“Thank you, not sure I want to have to get them to this point again. Now if we could get them to warm up to the commander.” Johnathon whispered ba...k.Lucie shook her head as she said, “Good luck with that. They have been conditioned to fear him. I’m not sure I can break through that, or anyone else for that matter. Then again, the Empress did make an impression on them that’s for sure.”“We can only hope Lucie, we can only hope,” Johnathon said.Onboard the Jitaku ship, Onai’s brother Riku, was. John timed his arrival at the event with the serving staff. He knew they were serving drinks before dinner, and had the head chef primed to make sure the Governor was the last arrival.He, Gloria, and Penny got there by car, and parked outside in a reserved space, waiting for the summons. Art last the head chef tapped on the window, and gave John a thumbs-up signal. He then vanished, to superintend the event, leaving John to his own entrance preparations.John slipped out of his door and round to. I was surprised they asked about my sister, I could only guess that she told them.After I answer as much as I can, the officers leave leaving the three of us alone. “I’ll be right back Robbie, ok?” Mom squeezes my arm as she leaves the room.Stacey takes the seat next to the bed and takes my hand in hers. A silence falls between us.After a while I have to speak “why did you tell them?”“I’m not really meant to say!” Stacey replies, looking down at our hands.“Oh, come on Stacey!”“I told them. I lay my head back, and try to calm my breathing. Despite not ever getting more than my ears pierced, and despite how incredibly sensitive my nipples have been lately, I start convincing myself I can handle this."I'm sure by now you know where this is going." I lift my head and lock eyes with you."Yes daddy, I understand. I deserve this punishment." Yes, you do." You grab the 14 gauge needle from the sterile packaging and bring it up to my nipple, but not quite making contact yet. I'm staring.