02/12/00

10/14/00

…and Trouble Always Follows

by

Anthony “Griffon” Pulido

October 2060- BK headquarters Denver U.C.A.S. sector

The Knights walked into the boardroom grumbling.

“I can’t believe he called us back in already,” moaned Gore.

“Yeah didn’t we just get done with our last mission,” grumbled Snake.

“I haven’t even fully healed from it either,” complained Kaitlyn as she stretched her back slowly holding in the gasping pain, left from where she got hit by the heavy machinegun. “My back still isn’t a hundred percent. I don’t have the flexibility like I should.

“Yeah tell me about, I hear a metal on metal clink in my elbow ever time I move it,” said Snake. “The doctors can’t even tell me what it is for sure. What’s up with that? How can they not know what it is? It’s my elbow man what could be in their man?”

“Well I have a huge stack of midterms to grade before the break is over, and if this mission takes longer than a week I wont even be back to return them,” said Kimberley

“Well you wouldn’t believe how pissed Cassandra was that I left,” added Warren. “We had this whole weekend planned out and I had to back out of it. I don’t know what I am going to have to do to make this up to her.”

“Don’t even get me started about that,” continued Kaitlyn, “I told the kids that I was going to spend my whole break from school with them. It is hard enough to lie them straight to their faces when I know I am lying. But when you add these other lies that I am forced to make, and can’t help. It just makes everything worse. They are starting not to believe me when I tell them I am going to do something for them.”

“I don’t think that you can make any distinctions between lies Kaitlyn,” said Kim reluctantly. “No matter what, they are wrong.”

“Don’t mess with me sweetie, there is great distinction between them. Just because I am the only one that can see them doesn’t mean that they are not there. And if they let me go to sleep at night and keep my family together, well than there is nothing wrong with that.”

“Enough guys, you know the last mission wasn’t supposed to last as long as it did,” said Smith. “And Doc can’t help that it did. I am sure that he wouldn’t have called us back in if it weren’t important. And besides I promised Carolyn that we were going on vacation for our anniversary. And we were supposed to leave tomorrow. She is never going to forgive me for this one. I’ve missed enough family events to ware away her tolerance of it.”

“Are we all done complaining now,” said Doc as he walked into the boardroom.

The Knights shifted uncomfortably in their seats. “Uh we didn’t say anything Doc,” said Gore. “You should know that we would never…”

“You should know that I know everything that happens in my building. So let’s cut the complaining and get down to business. I have a real tough mission that should have been done a long time ago, but I have been putting it off. And for that I am sorry.”

“He’s sorry, we are the ones getting shot at,” said Snake under his breath.

“May I continue?”

“Uh sorry Doc. Go ahead.” Said Snake lowering his head.

“Now this may be the most risky mission that you have been on. But I don’t need to tell you guys that,” said Doc as he handed out manila envelopes to the group. “You will meet the boat on the designated dock in Miami. You will be detained on the cruise ship for a week.”

The Knights sat shocked as they opened the envelope and only tickets fell out.

“Is this serious,” asked Smith. “You’re sending us on a cruise.”

“Sure is, I thought that you all deserved a vacation, enjoy it.”

“You’re sending us on a cruise,” screamed Snake happily. “No catches or anything?”

“That’s right Snake. And all of your families have been informed and they will be meeting you in Miami. The rest of you can bring whomever you choose. Now get going your boat leaves tomorrow morning.”

“Wait, what do you mean, informed our families,” screamed Kaitlyn.

“Relax Little Princess, we told them that it was a reward you earned from your school. I thought that you had more faith in me than that.”

“First off don’t call me that, second I can’t afford to do anything to risk losing my family, you know that. I wouldn’t know what to do if I lost them. I wouldn’t even be able…”

“No speeches honey, just go enjoy yourself.”

“Isn’t this great,” said Smith to Kim as they got up from the table. “We even get to bring someone along with us.”

“Yeah great, I don’t even know who I'll ask first,” said Kim as she followed her jubilant team members out of the conference room with her head hung down.

The luxuriant boat waits in the peaceful harbor. Crowds of anticipating people gather on the dock waiting for boarding. In the center of the crowd the Black Knights, anxiously waiting for the first vacation that they were able to go on for a long time to start.

Cassandra standing close to Warren hung off his arm. The young girl almost 20 years younger than her companion rubbed her muscularly toned body against him playfully. Her long black hair, tied tightly into braids and held together by decorative beads at the tip of each braid, swayed slightly in the offshore breeze.

Kaitlyn, standing with her husband Michel and their two kids Jasmine and Philip, laughed happily at the antics of her four-year-old. Who was crouching behind her legs holding her tiny hands over her face in attempt to hide from Michel. Michel looked around trying to act worried calling out her name until she jumped out from behind Kaitlyn giggling happily. Even though Michel spends most of his time on a computer he still maintained an impressive physique. Maybe the constant competition with a girl still young and in the prime of her life had its benefits. She was always forcing him to keep in shape, and she makes him accompany her whenever she goes to work out as she tries to stay in shape on her down time between missions.

Whatever the reason, he stands content next to his young wife, running his hand through his mussed brown hair that is being blown in the soft breeze. His other arm now draped over her shoulder pulling her close to him.

Carolyn and Smith are standing together. Smith looking uncharacteristically healthy, only a few weeks ago he was lying in bed, the cancer that was eating him alive finally gaining the best of him. But that was before he made his deal with the spirit Martinez that made his disease lose its battle and left his body looking twenty years younger. Carolyn does not seem to mind this sudden change as she pushes her graying black hair out of her wrinkling face with one hand while the other is wrapped securing around Smiths arm.

“This is great I can’t believe that Doc sprung for this trip,” laughed Snake quietly to Gore standing off to one side by themselves. Snake was dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He waggled his hair behind his head as he slid his beat up cowboy hat over it to keep it out of his face.

“Yeah buddy, me and you on the high seas with a boat load of women. You can’t get better than that, can you?” Said Gore happily as he scratched his exposed stomach. His leather vest pushed to one side.

“No you can’t good buddy.”

“Wait you can, these aren’t just women on this boat, these are bikini women and you know what that means?”

“Hell yeah,” laughed Snake as he hi-fived his friend. “It takes less time to get them undressed.”

Rolling her eyes at her teammates, Kim shook her head not caring enough to turn around and comment. She just held her bag properly in her hands waiting patiently to board the ship. Her blue dress floating around her shins and her silk blouse flapped in the soft breeze as she tried to ignore her uncouth teammates.

Kaitlyn on the other hand was not going to take the comments turned to the two; she was holding Jasmine in her arm, “Would you guys please not talk like that in front of my children. Or in front of me for that matter. Don’t make me hurt you on my vacation.” She started to turn away but she turned back suddenly waving her finger at Snake and Gore. “And I especially don’t want you two giving Michel any ideas. I don’t need you guys rubbing off on him. He is nice and sweet and I don’t want that to change.”

“No problem sweetie,” said Snake holding up his hands defensively. Satisfied Kaitlyn finally turned away. Snake looked down to Gore, “She is only upset that she brought her man along, now she can’t have a sample of this fine specimen of ork hood.”

Laughing out loud Gore slapped his friend on the back, “Yeah that has to be it, buddy.”

“Hey, at least I ain’t no fruity guy,” added Snake as he flexed his arms in the air.

“Yeah that whole sensitive angle, that never works,” said Gore.

“Oh lets talk about you feelings, honey,” joked Snake in a mocking high-pitched voice.

“Oh no I really want to dear,” added Gore in the same mocking voice.

Looking back over her shoulder, “Hey that angle worked on me boys,” laughed Kaitlyn. “And it works every night too.”

Looking at each other Snake and Gore nodded in agreement; “Well maybe it works sometimes.”

“Yeah, I got to remember that one,” said Gore. “He might actually have something there.”

The announcement came over the loud speakers, that were positioned around that dock, that boarding was commencing. The eager people began quickly filing onto the large boat. The Knights went to their respective rooms finding that they were all the most prestigious that the boat offered.

“Honey?”

“Yes sweetie?”

“I have a question for you.”

“What is hon,” asked Kaitlyn as she leaned out of the closet. She was busy hanging up her clothes and putting away Jasmine and Philip’s things.

“How can your school afford to send us on this cruise? I mean, look at this room.”

Walking over to her baffled husband Kaitlyn gave him a deep heartfelt kiss, which made his knees shake. Breaking the kiss she smiled at him, “It is because I am such a good teacher sweetie. So don’t worry about it and try to enjoy yourself.” She started tickling his stomach before she slid her hand up his shirt and started rubbing his chest. “Cause I guarantee that this will be a trip that you wont soon forget.” She tilted her head and kissed him deeply again, but broke it off soon after she started, and walked back into the closet. “Now get out of those clothes, the kids want to go up to the pool.”

Michel turned around and started going through his luggage, looking for his swimming suit, when he turned his head to the sound of a whistle in time to catch Kaitlyn’s shirt with his head. As he pulled it off he saw his wife hiding partially behind the closet door holding onto the door with one hand, and covering her chest with the other. Throwing her blonde hair over her shoulder she leaned back farther laughing, “I guarantee you won’t forget this trip for awhile.” This said she pulled her self into the closet the rest of the way, leaving Michel shaking his head, dumbfounded.

By the time Michel found his suit Kaitlyn was coming out of the closet dressed in a blue bikini with a simple yellow floral pattern. The suit had a small top that showed off her young breasts and a pair of shorts that hung off her hips accentuating her toned legs. She had her hair tied back into a ponytail which was covered by a matching blue bandana.

She leaned on the door with her elbow her other hand resting on her hips, posing provocatively, waiting for Michel to notice her. He was taking his shirt off as he turned around to see his young wife in her sexy outfit, causing him to drop his shirt onto the floor, falling out of his clumsy fingers.

Kaitlyn strutted over to him like a cat, pushing him back on the bed with out saying a word. She proceeded to crawl up on top of him. Stradaling his waist with her legs, she bent her head down leaning it on his chest where she slowly began kissing him. She worked her way up to his neck leaving kisses the whole way. By the time her lips touched his mouth…

“Gross out mom.”

Shocked, Kaitlyn quickly looked over to the doorway to the room where Philip and Jasmine were standing in their swimming suits. Phillips hand was trying to cover Jasmines eyes to hide her from the scene they walked in on.

“Come on we want to go swimming,” pleaded Jasmine as she tried to pull her older brothers hand off of her eyes.

Looking down at the disappointed Michel, Kaitlyn kissed him quickly on the nose and smiled, “I’ll finish this later honey.” Climbing off her husband she ran and scooped Jasmine in to the air. “Okay sweetie lets go.” Looking back over her shoulder she smiled at Michel, “Hurry up honey, we’ll met you by the pool.”

By the time Kaitlyn made her way to the pool Kim, Warren, and Cassandra were already sunning themselves on the top deck next to the large pool. Kim was waring a conservative one-piece red bikini and was splashing her legs softly with the cool water, as she sat on the edge of the shallow end of the pool. She blushed every time she looked up from her book and saw Cassandra in what she could only describe as a dental floss bikini. It consisted of only a small piece of material which was crossing over the borderline of decency because it only covered just enough of her body so she wasn’t naked. Warren was in a pair Speedo type shorts that showed off his muscular build, he was lying in the same chair as Cassandra and they were busy tickling and playing with each other.

“Oh baby you are the King of my world,” whispered Cassandra to Warren between kisses.

“I know baby, I know,” said Warren back to her. “And you are my Queen.”

Needless to say Kim was happy to see her friend come down to the pool with her children. “Hi Jasmine,” said Kim happily as the three-year-old ran over to her, jumping in her arms.

“Hi auntie Kim, isn’t this great?”

“It sure is sweetie, I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.”

“Come on lets go swimming,” begged the young child as she wiggled her way out of Kim’s grasp. But still managed to grab Kim’s hand and pull her towards the pool. The two children were soon splashing Kim and Kaitlyn in the shallow end of the pool.

By this time Gore and Snake were making their appearance poolside. Snake was in a pair of jeans cut into shorts and Gore was in stripped 1920’s style swimsuit. It was a one-piece suit that had shoulder straps covering his chest.

“Why hello ladies, how are you doing on this fine morning,” said Gore as he strutted over to the pool showing off his swimsuit.

“Yeah, why don’t you ditch the kids and come with us, they have a casino on the boat. We can have a blast, at least it will be more fun than splashing around with the kiddies,” said Snake.

Rolling her eyes at them Kaitlyn said, “please guys there are plenty more women you should be wasting your time on here. And you at least have some chance with them.”

Butting fists with Gore, Snake laughed. “Hell yeah we do.”

“Who could resist these packages,” added Gore as the two ran off into the depths of the boat.

They passed Smith and Carolyn who were walking arm in arm over to the pool. Smith was in a pair of Bermuda shorts and a dress shirt that hung unbuttoned off his shoulders. Carolyn was in a modest one-piece black bikini with a white shawl wrapped around her waist.

“So how are we enjoying our vacation so far, Knights,” asked Smith.

Pulling away from Cassandra’s’ lips Warren managed to say, “It’s going great so far.” Before returning to the kiss.

“Yeah it’s about time Doc shelled out the money, and give us a break.” Said Smith. “He never…”

“Hi honey,” blurted out Kaitlyn when she saw Michel walking out of the elevators and heading over to the pool. She extended her arms as he bent down to hug her, allowing Kaitlyn to look over his shoulder. She shot Smith a look that screamed for him to watch what he said on this trip.

“Uh… so what do you want to do first Carolyn,” said Smith changing the subject quickly.

“I just want to sit and soak up some sun for awhile,” said Carolyn as she sat down on one of the chairs by the side of the pool.

The night came quickly; Gore and Snake had their share of drinks in the bar but still managed to come out about even at the gambling tables. They were however spending enough money, buying people drinks and generously tipping the waitresses that they attracted a large group of women wherever they went.

