Windy and Shy: Cruise Controlled

When Evershy awoke, she found that at some point during the night she and Daydream and scooted closer and cuddled together. He was still asleep, his face buried in her chest. She smiled, finding waking up in such a fashion rather comforting after their earlier exploits.

“Daydream?” She softly called, running her fingers through his mane.

Daydream mumbled and settled into her even more. “Mrs. Shy… you’re so… soft…” He muttered in his unconscious state.

“Daydream.” She shook him a bit harder, holding back her laugh at the sweet display.

He finally began to rouse, his opening eyes peering straight down her nightgown. “Wha!?” He backed up and observed his situation. “Mrs. Shy?” He pulled his hands away from her. “I’m sorry, I must have…”

“It’s okay.” She promised. “I think we both decided to get more comfortable.”

Daydream laughed. “Hell of a way to wake up.”

Evershy sighed and laid her hand on his cheek. “I’m… sorry, Daydream.”

“For what?” He asked.

“I just feel like I keep teasing you.” Her thumb traced his jaw.

“It’s okay.” Daydream laid his hand over hers. “I’ve never really just been close to any creature like this. I like it.” He smiled.

“Well, that’s… oh!” Evershy gasped as she felt something jab into her thigh.

“Oh shit!” Daydream realized he was getting aroused and drew his hips back. “Sorry.”

“That’s alright.” She peered down the sheets. “Oh my, really… worked up, huh?” She laughed lightly.

“Uh, yeah.” He admitted with embarrassment. “I haven’t touched another creature since this trip started. I uh… was kind of saving it all for you.” His eyes shyly rolled away from her.

“Oh.” She blushed. “That’s… sweet.”

“I know you’re not looking to hook-up, I’ll keep it in…”

“It’s not like I haven’t thought about it, you know.” She interrupted.

“R…really?” He looked back to her in surprise.

“Of course.” Evershy’s hand drifted to his chest. “The fact that a handsome, young guy like you could find an old mare like me so desirable, feels… nice.” She smiled. “I like you, Daydream; it’s just that this is very complicated for me. I’ve already got a few things that I’m going to have to work out… if we can make it off this ship anyway.”

“We will.” Daydream nodded surely. “I’m not going to let Solstice lay a finger on you.”

“Thank you.” She gazed into his eyes and they slowly moved closer to one another.

“Morning!” Windy said cheerfully as she strode into the room, startling them greatly.

“Windy?” Evershy sat up and observed her. “Where are your clothes?”

“Oh, B.B. and I had some fun earlier.” She winked.

“Wait.” Daydream looked back towards the other room. “You actually fucked Big Ben?”

“Yeah.” She glanced back to see him still sleeping on the floor. “Took two rounds to tire him out. I had to really work for the third one.” She laughed. “After that he passed out, like a giant angel.”

“Your friend is something else.” Daydream whispered.

“She certainly is.” Evershy smiled.

“Hey, where’s Aron and Nora?” Windy looked over to the empty, second bed.

“I don’t know, they were there when we went to sleep.” Daydream noted.

“We didn’t hear them leave.” Evershy added.

Windy tried to imagine why they would have left without word. “I’m… gonna take a quick shower and go find them.” She hurried into the bathroom, having grown worried about them. Quickly cleaning up, she threw on some clothes and went to look for the twins. After some fevered wandering she found them at a table in the food court. “Hey, why did you take off like that? I was getting scared.” Windy asked as she stood before them, they looked up at her; startled from their quiet conversation. She noticed the depressed look in each of their eyes and frowned. “What’s wrong, sweeties?” They let out matching heavy breaths.

“We heard you…” Aron began.

“This morning.” Nora finished.

“You seemed to…” Aron looked up at her.

“Truly enjoy Ben.” Nora did the same.

“He seems to…” Aron turned to Nora.

“Be a perfect fit for you.” Nora turned to Aron.

“Which means you…” Aron said shallowly.

“No longer need us.” Nora said in equal tone.

“We can’t compare to him.” Aron sighed.

“Can’t compare at all.” Nora sighed.

“Hey… hey.” Windy sat between them. “That’s not the least bit true.” She wrapped her arms around their waists. “Geez, you two are pretty dry in the self-esteem department.” She thought for a moment. “Listen, you know what women like more than anything?”

“What’s…” Aron started.

“That?” Nora ended.

