"Of All Things, Seen and Unseen"

Of All Things, Seen and Unseen by Fred Warren

Summary

During a routine mission to recover passengers from a damaged tourist shuttle, Sister Claudia disobeys orders and attempts to recover evidence of criminal negligence by the shuttle crew. A computer-controlled hatch closes on her arm, severing it. It seems Claudia’s career as a Rescue Sister is over, and she struggles to recover from her injury and find a new place of service within the Order. She fails miserably at every alternative job she attempts, and the other Sisters are becoming skeptical of her efforts. Even worse, she’s troubled by strange dreams which seem to be intruding on real life. Despairing of both her usefulness and her sanity, Claudia decides to resign from the Sisterhood and return to Earth, only to discover one last rescue awaiting her on the journey from Ceres Base--and to save the life that hangs in the balance, she’ll need a miracle. Sister Claudia: Born Maribel Sanchez, she’s a young, headstrong Sister who is a capable rescuer but struggles with authority. She disobeys orders during a mission and loses an arm, which threatens to end her career as a Rescue Sister. She’s wanted to join the Sisters since she was a little girl, when her uncle Javier, a freighter pilot, gave her a snowglobe containing an image of Saint Gillian, the Patroness of Spacefarers. Mother Superior: A tall, soft-spoken woman from Australia who leads and guides the community of Sisters at Ceres Base. Respected for her insight and her ability to cut to the heart of any matter.

Characters

Sister Euodia: Stern, practical, and by-the-book, Euodia is the Operations Officer for the Sisters at Ceres Base. Frequently butts heads with Sister Claudia, whom she sees as impudent and rebellious.

Sister Miriam: Flight Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer for the Sisters at Ceres Base.

Sister Priscilla: A semi-retired Sister who manages the Administrative Section at Ceres Base.

Sister Victoria: Claudia’s best friend at Ceres Base. They live in adjoining compartments.

Father Harrison: A circuit-riding priest who serves the Eucharist and hears confessions for the personnel at Ceres Base when he visits.