Frannie:

Going back in time to just after breakfast that day:

Alice had suggested to Frannie that she and Reggie compile the list of names in each group into a single report to check for errors. So Frannie dutifully complied.

I wonder if Alice wants me to talk more with Reggie.

I suppose I don't mind.

They had spent most of the morning and afternoon laboriously cross-checking the names on the lists with the names of the actual people in each group. They discovered that, in actual fact, there were three people left behind on the island. They concluded that it was deliberate, after cross-examining the ones who knew the third person the most (which wasn't all that much).

During all of this clerical work, involving a lot of interaction with the freed slaves, most of whom were lying on their sleeping mats in the stacked sleeping cabins, they had ample time to look down the central corridor and see the traffic between the two cabins that the Misfits were using. And, if they didn't catch it, plenty of other people did and were happy to practice gossiping.

With the counts and checks finished, Frannie and Reggie sat in one of the empty cabins aft of the loading dock, and Frannie read out the names as Reggie neatly copied them to the final report.

"That's the last name," said Frannie.

"So there are now 143 freed slaves on board, plus, of course, the four Misfits."

Reggie gave the final report to Frannie. Who continued to sit there, holding them in her hands.

"Probably not the best time to give this to the Misfits," she said.

"No, they are kind of busy now."

They both fidgeted around.

"They are a bit older than we were back then," said Reggie.

"Yeah."

"Do you think that, if things had been different, we might have gotten together like that?" said Reggie.

"I... Don't know," said Frannie, dropping her head and looking intensely at the ground.

"I was sent to the island almost straight away. All that time, I've been on that island, making Marmalade. Nothing else. I, err, never got to, to, be with a woman." said Reggie.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Oh. Sorry. I mean, that is, well..." said Frannie.

Her voice trailed off to a whisper. Then she collected herself.

"I was continually - raped - the whole time. There are too many men to count. I had four children. Of course, they were taken away as soon as they turned three, and I never saw them again. And, when I could no longer have children, they put me on this ship just so that the men there could have some sex."

Both looked away; there was a long, depressed silence.

"I'm sorry, I can never be; what was the word? That's right, I can never be romantic with you. It's been burnt out of me. Sorry." said Frannie.

"Oh".

More uncomfortable silence.

"Although it somehow works out for the Misfits," said Frannie.

"Yeah, it sure does. But, were foursomes common back then?"

"I don't think so. My memory is a bit vague."

"And, what was the story about Drayden apologising to Cassy for killing her?" said Reggie.

"Well, it's a bit weird. They say they have been reincarnated. And they had some sort of vow, or arrangement, or something, such that if one dies, the others die too."

"I've never heard of anything like that," said Reggie.

Frannie, at last, looked at Reggie. Who thus had to look back at her.

"Alice said that we could try to be friends with each other. Without any of the sex stuff," said Frannie.

"Bronsen said something like that to me, also."

"I don't mind being friends. As long as it is strictly friendship," said Frannie.

"OK. It is impossible to go back, isn't it."

"Yeah. But, but, if we manage to become friends, only friends, even then, I can't stand the thought of it all being taken away from me again. I don't want to lose you again." said Frannie.

"I agree, that is too painful. Too much pain."

"How about we do the same thing as the Misfits have? We have a death pact vow. If one of us is enslaved or killed, we both die. I guess that is pretty brutal, but I don't want to go through that pain again. Otherwise, I don't want to have even a friendship. Sorry."

Frannie went back to studying the floor, sniffling all the while.

Reggie sat there, watching Frannie. He started reaching out with his hand as if to hold her, then stopped. He put his hand down.

"OK, let's do it," he said.

The Misfits:

The Misfits had finished their plans for tomorrow and were lazing around, looking forward to their evening meal of grey goop with optional Marmalade.

Ding! Frannie and Reggie have made a vow, 100%. If either one is permanently enslaved again or is killed, they both die. This message has been sent to Frannie, Reggie, and the Misfits.

"No kidding," said Bronsen.

Hestia:

Frannie told Hestia about her vow with Reggie. So, when Frannie had left, she did some thinking.

So, vows exist, and even us slaves can use them, but only if we are freed.

Can I make a vow, I wonder?

Ding! Yes, you can!

Hestia was so startled she jumped. Fortunately, she backed the cabin wall so she didn't hurt herself.

Well, that is undoubtedly an invitation.

Ding! Hestia has made a private vow, 100%. If I ever get the chance, I shall kill the slaver emperor for what he did to my sister. And then I shall die.

Hestia was quite pleased with this result.

Finally, something worthwhile to live for.

And to die for.