Peril on the Sea [The Amazons 4]

by Susanna Valent

Renaissance - Science Fiction

Copyright (C)2004 Susanna Valent

THE AMAZONS

Book 4

PERIL ON THE SEA

A Tale of Sapphic Daring

By

SUSANNA VALENT

A Renaissance E Books publication

ISBN 1-58873-503-6

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2004 Susanna Valent

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission.

For information email:

publisher@renebooks.com

A Sizzler/Sappho Edition

THE SAPPHIC BESTSELLERS OF SUSANNA VALENT

FROM RENAISSANCE E BOOKS

The Principal

Mistress Margot

THE QUEEN'S SLAVE WOMAN

Vol. I—The Punishing of Jendri

Vol. II—The Training of Jendri

Vol. III—The Shaming of Jendri

Vol. IV—The Enslaving of Jendri

THE AMAZONS: A Saga of Lesbian Passion and Resistance Against Future Oppression

Book 1: Strong to Save: A Tale of Forbidden Love

Book 2: Bound the Restless Wave: A Tale of Female Bonding

Book 3: Appointed Limits Keep: A Tale of Woman Love

Book 4: Peril on the Sea: A Tale of Sapphic Daring

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep,

Oh, hear us when we cry to thee

For those in peril on the sea!

-William Whiting (1825-1878)

CHAPTER 58

Devon Ritter stared intently at her monitor. It was her last chance, and this time she had to succeed. She ran her hands nervously through her thick, short blond hair. If she couldn't do this, she may as well use one of the guns in her collection to end it all, before they came and dragged her away for being a single woman.

It had been years since Dev had left the Navy after being accused of being a lesbian, just after winning the Junior Officer of the Year Award. It had left her bitter beyond words, and she had never recovered.

The Navy's first female gunnery officer, her triumph had been short-lived. Although she had met or exceeded all requirements in her field and had served with distinction in the Gulf of Arabia, her fast-track career had been derailed and her life shattered when an angry and jealous petty officer had turned then-Lieutenant Ritter in to the Naval Investigative Service. Her private quarters were searched and one, just one, copy of a lesbian anthology had been found. Although that in itself proved nothing, it cost her security clearance, her sea billet, her chances at additional schools, and certainly any command opportunities while she was investigated. Over the months while she watched her naval life drain away, Dev realized her reputation and chances were gone. She waited long enough for them to pass her over for promotion, took her $30,000 severance and headed for Seattle, a new place where she didn't have to admit her failure to anyone.

Since then Dev had found jobs at various security agencies, until she wore the phony gold leaves of a company major. She had gotten fat. She had flirted with alcoholism. She had a whole series of bad love affairs behind her. She had been through counseling. Now all she had left was a tiny house. Her parents were dead and she had no siblings. Even her dog had died. But Kris Nordstrom, whom she had met in the Gulf War, had sent out a call for officers to staff a British naval museum vessel. Because Dev's expertise was in ships and armament of a certain age, she was better qualified than officers currently on active duty, the only good luck she had had in over a decade.

Now if they would only let her come.

* * * *

Ari Basheera was in Texas. She didn't like Texas, but to be fair, she didn't like Arkansas, Louisiana or Kansas much, either. Not that she ever had, but these states, the heart of the Home and Hearth Movement, were a cultural wasteland now to her practiced European eye. Yet the story was here, and so was she.

Mack, Teri and Will were setting up their equipment in the basement of a TFC church to interview several families who had gotten their wives and mothers back. Mercenaries had tracked them down and returned them, and so far they had stayed put. Ari planned to combine the best footage from each interview into her report even, she reminded herself, if it didn't match her personal agenda.

She went over her notes, keeping an eye on the set-up and watching for her first guests to appear. They were a man, the woman who had returned, and three children under the age of five, two boys and a girl. Ari cringed to see them, the boys running wild, and the girl clinging to her mother. Rambunctious children made for a difficult interview.

The woman looked tired and wore standard Oaf fashion, except for a floor length dress instead of the usual mid-calf. She and the little girl wore head-scarves. The boys wore t-shirts with Oaf cartoons and the father wore a white shirt, dark pants and tie, and heavy, old-fashioned shoes. All of the males wore their hair in a crew cut, and the females wore theirs long. On closer inspection, Ari realized the woman was wearing a wig, and she wondered why. Unfortunately it wasn't anything she could ask.

Ari could see the woman seemed disoriented, so she smiled and spoke to her gently as they were seated. When Teri was ready, they began filming.

“We're in Ceeville, Texas today, visiting with the Humphries family. Melissa Humphries has recently returned to her family after an absence of several weeks. Eli Humphries responded to our search for women who had safely and happily come back to their families after feeling a need for some time away.” She turned to the family. Eli Humphries by now had one squirming boy in each arm. “Mr. Humphries, could you bring us up to date with what happened in your family until Mrs. Humphries returned? And then we'll ask her for her impressions."

He nodded. “Right. Well, what happened was, one morning I woke up and my wife was gone. It actually took me quite a while to accept that she left on her own. In fact, I never did. I figured some lesbo-nazis had somehow lured her away, and I was right."

“Did you ever find these lesbo-nazis?” Ari asked.

“Not exactly. They had somehow gotten hold of her and set her up in an apartment near Eugene, Oregon. But the hunters found her and brought her back,” he explained. “Hush, Mark,” he told the boy who had begun whining.

“And how did the hunters find her?” Ari inquired.

Eli allowed himself a small smile. “Actually Melissa helped them. She called the house every once in a while apparently wanting to hear the children's voices, she told us later, but you can ask her yourself. Eventually they were able to narrow the search until they traced the calls to her work number."

“And then?” Ari prompted.

“Hunters picked her up and brought her home. End of story,” Eli said with a satisfied nod.

“Thank you. Now, Mrs. Humphries, can you tell us why you left home?” Ari smiled.

The woman looked at her in an unfocused way. “Hm?"

“Why did you go to Oregon?” Ari repeated.

“Oregon?"

“Come on, honey. Tell her like you told me in the car.” Eli prodded.

“Oh. Oregon. Yes. That was very wrong. It was bad,” the woman said, nodding. She began tugging at her wig.

“Don't play with that,” Her husband admonished. He turned to Ari. “They had her hair cut so short, we had to get her a wig to help her feel normal again until it grows in right."

“I see. Why did you leave?” Ari asked again.

“The evil. It influenced me,” Melissa said, looking at her husband. He nodded.

“What evil was that?” Ari asked.

“It was the women ... the bad women who told me to leave,” Melissa said, concentrating.

“And what happened when you got there?” Ari decided to press on.

“They hid me in a house. They sent me to work. I missed my children,” Melissa recited.

“So you called home?” Ari tried to help. This was not going well, but there was nothing she could do.

“I called home. Mark answered. I cried. I did it every week. Then the men came for me,” Melissa confirmed.

“What happened when you came home?” Ari continued.

“They helped me ... get better?” Melissa asked her husband.

“That's right, honey. You're doing fine,” he nodded.

“The ministers prayed and the doctors helped me and now I'm home where I belong. Right?” Melissa asked.

“That's right. Very good,” Eli told her.

“I have my children back. I'm their mother,” Melissa explained. “I have to stay here."

Ari figured she had gotten all she could from this vague, uncertain woman. Obviously something was wrong, but she would get nothing useful at this juncture. “Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Humphries,” Ari said graciously.

After they left, Ari called the others together. “What do you think was going on there?"

“Drugs?” Mack guessed.

“Coercion,” was Will's response.

“I think I know part of the answer,” Teri said. “Look here."

They gathered around her monitor, and she played back the end of the interview as well as some footage of the family as they walked out. One little boy had fallen, and Melissa Humphries had bent over from the waist to set him on his feet. Teri stopped the film and zoomed in. “Look right there above her ankle,” she directed.

“What is that?” Ari asked.

“Something black?” Will squinted.

Teri adjusted the view and rewound. “Look again."

Mack spoke first. “Some sort of ankle bracelet?"

“That thick?” Teri said. “I may be wrong, but I think it's one of those devices they use to keep track of criminals on probation."

Ari blinked. “It could be. Watch the others. We could be on to something."

CHAPTER 59

Niles looked impatient, sitting there in the car. Dani hustled down the snowy walk and got in.

“Are you ever in trouble,” he smirked as they pulled away. It wasn't really a date, just a youth group meeting at church.

“What now?” she demanded.

“I've been tapping the phones, so don't tell anyone, not even your creepy sister,” Niles said, stopping and looking both ways.

Dani rolled her eyes. “Okay. What?” He always said “creepy sister.” She knew it was a way for him to feel superior to others, and she let it slide.

“The class ahead of us, the seniors? The girls are gonna be video-taped and then the tape is gonna be sent to ‘men on their way up,’ is what Pastor Wallace told my dad on the phone."

“On their way up where?” Dani wanted to know.

“Oh, I guess in business, the TFC, the NRN. All those things,” Niles shrugged. “The tapes are sent all over the country, kind of like a dating service except the girls don't know. Then, get this, they bid for the girls by making donations to the church."

“Niles, you must be making this up!” Dani snapped, exasperated.

“Nuh-uh,” he said, grinning. “So I guess eventually it'll trickle down to us like, if we can stifle our carnal urges and be diligent, or as long as we can get our girlfriends to satisfy us without real sex, we get our pick when we turn 30, so we need to make enough money to buy a wife."

“Disgusting. You say the girls don't know? So how do they do it?” Dani asked.

“The Spring Garden Party at church in April. We'll all be on the tape, but the senior girls are all gonna wear something to show who they are, maybe some flower or other,” Niles elaborated.

“Okay, Niles, that's pretty good. I guess you get to pick the next three movies,” Dani conceded. She didn't care. The more info she got, the better. Not having any say over their dates didn't make her any worse off than any other girl, and she wouldn't be around for next year's party if she could help it.

* * * *

“So, what do you think Danielle's chances will be next year?” Cindy pestered her husband.

“Chances? Like college admissions?” Harry asked blankly. “She's very bright. I'm sure she can get into any school in the state."

Cindy stifled the urge to snarl at him. It was unbecoming a respectful Christian wife. “Darling, I don't think you've quite heard everything I said. Next year, when Danielle is on the Seniors Tape. When it gets sent to promising young men,” she reminded him.

“Oh, well, I'm not so sure about that, Cindy. I mean, what if she ends up in Texas? I thought you'd rather have her here. And she can go to school even if she does get married,” Harry said.

“Not if she gets pregnant,” Cindy pointed out.

“What's the rush?” Harry asked. The idea of his little girl having sex was a bit too much for him yet. She wasn't even 17, and hadn't finished her junior year yet. He couldn't imagine her married and far away, with a baby besides.

Cindy could see his heart wasn't in this at all. She backed off. “Never mind, dear. We'll just see how it works with this year's group. After all, this is an entirely new concept.” And one that could definitely improve her status in the congregation. A beautiful girl like Danielle was sure to fetch a good price, one that would make the other women take notice of her mother.

* * * *

Obadiah Jones was reading a summary of recent TFC and INC activities prepared for him by his staff. “I rather like this auction concept, don't you, Haskell?"

“It's very interesting, sir,” Absolom Haskell agreed. He wished he could eat an antacid tablet. The Senator always made him very nervous.

“Are you ready to take your second wife when the laws go into effect?” Jones asked idly. “Certainly seems the time is ripe. How long have you been married now?"

“Five years in June, sir,” Haskell told him. And he had great big ideas of his wife accepting another woman in their house. For one thing, there wasn't enough room, and they couldn't afford to move since she had to stop working in accordance with NRN staff directives.

“Well, it's time you two did something to promote the cause. You ought to have a couple of children by now,” Jones chided.

“We do have one, sir, but with Harriet not working, it's not a good time..."

The Senator revealed his teeth in a feral smile, not the one he used on television. “Nonsense! I'll speak to my chief of staff about a raise for you. We need to build up the kingdom, you know. Help me get into the White House, Haskell, and you'll be able to afford two or three more wives. I tell you, it keeps a man young!"

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, January 15, 2007. Washington, DC. High-level military officials are planning informal talks with members of the House Armed Services Committee to see if National Guardsmen can be used to enforce proposed new federal housing legislation, which will prohibit same-sex and single female domiciles.

* * * *

Koko looked at her e-mail. There were two messages from Kris Nordstrom. “I have good news and bad news,” she told Thad, who was trying to rock a cranky Jordan to sleep.

“Gimme the bad news first; get it over with,” he suggested.

“Bad news: matrimonial auctions for high school seniors. Good news: I've been offered the position of Chaplain on the Dee."

Thad sighed. “Even the good news is bad in a way.” Jordan's eyes were finally closing, he was relieved to see.

“I know. A forced, indefinite separation is nothing to cheer about. Splitting the kids up and depriving them of a parent—"

“To say nothing of depriving us of one another,” Thad interjected.

“Yes, none of those are optimal for married or family life. If only I hadn't been so selfish!” Koko shook her head, exasperated. Tears sprang into her eyes.

“Wait, wait,” Thad urged. “Let me put Jordan down, and we can cry our eyes out all we want."

When he came back they sank down on the living room couch together. “Don't you dare call yourself selfish. Everything you do, you do for others. I know you mean wanting and having a daughter, but our problems would only be marginally different now without her."

“I wouldn't have to leave!” Koko wailed.

“You might! You certainly can't stay here and work, and I can't support us alone. So you would go alone instead of with a daughter. How would that be better?” he asked, rubbing his wife's back.

“Well, when you put it like that,” Koko sniffed. “It wouldn't."

“So we'll have unique bonding experiences with the kids, and we'll have all the more to share when we're all together again. With visits, phone and e-mail, it's not gonna be like when missionaries went West from New England and never saw their families again,” Thad pointed out.

“I know. I'm just being emotional. Humor me,” Koko sighed, forcing a smile.

“I think I could really go for a woman in uniform,” Thad teased her.

“I'm not wearing any damned sword, though,” Koko said firmly. “The idea of wearing or carrying a weapon as a pastor is repugnant to me."

“Just explain that to Kris. Look it up. I bet chaplains have never carried weapons anyway,” Thad suggested.

“I'll want to leave Jordan here for the shake-down back from England,” Koko decided. “Carrying her all that way on the plane and then trying to look out for her with only a skeleton crew would just be too much."

“I agree. I can still get help from the congregation with the kids. With so many women leaving work, someone's always available,” Thad said, nodding and stroking. His hand slid down to cup his wife's pretty bottom.

Koko looked at him and smiled. “Come on, Mate,” she said, rising and giving him a hand. “I want to appoint you Chaplain's Assistant."

* * * *

“Couldn't have picked a better time of year for a trip to the Caymans,” Mack grinned. He had a drink with a little umbrella in it, and he was happy.

Ari grinned and went back to her notes. “We're only going to be here two days,” she said.

“Better than nothing,” he said philosophically, looking at Teri, who was sunning herself a few feet away on the sand.

“I like the sound of this Brenda Livingston. She's a live wire. Just what the viewers like. The NRN will scream bloody murder and our ratings will shoot through the roof,” the veteran reporter predicted.

“And she'll be swamped with calls and get rich,” Mack said.

“She's already rich. But she will be swamped,” Ari agreed. “And best of all, the word will be out to women who need it."

“We're not supposed to be reformers,” Mack remarked.

“Oh, I agree. It's just hot news,” Ari said, feigning innocence.

The next day they set up in the library at Brenda's firm, since there was no way their equipment would fit into her crowded office. For the occasion, Brenda wore a lavender suit and a purple blouse with an enormous jabot. It was her intention to be in the face of her viewers, especially certain ones.

“Wesley,” she told her nephew who couldn't resist the filming of his aunt's TV debut, “run have them turn the AC up. These lights are like hell-fire."

“Yes, ma'am,” he grinned.

“I am so proud of that boy,” Brenda remarked to no one in particular as Teri helped with her make-up. “How long is this gonna take, anyhow?"

“Maybe an hour, total,” Mack told her. “We'll get enough so we can do some cutting."

“Don't you go cutting my stuff, boy. I know where you live,” Brenda threatened, and everyone laughed.

“Only the boring bits,” he promised.

“Won't be any boring bits,” she shot back and Mack raised his hands in mock defeat.

When all was in readiness, Ari began. “This is Brenda Livingston, a lawyer, or as they say here, a solicitor in the Cayman Islands. The main industry of this tiny island nation is off-shore banking, and Brenda has recently become involved with a new clientele. Can you tell us exactly what it is that you do, Counselor?"

Brenda nodded. “Well, I don't actually have anything to do with the money end of it. I receive referrals from banks. They send me their clients, who have moved their assets offshore, and who wish to incorporate as businesses."

“And why do they move their assets offshore and incorporate?” Ari asked.

“Historically, people and businesses have moved their assets out of their countries for many reasons: to avoid taxes, to gain higher interest rates, and to have their money in a stable economy. This is common among the wealthier citizens of third world nations, for example,” Brenda lectured. “But you really should ask my nephew, Wesley Boggs, about that. He's a banker."

Ari grinned and shook her head. They would have to cut that or interview him. She let it go for the moment. “Recently, though, your clientele and their reasons for incorporation have changed somewhat, correct?"

Brenda nodded and rolled her eyes. “The clientele, yes! Now I get calls from dozens of American women every day. I have to pass some of them off to my competitors! They move their assets, then they incorporate. But the reason is still basically an unstable economy! And it'll be all the more unstable as savvy American women move their assets down here."

Ari's eyebrow went up. “You feel there is enough movement of assets to affect the US economy?"

Brenda puffed her cheeks out and waved a hand. “Not only because of the movement, because of the removal of women from the workforce. Their families will be in bad shape. You're looking at a lot of potential poverty here."

“Let's move on to the concept of incorporation. How does that work?"

“Easy. Women are looking at not being able to hold money in their own names in the United States. So first they move it out from under US law into a bank here. Then I help them become a corporation, not an individual. A corporation has no gender. They could use their own names, but it's better to use a fictitious one. Like you could call yourself, ‘Have Story, Will Travel, Limited.’ Something like that. You send all your assets down, and as your company, you have access to them from anywhere in the world."

“And it's completely legal?” Ari pressed.

“Of course it's legal! I'd spend all my time up in front of the World Court in the Hague if it wasn't!” Brenda exclaimed.

“Thank you, Ms. Livingston. I'm sure our viewers will find this information most interesting. And now, a brief interview with Wesley Boggs, a Cayman Islands banker."

“Cut!” Mack said. “Oh, really?"

“Let's do it,” Ari said decisively. “After all, he's here."

They prepped Wesley and positioned him, and then Ari got right to it. “Tell us, Mr. Boggs. Who are your clients these days?"

“Almost all women from the United States. A lot of them I don't ever see. They accomplish all their banking by phone, and electronically,” he said seriously in his cultured British accent.

“And you are not the only banker experiencing this increase in business?” Ari asked.

“Not at all. And not only here. These women are also consulting financial institutions in the Bahamas and Switzerland. The need is so great that we frankly cannot handle all of it,” he elaborated.

“As a banker, can you speculate about the assets of those women who do not move their assets offshore?” Ari queried.

“Purely speculatively speaking, these assets will be moved to the name of the nearest male relative if a name is provided. If not, the banks may, and I only say may, because I have no proof, make their own search for a male relative, if the laws permit,” he told her.

“And if no male relative can be found?” Ari asked.

“Then the funds might be held in trust pending the appearance of such a person. Beyond that I wouldn't care to speculate,” Wesley nodded.

“But in any event, the women to whom these funds belong...?"

“Would not have access to them after the laws currently proposed are passed,” Wesley finished up. “If they pass, and are implemented, money in financial institutions, under a woman's name, would not be released to them."

“Thank you, Mr. Boggs."

“You are very welcome, Ms. Basheera,” Wesley smiled. He owed his aunt one now, but that was just fine.

Ari and her crew filmed their wrap on the beach, and had the rest of the day to enjoy the Cayman Islands sun.

CHAPTER 60

TotalNet News Ticker, February 4, 2007. Stockholm, Sweden. The Church of Sweden, which is Lutheran in doctrine, today announced an exchange program that will allow female Lutheran ministers to be called to Scandinavia while their Swedish male colleagues serve churches in the US. This will allow the women to minister in freedom and safety, while the men assist with a study of clergy attrition in the US.

* * * *

Sitting in the wheelhouse of Athena, Kris looked steadfastly at the round, blond woman in front of her. Devon Ritter had changed a lot since the Gulf War and not necessarily for the better.

“Devon, I like your records. How could I not? But you've changed."

Devon tried not to sound bitter. “I admit I never recovered from being thrown out of the Navy, you're right. You can't go and be in someone else's Navy, as if you worked for a computer company."

“And you were never convicted, or even formally charged, as I can see. It's a shame. I know you did nothing wrong,” Kris tried sounding understanding instead of critical. She did understand, after all. She had just been luckier. Their roles could easily have been reversed, as they were the same age and had both been on the fast track in their respective services.

“No, I wasn't, and I didn't. They didn't prove I'm a lesbian, even though I am, and there's nothing wrong with being one, either. So I took the skills I had and tried to do the best I could with them, and I ended up in private security. There just isn't a lot of call for gunnery expertise in civilian life,” Dev managed a small smile.

“No, only here. I do need a Gunnery Officer, and I need her to double in security, since on the Dee, there isn't much call for Gunnery most of the time. You're eminently qualified for both, especially given the age of the weapons concerned. But frankly, I'm concerned about your health and physical appearance."

Devon colored and said nothing. There was nothing to say. She was 50 pounds overweight and had developed high blood pressure.

Kris plowed on. “I'll tell you what. I'm not going to hold your past or your appearance against you,” Kris decided. “But this is a maritime museum, and we will have a lot of visitors. In ports, you'll be on display, lecturing on the guns and demonstrating them. What we'll do is this: I will hire you provisionally, contingent on losing that weight. You need to take off five pounds a month. I know it's hard, but this should motivate you like nothing ever has before. I want 20 pounds off you by the middle of May when we sail, assuming this all goes through, and five a month every month thereafter until you're back to your fighting weight. If you don't do it, I'll still take you, but as a rating, not an officer. Get weighed by a doctor and report your weight to me every month."

Dev nodded. “Yes, ma'am. I can do it. I will do it."

Kris smiled broadly and stood up. “Welcome aboard, Dev. Get with Nik and go through the personnel records to choose a second officer, your petty officers and ratings. See Andy for the nomenclature of the guns. If you don't make the weight, your second will be my Gunner. But I prefer to have you."

They shook hands and Dev struggled not to cry. She took a few deep breaths and went in search of Nik below in the salon.

* * * *

Dear Captain Nordstrom;

I have reviewed your proposed crew manifest and suggested itinerary. Having considered all other factors presented by you and the other applicants for the position of Captain of the Dee, I am forced to conclude that you are the best prepared and equipped to make this undertaking a success. Therefore, I will expect you and your senior officers aboard the Dee on May 15, this year. Particulars as to uniform requirements, pay and benefits, to mention a few, may be found in the attachments to this letter.

Cordially,

Cornelia Fitzmarion, Baroness Elmhurst

PS. I shall serve as your Air Wing Commander until further notice, and I will move into one of the smaller suites, leaving you the Captain's suite. Further, I will require a single private cabin for my personal servant. In addition, I shall need one of your officers to train as my in-flight gunner.

* * * *

“Well! I guess that's that!” Kris understated.

“I can't meet that deadline!” Nik said. “I'll have another week of work left after that. I must complete the semester."

“Never mind,” Kris chuckled, placing her hand over Nik's. “I'll give you a waiver, and you'll come as soon as you can. By the time she realizes it, it'll be a done deal."

“You won't tell her before you arrive?” Nik asked.

“I don't need to. I'm the captain, remember,” Kris said, cutting her eyes at her mate.

“Yes, Captain,” Nik acknowledged softly. The minute Kris did anything like that, she became aroused. How would she function on the bridge of the frigate?

Kris smiled. She had just set herself up for a very good time in bed with her operations officer. “Well, Commander,” she said, turning to Andy. “Would you like to celebrate?"

Andy smiled. “I would, but let me start printing these attachments. I'll get a head start."

Nik eased into Kris’ lap. “What will you do with me, Captain?"

“I'll take you to my bed and have my way with you, Lieutenant. And I don't want any back-talk. Is that understood?"

Nik wriggled with anticipation. “Yes, ma'am.” They kissed deeply as Andy tapped at the keyboard.

“Are you guys starting without me?” she demanded.

There was no answer but a soft moan from Nik.

Andy stood up. “Come on, you two. Let's take it to the bedroom where we can all be comfortable.” And she pulled Nik off Kris’ lap and marched her away, giving Kris no choice but to get up and follow them.

“Do Nik, Kris. Let me watch,” Andy asked, starting to unbutton Kris's shirt.

“Voyeur,” Kris laughed.

“Voyeuse,” Nik corrected, kneeling to get at the Captain's boots.

The all laughed.

“Guilty as charged,” Andy agreed. “I like to get all cranked up while I wait. But you knew that."

But Andy couldn't keep her hands to herself. As Kris covered Nik, kissing deeply, sighing as Nik caressed her nipples, Andy eased up behind them and began to fool with Kris’ bottom. Kris lifted herself toward her engineer for more, and Andy gave it to her. By the time Kris came, Andy's breast was between her legs from behind, and Andy was slowly fingering herself, awaiting her turn.

As Kris rolled away, Andy caught sight of Nik's face, her eyes full of longing. “Do you want to wait for Kris, Nik?” Andy asked, completely understanding.

“No, Andy, I would be delighted to have you make love with me,” Nik smiled, wanting Andy to know that she desired both of her spouses.

“I'll kiss her while you take her, Andy,” Kris offered, having recovered her breath.

Nik grinned. “I've died and gone to heaven."

Kris didn't even bother to pretend she didn't deserve the compliment. She waited until Andy had slid under Nik's thighs, and then positioned herself over Nik so they could kiss while Andy took care of Nik from below.

Andy's tongue seemed to have a life of its own. She gave Nik her best, her enthusiasm overflowing even as Nik's own honey flowed into her. The younger woman moaned and arched into Andy's loving with abandon.

“Oh, Kris, Andy, I love you so! Oh, darlings, please ... please...” she panted happily, utterly certain that she was loved just as much as she loved them, knowing how much her pleasure would please them and strengthen this unique, three-way bond.

When Andy felt Nik's muscles tighten, she held on even harder, stroked even harder, and made sure she didn't break contact with Nik's throbbing clit, because she was well aware how important full contact was to the intensity of the orgasm.

Then Nik screamed with delight, making Kris laugh into their kiss, and Andy polished off her younger lover thoroughly, giving her yet another ride of her life, reinforcing completely their conviction that three hearts could beat as one.

“Andy, sweetheart, you are so beautiful,” Nik breathed, freeing Andy and pulling her up on her other side, so that she was embraced by both Andy and Kris. “Kris, you're the best. You're both the best. My heart was so empty before I met you, and now ... and now I love two women so much, I don't know what to do with myself."

“You think it's wrong?” Andy kidded.

“I am not rash enough to tell others. I dread having to keep it a secret, and I dread the reactions of others, but the secret would be worse,” Nik decided. “But enough philosophy for now. I think Andy deserves our undivided attention, don't you?” she asked Kris.

“Absolutely, and don't make me fight you for it,” Kris teased. “Andy, what would you like from us?"

“Can you both kiss and touch me at once?” she requested hopefully.

“Interesting logistical problem, isn't it, Dr. Gervais?” Kris mused.

“I love a good challenge,” Nik said promptly, and they rearranged themselves so Andy was in the middle.

With several hands and two tongues on her, Andy soon felt like she was being turned inside out. Nik cleverly found a way to work her hand underneath Andy, and get a finger in position to tease her anus, and made the engineer's toes curl. With Kris’ tongue in her mouth, and Nik's on her nipples, Andy was soon a willing victim of sensory overload.

Without any discussion, Kris and Nik worked out a rotating system for attending to Andy. One hand went tenderly inside, the other delicately caressed her. As much liquid as Andy produced in this joining, there was more than enough to lubricate all areas completely. Moreover, both lovers had the presence of mind to lock Andy down with both their legs, so if she had had any ideas about either escape or control of her own fate, she was forced to quickly abandon them.

“Ay! AY! Carrrrrramba!” Andy screamed, and her body vibrated with pleasure as her spouses contended to exhaust her. Andy loved being held down, and it intensified every sensation as never before. She jerked helplessly as they took her, and she begged for more and more, until she finally had to beg them to stop.

“No mas, no mas,” she whimpered, beginning to struggle in earnest. Kris and Nik looked at each other, nodded in agreement, and let Andy up, only to change grips and cuddle her between them as she came down. Nik pulled up the covers, and Kris turned out the light.

As she relaxed in their arms, Andy murmured, “Never let me go, you guys, okay?” But before they could even begin to reassure her, she had fallen asleep.

* * * *

It was very late, but Dev's workouts extended her days and she was still up. Kris had forwarded the acceptance letter from the Baron with a note:

* * * *

Dev,

An additional duty for you or one of your crew. Why don't you check out the copter specs, attached? Might be fun!

Kris

* * * *

Dev did that, and then her natural curiosity led her to the internet, where she did a search on the Baroness Elmhurst. It wasn't hard, with all of the Peer's racing around to participate in one hair-raising stunt after another. And there were pictures.

“Now, there,” Dev breathed, “is a reason to lose weight."

She got back on her exercycle. Two half-hour stints a day were better than one.

CHAPTER 61

“Mom, they're after me!” Alix was panic-stricken, driving with one hand, talking on the phone with the other as she drove through the streets of San Diego. She was heading for the airport, but she didn't know if she would make it.

Suzanne was beside herself, but she couldn't let Alix know. “How close are they?” she asked calmly.

“A couple minutes. They followed me home on my bumper all the way, but they stopped at the main entrance. I packed and called Marlee. She came and I climbed out the back window. She took my car, I took hers, but the window's still open and the sheets I used are hanging out! I think, when I left in her car, they saw me, so I only got a couple minutes head start.” Alex winced as she wandered out of her lane and almost got side-swiped.

“Can you see them?” Suzanne demanded.

“No, but they know this car now,” Alex said, trying to stay in control of it. “They can tell where I'm going. They'll send others to the airport."

“Okay, let's think. The law has NOT been passed yet. If you can get to a police station, they should back off. This may just be intimidation, or they may want to get you where no one will interfere with them.” Suzanne thought deliberately. “No, don't try to reach the police, drive to the Center. I'll alert them to send an escort for you. Where are you now, exactly?"

Alix gave her the nearest exit.

“Drive there. Stay in the speed limit, stay on the freeways, don't exit where you may get stopped. Use the clover leafs to change directions. When they have an escort ready, I'll let you know and you can go to the exit nearest the Center. Stay calm, and I'll call you back."

“Hurry, Mom,” Alix pleaded.

When the phone rang again, they were back on Alix’ bumper. “Mom??"

“Head for the Center. Look for a black Honda and a tan Range Rover, both with pink flags on the roofs. One will get in front and one behind. Keep this open but put it down and drive,” Suzanne ordered.

Panting with fear, Alix put the phone on the other seat and gripped the wheel, slowing down, changing lanes, driving up the ramp. They way the black HumVee hugged her bumper was very scary, and then it moved up and started bumping her.

“MOM! They're bumping me!"

Terror knifed through Suzanne's heart, but she forced it out of her voice. “You're in broad daylight, Alix. They can't do much more. You have to be strong now. Hold the car on the road. Don't pull off. Are you turned around?"

“No! That's why they can get on me. I have to go slow here!” Alix all but shrieked.

“Put the phone down. Hold the car on the road!” Suzanne said again.

Alix whimpered and did as she was told, getting out onto the northbound ramp once again, with a boost from the HumVee. Why wasn't anyone noticing?

Seeing her chance, she sped up and entered the right-hand lane. They were forced to back off slightly, but she still had several miles to go. Raising her voice, she said, “I'm on the freeway again, Mom."

“Good!” Suzanne bellowed, making the others on deck stare at her. She covered the mouthpiece and explained what was going on. They quickly crowded around to support her. Her skipper put a hand on her shoulder and she leaned on him.

Several tense minutes went by and then Suzanne's phone crackled again. “I can see the exit, but now they're next to me!"

“Which side?"

“They're on the shoulder, trying to push me away from the exit!” Alix screamed.

“Tell her to slow down. Tell her if they pull in front, she should get on the shoulder herself,” said the skipper.

One of the techs took out his phone. “Gimme the Center number. They can go down the entry ramp and take her off the next exit."

Suzanne recited it quickly, then said to her daughter, “They know where the Center is. Don't try to get off. We'll send the escort to catch up with you."

The deck tech had the Center on the line. They changed phones.

“Karen? Suzanne. They're bumping her away from the exit. Send the escort after her, and bring her off the next exit. Thanks!” She nodded at her colleague and switched back.

“Stay calm, honey. It'll take a minute to reposition the other cars,” Suzanne explained.

“I don't have much gas,” Alix informed her.

“All right, just a few more minutes. Stay in the right hand lane and slow down,” Suzanne counseled. “You're doing fine. You're brave and smart and I'm proud of you."

“Okay. Mom. Mom? I can see the flags. I went under the overpass about a mile back, but they're coming now."

“Oh, Jesus. Good!” Suzanne yelled. She was hemmed in on all sides by her crew now.

“Okay, they're weaving. I can see them real good now,” Alix said. She had picked up the phone again.

“Where's the HumVee?” Suzanne asked.

“Behind me. They got off the shoulder when I passed the exit,” Alix informed her. She sounded more sure of herself now that she could see her rescuers.

“Just stay steady and do whatever they tell you,” Suzanne said.

“Don't worry. I will."

The Honda was beside Alix now. The driver pointed ahead and Alix let her pull in front. The Rover caught up and stayed beside Alix on her left. There was a passenger, and she rolled down her window. “Speed up now! Go fast!” she yelled. The Rover flashed its lights and the Honda sped up, Alix following.

The Honda stayed even with Alix, and the passenger window remained open. The passenger bent down, picked up something, and leaned out the window. There was a loud Pop! and the HumVee swerved crazily.

“Mom!” Alix shrieked. “They shot the HumVee!!"

“What?” Suzanne yelled.

“They shot the car. It's all over the road. We're pulling away!” The teenager sounded triumphant.

The Rover got behind Alix and the three cars drove uneventfully to the Center, where Alix finished her conversation in the car. “I love you, Mom. You saved my life.” Alix was crying. The other drivers, whom she barely knew, came and pulled her out of her car, and one of them took the phone.

“It's all right, Suzanne. She's with us now,” said the brawny driver of the Rover. Alix saw she had dark hair on her lip, but she didn't even care, letting the woman hold her.

“Thank you so much. How is she?” Suzanne asked.

“Limp, and the car's dinged up from being hit. We'll help her take care of it,” was the matter-of-fact response.

“We owe you,” Suzanne said. “I'm so very grateful."

“We're gonna take her home and feed her some soup. We'll get her out of town tomorrow,” the driver said. “She'll call you later."

Suzanne broke the connection and a ragged cheer went up. “Thanks, everyone,” Suzanne said, shaking hands and squeezing arms.

“We'll miss you, Suze,” they told her. She had finally requested retirement to move to the Dee, and they all knew this was her last cruise with NOAA.

She smiled sadly. “I'll miss you, too."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, February 28, 2007. San Diego, California. Several motorists on the Montgomery Freeway reported a chase in which the tire of a HumVee was shot out by the passenger of a Range Rover. According to observers, the HumVee had been harassing a Toyota for several miles. Police are investigating.

* * * *

“Kris!” As soon as Alix saw her captain in the airport, she ran into her arms. Kris held her tightly, not really caring for the moment if the young woman got the wrong message. If it happened, they would straighten it out later. “Thanks for coming all the way down here,” Alix said, pulling back to look up at her mom's friend. “You really didn't have to. I could have flown up by myself."

“I promised your mother, so here I am,” Kris said simply. Once Suzanne had told Kris the story, there was no way she could personally have permitted Alix to fly alone.

There was just enough time for Kris to thank the women from the Center and get back on the return flight with her new senior sea cadet. As they settled in their seats, Kris asked. “Have you taken care of all your transfers?"

Alix nodded. “Yes. Stanford is letting me use their labs and they'll proctor my exams. My profs here will let me finish the term through distance learning, especially since I got a head start."

“Excellent. You'll stay with Koko and Thad until the end of the term, and then fly to England with us. It's all arranged. All you have to do is study,” Kris nodded. If anything would reassure the young woman, it was structure and supervision. Between Thad and Koko, Alix would never get out of their sight unless she was in school.

“Can I come to Athena to see you?” Alix asked hopefully.

Kris looked at her. “I don't know, Alix. I believe your mother saw fit to inform you of what you'll find there. It depends on what you can handle, and right now you're very vulnerable."

Alix looked appropriately solemn. “Maybe not right away. Maybe after I settle in?"

“We'll see,” was all Kris would tell her.

“I'll have to be with all of you on the Dee,” Alix pointed out.

Kris sighed. Obviously she was not going to be able to avoid this. “You're right, but that will be a serious, naval environment, and your Mom will be my XO. It's formal and we will all seem quite distant compared to what you're used to. Essentially, you will go to work and school at sea. It's going to be a hard life, Alix, and I can no longer be your friend,” Kris said seriously.

Alix looked away from Kris, out the window, and it only took Kris a moment to realize Alix was crying. Once again, the Captain in her had taken over and made her seem much too severe.

Kris snaked her arm around Alix’ slender shoulders. “I'm sorry. Perhaps, since it's going to be a generational ship, I ought to try to treat it a little more like a family than a crew. I didn't mean to be insensitive. You've been through a lot. I take it back. We can be friends, but only off duty, and you must be very, very careful to remember that and act like a sailor."

Alix couldn't speak yet. She just nodded and accepted the tissues Kris pressed into her hand.

“Bear with me, Alix. I still have a lot to learn,” Kris admitted. “And I will learn it, even from my cadets."

“Yes, ma'am,” Alix said.

“Thank you,” Kris smiled. She leaned back and focused her thoughts on how to bring Alix aboard Athena when it was time.

* * * *

“You want to do what?” Andy stared at Kris. They were sitting around the table having a late supper following Kris’ return from San Diego. Thad had picked them up at the airport, and dropped Kris off, so it was the three of them and the cats aboard Athena.

“You heard me,” Kris said. “I want to do a mini-swab camp here just for Alix a couple of weekends. There are several good reasons. Nik needs to see how to supervise at sea. She knows nothing of naval protocol. She'll watch and you and I will do the training. This will accomplish two more things. Alix will learn how to keep a formal distance from us on duty, and it will emphasize that our main relationship with her is a professional one. In turn, it will give Alix the experience she needs to train younger women. All of the officers will still have to oversee that, especially Suzanne, who would in any event be in charge of cadets as my XO.” Kris sat back and regarded her mates with puzzlement. “Why am I explaining this to you? You'll do it and that's final."

Andy and Nik looked at each other warily for a moment, then back at Kris. “Yes, ma'am,” they chorused.

Kris speared them with a look. “This is one of those times I will be more Captain than spouse, and you had both better get used to it."

Andy sighed. “We know. Shall I set up a daily schedule?"

“You shall, and you'll show Nik how and she will create three more as an exercise,” Kris said.

Nik opened her mouth to protest that she had a job already, but then thought better of it and shut it again.

“Excellent,” Kris said. She rose and the others rose with her, waiting to see what she would do. “Carry on,” she said, and she went into the network space to work on her correspondence and other concerns relating to the Dee.

As Nik and Andy cleared the table. Nik hissed, “My knees are like jelly! Is she going to be like that all the time?

Andy shook her head. “I don't know. I'm not crazy about it, but I have been to sea with her and she was my commander when I was a cadet. That's what she's like in command mode, and quite frankly, it's not easy to get her out of it. Trying if she's not in the mood will only make her angry. My advice? Go with it."

Nik's hands were shaking so Andy took the plates away from her. “Try not to be upset. It's not about you. She's worried about Dani and Ky, she's taken on a lot of responsibility and she has a hell of a lot on her mind. This thing with Alix is just more pressure."

“I know that in my head. It's my heart that's having problems.” Nik sighed. “Andy, will you help me? Help me figure out how to act around her?"

Andy turned from loading the dishwasher to see there were tears in Nik's eyes. “Come on,” she said firmly, leading the physicist to the couch. She pulled Nik down into her arms and held her tightly. Obviously she and Kris were going to have a good, old-fashioned “come to Jesus” meeting about this. It wasn't fair to Nik that Kris switch back and forth from Captain to lover without warning whenever she felt like it. They would need ground rules. “I'll take care of Kris,” Andy promised. “Just give me some time to pick the right moment."

Nik nodded, reassured by Andy's embrace and confident words. Andy was the only one who really could handle Kris, with the possible exception of Suzanne. Nik knew she herself was too young and too uninformed at this point to make any impression on Captain Nordstrom. On Kris, yes, but not on her other personality.

“Let's finish the dishes and work on that schedule. You'll feel better every time you learn something that will make her respect you. I guarantee it.” She gave Nik a hand up, pulled her into a good, hard kiss, and plunged back into her work.

CHAPTER 62

“Attention on deck!” Nik yelled. She felt like an idiot. She had pleaded with Kris, through Andy, to take Athena someplace private for their training cruises. She claimed it was for Alix, who at her age would surely be horrified to be caught “playing Navy” by anyone, especially anyone she knew. In fact, Nik didn't know how Alix felt. It was all about how Nik felt at the moment.

Kris stepped out of the salon onto the rear deck and ascended the exterior ladder to the wheelhouse, where Andy came to attention and snapped, “Captain on the bridge.” Alix, who was trying to figure out headings, came to attention, too. She was sweating.

They were all sweating. Kris had them in navy blue sweats and sneakers, and unless the boat was moving, it was fairly warm in the heavy fog off Angel Island where they were anchored for the moment.

“Carry on,” Kris said mildly. She knew her spouses weren't pleased, but she had a lot to do and very little time. “Cadet Whittington, explain to me the difference between absolute and magnetic north."

Alix took a deep breath. “Aye, Captain.” After composing herself, she launched into a brief description she had memorized the night before.

