CHAPTER 2
RITE OF PASSAGE
Enzo closed his eyes against the light and landed – but not as hard as he expected. He looked down at the pile of pillows, his confusion growing with each passing nano. The room he found himself in seemed to be a storage room and if he recognized the décor and make-up, he was aboard the Saucy Mare II.
Movement had him looking into the shadows in front of him and he realized he wasn't alone. A dozen binomes converged on him, swords drawn. He knew them all. The crew of the Saucy Mare II but the looks on their faces made him uncomfortable.
"W-what's going on?" Enzo asked.
No one answered him. After a time, each man made way and the unmistakable sound of a wooden leg hitting the floor in the familiar cadence met his ears.
Captain Capacitor approached him, in full dress uniform. The captain drew his own sword and pointed it at Enzo.
"I see we have the scurvy knave in our clutches."
"Aye, captain," Mr. Christopher walked forward and Enzo thought it wasn't possible but he looked positively evil. "He wasn't hard to catch. His guard was down from all the merry making, I'd say."
"Indeed," Gavin nodded. "Princess Bulla?"
Now twice as confused, Enzo looked as Princess Bulla stepped from the shadows. Now how had she gotten here? She wasn't in the portal with him otherwise she would have fallen over him.
"Take him and prepare him. Bring him before us to be judged!"
The men cheered. Bulla gently scooped him up again.
"Hey! What's going on?" Enzo said as Bulla carried him from the room, "Put me down. Bulla!"
But the brawny female binome pointedly ignored him and Enzo found himself being carried through the narrow hall. Bulla finally came to a door, which she kicked, open and Enzo recognized it as the captain's cabin. Bulla set him down firmly on his feet.
"You bath," she pointed behind him and Enzo noticed the bathtub full of steaming water near the fireplace.
"Then you dress," she pointed to the captain's bed where a suit of clothes had been laid out.
"Bulla back when done."
"But --,"
The lady pirate left him there. Enzo sighed. He had no idea what was going on but he supposed he'd find out soon enough. And the bath did look inviting and he was kind of gamy.
On a table next to the tub were shampoo and colognes, his brands actually and how did they know that? Thick towels lay next to the bottles. He pulled off his clothes and laid them over a nearby chair then tested the water with his fingers before sinking into the tub with a contented sigh.
After a few nanos of soaking he received yet another shock when the door came open and Bulla strolled in nonchalantly.
"Ack!" Enzo sank deeper into the water as she approached carrying a tray, which contained a flagon of energy ale.
"Cute," Bulla smiled.
Enzo's face burned, "Bulla!"
She winked at him then left again.
Once Enzo was finished, he dried himself with one of the towels and wrapped it around his waist before approaching the bed.
The clothes were the finest Enzo had ever seen. A black embroidered tunic, with the Mainframe icon symbol and black pants with a white great coat similar to Gavin's. Black boots, polished to a shine, also sat beside the bed. Enzo smiled as he slipped on the shirt and the pants. They fit perfectly, as did the boots. The coat went around his broad shoulders. He examined himself in the mirror with a slightly smug air.
Not bad looking, if I do say so myself, Enzo mused silently.
As if by magic, the door came open again. This time both Bulla and Miss Sally entered, but at least Miss Sally had the grace to say, "Are you decent, Enzo?"
Enzo turned towards them, "What do you think?"
"You cute," Bulla said.
"Oh, how handsome you look," Miss Sally smiled. "I think we're about ready, follow us."
"Now will you tell me what's going on?" Enzo asked.
"You wait. You see," Bulla replied.
Again, Enzo was led through the halls below deck until they came to the dining room. Bulla turned to him and adjusted his jacket. Miss Sally opened the door and Enzo gave a slight cry of surprise.
The room was lit with a warm cheerful glow, to reveal the crew of the Saucy Mare II, standing at attention swords, in perfect aisle formation. When Enzo stepped into the room, they drew their swords in salute. Tables had been set up directly behind them, laden with food and drink and Enzo realized, despite having eaten only a few micros ago, that he was hungry.
Sitting at the end of the formation in a high back chair and looking like the regal pirate lord he was, was Captain Capacitor and standing directly to the left, his hand on the chair back was Matrix.
"Come forward, Enzo, lad," Gavin said.
Enzo took a deep breath and started forward. When he was before the chair, Enzo went down on one knee and said quietly, "Sir."
Gavin smiled, "Do ye know why ye were brought here?"
"No sir," Enzo said.
"Ah good, that's the way we wanted it." Gavin said, "It has been brought to me attention that ye fancy yerself a man now."
"I --," Enzo didn't know how to answer that. He had fought so long and hard for respect. For people to think he was a man now, not Little Enzo. Not a weak little sprite. They still didn't think so? They still thought he was a little boy?
