffle with the Empyrea Corps logo patch sewn onto the side.

"I don't understand why you can't come with me," said Adelaide.

"Addie, it's a hospital train."

"Yeah, but... Even a hospital has some transportation that needs... I don't know... logistifying."

"Addie, that's not even a word."

"You know what I mean."

"You're going to do great," said Vivienne. "And it's not like we'll never see each other. You'll be in cities for weeks at a time. I'll be on a different train, but we're bound to be pulled into the same station at some point."

"I know," said Adelaide, wiping under her left eye with the back of her hand.

"Don't start," said Vivienne, wiping under her eyes with her thumbs.

"I'm sorry, Viv."

"Oh Addie," said Vivienne, falling forward to hug Adelaide tight.

"You've always been there for me, Viv. Since day one you've been my friend. I've done a lot of stupid stuff, and you've never left my side. I want you to know how much... how much I..." Adelaide buried her face against Vivienne's shoulder.

"I know," said Vivienne. "I feel the same way."

Adelaide mumbled into Vivienne's shoulder, "I'm going to miss you."

Vivienne straightened up and gripped Adelaide by the arms. "We're going to see each other again," said Vivienne. "Out there. On the rails. We're going on an adventure. And we're going to see each other again."

Adelaide sniffled a little as she nodded.

"Need any help with your bag?"

Adelaide shook her head. "Thanks, Viv," she said, standing fidgeting for a moment before swooping in to kiss Vivienne on the cheek.

* * *

Thirty minutes later, in the dining car

Adelaide sat alone at a table designed to seat four. She sat with her chin resting in her hand and her elbow propped on the tabletop. She faced the large window to her left as train car swayed and the green of the landscape flew by.

"Hello, friend," said a diminutive blonde, walking up to stand beside Adelaide's table. The blonde was holding a big hunk of butter cake atop a napkin in her hand.

Adelaide turned to look and quickly moved her gaze to the young woman's hand. A slow smile crept over Adelaide's face. "Is that...?"

"Butter cake? Mm-hmm. Want to share?"

"Where'd you get butter cake? I thought--"

"My mom. She shoved it at me before she put me on the train. She thinks I won't grow if I don't eat. It's cute. Like I'm still her little girl."

Adelaide scooted closer to the window and gestured at the now empty spot beside her. The young woman deposited her butter cake in the center of the table and sat down. She turned to Adelaide.

"Emilia Brandt," said the blonde, pushing her hand out.

"Adelaide Walker," said Adelaide, taking Emilia's hand. "Your Mom's not Rebecca Brandt is she? I served in the resistance with a Rebecca Brandt."

Emilia shook her head.

"Hm," said Adelaide.

"Help yourself." Emilia reached out to tear off a chunk of butter cake. After chewing, she turned back to Adelaide. "And you said Walker, huh? Adelaide Walker. You don't happen to be related to--"

"Cordelia Walker?" said Adelaide. "Yep. She's my sister."

"Your sister's a bad ass," said Emilia, ripping off another chunk of butter cake. "Crashing her airship into Elysium. That takes guts."

"Yep, that's Cordelia alright."

"Sorry, friend," said Emilia, resting a hand on Adelaide's arm. "I'm sure you get that a lot."

Adelaide shrugged. She slid her arm out from under Emilia's hand.

"So what's the sister of a famous war hero doing eating butter cake on a hospital train?"

"Watching my past fly by, I guess," said Adelaide. "I grew up out here in the commonwealth."

"Running away?"

Adelaide shook her head. "Just trying to do what's right after everything that's happened. I'm a nurse with Empyrea Corps."

"

Pro Nobis Omnibus

," said Emilia. "For us all."

Adelaide looked up to meet Emilia's eyes. "You too?"

Emilia shook her head as she broke off another piece of butter cake. "No. I know the motto, that's it. I'm doing my apprenticeship as an engineer's assistant on the train."

"You must be pretty technical-minded," said Adelaide.

Emilia shrugged. "I just like trains."

"Well, I guess you're in the right place."

Emilia smiled and pushed the last of the butter cake toward Adelaide as she stood up. "If you happen to get chilly at night, wander on up to the frontmost sleeper car." Emilia reached out to rest her hand over Adelaide's atop the table. "I caught you smiling earlier. When you first laid eyes on the butter cake. I wouldn't mind seeing that smile again in the morning when open your eyes to me."

"Thanks, friend," said Adelaide, looking up to Emilia and then lowering her gaze.

"But...?"

"Please don't take this the wrong way."

