The Pilgrimage Ch. 06

Morrigan kissed the top of Megan's head. "I guess I really do owe you big time for this one, Meg" Morrigan turned back to Caroline. "You're right, Caroline. I hadn't really thought about all that. Thanks for saving my butt from what could have turned into quite a mess. I really love your ideas. They show great planning and make perfect sense. You have my approval to do as you think is best." She looked at Gael and said, "Well, Gram; what's the status of the Finance Ministry?"

Gael grinned as she turned to Teagan. "Go ahead, Sweetie; you tell her. After all, you're the star of this show, not me."

Teagan groaned. "Gram, you know I get nervous being put on the spot like this!" She shook her head then took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll do it but only because I love you almost as much as I do Morrigan." She turned to Morrigan. "You're gonna have to create some kind of Imperial Seal. We have a couple of tons of documents for you to stamp and sign before we can move on. Other than that we're good to go. Thanks to Banba and Brigit, all the bank cards are ready and sorted by deck, section, and suite. All the cell phones and laptops have been modified to accept the cards and scan fingerprints. Our original plan was to wait until we reached Erie to set up the fingerprint database and central bank. But you now have a whole half of a deck's worth of unused space. If you'll let us use it that would give us plenty of room to set up both systems. They'd be totally secure for now and would be easily transferable to a secure location once we land.

There's a couple of things you may not like very much; but we have no other options right now. First, we'll have to have a 'floating economy' for now because you don't have an actual treasury and we'll have to use deficit financing for the same reason.

We've set up a number of tax schedules for your approval. We've kept the amounts relatively small and unless your department heads go hog wild with their projected budgets there should be enough taxes coming in to fund everything you've asked for with a small surplus that you can use to slowly pay down the deficit debt from your first year. The sooner we get those budgets the sooner we'll know exactly how close our projections are and whether or not we need to make any adjustments. Once people start making money you could authorize the sale of Imperial Bonds. Something similar to savings bonds. The upside is that it would increase your immediate working capital. The downside is it increases your long term debt. So it becomes a balancing act as to what's more important at the time." Teagan looked up from her laptop. "That's pretty much it, Morrigan. Once you get your paperwork out of the way we can pass out the bank cards and get your economy rolling."

Morrigan winked at Teagan. "WOW! You did a fantastic job with that report, Teagan! I don't know why you get so nervous, Sweetie. You're very good at what you do! Go ahead and use the other half of the new deck if it will make things easier. As far as all that other financial stuff goes, I haven't got a clue what you're talking about. All I can say is that if it makes sense, do it. I know you and Gram won't steer me wrong. That laptop your dad bought you must really come in handy with all the work you've been doing lately."

"It sure does, Morrigan. I love it. I take it with me everywhere I go. It's a whole lot better than that old tower case I had back on Earth. Mr. Thompson and the Goddess Banba did some fantastic upgrades on it for me. It's the most powerful laptop on the Ark. It can do anything the Ark's main computers can do, and it's just as fast! On top of that Daddy bought me all kinds of stuff to go with it just before we boarded the Ark. You wouldn't believe how many memory sticks I have! They've all been modified by Mr. Thompson and our goddess, so now it'll take me years to fill em all up!"

"That's great, Teagan. But school's important too. Shouldn't you be in your virtual classroom?"

"Nope. There's too many students, so they had to split the virtual sessions in two. The first one goes from zero six hundred to twelve hundred. I'm in the second session which runs from thirteen hundred to nineteen hundred. That keeps my mornings free to work with Gram, or to be here. It also helps that I'm way ahead of everyone in my class. I was home schooled by a very special tutor. In fact, she's sitting in your lap right now," Teagan giggled.

Morrigan's eyes widened with surprise. She gave Megan a kiss on the top of the head again. "I wondered how you two knew each other. Why didn't you tell me, you brat."

Megan giggled. "I honestly thought you already knew. I mean we were in each other's heads for quite a while that day."

"True. But I wasn't exactly looking around that much. I was kinda busy trying to talk you into living if I recall correctly. Anyway, we're done for now. Gram, get those papers to my quarters and I'll get them taken care of and back to you ASAP. Uncle Pete, Kelli, round up your troops, split em into pairs then send as many pairs as you can to the center most rec room on each deck. Have them hold that position for now, and let me know when you're set. Vanessa, Aileen, Ashling, you're on standby in case shit hits the fan. Meg, Joe, you're with me."