Kris stood with her hands clasped behind her back, listening. She knew it by heart, having taken it wholesale from her Academy beginning navigation text.

“Excellent. Now, compute the time it would take us to get from,” Kris looked down at the chart and pointed, “here to there with a 20 knot wind out of the northwest. Begin."

Inwardly Alix groaned. She probably couldn't, they both knew it, and she would soon be polishing brass. Nevertheless, she grabbed the calculator and began the first equation. There was a navigational computer on board that could have done the exercise in a flash, but she didn't have access to it. This was about discipline, not navigation.

“Time!” Kris said. Her deep voice made Alix tremble. “Cadet Whittington, you've barely started on the problem."

“No excuse, Captain,” Alix said. She had learned that response yesterday, and learned it well. She stared straight ahead as protocol dictated.

A tiny smile quirked the corner of Kris’ mouth. “Then you'd better grab a can of polish and work on the starboard bright-work, hadn't you?"

“Aye, Captain. Request permission to leave the bridge."

“Granted. Dismissed."

Alix double-timed down to the storage closet with Nik on her heels. “Don't waste time down here, Cadet, or she'll have both of us keel-hauled,” Nik told her.

“Aye, Lieutenant,” Alix panted. She made sure every item was exactly in place, touching the one next to it, in height order, and an inch back from the edge of the shelf before she closed the door, spun the combination lock and set it on 777. Surely the Captain or the Chief Engineer would inspect. They inspected everything all day long.

Alix pounded back up the stairs and set to work on the brass railings, which freed Nik to return to the “bridge."

“Report!” Kris snapped the minute Nik entered.

Coming to parade rest, Nik stated, “Cadet Whittington has secured the storage closet in accordance with standing orders and is polishing the starboard bright-work.” It sounded so preposterous, Nik almost couldn't make herself say it. But not to say it was to risk the Captain's displeasure, and Kris had blurred the distinction between captain and spouse so much lately that to offend one was to offend the other. Nik was unprepared to push Kris at all at the moment.

“Very nice, Lieutenant,” Kris almost sounded teasing. “I think I'd like to enjoy your handiwork first-hand, however. Let's go have a look. You have the bridge, Commander,” she said to Andy with a nod.

Immediately, Nik took a step back to allow the Captain to precede her off the bridge. Kris was showing them all what a stickler she was for protocol. As soon as Kris went out the door, Andy came to attention, and Nik followed Kris down the ladders to the storage room, where Kris made sure the lock had been closed and set. Then she opened the closet and peered in. “It looks shipshape, but I want every item taken out, dusted and put back again, and I want it done by 0800 tomorrow."

Nik took her PDA out of her pocket and made a note. Her memory was eidetic and there was no way she could forget it, as urgent as it was that she please Kris. But Kris wanted her senior officers setting a proper example and thus they were all required to have a pad and pen or an electronic organizer ready at all times. While there was no penalty for failure to be prepared, except a scowl and a sharp remark, Nik wouldn't risk even that.

Kris walked off leaving the door open, and Nik made as if to follow her, but then stopped short. She closed the door, locked the lock and set it on 777. When she looked around, Kris had retreated to her cabin and Nik was free to race up to the bridge.

“How long is this going to go on?” she demanded of Andy, who was noting every activity in the ship's log, which Kris would also inspect.

“What time is it, Lieutenant?” Andy asked.

“Three-, ah, fifteen-thirty hours,” Nik corrected herself, rolling her eyes.

Andy looked up. “Excuse me?"

Nik straightened and said, “The time is 1530 hours, Commander."

“An hour and a half,” Andy said, and went back to her log.

“All right. That's it. Start this thing up and put me ashore!” Nik ordered. She turned to storm out of the wheelhouse. It wasn't a damned bridge, it was only a wheelhouse!

“That's interesting. Got a ticket to Denver in your pocket?” Andy inquired.

“What?” Nik whirled around.

“Got a ticket to Denver? Because in two or three months, that's gonna be the only place you can live: at home with your father,” Andy said, unruffled.

“Don't worry, I can still come up with something else,” Nik snarled. She was furious.

Andy stood up and put a calming hand on Nik's shoulder. “Here's what you need to do. Go below to the head, cry, splash some water on your face, sit and think peaceful thoughts for a few minutes. Because in the middle of the Atlantic, you can't take your toys and go home. You have to stay. You have to tough it out, and you can't lose your temper in public. Go on. You're relieved until 1600."

“I hate her,” Nik ground out. “You love this stuff. I don't want to be treated like this. I hate it. I think I would rather live at home."

“I don't love it; I accept it. If you really want to leave, we won't stop you. How can we? But don't ruin this for Alix. She has less choice than you, so don't put rebellious ideas in her head. She can still adjust, even if you can't, so don't spoil her chances,” Andy said soothingly, squeezing Nik's shoulder.

Nik pulled away from Andy, “I will be in the ... bathroom.” She took a deep breath, put a neutral expression on her face, and left.

Andy heaved a sigh and sat down on the bench, looking moodily out the windows. She saw both sides. Both women were partly right, and both were over-reacting. And Andy was the only one who had any chance of getting them to see reason.

* * * *

“Kris, we really need to give this a rest,” Andy said as they changed into different clothing to indicate they were off-duty and a family again instead of a crew. Nik had never returned to the bridge and Andy covered for her. Alix was in the tiny two-bunk cabin changing, and looking forward to a relaxed dinner with her three friends, for that was Kris’ rule. From 0700 to 1700, ten hours a day, they played Navy, and in the evenings, they were at ease.

“What do you mean?” Kris asked as she pulled a fresh tee-shirt over her head.

Andy told her. “Nik has had it. She was so upset I sent her to her quarters this afternoon. She thinks you're pushing too hard. Let's sleep in tomorrow and just train for six or seven hours instead of ten, okay?"

“Why doesn't she tell me?” Kris said, looking troubled. “And what about Alix?"

“Alix is okay. She's young and this is new and she's looking forward to touring the world, meeting lesbians and being out of the country. Nik is a different story. She's already lost so many opportunities, and she has no idea when she can get them back, or if she can. And she's not used to being treated like a lackey, and she doesn't like the protocol and discipline. They strike her as absurd and totally unnecessary."

“I'd like to see her run a ship without them!” Kris exclaimed. “And why isn't she telling me this herself?"

“Because she's afraid of you,” Andy said quietly. “You don't reward her much when she gets it right. We have this no sex rule while Alix is here, which is understandable, but Nik's used to more of your time and affection.” Andy sat down on the bed and pulled Kris down beside her. “You need to go make nice for a while, and relax tomorrow, okay?"

“Andy, we don't have a lot of time—” Kris said in a strained voice.

“That doesn't matter. You need to act like a human. Don't forget we work all week. We need time off,” Andy insisted. “And so do you."

Kris nodded. “I'm sure you're at least partly right. I'll go see her right now, and I'll think of something."

“Please, Kris, we need you to,” And said, and then she kissed her spouse tenderly, pulling away with real regret. “Alix and I will start dinner."

As soon as Alix was in the galley with Andy, Kris made her way aft to the second stateroom and knocked on the door.

“Come in."

Kris entered to find Nik lying on her back, fully clothed, with her arm over her eyes. She didn't move.

“Nik, it's me, Kris,” she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed, making sure not to touch or disturb her troubled spouse.

“Pardon me for not leaping to attention,” Nik said sarcastically. She didn't even look at Kris.

“Nik, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were having such problems. Please, tell me about them,” Kris requested, risking a hand on Nik's knee.

Nik took her arm down and opened her eyes. “Kris, I don't know who you are right now, and I don't know how to please you. I'm torn by finding you distractingly magnetic and attractive as my Captain, but unfortunately, I find you cold, distant and infuriating in the same role."

“But, I'm always your spouse and your lover, and I always love you,” Kris pleaded.

“But most of the time lately, you're more Captain than spouse, and I'm finally frightened enough of you that I was afraid to tell you. Did Andy tell you I wanted to leave?” Nik demanded.

Kris stared and turned white. “No."

“She talked me out of it, but only for the moment. I still don't know what to do,” Nik said flatly, looking at the bulkhead instead of her mate.

Kris started to cry.

Nik heard her and turned back. “Oh, Kris,” she said, and sat up to put her arms around her partner. “I don't want to leave, but I don't seem to fit in, and I don't understand you.” But even as she said it, she rested her cheek on Kris’ shoulder, and Kris groped blindly for her, and sobbed so wretchedly that Nik's resistance melted.

“Okay, okay, I know you're sorry. Andy was right. We do have to work it out. We just have to address it honestly. Will you do that for me, Kris?” Nik questioned.

“I will. I promise I will. Can we start now?” There was a hopeful note in Kris’ muffled voice.

“Now would be excellent,” Nik agreed, and they began to lay out their issues and priorities.

“I want time outs when I don't understand something or when you're getting difficult. We suspend protocol and discuss it like equals,” Nik began.

“Not in front of Alix. You wait until she's out of ear-shot,” Kris amended.

“What if she needs one?” Nik challenged.

“I will give her permission to speak freely whenever she asks for it,” Kris promised.

“I don't think she knows that. I certainly didn't,” Nik told her.

“I'll make it clear at dinner tonight. She can challenge any of us alone when she needs an answer. But no one can challenge me in front of others. If I decide I want your input and I say you may speak freely, then you may, no matter who is there. But you must ask, and if I tell you to save it for a private moment, you have to,” Kris was very firm, even though she held Nik's hand.

Nik squeezed back and leaned forward, and Kris, though surprised, kissed her softly.

“I know we can't go further than this right now, Captain,” Nik whispered, but I would like a rain-check for tomorrow after we put Alix ashore."

Kris pulled Nik close, “Request granted. I love you so, darling,” she murmured, heaving a sigh of relief. “I can't do this without you."

Nik nodded against Kris’ shoulder. “I am only now beginning to realize fully how massive this is. I will try to be more patient, love."

“Thanks, Nik. We'd better get out there before it looks like we're having too much fun,” Kris said, rising and giving her hand to Nik.

Nik smiled and rolled off the bed. “We can't have that."

* * * *

Hi, Mom (Alix wrote in an e-mail)

We played Navy again all day, but “Captain Kris” is giving us ALL of tomorrow off. She says it would be better to do it more weekends than two whole weekends without a break so we are taking Athena to Point Reyes to spend the day exploring.

I think they are being real careful not to act romantic around me. As Kris said on the plane, she knows that I know. I'm glad because I think it would hurt to see them like that. I don't know when I can get over Nik, maybe on the Dee when we are all busy and there are more people. But every day after we get done training, they are real nice to me. But Kris does want us to all learn how to look and sound professional for when we're on the Dee.

They want me to be in charge of any girls who come on the Dee and don't live in group quarters with their moms. Do you have any idea yet how many that is? I'm supposed to arrange their bunk assignments and inspect them and so on. Not all alone, but I'm like the first level above them. In fact, you're supposed to be in charge of all the Sea Cadets. I guess you knew that.

Well, I have to go and let other people on this computer. I guess you'll be coming here for Easter, huh? And then we have to clean out the apartment. How are we gonna manage that?

Anyway, love you!

Alix

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, March 25, 2007. The Unified Congregations of Christ announced in their monthly house organ that all future overseas mission vacancies will be filled by their female ministers, in order to protect them and their families, and to retain their skills and talents in the church. Unfortunately, all overseas positions are currently filled and there is a waiting list of ordained women needing to get out of the United States.

CHAPTER 63

“Oh, this is so cool!” Ky said. “Suzanne Whittington is gonna spend Easter in San Francisco. They don't say so, but I bet they all are. Alix is so lucky. I wish we could go."

“You didn't think it was so cool when she was chased by those goons her father hired,” Dani remarked from her bed where she was reading a forbidden sci-fi magazine. It was an old one that Niles gave her when he was done with it, but it was better than nothing. “Remember Star Trek?"

“Yeah? So?"

“Remember how so many TFC members wrote in complaining about the women officers on the ships, and how they complained about the new gay crew members, and then the last show went off the air?” Dani asked.

“Yeah. The only stations that show re-runs are in California,” Ky acknowledged, turning around. “But why are you asking?"

“I was thinking how life has changed so much, that when I get a three-month old sci-fi ‘zine from Niles, I think I'm lucky. If someone had told me three years ago that I'd have to spend all these hours in church, and wear these horrible clothes, and have no future but being selected off a tape by a stranger to be one of his wives and do nothing but have babies, I would have thought they were totally insane!” Dani exclaimed, throwing the magazine across the room. “I can't live like this!” She got up and went to the window and stood staring out at the still-brown lawn and the barely-budding trees.

Cautiously Ky left the computer and stood beside her. “You won't have to. Aunt Kris—"

“Aunt Kris is in California with everyone else who's free, with no control over us, and no way to help us. We're trapped here! I have to go to Matrimony Camp!” Dani whirled on her little sister and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I would rather die!"

“Dani! Stop!” Ky shouted. “I don't have anyone but you! Stop it!"

Dani blinked. She realized they were in front of the window and their parents could drive up any minute. “Oh, Ky! I'm sorry,” she said miserably and put her arms around her stocky sibling and pulling her back toward the bed where they couldn't be seen. “I ... I ... it's just that sometimes, it really gets to me. I should have let you talk. Aunt Kris must have some kind of plan. She would never abandon us."

“I know. I know you're scared. ‘Cause if we ever let them get us pregnant, we'll never get away,” Ky said.

“No, I won't let that happen. If I think that's gonna happen, we'll have to run. Come on. Let's work on our plan, just in case,” she said, and she yanked Ky down beside her on the bed.

“How?” Ky asked, intrigued. They hadn't discussed it in any detail since they agreed to start saving their allowances for their escape.

“We'll develop an exact plan for getting away, in case Aunt Kris can't come and get us. We have to. We may not be able to wait,” Dani said urgently.

Ky nodded. “Okay."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, April 10, 2007—Boise, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah. Legislatures in both state capitals intend to debate proposed laws after the Easter recess that will reinstate polygamy in both states. The bills are expected to pass unopposed.

* * * *

“Sue, I don't like you going to San Diego alone,” Kris said, shaking her head. “I ought to go along."

“You don't have time, Kris,” Suzanne objected. “It's legal for me to be there. There's nothing anyone can do to me."

“It was legal for Alix to be there, too,” Andy pointed out. “Kris is the only one who has the time right now, and who can safely go. You also have to bring your car up here. You know they go after women on the road."

“And what if they're looking for you, to follow you to Alix?” Nik asked. “I don't think you should go alone, either."

Sue looked around the table where they were all sitting over the remains of their Easter dinner. She shook her head. “I give up. Come with me, Kris. We can continue planning the move to the Dee while we're there."

“I can use a few days with my new exec anyway,” Kris grinned. “There are things you and I need to discuss in confidence. It's perfect."

“I have to study anyway, Mom. You can go, pack, sell stuff, give stuff away, pack the car and drive back together. I'm fine with Koko and Thad. Don't worry,” Alix assured her.

“Speaking of loose ends, don't we have a list going somewhere?” Kris looked at Nik, whose job this was as her ops officer. Most administrative responsibilities would be transferred to Suzanne on the Dee, but for now, Nik was handling them.

“Yes. I'll bring it up and we can review it. Hand me my laptop, would you, Alix?” she held out her hand.

“Aye, Lieutenant,” Alix winked, and gave it to her.

“So,” Nik said, tapping a few keys. “Here is the current list:

+ How to store Athena.

+ Bringing the cats aboard the Dee.

+ Pets in general.

+ Pay procedures.

+ Travel to England

+ Handling the Dani and Ky situation.

+ Personnel issues

+ Moving Suzanne out of San Diego.

“Anything else?” she asked, looking around.

“Oh, God. Pets. All right,” Kris sighed. “If the Captain has pets, others will expect to be allowed pets, too. We'll just have to set limits. I think we should encourage people to leave pets with someone they trust. If they can't, we need to make some sort of allowances."

“I suggest small dogs and cats only. Well, birds, and small rodents and reptiles, too. We may have to work it out as we go along,” Suzanne thought aloud. “If it were up to me, I'd say no pets, but as long as you're setting a precedent, we have to have rules."

“One per person?” Andy asked.

“You have two, “Alix challenged.

“But I share,” Andy pointed out, and they laughed.

“Suggestion: let's see what people ask for. Maybe no one will. Except for private vessels, there are no pets on ships,” Kris said. “We run the risk of having them get mad if they get here and find them. On the other hand, I have a three-room suite which will easily accommodate two cats, and almost no one else will have that kind of room. With the Baron in one small suite, that leaves only two others."

“That brings up housing,” Nik pointed out. “What is your plan for assigning quarters?"

“Let's start at the top. I have a three-room suite and two partners. If we share we can each have a room and save two cabins. There's a bunk in the day cabin. Let's call that mine. There's a large bed in the bedroom. In the third room, or salon, we'll put a daybed. That way all three of us will have private sleeping arrangements on three shifts if necessary, and the cats will manage."

Kris turned to her exec. “Sue, one other small suite is yours by right. Alix can live in it with you, or she can bunk in with the rest of the cadets in the wardroom. Work it out. As for the last suite, I propose the Chaplain and another senior officer share it to save space. The doctor's quarters are in the infirmary. All other senior officers will take one of those single cabins, junior officers will share cabins. Mothers with young children go in the senior petty officers’ common quarters with their attached mess space, regardless of rank. That's the price of having the kids along. All other ratings in the other common quarters. Usually people are bunked with those working in the same divisions, engineers together, gunnery ratings together and so on. Sue should be taking that over from Nik. What's next?"

“Athena,” Andy said.

Kris nodded. “Well, I can't give her up. It's the only home the three of us have, and will have if and when this siege is over. I would never get a fair price for her, and I can't afford this kind of space on land. If anyone has ideas, let me know, but for now, I'm considering storage in Canada."

“Would that be expensive?” Sue wanted to know.

“I have to look into it. Dry storage is much less than on water. Let's move on,” Kris decreed.

Some looks were exchanged but no one argued, and as was their habit recently, they worked until those who still had to go to work in the morning went to bed.

Kris went out on deck for some air and Sue joined her. “Kris,” she began shyly, “don't you ever worry about what will happen to you?"

Kris brushed a lock of auburn hair out of her eyes. “To me?"

“To the three of you,” Sue amended. “If you go away with me, they'll be alone together. How do you feel about that?"

Kris smiled. “It's not a problem. I'll miss them and when I get back they'll treat me like a queen."

“They already do that,” Sue pointed out wryly.

“More so, then,” Kris teased back.

“But I guess I just don't get how you do it, and I worry because I can't imagine someone won't eventually feel left out."

Kris nodded. “I understand. However, I think, because this is such a difficult time, it's actually easier for us to bond as a unit. If and when this outrage is over, we will find a place to live, like here, where people will let us be. We're not the first triad who ever existed, you know."

Sue said, “I'm sure that's true. But just think about this: both of those women are desperately in love with you, to the point where they would do anything to please and not lose you, including the breaking of certain accepted social boundaries, such as monogamy. Do you feel desperate about either of them?"

Kris nodded sheepishly, “A few weeks ago I did. About Nik."

Sue's voice betrayed her surprise. “And?"

“Well, she was having problems with me as her spouse and me as her captain. I had instituted some naval-style discipline on weekends for training purposes with her and Alix, and it just didn't go over too well. I was oblivious and she was ready to leave,” Kris said quietly.

“What happened?” Sue coaxed.

“Andy straightened both of us out, especially me. I had to learn to make time for listening and for fun. Nik has accepted my dual role with certain reservations. We worked it out,” Kris said with obvious relief and satisfaction.

“I'm glad to hear it. And how did Alix do with the training?” Sue wanted to know.

Kris smiled broadly. “She's a natural sailor, and very well-disciplined. But I suspect you knew that."

“Well, I have taken her to sea and she is somewhat familiar with shipboard procedures and discipline,” Sue nodded. “She admires you tremendously, in fact, all of you. I can't stop you from being who you are and what you are, but please try not to let her down."

“Oh, Sue, if only you knew how well I understand that! I have two nieces who worship me and I haven't done anything to help them yet! It preys on my mind, and I'm no further along in discovering solutions,” Kris said, her voice quavering slightly.

“You've given them all they need to stay in touch with you on a daily basis,” her friend reminded her. “It's a very delicate situation. They're minors and you're not their guardian. If and when they come to live with you, you'll all be fugitives. Believe me, I know what that's like."

“Well, we can work on this on the road. When do you want to leave?” Kris asked.

“The sooner the better,” Sue said. “The apartment's empty and it's costing me money. If I can sell off my furniture and other odds and ends, I can get some of it back, and as soon as we come back here, I can sell the car."

“Tomorrow?"

Sue nodded. “Done."

CHAPTER 64

“Kris? This is Brenda. I got a question for you."

“Oh? Anything wrong?” Kris covered the receiver and mouthed “Brenda” to the others, who were looking at her curiously.

“No, not for me or for any of you. I met a woman I think you oughta know about, though,” Brenda said. “A career US Army officer who moved her funds down and came in to see me about incorporation. She's a lawyer and she's at her wits’ end about where to go. I know you're looking mostly for sailors, and I haven't told her a thing about you, but I wondered if you could use a lawyer on that crew of yours. Be a lot handier having an American lawyer right there than coming to me by phone every time you get in trouble."

“What makes you think I'm gonna get in trouble?” Kris demanded good-naturedly.

“Honey, you got ‘trouble’ written all over you in capital letters,” Brenda told her client.

Kris shrugged. “I hadn't really given it any thought. I don't have a specific place for a lawyer, but I haven't entirely filled out my crew. Wait.” She covered the receiver again. Andy was tugging at her sleeve and pointing to the crew manifest.

Andy explained, “Look. The ship carries an intel officer. Since we're not actually at war or on active duty, you haven't filled it. Why not find out what else she does? Get a resume,” Andy suggested.

“Brenda, why don't you see if you can get a look at her resume—” Kris stopped to smile. “Oh, you did? Just in case. I see. Well, why don't you e-mail or fax it—” She nodded. “Well, I'll take a look. And what else can you tell me that might not be on this resume?"

“Well, I think she is definitely of your persuasion.” Brenda said. “She's ten years into her career, and unless she lives on her post, she can't find a place to live. Too young to retire. Stationed in Alabama at the moment. She's real cute,” Brenda chuckled. “I couldn't help but think of you."

Kris gave up. “Let me have a look and I'll call you back. Okay. Bye."

Nik was looking up expectantly. It sounded like a personnel issue.

Kris said, “Nik, check our group e-mail for a letter with an attached file. We have an applicant, although she doesn't know it yet."

“Don't forget, we can't save everyone,” Nik reminded Kris, since Andy wasn't helping. But she got into the e-mail and was soon printing the file.

“I know, dear, but I really hate not saving anyone I can. I already didn't save everyone who applied, you know,” Kris pointed out.

Nik noticed again how tired she looked. “I know. I didn't mean to criticize. And I can't argue that we already have a lawyer, or that we don't need one."

“What do you think, Sue? Do we need one?” Kris asked, turning to her exec, who was now in the small cabin with two bunks. Alix was still ashore at the Toku-Bryan's, studying for her finals. It had gotten a little crowded and a lot less lovey-dovey since she and Kris had come back, but since they were leaving so soon and trying to save money, it really didn't pay for Sue to rent an apartment.

Sue put down her notebook and thought about it. “Well, there are the personal legal issues every woman aboard will have to deal with. We project visits to six continents and scores of countries. I haven't a clue about who has what extradition treaty and so on. Then there are the individual states to keep track of as well as the federal government. If we make landfall in the US, what might we encounter state by state? Are there some states we can safely visit? What rights do we have as individuals and what rights do we have as a business chartered in Great Britain?"

The other three looked at her and at each other. Finally Kris spoke. “I think we need a lawyer."

* * * *

“I think we need a lawyer,” Dani said to Ky. Having taken a few lessons from Niles, she had succeeded in bugging the living room.

“Why?” Ky asked, scared at the intensity in her sister's voice.

“I taped this last night. I couldn't risk listening until today. Thank goodness for all Mom's church work and stuff,” Dani said grimly. “I think we need to divorce our parents."

“What is it? Let me hear it!” Ky demanded.

“Okay, but don't start screaming,” Dani cautioned. “We have time to deal with it. Remember that.” She rewound the tape and put the earphones on Ky's head. “Listen while I watch, in case she comes back. I never know when they're gonna test our trustworthiness."

“Shut up,” Ky said, clamping her hands over the earphones and straining to hear the scratchy recording.

She heard her mother's voice first. “This is better for them than finishing high school."

Harry grunted something Ky couldn't hear, and then Cindy spoke again. “(unintelligible) legislators in Utah."

“They're too young,” Harry said.

“Dani can get a nice man with senior wives and all the guidance she needs,” Cindy was saying.

“(unintelligible) too far away,” Harry replied.

“Ky can marry the same man. There's good money.” Even on the tape Cindy's persistent whine was evident.

Harry grunted again.

“We can take them to visit this summer after camp,” Cindy said. “If it works out, they can stay."

“I'm not sure this will work. I want to know the family,” Harry said.

“This way we can meet the family,” Cindy told him.

Ky yanked the earphones off her head, staring at Dani in horror. “They want to marry us to some man in Utah?” she squeaked. Her round face was white with shock. “Both of us? Now?"

“There's money in it for our church,” Dani said glumly. “If you wanna listen, you can get all those details. The money would be donated in Daddy's name, and Mom would be a big shot and get on the best committees and maybe even run them. And then with grandchildren, she would gain even more power. She wants to be the first on our block, I guess."

“I don't wanna hear it! We have to leave!” Ky insisted, grabbing Dani's shoulders. “Right now! Call Aunt Kris!"

“Look, if you want, we'll call her. But I think they're gonna want us brainwashed by the camp first. Camp is over the end of June. We can't leave yet because we gotta finish the school year. We're gonna lose time from school anyway, so we can't afford to waste the year we're finishing. Do you want to do it over?” Dani asked pointedly.

Ky grimaced. She was barely passing Spanish, but if she held out, she at least wouldn't have to repeat it. “Okay. We finish the year. We go to camp. Then they take us to Utah!” she practically screamed the last sentence. “We get raped by some old fart and have babies until we die!"

“Yes, I know!” Dani said, firmly. “So we won't go to Utah. Now, how long until Mom comes home?"

Ky tried to calm down. Her young mind couldn't yet grasp the horror of it. “Maybe another half hour."

“So this is a good time to call Aunt Kris. I'll start, you watch, we'll switch. We'll use the phone in their bedroom with the calling card, and just watch out the bathroom window. Come on."

Aboard Athena, Kris’ cell phone rang. “Nordstrom,” she said.

“Hi, Aunt Kris. It's Dani."

Kris’ heart sped up. “What's wrong, darling?"

“Well, I think we're at the point where we have to get out. Pretty soon, anyway,” Dani said, and with an ear out for a warning from Ky in the bathroom, Dani related the problem as she saw it.

Kris was stunned. She hadn't expected her sister-in-law to move so far so fast. Certainly Kris knew about polygamy, not only as it was at the moment, but as its proponents hoped it would become. She rubbed her upper lip and tried to think and calm herself, to be strong for her nieces. “Dani, I don't mean to express doubt, but how sure are you that she will do this?"

Dani sighed. Getting grownups to take her seriously had always been a problem. “The conversation went on for more than half an hour. Daddy's wavering. She'll have him convinced by the time we get back from camp. We have money and our stuff ready to go. We can move out any time, but not without help. They'll come after us. Someone has to meet us."

“All right, agreed. But not yet,” Kris told her. Not yet! Not until they had the Dee in North America could she do anything. If she took the girls now, the authorities would track her down before she left the country with them.

Dani said, “I know. We have to finish school. Then a week off, then camp. They could take us out West any time after that. It has to be before that, Aunt Kris, or we could be up in the mountains, pregnant and barefoot."

“Understood, and I will get on it right away. Now let me talk to Ky,” Kris ordered, but gently. She was always gentle with them now.

“Yes, ma'am. Love you, Aunt Kris,” Dani said, blowing her a kiss.

Ky came on the phone. “Aunt Kris?” Her voice quavered and as usual, she began to cry.

“Oh, baby, baby,” Kris soothed. “I'll get you out before anything bad happens to you. Trust me. Play along, and I won't let anything happen. Are you listening, honey? Stop now, Ky. Come on,” Kris pleaded.

“Don't let them take me to Utah. I saw it on TV. They already have lots of wives out there, and they all look so stupid!” Ky whimpered. “I don't wanna be like that. Don't let them get me, Aunt Kris!"

“Okay, okay, calm down. Even your mom said on the tape, not until after camp. You have to finish this semester, Ky. You have to do what Dani and I tell you. I know it's hard, but you have to play along, wait and trust me,” Kris told her.

“Ky! Hang up! She's home!"

“It's Mom! I have to go! We love you, Aunt Kris,” Ky said miserably, and then the connection was severed.

“Oh, God!” Kris howled, dropping to the couch.

Immediately the others surrounded her, and Andy took her spouse in her arms. “Just cry now,” Nik told Kris, stroking her hair. “You can give us all the details later.

Sue looked on. “I'll make coffee,” she decided. They had heard Kris’ side of the conversation, so there wouldn't be much left to tell, but they could hear all the details and as usual, begin to formulate some plan.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, May 3, 2007. Annapolis, Maryland. The INC, TFC and NRN are making a joint appeal to the Boy Scouts of America to create a new badge for Truth Preaching. If approved, Scouts could earn the badge after delivering a series of sermons denouncing homosexuality and feminism.

CHAPTER 65

Devon Ritter opened the door of the Jermyn Street shop and peered in cautiously. Despite being a lesbian, she had never been in a gentlemen's haberdashery before, and she was a little nervous. There had been almost nothing in the windows of this shop to indicate its function, only bolts of dark cloth starkly displayed, and a tiny Royal Navy seal in gold leaf in the corner of the window. One simply knew about these things or one wouldn't have been here.

Despite her caution, the little bell over the door rang and a small, elderly man materialized from the dark wooden paneling that divided the front of the store from the rear. “How may I assist, Madam?” he inquired.

In answer, Dev pulled out the letter she had received from Kris explaining about the acquisition of Royal Navy kit. “I need Royal Navy uniforms, and a sword. I understand you—"

He sniffed, but only a little, and nodded. “Oh, yes, of course. The Baroness Elmhurst's project. Yes, very well aware of that. Well, do step back,” he invited, and opened a door for her to pass through.

In the rear was a well-lighted area with many uniforms laid out in various stages of completion and a small army of tailors with sleeve garters, tape measures and pin cushions strapped to their arms working like beavers.

On a stand was a very young-looking woman being fitted in the uniform of a rating, and Dev smiled, a bit relieved that she wasn't the only one there.

“This way, Madam,” said the wizened gentleman, and Devon followed obediently. She was still very self-conscious about her appearance, and she was starving. Dev was always starving, and had been since January. She had lost more than five pounds a month, every month, and sometimes she felt weak and sick. But she had a picture of the Gold Baron on the refrigerator door, on the pantry, and on her mirrors. Dev had printed them off the net, and knowing that she would be working closely with this lithe, stylish woman proved to be the catalyst that Captain Nordstrom herself could not have been. Dev had lost three pants sizes, and now she would not stop until she lost three more.

She undressed in a closed booth and stood on a stand while every measurement was taken. Then she told the tailor, “I want three more pairs of dress trousers, in three descending waist sizes from where I am now, at my own expense. I also want two pair of each smaller size in what you call undress and fatigue."

“Very good, Madam,” he nodded. He made a note, and that was that.

They packed up her shirts and hats to take with her, as well as rank and other devices for the replica uniforms, and the sword. She could have used her US Navy sword, but Dev was still far too bitter. It was in storage with the rest of her things in Victoria, British Columbia. Having no family with whom to leave her possessions, Dev had elected to store them outside the US in case she was never able to return.

“You may collect the rest of your uniform Tuesday week, Madam,” the tailor informed her, handing her a receipt, “Or you may have it sent along to the ship."

Dev thought about it. She had to report on May 15, and it was only four days off. “Let me pick up whatever is ready on the 14th, and you can send the rest,” she decided.

The tailor made another note, and Dev hefted the packages and trundled off to the underground to return to her room in a small hotel in Mayfair. It had seen better days and was filled with tourists from the other side of the world, but Devon hardly minded. In the evenings she could stroll and eat her one daily meal of curry or pub grub until it was time to take the train to Plymouth.

In her room, Dev examined the RN sword, put it on and practiced the manual of arms. She was rusty, and had to grin at herself in the mirror. If she wasn't careful, she would put her eye out on “order arms.” She put the sword away and looked at the uniform manual she had printed off the internet. She had no idea what everyone else was doing, but she would be ready.

* * * *

“Request permission to come aboard,” Kris said as she ascended the gangplank.

“Granted. Welcome, Captain Nordstrom,” Baron greeted her, shaking her hand firmly. “I relinquish command."

Kris grinned. “Good! I assume command. That saves the bother of a ceremony."

“And I assume command of the Air Wing,” Baron reminded her with a sly grin.

“Understood. And how do you wish to be addressed in that role?” Kris asked as they went through the hatch together.

“Oh, I think ‘Baron’ will do, don't you? It'll make me outrank everyone else on the ship. I'll be pretty independent unless you need me. Just let me know. I've cleared your suite, and I'm off to London for a few days. I've left my numbers on the bridge. Need anything?"

“I can ask the yard if I need to make contact with suppliers or outfitters,” Kris assured her. “Don't worry. I'll take good care of Dee."

“Right, then. Cheerio!” Baron gave Kris a jaunty salute and excused herself.

The ship was hers.

Andy cleared her throat and Kris turned around.

“Orders, Captain?” Andy asked sarcastically.

Kris chuckled. She had completely forgotten her spouses and friends for a moment. “Yes. Let's all get into uniform. Nik, go around and see who's here so we can start a watch rotation. Then report to the bridge to check navigation systems. Andy, see to your engines and let me know about fuel. Sue, set up the watch, announce the duty uniform and assign quarters. Alix, you help Nik count noses. I'll be on the bridge. I want to log in and check all systems that we can. Oh, and let's get formal in public, starting now. Any questions?"

“No, Captain,” Sue answered for all of them.

Kris grinned, hands on hips. “Dismissed!"

Despite having been dismissed, Kris and her lovers proceeded to their shared quarters. Nik would have loved to kick back after their long trip but with Kris running on pure adrenaline there was no hope. Their only break so far had been to spend one day in London collecting uniforms. They had sent over their measurements long before, and their entire kits were waiting to be tried on. It necessitated hiring a car to drive the lot to Plymouth as Kris wanted them dressed from day one. By now they all knew when not to argue, and saved their energy for real issues down the road they had all chosen to travel with Kris as their leader.

They scattered into the rooms they now thought of as their own. Andy was in the “parlor,” from which she could go in and out without disturbing the others, as engineers were never guaranteed a full night's sleep. Nik was in the center, or bedroom, and Kris was just off the bridge. Only the center bed would hold even two of them comfortably, so the dynamics of their relationship were bound to be affected.

Nik wondered about that as she unpacked. She wasn't even supposed to be there yet, but she had basically pled fear for her life and got another professor to proctor and grade her exams. That part of her life was over. She hauled out her undress whites, light-weight pants and short-sleeved shirts with black epaulets and gold “lace” as the British called the stripes Americans designated “braid.” She had two thick stripes on hers, one of which incorporated an “executive curl” in place of the US Navy's star. Andy and Sue wore three each and Kris had four. Nik repeated all the officer grades over and over, hoping she could get away with calling the Petty Officers “Chief” and the ratings “Sailor.” There was no way she could memorize all the forms of address for every occupation on the ship.

She hated the white shoes and socks, looking forward to winter when everything changed to dark blue and black. The ship's laundry would have to work 24 hours a day to starch all these whites.

A knock brought her back to reality, and she quickly buttoned and tucked in her shirt. “Who is it?"

“Andy."

“Come in, Commander,” Nik said with a grin.

“I thought you might like to—” And stopped. “Wow!"

“What?” Nik was baffled.

“Oh, Nik! You look terrific!” Andy squeaked. “Look at you!"

That brought a knock on the other door. “Come in,” Andy yelled. “You gotta see Nik."

But when Kris stepped in, Andy and Kris could only stare. The Captain was crusted with gold from shoulder to shoulder, and her decorations covered the left side of her chest. On the right her “water wings” gleamed above the name-tag on her pocket. Her braid-covered hat was in her hand. “Let's get to work, guys.” She finally noticed they were staring. “What?"

“Captain,” Nik breathed.

Kris caught on and threw her hat on the bed. She opened her arms and gathered her spouses to her. “Let's get this out of your systems. You can't stare at me like that every time you see me."

Andy laughed. “Wait until she sees you in full dress."

“I'll melt,” Nik agreed, pulling herself back together. “Andy, you aren't going into that engine room in those whites, are you?"

“No, I have overalls. What I came in here for was to walk you below and see who's in my spaces so you don't have to climb all the way down. Come on,"

They left together, and Kris went out to her bridge. After a few moments, Sue joined her, picked up the mike and announced uniforms, meal times and an order to check the duty rosters she would have posted outside the three mess areas by 1800 hours.

When Nik and Alix showed up with clipboards full of information, all three adjourned to the wardroom to work out quarters and Kris was alone again with her logs, her technology, and her thoughts.

They had to do a shake-down of ports in the British Isles, which meant not getting to Canada until late June. That left very little time to deal with the Dani and Ky situation, if any. Yet, she had a duty to the ship and crew. It was such rotten timing!

They had done their best to set up a plan. The girls knew what to do. Kris knew it was hard to make them wait, but they had to, at least until the Dee could get to North America. The schedule was tight, but Kris was sure they could do it.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, May 3, 2007. Washington, DC. In a White House press briefing today, when asked about the inevitability of the new Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, the President remarked that such an action, while tragic, would be all but academic as there is no funding and no facilities for abortion left in the nation at this point in any event.

* * * *

“But what does, ‘Europe for a few weeks’ mean?” Ky grumbled. They had been over it many times and she still wasn't satisfied with her aunt's plan. There was way too much room for error, in Ky's opinion.

Dani sighed, “What can we do? She says as soon as she's back, she'll find out where we are and come for us. All we have to do is give her our location."

“And then what? She'll beam us up? We don't have enough information,” Ky complained.

“Let's go over it again,” Dani tried. “We pack our bags and hide them. We wait for her call. She tells us when to move out. We keep giving her locations until we meet."

“Dani, this plan is full of holes! Okay, she calls us and says move out. We do it. We have maybe six hours head start. We don't know where she is. How can she reach us and get us out before the police find us?"

“I think there's something she isn't telling us,” Dani said slowly.

“Yeah? Like?” Ky demanded.

“She has some special way to get here, or is gonna involve people we don't know about yet, who will help us,” Dani guessed.

“I wish she would tell us. I mean, I trust her, but this is way too uncertain. She needs to tell us more. I mean, I'll still do it. What choice do I have? But it just makes me more scared.” Ky slumped on her bed and heaved a huge sigh.

Dani got up from her desk chair and put an arm around her sister. “Look: it's the middle of May. In six weeks, one way or the other, we'll be with her. Even if Daddy and Mom take us to Utah, they won't marry us off the minute we arrive. They'll have to negotiate and arrange things. We'll still have plenty of time to get away. You'll see."

Ky looked at her skeptically. “I sure hope you're right."

CHAPTER 66

Devon Ritter saw the ship before the taxi entered the yard. There were other ships of many kinds, but she knew what to look for. The radio masts and big gun emplacements would have identified the Dee to all but the most casual observer anyway.

With heart pounding, Dev paid the driver and began to collect her gear, but before she got very far at all, a young sailor in fatigues, SP armband and webbed belt materialized beside her. “May I see your orders?"

Devon was pleased to see that Captain Nordstrom had already set up decent security. “Of course.” The sailor ran up the gangplank and handed the paperwork over to an officer whose armband identified her as Officer of the Deck. Devon stood watching, and in a moment the sailor pounded back down again. “Allow me to assist you, Commander,” she said formally.

When they reached the top of the gangplank, Devon turned automatically to face the stern. She couldn't salute the Union Jack, because she was not in uniform, but when she turned back to face the OOD, she still recited the formulaic, “Request permission to come aboard, ma'am."

“Granted, and welcome. I'm Commander Whittington, the exec.” They shook hands. “Cadet Whittington will take you to your quarters. Do you have uniforms yet, Ms. Ritter?"

“Yes, ma'am, one of everything. The others are being sent."

“Understood. Do the best you can until they arrive. Settle in and see me in the wardroom after lunch, 1330."

“Aye, Commander,” Dev said smartly, and she followed the sailor below.

Interesting, Dev thought, a mother and daughter. She would probably be seeing a lot of family members aboard.

Whittington dropped Dev's luggage in a narrow cabin, a single one. Dev was relieved to see Nordstrom's arbitrary grade assignment carried some advantages. Quickly Devon stowed what she had and dressed, pleased with the look of the two-and-a-half stripes of a Lieutenant Commander on her shoulders. From her perspective, Devon could sail in this ship until she died. The others might have had things to live for back home, but Dev didn't. This was all she had, and it suited her just fine.

Since it was nearly noon, Dev wandered toward the wardroom where lunch was to be served. It was neat and bare, and only one of the curtained bunks appeared to be occupied. Others began to trickle in, and then the serving window opened.

“Devon! Welcome! Come help me serve,"

It was Captain Nordstrom. In an apron!

“Captain?” Dev goggled.

“Come on back here. No one here but us officers, and it's my turn to cook. Hope you like club sandwiches."

“Sure,” Dev said. She liked any food. She joined the captain and started opening bags of chips and jars of pickles.

“You look good. I'm proud of you,” Nordstrom smiled.

Dev blushed. “Thank you, ma'am."

They were eight for lunch, and as soon as Kris took her place at the head of the table, she had everyone give their name and position. In addition to the Captain, Exec, Ops Officer and Engineer, there were Senior Sea Cadet Alexis Whittington, Intel Officer Amelia McKenzie, Info Systems Officer Keisha Farmer, and Chaplain Mikiko Toku-Bryan. The Medical Officer and several others were expected later in the day.

