Chapter 7

Bill was the last of his newly formed clan to step onto the transporter pad. Taking a few breaths he leaned on Ray-ray until his head cleared. Looking up at his conglomeration of people, Bill wondered what would happen next.

"Welcome aboard the Kon Tiki." A tall, dark-tanned man in deep blue fatigues extended his hand. "I'm Ensign Khan," he turned his head toward the breathtaking redhead standing beside him. "This is PFC Darcy." Bill tried not to stare at her, dressed in those form-fitting blue fatigues. PFC Darcy did not move to greet him, but made a slight nod of her head. "We weren't expecting any passengers until Tuesday. Somebody high up had you folks switched to the Kon Tiki." He looked at the assembled multitude. "I believe some of you may have missed dinner. Would anyone be interested in a late supper?" Several of the boys cheered. He pointed toward an open hatchway, "If you will follow PFC Darcy," who began walking down a passageway, "the mess is that way."

The corridor seemed to be a slow downward curl, yet his footsteps gave the impression of a flat hallway. Ensign Khan waited for Bill, letting the rest of the group filter past. The boys crowded the front of the procession. Food and a stunning woman proved to be a great draw.

"Mr. Jenkins, I almost forgot." The ensign handed him a smooth black rectangular box, much smaller than the card reader he had earlier. "This is your link to the AI in your pod." Bill slipped it into his shirt pocket. "This is a good-sized group. How did you swing it?"

"It was really that one." He pointed at Randy, who was in the lead group of hungry boys. Ray-ray circled the stroller to the right, avoiding a collision with a crewmember who tried to cross the throng. Bill stopped. "I'm missing one. What happened to Leslie?"

A voice came from his pocket. "The concubine Leslie, bound to Bill Jenkins, is presently undergoing a med scan on the Artemis Moon Base."

"Is she OK?"

"She began experiencing an episode of respiratory distress while following your instructions to see to the care for your dependent, Eve Gray."

He had forgotten them. Eve lost all that blood; Bill berated himself, what an irresponsible way to behave. "How are they right now?" Bill pleaded.

"Both individuals are stable."

Bill wanted to scream.

"You must be very specific when talking to an AI." Ensign Khan then asked. "AI what are the prognoses of the individuals on Artemis base who are assigned to Bill Jenkins?"

"Concubine Leslie is having several age related illnesses addressed. She will be finished in thirty minutes. The dependent Eve was suffering from a Type IV Placenta Praevia. She will require two hours and forty-three minutes of additional time. The female fetus is not in danger and remains viable."

Bill was glad, relieved that the girls were not in serious trouble and the baby was OK. "Baby? AI, who is pregnant?"

"Dependent Eve Gray is six to seven weeks pregnant. You gave care responsibility to the concubine Leslie. She chose the viability of both the dependent Eve and the fetus."

"Thank you."

Bill never remembered the rest of the walk to the mess hall.

The kids adapted to the meal dispenser first. Joyce brought him two scrambled eggs, biscuits, and apple jelly, topped off with chocolate milk. He ate mechanically.

Bill and the adults sat together with the ensign. Misty sat with the girls. Little Katy napped in the stroller, next to June and Jackie. The five-year-old boys, Kurt and Karl, sat prominently among the boys. The older boys jockeyed for the best vantage points toward the naked women.

"We've got to create a family unit out of all of this," Ray-ray mused aloud.

Bill took that to heart, glad that Ray-ray could verbalize the idea of a family and appeared to be taking some ownership of the need. Bill had a bit of doubt creep into his mind. Was he up to this?

"Mr. Jenkins," Jackie came close enough to be sure he saw her. "That lady who brought us to the cafeteria, Miss Darcy, said we had to ask you." Looking nervous, Bill waited for her to ask a question that would most likely top off the evening. "We're down to two diapers for Katy."

Bill knew he needed to act. He was responsible for the wellbeing of these people. What he was going to do? The nearest Target was a few thousand miles away. "Thanks Jackie, I'll deal with it." He looked at the ensign, who was still sitting with them. The grin on the ensign's face invited a right cross.

"Tell the AI what your concubines and dependents need."

