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
Shark lifted by anti-grav one hundred meters. At my order, Crystal held us steady. On our view screen we observed the entire château staff of Kit Carson bots standing naked in front of the château in chevron phalanx, all saluting. Kit 2, with her jumpsuit around her ankles, led the salute, facing Shark from the point of the chevron.
Shark saluted the Kits with a massive blue flare three hundred meters above them. Kit 2 answered by releasing several smoke grenades of various colors.
I said, “Please engage Shark’s navigation, running, spotlights, and all other external lighting. Please set all sensors to active. Retract skids. Prepare to get under way.”
Crystal confirmed. “All Shark external lighting on now. All sensors active. ”
I said, “Please engage transponder and squawk Demarest priority code alpha.”
Agatha confirmed, “Transponder function confirmed.”
I said, “Sound last alarm. Please give Shark one click of height and two clicks lateral displacement, then engage impulse. Please engage warp at earliest opportunity.”
Crystal confirmed, “Shark moving under anti-grav. Preparing to engage impulse power. Making .95 light at planetary atmospheric boundary.”
I said, “Crystal, at system boundary, please make the most direct route for trail crossing point in The Wastes to be known as point ‘X’, making speed warp twelve cloaked. All lights off, and only passive sensors during run. We are at DefCon three until four hours from point X when we are at DefCon one. Weapons console will be manned immediately and continuously until conclusion of voyage.”
The interior lights flashed once in warning, as Shark began moving. Crystal seamlessly and smoothly transitioned us into our run to the system boundary. There was no other traffic; our path to space was clear.
The Caddis system boundary came, with Crystal’s announcement of speed and course to point X. I stretched, preparing to leave my captain’s chair, when Andrea asked with just a hint of indignation, “Edward, do you really engage in incest with your mother?”
She called me ‘Edward’; that meant we were fighting, and further that I was at fault so I may as well confess. “Yes, Andrea. For several years.”
The next had a bit of volume behind it as she said, “That’s terrible. Who could possibly…?”
Hands started to go up all around the bridge. Andrea stopped in shocked silence with her mouth in an ‘OH’ of surprise. Carlisa said, “With my entire family.”
Anima nodded as she said, “With all my brothers and sisters.”
Charlie giggled, “My whole family together, in every possible combination.”
Abbi and Cara were both nodding and laughing too hard to be able to talk.
Molly suddenly spoke up. “In the company of my cousins, engaging in every conceivable variety of sex.”
She looked over her shoulder at me snickering as she said, “I’m hardly a virgin, Eddy.”
My blonde princes goddess blushed to her toes as she absorbed the bombardment of incestuous information. Ever perceptive Molly grabbed Andrea in a hug hustling her into the master cabin for a private consultation.
Charlie suddenly spoke in the silence. “Can I change the subject captain? I don’t understand. What’s a ‘fac’ planet?”
I realized that certain terminology was not clear to everyone. I said, “F-A-C is short for ‘fac-tory’, or ‘manu-fac-turing’ -- theory is split on derivation.
At her smile I went on, “It started in early days, as space exploration became space exploitation. Mining began on asteroids, with ore shipped to planet bound factories. It dawned on entrepreneurs to move the factory to the asteroid belt, having the raw material close at hand to the assembly line. Concurrently the AI, the bot and the smart machine became prevalent. The factories began to automate with fewer and fewer human workers or supervisors needed.”
Charlie was nodding as she followed my explanation. I continued, “The economy of scale drove the factory sizes larger and larger. Now airless planets earth-size or larger with extensive nearby asteroid fields are the fac starting point. The combined factories fill the available planet surface, with extensive rabbit warrens of tunnels deep under the surface connecting one plant to another. Shuttles constantly carry ore in, while freighters carry finished products out in a steady train. AI and bots supervise each factory with more AI supervising groups of factories and finally master AI supervising the whole planet. Most fac haven’t had a human visit in the last hundred years. The AI modifies the assembly lines on the fly to efficiently fill orders. FTL between all the fac AI saves duplications and disruptions.”
Charlie observed, “You said something to Charles about a person in the loop. Why is that a big deal?”
I answered, “The entire process has been automated and AI administered human free for years! No human interference in the name of efficiency. On the other hand with the raiders on the loose perhaps a bit of human oversight is warranted. At the armory fac especially.”
Everyone was nodding in understanding. Charlie thanked me for explaining without making her feel ‘stupid.’
I said, “I sincerely try never to belittle anyone for a question. Promise.”
They all nodded, smiling, as Andrea and Molly rejoined us. Molly moved Andrea on to my lap while she sat on the long bench. Andrea shifted around until her butt rubbing on my dick started to harden it. She laughed, “This is really a very comfortable spot. I can see why Molly likes it here.”
