Recap Week of March 25

Kharon Chapter 37

        Luke sits stewing in his room when a knock is heard at the door.  He gets up and opens it and sneers, “You have some fucking gaul.”  He turns and walks back to his bed as Kiarah enters his room.

        “We need to talk.”

        “What I need is you out of my life.  I thought you had nothing to live for?”

        “Nothing but vengeance.”

        “Your vengeful streak is going to get me killed or arrested again and I ain’t interested in either.”

        “I knew the three of you were strong enough to survive the Sloons.”

        “We nearly didn’t.”

        “But you did.”

        “You can have your fucking ship and do whatever the fuck you want with it.  Shove it up your ass for all I care.  I just want off the damn thing.”

        “If that’s what you wish I’ll dock at the next island.”

        “Yea.   That’s what I wish.”  Luke walks to the door of the bedroom and opens it and then pauses at the doorway.  “And for once I want to see one of my wishes come true.”  With that Luke leaves the bedroom slamming the door behind him.

Kharon Chapter 38

         Night has fallen on another day as the Kharon continues to sail the seas and Kiarah is once more at the controls on the bridge.  She is steering the Kharon towards a dimly lit island in the distance.  Simone comes bursting into the bridge looking uncharacteristically concerned and disheveled.  “Whoa whoa turn this ship around right now.  We’re heading right for The Colony.”

        “Luke has requested we dock at the next island we come to.  He no longer wishes to be on this ship.”

        “Your damn right”, says Luke appearing on the bridge.  “This is Kiarah’s ship.  Kiarah’s crew.  I got my own stars to follow.  I’m through being someone’s puppet!”

        “What the fuck are you thinking docking at The Colony!  We can’t get off here!”

        “Why not?”, asks Kiarah.

        “Relax I’ll be off this ship and you can sail on your merry way before they realize the infamous pirate Simone was ever here, not that they probably even care.  Then I’ll hitch a ride on the next merchant ship that comes through.”

        Simone wrests the controls from Kiarah and tries turning the ship around.  “No, we can’t dock here!  We have to go to the next island.”

        “What is your fucking problem?”

        No sooner has Luke uttered this question then Simone’s skin begins glowing a vibrant shade of orange.  “No!  Dammit it’s too late!”

        Kiarah and Luke both stare at a defeated looking Simone.  “Wait a minute.  You’re from The Colony?”

Kharon Chapter 39

        Emma lounges in her bedroom with Sparky.  Suddenly Sparky begins to growl.  Emma sits up alert and then hears banging outside her door.  She opens the door and sees a swarm of robots going down the hall.  She follows them to the bridge where even more robots are all surrounding Simone who stands with head bowed and an orange glow coming from her.  “What’s going on here?”, yells Jacob showing up on the bridge.  

        The robots then all state in unison, “Simone Jaquinon you have left the colony 1,983 cycles ago without authorization and we must escort you to the upload support offices immediately without delay.”

        “I don’t understand what’s going on?”

        “The Colony never lets any of their own leave”, says Jacob.  

        “Apparently Simone managed to escape despite their policies.  They detected her when we sailed past and now they're going to reconnect her", answers Kiarah.

        “Reconnect?”

        “Everyone on The Colony lives in life support pods while they jack into a virtual world where everyone interacts”, Jacob explains.

        Simone continues to wear a far off expression as she is silently led away by the robots.  

        “Why isn’t she fighting them?”

        “No point.  They internally tag their own.  I’ve no idea how she managed to escape in the first place", explains Jacob

       One robot hangs back and approaches the rest of the crew and states, “Are you all here to join the colony?”

       Kiarah stabs the robot with a sharp bone implement and it shorts out and falls to the ground.  Kiarah then walks back to the controls.  “Let’s get out of here.”

       “Wait!  What are you doing?  We can’t just leave her.”

        Luke slowly shakes his head while looking at Emma.  “What happened to that stone cold femme fatale that I met in lock-up.”

        Emma shoots Luke a look to kill.  “Those people were assholes.  Simone isn’t.”