Morrigan sat in the command chair pulling Megan into her lap. She explained to Joe exactly what she wanted. He listened carefully then went to work. Within five minutes he told Morrigan that everything was all set and he was ready whenever she was.

About fifteen minutes later Morrigan heard from Kelli. "All teams have ported into position, My Queen. They're fully geared and awaiting your orders."

"Thank you, Kelli. Tell all teams that if a weapon is pointed in their direction; the use of deadly force is authorized. Has Erica been assigned to a team?"

"Your orders have been forwarded, My Queen. Erica's very disappointed that I didn't assign her to a team. I know she's fully capable of protecting herself and any others. But I thought it best not to expose her to a possible combat situation her first day as a Kelli."

"I figured as much. You, Uncle Pete, and Erica report to the command deck on the double."

Morrigan kissed the top of Megan's head. "You need to stand, Babes. We're about to get started." When Kelli, Pete, and Erica appeared, Morrigan was surprised by how heavily Erica was geared. "Ooh, a Kelli geared as a paladin! Very nice, Erica; very nice indeed! Meg, gear up, I'll need you as well. Kelli, you, Meg, and Erica will be a second standby team in case I need you. Your job is simple; clean up any situation by whatever means necessary. Meg, Erica; Kelli is your team leader; follow her orders to the letter."

Morrigan turned to Pete. "Okay, Uncle Pete. Same procedure as the last time we had a mess to clean up. Tie me into all decks, audio only. Good morning. By now most of you have heard some pretty wild rumors. I'm not sure exactly what you have, or haven't heard. But I promised all of you that I'd always trust you with the whole story. This time the truth is about as horrible as it gets. I'd like you to do exactly the same as we did with the Frank Rupo situation. I'm gonna pipe two video clips directly to your computers. Let me warn you, they're very graphic, and definitely not something any child should see. After that, I'll switch back to your main video and talk to you some more. I'll give everyone five minutes to get ready."

After Pete played both clips, Morrigan had him switch back to the main viewscreen. "First things first. I wanna apologize for not telling you about this last night. But by the time the situation was finally resolved, it was twenty one hundred. I didn't think it was appropriate to disturb you in your homes at that hour. What I just showed you was actually the third, and worst of three incidents involving firearms yesterday. The first was in my open forum when that drunk tried to attack his daughter. No one in the room saw the gun; but I know there was no way the cameras could miss it. So most of you already know about that one.

The second time was when the idiot that was in the brig shot one of his sons for wanting to meet their sister. Princess Vanessa arrived in their quarters just as the young man was being shot. She managed to deflect the gun but not quite enough. The nineteen year old man was shot in the right shoulder. He was treated at the scene and released.

We have no idea what brought about the third incident. Frankly, I don't care about the why. What matters to me is that two dedicated police officers who were unarmed, and posed no threat, were mercilessly slaughtered in what amounted to little more than a thrill kill. Two other armed officers were seriously wounded in an exchange of gunfire before the two criminals were finally apprehended." Morrigan glanced at Joe giving a slight nod. I'm asking all of you, my people, to be their jury. If you look at your computers you'll see a simple guilty, yes or no question. Please make a choice then click send."

Morrigan sat quietly while the main computer continuously updated the total votes. Even with the highly advanced computer system provided by the goddess Danu it still took a while before the final count was tabulated.

When the computer finally signaled it was done counting, Joe looked up at Morrigan with surprise. "I figured there'd be a few smartasses voting no just to be pains in the ass, and give you a hard time. But either they didn't vote, or they realized how serious the situation is. It's a one hundred percent guilty vote, Morrigan."

Morrigan glanced at Joe giving a nod of thanks. She faced forward again and began to speak. "Thank you. I'm very proud of each and every one of you. I fully intend to sentence both of those animals to die. In my mind, the death penalty should be a society's way of seeking vengeance against it's most vile and heinous criminals. So when I order someone's execution it will never be humane and painless. Sentencing someone to die should never become the easy way out for our most hardened criminals. Furthermore, my Kelli's all have psionic gifts so an innocent person will never be executed.