The ladies of Shark were laughing now. Anima had a question, “The duel business bothers me. Have you ever been in a duel, Eddy?”
I paused for a moment remembering. I responded very quietly, “Two.”
Andrea’s head came completely around like an owl. With a shocked expression she said,
“You never told us, Eddy.”
I replied, “The first was very spontaneous. I was on a frontier planet with Gran. He had us in this rude tavern where he was negotiating with free traders. A spacer decided I was flirting with his girl. He drew his Wakizashi without warning. I responded with mine as sensei had trained me. Within seconds the spacer was dead on the floor of the tavern and my sword was back in its scabbard.”
Anima asked, “What happened?”
I answered, “Spacer was apparently an argumentative combative type. His crew decided not to retaliate. His captain delivered his Daisho to me before we boosted. His tanto is in my desk as a reminder of what can happen when you become argumentative.”
Anima asked ever so quietly, ”And the second duel?”
Remembering contemplatively; “The second was intrigue. A professional duelist attempted to challenge Ben, my eldest brother. I deliberately misunderstood the situation, became highly insulted, and accepted the challenge.”
I looked around at their shocked faces, “Admiral Louis Carteris and his marine Command Sergeant Major acted as my seconds. The duelist was over confident because of my young age. He did not understand that I had been immersed in the sword. The duel with our katana took a protracted time. He made a mistake attempting to end it. His Daisho became a gift to Ben and hangs in his office. Duelist’s tanto is in my desk. a reminder of the ruin from overconfidence.”
I continued, “The duel was my first meeting with the Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Gray taught me the skills of sniper and scout in the eighteen months before I left Westphalia.”
I smiled in recollection of my last view of the Sergeant Major. He was dressed in his formal dress red and blue uniform, carrying his swagger stick. The Sergeant Major wore jodhpurs instead of pants, and was shod in tall shiny cavalry boots with silver spurs. Medals and ribbons covered his entire chest. His rank insignia was Fleet Command Sergeant Major, the highest-ranking enlisted man in the empire marines.
I chided him for his cavalry dress in this age of space. He laughed in genuine amusement at my impudence criticizing his uniform. At his leave taking Sergeant Major Gray shook my hand, saluted me, and then quickly turned on his heel and briskly marched with his erect carriage to his debarkation gate.
I realized he had left something in my hand. That tiny black on black scout sniper shoulder patch hangs next to my Daisho in the Shark’s ready room.
Andrea exclaimed, “Eddy, that duel was so very brave, and yet utterly incredibly stupid!”
I laughed. “My perfect golden goddess, it was total self interest. If something bad happened to Ben I was in line to be ‘eldest’, sitting in that office on Westphalia. Good God! Better to lose the duel than stuck in a stuffy office.”
I looked around at my ‘sharklings’ as I pensively posed another question. “This whole slavery business is something I am NOT at all used to. Before we reach St. Louis I must know something: How do you become my slaves?”
Crystal stepped into the center of the bridge area and replied, “Slaves are marked in several different ways. Slaves may be branded or tattooed with your brand. There is also a method of pattern scarring most used on the battlefield. Slave piercing does also indicate ownership by special jewelry. Both Demarest and Carteris have registered ownership brands for all these methods. You obviously need such registrations for yourself personally and another for Shark.”
I looked around expecting my slaves to be revolted at the thought of my branding, piercing, or otherwise permanently marking them. On the contrary they were eager to get the process moving, as Carlisa indicated. “Yes, Eddy, we need a brand before we confront Cherry at St. Louis.”
Andrea held up her thumb as she commented, “You will also need to update all our data chips in the empire’s records area as soon as we arrive.”
I, as well as everyone else, tended to forget about our ‘personal data chips’. The chips were implanted under our thumbnails after we reached eighteen months, becoming ‘viable humans’ in the eyes of the empire.
The implanted chip held our complete identification including voice print, medical records, and DNA profile. Over the years it was updated at least annually, usually on our birthdays. Our thumb chip activated when we placed our thumbprint on a data scan plate. Complete personal medical record files were also contained in the chip for any medical emergency. The completeness of the available information made forgery and identity theft impossible.
I felt helpless as I again scanned the room. Anima saw my eyes and attempted a rescue.
“What about dye or ink marking?”
Crystal replied, “Not unheard of. The ink could mimic a tattoo brand.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as I said, “Good, I will not deface my slaves’ loveliness with permanent branding.”
Carlisa exclaimed, “Unless we request a brand!”
Andrea agreed. “Yes, Eddy, some of us need the very stability that the permanence of a hot iron brand on our flank gives us.”
I shook my head emphatically as I replied, perhaps over loudly, “No, my goddess. I can refuse you nothing BUT this I cannot do. I am unable to scar you. Let me smudge you with ink. Perhaps in time I would become comfortable with something more. Right now I could not visit violence on this body I cherish.”