"Ye thinks age makes ye a man?"
Enzo swallowed, "No sir."
"No, it does not," Gavin said. "It takes a sprite with courage and strength, and intelligence. Compassion is a trait of a man as well, and tenderness."
Enzo waited, not trusting himself to speak.
"Traits that ye obviously have," Gavin went on. "But in my eyes, ye are missing one important trait."
Enzo gaped, shocked that Gavin would say he was lacking. What did he need to convince Gavin that he wasn't a little boy anymore?
"Ye wonder what it is ye lack?" Gavin said, as though reading his thoughts. "Very well – Mr. Christopher?"
Mr. Christopher stepped forward, carrying his open organizer, "Enzo Matrix, by order of our Captain Gavin Capacitor and by consensus of the crew of the Saucy Mare II, it is my duty to inform you that we have unanimously decided to make you a member of the crew."
The men cheered in agreement. Enzo's astonished gaze went for Mr. Christopher, to Gavin, to Matrix and back again.
"Enzo Matrix, do you accept this appointment?"
"Yes! Most definitely, yes!"
The cheers increased. Enzo grinned. Mr. Christopher shook his head, "These are serious and somber proceedings, captain, he doesn't seem to take this seriously. Look at him, he's smiling."
"Yes, I noticed that," Gavin said, "Such an infraction must be dealt with."
"We already have the perfect punishment for him," Matrix spoke for the first time.
"Aye, that we do lad! Prepare him!"
"Hey!" Enzo said, as Bulla once again lifted him up. A chair was brought over and he was deposited in it.
"Shirt off," Bulla said.
"What?"
The men were taking their seats at the table, the music started. Miss Sally brought him a heaping plate. Then winked at him and exited the room. Bulla calmly removed his jacket and shirt.
"Okay, this is getting weird now," Enzo looked at Matrix and the captain but they were both staring at him with unreadable expressions. Miss Sally returned, wheeling a cart on which were several unpleasant looking devices. He recognized at least one, a laser pen.
"What are those for?" Enzo said warily.
"Torture devices," Sally said evilly.
"Eat," Bulla said.
He was confused all over again, so he picked up the flagon of ale and began to drink as he watched Miss Sally open a vid-window, but she turned it away from him before he could see what she was doing.
After a few nanos, of muttering, Sally motioned Bulla over. "How's this?"
"Hmm – no."
"Oh all right," Sally went to fiddling with the vid-window again.
"What?" Enzo started to get up from the chair, but Bulla pushed him down.
"Sit!"
"How's this?"
"No."
"Will somebody please tell me --,"
"Sit!"
After a while, Sally gave an exasperated sigh, "You've rejected every design. Give me one good reason why we can't use this one?"
"Don't like," Bulla said.
It was then that Matrix straightened away from where he was leaning against the wall and approached. He reached over Miss Sally and began pressing buttons on the window. "There, how's that?"
Bulla nodded, "Good."
"That's perfect!" Sally said at the same time.
By now Enzo had given up on their telling him what tortures were in store for him and concentrated on enjoying the revelry around him.
"Enzo," Matrix drew his attention back to the three.
Miss Sally turned the vid-window towards him.
On the screen was the picture of a tattoo. It was the Mainframe icon, surrounded by a circle of entwined ivy and at the center of the circle, was a slim elegant spider in a web.
"How do you like it?" Matrix said, "I figure it's okay to use the spider to symbolize Melissa, since it's not well – you know --,"
Yes, Enzo knew. The spider that had been a symbol of Daemon was an ugly bloated thing. This spider was graceful, with an almost poetic appearance. It suited Melissa just fine. It was then that Enzo truly realized what they planned to do.
"Now hold still," Sally was lifting the laser pen, "You don't want me to mess this up do you? Now this will sting a little, but it will be over before you know it."
Enzo grinned up at Matrix, "A tattoo? Dot's going to have a litter of nulls."
Matrix returned the grin, "You think so, hmm? Who's idea do you think this was?"
"Dot knows?"
"Everyone does," Matrix's smile became a self-satisfied smirk, "Were you surprised?"
"Yes – ow!" Enzo glared at Miss Sally as the men laughed.
"This is just the beginning, Kid," Matrix went on. "We're going on a road trip. Gavin wants to check on things at his home system and I thought maybe we could – well, we haven't really gotten a chance to hang out lately. What with everything that's been going on."
"Okay," Enzo smiled up at him.
"All done!" Miss Sally announced after a while. "What do you think, Young Enzo?" She turned the vid-window, which gave Enzo a view of the body art.
"Perfect, Miss Sally," Enzo smiled.
"Not quite right," Bulla said.
