Raphael and Wayne leave Lady Slambrawn’s mansion and arrive an hour later at the Lysts Palace city Blade Port where King Abbot and the other Blade Masters wait for them. “Here comes, Wayne!” yelled Haiku as the others get up off their feet to get a look through the glass. Jarody and Zealot were playing a game of dice with money on the floor. “Ha! Two o’ one AM, I win,” gloated Jarody as Zealot hands him some money. The two enter the Blade Port and are met by a crowd of people. “Where have you been? We expected you back hours ago,” said King Abbot. Raphael bowed down low, “My apologies my King, we had a bit of trouble leaving the Slambrawn Manor.” “The bloody bitch tried to have us killed,” said Wayne. “Killed?” asked Selene. “I tried to arrest her, however she was able to escape,” said Raphael. “Escape? I’ve never known anyone ever being able to escape from you before, Raphael,” said King Abbot. “She had help, someone I never got to see,” replied Raphael. “I want a dragnet across the entire city. Every home suspected in aiding Lady Slambrawn’s escape is to be searched and wanted posters made up to…, what was the total amount she won at the race?” asked the King. “I believe it was eleven million collons, Sire,” said Raphael. “Eleven million collons on the head of Lady Slambrawn!” yelled King Abbot. Collon signs practically appeared on Jarody’s face as he heard this. “We need to get going to Hellion,” said Selene. “Why so soon? Thanksgiving is only three days away and I’m sure you’ll want to be around when we capture Lady Slambrawn for her trial.” “We are sorry, Abbot, but as we told you before, we need to get this done as quickly as possible,” said Salem. “I promise there’ll be food there fit enough for a king,” said King Abbot in an enticing way. “Thanks for all your help, Abbot,” said Selene. “Very well then, one last thing, Pixie Dust and her BoltBlade will come along with you. I just had fresh track built at Cragorus and I want Pixie Dust to test it out,” said King Abbot. “Very well,” said Selene.

The Blade Masters began boarding the BoltBlade, ready to take them to Hellion. The MobilBlade was already stored inside and Mal was enjoying a late night snack on his tray table. “Bye King!!” yelled Haiku waving goodbye. The group found their seats with Salem and Selene on the left with Christina and Vivien behind them and Rook on the headrest of Selene and the GullBlade on Christina’s headrest. Wayne sits with Mal across the aisle from the twins with Jarody and Zealot behind them, and finally Emhril and Haiku in the next pair of seats. The compartment’s P.A. system clicked on with Pixie Dust’s voice, “Welcome to the Blade Master Express to the prison port city of Hellion. Travel time will be 45 minutes, so sit back and relax.” Mal feels a knock on the back of his seat and turns as Zealot asks, “Where’s Sturmer?” “The big guy’s sleeping like a baby in the MobilBlade,” said Mal. Outside, the safety locks clicked with a hiss of air pressure escaping and the BoltBlade was free to move down the track. Gravity starts it moving as the BoltBlade begins to coast downhill then the Blade powers up and hits level ground at sixty miles per hour and then builds up to 80 were it is able to lift off the ground and the wheels rise into the body. The BoltBlade increases its speed in short bursts until it reaches three hundred miles per hour and disappears into the horizon.

The Palace City Police Department had started the dragnet for Lady Slambrawn with patrols moving all over the city in carriages and passing wanted posters out. Everyone in town began to gossip about the whole thing like the latest scandal. Some felt that Lady Slambrawn must have made Queen Samantha so jealous she must have demanded her husband make Lady Slambrawn a wanted woman. Others know that both the Queen and King would never do that but have suggested that the Monarchy as a whole felt threatened by the Slambrawn family line and invented a story about Lady Slambrawn attacking a Royal Guard. A good percentage of the city did believe that Lady Slambrawn attacked the Head of Security at her place. Lady Slambrawn did have the reputation of leaving the city to compete in barbaric contests only for the trophies. The Slambrawn family was the only aristocratic family without any awards to their name. The Slambrawns were only known for their parties and contributions to the fashion of Colloquy. Everyone knew that Lady Slambrawn was out to correct that by winning and earning more prizes and trophies than any other house in Lysts. There was nothing she was not willing to conquer. Most felt that Lady Slambrawn may even have had the crown in sight.