Having said all that, I honestly don't want to order their deaths. Life is a gift that should be precious. Having to end someone's life is not only the hardest thing I've ever had to do; it's something I truly detest. I feel the pain of the loss of two fine police officers, and I will feel the pain of two more lost lives when they're executed. It'll hurt like never before, because I'll know that their blood will be on my hands. However, the punishment must fit the crime, so they've left me no other options. As your queen, I will do what must be done. I haven't decided how they're gonna be executed just yet. I only know that it has to be implemented in a way that the very thought of getting the death penalty terrifies criminals. Maybe that way they'll think twice before committing such heinous acts.

Now on to my biggest public safety issue. Due to everything that happened yesterday; I've decided not to allow the private possession of firearms aboard the Ark. I'm asking everyone to voluntarily turn in their weapons and ammunition to the teams waiting in the center most rec room on each deck. Those of you that do turn in your guns and ammunition will receive a receipt on your computer. If you meet my public safety requirements, they will be returned to you when we reach Erie."

Morrigan's voice rose up a few notches. "For those of you who refuse to relinquish your firearms; let me warn you. They WILL be taken from you, by force if necessary. Furthermore, you and all your family members will be barred from ever owning a firearm again. I've had my fill of all this gun violence; it ends TODAY! If you're thinking of firing at the teams; DON'T DO IT! Each team member is fully protected. It's impossible for you to hurt them. They have orders to use deadly force if you point a weapon anywhere but at the deck. They WILL kill you if you shoot at them!"

Morrigan nodded to Pete and he handed her the six inch thick stack of papers. She held up the stack and continued, "this was given to me by the Goddess Banba. It's a complete list of every firearm aboard this Ark. I know who has what. I even have all the serial numbers. Hiding your weapons will do you no good. A Kelli will simply probe your mind and find them. I hate doing things this way, but I will if you try to force my hand. People running loose on this Ark with firearms is a public safety hazard that can not be tolerated. The rights of an individual end where the safety of the general public begins. There isn't a second amendment anymore; it died along with Earth. Please; be smart; turn in your weapons. By working together we can end this gun violence without any further bloodshed. Please, don't make me send the teams out to sweep the Ark free of guns and ammunition. Because they can, and I will. You have two hours. After that, I will do whatever I have to do." She nodded to Pete and he closed the channel.

Morrigan sat back and sighed. "Now we wait." Although she appeared calm and focused on the outside; inside she was a total wreck. She hated having to act like a dictator. There were so many things that could go wrong. She prayed the gun owners would listen to reason. If she had to send the teams out to sweep the Ark, there could be bloodshed, and innocent people could be caught in the crossfire. As terrified as she was, Morrigan had no doubt that she was doing the right thing. One way or the other, the guns had to go. She only hoped it wouldn't turn into a section by section, suite by suite, disastrous gun battle. She was taking a hell of a risk and she knew it. Her teams could handle any situation, and at the end of the day the guns would be gone; but what would it cost before it was over?

The goddesses Banba, Brigit, and Danu appeared on the control deck. Banba and Brigit on each side of Morrigan and Danu standing to the rear. Morrigan felt the warmth from the love each goddess sent her way as they fortified her courage, strengthened her force of will, and soothed her nerves. The goddesses couldn't have timed their help any better as Vanessa stepped up and said, "we have a major problem developing on deck twenty three, Sis."

"Fuck! It's starting! All right, tell me; how bad is it?"

"It's not bad yet. But it's gonna be if we don't stop it in the next few minutes. There's a group of gun owners gathering in rec room twelve. I can't tell you exactly how many just yet. But there's over a hundred of them. They're discussing ways to counter your gun seizure orders. My foresight tells me that ultimately they'll decide to seize control of the deck taking hostages and threatening lives unless you accede to their demands. We only have about four minutes left to act before they come to that decision."

What do you suggest we do, Vanessa?"

"Same thing you did with the other two yesterday. Seal them in and keep them contained until we can deal with them later."

"The only problem with that is they haven't actually violated my orders yet. I think I'll take a page from your playbook instead." Morrigan had Pete switch on the camera in the passage way outside of rec room twelve. "Vanessa, you and your team port in over here on this side. Kelli, you and your team take the other side. Your job is to make sure none of them leave that room. I'm gonna watch them and wait until they actually make that decision. Then I'll drop the hammer on them by sealing them in. Go, go go!" She had Pete activate the rec room camera and mike.