“Confidence.” She shook them. “And we really need to work on yours. If you constantly compare yourselves to every other guy then you’re never going to be happy; and you don’t need to compare yourselves anyway. B.B. is… unique, but so are the two of you. He brings things to the table that you can’t but you two brings things that he can’t. It isn’t a contest.” She pulled them into her. “Being with you two is an experience, just as much as being with B.B. is; they’re completely different experiences but they felt just as good.” Windy kissed them both. “I wouldn’t dream of giving you two up. After all we’ve been through on this looney trip, the three of us are a package deal until the end.” A sincere cheer returned to the pair's eyes.

“Thank you…” Aron smiled.

“Mrs. Windy.” Nora smiled.

“That’s better.” Windy cuddled them. “Come on, let’s get back and take a look at all the ‘you know what’ we found.” She took them back to the cabin; finding Evershy and a finally awakened Ben huddled around her notebook.

“There you are.” Evershy waved them over as soon as they entered. “Come take a look at this.” She looked back into the other room. “Daydream?”

“Coming.” He jogged in.

“What have you got, Shy?” Windy asked as they joined the conference.

“I’ve been looking up the materials you found in the shipment log.” Evershy looked up at her with great concern. “Solstice is dealing with some dangerous things.”

“Everything in those crates is some form of mind altering substance.” Ben continued. “Hallucinogens, mood modifiers, aphrodisiacs… the list goes on and on.”

Daydream balled his fist. “So he was lying about that ‘all natural’ BS. I’m sorry Mrs. Shy, I never would have let you drink…”

“It’s okay.” Evershy reached over and gave his knee a tender squeeze. “You didn’t know. I don’t blame you or any of the crew; Solstice and the Captain clearly have their own agenda that goes beyond just running this cruise.”

“But what?” Windy considered the options. “What does he have to gain by… getting every creature laid.”

“This goes farther…” Aron looked at the screen.

“Than Breath of Fresh Air.” Nora joined his observation.

“What do you mean?” Daydream asked.

“Breath of Fresh Air…” Aron began.

“Enhances sexual desire.” Nora ended.

“But many of these plants and chemicals…” Aron pointed to the screen.

“Have nothing to do with that.” Nora did the same.

“So you’re saying that he’s experimenting with more than just a creature’s sex drive.” Evershy surmised.

“Then who knows what else he’s doing to the guests.” Ben looked over his fellow crewmates. “To us.”

“There are three days left on the ship's tour.” Daydream noted. “What do we do?”

“Act natural for today.” Windy suggested. “Tomorrow, I say we take out that antennae so we can use our phones to call the authorities.”

“How the hell are we supposed to do that?” Daydream asked.

“Hey, I came up with the idea.” She put her fists to her hips. “Only fair that one of you figures out how to make it work.”

The unsettled group began to laugh, easing their tension. Ben stood tall and went to the door. “The four of us need to be seen on deck, doing our job.” He advised. “We have a solid alibi, if any creature asks you what was going on last night, just stick to our story.”

“I’m not keen on leaving them here alone, Ben.” Daydream crossed his arms.

“Daydream.” Evershy rose and put her arms around his neck. “We’ll be fine. Just go about your day and you can all come back tonight.”

“Alright.” He sighed in concession.

“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek.

“If anything happens…” Aron added.

“We won’t be far.” Nora nodded.

“Okay, keep your cool out there.” Windy ran a finger across both their beaks. “See you later.” As the boys left, Windy went into the other room and made a pair of gin and tonics. “After this, I’m going to need a vacation from this vacation.” She laughed and handed one to Evershy.

“At least we can’t say this trip wasn’t exciting.” Evershy took a long sip.

“Sure can’t.” Windy slid her arm around Evershy’s waist. “So, how about we get out of this room for a bit? I could use some air and honestly, being in a public space is probably safer.” She downed the rest of her drink, letting out a stiff exhale.

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

“And don’t worry.” Windy giggled and kissed her. “I’ll keep the guys off of you.”

“My hero.” Evershy laughed as she went to change clothes.

Daydream, Ben and the twins went about their day normally in spite of the knowledge with which their minds were now burdened. Four days in and with a generous helping of Solstice’s cocktail in the guests and crew, the cruise was basically an orgy at this point. The pleasure they typically felt at the sight of the haphazard lovemaking had been replaced with a gnawing fear and concern. Daydream pushed a bar cart, an easy way to be seen without having to engage much. He passed out alcohol as he lapped the decks, getting hit on but politely declining with the excuse of keeping up his route. His eyes often drifted to the bridge, the silhouette of the enigmatic Captain ever present; he wondered just what kind of creature could be capable of drugging an entire ship and didn’t much care for the answers his mind came up with. Ben had a harder time laying low, the popular stallion almost as much of an attraction as anything else on the ship. He happened across his close friend Cobalt as he walked the ship, the pegasi sped over to him and slapped his arm.

