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
I concluded my kata. My sensei stepped out of the forest and crossed the stream. He bowed to me; I bowed. He sat on a log, and we reviewed my kata.
My ‘real’ Sensei had arrived with my first wooden sword on the day I was born, asa gift from Louis Carteris. This holo sensei program was the artificial intelligence culmination of that sensei’s skill. The AI program compared my efforts to my best past iaido kata then it compared them to a ‘perfect’ one. The holo Sensei’s review was based on combining evaluations from that perfect kata, and my personal best kata, with my current effort.
I stood in the sand circle, with my hand lightly on the hilt of my katana. I felt calm and in control. Sensei stood, bowed and disappeared into the forest. I left the holo-suite with my katana in hand.
Crystal announced the Captain on the bridge. I looked out the main view screen as Crystal, Daisy, and Aella worked together. I asked how the integration was progressing.
Crystal responded, “Integration is going very well. We are shocked at the increase in computing power with three cores. We assumed a multiplier of three. Best guess currently is that multiplier is nine. We get a multiplier effect for each AI core interconnection. We are looking forward to you finding three more AI cores.”
I replied, “Thank you for your confidence. Still think it’s impossible?”
“Yes, Captain, quite impossible…for anyone else.”
“Please consider that you will have the bridge, Crystal, for the foreseeable moment. I am visiting the dojo; after that, I want a shower, followed by rest.”
“Very good captain. Instructions.”
“Carry on with combining your information. Please move all your holo programs into Shark’s holo-suite file.”
Aella perked up. She had a question; luckily, naval culture called for her to be assertive.
“Captain, I have several hundred training holos. Do you want those for your holo suite?”
“Aella, please be a bit more specific. What kind of training?”
“All current navy issue hand, light and medium crew served weapons. Navigation, sensor, and weapons consoles skills training. First aid skills training, including trauma and triage. Target practice. Holo programs are very specific in many cases.”
“Aella, I want the navigation, sensor and weapons console holos reviewed with Crystal. If the equipment is similar to ours, I want Abbi, Cara, and Andrea to study the holos. Everybody studies the weapon training. I want Bev to review the target practice and decide if it is better than ours. On second thought, might as well move them all -- no reason to keep them secret.”
“Very good, Captain.”
“Anything else?”
With the three negatives I headed into the dojo. The door slid shut behind me. In front of me were my two fembots, dressed in their gi, sparring with their staffs. Beverly and Agatha were sparring at full speed and power. Each staff was a twenty-five millimeter diameter, solid shaft of black stainless steel with a two-meter length. The blinding rapidity of their movement hid the weight of that steel. Their bot reflexes, strength, and speed were almost impossible for the human eye to track. Only knowing the forms was I able to follow at all. The ringing of the shafts ‘touch’ was almost constant. They stopped and bowed. Andrea led the applause.
All five were dressed in gi. Abbi, Cara, and Andrea had a variety of striking and throwing weapons arrayed by them. Bev said, “We were just about to try the shuriken. Feel like joining us?”
I walked to my locker and grabbed my belt sheath. It held eight octagon cross-section shuriken, fifteen centimeters long by six millimeters thick, with a twenty six millimeter needle sharpened point. These were small spike shuriken, like a big nail -- not stars.
I also had six large spikes with a two-centimeter round cross section that were each thirty centimeters long overall, with a fiften-centimeter-long, tapered, deeply fluted four-edge blade, with all four edges razor sharpened and ending in a chisel point. The blade was an ‘X’ shape, when viewed in cross-section. The X-shaped blade was two centimers in diameter across the flats at it widest point The spike had a deeply checkered 12 centimeter long handle with a three centimeter diameter ball on the pommel end. The large spikes were each carried in individual wrist sheaths.
We walked to the target. Beverly and Agatha were unerring in their ability to strike the mark on the target, from any distance, with any thrown object.
I had two throwing techniques. For close-in work, I would quickly draw the small spike, with the point up in my hand. I would throw overhand, with the point striking straight in. For greater distance, I would take a moment to reverse the point and throw overhand with one rotation into the target. The shuriken sheath was positioned behind my belt, just to the left of my belt buckle.
With the large spikes, I threw with the point up overhand straight in with the grip in the palm of my hand and no rotation resulting in very deep penetration where full weight of the spike followed the point into target. I normally wore one on each wrist for balance.
Andrea was unsurpassed at throwing the spike shuriken for distance and accuracy. She threw my large spike, and fell in love with its power into the target. She showed us her dazzling skill with her throwing knives.
The high point was her precision with her throwing axe. Unbelievable. She threw it with the blade toward her, and the axe struck with handle up, and blade edge fully embedded into the target. Throwing with the blade down resulted in just the point of the edge driven into the target by the full weight of the axe.
After that, everybody else wanted knives and axes just like Andrea! Andrea wanted spikes like mine. After a trip to the replicators, everybody was happy!
I said, “Good work, everyone. Before planet fall on the ‘Reprisal’ home world I want every one competent with the staff and the tonfa. Second priority is competence with shuriken, knives and axe.”
Andrea answered, “After our work out today I think those are achievable goals. How about you, my darling Captain master? Will you be training with us?”
“Yes. You, my lovely and talented blonde slut, are going to teach me how to throw knives and axes. I will teach you the way of the sword.”
All of my lovelies were giggling at our byplay. It had been a valuable workout. They were all in a good mood. They were eager for the next instructions.