“I know it's not customary for the Captain to dine with her officers,” Kris said, “but I don't have the luxury of a private dining room and steward on this ship, nor is it necessary. We will have mess stewards later, but for now we're on our own. I won't come into the wardroom except for meals and meetings, though. It's still your space most of the time."

After lunch, Cadet Whittington had KP and Commander Whittington sat down with Ritter, Farmer, McKenzie and the Chaplain for orientation and assignments. Following an extensive tour of the Dee, the Exec released them to go about their duties.

Dev went off to look at her guns and magazines. There was a confidence in her stride that had been missing for many years. She was home again.

* * * *

The ship was still so empty, it echoed. All of the spaces were open and ready, but most were occupied only by ghosts, or so it seemed to Lieutenant Keisha Farmer. She was the only black woman among the officers, at least so far, and it wasn't the sort of thing you wanted to ask the exec about right away. Better to wait and see. Anyway, the others seemed nice enough, and they were all in a minority now. Any differences there might be would be leveled by their situation. No one here would make sexist remarks as they had in the Marine Corps from which she had just escaped. No one would threaten to fire bomb her apartment. No one would suggest she embrace Islam and become some man's second or third wife.

Farmer wasn't a people person anyway, so it almost didn't matter. As Information Systems Officer, she was responsible for every computer on the ship, regardless of its function, and that suited her. She spoke their language, they spoke hers, and she had selected subordinates who knew their business. Everything was going to be fine, she told herself as she opened the doors of the space where Fire Control Systems were housed. Just fine.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, May 16, 2007. Boise, Idaho. Obadiah Jones today endorsed the pending House bill that the Rainbow flag be made illegal. Wording describes the flag as “subversive and perverse,” and likens its display to that of the swastika. While the ACLU is expected to oppose the bill as unconstitutional, it is widely understood that they lack the support needed to mount a serious defense.

* * * *

Lieutenant Amelia McKenzie looked around the tiny gray cubby-hole that was her “office.” She was glad to have one at all. There was a computer, so she turned it on and sat down. Her major job was to keep track of every legal development in the world that could affect them. In addition, she would counsel women on their individual situations. As an Army defense counsel, her job had had less scope, more supervision, and a lot of pressure. Then her world had been turned upside down, and now she was playing Royal Navy, and the needs of the people were far more serious. She would receive almost no supervision and almost no pay, but going home to Indiana to play TFC would have been a lot worse.

She accessed the web and e-mailed her thanks to Brenda, filled her printer with paper and began to set up searches on her areas of responsibility. She hadn't touched international or family law in a while, and she was rusty. But a smile came to her perfect lips as she lost herself in her work.

“Hello."

McKenzie looked up. “Oh, Lieutenant Gervais."

“I didn't mean to startle you. I wanted to check: even though you are not a line officer, you can stand watch, but it's optional."

“By all means, put me on the roster. I can pull my weight."

Nik looked at her and had to agree. The woman was tall and slender, but there was a definite toughness there. Someone who had spent years in a military courtroom wouldn't be easily pushed around. “Thank you. If you will come by my ... alcove, I can show you the watch regulations. Eventually I will scan them and post them on our electronic boards, but I have not had time."

The lawyer nodded. “Lieutenant, can you tell me how formal we need to be? I mean, you and I are the same rank. Please call me Mac."

Nik nodded and they shook hands. “I'm Nik,” she said. “You were in the Army. How odd this must seem to you."

Mac perched on the edge of her little desk. “Yeah, I was a captain. I've been demoted!"

They both laughed.

“Commander Whittington is going to have a games night in the wardroom after dinner. I hope you will join us,” Nik invited.

“I'll be there,” Amy grinned. She knew Nik was taken, but surely they could be friends. The Ops Officer wore the same wedding ring as the Captain and the Chief Engineer. How unusual was that! But other women were coming, and Amy was free as a bird.

* * * *

Koko was still unpacking. She found the uniforms strangely comforting, a symbol of unity. Could she work it into a sermon?

She knew she was lucky to have such a large living space, by virtue of her seniority as a Lieutenant Commander, her position as Chaplain, and because Jordan would be joining her after they got to Canada. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of her family, so far away. They had all cried when she left, but they would meet her in Halifax, and then she would have Jordan. Later, when they reached Vancouver, she would see them again.

Koko wondered how it would be, sharing living space with a lesbian. As far as she knew, she never had. In the other, slightly smaller cabin was Lieutenant McKenzie, single and attractive. Koko couldn't imagine she wouldn't find a woman to share her bed before too long. At least there was a separate door, or hatch, for each cabin, although there was only one tiny bathroom. Jordan would have to learn to shower. Koko knew she and Jordan were both going to have to adapt quite a bit. But then, so would everyone else.

* * * *

Keisha Farmer sat back and watched the others team up for Trivial Pursuit. She wanted to see how much the others knew before she would commit herself. No one seemed to mind that she wasn't playing. The Exec's kid wasn't playing, either.

Keisha was still resentful of having had to leave the Marines for no reason other than it was just too tough to be one anymore. There was no place safe to live, and so many male Marines were in the NRN, the TFC or the INC that there was no escaping their preaching and criticism. The Marines had always been the most sexist service, and in retrospect, Keisha had to wonder why she chose it, except that she had wanted to prove to everyone that she was tough enough.

Knowing resentment as well as she did, she spotted it in Devon Ritter, who was playing on the Captain's team. What was the fat woman's story? Keisha wondered. In fact, what was a fat woman doing on this ship? Whip-thin and steely, Keisha had no use for fat people, but she was as curious as she was intolerant. She would find out.

* * * *

Alix couldn't take her eyes off Mac, the lawyer. She was almost as gorgeous as Nik, and a lot less frosty. Her laughter filled the wardroom at one of Andy's deliberately incorrect answers, and Alix began to wonder if that damned age thing was going to come into play again. Or that damned rank thing. As a cadet she was probably expected to limit her friendships to other cadets, which would have been fine if there had been any besides her.

Alix knew Kris’ nieces were coming. Currently trapped in Ohio, they had to wait until the Dee crossed the Atlantic and made port in Canada. Then there was supposed to be some rescue operation but the details were kept secret from all but her mother and the three lovers. But even when the girls came, they were lots younger; still girls and not women.

There would be other girls and young women, too. So far it was only officers and herself on the ship. Ratings and Petty Officers would arrive the following week. Some of them had teen-aged daughters whom Kris would carry as cadets. Still others would join their moms in Canada. And of course, some of the sailors themselves were Alix's own age. Kris would have to make decisions about socializing. They weren't really in any Navy, and they only had each other. Alix wondered how the Captain could stop them from interacting on a personal level. Especially as the Captain had two wives.

* * * *

“Mac, I have an idea,” Koko said as they returned to their cabin that night.

“What's that, Chaplain?” Mac asked, inclining her head.

“Why don't we swap cabins? I don't want Jordan in my bed; it's not a good idea. I can get Andy to install some sort of bunk for her on the other wall, um, bulkhead. What do you say?” Koko asked. “Oh, and please call me Koko. I don't want to be that formal off duty."

Mac was astonished. “You don't want that double bed?"

“What's the point? If Andy puts an extra bunk in there, we won't have room to move. And you're a lot bigger than me. You take it,” Koko insisted.

“Well, you're too kind, but I accept. If we switch now, we won't have to change the sheets,” Mac told her jokingly.

“Let's do it,” Koko agreed. She was relieved. Having that huge bed to herself made her feel awfully guilty, and reminded her very uncomfortably that her husband wasn't there.

CHAPTER 67

The deck of the Dee was a flurry of activity. They were leaving Plymouth for their first stop in Greenwich at the National Maritime Museum.

Sailors in dungarees coiled lines and climbed the masts to look out fore and aft during the tugging operation that drew them away from the pier.

The bridge was jammed. Kris was in the big chair, binoculars on her chest. When she gave orders, she spoke clearly, but did not raise her voice. Baron stood beside her, in her flying gear, quietly observing. Chief Brown was at the helm, the exec was on the phones. Nik observed two sets of radar returns, sweating profusely, although Sue was right there just in case. Keisha Farmer was in the network space abaft the bridge where she could see if any system in the ship went down. She was pleased that another black woman, Chief Brown, was also in a position of responsibility. Dev was on deck, supervising the crew. As a Naval Academy graduate, her expertise was not limited to armament. Every line officer was expected to know how to supervise deck operations during docking or getting underway.

The tugs didn't have much to do. Technically, Kris could have gotten them off the pier without a tug, but each yard has its own rules and a tug was required until they got out into the main channel. Then Dev would relay Kris’ orders to turn the tugs loose, and they would be on their own.

Koko and Mac stood outside on the flying bridge where they wouldn't get in the way of the people who had jobs. With them was the Chief Medical Officer, Anne Van Devanter, an enormous blond woman of Dutch descent, recently of the National Institute of Health. She couldn't walk standing straight up in some of the passages, and she made the dispensary look like a dollhouse.

Mac looked up at her, “So, where did you play basketball, Doc?"

Van Devanter looked down at her. “Cornell, and it was football, and don't you forget it."

Mac threw back her head and laughed.

“Be nice,” Koko cautioned.

Mac and Van grinned at each other. They were going to be friends.

* * * *

Once underway, the entire atmosphere of the ship changed. People rushed about cheerfully and purposefully, stopping one another to learn names, and charging on again. Dee traveled during the week and was on display on weekends, so Kris had allowed plenty of time for them to make their way around to Greenwich and be open to receive visitors on Saturday morning. Baron had said something about royalty or nobility maybe showing up, so Sue had announced dress whites with swords for the officers and the equivalent for enlisted. That gave almost everyone something to do, especially touch-up ironing. An inspection was scheduled for 0700 Saturday to allow people to get their act together before the public arrived.

“Mom, do these pants look all right?” Alix fretted.

“They're fine,” Sue assured her. Alix was staying with her mother for the moment, although she had cleverly claimed the best bunk in the wardroom already.

“The collar is too tight,” Alix complained.

“It isn't tight, it's high,” Sue said reasonably.

“Wouldn't Daddy and Bryce have a fit to see us wearing these swords?” Alix giggled.

“Yes, and be careful before you cut me off at the knees,” Sue warned good-naturedly.

Nik spent the time in transit figuring out which people belonged to her and following them around to see what they did.

“Listen, Lieutenant,” said her most senior petty officer, “The key to success for every officer is a CPO to keep you out of trouble. Keep your eye on me, and I'll keep track of everything else."

“That doesn't seem fair, Chief,” Nik said dubiously. “That doesn't leave me much to do, does it?"

The older woman laughed. “You find out what the Captain wants done, tell me, and I'll see it's accomplished. If she asks for more than we can do, you straighten her out. You communicate up, I communicate down."

“I am very grateful for your patience, Chief Walters,” Nik said gravely. “For example, this, “Open Ranks Inspection in Divisions,'” she said, reading from the daily bulletin.

“Piece of cake,” said the Chief. “Now, the way that works is..."

* * * *

At 0700 sharp, the divisions were called to attention for the Captain's inspection. Wearing her braided hat and sword, and followed by her similarly attired exec, Captain Nordstrom made her way through the ranks. Except for the watch and engineering personnel who had to remain at their posts, the entire ships’ complement was present on the flight deck, arranged around the helicopter. Officers were in front of each division, CPOs behind them, and ratings to the rear.

Mac cursed herself for an idiot even while admiring the dashing figure the Captain cut, murmuring to this sailor and that as Nik followed her and Sue through the ranks of the Operations personnel.

When Mac had foolishly remarked that she had no subordinates, Sue had cheerfully given her the additional duty of Services Officer. That had kept Lieutenant McKenzie scrambling for a week, pinning down quartermasters, cooks and administrators all over the ship, and making sure they were ready to be inspected. She thought she and her three CPOs had things pretty much under control. She hoped they did.

When Kris approached Dev, Dev saluted and escorted her through the small division of security and gunnery people she headed. Dev had no qualms. This was what she did best, and she knew it. She looked forward to a formal inspection of her guns as well.

Nik watched Kris longingly out of the corner of her eye long after her own division had returned to “parade rest.” Kris was gorgeous, the thick auburn hair cut short, brushed back and gleaming where it wasn't covered by the sparkling white hat. Kris had advised, and her advice had been taken, that they buy comfortable white shoes and boots before heading to Europe where sizes were a little different. Today they all wore white patent, ankle-high dress boots, along with the high-collared tunics and knife-creased white pants, which had been so stiff Nik had had to run her sword through the legs to break the starch. Many of the officers and enlisted women wore rows of miniature medals from former services on their chests. Nik had none, but when Andy had remarked the medals would only obscure Nik's beautiful breasts, she had felt better.

Right now, though, Nik had nothing in mind other than getting Kris alone and taking her sword and boots and uniform off her and ... Nik sighed. Sex was a problem. No sense going there at the moment.

Sue was impressed by Kris’ quiet leadership, but then, she always had been. Sue found when she put aside Kris’ sexual proclivities and concentrated on her professional behavior, the world seemed almost in balance again. This was a happy Captain, and the Dee was, at least in this first week of sea operations, a happy ship. There had been the usual squabbling over choice bunks and awards of ratings, but at present, everyone had most of what they wanted. Sue kept tapping at her PDA as Kris made gentle corrections and praised those sailors whose appearance was most outstanding. As long as Kris was light on sarcasm and long on humor, her women would be content enough.

Alix watched her mother from her place two steps behind and to the right of Nik. Cadets belonged to Operations no matter where they spent the duty day. Alix wished her brother could see her now, wearing the replica of the cadet uniforms at Dartmouth, the British naval academy. Kris had given Alix the new sword herself, reminding her that she was in training for the leadership and responsibility represented by the ancient weapon. Alix knew her friends from school might laugh, but at least Alix was here, safe with her mom, doing a job, and still learning. And her junior year of college was complete.

Alix looked straight ahead, her head up. She was proud of her mother, too, having made a break successfully and now second in command of this ship. She knew Sue was perfectly capable of running the ship herself. Like Kris and Andy, Sue held a Master's Certificate, and could take a variety of vessels to sea. Alix still had a hard time calling her own mother “Commander” and “Ma'am,” during the day, but then, her mother didn't call her “Alix” either, addressing her daughter as “Cadet” and “Ms. Whittington.” It took some doing not to feel self-conscious anymore, but they were both getting used to it.

“Give them ‘at ease,’ Commander,” Kris directed when she was done with the last division. Chief Brown trotted over and miked Kris to the ship's PA system, then stepped respectfully back. The Chief worshipped Nordstrom, eternally grateful to the woman who had rescued her when she had nowhere else to go, Brown was rapidly turning into Kris’ general factotum, and had her eye on Senior Chief status. She knew she was still too young, but no one knew how long they would be out here.

Standing on top of a hatch, Kris addressed her crew. “Ladies, I'm proud of you! You all look sharp today. The minor exceptions can easily be corrected by 0900 when we lower the gangplank to the public. Those of you who are off duty may check with your division officer about liberty. Everyone who will be visible to the public needs to remain in dress whites, and we will go to undress tomorrow, or I think we will. Is that right, Number One?” she asked Sue.

“Affirmative,” Sue nodded.

Kris went on, “Commander Whittington informs me that Best Division for today is Gunnery. You get to choose the movies for the whole ship for the next week. No ‘blue movies’ except after midnight Friday, no one under 18 allowed."

Gunnery cheered, and a chorus of moans went up from everyone else.

“You heard me,” Kris cut them off with mock severity. “Stay on your toes until 1700, and wear civvies when you go into town. The Royal Navy does not, repeat, does not, authorize us in uniform off base or off post while inside the United Kingdom. Over to you, Commander Whittington."

Sue called the divisions to attention again and Kris departed the deck. Then Sue made a few more announcements and dismissed the ship's company to prepare for the arrival of visitors. Very close by was the HMS Cutty Sark, and it was a beautiful summer Saturday. They were sure to see hordes of people.

It was nearly noon when the Baron's Bentley returned, and when the chauffeur opened the rear door, the first person to disembark was a Royal in summer whites. Nik was OOD and having no clue what to do, she immediately sent a runner to the bridge.

“What is that? A rear admiral? Holy shit!” Dev said, looking over the side. As OOD she had to assemble the greeting party and it had to be the right size.

In seconds the PA crackled and sidegirls were called to the gangplank. Kris came scrambling down from the bridge followed by Sue and Alix, and everyone managed to assemble just in time. Chief Brown pulled out her silver whistle and the Baron and her guest were piped aboard in proper Royal Navy fashion.

All of the tourists on deck and on the pier began to twitter and point and cameras began clicking like mad. The media was nowhere to be seen, as the visit wasn't on the official calendar. Baron had pulled off the stunt as a bit of a lark, but it would reach the press in time for subsequent stops.

“Very impressive, Captain,” the royal admiral said, her hand on the hilt of her own sword, gazing about with interest. “How did you manage to train them so quickly?"

“You're very kind, Ma'am,” Kris said, “But we had a hint or two and a week to get it done."

“Yes, Fitzmarion has quite a sense of humor, has she not?” the Royal said as they wandered aft.

“You could say that,” Kris agreed, opening a hatch. She threw Baron a look but the Peer kept mum and looked innocent.

“So, an entire ship of women, and in antique RN rig. Fitzmarion, you never fail to amaze me,” said the Royal personage.

“I told you I could do it,” Baron said airily.

“So you did. Whatever will the establishment say?” the tall woman grinned, showing a lot of tooth.

“With any luck I'll be in all the tabs tomorrow,” said Baron. “Can't wait."

Kris made a mental note to stay away from the rails and not get her picture taken. It wouldn't do for her to get any publicity at home before Dani and Ky were safely aboard. She would have to tell Mac, who handled PR, to make sure her name did not appear in press releases or interviews.

The Royal visit lasted only a half hour, but it was enough. Their stops in Scotland and beyond were sure to bring record numbers of guests, and insure the success of the whole enterprise for the foreseeable future.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, May 29, 2007. Chicago, Illinois. Northwestern University reports that nine out of ten school districts across the South require daily prayer in school. Although technically unconstitutional, there have been no formal protests concerning this topic since early 2006. Scholars predict that the lines of separation of church and state will become increasingly blurred as long as the NRN remains in control of Congress.

CHAPTER 68

“Off we go!” Cindy cried gaily, turning to face her two daughters who sat in the back. The family van was chock full of their gear for camp. There were things in their trunks about which Cindy had no idea, of course. The girls had had to stage a commando raid in the middle of the night to repack them.

Both girls had plastered idiot grins to their faces. It was almost a reflex now, and still their parents never caught on. In private, Dani called it “protective coloration,” that, and all the other strange behaviors they had adopted to keep their parents in the dark.

Ky kept on grinning and looked out the window as they began passing through farm country. Ohio was okay but it had little to offer the adventurous teenage sailor. Pedal-boats! The TFC thought that was all it took to make today's young women happy. Throw in a few checked curtains and some cookie-baking and these girls should be in heaven. Ky still had to keep her own counsel, but only for a few more weeks. Soon their year of hell would be over.

Dani knew that Ky had serious doubts about her ability, or even their aunt's, to rescue them from the nightmare in which they were living. Dani had already seen the maps and brochures for a trip to Utah in their father's desk, and she had told Ky because she didn't want get into the habit of leaving her out. Trust had to be airtight between them. Of course Ky had been very upset, but as always, Dani had managed to calm her down and reassure her.

But there was never anyone to reassure Dani, and she was getting exhausted, playing both mother and aunt to Ky. She loved her sister, but it was a role she was ready to turn over to her aunt. She thought perhaps the reason she placed so much trust and confidence in Kris was because she really needed to. If she couldn't have believed it would be over soon, she might have just given up and accepted her TFC role so she could quit all this heroic swimming upstream. Findlay was still two hours away. But, dull and idiotic a pursuit as it was bound to be, Dani knew that both of them looked forward to being away from their parents.

* * * *

“Remember what we discussed about choosing a bunk,” Dani whispered to Ky when they got out in the parking lot.

“I know,” Ky muttered, keeping her head turned away. They had gone over lots of rules, many times. She was to get a bunk close to the exit or the bathroom, or which was somehow obscured, in case they had to leave the camp. They also knew how to make an empty bunk look occupied. They would both develop reputations for peeing during the night. It was a lot to keep track of, but better than thinking too hard about “How to Please a Christian Man."

Their counselors, pretty young women in pastel-checked Oaf fashion, came out to greet them and help them settle into their cottages. Cindy and Harry trailed along to each daughter's new lodgings, Cindy crowing over how darling everything was.

It made Dani want to puke, and she fought not to curl her lip in disdain at the girls who had arrived earlier and were now reading their Bibles on the screened porch and discussing God's plans for their lives. They all smiled shyly at the new campers, as if afraid to do anything more to recognize their own existences.

Dani saw a lower bunk near the back door was unoccupied and she grabbed it.

“Oh, good,” said Miss Judy, with relief. “None of the other girls wanted that one, because of the snakes or mice than might come in."

“I don't mind,” Dani said softly. In her opinion, no self-respecting rodent would come anywhere near “Rachel's House,” as the cabin was called.

Dani unpacked and made her bed while their parents discussed the wonderful growth and acceptance opportunities with the counselor.

Ky fidgeted. “Hurry up!” she told Dani. “This is driving me nuts!"

“Okay, okay. Don't let them hear you!"

When they got to “Esther's House” Ky had to take a top bunk. Bad in one way because climbing out of it was more obvious, good because it was harder to see into, especially in the dark. Her counselor, Miss Harriet, was also relieved. “It's hard to climb up there and maintain our lady-like decorum, isn't it?” she sympathized. “Perhaps next year we'll have enough cabins to just have lower bunks."

“Gee, I hope so!” Ky said in a bright, sugary tone.

Dani's eyes were already glazing over, but she was proud of her sister's acting talent. It was the very same talent that had won her a prize in their modern dance competition that spring, and their parents were very proud, not realizing that their sweet little girls could now kick a door down in three seconds flat.

There was a little welcoming speech by the head counselor, Mr. Jacob, with lots of praying thrown in for good measure. All the girls received some headscarves in the pastel color of their cabins, since tee-shirts were considered “unfeminine” and “vulgar.” They tied them on their heads and walked their parents to their cars, and then Ky and Dani had to split up to go to their respective cabins. They knew they had to be very careful not to do anything that would attract attention, such as being seen together, or spending too much time alone.

“And don't forget,” Dani warned, “the Oafs are perfectly capable of planting spies in each bungalow. Don't trust anyone who seems to think like we do."

“I thought the counselors would be the spies,” Ky remarked, kicking at the gravel of the parking lot.

“Well, sure they are, but maybe not the only ones. Play the game. Maybe I'll see you at dinner. Bye.” Dani ran off so she wouldn't have to see Ky cry, or before she cried herself.

* * * *

Dani and Ky didn't get to talk again that day, although they waved at each other during dinner and at the Praise Circle around the big campfire, which was lit by the male head counselor. That night in her upper bunk, it suddenly occurred to Ky that she might have seen her parents for the last time in a long time, maybe forever, and she wondered if Dani had realized it, too.

* * * *

Dani was also awake, but she wasn't thinking about her parents. She was thinking about Kris, and how if they were with her, they would be free enough for her to find out if she really was a lesbian. She didn't care what Kris was doing in Europe, she just wanted to be with her. She wanted it so bad it hurt, and before she knew it, she was crying.

“Shut up, Nordstrom,” she told herself. “What would the Captain say?"

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 6, 2007. Richmond, Virginia. True Fundamentalist Covenant lobbyists are meeting with US Representatives here this week for a conference on marriage. The TFC is pushing an agenda requiring federal legislation to regulate marriage, with the specific goal of requiring all women who marry to have consent of their father or nearest male relative.

* * * *

“I'm so glad the girls are all settled in. This will be a wonderful trip for them, surrounded by God's love and good Christian women 24 hours a day,” Cindy observed contentedly and she made tea for herself and Harry.

“I'll miss them, even though Danielle is mad at me all the time,” Harry observed morosely.

“Nonsense. She's obedient and respectful!” Cindy objected, bringing the tea to the table. “And think of the other advantages. They will accept God's will that they stop pursuing a useless education, they'll be ready to become wives, and they will be completely away from the influence of your sister, wherever she is."

“She must be in California. Her friend is there, and almost no other state allows women to live alone,” Harry remarked.

“Or to be lesbians,” Cindy pointed out.

“We don't know that,” Harry said, apathy clear in his voice.

“No matter. Soon enough it will be illegal there, too,” Cindy said. She didn't need to press further. Everything was going along exactly as she planned.

* * * *

Kris was disappointed. She knew the girls were at the Oaf Matrimony Camp, but she still missed hearing from them everyday.

Nik noticed Kris was less animated than usual after supper, and sat down with her on the sofa in the parlor. Andy was down in her engine room checking an oil leak. “Want to talk about it?"

Kris looked at her speculatively. “I think I'd rather do something about it."

“Would you? Like what?” Nik asked, drawing her long legs up and cuddling up against her lover's side. Nik's heart was pounding. They had been so busy since leaving Plymouth, they had spent all of their limited free time sleeping.

“I think I'd like you to make love to me, Lieutenant,” Kris said, sliding her hand between Nik's legs.

“I think I would ... like ... that ... toooooooo! Oh, Kris,” Nik groaned.

“Get down, woman,” Kris growled.

“Yes, Captain!” She was on the floor in a flash, yanking Kris's sweatsuit off. Sue was on the bridge, and the weather between their present position and their next port, Edinburgh, was relatively clear. They were free!

That was how Andy happened to find Nik on her knees between Kris’ legs when she walked in a few minutes later. Kris’ head was thrown back, one hand on Nik's neck, and she was purring.

“Oh, my!” Andy grinned. “Would you like privacy, or...?"

“Join us,” Kris invited. “You can do me next."

Andy was not at all put off that they had started without her. “Gladly,” she agreed, and her uniform was on the floor in mere moments. She knelt on the couch with Kris, leaned over and took both of the Captain's breasts in her hands, and began softly kneading the nipples.

“Jesus, Andy!” Kris gasped.

“Got you where I want you now,” Andy murmured, and then she kissed Kris until Kris climaxed to Nik's tongue.

“Nik! Nik! Nik!” Kris gasped, trying not to scream. It hit her all at once how long it had been, and she found herself bent almost double.

Andy slipped gracefully to the floor. “Switch,” she told Nik, and soon Nik was on the couch sucking Kris’ nipples as Kris writhed her way through a second climax.

“Mmmmmm,” Andy sighed, pleasuring her spouse. Nik had really gotten her going.

Kris sagged bonelessly on the couch, her eyes half shut. “Do it on the floor. Entertain me,” she demanded.

“Yes, ma'am!” Andy laughed. She put Nik on her back and slid under the younger woman's hips, finding another feast awaiting her there.

“You are one fine woman, Nik,” Andy breathed.

Nik almost didn't hear her, she was so far along. “Do it, do it,” she muttered, needing Andy's attentions. The engineer's tongue was heaven. There was nothing else.

Nik didn't even try to hold out. She burst in a series of orgasms, and looking up, she saw Kris’ hand working in her crotch. “I hope it's good for you, too, my love,” she joked weakly as Andy finished her.

Kris’ response was another moan of relief.

“Okay, people,” Andy said. “I've done all I can for you."

“Lie back, Andy,” Kris ordered. “I'm the only one who hasn't had dessert."

“Get up over me so I can taste you,” Andy requested. She wanted to make Kris come again.

A wily grin crept over the Captain's face. She wanted it, too. “Eat me, lover."

Nik leaned against the couch and soon found her hand in her own crotch again. It seemed once they got started, having done without for so long, they just couldn't stop. Watching the others carefully, she managed to delay her own orgasm until just after they came, so she could enjoy all three to the fullest.

Once they could breathe again, Andy suggested, “Let's go cuddle."

They picked themselves up and piled into the bed in the suite's center room. It was comfortable for one, adequate for two, but impossible for any three-way activity other than spooning tightly together, this time with Kris in the middle.

“Kris misses the girls,” Nik said, more or less to Andy.

“Yeah, I'm sure. What's up with them?” she asked Kris, whose arm was over her from behind.

“They got to camp yesterday, so it's two days since I've heard. I'm sure they're quite safe, but bored out of their minds, and we're effectively cut off. There's no computer there, except some little thing with recipes and Bible verses on it, and unless they use the cell phones, no way of reaching me. I wouldn't mind if they did that, but it would be awkward and time-consuming without privacy,” Kris explained.

“If this is a stupid question, just say so,” Andy asked, “but can't they use their calling card and just call from a pay phone? There must be one."

“Yes, there is, but it's monitored all the time. They aren't supposed to use it except to call home. I thought of telling them to call me ‘Dad’ or ‘Mom’ when they use it, but then a counselor might inadvertently mention the call to Cindy or Harry. Too risky."

“So not even e-mail,” Nik said. “Unless they hook one of the cell-phones to the PDA, which is even more awkward than using it to call."

“Well, then they wouldn't have to talk, but no, the trade-off isn't there,” Kris sighed. “I just write them every day and hope for some sort of break.” She kissed Andy's neck. “And you two were darling for cheering me up so nicely. I really needed it."

“Anyone is welcome to cuddle anytime,” Nik invited, since she had the biggest bed.

“You know, I think we had better not place any limitations on love-making,” Andy said. “Tonight worked out great, but I think anytime two of us have a chance and want it, we should go for it."

“Agreed,” Nik said. “These opportunities are all too rare, right, Kris?"

But there was no answer. The Captain had dozed off between them, and with pleased grins, the other two eased out to let her sleep. Andy tapped Nik and nodded at the door to the parlor. Nik smiled, and they turned out the lights and shut the door behind them.

CHAPTER 69

“Norway? But I thought we were going to Iceland,” Kris said, puzzled. They were discussing operations prior to departure from Edinburgh.

“We are! But Bergen's just over the horizon, and they've had an exhibit cancellation. We can easily spend all day Wednesday there, and still make Reykjavik by late Friday night,” the Baron said breezily. “I think it's on."

Kris wanted to head West, not east, but she realized her reasoning was purely psychological. She bit her tongue.

“An extra port is good business,” Sue pointed out.

“Does it make sense to go in the middle of the week, though?” Kris wondered. At least that was a practical consideration.

“Well, it's no worse than steaming slowly to Iceland, is it? Something to do and make a profit into the bargain,” Baron said. Her mind was made up and she was the owner.

“All right,” Kris said. “I know the crew will enjoy seeing another country. Sue, make the course changes immediately. Baron, have you the port particulars?"

“On my desk. Come along and I'll hand them over.” She got up and left the wardroom, leaving Kris no choice but to follow.

In Baron's suite, the Peer closed the door. “How's it going, Captain? Any problems we need to discuss?"

“Commander Santiago would like someone to check number two engine next time we can get to a yard. It's leaking more than she would like."

“Possibly Bergen. We'll be in late tomorrow night,” Baron nodded, handing Kris a sheaf of telexes. “See about it and get back to me on time and cost. Anything else?"

“Nothing you can help with, although let me thank you again for solving my storage problem with Athena,” Kris said.

Baron waved her off. “My spoilt friends will enjoy playing with her in your absence. Is she in Vancouver yet?"

“Last night. Commander Santiago's colleagues dropped her off and are en route to Halifax with the cats even as we speak,” Kris informed her.

“And your nieces?"

“Still at Matrimony Camp, I'm afraid,” Kris said with a rueful grin. “Once we reach Canada, I may have to go get them, but Commanders Whittington and Santiago can manage very well without me."

Baron laughed. “I may have to find you redundant!"

“I'm sorry?"

Baron looked up at her with a sly grin. “It means you're fired, but not to worry. Didn't you see the tabs here in Edinburgh? You're indispensable. Right, then. See you."

Clearly the interview was over. Kris turned to leave, but Baron stopped her. “Can you send me that Gunner of yours? Now we'll be at sea a bit, I can spare the time."

“Aye, Baron,” Kris said, and she left. Awfully different, working for a civilian, and a younger one at that, Kris thought, but so far, not a problem.

* * * *

Dev looked at herself in the tiny mirror. Disgusting, she thought. Glad I can't see more. Fortunately, the Exec had ordered them into undress blues until further notice as they were so far north, and the regulation wooly-pully was a bit more forgiving that the thin whites. The heavy blue sweater also made her waist less distinct.

As soon as morning drills were over, Dev stopped by the wardroom for coffee and gossip, then grabbed her cap and made her way forward to the Baron's suite. She had been told never to go there before 10 A.M. The privileges of nobility, Dev thought with a grin. Yet the Baron didn't stand on ceremony, either, or so Dev had been told. She rapped sharply on Baron's door.

“Come!"

Wiping her sweaty palms on her pants one more time, Dev opened the door and stepped in.

The suite was small but elegant, with paneled walls and various amenities built in. But to Devon Ritter, the most interesting and valuable of the amenities was in full flying rig with her booted legs up on her desk. “Have a seat, Gunner. Do you mind if I call you that?"

“No, that's fine, Baron,” Dev agreed, trying to sound casual. She took the seat indicated.

“So, I must ask, not to be rude, but, you can't have recently been on active duty, can you?” Baron asked. She shook her long, honey-blonde hair back, and began fastening it out of the way.

“No, in fact, I left active duty many years ago, but I have served on ships of this age, and with similar armament. That's why I'm here. That, and my security background,” Dev said quietly and matter-of-factly.

“Right. Whom have you chosen to ride shotgun in my Wasp?” Baron asked, reaching for a nail file.

“With your permission, I'll do it myself. I find all kinds of weapons fascinating, and I'd enjoy the learning experience,” Dev told her.

“Let's take her up, then. You and your women meet me on the flight deck in fifteen minutes. I need a deck crew anyway, and they may as well be your people,” Baron decided. “And the mechanic as well. I haven't even met her."

Dev rose. “We'll be there."

Baron's eyes narrowed. “Don't be late, Gunner,” she said sternly.

The hair rose on the back of Dev's neck. “No, ma'am, Baron."

Ritter let herself out and found her face was flushed and hot. “Wow,” she muttered to herself. “What was all that about?"

* * * *

Dev didn't have time to think about it. Baron had cleverly split the deck duties into three jobs so each novice aviation tech would have less to learn right away. She carefully walked them through the release procedures and start-up, and gave Dev a pre-flight checklist of her own. The mechanic got the technical manuals and an extra briefing.

“Today we'll just learn take-off and landing procedures,” Baron explained. “No guns and ammo yet. Each of you learns two jobs, and we'll go up three at a time.” She turned to Dev and winked. “Motivation."

After a very thorough safety briefing, Baron jumped in and started her own checklist, while Dev walked the others around the little chopper again and went over the critical safety procedures that would keep them from having their heads chopped off, or the avgas tanks from exploding.

Dev let her two most junior sailors and Baron's mechanic go first, while she and her new crew chief, a senior rating until that very moment, waited. The young women were all excited and quite taken with their new duties, and with the Baron herself. They lost no time scrambling into the Wasp, and soon the Baron was airborne over the deep blue of a light chop on the North Sea.

Kris wandered down from the bridge to the flight deck. “How are you all making out, Ms. Ritter?"

“She's quite a character, Captain, but she oozes competence, and that instills confidence in others. I think we'll do fine,” Dev said, shading her eyes and watching the copter's antics.

Kris grinned. “If you have a weak stomach, take a bucket."

“I'll add one to our equipment locker,” Dev joked back.

When the helicopter landed, both new techs fell out and threw up while the mechanic, a seasoned Army vet, manage to hide her amusement. As soon as it was safe to do so, Dev and the remaining sailor strapped in and they took off.

Baron tried very hard to make them lose it, but Dev just laughed at her. “I guess I should have told you I'm a roller-coaster fan, Baron,” she yelled over the din of the blades.

“If we ever get inside the States, you and I will have to take a tour of all the monster rides,” Baron shouted back. “I'm quite keen on them myself!"

The new crew chief in the rear seat fought her own private battle and won, and there were no further incidents. Once the Wasp was secured, Dev dismissed the sailors with admonitions to get up to speed on the technical data.

“Gunner,” Baron said, watching with arms folded.

Devon turned, “Yes, Baron?"

“You like the edgier experiences in life, I take it?” Fitzmarion appeared to be sizing the Gunnery Officer up for some unspoken reason.

“I like excitement, yes. I've been accused of living dangerously,” Devon was willing to admit.

“Come by for drinks, 1900, then. Right. See you,” Baron said with a nod, and before Devon could accept or decline, the demanding Peer had slipped through the hatch.

Baffled, Devon stared after her. “Gee. Thanks."

* * * *

“So, what are you doing after dinner, Van?” Mac asked as they sat down in the wardroom.

The blonde turned her enormous blue eyes on the slender lawyer. “I think there is a movie. What is it, again?"

“Bound. Thelma and Louise is tomorrow,” Mac informed her. A steward put a bowl in front of her. “Oh, good! Minestrone."

“I sense a theme in these movies. Do you?” Van asked, picking up her spoon.

“I sense a theme in this crew,” Mac laughed, looking at the big doctor. Neither looked away until both of them blushed.

“So, go with me to the movies,” Van said matter-of-factly.

“Oh, is this a date?” Mac asked, looking just a little bit coy.

Van looked at her, poker-faced. “If you are lucky."

Mac smiled. “Everyone on this ship is lucky.” But her heart beat a little faster, and she felt luckier than most.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 6, 2007. Washington, DC. A Pentagon spokesperson, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that uniform regulations for all branches will soon be altered to permit the facial hair that is required by Islamic custom. Not only is the military attracting a great many young male adherents of this religion, but numbers of young men from all other denominations save the True Fundamentalist Covenant are decreasing.

* * * *

“Mom, when am I gonna meet someone?” Alix whined. She had seen the Intel and Medical officers fooling around at dinner, and felt defeated again.

“Alix, not all of the crew is aboard yet, let alone their daughters. We have half a dozen on the way from leaving Athena in Vancouver. Patience. Are you going to the movie?” Sue asked.

“Are you kidding? Don't you know what it's about?” Alix demanded.

“Well, no. I haven't had a lot of time for movies,” Sue admitted.

“I predict you'll be back here in twenty minutes,” Alix told her mother. “I have never seen such a bunch of horny women! Including me!"

“Then maybe you should go, and sit in the back, and see who leaves alone,” Sue said wickedly, pulling her sweatshirt on.

Alix threw a pillow at her, which Sue caught and threw back. “See you later, sweetie,” she said with a wink, and slipped out before Alix could nail her again.

Alix sulked for a while, but she knew her mother was right. They only had about two thirds of the crew aboard yet, although a few more met the Dee at every scheduled stop. And Alix had yet to work her way through the CPOs and ratings. No reason to limit herself to the officers, who didn't take her seriously anyway.

She took out her celestial navigation text and began an exercise. She had been promised a surprise test, and with Dr. Nicole Gervais, professor of astronomy, you could never be too prepared.

* * * *

Keisha Farmer had nothing better to do than check out the movies, so she went and sat in the back, and was surprised when the XO came in and sat next to her.

“Evening, Ms. Farmer,” Sue said, giving the Systems Officer a smile.

“Ma'am.” Keisha hadn't made up her mind about the Exec yet.

“You know this movie?” Sue asked. “My daughter predicts I'll be back in my quarters in twenty minutes.

“Oh, it's two young girls, have sex, get in trouble. Not a lot of plot, really. Passes the time,” Keisha said.

“Well, good. I can use the insight,” Sue joked as the lights went down.

That reminded Keisha that not every woman on the ship was a lesbian. Finally a minority she didn't have to be a part of!

When the movie was over, Keisha said, “Can I ask you something, Commander?"

“Go ahead,” Sue invited.

“How does all this strike you, almost a whole ship of lesbians, including your daughter? Does it bother you?” Keisha wanted to know.

“It isn't what I had expected to do when I retired, if that's what you mean,” Sue said with a grin as they headed back to the wardroom. They could always find cocoa, tea and snacks there after the movies.

“You didn't have a choice, either, huh?” Keisha reflected.

“Well, if you want to count living under my husband's control and watching Alix's chance for a life evaporate, sure I did. But no, not really.” They took their cups and sat at one end of the long table.

“I had to leave my sisters and nieces. I mean, there was nothing I could do for them,” Keisha said, feeling helpless. “They may trust their husbands, but I don't. There just aren't enough chances like this one."

“I think most of us feel that way,” Sue said quietly. “And if it helps at all, it especially bothers the Captain. She's delighted to have arranged an escape for all of us. But there are so many we couldn't save, and it disturbs her, even though you may not see it."

“I know that's true,” Keisha nodded. “Well, thanks, Commander. It's been a pleasure.” She stood up to go.

“Same here, Ms. Farmer. Good night."

* * * *

Sue couldn't stop thinking about what Keisha had said. It was hardly the first time she had been forced to think about the women who were still trapped. Surely, Kris had thought of it every time she had to turn down an applicant. They thought of it whenever they watched TV, since they got news by satellite, or when they used the internet. It was something she planned to discuss with Kris again, when they had a spare moment.

Alix was already asleep in the smaller room of the suite when Sue got back. Alix had to get up early every day, and she had the discipline to do it. It was hard not to be proud of the way her daughter was adapting, so Sue allowed herself a moment or two of unbridled admiration for the young woman she had brought this far. She wished Alix would stay with her even when more cadets came aboard, but if she wanted to go, Sue wouldn't stop her.

* * * *

Devon Ritter lay on her back in her narrow bunk. She likes me! Dev thought in wonderment.

It wasn't her good looks; Dev knew that. But Baron had, well, a bit of a kink. And so did Devon. It wasn't a big kink, and it wasn't a bad one, but it was one not easily shared, especially with a stranger. How the devil Baron had scoped Dev out so fast, the Gunner had no idea. But she had, and during their conversation over drinks, Baron had all but wrung a confession from her.

Then Baron had excused her before dinner, and Dev had gone back to the wardroom to eat. But she didn't mind being summarily dismissed by her superior. It was how the game was played, and the next move, like any other move, was up to Baron.

CHAPTER 70

“Caaaa—rolllllll!"

