Chapter 78

Lee looked at Zeke, “You are aware that your ship is possessed?”

Dallas chuckled, “So is mine. All of his ships end up that way.”

“Most unusual. The Gods seem to favour you, Zeke. I get the impression that one in particular seems to have taken an interest in you,” Lee smirked.

Zeke grinned at Lee, “Yes, she even granted me a boon. Akl says hello and is pleased to see you again. We are getting along much better these days, thanks to your intervention.”

“I am relieved to hear that,” Lee responded and then smiled.

Zeke turned to his mother, “Mum, how is it that you and Frank ended up on Luna?”

“Simple, really, we were kidnapped. We did have an argument over going to see you. Frank stormed out of the room we were renting when he realised that I was worried about you, and that was why I wanted to come here.”

“We were lodged in what passes as the Traveller’s Rest. The cheap bastard wouldn’t even consider paying for a decent room. I had planned to come here before the Fortune left, but my tickets on the Mars Express were mysteriously revoked when I got to the ship.”

“I wasn’t happy that I couldn’t make it to go with Paul when Dallas told me what happened. When Dallas arrived home, I planned to go with him and hopefully have Christmas with you and Dallas, but Frank wouldn’t let me. Then he changed his mind just hours after Dallas left.”

“We were lucky to get here at all. Fortunately, Wayne came to my rescue when I asked for help. Friends of his, Mark and Sarah Connors, were on Mars to pick up a Z4 for Connors Corp. on Luna.”

“They agreed to give us a lift. They dropped us off yesterday morning. Frank bitched the entire trip, and I’m sure poor Sarah and Mark wished he’d stayed at home. He belittled your ship to the point that Mark told him he was welcome to get out and walk.”

“I must admit the sanitary facilities left a lot to be desired for a longer trip. But you didn’t really design them for long distances, did you?” Patricia commented before resuming her meal.

Zeke rested his cutlery on his plate as he answered, “No. Regulations state you have to stay in your suit. Most modern suits take care of sanitary waste for up to four days. You can replace the poo-pocket every day or even sooner if you need to. You did at least have a sink and hot water.”

Patricia nodded in agreement, “That’s what we told Frank. Sarah, Mark, and I had no real problems. Sarah even suggested that next time, they could hook up one of those portable shower bags. It did feel odd not showering for nearly three days. But then if that is a priority, take a bigger ship, I say.”

“We did like your little travellator-style walking platform in the aisle. Frank refused to use it after one minute on it. Said it gave him vertigo. But we had fun exercising, and it helped relieve boredom. The new suits Wayne gave us were very comfortable.”

“Anyway, after our argument, Frank stormed out of our room. I was getting ready to leave when there was a knock at the door. I thought Frank had come back but forgot his key. The place didn’t even have auto registration.”

“The man at the door sprayed something at my face. I woke up in that cell you found me in. Frank said he was approached in the hallway by a woman.”

“I’m not sure how long we were there before the General arrived with that other man. It wasn’t quite midday when Frank stormed out, so at a guess, twelve hours at least. I think I was unconscious for six of those hours.”

“I was getting hungry by then. I must say that the sanitary facilities in the cell left a lot to be desired, but we had water. Frank was awake before me and very sullen, so we didn’t talk much. Then you turned up.”

“I’m sorry you had to endure that, Mum,” Zeke replied contritely.

Patricia shrugged, “You came to rescue me, Zeke. I knew you would. I thought I was supposed to go help you, not the other way around. If Frank had believed in you instead of hating you, he wouldn’t have died. He had every intention of helping them kill you, Zeke.”

“He was insane with jealousy. I never understood his hatred of you. The boys and I got to a point where we couldn’t even say your name in his hearing without him hitting or screaming at us. Every time you were in the news for helping someone, he’d go off the deep end.”

“He spent even more time away after the boys left. After the first time, I formed a shield to protect myself from one of his fits of anger; he had his men follow me everywhere and questioned why I had to go somewhere.”

“They even wanted to inspect my Mad to see who I had called. It got so bad, I put spells on the house to stop them coming in and wore my shield, everywhere I went.”

“I remembered when he did that to you, Zeke, and cried for two days. You were just a little boy. I’m so sorry, Zeke. I didn’t understand what his treatment did to you until I had to endure it, too.”

Paul and Dallas, both hugged her.

“Lee, how long are you staying?” Zeke asked.

“We can’t stay too long. When I was informed that Frank was one of the dead, we thought Patricia would need Paul here for a couple of days at least. Sean said we could stay as long as we needed. For some reason, he said that I needed to go and to take Kyle with me. Normally, it’s me with the premonitions.”