Unatomic Stacey
Chapter 9: SHAFTED
(One Week Later in Space Prison at 6pm)
I lay on my cot whistling. I always heard the rumours that solitary confinement led to insanity. I didn't believe it to be true. It was because I was here because of Atomic Tiffany Fruit that sometimes made me feel on the brink of insanity. She even sent me a letter boasting about how much she's helped the team. I tore it to pieces and glared at the warden when he came by later and chuckled when he saw the torn pieces of the letter he had given me earlier. I did a sarcastic mimicry of him. Unfortunately that angered him and he decided not to give me my lunch. That was two days ago and still I hadn't had a meal since I upset that warden. I could use my powers but they have a camera in the cell watching my every move and I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of me having to use my powers to help myself. Pride may come before a fall, but they have to kill my pride AND dignity before I gave in.
Well here goes day three since those prisoners rebelled in the lunchroom and several prisoners including Hic escaped. Admiral Degill's now angry at me because I didn't use my powers at anytime. But I did use my powers. Unfortunately I had used them to open the doors the wardens had locked. Hic looked back to see me peeking from behind several wardens who had been specially assigned to immediately keep an eye on me from the moment the riot started. I quickly winked at her when I was certain no one would notice. She then ran off. I don't regret letting Hic escape. I don't know if it's because I'm getting sucked into the prison lifestyle, but aside from Hic's criminal record, she's a nice person. An evil creepy murderous nice person, but a nice person none the less. If she had Maximus's usual pompously rude attitude, I'd definitely left those doors closed. No one understood how the doors were reopened but with all the confusion and the variety of species of prisoners there, it couldn't be pinned on me. That made me grateful in more ways than one. I already disliked prison. I didn't need a reason to be found to REALLY keep me in prison.
I sighed and got on my feet. I walked around my cell slowly, then I started to jog. Just then the cell door opened and I saw the warden standing there. I continued to jog around my little cell ignoring him. But then I heard him chuckle five minutes later and I decided to jog on the spot and look at him since my curiosity got the better of me.
"So you're jogging now," the warden said, "first you were lying on the bed sighing and now your jogging," he said with another chuckle as I looked at him in confusion, "go ahead, process what I just said in that little brain of yours," he told me, "ah, you get it now," he said after I stopped and stared at him.
"Y…Yo…You're watching me?" I asked him.
"I personally monitor that camera that watches you," the warden revealed to me, "me alone," he said with emphasis, "I also have the authorization to edit out any footage that I deem would too embarrassing r unfair to be kept on tape," he continued, "but that of course also gives me the advantage of erasing anything that might incriminate me as well," he added and I snarled at him with bared teeth and clenched fists.
The warden laughed at me then gave me his million-dollar smile.
"You're not bad looking for a chick that stinks at physical combat," the warden said suddenly catching me off guard, "you look better when you're not looking to attack me."
I took in a deep breath and turned my back on him. But suddenly I felt myself forcefully turned around and when I looked down I realized that a tentacle was now wrapped around my waist despite the fact that I still didn't feel it. I looked up at the warden to see that he had a blue pet Tryo Octopus which must've teleported itself beside him moments ago. Tyro Octopuses were animals from the planet Tyro and were used as pets, servants and raw delicacies on their planet and elsewhere. Hey were very obedient and loyal so they made great servants and faithful pets.
"Giving someone your back is BAD manners," the warden said as he wagged a finger at me, "you better behave," he warned, "unless you want things to get rough for you here," he added.
"It's not rough now?" I asked him.
"Not nearly as rough as it could be," the warden responded.
"Can you get your pet off me?" I asked him.
"Tricaratron, release," the warden ordered, "obedience pays off," he said after I was released, "remember that," he hissed and walked off.
Tricaratron looked at me with it's ink black eyes then suddenly disappeared. In his place suddenly my meal appeared. I took it apprehensively and started to eat. The whole time my cell door still remained open.
(Following day at 4:30 a.m.)
I jumped out of my sleep as soon as I heard someone enter my cell. Thanks to that guards antics I could no longer sleep in my cell with the security I once had. I might as well had been placed in a regular cell. At least I'd have had someone to watch my back instead me, myself and I in this solitary confinement.
"Hello Stacey," Admiral Degill said formally.
I stifled a yawn and simple continued to sit on my bed and stare at him.