Kaitlyn, Michel, and Kim spent most of the day attending the events aimed more towards kids that the cruise had set up. No one had seen Warren and Cassandra since after lunch, and Smith and Carolyn were busy with the couples’ events, dancing and the like, that were also set up on board.

Gore and Snake came stumbling out of the bar around ten o’clock. They each had three women on their arms.

“Now ladies what do you want to do tonight?” asked Snake.

“We want to go see your room,” giggled the small blonde girl on his left arm. The red head on the same arm nodded agreeingly. Looking to the brunet on his right arm Snake asked, “What about you? I’ve never had one of each color before.” She smiled broadly and rubbed her head on his shoulder in agreement. “Looks like my entertainment is set for the night I’ve never had a Neapolitan before, what about you Gore?”

Gore was smiling happily his head resting between the stomachs of two of the triplets he had on each arm. “I don’t know, ladies you up for a party in Snakes room tonight. They all bobbed their heads smiling.

Gore looked over to Snake, “I don’t think they speak English man.”

“Okay then, let’s go.”

Kaitlyn, Michel, and Kim were sitting on the top deck looking up at the stars. Jasmine was lying half-asleep resting her head in Kaitlyn’s lap exhausted by the day’s events. Philip was busy jumping and wrestling with Michel, still alive with energy. Kaitlyn leaned over to Kimberley. “Do you want to do me a huge favor?”

Looking up from her book Kim answered, “What is it Kaitlyn?”

Taking one of Kim’s hands in hers she squeezed it tightly. “Would you like to take Philip and Jasmine back to our room and let me and Michel borrow yours for the night,” asked Kaitlyn pleading to her friend with her eyes.

Covering her grin with her other hand Kim eventually replied, “Sure Kate, here’s my key.”

“Is that okay kids,” asked Kaitlyn talking louder. “Would you like Auntie Kim to put you to bed tonight?”

“Sure mom, it’ll be fun,” smiled Philip.

Standing up Kaitlyn grabbed Kim’s arm as she took the key, “Thank you,” was all she said as she squeezed her friends arm tightly, before grabbing Michel's hand, pulling him behind her as she ran off to her friends room.

“Yeah no problem,” said Kim to herself as she watched the couple run off into the night. “It is not like I have anything else better to do.”

About four in the morning Snake and Gore were still awake lying exhausted on the floor of Snakes room. Two of the triplets and the red head were laying on Snake, one on each shoulder and the other on his stomach. Gore was lying across the other triplet and the brunette, and was stroking the blondes’ stomach playfully. “You had better of had your camera rolling that whole time buddy.” Said the dwarf through the euphoria he was experiencing.

“I sure did little buddy, I sure did.”

The triplet under his stomach stirred at the movement from Gores laughter. “I want to go for a swim,” she said in a thick European accent.

“So do I, but I don’t think I brought my suit,” smiled Gore.

“That’s okay,” said the blonde lying under him. “We don’t need them.”

“Well if it’s okay with you ladies, I guess I can deal with it. What about you Snake?” Gore turned to see the ork running out the door pulling the three girls behind them.

They all found a hot tub on the top deck and where splashing the drunken night away. Until a security guard came shinning a flashlight onto the late night party.

“Hey now break it up, no one is allowed on the deck at night,” said the guard.

“You have got to be kidding me,” said Snake.

“Come on we are just getting the party started,” said Gore.

Looking at the group of naked girls behind the pleading Knights the guard said; “Well it looks like the party has been going for long enough. Now get your towels and get back to your room.”

“We don’t have any towels,” added Snake.

“Well then get your clothes, and get moving.”

“We didn’t bring any clothes,” said Gore.

“Just get to your rooms and try to sleep it off.”

Getting out of the pool and running off to their rooms Gore asked, “Do you think we are going to honestly get some sleep tonight, man.”

The next day Kimberley stretched out in the large king size bed, knocking the extra pillow to the floor as she stretched her arms. Looking up at the ceiling she just laid there thinking, before she heard the muffled rustling of Jasmine and Philip as they tried to sneak through the other room.

“Well I guess should get up know,” said Kim to herself. “There aint no reason for you to stay in this bed.” Getting up she put on a robe and went looking for the two children. She was walking out the door when they attacked her, each grabbing a leg.

Screaming out loud she looked down at the two devious children who were smiling up at her. “That was not nice at all, you little miscreants. Are you both daft in the head?”

“What…” asked Philip.

“Where’s our mommy and daddy,” asked Jasmine.

“They are um… uh… I am sure they will be here soon. Now lets go see what there is to eat around here okay.”

They both shouted in unison, “yeah.” Kim began walking slowly to the kitchen dragging the still clinging children behind each leg.

Warren woke up when Cassandra rolled over onto his chest.

“Yes,” asked Warren politely.

“What do you want to do today?”

“This,” said Warren as he started tickling her sides.

“Oh,” giggled Cassandra. “What specifically about this do you want to do?”

“Spend the day with you… in this bed.”

“Oh really. And what about you friends?”

“I guess you can do them too if you want. I didn’t think you were like that though.”

Slapping him across the face she smiled. “Why do I put up with you? You are such a jerk.”

Pulling her in for a kiss he smiled, “Yeah you know why you put up with me.”

“Oh well I think you are going to have to remind me,” said Cassandra as he kissed him again.

Kaitlyn finally stirred as she felt the weight of Michel lift off the bed, as he crawled out of it. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and smiled as she saw her husband walking towards the window. She raised her arms in the air, arching her back as she squirmed and stretched her sore body in the bed. “Honey, last night was great.”

Michel was looking out the window, outside the endless sea stretches out to each horizon. Michel looked away to a more breathtaking view of his wife wiggling in the bed behind him. “Yes it was. It hasn’t been like that for awhile.”

“Oh don’t feel bad about that though.” Joked Kaitlyn. It’s probably ‘cause we have been caught up in our work so much lately. We haven’t had the time to… put forth the effort like we did last night.”

Walking back over to the bed Michel placed an arm on each side of Kaitlyn so he could look down into her eyes. “Last night was all about us wasn’t it? But I guess we should go see how Kim is doing with the kids.”

“What? We have kids. I forgot all about them,” smiled Kaitlyn innocently up at her husband.

“I was that good, wasn’t I?”

“Shut up,” said Kaitlyn as she hit him with the pillow knocking him back on the bed. Crawling on top of him smiling, “No, I am sure it was all your young, sexy, radiant, wife. You wouldn’t have been able to experience the hights of pleasure we did last night with any other girl.”

She pushed up off of him laughing, but he grabbed her and spun her back on the bed rolling on top of her. “I wouldn’t want to do it with any other girl.”

Looking up at him she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her kissing him deeply. “Damn well you shouldn’t,” said Kaitlyn breaking the kiss. After several passionate moments he started a trail of kisses down towards her neck. He continued down her chest when Kaitlyn pushed him up smiling. “We can’t do this now honey.”

Lifting his head up Michel responded, “Yes we can,” and he continued his kisses.

“Well we shouldn’t, is my point,” laughed Kaitlyn trying to fend off his kisses.

Michel stopped for only a moment to ask. “Why shouldn’t we?”

“Kim might be back soon. This is her room, remember?”

“I don’t care,” laughed Michel before kissing her stomach again.

“No seriously, we can’t, do this now,” said Kaitlyn as she quickly rolled over spinning Michel on his back pinning each of his arms under her knees. “What did I say to you,” joked Kaitlyn waving her finger at him and trying to act stern.

Lifting his head up as close as he could to her, and puckering his lips out as far forward as he could, he tried to kiss her. Once he realized his attempt was futile, he dropped his head back on the bed and replied, “I don’t know I wasn’t listening. I was… a bit distracted at the time.”

“Damn well you should’ve been,” said Kaitlyn as she rolled of him and slapped his stomach. “But we have to get going now.”

Looking up he watched his wife strut off to the bathroom. “Okay, but there is always tonight right?”

Looking back over her shoulder she smiled, “Oh just try and stop me tonight.”

Smith woke up early as usual he looked over to Carolyn sleeping comfortably next to him.

“Wake up honey,” said Smith patting her on the shoulder. She just stirred a little but she did not wake up. Leaning his head on her shoulder he waited till she woke up and looked at him.

“What do you want?” asked Carolyn smiling at her husband.

“Do I need to want something?”

“Well no, but you aren’t usually this frisky in the morning.”

“I was just…” Smith stopped his sentence short as he sat up and Looked at the room, discovering that it was in extreme disorder. Tables and dressers were pushed over. He jumped out of bed and made a quick search of the room. He discovered that nothing was missing the drawers were not even opened and searched.

“What could have happened,” asked Carolyn concerned.

“I don’t know,” said Smith

“I’ll get the steward to bring security.”

It was midday before Snake could move. He was alone in the room; all the girls and Gore were gone. “I bet he took them all back to his place, that bastard.”

Jumping out of bed he promptly feel right to the floor. His head was spinning and only then did he feel the intense pain bouncing between his skull.

“Oh, I got to lay off the booze,” said Snake before he passed out again.

Gore woke up alone in a large bed. He sat up and looked around, “Hmm…I wonder if this my room?” Upon further inspection discovered his bags sitting in front of the closet. “Cool it is.” As soon as he uttered these words he fell back on the bed and went back to sleep.

The afternoon came and Smith found Kim and Warren and explained what happened to him earlier. They all went over the room together after the boats' security did and they found no traces of any suspicious nature. They were now sitting on the deck chairs on one of the lower decks discussing the issue.

“Relax Smith, I do not think that it was anything,” said Warren. “It might have been the rocking of the boat or something.”

“I agree Smith, if someone was in you room you would have heard them. And there was no traces of anything out of the ordinary, astrally speaking.”

“I know, I know. But it just doesn’t feel right,” said Smith.

“If someone was out to hurt you they wouldn’t have just knocked over some furniture, they would have taken you out when they could,” added Kim.

“Come on Smith it is a beautiful day were on the first vacation we’ve been on for years. And we have two women waiting for us, now give it up and start enjoying yourself.”

“Yeah okay, I’ll see you all for dinner.”

They all got up and headed their separate ways on the ship. Smith started pacing around the ship and when he was walking by the shuffleboard set up when one hit him in the back of the head.

“Owe, who the hell did…” he stopped in mid sentence as he spun around and saw no one behind him. Looking around he saw a young boy in a pair of overalls and a baseball cap sitting on the railing.

“Hey kid did you see who…”

Looking around the kid shrugged his shoulders and then he proceeded to give Smith the middle finger before flipping back over the edge.

“What the?” Screamed Smith as he ran over to the railing. Looking down into the water he saw nothing. There were no ripples in the water, no screaming child begging for help. Scratching his head Smith wondered if he had imagined the whole thing.

“Man what’s wrong with me. I can’t even learn to relax on my vacation.”

Later that day Kaitlyn, Carolyn, Kim, and Cassandra were sitting together at one of the open restaurants on the top deck of the ship.

“Oh ladies did you hear,” asked Carolyn. “They are having a ball tonight.”

“Really,” asked Cassandra. “That would be great I haven’t got all dressed up for sometime now. Warren’s club is not exactly a fancy place.”

“Oh we have to drag our men to that tonight ladies.” added Kaitlyn. “Doesn’t that sound fun Kim.”

“Uh no not really.”

“Come on Kimberley, it will be fun,” said Carolyn.

“Yeah we will have a great time,” said Cassandra.

“You three will but I… besides I don’t have a dress.”

“There is a little boutique on the first level,” said Carolyn. “I’m sure they have something that you would like.”

“No. I just wouldn’t enjoy myself.”

“Oh come on, we’ll dress you up all pretty and all the men will be hanging off you all night. You need a good man; I don’t like seeing you alone all the time. You deserve a great guy,” said Kaitlyn.

“Like I’m going to find one among the drunks on a cruise.”

“We’ll you don’t have to go looking for that, there are plenty of other things those drunks are good at, I’m sure,” joked Cassandra.

“Yeah Kim you don’t have to marry him, but you can still have a good time,” said Carolyn.

“Oh no, I would never.”

“Yes you can,” said Kaitlyn and Carolyn as they each grabbed one of her hand and pulled her out of her chair to the elevator.

Snake crawled his way out of his room around five o’clock. Waring the same clothes that he was yesterday, that he found lying all over the floor. He made his way to Gore’s room. Banging on the door he screamed, “Hey buddy wake up. Come on open the fucking door.” He banged on the door for several more minutes before Gore opened it. He was standing wrapped in the bed sheet.

“What the hell do you want?”

“Come on there are plenty more ladies that want our attention tonight.”

“Good point, give me a minute, okay.”

Kim walked into her room after her and the girls had finished shopping, she walked straight into the bedroom, laying the dress she just bought at the foot of the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed she allowed her self to fall back on the soft mattress thinking to her self.

“How did you let them talk you into this Kimberley. There is nothing for you at that party tonight. You’ll just end up lying in this bed alone any ways so why go in the first place.”

“I’m not going and that’s all there is to it,” said Kim out loud as she sat up. “Why should I let them talk me into it if I don’t want to do it.”

“Who am I kidding,” she admitted, falling back on the bed. “They are not going to stop bugging you until you go.” She lay there, defeated for a minute before she realized she was lying in the bed that Kaitlyn and Michel had shared last night. Jumping out of the bed she looked back at it, slightly appalled, trying to figure out why she didn’t think it through when Kaitlyn asked her to borrow her room. “Great there is no way I can sleep in this bed now. I’m going to have to sleep on the couch for the rest of the trip.”

Picking her new dress of the bed she held it in her arms. “Damn Kaitlyn how come you can always talk me into things I don’t want to do.” She mumbled to herself. Looking at the dress cradled in her arms. “It’s just like tonight, why should I dress up to try and impress some dumb man any way. I don’t want one. Why is she so obsessed about getting me one? I’m not going that’s it.”

Just then Kaitlyn knocked on the door as she opened it. She was carrying several bags of the things she bought earlier and her makeup case.

“Hi Kim,” she said happily. “Isn’t this going to be great?” Running into the room she put all her stuff down and ran over to Kim. “You are going to look so pretty tonight that the guys are going to be falling over at your feet.”

