The Magical Bat 35: Business Trip

by karanne

A continuation of Mattie Wayne's magical education between third and fourth years.

12. 26 August – 31 August, 2001

A/N: This is about 35 pages, and slightly dark in tone. 3.5 is finished, though!!

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For disclaimers, please see chapter one.
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12: 26 August – 31 August, 2001
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Sunday, August 26, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Bay 32: 07:56 (relative)
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Anne was bored. The captain had said that either she, Anne or the German sergeant needed to be present while there was cryptographic gear installed. While she supposed she could stand and watch The Idiot as she cleaned the already spotless ship, she had to suppress an urge to help her. Sitting on a crate in the open cargo hold, she opened her laptop and asked, "Alfred, prithee open a link to the local library, I wish to do some research on energy sources."

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The Russian non-com was bored. Walking a slow circuit about the ship, he noticed the first officer sitting on a crate in the cargo bay, immersed in her laptop. 'Cute kid,' he thought. 'Wonder if they're as bored walking duty in the other three bays,' then snorted to himself, 'Probably. At least I get to go walkabout tomorrow.'

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Ash paused for a second to wipe her sweating brow, then continued scrubbing the steel deck. She could feel the metal of the tracking collar locked on her throat, her mouth was parched and dry behind the locked gag, she sweltered under the tight slave corset, and she desperately needed to use the head again, which the fiendish arrangement locked in her crotch denied her. She didn't dare leave her task, and she had no idea where the necessary key was. Dunking the scrub brush in the bucket again, she pulled it toward her, her chains making a slithering sound against the deck. 'Well, you idiot, you got your slave collar,' she told herself. 'Happy?'

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Emerging from the bank, Mattie, the sergeant, Ms. S and Mr. R paused to collect their respective 'slaves' from where they were secured, watering them from a fountain as it was already becoming warm. The Riddler's twins, in attractive pale green shifts with the mandatory yellow border, knelt on the pavement as their 'Master' finished his discussion, then followed him, bound together with a neck chain.

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"Ready?" Sandra Woosan asked her 'slave', T'ree, and the girl popped up, white shift draped over her head and open at the sides, tied closed on the slave's left, barely long enough to cover her crotch. "Fix the back," Sandra said, and the girl arranged the drape around the vertical slit that let her slave belt's cuffs secure her wrists.

"Stay to my left," T'ree's 'mistress' said, handing her the belt pouch to wear again, and she asked, "Do you wish me bound, Mistress?" as she clipped it about her waist. "No," 'mistress' said, shaking her head in negation.

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"Tie your sandal, you careless wench!" Mattie said to Hideo, her 'slave', who immediately crouched, retying the leather strings that held her right sandal. Her 'mistress' took a seat, Hideo kneeling next to her, and she asked softly, "Hear anything interesting?"

"Rumors of war, mistress," Hideo replied softly, as the sergeant casually took a seat facing the other direction, hand near his MP7. "Those slaves that keep their master's books say that prices for fuel and provisions are higher, and it's a buyer's market for slaves, owners are selling them off for ready cash."

"Piracy is on the upswing," the sergeant said softly as Hideo 'fixed' her left sandal. "Ship mounted weapons are more expensive, even the small arms we saw last night, and insurance rates are higher, although less so for ships traveling away from this arm."

"I supplemented the forty tons of tungsten the Guard allocated for each team with another ten each from my own accounts," Mattie said softly. "I hope that's enough." She looked around, "You two ready?" she asked, standing and holding out her bag to Hideo, who clipped it around her waist.

"Ja," the sergeant said, standing and offering his to the 'slave'. "Let us go buy a warship."

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Sunday, August 26, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, docks: 10:56 (relative)
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"Well, now you're a pretty wench," the rather sweaty alien told Shiva. "Why ain't you in a collar, so's I can enjoy you?"

Her reply was a quick, brutal slash, and she shoved him away with her boot. "I collar slaves," she told the corpse, tossing a coin to the bartender, who caught it. "I'm not one." She took a seat at the bar as the bar's slaves dragged the body out, the momentary lull in the conversation resuming. T'ree grinned to herself, now knowing how her 'mistress' wanted to play things. Turning to a slave chained next to her, she asked, "What's the latest news?"

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Riddler paged through the local directory, finally giving up in disgust and flicking it off. Strolling to the library's reference desk, he asked the slave there, "Pardon me, but I could not find what I am looking for. Might you know?"

The attractive golden skinned slave said, "Yes, Master, what can I assist you in finding?" She brushed back her collar-length reddish hair, the blue and white lights on her collar reflected in her terminal, the bells in her nipples chiming softly under her pale blue smock.

"A minor question, I don't believe I've seen a collar like yours before."

"I am a government slave, Master. What can I assist you in finding?"

"Ah, thank you." He leaned forward, "On every planet I've visited, there has been an abolitionist society," Edward Nigma said casually. "I find it strange there isn't one here."

"I understand they have been having some legal difficulties lately, Master," the slave said, shifting in her seat. He heard a click from under the desk as she jotted a note for him, "Perhaps you might have better luck contacting these people, Master." He caught a glimpse of a small silver disk implanted in her temple before her hair fell forward, covering it.

"Thank you," he said, with a warm smile, as he accepted the note.

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"Not a warship to be had," the sergeant said quietly, as they rode on public transport to another shipyard.

"That we can afford, in any case," Mattie said. "We'll have to go with Plan B, and buy the tech for system defense. Let's take a look at a nice cargo ship, and see what we can do about building our own ships."

"And fighters, and inertial compensators, and ship-mounted weapons, and system defense weapons..." he replied. "It had better be a big cargo ship."

"The Yates can carry 125 tons, we'll look at atmospheric, a few thousand tons until we get our orbital yards going," she replied. Hideo looked up, "Mistress, this is our stop."

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Monday, August 27, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, docks: 22:58 (relative)
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"Word has it you're lookin' for sump'in," the large, smelly alien said as he sat at Eddie's table. He reached out and grabbed a bite of food off Eddie's plate, and he shoved it away. "Sump'in to do wi' slaves," he added as he chewed. "I'm a slaver, just dropped off my last cargo. What you lookin' for?" He belched, then washed his mouthful down with a slug from Eddie's glass.

Edward carefully dabbed his lips with his napkin, precisely folding it and laying it on the table before replying, "Slave collars. I need to remove one, for... political reasons."

"Anyone can collar a slut," the alien said, grabbing another bite off Eddie's plate. His prosthetic left arm whined and sparked as it moved, while the alien's artificial left eye glowed red. "Have the government take it off, 'though any female looks better wearin' a collar. They're suppos' be slaves." His right hand made a circular motion near his neck. "They can't hide th' collar on th' slut?"

"My client's political opponents control that aspect of the government," Eddie explained. "They need this done very quietly, as it could be damaging if the news got out." He shifted in his seat, marveling at the being's credulity, but continued with his skillful lie. "They are currently hiding it under clothing, but a public religious festival is coming up. The girl cannot be seen wearing a slave collar."

"Fsckin' politicians, won't let a being make a livin'," 'Smelly' declared.

"In that we are agreed, however, my client is one of those politicians, and I therefore have a contract to fulfill." Eddie leaned forward (reluctantly), and asked, "Can you do this?"

"Two steps ta legally takin' off a collar, 'Smelly' declared. "One, y' goes to the gov'ment, file a mess of chipwork, pay ten kilos in fees, more sumtimes, an' ya wait two years waiting for woik that should take ten seconds to get the slave declared 'free'. Den dey sends y' a code so th' collar won't kill the slut wearin' it f' th' next part." He drained Eddie's glass, and waved to the bar for a refill. A naked slave quickly appeared with the drink, and he grabbed her by the collar, spilling the drink. "Two, da collar links ta th' nervous system, like a infection, y' gotta cut th' links when you remove th' collar, otherwise y' kill th' slut. S' a waste of time an' tungsten, slave's a cheap, na' worth freein'". He spun the slave girl around, his massive paw moving up and down her spine, leaving a greasy mark. "Doc cuts out th' bad nerves an' tosses th' slut in a med tank fer a year. Docs ain't cheap, neither is tanks. Cost y' third ton or more. Sluts ain't worth it." Turning suddenly, he roared "Where's my drink!?"

"Coming, Master" the frightened girl said, scampering off.

"The young woman in question is not a slut," Eddie stated levelly. He made a mental note to get his translator chip checked when he got back to the Yates. His uninvited guest was nearly unintelligible.

"Whatever," Smelly said while making a dismissive alien gesture. "But y' ain't got a year? Right?"

"Unfortunately true," Riddler said while wondering how long he could handle the stench without vomiting. "I'm guessing there are other methods."

With what was clearly a failed attempt to look innocent, 'Smelly' replied, "Unlawful collar removal is a enslavement offense. Conspiracy ta same is almost as bad. This conversation will cost ya 100 grams ta continue."

He'd been expecting a request for earnest money. The amount didn't bother him. From what Mattie had said, what ten bucks bought you in Gotham, a gram would buy here. He'd paid far more for necessary information before. He'd paid less too. Still, the amount wasn't excessive.

