Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 The Librarian

   By deGaffer

   Copyright (c) 2008 by deGaffer

   SUMMARY: A wealthy and politically connected college librarian
manipulates a group of students and encourages them to put together a team
that the Confederacy shouldn't ignore.
UNIVERSE: The Swarm Cycle
WARNING: This story contains material unsuitable for minors and
narrow-minded individuals.  It probably contains sex, violence, and other
socially unacceptable material.  You have been warned!
CONTENT: MF ScFi
This story is set in the Swarm Cycle Universe created by Thinking
Horndog.  Get a grip; this is fiction.  Any resemblance between the content
of this story or any of the characters depicted herein with real persons,

places or events is totally coincidental.

   It started with a simple concept that should have been a short story,
but it seems to have morphed into an epic saga of scheming, planning,
deception, and of course, sex.

   I very much appreciate the patience and efforts of Mulligan.  His help
has made this a much better story.  I claim full responsibility for all
errors and omissions.

   Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyrighted with all
rights reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.  Reproduction
for profit is forbidden.  Any distribution must include this note and the
author's email address.

   CHAPTER 28: Pulling It Off

   Janet, Misty and Ralph were having dinner across the campus at 'The
Bistro', which was anything but.  It wasn't a dive; it was just poorly
named.

   Their waitress, Peggy, kept her left profile away from the trio.  But
Janet caught a glimpse of a blackened eye and swollen cheek as Peggy made
notes on her pad.  Looking closer, Janet noticed that the bright red
lipstick and heavy makeup were masking a swollen lip.  There were even some
old purple and yellow bruises on her forearms.

   Peggy was about 5'5" tall and a matronly 140 pounds.  She had muscular
legs, a bit of a potbelly, and a chest measurement that exceeded Janet's by
at least two inches.  Her brown hair showed some gray flecks and was mostly
gray at her temples.  She had slightly bloodshot brown eyes that were
constantly in motion.

   "It's too bad we're not going to walk with the graduating class.  My Pop
is going to be upset about that." Misty was making small talk as she
watched dark clouds pass over Janet's expression as their waitress came and
went.

   Ralph nodded, "Mine, too.  But we need to be in Virginia before the
commencement ceremony is scheduled.  We're going to be lucky to get our
diplomas before we head out, right Janet?"

   After a brief silence, Janet looked at Ralph, "Hum?"

   Misty looked a bit concerned, "What has you distracted, Janet?"

   "Our waitress," Janet replied.  "I'm pretty sure she's being abused by
someone.  She even has a slight limp."

   Ralph agreed, "Yeah, I noticed her make some awkward moves to keep her
left side away from us."

   While Ralph was standing at the register, a burly man came in, grabbed
Peggy by the arm, and got in her face.  Peggy was clearly cowed and
appeared to agree with everything the man said to her.  She gave him
something from her pocket without even looking at it.

   Janet wandered over to the frightened woman after the man left and
asked, "What time do you get off, Peggy?"

   "Midnight," Peggy answered before thinking.  She was very apprehensive
when she made eye contact with Janet.

   "Would it be alright if my friends and I come back?  I'd like to talk
with you in private," Janet did her best to reassure the woman with a
comforting touch.

   "I can't spend much time or I'll miss my bus.  I have to get home so
that my babysitter can get home," Peggy explained.

   "My friend at the register has a car.  We can give you a ride home and
talk then, okay?" It was clear that Janet wasn't going to take 'No' for an
answer.  Peggy just nodded.  Janet then asked, "Do we come inside, wait out
front, or is there a backdoor that you use when locking up?"

   Peggy was hesitant again, but answered, "I go out the door near the
north corner of the building."

   "We'll be there at midnight," Janet assured her.

   "What's going on?" Ralph asked as they walked across the parking lot
toward his car.

   "We're coming back at midnight to give Peggy a ride home.  If we play
our cards right, she just may give you a ride, Ralph." Janet smiled at her
tall friend.

   "I get more than enough rides from the two of you," Ralph responded.  "I
don't need any more."

   "Then I might just have to get you some help," Janet added with a
giggle. "I'm going to need four more companions in less than two months.  I
have a feeling we just found the wet-nurse Misty and I spoke about a few
months ago." Misty smiled and nodded agreement.

   They didn't have to wait long.  At midnight on the dot Peggy emerged
from the building.  Janet stepped out of the car to greet her and led her
to the passenger door where she could give directions to Ralph.

   "Why are you doing this?" Peggy was clearly nervous from being in a car
with three strangers.

   "I think we can develop a mutually beneficial relationship if you're
open to leaving Earth and having sex with the three of us and three others
to be named later." Janet just laid all of her cards on the table at once.

   It was too much for Peggy.  She cowered against the door, "Please, I
have three young children.  The youngest is just five weeks old.  Don't
hurt me.  I don't think I can take being hurt again right now."

   Ralph and Janet both said, "We're not going to hurt you." Ralph mumbled,
"Sorry to interrupt, Janet."

   Janet asked, "Does your husband beat you often?"

   "Victor isn't my husband, but he is the father of my baby girl," Peggy
replied hesitantly.

