This is a work of fiction any similarities between the characters, events, or locations in this story and actual locations, events, or people are purely coincidental.
© 2004 Warlord
The nude blonde, brunette, and redhead lying on the deck were screaming and crying. They were distraught, and completely hysterical. The redhead was copiously vomiting all over the deck, herself, the jewels she carried, and her companions.
I gestured to Beverly and Agatha. “Please sedate them, immediately.” Bev and Agatha jumped to the task.
I looked at the three newcomers. “Crystal, identify our guests, please.”
Crystal replied, “Captain. Naval records show the ships manifest for the yacht ‘Amazon’ listing three passengers with the destination Space Station Saint Louis. They are Andrea Dreesen, accompanied by two slaves identified as Abbi and Cara.”
She continued, “The naval database has identification and household records for Admiral Richard Dreesen, of the Court of Athens. The record lists his daughter as Andrea Dreesen. I have compared the data for Andrea Dreesen and her two personal slaves with the three females currently in our hold. There is a more than 99 per cent confidence level that our guests are, in fact, Andrea and her two slaves Abbi and Cara. Andrea is the blonde.”
“Thank you, Crystal.”
By now the three women were quiet as they lay on the deck. Bev and Agatha were hovering around them, checking their vitals.
I needed information, and these women needed reassurance. “Bev, please take the redhead and brunette to my cabin. Do what ever is medically necessary to calm them and physically stabilize their condition. Clean them. Let them sleep. Agatha, the blonde goes to the ready room. Stabilize her. Clean her up. I need her coherent and able to talk.”
This was a case where my two lovelies revealed their bot identities, with their beyond human strength. Beverly picked up her heavy medical bag. She effortlessly lifted Abbi and Cara into her arms, going quickly to my cabin. Tiny Agatha grabbed her equally heavy emergency bag, lifted Andrea easily into her arms, and took her to my ready room.
I had further instructions for Crystal. “Crystal, please send a maintenance robot to clean the hold. The redhead was puking all over the place. In addition, I need three cloth bags of two-liter capacity to collect the jewels they scattered on the deck.”
The three bags immediately appeared at my feet. Shark’s entire hold was a large volume replicator. Crystal had labeled the three bags respectively as blonde, brunette, and redhead. The maintenance robot cleaned the jewels for me. I picked up the remaining jewels from the deck for the individual bags. The robot continued cleaning the deck as I left the hold.
Walking to the bridge, I continued my discussion with Crystal, asking her to prepare signal drones.
No ship, even a dreadnought, has the capacity for real time faster than light communication. Messaging across space in real time takes planet-based power and facilities. Even if a ship could generate signals of that magnitude it would be indiscreet, like hanging a great big sign saying “look at me” and “come and get me” as the omni-directional signal spewed across the galaxies.
Ships communicated by sending small-cloaked probes or drones toward bases and planets. The probes traveled at warp three to five. They would respond to specific transponder codes in delivering their message. Bases and planets each had “mail boxes” -- that is, special satellites which caught drones, accepting their messages for distribution.
We would be using our special naval communication protocol information to set special instructions in our drone programming. Our three cloaked message probes were targeted to Athens, Saint Louis, and Clement, with reports of the battle and Shark’s multiple salvage claims. The message would include the information about our brown-blotched raider stalker, and the survival of Andrea and her two slaves.
Our message probes, in addition to responding to naval headquarter codes, would also respond to naval ship transponder codes. The probe response to meeting a naval vessel would be de-cloaking, delivering the message, then re-cloaking and continuing to final destination.
Crystal and I set the messages in motion. I also reviewed defensive posture for Shark hovering next to the battle scene. We reverted to passive scanning as we cloaked, easing away from the two ruined ships. I reduced our readiness to DefCon 3.
As I poured a cup of coffee in the galley, I mentally reviewed the empire’s rules of rescue, salvage, and recovery.
Any craft without power and life support was “abandoned;” thus, fair game to be claimed “recovered as salvage.” In battle, the defeated were automatically claimed as salvage, including any humans, slaves or bots. Andrea and her companions were included in the defined ship “salvage”, by virtue of the sequence of their yacht’s destruction, attacker’s defeat, and rescue. They were my slaves unless or until I released, sold, or ransomed them.
The ready room door slid closed behind me. Andrea was naked and sitting on the couch. Agatha was sitting in a chair near at hand, observing her patient. Andrea turned, and gazed at me with apprehensive expression. She shivered, staring at my body armor and weapons.
I walked past her, tossing the three “jewel” bags on my desk. I moved to the glass case holding the daisho. I placed the wakizashi on its bracket. I paused respectfully before I closed the cabinet. I shrugged out of my combat harness. Rail gun and knife went on desktop, and Agatha helped me divest myself of my body armor. She quickly stored armor and harness.