        “She did save our asses back with the Sloons", says Jacob.

        Luke turns on Jacob.  “Oh don’t you fucking start!  Since when have you ever stuck your neck out for anyone.”

        “Hey!  There were plenty of times when you were…forget it.”

        “No, what?”

        “Just forget it.”

        "I'm helping Simone.  She earned my loyalty", says Emma defiantly.  

        “I have not been wronged by this island and none of you are my tribe.  But if you are so determined I will give you one cycle before I sail away.”

        “Fuck it.  I’m getting my things and hitching a ride on another ship.”

        Emma picks up Sparky and hands him to Kiarah.  “Just promise me you will keep Sparky safe and give him a good home if I don’t come back.  Please.”

        “He aided me in settling a vendetta so I will honor your request.”

        “Thank you.”  Emma then grabs Jacob’s hand and begins to run off the bridge dragging a reluctant Jacob behind her.

         “Um…I’m not so sure I….”  But Jacob’s protests go unheeded.

Kharon Chapter 40

        Simone is led by robots into a sterile metal facility with endless rows of pods.  As she walks along the rows you can see that each pod has a person inside it.  When she reaches an empty pod the robots make her lie down inside the pod.  The robots then state in their monotone voice, “Please prepare for your re-uploading.  You will be restored to The Colony as you were upon your last log in.”

        The robots then begin to attach various cables and electrodes up to Simone who is passive about the whole procedure.  She then chokes and gags as a feeding tube is shoved down her throat.  An IV is inserted into her arm and she loses consciousness.  The robots finish hooking her up to the pod and begin inputing commands and flipping switches to the console next to it.  

         Simone awakes wearing a glistening one piece silver jumpsuit.  She stands amidst a multi-colored shimmering cityscape full of colorful people.  Each person is viewing a screen in front of them.  The screens all show different things.  Some show games, others show articles, others have another person conversing on it, ect.  There are even some people looking at a recording of themselves.  A few people are plugging into stations located at various intervals in the city.  Once plugged in their suits change to another vibrant color and delighted the people then detach and continue on their way.  Above each person is another screen that reveals stats and information regarding each individual including a popularity gauge.  On the screen above Simone her popularity gauge is nearly at 0%.  Simone glumly sits down on the curb with her head in her hands as people walk past her.

Kharon Part 40

Kharon Chapter 40

        Simone is led by robots into a sterile metal facility with endless rows of pods.  As she walks along the rows you can see that each pod has a person inside it.  When she reaches an empty pod the robots make her lie down inside the pod.  The robots then state in their monotone voice, “Please prepare for your re-uploading.  You will be restored to The Colony as you were upon your last log in.”

        The robots then begin to attach various cables and electrodes up to Simone who is passive about the whole procedure.  She then chokes and gags as a feeding tube is shoved down her throat.  An IV is inserted into her arm and she loses consciousness.  The robots finish hooking her up to the pod and begin inputing commands and flipping switches to the console next to it.  

         Simone awakes wearing a glistening one piece silver jumpsuit.  She stands amidst a multi-colored shimmering cityscape full of colorful people.  Each person is viewing a screen in front of them.  The screens all show different things.  Some show games, others show articles, others have another person conversing on it, ect.  There are even some people looking at a recording of themselves.  A few people are plugging into stations located at various intervals in the city.  Once plugged in their suits change to another vibrant color and delighted the people then detach and continue on their way.  Above each person is another screen that reveals stats and information regarding each individual including a popularity gauge.  On the screen above Simone her popularity gauge is nearly at 0%.  Simone glumly sits down on the curb with her head in her hands as people walk past her.

Kharon Part 39

Kharon Chapter 39

        Emma lounges in her bedroom with Sparky.  Suddenly Sparky begins to growl.  Emma sits up alert and then hears banging outside her door.  She opens the door and sees a swarm of robots going down the hall.  She follows them to the bridge where even more robots are all surrounding Simone who stands with head bowed and an orange glow coming from her.  “What’s going on here?”, yells Jacob showing up on the bridge.  