“Kaitlyn, I don’t know about this,” she said softly.

“No Kim, don’t back out on me. You have to go, it’s going to be fun.”

“Why do you always have to push me into things like this?” Said Kim raising her voice slightly.

“It just hurts me to see you by yourself all the time.” Said Kaitlyn sympathetically. “You are just so sweet and pretty, I can’t figure out why some guy hasn’t snagged you up, is all. I mean can’t they see the good person I see all the time. So I’m sorry if I try to hard sometimes, but don’t stay in this room because I was too pushy. You know I don’t mean anything by it, I just care about you.” Said Kaitlyn begging with her friend.

“Okay Kaitlyn I’ll go. I don’t want to be in this room anyways,” said Kim looking back towards the bedroom.

Later that night the entire boat was alive with activity as everyone on board prepared for the ball. The ships' crew decorated the ballroom with lights and decorations; and a band was busy setting up their instruments on stage. Large groups of people dressed up in their best clothes were already filing into the room and sitting at the many tables.

“I still can’t believe you talked me into this,” complained Kim as she fidgeted with her elegant blue velvet dress. It was a sleeveless dress with a sheer black back. The front was also low cut with a sheer covering over her chest. Her hair was curled and put up in a bun with only a few of her longest hairs hanging out of it.

“Relax you look amazing Kim,” said Kaitlyn who was in a simple black dress it wasn’t too low cut in the front but it had a slit up her left leg all the way to her mid thigh. Her hair was also curled and pined up with two sticks. “This is going to be fun trust me.”

“What about your husband?”

“He is going to met us there. Besides you’re more important right now. Now quit stalling, let’s go,” said Kaitlyn grabbing Kim’s hand and pulling her out of her room.

The two ladies opened the doors to the ballroom. Eyes turned and looked as they walked down the stairs, they immediately saw Warren, Smith, and Michel over by the bar and they started walking over to them. All three men were dressed in tuxes.

“Why hello ladies,” said Warren raising his drink to them as they approached. “You both look lovely tonight.”

Kaitlyn walked over to Michel who immediately put his arm around her as she gave him a peck on his cheek.

“Do you like,” asked Kaitlyn playfully.

“I like,” responded Michel leaning in for another kiss. But Kaitlyn turned her head right before he made contact, holding her finger up to his lips.

“No, you’ll mess up my make up,” said Kaitlyn. “But tell me guys don’t you think Kim looks absolutely gorgeous tonight.”

“You sure do,” said Smith as he took her hand and gave it a slight kiss.

“Oh I think so if Cassandra wasn’t here I defiantly would,” said Warren raising his glass to her once again. Kim turned instantly red, not use to the compliments from her teammates, as she held her hand to her face trying to cover her reaction.

“I agree, you look amazing Kim, why if Kaitlyn wasn’t here I’d…” Michel was stopped in mid sentence as Kaitlyn’s elbow found it’s way into his side.

“Watch it buddy,” laughed Kaitlyn waving her finger at him.

Smiling broadly he responded, “You asked I was just telling the truth.”

“Oh really, well your punishment is you have to come dance with me. Now!” Said Kaitlyn taking his hand. “If you gentlemen would excuse me. ” She leaned over to Kim, “are you going to be all right sweetie?”

“Oh yes, go dance. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay I’ll be back after a few songs and if you don’t have some poor guy eating out of you hands by then I’ll help find you one.”

“Honestly Kaitlyn. Leave me alone, and go have fun.”

Smith, Warren, and Kim were left talking, when Smith noticed across the room a young boy in overalls staring straight at him.

“Oh my God it’s him,” said Smith. As soon as the boy noticed he had Smith’s attention he gave him the finger and ran off into the crowd.

“It’s who,” asked Kim.

“The little bastard from earlier,” said Smith as he put his drink down on the bar. “Warren follow me.”

The two ran off into the room leaving Kim alone at the bar. She waved the bartender over,” Can I get you something ma’am,” asked the bartender.

“Yes, something with alcohol in it.”

Laughing the bartender responded, “I have just the thing.”

Smith and Warren were busy searching for the boy that was nowhere to be seen. “Who am I looking for,” asked Warren as he walked back over to Smith.

“A little boy in overalls.”

“What the hell would a boy in overalls be doing here?”

“I don’t know, but that’s what I want to find out.”

Looking around the room Warren slapped Smith on the shoulder, “forget about it,” said Warren pointing to the main entrance to the hall. “We have something better to do now.” Cassandra and Carolyn came walking down the main entrance to the hall. Cassandra was in a two-piece dress; it was a tan color and had a glittery design on the top, which hung just below her breasts, and down the hem of each side of the slit on her legs. Her hair was tied back with a few of her outer braids, so it hung down the middle of her back. Carolyn had a far more conservative outfit; it was a simple blue dress with long sleeves and a low cut back.

“I’ll see you later Smith.”

“But what about the boy?” asked Smith.

“Okay buddy, you can either keep looking for an invisible boy in overalls, or go dancing with a beautiful woman, the choice is yours. But my decision is made,” said Warren as he walked away from Smith as quickly as he could.

By this time Gore and Snake came walking into the ballroom both cleaned up and dressed in tuxes of their own.
“Every man for himself tonight Snake. I ain’t going to give you my leftovers like I did last night.”

“Your leftovers, I thought I gave you mine.”

“You would think that wouldn’t you. When you catch up with the rest of us you’ll realize the truth.”

“Fuck off man, we’ll see who gets the better girl tonight.”

“Well that sounds like a challenge. Want to make a bet on it?”

“Sure do man.”

“Two thousand sound about right.”

“Three sounds a little better.”

“You’re on. Meet in the morning and then depending on who gets it first, which you have to be able to prove by the way, will be the winner.

“Yeah okay, you better be ready to pay up man.”

“Can I buy you a drink,” said the man sitting down at the bar next to Kim. “It sure looks like you can use one.”

Turning her head from her hands that were holding up her head, Kim looked at the man. She nodded her head silently, attempting a smile.

“Hey bartender,” said the man waving his hand to gain his attention. “Get me a bourbon and whatever the lady wants as well,” said the man when the bartender finally made it over to them. “My name is George by the way,” said the man extending his hand to Kim. He kept his hand out for a few awkward moments before he realized Kim was not going to shake it. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Excuse me?”

“Your problems, it is apparent that you have some. Do you want to talk about them?”

Taken aback a little Kim responded, “Oh no I wouldn’t want to bore you with them.”

“Nonsense,” said George to Kim before taking a drink out of his glass. “I want to hear them.”

“Really,” said Kim perking up some. “Well you see…”

Smith and Carolyn circled around the dance floor when an older couple danced over to them. “You know I think that it is just lovely that you would bring your mother on a vacation like this,” said the old women to Smith.

Shaking his head Smith answered, “What are you talking about?”
“Isn’t this you mother you’re dancing with,” asked the old lady.”

“No,” responded Carolyn, “He is my husband.”

“Oh I see how it is,” said the old man.

“Wait I don’t think you understand,” said Smith attempting to explain.

“Oh I think that we do,” said the old woman pulling her husband away. “People like you make me sick.”

Smith looked to Carolyn her face turned white she was caught with out words, “I uh don’t know what to say honey, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t even try,” said Carolyn as she broke the embrace and walked off the dance floor.”

“Carolyn no,” said Smith chasing after.

“…and so I don’t really hate them. I just can’t take seeing them together acting all lovey dovey with each other.”

George was leaning against the bar his hand holding up his head. “That was uh…um… interesting. “What do you say you come back to my room and you can get some more things off your chest,” said George leering at Kim.

Shaking her head Kim answered, “What do you mean?”

“I just thought you would like to come back to my room and…”

“And what,” screamed Kim. “Jump on your lap before calling it a night.”

“Well you have been letting me buy you drinks for an hour. And I even listened to your long boring problems too…”

“So you think that means I owe you something,” screamed Kim.

“Not to be blunt but, yes.”

“Well I never.”

“I bet you haven’t you prick tease. This is how the game is played. And you have to fulfill your part…”

“Or what?”

“I…I… what is wrong with you girl you are all messed up.”

“You can get out of my sight now before you say something you really will regret.”

The bartender came over at this time drawn by the screaming, “can we please keep it down.”

“No,” screamed George.

“Listen Mr.,” said the bartender. “Calm down or will have you removed.”

“This has nothing to do with you barkeep it’s between me and this girl.”

“Is he bothering you,” asked the bartender ignoring George’s threats.

“Yes he is,” said Kim.

“Fuck you bitch why…”

“Okay Mr. I’m going to have to ask you to follow me,” said one of the large security guards that were standing behind George.

“Or what,” screamed George spinning around stopping his sentence once he saw the size of the men.

“Sir come with us,” said the lead guard as the other two took George by each arm and pulled him away from Kim.

“I’m sorry about,” that said the bartender. “Hear have one on the house.”

About a half-hour later Snake came over to Kim who was sitting alone at the bar. On his arm was a buxom young blonde whose breasts were barely contained in her dress.

“Hi Kim this is Sharon,” said Snake smiling happily.

“Cindy.”

“Yeah, that’s what I meant. Cindy this is my friend Kim.”

“Pleased to meet you Kim,” said Cindy extending her hand.

Looking at her breasts before looking her in the eyes. Kim eventually extended a hand and shook her hand.

“If you’ll excuse me I have to go to the ladies room, but I’ll be right back,” said Cindy.

“Sure thing honey I’ll be waiting for you right here okay.”

Cindy left and Snake sat down next to Kim smiling at his friend uncontrollably.

“What is it,” screamed Kim eventually.

“Well, what do you think of her?”

“Please Snake, you don’t want to know what I think.”

“I do.”

“I think that if her IQ is at least half her bra size than you should count yourself lucky, because that would make her about the smartest person that you have ever dated.”

Shaking his head, “I don’t get it… are you calling her dumb.”

“No I’m not, all I’m saying is a smart girl would never fall for one of your cheep pick up lines.”

“Fuck Kim, what is wrong with you.”

“I’m fine it is people like you that have problems,” said Kim turning her head away from Snake.

“Damn Kim, does this have something to do with Cindy…”

“You wouldn’t understand what this is about,” screamed Kim as she got up and stormed across the room.

“You pretentious snob, how dare you judge her… or me,” screamed Snake to the back of Kim as she walked away from him.

By this time Cindy was walking back over to Snake, she asks, “Where did you friend go?”

“I don’t know,” said Snake shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter,” said Snake solemnly. “Come here babe give me a kiss.”

Later, as dinner was about to be served, Gore came over to the couple of tables that the Knights had set aside for themselves. He was holding the hand of beautiful oriental girl. “Guys this is Michiko, Michiko these are my associates I was telling you about.”

“Hello, said Michiko in a thick Japanese accent.

“Here sit down here,” said Gore pulling a chair for her. As he walked over to his seat he walked behind Snake and Cindy. He leaned over to Snake and whispered, “Mine’s better.”

Leaning back Snake whispered. “But you ain’t gonna have that by the end of the night,” laughed Snake

“Oh really. Double it.”

“Sure thing. You ready to lose that much?”

“I wont be losing a thing, buddy.”

Dinner came and went Kim sat through the course uncomfortably at Kaitlyn and Michel’s table, who were busy flirting nonstop through the meal, feeding each other food and kissing nonstop between bites. But they soon excused themselves and went dancing again.

By this time Snake and Gore were off in quieter corners of the room making out with their respective women. Smith was at the bar with Carolyn, Warren and Cassandra were busy singing Karaoke on stage to the pleasure of the crowd.

Kim finally decided she was leaving and she pushed back in her chair from the table when she heard a scream behind her. Spinning around she saw a man bending over rubbing his shin.

“Oh I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“Well I should hope you bloody well didn’t,” said the stranger.

“Your English?”

“Well I should hope so.”

“How is your leg Mr.… I’m terribly sorry I don’t know your name?”

“Steven Williams.”

“I am Kimberley Pinkington, where abouts are you from.”

“I’m from Yorkshire,” said Steven as he attempted to get up but fell again when he tried to put weight on his leg.

Catching him Kim pulled out her chair. “Oh please Mr. Williams sit down. Now that is such a coincidence I am from Yorkshire too.

“Well that makes us practically neighbors. But please call me Steven.”

“Okay Steven, fancy us having to come all the way out here to meet.”

Later Kaitlyn came spinning back over to the table stopping in mid dance; she was whipping the sweat from her forehead with her hand. “That’s such a great workout Kim you should go dance with Mich…” Kaitlyn stopped in mid sentence when she noticed Kim holding a strangers hand, they were both starring deep into each other’s eyes. “Oh excuse me I didn’t mean to interrupt. I didn’t know you were busy.”

“Oh nonsense Kaitlyn, please sit. This is Steven, and we were having the most pleasant conversation.

“Oh really, said Kaitlyn as she sat happily next to her friend squeezing her hand under the table to show her pride at the quality of man she was talking to. “What was it about?”

Looking back at Steven Kim laughed, “Would you believe I don’t remember.”

“I was telling Kim here about my life back in England,” said Steven.

“Oh, you are from England too, I haven’t spent much time there, I have visited Kim a couple of times but I never stayed for more than a couple of days. I am from Quebec myself I…” Kaitlyn stopped in mid thought as Kim poked her in the side under the table. Turning to look at her Kim opened her eyes as wide as she could, pleading with Kaitlyn to leave. She even went as far as motioning with the movement of her eyeballs for her to go away.

“Uh, well I should leave you two to get better acquainted. I will see you later,” said Kaitlyn excusing herself before she leaning over she whispered into Kim’s ear. “Tell me everything later.” Kim slapped her on the back to rush her on the way and show her disapproval.
Back on the dance floor Kaitlyn found Michel and she was soon dancing again, wagging her hair to the music. Her inhibitions vanished when the music or the alcohol took control of her. She spun and laughed as she danced rubbing up against Michel and any other willing partner that was near by. However she always returned to Michel’s willing arms that gladly accepted the gifted dancer.