“Time for a shower, then a nap. Andrea, Abbi and Cara are with me.”
The three mentioned smiled and nodded. I turned to my two bots and said, “Bev and Agatha, please scan the programs in ‘Amazon’ and ‘Reprisal’ AI core. Grab and adapt any useful programming. Second, please work with Crystal and Aella to adapt navy command console training for Abbi and Cara. Third, you two are in charge of breakfast.”
Bev and Agatha nodded and each gave me a kiss with tongue deeply in my mouth. They were laughing as they left the dojo.
I turned to my newest crewmembers and said, “We will get rid of our toys in the ready room. Then, a nice hot shower and …”.
Andrea interrupted, “You, our cruel master, drag us into your big bed and have your pitiless way with your helpless and quite virginal slaves.”
Cara and Abbi started to laugh. They looked at me to gauge my reaction.
I said, “My princess, helpless and virginal?”
Andrea responded, “Master, ‘my helpless virginal princess’?”
“My helpless virginal princess.”
“Now the goddess one.”
“My goddess.”
“Now the princess one.”
“My princess.”
Andrea simpered at me in a very exaggerated way as she said, “I don’t know. I just gush when you call me helpless and virginal. I bet if you were fucking me and called me that…”
“Andrea, are we going to stand here all day deciding your favorite, or can we at least continue this in the ready room?”
Andrea laughed happily as she took my arm and led me into the ready room. My ‘slave’ led her ‘master’ -- a useful metaphor for our relationship.
We walked into the ready room as the door slid shut behind us I pointed to a cabinet.
“That one is yours. Put your weapons there. Combat armor will be there. Rail guns as soon as we issue them.”
Andrea had a question. “Do we really need this? We can’t explore with you.”
“We aren’t going scouting for a while. I had to run from a raider with my tail tucked. I did not like the experience, and I want payback. You are all going to help me get some.”
Andrea looked at me as I stood with my katana. She said, “God damn, Eddy my love, one surprise after another. Yea. Sign me up. We want some of that payback.”
Abbi and Cara nodded emphatically. They wanted in as well. I returned my katana to the cabinet holding the Daisho. I left my shuriken and large spikes in the same cabinet, then stripped.
I looked over as Andrea, Cara and Abbi stored their weapons, stripped and began to play with each other. Andrea looked at me, and stuck her index finger deep in her mouth sucking hard on it. She dragged her finger out of her full, sucking lips, and said, “Now! Take me and fuck me right now!”
Well! I can take a hint as well as the next person. We headed for the big shower. We started with the ceiling spray. The entire ceiling is a sprayer with the holes every square centimeter. My three lovelies set the water spray for a rainfall effect, and we stepped in.
Andrea, Cara, and Abbi reveled in the feeling of the water raining on their bare skin. They rubbed against each other, and me, with water lubricated bodies. The water saturating their hair formed erotic water rivulets coursing around and over breasts, lovely pert bottoms, and sweet smooth thighs.
I was fascinated with Andrea’s long blonde tresses. I kept grabbing handfuls of her wet hair and stroking it with my fingers. Andrea turned her face up to the water with her back arched. Her drenched blonde mane tickled her butt. I reached for her hair again. I was in erotic overload with my nonstop fingering of Andrea’s blonde curls.
Andrea realized what I wanted. She turned and bent forward at the waist, flipping her hair forward. Now it framed her perfect face, and hung down. I stepped forward until my body made contact with Andrea. She reached forward, taking her wet curls and wrapping them around my hard cock. She was able to make several wraps around my cock with her long and very wet blonde mane.
Andrea stoked my hard cock, using only her lovely and very wet blonde hair. I was excited beyond control as she slowly and sensually moved her hair. My balls drew up; I spasmed. My cum sprayed out of my cock into her hair, on her hands, and even on her face where she was leaning forward. I fell back against the side of the shower, spent. Andrea shook out her hair, showing me my cum.
Cara pressed against me, reminding me that two other women shared the shower space with us. Cara squirted shampoo at both of us. The white liquid made erotic patterns on Andrea, in her hair, on me, and over my hands as I rubbed and scrubbed deep into Andrea’s mane.
Abbi shut off the overhead spray. She grabbed the hand held shower as Cara directed our hair washing. Andrea again arched her back, presenting her hair for my pleasure. The soapsuds rinsed from her hair coated her back, butt and legs. I stood behind Andrea and reached for her. I grabbed her tits, squeezing and mauling her nipples as I pulled her soapy back into my chest. I kissed her neck, with my cock pressed in the groove of her ass.
Abbi released the main water trough for the shower, drenching us with a channel full of warm water that struck us in a great soft wave. I held Andrea as the almost solid mass of water forced us almost to our knees. Abbi shut off the main flow. She finished our rinse with the pinpoint of the handheld showerhead.
Cara pushed Andrea and I into the drying chamber. I reached for Andrea, demanding a kiss. She was happy to comply. We kissed hotly, with our mouths open, attempting to devour each other.
I was completely greedy. I was unable to keep my hands from intimate caresses of Andrea. For her part Andrea held my cock and balls in her warm soft hands, lightly stroking my cock.
Abbi led us from the drying chamber into the captain’s cabin bedroom. Cara was already ensconced on the big bed, lying on her back. I crawled up on the bed.