At the Slambrawn Mansion, police, detectives, and officials moved throughout the building and questioned the staff. “We confiscated most of the weapons and devices used against Agent Raphael, Capt. Waller,” said an officer. “Good work officer, now where is Detective Lagan?” asked Waller. Detective Lagan comes up behind the police captain. She was a very tall woman who towered over all the men in the room, but had a body like a pole, this was obscured by the long flowing brown overcoat she always wore, even in warm weather. “I interviewed most of the staff heads but there is one missing,” said Detective Lagan. “Who is it?” asked Capt. Waller. “The Head of the Household, a Mr. Dalton,” replied Lagan. “You think he may have left to rejoin his Lady?” asked a man entering the room. “Detective Pacer, I thought I assigned you to find the current whereabouts of Lady Slambrawn, not investigate the attack,” said Capt. Waller. “I am looking for the woman,” said Detective Pacer, “this is where the trail begins, so naturally…” “Naturally you wanted to be here to make sure I’m not outshining you,” said Lagan. “People, the King is putting pressure on us to catch Lady Slambrawn and bring her in to be tried. Detective Lagan, find that butler. Detective Pacer, find Lady Slambrawn. Now GO PEOPLE, GO!” ordered Capt. Waller.

At the Tyrann Mansion, Arian stood under a street lamp, talking to an officer at the gates as he hands her the wanted poster. “Mr. Rex Tyrann never did any business with Lady Slambrawn or her, (a hum), Pussy Foot Fashions Company,” said Arian. “We know this, the P.C.P.D. only asks that you keep an eye out for this woman. She may take refuge with The Eltons, The Gaylords, or The Bushs,” said the police officer. “We will be vigilant,” said Arian before turning away from the officer as the gates closed shut. Inside, the Mysterious Master sits at a desk, rifling through parchments and books as well as written notes. Next to the Mysterious Master, Stanza sits at the door as Arian enters and approaches the Master. “General Carcass is on his way to Monicure where the fleet is waiting and the police are looking for Lady Slambrawn,” informed Arian. “Yes,” said the Mysterious Master, “we should deal with that problem now. Have the C’Tan bring in his catch.” Arian walked over to a bookcase and pulls out three books in a random place and order. The bookcase opened and the C’Tan flies into the room with his cloak leaving a ten root trail behind him. The C’Tan’s cloak acts very much like smoke as he walks over to a chair and covers it. When the C’Tan’s cloak vanishes, an injured Lady Slambrawn and Nuclear-Chipmunk are on the chair.

“Where am I, Who the Hell are you?” asked Lady Slambrawn as Nuclear-Chipmunk jumps off her lap and growls at Arian, who was the closest. “I’m the one who has given you your salvation,” said the Mysterious Master. “Salvation? What are you talking about?” asked Lady Slambrawn. Arian rolled open the wanted poster and showed it to Lady Slambrawn. “Your freedom and your life are in danger, it was a very risky move trying to kill Raphael,” said the Mysterious Master. Lady Slambrawn just sits on the chair looking down with her hair blocking her face. “I have a way to not only regain your freedom, but have you in more power then ever before,” said the Mysterious Master. Lady Slambrawn still sits there and begins to laugh. “Power? There is no power that will fix this. Abbot’s been looking for a reason to stop me because I was showing them all that I was better then anyone of them! The way I see it, I have more power then they can ever have. That scared them. You say you can give me more power, I have all the power in the world!” said Lady Slambrawn before she begins to laugh like a mad woman. Even Nuclear-Chipmunk was wondering about the sanity of his owner. “How about owning a Blade that will give you the power to control all Blade Masters?” asked the Mysterious Master. “You talk of the KingBlade,” said Lady Slambrawn, “No one knows where the people of the Sacred Blade Temple are keeping it.” “You mean this,” said the Mysterious Master as he removes a cloth from what looked to be a birdcage. Lady Slambrawn could not believe her eyes. The KingBlade was right there in a glass dome hanging on a hook. “Help me gain the power I seek and I will give this to you when I am done. This Blade will control any Blade Master, like King Abbot,” said the Mysterious Master. “Why are you not using it now?” asked a now skeptical Lady Slambrawn. “Because, my dear Lady Slambrawn, using the KingBlade now will disrupt the plan I have made to gain the power I seek. Now that the Gemini Twin HexBlade Masters know of its disappearance,” said the Mysterious Master “they will be waiting for it to be worn. The Blade Animals they have with them are more then just pets, they will feel the KingBlade’s power being used and will lead their masters to us. I was able to fool them without their animals, but to use the KingBlade now would be foolish.” “This power you speak of,” said Lady Slambrawn. “Is nothing concerning you or your future as Queen Slambrawn,” said the Mysterious Master, “After I gain my power and hand the KingBlade over to you, we will never see each other ever again.” Lady Slambrawn thinks for a short while, “What do you want me to do?”