Pulling out a coin from a vest pocket, Eddie placed it on the table and slid it across. 'Smelly' waved his cybernetic hand over it before picking it up. 'A scanner in there, I assume.' Eddie thought.

"Cutting off a slut's collar is easy, 'er livin' is harder. Y' can stop a collar's no tampering killin' charge if y' knows how. I knows how."

"How?"

"Depends on th' collar, but that ain't all I know an' it ain't important. I can change collars ta read 'free' without a gov'ment code." Eddie allowed himself to look impressed. If true, this was something that Mattie would definitely want to hear about. "Where's my drink!" he roared again.

"Here, Master," the slave said as she placed it in front of him. The young woman backed out of paw range, but Eddie noticed she stayed near the table, listening, just as his own 'slaves' were doing outside.

Draining half the glass in one gulp, 'Smelly' continued, "Once you get th' collar off, y' can't just go ta a doc. Dey check with th' gov'ment ta see if th' slut was legally freed, as if y' couldn't afford that if y' can pay for th' doc."

"I take it there is another way?"

"Course. There's a drug. It'll cause th' nervous system ta expel the links an' breaks 'em down real quick. Problem is gettin' caught usin' or havin' it will get y' killed... if y're lucky. Gotta calibrate th' dose just right too. But fer th' right price, I can arrange things."

"I'd have to see a demonstration. My client's daughter is too valuable to risk without one."

After gulping down the rest of his drink, 'Smelly' said, "Price fer an example is th' same as fer th' real thing." He then named a figure.

High, but not too high and less than what a legal manumission and collar removal supposedly cost. After pausing to give the appearance of consideration, Edward Nigma, Special Agent of the Solar Guard, said, "Accepted."

"Bay 56, t'morrow mornin', an' bring a slut," 'Smelly' said, getting up and capturing his drink off the slave's tray as he walked by.

The slave knelt next to Eddie, and he told her, "Interesting."

"Yes, Master. If Master is finished, I have your bill." She offered a tablet, "Twelve grams, thirty, please."

Eddie fished out coins, "Twelve fifty, including some for the time you'll need to clean yourself off after he pawed you."

She grinned, "Thank you, Master." She nodded after the departed 'Smelly', "Master's religion prohibits bathing, you see."

"I see," Eddie said, fishing out another coin, "You overheard what he said?"

The girl nodded, "The drug exists, Master, but it must be calibrated very carefully for the type and model of a slave's collar, as well as her species. Iron based bloods use different formulations than copper or sulfur, for instance. A year in a med tank is also very likely." She grinned slightly, "I was a medical officer on a liner, Master. Now, I'm a collared slave in a bar. The Source knows what will happen next."

"Interesting..." Eddie said. "If I wanted to see you again, how would I?"

She tapped her collar, "My slave number ends in 736, Master." She looked at him, "Are you thinking of buying me?"

"I have a friend who might be interested," Eddie admitted. "I'll be in touch."

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Tuesday, August 28, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Bay 56: 07:18 (relative)
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Ash wondered what was happening. She had been awakened earlier, her tracking collar removed. She had been fed and watered, allowed a trip to the head, then chained between Mr. R's two slaves, who rode with her and other slaves in an open cart behind the hover bus her 'master' rode with the other free persons. The bus stopped, their master disembarking and waving them off.

After walking a bit, they entered the high stone walls of the landing bay through a barred gate, Mr. R speaking to a frightened slave, who scampered inside the small starship as the slaves knelt on the scorched concrete.

One of the cargo hatches whined open, and a large being walked out, the two girls chained with her wrinkling their noses at his smell. One girl scrubbed at her nose, making a small sound of disgust, the other said, "Poor Master, he's much closer."

"Poor slave, wouldn't you hate to belong to him?" the other replied, and Ash nodded with her sister. The being had a cybernetic left arm and eye, throwing his right arm around as he spoke to Mr. R. The left arm spat sparks as he gestured, then Mr. R. gestured them to join him in the cargo bay. As they knelt before him, the smelly alien finished locking his slave's ankles into a device set in an alcove, a small device linked by cable clamped on her hips, over her belt.

"Dis' collar is typical f' a common slut," he said as he pulled her curly brown hair away, showing the yellow lights on her collar. He pulled her head down as her wrists were locked her own slave belt, the device seating over her collar. Mr. R. joined him behind the control panel as the device warmed up, the alien pushing a large button, and the girl screamed in the device.

Ignoring her scream of pain, the alien released her head, gripping her hair and saying proudly, "Da slave i' free, an' implants is matchin'." Indeed, the girl's collar lights were dark, as she panted, still locked in the machine, saying, "Thank you, thank you."

Ignoring her, he grabbed an injector, pressing it against her neck. "Dere, th' drug is workin' ta remove 'er implants."

"Interesting, what else can it do?" Mr. R asked.

"Convert a slut's collar," he replied, grabbing the girl's hair and forcing her neck in the machine again as she screamed, "No, Master, please, no!" He told her, "You'se not paid y' fare, I's tha' owner a' this ship, I sentences y' to slavery." Addressing Mr. R, he said, "It tha' easy, I gots a legal rulin' and," he adjusted controls, pressing the large red 'GO' button again, and she screamed in pain as the machine worked. With a 'thunk', restraints were released, and the machine ejected her to land against the grimy deck, wrists still bound behind her, the yellow and green lights of a judicial slave now on her collar as she lay sobbing on her back.

Mr. R was absorbed in the control panel as the greasy alien motioned to the other slaves, "Locks her in, I does her for 'y."

"Master?" one of the twins asked, Mr. R grunting distractedly as the alien grabbed Ash, flicking her chain collar open with a finger, and placing the equipment on her. With a yank, her neck was pulled into the ring and clamped down.

The freshly collared girl sobbed, "Master, please, no!" as Mr. R stepped aside, still regarding the controls. The girl struggled to her knees, "Master, don't do it! Please, Master, don't let him collar her! It's a fake, a trick, she won't be free!"

"Eh?" Mr. R said as he turned, dropping his hand to his weapon. "What do you mean?"

The alien roared in rage as the girl said from the floor, "It's a trap, that was colored water he injected me with, he was supposed to free me, but he lied, he tricked me, and he's trying to trick you, Master! I'll never be free now, but if you complete the deal, he'll turn you in for a reward! Don't do it, Master!" The alien roared again, an arc of electricity sparking from his prosthetic left arm as Ash screamed in pain. Mr. R's small gun burped twice, the alien staggering, arms waving as his right arm came down, hitting the red 'GO' button as he collapsed.

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Ash screamed in pain as white hot needles stabbed into her left hip, and the machine contracted around her neck, wrists pulling futilely against her cuffs. A lance of sharp pain forced itself into her spine as metal formed around her neck, and she screamed again, fighting the machine she was locked into. She sobbed in agony as the collar formed around her neck. She wanted it to end as the metal tightened into place, throat raw from screaming, as the thought formed, "I'm a slave! I'm a slave now!" With a 'thunk', she was ejected to be thrown against the deck, where she lay, thinking, "I'm a slave girl now..."

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Cropag looked down as the skinny alien pointed a small box, he had scanned him for weapons, and found none. It burped twice, and he looked down as white hot fire stabbed into him, agony erupting inside. He waved his arms, a bolt triggering from his left arm as he staggered, slumping as his right hand touched wet. 'I'm wet!' he thought as his sight faded. 'I shall never become one with...'

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L'jissa struggled to her feet, "Master! Take the ship, while his blood is still hot, the command wand in his right pocket! Hurry, you only have moments while he yet lives!" The two other girls grabbed her former Master as she hurried to the command deck, telling them, "Master, place your hand over his, and insert the wand in the slot, telling the computer, "I take ownership of this ship, her accounts and cargo." Her skinny new Master did so, as the computer beeped, telling them, "Transfer of ownership complete. Record update transmitting now." L'jissa exhaled in relief, "Thank you, Master, and thank the Source."

Edward looked about, shuddering at the filth. "Why did you do it?" he asked his new slave.

"I took a chance, Master," she shrugged. "Your slaves were not afraid of you, as I was with it," and she looked at the rapidly cooling corpse, "My former Master also lied to me, and tricked me into believing I would be freed if I cooperated in his plan. Now," and her chin touched her slave collar, "I can never be freed, but this is a sweet revenge on him, and you seem like a good Master. I would have been confiscated and transferred to the government along with the ship if the taxes weren't paid by the end of the week." She shrugged, repeating, "I took a chance."

"Hmf," Edward said. He motioned the twins over, flicking open their chain collars, "Take the corpse out, put it in an airlock where it can stink. We'll strip it and salvage anything useful, and eject it in space. Send the other slave up, and then go back to where we're staying, and bring our stuff back here." One of the girls said, "Yes, Master," as they departed, dragging the smelly corpse. He turned, telling L'jissa "I want you and the other slave to start cleaning this ship, top to bottom."

"Oh, thank you, Master!" she replied.

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"Incoming call, Master," L'jissa said. Eddie waved as he (gingerly) took a seat in the command chair. He turned as a screen came to life above where L'jissa sat.

"Good day," he told the government slave on the screen.

"Good morning, Master," she replied. "We received a change of ownership for the ship and a slave. I also see a judicial enslavement and a status change for the slave. Is this correct?"

