The Adventures of Gracinne Chandler in Quantum Entanglements

By Julius Tyme

In the first novel featuring heroine Gracinne Chandler; she freed herself and many women and young men from a sex slavery ring aboard an old cargo ship. Now, she finds herself the owner of the ship with a new mission. However, her victory is short-lived as she finds she becomes the target of covert plots to destroy what she is creating even before she is aware of her own goals. An old enemy comes back to haunt her and, put her new crew as well as, family at risk. Still attempting to deal with her unusual sexual nature, and awakening extra-normal abilities, our heroine walks a tenuous line to keep her crew together and, protect her loved ones, in a world that struggles under the tenacious reigns of discrimination against people of color and, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and, Transgender communities. Yet, her valor, conviction, and deeds cannot be ignored. She forces the world to change their view of what it means to be human in their future and, opens new doors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julius Tyme
• Release date: Sep 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996357142

Julius Tyme

Julius Tyme is a man that is just finding his literary voice in the genres of fiction, after a long career writing for government and business. He loves traveling and, observing people of different societies. He holds multiple university degrees and, has accumulated many stories to share from his experiences. He has lived for a time in each of four corners of the United States including Hawaii, but won’t say which he prefers. When not writing, the author enjoys hiking, bicycling and, playing Chess. He doesn’t smoke, but enjoys a good liqueur or Brandy. For more information about Mr. Tyme, read his Smashwords interview.

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The Adventures of Gracinne Chandler in Quantum Entanglements

Copyright 2015 Julius X. Tyme

Published by Metropolis Consulting and Books at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 978-0-9963571-4-2

DISCLAIMER

This book is wholly a work of fiction. It is intended for adult audiences 18 years of age and above. It contains text describing violence, adult language and, descriptive sexual situations. Although geographic locations may actually exist, all characters, and events are fictitious. Any similarity to situations, names or, descriptions of any actual person or persons, is solely coincidental. The Author, his agents or, publishers shall not be responsible for the distribution of this work to minors by others whom they have no control over. Distribution to minors under the age of 18 may be a violation in some states and/or, of federal laws.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Threats and Turns

Cape Town

Chapter Two

Spook Training

The Meeting

The Party

Training Days

The Message

Chapter Three

The Visitation

The Transit to India Headquarters

Ordering through the Help Line

Attacked at Home

Chapter Four

Therapy

Dr. Henderson I Presume

Doctor Trungeon

Air and Sea Training

The Going Away Bash

Chapter Five

Rogues

Open Relationships

The Midas Serum

San Francisco on the Horizon

Olga’s Moment

Chapter Six

The Hunt

The Search

The Assault

Chapter Seven

Integration

Growing Pangs

Tawana’s Terror

Chapter Eight

Movements in the Shadows

Enemy Past, Enemy Present

The Natural Disaster

Chapter Nine

When Vengeance Kills

Crisis in Faith

Spins

Chapter Ten

Quantum Entanglements

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Other books by this Author

Resources To Connect

Chapter One

Threats and Turns

Gracinne Chandler, Black woman, prior exotic dancer raised in inner-city Detroit by her mother and now; hero of India and, master of what many call the most advanced, eco-friendly research vessel in the world. Her ship was refurbished and, upgraded with help from two governments adding funds to her own. Still, she never intended her life to be as exotic as the dances she once performed. She never imagined a life of wealth or, adventure but, it seemed the Gods had blessed her beyond her wildest dreams. It was not only because she was directly responsible for the rescue of many women, and boys from slavers that made her a hero. It was the action combined with her very nature as a Hermaphrodite that caused some Hindu devotees to believe, she was a reincarnated deity that, made her popular in India.

Her six foot, two inches tall body of brown skinned, voluptuous female beauty was on the Bridge of her research ship, the Chandiki, when she received the first satellite video call from the Foreign Secretary of India. He was a high government official in the Indian Foreign Service. Since the Prime Minister of India, the Secretary’s superior was unofficially responsible for the existence of the Chandiki; calls from the Ministry were of great significance. She took the call in her Wardroom Planning Center directly aft of the Bridge. While she could see and hear the person calling on the large monitor mounted on the wall, a small camera attached to it, allowed her to be seen and heard by the caller as well.

She was sitting at her Wardroom table. Good morning Mr. Secretary. I am pleased but surprised to receive your call. How can we be of service?

