“Let me go, you stub-tailed simians,â€? Stella screamed, her hands clenched around the neck of a mutant Barbary Macaque.

“Move back and let the human speak, â€? Dr. Munroe said as he puffed his opium pipe. “I see you’ve met Alice. Stella, Alice – Alice, Stella…â€? He laughed so hard he nearly swallowed his opium pipe.

“Cut the crap, Doc. I could snap her neck with a twist of my wrist. I’ve got a debt to pay and it’s time to pay it. You’re coming back with me state-side,â€? said the 16-year-old adventurer, tightening her grip around Alice’s neck.

Munroe stroked his dirty beard again and took a long drag on his pipe. “It’s a fair fight, Stella Star. Agnes, clear the room. We’re gonna have a show!”

Stella looked up and Alice’s hairy fist met her chin with a solid monkey right-hook. The nearby gorillas beat their chests and watched as Stella wiped the blood from her lips.

“You damned monkey, â€? Stella said, “you’re gonna pay for that!â€?

Alice slapped her with the back of her hand and dropped to all fours.