Free Without Rhythm (The Lament) by P.S. Power Page A

supposed to do next.
    Not having a clue she just walked up next to the two women and the man with them, who were huddled far too close together if they were trying to really hide. They were behind some bushes, but wearing bright colored red and blue clothing. It was cheery and made her feel a bit nostalgic, but she tried to block that out, not remembering her time at school and doing similar things.
    Instead she whispered trying to pretend to be a Guardian, making them all jump noisily.
    "They know you're here. You might as well just go out and throw yourself on the Captain's mercy. She's had some coffee, so maybe she won't be too mad?" It wasn't likely, not if they were breaking some kind of big rule. Still, better than if the woman was still half asleep.
    "Fu... I knew we were missing one of them suddenly. So much for her just going off to breakfast." It was a blond woman that didn't look all that old, but seemed more than a little tipsy even if it was early.
    The man just stood up. He looked old once she saw his face, weathered and lined, with a red nose that had the spider veins of a chronic drinker. Pran recognized it from her make-up class. They'd had to learn to fake that kind of thing after all. In case it was needed for a play or skit.
    "Might as well just go in then. Freaking Guardian snitches." The words were grumbled and low, not meant for her to hear exactly, but she grinned, trying to copy Mara's expression.
    "I'd feel worse, but you all did such a bad job of hiding. Let's go. You can all walk in front and jog a bit. It will make you look less drunk. Try not to throw up. Nothing will give you away faster than that. When we get there try not to talk. Go..." It wasn't the first time she'd tried to help people not seem overly drunk to get past the people in charge after all. Normally they were younger kids that had been too stupid to make it in the long run, but she wanted these folks to like her, or at least not hate her too much.
    "Freaking run?" The other woman, who was dark and thin could barely stand or speak, which was kind of funny.
    Remembering her own job requirements Pran focused and tried to pay attention to everything, which allowed her to notice the clicking behind her as the last man tried to sneak away.
    "You too. Unless you think you can make it around the woods before the Captain gets a count of all the people on board? I doubt that's very likely, but if you want to try it..."
    The man sighed and just shook his head. He had a dull look to his eyes, like someone truly slow, but he didn't try to run or fight, he just started jogging toward the ship, which got the others moving. Following him. It really did make him look better at least, leading them all.
    It took about three minutes, because the field was decently large and drunk people didn't run very fast or in perfectly straight lines. The dark haired woman tried to stop halfway there, but Pran patted her shoulder gently, getting the move shrugged off with a bit of anger.
    "End up losing liberty for a month over this."
    Pran didn't know what that meant. Maybe being locked up in the cell? Or at least her room when not on shift. It sounded about right, but it was the woman's own fault for being stupid. It turned out not to be that bad though, even though the Captain yelled at them all for dereliction of duty.
    In fact they weren't even all the way to the ship when she started in on them. Not Pran, but the others.
    "I do not believe this! We came under attack last night and you three went sneaking off into town to get wasted? Worse, you let Dovish go along with you!" She pointed to the large slow looking man, heaving a sigh.
    "I can't believe that. Did you let him drink too? Dovish, come here..." She waited for the big man to move in, sniffed his breath and winced a little, but did it again.
    "Berry juice? At least you all had that much sense. Fine. I'll cut you some slack then. Two weeks no liberty in town. If you have to leave the ship you need a