"You mean like." Bill threw his hands up. "AI, give my concubines what they need to care for the kids."

"Bill Jenkins' concubines may request items for dependent care," answered the AI.

Looking up, Bill noted Salome had one eyebrow raised. She mouthed 'chocolate'. He didn't take the statement as a threat, just a need.

"AI, have those requests extended to the needs of the concubines too."

He flashed an impish grin at Salome. She winked in reply.

"Bill, we need to run everybody through a med scan," the ensign added, tapping him on his shoulder.

"How many can we do at one time?"

"In this section, sixteen members can be accommodated at once."

Bill stood and began to sort the big group, counting in his head. "Tiffany, Theresa, Joyce, Anne, Maggie, Cindy, Ruby, Joan, Jane, Louis, Bert, Ted, Phil, and Randy come with me."

The grumbling started. Bill waited. Folding his arms, he stared into the faces pleading not to go first. He noticed that the necessary movement started. However, a mess remained on the tables. "Boys, pick up your trash, and put your trays in the slots." Bill dropped his voice into a lower register, "or you will be assigned a lunch detention." It was an absurd statement, but it triggered the desired reaction. The kids began picking up their mess.

"Ensign Khan, what's gonna happen?" Cindy Williams looked very apprehensive.

Khan smiled, patting her on the arm. "Think of it as a checkup-plus."

"Plus?"

"Yes," Kahn pointed at Bill. "Pretend your Mr. Jenkins had sprained his foot." Cindy looked at Bill nodding. "This checkup would fix the sprain."

"Can it fix cavities?"

"Yes, do you have a toothache?"

Cindy nodded. Then she smiled. Whirling about, she raced back to the group of girls Bill had called. A huddle formed, producing a few giggles.

Bill began to wonder about the students with care plans. "AI, can you access the school district mainframe?" Bill asked.

"I have that capability."

"Louis, Phil, and Ruby have special medical issues. Copies of the diagnoses and school treatment plans are located there."

"The issues listed in those files are easily corrected."

"Can you access other of my group's medical records?"

"Those files are being used to create baseline profiles."

A two-minute walk led them to a room with eight large tubes on each side.

"Welcome to Med Bay Two," a woman in a tight dark blue miniskirt and tank top stated proudly. "My name is Gia." She raised her voice to address the group. "If you have clothes, put them in the tub over there and then hop in a tube."

"Miss Gia," Bert waved his hand. "What's going to happen?"

She looked at Bill. He nodded. "We will check and make sure you are healthy. We can repair just about anything."

"What about zits?"

"Not without his approval." She pointed at Bill.

The weight of the eyes hit Bill. "No zits, no dandruff," he looked at Bert, "no smells."

Bill pulled Joyce forward. "Joyce, you go first."

"Bill, my kids are coming. I need to wait for them. I ." Bill placed a finger on her lips.

"Not with these bruises." Bill kissed her softly. "They get a new mom for their new life."

Joyce started a sob but kissed him again. Bill lifted her into his arms and sat her on the pod. He held her hand until the top started closing.

Turning, Bill confronted the kids. "You heard Gia, out of your clothes!" Everyone turned away from each other. The shades of red that Bill saw on both upper and lower sets of cheeks threatened to make him laugh. Having his kids see him finding humor in their distress would prove disastrous. Bill placed both hands on his face, index fingers on both sides of his nose. He hid his mouth while stifling a snicker, gods this was funny.

"I ain't getting' naked!" yelled Phil. Bill had wondered when the boy's supposed ADHD behaviors would rear their head; this usually happened when Phil had to do something that he did not want to do.

Phil turned and burst toward the door. It closed. Phil screeched and charged Cindy, the smallest person in the room. He made two steps, his fist balled. Bill moved to intercept the little fucker. Cindy cringed. Then a flash, zap, and Phil crumpled at Cindy's feet.

"Thanks guys," Gia called toward the ceiling.

Cindy, just in her underwear and unbuttoned shirt ran and grabbed Bill, burying her face into his stomach. He began stroking her back protectively.

"What happened?" asked Ruby.

"It appeared that the dependent Philip Fletcher was going to attack dependent Cynthia Williams. He was stunned by ship's personnel."

