Chapter 17: Stress, Two Little Crisis

To recap, the mate’s stateroom aboard Eros, reappeared across the thresh-hold of the cottage’s back door. The burning EROS Indian Ocean mirage quit, stopped, is turned off.

My girls, all ALIVE and unburnt, are seated around a huge circular table welded to the deck, in the former place of the double bed, belatedly removed. Their mouths are taped to keep them quiet. To prevent them ruing the illusion. A dirty, low down trick, of Maggie’s and Jan’s. Played on me, to coerce me into condemning myself to a thousand years of lamp slavery, to save my darlings.

This was revenge. Their notion of justice. They asked me, shall they not have revenge for slights done them? My turn. Shall I not have my revenge?

“Break their fucking necks, Mom! Send them to Hell!”

“Can we discuss this first son, I feel like ripping their heads completely off, but that has consequences.” Mom looks askance at guards ready to poison prick her.

“Maggie? Jan? This is what’s known, as a Mexican standoff.”

“You wouldn’t dare kill us.” Maggie sounds very confident.

“Wouldn’t I? And suppose I didn’t? There are worse things than death.”

“Let’s go greet our family, Mom. I’ve got a load of hugs and kisses to unburden.

If you’ll march these two desperado leaders aboard, I’ll be close behind you.”

“What may I do, if they won’t march? Pick them up by their skulls?”

“Exactly. Of course, if their spinal cords separate, total paralysis results.”

“Are they expecting to be immortal, and live forever?” I study their faces.

“Yep! They believe so. Probably pretty close to forever. Sally must have really got around. An eternity as quadriplegics, would just be a beginning of justice for these two. A good beginning. We can think of other annoyances later. We have time.”

The very frightened matriarchs walked quick step but gingerly aboard EROS.

“You guards stay here. Plenty of guards on board already. No room for you.”

As soon as I was aboard, right on Mama’s heels, I slammed the door, and engaged the manual over-rides to lock them. My order to the guards to remain behind, didn’t continue in effect more than a couple of minutes. Their momentary ennui gave me the opportunity to lock the doors. They are pounding on them, with trident butts. Insignificant battering rams.

Well, that leaves only four guards, guarding everybody in the Mate’s stateroom.

Shall we gang rush them? On a hunch, I ask.

“Where is the fifth guard?”

On the bridge guarding Gidget and Laura, I’m informed.

Five guards on board? Five Combat engineers recruited recently? Same Goblins I will bet. I always meant to learn their names. Other members of my crew did. Befriended them. Made relationships. Queen Maggie is too aloof for relationships. She makes policy instead. Test of allegiance?

“You’re one of the engineers we recruited in Aldabra Atoll, aren’t you? It was always my intention to thank you ladies, get to know you, and make you welcome as members of the crew. Please forgive my tardiness, everything has been so hectic. What’s your name? Mine is Phil.”

The guard smiled and shook my proffered hand. As did the other’s after introductions. Maggie and Jan just glare. Our guards are helping the girls un-tape their mouths. No need to remain quiet any more. Or be prisoners anymore. Everyone wants to assist taping the hands and mouths of Jan and Maggie.