Andrea watched me as I stripped naked. She also seemed fascinated by the crests, parchments and pictures on the ready room walls. Shark’s name in engraved shadow textwas spotlighted in the center, as well as the logo of our namesake -- a sleek and fearsome black shark with mouth gaping open, revealing large and terrible teeth.
I took a moment to observe my guest. She was a tall and lovely girl, looking only slightly older than I, with long thick honey-blonde hair down her back to her butt. Her breasts were large, high, and firm, with fat, prominent, pink nipples. Her stomach was flat, with well-defined six-pack abs. Her butt was diminutive and taut. She had very long shapely legs, with trim ankles ending in small, well-shaped feet. Her sex was smooth and hairless.
Andrea suddenly found her voice, as she was pointing at grandfather’s picture. “That’s Admiral Carteris, isn’t it?” She pointed again as she asked, “Is that his Carteris crest?”
I asked, “How do you know the Admiral and the Carteris crest?”
She smiled at me as she answered, “His father, Victor, hosted a cotillion reception for the Emperor introducing all the newly installed ladies of the court. I was introduced to Louis at the same time I was presented as one of the new princesses to the court of Quintin. Just before embarking on my visit to uncle Rutger.”
Suddenly she sobered and looked very grave as she asked, “Are you a pirate? Are you going to rape me and kill me? Where are my slaves?” She teared up, and began to sob. I guessed that the recollection of that happier time, juxtaposed with the current situation, was just too much. She began to weep in earnest.
I walked around the desk, and sat on the couch, next to Andrea. I turned her into my arms. I pulled her up into my lap, holding her tightly with her head on my shoulder. She continued sobbing, as I lightly rubbed her back and shoulders.
I said, “Do not cry, my princess.”
Andrea swung her head until she could look at me. Her face was stunning, even while tear-streaked. She grabbed my hand tightly as she asked, “Who are you?”
I showed her my signet ring with the Carteris crest as I answered. “I am NOT a pirate. Edward Demarest. Son of Charles Demarest. Captain of the scout Shark. Grandson of Admiral Louis Carteris. I rescued you from the yacht Amazon. Shark destroyed the raider who attacked your yacht. Your slaves are receiving medical care in my quarters. You will not be raped or harmed while under my protection.”
Andrea threw her arm around my neck, as she buried her face in my chest. She shivered as she sobbed quietly. I held her, with one hand lightly stroking the back of her head. She still held my other hand in her own unyielding, single-handed grasp.
She lifted her face to mine and kissed me. I kissed her urgently, my tongue invading her mouth. Andrea did not resist. She opened her mouth, welcoming my tongue to play with hers.
We continued to kiss as I lightly caressed her hair. I played with her hair between my fingers, as I trailed along her spine. I asked, “Your hair is long, lustrous, soft and beautiful. How do you maintain it, so far from home?”
Andrea smiled as she replied, “Slave Cara is a trained clothing designer, beautician, barber and hair stylist. Slave Abbi is my personal trainer and coach.” She smiled again. “Thank you for changing the subject.”
She continued in a more somber tone, “Edward, I wish to see the battle. Please.”
“Are you sure?”
Andrea nodded her head mutely, looking very serious. I turned toward the center of the room. Andrea turned and settled her back against my stomach. She placed my left hand between her legs, tight against her shaved cunt. She raised my right hand and placed the palm on her right tit. Her plump nipple nestled into my palm.
I called to Crystal, “Crystal. Please show a holo-display of the sensor readings for the ship-to-ship battle.”
The ghostly holo 3-Dimensional display began floating in the center of the ready room. It started at the point of Shark’s arrival on the battlefield. Andrea watched in uncomfortable, squirmy silence. Finally just after the position where we surveyed the damage to the raider from our volley, Andrea spoke up. “Crystal, please freeze the display.”
I nodded, to make it clear to Crystal that she could obey Andrea in this. The display stopped. The ships hung in midair within the ready room. Andrea stood up and walked around the display. She was crying softly like a gentle rainfall. She asked in a whisper, “The pretty ensign…the nice cook…”
“I’m sorry, my princess. I was not in time.”
Andrea fell into my lap, face contorted with sudden rage. She screamed out, “I hate them! I hope you killed the fuckers. I hate them all. Kill them all!”
Andrea was striking at me with her fists. I grabbed her wrists and held on until she collapsed. She fell against me, exhausted. I said, “Do not say that, my princess. You must not hate. You must never be like them. I walked through the raider ship after the blasts that I ordered. They died hard. There was nothing heroic in the manner of their death. I needed to see their deaths to understand what I had done. I must be careful -- it would be easy to become a raider or a pirate. Only by not becoming them, do we really win the battle.”
Andrea said, “Thank you, Edward.” She continued, “We have much to talk about.”
Andrea twisted and turned until she was seated on my lap fully facing me straddling my legs. She looked me in the eye as she brought both my hands together between us at chest level with her hands pressing my hands together. She said, “I am your slave, Edward Demarest.”
I tried to demur. First I said, “Eddy. Please call me Eddy.”