Ky cringed. It was that doofus, Paige, again, skipping along the walk just as fast as she could. It was Wednesday, and they had just come back from lunch.

“Wha-at?” Ky cried, flouncing over to her.

“You'll never guess!” Paige squeaked, clasping both hands under her chin. “But it's about you!"

Some of the other girls from “Esther's House” gathered around. “What, Paige? What?” Their peach headscarves bobbed up and down. “What about Carol?” someone asked.

“Well,” Paige said, her eyes bright. “I was just up at ‘Abraham's House'? To call home?” And I heard Miss Frances talking to Mr. Jacob about what she heard from Miss Eve?"

Ky stood there, befuddled by all the people who had somehow gotten the news ahead of her and Dani, whatever it was.

“Anyway, Carol, your mother called? And Miss Eve answered the phone? And she was supposed to tell Miss Harriet? It's supposed to be a surprise? But if this was about me, I would want to know? Anyway, they don't know I know? Okay, this is it: you and your sister are getting married right away!"

“Really?” For once when Ky's eyes bugged out of her head, it wasn't an act. “When?"

Paige went on, just loving the attention. “You guys are going out to Utah? And there's this Mormon, who's really rich? And he's young, but he has money? And you're going to be his first wives!"

“Wow, a rich guy!” Ky exclaimed. Her head was spinning. How in the world could she be the last to know? Did Dani have a clue?

“How cool, Carol!” said Clarissa, the eldest of her cabin-mates. “You aren't even in Matrimony training. I guess you never will be."

“Everyone knows the first wife influences the husband the most,” said Annette. “You guys are so lucky! Even you, Ky, ‘cause his first wife is your sister."

“Yeah,” Ky said, as if in awe of the prospect. “I can't wait to tell Danielle."

Just then Miss Harriet appeared. “Come along, girls! It's time to go to the mock campsite and learn to clean fish for our brave, wonderful future husbands!"

“Praise Jesus!” Paige declared, and they lined up by two to walk sedately along the path to the lake.

* * * *

Dani and Ky had arranged to meet on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons to call home. At least then, they reasoned, no one would think anything of them being together and even having a lengthy conversation.

Ky arrived a little early and sat down on the front porch under the window of the administration bungalow to wait for Dani. As soon as she saw her sister, Ky waved and then held up both hands to stop her.

Dani stopped short, having learned not to ask questions. It could be dangerous to continue or holler at her sister. Instead she made a shrugging motion.

Ky jerked her head toward the laundry shed and slipped away from the building without standing up.

“They're marrying us off as soon as we leave!” Ky said, trying not to look frantic. “Paige heard the counselors. Mom called to brag."

“Oh, come on! Don't you think they would tell us first?” Dani scoffed.

“Maybe they're gonna tell us now. I only found out this afternoon, after lunch,” Ky explained.

“But it's too soon. They haven't met anyone yet,” Dani protested.

“Well, this guy is supposed to be a young, rich Mormon. That's pretty much all Mom would need to know,” Ky said, rubbing her fingers together in the universal gesture indicating money.

“Let's just see what they say,” Dani cautioned. “Even if it's true, we can't give away that we know anything. And we gotta call home. They expect it,” Dani hissed.

“It's supposed to be a surprise,” Ky said as they headed back to the porch.

Dani was still skeptical. “Yeah. It's a surprise, all right. Remember: vapid smile, cheery voice."

“I know, I know,” Ky grumbled. Already her mind was racing ahead. This was way too scary for her.

Dani made the call and right away she could tell something was up at home.

“Darlings! We miss you so much, but when we come for you, we'll have a wonderful surprise!” Cindy exclaimed.

“Yeah? What, Mom?” Ky asked in her Oaf sing-song.

“Now, Carol, it's a surprise, remember?"

Ky rolled her eyes and mouthed “see?” to Dani. Fortunately the camp had no phone-cams. “Okay, Mom, I guess we'll just have to wait."

Dani took over. “Can't you give us a hint?” How could she tell counselors but not her own daughters?

“It's about our trip,” Cindy gave in slightly.

“Oh, are we definitely going?” Dani asked.

“Yes, we'll leave the Monday after you get back,” Cindy confirmed.

“And that's the surprise?” Dani pursued.

“Part of it. Now, talk to your Dad,” Cindy said firmly.

Dani handed the phone back. She didn't want to talk to her father, but she knew Ky would be able to manage some sort of mindless exchange with him. It was important to keep them clueless, not that it was much of a challenge.

They walked slowly down to the lakeside benches after hanging up, laughing and giggling as if they hadn't a care in the world.

“I'll kill them!” Dani said brightly, pointing to a bird. “They really do want to marry us off! To a Mormon! Are they insane?"

“Ha ha ha! We can't let them take us home!” Ky enthused.

“Aunt Kris isn't ready for us. We have to go home. A bug! A bug! Is that a bug?” Dani shrieked.

“No, Dani. We can't! I realized something about this days ago and haven't had a chance to tell you. Ewww, gross!” Ky said, seeming to step around something on the path.

“Let's sit down and pray!” Dani said loudly.

They clasped their hands together and bowed their heads, “Dear Father in Heaven,” Dani said ponderously.

“Dani, we have to leave, like now. Tonight!” Ky whispered.

“But Aunt Kris is in Europe. She can't come for us,” Dani insisted.

“Just listen and you'll see why. If they take us out west, either we can't bring all our gear or they'll find it. We'll be exposed and they won't trust us. No matter what, we'll be cut off. We may be in the desert or mountains. She'll never find us. Don't you see?” Ky was desperate to make Dani understand.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,” Dani intoned. Ky was right. Dani was stunned it hadn't occurred to her as well. “Yeah, Ky. I see,” Dani conceded. “But not tonight."

“Why? When?"

“We have to pack. We need to get in our footlockers and put the stuff from under the false bottoms in our backpacks. Then the backpacks have to be hidden outside. So we need two more nights at least,” Dani said. “And then we have to call Aunt Kris, and hide. There's a lot I was hoping to avoid."

“Lord Jesus, show me the true path,” Ky enunciated clearly. “Okay, let's try and pack tonight, put them out tomorrow, and leave the next day."

“Yeah, that'll give us a bunch of extra nights in case we can't get it done the way we want. Let's take a walk and look for hiding places now.” Dani stood up and patted Ky's back. “Good thinking, Metoo."

“I am so scared. Getting the backpacks out is gonna be so hard,” Ky fretted as they walked.

“Then maybe we need to break the stuff down some other way,” Dani said.

“Maybe move it out while doing laundry,” Ky suggested.

“Yeah."

Once again they strolled off as if they hadn't a thought in their pretty little heads.

* * * *

Ky had a dark blue laundry bag, and while pretending to look for sanitary napkins, she got her school back-pack and cell phone into it, along with some underwear. Then she stuffed real dirty laundry on top, and went to the laundry shack.

They were already a day behind. Pretending to have their periods was Dani's idea, to be able to return to their trunks again and again. But although they had hidden their travelling clothes in their bunks, they hadn't gotten to the laundry shack yet. Ky started her laundry, then sidled around outside and hid the back-pack under the building. Fortunately all the camp buildings sat up on concrete pilings with a crawl space beneath, like many other camps all over the country

Ky was going to wear almost everything else out on her body one way or another. She would put it all on in her bunk the night she escaped, and then put it in the pack. Dani had had taken maps off the internet months ago when they had planned this whole endeavor in case of an emergency. They knew where they needed to go and what they needed to do. It was getting out of camp that was the problem.

“Carol!"

Ky almost jumped into a dryer. She turned. It was Miss Harriet.

“Praise Circle in fifteen minutes, honey. Don't be late!"

“Okay, Miss Harriet!” Ky babbled cheerfully.

“Tonight we'll have special prayers for the ‘Unknown Men Who Will Be Our Husbands,'” Miss Harriet chirped.

“I know! Looking forward to it!” Ky nodded. Bitch, she thought.

* * * *

After Praise Circle, Dani went to the laundry shack, too. Ky was just finishing her folding.

“How's it going?” Dani asked.

“Almost done! Praise the Lord!” Ky said brightly.

Dani sighed. It was getting so old. “Anything else?"

“I put some stuff out,” Ky said cryptically, knowing her sister would understand.

“I got stuff, too. Cover me. Where's yours?"

“South side,” Ky grunted.

“Okay. I'll go north,” Dani started out.

“No! Go west. Toward the woods. Away from buildings,” Ky hissed. She wandered out and stood in front of the building while Dani stashed her bag, and then she had to leave.

“Bless you, my sister!” Dani yelled after Ky. Other girls were coming with their laundry. She put on her dullest look and went back inside.

* * * *

Two nights later, Dani was in the woods near the laundry shack. She already had both packs, and was stealthily filling hers with all the things she had brought out. It was after one A.M., and they had to get on the road.

To say Dani was terrified would have been an absurd understatement. This was their only chance. Blow it and there were no others. They had to at least get far enough to call Aunt Kris. If she only knew, maybe she could at least send someone.

And where the hell was Ky? They had planned to meet at 12:30. What could have gone wrong?

Dani saw a shadow creeping around the laundry shack. She let out a low whistle. The figure froze, then all but slithered across the grass.

“My pack!” Ky was crazed.

“Here! I had time so I took it for you!” Dani handed it over and Ky quickly divested herself of all the clothing and supplies she had on her. “Where were you?” Dani demanded.

“Holly got up to pee! I hadda wait until she was asleep again. Is it too late?"

“No, let's get those bikes."

Keeping to the edge of the woods they got off the camp property and headed down the road on two bikes stolen from male counselors. TFC women didn't ride bikes. It was unladylike.

“At the college, we'll get a car,” Dani reminded Ky.

“I hope there are cars there in the summer,” Ky puffed. “I'm glad Ohio is so flat, for a change."

It took them 45 minutes to get into town and another half-hour to find the school. Despite all their preparations, Dani could hardly believe they were doing it.

The college campus was deserted and creepy. “There! That old Mustang!” Dani said. “The black one. This is where sucking up to Niles is really gonna pay. Get rid of the bikes, and wipe our prints off,” she told Ky.

“How are you gonna open it?” Ky whispered.

For an answer, Dani pried up a small, ornamental paving stone, wrapped a tee-shirt around it and broke a side window. They waited breathlessly in the bushes to see if anyone came. Then Ky feverishly jammed their bikes into the shrubbery and covered them as Dani fooled around under the dashboard.

The ignition made an awful screech but Dani was already pulling away. Ky threw herself in and they headed north toward the ferries to Canada.

“I wish we could have gone west for a decoy,” Dani said, white-knuckling the wheel. “But there's no time. I just hope if we go north on I-75 and then cut over to Sandusky, we can confuse them. This car is too darned unusual."

“We could be in Canada by tomorrow,” Ky said hopefully.

Dani didn't want to upset her sister. She doubted it. “Yeah, if we're lucky."

Ky asked, “Dani, do we need gas?"

Dani looked. “We should. As soon as we see a station, we'll stop. And keep an eye out for an ATM, too. I wanna get a lot of cash once, right here, so they can't tell our direction. Any one, anywhere."

“Should I call Aunt Kris?” Ky asked. She was already fumbling in her bag for a phone.

“God, I almost forgot. Yes!"

* * * *

It was Sunday morning. Kris was lazing in her big chair on the bridge, looking aimlessly out at the Reykjavik harbor, when her cell phone rang. She picked it up out of its holder in the arm of her chair. “Nordstrom."

“Aunt Kris!” Ky shrieked.

Kris sat bolt upright. “Ky?"

“AuntKriswestoleacarweranawaywe'regoingtoCanada!” Ky babbled.

“Wait a second.” Kris had understood this but not digested it. She turned to Nik. “Lieutenant Gervais, you have the bridge,” she said curtly, and stepped into her day-cabin.

“Me?” Nik looked up from her charts, but the door was already closed. Gingerly Nik sat in the big chair, feeling a bit nervous even though they were docked. Something was definitely up. She picked up the internal phone and called Engineering. “Chief Engineer to the bridge,” she said matter-of-factly, and hung up before anyone could argue with her.

Andy turned up a few minutes later. “Yes?” she said arching an eyebrow.

Nik looked at her desperately. Andy caught on. “Oh. Lieutenant, I relieve you.” She took the chair from Nik, even though neither of them actually needed to sit in it. Andy looked around. “Why don't all of you take a break?” she suggested to the others present. “I'll call you if I need you."

When they were gone she said to Nik, “What?"

Nik explained, concluding, “And I'm afraid something is terribly wrong. I don't want her to be alone when she gets off that phone."

Andy nodded thoughtfully. “Okay. Wonder what it could be?"

In moments the door opened and Kris came out, her command mask firmly in place, but she was white as parchment, and her eyes were red. Stopping short, and realizing the three of them were alone, she held out her arms. Immediately Andy and Nik went to her.

“What is it, Kris?” Andy asked gently.

Kris tried to calm her breathing. “Dani and Ky left the camp. Their parents were coming to take them to marry a man in Utah and they panicked. Now they're on the road all alone, and there's nothing I can do about it."

There was no question of leaving port early. They couldn't. For one thing, they had a professional obligation to stay put, and for another, Andy's oilers were finally replacing the gaskets on Engine Two. But as soon as Sue and Alix returned from downtown, an emergency meeting was held, crammed into the parlor of the Captain's Suite. Kris, Andy, Nik, Sue and Baron were there, plus Alix, Koko and Mac who were now being brought in on the problem.

Kris recapped the situation, and Nik put a map of Ohio up on the wall.

Sue began by saying, “I estimate the girls could conceivably get into Canada today, but that assumes no challenges to a couple of teenagers who have never traveled anywhere alone."

Nik said, “As we understand it, they stole bikes, then stole a car and used credit cards for cash and gas. They're buying everything else they can with the cash. They want to leave the car in a lot in Sandusky and take a ferry across Lake Erie. It sounds good on paper—"

“But execution is another story,” Andy finished. “Maybe we can trouble-shoot their mission for them."

Sue turned to Mac. “Can they leave the country unescorted?"

Mac shook her head. “I don't know. Practically speaking, they would have to be caught. On a Sunday, the borders will be busy with tourists. You can leave the U.S. without being questioned, especially on a boat. It could happen that when they reach Canadian Immigration Control, a sympathetic agent will let them in, even if they are underage. But maybe not. They could be detained and returned to their family."

Sue said to her, “Why don't you look that up right now and come back when you have something?"

Mac left the room at a trot.

Kris spoke. “We should have two plans: one for keeping them in the U.S., one for getting them out. Nik, please calculate our landfall in Canada, best speed, leaving here at 1730. Baron, what is the range of the Wasp?"

Baron grinned ferally. She loved a challenge. “Three hundred miles one-way, two aboard, no air refueling, and no cargo."

“Depending on head-wind,” Andy remarked.

“Certainly,” Baron agreed.

Nik returned from the bridge. “We are looking at landfall in Gander in 44 to 48 hours, Captain, ideal circumstances. Bad weather could delay us."

Kris nodded. “So Tuesday evening, more or less."

Baron cut in. “Once we're within 200 miles of Gander, I can launch, fly there, refuel and fly on, and I can do it as often as I like. You just go on down to Halifax as scheduled and do the exhibition. Provided I can find your girls, I can bring them back."

“There's the cost of fuel,” Kris began.

“We'll work it out,” Baron waved her off.

“Then we need to tell them right away—” Sue began, but Mac burst back in.

“Nix on the border! Unless they have documentation—"

Andy shook her head, “No, they never could get it. We have it, but they have nothing."

Mac looked at her. “You have it?"

“Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies,” Andy said.

“Well, if you have papers on them, you'd best let me have them when it comes close to time,” Baron said.

Mac turned back to Kris. “Captain, you must keep them away from the borders. It's too risky."

Kris nodded. “You're right. May I have quiet, please?” She auto-dialed and waited.

“Aunt Kris?” Ky answered.

“Yes, honey, listen to me. You can't cross into Canada. If you're moving, tell Dani to pull over, and give me your location."

“Wait,” Ky said. Turning to her sister, she said, “We can't cross the border. Aunt Kris wants us to stop now."

“No!” Dani shook her head. “We have to go as far as we can in the dark."

“Aunt Kris, she won't stop. She says we have to drive while it's still dark,” Ky relayed.

Kris sighed. “Then tell her to turn east. And where are you?"

“Wait.” Ky covered the phone again. “Aunt Kris says turn east, and where are we?"

“About 20 miles south of Sandusky and why can't we cross into Canada?” Dani growled.

Ky passed this to her aunt.

Kris said, “Because you have no documentation to cross the border. Now do as I say!"

Ky looked at the phone as if she thought Kris would leap right through it. “Dani, she's getting mad! Turn east!"

“All right. Tell her I'll get back on the interstate,” Dani said.

Ky said, “We'll go east on the interstate, Aunt Kris."

“Good. Now, listen carefully, Ky,” Kris said, and she detailed the plan she hoped would keep her nieces out of the clutches of the police until Baron could reach them.

Finally Kris instructed, “Don't call my cell-phone anymore. Now that you're on the road, it may be monitored. I'll put the cell on the answering service, and you use the sat-phone. Your parents have no idea about it, and as long as they don't we'll be reasonably secure."

“Can't they find out about it and monitor it, too?” Ky worried.

“Perhaps, but it's registered in the name of the company now, Ky. It's a very long shot. Try not to worry, and remember I love you.” Kris glanced around the room. “We all love you."

When they finally broke their connection, Kris was shaking. Her friends crowded around her and patted her back and murmured consolingly to her.

“Ah, if I may,” Baron said softly.

They all turned to look at her. “I need a shotgun, preferably a light-weight with a strong stomach and steel nerves, to accompany me."

Sue looked at the rest of them. “That would be me."

Kris objected, “No, I—"

Baron shook her head. “Captain, your exec is just what I need. She is detached, level-headed and small. You leave this rescue operation to us. Commander Whittington, why don't we take a little ride?” Baron opened the door and Sue excused herself and joined the aviator. They all had work to do.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 11, 2007. St Louis. Missouri. Officials of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod released the agenda for their upcoming convention to be held in Houston. Among the items to be voted on are the proposed opening negotiations for altar and pulpit fellowship with the True Fundamentalist Covenant.

CHAPTER 71

“Aaaaaaaaaaaa!” Miss Harriet screamed.

The girls all froze and looked at her, terrified.

“Carol!” Miss Harriet gasped. “It's not Carol!"

Clarissa stepped boldly closer to the bunk. “What's wrong, Miss Harriet?"

The young counselor took a deep breath. “Excuse me, Paige,” she said, to the girl in the bottom bed, and she climbed up and yanked the covers off Ky's bunk. All of her Oaf clothes fell out. They had been wrapped in a tight bundle to make a large lump.

“She's gone!” Harriet shouted. “Stay here and dress, quickly! I must find Mr. Jacob!"

The girls of “Esther's House” crowded around the empty bunk, gingerly poking at the clothing.

“But, what is she wearing?” Annette wondered. “All of her clothes are here!"

Just then more screaming was heard from the cabins on the other side of the Praise Circle fire. “I'll bet that's ‘Rachel's House,'” Annette said, looking outside. “I bet it's about her sister."

“Get dressed! Get dressed!” Clarissa ordered. “The men will be in here in a minute. Get in the bathroom and shut the door."

It took less than five minutes for everyone to be milling around outside the cabins. The male counselors, still unshaven, ran down ahead of the female counselors, who followed as quickly as they could without running.

“Girls, go over to the Dining Hall and have your breakfast,” Mr. Jacob called out to them. “One of us will join you in a few minutes."

Well-conditioned, the girls wandered off in a large herd, but they kept looking back over their shoulders at the commotion.

It was another ten minutes before Mr. Ebenezer, the crafts director, arrived. He climbed up on the stage and held up his hands for silence. “Young ladies, your attention, please.” He waited, but it didn't take long. “Young ladies, it seems that two of our sisters in Christ have ... wandered off. If any of you can help us discover anything about their disappearance, please line up here at the front when you have eaten and given thanks."

Paige finished her breakfast and was first in line. She was sure if she didn't confess her revelation of the secret, one of the others would turn her in. One by one the rest of “Rachel's House” joined her. None of them was entirely sure they had anything to contribute, but they didn't want to be left out, either.

Jacob and Ebenezer conferred as Judy and Harriet listened, and agreed that the disappearance of the bicycles would be kept from the girls. This bit of evidence could be used to weed out conflicting or totally irrelevant information. No more than half an hour would be spent investigating before the parents and police were called.

The counselors dragged a table into one corner, and Jacob dismissed all of the girls but those in line. The young Oaf-women were admonished to pray for their lost sisters, and to expect chapel to begin a little later than usual.

“Now, young ladies,” Mr. Jacob began, “Come over here one at a time, and tell us what you know about all this."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 12, 2007. Ottawa, Canada. Canadian lawmakers will receive an NRN-led US Congressional delegation here in September to discuss proposed border patrols whose purpose would be to cut down on the number of illegal U.S. aliens entering through unguarded crossing points. The U.S.-Canadian border is, at present, the longest undefended border in the world.

* * * *

Harry was reading the Sunday paper at the kitchen table when the phone rang. Cindy was up in the bathroom getting ready for church.

“Hello?"

“Well, where are they?” he demanded. After a minute he said, “No, of course they aren't here.” He looked at his watch. “Well, they could be, I suppose."

“When?"

“How?"

“All right, I'm coming up there. Have you called the local police yet?"

“Well, do it. I'll call the police here, and then I'll drive up. My wife will stay home in case they arrive."

“No, tell the police to wait until I get there.” Harry hung up. His hands were shaking and he felt dizzy. He sat down, gathered himself, and then called the Dayton police. Finally he went upstairs to tell his wife what had happened. In a way, he blamed himself. It was all this marriage nonsense that had scared them off. If he had only refused to ever even consider this scheme of Cindy's! By now his daughters were probably halfway to California.

“Cindy, come out of there. We have to talk,” Harry said through the closed bathroom door.

“But I'm drying my hair! We have to leave in half an hour,” she chirped at him.

“Cindy, come out, dammit!” Harry exploded.

“What?” she yanked the door open, eyes wide.

Harry took Cindy by the shoulders to force her to focus on him. “Dani and Ky are gone. They ran away from camp in the middle of the night. No one knows when, and the police are looking for them. I have to go up there. I want you to stay here to answer the phone and in case they show up."

Cindy's mouth dropped open. “Gone? But they couldn't have run away. They must have been kidnapped!” she screeched. “I must go with you! Is there a ransom note?"

Harry rolled his eyes. “Listen to me. They left dummies in their beds. They left their camp clothes, and there were false bottoms in their trunks. I have to go and see what they left, and you have to stay here in case all they did was start home. The police are sending a car over here. Now get dressed. I have to get on the road."

“My babies! My babies!” Cindy screamed, bursting into tears. She collapsed on the bed. Harry had to feel sorry for her in spite of everything. He shook his head and called their closest friends and Cindy's mother. Cindy was going to be useless. Then he sat down on the bed to comfort his wife and wait for someone to show up so he could leave.

* * * *

Kris finished eating lunch in her day cabin and decided to check her cell-phone voice mail by calling it from her sat-phone. The only message was from her brother. Here we go, she thought.

“Kris, This is Harry. I need to know where you are. The girls have run away. I haven't got the police quite convinced yet that they can do it, but you and I both know they can. I think they're going to try to get to you.” He sounded very strained.

Kris paused the playback, opened the door to the bridge and said to Sue, “See if you can find Nik."

Kris continued playing Harry's message. “Now, Kris, the girls evidently had this all planned, with or without your help. Of course I have no way of knowing. Anyway, the police need to know where you are so they can figure out a likely route and watch for them."

Nik came in and Kris paused again, bringing her lover up to date. “As far as Harry and Cindy are concerned, two things are certain: they don't know where I am, and they think the girls don't know either. The last time I spoke with Dani and Ky, to their parents’ knowledge, was Easter, and Harry and Cindy heard every word I said. I trust Dani and Ky to have wiped everything off their computers before leaving for camp."

Nik said, “Then in that case, even though they may suspect, there's no way to prove anything unless and until it occurs to someone to run a credit check. They have no reason to believe you're not right there in Ohio to collect the girls."

“True, but I've tried to cover everything, and I can't help that. They were smart to make all their credit card purchases immediately.” Kris looked at the clock and realized the girls must be on a bus headed east by now. They were headed for upstate New York, if they had done as they had been told.

Kris played the rest of the message. “Kris, we're all really worried. Call as soon as you get this.” Harry hung up.

Kris broke the connection and turned to Nik. “About how far along do you think they are by now?"

“Let me go do some calculations,” Nik said. She went out to the bridge where all the data about the girls’ journey was in a computer program.

Kris followed her and watched intently as Nik called up bus schedules and computed the time differences. A radarwoman handed them cups of coffee.

“All right, let's review,” Nik began in her most professorial tone. “If they got on the bus in Sandusky by 9 A.M., which seems likely since we haven't heard from them since they were actually in the bus station, they should be past Cleveland by now."

“What about the dummy bus?” Kris wanted to know.

Nik tapped keys. “The westbound left even earlier. The police will track that before they do anything else. That bus ought to arrive in Chicago within the hour."

“I wish there were some way to compute the speed with which the average police department can work out they're not dealing with amateurs here,” Kris cracked nervously.

“I think you could time that with a calendar,” Nik said wryly, bringing a laugh from the members of the watch.

Sue joined them. “Remember Kris, your brother has yet to mention the car, so we can guess its theft is either undiscovered or as yet unconnected to them. By the time they find the car, track back and discover the bicycles, the girls could be aboard with us. Those phony tickets will really mess up their trail."

Kris nodded, but she still said, “I know, but as soon as Harry convinces anyone that they're being financed and guided, they may look for credit card purchases. Dani has to do all the buying. Ky can't fake being old enough. At some point, someone will get wise, and we have to be prepared. That, or they may somehow give themselves away, make a mistake. Remember, they're scared, tired and inexperienced."

“Then let us continue to do their thinking for them,” Nik said, and she turned back to her computer and began clicking away again.

* * * *

Clarissa went down to the lake alone to pray for her sisters in Christ, Carol and Danielle. “Dear God,” she whispered. “Let them get away."

CHAPTER 72

Dani stole a look at her little sister. Aunt Kris had warned them not to board the bus together, and they hadn't. In fact, on the bus to Cleveland, they had ridden separately. But now they were on this bus all the way to Buffalo, and Ky needed to be with her sister. When Ky moved up next to Dani after the bus left the terminal, Dani couldn't risk sending her away for fear of causing a scene.

Dani was exhausted but she still couldn't sleep. She hoped she would be able to, eventually, but Ky had dropped off and Dani was reluctant for both of them to be asleep at once. Once again, she went back over their escape, looking for weaknesses that might bring the police racing down the interstate after their bus.

Right at 6 A.M., Dani had made Ky use the PDA to get on-line and find the Sandusky bus terminal and the bus schedules east and west. As soon as they had located their target in the car, they back-tracked to a shopping center with an all-night supermarket, parked the car, wiped it down, and headed for the terminal again on foot. On the way, they stopped in a really scary alley where homeless people were sleeping under cardboard, and cut their hair, leaving it in the trash. They wore Oaf baseball caps and t-shirts, which Dani had bought long ago with their own money in different Christian bookstores in malls around Dayton, thanks to trips with Niles. Their ensembles were rounded out with their own jeans, sneakers and sweatshirts. They hoped to be mistaken for boys as Dani was slender and Ky as yet undeveloped. That had always been their plan, and they were sticking with it.

Following Kris’ instructions, Dani had bought two tickets for San Francisco at a window with cash, while Ky went to the ticket machine and purchased tickets for New York City. But they got off in Cleveland, and there Ky used the credit card again and purchased two more tickets out of the machines, one for Montreal and the other for Albany. These tickets would take them both as far as Buffalo, where they were getting off.

The only bad moment they had had so far was when Ky had to go to the restroom and almost used the women's, and Dani thought way too many people had looked at them oddly when Dani suddenly yanked her “brother” back from the door with the female figure. Dani went into the men's with her and they both used stalls. On the buses, of course, there was only one toilet, and it didn't matter.

Dani glanced around, then reached over and adjusted Ky's cap to hide more of her sweet, round face. Both of them looked entirely too innocent to be boys, especially the sort of boys who travel alone. Dani constantly coached Ky not to make eye contact and to speak as little as possible. Better to just grunt.

Their packs were bulging now with vending machine food from the Cleveland terminal, to cut down on contact with food service workers. Dani had also purchased some thin thermal blankets in the Cleveland terminal's travel shop, not knowing when and where they would sleep once off the bus in Niagara Falls. It was Kris’ belief that they could blend in with the huge crowds in the area. Dani just hoped they could stay awake and alert enough to avoid detection or suspicion. If only they could have taken the ferry! It was such a short ride. But at least they were moving.

While Dani was looking out at Lake Erie, wondering if they would ever be clean and safe again, she finally fell asleep.

* * * *

“Buffalo! This is Buffalo!” the driver announced.

“Ky! Wake up!” Dani whispered with a hard nudge. Then she gathered her gear and left without a backward glance, as if they weren't together. They were to make their way separately to the bus for Niagara Falls and get on like total strangers again. Dani couldn't risk waiting for her sister, so she found the men's room and went into a stall, where she leaned against the wall in bleary exhaustion while she peed.

Dani went to the ticket window alone and bought a ticket with cash this time, and then got in line, where she hauled a dog-eared copy of The Oath-Taker's Guide for Young Men out of her back-pack and stuck her nose in it. Niles had loaned her his old edition and she just never gave it back. It really stank but as Aunt Kris said, “Know thine enemy."

By the time they began boarding, Ky had still not appeared. Dani couldn't get on without her, so she got out of the line and went to the water fountain, and got on the end again. Still no Ky. She got on and placed her pack on a seat, then waited outside the door, stricken with fear again. What could have happened? At this rate she would turn gray before she was twenty.

Suddenly an out-going east-bound bus jerked to a halt, the door opened and Ky tumbled out. There was no time to buy another ticket, so Dani had to grab her pack and get back off. What the hell her sister was up to, Dani had no clue, but she could do nothing but seek a bench and wait for a new line to form, this time with Ky in it. The next bus for Niagara Falls didn't leave for another hour.

Dani slunk off and hoped no one had noticed their erratic behavior, or thought they were in any way connected to one another.

* * * *

Ky slunk off, too. She went in the men's room and hid in a stall where she cried quietly. She wanted her older sister's arms around her, but that was a comfort denied her until she didn't know when.

It was so easy to make a mistake, to get caught, to ruin everything. Ky had fallen asleep again as soon as Dani shook her, and it was only when the bus pulled out that she woke and realized she was alone. She jumped up with a startled cry and screamed, just like a girl, for the bus to stop. She fervently hoped no one on the bus who saw her demented flight down the aisle and out the door was curious enough to call the police on a cell phone.

Finally she pulled herself together, washed her face and went out to the main terminal. It was large, seedy and dim, like all the other bus terminals she had seen all day. Now it was dusk. Ky hoped this wouldn't somehow make the rest of their journey harder or less safe.

She looked for a window with a female clerk, but there weren't any. Finally she picked one with a sleepy-looking man, grunted her request for a round-trip ticket to Niagara Falls, and headed for the soda machine. She hoped a Cokeâ

would help wake her up and make her more alert.

Ky glanced around, trying to look casual. She had seen Dani the minute she fell off the eastbound bus, just as she realized they couldn't leave as they had hoped. She checked to see when the next bus was, marked her sister's location, then dragged herself to a phone and called her aunt.

“Hello?” Kris was lying in the high bunk of her day cabin, playing with the back of Andy's neck. It was a squeeze, but there were good things about that, too.

“Oh, Aunt Kris,” Ky sighed.

“Where are you, honey?” Kris asked her.

“Buffalo. We missed the bus to Niagara Falls. It was my fault. I fell asleep and didn't get off until the bus was leaving again,” Ky explained.

“Where was Dani?” Kris asked, puzzled.

“Oh, it's not her fault. She woke me up but she hadda get off without me. She waited and waited but I messed up. I'm sorry,” Ky said. “But I thought you should know."

“Well, honey, this is all very hard for you, and you will make some mistakes. Where is Dani now?” Kris tried not to get too excited. It was critical that the girls keep moving, but on the other hand, they were monitoring all of the media on the Dee and so far there had been no reports of Dani and Ky's disappearance. However, such events were almost too commonplace to mention anymore.

“Reading in the waiting room. We have twenty-five minutes until the next bus,” Ky said.

“Listen to me, Ky. When you get off the bus in Niagara Falls, you stay together from now on. Tell her I said so. I don't want you taking any more chances, understand? It's a little too risky,” Kris decided. Ky was just too young to be left alone.

“Yes, ma'am. I'll tell her,” Ky promised.

“Give her my love and stay in touch. Call anytime, okay? Remember, we won't be calling you, because we don't want the ringers going off at a bad time. Keep them turned off.” Kris instructed.

“Yes, ma'am,” Ky said gravely. “See you soon?"

“Yes, love, I promise,” Kris said calmly. “Bye-bye."

Kris hung up and used the sat-phone to check her voice-mail again.

“Miss Nordstrom.” It was a male voice Kris didn't recognize. She smelled a rat. “This is Lieutenant Struck of the Dayton Police. I understand this to be Miss Kristin Nordstrom's phone number. We need you to tell us your whereabouts, Miss Nordstrom,” the man said just as firmly.

Kris paused and lay back on the bed.

“What?” Andy asked.

“Some sexist bozo of a police lieutenant trying to intimidate me. He already let slip they don't have the girls, and I'll bet they also have no clue where to look,” Kris explained.

“Is that all?” Andy asked.

“No, there's more,” Kris said, and she tapped the keys.

“In any event, Miss Nordstrom, we need to know where you are so we can start narrowing down the routes they might take,” Struck continued. “Please call me as soon as you receive this message,” he said, and he left a number and hung up.

“You know, they may be able to see if you collect your voice-mail, figure out our signal frequency and then triangulate and find us,” Andy remarked, turning on her side to pull Kris into her arms.

“They may, but again, I'm not going to the girls, and at the moment, they aren't coming to me. I'd like to know what's going on, but I can't risk calling anyone back. If I get any calls that indicate they know I've gotten my voice mail, I may have to re-visit this. But not for a while."

“Check your e-mail. Do it from outside TotalNet so they can't tell you've opened it,” Andy suggested.

Kris raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. Good idea.” She got out of the high bunk and went to her desk.

There was a message from Harry. Andy got up and read it over Kris's shoulder.

* * * *

Kris,

I left you a voice mail, but I want to tell you again what happened with Danielle and Carol. They ran away from camp. They took some bikes and rode into town. Then they stole a car. It car turned up in Sandusky, and then we think they got on a bus to San Francisco. But they aren't on it anymore, and we're just sick about it.

If you hear from them, you have to let us know. God only knows what will happen to them. Cindy is out of her mind. Please call as soon as possible.

Harry

* * * *

“So now you know,” Andy observed. “What are you gonna do."

“I'll answer it in the morning,” Kris decided. “Nothing else we can do but pray. Let's go back to bed."

They put out the light. Kris drew Andy into her arms and they made love in near-desperation, and then they went to sleep.

* * * *

“The Baron's compliments, and she requires your presence in her quarters at once,” the young admin rating recited carefully after reporting to Lieutenant Commander Ritter.

Is that so? Dev thought. “My respects to the Baron, and kindly inform her I will report as soon as I can make myself presentable.” Her young junior lieutenant, one of her CPOs and two of her ratings were in the magazine with her, learning which ammunition went with which gun. Chances of firing a weapon were slim to none, but Devon ran a tight unit. Everyone had to know every job, since there were so few people to cover all of them.

“Aye, Commander,” the rating, said. She faced about smartly and ran off.

“Lieutenant, I assume you have everything under control here?” Devon asked.

“Yes, ma'am. We'll clean up and lock it all away,” the younger woman told her boss.

Devon nodded. “Good. I reserved classroom two for this afternoon after chow. We'll all get together and go over trajectories on the 4.5 inchers, okay? And I'll see if we can arrange to fire a few rounds tomorrow to calibrate them. See you later."

About twenty minutes later, Dev was knocking on Baron's door.

“Ah, there you are, Gunner,” Baron said. “Have a seat,” she indicated the chair beside the small, elegant desk. Then she sat and put her boots up, inches from Dev's face. “Look, I've a mission tomorrow night. I'd like to see you before I go. Any problem with that?'

Dev looked Baron right in the eye. “No, Ma'am. I think you deserve a proper send-off."

Baron raised her chin and all but glowered at her underling. “I do, don't I? Twenty-one hundred sharp this evening, then, and don't be late or I shall be annoyed,” Baron said, drawing her brows together.

“I'm never late, Baron,” Dev assured her, although she knew the woman knew it.

“You're dismissed, Gunner,” Baron nodded.

Dev rose. “Aye, Baron.” She let herself out.

* * * *

“Big mission tomorrow afternoon,” Mac observed when she dropped into the dispensary. She would have liked to deposit herself right in the big doctor's lap, but it was a public place.

“Yes, you can feel the tension in every division,” Anne Van Devanter said. “What time is it, anyway?"

“Miller time,” Mac said. “I have cold beer in my quarters."

Van grinned. “You know the way to my heart. But remember the Captain's orders."

“I know. No more than two a day. Change and meet me?” Mac wheedled.

“I will see you in half an hour,” the big woman promised. She rose from her chair and stood close to the lawyer, towering over her. “Perhaps twenty minutes."

Mac gave the doctor's bicep a squeeze. “Looking forward to it."

* * * *

Keisha Farmer made her way up to the bridge after shift-change. “Commander? May I have a word?"

Sue looked up from her log. “Yes, Ms. Farmer?"

“Commander, what are the rules about socializing among ranks on this ship? I mean we're not really Navy, especially U.S. Navy."

“Very good point,” Sue said. “I know we haven't said much about it, because we don't want to make rules we can't enforce, and we have very little opportunity to form relationships elsewhere. Captain Nordstrom would very much prefer we avoid our own divisions if at all possible. Other than that, keep it professional while on duty, and no one will say a thing."

“Well, that sounds practical. Thanks for your help,” Keisha said with a nod and a small smile.

“Anytime, Lieutenant,” Sue smiled back.

Keisha wandered off to change to civvies before visiting the senior enlisted quarters. No need for rank to get in the way.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 14, 2007. Atlanta, Georgia. The local Ku Klux Klan chapters have applied for demonstration permits to be used in Independence Day celebrations in three weeks. Police protection has been ordered, but the local NAACP, ACLU, NOW and other liberal organizations have yet to file applications for counter-demonstrations.

CHAPTER 73

Dani observed carefully all the way into Niagara Falls. It was already dark, and they had to find a place to spend the night. During the day, they could blend in and act like tourists. Nights were the big problem, and Dani had to keep them safe, healthy and clean. It was a tall order for a just-turned 17-year old.

Ky waited for her in the men's room. As soon as they were alone, she said from her stall, “Dani, I talked to Aunt Kris from Buffalo. She wants me to stay with you from now on."

“Yes, I think you'd better. What happened back there?"

Ky explained. As soon as Dani came out of the other stall and washed her hands she said, “We need to brush our teeth here as long as we have sinks. Tonight I want us to change our underwear if we can."

Ky nodded and got out her things. She was very chastened after almost being separated from Dani in Buffalo. A man came in and used a urinal, but there was nothing they could do except live through it.

Once outside, Dani said, “Come on, Metoo. I saw something on the way in. It's not fancy, but I think it will work."

“I feel like a homeless person,” Ky complained as they made their way down darkened streets.

“You are a homeless person,” Dani said tiredly. “If this doesn't teach us to be grateful, nothing ever will."

“Where are we going?” Ky whined.

“You'll see,” Dani said, giving her sister a rough brotherly hug.

On the way in, Dani had seen how Niagara Falls abounded in tourist activities from the luxurious to the seedy. Dani had a fairly seedy destination in mind, but first, they stopped at a McDonald'sâ

.

“I want you to eat two burgers and a shake and a salad, Ky. This is safe and clean. Take your time,” Dani advised as they went in. “The place I want doesn't close till 10 P.M. anyway. And go to the bathroom before we leave."

“Okay,” Ky agreed. She didn't have to be told twice. “Can we get cookies or something to take with us?"

“Yes, good idea,” Dani agreed.

They ate slowly but still left before closing. Dani didn't want them to be noticeable as the last ones out.

As soon as they reached the street, Ky belched and Dani laughed. “Good! That makes us look more like guys."

Dani approached her objective slowly and carefully. “Come here,” she said to Ky, pulling her off the sidewalk into a parking lot. “See?” she nodded.

“Mini-golf?” Ky asked. “But they're closed."

“Exactly. Look at the course. See all those obstacles?” Dani said. “They're hollow."

Ky nodded, still not on the same page as her sister. “Okay."

Dani sighed. “Let's just wait a few minutes, okay?"

As soon as she was sure there was no night security guard, Dani moved to a shadowy area of the chain-link fence cautiously. It was only about four feet high. She took off her pack. “Let me give you a boost,” she said to Ky.

When they were over, Dani led them toward their obstacle. She searched her pack for her penlight, and shone it inside. Nothing but dead leaves and pebbles. “Okay, come on.” She crawled in.

“We're gonna sleep in a mushroom?” Ky whispered.

“Do you have a better idea?” Dani countered.

Ky didn't. It was a squeeze, about the size of a pup tent, low and hard. They spread their blankets and changed their socks and underwear one at a time. Then they put on their windbreakers for extra warmth and leaned on their packs.

“Cuddle up,” Dani directed.

“Is that traffic?” Ky asked. “I didn't see a lot of cars."

“Sshhhh,” Dani said, listening. Then she realized. “No, it's the Falls."

“Oh. Are we gonna see them tomorrow?” Ky asked, yawning.

“We're gonna see everything tomorrow,” Dani told her. “It's how we're gonna hide, right out in the open."

* * * *

“Dani, I have to pee."

Dani rolled over and banged her face into the mushroom. “Ugh! What time is it?"

“About 4 A.M.. What should I do?” Ky whined.

