Francesca: These kids have potential after all


    Devina is dead. Along with Juniper. And Teylon.


    Was it really too hard for them to have a happy ending?


    Yeah, Esmeralda is totally a bitch.


    But...


    Those anonymous rulers are also dead.


    Yeah, these kids did the right thing. Even if it did cost them. I''m impressed.


    I''m happy to grant them my allegiance.


    So - what happens now?


    Looks like I''ll be taking over for a little, with help from Sarawatch. And Tamara.


    First thing-


    Actually, I suppose I could have just asked Adalace to turn off the automatic defence system from the computers, but, nyah, this was much more satisfying.


    Second thing-


    Third thing-


    no intention of crossing an Angel of Death. At least, not any more than I already have."


    This is where the hard work starts-


    Good, good, they''re all in their couples. Apart from Shane, that is.


    some idea of where all of this is coming from. Oh, and this includes you, too, Shane."


    Adalace is going to be busy for quite a while, and Sarsaparilla is supporting her, but for the other teenagers -


    Naturally I can''t let Kaydence and Leroy sleep in the same room by themselves. Totally out of the question! And Erasyl and Maggie would be too embarrassed to do so, so obviously-


    That''ll satisfy them for now.


    As for Shane.


    no mention of Esmeralda. Nothing. Not the slightest trace. There is plenty of stuff about Sarsaparilla''s and Teylon''s judgement powers, what with us talking about it, and the committee discussing it - but absolutely nothing connecting that power to any supernatural stuff." said Adalace.


    think it means that Esmeralda doesn''t want people in general to know about her. So, I guess, my brand new super power, which is obviously not a standard esp power, will just have to go unexplained. I guess." said Sarsaparilla.


    Nobody seems to have any more to say, so


    nice people. Nasty people have an unfortunate tendency of dropping dead when they meet us. And tell them to all present themselves at a maglev station sometime round about six in the morning? Because there''s going to be a lot of shit hitting the atmospheric fans soon, and we all need to start managing things as soon as possible."


    I had better give a little pep talk here.


    senior ladies will set up a watch and take turns to look after this place. OK?" said Sarawatch.


    Ha! I think Sarawatch was a little annoyed by my calling us senior. Poor girl, she''s now the oldest of us.


    Sigh.


    Teylon is still dead, not to mention Devina and Juniper.


    How about I volunteer to take the first watch? Everybody else needs some sleep.


    <hr>


    Maggie and Erasyl: Have a talk about relationships


    all of her time exploring the computer system, nobody else did much actual work. However, they did spend a lot of time answering questions, both directly from the police officers and journalists who had been allowed in, and indirectly from interviews conducted over the Mars internet. These last were not very constructive nor very coherent, since everyone was still scrambling, madly trying to get abreast of the data that had been dumped.


    Adalace: I might still be a victim, but I certainly no longer have to feel like one


    incident, but if you can all control yourselves and wait till I explain things?" said Sarsaparilla.


    Isn''t she nervous? I''m certainly am. I mean, we are going to be telling the future leaders of Mars how to go about their jobs.


    Ah, her hand''s sweaty. Or is it mine? Whatever, we''re both nervous.


    Here it comes, another intense Angel of Death moment. Only we''re not allowed to call it that. So, I suppose, does it become a Sarsaparilla Judgement moment?


    I certainly have one very cute but definitely super scary girlfriend!


    Oh shit. Here it comes. One extremely scary girlfriend!


    shut up! As soon as you shut up and get back to your computer screens, we will explain exactly why that bloke was judged!"


    That''s my cue. As soon as Sarsaparilla gives me some usernames and passwords...


    She looks thoroughly pissed off, in fact she''s in a vile humour.


    I had better be as nice as possible to her after this is over.


    I suppose seeing what that bloke was up to really sours her mood.


    Yes, just like Teylon told us about Vicanef''s Judgement, her memory of it must be fading. A small blessing from Esmeralda.


    not going to plant a tree for him?"


    I''m no longer a nobody either. The future rulers of Mars will be taking careful note of my words, also.


    The pain of being raped might still be present, but hopefully it will be drowned out by the rest of my life.


    Thank God.


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    Leroy and Kaydence: Having a discussion