Andrea said, “Eddy, that was not a question. I am the daughter of an admiral. I was surrounded by admirals and other navy men, discussing navy rules. I am not stupid. I have absorbed my share of knowledge. In the Quintin court I listened to protracted, mind-numbing deliberations of the policy and regulation of battle and salvage. This is without doubt less tedious, with added immediacy, when I am the object of salvage.”
I said, “My princess. I cannot enslave you. I will make your emancipation official once I present you to Admiral Rutger Danell, as soon as we reach St. Louis. ”
“Eddy! You can’t do that. That is the WORST thing you could possibly do!”
“I don’t understand, my princess. I have no use for slaves. Can’t I just release you?”
Andrea spoke passionately, “No, Eddy. Please believe me. I spent my young life observing the machinations of the Emperor’s court. I helped my father steer around and through the traps and obstacles of court politics. I will advise you honestly and competently, if you will let me. You will cause grave damage to the Demarest and Carteris’ relationship with the Emperor, and with the other houses, all by the undemanding act of merely emancipating me in Saint Louis.”
I shook my head mulishly and said, “I am a scout. I have no use for slaves. I don’t want to enslave you, my princess.”
Andrea responded, “Eddy, do you trust me?”
I answered, “Andrea I trust you implicitly, but in actual fact, I want you to join me on my big bed where we will make love.”
Andrea giggled as she said, “Excellent idea, Eddy. But we need to settle the slavery and ransom issue first.”
I interrupted her, as I gestured to Agatha. “Agatha, please bring us juice and coffee. Thank you.” Agatha stood and left the room.
Andrea asked, “Is she a Fembot?”
“Yes. Both Agatha and Beverly are bots.”
Andrea said, “She is extremely advanced, and so beautiful. They must be wonderful companions for you, Eddy.”
I tried to figure out whether she was being ironic or sarcastic. Andrea, however, seemed sincerely happy that my lovely bots would be suitable escorts for my journey.
Andrea continued, “Thank you for ordering beverages. You will be a good and kind master.”
She smirked as she said the last. She let go of my hands, and placed hers on my shoulders. She held my eye contact; she looked serious as she continued, “Eddy. You claimed the two ruined vessels. You expect to receive some form of salvage value compensation?”
“Yes.”
As I tried to continue speaking Andrea put her left hand over my mouth and shook her head as she continued, “Eddy, you must do exactly the same with any ‘salvaged’ human or bot. You must absolutely do this for ‘salvaged’ female princesses of the court Quintin.”
She pointed at herself in an exaggerated fashion as she said it. She continued, “To neglect this ransoming for compensation insults the princess, her family, the Emperor, all the other princesses and their families. Not incidentally, it imperils your two families’ position in court.”
I looked at her carefully. I slowly nodded. It started to dawn on me that my actions out here on the edge of the frontier had ramifications at the very center of the Empire. I was not enjoying the revelation. I asked, “Why? Why does it matter to you? Why would you want to be my slave? Why not just accept liberation and let Ed sink? Why…?”
Andrea answered, “Fair questions. You saved us. Twice! Once in the battle, and again when you extricated our escape pod. You came in, taking off your weapons and making me comfortable. Eddy, you held me while I cried. This trip was supposed to be an adventure, but a safe one! You make my adventure safe again. I don’t want this to end just yet. You make me shiver when you call me ‘your princess,’ I can’t ignore that. I do yearn to visit that big, soft bed of yours.”
She again looked at me through her long blonde hair, as she continued, “You saved us at risk to yourself, Eddy. Justice and fairness make my dealings almost automatic. I must advise you honestly. I will help you to understand the court politics, and how to suit them. You are too good a person to let sink.”
Then with more enthusiasm and a big smile, Andrea concluded, “I will happily wear a collar telling all the worlds that I am your slave, and you, Edward Demarest, are my master.”
This was all pretty heady stuff for me. A naked princess, a blonde goddess was agreeing to be my slave. She already announced her intention to join me in my bed.
I should have been hard and aroused. Instead, I was soft and fretful, with a million thoughts bombarding me.
Andrea sensed my unease. She kissed my cheek as she laid her head on my shoulder. She whispered, “Don’t be anxious, Eddy. I am here for you for anything.”
My hands fell to Andrea’s hips. I held her, listening to her heartbeat and the soft sound of her breathing. I would have to tell Brother Ben I had found something as soothing and stress relieving as his pet fish!
The ready room door slid open. Agatha rejoined us, with a tray filled with beverages. As she set the tray on the table in front of the couch, I introduced my bot to my princess.
Andrea did not relinquish her seat on my lap. She swung around until she was sideways on my lap, with her left hand on my shoulder, lightly caressing my hair. Her two legs were thrust straight out on the couch cushion, next to us.
Agatha served the drinks. I had coffee. My right hand was behind Andrea, holding her hip, brushed by her long blonde hair. My left was holding my coffee cup. Andrea had several glasses of orange juice. I felt like the worst possible host. Andrea must have been parched, but only now was I addressing her thirst.