   "Was that Victor in the diner earlier this evening?" Peggy just nodded
in answer to Janet's question.

   Peggy spoke to Ralph, "Turn left at the second light.  My apartment
building is on the right three blocks after the turn." Ralph just nodded.

   "Yes, that was Victor.  He took my tip money and I'm barely going to
have enough to pay Anita everything I owe her," Peggy lamented.

   "I'm sure this isn't the first time," Janet commented.  "How old is
Anita?"

   "She's a very responsible sixteen-year-old who lives two floors above
me," Peggy answered.  "That's my building there.  Thanks for the ride."

   "May we come up with you?  I'd really like to talk with you about
joining my family group.  I need a good mother.  Do you think you can be a
stay-at-home mom?" Janet started pitching hard as Ralph parked the car.

   "How many kids do you have?" Peggy asked as they walked across the
parking lot to the old building.

   "None at the moment," Janet answered smiling, "But I hope to have
several this time next year." Peggy gave her a puzzled look, but didn't
comment.

   The four got off of the elevator on Peggy's floor and waited as she
unlocked the door to her apartment.  Inside the apartment, they found Anita
curled up in the corner closest to the door crying.  Her clothes were torn
and there was blood on her pubic hair and legs.

   "What happened?" Peggy gasped as she knelt in front of the terrified
girl.

   "I don't know what to do," Anita spoke trough her sobs.  "I know I'm not
supposed to have visitors, but my boyfriend was here with me when Victor
came in.  He ran Bobby off and threatened to tell my parents he was here
unless I was nice to him.  I tried to stop him, but he ripped my dress
open, tore my panties off, and raped me.  I can't go home like this.  If
Mom finds out that I let Bobby in here, she'll throw me out.  You know how
she is."

   "Where's Victor now?" Ralph asked as Misty was dialing emergency
services.

   Anita pointed toward the hall, "I think he passed out in your bedroom."

   Misty spoke into her phone, "Yes, I'd like to report a rape.  I need an
ambulance and a squad car.  The rapist is still inside the apartment,
please hurry." Misty stayed on the line giving additional information.  In
less than ten minutes, two uniformed officers were knocking on the door.

   Misty let the policemen and the female detective who was close behind
them into the apartment.  She gave the officers a brief description of
Victor and told him she believed he was in one of the bedrooms.  Anita
hadn't moved.  After a brief glance in her direction, the two officers
moved quickly across the living room.  The officer in the lead drew his
nightstick, and the other one drew his revolver.

   Anita tried to hide when the two officers brought Victor through the
room in handcuffs.  She was nearly hysterical, and the responding paramedic
gave her a sedative to calm her before they strapped her to the stretcher
and took her to the hospital.  Misty rode to the hospital with Anita while
Ralph and Janet stayed with Peggy.

   "When Anita recovers from her trauma, you may have only two slots to
fill, Janet," Ralph observed.  Janet just nodded as she held the distraught
Peggy.  The three of them fell asleep on the couch.

   *-*-*

   "Mom, there's a Decurion Chalmers on the phone for you," Sarita shouted
from the kitchen.

   Lesa was already on her way back to the kitchen after changing out of
her work clothes.  She gave Sarita a puzzled look as she picked up the
phone.  "This is Lesa Crews, how may I help you?"

   The voice on the phone was clear and confident, "Mrs.  Crews, I'm
Decurion Chalmers of the Confederacy Civil Service.  I had the pleasure of
speaking with an acquaintance of yours earlier this year, Mr.  Jacob
Caulfield.  He's a very impressive young man.  The project he initiated is
doing quite well.  But, I didn't call to speak with you about that project.
I have a Captain McGregor of the Confederacy Space Marines in my office. 
He knows another acquaintance of yours, Lieutenant Marvin Clark who is also
of the Confederacy Space Marines.  He's very impressed with your talents
and would very much like to meet with you at your earliest convenience."

   Lesa's head was spinning, "Why would he want to speak with me?"

   "This is not a secure line," Decurion Chalmers explained.  "It's in
regard to a project of yours that Lt.  Clark has related to Capt. 
McGregor."

   "Yes, of course," Lesa felt very much like she was under a microscope.
"When and where would be a good time?"

   "I don't want to put you to any trouble, Mrs.  Crews," Chalmers voice
carried an apologetic tone.  "Would it be acceptable for the two of us to
stop by your residence this evening after dinner?  Would eight or nine
o'clock be convenient?"

   "Let's make it nine o'clock," Lesa suggested.  "That will give me a
chance to get my younger children into bed."

   "Yes, of course," Chalmers acknowledged.  "The captain and I will call
on you at nine.  Good evening until then."

   "Do you ..." Lesa was going to inquired whether or not they needed
directions, but the call had been terminated.

   Sarita gave her mother a questioning look.  Lesa told her, "We'll be
having company after dinner tonight.  Do we have any kind of cookies that
would go with tea?"

   Sarita suggested, "Lorna Doones?"

   Lesa nodded, "Let's get dinner started.  I'm not expecting Jake tonight,
but you never know."