"It is," he said warily.

"Thank you, Master," she said, and continued on, "We show accumulated taxes and license fees of 1,646 kilograms and four grams. When will these be paid?" She brushed her hair back, the silver gleam of a cranial implant on her right temple.

"I am planning on traveling to the city this afternoon, the previous owner just departed and I will be transferring funds into the ship's accounts. They will be paid either today or tomorrow." He steepled his fingers, "I find myself curious about your cranial implant, does..."

The government slave stiffened, and in a robotic voice replied, "Thank you for your inquiry regarding this model 35J work unit. This unit is specialized for light industrial, retail and administrative tasks, and comes standard with programming for high intelligence, docility, and curiosity and anger suppression. This unit is pre-programmed with all 1,694 major galactic languages used by oxygen-breathing bipeds, and will never need discipline. Custom programming available, as are other models in the extensive WorkForce catalog. Military options available upon request. Would you like information sent to you?"

Eddie exchanged a look of horror with L'jissa as he slowly replied, "Yes, I would."

The girl on the screen touched a device to her implant, then replied, "Information has been sent to your ship's account. Thank you for your WorkForce inquiry, a salesbeing will be in touch." She jerked, then slumped for a second, before resuming in a normal tone, "I also see debts owed to the Spacer's guild and the Slaver's guild."

"I will stop by them on the way to your offices," Eddie replied. "Was there anything else?"

"No, Master. Have a pleasant day," the government slave said, signing off. L'jissa looked at her master, and said, "Poor slave."

"Indeed. Indeed," he agreed.

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Ash moaned to herself as she lay on her back on the filthy deck. She opened her eyes as she was kicked by one of the twins, "Get up, we've got work to do, our Master has the ship now, and he wants it cleaned."

"Check her hands," the other twin said, holding up an object. Ash was pulled to her feet and spun around, "Her left hand's damaged," and their gaze traveled to where a scorch mark was on the bulkhead. Moving over, Ash saw part of her left palm with fingers still attached in the girl's hand. Her eyes rolled up, and she fainted.

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"Wake up, girl. Wake up, now," someone was telling her, slapping her face. Ash moaned, twisting as she felt metal around her left wrist. "Wha...?" she asked.

"When 'Smelly' was dying, he triggered a bolt from his left arm," her Master said. 'Master! I have a Master!' Ash thought as he continued, "You apparently moved upward in the machine at that point, and it severed part of your left hand. We've immersed your hand in medicinal fluid, and locked it on, as it is apparently very uncomfortable, and cannot be disturbed. It will have to do until you receive proper treatment."

"It itches, Master," Ash agreed.

"Even so, you will need to endure it for the next two months, while your hand is regrown. Can you stand?" He helped her, walking with her to a bench set in an alcove in the bay's walls. She tried to kneel before him, but he gently pushed her back. She looked down at herself, and blushed, leaning forward to try to cover herself, "I'm naked, Master!"

He chuckled dryly, "No, you're properly outfitted, according to the other slaves, with your collar and slave belt. Lean back, you're an attractive slave, and I am your master and a male, after all." She hesitantly sat back as he continued, "I removed your corset, it was a bit bloody, and had you cleaned." He turned to face her, "I regard myself as partially responsible for your collar, I was intrigued by the control panel, and didn't... well, water under the bridge and all. For the next few minutes, you may speak your mind, without repercussion."

"I might speak my mind, Master? Without repercussion?" She regarded him warily, Edward could see her hands twisting behind her in the cuffs as she thought, then asked, "Master, are you an agent for Earth?"

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"Bits and pieces, Master. I saw the video from when you met with Mistress Wayne and the others, and did a search, you're originally from Gotham, and your name is Mr. Edward Nigma, Master. You're also known as the Riddler. Since the French hamstrung government support of the Guard, there has to be other methods of employ, and spies have been known throughout history. Why else would you be off Earth?"

"A collar is wasted on you..." Eddie said with a grin. "On the other hand, you have access to areas I do not. Many people forget their servants have eyes, ears, and brains. A collar may be perfectly placed on your lovely neck, if you don't forget to whisper in my ear."

"Especially one that may never be removed, Master," she replied with a grin. "I have not yet adjusted to going about topless, but I shall. I am, as you said, properly kitted out for a slave girl, but what will happen to me?"

"Ah," her Master said. "If I were a proper Master, I would slit your throat this instant, as I don't know you well enough to trust you with a secret you may, unintentionally or not, endanger our lives with." Ash swallowed, as Eddie said, "You should not have told me that, my dear. You may have been able to trade our lives for your freedom, although I would beware of trickery or deceit. Indeed, there is nothing that would entice the authorities to grant your freedom, you might wind up, still in a collar, next to us on the gallows or the block. Even though Ms. L'jissa is completely innocent in this matter, she would undoubtedly be right next to us, as she is also only a slave."

"Master, I... didn't know, I didn't realize..." Ash said.

"Indeed. What to do with you..." the Riddler reflected. "I suppose I could, as your Master, gag you or have your vocal chords torn out. As you yourself have said, you are naught but a slave girl." He turned, looking deeply into her fearful eyes, "I think, Ms. Nicheyev, that I shall gamble all our lives on you. I shall entrust all our lives on your silence, and once we have gotten the ship back to specification, and back in space, we shall decide, the five of us, what we shall do. Also, as I owe you a debt, I shall propose to Miss Wayne when I meet with her that Guard Agent Nicheyev was tragically killed when she threw herself on an explosive device, saving lives, et cetera, et cetera. Very heroic, all that could be recovered of her remains was a bit of her left hand. After DNA verification, it was returned to relatives for proper burial."

"That is very tragic, Master. However, a certain judicial slave..."

"... Whose slave number ends in 383 will remain with the slaver E. Nigma, that dastardly fellow, as his personal property. However, a certain agent of the Guard, whose identity is classified but whose file number ends in 383, is enrolled in the Guard's pension and benefits package, for her eventual retirement. Marvelous, that fund, with a number of the top companies of the world, and as her living expenses are paid by her employer, 383 may invest 100 percent of her salary."

"That person 383 is a fortunate girl, however, this woefully inexperienced slave's immediate destiny..." she probed.

"The slave 383, who was formerly known as The Idiot, and who is now nameless, is pushing things," her Master told her with a frown. "Perhaps she should be known as 'Mata Hari'."

"Mata Hari was executed, Master. This slave is content to remain nameless for now," she replied with a grin.

"Perhaps I should name you 'Nameless'," he replied with a glower. "No, I am concerned that I have only one slave who knows anything about this ship. While the twins and L'jissa continue to clean the decades of filth from this ship, due to your injury, you are unable to assist them. Therefore, you will be placed in the Spacer's Guild for intensive training and certification over the next few weeks, while we bring the ship up to specification. Therefore, today you and I will journey to the city center with L'jissa, you two need tax assessment as judicial slaves, and I need to pay back debts of 'Smelly' as part of the transfer of title." He stood, clipping the collar to a slave chain on her neck. "The twins are packing my things, they will return and start to clean." He pulled on the light chain, "Come, we have a bus to catch."

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"We need the number 17," Master told L'jissa as he motioned them into a fenced area, while he strolled off to an enclosed area where he could wait in comfort. 383's bare feet burned from the hot concrete, she already envied the simple leather sandals other slaves wore. "Gracefully," she was told, as she started to kneel, and she did it again until she received an approving nod.

"New slave?" a handsome male slave asked, as she blushed and nodded. "You'll get used to your collar," he said. "We all did. How's your master?"

"Much better than the old one," L'jissa replied. "Our old master did not bathe, for religious reasons, and the ship was dirty. The first order our new master gave is to clean the ship, thank the Source. I'm happy we have a new one, even if we've got new collars."

"No 'new master' beatings?" another slave asked. "You two are lucky, even with judicial collars." A bus pulled up, and a slave called back, "Number 17!"

"This is ours," L'jissa said. "Luck of the Source, everyone!"

"Source!" several slaves returned, as they made their way onto the low trailer behind the bus.

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383 had always enjoyed watching people, it was one thing she had liked about the Tube. She watched a slave with her two young charges board the bus, the young boy smiling and waving at her. As she knelt and watched the city's people board and depart the bus, she smiled, not knowing L'jissa was watching her.

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Edward Nigma debarked from the bus, strolling back to call into the caged trailer, "My two slaves, out!" He heard L'jissa call, "Yes, Master!" and thought, 'That was a clean, well run and affordable trip. It is indeed a pity that it requires slavery to run public transport properly.' He motioned the two girls to the sidewalk, indicating a yellow domed structure ahead. "Our first stop, the slaver's guild, where you two shall be assessed and I renew my slaver's licenses. Come." With a gentle whine, the bus moved off, as the two followed their master.

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383 followed L'jissa up from the bowels of the building, guided by the blue-smocked government slave who had emotionlessly taken them from room to room, locking her into one device after another. She stopped, kneeling and offering, "Master, the two slaves 578 and 383," as she handed the fellow the assessment board their collar's control chips were snapped into. The free man waved her away, and as she turned, she winked at 383, giving her a small smile. He grunted, waving them into a barred cell to wait as he inserted the first chip into his terminal, hunching forward to see their results.