"You're going to be released," Admiral Degill said formally.
I blinked. Admiral Degill's words were something tat my mind had to take in and process.
"You're going to be released," Admiral Degill repeated with more emphasis, "under the agreement that you'll forsake all part, position and interaction with anything that has to do with the Galactic guardians," he added.
"I'm fired?" I asked softly since I was quite frankly barely awake.
"Yes," Admiral Degill responded, "it's actually called optional removal," he told me, "but it's pretty much fired in reality anyway."
"Okay," I agreed, "I'll take it," I said.
"I didn't want you to be in prison A… Stacey," Admiral Degill said honestly, "you'll be removed from this cell later and given back your regular clothes," he said then left.
I felt a lump in my throat but I fought it down. I was finally leaving the Atomics. Leaving behind all the taunting of being an imperfect agent and a horrible captain. I was leaving something I hated for a long time.
But why do I feel like I'm going to miss it? Why do I feel like breaking down and crying? I'm leaving the Atomics! I should be happy! I'll finally be free of this stupid place and never have to see Tiffany or any of my former teammates again! I'm free! But why do I STILL feel so horrible? Heh, maybe because I'm being SHAFTED instead of being horribly fired or leaving the Atomics permanently when the day would come hopefully in January. I just wonder if anyone would me. Heh? Ha! Miss me? I must be more prison minded than I thought. NOBODY from this place is going to miss me! More likely they'll miss making FUN of me and saying nasty things behind my back! But you know what? I don't care. I will be leaving this place and I'll be happy abput it. Even though right now I feel lower than dirt.
(Hours Later at 9:30 am)
I was removed from my cell and taken to a private shower. In there I just quickly showered and was out of there and dressed in five minutes. When I exited I noticed Admiral Degill shake his head. But I didn't care. If this was to be over with, it would be over with quickly.
But then when I was led to a private room, I got an even worse surprise. Sitting among heads of the Board was Tiffany.
"I'm not a head," Atomic Tiffany quickly pointed out, "but I got the honour to read your resigning pledge before you sign it," she said happily and my jaw stiffened.
"If you'd rather not have the Resigning Pledge Order read to you," another head of the board spoke, "you may be sent back to the prison area to change BACK into your prison clothes," he told me.
I noticed Atomic Tiffany grin and I sighed and looked at the ground.
"Alright," I said boldly, "I'll listen and sign the pledge," I said and Atomic Tiffany's smile immediately disappeared.
"Ahem," Atomic Tiffany said after a moment of surprised silence, "I will be reading this pledge to you," she said to me and stood to your feet, "you either agree or disagree with whatever I read from it," she told me, "do you understand?"
"Yes I do," I responded.
"Former Atomic and Captain Stacey," Atomic Tiffany spoke loudly, "do you agree to give up all positions formerly and could possibly have been held within the Galactic Guardian?"
"I agree."
"Do you agree to keep no contact with Galactic Guardian members Atomic or not while they're performing their duties?" Atomic Tiffany asked me.
"I agree," I told her.
"Do you agree to uphold the same level of secrecy of the Galactic Guardian as you held before your arrest?"
"I agree."
"Do you agree to never use your witch powers against the Galactic Guardians or in any manner conceived as wicked, harmful or immoral?"
I didn't respond.
"That clause is not in the Pledge," Admiral Degill said pointedly.
"It should be," Atomic Tiffany muttered and I inwardly smiled, "do you agree to leave and never return here to ask for a position of any kind?"
"I agree," I said firmly.
"That's an optional clause," Admiral Degill pointed out.
"I still agree," I declared and heard Admiral Degill sigh.
"Finally, do you agree to not use or mention having been a part of the Galactic Guardian to further advance yourself?" Atomic Tiffany asked me.
"On my planet the Galactic Guardians are unknown about and also uncared about," I pointed out, "but I still agree anyway," I added.
"Please sign," Atomic Tiffany said and held out a pen.
I took the pen and signed at the bottom of the pledge.
"You have officially been permanently removed," Atomic Tiffany said formally, "is there anything you'd like to say before escorted back to Earth?" she asked me.
"No," I said.
"No thanks or an apology maybe?" Atomic Tiffany pressed.
"I have nothing to be sorry for," I told her, "I left this agency willingly and quietly," I declared.