It was almost 3 AM when the BoltBlade pulls into the Blade Port at Hellion and slowly rolls through the station. “Where are we going? Wasn’t that the Blade Port we just passed?” asked Christina. “It was, but we are going to get off at the seaport where the TidusBlade is docked,” said Selene. The BoltBlade rolls along the track and is switched to a separate track leading past the prison and out to the seaport where the track ends abruptly four stories in the air. The BoltBlade slows to a stop and locks into place. On the left was a boarding platform that was clearly still in the middle of being finished. It was good enough to use but the extra touches were not done yet as there were tools, paint cans with brushes and rollers, and sawdust all over the platform. The windows on the platform were covered with brown paper glowing by the lights behind them. The Blade Masters gathered on the platform with Pixie Dust. “Your MobilBlade and horses will have to stay on the BoltBlade. We’ll be able to get them out after the BoltBlade is in the TidusBlade,” said Pixie. “Lets get down to the loading dock,” said Selene as she released Rook into the air. “What a smell they have here,” said Jarody.

The Port City of Hellion was the only port where things from other countries where shipping is necessary, are allowed to go through. From the ships, the items are inspected and catalogued then released to merchants or cargo companies to be taken into the country. This was very evident by the many types of ships at the docks and the different flags from faraway places. Nothing goes through without being inspected. Hellion is also where the federal prison of Lysts is. Hellion also had electric lights all over the place bathing the docks and walkways in bright noonday light in the dark of night however it was more a security measure then a convenience for the residents. A close look at the dock workers revealed that they were all prisoners and were doing things from moving cargo to sorting fish. Guards were everywhere, supervising the prisoners and making sure that the cargo was being moved properly. Most of the prisoners working the docks were very happy however. The job on the docks gave them luxuries not found in any other prison. They were earning a paycheck and had a choice of buying things like rich foods and entertainment in their cell or using the money towards their release. Most of the prisoners are sentenced for life so they mostly buy things for their cells. Quite a few prisoners have even bought larger cells to live in with looser security. The real hardened prisoners never see sunlight, much less the fresh outdoor air.

The Blade Masters arrive at the entrance gate where they meet a pair of guards standing under bright spotlights. Selene pulls out a rolled piece of parchment. “I am Salem, and these are Blade Masters from the Temple of the Blades here on official business to see Capt. Koror,” said Salem. “Very well Ma’am,” said a guard looking at the parchment and moving his table lamp to get a better look at the print on it. When the guard was satisfied with the document, he waved for another guard who walked to a gate and opened it with a key. The group walked into a small pen of high fences and gates. Then a guard at the station unlocked the main gate after the guard locked them in the pen. The main gate opened, letting the Blade Masters into yet another holding pen where a guard is waiting for the main gate to close before he unlocked the gate leading onto the port. The main gate closed and the guard in the station locked it. “And now the surprise,” said Jarody, “We were really here to put you in jail Wayne.” “What for?!” asked Wayne. “Well you are a PIRATE! PIRATE OVER HERE!!” yelled Jarody. “Shut up or I will turn this group around,” said Selene. Two guards escorted the group to the dock and they exited the checkpoint and outside to finally see the TidusBlade. The Blade was huge, they were at the back of the Blade and the front was too far to see, The Blade rose five stories in the air. “This, my friends is the TidusBlade,” said Salem.

