“Whiskey with ice.” I told her and then went to a chair to sit. She rose trying to keep looking graceful and tripped a bit on the chains that boun...d her. Again a moment of horror crossed her face, and I had a feeling that she was often smacked about by the slavers for her awkwardness. I was finding it somewhat endearing.There were three bottles of whiskey on the table and she placed ice in the glass that I had been using, then reached for the bottle on the left side. “Good,” I told her “nice to. “John,” said Marisa, “The sun’s awfully hot. I’m goingto take Jack back to the trailer and get both me and himout of it.”“Probably a good idea,” replied her husband. “I won’tstay out there too long.”“Nonsense, take as long as you want. We’ll be fine.”Marisa kissed her husband and John reached down andtickled Jack who made a delighted cooing sound. Shegrabbed the diaper bag and made her way to the. ”I nodded and turned towards the hatch. My gear was to be brought to my quarters as I headed for the ships command bridge and a meeting with Sergeant Major Drake and Rear Admiral Noble. When I nodded to the guard at the hatch he glanced at me and then his eyes dropped to the ribbons and medals. He snapped to attention, “I am sorry Sergeant Major but the command bridge is off limits.”I nodded, “let the Admiral or Sergeant Major know I am here.”He turned to the intercom and a moment later the. Pigeons enter through glassless windows and settle into their night-time roosts gently cooing a lullaby to echo in empty rooms long since abandoned to the ravages of wind, rain and hot remorseless sun. Mice, noses twitching, inspect droppings seeking a grain, a morsel, vestiges of human occupation long since consumed, and pursue a relentless course around the skirting boards amongst and over the detritus of ornate plasterwork crumbled on the floorboards that marked the salon, facing the river,.