"So it wasn't worth fighting for, your position?" Atomic Tiffany asked me.
"I have no position," I said pointedly.
"Not while it's under me," Atomic Tiffany added.
"Is there anything else required of me?" I asked formally.
"N…" Admiral Degill started to say.
"Yes," Tiffany interrupted, "I believe Stacey has the right to tell her former team goodbye," she added.
"That's not necessary," Admiral Degill said warningly.
"It can't do harm," Atomic Tiffany countered.
"Let her do what she wants Admiral," I said frankly.
"I always do," Atomic Tiffany said, "you can enter," she said loudly and soon my former team poured in.
They all stood beside each other staring at me. I noticed also that a girl with pink skin, blue eyes and black hair was with them.
My replacement.
"She's been with us for six days," Bart said and pointed at the girl, "our team was always five," he pointed out.
"So I noticed," I said in response.
"I'm Urania Ret from the Rebummy Galaxy, planet Getty," Urania introduced herself and flashed back her black here.
"Stacey, I'll be leaving in a few minutes," I introduced myself.
"Charming," Glenissa said sarcastically, "we heard your quick resignation outside," she told me, "you seem quick to leave."
"There's nothing to stay for," I told her.
"Right," Glenissa said with a chuckle, "so you'll be living a normal life now?"
"Know no other," I lied.
"You're a complete jerk," G911 said suddenly surprising everyone but seemingly Bart.
"You're obviously going to live a better life than you did when you were with us," Bart said and threw his hands in the air, "goodbye and good luck," he said in resignation and left the room.
"Bye I guess," Glenissa said with a shrug and left the room as well.
"You didn't even fight," G911 said hatefully and left.
"Happy retirement," Urania said and walked off laughing, "most pathetic being ever," she added as she left the room and closed the door behind her.
"Goodbye to you too," I said then turned my attention back to Atomic Tiffany, "anything else?" I asked her.
"Yes," Atomic Tiffany said, "call me Atomic Tiffany," she told me and my fists clenched as I restrained myself from boxing her across the face.
And a good KICK in the gut!
"This is out of order!" Admiral Degill exploded.
"Why Admiral Degill," Atomic Tiffany said faking shock, "you were the one who recommended so much GOOD things about me before I came here," she revealed.
"BEFORE," Admiral Degill said harshly.
"She can go," Atomic Tiffany spat, "Goodbye."
I walked out of the room without responding. But I bowed to the Heads first.
But out there I saw G911.
"I'm assigned to escort you back," G911 informed me.
Anyone else from the HAPPY train?
"And Glenissa and I opted to come along," Bart said and suddenly appeared around a corner with Glenissa in tow.
"What about me?" Urania asked and I barely kept myself from screaming.
"Atomic Tiffany will be exiting soon," Glenissa responded, "you don't want to miss your IDOL," she said sarcastically.
"No I don't!" Urania cried excitedly as I scanned the room with my eyes, unable to see her, "my invisibility powers makes me invisible to EVEN witches," she revealed crossly.
"Her cousin's planet was destroyed by renegade witches," Glenissa informed me, "she's still bitter."
"Witches are scum," Urania declared.
"Glad you share the opinion of most of the universe," I said sarcastically and started to walk off.
"Follow me," G911 said loudly and I turned around and did so.
10 minutes later we were flying in a small red craft.
"So what will you do when you return to Earth?" Bart asked as Glenissa steered the craft.
"Be grounded by my mother I guess," I responded.
"That will be exciting," G911 said sarcastically.
What is his problem?
"You just let Atomic Tiffany put you down back there like that," Glenissa said suddenly.
"I won't be seeing her again," I countered.
"And that makes it okay?" Bart asked.
Okay that's it. I'm going to ask what's wrong with them.
"What's wrong with you guys?" I asked tem, "you're not leaving the Galactic Guardians," I reminded them, "what are you angry about?"
"You leaving," Glenissa spat.
"Why the hell should I stay for?" I demanded.
"Because we might actually WANT you around," Bart told me.
"Great words Mr. Good-Riddance-To-Poor-Leader-Rubbish," I said rudely recalling what he said to me barely a month ago.
"You're not going to forget that are you?" Bart asked me.