   After dinner, Lesa showered and changed into one of the short halter
dresses with a maternity panel that she had purchased while shopping with
Leslie.  It was a floral pattern in shades of gold, yellow, and orange. 
She considered wearing stockings, but decided to just shave her legs and
wear a pair of beige high-heeled sandals.

   Sarita wore a similar outfit, except in shades of brown with a pair of
brown flats.  Neither of them wore anything beneath the simple dresses.

   Lesa had just added boiling water to the teapot and covered it with the
cozy when the doorbell rang precisely at nine.  Two incredibly tall men in
uniform filled the doorway when she opened it to admit her guests.  "Good
evening, Mrs.  Crews," The man in the gray uniform spoke up.  "I'm Decurion
Chalmers and this is Captain McGregor." Lesa extended her hand to each of
the men.

   "Please, come in," Lesa said as she stepped aside to admit the pair. 
"If you will step into the study to your right, we can get comfortable."

   Sarita came in with the tea service before anyone was seated.  She
placed the tray on a low table in front of a love seat.  "This is my
daughter, Sara.  It will save me having to repeat everything if she can
also be present.  Sara and I have no secrets and she is fully aware of all
of my current activities."

   "Including ..." Chalmers gave Lesa a questioning look.

   Lesa stroked her swollen abdomen.  "Yes, she knows that I'm carrying
Jacob Caulfield's son.  She is also fully informed of our plans to entice
the Confederacy into extracting a rather large number of individuals in the
near future.  I assume one of you spoke with Confederacy contacts in
Washington and arranged the award presentation to Admiral Grayson in
Arlington when our scheme for a seminar in Atlanta fell apart."

   Lesa looked at Sarita, "Would you be Mother, dear?" Lesa and Sarita sat
at opposite ends of the coffee table giving them a strategic advantage over
the two Confederacy officers because they could not watch both of them at
the same time.

   As Sarita began pouring tea into the porcelain cups, Capt.  McGregor
responded, "Yes, I'm aware that one of our contacts in the Pentagon
forwarded a recommendation to a key congressman who then initiated the
necessary paperwork.  I assume you have had discussions with Mrs.  Grayson
about the significance of the award ceremony?"

   Sarita interrupted to ask how they took their tea.  When everyone was
served and Sarita had resumed her seat, Lesa responded, "Yes, Martha and I
have become close friends in the last few months."

   Capt.  McGregor looked around the well-appointed study.  "You have a
beautiful home, Mrs.  Crew." He lifted his teacup.  "And clearly understand
civilized customs such as this, but I understand from Master Gunnery
Sergeant Budzinski that you also have a firm grasp of uncivilized customs
as well."

   "Budzinski was extremely impressed with you and your associates at the
dependent pickup that you arranged.  The sergeant is very disappointed that
he missed the opportunity to meet you in person.  I believe you've only
seen him from a distance." McGregor glanced at Sarita and decided not to
reference Lesa's proficiency with telescopic sights.  He could tell that
Lesa was uncomfortable with the implied subject as well.

   McGregor took a sip of tea and sat back before continuing, "Standing
orders are to stun all armed civilians within a containment field. 
Sergeant Budzinski convinced me that it would have been a disaster if he
had tried to followed those orders.  His assessment was that your people
were too well equipped and trained.  He was convinced that a confrontation
would have resulted in the loss of his entire extraction squad.  I found
his assessment incredulous until I examined the surveillance records.  Why
didn't those men try to force their way into the transporter?"

   Lesa smiled, "Ah, you're speaking of the guards I engaged to protect my
friends before and after the Confederacy Marines were in a position to
protect them.  It's very simple, really.  They were being paid to do a
specific job.  Those men take pride in their work and can be counted on to
complete the task they have agreed to accomplish."

   McGregor asked, "Would it be possible for you to introduce us to them,
and perhaps your father as well?"

   Lesa's expression went instantly cold and became totally unreadable. 
Even Sarita felt the chill that descended on the room.  "I'm no longer in
contact with any of them, or with my father."

   "Yes, of course," McGregor backpedaled as quickly as possible.  "There
are certain other officials who would very much like to meet him as well.
My interest is organizing an apolitical resistance force that can remain
effective even after the Sa'arm arrive."

   Lesa warmed slightly, "If I were to get a message to them, how could
they contact you?"

   Chalmers spoke up, "Through my office here in Atlanta." He pulled out a
few business cards and left them on the table with the tea service.  "Is
there anything I can do to assist with your group's availability in June?"

   Lesa shook her head, "Nothing comes to mind.  I have a rather large
block of rooms reserved at the Hilton.  Travel arrangements have not been
finalized, but I don't anticipate difficulty getting my extended family to
the award celebration."

   "Excellent," McGregor added.  "They should be in the hotel or at the
award ceremony, and not out shopping or sightseeing."

   Lesa's smile returned, "Thank you for the insight.  Is there is anything
else we need to discuss?"