"Got a girl waiting back home, huh?"

"I..." said Adelaide. "I don't really know."

"It's okay," said Emilia. "If you change your mind." She gave Adelaide's hand a quick squeeze and walked up the aisle toward the front of the train.

Adelaide watched Emilia go. And as the door closed behind her, Adelaide once again propped her chin on her hand and stared at the scenery going by.

* * *

Two hours later, in the sleeping car

Adelaide sat alone in her compartment. She had the side table pulled out of its storage nook and unfolded across her lap. Over her head, Adelaide reached up to flip on the reading light. She picked up the pen from the table and stared at the blank paper in front of her.

Dearest Tiara,

I can only assume your lack of response to my letters means that you've chosen to move on. I'd like to say I understand. After the way you were treated by the people of Empyrea, I can see how you might want to close that chapter of your life and never look back. I wish things could have been different. But wishing won't make it so.

I've joined up with Empyrea Corps. It's an aid organization that helps people in need. And there's a lot of need in the world right now. I'm serving on a hospital train. I'm training to be a nurse. Big surprise, huh? You always said I'd make a good nurse. Ever since that day I knocked you on the head out on the football pitch. I hope I can prove you right.

Adelaide paused and set the pen down beside the paper. She leaned back in her seat. Pressing her hand against her forehead, she let out a long sigh as she sank into the cushion behind her. Adelaide dropped her hand onto the table and turned to stare out the window. Outside, the landscape was whizzing by as long shadows against the setting sun.

After a few minutes, Adelaide folded her unfinished letter and stuffed it into an envelope that she left unsealed. She stood up, taking the letter and the pen over to the compartment's small nook that served as her closet. After sliding the letter in among her medical textbooks, Adelaide reached for a blanket and let it fall open, hanging from her hand.

Adelaide wrapped the blanket around her shoulders like a shawl, and after stowing the side table, she sat down with her legs tucked up under herself. Adelaide turned again to the window and stared at the shadows of trees flying by. She wiped at a small tear gathering in the corner of her eye.

* * *

Twenty hours and one nursing shift later

Adelaide stood in her compartment of the sleeping car, kicking off her shoes. She untied her medical scrubs and let them fall into a pool at her feet before stepping out one foot at a time. Adelaide dug around in the nook that served as her closet until she found a pair of flannel pants and pulled them out. A sweater came next as Adelaide tugged her scrub top over her head.

As Adelaide was gathering up her discarded scrubs, she let her eyes settle on the envelope she had stuffed between her textbooks the night before. She pulled it out and opened it up.

Dearest Tiara,

she read.

"Dearest Tiara," mumbled Adelaide. "I sound like a bad romance novel."

A rapping on the door of her compartment interrupted Adelaide's thoughts. "We're going down to dinner," said the voice on the other side of the door. "Adelaide, it's Rose. Are you in there?"

"Yeah, I'm just getting changed."

"Meet us in the dining car, okay? We'll save you a seat."

"Okay. Okay, great."

* * *

One hour later

Adelaide stopped outside her compartment and waved goodbye to the trio of nurses who continued on down the corridor. She slid the door open and stepped inside. After flicking on the overhead reading light, Adelaide pulled her letter to Tiara out from between her textbooks and sat down.

Spreading the letter flat on her side table, Adelaide picked up her pen and continued writing.

Today was my first day as a real nurse. We're stopped at the station in Salzburg. You might remember it was one of the first cities under the Empyrean occupation. I can still see those news bulletins in my mind. The ones proclaiming Sisterly Love from when this whole thing started. But even with all that's happened, the people here seemed happy to see us.

I was part of the team dispensing vaccinations. I've been on my feet all day. I've jabbed more people in the arm today than I can count. Tomorrow I'll be doing it again. Though I'm going to ask about getting some lollipops or bonbons we can give to the children. I think it would do a lot to make things less scary for them.

When we're done here, the train is heading out to Innsbruck.

Adelaide paused. She set the pen on the table and leaned back in her seat. "And then what?" mumbled Adelaide. "More vaccinations. Then Prague. And more vaccinations. Then where? Warsaw? More vaccinations?"

Adelaide slipped the unfinished letter back into its envelope. She stowed her side table and stood up. After slipping the envelope between the textbooks in her nook, Adelaide dug around for her toilet kit and pulled out her toothbrush.

Stepping into the hallway, Adelaide make her way toward the end of the car. She found the door latch closed with the word

occupied

showing in red letters, so she continued on to the next car. As she stepped through the door between cars, Adelaide found herself face to face with Emilia.