Abbi pushed me, until I was kneeling with my knees lightly touching Cara’s shoulders. Abbi pushed my shoulders forward, and I caught myself by holding Cara’s thighs. I was facing Andrea, who was lying on her belly, with her cheek on Cara’s thigh.
Suddenly I felt hot breath on the backs of my thighs. Abbi’s face was now against my ass. Her tongue began to stroke my ass cheeks, alternating with stroking the length of my ass crack. Abbi licked as she positioned my cock in Cara’s mouth. She jacked me, while Cara sucked just the head in her warm wet mouth.
Abbi moved to the rosebud of my ass. She kissed, licked, and tongued my asshole, while continuing to stoke me into Cara’s sucking mouth. During Abbi’s anal attention, my excitement built as I was watching Andrea lick and chew on Cara’s cunt lips.
When Abbi felt my balls start to draw up, she quickly opened her wet mouth and took both balls in. The wet, sucking sensation caused me to spasm and spend into Cara’s mouth. Andrea caught me as I rolled to the side, depleted again.
Abbi rimmed me and Cara sucked me until I was hard. We rearranged ourselves on the bed. Andrea was on her back, holding her long shapely legs wide open -- framing her cunt in an obscene invitation. I crawled up Andrea’s body with anticipation, my cock dangling leaking precum on her. It was her turn now!
I held her head with both hands, kissing her intensely. My total focus was on Andrea. Cara held my cock. Abbi spread the lips of Andrea’s cunt. I sank in to Andrea with a groan. It took several strokes into her tight, hot passage before my pubic bone contacted hers. I rolled to my left side carrying Andrea with me. We were settled in each other’s arms with our legs tangled. I continued to kiss her without moving.
With our bodies finally joined, much of the anxiety melted away, and my actions became calmer. My breathing and pulse soon began to match with Andrea’s. Andrea kissed and caressed me, speaking softly and lovingly soothing my frantic demeanor.
Musical tones began to sound. My eyes snapped open. In my confusion I confronted my princess’s laughing eyes. Andrea said, “Did you sleep well?”
“Ah, fuck. I’m so very sorry.”
Andrea leaned forward and kissed away my apology. She asked again. I was forced to admit that I was refreshed. She said, “Good. Your relaxing in my arms is a feeling I cherish.”
I looked up. Cara was behind me against my back with her hand holding my hard cock. Abbi was immediately behind Andrea. Beverly, my tall and lovely blonde bot, was standing next to the bed, trying unsuccessfully not to smile. She was attempting to sternly deliver a message for us to get up. She said, “Master, Shark is hove to near the hidden navy base. We are awaiting your instructions. Agatha has breakfast nearly ready. Time to rise and shine.”
Cara helped me from the big bed, as Abbi assisted Andrea. We were back in the full-size shower. Cara lathered my body, paying particular attention to my cock and balls.
After I was clean, Cara fell to her knees under the water’s flow and sucked my cock deep into her mouth, while holding my balls with her warm fingers. I came in moments and she did not spill a drop. All three of my lovelies kissed and caressed me in the shower as we concluded our clean up.
The ladies left the shower as they engaged the side sprays hard massaging action on me. I was invigorated after only a few moments. Abbi shut off the flow and Andrea pulled me out of the shower. She pushed me into the drying chamber with the words, “Come along, lover, you have much to do today.’
I replied, “My princess, a truly respectful slave, who did not wish a spanking, would leave her master to enjoy his shower a few more minutes.”
Andrea smiled happily as she kissed me stepping back from the chamber. She replied,
“Cruel master will likely spank us regardless. Say the other one.”
“My goddess.”
She smirked happily.
By this time I was dry. Andrea led me into the bedroom. She looked at me with an inquiry in her eyes. I said, “Everybody dressed. Jumpsuits. Boots. Personal weapons. Combat armor. We are at DefCon one until we get settled.”
The klaxon and red lights interrupted us. Bev joined us with my personal armor, weapons harness, rail gun, knife, shuriken, spikes, and wakizashi. The jump suit went over my armor then my harness with my personal weapons.
Andrea now had her own set of personal armor that she put under her jumpsuit. Her weapon harness held her heavy rail gun, throwing knives and axe.
As I walked out to the sound of Crystal announcing my presence on the bridge the klaxon silenced. Daisy announced, “We are at DefCon one. No sighting or sensor readings. All targeting and weapons optimal. All consoles on line. Ready for your orders, Captain.”
The main view screen was focused on a large asteroid. Actually a planetoid, it was fully as large as Old Earth’s moon. It looked completely natural, surrounded by other asteroids and rocks.
Aella said, “The base has an automatic response to the entry codes. The only problem is that it will query Shark’s transponder. The base AI expects to find a navy ship.”
I said, “I don’t think that will be a problem. With our Letter of Marque we should be in the registry database. Try it.”
Aella began the contact protocol. The base responded with a new position for the ship. Crystal moved Shark to a location facing an immense meteor crater. A few moments after our arrival the bottom of the crater dilated to reveal a mammoth lighted cave with a series of blue flashing navigation lights along the cave floor leading to the interior of the huge moon.
I said, “Take us in, Crystal. When we are inside, drop one sensor array.”
The cave entrance was simply enormous, dwarfing Shark. . A super dreadnought could easily pass another while inside, without straining. We tracked along in the center of the passage, following the lights. I watched the auxiliary screen as we passed a side passage. The floor lights behind us flashed for a few moments then went dark.
