Fixed by Beth Goobie Page A

jeans would be overkill in this heat. “Soldiers of light, soldiers of light,” she whispered, scanning the bright laughing faces, the vendors and their cartloads of flowers and cold drinks.
    “Code 73N,” called Lt. Sanders from the front of the van, and Nellie pulled her gaze hastily from the window. No more sightseeing, it was time to prepare for their emergence onto the front battle lines. Once again she opened her purse and ran her finger over the silver ballpoint pen. All was in order. Closing the purse, she lifted her head and focused on her breathing, pumping it in out in out , but softly so that only she could hear it. Soldiers of light worked to make themselves look indistinguishable from the average civilian, but they’d been taught secret private rituals to remind themselves constantly of their difference. It was important at all times to remain aware of the difference.
    They were now deep in the downtown district. Nellie grinned slightly, recognizing the area from previous trips, and leaned forward as the van turned a corner and Group A’s destination came into view: the Museum of Natural History. Five stories high and fronted by eight massive columns, the white building was an impressive sight in the midday sun. For a moment Nellie’s pumped-up breathing faltered and she stared open mouthed. Such a huge glowing structure, so white it was almost incandescent — how could it be a haven for the Dark?
    But Col. Jolsen had said it was a gathering place for the servants of evil, and a true cadet never questioned the words of a Star Leader. Slamming her mind closed to such blasphemy, Nellie focused on her breathing as the van eased into the curb.
    “Now remember,” said Lt. Sanders, turning in his seat to face the four cadets behind him. “You have ten minutes to locate your targets and give them the gift, and then you’re to walk two blocks south to the Galaxy Theater where I’ll be waiting with the van. Don’t rush it, the gifts are coordinated and you have five full minutes after the last prayer pin is clicked. I expect to see you in fifteen minutes.” With a grin he pointed his right index finger upward and said, “Reach for the stars.”
    “Reach for the stars,” echoed the cadets, repeating the gesture. Then the boy seated next to the side door slid it open and leapt out without a backward glance. The others followed, emerging into the brilliant heat and losing themselves in the crowd. The last to exit the van, Nellie wasted no time trying to locate the cadets who’d preceded her. They were all on their own now, alone for the next ten minutes with their primary tasks. The main question, she thought as she slipped through the crowd, was where would be the best place to fulfil hers — outside the museum or inside? The fountain area in front of the building was crowded with holidayers and vendors selling small statues of the Goddess and other trinkets, and there must be hundreds more people inside. Which of these happylaughing faces would the Goddess want her to choose as today’s recipient of the gift of light?
    Inside , thought Nellie, her eyes drawn irresistibly to the gleaming structure before her. Surely the Goddess would want Her light taken into the very depths of Darkness. Heading toward one of the entrance scanners, she passed her wrist under it and entered the museum lobby. Here she paused and scanned the area. On the far side she could see Lierin heading up a wide staircase. The other two cadets had probably also chosen one of the upper levels — Advanced cadets quickly developed a hefty preference for aboveground places blessed with light. Spotting an elevator, Nellie crossed to it, pressed the button for the basement and rode it down.
    The doors slid open and she stepped out into a display of prehistoric mammals. Floodlit skeletons loomed against dimly lit walls that had been molded to resemble caves, and at the center of the room knelt several plastic humans, arranged to look as if