He said, Good morning Ms. Chandler. Congratulations on the successful completion of your first mission and, discovery of a new species of shark. The High Commissioners are all looking forward to reading your report.

Gracinne answered with humbleness barely concealing her pride, Thank you Mr. Secretary. We suspected that the stories of a prehistoric Megalodon were probably misidentifications and, more likely to be a new species instead. Based on what scientists told me about the Megalodon, I’m glad we were right.

Yes, we are too. Still, you have made history already. Unfortunately, I must tell you that our American friends have received some intelligence regarding a credible, non-specific threat against you, and your crew that is troubling.

Gracinne leaned toward the monitor in her chair, Can you tell us who this threat is from, Mr. Secretary?

I am sorry Captain Chandler; we have not yet discovered the source of this threat. However, our American friends have offered to provide some assistance in the form of training for your crew that will help prepare you to respond to any encounters. The training will be provided by a team of CIA and, special military operatives from the U.S. and Indian Armed Services.

Gracinne’s lower jaw dropped open in disbelief. Then she raised her hands with palms up to complain, But Mr. Secretary, it took us six months to identify, track and, finally tag our new shark species. My crew is still adjusting to this new life. They are due some recreation, and the ship is in need of some repairs from the storms we ran into while we were in Antarctic waters.

Of course Captain, we know your concerns. They are those of any good captain, but the Indian people want their hero to be capable of overcoming any challenge. The Americans will give you some tools to do that. The Ministry highly recommends you take advantage of this opportunity.

Gracinne sat back in her chair and gripped its arms before submitting, Yes, Mr. Secretary. You are right of course. What is the American angle on providing us this training, sir?

Well Captain, there may be a motive that they have not shared but, remember they have also invested a lot of money in your ship as an asset. We hardly think they would want anything to destroy your efforts at such an early stage of development. You can expect another call with more details. We will speak again soon. Keep up the good work.

With mild anxiety in her voice, Gracinne acknowledged that the Secretary was ready to end the conversation, Yes Mr. Secretary. Thank you sir, good-by.

As the call ended, Gracinne slumped in the chair. She remembered back almost two years ago now, when the Indians offered her the ship that at the time was named The Rusty Queen; that she suspected they were going to try to turn her into some sort of James Bond character. She thought to herself: ‘Well, I knew this day was coming; especially after we took out that drug cartel compound, and rescued Roxie’s sister. Shit, this is going to be right up her alley.’

She got up and walked back to the Bridge where she picked up a handheld radio, "First Officer; Bridge, over."

Roxanne Rodriguez answered, "First Officer here, over."

Gracinne transmitted, "Report to the Wardroom soonest, over."

"Report to the Wardroom, Roger, First Officer out."

Gracinne was looking forward to spending some time with her life partner, Ilene as well as India, her oldest child, and Blaze, her son. After sea trials and, inspections six months ago, they went ashore to spend time with Gracinne’s mother at their Mumbai headquarters. India was developing into a rambunctious little girl of fifteen months. Blaze was a little boy of fourteen months who seemed to be developing a spirit of daring, matched with a quick temper. However, the rough seas of the extreme southern oceans, was no place for young children to be. Ilene tried to stay with the ship for the first month of the six month research effort but, after a few bumps, and bruises to the children as well as, herself; followed by a couple other safety scares, they were transferred off and, flown home to the company headquarters in Mumbai India where Gracinne owned a separate family home compound.

The previous thirteen months together while the ship was being overhauled, and upgraded, before deployment provided an opportunity for Gracinne, Ilene, and Roxie to bond. The children were a large part of that bonding but not without hick-ups, and falters along the way. Ilene placed herself in the role as mother in the family and, was always concerned about neatness as well as the wellbeing of the children. Roxie saw herself as the man of their three-way relationship but as part of her role, she was not very neat. That lack of cleanliness caused some unvoiced friction with Ilene.

Roxie liked to wear men’s clothing but, the rules of the ship prevented her from adopting the popular American Ghetto style of Sagging her pants. She wore her hair braided in various Cornrow design styles of the Black community. With her left eye damaged from a beating she took before an organized insurrection ended with them taking over the ship; she preferred to wear tented glasses during both day and night. However, when serving as Officer of the Deck at sea at night, she was forced to wear lenses the maximized her visibility. When Gracinne and, Roxie were the lone parts of their extended family aboard the Chandiki for the remaining five months after Ilene and the children left, other issues began to surface.