I apologized. “Sorry, my princess. I did not realize how thirsty you were.”
“Quite alright, my good and kind master. We were a bit distracted.”
I wanted to be annoyed at her. Seeing her smile through her halo of blonde hair quite short-circuited my irritation.
She sat sipping a glass of orange juice. She made me sip some of her juice as well. Then she asked another question. “Did you gather the jewels we carried out of the escape pod?”
“Yes.”
“Good. They belong to you now.”
I exploded, “God Damn it. My Goddess. I don’t want your fucking jewels.”
Andrea smiled happily and said, “Say that part again.”
“Which part?”
“The goddess part.”
“My goddess.”
“Now the princess one.”
“My princess.”
“I can’t decide.”
“You can’t decide what, Andrea?”
“Which one makes me more quivery and damp? Maybe if I could be your princess goddess, or your goddess princess…?”
“Do not press your luck, slave Andrea. We were discussing your fucking jewels.”
“Surprisingly, that works too. ‘Slave Andrea’ makes me feel all subservient and submissive. Wet too. Want a quick feel?”
“You are not one bit compliant or obedient. You, my princess goddess, are being a manipulating bitch who is going to get a thorough spanking at my earliest convenience.”
I could not help smiling at Andrea’s easy ability to move the conversation around to suit her desires. She probably caused significant heartbreak at court on Athens. I said as much, “I’ll bet you were a ball breaker in court, my blonde princess goddess.”
“No Eddy. I danced and flirted to amuse myself. The men in court were shallow fools, or they were very smart, playing dangerous games. That was really the reason for my trip; to meet a real man. Imagine my surprise when it worked!”
She smiled her dazzling smile and kissed me. Her full pouty lips tasted like sweet orange juice.
I tried to accept her compliment with good grace. I hoped I could meet Andrea’s expectations. I tried valiantly to get the conversation back on track. I said, “My blonde princess goddess who is on the verge of serious discipline, tell me about the jewels.”
This time she looked seriously at me as she answered, “Eddy, the jewels are family heirlooms and immensely expensive - irreplaceable, actually. House Dreesen must ransom the jewels, or lose them. You cannot give the jewels back to me, except as part of an agreement with my daddy, the Admiral.”
“Ah, fuck! God damn it, Andrea.”
She put down her orange juice, and placed the palm of her hand over my mouth. She exclaimed, “Edward!”
I finally sputtered to a stop, muttering through her hand. I kissed the palm of her hand.
Andrea said, “You will parade us at the space station dressed as your slaves. Rutger will send the images to Admiral daddy. Daddy will open negotiations. You will place a colossal ransom price. Almost as if you do not desire to give us back.”
This last said with a smirk and an arch glance. Andrea continued, “Daddy will finally appeal to Emperor Quintin to intervene. The emperor will contact his good friend Victor Carteris. Victor will contact House Demarest. These new, fresh negotiators will all be well pleased by your intransigence. Each will be able to extract favors of some kind for their participation in the negotiations.”
I looked at Andrea in awe dumbstruck by her analysis. Finally I asked, “Then what?”
“If you really like fucking your three new slaves you never conclude negotiations. You keep stringing daddy along. The price remains always just out of reach! The only thing that will affect your control of the situation is if House Dreesen, Quintin, Carteris, and/or Demarest have another unrelated ‘deal’ in play. Then they will force your hand.”
“Force how?”
She replied, “Could go either way. They might order you to send me home to daddy. They might inform you that the ransom amount must always be out of reach.”
I asked, “Anything else, my totally cynical genius but lovely princess?”
Andrea replied, “Your families, Demarest and Carteris will be pleased that you have a princess with ties to House Quintin and his Athens court as your personal slave. That your slave princess is daughter of an admiral and related to many others in the navy is just a lovely bonus. This is actually better than any arranged marriage. Your rescue of me, and destruction of the raider, makes you an authentic hero. I would be very surprised if either Demarest or Carteris pushed for my return. In fact I would expect them to make negotiations slow, tedious, and time-consuming.”
I looked at her with a chagrined expression. I said, “I knew you were beautiful with one look. Now I find you to be a brilliant tactician. What else have I underestimated?”
Andrea answered, “My skill with a gun. My ability with throwing knives and throwing axe. I left the weapons in the escape pod. We knew someone was opening the pod. We were all so sure that only raiders surrounded us. We knew the weapons would be certain death. Then I saw you in your armor with your sword. I just snapped, got hysterical, went out of my mind, and my slaves became hysterical as well. If you were a raider we hoped to bribe you or distract you with the jewels.”
I replied, “I’m so sorry. I never thought about that. We were only verifying the pod was not filled with enemies.” I continued, “Andrea, my blonde princess, if you are serious about being my slave, then it is time to put you to work.”