        The robots then all state in unison, “Simone Jaquinon you have left the colony 1,983 cycles ago without authorization and we must escort you to the upload support offices immediately without delay.”

        “I don’t understand what’s going on?”

        “The Colony never lets any of their own leave”, says Jacob.  

        “Apparently Simone managed to escape despite their policies.  They detected her when we sailed past and now they're going to reconnect her", answers Kiarah.

        “Reconnect?”

        “Everyone on The Colony lives in life support pods while they jack into a virtual world where everyone interacts”, Jacob explains.

        Simone continues to wear a far off expression as she is silently led away by the robots.  

        “Why isn’t she fighting them?”

        “No point.  They internally tag their own.  I’ve no idea how she managed to escape in the first place", explains Jacob

       One robot hangs back and approaches the rest of the crew and states, “Are you all here to join the colony?”

       Kiarah stabs the robot with a sharp bone implement and it shorts out and falls to the ground.  Kiarah then walks back to the controls.  “Let’s get out of here.”

       “Wait!  What are you doing?  We can’t just leave her.”

        Luke slowly shakes his head while looking at Emma.  “What happened to that stone cold femme fatale that I met in lock-up.”

        Emma shoots Luke a look to kill.  “Those people were assholes.  Simone isn’t.”

        “She did save our asses back with the Sloons", says Jacob.

        Luke turns on Jacob.  “Oh don’t you fucking start!  Since when have you ever stuck your neck out for anyone.”

        “Hey!  There were plenty of times when you were…forget it.”

        “No, what?”

        “Just forget it.”

        "I'm helping Simone.  She earned my loyalty", says Emma defiantly.  

        “I have not been wronged by this island and none of you are my tribe.  But if you are so determined I will give you one cycle before I sail away.”

        “Fuck it.  I’m getting my things and hitching a ride on another ship.”

        Emma picks up Sparky and hands him to Kiarah.  “Just promise me you will keep Sparky safe and give him a good home if I don’t come back.  Please.”

        “He aided me in settling a vendetta so I will honor your request.”

        “Thank you.”  Emma then grabs Jacob’s hand and begins to run off the bridge dragging a reluctant Jacob behind her.

         “Um…I’m not so sure I….”  But Jacob’s protests go unheeded.

Kharon Part 37 and 38

Kharon Chapter 37

        Luke sits stewing in his room when a knock is heard at the door.  He gets up and opens it and sneers, “You have some fucking gaul.”  He turns and walks back to his bed as Kiarah enters his room.

        “We need to talk.”

        “What I need is you out of my life.  I thought you had nothing to live for?”

        “Nothing but vengeance.”

        “Your vengeful streak is going to get me killed or arrested again and I ain’t interested in either.”

        “I knew the three of you were strong enough to survive the Sloons.”

        “We nearly didn’t.”

        “But you did.”

        “You can have your fucking ship and do whatever the fuck you want with it.  Shove it up your ass for all I care.  I just want off the damn thing.”

        “If that’s what you wish I’ll dock at the next island.”

        “Yea.   That’s what I wish.”  Luke walks to the door of the bedroom and opens it and then pauses at the doorway.  “And for once I want to see one of my wishes come true.”  With that Luke leaves the bedroom slamming the door behind him.

Kharon Chapter 38

         Night has fallen on another day as the Kharon continues to sail the seas and Kiarah is once more at the controls on the bridge.  She is steering the Kharon towards a dimly lit island in the distance.  Simone comes bursting into the bridge looking uncharacteristically concerned and disheveled.  “Whoa whoa turn this ship around right now.  We’re heading right for The Colony.”

        “Luke has requested we dock at the next island we come to.  He no longer wishes to be on this ship.”

        “Your damn right”, says Luke appearing on the bridge.  “This is Kiarah’s ship.  Kiarah’s crew.  I got my own stars to follow.  I’m through being someone’s puppet!”

        “What the fuck are you thinking docking at The Colony!  We can’t get off here!”

        “Why not?”, asks Kiarah.

        “Relax I’ll be off this ship and you can sail on your merry way before they realize the infamous pirate Simone was ever here, not that they probably even care.  Then I’ll hitch a ride on the next merchant ship that comes through.”