“You’ll have to excuse me for a moment I have to use the little girls room,” said Kim getting up from the table. “You're going to still be here when I get back right?”

“Even if the boat is sinking,” said Steven smiling at her.

“Good I’ll be right back,” said Kim though her ever-increasing smile. Turning around she ran off to the bathroom, almost running over another passenger as she went.

“Oh excuse me,” said Kim fixing the lapels on the mans jacket.

“Not a problem,” said the man as he stepped to one side allowing Kim to run off towards the bathroom again. He watched her run off and once he was sure that she was at her destination he walked over to Steven slapping hands with the man. “You ‘ol dog I cant believe what you got for yourself.”

Snake was sitting at a table across the room, Cindy was straddling Snake’s lap kissing his neck. Snake stopped kissing hers back and was watching Steven intently.

“What’s wrong sweetie, why did you stop,” asked Cindy.

“It’s nothing, said Snake pulling her head back to his neck. He started kissing her again but his eyes never left the two men in the middle of the room.

“Hey your just jealous that you aren’t getting a piece of ass like that,” laughed Steven.

“Fuck you man, there is no way you are going to be getting into those panties tonight.”

“I most certainly will, I did not put this much effort into her not to. I even listened to her problems for an hour. There is no way I’m not getting into them…”

“Want to bet,” said Kim standing behind him reaching to the table. “I forgot my purse.”

Shocked the two men spun around. Steven spoke up, “Kim I didn’t mean…”

“Shut up. I can’t believe I was… How dare you even…”

“Kim I.”

“Is that all I was to you a good lay? Is that why you listened to me?”

Standing up he took Kim by the shoulders. “No Kim that’s not what I wanted.”

His friend behind him started chuckling into his hand.

Stepping back to break Steven’s grasp Kim screamed, “Don’t even lie to me.”

“What do you want to hear Kim, that I wanted to have sex with you, well I did.”

Reaching back Kim punched him as hard as she could in the nose knocking him back into his chair. “You are a brute of a man and believe me you never would have had a chance to get into my panties,” screamed Kim before she ran out of the room.

Snake saw Kim storm out of the ballroom, and he looked over and saw Steven holding his face, bent over in his chair. Cindy was still busy kissing his neck when he pushed her off of him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’ll be right back,” said Snake

“Where are you going?”

Looking back over his shoulder he said, “Nowhere just wait here.”

Running out of the hall he looked all over but didn’t see Kim anywhere. After about five minutes of frantically searching he finally saw Kim by the back of the boat, leaning her arms and head on the railing.

He walked over slowly to her. “Hey Kim what’s wrong?” asked Snake as he put his hand on her shoulder.

A little shocked Kim spun around the tears pouring out of her eyes were clearly visible. “Nothing I’m fine. Where is Miss Torpedo’s 59?”

“She is still at the ball but…”

“Well shouldn’t you be getting back to her.”

“Do you want to talk about it,” asked Snake ignoring her comments.

“No I do not,” answered Kim as she put her hand on Snake’s.

Gore was standing in the empty ballroom with Michiko. “Ha ha I knew he couldn’t keep a girl like that.”

“What are you talking about Gore?”

“My buddy and me we had a… uh he was supposed to met me here.”

“Why was he supposed to?”

“Don’t worry about it I’ll find him in the morning.” Laughed Gore. “He’s going to be so pissed tomorrow, the poor chump.”

Kaitlyn and Michel stumbled into their room after the long night of dancing and drinking. Michel made it over to a chair in their bedroom, plopping into it letting out a long sigh he proclaimed. “Man I had a lot of fun tonight.”

Kaitlyn was walking into the room after checking on the kids, “The night isn’t over yet.”

“What did you have in mind?” Asked Michel, a lecherous grin appearing on his face.

“Well, me and Kim were shopping earlier and… we bought something… um… with you in mind.”

Lifting his head up he said curiously, “Really, like what?”

“Well… I um… have to say it is uh… it’s not something that I would normally… it’s not something that is usually me,” said Kaitlyn nervously. “But I really think you’re going to like it.”

“What is it sweetie?” Asked Michel anxiously, his interest peeked at all the possible prospects.

Turning around she scratched the back of her head nervously, “No… I can’t do this.”

“Oh come on, you can’t leave me in suspense like this. It’s just not fair, you can’t say you have something for someone and then change your mind.”

“Okay, okay,” said Kaitlyn as she turned back to Michel taking a few deep breaths. “I can do this.” She slowly reached behind her back and unzipped her dress. Holding it on her shoulders she hesitated for a few seconds before allowing it to fall gracefully to the floor, the material pooling in a pile around her feet.

Standing in the center of the room, she waited for Michel’s reaction, waring only a small black lingerie outfit, with an ornate embroidered floral pattern. It consisted of a small cup less bra, and matching thong. It also had ribboned garters with a pair of sheer stockings attached. Her near naked form shook with fear, unaccustomed to being on display. She held her hands in front of her stomach, fidgeting with her fingers nervously. Comfortable with nudity, she had been ashamed of her body.

She had been naked in front of Michel countless times starting from the day they met. But she had never made a spectacle of it before. Before the kids were born she often walked around their apartment in simple underwear, worn out cotton panties and a plain bra. On the most special occasions she would ware lace underwear, which was as risqué as she felt comfortable getting. But none of the lingerie she wore before was anything like what she wore in front of him now.

She had never dressed her body up like this for him before. And now that she did, she worried about what his reaction would be to it. He had never asked her to do anything like this for him. Would be turned on by it, or if he would just think she was making a fool out of her self. Standing at her most vulnerable, her young body shook as she contemplated these things.

Michel sat motionless, eyes opened wide, for several awkward moments staring at the body he knew so well, when Kaitlyn finally spoke up breaking the tension that was building in the room. “I knew this was a dumb idea…” Whispered Kaitlyn more to herself than to Michel. Crossing her arms over her chest, insecurely lowering her head she said. “I should have never have done this.” Quickly turning around she bent down to pick up her dress and attempted to start running towards the safety of the closet.

“No wait,” pleaded Michel. “I was uh just shocked honey.” He got up and ran over to her, grabbing her shoulders before she could make it all the way to the closet. “I just… have never seen you so beautiful in my whole life. Standing there so vulnerable… I mean the fact that you would you do this… for me.”

She turned around smiling, “You like it? Really?”

“Yes,” said Michel kissing her quickly on the lips. “Of course I do.” Taking her hand he pulled her back to the center of the room. Putting his hand on each shoulder he made her stop. “Stay here.” He told her before walking back over to the chair sitting down.

“What, why? Honey?” asked Kaitlyn nervously.

“Shhh… Don’t say anything else. I just want you to model for me.”

Blushing deeply she covered her smile with her hand. “No I couldn’t.”

“Hey you started this, I just want to enjoy it. Now turn around I want to see the whole thing.”

Feeling a little more confident she spun around stretching her arms out next to her. She couldn’t help but feel excited as she stopped and looked at her husband staring lustfully at her. Spinning again she pulled the sticks that were holding her hair up, letting it down it twirled out behind her in a large arc. Stopping, with her back to Michel, she bent over sticking her butt out playfully. Looking back over her shoulder at Michel's reaction as she rubbbed her cheek in slow circles with the palm of her hand. She pretended to gasp shockingly, holding her hand over her open mouth, when she saw her husband rubbing the front of his pants.

“You like that sweetie,” asked Kaitlyn as she turned completley. He only nodded in response. Strutting slowly towards her husband she walked right over to the chair inches away from him.

“How much do you like it, you dirty boy?”

“A…uh… lot.”

Smiling uncontrollably she put each knee on the chair beside him, straddling his lap and taking his head in her hand. “Thank you honey.” She pulled him up and kissed him fiercely. He ran his hands slowly down her back stopping briefly on her butt. Giving it a slight squeeze, he caused her to squeal slightly in their kiss. He continued running his hands down the back of her thighs and then followed his journey in reverse back up to her neck.

“Remember we have to be quiet,” said Kaitlyn finally breaking the kiss.

“I think that you are going to have to remember that not me, because this is going to be a night that you won’t forget. I guarantee that,” said Michel.

Out on the deck Kim was starting to smile again laughing at Snake’s constant joking and bashing of Steven.

“… it’s kind of like that schooner out there.”

“Out where,” asked Kim.

“Directly behind us it must be in the same winds as we are.”

“I don’t see anything, and this isn’t a sail boat Snake.”

“Oh yeah. But don’t you see the boat, it is only about 4000 meters away?”

“Snake, if you remember not every one can see that far.”

“Oh yeah I forget that sometimes.”

“You are so silly sometimes Snake,” said Kim laughing

“Well never mind that… It’s just good to see you smile.”

Covering her face and trying to act like she was not smiling she responded. “Oh leave me alone, you dumb ox.”

The next morning Kaitlyn and Michel were both lying on their bed. Michel was behind her and she was leaning her head on his arm as they slept. His other arm was wrapped around her chest and she was holding onto it with both of her hands. His head was leaning on hers when he woke up, he immediately kissed her on her cheek.

“Good morning Kaitlyn.”

“Is it morning already?”

“Yes it is, how are you doing today?”

Turning so she could look into his eyes. “I’m wonderful, thank you for asking,” responded Kaitlyn before kissing him softly on the lips. “You know how yesterday I said that it hadn’t been like that for awhile.”

“Yeah?”

“Well it has never been like it was last night.”

“I’m sorry. I must have been inspired or something,” joked Michel as he kissed her softly again.

“You must have been,” smiled Kaitlyn remembering the pleasure she felt.

“I was just scared to death, I thought I would burst something for sure.”

“You’re so silly honey.”

“I’m serious, I think my age is starting to catch up with me.” Said Michel lying back on the bed.

“How so?” asked Kaitlyn only slightly concerned.

“You can still go all night and be ready again by morning.”

“I can’t help it if I’m always horney,” giggled Kaitlyn stretching her arms above her head. “But tell me you don’t love that?”

“I’m just starting to feel like I can’t keep up with you anymore, that’s all I’m saying. Not just in bed, but I’ll admit that’s a major part of it.”

Bursting into a giggle fit Kaitlyn rolled back and forth over the bed before turning so she could look at her husband when she realized he wasn’t laughing.

“I’m glad you can laugh at my pain,” said Michel sitting up and putting his he feet on the floor.

“Honey no. I’m sorry. It’s not like that.” Said Kaitlyn reaching out to hold his shoulder.

“Well how does that look, really?” Asked Michel turning his head so he could look at her. “I tell you something personal that has been worrying me, and you laugh.”

“You didn’t tell me anything actually. What’s really the matter?”

“I’m just feeling my age more and more lately when I’m around you.”

“Your 32 sweetie.”

“Yeah and your 24, and there is a big difference there.”

Sitting up on one arm she pulled him back down on the bed so she could look down on him. “Oh honey. Let me interpret your problem to see if I understand.” Said Kaitlyn stroaking his cheek gently.” Tell me if I’m close. Your big problem in life is that you are sleeping with your hot, beautiful, sexy, wonderful twenty four year old wife. Who just happens to be eight years younger than you are, and I know most guys would totally get off on that, so don’t try to deny it. And this hot, sexy, beautiful, wife of yours just happens to think the world of you and would do anything she possibly could for you,” said Kaitlyn smiling as she shook him back and forth on the bed.

“Well when you put it like that it seems a bit asinine. But to be honest, I do think about our age differences some times.”

“Oh honey,” said Kaitlyn as she leaned over to tickle his sides. “I don’t think about it at all, honestly.”

“Well sometimes I think that you might.”

“Honey do you have to bring all this up now? After the night we just had.”

Not listening he continued. “It’s just that sometimes I am just waiting for the day that you ask your self ‘What am I doing with that 32 year old geezer.”

“No no honey, I would never say that. Where is this coming from any way?”

“It is just something that I worry about whenever I look at you, or when I hold you in my arms. I expect you to leave me for some young stud.”

“Honey, trust me I could never be with any one else. I would never want to be either. After all we have been through together how can you even think of these things. I mean, I think it is sweet and all that you would worry about losing me this much, but trust me honey it is totally unjustified.” Kaitlyn laid down next to him so she could lean her head on his chest hugging him tightly. “I assure you, I am not going anywhere. To tell you the truth you are going to have to do a hell of a lot to even make me leave if you wanted me to. But please don’t do this to me anymore, you’re scaring me.” She pleaded as he squezed him even tighter

She held him for several minutes before he said, “Thank you honey I just needed to hear you say that, I guess,” said Michel kissing her on the forehead. “I don’t know why I said all that you never gave me any reason to think those things. I just get insecure sometimes. I’m okay now. Trust me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes I’m fine.”

“Good I don’t need you to scare me like that anymore,” said Kaitlyn squeezing him even tighter pulling her body into his. Picking her head up she smiled. “The plus side is that now I have to prove how faithful I am to you.” She threw the covers off him and climbed onto his stomach. “If last night didn’t prove to you, wait to you see what I’m about to…”

“Mommy, Mommy,” screamed Jasmine before throwing open the bedroom door

Kaitlyn’s reactions were luckily quick enough that she managed to slide off Michel and pull the covers over both of them before her daughter came running into the room and jumped on the bed.

“What are you two still doing in bed?” said the angered 4-year-old holding her hands on her little hips and shaking her head at her parents. “You promised you take me and Philly to the show today.”

Brushing her hair out of her red face Kaitlyn replied. “Okay sweetie just go make sure Philip is ready and we’ll be out in a few minutes, okay?”

Frowning her brow suspiciously she eventually said, “Sure mommy,” as she happily bounced out of the room.

As soon as she left the couple burst into laughter. “Oh my God that was close,” laughed Michel.

“Tell me about it. But, I guess we should get moving.”

“Do we have to, we got time for a quickie at least,” said Michel rolling on top his wife.

“No sweetie I want to do this right,” begged Kaitlyn as she tried to fend off his kisses. “And what I have planned is going to take some time to do.”