Despite my protests my lovelies began to discuss an appropriate brand or tattoo. The irony of my slaves designing the instrument of their servitude was completely lost on them. I mentioned the irony to them. They were exceedingly not amused. Cara quickly replied, “If I am to display a mark of your ownership it should be stylish.”
Cara quickly completed a pen and ink drawing derived from our Shark logo. It was quickly approved by consensus of Shark’s crew.
This ‘dyed on’ tattoo would be an outline of our shark namesake inside a brightly multi colored boldly bordered eight-centimeter circle. The ‘tat’ would be located shoulder high on the left bicep. The slave dress would be modified to accommodate displaying this mark of their slavery.
Carlisa began to ponder aloud the possibilities of this design on a small piece of porcelain used as a piercing.
I asked, “Belly button perhaps?”
She answered brightly, “Clit hood or labia, I’m not sure. Possibly both!” At my shudder, Andrea giggled softly.
Charlie announced that she was designing my ‘scar’ brand. She offered to be the first recipient!
Crystal requested permission to launch a message probe to Athens and St. Louis registering my first slaver brand. With my approval, she quickly had the probes in motion.
I finally called a halt when Shark’s entire crew began discussing mass branding or tattooing as a gesture of solidarity and obedience. Our four AI were already displaying the new ‘tattoo’ mark on their biceps.
I put my arms around my Andrea pulling her back against me. I gently squeezed her left breast as I swept up her blonde mane with my right hand, kissing the nape of her neck. Andrea shivered as my right hand dropped, cupping her smooth sex. I sat with my face buried in her honey blonde mane. I turned my face to the side still maintaining my cheek’s loving contact with my Andrea’s gold curls. I asked if she was feeling better.
She understood my change of topic. I could hear the smile in her voice as she replied, “Yes, I shouldn’t have over reacted. All of my highborn friends have sexual relations within their families. It’s just…”
Suddenly she was turned to me hugging me with her face buried against my chest. I could feel her tears. She was speaking so quietly that I was barely hearing her as she said:
“…Daddy made overtures. I might even have ‘done’ something because I truly love my daddy. It’s just…” Her head came up. “…His requests were so dark and ugly. I just couldn’t! His requests became demands. I had to get away. That’s why I reacted so very strongly to your incest, Eddy. I was jealous of your loving bond with your mother. I wished I could have had one like it with my father.”
I leaned down to kiss away my goddess’s tears. I finally coaxed a smile. Andrea’s sunny countenance returned. She again faced forward and relaxed against me. My hands lightly rested on top of her thighs as my face returned to her blonde curls. I slowly relaxed into rhythm with my perfect goddess.
I woke up…
…My eyes snapped open as I started in surprise. Tiny Anima was sitting, straddling my legs, waking me with butterfly kisses.
Anima said, “Time for bed Eddy. You’ll be in this chair long enough, once the action starts.”
I started to speak. Anima hurriedly leaned forward kissing me with her tongue far into my mouth. As she sat back, Anima covered my mouth with her hand. She said, “Not another word, love. Come with me.”
Anima bounced to her feet. She pulled me out of the captain’s chair, leading me to the master cabin. As the door slid open, I saw Andrea and Molly in the center of our huge bed. They were kissing and caressing each other.
Anima stopped me at the doorway, turning me slightly so that I could see Charlie standing next to the captain’s chair with her hand raised. I nodded to her as I announced:
“Crystal, Charlie has the bridge.”
In a softer voice I said, “Thank you, Anima.”
Anima kissed me then pushed me toward the big bed. She stepped back onto the bridge as the door slid shut. Molly and Andrea beckoned to me as they separated slightly. I crawled between them. Andrea quickly had me positioned on my back. They both stretched out on top of me. Molly was giggling as she said, “This is very nice. I can see why you like it here.”
Andrea laughed along with her. They alternated kissing me. Their kisses were soft and loving, with little heat to them. It was not very long before Andrea rolled on her side with her back to me. Molly pushed me until I was spooned against Andrea. Molly positioned herself tightly against me back. I held Andrea’s left breast with her nipple in the palm of my right hand pulling her back to me. Molly lightly held my cock.
My face was lightly touching the feathery edges of Andrea’s blonde mane. I smelled her scent. Hearing her soft breathing while feeling Molly’s pulse against my back was the last thing I remembered.
I woke up…
I was flat on my back with tiny Anima lying on my chest waking me with butterfly kisses. Molly and Andrea were still with me tucked under each arm. Anima leaned forward kissing Molly first then Andrea. Anima sat up straddling my stomach.
Anima announced, “Shark is at DefCon One and one hour from ‘Point X.’”