        Simone wrests the controls from Kiarah and tries turning the ship around.  “No, we can’t dock here!  We have to go to the next island.”

        “What is your fucking problem?”

        No sooner has Luke uttered this question then Simone’s skin begins glowing a vibrant shade of orange.  “No!  Dammit it’s too late!”

        Kiarah and Luke both stare at a defeated looking Simone.  “Wait a minute.  You’re from The Colony?”

Kharon Recap of Week of March 18th

Kharon Weekly Recap March 18-March 21

Kharon Chapter 33

         Simone, Jacob and Luke are dashing through the streets of the village.  They duck into a house as they turn the corner and quickly close the door behind them.  

        “Did we lose them?”, asks Jacob.  A blade that looks like a cross between an axe and rotating saw then pierces through the wooden door of the shop as an answer.

        “Don’t think so”, Simone responds.  She turns and looks around the shop and finds several swords mounted against the wall.  She grabs two of the biggest off the wall and tosses one of them to Luke.  “Open the door.”

        “What?!”, cries Jacob.  

        “Just do what she says dammit!”, bellows Luke.  Jacob complies and opens the door as Sloons storm into the house and go after Simone and Luke.

        Luke and Simone each fend them off as they move almost like they are in a well choreographed ballet.  Simone deflects and does a somersault in the air to avoid a wand blast and as she lands she plunges her sword into a Sloon’s throat.  She then kicks a Sloon charging at her with her leg sending the Sloon stumbling towards Luke who without looking jabs his sword behind him impaling the Sloon before going back to punching and swiping other Sloons.  

        “Your not half bad”, says Simone.

        “It pisses me off saying this but you're impressive as well.”  With that Simone trips a Sloon with her sword and the Sloon stumbles into Luke’s awaiting fist.  

Kharon Chapter 34

        Kiarah is back on the bridge of the Kharon steering the ship around the island.  Emma and Sparky stand close by watching her.  “Are we really going back for the others?”, asks Emma.

        “I may be many things but I am a Quarsian first and foremost and so I always stand by my words.”  The Kharon makes a sharp turn and heads straight into a canal that runs through the middle of the island.  

        “Don’t you think this ship’s a little too big for this canal?”

        “That it is.  But the Kharon can take it.  Let’s see if the Sloons can as well.”  

        As the Kharon travels down the canal it disrupts everything on either side of it leaving a trail of terror and destruction in its wake.  The island becomes flooded from the displaced water and Sloons begin to panic.  

Kharon Chapter 35

        Meanwhile Simone and Luke are fighting Sloons together on a rooftop.  Luke becomes frozen in place by the magic of a Sloon.  A knife flies through the air and stabs the Sloon releasing Luke.  

        But then two shiny pendants are thrown through the air and attach to Luke and Simone.  They both fall to their knees as they glow.  A Sloon holding a crystal glowing the same color as the pendants approaches Simone and Luke smiling.  “Now I’ve got you.”  Just as he finishes saying this he is electrocuted and the crystal falls out of his hand as he collapses to the ground.  Simone and Luke rip the pendants of themselves and look up to see what happened. 

       Jacob approaches them smiling holding Luke’s recently fired electric-snake-gun.  In his other hand he holds the hilt of Simone’s fire sword as well as his wind tunnel weapon.  He tosses Luke and Simone their respective weapons.  “Looky what I found.”  Explosions and screams are then heard and the threesome turn towards the direction they came from.  Their eyes grow wide with surprise as the sight of the Kharon barreling up the canal.  

        “I think our ride is here.”

        The trio make their way to the Kharon but just as they are about to reach it three sorceresses appear in their path blocking their way.  Each sorceress holds a different arcane magical weapon.  Simone who still has stolen vials of oil on her takes the vials and flings them to the ground smashing them.  “Jacob fire your weapon.”  As Simone says this she takes out the hilt of her fire sword and ignites it.  She uses the weapon to light the oil on fire.  Jacob’s gun then blows the fiery mist from the oil onto the sorceresses but it also blows the fiery mist towards a building behind the sorceresses marked oil refinery.  

