Chapter 3: The Boiler Room
The heat was stifling in the boiler room of the Buccaneer. Armed Pirate guards watched as throngs of slaves marched towards the boiler, dropping their loads of coal into the blazing furnace before returning to the coal piles to get more. Barrels of water stood next to the Pirates, who used them to goad their slaves to work harder.
"Come on, you spineless worms!" A Pirate roared. "If you want water, you're going to work for it!"
The heat slowly took its toll on the slaves who trudged assembly line style through the boiler room. The emaciated slaves were exhausted from their work, and many had passed out only to be roused by a bitterly cold splash of water from their captors.
Sam found himself withstanding the heat better than most; as old as he was, he was reasonably healthy and could carry moderately sized loads without tiring. Marco was pulling his weight in the boiler room as well, carrying larger loads than most despite the obvious strain of his toil. Even Gublub and the Teensie boy were helping a little.
"C'mon, let's keep it up!" Gulbub told his friend as they tossed a small lump of coal into the boiler. "These grown ups can't do it without us!" Many of the prisoners couldn't help smiling as they went off to get another lump of coal.
While the prisoners were working, one of them began to cough violently, causing him to drop his coal. This created a cloud of dust that made him cough even harder. One of the Pirates, seeing this, strode over to the man.
"What do you think you're doing?" The Pirate asked, pushing the slave none too gently. "Pick up that coal this instant, you slacker!"
"I can't." The slave said hoarsely. "This coal dust is too thick. I need fresh air."
"Oh, you want fresh air?" The Pirate ridiculed. "If you don't get back to work this
instant, you'll have something worse than coal dust to worry about!"
"Don't worry, I'll carry your load." Both Pirate and slave turned as Marco walked up, a fresh load in hand. "You take a break for now."
"What do you think you're doing?" The Pirate yelled at Marco. "Every slave has to work! If one of them takes a break, the others become lazy!"
"What are you talking about?" Marco asked against his better judgement. "This man is allergic to coal dust and could die if he has to carry much more coal, and you're asking him to work harder?"
"Watch who you're talking to, dog!" The Pirate bellowed, punching Marco in the gut. "I will not be talked to in that manner by a spineless slave!"
The reptilian doubled over with pain from the force of the blow. Suddenly, he sprung to his feet and instinctively punched the Pirate in the face. Before he could move, Marco found his face in the dirt as the Pirates rushed him all at once.
"Well, looks like we've got a feisty one here." The Pirate said roughly, rubbing his jaw. "Course, we don't like slaves like you around here. What should we do with this one, boys? Skin him? Hang him? A firing squad, maybe?" The Pirates jeered at these statements as Marco gasped for air.
"No, he's a strong one." The Pirate mused, grinning cruelly at Marco. "He does a lot of work, and we need people like him here. I know what we're gonna do. You!" He yelled at four of the Pirates. "Bring this one to Solitary Confinement. Maybe that'll teach him some respect."
At that, the Pirates dragged Marco's bloody form through the door as the slaves watched dejectedly.
"That's enough for today." One of the Pirates still in the room said gruffly. "Move quickly, now!" The slaves slowly followed his orders, trudging wearily along the corridors of the Buccaneer as the footsteps of the Pirates carrying Marco grew silent.
The first night without Marco was a hard one. The kids stared quietly at Sam, all of them afraid to say the first word. Gublub was the first one to break the silence.
"Grandpa," He asked hesitantly, "is Mister Marco gonna be okay?"
"Don't worry, Marco will be fine." Sam said. He knew that he was lying; anything could happen to Marco in Solitary Confinement. Still, he knew that he would have to comfort the kids. They had all grown attached to Marco and he didn't know how badly they would take the news.
"Where is he now?" Gublub asked again, this time a little louder.
"Oh, he's in another part of the ship now." Sam replied.
"Is he gonna come back anytime soon?" Gublub asked, eagerly this time.
"I… I think so." Sam said hesitantly.
"Well, when's he gonna be back?" Gublub asked once more.
"Bless your heart, Gublub, I can't stay upset when you're like this." Sam said, managing a week laugh. "I don't know when he'll be back; the only thing we can do is wait."
"… Why?" The young Teensie asked quietly after Gublub had finished his questions. Both the old Teensie and baby Globox were momentarily startled by the boy's speech before Sam finally answered him.
"What do you mean, child?" Sam asked him.
"Why did Mister Marco do that?" The Teensie asked quietly.
"Well… I want to say that I would have done the same thing in Marco's position, but… he's a much braver man than I." Sam said sadly.
"But why?" The Teensie asked again.
"You boys are a bit too young. When you're older, you'll understand. For now…"
"Bedtime?" Gublub said meekly.
"Mmm hmm." Sam replied. "We all need to sleep if we want to get through this."
"Okay." Gublub said. "Night, Grandpa." The boys gave the old man a hug before trudging over to their corner to sleep.
"Oh, Marco… why did you do that and leave us all alone?" Sam asked as he lay down. "No, I'm not angry at you and I know why you did it. I just wish that you were still here. Oh well… I'll keep the kids safe, Marco, don't worry. I'll do anything for them…" He yawned once before closing his eyes and falling into a deep sleep.