"I wonder how we did," 383 whispered as they found an open bit of floor to kneel on.

"We'll never know unless Master decides we need to," L'jissa replied with a shrug, asking another slave, "What's the news?"

"From what Mistress said, J-class starship prices are nearing record levels, like fuel and thousand-liter water tank rates." the handsome slave said. The room lights reflected off his judicial collar as he continued, "Record profits from the insurance cartels, even though they're doing their usual 'we're so poor' moaning. Rates are highest in Sectors 2811 through 2832..."

"Sounds like a war coming," another slave said. "Thank the Source we're not going there." The master slid open his window, "578 and 383, out the door and up two flights, then left to meet your owner." The door buzzed as it unlocked for them, L'jissa saying, "Yes, Master. Luck of the Source, everyone!"

"Source!" people replied, including the Master in the window.

------------------------
Tuesday, August 28, 2001:
London, The Leaky Cauldron: 08:14 (GMT)
------------------------

"...turning once again to the alien invasion, we have news of the destruction of Topeka, Kansas by the alien machines." the news anchor reported. He turned to his BBC colleague, "Louise, what can you tell us?"

"John, there are thousands dead here, killed by the... " she replied through terrible static, "... alien machines seem to be placed equidistant around the pla..."

"Louise?" He waited a few seconds, then said, "We seem to have lost our signal from America. Along those lines, we can report the loss of several communications satellites, with that in mind, we go to retired RAF general Sir Michael Throckbottom, with an opinion on the Solar Guard. Sir, you had a comment?"

"Indeed I did," the crisply attired man said. "The Solar Guard was supposed to replace all these hero types, and I ask, 'Where are they? In our hour of need, do they have ships and Marines to defend us? No, I ask where our tax money is going!"

"On the other side of the coin, we have Lady Mountbatten-Hurley, spokeswoman for the Solar Guard. Lady Hurley?"

"With all courtesy to Sir Throckbottom, one must remind people that a house is not built in a single day," the well-coifed brunette replied. "Due to the French veto in New York, alternative legal and financial structures had to be created, debated, and authorized in various legislatures and governments. As one knows, this takes time."

She shifted, looking into the camera, "Returning to the metaphor of a house, one cannot expect it to shelter you from the rain before the permits and financing to pay for it are in place, much less before construction begins." She paused, "This is where we are with the Solar Guard. Unfortunately, the storm hit us before the cellar is complete or the concrete poured, we shall have to wait it out and shelter with the neighbors. However, this allows us to plan for a much stronger house."

Albus snorted, finding the remote to the pub's telly and studying it before flicking it off. "Indeed, Lady Hurley makes sense. While there is much death and destruction, there is a chance to learn from this. Apt use of metaphor, also. Even wizarding construction takes time, this is why we do not use conjured walls in a building, my boy. They fail at the first strong wind. When one builds a structure, one must give it a firm foundation," he said, setting the remote down before moving down the bar to tend a client.

"I had wondered about that," Arthur mused as he sipped his blackberry tea, thinking 'Sydney, Coast City, and now Topeka. It's quite a death toll that aliens have racked up on Earth over the years. At least Columbus is safe so far. I wonder how Mattie's doing.'

------------------------
Tuesday, August 28, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Capital City, Spacer's Guild: 12:15 (relative)
------------------------

"Good day," her master told the being behind the desk. "I have a slave that needs intensive training and certification. She is an untrained girl, however I need an extra hand to replace a crewman who was recently killed."

The grey skinned being motioned, and 383 moved through a door as her Master continued to dicker with the desk being about rates and qualifications.

------------------------
Wednesday, August 29, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Docks, bay 32: 07:18 (relative)
------------------------

"I'm going to turn my girl back over to you," Shiva told the others. "I've always been a lone wolf, if she were free, that would be different. The ship I found is designed for one or two people at most."

"I think she'll be rather relieved about that," Mattie told her dryly. "Try to go at least a few days without killing someone?"

"It was a fair fight," Shiva replied, "And you owe me one, too," she told Riddler. "Someone was trying to collect money from the previous owner of your ship, they'd tracked him down to bay 56. One less, or should I say, one more bounty hunter in the galaxy."

"I should have expected Smelly to leave behind serious debts," Eddie said, taking a sip of coffee. "I am grateful, if I might return the favor, please let me know." He sighed, "I have a dichotomy, in that my licenses as a slaver came with the ship, but my ethics and my contract with the Guard prohibits any transactions in them. How am I to make a living? I cannot sell them all to the Guard, it would raise suspicions." He raised his coffee cup, "I shall discover a means about it. In any case, I will need to receive nutritional and medical information for Ms. Nicheyev and myself, Captain."

"I have already sent that information to your ship, Mr. Nigma," Alfred's remote told him, adding, "And yours, Ms. Woosan."

"I've transferred forty tons back to your accounts, Captain," Shiva said. "That much money looks suspicious, I don't need it, and the Guard does." She reached down, and picked up two boxes, handing them to Mattie. "Early Christmas presents. Green for you, blue for Mr. Morton. Careful with them." She smiled, drained her tea, and stood, picking up another box and striding off.

T'ree came to collect the cup, watching the departing assassin, and said softly, "I assume that I am reassigned?"

"You are, if you will work with me, we shall go pick up that hospital ship," the sergeant said.

"Ah, regarding that, I have a slave in mind for you," Eddie said. "Former medical officer on a liner, she's working as a pub wench now. I don't know how current her medical information is, but I can get her up to speed at the Healer's Guildhall." He smiled wryly, "Part of my cover persona, and I get discounts on training the slaves. If you are agreeable, and will properly inform her and obtain her consent once you're into warp, I'll pick her up."

"Ja, she would be most useful," Hauptfeldwebel Schultz replied. "It will be a day or so getting the ship flight certified, we can do a great deal of refurbishment on Earth." There was a howl as a small ship rose into the air from a nearby bay, balanced in midair for a minute, then took off over their heads.

------------------------

"Thank you for buying me, Master," 736 told Eddie as she followed him away from the bar. "Might I inquire as to how I can serve you?"

"You might tell me your name, the one you had before the collar graced your lovely neck," he replied, slowing as she tried to keep up.

"My name was Z'haan, Master, but I will use whatever name you wish," the girl replied. "How may I serve you?"

He stopped to consult a map, then pulled her aside, "Your name is Z'haan, then. I purchased you for a client who needs a physician, I'm going to take you to the Healer's Guildhall to get your training up to date. We only have a few days, so learn quickly." He indicated the map, "It looks like we'll need the number 11 bus."

------------------------
Wednesday, August 29, 2001:
Grandview Heights, Ohio, Morton home, kitchen: 18:13 (GMT-5)
------------------------

"Wonder what this is?" Bill wondered as he slit open the manila envelope, setting another one aside addressed to Hank. "I don't know anyone in Brussels." he pulled out the cover letter, then took a seat, "Oh, my."

"What is it, Dad?" Teela asked from where she worked on the salad.

"I'm officially an astronaut, I think," he replied. "They spelled my name 'Mofton', though."

------------------------
Thursday, August 30, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Docks, bay 56: 09:28 (relative)
------------------------

L'jissa turned, seeing two beings striding toward the ship, wearing yellow striped kilts in the style of the Slaver's Guild. She turned off her rented sonic cleaner; removing her protective earphones, she knelt, asking. "What may this slave do for you, Masters?"

"We wish to speak to the new owner of this ship," one said. "We must certify your collaring equipment. Where is it?"

"If Masters will excuse me, I shall fetch my Master," she asked, receiving a wave in reply.

------------------------

"I understand the previous owner is no longer available to answer questions," one government being said.

"Unfortunately not," Eddie stated. "He lost the ship in a game of chance, the last I saw of him was walking that way," he waved generally toward the city center. "As you can see, the ship was rather dirty, I've had my slaves doing nothing but cleaning ever since. I cannot tolerate a dirty ship, it creates disease, which lowers profits among the animals, you see."

"True, so very true," the other government type said, as he lowered his computer. "I see your fees and licenses are up to code."

"Yes, unfortunately the previous owner was not a good businessman," Eddie mourned. "I of course have nothing but respect for the law, and..." the intercom buzzed, "Master, there is a comm call for you."

"Ah, would you gentlebeings excuse me for just a moment? I have been expecting a call, a most urgent one." He hurried out, the two government beings looking at several stacks of coins left on the work desk, then at each other.

------------------------

"Most appreciative, L'jissa," Eddie said as he entered the flight deck. The hidden camera aimed at the desk, she smiled, "Recording, Master." He picked up an earbug, hearing the two beings as they quietly lowered the stacks of coins by half. "I count ten kilos they've 'borrowed' between the two of them, Master," she added.

"I need to do something nice for you, my dear," the Riddler said with an evil smirk. "What would you like?"

"Freedom for the twins, Master?" she asked.

"Already offered," he murmured distractedly. "I was thinking of you."

"Oh!" she replied, then grinned, "I'll think of something, Master. For now, I'll take your marker. What about the flight inspectors coming next day after half-meal?"

"That involves the safety of the ship. I've got an independent crew coming later today, we'll work with what they say. Perhaps the Spacer's Guild inspectors will be honest."