      Luke upon seeing this yells, “Take cover everyone!”  The trio duck out of the way as the refinery explodes.  They watch as the explosion sets off a chain reaction and like dominos falling buildings all along the strip as the entire city block goes up in flames.  

      Simone shakes her head.  “Told you they like their oil and crystals here.”  

Kharon Chapter 36

        Simone, Luke and Jacob enter the bridge of the Kharon.  Luke points his weapon at Kiarah who is concentrating on piloting the ship.  “You’re dead bitch!”  Luke fires his weapon but Kiarah without so much as turning around dodges the projectile.  

        Emma now steps in-between Kiarah and Luke.  “Take it easy!  She saved us.”

        “Like hell she did!  She almost got me sacrificed.  If it wasn’t for Simone I’d be dead.”

        “I knew you would evade your captors but I needed a ruse to reclaim the ship and destroy the Sloons once and for all.”

        “I’m getting tired of being played by this Quarsian.  I say we cut her up in pieces and throw them to the fishes!  Whose with me?”

        Everyone evades Luke’s gaze.  

       “Don’t get me wrong I’m pretty pissed she almost got me killed but I’m not taking on a Quarsian on account of your ass”, says Jacob.

        Simone shrugs.  “I mean you gotta admit it did work.”

        “I don’t believe you people.  You can all go fuck yourselves”, says Luke in frustration as he storms off to stew.  

         Kiarah then smiles and says, “Well will you look at that.  It’s the monolith finally revealed.”

        The others all turn towards the view screen and see a towering marble monolith before them on the island.  

        “I don’t recall that being there before”, says Jacob.

        “It wasn’t.  At least not that we could see.  You three must have done something special because no one has ever been able to find it.”

        “What is it?”, asks Emma.

        “The legendary source of their power that they kept hidden with their spells.  Until now that is.”  Kiarah then aims all the Kharon’s weapon systems at the monolith and fires.  As the monolith is destroyed the entire island begins to shake and quake.  It fragments into pieces that then go sinking into the ocean.  Within minutes any trace of the island is gone.  Jacob, Simone, and Emma all look at each other in bewilderment.  Kiarah smirks, “Now we can leave.”

        “Did we just destroy another entire island”, asks Simone.

        “Damn that’s hardcore.  What did they ever do to you?”, asks Jacob.

        “They played Metron and my people against each other for ages.”

        “Note to self, don’t mess with Kiarah”, says Jacob.

Kharon Part 36

Kharon Chapter 36

        Simone, Luke and Jacob enter the bridge of the Kharon.  Luke points his weapon at Kiarah who is concentrating on piloting the ship.  “You’re dead bitch!”  Luke fires his weapon but Kiarah without so much as turning around dodges the projectile.  

        Emma now steps in-between Kiarah and Luke.  “Take it easy!  She saved us.”

        “Like hell she did!  She almost got me sacrificed.  If it wasn’t for Simone I’d be dead.”

        “I knew you would evade your captors but I needed a ruse to reclaim the ship and destroy the Sloons once and for all.”

        “I’m getting tired of being played by this Quarsian.  I say we cut her up in pieces and throw them to the fishes!  Whose with me?”

        Everyone evades Luke’s gaze.  

       “Don’t get me wrong I’m pretty pissed she almost got me killed but I’m not taking on a Quarsian on account of your ass”, says Jacob.

        Simone shrugs.  “I mean you gotta admit it did work.”

        “I don’t believe you people.  You can all go fuck yourselves”, says Luke in frustration as he storms off to stew.  

         Kiarah then smiles and says, “Well will you look at that.  It’s the monolith finally revealed.”

        The others all turn towards the view screen and see a towering marble monolith before them on the island.  

        “I don’t recall that being there before”, says Jacob.

        “It wasn’t.  At least not that we could see.  You three must have done something special because no one has ever been able to find it.”

        “What is it?”, asks Emma.

