OVER THE SILVER SKY TO THE WORLD OF NEVER : Part 266 - Forehead Or Groin? I Can't Decide.

I don't want to worry people too much, but thanks to the internet I've been learning. Instagram for example has taught me how to be outraged about meaningless fictitious shit. It's absolutely brilliant. I can go on there post a 10-20 second video clip, entirely removed from all context and divorced from reality, then get outraged about something that didn't really happen. After that hordes of morons will get outraged by the nothing that never happened and they will share that with thousands of other morons. Before you know it my misrepresentation of reality will be trending. Why deal with the real problems of the world when you can make up shit that doesn't really need a solution? Real world problems are hard. You have to use your thinkies on them instead of your feelies. People don't like thinkies. They is too hard. Feelies is easier to handle. Checking out the reality requires thinkies. It requires joined up thinkies. The masses don't have that ability. They are fucking morons to a man, woman and every other flavor of humanity. They need to be outraged. Because they love to hate. Thinking prevents outrage and reduces hate. Thinking is evil. Right now I'm outraged about this anonymous psychiatrist stating children are psychotic dwarfs with a good prognosis. How dare he (You know it's toxic masculinity.) blacken the name of psychotic dwarfs by comparing them to children. Now that I'm outraged I'm going to track him down so I can destroy his life and career. Hopefully he'll have a family who will also suffer when he loses his livelihood and job. Especially his fucking children.

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She was still having a really hard time processing the unwelcome fact Jake was alive. Already off balance, Daisy was now well outside her comfort zone. Unable to predict what would happen, because she knew she was no longer in control. Either directly or indirectly. The only hope for the Matriarch was that Scarlet would re-exert her power over him. She needed to get to Scarlet first to ensure that. So she thought. It didn't matter, there was no way Jake would ever be swayed by either of them anymore. Allowing Daisy to believe the situation could be retrieved was a petty form of revenge on his part. Worth it though.

He didn't bear her or Scarlet any particular animosity here. His visit to the room full of Wanderer, in his memory palace, had been very instructive. It told him he could become close to godlike. Tens of thousands of years experience, knowledge and skills were his to use. He resented how they'd both maneuvered him for their own ends of course. Final judgement on them was reserved until he understood the why. If he assumed these powers that might not be a good thing. For all he really knew here, he could be the baddie. Scarlet and Daisy, the good guys, keeping him in check. Preventing the Wanderer from becoming an unstoppable monster. He had his own ideas about that. Ideas that wouldn't appeal to them. Tough luck. It was time for some fun.

Still unable to fully digest his continued existence, Daisy tried her hardest to get past those intransigent guards. Pulling rank fruitlessly. How many times could she mention she was the Matriarch? Odd. Prior to this she'd been reticent about revealing her true identity. If that was her true identity. All those lies, distractions and manipulations could be hiding darker secrets than anyone could imagine. The hierarchy, the power dynamics and the ultimate aims were hard to discern here. It was possible Pengelly was the devious mastermind. Unlikely, but potentially true.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the sentries, Jake saluted them again. Before strolling past. Much to Daisy's annoyance. He could have had a quiet word with his fellow shield sisters. Have them keep her there until he could take maximum advantage. Instead he chose to allow fate to decide what would happen. Knowing as much as he had access to, could make things far too predictable. Leaving no room for chance. That was boring. If you planned out everything too exactly you missed a lot. Randomness provided a lot more entertainment. Like listening to the Matriarch demanding to know why he and his fellows were allowed past. The answer to which was firstly he was a shield sister, secondly he had fought alongside them and through his actions saved many lives, thirdly he was with Chaska and Kaisha. There were more, but he'd moved on. Annoyed that Daisy hadn't as much as acknowledged Fetu or Pip. Both of whom had risked their lives to keep the woman safe from her own stupidity.

What that curious lapse might be down to was a mystery. One that he could do with investigating? That depended on whether he could be bothered. He wasn't entirely sure he wouldn't simply walk away from all this. That bar on a resort island had its merits. Timing would be crucial here. Only because he'd decided this. What he had to say would only be said once. It was time to bring their game, he'd been forced to play, to an end.

Their original camp had been enclosed with a temporary building. The only reason being, it limited entry to two points. Making the area far easier to police. One would have been better, except for it severely restricting access and movement. Jake sauntered through the nearest opening. Most of their kit had been laid out on several tables. Obviously for examination. Which you couldn't blame them for doing. Not considering the destruction some of it had wrought. He pulled up a chair, taking a seat with his booted feet up on the nearest bench. Hands behind his neck he leaned back completely relaxed. The smile still etched onto his face. Already giddy with relief there was even more to come. Along with a large portion of satisfaction. The other 4, having followed him inside stood near the entrance. Carefully watching him. The ladies with curiosity. Fetu? It was hard to say.