“The TidusBlade is a Tech Blade class Sword Blade, 1016 feet 5 inches long, 85 feet 4 inches in breadth. Surface waterline 54 feet, 7 inches above the bottom edge. At that waterline the TidusBlade weighed 58,587 tons or 117,174,400 pounds. The TidusBlade’s hull and superstructure contained 4,632,800 cubic feet (46,328 gross tons) of space. Largest of all the sword Blades, it can travel 189 knots (216 miles per hour) in the water and can dive to the depth of 5 to 10 miles under the surface.” Informed Selene. “This is a ship?!!” asked Emhril. “I think Selene just said that,” said Jarody. Wayne looked at the enormous sword acting as a ship and a lump grew in his throat. The group moved further down the loading dock to see some prisoners and uniformed shipmen taking cargo through a door. Only thing is, the doorway was not connected to anything. It was next to the TidusBlade but it was not connected to the Blade or anything else for that matter. It was a door hanging in space at dock level and going into a brightly lit ship’s hold. “What is up with the strange door?” asked Zealot. “That is how cargo is loaded onto the TidusBlade. What you see is a door created by one of Captain Koror’s Mirror Blades. It creates a passage from the cargo hold to anywhere nearby,” said Selene. “I wonder if James still insists that his Mirror Blades should be their own type,” said Salem. “He hates it that they fit so perfectly in the Accessory Blade types,” said Selene.

The group waited by the magical door until a man in a tight fitting uniform shirt and long black pants exited. The man looked to be in his mid forties. “Is that a wig on his head?” observed Christina. “Captain!” both Salem and Selene called. “Selene and Salem, you do not know how wonderful it is to see you two outside Koror village!’ said the approaching man. Selene, “We are sorry for any inconvenience…” “No inconvenience at all. We have been waiting for you ever since Knight delivered the letter from King Abbot telling us to stay at port a little longer to take you to Cragorus. Always a pleasure, I met you both thirty years ago and here you are again, not aged a day.” The twins hug the Captain. “See that being loaded? That is Thanksgiving dinner. We’re going to have a big celebration this year,” said James. “I am sure you will,” said Selene. “The King wanted us to stay for his dinner,” said Salem. “Before we forget, we would like you to meet the other Blade Masters traveling with us,” said Selene. Captain Koror looked up from the twins and he saw the one person he never expected to see. “David? David Koror!” yelled the captain as he closed in on Wayne and the other Blade Masters moved aside. The captain grabbed Wayne and gave him a big hug. “David, my son, I didn’t know if you were dead or hurt…” said the Captain. “I’m alright dad.” said Wayne.

The Blade Masters watched as the two men were held in time in a loving embrace of a father and his long lost son. Jarody just started to mimic as if he was gagging. “David? But his name is Wayne, is it not?” asked Christina. “We had a feeling,” said Selene. “This will be an even bigger celebration than I anticipated,” said Captain Koror as he led his son into the magical doorway going into the TidusBlade’s lit cargo hold. “The prodigal son has returned!” announced the captain. The other Blade Masters followed the two through the door and to a smaller door at the other end of the large hold. “The BoltBlade is waiting to be loaded into the TidusBlade,” said Selene as they moved into the tight hallways that were also lit to the point that would lead a person to believe it was daytime. “Sure! I’ll have my crew get on that right away,” said the captain, “You have to see your mother, David. She’ll be very happy to see you!” Crewmembers met them in the hallways. “You take the twins and their friends up to the observation deck to watch the BoltBlade get loaded, I’m going to get reacquainted with my son.” ordered the captain. The crewmembers led the group where there were large mirrors on the walls of a semicircular room. “Does he think we want to comb our hair first?” asked Jarody. “The TidusBlade does not have any windows, so the mirrors are used to see through the hull,” said Selene as images flashed on the mirrors. They could see either side of the ship as well as the back and a large circular mirror above them showed the night sky. “There are three other rooms like this,” continued Selene, “One at the front and another complete circular room below the water line with a mirror on the floor to see what is below us, as well as the bridge.” “We’ll go to the bridge after the BoltBlade is loaded,” replied the crewmember. “I need to unload the horses inside the BoltBlade,” said Mal. “I’ll go with Mal,” said Zealot.