“There you are, haven’t seen you around much the last two days.” He smiled up at Ben.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Ben said calmly. “Been spending some time with a particular mare.”

“What?” Cobalt looked at him in shock. “Has the ship’s resident love machine been wrangled?”

“You could say that.” He nodded. “Anything going on lately?”

“Just the usual.” Cobalt looked around. “Things are pretty much in full swing.”

Ben looked up at the bridge. “Hey, have you ever actually met the Captain?”

“Huh?” Cobalt followed his eyes up to the bridge. “No. I mean I always see him up there but Solstice is the only one who ever talks to him.”

“You don’t find that… strange?” Ben looked back down at him.

“Never really thought about it.” He admitted. “Solstice said he’s one of those eccentric types. You know, reclusive and all that. Maybe he’s a germaphobe or something. Why the sudden interest?”

“Morbid curiosity I guess.” Ben laughed shortly.

“Well hey, I’ve got to get down to the casino.” Cobalt punched Ben’s solid stomach. “I’ll see you.”

“Right, see ya.” Ben waved as he continued his walkabout.

The twins had spent their time seated on the railing of the stern, not moving for the course of the day. Interest in them was always low so they were often left to their own devices. They stared up at the bridge, the shadows of Solstice and the Captain playing off the shaded glass. Their mysteriously connected minds pondered the problem at hand as the world passed by around them.

“Are you thinking…” Aron began.

“What you’re thinking?” Nora ended. “Yes, are we sure it will…”

“Work?” Aron continued. “Yes.”

“If we succeed then…” Nora started.

“The Captain and Solstice will fall, and…” Aron went on.

“We will have nowhere to go.” Nora concluded. “But that doesn’t matter to us anymore…”

“Does it?” Aron asked. “No, it doesn’t. We need to do what’s right and we need to…”

“Protect the guests and our crewmates.” Nora finished. “And we have to…”

“Keep her safe.” Aron carried on. “Mrs. Windy is important to us…”

“Isn’t she?” Nora asked. “Yes, she is. We feel something…”

“Special for her.” Aron nodded. “She and Mrs. Shy are good mares.”

“We must be confident…” Nora looked at Aron.

“As Mrs. Windy said.” Aron looked back at him.

“No more feeling weak.” Nora said surely.

“No more.” Aron said with equal measure.

Windy and Evershy kept off the main deck, staying mostly on the second and third lower decks. Most of the shows and other attractions were dead as the guests and crew spent the day fucking each other senseless. Keeping to themselves, they ate lunch and listened to the live music that still played unhindered.

“Kind of makes you wonder, huh Shy?” Windy’s eyes panned the large court.

“What?” Evershy asked.

“How much of this is them and how much is whatever they’ve been drinking?” She explained her question. “The boys said that Breath of Fresh Air just intensifies what’s already under the surface. Do they… even know what they’re doing anymore?”

Evershy considered the question. “I think they do know, they just don’t care.” She sighed. “You could write essays on the implications of all this and the motives behind it… but at the end of the day it just boils down to gratifying a need.”

“Well, I don’t need some creepy cocktail to know I need you.” Windy ran her hoof up Evershy’s leg.

Evershy laughed and reached over the table to take her hand. “Same here.”

“How about we head back and wait for the boys?” Windy brought her hand up and kissed it.

“Sure.” Evershy squeezed her hand.

They headed back up to the main deck, moving towards the bow to reach the access to the cabin levels. A feeling of unease washed over them as they traveled and the source of that unease soon made itself known.

“Ladies.” Solstice stepped from stairwell leading to the lower level as they neared. “Good afternoon.”

“Oh.” Evershy smiled as much as she could manage. “Hello.”

“I hope everything is well.” He said cordially.

“Yeah, everything has been great.” Windy nodded. “We were just going back to our cabin.” She took a step forward but he didn’t move.

“Miss, I am not one to mince words or waste time.” He looked over them. “I have sufficient evidence to suggest that you, at the very least, have accessed areas on this ship that are off limits to passengers. I think that we should speak.”

Windy stepped in front of Evershy. “We haven’t done anything like that, and there are four members of your own crew who know that we haven’t.”

“Yes yes.” He sighed. “Daydream, Big Ben, Aron and Nora. I have every intent to speak to them as well. Nevertheless, I require that you come with me.”

