Frenzy & Torch

Chapter 23: Fabric

The gang received a new ship as a token of gratitude from the Keeyorbians. Jeff, Elizabeth, and Annabelle were in the bridge discussing their next move while Sabrina idly watched videos in the corner. On a control panel next to the sorceress was the German spacetime manipulator machine from the lab.

Elizabeth had a plate of ribs with extra applewood smoke barbecue sauce that were neatly presented on a white porcelain plate. She took a bite and her skin repaired itself instantly. Her revitalized muscles bulked and tore through the bandages. Her toned arms and legs were bulging against her uniform. "Fuck yeah!"

Jeff and Annabelle were caught completely by surprise. They both asked, "How?"

"A lot of bad harvests and stolen goods. Had to teach my body to value food in more ways than getting a full belly."

"See, you undersell yourself!" Annabelle said. "You're unique in your own way, there's no reason to be so angry about my achievements."

Sabrina snorted at a video of oiled men in speedos playing kickball with a severed head on a gore website. "This must be on V-1945, bunch of savages on that planet .... "

"Whatever." Elizabeth said in response to Annabelle before digging into her ribs. "Also, what the fuck does that thingamajig you stole even do? You only told us we need to steal it."

"We tactically acquired it. If they miss it so much, they should've had better security! Besides, we're going to give it back! Anyway, Robert, the website?" Annabelle asked.

"The one updated by a Mr. 'Potato Piss Pie'?"

"Yes, that one."

Robert made an internal internet search and read the information aloud. "It allows the user to travel to anyplace in the universe instantly. The German Fleet has extensively tested it with favorable results. It has a ninety six percent success rate."

Elizabeth stopped chewing. "What about the other four percent?"

Robert readied his eye to project images against the wall. "Bear in mind, this was one failure out of twenty-five tests."

Elizabeth nearly spat out her food and Jeff's stomach turned. On the wall were classified photos of German sailors turned inside-out.

The blonde shook her head. "Oh, fuck no, we're putting that fucking thing back right now— "

"We don't know what happened!" Annabelle reasoned. "Maybe they did something wrong with the machine and didn't follow proper procedure! Think of it like this, if you could press a button and there was ninety six percent chance you would receive— "

"No!"

"Goodness gracious, Liz, would you please let me finish a thought?"

"I've heard enough of your motherfuckin' thoughts and I already know that was gonna be a stupid analogy! The answer is no!"

Annabelle faced the aviator, hoping his age and wisdom would make him more objective. "Look, Jeff, you told us the hyperspace travel feature drains energy from the ship's power core, and using it one too many times would risk leaving us stranded!"

"Yeah, that's right, Poppins, but I'm not trusting that Kraut machine as an alternative!"

Annabelle stammered. "I— we only have— Robert, time and day, please?"

"Twenty-one thirty-eight hours, December twenty-ninth."

"Thank you, sweetie— two days to hit the refineries, storage facilities, laboratories, military bases, business links, then confront him. That's, what, trillions of miles of cosmos we have to traverse?"