“Damn. It’s a maze!”
All eyes were on me after my exclamation. I said:
“Keep going, Crystal; too late to stop now. I hope this rock pile believed us.”
Andrea moved next to me. She placed her hand lightly on my arm. I touched Andrea’s hand, grateful for the contact.
After an interminable passage past several more side tunnels, a large blast door slid sideways behind us sealing the cave. Further along, a second door slid closed behind us in the same manner.
The cave began to widen significantly into a vast, high, wide chamber. This area looked man-made, with the wall and doors covered with writing and naval insignia. The course of blue lights ended in a circle surrounding a dreadnought sized landing zone painted on the ‘floor.’ Red lights lit the target in the center of the LZ. I said, “Take us in, Crystal. I think they want us to land.”
Crystal hovered Shark over the LZ. She extended Shark’s skids. She lowered Shark to a pinpoint landing so soft it did not roil the coffee in my cup.
I asked, “Aella. Report please?”
“The Base AI accepts us. It is generating atmosphere for this lock, opening passages and turning on lights.”
I asked, “Sensors, please?”
Daisy answered, “Atmosphere is less then half nominal. No life signs. All base weapons are standing down after our landing.”
I said, “We are at DefCon 5. Let’s eat. We’re down now. We let the LZ fill with air and then we explore. Questions?”
There was general agreement. We retired to the galley where Agatha and Bev served us a huge breakfast ‘family style.’ I guess I was famished! I ate very well. Then I ate some more!
Beverly served coffee at the end of the meal. I suddenly realized that everyone at the table had a stainless steel Shark crew mug with their name engraved, including Daisy and Aella. I asked, “Who do I thank for the initiative with the mugs?”
Crystal answered, “Daisy, Aella and I completed the crew mugs as an exercise in controlling the replicators. Replicators are far more efficient with the new computing power.”
I said, “Thank you for the new mugs. I think this is an apropos time to welcome our new crew with a toast from our new mugs.”
There was agreement. The table broke into mutual hugs in all directions. Every crewmember managed to give me a full body hug with a tongue filled kiss.
Daisy announced, “The atmosphere is nominal. All lights are on. All corridors, passages and compartments are open.”
I asked, “Aella, what about maps?”
She replied, “The base is designed for crews unfamiliar with the layout, with many data kiosks and well labeled passages and compartments.”
“Sounds good. Lets take a look. We will use the main equipment hold lock as our entrance.”
All of us walked to the hold. Crystal opened the hold lock, extending the ramp down the one-meter height of the landing skids. We walked into the cave chamber.
Aella stood at the bottom of the ramp and pointed as she rotated. “Workshops. Repair supplies. Communication repair and supplies. Electrical repair and supplies. Propulsion repair and supplies. Weapon repair and supplies. Training rooms. Recreations area. Holo suites. Galley and Commissary. General supply storage. Weapon supply storage. Hospital and clinic area with medical supplies storage. Replication. Any questions?”
I said, “No questions. Aella is with me. I need a tour guide.”
There was a general burst of laughter at my audacity in claiming Aella. I waved it off.
“I was joking. I want Aella to rotate around and accompany groups for a while until we are comfortable. I want travel in pairs again until we are comfortable. Everybody takes a radio when they leave ship. I want a portable sensor array left beyond the initial bulkhead in every corridor that enters this chamber. Questions?” There were none.
Agatha distributed our very compact portable radios. They were small earpiece units with a retaining clip over the ear. The microphone was combined with the earphone in the earpiece. It picked up and transmitted the sounds of our voice that travel up the inner ear canal. We had a wireless remote control push to talk switch about the size of a coin to clip to the front of our weapons harnesses. The radio also generated a constant tracking signal. The distress signal activated by touching a hidden stud on the ear clip.
The crew began to pair up as they started to explore our new home away from home. Andrea asked me what my first stop was.
“Weapons lockers. I want to add to our arsenal before I land on any raider planets.”
She took my hand companionably and we walked toward the large Armory sign.
Andrea said, “This should be fun. Just like going shopping. What are we looking for?”
I replied, “I’m not sure, my princess. Clarence, the builders, even my family stocked guns for sporting and partly self-defense. They assumed quick gunfights and very short duration ‘problems’. I want some serious weapons for firefights and battles with entrenched, motivated adversaries.”
Andrea said with some wonder, “Eddy, how do you come up with this shit? I would never think of it in a million years. Did your family teach you this?”
I replied, “Yes. Even junior Demarest sons are immersed in subjects from birth. The Carterises sent me tutors and trainers constantly. When I showed an aptitude and interest in space and scouting, the great-grandfathers buried me in topics. My perfect goddess, this is my passion. I study and agonize about my passion. I hope that I am good at it!”
She grabbed my arm as she said, “Yes, my Master, you are very good. There is no one I trust more than you.”
She kissed me just as we reached the armory door. The double doors slid open as we walked up. There was a large red push button on the wall used to lock the doors in an open position. Andrea locked them open. She grabbed an antigrav sled. The sleds in the armory were two meters wide by three meters long with 30 centimeter sides.
We stood in the entry of the armory and just stared. Racks and bins filled with firearms and related equipment faded off in this cavernous warehouse. The huge room was filled with weapons ranging from one-hand rail guns to crew-served artillery.