        “The legendary source of their power that they kept hidden with their spells.  Until now that is.”  Kiarah then aims all the Kharon’s weapon systems at the monolith and fires.  As the monolith is destroyed the entire island begins to shake and quake.  It fragments into pieces that then go sinking into the ocean.  Within minutes any trace of the island is gone.  Jacob, Simone, and Emma all look at each other in bewilderment.  Kiarah smirks, “Now we can leave.”

        “Did we just destroy another entire island”, asks Simone.

        “Damn that’s hardcore.  What did they ever do to you?”, asks Jacob.

        “They played Metron and my people against each other for ages.”

        “Note to self, don’t mess with Kiarah”, says Jacob.

Kharon Part 35

Kharon Chapter 35

        Meanwhile Simone and Luke are fighting Sloons together on a rooftop.  Luke becomes frozen in place by the magic of a Sloon.  A knife flies through the air and stabs the Sloon releasing Luke.  

        But then two shiny pendants are thrown through the air and attach to Luke and Simone.  They both fall to their knees as they glow.  A Sloon holding a crystal glowing the same color as the pendants approaches Simone and Luke smiling.  “Now I’ve got you.”  Just as he finishes saying this he is electrocuted and the crystal falls out of his hand as he collapses to the ground.  Simone and Luke rip the pendants of themselves and look up to see what happened. 

       Jacob approaches them smiling holding Luke’s recently fired electric-snake-gun.  In his other hand he holds the hilt of Simone’s fire sword as well as his wind tunnel weapon.  He tosses Luke and Simone their respective weapons.  “Looky what I found.”  Explosions and screams are then heard and the threesome turn towards the direction they came from.  Their eyes grow wide with surprise as the sight of the Kharon barreling up the canal.  

        “I think our ride is here.”

        The trio make their way to the Kharon but just as they are about to reach it three sorceresses appear in their path blocking their way.  Each sorceress holds a different arcane magical weapon.  Simone who still has stolen vials of oil on her takes the vials and flings them to the ground smashing them.  “Jacob fire your weapon.”  As Simone says this she takes out the hilt of her fire sword and ignites it.  She uses the weapon to light the oil on fire.  Jacob’s gun then blows the fiery mist from the oil onto the sorceresses but it also blows the fiery mist towards a building behind the sorceresses marked oil refinery.  

      Luke upon seeing this yells, “Take cover everyone!”  The trio duck out of the way as the refinery explodes.  They watch as the explosion sets off a chain reaction and like dominos falling buildings all along the strip as the entire city block goes up in flames.  

      Simone shakes her head.  “Told you they like their oil and crystals here.”  

Kharon Part 34

Kharon Chapter 34

        Kiarah is back on the bridge of the Kharon steering the ship around the island.  Emma and Sparky stand close by watching her.  “Are we really going back for the others?”, asks Emma.

        “I may be many things but I am a Quarsian first and foremost and so I always stand by my words.”  The Kharon makes a sharp turn and heads straight into a canal that runs through the middle of the island.  

        “Don’t you think this ship’s a little too big for this canal?”

        “That it is.  But the Kharon can take it.  Let’s see if the Sloons can as well.”  

        As the Kharon travels down the canal it disrupts everything on either side of it leaving a trail of terror and destruction in its wake.  The island becomes flooded from the displaced water and Sloons begin to panic.  

Kharon Part 33

Kharon Chapter 33

         Simone, Jacob and Luke are dashing through the streets of the village.  They duck into a house as they turn the corner and quickly close the door behind them.  

        “Did we lose them?”, asks Jacob.  A blade that looks like a cross between an axe and rotating saw then pierces through the wooden door of the shop as an answer.

        “Don’t think so”, Simone responds.  She turns and looks around the shop and finds several swords mounted against the wall.  She grabs two of the biggest off the wall and tosses one of them to Luke.  “Open the door.”

        “What?!”, cries Jacob.  

        “Just do what she says dammit!”, bellows Luke.  Jacob complies and opens the door as Sloons storm into the house and go after Simone and Luke.