After being summoned, Roxie entered the Wardroom Center, and found Gracinne sitting at the long table pouring over the crew roster. She looked around the room and, when she found no one else was there, she quietly walked up behind the chair Gracinne was sitting in, bent over and, wrapped her arms around Gracinne’s body, cupping her breasts in her hands and, tenderly kissing Gracinne on the side of her neck, then just behind her right ear.

She whispered in Gracinne’s ear, "How’s mi Amana, mi Amor, mi Capitan feeling?"

Gracinne moaned, raised her eyes from the listing and answered with tender affection, It was a shitty day until just now.

She turned her head toward Roxie and they kissed tenderly at first then, Gracinne’s eyes widened in surprise. She grabbed both sides of Roxie’s face as she slid her chair back from the table making Roxie release her grasp to step back. Gracinne stopped the kiss then suddenly licked Roxie’s chin, then one side of her lips, then the other. She drew in a loud breath of air and, with her eyes still open in shock, jumped to her feet, pushing Roxie away.

Roxanne Rodriguez! Is that sex I taste on your face? she exclaimed.

Roxie looked around the room then ran into the toilet, grabbed a towel wetted it and, started frantically wiping her face before stepping back into the Wardroom with a look of fear on her face.

Gracinne needed no more evidence, It is sex. How could you do that to us? What, after all the times I have kissed you after you went down on Ilene; you thought I wouldn’t know the flavor of a woman on you? she shouted.

Roxie put her hands up in a gesture to calm Gracinne, Wait, Gracie I can expla-.

Gracinne cut her off, You can what? You can explain this!

With her mouth wide open, Gracinne grabbed the sides of her face with both hands and turned back toward the table.

Roxie answered, Well yeah. I can explain if you let me. She stepped toward Gracinne.

Gracinne put one of her hands on the table, and pushed the other out behind her to stop Roxie’s advance.

She said, No, no, I don’t want to hear it right now. We have more pressing issues of business to discuss. Just know that, this conversation is just beginning. She sat back down in her chair mumbling, I am really gonna want to hear how you try to explain this to Ilene. Take a seat Ms. Rodriguez.

Roxie threw her hands up in surrender and moved to sit down next to Gracinne on her right, her normal position. However, Gracinne pushed the chair in under the table, and guarded it with her arm, signaling for Roxie to sit a seat away.

Roxie made another attempt to explain, Baby if you just let me-.

Gracinne cut her off again angrily, I said we have other things to discuss.

Roxie twisted her lips then kept quiet while moving to sit down.

Gracinne took a deep breath then in a business demeanor, started her brief, We received a call from the Indian Foreign Secretary today. A threat has been issued against us by somebody that he thinks is credible enough to warrant taking some action. We will be receiving a visit by some CIA and Special Ops military guys to train us so that we can protect ourselves.

Roxie cut in, Shit! I think we do pretty damn good on our own.

Gracinne reasserted herself, Well, they seem to think that whoever is threatening is more than we can handle so now, we get better at it. Give Warren a call and have him come up here. We need him to find a shipyard for us to pull into for repairs before we reach home. He is better with the computers than either one of us.

In a sad, humble voice Roxie answered, Yes ma’am. Using her handheld radio she called Warren, told him what was needed and, asked him to report to the Wardroom. While the women awaited his arrival, their discussion was limited to issues of crew manning.

When Warren arrived, he was carrying a wireless computer keyboard. He sat down and, looked at the women’s faces. Neither woman was smiling. The silence between them was uncharacteristic.

He asked, Is there anything wrong?

Gracinne said, I will tell you in a moment but, tell me what you have found.

He gave an uneasy smile and said, "Ok, the nearest repair facility to our position right now is called Damen Shipyards. It’s in Cape Town South Africa."

He activated the monitor on the wall of the room and, pulled up a website that provided information, and photos about the shipyard.

After reviewing the information, Gracinne decided, Good. She looked at Roxie, Tell the NAV team to start planning for us to pull into there. Send a message to headquarters and, have them make arrangements for us from there. Then set a course.

Roxie answered by saying, Yes ma’am.

Gracinne then looked at Warren and said, Warren, find out what kind of recreation Cape Town has to offer. I think the girls need a little fun break. She looked back at Roxie and said, Thank you, dismissed.

Warren got up and left the room gingerly. Roxie slowly got up from her chair searching to make eye contact with Gracinne but, when Gracinne focused her gaze back to the papers in front of her, she sadly exhaled with a puff of air and, left the room.