"Government, honest?" L'jissa snorted, "Your forgiveness, Master, but not in my experience." She motioned to the screen, "Is your call over, Master? They look curious."

------------------------

"Ah, an old NG-52," one government inspector said. "Reliable, but not as efficient as newer models. He popped open an access hatch on the machine, "How many animals have you collared since you took possession?" he asked.

"Bought and sold some, but haven't collared any, I'm not too familiar with the workings of this machine," Eddie replied. "The previous owner seems to have deleted those files, perhaps you have manuals and such I might purchase? It is possible that I will need to do maintenance, you see."

"You will also need a new controller board," the other inspector said. "With the change of ownership, you see. The previous owner's block of numbers will be reassigned to you, but you do need that board. We have a new board that will fit, with a copy of the documentation, that will come to ... ten kilos."

"I don't have a credit chip with me," Eddie said. "Will you take tungsten?"

------------------------

Eddie waved as the government ground-car left the docking bay, then grabbed L'jissa up, swinging her around and hugging her as she squeaked in surprise. "Oh, that was well done, my dear!" he cackled. "I must do something nice for you. What would you like?"

She reached up and ran a finger along his jaw, "For you to unlock my belt and take me, Master. It has been a very long time..."

Eddie paused, then held her at arms length. "Unfortunately, my dear, while I would also undoubtedly enjoy the experience as much as you, I cannot. While you wear that odious collar, it would be too much like rape to me. I do apologize." He smiled gently at her, then turned and walked off as L'jissa stared after him, her small fists pounding in frustration on her locked, metal-clad groin.

------------------------
Thursday, August 30, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Docks, 'Honest M'aab's used starships': 12:51 (relative)
------------------------

"Greetings, welcome back gentlebeings!" M'aab said. "Have you reached a decision regarding the ambulance ship?"

"We have rented a few slaves for an engineering analysis," Hauptfeldwebel Schultz said. "They come from a very experienced house, and you did say that the ship came with current flight certification..."

"Yes, yes of course it does," M'aab said. "Perhaps if you would care to step into the office?"

"We are planning on having the ship modified at another yard," Mattie said. "Perhaps we can discuss the associated fees for that work while my friend and his slaves examine the ship?"

------------------------

M'aab sweated, this little p'wheet was a demon from the pits! She had negotiated not only additional fuel, but quite a few of his spares! He had struggled to keep the ship at his asking price of 75 tons, and this without hearing the slave's report! 'Bankruptcy!' he thought, as she sat back, and smiled sweetly as she sipped her tea. 'At least I can finally move that p'tak ship!' he thought, then looked up as his slave knocked.

"Master, this master wishes to join you." 'The p'wheet's partner!' he thought, suppressing a groan as he spied the pad in his hand.

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Docks, bay 56: 07:25 (relative)
------------------------

Eddie thumbed the slave's computer, transferring funds for the equipment rental as he arranged it in the cart. Activating the antigrav, he pushed it out the gate, which was held open for him by another slave, neck-chained to another girl. He smiled, Ms. 383 was returned to him. They knelt before him, and he raised an eyebrow. Not a single emotion crossed her face, her eyelids blinked every five seconds precisely.

"Master, your slave is returned to you," the first girl said. "If you will release her neck ring, and sign the receipt, please?"

Pulling her up, he inspected her emotionless form, finding a silver implant on the side of her temple. He turned, "What was done to her?" he shouted.

The girl cringed, "Master, I do not know. I was chained to her and ordered to deliver her, and for you to sign her receipt. That is all I know, Master!"

Edward Nigma snarled wordlessly, snatching the pro-offered pad and glancing at it. "This is more than was agreed to. 'Implants and programming' – what else was done to her?"

"Master..."

"Inform your owners I will be discussing this with them," he snapped, thumbing the pad and tossing it back to her. Unlatching the neck ring, he snapped at 383, "Go aboard, wait in the small cell." Clipping the ring onto the other girl's neck, he told her, "Get out of here," as 383 walked by, machinelike.

------------------------

L'jissa watched from her work platform as it hovered next to a thruster assembly at the stern. Another girl was delivered to her master's consternation, and as the delivery slave left, two ground cars came in, one with three slaves chained in the back, the other a black one with tinted windows. A being with golden skin was gesturing at the girls, she squinted, but these seemed to be WorkForce slaves. "I'd hate to be one of those poor girls," she thought to herself, finishing the adjustment of the thruster. Weapons were stashed all over the ship, she touched the Gauss rifle clipped in the thruster's framework. She was closing the controller's hatch when the occupants of the tinted-window car emerged, one looking at her. She raised her chin so he could see her collar, he turned back to her master.

With a 'pop', the WorkForce sales being collapsed, his slaves showing no movement or emotion at the death of their master. One of the black-clad beings turned away as L'jissa thought, 'He saved my life, I owe him, and he's a good master.' Clipping the platform's remote to the waist of her slave belt, she climbed onto the warm hull of the ship, as her master argued with one of them, waving his arms about. She lay across the hull and lined up her target in the sights. The one thug turned as his comrade collapsed, his hand weapon waving about, pointed at her master. He looked about, then he collapsed.

Clipping the unfired rifle into its bracket, she rolled across the hull, onto her work platform, which she recklessly flew into the open main hold. Scrambling off it, she shouted, "Master! We need to get them in the hold and get off this planet, now!"

"They were looking for your former master..." he said, grabbing one of the bodies and dragging it toward the gaping hatch.

"They are Black Hole, Master, a criminal organization," she panted. "I am sorry, I recognized them too late. Can you get those idiot slaves to help?" she asked, motioning at the emotionless, unmoving slaves still sitting in the vehicle, and the one kneeling next to the hatch, all with the silver glint of a cranial implant. She climbed behind the controls of the black hovercar, flying it into the hatch.

She ducked as the open back car, still containing the emotionless slaves, crashed down next to her, her master calling "Z'hann! Inside the hatch, and hurry!" The emotionless girl gracefully stood, hands still locked behind her and strolled toward her master, where she knelt as L'jissa slapped the 'emergency close' for the hatch.

------------------------

"I'd like to know what's going on," her master said as L'jissa kicked the closed hatch in frustration. She turned, "Master, please, you may torture me later, but we only have a few minutes to get off this planet! Will we waste it with questions?"

He regarded her for a few endless seconds, then triggered the hatch, "All right. Once we're in warp, come to my quarters."

"Yes, Master, thank you, Master!" she said, telling those two useless twins, "There are five slaves in the hold. Secure yourselves with them in the small cell, Master will release you later." As she ran toward the flight deck, Master told them, "Do it."

------------------------

Edward entered the flight deck, as L'jissa played the helm like a concert pianist. She looked back at him, "Master, I'm setting a flight plan up-arm, but actually we're going Coreward, there's a place I know. You might want to call whoever you were going to sell those slaves to, let them know there will be a delay in delivery."

He grunted, "I'd still like to know what's going on."

She spun around to face him, "Master, the small of it is that two agents of Black Hole were killed. We can argue self defense, but until they are placated, we are under a death sentence. You will die quickly, as a slave, I will not be allowed to die until I have been tortured for a long, long time. They practice on slaves, Master, slaves that have displeased them in some small way." She shuddered, "Now, may we please stop questioning, so that we may hopefully escape with our lives?"

------------------------

"Why sector 2814, Query?" the outbound controller said. "I heard there's a war going on there. Best to stay away."

"Unfortunately, I have a contract for slaves to be delivered," her master lied smoothly. "Substantial penalties, you know how it is."

"Indeed I do," the controller chuckled. "Take 1428 to the outer marker, and Source be with you."

"The Source to you, also," he replied, telling her, "Follow that course, and come to my cabin when you finish, slave. You need discipline, your last scores were disappointing," he said as the controller's image disappeared.

"Yes, Master," she replied. "I'll be there in a few minutes, when we're on our proper course." He grunted and left.

------------------------

L'jissa stopped at the small slave cell. About two by three meters, it currently contained seven slaves, all but two neatly neck-ringed to the wall and silent. She studied them through the mesh door, even her fingers too small to slip through. Sighing, 'Those two are useless,' she unscrewed the latch to the key-locker, pulling the door key on its wire out and unlocking the door. As the key zipped back, she hooked the door open, telling the two, "Be silent. If I owned you, I would have sold you off long ago." Shaking her head, "Don't you remember your training? You are slaves in confinement, wrists cuffed behind you, necks in rings! Our Master will decide if you need further punishment."

She turned to check the WorkForce slaves, hearing the ratcheting sound of necks locking in rings. Surveying the now quiet, orderly cell, she nodded once, stepping outside to double-lock the door, smiling slightly as the two twins flinched at the 'thunk' of the secondary locks going in, and the 'snick' of the padlock.

------------------------

L'jissa glanced through the clearsteel in the hatch as she touched the comm, "Master, your slave is here at your command."

She knelt as he replied, "Come in."

"Master, I cannot open this door, you must do so."

She watched him set down his drink on his desk, and walk over to trigger the door release. With a motion, she entered her Master's quarters.