“Take a penlight and go squat where it's dark. Find some bushes,” Dani told her. Now she had to go as well.

When they were both safely in the mushroom again, Ky said, “Let's call Aunt Kris."

“What for?” Dani yawned.

“In case she's worried?” Ky tried.

For an answer, Dani fished her cell-phone out. “Go ahead."

Kris was just starting her breakfast in the wardroom when Nik came running. “The girls are on the sat-phone, Captain."

Kris turned to the steward. “Please bring that to my day cabin,” she requested, and she followed Nik out.

“Good morning,” Kris said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Aren't you up awfully early?"

“God, Aunt Kris, we're sleeping in a mushroom on a putt-putt course. It's cold and hard,” Ky complained. “When're you coming?"

Kris winced, “Oh, you poor things! I'm so sorry! Let me see what sort of progress we're making.” Kris tapped Nik and asked, “What's our ETA off Gander now?"

Nik held up her finger and went out to the bridge.

Kris spoke to Ky while she waited. “Nik is going to check, honey. Is Dani there?"

“Just a minute,” Ky said.

Dani came on. “Aunt Kris, this is awfully hard for us."

Kris heard her older niece's voice shaking with stress. “You two need to be brave and hang on for me, all right? We're coming as fast as we can!” Kris tried to make herself sound certain so they could draw some strength from her.

“Well, where are you? Are you on a plane or what?” Dani demanded.

Kris decided at this point it wouldn't hurt to part with a few more details. “Dani, I know this will be a little hard to grasp, but I'm on a ship in the North Atlantic, and we're headed for Canada. We have a helicopter that's going to come for you as soon as we're close enough to land for it to take off."

“You have a ship and a helicopter? Oh, my God!” Dani's voice brightened considerably. “And how long till we see you?"

Nik came back and held out her hand for the phone.

Kris said, “I'm putting Nik on. She has the latest data."

“Dani? This is Nicole Gervais. How are you?"

Dani had never heard Nik's voice before. The young physicist sounded utterly confident, and it gave Dani another needed boost. “Oh, Nik! Gee, I can't wait to meet you. Um, we're okay. Are you coming to get us with Aunt Kris?"

“No, Dani, but I can tell you what to expect,” Nik explained.

“Go ahead.” Dani pulled Ky closer and hoped it would help them both to stop shivering.

“All right. We won't be able to launch the helicopter until tomorrow afternoon. That's how long it will take us to get close enough. Are you with me so far?"

Dani's heart sank, but she said, “Yes, Nik."

“Good. The chopper has a short range: 300 miles. It travels at 120 miles an hour. We estimate it will take 18 hours after that before the chopper gets to the Canadian side of the Falls. The pilot has to rest from time to time. That means late Wednesday morning. But they can come for you after they land and bring you across. After that you can take your time returning to the ship."

Dani said, “So we won't see anyone before Wednesday at the earliest?” It was almost too much to take in. “Well, thanks. Can I talk to Aunt Kris again?"

“Dani, sweetie? Can you hold out that long?” Kris asked. She sounded terribly concerned.

Dani said, “What can we do? We'll try. I'm gonna try and go to sleep again. Ky wants to say goodbye.” She gave her sister the phone.

“Aunt Kris? Are you coming?” Ky was crying again.

“As fast as I can, love. Dani will explain. Now go back to sleep if you can. And remember I love you,” Kris said, fighting tears of her own.

“I love you too, Aunt Kris."

“Oh, Nik! What am I going to do? How can they avoid getting caught?” Kris groaned, sitting down and resting her head on the heels of her hands.

“Kris, you have taught them to be resourceful. They have a great deal of courage and they have already done better than anyone could have expected. It won't help them if you fall apart,” Nik said, stroking her back.

“They're sleeping on a golf course!” Kris cried. “They're cold. They're just kids!” and she burst into tears in Nik's arms. “What have I done to them?"

“You have done nothing. It is the fault of their parents. We will get them out,” Nik soothed. “I promise you, we will."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 18, 2007. Sandusky, Ohio. A pair of teenagers disappeared from TFC Matrimony Camp near Findlay, Ohio on Sunday. The sisters, Danielle and Carol Nordstrom, aged 17 and 15, stole a car which was later found in a supermarket parking lot, and two girls matching their description then bought bus tickets for San Francisco. Police all along the route are looking for them, but they have not been seen since leaving Ohio. Authorities fear foul play.

* * * *

“Get up, Ky,” Dani was shaking her. “It's getting light. We have to go."

“Mmm, what time is it?"

“Six-thirty. Let's get a move on. The junk food places will be serving breakfast soon,” Dani said, “and we can use an inside restroom."

As they climbed the fence, Ky looked over at the golf-course office. “Oh. look, Dani! A sweet little kitten!"

“Get a move on, Ky. We don't have time,” Dani urged.

But Ky kept looking back at the tiny gray tabby.

While they ate, Dani pulled out brochures from her pack and planned their day. “The water-park opens at 9 A.M. We'll go there and swim and lie in the sun and take showers."

“Yeah, but we're supposed to be boys. Which locker room will we use?” Ky asked through a mouthful of egg sandwich.

“Today we'll be girls. On the way, we'll get new t-shirts to wear into the park, and we'll change from these old ones in a rest-room."

“Then what?” Ky asked.

“In the evening we'll go to a laundromat and the movies, and after we eat, I want to go back to the mushroom. I've tried and tried and can't think of anyplace safer. But if you see or think of anything, tell me,” Dani said.

“Well, it's awful cold and hard, but I'd like to see if that kitten is still there,” Ky said wistfully.

“We'll get some heavy sweats for tonight, okay?” Dani said. She hoped her sister would forget the cat. “How much money have you got left?"

“God, I must have six hundred dollars! You made us each get a thousand, remember? We could even afford a hotel."

“Too dangerous! How would we ever explain?” Dani said.

“I know, I know. Anyway, we have a lot of money."

“All right. Let's get moving. I want to get into town where there are crowds,” Dani said.

“Can we look at the Falls?” Ky asked.

“I don't see why not. After all, we're tourists."

CHAPTER 74

Dev awoke and lay still, relishing the delightful fact that she was sharing a bed, the bed of Cornelia Fitzmarion, Baroness Elmhurst. It had started out like any other date, except for the fact that it was a date with British nobility on a Royal Navy frigate in the North Atlantic. A candlelight supper, some conversation about their circumstances, the background information normally exchanged on a first date.

“Call me Cory,” the stunning Peer had invited halfway through the meal. It had been served by Bella Moon, Baron's surly personal retainer, who had then left. Devon had been glad about that.

After dinner, Cory suggested they move to the couch. She stood up, took Dev's hand, and without any further warning, she kissed the startled Gunnery Officer. Then she cupped Dev's face in her hands and deepened the kiss.

It was all Dev could do not to moan with happiness. She put her hands on Cory's hips and responded. Just because it had been a long time didn't mean she had forgotten how. And realizing it was their first kiss, she etched it on her brain so she would never forget the details of it. How Cory tasted, smelled, felt.

She was strong and sure. Dev had assumed she would be. Her mouth was sweet, like the wine they had been drinking, but it wasn't just the wine. And Cory took her breath away. She was supposed to do that, too.

When Cory let up, just a little, to allow them to breathe, Dev sighed her name. “Cory..."

“Just tell me if this is okay with you, Devon. If it isn't..."

“Please, don't stop. Don't. I want it, too."

“Good.” And Cory kissed her again, more roughly, more hungrily this time, and Dev, while not as rough back, didn't object.

“Can we sit down?” Dev asked the next time she had a chance.

“Of course. Come here,” she said, taking Dev's hand firmly and leading her to the couch, where she pushed Dev against the back of the sofa and kissed her hard. Dev let herself feel the other woman's passion. “Do you like this?” Cory asked, when she felt like breathing again.

“Yes, I like it. I don't care for pain, but I like your strength,” Dev whispered. She took Cory's hand and kissed her palm only to find herself in a fierce embrace once again. She let Cory lead. She wanted Cory to take her.

Cory had no qualms about taking the lead. It seemed to her she had waited an awfully long time to do this. Reveling in her power and control of the situation, she slowly, surely, pushed Dev onto her back and mounted her.

Dev pulled Cory down firmly onto her, spreading her legs to accommodate her lover. This was already beyond her wildest dreams. Most lesbians she knew were obsessed with equality because men hated it. They had to take turns coming until they had each had exactly the same number of orgasms. Every act had to be mirrored, if not immediately, then soon after. They had to take turns doing chores and choosing recreation and paying for things so that no one could be misunderstood to be in charge of anything. In Dev's opinion, it was the number one cause of Lesbian Bed Death. Every relationship had a leader or a follower, or you took turns leading. No one could be equal all the time.

“Ummm ... Devon, obviously, we're going to do more than kiss unless I've got my signals horribly crossed,” Cory said, slowly grinding herself into Dev's crotch.

“No, ma'am, you're reading me loud and clear,” Dev sighed, looking up at her. She put up a hand and stroked Cory's cheek, and Cory turned into her touch for a moment, closing her eyes.

“Then let me suggest we go into the bedroom, where we can have a bit more room to spread out,” and without waiting for an answer, she rose fluidly and taking Dev by the hand, pulled her to her feet. “Come."

Dev followed her as eagerly as she had ever done anything, not that, her hand secure in Cory's, she could have held back.

Cory lowered the lights, turned and pulled Dev to her for another kiss. At the same time, she walked her backward to the bed and pushed her down gently. “Undress me,” she said, and stood waiting, her blue-gray eyes boring into Dev like a high-speed drill.

“Well, you're just a tad too tall for me to do that sitting down,” Dev observed, so she rose and lifted Cory's blouse until she had it over her head. She pulled it back right side out while she looked at Cory with undisguised admiration. The creamy skin and the crown of golden hair were a work of art. “You are stunning, Cory. I might have guessed, but it's delightful to know."

“Aren't you the silver-tongued devil?” Cory growled softly. “Come here, Gunner.” And with that she whipped Dev's top right off, tossed it aside and went for her bra. That was Dev's next clue that this was going to be a rougher, quicker mating than she had ever experienced in her life, and she felt herself go very, very wet at the prospect.

“Yes, ma'am,” she whispered as her bra disappeared like a rabbit in a magic act. Fitzmarion leaned down and sucked a nipple until Dev cried out, but that only made the formidable Peer change nipples and repeat her assault. “Cory, oh, Jesus Christ,” Dev groaned. She was a goner, and she knew it, and she was glad. She reached for her lover's waistband and as soon as the pilot released her left nipple, she stepped back slightly and yanked her pants down to her ankles.

Fitzmarion lost no time in stepping out of them and then she pushed Dev down on the bed in earnest, pulled her pants off and said, “Lift your hips or I'll tear those knickers right off you."

Dev lost no time in obeying, thinking Cory was going to have a very wet bedspread, but when Fitzmarion jerked the offending underwear out of her way, she took the bedspread right off at the same time and dumped everything on the floor. Getting up on the bed and straddling Dev, she demanded, “Why do I still have my underwear on, woman?"

“Because you keep interfering with me,” Dev laughed, releasing the other woman's bra and allowing the lovely globes therein to swing free. She reached for the wisp of cloth that passed for Cory's underwear and slid it down over her thighs. “Turn over so I can get these off."

Cory allowed that, but the moment she was free she had Dev on her back again. “Now,” she whispered dangerously, “I'm going to let you do what you've always wanted to do.” And she slid up until she straddled Dev's face. “Lift your head,” she commanded with a confident smile, and she placed some pillows so that their joining would be more easily accomplished. Then she took Dev's wrists in her own hands, imprisoning them, and with a blissful sigh, she lowered her dripping pussy onto the eager face of her lover, and she let herself go.

Dev couldn't believe it when she felt, and saw, Baron's wetness dripping down, getting closer and closer. She tried to lift up but Cory had her by the wrists and she had to wait. Then her pussy covered Dev's face and she tasted nobility for the first time. It was almost too much at first; Dev felt dizzy, thought she'd lose consciousness, but then she adjusted and Cory let her wrists go and she began to stroke the beautiful ass and thighs. With her ears inside Baron's thighs, Dev couldn't hear much, but she thought her lover was purring. Dev ran her tongue in and out, pulling back to lick the clit, suck it a little, and then back in for more thick, smooth honey. Then Cory began to tremble on top of Dev and she rubbed herself hard on the Gunner's face. Dev almost came herself when she did that, but her hands were holding Dev's head up against her and she wasn't touching Dev so that she could come, but that didn't matter. Dev wanted to feel the extreme need and arousal Baron was creating in her.

Devon ate Cory as intensely as she could, keeping her strokes consistent and well-aimed. Finally she felt Baron's thighs go rigid. Cory exploded on Dev's face and in her mouth, a long, drawn-out moan. She kept rubbing, pushing down into Dev's tongue and Dev did her best to stay on her clit until she felt the Baron jerk and come again. Then Cory pulled away and rolled over on her back, taking deep breaths, her arm over her eyes, still moaning a little. Since she was apparently ignoring Dev, the Gunner slid between her legs, right under her, and began to lick her again. At first Cory tensed a little, but then she began to move with Dev until she came some more. After that she just lay still and every couple of minutes, she came again. There would be a couple of gasps, then the spasms, then the deep sigh.

Finally Dev felt her tap the top of her head. “Dev ... Dev. I can't anymore,” she said, stifling a little giggle. “It's lovely, but I can't. Come here.” She wiggled her finger at her new lover and Dev scrambled up into her arms like a puppy and rested her head on the slender shoulder. Cory looked at her. Dev had never been with anyone so lovely in her life, and she was thrilled. “Oh, it's been much too long, hasn't it?” Cory said, and she kissed Devon, tasting herself on her lover's lips. “Do I taste good?"

“You taste wonderful,” Dev sighed. By now the Gunner was hot for her touch, absolutely wild, but she waited, following Baron's lead, as always.

Baron walked her fingers down Dev's body and twisted them into her pubic hair. Dev couldn't help the groan of need that escaped from deep inside. She was very, very close without even having been touched, “Please...” she breathed.

“Hmmm?” she purred in that lovely, husky contralto of hers, so sexy, so British, so aristocratic. “What do you want?"

“Please, Cory. Please touch me,” Dev whispered, keeping her eyes closed.

“Look at me,” Baron instructed softly. “Look at me, and say it again.” She was exploring her power over Devon, exerting her control.

“Please, Cory, touch me. Let me come,” Dev repeated, all but dazed by the intensity of her stare.

“All right,” she nodded slightly, and she slipped her fingers in. Immediately Dev felt spasms of need and gasped. “Lie still,” Fitzmarion whispered. And she leaned over, half on top of Devon, pushing her legs further apart.

Dev looked into her eyes and knew how a deer in headlights felt. “Cory,” she moaned. “I need you."

“I know you do. I understand exactly what you need,” she nodded, and she eased her fingers deep into Devon and held them still, feeling the clenching of the pussy around her hand. “When you can lie still, I will move my hand. Would you like that?"

“God, I would love it!” Devon gasped.

Cory kissed Dev and still didn't move her hand. “Please...” the Gunner begged.

Cory pulled back and shushed her captive. Then she leaned down and kissed her again, and slowly her fingers began to pump in and out, brushing Dev's clit. She held still, realizing if she moved Cory would stop, and Dev couldn't stand to have her stop. Not now.

“Good girl,” Cory approved, and began to pump faster and harder.

Dev whimpered as she began to feel an orgasm build. No one ever done her like this. Some of her lovers had fooled around with dominance, but it was like a part in a play, not their real personalities and they had always known it. This was the real, the authentic Cornelia, and she and Dev both knew that.

“Look at me,” Baron whispered. “Don't close your eyes."

Dev nodded. “Oh, Cory,” she gasped. “Oh, please, please, PLEASE!!!” she screamed, because all of a sudden she was coming so hard, so fast, so completely she couldn't stop. PLEASECORYPLEASE!” Dev screamed, and then her lips were on Cory's and her howling was muzzled although she continued to buck and jerk under Cory's hand, until she was cross-eyed with satiation and exhaustion. But Dev was still looking right into her lover's eyes, as she had commanded, and Dev saw her smile gently, the way a lover should.

“That was lovely. You are lovely when you come for me,” Cory smiled, and then she kissed Dev again, much more gently. “I enjoyed that. You pleased me both giving and receiving. Did you like it?"

“Oh, Cory,” Devon gasped, recovering her wind. “Oh, God, yes. Thank you. It was fantastic. I have never ... ever, I promise ... Oh, my God,” she sighed.

“Not too kinky?” Cory teased, the quirky smile reappearing.

“No, no, not at all,” Dev searched for words. She knew better than to say right away that she was in love, although the pilot would have to have been blind not to guess it. “You're terrific,” Devon said at last.

“I'd like you to spend the night,” Cory said, making it sound mandatory

“Thanks. I'd love to."

“Good. Because I think I'd like to do that again later,” Cory said with that grin that now looked so sexy, so inviting.

Dev looked up at her, totally enchanted. “So would I."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 19, 2007. Knoxville, Tennessee. Planning its largest 4th of July celebration yet, the True Fundamentalist Church has revealed that their annual parades in Knoxville, Little Rock and Dallas will feature float contests depicting the evils of homosexuality and feminism. Schools from all over the country are expected to compete for the prizes, which include scholarships to various TCF institutions.

* * * *

Kris sat down at her computer, thought a minute, and began to type.

* * * *

Dear Harry and Cindy,

I'm so sorry, and very deeply troubled, to hear that Dani and Ky have disappeared. I assure you I am out of the country and the girls have no idea where I am. I have no way of being in touch with them, either.

Because I am at some distance, I am not using my cell-phone or checking my voice-mail due to the expense. If you need to reach me, please continue to e-mail, and I will check it several times a day.

I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Love,

Kris

* * * *

She showed it to Andy and Nik before sending. “What do you think? Until now, I've managed to avoid lying, but I can't anymore. I also want to be sure I don't give them any info they can work with."

Andy and Nik looked at each other and nodded. Andy said, “Sounds good. You don't make promises or accusations, but remember, the next thing will be e-mail from that cop."

“Right. I'm prepared for that,” Kris acknowledged.

Nik said, “And e-mails carry a date and time, Kris. So you may want to make sure you send when the time doesn't give away your location. Communicate when it's the middle of their night, for example."

“Well, I'll send this one, and nothing again until it really is the middle of their night. It's very early morning in Ohio right now,” Kris told her, and she hit the send button. “I won't respond to the cop until much, much later if I have to.” She stood up from her desk. “Let's get Farmer to check weather for us."

* * * *

“Morning,” Mac grinned, propped up on her elbow, looking down at Van.

“Oh, God, already?” Van sat up. “You wore me out, my little shyster."

Mac giggled happily. “I didn't think it was possible.” She lowered her voice. “We'd better practice being quiet, though, with the Chaplain next door. And her little girl will be here soon, too."

“I am jealous,” the doctor complained. “I outrank you, and you have the big bed."

“You can sleep here anytime, as long as it's with me,” Mac said, wrinkling her nose at her lover.

“Very tempting, that offer,” Van growled. “What time is it?"

“Six-thirty,” Mac said, tracing the big woman's pug nose and freckles with her elegant forefinger.

“Well, we are going to be late for duty,” Van remarked. And with one hand, she put Mac on her back, and took her.

CHAPTER 75

In the locker room they shared a cubicle and trimmed each other's hair some more before venturing out to the showers in their new swimsuits.

“Oh, God!” Ky moaned as the warm water hit her. “I wasn't sure I'd ever feel clean again."

“I wasn't sure I'd ever feel warm again,” Dani giggled.

They soaped and rinsed themselves and washed their hair before leaving for the outside pools and slides, and swore to come back and do it again before going to the laundromat.

“We can stay all day and no one will bother us, I bet,” Dani guessed. “Everyone who sees us will think we're spoiled rich kids whose parents are somewhere else. And if anyone asks were we're from, say Canada. They don't have Oafs there."

“Right, Canada,” Ky agreed. “Pick a city, so we have the same story."

“Vancouver. It's big and far away. But try not to have any conversations at all, Ky. I mean it,” Dani warned seriously as they took towels from a huge pile outside. “Look, there's a hot tub. And there are lounges where we can take a nap. I know it's cold at night, but you can still get a burn in the daytime, so stay in the shade,” Dani reminded her.

“I know. And brush my teeth, and change my underwear,” Ky recited.

“Yes, I know I'm a pain. I can't wait for Aunt Kris to be telling both of us,” Dani sympathized.

“Me, too,” Ky agreed, and they both laughed.

* * * *

To: Nordstrom, Kristin

From: Struck, Darryl

Subject: Danielle and Carol Nordstrom

Miss Nordstrom;

Your brother, Harold Nordstrom, gave me your e-mail address.

I left a voice mail on your cell phone concerning your nieces, subject above, who have been missing from their camp near Findlay, Ohio, since Sunday, June 17. We have reason to believe they will try to find you, therefore I need to know your whereabouts so we can track them and find them before they come to harm.

Please be aware that, should you personally be involved in this disappearance, or if you are withholding information regarding said disappearance, you could be subject to criminal prosecution.

Contact me at the above e-mail address to acknowledge receipt of this communication, and to provide the information required by this and other law enforcement agencies.

Darryl Struck, Detective Lieutenant

Dayton Police Department

* * * *

“Well, Mac, what do you recommend?” Kris asked her legal officer.

Mac steepled her fingers and looked directly at Kris. “He's right, you know. You're already aiding and abetting."

“I know, and I have to live with it. Obviously I don't intend to be anywhere I can be charged or extradited,” Kris said. “I hope to get them asylum in some other country—"

“Aren't you ethnically Swedish?” Mac interrupted. “I'm sorry, but I just remembered something I read."

“Yes, and Irish on my mother's side,” Kris acknowledged.

“Well, let me see what those two countries are offering. It's a possibility. So is keeping them at sea, as long as they're never located. Not sure how likely that is, but it'll do for now,” Mac remarked.

“It'll have to, Counselor. Now, what sort of answer should I send to this clown?"

“Well, just tell him what you've been saying all along: you know nothing, you're not in touch, you'll share any information you get with them, and you're not obligated to say where you are. None of their business,” Mac told her boss.

“Stick around, Lieutenant, and you can critique me,” Kris ordered. She swiveled around and typed.

* * * *

Lieutenant Struck:

My nieces and I have had no contact except a supervised phone call shared with their parents last Easter, and weekly e-mails, also monitored by their parents. Should I hear from them, I will contact you. I am out of the country, and my attorney informs me I am within my rights to refuse your request for my location.

You should know that the proper form of address for a retired military officer is her active duty grade. Failure to use this form of address will result in deletion of your e-mails.

Kristin K. Nordstrom, Captain, USCG (Ret.)

* * * *

Mac rose and looked over Kris’ shoulder. “A tad on the hostile side, but nothing illegal about it. You can send it."

Kris looked up at her. “Thanks, Mac."

Mac inclined her head. “You're welcome."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 20, 2007. Boise, Idaho. Senator Obadiah Jones officially opened his campaign for President in his home state today. One of the issues he has pledged to consider is federal legislation preventing civil marriages. If such a measure were passed, all weddings would have to be performed by clergy, with the approval of their denomination.

* * * *

Struck showed the Nordstroms the e-mail he got from Kris. “I gather your sister is a feminist, Mr. Nordstrom?"

“And probably a lesbian, too,” Cindy sneered.

Struck shrugged. “Well, we have no additional information. You say your daughters had no money, no credit cards and no means of communicating with their aunt. Isn't it likely they simply slipped away into Canada? There are hundreds of unmanned crossings, although that is bound to change, with the numbers of runaways increasing every month."

Cindy's eyes narrowed. “What if, just what if, there was something going on between them and his sister that we didn't know about? How could they know how to steal a car? Where did they get money for those tickets to San Francisco?"

“Do you have credit cards?” Struck asked Harry.

“Yes, but they're all here. They didn't take any,” Harry said, baffled.

Struck tapped his fleshy chin with the rolled up e-mail. “Banks send credit offers all the time. Could they have made a dummy application for a credit card? Do they have social security numbers?"

“Well, of course! We got those when they were born!” Cindy said.

“Perhaps we should run a credit check. Just to be sure,” Struck said thoughtfully.

“Isn't there some way you can look at everything in their computers, to see if anything's been hidden?” Cindy asked.

“There are technicians who perform analyses on hard drives. I can have one assigned,” Struck agreed, “with Mr. Nordstrom's consent. The files are private so we need their father's signature."

Harry nodded agreement.

“Now, what about their friends? Girls from school and church, a boyfriend?” Struck asked.

“Dani had a boyfriend, Niles Bower. He was very strange, not at all who I would have wanted for her, but a church member and—"

Struck cut her off. “Do you have his address and phone number?"

Cindy nodded eagerly. “I'll get it."

* * * *

“I love having my stuff all clean again,” Dani said with a sigh as they repacked their things in the laundromat.

“Yeah, but the packs are getting awfully full and heavy,” Ky complained.

“All the extra stuff will keep us warmer tonight,” Dani reminded her. “And since we can eat in fast-food places now, we don't have to carry food. Now let's go to the movies, and then back to the mushroom. Just two more nights."

“Back to the igloo, you mean,” Ky grumbled. But she felt better, too. “Anyway, in just a couple days, we'll be with Aunt Kris, on some kind of ship."

“Yeah, and a helicopter, too. I wonder what she's been doing. Do you think she joined a foreign navy or something?” Dani asked as they walked up the street.

“Maybe she has a job on a cruise ship,” Ky guessed.

“With a helicopter?” Dani asked.

“Well, I don't know. I have no idea. How could I? She never tells us anything,” Ky complained.

“Okay, which animated feature do you wanna see?” Dani asked in front of the Movie Mall.

“None of them,” Ky said. “But I know we have to do G movies only or we'll call attention to ourselves. You pick."

“Let's do the one with the dragons. Hell, we haven't seen any of them! Not TFC-approved,” Dani droned in imitation of Pastor Wallace.

“Fuck the TFC,” Ky said sweetly, and they went in.

* * * *

Two movies later, full of popcorn and pizza, they arrived at the mini-golf course and once again, waited to see that the coast was clear.

“Come on,” Dani said, and in the dark corner, they hopped the fence.

They settled themselves in the mushroom again, and Dani was right; the new sweats and packs full of clean clothes made them feel much more comfortable.

“Sleeping bags and air mattresses would be nice,” Ky said, “but I wouldn't wanna have to drag them around all day."

“Just two more nights,” Dani reminded her sister, “and tomorrow afternoon, the ship will be close to Gander and the helicopter can take off."

“I guess the pilot can fly all night,” Ky guessed.

“Aunt Kris said she would. Hey! What's that?” Dani said holding up her hand for silence.

“What?” Ky listened.

There was a scrabbling sound against the outside of the mushroom. Ky crept out cautiously. “Hey! It's the kitten!” she said, delighted. “She caught a cricket. C'mere, you."

She backed into the mushroom holding the kitten. “Look!” Ky put the kitten down and watched while she ate the bug.

“Ky! How gross! Put it out!” Dani ordered.

“Wait,” Ky said, and she felt in her pack. She still had some cheese and crackers, which she offered the kitten. The kitten nibbled some of the cheese and ignored the rest. Then she curled up on Ky's pack.

“Oh, look, Dani! I'm gonna keep her."

“Ky, this is not a good idea,” Dani began.

“If she wants to leave, I'll let her go,” Ky promised. “Really."

* * * *

Lieutenant Struck returned to the Nordstrom house the next day. “Someone named Nordstrom got cash out of an ATM in Findlay and bought gas and bus tickets,” he said, unfolding spreadsheets on the kitchen table.

“Where?” Harry asked.

“The tickets were purchased in Cleveland. Two for New York City and two for separate destinations in Canada. The names on the cards are,” he checked the sheets, “C. Nordstrom and D. Nordstrom."

Cindy gasped, “How would they get credit cards?"

“It doesn't matter. They have them, and they used them Sunday, but not since,” said Struck.

“How much money has been withdrawn?” Harry asked, looking at the papers.

“$2000 in cash and several hundred in bus tickets, but the cards haven't been used since Sunday. Your daughters are very clever. Could this be their own money, or yours?"

“No, they don't have access to it, and they never took ours,” Harry said, utterly amazed.

“It's that vicious sister of yours, Harry! She has to have given them the cards, or the money, or both.” Cindy turned to the Lieutenant. “What about her cards? Can you look under her name? And what about the computers?"

“No purchases have been made under the name of Kristin Nordstrom since last year,” Struck said. “And there's nothing on either computer. If there ever was anything, it's gone now."

“Can you search for the girls in New York and Canada?” Harry asked.

“Well, along with every other runaway, yes, in a way, but not specifically. The police are always on the lookout for runaway kids panhandling, hitching, sleeping in alleys. But your daughters,” the lieutenant shrugged, “have both brains and money, or else they're getting a lot of help. They can eat, they've been riding, and they've been hiding. And no trace of their aunt in this country,” he finished up.

“Did you talk to Niles Bower?” Cindy asked suddenly.

“That kid! He's so nerdy, and so far out of the mainstream,” Struck laughed. “He said he only dated Danielle because his parents made him. He was unaware that they're missing, and we checked his computer, too, with his father's permission. Nothing."

“Well, what are we supposed to do?” Cindy demanded.

Struck looked at the Nordstroms. “Look, I feel for you. I have children, too. But these two are slick and bold, if you don't mind my saying so. I have seldom seen girls able to pull off such a thing. I never heard of any girls who stole a car and got hold of so much cash, not in several years, anyway. By now they're probably already in Canada, with one of those liberal organizations that helps runaways, the underground railroad. The Canadian authorities have to return minors to their parents, but they have to catch them first. If your sister is helping them, or even if she isn't, they will find sympathetic Canadians to keep them in that country,” Struck explained as logically and gently as he could.

“What are you saying?” Harry asked.

“I'm saying to wait and see if they call home on their own. Get caller ID and maybe we can trace them,” Struck said. “But the chances of getting them back with so much of a head start are very slim. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that."

“Well, thank you for your time,” Harry said heavily, and he stood up and walked the policeman to the door.

“I'll call if I hear anything, and you have my card,” Struck said. They shook hands and he left.

As soon as Harry closed the door, Cindy said, “I guess we'll just have to call the church and hire one of those mercenaries. We can't let Kris get them, or keep them. Otherwise, we'll never get them back."

Harry sighed. He already understood that it was much too late.

CHAPTER 76

“Great flying weather!” Baron enthused as she joined Dev Ritter on deck. “What do you think, Gunner?"

“Whatever you say, Baron.” Dev said softly. “Just be careful this evening, will you?"

“Have you any idea how often I've flown this chopper? Not to worry.” She gave Dev a reassuring slap on the back, and walked around the chopper again, more out of habit than necessity. “Will you miss me?” she murmured, her eyes dancing.

“I'll count the hours,” Dev promised.

“As will I. You are quite the most interesting discovery I've made in some time, Gunner. But understand, I regard you as my private property now. Don't stray,” Baron warned.

Dev grinned. “Or you'll be quite annoyed with me?"

“I shall be worse than annoyed, and I shall punish you severely,” Baron threatened good-naturedly.

“Maybe you should discipline me from time to time just on general principle,” Dev suggested.

“Mmmm. Something to look forward to. If all goes well, we'll have champagne and I'll put you through your paces. How's that?” Baron winked.

“Lovely,” Dev smiled, starting to pick up Baron's British-isms.

“Damned right. Your crew will be on hand when I take off, right? Good. See you then.” Baron sounded brisk, but she gave her new lover a warm smile and a cheerful wave and went below to rest until 1700, their ETA off the coast of Newfoundland.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 21, 2007. Salt Lake City, Utah. Talks are opening here today between the elders of the Latter Day Saints and the hierarchies of the Islamic National Coalition and the True Fundamentalist Covenant. On the agenda are shared various legislative concerns, the legal status of polygamy, and a joint media center to be shared by the three organizations.

* * * *

Kris,

The police have run a check and found that the girls may have credit cards. They have a lot of money and bought a lot of bus tickets, if it's them. There is no other sign of them anywhere.

I have a suspicion that you are somehow involved, and God help me, I actually hope you are, because if they're with you, they're at least safe. I haven't told Cindy of course, and she is determined to hire church mercenaries to look for them.

Please, if you have my daughters, let them call home and talk to us. I can't promise Cindy won't force me to prosecute you, and I can't promise the police won't look for them and you, but try to think how you would feel if you were in our position.

Harry

* * * *

“Hmmm,” Kris said thoughtfully. “Lieutenant, have Baron come up here to the bridge, would you?"

“I believe she and Commander Whittington are both resting for the flight tonight, Captain, and shouldn't be disturbed,” Nik said.

“Oh, that's right. Well, make sure she sees me before she takes off. She needs their passports anyway and I want her to help the girls make a phone call from Toronto. Harry's right. Look,” she swiveled the screen so Nik could see. “It's not like I trust him, but they won't be going back there. I can concede about five seconds to let their parents know they're all right."

Nik tapped at her PDA. “Aye, Captain."

* * * *

“Get out! Get out! You cannot sleep here!"

Dani and Ky both sat bolt upright at once, whacking their heads on the inside of the mushroom.

Shaking with terror, they scrambled out to find a small Asian man confronting them. It was broad daylight, although there was little traffic yet.

“Okay, okay, we're going,” Dani said, holding up her hands as if to ward him off. “We didn't steal anything. Please don't call the police."

Ky was rapidly pulling all of their things into a pile and dragging them out. The kitten scampered out with her, and then sat down to lick itself.

“Hurry up,” Dani said, kneeling to help her sister.

“We're sorry,” Ky said. “We didn't do anything."

The man looked at them curiously. “Why you stay in mushroom? Who you hide from?"

“We're waiting to go to Canada. We ran away from home so our parents wouldn't marry us to a Mormon,” Dani said, calming slightly. “Please don't tell anyone. We can pay you.” Dani realized she was taking a risk in giving out so much information, but there was something in the way the man smiled at them that reassured her. And the truth was, she felt like she was going to explode keeping all this stuff inside her.

“My name Yang,” the man said. “I am Hmong, from Viet Nam. You know what that is?"

“I know about the war in Viet Nam,” Dani said cautiously, packing her things away.

“Hmong people must run from Communist government in war,” Yang explained, squatting beside her. “We go to camps, later we sent to U.S., start over. My family, we buy this golf course when I am young man,” Yang said. “Why you wish not marry?"

“We're too young to get married. We need to finish school,” Dani said. “We need to have lives."

They stood up and put their packs on. “Please let us pay you for sleeping here,” Dani said.

“No, no, you not pay,” Yang said, standing up and waving his hands. “But you must hurry, before wife comes. If she sees, she will call police. Very afraid of authorities. When you go Canada?"

“Tomorrow morning,” Dani said. “We need to stay free until then."

“Please don't tell,” Ky said. She started to cry.

Yang's features softened. “Go away now. Come back tonight very late, sleep mushroom.” He led them to the gate. “Look, there is wife car! Hurry!"

The girls took to their heels in the opposite direction, and didn't look back. They stopped in the first fast food restaurant they found to use the restrooms and eat. When they sat down in a booth with their meals, they were still panting with fear.

“You can come out now,” Ky whispered furtively, opening her pack. The kitten's head popped out.

“Ky! Oh, Ky! Why did you take her? We'll have to put her back!” Dani hissed, beside herself.

“I'm keeping her,” Ky said, her round jaw jutting forward. “So you may as well be quiet about it."

“Aunt Kris won't let you anyway,” Dani said. “So I won't even bother."

“Good. Here, Olivia, have some milk,” Ky whispered to the kitten, pouring some onto a plastic lid.

“I don't believe this!” Dani muttered. “What are we going to do with her all day?"

“She can stay in my pack and sleep. I'll let her out sometimes, and she can sleep with us again tonight. Are we going back there?” Ky asked.

“I don't know if Yang meant it. We can go a little later than usual and look very carefully. If we don't see anything different, we can go in,” Dani said.

“What if someone's there?” Ky asked.

“Well, we can go to the late movies, but then we need to hide and probably not sleep at all, but we can manage. We slept really good last night, and got in trouble because of it,” Dani pointed out. “Now pack up that kitten so we can take our boat ride. Otherwise we'll never see the Canadian side of the Falls."

Ky nodded, relieved that Dani wasn't going to try to make her get rid of Olivia. “Okay."

* * * *

Everyone who could get off duty was standing on every weather deck of the Dee as the Baron and her deck crew pre-flighted the Wasp. By now the entire crew knew the mission, and the whole atmosphere was more like that of an active-duty ship than a floating museum.

Kris stood out on the flying bridge, watching anxiously. They had done chopper launches at sea for training several times, but this time the exec wasn't on the bridge, and Andy had to stay below in the engine room for the time being, so she and Nik were running the show alone.

“When we see the copter again, Dani and Ky will be on it,” Kris remarked to Chief Brown.

“Yes, Ma'am, and you know everyone will be praying for them to make it,” said the boatswain.

Kris nodded. “Thanks. Reduce to ten knots, Chief. I don't want Baron fighting the ship."

Chief Brown relayed the orders and the ship slowed until she was just making headway through the swells. Nik was on the radio with Baron and cleared her for departure at the Captain's nod. The little craft lifted gracefully, hovered a moment, then sped away due east. Everyone cheered and waved their hats. Kris blinked back tears. “Bring my babies home safely, Baron,” she whispered to herself. Raising her voice, Kris ordered, “Increase to 35 knots, and make our course one-eight-zero.” Dee picked up speed, turned and headed south to Halifax.

* * * *

“So? What do you think?” Ky asked Dani.

“I don't like it. For one thing there's a car there. Every other time, the whole lot has been empty."

“Maybe it's Yang's car,” Ky said.

“Well, I don't wanna take a chance. I guess we'd better go to the park. Come on.” They turned and ran right into a man. “Oh!” Dani gasped. “Mr. Yang!"

“Be quiet. You come,” he said furtively, leading them back behind the shuttered ice-cream stand.

“I look for you. Wife see you leave this morning, call police. In mushroom is cop from car,” he explained.

“Oh, Mr. Yang, thank you for telling us!” Dani said. “We can still pay you—"

“No, I take you away from here now. Wife think I helping police catch you. I drive you away quick,” he said, pointing them toward an older Ford compact.

Ky looked at Dani. They both knew not to go with strangers in cars, but this was different. Dani looked around carefully. There was no one else in the car, and no one nearby among the seedier tourist attractions closed for the night. “Look, Mr. Yang, can you take us to a cheap hotel? We have enough money. You can register and give us the key? Please? Here,” she said, and she counted out $200. “Pay for one night, keep everything else, okay?"

“I cannot use my name,” he protested.

“Make up some other name. If you have enough cash, they won't care. Give them extra, too. Here,” she gave him another $50.

He sighed. “Come on."

Yang drove them to the other end of the strip, some distance from the tourist center, and close to the more squalid industrial area that had sprung up to take advantage of the hydroelectric power from the Falls. The girls got out before he turned into the parking lot and waited for him behind the dumpster.

“You be careful here. Some prostitutes this motel. Make no mess, make no noise, and in morning go. Not come back mushroom. Go Canada,” he instructed, handing Dani the key.

“Thank you, Mr. Yang! Do you need more money?” Dani asked. “Or anything?"

“No, now I must go. Be careful. Good luck.” He jumped into the car and was gone.

“Wait,” Ky said. She let Olivia out, and the kitten disappeared into a row of scraggly bushes.

“Ky, if she doesn't come back, you have to let her go,” Dani said sternly.

“I know. You go in the room. I'll wait here a few minutes,” Ky said. “I'll be careful."

“No way. Aunt Kris would kill me,” Dani said, pulling her sister back behind the dumpster again. “Ten minutes, and then we have to go in."

But the little cat had bonded with Ky during their long day together, and she didn't try to hunt, expecting Ky to feed her. She came back.

Ky scooped her up. “Good girl, Olivia,” she said, nuzzling her new pet.

Dani rolled her eyes. “C'mon."

The room was small and tacky. Everything was brown. There was only one double bed, and a bath with a lot of chipped surfaces. An ancient TV was bolted to the wall. The plastic furniture was full of cigarette burns, and the room smelled strongly of air freshener.

“Wow, all this for only $250!” Ky said.

“Well, it's better than getting caught by the police or spending the night on the street,” Dani said, trying to be philosophical. “Come on, let's take showers and go to bed."

“Let's watch TV!” Ky said. “See if we're on it."

Dani turned, “Yeah, good idea, Ky, but keep it low. I'll shower first and you watch. Put it on 24/7 News."

“Okay.” Ky put the TV on and sat on the bed. She watched Olivia for a few minutes, and then found the leftover ham she had been feeding the kitten, shredding it up in an ashtray for her to eat out of. Then she gave the kitten water in another ashtray.

When Dani came out, drying her hair, Ky went in and Dani said, “We'll call Aunt Kris when you get out."

* * * *

“Nordstrom."

“Aunt Kris, are you still up?” Dani asked.

“Hi, honey! Yes, I'm on the bridge, waiting to hear from the helicopter pilot. I'll be up a while yet,” Kris told her.

“Oh, they let you on the bridge? Cool!” Dani said. “Where is the helicopter now?"

Ky leaned against Dani so she could hear, too.

Kris smiled. Of course her nieces had no idea yet that she was the captain of the ship. “Last we heard she had just re-fueled on the other side of Newfoundland, and should check in when they get to St. John. Then they have to rest,” Kris explained.

“So when will we see them?” Dani asked.

“Write this number down and call them when you get up in the morning,” Kris said. “You'll be talking to Suzanne Whittington. She can tell you better than I can what to expect.” She gave the number.

Dani repeated it back. “Alix's mom?"

“Yes, she's with the pilot. Now where are you?"

Dani explained about the motel, not mentioning the kitten.

Kris was concerned. “You be very careful in the morning. If this woman called the police, they may be looking everywhere for you. Watch the local news before you leave the hotel."

“Yes, ma'am. Ky wants to talk to you."

“Aunt Kris, will we see you tomorrow?” Ky asked plaintively.