“What do you have planned exactly,” said Michel as he continued kissing her neck.

“Hot, passionate, sweat rolling down your back, illegal in twelve countries, mind blowing sex.” Said Kaitlyn blushing slightly.

Michel stopped his kisses and looked down at his wife who was smiling up at him. “Shit remind me to take you on vacation more often.”

“You idiot.” She laughed “Get off me,” she said as she wiggled out from underneath him. Looking back at her disappointed husband she added. “Tell you what, I’ll see if I can leave the kids with Kim again, and we can come back to the room early tonight, and then we can have some ear shatering, primative, monkey sex, okay?”

“I don’t think I can wait that long,” said Michel reaching out to his young wife as she started crawing out of the bed.

“Too bad,” said Kaitlyn before giving him a quick kiss. Pulling the blanket with her she finished getting out of the bed, and started heading towards the bathroom.

“Honey you’re not going to leave me here like this,” pleaded Michel.

“That’s not my fault,” giggled Kaitlyn leaning out of the bathroom door. “I told you to stop long before that happened,” laughing she quickly closed the door.

The day’s activities were already beginning by the time the Knights made it out of bed. Gore was up the earliest, banging on Snakes door. “Wake up man, you can’t welch on a bet this easy. Come on, get you ass out of bed.”

The door opened and Snake was leaning against the doorframe. As soon as the door opened all the way Snake handed Gore a pile of bills.

“Take it,” was all he said before closing the door.

“No, no, no,” screamed Gore as he caught the door and pushed his way inside. “You don’t get to be gracious about this, you have to bitch a little.”

“I’m not going to do that for you.”

“Then just admit it that you couldn’t get the better girl.”

“I won’t do that, I could have won if I wanted to.”

“Bull shit man, just admit it.”

“No I left Cindy at the ball, she would have came with me if I’d have asked.”

“Than why didn’t you man?”

“I had something better to do.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not going to say Gore.”

“You can’t do that, tell me what you had better to do that was worth 6,000 neuyen and a night of hot sex.”

“I won’t say but trust me it was.”

“Ah whatever man, you’re so pathetic, you can’t even admit you lost.”

In the afternoon the Knights had planed to get together. Doc had sent a message to Smith and there were some more questions that recently aroused from the Recluse incident that needed to be answered immediately.

“What do you mean they don’t believe us,” asked Snake a little annoyed.

“They think that there was some other force involved in the defense of the town,” said Smith. “They don’t think it’s possible that we defeated all the people we claimed we did, by ourselves that is.”

“Oh that’s crap Smith,” screamed Gore.

“Yeah, do they want us to go over there and prove it to them,” said Warren.

“How do they suggest we prove it to them?” Asked Kim trying to add purpose to their conversation.

“Well they sent over some tapes and documents that they want our signatures on. I don’t know how that will make them happy but if it does I’m all for it. Doc has gone over all of the documents and he doesn’t think that there is a catch to any of it. But I still want you all to go over them today.”

“You have to be kidding me Smith this our vacation.” Screamed Snake.

“Yeah Smith why…”

“Enough, were all Knights that means that we are never off duty. Now it should only take a couple of hours and then you will be able to get back to having fun. Okay Kaitlyn Snake I want you two to go over the video footage see if they added or changed anything. Everyone else lets start going over these documents,” said Smith as he dropped the large stack of folders onto the table.

“Michel I am not going to have this conversation right now,” said Kaitlyn as she was going through her bags looking for some more equipment she needed to do the video analysis.

“But why do you have to do work now? This is our vacation, don’t do this.”

“I have to Michel, just go take the kids and do something with them today. I really can’t get out of this.”

“No Kaitlyn, you’re not going to do this.”

“Listen,” screamed Kaitlyn. “Sorry honey I don’t mean to yell, but I have to do this. I’ll make this up to you tonight I swear, I’ll make it even better than what I was talking about earlier.” said Kaitlyn as she walked over to kiss Michel.

Pushing her back he said, “Whatever Kate, just go. I’ll see you tonight, I guess.”

“Honey, don’t do this.”

“Just go if you have to. But don’t say anything else.”

“I won’t leave till you give me a kiss.” Pleaded Kaitlyn.

“Come on Kate.”

“No I’m serious, I don’t want you to be mad at me over this.”

Walking back over to Kaitlyn Michel gave her a quick emotionless kiss on her cheek. “There, happy?”

“No not really. Come on don’t do this to me honey,” begged Kaitlyn. She grabbed his arms and pulled him in for another kiss. Opening her mouth she kissed him as deep as she could, running her tongue all over the inside of his mouth. He however did not return the gesture.

“You know, fine, if you want to be a jerk just go ahead,” said Kaitlyn as she stormed out of the room. “I’ll see you later on, okay,” said Kaitlyn as she slammed the door to their room before storming down the hall.

“Hey what’s wrong Kate,” asked Snake to his quiet teammate. “It has been a half hour and you haven’t said anything. They were in Snakes room surrounded by their makeshift lab. Wires and cables led to many different devices in order for them to test the authenticity of the tapes that they received from Doc.

“It’s just that jerk of husband of mine.”

“Awe trouble in paradise, well you came to the right place. Just hop on 'ol Snake’s lap and he’ll solve all your problems,” laughed Snake as he pushed away from the table and spread his arms open awaiting Kaitlyn. “But please be gentle with me.”

“You are such an idiot,” laughed Kaitlyn as she punched Snake in the shoulder.

“But I got you to smile.”

Looking at him uncertainly, “Okay I’ll give you that.”

“Yeah I seem to be good for that lately.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh nothing, it was just something that happened last night with Pink.”

“Tell me tell me,” said Kaitlyn happily, her spirits finally lifting up as her attention was shifted off her husband.

“It was nothing really,” said Snake smiling.

“Don’t give me that I can tell by your face that something happened.”

“No, we just… oh never mind.”

“You mean… No you did not!”

“No we didn’t do that,” screamed Snake waving his hands frantically. “We just shared a moment that’s all.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was nothing…”

“Don’t give me that it has to be good. You are the biggest bragger I know, and if you aren’t saying anything than I know you’re holding back. And besides, you usually just lie to me if nothing happens.”

“Okay we had a great night together. I found her after…”

Snake was cut short by a large explosion that knocked him and Kaitlyn to the floor electrical equipment raining down on them.

“What the hell was that,” screamed Snake.

Pushing off Snake’s chest Kaitlyn said, “We have to call Smith.” She crawled across the floor to the phone that was lying partially under the bed. Picking it up she listened, “There is no dial tone. Something is going on here.”

In answer to her statement screams echoed through the hallways. Running over to the door Snake opened it a crack and looked out side for a just a second. Turning back into the room at Kaitlyn.

“There are armored men herding guests out of their rooms.”

Looking around the room Kaitlyn looked at the porthole window. “Let’s go Snake.” She ran over to the window and opened it looking out to see if it was clear.

“Snake think you can rip that out so you can fit?”

“I sure can Kate.” Snake grabbed the window and with little effort it was pulled from the wall. The two jumped out of it and ran off towards Smith’s room.

Smith, Warren, Pink, and Gore where in Smith’s room when the explosion shook the boat. Falling to the floor, the debriefing papers scattered all over the room along with the Knights. Warren managed to roll onto his feet as he fell out of his chair catching Pink in the process.

“What was that,” screamed Smith.

“Oh my God were gonna sink!” screamed Gore at the top of his lungs.

“Calm down, I can feel we’re not sinking,” said Warren.

“I know, I just always wanted to say that,” laughed Gore.

“Shut up, we have to figure out what just happened,” said Smith.

“I’m on it,” said Kim closing her eyes and leaving her body.

Blinking back to consciousness, only moments later, the worried expression was visible on her face. “There are about fifty armed men swarming over the boat rounding up passengers. That’s not all there is at least three mages with them.”

“What was that explosion?”

“I think that it was some depth charges set off against the hull of the ship.”

“Why would some one do that,” asked Gore.

“I don’t know?”

“Well where did they come from,” asked Warren.

“I’m not sure I didn’t see anything.”

“Stop, stop, stop,” said Kaitlyn holding out her hand to Snake, who was crouched down, behind the railing, to the stairs that led down to the next level of the boat, with Kaitlyn.

“How many?”

“Three.”

“We need to get to your room I have my pistol but that’s the only weapon I brought with me.”

“Should’ve known better Snake.”

“Hell yeah I should’ve. What were we thinking going on vacation as a team? I mean…”

“Shh there are coming this way.”

“Where are they,” asked the first soldier.

“I don’t know Mandrake said that there were more people on this level,” said the second.

“Well where are they,” said the third.

“I don’t know but if we don’t get everyone The Alchemist is going to have all of our asses. Mandrake says that we need everyone for it to work…”

The soldier’s conversation trailed off as they rounded the corner.

“Okay lets move,” said Kaitlyn before she started running towards her room.

“I wonder where Kaitlyn and Snake are?”

“I looked in Snake’s room but they weren’t there,” said Pink.

“Okay I am sure they are fine, but we need to worry about what these soldiers want,” said Smith. “We need to track their movements and see what they are doing. I want you two going astral now.”

Kaitlyn and Snake were running back from Kaitlyn’s room along one of the outer sections of the boat.

“What the fuck,” screamed Snake stopping.

“What is it Snake,” said Kaitlyn as she spun around looking for a hoard of enemies running up behind her.

“It’s the schooner from last night,” said Snake looking over the edge of the railing.

“What are you talking about?”

“The schooner.”

“Is this important, now!”

“Just listen, last night when I was up on deck with Kim I saw this schooner following directly behind us.”

Looking over the edge Kaitlyn looked down to the boat with her unequaled perception. “You dumb bastard. It’s not a schooner it’s a cargo ship.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“Look the waves don’t come near the hull of the schooner they stop a good 20 meters on each side. And look down there you can see the rudder wake coming out of no where.”

“What does that mean. Who would disguise a cargo ship as a schooner?”

“I don’t know let’s just get to Smith he’ll want to know about this.”

Popping back into their bodies Gore and Pink looked at each other nervously.

“Did you feel that Kim?”

“Yes I did.”

“What does that mean,” asked Gore.

“What’s wrong,” asked Smith.

Ignoring him Kim continued, “I’m not sure it was like a power radiated out of the center of the boat.”

“What does that mean,” asked Smith again.

“But it didn’t feel natural.”

“Hello.”

“It was like it was mechanical in nature,” added Kim.

“Am I here?”

“But how is that possible in the astral world.”

“What the hell are you talking about,” screamed Smith.

Finally turning their attention to Smith Kim finally answered, “It was some force in the astral world that should not be there, that should not exist.” Said Kim nervously.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know what it was Smith.” Said Gore.

“So what are you telling me?”

“I’m not saying anything yet, I’ll be back when I find out more.” Closing her eyes she went into her meditative state once again.

Smith, Warren and Gore waited impatiently for Kim to come out of her trance when all of a sudden the door to the room burst open. Smith’s pistol was immediately in his had the words to a spell were forming on Gore’s lips and Warren instinctively jumped into a defensive stance.

They however did not see the soldiers running into the room but Kaitlyn and Snake diving onto the floor.

“What the hell is the matter with you two? You should…” Smith’s words were cut short when the door to his room was shredded by gunfire.

Reacting immediately Gore ran and closed the door in time for Warren to push the nearby dresser in front of it.

“How many?” Screamed Smith.

“Six,” reported Snake.

“Maybe more,” added Kaitlyn as the door burst open with a new volley of bullets tearing through it.

“Might I suggest we get out of here,” said Warren.

“Snake grab Pink we need to make an exit, any ideas Warren.

Walking up to the outer wall the Physad drew back a fist and sat for a moment of intense concentration power and energy built up in his hand before he struck. Hitting the wall the energy flowed from him to the surface causing the wall to ripple before cracks appeared in the surface and it eventually shattered leaving a six-foot high hole.

“That will work,” laughed Smith. “Okay team let’s get out of here.

Running over to the railing Kaitlyn looked over the edge to the next deck, which stuck out about two feet from the one, they were on. Not turning around she lifted her self over the edge and dropped the twelve feet to the deck bellow. Rolling to the nearest wall she looked around quickly. To her good fortune there was no one else on this level.

Gore jumped over the edge right after Kaitlyn and landed on the lower level with her Smith and Warren followed shortly. Snake looked over the edge judging the distance again before taking in a few deep breaths. Closing his eyes he jumped still cradling Pink in his arms.

Falling on the deck hard the big ork barely kept his balance. But he managed to recover and was following the other Knights as they ran off into the depths of the boat. Not sure where they were going they just ran twisting and turning through the depths of the ship trying to lose the soldiers who were after them.

Suddenly Pink snapped back into consciousness in Snake’s arms screaming, “What the bloody hell is the matter with you.” Screamed Kim as she kicked her feet helplessly in the air. “Never move a mage’s body when they are going astral, how many times have I said that…”

“Quiet, ordered Smith. “There might be more of those soldiers around.”

“Sorry Kim,” whispered Snake, “we had no choice they were storming the room.”

Calming her hysteria she looked to Snake, “I didn’t mean to scream but you can not imagine how scary a feeling that is.”

“You don’t have to say that Kim… I didn’t take offense.”

“Good… you can uh put me down now.”

“Oh sorry Kim,” said Snake as he lowered her feet to the ground.

“Wait I hear something, said Kaitlyn holding up her hand to silence the rest of the group. “It sounds like more of them.”

Snake listened for a moment; “It’s them alright. Three I think. And they are headed this way.”

“Get into a room,” shouted Smith. “We have to get to some place safe.”

“Not a problem Smith,” laughed Snake as he walked over to a cabin door twisting the knob around slowly until the lock broke inside, allowing the door to swing gently open.

The group quickly ran into the room closing the door behind them. Snake fell backwards onto one of the beds holding his throbbing head in his hands. “Damn it, why the hell does this kinda' of crap have to happen to us, huh? I mean, how the fuck do we attract this kind of attention everywhere we go. I can’t be plagued by hordes of big tit’ed women, no I have to attract fanatical killers from who knows where.”