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Docks, bay 33, McCoy: 12:25 (relative)
------------------------

"Kapitän zur See, meldet der Amerikaner eine Schwierigkeit, den Sklaven Ihnen zu übertragen," (Captain, the American reports a difficulty in transferring the slave to you,) his comm officer reported. (He had to leave the planet suddenly, he will try to transfer her to you at Christmastime, when we are scheduled to meet.)

(Acknowledge, that is agreeable,) the captain replied in German. (We have quite a bit of work to do before then. How goes our launch preparations?)

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
Epsilon Eridani III, Docks, bay 32, Cassidy Yates: 12:34 (relative)
------------------------

"How goes the launch preperations?" Mattie asked.

"They be on schedule, although Mr. R launched ahead of schedule," Anne replied. "I know not why, his only message was that he would try to meet with us at Christmas, he would transfer the girl at that time. I forwarded the message to the McCoy," she concluded. "Captain, why doth you and the others smile when you hear that name?"

"I'll explain, or try to explain later," Mattie replied. "How about the cargo?"

"The generators are aboard, and Alfred doth have the additional data storage installed and filled," she replied. "The larger items like the missiles and their launchers are aboard the McCoy, as they have more cargo capacity. We have the hard suits and..."

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
The Query, outbound, Master's cabin: 13:54 (relative)
------------------------

"This slave is here for her interrogation, Master," L'jissa said, entering and kneeling in front of the desk. "We are on our registered course, auto-flight is engaged and will alert here if there is a problem. Speed is ten lights per hour, we have three and a half hours before course change is required. Shall I bind myself?"

At her master's nod, she stood, untying the smock she wore, neatly folding it and placing it on the table. Kneeling again, she pushed at a section of decking, sliding a small panel aside and extracting a set of shackles. Sliding the panel back so the heavy cable came through a small notch, she stood, jumping and trying to reach a pair of hanging shackles.

"Allow me," Eddie said, reaching up and pulling the shackles down to her level. She offered her wrists to him, and he snapped them into the cuffs, then bending down and securing her ankles.

"It must be nice to be tall," she said, adding, "Tightly, please, Master," the girl said, and he closed them another few notches. "Slave tight, please," and her wrists were tightened. She smiled at him, "Thank you, Master."

"I do have quite a few questions for you," her master said.

"I have a few for you, also, Master," she replied. "Pull me up, Master, pull me off the deck, pull me tight, I am your slave, Master, you are not courting me, you need not be gentle with me." She raised her chin to look at him, her arms and legs held a few inches apart by her shackles, her curly brown hair cascading down her back. "Look at me, Master! I am your collared slave, Master, who has displeased you. I wear your collar, pull me tight!"

------------------------

Eddie regarded the girl standing before him, naked except for her slave belt and collar. Her ankles were separated by about four inches, locked in flat steel shackles that were linked to the deck with a strong cable, her wrists held in similar shackles. That head, with the cascading brown hair and the intelligent brown eyes gazing fearlessly back at him, above the silver slave collar, the alternating green and yellow lights indicating a judicial enslavement. A slave collar that she knew would never be removed from her neck. Taking two steps back, he glanced at the mysterious panels filled with their alien scribbles.

After a minute, the girl said, "The second panel from the left, top row, fifth switch, Master," she told him. "Flick it up to raise me, down to lower. The top button gives me a shock, the bottom one releases my shackles." She chuckled, "Not until we have spoken, though, Master."

"Ah. Thank you," he replied. Moving his chair along the track in the deck, he moved her smock to the desk, setting his drink upon it. Settling himself comfortably, he found the indicated switch again, the soft whir of a winch pulling her up. He watched her as she hung by her wrists, the tension growing in her body as she was stretched. He stopped when he heard a small gasp from her, then touched the switch for a second more. "At the moment my dear, you are not my slave, you are my prisoner. I must thank you for shackling yourself so efficiently." She nodded, he continued, "For the moment, I believe we can dispense with the 'Master' and 'slave' fiction. You are clearly not a slave, no matter the collar gracing your lovely neck. I require from you total honesty, as I am considering spacing you, and flying the ship with the twins and Z'hann. My name is Edward."

"In that case, I am L'jissa," she replied, "You are clearly not a master, and I will trade question for answer if you will return the courtesy." She watched him glance at the board, and she chuckled, "Please, give me a shock. The slaves in the cell need to hear you discipline me."

He found the correct button, and she screamed in pain. Releasing the button, he asked, "Why?"

"To reinforce your mastery for those other wenches," she replied. "You need to appear as a strong Master, even though you have shown yourself to me as... reluctant with slaves. Tell me, what is your history with slaves? How many have you owned?"

"None, before this trip, and I would prefer not to," he replied. "I regard trade in intelligent beings as odious, and against my moral beliefs. However, to complete my mission, I will do what I must." Regarding her, "I will not discuss my home system with you."

"Perfectly understandable, neither will I," she said, "Hm, an open system in sector 2814," she mused. "Several possibilities there. In any case, I suppose I should plead for my life, or at least explain myself. However, a question for you, who cleaned this cabin?"

He reached for his glass, taking a sip and regarding her over the rim. "How does that link to my decision on your execution?"

"Simple," she said. "This cabin is one of the secure areas on the ship. I'm marked as a slave, and therefore cannot enter it without your physical presence. Neither can the twins. Given the state of the ship when you killed Cropag, I must assume you didn't clean it, so who did?"

"Cropag?" he mused, glancing about the spotless cabin. "Ah, I knew him as 'Smelly'."

"Ah, his wonderful perfume," she said with a grin. Jerking her head, she motioned, "Inside the fresher, there should be a grey spray bottle in an airtight container. If you take a very careful sniff, you should have his odor. I would appreciate your spacing it, I've smelled entirely too much of it." She twisted in her shackles, "In the top left drawer under the bunk, you should find an artificial arm."

He regarded her, "I had noticed that, and wondered about it. That still does not grant you a reprieve. After all, there are two dead Black Hole members, and theft of slaves and other material from WorkForce. I am nominally your owner, it is my responsibility. How do I explain that?"

"The WorkForce slaves and their ground car can be returned to the local office when we land," she replied, adding with a grin, "Keeping a copy of their data for yourself, of course. A simple slicing job. The corpse can be linked by the weapon to Black Hole, and you did not wish their property damaged when you launched." She paused, adding, "Another shock, please. I would appreciate your tightening my slave belt when you stand, I lack the leverage to do it properly myself."

Touching the button, he listened to her scream, "Black Hole?" When she didn't answer, he touched the switch to stretch her, when she gasped for breath, he repeated, "Black Hole?"

"What were they asking for?" she asked. "Payment on a debt?"

"Protection," he said. "To ensure nothing 'bad' would happen to me or my cargoes. Nothing was said about a debt." He added, "Why?"

"Cropag owed Black Hole about twenty kilos in gambling debt," she replied. "He lost most of our operating capital that way. When we land, I would send the twins with Cropag's head to the local office, with a certified bank chip between his teeth for forty kilos, which would cancel the debt. They'll inform Eridani Three. I would send an unsliced copy of the vid with them, a note that you killed them in self defense, not knowing their identity." She glanced at him through her sweaty hair, "You do have that much, I assume?"

"Why the twins?" he asked. "I will need them to operate the ship."

She snorted, "I hope you weren't planning on freeing them," she replied. "What did they say their qualifications were?"

"Astrogation and Engineering," he replied. "I have their chips right here," he added, touching a few slave control chips on the desk.

"Mine is already in the system, although it does need to be updated since my change in status," she replied. "Master," she added for emphasis, "They are lying to you. They've told me a quite different story, they were cargo, not crew on their last ship. They thought me inferior to them, and boasted, thinking you won't read their chips." She snorted, "Fools."

"Assuming you are accurate," he said, "How do I read them?"

"With the access control system, of course," she replied, surprised. Looking at him, she asked gently, "How many flights have you been on, Master?"

He was silent before admitting, "This is my second."

"Ah," she replied. She gazed at him, then said softly, "Cannot read Trade, inexperienced with starships, doesn't know about Black Hole... You DO have an implant, don't you?"

He nodded, tapping his jaw, "Spoken only, nowhere else."

"No hip implant?" she said, shocked, "Master, an access control system has two divisions, slave and free. Free persons have their hip implants scanned and entered into the database when they board, slaves have their control chips entered in a control board. This way, someone won't get into an area they shouldn't. If you put the Owner's wand down next to me, I'll show you what to do." She wiggled her fingers in her shackles, "Don't worry, I can't do anything with it."

"Later," he told her, and she nodded. "How do I test the twins?"

"For the engineering liar," she said, "I would suggest putting a few drops of Cropag's perfume in one of the smaller holds. We'll smell it, and she should offer to vent that compartment to space. If she can't figure that out, or tries to vent the entire ship, she's lying to you. A slave ship is built with multiple life support systems, each hold is monitored, and the pain circuits in the collars of those particular slaves can be triggered, they can be gassed, or vented to kill them, whatever Masters wish."

"That makes sense," he said. "The other?"