Not including Olga Belinov, a devotee salvaged from the old crew of the ship, nine girls and, two Gay men made up what was left of her original team from the overthrow of the human sex traffickers aboard. Gracinne’s mind wandered for a moment as she thought of the final confrontation with the old captain and, the young woman named Sheila that proved to be his last victim before his life was ended. It had been strange to find that Sheila’s body turned up missing from the ship when they finally made it to port, and completed the offload of deceased people.

Drawing her mind back to the present, she continued her assessment. She decided not to ask the medical team, made up of a male African Doctor and, female American Nurse to participate in the training. She decided, she would need to review the personnel files of the two male Indian Electronics operators and, two male Engineering and, Machinery operators to decide if she would require them to participate in the training. Gracinne had been advised to hire a bodyguard and personal assistant when she acquired her wealth but, Roxie insisted upon filling the bodyguard roll. Since Gracinne had been training her in Martial Arts the entire mission, she relented. She did hire a Gay American man to be her personal assistant by the name of Norman. He kept track of all her administrative tasks, and needs. She decided to keep him out of the special training since he started seeing Fred. She would also, need to ask Ilene about her feelings concerning participation. She smiled as she thought about how Ilene was such a gentle lady in everything she did.

***

On the Bridge, Roxie looked over the navigation chart with Tanya, a young woman from Turkey, currently only nineteen years of age and, a loyal member of Gracinne’s revolt against the prior captain. The ship had dropped off its team of oceanographers, and biologists along with their equipment in Fort Lauderdale Florida ten days prior to the call from the Foreign Secretary. None of the crew went ashore there since they were all looking forward to getting back to their new adopted country of India. They could shave the transit time from another ten days to four days using Full speed going to South Africa. Roxie gave the order for Tanya to set the course and, increase speed. Leaving Tanya in command on the Bridge, she then composed a radio message to be sent to their headquarters and, took it to the communications center. While there, she asked the specialist to make an attempt to contact Ilene by Skype, then send it to her personal quarters.

***

It was getting late as Gracinne finished reviewing the personnel files with the help of Norman who pulled the files from cabinets for her before leaving. As she was about to get up to go to the dining hall for dinner, the communications center informed her of another incoming video call. She sat back down as she told the specialist to connect the call to her. It was Mr. Taggart.

Good evening Captain Chandler, he said grinning.

Still in a bad mood, Gracinne’s greeting was only cordial, The same to you Mr. Taggart, if it’s evening where you are. I didn’t expect your call so soon.

Taggart said, Ah, so you know why I am calling.

Smart enough to check for consistency, Gracinne’s answer was cautious, Well I have an idea but why don’t you tell me anyway.

Taggart picked up on Gracinne’s caution, It’s been a long time but, I see you still don’t trust me.

Gracinne countered, It’s not you I don’t trust. It’s your agency I don’t trust. I don’t care for all that espionage and shit. Don’t forget, I am from the Black community. I haven’t seen or heard of a Black CIA agent yet; Contractors and, Associates yes; Agents, no. So, what’s the deal?

I understand Captain. However, I am going to do what I can to dispel your concerns. Have you heard that there has been a credible threat made against you, and your crew?

Gracinne said, I have.

Well we are offering to provide you, and your crew with some countermeasures and defensive training to enable you to cope with the threat and, future unidentified threats. We can feed you information anytime but, with you out there all by yourself, we can’t guarantee your protection with forces. I’m sure you understand that.

Gracinne settled back into her chair more then said, Ok, tell me about this training.

We can send a detachment of highly trained instructors to you that will teach your crew an accelerated course that, will guarantee some skills to make you all formidable in counter intelligence and, combat tactics. They will be put through some physical training, technical equipment training, and weapons training as well. How does that sound?

With legs crossed, and her hand propped against the side of her head while leaning sideways on the table she asked, What kind of time table are we talking about here? It took me years as a girl to get to my level of fighting skill. I am not happy with the thought of a permanent detachment of your agents on my ship.

Taggart answered, I don’t think that will be an issue. I am talking about something like eight weeks.

Gracinne shook her head before saying, Two months? I don’t know about that. When would we be expected to start? When would your people want to come aboard? I have already told the Ministry in India that, my girls are overdue for some rest, and relaxation.

