” I was starting to figure out why Tony was divorced.“Say do you mind if I get another beer?”“I’m sorry, let me get you one.”“No that’... ok. You just stay there.” He jumped up and went into the kitchen, smoke trailing in his wake. I drained my beer just as he returned with four more in his hands. He handed me two. Twisting the cap off of one of his he said, “Evviva,” and lifted the bottle to me.I had no idea what he said, but guessing I said, “Cheers.” I twisted the top off of mine and took a. It was not long before the town came into view off to the leftside of the road. An inn and trade post were the closest buildings to the road. Since it was early afternoon they decided to pass on through and eat a light lunch in the saddle and perhaps stop at a village or inn prior to night fall. Fate, it seemed, had other ideas.They were passing by the village when they were hailed by a member of the Sisterhood, dressed in black robes and red sash, trimmed in silver, carrying the traditional. Turning to the meeting, he conversationally announced, "Clara Barton." The individual or the ship?" Major MacAllistor asked, puzzled."The ship. It's functionally identical to the Auroras, and has to ship out to Atlantis for training anyway. The pods are just configured to be wards and treatment areas, not housing. We'll have her borrow 70 pods from the asteroid belt production facilities, and pick up the hospital ship pods on her way to her duty station." Why not 76 pods?" They still need six. Any volunteers?’ Again a forest of hands went up. As Gina picked out a couple of girls, Laura decided she had seen enough, and the tour proceeded to the sitting room. Here, at least, nothing disgusting was going on, naked girls were simply draped lazily around the room, chatting and laughing, drinking wine or eating fruit, or merely gazing blankly into space with blissed-out smiles. Laura relaxed a little, dully asking Wendy whether this completed the full stock of women. ‘I think a few have.