I started to sputter. Molly took the opportunity to kiss me. When she lifted her head Andrea kissed me. Anima calmly replied, “You needed sleep, Eddy. We told Crystal, if the horn went off at DefCon One, we would disconnect her!”
The ‘Eddy’ had subtle significance. That was to let me know that in ‘this’ matter I was neither captain or master! I was just ‘Eddy’ and my ladies had decided.
Anima slid down my body and off the bed. Molly slowly slid across my body -- stopped for an open mouthed kiss with Andrea -- and off the bed. Andrea slid across my body toward the other side of the bed.
Beverly was at the foot of the bed ready to help me get ready. She led me into the shower and joined me under the rainfall of water, soaping me with soft caresses. Bev had something to tell me. “I don’t know how much you know about bot architecture.”
I smiled at her as I said, “Bev my love, I know less about bots than I do about women. “
Bev giggled. She was on her knees by now, soaping my back and butt. She continued,
“The bot brain structure is much like a humans in one aspect. We use only a small fraction of the available ‘real estate’ in our brains. Since you have included us in your training, Agatha and I are utilizing more of this area, an increase of more than twice. This translates into a logarithmic increase in processing power and speed. Thank you, Eddy, for making us full partners in your endeavor.”
With that, Bev turned me. She engulfed my cock, with her nose hitting my belly. Her swallows with me deep in her throat, combined with her enthusiastic face fucking, quickly had me spending in her mouth..
She smiled as she stood up and stepped out of the shower engaging the side sprays. Bev moved me into the drying chamber. When I came out She was ready with a big fluffy towel. I received a thorough rub down. Bev sat me down for a shave and haircut. Only when she was satisfied with my appearance was I allowed to move into the ready room to dress.
The uniform of the day would be black leather shirt and pants from Caddis with our black body armor and black boots. I would be carrying my wakizashi. My compact rail gun and sheathe knife would be in my belt.
Crystal announced the captain on the bridge. Charlie stood up from the command chair to greet me, with a deep kiss and full body hug. As I sat down, Andrea handed me my coffee mug with a kiss of her own.
I asked, “SitRep please Crystal?”
Crystal replied, “Shark is at DefCon One. We will be entering The Wastes in five minutes. We are less than fifteen minutes from Point X. Weapons and sensor stations fully manned with no contacts. Shark cloaked and all sensors in passive mode.”
“Thank you, Crystal.”
I looked around the bridge. All Sharks crew was in uniform and armor. They were wearing their wakizashi or had it close at hand.
We had modified Shark in light of our recent experiences. The interior bulkheads and doors were reinforced. We added field generators to secure interior spaces. All exterior hatches and locks had their own dedicated field generators. Three of our heavy armored space suits were leaning against a bridge bulkhead. The bridge itself had another shield generator to preserve its integrity even if the rest of the ship failed.
For our AI we installed a heavily reinforced box in a small annex to the hold. The box held a single unsegmented crystalline brain and memory with its own fusion power supply. The box also had a dedicated field generator. Crystal and the other AI moved ‘into’ this area. Crystal described it as being in a “swimming pool” with the other AI. She expected another increase in processing power by this cross-AI access.
I asked Crystal to put up a holo of the wastes with our position indicated. As we entered ‘bandit country’ the mood on the bridge became even more businesslike. Anima handed me my neural helmet. I sat quietly as the moment of disorientation passed. I toggled through the reports from each station. We were rapidly approaching ‘ambush’ Point X.
I said, “Crystal, at Point X please place Shark at an observation post overlooking the outbound trail.”
Crystal tucked Shark into a gap between two massive boulders. We were just off the main trail.
I said, “Aella, please report on recent trail activity.”
Aella replied, “The trail shows heavy propulsion residue. None recent, however.”
Andrea had a question. “What do we do when we spot a raider?”
I replied, “I want to follow him and see where he goes. Maybe learn something.”
Anima asked, “We just follow the first one who comes by?”
I replied contemplatively, “Yes. Until we know more, I’m not sure how to sort them.”
The crew nodded, as that made as much sense as anything.
Now we wait.
This is like any other still hunt. You sit in your blind waiting for game to blunder past, offering you a shot. Patience was never my strongest suit. My sharklings understood that, providing ample distraction.
The bridge was, for the most part, quiet as each crewmember focused on their assigned task.
Suddenly Aella announced, “Contact, Captain. I have a large signature approaching at warp 5.”
I said, “Please log this as contact Beta.”
Crystal put the contact in the holo with the ‘beta’ symbol. Beta moved into the outbound track.
I said, “Crystal, please follow at a discreet distance. Do not interfere unless he attempts to flee or commences hostile action.”
We joined the trail behind beta. The raider speed was in constant flux ranging from warp 4 to 6 in no particular pattern.
I asked nobody in particular, “Why doesn’t he go faster?”
