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

[tentacruelest]

Who here on this barge is left? I count only a handful of adults, all of whom are caring for their respective broods.

[with_my_teacup]

In the interim I'm happy to include any of the children into my brood. It's a tendency I've always had. A product of some animal side of me.

I would advise you not to cause an affray in my mess hall. It would be so tedious to expel you from it.

[tentacruelest]

I never took you for the maternal type.

Then I'll be causing a mess outside your hall instead.

[with_my_teacup]

You ought to have, Mister Jones. I do take rather a maternal view towards children.

I have been running out of patience with wanton cruelty for weeks and weeks, now. I will ask you politely not to add to the count.

[tentacruelest]

I suppose next you'll be breastfeeding the littlest ones.

Have ye? And what do these cruelties care for your patience?

[with_my_teacup]

Physiologically improbable, and happily unnecessary. Though I believe that the thing has been done.

However.

I do take pains that this should not be like the prisons of my own frequent incarcerations. I thrive in those places, but I do not like them. I do not want this to be a place where the strong prey upon the weak, where the less fortunate starve.

I do what is in my power to prevent it, in fact, and that power includes both my own moderate strength and calling for help from greater powers like a rank coward. It is a great convenience to be able to completely swallow one's pride.

[tentacruelest]

And who do you call for aid when you must swallow your pride, Riddick?

[with_my_teacup]

Miss Isley seems a likely sort-- and beyond her I would be a fool to name those I know to carry surprising weaponry concealed on their persons.

[And there's always Banner in a pinch, but yeah, he doesn't want to go there if he doesn't have to.

His knives and what he can improvise with a full kitchen are his first resort, of course.]

[tentacruelest]

This would be the green-skinned witch.

[with_my_teacup]

It would. One doesn't like to rely on the inmates to keep one another in check.

Although one does like to give them the chance; I preferred to do so myself and they have the greater stake in this place being run in some sort of tolerable order.

[tentacruelest]

Your story deeply touches my heart, Riddick. Such a shame it isn't here with me to hold its sway.

[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.