Andrea found a counter filled with holo programs. She grabbed one of each. She found armorer’s tools, accessories, and cleaning supplies. She filled her sled with these small but essential items. She topped it off with a stack of navy issue rail guns with holsters.
I grabbed a sled and headed for the assault rifles. Andrea asked, “What are those and why do they look so different?”
I picked them up and showed her as we moved them into cart. “This is a basic two-millimeter assault rifle. Nicknamed knitting needle or just needle gun. The two-millimeter bullets are long and thin, traveling at much higher velocity than the rail gun. If the needle strikes a hard object it penetrates a long way. On the other hand if it strikes soft object like flesh it goes sideways and dumps all that energy immediately. This leads to major clean up issues. It fires singles, bursts, and full auto with a variety of sights.”
We quickly grabbed a dozen or so. Then I grabbed some models with twenty-five- millimeter launchers that used the same round as the heavy machine guns underneath the barrel. I grabbed some with 50-millimeter grenade launchers underneath. I grabbed others with 75 millimeter shotgun barrels underneath. The shotgun would use special flechette rounds, tungsten shot, or soft crowd control loads. I selected a number of optical sights including FLIR and light amplification. I filled the remainder of the cart with rifles in various configurations.
After that, I just went crazy filling carts, and Andrea dragged them back to the ship. The twenty-five millimeter tripod mounted machine gun firing explosive shells filled one cart. Several of the five millimeter squad automatic weapon light machine guns filled another.
I found several 50-millimeter commando mortar and 75 millimeter personal rocket launchers with a variety of loads. Then the 100-millimeter crew served mortar and 200-millimeter crew served rocket launcher again with each type of ammunition. I wasn’t sure if I needed them, but the price was right! I loaded them on carts.
In the very last row of the warehouse I found a 175-millimeter howitzer cannon on a wheeled split carriage. It was love at first sight, as I dragged it toward the doorway. Andrea was laughing as soon as she saw it.
There were several closed cabinets that we finally took the time to open. I just stared when I opened the first one. It held the super secret navy sniper rifle. I explained to Andrea, “It’s very special tech. The rifle is designed for one-shot kills. It is very accurate, with a high but controlled velocity of 2500 meters per second. Sights operate in full sunlight and complete darkness. Pinpoint accurate. All rounds inside a circle 75 centimeters in diameter at an unprecedented 3000 meters.
“A unique six-millimeter bullet travels down the barrel in a larger sabot that spins gyroscopically stabilizing the bullet then the sabot falls away as it leaves the barrel. The bullet is made of a special non-metallic carbon fiber having a high-density metal 2 millimeter needle at its center. The body breaks up and the 2 millimeter needle penetrates armor and hard substances.
“If there is no armor the carbon fiber body of the bullet fragments into devastating sub projectiles with some pieces held together by fibers acting like miniature versions of the ‘chain shot’ of old in addition the 2 millimeter needle becoming another spinning projectile in the body.”
There was plenty of ammunition. There was also plenty of the special X-label ammunition. This X-label was designed for the sniper to use if discovered to fight his way out of trouble. These had the same type carbon fiber bullets but full-size of the 13 millimeter bore without a sabot. The bullet had three 2-millimeter penetrators at its center with several tungsten buckshot distributed throughout the carbon fiber body. The round was an absolutely demoralizing anti-personnel round but only accurate to about 300 meters.
She said, “There seems to be two sets of equipment?”
“Sniper and spotter or observer. Every shooter has an observer with a spotting scope.”
As we were loading the sniper equipment Crystal contacted me. “Captain.”
“Yes, Crystal?”
“I am initiating periodic radio check in.”
“Good idea. I concur.”
Crystal continued, “I have downloaded a holo of the base area surrounding Shark. I’m tracking our movements on it. I moved tables off the ship to the ramp area. I suggest our meals and meetings take place there. “
“Good job, Crystal. Where is everybody?”
“Agatha is with Aella at the hospital, gathering more emergency medical supplies. Cara and Abbi have discovered a ship bridge training mock up with console arrays similar to Shark’s. Beverly is in the base dojo. Daisy is checking the holo-suites for fresh programs then she will check the recreation area. I assume you and Andrea are in the armory in quest of more weapons, or is Andrea just really kinky?”
“Hey, I heard that.”
Andrea giggled as Crystal switched to her private frequency. I returned to loading another anti-grav sled while she was gossiping with Crystal.
I opened another cabinet to find more surprises. This was not a cabinet; instead, it was the door to a large storage room filled from floor to high ceiling with rack after rack of sets of swords -- Daisho of katana, wakizashi, and tanto. With each set were matching Bokuto with the long wooden daito sword and the short wooden shoto sword. An iaito practice sword was also in each rack.
I immediately contacted Beverly, and told her to report to the armory. When she arrived, I showed her the room filled with sword sets. I said, “Bev, sorry to pull you off your own project. I need you to examine these swords. Based on each person’s individual needs and style, I want one primary and two spare complete sets for each crewmember, placed aboard Shark. Perform any tests necessary to properly fit the swords. Then design a training regimen for Kenjutsu and Iaido. This includes you and Agatha.”
She replied, “I’m on it. Do you want spares for yourself?”
“Yes. Thank you, Bev. When you have fitted Andrea and yourself with swords and found my spares, you can complete your work in the dojo before fitting the next set.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
First, Beverly examined the swords with her Fembot-enhanced senses and memory. She quickly selected two sets. These she identified as my spares. After I looked over one of the katana, I was willing to bet the new swords were within microns and micrograms of matching my primary blades.