Anima looked up from her console and replied, “What if he can’t? We keep assuming these guys have the best of everything. We saw some pretty poor quality equipment on Reprisal when raiders came to visit.”
Aella spoke up. “This is a very large signature captain. Not a warship. More likely a large armed transport. This might explain the lack of speed.”
Suddenly Daisy spoke up in some excitement. “Captain. The raider ship has an embedded ‘cloaked’ transponder. I have just received his squawk!”
Discipline dropped away for just a bit as an excited babble followed her announcement. I spoke over the noise. “Daisy, beta is a raider. Are you sure he has a transponder?”
Now I received a withering look from all Shark’s AI.
I quickly made amends. “I’m sorry, Daisy. I am confused, however.”
The crew began to speculate about the origin of the coding for the phantom ‘embedded’ transponders. Was this secret something that only the very highest circle of raider leadership was privy to? The odd route of our raider also fueled our speculation.
Beta crossed into empire territory, ignoring regular shipping lanes. He made several course changes as he moved among systems.
Suddenly Aella announced, “He’s found a rut.”
She put on view another pink passage in the holo display. Beta stayed in the center of this rut, moving at the same fluctuating speed.
I had a question. “Daisy, have we tried querying his transponder?”
“No, sir.”
“Send the signal.”
Seconds later Daisy said, “Transponder response identifies ship as Death Bringer. No indication that it is aware of our presence.”
Andrea was shuttling food and drink into our ready room. Molly rotated through the consoles, allowing crew to take a break from their vigilance.
Death Bringer slowed below light as it approached a system with a binary star in its center. Aella pronounced the system a massive pink ‘blob.’ This system had several small class ten planets with a wide but relatively loose asteroid belt.
Death Bringer took up a station at the starward side of the asteroid belt and uncloaked. Now we understood. Aella had been correct. Death Bringer was a massive transport with a few guns grafted onto the hull, seemingly at random. It also exhibited very poor maintenance.
I spoke up. “Crystal and Bev, please target Death Bringer’s engine, locks or hatches, and bridge, prepared to move in and fire immediately at my command.”
I received quick acknowledgments.
Shark stayed in the asteroids observing Death Bringer. Simultaneously Aella and Daisy announced a contact.
Aella said, “Signature entering system at .80 light.”
Daisy said, “Ship entering system with transponder. Our query identifies with squawk as Enigma.”
Shortly a ship with a free trader emblem on the bow came into sight slowing until it was hovering close to Death Bringer.
As I realized what was happening I became very angry. “Son of a BITCH!”
I continued, slightly calmer. “This is a regular rendezvous point. The smugglers exchange cargos with the raiders.”
What happened next was so sudden and unexpected we did not react in time.
Death Bringer moved slightly, firing on Enigma. One shot almost surgically peeled Enigma’s engines off while leaving her hull intact.
At their yes I said, “Please execute now.”
Shark was uncloaked and in motion immediately. Close in to Death Bringer’s engines Bev fired. Then we quickly moved up their port side with Bev firing into every lock and hatch opening we passed. At Death Bringer’s bow Bev slammed two fast shots into the command area.
Shark cloaked, slipping back into the fringe of the asteroids to observe the results of our attack. Death Bringer was shuddering in death throes. The engine shot had initiated several secondary explosions. The gusts of air accompanying the shots into the locks indicated a total lack of internal bulkhead security. The shots into the bow had opened huge rents in Death Bringer’s hull.
I asked, “SitRep please.”
Agatha replied, "No life signs from raider. Raider has no engines, no internal power, and no life support. No indication of atmosphere in any compartment."
The radio was alive with constant yelping queries from Enigma requesting our identity and intentions. I ignored them.
I said very calmly, “Prepare to board Death Bringer to retrieve AI. Crystal and Agatha, join me in the hold for suit up. Bev, please target Enigma. Andrea has the bridge.”
To their credit our crew took this entire episode in stride. Agatha helped me suit up in my heavy armored space suit handing me the plasma cutter as I entered the lock. Crystal climbed on the suit’s back.
Andrea was showing off just a bit as she positioned Shark’s lock a long step from hull breaches in the bow of Death Bringer. I stood on Death Bringer’s hull, looping the tether line for the portable sensor array around an antenna, just before I tossed the array through a tear in the bow.
Agatha reported, "The portable sensor is optimal. Reading entire interior of ship. No life signs. No atmosphere in any compartment. No life support. No power.”
I quickly retrieved a combination beacon and transponder from my suit. I spot-welded the transponder housing to the raider hull just above my entry point. I toggled it on.
Andrea reported, "Beacon is transmitting. Transponder is responding."
I enlarged the opening in the hull then stepped on to the bridge of Death Bringer. The carnage inside was extensive and graphic. Ruined bodies were everywhere. There was an ugly scene as I shifted bodies and parts of bodies away from the access panel for the AI.