Gia redirected the kids. "Everyone needs to be nude, and in the 'tude'." She tapped one softly. Her bad rhyme produced groans and broke the building silence.

Cindy realized her state of undress. Bill could see her ears redden. He let go. She spun and went to the other side of the med tube. Quickly, several naked butts could be seen slipping quickly into tubes.

Bill helped Gia strip Phil by placing clothes she handed to him into a bin. She held the underwear in pinched fingers by the waistband. "It looks like the boy shot off in his pants, bless his heart." Gia easily picked up Phil, impressing Bill. She deposited Phil into the tube.

"Phil is what I call parentally handicapped." Bill offered an excuse for his charge. "His parents divorced years ago. Momma had a series of boyfriends; Phil could only get attention by acting out. She shopped around enough doctors until she found one who gave him a label, and that gave her a monthly SSI check."

Gia nodded. Bill realized she was letting him ramble.

Walking to the last tube, Gia turned back to face Bill. "Sir, we need to have you hop in here for a standard med scan." Gia motioned Bill over to the empty machine. "Do you have any medical issues we should be looking for?"

"I started having chest pains about a week ago, but I had upped my exercise routine." Bill looked up. He could feel the flush in his cheeks. "I have a bad case of hemorrhoids." The look on her face never changed. Bill noticed she had a choker that matched her outfit.

"We can look at both." Gia moved her arm, pointing her elbow straight up. "If you do this, does that change the way it hurts?" Bill mimicked the move.

As he stretched his arm over his head, the pain changed throughout the range of motion. "That does help a bit."

Gia smiled. "I was a trainer at Alcorn State." She crossed over to Bill. Pressing on the pectoral muscles, she eased his arm down. The pain seemed more manageable. "The AI will process that during your examination." She grabbed a small tub.

"Thank goodness." Bill closed his eyes. He blew heavily out of his mouth puffing out his cheeks.

Calling him back to the present, Gia reminded him, "You'll need to strip and climb in." She didn't turn away. Bill stalled, hoping she would turn away. "Yes, I am going to look."

Bill quipped back, "But there is no pole for me to dance around." Together they laughed. Bill disrobed and placed his clothes in the tub. His boxer briefs stuck a bit to his skin, causing him to wince a little.

Gia grabbed a spray bottle. "It's just water. It helps loosen sticky clothes." Bill pulled the waistband. She squirted water. The boxer-briefs peeled away. It felt good to be out of the clothes. His cock remained flaccid under the cool, wet mist.

"I'll have these cleaned while you are in there."

"Thanks, Gia," Bill smiled. "Some of these people with me are in for a paradigm shift. I understand that there is going to be a lot of hurt and shock." He looked over at Joyce's tube. "At least we can take away some of the pain."

Bill climbed into the tube.

The events of the day washed over Bill's thoughts. His body began conveying protests. The need to nap engulfed him.

One of the best things that could ever happen did happen. Guy Kibbee got his butt handed to him by Ms. Howard. Sweet memories of Guy on the ground, begging her to let him go brought a smile to Eve's face. She remembered cramping and needing to sit at the table. There were fragments of a scream, and someone holding her.

Eve woke. She found herself sitting in Ms. Howard's classroom, surrounded by posters emphasizing the steps to be a good writer. Soft tan walls and that hideous multiple shaded brown carpet. Ms. Howard had joked that it was that color to hide evidence of any student being sick.

Eve sat at the sharing table. Her prewriting graphic organizer lay on the table, the words 'My Life This Summer' written across the top. In one of the four writing web spheres, the word 'pregnant' burned her eyes.

Ms. Howard and Mr. Jenkins both sat down with her. School was the place she felt wanted, able to express herself. Ms. Howard leaned forward a bit and took Eve's hand. Mr. Jenkins sported his someone-has-sinned-a-great-sin-face. He showed this protective look when he thought somebody had done something to one of his students.

Reaching across the table, Ms. Howard stroked her cheek. "Eve, honey we need to talk about this summer."

"Ms. Howard," Eve tried to pull back. "I cannot say."

