3rd Wave

[tentacruelest]

[Jones is a deep, deep sleeper but he wakes with the sunrise. Each day is a new, hellish experience on the Barge but he scowls and stomps his way through them regardless.

Imagine his surprise when this morning he opens his door - releasing a small flood of his usual seawater, which, thanks to Maintenance, is contained by a make-shift dam - and spots children running about.

Not the handful of children he knows to be part of the Barge. New ones. And smaller people are easier to bully than full-grown ones.

Resolving to go about his day unbothered by the mechanics of the Admiral, Davy instead storms his way to the mess hall, literally using his claw to forcefully swat aside anyone smaller than four feet]


I'll thank whoever remains their true, full size to keep the vast majority of whelps under control. I've a mind to toss them over the side one by one; no ship is in need of this many cabin boys. No navy is.

Mind your brats. Or I will.

Comments

[with_my_teacup]

I don't suppose I could bribe you to act with a little more decorum?

[tentacruelest]

Your offer intrigues me. Bribe me with what? What do ye hold to bargain with?

[with_my_teacup]

Oh, the usual amenities. Time in the CES, alcohol, the CTS.

[tentacruelest]

A sword.

[with_my_teacup]

For the duration of a stay in the CTS or CES? Certainly. Indefinitely? I shouldn't think so.

[tentacruelest]

I need a sword, Riddick. I need my sword.

[with_my_teacup]

Will you give your word never to barter it to another inmate less naturally endowed? Never to lend it off? To keep it on you or in your quarters?

[tentacruelest]

Of course.

[with_my_teacup]

And how long is the return of your sword good for? How long will you spare the little ones? The larger ones they return to?

[tentacruelest]

I will spare them for as long as they are small.

[with_my_teacup]

Then I will request its return for as long as they are small.

[And he does, in front of Jones.]

[tentacruelest]

You truly want me to promise never to hurt a living soul.

[with_my_teacup]

I don't recall ever setting such terms.

Not to harm any person who cannot harm you, and is not trying to harm you or engaged in actually doing so. For the duration of the flood, at least. Is it so draconian?

[tentacruelest]

It is a sound rule in principle, but rarely in practice.

[with_my_teacup]

I have never experienced a flood that lasted longer than four or five days. Will you attempt to practice it, for four or five days, if the Admiral concedes?

[tentacruelest]

I will attempt.

[with_my_teacup]

If the admiral proves unwilling, would you accept the loan of one of my own weapons? I am afraid I have no taste for swords, but I have several very respectable long knives.

[tentacruelest]

Knives in my hands resemble toothpicks.

[with_my_teacup]

Then I will have to hope that the admiral is feeling reasonable.

[tentacruelest]

I sincerely doubt it.

[with_my_teacup]

My next recourse is force. I don't wish to fight today. I want to cook and care for the children.

[tentacruelest]

And I want these children to stop trying to strike me and insult me at every turn.

[with_my_teacup]

They have no power to harm you. You shall establish no dominance over the things you cannot control by striking at the ones you can.

[tentacruelest]

Shan't I?

[with_my_teacup]

No. You have proved it for yourself already, on your first day.