“We’re not going anywhere against our will.” Evershy noted.

“Forgive me, you seem to think I’m asking.” He glanced over their shoulders and two members of the crew blocked them off.

“Try it.” Windy challenged. “You should know that my daughter is a 2nd degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu.”

“That would concern me, why?” Solstice asked, unamused.

“Who do think taught her?” Windy pushed Evershy to the side, holding a stance in front of her. As the crew memebers came at her she stepped forward; hooking her hoof behind the stallion’s leg, gripping his shoulder and slamming him into the ground. She took the second by the wrist and dragged him into a standing arm-bar; she placed her palm to his back, swept his legs out from under him and drove him into the deck. “Let’s go!” She grabbed Evershy’s hand and pulled her along.

“Honestly.” Solstice looked down at the floored young stallions, he stepped over them and casually pursued.

“Daydream!? Ben!?” Evershy called as they crossed the bow.

“Aron!? Nora!?” Windy called in tandem.

“Mrs. Shy?” Daydream left his bar cart at the sound of her voice and ran to them. “Are you two okay?”

“Solstice tried to grab us.” Windy informed.

“He what?”

“Where are the others?” Evershy asked.

“The twins are near the stern, I haven’t seen Ben.” He pointed to the opposite end of the boat. “Let’s keep moving.”

The three of them ran towards the stern, catching the confused eyes of the guests they passed. When they reached the rear of the ship they saw the brothers still idling near the railing; the twins noticed their friends' hurried approach and quickly went to them.

“What is…” Aron began.

“The matter?” Nora ended the question.

“We’ve got trouble.” Daydream explained. “Solstice isn’t playing games anymore, he tried to abduct them.”

“What can…” Aron looked to Windy.

“We do?” Nora did the same.

“You can stop this nonsense.” Solstice’s voice called out as he approached with more crew at his sides. “This is a ship. Where exactly do think you can go?”

“Anywhere you’re not.” Windy answered.

“Cute.” He pointed at them. “Detain them, please.”

Daydream, Aron and Nora blocked the approaching crew. “Listen.” Daydream held his hands up. “Solstice is lying to you, he’s been lying to all of us.”

“Just come with us.” The dragon said calmly. “Whatever is going on, you’re only making it worse.”

“You’re not…” Aron barred his talons.

“Touching them.” Nora copied the defensive stance.

“Solstice!” A heavy voice echoed over the scene.

“Ah, the other one.” Solstice turned back to see Ben making his way over.

“You might be delegated authority, but you’re not in charge.” Ben challenged. “As members of this crew, we have every right to take any grievance before the Captain if we feel it necessary. We demand to see him, now.”

Solstice saw that the other guests were watching the commotion closely. He smiled and tipped his head. “As you wish.” Solstice looked over his loyal crew. “Return to work, I will see to this matter myself.” He gestured up to the bridge. “Follow me.”

With slightly hesitant looks, the group began following Solstice up to the bridge. In spite of the situation, he remained fully calm as if sure he was still in control. As they walked up the metal stairs and stood before the door, Solstice removed his personal keycard and unlocked the entrance. He stepped aside and held his hand out to the interior. “Please, after you.”

The six of them entered and were immediately assaulted by a heavy stench. Evershy cupped her hands over her mouth, screaming at what was before them. The gaunt and partially mummified remains of a stallion stood before the controls, held aloft and moving by means of an intricate rig of wires, pulleys and actuators like a macabre marionette.

“What the fuck!?” Daydream jumped as it turned to face them, moving to the other side of bridge and holding its position.

“Well, are you going to say your peace?” Solstice’s voice came from behind them; turning back, they found him aiming a silenced pistol at them.

“You sick bastard.” Ben said angrily. “What the hell is this?”

“The good Captain here died a few years ago.” Solstice waved his gun around whimsically. “Since the ship and this operation were in his name, I kept him around to keep things running smoothly.” He sighed heavily. “I’m disappointed you know, getting yourselves killed over a couple pairs of tits.”

“You think you’ll get away with any of this?” Windy asked. “You’re crazier than I thought.”

“I’ve done it before.” Solstice said evenly as he pulled the trigger.

“No!” Ben dropped down and took the bullet in his shoulder.

“B.B.!” Windy grabbed him.

“You’ll pay…” Aron rushed him

“For that!” Nora followed. They collided with Solstice, sending his next shot through one of the wires holding the Captain’s body up; the dried corpse dangling from one arm. Aron sank his talon into Solstice’s wrist, making him drop the gun. Nora pushed him up against the railing and the three of them spilled over the side and went crashing down to the main deck.