Not letting go, Ms. Howard responded. "Mr. Jenkins and I are here to help you."

Eve felt wetness on her cheeks. Inhaling, she heard a sniffle. Shaking her head to convey 'no', Eve did not want to speak. She closed her eyes, wanting to block out everything. A gentle wobble moved the table. Moments later, arms enclosed Eve, protecting her, offering comfort. The smell of Old Spice filled her nose.

"We know you're pregnant." The softness in Mr. Jenkins voice surprised her. She figured he would be angry with her.

Her vision became cloudy due to tears. Ms. Howard moved to join the hug. A wave of security engulfed Eve. Ms. Howard placed a tissue into her hand. Wiping her eyes, Eve looked up at the two people she trusted the most in the world. She decided to tell them.

Pushing gently, Eve signaled that she wanted the embrace to break apart. Ms. Howard sat on Eve's right. Mr. Jenkins leaned over the table, pulling his laptop closer for use as he now sat next to her.

Eve wiped her eyes again, and then blew her nose. "This summer, back in June, my dad took me over to the Kibbee's house." She sniffed. "He told me that mom was slated to be in Mr. Kibbee's pre-pack from work. I would be going with his family."

Eve looked at both teachers. Ms. Howard smiled. Mr. Jenkins sat stoically.

"Mr. Kibbee took me to Guy's room, he told me to undress and he, he" she sobbed again.

Ms. Howard hugged her close again. "Sweetie, it's OK."

Eve nodded. "Guy was there, and Mr. Kibbee told him I was going to help him get a higher CAP score."

She couldn't look at Mr. Jenkins. A sob broke through. Joined by a whimper, Eve broke into a new set of tears. Arms pulled her close. She put her forehead into Ms. Howard's chest. "Eve, sweetie we're here for you. You can cry."

Eve did.

Once she gathered herself, she continued. "Mr. Kibbee told me to strip. I said no. He slapped me." Neither teacher turned away. "He asked again. I did take off my clothes. He told Guy about places on my body using vulgar names. They made me lie on the bed. Mr. Kibbee set up a camera."

Eve began to bawl. How long it took her to stop never registered. When she became able to talk, she did.

"He told Guy to stick his finger in my vagina. It hurt, Ms. Howard. I told him to stop." Eve nodded to show her honesty in that statement. "Mr. Kibbee said to 'shut up' and then he told Guy that he should 'put his cock in there, not in a boy's ass.' Mr. Kibbee grabbed a tube and told Guy to squirt some of it on his cock. He told him to pump up a hardon. Guy climb on me. I screamed for them to stop. It hurt when Guy put it in me. Mr. Kibbee kept ranting 'I didn't raise no faggot.' I stayed in Guy's room for most of the summer." Eve pressed her face into Ms. Howard. "They took me home before they went to the islands. When they got back, there was a big argument between Mr. Kibbee and dad. Since that day, my dad won't speak to me and my mom blames me for being dumped from the prepack."

Mr. Jenkins was typing on his laptop. His faced was locked in the squint he made when he did not know the answer to a student's question and was looking it up.

"Eve, it shows here that Mr. Kibbee has no prepack."

Turning the screen toward her Mr. Jenkins pointed, showing Eve a webpage entitled Florida Prepacks. The names Kiani, a group from Miami, and Kibler, a group from Pensacola, stood next to each other. The Kibbee's name did not appear. Eve mouthed 'He lied'. Everything Guy did to her and had her do was based on a lie. Sobbing Eve felt herself hugged; Ms. Howard held her.

Eve could hear keys tapped in a plodding rhythm. It stopped. She looked up to see Mr. Jenkins walking over to the printer and waiting for it to spit out some papers. He whipped through the papers as he walked back to the sharing table. "Eve, I have these papers from the Department of Children and Families." Eve took the papers from his hand. They looked official. "They say that you are to come live with me and Ms. Howard. We will be your parents from now on."

Reaching out she pulled him into the shared hug. "What if Guy shows up?"

Ms. Howard responded. "I'll just Ninja his little ass again."

Eve could only nod yes. Mr. Jenkins lifted her into his arms. Leaving the classroom, Eve suddenly found herself tucked into a bed by her new parents. She felt secure and safe in their home.

