“That’s the last of them,” Jess said, letting out an exhausted sigh. “Now the Wanderer can start to absorb the prisoner transports and change that area to something more comfortable for everyone we freed.”
“And we can start leading them around all over again,” Ali replied with a groan.
“It won’t be so bad. At least they should have accepted they really are free now.”
“I’m surprised it went so smoothly,” Elizabeth said. “No trouble at all.”
“That’s their conditioning,” Sal replied sourly. “A lifetime of being told what to do, and having to do it immediately to avoid punishment. It’s convenient for us right now, but I don’t have to like it.”
“Not for them, though,” Jess said. “Not any longer. We… sorry…” he said around a huge yawn.
“How long till their new quarters will be compl