“I don't think so, honey, but the day after for sure. The helicopter is barely faster than a car with all the refueling, and with four of you aboard, it will take even longer. Just remember I love you, okay? It will be very soon,” Kris promised.

“Okay, Aunt Kris. I love you, too,” Ky told her.

“Now get some sleep in that bed,” Kris ordered. “Bye-bye."

“Ky, put the kitten in the bathroom in case she makes a mess, so we can clean it up,” Dani said. “Give her your dirty laundry to make a little bed, and let's go to sleep."

Ky nodded and went to take care of Olivia. When she crawled back into the bed, she asked, “Hey, why did you tell Mr. Yang the truth today? Wasn't it dangerous?"

Dani sighed. “Yeah, it was probably pretty stupid, but he seemed so nice, and I was scared."

“Well, it worked out anyway, for a change,” Ky told her, wriggling under the covers. She spooned behind her sister for a moment. “I love you, Dani."

Dani patted Ky's hand. “I love you, too."

CHAPTER 77

“Ky, wake up! On the local news it says there are two runaway girls hiding in town. It must be because of Yang's wife telling the cops,” Dani said.

“What do we do now?” Ky asked.

“Okay, let's think,” Dani said, sitting down. “We can be here until 11 A.M., but we should leave earlier. Don't want the maid to come busting in on us."

“Let's call Alix's mom right away,” Ky said.

“No, let's look at a map of the town,” Dani said. “We need to pick a place to meet. And we really need to look and act like boys today. We have to wear our Oaf shirts and hats. Let's wash and get packed. Got any food?"

“You said we didn't need to carry it anymore,” Ky reminded her.

“Yeah, that's right. Okay, well, we'll look for candy machines or whatever, where we don't have to talk to anyone. We can go hungry if we have to,” Dani decided. “There's a candy machine right here by the ice machine. I'll go as soon as I get dressed and get us whatever's in there."

“But what about Olivia?” Ky asked. “Will you get her something?"

“I'll try. And clean up that mess in the tub. It stinks,” Dani said, pulling on her jeans.

Ky wrinkled her nose. “Eww. Okay."

In a few minutes Dani came back. “I got us sodas and cheese and crackers and chocolate. Olivia eats cheese. Have one pack now, and we'll save the rest for later. Are you watching the news?"

“Yeah, they're watching all the bridges and roads into Canada. We'll never make it. It's not just cops, all the Oafs are on patrol, too."

“Do they know our names?” Dani asked.

“They haven't said,” Ky told her, munching.

“Okay, let's look at the maps,” Dani said, unfolding everything she had collected during their stay. She was quiet a few minutes. “Look, Dani, we're halfway out of town already due to being here. There's a big park out east. I bet a chopper could land there."

“Is that legal?” Ky asked.

“Well, I don't think they're gonna ask for permission, do you?” Dani remarked. “Gimme a phone."

* * * *

“Dani? Where are you?” Sue Whittington yelled over the noise of the rotors. Had it not been for the “vibrate” mode, Sue would not have even known her phone was ringing.

“I can't talk loud. We're in a motel and the police are looking for us,” Dani said. “Where are you?"

“Dani, I can't hear. Call us in an hour,” Sue instructed.

“Damn!” Dani said. “We're stuck. They have to land before they can talk to us."

“Where are they?” Ky demanded.

“No idea."

They sat and watched the news some more and in a few minutes, had the shock of seeing their faces, and their mother crying, on television.

“Shit!” Dani said. “We are so screwed!"

“We gotta get out of here,” Ky said, her voice reedy with panic.

Dani forced herself to think clearly. “No. We're safe right this minute. And they're watching the borders, not the back way out of town. Keep watching the TV for any more news. I have an idea.” Dani pulled the one plastic chair to the window and opened the rubbery curtain slightly. “Are you all packed?"

“Yes, except Olivia, and I cleaned up,” Ky said

“Okay, we may have to move out in a hurry,” Dani informed her. “I think we still have plenty of time."

“What are you looking for out there?” Ky asked.

“Mr. Yang said there are prostitutes here. I'm going to see if I can find one. There are a lotta crappy cars out there with New York plates,” Dani said.

The first woman Dani saw tottered by on red high heels, looking strung out and unsteady. Dani regretfully let her go by. The next one, in a short leopard skirt, looked older and more sure of herself. Dani opened the door just a crack. “Ma'am? Hello? Excuse me?"

The woman looked up from her purse where she was hunting for her keys. “You're awful young, honey, and I don't do tricks in the daytime. I go home and sleep.” She started to get into her beat-up car.

“No!” Dani hissed. “Not a trick, but I'll pay you! Please! Come here. We can't go out.” She held up a $100 bill.

The woman looked around, then got back out of her car. She slipped in the door, and Dani noticed she smelled of cheap perfume, cigarettes and something else Dani didn't want to consider too much. “Hey, you ain't a boy! I don't do that stuff, either,” she said, and turned to leave.

“No, we just want a ride,” Dani said. “We're in trouble, and we need to get out to the park outside of town, and we need some food."

The woman looked at them suspiciously. “You runnin’ away from something?"

“Yes,” Dani said boldly. “From our parents. They want to marry us both to the same man out in Utah, and a friend is coming to take us to Canada, but we can't just walk out of town."

The woman plucked the bill from Dani's hand. “Got any more of these?"

“One,” Dani lied, “and like twenty for food. That's it."

Ky sat staring and holding Olivia, knowing better than to open her mouth.

“Okay. Gimme it and let's go,” the hooker said. “We can stop at the Gas and Go and get you some sandwiches. But hurry up. I need my beauty sleep."

“Thanks.” Dani gave her the other hundred dollars, and they piled into a wheezing Chevrolet.

They sank down in the back seat while Randi took their twenty and went into the convenience store. She came out with a six-pack of soda, four sandwiches and three packs of cigarettes. “There wasn't any change,” she said.

“That's okay,” Dani said, knowing better than to argue.

It wasn't much further to the park. The whore drove them inside the entrance until they were out of sight of the main road. “End of the line. Good luck."

“Thanks. You, too,” Ky said, sliding out of the back with Olivia.

“Ciao.” The car coughed away and the sisters retreated into the woods.

“Wow, Dani. You have guts,” Ky said. “I never woulda thought of that."

“I thought who else might not turn us in, like a criminal or a poor person. Mr. Yang made me think of it, you know, because he was a refugee.” Dani shrugged. “We better call Sue Whittington. We're already late."

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 21, 2007. Washington, DC. Passage of the Family Habitation Act is considered imminent by veteran Congress-watchers. The bill, which has been approved by both House and Senate in slightly different versions, now rests before a joint committee which will work out the kinks. It is expected that the joint bill will reach the floor of the House of Representative before the Independence Day break.

* * * *

“Well, Baron, I hope you can pull this off,” Sue said, slipping the phone back into her pocket.

“Not a problem. No reason for a private British aircraft not to be cleared into the Buffalo airport,” said the peer, sounding remarkably cheerful for someone functioning on four hours sleep.

“It's the part about landing in a county park that concerns me,” Sue said as she took out the fire extinguisher for the sixth time.

“Oh, just a matter of a slightly fouled fuel-line,” Baron grinned. “Last leg. Ready?"

Sue shook her head at the younger woman's exuberance and returned the easy smile. “Let's go."

The Wasp lifted off from Ottawa and followed the river west. It was a clear day and they were flying VFR, which meant little radio contact or radar observation. Despite raw nerves and lack of sleep, Sue found it all quite exhilarating. Baron had just the dash and courage it took to fly a military chopper.

After ninety minutes or so, Baron shouted, “There's the Falls! Ready to break a few laws?” Without waiting for an answer, she veered away from their intended destination, dropped down and headed south and east.

* * * *

Ky and Dani had been hiding in the bushes, slapping mosquitoes and getting on each other's nerves for several hours when they heard blades beating the air.

“Get up! Get out, Ky!” Dani cried. “That must be them!"

“No! Olivia!” Ky shrieked. The kitten, spooked by the noise and the girls’ sudden agitation, dashed further into the woods.

“Ky! Let her go! We have to run!” Dani snarled, thoroughly unnerved.

“Letgoame!” Ky screamed, jerking away. She went after the cat while struggling to get her pack on.

Dani gave up and ran for the clearing. The copter was coming down!

Dani stopped and held her hat on, waiting for Sue's signal to advance. The front door popped and Sue jumped out, waving Dani on and sliding the rear door back. “Where's your sister?” Sue yelled, not knowing which one she had.

“In the woods, chasing a kitten!” Dani yelled, flinging herself in. She removed her pack and Baron helped her with the seatbelt.

“Wait! Wait!” Ky screamed. She was running from the woods with Olivia in both hands, pursued at a distance by a pack of Boy Scouts.

“Jesus Christ!” Sue said. She yanked the fire extinguisher out and pointed it like a weapon. Ky scrambled past her and Sue slammed the rear door.

“Going up!” yelled Baron, taking off while Sue was barely in and her door was still flapping. “Hang on!” As soon as Baron gained enough altitude, she tipped hard port and Sue's door slammed shut.

“When we land, I am gonna put you over my knee!” Sue bellowed at Ky, who was clutching the cat while Dani clutched her.

“I don't care!” Ky screamed, and she burst into tears.

Sue reached back and squeezed her knee hard. “It's all right, Ky. It's all right. Dani, strap her in, and hang onto that damned cat!” Sue then turned and did her own belt.

“Falls at nine o'clock!” Baron shouted, and they all turned to gape down at the magnificent view.

Dani leaned on the glass and sighed. They were in Canadian airspace.

* * * *

As soon as they landed north of Toronto to re-fuel, Sue took the girls in a cab to a gas station to use a pay phone. “You're calling home,” she explained once they got out. “You're not to mention your aunt, just that you are safe and well. Then back to the airport and off we go. Baron says we'll fly by day, and sleep by night, and we still have several hours of daylight."

“You flew by night coming here,” Dani observed.

“Better not to, and we need some sleep,” Sue said. “Here's a roll of Canadian quarters. Go on, now."

Harry answered the phone. “Hello?"

“Dad? It's Ky. Dani and I are safe. Don't worry.” She handed Dani the phone.

Dani quickly said the lines she had memorized. “Tell Mom we love her and don't try to find us, okay? Love you both. Bye.” She hung up the phone and turned to Sue. “Can we go now, before they trace us?"

“No doubt they already have, but the Canadians aren't being especially helpful about this kind of thing. By the time any police get here, we'll be in Montreal,” Sue assured them.

They got back into the waiting taxi and sped away, and in another 20 minutes they were airborne again.

Dani leaned back and relaxed. She looked over at Ky, who was holding her pack on her lap. Baron had given her a canvas bag for her belongings, and Olivia was in the pack, asleep. Dani looked at the two relative strangers who had rescued them. Sue Whittington: short and slight, plain features, close-cropped graying hair, no nonsense. Yet there was a lot of mother in the woman, too. Sue had a quiet strength that Dani found comforting. Alix was so lucky to have a normal mother!

Then there was Baron, the thirty-something blond chopper pilot, obviously an Englishwoman. She was cocky and cheerful, and very, very sexy, Dani thought. Too old, of course, but still very attractive to a baby dyke, as Dani thought herself to be, to inspire such a line of thought under the circumstances.

Then Dani thought of her aunt, and tried to put everything together. Kris and Andy and Nik were on some kind of a ship with Baron, Sue and Alix. The ship was in Halifax. It was too noisy to ask any questions so the puzzle couldn't be solved until they landed for the night. A glance at Ky revealed her sister was sound asleep, despite the excitement of the helicopter rescue. Dani put an arm around Ky and nodded off, too.

* * * *

“Well, they're in Canada, all right,” Lieutenant Struck confirmed to Harry and Cindy. “That call was made north of Toronto. The Mounties will send an investigator out, but honestly, I wouldn't expect to find anything there. You're incredibly lucky you even heard from them."

Cindy asked, “Can't our government make their government look for my daughters?"

“Well, the Canadians do look, all the time, but they can only do so much, Mrs. Nordstrom. There are thousands of women and girls up there, and the Canadians won't interfere in most of those cases. It's a problem, and it'll cause the borders to eventually be very restricted, but for now—"

“Even if they're minors, they won't look?” Harry asked.

“Yes, but unfortunately, your daughters are only the latest, and their law enforcement agencies are swamped with searches for our runaways right now. It'll take time,” Struck explained.

“What about his sister? Can't the FBI look for her?” Cindy pressed.

“If it could be proved that she had anything to do with this, the FBI and Interpol could both get involved, but whatever your sister is doing, if anything, it can't be traced until we get a lead,” Struck said patiently. He had four more families to visit that day and it would probably be the same story again and again: girls vanishing without a trace.

“Well, what about those credit cards?” Cindy said.

“We're looking into that. It's the last lead we have. As soon as I hear anything, I'll be in touch,” the detective promised.

As soon as Struck was out the door, Cindy turned to Harry. “This isn't happening fast enough. I want to try something else."

Harry sighed. It was going to be one of those days.

CHAPTER 78

It was a cloudy Thursday morning in Nova Scotia. Kris was on the bridge being briefed by the departing watch, and keeping an eye on the weather. After the junior officers went below to breakfast, Kris sat down at her computer and checked the news. The previous day there had been a report of a brief and unscheduled landing by a helicopter outside of Niagara Falls, and Kris wondered if there was any follow-up.

A tiny article mentioned that some Boy Scouts had seen someone get into a helicopter. However, no adults had seen the incident, and the descriptions of the helicopter itself had varied considerably. Police authorities decided it might have been a stunt or an aborted crime of some kind, but without further sightings or information, no follow-up was possible.

Kris sat back, staring blankly at the screen. It was still a problem. The girls had called home from Toronto. The helicopter had been cleared to Buffalo, although it never arrived, citing engine troubles that caused them to turn back. Baron had flown too low for radar to pick her up leaving Canadian airspace. Yet, someone with a brain putting it all together might track the girls to the ship.

Even so, Kris was counting her blessings. The girls were safe and on their way to Halifax this minute. Jacko and Teddy had been aboard since the previous day, and the crew was 98% present or at least nearby. Koko was off with Thad and her children more or less until departure on Sunday night. Mac was supervising provisioning, Andy was supervising refueling, Farmer was sharing bridge duties with Kris at the moment, and someone else was OOD. Everyone was on duty or ashore, and things were peaceful and normal. For a change!

“Captain Nordstrom?"

Kris swiveled her chair. She recognized Jessica Ntombo, Andy's second, wearing her sword and OOD armband. They were back in whites and the young woman's dark face made a stunning contrast with her starched uniform. “Yes, Ensign?"

“Ma'am, there's a civilian visitor at the gangplank. She gave me her card and requests a moment of your time,” the young officer said, handing it over.

Kris’ eyebrow went up. “An attorney and tour operator?"

“Yes, ma'am,” Ntombo said. “She's off that cruise ship over there, the one that just docked. It's one of those lesbian cruises. This is their last stop. Ms. Goldstein told me they just finished a cruise of the St. Lawrence Seaway."

Kris was immediately intrigued. “Bring her up, Ensign, and have a steward bring some coffee and pastries. By the way, Ensign Ntombo, you look sharp. Keep it up.” The U.S. Navy's losses were frequently Kris’ gains.

“Aye, Captain. Thank you, ma'am,” Ntombo said crisply. She came to attention, faced about and departed.

The woman Ntombo escorted onto Kris’ bridge a few minutes later was not what Kris expected. Dressed entirely in black, she had long, graying black hair flying wildly in every direction. In her hand was a computer case.

Kris rose from her chair and put out her hand. “Kris Nordstrom,” she introduced herself.

“Maxine Goldstein, Captain,” the other woman said. She was husky and broad-shouldered, and had a deep voice, a heavy New York accent, and lively eyes. “Well, isn't this interesting?” she remarked, looking around. “I was on deck with my binoculars when we came in, and I saw your ship tied up, and full of women. I also just got off a ship full of women."

Kris laughed. “So my young Ensign informs me. Here, have a seat,” Kris offered, pulling out two chairs unoccupied by watch-standers at the moment. A steward came in with a tray and Kris pointed to the chart table. The young woman poured and set out plates.

“Thank you, Steward,” Kris said.

The young woman smiled and left without a word.

“What can I do for you?” Kris asked, sipping.

“Just tell me what this ship is all about, and then I'll tell you what I do. Well, as you already know; I run cruises. But I have other interests as well. But, you first."

Kris found Goldstein both amusing and confusing, but the question was reasonable. The New Yorker could come aboard as a tourist on Saturday and get the same answers. She was just a few days early.

“Well, Ms. Goldstein—"

“Oh, just call me Maxine,” Maxine waved her hand.

Kris grinned. “I'm Kris. I retired from the Coast Guard, and I had a problem,” Kris began. It took her about ten minutes to give her mysterious visitor all the information she could divulge without endangering any of her crew.

Goldstein nodded. “You see, I have a similar problem. I run cruises, but not out of the U.S. anymore, and for obvious reasons. Everywhere I go, everyone I meet, it's always about what to do with all these women!” Maxine threw up her hands and rolled her eyes.

“Do you live in the States, Maxine?"

“Hell, no! Not anymore. Paris. I just come here on business, and I'm going back in a few days. Most of these women are Canadian or European. A few Americans, too, but they're ex-patriates. Don't live there anymore.” Maxine leaned forward. “These women are not the problem. The problem is the women still trapped inside. And I'm working on some ideas. I wonder if you have any."

“This ship has a crew of less than a hundred and fifty,” Kris told her. “And I could only take those who have sea-skills or adaptable technical skills. There are many good women I can't carry aboard, artists, educators, businesswomen, tradeswomen, professionals I have no place for. I feel terrible, but I think I've done all I can do."

“Believe me, you're only scratching the surface.” Maxine said, picking up her computer case. “May I plug this in somewhere?"

“You need a comm port?” Kris asked.

“That would be a good thing,” Maxine nodded.

“Now, look here, Ms. Coast Guard Captain,” Maxine said as her computer came to life. “I wanna buy this island..."

Kris stared as the other woman brought up one site after another, one hand waving while the other manipulated keys and cursor. Maxine's eyes were alight with excitement and the possibility of freeing, concealing and supporting a much larger number of women than Kris had ever dreamed of. Maxine talked legalities, geography, real estate and business deals as if the bounds of her imagination were the only limit. Her hair fell over her face as she whipped her head back and forth from the screen to the faces of the others who were crowded around her on the bridge, talking a mile a minute.

By the time Maxine Goldstein went ashore again, Kris’ head was spinning. Keisha Farmer, simply because she was there, had been pulled into the discussion, and when Nik showed up, it turned into a serious brainstorming session. Kris now had a disk full of Maxine's ideas to go with her headache, and Maxine had Brenda Livingston's contact information in the Caymans. There was no question that Maxine thought big, and her enthusiasm was like a disease for which there was no known cure except action.

“So, what do you think?” Nik was pestering her in their suite, eyes bright with excitement.

“Think? I can't think. It hurts to think. Go bother Keisha!” Kris said kiddingly, pushing her spouse away. “The girls will be here any minute, and I have to go to the bathroom!"

“Go ahead. Everything is ready for them, and I will call you as soon as they get here,” Nik said. “I will be with Ms. Farmer on the bridge."

“Thank God,” Kris muttered, shutting the door. Still, Maxine Goldstein had given her something else along with that headache. Hope.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 23, 2007. Washington, DC. The proposed Family Finance Act has hit a slight snag in the House of Representatives. Because of a grass roots movement among men in households in which there is an annual income of less that $40,000, the bill may be altered to allow women control of transactions involving amounts over $10,000 in their husbands’ absence as long as written permission is given.

* * * *

Ky was so excited, she was practically wetting her pants. They had finally gotten all the details from Sue Whittington and Cornelia Fitzmarion the night before over pizza in their room outside of Montreal. Their Aunt Kris was the captain of a ship again! And Baron owned the ship! And they were sailing around the world with all their best friends!

Of course Ky also understood they were all still fugitives and if they were ever caught, Aunt Kris would go to jail, and she and Dani would go home and probably marry some bearded old man who already had six wives, and they would never be heard from again. In fact most of the women on the ship couldn't return to the U.S., and they might never see their families again, and a lot of them didn't have any money, and if this ship didn't make money for the Baron's foundation, no one knew what they would do next. Not to mention that she and Dani had lost their chance to finish high school, so how would they ever get into college?

However, these sobering thoughts did nothing to diminish the 15-year-old's excitement as they swooped down over the city of Halifax to the harbor. Sue had relinquished the front seat to Ky in honor of the occasion and she and Dani were finally actually enjoying the freedom of flight.

Baron made a pass over the big gray ship and Dani stared open-jawed. “What is that? A battleship?"

“It's a River-Class frigate!” Sue yelled in her ear. “She served in the Korean War."

“Look! It's Aunt Kris!” Ky screamed, waving frantically at the big woman in the white uniform. “Aunt Kris!"

Devon Ritter and her crew stood on the flight deck signaling the “all right to land” to Baron. The valiant little Wasp touched down, and as soon as it was safe, Dev's women opened the doors and all the heroes tumbled onto the deck.

Kris elbowed her way through the cheering sailors and engulfed her nieces. “Request permission to come aboard, Captain,” Dani whispered in her ear.

But Kris was crying too hard to answer. “My babies,” she wept against Ky's hair. “My sweet girls."

Finally they stood alone in the crowd, the girls’ faces pressed against Kris’ beribboned chest, hearing, seeing and feeling nothing but her.

“Give them some room now, folks, come on,” Sue said, easing everyone back. “Commander Ritter, why don't you escort these folks to their quarters, and let your crew handle the chopper?"

Dev turned to answer the exec. “Sure—Oof!” she gasped as Baron grabbed her from behind, turned her back around and smooched her in front of everyone.

“You may go now,” Baron said archly, returning to the Wasp to remove her personal gear.

Blushing to the roots of her short blond hair, Dev straightened her uniform and walked with the Captain and her nieces to the forward hatch on the starboard side of the Dee's superstructure.

“We'll take it from here,” Kris laughed once they were inside.

“Captain, I apologize,” Dev began.

“No apologies today, Dev,” Kris said with a wink, and she put an arm around each niece, and took them home.

* * * *

“Wow, Aunt Kris. This is so cool! How did you do this? When did you get this ship? How many people are on it? What kind of uniform is that?” Dani and Ky machine-gunned questions at their aunt all the way to her suite.

Kris opened the door to the parlor, and gently pushed them in. “One thing at a time, you two. Be careful and don't let Jacko and Teddy out. They're probably in the bedroom, there,” Kris said, closing the door.

“Oh, I guess I'd better show you,” Ky said nervously. She put her pack on the floor and opened it. Olivia jumped out and flew under the couch.

“What's this?” Kris asked, startled.

“I found a kitten, and I couldn't leave her behind,” Ky explained. “Please, Aunt Kris, if you already have two cats—"

Kris put up a hand. “Yes. You may keep her. But no more, and you have just been assigned kitty litter duty."

“Oh! Thank you thank you thank you! You're the best!” Ky squealed, throwing her arms around her aunt.

Dani rolled her eyes. “Aren't you going to tell her what almost happened?” she teased her sister, who was peering anxiously under the couch.

“What almost happened?” Kris laughed, sitting down between them on the couch. “Just let her be, Ky. She'll come out when she's ready, but open the bedroom door so she can find the box."

“Okay!” Ky jumped up and did as she was told.

“Ky and Olivia almost stayed behind in Niagara Falls,” Dani grinned. “Sue Whittington almost had to mow down a Boy Scout troop with a fire extinguisher."

“Ky, is this true?” Kris asked.

“Yes. Traitor!” she hissed at Dani, sitting back down.

“She woulda found out anyway. Better to hear it from us,” Dani said.

“Well, it's over now. I hope you've learned something from this, Ky. You have to stay in control, and not let events control you,” Kris said gently.

“Yes, ma'am,” Ky said meekly, leaning against Kris.

“So, are these your quarters? Where will we live?” Dani wanted to know.

“Yes, these are mine, and Andy's and Nik's. We each have one room to sleep in, but we live in all three. You two have a choice: the wardroom, which is where cadets and very junior officers usually sleep, or you can double up with some of the other cadets in the small cabins. Some of the cabins aren't being used because moms and little kids sleep together in common areas. We have just a little more room than we thought because so many people are sharing. So look around and think about it. After dinner you can choose,” Kris explained.

“All three of you ... live here?” Dani asked, giving Kris an odd look, and in that moment, Kris knew that Dani knew, or at least suspected, there was some deeper relationship among the three women.

“Um, yes, and I'll tell you all about it in just a minute,” Kris said tentatively, gathering her thoughts.

“Yes, Aunt Kris,” Dani said. “Tell us everything. Now that we're here I see you've hardly told us anything at all!"

“Well, it will take hours to tell you all of it,” Kris said, “but there's one very important thing I have to tell you first—"

Ky was holding Kris’ left hand and, feeling something different, she looked down at her ring, then up again very slowly, her eyes wide. “Aunt Kris, did you get married?"

Dani stared. “Did you?"

“Yes, I did. That's what I have to tell you. Now don't be alarmed or upset, it's someone you know—"

“How could you get married now?” Ky babbled, “you know, with everything else, and being on the ship, and—"

Dani interrupted, “Ky, let her talk."

“But how could you not tell us you got married?” Ky wailed.

“Darling, this is a very unusual situation, and I didn't want you upset or confused without being able to discuss it very seriously in person. So I'm telling you now: I am married to Andy Santiago."

Ky looked up at her with eyes big as saucers. “Oh, you're a lesbian! You are! Mom was right!"

Kris laughed a little. “Yes, she was. But I hope it won't make any difference to you. You've known Andy for years, and it will not affect my relationship with you at all. Okay?"

“Where is she? Can we see her?” Dani asked.

“In a little while you can see her, yes, but there's another thing I haven't told you—"

“You said Nik lives here. Is she a lesbian, too?” Ky blurted out.

“Will you just shut up, please, Ky, and let her talk?” Dani said.

“Ky, Dani, I need you to both listen and just trust me. I realize my being a lesbian may be a shock, and my being married may be a shock, but there is one other thing, and then I promise: no more surprises. Yes, Nik lives here. She and Andy and I are all married to each other."

Ky and Dani were finally quiet for a long time, until Kris began to worry. “Are you all right?” she asked, knowing damn good and well that they weren't.

“You have two ... wives?” Ky said weakly, shrinking back.

“BWHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Dani burst into hysterical laughter. “We just ran away to avoid being married to the same man, and you have two wives!” She put her face in her hands and howled.

Kris was quite alarmed. “Dani, I know this is terribly upsetting—"

“No, Aunt Kris! No, it isn't! If you can have two, then I can have at least one!” Dani screamed, flopping back on the couch. Tears were running down her cheeks, but to Kris’ amazement, she didn't look anywhere near as upset as she looked amused. “Oh, my God!” she laughed.

“What???” Ky shrieked. “Are all of you lesbians?” she jumped up, and Kris was afraid she would run out of the room.

“Ky, come here,” Kris said, firm but gentle. She grabbed Ky's hand. “Come here."

Ky looked terribly confused and afraid, but she lowered herself to the couch again. “Aunt Kris, you're scaring me, and so is Dani. And you made such a big deal about my cat!” she snapped at her sister.

“Well, I was going to tell you eventually, Ky, honest I was,” Dani said. “But when Aunt Kris said she was married to two women, I figured the timing couldn't get any better."

“Aunt Kris,” Ky said, “start at the beginning."

Kris nodded. “Yes, of course. I owe you that much. And then if you don't want to stay with me—"

Ky stopped her. “No, Aunt Kris. I'm never going back. Just explain all this to me, so I can understand."

Dani was still giggling, but Kris silenced her with a look. “All right. It all began when Andy came to see me in Boston..."

* * * *

Three hours later they were still sitting around the remains of their lunch, talking, when there was a knock and Andy peeked in, “I'm sorry, but I need to get—"

Dani looked at her with a sly grin. “Hello, Aunt Andy. Where's Aunt Nik?"

Andy looked at Kris. “Oh, I see they're all up to date."

“Yes, please come in, darling,” Kris said.

The girls jumped up and went to Andy and hugged her hard. “We missed you, too,” Ky said simply.

“Forgive me?” Andy asked anxiously. “I know this must have been quite a surprise."

“We're adjusting,” Dani said. “I think it's more funny than upsetting. A slap in the face of all those fat male polygamists, like our parents wanted us to marry. Better you doing it than them."

“Well, I hadn't quite thought of it like that, but if you can accept me and Nik, I know we would both be very glad,” Andy said, sitting down with them.

“They haven't met Nik yet, Andy,” Kris said.

“Aren't you going to tell her, Dani?” Ky prodded meanly.

“Tell me what?” Andy asked.

“Well, I guess I'm what you call a baby dyke myself, I think,” Dani said. “Something I was also hoping to tell people in person. I guess I can get lots of advice on that, now that I'm here."

“Do you have to be a lesbian to be on this ship?” Ky asked. “I feel sort of left out."

Kris smiled warmly at her younger niece. “No, darling, you just be who you are. We have plenty of women aboard who aren't lesbians, although I don't think you'll find any who aren't feminists. Now, would you like to meet Nik? She's on the bridge, but I can call and have her relieved."

“You know, I think that would be good, meeting her in here and not in front of other people. What do you think, Ky?” Dani asked.

“Yes, in here,” Ky agreed quickly.

“I have something for you, as long as we have a moment,” Kris said, going to a cabinet. She brought their long-lost shadow-boxes to the table.

“Hey, those are great!” Andy said. “You never showed me these, Kris."

Kris shook her head. “I know. Every time I thought about it, I got all weepy and I couldn't. You can put them in your new quarters,” she told her nieces, who were studying them again, and remembering their last trip together.

“Something's missing now,” Ky said, “A picture of us on this ship."

“As soon as you get your uniforms, I'll take care of that,” Andy promised.

Nik came in through the day cabin a few minutes later. “Hello,” she said shyly, having no idea what to expect from these two young women who had been through such an emotional wringer over the last several days.

Both girls stood up. “Wow, you really are beautiful,” Ky remarked, putting her shadow box down and looking up at her, “and you're even taller than Aunt Kris."

“You're Ky,” Nik said, holding out her hand. “I'm so glad to meet you."

Ky pushed Nik's hand aside and hugged her. “I'm glad to finally meet you, too."

“And this is Dani,” Kris said.

Dani shook Nik's hand. “Hi. Um, what should we call you, seriously?"

All of the women looked at each other.

“Why can't we call you Aunt? Aren't you my aunt now, too?” Ky asked.

“I suppose we could call her Lieutenant,” Dani joked.

“Aunt Lieutenant. Sounds really great,” Andy said.

“Stop it,” Nik told her other spouse, laughing. “What do you call Andy?” Nik asked the girls.

“Well, we've known her a long time, so we call her Andy, but now I guess we're gonna call her Aunt Commander,” Dani observed.

“Come on. She means off duty,” Andy said. “Quit teasing her, you two."

“You can call me Aunt Nik or just Nik, if you want,” Nik said. “However you are most comfortable."

“What are you all using for last names?” Dani wanted to know.

“Our own names,” Kris said. “Anything else would be too messy and confusing. That okay with you, Cadet Nordstrom?"

Dani grinned. “Yes, ma'am, Captain.” She looked at Nik. “I'm sorry I was being difficult. It's funny and disturbing at the same time. One minute, I'm hysterical. The next, I feel like I'm stuck in a bad dream."

Nik nodded and sat down, motioning the girls to sit, too. “I understand. This is all still fairly new to us, and it will take some time to get used to. But,” she said with a twinkle, “since I'm the Ops Officer, you'll be working for me, so we'll get to know each other really well. And I'll also be your teacher once we get back under way. I'm sure we can all learn a lot from each other. All right?"

Dani and Ky looked at each other, and at Kris and Andy. “Yes, ma'am,” they nodded.

Kris was relieved that everyone was willing to be reasonable. “Good. I need to get back to work, at least for a little while. Nik, how about taking these two under your wing for the rest of the afternoon, and we'll all meet in the wardroom for dinner?"

Nik stood up. “Of course. Dani, Ky, let's get you to the Quartermaster for uniforms and pick out some bunks. Will that be all, Captain?"

Kris beamed at all of them. “Yes! Dismissed!"

Ky ran and hugged her once more, and then followed the others out to begin her new life.

CHAPTER 79

TotalNet News Ticker, June 25, 2007. Los Angeles, California. All of the major networks have recently announced plans to air a variety of new “reality based” programs in the fall, in which viewers will get an inside look on the “curing” of homosexuals and feminists as it happens.

* * * *

“The Westminster Gambit? What's that?” Kris asked, rubbing her upper lip. They were seated around the table in the parlor of the Captain's quarters.

Kris forced her attention back to the business at hand. Lately, being so close to New England, she found herself thinking of Arlene Bagby more frequently.

Mac explained. “It's a case that came up several years ago, well, almost a decade now, during the Taliban's reign of terror. An Afghan woman and man who had been living in the West, in England, for quite a while, wrote home to say she was having a baby and would her brother-in-law send his 14-year-old daughter to London to help out. She enclosed a snapshot of her infant son."

“The brother was overjoyed because there were no male children yet in their family in that generation. He called his brother in London and arranged to send the girl. It was understood that they were keeping a strictly Islamic household in England, so the man had no qualms,” Mac went on.

Everyone around the table, Kris, Nik, Andy, the girls, and Sue, were riveted on the young lawyer.

“The girl arrived at Heathrow and was met by her father's brother and her aunt. They took her immediately to a British solicitor and requested asylum based on the rule of the Taliban and the oppressive laws. The girl was asked a lot of questions by herself, and so on and so forth, wrote out a statement about the quality of her life in her own words, and adjudged to be competent. There was no infant son. The uncle and aunt were totally westernized, although they were still following their faith. The girl stayed in England, went to school, married a Brit and had a family although she had to completely change her identity. They all did, because the family back in Afghanistan swore to murder all of them. Eventually the thing worked its way up to the World Court in the Hague, but the asylum was upheld. My plan is to make a similar case to every government who will give us a hearing,” Mac finished. “Here are some copies of the synopsis,” she said, passing them around.

“Interesting case, although not all aspects are the same,” Sue commented.

“True, but there are parallels enough, and in this case, the girls are even older, not to mention they came out on their own, even though their aunt told them to wait. They committed the act of their own free will,” Mac said. “However much she connived to help them, the last thing she said before they ran away was, ‘Wait until I come for you,’ which she in fact never did."

“So where would we live?” Dani asked.

“With your aunt, who would become your legal guardian,” Mac said. “I think our best chance is in Sweden, but I want to discuss Great Britain with Baron. It always helps to have a sponsor. Moreover, you're bringing money onto the British economy, even though you're not a citizen.” Mac looked over at Kris. “Your orientation may work against you. I wish there were a way to keep it confidential, although it's simply not possible. Despite that, worst possible case, once asylum is applied for, the courts can take years to sort through it. We could get stay after stay. In Sweden, moreover, homosexual adoptions are common. By the time we get done working every angle, both girls could simply become emancipated minors."

“Mac, you have my complete confidence,” Kris said. “Just start handing me things to sign, give me a daily update, and I'll leave it in your hands. Dani and Ky, you cooperate with Lieutenant McKenzie, and let me know if you need me for anything. Other business?” Kris looked around the room. Everyone shook their heads. “Very good. Dismissed."

Mac stayed and said to Kris. “When we get to Quebec, I'll want to take them to a solicitor and record their statements and if Baron agrees, make our first application for asylum in Canada, sort of a trial run. That means they need decent civilian clothes."

Kris smiled. “Nik's the fashion maven. I'll have her take them shopping."

* * * *

“You want to be confirmed?” Koko was delighted. “Jordan, go in your playpen for a little while, okay?"

“Nooooooooooooooo!” Jordan wailed, clinging to her mother's white uniformed leg. She wasn't having any of that idea.

“Oh, just hold her if you want, Chaplain, she won't bother us,” Dani said.

“Well, we don't have to get into the details right now. I don't think our doctrine is all that different from the Lutheran, if I remember. I think we had some sort of inter-denominational agreement. Let me look it up, and I'll download some study materials off the web, and we'll get started. I take it your aunt approves of this?” Koko asked, letting Jordan yank on her epaulets.

“Big time,” Ky assured her. “She thinks it will help with our request for asylum, but she wants us to do it anyway, if that's what we want."

“Yeah, we really got ripped off,” Dani said. “I should have been confirmed two years ago."

“How long since you've communed?” Koko was curious.

“Also two years,” Ky said. “TFC girls aren't confirmed. We could only take communion if our father approved, and never before eighteen."

“We'll fix that tomorrow,” Koko smiled. “Chapel is at 7 AM on the flight deck. We have to be done before we lower the gangplank for business."

The girls stood up to go. “That's okay. We have to get up at six anyway.” Dani nudged her sister and they came to attention. “Will that be all, ma'am?"

Koko looked at them blankly for a moment. “Oh! Yes, that will be all, cadets."

As they went out the door, the girls heard the Chaplain say to her daughter, “Jordan, no, don't play with Mommy's buckle. Put that down. No, Jordan, wait a minute, here. Let's get ready to go see Daddy and the boys, no don't touch that. Wait..."

Dani and Ky giggled. “Are we off duty now?” Ky asked. “Ma'am?"

Dani snorted. “Until KP after dinner. Wanna go change?"

“No, then we'll have to change back. But we can go to our rooms,” Ky said.

“Quarters,” Dani corrected.

“I knew that,” Ky said, and they headed down two decks to where they and Alix and three other teenagers were now housed. Dani and Alix were in one cabin, and Ky shared with one of the O'Brady twins, a pair of 13-year old hellions who kept Alix and Nik busy all day. Their mother was Devon Ritter's senior fire controller, and turning them over to Nik's tender mercies was a vacation for her. The other twin was bunked with Angela Rojas, a 15-year old of Cuban descent from Miami, whose mother was the most fantastic chef any of them had ever encountered. Had it not been for the political situation, Chief Rojas would still have been on her own TV cooking show in Miami.

Ky went on, “I have to make sure Mary hasn't messed up my shoes like she did last time, and I should remind Angela to make sure Charlotte hasn't hidden anything in her locker. Especially anything alive."

Dani snickered. Being just a little older was paying off. Nik's rule was that sisters couldn't live together, and since Dani was next oldest after Alix, she and Alix had been ordered to bunk together.

And that was interesting, too. Dani was quite taken with the Senior Sea Cadet. It was difficult not to say or do something stupid, and she was sure Alix knew. However, Alix had a certain image of herself, and that image didn't include a romance with a girl three years younger. Dani decided she was doomed to just be friends with her, but she still enjoyed the time they spent together, although the lack of privacy was a little frustrating sometimes.

“Dani?"

“Huh?” Dani had forgotten all about Ky standing there in the passage outside their cabins.

“Can I come in and talk to you about something? If Alix isn't here?” Ky asked. “I almost asked the Chaplain, but when Jordan is acting up, you can't have much of a conversation."

“Yeah, sure, Metoo. C'mon in,” Dani invited.

“Dani, I don't get it how Aunt Kris can have two—"

Alix opened the door and both of them jumped to attention.

“Carry on,” Alix said. “In fact, be at ease. Enough already."

“Oh, thanks, Alix, I was just going anyhow,” Ky said, easing toward the door.

“Wait, Ky, I know what you were going to ask. Let's ask Alix. She's been with them a long time. Alix, how does Aunt Kris get away with having two ... what? Lovers? Partners?"

Alix sat down and leaned back on her pillow. Dani took the chair and Ky sat on the floor.

“Well, they call themselves ‘spouses.’ And they don't see it like that, or act like that. The way they see it, they each have two spouses,” Alix said.

“Is that fair?” Ky wondered.

Alix laughed. “Hell, yeah! It's better than fair. Otherwise there would be four of them paired off, and another woman would be off-limits to me. Is that ever getting old!"

“Oh, I bet you like Nik, huh? God, is she gorgeous or what?” Dani sighed.

“She really is pretty,” Ky agreed. “So, but, only the whacko right wing has more than one spouse, right? I mean, how is this okay when that isn't?"

“Yeah, Alix, did you ever ask them?” Dani wondered.

Alix stared at them. “Me? Ask them? Are you nuts? Would you?"

They shook their heads.

“Well, my mother did. She asked several times,” Alix revealed.

“Yeah? So?” encouraged Dani.

“Your mom is so cool,” Ky added.

“Well, Captain Kris really didn't tell her much, except it's a mutual decision and it suits them and it's nobody else's business. Supposedly the difference is, all of them are women, so it's not like one man using several wives. And they all want to, and they share like, everything. They made up some vows and said them to each other and gave each other the rings. You see how they're three colors of gold in a braid?"

“Yeah, really pretty,” Ky agreed.

“It's supposed to symbolize three in one,” Alix said.

“Oh, like the Holy Trinity,” Ky said.

The others looked at her and burst into laughter. “That's good, Ky! The trinity!” Dani whooped. “That's what we'll call them!” She turned to Alix, “You ever wonder how they, you know, do it?"

Suddenly there was a sharp knock on the door. They jumped up just as Nik opened it.

“Room, ten-hut!” Alix barked.

Nik looked at them. They were red-faced with unexploded laughter. “Why do I get the feeling I don't want to know what's going on in here? Whittington, your bunk is a mess, and it is not yet 1700 hours. What have you been doing on it? Never mind, I don't want to know that either."

Nik inspected each cadet, her eyes icy. “Nordstrom Minor, your shirt-tail is out. Nordstrom Major, that's not much of a shoeshine. You can all write two demerits and don't forget you all have details after dinner. Carry on.” The Ops Officer nodded and walked out, shutting the door behind her.

All three collapsed in a fit of giggles.

“Jesus,” Alix said. “I bet she's hell in the sack."

* * * *

“I have been torturing your nieces,” Nik announced to Kris as she walked into her quarters and threw her hat on the couch.

“Have you? Should I be jealous?” Kris asked as Nik leaned over her for a kiss.

“Left to their own devices, they get very giddy and distracted,” Nik told her. “In fact, I believe they were discussing us with Alix before I walked in."

“You were eavesdropping, you mean,” Andy teased. “Want something to drink?"