“Oh no!” Evershy ran out and looked down to see the three of them struggling to rise.

Back inside, Windy got Ben to his hooves; the bullet doing little to keep him down. “Daydream.” He pointed to the control. “Get on the P.A., let every creature know what is happening.”

“Right.” Daydream set himself to the console while Ben and Windy chased after the others.

Down on the main deck, the surrounding guests and crew stood stricken at what was happening. Solstice managed to get to his hooves and stared down at the twin griffons. “You miserable little parasites!” He kicked Aron in the stomach, lifting him into the air.

“Stop it!” Nora ran in but Solstice took him by the throat; trying to slash at him, the much larger stallion held him far enough away to avoid his swipes while he strangled him.

“Let go of my griffon!” Windy spread her wings and launched herself in the air, kicking Solstice in the shoulder and freeing Nora. Ben and Evershy helped Aron up and Solstice growled in irritation as he faced them. Before he could speak, Daydream’s voice came over the loudspeaker.

“Attention guests and crew.” He began. “This is Daydream, the Captain is dead. He’s… been dead. Solstice has been lying to the crew about everything, and to the guests about Breath of Fresh Air. If you’re drinking it, you need to stop immediately. The drink contains drugged additives that affect the mind and honestly, I can’t even say what all is in it at this point.” As he spoke, the deck began to grow crowded with crew and guest alike. “As a member of the crew here, I’m not going to lie and say we weren’t aware. But we were lied to about just what it was and how it worked… I know that isn’t an excuse but we’re trying to stop this now. I’m asking all of the crew here to stand up against Solstice; he’s dangerous, crazy and he’s trying to kill my friends. Get to the main deck now and help us!” Daydream’s voice ceased and Solstice looked about at the countless eyes that were on him.

“It’s over.” Ben stated. “Just stand down.”

Solstice laughed and began to remove his great coat. “Hardly, if you think I’m above killing every living thing on this ship then you’ve already lost.” His coat fell, revealing a tactical vest that was lined with the bizarre, paintball like pellets they had seen in his lab. His statement brought fear to the guests but the crew started to close in on him.

“Wow, Daydream is right.” One of them said. “You’re out of your mind.”

“Think what you will.” Solstice dismissed the claim. “As if any of you have any ground over me. I gave you all jobs, purpose, free food, endless entertainment and more females than you could ever handle. You all jumped at the chance; all of you adrift in your sad, pathetic lives. All I asked of you was to indulge and fuck your lives away so that I could continue to fund my work.”

“You're right about that.” Daydream said as he jumped down from the second deck. “And we’ll answer up for taking part in this, but you’re still done.”

“Fine then.” He plucked several of the pellets from his vest. “Come stop me.” Another griffon who was behind him tried to charge in, Solstice spun and slammed a blue pellet into his chest. As soon as it made contact, the griffon’s eyes welled with tears; he stumbled past Solstice and fell to the ground in the fetal position. Holding his eyes, he wailed like a baby to the combined terror of the others.

“What did…” Aron looked down at him.

“You do to him?” Nora stared down with equal unsettledness.

Solstice shuffled the pellets in hand. “Did you think lust was the only emotion I’ve mastered?” He asked mockingly, holding out the assorted rainbow of projectiles. “Lust, fear, rage, cheer, grief, agony… my research has given me the ability to make any creature feel whatever I wish them to and whenever I choose. These little balls here contain the purest form of each chemical compound, getting hit with one will spur you into the most extreme case of each emotional response.”

“Holy shit, he really is a movie villain.” Windy proclaimed.

“He’s still outnumbered.” Daydream said. “We can bring him down.”

“Am I?” Solstice tossed a red pellet into his opposite hand and pitched it into Amber, a larger dragon on par with Ben. He doubled over, his eyes burning as he punched the deck. Amber roared and sent fire into the air, those around him retreating.

“Shit.” Ben balled his fist. “I’ll deal with him.” He looked out over the crew. “Half of you get the guests to safety! The rest of you, help subdue Solstice.” Ben charged at the wild dragon and locked hands with him, narrowly dodging the blast of fire that was sent his way. The guests began to run under the aid of some of the crew while Daydream, Windy, Aron and Nora scattered.

“Mrs. Shy, let us handle this!” Daydream called back to her. “Get somewhere safe.”