“I don’t think this is helping Snake.”

“I don’t fuckin’ care Kaitlyn. It’s just not fair that’s all I’m sayin’.”

“Enough Snake, just calm down,” said Pink caringly.

“I don’t mean to drag any bodies spirits down, but what exactly are we going to do here,” questioned Warren.

All the eyes in the room fell on to Smith.

“What’s the plan, you tell us what to do and will do it. But we just need some kind of plan,” said Gore supportingly.

“Okay, we hold up in here and when they come in we take ‘em out. We strip whatever equipment we can off them, hopefully they’ll have some better guns than we do.”

“And after that,” questioned Warren.

“Give me a break I’m working on it.”

“This is great, this is fucking great,” mumbled Snake

“Shut up Snake,” said Gore.

“No Gore I’ll complain all I want. Why the other day we were off with those ladies…”

“Enough,” barked Smith. “They are coming, everyone get in positions. Snake I want you by the door. Kaitlyn get back there in the bathroom. Pink Gore duck down behind that bed. Warren I want you at my back.

“Were on it,” responded the group as one.

Getting up from the bed Snake reached behind his back pulled out his pistol and threw it to Warren. Reaching in his boot he pulled out a knife and tossed it to Kaitlyn.

“I won’t be needing these.” Cracking his knuckles he quietly walked over to the door.

“I can here them in the next room,” said Smith. “Okay guys its show time. I don’t want anybody firing unless it is absolutely necessary, understood. We have to do this as quietly as possible, remember Knights we are professionals let’s try to act like it.

The door quietly opened, time seemed to slow down as the light from the hall crept into the dark room. The barrel of one of the guards’ guns poked through the door, pushing it open. As soon as his head appeared through Snake reached out and grabbed the barrel of the gun with one hand, pulling the unsuspecting guard into his other fist, knocking him into the room.

The second guard came bursting into the room unleashing a deadly burst from his gun into Snakes chest, knocking him back against the wall. Bouncing back off the wall Snake swung, connecting with the jaw of the guard pushing him back into Smith’s deadly grasp.

Before the first guard hit the ground Kaitlyn threw one off her knives into his back. Screaming in pain the enraged guard leveled his gun and fired a burst at Kaitlyn but failed to hit the agile girl as she rolled forward out of the line of the deadly bullets.

Flexing the servos on his cyber arm Smith activated the spur on his forehand. Punching the guard repeatedly in the stomach, blood pouring from the many wounds. Warren was on top of the first guard, quickly flipping the gun around in his hand and smacking the guard in the back of his neck with the handle of his gun. Surprisingly this only further enraged the guard who managed to push Warren back, stand up and unleash another burst from the gun. This struck Warren square in the chest knocking him off his feet. Turning his attention back to Kaitlyn he pointed the gun and was about to fire, but she was too fast and she quickly drew another knife she had on her back and stuck him right in the gut. Blood spurting from the wound across Kaitlyn's face. Staring into the pain and fear filled eyes Kaitlyn moved the knife across his gut spilling his intestines onto the floor.

“Damn Kaitlyn, why is it that every time you kill somebody you have to be so messy,” questioned Snake.

Shooting him a look that personified hatred. She reached down pulled out the knife from the guards’ stomach and wiped the blade clean on his shirt. When the blade was sufficiently clean the knife found itself stuck into the wall next to Snake’s head.

“I think that was yours.”

“Jesus, Kate you almost hit my fuckin’ head.”

“Enough,” barked Smith. “Pink you and Gore fix up Snake and Warren we have to get out of this room before more of them come.”

With quick and practiced efficiency the Knights moved through the room. Pink made Snake sit down on the bed before she started chanting the strange language of magic over his wounds. The wounds slowly disappeared like Warrens’ as Gore mimicked the same mystic language over him. Kaitlyn and Smith dragged the bodies of the dead guards into the bathroom and stripped them of all their useful gear.

“Kim put this on,” said Smith as he walked out of the bathroom throwing a bulletproof vest at her. “Warren, make this count.” Smiling happily Warren caught the flying sub machinegun removed, checked, and slammed the clip back in before slapping the cocking mechanism. “This will help Thomas. God knows were gonna need it,” whispered Warren under his breath.

“I hate to be the voice of doom here, but do we know what exactly is going on here? I mean why this is happening, who these people are, where are all the other passengers?” Questioned Gore.

“They have to have all of them by now, I didn’t see anyone else around when I was looking astrally,” said Pink the room became silent as she mentioned the other passengers.

“My babies, what are they doing to them,” cried Kaitlyn.

Pink came over to her friend as she slumped onto the floor.

“It will be okay Kate, we’ll get our family’s and stop these people whoever they are,” said Smith.

“No Smith I can’t, I just can’t, they will see me, they will know what I have done, how I’ve lied to them. Michel will never forgive me for this,” cried Kaitlyn as the full realization of their current situation finally hit her.

“Get it together Kaitlyn, we need everyone to get all of us, and our family’s out of this mess,” said Warren with concern.

“That’s right Kate, if you can keep your head we will get out of this. And I guarantee that we will all do what we can to get your family out with out them seeing you do anything incriminating, okay,” said Smith.

“Sure, whatever. FINE!”

“Okay, we need to find out all we can about these people numbers, weapons, where they are. Pink I want you and Gore sweeping the boat astrally now” barked Smith.

“I’m on it,” responded Pink.

“Yeah me too,” answered Gore.

Looking down at Kaitlyn Pink rubbed her shoulders reassuringly. “Don’t worry sweetie it will all be all right.”

“Snake, Warren check the halls make sure everything is clear I don’t want to get trapped in here.”

“Sure boss,” said Snake

“Got ya’ Smith,” said Warren.

“Kaitlyn…”

“WHAT TOM!”

“I want you to calm down. I think there might be some alcohol in this room somewhere, that might help.”

The group started in motion. Pink and Gore got into their meditation stances and let their spirits flow from their bodies. Snake and Warren went into the hallway making sure everything was clear.

“DAMN IT,” screamed Kaitlyn, as soon as the others were busying themselves carrying out Smith’s orders, right before she kicked over a nightstand breaking it as it flew against the wall. “Shit, Lord why are you doing this to me.”

The moments passed by quickly; Kaitlyn’s rage was soon quenched and replaced with grief. Snake and Warren sat nervously together trying to stay as happy as they could, attempting to joke and laugh. This joyous attitude was not meant to last. Gore’s body suddenly snapped back to life. Immediately running over to Smith, whispering in his ear for several moments.

“Oh this doesn’t look good, does it Warren?”

“I don’t think so Snake.”

When Gore was done reporting to Smith he turned and sat down on one of the beds. Smith began rubbing his head with his fleshy hand.

“What is it Smith,” asked Kaitlyn nervously.

“Smith you’re scaring us here,” said Warren.

“Yeah Smith what’s going on?” said Snake looking uncharacteristically worried.

“Okay here it is there are about seventy terrorists that have taken control of the boat. They are almost all armed better than our friends in the bathroom were. The majority of them have barricaded themselves in the main ballroom where they are assembling some kind of high explosive device.”

“Oh that’s just fuckin’ great it’s just fucking great. Its always good news with us isn’t it,” yelled Snake as he got up and started pacing around the room.

“What about the passengers what have they done with them,” asked Kaitlyn tentatively.

“They have them all moved into the main hall.”

“Oh God no,” whispered Kaitlyn as she began rubbing her necklace with the crucifix and locket of her children.

“I’m sorry to this Kaitlyn.” Said Gore softly. “But that’s not all, they seem to have them all hooked up to the device. I’m not sure yet but it looks like if any of them leave the room the bomb will go off.”

“Lord Jesus no, they can’t do this to my babies.”

“What’s the plan Smith,” asked Warren.

“We wait, Kim is still scouting the rest of the boat. We have to see what she finds out.”

These moments passed by slowly, the seconds hung in the air. The waiting anticipation ate away at the hardened warriors, until Pink popped back into her body. Her eyes filled with worry as they opened.

“This is not good people, it’s not bloody good.”

“What does that mean exactly Kim,” inquired Smith. “Do you know what that bomb they have in the ballroom is?”

“Now I am not sure about this exactly. It’s only a guess really, but an educated one.” this is only magic theory, or rather it was.”

“Get on with it Kim,” screamed Kaitlyn.

“Some of the faculty at Oxford has been talking about this for years. But it can’t exist, it shouldn’t exist, I just can’t imagine how or why someone would even do this.”

“Pink honey, you’re scaring us,” said Warren.

“What is it Kim,” asked Smith again.

“I think I’d call it a tactical nuclear foci warhead. For lack of a better term.”

“A what,” screamed Kaitlyn her voice cracking as she spoke.

“What did I do to deserve this,” screamed Snake as he started madly pacing through the room.

“You know what that is Snake,” asked Gore.

“Yeah I know what is. It is the end of the Knights man, checkmate game over whatever you want to say were fucking dead. DAMN this fucking sucks!”

“That is very interesting Snake but can we have a more professional opinion. Pink we need some more information here,” stated Smith. “What is this thing capable of doing?”

“Okay this is what I know. The theory goes that if you can combine the effects of an explosive device with the presence of magic you will be able to cause an explosion that can effect both the astral and physical planes.”

“OH shit,” responded the group in unison.

“That is not all. The theory goes that if you can combine these forces it will also intensify the explosion on both planes. But its not that easy, you need to combine the two forces with something else to cause them to mix. But if you do this and harness the energy it could cause an explosion about 10 times worse than that nuke is capable of doing by itself. But it is only a theory nobody has ever found a way to do it before.”

“You mean they are going to blow up the boat. Why would they set a bomb off in the middle of the ocean, what’s the point? If they wanted to kill all of us why don’t they just shoot us,” asked Gore confusingly.

“I don’t think that is their intention Gore. There is a mage who has attached him self to the bomb. It seems to me that he is using the fear that is being generating from the hostages, he is channeling it through him into the bomb.”

“They also have some more workers in the keel of the boat putting together some sort of launching device. It appears that once he has generated enough fear he will be moved to the keel placed into a specially fitted torpedo and launched to the main land somewhere. But I am not sure exactly where.”

“Wait a minute,” interrupted Warren. “You mean he is going with the bomb?”

“Yes it appears that the connection can not be broken or the bomb will go off.”

“Shit, what a dumb bastard,” laughed Snake.

“So what happens to the hostages if the bomb goes off.” Asked Kaitlyn.

“I’m sorry Kaitlyn,” said Kim. “But how its set up I think they have to die before they launch the missile. Something about generating the proper amount of fear.”

“I guess it makes sense if they slowly kill everyone in the room slowly, most of those people will be really scared.” Said Warren.

“No, it can’t be.” Cried Kaitlyn.

“How do we know that it is operational,” asked Smith.

“We don’t but I am assuming that is what me and Gore felt before. They must have been activating it.”

“Why don’t we just let the bomb go off,” Said Kaitlyn. “And then my babies will be safe.”

“You’d let these bastards just take out a city just like that,” said Warren.

“Yes I would, if it would save my babies.”

“Enough we aren’t going to let them do what they want we have to at least try and stop them,” said Smith.

“So how do we disarm it then,” asked Kaitlyn the worry for her kids taking hold of her.

“I don’t know Kate,” responded Kimberly.

“Okay, can we bust in there and knock him out, end of story,” interjected Snake.

“No, no way if he is even knocked unconscious there is a chance that the bomb will go off. And besides there is about ten guards in the room with him if we bust in there he might be crazy enough to just set it off. He is planning on dying today after all. I don’t think we can risk a frontal assault.”

“Damn I like them too.”

“Enough Snake, okay we have to figure out where we stand and what we know. Educated guesses are welcomed but I would like to base our plan more on the facts of what we know. We can’t get the hostages out of the room, correct?”

“Yeah Smith even if we could get in there and get them all out of the harnesses, which I don’t think we can do cause it might set off the bomb. We would still have to take all the guards out first, and there is the chance that he will blow it just to spite us like Pink said,” said Gore.

“Right and we can’t kill the mage attached to the bomb cause it will go off, right,” asked Smith

“Correct if he dies it goes off, I am sure of that,” said Pink.

“We can’t knock him out either.”

“No.”

“Okay so all we have to do is take out the guards subdue the mage, while still keeping him alive and conscious long enough so the bomb wont go off. Then all we have to do is disarm a nuclear warhead rescue our family’s and the other hostages get them past an army of terrorists and back to the mainland.”

“Yeah fuckin’ right, good one Smith.”

“I was serious Snake.”

“Smith come on you can’t be serious, this sounds impossible.”

“I’m always serious Warren. Now lets stop thinking about how impossible this is and start finalizing the a plan.”

“Wait, something ain’t right. I feel some thing that doesn’t feel good,” said Gore suddenly

“Oh shit what now?”

“There is something in the bottom of the boat, some entity. It doesn’t feel friendly guys.”

“Pink check on it. The rest of you lets get to work on a plan,” ordered Smith.

Closing her eyes Kim went into her meditative state. She sat for a moment before she opened one of her eyes and looked around unsure of her surroundings.

“What is it,” asked Warren.

“Uh nothing,” said Kim as she closed her eyes again. She opened her eyes shortly after screaming. “I can’t go into the astral plane.”

“What,” said Gore closing his eyes and opening them again. “Okay so what does this mean?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why do we always have to write the book on our missions,” screamed Warren as he kicked over one of the already turned over tables sending it across the room. “Can’t we ever come across something that has been done before?”

“No way man,” joked Snake. “It is far more fun this way.

“Okay lets go over this one more time. Gore saw a mage mask in the security area of the ship. Correct?”

“Yeah that’s right,” said Gore.

“So if we can get the mask onto the mage he won’t be unconscious, and he might not set off the bomb. So that might give Snake enough time to disarm the nuke before the mage realizes that he should blow it up.”

“Yeah I’ll need at bit to figure it out, so give or take a few seconds. But I don’t want to rush myself since I’ll be dealing with something that has never existed before.”