Taggart took a tentative tone in answer, Well, considering the seriousness of the threats, I would suggest we get started as soon as possible. If your crew is capable, we might be able to get them to a minimum level of proficiency in a shorter time but, they might not like the intensity of the training schedule.

Gracinne turned her front to the table, and leaned forward onto it. For the first time during the conversation she looked into Taggart’s eyes before saying, Look, I know that the agency sank a lot of money into the Chandiki during overhaul and, refit. I still am looking for an answer to why? Sitting back into her chair, Gracinne started to slowly turn her seat from left to right and, back again with her legs as she waited for his answer.

Taggart smiled and could be seen to sit back in his high-back leather chair. He said, It is true, we have a strategic interest in your operation in general and, you in particular. However, just as we agreed almost two years ago, missions we ask you to take will be optional. I am not at liberty to disclose the nature of any of those potential missions at this time but, you might expect for some of them to be of mutual interest to you as well as the Agency.

Gracinne stopped moving her chair, and looked at Taggart’s face again before she said, Then you do know the source of the threat against us. Why can’t you tell us?

Taggart was caught by surprise at her perceptiveness. He took a deep breath then said, So far, all we know is that there is chatter about you; that a bounty of ten million has been placed on your head, and the head of your lieutenant Ms. Rodriguez. There is a half million on the heads of the rest of your close crew. The source of the bounty is someone high up in a government but which government is still unknown. This is fallout from your massive upset of the sex trafficking trade. You must have expected something like this would happen sooner or later.

Gracinne nodded her head. Ok. I want to push my crew to finish in seven weeks. We are headed for repairs in Cape Town. I want to give my crew a week of fun before the grind starts. Let me check with my first officer to find out when we will arrive. Gracinne picked up her handheld radio, First officer, Captain, over."

"This is the first officer here, over."

"What is our ETA to Cape Town, over?"

"ETA is zero six hundred next Monday Ma’am, over."

"Zero six hundred, Monday. Four days from now; Roger, out."

She looked back at the monitor, So did you get that Mr. Taggart?

Yes I did. I can have my team meet you there in, let’s say ten days. Agreed?

Ten days it is sir. Will you be in company?

Afraid not Captain but, I think you will be quite pleased with the agent in charge of the team. Have a good journey: Taggart out.

Gracinne spun around in her chair until her back was to the screen. She inhaled deeply then let it out in an upward puff that caused the bang of hair over her forehead to fly up. She picked up her handheld radio, and got up from the chair. She started walking toward the Bridge then stopped.

She pressed her radio transmit button, "Norman, this is the Captain, over."

After what seemed like a long moment he responded, "This is Norman ma’am, over."

"Switch to private channel, over." Gracinne turned a dial on the top of her radio to a special private frequency only she, Roxie and, Norman were allowed to use.

"This is Norman on private channel one, over."

Gracinne asked, "What is your location Norman, over?"

"I am in Freddie’s, I mean umm, crewman Lester’s cabin, umm over. Ooh!"

Gracinne narrowed her eyes. Freddie was a personality that required constant attention from those choosing to be intimate with him. It was a psychological insecurity resulting from his years of abuse. She guessed that if they were in the same cabin together for any length of time, they were likely engaged in some form of sex. When Fred and Norman first met, the first word out of their mouths in recognition of their attraction for each other was: Hey! Norman was a Top guy in his sexual roll and, Fred was a Bottom. Gracinne decided to give them warning.

"Norman, I am on my final evening inspection of the ship. I need to see you before you turn in for the night so I am headed that way. I expect you to be dressed, over."

Gracinne heard the sound of rustling through the radio before Norman answered, "Yes, yes ma’am, you’re headed in our direction, Roger, out."

Gracinne then continued walking onto the Bridge. On the Bridge she first examined the navigation charts with Tanya. She then listened to Tanya’s report on the current condition of the ship, and all stations as Officer of the Deck. A young woman from Somalia, Tonya, was on the Helm to keep the ship on course. That was only a difficult task in rough weather but the modernized steering system was responsible for much of the ease. Tonya was another of Gracinne’s original uprising team when they freed themselves from sex slavery.

Gracinne put an arm around Tonya then asked, How are your engineering courses going?

Tonya smiled and speaking with an accent common to her home country said, They are very difficult ma’am but, it is a good thing the courses are self-paced. I believe I will get through them Ok.

Gracinne gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze and said, Keep at it. I know you will be just fine. If you have a real problem with it, let me know, we’ll find a way to work it out.

Tonya smiled, and nodded her head.