Andrea joined us with another empty anti-grav sled. Bev loaded the two “spare” sets on the sled. I turned to Andrea and said, “Bev is going to select swords for you and herself. Stay with her until the fitting is complete. Bring the swords to the ship. I will be checking in with our other explorers.”
Andrea replied, “Thank you, Captain darling. See you back at the ship.”
Andrea kissed me lightly on the lips. I exited the armory area. Daisy contacted me and requested that I meet her in the recreation area. I followed the signs to the recreation area. Daisy met me at the entrance. She led me to the pool. It was spectacular.
The pool was a huge. I hadn’t seen a pool that big since the 219th Olympiad 3 years before. It was twice Olympic size with one end deepened for diving. Both platforms and diving boards were installed. A two-meter wide waterfall spilled into the pool several meters above the water surface along one side.
Two large round shallow lounging pools connected to the main pool by a three-meter wide channel. One of the shallow pools had an island in its center, with a bubbling fountain that periodically sprayed out over that pool.
A large oblong spa filed with soft padded seats and many water jets also connected to the main pool by the same meandering channel. A broad cushioned floor surrounded the pool. There were many chairs, tables, and loungers scattered about. The area was very well lighted with special tanning lights in one section. All in all, it was a great find.
Daisy said, “Captain. I am requesting that you call the crew together here in the pool area. This would be an excellent opportunity for the crew to rest and recharge before we climb back into the ship. What do you say?”
I said, “Daisy, I say that this is an excellent suggestion. You have shown exceptional initiative. How were you able to do this?”
Daisy replied, “My new computing power, the interconnection and your acceptance has all come together to allow me to make full use of my AI judgments and evaluations. A strong imperative to improve crew conditions and morale is one result.”
“Again. Very well done. Continue to use your good judgment in this manner.”
I quickly contacted Crystal. “Crystal. Please contact all members of the crew. Inform them that I wish them to complete their current tasks within one hour and meet at the pool in the recreation area for some rest and recreation. In other words, a party! Please inform Aella and Agatha that I am requesting that they stop at the commissary and galley to fill an anti-grav sled with beverages, snacks, and food suitable for the party. Crystal, this get together includes all AI as well as all of the crew. ”
Crystal replied, “Thank you, Captain. I am informing the entire crew including AI immediately.”
I answered, “Thank you. If there are questions Crystal, I am remaining in the pool area.”
I looked around the pool area. I undressed completely, leaving my weapons and clothing on a poolside table. The spa was sparkling in an inviting manner. I slipped into the water and found a soft seat with a backrest. The effect was completely relaxing. Daisy informed me, “Captain. You relax in the spa. I will be lifeguard until the rest of the crew arrives.”
“Thank you again, Daisy.”
Wagon ruts. The recurring image whenever I shut my eyes was ‘wagon ruts.’ I have images on my wall at home of the Oregon Trail of old earth. The ruts left by the early settlers were so deep that they were still visible one hundred years later.
Then my brain would jump to the old earth western cowboy stories, which I loved to read. The hero would be chasing the bad men who were on horseback. The hero would ‘trail’ the bad men. They to throw him off would ‘cover their tracks’ perhaps by cutting branches to rub out their tracks. In the stories the hero might go so far as to find the very cut ends on the branches used as the makeshift brooms. Continuing on our hero would trail the bad men to their hideout to save the day,
I kept restlessly mulling these confusing images until sleep overtook me.
Waking was pleasant, with soft lips pressed against my lips until my eyes opened.
Andrea said, “You are restive in your sleep. What’s wrong? You muttered and twitched the entire time.”
I shook my head as I looked around the pool area. The crew was all assembled. They had let me rest while they set up the party. Abbi was already swimming fast laps in the big pool. Cara was floating in the water lounging by the waterfall. My bots, Agatha and Beverly, were also swimming in the big pool. Daisy was sitting on the edge of the spa, at Andrea’s and my shoulder. Crystal and Aella were sitting next to the table with the food and beverages.
I turned back to Andrea. I kissed her, pulled her through the bubbles, and settled her on my lap. I said, “My brain is trying to tell me something. I can’t make it out. I have to give it a chance without forcing.”
She asked, “Would it help to talk it out?”
“Maybe. Let me think about how I want to explain.”
Andrea smiled and nodded. Just then, Cara swam through the channel and into the spa pool. Abbi was taking a break, with chin resting on her arms crossed on the edge of the pool facing us.
I stood up, grasping Andrea’s hand, and gestured to Cara and Abbi. I walked to a depression in the floor under multiple open showerheads. I gently positioned Andrea on her back. A broad smile lit her face as she realized what I was contemplating. I knelt straddling her torso, with my thighs just touching her breasts. I reached up and grabbed Abbi’s left butt cheek with my right hand, and Cara’s right butt cheek in my left hand, pulling them toward my chest. I said:
“I want you two to pee on me. Pee on my chest. I want it to run down onto Andrea then I will pee on her directly.”
Andrea shuddered with her eyes glassy as she heard my words. Abbi and Cara smiled happily, eager to comply. They steadied each other as they began their streams. The urine hit my chest and ran down over my belly, running down my thighs. Most of the hot stream was centered, and then ran down, covering my cock and balls. The hot liquid ran off the head of my cock on to Andrea.