"As part of our course, we will need to circle around a neutron star," she replied. "Auto-flight will drop us out of jump space in RNB 73436, which is a navigational way point. To resume our course, we need to get to Padrino 257, there are two courses around the neutron star. The safer, longer one is to the galactic west, with three subsidiary way points, the much riskier but faster one is galactic east with two way points, crossing through a nebula. Those confuse sensors, you really need a top grade navigator to use that course." She shifted in her shackles, "Any other course, she's lying to you."

"She claims to be a former military navigator," Eddie said. "If they are lying, what would you do, in my place?"

"I certainly wouldn't free them," L'jissa snorted. "I would keep them slave. You are under no obligation to free them, especially after they lied to you. What of the other two wenches? There was 383, and the other girl you mentioned. Did they get data implants?"

"They did," he admitted, "I was most upset about it. They are robotic, like those WorkForce girls. I asked for 383 to be updated, so she would be qualified to operate the ship, and for Z'hann's medical knowledge to be brought up to date."

"Wise," she agreed. "I would mention two things regarding them, though. As you asked for the impossible, in getting an untrained slave competent to operate a T-class freighter in a few days, and possibly several years worth of medical data in a similar time, I would reserve my anger for the salesbeing who assured you there would be no problem."

"Salespeople seem to be the same the galaxy over," he said with a chuckle. "What else regarding them?"

"Until you have a competent slicer examine their programming and the data inserts, I wouldn't trust them," she said. "Leave them locked in the cell, it won't hurt them. Secondly, a healer is not usually qualified to fly a starship, or to maintain it. Possibly a shuttlepod, but the two are vastly different. Lastly, while 383 may have been programmed with some engineering knowledge, it would be for a stock T-class freighter, not this ship, and it would be book learning, not experience."

"Point," he agreed. "What is your experience, and I still want to know about how a slave knows where concealed weapons are."

"I was not always a slave, Master," she said with a grin, nodding to the small pile of control chips. "Nine years ago, I took this ship and modified him as a slaver." She looked at him, "Another shock, please." After her scream of pain, she said, "I do believe I'm getting comfortable. A bit tighter, please." She sucked in her breath, gasping, "A bit more, please." As Eddie heard her joints pop, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Ah, that's better, thank you." Glancing at the clock, she said, "We're about due to come out of jump space. Please don't forget your Owner's wand, and see what happens with the first lying twin." She chuckled, "I'll stay here and wait for you, but on your way, would you be kind enough to tighten my belt, please?"

He stood, striding behind her, and she could hear drawers opening. "Open your mouth, slave," she heard, and obeyed. He forced a gag in, locking it tight. "Since you enjoy your bonds tight, I will oblige you, and treat you as a slave. You will revert to calling me Master, as the other slaves do." he said from behind her. "I don't trust you, you haven't earned it. I will determine your fate later, for now, you will hang there and be silent. Be glad I have not thrown you out the airlock yet." Screwing plugs into her ears, a blindfold over her eyes, she felt a hood locked in place over her head, and as a final gesture, her belt was forced to its limit.

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
The Query, outbound: 14:43 (relative)
------------------------

Eddie studied the cell door. Made of heavy steel, a fine mesh screen on the door's inside permitted ventilation while prohibiting small fingers from trying to access the locks. Welded to heavy bars, there was a spring lock in the center, with additional heavy steel bars that rotated into place on the top and bottom, all protected by smooth steel plates. A strong padlock dangled, locking the bars in place while a small hook served to hold the door open for access. Looking inside, he could see the three WorkForce girls neck-ringed to the left bulkhead, silent and motionless except for the rhythmic blink of their eyes. Heavy pipes came from the bulkhead to disappear into the deck, a locked access panel in front of them, an empty neck ring against the far wall with a pair of hoses and a yellow button mounted next to it.

To the right, closest to his cabin knelt the two zombie girls in neck rings, followed by the twins. Taking a step to the right, a small box was mounted half a meter away from the door, using a screw arrangement to lock it. Twisting the latch several times, he extracted the keys for the doors, which were on retracting steel lanyards, and secured the door open as they zipped back into place. He studied 383's automatically locking neck ring, 'How like a handcuff,' he thought to himself, and pulled the release. Telling her, "Kneel in the passageway and wait for me," he glanced at the inner seamless steel of the door, and flicked the hook, wincing involuntarily as it latched with a solid 'thunk'.

------------------------

"Follow me to the flight deck," he told her, and silently, gracefully, she rose, following him a half-meter behind, wrists still securely cuffed behind her. He stopped, opening the hatch and holding it open for her. "Take the helm," he told her, and she sat on the edge of the chair. He leaned over the back of her chair, releasing her wrists and telling her, "There is a course change plotted. Can you read it?"

Looking down, she glanced over the board before swiveling her gaze back forward, telling him expressionlessly, "Yes, Master."

"What is the new course?" he asked in a frustrated voice. "Does it bring us close to the neutron star?"

"The new plotted course is 357 negative 22 degrees for eight hours sixteen minutes to 54 Cassiopeia at current cruising velocity of ten light years per hour, Master. It does not intersect the neutron star."

"Lock your board and turn to face me," Eddie said, taking the Captain's chair. 383 did so, replying "Yes, Master," as she swiveled around in her seat. "Ash, what did they, what did I do to you?" he asked the attentive, silent girl, green and yellow lights gleaming on her slave collar. "Damnit, answer me! How do I unlock you? How do I release this..." he stopped when she jerked, slumping forward.

"That's the magic word, Master. Oh, wow," she said as she rubbed her temples. She glanced at him, "You have no idea how frustrating that program is. You have no voluntary control of your body, all you can do is breathe. You hear everything, you can see whatever you're staring at, you can think but you can't talk." She glanced at him shyly, "Like a Borg drone, Master. It's perfect obedience, it's just ... natural to say 'Master', to cuff yourself, to obey like I did. It's a compulsion, a habit. There are no other options, Master."

"Interesting..." he mused. "I presume 'Secure' would be ..." 383 stiffened once again, wrists flicking behind her to recuff herself. "Hmm ... Release," he told the girl, who once again jerked and slumped. He reached forward to release her hands again, telling her, "Slow the ship to two light years per hour. I think we will have a nice little discussion, my dear. You may start by addressing me as 'Eddie', not Master."

"Yes, Master Eddie," she replied, and he sighed.

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
Cassidy Yates, Sol system, inbound: 15:01 (relative)
------------------------

"Captain, we are receiving a message from the McCoy," Alfred said. "They report heavy fighting in space near the inner asteroid belt."

"Have you been able to get in touch with my Aunt Barbara?" Mattie asked.

"I have not yet received a reply," he answered. "As you are the sole living occupant aboard, if you wish to use your Ring and fly ahead, I will place myself under the command of the McCoy. They have more advanced sensors and equipment than I do."

She thought for a minute, then said, "I'll do that, let me get a couple things from the cabin. How long until they reach Earth orbit?"

"They came out of jump space outside Mars' orbit, and should arrive on Earth in a few hours."

"Anne will be on time for school, then," she said as she entered her cabin.

------------------------

'Scan for Kryptonian life signs' she thought to the Ring, it replied, 'One is approaching.' She waved, "Hello, Superman. How can I help?"

"Welcome back, Pimpernel," he replied. "Let's go sit down and we'll talk about it."

------------------------

"... so that's the situation," Clark said, standing in the JLA's meeting room on the moon. "I want you to be my strategic reserve. Stay on Earth, I promise to contact you if I need you."

"But..."

"I'll clear things with your mom and Minerva, so you can leave in an instant if necessary," he said with a chuckle. "I know you want to help, this is the best way you can."

"All right," she said. She twisted her Ring off, handing it to him. "Freshly charged, it will come and fetch me if necessary. I'll get the Battery..."

"Keep it, John's brought his," he said, standing. "Contact Barbara, get the new transport tube access codes, I'll send you down to London, to your aunt's townhouse."

"All right," she said reluctantly. She hugged him, "Be safe, Uncle Clark."

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
The Query, outbound, flight deck: 15:18 (relative)
------------------------

"... so that's the situation, my dear. I have a total of eight slaves aboard, and I'm not certain whom I can trust," Eddie said. "I have received L'jissa's opinion, I would like yours."

"A fine pickle indeed, Master," she replied from her seat at the helm. "Of those eight slaves, four know you are a spy, including me." She arranged her legs to sit tailor-fashion on the seat, which allowed the cuffs on the back of her belt to project through the seat. "I would agree. Don't trust my programming or Z'hann's until a slicer examines the code. That is necessarily an illegal act, L'jissa is most likely to know someone from her former career as a gunrunner."

"You cannot examine it, from the inside, so to speak?"

"No, Master, it is hardened against the slaves' breaking it. I am also not familiar with the operating system or the language it is in." She grinned, "I've poked at it a bit, not having much else to do while locked in a cell, but I don't know if I carry a trojan horse of some sort in my code. She pulled her hair back, unconsciously lifting her breasts, "Think of it this way, Master. My personality, the one you're talking to now, is essentially a ... virus. We need to substitute part of my viral code with the operating system embedded back here." She tapped the back of her head, "It was most fascinating to watch, Master. My head was opened up and a small board inserted under my brain, next to my spinal column. The actual data files are in another insert here, under my skull, this here," she tapped the silver implant on the right, "is an access point." She turned to look at him, leaning forward, "Master, I was told that the implant links to my collar. It cannot ever be removed, I cannot be freed, but that is my fault. I was the one who made the decision to sneak aboard in search of a slave's collar. I won't see you blame yourself for my stupidity. For now, we need to determine how to complete your mission. What I would suggest is to have L'jissa and I cross-reference each other. You cannot fully trust either of us, have one slave come up with a solution, then secure her and verify with the other slave."