Solstice whipped a handful of the balls at them. Daydream weaved while Windy and the Twins flew over him. They tried to get near him but their fear of getting hit successfully kept them at bay. More of the crew came in to help; Solstice pegged a pair of them, sending one into a violent fit of uncontrollable laughter and the other to the ground as his mind perceived unbearable pain.

"Damn you!" Cobalt appeared with a metal pole, he swung it at Solstice but missed and took a yellow pellet to the face.

"How brave." Solstice commended as the pegasi sailed by him. "Brave enough to stand up to pure terror?"

Cobalt dropped his weapon and shook in place, looking around in complete panic. "No!" He cried as he fell on his butt. "Help! Help me!" He waved his arms at unseen forces as he backed into the wall, other crewmates rushing over to try and calm him.

As they struggled with Solstice, Ben did his best to bring down the enraged dragon. His arm weak from the bullet wound, he quickly lost ground and suffered a rake to his chest.

“I’ll kill you!” Amber screamed as he bore down on Ben. His mouth opened to breathe fire but a heavy jet of water filled his maw and sent him back. Ben glanced over his shoulder to see Evershy with a firehose.

“Thanks!” Ben shouted back to her as he hurried in and drove his massive fist into Amber’s belly. As the dragon collapsed to his knees, another blow to the back of his head sent him into unconsciousness.

Solstice backed himself around to the port side where the deck was thinner, forcing his attackers into a chokepoint where he could easily hit them. Windy flew up to the second deck and ran down the port side to a position above him. The crew had to battle amongst itself as Solstice sent more of them into a blind fury, making them attack whoever was closest. Daydream, Aron and Nora took cover, finding themselves all that was left to deal with the threat.

“Damn it.” Daydream cursed. “Any ideas?”

“We need…” Aron started.

“A shield.” Nora concluded.

“A shield… a…” Daydream looked about and got an idea; he dashed out and across the deck, rolling behind the lift for the life boat. He reached out and grabbed the tarp that covered the interior of the small craft and threw it over himself. “Aron, Nora, be my eyes!” He stepped out and blindly ran down the deck towards Solstice.

“Left!” Aron called, guiding him away from a table.

“Right!” Nora called, steering him from extending wall.

Solstice’s pellets hit the tarp and did nothing so he braced for impact. Seeing that he had forsaken his weapon for a moment, Windy flew down behind him.

"Hey asshole." She called his attention.

"Arrogant bitch!" Solstice turned and sent his fist at her, Windy caught his arm and drove her knee into his stomach. She spun him to leave him disoriented and kicked him in the back, sending him straight for Daydream who approaching like a runaway train.

“Straight ahead!” The twins yelled in unison.

Daydream ran full force and collided into Solstice as he toppled forward; his shoulder rammed into his chest, causing the remaining pellets in his vest to burst simultaneously. Protected by the tarp, Daydream backed off as he heard Solstice cry out.

“No!” Solstice looked down at his chest. “You bastards, what have you…?” His body went stiff and he gurgled as exquisite pain began to course through his body. His brow furrowed and his eyes grew angry, but they overflowed with tears as he fell to his knees and began laughing maniacally. They watched in horror as Solstice convulsed, his angry screams of pain laced with hysterical howling. All at once he stopped, his face going completely blank before falling to his side in a heap.

“God.” Daydream huffed as he neared the body.

“Is he… dead?” Windy asked.

Kneeling down, Daydream watched Solstice’s chest and saw shallow breathing. “No. He’s still alive.”

Evershy and Ben hurried down the port side, coming to a stop at the silent scene. “Are you all okay?” Evershy queried.

“Yeah.” Windy nodded. “You?”

“We’re alright.” She said in exhaustion. “We subdued the crew that lost control.”

“Shit.” Daydream fell against the wall.

“Does this mean…” Aron began.

“That we've won?” Nora ended.

“Seems like it.” Ben walked over to the fallen Solstice. “What happened to him?”

“He got hit with all his crazy shit at once.” Daydream explained. “Looks like it fried his brain.”

“Good.” Ben said shallowly. “We need to deactivate the dish and call the authorities.”

“Right.” Windy thumbed back towards the stern. “I’ll check on the guests and the rest of the crew.”

“We will…” Aron stepped over to Solstice.

“Tie him up.” Nora followed.

“Okay, Mrs. Shy and I will go to the bridge.” Daydream went to the injured Ben. “You need to get to the staff doctor.”

“Right.” He nodded.

“Hey.” Windy called their attention. “Great job.” She smiled proudly. The group shared a tired smile before they headed out to begin securing the ship.