   McGregor nodded, "I'm reluctant to discuss this with your daughter
present, but in light of you assurance that she is fully aware of your
activities I have been authorized to extend an offer to you.  You have a
very interesting history, Mrs.  Crews.  You have been instrumental in the
development of more than one emerging country.  I believe you have
personally determined the outcome of more than one election using an
ancient process for removing objectionable candidates."

   Lesa took a breath to comment, but McGregor held up his hand, "Please, I
admire your courage and commitment.  Not many would make such unilateral
decisions without so much as consulting superiors, friends, or relatives. I
could not have done what you have done, but I concur with every one of your
documented actions."

   McGregor finished his tea while gathering his thoughts.  "I've looked at
your CAP test results in detail.  Your organizational skills alone should
have you in the sevens.  Your ability to make hard decisions under pressure
and your amazing list of successes should have your score higher, perhaps
into the eights.  It was confusing; so, I enlisted the assistance of my
ship's AI to explain it to me.  The fact that you have little regard for
authority and base all of your decisions on independent information and
thought processes makes you a severe threat to the Confederacy.  They don't
want people like you in charge of forces that can be turned against them at
any time."

   Lesa smiled, "I think the old British Navy had a term for that
personality trait.  They called them 'loose cannons'."

   McGregor smiled in return, "Just so.  Loose cannons are a bad thing when
attacking an enemy, but when you've been boarded, they can be of great
benefit to the defenders.  I'm authorized to offer you a command position
in the Earth Militia pending completion of military training at an
off-Earth facility.  You will hold the rank of Colonel and be authorized to
select four concubines.  The only proviso is that you return to Earth and
remain within the local solar system until the Confederacy forces stand
down.  I cannot guarantee your extraction when Earth is overrun by Sa'arm."

   Sarita looked at her mother in amazement.  She had so many questions,
but knew instinctively that now was not the time.  Lesa smiled at her
daughter before turning a serious expression toward Capt.  McGregor.  "What
about my family?"

   "Your family may reside at the location of your choice." McGregor took a
less certain expression before continuing.  "I believe arrangements can be
made for you to visit with them once or twice a year if you choose a
residence for them other than within the local solar system.  I intend to
find others with your distinctive qualities and make them a similar offer.
That should increase the probability that visits can be arranged."

   Lesa sat in deep thought for a moment; then asked, "When must I give you
my decision?"

   McGregor smiled as he smelled success, "Sometime in early June will be
fine.  One more item that's a request from Sergeant Budzinski, he would
like for you to bring examples of the equipment you and your associates
used during the dependent extraction and secure them in your hotel room in
Arlington." McGregor had a distinct twinkle of mirth in his eyes when he
added, "I think he's a dedicated admirer, Mrs.  Crews, of both you and your
collection."

   Lesa returned the smile, "I should think he would be rather annoyed with
me."

   "Oh, he is," McGregor responded.  "I'm sure that's why he's such an
admirer.  Few people can annoy the good Sergeant in the manner you have."

   Lesa laughed, "I look forward to meeting him.  Is there anything else we
need to discuss?  It's getting late, and Sara has school tomorrow."

   When McGregor and Chalmers shook their heads, everyone stood and made
their way to the front door.  "Thank you for your concern, gentlemen," Lesa
said as they left.

   When the door closed, Sarita looked at her mother, "Wow, that was some
battle of wits, and those guys are real heavyweights!"

   Lesa laughed, "Yes they are, aren't they?"

   Sarita took on a serious and somewhat tentative expression, "What was
all that about you determining the outcome of elections?"

   Lesa sighed, "I really didn't want you to ever know about that part of
my life." She hesitated a bit before continuing.  "The world is full of
people who rise to the top on the bodies of others.  Your Grandpa Dean gave
me the opportunity to see the real world, and I didn't always like what I
saw.  I learned a great many skills from some of his associates and applied
some of those skills to eliminate candidates that I found particularly
objectionable."

   "Eliminate?" Sarita turned a puzzled expression toward her mother.

   Sighing, Lesa said, "Yes, dear, eliminate.  I either had them killed, or
I killed them myself."

   Sarita was frozen in shock with her mouth hanging open.  She looked at
the sudden stranger who was her mother.  The woman was standing there
holding out her arms inviting an embrace, but not advancing.  Sarita
stepped into the embrace and held her mother for a very long time before
the two of them went upstairs.

   *-*-*

   Janet opened one eye and saw a five-year-old girl with the thumb of one
hand in her mouth and a blanket gripped in the other hand.  She closed her
eye and then opened both eyes.  The kid was still there.  "Hello, what's
your name?" Janet heard her own voice, but the apparition didn't
acknowledge her existence.  Now that she had both eyes functional she could
see that the little girl was not looking at her.  She was looking just off
to her left.  Janet looked to her left and recognized Peggy, the waitress
from last night.

   After forcing herself to sit up, Janet looked around the incredibly
neat, although rundown, apartment.  Ralph was on the other side of Peggy
with his head at an impossible angle.  It was on top of the back of the
couch.  She could see that he was breathing; so, he wasn't dead.  Peggy had
her head on Ralph's shoulder.

