Chapter Five — Part 3

“This is going to ruin my civil service career. I’ll have to change my name and move to a whole new planet when this is over.”

“I’m sure you will.” I said. “Get yourself to the weapons console. Get us to Idaho. As for me, I’m going to open contact with our newly found treasure.” I opened a frequency before Fluff could complain. “Civilian craft, you’ve been captured by the Pirate Ship Persimmon. Prepare to be boarded and to surrender all your valuables and even your lives to Captain Bit, a.k.a. Gracie.”

“Gracie?” Tiffany’s voice sounded relieved. “We looked for you for so long, only to have you find us.”

The tether tightened, and the civilian ship was drawn into the hold. Tiffany’s timid face looked out at me, and she lit up with delight. “We thought we’d lost you forever.” I humored her, allowing her to hug me and worry over me for a few moments. Just when I thought I was safe from further harassment, it was father’s turn.

He gave me a stiff hug and a hard stare. “Captain Bit, as if Gracie wasn’t a good enough name for a pirate?”

Lim whispered something to Fluff who shrugged. “People often see only what they want to. Maybe they don’t want to see Bit for what she is, only what they want her to be.” I could hear them clearly. My parents shouldn’t have been able to hear Fluff’s whisper at all.

“Well, I can say one thing for this ship.” Tiffany said, “It needs a thorough cleaning.”

“Well, get to work then. Swab the deck and clean out the pre-thrusters.” I said.

Koti stared at me, surprised. “You have some serious explaining to do.”

I tried not to blush. “You’re embarrassing me in front of my crew. I really don’t want to have to throw my own parents in the brig on charges of mutiny. Lim’s little attempt was bad enough.”

Kotian smiled, saluting playfully. “Very Well, Captain Bit. What’re your orders?”

I could see he thought it a good game. “Lieutenant Fluff will take the time to give you a tour of the Persimmon. If you and father would please be kind enough to fix the janitorial drones, this ship might just be in good shape by the time we leave Otherspace.”

Fluff saluted me, trying to be as much like a Lieutenant as possible. While he and mother were away, I sat on the bridge, trying to do Captain things.

“Captain Bit.” The words were respectful.

I turned, looking at the source. Lim Sevenson stood there, very relaxed. “Yes, Private?” I asked.

“You’re not the girl I knew for so many years, are you?”

“I’m an angel, and the mask I wear is that of a pirate. Our life will be one of violent high adventure.”

“Yes, Captain.” Much to my surprise, Lim bowed slightly. “I signed a contract saying that I would serve the needs of your mother when she calls on me until my death. To serve you best I need to know what’s going on.”

“It’s simple, really. If the universe were a machine, it would have a broken part. We have to find that broken part, and repair it. Because of that tiny piece, the Scandivats and Humanity are now at war. If we don’t fix things, the Human Race will be destroyed, and probably the Scandivats as well.”

Lim looked shocked. “I never believed in spirits until I met Tester, and even then I thought she was just some shape-changing alien. Now I’m expected to believe in angels, and God and all things like that?”

“Believe in what you want. You’re in my service, and because we’re on a pirate ship, Lieutenant Fluff and myself are playing the part of pirates.”

“What do you know about being a pirate?”

To be honest, I didn’t know much.

“What’s there to know? You raid a ship, strip it and its occupants for all they’re worth, and get out quick. They collect their insurance, and nothing comes of it.”

“Well, you need to know how to swing a sword, and how to shoot a pistol.” Fluff said from over his shoulder. “I mean, we have to make a profit, after all. Can’t do that by being courteous.”

“Very well. Mum and Pop taught me all about pistols, and I’m good with a knife. So those will be my weapons.”

Tiffany had followed Fluff onto the bridge. “Honey, did I just hear you say you intend to use a pistol as your main weapon?”

“Yes, mum, I do.” I said.

Kotian coughed, trying to hide chuckle.

“Dear, you couldn’t hit the ground between your feet. Might I recommend that you leave the fighting to your crew?” She giggled and I pouted.

“Some pirate I’ll make if I don’t take my share of the bruises.” I was sorely frustrated now, because I remembered how Fluff had saved me from the men on the beach. In another life I would’ve been able to splay them both. Of course, being able to do something physically, and being able to do something mentally were two different things. I don’t think that in any life I could have done what Fluff did to those guys in defense of myself.

“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m tired. I and Fluff will be retiring to our quarters now.”

Tiffany coughed. “Dear, humor your mother and try to at least pretend that you’re still a virgin, and not some bed-hopping tramp.”

“For an ex-concubine, you’re quite prude.” I said.

I didn’t mention the fact that I was still a virgin, it would only cause her to think me a liar, and my dear father would tease me endlessly.

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