Challenge #03677-J024: For Intended Use Only

Human Child: This! Is! SPARTA!
Human Parent: This is not Sparta, and you won't like what happens next if you hit your sister with that broom. -- Escla

"I told you not to let them go through the archives unchecked," said Mami. "Now you know why there's 'parental guidance' advisories."

Deni lowered his broom, knowing better than ticking off Mom. "I was just playing," he protested.

"You were just playing a little too dangerously," insisted Mom. "Brooms are for sweeping up garbage, not hitting family." She reclaimed the broom and put it away. "We try our best not to hurt loved ones in this house."

"What about out of it?" asked Lilla.

"No. We're still a household even when we're not in a house. Family helps family. Okay?"

"Oh kay," grumbled Dani and Lilla both. And that should have been that.

Until space pirates attacked their little station.

The fighting was all over the place. Anyone with an atom of sense knows not to use projectile weapons in stations or ships. Thus, energy weapons and more ancient ones are preferable. For all involved parties.

It's no good taking over a ship or station if it's useless after the takeover is done.

Dani couldn't find either of his mothers. He couldn't find his baby sister. But he did find a sturdy broom.

If they were only good for sweeping up garbage... Dani knew what to do.

Sweep up the invaders.

They were garbage, after all.

He tangled the broom into their legs, whenever he could. Tripping them up and leaving them vulnerable to better fighters.

Family helped family.

Even if the fighters weren't Mom or Mami, they would be helping them. Just as soon as the pirates were dealt with.

All he had to do was keep sweeping up the garbage.

[Photo by Magnus S on Unsplash]

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