   Looking down, Janet found that she was still in yesterday's clothes. 
She found her watch.  It was on her arm right were she had left it.  Shit!
It was after seven!  Where was Misty?  Oh yeah, she had gone to the
hospital with the baby sitter, what was her name?  She couldn't remember.

   "Ralph," Janet's throat was dry.  "Ralph!  We need to get moving.  It's
after seven in the morning."

   "Huh, what?" Ralph had trouble getting his head vertical.  When he saw
the little girl he said, "Hello, who are you?"

   Janet was beginning to wonder if the girl was a statue.  Since Ralph
could also see her, she was probably not a hallucination.  When Peggy
showed signs of life, the girl spoke.  "Mommy, I'm hungry." It was kind of
garbled because the thumb was still in her mouth.

   Janet heard a baby crying in the back of the apartment.  That seemed to
be enough for Peggy to come wide-awake.  "I'm coming Theresa!  Give mommy a
second, okay?  Good morning, Katrina.  Did you sleep well?"

   "I'm hungry," Katrina repeated.

   "Give mommy a second.  I need to get Theresa first, okay?"

   Peggy was startled when Janet asked, "Can I get you something to eat,
Katrina?"

   "Oh," Peggy said, "Oh God!  It wasn't a nightmare, was it?  Where's
Anita?"

   "Anita, that's your sitter's name!" Janet was getting more functional by
the minute.  "She was taken to the hospital last night.  No, make that
early this morning.  My friend Misty is with her."

   "Can you show me where your kitchen is, Katrina?" Janet held out her
hand to the statue.

   Katrina finally cut her eyes to Janet.  With a final glance at her
mother she removed the thumb from her mouth and took Janet's hand.  She
didn't speak, but she pointed to the left of the long hall with the hand
that was filled with the corner of a small blanket.

   Peggy disappeared down the hall and returned in a couple of minutes
holding a infant to her left breast with her left arm, and leading another
brown-haired girl with her right hand.

   Janet had Katrina in a booster seat with a cup of juice and bowl of
cereal.  When she saw the older girl she asked her, "Hi, I'm Janet.  Would
you like some juice and cereal?" The taller girl just nodded.

   "This is my oldest, Dana.  She's my big seven-year-old.  She's been
helping me since I was eighteen." Peggy was clearly proud of Dana.

   Janet was pouring cereal it a bowl for Dana when the numbers penetrated
her brain.  "What?  How old are you, Peggy?"

   "Twenty-five," Peggy answered.  Janet was shocked.  The woman looked
forty if a day.  Peggy caught the expression, "Yeah, I get that a lot.  My
Mom was totally gray at nineteen.  Sorry about having my tit hanging out. I
don't have a bottle ready for Theresa and she's really hungry.  I'm
surprised that she slept so late this morning."

   "No reason to apologize," Ralph assured her.  "Breast feeding is
perfectly natural and should be allowed anywhere.  Can I make us some
coffee?"

   "I'm out of coffee," Peggy responded.  "There may be some tea in the
cabinet above the stove."

   Peggy looked at the clock on the stove.  "You've missed the bus, Dana. I
don't know how I'm going to get you to school this morning.  I'm sorry I
overslept."

   "I can take her to school if she knows the way," Ralph volunteered. 
"What time does she need to be there and how far away is the school?"

   Peggy responded, "She needs to be there at eight-fifteen, and it's
probably no more than ten or fifteen minutes by car.  It's easy to find."
Peggy took a pad from a pocket on her refrigerator and wrote directions for
Ralph along with her phone number.

   Dana finished eating, brushed her teeth, and was dressed by eight. 
"I'll grab us some coffee on the way back," Ralph told Janet as he left
with Dana.

   "I can't believe I just let a strange man drive off with my Dana."

   "Ralph isn't all that strange," Janet joked.

   Janet found Peggy's phone book and asked, "Who besides Anita and Victor
have keys to your apartment?  You need to get the locks changed, today if
possible."

   Peggy shook her head, "This is Victor's apartment.  The lease is in his
name.  I can't afford a place this nice."

   Janet looked a bit distressed, "What's Anita's situation?  Could you
move in with her?"

   Peggy shook her head, "Not a chance.  Her mom is a real Bible-thumper
and doesn't even want her working for me because of my sinful ways.  In
fact, Anita will be homeless when her mother finds out that her hymen is
gone."

   Janet gave Peggy and incredulous look, "You're kidding!"

   Peggy just shook her head.

   There was a lot of planning to be done when Ralph returned with coffee
and pastries for the adults.  He had spoken with Misty by telephone on his
way back from the coffee shop.  Misty couldn't remember how to get back to
Peggy's apartment and had gone on to her classes.  Anita would be in the
hospital for a couple of days in case there were internal injuries.

   *-*-*

   Midmorning Tuesday there was a knock on Lesa's office door.  "Come in,"
Lesa called out from her desk.

   A frumpy girl with stringy brown hair stepped into the office, "Mrs. 
Crews?"

   "Yes," Lesa confirmed.

   "My name is Trenda Collins.  Jake Caulfield said I should speak with you
about my dilemma."

   The girl looked familiar, but not the name.  Lesa asked, "Oh, when did
you speak with Jake?"