A clicking sound was heard at one side of the TidusBlade and a door began to separate from the hull with a burst of light around the edge. At the other side of the door was a crewmember at a lit panel of controls next to a track just long enough for the Bolt Blade to fit on. The group noticed that the track that ended four stories in the air and the platform they left the BoltBlade on was just behind the TidusBlade, and was at the same level the crewmember’s track was. The crewmember stopped the track when lined up with the help of two spot lights directed at the concrete track and hit a few switches to extend extra track out. The extra extending track connected with the track the BoltBlade was on and locked into place. “You mean they had this for the BoltBlade to be loaded all this time?” asked Christina. “Yes, all Blades have a way to connect with other Blades,” said Salem. The crewmember on the track platform used a green light that was just above a yellow and a red light to signal Pixie Dust. The locks on the BoltBlade released and the bumper that kept the Bolt Blade from rolling off the track folded down. The BoltBlade slowly rolled down the rest of the concrete track and on to the metal extended track. The Blade slowly moved off the concrete when the yellow light lit and came to a stop at the red light. The BoltBlade’s safety locks hissed into place keeping the Blade from going anywhere. The extended track folded back in and the platform moved back into the body of the TidusBlade.

The crewmember started to hand them all small mirrors. “Hand mirrors?” asked Jarody. “These are the new ComBlades. You punch in the three digit code of the person you want,” said the crewmember as he pulls out his ComBlade and pushes four, six, and nine. Salem’s ComBlade began to make a noise like a wine glass being played like an instrument. Salem pushes a clear button and the tone stopped and the crewmember appeared in the mirror. “To end communicating, just press the clear button again,” said the crewmember as they both pressed the clear button on each of their ComBlades. Your number is on the back of your ComBlades. “Look at the ass hole you poor fucker!” yelled Jarody. The group turned to see that Jarody had dropped his pants and dialed a random number to show whoever was at the other side his ass. “I am such an ass hole!! Ha ha ha ha ha,” continued Jarody. “Jarody!” yelled Selene, “Enough!” Emhril quickly put his hand over Haiku’s eyes. “Alright, mother,” said Jarody as he pulled his underwear and pants back up. “The children on this ship have ComBlades too,” said the shocked crewmember. “Don’t worry. I made sure it was a guy before show and tell,” said Jarody. “It’s time to take you to the bridge,” said the crewmember. “I’ll take you to where the BoltBlade is stored,” said another crewmember to Mal and Zealot.

“Selene, Mal is 476 and I’m 477,” said Zealot as they went their separate ways. Zealot took an extra ComBlade for Sturmer. Selene, Salem, Jarody, Christina, Emhril, Haiku, and Vivien followed the crewmember down more lit shoulder crunching hallways to a very small room. The doors behind them slid shut. “What are we doing in here?” asked Emhril. A very strange feeling washed over the entire group. “An elevator,” said Jarody. “A what?” asked a very scared Christina. Vivien has been trying to find reason to pull out her PDA to ask questions or say something, however someone else always seemed to read her mind and ask the question before she could write it or say just what she was thinking. The feeling stopped and the door that was at the end of a hallway before was now a room. “I get it! You go into this room and the whole outside world gets changed around while you wait!” guessed Emhril. The room was circular with the same window mirrors on every wall and ceiling. There were also buttons and switches on panels everywhere with crewmembers moving from one panel to another. There were few crewmembers standing in place and in the center were three chairs, with the center chair being the largest. This chair too had a switch panel on the armrest and the smaller two on either side with smaller switch panels and black mirrors. Up until now, the group had only seen crewmembers in black turtleneck shirts with the silver TB symbol on the left and the same black pants James was wearing. Only James had on a golden turtleneck shirt with black stripes from the shoulders and down the sleeves with the same silver TB symbol in the same place and captain’s bars on the right side of the turtleneck. In the room were more crew members with black but also some with blue, red, yellow, and green. There was a crewmember in a yellow color turtleneck sitting at one of two chairs in front of the three chairs. The two chairs were very similar with a very large control panels in front of them.