The AI transfer process if not routine was becoming at least ‘calmer’ for me. I quickly had the panels open with the AI hooked up to the portable power supply. Crystal approved the final disconnection.
As we emerged Andrea brought Shark in close. Andrea kept Shark blocking Enigma from our activities. Crystal and I locked through into Shark’s hold. Agatha was there to help me put the new AI in the anti-grav cart. Agatha helped guide the cart to the bridge.
The crew already had the access panels removed where I would be installing the AI. The other AI were there to join Crystal in supervising my installation. Once again Crystal was meticulous in placing the AI core as I made the power and system connections.
Suddenly a new entity appeared on the bridge. Another tall, long legged blonde with an over large chest popped into view. She identified herself as ‘Bringer’ from the ship Death Bringer.
I asked, “Bringer, 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?"
Bringer looked at me as she said, “Yes, Captain. I give you my complete loyalty and allegiance.”
Crystal announced, “Bringer is intimately tied to the other AI and thus unable to lie. She is a fully loyal member of our crew.”
I said, “Bringer your name is a remnant of your raider life and is inappropriate for your new existence. Your new Shark name is Melete.”
Bringer/Melete smiled as she said, “Thank you, Captain. I am pleased that you would name me.”
I had another question. “Melete, before you begin the task of integration what is one piece of information that I, as your new captain, should have immediately?”
Melete answered quickly, “My home base is on an otherwise uninhabited planet. It is a transshipment point for guns and equipment with several warehouses. Eight ships and crews are based there permanently.”
I announced to the bridge, “Please confer with Melete. Locate this raider base. Set course to that location. That is our next stop.”
“Crystal, SitRep for Enigma please.”
Crystal quickly replied, “Captain. Enigma has no engines. Life support power is irregular. Enigma is losing atmosphere, causing crew to isolate several compartments. Enigma is under the influence of the binary gravity well. Enigma’s situation is deteriorating rapidly.”
I said, “Thank you, Crystal. Have we probed Enigma?”
Abbi responded, “Captain, probes show crew of one human female and two bot females. The cargo holds have a mixed cargo. We are able within a reasonable confidence level to identify three large lots, those being bots, assault rifles, and propulsion parts. The other items are in numerous small lots.”
That ID created a modest buzz on the bridge. I said, “Yes, that sounds like just what the raiders would need. The big question, however, ladies. What is on Enigma? What is so fucking important that it made Death Bringer double cross a trusted supplier?
I continued, “Crystal please open a channel to Enigma. It’s time her captain found out that she is my slave.”
Without delay we heard from Captain Lucina Bowen of the Free Trader Enigma. I was finally able to break in on her tirade to inform her that she was ‘salvage’ and that Shark would be taking her in tow immediately. Captain Bowen responded by powering up her gun and bringing Enigma’s targeting online.
I was on the radio instantaneously. “Captain Bowen. Stand down at once. Your continuing to power your armaments is provocative, and will NOT be tolerated. Cease and desist NOW! Your ship is targeted. We will fire on you.”
After a significant pause, Enigma’s gun and targeting went off line.
I said, “Now I’m going to take that bitch in tow. I should just fucking shoot her and be done with it.”
Crystal said, “Captain, Melete has a suggestion.”
Melete had a terrific suggestion.
Death Bringer transferred cargo by coming along side another craft, pulling into position with cables and sealing the hold locks together. This allowed cargo and personnel to move between ships without suits.
Melete showed a holo of Death Bringer maneuvering next to Enigma on their last rendezvous.
Crystal said, “Captain, Shark has winch and cable more than adequate to affect that type of lock to lock joining.”
I spoke up in my command voice:
“Andrea has the bridge. Bev and Agatha are with me to operate winches. Cara and Abbi take over weapons consoles. Charlie, Anima and Carlisa you are the boarding party. Combat personal weapons. Needle gun with shotgun under-barrels. Tungsten shot loads. Shock collars on the bots. Carlisa, I want that bitch trussed up. Move it.”
I was back in the hold climbing into my armored suit then entering the lock. Andrea and Crystal had Shark along side Enigma.
Bev and Agatha had the winches free spool. I pulled the first cable across the intervening space between Shark and Enigma. I used a shackle to connect the cable to the pad eye next to the air lock. I had one more cable connected close to the lock, with two more connected, one forward and one aft of the lock.
At my signal, Bev and Agatha began to tension the cables. With the cables drawing up and minor corrections from the steering jets, Shark moved into position. I stayed next to Enigma using a pry bar to make the final mating adjustments. I bolted several clamps around each of the four sides of the final seam sealing Shark’s lock to Enigma’s.