****

Deck twenty three, rec room twelve:

Man one: "What the fuck does that bitch mean; there's no Second Amendment anymore? We're still Americans! The Constitution says we got a right to keep and bear arms. I don't give a flying fuck what she says; I ain't giving up my guns!"

Man two: "I don't wanna give mine up either. But what the fuck we gonna do? She's the..." He made quotation marks with his fingers. "fucking queen. She's got a damn army of followers. It's not like we can take over the fucking ship."

Man three: "It's true we can't take the whole damn ship. There ain't enough of us for that shit. BUT we COULD take control of THIS deck. If we take hostages and tell the bitch we're gonna kill em; she'll give in. If we round up as many people as we can and march em into this room with us; there's just no way she can take us all out at once. With the firepower we got, most of the hostages could be killed if she tried to rescue em. She'll know that, so she'll negotiate rather than risk it."

Man four: "What do we do if the damn queen bee decides not to give in? What if she decides to just block the passageways with her fucking armies leaving us trapped in here?"

Man three: "Then we shoot a couple of the hostages to show her we're serious. But it'll never come to that. She values life far to much to risk that. I say we vote on it. Everyone who's willing to go along with my idea raise your hand."

Two seconds after every hand was raised; the door to the rec room slammed closed and then locked.

Man four: "I had a bad feeling some shit like this was gonna happen. Trapped like a bunch of fucking rats! We're really screwed now!"

Man three: "Oh for Christ's sake; stop whining Tom. We got a lot of guns in here. There's only one way in. If we spread out around the room and keep our guns pointed at that door; it'll cost them way too much to take us out. She still has to negotiate."

****

Back on the control deck:

Morrigan shook her head in disgust while listening in on the rec room conversation. She reached out with her mind. "Vanessa, Kelli, you can bring your teams back now. The assholes aren't going anywhere."

"On our way, My Queen," Kelli replied.

"Be there in a sec, Sis," Vanessa sent.

"Uncle Pete, I'm gonna have a talk with those men. I want you to tie both sides of the video and audio shipwide. But wait until I say I'm ready to patch me in."

"Okay, Morrigan. It's all set up. Just let me know when and I'll tie you in."

Morrigan turned to Vanessa. "You sensing any more trouble?"

"Not at the moment, Sis. Right now everything seems quiet."

"What are your teams reporting, Kelli," Morrigan asked.

"The guns are coming in a few here and there. But they're not experiencing any problems yet."

Morrigan took a deep breath looking at each of the three goddesses in turn as she let it out slowly, calming her troubled mind, and reinforcing her shattered nerves. "Okay, it's time to see if we can speed things up a bit." Morrigan nodded to Pete and he opened the channels. "Good morning gentlemen. You may think I'm stupid, but I'm a hell of a lot smarter than you think. I have a few newsflashes for you. First, I will NEVER negotiate with terrorists. Right now that's exactly what all of you are. Not rebels, not patriots, terrorists. Your plan to take hostages and kill some of them to force me to meet your demands is an act of extreme terrorism.

Here's another newsflash for all of you. Now follow me here boys. The United States no longer exists. So logically, it's Constitution is gone too. If there's no Constitution, there can be no Second Amendment. What you're failing to realize is that there isn't a bunch of silly ass nations trying to kill each other off over some stupid shit anymore. Everyone aboard this Ark is either a daughter, or a son of Erie. You no longer live in a democratic republic. You live under an imperial government with me as your queen. You knew all of this before you boarded this Ark. You also pledged to follow my laws.

Ralph has no clue how wrong he was when he told Tom that I'd have to negotiate. Given that you're all terrorists; I have plenty of options open to me. I could easily take you all into custody, try you for terrorism, then execute every last one of you. See, Ralph, I prepared ahead of time. Those Teflon coated steel jacketed rounds you have in that mac ten won't even come close to putting a scratch on the armor my security forces are now wearing. I could open the side panel of that rec room and space everyone; guns and all. I could just push a button that would suck the oxygen out of that room and let you all suffocate. Or I could be a real bitch and pump just enough cyanide gas into that room to make your deaths very slow and extremely painful. I could even decide to be nice and let all of you surrender. I haven't made up my mind what I'm gonna do with all of you just yet. I'll give you some time to think about the position you're all in, and then we'll chat again."