The Shepherd’s Path, Part 29: The Order of the Divine Crescent
The Order of the Divine Crescent, often just shortened to ODC, is almost the equivalent of an honor society amongst the Shepherds. It is composed of the best and brightest of Sanctuary, and is not an official order within the Shepherds organizational structure. However, nearly every high ranking member of the Shepherds is a part, and for many joining is the aspiration of a lifetime. As with most similar societies in history, the ODC is open to members by invitation only. The exact entrance requirements and the process for being invited are not shared outside the ODC. On the whole, the ODC is composed only of exceptional individuals. From the military orders, high ranking commanders and elite aces are almost always members. From the civilian orders, outstanding logisticians, engineers, and scientists are invited into this prestigious organization. Theories about the entrance criteria are varied, and there is some inconsistency in who is allowed to join. Many people can point to seemingly deserving members who never get inducted while other notable but comparatively unremarkable members do get in. The method of invitation is simple, an envelope with the inductees name and the order’s crescent logo is left in their accommodations. The intrusion of privacy is bothersome to some but the reward is worth it.
The existence of the Order is far from a secret. Those who wear its distinctive crescent shaped insignia are viewed as great people. and often receive special treatment. This can range from priority access to accommodations or products, discounts at shops and restaurants and even exclusive seats at concerts. This is helped by the Shepherds' elevation of great members to almost folk hero status, with statues, images, movies, and other representations all showing off the ODC’s insignia.
The ODC has a special oversized battalion of combat soldiers that is not affiliated with a specific regiment. It is composed of members active in the military orders, and this unit operates as an honor guard formation. ODC soldiers are used as guards for critical locations and personnel, where their skill and zeal are critical to success. In the field, the ODC’s combat forces are used as a specialist shock assault unit. They focus on blitzkrieg-style tactics, overwhelming or bypassing resistance to cause as much havoc as possible. While the ODC uses appropriate camouflage for any environment it's active in, their parade and ceremonial scheme is far more recognizable. Taking its inspiration from the ancient Swiss Guard, the ODC is often seen in a sharp blue and yellow color scheme with stark white on their angel’s heads.
Captain Leah Mannerheim slowly worked her way through the crowd. A seemingly unending ocean of bodies stood between her and the parade ground’s exit. It wasn't so much the crowd itself that slowed her down — that was taken care of by a couple of her fellow pilots, who were trying to push back the horde. No, what really slowed her down was the autographs and photos. Every few steps, an excited member of the crowd would demand her attention, even for a brief second. Leah couldn't possibly stop for all of them, instead randomly picking some to focus on while just smiling for the rest. She stopped for all the children though, happy to give them extra attention. A handful of them wore shirts with the number 121 on it, the number on her angel. That would soon have to change, she thought to herself with some amusement. She could barely hear herself think over the crowd chanting “forty-four more!” at the top of their lungs.
The crowd had attended the ceremony for her promotion to captain and acceptance of command of the 1st company of the 13th Battalion. Her new number would be 101, but new shirts and merchandise had not been produced yet. The regiment’s commander, who had led the ceremony, had also made special mention that she had surpassed the eye-watering total of 250 confirmed kills. It was not the highest score ever by a Shepherds ace; that honor went to Colonel Maxwell Drenner over 100 years ago, with a final total of 296 before he had retired. Her total was no fluke though. A near endless drive and effort to push herself had made her a legend. She always pushed for more, but it had never been enough.
She graced a crudely drawn picture of herself with her signature, and handed it back to a boy of perhaps 6 before finally making it to the exit. Leah had a brief exchange with her fellow pilots who had helped her off the field before going back to her assigned room. As an officer she had private accommodations in the barracks wing which, after today, would be great for unwinding. Every step she took, though, was towards the promise of more, instead of relaxation. She practically ripped the door off its hinges once she arrived. The room was small, with enough space for a bed, storage shelves, a desk, an entertainment system, and a bathroom. Her eyes scanned the room. It had to be here. She didn't see it. It had to be hidden, then. She moved over to the bed and gripped the covers, ready to tear the room apart before a voice spoke.
“Don’t bother, they didn’t come. I have door access logs. Not just for this room but for the whole wing, nobody came by.” Leah looked up as she reached her hand towards her neck and pulled out an antique pocket watch.
“No, no, you have to be wrong, dammit. If not now, when?” Leah flicked her thumb, opening the pocket watch’s cover. The insides didn't resemble a clock anymore; its purpose as a timepiece was long over. Instead the holographic figure of a female, dressed in ancient armor with a crested helm, stood on what would have been the watch’s face. The figure’s facial expression was one of remorse mixed with confusion. “If not now, Athena, then when? You tell me.” Leah spat as she sat down on the bed as Athena turned the entertainment system on. The screen came up, showing a live broadcast of the aftermath of the ceremony. Featured prominently at the center of the screen was her picture with the number 253 next to it. Below her were 9 other names and other numbers. The highest was 154, and it went down from there to the mid 70’s.
Leah pointed accusingly at the screen. “Every single one of them is Divine Crescent. Every single officer of my rank and higher in the 13th is Divine Crescent. Every single member of regiment and division leadership is Divine Crescent. And here I am, left behind because of my name and that old bastard.” That ‘old bastard’ was Grand Marshal Lucius Albrecht, commander of the Order of Saint Adrian. He was also the man who became the hero during her grandfather's legendary screw up. Ever since she had joined the military orders it seemed like he would snub her and try to hold her back. He wasn’t even at the ceremony today to commemorate her achievements.
