Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE: Transport
The wind blew the salty air as Marinette Dupin-Cheng and her friends trudged up the gangplank of the Fastspeed in Portsmouth Harbor. Chained at the ankles and wrists, Marinette, Alya Cesaire, Alix Kubbel, Mylene Haprele, Rose Lavillant, and Juleka Coffine watch in bewilderment of their new surroundings.
One minute they were sitting in Marinette’s room talking about school when they felt dizzy as if the air pressure significantly dropped and they fell into unconsciousness. When they woke up they were standing in a courtroom that looked like it came from a historical period show and they were dressed in clothes, black with yellow broad arrows on one side and yellow with black broad arrows on the other.
The judge read the crimes they were accused of and they were in shock when he pronounced their sentence- Transport!
As the Fastspeed pulled away, the captain approached the chained girls and said, “You six are accused of fostering rebellion against the Crown. As per the judge’s request, you are sentenced to the New South Wales Penal Corps for fifteen years until you have repaid for your crimes.”
Marinette spoke,
“Captain, we haven’t committed any crimes.”
The captain snorted derisively, “That is what they all say.”
Alix tried to protest, “But we’re telling the truth…”
A guard slammed the butt of his musket into her midsection, making her double over in pain, “Shut your trap prisoner. You speak when you’re ordered to.”
“Take them below,” ordered the captain
The six were marched into the hold and secured to the bulkhead as they waited for the ship to arrive at New South Wales. Their senses became more accustomed to the smell of stagnant water, the swaying of the ship, and the dimness of the lanterns. Rose and Juleka held each other tightly as Alix thought of ways to get out,
“Maybe we can seize the ship…”
“With what?” Alya asked incredulously.
Marinette pressed her knees to her chest trying not to be sea sick, but was reassured when Alya put her hand on her shoulder. “We’ll get through this Marinette.”
Marinette smiled and patted her best friend’s hand saying,
“You’re right Alya.”
And to the others, she said firmly,
“We will stick together and survive this and New South Wales. We share our rations, build up our resolve, and find a way out of this place.”
Marinette put her hand out “Together.”
Alya, Alix, Mylene, Rose, and Juleka followed suit with their hands on top of each other.
“Together!”
Without their kwamis to guide or strengthen them, the six girls knew they must rely on each other to survive what laid ahead in Australia.