The doors behind the group opened again letting Captain James Koror and David into the room. “I was hoping to find you all here by now,” said James. “I think we need to complete the introductions,” said Selene. “Yes, but I see two of you are already missing,” said James. “The lizard man is Zealot and the scruffy guy is our horse caretaker, Malodor Regis,” said Salem. “This young lady is Christina,” said Selene. “If only I was still single,” said James as his eyes went wide when he saw Christina. “Behind her is Jarody,” said Salem. “We met before,” said Jarody. “We have?” asked James. Jarody pulled out his curved blade dagger and held it up. “Death?!” said James. “He took on a human form to cut down on the gawkers,” said Salem. “I’d say you are not very successful with this woman with you,” said James looking back at Christina. “Here we have Emhril and his very smart daughter, Haiku,” said Selene. “I welcome you to the TidusBlade sir and your cute as a button daughter. We have lots of children on the ship your age,” said James, “I’m sure you’ll find friends here.” “And last but not least, Vivien Leblanc,” said Salem. “What’s wrong with your eyes? They are really blood shot,” said James. “First of all, she is mute, so she cannot talk. Secondly, she is a vampire,” said Salem. “A wha…A VAMPIRE!! Get that off my ship now!” yelled James.

“James, she is OK. She is a friend,” said Selene as Vivien made a friendly smile. Unfortunately, Vivien’s friendly smile showed her long fangs. “I won’t have it! This ship is occupied by generations of Korors and I don’t want this creature onboard killing any of my family members or any crewmember for that matter,” said James. “I’m sure she can keep herself from preying on anybody until we get to Cragorus,” said Salem. “Ensign John, how long will it take us to get to Cragorus?” asked James. “If we travel at full speed twenty-four seven, we should arrive in five days,” said Ensign John. “I don’t plan on pushing the engines that hard,” said James. “How long can you go without feeding Vivien?” asked Salem. “Being honest, three days.” wrote Vivien. “When was the last time you fed?” asked Selene. Vivien wrote, “It has already been three days.” “See! I want her off my ship, NOW.” commanded James. “She can have my blood,” said Jarody. “What?” asked James. “I don’t really need it. She can have it,” said Jarody. “I want to see her do it now, I want to be sure she’s fed,” said James. Vivien looked at Haiku and writes, “It’s not for children to see.” “Ensign Markus, take Haiku and her father to my Captain’s Office,” ordered James. Vivien waited for Emhril and Haiku to be taken into the next room then looked at Jarody. Vivien’s skin on her face became dry and sunk in to take the shape of her skull. Her eyes became slits as they too sunk in. Her mouth opened unnaturally wide as her fangs extended a full inch. Vivien’s hands also became skeleton like with her fingernails becoming dangerously long. Vivien’s long red flowing hair thinned out and became almost grayish on top of the red. Vivien pounces on Jarody wrapping her legs and arms around him and bit into Jarody’s neck. Tapping into Jarody’s carotid artery, Vivien began to drain him of his blood. Jarody becomes short of breath and falls to his knees as Vivien unwraps her legs to pick him up and get a better hold of him. Jarody skin becomes pail and starts to dry out. Jarody’s eyes roll back into his head as his body begins to thin and become as skeletal as Vivien was. Vivien released Jarody who falls back on the floor. Vivien returns to normal as her lips turn red as if she had just applied make-up to them. Jarody, barely able to speak, reaches up only to have his hand fall on his crotch and say, “I still have something for you to drink, baby.” Jarody becomes silent as the group looks down at him. Selene was about to check him for life when he bursts into a cloud of black smoke and emerges out in his true form. “What a rush!” said Death, “I just found something better then sex.” “Having the life sucked out of you?” asked Salem. “Hell yes.” replied Death. Death steps back into the black smoke. The smoke swirls around him until it dissipates and the human Jarody returns, looking as fit as ever. “I’m hungry, how about you?” asked Jarody.

