Let the Dawn Decide

Let the Dawn Decide is the final story in the first Orphans book, 'Earth Colony. 'It deals with the aftermath of the death of Jarissy in Sisters of Battle. It originally appeared in Orphans of Mars # 6.

Quasha intends to end her life for her failure to save Jarissy. Nerrine forbids her from doing so, and Quasha invokes the ancient rites. The Imperatrix seeks the advice of Lask and Petara. She is also visited by Ress, who Nerrine savagely beats then rapes, setting the stage for Ress's behavior in To Bell The Cat.

In the morning, Nerrine meets Quasha in single combat as decreed by the ancient rites. Nerrine defeats Quasha, sparing her life and declaring that "Life is the word." She then swears that Earth Colony shall avenge themselves upon the old rex for the death of Jarissy.