Bill opened his eyes. He felt good, truly better than ever. He sat up. Looking to his left, he saw Gia holding a nude Ruby.

"Is everything OK?" Bill asked.

"Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Jenkins," Ruby ran to his pod. She tugged her hair. "It's real! My hair is real!" Bill leaned over to hug the girl. The tears where happy ones, "The bruises from the injections are gone." She held up her arms. "Gia said the leukemia is gone. I know it is. I feel so, so ." Ruby spun in a circle. "I don't hurt anymore."

"Ruby, let's get dressed." She looked at him, then at herself. Ruby dashed back over to Gia, placing a pod between them.

"Bill Jenkins this is a test of your AI implant."

"I heard that loud and clear." Bill answered.

"Bill, you can communicate via sub vocalization. During your implant process, you were given instructions subconsciously. Keep your lips closed. Soundlessly mouth the words you want to say."

Bill wondered how Joyce was doing. 'What is Joyce's prognoses?' the technique to form complex phonic blends entered his thoughts. "Joyce's prognosis?"

No one else heard the AI share the information. "Joyce was released twenty minutes ago. She is in the cafeteria with your group from the med check. The other dependents and concubines are in the tubes. Ruby Crane, Louis Mercier, and yourself are the only remaining members of the first group still in this med bay."

Climbing out of the pod, Bill found his clothes. He could see Ruby sneaking glances at him. He quickly donned his underwear. When he got to his socks, they were missing the holes.

Once Ruby finished dressing, Gia brought her over. "Gia, can you take Ruby to Tiffany and Joyce?"

"Gia, please take her to the cafeteria. No one will be revived until you return," directed the AI.

Bill sat at Gia's station.

Practicing sub vocalizing, Bill began making inquiries. 'Why is Lucas still in a tube? Wait; give me a rundown on everybody who was in here tonight, just first names.'

"Yes, Bill. Lucas is having his immune system desensitized to a wide variety of stimuli. Ruby's leukemia is in complete remission and her bone marrow now produces the correct levels of white cells. Phillip showed no chemical imbalances or physical maladies that could be a cause for ADHD. The diagnosis contained in the data from the school district is inconsistent with the med scan's findings. Misty had endometriosis that would cause dyspareunia. This has been corrected.>'

'What is that?'

"She had fibrous tumors that could cause her to have painful sexual intercourse. Joyce had several hairline fractures and multiple contusions. They were corrected as you stated when you wanted her children to see her without bruising. Ray and his daughter Katy carry the sickle cell gene. That will require an in-depth treatment at a later date. Anne had several pieces of auto glass in her scalp, arm, and shoulder removed as they led to acne like symptoms." Bill remembered her on crutches after an accident last Christmas break.

Gia came back to find Bill sitting in her chair.

"Mr. Jenkins." Bill looked up at her. He felt a bit lost.

"Sorry, I didn't see you, Gia." Bill got up. Turning, he saw Ensign Kahn enter the room.

"Bill, I don't have all the answers but I can be a sounding board." Khan pulled up two chairs. "Gia is one of my concubines."

Bill decided he needed to take small steps. "Sleeping arrangements tonight, are we going to bed down in the cafeteria?"

Khan smiled. "You have a pod. It will become your home here on the Kon Tiki and once you get to Wayward Colony."

"A pod?"

Khan stood. "Walk with me. I'll show you." He stuck out his hand.

"Bill Jenkins," the AI called aloud. "The dependent Eve Gray will be awaking in twenty minutes. It would be in her best interest if you and the concubine Leslie were there to greet her." Bill looked to Ensign Khan.

"I'll take you to the nearest transport pad."

Bill followed the ensign. The path taken led past the doorway to the mess hall. Before he passed the opening, he stopped. "Ray-ray, sleeping arrangements - girls with girls, boys with boys put everyone in groups by age. The little ones will sleep with the adults tonight."

Ray-ray called back, "Will do."

Bill signaled thumbs-up and headed down the corridor.

As he followed, the AI offered additional information. "Eve Gray has great potential. Her experiences this summer could adversely affect her development."