Fic: Sparkling Stars VII: The Slave-Haters (1/1)
Title: Sparkling Stars VII: The Slave-Haters (1/1)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Molly Turner, Christy/Virgil
Fandom: McHale's Navy
Genres: AU, Angst, Drama, Historical, Slavefic
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: This seems to be the day for Virgil to encounter slave-haters.
Date Of Completion: September 3, 2022
Date Of Posting: September 15, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 3084
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Thanks to all my readers! This is a small fandom, and this is a subset of that (not everyone is into slavefic). Special thanks to those who have gifted me with kudos and bookmarks. Keep 'em comin'! Not better inspiration for the Muses! Lots of ideas left in the queue to write! ☺️
The entire series can be found here.
The fires of hate,
Burn and boil,
Adding to the misery
Of a slave's toil.
Markson Merrill
"Tears Of A Slave"
1921 C.E.
Molly awoke refreshed from a good night's sleep. She put on a fresh, crisp uniform and affixed her cap to her head. She was looking forward to a decent breakfast but first, there was the matter of Mildred Hanover.
She found Mildred in the recreation lounge in the Nurses' Quarters. Mildred looked up, completely professional in her cap and uniform. Brown eyes appeared cool as she said, "Good morning, Commander."
"Good morning, Lieutenant."
Mildred was smoking a Lucky Strike cigarette and blew out a ring of smoke. "How can I help you?"
"Did you leave your post during Operation Base Slut six months ago?"
Mildred narrowed her eyes. "Did that whore tell you that?"
"The slave you were monitoring was surprised when I stayed the whole night and gave him a bathroom break. He didn't even know your name."
Mildred blew out more smoke. "Don't ya just love snitches?"
Molly said, "You were supposed to stay with the patient the entire time."
Mildred stubbed out her cigarette in an ashtray. Her laugh was brittle. "Patient? Since when do patients spread their legs for any swabbie with the price of a ticket?"
"I'm sure you understand what the operation is about."
"Just like I said: a dirty whore servicing dozens of men while under the guise of a medical reason."
"Not a guise." Molly crossed her arms. "And careful with your tongue. It's not professional to refer to your patient that way."
Mildred shrugged. "Fine, I'll use 'catamite' instead."
"How about 'patient' instead?" Molly shook her head. "Mildred, you're a good nurse, but this blind spot about slaves..."
Mildred banged a table with her fist. "They're abominations. They have homosexual sex, Commander!"
"Yes, they do, for medical reasons."
"That's a crock and you know it. They have sex a lot more than once a day."
"Sometimes. Look, what do you want them to do? They need sexing at least once a day and as for the rest, they don't have a choice, either."
"Of course they have a choice. Abstain."
"Abstain?" Molly was incredulous. "Just abstain from an act that prevents them from insanity or even dying? Besides, they're slaves, dear. That means they don't have a say in the matter."
Mildred shook her head. "Homosexual sex is against God's word. Their loss is of no consequence."
Molly stared at her. "You'd rather let FH carriers crack up or die instead of getting treatment?"
Mildred shrugged. "Sure. And treatment isn't usually a filthy sex act."
"Well, regardless, that's the reality." Molly uncrossed her arms. "You've got monitor duty next month and I expect you to stay at your post and give the patient proper rest breaks. Is that clear?"
Mildred's expression was neutral. "Yes, Commander."
"Consider it a chance to catch up on your reading." Molly left the lounge.
"Reading, huh?" Mildred muttered. She left the lounge and went to the room she shared with three other nurses. She went to her share of the dresser, opening the bottom drawer. She rummaged around under her underwear and pulled out a stack of pamphlets.
The pamphlets were stamped The Holy Shepherd Church. She opened the top one and read, 'Do not let the abominations spread their filth. Do not let their diseased bodies spread their filth. Do not let a beguiling smile fool you. Slaves are the devil's handmaidens. They will burn for their abominations.'
Mildred smiled. One of the Reverend Abernathy's best. She put the pamphlets back.
& & & & & &
After the doctor's exam, Virgil performed his exercises around the hospital grounds. Molly had firmly suggested he not leave the grounds. It was a reason that a Marine guard stood outside his hospital room, ensuring no one came back for a second taste or tried to jump the line.