   Trenda was clearly uncomfortable as she said; "He and I had dinner last
night with a couple of cheerleaders, Leslie and Sara?  Yes, I'm pretty sure
that was their names.  I guess he hasn't spoken with you about me?"

   "No," Lesa replied.  "I haven't seen Jake since yesterday morning.  But
that doesn't mean you can't explain the situation yourself, does it?"

   Trenda closed the door, "I have a CAP score of six-point-six, but I
don't want to join the military.  Jake thought that you might know of an
alternative."

   Lesa smiled, "Yes, there are non-combatant branches known as Civil
Service and Fleet Auxiliary that are available to those who don't want to
participate in direct military activities.  But, let's face the facts. 
There may not be a way to avoid confrontation with the Sa'arm.  What is
your specialty, Trenda?"

   Trenda was relaxing a bit, "I'm a math major and really enjoy statistics
and probability."

   Lesa nodded, "I can see where that can be applied in a number of arenas.
How's your sex life?"

   Shock registered on Trenda's face and she stammered, "What ... Why is
that important?"

   "Even in the Civil Service you'll be expected to raise children, or more
precisely, you'll be the head of a baby producing family.  Your CAP score
would put you in charge of two companions.  In your case I would recommend
a sexually compatible male and a female who would be the primary
caregiver." Lesa spoke evenly and without emotion to the visibly
embarrassed girl.  "Do you have candidates in mind?"

   Trenda shook her head, "No!  I've never ... I mean, I'm not ... active."
She was blushing pink from her hairline to her cleavage."

   Understanding struck Lesa, "You're a virgin?"

   Trenda had to close her eyes to even answer the question with a nod.

   "And you're a senior?" Lesa finally recognized her as a member of one of
Jake's study groups.

   Trenda was able to open her eyes to nod her reply.

   "I'm afraid being a virgin is a handicap when looking for a sexually
compatible companion, especially for a girl.  Is there someone close to you
who can relieve you of your virginity?"

   Trenda's mouth dropped open.  She could hardly breathe as she shook her
head.

   "I recommend that you find someone with experience that you trust, and
ask them to give you some sexual experience.  Who do you know that's
sexually active that you might be able to entice?" Lesa knew she was
pushing the girl, but it was the best way to handle these things.

   A crimson Trenda suggested, "Jake seems to have experience."

   Lesa laughed, "Yes, Jake does have more than a little experience, but he
may be a bit much for a virgin to handle.  Especially someone who's as
small as you might be.  Is there anyone else?"

   Trenda wondered how Lesa knew about Jake's sexual credentials, but
pressed on.  "I don't know if they have any experience, but I can get very
turned on by Jeff Waters and Mike Bridges.  They are also in my advanced
mathematics study group.  How can I find out if they have any experience
with sex?"

   Lesa gave Trenda a puzzled look and said, "Ask them.  This is nothing to
be shy or coy about.  Ask one or both of them if they would be willing to
have sex with you.  I recommend both, just not at the same time, for your
first time."

   Trenda's eyes got really big, "Okay."

   Lesa asked, "Let me know how it works out for you, okay?"

   Trenda just nodded and quickly left the room where more shocking
concepts had been expressed that she had ever been exposed to in such rapid
succession.

   Jake was in his usual study spot when he saw a blushing Trenda walking
toward the exit.  He got her attention, but when she saw Jake she colored a
darker shade of red, picked up her already quick pace and was gone.  Jake
got up and headed for Lesa's office.

   He stuck his head into Lesa's office, "Hi, it looks like Trenda found
you before I did.  Is everything okay with her?"

   Lesa nodded, "I think so.  Her biggest problem is how to dispose of her
virginity so that she can make an informed choice of companions.  Come in
and sit down.  You'll never guess who dropped by my house for tea last
night."

   *-*-*

   Ralph dropped Janet off at her dorm and decided to cut his classes on
Tuesday to stay with Peggy and her kids.  The locksmith was there when he
returned.  He hadn't checked the paperwork and gave Peggy five keys to the
new lock cylinder.  He said he had to drop a sixth one at the
superintendent's office to insure that the landlord had access to the
apartment.

   When Peggy put Katrina down for a nap after lunch she returned to the
kitchen where Ralph was studying.  She interrupted Ralph, "Thanks for
staying with me today, but it's really not necessary.  Phyllis is going to
cover my shift today, and I'm hoping Anita can come home tomorrow morning.
I'm not as smart as you guys, but I know something more than just
friendship is between you, Janet and Misty.  Is it wishful thinking on my
part, or are you considering including me in your little family?"

   Ralph looked up at Peggy and smiled, "You are correct on all counts. 
Janet is the really smart one.  Misty and I plan to leave Earth with Janet
when she's picked up by the Confederacy.  Would you and your girls be
interested in coming with us?"

   Peggy collapsed into a chair with a corner of the table between her and
Ralph.  "I knew you guys were together, but didn't dream you were joining
the exodus!  What do I have to do to come with you?"