"Do you think that you're the only person who at some point didn't fit in with what the Galactic Guardians wanted?" Bart asked frankly, "I can't be a captain based off something that isn't even my fault," he told me, "I almost wasn't even allowed in and only Glenissa knows my secret," he continued, "if you've forgotten everyone here in this craft except for G911 entered this group together as barely escaped rejects and misfits," he reminded me.
"I was offered the option of a MUCH better team," G911 revealed, "I could've been on a team in league with Atomic Betty," he said proudly, "but I chose this team," he said firmly, "do you know why?" he asked me.
"No," I said honestly.
"Because I know that being a great fighter isn't about just being able to kick butt," G911 declared, "it's also about loyalty, perseverance, never giving up, doing your job because it's right not to gain fame or glory," he said, "you were like that," he said to me, "you were like that once."
"What happened to us Stacey?" Bart asked me softly.
"I-I-I-I-I don't know," I responded as I now looked at my hands, "we just grew a part I guess," I suggested.
"We did more than grow a part," Glenissa stated, "we saw each other's triumphs and faults and decided that since you were least competent by Galactic Guardian standards, we were better than you," she revealed, "when in ironic reality we couldn't be captain even if we wanted to," she added.
"Robots aren't allowed captaincy because of fear that some criminal might hack into us and use a captaincy position to their advantage," G911 said.
"My secret should've made me unable to enter at all," Bart said, "actually I would've become a captain if I did like you Stacey," he told me.
"What like me?" I asked in confusion.
"Kept my secret a secret," Bart responded, "they were so ready to give any position I wanted when I passed every test with excellent scores," he said airily, "then I decided to reveal my secret to prove to them people like me CAN be a part of the Galactic Guardians and trusted," he told you, "everything changed after that," he said sadly, "I was told to immediately leave and not come back," he said to my surprise, "I was called back the following day to be told I was lucky enough to make it into a team," he said, "that I should be honoured," he said mockingly, "but I wasn't," he said frankly, "I was angry," he said darkly, "I had the capabilities to be captain and I knew it."
"Glenissa I couldn't even try for leader because my planet's government threatened to have me exiled," Glenissa revealed, "you don't know this Stacey," she said pointedly, "but I've been an orphan the day I was born and I'm totally dependent on my countries government for support because my planet DOESN'T allow adoption," she said and my eyes widened, "funny, huh?" she asked me, "I act so bad ass yet in a blink of an eye I can be made homeless and planetless," she said, "my planet used to be very corrupt before the Galactic Guardians turned it around with strict regulations and laws," she told me, "but most of the planet's angry because we make less money now despite being among the top thousand richest planets in the entire Universe, and that includes every other planet known in existence," she informed me, "when it was found out that I went for the training I was immediately berated and barely escaped torture."
"That's awful," I said.
"Then when they found out about my aspirations to also become a captain they went ballistic," Glenissa said seriously, "they didn't want someone like that LIVING on their planet," she said, "they threatened to throw me out of the orphan home I lived in and to make my life a living hell if I DARED to report them," she told me, "I still went for the training but made it clear that I didn't want a captaincy," she said sadly, "probably couldn't get it anyway with my dumb bubble fear," she added.
"I know it's extra embarrassing for you since your from a planet where cats have NO fear of water and actually love it," G911 said, "but it's not your fault," he continued, "everyone fears something."
"Tell that to those people who blow bubbles at me just to laugh when I scream or get afraid," Glenissa said coldly and I immediately felt guilty.
We travelled the rest of the way in silence.
End Chapter 9
Reggae: This was updated late because I got banned Thursday June 16, 2005. Seems that you also can't post poetry by others within your stories (Story Deleted: Darkness-PPG). I will repost the story without the poem. But I'm still very upset about it being deleted. I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter. Please Review.
Barry I. Grauman: My mother is ahem, just a whole different sort I'll just say. Glad you appreciated ch8. Yes Stacey's imprisonment is unfair and even her crew feels alienated by her. Yes prison is hard on everyone and it only gets harder in ch9. Even though there's also a sort of reprieve. Well your hope for the unexpected will be answered but not how you most likely expect it. Hickory Guit is definitely tough. She's mentioned in chapter 9. Love the quotes you put in, they made me laugh. You kind of have to wait cause of the ban but on Thursday June 22, 2005, the story will be updated. Thanks for your review.
Prominence Flare: So you guess she's handling it alright huh? Thanks for reviewing.