Everyone's attention, apart from his, was drawn to the voices coming through the other doorway. Jake concentrated on his feet. Right now they were very interesting. These new boots looked very nice. Anyway he could see exactly what was happening out there. Had been watching it all this time. Timing was important. Scarlet entered, her back to Jake. She'd turned to insult the shield sisters who'd been holding her arms. Almost stumbling as she wrested herself free. The captain of the Harlot turned angrily. Oh boy. If only he had a camera to record this moment and the one with Daisy. Oh, actually he did. This would be recorded by Chiro. The dread was etched all over that beautiful face. Rocked to her core. Unlike Daisy she recovered quickly. Switching to that favored back up. Rage at him. Spit flew from her lips as she howled.

"Halliday! I might have known this was all your fault. Why aren't you dead you fucking useless cunt?"
Jake grinned harder.
"Great to see you to. I hope I find you well."
Her eyes darted around, quickly settling on the swords, pistols and knives nearest. Cool. This was going to turn out better than expected. It was very nearly poetic. She loved poetry apparently. All the pieces were coming into place, plus one he couldn't have hoped for.
"I can soon fix that."
She snatched up a pistol loosing off two shots at his head. Faster than thought his saber blurred the air. The rounds deflected back past her. Still incandescent with rage Scarlet fired off three more rounds. Either ignoring the sounds behind her or unaware of them. The sword flicked those over her left shoulder.
"How the hell are you doing that?" Pip inquired softly.
"It's a Wanderer thing. Two thousand years of experience and getting shot a million times."
"Be honest. Are you actually aiming them or is that down to luck?" She nodded behind Scarlet.
"Pick a spot." Jake offered. "Anywhere you like."
The young blonde cradled her right elbow in her left palm, while stroking her chin.
"I'm torn. Forehead or groin? I can't decide."
Scarlet had the pistol in both hands now. Aiming it precisely at Jake's head.
"Make up your mind. We're on the clock here."
She cocked the weapon, gripping even more firmly as it was switched to auto. Pip attracted Scarlet's attention nodding pointedly behind the potential assassin.
"You might want to reconsider your next move." Pip advised.
"Why the fuck would I do that?"
The volume of the groans behind her increased to the point where she could no longer ignore them. This could be a trick. So she rapidly twitched her head to look back. A fantastic double take there. face frozen in shock.
"Because the next one will go through Ydrie's cock and the one after that his forehead. Go ahead though. I'm sure he's all talk."
Ydrie dropped to his knees.
"That's not making things easier you know Ydrie. I could nick an artery. Good choice though Pip. If you can't make your mind up, why not have it all."
The 5 wounds on the new boyfriend were all nonfatal. Through and through's. Both arms, both legs and one shoulder. There was conflict going on inside Scarlet. Her finger tightened around the trigger. Jake smiled as hard as he'd done in his life. Chaska and Kaisha were giggling. Even Fetu looked engaged. He wanted to see where this led. With a ferocious snarl she uncocked and dropped. Rushing to kneel at Ydrie's side. He looked really pale. Okay Daisy was nearby outside. Only being prevented from entering because of the gunfire. An unconcerned nod from Chaska and they let her proceed. Looking up from the wounded man, Scarlet glared at them.
"Pip? Fetu? How could you let him turn you against me?"
Pip snorted derisively.
"You turned us against you, bitch. You're a lying sack of shit. The only person who voted to stay here was you."
"How d..."
The blonde cut across her.
"You'd be amazed what I know about you now. You treacherous, malevolent, selfish whore. I'm ashamed I ever called you captain. Can we go now? That pile of shit is stinking the place up."
Jake took his feet off the table. Standing up, still beaming like a child on Christmas Day.
"I don't see why not." They headed out the door, him in the lead. Daisy had to step aside. Jake gave her a friendly nod. "Oh I almost forgot." Turning back he addressed her directly as she glowered and fumed. "I release you from the oath."
"Big fucking deal." Scarlet snapped back. "Like I give a shit."
Still doing his best Cheshire cat impression, the Wanderer saluted her happily. With two fingers to his forehead. Daisy, stunned into immobility, jerked into action as he slipped past. Frantically grasping his arm. He looked down at her grip impatiently, before prying her fingers off.
"You can't do this. You have no idea of the consequences. Don't be stupid."
"I can. I just did it. I know exactly what the consequences will be. And me being stupid was what you two always relied on before. I'm declaring independence Daisy. If I don't see any of you again.... I won't give a shit. That goes for Pengelly to."
Slapping away her hands he and his comrades set off back to the ship. Laughing as they went.