“Right so the rest of us need to keep the guards distracted and off of him. But first we have to go over how we will get the mask on the mage. Snake remembered that there is an air vent directly over the center of the ballroom. And has video proof of that am I correct?”

“Yeah that’s right Smith,” said Snake.

“And Kim assures us that the mage is roughly in the center of the room.”

“That’s right Smith when I was looking at the bomb astrally I remember he was just off center of middle.”

“So Warren drops down, with the aid of his movement power, he will get the mask on the mage. At the moment he hits the ground the rest of us will break into from each of the respective doors on each side of the room, causing whatever disturbance we can to distract the guards. Now Snake will drop down from the air vent he will be under the effects of you movement power as well right Warren.”

“Yes he will. I can hold both of us for the time it will take.”

“We only have one chance at this and it ain’t that much of a chance to begin with so are you sure you can do it?”

“I’ll be fine Smith trust me.”

“Okay once we disarm the bomb chances are someone is gonna be pissed, so we need to get out of the room before they endanger the hostages.

“Hostages,” screamed Kaitlyn who up until now was quite. “You are aware you are talking about my babies?”

“Kaitlyn I know…”

“And don’t get me started on this plan. It is the weakest most flawed plan we have ever came up with. You are going to kill all of us along with my family,” sobbed Kaitlyn. “You don’t know that any part of it will work, you’re going to kill us all Smith. I’m okay with risking my life but I can’t let you do this to my babies.”

“Kaitlyn you might not believe me but I am thinking about every person in that room right now… especially your children.”

“But how do we even know if they are going to kill the hostages,” screamed Kaitlyn.

Walking over to Kaitlyn, Kim sat down on the bed next to her. Kim put her arm around her, “I’m sorry honey but they need to die in order for the bomb to work.”

“Oh God no this can’t be happening to me,” cried Kaitlyn as she fell back onto the bed holding her head in her hands.

Lying back on the bed next to her Kim pushed Kaitlyn’s hair out of her face. “Kaitlyn look at me we really need you right now. I know you are worried, but there is no way of any of us getting out of here if you don’t help. We have to do this together. And if we do I know you, your babies, and Michel will get out of this.”

“Whatever Kim,” managed Kaitlyn through her tears.

The rest of the team was busy solving the problem of securing the mage mask, which was on the other side of the ship. When Kim and a still shaky Kaitlyn walked back over to them.

“…so that should be the shortest path to the security room,” finished Gore. Looking up at Kaitlyn and Pink Smith asked, “Are we alright?”

“We’ll be fine,” said Kim squeezing Kaitlyn’s hand.

“Okay here is the plan once we get the mask from the security station we go to the ballroom. Once there Warren and Snake drop down, immobilize the mage and disarm the bomb. Kim I want you and Gore entering the ballroom the moment Warren touches the ground, be prepared for heavy magical resistance. They have to have some powerful mage to account for this magical blackout. I will also enter the ballroom and try to take care of all the remaining guards.”

“Where do you want me,” asked Kaitlyn.

Waiting a minute before responding, Smith continued. “Wait by the door of the main exit and block off any reinforcements that might possibly be called in,” said Smith.

“Excuse me Tom but that’s bullshit, you need me in that room.”

“Not today we don’t.”

“Why the fuck not?” This is the worst situation we have been in for a long time. And all of our families are at risk as well. I need to be in the room. So why don’t you want me in there?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes.”

“Because I don’t think you have what it takes right now. Your not thinking straight, and I can’t risk that you’ll compromise the situation any more than it is.”

“No Smith you are not going to do this to me. I have to do something to help my family. I can’t sit back now.”

“Even if it means you’re family sees you do it?”

Looking down Kaitlyn thought for several moments before answering Kaitlyn finally said, “Yes, if it comes to that.”

“It is going to come to that Kate, there is no chance that it won’t.”

Taking in a deep breath she answered, “You can trust me Smith. Whatever it takes.”

“Alright, you take position on the remaining door and take out as many guards as you can.”

“Thank you Tom, I won’t let you down.”

“Okay lets get moving before more of the soldiers come,” said Warren. “We still have to stop off in the rest of our rooms to get whatever weapons we brought.”

Sneaking down the hallway the Knights walked in a single file line towards the ballroom. Warren was in the front of the group. He took careful care to make sure every hallway intersection and every shadowed corner was clear before he proceeded. A large T-intersection was ahead and Warren stopped by the edge of the wall. Peaking his head around the corner he looked astrally, carefully searching the area for any hostile threat. Looking back to the Knights he gave them the ‘all clear’ signal and took a step out in to the open area.

A hail of machinegun fire erupted tearing the wall behind him apart. Jumping back he nearly knocked over the other Knights as he avoided the bullets. Turning his head towards the other Knights his shocked wide-eyed expression showed how close the bullets came.

“I thought you said it was clear,” asked Smith softly.

“It looked clear,” responded Warren simply.

“Well how does it look now,” asked Pink.

Looking around the corner again he checked over any possible areas of threat. He then looked to the bullet-ridden wall. “It looks clear.”

“Here,” said Snake as he handed Warren an ashtray that was nearby.

Warren rolled it out in to the intersection. It sat there for a brief moment before machinegun fire tore into the metal ashtray apart, leaving no remnants of its’ original shape.

“Is there another way around,” asked Smith.

“We’d have to go half way around the boat, and who knows how many guards will be there,” answered Snake.

“Okay Knights we have to get past this. Kaitlyn you have the best chance, get ready to run across. Kim hand me your pistol,” said Smith as he pulled out his own and took positions next to the corner of the wall. “Warren save the big gun we can’t waste it on cover fire.”

“You ready Kaitlyn,” asked Gore.

“As I’ll ever be,” said Kaitlyn as she got down into a runner's starting stance inches away from the edge of the wall.

“Okay on three,” said Smith. “One, two,”

“Wait,” interrupted Warren reaching into the back of Kaitlyn’s pants and removing the two pistols she had there. “Give me these. If you get killed we are still going to need them.”

“Thanks a lot Warren,” said Kaitlyn. “I appreciate your confidence.”

“No offence just thinking practically.”

“Okay lets try this again,” said Smith. “One, two, three.”

On three Kaitlyn exploded out of her stance. Her powerful legs pumping as fast as they could across the hall. Moments after she started Smith turned around the corner and fired at the hidden targets down the hallway. Kaitlyn covered the great distance in a matter of seconds diving the last few feet sliding behind the protection of the wall.

Rolling to lean her back against the wall she breathed heavily trying to regain her breath. Her eyes were locked on the wall opposite the intersection, which was now completely covered in bullet holes.

“Are you okay,” asked Kim across the hall to her friend.

“Yeah, they didn’t get me bad,” answered Kaitlyn holding a hand to the wound on her side. “It could have been worse.”

“Here take these,” said Warren as he threw the two pistols back to Kaitlyn. Catching each pistol expertly by the handle Kaitlyn checked each gun and made sure they were loaded. “I need some spare clips,” said Kaitlyn.

“Here take these,” said Snake as he threw two extra clips to Kaitlyn.

“Thanks,” said Kaitlyn as she caught each clip and put them in the back of her pants. Leaning her back against the wall she looked over to the Knights. “I’m ready.”

“Who’s next,” asked Smith looking at the Knights. “Gore get into position, your going.”

“Thanks a lot Smith.”

“Hey don’t sweat it Gore, I’m sure your stubby legs will be able to move fast if you are being shot at,” laughed Snake patting his friend on the back.

“Ready Gore?”

“Yeah Smith, let’s do this.” Said the dwarf crouching down into position.

“On your mark Kate,” said Smith.

Taking in a few deep breaths Kaitlyn prepared herself, “Go.”

Gore took off on the command and Kaitlyn and Smith turned the corners shooting their pistols blindly down the hallway. Gore ran the distance slower than Kaitlyn but because of the cover fire he managed to get over to her safely. Falling onto the ground out of breath he commented, “Damn some of them were pretty close.”

Reaching down a hand to help him up Kaitlyn laughed, “Is that what you call running.” Kaitlyn looked over to Smith who nodded back to her, she saw Pink ready to run her as eyes closed in a quick prayer.

Kaitlyn blew the smoke discharge still flowing out of the barrel of the gun waiting for the right moment when her body told her the time was right. “Go.”

Opening her eyes Kim ran as fast as she could. Smith and Kaitlyn turned around the corners once again and shooting down the hall. Kim managed to cover the distance and slid to a stop after reaching the safety of the wall.

Helping her up Gore asked, “Did you see anyone down the hall?”

“I only saw bullets” answered Kim between breaths.

“Damn it might be a little useful if I knew what I was shooting at,” said Kaitlyn as she threw the spent clip to the floor and loaded a new one into the gun.

Smith pushed the many spent shells out of Snakes way as Snake was mentally preparing himself. “You ready big guy.”

“Sure am Smith I live for this stuff.”

“Go.” Said Kaitlyn.

Snake took off running but fell shortly after taking his first step he slipped on a loose shell on the floor. “Shit,” screamed the team in unison.

Kaitlyn stepped out from around the corner giving the still unnamed assailants another target. Gore was crouching behind Kaitlyn leaning out behind her legs shooting a fireball as far down the hallway as he could see. On the other side Smith crouched out into the hallway shooting, Warren stood up above him shooting his submachine gun.

Snake quickly scrambled to his hands and feet and started his run again as bullets hit the ground all around him. He stumbled to the other side and collapsed to the ground Kim and Gore immediately began magically tending to his wounds, as the big ork screamed in pain.

Kaitlyn spun back behind the wall swearing to her self, ejecting the clips. “I’m out. I need some more bullets.”

“Check my back pocket,” said Snake through his clenched teeth.

Quickly moving over to Snake Kaitlyn reached into his pants, careful not to disturb the rituals being placed on him and with drew a single clip.

“This is all you have?”

“Give me break Kate,” managed the ork.

Loading the remaining clip into her gun Kaitlyn crouched back against the wall holding her wrist with her free hand positioning the gun in front of her head in a silent prayer. Warren was getting ready for the run, and Smith was reloading his pistol. Looking up he nodded to Kaitlyn. Shaking her head back she said, “Go.”

Warren ran across the hall covering the distance easily despite the fact that both Smith and Kaitlyn were one gun short each. As soon as he was across Smith threw his gun across to Kaitlyn. Ejecting the clip Kaitlyn checked the amount of ammunition. They were both only half full. Slapping the clips back in she got into position against the wall.

Getting her self ready for the final time Kaitlyn was about to say ‘go’ when several armed men came running around the corner of the hall on the side that most of the Knights were on. Drawn by the gunfire they came well prepared.

Looking up from tending Snakes injuries Pink screamed, “Knights we got incoming. I can’t stop here.”

“Not to worry,” said Gore as he got up from sitting next to his buddy and ran towards the group of soldiers coming at them. Spreading his arms to block their advance Gore laughed. “Hey guys, is it just me or are things getting a little hot around here.” Closing his eyes for a moment he bent over belching out flame from his mouth filling the hallway with the deadly magical flames.

The soldiers reeled back from the heat and were caught off guard Warren flipped over Gore’s head kicking two of the lead soldiers with one swing of his leg. Landing on his hands and his free leg he immediately rolled and wrapped his legs around another soldier’s leg. Spinning he pushed into the back of the knees of the soldier with one leg and the front of the ankles with the other, knocking him face first into the ground. Locking his leg under the soldier’s feet and pushing into his knees caps leaving the guard struggling helplessly for the moment before he reached under his chin and pulled him into a headlock. Pulling back hard Warren folded the soldier back until a loud snap filled the hallway.

Looking up Warren saw Gore squaring off with yet another soldier whose rifle was already lying discarded on the ground. The female soldier was attempting to hit the quick dwarf with a large cleaver like sword. Gore waited buying his time until she made a mistake, which came when she over extended her swing in a vain attempt to hit the dwarf. He reacted without thought; reaching behind his back he quickly drew his monowhip, which he snapped at her hand severing it from the wrist. Following the motion of the wire he pulled it over his head and swung it horizontally at the soldier’s neck.

By this time the first soldiers who Warren knocked over were getting up. One however was stopped short when the head of his teammate fell onto his chest. Falling back to the ground in shock screaming, he only had a moment to contemplate this hideous sight in front of him before Pink opener her hand unleashing a powerful blast at him.

Smith was just finishing his run across the intersection by this time, extending his hand to catch the pistol that Kaitlyn threw back towards him in between her shots. “Only 6 left,” said Kaitlyn as she spun back and leaned against the wall remembering how few bullets she had left in her other gun.

“Smith they are coming down the hall way,” said Kaitlyn calmly.

“How many?”

“Four.”

“Save your ammo on this one.”

Nodding her head Kaitlyn put the gun into the back of her pants, and bent down to pull a knife out of each boot.

The other soldier finished getting up and leveled his gun at Gore opening fire. Easily getting out of the way he rolled to one side extending his arm throwing a wave of mana energy at the soldier pushing him back off his feet and crashing into the wall behind him. Cracks were visible in the wall as he slid down and rested lifelessly on the ground.

Warren spun off of the dead soldier and kicked another one who was running at Pink who was still attending to Snake. One foot connecting in his ribs before the other one hit on the side of his neck. The soldier fell to the ground hard as Warren fell on top of him ready to punch him until he realized that he was not attempting to move anymore.

Kaitlyn stood motionless by the corner of the wall even amidst the combat surrounding her. Listening she waited, Smith was standing ready behind her and was almost caught off guard when she suddenly jumped around the corner.

The soldiers running down the hall were definitely caught off guard when she came jumping around the corner swinging her knives. She sliced the lead guard twice once across the gut and again across the chest. Falling to the ground the guard screamed in pain clutching her wounds. Using the momentum from the slash Kaitlyn spun to the side like a ballet dancer raising her hands in the air to allow the soldier to fall. Spinning back around she drove the knives into the guard before she could reach the ground, one in either side of her stomach.

