Things at work became busier. Joe was talking about making me an assistant manager. He often asked about Marie and I would always say she was fine.I a...ked Marie one day about attending another swingers party. She told me she would think about it. It was to be the following Friday. Lo and behold, Joe asked me if I wanted to go to the home office that same Friday for a conference. He had other plans and needed someone to go for him.He told me it was mandatory for someone from our office to attend. Excellent job. I will see that they get to Sick Bay.”The First Officer detailed two of his crew to escort the two injured men to the ship’s medical facility where they would have their injuries seen to. The Marine Lieutenant insisted on escorting the Captain, First Officer, Science Officer and Helm through the airlock that was sealed into the rock of the tunnel. Once through the lock, the Lieutenant commented, “The air is good,” as he casually retracted his face shield, and the others followed. The black armor was interesting as well. He just wasn’t certain how it worked. It looked too squishy to provide any kind of real protection. He was also pretty sure it’d never stretch enough to fit him.“Everything still there?” Marlowe asked. Inventory management was a two person per shift job. Even the AIs weren’t stupid enough to have a single person in charge of the dangerous stuff. He’d been inventorying the right half of the hall while Marlowe had taken the left.“No change,” he. "No, I fear that you must be patient. Trees are very old and their senseof time is not as ours is. But soon, I assure you, if you but have faithin the Power of Magic."Oh, we do! We do!" chorused the youthful royals as one.Time passed and soon Lonnie and Donnie were in High School ENCHANTEDFOREST POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL, where they grew into gangly teens whotried out and were accepted for the Cheer Team, wore pantyhose undertheir boy clothes and dreamed about being able to menstuate instead.