“Very well, I will let her stay, but she’s not to go anywhere on the ship without a security escort,” said James. Vivien writes, “I understand and will comply.” A crewmember nearby the Captain’s Office opened the door to tell Emhril and Haiku it was ok to reenter the bridge. “I guess it’s my turn to introduce my people now,” said James, “First off, My Chief of Security. Ishmael, ishmael!” “Cannot find your Security Chief?” asked Salem. “No. I was sneezing,” replied James, “Harke!” “You found him?” asked Selene. “No, that IS his name. My Chief of Security, Lieutenant Wayne Harke,” said James. A man in his mid forties walked up to them. He was bald but had a great beard of a true warrior covering the turtleneck of his blue uniform. “Wayne? Are we sure that’s his real name?” asked Jarody looking at David. “I’m Wayne. Pleased to meet you.” said the Security Chief. Salem was struck silent. She could not move and found it hard to even speak. “I’m Selene and this is my sister Salem. You’re new here,” said Selene. “Yes, I joined the crew a year ago after my tour of duty in the Army of Lysts,” said Security Chief Harke. “He’s a true pro when it comes to security,” said James,” and the man over here in green is our Ship’s Head Philosopher Commander Ajax.” Jarody begins to laugh and goes over to Ajax, puts his hand on the man’s shoulder and says, “You’re named after a toilet bowl cleaner and you don’t even know it.” Jarody turns to walk away still laughing. “Are the uniforms colored for a reason?” asked Christina. “Yes they are,” replied James, “Mine is the only golden one for I am the captain, then the black are enlisted crewmembers who are only here for the job. The officers are colored like my eldest son at the helm there in yellow.” “Your big brother, David?” asked Haiku. “Yes he is,” said David. “And the future captain of the TidusBlade when I retire from this chair,” said James.

“The blue is worn by the members of our security. They are the ship’s police,” continued James, “Green…” “Is for the ship’s philosophers and engineers,” said Selene. “That’s correct Selene, but you already know that. This color system has been around long before I became captain,” said James, “and last but not least is the red, for our medical staff.” “And where is Bones now?” asked Jarody. “Bones?” asked James looking at the others. No one knew what Jarody was talking about. “Such primitives, I mean the head of your medics, the lead doctor,” said Jarody. “OH, you mean Dr. Billing. We call her legs,” said James. “Yes? Did I just hear my name” said Dr. Billing as she walked up to the group. Dr. Billing was dressed in a red sleeveless turtleneck with commander’s bars on it and a black miniskirt and red slippers. The woman looked to be in her early thirties and had long brown hair. “Well named,” said Jarody. “My second in command, Lieutenant Commander Pike,” said James as a man in yellow walked up to them. “The ship is almost loaded and we are three hours from casting off for Cragorus,” said Mr. Pike. “Very good, Chris,” said James, “Harke, assign guards to escort the vampire.” “Very well sir. Ensign Carn and Ensign Bally, you’ve been asking for a quiet assignment, Ensign Carn. So here you go, escort this mute vampire. Both of you are to stay behind her at all times, making sure she is always in your sight,” said Harke. “Yes sir,” said Carn and Bally. “I will have a male and a female guard take eight hour sifts to guard her twenty-four seven, Captain,” said Hark. “Very good, I’m happy,” said James. Vivien did not know how to feel being watched wherever she went and even as she sleeps. What hurt a little was being called “The Vampire” as if it was a bad thing. “Now to take you to your quarters,” said James.