Smith retracting his cyberspur and rounded the corner after Kaitlyn. One of the guards was swinging the butt of his rifle at Kaitlyn, who was still bent over thrusting her knives into his companion. Smith stuck out his fleshy hand and grabbed the underbarrel of the gun, stopping the guard’s swing. Punching with the other arm he embedded the spur into the guards gut. Pulling the gun from the guard, he threw it to one side. He took his fleshy arm and proceeded to swing his elbow smacking the side of the guard’s head several times. Still secure on the blades of the spur the guard put up little resistance as Smith pulled back and smacked him in the nose with the back of his elbow.

Kaitlyn gave up trying to struggle the knives out of the first soldier and she went after the other guard who had the heavy machinegun that was shooting at them earlier. He aimed the long barrel of the gun at Kaitlyn and started firing. The rhythmic clatter of the gun echoed of the walls of the narrow hallway but she whirled out of the line of fire kicking the under barrel of the machinegun causing the soldier to fire haphazardly in every direction. Shooting out the overhead lights, ripping apart some pictures on the wall and causing the other two soldiers and Smith to dive to the ground. Taking advantage of the distraction Kaitlyn pulled out his sidearm and chose to smack him in the bridge of the nose with the handle.

Smith also took advantage of one of the remaining soldier that was lying on the ground. He took his cyber arm and drove the spur into the spine of the prone soldier.

Jumping to the other soldier, who was not as lucky, bullet holes were visible along his back, Smith retracted his spur. All their enemies vanquished the Knights stood triumphantly over their bodies. Looking around they saw no other threat. “Okay Knights,” said Smith get whatever you can carry off of these guys, we still have a mission to do.”

They quickly gathered all the weapons and ammo that the dead soldiers were carrying. Newly equipped and armed they continued on through the boat towards the security office to collect the mage mask.

“What is the time,” asked Smith.

“20 hundred hours,” reported Pink.

“Snake and Warren should be in position then.”

“If all went as planed, yes,” added Gore.

“We have two minutes before they go in,” said Kaitlyn.

“Okay get into position you three,” ordered Smith.

As they split up to go the other entrances to the ballroom, Pink grabbed Kaitlyn’s arm. “Are you sure you are going to be able to do this?”

“It’s for my babies, whatever happens after… I just have to save them.”

Kaitlyn waited by the door to the ballroom watching each painful second tick by on her watch. “20 to go…” Images of her family pass through her mind… birthday’s… holidays… the simple moments when they were together. “18 more…” The first time Michel kissed her… the first time they made love… birthday’s… holidays… her children… “15…” She thought of the nights she fell asleep in his arms… the simple moments… their first kiss… wrapped in arms… “12...” She remembered her dad and her brother… she wondered if they were disappointed in her… their kiss… his lips… holidays… the simple moments… birthdays… his lips… “10…” She pictured her mother… tears poured down her face again… “I’m sorry I disappointed you mom… you would have never let this happen to you …” 7…” If I were only stronger none of this would have ever…”

The boat shook again shaking Kaitlyn from her thoughts, but it was not an explosion because it rocked back the other way and then back again. Smith was across from the door in which he planed on barging in looking around for any sign of what was happening to the boat when the doors burst open. A large group of the soldiers ran out towards the exterior of the boat. Ducking down a hall Smith managed to avoid the soldiers, whose concerns appeared to be elsewhere. Looking through the swinging door Smith saw that most of the guards that Kim had reported were now gone. Looking down at his watch the counter changed to 5.

Warren and Snake were bounced off the wall in the air vent high above the ballroom.

“What was that,” whispered Snake as looked to his watch as the counter changed to 3.

“Don’t know, but we don’t have time to worry about it we have to go now,” said Warren as he kicked open the grate and dropped down to the floor far below. “Shit,” screamed Snake as he dropped down behind him.

The doors to the ballroom burst open at the same time as the rest of the Knights came running into the hall. The few remaining guards were caught off guard and were forced into confusion as the attack came from all sides.

As Kaitlyn stepped into the room she immediately saw her children tied up, crying and froze. Michel was in between them his head hung down, She was beginning to wonder if he had seen her yet when a near by guard opened fire on her. Instinct took over her grief as she rolled and returned fire catching one of the guards in the chest throwing him back down the steps into the other guards. Engrossed in the melee Kaitlyn still saw everything in the room around her.

She saw Warren looking around before running towards the mage attached to the nuclear bomb in the center of the room. She saw his quick motions as he slapped the mask over the mages head. Snake was right next to him as he opened a compartment on the bomb and started looking inside.

She saw Snake busy trying to figure out the controls when the platform that the nuke was on suddenly started to move. She heard the big ork scream; “we might have a problem people.” Said Snake as the platform he was on started to move.

Looking back she saw Warren turn his attention from the person he had in a headlock and the other person who’s throat he was standing on. “Tell me something we don’t know Snake, like how we can fix it.”

“I think I can disarm it but where is it going?”

Kaitlyn ducked the chair that one of the guards swung at her head, swinging her arm she hooked the back of his knee cap lifting him in the air briefly before he came crashing to the ground. When she recovered from her swing she saw the image of Pink running by and jumping over Snakes back hitting one of the guards in the head with a metal pole knocking him out of Snake’s way. She heard Kim scream, “It is going to the launching mechanism they have set up downstairs,” as she spun her stick around and fending off two more guards who were running at her. “You have to get it disarmed before it reaches it,” said Kim thrusting the pole into the throats of the two guards pushing them back off their feet at the same time.

Kaitlyn was holding one of the guards in a headlock under her arm; hitting him in the face with the butt of her pistol when she finally saw Michel again. He was staring at her his mouth hung open and shock in his eyes. He was pushing Jasmine and Philip’s heads into his chest to hide them from the spectacle unfolding in front of them. She froze in mid swing unable to move in Michel’s gaze. These momentary laps allowed the guard to grab her legs and lift her off the ground. Falling backwards he dropped her on the ground crashing her shoulders into the hard floor. Landing hard she wasn’t prepared for another guard to kick her in the face with one of his big boots. He kept stomping on her until she stuck up her arms defensively, catching the foot she spun his leg twisting it in a direction it was not mean to move he forcing him to flip to the ground. She rolled on top of him punching him in the face several times breaking his nose causing blood to pour out of him with each strike. Satisfied she got up off of him; turning around she lowered her eyes and forced her self not to look at Michel as she ran over to another group of guards fighting Gore.

Warren looked to Snake who was trying to make a decision on how to disarm the bomb. “Just make a decision Snake.” The physad begged.

“Back off, the wrong one kills us all, remember.”

“But that mage is going to do something if we keep him restrained any longer.”

“Patience is a virtue,” said Snake.

“Not now it isn’t Snake,” screamed Smith running over to the ork.

“Okay, okay,” screamed Snake closing his eyes before cutting the wire he assumed was the correct one. The tactical nuclear foci missile powered down all the lights and mechanisms on it stopped. Smiling Snake chuckled as he opened his eyes, “What do you know were alive.”

Suddenly all the remaining guards broke off the combats and ran out the doors. “What’s their problem,” laughed Gore. “It was just beginning to get fun.”

“They must know a lost cause when they see one,” cheered Snake butting fists with his dwarven buddy.

“Can the hostages leave the room now,” asked Smith.

“I see no reason why not if the missile is shut down there should be no more danger,” answered Kim.

“Okay everybody,” shouted Smith. “Everything is okay if you just follow me we’ll head to the life rafts and get off this damned boat.”

Everyone followed as the Knights ran to the outside of the boat. None of them were prepared for the chaos occurring outside. All the soldiers that ran from the ballroom were firing their rifles in the air as 4 giant leviathans that were surrounding the cruise ship, and the now visible cargo ship pulled along next to it. Their bodies were long like a giant snake, with massive heads and jaws. Their tails swung at the boats crashing in the metal sides with each blow. To make matters worse a storm had recently blown in, and massive waves were beating against the boats from the harsh winds. Some where high enough to come crashing over the railings of the deck.

“Oh my God,” said Snake looking over the scene.

“I can’t stop them with a pistol Smith,” added Kaitlyn.

“Get every one into the life rafts on the other side of the boat hopefully they will not be seen so they can get away,” ordered Smith.

“The group ran past the soldiers who now had more important problems so subsequently paid them no attention. Kaitlyn saw Michel running with Jasmine in his arms and Philip running on his heels, but she slowly moved away from them putting as much of the crowd between them as possible.

Warren was standing with Smith in the midst of the chaos. “So what’s are move?”

“I have no idea on this one Bernardo. Maybe we can distract them or we can… What the hell is he doing here?” Smith pointed to the little kid in the overalls sitting on the railing giving Smith the middle finger. “It’s the kid I was talking about before.”

Looking at the small boy astrally Warren quickly corrected, “That’s a sea spirit Smith.”

“That’s right,” said the boy. “And you’ve got some nerve coming out here city boy. That’s why I dumped all the dead bodies off the boat to bring my little friends you see here,” said the boy waving to the giant leviathans behind him.

“Oh really, I’ve had enough of this shit, Kim would you please kill him.”

Closing her eyes Kim discovered that she was capable of astrally projecting again. She was soon charging at the spirit.

Smith and Warren watched as the boys’ expression changed to shock as the image of the astral warrior struck him again and again.

Popping back into her body Kim reported, “He won’t be giving you any more problems Smith.”

“Okay now what do we do about this,” said Smith waving at the monsters around him.

“I say we just leave and let them munch on our terrorist friends here.”

“That’s about all we can do, let’s get to the life rafts.”

On the other side of the boat Snake Gore and Kaitlyn were helping the passengers into the life rafts. A steady stream of them floated away from the boat and only a few of the passengers were remaining. Gore was helping people on when he recognized Michel and Kaitlyn’s kids getting into the raft. Unsure what to say his worries were relieved when Michel deliberately avoided making eye contact with him.

The Knights were loading the passengers when the boat shook again as the missile fired out of the ship flying off into the night.

“Shit Snake I thought you disarmed that,” screamed Kaitlyn. “It is still a nuke.”

The missile flew a few hundred feet and suddenly shut off and splashed into the water.

“I’m shocked and disturbed that you would even doubt me Kate,” screamed Snake over the passengers. Looking out at the splash receding into the water he laughed. “You think that mage is dead?”

Smith, Warren, and Kim came running over to the rest of the group. They stopped when they heard screaming coming from the life rafts.

“FUCK what now,” screamed Smith. Looking out into the water he saw the fins of 3 creatures circling the passengers. “Warren?”

“They’re megalodons, nasty critters to, they will tare all those rafts to shreds if we let them.”

“Then we don’t let them, come on Knights we ain’t off the clock yet,” said Smith jumping into a raft. Gore got into the same one as he did. Snake and Pink got into another and Kaitlyn and Warren got into a third and they lowered themselves into the water. They began speeding off into the ocean when Kaitlyn realized that they drove right past the boat containing her family. “No not yet,” she said to herself not allowing her self to turn around and look at them. “I have to get this done with first.”

The group came into range of the megalodons. Warren immediately started taking distance strikes at the creatures. Torrents of water exploded around them with each strike. Kim and Gore were aiming their shots carefully but the mana just seemed to bounce of the monsters. Kaitlyn and Smith were each shooting their pistols at the creatures when they came close enough to the boats. But the bullets couldn’t dent their thick skin.

All was to no avail as the creatures kept coming after them, but they seemed to be leaving the other passengers alone. One of the huge creatures jumped out of the water and sunk its massive jaws into Gore and Smiths boat. Kaitlyn steered her boat over to them Warren stuck out his hands stopping the creature in mid bite. Smith and Gore ignored their sinking boat took aim at the helpless creature. Smith opened fire with his pistol at point blank range and even the monsters thick hide could not stop the armor piercing bullets from tearing into it’s body at this range.

Jumping into Kaitlyn and Warren’s boat Smith and Gore abandoned theirs as it sunk with the dead megalodon. Pink and Snake were still busy with the other two and Smith turned in time to see Snake jump into the water with only a knife clenched between his teeth. Tense moments passed; suddenly he saw the massive ork appear between the waves. His legs were wrapped around the head of the remaining creature. Blood poured out of the creature’s back as he drove the knife into its back again and again.

Kim looked over the edge of the life raft worried cause she could not see Snake anymore. Minutes passed and neither the remaining creature nor Snake surfaced. Suddenly behind her the boat shook as the massive ork pulled himself into the boat.

“You scared me to death you bloody fool. I swear you must be daft, are you okay?” Screamed Kim all at once.

“Sure Kim,” smiled Snake. “I got him, I lost my knife but I…”

Kim screamed as the water behind Snake parted and the last megalodon came jumping at the ork, jaws open ready to strike. Drawing her magic from deep down inside Pink unleashed a deadly bolt of power that struck the creature in the head stopping it’s charge and causing it to fall limp into the water.

Looking back at the creature and the to Kim Snake saw a thin smile appear on her lips before she slumped to the boat, her body exhausted from the physical drain of casting the deadly spell. Crawling over to her he grabbed her body before it fell into the water. The waves were getting worse and the tiny boat rocked back and forth Snake held on tight to Kim’s unconscious body screaming for the rest of his team. Pulling up next to their boat Gore threw Snake a rope, which he secured, to the boat and they began heading off in the direction of the other passengers.

Lights appeared in the distance as several ships and many helicopters came into view of the passengers. Rescue teams came out to the life rafts and they started helping the people onto the larger ships. It turned out that they were close to the mainland of the East Coast of the Confederated American States. Drawn by the launching of the missile attack team headed out to the terrorist ship.

The Knights missed the rescue teams however their battle caused them to drift far away from the other passengers but they found the dock that they were taking the passengers to. The lights from the harbor were visible as well as the happy people hugging and cheering realizing how closely they brushed death and escaped.

“Well Knights I hope you all enjoyed your vacation,” laughed Smith.

“Yeah sure,” chuckled Gore. “Same time next year.”

All characters and story trademarked and copyrighted to Anthony “Griffon” Pulido and Aaron “Necreus” Claypool.