Rose asked detailed questions about the incident, and then dismissed everyone. She said,"Sunshine, come with me. That is not a request." Her youngest daughter said,"Alright." Sunny's mouth was dry as duct as she spoke. She felt fear as she followed her mother into a section of the ship she was never allowed into before. She blurted out,"Mom, I'm sorry for what I said. I was mad and didn't know what to do." Rose said,"We are living in dangerous times, my love. I should have had more care in how my family might take my actions--HOWEVER-- I would never endanger my family and friends by willful or arbitrary actions. I would expect my children to trust me. I would expect to extend trust to them as well. Sunshine... you violated that trust and that feels like a betrayal. You hurt me and I do not appreciate that feeling." The stopped before a pair of double sliding doors. Rose manually undogged them and slid them open. Inside was a single bed and a combination toilet-sink. Rose said,"I do love you and want to keep you safe. So it gives me terrible pain to do this. First off, this isn't only punishment, this is an object lesson." She stepped aside and gestured Sunny to enter the cell. "This is the ship's brig. A place to imprison people who are a danger to other people. If you try to injure other people, YOU could kill them. You must realize that What if you killed Starshine in a fit of anger? King might kill us all in a rage. There's more going on than you've been told,too." Sunny said,"I'd never hurt Starry,Mom. Don't lock me up in a metal box. Please." Rose swallowed hard. She sighed sadly,"You might request that very thing thing of our enemies who desire to carry you off and do unspeakable things to you. I make rules for our family to not only keep you safe, but everyone on this ship safe,as well. It appears that your imagination is lacking in one regard." Rose stepped away from the door as Sunny sulked in the cell. "I always thought total separation to be like death, until I was separated. It was traumatic for me, but I learned to get along. If you get captured because you didn't listen to me, and I could have taught you to listen better, the guilt would destroy me. A mother should never play favorites." Rose turned back, her eye shiny with tears. "What I am about to do, you won't like any more than I will, but it IS for your own good. It will only be for one hour less than a full day from right now. You have been disobedient and actions have consequences. If we need your skills, we'll come and get you. Now give me the debit card you took without permission." Sunny looked shocked,"HOW? How did you know?" She pulled out the ship trader card and handed it over. Rose said,"You told me. You can't buy anything without money! Even souvenirs. These can't be used by children without permission. I would expect you think about what you have done while you are locked up. Boredom will be your worst enemy in there. I would expect you to weep a lot in there too. You'll receive three meals during your incarceration., but you'll receive no communication for a day. Period. Your greatest punishment is this." Rose broke off as tears ran down her face. "You hurt me,Sunny. Deeply. There are people that want to hurt us. I do NOT want you, of all people to give them an opening." Sunny begged,"Please don't lock me up in here! I'll do anything you say! Please! I'm sorry!" Rose snapped,"It's only for a day! Don't make it harder than it has to be! You think I want this? This is like sawing off my own ARM!" Rose suddenly hugged Sunny strongly for a long time. Then she pushed away and stood back. "I'll see you in a day,my love." Rose pulled the doors closed in Sunny's face and dogged them with a final sounding clang. Sunny stumbled back to the bed and wept. She couldn't stop the tears. Rose wept for as long as she had to. Sometimes, all a mother has is tears. --TO BE CONTINUED!--