        Luke and Simone each fend them off as they move almost like they are in a well choreographed ballet.  Simone deflects and does a somersault in the air to avoid a wand blast and as she lands she plunges her sword into a Sloon’s throat.  She then kicks a Sloon charging at her with her leg sending the Sloon stumbling towards Luke who without looking jabs his sword behind him impaling the Sloon before going back to punching and swiping other Sloons.  

        “Your not half bad”, says Simone.

        “It pisses me off saying this but you're impressive as well.”  With that Simone trips a Sloon with her sword and the Sloon stumbles into Luke’s awaiting fist.  

Recap for week of March 11th

Happy Friday Everyone!!  As promised here is a recap of  all the chapters posted this week for Kharon in case you like binging lol

Kharon Chapter 29

        The group is slowly making their way through a thick mist along a seaside cliff as they follow Kiarah.  

        “What’s this brilliant plan of yours to get my ship fixed?”, demands Luke. 

        “Your ship?”, asks Jacob.

        “Don’t start”, snaps Luke.

        “The Sloons use magic and science for everything.  They will be able to fix the ship quickly”, says Kiarah.

        “And how in all the three suns do you expect to get them to do that?”, asks Luke.

        “By making them think they captured the crew and commandeered the ship for themselves”, says Kiarah.

        “How the hell are we going to pull that trick off?”, asks Luke.

        “We let them capture some of us.”  With that Kiarah unsheathes her spear like weapon and swings it at the crew, knocking Simone, Jacob and Luke off the cliff.  The three fall through the mist for a moment before suddenly coming to a stop appearing almost frozen in mid-air.

         As the three struggle like they are caught in some kind of invisible spider’s web Luke is almost frothing at the mouth in rage.  “That Quarsian bitch!  Wait till I get my hands on her.  I’m going to tear her limb from limb.”

         “Should have seen that coming.  Pulled something similar myself once”, says Simone to herself.

        “Why can’t I move!?”, screams Jacob.

        “It’s a Sloon magnetic net”, states Simone.  As soon as she says this the mist around them clears revealing that the threesome are stuck in a glowing net suspended in the air.  

        Several Sloons gather around below the net.  One of them shouts, “Take their weapons.”  The Sloons hold out their hands and the weapons float off Simone, Jacob and Luke and down towards the waiting Sloons.  The piece of the net with Simone, Jacob, and Luke attached then magically breaks off from the rest of the net and floats down a path in the island with the Sloons marching behind it.

        Emma, Sparky and Kiarah watch all this transpire from a hidden perch high on the cliffs.

        “Are we going to rescue them?”, Emma asks.

        “Yes.  Assuming they survive till the Kharon is fixed.”  With that Kiarah rises and walks along the cliff back towards where they came from.  Emma looks at Sparky and shrugs.  She then turns and follows after Kiarah.

Kharon Chapter 30

        In the village square of the Sloons there is a large ceremonial ground with huge stones erected around it.  In the center are three large flat stone alters.  Simone, Jacob and Luke are each chained to one of these alters.  All around the ceremonial ground is gathered a huge crowd of chanting Sloons dressed in ceremonial robes. 

         “There are other crew members!  Let us go and we’ll help you capture them and the ship!”, yells Luke.

         “And you call me the backstabber”, mutters Jacob.

         “Fuck you!  This is all your fault”, says Luke.

         “How the hell is this my fault?”

         “Your the one who brought me to that ship and got me involved with that psychotic Quarsian.”

         “Your stretching more than they already stretched us out here.  What are they planning on doing with us anyway?”, asks Jacob.

        “My guess is sacrifice us”, Simone calmly says.

        “What!?”

        “They’re big into sacrifice.  They claim from pain comes power.” 

        “I can’t end my life in this backwater hell hole.  At least give me a chance to talk my ass out this”, whines Jacob.

        “Relax.  If I had a Ruby for every time I was trussed up waiting to be executed I wouldn’t have to spend my time stealing them”, says Simone.