She reviewed the ship’s deck log where the Bridge crew recorded all of the events, and observations made aboard the ship for the day; initialed it at the end of the last entry and walked over to the Lookout. Julia was keeping that Watch-station, holding a pair of binoculars to her eyes.

She heard Gracinne approaching, turned toward her, smiled and said, Hey girl!

Gracinne rolled her eyes, smiled and answered playfully, Hey girl. When she reached Julia, she deliberately bumped her with her hip causing Julia to stumble slightly to the side. They giggled at each other. Julia was one of the few women on her ship that felt comfortable in her presence, and Gracinne valued that. Julia was another of Gracinne’s original warriors when they took over the ship. She was a tall thin, but shapely Black woman who was smart, and bold during the fight for the ship. Her pre-capture history with the Gangs of Los Angeles California proved crucial when the need came to ward off Somali pirates. Julia was a big help as part of the team when they rescued Roxie’s sister from the drug cartel in Mexico. She was also the only other woman aboard that joined Roxie in taking martial arts lessons from her. However, Gracinne anticipated her beloved Ilene would join the classes when she returned. Gracinne picked up a pair of binoculars and scanned the horizon. There were only two contacts reported to her by Tanya; one was a fast moving cargo container ship being tracked by their radar and, the other was a large sailboat. Both contacts were moving away from them in shipping lanes.

She asked Julia, Anything new to report crewman?

Returning to a modicum of formality Julia said, No ma’am, just a wonderful sky and, beautiful sea.

Gracinne breathed in the salt air, and let it out slowly. It is beautiful isn’t it? How long will it be before you finish your Deck Officer Quals?

Julia said, I think I will be able to take the test in a week or two.

Gracinne nodded then said, Good. We need you. Before leaving the Bridge she put down the binoculars and turned to Tanya again.

Tanya, make a ship-wide announcement that there will be a meeting of all off duty crew in the Mess Hall tomorrow morning at zero nine hundred.

Tanya acknowledged the order, Yes ma’am; zero nine hundred, aye.

Gracinne then left the Bridge. Her path would take her down the ladders and, through every passageway of the ships’ superstructure to the main weather deck. She walked all the way forward to the Forepeak of the ship then down another ladder to the upper level of the first cargo hold, forward berthing and, crew entertainment space, past the helicopter, food storages and into the two following cargo holds where boats and vehicles were stored, until she reached the upper level of the machinery space. From there, she walked to the lower engine room then back toward the forward part of the ship through the middle cargo levels to the visitor quarters, gym space and, family area. She walked down the final set of ladders to the lower cargo decks level then turned her tour toward the stern past what had been the sonar research space while the Oceanographers were aboard. There she heard the sound of water. Looking toward the outer hull just above where the external sonar dome was located and, a bit to the portside; she found a small rip in the hull. Water was filling the bilge beneath her feet. She heard the ship-wide announcement being made, perfectly as ordered. Then she radioed the Bridge to have the engineers and a couple of other crew members patch the hole. The ship had been hit by a few small icebergs while near Antarctica but, she was surprised no one else noticed the damage earlier. She mentally noted that properly repairing that breach would require a longer stay in Cape Town than expected and, cost more. She finished her walkthrough as she passed the mission operations, laboratories, and cargo areas. Then, she stopped at Fred’s cabin and knocked on the door. Norman answered the door, and stepped into the passageway, fully dressed in his tan shipboard uniform.

You wanted to see me ma’am? he asked.

Gracinne put her hands together behind her back then spoke in an authoritative tone, Norman, I want you to maintain liaison with headquarters starting tomorrow. I want you to be the first to know if anything goes wrong there then, I better be the next to know, understood?

Norman nodded and said, Yes ma’am.

Gracinne continued, I want headquarters and, my home to add extra security and, we are going to Cape Town South Africa for repairs so, when we get there; I want you to stay close to me. Some serious shit is about to start happening around here. I will need you to keep me up on every administrative task I am sure to forget. I am depending on you alright? Gracinne put her hand on his shoulder.

Norman answered, You know you can depend on me Ms. Chandler.

Gracinne looked at him from head to toe, squeezed and, shook his shoulder then said, Good. Oh and, don’t play too hard tonight. Have fun but, be on time in the morning. She smiled, released his shoulder then, headed to her cabin.

Norman went back into Fred’s cabin and commented, Wow, Ms. Chandler seems a little more intense than usual tonight. I wonder what’s got her spooked.