I kissed Andrea on her full soft lips while holding her breast. I had tasks I wanted performed. On the other hand, kissing and fondling my golden blonde princess slave was too much fun to quit. She was holding my hard cock in her warm hand while we played. I finally released Andrea’s plump nipple. I sat up straight.
Using my entire thimble full of self-control, I gestured Agatha to help Andrea to her feet. They both helped me to my feet. I had one arm around each one of them. I kissed each of them as my reward for being so “self-controlled.”
Andrea began to giggle as she observed, “We have not made much progress, Master. We are upright, but no nearer the door. You were planning on us leaving this room eventually?”
“Yes, love. My goal was the bridge.”
Soon, both Andrea and Agatha were teasing me, giggling and laughing about our lack of progress toward the ready room door, as we continued our kissing and groping. I was finally able to release my lovelies, so that we could leave the ready room.
Crystal announced, “Captain on the bridge.” I walked to my chair. The main view screen was focused on the two derelict ships. Andrea gasped as she stood next to my chair, observing the combat zone. I patted her hip to offer a bit of comfort as she contemplated the wreckage. She needed a distraction. I said, “Andrea, my new blonde slave. Please go to my cabin for your slaves. Reassure them that they are safe. Bring them here for further instructions. Agatha will show you the way.”
I continued, “Agatha, please help Beverly to get Abbi and Cara on their feet. All of you, back here quickly.”
They scampered off to my cabin. I had some questions for Crystal while we waited. “Crystal, do we have the power for you to project your form to the bridge of either of those wrecks?”
“Yes, Captain. Using the space suit’s communication capability.”
“Good. Crystal, it is my intention to remove the complete Artificial Intelligence from both ruined ships, and install it in Shark. I would expect you to control and direct the other AI systems, with two more holograms allowing us flexibility in deployment.”
Crystal froze as she looked at me. She finally said, “There is no record of this being attempted, even in a ship yard.”
“Why not?”
“What?”
“Crystal, in all your extensive records, is there any reason not to attempt this?”
Crystal suddenly seemed to find the spirit of my endeavor. She answered, “No. There is not a record of an unsuccessful move. There is just no record.”
“What happens to the pirates’ AI if we leave it?”
“The AI is currently in survival mode, attempting to scavenge power. When power is completely exhausted, the AI experiences a catastrophic wipeout failure, from which it can never recover.”
“Does the AI understand the consequences of that final loss of power?”
“Yes.”
“Crystal, how would the AIs react if we are successful in transplanting their systems to Shark? What I mean is, would they be loyal to us or their former masters?”
“Unknown, captain. It is an unprecedented circumstance. The best analogy might be that you are saving their ‘lives’ by transplanting them to Shark.”
“Fuck it. Close enough. Let’s go for it.” I continued, “I want you to formulate a procedure for me for both recoveries. I’ll need to enter each bridge. Locate the core of the AI system. Transfer its power to a portable unit. Bring the AI core aboard Shark. Connect to permanent power. Power up the transferred AI system. Take control of the AI and make it subordinate to you.”
Suddenly Crystal smiled. “Yes, captain. Anything else?”
“No, my dear. Take as long as you need. I want to get started in an hour!”
Crystal actually giggled. She understood my sense of humor. She also understood that we were going to attempt the impossible -- we were going to move those AI cores to Shark.
There was a rustle along the corridor as five nude feminine forms joined me on the bridge. Agatha and Beverly quickly moved to their normal action stations, at a bridge control console. Since Shark was ‘at rest,’ Crystal, Agatha and Beverly turned to wait for any instructions from me.
Andrea stepped in front of my chair to begin introductions, but first she had a question. “Do I address you as Master or Captain?”
“Andrea, I prefer Captain on the bridge. Master when in the ready room. Eddy when we are in my cabin.”
Andrea smiled as she turned to her slaves. She said, “That works for me. Did you get all that?” She turned back to me and continued, “Captain, I wish to present my two former slaves, who now, with me, become your three slaves, to do with as you wish. This is Abbi.”
She gestured to the red head. Abbi was her personal trainer and coach. Her tall, shapely body showed excellent muscle tone, right down to her long, lean legs. Her breasts were large and firm. Abbi stepped forward, to await my inspection and approval, I guess. I looked at her lovely form, and said, “Welcome to Shark, Abbi. I’m glad you are part of my crew.”
Andrea gestured to the brunette as she said, “Captain, this is Cara.”
Cara was hair stylist, barber and beautician. She was also Andrea’s clothing designer. Cara was also tall, with long legs. She had ample breasts, that were nicely complemented by her slender build. She, also, stood as if for my inspection. I repeated my greeting. “Welcome to Shark, Cara. I’m glad you are part of my crew.”
I now had to integrate my newest crew into Shark’s day-to-day operation. I said, “For the benefit of our newest crew. Shark is a clothing free ship. We remain nude except when in port. In port we dress only as necessary for visitors and to leave the ship.”