Virgil enjoyed the fresh air and the sight of the sparkling sea. His stomach growled, reminding him that breakfast would be brought to him in his quarters soon.
"Hey, Beautiful!"
Virgil turned with a big smile as Christy ran up. The blond man grabbed Virgil into a bear hug. Both men laughed and parted, still holding onto each other's arms. Virgil wanted to kiss Christy, but they were out in the open. Too easy to be seen. Kissing on the lips meant romantic attachment, and that could get both of them in big trouble.
"What are you doing here so early?" Virgil asked.
"The Skip brought the 73 over before we head out on patrol. We'll be out all day. I couldn't stand another day without seeing you."
"Here, sit down on this bench. You'll be standing all day."
The two men sat down on a wooden bench. Virgil asked eagerly, "How is everything? Everyone okay? Any exciting missions?"
Christy laughed. "Whoa, Beautiful. Everything's fine, and the missions have been deadly dull, especially without you in the gun turret."
Virgil smiled happily. He patted Christy's knee. "Glad to hear it. Nice to be missed."
"Always, baby, always."
Virgil's smile grew broader. "You always know what to say."
Christy's smile was dazzling. "You do have a talented mouth, in more ways than one." He sighed.
"What is it, Christy?"
"How is it possible that you are more beautiful every day?"
"You've got a silver tongue to go with that golden hair."
They both laughed.
"Sure is beautiful here."
Virgil nodded. "The day is really nice. Great view, nice grounds, and decent chow coming up."
"That reminds me." Christy dug two Hershey's chocolate bars out of his shirt pocket. "I got these at the PX on the way over. I know you might get hungry this afternoon."
Virgil took the bars gratefully. "Thanks, Christy, the chow here has been decent, but a little chocolate is just the thing."
Christy looked like he wanted to kiss him. "Enjoy." He glanced at his watch. "I gotta go." He put a hand on Virgil's arm. "Molly's taking good care of you?" Virgil nodded. "Good. Just keep your eyes open."
"And you be careful." Virgil put a hand over Christy's. "No getting shot or the boat blown up from under you."
Christy smiled. "I wish I could visit you after patrol, but we'll be in late and Skip says you need your rest before tonight."
"Just one more day..."
"...and you'll be back home."
They hugged quickly and stood. Christy reluctantly left and Virgil watched him go, then took another run and decided to go get his breakfast.
Virgil returned to his quarters and showered, ready for breakfast delivery. He answered the knock on the door.
"Here." The orderly shoved the tray in and Virgil barely grabbed it before it hit the floor. The orderly, whom Virgil had never seen before, turned on his heel and walked away.
"Not a fan, I take it," Virgil muttered. He sat down on the bed and looked down at the powdered eggs and burnt toast. "I sure miss the Island and Fuji's cooking," he sighed. He was ravenous, and this meal would barely make a dent in his hunger.
Pretty ironic that I was just telling Christy that the food was decent.
Virgil ate his meager breakfast, hoping that lunch would be better. His meals had been good so far. He ate one of Christy's gift chocolate bars and decided to save the other one for later. This morning he got a dud. Ah, well. Such was life.
After he was finished, he brushed his teeth and was happy to get ready for his volunteer duty. He had been allowed to sleep past reveille, and now he was looking at a pleasurable duty.
Virgil grabbed his wristwatch and hurried along a corridor while strapping it on. He bumped into someone and instantly began apologizing when he was slammed against the wall, pain lancing his left shoulder. He looked up and was surprised to see his attacker was a nurse. She was stronger than she looked.
"Why are you wandering around by yourself, slut?"
"Wha...what?"
She leaned forward. "I don't need to make contact with your diseased body!"
She suddenly kicked his legs out from under him and he fell to the floor.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant."
She slapped him hard, her eyes glittering. "You've got a big mouth."
Confused, Virgil kept silent. Engaging with hostiles was usually unproductive. He would just have to wait her out.
"You know, they say you're beautiful." She laughed mockingly. "All I see is a husk of a man, shriveled by disease." She grabbed his hair and hit his head against the wall. She smiled at his wince.
His instinct was to pull away but that would mean the whipping post, and she would make sure of it. Instead, he studied her face. Pretty. It would be even prettier if not contorted with hate. Rich, brown tresses fashionably coiffed under her cap, and brown eyes that were chilling his blood.