Andrea suddenly began moving. She slid down until my cock was positioned over her face, with their combined stream coating her from her chin to forehead. She opened her mouth wide, with my cock centered in the opening. The girls’ fluid was entering Andrea’s open mouth. With the warm liquid flowing over my cock, I began to stream. She closed her mouth around the head of my cock. Cara and Abbi’s flows ran down her cheeks into her hair. My hot urine filled her mouth to overflowing. Andrea swallowed. More overflowed, coating her face and hair with liquid. She continued to accept the full flow, never turning her head or shutting her mouth. Andrea would swallow as it filled her mouth. Finally Cara and Abbi were finished. My flow slowed to a trickle, then stopped.
Andrea reluctantly released my dick. I leaned forward, lying down directly on top of her, pressing my wet chest into hers. I grasped large handfuls of her urine soaked hair, holding her head upright; then I kissed her wet lips, driving my tongue into her mouth.
Andrea demurred. She tried to turn her head.
I said, “Stop that.”
She said, “You don’t have to.”
I was emphatic, “Yes, I do. If this is you, then I am part of it in every possible way.”
She studied my face. Andrea showed me a dazzling smile, then threw her arms around me, holding me tight.
Abbi and Cara turned on the gang showers above us. Andrea and I rolled apart slightly as we reveled in the warm flow of water. Cara found soap. She washed Andrea, while Abbi washed me. With their ministrations, we were quickly squeaky clean. We continued to lie next to each other under the warm water. I turned to her and I asked, “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Oh yes! I came and came. Then a big one when you kissed me.”
I stood up and helped Andrea to her feet. We walked to the table with the food and beverages. I was drinking a juice and nibbling a peach-like fruit.
Abbi stood at the edge of the pool. She smiled at me, and then knifed in to the water, swimming almost the length of the pool under water.
Even though I could not see her directly I was able to track her progress by the small bubbles, which marked her passage.
I turned to Andrea and said, “I can not see her directly, but I can track her progress by the small bubbles in her wake.”
Then I held her shoulders as I repeated myself, “I can not see her directly, but I can track her progress by the small bubbles in her wake.”
It is a measure of Andrea’s intelligence and patience that she waited quietly holding eye contact. I released Andrea. With quick running steps I jumped feet first into the pool directly in Abbi’s path. She was moving so quickly that she bumped into me, then surfaced explosively. I grabbed her shoulders, pulling her into a deep French kiss. She looked surprised for a moment. Then she smiled happily.
I said, “I want a crew meeting, immediately.”
The crew gathered at the table. I began my explanation. I hoped it would sound sensible said aloud. I began, “In the wild west of Old Earth certain trails were used so often that there were deep wheel ruts in the ground. There was no need for a guide; you just followed the ruts.”
Everyone looked at me expectantly as I continued. “I believe cloaked ships leave similar ruts in space.”
The silence was deafening. Andrea finally said, “You think the ship leaves some ‘trace’ when it passes?”
“Yes. I also think that there are passages or routes used so often that the ‘traces’ are thick enough to be thought of as ‘ruts.’”
Daisy said, “Ronnie always followed the same route and the same passage to cross the imperial border.”
I said, “I see this as having two elements: First is there enough ‘leakage’ or ‘trace’ for us to discern a cloaked ship? Then, is this ‘trace’ or ‘leakage’ persistent enough for us to find the trails and passages used by the bad guys?”
In a stunned and unbelieving voice Andrea said, “Damn.”
Then there was a sudden confused babble as AI, Bots and humans tried to make sense of what they just heard.
Crystal spoke up. “Before we added Daisy and Aella, Shark’s sensors picked up just enough for me to begin to ‘sense’ the ‘brown blotched’ cloaked ship. We were just starting to explore the possibilities. With the added AI and enhanced sensors, I have no doubt we can track a cloaked ship even at a distance.”
Aella chimed in, “We are in the ideal place to answer some of these questions. We query the maintenance computers for the chemical and energy readings from propulsion systems. We can also query about any other ‘waste byproduct’ from any ship system. Then we decide what constituent we want to track with our sensors.”
I said, “What about my idea of ruts?”
Aella answered, “Intriguing. We can query for the expected byproducts ranked by persistence in a space environment sorted by expected proportion in the ‘exhaust’ from the ship.”
Everyone stared at Aella with more stunned silence.
Crystal asked, “Where?”
Aella answered, “Propulsion shop for chemical byproducts. Electrical and communication shops for radiation and signature issues.”
Crystal turned to me and said, “Captain, with your permission, we should get on this right now.”
I said, “Go quickly. I make this number one priority. Report ASAP.”
Three voices chimed, “Thank you, Captain,” as the three AI holograms receded from view.
I turned to the remaining crew. “Bev, what did you find in the dojo?”
“Captain, I found ‘soft’ expanded foam versions of all our martial arts ‘toys’ including swords. We can teach full contact without fear of injury.”
“Good work. How about the sword fittings?”
“With Andrea’s help, everyone save holograms have a primary and two spare sword sets. Each crewmember’s primary Daisho hangs in the dojo of the ship. I have taken the liberty of hanging a secondary Daisho set for you, Captain.”
“Excellent. Is there a real shooting range? Not virtual.”
Bev replied, “Yes, Captain. The tunnel past the dojo leads to a 300 meter range.”
