Unarmed

6: Go With the Flow

"Oh well that makes sense." Many others nodded in agreement to Cassidy's statement. "I mean I'm pretty attached to my arms, (get it) but I guess I could give them up if it's against your religion."

Izzy looked around, bewildered. Most of her crew members were murmuring their agreement. Those who weren't were just kind of standing there looking perplexed, unsure of how to take the news that they would have to get two major limbs amputated.

"whAT?!? HoW ARE You OK with THIS???" exclaimed Izzy in outrage, "we JUsT saiD GOodBYE to OUr HOMES and YOu exPEct us tO SAy GOODBYe to oUr ARMS????"

Haggy looked at her, a little confused and hurt. "Well yes."

"Izzy chill out," said Cassidy, "it's a small price to pay for a new planet to settle on."

"Are you KIDDING ME?"

"They are being kind enough to share their home and hospitality, the least we can do is respect their religion and give up our arms".

Izzy watched infuriatingly as Haggy pulled out a pair of what looked like giant, glowing scissors from behind the counter. The group gathered around her as she described what they did.

"These are the Armputators," she explained, "they are scissors that effortlessly amputate your arms for the good of the Landorian people. The process is near painless and seals the wound immediately. Normally these scissors are only used on infants, who have squishier skin, so the process may be a bit tedious. But none the less, we will get it done and by tonight you will be headed to your new life. Now, who would like to go first?"

For a moment everyone just looked around, searching for a volunteer and then a hand went up.

"I'll go." Said Cassidy.

Haggy beamed. "Ok my dear, right this way"

Izzy looked on in horror as her friends stepped up willingly to get their arms chopped off. The scissor blades illuminated the whole room almost. The iridescent glow disappeared for a few seconds for every limb that was cut from the body. Arms littered the floor, some still wiggling their fingers.

Izzy couldn't bear to keep watching. She turned to look out the window. There was no way in the world that she would ever get her arms cut off by choice. She didn't care if it helped you "sleep better" or "loose weight". She was keeping her arms on her body and that was final.

About half the crew was left when the volunteering stopped. Izzy looked at Cassidy, not sure what to say. There were no arms left, only nubs, just like Haggy's. Cassidy wiggled them curiously and Izzy had to look away again. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Barry standing next to her, still with his arms.

"Let's get out of here" he whispered and Izzy nodded enthusiastically. She was done with this creep-fest. Along with Sunita, Scott and Rex, they crept towards the door. They opened it to find their way blocked by about 20 or so menacing, no-armed aliens.

"And just where do you think you're going?" came Haggy's old, raspy voice from behind them.