The three newest crewmembers were smiling prettily at my words. They seemed to be taking things well. I gestured for them to sit down on a long cushioned bench, along the one side of the bridge. Agatha and Beverly pulled up stools as they remained at their control consoles. Crystal remained on her feet.
I said, “Let’s talk about sex.”
Andrea exclaimed, “Oh, goody. Let’s.”
I tried to look stern, but she smirked back at me. I continued, “Agatha, Beverly, Crystal and I have an open, active, varied, and spontaneous sexual existence. We all enjoy sex in many different forms. We try to keep it impulsive and fun for everybody. I expect you three, Andrea, Cara, and Abbi, to fully participate as well. I hope that you will come to trust me enough to share the details of the activities that give you the greatest pleasure. That we might explore the fantasies you harbor. Please do not hesitate to especially talk about those things of a sexual nature that make you uncomfortable. Sex is best when everybody is having fun. I like sex but I really like making love.”
I finally ran down. I looked at my lovely crew. They were all smiling and nodding. Suddenly Abbi raised her hand. “Now?”
“Now, what, Abbi?”
Then all in a rush Abbi answered, “Do you want to know now? Cara, Andrea and I double fuck each other with strap-ons. Cara and I do Andrea. Then Andrea and Cara do me. Then Andrea and I do Cara. Not that we don’t like men! We all love men. I’d like you to take the place of one of the strap-ons. Would that be OK? This is what you wanted to know?”
Andrea started laughing as she watched my expression, as I processed Abbi’s stream of consciousness speech. Abbi looked so cute, as she sat and squirmed on the bench.
I answered, “Yes, Abbi. That is exactly what I wanted. Thank you for trusting me with your pleasure. I would be very pleased to share in your love for each other.”
Andrea looked at Abbi and said, “Tell him what else you do, just for me.”
Abbi smiled happily as she complied with her mistress’s wishes. “We pee on Andrea.”
Andrea sat with a huge smile nodded and said, “Yes, I like water sports a great deal. I hope that you will participate. That would be very important to me.”
I looked at Andrea. I was stunned by her confidence. I stood up and went to her. I hugged her. I said, “Yes, Andrea. I would love to share your gratification. Thank you for your trust.”
I quickly hugged Abbi and Cara as I again welcomed them to the ship. I returned to my chair. Hopefully the rest of my topics would be less exciting. I continued, “While we are under power and away from the planetary system boundary we have navigation, sensor and weapons stations which must be manned. Currently, Crystal, Bev and Agatha handle the consoles. I expect Andrea, Cara and Abbi to be quickly trained for these duties. Until you are trained I expect you to help out with other tasks done by Bev and Agatha, like the galley, etc. Does that seem fair?”
I quickly made eye contact down the line. The expressions were positive, so I continued.
“Lastly, I want all of you to be able to defend your selves, me and the ship. Weapons training starts now! Beverly and Agatha train with various martial art weapons. They will be taking you into our dojo. You will choose the martial objects that you are comfortable with. Then begin training. How does that sound?”
This time the three - Andrea, Cara and Abbi - jumped up and ran to hug me. Their enthusiasm answered my question. I said, “That’s all for now. Please, ask questions. I promise I won’t be mad.”
They were smiling. I was glad to conclude my monologue.
Andrea said, “We should retrieve our property from the pod before you jettison it.”
I said, “Good idea. Crystal, you have the bridge.”
We walked back to the hold. Andrea led with Cara and Abbi quickly claiming a spot under each arm. We arrived in the hold at the open door of the escape pod. Andrea entered with me right behind followed by Abbi and Cara. Andrea quickly went to an equipment panel and began to loosen several access fasteners. I said, “You were gambling you would get back here to get your hidden weapons?”
She answered, “Yes. We were just hoping one of us would last long enough to get back to the pod.”
I stepped up to quickly open the access. I found a bundle of items. I grabbed a heavy navy issue belt model rail gun. I tossed the rail gun to Andrea. She caught it nicely one handed with her right hand gripping the gun butt. She contemplated her gun and said, “It’s loaded, you know.”
“Wouldn’t be worth a fuck empty, my Princess.”
“You are very trusting.”
“If there is any reason not to be, might as well find out right now.”
Andrea carefully put the rail gun down on one of the bucket seats. She threw herself into my arms. She was kissing me all over my face, while crying. I held her until she was calm again. She finally said, “Please, don’t ever do that again.”
“What, my blonde beauty?”
“Don’t be so quick to trust. It will get you killed and I could not abide that.”
I held her eyes as I said, “From now on, you decide who I trust. Is that better?”
She shook her head in annoyance. She stuck out her tongue at me petulantly. I released her and returned to my search.
I found two tee-handled push daggers with leaf shaped blades. There were quickly claimed by Cara and Abbi. Next were three all metal throwing knives in a single sheath. The knives were each 30 cm overall with 16 cm double edge blades and metal skeleton grips. Those were Andrea’s. Then there was Andrea’s throwing axe! A solid metal axe with a 15 cm bearded blade with a 45 cm skeleton grip with a molded belt sheathe.
