Chapter 1: Minara

Minara sank forward against the seat straps, fighting to hold back the tears stinging her eyes. Everything had been taken from her, now there was nothing left, and it was all her fault. She took a shuddering breath, and her logical mind clashed with her raging emotions. The testing official had pushed her too far. They were checking her poise and grace and he had nudged her, causing her to stumble. She had lost it when he denied his action and she had hit him. It wasn't that he had denied pushing her, but the satisfied smirk on his face was more than she could bear.

It had crossed her mind the official had been bribed by her uncle, who made no secret of the fact he detested her, because as she grew older she looked more and more like her aunt, his late wife; the abuse had started once she had reached fifteen. She pushed the memory to the back of her mind with a shudder, because there was nothing she could do about it now anyway. Who would believe her word against that of a high-ranking officer of the government? Especially since she had been disgraced and banished from her home and family for failing the selection process. She was too violent to become what she had been brought up to be, as the daughter of a high-ranking family. She would never be mistress of her own household, would never be matched with a lifetime partner of the same rank as she was. Even the chance for a family of her own had been destroyed. It had been taken from her by one stupid slip and an abusive uncle. There was only one place for such as her, the Army.

The jolt of the shuttle docking with the military starship, that was to take her to the military training grounds, caused her to wipe her eyes with the heels of her hands and sit up straight. The hatch opened and an officer stepped into the cabin. She was the only new recruit in the shuttle so he looked directly at her.

"Minara?" His voice was harsh and unfriendly.

She nodded. "Yes sir."

"Follow me."

She did as he ordered her to, but with leaden feet. Even her second name had been taken from her in her disgrace. Only high-ranking citizens had a second name, but since she was reduced to nothing she only had one. The officer spoke to her as he led her through the ship.

"During the journey you will be fitted with a battle suit keyed to you, ready for your training. As we will be traveling near to enemy space remember that we have a code of conduct?"

Minara nodded. "Yes sir. Never be taken alive."

"Yes, and in addition ensure you wear your battle suit when facing the enemy. It will destroy your remains if you are killed, ensuring the filthy vermin cannot use it to develop chemical or biological weapons to use against us."

"Yes sir."

The armory sergeant raised an eyebrow as they entered and she heard him mutter under his breath, "Not another female failed the selection process." He saluted the officer who indicated Minara.

"Get a battle suit set up for her sergeant, will you."

"Yes sir, right away."

The officer turned and left. The sergeant's dark hair and eyes gave him away as a member of the lower artisan classes, a Grojani, so at least he would not judge her, she hoped. The sergeant smiled at her. "Cheer up, it's not that bad. Make a go of it in the Army and you will be respected, do well and you will be honored."

He walked round from his desk and placed a hand on her back to guide her to the fitting room. She shuddered; the only other man who had touched her was her uncle and the emotions were still raw. The sergeant misunderstood her reaction to his gentle touch. "Hey, it's OK, the fitting is painless, the machines take care of everything."

"Thank you, sergeant." Minara stepped into the booth and the door closed behind her. She heard the sergeant's voice from a speaker in the wall of the booth. "Please shut your eyes while the scanner builds a picture of your measurements for the fitting system." Minara closed her eyes as requested.