Bev had Shark’s lock slightly over pressurized as she opened Enigma’s lock from outside using the emergency lock opening protocol. The inrush of air confirmed Enigma’s lack of hull integrity. Crystal isolated Shark’s hold as she began pumping atmosphere into the lock to be channeled into Enigma.
The boarding party did not wait; with Charlie leading, they charged into Enigma, taking control of the ship. They placed the Enigma crew in custody.
I locked through the personnel lock, removing my armored suit in the hold. I returned to the bridge, where Crystal announced my arrival.
I had more orders for Shark. “We have two issues at least with Enigma -- damage control and inspection. I want Crystal, Abbi and Cara to remain on the bridge. Cara has the bridge, with Abbi on weapons. Everybody else is on Enigma. Andrea has damage control, with Charlie in charge of search. I want Shark AI to strip Enigma’s AI of her entire memory. Questions?”
At the negative headshakes I said, “Move it.”
Then I smiled and said, “Please.”
There was a sudden movement toward the lock. Several crewmembers stopped for a swift kiss on their way past me.
I asked, “Crystal, can we stay ahead of the atmosphere Enigma is losing?”
She replied, “Yes, captain. I have isolated our hold connecting the lock to Enigma. Currently I have an overpressure of 10 millibars in that hold. I am scanning to identify Enigma hull breaches for Andrea.”
I said, “Okay, loves. I’m picking up some items in my ready room then I’m on Enigma. Cara has the bridge. Maintain DefCon One please. This is bandit country.”
As the sliding door to my ready room closed behind me I had to smile. I wondered just how ‘trussed’ I would find Captain Lucina. Carlisa had become Shark’s submissive! It had no affect on her performance; Carlisa was an aggressive, ‘take charge’ trooper. In private she was a bondage freak. I don’t know if her kink was a result of her previous treatment on Reprisal, or an outgrowth of my rescue.
Carlisa relished being tied in intricate knots of rope in increasingly painful constrictions. She achieved orgasm by her helpless availability to my whims as well as fighting the ropes. I was her favorite, but when I was unavailable any of our crew would do.
After one particular episode I suspended tightly bound Anima upside down from the ceiling by her left ankle. This little learning experience curbed Anima’s burgeoning female ‘dom’ side.
The bots would have ‘shock collars’ of course. The collars were designed to stun and immobilize a bot by application of a voltage to the brain case. The fact was that the excess voltage would burn out the bot brain, killing the bot! This was well known in the bot community. The collars received great respect from bots.
I opened a discreet panel on my desk removing a special tonfa. This held tech of the ‘old ones’ that Demarest never shared. My tonfa was copper and brass with silver contacts on the long rear head. I pressed the small button on the handle head. The long rear handle was surrounded by a blue corona accompanied by a hissing and crackling noise. The actual tech was silent. Sensei added the light and sound effects.
I pulled on my gloves as I tucked the copper tonfa in my belt adding my Shark tanto. Leaving the ready room I waved at Cara, Abbi and Crystal on my way to meet the captain of Enigma.
I entered Enigma’s bridge to find a tableau. Anima sat on a high stool with her assault rifle across her knees. .
Twin bots, Aurora and Dawn, knelt in front of Anima with their wrists shackled behind their backs. The cuffs holding the bots wrists were also from the metal smiths of Caddis. I think they were less an incentive to their quiet attentive postures than the neck collars. Anima had the collar control in her left hand with her assault rifles shot gun under barrel also toward the two bots.
Turning I had my first view of naked Captain Lucina Bowen. Lucina was on her back. Lucina was a blonde, having the tall, slender, long-legged build common to spacers. Carlisa had clearly gone all out!
Lucina had a ball gag held in place by a full head bridle. Her body was pulled into an exaggerated ‘bow’ by Carlisa’s ropes. Lucina’s wrists were bound together in front with a steel rod placed inside her elbow joints behind her back. The elbow rod was connected to Lucina’s ankles pulling them back an almost impossible posture. Her bridle was also connected to the elbow rod pulling her head back sharply.
I greeted Lucina by kicking her in the side just below her diaphragm. Air whistled out of her nostrils as she flinched. I dropped to my right knee as I pinched her nose while covering her mouth with my gloved hand. Tightly trussed Lucina had NO ability to move. Her eyes widened in panic, she could not inhale through her gag and my glove.
I relented allowing her to breath. Staying on my knees keeping in Lucina’s limited sightline. Still silent I next showed her the special tonfa. I pressed the button allowing her to observe the corona light show. I released the button.
I very slowly and gently pushed the rear long handle into Lucina’s right armpit. Her eyes were mostly ‘whites’ by this time. Finally I spoke to her quietly with a calm cadence:
“Lucina, I am extremely angry with you. You traded with the raiders. Far worse, you were going to shoot at Shark. Lucina, I am going to ask you some questions. If the answers are unsatisfactory, then I am going to do THIS!”