"My dear, despite your willingness to assume all the blame, my conscience is not so easily assuaged. Do not give up hope of being freed. If necessary, you may consider that an order."

"Yes Master."

"Now what of the twins?" he asked. "What would you do?"

"Master, they lied to you," his slave said. "Furthermore, they did it knowing of your ignorance and hoping to gain their freedom. While I can certainly understand their desire for freedom, lying to your master is not the way to go about it. I would keep them as slave, and let them earn another chance." She tapped her collar, "One slave about another. One does not lie to your Master, especially for your benefit and not his. It's... cheating, one could say."

"That seems rather callous. Both you and L'jissa had the same opinion," he said. "I wonder if you would have the same opinion were you not in collars yourself?"

"Master, it's a point of honor, if you will. If you had ordered me to lie, that would be one thing. Were I to command them, knowing that they lied to you and presumably also to Mistress Wayne, I wouldn't trust them further than I could throw them."

She grinned, "Master, I doubt very much I will ever own a slave, but one thing slaves want is consistency and fairness in an owner. If I make a mistake that I shouldn't have, then punish me, but do it the same as another slave making the same mistake." She pulled her hair back again, grinning at him, then said, "I have heard stories of weak owners who should be wearing their girl's collars, I have heard of owners who will flog a slave to death after a hard day because she did not bow low enough on his arrival." She tapped her collar, "I committed a crime, and wear a judicial collar. I say let the slave's punishment fit her crime, and if it were up to me, they would be in judicial collars, for lying to their owners."

Eddie leaned forward, "You do not see this as an unjust conviction?"

383 shook her head, "No, Master. I did what I did, whether on a spacecraft or the Queen Mary makes no difference. On the Queen Mary, I would have been put ashore, and had to pay back the line. In both cases I would have broken the law with malice aforethought. Now, Master, if I may be permitted, I will think about how I can best serve you and whatever your mission is. For now, auto-flight is engaged, it will be about twelve hours before a course change is required. I would... what was the term you used?" she grinned, "Oh, yes, 'Zombie' me again, then lock me in the small cell again. Your slaves will require food and water soon, Master, and I for one would very much like to pee."

Eddie regarded her, stroking his chin. "I shall return you to the cell again, my dear, but only long enough for you to relieve the other girls' bladders. I believe it is time we cleared the air, once you have done so, please re-secure everyone's wrists, including yours, and neck-ring our WorkForce guests to the wall again. I shall fetch you and the twins shortly."

"Yes, Master."

------------------------

L'jissa felt herself lowered, her shackles unlocked and female hands treating her wrists and ankles. As she was cuffed, her hood and earplugs were removed, she was helped to stand, and bent at the waist. As her belt was connected to the waste removal system, she felt the vacuum pumping out her waste and moaned into her gag in relief. Barefoot, she felt injections in her neck, and was lead out of the compartment.

------------------------

Z'hann removed the gag and blindfold from the slave, kneeling her in front of her master. Cuffing herself, she said, "Master, all slaves have had waste vented, and the injections you specified have been given. The one slave's wrists and ankles have been treated."

Eddie nodded, "Thank you, my dear." He looked at the five kneeling girls, all with wrists cuffed behind them, "I believe it is time for all of us to ensure our mutual survival. As this is likely to be contentious, you may speak your minds, but you will remain cuffed, and you will remain kneeling. Furthermore, this will not be shared with the WorkForce girls."

"What about them, Master?" L'jissa asked. "What will you do with them?"

"Regretfully, I must return them, with the other materials to their owner," he said. "Otherwise I would be liable for slave theft." He looked them over, "Why do you ask?"

"Master, I have looked into their eyes," 383 said quietly, "They know they are slaves, they are property, but there is such a look of ... longing. Is there any way to buy them?"

"They are sample units, Master," L'jissa said. "They are given out for purchasers to try, and are generally discarded, given or sold to weapons dealers as practice targets. Furthermore, they are aware of their fate, but their programming ..."

"I cannot buy every slave in the galaxy," Eddie said. "If there is a way to purchase them cheaply, I will do so, but I make no guarantees. I have a mission to fulfill, one which means you two," he indicated the twins, "have a great deal of explaining to do." He glanced at Z'hann, who glanced at a bulkhead clock and nodded, "Z'hann has injected all of you, including herself, with a truth drug, which should be effective now." He leaned forward, "Why, when you were considered free in my home system, did you volunteer for this mission? Why did you lie about your credentials? You knew you would be acting the part of slaves, why come?"

"Master," one twin said, swallowing nervously and pulling at her bound wrists, "We wanted our collars off, they are hateful things, but we did not think there was the slightest chance of your being able to bring the technology back."

"We were captured by pirates, Master, and have been sold several times," her sister explained. "Multiple births such as we are very rare, our value increases when we are sold together. We agreed to the deception in order to increase our chances of actual freedom, of having our collars removed, instead of the false freedom you offered, and we were not seriously questioned regarding our qualifications. We were able to lie to your agents, and then again to her," she shot a poisonous glance at L'jissa.

"Except you failed Master's examinations," L'jissa shot back, adding, "Master, as we speak of pirates, I can feel from the vibrations on the deck that we have reduced speed. May I ask why? A slow-moving ship is a more attractive victim."

"I wanted time to think," he said. "Increase speed to five light years per hour, please." L'jissa arose gracefully, turning to present her cuffed hands to Eddie. He studied them, the alien steel holding them flat to her back and parallel to the waistband, her palms out and open, with the latch positioned so she could not release herself. Her skin was wrinkled as the tight belt compressed her waist and the silver band traveling between her legs. Reaching forward, he placed his thumb against the latching post above and behind her wrists at the small of her back, squeezing the two individual latches tightly against the springs. The straight backs with their sawtooth edges sprang loose, and she shook her wrists, the dull sawteeth preventing her from twisting her wrists in the cuffs. Stepping forward, she took a seat at the helm, he leaned over her, "Show me how."

"Did you upgrade your implant, Master?" she asked, and he nodded. "To increase jumpspace speed with this model drive, you need to unlock the board by turning this key, then while holding this control in, you simply type in the new speed in this keypad." She indicated a readout, "Our revised time to the next course change, Master. Was there anything else?"

"Five hours, if I'm reading it right," he said, and she nodded. He motioned her up, recuffing her hands and motioning for her to resume her seat. He leaned forward, locking the board again, then regarded the girls as he resumed his seat. "As far as I am concerned, the five of you are free, regardless of your collars. Z'hann, I purchased you for a friend of mine, he was purchasing a medical ship, and a physician is always useful to have. My primary mission is to acquire the means to remove the collars and associated implants from slaves, secondarily to acquire useful small items to duplicate that will assist in the colonization and defense of my home system. I would appreciate suggestions how you might assist, and you need not call me 'Master', I find it offensive, my name is Eddie."

"Master Eddie," L'jissa said, "I believe we might work together. I have similar goals, one of which is to remove this f'nark collar, but also to have my revenge on Cropag and his s'nark' father, and gather intelligence for my own homeworld." She shifted on her heels, "If you are willing to accept my bond, I will accept yours. I cannot accomplish my goals while collared as a slave, and I have resources you do not. I have a suspicion I know which system you come from, you can use an arms dealer such as myself. Once we return to your base, or system, you might unload the collaring device, as it is crucial to your primary goal. You will then transfer title to the S'na'd back to me, and our deal is done."

"What of us?" one of the twins asked.

"I am not so generous," L'jissa said. "You lied to get aboard, you lied to your master, and to your master's superiors. I would keep you slave until you had proved your trust to me, and I would put you in judicial collars for those lies." She glowered at the twins, "I would not sell you off, but you would remain slave to me, I would suggest you go with Master Eddie."

"Do you know a data slicer that can examine our code?" 383 asked L'jissa. She looked at Eddie, "Mas... pardon me, Mas... Master Eddie, it occurs to me that I might prove useful to you as a data slicer. I was a reasonably talented cracker back home," she added. "As your slave, I can access places you cannot, Master."

"I do not wish you slave, my dear," he said. "I do not wish to own any sentient being. It disturbs me when you parade about nude, this is why you wear smocks."

"Master Eddie," Z'hann said, "Like it or not, when we step off this ship, we will be regarded as slaves, and you as our master. How we interact in private is a different matter, and is common between slave and master. While we know what is in your p'tah gland, we must act as the galaxy regards us, as slave and master. For all our survival, can you act the Master?"

------------------------
Friday, August 31, 2001:
The Query, outbound, Master's cabin: 20:53 (relative)
------------------------

Eddie re-entered his cabin several hours later, telling the computer "Awaken me in six hours". As he undressed, he considered what to do regarding L'jissa and the other girls, knowing his subconscious mind would come up with a plan. "Lights," he told the computer as he slipped between the silken sheets.

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