Fred was still in bed but, watching a DVD movie when he said, Don’t worry about her honey. That woman is more of a man than both of us. Whatever is bothering her, she can handle it. Now come back to bed with me, please!

Gracinne got to her cabin, undressed and, took a shower. When she came out she wrapped a large towel around her six feet, two inches shapely frame, and tucked it in over her breasts. She wrapped a smaller towel around her long brown streaked hair. As she stepped out of the bathroom and stopped, she saw Roxie leaning against the wall next to the door to her bedroom area. She was wearing only a see through lingerie top. Gracinne could see through the material to the patch of hair trimmed to a heart shape at the joining of her thighs. The hair on her head hung down around her head to her shoulders. Her glasses were off of her face and, Gracinne could see she was wearing makeup. Roxie was wearing the gold chain and pendant given to her by Gracinne a year ago. The gold and, diamond pendant spelled out her intent; Property of GC. Gracinne was impressed by her beauty as a woman but still displeased from their encounter earlier in the day. She walked over to the cabin dressing table, leaned on it with one hand on the table and her other on her hip.

She pursed her lips, then straightened, and waived one finger in front of her from left to right saying, This is way out of character for you honey but see, I know what you’re trying to do.

Using her sexiest walk, Roxie glided over to Gracinne, and put her arms around Gracinne’s neck. She said, You know I love you, cherish you and, how precious you are to me.

Gracinne said, "Well where is the Boi in you that I know you want to be?"

Roxie countered in a weak tender voice, "Well you know that I would never dress like this for any man or, woman; not even Ilene. In public I might call you Mommy sometimes but, you are the only one in the world that I call my Papi too."

Gracinne smiled and said, "You better not call me Papi in public. She put a hand on each of Roxie’s hips and, sighed before asking, Do they still show I Love Lucy on television in Cuba?"

Roxie nodded her head, and looked longingly into Gracinne’s eyes.

Gracinne narrowed her eyes then said, "Good, because just like Ricardo use to say to her: You got a lot of splaining to do Lucy." She gently reached up and pulled Roxie’s arms from around her neck, then moved past her, walking toward her bed.

Roxie, knowing that she had failed her effort, dropped her arms, slapping her sides. She turned toward Gracinne, and followed her into the bed area.

She complained with a question, Well, are you going to let me explain?

Gracinne pulled back the covers of her king bed, removed the towels from her body and, walked to her dresser in the nude. Looking into the mirror, she pulled her long hair to one side of her face, and started to twist it into a single loose braid. In the reflection of the mirror she saw Roxie crawl up onto the bed, deliberately directing her shapely hips toward Gracinne whom she knew was watching. She directed an enticing look over her shoulder at Gracinne. She then slowly crawled under the covers. When Gracinne finished braiding her hair, she put an elastic band on the end to keep it from coming loose during the night. She walked over to the other end of the king bed and slipped beneath the covers.

She turned on her side toward Roxie and said, I’m waiting for my explanation Roxanne. First, I want to know who the woman is that was so hot, she made you break your promise to us.

Roxie started to slowly slide across the bed to get closer to Gracinne as she said, Olga.

Gracinne’s mouth dropped open in astonishment before saying, Olga? The Olga that is old enough to be mother to both of us? You had sex with her?

Roxie stopped sliding closer to answer, No, I didn’t just have sex with her. I made love to her.

Gracinne’s eyes widened, in disbelief she turned her face away then, back to Roxie. She sat up against the headboard of the bed, and pulled the covers up around her body, then said, What does that mean?

Realizing that the sexual atmosphere was spoiled, Roxie sat up facing Gracinne, and crossed her legs, letting the covers fall onto the bed. She said, "Gracie, Olga needed it. From the very beginning, that woman has waited on you hand and foot. She has changed just as many diapers for los niños as any of us; actually even more than me because, I hate changing diapers, and have asked her to take my turn a lot. Anyway, she practically worships you and, you almost ignore her."

Gracinne took offense, I do not ignore her! We talk all the time!

Yeah Gracie but does just talking make someone feel loved? She is lonely. She lost the only love in her life during the takeover. Haven’t you noticed how red her eyes have been lately? It’s because she has been crying a lot. If you were paying attention, you would know this.

Gracinne frowned with doubt then said defensively, "Well, I am fond of her but, I don’t love her. I treat her like a loyal employee. Millions of employers have close