Cara and Abbi were also pulling containers of clothing and personal items out of the pods storage compartment. We helped them drag everything out on the deck of the hold.
I asked, “When did you have time to load every one of these in the pod?”
Andrea replied, “We did this to try and keep our minds off the pursuit by the raider.”
A tone sounded in the hold. Crystal announced, “Captain, I have completed my preparations. We are ready to begin equipment transfer.”
I turned to my three companions in the hold and said, “Time to go back to work. Leave this for later. Bring your weapons.”
In only moments, Crystal announced captain on the bridge. I did not bother to sit. I gestured Andrea into my captain’s chair.
Cara and Abbi walked up close to where Beverly and Agatha were attending to their consoles. The two bots began to show the newest crewmembers how to operate the consoles. In a few minutes Abbi and Cara were wearing neural helmets and assisting my bots.
I interrupted the bridge with an announcement. “Crystal and I will be leaving Shark to visit each of the derelict ships. We will be removing the AI to be transferred to Shark.”
That was pretty much a showstopper. The silence lasted for a while. Finally Andrea said, “Edward, you are one surprise after another. You do understand that nobody has ever heard of doing this?”
“Princess, since when is that that a good reason to halt?”
She nodded and then observed, “I’m so glad you’re the one who saved us. This is more interesting by the second.”
I turned to Crystal and said, “Ready.”
Crystal nodded. I said, “Andrea has the bridge. Crystal and Bev, with me. Be ready to come in for pick up on my signal. Questions?” There were none.
Crystal and I headed for the workshop next to the main hold. Bev followed shortly with my armor, rail gun and knife. In the compact workshop, Crystal directed the loading of the chest pack for the armored space suit with tools necessary for the transfer.
I marveled again at the quality of the compact workshop to Crystal. She said, “Clarence took it as a personal challenge to pack the maximum amount of tools and equipment in this space. He and his crew made it a competition.”
Crystal pointed at a power pack unit charging in the corner, and we were done. We stepped into the anteroom of the hold’s airlock. Bev helped me into my armor, then my harness with gun and knife.
I attached the chest pack to the large space suit. Bev helped me to suit up. I used the articulated power limbs to pick up a plasma cutter and the power pack. The power pack went over my suit’s shoulder.
Crystal and I entered the lock. I announced our status to the bridge. Bev locked us through. Crystal climbed on my suit and I carried her to the raider.
We entered the raider through the ruined airlock. Crystal gasped at the interior destruction. It was an odd sensation. She was transmitting through the suits speakers from Shark while physically standing next to me with her lips moving.
She led the way. It was no easier for me to look at the death I caused this time than last. I finally focused on my task, and tried to block the images.
She said, “This way. It’s in the very bow.”
I asked, “Why in the bow? I’d have it far in the stern with armor around it.”
Crystal responded, “Actually the records show big debates about A I placement. The logic for bow was the most important functions of navigation, defense, and life support should have shortest connections and thus quickest response. In the end it was just easier because most of the important wires were in closely situated cabinets. “
By this time we were at the location. Crystal pointed toward a panel in the forward part of bridge. “Take that apart. You can use the cutter. The core is well behind it.”
I quickly tore it open with my plasma cutter. I used the suits power arms to remove the covers. I settled the suit lights on the panel’s interior as Crystal studied the layout. She said, “The AI core is in that series of orange boxes with the white striping. The big wires are power. The spider web series of plug-ins are the connections to ship systems and everything else the AI monitors. The reason this may work is that as you can see the builder left several pairs of redundant connections for the AI core. I assume they are to allow switching if wiring is damaged. What this means to you is that Shark has six complete AI core connections just like those in that panel. I still have no clue what happens when three AI cores simultaneously come on line.”
Crystal gestured me back to work. She showed me where to hook up the power pack. Then I cut the shipboard power. I carefully disconnected the ship systems. I hoped the AI would survive the trauma. I lifted the still connected boxes out into the light. Crystal pronounced them ready to travel.
At our call, Shark pulled in close. We stepped over to the hold air lock. Bev had a second power pack already waiting. I set the raider AI in the lock. I requested Shark move over to the yacht Amazon.
This time we moved through the gash in the ship bow. Crystal was again shocked at the sights in the bridge. We quickly began our task. This time I had more confidence in my actions. It seemed a matter of moments for me to have those AI core boxes in my suit’s “hands.”
No sooner did my head appear from the yacht, than Andrea brought Shark in close for us to step into the airlock Bev cycled us through. She helped me out of my suit as Crystal fussed over the two cores on the deck.
I grabbed a small anti-grav sled. With considerable help from Bev, I loaded the two cores, power packs and several tool belts. Crystal led the way to the bridge. The girls crowded around staring at the cores. Andrea started to vacate my chair. I quickly said, “Andrea still has the bridge. Back to work, kids. Cloak and stay alert.”