   Ralph gave her a reassuring smile, "Mostly be your loving self.  Didn't
Janet mention that she needed a stay-at-home mom?  Janet is the boss and
has the last say, but I'm sure you'll be required to take care of not only
your children, but also the other children in the household.  You will also
be required to have more babies yourself.  Hopefully you won't mind having
sex with the rest of us."

   Peggy blushed and asked, "You mean I'd be expected to have sex with her
and Misty as well as with you?"

   Nodding, Ralph took her hand, "I'm sure they won't push you too hard. 
You might actually enjoy sex with them more than with me.  How responsive
are you to intimate caresses?"

   Peggy started unbuttoning her blouse, "Would you like to find out for
yourself?"

   Ralph stood and extended his hand, "Perhaps you'll let me do that in
your bedroom?"

   Accepting Ralph's hand, Peggy stood and led him into a small bedroom at
the end of the hall that had an attached bathroom.  Ralph kissed her gently
on the mouth before pushing the open blouse off of her shoulders and down
her arms.  Instead of pulling the tails out of the waistband, he opened the
snap and lowered the zipper of her slacks.  When he pushed them over her
hips, both the slacks and blouse fell to the floor.  Peggy stepped out of
her slippers as she extracted her feet from the pile of clothes and stood
in the middle of the room wearing only her panties and a nursing bra.

   Except for her massive mammary mounds, she wasn't all that heavy and
dropped to her knees to help Ralph with his shoes.  He stepped out of his
jeans and felt her lower his briefs as he pulled his golf shirt over his
head.  He looked down when he heard her gasp as his shaft sprang clear of
the waistband of his underwear.

   Peggy looked up at Ralph with big brown eyes as she leaned forward and
engulfed his shaft with her mouth.  It was Ralph's turn to gasp when her
soft lips and busy tongue went to work on his cock.  When she had him
coated in saliva, she grabbed his hips and leaned into his groin until her
nose was pressed into his abdomen and her lips were around the hairy base
of his heavy tool.

   "Wow!" Ralph exclaimed; then hissed when she swallowed with the crown of
his cock lodged in her throat.  "Oh God!  No one's ever done that to me
before." Ralph stood as still as he could for a couple of minutes while
Peggy worked her magic on his manhood.  He pushed her back before he lost
control.

   "I want you to cum in my mouth!" Peggy begged him.

   "And I want to cum in your pussy," Ralph responded as he pulled her to
her feet.  "I can do a better job testing you if I have some functional
brain cells." Dropping to his knees he gripped her French-cut panties at
the leg opening.  "Ditch your bra while I dispose of your panties."

   There was a lot of pubic hair escaping the crotch of the tiny garment.
When he had peeled them past the pouting lips, Ralph was treated to a mass
of salt-and-pepper pubic hair trying to conceal a pair of plush labia.  His
nostrils flared as he leaned in close to slide the panties down her smooth
legs.  The heat of her crotch carried the clean, fresh scent of an excited
woman directly to his brain.

   Peggy stumbled backwards as she stepped out of her panties and fell
across the bed while continuing to struggle with her bra.  Ralph
knee-walked the short distance to the bed, hooked his hands behind her
knees, and lifted her thighs high and wide giving his mouth free access to
their juncture.  Peggy squealed when the first swipe of his tongue forced
her plump labia apart from anus to clitoris.

   Peggy abandoned her attempt to remove the bra.  She simply didn't have
enough focus to deal with even the simple closures.  Ralph released the
last of the bra hooks and manhandled her onto the bed.  Peggy was amazingly
limber.  Ralph leaned against the back of her up-thrust legs and finally
managed to push her bra off over her head.  He guided his cock to her
hungry hole with one hand as he stretched to slide the bra off of her
outstretched arms with his other hand.

   The tunnel his cock sank into was incredibly wet, slick, hot, and soft.
It was as though she had thousands of little fingers in her soft tunnel
massaging his length as his fleshy piston glided in and out.  The warm milk
leaking from her nipples triggered something in Ralph when he latched onto
one with his mouth and the other with his thumb and finger.  This put Peggy
into orbit and she screamed and clawed Ralph's back as her orgasm hit a
sustained plateau where she remained until Ralph's spasming cock stopped
moving.

   Ralph was still hard when he backed out and sat up.  "You're dangerous
on your back," he complained.  "Roll over onto your knees and show me your
fabulous fanny."

   Peggy was hardly more than semiconscious as she completed the maneuver.
She sighed in pleasure has Ralph socketed his cock into her vagina again.
The ripples that crossed her buttocks every time he slammed his pelvis into
her padded center fascinated Ralph.  He stroked, slapped, and squeezed the
soft flesh as he enjoyed the pleasure of pumping his cock into her pussy.

   When Ralph heard Peggy mumble, "Do my ass," his dick became impossibly
stiff.  He coated his finger with their combined juices and had little
trouble pushing it into the small target hidden between the soft, pale
globes of her ass.  When he had two fingers working easily past the
sphincter, he shifted his slick shaft from her vagina to her rectum.  In
three trusts his balls were slapping against her soft labia.

