The Girls From Alcyone Read Online Free PDF Page B

looking over Rosa's report on the girls' activities from the night before. Things had almost gotten out of hand. No. Things had , and now she had to figure out what to do. Her goals may have been purely scientific when she'd started the program, but the reality remained that she was responsible for raising thirty-two teenage girls—thirty-two genetically enhanced teenage girls, whom Kimura was currently training in some very deadly arts.
    Lisa rubbed tiredly at her temples. "You must wish sometimes I'd supplied you with a group of boys."
    Rosa dismissed the suggestion. "Actually, I find them remarkably focused. They apply themselves to all their tasks with a great deal of veracity, and they demonstrate a tremendous aptitude and willingness for learning. They are dedicated and hard-working. Frankly, I've found the experience most satisfying."
    Lisa sighed. "Just think, if we were at Stage Four I might be able to program out bad behavior."
    Rosa chuckled. "You might want to consider starting at that stage with the next lot."
    Lisa sat back in her chair, examining the report on her pad. "In my old school, we would have expelled the lot of them. Unfortunately, we don't have that luxury." She needed all the girls—they were too rare a commodity. "But we can't have them killing each other either…"
    "If this were a military academy, I might consider corporal punishment."
    Lisa considered that briefly before dismissing it outright. "We'll hold off on the lashings for the moment."
    "Do you want me to cancel their survival training?"
    "No, that's fine. It might be good to get them all out of here for a while. A change of pace might be just what we need right now."
    Rosa nodded. "I'll make the arrangements."
    As he headed for the door, Lisa stopped him. "One thing, Felix…Novak—the little one…"
    The grin that came over Rosa's face was all the answer Lisa really needed. "She's an interesting one. She doesn't have the easiest time of it, not quite so big or fast as the others, but…she never quits."
    Lisa smiled. "Good."
     
    * * *
     
    August 17, 2343
     
    Sigrid and Suko stood together and watched as three Kingfisher transports zoomed out of the summer sky toward them. One at a time, they came in low, hovering briefly before coming to rest side-by-side in the center of the compound. The whine of their four dual-mounted thrusters only fed the girls' anticipation. Today's trip would be their first outside the Academy walls since they'd been brought there over four years before.
    For a group of girls who had grown up in the crowded and dirty streets of Earth, Alcyone presented a completely alien environment; one of lush trees, mountains and flowing rivers. It was nothing like any of them were used to. The planet was sparsely populated, with only a few mining and manufacturing centers. The total population didn't even top one million. The fact that today they'd get to ride in the Kingfishers presented a new attraction and Sigrid couldn't wait.
    The flight didn't disappoint either. The pilots were more than happy to show off. They seemed to make an extra effort in climbing steeply and pulling up hard at the last moment as they cleared the last of the towering peaks that surrounded the Academy. Sigrid's heart was in her throat, and she held tight to Suko's hand as they swooped down, skimming a few feet above the ground, as they dived into the river-valley beyond.
    The short flight was over all too quickly, and the transports deposited the girls in a clearing by a river that widened into a large pool. The girls took to it instantly, running screaming and splashing into the cool green water. A few of the instructors tried to get the girls out and back in parade rest, but Rosa let them go. He'd brought them here to blow off some steam—best to let them get to it.
    Sigrid loved to swim, but swimming was prohibitively expensive back home. Eager to dive in, she couldn't get her boots and shorts off fast enough. She grabbed Suko by the