Science Fiction

330

This anthology includes short stories, novellas, art work and poetry relating to the central allegorical tale of the Aria Kalsan.

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Aria Kalsan

The Notification by D. Gail Bellenger

It wasn't easy being the youngest, and the only girl, in a family with seven children, but Marnette mostly enjoyed the attention that was lavished on her by her parents. Mostly, that is, until her mother tried to assert her parental authority laced with guilt to keep her only daughter at home. The closer it got to Marnette's nineteenth birthday, the more emphatic the guilt became.

It was still light out when Marnette returned from a shopping trip with her latest boyfriend, Ajani. Too intimidated by Marnette's father to come inside, Ajani stood in the doorway and gave her a kiss goodbye.

The community considered the Engelhorn house large and opulent even for a Baron. The Baroness Engelhorn decorated the interior of the lavish home with the best furniture money could buy. Marnette wasn't concerned with the pretentious display of wealth and considered her family's social status a burden. She preferred to mingle with anyone who wasn't a part of the Baronage, taking pleasure in the distress it caused her mother. Her mother paced nervously across the living room floor. With a roll of her eyes, Marnette dropped her shopping bags on the ground and waited. The pacing stopped and teary eyes gazed back.

"What is it, Mother?" asked Marnette with feigned concern.

"Oh, I think you know. There's a message from the Kalsan Alliance on the phone."

Marnette flinched, remembering why she hadn't told her parents she was applying to join the mysterious Kalsan. She knew her mother would object more strenuously than her father and had hoped she could intercept the message before either of them saw it. The Kalsan accepted women when they reached the age of nineteen, which was only three days away. Marnette dreamed of becoming one of the elite women ever since she was a young girl, but was destined to marry into one of the baronies and produce as many little baronets as possible. Marnette, however, had a different view and fancied the life of a galactic mercenary and diplomat.

Staring down at the shopping bags, Marnette sighed. "Mother, I would have told you earlier, but I didn't want to hear all the reasons why I shouldn't join. It's my life, Mother, and it's a great opportunity."

"Great opportunity for what? You'll disappear into their secret society and I'll never see you again."

"That's not true. I'll have the chance to become one of the greatest soldiers in the galaxy."

"You'll fight for money, Marnette."

"That's not what's bothering you, is it? You want me to be a baby machine and give you a hundred grandchildren, don't you? That's never been what I've wanted and you know it. I'm an adult now, Mother, it's my turn to make my choices." With a flip of her head, Marnette bent down, grabbed her bags and stomped off to her room.

© 2003 D. Gail Bellenger. Reprinted with permission.