“A glass of wine would be nice after spending the day chasing teenagers, yes,” Nik said, accepting the glass and a kiss from Andy with pleasure. “How was your day, Commander?"

“Well, I'd love to re-fit these engines. They use a lot more oil than I would like, but they're half a century old. All in all, it could be worse. And I like that Ntombo. What a find!"

“First in her class at the Academy,” Kris shook her head. “What idiots the Navy is to let her get away!” She sipped her beer. “So Nik, what were they saying about us?"

“Actually, I did not hear anything, but they were screaming with laughter when I came in, and after I left it was even worse,” Nik said. “They are teenagers, and two of them are exploring their sexuality, and two of them are your nieces, Kris. I can only imagine."

“Dani is to Alix as Alix is to Nik,” Andy analyzed. “I wonder what goes on in there at night."

“Oh, stop it! Dani is too young!” Kris objected. “I hope."

“Not too young to dream,” Nik said gently.

Kris looked at her. “Yes, I suppose that's true.” She sighed. “I guess we'd better have a little chat about the bees and the bees."

The others laughed. “You go, Mom,” Andy kidded.

Kris nodded. “Thanks a lot."

CHAPTER 80

Dani was conning the ship back down the coast of Nova Scotia again under the watchful eye of the Captain. She gripped the wheel and kept an eye on the compass. Kris’ hand rested lightly on her shoulder, and Dani risked a look up.

“You're doing just fine, Cadet,” Kris said, giving her a squeeze and a wink. “Keep her heading one-seven-five for now."

“Aye, Captain,” Dani said, looking ahead again.

“I'll be right here at the chart table if you need me,” Kris said, backing up a few steps. “Ms. Farmer, what's on radar?” she asked.

Keisha checked with her rating. “All clear, Captain."

“Excellent. Maintain 30 knots,” Kris said, and she returned to her charts.

Kris picked up the internal phone. “Chief Engineer to the bridge.” She pulled out a new chart and began computing while waiting for her partner.

“Commander Santiago reports,” Andy said when she arrived a few minutes later, closing the hatch behind her. “God! What a beautiful day! What's up, Captain?"

“Well, I wanted to get your opinion,” Kris said drawing Andy off to the side. “You remember Admiral Bagby?"

“Oh, yes. Your mentor. Very upset you didn't stick around to make Commandant,” Andy nodded. “What about her?"

“Well, we've been keeping in touch, although I confess I let it slide a bit during that business in Canada with the girls. Even so, I haven't heard from her in a couple of weeks. In your opinion, do we have the time and fuel for a slight diversion?"

“Where is she, again?” Andy asked.

“Nantucket. I thought I'd call and see if she'd like to visit the ship. She might enjoy seeing women at sea again."

Andy stepped to the chart table and picked up a calculator. “Fuel's no problem,” she remarked as she worked. “I mean, you'll use some but not enough to make any difference getting us to Bermuda, and,” she said as she punched more keys, “Time is negligible. We would be early anyway. We'll just be a little less early. But Nantucket is U.S. soil and I wouldn't risk bringing the ship inside the twenty-mile limit."

“Nor would I. That's another reason I need to speak with Baron. I have to ask her before I ask Arlene,” Kris said. She picked up the internal phone again.

“Ahhhh ... Fitzmarion,” Baron answered, a little breathless.

“I wonder if I could confer with you for a few moments, Baron,” Kris asked her. “I have an idea that might interest you."

“Just a minute,” Baron muted the phone and looked down at Dev. “Your boss wants to see me."

“Mmmmhmmm,” Dev mumbled, squeezing her lover's bottom.

Baron grinned and arched slightly. She thumbed the button. “Let me meet you on the bridge in say, thirty minutes?” Then she gasped. She pushed Dev's head back.

Kris frowned, bemused. Then the light went on and she bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from laughing. “I'll be here,” she agreed.

Baron put the phone down. “You may continue, Gunner, but don't keep me waiting."

“Yes, ma'am,” Dev whispered, and she returned her attention to the Baron's pleasures.

“Ah, very good, Devon,” Baron encouraged her lover, clasping her hands behind's Dev's neck. “Very good indeed."

* * * *

“What's so funny?” Andy asked.

“The Baron is ... occupied,” Kris murmured. “Ms. Farmer, you have the bridge, but I'll be right here,” she said opening the door to her day cabin.

Keisha Farmer nodded and stepped forward to take the big chair. “Ms. Nordstrom, just keep her steady,” she advised Dani.

“Aye, Lieutenant,” Dani acknowledged. She knew the radarwoman would give Lieutenant Farmer plenty of notice if anything appeared on her screens.

Kris clicked the door shut and pushed Andy into the nearby head. “The Baron was getting it while we were on the phone! You have to do me! Hearing her like that is making me crazy for you!"

“What?” Andy asked, her eyes lighting up. “Now? Here?"

“Right now, Commander,” Kris said. She already had her pants open. “Right ... here. Oooh, like that ... yes."

Andy's hand and mouth were busy as she pushed Kris against the tiny sink. She felt Kris’ wetness pressing insistently into her hand.

“Lover,” Kris groaned, “Please!"

“Got you, Kris, come on, come on,” Andy growled into their kiss, speeding up her strokes, pinning Kris in place with her other hand.

“Uh! Uh! Oh, God!” Kris gasped as she came explosively. “God!” She leaned heavily on Andy. “My head is spinning."

“That's what happens when you ignore your sex drive,” Andy giggled. “Here let me—"

But Kris had recovered and put her knee between the engineer's legs. “Now you."

“No, Kris, I don't think so. Baron will be up here—"

“Shut up!” Kris commanded, holding Andy's legs apart.

Andy sagged under the assault. “Mmmmm, oh yes, go in me, Krissssssss ... oh!” In almost no time, she came gently, clutching at her lover's shoulders. “Oh, Kris, oh, that was good."

They leaned against one another, laughing and panting at the same time.

“Being the Captain is a good thing,” Kris said, kissing her spouse gently.

“Being the Captain's lover is even better,” Andy sighed.

* * * *

“Sounds like quite a trick!” Baron enthused. “Call your chum, and let's go get her."

Kris grinned at her boss. “You're quite the dare-devil, Baron."

“It's what I do. You sail things, I fly things. It's why we get on.” She turned to Dev. “I'll want the Wasp ready to go on a moment's notice when we get in range, Gunner."

“Aye, Baron,” Dev responded, a smile still on her face.

“Good! I'll call you when it's set up, and in the meantime, you can look at weather and landing facilities on the island,” Kris said. She took her sat-phone into her day cabin and made the call to the Admiral.

“Arlene! How are you?” Kris asked when her old friend answered the phone.

“Oh. Kris. I'm fine."

Kris thought she sounded a little dazed, but plowed on. “Arlene, remember how you once told me I could dock at your pier anytime?” Kris reminded her jokingly.

“Oh, Kris this wouldn't be a good time. Perhaps—” it sounded as if the Admiral had put her hand over the phone.

A man's voice sounded in Kris’ ear. “Who's this?"

Kris’ hackles rose immediately. “Who's this?” she challenged.

“Well, whoever you are, my aunt doesn't feel well. She can't talk anymore.” The phone went dead.

Kris called the number again but there was no answer. She looked at the phone and put it down thoughtfully. Stepping back onto the bridge, she saw Baron was still there, studying the charts. “Baron, we need to get Commander Ritter back up here. Our mission may have just changed."

* * * *

The senior officers were all in Classroom One, and Dev Ritter was briefing the mission from the front of the room.

A slide of the island of Nantucket was on the screen.

“We know the house is fairly isolated. It's on a headland, and there's a dock, here, to the south. North of that, the headland slopes to a sandy beach,” Dev pointed. “The road curves out to meet the headland and there's a long drive off it to the house."

Another slide came up, this time a diagram of the house, in the form of a rough blueprint. “This is the house as well as Captain Nordstrom remembers it. It's a simple Cape Cod with dormer windows. The front is actually the back, with the porch and front doors on the sea side. There's also a side door leading out to the north side, where there's a detached garage. Captain Nordstrom will bring us up to speed on what might be going on with the Admiral inside."

Kris stood up and went to the podium. “Admiral Arlene Bagby is a retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral. She is a sixty-year old single woman with no children. Her nephews are her younger brother's children, and as such would stand to inherit her estate. I honestly don't know if her brother is living or not. The man who answered the phone referred to the Admiral as ‘my aunt,’ so evidently she and at least one nephew were in the house. She sounded very strange, and he sounded very hostile. In my recent communications with Admiral Bagby, she was, as before, only mildly concerned with the political situation and determined to ride it out, guessing that no one would bother with an old woman in an isolated location. I have no idea of her other assets, but she owns the house and has her Coast Guard retirement. My concern is that something unpleasant is going on between her and at least one nephew, and the rest is pure speculation. There is a bill pending in Congress, which could be passed any day now, which would place all financial instruments belonging to women in the hands of their nearest male relatives. This may or may not have something to do with it. I know the Admiral well; if she wanted to come with me for a visit, nothing would stop her under normal circumstances. If she were ill, she would tell me. I just want to fly in and visit her unannounced."

“Captain,” Sue Whittington stood up. “What are your exact intentions? What is your absolute worst-case scenario? I want to know all the risks before giving this mission my approval, and I want to be certain that we are taking every possible precaution to protect you, the crew and the ship."

Kris nodded and smiled. “As always, Commander Whittington is the voice of reason, and rightly so. No, I don't expect a tea party. Let me start with best case, though, and work my way up to worst. I want to fly in late at night and have a look around without any of them knowing anything. If all is well, I'll fly in again in broad daylight and knock on the front door. I would hope at that point to bring her out for a visit, and then take her home again. That's all."

Kris paused to collect her thoughts. “Unfortunately, I do have a bad feeling about this. It's completely out of character. Worst case, she's being held or bullied by her nephews. Either they want something from her, or she wants to do something and they won't permit it. If she is being held against her will, I want to remove her and her personal effects from Nantucket. I would then drop her off in Bermuda or anywhere else along our route and she can go about her business. Of course, if she wants to stay and deal with the situation on her own, I wouldn't interfere. I just hope to give her an option she may not have right now."

Sue then asked, “What if there's resistance? What if the Admiral wants to go and the nephew resists? What if there's violence? How do you intend to deal with that? How would you keep from endangering the ship while saving the Admiral, assuming that's what she wants?"

Kris nodded at Devon. “Over to you, Commander."

Devon rose again. This time a sequence of events appeared on the screen. “We intend to fly in at about 0200 local time. According to the charts, the tide will be about half-way in. This means covering noise from incoming breakers and, when the Wasp lands on the beach, the marks would soon be obscured by the rising tide. There will be four of us on the mission, the Captain, Baron, Commander Santiago and myself. We will wear black including gloves and masks, and of course, we'll be armed with standard issue automatics. In addition I will carry an automatic rifle."

“We'll get up to the house within five minutes of landing. Baron will remain with the chopper but will be in radio contact. We'll all be on the same freq. Commander Santiago will cover the rear door, Captain Nordstrom will take the front, on the sea side, and I will take up a position between the house and the road. If everything appears to be in order, we'll fall back to the chopper after about ten minutes and return to the ship in another half hour."

“Why is Commander Santiago going instead of one of your security people, Commander?” Sue asked.

“There's only room in the chopper for five and we have to leave room for the Admiral in case she comes with us,” Devon explained. “Commander Santiago believes she has a better chance of prevailing upon the Captain to withdraw in the face of bad odds than a petty officer does."

Everyone chuckled.

Sue nodded. “What efforts are you making right now to avert having to even fly in there at all, Captain?"

“I call her every couple of hours. So far there's been no response, and her answering machine apparently isn't connected. I'll continue to call up until our departure time tomorrow night,” Kris assured her Exec.

Sue looked grim. “Captain Nordstrom, I would much prefer seeing you call the authorities to investigate this, or failing that, if you see anything suspicious during your reconnaissance, that you then withdraw and call the local police to investigate."

“I appreciate your concerns, Commander,” Kris said. “Please believe me, if I thought the police were to be trusted, or if there were any other agency whose aid I could enlist, I would. But Admiral Bagby lives in relative isolation under normal circumstances. In these rather hostile times, I am going to guess she has fewer resources available than usual, such as female relatives, friends or neighbors. I have to assume the worst. If all goes well, and it's some misunderstanding, or she is actually ill but receiving care, I will be as relieved as anyone. But this is no time to trust male relatives or authorities. I need to see for myself."

Sue nodded. “As long as my concerns are noted, I have no further objections."

“You'll be in command until my return. If you hear from any of us that you are to resume course without us, you must do so immediately,” Kris told her.

Sue nodded thoughtfully and said, “I think we'll need to work out a few more details after the briefing, Captain."

“Of course,” Kris agreed.

Back in the Captain's day cabin, Sue asked calmly, “What in blazes am I supposed to tell your nieces when your ass gets shot out of the sky by some drunken lunatic?"

“That I died doing what I believe is right,” Kris snapped. “Don't you dare think I haven't considered them! Don't you dare think I want to die and leave them! But I also owe Arlene something, and if I'm the only one she can rely on, then I have to go in there. I can hardly endanger anyone who doesn't want to go! No one signed on to the Dee to be endangered. Everyone going with me is a volunteer. We all know the risks,” Kris said, eyes blazing. “Do you want me to send someone else, and sit here and hope for the best?"

“I don't want you to do this at all! The admiral had as many chances to get out as you did! I don't think you should endanger all these women, who took the necessary precautions regarding their freedom, for someone who didn't. It pisses me off!” Sue roared.

Kris smiled and shook her head. “This is exactly why I wanted you, Sue. I want someone who will get in my face and argue with me. If not for you, I would probably have gone off after her already, but I sat down with Dev and planned this down to the last detail. And if I fail, there is no one better to captain the Dee than you. In fact, you'd make a better captain than I do right now, because yes, I am running off pure emotion. But it was emotion that propelled me into this little adventure in the first place, and with luck, it'll pull us all out the other side of this damned tunnel safe and sound. I know you hate it. I just wanted to give the old gal a day at sea, myself. Let's hope that's as risky as it gets."

Sue heaved a sigh. “I'll take care of them for you, Kris."

Kris went to her friend and hugged her hard. “I'll give you my will and other paperwork before I go."

Sue reached up and grabbed Kris’ chin. “Shut up. You're coming back.” Then she patted the Captain's cheek and let herself out.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 21, 2007. Knoxville, Tennessee. The True Fundamentalist Church today announced the closing of all of its ex-gay treatment centers in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mississippi and Alabama due to lack of clientele. TFC officials believe that homosexuality has been all but eradicated in these states, and will soon call upon the government to declare the center of the nation a “queer-free zone."

CHAPTER 81

Devon Ritter sat in the co-pilot's seat beside her lover, the Baron, with her loaded rifle upright between her legs, on safety. In the back were the Captain and the Chief Engineer. They were all silent.

The copter was flying at a mere 50 feet over the waves, where a sudden updraft could flip and kill them in a heartbeat.

Baron, as usual, seemed unconcerned, flying with only running lights and an eye on her instruments. The moonless night protected them in one way, but added the danger of not being able to see the other problems they could encounter.

Dee was just over the horizon, steaming slowly under the command of Sue Whittington. If all went according to plan, the ship would make way south the entire time the Wasp was gone, and then the chopper would catch up to them upon its return. They didn't want to give the impression that the frigate was stopping for any reason

Kris thought about her nieces. Dani and Ky were frightened. In fact, Dani was angry at her again for putting them through still more stress. She and Ky were still very fragile, and Kris was supposed to represent stability and reason. Even Kris had to admit that she wasn't doing a particularly good job of that at the moment.

However, Kris felt she owed a great deal to the Admiral, whom she had met at the Academy, and under whom she had served three times. Arlene Bagby had always watched out for her young protege, insuring that Kris got the assignments that would guarantee her success. Now Kris would see to it that the older woman was taken care of when she probably had no one else.

Andy hoped it was all a huge misunderstanding. She liked the reassuring weight of the gun and the bullet-proof vest. It would probably turn out to be nothing at all, but just in case it was something, Andy would try to stop her partner from going off half-cocked, and if that failed, she would defend this woman whom she had loved for a good two decades with her life.

Baron thought a roll in the hay with Dev would be just the thing when they got back. “Beach at twelve o'clock,” she announced matter-of-factly, knowing she was heard on Dee as well as by her companions. “Touch-down in two minutes. Mark."

Everyone glanced at their watches, and each put a hand on her door.

The sand was firm under the skids as they hopped out. “You have about 30 minutes. Otherwise I shall have to lift off and put down higher up,” Baron hissed. “Good luck."

They made their way up the beach single file, keeping low, with Dev in the lead. About 100 yards from the house, they split off for their various objectives. Kris immediately noticed, as did the others, that every light on the first floor was on, making it imperative to keep to the shadows. In the yard on the road side were two vehicles, the Admiral's Mazda and a pick-up truck. She definitely had visitors for some reason.

Kris stealthily made her way toward the front of the house, waiting for Dev to signal that her own position was secure. Two clicks on the radio was Dev, one was Kris, and Andy used three. Trouble would be signaled by their own number followed by rapid clicking, at which they would fall back to the edge of the beach.

As soon as Kris heard the other clicks on her receiver, she moved in on the front of the house. Andy was probably behind a car, and Dev in the ditch. Kris would be most exposed, but she had the best knowledge of the overall situation. She eased slowly toward the porch from the south side.

“Dammit, Aunt Arlene! Where are those papers?” came an exasperated male voice.

“Give them up, old woman, or you won't live to see any of your homo friends again,” said another. “We can keep you here till you starve, you know. Daddy's out of town. No one will check."

There was a softer reply, and then Kris heard a sound like the banging of a glass or bottle on the table. Kris heart rate increased rapidly and her hand tightened on her gun, which she had drawn as she moved forward.

“You old fuck!! Want us to tear the place down? How ‘bout we torch it?” yelled one of the men.

“How about you go to hell?” yelled the feisty older woman.

That remark was immediately followed by a ringing slap that Kris could hear ten yards away. She keyed her mike and began clicking rapidly, then began falling carefully back from the house to the beach.

Andy got scared when she saw how wild Kris was. “Calm down, and get down here,” she insisted, dragging Kris into the sand where they couldn't be seen. “Wait for Dev."

Kris explained everything she had observed in a rapid whisper, concluding, “We can take them! We have to, before they beat her to a pulp!"

“No, Captain,” Dev shook her head. “We don't know if they're drunk or armed. We don't know if anyone else may come in the middle of it. No blazing guns. Let's try another tactic.” She thumbed her mike. “Baron, please join us. We need a diversion."

In two minutes Baron was in the sand. “What's up?"

“You're gonna play stranded motorist, and your name and number are Four,” Dev said, filling her in. “Fluff out your hair, put on your scarf and simper your way into the house. Once the door's open, we'll be in on top of you. Don't touch anything! If there's a situation, we can't have fingerprints. Masks and gloves on for everyone else. Commander, you take the rear. The Captain and I will go in the front. We'll signal you to join us as soon as we're secure in there. With any luck, we'll talk them out of whatever they're up to, take the Admiral and go. Stay together this time. Commander, you split off to the rear when we get to the porch. Move out."

When Dev and Kris were on either side of the door, Baron knocked, knuckles tightly furled.

“Fuck! Who the hell's that?” grunted one of the men. He clomped to the door and opened it. “Well, looky here, Bart! A pretty lady! How's it goin', pretty lady?” he leered drunkenly.

“Excuse me, I'm so sorry to bother you, but I think I may have run out of petrol—"

“Petrol? What the fuck's that?"

“Oh, I'm so sorry,” Baron twittered. “Gas, or perhaps it's an electrical short. Might I call for help?"

“Well, I guess so, or maybe—” he turned his head slightly and Dev was on him like a ton of bricks.

“Freeze, asshole,” she ordered, running him backwards with her rifle over his chest until he hit a wall and fell down with a nasty thump as his head hit the floor.

Kris burst in behind her and turned her gun on the man at the table. “Don't move. Admiral, how many more?” she asked the stunned woman standing by the sink.

“Kris!” Arlene Bagby cried, recognizing the voice. “None! These are my nephews, and they won't let me—"

“No time for lengthy explanations, Arlene. What do you want to do: come with us or stay here?” She looked at both men. “Gentlemen, we apologize for the use of force, but we doubt you would have let us in without it. Admiral, what would you like to do?"

Arlene Bagby sighed. “I think I had better come with you. I never thought it would get so bad that my own nephews would threaten and beat me. Bart and George, you ought to be very ashamed. You would have inherited everything when I died, and I would have helped you as long as I lived. End of speech. What do I do?"

“Get your things together quickly. You have five minutes to pack up and get out. Four, help her,” Kris ordered. Baron went to Arlene and pushed her out of the kitchen.

“Put your gloves on, Four,” Dev called to Baron.

“Who are you, dear?” asked the Admiral. “One of Kris’ friends?"

“Never mind that right now, Admiral. Get your pills, papers and other valuables together. We must hurry!” Baron said, fumbling with her gloves.

Having been signaled, Andy came around through the front door and Dev said to her, “Three, cover me while I tie them up.” She pulled out the disposable plastic ties that served as instant handcuffs and started securing the man at the table to his chair.

“You fucking homo lesbian faggots ain't getting away with this!” he foamed at her as she yanked his arms back. “I know who the fuck that one is, she's that damned buddy of my aunt's! You think I don't know you've been licking each other out for—"

“Shaddap!” Dev said to him, stuffing a dishrag in his mouth. She went to the one she had knocked to the floor and secured him as well. He still seemed dazed to her, but that was probably the liquor he had ingested as well as the concussion from impacting the wall and floor.

Baron and the Admiral were gone perhaps five minutes, and each carried one small bag. In addition the Baron had a strongbox.

“One of you had better take this. It's heavy,” she said setting it on the floor by the door. “Are we ready?"

Andy moved toward the strongbox, “I'll take this—"

Suddenly there was a scraping sound and a clatter. As the women turned in horror there was a loud report, and Andy fell with a shattered cry.

With lightning reflexes, Dev spun and shot the untied nephew between the eyes. He dropped soundlessly, the gun clattering free. Dev saw his wrists were bloody and torn from struggling to work himself free of the plastic handcuffs.

“Andy!” Kris screamed.

“Bart!” gasped the Admiral in horror.

“Jesus H. Fuck!” Andy bellowed. Blood poured down her legs where she lay on the floor.

“One! Four! Admiral! Pick her up!” Dev barked. She ran to check George. He was secure.

“Go! Go! Go! I've got the box!” Dev ordered.

“She's bleeding to death!” Kris shouted. “Dammit! We have to stop the bleeding!"

Andy groaned. Dev knelt next to her. She looked around and grabbed a knitted throw from the back of the couch. “Wrap her up with this, nice and tight. We have to get to the beach. Now!” Dev urged.

Kris and the Admiral wound the blanket around the hips and legs of the moaning engineer. Quickly they arranged themselves, Kris taking Andy's shoulders, the others a leg each. Dev slung on both bags and picked up the box, and ran out the door.

They lugged Andy down to the copter at a half-trot, and then Kris looked back. “My God! The lights!"

She raced back to the house and went in. Instantly there was a shot. “Oh, no!” the Admiral gasped, but in that very instant there was another loud bang, and then a moment or so later, the lights started going out one by one.

Dev was shaking but forced herself to start back to the house.

“Gunner, I need you on the manifold,” Baron called.

“Give me a minute,” Dev yelled back, running up the slope. Just then she was able to make out the form of the Captain shutting the door and racing back. “Here she comes!” Dev yelled. “Everyone in!” She ran to the door, noticing the water lapping at the rear of the skids as the tide rolled in. “Start, Baron!"

The copter roared to life and Baron began her short list. As Dev slammed her door, Kris fell in the rear and the Wasp lifted off the sand with dripping skids surrounded by the heavy mist whipped up by the wash of the blades.

“Wasp to Dee, we have casualties. Medical personnel to the flight deck,” Baron ordered as soon as she had a free hand. “Gunner, if you would,” she said, passing over the mike.

“Dev, tell Dee to make 20 knots and turn south-south-east toward our original heading to Bermuda,” Kris ordered. She cradled Andy's head, feeling the blood soaking through the wrapping. “Oh, no, oh, no,” she sobbed.

Dev relayed the orders and turned to Kris. “What happened back there?” she demanded.

Kris shook her head. “I ... I ... it was awful. Just as I got to the door, the other one ... George? Got his hands on the gun and he fired. I had to shoot him. Oh, Arlene, I am so sorry. I don't think he'll make it, either."

“How did he get untied?” Dev was flabbergasted.

Kris was almost too overwrought to speak. She tried several times, but was unable to form words. Finally she said, “I dunno.” She closed her eyes, opened them, and started again. “He was loose and he was shooting. He just barely missed me, and I didn't dare give him a second chance."

There was a small sound and Kris looked at Arlene Bagby. She had fainted. Kris shook her head as if to clear it. “Andy, oh, Andy, my love,” she whispered to her unconscious spouse.

“Dee at two o'clock” Baron announced. “Touch-down in two minutes. Mark."

“Dev, Tell Dee I want all children, including cadets, off the deck. I want all other nonessential personnel well out of the way from the flight deck to the dispensary,” Kris ordered. In the lights of the rapidly-approaching ship she was a ghastly white.

Ritter passed the orders to the bridge and immediately saw people backing off and entering the hatches to clear the way. Medical personnel were just off the pad as the flight crew waved the copter down.

Hands yanked all the doors open at once. Doctor Van Devanter barked orders and Andy and the Admiral were lifted out and onto stretchers. Kris, Baron and Dev unloaded all of their gear and the Admiral's belongings and left the copter to be serviced by the crew.

Baron turned and conferred with Dev, and then Dev ordered, “I want this thing scrubbed inside and out with disinfectant, bleach, steel wool, whatever it takes to get all the blood up. Pull up the mats and get under them, disassemble the seats, clean them and put them back together. I'll be out to give you a hand as soon as I can. If you scrape paint, we'll repaint it. Be thorough, but get it done."

The crewmembers looked suitably solemn. “Aye, Commander,” said her assistant, and they set to work.

Dev turned to Baron and Kris. “I want all your bloody clothing burned, and the stuff from the others down in the dispensary as well. Captain, give me your weapon, please.” She held out her hand. Kris drew her automatic, cleared it over the side, and handed it to Dev butt-first.

Dev nodded. “If anything else here of the Admiral's has blood on it, it's got to be burned as well. Let's take care of that now.” She turned and located the OOD, and told her, “Get a couple of CPOs to clear a safe space and get a burn barrel up here on deck, and something flammable, like lighter fluid. I'm going below to the dispensary. You two change and come right back. Nothing bloody can be saved. I'm serious."

Kris said, “We hear you, Dev, but I have to go to the dispensary—"

“No, Captain,” Dev insisted. “Change first. And we need to make more speed."

Kris nodded and told the OOD, “Have Commander Whittington make all possible speed. I'll relieve her as soon as possible."

They scattered to go about their tasks. It was another thirty minutes before Kris could get down to the dispensary, where every light was ablaze. One of the medics, a slight blond woman named Kelsey Mercury, came quickly to greet her. “Commander Santiago is going into surgery now, Captain,” said Kelsey. “And Doctor Van Devanter wants me to round up some blood donors pronto. O positive."

Kris nodded. She picked up the phone, and in ten seconds the loudspeakers were blaring the request for donors. “Start with me,” she told Kelsey, rolling up her sleeve. “What's the situation with the Commander?” she asked wearily as Kelsey sponged and stuck her.

Kelsey told her, “The Commander was shot at close range with birdshot. A lot of little pellets pretty much shredded the outer layers of her glutes. It's an awful mess, Captain, and she's going to be in a lot of pain. But as long as we get enough blood, there shouldn't be a problem."

“Take all you need,” Kris said dully.

Kelsey nodded at the passageway where a line was forming. “I think we'll have enough without taking more than a pint of yours. Hold your arm up and apply pressure,” the medic said, putting on a dressing. “Drink plenty of fluids and no lifting with that arm for 24 hours. Sit over there for a few moments, please, Captain, while I start the next volunteer."

“What about the Admiral?” Kris asked.

“Sedated. Behind that curtain,” Kelsey pointed. “Which arm?” she asked the young woman in the chair.

“Thank you.” Kris slipped behind the curtain and sat down in the tight space with the Admiral's hand in hers, and then she didn't remember anything more.

CHAPTER 82

“Kris."

There was no response.

“Kris!” Nik was shaking her.

“Huh?” It all came flooding back as Kris sat up in the chair. “Oh, Nik! Oh, God!"

Nik squatted down in front of her. “Is it true? Did you have to shoot someone?"

Kris nodded. “Yes, I did. Oh, my God! Andy!” She jumped up and almost knocked Nik over, but quickly grabbed her hands and pulled her up to keep her from falling. “Where is she?"

“In recovery. You can see her if you want,” Nik said gently.

“Yes, please,” Kris said, but she stopped and first gazed down at the admiral, who was still sleeping. Gently Kris touched the older woman's brow. “She's all right for now. Let's go."

Andy was on her belly in a bunk with the rails pulled up and an IV in her arm, knocked out but breathing on her own. Kris looked down at her, almost afraid to touch her, and then she stroked her lover's hair, and fell on her knees beside the high bed and wept.

Ann Van Devanter stepped in and pulled Kris up and held her, with Nik on the other side. “She'll be fine. I needed only to give her two pints of blood. She'll be extremely sore and unable to sit for several weeks, but she'll make a complete recovery,” the doctor said soothingly, “although I'm not so sure about you."

Nik asked Kris, “Would you like to see the Chaplain?"

Kris pulled herself together, going to a nearby sink and splashing her face. “Yes, but not this minute. How long was I asleep?"

“An hour or so,” Nik said. “You should go to bed."

“No, Kris said, “the girls will be up soon and I need to see them."

Nik smiled. “I don't think they ever went to bed, either."

But when Nik and Kris got to their quarters, both girls were asleep in Nik's bed. “Let them be,” Nik whispered. “We can pull out Andy's couch, unless you would rather be alone."

“I most certainly would not,” Kris said, “although I should relieve Sue."

“Dev relieved her, and Sue will be back to relieve Dev in a couple of hours,” Nik said.

“But Dev needs to rest,” Kris protested.

Nik shook her head. “Dev is fine. Ntombo is with her now, and the others are taking turns until you can get some rest."

Kris’ eyes were already closed by the time Nik got her shoes off and tucked her in. Then both of them slept.

* * * *

“But why, Aunt Kris? Why did you have to kill him?” Ky asked.

Kris stifled a sigh. This parenting thing wasn't the lark of a vacation on a sailboat she had gotten used to with her nieces.

“Honey, he was shooting at me. I had to shoot back. It was a terrible situation, and not one where negotiation was an option. Please, try to understand, or if you can't go there this soon, try to accept it, and forgive me,” Kris said softly.

Dani seemed less concerned, at least outwardly. “Ky, what if she had waited a nanosecond? Aunt Kris is trained to act instantly, and it saved her life. I'd rather have her explaining this to us here and now, than have Commander Whittington telling us why we're orphans."

Kris noticed that shift and was profoundly grateful to her older niece. “I promise you both, such a possibility will never occur again while you are in my care. That was way too much to go wrong on one mission. From now on, my only mission is the two of you,” she said humbly, taking each of their hands in hers.

Ky looked at her with terrible uncertainty. “Are you a murderer, Aunt Kris?"

Kris looked at her steadily. “By the laws of the United States at this moment, I probably am. However, in fact, I am not. I shot in self-defense."

“Well, what about them figuring out who did it, and coming after us? The ship has already been on the news in Canada. Could they be waiting for us in Bermuda?” Ky asked.

“Have you seen the news today?” Dani asked them.

“Yes,” Kris began. “There's a story, but evidently the police are still pretty puzzled, and the trail is going to get cold."

“What do they say?” Ky wanted to know.

“Well, it's the Admiral's absence that's causing them the most concern right now,” Kris said. “They aren't sure if she was kidnapped, or killed, or if she was the shooter. Very little of her stuff is gone from the house, and she locked the safe again. It will take some time for anyone to get in and find it's empty."

“What else?” Ky demanded.

“The police aren't mentioning the blood in the living room, or the tracks to the beach,” Kris said. “They often hold back some details from the public to help to determine if subsequent information received is legitimate. But they have surely found Andy's blood by now."

“What about the guns?” Dani asked. “You and Commander Ritter both fired your guns. Can they tell whose guns they were?"

“Commander Ritter has disposed of both weapons,” Kris told them. “They'll never be found, and they're a common make and model. Standard British issue."

“Great. And we're on a British ship!” Dani said with concern.

“They're also sold commercially around the world,” Kris reminded Dani gently. “Let's not go looking for trouble where none exists"

“Aunt Kris, are you going to jail?” Ky quavered.

Kris smiled. “No, Ky. I am not. Even if I had to stand trial, I would be acquitted. But so far no one even knows who to accuse. Now,” she stood up. “I have to meet with some of the others. You two get some lunch and get back to duty."

Dani and Ky pushed their chairs back. “Will that be all, Captain?” Dani asked.

“No, it will not,” Kris decided. “Come here,” she said, and she held them close. “Now, that will be all,” she murmured into their hair. “Beat it."

Kris sighed and straightened her uniform, and went aft to Sue's cabin where she knocked.

“Come in,” was the tired response.

“Arlene?” Kris said, opening the door and peeking in.

“Kris,” the Admiral nodded. She was sitting up in the bunk with a laptop open on her legs, but she pushed it aside.

Kris pulled up a chair and sat down. Now that Alix had moved out, Sue had graciously invited the retired flag officer to stay with her.

“Arlene, I hardly know where to begin,” she said to her old friend.

“Try the beginning,” Admiral Bagby invited.

“All right,” Kris said. She didn't have to gather her thoughts this time. This conversation was one she had rehearsed every waking minute since shooting the Admiral's nephew. “Originally I just wanted to show you the ship. I thought you would be glad to see women at sea again. When I called you and you sounded so strange, and then when I never got any answer to my calls, I got worried, and I came to check it out. I had hoped there was some error, and we could just go away again, and come back in the morning and get you to come out with us."

Arlene Bagby nodded. “I can fill in some blanks for you. The boys have been having trouble with their fishing. Environmental laws have placed a lot of restrictions on what can be caught and when. They had financial troubles, always have had, and I helped them out before. But this time they saw the change in the laws coming, and they thought with all my money they could have a fresh start. Of course I wouldn't give it to them. They had no real sense when it came to money. One fool scheme after another: taking the tourists out fishing, motorcycle repair, a bait shop, and so on."

She stopped and picked at the covers, then went on. “They had been in the house with me since the weekend, since this wasn't a time they could go out and fish much. They said they would just camp out with me until I gave them the paperwork that transferred my assets to them, because if I gave it to their father, John, they knew he wouldn't have given them the money, either. My plan was to hold out until he got back. But they got nervous because they weren't getting anywhere with that and because you had called. In fact, I assumed it was you who kept calling, but they finally just ripped the phone out of the wall the morning of the night you came."

Kris nodded. She had thought something like that, too.

“Well, you know the rest. Bart got loose and his shotgun was in the corner. Of course your officer had to fire on him. I understand that,” Arlene said. “How is your engineer, by the way?"

Kris permitted herself a tiny smile. “Awake and hollering. She hates being confined but her backside is held together with staples and catgut and the doc won't let her out of bed."

“But why did you go back to the house, Kris? I never understood that,” Arlene asked her.

“It was the lights,” Kris said. “The lights, plus the noise of those first shots, and the helicopter coming and going. I was trying to delay anyone paying attention to what was going on out there. I thought if anyone had heard anything at all, at least if your house was dark, they might not make the connection.” She took a deep breath. “And if I hadn't, George had already gotten loose and might have come after us with the gun. He could have shot us right out of the sky, and he would have, if he'd shot me."

Arlene nodded, but tears were running down her cheeks again. She reached for Kris, and Kris got up on the edge of the bed and held the smaller woman tight. After a little while, Arlene mused, “You know, I may be wanted for their murder now."

Kris said to her, “Arlene, if you want, when we get to Bermuda tomorrow, you can turn me in—"

“Oh, no!” Arlene said, leaning back and shaking a finger. “No, my dear. That wouldn't work at all."

Kris looked at her. “How so?"

“Well, for so many reasons.” She drew herself up in the bed and began ticking them off. “One: I would have to return to the U.S. and lose my independence, which I just gained at enormous cost to so many of us. John would surely take my money away and keep me on a short leash after my friends murdered his sons, don't you think?"

Kris said, “It's certainly possible."

“Two: I would create a pair of virtual orphans in your nieces, who might very well be extradited back to Ohio and sold into polygamy. I don't think I can live with that, either,” Arlene said.

“Three: such an action would endanger everyone else on the ship. She would lose several top officers during the trials, and all these other women would be stranded, or possibly forced home into servitude, jail or worse, including infants and children. Another thing I can't live with. Four: as a business and charitable venture, the cruise would become a liability to the Baron and the British people, who are represented by this ship."

“Even so, Arlene, being wanted for murder yourself is going to change your life and hardly for the better. I mean, what good are all your financial instruments if they're here on the Dee and you can't move around without being arrested?” Kris asked.

“Well, they aren't just here anymore,” Arlene said, sounding a little smug. “Your young lawyer got hold of your solicitor in the Caymans and faxed her everything the minute I woke up last night. No information alleging my involvement in this has been released yet. All of my assets now belong to New Horizons, even my house. I'll let John have my boat and car. It's not a lot, but he has to salvage something. When we get down to George Town, I'll see the solicitor in person. So, my dear, you have just adopted me."

“Oh, Arlene, I don't know what to say. I had just hoped to give you your freedom,” Kris sighed.

“That's not all I want from you,” Arlene said. “I want something to do. I can't just sit in bed or lie on deck all day, and once I become wanted for murder, my career options are going to be very limited, to say nothing of having a place to live. Those are all your problems now, Kris."

Kris looked at her. “I will take care of you for the rest of your life, Arlene. As God is my witness."

“I don't want to be taken care of. I want a purpose,” the old Admiral insisted. “You figure out how to do that, and we'll be as even as we're ever likely to get. You took my family away from me, even though you never meant to. They were stupid boys, but they only turned criminal in the last few days of their lives. I don't want to remember them like that. You can't make it go away, but you will find a way to help me compensate for my loss."

Kris stood up. “Aye, Admiral. I'll see to it. Will that be all?"

Arlene Bagby looked up at her. “No. You're the daughter I never had, Kris. You're my family now. Act like it. Never do anything like this again."

“Yes, ma'am, Admiral,” Kris whispered. “I promise."

“Then leave me alone for a while, and send that lawyer in here when she's not busy. And I need something to wear. And I need to renew my prescriptions!” the Admiral snapped. “So send the doctor, too."

“Aye, Admiral.” Kris grinned a little as the Arlene Bagby she knew and loved resurfaced at last. “May I go?"

Bagby stared at her. “What, are you still here? Dismissed!"

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, June 27, 2007. Nantucket, Massachusetts. Two fishermen have been found shot dead in the home of their aunt, a retired Coast Guard Admiral, who has disappeared. Their father discovered the bodies when he returned from a trip out of town. Police are investigating and say there are signs of a struggle, but claim they have no leads at present.

CHAPTER 83

TotalNet News Ticker, July 1, 2007. Washington, DC. The Family Habitation Act was overwhelmingly passed in both the House and the Senate today. The President has vowed to veto the Act, but it was passed with a nearly three-quarter majority that will easily override his veto. Once enacted, it will become a federal crime to offer housing to lesbians and gay men at all, or to single women unless they have the permission of their nearest male relative. Women currently living alone will have a grace period to get permission or find housing with appropriate men.

* * * *

“Don't you kinda wish we could stay in Bermuda forever?” Dani asked Kris as they parked their bikes at the base of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse on the south shore.

“It's tempting, but you'll like our other ports, too,” Kris told her with a smile.

“Come on! I wanna climb it,” Ky said.

Kris followed them in and they started up the spiral stairs. Her mind drifted back to the previous day in her ready room. She had the door to the bridge cracked, and was reading the daily division reports with her feet up on her desk when Devon Ritter knocked.

“Come,” Kris said, bringing her feet down and removing her reading glasses. “Oh, Dev! What can I do for you?"

Dev stepped in and glanced at the open door. “Permission to speak freely, Captain?"

Kris nodded. “Of course. Close it and have a seat."

Dev pulled up a chair almost knee to knee with her boss. “Captain,” she began, but Kris interrupted.

“Dev, this really seems like a good time to call me Kris."

Dev nodded. “Agreed. Kris, I think I know what really happened at the Admiral's house."

“Tell me,” Kris invited. Her heart was in her throat. Dev was the only one who could possibly have any idea.

Dev took a deep breath, knowing this could forever change their relationship. It took her fifteen minutes to lay out, in detail, what she thought happened when Kris went back to the Admiral's house that night.

“So,” Dev finished, “the report from the first shot should have been a loud explosion, and the second a sharper pop if they occurred in the order you claimed. But the sounds, and thus the firing order, must have been reversed. In fact, I thought you had fired and missed, then he fired, and I was headed up to protect you when you came out."

Kris smiled, “Damn, you're good. Can you prove that?” She needed to know. It was important.

“It doesn't matter what I can prove, it matters what they can deduce and maybe prove,” Dev said. “I'm on your side, Kris. I think I know why you did it, if that's what you did. Why don't you tell me?"

“I would be a fool to tell anyone anything other than what I have already told you, and what I put in my affidavit,” Kris said, referring to the statement Mac had taken from her as soon as Kris had returned to duty.

“So you're not going to tell me if I'm right,” Dev remarked.

“No comment. Although I am confident no evidence will ever be found to convict me,” Kris said.

Devon sighed. “Look, Kris. I am entirely on your side here. My loyalty and admiration for you are undiminished by your actions, if that's what you did. If anything, I admire you more; by what you did, you defended not only the Admiral, or yourself, but the Dee. If you did it, we ought to all line up and kiss your feet for saving our lives,” Dev said firmly.