         The crowd then begins to part and several hooded figures march up towards the stone alters.  For several minutes they dance around the alters and over the prisoners waving their hands.  Jacob and Luke give perplexed and concerned looks towards each other.  Finally they stop and the chanting dies down.  Then one of the hooded people turns to the crowd and speaks, “These outsiders have come to our sacred land.  They came to exploit it but instead they will have the honor of bestowing the power of their life force to this island.”

         “You fucking attacked us!  We didn’t come to plunder shit!”, interrupts Luke but his pleas go unheeded and the chanting resumes.

         “I think they just assumed”, says Simone.

         Luke turns to Simone.  “Where’s that brilliant escape plan of yours?”

         “I’m working on it.”

Kharon Chapter 31

       The hooded figure then speaks again over the chanting.  “May the energy that is you find everlasting peace within this land of power and mystery.  For the glories of a higher purpose we bless you.”  The hooded figures then sprinkle oil onto the three from vials that they took from their robes.  The lead hooded figure then takes a long dagger from their robe and walks over to Simone.  The dagger is raised high in the air catching the glint of the fading light of day.  Just as it moves to plunge into Simone she springs up from the alter her hands now free and grabs the dagger preventing it from piercing her.  The hooded figure is stunned by this development and caught off guard.  

       Simone smiles and says, “Your not the only one who can do magic.”  With that Simone pulls the hooded figure close to her and palms ghost balls from under the cloak while head-butting the hooded figure.  Simone then tosses the ghost balls into the crowd.  They burst open in a puff of smoke and spray of sparks.  Ethereal beings begin to zoom throughout the crowd sending everyone into a panic as they zap people in every direction.  Chaos ensues.

        “What the hell is that?’, asks Jacob.

        Simone picks up the dagger from the now unconscious hooded figured and picks the locks on the rest of her chains.  “Ghost balls.”

        “Ghost balls?!”, says Jacob with his eyes growing wide.

        “Don’t worry”, says Simone.  “They’re mostly artificial ghosts.  I just needed a distraction.”

        “I don’t find ‘mostly artificial ghost’ comforting!”, yells Jacob.

        “How did you get free?”, asks Luke.

        “These priests have a thing for oil and crystals and I’m good at sleight of hand”, says Simone as she undoes the last lock with the dagger.  She then begins to run away.

        “Hey!  What about us?”, yells Luke.

        Simone stops and turns back to the men.  “I don’t know.  You two kinda seem like assholes.”

        “He’s the asshole.  I’m just an annoying jerk”, says Jacob.

        Simone sighs.  “Oh alright.”  She then runs back and quickly picks the lock on the chains of Luke and Jacob.  

        While she is freeing the others a hooded figured points at them and screams, “The sacrifice is getting away!”

        “Run!  Run!”  The trio runs away as fast as they can while the crowd chases after them.

Kharon Chapter 32

         Kiarah, Emma and Sparky are hidden in a tree on a coastline watching Sloons swarm over the Kharon as they use technology and magic to repair it.  “They appear to be just about finished”, says Kiarah.  “When I tell you, hold up Sparky.”

        “You’re not going to get him hurt, are you?”

        “No.  He has not wronged me.  Unlike these people.”  With that Kiarah starts climbing down the tree.  

        Emma with Sparky in her arms follows.  They sneak their way to the beached Kharon.  With her spear-like weapon Kiarah takes several Sloons by surprise and easily dispatches with them.  She then stands to reveal herself and the remaining Sloons come charging towards her.

        “Now!”, cries Kiarah as she ducks behind Emma who now holds up Sparky.  

        The Sloons aim their magic wands and fire at the two women and the mechanical animal.  But the magical energy is drawn to Sparky and hits him.  No sooner has he been struck then he reciprocates by sending out powerful electrical currents that trace back to the wands and zap the onrushing Sloons.  The Sloons all fall to the ground smoking.  

        Emma watches all this with a mix of amazement and pride.  She then lets Sparky lick her with his steel tongue.  “Wow!  Way to go Sparky!  Good boy.”

       Kiarah comes out from behind Emma and starts walking towards the Kharon.  “Magic is just a manipulation of energy, all you need to do is throw a wild card into the mix.”