He recognized her. She was the nurse who had abandoned monitor duty during his first Base Slut operation.
Oh, no! She said I had a big mouth. She thinks I ratted on her.
Years of practice kept his features schooled into a neutral expression. He read her name tag, Lieutenant Mildred Hanover.
Okay, Mildred, have your jollies, because if I'm lucky, you'll get bored and go on your nasty way.
Mildred straightened up and looked like she would enjoy giving her him a good, swift kick in the ribs, but she was aware that anyone could come walking around the corner. Instead she opted to raise her hand, ready to give him a hard slap, which he would accept. He had bumped into her, after all. She could cause him a slew of trouble.
She was ready to strike when an orderly came around the corner. "Hey, what's going on here?"
Mildred quickly covered. "This sailor tripped and I was helping him out." She offered Virgil a hand and he reluctantly took it.
He winced as she placed her other hand under his arm and dug her fingernails into his flesh. The orderly was helping him up, too, noticing his slave bracelets. For a second Virgil feared they might tag-team him in hate, but the orderly didn't recoil.
"Thanks," he said, sincerely meaning it to the orderly. He knew Mildred would never accept an apology.
"Hey, happy to help." The orderly patted his shoulder and went on his way
"Stay out of my way, slut," Mildred sneered.
Be glad to.
The nurse walked away and Virgil waited until she was out of sight before bending down to pick up his wristwatch. He slipped it into his pants pocket. He didn't have time to fool with it now. He had ward duty in five minutes. He checked his arm.
Damn! She drew blood!
He went into the nearest public bathroom and washed the cuts. With a sigh he headed for Ward A.
& & & & & &
Virgil was happy to help out on the sick ward. He helped change dressings, emptied bedpans (okay, not a great task, but necessary) and enjoyed talking with some of the men. He started to write a letter for a young man whose writing hand was in a cast.
"I'm glad you offered, Virgil. My mom would worry if she didn't receive a letter from me." Billy Saxon rubbed his blond head with his good hand.
"Lester says I have the best handwriting on the crew."
"Gruber? Well, I guess he knows. He's the biggest operator I ever saw."
Virgil laughed. "Boy, you're right. He's a born con artist." He adjusted the clipboard on his crossed knee and said, "Okay, what's next?"
Billy stared off into the distance. "Umm, 'Well, Mom, my latest operation ended up with a broken wrist and twisted ankle, so I'm going to get a Purple Heart out of the deal.'"
Virgil carefully wrote our Billy's words. The young sailor had omitted his stomach wound, which was keeping him in this hospital.
Billy continued his dictation at a pace that was comfortable for Virgil. When he was finished, he read over the letter and smiled.
"Great job!"
Virgil smiled. "Any other letters?"
"Yes, I'd like to send one to my brother. He's in Italy right now. Army all the way."
"Tsk, tsk."
Billy laughed. "He's a kid brother. Whaddaya gonna do?"
Virgil looked down at his clipboard.
"You got a brother, Virgil?"
"I did."
Billy could hear the pain in Virgil's voice. He chose not to push it.
"Boy, I'm looking forward to lunch. I'm starting to eat solid foods again. Man, was breakfast good today."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, a regular spread. Plenty left over, they say."
With a sinking feeling, what Virgil had suspected was true: his breakfast hadn't been because of a shortage. Someone in today's kitchen didn't like slaves.
"Why are you pulling ward duty?"
"Commander Turner asked me if I would, as long as I'm here, anyway."
"Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm serving the base." His headache and shoulder were saying otherwise.
"Huh? Oh?" Billy blushed faintly. "Darn, if I wasn't all messed up, I'd have bought a ticket. I mean I'm missing out on the most beautiful man on this entire base."
It was Virgil's turn to blush. He supposed non-slaves would consider it an insult, but he knew it was a compliment. He smiled his thanks.
Billy touched Virgil's arm with his good hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
Virgil put his hand over Billy's. "I know." He patted the blond's hand and rubbed his shoulder. It was painful, a throbbing ache that wasn't going away.
The man in the next bed, Charlie Atkins, yelled, "Duck down, Virgil!"
Virgil obeyed the command and ducked as a water pitcher sailed over his head and clanged against the wall. Water splattered over the wall.
"What the hell?" Billy shouted. "Suggs, what is up with you?"