“Well, all I will say is, if you had children, you would understand that you would do anything for them, including sacrificing your own life,” Kris said tiredly.

“As long as I'm still speaking freely, we're all your children in a way, Kris. You didn't do it just for them, I'm sure. You did it for all of us. Your nieces can eventually get asylum as of their applications in Quebec, and stay free no matter what. The rest of us would be dead meat without you,” Dev said.

Kris rubbed her upper lip. “I know you'll understand that I can't confirm or deny your theory, but I appreciate you coming to me, Dev. Whether I did it or not, your loyalty is reassuring, and reinforcing. You also killed a man that night. I should have asked you long before this how you're coping with that."

“No turning the tables this time, Kris,” Dev smiled. “I came to counsel, not to receive counseling. I fired reflexively, without thinking. It wasn't the first time, but I hope it's the last.” She stood up. “I don't know if you've seen the Chaplain, but I have, and I recommend it. Even when you kill in self-defense, it's still killing, and I find it requires certain ... introspection to deal with it. Please go, and if you need to talk, you know where I live."

“Yes, I'm not likely to lose track of you anytime soon,” Kris smiled. “It looks like we're really in it for the long haul.” She stood up and gave the smaller woman a hard hug. “Bless you, Dev. Baron is a lucky woman."

Dev had blushed and left quickly, and Kris had returned to her reports.

“Aunt Kris! Take our picture!” Ky yelled, her voice echoing in the shaft of the lighthouse.

“Coming!” Kris hollered back. She ran up the last few steps and they took turns with the camera. Standing there with an arm around each niece, she realized she had to follow Dev's advice. She wanted no more issues unresolved.

* * * *

“Chaplain?” Kris knocked on Koko's door during her regular office hours.

Koko looked up, more than a little surprised. She had been sure that if the Captain wanted to see her, she would have been summoned. When several days had passed after the rescue mission, and Kris hadn't sent for her, Koko had more or less decided her services wouldn't be required.

“Captain! Please come in,” Koko said, rising. “How have you been?"

Kris closed the door behind her and sat. “Well, I've been coping. And I've been busy. But ... I still have problems with,” she sighed, “with what I had to do."

Koko sighed, too, and rested her chin on her hand. “Well, Kris, I know there are some theologians and philosophers who might advocate letting yourself be killed rather than killing, Ghandi, for example, but as a mother, there is no way I would let someone kill me. So, if you want absolution—"

“I do, but it isn't quite that simple,” Kris interrupted gently.

“All right. Just tell me about it. Take your time,” Koko invited.

Kris was quiet for a while, and then she began. “I went back to kill him."

Koko was stunned, but her training kicked in. She nodded.

“See, I knew that he knew who I was. And I had inadvertently said Andy's name, and he saw Baron's face. It was just too risky. So I went up there, and I walked in the door and I stood there, and I shot him from across the room, as if he had fired at me."

“I see,” Koko said.

“Then I made it look like he had gotten loose before I got there, and then I fired his gun at the door,” Kris said. “I have the whole thing rationalized. It doesn't bother me. And that's what bothers me. I wonder what kind of parent a woman makes who can kill so easily."

Koko shifted. “Kris, have you killed before?"

Kris shook her head. “No, not even in the war. My ship never fired its guns. We were on escort duty and it was all very peaceful."

“So, explain to me what you were thinking, and how you decided to kill this man, and when,” Koko said.

Kris took a deep breath and sat back. “Well, we were carrying Andy to the chopper. I thought she was dying, and part of that was all the blood she was losing. I knew there was more than enough for a sample, and no way to clean that up, and all the other stuff, like footprints and shells and so on."

Koko nodded.

“So I thought, if this guy tells them who we were and how we got there, they're gonna come get us in a heartbeat. Then, incidentally, I noticed the lights were still on, and it was a very late and unusual hour for a house to be all lit up, and it made me nervous.” Kris paused and looked down at her hands. “To tell you the truth, I half-expected Devon to go back up there and do what I did. Once they had George's testimony and all the evidence, we wouldn't even have gotten to Bermuda. Anyway, I decided that without his account, there would be nothing to connect us specifically with either one's death, no matter how much evidence. At the same time, I couldn't very well have said, ‘You stay here. I have to go kill George.’ I couldn't involve them and didn't even want them to know. It was that minute or never. So I went. I knew all along what I would do."

Koko was genuinely curious. “What if the lights hadn't been on?"

Kris said, “I would have said I thought I dropped something, or that I wanted to look for Dev's spent shell. The lights were handy, but not essential."

“So, you returned to the house,” Koko encouraged.

“Yes. I went up to the door carefully, realizing he could really have gotten loose. But he hadn't. He was awake and struggling with his cuffs. So I shot him,” Kris said. “I steadied myself and I shot him, and I walked over, jerked his hands loose of the cuffs and used his own finger to fire that shotgun. Thank God the second barrel hadn't been fired.” She heaved another deep breath. “I dropped the gun and draped him over it, and I shut off the lights and left."

“Did you speak to him? Did he look at you?” Koko asked, dreading the answer.

“He looked at me and he started to speak but I shot him before he could form a word,” Kris said. “It was bad enough that he saw me, and that I looked into his eyes, but if he had said anything, I might have wavered. I made sure that didn't happen. I was mad and I was scared. I hated him and his brother for making it come to that"

Koko sat for a long time, pondering this, the greatest challenge she had ever faced in her ministry. This was a protected confession and of course she couldn't report it, but how she handled Kris was critical. “Tell me how you feel now,” she finally said.

Kris told her, “I'm sad it happened, but mostly because of Arlene. I don't feel happy to have taken a life. The only thing I keep returning to, though, was that if I hadn't shot that man, and he was loose, he would have just as easily shot me. He had been beating up his aunt, and he would have led the police to us. I know it's a form of rationalization, but I honestly believe even as I sit here, that it was him or us. If I had to do it again, I would."

“You have told yourself that even though he was tied up, it was form of self-defense,” Koko suggested.

“Yes, I have. Too many people's welfare depends on us not getting caught,” Kris explained.

“Well, just for argument's sake, what if the first one hadn't gotten loose and Andy hadn't gotten shot, so that Dev had to kill him? Wouldn't it still have been dangerous for us if they knew who you were?” Koko asked.

“I don't think so. Had it ever come to a trial, goodness knows where, Arlene would have said she was being held against her will and we freed her. Bringing the helicopter in and out may be a misdemeanor. Tying the boys up was definitely self-defense. Those were charges I could have lived with, paid for or refuted. Once we had a dead man, though, everything changed. The stakes were too high, and I had to act,” Kris said with finality.

“What will you do next time?” Koko asked.

“Next time? There won't be a next time,” Kris said. “No forays into enemy territory. No visits, no break-outs, no rescue attempts. My days of piracy, or whatever you want to call it, are over. Dani and Ky take precedence in everything from now on,” Kris affirmed.

“Did you ever consider just backing away from the whole thing?” Koko asked. “Just getting back in the helicopter and flying away?"

“No,” Kris said. “Once I knew Arlene was in trouble, there was no option like that. Sue thought there should have been, but when you see someone you love getting beaten, you don't see it like that."

“You want me to absolve you?” Koko asked.

“Yes, if you can,” Kris requested. “And I want to know why ... why I can't feel anything. I am sorry, but in an abstract sort of way. I don't ever want to do it again, but I would if it were a matter of anyone on this ship. I'm the Captain. I'm responsible for them. I would give my life for them."

Koko looked at her and nodded. “I understand. I would kill for my children, too. As to why you don't feel, I think you will, and we can explore that all you like. That's why I was called, Kris, to be here for others, and to bring forgiveness to them from God, no matter what the offense. The fact that you are disturbed by your apparent lack of feeling carries the weight of guilt and contrition. It may be too soon to understand yet, but the fact that you came to me is really all I need. Would you prefer to make a formal confession?"

Kris nodded, “Yes, please.” She got out of the chair and knelt beside Koko's chair.

Koko reached for her book of services and opened to the proper page. She began, “Are you prepared to make your confession?"

Kris nodded and said, “I am.” And then she put her hands over her face, and she began to cry.

CHAPTER 84

“I hate this fucking place, “Andy growled.

“I'm sorry, honey,” Kris said mournfully. Andy was still on her stomach, although her bed had been re-positioned so she was able to face the door. A TV was on a nearby stand so she could at least look at tapes, and she had a laptop to use when she pushed up onto her elbows or on her side.

“My butt is numb, I'm bored out of my mind, and I can't get out of this fucking bed,” the engineer complained.

“You're alive,” Kris said tentatively.

“Have you seen my ass?” Andy demanded.

“Well, no,” Kris admitted.

“You're never going to wanna bite it again,” Andy said, and then she put her head down and started to cry.

Kris put her head down on the mattress next to Andy's and cried, too, stroking her forlorn lover's hair. Van said Andy could get up at the end of the week, but that was still three days away. Still, it was progress.

“Andy, I promise to keep coming every chance I get and read to you and tell you all the gossip,” Kris said. “Van says you're healing very nicely, you're so tough and strong, but getting up too early will just set you back. And I will always, gladly, bite your ass and even kiss it, and even—"

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Andy sniffed. “So what's the gossip? Amuse me."

“Well, I just found out I've been demoted,” Kris laughed as she dried their tears gently with tissues from Andy's bedside table.

“To what?” Andy said. “I still see four stripes."

“Well, more like from President of New Horizons. I don't know to what. That's up to Arlene,” Kris explained. “We all just had a message from Brenda and Wesley. They finally got all her assets and income straightened out, and it seems she's now the principal shareholder."

“Holy shit!” Andy said wonderingly. “I mean, everyone on the ship owns at least a little something in the company, so are you saying she owns more than the rest of us combined?"

“No, just more than any one of us, and more than you and me and Nik combined,” Kris explained. “Until now, we held the majority vote together."

“Not like Nik and I had much to do with that. So, what does that mean?” Andy wanted to know.

“It means if she wants to hold a shareholders’ meeting, we have to attend, for starters,” Kris told her.

“And does she?"

“Next Monday when we're at sea. I convinced her to wait until you could go,” Kris said, caressing Andy's hand. “But she definitely wants to get started."

“Well, something to live for,” Andy said gloomily. “Although there are several things I'd rather do. Do you and Nik miss me?” she whined.

“Yes, we do, and,” Kris rose, and leaned over to kiss Andy on the lips, “I especially miss some of the things you can do when you're flat on your face. So you can look forward to that."

Andy grinned. “That's more like it."

* * * *

“Harry, I want the church to send someone to look for Danielle and Carol."

Harry was at the sink with his back to her, and he lips-synched the words with her as she spoke them. It happened several times a day.

“Cindy, we can't afford it,” he sighed.

“How can you just let them go like that?” she demanded. Tears of frustration started making their way down her face again.

“Look,” he said, “they called us. They said they were fine. Aaron Bates says if they have applied for asylum there, the procedure is so lengthy and difficult they could reach legal age before they even need it."

“Then let's find Kris instead,” Cindy said. “If we can find her, we can find them."

“But there's no evidence linking them,” Harry protested. “And it's not like she would cooperate if there was any.” He still hoped in his heart that they were with Kris but that wasn't anything he could share with his wife. Harry's belief was that if they were together, Kris would somehow make them go to school, she would not let them get married and pregnant, and when they were of legal age, she would encourage them to see their parents and they would somehow reconcile. He just couldn't believe they were being held against their will. The evidence that they had planned their departure was much too overwhelming. All this didn't mean that Harry didn't worry at all, but he worried less than he might have otherwise.

“I'm going to try something,” Cindy said. “I'm going to do computer searches."

“Okay,” Harry agreed, hoping she would distract herself enough not to do anything really stupid or expensive.

* * * *

TotalNet News Ticker, July 3, 2007. Washington, DC. Both Houses of Congress will debate their versions of the Family Employment Act after the Fourth of July recess. Expected points of disagreement are dual-income family and single-parent family situations. NRN officials have a number of proposals to present that will help to deal with these problems, among them, limited female education and legalization of polygamy.

* * * *

There was an expectant air on the flight deck of the Dee where all the chairs were set up as if they were going to have chapel. But in front there was only a simple podium, and the little admiral they had picked up off Nantucket was being wired for sound by Chief Brown.

Since this wasn't a military formation, all but the duty watch were in civilian clothing, including the captain. When the Chief Engineer hobbled on deck, assisted by her two spouses, a cheer went up that was ragged at first, but then grew to a roar. Andy Santiago made her way slowly to a gurney where she could lie on her stomach and face the action. “Thank you, thank you, I feel like an idiot,” she laughed as everyone jumped this way and that trying to accommodate her.

“We sure are glad to see you up and about, ma'am,” said Ensign Ntombo as she locked the wheels of the gurney for her boss.

“Oh, you just want to sleep through the night for a change,” Andy teased.

The ensign's dark eyes shone. “That, too."

“Ladies, if I may have your attention.” Kris was at the podium. “I'm pleased and honored to introduce to you our latest addition, Rear Admiral Arlene Bagby, who is, as most of you know, retired from the Coast Guard where she served with great distinction. Admiral Bagby has just become the major shareholder in our civilian company, New Horizons, Limited, of which all of you are a part. As such she has invited us all to this meeting, and I know she has some very interesting ideas to present. Admiral Bagby,” Kris nodded, stepping away from the podium. She sat down with Nik and Sue in the front row.

Arlene Bagby stepped to the podium amid polite applause, “Ladies, thank you all for coming. I know the events of the last week and a half have been anything from unsettling to life-changing. Certainly they have been for me. However, we have all had to endure great changes and stress over the last year, or even longer. Every day, the news reveals a new political, social or financial development that makes it less possible than ever for us to return to our former lives, and there is no end in sight."

She stopped to take a drink of water and look at her remarks. “Many of you have your daughters with you, and because of that, you're dodging the law. As am I!"

Everyone laughed. It was common knowledge by now that the Admiral was wanted for “questioning."

She smiled. “I know, I don't feel like a criminal, either, but for all intents and purposes we are on the run until further notice. Now, this life at sea is fine for many of us, and better for all of us than what we left behind. However, a frigate is not really a place to raise children or to retire, and it doesn't accommodate very many of us, fewer than 200, while we know there are many more women and girls still trapped in the U.S. with no way out."

The audience listened raptly. Obviously something big was coming, or they wouldn't have been there.

Bagby continued, “I have recently been in touch with our representatives in the Cayman Islands, Wesley Boggs and his aunt, Brenda Livingston."

At the mention of these names, everyone cheered and clapped, because without them, every one of the women aboard would still have been trapped, and they all knew it.

The Admiral nodded in acknowledgement. “Yes, God bless them. In any event, I have been in touch with them and with another lawyer, Maxine Goldstein, whom all of us will probably come to know very well. Maxine lives in Paris at the moment and she knows many, many lesbians and straight women and girls who are desperate to leave the United States and seek a new life. But right now, the Dee is one of only a very few options open to women like us, and there's just not enough room here for everyone. So, Maxine has an idea, and I'd like to share it with you. Maxine proposes we buy an island."

There was a collective intake of breath. Arlene Bagby paused and let it sink in while everyone murmured to their neighbors. “Now, this is not going to be some ‘Fantasy Island’ where we sit around drinking rum and living in little grass shacks. First of all, the island will have to be remote and inaccessible, a place where no one would ever think to look for us. Second, it has to be a place where we can either raise our own food, or where we can work and produce something we can trade, sell or barter. We will need a hospital, services, a school, and in short, all of the things any community would need to function. What we won't have is much contact with the outside, because that could bring the law of the U.S. down on top of us. We would not be able to defend ourselves against an attack, so we would have to be able to avoid it."

Everyone nodded and looked thoughtful.

Sue raised her hand. “Can you tell us what you have in mind?” She already knew, but she and the admiral had planned to have a question asked that could immediately be answered.

“Well, so far we have only a few ideas. One is remote cattle ranching in Central or South America. If we ship cattle to market every now and then, it would keep our contact with others very limited. Another is to locate an abandoned research station of some sort where we can either do some sort of technical or environmental research, or start up a company that can work entirely on-line, like some monasteries and convents do for extra income. We could also do experimental farming and animal husbandry. Or maybe we could develop a vineyard. But, this speech has already gone on long enough. You don't have to decide now. In a week, I'd like to take a vote, and I'm going to have several smaller question and answer sessions in the classrooms. You can also speak to me privately if you wish. I want you to just forget about my former rank. Captain Nordstrom is the Captain, and I'm just a retiree looking for a place to be left alone in peace."

She gathered her thoughts for one last remark. “Maxine Goldstein has several other groups of investors interested, though none so large as ours. We are looking at spending a total of no more than $3 million dollars for the island. For New Horizons to remain in control, we will have to put up 51% of the total price. That means each of you will be putting in up to up 51% of whatever you brought into this arrangement with you, and getting a proportional return when there is one. My meetings and office hours will be posted on all bulletin boards, both hard copy and electronic, and please don't hesitate to stop me for a casual discussion if you see me around. Thank you."

The Admiral got a hearty round of applause as the meeting broke up, and most people went to get some dinner.

“Well,” Andy said to Kris as she rolled off her gurney, “Sounds like still another wild adventure."

Nik nodded, and tucked Andy's hand into the crook of her arm to help her inside. “Yes, at the very least. But this time, Commander, no shooting!"

Andy grinned and ducked her head, “Yes, ma'am, Lieutenant."

* * * *

“Harry, look at this!” Cindy shouted from the den. Her demure, submissive TFC persona was taking a back seat to her new hunter-mother mode.

Harry got up from his ball game and went to see. It was just easier that way.

“Look,” Cindy said, “I ran searches on ‘women and navy,’ ‘women and Coast Guard, ‘women and sea,’ ‘women and ship,’ and so on."

“So did you find her?” Harry asked as Cindy scrolled.

“Well, of course I ran several searches just on her name in every possible variation and couldn't find anything dated after her retirement, but I did find this. I think this is very interesting.” She clicked on a “women and navy” link and brought up the articles about Dee's stops in Canada. “There! What do you think of that?” she asked, turning to look up at her husband.

“Hmm ... mmm ... mmm, well, but it says these are women on a Royal Navy ship,” he protested. “I don't see—"

“You don't think it's the least little bit odd that this ship full of women was in Canada at the same time Danielle and Carol were?” Cindy demanded. “A whole ship full of women?"

“Well, but it doesn't say who's on the ship. It's probably a ship full of English women, and has nothing to do with Kris,” Harry reasoned.

Cindy began typing again. “I'm going to run some more searches."

* * * *

“So what could we do on this island, Arlene?” Kris asked as they sat around the table in the wardroom. “You think any of these ideas are feasible?"

“Do I detect a note of skepticism, there, Captain?” Arlene asked sweetly. “I honestly mean to be lazy about this and let Maxine show us. She's the idea woman here, really. We need to be self-sufficient first. If she can sell me on that, and safety, by which I mean isolation, I would be inclined to give her the ball and let her run. Except for the money part, it won't affect the running of this ship. Some of these women and girls do need to get off and all of these girls need to go to school. I need to get off. Every time we make port and someone writes about us or takes pictures, we become more vulnerable."

“So you propose we buy the island, and you'll stay on it with women and girls who can't or shouldn't be on this ship? How will we make our money back?” Andy wanted to know. She was leaning in through the serving window so she could participate.

“At first, we may not make money. At first we might only be buying security. If we could get everyone off this ship who is running away from the laws of the States, we could actually enter U.S. ports,” Arlene pointed out. “And that would make us a lot of money for Baron, and she could raise your pay."

“But aren't we all running from those laws?” Nik asked.

“Not exactly,” Mac entered the conversation. “For instance,” she looked around the table. “You, Andy, myself, Van, Keisha, Dev and Kris aren't wanted for anything. None of us have kids or committed a crime, not even Kris, strictly speaking. Sue and Alix are also safe. We wouldn't be living in, working in or traveling in, the U.S. We wouldn't be handling large financial instruments. Only the mothers who took out minor daughters in situations where the fathers were legal guardians are affected. Even Koko is safe, because her husband agrees to her and Jordan being here."

“The Admiral may be wanted for murder,” Koko pointed out.

Arlene nodded agreement. “Yes, but I would get off the ship. Kris and Dev pulled the triggers, but in self-defense, and only we know that."

Each of them looked at everyone else. No one at the table or on the entire ship was likely to divulge that information, or the whole enterprise would cease to exist.

“Well, I would certainly vote that Maxine come and give us a presentation on the possibilities,” Van said. “If some of our number have to get off, there are single women to replace them, and more."

“Look,” Dev said, “wouldn't some of the money also come from the new women? We all put some money in. Wouldn't they?"

“If they could,” Admiral Bagby said. “But we might take some just on merit, or because of special skills such as sheep-ranching or engineering."

“Well, it sounds like Maxine has a lot of research to do, if nothing else,” Kris summed up her point of view. “It's a fascinating undertaking, and I wouldn't say no out of hand. I always felt badly about not being able to do more. Perhaps now we can find a way to overcome our limitations."

Keisha looked around the table at the others. She had a couple of friends she knew would be glad to run sheep or cut vines for a living. And that was just for starters.

* * * *

“All right, Harry, I really think this is enough to take to Pastor Wallace,” Cindy said. “It's not just about our daughters anymore."

He got up and went into the den. Cindy was now in her third day of searching, off and on, when her other duties and interests permitted. Being a bereft mother took a lot of her time and almost as much of her energy as actual mothering had.

Cindy had finally found the sites of the British tabloids, and in them were some photos of the royal admiral's visit. One search had led to another, until she arrived at the site of the Edinburgh newspaper account of the ship full of American women in Royal Navy uniforms.

“Still, Cindy, there are no names except this Baroness who owns the boat,” Harry pointed out.

“Yes, I know. But there is still a boat-load of American women out there, and I think the TFC ought to send someone to look into it, even if Danielle and Carol, or Kris aren't on it. Why are all those women off traipsing around the ocean when they ought to be home with their husbands and children? I'll bet there are missing women on that boat!” Cindy declared.

Harry considered. There was something to that argument, if not to any of her others. “Okay, why don't you make copies of all the sites, and outline your logic, and I'll take it to Pastor Wallace. But you can't come. You know he won't listen, and it'll just make it harder for me to present a case."

“I understand, dear, and I'll get it ready. You just get an appointment, and I'll make sure you're ready with the facts,” Cindy said smugly. It was all the encouragement she needed. Even if she led them to some other missing women, they would owe her a favor when it came to looking for Danielle and Carol.

CHAPTER 85

“You certainly did your homework, Harry,” Pastor Wallace said again as all four men studied the maps.

Harry nodded, well aware that if he credited Cindy, all of her hard work would be out the window. “Well, even if it isn't my girls on that boat, someone's families have surely been broken up. It isn't right."

“We'll find your girls,” Wallace said heartily. “Perhaps this discovery will lead us to others.” He turned to the mercenaries. “Very well, gentlemen. What is your plan?"

Jacques-Claude and Gadi conferred in their own peculiar patois of Arabic and French, then Jacques-Claude spoke. “There is no trouble finding the ship. There is no trouble finding the girls if they are on it. The trouble comes when one must remove them, and these women will fight. Say we beat them, there is blood. Say we do not? Also blood."

In his guttural accent, Gadi ground out, “This is the question, how far you wanna go? You want we just talk? All right, we talk. If they do not want to leave, many governments will not permit we take them. What you want us to do?"

Wallace and Harry looked at each other, then Wallace decided. “You just find the ship for now, sort of scout it. Send us a report, call us at our expense."

“Of course,” Jean Claude said smoothly.

Wallace nodded. “And then we will pass your report up our own internal, ah, chain-of-command, I guess you would call it. Confirming any missing American women on that ship would be great progress. Then we'll let the church elders decide exactly what to do about it."

“Good,” Gadi nodded with finality. “Then we are done. Stay here until you hear us drive away. The less you know, the better."

* * * *

“Where are we going next, Captain?” asked Charlotte O'Brady.

Kris smiled at her young student. Nik had corralled Kris into teaching geography and social studies since she had been more places than any other officer, and all officers had to teach something. Sue, Mac and Nik had finally gotten everyone enrolled in a Canadian home-schooling program by mail, and hoped someday to transfer the credits back to U.S. schools. If not, they could still qualify for Canadian colleges.

“Well, Ms. O'Brady, we'll be spending some time visiting ports in the Mediterranean, both Europe and North Africa, before we head back to the Caribbean and then around the Cape of Good Hope. Now, why will we be visiting South America in the winter? Anyone?"

Alix and Dani already knew to let the younger ones have a shot at the answers first. “Well, it's not winter there, is it?” said Mary. “I mean, the seasons are backwards, so we go there when the weather is better."

“That's right, Ms. O'Brady.” Kris clicked her next slide into view, displaying a map of North America. A red line showed Dee's recent and projected course with a date at each stop. “If you look at this chart, you can see we finish up with northwest Mexico at the beginning of next summer."

“And then what?” Angela Rojas asked eagerly.

“Then Canada and Asia, but we have a long way to go. Our time for today is almost up, so let me give you your assignment. Anyone know what colonialism is?” Kris asked.

Alix raised her hand.

“Yes, Ms. Whittington?” Kris addressed her.

“It's what happened when an industrialized nation took over a less-developed nation with the general intention of exploiting their resources,” Alix told them.

“Yes, that's part of it. Your summer assignment is to choose a colonizer or a former colony, and give me a history of either nation's colonial period. Get on the internet, but also go ashore and research the nation of your choice on our itinerary. I want to see interviews and pictures, so it would be a good idea to pay attention to your language and history lessons as well. Of course, I'll want more from the older students. You'll all be judged according to your current grade level. The assignment parameters are on the education message boards, and of course you can contact me anytime with questions. You have until Labor Day.” She nodded to Alix who rose and called the room to attention, and Kris left.

“Oh, my God! Languages! And I hate Spanish!” Ky groaned.

“Well, don't go anywhere. Commander Santiago will be here in fifteen minutes to teach it, so just get used to it,” Alix advised.

“Don't worry, muchacha, I'll help you,” Angela offered. “I'll get you talking like a Latina in no time, and cooking, too!"

“I'll find some way to pay you back,” Ky promised. “I can help you with your project or something."

“Ky is good at bio,” Dani said.

“Okay, everyone, look sharp,” Alix warned. “Check each other. You know she'll inspect us, in Spanish, before class begins."

Ky rolled her eyes. So much for her summer vacation.

* * * *

“Nik, we need to do something for Andy,” Kris said when she got to their quarters. “She won't be back here until lunch. She's teaching."

“Something like what?” Nik asked, looking up from her laptop. She was about to start physics that afternoon with the juniors, and she hadn't had to get that elementary in years.

“You know, to make her feel better about herself, because of her wounds. I want to be able to go down on her,” Kris said.

“Well, she can't lie comfortably on her back yet, or sit, so it's a problem,” Nik said.

“But she does us! There must be a way,” Kris insisted.

“Let me give it some thought,” Nik said. “You're right. Between the two of us, we must be able to find some original solution."

* * * *

“All right,” Nik said, later that afternoon. “I have some materials for our little surprise for Andy. I told Ensign Ntombo it was for therapy."

“Well, it is!” Kris smiled. “What do you have?"

“Two six-foot lengths of PCV piping, heavy gauge. Eight cinder blocks, two blankets, and four lengths of rope—"

Kris’ eyebrow went up.

“-which I purchased ashore this afternoon, entirely on my own. Do not be alarmed,” Nik said matter-of-factly.

“Why would we be carrying cinder blocks?” Kris wondered.

“We weren't. I had the ensign procure them for me, as I already explained, for Andy's therapy,” Nik said patiently. “Now, help me set this up."

When Andy came in before dinner, she saw a contraption that looked like some sort of medieval torture equipment. “What in the world is this?” she asked, bending stiffly to examine it.

“It's for therapy after dinner,” Kris said. “Let's go."

“What therapy? I already did the exercises the doc prescribed,” Andy protested.

“This is therapy I have prescribed,” Nik said, taking her arm and turning her around. “We can discuss it later."

Andy left, but she threw a puzzled look back over her shoulder before the door shut behind her.

It was another two hours before they all returned to their quarters, because Kris wanted to them all to visit with the girls in their tiny cabins, and be aunts for a little while instead of naval officers.

“Can we have them up for a family night sometime?” Kris asked the others on their way back up again. “You know, a movie and popcorn or Scrabble?"

“Oh, Kris! Of course! You don't even have to ask!” Andy admonished.

“The sooner, the better,” Nik added. “I can see how much they enjoy being with you, and I confess I would like us to feel more like a family. I know them the least of all."

“Monday night at sea, then,” Kris decided.

“And let's make it a weekly thing,” Andy said. “They need regular informal contact with you, Mom."

Kris smiled. It felt like that a lot of the time.

“Now, what's this therapy?” Andy demanded as they closed the door.

“Well, first, you must take off all of your clothing,” Nik told her. She knelt to help Andy with her shoes as she always did lately, because the engineer was nowhere near limber enough yet to manage them herself.

“All of it?” Andy was suspicious.

“Every stitch,” Kris murmured, unbuttoning Andy's shirt.

“Then what?” Andy said, catching on.

“Then Nik and I lie down side by side, and you do us, one after the other,” Kris said, slipping off Andy's shirt and starting on her bra.

“Oh, yeah? And when does my therapy come in?"

“You get your therapy when Kris and I are exhausted,” Nik informed her lover. “Come, let us help you into bed."

“Don't look at my butt too much, you guys,” Andy pleaded. “At least turn the lights down."

“Your butt is just fine, but whatever you say,” Kris reassured her as Nik flicked switches. “Now come on over here.” She pulled Andy down on top of her in Nik's big bed, and they began to kiss as if they hadn't been making up for lost time all week.

“Oh, God, Kris,” Andy breathed, closing her eyes.

Kris spread her legs, and Andy's on top of her as well, and she began to slowly caress and massage her lover's aching woman-flesh. “Jesus, Kris,” Andy gasped.

“Don't get too excited,” Nik advised, sliding in beside them. “You have a long way to go.

“Nik is right,” Kris murmured, cruelly removing her hand. “Slide down."

“You're so mean,” Andy complained, but she did it.

“You love it,” Kris murmured. “You love eating me. In fact, you love eating both of us."

It was true. Andy was already up between Kris’ legs with her tongue, and soon it was the Captain who was moaning. Nik slid over to suckle Kris’ breasts, and Kris’ hands were soon busy on Nik's own breasts and between her legs.

“Mmm, Kris, I want you to kiss me while you come,” Nik sighed, kneading the warm, firm breast in her hand.

“I ... think ... that can be arranged,” Kris gasped as Andy targeted her swollen clit with a tender tongue. “Oh, so good, Andy!"

Andy, anxious to be attended to herself, wasted no time in devouring her spouse. Kris twisted this way and that as she approached yet another absolutely certain, and sure-to-be-intense, orgasm, utterly relaxed and happy in the arms of her two lovers.

“Oh, Andy! Ahhhhh!” Kris gasped. She bit her lip and let her hips rock and jerk with the waves of pleasure that washed over her. Since they were no longer able to scream with ecstasy as they had aboard Athena, Kris concentrated on the depth of the sensation instead, finally flopping back on the bed in contentment.

“Oh, Nik, she's in rare form tonight.” Kris laughed, raising her legs to allow Andy to slide out and then under their other spouse.

“Because she wants it so badly herself, no doubt,” Nik guessed, helping Andy to re-settle.

“Oh, so you don't think it has anything to do with how much I love you, huh?” Andy joked, stopping to take a few deep breaths.

“Perhaps,” Nik told her. “Show me. I am willing to be convinced."

“Why don't you just be quiet until I make you come all over me?” Andy purred, and then she went to work on her younger lover.

Nik's eyes rolled back in her head. “Oh. God,” she sighed. “What an amazing tongue this woman has,” she said to Kris, who was now half on top of her. “Oh! Andy! What are you d-d-d-doing?” Nik groaned. “It's so intense!"

Kris could hear Andy chuckling through the mouthful of Nik she was so obviously enjoying. Kris turned her attentions to Nik's luscious lips, nipping, sucking, sliding her tongue in to tease and delight the beautiful woman whose magnificent legs made a willing prisoner of their spouse.

“Uhhhhhhh! Andy! Oh, do it! Do me!” Nik whimpered, arching both to Andy's tongue and Kris’ kiss. “Come on, baby, come on!"

Andy did her, and soon Nik's ass was pounding the mattress in orgasm. “Mmmmmpphhh! Mmmmpppphhh!” Her howling was muted by Kris’ lip-lock, as Nik hadn't quite mastered the trick of not screaming when she came.

When Kris was sure Nik was done, she released her and immediately got up and went into the next room, where Andy's surprise awaited her. There Kris adjusted the lighting and put a couple of romantic CDs on the changer to help Andy transition without losing the mood.

“May I help you?” Kris asked, returning to assist Andy out of their bed.

“I think you'd better,” Andy gasped. “I'm practically on fire because of you two."

“Good,” Nik smirked. “Then you will not complain, and you will comply with our instructions, won't you?” With that she snarled her fingers in Andy's pubic hair and led her into the next room.

“Yesyesyesyes! Be careful, Nik!” Andy pleaded. “What do you want me to do? What the hell is this thing, anyway?” To her, it looked like a low, padded set of even parallel bars about two feet off the floor. The blanket-wrapped pipes were secured to each set of cinder blocks by means of a length of rope at each end, passed through the holes and around the pipes in a figure eight.

“Grab hold of the pipes and lower yourself until you're laying face-down on top of them,” Nik directed. “We'll help you."

“Are you crazy?” Andy demanded.

“Want to get off?” Kris inquired sweetly.

Andy threw her a pathetic look and began to position herself as required, gripping the bars and spreading her legs. At the same time, Nik lay down on her back and expertly shimmied under the apparatus. She slid down until her face was right under Andy's pussy, and raised her head slightly. “Kris, when you get Andy in place, let me have a pillow, will you?"

Andy looked down and saw Nik's face wiggling up into her pussy as she used the pillow to raise her head to the exact level. “Oh, my God!” she groaned. “Kris, don't let me fall,” she pleaded, and then she let herself relax.

Kris dropped to one knee and steadied Andy on the bars. “There you go, sweetie; just let it happen."

“Nik! Nik!” Andy yelped as the young astronomer's tongue worked its way up into her. “Oh, Jesus!"

“Is it good?” Kris inquired.

“Good??? Ay, caramba! Oh, you can't imagine!” Andy gasped. “Oh, God, Kris! Hold me, I'm losing control. I'm shaking so hard. I'm coming ... Ah! Ah! Ohhhhh!” she grunted with the effort of not screaming as she climaxed down into Nik's willing tongue and lips. “Jeeeeeesus!"

When she was sure Andy was done, Nik pressed gently up on Andy's hips to give herself room to wiggle back out again.

“I'm as limp as overcooked spaghetti,” Andy complained. “Hey! Don't leave me here like this! Hey!"

Kris helped Nik to her feet, “We ought to go do it in the bed and make her listen, since she can't get up,” Kris laughed.

“Next time,” Nik said. “I think we should just pour her into bed this time, and let her sleep. And maybe we can all give it a try tomorrow."

“You've just spoiled me for all other sex,” Andy said dreamily as they helped her up. “I love you guys."

They stood for a long time in a three-way hug, their heads together. There was nothing more to say.

* * * *

“All right! So, we have these two islands for sale, folks, both almost the same size. The equatorial cattle-ranching option, with great weather but absolutely no facilities, and the God-forsaken Aleutian research station with all kinds of fixer-upper possibilities!” Maxine shouted, making sure no one was left out.

Everyone groaned. There was nothing easy about this decision.

Nik raised her hand. “Explain the first refusal again."

“All right. We can get the research station for a song. But we can also get, for also a song, rights of first refusal on the big empty spaces of this other island. If the owners get any show of interest on this island, they have to give us a chance to buy it first,” Maxine said, her red pointer dot wandering from one aerial shot to the other.

It was night on the flight deck so that the big screen could be clearly seen by almost the entire ship's company, and cadets were placed throughout the ship to take the votes of the crew members who couldn't attend.

“So what you're suggesting is the possibility, at least, of buying both islands,” Mac recapped.

“How can we buy an island from the U.S. government?” someone else wanted to know.

“Okay, go back a couple slides for me, will you, there, Chief?” Maxine asked Wilma Brown, who was running the Power Point for her.

“Okay, follow the bouncing ball,” Maxine commanded.

“One, the island is covered with leftover, useless, military hardware, and the U.S. military shuts it down.” Her dot moved to the earliest date.

“Two, the EPA tells them to clean it up, and they don't want to, so they let ownership of the island lapse, and it reverts to Alaska."

“Three, the EPA tells Alaska to clean it up, and they don't want to spend the money either. It goes up for sale. It sits there like that for two years."

“Four, Brenda Livingston spots it and starts investigating. A dyke in the Alaskan Land Management Office responds. Brenda feeds her the line about a start-up research company, and our inside friend offers to ‘help out,’ so to speak.” Here Maxine rolled her eyes and winked, and drew a chuckle.

“Of course, as a Cayman Island company we can buy anything we want anyway,” Maxine added as an aside. “So Brenda flies up to Alaska, and meets our little friend who says if she can have a job on the island, she'll push the paperwork through, again, so to speak. This means we maybe get a little break on the price, a lot of speed, no publicity and maybe also not too much attention to the environmental situation. When it goes into private hands, the whole procedure starts over. Different requirements."

“So what you're saying is if we act now, we get a sort of a bargain?” Sue questioned.

Maxine shrugged, nodded and shook her head. “Yes and no. In a way. I mean, the island isn't much of a deal. It's a mess. But it has buildings. It's isolated. It's relatively cheap, as islands go. If this works, we might try another enterprise on another island."

“How much?” Keisha Farmer asked.

“Well, they started wanting a million and a half but Alaska has already reduced to a million and a quarter. I think Roxy, our contact, may be able to help trim that as well. You send bids, and she opens them, need I say more? Anyway, first refusal on the other island, which costs $600,000, is $60,000 and is good indefinitely. If we buy, it's taken off the price. If we don't, we lose half."

Conversations erupted all over the deck and Maxine sat down to let them run their course.

“Kris, would you leave the girls up there?” Andy wanted to know.

Kris cocked her head thoughtfully. “I might. I mean, we're safe for now, and actually putting our people on the island is almost a year off. If we could create a stable environment for them there, I would consider it an option, at least until they come of age."

The pros and cons were legion and almost impossible to sort out. Shelter competed with warmth, fishing was possible in both locations, and both locations would need skilled people they didn't even know at the moment. The meeting was two and a half hours old by the time the question was called, by Sue, as usual. “All right, Maxine, I think we've examined every aspect. Let's vote.” Maxine looked over at the Admiral, who nodded. As the primary shareholder, she had wisely opted out of giving any opinions, as long as some decision was reached.

“Good! You all have voting slips, and I assume my runners are ready. Option 1: buy the Aleutian island and the Panamanian islands both outright at a maximum total cost of ... $1.825 million dollars. Option 2: Buy the Aleutian island and the right of first refusal on the tropical island at a maximum cost of $1.31 million. Option 3: Just the Aleutian island, $1.25 million, and Option 4, just the Panamanian island: $600,000. The prices for the island, as is, plus hurricanes, in Panama, is firm. All ours, nothing on it but a few snakes."

Everyone laughed.

“The price on the Aleutian island is probably negotiable, all the junk, buildings, airstrip, dock, earthquakes and the blue foxes included,” Maxine finished up. “Pass your folded slips to the center aisles and runners, get moving!"

It took fifteen minutes for votes to come in from all over the ship. As the senior non-shareholder, Alix had the responsibility of tallying them. Everyone watched anxiously as the cadets unfolded and separated the papers into piles. Then Alix counted and re-checked.

“Do you have the final count, Ms. Tallier?” Maxine asked.

“Yes, ma'am,” Alix said.

Maxine shut off her mike and winked at the audience. “Since I don't have a vote either,” she said to Alix, “is it close?"

Alix shook her head. “Not really."

The mike went back on. “Read the final count,” Maxine directed.

“Option 1, both islands: nine votes. Option 3, just the Aleutian island: 21 votes. Option 4, just the Panamanian Island: 45 votes. Option 2, Aleutian island and right of first refusal: 67 votes. Total: 142 votes."

Maxine picked up a calculator. “All right, we don't have a majority. Do it again, and leave out Option 1, both islands outright, since that got the least votes. Runners, go!"

It was another nerve-wracking half-hour before Alix read the second set of figures. “Option 2, Aleutian island only: 24 votes. Option 4, Panama only: 43 votes, and Option 3, Aleutian island plus rights: 75."

Maxine nodded. “All right, ladies, that is a 53% majority. You've just bought yourself an island!” This was met with were cheers, boos, applause and groans of dismay.

Maxine nodded. “I know, it's not perfect, but calm down and think of it this way. The people who just wanted to go to Alaska are getting some of what they want. The island in Panama is still an option we will have to revisit one of these days. And different islands come on the market all the time. The most important thing to remember is, in addition to this little boat here, you have all just taken a step toward making profits you can all share, and a place you can call home. Congratulations!"

At that, the hatches to the interior of the ship burst open and stewards bearing trays of champagne-filled flutes filed onto the flight deck, causing all of the groans to be replaced with cheers.

Admiral Bagby rose. “You can thank Captain Nordstrom for this little treat. You youngsters can have one glass each if your mothers don't object. The rest of the bottles and some nice hors d'oeuvres are available in all the mess areas. Enjoy! Meeting adjourned!"

Maxine drifted through the public spaces with her glass, listening and talking to everyone, until she came to the wardroom, where a dozen officers were still working over the possibilities and the vote.

“Satisfied, Captain?” Maxine asked as a steward gave her a refill.

“To an extent. I'm happy with the increased number of choices, but it means more risk and a lot more work for everyone concerned,” Kris said.

“Well, let me propose a toast anyway,” Maxine said. “Next year, in the Aleutians!"

All glasses were raised. “To the Aleutians."

Kristin Kelly Nordstrom looked around the room, and was satisfied, at least for the present. She had been retired for one year, and she was 43 years old.

THE END

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