"Indeed," Sally said, "He still doesn't look quite like a pirate. What else can we do to him?"
Several of the men called out various suggestions some that had Enzo blushing.
"Ah!" Miss Sally motioned for Bulla to bend down and whispered something in her ear.
"Good," Bulla said and lumbered off.
Sally proceeded to pick up another device, "Hey, we need some ice over here!"
"Ice?" Enzo was distracted as his ale was refilled.
Bulla returned a few nanos later with a small chest. Enzo was so focused on her, he didn't notice what Sally was doing until it was too late.
"Hey!" Enzo cried as the needle pierced his ear.
"Oh be a man," Sally said, "There that wasn't so bad wasn't it?"
Sally wrapped some ice in a cloth and said, "Hold it up to your ear."
Enzo muttered his displeasure. Sally ignored him.
Bulla opened the chest, with was filled with various types of jewelry. "Choose," the giantess said.
Enzo chuckled dryly. He sorted through the earrings and chose an amethyst stud. "Yes?"
"No," Sally and Bulla said together.
"It matches my eyes," Enzo grinned mischievously.
Bulla clucked her tongue, "You bad."
"I'll choose," Sally said.
"No, wait," Matrix suddenly said.
All eyes were on the former renegade and he approached Enzo's chair and knelt before it. Puzzled, Enzo wondered what his brother planned. The noise level decreased considerably as everyone waited to see what Matrix would do.
Matrix reached up and moved Enzo's hand away from his freshly pierced ear. The ice had stopped the bleeding as it was supposed to. Matrix stared at him for a few nanos and Enzo suddenly felt an anxiousness take hold of him. More than anyone else in the room, he wanted to know what was on his brother's mind and what was the meaning of the look Matrix was giving him.
Matrix suddenly reached up and deftly removed his own earring. Enzo gave a sharp intake of breath and closed his eyes as Matrix fastened the earring onto Enzo's lobe.
The crew cheered as Matrix sat back on his haunches and looked at Enzo with a slight smile, "I'm very proud of you."
Enzo bit down hard on his lower lip, filled with emotions that he wasn't certain he wanted Matrix to see. That simple gesture had such great significance. It was a symbol of how their relationship had progressed from one of being adversaries to being brothers.
***
Gavin watched with a bemused smile as his men caroused around him. Young Enzo sat at the head of the table. All eyes were on Matrix as he moved down the aisle, carrying a large bowl. He stopped where Enzo sat, nodded to him and placed the bowl in front of him.
"You've got to be kidding," Enzo said.
"Come on Kid, show us your circuits," Matrix challenged.
The men began a rousing chant as Enzo reached into the bowl and lifted out a squirming live web slug.
Enzo made a face, bent his head back, opened his mouth and lowered the slug inside. With the most comical look of consternation on his face the young man swallowed.
The men cheered in response.
"Again," Matrix said and the men joined in the chant.
"Again, again, again!"
Gavin couldn't help but chuckle as Enzo reached for the second slug. He was glad everyone was enjoying themselves. Glad that he was heading for home. He missed the place and this feeling of something not quite right continued to hound him. He'd feel better once he got home or at least he hoped he would.
***
The party was basically winding down. The crewmembers had made themselves comfortable wherever was convenient and some of them snored loudly, Princess Bulla making the greatest ruckus. Half-eaten food and empty bottles littered the area and a few remaining web slugs skittered frantically among the refuse in search of a meal.
Matrix leaned back in his chair, not quite as drunk as the rest of the crew but close. He sat across the table from Gavin, who appeared to be dozing. Enzo on the other hand was quite drunk and unconscious. He was sprawled in a chair next to Matrix, his head resting on Matrix's shoulder.
"So what's been bothering you Gavin?" Matrix asked.
The captain sighed but didn't open his eye, "Not quite sure, me lad. Just a feeling, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know," Matrix said, "You think there's trouble at home?"
"I hope not lad, we've been away for awhile."
"Tell me about your system," Matrix said.
The captain's mouth upturned in a slight smile, "Don't know about me whole system lad, but the corner that me matey's and I claim as our own is a rare jewel of an isle in the data sea by the name of Primus Isle, also known as The Green Isle.
"Ye may not know this, but some of me crew have relatives, families there," Gavin went on. " 'cept me, of course, me only family bein' me lovely bride."
Gavin tipped forward in his chair enough to reach his flagon of ale, "We live in a little village and I have meself a fine lodge, cared for by a sturdy old gal named Verdana. A fine woman, like a grandmother ta all of us. Ye'll meet her when we arrive."
"I'm looking forward to it," Matrix said.
Enzo muttered something unintelligible and nearly toppled over in the chair had not Matrix steadied him with one hand.