I pressed the button.
Lucina’s entire body contorted against the ropes as every pain receptor in her body fired at the same instant, subjecting her brain to extreme visceral pain overloading. She tried to bite through the ball gag, her throat bulging as she attempted without success to scream in agony. Her bowel and bladder emptied on the deck. Simultaneously every muscle in her body flexed and then completely relaxed.
I completely understood Lucina’s agony. Sensei applied this tonfa to me repeatedly so that I would be very very clear about the pain I was inflicting.
When her eyes cleared I was still kneeling in the same place with my tonfa in hand. Again quietly I said, “Lucina, if the answers continue to be unpleasing to me, then I will do THIS!”
I placed the silver tip of the long handle of the tonfa against the soft skin just below her navel as I pressed the button. This time her muscles knotted so violently that she actually lifted up slightly.
I was still patiently kneeling as Lucina’s eyes opened. The air was whistling through Lucina’s nose as she attempted to get her breath. Terror was writ large on her face as Lucina watched me tuck the tonfa in my belt and draw my tanto. I dropped its sheath, showing Lucina the naked blade. The light reflected off the shinogi, the grind ridge, into Lucina’s eyes. Again calmly, quietly, in deadly earnest I said, “Lucina, we are alone here far from any authority. You will answer all my questions fully. You will volunteer information. You will make a complete accounting. Failing that I will cut your throat with this very blade and cycle your bled-out body through the nearest air lock.”
Lucina fainted.
I picked up the tanto sheath and stood up. I sheathed the tanto and tucked it in my boot. I looked over at Anima. She was intently watching the bots. I asked, “You need relief, love?”
“No captain. Under control. You should let Carlisa play with that bitch. She’ll sing like a fucking bird!”
I stretched thinking about my next moves. Looking down I saw Lucina’s eyes flutter open. I decided anticipation would be best for Lucina. I ignored her.
I said, “Anima you have the bridge. Any problems - kill them!”
Her yes, Captain followed me into the hold. I found Charlie and Carlisa with Bev and Agatha moving crates and boxes trying to inventory the cargo and match the manifest.
Andrea had a holo of Enigma with the major leakage points marked. Molly was scribing a pattern on an interior bulkhead. Molly stopped long enough to show me the problem with her work light.
A corner of the hold was badly cracked by Death Bringer’s cannon shot. I was to cut out the patch she was marking, and weld it into the position she indicated, blocking and isolating that entire failing corner.
I went to work, cutting out and then welding the plate into the corner. Molly and Andrea located the next major leak before I was done. This one was easier as I laid a large plate over the hole, using T-welds to seal the plate seams. Two more leaks needed only additional welding beads, laid over and in the stress cracks. The last leak was another long crack. I first laid some beads in the crack to arrest further migration, then a large plate sealed the hole, while strengthening the entire site. The seal welds around this plate perimeter seams took some time. I threw down the stinger announcing, “Done.”
I looked around as Andrea tossed me a container of water. I drank some and dumped some over my head. I shook out my wet hair. Molly and Charlie retaliated by squirting me with their water. Andrea squirted Molly. It was a free for all for a few minutes. Shortly, wet, laughing, beautiful women were sitting on boxes and crates relaxing.
I said, “I don’t see why I had to do all this fucking welding and patching. Isn’t this a double wall hull?”
Andrea asked, “What makes you think that, love?”
I pointed to the hold wall where it was clear a second hull was behind an interstitial space. In one motion all my sharklings were on their feet. Andrea and Molly were grabbing drills as Charlie and Carlisa picked up their probes and hand scanners. Agatha and Bev were moving crates away from each ‘now’ obvious double walled space.
First the hole was drilled then the cavity was scanned with the needed larger aperture marked for me. I would be using the plasma cutter to enlarge each breech. As I moved from each larger opening Charlie and Carlisa followed behind with more probes and scans of this previously hidden space.
We found six concealed spaces. Each tightly packed space held six stasis couches. We finally relieved Anima. We sent our tiny explorer into one of the spaces to discover what were in the stasis couches?
Anima crawled across the couches to the end of that interstitial space. She quietly crawled out. She refused to talk as she moved to the next concealed space. Anima repeated this six times. Finally, she joined us in the center of Enigma’s hold. I tossed her a bottle of water. She drank half of it, as she turned to me. She said, “I’m ready to report, Captain.”
I said, “By all means, Anima, please make your report.”
Anima said, “Captain, I found thirty-six stasis couches. All couches in good condition with the readouts in optimal ranges. All the occupants are alive and well.”
Anima paused as she looked around the hold at the rest of us. She continued:
“The occupants are Stepfords. All thirty six couches are each occupied by a Stepford.”