   Her ass was exquisitely tight and Ralph knew that he was only moments
from climax.  He could feel Peggy abusing her own clit and vagina with her
fingers as his pace became as frenzied as her fingers.  He had trouble
keeping his pulsing cock seated in her depths when she began thrashing in
her own orgasm shortly after he began spurting his seed into her bowels.

   Ralph collapsed onto her back and the two remained still except for
their heavy breathing until his shrinking cock finally popped free.

   "Let's go jump into the shower," Peggy suggested.

   Ralph didn't say anything; he just backed off enough for her to get out
from under him.  He then followed her into the small bathroom and squeezed
into the shower stall with his latest lover.  Peggy was washing Ralph's
back when she apologized, "Oh God, I'm so sorry about scratching your back.
I don't usually get so carried away."

   Ralph just nodded.  He didn't remember ever being this drained, not even
after an all-nighter with both Janet and Misty.

   They had just finished dressing when they heard someone knocking on the
front door.  Ralph looked through the peephole before opening the door to
admit Dana.  "My key doesn't work," she complained.

   "We changed the lock," Ralph explained and handed her a new key.  "Throw
your old one away and put this one in its place."

   "Hi sweetheart, how was school?" Peggy appeared to be fully recovered
from her marathon bout with Ralph.  She had the sheets bundled in her arms
as she crossed the room.

   Ralph made sure Peggy and her girls were set for the night before he
returned to his dorm room for fresh clothes and a good night's rest.  He
picked up Anita from the hospital Wednesday between classes and helped her
move her things from her apartment to Peggy's while her mother was at work.
She had called her mother from the hospital and told her that Peggy needed
her to keep the kids; so, she had just stayed the night at Peggy's.

   The doctors had been able to clean up the physical damage to Anita's
vagina, and a couple of weeks after she was discharged she let Bobby finish
what he had started on the couch.  With just that one pleasant experience
as a reference she decided that sex wasn't so terrible after all.  When she
heard happy noises up the hall later that same night, she joined in a
threesome with Peggy and Ralph.  Ralph was grateful that it happened on a
Friday night because he couldn't move until noon the next day.

   *-*-*

   Finals week finally arrived.  When everyone had completed the marathon
study and testing cycle there was a major celebration at the local Hampton
Inn.  There were just too many revelers to fit comfortably in Lesa's house,
especially with the level of bedspring action that took place afterwards.

   Janet took Ralph aside, "You need to test drive both Anita and Peggy to
be sure they're not dead lays."

   Misty overheard the suggestion and laughed, "Did you think I'm the one
who put the deep scratches on Ralph's back?"

   Ralph blushed as he said, "Sorry, I thought you knew.  I've had Anita
and Peggy separately and together several times.  They're anything but
dead! You guys need to check Anita's powerhouse friend, Bobby."

   Janet laughed, "I guess I have been busy!  I promise to pay more
attention to you in the future, dear." She moved in and gave Ralph a
passionate kiss.

   Jake had arranged for three chartered buses for the group, their
friends, and their families.  Most didn't know there was to be a change of
venue until they were asked to collect their luggage and board one of the
buses.  The bonding sessions during the trip from Atlanta to Arlington were
interesting, educational, and quite often entertaining.

   Leslie was worried that her parents had changed their minds, but it
turned out that Theresa's latest boyfriend objected to her moving out, and
Red had to be bailed out of jail.  The black eye and busted lip didn't hide
the fact that Theresa was a beautiful and rather stereotypical blonde.  Red
had shattered the door to get inside where he promptly shattered the
idiot's jaw.  Thank God Theresa had not yet gotten pregnant by this
particular loser.

   Trenda wasn't sure why the party was moving to Virginia, but she talked
Jeff and Mike into tagging along.  The trio had pretty much been joined at
the hip for the last month.



   Most of the Atlanta crew remained in the hotel rather than attend the
boring award ceremony in the attached convention center.  Jake and Lesa
kept looking around the auditorium wondering when someone was going to put
them out of their misery.  Janet had leaned on Ralph's shoulder and was
snoozing away.

   Lesa looked when she saw a door opening.  In the middle of a group of
men there was someone who looked remarkably like her father, but he never
came to The States.

   Admiral Grayson had received the medal thirty minutes ago, why were
people still giving speeches?  Did something happen that has kept the
Confederacy from showing up?

   When she noticed several tall men and women moving around the periphery
of the auditorium, she woke Janet and got Jake's attention.  "That's
Captain McGregor up on the stage.  I wonder why he's just standing there."

   After the last scheduled speaker stepped away from the podium, Captain
McGregor stepped up and spoke into the microphone.  "Good evening ladies
and gentlemen.  My name is Captain Ian McGregor of the Confederacy Space
Marines.  I'm here this evening to extract a rather large number of
volunteers.  I would like everyone to remain seated until we get everyone
sorted.  I promise to take less time than the distinguished speakers that
have preceded me.  At this time I am in charge of the Convention Center as
well as the entire Hilton complex.  Anyone who creates a disturbance will
be dealt with harshly."

   "Finally," Jake, Ralph, Janet and Lesa said simultaneously.