I said, “Everyone will please join me in the armory. You will draw two rail handguns and one needle assault rifle. We will fill a sled with appropriate ammo. Then to the range, for a familiarization session.”
Andrea asked, “What about the guns we took to the ship?”
“Consider those spares for now, love.”
We traveled in a group to the armory. Agatha helped Andrea, Cara and Abbi select the appropriate firearms. Bev worked quickly to fill the anti-grav sled. I belted on a rail gun, and threw the sling loop of an assault rifle over my neck. The other rail gun, I threw in the sled.
We quickly adjourned to the range. Agatha and Bev examined the weapons, and pronounced them safe to use. Their bot combat and martial arts programming fully extended to the complete range of firearms.
We paired off. I worked with Andrea, Agatha paired with Cara, and Bev trained Abbi. First we worked with the assault rifles.
The assault rifles were ergonomically designed. They had an optical sight, with a circle aiming point. The eye naturally sought the center of the circle when the rifle was shouldered. For more precision in aiming, by pushing a switch, a small dot aiming point would appear centered in the circle. After dark, a bright orange dot was superimposed over the circle.
I demonstrated shooting the rifle first. I fired it out to the full 300 meters. Its ultra high velocity allowed it to be fired basically point blank, with no allowance needed for drop. It was very accurate. At full automatic, it had little movement or torque gently vibrating in hand as the rounds ripped downrange. Burst was most useful with three rounds fired at high cyclic rate with each pull of the trigger.
Andrea was very quick to learn, perhaps due to her familiarity with the rail gun. She had a natural hand eye coordination that served her well. I expected some resistance to her being trained, but she quickly proved to be an amenable, motivated student, and easily coached to boot.
We went well past familiarization. We took some time with the assault rifle training. By the time we called a halt, Andrea, Abbi and Cara were all three demonstrating competence out to 300 meters.
We pulled in the targets to 25 meters, and started to work with the rail guns. I started the girls with the two-handed ‘turret’ hold. The shooter holds the grip with both hands overlapping, extending both arms, with elbow locked straight. The shooter turns the torso to align the sights like the old-time tank cannon. The advantage is stability, and in low light conditions sights align automatically with the body, just by facing toward your target.
Andrea again surprised me, working with the position I assigned despite any preconceived notions she might have had. She was very accurate. Andrea showed her stuff when we trained one handed. First we fired with ‘strong’ or primary hand then with ‘weak’ hand. Then finally one handed starting from the holster.
Again we took it slow and careful. By the time we reached holstered start, the girls were very well trained indeed.
We pulled the targets in to seven to ten meters, and began to work with multiple and quick reaction targets.
Andrea was particularly adept with multiple targets. She would quickly draw and engage 3 targets with the rounds seeming simultaneous. She was fast, with a good first‑shot accuracy out of the holster. I was very impressed.
Finally we called a halt. We were all tired. Well, everybody but our bots! We stacked the rifles in the sled. We left the rail guns belted on as we headed back to the ship. Agatha and Beverly, pulling the sled, brought up the rear of our little parade.
There was an excited buzz within our group, despite our exhaustion, as we discussed the days training and the positive outcome. The girls were proud of their skills, and well they should be.
We stopped in surprise when we reached Shark.
The area at the end of the ramp had been converted to a dining room. Rugs and cushions were scattered about. A long table with legs shortened allowing dining while sitting or reclining on those floor cushions. The table was covered in a linen tablecloth with crystal china and silver service. Two silver candelabras were placed at each end of the table.
Aella seated us on the cushions.
Crystal announced, “Dinner is served, Captain.”
Aella and Daisy quickly uncovered serving dishes. Prime rib. Lobster. Potatoes. All the trimmings. I ate until I was finally forced to roll away from the table or explode.
I said, “A terrific meal. Thank you.”
Crystal, Daisy and Aella beamed as the rest of the crew chimed in with praise. We sat sipping coffee or our preferred after dinner drinks.
I asked, “What have you learned in your research?”
Crystal reported, “Aella was right, this base has excellent resources. For instance, the navy has two unrelated studies, which we found: One that attempts to adjust sensors to find cloaked ships and another that attempts to reduce emissions from cloaked navy ships. By using those studies combined with other information we will be able to sense cloaked ships at a distance while reducing to zero any likelihood of our being similarly discovered.”
I responded, “I am impressed.”
Crystal continued, “We will need Agatha and Beverly to modify our sensor arrays and also to change some shielding to reduce our signature. We will be adding antenna and at least one console to increase our sensor sensitivity.”
I replied, “As I said before, number one priority. One question, why isn’t the navy pursuing this?””
Aella answered, “Too busy with raiders. The information we found was obscure research that we discovered only by a specific topic search. You are to be congratulated for providing the impetus for that.”
I asked, “Okay, what about my ‘ruts’?”
Daisy answered, “That was my study project. I found several research papers which addressed the subject of propulsion system exhaust constituents, their proportions and persistence in space again without your unique ‘twist.’ With the result that we can predict with a high degree of confidence that ‘ruts’ do exist. We also theoretically can estimate time since last passage along a path or even perhaps stalk a specific ship.”
I was utterly speechless! I stood up and hugged each of my AI in silent appreciation.
Andrea looked over at me and asked thoughtfully, “Where do we test this?”
I grinned fiercely. “The Wastes.”