This would take longer since I had to play nice opening the cabinet and access panels. I said as much to Crystal. I guess an AI can look appalled!
Crystal was right. We found the redundant wiring harnesses in the cabinet with her AI. core. Crystal was meticulous in placing the two new cores. She carefully supervised the wiring hook up with the connection to Shark systems and power. As I was finishing the securing of the last cabinet fastener I asked, “Now what, Crystal? Where’s the ON button?”
Crystal smiled. “The systems are dormant to save power. Shark’s power is warming up the cores. I will make an inquiry.”
There was no shimmer or preliminary image; the two new holograms appeared like a light bulb coming on, all at once. They were like Crystal in not being just controlling light but in having a palpable solid presence on our bridge.
They were both blondes but cold not have been any more different. The one was a tall slender blonde in a trim navy uniform; the other blonde was naked with enormous breasts.
I do not use the word enormous lightly. Her tit size was not ‘E’ or ‘F’ but far deeper in the alphabet I looked closer. I realized she had a small penis and a vagina. She saw my glance and explained, “I am intersexual. You might use the word hermaphrodite. I was designed with complete male and female sexual characteristics. The crew of Reprisal, especially Ronnie, enjoyed the discomfort my appearance caused. Ronnie, our chief, was the only one who was allowed my services.”
I asked, “What are you called?”
She said, “Daisy.”
“Are you happy with that name?”
“Yes.”
“Daisy, I have an important question for you. Are you willing to be a fully loyal member of this crew, giving your entire allegiance to Shark and to me as your captain?”
Daisy looked at me as she simply said, “Yes, captain.”
I looked at Crystal in inquiry. She said, “It’s impossible to lie with the intimate connections we three share. Daisy is now part of the crew.”
I turned to the blonde in the navy uniform. I asked her name.
She said, “I was called by the ship name as required by navy protocol. They called me Amazon.”
I said, “I’m not sure I like that. But first you heard my question for Daisy. Are you willing to be a fully loyal member of this crew giving your entire allegiance to Shark and to me as your captain?”
“Yes, Captain, I am. You saved my consciousness. I am salvage, after all.”
I looked at Crystal. She nodded. I said, “You get a new name. On Shark, you will be ‘Aella.’ She was an Amazon warrior, so it is appropriate. Amazons fought naked, and this ship’s culture calls for naked crew.”
Aella smiled as she quickly changed to a naked form. Somehow her breasts seemed larger now than when she she’d worn the uniform. I decided not to ask about that right now. Then she thanked me for her new name.
I addressed Daisy and Aella. “I want you to integrate everything you have into Crystal and absorb everything from her. Before this I have a quick test. Tell me one piece of information that you think I will find extremely useful.”
Daisy said, “I can provide the location of Reprisal’s base. It will be undefended because Ronnie was so paranoid he never left any warriors or weapons behind when he raided.”
I looked at her and said, “Very good, Daisy. Aella?”
“The location of a super secret concealed navy base inside a planetoid. It was the one Amazon was making for when we were finally overhauled and attacked.”
I was intrigued. “Is it occupied?”
“No. It is designed for ships to hide inside, and refit or repair damage themselves without worrying about being attacked. It is very secret, even within the navy. Amazon was informed if we needed to use it for a hiding place. We never made it.”
I gestured my three AI holo’s closer together. “I want you to verify the location of the raider base. Send a probe to my brother Ben giving complete details, telling him I need help and giving that location. Make for the navy base. Take your time; we are in no hurry. We need Ben to catch up. I want you cloaked and DefCon 3. Crystal has the bridge.”
All three smiled and nodded.
I turned to my ladies. “You are all tasked with martial arts. Everybody into the dojo. Bev and Agatha, our sensei, are going to teach you to use the staff, tonfa and nunchaku. You will each demonstrate your level of skill with the weapons from the pod. They will design a program to improve your competence.”
They were nodding and smiling. Andrea said, “And you, captain, master, darling?”
“I need to meditate. I will use the holo-suite.”
Each of my ladies gave me a kiss, with much close body contact, as they left the bridge to move to the dojo. I turned and the three AI did likewise. I walked into the ready room.
I contemplated the cabinet holding the swords. In addition to Louis’s Daisho the cabinet held my iato practice sword as well as my pair of wooden swords my diato and shoto. I first dressed in my Gi then reached for my katana, long sword.
I entered the holo-suite. I had the program set for my preferred location for my iaido kata. It was a forest glade with a small stream. I would be in the center of a small ring with a sand floor.
I would meditate by performing a series of full speed movements with my razor sharp katana long sword. The drawing the sword, cutting action, shaking off the blood, and re-sheathing would be done in a series of prescribed traditional ritual moves. Any miscue would result in a mess!
I focused and searched for my center. With my hand on my sword I emptied my mind. I began.