All around me, the commandery prepares to move out. We perform the same rites we would before a war, though we expect no conflict here. It is part of our dogma, as warriors of the faith. As I make my way to where my squad are gathered, I pass by others of the commandery checking and rechecking their bolters. Making oaths, and taking prayer. Pinning parchment seals to their armour and lighting candles. I see those we have brought with us, too. The ship’s crew and civilians. The families. They turn to watch me as I pass, and I am certain that more of them have marked their faces to match mine than before. I catch sight of Kati at the head of one of the groups. She is holding a lit lumen stick like a candle, her dark eyes catching the light from it. Her mouth opens and makes the shape of my name, but I do not stop. I do not speak to her. I just keep walking.

My Sisters stand ready in the shadow of the lander’s exit ramp, their bolters slung and their swords sheathed. I take my place before them and look at each of them in turn. Sarita and Munari. The twins who differ from each other more with every battle. Veridia, and her missing memories. Haskia, and her vambraces wound with memorial chain. Joti, who I haven’t seen smile since we lost Calyth. Qi-Oh, who looks at me differently now. Ashava who will miss me when I am gone.

And then there is Eugenia.

It is the first time I have seen her since the hospitaller’s ward. Like our armour, she has been hastily repaired. The bionic she bears in place of her left eye is crude and basic, and the synth-skin used to bed it in is mismatched, doing little to diminish the severity of the ridged scar that runs from her jawline to her hairline. Her good eye hasn’t changed, though. It is still wide and dark and full of devotion as she looks at me and smiles, and I realise then what it is that I want to say.

‘We come here in search of the Shield of Saint Katherine,’ I tell them. ‘A relic beyond value. Beyond worth. But it is more than that, too. The quest for the Shield unites us. It draws us together at a time when we have lost so much. It offers purpose, and redemption. Not just for me, but for all of us. The Shield of Saint Katherine reminds us of what we truly are.’

I look at each of them again. Qi-Oh, Eugenia, Haskia, Joti, Veridia, Ashava. Sarita and Munari.

‘We are strong. We are devoted. We serve, in the honour of those that we have lost, though it may take everything we have. We are strong, together. We are Sisters.’

I think of Calyth, singing in the chapel.