Commodore

[Unseelie]

Before Sophie left, of course, she'd have to tour her new acquisition. Down through the lower decks, where a crewmember might be hiding, perhaps someone's live-aboard family hiding in a bunk-room. Sophie was hoping for that, wishing for another little girl, something to put in the room above the Borse, the old one had gone stale. Rather dull, shivering in a corner, barely ate. She'd have to change her tactics, bring her out more often. There was a wedding to plan. Couldn't have them losing their wits.

Spikes and chains and howling Borse...What was a girl to do? Or anyone, for that matter? She needed pages too... These liners, these big ships....So many people.

Below, there were more. Debtor families, murderers, thieves, packed into cells, block after block. Hungry. She couldn't decide on whom she wanted, couldn't decide on what to take. Too many choices. Back to cell block D, then, with that little girl with the wide blue eyes. Tears on the cheeks, the shortshaved hair...her mother clutching her with bony fingers. That little blondehaired girl, with the bright blue eyes and the runny nose, the smudged, tear-stained cheeks, too fat face on a rather thin frame. She'd probably fill out rather well. Sophie opened the cage.

Looking in, Sophie bent down, squatting, dug into her pocket. The girl looked out, the mother cowered. Sophie pulled out a chocolate, offered it on an open palm into the cage. Mother loosened up, child reached out, snatched the delight. "I'm Sophie" She whispered, as the girl chewed, hand pressed to her lips. "Kendyl." the girl mumbled between bites. Then she collapsed. Sophie moved, brought her flechette pistol to bear, cut down Mother. She hauled the girl out, and headed back to her ship.

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