A young sailor from the bed opposite Billy's glared at him. "You've got nerve, Allston! Being palsy-walsy with that slave!"
Charlie said, "I need help for my walk down the hall. Come with me, Virgil?"
"Yeah."
Virgil helped Charlie out of bed. He had to admit that the batch of curses raining down on his head from Suggs was creative in its profanity. A couple of orderlies rushed in to try and calm Suggs, whose shrieking could be heard all the way out in the hall.
Charlie was about four inches shorter than the 6' 1" Virgil and had lost weight due to his surgery. He used a cane but leaned heavily on Virgil's arm
"Sorry 'bout that, Virgil."
"Not your fault."
"Yeah, but here you were helpin' out on the ward and this bozo aims a water pitcher at your head." Charlie shook his head. "Slave-haters, huh?"
"I seem to be running into them a lot today." Virgil's shoulder throbbed harder and his headache pounded. He blinked as he saw Mildred Hanover turn the corner. i don't believe this. I'm surrounded!
Charlie felt Virgil tense. He watched Mildred pass by, reading a chart. She didn't seem to notice the two young men. Virgil relaxed after Mildred was gone.
They walked to the end of the hall and turned around to go back. Charlie asked, "She a nutjob, too?"
"Huh?"
"You tensed up when she passed."
"Good observation, Charlie. Yes, she is a nutjob."
Charlie lightly tapped his cane on Virgil's leg. "Listen, Virg, if you need any protection, just let us boys in Ward A know."
Virgil was warmed by the offer. "Thanks, Charlie."
Charlie smiled. "Listen, you put your ass on the line out there on our little tin cans, you deserve respect." He shook his head. "I don't get slave-haters. If they don't want to employ the services of a sex slave, don't, just don't rain on our parade or on the necessary work you do."
Virgil felt a little better listening to Charlie.
& & & & & &
After ward duty, Virgil took a nap. It was going to be another long night. The day had been tiring with the encounters with the slave-haters. Before he curled up in bed, he devoured his last chocolate bar (lunch had been a thin slice of ham on stale bread) and took an aspirin for his aching head and shoulder.
Just one more night, then I get to go home.
& & & & & &
"Wake up, sweetie."
Virgil groaned and came awake, hissing in pain as Molly unknowingly shook his bruised shoulder.
"Guess I overslept." He bit his lip as his shoulder screamed at him. Molly was turned away getting the thermometer and blood pressure cuff.
"Did you sleep well?"
"I did " Virgil sat on the edge of the bed and Molly took the readings. "Am I good?"
"Tip-top " His headache was gone though his shoulder still ached a little.
Virgil stood up and began taking his shirt off. He folded it and started on his pants.
"I heard you almost got clocked by a water pitcher."
"I'm lucky it wasn't a bedpan."
Molly snorted. "Thank heaven for little favors."
"Big favors, thank you very much."
Molly touched his bruised shoulder. "How'd you get this?"
Virgil's fingers stilled at his waistband. "You know us FHers. We bruise easily."
"Virgil..."
"Please, Molly, just let it go."
Molly considered his request. Slaves had their reasons for keeping silent. Maybe he feared that an accusation would balloon out of control or end up a dead end, especially if there were no non-slaves witnesses.
She patted his shoulder lightly. "Okay." He visibly relaxed. "All right, keep up the striptease, fella."
Virgil grinned as he pulled off his socks. "Yes, ma'am."
She could see the angry red fingernail marks on the underside of his arm. She guessed who had done it.
Damnit, I should've anticipated Mildred would go after him.
"Do you think I'll start a new fashion trend if I kept my socks on?" Virgil joked.
"That would make you the Most Fashionable Man in the South Pacific."
Virgil groaned. "I thought you forgot about that."
"About you being the Most Beautiful Man? Never!"
Molly helped Virgil get comfortable. She asked if he had eaten well and he nodded.
Chocolate counts as eating well, right? He just hoped his hunger wouldn't be extra-ravenous tonight.
When everything was done, she caressed the small of his back.
"Ready?"
Virgil nodded. "Let's get this show on the road."
Molly went to the door and opened it. After a long day of dodging slave-haters, Virgil prepared for a long night of being used. The first man came in, closing the door behind him as he eagerly began undressing.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)
This story can also be read on AO3.