"I think the lad needs to be put ta bed. Ye do that and come back and we'll make certain the ship is secure."
"You got it, Gavin," Matrix shook Enzo as gently as he was able. "Come on Kid, time to get some downtime – like you're not doing that already."
Again, Enzo muttered. Matrix hauled him to his feet and supported him with an arm around his shoulder.
"Whaz time izzit?" Enzo muttered.
"Time for you to hit the docking bay," Matrix chuckled.
"Izza purty over?"
Matrix laughed, "Yeah, Kid."
"Goodnight Enzo lad," Gavin said.
"G'night capin'," Enzo said.
With a brawny arm around his brother's shoulder, Matrix led Enzo down the dim corridor towards the cabin Gavin had supplied for them.
"Matrix?"
"Hmm? Yeah, kid?"
"Where we goin'?"
"You need to get some serious downtime. Don't worry, I'll supply the java tomorrow."
"Ya know I had a rully good time t'night."
"Did you?"
"Yeah, thanks," Enzo halted and straightened, his eyes squinted at Matrix, "Ya know, yer all right, big guy."
"You're not so bad yourself, Kid, even though you're loaded up to your processor."
Enzo chuckled, "Naw, seriously. You're okay. I always thought so. I
mean -- ,"
It seemed to Matrix that Enzo sobered just a little, "I mean – I always kinda wanted to be like you."
"Really," it came as a complete surprise to the colonel. "Better be careful, Kid, you may regret this when you're sober."
"Naw," Enzo said again, "I mean – I didn't really hate ya. I just wanted your love and respect that's all."
"Well you always had those," Matrix spoke before he realized what he was saying.
Enzo blinked rapidly several times. He stared at Matrix and for a brief moment, Matrix could see the sudden coherency in his Enzo's eyes.
"You must be drunker than you thought," Enzo said.
"Yeah, maybe," Matrix replied.
Enzo slowly laid his head on his brother's shoulder. Matrix smiled slightly, patted Enzo on the back twice.
"I don't feel so good," Enzo said.
Matrix raised an eyebrow in dismay, "Lets – get you to the cabin now."
"Okay."
***
The Saucy Mare II was quiet and secure when Matrix slipped back into the cabin. By the lamplight, he saw Enzo sprawled out on his bed, snoring softly. Matrix stretched out on his own bed and sighed as his big frame refused to fit itself in the small space. He made himself as comfortable as he could.
"Matrix?"
He was mildly surprised that Enzo had awakened, "Hmm, yeah, Kid?"
"Everything's okay?"
"Umm hmm."
"Umm – you know – I just wanted to say --,"
Matrix smiled into the dimness, "Having fun, Kid?"
"Yeah," Enzo muttered sheepishly, "Thanks."
"Get some downtime."
"Good night, Big Guy."
"Good night, Kid."
***
"Come here, Enzo lad," Gavin grinned at the young sprite as he came on deck the next morning. Actually, the next afternoon.
"Gavin please, don't yell so loud," Enzo muttered holding his obviously pounding skull. Several crewmen chuckled.
"Now let that be a lesson to ye, lad, not to imbibe so," Gavin winked, "But methinks Mr. Andrew can fix ye up quite the remedy, eh?"
"Right away sir!" Mr. Andrew gave a quick nod and hurried off.
"Take the wheel, Enzo lad," Gavin said mildly and was pleased at the look of delight on the young sprite's face.
Gavin was feeling a little better. They should reach home in another micro or so and once he was reassured that everything was well there, he could truly relax.
"Gavin?"
"Aye, lad?"
"I wanted to thank you," Enzo said, "For all of this. You and your crew."
"Tis out pleasure, lad," Gavin said, "I must admit our reasons aren't entirely unselfish, we're havin' a lark too. Anything for a chance to sample some fine ale and good food."
Enzo grinned, "And Bulla said I was bad."
The SMII encountered little other net traffic. Mr. Christopher informed them of reports of a rogue ship, attacking and robbing small vessels, sometimes destroying the ship and deleting the poor unfortunates on board.
Gavin advised his men to stay sharp and do continuous scanner sweeps, although he doubted, from the description Mr. Christopher had supplied of the rogue ship, that it would be foolhardy enough to challenge the Mare.
"Captain!" Mr. Andrew had reclaimed the wheel while Matrix and Enzo talked and Enzo drank Mr. Andrew's patented hangover remedy, "We're approaching the home system!"
"Abast, ye scalawags! Home is near, let's get her ship-shape and prepare to enter the portal!"
The deck came alive with the frantic yet efficient movements of the crew. Gavin took the wheel, just as Matrix and Enzo approached. The Mare glided to a smooth stop before the shimmering white-gold portal.
"There be me home, lads," Gavin smiled.